Story: Six Paths of Rebellion
Storylink: s/10448834/1/
Category: Naruto + Code Geass Crossover
Genre: Chapters: 46
Author: Lord Maximus
Authorlink: u/765650/
Last updated: 11/21/2017
Words: 390024
Rating: T
Status: In Progress
Content: Chapter 1 to 46 of 46 chapters
Source:
Summary: Adopted from Kamen Rider Fourze. While battling Madara Naruto is sent into a new world with giant mechanical monsters used by a nation attempting to take over the world. With the aid of a girl named C.C. he plans to stop them by using power of Geass and the Sage of the Six Paths
*Chapter 1*: Chapter 1Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto. I have adopted this story from Kamen Rider Fourze after asking permission because I thought it was too interesting to be left unfinished so I will try continuing this story my way so I also acknowledge that the work on the beginning of this chapter belongs to Fourze. The first four chapters will be generally the same as the original but I've added some of my own work to accommodate the recent Naruto chapters.
Hope you all enjoy reading it and finding out if it is as good as what was Kamen Rider Fourze intended.
Xxx
'Awaken.'
He jerked his head, as his eyes blinked open slowly, feeling a cool sensation all over his body. The first thing he noticed when he opened his eyes was that everything was green. No…he realized everything was green from where he was. He was inside a glass tank filled with some green liquid, wearing a white full body suit with multiple bindings to restrain his limbs and a mask of some sort that he soon realized was providing him with air. He glanced around the room and saw it was empty, with only two doors beside each other at the other end.
There were no people, no tables, no chairs, only a metallic floor, walls, and ceiling. The only things in this room were two tanks. One of which held him, while the other held a girl with long flowing green hair wearing the same full body suit as him. And she was looking straight at him with intense yellow eyes that seemed to bore straight into his soul.
'Wh-where am I?' He thought to himself.
The last thing he had remembered was personally fighting Uchiha Madara with his friends. After that, there was a flash of light, and things began getting blurry.
'You're in a Britannian research facility in the Militarized Zone of India. You fell from an opening in the sky and landed right at their feet, where you proceeded to kill more than half the scientists and researchers at this facility using some unknown power, before they finally managed to subdue you with their Knightmares.' A female voice whispered in his mind.
'Was that her? Is she speaking into my mind?' Regardless of how she was doing it, her words were bringing back memories.
He remembered…
Uchiha Madara attempting to capture the remaining Biju(Tailed Beasts) to revive the Juubi(Ten-Tails), preparing to subjugate the world in Infinite Tsukuyomi as he captured Naruto and Killer B but Naruto was saved by Obito at the last second. He knew that Madara would force him to use his stolen Rinnegan to revive him and when that happened he'd be able to seal the Juubi inside of him. He knew that Madara had Zetsu looking for the other Rinnegan he hid away and he would use it to bind the other Biju and seal them back into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. He couldn't let that happen so he did the only he could do: deny Madara the chance to revive the Juubi.
Obito Uchiha creating a giant Kamui portal to swallow up everything to prevent Madara from capturing the Kyuubi inside of Naruto. He extracted Shukaku and Gyuki and sealed their chakra inside Naruto with the chakra of the other Biju to prevent Madara from summoning and sealing the Juubi inside his body to gain its power.
Everyone hanging on for their lives as they struggled to not be pulled into the dimensional portal.
Naruto being pulled forward and creating a massively large Odama Rasengan to collide with the portal, sealing it up to stop Madara from chasing after him.
He knew he wouldn't be coming back…
He had no regrets though…
He managed to stop Madara's plans of robbing the world of free will
Perhaps the world he left will start over with the very few survivors learning how to make peace like his family had strived to create for centuries.
He knew he wouldn't be Hokage now but he supposed Sasuke-teme would make a decent one, making sure that history never repeated itself.
"Naruto-kun!"
He remembered hearing Hinata's voice crying out to him as he vanished, smiling at how ironic it was that he had spent his life never being noticed and he never noticed her until it was too late. If he could turn back the clock of time he might try giving her a chance.
Maybe if they met again in another life…
He fell through and saw only darkness…
And then there was light and he was free.
He remembered being attacked by some kind of giant metal monsters and he tried to fight back but he was weak from the battle with Madara.
He collapsed as the last of the strength faded from him and he fell into the world of slumber.
It must have been as the girl said.
After he landed here through Kamui, his Odama Rasengan must have discharged and killed the people she mentioned. 'How long have I been here?'
'Two weeks. I was to be sent to Area 11 a week ago, but they decided to wait and send us together. I know you have power, and I do not believe you will let them use you as a lab rat. My offer to you: form a contract with me, to make my wish come true, and I shall grant you the Power of the King. Accept this contract, and while you live in the world of humans, you shall live unlike any other human. The Power of the King will isolate you. If you are prepared for it…'
'Nope. I have more than enough power, and I don't need any more. However, I will help to make your wish come true. You don't need to bribe me for my help.' Even behind the oxygen mask, Naruto managed to give her a confident smile, one that indicated failure was not an option.
'Admirable, but a contract cannot be formed on unequal terms.'
'You're going to be stubborn on this, aren't you?' Naruto sourly asked, ignoring how hypocritical it was to call someone else stubborn. 'Fine, I accept your contract. And I'll make sure your wish comes true, that's a promise. And I never go back on my word dattebayo(believe it)!'
The girl allowed herself a small victorious smirk, as she proceeded to grant this boy the power of Geass. As she started the process of forming the connection, something inside the boy resonated against her, trying to prevent her from interfering.
'What is this? How can he be fighting against me?' She thought with sudden frustration.
She wasn't going to let it stop her though. She forced her way through, until she felt the power of Geass take hold in him.
What she didn't expect was the sudden unexpected feeling of pain hitting her.
It was as if the hottest fires suddenly erupted in her body. Unrelenting, uncontrollable pain filled every fiber of her being, causing her body to writhe around wildly in her tank. In her mind she could see images of places she had never seen before even though she had traveled all over the world in her long life.
A beautiful red haired woman giving birth to a child with blond hair.
A masked man summoning a giant fox with nine tails to attack the village.
The boy's parents sacrificing themselves to seal the beast into the child.
The child being an outcast in his village.
The child's team being formed.
A man with long dark hair, gray skin, and sickly yellow eyes grinning evilly as he bit into the neck of the boy's friend with sharp fangs like a snake.
The boy fighting against a black haired boy with red eyes with three tomoes and a lightning crackling in his hand.
Eleven figures garbed in black cloaks decorated with red clouds standing as the sun rose behind them.
Nine beast of power being sealed into a giant statue that changed into a gigantic monster with ten tails and a giant single evil eye glaring down at the world.
The boy meeting all nine tailed beasts and their human hosts and hearing their names.
And these tailed beasts surrounding her, glaring down at her.
"You have some nerve trying to control our host with your so called contract." The nine tailed fox, Kurama growled, scaring her.
"We are with him and we will protect him from all threats, no matter their intent." The ox-like creature with eight tails, Gyuki spoke.
"All great power comes with a price. You of all people should know this." The two tailed cat, Matatabi stated.
"We sense you do not wish to harm him but we will not stand by and let you use him." The seven tailed beetle, Chomei said.
"The power you seek to benefit yourself will bring about changes that can never be reversed." The three tailed turtle, Isobu said.
"So be careful, child." The six tailed slug, Saiken softly said.
"The power you have granted him will affect both your destiny and his." The four tailed ape, Son Goku continued.
"So watch yourself, little girl, or your dead." The one tailed raccoon like creature, Shukaku commented.
"Look to our host and he will guide you." The five tailed horse, Kokuo nodded.
"We will be watching you and your intent." All Biju spoke before vanishing into the dark.
She now stood seemingly on water and she looked up to see someone else was with her. An old man a long goatee, white hair, and he was garbed in a long white robe with a six black magatama necklace around the high collar floating above what seemed to be water cross legged with the strangest eyes she had ever seen staring at her.
"Harmony. Unity." The man spoke, holding out his hands and showing his palms. "A power that can only used by one who thinks of his friends, family, and comrades before everything else, including himself. What you sought to pursue in giving power to the one who is my disciple, my descendant, and one who earned his place as my successor to bring peace and order through a contract shall result in what it is to be expected when one with the power of the unconscious imagination forges a deal with the power attained through cooperation, love, and unity. You shall have what you sought but be warned that when the two immortal powers interact they leave unexpected results."
In the right palm was a symbol of the sun while the left hand showed a symbol of the moon.
"The Power of the King and the Eyes of God. Each power can be used for great and terrible things by just themselves. Powers that can give birth to nations, kingdoms, and even a brand new world but it is the user who decides to use them for creation or destruction. Heed my warning; do not allow this power to corrupt you or the good my disciple will try to bring to the world. May he help you find your way and to understand everything and all paths to true life and immortality. I wish you great success and a long life, Cera Celeste."
The man vanished but she saw his piercing eyes staring at her as he vanished, seemingly engulfing her with their stare.
After what felt like years, but was in reality only three minutes, the pain had all but left her body, save for the burning sensation in her eyes. She kept trying to force it back, and it pressed her to accept whatever it was attempting to do to her. Unwilling to continue the struggle, she relented, and felt something envelop her eyes. She didn't know or understand what it was but she felt like her eyes were changing, morphing into something different.
Into something that screamed with power.
Naruto, seeing the pain the girl was experiencing, turned to face the glass in front of him. Seemingly acting on instinct his bright ocean blue eyes faded away, to be replaced by a ripple-like pattern of multiple rings around the pupil, with a light purple iris and sclera.
'Geass.' These words whispered into his mind by something that had burned itself into his mind. 'Absolute Harmony and Unity.'
He didn't know what it what it was but he saw images of a world he did not recognize, white images, a temple, and a man with a cruel smile. He was suddenly filled with a sense of purpose and understanding as he instinctively reached out with this new power. The front portion of the glass tank was blasted open, the broken shards embedding themselves in the wall across the room at least five inches deep. He fell to his knees on the floor, ripping off the oxygen mask and coughing up some of the green liquid from his lungs.
As soon as he felt he could, Naruto stood up and walked over to the girl's cage, smashing his fist into a small panel on the wall beside it. The liquid inside her tank began draining to the bottom, followed by the tank itself descending to let her free. As she fell forward, Naruto moved to catch her in his arms before she hit the ground. He knelt down slowly and stared at her face worriedly, as she didn't seem to be breathing.
His fears were all for naught however, as slowly she opened her eyes to gaze up at him.
With eyes bearing the Rinnegan.
Xxx
"Target has been located. Enemy Sutherlands are approaching. Permission to engage?"
"I have no need for them. Deal with them as you will," the woman said, as she observed their approach on the screen.
She was lounging on an elegant couch, a long wooden pipe held in her right hand. She had long golden hair that fell to the small of her back and intense turquoise eyes that projected extreme intelligence, despite currently looking bored.
"Just remember, we're here for whatever they built this place for. Try to leave the facility intact until you recover it."
"Understood, Rakshata!"
Xxx
"What's happening?!" A young boy's voice shouted. "What happened to the Sword?! It's been severally damaged!"
The boy walked into what looked like a lab with consoles that were smoking and short-circuiting with lines of data running across the screens.
"Lord V.V." A man wearing a lab coat bowed his head. "We do not know what happened. We've detected a large energy pulse from the Collective Unconscious that's more powerful than anything we've scanned before."
"What?" V.V. asked, his eyes widening at the thought of what the implications meant. 'Are the Gods trying to defend themselves?'
"We're receiving new data on the energy pulse." The attendant continued.
V.V. looked over the data taken from analyzing the mysterious energy pulse that had appeared. "All of our work…Set back a whole year. If anyone was in there they would have been killed. Was this the Gods attempting to destroy the Sword?"
"There is something else, Lord V.V. We detected an energy source in India through our instruments designed to detect Geass usage." The attendant spoke up.
V.V.'s eyes shot up since he knew of only one person in India who might be capable of doing something like this. 'C.C. Is this her work? No, not even she's capable of causing an output of psychic energy as large as this. The Collective Unconscious is somehow behind this, it can't have been done by any mortal. Even one with a Code.'
Did the Gods intervene to save themselves or did they react to something else?
"Get me in contact with Charles now." V.V. ordered.
They had to find out what happened now.
Xxx
"H-how do you have the Rinnegan?" Naruto asked in shock at seeing this girl having the same legendary eyes as Nagato and Madara.
He stared down at her Rinnegan eyes, similar to his own in every way, save for one small detail. Beneath the pupil in her eyes, was a small violet symbol, almost resembling a bird.
It was then that he noticed he could see his own Rinnegan eyes, and he had the same marking under his pupils. "You…we're sharing vision? I have the Rinnegan?!"
'Interesting turn of events.' Kurama noted inside Naruto.
'What's going on, Kurama? Why do we have the Rinnegan?' Naruto asked.
'She tried reach into your mind to give you this power and when she gave you this so-called Geass it affected her as well through the mental link she set up with you. She saw your life, me and the other Biju and the…old man who said something."
'Old man?' Naruto asked.
'You know him as the Sage of Sixth Paths.' Kurama answered, causing Naruto's eyes widen. 'I don't know why she would see him in your mind but I guess since your clan is related to the Senju Clan, one of the old man's descendants perhaps what she saw is a connection to the old man.'
'Wow. What happened?' Naruto wondered.
'His power must have reacted to her and somehow gave you both the Rinnegan. The old man said Harmony and Unity.' Kurama surmised. 'The power she was using was unlike anything I've encountered before but whatever it is it is immensely powerful, enough that it could possibly substitute itself for the old man's spiritual energy. Another reason for why you have the Rinnegan, I sensed some foreign chakra entering your body as you came here. It came from the Uchiha who sent you through the dimensional rift.'
'Obito?' Naruto's eyes widened. 'I absorbed some of his chakra.'
'And that chakra mixed with your own, absorbed into your body and this girl's power which is strong enough that it awakened that chakra, merging together and awakening the old man's eyes. Only a combination of his physical and spiritual energy could give you the Rinnegan.' Kurama finished.
'And why does she have the Rinnegan?' Naruto looked at the girl.
His eyes widened as he could see that she now had a chakra circulatory system and she had as much chakra as he did. If that wasn't odd enough the girl's chakra was purple instead of blue.
'Her chakra, it's purple. I thought chakra in humans was blue.' Naruto honestly was counting down all the weird things happening to him today.
'The power she used…'Kurama thought it over. 'She made a contract with you and it made some kind of connection. You inherited the physical energy of the Sage while her own form of spiritual power was strong enough that when it merged with you your own power took hold of the girl at the same time. You gained the strange power she called Geass while she gained the power inside you, thus bringing both powers together and allowing you both to access the Rinnegan. The purple chakra must be the result of the two powers merging and take a closer look at yourself.'
Naruto looked down at himself and gasped as he saw his own chakra network. 'My chakra, it's purple too!'
'Harmony and Unity. It's altered your chakra and given this girl her own chakra network that has reserves as large as yours.'
The girl stared up into the eyes of the boy holding her, noting that his eyes had been changed. While he had been in the tank, he had normal eyes. Now, they were radically different, and not just because of the Geass either. The irises and sclera of his eyes were purple with multiple rings expanding out in a ripple like pattern from the black dot that was the pupil, beneath which the Geass symbol appeared, framing it between its 'wings'.
However, this was not what held her attention.
As she stared up at him, so too was he staring down at her. And she could see herself through his eyes. It was disorienting, having two fields of vision appearing before her, and caused minor dizziness for her. After a minute, she could observe both without complications, and gasped as she saw she possessed the symbol of Geass in both of her now ripple-patterned eyes.
How could this be?
She couldn't possess Geass. It was impossible. Then it dawned on her. She reached up with one hand and pushed aside the hair hiding the symbol that represented her curse and saw with a sudden burst of shock and happiness that it was not there.
"My code is gone? I'm not immortal…?" She asked herself with a slowly forming smile.
'Depends on her definition of immortal.'
'What do you mean, Kurama?' Naruto asked.
'Whoever possesses the Rinnegan has the power to control life and death. The old man was almost immortal thanks to his long life span that your clan inherited and his power but he shortened it greatly when he created me and the other Biju. Remember Nagato?' Kurama explained.
'Yeah.'
'When he was brought back to life he absorbed my chakra to rejuvenate his body. The old man could have done the same to rejuvenate his weakening body back to its prime but he didn't. He chose to die as an ordinary human.'
'So the same applies to me and the girl." Naruto realized.
'Not exactly. There is something different about the Rinnegan you both share. I said whatever power she has is strong enough to substitute itself as the old man's spiritual power but there is something else there. Some kind of power keeping the body alive with an unknown source of energy and she claimed it left her immortal before it was absorbed by your new power. I sense that it has enhanced your life force so you both will be effectively immortal unless you are killed in battle or when you die a very long time from now.'
'Okay thanks.' Naruto nodded and looked down at the girl. "I don't know about what a Code is but a wielder of Rinnegan is effectively immortal because its power can control life and death. I can be killed in battle but I will most likely not die of old age."
He carefully sat her up, one arm cradling her shoulders, as the other was placed beneath her knees. The girl hummed in thought at that information. So, according to him, she was still immortal, but no longer invulnerable. And she was neither powerless nor alone anymore. That boy had done something to blast open his tank, and she suspected she might be able to do so as well.
No one would ever hurt or take advantage of her again. Now she could fight back. And here before her, was a boy who would be able to remain with her forever, if death did not take him. "I've decided. My wish is for you to remain by my side eternally. You are not allowed to die, and leave me alone once more."
'Huh? What the hell is that supposed to mean?' Naruto thought, bulking at her request. 'Never leave her side? Is she asking me to marry her or something?'
'Duh. She's obviously lived for a long time and if there was no one else immortal like her then she must be lonely.' Kurama explained, shaking his head over Naruto's cluelessness.
'Still though…' Naruto thought it over.
He hadn't been able to have a relationship because of the war even though there had been more than a few girls who wished to be with him. He probably would have thought about it if they had survived but he never got the chance. He would have been able to make Pervy Sage's vision of peace come true, but at more reasonable cost than the lives of innocents. For peace in the Elemental Countries, he would willingly walk his path alone until he succeeded.
Now, he was apparently in a new dimension because of Obito's Kamui had worked, unsure whether any of his friends or Madara had actually died when he vanished, and with a girl who would be able to stay with him as long as he was alive.
'You did agree to this contract.' Kurama pointed out.
'Yeah I guess and after all…' Naruto looked down at the girl with a small smile. "I never go back on my word."
That brought a smirk to her face as she stood up with his assistance. "You can call me C.C. For now, we should work on getting out of here."
As if to confirm her statement, the entire facility was shaken by a powerful explosion, dust falling from the ceiling onto their heads.
"Good plan. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, and I need my stuff. Do you have any idea where they might have stored my possessions when they brought me here?" He asked as another explosion, this one much closer, shook the facility.
"That door. They took you in there first before sealing you in the tank," C.C. informed him, as she pointed at the right door.
Just a second after she pointed at the door, the left door opened and an armed guard rushed in, before freezing in shock as the two test subjects had been awakened. He raised his rifle to fire, but before he could squeeze the trigger, his entire ribcage was forced through his body and out his back, blood dripping off the broken bones.
Naruto glanced to the green-haired girl beside him who was looking surprised at the result. "It works on people too?"
"Yes. That was Shinra Tensei, one of the abilities unique to the Rinnegan. I'm surprised you were able to use it to that degree on your first try, let alone use it at all since I didn't think your chakra coils were that developed." Naruto explained, remembering his fight with Nagato and somehow instinctively knew the powers the Rinnegan had.
A second guard ran inside and looked at the mutilated body of his comrade and started to run away, until he was forcefully pulled back into the room where Naruto's fist sunk into his stomach, knocking him out cold. "And that was Bansho Ten'in, the ability to attract forces rather than repel them."
He tossed the body aside and made his way into the room she had indicated, spotting his clothes, weapons and scrolls laid out on a long metal table. It seemed they had only gotten as far as opening his shuriken holster before they stopped. He shed the annoying white suit and started redressing himself in his own clothes that were meant for battle. A black and orange jacket over a black T-shirt, orange pants with blue shinobi sandals, and a long red coat with black flames at the bottom.
Finally, he tied his precious hitai-ate around his forehead. He placed his shuriken holster and equipment pouch onto his waist.
He walked back into the room C.C. had been waiting for him, and received an intriguing glance. "Well, it certainly suits you and it's better than the white jumpsuit. When they first brought you in I wondered why some would wear that much orange."
"And what does it say of you, having been here longer than I, suspended in that infernal tank?" Naruto countered.
Beside Naruto, a Shadow Clone phased into existence who quickly donned the discarded white suit and transformed into an exact replica of C.C. As if an unspoken order was given to it, the clone walked into C.C.'s former tank, donning the oxygen mask and allowing the tank to reseal around him, as it was once more filled with the green liquid.
"You said this was a Britannian facility. I don't know what that means, as I don't know who or what Britannia is. But if they kept you here, they must need you, and they'll take my Shadow Clone straight to them. From there, it'll summon me to its location so I can get some answers and dish out some pain for trying to experiment on me." Naruto responded to her questioning glance.
"Your clone can…summon you to its location?" C.C. asked intrigued.
"I guess it's another ability of the Rinnegan. That Shadow Clone is connected to me, and I suspect you as well. It can summon anyone bearing the Rinnegan to its location. Whatever this Geass thing you gave me does, somehow I just… know my Shadow Clone is more durable now." Naruto explained, unable to explain how he knew about his new power.
Now he had to contend with a third field of vision that was staring at the plain white walls. This would take some getting used to. C.C. nodded slowly, taking in that information as she worked on getting oriented with three different viewpoints.
"That's understandable. Once you receive the power of Geass, you'll have some instinctual knowledge on how to use it. I keep having the words Harmony and Unity flowing through my mind," She stated calmly.
"That actually helps more than you think. Harmony and Unity… oh this could be fun," Naruto said eagerly, as he darted out through the left door. As the two of them fought their way through the facility, they spotted more guards like the ones who had attacked them, fighting against other soldiers trying to free the captives who had been held here. "What do you think? Go with them?"
C.C. nodded quickly, as they quickly rounded a corner, avoiding a burst of gunfire.
"Britannia has no grounds to build a facility here, as India is controlled by the Chinese Federation. Those are likely their soldiers sent to destroy this place. I would wager they're also looking for whatever this facility was built to study," She said, giving him a meaningful glance.
"I'm going to need some history lessons later it seems. Right now, we might as well go help the people trying to evacuate this place." Naruto peeked around the corner, pulling out a kunai from his equipment pouch and spun it around on his finger.
He rolled out into a crouch, letting the gunfire pass harmlessly over his head, as he threw the kunai straight through the soldier's throat. C.C. raised an eyebrow at the primitive weapon, but couldn't criticize its effectiveness, especially in Naruto's hands, as she blasted three more soldiers through a wall to her right. As she ran after Naruto, she realized she was slowing down, and her breathing was becoming heavy. Why was she so exhausted so soon?
She was pressed back against the wall by Naruto's arm, as he let a soldier run past just enough for Naruto to pierce a kunai through the back of his head. "Tired? It's expected. Shinra Tensei is powerful, but very draining on your chakra reserves and you have to usually five seconds before doing it again. You've used it about ten times, and it seems that's your limit for now. We'll have to build up those reserves of yours when we get out of here."
"Seems like I'm going to need some information from you as well," C.C. remarked. "I need a weapon. Do you have anything beside what you have?"
'I got nothing.' Naruto thought.
'Not exactly.' Kurama cut in.
'What do you mean?'
'The power the old man used to create us, the Creation of All Things. If you have the Rinnegan you can use Ying-Yang combination to create anything.' Kurama explained.
'But I don't know the hand signs for that.' Naruto pointed out.
'There are no hand signs. This power combined Yin chakra and Yang chakra to make anything real, inanimate or living. Concentrate on your physical and spiritual energy. I'm sure that whatever this girl did to give you the Rinnegan has allowed you all the powers that the old man had with his eyes.'
Naruto held out his hand and closed his eyes. There was flash of light for a moment that faded and a kodachi appeared in Naruto's hand, surprising C.C. but the girl took it anyways. It wasn't like she had any chakra left to use anyways, so she needed something.
'Wow. That took a lot.' Naruto was suddenly having to catch his breath.
'Using the Creation of All Things without proper control takes a lot of chakra.' Kurama noted.
They continued to navigate through the veritable maze of corridors, Naruto killing Britannian guards with kunai, while C.C. ducked, dodged, and weaved between her enemies, slicing them apart mercilessly. It seemed she had a particular hatred for these men, and he frowned at what they might have done to her to deserve such brutal deaths. Directly ahead of them was the door to the Knightmare launch bay. If they were going to get out of here, it would be through there.
Barreling inside, they found that almost all the Knightmares had already been launched, and a few had been destroyed before they even left.
However, C.C. spotted one in the far corner with a gunned down body just short of it. "Over there. That pilot didn't make it."
Naruto ran over to the massive Sutherland before him and glanced up at it. It was big, but only compared to him. The thing wasn't even half as big as Gamabunta's leg.
"Wow. Do you know how to work this thing?"
"Of course. The grunts like him don't have their Knightmares code-locked. That means I just need to find the…here we go." C.C. stood up from the dead soldier, spinning a key around in her hand. She walked over to the Knightmare's lift and took hold of the handrail, placing a foot onto the lift. She looked over at Naruto who was still watching her with a bit of trepidation. "Oh, don't be a baby. If you've never seen anyone fight inside constructs like this, you're in for quite a show."
"At least Sasori's was human-sized," Naruto grumbled softly as he made his way onto the lift beside her, watching as it carried them up to the seat sticking out of the back.
It was a tight fit, trying to get them both onto it, but in the end, C.C. ended up sitting on Naruto's lap in order for her to pilot it. It didn't take long to convince Naruto of the Knightmare's usefulness.
As soon as they launched, they were in the middle of a battlefield. Knightmare frames on both sides trying to eliminate their enemies. And there was no clear cut winner. The Knightmare frames used by the Britannians at this facility had greater numbers, but the opposition seemed to have been made much better, as they were trading roughly one of theirs for every five of the enemy's forces.
C.C. smirked and started moving behind their enemy, firing the gun held in the Sutherland's right arm at their unprotected backs. By the time they realized there was an enemy behind them, they had lost nearly twenty Knightmares. Try as they might, they could not hit her with anything. Gunfire bursts missed, and those odd projectiles attached to cables were all dodged, or even better, grabbed by C.C. and used to hold them still for her to fire upon.
It was partly because of her shared vision with Naruto. While she focused on taking down enemies, Naruto had barely taken his eyes off the factsphere's radar display, letting her see exactly how many more were left and where they were positioned around her.
"Hmm this is fun. We're going to need our own Knightmare after this, one with two seats. Unless you'd rather we keep it to one," she teased, wiggling her hips on Naruto's lap, satisfied when she heard a stifled groan.
"Just focus on the fight. And women have the nerve to call men perverts," he muttered, watching the blue symbols around them rapidly diminish until finally there were none left.
Now all they had to do was hope the Indian forces wouldn't instantly fire upon them. The dark gray Knightmares in front of them leveled their weapons at them, but didn't fire.
A burst of static filled the cockpit until a voice rang out clear. "Who are you? Identify yourselves!"
C.C. and Naruto glanced at each other, a silent conversation going on between them from just eye contact, trying to decide what to tell them.
"We're two people this facility was used to experiment on." Naruto finally declared.
There was a long period of silence until the voice came back, much calmer this time. "Understood. We've been sent to clear out this facility and rescue any prisoners here. We'd like you to come with us to meet someone."
Before Naruto could respond, C.C. cut in and took the lead on this one. "That's fine. But in exchange, you must leave the rest of the facility intact. Things have been set into motion here that need to proceed. Don't worry. Britannia won't be pleased by it."
"I've received approval to heed your request. Please allow us to escort you away."
C.C. moved the Sutherland forward, as it was surrounded on all sides by the gray Knightmare frames, and led away from the still burning research facility.
Xxx
"So you two are the reason that facility was built?" asked the buxom blond Indian woman lying across from them on a couch.
"Well, built for her. They more or less… found me, and decided they'd study us together as a joint project," Naruto said, pointing at C.C.
They had been brought to an underground facility used by Rakshata Chawla and her staff, be they scientists or Knightmare pilots, whose goal was the independence of India. To do that, they'd been sending weapons and equipment to Area 11, more specifically something known as the Six Houses of Kyoto in exchange for a large sum of profits. The Six Houses of Kyoto then distributed them out to resistance groups in their country. Rakshata's group believed that by helping Japan obtain its independence, it would do the same for India.
"And why would Britannia need to devote so much time and effort, not to mention money, studying a single girl? What makes her so special?" Rakshata asked, now sitting upright and staring at C.C. curiously.
Naruto glanced over at C.C. but found her hands clenched on her lap, looking distinctly uncomfortable and pained. He knew that look. He'd seen it many times. Shinobi who had survived long enough to die of old age, always had that look at one point or another.
Being forced to bring up horrific memories of pain and death they've experienced.
"They needed her utilize my abilities," Naruto lied smoothly.
To C.C.'s credit, she managed to limit her shock to just a slight widening of the eyes, before her face took on a neutral expression, as if this wasn't new to her.
"Oh? Do explain that please," Rakshata all but ordered with one slender eyebrow raised.
In response, Naruto activated his Rinnegan, allowing her to see the purple rippled eyes, now bearing a Geass symbol beneath each pupil. "C.C. is the only one who could not only unlock the full limits of my eyes, but take the power on for herself."
C.C. decided to assist Naruto by activating her own Rinnegan, a perfect match to Naruto's.
"Fascinating. I'm assuming then that you can activate or deactivate them at will from your demonstration. And what do they do?" Rakshata asked as she was now leaning over the table, one hand grasping Naruto's chin as she turned his head left and right, carefully examining the unique eyes he now sported.
"I'll tell you my story if you provide me with some information." C.C. observed Naruto from the corner of her eyes.
She wanted to hear of Naruto's life prior to his arrival here as well, though she'd never ask herself. This was a very convenient opportunity.
"Oh and what is it you desire to know? There are, naturally, some things you won't be privy to." Rakshata made a slight wave with her hand, dismissing the armed guards from the room.
As soon as she was sure they were alone, she activated the room's security lockdown.
"World history. What is Britannia? Why do people speak of them with hatred and malice? Why are countries under the control of others? I need to know how things work in this world." Naruto listed off the questions in his mind.
If Rakshata was surprised by his lack of knowledge concerning the world's conquering empire, she didn't comment on it. She merely lost her interested look as she began to explain how Britannia had risen to power, forced their rule on more than half the world already, and were constantly trying to control the rest. She explained their policy of stripping a country and its people of their name, and replacing them with numbers. On and on she went for hours, detailing every tidbit of Britannia's ruling structure, military superiority, and their opinions of non-Britannians.
By the end of her explanation, Naruto's nails had pierced through his palm due to how tightly he was clenching his fists. This dimension…this world…sounded like one elemental country having enough power to conquer the rest. At least back in his world there was some semblance of balance, shaky though it was, between the five bigger nations. As of right now, for all intents and purposes, it seemed as if Britannia had won already.
He could tell there were some things she had skipped in her explanation, but he'd heard enough to consider Britannia his enemy. But he couldn't take down a nation alone. There was no village on his side, and no other shinobi fighting with him on the battlefield.
"How am I supposed to stop them alone?" he muttered under his breath.
"Have you already forgotten our contract, Naruto? You are to remain by my side eternally. That means you are not fighting them alone" C.C. stated firmly.
"Even the two of you can't take Britannia down by yourselves. You'd need an army, and a damn good one too. Forgetting for a moment, that Britannia has the largest army in the world with enough Knightmares to fill it, you have to consider the Knights of the Round as well. People say each member can take down a small army alone, and there are supposedly twelve of them," Rakshata cautioned them, feeling slightly amused.
Many had dreams of ending Britannia's tyranny over the world, and all of them had failed miserably. But this boy…something about him made her believe, if just for a moment, that he could win.
"Now, I believe you owe me a story."
Naruto glanced up at her, and nodded slowly.
He wasn't sure whether she'd believe him, but he knew C.C. would, and he found that was all that mattered to him. "It all started on October 10th in my village…"
From there, he told them all about the Kyuubi's attack, his father's only option, how the villagers treated him and his struggle to become a shinobi. He told her all about his friends, the invasion of Konoha, his best friend and teammate's betrayal, Akatsuki and their desire to obtain the nine Biju, and finally about the 4th Shinobi War started by Obito, mentioning his master's goal to force 'peace' on the world and how Naruto ended up arriving in this dimension.
His tale had taken several hours, and it was well into the night when he finished. C.C. had stayed silent the whole time, but he could see anger, shock, and wonder burning just below the surface in her eyes.
Rakshata had actually snapped her pipe in half sometime during his story and she was calm but intrigued well. "Very well, now that I understand the situation, I believe it is in my best interests to help you. You two want to take down Britannia? Start in Japan. It should be easy to find people willing to fight back there. I've been informed they have the most active resistance groups out of all Britannia's territories."
"We'll need a Knightmare then. Hmm…two actually. And Naruto needs to be taught how to pilot one." C.C. stated. Naruto glanced at her in confusion. He'd been under the assumption they only needed one Knightmare with two seats, and he said as much to C.C.
"Our shared vision could be a huge advantage on the battlefield, Naruto. Two different Knightmares placed properly to ensure an absolute field of vision, would allow us to devastate our enemy," C.C. explained.
"I'll see what I can come up with for your Knightmares and I'll have him in the simulator tomorrow morning. Until they are completed, you two are welcome to stay here, and rooms shall be provided for you." Rakshata said as she stood up to leave, a clear dismissal.
Naruto and C.C. nodded as they stood up and made their way out of the room. They were led down the hallway by the guards and towards a single room containing very little aside from two beds and the bathroom.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Naruto turned to C.C. urgently. "Did you see it?"
She nodded affirmatively. "Britannia is transporting your Shadow Clone out of India."
Xxx
The next morning, Rakshata had decided to give Naruto only basic instruction on how to pilot a Knightmare, before putting him in the simulator. Wanting to have a little fun at his expense, she gave him his test run in the Shen Hu, a Knightmare frame of her own creation that no one had been able to pilot with adequate results.
Her new pipe fell to the ground as her jaw dropped in shock.
Naruto had been able to pilot the Shen Hu almost flawlessly at 96% of its power output. He was moving the agile blue frame as if it was his own body, and the simulator results showed that not a single enemy would have landed so much as a scratch on him, while he would have taken out at least thirty Sutherlands within the first ten seconds of combat. When the simulation ended, she rushed over to him and flat out offered him the Shen Hu as his personal Knightmare, but he declined.
It wasn't that the Shen Hu was deficient. He loved it, and could obviously fight well inside it. But he had his own ideas and designs he and C.C. came up with the night before, that he wanted implemented. Rakshata reluctantly agreed, disappointed that one of her creations was again left without a pilot, and possibly the only one capable of using it. At Naruto's request, she led them to her factory, where she personally oversaw all Knightmare production, and showed him the Sakuradite Core Luminous that would power the Knightmare being built for him.
Naruto walked around the small pink cube several times, looking at it interestedly.
"This thing is what powers the entire Knightmare? Interesting." Naruto had an inspiration the night before.
One thing he remembered from his fight with Nagato was the Asura Path, the dead body that had been converted into something comparable to Sasori's human puppet. The entire body had been filled with metal weapons and parts. Could he turn the Knightmare itself into his Asura Path? Oh that would be fun.
But how to do it? Luckily he had Kurama and the other Biju to help him out.
'The Knightmare needs your chakra if you want to convert into one of your paths.' Kurama answered.
'That simple?' Naruto asked.
'Not entirely sure. The old man didn't use much of his powers after he created us but based on the fight with Nagato and Obito the Six Paths technique works almost like how you distributed your chakra to everyone else, much like the old man's idea of Ninshu."
'You mean Ninjutsu?' Naruto asked.
'I mean Ninshu, the old man's original idea.' Kurama growled. 'He originally meant for people to connect their spiritual energy to each other, becoming to understand each other and feel each other's emotions. It was the idiot humans he taught that connected their spiritual energy to their physical energy that became modern day Ninjutsu.'
'Wow. You're being really talkative about this guy.'
'He was not some guy. He was the reason we all exist and for some reason you've inherited his power, this making it my responsibility to make sure you don't mess up and stain the old man's legacy. Now that you have the Rinnegan the technique for creating the Six Paths is the same as the old man's idea.' Kurama mentally shrugged. 'Worth a shot.'
Slowly, Naruto brought his hands up on either side of the Core Luminous, and closed his eyes.
Rakshata made to warn him that it would be dangerous, even lethal, to touch it with his bare hands, but was silenced by C.C.'s hand over her mouth. "He knows what he's doing, so just watch."
Though Rakshata could not see what Naruto was doing, C.C. could. Tendrils of glowing purple chakra left Naruto's fingertips and began entering the cube, slowly shifting its color from pink to a dark violet.
Naruto frowned, as sweat started beading his forehead. As he was filling this core with his chakra, he was able to feel the massive amount of power it already possessed. He had to interweave his chakra into this cube without destabilizing it or overpowering it. Little by little, he was replacing the Sakuradite in this Core Luminous with his chakra. He had just reached the halfway mark when he began to sense a problem growing in the core.
It was as if the Core Luminous refused to be transformed into a chakra core. The power inside it from the Sakuradite was growing and trying to push his chakra out to prevent any more change. He slowed down the streams of chakra into the cube and felt it becoming calm once more. But this wouldn't be good enough.
A 50-50 ratio of Sakuradite and chakra would not give him the power he needed to utilize a Knightmare as his Asura Path. He pressed on, forcing his chakra into this unstable power source to reach his goal. He now realized that he couldn't eliminate the presence of Sakuradite altogether. He forced more and more chakra into the core, even as he began to feel energy from the Sakuradite entering his hands and burning them from the inside out, though his healing factor was working to mitigate the effects.
As the presence of chakra began to feel complete within the Core Luminous, he suddenly halted the flow and jerked his hands away instantly. He had to lean against the wall to keep standing since it had been exhausting to send a lot of his chakra into the core, but he glanced at the new power source with pride. The dark purple Core Luminous had been heavily enhanced with chakra, leaving it at a 90-10 ratio of chakra to Sakuradite, more than enough to satisfy him. Rakshata stared in amazement as this boy managed to single-handedly alter an existing source of power into a new one.
And it was reading a 5000% increase in power! So many ideas and theories, so much technological advancement had been scrapped because the power required to utilize them was absurd. She would have had to first create technology for her Knightmares that could mitigate their power draw, which would unfortunately also hinder their effectiveness. But this…
With this, Naruto had destroyed the limitations standing in her way. It might be a little crude, just utilizing excessive power for the upgrades she had in mind, but no one would criticize her child once they saw it in action.
She was going to make their Knightmares her masterpieces.
Xxx
Rakshata was as good as her word, and began production of their Knightmares the very next day. C.C. had repeated Naruto's performance, creating a second chakra core which Rakshata had decided to dub Core Radiance. They hardly ever saw the woman for a while, unless she was coming up to them to ask about how their chakra worked and what kinds of things were possible while utilizing it. This gave Naruto ample time to browse through his belongings and tally up his inventory. He had just over twenty shuriken left in his holster, and fourteen regular kunai.
Alongside those, he had ten of his father's Hiraishin kunai, gifts from his father before he was swallowed by Obito's Kamui with instructions on how to use them. He'd need to find a blacksmith to create more of them, but that wasn't likely to happen anytime soon. He had 100 blank tag sheets, his sealing pen and a full bottle of ink he could use to make exploding tags or barrier seals. Finally he had the sealing scroll that contained the larger one his former master, Jiraiya of the Sannin, had used to seal up everything he thought might be useful.
This included scrolls of ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, fuinjutsu, kenjutsu, and a veritable library of Iryo ninjutsu and medical knowledge that he had won in a poker game against Tsunade.
It also happened to include his full published works and the research notes for three more. "Well, at least those books are good for something. No matter where you go, there's sure to be perverts so these should net me some ramen money."
"What books?"
Naruto turned around to see C.C. standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. "They're the most perverted books ever written, and the author is my former sensei. They're almost pure smut, and I think I'll change that before having them republished."
C.C. hummed in thought as she moved to sit beside Naruto on the bed. "It would be a good idea to have a source of income that doesn't require us to go out of our way to work for it. I imagine we wouldn't have much time to do so while also trying to bring down a nation."
"Fair point. I imagine we'll have quite a bit of free time until our Knightmares are finished, so I'll be teaching you to use chakra and ninjutsu. Maybe even kenjutsu as well. I'd hate for my skills to atrophy because I lacked a sparring partner."
C.C.'s eyes gleamed with faint excitement now.
She had wanted to learn how to utilize the power she now possessed. "What's the first step then?"
"Hmm." Naruto thought it over.
What should he start her on? Chakra control exercises seemed the natural way to go, but maybe teaching her Shadow Clone Jutsu would be better so they could start getting more done right away. No, it would be better for her to at least complete the tree, or in this case wall, walking and water walking exercises first.
"You're going to learn to control your chakra. This will also help build up your reserves so you can last longer and do more with it."
C.C. frowned slightly at that, but couldn't fault the logic. She had become exhausted after using that blasting power from her eyes ten times.
With that limit on her, she'd never be able to handle anything more powerful. "Fine. How do I learn to control my chakra?"
Naruto grinned and pointed out the door. "We're going to the gym."
Xxx
C.C. mentally cursed the laughing blonde idiot as she picked herself up from yet another fall. It had sounded so simple when she started. Focus chakra to the feet, climb up the wall without hands. He had told her to use one of his kunai to mark her place and take a running start, but she ignored him, believing she could accomplish this on her first try.
That had led to her first fall of the day.
She'd now been at it for more than three hours, and she had barely made it halfway up the wall. A myriad of scratches adorned the formerly pristine white wall in the gym, as well as dozens of small craters where she had used too much chakra. And to add insult to injury, Naruto had informed her that most females in his old dimension mastered this on their first try.
"Naruto, what am I doing wrong?"
Naruto wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes and finally calmed down enough to answer her. "You have almost as much chakra as I do C.C., so it's natural that you're having a harder time controlling it. The first time I learned this, it took me almost three days. You're using too much chakra, and you haven't once had an instant where you used too little. That makes it easier, since it's harder to use more chakra than tone down the amount you use now. Just keep at it. This isn't even the hardest exercise to master yet."
C.C. took in his words of advice and turned back to the wall, glaring at it as if it was her sworn enemy. She took her hands and formed the ram seal once more, concentrating chakra to the soles of her feet. She spun the kunai ring around on her right pointer finger and charged up the wall. She quickly passed her previous mark and made it to the ceiling before her foot cracked the wall once more.
She quickly back flipped down, landing on the ground in a dignified crouch for the first time today. She turned around to hear Naruto applauding her result, which sent a warm feeling rushing through her. Only after she had mastered the three main chakra control exercises, did Naruto feel she was ready to learn ninjutsu. So he spent the next several months teaching C.C. every ninjutsu he could, from the Shadow Clone Jutsu, to the various elemental ninjutsu he knew, as well as the ones Jiraiya had the forethought to write down in his large scroll.
Only after C.C. had learned and mastered everything else, did Naruto start instructing her on how to use the Rasengan and infuse an element into it. She also preferred wind and was still trying to replicate the effects of the Futon: Rasenshuriken with little success. Only after Naruto was satisfied with her progress did he give her a kodachi to call her own. He had practiced with the Creation of All Things technique by making small things, like parts, food, and basic weapons to get a better understanding of how the technique worked and he quickly found that the more he used it the more taxing it was on his chakra reserves so he settled for using a few times a day.
Suffice to say; teaching her kenjutsu was far easier than teaching her ninjutsu, since she seemed to already have some skill with a sword. However, while her strikes had fluidity and grace to them, there was no discernible style or pattern. She was fighting with reactions and instincts, and Naruto had to beat that out of her before she could learn to really fight with kenjutsu on the level of a master.
Xxx
A knocking at the door awoke Naruto from his sleep and he grumbled as he sat up. "The bastard on the other side of this door better have a good reason for waking me up…"
Naruto opened the door and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes to find C.C. standing outside in a white nightgown looking very disturbed. "C.C.?"
There was a look of horror and fear in her eyes that he could only say resembled the look one had when experiencing Tsukuyomi at Uchiha Itachi's hands. He quickly stepped aside and she entered wordlessly, sitting down on the edge of his bed and staring off into the distance. He sat beside her and felt her wrap her arms around his midsection tightly. He knew what was bothering her.
She was watching his Shadow Clone in a Britannian research facility, somewhere in a place called Area 11 which was actually formerly called Japan, the same country that Rakshata mentioned, being experimented on and tortured. C.C., with her newly gained confidence and power, was afraid she could lose it all again. To have control over her own life was of the utmost importance to her, and now she was seeing what would have happened if Naruto had not arrived. Naruto, who was used to such sights from Sasuke and Kakashi who experience the effects of Tsukuyomi, merely felt a sense of detached apathy to the horrific sights.
"C.C., I'll protect you with my life. I promise you this will not happen to you, and I never go back on my word."
She looked up at him, Rinnegan meeting Rinnegan, and saw only determination in his eyes. "Can I stay here tonight?"
He thought it over for a moment, having never been asked that question before, before nodding silently and allowed her to pull him down on the bed as he brought the blankets back over the both of them. "Just close your eyes and focus only on me. Ignore everything that you see and just remember that I'm here."
She closed her eyes and held onto him tighter, and finally allowed herself to rest, comforted in the fact that not only could she fight back now, but that Naruto would be there to save her if it wasn't enough.
Every night for several weeks saw C.C. heading to Naruto's room to get a good night's rest, until finally it became something desired rather than required. She had long since past the point where she needed to be held in his arms to get a full night's rest, but the feeling was quite addictive and she would not willingly part with it.
Naruto wasn't sure what to call them. At first, they hadn't actually done anything more than hold each other while sleeping, but on impulse one morning, he had pressed his lips to hers. She had not been angry, or even irritated. She merely smiled and headed into the bathroom to shower.
And he was sure she put something extra into the sway of her hips while doing so.
From there, things began to change. It started with little things, like holding hands while making their way through the complex, or a massage when the muscles had been strained by a particularly strenuous day of training. That became eating dinner alone in the mess hall after everyone else had long since gone to sleep. And then on his birthday, when she revealed to him her real name, they had finally realized what they were.
Together.
Xxx
"Naruto."
Naruto held his kodachi against C.C.'s and glanced over his shoulder where Rakshata was rushing into the gym.
He pulled his blade away and sheathed it over his shoulder while C.C. did the same with the sheath on her left hip. "What's the problem Rakshata-san?"
"Britannian Knightmares were spotted approaching our facility this morning. They were quickly taken care of, but the pilots were aware of you two. Naturally we couldn't let them leave and report back that the one they have in Japan is a fake, so we brought them inside. I'll leave their fate up to you."
Naruto nodded gratefully. "Thanks, we'll take care of them now. How's the progress on our Knightmares coming?"
"Even with the Core Radiance, progress is slow. Your Knightmares will be the best. I guarantee that, but finding out what we can do with chakra to make that happen is time-consuming. The engineers say that at best, it will be another two months before we begin finalizing them. My expectations though, and those are never wrong, say that it will be five months before you'll have them ready for combat." Rakshata informed him.
Naruto sighed and nodded in understanding. "Alright. Keep us posted. And thanks for the warning about those pilots."
Rakshata nodded and walked out of the gym, heading back to the research and development lab to try and see if she could decipher the handwriting on those notes she and Cecil Croomy had passed back in forth at the Imperial Colchester Institute. She could have sworn Cecile said something about wings.
Naruto watched her walk out before turning to face C.C. "How do you want to deal with these pilots?"
"I'd like to test a theory on them."
Xxx
Naruto sighed impatiently as he leaned against the wall outside the room holding the prisoners. C.C. had said nothing of this theory of hers and had been inside for almost four hours now. Rakshata was sitting on a bench beside him, typing in commands on her laptop to work out the details for some new aspect of their Knightmare frames.
C.C. finally walked out of the room and motioned for Naruto to enter it now. "Dispose of the bodies please. It'll save us a lot of trouble in the long run."
Naruto, already having an idea of what was inside, nodded and headed into the room to burn the dead bodies.
What he didn't expect to see however, was a set of Rinnegan in the eyes of half of the prisoners, while the other half bore the Geass insignia in one of their eyes. "How did she…?"
He shook that thought aside for later and blurred his hands through a set of five hand signs. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" He blew out a large fireball from his mouth, incinerating the bodies and leaving piles of ash on the floor.
As soon as Naruto walked back out, he headed over to C.C. and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Did you give those men the Rinnegan and Geass?"
"Of course I did. And here I was just starting to believe you might be intelligent." C.C. teased with a faint smirk on her face. "You're the one who told me that we would each create our six paths in different ways. Apparently you do so with Shadow Clones, while I have to bestow the Rinnegan upon people I find worthy of becoming one of my six paths."
Naruto had discovered early on that whenever he created a Shadow Clone, or the first six Shadow Clones if he made a large amount, they all carried the Rinnegan. Those six would each have one of the Rinnegan's unique abilities and wouldn't dispel to anything less than a lethal hit. Furthermore, they had the exact same amount of chakra as him, and had his high speed regeneration as well, while any other Shadow Clones still had divided chakra amounts and dispelled upon the first hit. That healing ability was the only thing keeping his last Shadow Clone, held captive in Area 11 by Britannia, alive.
Though her Code was gone, the fusion of Geass and Rinnegan had left C.C. in a unique situation. Even though Naruto had taught her the Shadow Clone Jutsu, she couldn't replicate the results with her Rinnegan. It took three hours of experimentation and trial and error before C.C. found out she could bestow the Rinnegan or Geass onto other living beings, but not both or a combination of the two as she and Naruto had. Any person receiving a Rinnegan from her was connected to both herself and Naruto, and could deactivate it at will, unlike the two of them who had theirs permanently active.
However, that person would only be able to utilize a single ability, whereas she and Naruto could use all six themselves. She wasn't sure if someone who had been given the Rinnegan shared the immortality that she and Naruto possessed, but she suspected that wasn't the case. Finally, a person who had received a Geass from her could have their abilities cancelled or reversed if she so desired.
"Wait, you can give people those eyes of yours? Then why not make me one of your paths?" Rakshata asked curiously.
As the months went on she learned more about Naruto and C.C. including C.C.'s ability to give people a power called Geass and she was just as interested in it as Naruto's powers. She had hoped to study this power, to understand it and see where it had come from and what better way to learn than to experience it herself? C.C. and Naruto shared a glance that said more than real words ever could. It made sense, and this woman was building their Knightmares for free already.
Not to mention, having the woman who created them able to see any possible problems that might arise when they were taken out for combat could save their lives one day.
C.C. turned back to Rakshata and nodded. "Fine. I'll start with you as my first path. Just keep in mind that this will cause you unimaginable pain for the first few minutes."
The Indian scientist blinked slowly, taken aback at the bluntness of that statement for a moment. "And why is that?"
"Because you don't have a chakra circulatory system right now." Naruto cut in. "The Rinnegan needs chakra to be used, so your body will be forced to create a chakra circulatory system from scratch. And as C.C. said, that's not going to be pleasant."
Rakshata tapped the tip of her pipe against her lip in thought before she shrugged. "What's a little pain for something that promises to be highly amusing? Let's go to the med bay before we try it though."
Xxx
It was, as promised, an extremely painful experience for Rakshata. However, she only screamed once before she managed to control herself and grit her teeth for the rest of it. When it was completed, Rakshata had gained the Rinnegan, and carried the ability of the Human Path, or the power to read information from a person's mind through contact, as well as extract their soul. Her vision was linked to both C.C. and Naruto, which meant she was also observing the Britannian Research Facility that Naruto's Shadow Clone was being held captive in.
Thanks to Naruto's assistance in providing Shadow Clones for her, she was able to practice her new-found ability by trying to read the minds of his clones. Her ultimate goal was to be able to read minds without extracting the soul unless she wanted it to happen.
Naruto was not fond of the feeling of having a soul extracted, as transmitted to him by his Shadow Clone.
However Rakshata was not a genius for nothing and she finally figured out a way to circumvent the soul extraction. Simply pressing her hand to a person's head did nothing. She had to manually activate the power by channeling chakra to both her eyes and hand. When she was finished, she simply had to stop the flow of chakra to those two areas before lifting her hand up. In order to fully perfect the technique, Rakshata had been put through chakra control exercises.
And C.C. was more than happy to watch her fall over and over again.
Xxx
Naruto ducked under a swing aimed at his head, as he brought his kodachi up to slice his opponent's arm off. C.C. wasn't going to let that happen however, and reversed her grip on her own blade and swung it down, meeting Naruto's with a loud clang, and trying to press forward. Try as she might, she could not press the blade lock to her advantage. However, neither could Naruto, and she felt proud that her physical regime placed her on even grounds with her love.
He broke off the sword lock so suddenly, that C.C. stumbled forward from the lack of an opposite force against her blade.
Naruto took this moment to step around behind her, and place the edge of his blade against her throat. "I win again."
C.C. blew the strands of her green hair out of her eyes, and sheathed her kodachi on her waist. "The record is 51 and 49. That's probably as close as anyone will get to beating you."
"Funny. The same thing happened with my sensei and his 'eternal rival'. Come on. Let's get some breakfast and meet up with Rakshata to see our completed Knightmares." Naruto said with a smile, holding out his hand to help her up.
She took his hand, using it to stand up, but did not let him go as they made their way into the mess hall. Scientists and soldiers they met along the way offered them cheerful greetings, each one having gotten to know the duo to some extent in the last nine months. By now, the people serving food had learned to have at least six bowls of piping hot ramen waiting for Naruto when he arrived, as well as a full pizza for C.C.
They had only just sat down, when Rakshata joined them at their table, smiling at them with success. Naruto sighed, denied the enjoyment of his ramen for a few minutes as he started discussing the improvements Rakshata had made. C.C. on the other hand, felt no desire to stop eating her delicious pizza, and simply let Naruto handle the discussion. After all, she had already done a favor for the intelligent Indian scientist by granting her the Rinnegan.
Finished with her meal, she waited for Naruto to thoroughly devour the bowls of ramen in front of him before allowing Rakshata to lead them to the launch bay where their personal Knightmares were stored. It seemed she really wanted to play up the drama, as the lights were all off, and both towering figures were covered by a large black sheet.
"Hm?"C.C. stopped suddenly, and glanced at Naruto who nodded.
The Shadow Clone's view had changed. It was being moved inside a large circular canister that was stored inside a truck. Britannia was moving 'her' somewhere else.
"Are you two ready to see my masterpieces, my most beautiful and talented children? Those new cores you two created have made this all possible. However, I've had a few of my pilots run simulation tests in them, and not a single one got above 1% power output. I don't think anyone but you two can use them." Rakshata said impressed.
Naruto nodded, having expected something like that. "We put our own chakra into them, and it runs through every part of the frame, assuming you followed our specifications to the letter. Once we're inside, they'll pretty much be our bodies. Frankly, I'm surprised those pilots got even that much."
"Nothing short of excellence is good enough to be in my employ. Now, let's start with C.C.'s Knightmare, as I want to save yours for last. C.C., allow me to introduce you to…Shinryoku."
The launch bay's spotlights turned on over one of the Knightmare frames as cables released the black sheet over it. Shinryoku turned out to be a large sixteen-foot Knightmare with a dark forest green and black color design. The armor on its chest, arms and legs seemed both durable and ornamental, with three Factsphere Sensors in total, one on each shoulder and the third directly on the chest.
The landspinner propulsion systems were folded directly into the back of the leg, rather than just resting beside or against them. The head was covered with a leaf-shaped spike that hung down slightly over the face, with the point positioned between the two narrowed eyes. Shinryoku had a total of four slash harkens, one on each side of the chest, and one on the top of each wrist.
On the underside of each wrist was an ejector port that carried Shinryoku's main weapons: Harken Fans. The large battle fans were comprised of ten flat slash Harken blades all connected together by Rakshata's ingenious creation: the Section Booster. With it, C.C. would be able to launch the slash Harken blades one at a time, in small groups, or all ten at once. Alternatively, the Harken Fans could be used as slashing weapons against other Knightmares due to their usage of MVS technology while combined.
The palm of each hand had a circular emitter that would be used for any chakra based attacks, but Rakshata had taken it a step further and implemented radiant wave technology into it as well. Attached to the Shinryoku's left hip was a long MVS kodachi in a brilliant black and green sheath. Finally, on the back were two large green joints that were currently folded down together. Rakshata smiled proudly as she boasted about how she had managed to do what other Knightmare designers had been trying to do for years. She had given Knightmares flight.
C.C. was staring up at her new Knightmare frame with pride until she was snapped out of her admiration by Rakshata, who handed her the key shaped like a green leaf resembling the symbol on Naruto's hitai-ate and a pair of black and green gloves.
"What are these for?" C.C. asked.
"Those are gloves I designed specifically for you two. While wearing them, you can send chakra from your own body into your Knightmare, or control the flow, shape, and element of the Knightmare's chakra for ninjutsu. That will eliminate the need for hand signs thankfully, so you don't need to stop moving your Knightmare while attacking."
C.C. and Naruto both looked impressed at the gloves, as C.C. slipped them on. She could instantly feel her chakra flowing into and through these gloves, and knew it would be a simple matter to send that chakra into her Knightmare.
"Now then Naruto, let me introduce you to my masterpiece. I proudly present to you…Seizan!" With a sweeping gesture of her hand, the second set of spotlights activated over the remaining Knightmare frame, and the cables holding up the black sheet disengaged.
Seizan was a larger eighteen-foot Knightmare utilizing a dark blue and black color scheme. It appeared that Seizan and Shinryoku had intended to be built as twins, with only a few differences between them. The height and color were two of the more obvious ones, but Seizan also had six slash harkens instead of four on it. There was one on each shoulder, one on each side of the chest, and one on top of each wrist.
Like Shinryoku, there was an ejector port on the underside of each wrist, though these brought out a pair of MVS daggers shaped like his father's Hiraishin kunai. A nigh indestructible cable was attached to the ring at the base of the kunai, which was powered by an internal Harken booster. The kunai could be ejected or retracted near instantaneously, thrown into an enemy Knightmare, or kept in Seizan's hands for melee purposes. Unfortunately, due to the sturdy, inflexible material the cable was made of, the MVS daggers could only be thrown in straight paths.
Seizan also had an energy emitter on the palm of each hand, and a pair of MVS kodachi attached to either side of the cockpit. Naruto was eager to see the combination of chakra and radiant wave energy when used in ninjutsu. Finally, like Shinryoku, Seizan had a pair of joints on the back that were currently folded down.
"So? What do you think, Naruto? Are you impressed by my brilliance?" Rakshata asked with a smirk, as she handed him his key, which was shaped like a dark blue lightning bolt and a pair of gloves which were black and blue.
"I'm astounded. They look amazing, and way more powerful than those Sutherlands Britannia used." Naruto replied, staring up at the face of his new Knightmare as he slipped on his own gloves.
"Britannia doesn't provide excellent Knightmares for its common soldiers. It reserves the best for the Knights of the Round, and the royal family. However, having not personally seen either of those two groups in combat, I can't say with any degree of certainty how you two would fare against them." Rakshata finished slightly worried.
After having created such beautiful children, she would be furious if anyone dared ruin them in combat.
"That's the fun of battle isn't it? Pitting the best you have against your enemy and seeing who will emerge victorious." Naruto and C.C. walked over to their Knightmares and started ascending via the lifts to the cockpit.
Both of the Knightmares utilized a motorcycle-style seat, rather than the upright position Britannia preferred for their Knightmares. As soon as Naruto inserted his key and entered in his code, he felt Seizan thrumming with power. The chakra powering this frame, via something resembling a chakra circulatory system, was coursing through him as well, by his hands grasping the controls. As the Knightmare came fully online, he noticed he was seeing through another point of view, and realized that he was seeing through his Knightmare's eyes as well.
That was until C.C.'s Knightmare came online, which added his 6th total point of view.
Rakshata swelled with pride as she saw the Rinnegan appear in the eyes of the two Knightmare frames. She wasn't sure if Naruto's theory would work, but now that it had, she was hoping to personally see the carnage they would wreak. The wing joints on each Knightmare unfolded to reveal a set of energy wings. Seizan had a total of six dark blue energy feathers on each wing, while Shinryoku had five dark green feathers on each wing.
Naruto was about to power down his Knightmare and go celebrate with some ramen until a burst of information filled his mind.
He thumbed the button to the com system and opened a channel between Seizan and Shinryoku. "C.C. my Shadow Clone is about to summon you to his location. It looks like he's got some boy with him as well. What's weird though is that my Shadow Clones suggests granting this kid a Geass."
That brought forth a thoughtful hum from C.C. Naruto's Shadow Clone possessed a higher level of individual thought and personality than the standard quality, and thus could come to their own decisions or conclusions that Naruto himself would reach eventually. She was inspecting the boy through her connected vision and Naruto sensed emotions of recognition from her.
"You know him?" Naruto asked.
"He's the son of the late Marianne vi Britannia, fifth wife of the Emperor and a member of the Knights of the Round." C.C. answered with a small grin. "I've known about him since the day he was born. He was sent to Japan along with his sister as political hostages after their mother was killed and it seems he's managed to survive all this time. To think him of all people might be getting a Geass, this is very interesting."
The boy was younger than Naruto, and appeared to be nothing more than a twig. There didn't seem to be any muscle on him at all. Still though, the fact that Naruto's Shadow Clone was asking her to grant him of all people to grant him a Geass was a little funny and she wondered if this was Fate setting this up for them. Only a few moments later she felt a distant pull in her body and allowed it to take her.
What she didn't expect was for Shinryoku to be pulled along as well
Rakshata openly gaped as she saw both her precious Knightmare and C.C. vanish in a massive plume of smoke that quickly filled the launch bay. Coughing, she staggered over to the emergency hatch release and all but slammed her hand down on the button. The bay doors slid down, allowing the smoke to be drawn out of the building. As soon as the smoke was gone, she was about to reseal the door, but stopped as she figured Naruto would likely be going in the same way.
Naruto blinked. Once. Twice. Three times in shock.
Then a massive grin appeared on his face. "Oh if our Knightmares can be summoned, we could appear anywhere on the battlefield at a moment's notice."
He watched interestedly as C.C. in her Knightmare appeared in some underground tunnel, with his clone and the boy behind her while a small group of soldiers was in front of her. Wait never mind, she stepped on them. Apparently she was disembarking from Shinryoku and walked over to the boy. Not for the first time, was he cursing the lack of sound to go along with the sight.
Apparently the boy was getting pretty heated in his conversation with C.C., who merely looked bored.
It seemed she had relented, for she pressed a finger against his forehead, and granted him the power of Geass. The boy was clutching his forehead in pain for at least a minute, until he stood up straight with a glowing red sigil in his left eye. It was at that moment that a Sutherland came crashing through the opposite wall, with its rifle aimed directly at the group. His Shadow Clone sped through the five hand signs for the Kuchiyose no Jutsu, bringing a smirk to his face.
It was time to introduce Britannia to Uzumaki Naruto.
*Chapter 2*: Chapter 2Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto. I have adopted this story from Kamen Rider Fourze after asking permission because I thought it was too interesting to be left unfinished so I will try continuing this story my way. I also acknowledge that most of work in the beginning of this story belongs to Fourze. The first four chapters will be generally the same as the original but I've added some of my own work to accommodate the recent Naruto chapters and to show my own ideas.
Hope you all enjoy reading it and finding out if it is as good as what was Kamen Rider Fourze intended.
Xxx
"General Bartley, we have loaded the subject onto the truck. Will you be personally delivering her to His Majesty?"
"No," the large and balding Britannian general denied. "We have lower, less important people to do that. In fact let's bring them in now. The faster we can get her delivered, the better."
"But sir!" the scientist protested. "What will we tell the drivers they're delivering?"
Bartley rubbed a hand across his chin as he considered his answer. He looked over at the now sealed capsule and snapped his fingers. "We'll call it a chemical weapon, poison gas."
"Wouldn't that negatively affect His Majesty's reputation though, having poison gas delivered to him?"
"Don't be stupid! He's not going to be seen receiving it! We're just sending it to the Viceroy's Palace where some no-name soldier will discretely take it inside. No one needs to know that His Majesty was involved in any way. Send in the drivers!" Bartley called out to the guards.
The door to the garage opened up and two people wearing large blue coats and caps walked in. The one on the right was significantly shorter than her partner, and a hint of crimson red hair could be seen peeking out from underneath her cap.
The man on the left was taller than Bartley by a full head, and long black hair could be seen reaching halfway down his back. "We're here to deliver the…ah we weren't briefed on what the package was, sir."
Bartley could have sworn he heard a hint of bitter sarcasm on that sir, but passed it off as his imagination from the stress of handling this project. "It's a specially designed chemical weapon. A new type of poison gas, to be more specific, that the viceroy is considering testing on one of the slums those Elevens live in."
The woman clenched her fist tightly and made to move forward, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder from her partner. "She's just eager to get going. We don't get paid until we complete our delivery after all."
Bartley nodded in understanding.
People who did their jobs solely for money were easier to keep in line. "I'll ensure you receive a bonus upon completion."
"Ah, thank you for your… kindness sir. But we really must be going." The two drivers hopped into the truck, as the cargo door was closed around the capsule.
The woman glanced at the man behind the wheel and received a nod of confirmation. The 'extra equipment' had been successfully snuck inside as well. As soon as the garage doors opened, the truck bolted out relatively quickly, bringing out a chuckle from Bartley.
"They must really need that money it seems."
The door to garage banged open by a panting guard. Bartley was just about to berate the man for this, as the common guards weren't meant to be in areas that could lead to them discovering about Project R, but was stopped short by the man's statement.
"Sir, we found the two truck drivers dead outside with their uniforms missing."
"What? That means those two were imposters and they stole…get someone in the air and follow them. I'm going to inform His Majesty about this!" Bartley demanded angrily.
Xxx
"This is a video of yesterday's terrorist bombing in Osaka. Eight Britannians and fifty-one others were killed in this horrible incident."
The news being played was completely ignored by all in the room, as the main point of interest was the chess match being played by a Britannian noble against an elderly man. Before the man could make his move, a beeping from the chess timer indicated that his time was up.
"Your time is up," said the man overseeing the match. "From here on, I'd like it to be one move every twenty seconds."
"Very well," the noble agreed, as he was casually filing down his nails with a solid gold nail file.
The elderly man on the other hand, looked shocked and nervous at the new imposed time limit on his game. He knew he couldn't win this match, but his substitute wasn't here yet. And if he didn't move, the game would be lost by default. He slowly moved his hand up towards one of his pieces when the door to the room pushed open, letting in a ray of bright light and two people.
"Hm? Has your substitute arrived?" The noble asked, amused.
"I'm saved. Are things okay at school?" The man asked as he stood up from his seat to greet the two people, now revealed as students.
"What's this? Students?" The nobleman asked, arrogance shining through on his face.
The taller boy stepped into the light around the chessboard, revealing a lean elegant face that could belong to the son of any Britannian with a dignified title. The boy had smooth black hair that hung down to his neck, with a few locks framing his face. They boy's eyes were a deep purple, and shone with a vast intellect that few could match. Though the boy was tall, he was also very thin, with almost no muscle on him.
"Hmph! A nobleman, huh?" he asked with scorn and derision in his voice.
The nobleman slammed down the tip of his file onto the table in irritation, as he regarded this student in a new light, as a possible challenge. "I envy the young. They have so much time on their hands. So much time for regrets… your name?"
"Lelouch Lamperouge."
"Whoa! Whoa! You can't win this no matter what you do, right?" The other boy asked as he inspected the board position.
"Rivalz, in how many minutes should we leave here in order to make our next class?" Lelouch asked the boy with blue hair still wearing his motorcycle helmet and goggles.
"Um, if we really haul ass, about twenty minutes." Rivalz answered after thinking about the shortest possible route back to Ashford Academy.
"In that case, I'll ask you to drive safely on the way back." Lelouch stated confidently. "I'll need nine minutes. Owner, about yesterday's matter…"
"Understood. We'll discuss it," the elderly man said.
"Nine minutes? You have twenty seconds per move." The nobleman said doubtfully.
Lelouch calmly picked up the king and stared the nobleman straight into the eyes. "More than enough."
This brought a look of confusion on his opponent's face. "Hm? You're starting with the king?"
Such a ridiculous and unheard of action caused the nobleman to laugh uproariously, as Lelouch simply smiled and moved the black king into position.
Xxx
"Damn it! After we finally steal this thing! It's all because Tamaki couldn't stick to Naoto's plan and left the bodies right in front of the facility!" The truck driver said, as he changed routes once more to try and avoid those damned gunships.
Xxx
"I love playing nobles! Their pride ensures they pay what they owe you. Besides that, eight minutes, thirty-two seconds is a new record!" Rivalz exclaimed cheerfully as they walked out of the building with a wad of bills being stuffed into his wallet.
"He didn't have much time either," Lelouch stated. "Besides, nobility make such tepid opponents. Their privileged lives just make them parasites."
"So why not try one of the Elevens?" Rivalz asked his friend curiously. "They're not like us Britannians."
He was stopped however, when he heard people around him muttering about some incident. As he turned around, he saw a large screen showing the results of the terrorist bombing until it was replaced with a picture of the Britannian flag.
"Forgive the delay. It's now time for an address by His Royal Highness Prince Clovis, third prince of the Britannian Empire." A female announcer declared.
The image of the flag faded away to be replaced by one of the emperor's children, and the viceroy of Area 11, Clovis La Britannia. "To my imperial subjects!"
Lelouch narrowed his eyes in hatred and disgust.
Xxx
"And of course to the many Elevens who cooperate with us!"
The woman in the stolen Britannian truck narrowed her eyes at the racist term forced upon her people. "We're not Elevens, we're Japanese!"
"Do you not see? Right now my heart is torn in half! Into a heart filled with sadness and a heart filled with rage! However, as ruler of Area 11, I will not allow terrorism of any kind! The reason being that the battle we fight is a righteous one! A righteous battle to protect the happiness of all! Now then, everyone! Won't you join me in grieving for the eight who died in the line of duty for justice?"
Xxx
"And now a moment of silence."
"Oh? Not gonna join in?" Rivalz asked Lelouch who was currently paying the meter that kept Rivalz's biked locked in their parking space.
"Will you?" Lelouch countered.
Rivalz chuckled slightly and got onto his bike. "I'd be embarrassed."
"Exactly," Lelouch agreed. "Besides, our crying for them won't bring the dead back to life. In the end, it's all just self-satisfaction. No matter how hard you may try, there's no way you can ever change the world."
Xxx
Clovis finally allowed himself to relax upon receiving confirmation that the cameras had shut off.
"You were wonderful, Your Highness! One would never guess you were just enjoying yourself at a party!" A beautiful woman praised.
"The viceroy is the face of Area 11." Clovis responded as two men came to his sides and started removing the cloak he wore for official purposes. "You need to be able to switch roles quickly."
"My, such self-confidence you have!" Another woman said flirtatiously.
"I'm prepared," he corrected her. "Self-confidence? I'm just trying to please the media people."
He glanced over to the left wall where several prominent news reporters were standing to accentuate his point.
"Oh no, no! We're pleased to be of any assistance in your reign, Prince Clovis!" The head journalist denied.
Leaning against the wall by the exit, was a tall man with long blond hair tied back in a ponytail, save the portion hanging down over the left side of his face.
"A sham of a reign." He muttered. Just then, a rather fat soldier came rushing in through the door, heading towards the viceroy with a sense of urgency. "A soldier?" he muttered.
"How boorish of you," Clovis chastised the general running up to him in the middle of the party. Did this man not understand that events like this were critical to gain supporters?
"I beg your pardon Your Highness, but…"
"Another special? I hope the subject matter will be better." The blond man said as he started to exit until he heard the viceroy berate the soldier, and quite angrily too.
Perhaps this might be something quite interesting after all.
"Th-The police have been told it's just medical equipment." General Bartley explained nervously. "If we scramble our entire army, there'll be records…"
"Send out my personal forces! Knightmares as well!" Clovis ordered.
Xxx
"That first move you made…why'd you start with the king?" Rivalz finally asked.
That one move had been stuck in his mind ever since they left. He'd never seen anyone do it before, and Lelouch had actually lost his rook in the process. Still, to pull out victory with the king, two knights and a pawn was amazing.
"If the king doesn't lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?" Lelouch asked in response.
"About that…" Rivalz trailed off.
"What?" Lelouch asked.
"Do you want to run a corporation or something?" Rivalz asked bluntly.
"No way. Weird dreams like that will ruin your life…" Lelouch was interrupted by a loud honking behind him, and turned around to see a large truck trying to get past them.
"Whoa! What the hell?" Rivalz exclaimed, as he started speeding up to avoid getting rammed by that monster of a vehicle.
"People just driving along, not a care in the world!" The man inside the truck cursed as he turned the wheel to the left sharply.
"Stop! Not that way!" The girl beside him yelled, but it was too late as the truck rammed through a road block and crashed into a construction zone, kicking up dirt everywhere.
Rivalz, thankful to have a few moments to catch his breath, stopped the motorcycle and glanced over to the left, trying to spot the truck through the thick cloud. "Um…was that our fault?"
"I doubt it…" Lelouch answered back.
He hopped out of the sidecar and glanced over the railing at the crashed truck, expecting to see someone injured coming out of it. What he saw instead were bright blue wisps of some kind of energy leaking out of the hole in the truck's trailer.
"Hey, Lelouch! It looks like our energy line's been cut." Rivalz called out to his friend.
"Right… say, what's that?" Lelouch asked more to himself than to Rivalz. He was distracted from the truck by the loud mutterings of Britannians rushing over to stare at it like some sort of free show.
"What, was there some kind of accident?"
"Probably a drunk driver."
"Idiot!"
"Hey, maybe someone should go help them.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes as he stared at these pathetic people. 'All these fools!'
Not one of them deserved the life they had. After having lived in Area 11 for so long, constantly looking down on the Elevens, no the Japanese he corrected himself, he highly doubted even one of them remembered how to help someone else out with no thought of good publicity or reward. He tossed his helmet into the sidecar and started running down to the truck, hoping to find someone still alive inside it. He'd also want to find out what that blue energy leaking out was.
"Look! The student rescue team has arrived!"
"Could someone call the police or something" A woman taking pictures with her cell phone asked the crowd.
"Hey! Are you alright?" Lelouch called out to the people inside the truck.
Though a large metal beam had fallen and blocked his path to the doors, he could see two people inside the truck through the windows. Acknowledging that trying to move the beam was futile, he turned around and started climbing up the ladder on the trailer instead.
"Nagata? Nagata!" The woman called out to her unconscious partner just as the airbags finally deflated. The man known as Nagata merely groaned in pain as a reply.
"Hey! Can you hear me in there?" Lelouch called out to the people driving the truck from on top of the trailer.
He looked down through the opening in the trailer and saw a large capsule inside with that same blue energy shining through the cracks on top of it. Likely, it was meant to be opened from the top into four different pieces as he counted the separate sections out. Suddenly the truck sped out in reverse, sending him falling into the truck, where he managed to keep himself upright by bracing against the capsule.
Xxx
The truck rushed past the rest of the construction zone and back onto the highway, where it was quickly spotted and pursued by Britannian VTOL Gunships. "Warning! Surrender now and you still have a chance to defend yourself in court! Surrender at once!"
Despite saying so, the lead gunship lowered its ventral-mounted machine gun and fired rounds at the truck, forcing it to swerve erratically.
"The next rounds will hit you! Surrender at once!"
"They've called out the army! Now what?" Nagata asked his partner desperately.
"That's why I'm here, isn't it?" She asked, pulling off her cap and revealing a head of dark crimson red hair and deep blue eyes.
Xxx
Lelouch had only managed to keep himself stable by standing atop a portion of the capsule itself and wrapping his arms around a large black tube jutting out from it.
"It's dangerous to get out. Sounds like there's trouble out there," Lelouch muttered quietly to himself. "Maybe I can use my cell phone…"
A sudden hissing sound caught his attention, and he hid himself further behind the capsule as a woman came walking out, shedding her blue jacket to reveal a brown sleeveless vest over a red turtleneck sweater also missing its sleeves, and a pair of matching brown shorts.
"Can you enter the subway via the Azabu route?" She asked someone, presumably the man still driving the truck.
"Kallen! Let's use it here!" A voice called out to her.
"That'd mean a slaughter!" She yelled back angrily, as she climbed up a small ladder into some kind of machine in front of the capsule.
"Yeah, you're right," the voice conceded.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes as he stared at that woman, before glancing to her coat and spotted a discarded, or more likely forgotten, handheld transceiver.
Xxx
"The target's moving from the settlement area to the ghetto."
"Right! Corner them!"
"Understood!" The lead gunship lowered its main gun once more to fire upon the truck, but was suddenly impaled straight through by a weapon attached to a long cable.
"A slash Harken?" The next pilot exclaimed in surprise.
The door to the back of the truck opened up to reveal a dark red Glasgow model Knightmare, which was already retracting the slash Harken back into the right side of its chest.
"A Knightmare!"
The dark red Knightmare charged out from the back of the truck and onto the road, deploying its landspinners to keep moving.
"You guys know full well how powerful this thing is!" Kallen declared furiously as she skillfully manoeuvred her Glasgow across the highway, dodging machine gun fire from the gunship as she sent one of her slash harkens straight into the cockpit, destroying it completely.
"The rest of you, back off. I'll take this guy." A voice projected out through speakers. It came from within the Knightmare being airlifted over the highway by a Knightmare VTOL. "I don't know where you got that thing, but an old Glasgow will never be able to stop this Sutherland!"
The drop-ship quickly released the purple and red Knightmare, which fired off its own slash Harken to deflect the oncoming one from the Glasgow, as it activated its landspinners and started charging forward.
"Much less a damned Eleven who can't appreciate our Emperor's affection!" The Sutherland fired off a round from its assault rifle into the left shoulder of the red Glasgow before it.
"Kallen, we need to split up! We can't both get killed! Run for it!" Nagata called out to Kallen over the transceiver he held in a vice-like grip.
"But!"
Any further reply Nagata might have made was cut off as another Sutherland rose up from the side of the highway and landed directly in his path. It fired off a few warning shots, one of which pierced the windshield and right through his left shoulder, causing him to swerve a sharp left into the subway tunnels to avoid crashing into it completely.
Kallen tried to fire off her left slash Harken, but a repeated whirring sound informed her that was now impossible. "What's wrong? Damn it!"
"Second hand junk!" The Sutherland raised its stun Tonfa to smash into the Glasgow, until Kallen desperately ejected the entire left arm into the Sutherland, creating an explosion of smoke.
She used the distraction to escape into the subway tunnels and hopefully regroup with Ohgi and the others.
Jeremiah Gottwald smirked in amusement at the Glasgow's desperate ploy. "Oh ho! I like your spirit. However…"
Xxx
Lelouch clicked his tongue in annoyance as the light radiating out from his cell phone showed him zero bars. 'I'm outside my cell phone's range. This darkness and the road surface… we must be speeding along the old subway lines. They're headed for a ghetto somewhere. Exiting will be dangerous. Still… okay I've got it. The conditions are clear. I may not like army protection much, but if I give them a terrorist communicator…'
Lelouch was snapped out of his thoughts as the truck jerked forward so suddenly that he was thrown around inside the trailer. "An accident? Unless it was Britannian forces…"
Try as he might, Nagata could not push the truck further, as the front wheels were now in the empty space separating the track. "N-No good… Please, Ohgi… find me!"
He weakly flipped a switch beneath the dashboard, opening up the side of the trailer.
A soldier hidden in the tunnel glanced over at the truck ahead of him as it opened up its compartment. When he zoomed in and spotted the large metal canister, he clicked into his com three times, the three bursts of static being the code for target located. That was until he spotted someone else examining the canister. Without hesitation, he ran in and delivered a powerful spinning kick, which the man before him only just managed to block with his forearms.
"A… A Britannian," Lelouch muttered as the soldier gripped the front of his uniform and pinned him to the ground.
"Enough with the killing!" The soldier said as he disengaged his gas mask, letting it hang down below his chin. "I can't believe you people would use poison gas!"
"I'm telling you!" Lelouch finally screamed out, as he kicked his right leg out at the soldier atop him, only for said soldier to leap back himself, landing at the opposite end of the trainer. "If there's any poison gas here, it was Britannia that made it, right? You don't want any more deaths? Then obliterate Britannia!"
"Lelouch?" The soldier asked as he removed his helmet, revealing a head of messy brown hair and emerald green eyes. "It's me, Suzaku."
Lelouch blinked in shock as the Japanese boy he had befriended as a child was now standing before him in military garb. "You became a Britannian soldier?"
"And you?" Suzaku countered. "Don't tell me you're…!"
"What are you saying?" Lelouch asked.
Suddenly the capsule between them started hissing, as the locks keeping it sealed were being disengaged. Before he could utter a word of surprise, Lelouch was tackled to the ground with a gas mask being pressed onto his face by Suzaku.
Just as he'd predicted earlier, the canister split open into four pieces, revealing it had not actually contained poison gas as everyone had believed. Inside was a large amount of green liquid and a girl with long green hair, wearing some sort of white suit that bound her arms and legs together. As her eyes made contact with Lelouch's they briefly flashed purple with some sort of design in them, but faded before he could get a definitive look.
"It's not poison gas?" Suzaku asked confusedly, staring at the girl that emerged from the canister.
Lelouch stood up and walked over to the girl, pulling her up and leaning her against his chest. "Answer me, Suzaku. Poison gas? This girl?"
"But that's what we were told in the briefing." Suzaku explained as he unzipped the portion of the suit that was keeping her legs held together.
Suddenly a spotlight flashed on behind them, causing them both to turn around.
"Damn monkey!"
There standing behind them was the entire royal guard.
"Even an honorary Britannian doesn't have the authority to do what you've done!" The commander berated.
"But I was told this was poison gas!" Suzaku protested as he ran over to them.
"You have no right to protest!"
'We're in trouble. This is definitely poison. A deadly poison that will endanger Suzaku's masters if it gets out.' Lelouch concluded as he watched the exchange between Suzaku and the commander.
"However, in reward for your great achievements, I'll be merciful." The commander said, pulling out a standard military pistol from within his jacket. "Private Kururugi, use this to execute the terrorist."
"He's not a terrorist! He's a civilian who got caught up in all this!" Suzaku protested.
"You little! That's an order! Didn't you swear loyalty to Britannia?"
"But… I can't. I won't do it. I won't shoot a civilian. Not him." Suzaku declared firmly, turning around to smile at Lelouch, his brother in all but blood.
"Then die." Suzaku turned his head, but couldn't stop the bullet fired into his side by the commander.
The last thing he heard as everything around him was fading into darkness was Lelouch calling out his name.
"You look like a Britannian student, but it's just not your day," The commander said unapologetically. "After you've retaken the girl, kill the student!"
"Yes, my lord!" The other soldiers replied.
Nagata, lying across the bench seat in the truck, losing himself to blood loss rapidly, scowled as he heard Britannians right outside. "God damned… Britannians…" He moved his right arm over to a small black box, which he pulled down to reveal a silver button. "Long live… Japan."
Nagata pushed the button, and his world went up in flames.
Xxx
"They got away? You call yourselves the royal guard?" Bartley yelled into the com scornfully.
"Forgive me, my lord. The blast was mainly directed upwards, but the bedrock…"
"Do you understand why I only told you people about this?" Bartley demanded, his face developing a fiery red hue, as his fists clenched tightly on the digital map table.
"W-We'll continue the investigation," the commander responded dutifully before cutting off the link.
"The plan has moved to the next phase," Clovis said from his throne behind General Bartley and his other advisers.
"But, Your Highness!"
"If knowledge of this gets out, I'll be disinherited." Clovis said, cutting Bartley off. "Tell them back home we're carrying out a planned urban renewal. As Clovis, third prince of the empire, I order you! Destroy the Shinjuku ghetto!"
The G1 base launched all available Sutherlands into the ghetto, their pilots moving through the area quickly and decisively, eliminating every man, woman, and child they found. Soldiers were dropped in to deal with the Elevens hiding inside buildings that the Knightmares might not be able to accurately deal with, while gunships and tanks were used to herd people running away back into the line of fire.
"Supervisor Jeremiah, General Bartley wants you to take command of area 2…"
"He's got staff officers, right?" Jeremiah interrupted the man speaking to him over the comlink. "It's been ages since I've had this much fun on the front lines!"
He punctuated his statement whist a burst of fire from his Sutherland's machine gun into a group of Elevens hiding behind the rubble from a destroyed building.
Xxx
Lelouch and the girl he had found ran down the subway tunnel as explosions outside shook the walls around them. Lelouch suddenly stopped and glared at girl before him angrily. "What the hell are you? This chaos is all your fault, isn't it? But besides that, Britannia has…they even killed Suzaku!"
"You are Britannian, yet you seem to hate them with a passion. Why is that?"
Lelouch looked up, startled that the formerly silent person beside him had finally spoken up. "They are a cancer on this world, slowly destroying it country by country. You see how they invade, conquer, and rewrite the country and its people to suit their needs! They kill indiscriminately, and breed racism as showing loyalty. Britannia needs to be destroyed, or true peace will never be obtainable!"
"And you believe you could do this? You believe you will be the one to end their reign and bring about an age of peace?" The girl pressed on urgently, as if desperate to hear his answer.
Lelouch didn't even need a second to contemplate that. "If I had the power to end Britannia, I would be the one to destroy them."
"And if you could be granted such a power, you would accept it under the terms of a contract?"
Lelouch would have normally said no right then and there. Things like contracts enforced restrictions and obligations upon a person they were bound to until freed from it. However, to be given the power to make a difference, to bring about change to the current world, was not something he'd pass up. "I would accept your contract."
"Excellent." This time, Lelouch was definitely not seeing things.
The girl's eyes flashed to purple and he now noticed it had several rings moving out from the pupil. An exact duplicate formed beside her, save for the fact that this one had the girl's normal yellow eyes.
"Boss, I wish to summon forth C.C. here, to Area 11. This boy… he's different. I see in him, what people saw in us. He would be worthy of receiving a Geass."
With her message received, the clone dispersed itself in a cloud of smoke, startling Lelouch.
'How did she do that? That second girl literally appeared out of nowhere, as if rising from the shadows. Then the message… it wasn't meant for that duplicate, but for someone else. Somehow this girl used her duplicate as a way to transmit the message across a great distance, considering she had to specifically mention Area 11. She said something about summoning… could she bring in another person like she did with that duplicate? The possibilities with such a power are limitless!'
"Come, we have to keep moving. This tunnel could collapse from damage thanks to those Knightmares, and we don't want to be here when or if it happens." Lelouch nodded wordlessly, silently contemplating the mysterious girl before him as they made their way out of the subway tunnel. They came upon a set of stairs leading up, and started crawling up them slowly to avoid being seen. "Okay… wait here."
Moving at a snail's pace to avoid making a sound, Lelouch moved up the stairs just enough to peek around the corner, where he spotted the royal guard waiting and gunning down any Japanese running inside here to hide.
"Well?" The commander asked as he entered after his soldiers.
"Only looks like Elevens here, sir," one of them answered respectfully.
"Hm." Try as he might, the commander couldn't make anything out in the darkness of the warehouse. "You're sure? The exit comes out here?"
"Yes, sir. It matches up with our map of the old city."
Lelouch was about to turn back around and try to find another exit until he heard the crying of a baby. His eyes widened in shock. Surely they wouldn't kill a baby. But the sound of gunfire a moment later answered that question for him. Just as it seemed the soldiers might be leaving, his phone rang out from his pocket. He snapped his hand down and instantly hung up on the caller but it was too late.
The soldiers rushed over and hauled both him and the girl out, throwing him against the wall even as they kept her back.
"An appropriate location for a terrorist to meet his end, isn't it?" The commander asked the boy mockingly.
"You people!" Lelouch uttered through gritted teeth.
"Still, you did well for a student. As expected of a Britannian! However, your future ends right here." The commander raised the same pistol he had killed Suzaku with and leveled it straight at the boy's heart.
"Like I'll let you!" The girl forced her way through the guards, her hands moving through several intricate motions, before she slammed the palm of her right hand on the ground.
"Kuchiyose no jutsu(Summoning Jutsu)!"
Just as the gun was fired, a large cloud of smoke appeared between Lelouch and the soldiers, the bullet impacting against something in the smoke that made a loud clang sound. As the smoke finally started to dissipate, it revealed a massive black and green Knightmare standing in front of the soldiers, with the same purple and black ringed eyes the girl had displayed.
Lelouch took a step back as he stared up at this Knightmare. 'It's no Sutherland. It looks far too advanced, and if Britannia had something like this, they wouldn't hesitate to use it. That girl said Kuchiyose… summoning? She actually summoned this thing here? But the expression on her face implies she didn't expect this result either. That means she likely only intended to bring the pilot inside that Knightmare here.'
The massive Knightmare looked around until it spotted the soldiers below it. If Lelouch had to put a word to it, he would have said the Knightmare was looking almost amused at the sight of them, as it literally walked all over them. As soon as they were dead, the Knightmare shut down, and the back hatch opened up, releasing the pilot. It was a girl, another exact copy of the girl beside him.
She took the lift down and walked over to him, inspecting him as if looking for something specific.
"What's so special about you? Why was I told you are deserving of a Geass?" She asked in boredom.
Lelouch glanced at the person standing to his right, hoping the original would answer some questions, but where the girl once was, now stood a blond haired man wearing black orange clothing and a long red coat with flames trailing at the bottom.
The man remained silent, but his dark purple eyes bore into Lelouch's and he realized he'd have to convince this girl himself. "I want to crush Britannia."
"Lots of people want to do that," she said dismissively. "Why you specifically?"
Lelouch clenched his hands tightly as he thought of his sister, that night his mother had died, and being sent here as political prisoners by his father. "Because I know better than anyone else the type of filth Britannia creates. The people who are led to believe they are superior by right of birth. They kill and oppress endlessly, unsatisfied until there is no opposition to their rule. They keep the weak down and only give power to those who would abuse it. The world is dying, and the cause is Britannia! I can do it. I can bring about Britannia's destruction! I just need the power to help me."
C.C. made a show of thinking about it, even though she had already decided.
"Alright, I've decided. I'll grant you the power of Geass and see what you make of it. In exchange, you will form a contract with me, and fulfill a wish of mine to be determined at a later date. At the very least, it will be amusing for me to watch." She reached up with her right hand and pressed two fingers against Lelouch's forehead, a glowing red Geass symbol appearing briefly before it faded away.
The effect was instantaneous, as Lelouch hissed in pain and grabbed his left eye. It felt as if something was searing itself onto his pupil and his screams echoed in the empty warehouse. As the pain slowly dwindled away, Lelouch was left sweating and panting as if he had just run a marathon. As soon as he felt he could, he stood up and dropped his hand away, revealing the red bird-like sigil beneath his left pupil.
Two words repeated themselves in his mind.
Absolute.
Obedience.
A loud explosion blasted through the warehouse door, as a Sutherland smashed its way inside. C.C. took the opportunity created by the convenient smokescreen that pilot had unwittingly created, and got back inside Shinryoku. Naruto's Shadow Clone quickly ran through the same set of hand signs while the cover of smoke was still up.
"Kuchiyose no jutsu(Summoning Technique)!"
Villetta Nu activated her Factsphere, trying to get a visual on the warehouse she had just blasted into. If she knew her Sutherland was going to create this much smoke, she would have ripped the entrance open with her Knightmare's hands instead of using her rifle. She moved forward cautiously as the smoke was clearing out through the many holes in the roof, but stopped suddenly at what her Factsphere now revealed to her.
There on the ground was the entire royal guard, all dead. In front of them was a Britannian student and two of the most elegant and powerful Knightmares she'd ever seen. Were these new experimental models? Why were they here with this student in the ghetto of all places?
She quickly clicked on her Knightmare's external speakers, but made a show of having her Knightmare lower its rifle. She didn't think she'd survive a fight against those two. "What happened? What's a Britannian student doing here? Answer me, or else I'll…!"
Lelouch scoffed at her implied threat.
"Come out of there. At once!" He ordered, bringing the Geass symbol up in his left eye.
Villetta narrowed her eyes, and wanted to fire a few warning shots to scare this boy, but one glance at the two Knightmares by his side was enough to remind her why this would be stupid. "Who do you think you are?"
Lelouch deactivated his Geass as he came to a realization. 'I see. It doesn't work unless she sees it directly.' "My name is Alan Spacer. My father is a duke, and ordered his personal Knightmares to protect me. My I.D. card's in my breast pocket. After you confirm my identity, I ask for your escort out of the ghetto. These two would be too busy eliminating any terrorists that might bring harm to me."
"A duke!" Villetta muttered in surprise.
And one with enough money and influence to have custom Knightmares built just for his protection. Not to mention the fact that, he had ordered them away to protect his son so easily. That kind of power could be just the thing she needed to fast track her way to a baroness title. The duke would happily do so if she 'selflessly protected a young innocent student from terrorists in the ghetto'.
That had a nice ring to it. She shut down her Sutherland and pulled out the key as her seat slid out the back. She pulled out her sidearm and held it loosely by her side as she descended down to the ground. No need to have the boy report to his father that she threatened him.
"Just wait there. I'll take out your I.D."
"Now hand over your Knightmare to me." Lelouch ordered, catching her eyes with his as he instantly activated his Geass.
A second later, he spotted a red ring around her eyes, a sign that his command had taken hold in her mind.
"Understood. Its number is XG2-IG2D4." She said as she tossed over the key to him.
"Very well." Catching the key, Lelouch walked straight past the woman and climbed into her Sutherland, as the large Knightmares behind him followed his path. The blue and black Knightmare that had also been summoned towered over his Sutherland drastically, but was only just taller than the green and black Knightmare that had saved him. "Will you two be helping me obtain my goals?"
A burst of static filled his new cockpit as they tried to find his com channel.
"Our goal is the end of Britannia. So long as you aim to do that, we'll be fighting with you. My Knightmare is Seizan, and hers is Shinryoku. By the way, that's a very interesting ability your Geass manifested into." That male voice must have belonged to the man who had summoned the other here.
Apparently he not only possessed the ability to summon his partner and their Knightmares, but also to disguise himself perfectly as her. Reminding himself to ponder the usefulness of those abilities later, he moved out into the ghetto using the buildings as cover to avoid being spotted by other Britannian forces.
Xxx
Villetta blinked slowly, unaware that a red glow had just left her eyes. She was standing alone in a warehouse, and her Sutherland was missing. Hadn't there also been someone else here?
"I… what was I...?"
Xxx
"Having a bad day, are we?"
Suzaku blinked his eyes open and was met with a bright white light above him. For a moment, he thought he was dead, but then a flash of pain hit his side and he realized he was still alive.
"Lost your chance to go to heaven, Private Kururugi?" Suzaku glanced at the person who asked him this question and saw a man with light blue hair and glasses smiling amusedly at him.
Standing beside the man was a woman in a dark orange coat with dark purple hair, holding something wrapped in a small cloth.
"Um…where am I?" He asked, trying to sit up, but the pain his side wouldn't allow it.
"Hm? Ah. Still in the Shinjuku ghetto." The man answered.
"With Prince Clovis near, it's probably the safest place there is. This is what protected you, Mr. Suzaku." The woman said, holding out a broken pocket watch to him.
"It deflected the bullet from inside your protective suit." The man explained to Suzaku, who took the watch from her.
This was his father's watch. The one he'd taken for himself when he was ten.
"Is it valuable?" She asked.
"Y-Yeah…" Suzaku answered her quietly.
"Elevens say that gods live inside of objects, don't you? I guess this one…" the man trailed off.
"Is Lelou…what's the situation?" Suzaku mentally cursed himself for his near slip-up.
If the soldiers from before reacted that way to a Britannian student being in the wrong place at the wrong time, then it would be better not to mention him again.
"It looks like the poison gas was released. They say there have been massive casualties among the elevens." The man replied unflinchingly.
"They don't seem to have found the perpetrators yet," the woman added in.
"I see. Not yet…" Suzaku muttered. He now knew from experience that there was no poison gas at all. So if there really had been massive casualties, someone or something else must have caused it.
"Private Kururugi, how much experience do you have in piloting a Knightmare frame?" the man suddenly asked.
Suzaku's eyes widened in shock at the question. He glanced up at the man grinning down at him, as if he had misheard the question. "There's no way an Eleven would be made a knight."
In response, the man lifted up his right hand where a golden key has hanging off his pointer finger. "What if you could?"
Suzaku stared at the key in shock. If this was true, he'd be the first Eleven that would ever be offered a Knightmare of his own. He was ordered to quickly get dressed and follow the duo out of the medical trailer he was now in. As soon as he was out, he was led to a large Knightmare covered by a large black cloth strapped onto a metal stand. Just by looking at it, he could tell this Knightmare easily dwarfed the standard Sutherlands.
"Congratulations! The only Knightmare of its type in the world awaits you! Mount it, and it'll all change. You and your world." The man exclaimed with glee and… pride.
"Whether you want it to or not." The woman finished solemnly.
Xxx
"Lulu? What have you been up to? Where are you now? If you keep cutting class you'll get held back…"
"Are you near a TV?" Lelouch asked, cutting off another pointless lecture on the evils of gambling from his fellow student council member, Shirley Fenette.
"A TV?"
"Sorry, this is important." Lelouch edged his Sutherland around the corner, but ducked back quickly as two tanks moved down the road.
He could simply take them out here, but then he'd be discovered, and his Sutherland could not take on all the other Britannian forces alone. He could have one of those two advanced Knightmares do it, but he told them to hold back on the fighting. As far as they knew, Britannia had no knowledge of them or the capabilities of their Knightmares. Lelouch wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible.
"Jeez. Hang on. Sorry, can I change the channel?"
"Huh? To what?"
"The news. Is there anything about Shinjuku?"
Lelouch punched in codes for the Knightmare's Factsphere to increase its range. This would give him a more accurate reading on the enemy's positioning and numbers across the entire Shinjuku ghetto.
"The news? Let's see…Nothing on except stuff about traffic restrictions."
"Why is it restricted?" Lelouch asked.
"Dunno. They're not saying anything special."
'I see. They'll finish everyone off, then just release whatever story they want.' He blinked as he picked up an image of several discarded items on the ground before him, probably left behind to escape.
There on the ground was a full chess set, with the black king being the only piece on the board. All the others were simply scattered on the ground around it.
"You're gambling again, aren't you? I told you before how dangerous that is!"
"Yeah, I know." Lelouch cut her off.
There was definitely no time or desire to hear that again.
"Oh, and tell my sister I'm going to be late coming home. Bye." He hung up his phone and replaced it in his pocket as he disengaged the cockpit, allowing him to descend to the ground.
"Where are you going now?" C.C. asked through the com.
Lelouch merely picked up all the black chess pieces and held them up in the air for the green Knightmare's eyes to see.
"You got out for some chess pieces? You're either really stupid, or overly obsessed with that game." Naruto remarked as casually as one would discuss the weather.
"I'll admit it's most likely the latter, but it's not obsession. It's just a hobby of mine." Lelouch stored the pieces in his breast pocket as he re-entered his Knightmare. "Listen up. As long as they're trying to suppress this information, it'll be hard for them to call in reinforcements. In short, they have to work with the pieces they now have on the board."
"You're planning to fight a war, but treating it like a game. Don't do that." Naruto scolded the teen. "Real war has unpredictable circumstances that can't be planned for, uneven or unfair odds, and all sorts of other variables that can really fuck up your day. Don't take the situation lightly, and treat this like a real war."
Lelouch took a moment to consider the man's words and reluctantly admitted he had a point. After all, in chess the only unpredictable element was the human one. And this had nothing but humans fighting in it. He was sure he could get the terrorists to fight for him, but only if he gave them a reason to listen to him.
He had to first prove his worth then. "I acknowledge your point. Follow me up to that building. It's time to recruit my soldiers."
Xxx
Kallen took down yet another gunship, but it didn't seem to matter. No matter how many enemies she eliminated, several more arrived to take their place. She wouldn't be able to save the ghetto alone in just her one-armed Glasgow. It had already been proven that her sole slash Harken was not going to be enough to deal with those damned Sutherlands.
Her Factsphere picked up movement behind her, which turned out to be a pair of Sutherlands, rifles aimed squarely at her back. She started moving just as they started to fire at her. She kept moving through the slums she knew for sure had no innocents in the way, but understood she couldn't keep running forever.
She glanced at her energy bar and cursed. "Only thirty minutes left!"
"The west entrance!" A voice called out through her transceiver. She didn't recognize the voice, and she knew Ohgi and the others would be too busy using this time to evacuate civilians. "Use the train tracks to move over to the west entrance!"
"Who is this? How do you know this code?" She demanded.
While she realized it might be a trap, surely the Britannian forces knew that such a thing wouldn't be needed against her at this point.
"It doesn't matter who I am! If you want to win, then trust me!"
"Win?" Such a notion seemed so utterly impossible that even now, she was questioning this man's sanity.
Still, what other option did she have besides following this stranger's advice or getting herself killed by those Knightmares. She jumped her Knightmare straight up and onto the train tracks he had mentioned, frowning when she saw the two Sutherlands mimic her action.
"Hey! What do I do now?" She looked up as she heard the screeching of a train coming straight at her.
"Since you trusted me, you get to win. Jump onto the train!"
"Understood!" She had her Glasgow jump into the air once more, and started leaping forward atop the train cars, as the Sutherland directly behind her was stopped by the train.
The second one made to leap onto the train after her, but was shot out of the air by a pair of slash harkens coming from a hole blasted into the side of the building. Glancing over, she saw a Sutherland, crouched and watching the tracks.
"F-Friendly fire? What's your unit? The enemy is the one-armed one!" Jeremiah Gottwald received a spray of gunfire at his Knightmare in response. "Can it be… a terrorist?"
The landspinner on his Knightmare's right leg was blown off, halting his retreat and leaving him a sitting duck for the red Glasgow that was now charging back at him atop the train. Left with no other option, he activated his cockpit's ejection system and shot out of his Knightmare, the small rocket boosters taking him far out of the fight, before the parachutes deployed.
"You saved me! But how did you get a Sutherland?" She glanced over to the building where her savior was hiding, but found the spot deserted now. "What? Where did he?"
"Hey! Kallen! What was with that radio message before?"
Kallen glanced down and spotted Ohgi and the others running along the tracks towards her. "Huh? He contacted you, too?"
"Yeah! Yoshida's group should be here soon, too…" Static came out of the transceiver Ohgi held in his hand, causing him to look at it in anticipation.
"You're the leader?"
Ohgi was startled that Kallen's mysterious savior would contact him directly instead of relaying the message to her as he already had, but he was technically in charge of the group with Naoto's passing. "Huh? Yeah."
"The cargo of the train that's stopped is my gift to you. They're tools for your victory. If you wish to use them and win, then follow my orders."
Kallen opened up one of the cars with her Knightmare and gasped in surprise. It was filled with inactivated Sutherlands and stockpiles of energy fillers!
"Knightmares!"
"There's more over here!"
"Here, too!"
"This is amazing! Let's hear what he has to say."
'All this? But how?' Kallen thought as she counted six cars with two Sutherlands each. That was enough to outfit them all in fresh new Knightmares. It was a start, but the others weren't as skilled piloting a Knightmare as she was.
"The woman in the Glasgow."
The man's voice snapped her into focus once more.
"Y-Yeah?" She asked tentatively, as if disappointing him would suddenly cause all these Sutherlands to vanish before their eyes.
"Stay where you are. That unit's going to run decoy since the Britannians are already aware there is a red Glasgow opposing them."
Kallen nodded, already seeing the man's point. "Understood."
"Energy filler status?"
"About fifteen minute's worth," she responded after checking her meter once more.
"Then load a new one in. In ten minutes, I'll contact you with your next instructions."
Xxx
Lelouch clicked off the transceiver and leaned back against his seat. "This is kind of nerve-wracking." 'Still, I need the determination to succeed. I'm betting not only my life in this battle, but the lives of those people. If I do this right, I should be able to drastically minimize lives lost on our side, if not cut them out altogether.' What he had now was not an army. What he had was a fledgling resistance group that would have to grow to epic proportions if he was to make any significant progress in his goal to crush Britannia.
"Are you sure you don't want us fighting?" Naruto asked.
He could see the logic in Lelouch's argument for keeping their presence a secret from their enemy. That didn't mean he had to like it.
"I need you two to position yourselves in the ghetto at the coordinates I'm sending you. Disable your I.F.F tags and take out any opposition you can discretely." Lelouch punched in the coordinates Seizan would be waiting at, followed by Shinryoku's coordinates.
He paused for a moment and clicked on the com once more. "And it's your own fault that you're not fighting, Seizan. Had you not told me to treat this like a real war instead of a game, I wouldn't be holding back my trump cards. Why waste pieces when you're sure just two can get the job done?"
Lelouch shut off communications with him before a reply could be made.
No one scolded him and got away with it
Xxx
"The terrorists are mixed among the general Eleven populace and are mounting a bit of a resistance against us, but it hasn't affected our army's overwhelming superiority." General Bartley reported after having examined the digital map of the settlement they were now currently destroying.
"Of course it hasn't. Besides that…" Clovis trailed off, already knowing his general knew what response he wanted to hear.
Bartley nodded. "Understood. The gas capsule will be…"
"Just as the public thinks," Clovis finished.
"Right. And we'll keep looking for the girl."
Clovis held up a white-gloved hand to his forehead, already feeling the beginning of a migraine coming on. Why was one girl causing him such trouble. It seemed his fate depended heavily on retrieving her before she was found by anyone. Let alone, discover the things she could do. "Yes. Dead or alive, you must find her."
Xxx
"Hey, are you sure about this? Their I.F.F.'s have been stripped. You sure this isn't an enemy trap?" Tamaki Shin'ichiro asked his leader, while he was getting settled inside one of the new Sutherlands.
"The other side has the total advantage in this war. They don't need to set any traps," Ohgi responded through his Knightmare's speakers. "You guys get to your assigned points too."
"P-1, can you move? The fundamentals shouldn't be different than what you're used to."
Ohgi quickly grabbed the transceiver before the man decided to cut communications suddenly. "Who are you? At least tell us your name."
"I can't do that. What if these signals are being intercepted? Anyway, if Q-1 is on schedule, enemy Sutherlands will be reaching you in twenty-three seconds. Probably two of them. Shoot them through the wall."
Tamaki scoffed at the orders being given to them by a guy too cowardly to reveal his name. "What's he talking about?"
Ohgi set down the transceiver and slotted his Knightmare key in. They really had no choice but to trust this man, and what harm could actually come from shooting through a wall? If there were any civilians left in the area, Britannians would have been here much sooner than this to finish them off.
"Everyone, double check your weapons."
"Hey, are you serious?" Tamaki demanded angrily.
"Just do it Tamaki. We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Unless you'd like to just give up now and be killed?" Ohgi asked sarcastically.
All around him, the rest of the group powered up their Knightmares, and quickly loaded the powerful assault rifles they carried. Even Tamaki begrudgingly got into his own Knightmare and leveled his rifle at the wall in front of them.
"3…2…1…Fire!" At his command, Ohgi and the others to fired through the wall, grinning in triumph when he spotted a flash of metal on the other side of the concrete wall.
They kept firing until it was painstakingly obvious both Knightmares had been destroyed. The wall before them had been made into Swiss cheese from the multitude of rounds penetrating it.
Xxx
Lelouch chuckled as his tactical map readout indicated two Knightmares had just been lost. It was fortunate he had received a Knightmare with the Britannian forces clearly labeled as allies. It made it so much easier to manipulate them that way.
'An I.D. can be a double-edged sword,' He mused, holding up a black knight piece. 'Besides, if the terrorists follow my commands, then the path to Clovis will be left clear to me.'
He set down the knight and picked up the transceiver again, clicking it on briefly to relay his message. He highly doubted their signals were being intercepted, but just in case they were, he always turned his off after each message. No need for his voice to be recognized by chance.
Xxx
"P-1, P-4, P-7! Move 100 meters to the right and fire your slash harkens towards three o'clock."
"Alright! Do what the voice says people!" Ohgi ordered.
He wasn't sure how, but this man was either predicting the enemy's movements or dictating them himself to ensure their defeat at the hands of his group. Either suited him, and he was starting to believe they could and would come out of this, not only alive, but victorious. The three indicated Knightmares in the group traveled down the road and turned the corner, impaling an oncoming Knightmare with a total of six different slash harkens. Even Tamaki had to grin, dealing such destruction to a Britannian pilot who had been officially trained to use his Knightmare.
Kallen used her own slash Harken to pull her Glasgow up over a roof and land back down on the other side of the building, where she rammed her fist into a Knightmare that had just opened up the protection around its Factsphere.
Xxx
"Sir Glaube has ejected! Frame has been lost!"
"Change codes! They're intercepting our transmissions!" Bartley ordered.
This was bad. He'd been watching signal after signal read out as lost on the battlefield. How could these terrorists be putting up this difficult of a fight?
"We have! Four times already!"
"Do it again!" he ordered.
"This failure is unacceptable!" Clovis yelled out in the command center, outraged.
A bunch of Elevens were getting the best of the highly trained Britannian military.
Worse, it was making him look foolish!
"Hello there!"
Directly on the screen in front of him, a video call from Lloyd Asplund, the head of the Britannian Special Research Division, or Camelot, covered up the tactical map he'd been observing, where his forces were shown to be dwindling. He wasn't sure this image was an improvement, especially with that annoying smile on the man's face.
"What is it? We're in the middle of an operation!" Bartley exclaimed in frustration.
"Then it's time to deploy the A.S.E.E.C's special weapon." Lloyd reasoned.
"This isn't the time!" Clovis wasn't about to let his older brother's pet project steal all the glory from his area. This battle would be won by the forces under his command.
Xxx
Naruto watched on amusedly as another one of the resistance members fired a shot straight through a tank, utterly destroying it. He could have done that from here, but apparently Lelouch didn't even want these people to know about him or C.C. unless absolutely necessary.
So far, all he'd managed to take out was a single tank and a pair of gunships. "Gah! I need some action! I need a good fight!"
C.C. sent one of the blades from her right Harken fan into a gunship passing overhead, making sure to wait until she could destroy it from behind to avoid being seen. "I have to agree. I'm not finding any challenge in fighting cannon fodder. Look at the bright side though, Naruto."
"Oh and what possible bright side could there be to not being allowed into the fight?" Naruto asked sullenly.
"All this frustration on my part will need to be relieved in some other way. Tonight. By you." C.C. said as if speaking to a mentally deficient child.
"I gathered that much, thank you. You're as subtle as a rhino when you're asking for sex. No wait, you never ask, you just demand." Naruto said dryly with a roll of his eyes that he knew she could see.
"I didn't hear you complaining on your birthday." She remarked teasingly as she retracted both fans into the slots beneath Shinryoku's wrists.
Naruto smirked and moved Seizan further back behind the ruined building. "What can I say? It was practically beat into my head that I shouldn't talk with my mouth full."
Xxx
"Now then, the enemy has five options." Lelouch remarked as he watched Knightmare after Knightmare get wiped out by his tactical advantage and the people following his orders without hesitation. His eyes were drawn to the screen as a ring of enemy Sutherlands started closing in around the position he'd predicted. "Well now, they made an even stupider move than I expected."
"Q-1, your map is accurate, right?" Lelouch asked.
"Right. For the old town," Kallen confirmed. "But, without any current landmarks…"
"It'll do. Mission number 3." Lelouch ordered.
"Understood." Kallen quickly navigated her Glasgow through the ghetto following the basic path from her map and into position where she'd been told to wait.
She looked around and frowned. The area was entirely open, with no cover around her at all. What was she supposed to do here?"
Xxx
"Surround them and concentrate our forces there!" Clovis ordered, tapping a finger on the singular red dot in the middle of the ghetto. It wasn't moving from its position, so he assumed they were lying in wait, ready to ambush his Knightmares. No matter, they would fail when faced with the onslaught of his overwhelming numbers. "The enemy's main force is where the center dot is! Finish them!
Just as his Knightmares were closing in, the red dot suddenly vanished from the map.
"What? The enemy isn't there?" Clovis asked in shock.
Xxx
Kallen counted down the meters her Glasgow was to move forward until she was in position. It had actually taken her a few moments before she finally figured out what the purpose of her moving underground and sending her slash Harken up at the top of the tunnel was. She'd voiced her complaints about being crushed under tons of rubble, but the man had calmly informed her she'd have four seconds to get her Knightmare back above ground at the end of the tunnel.
The man had called it easy.
She finally stopped and turned around, sending her slash Harken into the top of the tunnel, creating a multitude of cracks resembling a spider's web. She immediately retracted it, and started rushing to the end of the tunnel, even as she heard the ground the Sutherlands had been standing on crashing down into the tunnel behind her.
Three seconds, two… at the last second, she sent her Harken shooting into the side of a building and pulled herself up with it, avoiding a quick, and highly embarrassing death being crushed by rubble. If she was going to die, it was going to be either by battle or by age, not by an accident.
Xxx
Lelouch started laughing victoriously as a wave of destruction started spreading out from the point he had sent Q-1 to, taking out almost fifty Knightmares. He couldn't have planned it any more perfectly.
"It worked, didn't it? I can do it! I can! I can defeat Britannia!" He continued laughing at feeling his very first victory.
Xxx
"He's a little messed up isn't he?" Naruto asked as he and C.C. listened to Lelouch's laughing.
C.C. shrugged with a small smile. "He's just enjoying himself."
Xxx
Clovis stepped back in shock, having witnessed the majority of his forces eliminated in a single instant. 'Who… who in God's name am I fighting? Can he be even better than Tohdoh?'
"Lloyd!" Clovis called out seriously.
"Hmm? Yes, your highness?"
"Can it win? Will your toy beat them?" Clovis asked desperately.
The least he could hope for now was a Britannian victory. Never mind that he wouldn't get the credit for it, if the Elevens won here, the loss would be placed squarely at his feet.
Lloyd chuckled softly and plastered a confident smirk on his face for the crown prince. "Your Highness… Please call it Lancelot."
Xxx
"Advanced unit weapon Z-0-1 Lancelot, now activating. Lancelot activating. Releasing hatch." The automated voice rang across the Britannian defensive line, alerting all around to move away from the Camelot truck.
The specialized equipment truck slowly slid out the stand that the Lancelot was attached to, the black sheet fluttering in the wind as it was brought outside for the first time since its creation.
"Z-0-1 Lancelot, stand by for activation. Pallet extension, initiating."
"Did you read the manual?" Cecile Croomy, Lloyd's assistant and the main technical engineer working on the prototype Lancelot KMF, asked.
"More or less," Suzaku answered as he started donning the special pilot suit he'd been given. As soon as it was fully zipped up, he felt the suit re-size itself to fit him snugly, but not uncomfortably.
"Well done. You scored in the top class in the simulator."
"Look…About what you said before…" Suzaku started walking out of the medical trailer and out to the equipment truck where he would enter his new Knightmare.
Even now, he couldn't believe this was happening.
"It's possible," Cecile admitted hesitantly. "But the possibility's still close to zero."
"But not actually zero, right?" Suzaku asked hopefully,
"I'm afraid that's true. Still, I don't want you doing anything reckless. The new system doesn't have a cockpit ejection system installed yet." Cecile warned the young honorary Britannian.
"Right. I understand, Miss Cecile." He stared up in awe as the metal clamps holding the sheet over the Knightmare were released, allowing the sheet to be blown off from the wind. "This is it?"
The Knightmare was huge. It was primarily white, but had golden armor pieces around the head, chest, arms and legs. And it actually had a distinctly human-like face, rather than just a covered Factsphere for a head.
"Right. The experimental weapon developed by us in the Advanced Special Envoy Engineering Corps. Lancelot." Cecil exclaimed with a calmer sense of pride than her superior. "The world's first 7th generation Knightmare Frame."
"Alright then Suzaku, shall we proceed with the initial start-up?" Lloyd asked impatiently, eager to finally see his masterpiece in action.
"Initial start-up proceeding from phase 20. Equipping energy filler." Cecil dictated to the other engineers and mechanics around the Lancelot.
"Confirm pre-start. Energy filler now at normal output. Thirty seconds to reach critical voltage."
"Core Luminous, shifting phase. Yggdrassil Drive operational."
"Devicer, set up," Cecil called out to Suzaku, who nodded and sat down in the seat, which was then inserted back into the cockpit.
"Confirming entry of Devicer to Z-0-1. Individual I.D. Registration complete. Confirm establishment of man-machine interface. Yggdrassil resonance, confirmed. Rejection response, weak. Devicer stress response, weak. All readings, normal."
"It's all going according to the data so far," Lloyd remarked calmly.
Suzaku punched in his activation code, and quickly had the launch pad beneath the Lancelot's feet split apart into two separate pads, one for each foot. The landspinners attached to each leg swung down, resting on the back of the truck, as the Lancelot bent over, resting one hand lightly on the ground before it. "Lancelot… M.E. Boost!"
The core Luminous began filling the entire frame with power, as the landspinners started moving rapidly before the Knightmare had even moved.
"Lancelot… LAUNCH!" Cecile called out.
Immediately, Suzaku blasted off from the truck and into the ghetto, moving both quickly and agilely to avoid wreckage of destroyed buildings and Sutherlands.
"Full throttle, right out of the gate, huh?" Lloyd said as he laughed in joy that his prized creation was working amazingly.
Xxx
"Huh? What's that? Tamaki asked, as his Sutherland's Factsphere was showing him an image of some white Knightmare approaching rapidly. "It doesn't look like a Suther…"
He didn't get to finish as the Knightmare smashed a fist into his Sutherland's head, forcing the Knightmare to activate the automatic pilot ejection.
Lelouch chuckled as he counted up the remaining opposition left between him and his opponent. "Another push and the way will be clear…"
"This is B-group! Confirm signs of the enemy!"
"Hm? Reinforcements?" Lelouch asked. "I suppose Seizan was right. I didn't expect them to push back so soon, but that would be human impatience taking place here. Perhaps he was a soldier before Japan fell." He picked up the transceiver, having decided to leave it on after his plan came to fruition. "Status?"
"Everyone ejected, but they took out four units in no time at all!"
"Number of enemies?' Lelouch queried.
"One! Just one!" That shocked Lelouch.
One Knightmare took out four units solo? Typing rapidly with his left hand, he connected the signal from his handheld transceiver to the com system in his Knightmare, relaying the message to Seizan and Shinryoku.
"I think it's a new model. Never seen anything like…!"
The message was cut off from static, but he let out a relieved sigh that his two aces had received the message first.
"Did you two get that?" Lelouch asked urgently.
"You bet we did. Sounds like Britannia has a Knightmare that might come close to matching ours. Did you get a lock on its position?" Naruto asked eagerly.
"Negative. It doesn't seem to have an I.F.F. installed either, because my readout is not showing any Britannian Knightmare moving within our position. You'll have to find it on your own. Should I order a retreat to the terrorists?"
"I would recommend that. No use wasting their lives in a fight they can't seem to win. Meanwhile, we're going hunting. Seizan, if I win, you're buying me pizza tonight." C.C. informed Naruto, already prepping Shinryoku to go searching for this new enemy.
"Like hell I'm letting you blow what little money I have left on that crap!" Seizan cut off the communication, but had the good sense to reactivate his I.F.F., as did Shinryoku.
At least now, when they found him, he'd know for sure.
Lelouch shook his head, slightly amused at the, apparently, romantically involved Knightmare pilots. "All forces retreat. The Britannians have apparently released some kind of ace, a Knightmare that took out four frames alone. Do not engage. I repeat, do not engage. There's no point fighting a battle you'll lose."
"Like hell we're gonna run away from this thing!" Two Sutherlands raised their rifles and started firing at the large white Knightmare directly across from them, only for it to activate some kind of glowing green energy shield on its right forearm, deflecting the bullets away with ease. "Oi, this thing has some kind of deflector! The bullets are bouncing off of it!"
"What? The bullets are bouncing off of it?" Lelouch asked.
"Yeah! What do we do? Ishida!"
Another burst of static was his response, causing him to frown in annoyance. It'd be so much easier to let them stubbornly fight on and get defeated easily, but he had to show others he could lead even a ragtag group like this to victory. "All forces retreat. I have two of my own aces charging in to hunt this enemy down! If you see a large black and green or black and blue Knightmare, do not attack. They are going to take this enemy of ours down. Hide out with the civilians, but ditch the Sutherlands away from your destination. Leave the Glasgow with them as well. The more attention you pull away from your exit point, the safer you'll be."
"Understood. We'll pull back and let your men deal with this. Kallen! Grab Ishida's group and meet up with us at the west outskirts. We're ditching the Knightmares and waiting in the safe house!"
"Got it, Ohgi!" Kallen clicked off the communication and sped along predetermined routes to evacuate, spotting Tamaki, Ishida and both their respective groups running just ahead of her.
She followed after them in her Glasgow, despite having to significantly reduce her speed to avoid running them over, and stopped it just outside the entrance to one of the older subway tunnels. She left the Knightmare running, but got out of the cockpit just as Ohgi and his group arrived, quickly evacuating from their respective Knightmares as well. Tamaki quickly set charges around the large group of Knightmares, before they all started running back to the safe house they had hid the Shinjuku survivors in.
Xxx
Suzaku moved the Lancelot through the ghetto at a much slower pace now than before. After he had dispatched that first group of terrorists, he hadn't seen any more of them at all. It was actually so calm, that he was expecting an ambush at any moment. Suddenly his Factsphere picked up two unidentified Knightmares approaching his position very rapidly from opposite directions. He was about to position himself atop the building to his left and let both arrive before he took action, but that decision was taken out of his hands when a large violet dagger pierced through his left arm, destroying the Blaze Luminous shield attached to it.
He spun around quickly as the dagger was retracted, and ended up looking at a large black and deep navy blue Knightmare. It stood just a bit taller than his Lancelot, and was holding a deep purple kodachi in its right hand, with a three-pronged violet dagger in the left.
This Knightmare also had a human-like face, and even had eyes with pupils and rings expanding out from the pupils in a ripple like pattern he noticed, though they must have been designed that intricately on purpose. "You must be the leader of those terrorists, right?"
Naruto stared at the white Knightmare the Britannians had created. It was mildly impressive, and even more so, that they had created it using sakuradite alone. There was no type of flight system attached to it however, and it seemed quite limited in its armaments. At least Seizan had ninjutsu to fall back on if melee combat proved ineffective.
But this thing only had a pair of swords and four slash harkens by his count.
With no other ranged capabilities, a piss-poor defensive system, and a limit to ground confrontations, this Knightmare was far inferior to theirs. If he so desired, Naruto could simply activate his wings and strike down the poor bastard from the sky, but where was the fun in that?
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not a leader, I'm a fighter. And you might be the only challenge I'll see all day. I don't mean to offend, but I have to beat you before my partner to win, so I'm going to end things quickly." Naruto tossed his MVS kunai straight at the white Knightmare, but sent a burst of chakra and fukushahado radiation through the cable and into the kunai, as it approached the Knightmare.
Suzaku frowned and contemplated his course of action. That dagger had pierced through and destroyed his left Blaze Luminous. But it hadn't been active at the time, and it was destroyed from behind. Even so, Suzaku wasn't sure the Blaze Luminous could stop that dagger even if it was activated. It was approaching him rapidly, so he made a snap decision and brought up his right arm, the iridescent green Blaze Luminous meeting the projectile head on.
The Blaze Luminous was successful in stopping the dagger, however, he was getting warnings and alerts indicating that the Blaze Luminous was overloading. He wanted to bat away the dagger with his arm and charge straight in at his enemy, but apparently the Blaze Luminous was being… force-fed some type of energy that was slowly neutralizing it.
"Can't stop it…" Desperately, Suzaku launched three slash harkens at his enemy.
None of them actually connected, but it was enough to get the Knightmare to back off, pulling the dagger back as well. He inspected the readout from the Lancelot's display and frowned. The Blaze Luminous system was utterly fried. Frankly, he was lucky both of the Lancelot's arms still worked after the beating they'd just taken. With no other choice, he pulled out the pair of MVS swords attached to the sides of his cockpit, their glowing red blades a stark contrast to his opponent's dark violet.
Before he could move to settle the fight in close quarters, a second Knightmare landed between them, this one a dark forest green and black. It had the same set of eyes as the other, but this one was holding a pair of violet fans.
"Could they be… used for melee?"
Suzaku got his answer as the Knightmare charged in, using its rotating wrists to try and slice apart his Knightmare with the razor sharp edge on those fans. When he brought his swords in to clash, the Knightmare simply allowed the blades to land on the flat of the fans, and turned them aside with a quick spin and continued its offense. If he wasn't so frustrated that he couldn't land a single blow against his opponent, he'd be very impressed with the graceful and deadly dance-like movements this Knightmare was displaying.
C.C. smirked as she continued her attack, pushing the Knightmare back with each swing of her Harken Fans. Her opponent was admittedly, a decent swordsman, but he was nothing compared to Naruto, and subsequently nothing compared to her. It was a bit awkward using these fans as blades, and she was forced to rely more on her Knightmare's capabilities than her own skill.
"I'm going to have to get some practice in, otherwise these might as well remain slash harkens."
Her opportune moment arrived when she managed to successfully deflect both of her opponent's swords out wide and brought both her fans slashing down, destroying the two Factspheres located in its chest. Not breaking her momentum, she reversed the direction of Shinryoku's wrists and brought the fans back up, cutting the hands of the white Knightmare completely off, and thus disarming her opponent.
Suzaku stared shocked as this green Knightmare cut straight through the Lancelot's wrists, preventing him from using the Lancelot's MVS swords anymore. "W-Who are these two? How do they have Knightmares that surpass the Lancelot?"
"Suzaku, what's wrong? I'm getting damage readouts from several different systems in the Lancelot. What happened?"Cecile's worried voice was nearly drowned out by the frantic screaming coming from somewhere behind her.
Suzaku could only assume Lloyd had also found about the damage. "There are two Knightmares, as advanced or even more so, than the Lancelot. Both Blaze Luminous shields have been destroyed, the Factspheres are gone, and the Lancelot's hands have been cut off. Also…"
He was forced to cut the communication short as the blue Knightmare apparently stepped back into the game, now wielding a pair of the violet kodachi. Now that he suspected those weapons had MVS technology, he had to assume that they were built with more advancements than the Lancelot. Judging by the designs of the weapons as well, they were likely created in Japan.
He might be able to buy himself time by attacking with his slash harkens, but he highly doubted it, especially with two opponents. All he could do now was escape. He turned around and started navigating away from the duo, deeper into the ghetto in hopes he could circle around and retreat to the Britannian defensive line. He turned the Lancelot's head over his shoulder, but only spotted the green Knightmare.
"What? Where did the blue one go?"
His movement came to an abrupt halt, despite the fact that his landspinners were still running. He glanced down at the Lancelot's legs and saw a pair of hands rising out of the ground and gripping onto them.
"What is this…?"
"Earth Style: Double Decapitation Technique!" A voice called out through a set of Knightmare speakers, before the Lancelot was pulled down into the ground until only its head was sticking out.
The blue Knightmare inexplicably rose out of the ground before him, and made a show of clapping its hands together, as if getting dirt off of them. He didn't know how this Knightmare did that, but he couldn't move the arms or legs of the Lancelot at all. Neither could he leave the Lancelot, as the cockpit was buried underground and did not have an ejection system.
Even if he had a cockpit ejection system, he highly doubted it could push through solid concrete. "You terrorists! You're willing to go this far to kill innocent people?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but it wasn't the terrorists that started murdering innocent people in this settlement. That was Britannia. Now be a good boy and sit here quietly while thinking about how poorly you fight." Naruto grinned to himself as he left the Knightmare there, content with a humiliating defeat of his opponent rather than an outright death. It wasn't actually needed, and that Knightmare would not be seeing combat again for a while. "Oi, C.C.! I beat him first! That means you have to eat ramen with me tonight!"
"Hmph. Fine, we might as well get moving anyways. That boy said he wanted us to meet him near the Britannian defensive line. I doubt he actually wants us to just destroy the lot of them, so he probably needs an escort out of the area or something."
Xxx
"T-They buried my Lancelot? How did they? How could they? No other Knightmare could surpass the Lancelot, let alone two! T-T-They defiled my precious creation!" Lloyd had to be physically held back by the other engineers and scientists to prevent him from running out and digging up the Knightmare by hand.
Cecile on the other hand, was contemplating who else besides them would have not only the knowledge, but the funds, to build two amazing Knightmares like that.
And then it came to her. "Rakshata…"
"Rakshata? Rakshata Chawla?" Lloyd asked, the name having an odd calming effect on him. "Yes, I understand. I don't know how she not only developed, but improved upon MVS technology by herself, but if those Knightmares were hers, I… begrudgingly… see how the Lancelot might have been… in a disadvantageous situation."
"You mean that it lost right?"
"THE LANCELOT DID NOT LOSE! IT WAS TWO ON ONE!"
Xxx
"It's your fault this happened for opposing the Britannians!"
"What? Why, you spineless coward!" Tamaki angrily retorted.
"Do you know how many people died because of this?"
"Shut up! Do you know how many of us were captured or killed?" Tamaki asked the woman, waving his rifle in her face threateningly.
Ohgi and Kallen walked inside the safe house solemnly, Tamaki's point having validity. However, it could have been much worse had it not been for that mysterious man helping them and those two Knightmares he had sent in. She had caught a glimpse of the large black and blue one, rushing through the ghetto and was amazed by it. The pilot had obviously been quite skilled, and she could only wonder about that Knightmare's capabilities and what she'd do with a Knightmare that powerful.
"Ohgi, what about that guy we heard before?"
"I don't know. He doesn't answer when I call. He could be dead, but it's more likely that he retreated after that big white Knightmare was dealt with."
The doors to the safe house were blasted apart, allowing in a tank and several armed Britannian foot soldiers to enter, guns trained on the several hundred surviving Japanese people hiding out here. "So this is where you Elevens scurried off to. Prepare to fire!"
"Attention, all forces! Cease fire at once! In the name of Clovis la Britannia, third prince and royal viceroy of Area 11, you are so ordered! All forces cease fire at once! You shall also cease all destruction of buildings here! All casualties, either Britannian or Eleven, shall be treated without prejudice! In the name of Clovis la Britannia, you are so ordered! Cease fire at once! I shall allow no further fighting!"
Kallen watched on in shock as the Britannian soldiers, who had been moments away from murdering her and everyone else hidden here, retreated and left them all alive. "What just happened?"
Xxx
"Satisfied?"
"Yes, well done."
"What now? A round of songs?" Clovis asked disdainfully. "Or perhaps a nice game of chess?"
"That has a familiar ring." The soldier standing in the darkened command center of the G1 base took off his helmet and tossed it aside, having no need for it now. "Don't you remember? You used to play chess with me. Of course, I always won."
"What?"
"Remember? At the Aries Villa?"
"You…who are you?" Clovis asked the soldier fiercely.
No one got away with mentioning that place to him.
"It's been a long time, big brother." The man walked into the light, revealing it to be Lelouch.
Clovis' eyes widened in shock, as he leaned forward, staring at that face as if seeing a ghost. How could this be? It couldn't be him, but he'd recognize that face anywhere.
"The eldest son of the late empress Marianne, and 17th in line to the imperial throne. Lelouch vi Britannia, at your service." Lelouch held his left arm across his chest, as he knelt down on one knee before his older brother.
"Lelouch? But, I thought…"
"That I was dead?" Lelouch finished. "I have returned, Your Highness. To change everything."
He finished his declaration by pulling out a pistol and holding it level with the viceroy's forehead.
"I… I'm so glad, Lelouch. I heard you died during the capture of Japan. What good news that you're alive! Why don't you come back to the homeland with me?" Clovis said nervously, as he backed himself against his throne as much as possible.
"You intend to use me as a tool of diplomacy again?" Lelouch asked, his hand never wavering as he stepped closer, the gun almost touching Clovis' forehead now. "It seems you've forgotten why we were used as tools in the first place."
This drew a choked gasp from Clovis.
"Right. Because my mother was killed." Lelouch kept replaying the memory of that night in his mind, and his grip on the pistol only tightened further. "Mother held the title of Knight of Honor, but she was originally a commoner. No doubt the other empresses held her in contempt. Even so… even though you made it look like the work of terrorists...you people killed my mother!"
"It wasn't me! I swear it wasn't!" Clovis protested emphatically.
"Then tell me what you know. No one can lie to me now! Who killed her?" Lelouch asked, the Geass symbol flaring to life within his left eye, and taking hold within Clovis' mind.
The signature red ring around the eyes told him Clovis was affected. The third prince relaxed within his seat and seemed to lose all trace of emotions. "Schneizel, the second prince, and Cornelia, the second princess. They know."
This caused Lelouch to recoil in shock. The two most formidable siblings in the royal family.
"They're the ringleaders?" he asked, requiring clarification on their specific role.
Did they actually pull the triggers or hire the people who did?
All he received in response from Clovis was silence. "That's all you know, huh?"
He allowed the eye contact to break, as he deactivated the Geass, returning his left eye to its original purple color.
The effect was instantaneous, as Clovis instantly grew alarmed with the gun in his face once more. "It… It wasn't me, I swear! I didn't kill her! I didn't have her killed!"
"I understand." Lelouch lowered his right arm, allowing his brother to breathe a sigh of relief. "However…"
He took a step forward up the steps, and held the gun squarely between Clovis' eyes.
"No, don't! We may have different mothers, but I'm still your brother!" Clovis pleaded desperately.
"You can't change the world without getting your hands dirty." Lelouch unflinchingly pulled the trigger, watching the bullet pierce straight through his brother's head.
The life faded from his eyes rapidly, as Lelouch stared at the now deceased viceroy apathetically. He dropped the gun on the ground and simply walked out of the G1 base. There, as planned, were his escorts out of here.
"So, what do you plan to do now?" Naruto asked through his speakers at the boy, whose stolen Britannian armor was splashed with a fair amount of blood.
"As I am now, I will not be able to influence people and draw them to my cause. Lelouch Lamperouge is not a leader. No… I need to be reborn. Where do all things begin, and where do all things end?" He asked the two Knightmare pilots.
"A riddle? Damn, I'm not good with those." Naruto complained childishly.
C.C. smiled amusingly at Naruto's deficiency at mental challenges. "That's actually an easy one, Naruto. The answer…is Zero."
Xxx
I admit there are not a lot of changes here but that's only because that this is the start of the battle which actually needed very little changes because it's happening from Lelouch's point of view. I guarantee there will be a lot differences in the next chapter with me adding in some twists that I believe should happen. Hope you all enjoy reading this(even if you've read it before) and wait for the next chapter. It won't take too long.
*Chapter 3*: Chapter 3Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Lelouch quickly fastened the last button on his black uniform, and walked out of the living quarters that had been graciously granted to him and his sister Nunnally by the dean. After the excitement of his first victory over Britannia, sneaking back into a school through an underground maintenance passage was undeniably boring by comparison.
Still, he wouldn't even have achieved that victory without the help from those two powerful Knightmare frames that were actually summoned across the world to his location. That white Knightmare Britannia had in their possession was powerful, and there was likely little he could do, even with ample planning and good strategy, to enable the terrorists to defeat that monster.
'But against those two, that white Knightmare looked like trash. It was completely outclassed, and they hardly revealed any of their Knightmare's capabilities. That blue one however, was able to somehow tunnel underground, maneuver itself beneath the white Knightmare, and pull it down until only the head was visible. Could it possibly be specialized for underground operations? That could yield a large number of other tactical options in battle besides the one I saw.'
After they had dropped him off in an alley close to the maintenance tunnel, they had retreated back into the shadows and vanished. Lelouch ran after them to see where they might be heading, but couldn't find the smallest bit of evidence that they had ever been there. That frustrated him a bit, as he'd have liked to be able to contact them if necessary.
As he walked towards the door to his class, he nearly bumped into Shirley's back. He also noticed Rivalz and Nina were beside her, and all three were looking at something very intently. That's when he heard it.
"The terrorists used poison gas?!"
"That's scary! Shinjuku's only thirty minutes away from here!"
"I saw it! There was smoke rising from the direction of Shinjuku. That must have been the poison gas!"
Lelouch peered around his three fellow student council members and saw images being viewed on a laptop. Soldiers keeping Japanese civilians back from entering the ghetto and people in hazmat suits working behind them.
"Shinjuku?" Shirley muttered.
"I phoned you about it yesterday," Lelouch said from behind her.
"Lelouch!" Shirley spun around so quickly that she ended up smashing her book bag into Rivalz's head and knocking him to the floor. "Why did you ask about Shinjuku?"
"I was hearing about it in real time from a friend of mine," Lelouch explained. "I thought he was exaggerating, so I wanted to hear what the news was reporting about the situation."
He turned away from her and quickly scanned the contents of the laptop over the shoulders of the other students. He saw not one mention of Clovis's assassination.
'Strange… why would they hide the news about it?' Just thinking about his actions the previous day had him feeling sick to his stomach, and he rushed to the bathroom faster than he'd thought he was capable of moving.
After thoroughly emptying the contents of his stomach and cleaning his mouth out, he turned off the water rushing into the sink and stared at his violet eyes reflected in the mirror.
'Are they hiding Clovis's death to guard against chaos? But if they do that, then when they announce it…' He scoffed and shook away the lingering feelings of regret and doubt from killing his half-brother. "I'm a lot more sensitive than I thought."
Xxx
Suzaku groaned softly, his eyes wearily blinking open only to shut tightly at the bright lights hanging above him.
"So you survived after all" said the familiar voice of Lloyd to his left, peering down upon him as if he was a science experiment. "You're lucky we managed to get the Lancelot dug up in time, Suzaku."
"W-What do you mean?" Suzaku asked. A young nurse held up a glass of water to his mouth, which he drank from gratefully.
"The Lancelot's entire cockpit was underground, which meant it couldn't draw in oxygen for you. You were forced to rely on the Lancelot's own reserve supply, and that only lasts as long as the energy filler. By the time we got you out, you'd already passed out from oxygen deprivation." Cecile explained to him solemnly.
Suzaku frowned in disappointment. His first time in a Knightmare, and he had nearly died from something stupid like suffocation, thanks to those…
"The battle!" he exclaimed.
"A complete and total defeat." Lloyd said, sighing dramatically. "Those two Knightmares came out of nowhere and took the Lancelot down like it was junk to be recycled. Still, I shouldn't expect any less from Rakshata Chawla." He commented respectfully.
"How long until the Lancelot is ready to fight again?" Suzaku asked Cecile, since Lloyd seemed to still be considering the work from this other Knightmare developer.
"Well…" Cecile trailed off hesitantly. "The repairs to the Lancelot should be finished within a week. It would be three days, but we're adding in a cockpit ejection system now. However, whether it will get to fight again is another story."
Suzaku raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you…?"
"What she means is, that the Lancelot had such a poor debut, that the top brass isn't convinced it's worth the money and resources to keep the project running." Lloyd explained, finally rejoining the conversation. "I've managed to stave off their complaints and threats to shut the program down by telling them this was started by Prince Schneizel. They've backed off for now, but they're no longer in full support either."
Suzaku sighed in frustration. His one chance to show that an Eleven and honorary Britannian could help had failed. If he ever got a chance to meet that blue Knightmare in battle again, he'd come out the victor.
"Anyways, it looks like things in Area 11 will be changing drastically from now on," Lloyd muttered, scribbling on a clipboard as he spoke "What with Clovis being assassinated and Cornelia on her way to…"
"Prince Clovis was assassinated?!" Suzaku gaped, eyes wide as he stared at the eccentric scientist in disbelief. "But…how did they?!"
"Kururugi Suzaku." Suzaku glanced up to find three members of the Britannian Military Police, lead by Jeremiah Gottwald, standing in the doorway. "We would like you to come with us please."
Xxx
The second Lelouch walked up to the classroom door, he knew something big had taken place. For one thing, he heard no noise inside, whether it was the droning voice from the teacher, or the hushed mutterings between students. It was dead silent inside. He quickly opened the door to find two students at the front of the classroom passionately locking lips in front of the class. Everyone else had just been stunned into silence as PDA was highly looked down upon at Ashford Academy, though not strictly forbidden.
The two students, new students apparently, broke apart and gave a mocking bow to the students still watching them. Lelouch almost wanted to applaud the two. Throwing something that shocking into the faces of these students who had lived such cultured and well-mannered lives was like a slap in the face.
The boy on the right was only slightly taller than him, with bright blonde hair and piercing sky-blue eyes. It was quite obvious the boy was athletic and probably more fit than everyone else in the class put together. He was currently grinning at Lelouch with what could only be called a foxy grin.
The girl on the left had long green hair that was tied back in a single long ponytail hanging down to the small of her back. She had intense yellow eyes and was inspecting the faces of the students amusedly, as if she'd like nothing more than to find every way possible to shock them into this state.
Seeing that another student had walked into the classroom, the teacher coughed into her fist to regain some of her lost dignity from staring open mouthed at the vulgar display, as well as the attention of the students. "Ah yes, well, this is Uzumaki Naruto and Senju Tsunade. They have been granted permission to attend the Academy by the dean. Naruto, Tsunade, that boy is Lelouch Lamperouge, the student body vice-president. He'll be the one showing you around the campus."
The two new students turned towards Lelouch, and he instantly knew they were the ones in the two Knightmares. The smiles on their faces seemed friendly enough but the look in their eyes; that was anything but normal. He narrowed his eyes slightly, but noticed the blonde boy's smiles widened just a bit further the second he did. That one was very perceptive.
He led them over to seats in the back where he usually sat alongside Rivalz, the boy in question currently staring at the green-haired girl like a drooling monkey.
'They must be confident in their abilities, their anonymity, or both to show up here like this. I wonder where they hid their Knightmares. I doubt they'd have entrusted them to the terrorists so easily.' He drew his gaze away from them and focused on another person who had just recently arrived to class.
The girl had red hair hanging down around her face and looked rather quiet. Then he remembered that this girl was the same one he had seen exiting the truck to pilot that red Glasgow.
"Whatcha' looking at, my dear Lelouch?" Rivalz asked, apparently deciding he had stared at the new girl long enough. "Might you have a crush on her?"
"Just thinking this is a rare event," Lelouch replied. "She hasn't been here since the term started."
"Kallen Stadtfeld." Rivalz said. "I hear she isn't well. She was barely in school last year, too. Still, her grades are at the top of the class. Since she's the daughter of the Stadtfeld family, she's got wealth and a gentle disposition. Man, you have high standards!"
"It's not like that." Lelouch denied.
He ignored the rest of Rivalz comments and started thinking about how to work this situation to his favor. He had two potential allies on campus with him and a terrorist who likely wouldn't do anything to jeopardize her double life. It wouldn't be a good idea to get all three of them together then. While those two, Naruto and Tsunade he corrected himself, already knew who he was, none of the terrorists knew.
It was highly doubtful they'd take orders from a Britannian student, even if he had helped them achieve their first major victory. When the class broke for lunch, he grabbed both Naruto and Tsunade and led them out of the classroom, telling anyone he passed that he was taking them on a tour of the academy. He walked them all the way around the campus until they reached the south side of the student council building. No students or other club members had any reason to pass by this area so he felt reasonably confident that they wouldn't be disturbed.
He turned to look them in the eye and activated his Geass. "Answer my questions."
The faint red ring appeared around both of their pupils, only to be dispelled a second later.
"Sorry, but it would be pretty stupid of me to grant you an ability I wasn't immune to." The girl's statement answered two questions he'd wanted to ask, but it also worried him slightly that he couldn't use his Geass on these two.
They were not controllable and he could only assume they were actually loyal to him. In the meantime C.C. and Naruto found an answer to one of their own questions. C.C. believed Lelouch's Geass would not affect her through the remnants of her Code while Naruto's Rinnegan could block Geass because it's immense power. Not to mention Lelouch's Geass was still brand new thus his attempts to use it on C.C. and Naruto was like a fresh Academy Student trying to fight a Kage.
No chance at all.
"What is it you two want? Why bother showing up here?" Lelouch demanded.
Naruto and Tsunade shared a glance between each other before turning back to him.
"We already told you what we want. The destruction of Britannia. So long as they're around, millions of people are being oppressed and killed for no reason. As for why we're here? Well… we were bored." Naruto admitted sheepishly.
"You came here for such a stupid reason?" Lelouch asked doubtfully.
"It's not a stupid reason. What do you think we could actually do until you make another move? Sit in our powered down Knightmares and twiddle our thumbs?" Tsunade asked him skeptically.
Lelouch pinched the bridge of his nose, but he couldn't deny she had a point. He was at least glad they hadn't decided to make a move on Britannia by themselves. If anything was going to happen, it would first be planned. "I thought her name was C.C.? And you're sure Britannia has no idea who you two are?"
"She wasn't going to use her real name for this. Only I'm allowed to know that. And what would people think if she introduced herself as just C.C.? So I picked one from my past that she liked." Naruto explained. "And only a select few Britannians are aware of our existence. Most of those people died in India."
"And you two will be loyal to me? You will fight for me until I have rid this world of Britannia's dominance?" Lelouch asked them seriously.
Naruto stepped forward until he was standing directly in front of Lelouch, and allowed the henge to fall away from his eyes, revealing his Rinnegan with the violet Geass insignia framing the pupil.
"We'll fight with you until you give us a reason not to." Naruto held out his right hand to the boy.
"Fair enough. We'll do things the right way then." Lelouch clasped Naruto's hand with his own and shook firmly.
With the terms set, he now knew what he had to do to keep their loyalty. He couldn't treat these two like regular pawns or disposable assets. They had to be treated as irreplaceable, just as he considered himself to be. He'd hate having to share any plans with them, but better they work alongside him than against him.
"Hey, Elevens!"
The three looked to see several students following one that walked towards them.
"Is he talking to us?" C.C. asked in an innocent voice.
"Maybe." Naruto shrugged.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you! Get off our school! This is no place for your kind!" The boy pointed at them while several agreed and cheered behind him.
"Evidently your Principal disagrees since we are here." Naruto smirked. "So whether you agree or not it doesn't really matter now does it?"
"You." The boy glared darkly at being disrespected. "I can make one phone call and have you both kicked off the campus!"
"You could and then our families would sue yours and take you for what little money you've got." C.C. spoke up, sounding completely calm with a mischievous smile.
Lelouch stood back, preferring to learn more about them as they interact with the idiots of the school.
"Oh yeah. Well let's see how much you can smile after I'm done with your filthy faces!" The boy charged forward and aimed a fist at Naruto's head.
Naruto snorted and stepped out of the way, making it look so easy as the fist sailed past him. The boy tried again, Naruto casually stepped to the side, dodging the fist again and again.
"You hold still you filthy Elev-" The boy tried again but this time Naruto subtly tapped him in the head, freezing him for a second before he fell forward again.
"You might want to watch your step." Naruto remarked as the boy got up growling. "But seriously, I'm getting tired of this game."
He pulled out a cell phone and dialed a number.
"And who are you calling? Your washed up bastard parents who probably lost all their money having you." The boy sneered.
"Nope. It's for you." Naruto tossed the phone at the boy who caught it.
He looked Naruto with a glare and then down at the phone before answering. "Hello?...Father?! What? What do you-But…Okay."
He handed the phone back to Naruto, looking like he swallowed a melon as he did it and stepped back.
"Thank you." Naruto held up the cell phone. "Thank you. No, it was just a misunderstanding. Okay, bye."
'The wonders of the Human Path and that Geass ability of yours.' Kurama snickered.
'Yep. Works great, doesn't it?' Naruto thought.
While it looked like Naruto had called the boy's father all he did wait as C.C. subtly created a Shadow Clone, then when Naruto used the Human Path's powers to read the boy's mind he sent the information to C.C. and her clone that had hidden itself from view using his Geass power. As they both learned of the new powers they now possessed Naruto learned his Geass, Absolute Harmony and Unity allowed him to directly transmit his emotions and feelings to anyone who had been touched by his chakra, whether they knew it or not, or directly to C.C. who was able to directly sense him through the connection they had. Once they felt his emotions they would feel the urge to carry out his will, similar to Lelouch's own Geass but without the memory loss. With the information she now possessed C.C. had her Shadow Clone change into the boy's father and then used both of them used their own phones to make it look like Naruto had called the boy's father.
They both even used Genjutsu to fool the boy so when he saw the number that had been dialed he would think it was his father's number. So for all appearances it appeared that the boy had been scolded and warned not to harass Naruto Uzumaki or Tsunade Senju for fear of their family status being ruined with their money and home taken.
"Well, now that that was cleared up I hope no one decides to give us any trouble. As you can see, if this one's father doesn't want him messing with us then it's very likely the rest of yours will say the same thing." Naruto shrugged. "The price of family having a ton of connections."
The students grumbled unhappily as they walked away.
"You have family with connections here?" Lelouch asked, not believing Naruto's story.
"Nah, but they don't know that." Naruto whispered with a grin. "Now they won't dare bother me or C.C. unless they fear for their family's status."
"And thus no one will make the connections between us since they will not talk about us and won't reach the ears of the military." C.C. commented.
"I see." Lelouch nodded, remembering how they appeared in Shinjuku. "Is that the work of your…special abilities?"
"Stick with us and you'll find out." Naruto answered.
"Hm." Lelouch nodded, slightly annoyed by Naruto's word game but decided to be patient. "Very well. I believe I will."
He started walking back to the main area of the campus, followed closely by Naruto and C.C. when he spotted Kallen Stadtfeld swiping a bee out of the air into three separate pieces. Naruto actually whistled in appreciation of the skill necessary to do that. Kallen would have probably made a powerful kunoichi if she had been born in his world.
"There's no doubt about it now. She was the pilot from the red Glasgow in Shinjuku," Lelouch muttered to them.
"I saw that thing in battle. Very impressive. She pushed that thing to its limits and actually managed to take down a few Sutherlands with just that one-armed clunker. Give her a real Knightmare, and she'd be damn near unstoppable." Naruto praised.
Lelouch nodded slightly, agreeing with all of the points made by Naruto. That girl could be an ace pilot that, alongside Naruto and C.C., would bring about his victory that much faster. He walked over to Kallen just as she turned towards him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the three of them approaching. "C-Can I help you?"
"Answer my questions." This time, when he made eye contact with Kallen and activated his Geass, he saw it instantly take hold in the form of the red ring around her eyes.
"Yes." Kallen replied obediently.
"You were the pilot of the Glasgow in Shinjuku yesterday?"
"Yes." She answered simply.
"Why are you a terrorist?" Lelouch asked.
"Because I'm Japanese. Although I'm technically half-Britannian."
Lelouch's eyes widened in shock at that revelation. "A half-breed?! But why go that far?"
Naruto sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, as he leaned back against the tree behind Lelouch.
"Bored?"
Naruto glanced to his right at C.C. who was leaning against the same tree. "Yeah, just a little. That Geass you gave him is pretty powerful, even though I dislike the idea of a power that can force someone to do something against their will."
C.C. shrugged as if it didn't matter to her.
And a strong argument could be made that it really didn't. It would never bother her or Naruto, and she could simply cancel the effects if it was used on anyone she didn't approve of. "All Geass have a weakness."
"What about ours then?" Naruto questioned her curiously.
C.C. looked pensive as she thought about that.
To her chagrin she couldn't think of a significant weakness for their Geass. "Well…you cannot deactivate your Rinnegan at will."
Even as she said it, C.C. knew that was a moot point. A rampant Geass couldn't be turned off either.
"The chakra drain is minimal. We recover more than we lose." Naruto stated casually. "And since we can cover them up with a henge, we don't need to worry about anyone seeing them. There are still two things I want to try with them though, but I'll wait until it actually becomes necessary."
C.C. nodded. "Those two huh? I want to see you using them for myself sometime. And that includes using them with Seizan."
"Um… Did you want something?"
Naruto's and C.C.'s attention were drawn back to Lelouch and Kallen, where the duo noticed Kallen no longer had a red ring around her pupils.
"Oh this should be interesting," Naruto muttered softly with a smirk. "Shall we stop him from doing something stupid?"
"Hmm…no. Let's watch him make a mess of things. It should be amusing." C.C. decided, smiling deviously at seeing Lelouch's little situation.
"No, I'm through here." Lelouch said, turning to walk off, noticing that Naruto and C.C. were smirking at him, as if they knew a secret they would not let him in on. He bit back a curse, not wanting to think about what kind of trouble those two had in mind. "Right. Just to be sure…" Lelouch turned around to glance at Kallen once more and reactivated his Geass. "Don't say anything about what happened in Shinjuku."
Kallen blinked in confusion at the odd command. "What do you mean in Shinjuku? What makes you mention that?"
Lelouch stared at Kallen in shock. It didn't work that time.
"Return to the classroom," he ordered firmly.
"Only if you answer that question!" Kallen countered.
'It's not working?! What's going on here?!' Lelouch quickly deactivated his Geass and started backing up slowly.
Kallen's unwavering gaze was boring a hole in him and he knew Naruto and C.C. would be laughing at him if they could.
"Lulu! Kallen!"
Lelouch turned around to see Shirley waving at them from the 2nd floor window. He could honestly say he had never been happier to see her than at this moment.
"We have to go to the science prep room next! Get a move on!" Shirley called out.
"Crap! I've got to set up the experiment equipment!" Lelouch exclaimed dramatically, slapping his hand to the side of his head.
He knew that Nina usually preferred to be the one to set up the equipment, but Kallen didn't need to know that, and Shirley would pass it off as Lelouch doing a favor for someone else on the student council.
He started running towards the doors to the science building. 'It didn't work? But…'
Kallen stared at Lelouch Lamperouge for a few more moments, suspicions forming rapidly in her head, before turning back towards where she spotted the two new students. "Do you two know what he meant…?"
Naruto and Tsunade were nowhere to be found, as if they had simply vanished.
Xxx
Lelouch arrived home to find his younger sister Nunnally and their maid Sayoko sitting at the small table with a lot of paper scattered on it. "Sorry I'm so late."
"Welcome home, big brother." Nunnally said happily.
There was something different about Nunnally but Lelouch didn't notice until she looked at him which made him freeze in shock. "Nunnally? Your eyes…"
Nunnally was looking at him with open blue eyes with a big smile on her face. "I know, Big Brother."
Lelouch slowly walked over to his sister. "That's..that's…that's wonderful." He smiled happily, a tear falling down his cheek.
Nunnally reached and touched the tear on her brother's face. "Oh, Lelouch."
They both reached and hugged each other tightly with Sayoko smiling at the happiness of the two siblings but at the same time remembering why Nunnally got her sight back.
Xxx
The door opened and Sayoko greeted with the sight of two students. "Can I help you?"
"Yes. Lelouch offered us to use the guestroom here." C.C. answered neutrally. "Him and Nunnally have already met us and Nunnally knows that we were coming over."
"Just call us Tsunade and Naruto. No need for formalities." Naruto smiled warmly at the maid who simply bowed her head.
"As you wish."
Naruto sighed as she followed Tsunade into the living room where Nunnally was waiting for her bother to come home.
Naruto glanced at Nunnally and instantly noticed something through his Rinnegan. 'That little girl…'
According to Lelouch she was blind but Naruto could see that her eyes were functioning perfectly from the small amount of chakra in Nunnally's body that every human had to stay alive. He could see the chakra in her eyes which wouldn't be there if she was truly blind. There was also something else, a red colored imprint on her eyes that could only be seen by the Rinnegan.
The imprint of a bird spreading its wings.
'We both know what kind of signature that is.' Kurama commented, having become familiar enough with that power for the last few months.
C.C. turned and followed Naruto's glance. 'So the Rinnegan can even see someone who has been affected by Geass.'
She looked at Nunnally and easily recognized her and the effects of the Geass that had been used on her. As she studied chakra she compared the art of Genjutsu to Geass since both affected the human nervous system and the brain and realized that the Rinnegan could somehow spot the unique power of Geass on people who had it or been affected by it.
'Charles's Geass is as strong as I remember. No doubt he and Marianne might become aware of Naruto. I can't let them know until the time is right or they along with V.V. will descend with all of the Knights of the Round on Japan long before Lelouch can even set up his rebellion.' C.C. thought with a frown. 'They probably even suspect I would seek him out and they would be right. Meeting Naruto was good fortune and now I'm stronger but we still need time to properly prepare. Not just ourselves but Lelouch as well.'
"Brother? Are you home?" Nunnally turned the chair around to face them.
"Sorry, he's at a club meeting. He said he'd catch lunch there." Naruto answered warmly.
"Oh. Naruto, are you and Tsunade just getting back?" Nunnally asked as C.C. stopped in front of hr.
C.C. dropped the genjutsu covering her eyes, showing her Rinnegan as she placed a hand over Nunnally's closed eyes.
"Tsunade, what are…" Nunnally stopped in mid-sentence.
"Lady Nunnally?" Sayoko moved to pull C.C.'s hand back but Naruto stepped in front of her. "Move aside."
"Give her a second." Naruto said.
Nunnally gasped as she twitched in C.C.'s hand but the green haired girl waited for a moment before she let go. Nunnally wheeled back from C.C.'s grip as she…
Opened her eyes.
Sayoko gasped. "Lady Nunnally?"
Nunnally stared down at her trembling hands, as if she suddenly realized what they looked like for the first time. "I…I..can see." She gripped her face, tears of joy falling from her face.
"You're welcome." The Geass symbol in C.C.'s Rinnegan flared brightly before she quickly used henge to make them look normal again.
'So our Rinnegan can cancel or alter Geass affects, even better than a person with a Code can. Nunnally may not remember what the Emperor did to her, but the Geass that had left her blind has been broken.' C.C. glanced at Naruto.
All it took was the power of the Human Path and what was left of C.C.'s code, connecting with Nunnally's own mind and overpower and rewrite the Geass that left her blind but for the little girl's sake of remembering her mother as a kind woman and not being set up by the Emperor C.C. did not remove those memories. It was too soon, plus in the short time C.C. had known Nunnally the crippled girl was easily the most pure hearted soul the former immortal had ever met.
'Hanging around with Naruto is making me soft.' C.C. sighed and closed her eyes.
Xxx
"What happened? How?" Lelouch asked the only questions that could come out of his mouth.
"I don't know. I just…I just opened them." Nunnally answered as she stared into her brother's face. "I can't explain how it happened. It's like…a miracle."
Lelouch could only smile at the happy look on his sister's face but he already suspected who was responsible.
"Welcome home, sir." Sayoko greeted him respectfully. "Your friends are in the guest room you said they could have."
Lelouch blinked in surprise, but instantly deduced who Sayoko must have been referring to. "Ah, right. I should go see how they've settled in then."
He walked down the hallway to his left, past his room, past Nunnally's room, and opened the door to the guest room at the end of the hallway. Not surprisingly, he found Naruto and C.C. already unpacking various belongings like clothes, scrolls and…weapons?
"I see you two decided to make yourselves at home."
C.C. closed the drawer that she hid her kodachi in and turned towards the door. "It would be easier and more convenient if you had us close at hand, right? Yet you also don't want anyone accidentally discovering our existence who shouldn't. That means we have to stay here."
Naruto carefully set the massive scroll his master left him atop the dresser and made sure it wouldn't roll over, before he too addressed Lelouch. "We hid our Knightmares in the maintenance tunnel you snuck back in through. They have a garage. I'm assuming they used it for vehicles coming in with people to do repairs. It looked abandoned so we put it to use."
Lelouch nodded in agreement. He had seen that garage and it could easily house several Knightmares. Still he couldn't just convert Ashford Academy into his new base of operations.
He'd need to find a new location soon, and one with room for plenty of Knightmares. "Fine. You two can stay here for now, but I plan on getting us a base of operations as soon as I can. When I do, you two will have to stay there with your Knightmares."
Naruto and C.C. met each other's gaze and turned to Lelouch as one. "Agreed."
"And one more thing, did you have anything to do with my sister regaining her sight?" Lelouch asked, genuinely curious.
"What makes you so sure it wasn't a miracle?" Naruto rhetorically asked but his fox grin wasn't fooling anyone.
Lelouch would have been annoyed and pressed them for details but considering how they helped him in Shinjuku and seemingly restored his sister's sight he decided to be a little patient with them. He'd learn more about them as they continued their agreement to bring down Britannia.
Xxx
"As you already know, the project was a complete failure. Consequently, I am disbanding this research center." General Bartley informed the researchers and scientists who had been involved in Project R in any way, shape or form.
"What?! But!"
"I've set up a place in Narita for you. Move everything out there." Bartley ordered. "While none of us remember doing so, the fact is that I and the other staff officers left Prince Clovis alone. I'll likely be recalled to the homeland to take responsibility for that. If His Majesty learns that this experiment has proceeded without his knowledge then…"
He trailed off, letting them come to their own conclusions about the consequences.
"Understood, sir! We'll make preparations as fast as we can!"
Bartley nodded in satisfaction as he turned and walked out the door after setting down a photograph on the table in the room.
A photograph displaying a green-haired woman escaping the battlefield of WWII.
Xxx
Lelouch set down the dinner plates on the table in front of him and Nunnally, though he took her plate first to cut her steak into pieces. He had given Sayoko the night off after making their dinner, while Naruto and C.C. had been given his credit card to go out for pizza or ramen. They had still been arguing about that even as they left the building.
"Miss Sayoko was just teaching me about origami. When you fold a piece of paper over and over, you can make birds and boats and all sorts of things!" Nunnally described excitedly.
She had been talking so fast, that she had some soup trailing down from her mouth. She was just so happy today that she could barely keep herself calm at all.
"You really don't have to be talking so fast." Lelouch said softly, taking his napkin and gently wiping the soup away from her mouth. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Thank you, big brother," said Nunnally.
"You're very welcome." Lelouch replied with a smile.
"I'm so glad. You sort of scared me last night."
"Did I? Sorry. I had something to think about." Lelouch said, hating that it was necessary to lie to his sister, the one person for whom he cared the most.
"So…" Nunnally started, drawing Lelouch's attention back to her. "They say if you fold a thousand cranes, your wish comes true. So, if you have anything to wish for…"
She trailed off, holding up the delicate pink crane Sayoko had made for her yesterday.
"Oh, no. Not me. And, you, Nunnally? Do you wish for anything?" Lelouch asked kindly.
"I wish the world was a gentle place." Nunnally stated simply.
Lelouch smiled at the innocence of his sister. "Now you can see again, I'm sure it will be."
"Really?" Nunnally asked happily.
"I promise."
Those two words brought the happiest smile he had ever seen on his sister's face and he wanted to make sure it stayed there. 'That's right. There are few futures which are open to us. While they may be sheltering us here, will the Ashford family always be there to back us up? If our identity was ever revealed, even Shirley, Rivalz, and the others would abandon us. Our fate is to be either political tools or the prey of other peoples' conspiracies. I have to make it. Make a world where Nunnally can live happily.'
Lelouch set his hand down over Nunnally's, only for her to lift it up and wrap her pinky finger around his.
"She taught me about this before. It's how the Japanese make a promise. Cross my heart, hope to die, eat a thousand needles if I lie. I swear." She finished, having sung the promise in her soft lyrical voice, and gently pulled their hands apart.
Lelouch blinked and decided to humor her. "Now I'm scared! I may have to eat a thousand needles someday!"
Nunnally smiled innocently and wagged her pinky in the air at him. "Uh-huh! So you better not be lying."
"It's ok. I'm not lying." Lelouch said.
'Not to you, at least.'
Xxx
Lelouch activated his Geass and stared down at his rippling reflection in the river below him. 'This is the only weapon I have. And I don't even know how to use it.'
"Lelouch!"
Lelouch deactivated his Geass quickly, and looked up to see who had called his name. He saw it was just his history teacher approaching.
"Class will be starting soon!"
"Oh. Yes, sir!" He decided to test his Geass on his teacher to see if it still functioned properly.
The fact that Kallen had seemingly broken his hold over her disturbed him greatly.
"Sir, could you please tell me what questions will be on our essay exam?"
"They'll cover The Humiliation of Edinburgh, The Transfer of the Capitol to the New World, and The North-South War." His teacher answered calmly, with the signature red ring surrounding his pupils.
'So, I haven't lost this power after all?' Lelouch deactivated his Geass, removing the connection on his teacher. He locked eyes with his teacher once more and reactivated the Geass. "Sir! Could you please tell me what questions will be on our essay exam?"
"Quit joking around and study seriously! You can handle them if you make the effort." Lelouch's teacher chastised as he walked away, heading for the main building.
"Right!" Lelouch called back. 'As I suspected. It can only work once on the same person. If I break the connection, I can no longer issue orders or commands to that person. Then again, perhaps C.C. could wipe the effects of my Geass so I could issue a new set of commands or orders.'
Xxx
"So, how's life at your dear old school?"
"Stifling." Kallen responded. "Well, almost. There are these two new students that made out in front of the class, and I know they did it just for the shock value. It was pretty funny watching these stuck up Britannians' reactions. Anyways, maybe I should head back to you." She said hopefully.
"The army's on high alert right now. Stay there and let things cool down." Ohgi informed her.
"But what about the voice on the radio? Or those two Knightmare pilots?" Kallen asked.
"You can't go looking for a voice. And those two Knightmares disappeared after taking care of that white monster Britannia unleashed on us. You can assume they're working for that guy you heard. Besides…" Ohgi turned around and glanced at the picture frame on the table behind him. "Naoto would be happy you're a student again."
Kallen scowled, unable to believe Ohgi would use her brother against her like that.
"Forget what happened in Shinjuku for now. I'll contact you again later." With that, Ohgi abruptly ended the call.
'Shinjuku… I understand, but…'
Then it hit her. That student, Lelouch, had told her not to say anything about what happened in Shinjuku. She had thought it was just about all the rumors the students were spreading, but could he really have meant the battle that took place?
'Is it possible that was his voice?'
Xxx
Kallen ignored the useless lecture on Britannian history, and opened her pencil box with a built-in mirror. She quickly spotted Lelouch behind her and to the left. He certainly didn't look like someone that could lead their group to victory against Britannia. He hardly looked like he run a mile.
The second he was called on to stand up and answer a question, she perked up instantly.
As she listened to him speak, she was mentally trying to compare his voice to the one that had spoken to her through the radio. 'It's similar… or is it? No. I don't remember the voice well enough to be sure!'
Lelouch sighed as he sat back down and glanced at Kallen, noticing the mirror in her pencil box which she hastily shut. 'All I gave her was knowledge that I know about Shinjuku. However…'
'If he knows who I really am…' Kallen thought, as she turned around to scrutinize the boy sitting in the corner of the room.
'Then as soon as possible…'
'I need to take care of him.'
As soon as class ended, Lelouch started packing away his things as quickly as possible without seeming like he was in a rush.
"Say Lulu, we're about to head over to…"
"Sorry. Maybe next time." Lelouch said, cutting Shirley off as he walked over to Kallen who was surrounded by several of her friends.
Though he highly doubted she would label any of them as such while fighting Britannia.
"Could you come with me, please? I'd like to talk to you." Naturally this statement caused all the girls around her to gasp in surprise.
He could possess only half the intellect he had now and still know what they thought was happening.
Kallen stood up and nodded. "Yes. I was expecting you'd ask."
He led her out the door and across the campus towards the massive student council club house, the second largest right after the administrative building that held the quarters and offices of the faculty members.
"I never knew there was any place like this in school." Kallen commented as she stared at the massive ballroom they were now standing in.
"It's the clubhouse for use by the student council. It was built large enough to host a formal dance." Lelouch explained.
"And we won't be disturbed in here?" Kallen asked.
"Exactly." He responded.
Kallen slowly started reaching her hand towards her pocket, where she kept the pink coin purse that held a concealed knife, until an exclamation from above stopped her short.
"Found it! Found it! Look, it's this, right?" Shirley asked, holding up a small computer chip between her fingers.
"Ah! That's it! The experiment data." Nina confirmed, walking over to take the chip back.
Rivalz stood up beside Shirley and started stretching his back, resulting in several loud cracks. "Man, my back hurts after being forced to crawl around looking for such a tiny thing."
As if that wasn't enough for Kallen, the door to the clubhouse opened, revealing Milly in a green apron pushing a silver cart laden with food. She glanced at Lelouch from the corner of her eye and noticed he was also shocked about the presence of the other student council members.
"Um… What is all this?" He asked Milly.
Milly set the plates of food onto one of the tables and turned to look at Lelouch. "Didn't you bring her here because you knew? It's because we're letting Kallen, Naruto and Tsunade onto the student council."
Lelouch's and Kallen's eyes went wide at Milly's statement, though for two different reasons.
"Naruto and Tsunade too?" Lelouch gasped.
"Naturally." Milly confirmed.
"We're required to join a club, but all the ones here are boring. There are no fighting, or swordsmanship clubs here. So we figured we might as well get to the top of the ranks."
Lelouch looked up and saw Naruto and C.C. looking down at him from the second level with smiles on the faces. He should have realized they wouldn't have left him alone so easily. Even though he hadn't seen them since the other night.
"Yup. My grandfather said the three of them could join. Naruto and Tsunade, because they're friends of yours and the fact that we're not allowed to have 'violent' clubs here. And Kallen because he said it would be hard for her to participate in regular club activities because of her health problems. Oh! I'm Milly, the council president. How do you do?" She said, finally remembering that she hadn't formally introduced herself to Kallen.
"Oh. Uh, it's a pleasure to meet you." Kallen said awkwardly.
The other three members ran down the stairs towards her, but Naruto and C.C. simply flipped off the edge and landed crouched behind her.
"I'm Rivalz, the secretary. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me."
"I'm Shirley, and I'm also in the swim club. How do you do?"
"And, I'm Nina," the bespectacled girl finished shyly.
Kallen nodded in greeting to all three, but turned around as soon as she felt it was polite to do so and faced the duo that had dropped down. If Lelouch was the voice she had had heard, might not these two be the Knightmare pilots who had decimated Britannia's ace in the hole?
"Um… I don't think we've been introduced to each other. I'm Kallen Stadtfeld."
Naruto stood up and smiled at her. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. It's an… honor to meet you."
C.C. stood up beside him, and gave her an amused smirk. "I'm Senju Tsunade. I'm sure getting to know you will be fun."
Kallen blinked at their odd introductions but nodded slightly anyways. Their names indicated they were Japanese, which made her wonder how they were allowed to attend the academy, but could they really be the Knightmare pilots?
They hardly seemed like people skilled in combat. "Nice to meet you two."
"Um... Milly? Can I talk to you alone, please?" Nina asked quietly.
Milly raised an eyebrow in confusion, but nodded as she and Nina stepped away from the group and stood by the bottom of the staircase. "What is it Nina?"
"Why... why are two Elevens at this school? Why did you let them join the student council?" Nina asked, staring at Naruto and Tsunade in fear, as if they might suddenly run over and attack her.
Milly nodded in understanding, and glanced over at the duo quickly before turning back to Nina. "My grandfather wouldn't tell me much, but apparently they're long-time friends of Lelouch, and are very influential."
"Influential?" Nina gasped. "But the only way that could be was if they were Britannian!"
"Or at least half," Milly agreed, having had the same thoughts when she was informed of it by her grandfather. "Probably a deceased Eleven parent, whose name they took. I wasn't told who their parents were, but they have to be significant if even my grandfather acknowledges their importance."
Nina had calmed down significantly at this news and was now looking at the two new students in a radically different manner. The more she stared at them, the more her mind associated their features with Britannians instead of Elevens.
After all, she had never seen a blonde Eleven, or one with green hair. "I see. Thank you for telling me, Milly."
"Sure, no problem." Milly said, knowing full well of Nina's general distrust of non-Britannians.
Personally, she had no problem with them, and would've even called them Japanese if she didn't already know it would have brought her unnecessary problems with Nina. The two of them rejoined their friends, and smiled as Nina walked over to Naruto and Tsunade and properly introduced herself, who then greeted her warmly.
"Um, excuse me Shirley, but could you put these on the table for me?"
Kallen looked over Shirley's shoulder and saw a young girl rolling in on a wheelchair with happy violet eyes taking in everything around her as if she was seeing it all for the very first time. On her lap were a pair of pizza boxes, and a tray of cake slices.
"Oh, thanks, Nunna!" Shirley said as she ran over and took the food off of Nunnally's lap. "It's so great to see you able to see!"
"Thank you, Shirley." Nunnally smiled as she took a good look at Shirley's face, as if wishing to memorize every part of the girl's face.
"Nunnally. You, too?" Lelouch asked in shock.
Milly saw the confused look on Kallen's face, and decided to be the one to explain. "This is Lelouch's little sister."
"I'm in the middle school group, so I'm not in the student council." Nunnally stated softly.
"That's okay. You're an associate member, right?" Rivalz said encouragingly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kallen." Nunnally stated with a friendly smile.
Despite being Britannian, Kallen couldn't find it in herself to see Nunnally Lamperouge the way she saw all the others. There was an innocence about the girl that led her to believe she would greatly disapprove of all the things Britannians had done to the Japanese if she knew the details.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Nunnally." Kallen replied sincerely, returning the girl's smile with her own.
"Okay then! First, shall we drink a toast?" Rivalz called out exuberantly as he brought out a bottle of MOËT & CHANBON, one of the most expensive brands of champagne that could be obtained outside of the homeland.
Lelouch wasn't sure how Rivalz of all people obtained a bottle, but he wouldn't say no to a drink.
"Champagne!" Shirley called out in surprise.
"Student council members can't drink!" Nina protested.
"Oh, loosen up, you guys." Rivalz said as he tried to uncork the bottle with his thumb.
That was until Shirley moved over and tried to take the bottle away from him.
"Lelouch, catch!" Rivalz yelled, tossing the bottle through the air towards the council vice-president.
Lelouch caught the bottle easily and started moving towards the table where the glasses had been set down.
"You're not getting away with it either, Lulu!" Shirley reached up to try and take the bottle away from the taller boy, who simply held it out of her reach.
Shirley frowned and jumped up to grab it, but ended up knocking Lelouch down to the ground. The impact caused the cork to come shooting out of the bottle straight towards Kallen. She was about to smack it out of the air until a hand appeared in front of her face, catching the cork before she could even start to react. She glanced at the owner and saw that Naruto had been the one to inadvertently save her cover, and was giving her a confident smile, which she found herself wanting to return.
Then the champagne came flowing out, drenching her from head to toe.
Xxx
"That's why I hate Britannians. For crying out loud…" Kallen sighed as she allowed the hot water to cascade down upon her.
A knock on the bathroom door startled her and she pulled the curtain away just enough to glance at the door. "It's Naruto. I brought you a change of clothes."
"You can come in. The shower curtain's closed."
She closed the curtain and heard the door open, allowing Naruto to enter, and close once more. So they were alone. That suited her just fine. There were a few things she wanted to ask him.
"Sorry about before. I never had champagne before so I didn't know it would do that." Naruto said as he placed a set of clothes in the wicker basket by the sink. "Lelouch sends his apologies as well. He said they can all go over the top sometimes so he should have expected that."
"It's fine. There's nothing wrong with cutting loose." Kallen said, trying to sound nonchalant. "That was really fast, the way you caught the cork."
"I've had some training." Naruto replied with a shrug. "Lelouch gave me some of his clothes since Milly and Shirley's were too large."
"It's fine." Kallen answered. "I've worn some of my brother's clothes before. That was fast though. You went all the back to the boy's dorm? You must have run all the way there."
Naruto had to hold back a chuckle. He knew Kallen was fishing for information and he needed to stall for three minutes. "Lelouch told me he lives here actually. His little sister would have had it pretty hard living in the dorms. The principal let them stay at the clubhouse as a favor and Lelouch invited us to stay with him."
"Oh. So where are Lelouch and Tsunade?" Kallen questioned.
"Lelouch's scrubbing the club house floor with Rivalz while Tsunade's trying to get Milly to order some pizza. Who wants sticky floors in a ballroom, right?" Naruto asked rhetorically, as he counted down in his head. "Well, I should probably leave you alone now. I'll see you later."
"Wait!" Kallen reached her hand out from behind the curtain. "Could you hand me that pouch by the sink?"
"Sure." Naruto picked up the small pink pouch, wondering what she had inside that weighed more than the pouch looked like it could carry, and set it in her outstretched hand. He turned to walk out the door but was stopped by her hand gripping his wrist. "Seems someone got better much faster than expected."
"Yesterday Lelouch brought up Shinjuku. I want to know why. Were you the voice or one of the Knightmare pilots that took out that white Knightmare Britannia sent?" Kallen asked seriously, her grip tightening slightly.
"Voice?" Naruto responded.
"Don't play dumb!" Kallen demanded. "You both hang around Lelouch a lot. Are you the pilots? Why did he mention Shinjuku?"
"Is there something wrong with Shinjuku?"
"Don't answer my question with a question!" Kallen said angrily. "Is the answer yes, or no? I don't want to hear anything else!" She picked up the pink pouch that had fallen to the tub floor and ejected a hidden blade from the end of it, holding it just above Lelouch's wrist.
Naruto stared at the gleaming blade she was threatening him with little reaction. A little pocket knife was not going to scare him since he had been threatened with worse.
Suddenly the phone beside him started ringing and he had to stifle his grin. "If I don't answer that, someone might come."
Naruto picked up the phone slowly, acting as if he was trying not to make any sudden movements. "Hello? Ashford Academy, student council bathroom. No, I'm…no I'm not in there with her. "He handed the phone to Kallen. "It's for you. He says you'll know him if you talk to him."
Kallen narrowed her eyes, not wanting to lower her weapon, but saw no other option, as she wanted to find out who knew to call her here.
She set the knife down on the edge of the tub and took the phone from Naruto. "Hello?"
"I'm glad you're alive and well, Q-1."
Kallen's eyes widened in shock. This was the voice from Shinjuku. Naruto told her Lelouch was cleaning the ballroom. He could have easily slipped away to make this call, well she'd hold that thought back for now.
She could confirm that by just asking Rivalz or Milly if Lelouch or Tsunade had left at any point while she was away.
"The day after tomorrow, at 4:00. The observation deck of the old Tokyo Tower. Come alone."
"Who are you?! How did you arrange that cease-fire order?!" Kallen questioned him, only to hear a click from the other end. "Hey! Don't hang up on me!"
In her frustration, she had jerked the phone cord out, pulling the shower curtain wide open.
"What do you mean, cease-fire order?" Naruto asked her. "Sounds like you have some pretty dangerous friends."
"Oh…that was just…" Kallen paused, trying to find a suitable explanation. "A game! It's a war game I play when I'm so sick, that I have to stay home."
She released his wrist and mentally congratulated her quick thinking.
"I can understand doing something like that when you have nothing to do. Oh, and I can see you." Naruto finished with a smirk, taking a quick moment to appreciate her form before he left the bathroom.
Kallen blinked at his odd words, but looked down and noticed that her nude form was clearly visible to him. She screamed and crouched down, pulling the shower curtain back to hide herself.
She heard the door shut after him, and turned off the water. "Guess I was wrong."
Xxx
After having dressed in the clothes provided by Naruto, Kallen made her way back through the clubhouse towards the ballroom where she saw everyone gathered around the television, watching the Britannian News. "Hey, Rivalz?"
The blue-haired boy turned around to face their newest member. "Hmm? What is it Kallen?"
Kallen glanced momentarily at Lelouch, but he seemed too preoccupied with the discussion he was having with Naruto and C.C. "Lelouch was cleaning the ballroom the entire time right? Did he leave, even for a few moments?"
Rivalz raised an eyebrow at the question but shook his head. "No, Lelouch was here the entire time. Tsunade had to excuse herself because she had er...womanly problems, and Lelouch offered to escort her to the nurse's office, but she told him not to bother."
Kallen nodded contemplatively. Lelouch would not have had a chance to make the call then. She dismissed the possibility of Tsunade being the caller immediately. She'd heard the girl's voice and there was no way she could have sounded like that man.
"I guess they're not involved…" she muttered under her breath.
She slowly walked over to the group and glanced at the television, if only to see what was so interesting.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"Prince Clovis has died." Rivalz said, walking over to her. "They say he was killed."
Kallen blinked in surprise. That meant it had to have happened after he called that cease-fire order.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes, waiting to see who would receive the blame for this. He felt C.C. slip something into his pocket and move back over to Naruto's side. Just for confirmation, he slipped his right hand into his pocket and felt the recorder he'd given her. Good. That meant she'd completed the task to throw Kallen off their trail.
On screen, the entire Purist Faction, led by Margrave Jeremiah Gottwald had gathered in the viceroy's palace to hold the press conference.
"Prince Clovis has passed away! While fighting for peace and justice against the Elevens, he died a martyr! We must all push down our sorrow and carry on his will!"
"We've just received new information," the female newscaster announced. "The man suspected of the murder has been captured. According to the report, the man arrested is an honorary Britannian."
Lelouch blanched as soon as he saw the person being escorted in cuffs by the Britannian Military Police. 'Could it be?'
Naruto noted Lelouch's expression with an interested look while C.C. merely rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"The suspect is a former Eleven. Honorary Britannian Suzaku Kururugi!"
Xxx
Rakshata smiled softly to herself as she finally managed to stand atop the water in the main hall's marble fountain. Naruto and C.C. had been summoned away so unexpectedly, that Naruto had left several scrolls behind. One of them contained the instructions for several different chakra control exercises, all of which she had now mastered with the completion of water walking. The others all focused on anatomy, physiology, medicine, poisons and antidotes, and Iryo ninjutsu, or medical ninjutsu, with an added section on increasing strength with chakra.
Rakshata was surprised that she found the subject so interesting. She attributed it to her vast intelligence and desire to constantly increase her own knowledge and skills, whether it was with Knightmares, or more recently, with the chakra she now possessed. The woman who had personally written down the information contained in these scrolls, one Senju Tsunade she noted, proclaimed herself as the greatest Iryo-nin alive, and one day hoped to be surpassed.
Initially, Rakshata found such a wish to be illogical until she understood that, if Tsunade were surpassed, it would mean her successor would be able to help and save more people than Tsunade ever could. Almost from the moment she discovered the scrolls in Naruto's room, she had been going through them with the intent to claim Tsunade's title as the greatest Iryo-nin. Most of the information on herbs and plants that had medicinal properties was useless to her, as she knew for a fact that most of them didn't exist in this world. However, with her eidetic memory and fascination of the subject, it wasn't long before Rakshata had an in-depth knowledge of the human body and could manifest the glowing green medical chakra in her hands at will.
Still, she knew being able to produce it, and being able to use it were two very different things. So, she needed a test subject. Since there hadn't been anyone injured enough to warrant treatment at the time, she purposefully created a situation where one of the Knightmare pilots in her employ would walk in on her coming out of the shower with just a towel wrapped around herself as cover. She had given him a swift and painful beating for being a 'pervert', but took him to the medical wing herself after getting dressed.
On her first try at utilizing the medical chakra, Rakshata had been able to take care of the many bruises quite easily, but it had taken her two hours longer than Tsunade had written was normal, for her to heal the man's broken ribs. That was when she realized that she couldn't just put off the last chakra control exercise, water walking, because she was impatient to start utilizing Iryo ninjutsu, which led her to where she was now. She was going to resume her medical training now that she had mastered water walking, but it was at that point that the shared vision with C.C. and Naruto let her know that her newest and greatest creations were finally engaged in combat with another Knightmare instead of just gunships and tanks. And not just a regular Sutherland, but a new, advanced model unlike anything she'd seen from Britannia before.
"Earl of Pudding…" Rakshata murmured, aware that the only one other than her who could create an advanced Knightmare like that was her rival, Lloyd Asplund.
She walked back through the facility to her research lab and plopped down on the red couch she'd had brought in for her personal use while working. She smirked in amusement as the white and gold Knightmare was simply outclassed by Naruto's Seizan. Embarrassingly so, she noticed with pride. However, that bright green shield that had managed to stop Seizan's MVS kunai intrigued her. Ignoring that it was soon rendered useless by the combination of chakra and fukushahado waves coursing through the kunai, the fact of the matter was that it did stop the kunai from piercing straight through.
"Bring me the scanning data from Seizan. I need to see what Lloyd has come up with." Rakshata ordered with a snap of her fingers.
Immediately, a nervous scientist started typing commands into the scanning console still getting readings from Seizan and Shinryoku, despite the extreme distance. The scanners themselves she had integrated into their Factsphere sensors, so she would always know whether there was an enemy Knightmare that could come close to or, heaven forbid, surpass Seizan and Shinryoku. If the worst should happen, she would take the accumulated data and make any necessary improvements to her children. The scientist printed out a small stack of papers and brought them to her quickly.
Stretching out on the couch, Rakshata took the results and started perusing through them. The white and gold Knightmare's power output was enormous, and had Naruto not created Core Radiance already, she might actually be impressed. As it was, Lloyd's toy wasn't even a fraction of what Seizan and Shinryoku were. When she got to the numbers correlated with that arm-mounted beam shield, she shook her head in disappointment.
The amount of energy required to maintain the shields was proportional to the amount of energy being blocked by the shields. Naruto's charged kunai alone would have probably drained the energy filler of that Knightmare by more than half. With only a standard Core Luminous powering that Knightmare, it couldn't afford to have such drains on its energy filler. She shifted her focus from the results back to the fight just in time to see Shinryoku enter the battlefield.
Rakshata gave herself a mental pat on the back for implementing the Harken Fans as well as she did, and even more so for the forethought to give Shinryoku rotating wrists to complement them. Rakshata watched the engagement all the way until Seizan had the white Knightmare buried up to its head in solid concrete, after which she lost interest. Lloyd was going to have to do much better than that to even put a scratch on her perfect children.
Xxx
"Do you know anything about this weapon, Kururugi Suzaku?"
The bruised and beaten Suzaku glanced down at the military pistol on the table, contained within a plastic evidence bag. How did it come to this? Admittedly the skirmish against those two Knightmares had been a dismal failure, but to be accused of murdering His Highness, Prince Clovis? If he actually thought it would have helped his situation in the slightest, Suzaku would have informed them that he'd been piloting the Lancelot and hadn't been anywhere in the vicinity of the crown prince at the time of his murder.
But the word of an honorary Britannian was worth nothing to these particular people.
"It was the one used to assassinate Prince Clovis. The barrel striations confirm this." Jeremiah Gottwald continued. "I also took the liberty of investigating your background. You're the son of Japan's last prime minister, aren't you? You had plenty of motive!"
"You've made some sort of mistake! I've never seen that gun in my life!" Suzaku denied vehemently.
His chair was suddenly kicked over by another of the purist faction members in the room, sending Suzaku to the floor.
"Your fingerprints are on the gun," Jeremiah stated, holding up the pistol so Kururugi could see from his position on the ground. "You're also suspected of murdering members of the royal guard. Admit it. Do it now and you'll be judged as an honorary Britannian, instead of as an Eleven."
"I didn't do it!" Suzaku denied once more, only to receive a swift and painful kick in the face.
Xxx
Lelouch carefully lifted Nunnally out of her wheelchair and helped her sit down on the edge of the bed, before then picking her up and laying her down so he could pull the blankets up over his sister.
"That was Suzaku they mentioned before on the news, wasn't it?" Nunnally asked her brother softly.
"Yeah. It looks like Suzaku's still alive." Lelouch confirmed, tucking her in comfortably.
Nunnally turned to face her brother frowned sadly. "We've been apart since the war ended. Big brother?"
"What?" Lelouch asked kindly.
"That news wasn't true, was it?" Nunnally asked worriedly.
"It wasn't." Lelouch reassured her.
He knew how close Nunnally was to Suzaku. She considered him a second brother, and Lelouch had to admit, he felt the same thing about the boy he'd grown up with. Suzaku was his brother in all but blood.
"Suzaku would never do anything like that. It's some kind of mistake."
Nunnally smiled as she closed her eyes(Lelouch being thankful they will open again in the morning) started drifting off to sleep, her right hand reaching out for and grasping Lelouch's left hand. "Yes… it must be."
"Good night Nunnally." Lelouch turned off the slight and walked out of her room, making sure to shut the door with as little noise as possible. That was when he noticed Naruto and C.C. leaning on either side of the door. "How much did you two hear?"
"We're going to save him, aren't we?" Naruto asked knowingly.
C.C. merely tilted her head to glance at Lelouch from the corner of her purple eye. Lelouch sighed quietly, moving away from Nunnally's room and into the living room so his sister would not wake up and overhear them.
"Yes, we're going to retrieve Suzaku." Lelouch confirmed. "However, we won't do anything until they decide to move him."
"What makes you so sure they won't just execute him?" Naruto asked curiously, as he and C.C. followed Lelouch into the living room.
Had someone actually managed to assassinate Tsunade, despite how impossible that might seem, the one responsible would've been killed on the spot. After they found out who sent the assassin first, of course.
"They believe Suzaku killed a member of the Britannian royal family. They'll want to make an example out of him to gain political sway. Jeremiah Gottwald is part of the purist faction, a group of Britannians who believe that only pureblood Britannians should be allowed to serve in the military." Lelouch explained as he dropped down into the black leather armchair exhaustedly.
"There was never a high chance that they'd succeed in having the honorary Britannian program shut down, but if they can pin the murder of a viceroy on an Eleven turned honorary Britannian…" Lelouch trailed off.
"…There will be no other option but to have the program disbanded." C.C. concluded, receiving a nod from Lelouch.
"When will they move him?" Naruto inquired.
"Most likely, after the memorial service to honor Clovis." Lelouch responded, after thinking through several different scenarios that could arise from moving Suzaku earlier or later than he suspected. "That would be the day I'm to meet Kallen and the other terrorists. So, if we can successfully rescue Suzaku, I think they'll be more likely to join me."
Xxx
Lloyd sighed in frustration and shook his head, as the engineers were only just starting to attach the Lancelot's replacement hands. Neither the Blaze Luminous shields nor the Factsphere sensors had been repaired yet, and Cecile had advised him to integrate a cockpit ejection system before he even thought about drawing up designs and plans to improve the Lancelot's combat abilities.
"We've lost our most essential part," Lloyd said disappointedly.
"Can't we do without him?" Cecile asked.
"I wish," Lloyd replied. "We can't get a replacement pilot for honor or money, and even if we could, they wouldn't get readings like he did."
"Eh? Readings like Suzaku?" Cecile asked in confusion.
Lloyd was extremely possessive with his Lancelot data, and practically hoarded it all to himself, revealing only what he felt was necessary for others to know. Naturally this included the Lancelot's performance rate with Suzaku piloting the prototype KMF.
"Didn't I tell you?" Lloyd asked. "He had an operation efficiency of 94%! How do we replace that?"
Lloyd suddenly had a strong desire to know the performance rates of the pilots whom Rakshata had entrusted those two unique Knightmares with. Though a part of him already suspected, to his disappointment and frustration, that their numbers would surpass those of Kururugi Suzaku. Perhaps even a perfect synchronization.
"Then you should tell them so they'll release Suzaku!" Cecile said.
"He's an honorary Britannian, right?" Lloyd asked rhetorically. "Since General Bartley's disgrace, the Purebloods have been in control of the military. According to them, the guilty party can't be from the Britannian military. But if the criminal is an Eleven, they'll accept Margrave Jeremiah's demands and shut down the entire system of granting Elevens the status of honorary Britannian."
"And what about Suzaku?" Cecile asked, worry clearly evident in her voice.
"I doubt there's any way he'll be found innocent," Lloyd stated bluntly.
Personally, he didn't particularly care either way, but Kururugi Suzaku was the first pilot that had the potential to make his Lancelot perform to its full capabilities. It would be a shame to lose such talent.
Xxx
"This looks like a good spot, Naruto."
"Yeah, I think you're right. Close enough, but still hidden from view." Naruto pulled off his right glove, and slapped his palm against the brick wall in the alleyway just two blocks from Tokyo Tower.
When he removed his hand, there was a jutsu-shiki, the technique formula for the Hiraishin, emblazoned on the bricks. It would only last for 24 hours, but since the meeting with Kallen was tomorrow at 4, it would last long enough to suit their needs and he wouldn't have to leave one of his Hiraishin kunai behind. He checked his watch and saw it was almost 6:00 PM.
"Well, with that done, we still have the rest of the evening to enjoy ourselves. Courtesy of Lelouch," Naruto said, holding up a credit card between his fingers that he'd swiped from Lelouch's wallet.
C.C. smirked utilizing the Henge jutsu to transform herself into a young Britannian woman with long flowing auburn hair and light green eyes, wearing a simple pair of navy blue jeans and a forest green jacket. "Are you offering to take me out for a night on the town, dear?"
Naruto flicked his fingers, sending the credit card straight up into the air, thus freeing his hands to mimic her actions, and use the Henge jutsu. When the resulting cloud of smoke dispersed, Naruto now appeared to be a regal-looking Britannian man with smooth black hair, but kept the same ocean-blue eyes. He was wearing an unbuttoned black and red jacket, beneath which he wore a plain black shirt, with long black jeans to match.
He held out his right hand, palm up, and caught the descending credit card between his pointer and middle fingers. "How could I not spoil you, my love?"
C.C. chuckled and looped her arms around Naruto's left, as the two of them headed away from the alley and boarded the monorail to Clovis Land, probably the only amusement park left in all of Japan. By the time they arrived, the sun had set, and the bright lights of the amusement park offered a brilliant contrast to the surrounding darkness. Right at the entrance was a machine to convert credit into cash, which allowed Naruto to receive $500 worth of currency specific to Area 11. Each bill in the stack had the face of the, now former, viceroy, Prince Clovis. Upon walking in, the first thing C.C. dragged him to was a dart toss game where the top prize was a Cheese-kun plush doll, as this booth was sponsored by Pizza Hut.
Shaking his head in amusement, Naruto paid the man behind the counter and was handed five darts. Without hesitation, he tossed all five darts towards the target at once, landing four in a circle on the bull's eye with the fifth landing in the exact center. It was almost unfair how much of an advantage he had at a game like this, he thought, as he received the Cheese-kun doll and gave it to C.C.
Oh, who was he kidding? It was totally unfair.
"I love it. Thank you, N…Nicholas." C.C. said with honest gratitude, only just managing to avoid revealing Naruto's Japanese name and replacing it for one that a Britannian might have.
She leaned up and gave him a quick peck on the lips, before wrapping her free arm around his left and dragging him off to try some of the rides, now that she had gotten the only prize she wanted. The two of them spent the rest of their time at Clovis Land enjoying themselves on the numerous rides, sampling the food, and finally ended up on the Ferris wheel to end their wonderful night. By this point, it was already nearing midnight, the time when the park would close, so almost everyone had already gone home except for them. As their car stopped at the very top of the Ferris wheel, they were treated to a gorgeous sight of the full moon shining down over the dwindling lights of the amusement park. By mutual consent, they'd decided to drop the henge and enjoy the sight as themselves.
"Naruto... what do want to do?" C.C. asked the blonde to her right.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, looking down at her as she pressed up against his side, and set her head down on his shoulder.
"We're planning on starting a war with Britannia, to destroy them and remove their influence from other countries. But, what about after that? What will there be left for you to do once we've accomplished that goal?" C.C. clarified.
When she didn't receive an immediate response, she glanced up at him, only to see him smiling warmly at her.
"Well, I suppose that depends on you, Cera." Naruto said, speaking her real name with such tenderness and love, that C.C. couldn't help but blush. "I believe, that I have a promise to uphold, a promise to stay by your side forever, never to leave you alone by choice or by death."
Cera hummed in thought, taking his words into consideration. The decision was hers to make apparently, and he would abide by whatever she chose.
As she thought about different options, each one discarded as easily as its predecessor, there was only one that she could not forget; one that caused a feeling of warmth to spread inside her chest and just felt right. "What if… what if we started a family?"
Naruto blinked in surprise, looking down at Cera, who met his gaze anxiously. "You mean… children?"
Cera nodded without answering, still staring into Naruto's eyes.
"That… sounds nice," Naruto admitted, with a slowly forming smile on his face.
It seemed so hard to imagine at this point, actually settling down and starting a family and having kids of his own. Sure, he once assumed it would happen at some point after becoming Hokage, but that changed after he and the others went off to stop Obito and Madara. After the 4th Shinobi War had started, he had just abandoned the idea altogether, deciding he couldn't be in a relationship during a war. He never considered the possibility of living and having the chance to find someone, even though a few girls he could think of were interested in him after all that time.
Cera however, would never die before him through natural means. And his modified Rinnegan's unity aspect had integrated the eyes as a full Uzumaki dojutsu. Without wanting to get his hopes up, he had to believe that any of his children who could manifest the Rinnegan, would also not die through natural means either.
"How many were you thinking?"
"Two." Cera answered immediately. "One daughter and one son."
Naruto was now imagining a little green-haired girl with ocean-blue eyes, and a taller blonde-haired boy with deep yellow eyes, both proudly showing off their new Rinnegan to their parents. "Have you thought about their names?"
"Kushina and Minato," She again replied, without hesitation.
Naruto smiled. That meant she had only started thinking about this sometime after he had told her and Rakshata his story. He actually felt comforted by the thought of him being the first man Cera considered having children with.
"Is that a wish you must have fulfilled, or a promise you intend for me to keep?" Naruto asked.
"Yes." C.C. responded, sliding a hand behind Naruto's neck and pulling him down into a loving, yet passionate, kiss.
When her other hand gripped the front of his jacket urgently, Naruto got the message and used Hiraishin once more to bring them back to Lelouch's dorm, where the other nine kunai were still stored in their room.
Xxx
"Lelouch, what are you up to later?" Rivalz asked, clasping his friend's shoulder as they stopped on the way back from the assembly honoring the death of Prince Clovis. "We shouldn't waste a day off from classes, and people have been asking for a rematch…"
"Don't you dare go gambling!" Shirley chided the two teens fiercely.
"Gimme a break!" Rivalz said, understandably scared of an upset Shirley Fenette.
"She's right. I'm through with that," Lelouch said, surprising both Shirley and Rivalz, though for different reasons. "I've found a better opponent."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Shirley asked in confusion, though she was at least happy that Lulu would finally stop gambling.
She kept worrying that one day those nobles he played against wouldn't just accept their defeat.
"Then let me in on it too!" Rivalz requested eagerly.
Anything Lelouch found more interesting than winning money from rich nobles in chess had to be really fun!
"It's probably better you didn't. It's not your sort of game," Lelouch said, holding back a laugh at the thought of Rivalz actually participating in the fight against Britannia.
He spotted Kallen walking past them towards the academy's exit and glanced at his phone. It was already 3:00.
By now, his package would have been delivered to his dorm, where Naruto and C.C. were waiting for him to return before they made their way to Tokyo Tower. "Sorry, I've got to go. I have an appointment to keep."
Rivalz and Shirley blinked as Lelouch walked past them toward the dorm he shared with Nunnally, but shook off his behavior. This wasn't the first time Lelouch had acted strange or secretive, and they were betting it wouldn't be the last.
Xxx
"His Highness's memorial program was handled very well," Jeremiah praised the man standing before him. "A bit too weepy for my tastes, but…"
"Your Excellency, the masses enjoy a tearjerker." Diethard Ried, the producer and member of the press staff at Hi-TV, defended.
"Spoken like a true TV man." Jeremiah remarked in a way that could be taken as a compliment or an insult. "Still, I acknowledge your skills. You did well in the short time you had. One would almost think you were expecting His Highness to die."
Diethard bowed slightly in deference to the Margrave. "I'm afraid it's quite common to have memorial programs prepared for important people,"
"For me as well?" Jeremiah asked in amusement.
"After this, we may make one for you, Your Excellency." Diethard said.
Jeremiah nodded, having expected that answer. "Meaning I wasn't important enough to warrant one until now. How honest of you."
Diethard wasn't sure whether the Margrave was insulted, angry, or appreciative of the honesty, as the man kept his emotions and feelings hidden quite well.
He could respect that. "I'm afraid so.
"Feel like joining the military? We have a need for information officers." Jeremiah offered.
Men of Diethard's caliber didn't come along too often. His penchant for respectfully speaking the truth, yet ignoring how it might affect the other person, was something sorely lacking in many of the soldiers. They were all yes-men, and it was nigh impossible to receive an answer without having one's ass kissed first.
Diethard respectfully shook his head. "I'm afraid that I'm not up to the job. It's not for me."
"You prefer a civilian network?" Jeremiah asked. A shame, but he didn't hold it against the man. Diethard was serving Britannia in his own way. "No matter. I have another favor to ask of you. Tonight, Kururugi Suzaku will be transferred to his court martial."
Diethard narrowed his eyes slightly, his mind already jumping ahead to where the Margrave was leading him. "We'll get a lot of patriotic Britannians to line the roadside."
"It's helpful that you catch on so quickly." Jeremiah turned to his left where Villetta Nu, the one person he trusted the most in the purist faction, was standing. "Be sure his face can be seen clearly in the envoy."
Villetta frowned slightly. "Lord Jeremiah, there are some among the Elevens who have made Private Kururugi out to be a hero. Some groups may even be thinking of freeing him."
"I'll be providing security personally in my Sutherland." Jeremiah reassured her. He had already suspected something along those lines for himself, but he appreciated the warning nonetheless. "If any troublemakers show up, I'll execute them on the spot!"
Xxx
Lelouch closed and locked the door behind him as he quickly made his way to his room. There, sitting on his bed, were two ordinary brown boxes. The first was a thick square box, while the second was a long rectangular box. Opening the second box first, he found the new suit and cloak he'd had custom tailored for his activities as Zero.
An appearance that would both inspire his allies and terrify Britannia. It consisted of a tight dark purple suit with golden stripes and long, wrapped sleeves. The sleek bodysuit was elegant but practical. Worn over the bodysuit, was a black and gold cloak with crimson spandex inside and an enormous black cape encircling the head.
He took the opportunity to try it on and smiled as it fit him perfectly, though he honestly expected nothing less. Then he took the last box and opened it up. Almost reverently, he lifted up the spiky black and indigo mask and inspected it thoroughly. The special material that the visor was made from, was dark indigo and appeared opaque from the outside, but was actually transparent from the inside.
As per his specifications and measurements, a small slit perfectly level with his left eye, could be opened up from inside the mask by pressing a button with his chin. Lelouch slid the helmet on over his head, feeling the sections extend over the top to keep it in place, and conceal his hair when combined with the high collar of his suit. He took a moment to inspect himself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction at what he saw. This would suit him perfectly.
He checked his phone again and saw it was 3:30. He had to hurry, or he'd never get the preparations done before Kallen arrived. He removed the suit and donned some casual, yet comfortable, clothes he could wear beneath the suit without problems. He stored the suit and helmet in a silver briefcase he had bought in preparation, and walked out to the living room.
Unsurprisingly, Naruto and C.C. were already there, eating a steaming hot bowl of ramen and a large cheese pizza respectively. Bought with his credit card, he assumed. Naruto always managed to get it out of his wallet without him noticing.
"We need to get moving so I can set things up for our meeting with the terrorists."
Naruto picked up the bowl and noisily slurped down the remaining broth, before standing up. He was wearing the black and gray armor and a gray cloak with a hood to hide his blonde hair and had just slid on his face a white mask with red lines decorating it.
It resembled an animal's face, and if Lelouch had to guess, it looked like a fox. "While you were busy working with the student council yesterday, C.C. and I went downtown and checked out the tower for ourselves. I can get you down there immediately, so you'll have plenty of time to prepare."
C.C. finished the last slice of her pizza and also donned a white mask. Hers was distinctly avian in appearance, and Lelouch believed it was either a crow or a raven.
Like Naruto, she was wearing a set of black and gray armor beneath the gray cloak, which perfectly concealed her bright green hair. "One thing before we go. Naruto and I have been discussing the matter, and we both believe you should inform these terrorists about your Geass."
"What?" Lelouch asked in shock. "Are you two insane? What possible benefit could come from revealing such a powerful weapon to people who haven't even become my allies yet?"
"Your Geass has the power to issue absolute orders which cannot be disobeyed. That's not a power you want your allies finding out about on their own. They'll start jumping to conclusions, and if they believe you've been manipulating or controlling them, they'll turn on you faster than you can count to zero." C.C. warned.
"You have to let them realize that they're following you of their own free will, and that they don't have to wonder whether your Geass will be used on them. If they ask to see your face, you can claim you're keeping your mask on to show you're sincere in earning their trust." Naruto added on.
Lelouch frowned, as he started weighing the pros and cons of doing as Naruto and C.C. advised in his mind, and was slightly annoyed that there were more pros to revealing the existence of his Geass than there were cons. "How will they believe me when I tell them I haven't already used my Geass on them?"
"Simple," C.C. said. "Tell them it requires eye contact, and that it induces memory gaps. You're already taking steps to prevent the former, and they'll already know for themselves if they have the latter."
"But Kallen will know I've used my Geass on her then!" Lelouch countered.
"Maybe, maybe not." C.C. said with a shrug. "You didn't keep her under for very long, and as soon as she was released, she heard you talk about Shinjuku. Considering how obsessed she was with you after hearing that, I have to wonder if she even knows there's a gap in her memory. What she remembers before having your Geass used on her, and what happened after she was released, are connected."
"What do you mean, connected?" Lelouch asked in clarification.
"She remembers you walking up to her, then seemingly changing your mind and walking away while telling her not to say anything about Shinjuku. That could have really happened within the span of a few seconds." C.C. explained patiently. "So long as you don't issue any commands to them from here on out, I think you'll be fine."
"Just keep it in mind. For now, we should get going." Naruto said impatiently.
He grabbed both Lelouch and C.C. by the arms and used the Hiraishin no Jutsu, causing the three of them to disappear in a flash of bright yellow light.
Xxx
As soon as he landed on solid ground, Lelouch stumbled forward and would have fallen if he hadn't been steadied by Naruto. They were in an alleyway just outside the massive tower. Written on the wall to his left was a line of Japanese text he couldn't read, which was starting to fade away. Checking his phone, he saw it was almost 3:40 now.
He wanted to know how Naruto had just transported them halfway across the city, but knew it would have to wait.
"Here. Bring this to the lost and found." Lelouch said, handing Naruto a disposable cell phone. "I'll board one of the tram lines and ensure we'll have some privacy for our discussion."
"Are you going to do as we suggested?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow, taking the cell phone and putting it into his pocket as both he and C.C. used henge to change appearances, now resembling the Britannians they had been last night.
"I don't like it, but I'm smart enough to understand it will only help in the long run, whatever my feelings on the matter." Lelouch grudgingly admitted. "You'll need to regroup with me after I make the call. Can you do that?"
Naruto pulled out a tri-pronged kunai and handed it to Lelouch, handle first. "Here. When you need us, just toss this to the ground. It'll draw us to you like a beacon."
Lelouch's keen mind instantly deduced what would happen, and pocketed the weapon safely. "Got it. I'll see you in twenty minutes."
The three of them parted ways to accomplish their respective tasks, knowing that this would officially mark the beginning of their path towards Britannia's destruction.
Xxx
"The overwhelming victory of Britannia made the unenlightened former government of Japan well aware of their true rank in the world. Since then, the empire and Area Eleven have joined hands and begun to walk the road towards revival."
Kallen had to force herself not to appear furious. In public like this, she was Kallen Stadtfeld, a patriotic Britannian citizen who wholly approved of Britannia's actions. She hated the fact that she had to allow this part of herself to exist, but Kozuki Kallen was far more limited in the things she could do and the places she could go. Tokyo Tower, once a symbol of pride and joy for the Japanese people, was converted into the Britannian Victory Memorial Center, a museum commemorating the Britannian victory during the occupation of Japan.
Everywhere she looked, there were pictures of Britannian soldiers and Glasgows in battle, locations throughout the country that had been damaged or destroyed by the war, and Britannia's victories, because they would not dare commemorate the battles where the Japanese had been fighting back successfully.
It all sickened her.
She saw movement in her peripheral vision, and knew it was Ohgi, Kento, and Toru following in after her. They all suspected this was a trap, even if this man's interference had saved their lives in Shinjuku. It was for that alone, that they would at least hear him out. Never would it be said that the Japanese would leave a debt unpaid, whether to this man for saving them or to Britannia for stripping them of their heritage.
The only other people on the ground floor of the tower besides them, was a Britannian couple, casually observing one of the antique AA guns Japan had tried to use against the original Glasgows. Kallen could have sworn she saw the couple glance in her direction for a moment, but when she blinked, they were once again looking at the weapon, as if their eyes had never moved
'Tokyo Tower, 4:00. Why here, of all places?'
Xxx
"It was Kururugi Suzaku who contacted us, right?" Kento asked the other two in a hushed tone.
"Don't jump to conclusions," Ohgi said, as the three of them moved over to a glass display case, and feigned interest in the pictures contained inside.
"But, he might have been arrested after he called Kallen," Toru said.
"Then this place is too dangerous for us to stay," Kento remarked.
Before anything more could be said on the subject, a loud ring sounded through the speakers, catching the attention of everyone on the floor. "Miss Kallen Stadtfeld of Ashford Academy, a lost item has been turned in for you. Please come to the service counter on the observation deck."
Ohgi, Kento, and Toru all widened their eyes in surprise and glanced to their left where they knew Kallen had been standing, only to find her missing. They headed over to the elevators as quickly as they could without seeming suspicious, completely oblivious to the Britannian couple who had been smiling and waving at them jovially, and hit the button for the third floor, hoping to catch up with Kallen before anything happened.
Xxx
"You're sure this is yours?"
Kallen picked up the cell phone from the woman's outstretched hands, and glanced at it. It was brand new, and a top of the line model too. Written on the back was her name and Ashford Academy. Whoever this man was, he certainly knew how to plan ahead. She kept staring at the phone in her hand intensely, as if it would eventually reveal the identity of their savior on its own.
"It's yours, isn't it?" The woman asked again in confirmation.
Kallen shook her head lightly, snapping out of her thoughts and looked up at the woman with a weak smile. "Y-Yes! Thank you so much."
She walked away from the counter slowly, and found herself standing in front of the window where several sets of mounted binoculars were located. When she heard the voices of Ohgi and the others, she left out a soft sigh of relief. She hoped they weren't mad at her for rushing on ahead alone, but she really wanted to know who this man was. Suddenly, the phone in her hand let her know there was an incoming call.
It had been set on vibrate as well, to avoid attracting attention through a loud ring. The caller ID labeled the other caller as ZERO. Not wanting to wait any longer, she gave a sidelong glance at Ohgi and saw him nod.
She returned the gesture anxiously, and answered the call. "Yes? Hello?"
"Ride the outer tracks of loop line #5. Bring your friends."
"Eh? Wait—" Kallen exclaimed, only for the call to hang up immediately.
He knew. He knew that Ohgi and the others were affiliated with her, and that meant he had been watching them somehow. She scanned around the observation deck discretely, then mentally berated herself for being foolish. This man, Zero she reminded herself, would not have called her from the same floor, where he might be caught.
If anything, this man was at one of the stops along loop line #5, waiting for them to arrive. She informed Ohgi, Kento, and Toru of the situation, and the three of them briskly made their way out of the tower, heading towards the station. It was time to meet Zero.
Xxx
Lelouch chuckled as he hung up the phone and stepped into the conductor's monorail car. He waited until the doors had closed in all of the other passenger cars before clearing his throat.
"Obey my commands!" Lelouch commanded with his Geass active just as the conductor turned around. Lelouch smiled in satisfaction as the familiar sight of a red ring around the man's pupil appeared. "You will shut down all cameras on this line, forget having ever seen me, and ignore everything you might see or hear coming from the passenger cars."
"I understand." The red ring faded, and the conductor turned around, prepping the monorail to leave the station, completely oblivious to Lelouch as he then made his way through the other passenger cars and ordered everyone inside to ignore everything going on around them and to sit perfectly still and silent, unless he ordered them to do something differently.
He opened up the silver briefcase he'd brought along, and donned his Zero suit over his regular clothes, before stashing the empty case beneath one of the bench seats.
"Now, all that's left to do is…" Lelouch pulled out the dagger Naruto had given him and tossed it to the ground, though with his meager strength, it looked as if he had just dropped it accidentally.
Luckily, it seemed that was enough, as the two forms of his advisers and ace pilots appeared before him in a flash of golden light. Seeing it firsthand like this was much more impressive than experiencing it, he concluded.
Naruto and C.C. dropped their Britannian disguises and now stood behind Lelouch on either side in their masked and cloaked ensembles. "Everything is ready for their arrival."
Naruto glanced around, but Lelouch simply tapped the left side of his helmet, knowing that Naruto was wondering if it was safe to talk this openly."How are you planning to free Suzaku? Should C.C. and I just go in with Seizan and Shinryoku and take him by force?"
Lelouch shook his head negative. "Such an act won't inspire much confidence in me. I need to show, not only these terrorists, but all the Japanese people that Zero can make the impossible, possible. I need to prove I can be a leader worthy of their hope and trust."
Xxx
"Attention all passengers. If you see a suspicious item aboard this train, please report it at once via the nearest intercom."
Kallen looked around, as she and the others boarded the very last car. Were it not for the automated messages playing through the speakers, the monorail would be devoid of all sound and noise. All of the passengers were sitting perfectly still and silent, staring at their laps like living statues. Not a single one so much as lifted their head when she and the others entered.
It was starting to worry her. Because every available seat was taken, She, Ohgi, Kento and Toru were the only ones left standing. Even though it appeared their presence wasn't garnering interest, the four of them still spread out across the car, acting as if it was just coincidence they'd entered together.
Kallen nearly jumped when the phone in her hand rang once more, but quickly answered it, after a quick confirmation that it was Zero again. "Hello?"
Ohgi narrowed his eyes as he strained his ears to listen in on the conversation. He was the closest one to Kallen without being directly next to her, but because she would be talking relatively softly, he had to really focus to discern her words.
"Face forward and look to your right. What do you see?"
Kallen did as she was told, and frowned, seeing the 'new and improved' portion of Tokyo. "The Britannians' city. A stolen city, built on our sacrifices."
"Now look left."
"I see our city. The city made by Britannia squeezing us dry." Kallen answered, taking in the ruined remains of other half of the city.
The half that had been left in shambles and ruins as a testament to the defeat of Japan.
"Good answer. All right, come to the first car."
Kallen's eyes widened as Zero suddenly hung up on her again. He was here! On the same train as her and the others! She started moving through the car towards the connecting door to the next. Ohgi, Kento, and Toru abandoned all pretense of anonymity and followed after her immediately, spotting more passengers in the same state as the previous.
In fact, every car they passed through had passengers who would neither move nor make a sound. The difference being that as they got closer to the front, the cars became more crowded, which made it worse as the standing passengers who were bumped or nudged reacted the same way as the passengers who were sitting. Not at all. When they finally got through to the first car, Kallen gasped.
It was completely empty, save for three people at the other end, all of which had their backs towards her. There were subtle movements that let her know these three were aware of their entrance unlike the passengers, but did not turn around.
She focused her attention on the figure in the middle, the most likely one to be Zero. "Was it you? Tell us! Are you three the ones who helped us fight in Shinjuku? Was the cease-fire order your doing, too?"
As the monorail entered a tunnel, shrouding the car in darkness, the three figures suddenly spun around, with the two at the sides taking a step back so the one in the middle was in front. Kallen and the others gasped. All three were wearing masks. The two at the sides were wearing white and red animal masks, with dark eye holes that couldn't be seen into from this distance.
The movement of spinning around caused the cloaks surrounding them to flutter up slightly, allowing her to see that they each carried a sword on their person. And not just any sword, but Japanese blades. That reassured her a bit. The man in the middle was wearing a dark mask that intimidated her at first glance.
His entire body was covered by a high-collared black cloak that framed him like a set of folded wings. She couldn't help but compare him to a hawk preparing to strike, or a bat waiting in the shadows.
"Yes, I am Zero. With me are my personal knights, Seizan and Shinryoku." Lelouch answered, gesturing towards Naruto and C.C. respectively.
Ohgi, Kento, and Toru lost some of the stiffness in their shoulders at those code names. They were distinctly Japanese names, and meaningful ones at that. Names they didn't believe a Britannian would know or care to go looking for.
"What do you think of my little tour of this settlement?" Lelouch asked them, smiling behind his mask.
Naruto and C.C. had once again proven their worth as his… war advisers, by suggesting that they actually be introduced by their Knightmare names to the terrorists. That familiarity those names produced had helped to ease and lower the terrorists' guard.
"Tour?" Ohgi asked in confusion.
"I wanted you to have a true appreciation of them. Of the settlement and the ghetto!" Lelouch declared, gesturing with his arms at the two differing cities.
Kallen glanced at Ohgi, who nodded and took a step forward. "Yes, there's a difference between us and the Britannians! A desperate difference! That's why we fight as the resistance!"
"You're wrong." Lelouch denied. "Terrorism will not defeat Britannia!"
"Defeat?" Ohgi muttered, unable to believe such a thing was possible.
A battle in the ghettos was one thing, but the nation as a whole?
"Terrorism is merely a childish nuisance." Lelouch continued as if he hadn't been interrupted.
"What was that?!" Kento exclaimed angrily.
"Are you saying we're nothing more than kids?" Toru asked.
"Don't mistake your enemy. It isn't the Britannian people, but Britannia itself!" Lelouch declared. "What you need is to fight a war! Without involving the civilians! Attacking the civilians of the nation amounts to nothing more than simple terrorism, and only helps Britannia rally the people against you, against your cause! Do you not see? It is the empire itself that is corrupt, and must be toppled before Japan and all the other territories can be free. Make up your minds now! Follow me, and take the path of righteousness!"
Kallen scowled at the nerve of this man, to talk down to them like that. "Don't be absurd! It's easy to say whatever you want, but it means nothing unless you have the ability to back it up! How could we trust someone who won't even show us his face!"
"She's right!" Kento agreed fiercely.
"Take off the mask!" Toru ordered.
"I hide my face for your protection," Lelouch calmly informed them. He glanced at Naruto and C.C. from inside his mask, and saw them nod subtly. "I am in possession of a power that allows me to issue commands to people, commands that cannot be disobeyed."
Kallen felt a chill run down her spine. "Stop lying. There's no way such a power could exist!"
"Oh no?" Lelouch asked. "Tell me, did any of the other passengers make any noise or even acknowledge your presence as you made your way to this car? Did any of them even move?"
The four self-proclaimed resistance members glanced at each other in shock and alarm, understanding dawning on their faces.
"Y-You… you commanded them not to move?" Ohgi finally managed to ask.
"I commanded them to ignore everything they see and hear, and to remain perfectly still and silent for the duration of the trip." Lelouch explained. "I also used this power on former viceroy Clovis so he would declare a ceasefire in the Shinjuku ghettos."
That was a lie, but not only would it show them that this power could help, it would also start pulling them away from thoughts of how this power might be used to manipulate and hurt.
"How do we know you're not using it on us now?" Kento asked suspiciously.
"This power requires eye contact. I can see your eyes through this mask, but so long as the same cannot be said about you, I cannot use my Geass on you." Lelouch said, placating the man significantly. "Furthermore, there is a side effect of slight memory loss. If you have been affected, you will have a gap in your memory that you cannot fill."
Kallen frowned, as there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that those words should mean something to her, but she couldn't come up with a reason. Maybe the thought of that power, Geass, scared her so much, that she wanted there to be a reason to mistrust Zero and decline his offer.
"So, you're wearing the mask to try and earn our trust." Ohgi stated in realization. He both appreciated the effort and disliked that it was necessary. He wouldn't want to see Zero's identity for the risk of being commanded to do something against his will. "None of us have any memory gaps, and you saved countless lives with that ceasefire order. But… you murdered Clovis afterwards, didn't you? And you framed Kururugi Suzaku for it."
Lelouch shook his head and held up a hand, forestalling the inevitable comments that would come from their incorrect conclusion. "I did kill Clovis, but he more than deserved his death. The responsibility for the assault on the Shinjuku ghettos can be laid solely at his feet. Having fought there, I'm sure you can give me a better estimate of how many innocent lives were lost because of his actions."
Kallen narrowed her eyes and clenched her right fist. 'Too many…'
"But… I did not frame Kururugi Suzaku for my actions. That was the doing of one Jeremiah Gottwald, a member of the purist faction and one of the most vocal denouncers of the honorary Britannian system." Lelouch informed Ohgi. "To him, Kururugi Suzaku is a tool to further his ambitions to have the system abolished."
"And if that happens…" Kallen trailed off, her eyes hardening in understanding, her teeth clenching in disgust. "Then those citizens fortunate enough to have earned the right to live in the settlement…"
"…will have the lives they worked so hard to earn, torn from them by force." Lelouch finished. "They may even be arrested or executed for believing themselves to be the equals of Britannians."
Ohgi remained silent, as he took in the vast influx of knowledge Zero had just revealed to them. Every doubt they had thrown at Zero, he had rebuffed with logic or actual proof.
It really did seem like Zero wanted to help them, but he couldn't just trust the man so easily. "Tell me, are those two beside you under the influence of your Geass? Were they angry Japanese patriots or soldiers you commanded to serve you loyally?" He pointed at the two cloaked figures behind Zero who so far had remained silent.
Lelouch chuckled in amusement. He saw that this was drawing a negative reaction from the four, and so managed to cut himself off. "Forgive me, but the idea that I could command either of these two against their will is amusing. No, Seizan and Shinryoku are the only ones immune to the power of Geass, and even have the ability to remove its effects from others. Consider it added insurance if you ever doubt my word, that my allies will be protected from this power."
"We seek Britannia's defeat as much as you do but we three alone will not be enough to defeat Britannia and the army it has amassed no matter what skill or power we posses." The fox masked man, Seizan stated.
"As Zero stated, in order to become a force that will free Japan you must become more than resistance fighters. You must become an army of your own." The avian masked woman, Shinryoku continued.
That did a lot to reassure Ohgi. "After what I've seen and heard, I'm finding it hard to doubt you. But that doesn't mean I can just trust you at face value."
"I would have a very low opinion of your leadership if you did," Lelouch assured him. "If you desire proof of my commitment, I shall give it to you. Instead of showing you my face I shall show you my power and that the impossible is possible and free Kururugi Suzaku from the clutches of the Britannian military tonight."
Xxx
"He killed the Britannian Prince! Kururugi Suzaku should be treated as a hero!"
"But he's an honorary Britannian!"
"Isn't he the son of the late Prime Minister Kururugi?"
"You mean the man who gave up Japan! The people don't know that about him!"
The argument between General Katase Tatewaki and Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe Josui, over whether to aid Kururugi Suzaku, had been going back and forth for more than an hour now, with many of the JLF members in the room moving to stand behind the man they believed to be right. The only one who had not taken a side was Lieutenant Colonel Tohdoh Kyoshirou, also known as Kiseki no Tohdoh.
"The Shinjuku incident was the work of Kozuki's group, wasn't it?" Katase asked.
"Yes, General." Kusakabe confirmed. "They're currently led by a man named Ohgi."
"Your thoughts, Tohdoh?" Katase asked, turning to face the highly decorated war hero who was kneeling at the front of the room, his personal katana lying in front of him.
Tohdoh remained silent, contemplating the situation carefully. He had to think of the situation as a member of the JLF and not as Kururugi Suzaku's former instructor. For a crime as severe as Kururugi was being charged with, the Britannian security around the prisoner transport would be quite high.
His choice was clear. "We have no duty to join him in a public execution."
"Such cowardice!" Kusakabe exclaimed. "Are you really the one they call Kiseki no Tohdoh?"
"You shouldn't confuse a miracle with foolishness!" Tohdoh countered. "Our duty is towards the liberation of Japan as a whole. Kururugi Suzaku made his choice to join the Britannian military. Let him accept the consequences of his actions."
Xxx
"Any moment. Any moment now! Just look at the crowds lining the route. All of them, waiting! Waiting for the man accused of killing Prince Clovis! Waiting for honorary Britannian Kururugi Suzaku to pass by! Waiting for the former Eleven!"
"Camera 5's slow. Charles, have you got the crowd set up?" Standing by inside the Channel 5 HI-TV van, was Diethard Reid, the man personally assigned to capture this entire spectacle on camera for the public. He had personally put the word out for the people to gather along the route and had cameramen interspersed in the crowds to get the best shots. "Huh? The studio? Let them wait. There's no delay. Everything's going as planned. Here he comes…"
"I… I can see it! It's Kururugi, the suspect!"
Coming down the main road from the viceroy's palace now, was the prisoner transport surrounded by four Sutherlands.
"There, you see?" Diethard clicked off his microphone and let out a sigh as the smile was wiped off his face instantly. "This sham… I'm as corrupt as any of them."
Xxx
"Murderer!"
"Scum!"
"Damned Eleven!"
"We want our prince back!"
"Voices of resentment! Voices of anger, growing louder! Voices giving proof of the love the prince's people had for him! Righteous voices which judge the terrorist!"
Jeremiah allowed himself a smirk, enjoying the resounding cries of the people that filled the air as they passed by. Things were going just as he expected. With this much public support, the goals of the purist faction would be assured.
"Acting consul Jeremiah!"
"What is it?" Jeremiah snapped at the man contacting him through the emergency only channel.
"Vehicle approaching the main highway from Third Street. We let it pass as instructed, but…"
Now Jeremiah understood why the man had contacted him. "Do you believe your target is a terrorist vehicle?"
"Well, sir… it's Prince Clovis's car."
"The prince's?" Jeremiah frowned.
Whoever was heading this way in the prince's personal car was making a statement, a challenge. Well, he would meet that challenge head on.
"Let him through to us! All forces, halt!" Jeremiah signaled, holding up his right hand.
The prisoner transport and the four Knightmare on protective detail all came to a halt in the middle of the road.
Xxx
"They stopped! They really did!" Ohgi exclaimed in surprise.
The other resistance members gathered around the TV in the warehouse they based themselves out of, also expressed varying degrees of shock and amazement. Except for one.
"Heh! It was just a coincidence!" Tamaki dismissed easily.
"But, Zero predicted Jeremiah would do that because he likes being the center of attention…" Ohgi reminded him.
"Coincidence!" Tamaki retorted irritadely. "It's bad enough we have this guy waiting around with us, we don't need you taking their side too, Ohgi!"
Waiting in the shadows, was the fox-masked Seizan, who Zero had insisted accompany them back to their base of operations. He claimed it would help facilitate their escape, so Ohgi had relented and agreed. Naruto's Shadow Clone had its hands hidden beneath the cloak, waiting patiently for the signal as it focused on the screen.
Xxx
'This isn't going to work. We're going to be killed.' Kallen thought frantically, as she slowly drove the car up the street towards the waiting Knightmares.
Jeremiah easily spotted the personal car of Prince Clovis making its way towards them from the opposite end of the street, and stopped just in front of their position. He hadn't been told what had actually happened to the car after the viceroy's murder, but he assumed it had simply been scrapped, as the prince's personal transport was just that. Meant for Prince Clovis's transportation only.
"Get out, you who would dare to spoil His Highness' transport!" Jeremiah called out.
The large Britannian flag adorning the front of the transport suddenly ignited in flames and burned away almost instantly, to reveal a masked, cloaked figure standing atop the car like a giant bat. "I… am Zero!"
"Wh-Who is this person? This man calling himself Zero who stands in front of the convoy! Could he be a terrorist? But if he is, what a foolish mistake!"
Xxx
Diethard stared hard at the figure now taking up every screen in the news van.
"Zero… as in nothing?" he asked himself.
Xxx
Jeremiah looked at the crowds on either side of the route, and saw they were all focusing on this new stranger who had captured their attention with just three simple words. "That's enough, Zero! Your little show is at an end!"
He raised a pistol into the air and fired off a shot, giving the signal for the four VTOLs to release the Sutherlands they'd been carrying. The four Knightmare dropped down around the prince's car, rifles raised to fire upon him. However, two new Knightmares, one primarily green and the other blue, rose straight up out of the ground without so much as breaking or disturbing the solid concrete.
They were positioned on either side of the car in a way that put them between two Knightmares each.
"You have your toys, Jeremiah, and I have mine!" Lelouch said mockingly.
"Those are—" Suzaku tried to warn only for the collar around his neck to deliver a painful electrical shock for his efforts.
The Margrave scowled as he took in the two new Knightmares. They looked a lot more advanced than the Britannian Sutherlands, and they were a good deal larger as well. Though he'd been forced to eject early, Jeremiah had heard the rumors of the prototype Lancelot being defeated by a pair of advanced Knightmares that left it buried in the ground. Were these the Knightmares?
No matter. Even if they had defeated the Lancelot, which he still doubted, that was one Knightmare. He was confident these two would not fare so well against eight Knightmares.
"So you have two Knightmares. Am I supposed to be impressed? Remove that mask Zero, or my men will fire!" Jeremiah ordered.
Lelouch raised his right hand up to the mask, appearing as if he was going to follow through with the order, until he sent it up into the air and snapped his fingers. The two halves of the transport fell apart to reveal a large circular canister contained in the back.
"What the…?" Jeremiah gasped.
"Lord Jeremiah, that's…!" Villetta called out from her Knightmare at the rear of the convoy.
'Yes, Jeremiah. As you never saw what was contained inside this canister, you assume it is a poison gas capsule.' Lelouch thought with an arrogant smile behind his mask.
"No! That's just—" Suzaku received another painful electric jolt through his throat for trying to speak once more.
"You… you bastard…" Jeremiah muttered furiously. 'He's taken every Britannian here hostage! Without them even knowing they're hostages!'
He leveled the handgun straight at Zero's mask.
"You intend to shoot me? I think you know the consequences should you miss." Lelouch taunted.
Jeremiah bit back a curse, as he knew Zero was right. If he missed, and accidently hit the canister, he would be the one responsible for who knew how many Britannian deaths. He reluctantly lowered the gun and motioned for the Knightmares to do so as well.
Xxx
"Unit six, bring up the sound and get the camera on his face." Diethard ordered, excited to see something worthwhile.
"Sir, it's too hairy out there." One the workers protested.
"Tch, amateurs." Diethard muttered as he grabbed a camera and rushed out to the scene.
Xxx
"Very well. Your demands?"
"An exchange." Lelouch said simply. "This for Kururugi Suzaku."
"Absurd!" Jeremiah roared. "This man is charged with high treason for the murder of Prince Clovis! I can't hand him over!"
"No, you're mistaken, Jeremiah. He isn't the murderer. The one who killed Clovis… was me!" Lelouch declared dramatically, staring right into the camera that Diethard was focusing on his mask just as he arrived.
'He's gone too far. We can't escape! It's hopeless now…' Kallen thought, shaking in fear, her hands gripping onto the steering wheel like a lifeline.
"Think about it Jeremiah. For the life of one Eleven, you'll save the lives of countless precious Britannians. I don't think it's such a bad deal for you."
Diethard smiled excitingly as he continued watching everything through his camera. 'This is all a show for him, one big performance.'
"He's mad!" Jeremiah snapped. "Disguising this truck as His Highness's, he mocks us! We'll make him pay!"
He leveled the gun at Zero's mask once more, as the other Sutherlands around Zero readied their rifles, only for the blue and green Knightmares to pull out a pair of MVS blades and fans respectively.
"Are you sure about this? You want the public to know about Orange?" Lelouch asked threateningly.
'Orange? Is he serious? That's my favourite color!' Naruto complained in his head as he watched from his cockpit.
Lelouch tapped his foot against the top of the car twice, which gave Kallen the signal to start driving forward slowly.
"If I die, it will all go public," Lelouch continued. "If you don't want that to happen…"
"What are you talking about? What are you saying?" Jeremiah asked in confusion as Zero steadily approached his Knightmare.
Lelouch lowered his chin as soon as he was within range of Jeremiah, sliding open the hatch in front of his left eye and activated his Geass. "Release Kururugi Suzaku to me, and do everything in your power to aid our escape!"
Jeremiah, now with a glowing red ring surrounding his pupil nodded obediently. "Hmph! Understood. Give them the prisoner!"
"Lord Jeremiah, what did you just say?!" Villetta asked in shock.
"Give them the prisoner! No one is to interfere!" Jeremiah repeated.
One of the Sutherlands standing in front of the green Knightmare slid back until it was right beside Jeremiah's, the hatch opening up to reveal a uniformed Britannian man. "What are you thinking, making a deal at a time like this?!"
Jeremiah turned on the man sharply, his eyes blazing in fury. "Lord Kewell! This is an order!"
Left with no other choice, the armed guards on the prisoner transport unbound Kururugi Suzaku's arms and allowed him to walk over to Zero who was approaching on foot as well.
"Who the hell—" Suzaku started to ask, but had to stop as another painful jolt surged through his already injured throat.
"I didn't expect they'd allow you to speak," Lelouch said knowingly, examining the shock collar around Suzaku's neck.
Kallen stepped out of the car and stepped up beside him, wearing the white chauffeur's outfit Clovis had required his driver to wear.
"If they get away we'll be disgraced!" Villetta cursed as she got back into her Sutherland.
"Zero, it's time." Kallen said.
"Then, we'll talk later," Lelouch said as he raised a detonator and slammed his thumb down on the trigger.
Xxx
"Oi, where's he going?!" Tamaki angrily asked as the masked figure started running out of the warehouse towards the open construction area near the back.
Ohgi narrowed his eyes, knowing that their escape was about to begin, but didn't move to follow the masked man. For one thing, he was running extremely fast. And Ohgi figured he'd see what would happen to Zero for himself on TV anyways.
Xxx
The gas canister instantly started releasing clouds of dark red smoke into the streets, sending the people alongside the street running and screaming in fear.
"Tch, cowardly Elevens!" Villetta slid back into her Sutherland and raised her rifle to fire on Zero, only for both of her Knightmare's hands to be cleanly sliced off by the fan wielding green Knightmare.
Before she could react, the green Knightmare then sent the fans flying to cut her Sutherland's legs off, dropping the now immobile and defenceless Knightmare to the ground. Seizan quickly followed Shinryoku's actions, disarming and crippling the remaining three enemy Sutherlands around him with his twin kodachi, but leaving them still mostly intact on the ground. They didn't want to cause any explosions that might catch escaping civilians. Kewell, seeing the quick defeat of Villetta, brought his own rifle to bear, and managed to fire off a few rounds towards the blue Knightmare, only for them to be deflected or cut in half by the twin MVS blades it wielded.
"I-Impossible!" He was then dropped to one leg, as the left landspinner, and subsequently the leg it was attached to, were shot apart by Jeremiah.
"Lord Kewell! Will you follow my orders or not?!" Jeremiah asked his fellow purist faction member in outrage. "Any further actions will result in punishment! Is this clear?! I'll say this to all units! Let them go at all costs!"
Seizan and Shinryoku quickly regrouped around Zero, Suzaku and Kallen. The three of them had their hands gripping onto the legs of one of the Knightmares, though Lelouch had to force Suzaku to place his hand there. Right before the eyes of all who were watching, the entire group was surrounded by a large cloud of smoke. Kewell chose to disobey Jeremiah's orders, and fired blindly into the smoke. When it cleared, it revealed not a trace of the Knightmares, Kururugi Suzaku or Zero.
They had all just vanished into thin air.
Xxx
Naruto's Shadow Clone looked up at the two towering Knightmares that he'd just summoned into the much more spacious warehouse just past the construction area. While the smoke was still obscuring him from view, he dispersed himself. The real Naruto would be accompanying Lelouch to his private talk with Suzaku anyways. Seizan and Shinryoku both shut down, as their pilots climbed down and stood beside Lelouch, still in his Zero persona.
"Evacuation was successful, Zero. Just as you predicted."
"Naturally," Lelouch remarked confidently. "Kallen, would you mind heading back to your friends? Suzaku and I need to discuss things privately."
Kallen looked as if she were about to protest, but nodded and left the four alone to their private discussion. She had wanted to ask how Zero managed to teleport them clear across the city from the middle of a hot zone, but somehow she knew she wouldn't get the answer.
Xxx
"I really didn't think they'd manage to save him," Kento remarked, in amazement.
"I call bullshit!" Tamaki exclaimed. "How often would a bluff like that work anyways? And he would have died if those fancy Knightmares weren't there to help him!"
"He could have done it without the Knightmares, you know?" Kallen said, as she walked up to the group. "I think he only brought them to show them off. To prove that he has resources that, not only help him fight on even ground with Britannia, but surpass them in combat."
"It is the kind of demonstration that would promote a lot of confidence in him." Toru admitted with a small smile. "A figure the people can bet their hopes on."
"He did exactly what he said he would," Ohgi said. "Who else but him could have pulled that off? Even the Japan Liberation Front couldn't do that. Or at least, we couldn't have done it. We all thought war with the Britannians was impossible. But maybe, with them, it's possible."
Xxx
"Looks like they treated you roughly," Lelouch remarked, looking over the injuries he could see just on Suzaku's face alone. "Now you really know what they're like, Private Kururugi. Britannia is rotten. If you want to change the world, then join me!"
Suzaku glared at Zero, who was standing across from him, flanked by the two Knightmare pilots who had bested him. "Did you… Is it true that you killed Prince Clovis?"
"This is war," Lelouch stated bluntly. "It's natural to kill an enemy commander."
Suzaku frowned, but reluctantly conceded that point to Zero. "What about the poison gas? And taking all those civilians hostage?!"
"Just a bluff I used for the exchange." Lelouch said dismissively. "As a result, nobody was killed."
The ends justify the means. That's what Zero was telling him. He could not accept that kind of thinking. "The results? I see… that's all that matters to you."
Lelouch extended out his right hand to Suzaku. "Join me. The Britannia you serve is a worthless nation."
"Maybe that's true. However… I can change it into a worthwhile nation! From within Britannia!" Suzaku declared.
'Change it?' Lelouch thought, as he contemplated Suzaku's goal.
"Because I think the ends are just as worthless if the means to them are wrong!" Suzaku stated as he turned around and started walking towards the warehouse exit.
"Wait! Where are you going?!" Lelouch demanded.
"My court martial begins in an hour." Suzaku answered.
"A-Are you stupid?!" Lelouch shouted, clenching his fist in rage. "That trial is set up just to find you guilty! The prosecution, the judge, the defense…!"
"Even so, those are the rules. If I don't go, they'll begin oppressing Elevens and honorary Britannians." Suzaku said, as he stopped walking.
"More than normal, you mean?" Naruto asked rhetorically, finally speaking up.
He couldn't stay silent any longer at this boy's idiocy and naivety. It was as if he wanted to pretend everything that was wrong and unfair in the world didn't exist. Such thinking would get not only himself, but others around him killed. Naruto knew better.
You had to acknowledge that the world was filled with cruelty, unfairness, and even death.
"Yes. Things will only get worse for them." Suzaku confirmed. "If I go back, it might help sway things for the better."
Naruto shook his head in exasperation, but refused to say anything more on the matter. He sensed feelings of shame and regret in Suzaku, emotions that come from trying to atone for some great crime. There was more to him than just his believes.
Lelouch on the other hand, had no such compunctions."But you'll die!"
"I don't care." Suzaku turned around to glance at them. "I want to bring you in, but if I tried now, you'd just have me killed. If I'm going to die, I want it to be for the sake of everyone. Still… thank you. For saving my life."
With that said, Suzaku walked straight out of the warehouse, back towards the courthouse to be judged.
Lelouch sighed and glanced over at Naruto. "Is it possible? To change Britannia from something despicable to something decent?"
Naruto remained silent for a few moments before answering. "Let me put it this way. Some of my greatest friends were once dangerous enemies who tried to kill me. I learned about them, understood them, and accepted them. Many of them had felt a pain that I too felt before. I changed them. But… I also acknowledge there are enemies beyond redemption. Enemies that are so horrible, they must be eliminated with extreme prejudice."
"And which is Britannia?" Lelouch asked curiously, genuinely interested in the answer.
"It doesn't matter. Either way, they'll need to be defeated."
*Chapter 4*: Chapter 4Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"Lelouch, are you serious about waging war on Britannia? The entire Britannian Empire?"
Lelouch turned and looked at Naruto as he put his costume away. They had just returned home and Lelouch was still annoyed over Suzaku's decision that put a major dent in his plans. Naruto himself believed that Suzaku was an idiot who ignored all the wrongs and cruelty Britannia was doing and even contradicted himself for looking down Zero's methods despite the fact that in war both sides did everything they could to win, even so called dishonorable tactics. There was no good or honor or what was right in war, just the side that manages to win.
Just about everyone who fights in a war could be considered evil, even himself.
"After what you have just witnessed you still have doubts?" Lelouch asked, wondering what was on Naruto's mind.
"There is something I believe C.C. should tell you." Naruto closed his eyes.
Xxx
"You know why Nunnally was blind, don't you?" Naruto asked when he and C.C. entered the room they would be using in Lelouch and Nunnally's home.
"Hm, I guess you can catch on pretty quick when you want to." C.C. answered, not surprised by Naruto's question.
"Cera." Naruto looked at her. "If my Rinnegan can see someone affected by Geass the same goes for you and you knew about Lelouch and his sister before we arrived in Shinjuku. I haven't asked you about anything from your past but if there is something I or Lelouch should know if we're going to war with a third of the world I'd like to know now than later."
C.C. frowned as she led Naruto onto the roof. "All right. Since you were so truthful with me when we met I suppose the same should go for me."
Xxx
Naruto led Lelouch to the dining room where they saw C.C. folding origami with Nunnally.
"Welcome back, Lelouch. I see you've decided to eat out tonight since you still have crumbs on the corner of your mouth." C.C. said with a smirk as Lelouch's right eye twitched.
Nunnally giggled. "You shouldn't eat so fast. Food sticks to your face. But I think you were right to hurry back. Our new friend Tsunade has been waiting hours for you and Mr. Naruto to come back."
"Just Naruto please." Naruto smiled.
"Nunnally I need to have a talk with Naruto and Tsunade regarding their stay here." Lelouch said, wondering what Naruto wanted to speak to him about.
C.C. shrugged. "Well, no time like the present. I'm sure Nunnally and I could have some more fun later."
"That would be nice." Nunnally yawned. "Good night to you all. I'm going to bed."
"I'll tuck you in." Lelouch smiled. "Naruto, Tsunade, could you wait in my room?"
Xxx
"There is more to those two than meets the eye, Master Lelouch."
Lelouch froze when Sayoko spoke to him after he closed the door to Nunnally's room. He needed an excuse and fast. He would probably have to use his Geass on her if she got too suspicious.
"What makes you say that?" Lelouch slowly asked.
"They both seem familiar with combat and they have a look in their eyes that tell they are much more than they appear." Sayoko answered.
"And how can you tell?"
Sayoko was a silent for a second. "I saw the same look in soldiers who carried themselves when talking about war. The same look you have, My Lord."
Lelouch's eyes widened. She knew?
"I noticed you having that look the day after Shinjuku." Sayoko explained.
Lelouch quickly said. "Don't worry Sayoko; they will not endanger me or Nunnally."
"Especially since I would never harm a little girl."
Sayoko and Lelouch turned around and saw Naruto leaning against the wall. "Perhaps you should sit in as well, Sayoko-san."
Xxx
C.C. was sitting on Lelouch's bed as the door opened. "Finally. You know how bored I was getting?"
"Sorry. We got sidetracked." Naruto answered as he leaned against the wall.
"Now that we are here perhaps we can begin." Sayoko spoke, looking between both of her master's guests.
"And she is?" C.C. asked, eyeing the maid calmly.
"Sayoko Shinozaki, 37th successor to the Shinozaki School of Martial Arts and maid of Lelouch Lamperouge and Nunnally Lamperouge." Sayoko answered with a wary look at both newcomers. "Who are you and why are you here?"
"Perhaps Lelouch should start?" Naruto gestured. "She's obviously figured out you've been up to something so your better of telling her now."
Lelouch sighed and began explaining what had happened that day on Shinjuku, attaining his Geass, killing Clovis to stop the massacre, becoming Zero and rescuing Suzaku.
"…And after Suzaku refused to join us we came back here." Lelouch finished.
"Change Britannia from within." C.C. echoed Suzaku's words. "Men with more charisma, strength, and intelligence than him have tried and failed."
"What's worse is that he believes he can do through the right methods." Naruto closed his eyes. "In his mind if the results are done through 'contemptible means' are worthless. This coming from the man who is a soldier?"
C.C. snorted. "He'll either be dead or wises up to the fact that he cannot change Britannia the way he is."
Sayoko had remained silent that whole time, only narrowing her eyes when she heard Lelouch was almost killed by Britannian soldiers. "My Lord, does this mean you intend to wage war against your father?"
"I do." Lelouch nodded.
"Is it because you seek revenge?"
"…I admit it is part of the reason. A motive based purely based on revenge is not a valid reason for risking my life. I plan to do it because I know that Nunnally and I will always be in danger of being discovered and taken back to be used by that man." Lelouch said the last word with hate in his voice. "I will not let him endanger Nunnally's future again."
"And do you plan to use this power, your Geass?" Sayoko asked.
"I do. To not use such ability would be foolish. But I was planning to rebel without Geass anyways, this only allowed me accelerate my timeline. I seek to use it to fight Britannia!" Lelouch declared with complete commitment in his voice.
Sayoko remained silent for a moment. ""I have only one last question, My Lord. Can you win?"
"…I cannot guarantee victory with absolute certainty, Sayoko, as there are too many unknown factors and variables at this time…But I promise you I will do everything in my power to emerge victorious."
Naruto and C.C. watched as Sayoko remained silent for a moment before walking over to Lelouch and kneeling before him.
"Sayoko?"
"If that is your answer, Master, than I ask you my lord to allow me to aid you in this mission. Will you allow me to stand by your side?"
Lelouch was silent with shock for a moment before smiling. "Then I, Lelouch Lamperouge, formerly Lelouch Vi Britannia accept your aid from this day forward. You will not regret it."
Sayoko beamed as she stood up. "Arigatou, Lelouch-sama."
"Now then, Sayoko, the first order I have for you is keeping Nunnally safe and in the dark of what I plan to do as Zero." Lelouch said.
Sayoko frowned. "Is that wise, My Lord?"
"I know how you feel and I would tell Nunnally myself, however I know Nunnally would never agree with my methods or my plans. She dislikes violence, believing it should only be used in self defence and her moral views would attract unwanted attention." Lelouch explained with a hint of sadness on his face at having to lie to his little sister. "She is happy with living in this house with her loving brother but she doesn't realize that unless something is done about the Emperor we will always be in danger. That is why I can't allow her to know for as long as possible."
"…Very well." Sayoko nodded her head.
"Now then, Naruto." Lelouch turned to the two onlookers. "There is something you wanted to tell me?"
"There is something you should know concerning both your family and Geass." Naruto answered.
"Which is?"
"That your father has a Geass as well." C.C. answered.
After telling Naruto about her time with the Imperial Court, including Charles's plan Naruto immediately suggested telling Lelouch, reasoning that leaving him in the dark was a bad idea. C.C. agreed but only to telling Lelouch most of the truth, believing the rest should be kept secret for now and Naruto reluctantly agreed when she explained her reasons.
Lelouch's eyes widened as he shouted. "Wh-WHAT?!"
"Yes. Charles zi Britannia is in possession of a Geass, one that he is able to control perfectly." C.C. nodded.
"Did you give it to him?" Lelouch asked sharply with narrowed eyes. "And is it anything like mine or yours?"
"No. That was done through a close confidant of his named V.V. And no Geass is the same as the others. Yours is the power of Absolute Obedience, able to command anyone to do anything you tell them through eye contact. Charles's Geass is the Power of Memory Manipulation, allowing him to alter, suppress, or change the memories of anyone and he doesn't need eye contact to do it. He can even suppress a person's Geass by making them forget they have one and it can work on the same person more than once." C.C. explained.
Lelouch's eyes widened when he considered the implications of what could happen if the Emperor ever used his Geass on him. That would mean facing him was out of the question, unless he had some way to block it.
"You should also know that the more you rely on your Geass the stronger it will become and the more difficult it will be for you to deactivate. Eventually it will become too strong and will remain permanently active. You should also know that should you start to experience mental instability your Geass will activate on its own, causing what we call a 'runaway Geass'. Beware when using this power, Lelouch." C.C. continued calmly.
Lelouch and Sayoko's eyes widened, especially Lelouch's when he realized the danger of his Geass going active without him knowing.
"Is there a way to stop it?" Sayoko asked.
"The only way to ensure everyone's safety is everyone wearing reflective glasses, using lenses, or even an eye patch to cover your eye." C.C. answered with a nod.
"So, I will have to wear lenses over my left eye." Lelouch frowned.
"Both of your eyes eventually. When your Geass becomes strong enough it will activate in your right eye as well." C.C. replied. "It takes years of practising to learn how to fully control your Geass when it's fully evolved before you can deactivate it at will."
"Does anyone else in the Imperial Court have a Geass?" Lelouch immediately asked, wanting to know about any potential threats.
"Yes. The Knight of the One, Bismark Waldstein and a secret order of Geass users set up by Charles and V.V. to study and produce Geass users that answer only to the Emperor and carry out secret missions for him. I used to be part of that group but I defected seven years ago so my information is outdated but I know that there is a total of fifty Geass users with only a few of them being available for missions since most of them are children." C.C. nodded.
"And what is Bismark's Geass?" Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "And will any of them come after us?"
"I doubt they will send anyone after us soon since the military is currently in chaos from the death of Clovis and the Pure Blood's humiliation. As for Bismark, he claims his Geass can see the future, but in reality it allows him to see the trajectories of all of his opponents, instantly knowing their moves a few seconds in advance and instantly know how to counter them. The Power of Reading Trajectory."
'Sounds like the Byakugan without the 360 degree vision or the white eyes.' Naruto thought.
"The only person to ever defeat this Geass was Marianne vi Britannia, the Flash." C.C. continued.
'The Flash huh?' Naruto thought with an ironic smile.
Lelouch's eyes widened as dinner plates. "My mother defeated this power?"
"She did." C.C. nodded, remembering her conversation with Naruto.
Xxx
"So Lelouch's mother could transfer her soul into anyone she chose through eye contact?" Naruto asked and when C.C. nodded he sighed. "Great. Another Orochimaru wannabee. So they're making this plan to somehow kill the Gods of this world using something called the Sword of Akasha and Thought Elevators to make all of humanity one being? Sounds too much like Madara wanted to do."
"The thought is essentially the same but they will need two Codes and since my Code was absorbed by our contract Charles and Marianne will need to find another Code bearer." C.C. answered.
Naruto frowned. "Did you ever plan on telling Lelouch about this?"
"Not at first, if I hadn't met you I would have used Lelouch as a way to take my Code so I could finally die but I know keeping the both of you in the dark would be bad, especially if the Geass Directorate finds about you, Naruto. However I do not think we should tell Lelouch about his mother's Geass since he could never accept that his mother abandoned him and his sister like their father or that she has a Geass as well that she used to cheat death. I'll consider telling him when he's ready." C.C. calmly replied. "I don't need him as much as I would have if it had not been for you, Naruto but at the same time I recognize that Lelouch needs to mentally mature, especially now that he has a Geass."
"Fine, I'll give you that. Still, there is the matter of this Ragnarok and the fact that Marianne can speak to you." Naruto pointed out.
"Don't worry. I severed my connection with her." C.C. answered.
"Really? When?" Naruto asked.
"When I realized what she, Charles, and V.V. would do if they learned of your existence." C.C. smiled. "If they realized what kind of power you had they along with the Knights of the Round would swarm Japan before Lelouch can assemble a proper rebellion. They might know you have a contract with me and figure out that Lelouch has a Geass by now but they won't know about what you really are."
"That's nice to know." Naruto sighed in relief. "You had me worried for a second, Cera."
"What have I told you about using my name outside of bed?" C.C. asked with an irate look.
"It's your name and despite the fact that you believe you've severed your humanity I don't believe that. Plus, you're kind of human now once you think about it." Naruto smirked. "There's nothing wrong with using your name once in a while."
"Fine, but only use it when no one is around us." C.C. relented while thinking. 'Annoying soft hearted idiot.'
"So, if you don't have a Code anymore does that mean that they can't go forward with their plan?" Naruto asked, getting back on topic.
"I do not know if there are more Codes out there and I do not know who the bearers are but they are not likely involved with the Order." C.C. answered.
"Good to know but that means they'll be looking for them when they realize you don't have your Code anymore." Naruto pointed out.
"It'll take time since we all have centuries of experience blending in." C.C. smirked. "Charles and V.V. will be distracted looking for another Code Bearer if they ever realize my Code was absorbed by the Rinnegan."
Xxx
"Bismark keeps his left eye sewed shut at all times and the only time he ever used it was against your mother and he still lost. He was the Knight of Five when Marianne defeated him which earned her the rank of Knight of Two." C.C. continued.
"And this V.V. person?" Lelouch asked.
"He looks like a ten year old boy but he is actually fifty years old. That's because he has a Code like I did that allows him to grant people Geass." C.C. answered, scowling at the memory of that brat. "He and Charles captured me and handed me over to Clovis and Bartley to be experimented on when I refused to help them."
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"So you were captured by them and that's why Clovis thought you were in that tank. But why was there a duplicate of you in that tank when we first met?" Lelouch remembered how they met.
"Luckily I had help." C.C. glanced at Naruto with a smile. "We escaped and we've been planning to take down Britannia ever since."
"And those other powers you used? Is that the result of Geass?" Lelouch asked, wondering about all their other abilities. "Your eyes, they changed several times before. They showed the Geass symbol but at the same time the sclera and irises turned purple with six rings expanding from the pupil…like ripples in a pond. Is it an advanced form of Geass? It's what cured Nunnally's blindness isn't it?"
"Nope to the former but yes to the latter. That comes from me and an ancestor of mine." Naruto smirked as he and C.C. showed both their Rinnegan. "Originally C.C. tried to form a contract with me but what she didn't count on was that these eyes are just as powerful as Geass, actually they might be stronger. When she forged a contract with me to give me Geass that power merged with her Code and led to her gaining the same eyes as me through the Power of Absolute Harmony and Unity. So we both have Geass, the Power of the King, and the Rinnegan, the Eyes of God."
'Rinnegan.' Sayoko and Lelouch repeated in their heads.
The name literally meant Eye of Samsara as they both knew Japanese language.
"The best reason I can think of what happened is that because a person who carries a Geass Code is immortal with eternal youth and complete regeneration and someone who has the Rinnegan has power over life and death, both are similar powers when you think about it. Allowing a person to live for a very long time that can even grant powers to other people and they both reacted to each other when C.C. tried to give me a Geass because they were so similar." Naruto started.
"And when I did the Rinnegan's nature reacted to our connection and I guess the powers sort of merged together. The Code that kept me alive for centuries was absorbed by the Rinnegan but because of its nature I gained its power while retaining all the abilities that my Code granted me, except for the Absolute Immortality." C.C. smiled at the reminder that she was no longer helpless or alone. "I can still grant people a Geass but now I can also grant four more people the Rinnegan."
"Why is that?" Lelouch asked, fascinated by what he was hearing.
"The Rinnegan has a special power called the Six Paths that allow for different special abilities unique to each path along with the ability to manipulate the elements or as you saw from when we teleported, even manipulate space and time to cover long distances and even make copies of ourselves from you saw in Shinjuku. C.C. already gave one person the Rinnegan, thus giving them one special power while we both converted our Knightmares to use the same eyes as well." Naruto answered.
"Those eyes…" Lelouch thought it over. "Your Knightmares had the same eyes!"
"And one of the benefits we share vision with our Knightmares and anyone we grant the Rinnegan to. I also discovered it can cure people of injuries and illnesses, like your sister." C.C. explained with a smirk.
"Can this Rinnegan be granted to me?" Lelouch asked, his mind racing with ideas and possibilities.
Having eyes that can share vision would be a major benefit to him and his plans and the powers he had seen would allow him to stay one step ahead of his enemies.
"Sorry, but C.C. can only grant a Geass or the Rinnegan to anyone willing, not both. Any attempt to grant you the Rinnegan would kill you." Naruto shook his head.
Lelouch frowned but even if he couldn't have the same eyes they would still be valuable. "So then, why grant me a Geass?"
"One reason would be is that we both know we can't take on Britannia alone. Another reason would be even if I have a contract with Naruto I can still grant other people a Geass so as long as they grant me a wish." C.C. answered.
"And what is your wish?"
"I don't know. I'll decide when I know it." C.C. shrugged. "And I'm here to help because Naruto aims to destroy Britannia like you and I will not allow my contractors to die."
She and Naruto shared a small smile which Lelouch noticed and wondered what their contract was.
"If I may ask," Sayoko spoke up, earning everyone's attention. "Would it be possible for me to obtain a Geass or this Rinnegan?"
That question surprised all three of them as they stared at the maid in surprise.
"Sayoko?!" Lelouch choked out.
"It makes sense, My Lord. Your father and an unknown number of servants of his possess Geass that are no doubt as powerful as yours. You would need something to counter that and I believe I can help." Sayoko explained.
Lelouch admitted she had a point but it was actually not up to him. He looked at Naruto and C.C. who starred the maid in thought.
"C.C? Naruto?" Lelouch asked, wondering what their answer would be.
"You do realize that once you gain a Geass or the Rinnegan you cannot take your choice back. You have no way of knowing what your Geass would be and you would be sharing your vision with the rest of us." Naruto pointed out.
"I am willing to accept the risks."
"Why?" C.C. frowned. "Neither of them are free and it must be granted through a trade in services. What would you be willing to give up?"
"I think we already know." Naruto smiled, earning their attention. "You want to protect Lelouch and Nunnally and you're willing to risk anything to protect them."
This was something Naruto could respect as anyone will risk their lives to protect those closest to their hearts was the kind of person that the world always needed.
"Yes." Sayoko nodded.
C.C. did something that no one in the room, not even Naruto, expected her to do.
She laughed. "It's not every day I see someone with so much devotion! I wonder what Lulu here did to earn this much loyalty!"
Lelouch frowned at the nickname that Shirley and Euphimia liked to use but said nothing as C.C. calmed down.
"All right, I will grant you one of the two powers. And since you're not only a maid but a skilled ninja I believe the Rinnegan will be more suitable for you but be warned you will feel unimaginable pain." C.C. warned as she stood up and walked up to Sayoko.
"I am ready. What must I do?" Sayoko asked.
"Simply allow me to touch your eyes." C.C. held out her finger touched Sayoko's eyes.
Naruto quickly drew seals on the walls and the door as this happened.
"What are you doing?" Lelouch asked.
"Like C.C. said this will hurt and she will scream. These seals will keep the room soundproof so your sister or everyone else on campus won't hear." Naruto said as he stood behind Sayoko and grabbed her shoulders to hold her down.
The Geass symbol glowed around the pupils of C.C.'s Rinnegan and instantly Sayoko let out a scream that lasted for a moment before she managed to grit her teeth, trying to deal with the pain. It took over five minutes for it to end. On one hand Lelouch was fascinated by how someone is granted this power but on the other hand he didn't like have to listen to sound of the woman who taken care of him and Nunnally since they were kids in pain.
"It's done." C.C. lowered her fingers five minutes later.
"Sayoko?" Lelouch knelt down in front of her as Naruto released her, allowing her to fall down onto her knees.
Sayoko lifted her head up to face him and slowly opened her eyes. Lelouch's eyes widened when her eyes stared back at his.
He saw those eyes, the Rinnegan staring back at him.
"I'm okay, Master. I'm okay." Sayoko whispered with a small smile.
Xxx
"So you gave her the Rinnegan?" Rakshata said, smirking down at the image of C.C. and Naruto on her laptop. "That explains the new vision I got."
"Well, we're letting you know ahead of time." C.C. answered, not really caring. "Naruto will be training Sayoko in how to use her chakra and new eyes since I went through the trouble of giving her the Rinnegan in the first place."
"Yeah, yeah." Naruto rolled his eyes. "Anyways, Rakshata-san, we're calling about the white nightmare we fought in Shinjuku."
Rakshata grinned. "The one you beautifully defeated and showed that annoying Earl of Pudding who's the best in the world?"
"Huh?"
"There is only one man who can make something this advanced, Lloyd Asplund. An Earl of Britannia and head of the research division Camelot. He's the only one who could have designed a Knightmare this advanced." Rakshata explained. "Evidently he's managed to create a shield that absorbed excess energy and circles it through the entire Frame. The shield is made of microscopic particles moving at near light speed but the shields do not simply project themselves out, otherwise they wouldn't have the shield shape. The particles were projected in a very specific angle held by an electromagnetic field which pulls them back in. Essentially the particles are 'retrieved' and their momentum is recycled into energy that charges the entire frame, enabling all systems to operate at 100% efficiency."
"Impressive for just using Core Luminous." C.C commented while Naruto nodded, pretending to understand all the science talk going over his head.
"It's nothing against my children. That shield had a flaw and you proved it when you overloaded it in the fight." Rakshata smirked victoriously. "An attack with the right amount of energy and when too much is absorbed it overloads. Lloyd will have to do a lot better than that if he wants to put even a scratch on my children."
"So it's just a massive overpowered toy." C.C. smirked. "Good to know."
"So, what is the next plan? Or is the newly famous Zero making the plans?" Rakshata asked.
"For now we're laying low and letting Zero's fame sit in. According to Lelouch the Pure Bloods are humiliated and the military is in chaos."
"And a new Viceroy is on the way." Rakshata commented. "They won't let an Area flourish without someone to take control for very long."
"Guess we'll have to wait and see who it is." Naruto sighed. "But we might end up contacting you for equipment and supplies since Zero will need all that to turn a bunch of ragtag terrorists into a battle hardened army."
"Well then, I guess I better get to work." Rakshata grinned eagerly. "I have a few ideas on what could help out."
"Good. Now I'm going to bed and Naruto is coming too. I have had a long day and he is going to help me unwind." C.C. said as she cut the connection with Naruto chuckling.
Rakshata quickly deactivated her Rinnegan since she didn't need those images in her head. She wouldn't be able to work and concentrate if she had.
'Still though, I wonder if any books Naruto makes will be inspired by him and C.C.' She couldn't help but wonder.
Xxx
Naruto awoke the second the sun shined down on him through his window and when he awoke the first thing he saw was green hair covering his face. The person yawned as she turned her head and looked up at him.
"Good morning." C.C. smiled as the sun lit up her beautiful face.
"Morning." Naruto smiled back as he leaned down and gave her quick kiss. "I take you've slept well."
C.C. smiled as she sat up, making no attempts to cover herself and allowed Naruto a perfect view. "I had some great dreams."
"I can imagine." Naruto commented as he sat up and C.C. wrapped her arms around him. "Looking for something."
"Yes." C.C. said as she pulled his lips to her and kept them together for five whole minutes.
They both had experience in holding their breath for a very long time. C.C. particularly enjoyed the contact, having been so disconnected from the world and humanity for so long. She had been so aloof and distant from the world that she had no longer believed she had the capacity to love anyone or anything. Sure she made acquaintances now and then, but she had long ago shut her heart off from truly caring.
At least until the blond man stealing her breath came into her life. Someone who gave her strength, gave her hope, gave her life back to her. Before she had nothing to live for, except to find someone to transfer her Code to so she could finally die. Her Code was gone; absorbed by a new power that allowed her body to be mortal despite the fact she would still live a long life.
But now she something to be happy about and hope for a future.
She remembered back to when she first gained her Geass and lost it, gaining the power of immortality. She wanted to die because she was alone, because she had no one or anything to live for. Now she had someone who could grant her wish.
Her wish to be loved.
'I wondered if my Code would allow me to have children but I never found any reason to try until now.' C.C. thought. 'Even if it's been eight centuries since my last period.'
"You're in a good mood today." Naruto said once they pulled away.
He never imagined he'd be in a relationship like this, despite his crush on Sakura or Hinata's crush on him. He pushed that all to the back of his mind during the battle with Obito and Madara and when he tried to stop Madara he resigned himself to the fact that he would die, not knowing he came into a completely new world. He was sad at first, who wouldn't be if they found out they would never see their friends and home again but perhaps the cycle of hate started with his ancestors would end now that he was in a different world with no chance of the battle continuing. And it was nice to have someone with him; it was a welcome feeling after all the battles and wars.
He stood up and walked over to get his school uniform.
"I am." C.C. said as she stood up, still nude as she walked over to the bathroom. "I happen to be in a very good mood today."
"Do you plan on moving? We wouldn't want to be late." Naruto asked.
"You mustn't rush a woman, Naruto. We have to prepare ourselves for the day, to make ourselves look beautiful for the commoners." C.C. answered as the shower came on.
"You talk like your royalty." Naruto smirked as he put his pants on.
"All women believe themselves to be royalty, even the modest ones." C.C. smirked. "And it helps that we can get men and even other woman to do anything we want. Like this. Shower. Now."
"I just got dressed." Naruto complained but smiled.
"Now."
Naruto rolled his eyes as he walked into the bathroom, closing the door. 'Ero-sennin would be dancing in his grave if he could see me now.'
Xxx
"Case Number 107: Private Suzaku Kururugi, Area Eleven Military Force. In the murder of his Highness Prince Clovis, you are no longer a suspect and are hereby set free due to lack of evidence." The judge banged his gavel.
The courtroom wasn't filled with much people to begin with and was completely emptied as soon as the judge dismissed his case. No defence lawyer, no prosecutor, just the judge waiting for him and dismissing his case before leaving quickly.
"Out of the way please!" A voice shouted.
Suzaku stopped and looked above, spotting a girl falling to the ground. 'What the-?!'
"Look out below!" The girl shouted as Suzaku dropped his bag and caught her with both arms.
She was very light as Suzaku realized as he managed to hold her up without any difficulty.
"Are you all right?" Suzaku asked as he set her down.
He took in her appearance, noticing her long pink hair and violet eyes that made him instinctively think 'beautiful' in his mind and at the same time wonder if he had seen her before.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't aware anyone was down here when I leapt." The girl said hurriedly.
"Well don't worry. I wasn't expecting a girl to come falling out of the sky and into my arms anyway." Suzaku shrugged off her apology.
The girl seemed to be staring at him for some reason. "Oh my."
Suzaku didn't realize that she instantly recognized him as the man who was accused of murdering Prince Clovis.
"Is something wrong?" Suzaku asked, wondering why she was staring.
The last thing he needed was to be accused of assaulting someone and end up arrested again.
"Oh. Yes there is something wrong. The truth is the bad guys are chasing me, so considering the circumstances could you help me? Please?" The girl asked.
Suzaku looked at her and then back up the window she had jumped out of. He knew something was off with her story but she was still Britannian while he was an honorary Britannian. Plus he couldn't say no to that pretty face of hers but he quickly squashed that thought as he nodded and led her away. He quickly put on sunglasses to hide his identity since many Britannians would still harbor feelings of suspicion and resentment for him.
"We haven't introduced ourselves, have we? My name is…." She turned away for a second before finishing. "Euphie."
"Euphie?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes, Euphie."
Suzaku decided to introduce himself. "My name is-"
"Don't tell me. Cause I already know it. You're a celebrity, Son of Prime Minister Genbu Kururugi, Private Suzaku Kururugi." The girl cut him off.
Suzaku quickly looked around before speaking. "You lied before. There's no one chasing you, right?"
When she didn't answer Suzaku turned back to see she was a few feet away now, talking to a pair of cats with of them having an injured paw.
"Meow, meow, meow. Aw, does the kitty's paw hurt? Oh!" Both cats hissed at her but Euphie still reached out to it. "Meow, meow, meow."
The instant she touched the cat's head it seemingly changed its mind and allowed her to pet it. The second cat stared before accepting the girl's other hand.
"Meow. Meow." Euphie smiled as she picked up the cats.
She held out the them for Suzaku to pet but the cat obviously didn't like him as the second he tried the first one bit down on his finger.
"Oh my!" Euphie gasped.
Suzaku tried to pull his finger back but the cat seemed to determined not to let go. It took a moment for Suzaku to pull his finger free. The second cat seemed to purr at seeing Suzaku flinch.
"Are you okay, Suzaku?" Euphie asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. See, no blood?" Suzaku held up his finger.
"We should bandage it just in case and fix this little guy's paw." The cats meowed and snuggled into Euphie arms with both of them purring. "Aw, so cute."
"How do you think that one cat got hurt anyways?" Suzaku said as they started walking again.
"Arthur says he had a bad landing, right Arthur?" Euphie asked.
The cat seemed to understand as it answered with a meow.
"Arthur?"
"Uh uh. That's his name." Euphie answered like it was obvious. "And the other cat's name is Merlin."
Suzaku smiled and had to keep himself from laughing. "Did he introduce himself?"
"No. But Arthur's his name, all the same." Euphie answered with a humorous smile.
They finally reached the store where Suzaku bandaged his finger while Euphie bandaged Arthur's paw who just sat and waited for her to finish.
"Do you have trouble with cats?" Euphie asked as she finished.
"I like them just fine." Suzaku tried to pet Arthur again but cat once again hissed at him. "The attraction isn't mutual however."
"I think unrequited love is the mark of a kind person."
The second Euphie was done both of the cats took off running down the street.
"Aw, the kitties ran away." Euphie said sadly.
In a nearby ally the cats stopped and the second one began to change with its black fur becoming blue with a flaming pattern and its eyes changed with one remaining yellow but the other turning green. As if that was not enough the cat's single tail split into two. The cat Euphie had named Arthur did not seem to care as he just sat and stared at the other cat's new appearance and meowed.
"I know, I know. A deal's a deal." The flaming cat said with a sigh. "I'll find you a place where you can get plenty of fish."
Arthur meowed happily.
'A new world with strange new things, including a cat that seems to know what I am. Kurama will be annoyed when I show him cats are smarter than foxes. The cat thought. 'But seriously, Merlin? Can't she tell what a cat's gender is?'
Xxx
Lelouch sat down on the bench and looked through the newspaper reports on Suzaku, looking to see if the official statement on him being innocent was released yet. He thought over what he had learned last night and realized that even with his Geass he was remarkably unprepared for his war against Britannia, especially since his father, the Knight of the One, and fifty others had Geass as well.
'If I am going to fight against Britannia I'll need an army with me. Naruto and C.C.'s powers will greatly help but I'll need more.'
Lelouch was shaken from his thoughts as a shadow fell over him and when he looked up he saw the blue eyes and red hair of only one person who had those traits.
"Lelouch, could you do me a favor?" Kallen asked.
"Sure, what is it?" Lelouch asked, putting the paper he was reading away.
"Yesterday I got a phone call from someone" Kallen explained.
"Call?" Lelouch asked, wondering if she was suspicious again.
Didn't he manage convince her he wasn't Zero?
"It was after Rivalz spilled champagne on me," Kallen said with a blush on her face. "I got a call when I was in the bathroom."
Lelouch managed to keep himself from smirking. "Yeah?"
"I want to contact that person again. Can you find out what the caller ID was?"
Lelouch suppressed the urge to sigh in relief. "Sorry but it was a school call. Our phones don't have caller ID and the principal is the only one who can access the call history. Not even Milly has access to those records."
Kallen didn't seem shocked or saddened. "I see. Thanks anyways."
"No problem." Lelouch looked behind her and noticed Naruto leaning against a tree as he and C.C. made out.
Kallen looked to where he was looking. "They sure like doing that, don't they?"
"Yes." Lelouch sighed.
C.C. pulled away from Naruto and smirked over at Lelouch. "Oh, hello Lelouch. Are you in the middle of asking Kallen out?"
Lelouch and Kallen's eyes widened as they sputtered. "Wh-what?!"
"I seem to recall how cute you said Kallen looked the other day." Naruto commented.
Kallen blushed as Lelouch's eyebrow twitched.
"In fact, Rivalz even went and suggested to the Student Council that you and Kallen got it on." C.C. continued, putting a finger to her chin.
"WHAT?!" Both of them shouted at once.
"Don't look at us. We're only saying what we heard." Naruto shrugged.
"I BARELY EVEN KNOW LELOUCH! WHY WOULD DO THAT TO SOMEONE I DON'T EVEN KNOW!" Kallen shouted, her sickly persona slipping for a second.
'Wow. She could be a long lost Uzumaki somehow lost through dimensions.' Naruto thought, seeing similarities between Kallen and the infamous Uzumaki temper that many of the women, including his own mother were famous for.
Lelouch had to step back, afraid Kallen would turn her wrath on him. "Uh, Naruto, Tsunade, you two asked me to show you some of the clubs, right?"
"Oh right. Thank you for remembering, Lelouch." C.C complimented sweetly, so sweet that Lelouch had to gag as he dragged them away.
Xxx
"Are you trying to draw attention to yourselves?" Lelouch asked when they made it to the roof. "The military is looking for both of you and you keep on drawing attention to yourselves."
"Relax. The military won't be looking for us in the middle of their 'Orange' problems and preparing for the new Viceroy." C.C. retorted as she walked over the railing. "Hm? What is she doing?"
Down below a girl was drawing on the nearby wall with a piece of chalk.
"She's doing it again?" Lelouch walked over the railing.
"Again?" C.C. asked.
"Did you use your Geass on her?" Naruto asked, frowning in distaste.
"She's going to be marking that wall everyday because I used my Geass to make her do it." Lelouch answered. "I need to know the specs of my weapon and if what you said before about my father and an unknown number of people under his command having Geass is true I need to understand this power. That still doesn't answer my question."
"Trust us; we both have experience moving without being seen. By the way, what made you come up with that Orange idea? The military's going nuts and the rebels reacting to it is not helping." Naruto commented, ignoring the distaste at Lelouch controlling a student.
"Both were part of my plan. As for Orange that was random. It's just something I made up. But the more they look and find nothing the darker their suspicions about what it might be will become." Lelouch answered before frowning. "You have one of those…Shadow Clones training Sayoko?"
"Yep. My Shadow Clone is working with Sayoko on how to use her Rinnegan and control her chakra. I also have one disguised as her so Nunnally won't know she's gone." Naruto nodded. "Turns out Sayoko inherited the power of the Animal Path."
"The path that summons animals." Lelouch said, remembering powers of the Six Paths that Naruto had told him about.
"Appropriate for her, huh? With the Animal Path she can see everything the animals see, making it easier to track her targets or keep a better eye on you and Nunnally." Naruto pointed out with a smirk.
Lelouch nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's a very valuable ability. It could be used to perform long range reconnaissance against multiple targets."
"Plus dealing with us as students is easier than us sitting in your room all day." C.C. remarked, leaning against the railing and looking out over the courtyard.
Lelouch had to admit C.C. had a point.
"Now then…" Naruto turned around as a cat with flaming blue fur and to Lelouch's surprise two tails landed on the railing behind him. "I see you made it, Matatabi."
Lelouch was further surprised until it spoke. "Thank you for waiting, Naruto-sama."
"What in the…" Lelouch stepped back as he looked at the cat.
"Matatabi was keeping tabs on your friend for us." Naruto explained.
"Really?" Lelouch asked, surprised and a little eager to know what happened to his friend.
"Yes. He was acquitted of all charges and released an hour ago." Matatabi nodded. "He's currently leading a girl to Shinjuku."
"At least he was acquitted." Lelouch sighed. "After all this time I never thought he'd retain his foolish naïve attitude but he is still as stubborn as ever."
"I noticed that and something else." Naruto replied. "When Suzaku left I felt feelings of shame and regret. He feels hollow, like he has done something horrible and believes he was never punished for it. It's almost like he's…resigned himself to suffer and die. Can you think of anything that might have happened to him to make him feel like that?"
Lelouch looked at Naruto as he thought it over. "Resigned himself to suffer and die? Hmm...I know that his father committed suicide when Britannia invaded and that threw the entire command structure into disarray. Perhaps that is the trauma."
"A parent committing suicide?" Naruto frowned. "That's not what I sensed. He thinks he's done something horrible, something that he believes cannot be redeemed."
"Perhaps there is more to him and what truly happened to his father than you think." C.C. suggested.
"You believe he killed his father? Ridiculous. Suzaku is too honorable to do such a thing." Lelouch refused to hear this.
"Fine. It doesn't matter at this point." Naruto gave up. "Actually we should start looking in who to recruit. We'll need not just more recruits but we'll also need equipment, medic officers on standby and a base. That group that helped rescue Kururugi is just one group."
"I plan to look into it." Lelouch replied. "In the meantime we'll have to keep a low profile for now. I'll let you know when I find something for a base."
"Good, then in the meantime we should start setting up a proper funding for the rebels." Naruto smiled.
"Hm?" Lelouch raised an eyebrow. "Funding?"
"While the military is in disarray we can use the time to steal some equipment and get our hands on a large amount of money that we'll need to finance this rebellion." Naruto explained.
"And what did you have in mind?" Lelouch asked, interested in what Naruto was thinking.
"Two words: Shadow Clones."
Xxx
"So this is your replacement? A couple of students?" A man in his late fifties laughed as Lelouch walked in, followed by Naruto and C.C.
"So, another nobleman? I hope this one actually presents a challenge." Lelouch said as he walked towards the chess table and looked at the nervous old man that was around the same age as his opponent who had been waiting for Lelouch. "You remember our deal?"
"Yes, I remember." The man nodded wearily.
"And you are?" The rude nobleman asked as Lelouch sat down on a fancy seat.
"Lelouch Lamperouge." Lelouch answered as he picked up a king piece.
"I don't know if you've noticed, boy but it's impossible for you to win." The man sneered at the foolish boy who chose to be his opponent's substitute. "Starting with the king is a foolish mistake."
"Hm, ten minutes. That's all it will take." Lelouch said as he made his first move.
Xxx
(Seven minutes and fifty five seconds later)
"That was hilarious!" Naruto laughed as the trio exited the building, laughing at the look on the man's face after Lelouch said checkmate.
"There isn't a noble in the entire settlement that can play a decent game of chess." Lelouch said as he pocketed all the money he had won into the bag.
"Nothing new as nobles are often born with more money than brains." C.C. commented with a smirk as she too enjoyed the look on both of their faces as Lelouch easily won.
"Seeing how much time has been spent playing these nobles and all the money won I must admit I'm envious of your Shadow Clone ability. With three clones you created disguised as us we don't have to worry about being missed or worry about Shirley calling me if she suspects I'm gambling again." Lelouch remarked. "But unfortunately I can only play a couple of these nobles a week or else they'll stop allowing me to play."
"Then we find another way." Naruto smirked deviously. "Know any good casinos?"
"As a matter of fact I do." Lelouch couldn't help but smirk along with C.C.
It turned out that Lelouch was talking about the largest casino in the settlement which was no surprise to his two companions as they knew Lelouch usually gambled a lot to come up with money for himself and Nunnally.
"All right, by splitting the money we each have over 15,000 pounds worth of chips so I suggest you both spend it wisely. If an attendant comes and asks you to leave you do it, do not argue with them." Lelouch said as he split the cast between the three of them in the lobby.
"Trust me, Lelouch, I've been to my share of casinos and even put a few out of business. I know how to play." Naruto replied.
"All right." Lelouch nodded. "Meet back here in four hours and exchange the chips you get for cash."
With that said the three split up, each choosing what games they would play. Naruto chose to play cards, already experienced with playing poker while Lelouch took the coin slot machines and C.C. chose to play a few dice games. A lot of gamblers went home crying that day over their lost money while three students walked out with victorious smiles on their faces.
Naruto had won over 4 900,000 pounds while Lelouch had won 4 500,000 pounds and C.C. won 3 107,000 pounds.
"I see what you mean in funding the rebels." Lelouch smirked in satisfaction. "I'll be keeping 500,000 for myself and Nunnally but once we set up a way to budget the money."
"Then you'll like the next part of our plan. I hear that a lot ruckus is going on with the Purists for the whole Orange thing. Seriously, Orange?" Naruto remarked.
"I made it up off the top of my head." Lelouch answered, not bothering to defend himself.
"What Naruto is trying to say is that we can use this as a chance to gather information and equipment." C.C. spoke up.
Lelouch was silent but he considered it for a second and nodded. "I agree. But how will we get past all the security? Do you have another special power that you have yet to show?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." Naruto smirked dangerously.
Xxx
Jeremiah Gottwald knew he was in trouble and might end up in prison because of this whole 'Orange' investigation. Already he knew of rumors between nobility and soldiers that declared him a traitor for releasing Kururugi and letting Zero escape. And the worst part was that he couldn't remember anything about Orange or helping Zero escape, the same man who murdered Prince Clovis. If he didn't do something soon he'd be disgraced and thrown in jail.
Then he got a call about Zero being spotted in the Shinjuku Ghetto and was now rushing down the street in his Sutherland. "You are certain the information is accurate? Zero has been spotted in Sector 4 of the Ghetto?"
"Yes. Lord Kewel contacted me."
"Very well, set up a cordon around Shinjuku Sector 4 immediately." Jeremiah replied with a determined frown.
Xxx
"Yes sir. Cordoning Sector 4." The officer leaned back with a grin. "Well Lord Kewl, the ball is in your court now."
His celebration was ended as he felt a sword touching the back of his head.
"I was hoping to speak to Lord Jeremiah but I can see you're busy." Villetta Nu stated coldly.
Xxx
The Viceroy's Palace was surprisingly spacious, even the Viceroy Clovis was dead and his replacement had yet to arrive. It served as the primary base of operations of Area Eleven's military operations and civilian life style. Due to the death of Clovis and the humiliation of the Purists, the Palace was on complete lock down with no appointments scheduled until after the new Viceroy arrives and cleans up the mess that had been created.
"This is crazy." Lelouch whispered as the three walked past the multiple guards and nobles as they explored the palace.
"We'll only get caught if you're too loud." Naruto whispered back.
The reason why they have been caught is because Naruto and C.C. had used a Camouflage Jutsu to hide themselves and Lelouch who had to touch Naruto's shoulder to remain hidden. They walked through Central Control Office, making sure to not bump into the numerous guards and nobles that occupied the place.
"There are too many. We can't get anything with all of these people here." Lelouch grunted.
Naruto spotted an office with the name Jeremiah labelled on it and directed C.C. and Lelouch to it, making sure no one was watching as the three slipped into his office and quickly closed the door while remaining quiet.
"Suckers." Naruto chuckled sinisterly.
Lelouch spotted the computer on Jeremiah's desk and turned it on. "I think I can hack this. Keep an eye on the door. He left the computer and didn't bother to turn it off. He must have been really anxious to get down to Shinjuku." He took out a USB and connected it to the computer. "Since Orange boy didn't turn off his computer or close off his files nothing on this computer is encrypted. I can download all available information on Britannia's military bases, equipment, and personnel including communication and security codes."
"Thus making it easier for us to take down Britannia here and liberate Japan." C.C. surmised as Lelouch downloaded the information. "You can even use the information here to gather allies from the E.U. or the Chinese Federation."
"One step at a time." Lelouch said as he disconnected the USB from the computer. "Time to go."
"Then I should I leave a few gifts for the military." Naruto grinned as he made a hand sign and in a puff of smoke what looked like a butterfly appeared in his hands. "A friend to keep an eye on things for us."
Lelouch nodded as he and C.C. put their hands on Naruto's outstretched hand. When they did that they all vanished in a flash of yellow light.
Xxx
Suzaku could only look on grimly at the wasteland Shinjuku had been reduced to. He didn't know why Euphie wanted to come here but despite his warnings she insisted on coming here.
"The Shinjuku Ghetto, ruined again. The residences were just starting to return." Suzaku said.
All those people, all those men, woman, and children, dead because a few refused to let the system work and try to change things for the better.
"Man, they didn't use RG on the Elevens. I figured they wouldn't."
"Hey, those are marks from hummer rounds! Get a clear shot of it."
Despite Suzaku not approving of Elevens fighting Britannia, didn't he like to see his peoples' suffering as the amusement for a bunch of stuck-up Britannians either. However, he knew that he was an Honorary Britannian and that he could do nothing to stop them. It all just made his resolve stronger. Beside him, Euphie was having similar thoughts. Unfortunately, not everyone shared their thoughts.
A trio of Elevens decided that they had to punish the students for their tourism into the ghettos. One of them, a loud-mouthed man with reddish-brown hair ran right up to them and knocked a camera out of one of the student's hands
"Get outta here you Britannian bastards!"
The students seemed too scared to do anything and Suzaku knew how this would end. Not willing to let more unnecessary blood be shed, Suzaku dropped his bags and spoke clearly to Euphie.
"Stay here!" He then ran up to where the fighting was about to begin.
"How dare a lowly Eleven speak to us like…"
"Don't call me an Eleven!" the loud-mouth shouted. "I'm Japanese!"
"Wrong," The other student sneered. "You seem to forget you people lost. You're nothing but a beaten dog."
"You racist pig!" the man shouted back, ignoring his own hypocrisy.
"Stop, please, no violence!" Suzaku ran up the hill and tried to grab the shouting man.
"Stay outta this!" he shouted back, taking a swipe.
He only succeeded in knocking Suzaku's sunglasses off, exposing his face. "You…are you, Suzaku Kururugi?"
"The guy who killed Clovis?"
"No you idiot, Zero's the one who killed him."
Suzaku looked away, sad that even his own people didn't trust him.
But the man that had been shouting wasn't finished. "Tsk, this guy's nothing more than a slave. Big deal, you're an Honorary Britannian. Nobody cares. You sold your pride, your people, your soul, and yet you call yourself Japanese!"
"No, you're wrong…"
"I am NOT wrong you stinking Britannian lap dog!"
The man moved to punch Suzaku but he was ready. Using the training given to him by Tohdoh-sensei and the Britannian military, Suzaku planted his feet, grabbed the man's outstretched wrist, and gripped the collar of his shirt. Using the man's own forward momentum, Suzaku flipped him over and onto his back in half a second, shocking the other Elevens and the Britannians. However, that single move wasn't enough for the man as he quickly stood up and got ready to fight again.
"Stop please. I warn you, I've been trained in military combat, don't make me fight my own people."
"Like Hell we're you're people!"
"Come on Tamaki," one of the other Elevens said, "just let it go."
He and the third Eleven began walking away. The loud-mouth grunted, but without the backup of his buddies, reluctantly left, but not before muttering 'lousy traitor' just loud enough for Suzaku to hear.
"Suzaku?" Euphie asked, appearing with his bag. "Are you O.K.?"
"Yeah."
"Well I'm not O.K." the student with the camera whined. "Just look at my Prime G, and my LX4."
"Why did you wait?" his friend shouted. "Damn it, some Honorary citizen you are."
"Why'd you let 'em go, you should've killed them. What's a few dead Elevens to a guy like you? Who do you thinks' taken care of you all these years anyway?"
Euphie, having enough, marched right up to the student and did something that surprised Suzaku and both the students, she slapped him. Stunned, the student dropped his camera, breaking it further.
"I will not allow you to insult this man any further you oaf!" Euphie shouted back, sounding completely different which surprised everyone.
Xxx
Class along the whole day flew by very quickly for some reason but no one was complaining as Lelouch sat at his desk, looking at his laptop while C.C. sat on his bed, snacking on pizza while Naruto sat cross legged on the floor with a bowl of hot ramen. Scattered before them were magazines and newspapers featuring Zero.
Lelouch sat down at his desk, looking at his laptop. "To use my Geass, I need to have eye contact with the subject. Transparent objects, like eyeglasses present no problem. The effective range is 270 meters and as you already know the subject has no memory of events before, during, or after the power is used. I think this is due to damage caused by the Geass interfering with the brain of the subject. Also if the signal is optical I can reflect it."
"Just a few days and you've figured out a lot." Naruto commented, seeing Lelouch's intellect was similar to Nara Shikamaru.
"In light of what you have told me, I have to gain every advantage I need. If my own Geass has a weakness than logically so does my father. And then there is the fact that my enemy is an empire controlling a third of the planet." Lelouch walked over to the window. "There's no such thing as being too careful. What about you two? Don't you know anything about your Rinnegan?"
That was an interesting question.
Naruto and C.C. had worked hard to familiarize themselves with their Rinnegan, intent on discovering every power that their eyes now possessed. They discovered they could use the Six Paths technique, use any elemental ninjutsu and sub-element like the Rinnegan was rumored to use but they both knew the fusion of C.C.'s Code and Naruto's heritage had possibly had a few differences. Naruto's Unity Geass allowed anyone affected to be linked to Naruto's conscious and feel his emotions. C.C. shared this power through their link and they found they still had much to learn about their new powers.
Naruto now understood why the original Sage of the Six Paths was hailed as a god considering how powerful his eyes were in the hands of Nagato, Obito, and Madara.
"Charles has perfect control over his Geass and I have yet to figure out if it has a weakness aside from having a Code or the Rinnegan to block it." C.C. pointed out, changing the subject. "He is not just the Emperor of Britannia he is Britannia, the power that controls a third of the world."
Lelouch looked out the window, seeing Nunnally with Sayoko, or rather the Shadow Clone disguised as her. "Is it good to be strong?"
Xxx
"Is it bad to be weak?" Suzaku looked down at the rubble that littered the place around him. "Back when I was ten, the world seemed to be such a terribly sad place, without any hope at all."
Xxx
"Starvation."
"Disease."
"Filth."
"Decay."
"Racism."
"Constant war and terrorism."
"Life in a never ending cycle of hate."
"Rats running in a wheel."
"The cycle must be broken. Somebody has to do it." Lelouch and Suzaku said at the same time.
Xxx
"How idealistic." C.C. glanced at Naruto who seemed to be staring more intently at Lelouch.
"I'm not that arrogant. And so-" Lelouch replied.
Xxx
"No one should lose more of the people they love. At least, a world without war." Suzaku continued.
Xxx
"How would you do it?" Euphie/C.C. asked.
Xxx
"It's simple." Lelouch knocked down the king piece on his chess board. "When someone wins, the fighting will end."
"Someone?" C.C asked.
Naruto scoffed. "Are you so sure of that?"
Lelouch looked over at Naruto who had been silent. "And how do you think it will end?"
"Britannia conquered Japan eight years ago and the Japanese continue to fight, hating Britannia for the invasion, their defeat, humiliation, starvation, and suffering with every fiber of their being. Even if you manage to liberate Japan or strike down the Emperor you will be the focus of Britannia's rage for defeating them, shattering their image of superiority. The cycle of hatred does not end when one side wins a war, it is simply passed down the next generation who then rise up to conquer their enemies for revenge, their own belief in superiority, resources, and any other kind of reason they can think of." Naruto explained. "If you wish to end the hate you must do more than defeat your enemy. You must find a way to change them, to understand them."
"Change them? Understand them?" Lelouch asked, not understanding entirely what Naruto was saying. "How is understanding my enemy going to change them?"
"What greater weapon is there than to turn an enemy to your cause? To use their own knowledge against them?" C.C. rhetorically asked.
"Everyone has their own reasons to fight and it is those reasons that will drive them to do the worst things imaginable in name of either revenge, loyalty, love of fighting, and even peace. Understand these people and what motivates them and you'll have more allies than just Japanese terrorists." Naruto stated.
"And how would I do that?" Lelouch asked.
"That's not a question that you can just ask and expect an answer. Become a leader by understanding your subordinates first, and then look to others who fight for whatever reason they have before deciding if they are an enemy…or someone who you might end up relying on in the future." Naruto went back to eating his ramen, leaving Lelouch to contemplate his words.
Lelouch turned back to the laptop and brought up the comm channel for Villetta's Sutherland as he wondered what was going on in the Shinjuku Ghetto.
Xxx
"I don't know how you'd do it, but if I stopped trying, then my father's death will be in vain." Suzaku looked down at the clock that had belonged to his father.
"The Prime Minister's death?" Euphie asked.
"My father died because the war demanded his sacrifice!" Suzaku gripped the watch tightly in his grip.
"Suzaku, you and I bear a similar pain. You lost your father just I have lost my brother-"
An explosion rang the ghetto, earning everyone's attention.
"What in the world?" Euphie asked before Suzaku grabbed her hand and started pulling her away to get her out of the ghetto.
They both didn't get far before a large truck pulled up in front of them and a familiar woman revealed herself when she opened the door. "Suzaku! It's dangerous out here! Get inside now!"
"What's going on?" Suzaku asked.
"The Purebloods are having another silly little squabble so we better get out of here." Lloyd revealed himself in the passenger seat with his usual smirk when he saw Suzaku. "Oh and by the way, what a shame about your acquittal. Seems you'll be working for me again."
"Wait a second! Is the Lancelot repaired?" Suzaku asked.
"Well, yes." Cecile answered, confused.
Lloyd grinned. "And what are you planning, dear Suzaku?"
"This would be a good chance to gather data and test out the Lancelot to make sure it's fully functional." Suzaku explained.
Lloyd didn't answer but his grin widened with childish glee in his eyes.
"Suzaku." Euphie started.
"Sorry, Euphie but we have to say goodbye." Suzaku said to her before turning back to Lloyd. "I think the Lancelot can stop them…I need to do this…I must!"
Lloyd giggled excitingly as he flipped a switch on the dashboard and the back of the truck opened up to reveal the Lancelot which Suzaku ran up to and jumped into the cockpit.
'So that's the Lancelot.' Euphie thought. 'It really does look like a knight.'
Xxx
Jeremiah Gottwald growled within the cockpit of his Knightmare. He had come looking for Zero and he ended up ambushed by his own comrades. Now one of the attacking Knightmares was down and a second was heavily damaged, but the other two were still fully working while his had sustained heavy damage.
"This is Gottwald! All of you stand down!" Jeremiah shouted. "Whoever is behind this insubordination I demand you show yourself!"
"Who else but a true Britannian of course?" A familiar voice asked. "Jeremiah, you're going to pay for letting Prince Clovis's murderer go free!"
"Kewell you bastard!" Jeremiah called out. "There was no sighting of Zero here. You just fed me that story to lure me out!"
"Your cowardice will not stand." Kewell answered. "We shall wipe this stain before Princess Cornella takes up her post here. We will be pure once more!"
"I am no coward! You surround me and use tricks and lies and you call this honest combat!?" Jeremiah demanded furiously.
"More lies. All hail Britannia!"
With those last words, Kewell and his remaining two men rushed forward in a Y-formation, their lances ready to skewer him. Jeremiah was a man who could brush off comments and insults, especially since he had to deal with rumors of him as a traitor and his new 'Orange' title. But he would not stand by and let these fools kill him. Timing his moves carefully, Jeremiah reminded Kewell just why he was an elite pilot.
With some quick manoeuvring, Jeremiah avoided two of the lances and struck the already damaged Knightmare with his left Stun Tonfa. The hit further damaged the Knightmare enough that the pilot was forced to eject, but it cost Jeremiah. The third lance struck his right arm and he had to detach it or risk exploding along with it. This left him completely defenceless.
"Don't worry Jeremiah, you're family's name won't be disgraced by this. We'll just tell the Princess that you were lost in battle. Now die."Before Kewell's lance could pierce his Knightmare, a Slash Harken suddenly appeared and cut him off.
The three pilots turned to see the white Knightmare Lancelot retract the Harken. 'At last, I thought he'd never get here. Thankfully Lloyd managed to repair it but he won't be happy I took it out without telling him.'
"Stop please, you're all Britannian soldiers! There's no need for this senseless fighting!"
"The Special Corp should stay out of this!" Kewell shouted back at Kururugi. "Interlopers will die along with Orange!"
"No! I won't allow this!" The Lancelot drew its Maser Vibration Swords in a show of force, but Kewell would not back down.
He fired his own Slash Harkens at the Knightmare but they were quickly beaten down by the advanced swords. He then tried to use his lance but that too was cut by the swords, leaving Kewell without a weapon.
'Private Kururugi?' Jeremiah thought, shocked that the same Eleven he accused of killing Clovis had just saved his life.
The last Knightmare rushed into, lance ready. Jeremiah saw that Kururugi couldn't protect him and he knew that he couldn't avoid this attack. He was going to die right here. 'My Lady, please forgive me for failing to protect you and your children!'
However, before the lance struck, another Pureblood Knightmare appeared and crashed into the attacking one. The pilot was forced to eject and the new Knightmare took up a defensive position in front of Jeremiah.
"Villetta!"
"Lord Jeremiah." Villetta spoke through the speakers.
"Villetta, you have my thanks."
Villetta nodded and looked over at the Lancelot. "Isn't that-"
"I'm aware of who's piloting it, Villetta." Jeremiah said, smirking at the irony of being saved by someone he tried to have killed.
Kewell knew he was beaten. His entire squad been taken out, and Jeremiah was now backed up by not only Villetta Nu, but the advance weapon Lancelot. There was no way he could take them all on, especially since he had only one weapon left, but he had to try.
"Jeremiah, this isn't the end." A hatch opened on the side of Kewell's Knightmare and a cylinder popped out. "I'm using a Chaos Mine!"
The three other pilots were shocked that the rebellious lord was still fighting and that he would use such a weapon.
"No! Stop now!"
"What?" Suzaku recognized that voice, it was Euphie's.
Turning, he saw the pinkette running out into the arena where the battle was taking place, right in the danger zone of the mine.
"Princess Euphemia!"Jeremiah recognized his prince's sister right away. 'What is she doing here?!'
"Now die, Orange scum!"
As quickly as he could, he rushed his Knightmare to protect the princess, but he knew that he wouldn't make it in time; his Knightmare was too badly damaged. Suzaku didn't even think. He crossed the Lancelot's arms and quickly activated the Blaze Luminous shielding, not even knowing if it would protect them from the shrapnel or not. The shield easily deflected the fire away, but Suzaku had to struggle to keep the shields in place as the force the mine was giving off threatened to knock them away.
A quick look at his energy readings showed that the Blaze Luminous was eating through his available power. If the attack kept up, he wouldn't be able to keep the shields on for more than a few seconds. If that happened, they would all die. While Kururugi was blocking the shrapnel, Jeremiah reached the princess and grabbed her with his only working arm and turned his Knightmare to better protect her until the mine finished.
"Lord Jeremiah!"
"I'm alright Villetta." Checking behind him, Jeremiah saw that the mine was spent and that the Lancelot's shields were down. Looking back at the princess, he saw that she was unharmed and smiling up at him.
"Please, Sir Knight, put me down. The rest of you, lower your weapons!" As soon as she was down on the ground, she walked straight to the center of the arena so that they all could see her. "I am Euphemia li Britannia of the Empire and the Third Princess of the Royal Family! I am taking charge here, so all forces fall back!"
"Euphie?" Suzaku was shocked.
Euphie was a princess of Britannia? She was Lelouch's sister!? He had spent the whole day with a princess of the Empire and didn't even know it!
Xxx
"Euphy?" Lelouch muttered in shock and wonder as he heard the voice of one of his favourite and closest half sibling. "So you are here. Then that must mean that the new Viceroy is…"
Xxx
"I heard what you did today, Euphemia. You shouldn't be so reckless."
Euphemia watched as her older sister stopped before her and the line of assembled men waiting to greet her. "I know, sister. Forgive me but-"
"You will address me as Viceroy, Sub-Viceroy Euphemia." The woman interrupted. "Because we're sisters we need to follow a strict protocol."
"Yes, I understand." Euphemia nodded.
"Now then," The woman looked over to the man standing next to her. "Vice-Minister, give me your report."
"Yes, My Lady." The man saluted. "The first order of business is a welcome feast in your honour, followed by a formal addressing-"
That was all he got before he found himself with a gun pointed at his head by the woman. Euphie gasped when she saw the gun.
"Sloppy. Senile. Corrupt." The woman said quietly but everyone could hear the anger and disgust in her voice. "Where is Zero?! I want the enemy of the Empire caught! Get Zero!"
Viceroy Cornelia li Britannia had arrived and she was out for blood.
*Chapter 5*: Chapter 5Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
The orange tinted sky was a beautiful sight before him as he took the chance to study this world. He heard footsteps behind him but didn't turn around as he already knew who it was.
"You called for me, Charles?" A childish young male voice asked.
"I was just in contact with Clovis and he's told me some interesting news. We have a new piece on the board."
"Oh? And who would that be?"
"Lelouch." A female voice, just as young as the first voice answered.
"He killed Clovis?" The boy asked, slightly surprised but remained calm. "So he's managed to survive after all."
"He did and he was given a Geass by C.C." Charles answered, smirking. "She managed to escape Clovis and Bartley."
"So she's probably hiding out with him. It makes sense since C.C. has shown an interest in Lelouch since the day he was born. What does not make sense is the fact that I have been unable to contact C.C. for months, long before she met Lelouch." The girl frowned. "It's as if she was able to sever our connection."
"So, you believe that she might have decided to abandon our contract. Then we can no longer confirm if she's in Area 11 or not." Charles frowned.
"Yes." The girl nodded, sharing Charles's unease.
Aside from his lover's ability to speak to C.C. through their link Charles should have been able to sense C.C.'s Code through the all knowing presence of C's World. However a few months ago something happened. He could almost literally hear C's World screaming as C.C.'s Code vanished but a part of somehow remained as C.C. couldn't have given Lelouch a Geass without her Code. That wasn't the strangest part though.
As if that wasn't bad enough he later learned from V.V. that the Sword of Akasha had been severally damaged by a pulse of energy around the same time he felt C.C.'s Code vanish. His brother had been working day and night to understand what happened they both knew that the boy that had been with C.C. was responsible. Then there was a similar energy pulse that while was non-threatening to the Sword of Akasha and the repair team it was a becoming a concern to their plans. And he remembered seeing those eyes…
As he watched C's World the golden light showed him a pair of eyes, eyes with multiple rings surrounding the tiny black pupil with a purple sclera, and the Geass symbol flashing violet instead of the signature that all Geass users show when they activate their Geass under the pupil that made those eyes all the more fierce with their piercing stare.
'What sort of power can destroy an immortal's Code but allow them to continue granting Geass to anyone? If C.C.'s Code is gone our plan will be in ruins unless we can find another Code bearer but even if I can learn if there is another out there it will take a long time to find them.' Charles thought.
He had no idea how many Codes existed in the world thanks to direct contact with C's World but he always believed there more than two. The first beings to make contact with C's World gained the first Geass which later evolved into the Code, granting immortality and the power to grant Geass onto others. Various leaders well known throughout history relied on the power of Geass to become kings, queens, and famous leaders that were renowned throughout history. The Code would transfer from host to host once a Geass was fully evolved, allowing the user to take the Code from the one who granted them the Power of the King.
A Code Bearer was considered to be immortal and the Power of the Code was considered to be indestructible. After all the Code was what connected mortals to the Collective Unconscious Mind of Humanity itself, allowing its hosts to become immortal and grant Geass, the Power of Absolute Immortality itself. So what is strong enough that it could destroy a power thought to be indestructible? Charles shook his head when he saw the boy was about to speak.
"Perhaps it's the work of the boy Bartley captured in India." The girl suggested. "We never did discover who he was or where he came from."
"That strange boy escaped after slaughtering the staff there showed some strange power. Perhaps she gave him a Geass but didn't have time to rescue C.C." The boy commented. "If she made a contract with him perhaps she decided that we should not know about him, given his strange abilities. It's possible her attempt to give him a Geass has unseen affects."
"C.C. was stolen by Eleven Terrorists who thought they were stealing poisonous gas. I do not know how Lelouch got involved but she must have forged a contract with him and he was the one who defeated Clovis's force in Shinjuku. Those two strange Knightmares that defeated Schnizel's toy being there were likely sneaked into Area 11 by Kyoto but they will be useful to Lelouch." Charles spoke, memorizing everything he had learned from Clovis perfectly. "Lelouch used his Geass on Clovis to learn about what happened that night eight years ago."
"He can read minds?" The boy asked.
"No. He has the power to command anyone to do what he wants from what I saw inside Clovis's mind." Charles smirked.
"The power to control people's wills." The girl smirked. "As expected of my son."
"And now he'll use it to take revenge on you since he blames you for that night." The boy continued, ignoring the girl twitching an eyebrow.
"He will. He won't stop until he has answers, revenge, and ensured Nunnally is safe." The girl replied, looking to Charles. "C.C. obviously has no intention of telling him the truth which will serve to our advantage."
"Especially as Lelouch will try to gather support for himself as Zero." Charles smirked. "He already put his Geass to good use when he rescued the Honorary Eleven and humiliated Jeremiah Gottwald."
"Poor Jeremy. He was so nice to my children when they were growing up. My boy can be so cruel sometimes." The girl sighed.
"And there are the two advanced Knightmares. There is no doubt that one of them is C.C." Charles continued. "They defeated Schnizel's pet project quite easily. It's obvious that they have found someone with the resources and skills to build Knightmares this advanced."
"So who did you send as the new viceroy, Charles?" The boy smirked. "Not Schniezel, he'd figure out Zero is Lelouch and realize Nunnally wouldn't be too far, thus forcing C.C. to flee and hide herself when he comes after them. Not Carine, she's too violent loving and would send Area 11 right into Lelouch's hand. Guinevere? Odysseus?"
"Cornelia and Euphemia." Charles answered.
"Lelouch's favorite sisters next to Nunnally." The girl smiled. "A brilliant idea Charles. Lelouch's intellect will be defeated by his own arrogance and Cornelia's experience and tactics. And he would never raise his hand against sweet little Euphie."
"In addition we shall learn more about those Knightmares and the pilots my son has gained as allies as Lelouch fights against Cornelia and her knights." Charles grinned. "Not to mention Cornelia's own feelings towards the particular Area."
"Lelouch will act quick to stop her as she resorts to luring Zero out of hiding." The girl commented. "Well, let us see if our son can handle fighting his dear sisters."
"Yes. Let's see what he will and we will send someone else to gain intelligence on C.C.'s new contractor." Charles looked at the boy. "Vincent, I have need of one of your underlings."
Xxx
When Lelouch sat down in class he didn't expect a lot to happen. He would sit down, listen to the lecture, do some activities (non-physical) and then turn in because he had some more research to do. When the teacher said they would be getting a new student he didn't think much of it. When he looked up, if only to see who the new student was, his eyes widened in disbelief and wondered if he was dreaming.
There was no way the boy standing in front of the class wearing uniform of Ashford Academy was his old and best friend Suzaku Kururugi.
He was shocked when he found Suzaku was still alive, almost speechless when he found out Suzaku was an Honorary Britannian and now he was absolutely floored to see Suzaku was now attending the same school as him.
"That's the Eleven that killed Prince Clovis."
"No. That was Zero."
"Why is an Eleven here?"
Lelouch had to listen to this for an entire day before class was finally over and Lelouch wanted some answers. When he was sure Suzaku was watching him Lelouch adjusted the collar of his shirt and then walked off.
'Hopefully he remembers the old codes.'
He wasn't disappointed as minutes later he was meeting Suzaku on the roof.
"Seven years since we used that signal." Lelouch said as he turned around and saw Suzaku behind him. "Long time huh?"
"Meeting on the roof. Just like the old days. I'm glad to see you okay." Suzaku leaned against the railing. "I've been worried."
"Alive and kicking, thanks to you." Lelouch smiled. "You haven't changed much. Worrying about me when you're the one who took a bullet. Worry about yourself for a change."
"Just repaying the favor you did for me seven years ago. What about the girl from the capsule? What happened to her?"
"I don't really know. We got separated pretty quickly." Lelouch chuckled, hoping that Suzaku wouldn't see C.C. before he could come up with some sort of plan. "But you would know more about then me, right?"
"No. The only ones who knew anything were the Royal Guard." Suzaku answered.
Lelouch didn't say anything but was relieved. 'So, no chance of anyone outside of me anyone else to learn about C.C.'s capable of.'
"What about you? Do I call you Lelouch or do you go by a different name nowadays?" Suzaku changed the subject.
"Officially Lelouch vi Britannia and his sister died during the invasion. I go by the name, Lelouch Lamperouge now." Lelouch answered. "And you, what happened at your court martial and why did you enroll in this school?"
"I'm just as surprised as you are. What are the odds we'd be attending the same school? Truth is someone arranged for me to receive a proper investigation and decided I needed a proper education and that person said that a seventeen year old should be in school."
Xxx
Princess Euphemia looked at each and every painting on the wall, taking in their flawless work and stopping on a painting of three very familiar people now gone from her life. 'Lady Marianne…Nunnally…Lelouch.'
"Were all of these painted by Clovis?" She asked her aid.
"Yes."
She reached out and touched one of the paintings. "Such gentle colors. Very much akin to my brother."
Xxx
Britannian Panther tanks rolled up to the base of the mountain on all sides, cutting off any form of escape as they traded fire with the turrets of the mountain fortress's defense.
"Sir, we've managed to pinpoint the Gorillas' base."
"Excellent. Transmit that information to Viceroy Cornelia." General Andrea Darlton commanded.
Cornelia moved up the other side of the mountain by taking a wide path and went up the north slope. Her Gloucester sped down the mountain, lashing out with her assault rifle against the inexperienced Japanese resistant fighters as they tried to shoot her.
"Relics of a forgotten age." Cornelia scoffed.
She easily destroyed three turrets without suffering a single scratch before landing her Gloucester on an abandoned railway track.
"This will take me to their main base, correct?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Shall we accompany you?" Darlton asked.
"No need Darlton, not for this pathetic resistance."
"Understood your Highness."
She followed the tracks into a large circular room that served as the center of the base. "If you Elevens got on your knees and beg for mercy I might let you live."
Her offer was answered with a thousand cries. "DOWN WITH BRITANNIA!"
"Fine then. Die you worms." Cornelia raised her rifle and pulled the trigger.
As this happened a butterfly landed on the Gloucester's shoulder. This might not be considered weird, if anyone overlooked the six green insect wings looking like tails and the seventh one at the end.
Xxx
"Your Zero has gone and stirred up the hornet's nest." Rakshata smirked as she held her pipe. "Cornelia li Britannia has been attacking all known locations harboring resistance groups ever since she arrived in Area 11."
"She's looking for Zero." Naruto leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "It's obvious she believes Zero is colluding with resistance groups to try and build an army."
"Good luck trying to build an army after Cornelia's done. Our sources say she's already begun her attack on three known resistant groups." Rakshata remarked.
"All smokescreens to lure out Zero." C.C. commented. "She's not like Clovis. She actually knows how to fight a war."
"Meaning Lelouch will soon rise to the challenge." Naruto looked out the window and saw Lelouch approaching with someone else. "Oh boy. What is that idiot up to now?"
"Hm?" C.C. walked over the window. "So, he's playing host tonight."
"For such a cold bastard at times he lets his personal feelings get to him." Naruto smirked. "Well, this will be fun."
Lelouch walked into the room a moment later.
"Listen, Suzaku cannot know about you two. If sees you together he'll be suspicious." Lelouch said, getting to the point.
"Inviting everyone to dinner but us, Lelouch? How cruel of you." C.C. commented with a grin. "You're not going to introduce us?"
"You can either stay in room or go out for the night." Lelouch replied as he started to close the door.
"Don't worry. We already have it covered." Naruto assured him, though Lelouch couldn't help but wonder what they were up to this time.
Xxx
"Hi, Lelouch. I've returned home." Nunnally called out as Sayoko wheeled her into the dining room.
"Hi there." Lelouch put the book he was reading down as he stood up. "Welcome back, Miss Sayoko. I've got a special present for you today."
"Really? What can it be?" Nunnally asked eagerly.
Gifts from her brother were always the best.
Lelouch smiled as he put a finger on his lips, looking at Sayoko who looked confused. He looked over and gestured someone to come out. Sayoko followed his gaze and watched as Suzaku quietly came out and walked up to Nunnally. The girl looked up at Suzaku with confusion on her face while Suzaku glanced at Lelouch who nodded and knelt down, grasping Nunnally's hand.
Nunnally gasped for a second before reaching out and feeling the hand holding hers as tears came out of her eyes. "This hand…Thank Heavens! I knew it! I knew you'd be all right!"
"It's been a long time, Nunnally." Suzaku whispered, happy to see her again. "You can see."
"I know. I'm so happy." Nunnally cried as both boy smiled with her.
Xxx
"So tell me, you will stay the night will you?" Nunnally asked as they finished dinner.
"Suzaku's enrolled at Ashford Academy now. So you can see him anytime you want to." Lelouch answered.
"Is that true?" Nunnally asked happily.
"Well I still have military duties so I can't be here every day." Suzaku answered.
"Oh dear. You're still in the military?" Nunnally happy smile quickly turned sad.
"Don't worry. I've been reassigned to Engineering Corps. It's a lot less dangerous." Suzaku quickly reassured her.
"Cool. Engineering huh?" Lelouch said as he started cleaning up the table.
"Oh. Let me help you." Suzaku stood up.
"You just sit down. Unlike seven years ago we get to be your hosts now." Lelouch said with a smile at the look on Suzaku's face. "It's funny. You're a lot more mellow than you used to be."
"And you're a bit more rough." Suzaku sat back down.
Lelouch chuckled as he walked into the kitchen. Of course as soon as he got there he realized the good times might come to an end.
"I told you both to stay in my room or go somewhere else." Lelouch stated, annoyed that they didn't do as he asked.
"I told you, we got it covered." Naruto shrugged as he took the tea pot to pour into his own cup. "Plus we were curious. After all you risked a lot to save him."
"Don't worry about it." Lelouch looked away. "He's a friend…from the past."
"So how is Mister White Knight?" C.C. asked.
"Why do you call him that?" Lelouch asked as Naruto poured a drink for C.C.
"Because that's what he is. He is determined to do what he believes is the right thing, even if he hurts himself in the process. He refuses to dirty his hands even if it means to help his cause." C.C. explained.
"And how do you know this? Is this another power your Rinnegan is capable of? And why didn't he recognize you yet? He must have seen you by now." Lelouch questioned.
"He saw me but as you can see my Rinnegan was able to fool him into believing I'm someone else." C.C. sipped her tea and noticed Lelouch frowning. "You don't approve? Your Geass forces people to obey your commands no matter what."
"I use my Geass against my enemies or people that either suspect me or have only on use to me, no one else." Lelouch retorted.
"And since Suzaku is with the military, Engineering Corps or not he's technically an enemy that I have fooled." C.C. retorted.
"I can also sense his emotions so I know what kind of person he is and when he is lying. There's more to his job than he's saying." Naruto spoke up. "There is also the matter of the new Viceroy, Cornelia who has been wiping out resistance groups since she arrived. She's on Zero's trail like a bloodhound."
"Yes, I've heard. If she believes Zero is recruiting Elevens no doubt she believes that the resistance groups will be working with him." Lelouch said as he turned to the door. "I'll look into this later. This is not the time."
He left Naruto and C.C. in the kitchen.
"That voice." Naruto narrowed one eye. "I know that voice."
Xxx
"You should come by again. Nunnally would enjoy it." Lelouch escorted Suzaku to the door.
"Sure but…" Lelouch noticed the strange look on Suzaku's face. "Lelouch, I-I don't think we should be seen together at school."
"What do you mean?" Lelouch asked, surprised at hearing such a thing.
"Think, how would you explain it? Being friends with an Honorary Britannian? We have to guard your secret. No one can know you're royalty." Suzaku explained, making Lelouch flinch. "And the same goes for Nunnally. I don't want to cause any trouble."
"Doing it again, huh? Everyone's needs but your own?" Lelouch asked, getting angry.
"Again?" Suzaku asked.
"Forget it." Lelouch looked away.
"Huh…Thanks for having me. It was a lot of fun. I'll-uh-see you later." Suzaku turned around, sensing thing were getting tense. "I'm so glad you know. I thought we'd never get another chance…to talk like this."
Xxx
"No doubt." Naruto said as they watched Suzaku leave. "That's the same voice the pilot in the white Knightmare had."
"So, Lelouch's best friend-" C.C. started.
"Might be his worst enemy." Naruto stated with a sigh. "Déjà vu much anyone?"
When Suzaku was gone C.C. turned to Naruto. "He doesn't want to believe his friend is a possible enemy."
"One of the only friends in the land he was exiled to, can you blame him?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
"Perhaps not but still if he wants to become the leader he plans to be he will have to face the harsh truth." C.C. pointed out.
"Like a few you still wish to hide from him?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"The truth must come out slowly when he's ready." C.C. calmly answered.
Xxx
The next day was not easy for either Suzaku or Lelouch. One good thing was that even though Suzaku saw C.C. or rather C.C. he didn't recognize her for some reason. That was because before Suzaku had left C.C. had put a genjutsu on him so she would appear as a completely different person to him.
Then there was the other news.
"It hasn't made the news yet but the Blood of the Samurai faction was wiped out by Cornelia. They were the largest group we had in Central Japan. Look, Zero, it won't be long until she comes after us."
"Just keep your head. Our chance will come." Lelouch stood near a window on the stair way with his phone so no one would see or hear him.
"But-"
"Sit tight. I'll contact you later." Lelouch hung up. 'He's getting too overly familiar. Maybe I better cut my ties with them.'
He looked out the window and saw Suzaku cleaning a shirt that had been spray painted.
GO BACK TO YOUR GHETTO FILTHY ELEVEN
Lelouch flinched, upset that his friend was being treated like this.
Xxx
"That'll show that filthy Eleven."
"Maybe he'll leave and go back where he belongs."
Naruto narrowed his eyes as he spotted two students walking down the hall with a spray paint can in the left one's hand. 'Idiots. I think it's time to knock them onto their obnoxious asses.'
When they entered their class room they were greeted with everyone staring at them.
"Hey guys. You finally decided to join us." A student commented with a weird look. "You were done with your…business?"
"What do you mean?"
He held out a picture that made both of them step back in shock. It was a picture of both boys making out…
"WHAT?! What the hell is this?!"
"We didn't do that!"
Naruto smirked at the screaming students.
Xxx
"You know, I admit I'm not the calmest person on the planet." Naruto started. "But all of this 'Eleven' bullshit is really starting to annoy me."
"It can't be helped." Lelouch said as he put his Zero costume into the large briefcase, even though he was just as upset with the way Suzaku was being treated as Naruto probably was.
The door opened and C.C. came in with another box of pizza. "Trying to hide your mask huh?"
"Unlike my Geass and your Rinnegan the mask is a physical case of evidence." Lelouch put the helmet in the case.
"And we wouldn't want Suzaku or any student to see that now would we?" Naruto rhetorically asked as the door opened.
"All right, Lelouch. The tea is ready when you are." Nunnally said as she sniffed the air and saw the box in C.C.'s arms. "That smell? Hey, did you order pizza for Tsunade again?"
"I'm racking up reward points." Lelouch quickly answered as C.C. opened the box and began devouring the nearest slice. "I'll be right down okay."
"Lelouch." Nunnally said with a funny grin. "Maybe you should have Tsunade cut down on the pizza. You don't want her to get a blubbery belly."
"Yeah, C.C.. Wouldn't want your beautiful form looking like a beached whale would we?" Naruto snickered as C.C. pouted.
"Just don't touch," Lelouch said in a double edged tone directed at C.C. and Naruto, telling them not to touch his mask. "Or rub it, okay?"
"Oh scary." Nunnally giggled as she and Lelouch left the room and shutting the door.
"Not a single amount of humor in him." Naruto sighed.
He would have said more but he looked at the case when he heard a sound and his eyes widened when saw something familiar.
"What is-huh?" C.C. looked back as she heard the case fall on the ground and the sound of a cat meowing.
The cat moved past her as it walked down the hall and the door closed.
"What the heck?" C.C. looked at Naruto who was snickering. "Naruto, what's-"
"Meow." A cat's meow was heard from the living room.
"Was that-" C.C. started.
"Yep." Naruto answered.
"With-"
"Uh-uh." Naruto nodded and grinned. "Matatabi was right to bring that cat here. This is going to be funny."
'And who said cats had no sense of humor?' Kurama snickered.
"Naruto," C.C. frowned at him. "I can't believe you would play such a horrible little trick on Lelouch…without me!"
Naruto had to laugh at the pout C.C. was now sporting. "Sorry, I'll let you in next time."
"You'd better." C.C. smirked at the sound Lelouch shouting from the dining room.
"Hey! Give that back!" Lelouch shouted.
"Our resident genius and master of miracles outsmarted by a cat." Naruto laughed.
Naruto and C.C. watched as Arthur jumped out the balcony and landed perfectly on the ground, wearing Zero's mask over its face with Matatabi in her disguise, waiting for him. They took off running as Lelouch came onto the deck. The cat came into the dining room, wearing Zero's mask and caused Lelouch to jump out of his seat.
Thankfully Nunnally didn't see the mask but Lelouch should consider himself very lucky that the cat ran off before she got a good look at it.
"Come back here! A cat. A stupid little cat! You've got to be kidding me!" Lelouch said as he climbed over the railing and jumped down. "There's no way I'm getting exposed by a pair of lousy felines!"
"He says it like he can actually catch up when he's got the stamina of a one year old." Naruto snickered. "And now they'll both make it difficult for him."
"Naruto? Tsunade?" Nunnally rolled into the room. "I think something's wrong with Lelouch."
"Really? Like what?" C.C. asked with a small grin.
Xxx
"Yeah that's right. I think a cat ran off with something pretty important to him." Nunnally explained to Nina, Shirley, and Rivalz.
"Important?" Milly asked.
"I'm not sure what exactly but I'm positive it was something of value to him." Nunnally stated with a worried look on her face. "Because I've never heard my brother sound like that. He was completely hysterical."
"That's weird. What could be so important to the guy?" Rivalz wondered.
"A love letter?" Nina offered.
"An embarrassing photo?" Milly put a finger to her chin in thought.
"Poetry he wrote?" Rivalz threw in his own idea.
"Poetry?" Nunnally asked, knowing that Lelouch was not interested in that kind of stuff.
She didn't notice Milly and Rivalz sharing an eager look.
"What about Naruto and Tsunade? Do you guys know what the cat's got?" Milly looked at the two of them as they watched the conversation.
"Got me." Naruto shrugged. "It's not like he shares any big secrets with us."
"Leave it to us then. We'll get out hands on this thing before Lelouch has a chance to blink." Milly grinned mischievously as she gave Nunnally a thumb's up. "Just you wait."
'Now he's in for it.' Naruto and C.C. thought with identical smirks.
Xxx
'If I had those terrorists with me, we could encircle the enemy.' Lelouch followed the cat out onto the courtyard and looked around for the cat. 'Maybe Kallen. No, she's suspicious of me as it is. Where Naruto and C.C.? They should be helping me…unless.' Lelouch looked up and saw the cats running down the roof of the clubhouse. 'Naruto, you bastard! This is your cat isn't it?!'
He followed after the cat but tripped and fell into a bush a second later. The cat jumped and landed on the ground and ran past Lelouch who got back up.
"Get it together." Lelouch muttered as he chased after the cat into the school, almost having a heart attack as it ran past a few students.
"What's up with that cat?" A girl asked as the cat stopped next to them, shaking its masked head.
"Is that the mask Zero wears or am I crazy?" Another girl asked as the cat ran down a corner.
"No way. Why would it be here?"
Lelouch ran up to them, stopping when he heard them.
"You two saw it?" He quickly activated his Geass. "Forget everything you've just seen."
His Geass took hold of the two girls as red rings encircled their eyes. "Sure. No problem at all."
"Good." Lelouch turned and chased after the cat.
He was not out of the woods yet as just as he spotted the cat he heard Milly's voice over the P.A. system. "This is Milly Ashford your Student Council President, cat hunt everybody!"
Those words made Lelouch almost freeze.
Xxx
"Cat hunt?" Suzaku looked from his home work.
Xxx
"There's a loose cat on the campus that needs to be rounded up so put everything on hold people. Participating clubs will get budget priority and whoever catches our feline friend will get an extra special surprise, a big old kiss from one of the members of the Council!"
Xxx
Naruto and C.C. looked at each other as Milly finished with a devious laugh. "Members of the Council?"
"Wow, that Milly is very devious." Naruto grinned. "This just got a whole lot interesting."
Xxx
Shirley was about to take a dive in the pool when she heard the announcement and fell off the diving board.
Xxx
When Kallen heard the announcement she froze. "Members of the Council? Wait, like me!?"
It didn't help that boys came out of the bushes, talking about what kind of kiss they would get from her before running off to find the cat.
"There is no way this how I am going to get my first kiss!" Kallen said as she took off, forgetting she was supposed to act sick and feeble so no one would suspect her.
Xxx
"What? From a member of the Student Council?" A girl asked.
"Does that include Lelouch?" Almost all the girls giggled except one.
"Actually I would prefer Milly."
"Why do you have to be so different?" The rest of the girls looked at her with freaked out looks.
Xxx
"And when you do catch that cat, bring whatever it's carrying to me, to me, to ME!" Milly laughed as she ended the announcement but ended up coughing from the lack of breath.
"Milly, stay out of this will you?" Lelouch grumbled.
Xxx
"Offering up people as prizes. This is why I hate Britannians." Kallen complained as she ran through the hall but stopped when she spotted a pair of girls walking up to her and quickly resumed her sickly act as they walked past her. The second the coast was clear she took off running again. "Damn. Why do I have to pretend like I'm sick and feeble?"
She ran around the corner and accidentally bumped into somebody.
Kallen stepped back, quickly putting back on her mask. "Geez, I'm sorry about that- Shirley, why are you dressed like that?"
In front of her was Shirley wearing a swimsuit. "I didn't have time to change; they're going to make us kiss somebody. We've got to hurry."
"I'm with you." Kallen nodded in complete agreement.
Xxx
It turned out a source of great entertainment for Naruto and C.C. as the cat outsmarted and evaded every student on the campus.
"By Kami, all it takes is one cat and everyone's got nuts." Naruto laughed. "This just way too easy!"
Matatabi helped out by using genjutsu on over a dozen students when they thought they had caught the cat Milly was talking about. This led to people pilling on each other in the dirt, catching each other with their own nets, and both Naruto and C.C. laughed when they saw a student land on another, kissing them straight on the lips.
Xxx
"Nunnally, is there anything about this cat that's special?" Nina asked as Milly took a sip of water and held the microphone to Nunnally.
"Hm…I think that its leg must be hurt because even though I didn't get a good look at it its footsteps sounded off to me. And huh…Oh! I almost forgot. It meowed like this." Nunnally took a deep breath.
Xxx
"MEOW!"
Nunnally's meow caused dozens of cheers and shouts through the school.
"They really know how to work a crowd." C.C. commented as she and Naruto watched from the roof.
"They can try but they'll never catch the cat." Naruto said, knowing how smart both cats were.
Matatabi said that the cat figured out she was not an ordinary cat when they first met and didn't run in terror.
Xxx
"Okay!" Milly ran out and hopped onto the passenger seat of Rivalz's motorcycle. "Let's go!"
"What happens if a member of the Student Council catches the cat? We don't get a prize do we?" Rivalz asked as he looked at Milly's lips.
"Do we get a kiss?" Milly smirked up at Rivalz as she put on the helmet. "But of course."
"Is that so?" Rivalz said as he started the engine. "Well what are we waiting around for then? This is my day to shine!"
The motorcycle sped off, kicking up dust everywhere.
"Hey! No speeding on campus!" A teacher shouted.
Xxx
"Meow!" Matatabi ran into an open box and hissed as two girls cornered her.
"Okay, we do this right and our lips will be safe." Kallen whispered to Shirley. "Shirley you cover the rear."
Shirley looked at Kallen and noticed the determined look on her face that didn't seem to fit the quiet and sickly girl she knew. "Wait a sec!"
"Uh?" Kallen turned and looked at her. "What's the matter?"
"Who would you want to get a kiss from?" Shirley asked anxiously. "Is there anyone in particular?"
"Huh?" Kallen gasped in confusion and shock from hearing such a question..
"It wouldn't be Lulu would it?" Shirley continued questioning.
"Huh? Just what would make you think that?" Kallen asked incredulously.
"Oh well…I guess…" Shirley trailed off blushing.
Neither girl noticed the cat sneaking past them. 'Too easy.'
Xxx
Arthur ran into the open window the school's bell tower and he made sure he was spotted. He liked playing with his new friend and her human slaves that took him in and didn't pass up the chance to have fun with them.
"Hey that's…" Suzaku started running to the stairs leading up to the top.
"Suzaku!?"
The brunette stopped as Lelouch did at the same time. "Lelouch, you're looking for the cat too?"
"Meow!" A sudden meow from the top caught their attention. "Meow!"
"Up there." Suzaku said as he turned to the stairs.
"Suzaku wait!" Lelouch called out as he followed his friend. "Don't go up there!"
"But the Student Council President said catch it." Suzaku said without stop.
"Don't worry about it. I'll get the cat!" Lelouch quickly said.
"I was always more agile than you. Remember when that little bird got loose?"
"Quit talking ancient history!"
"It was only seven years ago."
"Oh for Pete's sake." Lelouch was gasping for air. "He always was an exercise nut."
Xxx
Rivalz stopped his motorcycle in front of the bell tower where everyone else was waiting.
"So someone's got it cornered huh?" Milly hopped out of her seat as Nina rolled Nunnally up to the front of the group. "Who's the lucky winner?"
"Up there!" Shirley pointed to the open window below the bell.
They all could see someone climbing up to the bell.
"Suzaku?" Shirley asked.
"Easy now." Suzaku said when he saw the cat sitting under the bell. "You don't have to be scared."
"Suzaku!" Lelouch came out of the window. "Come back!"
"It's all right." Suzaku said, thinking Lelouch was worried about him. "Leave this to me."
'That's funny. He never went along with the crowd like this.' Lelouch thought as he tried to climb after Suzaku.
Of course Lelouch wasn't good at physical exercises and it showed as he slipped and started sliding back. "Gah!"
Down below almost everyone gasped as Lelouch slid down to the edge while Suzaku turned when he heard the commotion. "Huh? Lelouch!"
He quickly turned around and slid back down in a crouch position, grabbing the edge of the opened window and quickly reached out to grab Lelouch's hand just in time. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah." Lelouch shakily answered.
"Is it possible those two are…" Nina trailed off as they all watched.
As Suzaku helped him back up Lelouch spotted the cat shake the mask off his head and look down at him with a mischievous grin as he meowed. Lelouch sighed in relief as the mask slid down and landed on the other end where no one would see it.
"Pretty calm for someone on the verge of death." Suzaku commented as he tried to pull Lelouch back up.
"Yeah right. I was just limp with fear." Lelouch answered back with smile.
Suzaku tried to pull himself back up to the opened window but he noticed his hand was slipping. He had been covered in sweat from chasing the cat and hadn't been paying attention.
"Suzaku, what's-" Lelouch and Suzaku both cried out as Suzaku's hands slipped off and they both began sliding down to the edge of the roof.
"Oh no!" Nunnally, Rivalz, Shirley, and Milly cried.
Lucky for them a hand reached out and grabbed Suzaku's hand, stopping them from slipping and falling off.
"Boy, you guys really don't pay attention, do you?" They both looked up to see Naruto holding Suzaku's hand with a foxy smile on his face.
Xxx
Everyone was silent as they all watched Suzaku come out with the cat in his arms. "It's the same cat from the other day."
The cat hissed silently but did nothing as Suzaku stopped and saw everyone staring at him.
When Shirley noticed everyone was quiet she quickly took the initiative and walked up to Suzaku with a smile. "You saved him. Thank you so much Suzaku."
"Yeah, way to go there new guy." Rivalz agreed.
"That cat was carrying something wasn't it?" Milly asked eagerly.
"Yeah. There was something on its head but I never really got a good look at it." Suzaku answered sheepishly. "Guess it slipped off when I wasn't looking."
"So where is Lulu?" Shirley asked.
"He said he forgot something. Told me to go ahead." Suzaku answered, looking back at the stairs.
"That's it!" Milly exclaimed. "The embarrassing secret that he's hiding."
"So that's it Madam President?" Everyone turned to see Lelouch come out of the shadows.
Milly groaned. "After all this time I thought I finally had some dirt on you."
"Yeah. He almost lost his cool for once." Shirley sighed in agreement.
Suzaku smiled at Lelouch who glanced at him.
"So, uh, do you two know each other then?" Kallen asked.
Both of them stiffened at the sudden question.
"Yeah, but he's an Eleven." Nina said, shaking slightly.
"So what?" Everyone turned and saw Naruto and C.C. walking towards them, coming out from behind the shadows like Lelouch did with Matatabi in C.C.'s arms. "Don't matter that much to me. Would you rather he didn't have a so-called Eleven around to save his life and stop him from falling to his death?"
"Uh, I-I mean…" Nina trailed off.
"Hey, that's other cat that was with this one!" Suzaku realized.
"You mean Matatabi here?" C.C. asked curiously as she looked down at the female cat. "She's our cat but she likes to wander off because even if she has a house she's still a little feral."
"Matatabi?" Kallen asked curiously at the Japanese name.
"Yes. Naruto's grandfather named her." C.C. answered simply. "But we're getting off track. After all, Lelouch, everyone is wondering if you're friends with the Honorary Britannian that just saved your life."
"He's my friend." Lelouch answered, making everyone look at him as he took advantage of the opening C.C. gave him. "Madam President, would you permit him as a member of the Student Council?"
"Huh?" Everyone looked in confusion.
"The rules are clear. All students are required to join a club." Lelouch said with a blank look on his face. "All though…"
Everyone looked at Milly who thought it over. "Well you are the Vice-President. I suppose I can't refuse."
Shirley, Rivalz, and even Kallen smiled at Milly's answer.
"Well, I guess that's the end of that." Nunnally wheeled forward. "Now come here you two. Give me an ear. You too Naruto."
"Uh?" The three looked at each other in confusion but stepped forward and leaned down where Nunnally quickly kissed them on the cheek.
"Uh-Nunnally?" Suzaku asked as they stood up.
"There you go, you two. The reward as Milly promised. Since you both caught the cat and Naruto saved you both you'll have to settle for me, almost a real council member." Nunnally said causing Naruto to chuckle.
Nunnally really was a pure soul.
"All right then, let's celebrate the catching on the cat. Everything's on the new guy naturally." Rivalz pumped a fist in the air.
"Oh back off!" Shirley said as she turned to Suzaku. "Hi there, I'm Shirley. Pleasure to meet you."
"Oh right. I'm Rivalz." Rivalz introduced himself.
"Milly Ashford. Student Council President." Milly continued.
"Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto added.
"Tsunade Senju." C.C. nodded.
Lelouch was afraid Suzaku would still recognize C.C. but he didn't seem to. "The pleasure is mine."
Xxx
Lelouch managed to retrieve the mask and he was sure to make his displeasure known to Naruto and C.C. as he returned. By this time the temporary body Naruto made for Matatabi vanished into a puff of smoke. Naruto had discovered he could use the Shadow Clone Jutsu to make temporary bodies for the Biju inside of him by transferring their chakra into the Shadow Clone, allowing them control it like a puppet.
"Your cat nearly exposed me, Uzumaki." Lelouch growled as he put the mask away. "You tell me not to treat war like a game but you're the one who seems to taking this less seriously than I am."
"Don't blame me, Lelouch. The idea that you left your mask out for a cat to steal is punishment for leaving it out to be stolen in the first place." Naruto finished another bowel of Ramen. "Imagine if Suzaku or someone else came upon that mask."
Lelouch grunted as he closed the case. "If my secret is discovered so is yours."
"Relax, Matatabi and Arthur wouldn't have done anything to blow your secret so relax." Naruto said, not affected by Lelouch's glare.
"And how do you know that?" Lelouch asked rhetorically. "Is that cat another talking animal of yours?"
"Nope, Arthur's just a smarter than your average cat that is a friend Matatabi made." Naruto answered simple with a smirk.
Lelouch knew he wouldn't get anywhere with trying to intimidate Naruto so he let it go but he'd make sure none of Naruto's pets would get his mask again.
Good luck with that.
Xxx
When school was over Suzaku was greeted with a party as he was invited to join the Student Council. C.C. eyed the pizza on the table that Milly ordered since she found out how fast how much she liked pizza while everyone else enjoyed simple discussions or snacks as they welcomed Suzaku.
Except for one.
Naruto noticed Nina facing the computer, not even glancing over her shoulder to take part in the party.
'This could be a problem.' Naruto thought.
'What a weakling. Scared of a measly boy who is more of a danger to himself.' Kurama grumbled.
Naruto sighed and walked over to Nina. "Hello?"
"Huh?!" Nina gasped as she looked up at Naruto. "So-sorry. Was I t-too loud?"
"Not at all. Just wondering why you're here and not partying with the rest of us." Naruto answered.
"We-well I-I have a lot of wo-work to do." Nina answered, shaking a bit.
"Really? After a whole day of chasing after a crazy cat you want to work rather than rest?" Naruto raised one eyebrow.
"We-well-"
"You do know it could be seen as a little rude if you keep your back to everyone person who joins the Student Council. After all, Suzaku did save the Vice-President from falling to his death." Naruto pointed out.
"I-I know, but…He's…" Nina trailed off.
By this point everyone was looking at them.
"He's what? I'm drawing a blank." Naruto said.
"Maybe she thinks he's cute." C.C. offered.
"Wh-WHAT?!" Nina gasped.
"Or it's something else." C.C. shrugged as she stole another slice of pizza.
"It's not th-that!" Nina exclaimed. "It's…"
"Oh! Now I get it!" Naruto said, shaking his head.
"You do?" Nina asked.
"You do realize that this guy was wrongly accused of murdering Prince Clovis, right?" Naruto asked, instantly changing the mood.
"Bu-but, there had to be a reason he was accused." Nina insisted, making Lelouch frown and Nunnally look sadly at Suzaku.
"Really? And what do you base that on? After all I heard it was just a plot by the Purebloods to abolish the Honorary Britannian system." Naruto pointed out. "It pays to have a family that can look into these things."
"Indeed." C.C. agreed. "Is it because he's a so-called Eleven? Does this mean that Naruto and I make you want to jump out of your skin in fright every time we're in the same room?"
"N-no, I me-mean…" Nina tried to defend herself.
"We're half Elevens, so does this mean we're monsters in disguise who are going to eat you?" C.C. finished her slice.
"Honestly, you've known us for a whole week now and have we done anything?" Naruto rhetorically asked. "Hey, Lelouch? Have we done anything like help Terrorists blow up a building and kill innocent people the whole time we've been living with you and Nunnally."
"Not that I can recall." Lelouch answered with a small grin.
"See, nothing to be afraid of. Does this mean you only believe full Elevens are monsters? I guess this means no inviting you to meet my parents if they show up." Naruto remarked with a sad sigh and looked at Lelouch. "Hey, weren't you telling me that Suzaku saved your life the other day? When you got lost in Shinjuku?"
Everyone's eyes widened as they looked at Lelouch.
'Uzumaki, what are you doing?' Lelouch thought, wondering if Naruto was trying to get his cover blown.
"You were in Shinjuku?" Kallen asked, now interested.
"Yeah he was. We were on our back when a truck crashed off the highway and Mr. Hero here went down to see if the driver was all right. He fell into the back when the truck drove off because was on the roof at the time." Rivalz explained.
"Really?" Kallen asked, sounding surprised and trying to cover up how worried she was.
Did Lelouch see her that day? If so then she might have to kill him to keep her identity secret. She avoided looking at Nunnally as she thought that, knowing she might rob the crippled girl of her brother who seemed to act like the perfect loving brother a little sister could ask for from what saw when Lelouch and Nunnally were together.
Just like Naoto.
"Thank you, Rivalz. As always you make me sound so heroic." Lelouch decided to play along to try to keep Kallen from being suspicious. "Anyways I fell into the back of the truck and bumped my head on something. That's when things got blurry for me. When I awoke the next thing I knew I was being attacked by some soldier accusing me of being a terrorist and pinned me down. It wasn't until he looked down at me and saw my uniform did he realize I was some student. He asked me why I was there and when I explained he offered to escort me out."
Suzaku would have interjected but realized Lelouch was covering up what really happened to better protect his and Nunnally's secret. Kallen was relieved that Lelouch didn't see her but decided to be careful around him for now.
"He took off his helmet and I was shocked to see it was an Eleven who was getting me out of that warzone but nonetheless I was thankful." Lelouch finished with a smile. "I was shocked to hear he was accused of Prince Clovis's murder since he was with me the whole time but like Naruto said the Purebloods were making a show of it and I couldn't go up and say he was innocent since I had no proof confirm his alibi. It's not the first time someone would try to cover up a crime and pin it on an Eleven."
"You saved Lulu's life back then too?" Shirley asked Suzaku who was now looking embarrassed.
"Well-" Suzaku started but couldn't find words.
"Thank you." Shirley smiled.
"Uh, oh, no problem. He wasn't armed and I knew he couldn't be a terrorist. He didn't even look very tough." Suzaku said bashfully.
Everyone shared a chuckle as everyone knew about Lelouch's non-existent physicality.
"See, saves your friend's life." Naruto looked back at Nina. "Do you still think he's that bad?"
"We-well…" Nina looked back between Naruto, Lelouch, and Suzaku. "I-I'll think about you said. It's j-just…Elevens scare me."
"That's all anyone can ask." Naruto smiled as he sat next to C.C.
Xxx
The next day all students were gathered together in the gym as Prince Clovis's funeral was being shown all across Britannia and its colonies.
"And now, his Royal Majesty, the 98th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire."
For the first time Naruto got a good look as the Emperor, Charles zi Britannia walked up the podium. The man was tall and big, wearing a purple military uniform underneath a long flowing cloak, his white hair styled like a judge's with a look of authority and confidence. He definitely had the look of a ruler with his very being emanating an aura that made a person want to submit just by looking at him.
'Very few people have a look that can match him. He's definitely the type of man who can call himself a ruler.' Naruto thought.
"All men are…NOT created equal. Some are born swifter afoot, some with greater beauty, some are born into poverty and others are born sick and feeble. Both in birth and upbringing in sheer scope of ability every human is inherently different; yes that is the reason why people discriminate against one another, which is why there is struggle, competition, and the unfaltering march of progress."
Xxx
"Inequality is not wrong, equality is."
Diethard tuned out the speech as he looked at the recording of Zero during the rescue of Warrant Officer Kururugi.
Xxx
What of the E.U. which made equality a right? Rabble politics by a popular contest."
Jeremiah, Villetta, and the remaining Pure Blood remained silent and still as they saluted and listened to the Emperor.
Xxx
"The Chinese Federation with its equal distribution of wealth? A nation of lazy dullards.
Ohgi and rest of the group stared Emperor on the television with dark looks.
Xxx
"But not our beloved Britannia, we fight, we compete, evolution is continuous."
"Evolution." Lloyd remarked in a drawl tone though still smirking, not bothering to copy the rest of his group's actions in saluting as they all listened. "Such a pretty little word."
Xxx
"Britannia alone moves forward, advancing steadily into the future, even the death of my son Clovis, demonstrates Britannia unswerving commitment to progress."
Cornelia and Euphemia remained silent as they listened to the televised speech. Cornelia was still as a statue while Euphemia looked down with a saddened look, thinking of her deceased brother instead of listening to her father's speech.
Xxx
"We will fight on, we shall struggle, compete, plunder, and dominate and in the end the future shall be ours!"
Kallen glared at the screen while concealing her feelings of contempt and hate for the leader of the empire that had conquered and oppressed her home, Milly didn't show an ounce of emotion on her face, Nina bowed her head in submission, Suzaku looked down at the ground and his hand tightened into a fist, Rivalz could only make his silly grin as he half listened to the speech, Shirley looked unsure, Lelouch glowered at the screen with his eyes twitching only once while Naruto and C.C. studied the Emperor on the screen.
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!" The Emperor finished his speech by pumping his fist above his head.
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!" The gathered assembly chanted with him.
Naruto could sense the negative emotions coming from Lelouch. Pure hate and rage consuming him from within as he glared at the television screen. It reminded him so much of the look on Sasuke's face when he confronted Itachi years ago.
'He really hates his father. Then again just a few words from him and I hate this jackass already.' Naruto thought as the funeral assembly before the Emperor chanted 'All hail Britannia'.
'This is the mask of Emperor Charles zi Britannia.' C.C. thought. 'A man who speaks of lies and weaklings to continue his plan to destroy God.'
'And forcefully take away all free will in the world. What the hell is with me and running into psychos who plot to become the new God or something like that? First it was Madara and now this guy.' Naruto sighed but frowned at the screen.
There was no way he was going to let another psycho try attempt to destroy all individuality in the world for his belief in a world without lies.
'Here we go again.' Naruto thought with a sigh.
Lelouch stopped out of the room with Rivalz running after him. "Hey, wait for me!"
"He's certainly got issues." Naruto commented.
"At least he's not going to do something stupid." C.C. replied. "Now come on. I want dinner."
"Hey, we had Pizza last night. It's Ramen night." Naruto protested.
"A true boyfriend would normally treat his girlfriend to anything she wants." C.C. said as they walked out.
"And a kind girlfriend would at least humor her boyfriend into letting him have real food for once." Naruto retorted.
C.C. narrowed her eyes. "How dare you say Pizza is not real food? It's more real than those water noodles."
"Water…noodles?" Naruto's eyes darkened.
Both Naruto and C.C. stared at each other with lightning dancing between their narrowed eyes. Thus another conflict between two forces of nature on which food was the best food in this world or any world.
*Chapter 6*: Chapter 6Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Cornelia walked through the hangar of the Viceroy Palace, followed by Lloyd Asplund and two guards as she continued her inspection. It was nothing new to Cornelia as she was aware of Lloyd's reputation and his attempts to get more funding for his inventions or for the chance to make use of them in real combat, including the one he was showing her.
"It's a Seventh Generation Knightmare making its abilities far greater than normal." Lloyd finished his report on the Lancelot as Cornelia stopped and turned to face him.
"I understand that the Lancelot's pilot is an Eleven." Cornelia spoke. "And that it was defeated by the two advanced Knightmares that helped Zero rescue that same Eleven during its debut."
"That's correct. An Honorary Britannian, however-" Lloyd tried to protest the Lancelot's defeat but Cornelia was not interested in hearing it.
"I'm promoting this man from Private to Warrant Officer. That should satisfy him." She said dryly. "I'm trying to win without relying too much on the numbers."
Xxx
As Cornelia continued her inspection Euphemia was in her office, going over the battle plans Cornelia had drawn up. 'Those who go into battle are the ones that deserve to rule. I understand, Sister, but…'
She could only look down sadly at her desk at what her sister was planning.
Xxx
The Lancelot was almost completely repaired and ready for its next mission while its pilot had other matters to attend to.
"Sorry you have to sit here and watch me do my homework." Suzaku said, reading his text book.
"Oh don't worry about it. You never attended a regular school before so it can't be avoided." Cecile replied, not minding his papers at all.
"The guys on the Student Council are helping me too but it's still hard."
Suzaku looked up as he heard Cecile giggle. "To be honest with you I've been a little bit worried. It's supposed to be a liberal school but was afraid you were not fitting in."
"Me too, I was expecting that." Suzaku smiled back. "But I happened to run into an old friend there and he smoothed everything out for me."
"Be sure you never take that friend for granted." Cecile advised with a smile. "If your friendship continues it won't have been coincidence it will have been pre-destined."
"Okay." Suzaku answered, sounding surprised at the advice.
"Anyways please try one of these." Cecile gestured to the food.
"Oh okay." Suzaku took a bite, sampling the taste in his mouth and blanching. "Uh, there's jam."
"Yes. I happen to get some lovely blue berries."
"All right everyone!" Lloyd called out dramatically. "Pack it up, pack it up! We're done for the day. Don't do anymore. Hip-hip-hooray!" He then took a dramatic bow with a depressed sigh. "That's all folks!"
"Um…" Suzaku glanced at Cecile who only giggled nervously.
"Go to school. Classes might be over for the day but it's important to meet your friends and have a social life too." She said as she started packing things up.
Xxx
"Hey Kallen, can I ask you something?" Shirley asked as she and Kallen set up the room for Arthur and Matatabi who was the new mascot.
"Hm? Yeah sure. What is it?" Kallen picked up Matatabi who was in her regular disguise again.
"Kallen, are you hiding something from us?" Shirley stared at the painting.
"Uh?" Kallen looked up as Matatabi meowed.
"If it's something too personal…" Shirley trailed off.
"Uh, no. What are you talking about?" Kallen asked, hugging Matatabi to her chest.
"You can tell me. I promise I won't be shocked or upset." Shirley looked over her shoulder. "But the thing is I happened to see you before."
Kallen held up her pink pouch and sprouted a knife that caused Matatabi to struggle and Arthur to meow in protest about how close the knife was to her, thinking the girl was about to do something stupid. 'Come on you! Think before you react!'
"You're going out with Lulu, aren't you?" Shirley spun around to face Kallen. "Right?"
"Huh? Lulu?" Kallen asked, completely unprepared for what she heard.
"The other day I saw you outside talking to Lulu and then Naruto and Tsunade told me what Rivalz said!" Shirley explained.
"Uh! No, no, no, no! That was all a misunderstanding." Kallen quickly hid her pouch as she stood up.
"A misunderstanding?" Shirley asked confused.
"No wait. It wasn't like that!" Kallen said, realizing that Shirley was a little upset for some reason.
"I don't get it. You were trying so hard to catch the cat before." Shirley said, remembering the cat hunt and how determined Kallen was.
"No that wasn't it. Besides it's not like we kissed or anything." Kallen tried to calm her down but she quickly say it made things a little worse.
"Or anything?!" Shirley gasped. "Then you stopped short of doing it!?"
"Will you quit imagining things?! You don't understand the circumstance one bit!" Kallen yelled, slipping her mask off.
Matatabi in the meantime was enjoying the show going on. 'Oh dear. One little boy and all these kittens out to get him. Reminds me of a certain someone.'
Xxx
Elsewhere on the campus Naruto suddenly sneezed. "Hm? Where did that come from?"
Xxx
"The Saitama Ghetto is completely surrounded." Darlton reported as he gazed at the map screen showing their forces. "The Yamato Alliance's headquarters is somewhere in there."
Behind him sat Cornelia on her throne, looking at the map with a bored expression with her Knight, Gilbert G.P. Guilford standing next to her.
"What will be the effect production?" Cornelia asked, weighing possible losses in this operation.
"Primary sector output should fall by 0.2 percent." Darlton assured her.
"So well within expectations. All right." Cornelia turned her attention to the fearful commanders to the side. "All of you participated in the Shinjuku disaster, correct?"
"Y-Yes." The middle commander stuttered he saluted and bowed to Cornelia. "And we're grateful to you, Princess Cornelia, for your mercy on-"
"That's not what I was asking." Cornelia cut him off, disgusted at the three of them as she turned to face the screen. "Do you think the conditions are similar to Shinjuku?"
As she spoke a butterfly watched from the wall, seemingly listening in on the conversation.
Xxx
All news channels across Japan were interrupted by an emergency broadcast from Cornelia. "Military authorities report that that have surrounded the Saitama Ghetto, a known hiding place for terrorists. Viceroy Cornelia is also in on the scene and entering into that area is restricted."
Xxx
"Oh and what has you looking so serious?" C.C. asked from the bed as Lelouch walked into the room with a scowl on his face and turned the television on.
"Uh oh." Naruto muttered. 'I've seen that look before.
'You've had that look plenty of times.' Kurama pointed out with a grin.
'Bite me.'
Xxx
"It appears that a full scale assault will be launched in two hours." The newswoman continued.
"News is one thing but why are broadcasting the battle so early." An intern quietly asked as they all watched.
"Because they're trying to provoke Zero." Diethard Reid answered, annoyed at the man's naivety.
Xxx
"Zero is a criminal with a flair for the theatrical. I have recreated the same conditions that existed in Shinjuku, in order to draw him out. If he's the overconfident type, I predict he will come here to try and kill me." Cornelia explained with a confident smile.
"Viceroy that would mean risking your own life!" One of the aids exclaimed.
Cornelia sent a harsh glared towards the man who trembled under her gaze. "What you fail to understand is that war is a struggle between pride and life."
Xxx
"So, I take it you're going?" C.C. frowned.
"Why would I turn down such a gracious invitation?" Lelouch rhetorically asked.
Naruto scoffed. "You're not seriously falling for it are you?"
"Well they did go through such lengths to get my attention."
"You're not taking this seriously at all. I told you not to treat war like a game." Naruto scowled at Lelouch's ego.
He instantly knew that this was a trap on the fact that Cornelia was not only a soldier but a capable strategist considering how well she eliminated the other resistance cells during the last few days.
"And you two are going to stop me now?" Lelouch frowned as he pulled out his pistol.
"And what do you have aside from a single gun that can stop us? Your Geass won't work on us and we're more than prepared." C.C. rhetorically asked as she pulled a kunai out.
"So let's drop the bullshit and talk like a real council of war." Naruto walked up to Lelouch and stopped in front of him. "You can either try to destroy Britannia or find the man who killed your mother. You can't go onto the battlefield with both objectives in mind."
"The two objectives are equally important. The royal family members are competing against each other for the throne to become the next emperor; or rather they are being forced to fight by that man."
"But the very thing you hate is what makes Britannia strong, the royal heir who survives and strong is best fit to become the next emperor, the last one left standing." C.C. stood up from the bed.
"Exactly, the weak ones lose and are cast aside. Britannia is that kind of nation, that kind of world." Lelouch narrowed his eyes.
"Survival is the most basic rule of all."
"If that's true then what happens to Nunnally?! Should I cast her aside for being weak?! I refuse to see anyone suffering the way she did!" Lelouch shouted.
"We're not going to let you die without finishing our contract." C.C. said as her yellow eyes morphed, showing her Rinnegan with the Geass symbol around her pupil glowing violet.
"So shut up, sit down and start acting like a tactician. We're not planning to sit by and watch you get yourself killed or let Cornelia set off another massacre but we'll do it the smart way." Naruto showed his Rinnegan, while ignoring Kurama taunting him about being smart was not his forte. "You think just because the group from Shinjuku followed your orders perfectly means the Yamato Alliance will be the same? People who don't know you and have no real trust. There is no reason they won't abandon you when things get tough and from what I saw Cornelia is an actual leader who wants your head on a pike. You can't afford to be overconfident this early."
Lelouch would have brushed their comments aside but he knew one or both of them could overpower him so he relented. "So then, what do you suggest?"
Naruto and C.C. smirked, happy that they got through his thick skull.
Xxx
A butterfly landed in a tunnel and a second later there was puff of smoke the cleared to reveal Seizan and Shinryoku standing in the tunnel.
'Good work, Chomei.' Naruto mentally complimented as he felt the Nanabi return to his mindscape. 'Thanks for spying on Cornelia for us. Now we can properly counter her.'
'My pleasure, Naruto-sama.' Chomei answered.
"Now then," Naruto said as he opened the cockpit and allowed Lelouch who dressed as Zero to get out. "You remember what we discussed."
"I have." Lelouch nodded as Naruto and C.C. both made the same hand sign.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Xxx
Britannian soldiers cornered a group of Japanese civilians and shot a man in front of the crowd.
"Why are you doing this?! There are children here! These people have done nothing!"
"Exactly you are doing nothing to reveal the terrorists hiding here. You cover for them. That's treason against a suzerain state." The soldier pointed their rifles. "Now you will-"
The sergeant never finished his sentence as he and the other soldiers were all killed as kunai and shuriken flew through air, slicing through their throats and embedding themselves in their heads. The civilians saw cloaked figures wearing animal masks coming out of the shadows.
"People of Saitama, we have been sent by Zero to prevent as many civilian casualties as possible." The 'leader' spoke. "Follow the tunnels to get as far from the battlefield as possible. Do not stop until you are out of the Ghetto."
The people did as they were told, whispering 'thank you' to the cloaked warriors as more moved at high speed through the Ghetto.
Xxx
"I don't understand. Why won't Princess Cornelia order us to attack?" Jeremiah grunted as the Pureblood stood with their Sutherlands, simply standing guard.
"She won't because Orange here." Kewell sneered. "Thanks to you our careers are over."
"No you're wrong! It was Zero who did that!" Jeremiah protested.
Villetta looked over at Jeremiah and remembered that boy from Shinjuku and her memory loss of how she lost her Sutherland. 'Zero? Could that student be working with him?'
Xxx
The leaders of the Yamato Alliance watched with grim and fearful looks as Cornelia's forces began decimating the Ghetto.
"Can't we get through the Saiko line?"
"They have armored tanks blocking it."
"We can't even use the side roads either."
"What about the other districts like Akakbani or Jojo? Can they send support?"
"The Britannians have covered all entrances, so they can get one or two people in but that's it."
"Sir, listen to this." A soldier ran in with a radio.
"I am Zero." Everyone at the table gasped. "I assume all of you heard about the Shinjuku incident. Do exactly what I tell you and you will win."
Xxx
"Please have mercy." A Japanese man begged as a group of soldiers pointed their guns at him, his wife, and his son.
"Worthless Eleven. This is for Prince Clovis!" The soldiers prepared to fire but just before they did a shot rang out and the leader fell over with a hole in his head.
The other soldiers didn't have a chance to find out what happened as they were dead a second later when two black blurs landed behind them and slit their throats before they even knew that they had died.
"Britannian justice at its best." Zero lowered his gun as the Japanese group gazed him with grateful looks. "I am currently evacuating all civilians. Go in that direction to get to safety before the fighting starts."
Xxx
'And thus begins the second part of the plan.' Lelouch thought. 'I'll give the Yamato Alliance a chance to fight but if things go south like Naruto said I'll fall back to his plan.'
Lelouch used the same uniform he stole to infiltrate Clovis's G1 and managed to trick a guard into coming out. Once that was done he used his Geass to steal the pilot's Sutherland, much like how he did before. Naruto and C.C. had sent Shadow Clones all over the place to rescue civilians and even had one disguised as Zero himself to inspire hope in the people he rescued.
He hopped into the cockpit and turned on the communication systems. "This is Zero. As planned I have captured an enemy Sutherland. Wait for my initial instructions before beginning the attack."
"Hai Zero!"
Xxx
"Viceroy, we've lost contact with the squads sent to gather civilians." Darlton reported.
"It seems we either underestimated these terrorists or…" Cornelia smirked. "Zero's nearby. Shall we begin?"
Darlton nodded. "Right. Attention all forces, commence eradication of the Saitama Ghetto. All forces, assume Level One Battle stations."
Xxx
"B12 is complete."
"F7, no sign of the enemy."
"D24 under control."
"P12 move to point 506."
"Yes my Lord. Changing course to 506."
"No resistance. Guess this Zero is a no show."
"Yeah. Nothing here but mangy terrorists."
The pilots in the two Sutherlands couldn't continue their conversation as two rockets flew out struck them in their factspheres.
Xxx
Lelouch smirked as he registered the two Sutherlands being destroyed. "Now to drag Cornelia out."
Xxx
"R1 and R2, draw the enemy to where N7 is, B12 and B7 fire at two o'clock."
A pair of tanks exploded.
"P5, commence firing."
Two Britannian Sutherlands were ripped apart by a barrage of bullets.
Xxx
"We've lost Jester's signal!"
"Unit 5 engaging at point 592."
"Kazinki's unit is retreating under heavy fire."
"It's just like in Shinjuku." An officer whispered.
"It appears that the enemy is using stolen Sutherlands." Cornelia stated calmly. "Any sign of Zero or those two Knightmares yet?"
"Negative."
Xxx
"N2, attack at three o'clock."
Britannian infantry were gunned down by enemy fire.
"R4, open fire."
A VTOL was shot down.
"N1, take the one on the left."
Another tank was blown apart.
"P3, destroy the bright to cut off their retreat."
A bridge containing enemy tanks, infantry and Sutherlands exploded, sending the enemy units falling into the river.
Xxx
"Point R7 is destroyed. All units lost."
"All forces fall back. There is no point in further casualties." Cornelia calmly ordered.
"We're retreating?" One of the officers asked.
"Your majesty, we can still fight."
"We can't fight them like this." Cornelia replied.
Xxx
"All units withdraw to the Ghetto's entrance. Repeat, withdraw to the Ghetto's entrance."
"You hear that?" Lelouch asked on a secure channel.
"Yep. Cornelia's got confirmation that we're here now. If she's as skilled as she is rumored to be she most likely studied Shinjuku. I'm no expert planner but I knew all those Sutherlands out for the rebels to steal was fishy. Now she's ordering a retreat and everyone has, except for the Sutherlands that have been stolen." Naruto answered. "This was way too easy."
"And you believe that Cornelia planned for that?" Lelouch deduced. "She suspects I've stolen a Sutherland and she believes I'll try to get to her like Clovis."
"My teacher always said to look underneath the underneath and I'm smart enough to know the same trick never works twice, especially against someone who knows how to fight. Hurry and tell the rebel pilots to abandon their Sutherlands or they'll be killed."
"Let's test that." Lelouch changed the channel.
Xxx
"I win this round." Cornelia smirked.
"Huh?"
"Of course. This is why Cornelia is called the Goddess of Victory." Darlton smiled as he bowed.
"Shall we go then, Guilford, my knight?" Cornelia glanced at the man standing next to her.
"It will be my pleasure and honor, milady." Guilford answered with respect and admiration.
Xxx
Lelouch watched as squadrons of Gloucesters charged out of the G-1 base. "Just as Naruto said. She's sending out Gloucester frames. Now to see if what Naruto said was true." He turned on his radio. "This is Zero. N1 will reengage their I.F.F. and operate as Britannian unit."
"Understood."
"As my decoy." Lelouch smirked.
Xxx
"We have one Knightmare left transmitting an I.F.F. signal within the city area." Darlton reported.
"Can you contact it?"
"Scramble a rescue team."
"No, destroy it." Cornelia ordered.
"You can't!"
"He might be a captive of the enemy!" The Shinjuku officers protested.
"I ordered all troops to fall back. I have no use for soldiers who won't follow my orders." Cornelia coldly answered.
"You heard the Princess." Darlton said to the two officers.
"Do your duty even if it costs your life. My subordinates follow that code without question."
Xxx
"What the hell?! Can't you read the IFF?! I'm on your side!"
The man then opened fire as the three Gloucesters charged forward; leaping out of the way and Guilford skewered the Sutherland with his lance.
Lelouch watched as three Gloucesters destroyed N1 without hesitance or mercy.
"No confirmation. So Naruto was right." Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "N2, transmit IFF then fall back to the hospital ruins. R1, R2, open fire on attacking units only."
Xxx
"They're transmitting another IFF which means it's a trap. Send more Gloucesters and surround them." Darlton ordered.
Xxx
'Not pursuing?' Lelouch watched the way Gloucesters were moving. "R1, R2, fall back now."
Xxx
"Gloucesters have arrived at the position. No sign of the enemy."
"He anticipated my move. We may really be dealing with Zero." Cornelia smiled darkly.
Xxx
"Attention all Yamato members, abandon your Sutherlands and retreat." Lelouch said through the radio.
"What?"
"We can win!"
"Like hell! There is no way we can beat Cornelia's Royal Guard. That's a death sentence. I'm out!" The pilot pushed the eject switch in his cockpit.
"Cornelia's sending her Royal Guardsmen to finish us off, meaning she's taking us more seriously. Now she'll learn the power of my knights." Lelouch said confidently, falling back on his backup plan.
Xxx
"Hey! We surrender! We won't resist! Spare us!"
Cornelia narrowed her eyes. "Kill them."
Xxx
Lelouch narrowed his eyes in anger at how a few rebels ignored him like that, especially since he went through all the trouble to help them beat Cornelia.
'They've turned their backs on me all because they've scored just a few lucky shots!' Lelouch growled. 'Naruto was right again!'
He acknowledged that Naruto was good at strategy as a war advisor but he hated the fact that his original plan was falling apart.
Xxx
"Another unit destroyed Princess." Darlton reported as several rebel Sutherlands were already destroyed.
"They're falling for it so easily. Maybe we're not dealing with Zero." Cornelia frowned since the enemy was suddenly so easy to defeat.
They seemed to be doing so well and then suddenly it was hardly worth the effort at all. Did Zero suddenly give up and abandon the fight?
Xxx
Lelouch had to admit, if Naruto and C.C. had not forced him to stay and formulate a back-up plan(though they considered it the real plan) he would have been caught off guard. Gloucester Frames were superior to Sutherland Frames and they were most likely handpicked by Cornelia herself.
"Shinryoku, you ready?" Lelouch asked.
"Finally. I've been getting bored. I see the Yamato Alliance refused your orders and abandoned you."
Lelouch frowned as he watched them either try to flee, surrender, or futilely keep on fighting, only to be killed with no mercy. "Yes. It seems Seizan was right. If I had joined with the rest of the forces I would be next to Cornelia but without the rebels to create an opening I'd be trapped."
"You see? There is a reason you keep us around." C.C. teased.
Lelouch would have responded if his cell phone didn't start ringing. "Hm? I thought the party for the cat was tomorrow."
When he answered he was greeted with the sound of an unexpected voice. "Hey Lelouch?"
"Suzaku?"
"We were discussing your relationships here and I need to ask do you like-"
"NO!" Lelouch heard Shirley cry out and then the call ended.
Lelouch didn't know what was going on but he turned off the phone. He was too busy to be bothered like this.
"Time to start Phase Two."
Xxx
C.C. had been waiting patiently from her way point ever since she had split from Naruto and Lelouch. She had to applaud Naruto for even though he did not have Lelouch's intellect Naruto was capable of coming up with cunning plans on the fly during battle and his ability to come up with plans in the thick of battle and could even come up with back-up plans to such a degree that not even Lelouch could predict and have time to counter even without his powers. They had both realized Cornelia was setting a trap and they knew Lelouch would blunder right into it because the only thing matching his intellect was his ego. Naruto had even taken the precaution of sending Chomei to spy on Cornelia when he found out that Cornelia was looking for Zero and find out what she was up to, allowing him to come with a counter plan that even Lelouch wouldn't argue against.
'Not that Lelouch would admit that our plan was better. He doesn't like having to share plans or listen to someone else do the strategizing. His attitude is why his Geass allows him to make people obey his commands no matter what. Like mother, like son.' C.C. thought with a nostalgic smirk.
"Shinryoku, three Gloucesters are approaching your position." Lelouch informed her through the radio.
"Finally." C.C. said, eager to get started,
She spotted the three Gloucesters and was momentarily stunned by the arrogance of the pilots. They had nothing but golden lances for combat and they weren't even moving through the ghetto like soldiers. More like they were moving down the streets like they were part of a parade.
'Typical Britannian arrogance.' C.C. thought with an eager smirk.
Time to have some fun.
Xxx
"Has anything appeared on radar?" Guilford asked, becoming impatient.
Cornelia had given the order to destroy any Sutherlands transmitting an I.F.F. signal inside the Ghetto, considering them to be rebels that stole the Sutherlands and he had done just that but for some reason it was all too easy. Cornelia predicted Zero would order the terrorists to set up traps and ambushes but they had all been randomly attacking with no sense of planning or coordination. It either meant Zero never showed up or something else was going on.
"Nothing yet sir."
"Maybe Zero ran for it when he saw us coming." The other pilot suggested but changed his mind. "Sir, unidentified Knightmare approaching from…Above us!"
That was all the warning they had before a dark green and black Knightmare landed in between them, having jumped off the building they had been passing and slashed its violet fans down on the rear Gloucester of the group, forcing the pilot to eject before he consumed by the explosion. C.C. smirked as she spun around and launched all blades from her Harken Fans at the next Knightmare that pierced its body and caused it to explode from critical damage as the blades retracted.
"Damn you!" The third Gloucester charged forward with its golden lance pointed at Shinryoku's chest. "For Cornelia!"
However C.C. was not afraid. She waited until the very last second before jumping and spinning over the lance, activating her Wave Surger and sliced her Harken fans that glowed bright red from the activation of the radiation surge through the Gloucester's weapon, arm and then through the head, setting off sparks of electricity through the frame that forced the pilot to eject as the Gloucester exploded.
"Three down." C.C. spoke in satisfaction.
"Good work. Several more of Cornelia's knights are on the way."
"Now it's Naruto's turn."
Xxx
"Your Highness, we've just received reports of a dark green Knightmare taking three Gloucesters."
Cornelia narrowed her eyes. "A dark green Knightmare. It must be one of the two advanced Knightmares that helped Zero rescue Warrant Officer Kururugi. So, Zero's decided to take this seriously if he's brought out his ace pilots. Guilford, make sure you capture or kill the pilot. We can't have Zero keeping two advanced Knightmares but be on the lookout for the other one. We have intelligence that claims it can move underground somehow."
"Yes, your majesty."
Xxx
"C.C., they're coming for you."
"I see them." C.C. spotted three more Gloucesters coming towards her, moving at high speed towards her.
Guilford spotted the green Knightmare as it turned around and sped off. "Don't let it get away! All forces, the green Knightmare that works with Zero is moving to the center of the ghetto, move to intercept!"
Shinryoku sped through the Ghetto on its landspinners with Guilford pursuing her. C.C. spotted Gloucester came out of a corner and charged at her with its spear aimed forward.
"For Cornelia!" The pilot shouted.
"Hmph!" C.C. smirked.
Just as the spear came within striking distance Shinryoku jumped up, landing on the Gloucester's shoulder and leapt off, landing on the ground and quickly continued its run.
"It's fast." Guilford muttered. "And its reflexes are even faster than our Gloucesters. All forces converge on the enemy coordinates. Surround it before it escapes!"
Two more Gloucesters who had been with the one C.C. had just defeated quickly aimed their gatling guns and fired.
"Is that it?" C.C. asked as her Rinnegan flashed.
Shinryoku and held its fans in front of its body. To the shock of the two pilots, the bullets seemingly bounced off an invisible shield forming around the green Knightmare.
"What the-" The pilots gasped.
"Wave Surger activated." C.C., using the radiant wave surger to block the bullets, smirked as she thrust forward and slashed Shinrokyu's fan through the two Gloucesters easily, the combination of chakra and radiant wave energy cutting and burning through the frames like a hot knife through butter.
Both pilots ejected in time as their frames exploded.
Xxx
'Naruto said that to rely on strangers, even if in a life or death situation is dangerous as they have no reason to trust me. And he was right, they went against my orders and recklessly charged forward all because they managed to take out a few enemies. Now all I have left is him and C.C. and luckily they both recognize the need for strategy even without my instructions. That's where he comes in.' Lelouch thought with a calculate look as Cornelia's forces were moving to cut Shinrokyu off. 'One of Zero's personal knights is a tempting target that she won't want to pass up.'
Lelouch had to chuckle. "Theatricality and deception, powerful agents against any opponent no matter how skilled they might be as Naruto claimed. They focus on the obvious threat and remain blind to the hidden one."
Xxx
C.C. watched as she made it out into a clearing with Gloucesters, all armed with golden lances with capes attached to their backs coming out and surrounding her. "All you boys chasing me. What a way to make a girl feel special."
"You are surrounded. Surrender now and you will be treated with mercy." Guilford stated.
"As tempting as that sounds, having enjoyed Britannian hospitality before I will have to decline. Of course, you can always surrender." C.C. calmly replied.
"You cannot hope to take us all on, no matter how skilled you are or how advanced your Knightmare is. There is too many of us and even if your partner is hiding underground we will know where he is the second he attacks from under the ground." Guilford had already told his men to beware of any shifts in the ground, remembering how blue Knightmare could somehow attack from underground.
"Oh yeah. We both know that the same trick never works twice." C.C. agreed as she smiled. "That's why we worked out some new ones."
A pair of black and blue hands sprouted from the ground and grabbed Shinrokyu's legs, pulling it down into the ground.
"What the-" Guilford was cut off as the ground cracked open underneath him and his men. "MOVE! IT"S A TRAP!"
The pilots hurried to eject the ground cracked open and the Knightmares fell into what looked like a large open chamber below. Guilford jumped up into the air and launched his Slash Harken towards to the nearest building to grapple up to and avoid falling in with the rest of the Knightmares.
"Guilford, what's happening?!" Cornelia shouted through the radio.
"The ground beneath us, it collapsed!" Guilford answered as he looked at the giant hole.
Both Shinryoku and Seizan stood in the field littered with wrecked and abandoned Knightmares with their pilots smirking in victory. The supports that kept the ground up were destroyed with just a few well placed explosives as Naruto pulled C.C. down and distracted them long enough to be caught completely by surprise.
"Cornelia may be a better tactician than Lelouch thought. However like Lelouch she has her share of arrogance. Twice the pride…" C.C. said with a satisfied grin.
"Double the fall." Naruto finished with a foxy smirk.
"Damn you!" Guilford shouted, angry that most of the Royal Guard had been taken out.
"Oh, one of them is still around?" C.C. asked, slightly surprised.
"Not for long." Naruto remarked.
Seizan leapt up and out of the hole, surprising Guilford as how high the Knightmare could jump and landed back on the pavement and then jumped after Guilford.
"You wish to challenge me yourself? Very well!" Guilford's landspinners propelled him towards the blue Knightmare as it pulled out a pair of violet kodachi.
Guilford immediately went for the killing blow but the blue Knightmare moved to the side and slashed both kodachi at Guilford who blocked with his lance. Both Knightmares struggled to push each other back with their landspinners letting loud screeching like sounds. Naruto pulled his kodachi back and spun out of the way as Guilford slashed his lance at where Seizan had been. Guilford fired his Slash Harkens which Naruto avoided and charged forward.
Guilford aimed his lance at Naruto's chest as he charged forward but Naruto had been counting on it. Just as the lance came forward Naruto launched his MVS daggers that passed Guilford under his arms where they dug into a building behind him. Naruto pushed the landspinners to the max as the cables pulled him forward and he leapt into the air, jumping over the lance and head butting Guilford, knocking him down as Naruto sailed over him and landed on top of a small building and turned to look down at Guilford's Gloucester as it managed to stand back up.
'This pilot, he's good.' Guilford grunted as he struggled to block the two swords.
'Not bad.' Naruto thought. 'These Royal Guards are obviously more skilled than average pilots.'
Xxx
"What happened?!" Cornelia bellowed as she stood up and saw that her entire Royal Guard except for Guilford had somehow been lost.
"The ground beneath Sir Guilford and his men suddenly collapsed. They all managed to eject before they fell in." Darlton answered, shocked that almost all members of the Honor Guard had been defeated and it the enemy made it look so easy. "They must have planted explosives in underground tunnels to knock structural support!"
"Zero…he predicted this! He knew I would think he was masquerading as one of us and set this up!" Cornelia growled.
She had thought Zero was just another terrorist to be caught or killed but he had proven to be a keen strategist. He must have set explosives underneath the Ghetto and had his ace pilot lure Guilford and his men to a single location. She couldn't believe she had been outmaneuvered and tricked so easily like this and to make it worse she had walked right into it without a second thought.
"Princess, we're picking up an incoming radio call from in the Ghetto."
"Where's it coming from?" Cornelia frowned.
"Unknown."
"Put it on."
The officer nodded and opened the channel. "Princess Cornelia Li Britannia, I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."
"Zero." Cornelia gritted her teeth. "So you finally reveal yourself, coward."
"Coward? That's a little uncalled for, considering your own cowardice actions?"
"How dare you insult Princess Cornelia?!" Darlton shouted angrily, red in the face along with most of the bridge crew.
"What else would I call the actions of a woman who ordered defenseless civilians, including entire families and children to be gunned down just to draw me out? You call yourself a warrior but you resort to the same despicable actions that earned Viceroy Clovis a bullet to his head."
Cornelia growled. "And do you plan to do the same to me?"
"I would if the situation calls for it but I'll settle for humiliating you and your Royal Guard. I have something to show you."
"We're receiving a video link."
The screen showed Guilford's Gloucester fighting against a blue advanced Knightmare, the other Knightmare that appeared when Zero rescued Kururugi.
"Watch as my Knight takes down yours." Zero finished ominously as he cut the connection.
Xxx
'Looks like my Shadow Clone's got Cornelia's attention.' Naruto thought. 'Then it's time to end this.'
He channeled wind charka through his MVS kodachi as it slashed with Guildford's golden lance again, but this time it sliced through Guilford's lance.
"What?!" Guilford gasped as both blades sliced off his arms and stabbed through his Frame.
"I'd eject if I were you." Naruto remarked through the radio as chakra and radiant waves pulsed through the Gloucester, slowly overloading it from the inside. "Unless you want to go up in blaze of glory."
"Guilford, eject!" Cornelia shouted through the radio.
Guilford slammed down on the eject switch and his cockpit blasted its way out of the frame as it exploded.
"Tell me, Cornelia," Zero said through the radio, everyone hearing him speak. "Are you still sure you can win?"
Xxx
"Get my Gloucester ready!" Cornelia turned to the door. "Zero has made a fool out of me and I will not let him get away with this!"
"I shall accompany you." Darlton moved to follow her.
"Zero's been sighted!"
They all turned around to see Zero, standing on top of a ruined building where he could see everything.
"So, he did have that type of personality." Cornelia smirked darkly.
"Capture him! Platoons three and five mount up!" Darlton shouted.
"Image detected. Target confirmed. All forces move out!"
Britannian infantry and Knightmares moved towards Zero but he spread his arms out, his cape fluttering like wings as he leapt backwards off the building. The building obscured him as he fell down into a manhole. Once he landed in the sewers he pulled out a detonator and pressed the button before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
"What are the possibilities it's a trap?" Cornelia asked.
"It is highly possible. We don't know much about his character, other than that he's as dramatic as you believed, Viceroy." Darlton answered.
"Then there is no point going after him then." Cornelia scowled, angered that Zero had managed to outwit her.
"No, if he intentionally revealed himself to us he will most certainly have an escape route planned." Darlton answered.
"So self preservation trumps all, huh? Damn. We've lost over a dozen pilots ever if we destroyed the Yamato Alliance. But since Zero is gone there is little point in continuing the purge. Do a final sweep to ensure we got them all. Don't bother with civilian survivors." Cornelia ordered.
"Your highness, we're registering thermal detonations!"
Everyone watched as explosions rang through the ghetto, buildings collapsed and toppled over, ground cracked open and collapsed into underground tunnels, swallowing tanks, infantry, and Knightmares that couldn't move fast enough. An unstable building lost its standing and fell towards the G-1 Mobile Base.
"PRINCESS CORNELIA!" Jeremiah shouted as he and the Pure Bloods moved to try and help or rescue Cornelia.
However they were quickly cut off by collapsing buildings fell down in front of them, almost crushing them.
"DAMN!" Jeremiah swore. "We can't get anywhere like this! There must be explosives set all over the Ghetto!"
"But how? There's no way Zero or the terrorists could have known Cornelia's plan." Villetta wondered as she pulled her Sutherland back.
"ALL KNIGHTMARES TAKE EVASIVE ACTION AND MOVE THE G-1!" Cornelia shouted.
The G-1 managed to move out of the way as the building hit the ground but it created a powerful seismic quake that caused pilots to eject from their Knightmares and shook the G-1 base badly enough that everyone was knocked off their feet and computers to short circuit as the impact damaged instruments all over the bridge and left cracks running down the windows but none of them broke. The bridge crew groaned when the shaking finally ended and if they looked out the window they would have seen the entire ghetto completely destroyed and their forces along with it.
Darlton ran over to help Cornelia stand. "Are you all right, milady?"
"I am fine…" Cornelia gritted her teeth as she looked at the devastated battle field. "Zero, you'll pay for this."
Zero had not only defeated her forces he outwitted her, humiliated her on the battlefield by pretending to fall for her plans but instead was waiting for her to fall into his trap.
Xxx
"She's vulnerable now! Seizan, Shinryoku, move in and capture her!" Lelouch said, seeing Cornelia's forces in disarray.
The ghetto was already unstable due to the poor condition it's been kept in and with all of the explosives they had set all over the place it was easy to cause buildings to collapse, roads to crack open up and swallow up enemy infantry and units that were not quick enough to move and sew chaos amongst the enemy ranks.
"We see it." Naruto replied.
Xxx
The G-1 bridge was littered with shouting, crackling radios, and cries for help as Cornelia managed to sit back on her throne. Her hands were shaking with shock and rage at how easily she had been outmaneuvered and outwitted by a simple terrorist.
'I underestimated you, Zero. I thought you were a mere terrorist but you knew that and you used it against me. That will not happen again.' Cornelia thought darkly.
"We need to retreat. We should pull back!"
"No! We will be sitting ducks if we do that. The G-1 is too big to maneuver."
"Viceroy-" The man was cut off as the bridge shook and the sound of an explosion boomed outside the G-1.
"What was that?!" Cornelia stood up, seeing the explosion so close.
There was another explosion that shook the G-1 and caused sparks to fly out of the broken consoles across the bridge.
"Contact the standby aircraft and tell them to launch! I want this ghetto removed from my sight!" Cornelia shouted, gripping her chair tightly to not fall off and out of fury.
"You heard her Highness! Initiate air-" Darlton was cut off as two large dark figures landed in front of the G-1.
Cornelia recognized them immediately. "Those are-"
The two advanced Knightmares that had been with Zero when he rescued Suzaku Kururugi from the Pure Bloods staring down at her with what looked to be ringed eyes.
"Can you hear us, Princess Cornelia?" A male voice came from the blue Knightmare. "Those explosions you heard were us destroying the turrets of your base, leaving you defenseless with no reinforcements from your army coming to save you."
"So this was Zero's plan." Cornelia muttered, realizing what had happened.
Zero predicted she would send her forces after one of his ace Knightmares so he set up the explosives all over the ghetto and waited for the right time to detonate and scatter her forces, leaving her wide open.
"You have two choices now: you can fight and we will destroy the base with you and your subordinates in it or you surrender now and consider yourself a prisoner." The pilot of the blue Knightmare continued as it reached out with one hand and easily broke the front glass of the bridge.
Everyone covered their eyes as glass shards flew everywhere and when they opened them they saw the Knightmare's hand extended out, as if to take a hand despite its large size.
"This is one a time offer and it expires in ten seconds."
"Damn you." Cornelia gritted her teeth.
Is this it? Does she sacrifice herself and her subordinates for the sake of her pride? Or does she surrender and save everyone who has survived?
She moved to open her mouth and say-
"PRINCESS CORNELIA!"
The two Knightmares jumped back as bullets sailed through the air where they had been but missing the G-1 to avoid friendly fire and causing all the breath from Cornelia's lungs to fly out of her mouth. A single Sutherland wheeled forward, shooting at the two Knightmares.
"Where are you, Zero?! Show yourself you coward!" Jeremiah shouted as he continued firing.
"That was unexpected." Naruto commented as he dodged the bullets and spotted new icons on his tactical map. "And there's an air strike on the way."
"And we were so close." C.C. sighed, not angry at being interrupted but she was disappointed all the same as who likes being interrupted when they were so close to victory?
They could take out Jeremiah and his forces right now and finish off Cornelia but they'd be open to the airships already dropping bombs on the Ghetto and would have to move fast or show off more of their abilities to survive. The best option for now was to retreat.
"Consider yourself lucky, Cornelia as if it wasn't for these guys saving you things would have been very different." Naruto called out through Seizan's speakers as the two Knightmares retreated back into the Ghetto.
"Come back here!" Jeremiah shouted as he chased after them.
Seizan and Shinryoku quickly wheeled back and moved behind a knocked over building.
Jeremiah wheeled around the corner to pursue them but when he did he saw they were gone. "What?! Where did they go? How could they move that fast?"
"Lord Jeremiah!" Villetta along with the rest of the Purist Faction came onto the scene. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. We must protect the princess. Spread out and form a perimeter around the G-1." Jeremiah quickly ordered.
He wanted to pursue the two advanced Knightmares that worked with Zero but Princess Cornelia's safety came before all else. Jeremiah Gottwald would be damned if he let someone else from royalty die on his watch.
Cornelia fell back on her chair causing Darlton to run up to her. "Princess Cornelia, are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Cornelia said, taking a deep breath. "Call back all our surviving forces and send out search parties for anyone who has ejected."
"At once your Majesty." Darlton bowed his head.
'That was too close…I kept the Pure Bloods at the back to keep them out of the way but if not for them I would either be dead or a prisoner right now.' Cornelia thought over her defeat. 'Zero didn't think Jeremiah would be here to save me at the last second and that was the only reason I'm still here.'
Defeat.
For the first time in her military career she had suffered a true defeat with only a hint of luck that saved her this day. From this day forward, Cornelia vowed she would not underestimate Zero again and she would make him pay for this humiliation.
She swore on her title as Princess of Britannia.
Xxx
Lelouch tossed the helmet of his stolen uniform as he walked through the sewers, waiting for his two companions. He had taken the chance brought by the diversion that Naruto had set up to escape his Sutherland while no one was looking. He should be happy that he won today but truthfully he annoyed how his original plan failed all because the Yamato Alliance lacked strategy and common sense to do anything right along with the fact that his two knights hadn't managed to capture Cornelia.
"Well, you seem happy."
Lelouch spotted Naruto and C.C. coming out of the shadows, wearing their ANBU armor, cloaks with the hoods down, and the animal masks removed to show their faces. C.C. had a calm look while Naruto had a slight scowl on his face.
"You were right about the Yamato Alliance. They abandoned me as soon as one or two died and refused to retreat with the rest of the civilians when I told them to." Lelouch said with a frown, annoyed that his original plan(in his mind) did not work.
"I did say it's a bad idea to play with strangers." C.C. shook her head. "Your pride will be the end of you one day."
"I would have found a way to capture her if I had the time." Lelouch argued stubbornly. "And you two failed to capture Cornelia."
"This is why I told you to not treat war like a game. Acting like a simple tactician is not going to be enough, especially with the kind of odds you face. No one can predict the outcome of a battle even when you plan for all the expected outcomes." Naruto leaned against the wall and folded his arms. "You can't give orders and expect them to follow you, not unless you intend to rely on only your Geass. You need to control not just one side but the entire battlefield, deciding when and where the battle takes place. You need subordinates you can trust to follow you and more importantly you need to know what they can do and for them to trust you."
Lelouch scowled. "Very well. That was what I will do then. I'll raise an army that can't lose to Britannia, a People, a Nation!" He tossed his military uniform aside as he changed into his Zero outfit. "I take it that you managed to evacuate all the civilians."
"Almost all of them. The perks of a having a dozen Shadow Clones." Naruto smirked. "And they all wish to thank Zero."
"I see." Lelouch put the mask on. "I guess I cannot disappoint them."
He followed Naruto and C.C. through the tunnel and into a subway where all the civilian survivors were waiting.
"Look, its Zero!"
"Zero saved us!"
"Is it really him?"
"My dear Japanese, have no fear for I Zero have come to lead you all to safety!" Lelouch declared in a loud voice. "My personal Knights have secured a safe way out of the Ghetto and have located several suitable hideouts in Shinjuku with plenty of food, medicine and beds for your old, injured, and young to rest."
This worked better for him since he would gain more support from the Japanese for saving such a large number of them today.
Xxx
Flashback
"Cornelia's repeating what happened in Shinjuku to draw out Zero. That means she hopes to catch you in a trap." Naruto stated, sitting at a table with Lelouch and C.C. as they discussed the plan. "I've seen this before. Study the enemy's tactics and then repeat it, take advantage of any ego the enemy's got and trap them."
"And you believe that's what Cornelia's doing? She thinks I'll steal a Sutherland for myself and the rebels to give them a fighting chance." Lelouch stated, figuring what Naruto was trying to say.
"She'll even leave herself open as bait, sweetening the pot." Naruto answered. "Everyone knows the same plan won't work, especially in a trap this obvious."
"So what do you suggest?" Lelouch asked, wondering what plan Naruto had come up with.
"Make her think she's caught Zero in the trap then spring a trap on her." Naruto grinned, looking more and more like a fox.
End Flashback
Xxx
'Making Cornelia think Zero had stolen a Sutherland for himself and several for the rebels like in Shinjuku, then when Cornelia called out her Royal Guard to attack any Sutherlands that didn't retreat from the Ghetto as she ordered, considering them rebels without confirmation, and then baiting her forces with one of Zero's Aces to lure them all into a trap which takes them all out of the battle in one quick move. Then to cover Zero's apparent retreat all the bombs Naruto and C.C.'s Shadow Clones placed around the Ghetto detonate, throwing Cornelia into disarray and leaving her wide open. It would have been more satisfying to capture Cornelia herself but at least this was not a total loss.' Lelouch thought as he remembered the plan. 'Of course I should have expected Cornelia to have an air strike ready or that Jeremiah and the Pure Bloods would move as soon as Cornelia was disorganized. They might have been disgraced but they were not down.'
Naruto surprised him this time as the blond easily came up with a counter plan in such a short amount of time. Now Zero was a hero to the people and Viceroy Cornelia, the Witch of Britannia and the Goddess of Victory was defeated and humiliated in her first battle against Zero.
Xxx
"And just like that, Zero survives his first real battle." Rakshata remarked with a grin as she twirled her smoke pipe, having watched the battle through her shared vision with Naruto and C.C. "And you made a show out of taking down Princess Cornelia li Britannia's Royal Guard while you were at it."
"Yep. Of course, if little Zero didn't have us around he would have lost. His inexperience in battle causes him to treat it like chess, believing everyone would follow him if he gave them a few big toys." Naruto answered from Rakshata's laptop.
"Little boys playing such big toys." Rakshata chuckled. "And they abandon ship at the very moment of trouble, like rats."
"Of course, now Lelouch will start building up an army. He'll probably start with those terrorists he helped in Shinjuku but he'll need resources." C.C. brought up.
"Why not use the Ashford family? They used to design and build Knightmares before they were stripped of their nobility. It wouldn't be surprising if they kept some kind of warehouse to store their old equipment." Rakshata offered with a smirk. "Perhaps you could convince them to hand over the Ganymede. The Knightmare piloted by a Knight of the Round would be very interesting to look at."
"Zero does the recruiting…" Naruto started.
"And we find the material to give them everything they need." C.C. finished.
"Of course, I'm tempted to add my own in on this." Rakshata said, smirking as she inhaled from her pipe. "I've already drawn up plans for countering Lloyd's new toy."
"For us? I thought we were more than a match for it." Naruto commented.
"For you, yes. But I wouldn't have my reputation if I designed the best Knightmares only for you two." Rakshata answered. "In fact…That red haired girl, you told me she'd be an excellent pilot if she had a real Knightmare."
"Does this mean…" Naruto asked with a small smirk.
"Yep. I've already designed the perfect one for her and it's being shipped to Japan through the Six Houses of Kyoto." Rakshata chuckled.
"They must be testing the waters, seeing if Zero is as big as he claims." C.C. commented. "They'll offer more support if we can prove to beat Britannia back."
"Knowing Lelouch he won't wait long for that. Hopefully this present you have for us makes it here soon, Rakshata-chan." Naruto said.
"It's not my fault. You haven't taught me that summoning move you did yet." Rakshata pouted. "I really need to learn that move. I've been too busy studying up on Tsunade Senju's notes and learning how to use Iyro jutsu."
"Really? You've been reading Baa-chan's scrolls?" Naruto asked.
"Yep. In addition to being the best Knightmare designer in the world, I Rakshata Chawla will take Tsunade Senju's title of greatest Iryo-nin in this world." Rakshata declared with a confident smile.
"Well, good luck with that Rakshata-chan. Just don't pick up Granny Tsunade's habit of drinking." Naruto chuckled.
"No problem. I got this." Rakshata took another breath from her pipe and exhaled smoke from her mouth. "Drinking only stops my beautiful mind from designing more beautiful children."
"We'll hold you to that." C.C. said as she cut the connection.
*Chapter 7*: Chapter 7Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
When the Third Princess of the Britannian Empire finished her paper work she was excited to hear her sister was coming back and quickly had dinner prepared. She expected to hear Cornelia speaking of how she single handily took down another resistance group and probably captured Zero. However when dinner was served Euphie was understandably cautious as she noticed an aura of anger surrounding her older sister as she stabbed the meatloaf with her knife very aggressively while her left eye twitched. Euphie was a little worried as she tried to think of what could have angered her sister so much.
The room they were dining in was actually the dining room Clovis usually ate in, decorated with his preferred paintings, expansive furniture and carpets and curtains that were colored royal purple lined with gold. Euphie didn't make any changes to it, preferring to keep her brother's possessions where they were while Cornelia didn't give a damn. Euphie tried to list in her head what could have angered her sister so much without actually asking her but that list was actually a little long as it could have ranged from someone spilling wine on her to the battle being lost.
Finally Euphie couldn't help it. "Sister? Are you all right?"
Cornelia's shot up from her meal and Euphie almost instinctively hid under the table. When she saw much she was scaring her younger sister Cornelia softened her gaze, feeling awful for scaring Euphie like that.
"I heard you destroyed the terrorists in the Saitama Ghetto. Another battle won." Euphie cautiously said.
"The battle was won…but I didn't win." Cornelia answered as she glanced to the wall in a solemn tone.
"Huh?" Euphie asked, wondering how that was possible.
The only time Cornelia had ever lost was in a chess game with Schneizel or Lelouch but she never lost a battle before.
"But the news reports-" Euphie remembered the reports.
"They covered up everything that happened except for what happened to the terrorists. I predicted Zero would come to capture me and I was right. I planned to bait him but Zero somehow predicted I would do that, he saw right through me and played along until I fell into his trap." Cornelia narrowed her eyes in rage as she went over the battle and every mistake she made. "He captured several Sutherlands for the rebels like I predicted but instead of using them to attack my forces he baited me with one of his ace pilots, the green Knightmare that helped in Warrant Officer Kururugi's rescue and lured my Royal Guard to an area where he set up explosives on the support beams and caused my men to fall into a chasm below with Guilford being the only one to escape."
Cornelia tightened her grip on her glass of wine.
"Then he contacted me and showed me his blue Knightmare defeating and almost killing Guilford if he hadn't ejected in time. Then the bastard showed himself to me and when I thought I had him he tricked me again, setting off explosions all around the Ghetto, scattering my forces and leaving me wide open. His two aces easily made it to the mobile fortress and if not for Jeremiah and the Pure Bloods of all people I would have been dead or captured." A crack appeared in the glass as Cornelia began losing control. "If not for that one unexpected variable the battle would have ended in his victory!"
She slammed her fists down on the table as she released a gasp of air, working to calm herself down. She looked up and saw Euphie looking scared with her hand over her mouth. Cornelia quickly worked to calm herself down, knowing her little sister was concerned for her and not actually scared of her.
Cornelia would never forgive herself if she terrified her sister.
"I live by the creed that war is a struggle between life and pride and Zero effectively used my pride against me…" Cornelia sighed sadly as she leaned back against her chair.
"Sister." Euphie commented sadly.
"Never mind…Let's just get some ice cream." Cornelia shook her head. "I'll be having a meeting in the morning and I don't want to feel like this when I go to sleep."
"Perhaps you need a nice warm bath." Euphie suddenly smiled cheerfully as her eyes light. "We haven't bathed together since we were kids."
"Euphie…" Cornelia smiled, happy to see her sister trying to make her feel better. "Yes. Why not?"
Xxx
"Excuse me?"
Ruben K. Ashford looked up see the student, Tsunade peeking her head through the open door. "Ah, Miss Senju. Can I help you?"
"Well sir," Tsunade walked in and closed the door. "There is something I important I need to ask you."
"And what is that?" Ruben asked with a smile.
Tsunade smiled. "I'd like to talk to you about your family's previous occupation."
Xxx
"So this is the place." Naruto said as he followed C.C. into the large warehouse.
The moon shined down on them as they looked at the building they had been looking for. It was a former weapons factory designed to produce equipment for Knightmares owned by the Ashford family but they lost interest after the death of Marianne Vi Britannia and lack of support from the Britannian military. Inside they could see mechanical arms holding different tools lining the ceiling with assembly docks, conveyor belts, even Knightmare simulators to help trainee pilots gain the experience they would need.
But that was not the best thing they saw.
Over thirty Knightmares lined the interior of the room, looking entirely brand new. They resembled Sutherlands but were colored dark blue and the armor was more bulky. The eyes of each Knightmare were dark green, the head resembling a Roman Centurion's helmet with a Factsphere Sensor that was smaller than ones on the Sutherland model. The Knightmares had two chest mounted slash harkens and a single cannon attached to the right arms and a large shield on the left arms.
"Yep. This is where the Ashford family stored what was left the Knightmares and weapons they built before they lost their nobility." C.C. nodded. "And by the looks of it these are the latest Knightmare models that had been building before they lost their nobility. Principal Ashford explained this model was meant to keep compete against the Sutherland, equipped with thicker armor that could handle assault rifles and bazookas. Ruben called this model Knightmare the Oberon."
"And to think they lost their nobility just because the Empress they supported was killed." Naruto shook his head. "That jackass of an Emperor is a real piece of work."
"Despite his selfishness Charles most likely did it because of V.V. tracking down and killing anyone associated with Marianne."C.C. said as she made a few hand signs and instantly the factory was shrouded in a genjutsu to better hide the factory for when they start using it.
"A good place to set up shop. It can hold over a dozen Knightmares." Naruto smirked at how large the old factory was. "Lelouch won't complain when he sees what we found. Now the bosses can rest easily tonight."
"Yes…They can." The C.C. Shadow Clone grabbed the Naruto Shadow Clone and started making out with him.
When they vanished in a puff of smoke after an hour both Naruto and C.C. got their memories which made them up for another round.
Xxx
"Viceroy, we've concluded that over forty percent of our forces were lost with fifty percent of our Sutherland and Gloucesters destroyed without casualties." The speaker said, looking through the report. "Per you instructions we made a full investigation and we've concluded that the demolition charges had been placed in various unstable structures throughout the Ghetto, including support beams leaning the area where Lord Guilford and his forces had pursued the green Knightmare. All pilots have reported to have serious injuries but they are all stable and are expected to make a full recovery however they will be out of commission for some time. It is currently unknown how the terrorists were able to place the charges or how they had been able to prepare. We've also discovered a series of tunnels leading out of the Ghetto that is likely how the missing civilian population managed to escape and how Zero's forces managed to sneak in and attack our infantry."
'So Zero had likely prepared these tunnels to evacuate the Elevens from the Ghetto, meaning he knew we were coming. Meaning,' Cornelia thought darkly. 'There is a spy in our midst.'
"Pardon me, but if Zero planned this why didn't he wait for Cornelia to enter the battlefield and then attack her?" A noble spoke up.
"Because he wanted to capture me alive, you fool." Cornelia sneered at the man for asking such a stupid question.
"Yes and that would leave Princess Euphemia as the Viceroy." Darlton spoke up, making Euphemia flinch uncomfortably. "Zero could use her majesty to attempt to make any demands."
"Yes. Our plan to capture Zero backfired which I accept full responsibility for. I underestimated Zero, labelling him as an overconfident terrorist who just got lucky but now I see he's capable for forming complex strategies and his two ace pilots are dangerous in their own right. Therefore I am ordering the manufacturing plants to replace our lost Knightmare Frames with a request for new pilots to be brought in at the earliest convenient time from any reserves from other Areas and that all information coming out of Saitama to be repressed. We cannot allow the Elevens to know of Zero's victory that will surely inspire them to join him in his rebellion which I will not tolerate." Cornelia glared darkly at everyone in the room except for Darlton, Guilford, and Euphemia. "Meeting adjourned."
She stood up from her room and stomped out with anyone who was smart quickly getting out of her way before suffering her wrath.
Xxx
Jeremiah Gottwald had to fight the urge to gulp as he and Villetta waited outside Cornelia's office, having been summoned by the Princess herself. He wondered if this was it and he was being sent back to the Homeland with his military career finished.
"Try to calm down, sir. I'm sure it's nothing." Villetta offered as a form of comfort.
"If it was I wouldn't be summoned here." Jeremiah answered as the door opened.
"Gottwald, the Viceroy will see you now." Guilford stated.
Jeremiah quickly followed Guilford into the officer where Cornelia was waiting at her desk, looking through several documents before looking at him with her usual calm, regal look but always managed to invoke fear in most who were caught in her sight.
"Princess Cornelia." Jeremiah bowed.
"Lord Jeremiah." Cornelia greeted, her calm and regal face staring at the former leader of the Pure Blood faction. "It seems I owe you an apology."
"An…an apology?" Jeremiah was stunned.
Of all the things he expected her to say this was the last.
"During the battle Zero managed to outmaneuver and trick me and if it wasn't for your timely intervention I would likely have been captured or killed. It was my decision to hold the Purist faction back because of what happened during the rescue of Warrant Officer Kururugi and the recent rumors regarding Orange." Cornelia ignored Jeremiah flinching at the nickname he had been labelled by his humiliation. "However because I underestimated Zero my pride cost me the battle and almost the lives of myself and my subordinates." Cornelia leaned forward with a stern look on her features. "I'll make this simple and clear, Lord Jeremiah. I don't know exactly what happened at Warrant Officer Kururugi's trial or why you seem unable to remember helping Zero escape but I owe you for saving my life and I see your loyalty seems genuine for if you were traitor you wouldn't have stopped Zero's Knightmares from taking me."
"Thank you, My Lady." Jeremiah bowed his head again, truly grateful for Cornelia seemingly believing him.
"That being said it's clear to me now that Zero's more dangerous than we first thought and that it's possible he has spies in the government running Area Eleven." Cornelia continued as if Jeremiah had never spoken. "It's the only explanation of how he predicted what would happened at the Saitama Ghetto and how easily he outsmarted our forces. That being said if we are to make any headway into stopping him we need to identify who in the government is working for Zero immediately."
"What would you have me do, my lady?" Jeremiah asked.
"As the leader of the Purist faction you have had the highest amount of influence in Area Eleven, second only to my brother. I want you to start conducting investigations into who might be working for Zero and find out how he's been gaining vital information." Cornelia answered, sitting back against her chair and making sure Jeremiah understood his mission perfectly. "This mission is to be only shared with those you trust and no one else."
"Of course my lady." Jeremiah bowed again with a smile.
Perhaps he was not as finished as he thought.
"There is also something else I have discovered." Cornelia continued. "I looked into your records and discovered something."
"Yes, my Lady?" Jeremiah asked, wondering if he jinxed himself.
"I discovered that you were a guard at Aries Villa." Cornelia stated, her face looking calm but her eyes seemed to pierce his very being.
Jeremiah's blood froze at the mention of that place. "Y-Yes your Highness."
"According to your record you were a part of Empress Marianne Vi Britannia's Honor Guard." Cornelia continued as if she hadn't noticed the effect mentioning that place had on the man.
She herself had to suppress the feelings of anger, sadness, and remorse when she brought it up.
"I was, your Highness and I considered it a personal failure of mine for not being there to protect Lady Marianne and her children." Jeremiah bowed his head in shame.
'You're not the only one.' Cornelia thought but continued. "What do you make of what happened the night Lady Marianne was assassinated?"
"I…I'm not sure what to make of it, your Highness. It was said to be the work of terrorists but Lady Marianne for some strange reason dismissing her guard…" Jeremiah clenched his fist. "I don't understand why she would do such a thing."
Cornelia nodded grimly. "Why did you transfer to Area Eleven?"
Jeremiah straightened himself. "After Lady Marianne's death I couldn't…focus on my duties in the homeland and thus I transferred here, creating the Pure Bloods as a way to honor Lady Marianne as she was a commoner but she was honored as a member of the Knights of the Round and even became a consort to the Emperor. The other reason is…" Jeremiah looked to the ground for a second as he fought the sadness, anger and shame that threatened to reveal itself. "To punish the Elevens for killing her children."
"I see." Cornelia spoke, understanding this man. "Very well. I spoke to you myself to see what kind of man you are, Jeremiah Gottwald and I can see that despite what happened with officer Kururugi you appear to be loyal to the crown. Thus I leave it to you to find the people that Zero has working for him in the government."
"Yes, Your Highness." Jeremiah bowed again, his fists tightening themselves to the point he might break his hand.
He would not fail again.
Xxx
"Oh this is so exciting." Shirley looked out the window with a big smile. "I can't believe we're going to spend the weekend at the Lake Kawaguchi Hotel. I've never left the Tokyo Settlement before. This is so exciting."
She along with Milly and Nina were sitting in a compartment of a train, taking a short vacation from the Academy.
"Where are Naruto and Tsunade?" Shirley sat back down in her seat.
"Oh, they had their own compartment which I think made them very happy so as long as no one interrupts them consummating their relation-" Milly started with a devious smile.
"MILLY!" Shirley shouted as she and Nina turned tomato red.
"Oh come on. It's not like no one was thinking it." Milly commented.
"That's private and we shouldn't gossip about it!" Shirley exclaimed.
"Oh, Shirley you are such a prude." Milly sat back on her seat. "It's too bad Kallen was feeling ill, Suzaku and Rivalz had to work and who knows what Lelouch is doing."
"You don't think Kallen and Lelouch are meeting in secret do you?" Shirley worriedly asked.
"Maybe. You did hear what Rivalz told Naruto and Tsunade." Milly grinned mischievously.
"Those were just rumors!" Shirley denied.
"Oh, I'm so sure." Milly giggled.
The train passed through a tunnel causing Nina to flinch.
"Nina, it's all right." Milly said soothingly as she knelt down in front of the girl. "There are a lot of Britannian tourists at Lake Kawaguchi so security is fine. Don't be afraid, it's not the ghettos. We will be with you the whole time; we won't leave your side for a second."
"Th-thanks." Nina answered with a small smile.
Across from the compartment Naruto and C.C. had been relaxing together. Naruto wore blue jeans, a white T-shirt with a black a red jacket while C.C. wore black jeans, a black shirt with a green jacket.
They had been relaxing until they looked at the hotel as Naruto sighed. "Great. I thought I was going on vacation."
"What is it?" C.C. asked, sensing something wrong.
"I sense a large amount of hostile emotions from the hotel. There are dangerous people there." Naruto answered.
"Hmm." C.C. frowned.
She wanted a vacation just as much as Naruto did and time away from Lelouch since he was busy gathering up his army. He didn't need them for that so he didn't put up a fuss when they told him they were joining Milly, Shirley, and Nina on the trip.
Xxx
Ohgi, Kallen, and the rest of their group gasped as they walked into the mobile base in the garage where Zero said he would meet them.
"What are you waiting for? Come on in." Zero called from the couch. "As of now this place will be our new hideout."
The rebel group was in awe of the luxurious interior and wondered how Zero got his hands on it.
"So you think joining up with us is a good idea?" Ohgi asked as the group started bring their stuff in.
He wondered why someone like Zero who had two advanced Knightmares and who could afford something like this would work with a group like them.
"Of course. We are comrades now." Zero answered kindly.
"So where are those knights of yours? Seizan and Shinryoku?" Kallen asked.
"I gave them the day off. Even resistance fighters need a break and this day will be just setting up our base and working on resources." Zero answered.
Xxx
Naruto and C.C. were in their room, making out on the one bed in the room when the door was busted down.
"You! You two Britannian dogs! Get up!" The two Japanese soldiers pointed their guns at them.
"Could you please leave? You're interrupting my special hour." C.C. drawled as she pulled away from Naruto.
"I said get up or we'll kill you both." The soldier growled.
"They are quite rude, aren't they dear?" Naruto asked with a foxy smirk as they stood up.
"Why yes, they are very rude, darling." C.C. answered as she showed her mischievous grin.
"Get your hands and follow us you Britannian dogs." The soldiers both removed the safety from their rifles.
"Certainly officers. But first…" As Naruto put his hands above his head he and C.C. dropped their henge to reveal their Rinnegan eyes.
"What the-"
"Bansho Ten'in."
The soldiers were pulled towards them and C.C. grabbed them, putting a hand on each head.
"They've taken hostages and they plan to kill them and everyone here to make a point." C.C. said with a cold look on her face.
The soldiers had no chance as the power of the Human Path removed their souls from their bodies and from the world of the living.
Xxx
"Holy cow, so what is this? Huh?"
"Hey, there's a second floor too."
"Do you mind if I asked how you came by this?" Ohgi asked.
"I burrowed it from a rather libertine nobleman who indulges my requests." Zero answered.
"You mean you used that power, your Geass?" Kallen asked, sounding uncertain.
The power Zero mentioned before still made her feel nervous even though he assured them that he could only control them through eye contact. Some of them were sickened by the idea of controlling someone against their will as it was just as bad as killing defenceless civilians. At the very least they were relieved that Zero only used his power for a good cause and he wore his mask so he wouldn't control any of his allies.
"I did and I made sure it couldn't be traced back to any of us." Zero nodded.
He could see that everyone was still wrapping their minds around the idea that Zero had a power that could allow him to make anyone do anything he wanted.
"You have to admit. No would ever expect us in something like this." Kallen conceded, thankfully changing the subject.
"There's even a TV here." Minami found the remote and turned the TV on.
"There's a TV too?!" Tamaki laughed eagerly.
Everyone stopped as a breaking new report appeared on screen.
"I'm here in front of the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel. The hotel-jackers have identified themselves as the Japanese Liberation Front. Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting, most notably, Chairman James, were taken hostage as well as several tourists and hotel employees."
The TV showed an image of the hostages.
"This footage was sent by the perpetrators; in it, you can clearly see Chairman James, including some students."
When Kallen looked at the TV she saw several familiar people and gasped. "From the Student Council!"
"The leader of the group claims to be Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe of the now defunct Japanese Military.
Xxx
At the Japanese Liberation Front headquarters Tohdoh slammed his hand onto his knee. "That imbecile!"
Xxx
"Sakuradite, an essential component in the manufacture of high-temperature super conductors, is a vital strategic resource that directly affects world security. Area Eleven is the largest producer of this material, providing seventy percent of the world's total supply.
Xxx
"I am Kusakabe of the Japanese Liberation Front." The commanding officer introduced himself to the hostages as he held his sword. "We are making this stand for Japan and our countryman. Even though you are not soldiers you are still Britannians and our oppressors."
Nina was shivering in fright as Milly held her close.
"Sit still, be quiet and you won't be harmed." Kusakabe left the room while the other soldiers kept a close eye on the hostages.
"Lulu." Shirley whispered fearfully.
Xxx
Here at the yearly national meeting of Sakuradite producers, it will be determined how this resource will be distributed among the world's nations. It's no exaggeration to say the outcome determines the balance of global power between Britannia and out countries. It is believed that the terrorists are using world interest in the annual gathering to their advantage by carrying out this violent hotel takeover."
"So they made their move."
"They're easily the biggest anti-Britannian group here in Japan and now their pride is hurt."
"Because of us?"
"Maybe."
"I don't whether to be happy or sad about that, because they're all going to end up dead."
Zero looked down his phone as it vibrated. 'Rivalz…'
Xxx
Rivalz waited anxiously at the bar counter for Lelouch to answer, wondering if he's heard of the hostage situation. "Lelouch, I-"
"This is Lelouch. Please leave a message after the beep."
BEEP!
"What the hell's he doing at a time like this?!" Rivalz threw his phone onto the floor.
Xxx
"I know. But…Those two…" Lelouch muttered, knowing that Naruto and C.C. went there but they didn't appear to be captured with the rest of the hostages. 'If they haven't been captured they are no doubt already working on a way to rescue the other hostages.'
Unlike Lelouch, Naruto concentrated on rescuing the civilians first in any battle before going after the enemy while C.C. usually helped or agreed with him for reasons Lelouch suspected was part of their contract. Despite the fact that Naruto usually preferred action first he was capable of making surprisingly complex plans on the fly in the middle of battle that even Lelouch had to respect. He knew that both of them would be fine but that was not the same for the hostages.
'I have no way of contacting them at the moment so I can't coordinate with them on whatever they might be planning. I'll just have to leave them to their planning until I come up with something.'
Minami turned the TV off. "There's no point in watching any further. We all know how it's going to end."
"Come on, we better get everything unpacked." Ohgi said, eager to change the subject.
"I'll leave it to you." Zero stood up. "I have some things to check out."
Kallen watched him as he walked up the stairs.
Xxx
"All bridges connecting to the hotel with the exception of the main have been destroyed. Our attempted approaches from the air and water have been unsuccessful. There is only one route left that will allow us to develop a possible hostage rescue plan. The main utilities tunnel running directly beneath the convention center hotel. Basically we should go in through this route, destroy the foundation block and submerge the hotel." A general explained to Cornelia and the rest of the war council. "Since the tunnel was built to handle supply delivery, it should be able to accompany Sutherlands. Even if the enemy had taken precautions it should be no problem. They have been using substandard weaponry, so they should have no trouble evading them."
Xxx
Three Sutherlands traveled through the tunnel towards the end where the pilots could travel up to get into the hotel.
"Enemy detected. As expected they're moving through the underground tunnel." A JLF solider reported.
"Roger that. Raiko secondary start up, both quad linkage legs locked. Super electromagnetic shrapnel voltage confirmed." The commanding solider said as they aimed a giant cannon at the approaching Sutherlands.
"I think these guys have Knightmare rifles. Spread out and break their ranks." The pilot in the lead Sutherland said.
"Super electromagnetic shrapnel cannon, fire!" The Commanding JLF soldier shouted.
The giant cannon released a single fast moving bullet that opened and released multiple smaller bullets that flew down the tunnel even faster.
"What?!" The Britannian pilots screamed as they obliterated.
Xxx
"In one shot!" A soldier next to Kusakabe yelled in sheer jubilation.
"It worked!"
"The Raiko was a complete success."
"What do you think of that Britannian pigs?" Kusakabe smirked.
Xxx
"Wiped out?!" Darlton shouted.
"Yes. It seems as though they modified some Glasgows into a linear cannon." An advisor reported.
Cornelia gritted her teeth as she listened to the reports.
"What do we do now? If we release the political hostages they demanded-"
"We cannot show weakness to terrorists!" Cornelia shouted, glaring at the advisor for suggesting such a thing.
"But milady…" Guilford leaned and whispered in her ear. "Princess Euphemia."
"Yes I know. Believe me I know." Cornelia whispered back, struggling to keep her regal expression.
"Thus far it appears none of them have discovered her identity. If they did they would have used her as a bargaining chip." Darlton stated, hiding his fear behind a mask of professionalism. "She went there just to observe, therefore she's not registered along with the other guests."
Xxx
"Can the Special Corp offer any assistance in the rescue?" Suzaku asked as he, Cecile, and Lloyd waited in front of the water.
"I've already asked them but we're an irregular unit and they don't acknowledge our chain of command." Lloyd threw a rock that skidded across the lake. "Besides..."
"It's too risky to trust the operation to an Eleven, right?" Suzaku cut Lloyd off.
"Actually I was going to say our support isn't that strong these days. The Lancelot's debut and defeat has not been forgotten and I'm sure you're aware Princess Cornelia is very discriminating about Britannians and Numbers." Lloyd frowned.
"So the Japanese are still not accepted in your structure." Suzaku said disappointingly.
"If that were true then what point would there be in a Britannian Honorary System?" Cecile rhetorically asked with a saddened look on her face.
Xxx
Naruto watched as the Japanese terrorists captured Britannian tourists and ambassadors down the hall. "What is the point of this? They can't seriously expect to gain anything from having a few ambassadors and tourists captured."
"You're speaking of them as if they actually have a strategy, Naruto. They don't have any plan to walk away from this alive." C.C. replied.
The both of them were disguised as Japanese soldiers, using the Henge jutsu to the take the form of the soldiers they killed.
"Great. Go down killing people they hate." Naruto closed his eyes. "That's nothing but a waste of energy and life. I hate scum like that."
"Let's hurry. Knowing Lelouch he'll try and save his friends and make a big entrance." C.C. said.
Xxx
"She was only sight-seeing!" A voice shouted from Zero's room as Kallen walked upstairs to check up on him.
She saw him watching the news from his laptop, showing a man pleading for the life of someone who had been taken hostage. Lelouch scowled as he saw the news, recognizing the man as Shirley's father and the man's pleas were getting to him. Shirley was a friend and Nunnally loved her, she would be devastated if Shirley was killed.
'We need to organize before we fight them again.' Lelouch thought, knowing that without Naruto and C.C. with him he didn't have any way of making it past Cornelia to get to the hostages unnoticed. 'It's too soon though, we're not ready. But we can't just sit here and do nothing either; knowing Cornelia she'll just sacrifice the hostages.'
He knew how his sister operated and knew that civilian hostages would not slow her down. The only thing that didn't make sense was why she hadn't done anything yet.
'So why doesn't she make her move? Could it be?'
"Zero?" Kallen's voice came from his door. "What will happen to the hostages?"
Lelouch turned to the computer. "Eventually there will be no reason to keep those Britannians alive."
It was the cold hard truth but it was the truth nonetheless. Lelouch knew better than anyone else that was how Britannia worked, eliminating anything they saw as weak and anyone who was a hostage was considered weak and not worth rescuing.
"Yeah, I'm sure you're right." Kallen said sadly.
Whatever Kallen was thinking of saying next was cut off as Ohgi walked in.
"Hey, Zero. I found these. Should I hand them out to everyone? I mean, as far as gear goes its pretty hip but we're just a resistance group-"
"Wrong." Lelouch stood up. "We're not a resistance group. Is that clear?"
"We aren't?" Ohgi asked, now confused. "Well, then what are we?"
"What we are, what we are trying to be, are knights for justice!" Lelouch thrust his hand out of his cape to emphasize his point.
Xxx
"Some of those hostages are your friends from school, aren't they?" Cecile asked as she worked on the Lancelot's systems. "They're still negotiating, so don't worry."
"I have faith in the system." Suzaku replied, looking at the building through the Lancelot's sensors. "I prefer the logic of systems to individual emotions."
Cecile looked somewhat sad at his answer and would have said something if she hadn't been startled by the look of horror on his face.
"Oh god…" Suzaku gasped as his face paled.
On roof of the hotel several terrorists brought a bound hostage to the edge.
"Don't do it!" Suzaku pleaded but his words fell on deaf ears as the terrorists pushed the hostage over the edge and left him to fall to this death. "NO!"
The Britannian screamed as he fell to the ground but just as he almost hit the ground he suddenly stopped. He opened his eyes and saw himself hovering above the platform.
"Ego-driven maniacs." A male voice spat.
The man suddenly felt sleepy for some reason and lost consciousness. If he was awake he would have seen a pissed off blond haired boy with purple ringed eyes with a violet bird symbol flashing under the pupil.
But when he woke up he would be happy to be alive.
Xxx
"Our demands have not been answered. Therefore we will throw one hostage from the roof every thirty minutes until our terms are met. For the sake of the hostages, the negotiations better be in good faith."
"This is their warning? Barbarians." Darlton growled.
Cornelia rose from her chair and left the room, making her way to the hangar. Darlton and Guilford quickly followed after her.
"For now we could negotiate to get the woman and children out-"
"Forget it!" Cornelia harshly cut Guilford off. "If you give into their conditions, even once then you're legitimizing terrorism."
"Milady, should we use force?" Darlton asked, both him and Guilford worried about their lady.
"We should only assume that course of action after we've confirmed the safety of Princess Euphemia." Guilford answered.
Cornelia flinched at the name of her sister.
"Viceroy!" A soldier cried out as he ran up to them. "It's Zero! We've just received a message from Zero! He's advancing on the bridge as we speak."
"Zero?" Cornelia muttered as they stared at the soldier in shock. "Guilford, Darlton, come with me! We're going to see what Zero wants!"
Xxx
"What?! What do you mean that van three was stolen by Zero? What the hell was Gibson doing at the time?" Diethard asked, looking up from his fishing rod.
"He said that when he realized what was happening it was too late." The intern answered.
"Then where is van three now?"
"Heading straight for the military now." The intern replied, shocking Diethard.
'Zero, what is your plan?' Diethard wondered, tuning out the man.
Zero had impressed him so far and this was obviously important if he was coming out like this.
Xxx
Zero stood on top the van as it approached the bridge, showing no sign of concern as the Gloucesters blocked his path.
"Hey, when Zero went off about justice earlier what do you think he meant?" Ohgi asked as Kallen drove.
"Don't know. But we may die first before we find out." Kallen answered. "It seems all of our escape routes have been cut off."
"Unless Zero uses that Geass of his to make Cornelia let us pass." Ohgi commented which made Kallen slightly shudder.
'Geass, it really is a dangerous power.' Kallen thought as she remembered how Zero got them the van.
He ordered the original owner to give it to him and the owner had done it without a fuss. Kallen remembered with awe and disgust at the fact that Zero's power could command anyone by just looking at them, robbing them of their free will and making them nothing but mindless slaves.
"I'm just wondering why didn't we use that other vehicle."
"Oh so you want the whole world to see where we hide out."
"Point taken."
"I don't know about this Zero character. You sure we should trust him?"
"No. That's I said he looks shifty to me but it anything goes wrong I'll do something about it. Still he must be allied with Japanese since those two knights of his have Japanese code names and Japanese weapons."
'Cornelia, as much I'd like to finish what we started in the Saitama Ghetto I still need you.' Lelouch thought as the Royal Guard guarding the bridge came into view.
"Well, well, we meet again Zero" Cornelia called out from her Gloucester as it stopped in front of the van. "Why are you here? Are you siding with the Japanese Liberation Front? Or perhaps you intend to help us? Regardless, our concerns take priority over your at the moment. So for the death of my half-brother Clovis, I shall take my revenge right here and now!"
She pulled her gun out and pointed it exactly Zero's head, ready to pull the trigger.
"Cornelia, who would you choose? Clovis who is dead or Euphemia who is alive?" Zero asked, causing Cornelia's face to falter in shock.
'Perfect, my suspicions were correct.' Lelouch thought with a grin when he saw the look on her face. 'You haven't changed a bit, dear sister. You always doted on sweet little Euphemia, so you won't take aggressive action. Your emotions are getting in the way.'
Of course Lelouch was not any better as he doted on Nunnally even more than Cornelia did with Euphie and wouldn't be much better if it was Nunnally in Euphemia's position instead. Cornelia along with Guilford and Darlton were shocked that Zero knew that Euphemia was in the hotel with the other hostages, leading Cornelia to suspect someone might have been sending information to Zero.
"It is within my power to save Euphemia for you, Cornelia." Zero continued.
"What are you saying?" Cornelia asked shakily, sweat pouring down her forehead. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"I said I am able to rescue her." Zero stated clearly.
Cornelia had trouble keeping her professional military persona up as she gazed into the reflection of herself on Zero's visor.
'There's no way he can pull it off. Any attempt to extract the hostages would only put Euphie in danger!' Cornelia tried to rationalize.
But the part of her that was a soldier was falling against the part of her that was a terrified older sister that would do anything to save Euphie.
Even it means making a deal with the devil.
Xxx
"Sir, we have reports of Zero coming towards the hotel!" A soldier said as he ran into Kusakabe room.
"Zero you say?" Kusakabe asked, sounding intrigued.
"Yes sir. He just came past the Britannian Military forces."
"Very well. Send him up here. I wish to speak to him." Kusakabe grinned.
Xxx
"Attention all forces, let Zero pass. I repeat, let Zero pass."
Without a word Cornelia moved her Gloucester aside with Darlton and Guilford following her example though they were confused why she would do that as the van drove past the blockade. Cornelia could only stare with a frustrated look as the van Lelouch was on drove past her.
'Either the Japan Liberation Front will accept me as an ally or they're going to treat me as nothing more than a nuisance.' Lelouch thought as the van approached the gate. 'In any event, I highly doubt they'll want to pass up the chance to meet the infamous Zero. We shall see.'
His suspicions were confirmed as the gate was opened.
'Excellent.' Lelouch smirked. 'All the operation's preliminary conditions have been cleared.'
Xxx
"Viceroy, what are you doing?" Darlton asked.
"I believe that by letting Zero go in we can buy some time before the next hostage is executed. So this is our chance, we can hit both of them at the same time." Cornelia answered as she got back into the cockpit of her Gloucester.
Xxx
"Wonderful! I want to thank you for such a lovely order." Lloyd said, giggling happily as he turned to face the Lancelot and its pilot. "They've said you've got the green light, Lancelot. You're orders to charge in right in the Linear Cannon in the tunnel."
"Wait a minute." Cecile spoke up. "They're using him as a decoy to make an opening for them?"
"Yep. Seems like they'll use the confusion to send in the Royal Guard." Lloyd answered.
"Seems like? But Lloyd-"
"Miss Cecile, I'm ready. Please let me do it." Suzaku stated with conviction in his voice. "If the Lancelot and I are needed and we're able to give the hostages an opportunity to be saved then I'll do it, even if means being a decoy."
Xxx
The Lancelot was lowered into the service tunnel with Suzaku ready to rescue the hostages. A rifle was attached to its back by the waist.
"Warrant Officer Kururugi. Here is a guideline for your mission. According to prime search the hostages are located on the hotel's middle floor and believed to be locked inside the food storage room. Advanced prototype weapon Z-01 Lancelot will use the utilities tunnel to move under the hotel." Cecile's voice came through the speakers. "Once on site you will destroy the foundation and submerge the building. The area with the hostages should hold out for eight minutes. Hostage rescue and mop of up the terrorists will be handled by other units. You will be using the VARIS to destroy the foundation. Set the Impact Rail to Anti-Material Level Three."
"The only variable in this is that pesky Linear Cannon waiting for you in the tunnel. Space is tight in there; the Lancelot will only have a forty seven point eight percent evasion rate." Lloyd added his own two cents.
Suzaku knew that the odds were against him but he cared little for that. All that he cared about was rescuing his friends on the Student Council. He readied himself for the all clear signal as he readied the Lancelot for launch.
XXX
"Is he serious?" Naruto watched as the van Lelouch was on approached the entrance. "Approaching with just a van with no protection from Cornelia's troops."
"Just like his parents, always a taste for the theatrical with no sense of self preservation." C.C. answered as they both watched from the window of the room they were in.
The sounds of shouting from down the hall caused them to look through the eyes of the Shadow Clones disguised as JLF soldiers guarding the hostages. Apparently Nina offended one of the soldiers by calling them an Eleven and they would have attacked her if someone else hadn't stepped in.
"Princess Euphemia?" Naruto asked.
"The Third Princess in line for the throne." C.C. explained. "No wonder Cornelia hasn't done anything yet. She wouldn't dare attack as long as her own sister is here."
"Sister?" Naruto glanced at C.C. "She doesn't seem anything like Cornelia."
"I don't know much about her myself. I do know she spent time playing with Lelouch and Nunnally as they were growing up." C.C. answered with a thoughtful look on her face. "I shouldn't be surprised that she's here with her sister. Cornelia is somewhat…overprotective of her."
"Ah." Naruto nodded in understanding.
He had seen it all before.
"I think we should lend a hand."
Xxx
As Euphemia was led down the hall by the guards towards Kusakabe's room they were suddenly stopped by two cloaked figures that stepped around the corner. One wore a white and red fox mask while the other wore an avian mask.
"Halt! Who are you?" The soldiers quickly pointed their guns at the two cloaked strangers but they did not seem to care.
"You guys are a bunch of drama queens aren't you?" The fox masked stranger asked, the voice sounding male.
"I'm warning you! If you're Britannian pigs we'll kill you right here no-GAH!"
The avian masked stranger threw their arms out, tossing four kunai forward that cut through the hands holding the rifles, causing the soldiers to scream in pain. The fox masked man leapt forward, punching or kicking the soldiers with enough force to knock them out instantly.
"You should have just shot us instead of shouting at us." A female voice whispered through the avian mask.
"Who are you?" Euphemia asked, taking a step back.
"We are Zero's personal knights." The avian masked girl answered making Euphemia's eyes widen in shock.
'Zero?'
Xxx
"You have no intention of joining me?" Zero asked as he stared down Kusakabe.
"Remove that mask and show your true face to us. It's disrespectful." Kusakabe stated, ignoring Zero's question.
"I understand but before I do I'd like to ask you something." Zero replied. "What exactly do you hope to accomplish with this action?"
"To gain attention." Kusakabe answered as if it was simple. "I want this country and the rest of the world that the Japanese aren't dead yet."
"How stale." Zero darkly commented.
"Hmm?" Kusakabe frowned.
"You people are obsolete. There's no saving you." Zero said condescendingly.
"What?! Why you arrogant-" A JFL bodyguard shouted.
"Explain what you mean by that, Zero." Kusakabe cut his guard off.
Xxx
"Lancelot, launching now!"
The Lancelot blasted forward through the tunnels, surprising the Raiko pilots but they quickly recovered by preparing to fire again.
"So what if it is as twice as fast? It'll end up like the rest! Super Electro Magnetic Shrapnel Cannon, fire!" The pilot shouted.
The Lancelot however managed to avoid the barrage launched by the Raiko with its speed and the fact that its landspinners even allowed it to move along the tunnel's ceiling. As it moved in a crouch position the Lancelot took out VARIS rifle.
"Yes, it can take this level of destructive force." Suzaku muttered, focusing on the enemy up ahead with Blaze Luminous shields active.
"That thing broke through salvo number five! I can't believe it!" A JFL pilot said fearfully.
"Just don't panic! Deploy the quad-link free-fire arm gun, batteries too. We'll shield this final defense with our lives." The other pilot shouted. "Use maximum output! I don't give a damn if it destroys the guns! Be prepared to die defending this spot. Smash him!"
"Ms. Cecile, it's time to use the VARIS." Suzaku stated.
"No! You could get killed!" Cecile shouted in concern.
"There's no time for me to evade. I'll risk getting blasted to take the shot."
The Raiko fired but it was too late. The Lancelot fired the VARIS and energy blast obliterated the shell just after it came out of the Raiko's cannon and continued into the Raiko's cannon causing an explosion that left a hole in the ceiling. The Lancelot leapt through the hole, landing on the other side of the bridge and quickly fired at the foundation blocks.
Xxx
"It's the Eleven." Cornelia muttered as she along with her advisors watched as the Lancelot completed its mission. "He really did it…Guilford!"
"Right." Guilford answered, knowing the next part of the plan.
Xxx
"Princess Euphemia Li Britannia." The fox masked man said once they were alone in an empty room. "You risked your life when you revealed your identity to those terrorists. Why would you do such a thing?"
"Because if I didn't they would have harmed the hostages. I didn't want to see anyone hurt." Euphemia answered to the best of her ability.
"Even if they would have hurt or killed you?" The fox masked stranger asked.
"Even that. Violence is never the answer." Euphemia answered, trying to maintain her calm and regal image she learned to perfect from being around her sister.
The masked strangers seemed to just stare at her in silence which was unnerving her a bit. "You really are different from the rest of your family aren't you?" Suddenly the fox masked man twitched. "Zero's here. He's on his way to see Kusakabe."
"Zero?" Euphemia asked, surprised and wondering how the man would know something like that.
"Time to move." The bird masked woman agreed.
Euphemia had to struggle as she to keep herself calm as she followed the apparent 'Knight of Zero' named Seizan down the hall while the woman vanished in a puff of smoke. "Where are we going?"
"Kusakabe will no doubt have Zero brought to him when he hears that Zero made it past Cornelia's blockade." Seizan answered. "They are probably speaking right now."
"Why is Zero here?" Euphemia asked, wondering why this person was being so open with her.
"No doubt to rescue the hostages."
"But why?" Euphemia questioned. "Why would Zero rescue Britannians while declaring himself its enemy? He murdered my brother."
"And what about the murders Viceroy Clovis committed in Shinjuku or the Pure Bloods falsely accusing Suzaku Kururugi of the crime to further their own political agenda? And what about Viceroy Cornelia repeating Clovis's actions in Saitama, not caring if unharmed civilians or children were mercilessly gunned down for simply being suspected of collaborating with terrorists even though there was no proof?" Seizan asked rhetorically.
Euphemia flinched at the last question. "I...I…"
"You do not seem to condone these actions and you even endangered yourself for the sake of the hostages. If only more in the Royal Family had your integrity." Seizan stopped in front of the door. "This is where Kusakabe and Zero are."
When he opened the door Euphemia was greeted with the shock of see Zero standing in the middle of the room with Kusakabe's bodyguards dead with the general himself knocked out on the ground with Shinryoku standing over him.
"What happened?" Seizan asked, already knowing what happened.
Xxx
"Zero." Kusakabe drew his katana. "There is no point talking anymore!"
A shadow moved out from behind Zero and threw several objects that sliced through the throats of Kusakabe's bodyguards.
"What?!" Kusakabe shouted as Shinryoku stepped out in front of Zero. "Who are you?!"
"Did you really think Zero would come here along?" The masked woman asked.
"So, you're one of his lackeys, huh? No matter, die!" Kusakabe swung his katana.
'Fool.' C.C. unsheathed her katana and easily blocked man's blade.
"What?! That's a Japanese sword! You're Japanese?! Why do you help Zero instead of your fellow Japanese?!" Kusakabe started wildly swinging like a mad man.
C.C. blocked each and every slash easily as she stepped back, ducking or stepping out of the general's sword without much effort. This fool's skill was mediocre at best and a complete joke at worst and she considered just killing him to end the misery. But of course it would go against the idea Naruto had come up with so she settled for knocking the sword out of idiot's hand and slamming the hilt of her blade at the man's jaw, knocking him down.
"You know that was not necessary. I could have easily killed him." Lelouch said as C.C. tied the man's hand behind his back.
"I know but wouldn't it be better for us to hand him over to Cornelia, showing that we could do what she couldn't? Sending him and Euphemia right to her all wrapped up would make people question Cornelia's effectiveness. It would also legitimize these idiots as terrorists and cause doubt amongst their supporters, leaving them to find someone else to look to for hope." C.C. explained.
Lelouch stopped and paused as he thought it over. It did make a lot of sense as Cornelia obviously hasn't let anyone know aside from her personal knights about how she let him deal with the situation.
Still, there was something to consider. "And when Cornelia interrogates him about the location of the JLF?"
"I'll die before I tell any Britannian pigs anything!" Kusakabe shouted.
That sparked an idea in Lelouch's mind. "Yes, you will." Kusakabe thought Zero would kill him but instead the visor on the man's mask slid up to reveal his left eye that glowed red with a bird like symbol. "Obey my commands!"
Xxx
"The Colonel and the others just needed someone to show them how meaningless this operation was." Zero answered before turning his attention on the princess. "Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the commoners. You haven't changed."
"So you are Zero." Euphimia stated as she stepped and stared at the masked man carefully. "And who are your two companions? They say they are your knights."
"Indeed. I see you've met Seizan and Shinryoku." Zero nodded to the other masked figures in the room.
"Pleasure to meet you, your highness." Shinryoku bowed half heartedly. "I believe we have much to discuss."
Xxx
"T-this is all my fault!" Nina sobbed into Milly's chest. "If I hadn't said anything…If I'd never come…"
"Don't talk like that." Milly softly whispered. "None of us knew this was going to happen."
"B-but…" Nina looked up with tear filled eyes. "B-because of me, Princess Euphemia…"
"She'd have been discovered eventually." Shirley assured her. "I mean, someone was going to notice her. And she's the Sub-Viceroy of Area Eleven; they wouldn't harm a valuable hostage."
"I wouldn't be so sure." A gruff voice cut in. They looked up to see the JFL soldier from before looking very smug. "Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe isn't the forgiving type and he despises Britannians more than anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if he roughed her up a bit, just to drive the nail home."
"You beast!" Nina shrieked, glaring at up at the guard, only to flinch when he pointed his rifle at her.
Milly and Shirley quickly covered her with their own bodies.
"Watch your tongue, bitch. Though, maybe we should thank you, you've given us a valuable hostage after all." The sinister grin lengthened as he cocked his rifle. "In fact, with a Princess of the Empire as ransom what do we need a riffraff like you for?"
The hostages all shivered as the guards looked at them with sinister grins as they pointed their rifles at them.
'Lulu!' Shirley thought in her mind as she thought she was about to die.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that."
The guards gasped as they spun around and spotted a cloaked woman, wearing black body armor, a cloak with a hood covering her head and a red and white avian mask covering her face.
"Who are you?!"
That was when the doors burst open and the guards were gunned down as figures in black jackets and visors came into the room.
'Those aren't military uniforms.' Milly realized as they check over the hostages. 'And those voices…Elevens?'
"Shinyroku?" The girl with spiky red hair asked. "When did you get here?"
"I came here on a mission to observe the conference. Seizan is here as well and we have already subdued the other terrorists." The avian masked woman answered.
"Who-who are you?" Shirley asked, flinching as they turned to her. "You aren't military so who are you with?"
"We are with Zero." The visor sporting man answered, causing the hostages to react in shock at the vigilante's name. "He sent us to get you people out."
"Zero?" Shirley repeated as everyone looked confused but slightly hopeful. "But why would he-"
"No time for talk." The man interrupted. "We have to get you out now."
"Wait!" Nina called out, leaning against Milly, fearful of Elevens and worried for Euphemia. "Princess Euphemia!"
"Do not worry about her." Shinryoku answered as she turned to the door. "She is safe and is on her way to speak with Zero."
The answer caused several hostages to gasp in shock and concern for the Princess.
"That's enough talk! Now move it!" The man gestured to the door where two more members were waiting.
Xxx
Euphemia tried not to look nervous as she stared down Zero with his knight, Seizan standing next to her. The avian masked woman had left the room for reasons she did not know but that was not her problem at the moment.
"I hear that you are the Sub-Viceroy now, your Highness, Princess Euphemia li Britannia." Zero stated.
"It's not an appointment I'm happy with." Euphemia answered with a frown, pushing her fear down.
"No. It's because Clovis was murdered. That was my doing." Zero admitted with no regret or remorse in his voice. "He begged pathetically for his life to the very end. He pleaded with the same tongue that ordered the death of Elevens."
"So is that why you killed my brother?" Euphie asked, upset to hear Zero say such a thing.
"No."
Euphemia was surprised by the answer. "Then why?"
"Because Clovis was an offspring of the Britannian Emperor."
'Because he was father's son?' Euphemia wondered before Zero pulled a pistol out from his cloak and pointed it at her.
"That reminds me, you're one of his children too, aren't you?"
"That is enough." Suddenly Seizan was in front of Zero with his hand on the pistol. "I will not let you kill her."
"Seizan?" Zero asked, not expecting him to do anything. "What are you doing?"
"I agreed to help you, I didn't agree to stand by and let you kill someone who doesn't deserve to die." Seizan took the gun from Zero's hand. "Princess Euphemia put her life on the line for the hostages, thus proving to be a person of integrity. I won't allow her to die for being brave."
"…Very well." Zero relented, not wishing to fight his ally.
The door opened and Kallen stepped in. "Zero, all of the hostages have been accounted for. What should we do next?"
"Order a withdrawal, Q-1." Zero answered. "Have the hostages evacuated as I instructed. Extraction method Alpha."
"What about them?" Kallen looked at Euphemia and Kusakabe.
"I promised her sister that I would return her unharmed and I am a man of my word. The Colonel on the other hand will serve a different purpose." Zero stated.
"Very well." Seizan held up his hand to Euphemia. "It's time to go, Princess."
Euphemia blinked before taking the offered hand.
Xxx
As the Lancelot landed on the ground Suzaku felt a rush of pride at completing his mission and showing his skills to the Britannian military. The Royal Guard would swarm the terrorists and rescue the hostages before anyone else died. He looked through the Lancelot's sensors and spotted something in one of the windows, staring at him.
'Zero?!' Suzaku thought with widened eyes.
He thrust the Lancelot forward towards the hotel, throwing away all forms of rational thinking. Zero had proven that he didn't care about endangering innocent lives or killing Britannian Royalty and Princess Euphemia was there.
Xxx
'That White Knightmare from before.' Zero thought as he took out a detonator and pressed the button.
The second he did the explosives he had his team place around key areas of the hotel went off and Lake Kawaguchi Hotel exploded in a ball of flame with enough force to knock several soldiers off their feet.
"EUPHIE!" Cornelia screamed, not caring what people thought of her reaction.
"MY FRIENDS!" Suzaku's voice shouted through the Lancelot's speakers.
WARRANT OFFICER KURURUG, DON'T!"
Suzaku didn't hear Lloyd's voice as the Lancelot moved towards the falling remains of the hotel. The smoke and dust from the rubble quickly covered the Knightmare. Everyone was blinded and had to cover their eyes. A few seconds later and the dusk cleared.
Near where the former hotel stood, Lloyd and Cecile could see the Lancelot standing, without a scratch on it.
"He's alright!" Cecile exclaimed, happy and relieved that Suzaku wasn't hurt.
Lloyd sighed in relief as well, though he was happy that his precious Lancelot wasn't damaged. Of course, Suzaku was not harmed; at least he was not physically harmed.
"I couldn't rescue them." Tears formed in his eyes at the loss of his friends. "They're dead; I couldn't save them. Not again!"
Xxx
In a news van a technician turned to his boss. "I'm telling you those cameras were all in van three that Zero took."
"Then let's hope we pick up a signal from them."
'What are you doing, Zero? Was this not part of your plan to show us something?' Diethard thought.
Xxx
Suzaku slammed his fist on the control panel. Because of his tears, Suzaku didn't notice the dust clearing across the lake, and the yacht that was coming into view with life boats surrounding it. That was when all across Area Eleven, Zero's masked face appeared on every television screen.
"My dear Britannians, have no fear. All of the hostages are safe and sound. I, Zero, return them to you safe and sound." Zero spoke through the speakers that amplified his voice as he gestured to the life boats.
Xxx
"Of all brazen audacity." Cornelia glared at Zero's image when she saw the hostages on the life boats. "If we attack you the people become your hostages, won't they?"
"Kill the video."
"I can't. It won't take my access code."
Xxx
Lights suddenly came on, illuminating Zero and seven people dressed in black jackets with silver lining, black and silver hats, and visors standing behind him. The males wore black pants while the two females either wore shirt skirts or shorts that reached down mid-thigh matching their jackets. Between them was a bound and gagged Kusakabe while standing next to Zero was…
"Euphie!" Cornelia gasped, seeing her younger sister alive and standing next to Zero.
She looked unharmed and a slightly afraid to be so close to Zero but that was understandable.
"This is all possible through the cooperation of myself and Princess Euphemia Li Britannia herself." Zero gestured to Euphy who gasped in shock at the attention being drawn to her. "In an act of pure courage and selflessness she voluntarily gave up her identity, risking her life to negotiate with the terrorists for the release of the hostages. I, Zero and my own knights witnessed this act of bravery and so I offered my support to ensure that all hostages were saved, even the one hostage that the Japan Liberation Front tried to execute."
The camera zoomed in on the man the terrorists tried to execute; proving to everyone who had seen him fall was still alive and quite happy to be alive.
"People, fear us or rally behind us as you see fit. For we are the Black Knights!" Zero announced.
'Black Knights?' Euphie wondered, staring at Zero for calling his group 'Knights.'
Xxx
"Black Knights?" Cecile asked, confused at the title.
"Ironic, isn't it?" Lloyd commented with his signature smile. "Terrorists calling themselves knights."
Xxx
"You heard me, run the broadcast." Diethard said angrily into his earphone, watching from a news van. "Liable? I'll be the one held responsible."
Xxx
"We of the Black Knights stand with all of those who have no weapons to wield. Regardless of whether they be Britannians or Japanese!"
Lelouch would have called them Elevens but when Naruto heard him rehearsing his speech he quickly pointed out he'd make more supporters if he referred to them as people instead of numbers and further spit in the face of Britannia's superior image.
"The Japanese Liberation Front cowardly took innocent civilians hostage and they mercilessly executed them. It was a wanton and meaningless act; therefore, they have been punished. Just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of unharmed Japanese. We could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out and so we made him pay for his actions. However, I also believe in the saying 'eye for an eye' so as gratitude for allowing me the chance to save the hostages I offer Viceroy Cornelia the leader of the terrorists, General Kusakabe." Zero declared, earning mixed reactions from his statement.
Xxx
"He's handing the terrorist leader over? Why would he do that?" Guilford asked.
"I see." Cornelia narrowed her eyes as they flashed with rage. "He's sending me their leader as a so-called gift but in reality he's making a statement that I couldn't do anything and had to rely on a terrorist to save the hostages to undermine me in front of my subjects. He's even gone and stated Euphie helped him to make it seem she was a willing ally."
That was a major sting to her pride as Zero was basically rubbing the fact that she couldn't have done it without him in her face and using her sister as a political pawn left her burning on the inside.
Xxx
"I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field but neither will I tolerate a one sided massacre of the innocent. The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed!"
Suzaku and Cornelia frowned as they mentally agreed with that statement albeit begrudgingly.
'Knights…of Justice?' Kallen thought as she stared Zero's back.
They now understand what Zero had meant, their doubts about him slowly vanishing as he continued his speech.
"Wherever oppressors abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again. No matter how formidable our foe may be. We shall continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves!"
Zero stopped his speech as the yacht and the life boats were rocked by two explosions of water behind the yacht, making the hostages and a few of the Black Knights cry out in shock. The water cleared away revealing two Knightmares, one dark green and black while the other was black and blue that positioned themselves on either side of the boat.
"It's them!" Suzaku's eyes widened when he saw the two Knightmares that he faced in Shinjuku. "So they are with Zero!"
His shock was amplified as he saw them standing on the water.
'What kind of Knightmares are these two?' Suzaku wondered.
Xxx
"Those are the Knightmares from Shinjuku! They came out from under the water and they are floating on top of it!" Cecile gasped.
She knew the Knightmares were advanced but they kept on surprising everyone with each appearance. And the way they were standing, it was like they were literally standing on the water!
"Could Rakshata have figured how to make Knightmares fly?" Cecile wondered, remembering how she and Rakshata theorized on wings that would allow Knightmares to fly.
It had never been done before but Cecile believed it was possible.
"That's…that's not fair! Just what has Rakshata been doing?!" Lloyd complained childishly. "They can tunnel underground, move through water and fly?! How did she come up with all of this?!"
Xxx
Rakshata smirked as she watched the broadcast and wondered how Lloyd reacted to seeing her children standing on the water. 'I feel for some reason that the Earl of Pudding just got himself a bit of a heart attack.'
Needless to say this brightened Rakshata's day up very much.
Xxx
Two cloaked figures landed on the boat, next to Zero, having jumped off the shoulders of the Knightmares.
'Those Knightmares…' Euphie thought as she stared both Knightmares, seeing how advanced and powerful they looked.
"We shall be the ones who break the chain of never ending hatred and pain." The fox masked man proclaimed.
"And we shall guide this world into a new era of peace." The avian masked woman stated.
"Those of you in power fear us!" Zero continued, regaining his calmness that had been lost in the entrance of his knights, thrusting his left arm out from under his cape. "Those of you without it, rally behind us!" He thrust his right arm out like his left. "We, the Black Knights shall be the ones who stand in judgement of the world!"
Euphie couldn't help but shiver from Zero's speech. 'The way he speaks, even people who denounce him as a terrorist will be forced to acknowledge him.'
"Zero, what about her?" A man behind Zero asked, looking at Euphie.
"She is not to be harmed. I promised her sister she would be returned unharmed." Zero answered as his two knights stood next to Euphie like bodyguards.
"Time to go, Princess." Zero stated softly as he took Euphie's hand and slowly led her to a life boat.
Euphie watched as the boat she was on was lowered into the water, staring up at the masked man. The instant Euphie had touched the man's hand she was hit by a sudden sense of familiarity as if she somehow…knew the man behind the mask.
'This hand…Why does it seem so familiar?' Euphie wondered.
"And now we depart." Zero announced as he held up a switch with a red button.
A blast of smoke shrouded the yacht and the Knightmares that faded a moment later, taking the people on the boat and the Knightmares with it. All that was left was the flag of Japan and the symbol of the Black Knights on the boat with the still bound Kusakabe onboard.
*Chapter 8*: Chapter 8Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"You didn't have to react. I wasn't going to kill her." Lelouch said as he, C.C. and Naruto walked back to Lelouch's home.
"Maybe. But that doesn't mean you should have pulled a gun on her, especially since she had done nothing to deserve it." Naruto countered. "From I saw if Euphemia was the one in charge of Britannia then all the crap they spew wouldn't exist."
Lelouch agreed but didn't voice it. "You have an idea that uses Euphy, don't you?"
"I don't use people, Lelouch, but if Zero really plans to be a champion for the commoners and the weak we'll need more than just Japanese resistance fighters as allies. Like I said, understand your allies and enemies and their reasons to fight and you'll be able to bring them together. You saw it as clearly as I do as to what kind of person Euphemia really is." Naruto answered.
"In other words, perhaps we should look into seeing if Princess Euphemia can help us." C.C. commented.
"She cannot know." Lelouch stated with a fierce look as they stopped in front of the gate. "I will not let her know about me and Nunnally."
"We didn't say that. Your secrets are your business. We're talking about the Black Knights business." C.C. replied. "And Naruto has a point; we need more allies than just freedom fighters."
"And what can Euphy do?" Lelouch asked.
"As the Sub-Viceroy she has access to a lot of Britannia's dealings inside Japan, including military operations." Naruto answered, making Lelouch look at him. "With Cornelia running the rest of this country's resistance groups into the ground it'd be a major boon to be able to predict her moves. And we found a place to set up shop."
"What?" Lelouch looked confused.
"The Ashford family still keeps the equipment they used to design for Britannia in an abandoned factory." C.C. answered. "Milly's grandfather was very open to the idea."
"Milly's grandfather? He knows!" Lelouch exclaimed in shock. "You told him?!"
"Relax. We didn't tell him anything but the old man is smart." C.C. answered.
Xxx
"My family's previous occupation?" Ruben asked as C.C. sat down. "What do you mean, Miss Senju?"
"Please don't play this game, Principal Ashford. I know the Ashford's family and the reason they lost their nobility." C.C. answered. "I'm interested to see if you've kept anything from your previous position."
Ruben sighed. "So…Lelouch has finally made his move."
C.C. raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think Lelouch has anything to do with this?"
"I'll ask you not to play this game, Tsunade Senju, if that is your real name. I took Lelouch and Nunnally in and let them stay in the clubhouse of this school and Milly even knows their true identities but she doesn't know about Lelouch's other secret. But when I looked at the TV during Kururugi trial, I knew. I knew this day would come." Ruben smiled softly. "I knew he'd been hurt and angry when his mother died and when he and his sister showed up, looking for shelter I saw that look in his eyes, the look that told me he was ready, ready to go after everyone who wronged his family. I'm old but I'm not blind and for all of Lelouch's brilliance he never learned how to truly hide the anger. The cold and distant school boy that all the girls crush on but he can't open himself up, can't let anyone in and show his real self."
"And you, Principal Ashford? If you believed he was you know who why haven't you said anything? You'd have your family's nobility restored." C.C. pointed out.
"Unlike Milly's parents and like Milly I have no interest in restoring our nobility, not after the Emperor stripped us of it for supporting Lady Marianne and the war that claimed the lives of many Japanese friends that helped us through our dark times. Does this mean Lelouch wishes to use my family's resources since we designed his mother's Knightmare?" Ruben asked.
"Lelouch doesn't know. Our partnership is strictly business and though Lelouch has an impressive tactical and keen mind his ego often causes him to make mistakes, such as going to war without preparing himself." C.C. answered with a small grin. "My only question is that would you be willing to help us?"
"Only as long as my granddaughter will never have to be terrified like she was when the war happened seven years ago. Lelouch is not the only one who desires revenge but I dare not do anything as long as my family is in possible danger." Ruben nodded. "Now then, Miss Senju, let us talk of this rebellion…"
Xxx
"In short, we now have a Knightmare factory with a Knightmare prototype that was never given the chance to show itself to the world." C.C. finished her tale. "And not only can that but the computer systems allow us to even access Britannia's systems to find out all the Knightmares they are designing. It seems the Britannian military never considered the fact that a disgraced family could sneak past their security to look at sensitive information, even a library on every combination of Knightmare frames."
Lelouch was silent in shock as C.C. finished her tale. "And Principal Ashford is fine with this? If the military finds out he's helping us he and Milly will be in danger."
"He's not worried, Lelouch. He wouldn't have given us the factory if he thought he and Milly would be in danger. You're not the only one with someone to protect." Naruto said as he walked forward to the clubhouse with C.C. holding his hand. "If the Black Knights do become a legitimate threat to Britannia we'll need all the help we can get."
Lelouch watched as they walked forward before following after them.
Xxx
"Wow. Look at this place."
The mobile base of the Black Knights parked inside the abandoned Ashford factory and they were all staring at the place that Zero had brought them to.
"What is this place?" Ohgi asked.
"It used to be a weapons factory owned by the Ashford family but they abandoned it following their fall from nobility." Zero asked as he stepped out the van.
"The Ashford family?" Kallen asked, thinking of Milly and wondering how the family of that crazy girl could design weapons for the military.
"Yes. When they lost their nobility they fled to Japan and established the Ashford Academy but they kept whatever military technology they had left." Zero explained. "The factory is still in good shape and I managed to acquire some old designs for some third generation Knightmare frames. I've sent those designs to a friend to look over."
Actually it was C.C. who had taken the designs and sent them to the person who had designed Naruto's and her Knightmare Frames.
"With the proper resources and equipment the Black Knights will soon be a legitimate threat to Britannia." Zero said as the group looked around the factory. "It has all the parts we need to create Knightmares that can stand up to Cornelia's forces and her Gloucesters. I have decided to make this the primary headquarters when we're not using the mobile base. My knights have already made use of it and as you can see the Ashford family left a little something."
True to their word Naruto and C.C. had brought their Knightmares here instead of the secret garage underneath Ashford Academy and both Knightmares were hidden in a secret hangar underneath the ground floor of the factory. Zero didn't mention this as the Black Knights were staring at the Oberon Frames lining in the interior of the factory.
"What are they?" Kallen asked.
"I present to you the Oberon Frame, the last Knightmare Frame to be built by the Ashford family before losing their status. It was built to compete with the Sutherland and Glasgow Frames but were built with heavier and thicker armor that can shrug off bazookas and machine guns." Zero explained. "Due to the armor they are slower than the Sutherland Frame but the shields they carry are meant to increase protection."
"Seriously?" Tamaki asked, a grin forming on his face.
"Wow." Inoue whispered.
"Seizan and Shinryoku's Knightmares will remain here along with any other Knightmares we steal or design. This will be perfect for repairing the few stolen Sutherlands we have but in the meantime we can develop infantry weapons and the Knightmare simulators left here to help train pilots." Zero announced, earning nods of agreement from the rest of the group. "One more thing, we should wait until we have more resources and manpower before we start using these Knightmares."
"Uh? Why?" Tamaki asked, wanting to test these Oberons out.
"To put it simply Cornelia would be forced to call in more reinforcements, possibly elite pilots like the Knights of the Round if she discovered we suddenly gained access to a number of Knightmares that for the record never made an appearance. She may start to believe we have the capabilities of building our own Knightmares which we now have but we are still too few with only two advanced Knightmares as our main force." Zero explained.
"I see. You want to wait for this group to get more man power so Cornelia won't know what hit her." Kallen said, figuring out what Zero meant.
"Precisely. Her pride won't let her call for any help from any experience tacticians but from the losses she suffered she'll no doubt call for more pilots are on the reserve list from other areas while ordering an increase in Knightmare production. For now, we stick to the shadows and maintain ourselves as a group that for the most part has limited resources." Lelouch nodded.
He had already made plans to make use of this factory by calling on the numerous favors he gained from the nobles in the Settlement and with the help of his Geass he could make sure none of it was traced back to him or the Ashfords.
"You heard the man. Let's set up." Ohgi said.
The group quickly got to work in exploring the factory, seeing what it had and what they could use. In the meantime Zero turned and walked to the elevator, pushing the button for the basement and waited as it took him down.
Xxx
"Well, despite being considered the prime of a bygone age these are still impressive designs. With a few little modifications they'd be perfect, next to my perfect children of course." Rakshata looked over the schematics the Ashford family never got to build. "So, you want me to design them?"
"Well, I had another idea in mind. You've completed the Shadow Clone Jutsu yet and the Henge yet?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah?" Rakshata slowly answered.
"The Black Knights obviously needs someone who knows who to operate the equipment. Lelouch might have an idea but he's more strategist and chess master than actually building." Naruto explained.
"So you want me to send you a Shadow Clone of myself to supervise the constructions of Knightmares for the Black Knights." Rakshata suddenly grinned excitingly at the idea of more than one Rakshata Chawla building state of the art Knightmares. "Oh, why didn't I think of it before?! One me here and the other me in Japan, both coming up with new and more deadly children!"
Suddenly a lot of people in the facility shivered.
"We both got an idea for an alias your Shadow Clone can use and to see how good your skills in Iyro-ninjutsu have come. And let's hope you're good at acting." Naruto continued.
"Oh, do tell." Rakshata leaned forward with a smirk.
There were times Naruto wondered if Rakshata was Baa-chan's dimensional sister or something when she smiled.
Xxx
It had been two week since the events at Lake Kawaguchi but Zero and the Black Knights had remained the main topic of any gossip between Britannian or Eleven. The Britannians and Honorary Britannians were worried about what Zero and the Black Knights planned to do with their way of life while the Japanese supported Zero in his endeavours.
"Clearing the last of the debris from the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel. It has been two weeks since Zero unveiled his Black Knights but there is still no insight as to the man behind the mask."
"They weren't able to track his escape route?"
"They let the hostages go and somehow made it to the other shore."
Kallen laid face down on her bed with her clothes scattered across the floor, not bothering to change into night clothes when she came home last night or turn the TV off. She had skipped classes before to take part in her other life but now she was so exhausted that she wondered if she'd end up quitting school before the year was out. Since the debut of the Black Knights they had been working to establish themselves as Knights of Justice like Zero said, executing minor raids that involved stopping drug rings run by Britannian nobles exploiting the helpless Japanese, liberating woman forced into prostitution, and dealing with smugglers. All done to build up their reputation as champions for the people that would flock their cause.
Kallen would have continued to try to sleep if not for a crashing sound was heard outside of her room. She quickly threw on a gown before she opened the door and looked out into the hall. A woman dressed in a maid's outfit was kneeling down next to a broken chandelier, looking startled and disappointed as Kallen opened the door.
"Kallen-I mean Mistress, please forgive me. I didn't wish to awake you." The woman quickly said when she noticed Kallen.
"Again." Kallen whispered with a tone of irritation in her voice.
"I'm sorry, it was the step ladder this time, it broke." The woman explained sadly.
"Well just clean it up and be quick about it. I have to go to school soon." Kallen simply said.
The woman seemingly perked up for some reason. "Mistress, you've been attending school quite a bit lately. Making any friends?"
"I do not see how that's any of your business." Kallen said sharply as she closed the door, not missing the woman smiling despite how she was being treated.
Back inside her room Kallen sighed and leaned against the door. "Just go will you."
She hated treating her mother like this but she needed to realize she was better than being a servant to the bitch of the house and was better off just leaving this house. Her weak will would become weaker if Kallen treated her like an actual human being than a pathetic servant to someone who didn't give a damn about her.
Xxx
"I know it's for wealth fare but why waste it on the Elevens?"
"That's why I'm selling it to you my friend. The Eleven population could use a little thinning out if you ask me."
Outside the warehouse a three cloaked figures followed by man and woman dressed in black ran across the catwalk leading to the upper floor of the warehouse.
"Your payment will be transferred to your wife's account." The broker said with an amused smirk.
The group of strangers stopped in front of the door to the warehouse.
"Princess Cornelia is a soldier; this sort of thing doesn't interest her all that much." The buyer said with a smirk.
The two men looked up as the lights suddenly went out and gun shots rang out through the warehouse.
"Hit the lights! Someone turn them on!" The buyer cried out.
The drug dealer made it to the breaker and switched the lights back on. When he did both men were greeted with the shocking sight of the Black Knights standing catwalk above the truck.
"You're-" The buyer stuttered in shock. "You're the…"
Xxx
"The Black Knights!" Kallen suddenly sat up.
She wished she hadn't as she realized she had fallen asleep and woken up to see everyone staring at her and then laughing.
"That's not like you, dozing off in class like that." Shirley commented when class was over.
"Well I'm…" Kallen tried to think of a reasonable excuse.
"You could learn a thing or two from Lelouch. He's an expert at sleeping in class." Rivalz pointed out.
"Uh?" Kallen turned and looked over at Lelouch who was staring out the window. "He's not sleeping now is he?"
"One way to find out." Naruto smirked as he held up a soda can and walked over to Lelouch and held it over his head.
"Do it and die." Lelouch muttered as he opened his eyes.
"Guess that answers your question, Kallen." Naruto commented.
"I don't know what he's up to night after night. But he sleeps through half of them these days." Rivalz smiled.
"Oh." Kallen raised a single eyebrow.
Her previous suspicions came back but she shrugged them off.
Xxx
"The E.U. is starting an offensive along the Alamein front. We can't go on dragging our feet around here. I want to solidify domestic affairs. It's high time Area Eleven was made a satellite nation. For that to happen we need to stomp out terrorism." Cornelia said to Euphemia as they stood in front of some cargo trains. "But another problem is the rampant use of Refrain amongst the Elevens. Productivity from the Elevens is plummeting. It is coming from in on the Chinese Federation's Kyushu route. We have to put an end to it."
"Yes, but be careful." Euphemia said, always one to be worried about her sister.
"You as well, I don't want you leaving the settlement." Cornelia replied, having become paranoid since the hostage crisis.
"Cornelia, what about Zero and the Black Knights?" Euphemia asked curiously.
"I will let them roam free for a bit longer. I owe them that much for saving your life." Cornelia's gaze softened as she reached and softly caressed her sister's cheek. "However, upon my return, once I clean up this area I'll entrust it to you. Try to stay out of harm's way from now, alright Euphie? Zero might not have killed you at the hotel but he still used you as a political tool in his crusade. That pathetic dog Kusakabe wouldn't say anything about Zero and the information about the JLF was false, making us waste our time meaning they might be working together somehow even if Zero helped rescue you and the other hostages."
"All right, sister." Euphemia nodded.
As Cornelia walked away Euphemia could not help but think of that night.
Xxx
"Because Clovis was an offspring of the Britannian Emperor. That reminds me," Zero pulled out a pistol and pointed it at her. "You're one of his children too, aren't you?"
"That is enough." Suddenly Seizan was in front of Zero with his hand on the pistol. "I will not let you kill her."
Xxx
'When he spoke to me that night what was he alluding to?' Euphemia thought. 'Suzaku, what would you make of all this, what's Zero's doing and of me?'
Xxx
"Man this double life is killer." Kallen yawned as she walked up to the door to the Student Council room, leaning her hand against the wall.
"Suzaku, Rivalz, hold him down!" Milly's voice shouted on the other side of the door.
"Damn it, Suzaku. Cut it out!" Lelouch yelled.
"Oh come on, Lelouch. I'm sure you'll look cute all dressed up like that." Tsunade's voice teased as Kallen opened the door.
"Sorry Lelouch but it's the President's orders." Suzaku said.
"Yeah like you're not enjoying this at all?" Lelouch retorted.
The scene was not what she was expecting.
Almost everyone was wearing cat theme costumes as Suzaku and Rivalz had Lelouch tied down to a chair so Shirley could paint whiskers on his face.
"Would you hold still?" Shirley asked irritably as Lelouch struggled to get out of Rivalz and Suzaku's grip.
Nina was wearing a yellow cat head that covered her head and mid back as she continued working at her computer, seemingly ignoring everything else. Suzaku was wearing a blue hoot cat costume with a spot painted over his right eye and cat whisker marks drawn on his cheeks.
"Good-meowing." Milly waved a pawed hand at Kallen with a mischievous smile.
Milly had black cat ears and pars with a black furry outfit that showed off her figure with white fur along the chest, black mid-thigh stockings, and black boots with slight pink edges.
"Good morning, I guess." Kallen said carefully.
She had been on Student Council long enough to know of Milly's crazy schemes.
"Oh, hi Kallen." Shirley finished drawing on Lelouch's face.
Shirley was a pink cat outfit that showed off her mid-rift, pink shorts with a tail, fur-lined boots, arm-warmers, and pink cat ears with her hair in pig tails.
"What is all of this?" Kallen asked.
"What do you mean? It's a welcome party for Arthur and Tsunade's cat, Matatabi." Rivalz answered while said cats yawned from their spots.
Arthur sat on top of a scratching post while Matatabi rested on C.C.'s lap.
Rivalz wore a yellow hooded cat costume with various brown spots and the top half of the cat's head on his face.
"Sounds like fun." Kallen commented quietly.
"Well classes are postponed so we might as well do something fine." Milly replied.
"I set some stuff for you." Shirley pointed to a rack full of cat themed costumes. "Over there, to make up for me getting upset with you before. Go on, take your pick."
"Yes, Kallen. What do you think your costume would be?"
Kallen looked the other side of the room and saw C.C., wearing black cat ears, a tail, and a black sleeveless cat-like dress that reached down to her thighs. Her yellow eyes seemed to go perfectly with the outfit and her grin sent a shiver through Kallen's body.
"Tsunade, don't tease her."
Kallen looked and saw Naruto at the other end of the room wearing…fox ears and paws with a fox tail. "Naruto?"
"Don't ask." Naruto answered Kallen's unasked question.
"I never believed Naruto was a cat person so I asked Milly to get him a fox costume." Tsunade smirked. "Doesn't he look so much better than a cat?"
"You tricked me." Naruto sulked, looking so much like a pouting fox.
"Oh, he's so cute!" Milly ran up and hugged Naruto. "And those whisker marks…"
She ran a hand across the marks making Naruto groan and make…
"Naruto, are you purring?" Milly asked with a very interested look.
"No!" Naruto quickly said.
"He loves it when someone does that." Tsunade said with a smile so mischievous it actually made everyone safer around Milly. "He sounds like a kitten and looks so cute."
"Sounds it like you're speaking from experience." Milly grinned as Naruto blushed.
"I do. It's the reward I give him for giving me a fully body massage or when I wake up him up in the morning." C.C. said, smirking as almost everyone turned red.
'Too much information.' Kallen and Shirley thought.
'Doesn't she know anything about restraint?' Lelouch thought, not needing to know what they did under the same roof as him and his sister.
He actually wished Nunnally was still blind so she didn't wheel in on them doing something and get mentally scarred.
"Oh." Milly's grin widened as she kept on stroking the markings on Naruto's cheeks. "So if I do this can I get a massage?"
"Sure. Come on over tonight and we can both get one." C.C. smirked at the gob-smacked expression on Naruto's face. "But if you ask for anything more you'll have to get us ramen and pizza. His service is not free."
"That lucky dog." Rivalz whispered to Lelouch who was considering moving Nunnally and himself to an apartment.
The way C.C. was looking it was like she was literally inviting Milly to have some 'fun' with her and-
'Oh crap now it's in my head!' Lelouch shuddered. 'Get out, get out, get out!'
"Well, then hurry and pick your costume, Kallen." Milly said, gesturing to the rack.
"She doesn't need a costume." Lelouch spoke as Shirley finished painting his face. "You're already wearing a mask, right?"
'Way to be subtle, Lelouch.' Naruto rolled his eyes.
"You really are a riot, you know that?" Kallen said, equally irritated with Lelouch as Naruto. "You ought to be on television."
"What do you think Miss TV star?" Rivalz asked, glancing at Shirley.
"Oh, I thought she meant Lelouch." Suzaku commented.
"Would you quit joking about that? The whole thing's a huge pain in the butt. We've been hounded with questions day and night. Even in the bath." Shirley complained, shuddering at all the times she and the others had been asked questions about the Black Knights. "We haven't even been able to leave school grounds in a week."
"Not that I don't feel for you but I don't see why we can't leave either." Rivalz pointed out to Milly, speaking on behalf of himself, Lelouch, Suzaku, Naruto, and C.C.
"Hm. That's the prize of friendship. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it matters not that we were born apart, upon this day we die as one." Milly crossed her arms and closed her eyes as she smiled.
"Is that your idea of a love poem?" Rivalz questioned.
"If I go down then we all do." Milly smirked as she waved her paw at Rivalz.
"That's a little dark. Right Suzaku?" Rivalz looked at Suzaku. "Uh?"
"I'm glad." Suzaku for some reason was tearing up. "That we could all be together again. You know like this?"
"Geez, Suzaku, man up. No one likes a cry baby." Naruto rolled his eyes.
Lelouch smiled and would have said something if not for the fact that Rivalz grabbed his shoulders and hopped over him and pulled Suzaku into a head lock. "Come on! We're supposed to be unwinding here!" He tripped and both him and Suzaku fell onto the ground causing everyone to laugh.
"That's what so refreshing about Suzaku though." Shirley smiled.
"Yeah but once in a while you just want him to get a clue you know?" Milly asked.
"Oh, sorry about that." Suzaku said as Rivalz pushed his cheek.
"Aw, you love it putty cat." Rivalz said in a baby tone that made everyone, including Nina laugh.
'It's so funny to think I helped save their lives.' Kallen smiled as she thought what had happened in the last few weeks. 'Ever since we made our big splash at the hotel jacking the Black Knights have taken the world by storm. We've become a friend to the weak just as Zero proclaimed we would. Terrorists who involve civilians and overbearing military, criminal syndicates and corrupt politicians and profiteers. If the law would not punish them then we would. In the blink of an eye, we've become heroes. Support for us has swelled; we've even gotten our hands on some Knightmares again. Of course no one could show that in public because…'
Kallen remembered how a mother scolded her child for pretending to be Zero.
'Because our leader Zero had killed Prince Clovis. There are many in our ranks who wish to know his true identity and the identity of his two Knights, Seizan and Shinyroku, myself included. But if we push too hard I suspect that they would vanish. And without them I'm fairly certain we'd be finished.'
"By the way, everyone I should let you know something." Tsunade spoke up, earning their attention. "My mother's applied for a job as the school doctor here and the Principal approved when he looked through her background."
"Your mother?" Lelouch asked, not expecting something like that.
"Yes. She's a doctor, a very skilled doctor. Enough that even Britannian clients have asked for her help." Tsunade nodded.
"You mean she's…" Shirley trailed off causing Nina to glance from her computer.
"Yes she is. I told you before, I'm half Britannian." C.C. shrugged. "Not that my father really cared when he met my mother, especially since she saved his life."
"Saved his life?" Kallen asked, now sounding curious.
"He was struck by a rare illness that would have resulted in a slow death with declining health if my mother hadn't been able to figure out how to treat it. Before Britannia established Area Eleven she traveled all across the country studying up on how to be a healer. Her medical skills have attracted numerous Britannian nobles who have gone to her secretly but led her to building up a lot of favors." C.C. explained. "My father offered her a private clinic, believing her skills would be better spent inside the settlement than in the Ghettos where she would have been in danger if anyone had figured out she both treated Elevens and Britannians."
"Why would she treat both?" Lelouch asked, playing along.
"Doctor's oath." C.C. simply answered. "She's healer first and she sticks by it. Personally I think she's just coming as an excuse to check up on me for the whole hostage incident. She can be quite…the handful."
"Makes sense to me." Suzaku offered, apparently approving of C.C.'s mother for her convictions. "Nice to know she's doing so well."
"Yes, if you mean having to work behind closed curtains." C.C. sighed as she stood up with a resigned look on her face. "The only reason I believe she hasn't left because father compromised with her that if he set up a clinic for her and kept herself hidden she'd get free reign to run it in any way she wanted with all the funds at her disposal. Wouldn't be good for nobles to hear that the best doctor in the settlement was an Eleven now would it?"
They all watched as C.C. walked out of the room.
"She seems a little upset." Shirley said with a sad look on her face. "Is something wrong?"
"Not really. She's just hoping her mother doesn't embarrass her too much." Naruto shrugged with a small smile. "Call me crazy but the life of a noble ain't always as cracked up as it sounds."
'Don't I know it.' Kallen thought as she stared at the door Tsunade had left.
Lelouch was staring at the door too but for different reasons. 'What are they up to? That story…Did they call someone here without telling me?'
None of them knew that Naruto and C.C. were mentally snickering in their heads. When the war was done they should think of taking a career in acting.
"Oh, looks like she's here." Naruto spotted a car stopping in front of the school. "Want to say hi?"
"Sure, why not?" Milly asked with a smile. "She sounds like an interesting woman."
Xxx
The car stopped in the parking lot as Principal Ruben Ashford walked out with the Student Council behind him to greet the new employer at the school. As soon as the driver door opened the person stepped out, allowing everyone to see her.
"Holy…" Rivalz jaw nearly detached itself from his face. "She's…she's…hot!"
"That's Tsunade's mother?" Kallen asked, feeling a little insecure.
"Wow." Milly commented with intrigued smile. "I wonder if she has some kind of formula that lets her grow those."
"Madame President! Don't say things like that!" Shirley scolded but secretly wondered the same thing.
"Wow." Suzaku actually blushed and covered his eyes. "Mustn't stare. It'd be rude."
Lelouch was silent but he had to struggle not to stare…
For C.C.'s so called mother was drop dead gorgeous.
She had brown eyes with blond hair that fell mid-back and was tied in twin pigtails. She wore blue pants, a white shirt unbuttoned at the top with a green jacket. Her skin was smooth and fair with a touch of pink lipstick on her lips but what caught everyone's attention(especially Rivalz's) was the size of her large bust barely hidden by her blouse.
"Welcome to Ashford, Mrs. Senju." Ruben offered her hand which she shook. "I heard many good things about you."
"Ah, knowing my daughter half of it was not true." The woman laughed as she looked at the crowd. "Speaking of which…"
"Here we go." C.C. sighed dramatically and walked out of the crowd. "Hello, Mother."
"TSU-CHAN!" The woman rushed forward and picked C.C. up in a tight hug. "There you are!"
"Holy crap!" Rivalz envied C.C. very much right now. "Look at them! That hugging…"
"Have you found someone else, Rivalz?" Milly asked, a sudden hint of steal in her voice.
"Uh-no! Not at all!" Rivalz quickly answered.
C.C.'s mother finally put her down, allowing the green haired a girl a chance to breath but she didn't seem bothered at all. "So, tell me. Have you and Naruto taken the next step? Will I be expecting little grandchildren to spoil?"
"HUH?!" Shirley and Kallen gaped. 'Did she seriously ask that question?'
"No, Mother. We agreed until after graduation." C.C. answered, completely calm despite the outrageous question. "For now it's just massages and the occasional quickies."
That made everyone blush with Nina taking a step back as her face went tomato red.
"Oh dear. I was so looking forward to the good news." The woman looked at the Student Council. "So is this Student Council you've told me about?"
"Yes. The walking stick is Lelouch, he offered to let us stay at the clubhouse." C.C. pointed at Lelouch who frowned but offered his hand.
"A pleasure, Mrs. Senju."
"Mito. Just call me Mito." The woman shook his hand. "Now then, shall we get my office set up?"
"Of course, Mrs. Senju." To his credit Principal Ashford didn't seem affected by the woman's antics, probably because of the antics of his granddaughter. "This way please."
"Oh, a gentlemen." Mito smiled as she followed him into the school.
"She's an interesting one." Suzaku commented with a nervous smile.
"Yeah." Lelouch watched as Mito walked away. "Very interesting."
As they walked away Mito shared a grin that Naruto mirrored while C.C. had a small mischievous smile on her face as C.C. and Naruto's eyes turned into the Rinnegan while Mito's eyes became turquoise for an instant.
Screwing with Lelouch and the students was fun.
Xxx
"What are you up to?" Lelouch took off his cat ears as he followed C.C. and Naruto onto the roof. "I know the person that's here is not Tsunade's 'mother'."
"Don't act so suspicious, Lelouch. We're just asking for 'someone' to come who will be a great help to us." Naruto said in a reassuring tone.
"And you're only telling this now?" Lelouch narrowed his eyes.
"Better now than later." C.C. shrugged.
"Who is this person?" Lelouch wanted to know who it was they called.
"No spoilers, even for the great Zero." C.C. waved one finger at the former prince. "You'll just have to wait and see along with everyone else."
Lelouch grunted, not liking it when C.C. or Naruto did something like this. As war advisors they had both proven themselves to highly effective and valuable but at the same time they liked to go off on their own from time to time leaving him to wonder what they were scheming and it was sometimes very frustrating.
"What about you? What are your plans regarding Cornelia? So far she's stopped targeting Japanese resistance groups since what happened at Lake Kawaguchi. Either she's planning a new strategy or something's caught her attention." Naruto changed the subject.
"Hmm…It's obvious she's focusing on the shipments of Refrain." Lelouch replied, ignoring Naruto changing the subject. "With the Black Knights dealing with all known criminal activity in Area Eleven she's leaving us alone for a bit since Refrain decreases productivity from working Elevens. Cornelia's a soldier; she doesn't have time to deal with small time crooks."
"And the Chinese Federation is the most likely suspect for smuggling in Refrain." C.C. offered her own views. "It's easy for nobility to be bribed to look the other way."
"Great. What does this drug do anyways?" Naruto asked.
"It allows the user to re-experience the happiest moments of their life and like all drugs it forces them to become dependent on it." Lelouch answered.
"Who designed a drug like that?"
"Knowing V.V. it was probably a product of the Geass Directorate." C.C. answered causing both to look at her.
"And why is that?" Lelouch asked curiously.
"The Geass Directorate has been studying Geass for a long time now and in that time many of its members of produced unique Geass that V.V wished to study and he has no qualms about experimenting on them to the point that they would die." C.C. explained.
"So this Refrain could have come from someone who's Geass made people relive happy memories." Naruto scowled. "They must be selling it to the Numbers to use them as test subjects."
"Not for long." Lelouch spoke up. "We're ending it."
Xxx
"Why would the mass flock around those who saved Euphemia?" Shogo Asahina asked, annoyed by the fame of the Black Knights.
Kyoshiro Todoh and the Four Holy Swords, members of the Japanese Liberation Front sat together in an important meeting, discussing the Black Knights.
"Even Kyoto said that they would send the Black Knights the Guren Mk II." Ryoga Senba muttered.
"To those would be Robin Hoods?" Kotetsu Urabe scoffed.
"They're not part of the resistance. Handing Kusakabe over to Cornelia to be tortured and interrogated was proof of that." Nagisa Chiba stated.
"It's not like he was coming back after the stunt he pulled." Senba pointed out.
"In any case, Lieutenant Colonel Todoh, we can't let this stand." Urabe pointed out.
Todoh however remained silent with his eyes closed in thought.
Xxx
"Mistress Kallen. Mistress Kallen."
Kallen walked down the stairs as the maid called out to her and saw the front door was open with someone waiting for her.
"Madam President? Naruto?" Kallen asked when she saw Milly and Naruto.
"I just dropped by to give you something." Milly shrugged.
"And I offered to come along because I had nothing better to do." Naruto smiled.
"Where would you like me to show them to? The parlor perhaps? Or maybe-" The maid asked.
"We'll be in my room." Kallen answered coldly.
"As you wish." The maid bowed her head.
"Oh." A voice made them look up to see a woman walking down the stairs.
She had long blond hair held up straight with a red band with a strand falling over the left side of her face while dressed a purple dress that showed off her status and she stared at them with icy blue eyes.
"I thought I heard voices and I see you have brought friends over, one of them even being a boy. Is he the reason you've been out all night and missing school, not to mention all your visits to the Ghetto. You're lucky your father's back in the homeland." The woman said rudely. "No fighting one's blood is there?"
The maid flinched and took a step back. Naruto glared at the woman with a harsh look, instantly hating her.
'Great, another rich obnoxious bitch.' Naruto thought.
"You're the one enjoying Dad not being here, aren't you?" Kallen countered with a scowl.
The woman scowled at Kallen's tone and would have said something if not for the sound of something breaking.
"Oh dear. What have I done?" The maid gasped as she looked down at the broken vase.
"What's wrong with you?" The woman demanded angrily.
"Forgive me, milady, forgive me." The maid pleaded as she started to pick up the pieces.
"Can't you do anything right? Besides selling your body that is." The woman sneered.
Kallen threw one look at the maid before leading Milly and Naruto up to her room. Naruto glanced at the maid, sensing feelings of anger, sadness, regret, and,,,
'She's happy.' Naruto thought as the maid smiled up at Kallen when the red haired girl wasn't looking. 'She's happy about Kallen.'
"Quite the complicated home life you live, isn't it?" Milly asked with a weak smile.
"So what is it you wanted to give me?" Kallen asked, changing the subject.
"Grandfather asked me to pass this on." Milly pulled a smaller letter out of her bag.
"You mean the principal?" Kallen asked curiously.
"Your transcripts since middle school." Milly slid the letter across the table to Kallen. "I thought I'd better give them to you off of school ground."
Kallen gasped slightly as she stared down at the letter before looking up at Kallen. "So my secret's out then, isn't it? That I'm actually an Eleven and Britannian half breed. That was my stepmother down there. My real mother was that clod of a maid who knocked over the vase."
She finished transcripts and slid them back to Milly.
"And your father, is he the head of the Stadfeld family?" Milly asked.
"My mother is such a fool. In the end she wound up a servant. She doesn't have any real skills, no matter who's ridiculing her all she can do is laugh like it's nothing." Kallen looked down at the table with disappointed look on her face. "She didn't have to choose to stay in this house you know? She's just clinging to some old lover who's jilted her."
Milly heard the anger in Kallen's voice at the end. "You really hate your mother don't you?"
"I just find her depressing." Kallen picked up the tea pot and poured some tea to calm herself down and for her guests.
"Well this is getting a little heavy." Milly looked out the window. "Imagine, the wife, the daughter, and the other woman all living together."
"Yeah, I'm not going there." Naruto shook his head.
"Ah, could be worse." Kallen shrugged it off. "Three square meals and a roof right? I mean it's not unbearable, most of the time anyway."
"That's good." Milly smiled. "Have you told Naruto or Tsunade about this? I'm sure they can relate."
"Yeah except we don't have a bitch for a stepmother living in our house." Naruto quickly pointed out and glanced at Kallen. "No offence."
"None taken. And Tsunade did after all have no problem talking about her parents. I wonder though, if she's at all happy with the way her mother's living. Forced to work behind closed door and probably only being a doctor anyone who's important." Kallen thought back to the way Tsunade's mother had been when she arrived. "She seems…free spirited."
"Yeah. Not what you expected at all, huh?" Milly chuckled. "Tsunade must be really use to it if she didn't even react."
"Everyone's family has their own baggage." Naruto commented. "Tsunade hasn't had to put up with too much grief but she doesn't talk about it with anyone and I've only seen a few glimpses."
"Still, some things in life we can bear on our own, but when you add 'em all up they eventually break you." Milly said thoughtfully as Kallen looked at her. "Oh don't worry. I won't lie, I'm always hungry for secrets but I'd never talk about this."
Milly took a sip of her tea.
Xxx
"I can't believe you teared up." Lelouch said from the Student Council table while reading a magazine. "It's embarrassing."
"It's called honesty." Suzaku retorted, flitching as Arthur bit him again.
Matatabi purred and mentally smirked as Arthur was put on top of the fire place next to her.
"Well good thing the Black Knights were to save 'em. That's all I can say." Lelouch glanced over his shoulder for a second.
He noticed Suzaku seemingly freeze for a second.
"If they wanted to catch criminals they could have joined the police force you know." Suzaku pointed out. "Why don't they I wonder."
Lelouch glowered as the cat meowed and looked back at his magazine. "They probably don't think the cops are up to the job. I tend to agree."
"The police may not be effective right now but they could evoke change from within." Suzaku turned around, sounding frustrated from the endless talk of Zero and the Black Knights.
"Yeah and in the process they get all tangled up in red tape and bureaucracy." Lelouch answered swiftly.
"If they had done everything in their power to change things that might hold water." Suzaku said as Matatabi waved her paw at him, seemingly trying to smack him. "As long as they don't then all of it's just self-righteous posturing."
"Self-righteous?" Lelouch looked back at Suzaku.
"And what constitutes evil in their eyes? What standards are they using? It's nothing but self satisfying gratification." Suzaku would have continued if the door hadn't opened, allowing Shirley to walk in.
"Oh, it's just you two?" Shirley asked as Suzaku stood up.
"Anyways, I guess I gotta go back to the base pretty soon. See ya around, Shirley." Suzaku smiled at her as he walked out of the room.
"Later." Shirley called out with a smile as Suzaku left.
Lelouch watched as Suzaku left and turned back to his book.
Turning around to face Lelouch Shirley tried to draw upon her confidence.
"So Lulu," The orange haired girl began, trying to once more ask Lelouch out without freezing up. "I was, um, I was thinking if you had some time, you and I-"
"'Back to base,'" Lelouch muttered, cutting Shirley off, anger clearly evident in his tone of voice. "Now that was an interesting choice of words."
Shirley saw how annoyed Lelouch was and was surprised by how differently he was acting from his usual self.
"'Go back', implying that's where he thinks he belongs." Lelouch spat.
Xxx
"Refrain?"
Kallen had gone to the shopping district of the Tokyo Settlement, needing to get out of that woman's house and get some fresh air for a bit. She called Ohgi, wondering if Zero had another mission for them yet.
"It's a psychotropic, makes you think you've gone back to the past." Ohgi answered.
"Must be all the rage here in Japan." Kallen remarked in distaste at the Japanese being further exploited,
"Yeah, well who doesn't long for the days before the occupation, right?" Ohgi remarked humourlessly.
"Hm." Kallen frowned.
"The stuff was specifically targeted at the Japanese so we can't very well ignore it. Soon as the Burais are stocked we move."
"Supplies keep rolling in and I hear lots of people are ready to join us. Black Knights sure are popular, huh?" Kallen remarked.
"Well, we are the Heroic Knights for justice. I'll call you when the ammo gets here."
Kallen nodded, even though Ohgi couldn't see her and hung up.
She could finally take the fight to Britannia, rather than attacking from the shadows while Zero's personal knights fought the Knightmares. She decided to leave because she would have a long night and needed to get as much rest as she needed. She didn't get far though.
She spotted a group of Britannian street thugs beating on a Japanese man wearing a Hotdog Vendor uniform.
"Come on Eleven, say something," A Britannian, who had his jacket open and hanging off his shoulders, said as he kicked the downed Eleven.
"You are sorry, aren't ya?" A second Britannian said who had a grey vest and short cut grey colored hair.
"Bowing your heads is what you Elevens do best, right?" A third Britannian added snidely, this one had blonde hair that went just above his shoulders with a vest and tie over his reddish colored shirt.
"Eleven," Kallen muttered, ready to attack but a hand on her shoulder stopped her and she whirled around in response to see a familiar head of raven hair and violet eyes. "Lelouch?"
"No, there's five of them." Lelouch pointed out to her. "You wouldn't stand a chance at all."
"So you think I should just ignore it?" Kallen asked him, barely managing to conceal her anger.
"Go on," Lelouch said gesturing to the vender with his head. "Take a good look at that Eleven."
While Kallen unhappily did as he asked her, and turned to look at the scene just in time to see the Eleven being kicked in the head. She looked at the hotdog on the man's uniform and the hotdog cart just a couple feet away from where he was lying, being kicked by the five Britannian males.
"If we intervene and help him win, he wouldn't be able to sell a thing tomorrow." Lelouch observed indifferently, "It was his choice to become a Britannian slave, that's just the price you pay for working in the settlement."
"Well even so…" Kallen murmured.
"It's not easy to have to sit back and watch someone suffer like this." Naruto's voice said from behind the two of them, catching her and Lelouch by surprise.
Behind them Naruto was holding a few bags with C.C. looping one arm around his left arm. Naruto was wearing a black T-shirt with a black and orange jacket with blue pants while C.C.'s hair was out of its pony tail and she was dressed in a white and blue sundress and white sandals on her feet while a white hat covered her head.
"I'm no stranger to this and it really pisses me off." Naruto stated with a cold look at the punks attacking the vendor.
"You got a problem over there?" Kallen turned and saw the thugs walking over to them. "You're not feeling sorry for this Eleven are ya?"
"Nah." Another said. "They feel the same way we do, don't you guys?"
"Not quite." Lelouch chuckled as he activated his Geass. "But you're tired of beating up on Elevens, aren't you?"
Naruto and C.C. both watched as Lelouch's Geass easily took hold of the thugs while Kallen had no clue of what was going on.
"Yeah, this is boring." The first Britannian said, as he and his friends turned to leave.
"You guys wanna hit the arcade?" The second member asked.
"I got no cash." The third complained.
"Well they got bored pretty quick, huh." Lelouch said amusedly.
'You're just lucking she wasn't looking or she might have figured what was happening.' Naruto thought, wondering why Lelouch would bother when he could have just let Naruto give their asses the kicking they deserved.
Kallen didn't pay Lelouch much attention, as she rushed past him to help the injured Hotdog seller.
"Hey, are you all right?" Kallen asked gently.
The Hotdog seller was at first surprised that anyone was helping him, but when he looked up the first thing he noticed was the Ashford crest on Kallen's tie.
"Huh, a Britannian student!" He greeted with a forced smile. "What can I get for you, how about a nice California hotdog, miss?" He then noticed Lelouch, Naruto, and C.C. "Are these your friends? I can get them something too. I have ice cream if you like."
"Here." Naruto slapped several dollar bills onto the counter. "We'll each have a scoop of ice cream please."
"Yes sir!" The vendor quickly handed four ice cream cones to the teens while Naruto slapped several dollar bills on the table. "Uh, sir-"
"Keep the change." Naruto said as he and C.C. turned and walked away. "Have a nice day."
"Th-thank you." The man stuttered in shock.
"Did you tip him with a hundred dollars?" C.C. asked, earning Lelouch and Kallen's surprised attention.
"I thought it was just a few twenties." Naruto said with a foxy smirk.
Kallen was surprised that Naruto would do such a thing but offered a small smile as she licked her ice cream. "Why'd you do that?"
Naruto took a lick of his own ice cream. "Do what?"
"Help him like that. Why would you do that?" Kallen asked.
"Why not? It's not like I support the whole Number system. In fact I find it to be completely foolish and self-destructive." Naruto shrugged.
"What do you mean?" Kallen wondered suddenly just who was Naruto and his girl friend.
"The whole reason the Japanese or the Elevens as the idiots in this town call them are fighting is because not only was their land stolen but so was their pride, history, culture, and even their name. It's actions like these that foster hatred that is passed down from generation to generation, creating terrorists and resistance fighters that would do anything to see Britannia forced off their homeland, even it means committing heinous acts, like killing unharmed civilians and god forbid not caring if they were Britannian citizens or Japanese." Naruto explained.
Kallen flinched as she knew of several resistance groups that had done that. She may hate Britannians but she never condoned attacking civilians, especially children. She then stopped and realized Naruto had said Japanese, not Elevens.
"It can't be helped though." Lelouch sat down on a bench. "It's not the vendor's fault his family were born as Elevens and it's because of that he's lucky to scrape by. It's sad, though because in some ways Area Eleven is better than the old Japan ever was."
"What?" Kallen gaped at Lelouch, wondering what would make him say such a thing while C.C. raised one eyebrow and Naruto glanced at Lelouch.
"Being made a colony of the Empire has stabilized the military and economic position in the world. Elevens can even attain full citizenship through the legal process. It's easy to become an Honorary Britannian, it's just a question of pride really. Though, I can certainly understand why they resist." Lelouch explained.
"It's actually a lot more than pride, if you consider how eager the military was to pin Prince Clovis's murder on Suzaku. If not for Zero they would have executed an innocent man, all because he's not a true Britannian. Becoming an Honorary Britannian doesn't really change anything; you're still an Eleven, thus making you lower than trash and it makes things convenient of who to blame if and when things go wrong." Naruto pointed out with a small scowl. "Who wants to believe an Honorary Britannian being innocent of a crime when he's accused by a full blooded Britannian? And the government just expects them to accept it, not caring if they will fight because in their mind the Elevens aren't capable of anything since they 'lost' the war. That's the kind of thinking that breeds hatred and causes wars even if it's just small scale resistance."
Kallen looked at both of them. "And?"
"Hm?" Naruto and Lelouch glanced at Kallen.
"Knowing all that, what do Lelouch Lamperouge and Naruto Uzumaki think about it at all? What do you wanna do?"
"Wanna do? Are you asking us if a bunch of students plan to do something about it?" Naruto asked with a curious tone in his voice as he looked at Kallen. "And what makes you think we can do anything about it? We're just a trio of students, two of us being half-breeds. What good are we?"
"That doesn't answer my question. What do you think you should do?" Kallen asked, pressing forward slightly.
"Nothing." Lelouch answered. "There's no point to it."
Kallen narrowed her eyes, glaring at Lelouch. "You know, you've got a lot of brains but you don't seem to be doing much with them. It's all Shirley talks about, saying how intelligent you are but how you ever really apply yourself."
"That's why I don't do anything." Lelouch shrugged. "The Eleven back there could tell you. He could lead a better life as long as he bows his head to Britannia."
'That's funny, considering he does the opposite when he's Zero.' Naruto thought as Kallen slapped Lelouch across the face.
"You must think you're pretty cool huh?" Kallen said angrily. "Just playing critic and judging the world from the sidelines. Shirley is wrong to expect anything more from you. And I thought you were a better man this, but I guess I was wrong."
She stomped off, leaving the three to stare at her as she left.
"Wow…For someone who's got tons of girls crushing on him you suck at dealing with the female gender, huh?" Naruto commented with a small smile.
"Seems so." Lelouch smirked as he rubbed his cheek. "At least that'll erase any lingering suspicions she has about me being Zero."
"You did that just because she still might have thought you were Zero? And here I thought you were open to having a social life." C.C. remarked.
"Zero can't afford to be discovered by anyone. It's too soon to even consider the chance." Lelouch replied.
"Even if she doesn't put two and two together that you somehow made the bullies stop attacking the vendor by simply asking them she might think you were using the same power Zero said he could use when making eye contact." Naruto pointed out.
"Zero's power commands, all I did was offer a suggestion." Lelouch answered. "And with Kallen's dislike of me she won't believe that I have any connection."
"And now what?" Naruto asked. "Locate those drug dealers and stop their operations?"
"Yes. With the Refrain productions stopped the nobility in Area Eleven will be unable to continue getting dirty money from desperate Elevens." Lelouch nodded.
"And if we steal the money we could use it for our operations." C.C. pointed out which Naruto and Lelouch agreed.
Money and resources were needed to finance the Black Knights and their resistance movement.
"What about Cornelia? Won't she be cracking down on these drug dealers?" Naruto asked, wondering why Cornelia hadn't been arresting the drug dealers herself.
"Cornelia's more of a soldier than a politician. She has no patience for this kind of stuff and she probably has left Euphemia in charge of trying to deal with the corruption in the justice system." Lelouch frowned.
"Great, a war hawk with a moral code with no patience for politics what so ever." Naruto closed his eyes. "On the plus side that's a major improvement but unless she cleans up this mess it won't matter if she defeats Zero and the Black Knights because this corruption will still be here."
"Which works to our advantage." Lelouch smirked.
Xxx
"Sir, about this Orange thing." Villetta started.
She and Jeremiah were both at a bar, enjoying a few drinks to take their minds off the stress they've endured for the last few weeks. They had been working to discover just who might be under Zero's payroll and to their disappointment they hadn't found a single person who displayed any strange or erratic behavior that would make them a suspect. It was annoying to say the least since Cornelia was giving the Purists a second chance and they were not making any progress.
Jeremiah grunted and Villetta quickly tried to calm him. "Sorry to bring it up. Is it true though? That you can't remember about when Private Suzaku Kururugi was taken?"
"I don't expect you to believe me." Jeremiah answered with his eyes closed.
"No, it's just that…During the whole Shinjuku Incident I suffered some sort of memory lapse also." Villetta explained.
"You did?" Jeremiah glanced at her with a surprised look on his face.
"By the time I regained my senses my Sutherland had been stolen. But right before that entire gap in my memory I remember running into some high school kid." Villetta looked down at the counter and then back at Jeremiah.
"So you think it was that student?" Jeremiah asked.
"I can't remember his face but those two advanced Knightmares that helped Zero rescue Private Kururugi were with him. There might still be a way to get to the bottom of this." Villetta said, a plan forming in her mind.
Xxx
"What the hell is Zero thinking? After all his talk of bringing down Britannia. He's just got us running around, helping the police." Tamaki complained as the Black Knights waited behind a warehouse for Zero to show up.
"It still feels good to have the will of the people behind us though." Ohgi pointed out.
"Yeah, he's right. We're totally heroes on the net." Kento agreed.
"Are we in the right? I don't know anymore." Kallen muttered, hiding behind the group with her jacket draped over her back.
Lelouch and Naruto's words had been echoing in her head for the whole day, even now she could hear them.
"Kallen…" Ohgi glanced at her, wondering what was wrong.
Before he could ask her everyone spotted a blinking light in the darkness on the other side of warehouse.
"There's the signal from Zero." Yoshida whispered.
"I can't believe he got in there." Kento commented.
"How many tricks does this guy have up his sleeve anyway?" Tamaki wondered.
Xxx
Inside the warehouse workers were unloading the shipment of Refrain they had received.
"Is the shipment for Nagaya ready?"
"Nice and safe here in the Settlement huh?"
That was when their work was interrupted by bullets blasting through the steel door, taking out several Britannian workers as they scattered, crying out in shock. The door fell over, allowing the attackers to step in.
"The Black Knights have arrived!" Tamaki said as he began shooting.
Several guards tried to shoot back but as a red Knightmare, the new Guren Mk-II wheeled into the warehouse, firing its gun off at the Britannian drug dealers.
"A Knightmare?!" One of them shouted as they turned and ran for their lives.
"These Knightmares really are amazing. Each one is an army unto itself." Kallen nodded as she blasted through a door that tried to close. "Huh?"
The room was dark but Guren was equipped with night vision sensors, allowing Kallen to get a clear image of many Japanese people in the room, not one of them even glancing at the Guren's sudden entrance.
"Japan! Japan!"
"That's right; I'm getting married next month!"
"I'm being promoted!"
"Leave it to us! Japan is on the vanguard of technology!"
"Refrain…" Kallen muttered, now seeing its affects in action.
Her eyes spotted the same hot dog vendor she, Lelouch, Naruto, and C.C. met earlier today. "I'm studying abroad! I can't believe I got in!"
Kallen couldn't help but remember Milly's words. 'When add them all up they eventually break you.'
"That's right, which is why I'm here." Kallen declared, filled with anger for what was being done to all these people.
"Careful, it's dangerous to run like that."
That one voice made Kallen gasp as she recognized it instantly. The Guren's sensors angled down as someone stepped out in front of it.
"Mother?" Kallen asked, seemingly make the woman trip.
Kallen acted on instinct, catching the woman with the Guren's hand and lifted her up, in front of the cockpit.
"Really, Naoto, please. I need you to keep an eye on your little sister." The woman continued, still under the affects of the drug.
Kallen gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. "My god, how weak of a woman are you, Mother? First you give into Britannia and then into a man and now this. My brother is gone forever, let him go."
She was so focused on her mother that she didn't react in time as the Guren's right arm was shot off by another Knightmare.
Kallen looked over and spotted the perpetrator. "The Knight Police?!"
She quickly wheeled off as it fired at her again.
"Isn't that a police unit?" Minami asked as the rest of the group came into the room.
"They're in on this deal?" Ohgi looked over his shoulder. "Tamaki!"
"Don't look at me! When I checked there wasn't any police involved!" Tamaki retorted defensively.
"Corrupted filth." Zero spat.
Kallen wheeled through the warehouse, dodging the bullets being fired at her and was about to fire the gun on the Guren's left arm when she spotted her mother. "You're in the way! Damn it! I don't need you! I don't want you!"
She was sorely tempted to toss her mother to the side but she never got the chance as the white Glasgow fired at her legs and managed to make it trip. It skidded across the floor but suffered no damage as Kallen's mother fell out of the Guren's hand.
"Kallen…Naoto…" The woman muttered.
Kallen gritted her teeth as the Glasgow shot at her back.
Zero and the others made it around the corner to see the Guren down and under attack.
'My Geass won't work on a Knightmare.' Lelouch thought and turned to Naruto and C.C. "Seizan! Shinryoku! Hurry!"
"Hold on, Zero." Naruto stated, making no move to attack nor did C.C.
"Huh?" Lelouch gaped.
What was Naruto thinking? Why won't he move? The Glasgow finally stopped firing, tossing its gun aside and stomped over the Guren.
Kallen opened her eyes and looked at her mother. "Go on…Run!"
Her mother sat up and looked at her.
"Get moving you idiot!" Kallen shouted, not understanding why she wouldn't move.
"I'm here for you." Those four words made Kallen freeze. "I'm here for you, Kallen. I'm here as I always have been."
Kallen's eyes widened as her breath escaped her. All the images of her mother staying with her, being abused flooded her mind but the one thing that stood out was…
Her smile.
"Then that's…That's why you stayed in his house? You stayed there for me?" Kallen whispered with widened eyes as tears threatened to fall. "You fool!"
She grunted as the Guren shook while the Glasgow behind her pulled out a sword to finish her. That seemed to bring her back as she spun the Guren around and grabbing the Glasgow's arm before it stabbed her.
"Or maybe…I'm the fool." Kallen murmured as she opened her eyes.
She fired her Slash Harkens out and when they went through an open hole in a nearby shelf and into the wall she retracted them, pulling the Guren and Glasgow forward. The Guren slid through the hole while the Glasgow was slammed into the shelf, tearing its head off.
"Kallen!" Ohgi shouted as he and the rest of the group ran to the Guren.
Kallen opened her eyes and looked over to where her mother was.
"I'm so happy for you. You can finally become a Britannian now, Kallen. Nobody will ever be able to hurt you now, darling. And you're free to travel and use the phone anytime you want." The woman continued in her drugged state.
'So this…is her mother?' Lelouch wondered as he glanced at Seizan. 'Is that why you did not help, Naruto?'
"She needed to face this on her own. She now understands why her mother never left her, why any mother would never leave her child." Naruto answered.
'False tears bring pain to those around you. False smile brings pain to oneself.' C.C. thought as they simply stood and watched as Kallen ran over to her mother grabbing her in a tight hug as she began to cry.
Xxx
"It's an after effect of Refrain. She's unable to talk much. She'll recover eventually but it will take time." The nurse said.
Kallen simply looked at her mother who stared down at the bed. The nurse left to give them both some time alone.
"Mother, your sentence. You got twenty years." Kallen said, struggling to keep herself calm and quiet so no one would hear her. "But you wait! I'm working to change things when you get out. I swear to you, I'll make a world where you and I can live a normal life again. So please, mother…"
Kallen was about to tear up but stopped as her mother's hand reached to hers. "Hang in there."
"Uh?" Kallen looked at her mother.
"Hang in there, Kallen. My little girl." Her mother didn't change her facial expression but Kallen didn't care.
She held her mother's hand as she smiled. "I will…I promise you."
Xxx
Kallen left the hospital, wiping the remaining tears from her eyes as she walked down the street back to her home.
'At least she won't be bullied by the bitch of the house.' Kallen thought optimistically.
As she walked she had suddenly had the feeling she was being watched and she looked behind to see if she was right. However no one was following her, at least she couldn't see anyone behind her. She resumed her walking and made a quick turn into an alley as she reached for her pocket knife.
"Is that really necessary?"
Kallen spun around, ready to use her knife but stopped when she saw who it was. "Shinryoku?"
One of Zero's two personal Knights, the woman dressed in her black and grey armor, gray cloak, and avian mask covering her face stood in front of her. Kallen wondered how the cloaked woman was able to move so fast without being noticed but she supposed this woman's skills and her own immunity to Zero's Geass was what made her so valuable.
"Your mother…Will she be all right?" The masked woman asked, not sounding concerned even though she asked.
"Yes. She will be. I'll make sure of it." Kallen nodded, switching into 'soldier' mode. "Why have you come?"
"Come with me. I would like to show you something." Shinryoku held out her hand.
Kallen stared at the hand for a second before reaching out and touching it. Shinryoku dropped a kunai on the ground and in a flash of yellow light they both vanished.
Xxx
Kallen had no idea what happened to her but she moment her feet touched the ground she had the urge to throw up. She stepped back, groaning as she put a hand on her stomach.
"Don't worry. It happens to all first-timers." Shinryoku said casually.
"Wha-what was that?" Kallen managed to stand up straight and looked around. "This is…"
She was standing on the roof of Ashford Academy!
"Impressive, isn't it?" Shinryoku asked. "Able to instantly move from one location to the other."
Kallen looked at the masked woman. "How? Is this related to how you and Seizan are Zero's personal Knights? Does this have something to do with his Geass?"
"You are smart." Shinryoku commented as she took a step forward. "The answer to your question is yes but not completely. And right now this is about you."
"Me?"
"Why did you choose your Japanese heritage over your Britannian heritage?" The masked woman asked.
"Uh?" Kallen wasn't expecting that question. "What would ask me that? It's not like it's any of your business."
"You abused your own mother to make her leave when she was treated lower than trash by your stepmother while your father remains in the Homeland. I can't imagine him deciding to marry a bitch like her, meaning it must have been an arranged marriage after Britannia conquered Japan and reduced the Japanese, including your mother to mere Elevens."
Kallen bit back a growl in her throat but she glared at her leader's Knight. "How'd you find out?"
"Zero keeps us around for a reason. Now then, it's your turn." The woman said.
Kallen narrowed her eyes. "…I fight because my brother fought for Japan's freedom. He formed our group and he led us, kept us going…and he died." She trailed off for a moment. "I fight for my brother and his dream, for my mother and her wish to be with me in a normal life. I fight for my friends to make our dream of a free Japan a reality."
"A lofty goal." Shinryoku commented. "Now then, are you willing to give up even your own soul to fulfil your dream?"
"Huh?" Kallen was confused. "Of course. I'd give it my all. Why do you ask?"
"How do you think Zero achieved his Geass?" Shinryoku asked rhetorically. "Do you believe he was born with it or was he given it?"
Kallen's eyes widened. "Did you…you gave him that power?"
"And I can give you that power or another power as well that can help you in your quest to defeat Britannia. The power will be shaped by your desire in return for a favor." Shinryoku stated.
Kallen took a step back. "And what favor do you want from me?"
"I do not know yet. When the time comes I will tell you." Shinryoku held out her hand. "Do you accept this contract?"
"And what is this other power?" Kallen asked, wondering why she would be offered the kind of power Zero.
Shinryoku reached up to her mask and seemed to remove it, causing Kallen to gasp, but she only moved to the side to show her left eye.
An eye with a purple sclera with multiple black rings expanding out from the pupil in a ripple like manner and a purple bird like symbol glowing around the black dot that was the pupil.
"Wha-what is that? Is that Geass?" Kallen took a step back.
"It's a fusion of Geass, the Power of the King, and the Rinnegan, the Eyes of God." Shinryoku put her mask back on. "Both of which I and Seizan possess, allowing us great power that no one would believe could exist."
"Rinnegan?" Kallen whispered.
"Yes. And we can grant one of these two powers to anyone who chooses to accept a contract with us." Shinryoku said but in reality she was the only who could grant Geass or the Rinnegan.
The power of her Code left over from fusing her power with Naruto's.
"You have proven you what it takes to use one of these powers and so I offer to you, the Power of the King or Queen in your case or the Eyes of God. We shall see which power you earn if you accept."
Kallen stared at the hand and at the woman's masked face. "…I accept."
She shook Shinryoku's hand and in an instant the world as she knew it changed forever.
*Chapter 9*: Chapter 9Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Kallen gasped as she felt pain in her left eye, stepping back from Shinryoku as she put a hand over her eye. She gritted her teeth as she felt a burning sensation in her eye, seeing images of strange places and woman all dressed in white with bird like symbols on their heads. Then her mind was blank with two words repeating themselves:
Absolute.
Vision.
The pain faded away, allowing Kallen to pull her hand away and looked at the masked woman. "What was that?"
"You were judged on which power would suit you best and I decided that you were best suited to be given Geass. All as well, as I believe the Power of the Queen would be better suited for you." Shinryoku answered as she produced a mirror from her cloak and held it in front of Kallen.
She looked at her reflection and saw herself with her left eye glowing red with a bird like symbol around her pupil. "This is…Geass?"
"Yes." Shinryoku nodded. "It always starts in the left eye. Tell me, did you hear any words repeating themselves in your mind?"
"I heard…Absolute…Vision." Kallen slowly answered, remembering the words.
"Absolute Vision." Shinryoku repeated softly. "Well, I guess we'll need to test it. Look around tell me what you see."
Kallen slowly looked around, taking in the Campus from the roof of the clubhouse. Everything was different to her. She could see everyone down on the courtyard with perfect detail even if they were far away from the clubhouse. She could see everything perfectly, the trees and grass with little insects crawling through them, the courtyard with students walking back and forth, and she could even hear footsteps and conversation under her feet.
"I…I can see…I can see everyone moving in the courtyard. I see them perfectly and I can hear their footsteps and I can hear them talking." Kallen said as she instinctively deactivated her Geass.
"So in other words your Geass enhances your senses." Shinryoku mused. "I'm not surprised considering who you are."
"Is this the power of Geass?" Kallen asked, staring at the masked woman with a look of unease. "Why is mine different from Zero's?"
"Geass manifests in many forms based on the desires of the person who gains it. Zero's Geass is the Power of Absolute Obedience, meaning he can plant any command in the mind of any person he makes eye contact with and the person has no choice but to obey. Meaning if he told you to die you would kill yourself with a big smile on your face." Shinryoku answered. "Yours on the other hand appears to enhance your vision and possibly other senses to super-human levels. The Power of Absolute Vision."
"You mean you weren't kidding about this?" Kallen could not help but shudder.
With that kind of power Zero could conquer the entire country if he wanted to.
"Now you truly understand his power and why he wears a mask and why you were given visors. To prevent you from coming under the influence of his Geass." The masked woman said, making Kallen to make a note to always remember to wear her visors around Zero.
"And why do you need us? With that power at your control Britannia would fall easily to you." Kallen said, wondering why she and the others were invited to join Zero in his revolution.
"Because…power is useless if that's all we have."
Kallen spun around to see Seizan standing at the door that led up to the roof. "Seizan?"
"Power alone is not going to change the world for the better." Seizan stated. "There needs to be more than that. Zero is recognized for being a hero to the weak, not for his power, but for his stance against corruption."
"Zero's…here?" Kallen's eyes widened.
Did that mean Zero was a student who attended here?!
The door behind Seizan opened up. "Naruto, C.C., are you guys up here? I need you to-Kallen?"
"Uh…" Kallen could only stutter as Lelouch Lamperouge walked onto the roof and was now staring at her with shocked and confused eyes. "I can explain!"
"You're-" Lelouch suddenly froze, becoming completely still like a statue as red rings surrounded his eyes. "I…can't…move…"
"It seems your Geass does more than enhance your vision." Seizan remarked, his and C.C.'s Rinnegan easily seeing Kallen's Geass paralyzing Lelouch. "Kallen, you might want to shut off your Geass."
Kallen blinked and the Geass crest in her left eye vanished, allowing Lelouch to freely move as the red rings disappeared from his eyes.
"You're on time, Lelouch." Seizan stated with a chipper note in his voice as he reached up and pulled his hood down. "We just finished forming a contract with Kallen. And it seems her Geass is just as powerful as yours."
"You mean you…" Lelouch's eye twitched as Kallen gaped at seeing the familiar blond hair of the one person who could have that kind of hair style. "And you didn't tell me."
"We're telling you now." C.C. followed Naruto's actions as she pulled her hood down and both removed their masks.
"Naruto? Tsunade?" Kallen stared at the two in stunned silence, only able to mumble their names. "But…"
"You can't just go out and give someone Geass or the Rinnegan without me knowing." Lelouch protested.
"I disagree since we both know you'd never consider letting us do that if we talked to you about it. You know as well as we do we need all the help we can get." Naruto retorted.
"I am also under no obligation to ask permission about who I make a contract with." C.C. joined in scolding Lelouch who scowled in annoyance.
"What are you both talking about? How does Lelouch know about Geass?" Kallen spoke up, getting anxious for answers.
"Isn't it obvious?" C.C. asked with a small grin. "You might as well tell her, Lelouch."
"You two really like making me give away secrets don't you?" Lelouch sighed and gestured to the door. "Fine, but can we do it inside. Milly and the others are gone for now so we'll have time to talk."
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you know." Kallen reached for her knife.
"I happen to know a lot…"'Lelouch smirked as his left eye flared red with the symbol of Geass. "Q-1."
All three watched as Kallen was stunned and left stuttering. "Q-1? But that would mean…You can't be?"
'Naruto and C.C. went and gave Kallen Geass behind my back meaning I would have to tell her eventually or she would consider abandoning me or telling the others who I am if I tried to deny it.' Lelouch thought as he nodded. "You asked me what Lelouch Lamperouge wanted to do about Britannia wants to do and he told you nothing for there is nothing he could do…but Zero plans to change the world."
"Now will you come inside. There's a long story." Naruto gestured to the door.
Xxx
"So the container we stole was full of poison gas in Shinjuku but a copy of her," Kallen pointed at C.C. "That Naruto created when they escaped a Britannian research that summoned you two to Japan where C.C. gave Lelouch his Geass. And that's when you three teamed up."
"Yep." Naruto nodded with a smirk. "Three mild mannered teens with hidden super powers."
"If you can call pulling pranks on everyone, including me, mild mannered." Lelouch muttered in annoyance.
"Wait a minute. If you're Zero and you had your Geass that long then…" Kallen narrowed her eyes and grabbed Lelouch.
"Wha-" Lelouch gasped as he was slammed into the wall.
"Did you use your Geass on me?" Kallen asked darkly.
The feeling that she had experienced about the power Zero spoke of on the train came back in full force now that she knew the full story.
Lelouch paled but slowly nodded.
That was when Kallen became angry and scared as she started shaking Lelouch. "What did you make me do? WHAT DID YOU MAKE ME DO?!"
"I-Ow-I asked-Ow-if you were-the Glasgow pilot!" Lelouch cried out as Kallen slammed him into the wall repeatedly.
"That's…that's how you found about me and the others?" Kallen let go of Lelouch and stepped back.
"I knew about you since you came back to school. I recognized your voice and confirmed it later." Lelouch grunted as he stood up fully.
"And the bathroom…" Kallen trailed off as she blushed slightly, prompting C.C. to smirk.
"Yes, what about the bathroom?" The green haired girl slowly asked.
"Did you use one of those…clones to make me think Lelouch wasn't Zero?" Kallen shot a glare at C.C.
"Actually that was easy. Lelouch gave a recorder to C.C. who snuck off to make the call when she said she had to go to the infirmary." Naruto answered with a grin.
"Huh?" Kallen gaped at the three of them.
They managed to throw her suspicion off them by just using a simple recorder? Kallen mentally kicked herself in the head for falling for such a simple trick. She knew Lelouch and Zero's voices sounded similar but when she heard Zero's voice on the phone she and when she heard Lelouch never left the ball room with dozens of people watching him at the time she easily believed that it was all a coincidence.
"All right," Naruto stood between them before Kallen could ask anything else. "While I understand this is surprising, Kallen that's enough for today. We can talk again tomorrow when you've thought this over."
"But remember that even if you hate Zero or us for keeping this secret you should remember that you agreed to the contract between us. You cannot walk away now, not when you have the power that the Emperor himself seeks." C.C. walked up next to Naruto. "You promised to fulfill a wish in exchange for freeing Japan, remember that."
With that said Naruto and C.C. walked out of the room, leaving Lelouch and Kallen alone.
"While I have nothing left to say I won't force you to remain with us. My Geass only works on the same person once, making you immune now and forever. I don't know what C.C. plans for you to do but I should let you know that we are not the only ones with Geass and that some work for Britannia. We'll be forced to fight them as we wage war that will no doubt spread through the world. Even if Zero is not who you expected he still hopes to count on you." Lelouch said and followed his two partners out, leaving Kallen alone.
Xxx
"Did you really have to give her Geass? She's skilled enough without it." Lelouch caught up with Naruto and C.C. "You took a huge risk. What if she exposes us?"
"She won't." Naruto answered simply.
"And how do you know that?" Lelouch scowled at how calm they were. "She knows I'm not Japanese."
"She's not the type to go back on her word. She'll be grumpy about it but she'll settle down and become curious about us." Naruto answered.
"And then you tell her more about us?" Lelouch frowned. "Why the sudden interest in her?"
"You're Zero the Black King, we're your Knights, and if we're going to play chess analogies then Kallen is the Queen." C.C. replied.
"The Queen?" Lelouch stopped as Naruto and C.C. turned and looked at him. "You mean for her to become as important as Zero don't you?"
"You are a good tactician, Lelouch, but you don't have Kallen's skills with a Knightmare and if we're going to fight the Emperor we don't just need good pilots and soldiers we need people who can fight against his secret Geass Order. In fact with the right training if something were to happen to us Kallen could take over as head of the Black Knights." Naruto explained.
"And that's why you gave Kallen Geass?" Lelouch asked, not admitting that they had a point about dealing with the secret Geass Order. 'I know Kallen is skilled with a Knightmare but to be able to replace me if something were to happen to us? Could she be that skilled?'
"That and there is another reason but we've given you enough reasons. Now if you'll excuse us, Naruto owes me a massage for this and an hour of making out." C.C. dragged Naruto back into Lelouch's house.
Lelouch sighed. 'One of these days.'
Xxx
For the next few days Kallen avoided talking to Naruto, C.C., and Lelouch at school but she never revealed their identities to the other Black Knights during missions and acted completely professional with them while on the job. They chalked it up to her realizing that revealing their identities would cause dissention in the ranks if they found out Zero was a Britannian. But it didn't make Kallen feel any better, knowing the identity of the man behind the mask that had given her so much hope and it left a bitter taste in her mouth. Lelouch Lamperouge, the lazy genius who rarely smiled unless his sister was around along with Naruto Uzumaki, the blond student with a hilarious wit and a love for pranks and mischief as much as Milly and Tsunade Senju the girl who loved making people squirm with sarcasm and little rumors she liked to spread and making out with her boyfriend in front of everyone just to get a reaction out of them.
It was then she realized she needed to find out just who Zero and his knights-Lelouch and his two friends-really were.
So here she was, back in school wearing her uniform with her hair down in case anyone sees her late at night walking down the hall to where she heard the three were hanging out: at the pool.
Xxx
Lelouch sat on a bench near the swimming pool with his laptop on his lap, showing him potential recruits for the Black Knights. However to anyone else the screen would have showing nothing but information on Britannia's founding. The special glasses he wore filtered out the actual image of what he was reading.
In the meantime his two knights were busy with something else.
C.C. was garbed in a swimsuit as she stood on a diving board and looked up at the moon for a moment. Then she jumped off, performing a perfect dive into the pool.
"Nice one!" Naruto laughed as C.C. came up to the surface. "My turn."
Naruto climbed up to the diving board and jumped off it a second later. "Cannonball!"
He made a huge splash that covered C.C.'s head making her frown as Naruto's head popped out of the water.
"You just had to do that." C.C. shook her head, sending droplets of water flying.
"Aw relax. You're already wet so it's not a big deal." Naruto shrugged.
"Oh yeah…" C.C. smirked as she grabbed Naruto's head and pulled it underwater.
Naruto seemingly struggled for a moment before C.C. felt several hands pulling her down. "Uh, what the-"
She was suddenly pulled underwater and watched as several Narutos grinned at her. She frowned in annoyance at Naruto using Shadow Clones to help him out which Naruto knew as he dispelled the clones and pulled her in. His grin becoming mischievous for some odd reason and C.C. was caught off guard as his lips crashed into hers. C.C. was surprised but went along with it as they made out underwater; both determined to hold their breath longer than the other.
Lelouch looked up when he noticed both Naruto and C.C. had been underwater and grimaced when he realized what they were doing. "Do they have to do something like that everywhere?"
"Aw, let them have their fun."
Lelouch turned and saw C.C.'s 'mother', Mito Senju walking into the room with a grin. Naruto and C.C. broke apart and their heads popped up out of the water.
"Who won?" Mito asked amusedly.
"No one. We just sensed you coming in." Naruto said as he got out of the pool. "What's up?"
C.C. looked over at Lelouch. "I'm guessing from the look on your face that it's wonderful how the number of recruits keeps growing."
"And it was simpler than I ever expected. While I bitterly hate the Britannians I refuse to condone terrorism. That's the prevailing view of most Elevens." Lelouch grinned at the profiles, including one that had never committed any anti-Britannian activities.
"Basically Elevens support the Black Knights for the most part." C.C. lied back in the water, staring up at the moon.
"And let's not forget Kyoto sending you some Knightmares." Mito commented.
"And the number of informants has been increasing too." Naruto offered his own two cents. "We can turn them all into a proper spy network with the right training."
"Which in turn makes it easier for us to operate. They don't report our activities which is a huge help. The Japanese just needed a symbol, a good buzz word and off they go." Lelouch continued.
"Hence the Knights for Justice act." C.C. climbed out of the pool.
"Yeah, well everyone loves a hero." Lelouch replied. "And what better hero than a knight?"
C.C. chuckled. "I kind of doubt that's what a real knight for justice would say."
"You don't think so?" Lelouch rhetorically asked.
"Maybe not a knight but a shinobi uses deception as a weapon all the time." Naruto shrugged. "It's not like we have any other choice. Oh, and by the way, Lelouch, a special friend of mine has a few gifts as well."
"Hm?" Lelouch raised one eyebrow.
Xxx
Kallen opened the door to the pool and peered out to see if they were there.
"So you say this will get rid of that Knightmare's shields and overload it?" Lelouch's voice asked.
"It's a homemade chakra bomb that stores large amounts of chakra inside, modified to look like a chaos mine. It'll release a large pulse of chakra that will overload anything it comes into contact with, even the shields on that Knightmare."A woman's voice answered.
'That voice, that's Tsunade's mother!' Kallen's eyes widened.
"You've proven you and C.C. could handle that white Knightmare. What's the point of creating this?" Lelouch asked.
"It's called taking precautions, Lelouch. You should try it a few times." Naruto snorted.
Kallen heard Lelouch grunting. "Very well, it pays to have an insurance policy."
"Now that we have convinced you to take measures to protect yourself can we move on? Like the fact that a Britannian man is offering to join the Black Knights?" C.C.'s voice drawled.
'A Britannian helping Zero?' Kallen thought with slightly widened eyes, temporarily forgetting that Zero was also a Britannian.
"Looks too confident to be a spy. Could he be an extremist?" Lelouch asked.
"I've looked into this guy. His name is Diethard Reid and he's a reporter. Seems to me he's like any other reporter who's interested in getting a good story. He did the whole tear jerker on Clovis's death and Suzaku's trial along with handling TV news in Area Eleven." Naruto commented.
"Well, this could be useful. Still though, I'm not happy with how you keep on gathering information or go on some secret mission of stealing from nobles or military bases without telling me. You even went and offered Kallen Geass or the Rinnegan depending on her character. Can you two at least promise to tell me when you'll make these offers to anyone else in the future?" Lelouch asked.
"Perhaps but you'll need to realize that no matter how important you make yourself or Zero there is always a chance you might die and that someone else can rise up in your place." C.C. replied. "Besides, anyone who gains Geass or the Rinnegan is because I deemed them worthy, not you. Therefore your opinion does not count in this matter."
"But we will make sure that anyone else who gains either power is completely trustworthy." Naruto cut in, seemingly playing the role of peacekeeper. "Even if she asks why you're rebelling that doesn't mean you have to spill all your guts to her."
"And what about you two?" Lelouch retorted.
"Let's ask her, shall we?"
Suddenly Kallen felt something pulling her forward and she let out a yelp as the door was pushed aside and she fell onto the floor of the roof.
"Kallen?" Lelouch jumped in surprise.
"Looking for something?" C.C. asked amusedly as the red hair girl frantically stood up.
"Kallen? When did you get here?" Lelouch asked, sounding very alarmed.
"Oh relax. It's not like we would be keeping this stuff a secret from her for long." Naruto said as he folded the laptop up. "So, come to ask us something?"
"Uh…" Kallen tried to speak but for some reason was unable to form words in her mouth.
"Seems she's a little shy. I thought that was just part of the act." C.C. remarked with her usual grin. "Perhaps if we invite her to tonight's meeting she'll be a little happier."
"My boss has worked to ensure that it's all perfect and thanks to you two she even added a few modifications." Mito added with a satisfied grin.
"You're in on this too?" Kallen looked at Tsunade's 'mother'.
"Of course. You think I'd let my children fight without me helping?" Mito questioned, enjoying the confusion on Kallen's face.
"…Who are you people?" Kallen finally asked, now wanting the answers she had been looking for. "Who the hell are all of you?"
"You know us already. Both the masks and the faces underneath." C.C. calmly answered.
"That's not an answer. I don't know anything about you or why I should trust you." Kallen glared at the green haired girl. "Why should I trust any of you?"
"Because we give you hope." Lelouch answered. "Because Zero is the one who can perform miracles and you want one miracle to happen."
"That and you entered in this through a contract which means even if we don't tell you everything you still find out a few important things, like the fact that Lelouch is the not only other person here to have a Geass and that Britannia has a few Geass users." Naruto answered calmly.
"Lelouch told me before. Who else has it?" Kallen asked immediately.
"You've already met one of them, at least not directly. The Emperor, Charles zi Britannia." Lelouch explained.
"He has Geass?!" Kallen stepped back, not sure how to handle the sudden revelation. "What…what can he do?"
"His Geass allows him to alter a person's memory at will." C.C. answered. "No Geass is the same as another. Another is the Knight of One, whose Geass allows him to see the trajectory of his opponent's attacks to better predict them."
"And let's not forget the other fifty in his secret order." Naruto commented.
"FIFTY?!" Kallen's voice kept getting louder.
"Don't worry; it's not as bad as it sounds. They're only kids with five or ten of them available for missions." C.C. interjected to calm the red haired girl down.
"How is that supposed to reassure me? You just told me that the Emperor has a secret order of people with scary powers!" Kallen exclaimed.
"Maybe but we got our own secret weapons." Naruto smirked. "Like Lelouch told you, C.C. and I are immune to the power of Geass. There is also the fact that they can't make a move right now because of the Black Knights and the military concentrating on the remaining pockets of resistance in Japan. They won't make a move unless they believe C.C. is here and even then they'd probably send a few scouts to confirm it first."
"So you don't have to worry about any Geass users showing up yet." C.C. mirrored Naruto's smirk. "Which gives us time."
"Time?" Kallen asked, now calming down.
"Time to properly organize a resistance force to take on Britannia, starting with the liberation of Japan." Naruto answered, watching as Kallen's breath almost completely blasted out of her.
"Liberation…of Japan?" Kallen slowly repeated.
"That is the whole point here, isn't it?" C.C. asked rhetorically.
"And why would you help us? Your stories, they are obviously cover stories and why would he," Kallen pointed at Lelouch. "Want to declare war on his own country?"
"A valid question. The answer is that I have no love for Britannia, I despise it probably more than you." Lelouch answered, shocking Kallen. "While I may not tell you everything I will tell that if you do help me I will see to it that Japan is free."
That said Lelouch walked towards the door and left the room, leaving Kallen with the others.
"He's so dramatic. Why is it that girls always fall for the mysterious bad boy act?" Naruto sighed. "Seriously, this is getting old."
"Oh stop being a baby. Now come on, we have a free day and I want to have some fun." C.C. grabbed Naruto's arm and started dragging him to the door. "Coming, Kallen?"
"Uh? Why?" Kallen asked.
"So I can steal your credit card and use it for getting pizza." C.C. answered as if she was discussing the weather. "And Naruto can give you a free massage."
"Uh…no thanks." Kallen weakly answered with a pink blush forming on her face. 'What kind of girl let's her boyfriend give massages to other girls?'
"Suit yourself." C.C. shrugged and dragged Naruto, who waved at Kallen, to the door and left Kallen alone with Mito. "Be sure to train with your Geass some more."
"Well what about-" When Kallen turned to speak to the woman she was gone. "Why do you people keep doing that?!"
Xxx
"Yes, I was demoted from my position in very much the same way you were." Diethard Ried turned his chair to face his visitors.
Jeremiah grunted and narrowed his eyes at the indirect insult fired at him but Villetta quickly spoke up. "We have no intention of letting the situation end this way. We have a sneaking suspicion that you don't either."
"Is that so? Well who can say?" Diethard asked, not at all bothered by his demotion.
All he was interested in was the story that Zero was making with his rebellion, so different from the usual rebel stories that all ended in Britannia victory, it was so…boring. Diethard became a reporter to make news, not fabricate it for the benefit of the wealthy and corrupt. He knew these two soldiers were fishing for information, most likely to clear their names in light of Zero's first miracle.
"We have a lead that might help us find, Zero." Jeremiah turned and faced Diethard who turned his gaze calmly at the officer.
"You're familiar with Ashford Private Academy?" Villetta asked. "I want to investigate a male student attending there. I think he may be working with Zero."
Diethard feigned disinterest but they knew he was typing Ashford's name into the search engine on his computer.
"Villetta and I are going to shipping out soon for military duty. And we'll be stationed in the Narita Mountains." Jeremiah continued.
"Narita?" That name made Diethard look up. "Isn't that where the Japanese Liberation Front's headquarters are rumored to be located at."
"You may be a bit too clever for your own good." Jeremiah said as he and Villetta glared at Diethard.
"You overestimate me." Diethard smirked calmly.
Well, so Cornelia was going to attack the JLF and wipe them from Area Eleven for good. He had already applied for recruitment of the Black Knights but he knew Zero would be hesitant to accept him as he was creating a rebellion against Britannia and the idea of a Britannian helping out would sound ludicrous. He didn't think much when these two jokers had come in to speak with him.
The man, Jeremiah Gottwald, was a dangerous man with an overwhelming desire to erase the shame of 'Orange' as well as take Zero down while the woman looked to be the type who would do anything to rise in the ranks. And both had just given him what he needed for what Zero would perhaps need to perform his next miracle.
Xxx
The Black Knights were all gathered in the abandoned weapon's factory that became their new headquarters as the lights came on. In front of them were rows of what appeared to be modified Glasgows along with newly black painted Oberon Frames to show their allegiance to the Black Knights. There were a total of ten of the new Glasgows in four rows along with four rows of ten Oberons.
"Wow, it's amazing! These are Glasgows aren't they?"
"Burais with Japanese modification."
"I've never seen these before."
"And not to mention these Oberons. They look tough."
"Now the Black Knights have some serious muscle."
"Wasn't easy to sign up with the BK."
"So that makes us special huh? We're elite!"
The new recruits for the Black Knights continued to marvel at the new Knightmares while the top members of the Black Knights stared in awe at the red Knightmare that had arrived, the Guren Mk-II.
"Those guys from Kyoto, they believe in us. They sent us this." Sugiyama whispered.
"A completely made Japanese Knightmare." Yoshida was just as quite as Sugiyama.
"The Guren Mk-II." Kallen whispered, almost unable to speak.
The Guren was colored red with an orange chest plate and an orange cockpit coming out of the back. However the most amazing feature was the silver claw and in the palm of its hand was the Radiant Wave Surger, a very powerful weapon. However what no one expected was the sword katana attached to the left hip which according to the manual was a weapon designed to emit five thousand volts of electricity through it and even more if the pilot wanted to increase the charge, making it a very deadly weapon.
What made the Black Knights most interested in it was the weapon's name: Raijin No Ken which literally meant Sword of the Thunder God.
Rakshata had gone to work on trying to create weapons that could utilize elemental forces like ninjutsu and came up with a way using experimental electromagnetic technology she developed by studying how lightning ninjutsu worked. By creating a miniature chakra generator inside the hilt of the blade it had a large energy reserve so it wouldn't run out and it didn't need to be connected to the Knightmare to be powered up. It functioned much like MVS swords but generate pure electricity that showed much greater potential than an MVS blade.
Rakshata proudly named this new type of weapon the Arc Blade.
"Did you check out the manual?" Minami asked.
Tamaki chuckled. "I'm really loving this."
"The big shots in Kyoto are recognizing us. We have their approval!" Sugiyama was almost beside himself with glee.
"Tamaki-san! Could you show me how to use this equipment here?" A female Black Knight called out.
"Oh, sure. Hang on, I'll be right there." Tamaki called back as walked over to help.
Kallen watched as they all walked to help and turned back to the Guren, spotting the three figures behind it.
"First Tamaki and now Inoue and the rest are treating this like a party." Lelo-Zero said as he stepped out of the shadows.
Kallen quickly schooled her features as the other two stepped out, saving her curiosity for later. She decided that telling the others who Zero and his knights were was a bad idea. But she still wanted to know what their stake in this was. "What do you mean?"
"Kyoto is supporting multiple resistance groups, correct?" Zero asked rhetorically.
"Yes, which means that we finally made it in." Kallen smiled as she turned around. "They know that we're worthy-"
"No, you're wrong there, Kallen." Zero cut her off. "This is merely a test they put to us."
"So what if it is?" Kallen asked, not understanding his meaning. "This is still incredible."
"Maybe but it also means that something else is going to happen. After all, until now they supported the JLF the most since it was the largest resistance group with the most military resources while we're still the new kids on the block." Naru-Seizan said as Zero tossed a key at Kallen who caught it.
"What's this?" Kallen looked down at the red key.
"The Guren Mk-II is yours now, Kallen." Zero answered.
"Huh? Why me? Why not use it yourself?" Kallen asked, unable to reason why Lelouch would give her the Guren.
Was it a bribe?
"You're a top notch pilot and Zero is a commander. He can handle a Burai but his piloting skills…leave much to be desired." C.C. or Shinryoku said and everyone knew she was smiling under her mask.
"And now the Black Knights have three aces." Seizan commented.
"And the final reason, you have a reason to fight." Zero finished.
Kallen thought of her mother as she looked down at the key. "Right."
She didn't think she knew exactly why Lelouch was giving her the Guren but she decided not to question him in front of the others.
"Zero, you got a second?" Ohgi called out, directing everyone's attention to him as he walked out and handed Zero a letter. "We got some weird Intel from a Britannian who wants to join up with the Black Knights."
Lelouch blinked under his mask as Ohgi handed him the folder.
"This may be a trap to draw us out." Ohgi skeptically remarked. "Even if we try to confirm this information it'd be too risky to contact him directly, but news like this isn't something we can just ignore. What should we do?"
"This weekend, we're going hiking." Zero closed the folder.
"What?" Ohgi asked.
"To the Narita Mountains." Zero continued.
"You plan to pass Kyoto's little test, don't you?" Shinryoku asked, knowing the answer.
"Obviously they want to test us in battle against Cornelia and her forces and what better way to prove ourselves then saving the largest group they have been backing up to now?" Zero rhetorically asked.
"Very well then." Ohgi could only guess Zero had a plan.
Xxx
"What are you up to?"
Kallen had followed them out of the warehouse when it was time for them to leave, all four of them having school in the morning and to prepare for their next mission. She spotted them moving into the van that was their mobile headquarters to change and slipped in as the door closed.
"Do we always have to up to something?" Naruto slipped his mask off his face. "C.C. gave you Geass, Lelouch gave you the Guren, is this because I haven't given you a nice gift yet?"
"Zero is the most important of the Black Knights. If something happens to him our cause will be dead." Kallen said, getting straight to the point.
"You know as well we do that you are a far better pilot than Lelouch. That's why you get the Guren." C.C. stated as she took her mask off.
"I meant what I said, Kallen." Lelouch said as he took off his mask and cape. "I'm better off as a commander instead of a fighter. You, Naruto, and C.C. are more than capable of handling that role.'
"That's just a fancy way of saying he sucks." Naruto whispered out loud causing C.C. to chuckle while Lelouch threw a glare at the blond. "It's true and you know it. Anyways if I what saw in that report is true we'll be going there…" Naruto threw a look back at Lelouch. "To save the JLF."
"Yes, to save them." Lelouch nodded. "And to capture Cornelia."
"Capture Cornelia? Are you sure you can do that?" Kallen asked skeptically.
"She'll be too preoccupied with destroying the JLF to wonder if the Black Knights will appear, especially since Zero denounced them as terrorists because of Kusakabe." C.C. explained. "We also are prepared for that white Knightmare that will likely show up. It appeared at Shinjuku and at Lake Kawaguchi so there is a chance it will show up at Narita."
"You two defeated it though." Kallen pointed out.
"Yes but you know as well as we do that are always unexpected variables when it comes to planning a battle." Naruto pointed out. "You have to plan out almost every known scenario down to the last detail as well as come with back up plans for the unknown. And speaking of unknowns how's your Geass working?"
"Oh, uh…" Kallen instantly remembered her Geass.
"You haven't been training with it have you?" C.C. smirked.
"We've all been very busy plus I haven't had the chance to test it out in a fight." Kallen hastily explained as a small blush formed on her face.
"Well no time like the present." Naruto stepped forward. "Going into battle with an untested power like yours is dangerous, especially if you activate it by mistake. We'll give you a hand in training how to use it but until you've gotten a good handle of how to use it you will not use it in battle unless…your life or the lives of any of your comrades are in danger."
Kallen was silent as she thought it over for a moment and nodded. "All right."
It turned out that the training consisted of spars with Naruto and C.C. who told her not to use weapons but they used their swords and kunai on her, which resulted in her shouting how unfair it was but they told her to suck it up and kept on attacking. As Kallen used her Geass she saw their images slowing down for some reason, making it easier for her to dodge and try to counterattack. Unfortunately she found out that Geass didn't work on the two because both carried the power of the Code that granted Geass that had fused with Naruto's power making them both immune to Geass.
Lelouch had told her that he had used his Geass on them and found out his didn't work on them either.
She discovered her Geass not only enhanced her eyesight but it also enhanced her other senses to super human levels and mental functions. She couldn't hear Naruto or C.C.'s or paralyze them because they were immune but she could hear Lelouch's heartbeat, hear the sound of rat's scurrying outside the giant van, she could see everything more clearly, her blows seemed stronger when she made a few hits and she didn't feel anything when she felt any blows hitting her and she immediately sensed when she was in danger even if she could not see it. C.C. surmised that her Geass was a sensory enhancement and it was also hard to maintain as Kallen felt like she had run a marathon around the Tokyo settlement but her ability to paralyze anyone she makes eye contact suggested that it enhanced Kallen's senses while freezing the movement of anyone she made eye contact with, even working on someone that she already used it on as Lelouch unfortunately found out when Naruto suggested Kallen test it on him again. The effects of her Geass enhancing her physical and mental functions and paralyzing any target pushed her body past its limits so she could only use it for a short time.
Naruto also took the time to warn her that every Geass develops with use until it reaches its perfect form, meaning she and Lelouch could use their Geass with both eyes. That would make it easier to use and possibly more powerful but harder to control and eventually the Geass in their left eyes would activate permanently and could not be controlled. Kallen was naturally surprised and worried about what would happen when her Geass would evolve but Naruto already assured her that they could take steps to stop anything bad from happening. It depended on her will power to not succumb to 'runaway Geass' and have a mental breakdown.
"A breakdown?" Kallen asked during their break, sitting at the table with food in front of them. "You mean me and Lelouch could have a mental breakdown?"
"Relax. I wouldn't have let C.C. grant you Geass if I wasn't looking for ways to counter it. As far as I can tell, the Rinnegan me and C.C. have can cancel or alter the affects of any Geass and we already tried to a few tricks with Lelouch." Naruto smirked at the scowl on Lelouch's face. "Like the one where we can temporarily seal a Geass by eye contact. Compared to our eyes yours and Lelouch's Geass are small water droplets compared to a lake, or even an ocean."
"How strong are those eyes of yours?" Kallen said, remembering those ringed eyes Naruto and C.C. had.
"I'm not entirely sure. We've been training for months and we still have scratched the surface yet. The legends surrounding these eyes state that anyone who has them can bring a great change to the world as a Creator…or a Destroyer." Naruto rubbed the back of his head.
"We have discovered that we were unable to deactivate our Rinnegan months ago but we can keep them hidden thanks to a mere illusion but the odd thing is that the Geass that merged with these eyes is active in both of ours and yet we cannot deactivate them." C.C. brought a pizza out of the microwave. "Not that it matters as it only saps a little of our strength."
"So, your eyes are much stronger than Geass." Lelouch surmised. "Will this have the same affect on anyone you grant them to?"
"Not from what we saw of Sayoko, she can activate or deactivate her Rinnegan at will and it's active in both eyes unlike Geass." Naruto shook his head. "She's been training for several weeks now and her Rinnegan was used much more than you used your Geass. If something like a 'runaway Rinnegan' was supposed to happen it hasn't yet."
"At the very most Sayoko wouldn't be able to deactivate her Rinnegan and she has enough chakra reserves that it won't drain her." C.C. said as she gobbled down her pizza. "And don't forget I gave someone else the Rinnegan before Sayoko."
"Who?" Kallen asked.
"Sorry, that's classified. I gave you and Lelouch Geass and you already know that I can only grant six people the Rinnegan but I am under no obligation to tell you who I make as my paths or who else I grant Geass." C.C. smirked, which annoyed both Geass users. "I can tell you that she's an ally and you'll meet her in the future."
"So in other words you'll just go in and grant these powers to whomever you want?" Kallen asked sourly.
"Anyone I find worthy, like you two." C.C. answered calmly.
Lelouch knew how Kallen had felt as Naruto and C.C. had told him the exact same thing. It seemed that they included Kallen in this because she's just as worthy as Lelouch is and someone who could lead the Black Knights. Lelouch did admit that Kallen's intellect was above average and from what he saw her fighting abilities were already formidable without her Geass. From what he saw she would make an excellent ace, something that Lelouch himself was not.
Lelouch considered himself, Naruto, and C.C. irreplaceable and it seemed his two knights wanted to make Kallen as important as them for some reason. Perhaps it was because of her skills that they were doing this as even Lelouch recognized her skills.
'We'll see how skilled she truly is this weekend.' Lelouch thought as they continued their small dinner and conversation.
In the meantime Kallen wondered what she had gotten herself into by agreeing to the contract C.C. offered her and wondered what her Geass would allow her to do in the future. She was still full of questions but she was somewhat satisfied as she got to know C.C. and Naruto better while Lelouch continued to remain a mystery. She now understood that C.C. had given her Geass without Lelouch knowing and even though they acted as Zero's Knights in reality they were his equals. Lelouch tried to throw her suspicion off him by provoking her with what he said in the mall district but after what happened to her mother his Knights decided that she could as important as Zero was.
'They let me in because the Emperor has an entire cult of Geass users and because they think I can be as important as Zero but why? Am I really that good?' Kallen wondered.
"All right, let's go over the plan for Narita."
Xxx
"Yep, all simulations show that all enemy forces on that side of the mountain will be wiped out. Just as the boss predicted." Mito said as the laptop showed the simulation for Lelouch's plan.
Rakshata's face appeared on the screen with a smirk. "Naturally. An impressive plan that kid's thought up. Cornelia will be crippled and left wide open."
"And luckily I convinced Lelouch that destroying a city would tarnish the reputation of the Black Knights and Zero. Took me almost an hour to make him see reason." Naruto grumbled.
"It was only fifteen minutes." C.C. pointed out with a smirk. "And then you threatened that you would make him act and dress act like Zero on campus."
"Well someone had to set him straight. There is a difference between mass man slaughter and unavoidable casualties." Naruto retorted.
"Of course, Naruto, of course." C.C. nodded, patting Naruto on the head, earning a pout. "However it'll take more than an anonymous call."
"Not if we we're calling the right person." Naruto retorted with a smirk.
Xxx
Princess Euphemia li Britannia sighed as she stepped out of shower and slipped a robe on as she finished drying herself off. It had been a very long day and she just wanted to rest since there was going to be a big military operation this weekend. Her sister had wanted her to stay but Euphemia had no intention of waiting here for her sister to come back. She didn't come here to simply sit on a throne and watch everyone do all the hard work.
'Why must my sister act like she's my mother?' Euphemia thought as she stepped out of her bathroom and shivered when she felt a cold breeze. 'It's cold. Why is-huh?'
The glass door to the balcony was left open for some reason. She didn't open it, it must have pushed open by the wind. She walked over and closed the door, shivering again for some reason.
"Good afternoon, Princess Euphemia."
Euphemia gasped as she spun around and pressed back to the glass door. Standing in the middle of the room was the same cloaked man that had been with Zero at the Kawaguchi, the one wearing the white and red fox mask.
"Is this a bad time?" The masked man asked jokingly.
"How did you get in here?" Euphie asked, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.
"The door." The man answered, possibly joking. "I was hoping to catch you before you went to bed."
"Are you here to capture or kill me? You won't be able to escape as the palace's security makes it impossible to escape." Euphemia stood up straight, hoping to show she was not afraid.
"If we wanted to capture or kill you we would have done so at Lake Kawaguchi. Before we continue allow me to introduce myself. I am Seizan." The man bowed his head. "And I have information you will want to here."
"Why should I listen?" Euphie frowned. "Why should I trust anything you say?"
"Even if it saves innocent lives, a lot of civilians that will be caught up in something that they have done nothing to deserve? A chance to save them in the battle that's coming?" Seizan asked, seeing the Princess falter in surprise. "Yes, we know of operation happening this weekend and we know that your sister will be leading the attack."
"You-you will be there? You're going attack my sister?" Euphie asked, shaking a little.
"We don't target civilian lives but when your sister enters the battlefield she becomes a military target, as will you if you decide to go. However, unlike your sister you are the only one who can prevent civilian casualties."
"Me?" Euphie asked. "But why-"
"You heard what Zero said. We denounced the JLF for what they did at Kawaguchi and we will not endanger innocents in this battle. Cornelia is a soldier but she will not evacuate all the cities near Narita for fear of alerting the JLF to her upcoming assault. She will endanger them just so she can have the element of surprise." Seizan explained. "If you care about those people you will do everything you can to ensure they survive."
Euphemia could only stare in shock at what the masked man had said, while gripping the fabric of her robe tightly.
"What do I have to do?" She finally whispered.
Seizan explained his plan to her and warned her not to tell Cornelia or she would halt any chance to evacuating the civilians, believing it was a trick by Zero.
"Who are you?" Euphie asked when Seizan was done. "Why help if your goal is to destroy the Empire?"
"Why risk your life for commoners when you would have been killed when you revealed yourself to those JLF terrorists?" Seizan calmly asked. "It's a pretty simple answer when you think about it."
Before Euphie could ask again the door her balcony open suddenly, releasing another gust of wind into the room that made Euphie closed her eyes in surprise as she shivered. When she opened her eyes, the masked man known as Seizan was gone. Euphie could only stare in surprise at where the man had been before she closed the door a second time.
'Seizan, Zero, what are you trying to accomplish?' Euphie thought as she lied down on her bed. 'And what is it about Zero that seems so…familiar?'
Xxx
Nunnally yawned as she sat up on her bed and looked up with a smile as Sayoko walked in, carrying her clothes. "Sayoko, we won't need any breakfast for my brother this morning."
"He's going out?" Sayoko asked, stopping at the foot of Nunnally's bed.
"He'll be leaving on a three day trip starting today." Nunnally answered.
"Oh I see." Sayoko smiled as she put the clothes on Nunnally's bed in front of her. "Oh I see. He's been going quite a bit recently. Think it's a girlfriend?"
Nunnally gasped silently as she thought it over. "Maybe it is."
The idea of her brother getting a girlfriend was surprising to the little girl but she did know her brother was the school heartthrob.
'I wonder if I'll get to meet her.'
"Let us hurry and get you dressed, Lady Nunnally." Sayoko walked back. "Tsunade's mother, Mito Senju wished to see you today."
"Okay." Nunnally nodded with a smile.
Xxx
The weekend came pretty quickly and almost everyone was on edge. Zero had given the Black Knights the coordinates of where to meet while he and his two knights would meet them later. Kallen could only wonder what the three of them were up to this time.
Xxx
"Sector Five, nothing to report. Right, the next scheduled report will be in the next two hours." The JLF officer said before hanging up.
He and his partner were staying in a shack, acting as lookouts in case the JLF headquarters was attacked.
"Of course there's nothing to report." His partner said as he sat down and continued their game. "This area's controlled by the Japan Liberation Front. No one can just stroll in."
The sound of a door opening made them look up and when they saw who it was they both jumped to their feet with their guns in their hands.
"Zero!"
"Relax. I only came here to talk." Zero said as he took his mask, revealing his hair and eyes with one of the eyes flashing red with the Geass crest. "I want you to ignore any unusual activity during your watch."
The effect was instant on both officers. "Sure, no problem."
"Come on, it's your turn."
"What's the rush?"
"We're just on regular duty you know?"
They picked up their chairs and sat back down to play their game. Lelouch nodded in satisfaction at his work and moved back the Burai he had brought with him while bringing out a small mirror.
Xxx
A flash of light from the mountain was spotted by factsphere of a Burai. "I've confirmed the signal from Zero. We're now moving to waypoint two."
The two Burais were dragging a large wooden cart filled with large metal cylinders up the mountain.
"Hey why doesn't Zero just use the radio in his Burai?" Tamaki asked.
"What do you suppose he meant when he said hiking?" Inoue sarcastically asked.
"Uh, military training right?" Kenta guessed.
"Only with Zero in another location?" Even Tamaki thought that sounded stupid.
"Maybe we'll dig a hot spring." Yoshida offered.
"Is that why we brought those excavators? Then hell, I'm all for it." Kenta chuckled.
Kallen tuned out the conversation in favor of reading the Guren's manual, trying to make sure she memorized everything she needed to know.
"Hey Kallen, you hear anything about this?"
"Hm? I haven't." Kallen answered solemnly but remembered the conversation last night.
Xxx
Kallen was getting ready for bed, tossing away her school uniform without planning to slip into any night clothes.
"You might want to think about that before you take off the shirt."
"GAH!" Kallen spun around as she began unbuttoning the top of her shirt. "Nar-Seizan!?"
Naruto was at the window in his Seizan outfit but the mask and hood were off, showing his face. "Sorry to barge in but there is something I think I need to talk to you about. It's about the trip to the Narita Mountains and Lelouch's plan."
"Uh?" Kallen stared in confusion.
Xxx
"And you Ohgi?"
"Nope, not a word." Ohgi answered simply.
He wasn't sure what Zero was planning but he was trusted the masked leader of the Black Knights and could only hope it wouldn't backfire on them.
'Zero isn't using the radio to avoid being traced. Is he serious about this?' Ohgi thought.
Xxx
"The day I've waited for has finally come, Cornelia." Lelouch muttered, reading the book he had found as the two officers kept on playing their game.
Lelouch spotted something outside through the window and saw C.C. and Naruto looking over the cliff. "Huh?"
Xxx
"We're certain the Japan Liberation Front's headquarters are in this area. We've already split four battalions into seven units and hidden them in the vicinity." Darlton reported as the G1 slowly moved to the base of the mountain. "We've only to wait for the Viceroy's signal and then we'll surround them in one fell swoop and wipe them out."
"And you're confident that the enemy won't show up outside the encirclement in mind?" This question came from none other than Princess Euphemia herself, remaining skeptical of this plan.
As the officers turned to face her Euphemia's sister only smirked. "You mean Zero?"
"Have no fear of that. As the operation begins we'll be blocking off the surrounding highways and mountain roads also." Darlton answered.
"Plus we have reserve units and if Zero's stupid enough show up it'll be the end of him." Cornelia said confidently.
For some reason though Euphemia didn't share her sister's confidence.
Xxx
"C.C., Naruto, what are you doing here? I thought you were with the others." Lelouch said as he walked out of the cabin.
"We said we'd work with you, didn't we? That also includes protecting you." C.C. looked over her shoulder.
"Aren't you overdoing it?" Lelouch asked.
"Clearly not." Naruto muttered as he looked down that mountain. "Cornelia's not evacuating any of the villages near the mountain. What kind of military leader goes into battle without first making sure to avoid civilian casualties?"
"That's the price of war, Naruto." Lelouch calmly said as he stopped behind them.
"I'm wondering something, Lelouch. Why are you Lelouch?" C.C. turned away.
"I don't have time to discuss philosophy with you." Lelouch said annoyingly.
"You changed your family name to Lamperouge but you kept the name Lelouch that was given to you at birth." C.C. continued. "How sentimental. You really can't let go of the past."
"Well C.C. swings to other extreme doesn't it? It's not a human name. I wonder sometimes if you've even told Naruto your real name." Lelouch retorted.
C.C. turned her head sharply to Lelouch making him jump back but she only smirked as the wind blew snow. "Lelouch, do you know why snow is white?"
Lelouch only frowned at her.
"Snow is white is because it's forgotten what color it's supposed to be." C.C. answered, never losing her smirk.
"Of course, it's also white because snow never loses its purity. It remains beautiful to the end, no matter what anyone says about it." Naruto threw in his own philosophy.
Lelouch and C.C. looked at Naruto, not expecting him to say anything.
Xxx
"All units are in position."
"Understood, Euphemia will provide logistical support from G1 as planned. Have her command the medical group." Cornelia said, wanting to make sure her sister was as far from the battle as possible.
"Yes your highness."
A beeping sound caught Cornelia's attention as someone else radioed into to speak with her. "Princess Cornelia."
"Guilford, let me guess. This is about Euphy isn't it?" Cornelia said knowingly.
"Yes. She really should be in a government agency but-"
Cornelia smiled as she closed her eyes. "Yes but she's being unusually stubborn about this. She told me she wanted to see action in combat herself."
Xxx
"What's that unit there? Holding to the rear?" Euphemia asked, looking at the digital map.
"Our reserve force with the Eleven pilot."
"What?" Euphemia looked at the officer. "You mean that's the Lancelot?"
"As a rule Number aren't allowed to operate Knightmares. That particular unit is an exception. The Second Prince is the patron of that unit; we have no say over their personnel selection. But he said he wants them to have as many chances at combat as possible."
Euphemia could only frown at Suzaku being forced to stay at the rear simply because he was an Eleven.
Xxx
"Are you sure about this?" Ohgi asked Zero as they watched the excavators dig into the mountain to place the seismic charged they had brought.
They were all spread out as possible as per Zero's orders with one at the top of the peak while the others placed further down the mountain.
"Our opponent is Cornelia whose forces are among the best Britannia has to offer. With these we can even the playing field." Zero answered.
"Then why don't cooperate with the Japanese Liberation Front?" Ohgi asked.
"We are in a way." Both men turned and saw Seizan coming out of his blue Knightmare. "If we take out Cornelia as she attacks we'll be saving the lives of a great many Japanese soldiers."
"Besides, don't you believe in me anymore, Ohgi?" Zero asked.
"What do you mean? I was the one who asked you to be our leader!" Ohgi said defensively. "Don't you remember?"
"Even though Zero confessed his Geass?" Seizan asked.
"Yeah…Honestly even though I've seen Zero use that Geass thing it still freaks me out." Ohgi answered quietly. "I sometimes can't help but wonder if you ever take that mask off without fear of controlling someone accidently."
"And I sincerely hope that you never stop being afraid. As for your original question, there is only one answer to give." Zero replied, answering the original question.
"Right." Ohgi reluctantly nodded.
Xxx
"Right, commence the operation!" Cornelia shouted as her Gloucester was launched out of the G1.
Behind her all of her subordinates launched and followed her up the mountain.
"You, the Japan Liberation Front, you who time has left behind, you who have forgotten basic human decency, you and your dream of a bygone age shall and rot to nothingness." Cornelia whispered in disgust at the JLF and their cowardly tactics.
Xxx
"We're under enemy attack?!" General Katase cried out as he stepped into the war room.
"Yes sir, the Britannian forces have completely encircled the Narita mountains. We counted over a hundred units."
Xxx
"It's begun." Zero announced as everyone could see the Britannian units approaching.
"Huh? What the hell? You have got to be kidding, Zero! Those troops coming in have this whole area totally surrounded! There is no way out!" Tamaki yelled.
"We've already been cut off. Our only chance of surviving now is to fight." Zero replied calmly.
"Of course we don't have to fight." Seizan stood next to Zero. "Not when we have something else to that for us."
"Huh?" All the Black Knights now looked confused.
"Tell me, Ohgi-san," Shinryoku said as stood the edge and looked down the mountain. "What is the most common cause of death in the mountains?"
"Uh…landslides I think. But what does that have to do with…" Ohgi trailed as he suddenly realized what Zero had been planning.
He was not the only one as the rest of the Black Knights were now staring at the three masked individuals in shock.
"You planned all this…" Tamaki slowly asked.
"Even Messiahs need to perform miracles if they are to be acknowledged. Therefore we have to produce our own miracle don't we?" Zero asked rhetorically.
"These drills are digging into the deposits of groundwater in the mountain. The radiation from the Guren will cause it to boil and create an artificial avalanche that will literally bury Cornelia's forces." Seizan lectured. "Why fight them head on when we can use the land itself to defeat them?"
"This is the path you have chosen when you joined the Black Knights. You can either fight with us or perish with us." Zero stated. "If you wish to quit you are free to do so but stay and we shall stand over Britannia as their Royal Guard is buried under the land they have tried to oppress. Kallen, it's time."
"Uh, right!" Kallen answered quickly, still surprised by the genius of Lelouch's plan but shook it aside as she hopped into the Guren.
"Everyone, prepare to move out! Let us show Cornelia that this land and its people's pride have not yet been broken!" Seizan shouted.
"YOU HEARD HIM! LET'S GET TO WORK!" Tamaki shouted, now understanding and eager to take down Cornelia.
Xxx
"We're completely surrounded and all our underground reserve forces were all captured."
"General Katase, we've received a message from Cornelia's forces demanding our surrender."
"Imbecile! If we lose then the whole resistance force is lost with us."
"But General, do we engage the enemy in battle?"
"What about Todoh? Where is he?" Katase asked.
"He's gone to Kyoto to get the custom Burais. The Four Holy Swords are traveling with him too."
"Then we're on schedule. He should be returning soon." Katase said with a small bit of relief. "Todoh will make it in time. Prepare to bring out the Burais. We'll break out of the circle on one side and evacuate. We'll show them the Japanese spirit and pride. This is our moment of truth!"
"Sir, we getting another call."
"Another demand for surrender?" Katase growled.
"No. They claim to be one of Zero's knights. They are asking us if we want to live."
"Zero?" Katase's eyes widened.
Xxx
As the G1 backed away from the mountain Euphemia looked down at the map of the mountain.
"We believe the enemy's main base is here but we haven't pinpointed it yet. However until we obtain a list of their collaborators we can't burn down everything with our aerial bombing."
"The enemy is engaging our encirclement and will try to break through. From there we will be able to ascertain where their base is."
"Our forces are divided into three fronts: the units led by General Darlton here," The man pointed at the east side of the mountain. "General Alex here." He pointed to the middle. "And Viceroy Cornelia here." He pointed to the west. "As for our flanking forces…"
The generals and Euphemia were greeted with the shock the map's image suddenly becoming garbled.
"It's enemy ECM."
Xxx
"The main enemy force should be coming out anytime now. We're switching to ECCN mode on channel Alpha four." Darlton smirked. "The enemy, what are we calling them again?"
"Burais sir."
"Right, they're rather like pseudo Glasgows so watch out for them."
"Yes my Lord."
Xxx
"How clever, they turned this mountain into a fortress." Cornelia commented sarcastically as Burais emerged from a hidden elevator covered by trees.
"Your Highness, please fall back."
"Guilford, please don't treat me as I'm another one of your woman." Cornela then shot forward in her Glasgow.
"It's…Cornelia!" A JLF soldier shouted.
"Don't panic! Take out the leader!" The three aimed their rifles and shot at Cornelia recklessly.
"Insolent worms!" Cornelia shouted as she evaded the bullets and swung her lance, knocking all three of them down.
She then plunged her lance into the nearest Burai, lifting it above her head and watched as it exploded. Cornelia snorted in disgust at how pathetic the pilots were performing.
Guilford fired a slash harken at a nearby turret. "Right, well then I'll cover you from the rear."
Cornelia smirked as she glanced back at her knight before looking up at the mountain. "Well, Cornelia is here! Is there no one who challenge me?"
Xxx
"The enemy seems to be concentrated over her. This may be the target. Split up now!" Darlton commanded.
It was easy however to take out the enemy Burais as they didn't even get a decent shot as Darlton's forces easily destroyed them.
Xxx
"Our second attack wave had no effect."
"Their sheer dominance is insurmountable." Katase whispered.
Xxx
"General Darlton, based on the analyses of the enemy's movements I've determined that the entrance to JLF main base is located is that lodge located up on the main mountain."
"I believe the proper term for this is bingo." Darlton said jokingly.
"Well to be more precise sir-"
"Just call it in already Mr. Literal." Darlton grumbled.
Xxx
A flash of light shot up above the forest and exploded, sending out a booming sound and a bright flash that could be seen from the other side of the mountain.
"Is that-" Cornelia spotted the flash. "Darlton?"
"So that's where the main enemy base is located?" Guilford asked.
"Right. We'll be securing our position here." Cornelia said.
"Are you sure about this?" Guilford asked, even though he smiled.
"I don't need to steal achievements from my subordinates. Send the reserve force to back up Darlton. Looks like he'll be getting another medal." Cornelia remarked, satisfied with the work of her men.
Xxx
'Impressive as always, Cornelia.' Lelouch took off his mask when he was in the cockpit of his Burai. 'A very logical deployment. However excellent though it is, it's also easy to read as is your location.'
Xxx
"Sir, we're getting another message from Zero's knight, Seizan. He's asking us to pull our forces back as Zero launches his attack."
"Very well." Katase reluctantly obeyed. "Tell our forces to pull back up the mountain."
He was risking a lot trusting Zero even though he handed Kusakabe over to the Britannians to be interrogated and then executed but at the moment he had no choice.
'Where are you, Todoh?'
Xxx
Darlton watched as the Britannian army climbed to the top of the peak with no resistance forces stopping them. "Now any resistance remaining in Area 11-"
Xxx
"Will soon be finished." Cornelia finished with a grin, feeling victory was close.
Xxx
"Right, all preparations have now been completed!" Lelouch announced from the Burai he was in. "Black Knights, prepare to move out!"
"Damn it, we have no choice!"
"I don't want to die! We'll make a miracle happen!"
Burais stood up as their pilots activated them while the infantry loaded their weapons.
"We the Black Knights, are going to launch a surprise attack on the Britannians from the summit of the mountain. Per my instructions you will charge on masse down towards point three and the intent of this operation is to capture Cornelia, Second Princess of Britannia. Our breakthrough route will be opened by the Guren Mk-II."
Kallen hopped into the cockpit of the Guren.
"Kallen, use penetrating electrode number three. Settle things with one blow." Lelouch commanded.
"Got it." Kallen said as she placed the Guren's claw on the seismic charge labelled three. "Outpit confirmed. Wave Surger levels ready and holding."
Kallen then remembered what Naruto had said.
Xxx
"Lelouch wants to go for full blast but if that happens and the city below has not been evacuated in time then there will be massacre. That's why when you activate the Surger you should only use a quarter of its power if you truly care about avoiding civilian casualties." Naruto explained.
"Why not just ask Lelouch to change the plan?" Kallen asked.
"Lelouch is genuine in his wish to destroy Britannia even if he doesn't condone civilian massacres his eagerness to rush and defeat the enemy causes him to make mistakes no matter how smart he is. I'm telling you this because even if Zero leads the Black Knights you are now equal to him. It is your choice to follow orders even if they lead to the liberation of Japan, no matter how much blood is shed but it is also your choice of whose blood will be spilt." Naruto said before vanishing in a puff of smoke. "Think carefully of how far you must go, Kallen."
Xxx
Kallen took a deep breath. "Activating Gauntlet now!"
The claw released a blast of red electricity that traveled through the seismic charge and into the mountain where the groundwater was located. Kallen sighed as the Guren's arm powered down. Everyone waited in silence…
And a second later was when the mountain started shaking.
"It worked!" Kallen said, a rush of relief coursing through her.
It indeed did as a mudslide was now traveling down the mountain at full speed. C.C. watched from her point as the mud and boulders spilled down the mountain side.
Xxx
"What's happening?" Euphemia put her hands on the map as she watched Darlton's units vanishing in horror.
"Impossible." The general next to her whispered. "How could a landslide come out of nowhere?"
"Alex and Darlton's units are getting wiped out!"
'This is…this is what he said!' Euphie remembered back to her conversation with the masked man, Seizan. 'If I hadn't given the evacuation order the city would have been wiped out!'
Xxx
"Climb! Get to higher ground!" Darlton shouted to his surviving men as he struggled to climb up the cable of his slash harken that was barely keeping him alive.
Xxx
The headquarters of the JLF shook dangerously as landslide was literally shaking it to pieces.
"Will this base hold together?" Katase wondered as he and his men gripped the table with all their might.
"The Central Area should make it though sir! Let's hope the tunnel systems hold up!"
'This is why Zero's Knight, Seizan told our forces to pull back and retreat up to east.'
Xxx
"Status report!" Cornelia shouted, watching as the landslide continued down the mountain that barely missed her and her group.
Luckily she and her group had managed to avoid getting caught but she knew that not all of men could say the same. She had been stunned for a moment before she tried to take control of the situation.
"We're still trying to confirm!"
"Your Highness, pull back you're in danger here."
"I don't care! Forget about me! Find out about Darlton! And where's Alex?!" Cornelia shouted.
Xxx
"Oh my, at this rate they will be swept all the way to the bottom." Lloyd remarked with an interested look as he watched the landslide from his computer.
"These heat readings are abnormal. Do you believe a volcanic artificial eruption was induced?" Cecile asked.
"Impossible unless someone has used Rakshata's Radiant Wave Surger." Lloyd answered.
"Did something happen?" Suzaku called from the Lancelot's cockpit.
"Ah." Lloyd looked up at Suzaku. "But it has nothing to do with us so just relax and continue waiting."
"Huh?" Suzaku wondered what was going on.
Xxx
The avalanche continued down the mountain, dragging earth, rocks, and trees that buried any Knightmare that was not fast enough to get out of the way. It fell all the way down to the mountain, stopping on the outskirts of the city that would have been buried alive. However even if the city had been buried there was no one in the city.
Xxx
'It's even more destructive than I anticipated. We did succeed in isolating Cornelia's unit but we could have been a bit more accurate.' Lelouch thought with a grin. 'Perhaps I should have consulted a physics teacher or ask Nina to tutor me in probability. Ah well, the good news is that the city was empty just in case because of whatever Naruto did.'
The landslide had served its purpose. The Britannian army had suffered massive causalities, creating chaos and disorientation and Cornelia was now isolated from the rest of her forces thus leaving her wide open. Last time he had come close when Naruto and C.C. had managed to corner Cornelia when she had been wide open and if not for the surprise entrance of the Pure Bloods they would have captured her. This time Cornelia was out on the battlefield, cut off from reinforcements, and he had greater numbers that were actually skilled and capable of coordinating their efforts.
Xxx
'Euphemia really did do it.' Naruto smiled. 'The instant she heard innocent lives she jumped for the chance to help, even if the information was from a so called terrorist. An anonymous call alone would not have been enough but the instant Euphemia makes as a call to warn them they clear out before the battle begins. And Kallen even held back on using full blast so even if the city hadn't been evacuated the casualties would have kept at a minimal number.'
Now that the city had been evacuated he and C.C. were free to fight to the best of their abilities.
Xxx
"New enemy forces confirmed moving in from the summit. Carius unit is moving to engage them."
"Hoping to take advantage of all the confusion are they?" Cornelia whispered.
"Emergency unit from Carius unit."
"What's wrong?" Cornelia asked.
"It's not the Japan Liberation Front. They think it's…the Black Knights!"
"What?!" Cornelia's eyes widened. "Then it's…"
Xxx
"Zero?!" Jeremiah's eyes widened as he listened to the radio channel.
He and the rest of the Pure Bloods had been held back since they were still disgraced and Jeremiah had to keep his mission secret. Though the Pure Bloods managed to gain some credibility back the fact that Zero had utterly destroyed their reputation had not been forgotten and the anger towards the masked vigilante remained strong, especially in their leader who knew better than anyone why he would be here.
"How dare he show up here?" Jeremiah hit the full throttle on his Sutherland's spinners and moved up the mountain. "ZERO!"
"Lord Jeremiah, you can just abandon your post!" Villetta shouted.
"This requires drastic measures! If you want glory in life than follow me!" Jeremiah replied, encouraging his men to follow.
He couldn't allow another member of royalty to die, not on his watch.
Xxx
"Cornelia has only limited reinforcements heading her way! Smash right through them!" Lelouch ordered which was met with cheers.
"Yeah we can do this now!"
The two Burais escorting him aimed and fired, taking out the surviving Gloucesters in their way.
Xxx
"All right everyone, you know the game plan. Our job is to watch their backs. Get ready…" Inoue spotted the enemy tank. "Fire!"
The two soldiers holding the bazookas fired and hit the tank, knocking it over and destroying it.
Xxx
'Let's see how this works.' Kallen thought as she activated the Raijen Sword.
The sword blazed to life as red electricity traveled up the blade and it glowed bright red.
"Raijin Sword, long range mode activated." Kallen muttered as she held up the crimson blade.
Following the instructions she targeted the VTOL Gunships hovering above her and swung her sword at them. To her shock and awe the sword released a red beam slash that sliced the gunships with ease.
"By Kami…" Kallen whispered as she stared at the sword in her Knightmare's left hand. 'This is amazing.'
Xxx
"IT WORKS! IT WORKS! IT WORKS! IT WORKS!" Rakshata hopped up and down while everyone in the room stared at her, never before seeing her so happy.
She had read up on the Second Hokage's sword, wondering how he created a weapon of pure lightning and talked over about it with Naruto who wondered if it was possible to create a larger version of the sword for Knightmares, asking for all the details he remembered about the sword. She enlisted the help of several scientists over the Internet and what they knew of laser and beam technology and incorporated it into the sword, thus creating a sword that was not only able to generate pure electricity but able to be used for long range attacks. She was now seeing it in action through the shared vision with Naruto and C.C. and she was waiting impatiently for the sword's real test.
"Come on, Earl of Pudding. Send your Knightmare out so it can be the proper test subject for my child's new toy!" Rakshata gripped her laptop. "HURRY UP! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! LET ME SEE MY CHILD ROAST YOURS ALIVE!"
Everyone in the room wisely backed away from Rakshata as she banged her table in frustration and impatience.
Xxx
"The enemy's taken out Carius's unit?" Jeremiah's eyes widened when all signals from Carius's unit was lost. "Then if I take out Zero before he reaches out Cornelia I'll be golden."
"Lord Jeremiah?" A familiar voice came through the radio.
"Villetta, you came?" Jeremiah asked then smiled. "I knew that you would."
With him and Villetta leading their troops Zero wouldn't stand a chance.
Xxx
'Burn the bridges behind you and keep your back to the wall. Classical strategies remain effective ones don't they?' Lelouch thought as he moved through the forest.
Even if he wasn't the first to reach Cornelia Naruto and C.C. were already planning their own routes while Kallen remained with him from behind.
"Zero!"
A Sutherland wheeled out of the woods and fired, firing on the two Burais flanking Lelouch but luckily they were carrying the shields that were developed for the Oberons and they easily blocked the incoming projectile fire.
"Is Zero here? If he is then face me! Come forward and fight Jeremiah Gottwald!" Jeremiah shouted through the speakers.
"Well, well, it's been a while Jeremiah." Lelouch remarked with a smirk even though he was outnumbered.
He shouldn't be surprised as it was because of Jeremiah that the plan to capture Cornelia in Saitama failed but this time Lelouch won't let him get in the way.
"I see you managed to stay in the army but I guessed that when you managed to save Cornelia last time we met she might grateful enough to throw you a bone. I'd love to stay and catch up but I'm afraid I don't have time right this minute, Orange boy."
Lelouch expected Jeremiah to become angry but to his surprise Jeremiah didn't fall for it. "You cannot provoke me, Zero. You are after Princess Cornelia, aren't you?"
Lelouch chuckled. "Well, it seems I underestimated you, Jeremiah. I thought leaving you humiliated like I did would cause you to become reckless but it seems I was wrong. The answer to your question is yes, I am here to personally capture Princess Cornelia."
"Then I will not let you pass!" Jeremiah activated his Stun-Tonfa. "I refuse to let another member of royalty die on my watch!"
He wheeled forward but before he could attack the Guren landed in between them and knocked Jeremiah's rifle out of his hand. Jeremiah grunted but quickly activated his arm blades.
"Lord Jeremiah!" Villetta shouted in concern.
"Stay out of this! This is my duel!" Jeremiah shouted, not wanting anyone to intervene.
"But look at it! I've never seen a Knightmare like that before. Is it possible that the Elevens have-" Villetta pointed out.
"You think Elevens are capable of such technology?" Jeremiah refused to hear it as he charged forward.
He slashed at the Guren but it blocked with its claw. Jeremiah slid back and tried again but the Guren moved out of the way. Jeremiah spun to attack from behind but the Guren leapt up, avoiding the slash.
"It's fast!" Jeremiah looked up and watched as the Guren somersaulted down with its foot aimed at him.
Jeremiah grunted as he wheeled back. The Guren wheeled after him, pulling out the Raijin and activated it, showing the Britannians the red glowing sword that sparked with red electricity.
"What is that-" Jeremiah quickly raised his arm blades to defend himself.
Kallen shouted as she slashed at her opponent with the Raijen and succeeded in slashing Jeremiah's right arm off. Electricity sparked down the destroyed arm as the sword had easily burned through the metal and had released volts of electricity through the frame that was causing a lot of trouble for Jeremiah.
"This thing…Is this what destroyed Carius's unit?" Jeremiah struggled get out of range as his console beeped red from the damage.
"Yeah, that's right Britannia!" Kallen answered with a look of determination and confidence on her face. "We can finally go up against you on equal footing head on! And our counterattack begins with this baby the Guren Mk-II!"
She thrust her claw forward to grab the head of Jeremiah's Sutherland.
"Oh hell! There's something on its right hand!" Jeremiah's eyes widened as his Sutherland backpedaled. "I keep my distance-" However the Guren's clawed arm extended forward and grabbed him by the head. "What's this?!"
"Sorry." Kallen said as she activated the Wave Surger.
Jeremiah gasped as his Sutherland was filled with red radiation causing the frame to bulge at an alarmingly fast rate. "What the hell's happening?!"
"Lord Jeremiah, eject!" Villetta shouted, her imaged becoming blurry on the red screen.
"I can't run now! Zero's right in front of me!" Jeremiah shouted, staring at Zero's Burai."He's standing right here! I won't let him take the princess!"
Jeremiah's Sutherland was beginning to break apart from the inside, causing the ejection system to activate.
"Damn it! The auto eject! Don't you dare activate!" Jeremiah was now babbling from being cooked alive as the system beeped. "I know I can get him!"
The radiation knocked him out as his cockpit shot out of his Sutherland just seconds before it exploded. The Guren retracted its clawed hand as its image was engulfed by the flames of the destroyed Sutherland, painting it in the image of victorious warrior.
"I won't lose." Kallen smiled. "Not with this. Guren Mk-II"
"She defeated Lord Jeremiah." Villetta whispered, unable to believe what she had just witnessed. "Who are the Black Knights? Who are they, these warriors?"
"All our tasks at hand have been cleared. The pieces are in position; the only thing left to do is check my opponent's stronghold." Lelouch grinned as he opened the private channel. "Seizan, Shinryoku, begin your assault."
"Roger."
"Understood."
Xxx
Cornelia gritted her teeth in frustration. Things had started so well, easily eliminating the rip-off Glasgows the JLF sent after her with little effort and then suddenly it all goes to hell when a landslide suddenly wipes out a dozen of her forces.
'Zero.' Cornelia snarled in her head. 'This is his doing. He somehow caused this landslide. Does this mean he's working with the Japan Liberation Front now? He denounced them for what happened at Kawaguchi so why save them?'
*Chapter 10*: Chapter 10Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"What are our losses?" Darlton asked when he finally managed to climb out of the mud slide along with a few of his men.
"I'm reading twenty percent of our forces."
"Twenty percent?!" Darlton shouted in shock. "Our command structure can't sustain this!"
Xxx
"Lloyd, what's going on?" Suzaku said, hearing a lot of chatter on the radio.
"It's very unnatural." Lloyd hummed in thought.
"Unnatural?" Suzaku questioned.
"There seems to be an unconfirmed report that the Black Knights have appeared."
Suzaku's eyes widened. "Zero."
As he whispered the masked vigilante's name the two advanced Knightmares surfaced in Suzaku's mind, knowing they would be there with him.
"Congratulations." Lloyd remarked with a giggle as he looked up at Suzaku with an eager look. "This is our chance."
"Lloyd!" Suzaku shouted.
"You're so rash!" Cecile scolded.
"Uh?" Lloyd looked over at Cecile. "Why is that?"
"Would you like a detailed explanation?" Cecile smiled sweetly.
"Uh…No, I'll pass." Lloyd actually frowned, knowing what happen if he said the wrong word. "Anyway, while the High Command is still gathering data all we can do is play by ear, right?"
Xxx
"Is the Viceroy safe?"
"Yes, she was outside the mud flow but the units guarding her flank were lost."
"That means she's totally isolated."
"What the hell are those Pure Bloods doing?!"
Euphemia could only look on in concern as she listened to the reports and prayed for the safety of her sister.
Xxx
"I can't lose to an Eleven! I am a Britannian!"
Kallen responded by lashing out and grabbed Lord Kewell's Sutherland, activating her Surger and a second later the Sutherland Frame exploded.
"Lord Kewell!" Villetta shouted in horror.
"I'm not done yet!" Kallen shouted as she took out her Raijin sword and activated it. "Long range mode activated!"
"Fight to the death!" Villetta shouted, her and the remaining Pure Bloods aiming and firing.
Kallen swung her sword and released an arc of red lightning that burned through trees as it sailed through the air towards the enemy frames.
Villetta gasped in shock as she witnessed the wave of red death approaching her. "Everyone move!"
She quickly spun out of the way red lightning collided with it and the other Sutherlands. The rest of her group was not so lucky and were engulfed in flames as their Frames exploded.
"This is impossible." Villetta whispered as the Guren turned and looked at her, the flames surrounding it making it look like a demon from Hell.
"One more." Kallen whispered and hit the full throttle on her Landspinners.
Villetta's eyes widened as the Guren charged towards her and she quickly turned around and took off at full speed. She looked down at the radar in front of her and eyes widened when she saw the Guren chasing her and it was catching up.
"Get away from me!" Villetta shouted as she turned around and shot at the red monster.
However the Kallen raised the Raijin Sword and activated it, watching as it blocked and incinerated the bullets on contact with the electric blade. Villetta grunted as she pulled out a Chaos Mine and threw it at the Guren and watched as it fell back from the barrage that kicked up a lot of dust and riddled trees with numerous holes.
"Looks like I lost it." Villetta sighed in relief. "Now to get back to command-"
Villetta was cut off in mid-sentence as a red glowing blade pierced her Sutherland's arm, cutting it off and sending electricity through the Frame that caused the controls in the cockpit to short circuit.
"Miss me?" Kallen asked darkly through the speakers.
Villetta cried out as she tried to pull back but Kallen reached and grabbed the head of the Sutherland with her claw.
"No! I don't want to die!" Villetta cried, realizing what had happened to Lord Jeremiah and Lord Kewell was about to happen to her.
She hit the ejector switch and was ejected out of her frame in time as Kallen activated the Wave Surger and caused the Sutherland to explode.
"Hmph! Coward." Kallen watched as the cockpit flew away with a dark glare. "Not so superior now, are we?"
"All right, Guren Mk-II, move to plan point. Move right through the rest of their line and take Cornelia!" Lelouch ordered as he moved forward in his Buria.
"Right!" Kallen responded as she moved through the forest.
"Got it! Let's pull this off!"
"Seizan and Shinryoku, lead our groups down the mountain and provide cover." Lelouch continued.
"Right/Got it."
Naruto and C.C. led their own groups through the forest, taking out disorientated Britannian forces as they moved. The Burai and Oberon Frames were all armed with shields on their left arms while their right arms had their assault rifles that kept them moderately protected from enemy fire.
Xxx
C.C. was leading her group down the east side of the mountain with Burais and Oberons behind her attacking the enemy while she covered for them.
"Wind Style…" C.C. raised her Harken Fans as three VTOL ships tried to attack her. "Wind Scythe Jutsu!"
She jumped into the air and swung her arms out, releasing blades made of air that collided with the gunships and sliced through them.
"Continue moving everyone. I will lead and cover you but you must move swiftly or you'll die."
"Hai, Shinryoku-san!"
Xxx
In the meantime Naruto was not idle as he spotted a group of Sutherlands heading towards his group and held out his hands. "Let's test this."
Missiles sprouted from Seizan's arms, created by the power of the Asura Path and shot at the enemy group as they raised their assault rifles. The enemy was instantly blown apart before they could even blink.
"With us the chances of causalities are cut down but we have to keep moving before they can regroup." Naruto said through the radio. "Don't stop, not even to catch your breath."
"Understood, Seizan!"
Xxx
"The Pure Bloods were wiped out?!"
"Yes sir. Lady Villetta was forced to eject because of a new weapon the enemy deployed."
"We must buy time for the Viceroy to retreat. Send air cover."
Euphemia then noticed something on the map. "No wait! Something's approaching the Viceroy from behind!"
Xxx
"All units, are you ready?"
"Yes sir!"
"All right. Deploy the Custom Burais!"
"Deploying!"
The top of the trucks opened up and five Knightmare Frames, resembling Burais rose up.
"Listen carefully, if this landfill was man made it should allow us to hit Cornelia from behind. Capture Cornelia now, take revenge for what happened seven years ago!" The leader, Lieutenant Colonel Tohdoh Kyoshirou, also known as Kiseki no Tohdoh spoke.
"YES SIR! BY THE HONOR OF THE FOUR HOLY SWORDS!" The other four soldiers shouted as they charged up the mountain.
Xxx
"Hm?" Naruto noticed something through the eyes of Seizan. "Zero, there's an unknown group approaching Cornelia!"
"What?" Lelouch asked through the radio. "Not one of ours?"
"I see them too." Kallen responded. "They're moving fast and their taking out anyone in their way."
"Looks like someone is taking advantage of your plan." C.C. commented.
"Oh yeah." Naruto smirked. "And I got an idea of who it is."
Xxx
"What?!" Cornelia spun around just as a Burai leapt out with a sword modified with a chain-saw in it that instantly cut through a Gloucester and instantly attacked another one as the first Gloucester exploded.
"Surround them!" Todoh ordered.
"The Japan Liberation Front?!" Cornelia whispered in shock as Guilford moved in front of her.
"Slash and encircle!" Todoh commanded which the other four responded. "Right!"
He slashed through one Sutherland frame, shooting past it like a blur and not looking back as it split in two.
"These are not just any Burais." Todoh said.
"This reminds me of seven years ago." Shogo Asashina mused.
"But it's different now." Nagisha Chiba smiled. "This time we have Knightmares as well."
"Your Highness, please leave them to us. Please you have to withdraw for now!" Guilford pleaded as he intercepted Todoh's Burai and clashed with his chain sword.
"Very well." Cornelia reluctantly conceded. "I know a way to turn this around. Guilford, after driving them back meet me a point nine."
"Nine?" Guilford questioned but obeyed. "I understand."
"Cornelia!"
Two Burais launched their Slash Harkens but Cornelia batted them away and broke through them. "You weaklings!"
She took off at full speed after she defeated them, leaving her knight to deal with JLF forces behind her.
'I guess there is some life left in these Elevens but they might not be the most pressing matter at the moment.' Cornelia thought. 'After all, if Zero is behind the land fill then he's already ready for me. But this time I won't let up him get the drop on me.'
This would not end like Saitama.
Xxx
"Cornelia's retreating and the Royal Guard have engaged the JLF."
'Excellent. They'll hold them off so we can swoop in trap Cornelia.' Lelouch thought. "Seizan, Shinryoku, meet up with Kallen and converge on Cornelia."
"Right/Understood."
Xxx
Todoh quickly contacted the JLF headquarters. "I'm sorry for the late arrival General."
"Todoh." Katase smiled in relief. "We've been waiting."
"General, please send all remaining units to join me here."
"Can you beat them?" Katase asked what everyone was wondering.
"Yes, but only if we can hold off their main force."
Xxx
"We have a chance now to turn the entire war around!" Todoh and Guilford grappled their weapons for a moment before Todoh pulled back.
Guilford frowned as a drop of sweat travelled down his face. 'I've heard Area Eleven has a formidable commander, their shining knight. Is this him, Todoh?'
"Fine!" Guilford charged forward. "Let him try me!"
Xxx
"Telling the JLF to fall back when Cornelia began her attack was actually a good idea, Naruto. Now they can all regroup with Todoh and push forward." C.C. remarked with an impressed smile.
"Actually, I was only looking to make sure they were not caught in the landslide." Naruto admitted with a sheepish smile. "Guess it paid off."
"Of course." C.C. closed her eyes. "You seem to be extremely lucky; even if you don't strategize everything like Lelouch it still manages to work out."
"Luckily, I don't hear Lelouch complaining about it."
Xxx
"Sub-Viceroy Euphemia you must act now to prevent a disaster. Send in the G-1."
"No." Euphie answered, looking down on the map with both hands pressed against it.
"But Guilford is completely pinned down! He can't get to Cornelia, her life is at stake here!"
"We can't, the field hospital is here and civilians. They've been evacuated from all over the area and brought to this point. Besides the G-1 is our command center, the Viceroy ordered not move it, no matter what. That's why…I just can't!" Euphemia exclaimed in near panic as their forces were systematically torn down by the enemy.
The landslide had thinned their forces down by at least sixty percent.
"Do we have any more reserves?"
One of the officials shook his head to a negative. "All of our reserves were destroyed in the land slide or already deployed."
Suddenly, the three members of the Camelot Project appeared on the screen.
"Well hello there, the ASEEC crew reporting for duty!" Lloyd greeted with a sly grin.
"Insolence!" One of the generals shouted in annoyance.
"You're just irregulars. Your orders are to keep silent and observe." Another voiced out his disgust.
"Yes sir, normally we would but…" Cecile started to say before she was interrupted.
"But all this waiting around is extremely boring." Lloyd said flippantly. "Besides, you saw what that red Knightmare is doing to Cornelia's Gloucesters and no doubt the two advanced Knightmares that are already with the Black Knights are here as well. I think that is enough reason to deploy my Lancelot."
"What are you saying, you fool?" One of the officials sneered in irritation. "You think one unit alone can turn the tide of the entire battle. I believe you thought the same thing the last time you deployed that Knightmare."
"As a matter of fact, yes. You people did see what that landslide did to our forces. I can guarantee you that was caused by a single weapon. Combined with the three Knightmares that are destroying those Gloucesters and you can see the damage a single unit can do." Lloyd exclaimed, now looking annoyed. "I assure you that even with the two Knightmares that fought the Lancelot there before they won't be able do defeat it again."
"Sub-Viceroy Euphemia," Suzaku called out, finally speaking. "I beg of you! Give us the order to deploy!"
"Suzaku," Euphemia whispered as a smile made its ways to her face. "I understand and I trust you, you have my permission."
Lloyd let out a loud cheer as Suzaku smile at the princess.
"I won't fail you." Suzaku swore with a determine voice.
"I know you won't." Euphemia replied as the communication link was turn off.
Xxx
Naruto had finished off another group of Sutherlands when the vision of a familiar Knightmare appeared in his mind, having been spotted the Shadow Clones he left at the bottom of the mountain to stop the landslide. They moved to the hospital the Britannians set up behind their mobile headquarters and spotted the white Knightmare being launched.
"Zero, we have a new target moving up the mountain. It's the white Knightmare from Shinjuku." Naruto said through the private channel.
"What?" Lelouch questioned over the radio. "Are you sure?"
"Yep. It's the same one." Naruto nodded. "It's trying to meet up with Cornelia."
"Stop it, Seizan! It must not interfere!" Lelouch ordered, not wanting the white Knightmare to get in the way.
"Roger." Naruto smirked. "And C.C., I need you to do something."
"Hm? What is that?"
"We need to scare the Britannians and give Lelouch proof of who the pilot is. And the only way to do that is find an important target." Naruto explained.
"I see. And with the JLF distracting the rest of Cornelia's forces there is only one other target just as important as Cornelia herself."
"Think you can handle it?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?"
Xxx
Todoh pulled back from another grappling round with Guilford. "Damn it, he's fierce."
Guilford tossed out a chaos mine that opened up and released an endless barrage down on Todoh and his group.
"Scatter!" Todoh shouted as he moved out of the way.
All Burais managed to dodge just in time but the battle was not going as planned. Cornelia had escaped and they were at a standstill with her knights.
"Colonel, what about Cornelia?"
"If Zero is the man I think he is he's moving into position right now. We've got to trust him." Todoh answered.
"What?! Zero is on the move!?" Guilford shouted, having heard Villetta from her down cockpit.
"Right. Our team was wiped out by a new red Knightmare, most likely a new ace. There's no one else to come and back you up." Villetta answered.
"Never mind that now. Just track Zero." Guilford replied as he blocked another strike from Todoh.
"Yes sir." Villetta brought up a digital map. "This is his projected course."
Guilford's eyes widened when he saw where Zero was heading. "The Princess was trying to trap Todoh, now there's a Knightmare waiting for her!"
Xxx
"PRINCESS CORNELIA!"
"I got the message, Guilford." Cornelia said as she stared down her new opponent.
It wasn't one of the two advanced Knightmares that were Zero's aces but a new red one with a silver claw for a right hand and in the other hand was a sword. She had come here to plot a way to stop the Black Knights but it seemed her move had been anticipated and they sent someone after her. But it didn't matter as she would defeat this red Knightmare and finish off Zero once and for all.
Xxx
Suzaku inserted the key in and listened to humming sound of the Lancelot activating.
"Advanced weapon system Z-01 Lancelot, utilize sand panels to climb liquefied slope at full combat speed and rescue the Viceroy." Cecile instructed.
"Yes, My Lord." Suzaku answered.
"Suzaku…" Lloyd drawled, watching on the screen as the Warrant Officer moved the Lancelot Frame into launch position "There's one thing I want to ask you…More than anything, you hate when people die." He raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Yet you're in the military, why is that?"
"I'm in the military to stop people from dying." Suzaku replied, his features disciplined as he prepared to engage the enemy, and perhaps capture Zero.
The vigilante had to be brought to justice before his actions grew too far out of control.
"That self-contradiction will get you killed someday…"Lloyd pointed out with a bemused smile, only to yelp as Cecile grabbed him by the collar, dragging the man off-screen as the Sakuradite powered up, Lloyd's pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears.
"Lancelot…now launching." Suzaku declared, the white Knightmare tearing off the launch pad and making its way towards Cornelia's last reported location.
Xxx
"CORNELIA!" Kallen shouted, charging forward.
"Low-born scum!" Cornelia retaliated, thrusting her lance forward as she accelerated forward as well but was caught off guard as the Guren leapt out of the way, landing behind her.
Cornelia quickly launched her slash harkens into the wall of the cliff and pulled herself up as Kallen tried to grab her with the Guren's claw.
"What's this? That's not just a customized unit." Cornelia realized as the speed and agility of that red frame surpassing her Gloucester's.
It was only through her experience that she was able to dodge. Her computer beeped and she quickly disengaged her Slash Harkens as gunfire shot at her from behind.
"Can you hear me, Cornelia?" A familiar voice asked through the radio.
Cornelia looked up and saw black Knightmare frames standing above her with one having a golden helmet that resembled a samurai helmet.
"This is checkmate."
"Zero." Cornelia stated angrily, realizing that she was surrounded.
"Yes. Shall we celebrate our reunion?" Lelouch asked jokingly. "Of course you'll have to surrender to us first and after that there are a few questions I want to ask you."
Cornelia narrowed her eyes and bit her lip in frustration.
"And in case you haven't noticed your reinforcements won't get here in time. I win Cornelia." Lelouch continued.
Cornelia banged the end of her spear in the ground. "You're a fool, Zero." She turned her head to the Guren. "This one! If I take this one out I'm free and clear!"
She pulled out her assault rifle and pulled the trigger once she aimed at the red Knightmare but the Guren dodged all bullets easily by performing aerobatic stunts as it got in close. Cornelia fired a Slash Harken but the Guren caught it with its sword.
"You've got some moves!" Cornelia thrust her spear forward.
However the Guren caught the spear with its clawed hand and Kallen activated the Wave Surger, causing the spear to bulge. Cornelia's eyes widened as the red radiation traveled down her spear and into her arm. She quickly detached the arm before it took the rest of her Gloucester with it and exploded. Cornelia grunted as her remaining arm was littered with bullets, causing her to drop her assault rifle which exploded.
"Coward!" Cornelia shouted when she saw the gun in the hand of Zero's frame smoking. "Attacking from behind?!"
"Really? And your own attack methods don't show acts of cowardice?" Lelouch rhetorically asked. "Tell me, Q1, what do you think of Princess Cornelia?"
"Not very impressive." Kallen said thoughtfully. "Even Gottwald put up a better fight."
"You-you killed Gottwald?" Cornelia asked, struggling not to sound surprised.
"And his little friends too."
Cornelia grunted but took a deep breath. "Guilford. Guilford, my Knight, you and Darlton protect Euphie."
"Your Highness!"
"I won't surrender. As an Imperial Princess I'll fight to the last!" Cornelia declared.
"PRINCESS CORNELIA!" Guilford shouted.
However before Cornelia could charged forward a pair of hands grabbed her feet and pulled her down, leaving her Gloucester buried with only its head sticking out of the ground.
"WHAT?!" Cornelia shouted as Seizan rose up from the ground.
"You guys got stop falling for this old trick." Naruto chuckled. "No fight to the finish for you today, Princess."
"You…" Cornelia growled.
Once again she was helpless before this blue Knightmare that had appeared to suddenly, standing over her victoriously. The way it looked down at her, seeing her as defenseless prey made her boil with fury on the inside as she was literally reliving what happened at Saitama.
"So predictable." Lelouch scoffed.
Just as he was about to give the order to capture Cornelia something blasted through the mountain side, kicking up dust everywhere.
"Huh?!" Lelouch's eyes widened.
Kallen instinctively covered the Guren's face while Naruto simply stood and waited. Out of the dust came the Lancelot with the VARIS unit pointed straight ahead.
Xxx
"Oh my!" Cecile gasped, watching from the Camelot unit's base.
"As reckless as ever, hey?" Lloyd commented with an excited look. "He used the VARIS to clear the obstacles in his path. Now let's see Rakshata's toy handle it now!"
Xxx
"IT'S HERE!" Rakshata grinned, just as excited as Lloyd as she saw the Lancelot through Seizan's eyes. "Okay, Seizan, Guren, take that toy out and show that Earl of Pudding who's the mother of all Knightmares!"
Xxx
Suzaku landed next to Cornelia, seeing her Gloucester buried up to its head like the Lancelot had been in Shinjuku. He needed to get them away from her and call for help before the Princess suffocated when her Gloucester ran out of oxygen but that would take a half hour.
"Viceroy, are you all right? I came to help your highness."
"Special Corps, who authorized you?" Cornelia asked bewildered.
"Hey, isn't that-" Tamaki started.
"Yeah, the Knightmare from Shinjuku and Lake Kawaguchi." Ohgi nodded grimly.
"Well, well, well." Naruto spoke, catching the attention of Suzaku and Cornelia. "I see you managed to dig up that little toy of yours and you added a big ass rifle to it. You wouldn't be trying to compensate for that humiliating defeat I gave you last time would you?"
"Attention, Black Knights!" Suzaku pointed the VARIS at Seizan. "You are under arrest for terrorism and murder."
"That's a funny thing for you of all people to say, considering the state you guys are in. You sure you can fight me and protect Cornelia at the same time?" Naruto rhetorically asked as he pulled out his twin kodachi. "Q1, Zero, I will deal with this guy myself."
"Understood. Guren Mk-II, pull back and wait for the opening to take Cornelia." Lelouch ordered.
"Right." Kallen reluctantly complied as she pulled back.
Suzaku grunted as he pointed the VARIS at Seizan and started firing, not wishing to give it a chance to fight. However Naruto easily dodged the blasts and smirked as the Lancelot launched its foot at him.
"This is how you kick!" Naruto shouted as he leapt over the Lancelot's foot. "LEAF HURRICANE!"
He spun through the air and delivered a kick to the Lancelot's head that Suzaku tried to block with one arm but sheer force of the kick sent the Lancelot spiraling into the wall. Suzaku cried out as the Lancelot collided with the wall, leaving large cracks forming but it was otherwise fine.
'It's not only fast but strong.' Suzaku grunted. 'I can't let it get in close!'
Suzaku spun around and fired the VARIS again while pulling out a MVS sword, struggling to hit Seizan but the black and blue frame kept on dodging and making it look so easy. Thinking quickly he kicked out his other foot, sending the other Landspinner flying through the air towards Seizan. However Naruto easily sliced through the spinner and continued charging forward.
"Not good enough!" Naruto shouted.
Suzaku grunted as he pulled back, avoiding the kodachi that almost sliced the Lancelot's head off and leapt back through the air to gain some distance.
"Why do you keep on jumping back? Are you afraid of letting even a small part of me out of your sight?" Naruto rhetorically asked as Suzaku fired his shoulder Slash Harkens at him but Naruto activated his Wave Surgers and channeled the radiation and chakra through his swords, cutting the Harkens and reducing them to nothing. "That's stupid!"
Suzaku gritted his teeth as he spun out of the way and slashed at Naruto's back. Naruto raised his swords over Seizan's head and caught the sword easily.
"If you're so afraid of losing sight of me then you should get in close and take me out!" Naruto spun and pushed the sword away. "The only time distance has any meaning is in a battle between equals!"
He spun Seizan to face the Lancelot and slashed at its chest. Suzaku activated the Blaze Luminous in both arms to block the swords and they succeeded but Naruto started channelling chakra into the blades and the Lancelot's Blaze Luminous began absorbing the energy.
"Damn it!" Suzaku swore as his console flashed red. "He's overloading the Blaze Luminous again!"
Suzaku jumped back, leaping into the air and aiming the VARIS down on Seizan and fired. Naruto raised both swords and channelled his chakra into the blades as he swung and slashed through the VARIS's shell, cutting it in half and its pieces flew past Seizan as it wheeled past the shells. The shells exploded, highlighting Seizan's form and its ringed eyes seemed to glow from its shadowed form.
"It can cut through the VARIS?!" Suzaku whispered in awe and shock.
Naruto took advantage of the surprised Suzaku as he landed and slashed at its chest but Suzaku managed to pull back before the kodachi cut through the cockpit. However Suzaku didn't move out of the way completely and a large scratch was now present on the Lancelot's chest.
"As you can see, there is no distance between us at all. If I really want to, I could simply reach out and touch your heart." Naruto stated with a cold look as his Rinnegan replaced his blue eyes.
Suzaku could only pant as sweat poured down his head and he quickly pulled out the other MVS sword. 'I can't let him get past me. If I lose the Black Knights will take Cornelia!'
The tear at the chest had torn the armor covering the cockpit and it fell out, revealing the pilot to all who were watching.
"Hey is that-" Ohgi started with widened eyes.
"It's that Honorary Britannian that Zero rescued! He's piloting that Knightmare?!" Tamaki shouted in complete shock.
Lelouch and Kallen were silent in shock upon seeing the Lancelot's pilot, their fellow student at Ashford Academy, Suzaku Kururugi. Kallen was surprised that a nice guy like Suzaku, even though he was an Honorary Britannian was the pilot of the same Knightmare that was causing more trouble for them than even Cornelia. Not to mention the fact that Suzaku was the son of Genbu Kururugi, Japan's Prime Minister before Britannia invaded. How would the Japanese react when they realized the son of their deceased leader was a soldier of the enemy, a traitor?
Lelouch's skin had turned pale white in shock when he saw his best friend in the cockpit of the white Knightmare. He looked at Naruto and wondered if this was a joke.
'No, not even Naruto and his great love for playing pranks would ever consider pulling like this.' Lelouch thought, still trying to find some rational explanation for Suzaku piloting the white Knightmare.
"So, you're the one piloting this Knightmare, Honorary Britannian Kururugi Suzaku." Naruto stated coldly, remaining in a ready stance. "To think the same person who was accused of assassinating Prince Clovis was the same person I fought in Shinjuku. You have a lot of nerve using such a weapon against your own people."
"I'm protecting my people by serving the Empire. It's people like you who endanger lives by causing anarchy in a pointless struggle!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"Pointless?!" Kallen shouted, now feeling angry and was ready to attack the Lancelot. "How can you call it pointless when we're struggling to take our home back?! Our home that was plundered by Britannia and they stripped us of our culture and name!"
"We lost the war seven years ago! Britannia won, Japan lost! Why can't you understand that?!" Suzaku retaliated.
'Damn it, Suzaku! How can you support them?!' Lelouch gritted his teeth. 'They took from you just as much as they took from your people!'
"You say the Japanese should roll over and accept whatever brutality Britannia dishes out on them? Endure all the pain of being their lapdogs and slaves and just hoping for things to get better. Don't make me laugh." Naruto narrowed his eyes. "That's a load of bull shit. The Japanese may have lost the war but that did not dampen the determination to free their country or the hate they feel towards Britannia for its crimes and it never will as long as people still dream of a free Japan and as long as Britannia continues its racial beliefs."
"If they join the system and try hard enough they can change it from within! It can be done without blood! If you are try to change it through contemptible methods all you proving is that you are not interested in protecting the innocent!" Suzaku countered.
"So you would bow your head as your masters order you to commit massacres like the one in Shinjuku, or in Saitama that the woman you are protecting attempted if not for us stepping in, and we know if not for certain circumstances she would have sacrificed the hostages to kill the terrorists at Lake Kawaguchi. You call that without blood? What kind of soldier are you supposed to be?" Naruto said, starting to get angry. "If you refuse to understand then you are not only a fool but you are also a coward!"
"A coward?!" Suzaku's eyes widened before narrowing his eyes in anger.
"Yes, a coward! One who refuses to see the truth and ignores just how rotten your masters are and allow them to kill and oppress people, your own kin no less, to satisfy their so-called superiority and hope that if you bow your head and submit to that them that they'll actually get off their fat asses decide to start being nice. Let me make this warning perfectly clear, you will not be able to change Britannia no matter how many times you kiss their collective asses, it'll be the same each and every day until you die or realize the utter foolishness of your beliefs! The Japanese along with the rest of the Areas will never accept their rights, pride, and home being taken from them!" Naruto said coldly. "Now if we're done with the philosophies shut up and fight!"
Suzaku quickly fired another shot at the ground in front of Naruto, creating an explosion of dust then he put away the VARIS and pulled out his other MVS sword, preparing himself for his rematch with the blue Knightmare. He lunged through the dust and tried to bisect Seizan but Naruto easily dodged despite the Lancelot's speed.
"So it's as fast as Lancelot too!" Suzaku realized as he narrowly avoided another slash from Naruto's own MVS swords.
As Suzaku attacked again Naruto blocked both swords and then lashed out with a kick that sent the Lancelot staggering backwards. Naruto aimed to cut the Lancelot's arms off but Suzaku quickly activated the Blaze Luminous causing the swords to bounce off the shields.
'He's fighting better than he did in Shinjuku.' Naruto thought as Suzaku fired his hip mounted Slash Harkens at Seizan. "But it's still not enough!"
He dodged the Lancelot's Harkens and lashed out with his swords but the Lancelot jumped, flipping and twisting over Naruto who turned and fired his shoulder Slash Harkens at the airborne white Knightmare. However in an impressive display of fast reflexes Suzaku cut the Harkens with his MVS swords as he landed on the ground and then lunged at Seizan, aiming his swords at Seizan's chest.
"You're mine now!" Suzaku shouted through the Lancelot's speakers.
"Not even close!" Naruto replied as he launched his right MVS kunai through the right launcher, impacting the MVS sword in the Lancelot's left hand and in a burst of chakra and radiant wave energy the sword was instantly destroyed and the kunai stabbed the Lancelot's shoulder.
Suzaku grunted as he pulled back and the MVS kunai retracted back into the launcher. The shoulder sparked from the damage but it was still usable so he quickly discarded the remains of the now broken MVS sword in his right hand and grabbed the VARIS rifle.
'I can't let him use those Harkens again.' Suzaku thought, keeping himself calm even though he still sweating.
'They're all focused on us now. C.C. should be in position by now.' Naruto could see through C.C.'s eyes that she was close to her target.
Xxx
C.C. spotted the G-1 once she finally made it down the mountain, her Rinnegan spotting the eight Sutherlands and the Sakuradite powering them surrounding the large structure.
"Found you." C.C. whispered as she started channeling chakra through her gloves. "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
A white mist enveloped the entire area, covering everything and making it impossible for anyone at the window to see the mountain.
Euphie looked up from the console and noticed the mist. 'This mist, where did it-'
"GAH!"
"What's happening?!"
"We're under at-"
Through the mist Shinryoku moved silently and dispatched its enemies with lethal precision and taking them out before they could even blink. C.C. remembered the story Naruto told her of Zabuza Momochi who had the title Demon of the Mist because he was an expert in the silent kill technique and liked to use mists as cover.
'Well, I'm already a Witch. Perhaps I'm now the Witch who hides in the Mist to steal young maidens so I can eat them.' C.C. grinned manically as she dispatched another Sutherland.
"What's happening out there?" Euphemia walked to the window to get a better look.
She saw sparks of light through the mist but nothing else.
"Princess Euphemia, we must-"
The G-1 was suddenly rocked by a sudden shake and the sound of explosions rang out around the mobile base. The legs were cut and the weapons were destroyed leaving it completely helpless. Euphie cried as she fell on her back from the intense vibrations.
"Princess Euphemia!
The aids would have run to help her up but everyone froze as a large shadow fell over them. They looked up and saw a green and black Knightmare with purple ringed eyes staring at them.
"Princess Euphemia li Britannia, we meet again." The voice of the woman who wore an avian mask that Euphie had met before during the terrorist crisis at the Kawaguchi hotel said through the speakers. "I believe you remember the last time we met at Lake Kawaguchi?"
Euphie could only stare at the green Knightmare in stunned and frightened silence.
"Run Princess!" A man took out his gun to shoot but Shinryoku smashed the windows open, sending shards flying and making everyone jump back in shock but luckily no one was hurt.
"Don't interrupt me. Princess Euphemia, as you probably remember we are not in the business of targeting civilians which was why we allowed you to leave last time despite your political status. This time though that's not the case as you are now a legitimate military target, making you just as important as your sister. So now I offer you the same choice we offered your sister when we fought her in Saitama, you can either surrender yourself now and become a prisoner of war or I'll destroy this base and everyone in it." The woman said in dark tone as the Knightmare held out its hand. "And like before this offer expires in ten seconds."
Euphie stared in silent fear with small tears coming down her face but she quickly stepped onto the Knightmare's hand.
"Princess no!" An aid shouted.
"You must be scared to death but you still step forward to save everyone's lives. How courageous." The woman stated, the Knightmare looking down at her with what almost looked like a soft expression. "Time to go."
Shinryoku vanished into the mist.
"Attention all remaining forces! The G-1 has been attacked and Princess Euphemia has been captured!" A man shouted into the radio.
The transmission was intercepted by C.C. who transmitted it on all channels.
Xxx
"Attention all remaining forces! The G-1 has been attacked by an enemy Knightmare and Princess Euphemia has been captured!"
"What?!" Guilford paused in mid-battle with Todoh. "Princess Euphemia was captured?!"
Xxx
"How can that be?! The G-1 would have had a full squad of Knightmares to protect it!" Darlton shouted in shock and horror upon hearing of Euphemia's capture.
Xxx
"Attention all remaining forces! The G-1 has been attacked by an enemy Knightmare and Princess Euphemia has been captured!"
Cornelia's heart nearly stopped when she heard the transmission. "WHAT?!"
Suzaku stopped in mid-battle, freezing when he heard the transmission. "What?!"
Lelouch's eyes widened. "What?!"
"The Knightmare responsible was the black and green Knightmare seen with Zero."
"The green Knightmare!" Suzaku's eyes widened in horror. "I forgot about it! It's not here with the blue one!"
"So she made it after all."Naruto commented thoughtfully.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SISTER?!" Cornelia shouted, struggling to move her Gloucester but it was completely buried thus it was unable to move.
"Did you not notice someone missing? After all, Zero had another female ace before our new red friend here." Naruto gestured to the Guren. "Don't tell me you forgot about our green friend."
Suzaku's eyes widened even further. "No…She couldn't have made it all way to the G-1!"
"She did and it was easy to take out the home guard with the entire Royal Guard and the only advanced Knightmare they have all the way out here. Did you really think there wasn't a chance someone couldn't slip by all your forces that were busy with the Black Knights and the JLF to attack the home base or that we would only target Cornelia when we found out Euphemia was present as well?" Naruto rhetorically asked. "Once again Cornelia your pride as the Goddess of Victory has cost you the battle, victory itself has defeated you."
'C.C. managed to capture Euphie?!' Lelouch realized with widened eyes. 'This wasn't part of the plan! Damn it, Naruto you and C.C. are acting on your own again!'
"DAMN YOU! LET HER GO!" Cornelia struggled harder to break free but she couldn't move an inch. "COWARDS!"
"She's done nothing to you! You even praised her for helping with the terrorists at Lake Kawaguchi! Are you that cold hearted that you'd kill anyone in your way?!" Suzaku shouted, ready to attack and bust his way through the blue Knightmare to go rescue Euphie.
"You speak as if she was killed, not captured and for the record she became a military target the moment she stepped out into the field even if she only stayed back to monitor the battle. You two seem have trouble understanding that this is real war whether you label us as terrorists or not and the point of the battle is to make your enemy bleed and go after high ranked targets to leave the enemy army in disarray. Even if we fail to capture Cornelia we still managed to capture the Sub-Viceroy and another member of Britannian Royalty." Naruto retorted. "Now then, let's finish this."
"Let her go!" Suzaku shouted as he charged forward, aiming the VARIS rifle and ready to pull the trigger.
'Let's test this out.' Naruto thought as he put away one sword and charged forward. 'All I need is an attack with enough power and force to overload it and I know just the one.'
A bright blue light appeared in Seizan's right hand, looking like a spiraling sphere that grew in size. Naruto had to appreciate the fact that it was extremely cool to make a Rasengan using Seizan and that his Knightmare probably had better control of it than he did when he was first learning how to master the technique.
"Say hello…" Naruto thrust his arm forward. "To the Rasengan!"
The spiraling orb collided with the Lancelot's VARIS as it fired, causing a bright burst of light with tendrils of blue energy flying surrounding both Knightmares as the Lancelot was slowly being pushed back, its feet skidding through the ground. The Rasengan blasted through the shell from the VARIS, shredding the VARIS and then continued into the arm, blowing it apart instantly. The Lancelot's cockpit flashed red while Suzaku stared with widened eyes at the destroyed arm. The cockpit sparked with electricity from the chakra that went through the destroyed arm and shocked Suzaku along with short circuiting most of the Lancelot's systems.
The rest of the chakra interacting with Sakuradite scattered throughout the frame overloaded the Lancelot's power systems, burning the power filter out and shutting the Lancelot down.
"What's happening?!" Suzaku struggled to move but everything went dead and the Lancelot fell over like a puppet that had its strings cut.
"It's over." Naruto said as Seizan stood over the Lancelot victoriously. "Your good but you still fight poorly. Both your skills and your reasons for fighting are weak."
'It can't be! It's got to work!' Suzaku grunted as he kept on trying to do something, lift an arm, a leg, even a finger. 'Damn it! Work! I have to save her!'
Xxx
"MY LANCELOT! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY LANCELOT?!" Lloyd shouted when all power readings from the Lancelot went beyond the safety measure and then instantly died.
Cecile could only stare at the readings, wondering what could have overloaded all of the Lancelot's systems.
Xxx
"OH DEAR! DID MY CHILD BREAK YOUR LITTLE TOY EARL OF PUDDING?!" Rakshata laughed like a lunatic as she stood up danced around her couch, having watched the whole battle through her shared vision with Naruto and Seizan. "THAT'S MY LITTLE AWESOME KNIGHTMARE! YOU MAKE MOMMY SO PROUD!"
Honestly, she felt like running all the way to Japan and giving Naruto a full tongue kiss for once again coming out on top with her child easily taking down Lloyd's creation.
Xxx
'Wow...' Kallen stared in awe what had happened.
'Is this the power of the Seventh Generation Knightmare?' Cornelia thought in awe and frustration. 'How did these terrorists gain such advanced technology?'
"Good work, Seizan. Now let's move in and capture Cornelia." Lelouch said, wishing to take control of the situation.
"Right." Kallen nodded as she and Naruto approached the down Gloucester.
"Wait!" Suzaku leapt out of his cockpit and pulled out a pistol.
Lelouch quickly fired a warning in front of Suzaku that made him jump back with a shout and fall back into the Lancelot's cockpit.
"Stand down, Kururugi!" Lelouch said coldly. "This battle has ended."
Suzaku would have tried again but Naruto picked up a boulder and slammed it into the cockpit, trapping Suzaku inside.
"That'll hold him. Now then…" Naruto turned Seizan around and walked towards Cornelia's Knightmare.
Cornelia wanted to scream, punch, and kick as they approached. Becoming a prisoner of terrorists was a major blow to her reputation and honor but she couldn't, not if she wanted to find out where they took Euphie. At the very least they would be together and she could protect Euphie from whatever torture Zero had planned.
"Now then," Seizan placed its hand on the ground around the Gloucester and the softened enough that Naruto was able to pull the Gloucester up, at least enough of it out that Cornelia could get out of the cockpit.
It was then Cornelia realized that wouldn't have been long before she had possibly died of oxygen deprivation once the Gloucester's energy filter ran out.
"Now exit the cockpit or I'll tear it open." Naruto stated calmly but held his sword out to show he was serious.
Cornelia gritted her teeth as she was about to open the hatch, swearing she would get her revenge on Zero and the Black Knights for humiliating her and taking Euphie. She opened the hatch and slowly stepped out, glaring up at the blue Knightmare.
"Zero, look!" Ohgi shouted, his Burai pointing to the sky.
Everyone stopped and looked up to see a large number of VTOL gunships approaching.
"For Princess Cornelia and Princess Euphemia!" Those words echoed through the radio.
"They called in an airstrike!" Lelouch gritted his teeth. 'C.C. took Euphie and in response they called in a massive air strike. Too many even with Naruto and Kallen here.' "Retreat!"
"What? We got her!" Tamaki protested.
"This is quickly becoming a war of attrition and we won't last long if we stay and try to capture Cornelia while fighting them off at the same time." Lelouch responded. "All Black Knights, retreat to your exit points."
"Right." Ohgi nodded and took off with Tamaki.
"WAIT! COME BACK HERE!" Cornelia shouted as the Knightmares turned away, desperate to find her sister. She pulled out her pistol and shot at Zero's Knightmare as it vanished into the forest. "IT'S ME YOU WANT, ZERO SO COME AND TAKE ME! COME BACK YOU COWARD!"
Her shouts went unheard as the Knightmares all retreated from the location. Cornelia fell to her knees banged her fists on the armor of her Gloucester and let out a scream of pain and anguish that echoed throughout the entire mountain.
"EUPHIE!"
Xxx
"Seizan, where's Shinryoku?" Lelouch asked through the radio.
"Hiding out in a cave, off the beaten path with Princess Euphemia." Naruto answered. "You and Q1, take off. I'll head over to their location."
"Seizan, this isn't what we planned." Lelouch said with a scowl.
"I know but they launched the white Knightmare on Euphemia's orders so we had a chance to find who the pilot is." Naruto replied. "Don't worry, we won't hurt her or keep her for very long. She's only the Sub-Viceroy so she doesn't have nearly as much influence as Cornelia."
"You captured her to find out who the pilot was?" Kallen asked curiously though knowing it was now moot since they now knew who the pilot was.
"Talk later, move now." Naruto said as he sped off.
'Typical. He always alters the plan in the middle of the operation and C.C. always agrees with him. It's annoying but they know enough to make sure that even if things go south that they can change enough of the plan to counter any situation.' Lelouch thought. 'We still failed to capture Cornelia again but we got to test the Guren and it performed well, even better than what I expected.'
At the very least they defeated Cornelia's forces again and no doubt even more people would flock to the Black Knights and their cause. In the meantime Lelouch was trying purposely to not think about Suzaku and his newly revealed status as the pilot of the white Knightmare and the problem he could cause in the future.
Xxx
Euphemia took the moment to admire the interior of the cave she was in, having almost never seen such natural beauty in her life. She was following the cloaked woman named Shinryoku deeper into the cave and even though she could have tried to run she doubted she would get very far. She felt something from this woman, a feeling of great power rolling off her in waves.
"What do you think of this little hideaway, Princess?" Shinryoku stopped in front of an underground lake. "Can't say you have seen many places like this, can you?"
"I haven't." Euphie admitted. "I've seen all forms of Britannian art and architecture since I was a child but I did like to try and explore any nearby forests with…" She trailed off when she thought of her favourite siblings.
"Hm…" Shinryoku sat down and looked at the lake.
"I know I agreed to be your prisoner but why am I here and not in some kind of cell?" Euphie asked, unable to mask her curiosity.
"You are a prisoner of war for as long as I, Seizan, or Zero decides but since you are with me the manner of how you are treated or where you are held is up to me and I have no patience to drag you to some dirty cell." Shinryoku dryly answered. "Besides, are you seriously going to question me on how I decide to handle on where and how a prisoner is treated when the JLF and most of the Japanese wouldn't be so accommodating, especially to a Princess of Britannia?"
Euphie flinched. "Uh…right."
"Don't worry, we have no interest in you other than a passing curiosity. Cornelia is the head of the Area's military thus making her in Zero's eyes target number one. The reason you are here is actually because of Seizan, who you already met." Shinryoku continued, just staring at the lake.
"Seizan?" Euphie remembered the fox masked man from that night.
"Yes. He's developed an interest in you for a few reasons and wished to meet you, away from the eyes of Cornelia and Zero." Shinryoku clarified.
"Why would he want to speak to me?" Euphie questioned. "What makes me so special? I'm only the Sub-Viceroy."
"There's more to you than that."
Euphie turned around and watched as the man with the fox mask named Seizan walked into the cave.
"Unlike your sister, in fact unlike most Britannians you are not driven with the same mindset. I have never heard you speak ill of the Japanese, never referring to them as Elevens or any derogatory term even once, risking your life for the hostages at Lake Kawaguchi when your sister would have sacrificed them to kill the terrorists and valuing innocent life above the success of any military operation." Seizan stopped just a few feet from Euphemia. "As a member of the Britannian Royal Family one would think you would embody the typical attitude towards anyone of non-Britannian blood."
"I don't believe in that." Euphie frowned, hating the fact that this man believed she was like that. "The pointless violence, stripping people of their homes and labelling them as numbers instead of people. It's just…it's just…wrong."
"Britannia lives by the creed that all men are not born equal and that only the strong survive." Seizan pointed out.
"We may not be born equal but we are created equal." Euphie replied, standing tall and proud like her sister taught. "True equality is not an issue of gender, race, or social standing but the universal right of all humanity."
These words seemed to surprise Seizan as he tilted his head and remained silent for a moment. "You are a unique person amongst your family, Princess Euphemia. Truly, it is a pity that they do not share your ideals. Now I have a question."
"Huh?" Euphie wondered what he was going to ask.
"In your mind, what does it take to bring true peace?"
"True peace?" Euphie repeated softly.
"Yes. True peace, as in a world where there is not constant fighting, hatred, and death. Many people have come with their own ideas of peace. They believe peace could be achieved through force, power, love, understanding, and so much more but their ideals of peace clashed with each other and ironically they never truly gave peace a chance as they constantly fought over who was right." Seizan explained. "They were so proud, so convinced they were right that they believe anyone else's idea of peace was wrong and led to greater conflict. Britannia's idea of peace is obviously through conquest but what is yours?"
"Why would ask me a question like that? What about what you and Zero are doing? You're committing terrorism and destabilizing the Area. Why you ask me what true peace is?" Euphemia pointed out.
"This so called Area was once home to a proud people who lost it to conquerors who took their land, culture, and identity and left them to live in ruins they once called home while their rulers grow fat off their suffering. It was never stable to begin with and it was only a matter of time before someone like Zero rose up. This is not their fault; this is your homeland's fault for hurting, torturing, and killing them for the past seven years. This is not true peace; it's a farce, a mask of indifference to the suffering of the world." Seizan answered with a cold tone, noticing Euphemia flinching from either the tone or the truth in his words. "I ask you because you not only different in your beliefs you are different because you not the Emperor. So tell me, what do you believe is actual peace?"
Euphie was silent for a few minutes before coming up with an answer. "Peace is not achieved through conquest, or defeating your enemy. To bring peace you must…find a way to overcome your hate. Show people that violence is wrong through simple acts of kindness and love, protect those who can't protect themselves, and heal their wounds so they won't have to live a life of pain and suffering and strive to show them they can live without violence!"
She cried out the last part because she spent so much time holding in her believes because her sister kept her from speaking out, fearing what would happen if their father heard her views. To be able to speak her mind felt so refreshing that she couldn't help it.
"Like I said, it's truly a pity that you are the possibly the only one amongst your family to have such great ideals." Seizan remarked with a tone of approval. "If you were sitting on the throne instead of your father I have no doubt the world would be a much different place."
"Thank you." Euphie said softly, wondering why he asked her that question. "Why are you so curious?"
Seizan walked past Euphie and looked across the lake. "Zero believes that peace can only be achieved if Britannia is destroyed, seeing it as a blight on the world with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. It hasn't occurred to him it's impossible to make the world a better place if the western hemisphere destroyed and left vulnerable for the other powers to swoop and peck at Britannia's corpse like vultures. While I work with him we both have different ideas on how to bring about peace."
"And what is your idea?" Euphie asked, genuinely curious.
"If there is to be peace then it must be made with the right people deciding that the wars must end. People who not afraid to voice their thoughts on how people should be treated, Britannian, Japanese, or otherwise. People who are capable of bringing them all together for a single vision." Seizan slowly answered. "In my mind, that will take more than just the Black Knights and Zero but it's possible. It'll be slow and hardworking and the path filled with sweat, blood, and tears as you must first convince yourself peace is possible, then another person, then a group, a country, and then…the world."
A drop fell from the ceiling, echoing throughout the now silent cave.
"Seizan…" Euphie whispered, having listened to every word the man had said.
This man, he seemed different from the rest of the terrorists, even different from Zero. For the brief second she entertained the idea of asking him if she could see his face.
"Hmm…Perhaps we should end our conversation here." Seizan turned around and faced her. "Your sister is bound to be worried sick about you."
Euphie's eyes widened. Worried sick was not the word to describe Cornelia as it most likely that her older sister would do everything to keep her back in the Viceroy Palace and under constant every guard and no doubt never leave her out of her sight, not even to go to the bathroom.
"It's been a pleasure meeting you, Princess Euphemia." Seizan took Euphie's hand and slid his mask up enough to kiss it. "Hopefully we'll meet again."
He slid a radio into her hand and smirked at the shade of pink covering Euphie's cheeks and stepped back.
"This will lead Cornelia straight to you." Seizan and Shinryoku slipped into the shadows and were gone, leaving Euphie alone in the cave. "Oh, and if your sister asks why we wanted you, you can go ahead and tell her we wanted information on the pilot of the white Knightmare."
Euphie's eyes widened but they were gone before she could ask them if they knew about Suzaku being the pilot of the Lancelot.
Euphie sighed and held up the radio and quickly picked an open channel. "To anyone out there, this is Princess Euphemia li Britannia, requesting pick up. I repeat, this is Princess Euphemia li Britannia, requesting pick up."
The instant Cornelia heard her voice on the radio she hijacked the nearest Gloucester and shot up the mountain where the signal was coming from.
It stopped right in front of the cave and when her factsphere spotted Euphie Cornelia led out a joyful cry. "EUPHIE!"
She jumped out of the cockpit when she pulled the Gloucester to a stop and rushed towards her sister, enveloping her in a tight hug which Euphie happily returned.
Cornelia then started checking her little sister over for injuries. "Are you all right? Did they hurt you anywhere?"
"I'm fine sister." Euphie smiled. "I'm fine."
Xxx
Lelouch hopped out of his Burai as Seizan and Shinryoku stopped and powered down. Lelouch and Kallen made it to the rendezvous point they had set up with Zero's aces and had been waiting for a three minutes before they arrived.
"Well, all things considered that didn't end so bad." Naruto as he hopped off his Knightmare and landed on the ground.
"The point of the mission was to capture Cornelia, not Euphemia." Lelouch scowled, trying to not to think of Suzaku being the Lancelot's pilot.
"We know but at the same time we also know that it's not easy to keep to a plan in the heat of battle. We saw an opportunity and exploited it." C.C. shrugged as she stood next to Naruto. "That's the whole point of a battle, see an opportunity and exploit it."
"So where is Princess Euphemia?" Kallen asked.
"Left her back in a cave for Cornelia to find her. She's only the Sub-Viceroy and not our real target but on the bright side we managed to find out who is the pilot of the white Knightmare, the Lancelot." Naruto answered.
"All this time…" Kallen looked down at the ground as she clenched her fists. "All this time he was fighting against us. His own people, all because he doesn't have the balls to stand up to Britannia. He'd rather we bow our heads to them, thinking we need to adapt…How the hell can he justify something like that?!"
"It seems we were not the only ones with secrets." C.C. mused.
"It's impossible…" Lelouch turned to a tree and punched it as hard as possible. "It's impossible!"
"Lelouch!" Kallen grabbed Lelouch's arm, noticing the red stains on the now torn glove. "Hitting a tree isn't going to help. I know you guys are friends but there's nothing we can do about it if it's true."
"Why? He should have as much reason to hate Britannia as the rest of us! They invaded his homeland, his father committed suicide because of them, so why is he helping them?!" Lelouch tore his arm free of Kallen's grip. "How could he even become the pilot of a Knightmare like that anyhow?!"
"The Lancelot was built by a science division not part of the military. No matter what their attitude is towards Numbers it's possible for Honorary Britannians to be used as test subjects for new weaponry, including Knightmare Frames." C.C. offered calmly. "Suzaku would have had to achieve a high performance rate to become the pilot."
"Look, Lelouch, whether you want to believe it or not it's the truth and there's nothing we can do to change the fact that Suzaku is working with Britannia." Naruto stepped forward. "We can wonder why he's working for them later but right now we have to move. We're still close enough that an enemy Knightmare could spot us."
Lelouch and Kallen looked at them and nodded, deciding to put their questions on hold for now. Naruto was right, they needed to get out before they were discovered.
"C.C." Lelouch called out, making the green haired girl stop and look at him. "I don't know why snow is white, but I know it's beautiful like Naruto said. Don't hate it."
C.C. looked at Lelouch with a surprised look before nodding. "I see."
'Well, he's finally coming around.' Naruto thought with a smile.
Xxx
A truck was that driving through the empty town came to sudden stop as someone came onto the road. The person was obviously injured as he was limping and using a walking stick to keep himself on his two feet with a hand clutching his left eye. The man fell to his knees as the truck screeched to a halt just before hitting him.
"Great another soldier." A man in lab coat groaned as the drive tried to make the man move by hocking at him.
"I can't fail again…Zero!" The man, Jeremiah Gottwald cried out as he collapsed onto the ground.
*Chapter 11*: Chapter 11Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Suzaku groaned as he awoke, his eyes taking in the sight of the ceiling above him. 'Where…where am I?'
"Suzaku, are you all right?" Cecile's concerned face came into view.
"Cecile? What happened?" Suzaku asked quietly, wondering why his throat felt so dry.
"You passed out from heatstroke and dehydration. The Lancelot was completely disabled and you couldn't get out because of a large rock jammed into the cockpit. We had to pry the cockpit open to get you out but you were already unconscious when we found you." Cecile explained, a look relief on her face. "We managed to find you by tracking the Lancelot's last known coordinates."
'Oh right…THE BATTLE!' Suzaku sat up with an alarmed look as he remembered. "Princess Euphemia!"
"Don't worry!" Cecile put her hands on Suzaku's shoulders to push him back down. "Princess Euphemia is safe. They found her."
"They…found her." Suzaku whispered as Cecile pushed him back down.
"Yes, they found her near a cave. She's okay." Cecile nodded.
'She's safe.' Suzaku closed his eyes as he sighed in relief. 'I'm glad…but he did it again. I challenged that Knightmare and I lost again. No matter what I do, Zero and his two Knightmares are always one step ahead, undermining the system and inciting chaos and not even Euphemia, someone who did never anything to him was endangered because of his madness.'
"Yes, the Princess is perfectly fine…" Lloyd's voice called out, sounding so sweet it was almost sickening as he walked in with a dangerous smile. "Which is more than I can say for you, Kururugi. Exactly, WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY LANCELOT?!"
Suzaku's eyes widened as he briefly wondered if he was better off dying of heatstroke, especially when he saw foam coming out of Lloyd's mouth.
Xxx
General Bartley was torn between feeling relief and feeling very afraid.
He was no longer a prisoner and was being sent back to Area Eleven with the blessing of the Emperor himself. The bad news is that the Emperor revealed he knew the secret project he and Prince Clovis had been working on and had a new project in mind for him.
"General Bartley, due to my son Clovis's death you are no longer in charge of Project Code-R. Though you failed to produce the intended results that my son wished for you will have the chance to achieve something greater." The Emperor gazed down through the computer screen at Bartley with a look that made Bartley feel like he was an ant about to be squished.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Bartley dropped to one knee and bowed, trying to keep himself from shaking.
"Before the test subject was shipped to Area Eleven there was a second subject that stayed in the lab in India for two weeks before escaping. The scientists extracted blood samples and discovered something…interesting." The Emperor stated with a small smile that would have made Bartley shake even harder if he looked up from the floor. "The first test subject had remarkable regenerative abilities while the other possessed strange powers."
"Strange powers, Your Majesty?" Bartley hesitantly asked.
"Yes. The source of the first test subject's regenerative power was called the Code, a great power that induces immortality as a side effect." The Emperor continued.
'A side-effect? What causes immortality as a side effect?' Bartley wondered.
"You will be given a batch of suitable test subjects that are already being gathered in Area Eleven. I want you to inject the blood of both test subjects to see if these powers can be duplicated." The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "I expect there to be results or you will face more than a mere stripping of your rank."
"Y-Yes Your Majesty!" Bartley quickly replied with sweat pouring down his head. He could not fail this time or he'll wish he'd remained a prisoner.
"And you will answer to them." The Emperor smirked at something behind Bartley.
Bartley looked over his shoulder and gasped. "Y-You? It can't be!"
Xxx
"You're saying the blue Knightmare made a sphere of spiraling energy that collided with the shields and that it overloaded Lancelot?" Lloyd asked, interrogating Suzaku about what happened to the Lancelot and watching it on the recording of the fight taken from the Lancelot.
Suzaku nodded. "Yes. I probably should have dodged considering what happened when I used the shields to block something from that Knightmare in Shinjuku. I fired the VARIS just as the Knightmare was in front of me but the it's attack overpowered the VARIS and destroyed the Lancelot's arm and I also think it overloaded the Lancelot for some reason."
Lloyd shared a look with Cecile who seemed surprised. "Overloaded…How could it-"
"Yes, it seems Rakshata somehow figured out the weakness of the Lancelot, possibly by observing the scanning data from her Knightmares." Lloyd nodded with a rare frown on his face.
"What do you mean?" Suzaku asked, wondering what Lloyd meant.
"The Blaze Luminous works absorbing excess energy and circles it through the entire Frame. It was done by the heavy amount of Sakuradite scattered throughout the Frame. If it were to absorb too much energy it would overload the entire frame." Cecile explained.
Lloyd finished. "Thus short circuiting the poor Lancelot. However from the scanning data we received from the fight it seems the Yggdrasil Drive was overloaded by large amounts of energy that disrupted Lancelot's systems. It's possible that happened because of the attack that destroyed the Lancelot's arm." Lloyd frowned deeply at that, something that is not seen often on his face. "What doesn't make sense is that the amount of energy that overloaded the Lancelot was enormous, insanely enormous I might add."
"That's right. The scanning data we received registered a strange energy signature interacting with the Lancelot's system before it was overloaded. It measured over a thousand percent increase that destabilized and overloaded the Core Luminous." Cecile said, remembering the scanning data. "It's impossible for any Knightmares to have an energy filter with that amount of power."
"At the very least the Lancelot is still in one piece and we can easily repair it. We'll just have to use the non additional charge conducting particles correct this weakness." Lloyd sighed. "It'll be expensive but it can be done."
"Unfortunately that means the Lancelot will be out of commission as we work on repairing it. It'll take a while to replace the destroyed arm along with the power systems." Cecile sighed with Lloyd. "And let's not forget how much it'll cost to fully replace everything."
"In the mean time I can only wonder what that energy sphere was." Lloyd grinned again. "Rakshata's Wave Surger usually expands radiant wave energy outwards, much like a shield similar to the Blaze Luminous but from what you have explained, Suzaku, it sounds like Rakshata found a way to compact that energy into a sphere, containing large amounts of energy that can overload or destroy anything it touches. Did you manage to damage that Knightmare?"
Suzaku's face turned grim. "I came upon Princess Cornelia being pinned down by a red Knightmare with a strange claw. I was about to engage it when that blue Knightmare showed up and I tried to fight it. I managed to fight it to a standstill before it used that energy sphere and overloaded the Lancelot."
"Red Knightmare?" Lloyd looked even more interested as he stared at the image of the red Knightmare, specifically its claw. "A new Knightmare in Zero's possession? And a claw, you say? That's definitely Rakshata's work."
"Rakshata made another one?" Cecile asked, sounding surprised even though she shouldn't.
"Fascinating. Things are just getting more interesting." Lloyd began imagining all sorts of Knightmares that were as deadly and powerful with pilots as skilled as the ones in the Knightmares Zero had in his possession.
"You know what thing was?" Suzaku questioned.
"If what you say is true then this red Knightmare was what caused the landslide." Lloyd answered.
"What?!" Suzaku's eyes went wide as dinner plates.
"Looks like it heated underground water inside the mountain and created an artificial avalanche." Lloyd continued.
"How could they?" Suzaku whispered as he clenched his fist as an angry look appeared on his face. "That landslide could have killed thousands of civilians!"
"Actually the city was evacuated on Princess Euphemia's orders and even then the avalanche stopped on the outskirts." Lloyd shook his head. "Seems like someone calculate how much energy would be needed because it wasn't used at full blast. Meaning that Zero intentionally held off because he knew that the city would be buried."
"That still doesn't excuse them! What if the city wasn't evacuated in time?" Suzaku asked, still angry.
"It's the price of new inventions, I'm afraid. Simulated results and real life applications are different." Lloyd shrugged. "Not that it matters now. We'll have to work on installing newer and safer shields to better handle that energy sphere."
"Yes, you should rest now, Suzaku. You had a long day." Cecile nodded with a smile.
Suzaku sighed but relented, knowing that Cecile wouldn't let him leave if he tried to get up.
Xxx
C.C. grunted as she tried to fight the sun shining down on her face as she rolled over but found there was no warm body for her to snuggle up to. "Naruto, where are you?"
"Sorry, couldn't sleep." Naruto was looking out the window of their room.
"Can you do something about the sun? It's too early." C.C. grumbled as she pulled the covers over her head.
"Come on, Cera, you know that the sun rises when it's supposed to rise. Not even the Rikudo Sennin himself could change the time when the sun rises, even though he probably could but never did." Naruto smirked.
"Perhaps I should try and find out." C.C.'s voice was slightly muffled by the covers.
"You'd really try?" Naruto smirked.
"If you don't come over here and give me something to hold I will." C.C. tried to sound threatening but a yawn from her dimmed down the threatening tone.
Naruto chuckled. "Your addicted, you know that."
"I'm not; I just want what is mine." C.C. sat up and removed the covers to show a bit of her body to him. "Are you not addicted?"
"Playing the old trick on me? What happens if someone wakes up and knocks on the door?" Naruto mused.
"We tell them to go away or die a horrible death." C.C. said simply as she held out her arms. "Now come…"
Naruto smiled and came over to the bed, allowing C.C. to pull him down onto it and kiss him on the lips which he returned in full force.
"Hey, Cera?" Naruto said when they pulled away.
"Yes?"
"You asked something of me on my birthday, remember?"
"I remember. It was something I wanted you to say." C.C. said with a smile.
"You asked me to say something," Naruto leaned in and whispered in her ear. "You wanted to me say it with love and tenderness."
"Yes?" C.C. closed her eyes and she nuzzled against Naruto's neck.
"I love you…Cera Celeste." Naruto whispered.
A tear fell down C.C.'s cheek as her smile literally glowed like the sun. "And I love you, Naruto Uzumaki."
Xxx
"The Japan Liberation Front was nearly wiped out by your Narita operation Viceroy. Now we are hunting down the survivors one by one."
"Are you being sarcastic? We're barely pulling our forces back together after that fiasco." Cornelia was not in a good mood; actually saying she was not in a good mood would be a bit of an understatement.
The annoying bureaucrats kept on spewing nonsense but she could barely listen to them. It hadn't even been a day and she couldn't help but think of how bad the battle had gone. She had gone into battle, confident that victory would be hers over the Japan Liberation Front and once again Zero had humiliated her and almost captured her if not for another form of unexpected help from an air strike the staff at the G1 had called in but that wasn't what had angered her.
It was the fact that his knights had temporarily captured Euphie despite the protection the G1 should have had, defeated both her and the Lancelot and left them on the mountain, unable to do anything as they escaped.
She hadn't left Euphie's side for a second, even going as far as to share the same bed like they used to do when they were younger. Cornelia hadn't just been scared when she heard Euphie had been captured she had been terrified. Zero crushed her army under a million of miles of dirt and mud, lured her into a trap and defeated her again, and was just a second away from capturing her but none of that mattered when compared to how she felt when she heard that her little sister, sweet innocent Euphie had been captured. The few hours she had been missing had been absolute Hell for Cornelia as she was plagued with terrifying thoughts of what the Black Knights could have done to Euphie.
The mere thought of her sister enduring painful and humiliating torture had kept Cornelia up for half the night and it was only through the reassuring presence that her sister was alive and with her again was she able to fall asleep. She hadn't been this terrified or upset since the day her idol, Marianne vi Britannia had been killed by terrorists and when Lelouch and Nunnally had been sent to Japan and killed by the Elevens.
'I failed again. Zero outwitted me again and because of my foolishness not only was I almost captured but Euphie was almost killed.' Cornelia thought, shame and anger swelling up inside of her, gripping her hands into fists in her lap. 'He knew what I would do and used it against me, lured me out where he wanted so that new ace of his could take me down, have the blue one wait for Kururugi to try and rescue me, and then sent the green one to kidnap Euphie while we were distracted. '
The fact of the matter is it was not the fault of the staff for failing to protect Euphie, it was not the fault of Suzaku for launching the Lancelot to come save her and leaving Euphie unprotected, it wasn't even Zero's fault.
It was all her fault.
She had nothing but utter confidence that she could handle the Black Knights if they interfered and Zero knew that, using her confidence against her again. She left the Lancelot behind because she didn't want to rely on the pilot who was an Eleven but when the situation got so bad she ordered the Eleven to launch the Lancelot, thus opening Euphie to being captured by the green Knightmare that had been waiting.
"Once again Cornelia your pride as the Goddess of Victory has cost you the battle, victory itself has defeated you."
'Never again. I won't let myself become overconfident again, not against Zero or his aces.' Cornelia thought darkly. 'I can't afford to lose to them again or next time there won't be anything to save me and Euphie.'
"Prince Clovis said that we shouldn't force the subway and mining tunnels to be sealed off." The Vice-Minister explained weakly "Doing so would fuel the rebellion, giving the Chinese Federation an excuse to attack."
"They already HAVE an excuse." Cornelia pointed out dryly, scoffing at the man's incompetence as he flinched from her stare "Zero is growing stronger and bolder every day. He's interfered in our operations not once, not twice, but thrice, his aces defeated almost every opponent they faced and nearly captured Sub-Viceroy Euphemia despite the rear guard staying behind to protect the G1."
"Vice-Minister." Dalton spoke up, cutting off the inept-bureaucrat's mutters of confusion with a pointed look. "Internal affairs has appointed a special group of Elevens to sub-govern these areas, isn't that right? A group called the N.A.C. When we stormed Narita, we looked for evidence of the N.A.C's conspiracies. But it was buried in the landslide." Darlton turned to face his princess."Still, our suspicions remain high…if we suppress them now…"
Cornelia nodded, mulling over her Knight's information as she sat back in her chair, musing over the possible ramifications of such an action.
"A group of purebloods and plutocrats…" She muttered, contemplating finishing them off and getting them out of the way. "Relic's of their forgotten past…"
"Wait, please! There's no evidence of these rumors at all." The aid stood up but sweated under the gaze of Cornelia and Darlton so he grabbed a cloth to wipe his head. "If you suppress them the Elevens' economy will certainly collapse. That means no tax revenue to send to the Homeland. Also it's a Prime Directive of the Empire that Numbers should take care of their own kind."
"And what have you done to find the Black Knights?" Cornelia asked, sounding annoyed.
"We unearthed the shield machine they left, showing Zero was behind the Narita operation but that's all we've got. You can't squeeze information out of corpses."
"So you can't catch Zero and you don't want to hit Kyoto." Cornelia mused. "Do you know what the word incompetent is Minister? It's for people who can't get results."
Euphemia had tuned out the conversation, looking down at her laptop and seeing the reports but her mind flashed back to meeting the mysterious masked knights of Zero. She couldn't help but ponder what the masked man, Seizan meant when he talked about achieving true peace. Why speak of something like that when he's helping Zero start a war with Britannia? What is he trying to accomplish?
"It's been a pleasure meeting you, Princess Euphemia." Seizan took Euphie's hand and slid his mask up enough to kiss it. "Hopefully we'll meet again."
Euphemia couldn't help but blush at the memory, feeling somewhat flattered for some reason. Perhaps it was because in a way Seizan was a knight himself and actually listened to her views while her sister and others had to keep her silent because if the Emperor realized she would perhaps be in danger of being used as a pawn against Cornelia. Whatever it was it made her curious and wondering if she would meet the masked warrior again.
"You're Highness!" The door opened and a servant rushed in, gasping for breath. "I apologize for interrupting your Highness but you and Princess Euphemia have an urgent call from the Homeland."
"I'll take it later. Can't you see I'm busy?" Cornelia asked irritably.
"It's from the Emperor, You're Highness."
Cornelia and Euphemia along with Guilford and Darlton froze when the aid said it was the Emperor who was calling.
"He commands you to answer immediately." The servant continued.
Cornelia gritted her teeth as she tried to keep her regal look in front of the Vice-Minister and his aids. "Very well, this meeting is over."
Euphemia looked concerned but stood up with her sister and followed her out of the room. No one was looking without concern on their faces and for good reason.
A call from the Emperor with the way things were happening could not be good.
Xxx
Emperor Charles zi Britannia maintained a look of complete and utter indifference as Cornelia and Euphemia stood before the large screen that showed his face staring down on them with dark eyes that probed them for weakness.
"You wish to speak to us, Father." Euphemia stated, hoping that she wasn't giving any of her feelings away.
"I assume," The Emperor began, looking at both of his daughters. "You know why I have decided to contact you."
"It's about recent events in Area Eleven isn't it?" Cornelia asked bluntly, seeing no need to hide anything.
"Yes, but more specifically it's about your recent battles against the terrorists calling themselves the Black Knights and their leader, Zero, the man who killed Clovis. Actually, it's more appropriate if I call them defeats instead."
Both girls inwardly flinched.
"The first battle, Cornelia, you tried to draw Zero out and he effectively turned the tables on you. Tricking you, defeating your Guard, and almost capturing you." The Emperor put a loud emphasis on the word 'capturing'. "Then there was the hostage crisis at Lake Kawaguchi where you allowed Zero to do your job, killing the terrorists but you refused to take action for a certain reason, showing weakness in front of the enemy and allowing them to exploit it."
Cornelia inhaled quickly, trying to keep herself from trembling.
"I hear that Zero claimed that Euphemia worked with him in stopping these terrorists." Charles then turned his eyes on Euphemia. "Is this true?"
"I-I demanded to speak to the leader of the terrorists to try and force him to surrender. He was captured by Zero before I arrived." Euphemia spoke, not missing Cornelia shooting a look at her for speaking up.
"And so Zero used you as a political advantage." Charles mused with a small grin. "Quite the cunning adversary he seems to be. I wonder if he is actually Britannian under that mask as it would explain his recent exploits."
Cornelia clenched her fist in anger. Doesn't he care that his own daughter had been in danger at all? She shouldn't be surprised but it still infuriated her from how callous he was to the safety of his own children.
"And finally, the operation at Narita where you planned to remove the last pocket of resistance in Area Eleven and failed, not only failed but you single headedly showed everyone Zero's strength, his power, his cunning, his will. Allowing yourself to not only be defeated but to be rescued by an Eleven who is currently the main test subject of Schneizal's pet project and even allowing him to capture Euphemia for a short amount of time." Charles looked back to Euphemia. "Tell me, Euphemia, why did Zero see fit to release you and not you kill in cold blood like he did Clovis?"
Cornelia wanted to shout at the man for asking why Zero had not killed his own daughter even though she of all people knew he didn't have the capacity to show any kind of fatherly emotions towards his children.
"I…I was not held captive by Zero. His knights were the ones who forced me to surrender when the green Knightmare threatened to destroy the G-1 and everyone onboard. I agreed to ensure the safety of everyone onboard." Euphemia explained.
"So, you risked your life to save your fellow Britannians?" Charles seemed to smile. "It seems that even though you do not share your sister's love for battle you show great bravery and even survived, a trait I expect from all my children. Tell me, did these knights speak to you while you were in their company?"
"They wanted to know who pilot of the Lancelot was but I guess when they found out on the battlefield they didn't need me anymore. I can only assume that it is because I am Sub-Viceroy that they had no use for me." Euphemia answered slowly.
"You told them nothing?"
"Nothing, Your Majesty." Euphemia shook her head.
"Good, never revealing any knowledge that could be used against the Empire. You've impressed me, Euphemia. Now…" Charles looked at Cornelia, his face becoming expressionless again. "If only I could say the same for you. Three encounters with Zero and each time you failed to defeat the terrorists."
Cornelia had to keep herself showing her gritted teeth while Euphemia look on in concern.
"How is it that you, the Goddess of Victory, the most driven of my children can be so easily defeated by a terrorist masking himself as a freedom fighter?" Charles asked rhetorically. "Perhaps I was too quick to choose you to deal with this minor annoyance."
"I assure you, Your Majesty, I underestimated Zero but I will not make the same mistake." Cornelia glowered.
"No, you won't. I have decided to send someone to…aid you in your attempt to quell the terrorism in Area Eleven. A member of the Knights of Round to provide support against Zero. They will be charged with ensuring that you do not let Zero embarrass the Royal Family again." Charles stated. "After all, we wouldn't want to lose another child of the Royal Family to the same land that took not only Clovis's life but the lives of Marianne's children also."
Cornelia and Euphemia both had to suck in their breath at what the Emperor had said. They both felt like a knife had been stabbed into their hearts and took everything Cornelia had to not shout out to her father with all the anger and hate she could muster while Euphie had to make the effort not cry at the mention at the deaths of her favourite half siblings.
"Let us hope that history does not repeat itself. It would be a great loss to the Empire and your family if you were to suffer their unfortunate fate." The Emperor said before his image faded away, leaving the screen blank.
The moment his face vanished Cornelia let out a frustrated scream and slammed her fist into the ground.
"Sister?" Euphemia rushed over and knelt down next to Cornelia. "Are you all right?"
"I'll be fine…I just need…a moment." Cornelia took a deep breath. "That bastard…He's all but said he doesn't believe I can stop Zero so he's sending someone to babysit me and he went and even rubbed Lady Marianna's death in my face while he was at it!"
"Sister…" Euphemia said sadly.
Things were about to change in Area Eleven and no one knew how it would end.
Xxx
"So the Britannian Viceroy's gone this far already…" A figure noted as he and several old man sat seiza-style around a fireplace as they discussed the latest chain of events
"It would seem she's not at all the simpleton her brother was."
"With the Japan Liberation Front smashed, the last embers of Japan have died away."
"NO! He may be on the run, but Todoh is still strong! Still fighting!"
"Even if that's so. I heard he's lost his custom Burais, so there's no hope."
"There IS hope." A fifth voice corrected, this one decidedly younger than those of the others, who turned to face the speaker, a young girl with bright emerald eyes, as she sat behind a screen, smiling at them.
"The Black Knights?" the fourth voice muttered, sounding both skeptical and disbelieving as he stared at the speaker "You've been infatuated with Zero since he rescued Kururugi Suzaku. We even sent him the Guren Mk-II."
Xxx
Shirley was torn between being confused, jealous, and worried. It had to do with a certain raven haired student who was once again absent, but that was nothing new as he was always skipping class to go out to gamble. The fact that Naruto, Tsunade and Kallen were absent with him was a little strange and she could not help but be worried that maybe…
Were Lelouch and Kallen on a double date with Naruto and Tsunade?
Lelouch and Kallen had been rumored to be kissing once but they both denied it ever happening.
Milly looked from her laptop and looked at the orange haired girl sitting across from her in the Student Council Room. "Okay, what's got you so worried?" She asked, smiling playfully at the younger girl from across the table "Constipated? Your monthlies?" Milly grinned deviously."Or have your monthlies STOPPED?"
"That's not it!" Shirley exclaimed, the orange haired Fennette turning red in the face at the older girl's highly insensitive insinuation
"I know!" Milly noted, smiling knowingly at the embarrassed girl "You're lonely that Lelouch isn't here, right?"
Shirley flinched, looking down at the envelope she'd received from her father that day.
"It's more like…the fact that Kallen's absent the same day he is …again" she admitted, her face a mask of depression.
"Oh so carefree…" the blonde president sighed, leaning back in her desk chair dramatically "Meanwhile the rest of the world is coming to grips with what happened at Narita. Suzaku's been out for two days because of that too."
"But Lelouch and Kallen absent on the same day? That's serious!" Shirley pointed out, a mild frown on her face at the President's laid back attitude.
"I envy you, Shirley. That's what I love about you."Milly giggled.
"Don't make fun of me!" Shirley slammed her note onto the desk, scaring Arthur who had been hiding under a cabinet.
The cat wished his friend; Matatabi was here with him to keep him company instead of these silly humans.
"Oh why don't you come out and say it?" Milly got up from her chair and walked around the table. "Three simple words: I LIKE you!"
"I couldn't!" Shirley exclaimed, the younger girl shaking her head vehemently despite the fierce blush adorning her cheeks, her amber eyes filled with embarrassment, doubt and concern "I mean…What if-?"
"What if he rejects me?" Milly pantomimed, the busty Ashford heir holding her arms and pretending to look saddened as she turned to face the orange haired girl, her face taking on the mask of dramatic depression. "What if it ruins our friendship?"
Shirley blushed as Milly laughed. "You don't have to laugh you know?"
"It's comfortable, this place now, the way we are together." Milly looked out the window.
"That's true." Shirley admitted.
"Still we should prepare ourselves a bit. The fact is nothing stays the same forever you know?" Milly pointed out but chuckled when she saw the downcast looks on Shirley and Nina's faces. "Oh forget it. Please don't take me too seriously. If it's bothering why not ask him the next chance you get?" Milly looked to the door causing Shirley and Nina, who'd been typing away in the corner, looking up as Lelouch walked in, dressed in a red jacket and jeans. "So how do you feel about on your side?"
"L-LULU!" Shirley exclaimed, startled at the sudden arrival of her not-so-secret crush as the violet eyed student walked up to the desk, calm as could be "I thought you were absent!"
"Nunnally had a bit of a fever this morning," Lelouch answered "And Sayoko was busy, so I stayed home to help."
"Oh really, you don't say?" Shirley stammered, the orange haired girl calming herself down as she spoke, looking up at the teen in concern for his younger sister's health, as the entire Student Council thought the world of the little crippled girl."Is Nunna okay?"
"A bit, thanks for your concern." Lelouch assured her, as he scooped some papers up off the desk, turning his gaze towards Milly. "Madame President, your papers?"
"Oh right, make sure you organize them by year and class okay?" Milly noted approvingly, the Ashford heir holding her elbows as she smiled coyly at the elder Lamperouge.
"Yeah, yeah." Lelouch said calmly as he walked to the table and picked up the papers in front of Shirley. "You have a talent for ordering people around."
"And you make a great subordinate." Milly replied.
"Subordinate, I guess that's what I am." Lelouch said as he walked out.
Shirley sighed and looked at Milly. "Madame President, you nearly gave me a heart attack doing that. Huh?"
Shirley realized the envelope with tickets from her father was missing.
"Where are my tickets?" Shirley then realized Lelouch must have accidently taken them. "Huh?!"
Xxx
"LULU!"
Lelouch turned around to see Shirley running after him. "What is it?"
"AH!" Shirley gasped, snatching the envelope out of her crush's hand, her face bright red from embarrassment at her shuffling it into the paperwork without thinking "Is my dad's letter mixed up with that paper work?"
"Hm? Oh sorry," Lelouch assured her, as he gave the letter back but noticed Shirley looking at the ground."What's wrong?"
"Um well…" the girl stammered, looking down at the envelope nervously, anything to avoid looking at the boy she was crushing on."You see, there was this concert I wanted to go to, and Dad managed to get two tickets for me…"
"Really?" Lelouch asked, curiously. "Any idea who you want to take with you?"
"Um well…" Shirley began, the younger girl looking nervously up at Lelouch.
From the window of the apartment C.C. watched with an amused grin. "So, does little Lulu have himself a date? Perhaps he does have a social life after all. Well, it's a good thing I severed my connection to Marianne or she'd probably be bugging me about her little Lulu having a date."
Xxx
A white haired man stood on the roof of the building, looking at Ashford Academy. He wore visors and a headset with an arrogant grin plastered on his face.
'I know you're here, my darling C.C. and soon we will be together again.'
Xxx
"Kyoto praised us for using the Guren Mk-II so well." Ohgi said once all the Black Knights were assembled. "I thought that was encouraging."
"And not to mention how Seizan and Kallen took down Cornelia and that white Knightmare!" Tamaki cheered.
"We didn't capture Cornelia and we didn't destroy it." Kallen pointed out with a frown as she remembered who the pilot was. "We just probably took it out of action for a while. It'll be back."
Zero, or rather Lelouch wasn't paying much attention. 'Why would Shirley ask something like out of the blue?'
Naruto of course senses Lelouch's confusion and knew what it was about since C.C. had told him. 'By Kami is he that dense?'
'You tell me. This is your area of expertise.' Kurama snickered.
"Here." Ohgi handed a letter to Zero.
"What's this?" Lelouch took it.
"A love letter." Ohgi answered simply but the smile on his face let everyone know he was joking.
"Oh, from you?" Lelouch asked, feeling a little humorous for some reason.
The joke had its intended affect though as Tamaki laughed his ass off. "And they say you have no sense of humor!"
"You laugh too much." Kallen remarked dryly.
"It's an official letter from Kyoto. They urgently request a meeting." Ohgi said with a smile.
"Is this really such a big deal?" Lelouch said, not seeing the point.
"Um, big deal? It's Kyoto!" Kallen exclaimed.
"If they accept us it's mean funding and support. It could cover our financial crises." Ohgi continued.
"Crises?" Lelouch asked, seeing Ohgi flinch. "There shouldn't be any problem with the budget I laid out."
Ohgi couldn't help but glance at Tamaki, a fact that nobody missed, and soon, all eyes were on him. "Hey! It's not my fault. We're turning into a big organization now that means new expenses you know!"
Kallen smirked. "Like on fancy dinners with the new recruits so you can show off?"
Tamaki exclaimed. "Hey you-"
"I know where you've been taking them," Kallen remarked with a sneaky grin. "Big spender."
"Ugh, you know about it?" Tamaki gaped.
Lelouch sighed, he should have known. What had possessed him to allow that moron to regulate their cash? "We'll put Ohgi in charge of our finances for now."
"Hey now, I'm in charge of our cash!" Tamaki shouted as he stood up. "That's my job!"
"If you want me to trust you then show me results." Lelouch calmly stated.
Tamaki snorted. "Did you actually say trust when you and you buddies never take off those masks? And you even had Princess Euphemia but you let her go, so how can we trust you if you let a Brit Princess go instead of keeping her so we could use to get out country back!"
The tension rose to the point where it could be cut with a knife as Lelouch remained silent along with Naruto and C.C.
"Hold on, that's-" Ohgi started but was cut off.
Kallen jumped up. "Tamaki, their actions speak for themselves. They led us to victory and outwitted Cornelia not once but twice now. That's why they are the leaders of the Black Knights. Do we really need to know more?"
Tamaki glared at her. "Easy for you to say. I noticed you, Zero and his two buddies acting a lot more familiar with each other now. Maybe you already saw their faces; they all to take their masks off sometime. Zero can't sleep with his mask on, now can he?"
Ohgi brought his fist down on the table. "TAMAKI!" He shouted, before calming himself. "That was going too far, do you even realize what you were hinting at?"
Tamaki blinked apparently only now understanding what he had just suggested. "Sorry Kallen, that was over the top. I don't know what came over me."
Kallen gave a short nod, apparently not in the mood to talk to Tamaki right now.
When he saw the mood she was in the man looked at Zero. "I still say that you should let me handle our money, I mean..."
"Now, now, hold on everyone." Naruto stepped out in front of the table. "Zero, while Tamaki did spend some of the money we have for parties we do have good reason to be celebrating as like Kallen said we outwit Cornelia and her forces more than once. Small celebrations are good for morale especially when we've earned it. Even if it was without your permission and could have been spent on helping our resistance movement we still have enough money that it won't hurt our resources. There's no need for fighting over this."
"So you believe Tamaki can handle the budget?" Lelouch asked, wondering what Naruto was thinking.
"Leave him in charge but if you're worried about too much of the budget being spent Ohgi can manage it with him to make sure our finances aren't hurt. There's no need to kick him off his task because of a few parties." Naruto said, trying to ease the situation.
"…All right. Tamaki, you can continue managing the budget but Ohgi will work with you. It's too soon for us to celebrate when we have much work to do." Lelouch relented.
"Uh, thanks man." Tamaki smiled at Naruto who nodded back.
"It's no trouble and the reason we didn't keep Princess Euphemia prisoner is because doing so would have endangered Japan." Naruto answered.
"Huh?" Everyone, except Lelouch and C.C. looked puzzled.
"Let's put it this way, take away the fact that Cornelia and Euphemia are princesses of the Empire what else are they?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
"Huh…I don't know…Woman?" Tamaki asked, scratching his head.
"Sisters." Lelouch answered, catching on. "She and Cornelia are sisters."
"Exactly and it was shown that Cornelia loves her sister dearly as she didn't attack the Kawaguchi hotel because Euphemia was there. If we kept her prisoner Cornelia would have searched the entire country for her and if she believed we had harmed her she would have gone on a rampage across the country and the Japanese would have suffered her wrath and no mercy would be offered." Naruto explained calmly. "If we want to take back this country from Britannia we have to be smart about it and make sure there is still a country to liberate in the end."
Everyone was silent as they took in Naruto's words and Lelouch applauded Naruto for coming up with a good reason to avoid keeping Euphie as a prisoner. Even after all these years there was still a part of Lelouch that still loved Euphie almost as much as Nunnally and had no wish to keep her as a hostage. And it seems Naruto had effectively convinced everyone that going after Euphie was a really, really, bad idea.
"Since Kyoto wishes for a meeting all appointments are cancelled." Lelouch spoke up, getting back to the subject. "We'll shall meet with Kyoto and see what they want."
With that said everyone was dismissed as Lelouch went up to his private quarters, followed by Naruto, C.C., and Kallen a moment later.
"So what are we going to do about Kyoto?" Kallen asked when she closed the door.
"Despite their intentions we need their power if we're going to make a difference." Lelouch answered.
"Even though Kyoto will likely ask us to remove our masks." Naruto pointed out. "When they realize that you're not Japanese it'll shake everyone's trust in you."
"I know but luckily I believe I know who we're going to meet." Lelouch said as looked at his laptop and saw the heads of Kyoto.
"You realize that you'll have to tell them about your Geass? There's no way they won't know as the others will no doubt want to mention it and start questioning you if you don't say anything." C.C. pointed out.
"I am aware of that. Personally I don't like so many knowing of my Geass but considering that everyone in the Black Knights knows they would no doubt believe that Kyoto should know as well." Lelouch answered calmly.
"And what about mine?" Kallen asked, wondering if she should tell the others of her Geass.
"I don't believe that's a good idea." Lelouch answered honestly and he knew that Naruto and C.C. agreed when they didn't say anything.
"Why not?" Kallen questioned, wondering why she shouldn't tell the others of her Geass.
"If they find out you have a Geass then they'll think you've seen Zero's face and believe it was unfair for you to be the only to see his face." C.C. answered. "They'll also become afraid of you because of your Geass's power."
"They would no-" Kallen stopped in mid-protest as she thought it over and grudgingly realized C.C. was right.
If Tamaki got suspicious just from how Kallen seemed more at ease with Zero and his Knights how they would react if she had the same kind of power he had?
"All right, I won't say anything." Kallen reluctantly conceded.
"In the meantime let's get some rest. It's going to be a long day tomorrow." Naruto finished the group meeting.
Xxx
"Mito-san, Lady Nunnally is here for her check up." Sayoko said as she helped wheel Nunnally into the school infirmary.
"Ah," Mito stood up from the nice red couch she had acquired for personal use and smiled as her patient entered the room. "Thank you for coming."
"Sayoko told me you might be able to help restore my ability to walk." Nunnally said with hope shining in her eyes.
"Yes, I've been working on several different ways of healing injuries like yours and possibly restoring mobility." Mito nodded as she prepared a bed for Nunnally. "First I would have probe your injury to get a better idea of how bad it was then we see it if works."
"I hope it does." Nunnally wheeled up to the bed.
"Yes, in the meantime a consultant of mine will be watching in through my laptop if you don't mine. She's a valued college and she has the same knowledge of procedure as me." Mito turned on the laptop and on the screen appeared Rakshata with a smile.
"Hello Nunnally, I'm Rakshata Chawla. Thank you for agreeing to this, I'm sure the procedure will be a success."
Xxx
Lloyd was looking at the recording from multiple Sutherlands and Gloucesters that were salvaged from the battle at Narita, determined to see three Knightmares in action. Suzaku and Cecile were behind him, watching the advanced Knightmares affiliated with the Black Knights take down anything in their way but Lloyd was interested in the red Knightmare with the silver claw and glowing sword.
"The red Knightmare is definitely Rakshata's work. The Radiation Wave Surger is a dead giveaway but this sword…" Lloyd froze the image of the red sword releasing a blast of crescent shaped lightning that destroyed any unlucky Frames in its way. "This red beam sword is new. It's not her usual work." Lloyd grinned with a little saliva slipping out of his mouth. "A multi-purpose beam weapon in the shape of a sword, not something I ever considered Rakshata building. The way it is able to contain and condenses energy like that when it uses its long range attack, interesting."
"It's impressive but we should be concentrating on the blue Knightmare." Cecile pointed at black and blue Knightmare defeating the Lancelot. "From the data we received it's possible that this Knightmare uses a new power source that's much greater than Core Luminous."
"Perhaps but the fact that Lancelot put up a better fight than it did in Shinjuku means that it's capable of fighting these Knightmares, once the pilot gains the necessary experience and once we've calibrated the Blaze Luminous. If it has a new power source we'll just have to see if we can replicate it. We've already got a few clues from the readings we got from the Lancelot's data." Lloyd boasted. "And we've got even more good news."
"What's that?" Suzaku asked curiously when he saw the big smile on Lloyd's face.
"In response to the three advanced Knightmares affiliated with the Black Knights Prince Schenizel wants to begin building Knightmares with the Lancelot's quality as well as upgrading Cornelia's forces with the Lancelot's weapons and luckily for us Princess Cornelia agrees. So we've begun building Knightmares from spare and salvaged parts." Lloyd answered. "We've already begun designing the Lancelot Frontier and the Vincent."
"Frontier and Vincent?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes and we'll need you for data gathering." Lloyd nodded. "The first prototype, the Lancelot Club failed because no one could properly operate it due the fact that it was built with a Sutherland Frame as a base. Now the Frontier is a sister unit of the Lancelot while the Vincent is the prototype for less…talented pilots since if it's successful it'll be mass produced. We had to dumb the system down, thus making it less as impressive as the Lancelot."
"And the Frontier?" Suzaku asked.
"It won't be as impressive as the Lancelot but the data we receive from you piloting it will show us what we need to make it easier less gifted pilots." Lloyd answered. "Now get moving! Chop, chop! We have work to do! We still have to completely repair the Lancelot so it can take on those Knightmares and defeat them!"
Cecile sighed but she was just as eager as Lloyd to see the data from the tests.
"Warrant Officer Kururugi, Princess Cornelia wishes to speak to you." An officer called out, earning Suzaku's attention who snapped to attention and complied.
The officer led him to the tent Cornelia was in, currently going over reports of the battle.
"Warrant Officer Kururugi, You're Highness." The officer bowed as he led Suzaku into the tent.
"Thank you. Dismissed." Cornelia said cordially, watching as the officer saluted and left the tent.
"You wish to speak to me, Your Highness?" Suzaku asked, bowing his head.
"I did. Sit." Suzaku did as he was told and waited for Cornelia to continue. "As you know that I ordered you to remain behind. Do you know why I ordered you to stay behind?"
"It's because I am an Honorary Britannian, isn't it?" Suzaku asked respectfully.
"Yes, I ordered you to remain behind because I don't trust Numbers, more specifically Elevens. I listened to you speaking with the pilot of the blue Knightmare, stating your reasons why you joined the Britannian Army." Cornelia paused for a moment. "You believe that you can change the Britannian system from working within it, as you stated on the battlefield, don't you?"
"Yes ma'am." Suzaku nodded.
Personally Cornelia scoffed at his belief as she knew better than anyone that it was impossible for someone to actually change the Britannian system no matter how useful they are. The nobility would never give up their power to treat those they see as lesser beings as if they were not ants to be stepped on. But she didn't voice these thoughts because despite her personal opinion on Suzaku's political beliefs they were not relevant at the moment.
"As much as I hate to admit it you were the only one who managed to fight any of Zero's Knightmares in an equal battle even though you were defeated. That being said I'm ordering our Knightmares to be outfitted with weapons from your Knightmare so that we'll stand a better chance against the Black Knights in the future. I've underestimated Zero more than once and I almost lost my sister, Princess Euphemia this time because of my overconfidence. I cannot escape the idea that I almost lost her because I kept the only pilot behind who had experience facing Zero's top pilots because of my overconfidence that cost me many of my men." Cornelia said, grimacing as she remembered her despair of being left behind while Zero left with her sister. "In the meantime we'll be talking about you and your future."
"My future?" Suzaku asked.
"I allowed Earl Asplund to begin constructing new Knightmare frames because the Lancelot lasted longer against Zero's aces because I realize we need Knightmares to match them in combat and you'll be head of the team that pilots these new Knightmares." Cornelia explained.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Suzaku bowed his head. "I will not let you or Princess Euphemia down."
Xxx
Lelouch watched as the car pulled out in front of him and the window rolled down so the drive could speak. "Please bring your command staff along as per my master's instructions, understood?"
"They're patrolling the perimeter in case of unpleasant contingencies. I'll call them soon." Lelouch answered. "However before I do that…" He slid open the part of his visor covering his face so his left eye was seen, glowing red his as Geass activated.
Xxx
"This is taking too long. When will we get there?" Tamaki grumbled as they sat in the back of the car.
"Ugh, could you chill out, you're embarrassing." Kallen sighed.
It was just Kallen, Tamaki, Ohgi, and Zero as the others stayed behind and for some reason Zero's knights were missing.
The car came to a sudden stop and there was vibration that shook the car.
"What the hell?" Tamaki grunted.
The car was taken up by a large elevator that was seemingly built into the ground.
"We're going up?" Kallen wondered.
The elevator stopped and when the door opened the car wheeled to its destination. A second later the back door was opened.
"Sorry for the inconvenience." The man stated, allowing the Black Knights to exit the car. "The master is waiting for you."
The Black Knights stepped out into the meeting room and needless to say some of them were impressed. The car arrived to the meeting point, only to be taken up by a large built in elevator into a large chamber with a large window overlooking the city from high up in the mountain.
"This is…This is the Fiju-mines!" Ohgi gasped.
"That's not possible! No way we could be here!" Tamaki put his hands on the window.
"It has to be Mount Fuji, there's only one mountain like this!" Kallen pointed out.
"That means the Sakuradite is right below us? The damned treasure that caused this whole war! Do you know what they do to intruders here? Execute them." Tamaki shouted.
"Their power reaches all the way out to here? The Kyoto group is amazing." Ohgi commented.
"It's repulsive." An elderly voice spoke. They turned to see a man in a veiled seat, two guards stationed in front of him as the window was sealed. The man continued. "Mount Fuji, a sacred mountain once known for clear water and quiet beauty. Now it is bent to the Empire's will, a place of hideous violation, of what Japan has become, it pains me so."
Lelouch looked at him with a sense of nostalgia and annoyance.
"I apologize for not showing my face but Zero, your face is hidden as well. Unfortunately I cannot allow this, to trust you I must know who you are. Therefore," The old man pointed his cane at Zero. "You will show me your face."
His words were still ringing in their ears when four Burai rolled out of the shadows and pointed their rifles at the Black Knights.
"Please wait!" Kallen stepped out in front of Lelouch. "Zero has given us power and victory, that should-"
"Silence! Now," Kirihara spoke again. "Which one of you is Ohgi?"
Said man looked up. "That's me."
Behind the veil, Kirihara nodded. "You will remove Zero's mask."
Shocked silence reigned, then Ohgi gulped and slowly turned to Zero. "I'm sorry Zero, but we need reason to believe in you. So help us, to put our trust in you."
Lelouch raised his hand, and Ohgi stopped, looking confused. "Very well Ohgi, I'll grant that wish. Only, not how you may expect."
Then he slowly took a few steps forward until he was standing just before the Frames.
He sighed loudly and shook his head. "Really, is all this necessary? I think you're going a bit overboard. Even you have to admit that you're blowing this out of proportion, Clan Chief Kirihara."
"I don't think so, you are known to be... What did you call me?" The old man choked out.
Lelouch smirked. "Really, I hadn't expected that Taizo Kirihara, spokesperson of the Six Houses of Kyoto was hard of hearing.
That was when the guards pointed their guns at Lelouch. "Anyone who can identify him must die! Especially if he is not Japanese!"
"That's far enough." Lelouch snapped his fingers.
For a second, nothing happened, then, in an instant, two of the Knightmares disarmed the others before pointing the barrel of their oversized rifles at Kirihara. The cockpits opened and revealed two cloaked familiar figures in red and white animal masks, a remote-trigger in her hands.
C.C. grunted as she jumped off her Burai. "These things are barely toys compared to the real Knightmares."
Ohgi was in shock. "Seizan? Shinryoku? What are you doing here? I thought you were both staying behind."
"Sorry, but Zero predicted something like this would happen and we needed you all to be convincing." Naruto answered before flanking Lelouch as he walked up to the seething Kirihara.
"Taizo Kirihara, founder of Kirihara Industries which has a monopoly on Sakuradite mining, formerly a key backer for the Kururugi regime. However when Japan fell you dodged tribunal by collaborating with the colonial rulers. Commonly known as Kirihara the Traitor. In reality you are one of the leaders of the Six Houses of Kyoto support resistance groups throughout Japan. A double agent, how cliché."
"Stop!" The old man shouted.
"It is as you guess though, I am not Japanese!"
The Black Knights sans Kallen, C.C. and Naruto were shocked when they heard what Lelouch had said.
"Are you serious? No wonder he never showed his face." Tamaki whispered.
Kirihara remained composed. "If you are not Japanese, why do you fight for Japan? What is it you want?"
"The destruction of Britannia." Lelouch calmly answered.
"And so you believe that this is possible?" Kirihara asked. "That you can do it?"
Lelouch's face became solemn, not that anyone noticed. "I can because I must. I have reasons which compel me inexorably." He chuckled as he reached for his mask, then taking it off, the dim light assuring that nobody but Kirihara would see it. "I'm glad I'm dealing with you."
When Kallen saw Lelouch take off his mask she discreetly activated her Geass so she could hear them despite the distance, relying on the sensory increase of her Geass.
Kirihara's eyes widened. "You!"
"It's been a long time, Lord Kirihara." Lelouch smiled down at the old man.
"Is it really you? It's been eight long years since that family received you as a hostage." Kirihara flashed back to the day a little boy and his sister came to the Kururugi family.
"Yes and I appreciate you taking care of me back then." Lelouch nodded.
"If I hadn't come tonight were you planning to take the messenger as a hostage?" Kirihara questioned.
"Not at all." Lelouch answered. "I came to ask for your help, that's all I'm seeking from you."
Kirihara began to chuckle, harder and harder until it was full-blown laughter. "So the flower that was planted eight years ago has finally bloomed. This is even better than I hoped."
"I can't see him…" Tamaki whispered.
"Ohgi!" Kirihara shouted.
"Y-Yes!" Ohgi stammered.
"This man is a true mortal enemy of Britannia whose face must remain hidden for vital reasons. I urge you to follow Zero. As long as you follow him, I guarantee you our assistance, financially and otherwise."
Lelouch bowed. "I am grateful."
Kirihara raised the veil and looked him in the eyes. "Are you embarking on the path of blood?"
Lelouch smiled as he replaced his mask. "If that is my destiny. However until then we have much to prepare as much as changed since we last met. I come with information that is vital to Britannia's power, a power that the Emperor himself is in possession of and that I have been exposed to as well."
Kirihara looked confused but nodded as he turned to the guards. "Leave us and contact the other members of the six families."
"My comrades already know of the power I speak of as I have shown it to them. With it the destruction of Britannia is possible but there are others out there who have it as well. The power…of Geass."
Xxx
Kallen had to admit she was actually surprised by the fact that Lelouch was able to gather the heads of the Six Houses of Kyoto here just by revealing his face to Kirihara who apparently knew him. Her Geass allowed her to hear them speak and what she heard was informative but confusing. Lelouch was sent here as a hostage eight years ago? That would have been around the time Britannia invaded Japan.
Why would Lelouch be sent as a hostage?
There wouldn't be any point to him being a hostage as it wasn't likely his presence changed anything when Britannia invaded Japan. She shook her head as Zero addressed the Heads of the Six Houses, explaining his Geass by using it on someone to dance around the table, surprising everyone who wasn't already aware of it but it wasn't the end.
"It has come to my attention while studying my Geass and its origins that I am not the only with this power. Another person who has this power is Charles zi Britannia, Emperor of Britannia itself." Zero announced which caused shouts to be heard as everyone, including the Black Knights were shocked to hear that the Emperor had the same kind of power as Zero. "Using this power Charles has ensured the Empire is completely loyal to him but his Geass is different from mine. His allows him to alter a person's memory and he does not need to make eye contact with his intended target. He uses this power on his subjects to ensure complete loyalty, altering their memories so any thoughts of rebellion are suppressed."
"And he has an entire cult of people with this…power?" One of the Heads asked.
"Yes but the good news is that most of them are children with five to ten of them available for missions. For now the Emperor has no reason to send them here as long as he doesn't suspect no one here is in possession of one. This gives us time to consolidate our forces here in Japan." Zero stated.
"We must start by building an army that can challenge Britannian forces occupying Japan, and then if and when we liberate Japan we will have to work on setting up a proper government and economy while still being strong enough to stop any retaliations when Britannia sends reinforcements to retake the country." Naruto spoke up.
"At the very least it would take a year or so to ensure Japan's liberation unless the one or more members of the Knights of the Round are sent to reinforce Cornelia. We cannot run the risk of capturing or disposing of Cornelia until we are ready." C.C. offered.
"So while we continue to make attacks on Cornelia and interfere with her operations we can slowly build up support but that the same time we build up our forces while maintaining the façade of a group with only three advanced Knightmares and limited amount of Burais until the time is right." Lelouch finished. "We already have access to a Knightmare factory and with the right material we can produce Knightmares but we'll need materials as right now production is slow."
"Very well." Kirihara nodded. "We will provide you with as many parts as possible."
Xxx
"I can't believe we got the full support of the Six Houses of Kyoto." Kallen commented once they were back at the Ashford Factory. "Only the Japan Liberation Front has ever received full support." She looked at Lelouch as he dressed in his school uniform. "Kirihara-dono seemed to know you and he said you came as hostage. What did he mean?"
"That's a story for another time, Kallen. It's not something I want to talk about." Lelouch put the mask away.
"But-"
"Leave it alone, Kallen." Naruto interjected as he sealed his cloak and armor into a scroll. "It's personal and he'll tell you when he's ready."
"Right now we should be focused on getting back before we are missed." C.C. said, twirling her mask in her hands.
"In the meantime we just go about our business and have our guys keep training on those Knightmare simulators. Lelouch, you could use some training yourself." Naruto grinned. "Can't have you being sloppy now can we? Oh wait, out of all of us you aren't blessed with the same bad ass skills we've got."
Lelouch frowned while C.C. snickered. "I can pilot my Burai just fine, Naruto. I can trust you three to handle Cornelia and the Lancelot."
Naruto and C.C. noticed Lelouch was deliberately avoiding mentioning Suzaku but didn't comment on it.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be late." Lelouch said as he walked to the door.
"Nunnally will be long asleep by now." Naruto pointed out.
"Not that, I have a date." Lelouch said and smirked when he saw the look of surprise on Kallen's face but would have been satisfied if C.C. and Naruto reacted the same way.
"A date?" Kallen asked, not considering Lelouch had an interest in relationships.
"Shirley had two tickets to a concert and invited me." Lelouch replied with a sly smirk. "You thought I didn't have a life outside of Zero?"
"Was almost worried you didn't." Naruto smirked as Lelouch walked towards the door. "To think he actually decided to go. Guess he's not a complete revenged obsessed emo after all." 'Unlike a certain someone.'
Xxx
Back in Naruto's home universe a certain duck haired emo sneezed.
Xxx
Lelouch was just about to close the door when his cell phone rang. He held it up and looked at the caller ID. 'Shirley?' He pressed the answer button. "Shirley?"
The other three watched as Lelouch listened to Shirley, seeing him look calm before looking surprised. Actually surprised was putting it lightly, his eyes went wide and his skin turned pale like when he learned Suzaku was the pilot of the Lancelot.
"What? Is he all right?...Yeah, that's a relief. Yeah, it's okay. I'll be there…Okay…Bye." Lelouch pressed end button and let out a huge sigh.
"What's wrong?" Kallen asked, wondering what Shirley had said.
"Shirley…Her father was injured by the landslide at Narita." Lelouch answered, unable to look at them as he looked down at the ground.
Kallen gasped while C.C. remained calm but Naruto had the decency to look alarmed.
"Is he all right?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, the landfill didn't bury the house he was in that much so they were able to get him out." Lelouch nodded but he still looked upset. "I thought everyone was evacuated and the city was untouched."
"It was. Euphemia evacuated the city and Kallen held back on the Wave Surger enough that the landslide would not hit the city. It's likely Shirley's father was on a house much closer to the mountain." C.C. reasoned, looking calm as always. "Are you surprised? It's not this wasn't to be expected."
"What's not to be expected?" Lelouch glared at C.C. "I almost got one my friend's parents killed!"
"And all the soldiers we killed today and at Saitama were fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles to someone out there. Every time we go out on the battlefield we're taking the lives of people who have loved ones out there." C.C. retorted easily. "Did you not think of that when you started this rebellion? You went and spat in Britannia's face and did so without second thought that your actions might have consequences…You're a lot more innocent then you pretend to be. You're just lucky there are those who help you try and point these potential consequences out."
"It's a sad fact but true. In order to try and stop this madness we have to fight and when we do people on both sides and those caught in between will die all because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time." Naruto offered sadly. "Just be thankful that Shirley didn't lose her father today and be there for her when she needs it."
Kallen nodded with a solemn look on her face. "Yeah…Be there for her."
Lelouch took a deep breath and sighed. "Right…"
Xxx
"Well, there is some good news." Mito removed her hand from Nunnally's back where her injury was. "There is a chance to restore the legs. The damage to your spine is extensive, almost done with surgical precision. Fortunately there is a way…"
"Really?" Nunnally was lying face down on the bed but she looked up when she heard there was a chance she could walk again.
"Basically there is a reconstruct damaged spine and nerve damage but it will be tricky and I'll need consent from your brother. If it's successful you should start feeling your legs a day later before being able to move, albeit slowly." Mito explained.
"Think of it as inserting an artificial spine into your damaged one that will send messages from your brain and through the feet, allowing for movement." Rakshata clarified.
"Will it…hurt?" Nunnally hesitantly asked.
"We can keep you under for the operation so you won't feel a thing." Mito said reassuringly.
"….I want to do it." Nunnally declared.
*Chapter 12*: Chapter 12Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
C.C. sat on the bed of the room she and Naruto shared, looking out the window. The henge covering her eyes had dropped, showing her Rinnegan as she stared out at the city. She looked solemn but let out an irritated sigh when her vision caught a large red light in the distance.
'A Geass and by the looks of it an unstable one. I can sense ill intent in it.' C.C. narrowed her eyes. 'You have to be here now of all times, lurking in the slums of the city as you meddle in my life because of your foolish obsession.'
She recognized the Geass because she knew it and the person using it all too well.
'Of all times for you to show up, this is worst.' C.C. closed her eyes as she covered her Rinnegan again. 'You won't get what you want, especially if Naruto has anything to say about it.' C.C. turned away from the window. "I can't afford to make the same mistake again."
Xxx
"Hey, Naruto? Where's Tsunade? I noticed she never came for class this morning." Milly asked as the Student Council stopped in front of the entrance to the hospital.
"She went to see her mother when she heard that Mito's been making progress on how to cure Refrain." Naruto answered honestly. "It's a touchy subject up here in Area Eleven so she's decided to see if there was a way to cure the effects of the drug rather than wait through a long period of withdrawal."
It was true as Rakshata had discovered that Refrain had been created from the blood cells of someone who's Geass allowed people to relive happy memories and was at work on studying a few blood samples of a few drug addicts to see if there was a way reverse it. Kallen glanced at Naruto when he answered Milly's question, wondering if they could cure her mother but pushed it aside as her mother was in jail for twenty years.
"Oh, well I hope she succeeds." Milly said as they walked through the entrance.
Shirley was anxious to see her father and it had taken everyone to convince that bolting out in the middle of the night to see him was not a good idea as the man needed his rest. Of course Milly suggested they all go visit him and no one could change her mind. Lelouch and Kallen let out a few yawns along the way, having not been able to get a lot of sleep the previous night but when Shirley opened the door to the room her father was staying in the irritation they felt was instantly replaced with guilt as Shirley rushed in shouting at the injured man. "DADDY!"
Said man looked up and smiled as his daughter rushed to the side of his bed and would have hugged him if not for the bandages on his chest, right arm, the cast around his left arm and leg that could mean they were broken.
However that did not dampen the man's happiness at seeing his daughter. "Shirley! What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here?"
"I came to see if you were all right. I was so worried when I heard you had been hurt!" Shirley hugged her father lightly which he happily returned.
"It's all right. I'm fine and I should be out of here in a month." Joseph Fennette answered as he patted his daughter on her back and looked up at the students at the door. "Are these your friends?"
"Hi sir. I'm Milly Ashford, President of the Student Council." Milly walked in, followed by the others. "We decided to come along see how our friend's father was doing."
"Well, thank you. It's nice to have some company around here." Joseph replied as he looked at each student. "Staring at the white walls all the time gets a little boring."
"If you don't me asking what happened to you?" Rivalz asked and ended up getting slapped on the head by Milly.
"Rivalz, we're not here to talk about that!" Milly hissed.
"It's all right, Miss Ashford. I was simply in a house on the outskirts of the city at the base of the mountain when the landslide hit. The house collapsed on me and a few friends but luckily the military came and dug us out. They were evacuating the city at the time and we were the last ones who didn't get the memo until it fell on top of us." Joseph explained with a smile. "None of us were killed, just a little hurt. It's a good thing the house wasn't buried too deeply."
Kallen and Lelouch both looked guilty while Naruto hid behind his usual fox smile. Lelouch felt guilty for coming up with the idea of using a land slide as a weapon against Cornelia while Kallen felt guilty because she caused the land slide.
"Cowards." Everyone looked at Suzaku who had a grim look on his face. "They're all just cowards. The Black Knights just do what they feel like and don't care who gets caught up in the attacks."
As he spoke he flashed back to what the pilot of the blue Knightmare had called him.
"Yes, a coward! One who refuses to see the truth and ignores just how rotten your masters are and allow them to kill and oppress people, your own kin no less, to satisfy their so-called superiority and hope that if you bow your head and submit to that them that they'll actually get off their fat asses decide to start being nice. Let me make this warning perfectly clear, you will not be able to change Britannia no matter how many times you kiss their collective asses, it'll be the same each and every day until you die or realize the utter foolishness of your beliefs! The Japanese along with the rest of the Areas will never accept their rights, pride, and home being taken from them!"
'And is this not cowardice? How can you call me that when you and Zero don't care who gets in your way?' Suzaku thought angrily.
'Show some respect you moron. This is her father right here and you're going to complain about that right in front of him and his daughter? This is about them not your sense of moral outrage.' Naruto scowled while Kallen and Lelouch shrank back.
"Oh yeah, I want to apologize, Mr. Fennette for thinking the Black Knights were cool and stuff. When they first appeared a lot of us thought they were all amazing for always beating the army even when it looked impossible. It was stupid and I'm sorry." Rivalz spoke with a remorseful look on his face.
"It's all right, everyone. I know that the Black Knights caused the avalanche but I also know they didn't do it to kill me or kill anyone else in the city. They had no way of knowing where I was at the time and I didn't know until everyone else had been evacuated." Joseph reassured everyone as he shook his head. "I don't blame them for this even though they caused the land slide."
"They're risking the lives of innocents by fighting!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"And the military risks lives everyday regardless of whether or not they try to evacuate civilians first. I'm a researcher but I'm well aware of how the military operates." Joseph calmly replied. "A lot of people have been killed by the military simply because they were in the wrong place like I was from time to time. The Black Knights are fighting for what they believe in, they are not out to kill everyone in their way."
Suzaku suddenly remembered the words of the pilot of the blue Knightmare back at Narita.
"You say the Japanese should roll over and accept whatever brutality Britannia dishes out on them? Endure all the pain of being their lapdogs and slaves and just hoping for things to get better. Don't make me laugh. That's a load of bull shit. The Japanese may have lost the war but that did not dampen the determination to free their country or the hate they feel towards Britannia for its crimes and it never will as long as people still dream of a free Japan and as long as Britannia continues its racial beliefs."
"They fight because they believe it's only path they can take because Britannia has taken their homes, their rights, and all things we take for granted taken from them. As much we say otherwise non-Britannians are treated somewhat poorly in all Areas and even Honorary Britannians live a hard life despite attaining rights to live in the settlement." Joseph sadly continued.
"Why are you defending them? They did this to you." Suzaku pointed at the bandages and casts. "If they really cared about helping people they'd-"
"Suzaku, that's enough!" Naruto stated loudly, making everyone look at him in shock for the way he was speaking as he glared at the Honorary Britannian. "We're here to see Mr. Fenette and be happy he's all right, not argue over the morality of the Black Knights. This is about Shirley and her dad being happy that he's still alive, not your political views on the Black Knights or your sense of moral outrage. So stop arguing with the injured man and just say 'hi, nice to meet you and hope you get better'!"
Suzaku looked surprised by the scolding he received but had the decency to look ashamed as he knew Naruto was right. "Your right, I'm sorry. I…I just got carried away."
"It's all right, young man. I know you feel angry with the Black Knights and you have every right to be but I just wanted you to know they didn't hurt me intentionally and they don't fight to intentionally hurt every Britannian out there." Joseph nodded with a smile. "And one reason I don't condemn the Black Knights because…" He reached up and patted Shirley on her head which embarrassed her. "They helped save my daughter and I can never forget that."
"Daddy!" Shirley whined from the display of affection in front of her friends.
Suzaku had to keep himself from saying that the military could have saved them but Naruto was right, this wasn't about his views on the Black Knights. He tried to keep a smile on his face along with everyone before the nurse came and kicked them out of the room, saying Mr. Fennette needed his rest. In the meantime Lelouch along with Naruto and Kallen had a busy night to prepare for so they had to get themselves ready. Once they said their goodbyes Lelouch and Naruto headed back to Ashford Academy along with the rest of the Student Council while Kallen walked in the direction of her house.
As Kallen took a path through one of the Ghettos that wouldn't draw attention to her a man who had been hiding out perked up and looked in her direction, smiling first before suddenly becoming very angry.
A green haired girl smirking mischievously as she wrapped her arms around a blond haired boy with whisker markings on his face and kissed him passionately.
"You…You bastard! You dare take my C.C.!" The man shouted as he stood up. "SHE'S MINE! MINE! MINE!"
Xxx
When the Student Council left Joseph Fennette frowned deeply for some reason and picked up his cell phone and brought up a picture.
A picture of a blond haired boy suspended in a green tank along with the green haired girl that had already been there.
'General Bartley needs to be notified.'
Xxx
Villetta Nu was not having a good day.
Actually that was a bit of an understatement as she took a sip in a bar she came to while off duty but she was still in her uniform. Her old friend Lord Jeremiah was presumed killed in action at Narita by the red Knightmare that had wiped out the other purists, dispatching them all so easily and done so looking like a red demon surrounded by the flames of Hell itself.
'Zero…' Villetta narrowed her eyes as she stared at the picture of the Britannian student, standing with the two Knightmares.
The way he stood with the Knightmares by his side, she could almost literally see him in Zero's mask and clothes, staring her down with his two bodyguards ready to take down anyone on his command.
'What is his connection to Zero though?' Villetta wondered.
According to Diethard the boy's name was Lelouch Lamperouge, a student of Ashford Academy and was one of three students who were in Shinjuku around the time of Prince Clovis's death. The other two was Rivalz Cardemonde who had been removed from the ghetto by police and the other was Suzaku Kururugi who had been cleared of all charges. She took out another picture and spotted this student with two more students on school grounds, the picture taken by school cameras that had been sent to her by a contact.
Then there was the father of a girl who attends the same school who had been caught in the landslide. She first thought of using the girl to get more information but when she saw the girl unwilling to leave her father's side she decided against it. All that she had was a hunch that this boy and his two friends had a connection with Zero.
'If this boy is connected to Zero do these two students who hang out with him have anything to do with him as well?' Villetta wondered. 'I need to find out. If they suspect anything about him I can use it and find out if he can manipulate memories somehow. I won't have to die stripped of my position and honor like Jeremiah. Hell, this is my chance to move back up again, so I have to find a link to Zero. It has to be me.'
She was in her car, driving towards Ashford Academy with the intent to find out if these students had the connection she needed to find and arrest Zero but that was when something unexpected happened. A stranger in a white outfit stepped out onto the road, forcing Villetta to slam on her brakes before she ran him over.
"Hey!" She rolled her window down and shouted at the man. "What's wrong with you?! Do you have a death wish?!"
"Oh me? Oh no, I wasn't trying to kill myself. I knew you would stop in time as you noticed me from a safe distance." The man said as he clapped his hands for no reason and smiled. "But I happened to overhear you looking for a few people and one of them happened to be a girl with long green hair and yellow eyes?"
Xxx
Sir Guilford sighed as he walked to Princess Cornelia's office to deliver his latest report. Princess Cornelia and Euphemia had been under pressure to capture the Black Knights and Zero since their talk with the Emperor and knew that the Emperor was not pleased with their lack of progress. With that in mind Guilford carefully knocked on the door to the office Cornelia shared with Euphemia.
"Who is it?" Cornelia called out.
"It's me, Your Highness." Guilford answered. "I have urgent news."
"Enter."
He opened the door and saw Princess Cornelia and her sister at their desk doing their paper work.
"Ah, Guilford, you have news for me?" Cornelia asked with a small smile.
"Our Intel has reported the last remnants of the JLF are attempting to flee Area Eleven to the Chinese Federation." Guilford reported.
"Ah, the cowards realize how outnumbered they are and are trying to flee. They think they can ask the Chinese Federation for help." Cornelia remarked with amusement.
"Yes Your Highness. There is also something else you should know. The envoy the Emperor sent to assist us." Guilford said, sounding slightly hesitant.
"Yes?" Cornelia frowned, wondering who was sent to assist her.
"She's-" Guilford started but was cut off by a female voice outside of the office.
"Oh Nelly! Where are you?"
Cornelia paled upon hearing the voice while Euphemia could only chuckle at the look on her sister's face.
"Guilford, is that-"
The door opened and the person stepped in. "There you are Nelly! And Euphie, look how pretty you've become!"
'Of all the Knight he could choose to send he had to choose her.' It was times like these that Cornelia hated the Emperor even more than usual.
Xxx
Kallen spotted Lelouch and Naruto walking away from the clubhouse after another day of school and when no one was looking followed after them. As she walked after them into the woods she picked up on their conversation.
"So is Shirley okay?" Naruto asked curiously.
"She's taken a week off to be with her father but she seems to be holding up fine." Lelouch answered, still relieved he hadn't gotten Shirley's father killed. "What about you? Where's C.C.?"
"She left a while ago and she's blocking me from seeing through her eyes to keep me from knowing and she refuses to speak to me. She must be relying on her senses to go wherever it is she's going." Naruto answered solemnly. "I know she can take of herself but leaving out of the blue like that is odd, even for her. I trust her though, it must personal to her and she knows how to look after herself. If she runs into trouble I'll know instantly."
"It's an inconvenience though, with this request from Kyoto we'll need all the manpower we can get." Lelouch sighed.
"So it's true then, the JLF's leader and what's left of them is going into exile." Naruto commented.
Kallen's eyes widened slightly. 'What?'
"You can come out now, Kallen." Naruto called out. "We're far enough now."
Kallen gasped slightly and realized she forgot to let them know she was following them but quickly came out from behind a tree.
"How are you holding up? What happened to Shirley's dad must have shaken you up too." Naruto commented as Kallen walked up to the two.
"It did but I'm glad he's okay and that he didn't condemn us." Kallen looked at the ground as she answered. "Thanks for stopping Suzaku in there. I wasn't comfortable listening to him argue about us with Shirley's dad."
"No problem. He really had no right ranting about them in front of Shirley and her father like that no matter how he felt. And you argued with me that using full blast was the better option." Naruto looked at Lelouch who had the decency to look ashamed.
"All right, you proved your point, Naruto." Lelouch looked down. "It's easier to use large attacks like that land slide and not stick around to see if it has any consequences of what happens to the people left behind."
"At least you now understand but all you can do regardless of what happens is continue on because if you hesitate all those lives will be in vain." Naruto continued, remembering his own experience in wars. "Now then, we have a present matter."
"I was wondering if you would get to that." Lelouch commented, holding a paper in his hands. "And yes, it's true. The last remnants of the JLF are fleeing Japan with barrels of liquid Sakuradite and they are trying to flee to the Chinese Federation."
"Well, except for the Holy Swords and Kyoshiro Todoh." Naruto offered. "And no doubt Cornelia will attempt to take it out. The fight at Narita has left them with nothing but what they could take with them in the aftermath and Cornelia will already know that. This will be her chance to wipe out what's left of them for good this time."
"So what do we do? We can't let Cornelia destroy them." Kallen asked, eager to save her fellow Japanese.
"Perhaps but if we let them leave they'll make any kind of deals with the Chinese Federation for help but even if the Chinese help they'll just see it as a chance to gain access to Japan's Sakuradite supply if they help expel Britannia. Japan would simply trade one master for another." Lelouch pointed out, his mind coming up with multiple scenarios. "We could use the JLF as a distraction to attack Cornelia when she's not expecting it, allowing the JLF to slip away but the moment they escape Cornelia will turn her sights on us. And if we try to save them we'll be risking the Black Knights in what will turn quickly into a war zone like Narita."
"But at the same time we can't ignore a request from Kyoto now that they're backing the Black Knights or we'll lose their back. At the very least we can give the JLF a fighting chance." Naruto offered, having thought up a plan to help the JLF after thinking it over.
"How?" Kallen asked.
"Cornelia won't do anything yet until the ship is ready to take off because of the Sakuradite onboard, right? If she attacks while the ship is still in the harbour and Sakuradite blows up it would take out the JLF along with anyone nearby in the harbor. So they'll use Portman-Frames that will only be armed with Slash Harkens to avoid igniting the Sakuradite while Cornelia will stay on the pier with her Royal Guard but she'll only rely the kind of ammunition that's too weak against a Knightmare's armor and if the Lancelot is there it'll only use its MVS swords and Slash Harkens. Even if they expect the Black Knights to show up they'll wait and hide, keeping their Knightmares deactivated until nightfall when the ship tries to leave." Naruto explained as he took the paper Lelouch had in his hands and looked over the contents. "If they expect the JLF to be weaponless we can use that to our advantage. The ship is large enough to carry a few Burais by the looks of it."
"You suggest we send them Burais?" Lelouch asked, wondering what Naruto was planning.
He was considering just getting rid of the JLF because they were a nuisance at best and a group that didn't see the big picture of Japan's future if it was successfully liberated at worst. However he knew Naruto and Kallen would object so he decided to see what plan Naruto or C.C. would come up with.
"Sounds like you're just using the JLF as bait for a shot at Cornelia." Kallen scowled.
"We're just brainstorming here, Kallen because we need a good plan if we want to save the JLF, take out Cornelia, and come out alive. We can't fight Cornelia and protect the JLF at the same time, especially with the Sakuradite onboard. If a random shot hits the ship the chances of the Sakuradite igniting are really high and if it's still close to the harbor everyone would be blown up with it. And if C.C. isn't back by then it'll just be Seizan and I will be limited as I can't fight at full strength without causing a lot of destruction with the low amount of space and with the underground pipes and drains I can't go underground without breaking them causing a potential flood." Naruto reasoned. "When the JLF escapes there'll be nothing distracting enemy from fighting us head on and we'll attract a lot more trouble when the Britannians scramble to rescue Cornelia. With what happened at Saitama and Narita they'll be paranoid of us trying to capture the Viceroy again so we can expect a lot of resistance. But if we give some Burais to the JLF with long range assault rifles and rocket launchers and the moment they find out that Cornelia's after them they might join the fight for a chance to get back at Cornelia for Narita." Naruto continued with a thoughtful look on his face. "We have a weapons factory now and I got someone to call on for all the ammo we need to give the JLF a fighting chance."
It would only be a matter reverse summoning himself to Rakshata's base back in India, pick up as many weapons as he can and then have C.C. or a Shadow Clone he leaves back in Japan to summon him back.
Kallen seemingly caught on. "And when they find out Cornelia's about to attack they'll fight back if they think they have a chance."
"Catch them in a pincer movement and keep Cornelia's forces bogged down while we move in take her out." Lelouch caught on, seeing the benefit in this plan. "And since the JLF will be on a ship with liquid Sakuradite Cornelia's forces won't risk attacking it until it's out of range, making them effectively untouchable. Ironically the target that they consider unarmed and weak will become the most dangerous threat to them, even more than the Black Knights."
It would save them the trouble of having protect the JLF and allow them to concentrate on capturing Cornelia. Only her Royal Guard would be with her and if they moved fast they could be in, get Cornelia, and get out before reinforcements arrived.
"With the JLF in front and us behind Cornelia will be trapped even if the Lancelot is with her." Kallen smiled.
"Exactly." Naruto nodded and looked at Lelouch. "So what do you think?"
"It's a good plan with the element of surprise. Cornelia won't expect us to actually share anything with the JLF as officially the Black Knights are not allied with them. It'll give us good PR amongst the Japanese and erase any lingering doubts Kyoto might have about us." Lelouch nodded, deciding that Naruto's plan was the best plan to go with. "What about C.C.? Will she be back?"
"Not sure but if she isn't we'll have to go without her. I know she wouldn't just take off unless she had a good reason." Naruto answered.
"The Guren and Seizan should be enough to handle Cornelia and…Suzaku." Kallen said was slightly hesitant saying the name of the Lancelot's pilot.
Lelouch inwardly flinched. "Yes…He's not here and I was hoping we could have done something to keep him from participating. I could have put something in his food to make him sick but he hasn't been at school since Narita."
"It can't be helped, Lelouch. Suzaku chose his side and we can't convince him to join us…unless you use your Geass on him." Naruto said, feeling slight sympathy for Lelouch as he knew better than most people of the feeling of fighting your best friend.
"No." Lelouch glared at Naruto. "I won't force Suzaku to join me against his will. I didn't use it to recruit anyone onto the Black Knights and I won't use it on…my friend."
Kallen watched the exchange and remembered Kirihara saying Lelouch and Nunnally were sent to the Kururugi family as hostages. That could explain how Lelouch and Suzaku know each other and why Lelouch is taking Suzaku's status of being the Lancelot's pilot so hard. Kallen herself had mixed feelings on that subject, seeing Suzaku as a nice guy even if he was an Honorary Britannian but couldn't help but be angry that he was fighting against his own people for some crazy idea of changing the Britannian system from within.
"Then are you prepared to fight him? He'll try to kill you." Naruto pointed out.
"No, he'll try to capture me. He doesn't believe in killing, even on the battlefield. He hasn't changed in that regard." Lelouch turned around and looked up to the sky. "I just wish I knew what made him become like that."
Kallen and Naruto shared a look; both were a little worried, even Kallen who had seemingly grown use to Lelouch as Zero even if she didn't get the full story.
"Then you better be ready tonight, Lelouch. You can't afford to let your personal feelings distract in front of your men." Naruto said, remembering his own experience from trying to save Sasuke. "You are friends here but tonight…"
"Yes, I am Zero and he's an Honorary Britannian who will attempt to capture Zero." Lelouch closed his eyes as he turned around and nodded. "I won't forget."
Xxx
Suzaku glanced at the new Knightmare that stood in the hangar next to the Lancelot that was still being repaired and instantly noticed how similar they looked.
"Wonderful, isn't it?"
Suzaku turned around to see Lloyd and Cecile walking up next to him to look at the white and blue Knightmare. It had the same height as the Lancelot but was colored white and blue while the Lancelot was white and gold. Its Landspinners were folded into the back of the legs and like the Lancelot it had the same forearm mounted Slash Harken/Blaze Luminous combo with Factspheres on both shoulders. It's 'face' was blue and gray with a blue pointed crown on its head.
Like the Lancelot it was armed with two MVS swords, an assault rifle, and a VARIS rifle was being built for it to use but not on the mission for tonight. It was impressive looking and even if it did not have all of the Lancelot's capabilities it would still be great help against the Black Knights.
"The Lancelot Club, our first attempt at mass producing Seven Generation Knightmare Frames. It failed because none of the pilots were able to handle its peaky adjustments." Lloyd remarked with his usual smile. "But it seems someone managed to find a pilot who can handle it."
"Who?" Suzaku asked curiously.
"I think it would be…him." Lloyd pointed at the door.
Suzaku looked and saw Cornelia walking in with Euphemia, Guilford, Darlton and two more people he didn't recognize. One was a grinning woman with pale green hair, bordering on blond, wearing a white uniform with a purple cape with a gun holster strapped to her thigh. The other was a boy around Suzaku's age with silver hair, blue eyes, and had the same physic as Lelouch but more athletic looking and wore the same uniform as Suzaku.
"Well, well, we've been blessed to be in a presence of one of the Knights of the Round." Lloyd commented.
"A Knight of the Round?" Suzaku asked, surprise evident in his voice as he knew the Knights of the Rounds were elite pilots that answered only to the Emperor himself.
"Lady Nonnette Enneagram." Cecile whispered.
"Well, Nelly," The woman stated with a cheerful smile and seemingly ignoring the annoyed look on Cornelia's face and the flabbergasted look on Suzaku's face. "I got here just in time for them to offload my little Rai's Knightmare. Doesn't it look fabulous?"
"Nonnette, we didn't come here to look at your apprentice's Knightmare." Cornelia said in irritation. "We have an important mission tonight."
"Oh, Nelly you must learn to stop being such a prude. My little Rai will have the Lancelot Club ready for tonight. You really need to learn how to relax and take a break once in a while." Nonnette playfully chided at Cornelia who could only look away with a resigned look on her face. "You'll never get a boyfriend with that bossy attitude."
"So," Lloyd came and looked at the boy named Rai. "Are you the one who managed to work my Lancelot Club?"
Rai took a step back. "Y-Yes sir."
"Excellent. I hope to get some interesting data tonight." Lloyd chuckled happily before Cecile pulled him back by the ear. "Ouch! Owie!"
"Honestly Lloyd." Cecile sighed in irritation.
Suzaku looked at Rai who stood next to Nonnette, looking out of place for some reason.
Nonnette seemingly noticed this. "Oh are you curious about my little Rai?" She looped an arm around Rai and pulled him close, chuckling at the yelp from the boy. "Don't mind him, he's just a little shy but acts like my cute little puppy."
Rai stuttered and blushed from what he was being called and looked away, unable to look anyone in the eye.
"Now, what's this about a mission?" Nonnette asked, looking at Cornelia with an eager grin.
Xxx
C.C. walked through Ashford Academy's park wearing her white and blue summer dress and white hat to cover the top of her head and the top of her face. The walks through the park usually relaxed her but she was here for one reason and one reason only.
'Mao, you cannot have me just as you will not harm Naruto. Whatever life you envisioned for us can never come to pass.' C.C. thought as she noticed the red light for some reason moving away from the school. 'Hm? Why is he moving away? Did he pick up something from someone who might know where I am?'
C.C. frowned as she realized Mao was not moving back into the Ghetto and she couldn't take him out in the public even with her powers.
'Why is he moving away all of a sudden?' C.C. wondered.
Xxx
"Wait a second, Zero. I realize this is a request from Kyoto. I think we can definitely handle it and I'm pretty sure the Japan Liberation Front would rather join us then flee to foreign soil and all but…" Ohgi trailed off.
"You're the one who brought us this information…" Zero turned to the man who had two guards keeping their rifles trained on in case he tried anything. "Diethard was it?"
"That's right." Diethard Reid answered calmly despite the guns pointed at him. "It's an honor that you would meet me like this, Zero."
"So Cornelia is going to deploy the Royal Marines on General Katase of the Japan Liberation Front. Is that correct?" Lelouch questioned, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, the network is already poised to broadcast a special report on it." Diethard answered.
"Lieutenant Colonel Todoh will never make it to General Katase in time. Which means the Japan Liberation Front has no military strength right now." Lelouch looked across the assembled Black Knights. "Their only chance of escape is the liquid Sakuradite they are carrying."
"Which is why we should help General Katase escape instead of going after Cornelia." Ohgi pointed out.
"Don't worry, Ohgi." Naruto stepped out of the shadows. "We've already made plans to help the general. We are not going to abandon him like that."
"I've taken the liberty of sending Katase several Burais armed with assault rifles and rocket launchers. When the JLF attempts to leave that is when Cornelia will launch her assault. The JLF will respond by launching their counterattack and when it happens Cornelia will be caught off guard as she believes they won't have anything aside from a few guns. When the attack begins the Black Knights will attack from behind, catching Cornelia in a pincer movement and keeping her forces bogged down." Lelouch explained. "With us attacking Cornelia the JLF will have the time they need to slip out into international waters."
"After all, Ohgi, who are we?" Naruto rhetorically asked with a teasing voice.
"Well, we're the Black Knights, Zero." Ohgi hesitantly answered.
"Then we have but one task: we will destroy Cornelia's troops and in doing so rescue the remains of the JLF." Lelouch stood up. "Tonight, we once again show Britannia that we will not tolerate one-sided massacres!"
"What are our chances?" Ohgi asked.
"Need you ask?" Lelouch smirked.
Ohgi smiled. "Understood."
Diethard made a note of how easy it was for Zero to inspire his troops.
"Being preparations, you all have your orders to carry out." Lelouch turned and started walking away.
"Uh, Zero!" Kallen called out.
"I have something to attend to," Lelouch looked back at Kallen. "Whatever it is, save it for later."
Kallen could only watch as Zero and Seizan vanished into the shadows.
Xxx
Suzaku and Rai stood with full attention as Darlton debriefed them. "Just so you know, the Viceroy has her reservation about using Numbers. But use every able body I always say, even if it's the son of the former Prime Minister."
Suzaku flinched but remained calm. He would have had the Lancelot with him but it was still being repaired so he was piloting a standard Sutherland instead. He was still upset for losing at Narita and wanted to hunt down the blue Knightmare for stopping him from rescuing Euphie who at the moment was under house arrest by Cornelia as she led tonight's operation.
"Our target is Katase, take him out and the Japan Liberation Front is finished. We're sending in the Royal Marines." Darlton looked at both pilots. "Your jobs are to provide supporting fire from the shore until the Marines have Katase as well as annihilating any stragglers left over."
Suzaku's eyes widened. "I'm to annihilate them, sir?"
Darlton nodded, not surprised by the boy's reaction. "Nobody but the target is to survive is that clear." Upon seeing Suzaku's shocked look Darlton turned around. "Warrant Officer Kururugi show your loyalty to the Crown. This is your chance to get ahead in the world, soldier."
As Darlton walked away Suzaku whispered. "Understood sir."
"Onward Christian soldiers," Lloyd walked up to the boys. "Conflicting morals right?"
Rai looked away while Suzaku clenched the fist holding his key.
Xxx
Someone dressed a delivery boy came up to the ship with a truck that a large container attached to it. The Japanese soldiers pointed their guns at him but when the man lifted his cap they saw his left eye flashing red.
Xxx
"You originally planned to destroy the JLF didn't you?" Naruto asked as Lelouch changed out of his delivery boy disguise.
"Hm? You figured me out?" Lelouch asked, not bothering to react to the accusation. "I considered it because the JLF only wants to make Japan the way it was before the invasion and they had no qualms killing anyone who got in the way, Britannian or Japanese. At their core they are just as racists as the Britannians are and would hinder Japan's rebirth to try revive the old government that wasn't really effective to begin with. I went over it in my head and came up with several different scenarios on how it would have gone and there are too many possible outcomes."
"True but if you had gone through with it and someone figured you out you would be in a lot of trouble." Naruto pointed out with a frown. "You're concerned about removing obstacles and making the Black Knights the strongest group in Japan. And if the JLF is gone you could get Kyoshiro Todoh on your side."
"I did consider it, he'd be a great help to us and he'd inspire more Japanese to rise up with us." Lelouch nodded, impressed by Naruto's deductive skills. "But at the very least I was willing to hear out your plan, Naruto and I have to say it works better because it allows for a greater chance of capturing Cornelia. I won't pretend to be a saint around you, C.C., or even Kallen as this is war and more than once people end up caught in it even if they had no interest in fight for either side. Even if people see us as cowards, we have to prevail, if that means more blood will be shed so be it. We've spilled so much to get here, we can't let it be in vain. I won't try to force you, Naruto or C.C. or Kallen to help me, if you wish to turn back…"
"I made my choice before we met, Lelouch. And what about you, Kallen?" Naruto looked over his shoulder.
Kallen stepped out from the door and looked at both of them as they glanced at her. "…I made my choice as well."
Lelouch smiled. "I'm grateful for that, both of you."
"Just one thing…" Kallen walked up to Lelouch.
"Hm?" Lelouch looked confused.
Kallen raised her hand…smacked Lelouch across the face which made him step back.
"What was that for?" Lelouch put a hand to his red cheek.
"For considering sacrificing what's left the Japan Liberation Front. Even if what you say is true they are Japanese and you're fighting to save them." Kallen huffed as she stepped back.
Naruto snickered. "Ouch."
Lelouch grunted and rubbed his cheek. "You knew she would do that and you had me talk when she was hiding so she'd hear me."
"What? Me? Would I do such a thing?" Naruto chuckled. "Am I that devious?"
"Yes." Kallen reached and whacked the back of Naruto's head with her fist.
"Hey!" Naruto protested, clutching his head. "What did I do?"
"Being a devious bastard." Kallen simply said.
Lelouch smirked. "At least all I got was the slap."
"Oh ha, ha." Naruto grumbled, while wondering why he kept on getting hit by violent red heads. "For a cold faced emo you sure like to smile when someone other than you gets whacked."
"And for someone who wants to bring peace you sure like to pester everyone around, fox-boy." Lelouch retorted.
"Oh did you not just go there-OW!"
Kallen shut both of them up by bonking them on their heads. "Will you two knock it off, already? We need to get a move on…By the way, where's C.C.?"
"Haven't heard from her yet but I know she's nearby. I think she's trying avoid coming here for some reason. We might just have to start without her." Naruto answered, getting serious.
"It's all right; we can make do without her." Lelouch said as he put his mask on. "We can't afford to wait for her. Did you set the bomb where I wanted?"
"Yep. It's all ready." Naruto nodded.
"All right, let's get started."
Xxx
"It's time." Darlton spoke.
The Royal Marines were all lined up while Suzaku's Sutherland and the Lancelot Club stood waiting with several Sutherlands.
"Commence with the operation." Cornelia commanded.
"All units, in the water! Dive! Dive!" The Portman Frames begin diving underwater.
Suzaku and Rai moved with the Sutherlands as they went to their positions. It went as expected as the Portman Frames surrounded the ship while the Knightmares on the land attacked from distance with their rifles. The Portman Frames launched their Harkens and started climbing up the ship.
"This isn't a battle, it's a slaughter." Suzaku muttered as he sniped another soldier.
"Officer Kururugi." Cecile appeared on the monitor.
"Go ahead." Suzaku answered.
"I certainly know this must be hard for you but you are a soldier, remember that." Cecile offered her advice.
Xxx
"They've launched their attack already!" Katase banged his fist on his desk. "Hurry up and deploy the Burais!"
They had received confirmation from Kyoto that was sending Burais and ammunition as well as the chance that Cornelia would attack them. According to them Todoh set up the plan to lure them out so the JLF could take them by surprise, using the Sakuradite as a shield as Cornelia wouldn't risk destroying the ship and with the Burais that Kyoto had sent fending her off long enough for them to make it into international waters they all jumped at the chance for revenge on Cornelia for their losses .
It was only half the truth but Lelouch needed them to trust his plan.
Xxx
Suzaku spotted the ship's main cargo hold opening up. "There's something happening on the ship. It's-"
Suzaku's eyes widened as four Burais stood up from the cargo hold with rifles pointed at the land-based Knightmares with men holding rocket launchers. And behind them were containers, all of them no doubt filled with liquid Sakuradite.
"It's a trap!" Suzaku shouted.
Xxx
"Die Britannian scum!"
With that said half the soldiers with the rocket launchers aimed and fired on the Port-Frames, taking them out with one shot while the Burais and the other soldiers armed with rocket launchers aimed at the shore and fired.
Xxx
"I can't believe it! They have Knightmares with them?!" Cornelia was furious as the JLF attacked, taking out several Sutherlands easily. "Our Intel said they didn't have any weapons!"
However Cornelia instantly realized that the JLF couldn't have gotten weapons that fast, unless they had help.
'Zero.' That one word shot to the top of Cornelia's mind and she then knew that they had lured into a trap. 'He's here and he's about to make his move!'
Xxx
"The JLF are keeping the Britannians bogged down! All forces move in and rush them from behind!" Lelouch speed boat he, Kallen, and Naruto were on rushed to the mainland. "Take them out quick and show them our determination!"
"Right." Kallen answered.
"Here we go." Naruto grinned.
"And now then," Lelouch held up the detonator.
As the Sutherlands along with the two seven Generation Knightmares tried to reorganize themselves Lelouch pushed the button. The bomb that Naruto had placed near where the Knightmares had gathered went off and exploded, sending water flying up and preventing them from seeing the boat.
"What the-" Suzaku gasped as he and the others were blind for a second.
When the water fell back down a giant speed boat came into his vision as it flew through the air and slammed into several Sutherlands before they could react.
"LOOK OUT!" Suzaku shouted as he and Rai quickly moved out of the way.
With the JLF continuing their attack any Sutherlands that weren't fast enough move were instantly taken out. Before they could do anything Suzaku and Rai came under attack by incoming fire from the Burais on the JLF boat, suffering some damage, even the Lancelot Club before it activated its Blaze Luminous to protect itself and cover Suzaku.
"We can't fight like this!" Suzaku grunted.
If they tried attacking someone might accidently hit the Sakuradite and cause a huge explosion that would put everyone in the harbour in danger.
"They caught us by surprise." Rai spoke up.
'He's right. How could they know we were coming, unless-' Suzaku's eyes widened as he realized only one person could set up a trap this elaborate. 'Zero.'
Xxx
"It's like Narita all over again." Ohgi noted.
"It's outstanding!" Diethard who had been dressed as a Black Knight jumped and slid down the ladder.
"Hey, get back here!" Ohgi shouted, having been tasked with watching the Britannian reporter.
'He used the JLF as bait but armed them so that when the moment was right Cornelia would be taken by complete surprise and now their command is wide open now.' Diethard smirked. 'Once again Zero shows his cunning.'
"Where are you going?! Hey!" Ohgi shot at him but Diethard made it down to the ground and took off to get a better look at the carnage.
'It makes perfect sense. He used the hate the JLF had for Britannia and supplied them with enough weapons to make their stand while he swoops while making sure they can't fight back because of the Sakuradite and takes Cornelia out in all the commotion. He's excellent material, this Zero. He's chaos incarnate! More, show me more of your genius! Let your ego engulf the world!'
Diethard let out a loud laugh from the sheer exhilaration he was feeling.
Xxx
"They have us in a pincer movement! Mount up now and form defensive line on the double!" Darlton shouted as he tried to get into his Gloucester. "Protect her Highness at all costs!"
"How did they know we were here?" Cornelia grunted, trying to understand how Zero anticipated her plan again.
"Your Highness…" Guilford spoke, wishing his princess was not here.
Once the boat had slid to a stop it opened up, allowing the Knightmares inside to jump out.
"Knock their Knightmares into the sea before they can be mounted. Guren Mk-II, Seizan, you're with me!" Lelouch said as he took off.
"Right!" Kallen quickly took out a Sutherland that tried to attack Lelouch from behind.
"Right behind you!" Naruto nodded as he pulled out his kodachi and took out two more Sutherlands easily.
Cornelia quickly got into her Gloucester and started powering it up. She knew that Zero would be coming for her and this time she would be ready.
"Your Highness, we can handle this!" Guilford said over the radio.
"Quiet! How many times do you think I'll allow them to mock me?!" Cornelia snarled.
She would not let Zero get the better of her, not this time!
However Lelouch anticipated her intent and quickly wheeled forward, smashing his Burai into her Gloucester and through the wall of the warehouse.
"I haven't even powered on!" Cornelia growled, gripping her controls as her Gloucester came out of the wall and hit the ground.
As Lelouch's Burai wheeled out of the smoke Cornelia fired her shoulder Slash Harken that took out Lelouch's left arm.
"Do you think you can best me at Knightmare combat?!" Cornelia shouted taking her assault rifle out but a Slash Harken shot out and knocked it out of her hand.
Behind Lelouch came the Guren and Seizan out of the hole in the warehouse.
"You again?!" Cornelia growled hatefully as the Guren fired its Harkens that quickly tied up her Gloucester.
"I'll smash your hatch and drag you out, Cornelia!" Lelouch pointed his own automatic at Cornelia's cockpit.
However before he could fire a Gloucester came out from behind Cornelia and sliced the cable holding Cornelia down.
"Damn!" Lelouch pulled back.
He then saw a symbol painted on the Gloucester and noticed it was custom modified Gloucester.
"That symbol, that's the symbol of the Knights of the Round!" Lelouch's eyes widened in shock. "Kallen, Naruto, that pilot's a member of the Knights of the Round!"
"What?!" Kallen shouted over the radio.
"I know that symbol and it belongs to the Knights." Lelouch explained, his features turning grim. "Why are they here?"
"Guess we made a bigger impression than we thought." Naruto commented.
"Well, well, looks I made in time, Nelly." Nonnette spoke to Cornelia through the radio. "You almost got blown to bits."
"Save it, Nonnette. We need to take them out now!" Cornelia growled, her pride suffering a serious blow from having to be saved by the Knight of Nine who would never let her live it down.
"Oh calm down. You won't do any good all riled up like that." Nonnette said as she stared down the three enemy Frames in front of her.
"Kallen, Naruto, we need to move fast while they haven't organized themselves yet. Rush them and take them out!" Lelouch said through the private channel.
"Right!" Kallen shouted as she wheeled forward.
"Here we go!" Nonnette's smile turned predatory.
Kallen lunged at Nonnette's Gloucester with the Guren's claw but Nonnette held up her lance and slapped the claw away as she pulled out her automatic to shoot the Guren in the face. Kallen backpedaled, flipping through the air as she dodged the bullets and pulled out the Raijin sword. Nonnette however didn't plan to let her use it as she launched her Slash Harkens past Kallen, hitting the warehouse behind her and was pulled straight to the Guren. She swung her lance forward and knocked the Raijin away before Kallen could activate it and slammed her shoulder into the Guren, sending it straight into the wall of the warehouse.
"Gah!" Kallen cried out.
"Kallen!" Naruto and Lelouch shouted.
Naruto would have moved to help but that was when Cornelia leapt crashing her blades between Naruto's kodachi.
"This is payback for Narita!" Cornelia shouted as she backpedaled and fired her Harkens at Lelouch who grunted as he stepped back to avoid being hit.
Xxx
Meanwhile someone was watching from a safe distance, observing the battle and seeing that Cornelia was barely holding out. The person was in a standard Sutherland with a sniper rifle in its hand.
"Enemy has pinned Cornelia down. Orders?" The pilot asked.
"Assist them but do not give away your presence."
"Understood." The person then aimed the rifle at the JLF tanker and immediately pulled the trigger.
The bullet shot through the air, past the Burais and the JLF soldiers and hit one of the tanks of liquid Sakuradite. The effect was instant as the JLF tanker was instantly engulfed in a huge explosion that wiped the people onboard and took out a few nearby Britannian Knightmares on the land and still in the sea.
Both Suzaku and Rai were shocked when they saw the JLF tanker exploded but had no time to comment as a voice spoke over the radio. "The enemy tanker has been eliminated. Go and assist Princess Cornelia. She's under attack by enemy forces."
"The princess! Zero!" Suzaku realized as he sped off.
Zero would not get away this time.
Xxx
"Damn it!" Naruto grunted as the shockwave from the explosion flew past them, sending debris flying all around them. "Who blew up the tanker?!"
Nonnette still had Kallen pinned down and tried to finish her off but thinking quickly Kallen placed her clawed hand on the wall behind the Guren and activate the Wave Surger. The wall instantly exploded, covering the whole area in dust.
"Gah!" Nonnette as she fell forward as the Guren pedaled back but managed to right herself just as Kallen slapped her Gloucester in the face and knocked it back. "She's good. A little bit of training and she might be Knight of the Round material."
Cornelia was caught off guard by the destroyed warehouse and Lelouch quickly aimed his automatic at her. But before he could fire a blue and white Knightmare leapt out and stood in front of Cornelia, blocking the bullets with a green shield.
"What?!" Kallen exclaimed.
"A new model?!" Lelouch's eyes widened.
Naruto looked up and saw a Sutherland leaping over the wooden crates and aim its foot down at Lelouch. "Oh no you don't!"
Seizan leapt up as Suzaku fell forward and aimed his own kick at its midsection. The foot slammed into the Sutherland's chest and sent it spiraling through the air but it easily landed back on its feet, thanks to its pilot's skills.
"Zero, you're methods are not going to change anything." Suzaku spoke through his Sutherland's speakers as Seizan landed next to Lelouch's Burai. "You're focused on goals and don't understand the pain of others!"
'Suzaku! Not again!' Lelouch gritted his teeth.
"Well, if it isn't the Knight in Shining armor and you have a new friend. I see you traded in your fancy Knightmare. Got tired of being defeat in that white toy?" Naruto commented through Seizan's speakers. "No longer confident you can defeat us alone?"
He looked to the new Knightmare and instantly noticed a red light in the cockpit where the pilot was through his disguised Rinnegan.
'He has Geass!' Naruto realized.
"These are people's lives you are playing with! You're nothing but murderers!" Suzaku exclaimed as he changed forward.
"Oh shut up with your crap! We're not the ones who blew up that tanker!" Naruto shouted, getting really annoyed with Suzaku's attitude.
The four Britannian Knightmares instantly moved into action against the three enemies before them. Rai jumped up into the air, pulling his MVS sword and clashed with Naruto's kodachi, Nonnette and Suzaku engaged Kallen while Cornelia went after Lelouch.
"Damn it!" Kallen gritted her teeth as the two Knightmares charged towards her.
The Raijin sword had been knocked out of her hands so she only had her skills and the Guren's manoeuvrability to rely on. Luckily all Nonnette had was a golden lance and Suzaku only had a rifle with micro-ammunition and his Frame's Stun-Tonfas but both made up for the lack of weaponry with their piloting skills.
"Hey, Eleven boy!" Nonnette said through the radio. "Go help Nelly. I got this!"
"But-Understood." Suzaku wanted to object but Nonnette was Knight of the Round so he obeyed.
"Oh crap!" Kallen punched the communicator as Suzaku moved to attack Lelouch. "Lelouch, get out of there! Suzaku's coming towards you!"
"I can't! Cornelia's got me pinned!" Lelouch said as he struggled to avoid Cornelia's golden lance killing him.
"Naruto?" Kallen asked, looking to where Naruto's Knightmare was, seeing him fighting the Lancelot look-a-like.
"Little busy." Naruto said as he fought with the Club. "I can't go all out in a place like this without seriously causing damage and possibly killing everyone else. We got to hurry and get past these guys and get out before the enemy piles on us!"
At the very least he and the Club were even in combat. The new Knightmare not only looked like the Lancelot but shared a lot of its features but the pilot seemed be highly skilled as he fought with fast reflexes and seemed to be just as skilled, if not more skilled than Suzaku.
'He's not using his Geass meaning it probably it doesn't work like Kallen's.' Naruto thought as he blocked a slash and launched a kick that the Lancelot look-alike dodged by jumping back, flipping through the air and landing perfectly on its feet a few yards away. 'But he's a very good pilot.'
Kallen cursed as she avoided Nonnette spearing the Guren with her golden glance and sped away, firing her Slash Harkens but Nonnette fired her assault rifle that collided with Kallen's Harkens in mid-air, cutting into the cables and sending the blades flying. Kallen quickly sped off towards where the Raijin sword was lying on the ground, aware that Nonnetta was shooting at her from behind. She grunted as she heard bullets hitting the right arm but leapt forward, grabbing the Raijin sword and activated it as she landed on her feet.
"Long range mode activated!" Kallen shouted as she spun around and swung her blade out, releasing a blast of red lightning.
Nonnette spun out of the way and shot at Kallen again but she used her sword to block the bullets as she charged forward with a loud yell.
However to her shock, Nonnette vanished and reappeared right in front of her. "Huh?!"
As Naruto fended off Rai his Rinnegan caught sight of something, a red light enveloping Kallen for a ten whole seconds. 'That light, it's a Geass!'
'So, another Geass user.' Kurama mused.
"You have to move fast!" Nonnette laughed as she thrust her lance forward.
Acting on instinct Kallen held up clawed hand and activate her Wave Surger, creating a shield that blocked Nonnette's lance and destroyed it. She swung her Raijin sword at the Knight but Nonnette vanished, reappearing twenty feet away.
'Again?!' Kallen's eyes widened as she had to dodge Nonnette firing her Slash Harkens at the Gurren's cockpit. 'How does he do that?!'
"Kallen, there's a Geass user here!" The red headed pilot heard Naruto shouting through the radio.
"What?!" Kallen exclaimed.
"Yeah, the guy's close by but I can't concentrate on finding him and fighting at the same time. All I know is that Geass must somehow paralyze its target like yours. You got to use your Geass and take out your opponent. I got this guy but Lelouch is getting creamed so we have to move fast." Naruto replied. "The moment you have an opening take it and get out of here."
Lelouch was having the worst luck of the three as Naruto was holding off the Lancelot Club while Kallen was at a stalemate for the moment with Nonnette. He had already lost one arm and while he hadn't lost his rifle it was next to useless as Cornelia and Suzaku were too agile. The funny thing was that it wasn't his skill keeping him alive; it was the lack of teamwork and coordination between Cornelia and Suzaku. Cornelia was overly aggressive as usual and attacking without taking note of Suzaku who had to abort a move that would have finished Lelouch off more than once.
"Damn it!" Lelouch swore as his Burai lost its rifle thanks to Suzaku knocking it out of Lelouch's hand with a Stun-Tonfa and Lelouch barely managed to keep the arm.
He kept on moving, knowing that if he stopped he was dead.
"Surrender, Zero!" Suzaku stated through the Sutherland's speakers.
"As if." Lelouch said as he reached for the hidden compartment on his right side and pulled out a capsule.
The same weapon that had been designed just in case he ended up fighting the Lancelot without any backup had been added to his Burai as a precaution. It would release a shockwave of chakra that would disable or overload any Knightmare it touches and that hopefully included the Lancelot.
"A chaos mine?!" Cornelia's eyes widened as Lelouch threw it at her and Suzaku.
"Your Highness!" Suzaku moved in front of Cornelia to shield her with his Frame.
However instead of raining down multiple explosives on them the capsule released an explosion of blue light that collided with Suzaku and sent him flying back while Cornelia tried moved out of the way but Suzaku collided with her and they flew back.
"Gah!" Suzaku cried out as he collided with the wall of a nearby warehouse.
"Damn it!" Cornelia cursed as her Gloucester hit the wall next to Suzaku with enough force to make a series of cracks form around her.
"Now's my chance!" Lelouch tried to flee but he suddenly froze even though he had no way of knowing that.
Naruto who was still fighting the Lancelot Club saw the bright red light engulfing Lelouch and realized the same Geass user who had paralyzed Kallen was doing it to Lelouch. 'Damn it, not again! We're actually on the losing side this time!'
"All the systems are fried, I can't move." Suzaku slammed his console when he saw that the strange energy blast had overloaded his systems. "Not now. I have to move! I have to stop Zero!"
While Suzaku was down Cornelia had luckily avoided the blast thanks to Suzaku shielding her with his Frame even though she had been knocked back into the warehouse with him.
"Zero, your tricks won't work a second time." Cornelia glared at the black Burai staring at her. "I'm ending your rebellion and I will see to it you suffer for my humiliation!"
"Huh?!" Lelouch felt disorientated for some reason and looked up to see Cornelia's Gloucester that just managed to get back up and renew her attack. "Shit!"
'Same Geass froze Lelouch until they could attack him again.' Realizing that enough was enough Naruto had to act fast. He activated the power of the Asura Path inside Seizan and rockets appeared in the feet, propelling Seizan forward as it grappled with the Lancelot Club and slammed it into a pile of crates.
Rai grunted as the crates fell on top of the Club, burying him but he wouldn't be down for long and Naruto knew that. Upon realizing that a Geass was slowing her down Kallen activated her own Geass as she and Nonnette charged at each other again. She watched as the customized Gloucester slowed down before her, the power her Geass enhancing her vision and seeing things more clearly and slowing everything down. Just as they were at point blank range as Nonnette thrust her lance forward Kallen reacted just as the lance was mere inches from the cockpit.
The Guren suddenly leapt up, over the lance and its foot came down on the Gloucester's head before it jumped off and send Nonnette tumbling forward.
"Gah!" Nonnette grunted as she tumbled across the ground.
"Hang on!" Kallen moved forward to save Lelouch.
As this happened the person who had been watching the fight and destroyed the JLF tanker knew that something had to be done fast or Cornelia would lose. The person's left eye flared with the power of Geass.
"Hm?" Naruto narrowed his eyes as he saw a red light envelope him and Kallen, freezing her but he was immune to the effects of Geass.
At the same time Lelouch had been cornered by Cornelia with the Princess aiming the tip of her lance at his cockpit.
Lelouch thought it was over until both Knightmares suddenly stopped in front of him. "Huh?"
"Lelouch, hurry! Move!" Naruto shouted.
Thinking Naruto had done something Lelouch fired his Slash Harkens, aiming both at Cornelia's knees. The loss of her knees caused Cornelia to fall forward while still charging towards Lelouch. The masked boy barely moved out of the way in time as Cornelia fell face first into a large wooden crate.
"Gah!" Cornelia grunted as the crash shook her cockpit and she slammed her fist on her console when she realized she lost her legs. "Damn it!"
"We have to move, now!" Lelouch said as he took off.
Suzaku looked up and saw Zero fleeing. He had seen the entire fight and wandered if the strange explosive had paralyzed Cornelia for a second, allowing Zero to make his move and take her out. He needed to stop the terrorist before he escaped and he needed to do it now.
"Come on…Fire!" Suzaku shouted as he slammed his fist down on his console and fired his Slash Harkens at the Burai's back.
Lelouch heard an alarm as the Harkens slammed into his back and came out the other side.
"Lelouch, eject!" Kallen shouted.
Lelouch did as he was told and ejected his cockpit from his Burai as Suzaku tried to pull him back.
"Damn!" Suzaku gritted his teeth as he saw Zero getting away again.
"He's fine, let's go!" Naruto shouted as he spun off with Kallen behind him.
"Will Lelouch will be all right?" Kallen asked as they lost the Britannians behind them.
"He'll be fine, boy's too stubborn to die from something like that. And just in case there's someone moving to check up on him right now." Naruto replied with a small smile before frowning. "But we got some new problems to deal with now."
Xxx
C.C. came out of hiding as Lelouch's cockpit crashed onto the ground not far from her. She had been busy trying to track down Mao but she had been interrupted by the battle at the harbour and the fact that Mao for some reason turned away from the school. She didn't know why but she had little time to consider as she rushed down here to see the battle end.
'Troublesome boy.' C.C. looked down and saw that Lelouch's gun had fallen out of his clothes and landed on the ground in front of him. 'Honestly, he just keeps on getting in trouble.'
Xxx
Lelouch groaned as he awoke with a pounding headache. 'Wh-where am I?'
"Looks like the idiot's awake." C.C.'s annoying voice spoke from somewhere nearby.
Lelouch opened his eyes and found himself inside his room in the Black Knight's mobile headquarters.
"You okay?" Kallen asked as she came into his vision with a concerned look.
"What happened?" Lelouch said as he sat up.
"You want the short version or the long version?" Naruto sat against the table where Lelouch's laptop rested. "Short version is that mission got fucked up."
"And the long version?" Lelouch asked with a frown.
"We had Cornelia on the ropes when someone blew up the tanker and took out the JLF." Kallen answered with a scowl. "Ohgi reported that was a Sutherland with a sniper rifle that wheeled off when it fired."
"And if that wasn't bad enough we ended up facing a Knightmare that was similar to the Lancelot and a pilot who appears to be a member of the Knights of the Round. With the death of General Katase the Japan Liberation Front is pretty much done for. Their leaders are all gone with only Todoh and the Four Holy Swords left but without any Knightmares or any backing from Kyoto what's left of the JLF will collapse and scatter across Japan with no hope of recovery." Naruto added his input into the report.
"That's right…" Lelouch grimaced as he remembered. "We got blind-sided by this unexpected development."
"There's also the matter that there are two Geass users working with the enemy." Naruto continued.
"What?!" Lelouch exclaimed.
"It's true. Naruto explained to me how you and Kallen were caught off guard as your opponents seemingly teleported in front of you. No doubt it's from a member of the Gease Directorate and from what I saw from our shared vision it was Rolo, their top assassin." C.C. explained. "His Geass is the Seal of Absolute Suspension, meaning he can freeze the perception of his targets. He froze you and Kallen during the fight to give Cornelia the advantage."
"That explains it…That's why Cornelia froze when she cornered me." Lelouch realized. "Why did he freeze her?"
"He didn't mean to. Kallen and I took down our opponents and were moving to help you. Rolo had to use a wide range effect of his Geass which froze Kallen but he accidentally caught Cornelia in it. Luckily you were out of range but I was immune to it so I would have taken her out before she could finish you off." Naruto explained. "And then there's the Geass user in the new Knightmare looking like the Lancelot. I don't know his story because he never used it in the fight meaning it must only be used directly like yours."
"And I had to use my Geass to defeat that Knight I fought." Kallen added, sounding slightly shameful. "He's good, skilled enough that if not for my Geass I don't think I would have won."
"Great." Lelouch rubbed the back of his head. "So our enemy has two new ace pilots, one of which has Geass and an assassin who has a Geass that can paralyze anyone like Kallen's but doesn't need eye contact and the other is a Knight of the Round. This changes things greatly."
"Pretty much." C.C. nodded.
"So they've finally sent a Geass user here but you mentioned the pilot of the Knightmare resembling the Lancelot having Geass?" Lelouch sighed.
"He didn't use it so I guess it can only be used in person like yours and Kallen's. But he seems to be as skilled as Suzaku or Kallen from what I saw." Naruto answered as he picked up Lelouch's laptop. "There is a way to find out where that Knightmare came from. Our benefactor has been looking into it."
"Benefactor?" Lelouch and Kallen asked at the same time.
Naruto tapped the mouse and Rakshata appeared on the screen. "You're on Rakshata-chan."
"Ah, finally. I was wondering if I'd meet the infamous Zero." Rakshata grinned at the two shocked teens. "I take you have heard of me?"
"Rakshata Chawla? The woman whose work in cybernetic prosthetics and general enhancements have revolutionized Knightmare research? She designed the Guren." Lelouch commented with a surprised look on her face.
"And our Knightmares too." Naruto offered with a smirk.
"Really?" Kallen wondered where Naruto and C.C. got their Knightmares. "She designed your Knightmares? How did she come up with a way for you guys to use your powers with the Knightmares?"
"We did some modifications of our own." C.C. answered with her signature smile. "And we gave Rakshata some tips on how to make some improvements herself."
"Gave her? Like what?" Lelouch questioned.
"Well, this would be one of them, boy." Rakshata smirked as she closed her eyes and when she opened she was greeted with satisfying looks of surprise on Lelouch and Kallen's faces. "Something on my face?"
"Those eyes…" Lelouch trailed off when he saw those ringed eyes. "That's the-"
"Rinnegan. Right you are little Zero, while building my wonderful children that have been helping you C.C. gave me these eyes and made me one of her Paths. And thanks to them I've learning so much about these powers and what I can make." Rakshata chuckled. "Hope you like what else I have in store."
"Wait, C.C. mentioned she gave someone the Rinnegan before Sayoko. It was you." Lelouch realized.
"Yes and I've been working on discovering where that Knightmare came from and I know it's the work of Lloyd Asplund, an Earl who works for Prince Schenizel." Rakshata stated as she smoked her pipe. "Luckily when you found the Ashford's old weapons factory you gave me a way to access Britannian military data."
"What'd you find?" Naruto asked.
"Well, it seems that Knightmare you fought, the Lancelot Club was a project set up to try and mass-produce Seven Generation Knightmare frames but the project failed because of how poor the prototype's performance was. Turns out that Lloyd used a Sutherland Frame built with spare parts from the Lancelot. Perhaps he found a pilot capable of using the Club perfectly now even if the Club is not as advanced with the Lancelot." Rakshata explained.
"How does having the Ashford's old weapons factory help us?" Kallen questioned.
"Just because the Ashford's lost their nobility doesn't mean they lost all of their connections. Turns out the Ashfords, more specifically Ruben Ashford found out how to hack the Britannian military data network and even has a library on every known conceivable Knightmare combination. He's even come up with a counter for the VARIS through a shield system Rakshata is looking at along with the Blaze Luminous systems that the Lancelot and the Club are equipped with." C.C. answered and grinned when she saw the surprised looks on Kallen and Lelouch's faces. "And with Rakshata's help and some money from Lelouch's funding we can start producing Knightmares, powerful ones for the Black Knights soon. Of course we'll have to keep it secret or Britannia will start producing more powerful Knightmares to compete with us, making it harder to actually take back Japan."
"This…this is amazing." Lelouch looked at the screen as Rakshata brought up schematics of Knightmares. "We could mass produce Knightmares as capable as the Guren and your Knightmares in a matter of days."
"That's not all, Lelouch. Take a look at this Knightmare." C.C. brought up a Knightmare file and showed it to Lelouch.
"Is this an experimental Knightmare?" Lelouch looked it over and was impressed by what he saw.
"The reason we're showing you this is because you need a personal Knightmare if you're going out onto the battlefield. Your skills with a Knightmare are not on our level or Suzaku's and if they corner you again you won't last long." Naruto explained with a serious look.
"You wish to design a personal Knightmare for me?" Lelouch questioned, seeing the benefit of such an idea.
"Not wish, going to. Rakshata's already at work on it." Naruto answered. "You need to defend yourself, especially if and when we're not around to save your scrawny ass."
"Very well. At the very least I realize that I need a Knightmare I can use as a command center while out on the battlefield." Lelouch relented.
"And that means you need to start getting some training on the simulator. Now that that's over with we need to head back. Today was a long day." Naruto yawned. "And I'm wiped out."
"He's right." Kallen nodded as she yawned. "That was a long mission even for us."
Xxx
Deep within the depths of the Ashford Weapons factory Mito Senju smiled as she looked over the data on her laptop.
"All right, we're all set up here." Mito said.
"All right, let's begin." Rakshata smiled from the screen.
With that said Mito activated the factory by bring up her cursor to the word FABRICATE and clicked on it. She watched as the mechanical arms and conveyor belts activate, taking the parts that had been brought in and began building what Mito had programmed the computers to build, a Knightmare frame from scratch with experimental technology that officially did not exist yet but all the necessary parts had been acquired thanks to the wonderful effects of Summoning and Sealing Jutsus.
"Another masterpiece." Mito chuckled gleefully. "It should be ready in just a few weeks."
Xxx
"Good and in the meantime I have to work on the most important piece of the project." Rakshata grinned as she looked at the Sakuradite Core Luminous before her. "Time to see if my chakra control exercises paid off."
She held out her hands and activated her Rinnegan as she begun the procedure, releasing small tendrils of blue chakra into the cube before her. As she studied her new abilities she learned that her chakra was blue unlike C.C. and Naruto's because while she was made one of C.C.'s paths her body created its own chakra network from C.C. granting her the Rinnegan that did not share the unique aspects that C.C. and Naruto shared.
'Meaning I can't convert a Knightmare or person into a path like C.C. can but that doesn't mean I can't continue to produce Core Radiance as a new and improved energy source. And the Earl of Pudding will tear his own hair off trying to figure out how I could create a new energy source like this.' Rakshata thought with a grin as she pushed her chakra into the cube, following what she had seen from Naruto and C.C.
Oh yes, Rakshata was going to give birth to a lot of badass children in the future.
Xxx
All right, another chapter done.
I'd like to take this chance to speak and thank all my reviewers for their supports up to now. I never thought I'd get over three hundred reviews this fast but I guess I wasn't the only only who wanted to see this story continued but I'm glad you all like it. Now there are a few things I'd like to talk about:
One: Lelouch's Knightmare
I'm actually thinking of a few ideas of what it would look like and what weapons it could have. Several times I thought I could just make an upgraded version of the Shinkiro with a few hidden surprises. I realized that while Naruto and C.C. made their Knightmares unable to be used by anyone but them it's not the same for Rakashata because Seizan and Shinryoku were converted into Naruto and C.C.'s Asura paths. So it's possible she can create Knightmares that while have Core Radiance they can be piloted by people other than anyone who has chakra. And after creating Kallen's Raijin sword I imagine Rakshata's eagerly working several new weapons that she might want to try out. I'm actually considering listening to the advice of anyone who has any ideas about what they think Lelouch's new and improved Knightmare should be like as I work on it with a few of my own ideas and when it should officially make a debut. I'm still scratching my head on that one.
Two: Naruto and C.C's blood
A lot of people pointed out how they didn't want Britannia to make instant shinobis because they were injected with Naruto's blood and I agree. I just don't believe that they wouldn't have taken some samples from Naruto while he was in that facility for two weeks when he arrived in the Code: Geass world. So when Charles realizes the strange powers that the strange boy that came out of nowhere has shown he orders Bartley and the Geass order to find a countermeasure the only way to understand that power is to understand how it works. But for those who reviewed and said that they can't make shinobis you are right because trying to develop chakra inside a normal human body that doesn't have a chakra circulatory system would be like inserting poison into the body.
However the reason that Charles is ordering Barley to inject C.C.'s blood into subjects because he realizes it's possible that something has altered C.C.'s code into something that he cannot use for the Ragnarok Connection. That's not to say it will work because as one reviewer pointed out it's not C.C.'s blood that has the Code but at the same time I believe her blood had been used in the Code-R Project and helped create Jeremiah's Geass Canceller. Even if her blood doesn't grant the immortality Code the way I see it is that the Code is a form of energy, a conduit of sorts for C's World, containing an imprint of the collective subconsciousness of humanity and I believe that energy, while can't be copied, a very small bit of can be extracted through a Code Bearer's blood since it keeps the body immortal and heals them from almost any kind of wound but it requires a lot of power to be used, especially if the subject doesn't have Geass and that's why they made Jeremiah into a cyborg and tampered with his mind. They were building experimental technology to channel that small bit of energy that got from the blood but it's only enough to cancel Geass effects much like how C.C. cancelled the effect Charles's Geass on Lelouch and it keeps his body stable as C.C.'s cells were implanted into Geass users on Nightmare of Nunnally that caused biological degradation even if it's not considered canon. It's basically a crude attempt to copy the Code's powers but it's impossible to copy the immortality or the ability to grant Geass but that doesn't mean Charles isn't going to look for ways to artificially create a Code or find another Code Bearer, if there are Code Bearers out there besides V.V. and C.C.
Now I'm not giving away anything here I'm just stating my views on what I believe could and might happen and I thank you all for your input.
Three: What happens between Season One and Two?
I know we're a long way from that but I like to consider my options as we go down that road. Like for starters, do we encounter characters from any spin off stories like Oz of the Reflection or Akito the Exiled. I've already considered bringing in a few characters from some of the other story lines like I did with Rai and the Lancelot Club but that'll happen down the road. I'm just asking for some opinions in that matter but I'm sure I'll think of something.
So then, hope you enjoy this chapter and chapters I plan to make in the future
*Chapter 13*: Chapter 13Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"So, Cornelia was caught in your Geass and Zero took advantage of her vulnerability."
"Yes." The speaker nodded. "The JLF was eliminated as ordered but I've discovered the pilot of the blue Knightmare is immune to my Geass."
"So either the pilot of the blue Knightmare is C.C. or the boy that escaped the facility. What can you tell me about it and the red Knightmare?"
"Both seem equal to the Lancelot and the Club but the blue one seems to be more powerful, built for all-purpose while the red one was built for speed and agility. The red beam sword seems to be used for both close and long range offense but the main weapon seems to be the silver claw called the Radiant Wave Surger."
"Very well. We've learned much from this operation but we still need more information. I hear Lloyd Asplund is developing a new Knightmare based off the Lancelot but will be made easier for pilots to use. It'll be ready in a few weeks. When it is ready you will take over as the pilot. Until remain hidden until you receive instructions."
"Understood." The speaker nodded and ended the transmission.
Xxx
"Bartley." Said man stiffened when he heard his name was called and instantly stood to attention. "Is the subject ready?"
"Y-Yes! He's stable and ready for the operation. " Bartley nodded.
"Good." Bartley's superior nodded with a smooth smile. "And the samples?"
"Ready to be injected." Bartley quickly answered.
"Excellent. I want the procedure to begin as soon as we're ready."
Bartley nodded again as the speaker turned and walked out of the room. When he was gone Bartley let out a shudder and sigh when he was gone. How had he gotten himself into this mess? Now he was participating in a project that would grant the Emperor a power greater than anything in the world but Bartley could not help but wonder if the world would survive if the project was a success.
Xxx
"Cera, what's bothering you?" Naruto asked as they took a separate route home from Lelouch while Kallen returned to her house. "You've been acting distant and I know you're worried. What is it?"
C.C. looked away. "…I have something personal to take care of."
"Have?" Naruto noticed the wording of her sentence.
"It's personal, Naruto. I don't want you involved." C.C. shook her head.
"Okay, knock it off." Naruto stepped in front of her. "Something's bugging you and you won't tell me? I thought we trusted each other completely."
"It's not an issue of trust it's…" C.C. looked down at the ground. "A mistake I need to fix before you end up in danger."
"What makes you think I'll end up in danger?" Naruto tilted his head. "I'm not afraid."
"It's personal because…" C.C. sighed when she realized Naruto wouldn't let her go without explaining. Why did she fall for this stubborn knucklehead? "It's about someone I made a contract before I met you."
"A previous contractor?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Yes and he's here in the city…looking for me." C.C. stared into Naruto's blue eyes. "And he'll kill anyone who gets in his way."
Naruto frowned. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"He's my mistake; I am the one who needs to stop him." C.C. looked out across the city. "I thought I had him until he pulled back for some reason."
"So now what? Can you still see him?" Naruto asked as they stopped in front of the school.
C.C. looked around, her Rinnegan seeing dozens of blue signatures that were inhabitants of the Tokyo Settlement but her eyes settled on a red light in the distance.
"He's out there in the city but he normally hides in the Ghettos. He must be trying to track me." C.C. answered.
"Hm…" Naruto used his Rinnegan to see the red light and knew it was a Geass that was currently active. "And that's a Runaway Geass isn't it?"
"Yes." C.C. nodded.
"That direction…Isn't that where Kallen lives?" Naruto's eyes widened.
Xxx
Kallen snuck back into her room easily, having done it a dozen times already. The battle tonight had been a disaster with the unexpected of the blue Lancelot looking Knightmare and the new Geass user that froze her and Lelouch in mid-battle. She could only sigh as she accepted that they wouldn't win every battle with Lelouch, Naruto, and C.C. leading the charge. She still had questions but she was slowly…dare she say it getting use to them even if they weren't who she had expected.
Just as she stepped into the middle of her room her senses screamed at her and she spun around to catch a fist aimed at the back of her head. She caught it but she soon enough realized it was a mistake as she felt over a dozen volts of electricity coursing through her which caused her to scream out. She fell over, hitting the floor with a loud grunt.
"My, my, my, what do we have here?"
Kallen looked up and saw the attack was tall with silver hair with a purple visor covering his eyes and earphones on his ears. The visor lifted slightly enough that Kallen could see his eyes.
The blazing red bird like crest of Geass in both of his eyes.
"You're going to help me get my dear C.C. back from that blond bastard." The white haired stranger said, his voice seething with hatred.
"Good job." A dark skinned woman with blue hair and gold eyes stepped out from behind the stranger and smiled darkly down at Kallen. "It seems we've caught our first member of the Black Knights."
Xxx
By the time Naruto and C.C. reached Kallen's house Mao was seemingly already gone as the red light that was his Geass was moving away too fast for him to be moving on foot so it meant that he was in a car. Naruto jumped through Kallen's window and landed in the middle of the room, dressed his black and grey armor, grey cloak with his mask over his face.
"Damn. We missed them." Naruto growled as C.C. appeared behind him. "I should have given Kallen a kunai when I had the chance."
"Mao won't go far. The sound of a dozen people's thoughts gives him a headache. He'll head to one of the Ghettos." C.C. reasoned.
"Why did he go after Kallen anyways? How'd he know she was connected to us?" Naruto turned and faced C.C.
"He must have heard someone's thoughts, possibly someone in the Black Knights and when he sought her out he read her mind." C.C. mused as she looked around the room.
"He can read minds?" Naruto stopped and looked at C.C.
"He can read the minds of anyone within five hundred meters of himself and it doesn't require eye contact." C.C. answered. "But he lost control of his Geass a long time ago and hasn't been able to turn it off."
"So if he read Kallen's mind then…Shit!" Naruto cursed as he pulled out his cell phone.
Xxx
Lelouch grunted as he woke up to the sound of his cell phone ringing. He sat up, grumbling as he did so and answered. "Hello?"
Fortunately for whoever is calling is that his mother made sure he never forgot manners, even when he was in a bad mood.
"Lelouch," Naruto's voice spoke from the other end. "We have a problem. A big problem."
Xxx
Kallen groaned as she regained consciousness, feeling like her head was about to split open. She tried to move but her hands were cuffed behind her and she was sitting on a chair with her feet cuffed to the legs. Looking up she was greeted with the sigh of a dark skinned woman with gold eyes, wearing a Britannian military uniform and the man who knocked her out standing next to her.
"You-" Kallen whispered.
"Please, don't get up Kallen Stadtfeld or should I say Kallen Kozuki?" The white haired man asked, smiling as he walked up to her. "Daughter of Duke Stadtfeld and Saya Kozuki, younger sister of Naoto Kozuki who unfortunately was executed by Prince Clovis leading you to join his group which later became the core group of the Black Knights headed by Zero."
Kallen's eyes widened by what the man had said while Villetta narrowed her eyes, wondering how the man figured it out.
"Who-"
"Am I?" The white haired man chuckled and clapped. "Ah, that's right. I forgot. My humble name is Mao and you could say I'm information broker of sorts who makes it a habit to know everything. That being said figuring out who you are was so easy."
"So Miss Stadtfeld," Villetta held out several pictures for Kallen to see. "Do you know these people?"
Kallen's eyes widened when she saw they were pictures of Lelouch, Naruto, and C.C.
"So you do know them." Mao laughed, toying with her. "It's written all over your face as your eyebrows twitched meaning you recognize them and won't say anything about them. Let me guess…One of them is Zero, right?" Kallen stiffened as she tried to hold her breath but that only made Mao's smile widen. "Oh, so one of them is Zero."
"How can you tell?" Villetta asked, glancing at the strange man.
"The way her body stiffened and if you had been paying attention to her eyes you would have noticed that her eyes landed on the black haired boy with violet eyes when I asked her if one of them was Zero meaning that when she looked at the boy she answered my question." Mao answered easily, watching with an arrogant smirk as Kallen paled. "And her reaction is just helping me prove my case."
"So, the boy is Zero." Villetta looked at the picture if Lelouch. "I remember him from Shinjuku with those two Knightmares."
"And that means those two," Mao pointed at Naruto and C.C. "Are the Knightmare pilots."
"It's all circumstantial though. We need evidence to prove your claims." Villetta frowned. "All you have to go with is facial expressions on this girl's face."
"Oh, I forgot." Mao sighed. "Why must everyone else be so incapable?"
Villetta scowled at the insult.
"Oh well, it can't be helped. So then," Mao leaned in close to Kallen. "Tell me, Kallen, do you know why Zero is rebelling against Britannia?"
Kallen gritted her teeth as she tried to scare him with the best glare she had.
"You don't do you? You have no idea!" Mao threw his head back and laughed. "You have no idea why he's fighting Britannia and yet you follow him? Are you sure he's not using you for his own agenda? How can you trust him if he keeps all his secrets hidden? Or what his hidden agendas are?" Mao stopped laughing and looked down at the shocked look on Kallen's face. "He didn't even choose to show his face, his knights made if for him and yet you still follow him. So why would you follow a Britannia and not ask why? Don't you want to know? Or maybe he's managed to trick with his fancy speeches or maybe he even lied about his Geass and he's using it to control you even now!"
Villetta would have said something when Kallen's phone started ringing. The red haired girl gasped as she heard it ring, her mind jumbling as she tried to assure herself that she was not being manipulated like this lunatic implied but she still had a few doubts, even if Lelouch, Naruto, and C.C. had proven themselves a few times already.
What if Mao was right and they were using her?
Where she and the Black Knights pawns to be played with and tossed aside?
Kallen just couldn't come up with an answer and it was getting to her.
"I got it!" Mao picked up the phone and answered in a sing-song tone. "Hello?"
"Mao." The sound her voice made Mao almost split his face with the smile he made.
"Oh, my beloved C.C. How I long to hear your voice again!" Mao turned away from the two ladies and walked to the other end of the dark room. "How you thought about me at all in our time apart?"
"Where is she?"
"Hm? Oh, you mean your other contractor?" Mao threw a glance at Kallen who stared at his back with a fearful expression. "She's fine. No need to hurt her…yet."
"I am coming for you."
"Of course you are but are you bringing…him." Mao spat the last word out like he had swallowed something horrible.
"He's with me and he wants to know if Kallen is all right."
"Oh, she'll be fine…if he lets me kill him." Mao answered darkly.
"You cannot have him, Mao. He belongs to me, just like how Kallen belongs to me. They are contracted to me."
"But I am the only one you need!" Mao growled. "Don't you see we are meant to be together?!"
This earned looks from Villetta and Kallen who tried listening to the conversation and wondered what he was talking about.
"You wouldn't fulfil our contract. I had no use for you because you wouldn't give me what I wanted. That matter is now moot though. I am here now and I will not let you take what's precious to me."
"AM I NOT PRECIOUS TO YOU?!" Mao shouted.
"Goodbye Mao." C.C. hung up.
"C.C.!" Mao screamed as he threw the phone at the wall, howling as the phone shattered on impact and it's scattered pieces fell across the floor.
"What's going on?" Villetta reached for her gun but Mao spun around and lunged at her, knocking the gun out of her hand and slapping her across the face.
She fell to the ground with a loud cry and Mao hit Villetta across the face again and again until she was knocked out. Kallen leaned back against her chair, becoming afraid from the sudden anger Mao suddenly showed because of whatever C.C. said to him.
"She can't do this to me…She can't do this…CAN'T SHE SEE WE ARE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER?!" Mao roared, his voice echoing throughout the dark room.
Kallen was trying to break free of her cuffs while Mao was distracted but he turned to her with an angry look on her face. On instinct Kallen activated her Geass, her Absolute Vision allowing her to enhance her senses and hopefully paralyze him.
"Oh no, you can't paralyze me…" Mao chuckled darkly. "You can't make eye contact with me because of these." Mao pointed to his visors. "You won't be getting away that easily."
Kallen thought she was done for when her Geass allowed her to see two purple signatures coming to the entrance of the building they were in. She knew those signatures having long since memorized them from training with her Geass.
Mao stiffened and turned to the door. "She's here…She's here….MY BELOVED C.C.! YOU HAVE COME! I KNEW YOU WOULD!"
He rushed out of the room, leaving Kallen to let out a gasp of air from what she had just experienced.
Xxx
"Is Lelouch in position?" Naruto asked as they came upon the entrance to the abandoned warehouse where Mao was hiding.
"He is and he's waiting." C.C. nodded.
"Good." Naruto stated. "This is going to be messy."
Just as they stepped in a light shined on them and out of the darkness came a Sutherland with its gun aimed at them.
'How'd he get his hands on a Sutherland?' Naruto thought.
"Oh, C.C.! You are here! Hope you don't mind but I borrowed this from a Britannian warehouse that stores reserve Knightmares just so I could surprise you." Mao's voice laughed through the speakers. "And I see you brought…You!" The Sutherland aimed its rifle at Naruto and fired.
'Shit!' Naruto jumped to side and took off as the Sutherland fired an endless burst of bullets after him.
"HOW DARE YOU TAKE HER FROM ME?! SHE DOESN'T NEED ANYONE BUT ME!" Mao shouted as he kept on shooting. "WE ARE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER!"
Xxx
'Sounds like Naruto and C.C. have her distracted.' Lelouch thought when he heard the sound of gunshots from inside the warehouse.
When Naruto called and told him about a Geass user who could read minds and kidnapped Kallen that was enough to make Lelouch forget about getting any sleep for the night. It was especially alarming to hear that the Geass user could read Kallen's mind and potentially expose him so he hastily got dressed and was out the door with Nunnally still asleep while Sayoko remained to keep an eye on his sister. Naruto explained he and C.C. had a plan to distract Mao while he snuck and rescued Kallen and Lelouch agreed, knowing that Mao could read his mind while Naruto and C.C. were immune.
'I should make my move now.' Lelouch thought as he made his way to a door he had found and slipped into the warehouse.
Xxx
Naruto raced out of the warehouse with Mao hot on his trail, shooting bullets and Slash Harkens at the blond shinobi with complete recklessness.
"STAND STILL! YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE ME! YOU WILL DIE HERE AND C.C. WILL BE ALL MINE!" Mao roared from the Sutherland.
'You stupid little moron. You're lucky we going through an area where no one will be caught up in this.' Naruto thought as he witnessed Mao's complete and utter disregard for everything around him.
Naruto could sense the negative emotions from Mao, complete and utter hatred that was directed at him for his association with C.C. and Naruto wondered if she even told Mao her name but that was pretty unlikely. Naruto stopped as he came to a dead end which came in the form of a knocked over building that cut off his path.
"I HAVE YOU NOW!" Mao laughed as he cornered Naruto and pointed his Sutherland's gun at the shinobi. "I'LL RID THE WORLD OF YOU AND C.C. WILL BE MINE AGAIN!"
"Pathetic." Naruto said coldly as he turned and faced the Sutherland. "You think killing me will make her actually love you? Wow, you really are pathetic. Are you sure I'm finished? If you saw Kallen's mind you should know about my…talents."
"LET'S SEE HOW GOOD THEY ARE AGAINST A GUN TO TH FACE!" Mao pulled the trigger.
CLICK!
"Uh?!" Mao looked at the gun with widened eyes.
"Oh, run out of bullets?" Naruto asked with a smirk. "I was right after all."
"WHAT?!" Mao shouted bewildered.
"I know how much ammo an assault rifle has and I knew if you kept on attacking me it would only be a matter of minutes before you run out."
"YOU!" Mao tried to smash Naruto with his Sutherland's hand but Naruto only held out one hand.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Mao let out a scream as a powerful force slammed into the Sutherland and knocked it down, its right arm shattering from the force of the attack and causing parts to fly in every direction. "WHAT HAPPENED?! YOU NEVER USED THIS POWER BEFORE!"
"So you did see the techniques I showed Kallen when you read her mind." Naruto remarked as he walked forward. "But I didn't show her all the power I wield."
Mao grunted as he tried to stand his Sutherland up. "DAMN YOU!"
"It's also obvious that despite the fact that you read someone's mind on how to pilot a Knightmare you have no experience piloting it because your moves were all sloppy and unfocused." Naruto continued.
"SHUT UP!" Mao roared as he tried to smash Naruto with his Sutherland's left hand but Naruto pulled his sword and swung it, releasing a blast of wind shaped like a blade that cut through the Sutherland's arm easily and watched as it fell to the ground.
"Why don't you come out and face me like a man? You hide from the world, thinking you're so much better than everyone all because of your Geass which you can't control, looking down on them while using your Geass to manipulate them, toying with their fears and using whatever secrets they have without any regards to their well being." Naruto remarked as he took his mask off, a look of disgust on his face. "And worst of all you believe she'll love you for it."
"DON'T SPEAK OF HER! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SPEAK OF HER! SHE'S MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE!" Mao snarled as he opened the cockpit. His visor had been smashed and his earphones and had fallen off with his hair now falling over his face because of the crash. "I AM THE ONLY ONE MEANT TO BE WITH HER!"Mao roared and pulled out an antiquated gun. "YOU STOLE HER FROM ME!"
"Stupid child…You think C.C. would care for someone like you? You think she'd truly love you when she never ever told you her name?" Naruto asked, making Mao freeze in shock.
"She…She told you…That can't be…She never told anyone her name! Never! She never ever…told me her name." Mao gasped.
"But she told me. It's because I granted her wish. I gave her what you and so many people denied her. So long she was treated as a witch while you treated her as a toy that you could never let go. I gave her the gift of knowing she could be loved…as a human being!" Naruto declared.
"You…YOU LIAR! I LOVE HER! ME! ME! ME! AND I KNOW SHE LOVES ME!" Mao pulled the trigger on his antique gun but Naruto simply held out his hand and the bullets froze right in front of him. "What?!"
"Look at you. The mere thought of C.C. actually loving anyone sets you off into a violent rage, like a petulant child being denied his favorite treat. You lied, manipulated, tortured, and killed in her name and for that she left you because she couldn't stand it. She couldn't stand the sight of you so she left and never thought of you again." Naruto stated coldly as the bullets fell to the ground.
"Damn you…DAMN YOU NARUTO UZUMAKI! WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT YOU THAT SHE WOULD LOVE YOU INSTEAD OF ME?! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" Mao roared as he ran to strangle Naruto with his bare hands.
Naruto didn't move and he didn't have to as a dark blur landed in front of him and pulled out a sword, holding it out to Mao's neck as he stopped. His eyes widened as the person took off their mask and hood, revealing her.
"C.C." Mao whispered, staring with joy and awe.
"Hello Mao." C.C. whispered, staring at the man who took off his visors, showing his active Geass.
"Please…Please…Come with me…Take me back…We're meant to be together." Mao whispered, holding his hands out to embrace her.
C.C. closed her eyes and then opened them, revealing her Rinnegan. "No, Mao. We are not. I feel nothing for you except pity for what you've become."
Mao's eyes widened as Naruto copied C.C.'s actions and both pairs of Rinnegan eyes stared at him. He stared into those eyes, the eyes that did not belong on his beloved C.C. He hated those eyes because they did not belong on his C.C. He feared those eyes because they were unnatural.
They were an abomination, they turned his C.C. into something that she was not meant to be, they changed her into a being that he couldn't recognize as the woman that he was meant to be with.
"Is it because…he has those eyes? He brainwashed you! He used them to corrupt you!" Mao cried out as he pointed hatefully at Naruto.
"I looked after you as a child and gave you your gift but I can see now that becoming your world was the undoing of so many others, including yourself. At one time my wish was to leave this world by whatever means necessary but now…I've found something to live for." C.C. glanced at Naruto with a very small smile. "My wish…he changed my wish to something…Something I've never wanted before and something I will never allow you to take from me." She then turned back to Mao. "You cannot have me the way you desire Mao for I never felt that way for you and I cannot. I…I'm sorry but is the path I have chosen."
Mao stepped back, his face twisting with fear and insanity as he let out a loud childish scream and lunged at Naruto. "SHE'S MMMMMMIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEE!"
C.C. moved with lightning speed and stabbed her sword through Mao's chest, striking right through his heart. Mao let out a gasp of breath and blood as he stared at the sword and looked up to C.C. with a look of confusion and betrayal as he reached out to touch her face.
"C…..C…." With that final gasp Mao died and his hand that was mere inches from C.C.'s unflinching face fell the side and hung there.
C.C. pulled out her sword and allowed Mao's body to fall over. "I doubt you'll find peace in the Pure Land, Mao but perhaps it'll bring you the silence you couldn't find here. It'll be a long time but by then hopefully you will be changed…like I was."
"He truly couldn't let you go, could he?" Naruto asked, feeling an ounce of pity for for the mad man.
"He didn't grow up with anyone because all everyone else hated him except me, I was his whole world. At the time I didn't care because I thought he'd fulfill my wish and when he became what he was…I knew he wouldn't and so I left him, even though perhaps killing him would have been the humane thing to do. Perhaps I spared him because I pitied him, perhaps I didn't do anything because I had no value on life after living for so long, and perhaps it was both and neither." C.C. whipped the blood of her sword and sheathed it. "I couldn't be with him anymore and so I left and never looked back."
"And he kept on looking for you, ever since." Naruto looked at C.C. "To look for a way to end your curse you kept on giving anyone who caught your eye Geass but they didn't have what it took to evolve to the final level, did they?"
"No. I haven't met anyone strong enough to reach the final level." C.C. looked back at Naruto. "Except for Lelouch possibly and you."
"Except I changed everything just by meeting you." Naruto offered with a smile.
"Yes…you did." C.C. put a hand to Naruto's cheek. "You changed my life, you changed my wish, and you changed me."
She wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
"Don't you think we should bury him first?" Naruto asked, glancing at Mao's corpse. "Or see if Lelouch rescued Kallen?"
"Shut up and just kiss me." C.C. said as she slammed her lips into Naruto's.
Xxx
"Kallen?" Lelouch called out as he ran into the dark room.
"Lelouch?" Kallen looked up, seeing the boy in his street clothes as he came over the chair she was bound to and worked on undoing her cuffs.
"Are you all?" Lelouch asked.
"Ye-Yeah. I'm fine." Kallen slowly answered. "What's happening? There's this guy, he's got a Geass and I think he can read minds."
"He can. According to Naruto he was one of C.C.'s previous contractor who gained a Geass that could read minds but he went crazy because he lost control." Lelouch explained as he undid Kallen's cuffs, releasing her hands. "He's been looking for her all this time and when he read your mind he must have found out about her."
"The guy's crazy. I think he's going to try and kill Naruto." With her hands free Kallen helped Lelouch undo the bindings on her feet.
"I'm sure they are both fine. Naruto and C.C. are both immune to Geass and they planned to make a distraction so I could get in and rescue you." Lelouch smirked as Kallen stood up. "Bet you never planned on being a damsel in distress."
"Laugh it up, Brit boy." Kallen scowled and as she laughed dryly. "We'll see how much of a damsel in distress I am when I get my hands on that freak."
As they talked Villetta let out a moan as she came back to the conscious world with a very painful headache.
"At the very least we know Mao didn't tell Cornelia or anyone else from the military about Zero and the Black Knights." Villetta stopped as she heard voices nearby.
"Yeah but the mind reading thing he had freaked me out." Kallen responded.
'Mind reading? That man could read minds?' Villetta questioned inside her mind. 'That might explain how he was able to give such a description of the Stadtfeld girl.'
"Understandable, after all the power to paralyze or command people to do anything would be seen as terrifying to anyone who believed such powers existed." Lelouch responded. "There are times even I wonder if I'm dreaming when I use my Geass. However we both know it's real along with Naruto and C.C.'s powers and Mao's Geass. Let's just Naruto and C.C. take of Mao, he's too dangerous to be left running around and I'll have to make sure there were no witnesses left."
Villetta had been listening in as she pretended to be still knocked out and what she was hearing was flabbergasting. The power to command people to do anything, the power to read minds, and the power to paralyze people? It sounded impossible but she now knew it was real and explained so much.
"What about her?" Kallen asked and Villetta realized the question was directed at her.
"We'll hold her until we find out what she knows. If she was holding you captive instead of turning you in it means she didn't have any proof about your connection to the Black Knights or my identity as Zero." Lelouch answered.
'Zero!' Villetta's eyes shot up and as she stood up, reaching for her gun.
However Kallen saw Villetta move and leapt at the older woman, fueled by her anger at being captured Kallen knocked the gun out of Villetta's hand and slammed her knee into the woman's face, knocking back into the wall. Villetta let out a cry as her head came into contact with the wall and she slid over, once again losing consciousness.
"Lights out." Kallen spat at the knocked out woman.
"She's the same woman from Shinjuku." Lelouch realized as he walked over and looked down at woman. "I used my Geass to command her to give me her Knightmare. She must have remembered enough to have suspicions."
"So that's how you got your hand on that Sutherland." Kallen commented, glancing at Lelouch for a second. "What should we do now?"
"Well, we can't kill her until we know for sure that she didn't tell anyone else about us. We'll have to keep her in a place the military won't locate and interrogate her when she wakes up." Lelouch said thoughtfully. "We can't take her to the factory or the mobile HQ as it's too risky. Do you know of any places where we can hold her?"
"A few places and we can ask the others to keep an eye on her." Kallen nodded as she took out her phone.
"Be careful. If you mention she might know who Zero is the others will get suspicious and try to find out." Lelouch quickly pointed out.
"I know. I'll just say she spotted me coming home and tried to attack me." Kallen replied as she dialed Ohgi's number. "As much as I don't want to lie to the others I know that some things should be kept secret…for now."
"Thank you." Lelouch said, knowing that Kallen was uncomfortable for lying to her friends. "I'll go see if Naruto and C.C. have handled Mao."
Just as he turned to the door Kallen suddenly stopped him. "Lelouch?"
"Hm?" Lelouch glanced over his shoulder.
"Thanks…For coming to rescue me." Kallen said, grateful that Lelouch came to save her even though she hated the fact that she had needed to be saved.
"You're welcome, Kallen. We're in this together, don't you forget." Lelouch said as he walked out of the room.
"Right…" Kallen whispered before turning back to her cell phone and hearing Ohgi answer on the other end. "Hey, Ohgi? I need some help…"
Xxx
When Ohgi heard that his best friend's little sister had been attacked by someone from the military who suspected her of being connected to the Black Knights he rushed over to where she was the instant she told him. She had told him the woman had attempted to interrogate her over Zero's true identity but she broke free and overpowered the woman. She contacted Zero who said to hold the woman somewhere until they learned how much she knew about the Black Knights as it couldn't have been mere coincidence that she suspected Kallen was a member of the Black Knights.
"Are you sure?" Ohgi looked down at the unconscious woman in his arms.
"We can't kill her and not risk someone else knowing what she knows. We need to know what she knows." Kallen said, mirroring what Lelouch said. "What happens if someone goes after you or the others because you're suddenly suspected of working with the Black Knights?"
"Hard to argue with that." Ohgi relented with a sigh and looked at the woman's bruised face.
Kallen really went all out on this poor woman, even if it was in self defense.
"I better go now. I have school tomorrow and I need all the sleep I can get." Kallen sighed. "See ya Ohgi."
"Yeah, see ya." Ohgi nodded as Kallen walked off.
Ohgi looked back down at the girl with a sigh. He really didn't know what he should do other then find a place to hide this woman but he hoped he didn't take any drastic measures to make sure she didn't cause any trouble.
"Zero…"
Ohgi stopped upon hearing the woman whisper the name of the Black Knight's leader. It could mean almost anything but if this woman knew anything about Zero he had to keep her hidden and make sure no one in the military found out. He trusted Zero with his life, after all the man was their one hope in liberating Japan. Of course there was a part of Ohgi that wanted to know what this woman knew about Zero and possibly his two knights. The masked vigilante seemed to know Taizo Kirihara and yet he confessed he was not Japanese which raised a lot of questions in Ohgi's mind.
He shook his head. 'I'm doing this to keep Zero's identity safe and nothing else…' He tried to ignore the voice in his head whispering 'Yeah, right.'
Xxx
As Kallen made it onto the sidewalk she was greeted with the surprising sight of the three top leaders of the Black Knights. "You guys are still here?"
"Thought you'd need some company." Naruto answered with a smile. "You've had a bit of a long night."
Kallen sighed miserably as she walked with the other three on either side of her. "I'm fine…Just a little upset for being captured and how that freak was able to mess with me."
"It's all right. From what I heard that man was good at sneaking up on people and getting in their heads." Lelouch assured the red head.
"Who was he though? And why did he have a Geass?" Kallen looked at C.C. "Did you give him that?"
"I did many years ago. When I first met him he was an orphan that was hated by everyone who knew him so I took him in and watched over him. When he was yours and Lelouch's age I granted him Geass to fulfill my wish but he had grown to consider me his whole world and wanted me to himself. He used his Geass to torment people who lived nearby, believing them unworthy to walk the same Earth as me. Eventually he lost control of his Geass and I couldn't stay so I left." C.C. explained without a hint of emotion in her voice. "His reasons for kidnapping you, Kallen was to lure me out because he must have read your mind about…me and Naruto and used you as bait because we were close to Lelouch while you generally live by yourself, isolated from the others."
"And because of that the Black Knights were almost exposed." Kallen whispered as she hung her head.
"We dealt with him, Kallen. It's over now." Naruto reassured her.
"Yes. Besides, it's my fault this happened. I didn't believe Mao would find me as I am good at avoiding being found and that put you through all that pain. It wasn't my intention." C.C. stated.
Kallen shook her head. "No, it's my fault for being caught off guard. I didn't think I'd end up being attacked in my own house and that allowed him to get the drop on me."
"You're both wrong." Surprisingly it was Lelouch who spoke up. "The only one at fault here is Mao. It's not your fault, C.C. that he went insane or your fault Kallen that he managed to surprise you."
The others were surprised by Lelouch for a second before Naruto smirked. "Well, it seems our icy cold leader has a heart after all."
Lelouch scowled. "It's the truth and you know it, Naruto."
"Yeah, you're right, for once. Now can we go home now? Its way past bedtime and we got school in the morning, remember?" Naruto waved Lelouch off.
Xxx
Mao's body had been taken and buried in a forest by Naruto and C.C. when they were done. The final resting place of C.C.'s former contract was an unmarked grave near a waterfall that resembled the one he played in as a child. When all was said and done Naruto and C.C. went back to Ashford Academy once they paid their final respects. As the sun finally rose, shining down on the cliff someone wearing a dark coat stood over the grave and pulled his cell phone out.
"The subject has been located. Returning to base with subject's body."
An hour later Mao's body had been dug up and taken away in a black van to parts unknown.
*Chapter 14*: Chapter 14Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
The morning of the next day came as a miserable start for Lelouch who barely had a few hours of sleep after helping Naruto and C.C. rescue Kallen from a mad Geass user in which where he suffered another nightmare of his mother's death and his and Nunnally's banishment that caused him to wake up, gasping for breath with sweat pouring down his face. Nevertheless when he saw Nunnally smiling as she greeted him he smiled back and set out to make breakfast while Sayoko helped Nunnally get dressed.
"Morning, Lelouch. Breakfast smells good." Nunnally said as Sayoko wheeled her into the living room where Lelouch had already set up breakfast.
"Glad to hear that." Lelouch smiled as he sat down. "I decided to make a full menu this morning and I'd hate to hear that something was wrong."
"Nothing you make is ever wrong, Big Brother." Nunnally said as she took a sip of orange juice. "You always make the best breakfast."
"That's best thing I like to hear in the morning." Lelouch said as he bit into a piece of bacon. "So how have you been at school? I heard you had an appointment with Miss Senju."
"Oh…Well…" Nunnally shifted in her chair for a second. "Miss Senju checked me over to see if my fever was gone and we talked a bit and..."
"And?" Lelouch softly prompted.
"Miss Senju believes she can heal my leg injuries." Nunnally finished.
Lelouch's eyes widened and he was almost completely frozen.
"Lelouch?" Nunnally asked when she saw the look on Lelouch's face. "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah. I'm all right." Lelouch shook his head. "You say she can help you walk again?"
"She says it would take an operation and then I would have go through physical therapy to see if it was a success but…yes." Nunnally smiled as she nodded. "…And I want to try."
"You're going through with it?" Lelouch asked, surprised by Nunnally's boldness.
"I want to…but only if you're there with me." Nunnally finished with hope shining in her eyes.
Lelouch stared at Nunnally, seeing how hopeful she was and wanted to say yes but at the same time wondered what Mito and possibly Naruto and C.C. were up to this time. "Yeah. I'll be with you with entire time."
"Thank you, Big Brother!" The smile on Nunnally's face almost took away all uneasiness Lelouch felt that morning.
Of course the moment of happiness had to come to an end and it when they heard someone knocking at the door. Sayoko would have gone to answer but Lelouch decided to answer, believing it was Milly or Rivalz.
But when he opened the door it wasn't who he was expecting. "Kallen?"
"Hi." Kallen was already dressed in her Academy uniform. "Milly asked me to make sure you didn't skip school again with Naruto and...Tsunade."
"I see." Lelouch sighed, expecting Milly to pull a stunt like this. "Have you seen Naruto and Tsunade? I checked their room this morning but they were already gone."
"No I haven't." Kallen shook her head. "Maybe they're already at school."
"I guess." Lelouch shrugged. "It's hard to keep track of them even when they are at school or helping out. I'll be at class in a moment, just making sure Nunnally's all ready to go. Want to come in? We got bacon and eggs."
Kallen was surprised by the nice offer but shook her head. "No thanks, I had breakfast already and I can't be late."
"All right, I'll see ya this morning." Lelouch said, as he closed the door and Kallen nodded before turning and walking away.
Xxx
While Lelouch was getting ready for another day at school someone was else was starting their day with a major headache.
"Well, Nelly it seems the Black Knights are just as skilled as the rumors say." Nonette leaned back on the chair next to Cornelia's desk. "And Zero is not so bad himself."
Cornelia held back a scowl at that comment. After the defeat of herself and Suzaku at the harbour Zero had been labeled as an ace pilot who could handle a Gloucester piloted by the Goddess of Victory herself and a Sutherland with only a rip-off Glasgow while missing an arm. As if the rumors surrounding him and the Black Knights was not already bad enough. "Why are you here, Nonnette? Shouldn't you be doing something else? Where is your apprentice?"
"Like what, Nelly?" Nonnette pouted. "You don't like my company?"
Cornelia would have said yes but remembered who she was talking and quickly but her tongue.
"Aw, poor Nelly, all stressed because of Zero and his mean old Black Knights." Nonnette chuckled at the look Cornelia's face. "Anyways my little Rai's getting ready for school since Euphie insisted he get an education when he's not working and I can't say no when little Euphie get's all mother hen, just like her big sister. I can't wait to hear how his first day of schools goes. I wonder if he'll have one or more girls crushing on him. Kind of like…" That was when Nonnette trailed off with a solemn look on her face.
"Nonnette, please." Cornelia sighed, knowing who Nonnette was talking about. "It's too early for this. It's bad enough Zero got away and defeated us…again. If this keeps up it'll be a matter of time before the entire Area descends into chaos."
"Calm down, Nelly. We just underestimated them. In case you forgot you put up a better fight than before. The pilot of that red Knightmare surprised me but that one mistake will only make sure I'm prepared for her again." Nonnette said with a calm smile. "If you want to turn the tables on Zero so bad you need to stop being so predictable."
"Predictable?" Cornelia raised an eyebrow.
"The last times you encountered Zero it was during an operation where he took you by complete surprise. If you want to catch him by surprise you need to do what he's been doing, play along and make him think you're falling for his trap and then make him fall for you." Nonnette explained, grinning at the surprised look on Cornelia's face.
"That's…That's…" Cornelia stuttered a few times. "Actually the best idea I've heard since I arrived."
"See, there's a reason I'm a Knight of the Round." Nonnette chuckled.
It was true. Ever since she had arrived in Area Eleven she's been falling for Zero's tricks because he managed to see through her plans and take her by surprised. She needed a new strategy, a way to knock Zero off his game and trap him like he's almost done to her in their previous encounters. The question is how she could trap him?
She tried luring him out at Saitama but that backfired on her.
'If I want to trap Zero I need something that will guarantee he will appear.' Cornelia thought, her mind drawing up several ideas on what she could use to trap the most wanted terrorist in the Area.
Little did Cornelia know was that the opportunity would soon drop onto her lap.
Xxx
"A medical check up?" Suzaku asked as he slipped his school uniform on.
The repairs to the Lancelot were almost complete and the two new Knightmares, the Frontier and the Vincent were almost finished as well.
"Just regulations." Cecile assured him. "It's required for all Knightmare pilots."
"I understand." Suzaku finished the last button.
"Good. Tomorrow then, after your school gets out." Cecile said as Suzaku walked down the ramp.
"Thanks. Oh and Cecile, is there any way I can get to see Princess Euphemia?" Suzaku asked.
"Huh?" Cecile looked confused. "You want to meet her?"
"Forget it. You have to at least be a Knight of Honor to get an audience with her." Lloyd spoke up, hearing them talk.
"But an Earl could arrange it if he really wanted to." Cecile said, turning to face Lloyd.
"Oh me?" Lloyd looked up, feigning confusion.
"Yes." Cecile said with a slightly raised voice.
Suzaku blinked for a second before realizing what Cecile said. "Lloyd, you're an Earl?! You never told me that!"
Lloyd laughed as he rubbed the back of his head. "Oh I am so embarrassed."
"The prodigal son of nobles." Cecile smiled as she looked back at Suzaku. "He can't really separate work from play."
"Wow." Suzaku muttered.
Lloyd seemed to be in a good mood today even though no one could tell that because he was always smiling unless someone did something to his precious Lancelot.
The reason why was simple. The fact that the Lancelot Club had come back with plenty of interesting data that would come in handy as he began putting the finishing touches on his Vincent and Frontier and he even got additional funding to repair his Lancelot since the nobles were all screaming for Zero to be caught and since he had three dangerous Knightmares they turned to the one man who could make the Knightmares that would bring him down. Sure, the blue Knightmare had buried, damaged, and nearly destroyed his precious Lancelot but at the same time it made him determined to make his creations as strong as Zero's Knightmares and with the nobles screaming for blood he was getting more funds. This made all the grief of his Lancelot suffering almost worth it as he studied up on what to improve and neat little ideas to make his toys all the more dangerous.
So in the end Zero was an okay guy in Lloyd's book.
'So much to do, so little time.' Lloyd thought as he looked over the recordings of the three Knightmares that had given Cornelia so much trouble. 'The red one screams Rakshata because of her Radiant Wave Surger but I still don't know how she managed to improve MVS technology but even managed to create a new version that conducts electricity. I don't how she pulled off something like that but she showed it is possible and if my creations are to stand a chance I'll need to recalibrate the Blaze Luminous on all of them.'
He was already at work on designing a shield with a built in Blaze Luminous for the Frontier, mimicking those shields that the black armored Knightmares the Black Knights had used at Narita but the Blaze Luminous was Lloyd's idea to improve on the shield idea. It was pretty good idea and even if the shield was damaged it wouldn't affect the Frontier like the Lancelot when it fought the blue Knightmare. The VARIS rifle the Frontier had would make for a mid to long range combat but that was fine, the Vincent would make up for that. The Vincent was designed for mid to close range combat with its MVS weapons shaped more like spears than swords and it had a new feature that the Lancelot did not have: Electric Needle Blazers.
Instead of Blaze Luminous emitters the Vincent was armed with Needle Blazers on the elbows that would fire short ranged bursts of energy that are meant to take out enemy cockpits, piercing their armor and eliminating enemy Knightmares from the fight. Lloyd modified what he had done to create the Blaze Luminous but made them for offense instead of defense. This was done so because the Knightmares Zero's aces had all shown that they could block or counter the VARIS rifle so in order to take away that advantage they needed a weapon that couldn't be blocked. The Needle Blazers may not have the range the VARIS had but energy as far as Lloyd knew could not be blocked and even if Rakshata's radiant wave technology did improve the Needle Blazers would take a toll on any Knightmares trying to block.
'Well, Rakshata, we'll see how your Knightmares fare against my new and improved creations in the next fight.' Lloyd grinned eagerly.
There was no way he was going to let Rakshata show him up again. The only downside was that he had been unable to mimic the energy that had disabled the Lancelot because it was unlike anything he or Cecile had seen before. He analyzed the energy from the Lancelot's systems to see if it could duplicated and saw that it had a violent effect when in contact with Sakuradite. Actually that was a bit of an understatement as the Sakuradite and the strange energy tried to repel each other which caused the overload.
'Just what did Rakshata create?' Lloyd wondered as he looked scanning results again. 'This is not like any kind of energy I've ever seen before.'
Xxx
"You coming or what?" Suzaku asked with a friendly smile as he stood at the gates to Ashford Academy.
Rai was dressed in the Ashford school uniform and stood a few feet back, staring at the school before Suzaku's voice woke him up. "Huh? Oh, sorry."
"Can't afford to be late on your first day of school." Suzaku remarked amusedly.
The short time he spent with Rai showed Suzaku that Rai was a quiet boy outside of a Knightmare cockpit but was friendly. He had no last name and when he tried to strike up a conversation with Rai he learned that his fellow pilot didn't talk about his past very much. He didn't seem traumatized or upset when he answered, he just seemed like…He just didn't know.
Rai was a skilled pilot, perhaps even better than Suzaku as he lost two out of three times when they spared on the Knightmare simulators.
"Don't worry. I'll introduce to my friends and I know they'll like you." Suzaku said reassuringly as he led Rai through the gate.
Xxx
Naruto was looking forward to a nice and quiet day after the battle at the harbor and the situation with Mao but it seemed he was still Fate's plaything when he noticed the silver haired boy follow Suzaku into the class room and the red sigil in his left eye even though it was not active.
'You've got to be kidding me. How can he show up here of all places?' Naruto wondered.
'It's just your life, kit.' Kurama snickered.
In the meantime C.C. looked at the boy as he introduced himself to the class.
"Hello, my name is Rai and nice to meet you all." Rai said with a small smile before walking to a seat offered to him by Suzaku.
'Rai…He doesn't look like a member of the Geass Directorate.' C.C. thought as her eyes spotted the inactive Geass like Naruto's.
Xxx
"So Suzaku, tell us of your new friend." Milly said with an eager grin once everyone was assembled.
Class was over quickly but Suzaku and Rai had no time to enjoy their short break as they were pulled into the Student Council room for an emergency meeting.
"Oh, he's a…" Suzaku trailed off while everyone looked interested in what he would say.
"I work is Suzaku at the Engineering Corps." Rai suddenly answered. "I just transferred here from the Homeland and our superiors decided I should attend school with Suzaku."
"Really? You must be really skilled then. What's your specialty?" Milly asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Running Knightmare simulations and inputting experimental data." Rai answered, not flinching from Milly's smirk.
'Smooth. He's not even feeling any pressure. He's mixing the truth with deception.' Naruto thought and wondered if anyone would disbelieve it.
Milly seems too eager to interrogate the new guy, maybe she suspects something. Maybe she even suspected Suzaku was hiding more than he let on as well. The girl had a love for the unknown and she proved to be keen that almost everyone forgot because of her mischievous nature.
"Well, since you're a close friend of Suzaku as the President of Student Council I hereby welcome you to Ashford Academy and offer you a spot on the Student Council!" Milly announced with a big smile. "I'm Milly. This is Rivalz."
"Hi there!" Rivalz waved happily.
"The orange haired girl is Shirley."
"Pleased to meet you." Shirley said politely.
"The black haired pretty boy is Lelouch."
Lelouch nodded. "Welcome to Ashford."
"The blond haired fox is Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto smiled friendly. "Nice to meet you."
"The green haired girl next to him is Tsunade Senju."
C.C. glanced at Rai with a blank look and only nodded.
"The girl with the glasses is Nina."
"Hello." Nina said nervously before looking back at her laptop.
"Then there's Kallen."
"Hello." Kallen said, reverting to her sickly self.
"And lastly the little girl here is Nunnally."
"Pleased to meet you, Rai." Nunnally smiled friendly.
"FYI, Nunnally is Lelouch's little sister so be nice or you're in big trouble." Milly whispered with a evil smile.
"Hi, I'm Rai..." Rai rubbed the back of his head, not used to all the attention directed at him.
Xxx
Lelouch twirled the black king chess piece in his hand as C.C. sat behind him, holding her Cheese-kun doll, not really interesting in socializing with Rai like Naruto was.
"He's the pilot of the Club isn't he?" Lelouch asked, unable to remain silent anymore.
"…Possibly." C.C. answered.
Lelouch sighed, wondering why he bothered. At least Naruto was more honest and could convince C.C. not to play around like this. "If so then he has a Geass."
"Does that make him a threat?" C.C. asked rhetorically.
"If he's a member of the Geass order and sent here it could mean that they suspect you are here and if he's recognized you he'll inform his superiors." Lelouch said, trying to convince her to talk.
"You don't know if he is an enemy yet. All you know that he is possibly a pilot and a Geass user. That doesn't make him an enemy." C.C. said, deciding to humor Lelouch.
"It doesn't make him an ally either." Lelouch retorted.
"So he can still be either: a friend to you or an enemy who seeks your death." C.C. shrugged.
"So unless he figures out my other identity he's not a threat?" Lelouch surmised.
"That's one way to put. Why not see if he's as loyal as Suzaku?" C.C. lied back on the couch. "You're making this more complicated than it is."
"Hmph." Lelouch frowned. "Just how does Naruto put up with you?"
"I have my methods of persuasion." C.C. simply said.
'Yeah, persuasion.' Lelouch retorted in his head.
Xxx
Kallen found herself some free time because it was currently time for the PF course and she couldn't take because of her 'poor health' so she was left with time to check on something. While she had grown use to speaking with Zero and his Knights while 'off' duty she was still curious about just who she was working with.
"You have no idea why he's fighting Britannia and yet you follow him? Are you sure he's not using you for his own agenda? How can you trust him if he keeps all his secrets hidden? Or what his hidden agendas are?" Mao stopped laughing and looked down at the shocked look on Kallen's face. "He didn't even choose to show his face, his knights made if for him and yet you still follow him. So why would you follow a Britannia and not ask why? Don't you want to know? Or maybe he's managed to trick with his fancy speeches or maybe he even lied about his Geass and he's using it to control you even now!"
Mao's words rang in her head even though they managed to gain her trust a bit since they've managed to strike several blows against Britannia and saved her life from a mad Geass user but she still wanted to quench her thirst for answers. While Lelouch said he would tell her eventually she couldn't shake the curiosity so she decided to look for answers in an indirect way. So that was why she was in the library at one of the computers, to get some answers. She brought up the search engine and typed in the name 'Lamperouge.'
It was a long shot but if the Lamperouge was a noble family there was about to be a few articles on them. That turned out to be true as several articles came up but there were not what she expected.
COMMONER MARIANNE LAMPEROUGE PROMOTED TO KNIGHT OF THE ROUND
'A Knight of the Round?' Kallen thought as she clicked on the icon.
Marianne Lamperouge, born a commoner that joined the military has shocked Britannia as she is made Knight of Two for defeating Bismark Waldstein, Knight of One and right hand of the Emperor himself. Never before has a commoner been given such an honor and Emperor Charles zi Britannia has personally praised her skills for piloting the third Generation Knightmare the Ganymede to such an extent that she has earned the title 'Flash'. Despite her status as a commoner called into question by several noble familiar Marianna Lamperouge has been praised as an icon of Britannia's strength and potential expected in all of its citizens and has become a role model to many commoners that have spoken of following her footsteps.
'Lamperouge?' Kallen looked at the picture of the woman on the article and had to admit she was beautiful and there was something about her that was familiar. 'Her skin, it's as pale as Lelouch's. Is this his mother?'
She skimmed down the bottom and saw several more articles but one caught her eye.
MARIANNA LAMPEROUGE BECOMES FIFTH CONSORT TO THE EMPEROR OF THE HOLY EMPIRE OF BRITANNIA
'She became a consort?' Kallen thought with widened eyes as she clicked on the title.
Emperor Charles zi Britannia shocked all of Britannia by taking Knight of Two Marianne Lamperouge as a consort, becoming the fifth wife and taking the name Marianna vi Britannia, making her the first commoner to be granted title of Empress. Many nobles have expressed shock and outrage that a commoner is granted such a great honor as it is tradition that those born of noble families are offered the title of Empress Consort but yet the Emperor has praised Marianne's skills and some even suggest he favors her above the other Empresses. Though his decision is questioned no one has spoke out against this for speaking against the Emperor for any decision he makes would be considered an act of treason that would lead to execution and no doubt the dishonor of the family of whoever would be foolish enough to speak out against our ruler.
'When does a commoner become Empress Consort?' Kallen wondered as she looked at the title of the next article.
LADY MARIANNE GIVES BIRTH TO HER FIRST CHILD
Kallen clicked on the article, wondering if the child was who she was thinking of.
It is a celebration in Britannia as another child of the Emperor is born, even though various nobles and royals have called his status in question for being the son of a commoner. The child was confirmed to be a boy, making him the eleventh prince and the seventeenth in line for the throne. While the woman and her son have been moved to keep them save the Emperor has announced the name of the newborn son…
Kallen's eyes widened when she read the name. "Lelouch vi Britannia."
That name stuck with her and she was stunned in complete silence as she considered the chance that the same Lelouch she was working with was possibly a Prince of Britannia. Her eyes glazed over the next article.
LADY MARIANNE ASSASSINATED AT HER VILLA
'Assassinated?' Kallen thought as she clicked on the title.
All of Britannia was shocked as one of the Emperor's consorts was gunned down at her villa by terrorists that not only took her life but also crippled her second born child and daughter: Nunnally vi Britannia.
'Nunnally?! That's right! She's Lelouch's sister.' Kallen realized as she kept on reading. 'They both have the same first names! This is not a coincidence, they must be the same.'
The youngest daughter was diagnosed with injuries her spine that left her physically crippled and doctors confirmed she had been become blind because of the trauma of witnessing her mother's death while Prince Lelouch was unharmed due to him not being present when the attack occurred. The investigation was called off by the Emperor without identifying the terrorists that were responsible for the attack.
'The Emperor called off the investigation? Why would he do that? An attack like that in the center of the Empire should have had him screaming for blood.' Kallen thought as she knew how prideful Britannians were. She even had more questions when she saw the next article.
YOUNG PRINCE AND PRINCESS SENT TO JAPAN AS PART OF PEACE TREATY WITH BRITANNIA
'Peace treaty?' Kallen wondered as she read the article.
It has been confirmed that the children of the late Lady Marianne vi Britannia have been sent to Japan as part of a peace negotiation with the Japanese government over the large amounts of Sakuradite in Japan. Though many wonder why a negotiator was not sent it speculated that the Japanese would be more open to discussion with two members of royalty staying at the home of Prime Minister Kururugi.
'Prime Minister Kururugi? That's right. Genbu Kururugi was the Prime Minister of Japan when Britannia invaded.' Kallen realized. 'And that must be how Lelouch knows Suzaku, they knew each other because they met when he and Nunnally came here. But why send a boy with a crippled and blind little girl unless…' Kallen's eyes widened. 'Hostages! They weren't sent here as part of peace treaty, they were sent here as political hostages!'
She then looked at the final article.
BRITANNIA INVADES JAPAN: ROYAL SIBLINGS PRESUMED DEAD
It is a sad day as the Empire mourns the deaths of two members of Royalty, the children of Lady Marianne who have been rumored to be executed by the Japanese once they learned of the invasion. Britannian soldiers located the Kururugi Shrine but found no sign of His or Her Highness. They are presumed killed by the Japanese as revenge for the invasion and their bodies lost in the fires of war. The Empire will surely see that justice is brought down on the Japanese for their cowardice actions once their land has been conquered.
'Except the Japanese didn't kill them, did they?' Kallen narrowed her eyes. 'They faked their deaths and have been hiding out here all this time haven't they?'
But that still didn't explain fully why Lelouch was leading a rebellion even if it somewhat made sense. Their mother was killed, his sister blind and crippled even though she had been cured of her blindness, and exiled to a foreign land to be hostages but that didn't answer all her questions. Why would two children, especially children of Royalty be sent as hostages when Britannia invaded just a few months later? Nunnally obviously had no clue to what her brother was doing but from what Kallen had read and the way Lelouch was acting he seemed to have an even bigger grudge against Britannia than she or the Japanese had.
Is that why he became Zero? To exact revenge on Britannia for abandoning him and his sister and were the Black Knights his tools of revenge?
Xxx
School had gone by pretty quick for a few students but that was okay because they still had lots of work to do. Naruto and C.C. were gone somewhere, no doubt out in the city with Lelouch's card again so Kallen gave Lelouch a signal and he understood. He pointed up and Kallen knew he was giving her a signal for them to meet on the roof. The roof was one of the designated places where they would meet up and speak about Black Knight business without worrying of someone overhearing them because they didn't speak for long.
"You need to talk about something, Kallen?" Lelouch asked as Kallen stood against the railing next to him.
"It's about last night." Kallen stated.
"About what happened with Mao or on the docks?" Lelouch asked.
"Both…actually." Kallen admitted. "At the docks, I know we won but…"
"I know. It was a disaster. We won the battle but that's about it. The enemy has two ace pilots, one of them piloting a new Knightmare frame and happens to be a Geass user as well. Considering you faced the Gloucester that was piloted by a Knight of the Round and managed to survive that shows how skilled you are." Lelouch remarked with a small smile.
"I didn't win by skill, I used my Geass." Kallen replied, sounding ashamed at having to rely on her Geass to win instead of her skills. "I know you rely on your Geass to help but I prefer to win without relying on mine. It's like…relying on it too much and I'm afraid I'll be helpless without it and then there's Mao…"
"I know. C.C. already explained to me the side effects of Geass but she says that Naruto wouldn't have given us Geass without making sure to take precautions. If we begin to lose control Naruto says he'll seal our Geass with his eyes." Lelouch said, understanding Kallen's concern. "I haven't asked but I know Naruto is the type of person who wants to make sure his comrades don't lose control and become a danger to people."
"Yeah…He's like that with the others." Kallen admitted, remembering Naruto's interactions with the others. "No offense Lelouch but sometimes I wonder why Naruto is not a general or some kind of leader in the Black Knights. He's more than capable."
"Really? He said the same thing about you." Lelouch remarked slyly, smirking at the surprised look on Kallen's face.
"Me?" Kallen questioned, unable to believe what she had heard. "Why would he think that? I'm not a strategist like you or him and I've never been a commander. I'm better off piloting the Guren on the front lines then staying back to direct everyone."
"To be honest I think he's making it a point to make sure that the Black Knights don't fall if something were to happen to Zero. While he or C.C. have proven to be adequate commanders in their own right they seem more or less happy as fighters while training or making commanders for the Black Knights." Lelouch surmised. "At the very least they are capable along with you as we'll need all the skill we can get with our new enemies and the other Geass user. I would have been a goner if not for the fact that Naruto was immune to Rolo's Geass but on the bright side it feeds the rumors of Zero not only being incredible strategist but also an ace pilot who took down Suzaku who is unnamed in the articles and Cornelia herself." Lelouch grinned a bit during the last sentence.
"It's an annoying ability though. I thought I was dead a few times when I was fighting against that knight." Kallen grimaced. "We might get more enemies than we can handle if we don't get some help soon."
"You're right." Lelouch frowned and looked over the courtyard. "I considered the possibility of asking Kyoto to ask Todoh and the Four Holy Swords to join us or at least ally with us but I've received no word of them since Narita other than the fact that they lost their Burais escaping the Royal Guard. With the destruction of the JLF they've more than likely they've gone into hiding and are simply waiting to make another move."
Kallen was frustrated by that as she was hoping that the Todoh, icon of hope for the Japanese people would join up with the Black Knights. "Is there any chance they'll join us? If we had Todoh with us we'd have a better chance of defeating Britannia."
"There is a chance but the longer we wait the less of a chance that they'll actually join and despite Todoh's fame and skill we can't wait for him. We have plans to carry out, especially in light of these recent developments." Lelouch replied, slightly wondering if Todoh and the Four Holy Swords had been injured or killed and Kyoto was keeping quiet. "On the bright side it seems Rakshata is coming to Japan to officially join the Black Knights."
"Really? That's great." Kallen smiled, happy to hear some good news. "We can use her help, especially after she made Naruto and C.C.'s Knightmares and the Guren."
"Yes." Lelouch nodded in agreement. "At the very least Rakshata can use the Ashford's resources to produce Knightmares. It'll make liberating Japan much easier."
Kallen was silent as she thought over of what Lelouch had said. "Lelouch."
"Hm?" Lelouch looked at the red haired girl.
"I know you don't want to tell me why you're rebelling against Britannia but are you really fighting to give us back Japan?" Kallen asked.
Lelouch was silent as he thought over the answer. "Yes I am. I'll admit I have my own plans for Britannia in the future but in order for them to succeed I need people to help me realize Britannia is not unstoppable. You could say I'm doing this for revenge, you could say I am using you. As I told Naruto I will not pretend to be a saint but I will be honest when I say I want the Japanese to get their land back, especially since I somewhat owe them for looking after me and my sister during the first few months we stayed here."
Kallen was silent for a moment. "That's good enough…for now. Just know, Lelouch, that if you do anything behind my back that endangers me or the others…" She pulled out her switchblade as she got up close to Lelouch, staring him in the eyes as she held her blade at his neck. "It'll be the last thing you ever do."
Lelouch nodded, not bothered by the knife at his neck. "I understand."
"Glad you do," Kallen smirked darkly. "You're Highness."
Lelouch's eyes widened. "What…What did you say?"
"It's been a while since you've been called that huh, Lelouch vi Britannia?" Kallen continued, still holding the knife at Lelouch's throat. "It's starting to make sense now a bit. I did some research when I heard from Taizo Kirihara you had been brought here as a hostage with Nunnally. I typed your last name and what do I get? The maiden name of the Emperor's fifth wife, Marianne vi Britannia and the names of her two children, Lelouch and Nunnally vi Britannia."
Lelouch's skin become pale white and his eyes threatened to fall out.
"It's true isn't it? Your mother was killed and you two were shipped here as hostages. My question is why? And why did you two fake your deaths?" Kallen questioned, pushing her knife forward a bit.
"…Because I questioned the Emperor when he call off the investigation into my mother's death and gave up my claim to the throne when he revealed he didn't care." Lelouch answered after a moment of silence.
"What?" Kallen asked, her eyes widening slightly.
"I insulted him because I stood up to him and for that he exiled me and Nunnally to this country, not caring if we died." Lelouch glared at Kallen, making her falter slightly from the pure rage and hatred in his eyes. "He called me a walking corpse in front of everyone and said my sister was a weakling because her condition so he discarded us and left us to rot as he invaded Japan." Lelouch's glare became even fiercer, his eyes looking like they were burning with violet flames. "And when we had our chance we faked our deaths because I knew if we were sent back he would manipulate us again. He'd use Nunnally to make me do his bidding and possibly marry her off to some noble, not caring how she is treated. Now do you understand?" Lelouch leaned forward, not caring if the knife was now touching his skin. "Do you understand why I fight against Britannia now? It's because I know our future will always be in danger because of that man and because I want my sister to have a future where she can live a happy life. Is that good enough for you, Kallen or are you going to kill me here and now before exposing me?"
Kallen was silent in shock as that had not been the answer she had been expecting. She considered the chance that Lelouch wanted revenge and the chance to take the throne but what Lelouch had said was too real to be a lie. Does this mean she was wrong? Perhaps Mao was messing with her…
Of course Mao was messing with her!
The guy got inside her head and played with her insecurities to turn her against Lelouch and Naruto to get to C.C. and she fell for it.
Shirley had been coming up to find Lelouch and Kallen because Milly was calling meeting of the Student Council. She knew that Lelouch liked to spend his time on the roof and so she went up to find him. Just as she came to the door she gasped as she saw Lelouch and Kallen close together, close enough that they looked like they were going to…
"LULU!"
Lelouch and Kallen jumped back when they heard Shirley's voice and Kallen quickly put her blade away and prayed Shirley didn't see it.
"Shirley?" Lelouch asked, making sure that the orange haired girl didn't see anything suspicious. "What are you-"
"I came looking for you because Madam President called a meeting. What you are doing?" Shirley pointed at Kallen. "Are you and Kallen having a secret affair?!"
"WHAT?!" Kallen gasped from the crazy accusation. "It's not like that!"
"I saw you two about to kiss!" Shirley said accusingly.
"I was just helping Kallen stand up because she said she wanted some fresh air and I brought her up here because there is a good view of the courtyard up here but she got a little light headed and almost fell over." Lelouch quickly explained while still looking calm and rational.
"Is…Is this true?" Shirley looked at Kallen who nodded hastily.
"Yeah, I guess I didn't think what would happen from being so high up." Kallen said, rubbing her head to emphasis what Lelouch was saying.
"Anyways, what does Milly want?" Lelouch asked, trying to steer the conversation away.
"Uh…I'm not sure. She just called a meeting." Shirley said awkwardly, still thinking there was something going on.
"Well, better go see what she wants." Lelouch said resignedly not looking at Kallen who nodded as she followed Lelouch towards the door.
Shirley looked uneasily at Kallen but followed them off the roof and to the clubhouse where everyone was waiting. Once they arrived they were greeted with the Student Council waiting for them but also they had Nunnally and Mito Senju as well.
"Nunnally?" Lelouch asked when he saw his little sister waiting for him.
"Hello Lelouch." Nunnally smiled which made Lelouch smile back.
"Ah, there you all are." Milly said cheerfully once everyone was assembled. "Now the subject of this meeting…Nunnally's operation!"
"Huh?!" Lelouch's eyes widened. "You-You know!?"
"I told her, Lelouch." Nunnally said like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Yes, she told me that Tsunade's mother, Mrs. Senju has come up with a way to help Nunnally walk again!" Milly announced, surprising anyone who didn't know.
"Really?" Shirley and Rivalz asked at the same time.
Kallen stared at Nunnally with a shocked look but turned into a small smile at how happy Nunnally looked.
"And now we're going to throw a festival for her and Arthur and Matatabi!" Milly said as she held up Arthur who meowed in protest. "Say, where is Matatabi?"
"I'm sure she's around. She wanders off when she feels like it but she always come back." Naruto answered simply.
"Well, let's hope she's around when we throw the greatest festival ever even if Mrs. Senju says there's no need for a lot of money to cover the operation." Milly grinned eagerly.
"What are we going to do?" Shirley asked.
"We're going to make…the WORLD'S LARGEST PIZZA!" Milly declared.
C.C.'s eyes shot up and Naruto sighed when he saw the look in her eyes.
"We're doing what?" Lelouch's eyebrow twitched.
"We're making the world's largest pizza. With our news mascots and word of Nunnally's operation we'll get lots of people coming and when they see the giant pizza we'll go down in history as the ones who made it!" Milly giggled madly.
"And where will we get the resources to pull this off?" Lelouch asked rhetorically because he knew nothing would change Milly's mind.
Shirley would agree with him if he didn't want to but Rivalz would do anything Milly said, even jumping off the roof naked while singing 'I Believe I Can Fly' and Nina would just stay at her laptop. And from the look on C.C.'s face she was all for it while Naruto could only roll his eyes, possibly in agreement with Lelouch. Kallen had to keep up her sickly act so she would just agree with Milly all the while thinking the idea was ridiculous while Nunnally would just go along with it because she thought it would be fun.
"That is where you come in, Lelouch." Milly grinned at the Vice-President. "You're in charge of setting up the events after all."
"Fine but I accept under the condition I do not have to engage in anything humiliating." Lelouch said with a resigned look.
"Drats!" Milly snapped her fingers. "I had the idea for a Lulu-Kissing Booth to attract lots of customers and possibly a Naru one as well."
"Say what?!" Naruto's eyes widened in shock while C.C. smirked at her boyfriend. "Seriously?"
"What can I say? People like those whisker marks on your face." Milly reached over and grabbed Naruto's cheeks. "So much like a cat's whiskers or maybe a fox's. How can anyone resist them? And Tsunade already gave me her blessings."
"Say what?!" Naruto looked at C.C. "What did she promise you? Did she bribe you with a truck load of pizza?"
"How'd you guess?" C.C. innocently asked.
"Now that Madam President is done can we move on. I do have to prepare for Nunnally's operation that will be in a few days." Mito said, smiling in amusement at the antics of the Student Council.
Xxx
Kaname Ohgi didn't like Britannians as much as the next Japanese but he had some concerns about imprisoning a woman who had been injured even though she tried to abduct Kallen to lure Zero into a trap. She would have been locked up but for some reason when Ohgi heard her mutter Zero's name he brought to his apartment instead, bandaging her wounded head and letting her sleep on the bed.
'What have I gotten myself into?' Ohgi wondered as he watched the woman with a gun in hand.
She had been out for a few days, it was obvious that Kallen had done a number on her.
"Uhh…." The woman sleepily groaned.
"Are you waking up now?" Ohgi asked, keeping a close grip on his pistol.
The woman slowly opened her eyes and looked at Ohgi. "Y-Yes."
"What you were doing with that red haired girl?" Ohgi asked with a scowl, not forgetting that this woman held his best friend's sister hostage to get Zero. "What's your name?"
"I-uh…." The woman looked confused and tired despite how long she was asleep. "My name is…."
"Uh?" Ohgi wondered what was wrong with her.
"What is my name?" The woman asked, looking up at the ceiling.
"You don't remember?" Ohgi could barely believe what he was hearing, thinking it was a trick. "What do you know about Zero? You were talking about him before."
"Who's Zero?" The woman looked back at Ohgi.
Ohgi groaned as he buried his face in his hand, his grip on his pistol beginning to tremble. "What am I doing? I practically betrayed him and why?"
"But I don't know anything!" The woman protested as she sat up, quickly covering herself to protect her modesty. "Nothing at all."
"Sorry." Ohgi now looked guilty as he turned away. "I was able to undress you with my eyes closed but putting your clothes back on was…I turned up the heat so I thought you'd be all right."
The woman glanced at Ohgi before smiling. "Thank goodness."
"Huh?" Ohgi looked at the woman.
"Anyone could have picked me up out there but I got someone nice." The woman answered happily.
Ohgi could only stare at the woman and wonder what he had gotten himself involved in.
Xxx
"The rest results came out fine, though you seem to pay extreme attention to discipline and weighing the value of human life." The doctor said, looking at the results of Suzaku's test on her computer screen.
"Is that going to cause problems?" Suzaku asked, slightly concerned.
"These are positive traits for a soldier. However subconsciously do you think your comparing yourself to your father?" The doctor asked.
Suzaku and Cecile gasped.
"That may be the underlying cause of your insecurity." The doctor stated professionally. "It's quite common in the children of famous people. Your father Genbu Kururugi, the former Prime Minister of Japan. He was a great man."
Suzaku could only stay silent as he listened to the doctor's words. As they spoke no one noticed the small butterfly hanging on the wall.
Xxx
"Urabe and the others are late." Chiba stated as Todoh and Shogo stood before the large gravestone under a tree.
"Well this sure is an ironic meeting place, isn't it? The grave of Prime Minister Kururugi." Shogo noted.
"The traitor who told us to fight to the end and then committed suicide himself." Chiba remarked bitterly.
"Enough." Todoh stated. "This man was a true patriot and deserves a proper resting place."
The three of them had no idea they were being watched through a scope. "Fugitive Todoh identified. All units prepare to move in."
Xxx
"Hey." When Naruto and C.C. left Mito's office they turned around, hearing Kallen's voice and saw her walking up to the pair. "Have you guys seen Lelouch?"
"He's speaking to our resident Britannian about setting up the command structure of the Black Knights." Naruto answered with shrug. "You wanted to talk to him."
"Yeah it's about…" Kallen trailed off. "Can we talk somewhere else?"
"Sure." Naruto put a hand on both girls' shoulders and they vanished in a flash of yellow light.
Xxx
When Kallen opened her eyes again she saw she was in the mobile headquarters with no one else there.
"This good enough?" C.C. asked as she sat down on a couch.
"Let me guess, it's about whatever it was you two were talking about on the roof." Naruto looked serious. "I could sense a great amount of negative emotions from Lelouch when he was coming down. What was that about?"
"I was looking into the Lamperouge family because…I wanted to know more about Lelouch and I…" Kallen looked to the side. "I…"
"So you know." C.C. guessed easily. "The Lamperouge name was well known throughout the Empire since it is the maiden name of the fifth Empress."
"So you knew?" Kallen looked at them with widened eyes.
"I've known about Lelouch since the day he was born." C.C. answered simply. "Naruto first met him at Shinjuku."
"Is that what this is about? You went to Lelouch and told him what you found out?" Naruto asked.
"I did and…" Kallen sighed. "I got a little excited because I thought he might have been using me…like Mao suggested. He just…"
"Got inside your head." Naruto sighed. "So you know the whole truth?"
"I got the gist of it. Their mother was killed and they got sent here as hostages who were then later caught up in the invasion. Then when I called him out on it he got mad, I'm not sure if he was angry about remembering it or because I found out what he was trying to keep secret." Kallen explained, remembering the look in Lelouch's eyes.
"Impressive work, Queeny." C.C. smirked. "I didn't think you had it in you."
"But what will Lelouch do?" Kallen asked, not understanding why they weren't angry with her about going behind their leader's back.
"There's nothing he can do. You were bound to find out sooner or later. Lelouch won't try anything, especially since you're immune to his Geass now but he's not worried about himself." Naruto said reassuringly.
"No…It's Nunnally he's worried about isn't it?" Kallen knew how much Lelouch loved his little sister. To be honest it made Kallen think of her own brother and what it was like growing up with him looking after her.
"Give him some space before you bring it up again. He needs to cool off and we need cooler heads for keeping appearances in the Black Knights." Naruto stated.
"All right. But I heard from Ohgi that Zero's making contact with the Chinese Federation." Kallen changed the subject.
"He's being cautious as he has not interest in a real contact with the Chinese but we're not in a position to say no to them yet, not when they want Japan and the Sakuradite for themselves. Zero will most likely offer information valuable to them for countering Britannia in exchange for some Sakuradite we stole from the Britannians to keep them happy for a while." Naruto nodded with a small smile. "Once we get Japan we'll worry about them then."
"Are you sure we can get take back Japan without their help?" Kallen asked curiously.
"It'll take some time. Cornelia's not a push over even if we've made it this far and with a Knight and two Geass users we'll have to be extra careful. At the very least we'll be able to take Japan in a year, two at most but the real challenge will be keeping it. Britannia will no doubt send reinforcements to take the country back and then the Chinese Federation will offer 'protection' to get their hands on the Sakuradite." C.C. answered.
"We'll just need to build up more firepower to liberate and protect Japan for when the time comes." Naruto said.
"I see…" Kallen sighed. "We've been working so hard to free Japan that we didn't realize what would happen after we did. Still no word from Todoh or the Four Holy Swords?"
"None. From what I've heard this Todoh is a good strategist but he's on the run and not in the position to do anything. I'm sure we would have heard if he was dead by now." Naruto shook his head.
"Todoh won't do anything yet, not without the resources to strike back against the Britannians." C.C. offered. "He'll hideout for a while but with Katase and the rest of the JLF dead it's hard to tell what he'll do next."
"I hope we find him soon. We could use him and the Holy Swords right about now." Kallen sighed sadly.
Xxx
"The agent has made contact." The voice came through the phone.
"Should we apprehend them now?" Bartley asked, looking at the man sitting on the chair in front of him.
"No, for now the agent shall simply wait and watch. We will strike when we have enough information." The man said confidently. "No need to tip our hand so soon."
"But sir, what if the agent is compromised?" Bartley asked.
"Then he is of no use to us. In the meantime, Rolo, you have heard of the Vincent?" The man changed the topic.
"Yes." Rolo answered through the speakers.
"Good. I have decided you will replace the test pilot for the Vincent. We need all the capable pilots on the battlefield the next time the Black Knights make an appearance and the Vincent's test pilot is a troublesome fool not worth training." The man said in a dismissive tone to the Vincent's pilot.
"Understood." Rolo said before hanging up.
"Sir, what makes you wish to replace the Vincent's pilot?" Bartley asked.
"It's come to my attention that even with the Club Cornelia is still outnumbered, due to the unique abilities of Zero's ace pilots. Rolo's skills combined with his Geass and emotional control make him an asset I intend to exploit fully to my advantage." The man answered simply.
Bartley had to repress the shudder running through his spine as he bowed his head. "Understood sir."
"Now that that has been taken care I believe we have a few test subjects to check up on." The man stood up from his chair. "Let's see how the progress has been going."
*Chapter 15*: Chapter 15Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Lelouch had to rub his head because of the splitting headache he was experiencing because of the day's events as he walked to the clubhouse, spotting three familiar students coming out of the entrance. Lelouch had to suppress the urge to grimace at the sight of Kallen, remembering their meeting earlier today.
Kallen glanced at Lelouch, wondering if Lelouch was still angry for her guessing his secret but to his credit he looked calm as he walked up. "You asked for me?"
"Just a little something me and C.C. set up, making use of the school's basements." Naruto smirked as he gestured into the club house, walking in with a curious Lelouch and Kallen following him.
He led them to a door at the end of a hall and opened it up, revealing…
"A gym?" Kallen questioned as she looked around, taking note of the spacious and obviously well kept gym. "That's what you wanted to show us?"
"Partly. This is a private gym that only members of the Student Council can use. Luckily for us, the only person on Student Council that actually works out is Shirley but she prefers the Swim Club so almost no one ever comes here."
"I'd have thought you'd be happy, Kallen. You have to be at top physical condition to be a Knightmare pilot but it must be hard to exercise because of how 'sick' you are." C.C. commented with an amused smile.
Kallen bit back a retort as she knew C.C. was right. "I guess you're right. But you said that's not all."
"Yeah, we dipped into the budget for this." Naruto said as he walked to the elevator.
"The budget? Naruto, I set up the budget to properly fund the Black Knights. Even if Kyoto is backing us we can't waste the money." Lelouch said, unhappy at what he heard.
"And this was done to help the Black Knights, specifically the leader and one of its aces." Naruto replied as he put in the code and gestured as the elevator opened. "Take a look."
Lelouch frowned but walked into the elevator, followed by Kallen and C.C. Once they were all inside the elevator went down to the basement. Kallen still found it hard believe that these tunnels and garages existed under the school but she remembered that the Ashford family used to produce Knightmares for the military. Naruto led them through the garages to a door and opened it up, allowing Lelouch and Kallen to look inside.
"Are those-" Kallen started.
"What I think they are?" Lelouch finished, both startled by what they saw.
"That depends. What do you think they are?" C.C. rhetorically asked.
"You used the budget to purchase a set of Knightmare simulators?" Lelouch asked as Kallen walked forward to examine the training machines.
Kallen sat down on the seat on one of the simulators and watched as it powered up, seeing various training programs. "These have got basic and advanced courses on them. You got all this and no one was suspicious?"
"You know us, Kallen. A Shinobi values stealth above all else." Naruto answered with a smile. "They're military grade simulators, modeled after Gloucesters because they're the highest performing Britannian Knightmares aside from the Lancelot."
"And this is what you meant by training, isn't it?" Lelouch glanced at Naruto, trying to not to be impressed by what he saw.
"We're not expecting you to make ace pilot but the training you get now will help in the future. Besides, you didn't argue with me after I explained my point." Naruto commented.
"You're referring to the conversation of when you said if I didn't start training you'd kidnap me, dump in a forest and hunt me like the Predator?" Lelouch retorted.
"Yes, that time." C.C. smirked as she would have loved to help out with 'playing' with Lelouch.
Lelouch sighed. "Well, they will come in handy for keeping everyone's skills sharp and you were right about what you said of the danger of me facing someone like Cornelia or Suzaku alone."
"It's a miracle. He sees the light!" Naruto proclaimed dramatically, making C.C. and Kallen chuckle while Lelouch simply waved Naruto's joke aside.
What else could he do?
Xxx
"Has anyone seen Lelouch?" Shirley asked, walking into the Student Council room seeing Milly and Nina at their usual spots.
"Sorry, haven't seen him all morning." Milly sighed as she finished her paper work. "It's really annoying as I can't have him finish the paper work if he's not around. On a lighter note it seems Naruto, Tsunade, and Kallen are gone again."
'Again?' Shirley thought with a worried look.
"Yep. I imagine Naruto and Tsunade on another date…or something else." Milly grinned evilly.
"MADAM PRESIDENT! PLEASE DON'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!" Shirley exclaimed.
"Oh relax, Shirley." Milly waved Shirley's outburst. "There's nothing to worry about…unless."
"Unless what?" Shirley asked, calming down.
"Maybe…" A glint appeared in Milly's eyes. "Perhaps Lelouch and Kallen went on a double date with our local lovebirds."
"A…double date?" Shirley gasped.
"It would make sense in a way. I think they've been hanging out more than usual." Milly continued, sounding dramatic.
"That's not it! Kallen's probably back home because she's sick again!" Shirley exclaimed as she turned and walked out of the room.
"Oh, the joy of teenage love." Milly sighed happily while Nina glanced at Milly, pondering what she said. "Well, maybe Nunnally knows where they are."
Though they were partially right as Kallen and Lelouch were with Naruto and 'Tsunade' they had no idea what was really happening and the four would prefer that no one knew.
Not yet.
"Oh. There they are!" Milly pointed out the window.
Shirley walked over the window and saw Lelouch with Kallen, C.C., and Naruto, coming out of the clubhouse. "They were in the clubhouse? Why were they in there?"
"Who knows?" Milly sighed dramatically. "It could be…anything."
Shirley and Nina glanced at Milly, both of them wondering what she meant.
Xxx
"Lelouch, can we talk for a second?" Kallen asked, stopping on the path to the school which caused the other three to stop.
Lelouch stared at Kallen for a second. "Sure."
"Okay, we better go." Naruto said, sensing some tense emotions from the two.
C.C. didn't seem to care all that much. "Whatever. I want to some pizza anyways."
"Again with the pizza." Naruto sighed as C.C. dragged him off.
Kallen walked towards the bushes with Lelouch following her, not knowing that they were being watched.
Xxx
"Where are they going?" Shirley wondered, seeing Lelouch and Kallen walking to the bushes. "Is Lelouch…taking Kallen gambling with him?!"
"Maybe or they're going to…" Milly grinned evilly. "Make out passionately where no one will see them."
"That's not what they're going to do!" Shirley cried out, blushing madly.
"Well, what would they be doing that they don't want anyone to see?" Milly asked rhetorically. "You don't think they're going to do something else other than making out?"
Shirley and Nina both blushed at what Milly said and Shirley cried out. "THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT EITHER!"
Xxx
"So what did you want to talk about?" Lelouch asked once they were sure they were far enough they wouldn't be seen or overheard by anyone.
"It's about what we talked about yesterday." Kallen turned and faced the student that was her leader. "When I first thought you were Zero I was afraid that you were using me and my friends, and then when you told us about your Geass it made me think back to you and I was afraid that you used it on me." Kallen then narrowed her eyes. "Then when you revealed you did I was positive you tricked us into following you. And now there's this…you."
"You refer to my history." Lelouch stated, knowing what she was talking about.
"I'm not sure what to think of this. An exiled Prince of the Empire I swore to hate helping us with a power he can use to make anyone obey him without question. I spent the whole night wondering if this was all some kind of crazy joke but the articles, what Kirihara said, and who you are…It makes too much sense even though it's all crazy with Geass and the other powers I've seen. I know it upsets you that I went digging into your past, Lelouch but I need to know: Are you helping us because you want revenge or because you want to protect Nunnally?" Kallen stated.
Lelouch narrowed one eye but didn't look away. "Honestly it's a bit of both."
"Both?" Kallen asked.
"I hate Britannia and for what it stands for because it dictates that the weak should be cast aside and what do you think that means for Nunnally, a girl who was formerly blind and still can't walk. I hate the Emperor for refusing to bring my mother's killer to justice and for abandoning me and my sister in a foreign land. And I know what's like to suffer in a war like how the Japanese suffered as I carried my sister through the carnage. She couldn't see the field of dead corpses I carried her through and I knew if I told her the truth would terrify her so I said we were passing by a waste facility." Lelouch stated, clenching one fist. "But the feelings that came from experiencing it all, it doesn't go away no matter how hard you try to forget. Nunnally is happy to be just living in the clubhouse with her big brother and were our futures not in danger of being discovered and shipped back to that man where he can use us as puppets again I would be content to live our lives as well…But we don't have that option so I choose to fight."
Kallen was surprised to hear that Lelouch carried his sister through a war zone. She couldn't blame him though because she had seen the devastation brought on by the war just by looking at the Ghettos.
"However revenge is not motive enough to declare war against a third of the world. I've seen how the people in the settlement look down on the Japanese, refusing to land a helping hand to anyone without the promise of a reward or good publicity. So I'm not lying when I say I sympathize with what the Japanese and the other so called Numbers have gone through under Britannia's tyranny and wish to change it. So honestly, I am working to free Japan but I'm not planning to stop there because even if Japan is freed within a year that does not guarantee its freedom is forever. What I want…I want Britannia's reign to end forever." Lelouch answered, keeping himself calm but Kallen could see the emotions flaring in his eyes.
"You want to destroy Britannia? Are you going to drag us into a war with them even after Japan is freed?" Kallen asked, trying to see what Lelouch was thinking.
"If you're saying I'll declare war on Britannia the instant Japan is freed than no. I'm not that revenge driven but I recognize the chance that Britannia will try to try and re-conquer Japan in the future. With that in mind I have to consider finding other allies against Britannia, like the Chinese Federation and the E.U. but that's too far in the future to think over." Lelouch answered honestly.
"I see…That's good enough for now." Kallen stated. "I just have a few conditions I'd like to lay down."
"And those are?"
"One: Don't lie to me. If I ask something I want an honest answer no matter what. Two: I want to be treated as an equal like Naruto and C.C. are." Kallen answered.
"I thought they already made you an equal when they gave you Geass." Lelouch pointed out thoughtfully.
"But I know it wasn't your choice to give me Geass or reveal yourself so I'm making it a point now. I want you to acknowledge me as an equal, your knight, your fellow contractor, your partner from now on." Kallen retorted, not looking like she'll accept any other answer.
"All right. Since Naruto and C.C. already consider you an equal the least I can do is accept it." Lelouch said, annoyed he'd have to share his plans with someone else but recognizing the need to keep Kallen from ratting him out.
"And third: even if you want your identity kept secret from the others at the very least I want you to share a few of your plans rather than retreating back into the dark or let Naruto or C.C. explain it for you. Trust is a two way street, Lelouch, and even if you're trying to help us we need a reason to trust you. You don't have to reveal your entire plan but at the very least you should consult Ohgi because he was the original commander of the group." Kallen continued.
"You want me to share power with the others?" Lelouch questioned.
"We're not your servants and even if you acknowledge that you're not a Prince anymore you like to keep things to yourself a little too much. I can see at least Naruto has a different idea on how things should be run but he prefers to be a fighter than a leader and trying to keep the peace in the group. We put our trust in you, Lelouch, now it's your turn to put some of your trust in us." Kallen said, standing her ground.
Lelouch sighed. "All right, I'll make an effort to consult you and Ohgi but you should know that I cannot promise victory in every encounter even if I share my plans."
"I know but I want you to try." Kallen stated. "In exchange for that I won't tell them anything about your past."
"I see…All right, Kallen Kozuki, I accept your contract." Lelouch agreed calmly. "So as long as you do two things for me."
"And what are those?" Kallen asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"One: If you want to me treat as one of my knights then I'll have to trust you to watch my back but in the event that something happens to me I ask that you…take my place as leader of the Black Knight." Lelouch said hesitantly.
"What?" Kallen asked with slightly widened eyes. "Take your place?"
"Though Naruto and C.C. can take over I believe the Black Knights would be more willing to follow you if something happened to Zero. I don't plan on dying but these are dangerous times." Lelouch explained. "You'll have Naruto and C.C. to help if anything goes wrong."
Truthfully Lelouch didn't have any intention on naming a successor but Naruto and C.C. had picked Kallen to possibly replace him if something had happened and though he had no intention of dying at the very least he could rely on Kallen to continue his fight to destroy Britannia and Sayoko could protect Nunnally even after she regains the use of her legs. He decided to go along with the chance of Kallen replacing him and asked to her to take over as a way to show his sincerity and to fully earn her trust. He didn't know if Kallen could succeed him completely but with Naruto and C.C. backing her up it was likely the Black Knights wouldn't fall apart if Zero suddenly died.
"And the second?" Kallen asked, trying to shake her of shock.
"Don't call me Your Highness ever again." Lelouch scowled. "I discarded my title and my claim to the throne. So, do w have a deal?" Lelouch held out his hand.
Kallen reached with her own hand and shook it. "Don't let me down, Lelouch Lamperouge."
"LULU! KALLEN! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Shirley's voice rang through the forest.
Kallen and Lelouch both stumbled when they heard Shirley's voice. If she had followed them and heard what they were talking about…
"What do we do? We run?" Kallen asked, slightly on edge.
"No. If she suspects we disappeared she and Milly will be all over the place looking for us." Lelouch looked around. "I have an idea."
When Shirley came out she gasped when she saw Lelouch kneeling down next to Kallen was sleeping with her back against the tree. "Lulu! Is something wrong with Kallen?"
"Oh, Shirley." Lelouch looked up. "Don't worry. Kallen just had a fainting spell. I guess her blood sugar might have been a tad low. She mentioned she skipped lunch because she wanted to get home for some reason but fainted. I was actually a little worried about her so I followed her."
"Is she going to be all right?" Shirley walked up and knelt down next to Lelouch.
"She'll be fine. Just a little sleep and she'll be back on her feet in no time. I was actually going to call Milly and ask if she could arrange a ride." Lelouch said reassuringly. "I just didn't want to move her and risk waking her up."
"Oh…okay." Shirley nodded. "I'll go see Milly."
Lelouch sighed in relief as Shirley walked away and looked back at Kallen. "Okay, she's gone now…"
"Zzzzzz…." Kallen lightly snored.
"You actually fell asleep?" Lelouch questioned with both eyebrows raised by the sudden surprise. He couldn't leave her alone like this, especially since there might be some crazy boys who could do almost well…anything to her while she was asleep so he sighed and sat down next to her. "I guess all these late nights have left you with little time for sleep."
He sighed and looked up at the blue sky, feeling content for some reason. Little did they realize that they were being watched someone with an evil smile.
Xxx
"It's been a while since we could spend time like this." Cornelia lied her head down on Euphemia's lap, enjoying the calm silence. "There have been so many unexpected events since we came here." She reached up and pinched both sides of Euphemia's stomach, causing her to giggle. "All of that desk work, it's making you fat."
"Hey cut it out! It's not funny!" Euphie said but kept a smile on as Cornelia giggled and rolled off her lap. "Cornelia, don't you think this garden looks familiar? It's like Lady Marianne's."
Cornelia looked up around the garden, seeing the similarities and wondered if this was why she felt so peaceful. "Now that you mention it."
"I heard Clovis ordered them to build it like this." Euphie commented.
"I'm surprised he liked her Villa that much, since he was always fighting with her son, Lelouch there." Cornelia remarked.
"He must have thought of Lelouch as his…rival." Euphie speculated.
"Even though Lelouch was younger?" Cornelia questioned.
"Well he kept paintings of Lelouch and the others. We found them after he was killed." Euphie trailed off, looking away slightly.
"I see." Cornelia said solemnly. "We need to stabilize this area and capture Zero fast, to avenge Clovis. As well as Lelouch and Nunnnally. This land has taken the lives of three of our siblings; it's soaked in our family's blood."
Xxx
Mito was looking over the laptop in front of her, examining the progress of the Knightmare she and the boss were building.
A window showing Rakshata appeared on the screen. "What's the status?"
"The IDF system is still having a few problems reacting with the MAS but I'm making progress in fixing that. The ECS system is online and working at a sixty seven percent success rate but the PROVIDENCE system is correcting these flaws as they present themselves. I got to say, creating the PROVIDENCE system is an unexpected addition on your part." Mito remarked with a grin.
"Well, Naruto did say that a shinobi remains unpredictable and Zero needs a little handicap to stay alive." Rakshata chuckled. "I haven't had to go through this much trouble when designing the Guren and Shen-Hu but we're making a command unit this time. We need to make a few…new experimental additions thanks to the library provided by Ruben Ashford."
"It works perfectly. It's identified over eight design flaws in our new Knightmare that would have taken a few more weeks to correct if we were doing it the old fashioned way." Mito nodded in agreement.
"Perfect. That means that it'll be ready in just a week." Rakshata grinned eagerly. "Just in time for when I arrive to Area Eleven."
Xxx
Naruto sighed as he sat under the make-shift waterfall he created to mimic the water fall at Mount Myokobu to help him relax. He was clad only his boxers but next to him was C.C. who was wearing a two piece white swim suit as she was working to finish the final part of her training. The art of summoning nature chakra from the environment around her, Senjutsu. They were also meditating to try and learn the extent of their powers.
They had unlocked the basic powers of the Rinnegan, understood the power of Absolute Harmony and Unity, but they believed it wasn't the extent of their power. Their chakra resonated against each other, seemingly physically manifesting the bond forged between them. Eventually after a few hours something happened as they were both pulled into their minds.
Xxx
Rakshata fell forward onto her table, barely hearing someone shouting her name as her vision faded.
Xxx
Sayoko collapsed onto the ground, not missing the sound of Nunnally crying out her name as she lost consciousness.
Xxx
Naruto and C.C. didn't know what to make as they found themselves standing on water and before them was a man dressed in a white robe, hovering before them in a meditative position, holding a staff with black orbs circling underneath him.
C.C.'s eyes widened when she saw the man. "It's you…"
"Where are we? Are we in each other's heads?" Naruto asked.
"Your personal ethical view towards the mind differs greatly from someone of my era. By what means do you believe this to be either of your minds? For one who believes he understands the concepts of the mind your mettle is quite impressive." The man stated.
"Okay, who are you?" Naruto asked.
"As to why the two of you are here that is surely a valid inquiry. Though I do worry if perhaps by revealing my name it may influence your thoughts and opinion as it had your predecessors." The man continued.
"I know you. You're the man I saw when I made the contract with Naruto." C.C. spoke up.
"Uh?" Naruto looked confused. "Wait, if he's the guy you saw does that mean he's-"
"I am the creator of law, peace, and order. I am he who is known Hagoromo." The man answered Naruto's question.
"…." Naruto and C.C. were silent, staring at Hagoromo.
"Your reaction, being that I am able to read omens and signs, precognitions, premonition, and such I had already anticipated such response."
'Huh? What is he talking about?' Naruto thought. "Sorry gramps but I-"
"He means he knew we'd react the way we did when he told us his name." C.C. clarified. "I remember seeing him and those eyes."
Naruto looked at Hagoromo's eyes. "The Rinnegan!"
"You posses quite a scrupulous and eye for scrutinizing others. Perhaps if you both were to turn it upon yourselves you would gain a realistic comprehension of your circumstances." Hagoromo stated.
"And how can we do that when we do not know where we are or how we appeared here? Are we dead? Are we in either of our minds or are we somewhere else completely?" C.C. asked, seemingly understanding the man.
"This is your inner world, inside your spirits, inside your minds, forged by the connections you two share. I can comprehend why you would feel such urgency but in this particular haste we would be best to find ourselves idle. You see-"
"GET ON WITH IT ALREADY?! CAN'T YOU JUST TALK NORMALLY FOR A SECOND?!" Naruto shouted but stopped as C.C. slapped him on the back of the head. "OW!"
"He's talking clearly to the both of us. If you stop shouting and listen you can understand what he's saying." C.C. stated, sighing at Naruto's cluelessness.
"I am an oddity of time and space. The stream of time has long flowed past me. Cultural traditions and notions, ethics and morals have all undergone changes. I who have journeyed across time and space to this world to meet the two of you, clearly you have differences amongst these areas."
"Time changes everything, even the concept of what is human I suppose." C.C. stated with a small smirk. "Please forgive my friend though, he doesn't have the patience for listening sometimes."
"Hey!" Naruto protested.
"What you pursue are words but their meanings are vague at best, insubstantial, transient." Hagoromo continued. "Without mutual comprehension of our values and selves, their definitions are ambiguous and what they stand for lost. Very well though, I will attempt to compensate for my enlightened knowledge and understanding of the material and speak plainly."
"Huh? Are you like an alien for something?" Naruto said and was whacked on the head by C.C. again.
"He's saying he'll try and talk normally." C.C. answered for the man again.
"Hrmm…That is a bit much isn't it? An alien you say?" The man chuckled without any humor in it. "Although, that is not far off."
C.C. chuckled at the clueless look on Naruto's face.
"You still can't follow my speech?" Hagoromo asked. "I had not thought conversation would prove to be this complex a task…"
"No, no! The way you're talking is totally fine!" Naruto laughed. "I was finally able to understand you! It's just the way you talked shifted so quickly startled me!"
"Really? He said he was going to try and speak your language. Then again, knucklehead language is a complexity of its own." C.C. retorted.
"Like for reals? Then I talk like this? Ya feel me? Ya know what I'm saying?" Hagoromo asked.
"…." Naruto was caught off guard again. "Yeah but…"
"He wants to say he can understand you perfectly now." C.C. clarified with a sigh.
"There's something really creepy about the way you're talking doesn't match with your face at all. I guess you should leave a bit of complexity otherwise you end up sounding like an idiot." Naruto said and was awarded with another slap to the head. "OW! Cut it out Cera!"
"Aren't you going a bit too far? Calling me an idiot now? Well…if that's how talking that way makes me sound that's how it is. Well…" Hagoromo changed his tone to sound a bit more normal. "How about this then?"
"Yeah! Just like that! Perfect!" Naruto sighed. "I think I understand now."
"Now that we can finally talk can we continue this…conversation?" C.C. said, wanting to get on with it. "Who are you? Are you the same man Naruto told me about? The man who had all these powers to begin with?"
"Don't ask too many questions at once. I died a long time ago. I'm a priest who now exists as pure chakra, and I have traveled to this world to witness what Ninshu shall bring here." Hagoromo said. "My name is Hagoromo and is he who founded Ninshu. I am also known as the Sage of the Six Paths."
"Ehh?! The same guy that Pervy Sage and Nagoto talked about?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Oh, so you do know me?" Hagoromo asked.
"You are the man who created ninjutsu in the beginning aren't you?" C.C. asked.
"Not ninjutsu, Ninshu!" Hagoromo gripped his staff. "My Ninshu was to inspire hope. Do not confuse it with ninjutsu that was made to create war."
"That's right. Kurama told me that you created Ninshu to combine people's spiritual energy together to share thoughts and feelings." Naruto realized.
The water beneath them shifted and when they looked down they saw the image of a young man dressed like Hagoromo.
"You are my son Asura's….Anyways, everything seems to be in order. There is something I must entrust you both with." Hagoromo continued.
"Asura? Entrust? What are you talking about?" Naruto asked.
"I ask that for now you both listen to me as I tell you of the story of my family." Hagoromo used his staff to shift the water again. "We'll start with my mother and my children."
On the water appeared the image of a woman dressed similarly to Hagoromo with long light colored hair that reached down to the ground with horn like protrusions, resembling rabbit ears. Her eyes were pure white with a third eye vertically slit in her forehead.
"My mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki came to the land known as the Elemental Nations from a faraway place. She had come pluck a fruit of the Sacred Tree. The very same tree that you, inheritor of Asura's will had seen in the war on your world. She had come for its fruit of chakra. With the power Kaguya gained from eating the fruit she was able to rule over the land."
"Where did Kaguya come from? Is she even stronger then you Sage of the Six Paths?" Naruto chuckled. "It really is true; moms are scary when you piss them off!"
"Where she came from is of no importance. My mother was powerful, more powerful than anyone." Hagoromo seemed sad now for some reason. "The people either called my mother the Rabbit Goddess or the Demon. They worshiped her in fear. Later Kaguya gave birth to two children, one of which was me. In order to repent for the remaining sins of our mother we fought against the physical incarnation of the sacred tree, the Juubi, and we sealed it within ourselves. The Sacred Tree frenzied and struggled to reclaim the chakra fruit that had been stolen." Hagoromo then showed them the image of two boys. "As time went on, I too had children. The older son I named Indra and the younger Asura. I taught them both Ninshu, however there was a huge difference between the two. One inherited my strong chakra genes and one had not. The difference of genes manifested itself in an extreme manner between the two. "
"So, one inherited your power and the other didn't?" C.C. clarified for Naruto.
"The superior older brother, Indra." Hagoromo gestured to the man with long black hair and red eyes. "And the flunky useless dropout younger brother, Asura." He then gestured to the man with shorter hair.
"Useless dropout, even though his dad was the Sage of the Six Paths?" Naruto muttered glumly.
"Perhaps I shouldn't tell you this, but no matter how superior or excellent the parents are that power won't necessarily be inherited by the child as I'm sure you know." Hagoromo stated as the images of his sons were replaced by Naruto's parents. "You were very much the same weren't you, Naruto?"
"I figured this was what you meant." Naruto sighed sadly.
"And you really do resemble Asura with what you've done too." Hagoromo said.
"Hmm? What I've done?" Naruto asked.
"Indra and Asura walked very different paths. Since birth, the older brother Indra had powerful eyes and a strong sense for battle. He was touted for a genius. He did everything with his own power and understood that his power was special and different from those around him. He also came to believe that with power anything was possible." Hagoromo turned to the image of Asura. "On the opposite side, the younger son Asura who since childhood was bad at everything he did. He couldn't do anything by himself. To achieve the same result as his brother he needed huge amounts of his own effort along with the cooperation of those around him. And soon through harsh training the chakra inside him bloomed and he found the same power level as his brother. He also understood that working together to help him was what made him strong." Hagoromo stopped for a second. "He came to understand what it meant to care for others…Through the way Asura lived his life I began to realize a new possibility…I divided the power of the Juubi that was inside of me and gave names to its parts. I believed the bonds of cooperation was where true power laid."
Naruto smiled in understanding.
"I also made Asura the leader of Ninshu, so that he could guide everyone. I thought his brother would join and cooperate but…" Hagoromo stated with regret. "Indra would not accept that and that was the very moment the long war began."
"The two brothers fought each other and that feud continued through their descendants." C.C. stated, having heard of the story.
"Yes, and when their bodies were destroyed their chakra didn't disappear but was reborn throughout the ages, time and time again." Hagoromo replied.
"Yikes, that's like being possessed by a ghost or something? So who's the unlucky guy being possessed by them now?" Naruto chuckled.
"I think that's obvious, Naruto." C.C. stated with an annoyed look on her face.
"You, Naruto." Hagoromo looked into Naruto's eyes. "Asura was reborn in you."
As he spoke a humanoid figure made of chakra with Asura's face appeared behind Naruto.
"Hm?!" Naruto's eyes widened.
"With my eyes I can clearly see Asura's chakra clinging tightly to you." Hagoromo stated.
'Could it be?' Naruto looked away.
"You're not surprised, Naruto." C.C. stated, being calm through the startling revelation.
"You've probably felt Asura's presence inside yourself. As I suspected…" Hagoromo stated. "In that case then you've probably already figured out who Indra's successor is."
Naruto closed eyes as he pouted before opening them. "Sasuke. It was him wasn't it?"
"Correct. So you did feel it." Hagoromo nodded.
"What about the successors? The ones before us?" Naruto asked.
"The successors of the previous generation were Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Hashirama was Asura and Madara was Indra. I believe you know what happened to those two." Hagoromo answered. "But before Madara could pass onto the next successor he introduced a problem. He had become consumed with his lust for power and took Hashirama's strength. In other words Asura's chakra and Indra's chakra fused together into one vessel. This ultimately led him to my own power and awoke the Rinnegan."
"So you've been watching your children's right this whole time?" Naruto asked.
"…I suppose so." Hagoromo answered.
"…I see." Naruto looked down at the water.
"The purpose of Ninshu was to connect people to one another. It's my belief that no one should be more powerful than the other. My mother, even though she managed bring an end to troubled times she controlled the world with the power of a single person. Before long her power gave birth to great hubris and people began to fear that power. My mother, who was once called the Rabbit Goddess came to be feared as a demon for this reason. If power is accumulated into one person that power before long drives that person mad. Madara attempted to gain the power of the Juubi, a power close to mine, and attempted to gain my mother's power. Fortunately he failed as you are here with the Biju, far from his reach and left him unable to claim that power."
"Do you know what happened after I was sent here?" Naruto asked, wondering what happened to his home world.
"I cannot explain everything yet but I can tell you that Madara failed to seal the Juubi in himself when you came here with the chakras of the Biju. In time you will know what happened when you master your powers." Hagoromo answered and though Naruto wanted to ask more he reluctantly conceded.
"If the Rinnegan was awakened when the power of your sons merged together why did Naruto and I gain the Rinnegan when I granted him Geass?" C.C. asked.
"Geass, the power you claim to be the Power of the King. A power that is able to manifest in the form of the desires of whoever awakens it. It is only limited to the imagination of the person's desire as you know well, Cera Celeste." Hagoromo replied.
"How do you know my name?" C.C. scowled.
"Your mind, your life, all of it became open once you made a connection with Naruto. Your Geass, the Power to be Loved. You used it to garner the loving attention of those around you, until you were betrayed." Hagoromo commented.
"You've seen my life?" C.C. narrowed her eyes.
"You wandered hundreds of years looking for someone to take your Code, you served in the conflict known as the Hundred Year War under a person who was dear to you, you gave Geass to a young boy who gained the power to read minds but left him when he become emotionally and mentally consumed by his power." Hagoromo continued. "And when you offered the contract of Geass to Naruto who had been brought to the same base as you it changed everything."
"I'm well aware of that. Is that why you are here? Because of the contract we made?" C.C. asked.
Hagoromo pointed his staff and above them appeared a large planet that resembled Jupiter that glowed bright. "Your Geass, your Code, all of it is the Power of Desire given form. The Collective Subconscious of humanity, known as the Pure Land from our world. The wills and personalities of all things living and dead merge together to create a world that transcends all individuality. In our world those who are enlightened call it the Pure Land while in this world it is called-"
"C's World." C.C. finished for Hagoromo.
"It's the afterlife?" Naruto asked, trying to keep up as he stared at the planet.
"It is possibly that and more. It is the origin of Geass as the Codes function as imprints of the collective consciousness of humanity itself and thus has the power to awaken the power of desires in other beings. However when that desire reaches its full power and absorbs the imprint, that desire merges with the collective which is all of humanity's desires." Hagoromo replied.
"And that's why a Code Bearer loses the power of Geass, isn't it? Our Geass is our desire given form and when we receive the Code that desire merged with it, leaving us immortal and the bestow Geass onto others but lose our own." C.C. said, understanding what Hagoromo was saying. "That still doesn't explain why we gained the Rinnegan or why you are here."
"The Rinnegan was the result of combining the power of imagination that gives shape to anything the mind wishes, and the power that breathes life into form, combining them to create the perfect balance of power that only a few beings have managed to gain. The Shinju was the first, containing the world's mystical energy that gave life to our world. My mother was next when she consumed the fruit, which I inherited followed by Madara who combined the chakra of my sons together, and you two were next. The power of my son, Asura reacting to the Code that represents the Collective Will of Humanity itself that can grant anyone the power to give their desires form." Hagoromo answered. "It resulted in the awakening of the Rinnegan in both of you due to the bond that created by Code Bearer and Geass Holder but at the same time it is different from the previous users, including myself. The power of Earth…and Humanity's Will. It could lead this world to an era of peace but at the same it is dangerous as it could lead you down the same path as my mother and Madara."
"That's why you're here. You're worried C.C. and I might end like them?" Naruto asked with a surprised look on his face. "I wouldn't do that! I fought Madara to save my world from being enslaved! I'm doing the same against Britannia!"
"I know and I see the good in your wish, Naruto. I do not come to accuse you of being corrupted. I come to ask you, what do you believe that must be done to achieve peace?" Hagoromo asked and glance at C.C. "I ask you this question as well as you share this power. Never before has the Rinnegan been granted to two individuals at the same time and you granted this power to two more. Not even my mother showed this ability but if she had she never used it."
Naruto and C.C. turned around and watched as Sayoko and Rakshata appeared out of thin air.
"Rakshata? Sayoko? When did you get here?" Naruto asked.
"We've been here all along, Naruto-san." Sayoko answered as she bowed her head to Hagoromo. "I am Sayoko Shinozaki, 37th successor of the Shinozaki School of Martial Arts."
"Greetings, Sayoko Shinozaki and to you as well, Rakshata Chawla." Hagoromo bowed his head.
"So, you're the famous Sage of the Six Paths." Rakshata smiled. "You know, I never believed in afterlife or God or the millions of Gods I was forced to pray to when I was a child in India. I am a woman of science, though I must say you answer a lot of questions about the unknown. A few questions of the afterlife possibly and some legends surrounding several religions."
"The matters of science and of belief are to bring forth answers to questions we cannot answer alone, seeking knowledge that we can either see with our eyes or rely on a strong sense of faith that our questions are answered when our time comes to a close." Hagoromo stated.
"So, in death all questions are answered? How droll." Rakshata chuckled. "Have you answered your questions?"
"Death is not an end. It is merely the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Those who ascend to the Pure Land are given the chance to understand but it is a journey, much like all quests for knowledge." Hagoromo said.
"Hmm…What an interesting man you are." Rakshata mused.
"I gathered you all so that I may ask you, can you both lead this world to an age of peace? What are your beliefs?" Hagoromo asked.
C.C. and Naruto shared a look with each other as C.C. reached out with her hand which Naruto grasped.
"I think we both know the answer to that, old man." Naruto said with a smile.
"My allegiance is to my Master Lelouch and Lady Nunnally. I will follow their path no matter what." Sayoko answered without hesitance.
"Well, at the very least I believe that these kids can lead the world to peace, whatever that might be. I'm not a leader and to be honest I deal more with logic and statistics then I do with faith. So I'll leave it to them." Rakshata stated, looking at Naruto and C.C. with a small smile.
Hagoromo looked at both of them as a slight smile appeared on his face. "I see…Very well. I will leave this world's affairs to you. You will both face challenges but each quest to the future is filled with challenges. Until then, Naruto there is something I need you to do."
"Hm?" Naruto tilted his head slightly.
With that said they were all engulfed in a bright light.
Xxx
Naruto and C.C. opened their eyes, seeing the blue sky and water fall they had made for meditation. They turned and looked into each other's ringed eyes.
"…Did that just happen?" Naruto asked.
C.C. shrugged. "Who knows? Who cares? I've seen too much to be wondering if a dream or vision I had was real."
"Still though," Naruto offered a small smile. "It was pretty cool to meet the man who made history."
"Your history you mean." C.C. stood up and stretched her limbs. "I've seen people who made history literally make history for the last few centuries. Anyways, it seems we got his blessing to try and change the world for the better."
"Yep!" Naruto stood up. "Who knows? We might be the Sages of the Six Paths in this world!"
"Hm…" C.C. made a small smile as she stepped out of the water and walked over to her clothes. "Whatever. Come on, it's getting late."
Xxx
"Come on, Naruto. Stop moving around."
Naruto fidgeted as he tried to remain still as the students around him worked on sketching him. "Why did I agree to this again?"
"Because it was coin toss between you and Lelouch and it came up heads so you're it." Milly answered, as she continued sketching. "Besides, with how you look there is a fan-club about you that's as big as Lelouch's."
"What's the matter, Naruto? You're not shy are you?" Lelouch smirked as he drew on his sketchbook.
"Maybe I'm just more attractive because I don't like a walking stick man." Naruto retorted, causing a few chuckles.
"Perhaps I or a few ladies should sit in with him." C.C. offered, smirking at a few girls that had to cover the blood coming from their noses. "Perhaps we should…shed some outer clothing to make it more…memorable." At this point the boys were blushing while the girls were either blushing or looking scandalized.
"That's sounds like a great idea, Tsunade!" Milly grinned. "Are you volunteering or are you going to let some other girl have the honor?"
"Are you offering Madam President?" C.C. asked, spotting Rivalz shaking his head desperately. "Or maybe Shirley or Nina would like to try."
"WH-WHAT?!" Shirley gasped while Nina stuttered, her face turning red.
"Aw come on! First Lelouch and Naruto! Leave some woman for us average guys!" Rivalz complained.
"Relax, Rivalz. I'm sure she's just kidding." Lelouch said to try and calm Rivalz down but knew C.C. was most likely not kidding.
"Right, kidding." C.C. said in a dull tone.
"Oh, Lelouch I'd thought you'd want to see something." Milly grinned over at Lelouch who for some reason was slightly afraid.
"Yes, Madam President?" Lelouch asked.
"Come with me." Milly gestured for Lelouch to follow which he did. Once they were out in the hall Milly spun around and showed a picture to Lelouch. "Take a look at this!"
Lelouch froze as it was picture of him and Kallen sleeping against a tree yesterday. He told Kallen to pretend to fall asleep when Shirley came looking for them but had actually fallen asleep, leaving Lelouch to stay with her to make sure nothing happened to her. He had fallen asleep too and hadn't woken up until a few hours later when Kallen had woke him up. The two had gone their separate ways after that, thanking whatever God that was looking out for them that no one had seen them and made any wild speculations even though they hadn't been in any embarrassing positions and hadn't even touched each other.
"Look at you two, you both look so cute." Milly gushed over the picture.
"What are you up to, Milly?" Lelouch asked, trying to stay calm.
"Oh nothing, I was just thinking of posting it all over the school." Milly answered, sounding casual and evil at the same time.
"Milly, if this picture gets out Kallen and I are in big trouble." Lelouch shook his head.
"Oh?" Milly raised an eyebrow.
"If people see this picture they'll spread it around, increasing the chance that someone will recognize me and let's not forget Kallen will get harassed by my fan clubs. You really want to put her through this?" Lelouch asked, hoping Milly would see reason.
To his surprise Milly looked serious as she nodded. "I know, Lelouch. I'm not that eager for a little dirt on you." She grinned. "Of course that doesn't mean I can't show it around to the Student Council."
"So you just wanted to make me squirm…again." Lelouch observed with an annoyed look on his face.
"Yep. Now come on, let's go find Kallen and show it to her!" Milly said as she grabbed Lelouch's arm and dragged him along to help her find Kallen.
Xxx
"Excuse me?" Inoue asked.
Kaname Ohgi looked up from his lunch of octopus shaped hot dogs when he heard footsteps approaching him from behind. "No it's not what you think!"
"We have visitors." Inoue said simply. "They also have an introduction from Kyoto."
Quickly closing his bento, he turned around to face the four members of the JLF's Four Holy Swords.
Surprised to see the four most famous warriors after Todoh himself in front of him, Ohgi quickly rose from his seated position and made to shake the nearest one's hand. "You're the Four Holy Swords!"
"I'll get straight to the point here. The heavyset man interrupted, waiting for Ohgi to nod before continuing. "We've come today to ask for your help."
"Huh?"The former teacher raised his eyebrow upon hearing this. "What do you mean?"
What could these almost legendary warriors possibly need from them? It sounded crazy that group that could fight on par with the elite units of Cornelia's forces would here come here to ask for aid.
"Lt. Col. Todoh has been apprehended. He sacrificed himself so we could escape."
*Chapter 16*: Chapter 16Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
A week had passed since the incident with Mao and Villetta Nu and for the most part things had quieted back down. Lelouch found himself dragged down to the simulator by Naruto, C.C. or Kallen for training almost every day. All three of them usually won but noticed that Lelouch was getting better even though he always lost. He usually made use of the terrain around him to his advantage in his fights as he usually lost when he tried fighting head on. For the most part he and Kallen were speaking socially and when they were with the Black Knights they acted as everyone had come to expect so for the most part what had happened between them when Kallen had called him out on his true identity was for the most part pushed aside for the moment.
However that did not stop Lelouch from grinning when Milly showed Kallen the picture of them sleeping against a tree which resulted in Kallen begging Milly to not show anyone. She caught Lelouch grinning and heard him mouth to her when Milly revealed she was just messing with her and Lelouch 'Now we're even'. When Milly turned her back Kallen gave Lelouch a scary glare for helping Milly almost make her heart stop but was thankful he convinced her to not show anyone, especially Naruto and C.C. They would have been on both of their cases if they saw the photo. But that was in the past and right now Lelouch was conversing with Ohgi over the phone.
"I see…very well we will help them." Lelouch replied.
"Are you sure?" Ohgi asked.
"The Black Knights fight for the cause of Justice there is nothing odd about that." Lelouch answered before giving Ohgi instructions. "We'll use assembly method B-13, take the Knightmares via course 18…you have Diethard handle it. Also alert those to rendezvous with us…I'll meet you all later."
Once Lelouch was done he hung up the phone. 'Perfect. A chance to rescue and recruit Todoh and the Four Holy Swords into the Black Knights. With their help the Black Knights will become strong enough to take the fight to Cornelia.'
"My Shadow Clone has met with the Chinese Federation but don't expect any results for the moment." C.C. stated, walking up the stairs.
She was finished with art class but left Naruto behind to the mercy of Milly and a few other girls. He was a big boy now so he could handle himself.
"Don't worry about that. We can handle that later. Besides after today we might gain a few more allies."
"Then you should get ready too." C.C. smirked. "You're going to love what you see tonight."
Lelouch had an idea of what C.C. was talking about.
Xxx
"We will open Art Week with the dedication of the Clovis Memorial Museum of Art." The curator noted, smiling confidently as he led Euphemia and her entourage down the halls "You, Princess Euphemia, will select the first place winner from amongst these submitted works."
Euphemia sighed, understanding now why her sister had left her to do this. Cornelia had no patience for such things, and doubtlessly assumed that Euphemia couldn't get into any trouble here. Euphie paused before one painting, which showed a house with garden in a serene background. The very picture seemed to call feelings of comfort, of that fuzzy feeling of a nice day home.
"I really like this one." Euphy declared.
The curator cleared his throat. "Yes well, or research showed that the artist was a quarter Eleven. Either way, why don't you look at this one?"
It was a picture of her father at Clovis's funeral which was not something Euphie would say was unique. She had seen enough paintings of her large sire back at Pendragon.
"Come, come, curator. Let Princess Euphemia make up her own mind. I'm sure the people will love her choices." A voice spoke up behind them, earning the group's attention.
"It's you…" Euphie's eyes widened when she saw the person.
"It has been a while, Euphie."
Xxx
"Today Kyoshiro Todoh will be executed." Guilford stated to Cornelia, the Viceroy watched as the Sutherlands were deployed with a stern expression as Guilford and Nonnette stood behind her
"I won't be present for that now that the Japan Liberation Front is defunct." Cornelia said.
"Right." Guilford answered.
"No wait…" Cornelia looked over her shoulder with a small smirk. "Let him handle the execution."
"By him you mean-" Nonnette started but trailed off.
"Viceroy," Euphemia called out, earning elder sister's attention which brought a smile as the sub-viceroy drew close.
"Sorry to summon you like this. How's everything at the museum?" Cornelia asked.
"The dedication is later on. More importantly, the NAC reported signs of unrest in Ishikawa…" Euphemia answered.
"Probably backed by the EU or the Chinese Federation." Cornelia sighed, looking honestly annoyed at these little insurgents "Still, it's an opportunity to bring Hokuriku under our control." She missed the look of distress on Euphemia's face as she accepted a document from Guilford "I'll leave Dalton here while I'm gone, if anything happens consult him." She nodded at the scarred Knight, who had pulled up behind Euphemia as Cornelia held out the list of potential pilots to her sister "Also, concerning what we spoke of earlier…"
Euphie took the book and opened, seeing the lists and pictures of pilots.
"You may choose any one of them to be your knight." Cornelia clarified but Euphemia knew what she was talking about. "They're all excellent soldiers from respected families."
"Really, Nelly? You're going to force poor Euphie to pick a total stranger for a Knight?" Nonnette asked.
"I need someone to stay be her side. Since coming here there have already have been two attempts to capture both of us and nearly succeeded." Cornelia scowled. "There's no chance we'll be lucky again, especially against Zero and the Black Knights."
Euphimia and Nonnette sighed from the purple haired woman's stubbornness. Euphie closed the book, not wanting to look at it for the moment. To be honest when Cornelia asked her to pick her Knight the images of two certain people popped up in her mind and she knew Cornelia would never approve of either of them.
"Nonnette, you'll be in charge of security. I need someone here in case Zero tries something." Cornelia glance to the Knight.
"That means I'll have to pull Rai out of school. I've been missing him so much." Nonnette sighed but smiled. "I hope he's making lots and lots of friends. A handsome boy like him will have lots and lots of girls chasing after him. I wonder if I should have given him the talk before I let him go to school so he was ready."
Cornelia shuddered at what Nonnette just said, imagining just what she would say to the poor boy she had as an apprentice and mentally scar him for life. "Nonnette, please. I don't have time for this."
"Oh come on, Nelly. Show some compassion! My little Rai is growing up and soon enough he won't have any room in his life for me!" Nonnette said, looking like she was about to cry. "I feel so old! So inadequate! I might just as well be considered his grandma!" Nonnette then looked thoughtful. "Though I might get a few kids to spoil if he finds a girl he really loves. Then I can teach them to be as tough as me and their daddy!"
Cornelia just sighed again as Nonnette kept on muttering to herself while Euphie giggled but remembered what else she needed to talk to her sister about. "Oh, Viceroy. I almost forgot. There's someone who came to speak with you."
"Hm?" Cornelia looked at Euphie. "Speak with me?"
"Yes. I surprised to see him here. Last I heard of him was that he was in charge of the Daedalus Division." Euphie nodded.
"The Daedalus Division?" Cornelia now looked surprised. "He's here? Why would he come here and not inform me?"
"He's in your office right now." Euphie replied.
"Hmm…" Cornelia frowned. "I'll be in to speak with him immediately."
Xxx
"Cornelia suspects Zero will attempt to rescue Todoh tonight."
"Yes, it would match his character. I hear that the Frontier and the Vincent are ready and they will be with the Lancelot on standby with Nonnette Enneagram." The man in the chair smirked.
"Affirmative."
"Good. You will wait and go along with the plan. We need a better understanding of Zero and his Knight's powers."
"Understood."
Xxx
"Yes, the pond does freeze solid in the winter but big brother scolded me once when he caught me skating on it." Nunnally said as she shared tea with Suzaku.
"We had a pond too at the Kururugi shrine. It was small but I use to catch…crawdads all the time." Suzaku said.
"You would catch crawdads? How?" Nunnally asked.
"It's simple. You just tie a string to a frog's back leg." Suzaku answered.
"Hm? Frogs? You mean those things that sit on lily pads and go croak?" Nunnally asked.
"Yeah but in Japan they go 'Ghetto, ghetto.'" Suzaku chuckled.
"What about you, Rai?" Nunnally looked over at the silent boy who had been having a few biscuits. "What's your home like?"
"My home? Well, huh…" Rai trailed off.
"Is something wrong?" Nunnally asked, wondering if it was something she said.
"I…don't remember…" Rai looked away. "I have no memory of my family or where I came from."
Nunnally gasped. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to be so insensitive!"
"It's all right." Rai raised a hand to help calm Nunnally down. "I'm okay. It's not that bad. At least I can come here and see people like you and the others."
Nunnally smiled. "And we get to see you."
Lelouch was only partially listening as he made his sketch and looked over at Suzaku. 'If things continue at this pace and keep according to plan I won't be able to stay with Nunnally any longer. That affair with Mao proves I need someone to keep an eye on my little sister. If a Geass user is that dangerous to someone like Kallen then its imperative I find someone to watch over Nunnally. I would have asked Suzaku to do it but-'
"Suzaku! Rai!" The boys and Nunnnally looked to see Cecile Croomy running up, waving at Suzaku. "Lloyd says its urgent."
"Who's that?" Lelouch asked as Suzaku stood up.
"She's a soldier." Suzaku said simply as Cecile made it up, struggling for breath.
"Friends of yours?" Cecile asked, looking at Lelouch and Nunnally.
Suzaku smiled. "Yes."
"I'm sorry." Cecile said, smiling at them. "But I need to pull Suzaku away from you for a while."
"But um…" Suzaku looked Nunnally and Lelouch.
"Don't worry, I told you it's all right." Lelouch reassured him. "We'll see you again."
"Please come again soon, you two. My operation is tonight." Nunnally said.
'That's right. Nunnally's operation.' Lelouch mentally smacked himself. 'Tonight is when Mito tries to help Nunnally regain her mobility…and I'll be off rescuing Todoh. I hope it won't take me long but Naruto promised he'd give Mito a kunai to teleport me there as soon as possible.'
"Don't worry, we will." Suzaku said as he and Rai started walking.
"Suzaku." Lelouch said, stopping him.
"Hm?" He looked back at his friend.
"…Good luck." Lelouch said with a small smile.
"Don't' worry, I'll be back." Suzaku waved as he ran to catch up with Cecile and Rai.
"Well it seems Suzaku is really important to them, I'm glad." Nunnally said, making Lelouch look at her.
"Nunnally, you seem fond of Suzaku, am I right?" Lelouch askd.
"I adore him and Rai's a pretty good friend too." Nunnally said but noticed the look on Lelouch's face. "But of course I love you more than anyone, Lelouch."
"…I see." Lelouch offered a small smile.
Xxx
While preparations for tonight's execution were underway Euphemia was undertaking a very different task but was still slightly intimidating to her. The only condolence of this evening was Darlton stepping in from time to time when he felt the princess was being swamped with questions, the problem it was almost every question that was being asked.
"Sub-viceroy," A reporter called out, standing up from his seat and extending his microphone pen, the type used by all nosy parkers, towards the princess "Is it true that no Eleven companies were involved in the construction of this museum?"
"Well, with regard to that question I-" Euphemia slowly answered, unsure what to really say.
"We're currently looking into that matter right now so we have no answer at this time." Darlton cut in, earning a look of gratitude from Euphemia.
"Kerryman from Interstate."Another journalist called out, the one looking mildly intrigued as he raised his hand "Your Highness, there have been rumors lately that you are close to choosing your Knight."
"A Knight. Yes well you see I'm-"
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the curator of the Museum cut in, seeing Euphemia being overwhelmed. "We ask that you please limit your questions to the museum only."
Xxx
"Are you sure it's a good idea to throw in with the Black Knights?" Asahina asked, the bespectacled member of the Four Holy swords looking on as the rebels tended to the Gurren Mk-II, which was undergoing maintenance.
"Can you think of any other way to rescue Colonel Todoh?" Chiba asked, the female member of the four sword's arms crossed beneath her breasts as the Holy Swords watched the maintenance with grim features.
"There's also what Kyoto said." Senba muttered, the elderly veteran's features solemn as he nodded his head in approval of Lord Kirihara Taizo's message "That they'd lend us the new models."
"Still, their principles seem to be somewhat off." Asahina noted, the blue haired, bespectacled Knightmare pilot looking up at Chiba for emphasis, only for the woman to shrug, her features a mask of dismissal.
"We're not ethnocentric but after all you already know that." Chiba said simply.
"We can worry about the details of our partnership after we've rescued the Colonel." Senba assured the youngest member of the swords, offering a small smile, which Asahina returned with a nod.
"I understand." The bespectacled soldier assured the veteran, a distant smile appearing on his face as his thoughts turned to their captive leader "But no matter where Colonel Todoh may be it's the place I belong."
Xxx
"AGH!" Tamaki yelled, the redhead looking on in exasperation as the Gurren's maintenance proceeded at a snail's pace "Look, just stuff 'em in and close the lid for crying out loud! It's almost time to move out!"
"Take your time and treat it with the utmost care!" A voice countered.
The Knights and Swords turned round to see a tall, blonde haired woman of Indian descent standing nearby, dressed in a lab coat, with two similarly dressed men at her sides "It was far more fragile than any of you when I gave birth to it."
"Huh?" Tamaki gaped, the redhead trying to wrap his brain around such a concept as a woman, a rather shapely one at that, giving birth to a machine, only to shake his head and glare at the woman in question "Who the hell are you?"
"I am its mother." The woman answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You arrived on time." Zero's modulated voice called out, the masked revolutionary appearing, as he always did, out of thin air, scaring the hell out of everyone who didn't see him coming with his two knights acting as his bodyguards.
"Are you Zero?" The woman asked, staring at the masked man with no hint of emotion on her face aside from a quirked eyebrow. "It's a pleasure. I've heard a lot of things about you."
"The pleasure is all mine." Zero assured the woman, accepting her hand. "I've been reading about you on the net for some time now."
"You have?" Rakshata said, playing along.
"The articles relating to medical cybernetics." Zero continued.
"I do hate talking about the past." Rakshata smiled, as she held up a set of keys on a chain "Anyway here…a souvenir from Kyoto."
"Um…excuse me…" Kallen called out, the collective male populace, with the exclusion of Senba, turning to gape at the sight of the redhead in her new uniform "Is this really going to improve the interfacing system?"
"Of course not." Rakshata chuckled, the buxom scientist tapping her pipe in the direction of the confused redhead, her features lined with amusement "It's going to improve your life expectancy. Now let's move on to my little gift for you, Zero."
Zero tilted his head slightly. "Are you referring to…"
"Why yes. It's time for the infamous Zero to grace the battlefield with my youngest child." Rakshata stated.
Xxx
Lelouch took off his mask as he, Rakshata, Naruto, Kallen and C.C. entered the elevator. Kallen knew that some of the Black Knights would be curious as to why she'd get to see what was in the basement but she wanted to come along and see Lelouch's Knightmare. The elevator reached the bottom floor and they stepped out into the basement hangar of the Ashford Factory. Seizan and Shinryoku stood in their usual places but next to Seizan was a Knightmare covered by a large sheet.
"Zero, I present to you, Arashikage!" Rakshata announced as the sheet was pulled off by the cables attached to it.
Lelouch was stunned at the appearance of the Knightmare he was going to pilot and it looked very impressive.
It was around the same height as Seizan, possessing a slim body that looked flexible and agile and was painted black with gold and red highlights. It possessed long arms with golden hands that had sharp fingers resembling talons with red circular jewels embedded in the palms. The long arms were covered completely in dark armor that reached slightly past the shoulders. On the shoulders were two highly advanced looking circular cannons with turbines for some reason that sprouted from hidden compartments.
The legs were thin and long, covered with dark golden lined armor that oddly enough did not possess Landspinners but had what looked liked turbines attached to the back of its feet which were pointed, resembling blades. The head was most unique as the 'face' was covered by a visor with a sharp angular head that resembled a helmet. The torso had black streamlined armor around the chest and groin area and on the center of the torso was a golden hexagon shaped gem. The Knightmare had two Slash Harken launchers located at the hips with sharp spikes attached to the cables. Unlike regular cockpits that were usually attached to the back was a hatch right above the jewel in the chest opened up to show the cockpit with a keyboard console that was customized for Lelouch but he noticed a second set of large turbines shaped like folded wings on its back.
"Arashikage?" Lelouch asked, looking at Rakshata with amazement in his eyes.
"It means 'Storm Shadow.'" Naruto clarified, impressed by the new Knightmare.
In Naruto's world the Elemental Villages were led by the Kages and though Lelouch was not the strongest of the Black Knights he was the leader, which was why Naruto suggested the Kage title. As Zero Lelouch was recognized for his influence and charisma in the Black Knights and though he wasn't as strong as his knights or Kallen he had the tactical intellect to be very dangerous, something C.C. had known since Lelouch was a child. Thus while the Black Knights were not Shinobi they were still fighters who stuck to the shadows and Naruto believed that Zero's Knightmare should have a Kage title, just to honor his home world.
"Wow." Kallen marveled at how unique Lelouch's Knightmare looked. "To be honest it looks like it suits you, Lelouch. It's obviously not a front line fighter but it still looks…scary looking."
"It was designed as a command type Knightmare but was built with experimental technology so even if you prefer to avoid fighting try to at least test it." Rakshata said as she gave a bat wing shaped key to Lelouch.
"Experimental?" Lelouch asked as he looked at the key. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we better go over it so you'll know what to expect." Rakshata grinned. "Wouldn't want my youngest child to be hurt on its first mission now would we?"
"We should also go over what we should do if Suzaku and Rai show up." Naruto pointed out. "Suzaku's been in almost every major fight and I bet he and Rai will try to stop us tonight. Not to mention that knight showing up there. I imagine a lot of eyes will be on the prison tonight to see Japan's most renowned hero executed. If we make it then it'll be a major blow to their moral and their image of superiority."
Kallen nodded. "He's right. Todoh's bound to have a lot of guards making sure he doesn't escape and making sure no one breaks him out."
"I know. Which is why I spent the whole day planning how to break him out." Lelouch replied as Rakshata handed him the manual. "I've received word that Cornelia won't be present at the execution tonight. She's dealing with some unrest in Ishikawa, no doubt thanks to us because we've had so much success. It's spurring the remaining resistance cells to keep on fighting and it's possible the E.U. or the Chinese Federation are backing them."
"That brings us to one of the neat little toys I made for Arashikage." Rakshata replied. "You didn't think I didn't make sure all my children were prepared for every situation out there did you?"
Xxx
Todoh Kyoshiro was kneeling in his cell, his features closed off in meditation as he awaited his execution. The Colonel did not fear death, no true warrior did, and he would not give the enemy the pleasure of seeing him scared of dying and he would not divulge any information. He would face his fate like a true samurai, and carry his people's secrets and honor to his grave.
"I just heard they changed your executioner." The guard assigned to patrol the halls outside his cell sneered, smirking in at the captured 'miracle worker' "It's going to be Warrant Officer Kururugi Suzaku…you oughta be glad it's someone you know."
Todoh's eyes opened, his fierce stare boring into the Britannian soldiers eyes with such ferocity that the man backed off in fear despite the reinforced, bullet proof glass that separated them and the fact that Todoh's expression remained calm without a single shred of emotion.
Xxx
"Come on, where is he?" Rivalz muttered anxiously.
The Student Council were all gathered in the waiting room of the school clinic as Nunnally was wheeled in for her operation. What made Rivalz so moody was that Lelouch, Tsunade, Naruto, and Kallen were seemingly absent and when he tried calling them their cell phones were off.
"I'm sure they're coming. Lelouch wouldn't miss seeing his little sister coming out for the world." Milly said with a reassuring smile but on the inside she was just as worried as everyone else. Lelouch promised to make it back in time for his sister's operation.
Xxx
"Is my brother here?" Nunnally asked shyly, wearing a hospital gown and lying face down on the bed provided for her.
"Don't worry. I'm sure he's here by now and is anxiously waiting like everyone else to see you walking again." Mito said as she prepared her tools. "All right, Nunnally. I'll have to put you under because this will no doubt hurt so I'll need you completely knocked out or you'll end up waking the whole town."
"Okay." Nunnally nodded nervously as Mito brought up mask up to the little girl's face and released sleeping gas through the tube.
Nunnally's vision became cloudy and heavy and a second later she was out completely. Mito smiled when the girl was now fully asleep as she held out her hands that started glowing green and a syringe. "Time to see if the boss's training paid off."
Xxx
"You need my signature again?" Lloyd whined from all the paper he was getting.
"Princess Cornelia may have been the one who ordered this, but we still need to follow protocols." The bureaucrat answered. "A change of executioners at the last minute is the most extraordinary of circumstances, I'm sure you understand."
Lloyd just sighed and picked up the pen to fill out the additional paperwork while Cecile looked at a shaken Suzaku Kururugi with concern. She could easily understand why he was distraught right now; he was supposed to end the life of the man who had been his instructor as a child. The teen just sat there with a glazed over expression as he recalled times that he had been sparring with Todoh in the Kururugi Shrine's dojo when he was younger. Even though he was still a child at the time, his teacher had not gone easy on him and, as a result, Suzaku was on the ground in a matter of seconds.
He was stirred from his flashback by a large explosion somewhere within the prison compound.
"What the hell was that?!" The bureaucrat cried.
"Well, at least we don't have to do anymore paper work." Lloyd said gleefully.
Xxx
They saw smoke rising from a large breach in the wall of the courtyard as a squad of Sutherlands was deployed to intercept what had caused the explosion. Before the pilots could even comment on what had happened a barrage of bullets flew through the smoke, cutting down most of the squad. Before the remaining Sutherlands could do anything two custom looking Knightmare frames emerged from the smoke armed with swords that slashed through the remaining Sutherlands. Two came from the smoke behind them and the four of slashed or short their way through the Britannian forces, all the while making it look like they were dancing instead of fighting.
"Colonel…" Chiba muttered, the female sword leading the charge, as the Four Holy Swords piloted the new, top of the line Gekkas against the Britannian Sutherlands that had come out to halt them in their advance "We're coming to save you!"
"These Gekkas are awesome!" Asahina praised, the bespectacled sword weaving between the Sutherlands like greased lightning, his Knightmare's sword cleaving them in two before they could even mount a counter attack "Way superior to Burai's!"
"You got that right!" Urabe grinned, the spiky haired sword tearing through the ranks of Sutherlands like a lion through a herd of zebras while a silent, but nonetheless impressed Senba mopping up his own share of enemies with equal ferocity.
While the Holy Swords knew that they were drawing the enemy's fire away from the rest of the Black Knights, they understood that it was a necessary price to pay in order to liberate their leader from certain death.
Xxx
"These guys are good." Naruto said as he watched the battle from his cockpit. "Guess Kallen's not the only bad ass pilot around here."
The plan was surprisingly simple even though it was easier said than done. First they find out when the guards change shifts, plant explosives on the walls in which the Four Holy Swords would be the first to move in and clear away all resistance as Lelouch slipped in and rescue Todoh. And if Suzaku, Rai, or any elite pilots tried to stop them Naruto and C.C. would step in and provide cover until Todoh was brought to the Gekka built for him. If they had had enough time they would finish off the Lancelot and the Club before enemy reinforcements could arrive and cut them off but Lelouch had already set up lookouts to inform them the first sign of enemy units moving to intercept them and they'd retreat at the first opportunity.
"They can handle the ordinary units. It's the special ones we should be watching." C.C. replied. "We know they are here." As C.C. looked at the prison facility her Rinnegan spotted two familiar red lights. "Naruto, I think Rolo's here."
"Hm? A Geass assassin here? Guess I shouldn't be surprised. They must have known we'd pull off something like this." Naruto noted.
"Shouldn't we warn the Four Holy Swords?" Kallen asked.
"We'll step in as soon as they reveal themselves on the battlefield as planned, Kallen. We could give ourselves away too soon." C.C. replied.
"Yeah but…" Kallen sighed. "I don't like waiting like this."
"Who doesn't?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
Xxx
"My superiors have ordered that you be 'unofficially' executed before you're busted out of here." A guard muttered, this one slightly more competent than the one from before, though Todoh really could have cared less as the bullet proof glass was raised, the Colonel staring down the barrel of the man's gun without fear "Any last words?"
"None." Todoh admitted, the captured Colonel's eyes calm, lined with resolve and acceptance of his fate as he matched gazes with his executioner "It's a life I gave up once before…It's worth nothing."
"In that case I'll claim your life for myself!"A voice called out.
Todoh's eyes widened in surprise as the wall behind the guard collapsed, crushing the screaming soldier beneath a pile of debris, the Colonel's eyes narrowing as he looked up to see…
Nothing.
His eyes widened in shock as a Knightmare he had never seen before appeared with its hand through the hole it created with blue sparks traveling down its form for a second and the masked man who stepped out of the opened cockpit in its chest. "Zero."
"Todoh Kyoshiro." The masked vigilante greeted, his modulated tone laced with a type of reverence "The hero of Japan that seven years ago brought the mighty Britannian forces to their knees in defeat."
"You mean Itsukushima?" The Colonel pointed out, his eyes hardening as he glared up at the masked man's cloaked form, already guessing what he was after "You want me to perform a miracle for you as well?"
"That was no miracle." Zero countered, waving his hand. "It ended in victory because it was based on excellent intelligence work, and that's why I cannot allow you to be killed."
"I pledged my loyalty to General Katase." Todoh countered. "Now that he and the JLF are dead, I wish to die too."
"Don't be a coward!" Zero shouted, causing Todoh to glare at him in rage. "You must take responsibility for the miracle that you made! The Area 11 resistance movement is greater than that of any other conquered area because Japan surrendered before exhausting all of its military strength. You have failed to carry on the Miracle of Itsukushima."
"Are you saying that it is my fault?" Todoh asked calmly but Lelouch could see the growing anger in his eyes.
"Yes, people grasp at illusions because they are desperate for miracles. Why else has there been such rampant use of Refrain? You must endeavor to the bitter end, beyond all that is decent, then, and only then, can you die. Until the name of Todoh the Miracle Worker has grown ragged and tattered." Lelouch continued.
"You're telling Japanese people cannot accept their defeat until then?" Todoh questioned, his anger forgotten.
"Until now they had to accept it. However, now that I am here there is hope since I can likely turn their dreams into a reality." Zero put his hand on his chest.
Todoh stared at Zero for a second…before he smirked.
Standing up with a renewed sense of purpose Todoh slowly walked to the lowered hand of Zero's Knightmare. He slipped into the cockpit that was cramped with the two of them but Lelouch was still able to pilot the Arashikage just fine as he stood it up and activated the stealth system while remembering what Rakshata had shown him.
Xxx
"A stealth system? One that makes Knightmares invisible?!" Kallen exclaimed. "You're joking, right?"
"I never joke about my children." Rakshata said as she raised a remote and smirked at the gobsmacked reactions of Lelouch and Kallen as the Arashikage literally vanished before their eyes and reappeared a minute later.
"How?" Lelouch asked.
"The Oberon Frame was not the only project the Ashfords were working on. The Mirage Project was the first attempt to create a full functional stealth system that theoretically would render a Knightmare invisible by bending electromagnetic waves as they passed through it in all directions, making light pass through it. It was of course still in the experimental stages when the Ashfords lost their nobility as they could not generate enough power in the Knightmares used back then." Rakshata explained with a pleased grin. "However thanks to the increased powers granted by Core Radiance we can not only build a Knightmare advanced enough for it but it'll have enough power for use of its weapons even if it is invisible."
"So Lelouch can turn invisible with no chance of the enemy finding him." Naruto noted. "He doesn't have to worry about cover as he monitors the battlefield. And he can attack from the shadows where no one is looking."
Lelouch looked at the Arashikage, his mind going over the multiple scenarios of how the Phantom Coil system could be used in combat. "Can it be equipped in any of the other Knightmares?"
Kallen looked at Rakshata, wondering if she could get the Guren outfitted with one but to her disappointment Rakshata shook her head. "Not without a complete overhaul. I imagine that Lloyd's Lancelot would be the only one that could generate the necessary power without the use of Core Radiance but for now the Guren wouldn't be able to generate enough power for the Phantom Coil and still have enough left to fight. The Phantom Coil uses a lot of power and to be able to use it you'd have shut down almost all other power systems. I imagine trying to turn them back on in the middle of a battle would be dangerous."
"I see. So then, Arashikage for now is the only one armed with this stealth technology. While it's disappointing that we can't equip our other Knightmares with it at the very least the fact that you developed it and not Britannia still presents a large advantage." Lelouch said as he looked at his new Knightmare. "We'll just have to keep on using the element of surprise."
Xxx
'And we're using it to our fill advantage.' Lelouch thought. 'I was able to make it through the courtyard without being detected, proving that the Phantom Coil system work perfectly.'
He activated the turbines on the back of Arashikage's legs that released streams of fire that propelled it out of the facility. Instead of Landspinners the Arashikage used Hover Jets attached to the back of its legs for fast mobility that was actually faster than Landspinners and the Phantom Coil system allowed it to move fast without being seen. The best part was that the Hover Jets didn't need fuel and didn't take up any power when used with the Phantom Coil system.
"It can fly?" Todoh asked, watching as the Arashikage moved out of the prison.
"Indeed it can. We've been hard at work to create advanced Knightmares in our fight against Britannia." Lelouch answered as he switched on the radio. "Todoh is with me and we're leaving the prison. Is his Gekka ready?"
"It's all ready, Zero." Inoue answered. "And Zero we have company! It's the white Knightmare Kururugi pilots and it's not alone!"
Todoh's eyes widened slightly as he looked at Zero. "Kururugi? Suzaku?"
"I'm afraid so, Todoh. Suzaku Kururugi has joined with the enemy and he's the pilot of one of their advanced Knightmares." Lelouch answered as brought up the tactical map. "Are Kallen, Seizan, and Shinryoku in position?"
"Yes and they're moving to intercept."
"Very well, I'll join them on the battlefield as soon as I have brought Todoh to his Knigthmare." Zero switched off the radio.
"A Knightmare?" Todoh questioned.
"One prepared for you." Lelouch answered with a smirk.
Xxx
"RAI!"
Rai jumped at the sound of Nonnette's voice as she entered the hangar. "Yes, Lady Enneagram?"
"I told you to call me by my name! We have Black Knights attacking!" Nonnette snapped as she smiled. "Suit up, boy! Time we take the fight to them!"
As Rai ran towards the Lancelot Club Nonnette turned to the other Knightmare in the hangar. "I guess this just leaves us."
Xxx
"They are here. Take out the Holy Swords and then be ready for Zero's Aces."
"Understood." Rolo answered as he entered the Vincent's cockpit. "Vincent launching."
Xxx
Kallen, C.C. and Naruto rushed into the courtyard, taking out several Sutherlands as a large trailer sped through the gap in the wall which the Gekkas surrounded in a triangular formation. Lelouch piloted the Arashikage to the trailer as it opened up, revealing a black Gekka with red hair like extensions and a katana like weapon. The katana was actually an MVS sword like the ones that Naruto and C.C.'s Knightmares that Rakshata designed just for Todoh. The veteran jumped out of Lelouch's cockpit as soon as it was opened and landed on the shoulder of his new Knightmare.
"Colonel!" Chiba's voice cried as her cockpit opened.
"Welcome back, Colonel Todoh." Asashina said happily.
"Thank you, all of you. You all worked so hard for this." Todoh said solemnly.
"No effort at all sir." Senba chuckled but looked confused as he tried to find Zero's Knightmare. "Where's Zero?"
"He's here." Todoh answered. "Now let's show the Black Knights how the Holy Swords dance!"
Just as he said that four Knightmares and a squad of Gloucesters came out of the hangar of the building and charged forward. One was the Lancelot followed by the Lancelot Club followed by a golden painted Knightmare holding two spears in its hands and the other was colored pink with a shield in one hand and the other held a MVS sword resembling a claymore. Both of the new Knightmares heavily resembled the Lancelot and looked just as advanced.
"Two more of them?" Kallen asked.
"Well, they're bringing out the big guns." Naruto smirked. "And the golden Knightmare, the pilot is a Geass user."
"It's most likely Rolo. Naruto and I can handle him but we'll have to move fast. They must have known we were coming so they had a trap set." C.C. stated. "We need to hurry and get clear."
"Very well." Lelouch said, the Arashikage's Phantom Coil still active, keeping it invisible to the enemy. "Todoh, we'll cover you as take down the Lancelot, the white Knightmare piloted by Kururugi. The rest of us will deal with the other Knightmares."
"Understood." Todoh nodded, knowing that Zero asked him to go after Suzaku because he knew how the boy fought.
Meanwhile the enemy was conversing with their own plans to take down the Black Knights and the Four Holy Swords.
"All right, Kururugi, Rai and Vincent, you're with me. We're going to subdue the enemy while the rest of the group surrounds them and cuts off their escape." Nonnette said from the cockpit of the Frontier. It wasn't designed for her but she took it when she found out that a pilot had not been picked for testing the Frontier.
"Right." Suzaku and Rai answered.
"Understood."
"Now let's see if the Black Knights truly live up to their claim. Attack!" Nonnette commanded with a predatory grin on her face.
Suzaku was the first attack, firing his VARIS rifle at Todoh's Gekka but the Colonel moved his frame out of the way and wheeled past the Lancelot as it clashed with one of the Holy Swords. He tried to blast it at close range but the Gekka jumped over the Lancelot and wheeled away.
"They're skilled fighters." Suzaku said, knowing better than anyone how strong anyone would be under his old sensei.
Xxx
"Oh my. Aren't those new enemy models?" Lloyd watched the battle through his binoculars. "However Miss Cecile…"
"Yes?" Cecile asked.
"In hindsight it's certainly quite fortunate that the Lancelot's trailer is our primary means of transport." Lloyd continued.
"No it's because you spent our entire budget on the Lancelot itself. That's not hindsight." Cecile replied dully.
Xxx
"That's it? The white Knightmare that's been getting in Zero's way?" Rakshata asked, not at all impressed by the Lancelot.
After all her children were better than Lloyd's little toy in every way.
"Uh, yeah." Ohgi answered.
Xxx
Euphemia watched the battle at the prison continued with Suzaku, Nonnette, and Rai attempting to stop the Black Knights. While everyone else cheered them on Euphemia looked concerned while Darlton was on the phone. "Listen, send in everything we've got to support them and make a report that we're wiping out the terrorists."
Xxx
C.C. narrowed her eyes as her fans clashed with the two spears the Vincent held. Once her fans caught the spears C.C. had Shinryoku jump up, kicking the Vincent in the face which knocked it back as Shinryoku spun through the air and landed perfectly on its feet. "You're skills are primarily in assassination, Rolo. Even if you are able to pilot that thing well it's nothing compared to me."
Rolo grunted as the green Knightmare came at him and activated his Geass. "I have you now."
However to his shock Shinryoku did not slow and C.C. smirked and as had Shrinyoku leap forward, spinning her hands and nearly slashed both the Vincent's hands off. "It didn't work! If so then is the pilot…the pilot is female. It must be C.C.!"
Rolo barely managed to move the arms out of the way and fired a Slash Harken, think he could hit C.C. at close range but C.C elegantly spun out of the, smirking as she activated her Asura power and manifesting two long metal whips from her wrists that she flung at the Vincent, wrapping them around the golden frame and spun it around in a circle before letting it go and watching as it slammed into the wall. Rolo grunted as his head slammed into the pilot chair from the impact and felt a nasty headache. Looking up he watched as C.C. fired two harkens at him. He stood the Vincent up in time to dodge but one harken managed to scratch the Vincent's right shoulder and embedded itself in the wall. However that was what C.C. was planning, allowing her Shinryoku to be pulled forward as it leapt up and aimed its foot at the Vincent's 'face'.
Rolo grunted as he ducked the Vincent out of the way and tried to stab Shinryoku but C.C. activated her Landspinners and traveled up, dodging Rolo's spears and kicked off the wall. She spun Shinryoku in the air, its whips coming into contact with the Vincent again, viciously slapping the golden frame back and leaving a nasty scar on the chest.
Xxx
"It damaged my Vincent!" Lloyd shouted, seeing the scar on the Vincent's chest. "It damaged my Vincent! IT DAMAGED MY VINCENT!"
Cecile was too shocked to calm Lloyd down and she was a little angry herself at how easy it was for that green Knightmare to damage the Knightmare she and Lloyd worked so hard to build.
Xxx
'Anything you can build, Lloyd, I can destroy with my superior children.' Rakshata smirked.
Xxx
Rolo quickly wheeled back and activated the Needle Brazers. "Target confirmed. C.C. is with the Black Knights and is piloting the green Knightmare."
He fired Brazers, releasing bursts of energy that flew towards Shinryoku and C.C. reacted by holding up her fans, releasing chakra and radiant energy that formed a shield, blocking the energy bolts. "You're unprepared, Rolo. You and V.V. have no idea what you're meddling in."
In the meantime Lelouch worked on sending Todoh and the Four Holy Swords data on the Lancelot to better fight it and the fact that Todoh knew how Suzaku fought was allowing them to anticipate Suzaku's moves.
"PROVIDENCE System, activated." Lelouch said as the screen in front of him showed the IFF signals of all allied Knightmares in the courtyard. "Everyone, I'm sending you all data on the enemy Knightmares we're facing. We've only gathered data on the Knightmare Kururugi is piloting and the white and blue Knightmare but even so I've managed to gather information on their strengths and weaknesses."
The PROVIDENCE system was an advanced Factsphere System Rakshata developed to link itself with the Factspheres of allied Knightmares and allowed Lelouch to instantly send data to his allies as he directed his forces on the battlefield and analyzed enemy formations. It's why the cockpit was located in the chest; Arashikage's Factsphere scans the battle field and sends the information right down to Lelouch. It had bio, thermal, and electromagnetic scanning capabilities designed to scan the battlefield with a complete one hundred percent detail and bring it up in the form of 3-D Dimensional Tactical Map that allowed Lelouch to know just about everything happening on the battlefield. It also allowed for the Arashikage to be piloted with extreme ease and allowed the Arashikage to move with faster reactions to Lelouch's commands and battle situations, scanning the battlefield and coming up with the fastest recommendations of how to react. Lelouch had already uploaded his knowledge of the Lancelot's capabilities and to his shock and excitement it was coming with the fastest instructions of how to take down the white Knightmare.
"Understood." Todoh answered, upon receiving the information from Lelouch.
Suzaku gritted his teeth as a Gekka slapped his VARIS rifle out of his hand and he immediately jumped back to attack from a distance. Just as he landed on the ground his senses screamed at him to turn around just as Todoh's Gekka came out of the corner and plunged its sword into the cockpit. Suzaku yelled out as the sword destroyed the top of his cockpit, barely missing him.
Xxx
"We installed an ejection system, right?!" Cecile asked anxiously.
"Of course we did. You made it a priority!" Lloyd quickly answered.
Xxx
"Suzaku, I do understand why you fight on the enemy's side but that will not stop me from raising my sword to defeat you." Todoh stated as he pulled his sword back.
With that said Todoh and the Holy Swords continued their attack, pushing Suzaku back and taking out any Gloucesters or Sutherlands that got in their way. Kallen went up against the Lancelot Club and knew that its fighting style was similar to the Lancelot's, thus she knew what she needed to do. First she anticipated the opening move and jumped over the Club, while in the air she pulled out her Raijin Sword and activated its long feature. She then spun the Guren around and released a crimson wave of red lightning shaped like an arc that the Club barely dodged as it jumped out of the way.
"Rai, I know you and Suzaku are nice guys at school." Kallen said as she landed on the ground. "But I won't let you stop me."
She moved forward through the smoke, with Lelouch sending her data showing that Rai would reach for his own VARIS rifle as the Guren came out and activated her Wave Surger, holding her claw out in front of her. Just as Lelouch predicted Rai held out his VARIS rifle and fired just as she came out of the smoke. It collided with her Wave Surger and the two forces struggled for dominance while Kallen fired another lightning wave just as Rai fired.
"Oh no!" Rai's eyes widened as he barely managed to activate his Blaze Luminous to block the attack. Kallen stabbed her Raijin sword forward, colliding with Blaze Luminous shield.
"Activating Shield Breaker." Kallen said as changed the mode on the sword.
After discovering the weakness in the Blaze Luminous Rakshata designed a setting on the Raijin Sword to emit an endless burst of electricity to scatter the particles that allowed the Blaze Luminous to function. It provided an opening in the shield and allowed Kallen to stab the emitter in the Club's right hand.
"Gah!" Rai grunted as he wheeled back. "I've lost my left emitter!"
"Now it's over." Kallen said as she rushed forward. "If I take out that frame right now it'll be one less problem to deal with."
Rai looked up and saw Kallen was just in front of him. Doing the only think he thought he fired his Slash Harken at Guren's cockpit that Kallen tried to dodge but it Harken was close enough to slice into the edge of the cockpit.
"Gah!" Kallen gritted her teeth as she flinched from the sparks coming down on her but thankfully it didn't tear her cockpit like Suzaku's. "Damn it!" She looked to her right and saw the tear that could have cut her in half if she hadn't moved fast enough. "That was too close. I have to finish this now."
Rai opened the hatch of his cockpit as Kallen moved to attack again just as the Club wheeled forward to meet the Guren. Just as Kallen lashed with her claw the Club jumped to the side where the tear in the Guren's cockpit was as Rai's left eye suddenly flared red with the Geass crest. "Stop!"
As this happened Naruto who was fighting with Nonnette and several Gloucesters spotted a red light coming out of the Club and engulf the Guren as Kallen was mere inches from finishing it. "That light…Not again!"
"Rai has activated his Geass." C.C. frowned as she blocked another blast from Rolo. "If the enemy is getting serious then I believe play time is over."
"Rai's activated his Geass?" Lelouch asked, seeing the Guren suddenly stop. "Kallen? Kallen, what's wrong?"
The sound of Rai's voice carried through the tear in the cockpit and the instant Kallen heard it a red circular outline appeared in her eyes as she completely stopped, remaining still.
"I…I stopped her." Rai realized what happened. "I did this. I stopped her."
"Kallen, answer me!" Lelouch shouted. 'Damn it, now of all times! Rai's Geass must have frozen her like Rolo's does. Then if that's the case then only Naruto or C.C. can erase what happened if it doesn't wear off. I could use my Geass to order Kallen to break free but I need eye contact with Kallen to order her to break free.'
If things wasn't looking bad enough before it got worse as three Gloucesters surrounded Kallen.
"C.C., Naruto. I need you to rescue Kallen." Lelouch opened his private channel.
"Can't, not done with the pink knight here." Naruto answered as he clashed swords with Nonnette.
"You're a big boy with a Knightmare now, Lelouch. You can actually help." C.C. said as she blocked another blast from Rolo with her fans.
Getting tired of Rai shooting her C.C. had Shinyroku jump up and threw her fans sending her chakra through her Frame. "Wind Style: Great Wind Breakthrough."
The blast of wind accelerated the fans through the air, making them too fast for Rolo to dodge as they sliced through the Needle Brazers and cutting into the forearms and overloading the Needle Brazers which caused a small explosion on both arms.
"Gah!" Rolo grunted as he wheeled back. "I can't do anything else. I have to retreat."
"Very well." His superior's voice answered. "Retreat. We have confirmation C.C. is with the Black Knights."
C.C. watched as the Vincent spun around and wheeled away. "Typical Rolo. Running away when he's outmatched."
"Damn it!" Lelouch banged his fists on his console when he saw no one could move to help Kallen. "I have no choice. I have to move fast."
A Gloucester raised its lance to finish Kallen off who couldn't move due the effects of Rai's Geass but before it could impale the Guren something slammed into it and knocked it down.
"Huh? What was-" One of the pilots started to say but stopped as something appeared in front of the downed Guren.
It appeared as a figure of blue electricity before shimmering into the form of Zero's new personal Knightmare Frame.
Xxx
"Huh?! Where did that come from?" Cecile asked, shocked at how the new Knightmare literally appeared out of thin air. "Some sort of camouflage device?"
"Impossible. All attempts to create a fully functional stealth device have failed." Lloyd frowned as another Knightmare with impossible new abilities appeared. 'This is not far! Where are these Knightmares coming from?! And how come I haven't thought them up!?'
Xxx
"Knightmare Frame Arashikage." Rakshata spoke proudly as everyone in the mobile headquarters watched the battle. "Built personally for Zero to pilot with the latest developments in stealth technology. The Phantom Coil system seems to work perfectly since no one knew it was there before it was deactivated."
"A Knightmare that can turn invisible?! Wow!" Tamaki punched a fist in the air. "You get 'em Zero!"
Xxx
Lelouch watched as the two Gloucesters in front of him aimed their rifles at him. "Here goes nothing!"
He rapidly typed away at his console, having Arashikage raise its right arm with its hand held out in front of its face. The jewel in its hand glowed bright as the Gloucesters fired their rifles but to their shock the bullets stopped just short of hitting the arm and hovered in mid-air.
"Huh?!" One of the pilots, Marika Soresi, the younger sister of Kewel Soresi gasped in shock at seeing the bullets stopping like they had just done. "It blocked our bullets!"
"Impossible!" The second pilot shouted.
Lelouch typed into command the bullets were sent flying back to their origin, piercing their frames and forcing Marika and the other pilot, Liliana Vergamon to eject as their frames fell backwards onto the ground.
Xxx
"My Inertia Dampening Field, emitting a powerful electromagnetic field that blocks any form of projectile attack." Rakshata smirked. 'I reverse engineered my Radiant Wave Surger to project the field in a way to that stops all attacks, expanding it to create a wall to protect a single frame or more than one depending on if the emitters in both hands are used. Rueben Ashford is a very smart man to have come up with an idea to counter the VARIS rifle that Lloyd and Cecile created and I modified it a bit with a few ideas of my own and of course enhanced it.'
Xxx
'With this I can effectively block and deflect almost anything. A combination of offence and defence.' Lelouch marvelled at how effective the IDF worked against enemy weapons. 'Now that I have revealed myself I have no choice but to defend Kallen until either C.C. or Naruto can break her free of the Geass holding her. At first we thought Rai couldn't use his Geass but perhaps there was a reason he couldn't use it before.' Lelouch glanced at the Guren and noticed the open tear in the cockpit and then the Club's cockpit that closed back down. 'He opened his cockpit to use his Geass and the tear was enough to open the cockpit enough to…Rai's voice! His Geass only works with his voice and since he needed to open his cockpit it can only be used with his real voice, not speakers or recordings.'
That was why Rai opened his cockpit and tried to attack Kallen's, he needed an opening for his Geass to work.
'In that case it's better for me to keep my distance.' Lelouch smirked. 'It's a good thing Arashikage was designed for long-mid range fights anyways.'
Rai held an MVS sword in his remaining hand as he moved to attack Zero's Knightmare as Lelouch disengaged the IDF system but the jewel continued to glow as some kind of wide spread energy field reached out and touched the Club. The Club was suddenly halted and slowly lifted off the ground as it was pulled through the air towards the Arashikage.
"Wh-what?!" Rai struggled to make the Club move. "What's happening?! I've lost control! I can't move!"
Xxx
"Is it lifting the Club up? How is that possible?" Cecile gasped, seeing the new Knightmare lifting the Club up with.
"That's impossible…Unless it's using some form of electromagnetic system." Lloyd narrowed his eyes. "A tractor beam."
"A tractor beam? But how?" Cecile asked, looking at Lloyd.
"Therein lies the problem, Cecile. Such technology should be impossible and yet I can see evidence that Rakshata has somehow made it work since it seems to be based off her Radiant Wave technology." Lloyd spotted the emitters in the palms of the Knightmare's hands.
Xxx
'The Magnetic Attraction System that works opposite of the IDF system, latching onto any Knightmare Frames in range that paralyzes them instantly when the magnetic beam latches onto them and disables them. Rakshata modified her Wave Surger to generate a magnetic beam that can lift and pull any Knightmare towards me, temporarily disabling the working systems of the frame until I release it.' Lelouch thought as he pulled the Club towards Arashikage's hand. 'The ability to attract and repel enemy frames, effectively making Arashikage a dangerous frame.' Lelouch's smirk widened.
Suzaku was in the midst of trying to battle off Todoh and the Four Holy Swords when he spotted the Club being lifted up by the strange new Knightmare. "Rai! Hang on!"
The Lancelot quickly dodged an attack from Chiba and wheeled towards the Arashikage.
"Zero, Kururugi's moving towards you!" Todoh shouted through the radio.
Lelouch's eyes widened when he spotted the Lancelot wheeling towards him.
'Sorry Suzaku.' Lelouch thought as he reactivated IDF system and repelled the Club and sent it flying across the courtyard and straight towards the Lancelot. 'Instead of relying on weaponry like rifles and swords the Arashikage relies on its power to turn any enemy's weapon against them, even their own Frames.'
Suzaku gasped as he stopped the Lancelot and spun out of the way, catching the Club but its foot and barely managing to stay on its feet. "Rai, are you okay?"
The Club landed on its back, earning a grunt from the pilot. "Yeah. Thanks Suzaku."
"We need to neutralize that Knightmare." Suzaku stated as they faced the Arashikage.
"What about Todoh?"
The Gekkas piloted by Todoh and the Four Holy Swords were moving to attack but stopped as a barrage of bullets came down from the sentry towers.
"Damn it! They're reorganizing!" Todoh grumbled as the Gekkas began evading the bullets.
'This is not what I hope for.' Lelouch thought as he stared down both Knightmares. 'Suzaku and Rai, both piloting advanced Knightmares and this is my first time piloting the Arashikage even if I've read up on all its capabilities.'
'This Knightmare is powerful. It can turn invisible, create a barrier to block any attack, and it can even somehow lift Knightmares off the ground. I can't let it get away.' Suzaku thought.
'I can't reactivate the Phantom Coil System with Kallen still paralyzed. I have to go on the offensive.' Lelouch reluctantly conceded as he activated the Arashikage's offensive weaponry. 'Elemental Manipulation System, activated.'
Xxx
"Hm?" Rakshata's eyebrow perked up, seeing the Arashikage's shoulder panels open up and reveal the cylinder cannons. "So Zero's activating the weapon system?"
"The weapon system?" Ohgi asked.
"Yes. I designed the Arashikage to function as a mid to long range Knightmare." Rakshata answered with a smirk.
Xxx
"Elemental Manipulation System, Bolt Mode activated." Lelouch said as he targeted the two Knightmares, hearing the sound of the turbines in the cannons starting to spin.
Upon seeing the shoulder cannons on the Knightmare Suzaku and Rai sped forward to attack. Suzaku jumped forward to launch a kick but Lelouch raised the Arashikage's arm, activating the IDF system and repelling the Lancelot. The computer beeped as it spotted the Club coming at the Arashikage from the other side.
"Now!" Lelouch said as he aimed and fired.
From the shoulder cannons came two bolts of bright blue lightning that raced towards the Club. Rai's eyes widened as he held out his other arm and activated the Blaze Luminous that blocked the twin lightning bolts but the force of the blow caused the Club to slide back into the wall.
"It's like the red Knightmare's sword!" Suzaku's eyes widened in shock as he stopped the Lancelot, now wary of the new Knightmare.
'It works!' Lelouch breathed a sigh of relief as he turned and faced Suzaku. 'I can keep Suzaku back with this.'
Suzaku now knew that the Knightmare he was facing was dangerous and couldn't be taken lightly. And he wasn't the only one as a squad of Sutherlands moved to try and attack the Knightmare.
'I can't take them with Bolt mode and they're spreading out.' Lelouch thought as he switched to another mode. "Torch mode, activated!"
The Arashikage's shoulder cannons glowed bright red as the Sutherlands moved to circle around it and the second it was fully charged the cannons spewed out streams of fire that spread out in a blazing blast of orange blinding light that forced the pilots to stop and wheel back for fear of getting burned.
"It's a flamethrower too!" Suzaku exclaimed. The flames flared around the Arashikage, giving off the appearance of an armored bat with its visor/face staring at him in a way that reminded him of Zero's mask. "I have to get in close before it uses its shield."
'Damn it, Suzaku. You just won't quit.' Lelouch said as he changed the Element system to another mode. "I don't want to fight you but I can't let you stop me. Elemental Manipulation System, Sub-Zero mode activated."
The Lancelot held both MVS swords as it wheeled forward as Suzaku thought over what he should do. If he could get in behind the Knightmare and take the red one hostage he could force the terrorists to stand down. The Knightmare faced him its cannons glowed bright blue and Suzaku knew it was about to attack and prepared to maneuver out of the way. The cannons fired, released a blast of icy white wind that did not hit the Lancelot but the ground in between the two Knightmares, freezing the ground in a sheet of ice that the Lancelot wheeled over as it tried to maneuver.
However the ice was very slippery and Suzaku let out a yelp as the Lancelot tripped forward, unable to balance from how fast it was moving and skidded on the ground assed the Arashikage. The Lancelot was on a direct course for the wall that would no doubt damage the Lancelot and injure its pilot greatly. And Lelouch probably knew that because he raised Arashikage's hand and activated the MAS stop pull the Lancelot through the air towards the hand and then stopped the Lancelot from crashing into the Arashikage by activating the IDS, repelling and knocking it into the Club as it managed to stand back up.
"Sorry, Suzaku." Lelouch whispered, relieved his friend would be all right.
Battered but alive.
Xxx
"It's like the sword that red Knightmare has and it can switch to using a flamethrower and a freeze gun!" Lloyd thought as he grinned with envy and awe as a bit of drool came down his mouth.
Xxx
"Elemental Manipulation System. It basically takes what was used to construct the Guren's Raijin sword but is modified to have alternative modes. Combined with my Radiant Wave system the cannons on the Arashikage's shoulders basically have four modes. Bolt, Torch, Sub-Zero, and Aero. The turbines in the cannons take in the air and particles from the atmosphere itself." Rakshata explained with a grin. "The inner mechanisms of the cannons will then heat or cool the air for two modes, gather electrical particles from the air to charge the cannons for another mode, or compress the particles into a single burst. In short it's a multipurpose weapon with an all range purpose in mind. I have added a variety of them to the back of the Arashikage to act as rockets without the need for fuel."
Xxx
Meanwhile Nonnette was engaged with the blue Knightmare but something caught her eyesight as she clashed with Naruto.
"Rai!" Nonnette narrowed her eyes as she saw the Lancelot collide with the Club. She would have moved to attack Zero right then and there but Naruto was in her way.
'These Knights of the Round are really good.' Naruto thought as he clashed with Nonnette's sword again. 'She's definitely a skilled opponent.'
They had mostly relied on their swords for fighting as they literally danced around each other, swinging their blades sparkling off each hit clash. Even though Naruto could fall back on his Ninjutsu he preferred fair fights in one on one battles and only used Ninjutsu if it was necessary or if he had retreat quickly. He jumped over Nonnette's blade and spun Seizan through the air, its foot aiming to kick the Frontier in the torso but Nonnette raised the Frontier's shield, blocking the block but the force sent the Frontier staggering back. Nonnette raised her shield which fired a missile at Seizan but Naruto moved it out of the way with such speed that Nonnette almost lost sight of him as he slashed both MVS swords at the Frontier again.
Nonnette blocked with her sword and fired her hip Slash Harkens to create some distance. Naruto admitted he didn't see that coming but he was still able to block, slashing at the Harkens with his swords as the Frontier slid back.
"Lady Nonnette, we have reinforcements coming." A voice over the radio spoke.
"Take your time, I'm actually having fun here." Nonnette replied, actually enjoying her fight. It had been so long since anyone other than Bismark was able to fight her like this and push her to her limits.
"Zero, you have to move. They're scrambling reinforcements." Ohgi's voice came through the speakers of Lelouch's cockpit.
"Understood. Everyone fall back, we have to move. Now." Lelouch stated. He looked to the entrance and spotted a large number of Gloucesters and Sutherlands moving in to surround them. 'It's a trap. They knew we'd try and rescue Todoh and planned ahead just in case. They're getting smarter and more cautious.'
"Well then, time to unveil the little surprise." Naruto smirked as he made a hand sign. "To quote a certain pyro maniac from my home: Katsu!"
The prison complex was rocked with explosions that covered the courtyard with explosions. As this happened the hundreds of prisoners were greeted with the surprise of their cell doors opening and a sudden blast in the ground creating a large hole.
"What in the hell-" A guard shouted as the few prison guards moved to find out what caused the blast.
Out of the hole came a cloaked man wearing a black and white fox mask. "Attention all prisoners. For anyone who wants an early parole granted to you by Zero take it now!"
"Stop them!" A guard raised his gun but the masked strange spread his arm out, releasing a barrage of shuriken either slit the throats or embedded themselves in the heads of the guards, killing them instantly.
"Does anyone else have any objections?" The masked man asked rhetorically.
The prisoners didn't need to be told twice as they ran out of their cells and jumped down the hole. In the meantime the smoke from the courtyard finally faded and when it was gone the Black Knights were all gone and a large hole was in the middle of the courtyard created from the explosion.
"They set up bombs underneath the complex to escape through the sewers. They must have thought we'd be setting a trap." Nonnette smirked. "This Zero's really interesting."
Suzaku stood up from his torn open cockpit as he looked around the devastation. "Todoh-sensei, I'm…your enemy now."
Xxx
The art gallery Princess Euphemia had been hosting had been still with silence as they had watched the battle in the courtyard of the prison with stunned awe. The muttering had continued, especially when the cockpit of the Lancelot had been torn open and showing its pilot to the world.
"Look they're running."
"Have we fought them off?"
"The Black Knights?"
'Suzaku, well done.' Euphemia thought but stiffened as she heard more comments.
"Damn traitor. Why won't he follow them?"
"Cause they're Elevens like him."
These hurtful comments caused Euphemia to tighten her hold on the bouquet she was holding and Darlton saw the look on her face. "Princess Euphemia?"
"All of you!" Euphemia called out, earning everyone's attention. "I'll now answer the question you asked me earlier. You had inquired as to who I select to be my Knight, correct?" Euphemia gestured to the screen. "The Knight I have chosen will be the young man you see before you, Warrant Officer Suzaku Kururugi."
Xxx
"What happened to Kallen?" Ohgi asked as he saw Zero's Knights lift Kallen out of the Guren's cockpit.
"The Guren froze up for reasons I cannot find. Perhaps the Britannians have a new weapon to disable Knightmares much like my own." Zero said as he gestured to the Arashikage. "In any event Rakshata has brought along several doctors who will look after Kallen. In the meantime we have work to do." Zero said as the sewer hatch opened and the Black Knights were silent in shock as people dressed in prisoner uniforms began climbing out of the hole without end. "Todoh was not the only prisoner to be liberated tonight. Over five hundred prisoners fled through the sewers thanks to the bombs that my knights as we scouted for ways to stage this rescue. They will need homes to stay and you'll be happy to know that they're all members of resistance groups that had fallen. Some of them are even generals from the now disbanded JLF that have sworn to aid us for rescuing them and Todoh. They will need proper housing as we help integrate them."
"Understood, Zero." Ohgi nodded.
"Oh yeah! The Black Knights win again!" Tamaki punched a fist in the air. "We rescued Todoh and all the prisoners and we've kicked Britannia's asses again!"
"Yes, you have." C.C. stated as Naruto carried Kallen onto the truck. "But now Britannia will be more determined than ever, recognizing us as a threat. We will have to lay low for some time."
"Don't worry about that. We came prepared." Rakshata smirked. "There are a few gifts from Kyoto I neglected to mention."
Xxx
Kallen was laid flat on the bed as Lelouch walked in. "How is she?"
"The good news is that she's not been damaged in any way. From what it I see the Geass has merely paralyzed her like her own Geass but Kallen doesn't seem aware of it, kind of like how no one is aware of being under your Geass, Lelouch." Naruto answered, sitting next to the bed.
"If it's similar to mine it can only work when Rai's voice is heard and since he forced Kallen's cockpit partially open it cannot be used with speakers or recordings." Lelouch noted. "It's fortunate that I had Arashikage's power with me to fend off her attackers."
"Yeah, you managed to work it out pretty fast. Of course Rakshata designed it for you to use personally so it's no surprise she customized the controls for you." Naruto commented.
"Of course I did and little Zero used it so well. The data I got back was very promising." Rakshata said as she walked in with C.C. "I'd love to see the look on Lloyd's face as he tries to figure out how to replicate the IDF, MAS, and the EMS. He'd probably never think to look into the old records of the Ashford Foundation and see what Knightmare plans that they had drawn up and no one could ever imagine creating a weapon that used the elements itself as a weapon."
"Well now that it works can we get to work on waking Kallen up?" Lelouch asked as he looked at Naruto and C.C.
"I got it." C.C. walked over to Kallen's side.
Everyone expected her to simply touch Kallen's head and use her powers to cancel the Geass effect on her. However C.C. decided to mess with them a bit and she had a grin on her face that made Naruto shiver. Needless to say everyone was shocked into silence as C.C. leaned down and kissed Kallen right on the lips. Lelouch's eyes widened as dinner plates, Rakshata raised one eyebrow, and Naruto started gaping and blushing from the way his girlfriend was kissing Kallen.
Kallen opened her eyes as the red outline in her eyes vanished and she felt someone's lips on her. Her eyes went wide and almost fell out when she saw the green hair and knew just who was kissing her.
C.C. pulled away before Kallen could slap her away and smirked at everyone. "There, all better."
"Did you have to do that?" Naruto sighed.
C.C. shrugged. "Why not?"
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?! WHY'D YOU KISS ME LIKE THAT YOU CRAZY BITCH?!" Kallen shot up on the bed, her face now matching her hair in color.
"You were under a Geass command I freed you. Kind of like how the Prince gives the Princess a kiss to break the evil spell over her." C.C. answered simply.
"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO STICK YOUR TONGUE INTO MY MOUTH!" Kallen shouted but shut her mouth with both hands when she realized what she said.
Naruto stuttered as he blushed even redder and now Lelouch was starting to have red cheeks. Rakshata simply threw her head back and laughed, thoroughly entertained by the people she decided to work with.
"It's not like it was the worst kiss you've ever had." C.C. simply said with her smirk still in place. "That being your first kiss and all. I must say, your lips taste a lot like strawberries"
Kallen sputtered as her blush intensified and her Geass flared as she prepared to leap out and strangle the life out of the green haired woman.
"Enough!" Lelouch called out, realizing he was going to have to be the adult here. "You can kill each other later." He had grown use to Naruto and C.C.'s antics so they didn't bother him as much but knew about Kallen's short temper and knew that if he didn't say something there would be a war right here in the room. "At least we now have information on how Rai's Geass works and with Todoh and the other prisoners liberated the Black Knights will only grow stronger."
"We made it?" Kallen asked, looking at Lelouch.
"We did and Naruto arranged an escape for the other prisoners. Almost all objectives have been completed now. We have an army now and with Rakshata's help and access to the Ashford Weapons Factory we can start working Britannia's downfall." Lelouch nodded with his signature smirk as the door opened.
In walked Sayoko wearing the same armor and cloak Naruto and C.C. wore as Zero's knights with Naruto's fox mask in her hand. "My mission was accomplished, Master Lelouch. The prisoners are moving to the underground shelters that were set up for them and some have expressed an interest in joining the Black Knights."
"Good work, Sayoko. With all of the prisoners liberated under Cornelia's watch her control over the Area will weaken and she'll be hard pressed to suppress any rumors that leak back to the homeland." Lelouch nodded with a satisfied smile.
"I think you're forgetting something, Lelouch." Naruto stated as he held up a kunai. "A little somehow who hopes to see you with all of her friends tonight?"
It only took Lelouch a second to realize what Naruto was talking about. "Nunnally's operation! She must be finished and awake by now!"
"Well then, better hurry." Naruto chuckled as he looked C.C. and Kallen while Lelouch moved to take off his Zero outfit. "When I say all of our friends I meant all of them."
Kallen nodded as she moved to change out of her pilot suit, but not before giving C.C. one last glare. This was not over.
*Chapter 17*: Chapter 17Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Nunnally opened her eyes slowly, seeing the sun shining down on her and the soft ground beneath her. "Wh-where am I?"She was not in the hospital, she was now in a forest but she had no idea how she got here. "How did I get here?" There was a soft gentle breeze that was soothing to Nunnally as she sat up. "The last thing I remember was…the operation!"
The operation that would supposedly give her legs the ability to walk again. Did it work? Can she walk again? She looked down at her feet and tried to move them.
"A nice place isn't it?" A voice whispered in Nunnally's ars.
"Huh? Is there someone here?" Nunnally slowly looked around.
"Behind you." The voice whispered behind her. Nunnally turned around to see someone dressed in a white robe with a hood that covered the person from head to toe.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Nunnally asked, confused and slightly scared. She wanted to shout out to her brother to come and find her. She wanted him by her side to tell her everything was fine.
"Let's take a walk." The person held a hand to Nunnally.
"But I…I can't walk." Nunnally stated, looking at her legs.
"Can you?" The person asked, making Nunnally look even more confused. "How can you tell if you don't try?"
It was a small movement but her eyes went wide as she saw her right foot wiggle. She looked over to her left foot and tried it wiggle it and it worked! She could move her feet! She then tried to move her knees and bent them up.
"I…I can…move." Nunnally gasped as she moved her knees experimentally.
The feeling of excitement raced through Nunnally as she tested her legs for a moment before trying the next big thing: standing up. Placing her hands on the ground first Nunnally placed one foot on the ground and slowly pushed herself up. When she was on one knee she put her other foot on the ground and tried to stand up fully. However she became excited and fell onto her back when her feet slipped.
"Whoa!" Nunnally exclaimed as she fell down but it didn't hurt. "I…I must have moved too fast."
"Be careful." The white robed stranger said as it vanished from Nunnally's sight.
"Wait!" Nunnally tried to reach out to the stranger but they were completely gone. "Who are you?"
"Keep trying to stand." The person whispered before they vanished, leaving Nunnally to try to relearn how to walk.
It had been over seven years since she had taken a step. She got back on her knees and slowly tried standing again. This time she was lot more slow with her movements as she stood up straight.
"I-I can stand." The smile on Nunnally's face was perhaps the biggest smile she ever had on her face. "I can see…I can stand…I can walk! I have to find everyone! I need to show big brother I can walk!"She started running and fell forward this time. "Ow! Right, I need to get use to it before I start running again."
Nunnally got up a third time, this time it was much easier and slowly started walking around in a circle. She needed to get used to walking again before she went off looking for her brother and friends. She started off slowly, probably around in a circle thirty times before she started taking longer strides and moving slightly faster. Her grin slowly widened as she walked back forth through the small clearing of the forest she had woken up in.
"This is great! I can walk! I can run!" Nunnally laughed enthusiastically as she ran through the forest, this time not falling on the ground. "Brother! Come and see me! I'm all better now! BROTHER!"
Xxx
Lelouch pushed the door open, gasping for breath as he walked in. "Did I make it?"
"Lulu! Where have you been?!" Shirley stood up with an angry look. "Rivalz and I have been calling you for an hour!"
"Yeah, Lelouch. I thought you'd be here before anyone of us!" Rivalz agreed as he stood up.
"This one's on me, guys." Kallen said as she walked in, wearing her school uniform. "Lelouch came to pick me up but we were running late and didn't have a car. I ran too fast and fell over and Lelouch couldn't leave me alone on the sidewalk."
"Hence why the idiot called us." Naruto came in behind the two with C.C. "Due to our dear sick Kallen being too heavy for the Vice-President to move on his own he called me and Tsunade to help."
Both Kallen and Lelouch glared at Naruto for that crack and Kallen promised in her head she'd get back at Naruto for that.
"Well, I guess we can't punish you all for that." Milly folded her arms. "At least you made it on time."
"So Nunnally's still in surgery?" Lelouch asked, looking at the door to the surgery room.
"Yep. Mrs Senju hasn't come out yet." Milly nodded.
"Then we're not late and Lelouch promised to be by Nunnally's side when she woke up." Naruto stated with his trademark foxy smirk. "All in a day's work."
The door opened and Mito stepped out with a smile. "Everyone, she's ready to see you all."
Lelouch was the first into the room, seeing Nunnally sleeping on the bed, looking very happy for some reason. "Is she…"
"We won't know until she wakes up. The little girl's been through a lot Mr. Lamperouge so I'll have to keep her here over night. I've informed the Principal and he's agreed." Mito answered.
"Can I please stay? I promised to be here when she wakes up." Lelouch stated.
"I know." Mito pointed to the couch that had a pillow and sheets. "I came prepared."
"Thank you." Lelouch smiled as he sat down next to Nunnally's bed.
"I guess Suzaku's not coming." Milly stated with a solemn look on her face.
Lelouch's smile thinned but nodded. "Yeah. I saw the live feed of the battle. To think all this time…"
"Come on, Lelouch. We can talk about Suzaku keeping dirty little secrets later." Naruto said as Mito began pushing everyone out of the room. "Call us when Nunnally wakes up or Madam President will no doubt try to put you in a dress again."
"That's right, Lulu!" Milly smiled deviously. "Be good or you can wear the special costume I picked out for you at the festival!"
"I'll keep that in mind." Lelouch replied with a small smile.
Naruto nodded at Lelouch who returned as they left the room.
Xxx
"So C.C. is the pilot of the blue Knightmare or the green one." The man mused as he looked over Rolo's report. "It's likely the green one and our agent in Ashford confirms she is disguised as a student there."
"Shall we send a team to apprehend her?" Bartley asked.
"No." The man shook his head. "We don't have enough information on the abilities of the blue Knightmare's pilot or what abilities his Geass may have. Until then the agent will simply observe."
"Understood."
Xxx
"So how'd it go?" Naruto asked Mito who sat down at her desk with the laptop powering up and showing Rakshata on her red couch to everyone.
"It went perfectly. The operation was a success as you can see here," Mito held up a chart for Naruto and C.C. to see. "As you can see the damage to Nunnally spine was completely healed. I followed Tsunade's procedure of using healing chakra to manipulate Nunnally's body to heal her injuries. Following that I placed her in a Genjutsu that placed her in her own mind where she'd have the time she'd need to get used to walking again. She'll be up and running around in no time."
"That's a relief." Naruto smiled, happy that Lelouch's little sister was getting back everything she had lost.
"Yes. My healing skills have proven to able to give the crippled their ability to walk again and my children once again are victorious." Rakshata said with a pleased smile on her face. "And the test for Arashikage's systems proved to be a success even though Zero only used it for defense."
"In the meantime I guess we lie low for a bit. Britannia's bound to be on high alert after we busted Todoh and all those other prisoners out." Naruto said with a smile. "Maybe we went a little overboard again."
"A little?" Mito asked with a rhetoric grin. "You blew up one of the most highly guarded prisons in Japan and released over five hundred prisoners."
"So…medium this time?" Naruto asked.
"Gah!" Mito sighed.
Xxx
"…ouch? Lelouch?" Lelouch groaned slightly as he was shaken from his dreams. "Rise and shine, Lelouch."
Opening his eyes the first thing he saw were vibrant blue eyes staring at him with a big smile. His vision sharpened itself and he realized that he was looking at the happy face of his little sister.
"Morning, Big Brother." Nunnally said as Lelouch yawned. "Did you spend the night here?"
"Yeah." Lelouch said as he sat up. "I wanted to be here when you woke up. Are you feeling?"
"A lot better when I saw you stayed." Nunnally answered as Lelouch sat up. "Did the others come and visit me?"
"Yeah and they would have stayed but the doctor only allowed me to stay." Lelouch yawned as he rubbed his eyes and heard his stomach growl.
Nunnally giggled. "Hungry?"
"I guess so. I'll get your wheel chair and we'll go get some breakfast." Lelouch chuckled.
"Lelouch, I don't need a wheel chair." Nunnally said strangely.
"What do-" It was then Lelouch realized that the couch was too far from the bed for Nunnally to be right in front of him. "Nunnally are you…"
His eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight before him: his crippled little sister was standing in front of him on both legs without any kind of support!
"Nunnally, you…you…" Lelouch was almost completely speechless.
"Yes, Big Brother." Nunnally's big smile widened itself. "It worked. I can walk again."
"You…can….walk? You can walk!" Lelouch's smile mirrored Nunnally's as he stood up and hugged her which she happily returned. "You can walk again!"
Both siblings hugged each other with tears falling out of their eyes in sheer happiness of Nunnally getting back all that she had lost.
"We have to show the others!" Nunnally said as she grabbed Lelouch's arm and dragged him to the door.
"Nunnally wait!" Lelouch said but couldn't stop her as she opened the door and easily pulled him along. "Your clothes!"
"Hm?" Nunnally stopped and looked down at herself, seeing she was still wearing the hospital gown. "Oh right! Hang on!" She ran back into the room and closed the door.
A few minutes later Nunnally was back out in her school uniform and she was running towards the clubhouse with Lelouch struggling to catch up. "Come on, Lelouch! The others are waiting!"
"Nunnally slow down!" Lelouch said, asking for breath. 'How can she be this good at running again? It's only been one night!'
Milly and the Student Council were the door when they heard Lelouch calling out to his sister. They looked at the source of the voice and were greeted with the shocking surprise of Nunnally running up to the club house.
"Is that Nunnally?" Shirley's eyes went wide.
"She's running!" Rivalz exclaimed.
"Mother does it again." C.C. said with a small smile as Nunnally stopped in front of everyone.
"Nunnally, look at you!" Milly rushed forward and hugged the smaller girl. "Running around on your own two feet and you've even outrun your brother." Lelouch was gasping for breath as he caught up to everyone.
"I know! I just woke up this morning and saw Lelouch on the couch. I would have called someone but before I knew it my legs were moving!" Nunnally laughed excitingly as she twirled around her brother. "I ran out all the way here!"
"That's wonderful!" Shirley said happily.
"I know!" Nunnally even jumped once. "I feel like I can to the other side of the school and back! Come, Big Brother! I got to try!"
"Uh, Nunnally-GAH!" Lelouch soon found he didn't have a choice as Nunnally grabbed his hand again and ran off with Lelouch struggling to keep up.
"She seems happy." The second quietest member of the Council next to Nina, Rai commented with a small smile.
"Yes she is." Milly nodded while laughing at the sound of Lelouch trying to ask Nunnally to slow down. "And it looks like she's going to be running around for a bit."
"Maybe Lelouch will get some exercise now." Naruto commented.
Milly laughed even harder. "Looks like he will if Nunnally drags him all over the place. Look at her go!" Milly looked at C.C. "Just how did your mother do it?"
"You'll have to ask her." C.C. shrugged.
"So what now Madam Pres? With Lelouch getting dragged around by Nunnally he won't be able to help you with the paper work." Rivalz remarked with a grin. "She might outrun the whole school."
That was when a twinkle shined in Milly's eye. "Outrun the school you say?"
Xxx
"Nunnally slow down for a second!" Lelouch cried out, his legs getting sore.
"Come on, Lelouch! There are so many places I want to see! I want walk all over the place and even go places that I couldn't be at before!" Nunnally stopped and called out to her brother who was gasping for breath. "You've been dodging gym class too much, Big Brother."
"How was I supposed to know you'd be this fast?" Lelouch said as he finally caught up, but was still out of breath and his legs were sore.
Suddenly he was flashing back to his childhood, remembering how Nunnally would run around the garden with Euphemia, the both of them chasing him and easily catching up to him, and how he would try to sit Nunnally down when Clovis was painting a picture but Nunnally couldn't stay still no matter what. Now it was like the times had never changed as Nunnally was basically running all over the place without restraint and either leaving him in the dust or dragging him along so she could share experience the joy of walking the grounds of Ashford Academy with him.
"Attention Ashford Academy!" Lelouch almost froze in terror at the sound of Milly's voice. "As you all know, the little sister of our very own Vice-President of the Student Council went in for an operation to restore her ability to walk and it was a success! As of right Nunnally Lamperouge is running around the school with our Vice-President and that's where you all come in! Today's activity is a game of Tag, you all are it and the targets are our favourite Lamperouge siblings! The reward is the same as last time: anyone who tags them get theirs club budget tripled and a kiss from a Student Council member of your choice!"
"A game of tag? I haven't played that in years!" Nunnally said, becoming even more excited.
'Damn it Milly!' Lelouch said as he heard multiple cheers from all over the school. 'You're not stopping until someone gets kissed are you?'
Xxx
"MADAM PRESIDENT! How can you make our lips prizes again?!" Shirley cried out as Milly put the microphone down.
"You got to give people motivation." Milly simply said with a smile. "Well, Nunnally might get away but I can't say the same for Lelouch!"
That reply caused Kallen and Shirley to pale as they realized the fate of their lips was left in Lelouch's hands, or rather his feet. 'WE'RE DOOMED!'
"Oh yeah! Come on, Rai!" Rivalz said as he grabbed Rai's hand, earning a cry of surprise as the blue haired teen dragged him out of the room. "We got to catch them!"
"No you don't!" Shirley said as she chased after them.
Naruto was too busy laughing while C.C. was smirking at the look on Lelouch's face on one of the monitors. 'Run while you can, Lulu.'
Kallen quickly followed Shirley, trying to remain looking sick and feeble so no one would point out how fast she was running.
Milly looked at Naruto and C.C. "You know your lips are on the line too right?"
"It's all right. They can try and kiss him all they want." C.C. said as she leaned against Naruto's shoulder. "Just so as long as they share him with me."
'Kit, have I ever told you how proud I am of you?' Kurama asked inside Naruto's head.
'Many times since meeting her.' Naruto replied as he sighed.
"Well then, perhaps I should tag Lelouch." Milly grinned as she turned back to the monitors, putting extra sway in her hips and made sure that Naruto saw it.
'How come this never happened to me back home?' Naruto couldn't help but wonder.
Xxx
"Come on!" Nunnally laughed as she grabbed Lelouch's hand and took off running just the first batch of student came chasing after them.
They ran through the gardens, hearing the sound of horses behind them and Lelouch realized that the equestrian club was on to them. "Quick to the left!"
Nunnally turned left and they jumped into a bush of leaves and roses and hid until the horses and students passed them.
"This is just like when Euphie and I chased you in the garden." Nunnally giggled.
Despite his sore legs Lelouch managed to smile. "Yeah. Feels like yesterday."
Once the coast was clear they slowly crept out, Lelouch looking around carefully while Nunnally still had a big smile on her face.
"So where to now?" Nunnally asked, not all minding the game.
"We should go to the Clubhouse and hide out in there." Lelouch suggested.
"Hide out? Come on, Big Brother. It's too much fun to be hiding!" Nunnally complained.
"But Nunnally-" Lelouch was about to protest but was cut off.
"THERE THEY ARE!" Lelouch groaned as he ran off with Nunnally again, gasping for breath as they ran into the courtyard and hid behind a tree.
"Did you see them?"
"I think they want this way."
"Who knew they could run so fast?"
"I know."
Lelouch sighed as he looked around. "If we make it to the stream we can use the secret doors to sneak into the club house."
"Secret doors? Are they the same doors you use to sneak out to go gambling?" Nunnally asked as she followed Lelouch out from behind the tree.
"Yeah. It's easier to sneak out without anyone watching." Lelouch replied.
"Lelouch, Nunnally!" A voice whispered.
They looked over and saw Kallen and Shirley waving them over.
"Kallen! Shirley! Are you going to tag us and kiss my brother?" Nunnally asked with a smile.
Shirley turned bright red while Kallen sputtered. "Wha-I'm just helping you two hide so no one tags you and asks to kiss me!"
"But won't you get the option of kissing someone if you tag us?" Nunnally asked as Lelouch followed after the two red heads and she quickly followed her brother.
"I don't want to kiss anyone." Kallen said, trying to still sick and feeble but failing hard because of how annoyed (not embarrassed) she was.
"Me neither." Shirley said but looked away from Lelouch.
"It's not a big deal, Kallen. You can just kiss whoever you want on the cheek. Milly didn't say it had to be on the lips." Nunnally pointed out.
'Was she this active before she was crippled or is she just happy?' Kallen wondered.
"Attention everyone! Our favourite Lamperouge siblings are in the company of our own Kallen Stadtfeld and Shirley Fenette, making them the winners!" Milly said over the PA. "So they both get to choose who they want to kiss."
'Damn it Milly!' Kallen and Lelouch shouted in their heads.
"Here Kallen, Shirley. Give me your hands." Nunnally said with Lelouch understanding what his little sister was doing. The girls did as told and Nunnally kissed Kallen's hand before pulling back and doing the same with a shell shocked Shirley. "There you go! Now you don't have to worry anyone claiming your lips."
"Thanks, Nunnally." Kallen smiled as she stood up. "Now can we get back inside? Your brother looks like he's about to fall over."
Both girls looked at Lelouch and noticed his face was covered in sweat, he was still breathing heavily, and he honestly looked ready to collapse from exhaustion.
"Okay." Nunnally actually pouted. "You need to start exercising some more, Big Brother."
"Don't remind me." Lelouch mumbled as he followed the two girls.
Xxx
"Rats!" Milly snapped her fingers. "Once again Nunnally outwits my genius plan."
"Guess Lelouch's not the only genius." Naruto commented with an amused smile. "Better be careful Madam President or you'll have dissension in the ranks when little Nunnally tries to take over."
"You're right. I better be prepared. Who knows what those two will scheme up?" Milly said, imagining what Nunnally will be like now that she can use her legs like everyone else. "I got to try and bring her over to my side or she'll try and snatch Lelouch out from my clutches!"
'From the looks of it Nunnally has inherited more of Marianne than I thought. Better be careful, don't want her becoming too much like her mother.' C.C. thought and shuddered at the idea of Nunnally being a clone of her mother.
Xxx
Lloyd sighed as the four Seventh Generation Knightmares were docked into the hangar and he was left looking over the damage. On the bright side was that none of them suffered any costly damage this time. The Blaze Luminous emitter on the Club's left arm needed repairing, both the Needle Brazers on the Vincent's arms were damaged from the green Knightmare's fans slicing into them, the Lancelot had minor cuts and slashes with the top of the cockpit being cut off while the Frontier was the least damaged of the four. Though it was not designed for Nonnette she piloted it well and brought it back in better condition than the other three.
The downside was that the advanced Knightmares affiliated with the Black Knights suffered almost no damage at all.
The most damaged one was the Guren that was just a tear to the cockpit like the Lancelot's the hatch had remained attached to the cockpit. While not the outcome he wanted it did mean his Knightmares were getting better. Actually it may be the pilots but it's Lloyd who keeps on building and repairing them so he'll just consider the fact that his Knightmares are improving. His biggest quandary was the new Knightmare that protected the red one by blocking with some kind of magnetic shield and even managed to lift and a pull the Club towards its hand with some kind of magnetic beam.
It was both cool and annoying as Lloyd could see the applications and could not figure how the hell Rakshata did it. It was as if she was getting ideas from someone who was just as skilled as making Knightmares as the both of them were-
'Wait a minute!' Lloyd suddenly froze. 'That's it! Getting a few ideas from someone else who designs Knightmares! Rakshata's good at designing Knightmares but she doesn't have access to knowledge of Britannia weaponry. That being said she could have a collaborator here in Area Eleven whose been feeding her information on all the latest weaponry and Knightmare models.'
It could explain all the unexpected advances but it wasn't enough. Rakshata did go the same university as him and Cecile and they had traded notes on possible technologies for Knightmares. Of course it didn't explain anything about the new energy source that the advanced Knightmares had but at the very least it could lead in the right direction.
'Of course there is the matter of just who else aside from Rakshata and myself has the brains to build advanced Knightmares.' Lloyd thought it over with an intrigued smile. 'And I have an idea of where to start.'
Xxx
Cornelia rubbed her head as she looked over the reports of the battle at the prison complex. Once again her forces had been defeated and though it had not been as big a disaster as the one at Narita it was still enough to give her a splitting headache. Zero had attempted to rescue Todoh as she predicted and she had several groups on standby to stop him but like before he managed to outwit her forces. He broke Todoh out of prison, came with some new advanced Knightmares that outpaced the Gloucesters that made up her forces and even had a new Knightmare that could turn invisible, create some kind of energy barrier to block projectiles, use a weapon that shot lightning, fire, and even some kind of ice beam, and even somehow lift Knightmares off the ground.
Then when all available forces had moved into surround them Zero had set off bombs he somehow planted all around the place, disorganizing the army with the smoke the interfered with their scanners so they could escape. It was even worse that Zero managed break out almost over five hundred prisoners in addition to Todoh and escaped through a large hole in the ground. Even with all that she had taken into account she still lost to Zero, even though she was not there in person.
'It's almost like facing Schneizel.' Cornelia thought, comparing Zero's success to her elder brother whose brilliant strategies were pushing the E.U. back.
At the very least the battle had less casualties this time and Nonnette had managed to battle Zero's Aces with advanced Knightmares created by Earl Asplund and had suffered less causalities this time.
"Your Highness."
Shaken from her thoughts Cornelia looked up to see Guilford standing before her which earned a smile. "Guilford . I trust you've read over the reports?"
"Yes Your Highness." Guilford bowed his head.
"Then you know of the situation. Our influence is beginning to falter as the Black Knights continue to grow stronger. All those prisoners and the remaining resistance cells will flock to Zero as word of his victories spread." Cornelia state grimly.
The good news was that Darlton was keeping things quiet about how bad it really was so no one would question Cornelia's authority for now. However if things got out of hand any further then no doubt the Imperial Court, even the Emperor would get involved which caused a scowl on Cornelia's face.
"Do you have a plan, My Lady?" Guilford asked.
"We'll start with recalling the Glaston Knights. We need their skills and we need them here as fast as possible." Cornelia started.
"Understood. I'll contact them immediately."
"Good. And now there's the matter of who Euphemia chose to be her knight." Cornelia scowled as she had heard of who Euphemia had chosen. "What is being done about that?"
"I'm afraid all attempts to convince Princess Euphemia to change her mind have failed. She's remained convinced of her choice. The nobles are already speaking about Euphemia's decision and since it was done during a live press conference during the prison riot the news couldn't be suppressed." Guilford spoke up.
"I'll speak to her myself. In the meantime we need to set about reorganizing ourselves and work on finding the Black Knights." Cornelia changed the subject. No doubt the less said about Euphie's choice around her sister the better.
"Yes My Lady." Guilford nodded.
With that said he was dismissed, leaving Cornelia to her paper work.
"Always a downer, huh Nelly?"
Cornelia groaned as she looked up at the source of the voice on her computer. "Nonnette, I don't have time for this."
"Still sore about the guy she chose to her knight?" Nonnette asked rhetorically.
"He's not worthy to be her knight. Of all people she could have chosen she chose an Eleven." Cornelia grumbled. "What is she thinking?"
"What's the big deal? Kururugi's been one of the top pilots against Zero and the Black Knights since this whole thing started. Not to mention he's got your brother's favor as the pilot of his top Knightmare and he's remained loyal even after he was set up to take the fall for Prince Clovis's murder." Nonnette sat down on a chair in front of Cornelia's desk and sighed as she let herself relax.
"I haven't spent all these years teaching her to be a proper princess to throw it all away like this." Cornelia scowled. "It's bad enough he's commoner but also an Eleven."
"So? He's not the first commoner to be granted the rank of Knight, remember?" Nonnette pointed out, remembering a certain someone that caused Cornelia's glare to intensify.
"That's different." Cornelia said stiffly. "She earned her titles."
"And she was still born a commoner. She became Empress because the Emperor chose her, not caring if she was commoner or not." Nonnette replied, not at all bothered by Cornelia's glare. "It's that simple, Nelly. There's no way Euphie was going to follow every little order you gave her forever. It's been a matter of time before she decided to make her own decision."
"This could ruin her. What happens when the Imperial Court finds out? They'll use whatever excuse they've got to slander her name." Cornelia banged a fist on her desk.
"And Euphie won't even care. She'll stand by her decision because despite all those lessons she's never once expressed an interest in the throne. She's following her heart, something you don't do a whole lot." Nonnette replied.
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Cornelia growled.
"It means that the more you fight with her over her decision the more stubborn she's going to be. So just accept it and let her have her knight." Nonnette shrugged. "To be honest from the way he acts he's probably perfect for her."
"What is the hell is that supposed to mean?" Cornelia narrowed her eyes.
"You mean you haven't noticed?" Nonnette's lips curled up into a grin. "Oh well. I guess it'll have to be a surprise."
Cornelia scowled as she never liked the kind of surprises Nonnette had in store for her and there was usually a good reason why.
Xxx
"You asked to see me?"
"Ah, Leila, come in." The man looked up with a smile as he gestured for the young woman to come into his officer.
The man was tall and muscular which he showed as he stood up, wearing a blue uniform with red trims, greyish green hair and a small beard and a fierce glare that was intimidating to all but the woman standing before him. She had long blond hair that flowed down her back, wearing the same uniform as the man but wore a black skirt and light purple eyes that matched the fierceness of the man's look with a glare of her own.
"Have you heard of this?" The man gestured to the screen which showed a recording of the latest battle in Area Eleven, the battle in an attempt to liberate the prisoner Kyoshiro Todoh who was a recognized hero of the Japanese which ended in victory for the Black Knights and even saw to the liberation of over five hundred prisoners.
"I have." The woman, Leila answered stoically. "The Black Knights have achieved a great victory against Britannia and they've even showed they are creating more advanced Knightmares."
"It's more than that. There's talk in the council of forming an alliance with Zero and the Black Knights for the mutual benefits of defeating Britannian." The man replied. "I won't even tell you what our intelligence division is hearing from the Chinese Federation but I will tell you that these recent victories are sparking rebellion amongst the areas that still have pockets of resistance."
"Zero is no doubt inspiring them to continue rebelling against the Empire." Leila noted. "And if he has access to advanced Knightmares the council will be more than willing to do anything to get their hands on his resources."
"Provided that Britannia doesn't do everything in its power to stop this rebellion, even burning Area Eleven to the ground." The man replied sourly. "We both know how the Empire, especially the Royal Court deals with failure. Zero may have outwitted Cornelia li Britannia, the Goddess of Victory, but there are other tacticians and soldiers that can take her place."
"Like Schneizel el Britannia." Leila nodded, knowing all too well that the second born prince of Britannia was responsible for the majority of Britannia's victories against the E.U.
"Exactly. Despite the fact that Zero has been striking heavy blows against Britannia it's too soon to consider an alliance with the Black Knights. " The man stated. "In the event the council asks for an alliance we'll have to tread carefully. Zero may stand against Britannia but we do not know his true motives and that makes him perhaps as dangerous as Britannia."
"I understand." Leila nodded as she looked at the screen as the Black Knights escaped the prison, leaving the defeated Britannian forces in their wake. 'Still, why do I get the feeling there's something more to this Zero than simply his advanced Knightmares and his claims of justice?'
Xxx
Word of Zero's victories had begun to spread to every corner of the world despite Cornelia's efforts to keep the news suppressed. And with news spread gossip amongst people who had begun supporting the Black Knights while others were attracted to the advanced Knightmares he had at his disposal and begun thinking of ways to get their hands on the resources of the Black Knights. It was no different in the Chinese Federation as the High Eunuchs had gathered to discuss ways to get the Black Knights on their side should they succeed in liberating Area Eleven from Britannia's control.
'Zero's clearly living up to his claim as being a man of Justice.' Li Xingke thought as he watched the battle of the prison complex. 'The question is what does he think of the Federation and what his response will be should the Eunuchs push for a so called alliance.'
Xxx
'We used to have trouble getting a single motorcycle, now we have a submarine.' Inoue mused as she watched the coast with her binoculars from the top of the brand new submarine the Black Knights had gained. 'The Military District of India will be in big trouble if Britannia ever finds out. How'd she do it?'
She was of course referring to Rakshata who was present with all senior members of the Black Knights along Todoh and the Four Holy Swords with Lelouch in front of them, flanked by his two knights.
"Now then, due to the recent reorganization a few changes have been made. Our new Chief of Military Affairs will be Kyoshiro Todoh."
This was met with applause from many former members of the JLF who had joined the Black Knights after the rescue of Todoh.
"Taking charge of all Intelligence, Espionage, and Public Relation matters is Deithard Ried."
Diethard was smiling but it was not shared with the rest.
"This Britannian pretty boy?" Tamaki asked.
"Zero, I'm not a racist but what's your reason for putting one of them in such a sensitive position?" Chiba asked.
"One reason could be that if Diethard is captured he will likely be executed with rest of us for even associating with us." Naruto spoke up. "Though he is Britannian the fact is that he's in as deep as us now and there is no going back."
"Correct. And what of me?" Lelouch spread his cape out, earning a few stares. "I'm not Japanese either. You all know this, what matters is the ability to produce results. Who you are and where you're from is of little consequence."
"All right, all right already." Tamaki grumbled.
"My deputy Command will be Kaname Ohgi." Lelouch looked at Ohgi who looked surprised.
"Who me?" Ohgi asked, drawing stares from everyone.
"You object? You were the previous leader before giving leadership to Zero." C.C. stated.
"Uh…no." Ohgi said hesitantly.
"And for Research and Development, Rakshata." Lelouch continued.
"Who else?" Rakshata asked rhetorically with a smile.
"And Captain of the Zero Squad, Kallen Kozuki." Lelouch now turned his eyes to Kallen.
"The Zero Squad?" Kallen questioned.
"An Elite guard under my direct command. Both Seizan and Shinyroku were my two knights at the beginning but at the same time their talents lie elsewhere. Seizan will be the Commander of the Primary Assault teams while Shinryoku will be in charge of the Stealth and Assassination Squads." Lelouch explained. "That leaves the Zero squad. Think of you as my personal guard."
"Elite guard?" Kallen whispered, wondering if this was related to the deal she made with Lelouch.
Zero then assigned personal squads to all senior members of the Black Knights before ending the meeting.
"Zero, may I add something?" Diethard spoke up, earning everyone's attention. "There is one issue that still needs to be dealt with."
"I assume you are referring to Suzaku Kururugi, am I right?" C.C. spoke rhetorically.
"Princess Euphemia has spared no expense in making it's all known." Naruto mused. "Though it will bring out resentment that an Honorary Britannian. Is that what you are thinking, Diethard?"
Diethard looked at Seizan. "Yes. Britannia will hold him up as an example if we-"
"If you suggest we assassinate him I'm afraid it'll do more harm to our cause then good. The Japanese would be revolted by a cowardly act and it goes against the principles of the Black Knights. There is also the matter of the fact that killing him now would make him a martyr." Naruto cut Diethard off. "Even if he was one of the biggest obstacles if we resort to dirty methods it'll backfire on us."
"He is right. We cannot carry out cowardly methods like this." Todoh agreed.
"Besides there are simpler and easier methods to use then assassination." Seizan said, drawing Lelouch's attention.
'Simpler and easier methods? What are you up to this time, Naruto?' Lelouch thought uneasily.
Xxx
"Naruto, what did you mean when said there are easier methods?" Lelouch asked once he was alone with Naruto, C.C., and Kallen.
"You're going to try to capture Suzaku and the Lancelot but the problem with that plan is that not only will it fail it'll be because you won't be able to convince him to abandon Britannia without using your Geass on him." Naruto sat down on the couch and C.C. leaned against his shoulder. "If we want to take him down without tarnishing the Black Knights or endangering yourself we should do it in a way that guarantees we won't have to fight our way through an army or risk everyone's lives."
"And that is?" Lelouch questioned.
"By challenging Suzaku in a way that he won't ignore and a way that'll force Britannia to back off." Naruto smirked.
Xxx
In response to Suzaku's knighting and Nunnally's regained ability to walk Milly had thrown the giant party she had planned as the giant TV in the gym showed the Knighting Ceremony at the Viceroy Palace. Nunnally stood next to Lelouch with a big smile as she watched her brother's best friend walk into the ball room. He was dressed in a pure white suit that her mother had worn when she had been appointed as a Knight of Britannia. He walked past all the nobles that had attended this ceremony, none of them looking happy as he strolled up to the throne where Princess Euphemia was waiting while Andreas Darlton and Nonnette stood with the crowd.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs paying no mind to glares and look of disapproval from the gathered crowd Suzaku Kururugi bowed his head as Euphemia began to recite the ceremonial words.
"Suzaku Kururugi, Wilt thou upon this day pledge thy fealty to Britannia and stand as a knight of the crown?"
"Yes your highness," Suzaku replied quietly with his head still lowered.
"Dost thou wish to abandon thyself and be sword and shield for the sake of justice?"
"Yes your highness," Suzaku said as he drew the ritual sword from the scabbard on his waist and presented it to Euphemia with both hands that accepted the sword and patted both shoulders of the young man before her with the flat side of the blade.
Euphy breathed a sigh of relief. "I, Euphemia li Britannia, take you Suzaku Kururugi to be my knight."
When it was over Suzaku accepted the sword back and sheathed it before rising to turn and face the crowd. Normally people would applaud, but the entire crowd was silent for a few moments until his own superior Lloyd Asplund began clapping. At first no one joined him, but that quickly changed when Andres Darlton, one of Cornelia's personal advisors and knights began clapping. Now with a little hesitation the room applauded. People in the gym cheered for their fellow student, celebrating his newly found status.
However the moment of celebration was not to last as a second later the image on the screen started to frizzle and soon enough the signal was lost.
'Is this your plan, Naruto?' Lelouch wondered as the students around him asked what was going on.
Xxx
It didn't happen just in the gym of Ashford Academy but it was happening everywhere. They lost the signal while the lights in the ball room flickered on and off. Nobles cried out from the lights going on and off, crying out in confusion and demanding answers.
"Everyone remain calm!" Darlton took control of the situation. "All civilians must be evacuated immediately. Security to the ball room, protect the Princess!"
'What is going on?' Suzaku wondered as the guests were escorted out.
The answer to his question came in the form of the wall behind the throne opening up, revealing a screen that turned on. Euphemia spun around and gasped as the screen showed a man dressed in a black cloak with white and red fox like mask staring down at everyone causing gasps of surprise from those who recognized that mask.
Darlton had started talking into the radio in his ear, trying to gain control of the situation but so far all efforts so far ended in failure and when he saw the masked man he realized who it was that was behind this. 'The Black Knights would dare attack here of all places?!'
"Congratulations, Suzaku Kururugi or should I Sir Suzaku Kururugi?" The man asked rhetorically. "I see your wishes are now starting to come true. Of course, to some you are held up as a shining beacon of hope. To others your either a traitor your kin or to the ingrains that run this so called Area a filthy Number undeserving the honor bestowed upon you." The masked man chuckled. "Oh, where are my manners? To those of you don't know me I am Seizan, member of the Black Knights and Knight of Zero. And for my reason, well firstly my congratulations to the newly appointed knight, even though his efforts to stop us have almost always met with failure, personally by my hands."
Suzaku narrowed his eyes and scowled at the image.
"That being aside I wonder how someone like him can gain the status of Knight when his actions as of late could be considered anything except honorable. I thought Knights were meant to be shining examples of justice or does Britannia's idea of Justice differ from everyone else's?" Seizan said as he held a finger up to his masked face.
"Who are you to say something like that? You and Zero have been spreading chaos and anarchy throughout this Area. You're nothing but terrorists who murder people to get your own way." Suzaku spoke up defense.
"And you haven't done the same?" Seizan replied, his voice no longer jovial but cold and hard. "That being said I wonder if you told Princess Euphemia the truth about the massacre of Shinjuku if you are so righteous."
"The massacre was the work of terrorists who stole poison gas-" Suzaku started.
"WRONG! You're first mistake as a Knight as Knights don't lie or do you believe the girl you found in the poison gas capsule to be a figment of your imagination? If so then perhaps we should track down and ask the Britannian student who saw the girl with you?" Seizan asked, causing Suzaku' eyes to widen in shock. "I'm sure he'd say otherwise or did you did make sure he would stay silent as well."
"Wait! He has nothing to do with this!" Suzaku shouted, unable to control himself.
"So you can speak the truth or at least enough that you won't give away any dirty little secrets. You're right though, he has nothing to do with this. Today is all about the so called White Knight. You believe yourself to be right in your quest to try and change the system from within and grant equality but to some inside and outside the system you're an obstacle in the way." Seizan chuckled. "Though I wonder if anyone will trust you, given that you lied about a great many things and you've even lied to Princess Euphemia as well."
"What do you mean, Seizan? Suzaku has never lied to me!" Euphemia exclaimed.
"So he told you the fates of the siblings you lost in the Second Pacific War?" Seizan asked simply.
This caused Suzaku to go pale and the entire ball room to go silent. The guards looked confused on what the man had said while Darlton was silent but shocked; knowing who the masked man was talking about. Euphemia's eyes went wide and her mouth fell open as she stared in shock at the screen the moment the man mentioned the very siblings she had loved with all of her heart.
"Oh, so he hasn't?" Seizan looked around the room. "Sorry, I thought Knights didn't keep secrets from their Princesses. Yes, Suzaku Kururugi is aware of your siblings and though he was not there to see what happened to them he was the last to see them alive in the Pacific War all those years ago and he knows why no one ever found the bodies."
"You-you know?" Suzaku stuttered, his heart feeling like it was running a million miles.
"I, or more specifically Zero know everything that happened all those years ago. And we know of their ultimate fate." Seizan spoke cryptically.
Euphemia glanced at Suzaku, seeing his eyes widen and skin pale while his mouth hung open.
"Now that I have your undivided attention everyone I believe it's time I get the point. Suzaku has been getting in our way to create a future free of the slavery perpetrated by Britannia and we've decided it's time that something is done about that. However instead of doing something sleazy like assassination I challenge the newly appointed Knight of Princess Euphemia to a duel." Seizan continued, shocking everyone in the room even more. "If he wins he'll defeat one of Zero's aces and I'll explain the fate of the Princess's siblings. However this will be done in a one on one duel with no help from either the Black Knights or Britannia and if someone from your side intervenes the duel is off and the mystery of the missing children will remain a mystery forever." A map appeared on the screen and zoomed in on an island not far from Japan. "To make sure neither side bring overwhelming odds the duel will take place on this island and it will happen at the end of the week. I'll be waiting, Suzaku Kururugi and if you value your own honor as well as the honor of your Princess you'll be there. Until then, ta-ta!"
With that said the screen vanished leaving a silent ball room.
Xxx
C.C. was smirking as the students left the gym room in an orderly manner, having seen the entire spectacle through Naruto's eyes and she had to admit that even she was cut off guard by Naruto's little scheme.
'Clever, Naruto. You used the Knighting Ceremony as a way to knock Suzaku and Euphemia off balance, throwing his integrity into question while at the same time calling him out in a way that'll keep even Cornelia from trying to interfere with the battle.' C.C.'s smirk widened. 'Cornelia idolized Marianne to the point that she followed her around like a puppy and adored her children so she'll take the chance to find them, by whatever means necessary, even when she finds out Suzaku lied to her.'
Lelouch may be a tactical genius but Naruto had the great Zero beat hands down when it came to psychological warfare. Calling out Suzaku like that was actually a better idea than Lelouch's plan and even if the Lancelot was damaged Naruto would make sure it was still in working condition when it was captured.
'Now we'll just need to explain to Lelouch what happened.' C.C.'s smirk widened. 'Oh this will be fun.'
Xxx
Following what happened Darlton had contacted Cornelia and explained what had happened, especially challenging Suzaku to a duel and what the knight of Zero would give them if Suzaku won. To be honest no one knew how she did but the second she heard everything she high tailed it back to the palace and called Euphemia and Suzaku to her officer. Suzaku had to fight the urge to squirm under Cornelia's eyes as they both sat down.
"I trust you both know why you're here?" Cornelia asked in a professional tone.
"Yes Viceroy." Euphemia and Suzaku answered immediately.
"Warrant Officer Kururugi, according to Darlton you met the children of Empress Marianne vi Britannia upon arrival into Area Eleven, formerly Japan." Cornelia started.
"Yes Your Highness." Suzaku nodded.
"Tell me what happened." Cornelia ordered.
"They arrived to the Kururugi Shrine since my father was the Prime Minister at the time. At the time they were welcomed as guests instead of hostages but Lelouch usually stuck close to Nunnally. We ended up becoming friends after the first week. Lelouch helped me with my homework and I protected them from a few kids staying nearby that tried to bully him and Nunnally." Suzaku answered.
"What happened to them?" Cornelia asked, trying to quell the rising hope in her voice.
"We were…separated when we escaped my family shrine during the invasion. I do know they left in the direction of Tokyo but I don't know what happened to them." Suzaku said, hoping they wouldn't realize he was lying through his teeth.
"Did you tell anyone of this?" Cornelia asked, frowning.
"I never told anyone. No one else who knew where they were staying at the time have spoken up. I guess they believe them to be dead." Suzaku answered. "Though to be honest I'm sure Lelouch would have gone through a lot of lengths to make sure they weren't found."
"Why is that? And for the record you'll refer to them as Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally." Cornelia said sharply.
"My apologies Your Highness but they both asked me to never call them that when they came to my family home. They or rather Lelouch said they no longer considered themselves members of the Royal Family." Suzaku said respectfully.
Cornelia and Euphemia both flinched, knowing it would be something Lelouch would say. Cornelia herself remembered the look on Lelouch's face when he confronted the Emperor and knew what Suzaku was saying.
"The only person I know of who's still alive and knew that they were staying at my family shrine was Kyoshiro Todoh." Suzaku continued.
Both sisters stiffened upon hearing that the only man in Japan to defeat Britannia had known their siblings had been staying at the Kururugi home.
"However I doubt he has any idea where they are or the Japan Liberation Front would have tried to capture them or…" Suzaku trailed off but they understood what he was saying.
"So no one ever found the bodies?" Euphemia had a hopeful look on her face, desperately wishing to believe that her beloved siblings might still be alive while Cornelia was trying to remain calm but realized that if Zero's knight knew what happened to them that could mean that Zero might know where they are if they were still alive.
"Then it's possible that Zero knows what happened to them." Cornelia spoke, earning surprised looks from Suzaku and Euphemia. "If so then it's imperative we find out." She looked at Suzaku with a very serious look. "Warrant Officer Kururugi, due to the seriousness of this situation I'm ordering you to accept the duel and defeat Zero's knight and find out if he knows what happened to Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally vi Britannia."
"Yes Viceroy." Suzaku bowed his head, not seeing a way out of it without compromising himself or his friends.
"There is one more matter I want to discuss with you. It's what Zero's knight said about a girl in the capsule instead of poison gas." Cornelia was not done yet and Suzaku had to fight the urge to gulp in front of the sisters. "Is it true?"
"Y-Yes ma'am. They said it was poison gas in the briefing but upon my arrival the capsule had opened and there was a girl inside with a civilian present. Prince Clovis's personal guard arrived to remove her but they were ordered to kill all witnesses." Suzaku answered, careful not to reveal that it was Lelouch who was with him. "I can only surmise that it was a special prisoner that Clovis didn't want to be known outside of his inner circle."
"Clovis's guard? Does this mean Clovis lied about it being poison gas?" Euphemia asked, trying to understand why her brother would do such a thing. To say it was poison gas instead of a prisoner was strange, especially when the use of biological weapons was labelled forbidden after the massacre in Area Eight.
"I honestly don't know. The guard shot at me but I survived and woke up in the Camelot Division's mobile lab. I don't know what happened to the girl or the civilian with them but I assume they were killed." Suzaku answered.
Cornelia frowned. "And you didn't mention this before?"
"My apologies Your Highness but I was unable to file a report as soon as I regained consciousness the battle in Shinjuku was taking place and Prince Clovis ordered the Lancelot to be launched. I tried to stop the terrorists but I was defeated." Suzaku flinched at the end of the sentence, remembering the first fight with the two Knightmares piloted by Zero's knights. "When I awoke I was being arrested for Prince Clovis's murder. I had no evidence of the girl's existence so I couldn't prove that there was no poison gas in the capsule and anyone who knew of her was dead."
"That same capsule was used by Zero to rescue you, meaning he must have known there was no poison gas in it." Cornelia commented thoughtfully. "Still I find this story hard to believe."
"Viceroy, you don't believe Sir Kururugi to be lying do you? If Zero really does know about what was in that capsule it's possible the terrorists stole it on his orders." Euphemia pointed out.
"And perhaps it explains Lord Jeremiah's behavior when Zero made his appearance. If it wasn't poison gas but something else that could damage Britannia's image it would explain why he let Warrant Officer Kururugi go. Perhaps this was Orange that Zero spoke of, however…" Cornelia narrowed her eyes. "If that's true then it means someone is trying to cover this up and if Clovis and his advisors knew of it then they lied about what was in that capsule."
Both sisters shared an uneasy look as neither of them could picture their brother participating something like this and it was starting to look like there was more happening in Area Eleven then either believed.
"What about the student? Perhaps he can tell us what happened." Euphemia suggested and wondered why Suzaku quietly gasped. "Did something happen to him?"
"I assumed he was killed after I was knocked out." Suzaku answered honestly.
"There weren't any reports on a student dying in the ghetto so perhaps he survived." Cornelia frowned in thought.
Suzaku was getting more nervous because if he wasn't careful they would figure out that the student is their long lost brother.
"Dismissed. Euphemia stay behind as I want to speak to you." Cornelia said, turning to her younger sister.
Euphemia glanced at Suzaku who made a small smile at her as he left the room.
"This is an unexpected turn of events." Cornelia started when the door closed. "Now that we know they were staying with his family perhaps we can confirm if they are truly alive or not."
"You do not believe Suzaku can win?" Euphemia asked.
"I find it strange that Zero would choose now of all times to present the possible chance of our siblings still being alive. The fact is this Seizan chose to give this information during the Knighting Ceremony and used it so that we couldn't refuse his challenge or his terms." Cornelia scowled, angered at how Zero and his little band managing to get one over her again and doing it in a way that prevented any retaliation. "There has to be an ulterior motive here."
"And what if they are alive? If so then we must do everything we can to find them!" Euphemia cried. "What if they've been captured? What if Zero's holding them hostage?"
"I know, Euphie, I know." Cornelia's face softened as she walked around the table and gave her younger sister a hug. "If Zero is holding them hostage I'll stop at nothing to save them and I'll tear apart anyone who gets in my way."
The two sisters never forgot the children of the late Empress Marianne or the pain when they learned they had been killed in the invasion of Japan. If there was a chance they were alive they would go through hell or high waters to find them or take their bodies home to be buried with their family.
Xxx
Suzaku didn't know what to expect when he told Lelouch that it was possible Zero knew of him and Nunnally's status and location and from what he had heard they had been so happy that Nunnally had regained her legs just after regaining her sight a few months later. He had hoped the day would be a simple and normal school day but apparently Milly Ashford had different plans. When he got back he found himself in the middle of a gigantic party thrown in his honor of becoming Princess Euphemia's knight.
Suzaku nearly jumped out of his skin as when he opened the doors all of the students on the other side of the doors shouted 'SURPRISE!' and the poor knight almost instinctively reached his weapon, which he realized was back at the base after he had changed back into his school uniform. Rivalz quickly grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into the clubhouse, towards the table that had a vast array of snacks, dricks, and a line of pizza that C.C. was already snacking into.
"Okay guys, time to raise a glass to Kururugi here!" Rivals held up a glass of orange juice. "Valued member of the Student Council and Knight of the Realm!" He poured the orange juice into Suzaku's glass. "Now let's get this party started huh?"
Everyone held up their drinks and cheered for Suzaku, ironic that a few weeks ago they either hated his guts or feared him for being an Eleven.
"You have Nunnally to thank for all this. She organized this party almost without any help." Milly said, gesturing to the happy girl that could now see and walk.
When Suzaku saw her he fought the urge to break down and cry in happiness about how Lelouch's little sister regained her sight and mobility.
"I'm sure you're tired of the celebration. If you don't mind we want to honor you too." Nunnally replied with a big smile that Sayoko shared.
"Not at all. It's really kind of you." Suzaku stated, just happy to be with his friends.
Xxx
"Oh what am I going to do?" Nina mumbled sadly, unable to be at the party for…personal reasons.
She was seated at her laptop but instead of focusing on her work she was looking at the magazine on her lap, staring at the picture of Euphemia.
"Princess Euphemia…" The girl whispered.
"Good afternoon." A jolly sounding voice suddenly said, causing her to jump. She looked up to see Lloyd Asplund come in through the window. "Have you seen Major Kururugi? They said I could find him here." Lloyd then looked at the computer, seeing what Nina was working on. "Oh, looks like you're working on some fun stuff."
"You know what it is?" Nina asked as Lloyd walked around her to get a better look.
"Oh I can tell a uranium isotope when I see one." Lloyd pushed his glasses up.
"Wow! You know you're stuff!" Nina smiled as she turned back to her screen. "And if you can get that uranium to absorb active neutrons then it should split into high speed neutrons, anatomically nuclei. The problem is you need to fuel the reaction…" Lloyd took off his glasses as he listened to Nina's experiment.
As this happened they didn't noticed Mito Senju on the other side of the door, listening to Nina's explanation.
Xxx
"Hey Prez, where's Nina?" Shirley asked as she and Milly carried pizza and drinks around the room.
"I told her to be here." Milly answered, having a good idea why Nina wasn't attending.
Kallen walked into the room, spotting Suzaku as he happily talked with a few students. She grimaced as she walked forward, wondering what she would say or do when she walked to him. Ever since Narita Kallen had the urge to assassinate Suzaku like Diethard tried to suggest but Naruto and Lelouch each managed to stop her for reasons she didn't understand. Even if Suzaku had been Lelouch's best friend he was at the moment one of Zero's worst enemies and Naruto had yet to explain why he didn't want to kill Suzaku aside from the fact that Suzaku's death would make him a martyr.
"Oh hey, Kallen! Can you help me sat up some more pizza?" Shirley called out but Kallen didn't hear her. "Hey! Are you listening?"
'What should I do? Suzaku is a nice guy but at the same time he's an enemy to the people who want to free Japan.' Kallen thought.
A hand on her shoulder stopped her and she turned to see Lelouch behind her. "Hey, I think Shirley wants you to give her a hand."
"Sorry. But I'm kind of in the middle of something." Kallen shrugged Lelouch's shoulder off.
"Really?" Lelouch asked. "What is it? Maybe I can help?"
Suzaku turned and saw Lelouch and Kallen. "Hey!"
"Hey there!" Lelouch waved at Suzaku. "Sorry I'm late. I got held up."
"No problem, I'm just happy you could be here." Suzaku then realized that he needed to tell Lelouch about what happened at the ceremony. "Hey, can we go somewhere private? There's something I need to talk to you about."
"Hm?" Lelouch raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Sure."
Lelouch led Suzaku up stairs where they wouldn't be bothered.
"So what's up?" Lelouch asked as he sat down on a couch.
"It's about you and Nunnally. I think you two are in danger." Suzaku answered grimly.
"Danger? From what? Did someone in the military discover us?" Lelouch asked, straightening up slightly.
"Not the military. The Black Knights. I think Zero knows about you two." Suzaku shook his head.
"Zero?" Lelouch questioned, now feeling more confused.
"Well during the ceremony…" Suzaku started.
Xxx
"NARUTO!"
Naruto looked up from the book he was reading as Lelouch marched into the secret hangar in the Ashford Factory where his along with Kallen, C.C., and Lelouch's Knightmares were stored and looked after back Rakshata. Lelouch was fuming followed by an amused C.C. and a slightly concerned Kallen while Rakshata stood at the console, smoking her pipe.
"Hey, Lelouch. I take it C.C. told you about the upcoming duel." Naruto stated with a smile.
"Actually it was Suzaku who told him, warning him that Zero possibly knows who he and Nunnally are and where they might be hiding." C.C. clarified.
"What the hell are you pulling here? Are you trying to expose me and Nunnally?" Lelouch shouted.
"Relax. I never said you were alive, I said I knew what happened to the two royal siblings lost to the second Pacific War. There's nothing to suggest they'll figure out what that meant." Naruto said reassuringly.
"And you felt the need to mention us because…" Lelouch trailed off, his Geass activating.
"That's not going to work and you know it, Lelouch so cool off. It was so Cornelia wouldn't dare try anything in the duel. The cameras were knocked out so only Euphemia, Suzaku and a few members of their inner circle know what was said by now." Naruto explained.
"I went through a lot of trouble to fake mine and Nunnally's deaths so we wouldn't be shipped back to the homeland and the Emperor. If they suspect we're alive they'll be searching all over Japan for us." Lelouch gritted his teeth but deactivated his Geass.
"You've been hiding for seven years, any trails you might have left are long gone by now. Suzaku won't sell you out and for the way he was ignoring all the wrongs Britannia was doing I was right to call him out like that in front of Euphemia. I wouldn't propose a duel with these kinds of stakes unless I was completely sure I could handle Suzaku on my own. If I win we can capture the Lancelot we can remove one of the biggest obstacles in our way." Naruto explained.
"We're not capturing Suzaku?" Kallen questioned.
"We could but we run the risk of taking out one problem and replacing it with another. We've already got a Knight of the Round here and I found out who the Knight is." Naruto answered.
"Nonnette Enneagram." C.C. spoke up, a smile slowly forming on her face. "The Knight of Nine."
Lelouch froze as his mind flashed back to a woman with greenish blond hair coming to his mother's villa, playing with Nunnally, annoying Cornelia with her antics, and making little Lelouch squirm much like Milly usually tried to do. Of course compared to Milly the Knight of Nine was on a completely different level and had the kind of dirt on Lelouch that Milly would kill to get her hands on.
"You remember her, right Lelouch? The times she spent coming over to see you and Nunnally, embarrassing you and Cornelia without end to the point Cornelia stopped inviting her to the birthday parties thrown for her, Nunnally, Euphemia and you." C.C. leaned forward, her smile widening a bit. "I wonder what she would say if she saw her little Lulu again."
Lelouch closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "The Emperor must have sent her in response to the few victories we've had against Cornelia. She's not only a skilled pilot but I remember listening to her on how Cornelia never beat her at anything."
"She's that skilled?" Kallen asked, surprised to hear of a woman more dangerous than Cornelia.
"There's a reason why she's a Knight of the Round." Lelouch said grimly. "With her and Cornelia together the two of them will be a very dangerous team."
"Hence my reason for calling Suzaku out. We need to start focusing on the main soldiers that make up the fighting force here in Japan. We remove the Lancelot we take out one then we can focus on Rai and Rolo before going after Cornelia." Naruto stated.
"This duel, can you win?" Lelouch turned back to Naruto.
"I promise you that I will win." Naruto stated confidently.
"…Fine." Lelouch relented but looked at Naruto with his best glare. "But next time you pull something like this let me know. I don't accept unnecessary risks when they involve my sister."
"Got it." Naruto held up a thumb to Lelouch, imitating the Nice Guy pose.
Xxx
Emperor Charles zi Britannia watched the golden sun above the shrine with a calm smile, enjoying the peace that was endless within this world. From here he could use the power this place granted him to influence the progress of the world to his liking thanks to the construction of the platform he stood on.
"Construction of the Thought Elevator is proceeding as planned." Charles spoke, even though no one was with him. "Yes, I understand."
"You're Majesty." A voice echoed in the strange world.
"What news do you bring Bismark?" Charles spoke when he sensed a familiar presence behind him.
"You're Majesty, I come with news concerning events in Area Eleven and the Second Prince."
"Hm, Schneizel?" Charles questioned, perking up at the name of his second oldest son. "What is he up to now?"
"Zero's knight has challenged Euphemia's knight to a duel offering the chance to learn of the fate of Lady Marianne's children." Bismark answered immediately. "And Prince Schneizel is on his way to inspect the Lancelot."
"Hm?" Charles raised an eyebrow. "I highly doubt Lelouch would do such a thing just to defeat Schneizel's toy."
"He is on his way to Shikine Island where the duel will take place as we speak." Bismark continued his report.
"I see. Perhaps I should see this duel myself." Charles said with an interested grin.
*Chapter 18*: Chapter 18Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Rai was a little put off by all the students that were currently attending the part in Suzaku's honor so he simply found a table to sit down at, watching the students mingling with each other.
"Oh, Rai. There you are."
Rai looked up and saw Nunnally smiling at him. "Oh, Nunnally. Is there something I can do for you?"
"You don't have to do anything, Rai." Nunnally shook her head. "I was just wondering if you've seen my brother. Suzaku came back after speaking with him but he didn't come back."
"Sorry, haven't seen him. I'm sure he's around here somewhere." Rai shook his head. "Maybe he needed some fresh air."
"I guess." Nunnally sighed. "I wonder if this is why Shirley keeps on complaining whenever Big Brother sneaks off to go gambling."
"Gambling?" Rai questioned.
"Oh, sorry. I was rambling." Nunnally realized with a helpless smile. "I've just been looking to spend more time with him since I could walk again but lately my brother seems to be distracted by something."
"I'm sure he's not avoiding you." Rai offered, unable to understand why he was feeling nostalgic as the image of a little girl flashed in his mind. "Usually when a sibling is distracted it's because they're worried about something."
"Hm?" Nunnally glanced at Rai. "You have a sibling?"
"I…I'm not sure." Rai trailed off as he looked to the side. "I can't remember much. All I remember is being found by the Britannian military and I was adopted." That was the official story anyways. "But I do get glimpses and dreams when I sleep."
"How sad." Nunnally commented with a sympathetic face. "It mustn't be easy not able to remember anything."
"It's all right. I'm sure I'll get them back." Rai said reassuringly. "And in the meantime I'll make some new memories."
"That's nice." Nunnally said, her smile returning.
Rai would have liked to stick around, hanging out with his friends at the Student Council but after the party ended he was called away for a serious meeting.
Xxx
"Come, come! Hurry everyone! We want the Lancelot to be in top condition for the duel and for when Prince Schneizel comes to inspect it!" Lloyd called out, scientists, technicians, and engineers at every station to make sure everything was working perfectly. "This is our big chance for the Lancelot to finally defeat one of Zero's aces!"
"Lloyd! How can you act so rash when Suzaku is having to fight to the death?!" Cecile said admonishingly.
"Nothing we can do. Zero's called our boy out and Cornelia's not going to take no for an answer." Lloyd shrugged. "Can't do anything but prepare for the duel."
Cecile sighed. "Why is this happening? Suzaku was just knighted and now he has to fight to the death."
"He's an obstacle in Zero's way and Zero chose the simplest way to get rid of him, it's really that simple." Lloyd answered, his gaze not leaving the chart showing the Lancelot's status. "If Suzaku refuses his honor as a Knight is called into question and we can't have that or it would look bad on Princess Euphemia."
"And of course if word of the Lancelot, the advanced Knightmare funded by Prince Schneizel was defeated publicly it would show the world that the Black Knights have the pilots and resources to challenge us." A voice spoke behind Cecile and Lloyd. When both turned around they saw a young man flanked by a girl around Suzaku's age. "My apologies but I couldn't help but overhear you. Allow me to introduce myself I am…"
Xxx
"I see. So it's possible Lelouch and Nunnally are still alive." Cornelia and Euphemia both stood before the screen showing their older brother, Schneizel el Britannia. "This is an unexpected development."
"If they are being held captive by Zero we need to capture him so we can locate them as soon as possible." Cornelia stated.
"Agreed. Though I must say this attempt to call out Euphie's knight with information on their whereabouts now when Zero could have used them as bargaining tools much earlier seems strange." Schneizel pointed out. "It is possible something has happened recently for this knight of his to make such a claim."
"If he was lying I will tear him apart with my bare hands. The possibility that they are alive is the only reason I consented to this duel." Cornelia scowled as she tightened her fists. "No doubt my ability to quell this Area will be called into question again when the Royal Court hears about it."
"Do not worry, Cornelia as I will not support any criticism made against you. This does present us with an opportunity to cripple Zero's rebellion if Sir Kururugi is able to defeat Zero's knight." Schneizel said reassuringly.
"There is also something you should know, brother. We have a visitor here in Area Eleven who has come with a few proposals from the Daedalus Division." Cornelia changed the subject.
Schneizel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Who might it be?"
Xxx
Suzaku stood on the bridge of the ship as it sailed to Shikine Island, his mind going over what Seizan had said yesterday and wondered if Lelouch and Nunnally were in danger. If not for the fact that they needed to be hidden from the Royal Family he would have told Euphie everything so she could protect them.
'Zero, are you willing to sacrifice anyone to reach your goals? Do you really believe it'll change anything? How far are you willing to go before you realize how pointless it is?' Suzaku thought. He looked through the window and saw Euphemia on the deck, looking at the ocean. 'Euphie.'
To be honest he wondered if he had upset Euphie by not telling her about her missing siblings even though he promised Lelouch that he would keep his and Nunnally's existence a secret. Though Euphie hadn't raised her voice against him or shown any anger he did feel as if he deserved it.
'I'm sorry, Euphie. And I'm sorry…Lelouch.'
Xxx
"So you think Euphie's knight is telling the truth," Nonnette asked, lounging on a chair. "That there is a chance Lulu and Nunna are still alive?"
"I don't know…I want to believe that Lelouch and Nunnally are alive after all this time but to hear that a terrorist knows what happened to them during the war." Cornelia looked down at the desk in her quarters. "I can only imagine what they've gone through all by themselves."
"You do realize if word of this gets back to the Homeland there is a chance that the Emperor will either decide it's a trick or believe that they aren't worth saving." Nonnette pointed out.
Cornelia frowned, remembering how Lelouch and Nunnally ended up exiled in the first place. If Lelouch and Nunnally had been found they would have been returned to the Pendragon and Cornelia would have worked herself to the bone to keep them safe in repentance for failing to protect their mother. If Zero knew anything about them she'd stop at nothing to get the information from that murderer.
"I don't know what to expect if Zero does tell us what happened but I need to know." Cornelia looked up at Nonnette. "Just as Euphie needs to know. She cried for a whole week when she find out they were dead."
"I remember." Nonnette nodded, looking serious for once. "And let's not forget what you did to Guinevere when she mocked their deaths and what you threatened to do to Carine if she didn't wipe that smile of her face."
"Yeah…" Cornelia looked out the window. "This is becoming too personal for us but we can't stop. Not now."
Xxx
Euphemia was standing the railing of the boat as she watched the sea. 'Lelouch, Nunnally. Are you both still alive? If so why are you hiding? Is it because you don't want the terrorists to find you?' Euphemia held a small picture that showed a younger version of herself with Cornelia smiling with their favourite half siblings in the garden of Empress Marianne's villa. 'Please. If you're here just give me a sign. Anything.'
Xxx
"So this is how Zero arranged this duel. This is an unexpected move from him. It's too forward and aggressive. Beware of Zero during this duel." A voice said from the phone. "When you have the opportunity, take Zero out."
"Understood." Rolo said as he pressed the end button on his cell phone.
Xxx
As the ship containing the Royal siblings along with the Lancelot made its way to the island the submarine owned by the Black Knights was approaching the island from the other side to avoid detection.
"Our sources indicate that Suzaku is going to duel Seizan as planned and Princesses Euphemia and Cornelia will be present as witnesses." Lelouch declared to the gathered Black Knights. "To ensure there is no attempt to attack from the Britannians Kallen, Todoh, and myself will be present as witnesses while the submarine remains hidden and monitors for Britannian activity. This far out at sea the enemy's strength will be limited. This is a golden opportunity to capture the Lancelot and its pilot: Suzaku Kururugi."
Kallen glanced at Zero, wondering if his friendship for Suzaku was clouding his judgement. Despite the fact that she believed Lelouch lied to her and her friends she begrudgingly kept his secrets because she now knew he was honest in helping them free Japan and had promised he would not lie to her or use them as pawns.
"How do we know they're not going to try and trick us?" Tamaki asked, skeptical of the Britannians honoring the rules of the duel.
"We have gained valuable information that Cornelia would do almost anything to get her hands on and if she goes against the rules this information will vanish forever." Lelouch answered. "To ensure it did not fall into the wrong hands, my knight Seizan has shared it with only myself, Shinryoku, Kallen and he's willing to share it with Todoh."
That seemed to placate most of the new members who were from the defunct JLF who still held Todoh up as the face of Japan's freedom. Lelouch had wanted to keep it hidden but with so many ex-members of the JLF joining Naruto had pointed out they needed a way to trust him and to do that he had to at the very least share some sensitive information with Todoh and it wasn't like Naruto was asking him to take his mask off.
"Deithard Ried, you'll be in charge of ensuring that this duel is broadcasted on all live channels as Cornelia will no doubt attempt to keep all knowledge of the duel hidden. If the Lancelot which is piloted by Princess Euphemia's knight is defeated on live television it'll be a blow to their morale, even if her knight is an Honorary Britannian." Zero glanced at Diethard who nodded. "The equipment has already been set up for you and the Arashikage will transmit the duel to you where it will be broadcasted on all channels. In the event the Britannians do make an attempt before, after, or during the duel there is already a plan to ensure no one is captured."
"The GEFUJIN is already in place and ready anytime." Rakshata said, leaning against the wall with a smile as she smoked her pipe.
"If that is good enough for all of you, then I call this meeting adjourned. We have much to do." Zero nodded and gestured for Todoh to follow.
Todoh followed Zero and his knights to what he guessed was Zero's private quarters.
"You two are his knights, correct?" Todoh asked, looking the cloaked man and woman flanking them.
"We are." C.C. answered. "May I ask why you wish to know?"
"Honestly, I merely wanted to talk. I am told you were with Zero before the Black Knights were formed." Todoh answered.
"Perhaps but Zero was planning this rebellion before we met. We simply forged an alliance that benefits all of us." Naruto spoke up.
"And Kozuki?" Todoh looked to the red haired girl.
"Someone we see who has much potential." C.C. said as Zero opened the door to his quarters and allowed them to enter.
Todoh looked around, seeing the simple bed, a desk with laptop, a couch and a bathroom. They were pretty Spartan but then again the Black Knights had just gained this submarine so Zero likely hadn't had enough time to bring anything personal with him.
Or he avoided bringing anything personal with him.
"Would you like a drink, Todoh? I'm not a fan of alcohol but I do keep some sake for members of the Black Knights." Zero stated as he sat down on the couch.
"No thank you. I believe this not a time for a drink. You stated you had information that Cornelia would do anything to gain." Todoh stated, getting right to the point.
"Ha-ha… yes I do. To ensure that we always have some type of advantage over Britannia we've been working diligently to learn everything we need to know to about the Royal Family. The information I have gained, pertains to the fate of the Royal siblings lost in the Second Pacific War seven years ago, the very same siblings who were welcomed as guests to the Kururugi Shrine." Lelouch answered.
Todoh's eyes widened as he recalled a black haired boy with violet eyes, standing next to his younger blinded and crippled sister as they arrived, watching for anyone who dared tried to harm her. "You know what happened to them?"
"I know that when the invasion began they escaped the Kururugi Shrine and worked to make sure that neither Britannia nor angry Japanese citizens that would seek revenge on them for what their country had done would find them, even if they had no knowledge of the invasion." Zero stated.
"And that is the information Cornelia wants. You know where they vanished to." Todoh stated.
"And to ensure they do not become victims of Britannia once again I have ordered my knights to ensure that this information is not shared with anyone. I was persuaded to tell you because you knew of their stay at the Kururugi Shrine." Lelouch nodded.
"I see." Todoh nodded. "Very well. I will not share this information with anyone. I know they would not want to be part of Britannia again."
"You have my thanks, Colonel Todoh." Zero nodded.
Xxx
"Arrival time's on schedule." The captain saluted the Royal Siblings as they stepped onto the bridge followed by Suzaku, Nonnette, Darlton, Guilford and Rai.
"Have there been any sightings of the Black Knights?" Cornelia asked as she walked up to the table displaying the tactical map.
"Negative Your Highness. The base has been on high alert but they reported there have been no signs of an enemy attack." The captain answered.
"That doesn't mean that they are not out there." Darlton stated. "The Black Knights have proven themselves adept at sticking to the shadows."
"We've been running drills and have increased our patrols as per your orders, Your Highness. If the Black Knights are here they're possibly hiding somewhere in the water." The captain stated.
"Perhaps the Black Knights have access to a submarine. Zero would require something large to transport his Knightmares and it would be easily detected on radar if it was a ship." Euphemia spoke up, earning looks of surprises from everyone around her. "What?"
"The Sub-Viceroy is correct." Darlton stated. "It is possible that they have gained a submarine which they can use to sneak in and out of the Area without being detected."
"In that case-" Cornelia started but was cut off as the comm system started beeping.
"Viceroy, there's a transmission originating ten miles away from the base." The officer reported.
"Accept it." Cornelia replied, already sure she knew who was calling.
A second later the mask of Zero appeared on the screen, earning frowns from everyone except Euphemia. "Good afternoon, Viceroy Cornelia. I see that Sir Kururugi Suzaku is with you. Does this mean he has accepted my knight's challenge?"
"He has but there are a few things I wish to know Zero. Like how you claim to know the fates of our siblings when they were reported dead seven years ago." Cornelia answered neutrally.
"And yet no bodies were found." Zero pointed out. "Surely the Empire would have done everything possible to locate their bodies if they were dead or were they simply given empty caskets back at Pendragon? Information is the most valuable ally in war and I happen to know a great deal."
"So you say. Perhaps you can provide us with proof." Cornelia answered harshly, knowing Zero was trying to play around with them.
"I would only give the information to you if you defeat my knight in battle." Zero said as his image was replaced with a map. "The duel will take place here, five miles away from the base. There is a small open area there where my knight is waiting. If Suzaku Kururugi fails to appear in the next five minutes I will consider the duel called off and the information lost."
Cornelia narrowed her eyes in anger at how Zero was basically ordering her to send Suzaku out to meet his knight. "Fine but I along with a few of my knights will be present for the duel as witnesses."
"That is of no consequence." The map was replaced by Zero's image. "If that is all then I bid you-"
"Wait." Everyone stopped as a new face walked onto the bridge. "Forgive me for being late but I was making a few last minute calls. I wanted to meet the infamous Zero himself before the duel begun."
Behind Zero's mask Lelouch's eyes widened slightly. 'That's-'
"Allow me to introduce myself, Zero." The young man bowed. "I am Castor rui Britannia, fifth Prince of the Britannian Empire and eighteenth in line for the throne."
Xxx
"Another prince?" Kallen gasped, listening in on the conversation with C.C., Naruto, and Todoh. "They didn't say another one was showing up here."
"Well, this is getting interesting. The duel must have caught a few eyes." C.C. surmised.
Xxx
'Castor rui Britannia? Why is he here?' Lelouch thought, remembering the blue haired half sibling that was just a little younger than him.
He was not close to Castor like most of his siblings but he remembered playing against him in a game of chess and winning. Like all other siblings Castor was contending for the throne but they all kept their activities secrets for fear of failure. Lelouch knew that Schneizel and Cornelia were recognized for their military accomplishments but he had no idea why Castor would be here.
"I had no idea that Area Eleven would receive the company of another member of the Britannian Royal Family." Lelouch stated, playing along to gain information.
"I came here to pursue a special project but then I hear of this duel and I had to come see it for myself." Castor answered with a calm and serene smile on his face. "It's most interesting that you claim to know the fates of two presumed deceased members of our family. I hope it goes a long way to giving us closure as it was a great blow to lose two of our siblings."
'Something's not right here. Is he really here to find out about me and Nunnally?' Lelouch thought. 'Could it be he's here to try and replace Cornelia? Perhaps word of our victories has spread to the Royal Court.' He closed his eyes to empty his head of these thoughts. "The information will only be revealed should Suzaku Kururugi defeat my knight, Seizan in battle. Though as I see you're all determined to find out what I know I can only offer you good luck."
Cornelia frowned as the transmission was cut while Nonnette let out a whistle. "He's got some balls doesn't he?"
Ignoring the Knight of Nine Cornelia turned to Suzaku. "Warrant Officer Kururugi, consider this your test as a knight. Defeat Zero's knight at all costs."
"Yes You're Highness." Suzaku bowed his head while Euphemia could only look saddened by the fact that he had to fight so they could learn the fate of the beloved siblings.
"Sister. I wish to accompany you as a witness." Euphemia spoke up.
"No, we cannot have the Viceroy and the Sub-Viceroy present in case something out there happens." Cornelia turned around as she glared at Euphemia who glared right back.
"Suzaku is my knight putting his life on the line for us. I refuse to stand here and wait for someone to tell me how the duel ends." Euphemia said, walking up to Cornelia and staring straight into her sister's eyes. "You can either leave me behind, try to lock me up so I won't follow or you can take me along but if you try to force me to stay, Sister, I'll order Suzaku to back down and call off the duel!"
Everyone on the bridge, including Cornelia herself was shocked at Euphemia's threat but that shock soon turned into anger that Cornelia tried to keep under control. "Are you saying you'll forfeit the duel? What about Lelouch and Nunnally?"
"From what Suzaku told me of their brief time together they wouldn't want him risking his life for them. I allowed you to accept the duel even though Suzaku is my knight but if you think I'll stay behind while he fights for his life you are mistaken." Euphemia shot back.
Cornelia gritted her teeth, unable to comprehend how Euphemia could act like this in front of everyone but the more they quarrelled the better the chance that the duel would be forfeit.
"Princess, it's going to be dangerous out there." Suzaku tried to speak up, wishing Euphemia would just stay behind.
"And I will be there with everyone else, not sitting on a chair and twiddling my thumbs as I wonder if you all come back or not. You are my knight, Suzaku, not Cornelia's and I order you to allow me to witness this duel." Euphemia glanced at Suzaku with an exact copy of the stern look Cornelia had on her face when ordering her subordinates.
"Euphie…." Cornelia muttered, glaring at her sister to try and force her to change her mind but it didn't seem to work.
"It's time to go or Zero will believe we are not coming and the duel is forfeit." Euphemia turned away from her sister, not allowing Cornelia to get another word in as she headed for the door.
"Fine, but you're riding with someone who can get you as far as possible if and when things go south." Cornelia grunted she walked, not stomped, after them.
Xxx
It didn't take long for the Lancelot, accompanied by the Gloucesters piloted Cornelia and her knights along with the Lancelot Club and Nonnette was back in the Gloucester modified for her. The location of the duel was a clearing with a cliff on the other end of the forest that the Britannians had emerged from.
"Can you see them?" Cornelia asked, looking around warily with Euphemia sharing the cockpit with her. "Do your sensors report anything?"
"No, Your Highness." Darlton reported. "We haven't picked up anything at all. If not for the transmission we might not have known they were here."
"They're playing hide and seek." Nonnette commented with a small smirk.
Rai glanced at the Lancelot, feeling uneasy while Rolo remained silent. Cornelia was about to say something but the sensors started beeping rapidly and at the edge of the cliff above the group appeared the Arashikage.
"Welcome, everyone. I see you all made it in time." Zero's voice spoke through the radio.
"Zero." Cornelia glared at the Knightmare, remembering the report on what happened at the prison complex.
This Knightmare demonstrated the ability to become invisible, project an energy shield that blocked and deflected projectiles, fire lightning, fire, and even some kind of freeze beam and could even lift Knightmares up with some form of tractor beam. Cornelia had no idea where Zero got that kind of technology but it made him even more dangerous than before.
"We're here, Zero. So where is your knight?" Cornelia called out. "Did he decide we weren't coming and run off with his tale between his legs?"
"Perhaps you should ask him yourself." Lelouch answered with a smirk.
As if on cue Seizan appeared out from out of the ground in the middle of the clearing, staring down the Britannian group. Suzaku narrowed his eyes as how the blue Knightmare could come out of the ground like that and remembered that the green was capable of doing the same thing. On the cliff the Guren, Shinryoku, and Todoh's Gekka along with Four Holy Swords and several Burais and Oberons stood next to the Arashikage as the Lancelot stepped forward.
"This ought to be good." C.C. remarked.
Todoh remained silent, watching as his student prepared to fight Zero's and from what he could tell Seizan was incredibly skilled in not only Knightmare piloting but he was also a cunning warrior. He could see it just by watching how the man presented himself. Kallen was watching Cornelia and her group, making sure they didn't do anything while Lelouch was watching Suzaku as the Lancelot stepped out into the clearing.
'Cornelia only brought along her personal knights along with Nonnette, Rolo, and Rai and judging from the lack of armed forces from the base she's so far kept her word and hasn't detected our reserve forces.' Lelouch thought. 'So far Naruto's plan is working, now all that's left is for him to defeat Suzaku here and now.'
'I don't want to betray Lelouch and Nunnally but if I refuse I'll be betraying Euphie and she wants to know what happened to her siblings so badly.' Suzaku thought as he stared at the blue Knightmare. 'I can't afford to lose. I can't let Zero win another battle.'
"So do we wait for someone to say ready, set, go or we do just start?" Naruto called out as he made his Knightmare unsheathed his twin kodachi.
Suzaku frowned as he quickly had the Lancelot pull out its MVS swords. "There's still a chance to resolve this peacefully."
"The option for peace ended when Britannia unjustifiably invaded this land and all the other areas. All that's left now is how to decide how far which side will go to win." Naruto stated. "Now either start the duel or forfeit!"
"Fine. Since you refuse to settle things peacefully I have no choice. I'm stopping this madness here and now." Suzaku declared as the Lancelot wheeled forward.
Suzaku knew that Seizan was a skilled pilot, almost making it look like an art from how graceful the blue Knightmare was in battle. He was a skilled melee fighter with both weapons, hand to hand combat and his Knightmare was fast. If Suzaku was to have any chance of beating him he'd have to rely on fast hitting moves and keep Seizan was utilizing any of its more powerful weapons. He needed to finish off his opponent before he could make a move.
Suzaku made the first move as he started with forward slash as soon as the Lancelot wheeled into range but Seizan stepped out of the way, making it look so easy despite the Lancelot's speed. Suzaku quickly spun the Lancelot around and aimed for another slash at Seizan's head but the blue Knightmare spun out of the and past the Lancelot, now standing behind it and backhanded the Lancelot in the back, making it stagger forward but it only suffered a dent in the armor. Suzaku wheeled the Lancelot back and had it jump over Naruto, firing the Lancelot's slash harkens on the hopes that with the Lancelot so close Seizan wouldn't have the chance to dodge.
However Seizan bent down, allowing the Harkens to fly over its head and aimed a wrist harken with an MVS kunai attached to the end at the ground where the Lancelot was landing. The kunai impacted the ground just as the Lancelot landed but Suzaku had the Lancelot somersault backwards as the kunai pulsed with Radiant Wave energy and chakra that caused the ground to explode. Seizan spun around as it retracted its kunai looking at the dusty cloud as it vanished and Naruto spotted the Lancelot moving back to the other end of the clearing where the cliff where Lelouch and the others were watching from resided.
'What's he up to?' Naruto thought as he wheeled forward after the Lancelot.
Deciding it was time to go on the attack Naruto slashed at the Lancelot with Seizan's kodachi when he had the chance but the Lancelot wheeled out of the way, moving to the side with the cliff on the Lancelot's right. Suzaku quickly threw an MVS sword at Seizan but Naruto piloted it out of the way. That was an attempt to distract his opponent as he pulled out the VARIS rifle and pointed it at the cliff.
"Is he-" Kallen started when she thought Suzaku was aiming at them but Suzaku instead aimed at the mountain wall above Naruto, blasting large pieces of earth free that rained down on Naruto.
"So that was his plan!" Naruto realized as Seizan was buried in the pile of rocks and dirt.
"Well, looks like the fight's over already." Nonnette remarked. "I thought he'd be tougher than this."
"Nevertheless it's over." Cornelia stated as she looked at the Arashikage still standing on the cliff as she flipped the radio on. "It seems victory is ours, Zero. Now then there is the matter of what you agreed to tell us."
'Cornelia.' Lelouch's eye twitched. 'You think victory is yours when you're not doing anything?'
"If you back out now I'll consider that you know nothing of our siblings and this was just a con." Cornelia said with a smirk. "And I have no tolerance for those who mock my family."
Suzaku looked at the pile of dirt. "This all could have been avoided if you just tried to help change the system from within instead of resorting to needless murder."
"Are you really that dense?" Suzaku and Cornelia's eyes widened as Seizan burst out of the ground in front of the Lancelot, performing a somersault through the air as it landed perfectly on its feet. "First rule in a duel: make sure your opponent is down before you gloat!"
'It moved underground! I didn't think it could move that fast!' Suzaku thought as he pointed the VARIS at Seizan. 'I timed it so perfectly so he couldn't get away. Did he do it while he was buried? No, I would have seen it.'
"I'm sorry, did you say something Cornelia?" Lelouch asked through the radio with a smirk. "I was too busy watching the duel to listen."
Now it Cornelia's eyebrow that twitched but added a growl with it, annoyed that she made a fool of herself in front of the enemy and let Zero get one up on her. Nonnette couldn't help but snicker at poor Nelly's situation while Euphemia looked concerned and Cornelia's two knights were scowling at how Zero was mocking their princess.
'Wow, total Kakashi-sensei moment there Lelouch. Good thing that Gai-Sensei doesn't have a counterpart here or he'd be shouting at Zero's 'hip' attitude.' Naruto snickered before focusing back on the battle.
Suzaku fired the VARIS rifle, this time aiming at the ground in front of Seizan to kick up dust and boulders at the blue Knightmare.
'Now I see what he's doing. He's causing carnage to the environment around us to give himself the advantage and pin me down.' Naruto thought as the shells fired by the VARIS rifle sent dust and gravel everywhere. 'You're learning Suzaku but I've been doing stuff like this for years.'
Suzaku fired through the dust, hoping that at least one shell would hit Seizan and if he went underground he was already prepared. When the dust cleared all there was a batch of craters created by the VARIS's rounds. Realizing that Seizan must have gone underground Suzaku wheeled onto crater littered ground, standing close enough to them that he would see the ground shift if Seizan tried to sneak up on from underground.
'Not bad, Suzaku. You've taken what you've learned from your previous fights with Naruto and utilized them by trying to stay one step ahead of him.' Lelouch thought. 'The problem is that Naruto is difficult to defeat because he's unpredictable, even I have trouble predicting what action he might take.'
Suzaku was ready this time. Standing in a field of craters he was ready the second he saw the ground shift that would reveal his opponent.
"Why are you staring at the ground?" Naruto's voice called from above.
Suzaku looked up in time to see Seizan jump off the cliff the others were on and fall towards the Lancelot, brandishing both kodachi. Suzaku aimed the VARIS rifle at Seizan but Naruto threw one of its MVS kodachi and the sword sliced through the VARIS and embedded itself in the ground. Suzaku quickly raised his empty hand and activated the Blaze Luminous emitter to the block the sword aimed at the Lancelot's head. Suzaku grunted from the force of the attack that pushed the Lancelot back slightly and Naruto followed up with a kick to the chest that knocked the white and gold colored Knightmare back.
The Lancelot somersaulted through the air and landed a few feet away, brandishing it's last MVS sword. The MVS kunai came out from under Seizan's empty hand and the black and blue Knightmare brandished it as it settled into a fighting stance.
"Nice try but it looks you're out of ammo." Naruto stated tauntingly. "Bet you run out of swords next. That is unless you want to forfeit."
"The only one who should forfeit this charade is you. What's the point of all this? You're just causing mindless destruction and killing innocent people." Suzaku retorted.
"Funny, as I recall it was Britannia that started massacres of innocent people not us. And it was done by people with piss poor excuses to order such a thing." Naruto grunted.
"It was to draw out terrorists in Shinjuku and Saitama. If they just-"
"Shut up you moron!" Naruto shouted, cutting Suzaku off. "First off, Clovis ordered that massacre in Shinjuku to cover his stupid ass and his dirty little secret and secondly Cornelia repeated that damn massacre just to draw us out not caring if the civilians knew about the terrorists or not, not to mention the civilians, including children that died because of their racist bigotry. They did those things because they believe they can without thinking of the lives they destroy in the process and you go along with it, refusing to admit any of the horrible wrong doings and you even make up excuses to try and justify them."
"And what good is fighting them and causing a war going to prove?" Suzaku questioned. "It'll just cause people to die pointlessly!"
"People are dying pointlessly, dumbass! War, starvation, disease, all brought down onto them because they're not considered human beings!" Naruto was getting annoyed with Suzaku's naivety. "And right now you're going along with it!"
"It's the only way to prove we're useful and help try to change things from within without meaningless bloodshed!" Suzaku retorted.
"Don't give me that bullshit. You're not a real Britannian or even a real pilot for the military; you're a scapegoat to take the risks for all their experiments and the one to take the fall for when things go bad. And once again I point out that you're a soldier and soldiers do one thing: kill anyone who is the enemy." Naruto shook his head. "It seems no matter what I say you're just going to block it out. I'm done trying to pound common sense into you. I'll just pound your head into the ground and see if that helps a little." With that said Seizan rushed forward.
Suzaku grunted as he swung his MVS sword that collided with Naruto's, creating a shower of spark and instinctively raised the Lancelot's other arm, activating the Blaze Luminous shield to try and blocked Naruto's kunai. Suzaku fired the Lancelot's Slash Harkens at close range but Naruto had anticipated his move as Seizen jumped up, over the Lancelot while maintaining the blade lock and landing the ground as the Lancelot spun around to attack. Seizan stepped back and the MVS sword swung past its 'face' and Naruto quickly threw his MVS kunai at the Lancelot's arm as the sword flew past its target and embedded itself into the Lancelot's wrist.
"Damn!" Suzaku swore as the Lancelot dropped its sword and quickly had it jump back as Naruto tried to stab the Lancelot with his kodachi. The Lancelot wheeled back to the cliff and spun around, picking up the MVS sword Suzaku had discarded in the left hand, the hand that was still functional.
'Suzaku.' Euphemia's hands were pressed against her chest as she watched the battle and could not but look on in awe at the battle between the two extremely skilled pilots.
'This is taking too long.' Cornelia thought, wishing she could enter the battle and take out the blue Knightmare and eliminate Zero once and for all. However when she ordered Suzaku to accept the duel it meant that any attempt to attack during the duel in which Euphie's knight is participating in would dishonor her sister.
Suzaku wheeled the Lancelot forward towards Naruto who prepared himself. Suzaku had the Lancelot jump up when he close enough to deliver a downward slash but to everyone's shock, except C.C., Naruto dropped his kodachi and kunai and caught Suzaku's MVS sword in both of Seizan's hands.
"What? He caught it?" Suzaku gaped as trying to catch an MVS sword with your Knightmare's hands is foolish as the MVS blade would cut through the hands easily. However to his shock the hands didn't seem to be affected at all.
Naruto capitalized on Suzaku's shocked state by kicking the Lancelot in the chest and wrestling the MVS sword free from the Lancelot's hand, spun Seizan around and stabbed the sword in the Lancelot's knee.
"Suzaku!" Euphemia cried out, terrified by what she saw as Seizan kicked the Lancelot in the chest, making it fall onto its back.
"Damn it! Not again! I can't lose again!" Suzaku struggled to make the Lancelot stand up but the sword had been stabbed right in the knee and right through the other end.
"It's over." Lelouch said as he flipped the radio on. "I believe victory is ours, Cornelia. Now we'll take what we came for."
"Came for? What are you talking about?" Cornelia questioned, fighting back the anger in her voice.
"We promised to tell you what happened to siblings sent here seven years ago if Suzaku won the duel but he didn't but you never asked what we wanted if our knight won the duel." Lelouch clarified.
"I see…" Cornelia gritted her teeth. "What do you want?"
"The Lancelot." Lelouch answered, shocking her and the rest of the Britannian group. "We'll be taking the Lancelot."
"Out of the question! You think I'll allow you to take an advanced Knightmare and let you use it against me?" Cornelia growled, preparing to attack.
"Even though going back on the duel will be tarnishing your sister's honor?" Lelouch retorted, causing Cornelia to stop. "This duel was issued to her knight and he accepted it, swearing to win for his princess, not you."
"Damn you…" Cornelia gripped the throttles of her Gloucester's controls.
"Do you intend to go back on the deal we made and attack us after we expected you to honor the terms?" Lelouch asked.
In the meantime Suzaku was listening and he was still struggling to get the Lancelot to stand up. 'I can't let them take the Lancelot!'
Lelouch activated the Arashikage's Hover Jets and slowly glided off the cliff towards the ground, while Kallen, C.C. and Todoh remained on the cliff to watch Cornelia and her group. Lelouch walked slowly towards the downed Lancelot while Naruto kept a close eye on Cornelia's group. A beeping sound caught Lelouch's attention and he looked at his screen as it showed something approaching them. 'A new enemy? No, it's too large and it's airborne.'
"Zero, what is it?" Todoh asked upon seeing the Arashikage stop.
"We have company." Lelouch answered. "Something's approaching. It's airborne but it's too large to be an assault craft."
"A trap?" Kallen asked, pulling her sword out.
"I doubt it." Lelouch noticed Cornelia pointing her lance at Kallen when she saw the Guren's sword out. "Cornelia's not the type to go back on her word."
"Zero, what are you up to?" Cornelia asked through the radio.
"I was surprised for a second, Cornelia. I thought you were trying to trap us when I detected that large aircraft coming." Lelouch answered, waiting to see Cornelia's reaction.
"Aircraft? What are you…Schneizel." Cornelia whispered when she realized what Zero was talking about.
'Schneizel? He's here?' Lelouch's eyes widened as an image of the blond haired second prince of Britannia flashed in his mind. 'I didn't see this coming.'
"What's going on, Zero?" Kallen asked.
"We have to move now." Lelouch raised the Arashikage's arm to lift the Lancelot with the MAS when a shot rang out.
Luckily however Naruto had sensed the hostile intent and moved in front of the Arashikage and blocked the bullet with his kunai.
"A sneak attack?" Todoh pulled his sword out.
That seemed to be the signal the hidden enemy was waiting for because Sutherlands wheeled out of the forest and surrounded Lelouch and Naruto.
"It is a trap!" Kallen gritted her teeth.
"So, it seems Princess Euphemia's honor doesn't mean much if it means capturing me." Lelouch stated, glaring at Cornelia's frame.
"I didn't authorize this!" Cornelia looked at the Sutherlands. "Identify yourselves!"
No one answered her as they leveled their guns at enemy frames but they never had the chance to fire as several shots rang out and the Sutherlands fell down.
"Zero, are you all right?" Ohgi's voice asked through the speakers as he along with several Black Knights stood on the cliff next to the Knightmares, all armed with rocket launchers and rifles.
"We're fine, Ohgi." Lelouch nodded. "All forces fall back! It seems honor does not mean much to even Britannian Royalty."
"So much for dealing with the Lancelot." Naruto said, knowing that a prolonged fight would just cause trouble for everyone.
Lelouch's instruments beeped again, picking up something moving towards them, moving very fast. "Something's coming our way."
"Another air craft?" Todoh asked.
"No it's….I think it's a Knightmare!" Lelouch's eyes widened as he spotted another Knightmare closing in on them very fast. "This is a trap!"
Just as he said those words something came barrelling out of the forest and leapt at Seizan and the Arashikage, swinging what looked like a hammer at them.
"Crap!" Naruto swore as he jumped back while Lelouch released the Lancelot and stepped back, watching the new Knightmare.
'I've never seen a model like that before.' Lelouch thought as he took in the new Knightmare and it's appearance.
To say it was unique was a bit of an understatement as it possessed not two but four legs shaped like hooves like a horse instead of human like legs. It had an upper humanoid body with two large bull shaped horns sticking out of its head and a red Factsphere as its face. It had a tail on its back, spikes on the knees of its front legs and out of the back of its elbow and the cockpit attach to the back like regular Knightmares. The entire color scheme was dark grey with green spots and in its hand was a giant hammer.
"What kind of Knightmare is that?" Kallen asked, getting ready to jump down.
"It's not like anything I've ever seen before." Todoh answered.
C.C. narrowed her eyes as she saw a red light inside the new Knightmare's cockpit that Naruto saw through her. 'A Geass User!'
"Who are you? What's going on?" Cornelia stated through the radio.
"We're here to apprehend the terrorist Zero." The pilot answered with a distorted voice. "And you will help us."
"On whose authority?" Cornelia growled.
"Why the authority of the Royal Court of course, Princess Cornelia. Their message to you was 'God Bless You.'" The pilot answered.
A red outline appeared in Cornelia's eyes as a tranquil expression appeared on her face. "Yes. All forces, move forward and kill Zero!"
"Sister?" Euphemia looked at her sister, seeing something was wrong with her.
She was not the only one as red outlines appeared Guilford and Darlton's eyes. "Yes Your Highness!"
"Hey wait a second, Nelly! What about Euphie?!" Nonnette called out as Cornelia wheeled forward.
"I said all forces attack!" Cornelia shouted.
"Zero!" Ohgi called out.
"Everyone stay back!" Lelouch commanded as he and Naruto jumped back. "I anticipated for a response like this! Activate the GEFUJIN!"
The four legged Knightmare leapt up, managing to jump much higher than one would think a mech its size was capable of but its four legs actually made it faster and allowed to jump beyond the range of the GEFUJIN trap Lelouch had set up in the event Cornelia did something in the middle of the duel. The devices were laid out in a circle that surrounded the advancing Knightmares and released a burst of green energy that engulfed the Knightmares.
"What the-" Suzaku tried to move the Lancelot but everything except the secondary systems were down. "What's happening?!"
Nonnette narrowed her eyes as she and Rai came to a stop, barely managing to avoid getting caught in the trap. "So Zero was ready in case someone tried to do something stupid."
Rai looked at the trap, seeing the devices lined up around the immobilized Knightmares. "I see the devices."
"Don't even think about it, Rai. Zero set this up as a trap in case we tried to attack him after the duel ended. We're outnumbered here." Nonnette stated, looking at the Knightmares standing on the cliff.
Xxx
"Something's interfering with the Sakuradite. The Lancelot's systems are powering down." Cecile said, looking concerned as she read over the Lancelot's information.
"GEFUJIN." Lloyd stated, a rare grim look on his face.
"That then that means-" Cecile turned to Lloyd,
"That's right. I thought it was only theoretical but only one person could have pulled it off." Lloyd narrowed his eyes. "Rakshata."
"Impressive." The young woman around Suzaku's age commented as she walked forward and looked at the readings. "I'd love to take those apart."
Xxx
"Hmm…" Rakshata smirked in satisfaction. "The range and power are still off but it seems to be working perfectly." Of course she also didn't take into account of the four legged Knightmare that appeared out of nowhere but once she activated her Rinnegan to get a better look her eyes slightly narrowed when she saw the red light in the Knightmare's cockpit. "So, not only is there a new Knightmare but its pilot has Geass."
The four legged Knightmare charged at Lelouch and Naruto, ready to swing its hammer and take them both out in one swing.
"You want try and take us?" Naruto asked rhetorically as his Knightmare stood in a ready position.
"I'm not willing to drag this out." Lelouch said as he raised the Arashikage's arm. "Activating MAS system!"
Another bullet rang out but Naruto blocked the bullet that was aimed at the Arashikage as the energy wave hit the four legged Knightmare and lifted it up off the ground but it was only by a few inches.
"This thing is heavy." Lelouch grunted.
"We might have to fall back. Things are going out of hand, fast." Naruto pointed out.
"You're right. Everyone, make for the beach. We're retreating." Lelouch nodded as the MAS pulled the four legged Knightmare forward and when it was close enough Lelouch activated the IDF that repelled the Knightmare and knocked it back.
A shadow fell upon them as something flew down and grabbed Shinryoku by the shoulders and lifted it up off the cliff.
"Zero, something grabbed Shinyroku!" Ohgi shouted through the radio.
Naruto and Rakshata looked through Shinryoku's 'eyes' and saw the Knightmare that grabbed C.C. It was a white Knightmare and that looked like a hack with long arms resembling wings with sharp blades lining the arm, clawed feet that were latched onto Shinryoku's shoulders, a Factsphere on its chest, an orifice like face with a white pointed head. What stood out was the red light in the winged Knightmare's cockpit.
'Geass.' Naruto, C.C., and Rakshata thought at the same time.
"Everyone fall back to rendezvous point." Lelouch stated as he activate the Phantom Coil system. "Seizan, can you go after Shinryoku?"
"Don't worry about her. That guy's in way over his head if he thinks he's got her." Naruto smirked. "So much for walking away with the Lancelot but we still won."
"Hm…" Lelouch grunted as the Arashikage disappeared.
"Don't let them get away!" The pilot in the four legged Knightmare stated. "Have the base deploy all available units."
"You really like to boss everyone around, don't you?" Nonnette asked, raising an eyebrow as a bullet hit one of the GEFUJIN disturbers and short-circuited it, disabling the trap that was disabling the Knightmares inside.
Rakshata narrowed her eyes as she and her staff were picked up by one of the Burais. "Mess with my work will you?" She made a hand sign and instantly the now disabled disturbers exploded. "There, now you can't find a way to counter it with them all in pieces."
"After them!" Cornelia shouted when her Gloucester was free of the GEFUJIN field.
"Sister, wait! There's no need to pursue them!" Euphemia tried to reason but no one was listening to her. She looked back at Cornelia and noticed the red light circling her eyes. "Sister, listen to me! This is going too far!"
However no one seemed to hear her as Cornelia wheeled after the Black Knights with her personal knights behind her, followed by Nonnette and Rai.
"Euphie!" Suzaku cried out as he tried to make the Lancelot stand back up.
Xxx
"Hm, what do we have here?" C.C. muttered as she looked at the Knightmare that was carrying her off somewhere.
"We have you now, C.C. Lord V.V. would like to speak with you." A distorted voice spoke through the radio.
"I have no doubt he does." A small smirk grew on C.C.'s face. "Unfortunately for him I have no wish to see him, or Charles or Marianne for that matter."
"And what will you do? You can't escape us." The voice mocked.
C.C.'s mouth curled up. "Can I?"
She had been waiting to use these for a long time but had to keep them hidden to ensure Britannia didn't send anymore of its forces to swarm Zero and the Black Knights. The wing joints on Shinryoku's back unfolded to reveal Shinryoku's dark green energy wings.
"What the-" C.C. didn't give the pilot the chance to finish as she used the power of the Asura path to morph her arms into sharp blades that cut into the white Knightmare's legs. The pilot released Shinryoku, allowing the green Knightmare to float up in the sky, resembling an angel more so than the white Knightmare did.
"You were saying?" C.C. asked as Shinryoku pulled out its single kodachi.
*Chapter 19*: Chapter 19Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Lelouch had set up an escape plan just in case Cornelia tried to attack them after the duel and even though Naruto had won he knew that having an escape plan was a very good idea due to the fact that Cornelia, her knights, Rai, Nonnette, and the Sutherlands that were used as patrol guards at the base were chasing them through the forest. The extraction point was on the other side of the island where the Black Knights submarine was waiting and if they couldn't make it Naruto had come up with a back-up plan.
'If we can't make it Naruto had several Shadow Clones set up a summoning circle that would summon us back to the hangar at the Ashford Factory.' Lelouch remembered how they both drew up a plan to escape the island. 'Still though it's going to be a close call and something's not right. That four legged Knightmare and the one that could fly. They must be custom frames so that would explain why no one's ever seen them but who created them. Just what happened? Are they here to capture Zero or C.C.? Just what did this duel set in motion?'
Lelouch suspected that it had something to do with the Geass Order that was set up by the Emperor to deal with threats covertly and attacking the Black Knights on an island cut off from the rest of the Japan made sense in a way. They could just as easily cover it up and blame the new Knightmares on a rogue faction that wanted the Black Knights and Zero neutralized. Anyone who looks for evidence would be silenced to ensure the incident is completely suppressed.
'If it is the Geass Order they must be getting desperate or maybe…Maybe they wanted to test the full extent of Seizan and Shinryoku if they suspect C.C. is one of the pilots.' Lelouch thought. 'These Knightmares are obviously prototypes and if so do they have some kind special weapons or technology to even the playing field?'
"Hey, Lelouch." Naruto called through the radio, pulling Lelouch back into the real world. "Just to let you know that anyone who does not have a camouflage gadget is being pursued by a lot of Britannians. They might not be good as anything else except cannon fodder but we can't lead them to the extraction point."
"Understood." Lelouch said as he brought up the tactical map of the island. "We'll have to neutralize the pursuing forces and cover our infantry." Lelouch quickly brought up Kallen and Todoh's frequency. "Kallen, Todoh, we need to cover our infantry and give them time to get to the extraction point."
"Understood/Got it." Todoh and Kallen replied.
"Be on the lookout for snipers. Someone tried to take me and Seizan out back there and they will likely try to do it again." Lelouch looked at the enemy signals pursuing them. "Everyone split up and divide the enemy force up, use the trees for cover. I'll monitor with PROVIDENCE and warn you off all enemies. I'll cover the infantry and the Rakshata while the rest of you create a diversion."
"On it." Naruto stopped and spun Seizan around to face the incoming enemies. "I'll make the first move while Kallen and Todoh surprise them."
"What about Shinryoku?" Kallen asked.
"She's fine. From what I see she's having the time of her life." Naruto replied with a small smile. "She'll meet up with us when she has the chance."
"Then we'll have to make sure we get the chance as well." Lelouch nodded.
Xxx
C.C. honestly could not remember being in a battle that actually got her blood going unless it was when she was sparing with Naruto. She clashed blades with the white Knightmare's katana designed weapon sword, sending sparks flying everywhere.
"It can counter MVS designed weapons." C.C. mused as she withdrew and blocked another slash. "Things just keep on getting interesting. I must really give Naruto an award for livening things up around here." She grinned. "Strapping him to a bed tonight sounds like a good idea."
The two Knightmares slashed, parried, and spun around each other in the air until Shinryoku manoeuvred behind the white angel like Knightmare and moved to stab it. C.C.'s Rinnegan watched as a red light travelled through the Knightmare and shined in its factsphere and the red light engulfed Shinryoku.
'Oh, I see. They've been working on way to combine the power of Geass with Knightmares. V.V.'s been tinkering with stuff like this for years now. Guess the little brat's made some progress.' C.C. thought as white Knightmare spun around, thinking it had her paralyzed and tried to slash her. 'But not good enough.'
Shinryoku whacked the sword away, making it seem like it was whacking away a troublesome fly instead of a sword. The white Knightmare was sent flying back but managed to right itself as it floated away from Shinryoku.
'The Geass obviously mimics Rolo's Geass but I know it's not him. That means they have found a way to cybernetically copy or create Geass.' C.C. thought. 'V.V. must be getting desperate to get me like this and risk Charles intervening. There's no way he won't know what that little freak's up to and if he's showing Britannia's dirty little secret out in the open like this heads will roll.'
The white Knightmare flew at Shinryoku again, the Geass symbol on its factsphere glowing brightly as it swung its sword down which C.C. blocked but brought its talon/feet to kick Shinryoku when the pilot thought C.C. left herself wide open. However C.C. had decided to show off a bit more and a second arm sprouted from both arms, catching the clawed feet before they touched the green Knightmare.
"The Asura Path allows me to create mechanized armor and transform my body, or in this case Shinryoku's body." C.C. said as the hands of the new arms changed into claws resembling the Guren's claw. "And they can allow me to do this!"
The arms glowed bright red like the Guren's Radiation Surger that caused the legs to bulge and would continued up into the torso had the pilot not ejected the legs in time. The legs exploded as the legless angel like Knightmare flew back, watching as the smoke cleared revealing Shinryoku with six arms, having summoned two more. Black orbs sprouted from the hands of these arms and formed into a spear, a sword, a staff, with the other two retaining their claw shaped forms and the kodachi remaining in the one hand while black orbs formed behind Shinyroku's head, resembling a halo. Shinyroku now resembled a six armed demonic warrior with angel like wings from its back and the black orbs circling behind its head and its ringed eyes seemingly glaring at the white Knightmare, as if it was deciding the white Knightmare's fate like a God.
"Still think you have me?" C.C. asked with a predatory smile on her face. "Or do you realize how much of a rip off your angel is compared to the real thing?"
The white Knightmare answered by turning around and flying away as fast it could, not glancing back or replying to C.C's question.
"….Excellent strategy." C.C. commented as she closed her eyes, looking through Naruto's eyes to see how the battle on the ground was going. 'As usual, Naruto, you just have to try and stir some hornet's nest. Then again it's not like I'm any better.'
She had been waiting for the chance to test her Knightmare's full power but it seemed she got a little carried away. Now her only opponent was running away just when she was summing Shinryoku's full strength, leaving her pilot disappointed.
'Charles will either have V.V. work harder or he'll start working on containing the little rodent to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid again. We might end up dealing with some of Britannia's stronger warriors sooner than we thought but to be honest I was getting sick of holding back anyways. It's about time I see what I can really do.' C.C. thought as she pointed her hands at the fleeing white Knightmare, her weapons morphine in black orbs. "Fire."
The black orbs shot towards the white Knightmare at a speed matching Mach Eight and easily caught up to the white Knightmare. The cockpit ejected as the black orbs disintegrated anything they touched and the white Knightmare exploded a second later.
"This is it. This is what I've gained…and it's all thanks to you…" C.C. whispered with a happy smile. "Naruto."
Xxx
"I see one of them up ahead!" Darlton stated.
"Take him out!" Cornelia commanded as she pointed her Gloucester's lance forward.
"Sister, please stop!" Euphemia struggled to make Darlton stop. "This isn't like you at all! Please all of you stop!"
Her words were ignored as Cornelia charged forward with her knights firing their rifles but Naruto spun his sword, releasing wave energy and chakra that created a circular barrier that blocked the bullets and spun out of the way of Cornelia's lance and elbowed her Gloucester in the face, knocking her down.
'That right. Cornelia and everyone else are under the effect of a Geass.' Naruto thought. 'Then if so…'
"Kill him!" Guilford shouted but Kallen leapt from behind the trees, kicking Guilford's Gloucester down with the Guren's foot as Naruto placed Seizan's index finger on the head of Cornelia's Gloucester. "Naruto, what are you doing?"
"Release!" Naruto stated, channeling a small bit of chakra through Seizan's finger.
The small bit of chakra was not enough to harm Cornelia or her Gloucester but it instantly dispelled the Geass that had been placed on her. "Wha-What? What's happening?" She suddenly remembered the man in the four legged Knightmare ordering her and the others to attack and then for some reason she obeyed it. "Why did I…"
Then her mind flashed back to her office with her brother sitting in front of her.
Xxx
"For what reason do you come all the way here, Castor? " Cornelia asked softly.
"Oh, just some personal business." For some reason Castor looked irritated but he waved it off a second later. "I came here to see the Lancelot and see if Schneizal's project can measure up. As you know the Daedalus Division have been working around the clock to compete with the Knightmares produced by the Camelot Division."
"I've heard. I haven't seen anything your division has produced since the private Knightmare factory you own is in Area Eight." Cornelia replied.
"Only because we've been hard at work to make sure that no sensitive information is released. We can't have enemies discovering sensitive information now can we? But there is another reason I'm here. It's about Zero."
"Hm? What about him?" Cornelia raised an eyebrow and narrowed one eye. "I hope you're not looking for an angle to replace me, brother. I'm not in the mood for this and no matter what anyone says in the Royal Court I will let anyone get in my way."
"Oh, nothing like that." Caster's eyes suddenly flashed red with a bird like sigil. "I just want to know anything you know about Zero and to say 'God Bless You' for getting the chance to track down the man who killed our brother and if you follow my advice you'll be able to stop him once and for all."
Xxx
'Why did I black out? And why did I order them to attack like that?' Cornelia wondered before straightening at the sound of Darlton shouting. 'Darlton…Euphie!'
"Sister, are you all right?" Euphemia asked, realizing that her sister was back to normal. "What happened?"
"I don't know…I honestly don't know." Cornelia whispered.
"DIE!" Darlton shouted as he charged at Naruto but Todoh's Gekka leapt out from behind the trees and clashed with Darlton's Gloucester.
"Euphie!" Cornelia's eyes widened and face paled. 'Euphie's right here in the middle of a battle field and I brought her right into it!' "Everyone pull back!"
However her men didn't seem to hear her as he clashed with Todoh while Guilford tried to get up but the Guren responded grabbing the arm of Guilford's Gloucester just as Kallen activated the Radient Wave Surger. The arm expanded and exploded but Guilford managed to retain the common sense to eject the arm before it exploded.
"Guilford! Are any of you listening to me?!" Cornelia shouted.
"Hey, Nelly!" Nonnette's Gloucester leapt out and thrust its lance at Naruto who spun Seizan out of the way. "You back with us?"
"Nonnnette, something's wrong. Guilford and Darlton won't listen to me!" Cornelia got her Gloucester back on its feet.
"You've snapped out of it. I thought you guys went crazy." Nonnette as she and Cornelia's Gloucesters wheeled forward. "You just went after Zero the moment that guy in the four legged Knightmare ordered you to."
'I remember him saying 'God Bless You' and then for some reason I went after Zero.' Cornelia thought. 'What happened?'
Rai wheeled forward in the Club. "Lady Enneagram, reinforcements are coming!"
"Cover me as I take Princess Euphemia back to the base!" Cornelia replied.
Lelouch was preoccupied with the presence of the air ship that was slowly gliding over the island, making its way to the battlefield. 'This is getting too crazy. We need more time to make sure everyone makes it to the beach.' "Kallen, Todoh, make your way to the way beach. Seizan and I will cover your retreat."
"But Zero-" Kallen started as Lelouch deactivated the Phantom Coil system and appeared in the middle of the battlefield.
"Don't worry. I have a plan." Lelouch said as he activated the MAS and grabbed a single Gloucester.
"GAH!" Cornelia was about to take off when she and Euphie were rocked by the Gloucester they were in shaking as it was lifted off the ground and pulled towards Zero's Knightmare. "Damn you, Zero!"
"Cornelia, it might surprise you to know that if Princess Euphemia's knight had won I would have honored the terms of the agreement for the duel but in one swift move Britannia proved it is incapable of keeping its word or honor." Lelouch stated as Cornelia's Gloucester floated in front of the Arashikage. "I'm not sure what you were thinking but unless you want to suffer the indignity of becoming our prisoner you'll call of your forces now."
'Which means I have to dispel the Geass effect on those two.' Naruto glanced at the two Gloucesters that Todoh and Kallen were holding off. Seizan made a hand sign and Naruto released a small shockwave of chakra that traveled through the battlefield, touching Guilford and Darlton's Gloucesters and instantly cancelled the Geass effect.
"Huh? Wh-What happened?" Darlton asked, disorientated.
Guilford spotted Cornelia's Gloucester floating in front of Zero's Knightmare. "Princess Cornelia and Euphemia!"
"Don't move." Seizan stood next to the Arashikage with its sword and kunai out. "Don't even think of trying anything. This battle is over."
Guilford and Darlton froze, gritting their teeth as they remained stationary while all Britannian forces present stopped but kept their weapons trained on the Black Knights.
"You have ten seconds to call them off." Lelouch completed his terms. "So what is your answer?"
Cornelia's answer would have been telling Zero to go to Hell but Euphie was with her and she wouldn't dare endanger her little sister. "And I have your word?"
"You do." Lelouch nodded. "There's no need to continue this battle anymore. What started as a duel has erupted into a full on battle that wasn't necessary at all. It's time someone puts an end to this and say stop."
"…Fine." Cornelia relented and Euphemia sighed in relief. "All forces stand down and retreat. I repeat, all forces stand down and retreat."
Nonnette sighed. "Well hopefully things get better after this."
Lelouch deactivated his MAS and watched as Cornelia's Gloucester landed back on its feet as the Britannian forces that had been on their way pulled back. The only ones left on the battle field were Lelouch, Kallen, Todoh, and Naruto with Cornela, her knights, Nonnette and Rai.
Cornelia stared at the black and gold Knightmare standing before her. "Just tell me one thing. Do my brother and sister still live?"
Lelouch was silent for a moment as he thought over Cornelia's words, detecting the small amount of pleading in her voice, knowing that she wanted badly to know if he and Nunnally were still alive. He could lie or deny telling her anything but something kept Lelouch from doing so for some odd reason. "…Yes. They live."
Cornelia and Euphemia's eyes widened at the answer and tears nearly threatened to spill out of both their eyes. Their beloved siblings were still alive, even if they were hearing it from a terrorist they just wanted to believe it was true.
"They are in hiding for they do not wish to be found." Lelouch continued.
"Why? Why would they hide?" Cornelia knew she sounded like she was begging but she didn't care. "They have a family that was heartbroken when they thought they died!"
"A family that was torn apart the day Empress Marianne vi Britannia was gunned down and did nothing as her son and daughter were sent away as hostages to a foreign land. There was nothing to be gained from returning aside from becoming a pawn of the Emperor again with the son possibly forced into the military or forced to marry some gold digging whore and the blinded and crippled daughter possibly married off to some noble." Lelouch retorted. "Tell me, what loving family sentences them to a fate like that?"
Cornelia and Euphemia both flinched from the dark tone in Zero's voice, the condemnation practically coming out of his mouth like saliva.
"The fact of the matter is that they are happy to live a normal life away from Britannia's corruption and have no wish to reveal themselves. Despite their connection to the Britannian Royal Family I have no reason to kill them for they have long since discarded their titles so for their sake I will speak no more of them." Lelouch stated as the Arashikage stepped back. "Despite the fact that Britannia attacked us and went back on their word regarding the rules of the duel I am under no obligation to tell you what happened to them or where they are." Lelouch switched the channel for the Black Knights. "All forces, make your way to the rendezvous point."
"Are you sure, Zero?" Todoh asked. "They could attack us while we try to retreat."
"My systems indicate that the Britannian forces with the exception of the ones present have retreated. They're no match for us in their current state. Kallen, Seizan, and I will stay behind and cover you as you direct them to the rendezvous point." Lelouch stated.
"Understood." Todoh nodded as he sped off his in Gekka.
'Aside from those bastards interfering with duel this day's going pretty well.' Naruto thought in his head. 'I kicked Suzaku's ass again, damaged the Lancelot for a little while, C.C. got to destroy an advanced Knightmare that was no doubt from the Geass Order run by that little shit, V.V. I guess I didn't think that publicly challenging Suzaku to a duel wouldn't attract any of Geass Order. Oh well, Lelouch can't get mad at me for not predicting that.'
'Always make up these fancy plans. Honestly, just outright challenging them was a welcome change we needed to see once in a while.' Kurama chuckled.
'Still, I wish these unexpected interruptions would just stop when they're getting to the good part!' Shukaku whined.
'Will you stop it? It's not Naruto's fault he can't predict things like this.' Matatabi admonished.
'Thanks, Matatabi.' Naruto smiled but then realized what she said. 'Hey!'
'What do you know? He does pay attention.' Kurama snickered along with the rest of the tailed beasts.
"You guys-" Naruto stopped as he spotted a red light enveloping the area. "Aw, you guys just don't know when to quit."
"Naruto, what's wrong?" Kallen asked.
"You'll see it in a second."
Lelouch's eye glanced to the beeping sound on his console and instantly knew what it was. He quickly raised the Arashikage's arm and activated his IDF system, repelling a bullet aimed for the Arashikage's head.
'Bet you didn't see that coming.' Naruto smirked, seeing the red light envelop Kallen and Lelouch and yet Lelouch was able to move.
Xxx
"How does a mark block Geass?" Lelouch asked skeptically.
It's not as if he didn't believe Naruto's claims of what his powers were capable of but Lelouch's mind worked to prefer logic to 'magic' despite the fact that he had a power to command anyone he made eye contact with. At the very least he was able to understand his and Kallen's Geass in a logical way while Naruto's remained a mystery.
"It's a seal I made to emit a chakra field around the person the seal is placed on. It negates the effects of Geass due to the fact that Geass effects people mentally, meaning it affects the brain. The second a Geass tries to affect you the seal will emit a pulse that will cancel the Geass before it can even take hold." Naruto explained patiently. "I went through a lot of work to understand the power of Geass and what can be used to counter it. Just so you know if this seal is placed on someone who is under a Geass effect or has been affected, kind of like Lelouch commanding someone with his Geass and that person fulfilling that command, then the person will be freed from the Geass affects and will remember anything they didn't before."
"So if this seal is placed on someone I used my Geass on they'd remember me saying something, a command, a question, anything they didn't remember." Lelouch surmised. "And this will be able to block Geass powers like Rolo and Rai's?"
"Of course it will." Naruto nodded with a big smile. "There's no Geass strong enough to overpower this Cancelling Seal I made. So where do you want it?"
"Hm?" Lelouch and Kallen looked confused.
"I got to draw it on both of you if it's going to work." Naruto explained with a sigh. "Duh. If anyone sees them you can just say it's a tattoo."
Lelouch scowled. Even if he was no longer among Britannian Royalty he still had a disdain for a few things that commoners enjoyed, one of them being tattoos. Basically ink drawn onto the skin in a painful way to show off some form of bravery. Kallen didn't seem to have a problem, seeing as how the seal was drawn in Japanese. She rolled up her sleeve and allowed Naruto to draw the seal on her left shoulder followed by a reluctant Lelouch who only did so to become immune to the effects of Geass.
"You think you can do the same for the others?" Kallen asked.
"Can you convince them?" Naruto asked.
"I'm sure Lelouch and I can show them that it works." Kallen nodded.
"It would have be shown in a way that convinces them that my Geass would be blocked by anyone with a seal. I'd suggest someone volunteers to have the seal drawn on them and I use my Geass as a test." Lelouch put his sleeve down when Naruto was done drawing the seal. "I could pretend to use it on Kallen because she's already immune."
"Or I can convince Ohgi or Tamaki to give it a try." Kallen glanced at Lelouch. "A live demonstration on them would convince everyone for sure."
"You suggest Naruto applies the seal to one of them and I try to use my Geass on them?" Lelouch questioned.
"It's the best way to show there is a way to counter Geass and with everyone watching any doubt they have about you using your Geass to control us will vanish." Kallen explained.
Lelouch maintained a calm look on his face but Naruto could tell he was impressed by Kallen's idea, showing her intellect and surprising him with a good plan. "All right, it's done in a way to help assure everyone there are ways to counter Geass, especially since there is a secret order of people with Geass that answer only to the Emperor. If this seal works it'll cripple this Geass Order as a threat to the Black Knights."
"And keep them in the dark about our abilities since they think only a Code-Bearer is immune to the effects of Geass." Naruto pointed out with a nod.
Xxx
'Will this erase any doubts, Lelouch?' Naruto thought as he watched the Arashikage's EMS cannons activate as Lelouch pointed them in the direction of where the bullet had come from, his PROVIDENCE scanners locating the attack and activated the EMS systems, switching to Sub-Zero mode. 'Both him and Kallen were enveloped by the Geass but they can still move meaning it was a complete success. I'd love to see the look on the face of the guy who did that when he realizes his Geass is next to useless now against us.'
'Of course it was a success. Compared to the strongest form of Genjutsu so far Geass is child's play once countered appropriately.' Kurama huffed.
'Thus the Geass Order's power against the Black Knights has been crippled in a way that it will likely never recover from.' Matatabi offered.
The cannons released a pair of miniature tornados composed of ice cold wind that froze anything it touched, forcing the Sutherland that had fired the bullet with a sniper rifle to wheel back as its pilot struggled to get out of the way of the attack.
"What's wrong, Lelouch?" Kallen asked as the Geass wore off. "Who fired that shot?"
"Possibly the same person who attacked us earlier." Lelouch replied.
"What was that?" Cornelia demanded, her and Euphemia having been under the Geass and came to see a frozen forest and a trail of snow leading from the Arashikage. "What's the meaning of all this?"
"ZERO!" Suzaku's voice shouted through the radio.
Lelouch's system beeped rapidly again as the four legged Knightmare leapt out of the woods and on its back was the Lancelot.
"Suzaku!" Euphemia cried out.
The Lancelot's knee was still damaged but it was riding on the four legged Knightmare's back like a horseman and fired a slash harken at the Arashikage. Lelouch activated the IDF in the Arashikage's left hand, blocking the harken and sent it flying back but the Lancelot rolled off the four legged Knightmare as it leapt to attack Seizan.
"What is happening?!" Cornelia was getting tired of these unexplained events that have been happening ever since she arrived on the island.
"Your Highness, you must leave now! Prince Schneizel intends to attack Zero from the air!" Suzaku said through the Lancelot's speakers.
"WHAT?!" Cornelia shouted.
"It's just something new every second." Naruto mumbled as Seizan dodged the four legged Knightmare's hammer. "And I'm really getting sick of it!"
Suzaku fired a slash harken that flew past the Arashikage and embedded itself in a tree. The Lancelot was propelled forward as Lelouch's scanners beeped urgently, recognizing Suzaku's attack. Lelouch raised the Arashikage's hands to block as the Lancelot slammed into his Knightmare and knocked them down.
"What the hell are you doing, you fool?!" Lelouch shouted.
"I'm stopping you here and now, Zero!" Suzaku answered. "Princess Cornelia, you must get Princess Euphemia out of here!"
"What about you, Suzaku?!" Euphemia cried out as Cornelia pulled her Gloucester back.
"I'll keep Zero down so Prince Schneizel attacks from above." Suzaku answered.
"WHAT?! NO! SUZAKU, YOU CAN'T DO THAT! FALL BACK!" Euphemia cried out.
"I'm sorry, Princess but I was ordered to by Prince Schneizel." Suzaku closed his eyes.
"SUZAKU THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT! WE AGREED TO STOP THE FIGHTING HERE! STAND DOWN AND FALL BACK!"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness but I can't. I must stop Zero." Suzaku weakly answered as the giant airship came into view.
"SUZAKU KURURUGI, YOU ARE MY KNIGHT AND YOU WILL DO AS I SAY!" Euphemia shouted as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
Cornelia saw the tears and glared angrily at the Lancelot, imagining its pilot bursting into flames for making her sister cry.
"Zero, hang on!" Kallen shouted as she wheeled forward.
"YOU FOOL!" Lelouch shouted he tried to activate his MAS system but Suzaku slammed the Lancelot's arms down on the Arashikage's arms, pinning them.
"You're not getting away, Zero! Your murdering spree ends here and now!" Suzaku stated, while holding an MVS sword at the Arashikage's cockpit.
Kallen stopped when she saw the Lancelot pointing a sword at Lelouch's cockpit. "Damn you!"
"You're not changing anything here, Zero! You're just causing mayhem and destruction for no reason!" Suzaku stated.
"And you're believing anything will change with this!?" Lelouch snarled as the console in front of him started beeping more rapidly as an energy signature from the air ship was detected. "Getting yourself killed in a so-called blaze of glory?!"
"Better than breaking the rules!" Suzaku retorted.
"SUZAKU STOP THIS NOW! THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT!" Euphemia cried out.
"I'm sorry…Euphie." Suzaku whispered.
"That's it…" Naruto, who had been listening while fighting off the four legged Knightmare, whispered. "I've had all I can stand and I can't stand no more!"
Naruto had Seizan spread its arms out, releasing chakra chains that he had learned to make exactly like his mother and wrapped around the four legged Knightmare. The chains tightened around the Knightmare's limbs to the point that the arms and legs snapped and broke under the chains while Seizan pulled the limbless Knightmare towards him and spun around, lifting it into the air and tossed it away. The Knightmare vanished into the distance while Naruto turned to the Lancelot that was still pinning the Arashikage down.
"That idiot's really getting on my nerves!" Naruto grumbled as he threw his MVS kunai that hit the ground in front of them.
Suddenly Seizan vanished and reappeared in front of them and kicked the Lancelot in the face, knocking it off the Arashikage.
"I'm getting a little tired of that guy getting in the way." Naruto muttered as he had Seizan pick up the MVS kunai.
"We have to move now! It's about to fire-"
Lelouch was unable to finish his sentence as streams of red light rained down from the Britannian airship and fell upon the battlefield. In addition to the beams of light burning through anything they touched the airship fired artillery rounds down on the battlefield to ensure nothing escaped alive.
"SUZAKU!" Euphemia shouted as Cornelia piloted her Gloucester away from the battle.
The light of the explosion engulfed their Gloucester, blinding them to anything that happened next.
Xxx
C.C. watched as the Britannian airship turned the entire battlefield into a smoking, scorched clearing with multiple craters created from the artillery shells.
"Shinryoku-san, we can't get into contact with Zero, Kallen, or Seizan-san! Can you see what's happening?!" Todoh's voice asked over the radio.
"A Britannian airship bombarded the field in an attempt to kill Zero." C.C. answered calmly.
"Are they all right?"
"They're fine. They used the smoke to sneak away when the Britannians weren't looking." C.C. said with a small smile. "As if a bombardment would be enough to kill them."
"Do you know where they are?"
"As of this moment they're off the island and we can't afford to follow them. Don't worry though, Zero set up a secondary rendezvous point in case we were separated. Return to the sub and wait for me off the coast. We'll discuss our next strategy when I arrive."
"Understood."
C.C. sighed with an amused smile. "Always pulling off these stunts at the last second, are you Naruto? You're lucky I like the kind of fun you bring."
Xxx
"Your Highness, they found Princess Cornelia's Gloucester abandoned several miles from the blast site. For reasons we have yet to understand the cockpit was ejected."
"I see…" A tall blond haired man dressed in white noble clothing replied as he stood up. "And our losses?"
"We have yet to fully count them Your Highness."
"I see." Prince Schneizel closed his eyes. "Continue searching for the jettisoned cockpit. Both Princess and Princess Euphemia must be found. Contact the base and tell them I will be arriving shortly. I want to see the extent of the damage to the Lancelot and the full report."
"Yes Your Highness."
Xxx
"What the hell happened out there?! Four Geass users out there, two unique and highly advanced Knightmares with one Geass that can stop one's perception of time, with our special Geass transmitters working perfectly and WE STILL FAILED?! Why didn't your Geass paralyze Zero and the red Knightmare?!"
"Unknown, sir." Rolo answered calmly through the phone.
"This duel presented us with the chance to eliminate Zero and recapture C.C. and it failed! C.C.'s Knightmare showed powers than anything we've seen before that destroyed the Aquila and that blue Knightmare crippled the Equus!"
"Zero and the blue Knightmare have been neutralized now. C.C. will be easier to track now." Rolo pointed.
"Fool! We do not know their true capabilities! There are no bodies or destroyed Knightmares to confirm their deaths! Until we find evidence then they are considered still alive and still a threat! Remain at the base and concentrate on finding them!"
"Understood." Rolo replied before hanging up. 'He's angry. I've never heard him angry before. Perhaps I could contact the Director and inform him of my superior possibly being compromised.'
Xxx
Rakshata was running calculations on her computer, going over the data from the battle when a window opened up, showing Sayoko with her Rinnegan active. "I take it the Knightmares are back in the hangar."
"Yes Rakshata-san. The Arashikage, the Guren, and Seizan are all back in the hangar." Sayoko nodded.
"So the reverse summoning jutsu worked." Rakshata surmised with a smirk. "A perfect way to rescue my children from destruction on the battlefield."
"However the cockpits of the Arashikage and the Guren have ejected while Naruto-san was not in Seizan. From what I saw something forced the Arashikage and Guren's cockpits to eject and Naruto-san followed after Master Lelouch and Kallen-san." Sayoko surmised.
"And from what I saw the island they landed on I surmise the Arashikage and Guren's ejection system were somehow triggered by the attack from the airship. And of course, Naruto being the knucklehead that he is abandoned my child to be summoned back to the factory to follow them." Rakshata remarked amusedly.
"It seems so." Sayoko nodded with a small smile.
"Well, I guess there's nothing left but to let the little fox have his fun. C.C. has taken over as commander of the Black Knights until Zero has been found." Rakshata leaned back on her couch. "I almost wonder what Naruto is thinking over there."
That boy just made things around here so interesting.
Xxx
The sound of segulls stirred Suzaku was his dreamless slumber as he opened his eyes to see the blue sky with seagulls flying above him. "Huh…" Suzaku slowly sat up. "Where's the Lancelot?"
He looked around and saw that he was on a beach that looked unfamiliar.
"Zero!" Suzaku suddenly remembered that he was engaged in battle with the Black Knights and then… "It's no use. I can't remember anything."
Xxx
On another part of the island Lelouch came to and looked around the beach he had found himself on. "Where am I?" He walked up to the edge of a cliff to get a better view of the island while not knowing Suzaku was doing the same thing.
Xxx
"Just as I thought, this is another island." Suzaku muttered.
Xxx
'The vegetation and climate are the same as Shikine Island. I can't be that far from it.' Lelouch calculated in his head.
Xxx
"There's no way to contact anyone with an comm.. What's more important right now is to find a source of drinkable water and shelter." Suzaku continued as he walked in the direction of a water fall.
Xxx
"The good thing is that I came prepared for a situation like this." Lelouch said as he pulled out a tri-kunai Naruto had given him.
He threw it on the ground and a second later Naruto appeared in front of him. "It's about time you came to, Lelouch. I was a little worried you hit your head or something."
"Naruto, you remember what happened?" Lelouch questioned.
"That airship launched an attack on you guys when Suzaku had you pinned and almost had you guys before the seals I placed on the Arashikage and the Guren kicked in. The problem was that the cockpits ejected just as the reverse-summoning jutsu kicked in, possibly because of the explosion. It's a good thing I gave you and Kallen those kunai." Naruto said as he took his mask off. "C.C.'s back with the Black Knights and has taken command until we get back and the good news is that no one was killed and our Knightmares are back in the Ashford Factory."
"I see, that is good news. Have you heard from Kallen yet?" Lelouch asked as he took his mask off. "We could all pose as simple lost Britannians in case a military patrol comes by. I can use my Geass to help us pass off without arousing suspicion."
"Nothing yet but I sense she's on this island along the three more who must be stranded like us. One of them is close by," Naruto answered.
"I see." Lelouch pulled out his hand gun. "Just in case they're an enemy."
"Put that away." Naruto sighed. "There's no need for that. We don't have time for killing each other, Lelouch. Not if we want to get off this island."
"What do you suggest? We can't remain idle for long." Lelouch retorted.
"Just try and act nice." Naruto said as he looked down at the beach.
Lelouch followed Naruto's gaze and his eyes widened when he saw someone watching them looking wet and very surprised.
"Hi Princess Euphemia!" Naruto said with a chuckle and a wave. "Come to these parts often?"
Xxx
Cornelia grumbled as she was brought back to the conscious world by a splitting headache that irritated her as she sat up. "Wh-What happen-" She opened her eyes as the memories of the events before she lost consciousness caught up with her. "Zero…Euphie!" She stood up and looked around frantically. "Euphie! Euphie!"
She had been unconscious under a tree and she when she looked around she saw a beach in front of her which explained the sand falling out of her hair, her skin on her back slightly sour possibly because of the heat but aside from that and the dirt on her uniform she was fine. However these little problems were nothing compared to the current situation she was in.
The situation where she was seemingly marooned on an island that she had somehow landed on and her sister was missing.
"How did I end up here?" Cornelia narrowed her eyes as she looked around. "This isn't Shikine Island but the climate is similar. The explosion…I must have somehow set off the ejection system, possibly because Euphie and I were too close to the explosion."
The cockpit must have been sent flying far off course by the explosion and that was how she ended up here but that didn't explain why Euphie wasn't with her.
"Without a comm.. I can't contact the base for pickup or to mount a search for Euphie. I could set up a fire and use smoke as a signal to anyone that might pass by." Cornelia quietly mused.
As a soldier Cornelia had trained herself to be self sufficient, even for the chance that she might end up stranded in the wild with no chance of calling for help. So while she had no fear for herself her little sister was a different story.
"I need to find Euphie and fast. There's no telling what dangerous wild life might exist on this island." Cornelia mumbled.
With a purpose in her mind the second born Princess of Britannia set off to explore this strange island and find her sister.
Xxx
Suzaku stopped in front of the water fall, seeing someone bathing themselves under the falling water. "Huh?" And it wasn't just some random girl, he knew that person by their distinctive red hair. "Kallen? Could it be?" He stepped out of the woods. "Excuse me!"
Kallen spun around and saw Suzaku standing there, freezing in shock. "Suzaku."
Suddenly realizing that Suzaku was watching her and that she wasn't wearing any clothes Kallen rushed towards her discard clothes, grabbing the kunai Naruto had given her while holding her jacket in front of her.
"A Black Knight uniform?!" Suzaku realized. "You mean that you're a-"
Kallen lunged forward with a shout.
"I don't believe it! It's really you?" Suzaku spotted the kunai in Kallen's wrist and quickly reacted.
He grabbed her wrist and threw her over his shoulder, hearing shouter as she landed on her back in shallow water.
Suzaku quickly moved and pinned before she could get back up. "Kallen, Kallen Stadtfeld, I don't believe it. You're one of-"
"Don't call me by that name!" Kallen growled. "Kallen Kozuki's my real name, I'm Japanese!"
Suzaku gasped. "You're kidding? You really are-"
"Yes. I'm a Black Knight got it? I'm not going to deny that anymore!" Kallen answered with a glare.
Suzaku returned the red haired girl's glare with a glare of his own. "Well then Kallen Kozuki, I'm placing you under arrest for conspiracy and rebellion against Britannia."
Xxx
Lelouch was caught off guard by the fact that Euphemia was looking at him without his mask covering his face. "You knew she was there?!"
"Not at first. She's actually really good at hiding when she wants to." Naruto shrugged. "That's pretty impressive."
'Damn it, Naruto-' Lelouch shouted in his head.
"Lelouch…" Euphemia spoke up. "Lelouch, it's you isn't it? I haven't told anyone about it, I swear." Lelouch looked down at Euphemia as she smiled with tears in her eyes. "Lelouch…"
"Big sappy reunions…" Naruto wiped his right eye. "I always tear up at these things."
A few minutes later Euphie's dress was laid out to dry while Lelouch gave her his cape to hide her modesty.
"When did you figure it out?" Lelouch asked as he sat against a rock so he wouldn't stare at her.
"Back during the hotel jacking." Euphemia answered.
"I see…At that time I said too much without thinking." Lelouch mused with a small smile on his face.
"Still, I wasn't convinced until now." Euphemia continued.
"I see…I'm naive as well. Even so, why didn't you discuss it with Cornelia?" Lelouch questioned.
"I didn't because my sister never listens to me. Besides that, I think things are depressing enough as they are." Euphemia replied.
"Really? Considering how things went I'm just glad that it wasn't a massacre out there." Naruto was sitting away from them, looking at the ocean.
Euphemia glanced at Naruto before looking back down at the ground. "Nunnally, how is she?"
"She's living with me." Lelouch answered with a small smile. "But I'm please to say she's no longer blind and crippled."
"Really?" Euphemia glanced over her shoulder. "She's all better?"
"And quite happy about it." Lelouch continued happily. "It reminds me of when she was little, always running through the gardens of our mother's villa. It takes everything I have just to keep up with her."
"And you still fall behind." Naruto snickered.
Euphemia suddenly seemed sad despite hearing the happy news of her favorite half sister's recovery. "The hatred you must feel for us…"
"I only want to find out one thing. Do you know anything about the circumstance in which my mother was murdered?" Lelouch said, trying to change the subject.
"I'm sorry." Euphemia looked down before looking back up at the sky. "It seems my sister investigated it extensively though. Cornelia thought a lot of Lady Marianne and really looked up to her. May I ask you something now? Both of you?"
"Hm?" Naruto looked over his shoulder.
"Are you Zero or…And you," Euphemia looked at Naruto. "Are you Zero's Knight, Seizan?"
"Not right now I am. The mask is off, remember?" Naruto turned and grinned. "Not that I don't enjoy showing this pretty little face around. My real name is Naruto Uzumaki."
"Naruto Uzumaki…" Euphemia softly repeated before looking at Lelouch.
"I'm Lelouch." Lelouch answered. "Yeah, right here and now I'm Lelouch, the brother you know, Euphie."
Euphemia turned away as tears started to fall down her eyes again. "Oh, Lelouch…" Her stomach suddenly growled making her yelp. "I believe all this relief has suddenly made me hungry."
"Well then, we better go get some food." Lelouch said as he stood up. "Naruto, you coming?"
"Maybe in a while but I have something to check up on. Euphemia, your sister was with you in that cockpit, right?" Naruto stood up and stretched his limbs.
"Uh…yes." Euphemia nodded.
"Then it's likely the lone presence I sense on this island is her. I think Suzaku's with one of us, Kallen and since I can sense both of them I can tell they haven't killed each other yet." Naruto explained with a small smile. "Can't have a happy reunion without all the family now can we?"
"Naruto, you can't let Cornelia know about us." Lelouch stated.
"Yeah, yeah." Naruto dismissed Lelouch with a wave. "I won't give anything away but we can't leave her out there all alone. If something happens to her then this whole happy vibe I'm getting from everyone will be soured. I might as well check on Kallen and Suzaku while I'm at it too." Naruto said before waving at Lelouch and Euphemia. "See ya later, treat her well, Lelouch!"
With that said he was gone in a puff of smoke.
"Lelouch, is your friend all right?" Euphemia asked after a moment of silence.
"Don't worry about him. He's just a knucklehead." Lelouch said dismissively. "A nice knucklehead like Suzaku and someone you can trust."
"…I think so too." Euphemia said with a small smile. "He's a kind soul, kind of like you, Lelouch."
Lelouch glanced at Euphemia in surprise at what she said despite the fact that he was Zero before nodding in agreement. "Yes, he is."
*Chapter 20*: Chapter 20Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
C.C. closed her eyes as she listened to the reports from Todoh and Ohgi concerning the battle along with Rakshata's report about the GEFUJIN's success. Todoh looked closely at the masked woman and found he could not make out what kind of woman she was and he probably wouldn't have any luck even if she wasn't wearing a mask. With Zero missing command automatically fell to his knight despite a few people having some reservations about it but Todoh knew that their missing leader trusted his knights and that was pretty much the only reason they were listening. The reports so far were good, no casualties reported thanks to Lelouch, Naruto, and Kallen drawing their attention from the retreating Black Knights.
'The Geass Directorate's rarely made moves involving advanced Knightmares like this before. I guess V.V.'s gone behind Charles's back again. The little brat's probably going to crap himself when he sees what I did to one of his toys.' C.C. thought with a smirk.
"So what do we do?" Ohgi asked. "With Zero, Seizan and Kallen missing we're down major man power."
"Zero is alive and we have to locate him." Todoh replied. "The cockpits ejected from their Knightmares meaning they are still alive and if the enemy had captured them we would have known by now."
"That is because their cockpits will not be found on Shikine Island." C.C. answered calmly. "Their cockpits must have been sent off course by that airship's attack."
"So they're out in the ocean?" Ohgi asked, fearing for Kallen's life. "How can we find them?"
"The tracking device planted on Zero and Seizan." C.C. answered, calmly spinning an explanation to calm everyone down. "In the event any of us went missing we had transmitters placed on our bodies that are invisible to the naked eye. So as long as they are still alive the transmitters will work. In the event we do find them somewhere nearby, on the ocean or on land we will have to be careful. A contact of mine reported that Princess Cornelia and Euphemia are missing along with Suzaku Kururugi. The Britannians will be searching quite heavily for the missing princesses so even if we do locate Zero, Seizan, and Kallen it will have to be done stealthy."
"Cornelia and Euphemia? So who's in charge?" Ohgi questioned.
"The man in command of the airship, Prince Schneizel el Britannian." C.C. stated.
"Another one?" Tamaki exclaimed. "What's going on with all the royalties coming here?"
"Prince Schneizel coming here is a big concern, Shinryoku. His strategies have kept the E.U. from launching a counter attack against Britannia and as Prime Minister of Britannia he is above qualified to take over command of Area Eleven." Diethard Ried commented.
"Indeed, which is why for the time being we remain patient and wait. Zero and Seizan will not wait long before attempting to contact us but if we lead Schneizel to them we will endanger Zero and ourselves at the same time." C.C. replied.
"Understood." Todoh nodded.
"In the meantime I have to see if those transmitters still work." C.C. stood up. "Keep a low profile and see to the wounded. We're still in enemy territory. Dismissed."
Xxx
"I see. You don't know what happened either." Suzaku finished binding Kallen's wrists once she was properly clothed. "When you came to you found yourself on this island. Is that right?"
"So you're stranded here to, huh?" Kallen scoffed. "Serves you right. When my people get here you'll the one who's a prisoner."
"You mean Zero will come to save you?" Suzaku asked.
"Without a doubt." Kallen answered.
"Okay but before he does tell me one thing. Tell me who he really is." Suzaku stated.
Kallen looked away, having absolutely no intention of giving Zero's true identity away. The last thing they needed was the military showing up to Ashford Academy to arrest Lelouch and possibly Nunnally if she was suspected of being an accomplice. She had no doubt that everyone would find out she is a member of the Black Knights when they returned to Japan but she wouldn't sell out her comrades. That was something she learned from her brother and from Naruto. "Why don't you find out for yourself?"
"I see…You do know." Suzaku stated, causing Kallen's eyes to widen. "I knew it."
"You tricked me?" Kallen almost couldn't believe that Suzaku was able to trick her like this. The fact that a nice guy like Suzaku could be so devious was surprising but Kallen mentally slapped herself for foolishly letting her guard down.
"I considered the possibility that Seizan and the pilot of the green Knightmare knew what he looked like under the mask but I didn't think he'd show his face to you." Suzaku commented.
Kallen had to bite her lip as she knew that Lelouch didn't volunteer to reveal himself. Instead C.C. and Naruto told her everything when C.C. gave Kallen the power of Geass. She had considered using her Geass on him but the last thing she wanted was for Suzaku to discover her Geass when he already knew her affiliation with Black Knights. Unlike Lelouch's Geass Kallen's didn't cause any memory damage to anyone she paralyzed with her Absolute Vision and Suzaku would instantly realize that she had a power to paralyze anyone somehow.
'If worst comes to worst I'll have to kill Suzaku like Diethard suggested. I know he's your best friend, Lelouch but I can't let him find out about you or Naruto and C.C.' Kallen thought it over in her head. 'If I could only grab the kunai Naruto gave me. I wonder if he and Lelouch are on the island with us. We were all caught in the blast when that airship attacked so they could have somehow landed on this island with me and Suzaku.'
"I'm curious. Why do you follow Zero?" Suzaku continued.
"Figure it for yourself." Kallen spat as she looked down at the ground.
Xxx
Naruto for the most part was enjoying the peace and quiet that his time on this island was bringing. Considering everything he and the others had gone through in the last few weeks maybe it'll be like a vacation on this island.
'Cera knows where we are along with Sayoko-san and Rakshata-san but will hold off on rescuing us for a bit. That gives me time to get a better look into things with the Royal Family.'
'You want to see if you can convince Cornelia and Euphemia to join us?' Kurama asked.
'Or at least turn them against the Emperor.' Naruto replied. 'Hard to believe an asshole like him is the father of a nice girl like Euphemia or Nunnally.'
'But not surprising with Cornelia and Lelouch.' Kurama pointed out. 'This whole strong standing over the weak is too much like that asshole Madara's belief. At the very least it seems Lelouch has rejected this idea despite his skills and the way he acts.'
'Yeah…' Naruto trailed off.
'What is it, kit?' Kurama asked, sensing Naruto's emotions.
'It's nothing wrong, I just realized how much Lelouch reminds me of Sasuke.' Naruto replied.
'Hmm….' Kurama looked thoughtful at that. 'There are a few similarities.'
Like Sasuke Lelouch is driven to take revenge on the Royal Family for betraying him, his sister, and his mother but unlike Sasuke Lelouch didn't let revenge consume him. Naruto watched Lelouch ever since they had first met and while he admitted Lelouch was like Sasuke to a degree Lelouch genuinely bonded with the people at Ashford Academy and did see his subordinates as allies even if he did speak of them as chess pieces and he loved his little sister like no other. He was cold but he was never scowling all the time, never rude or condescending, and even chuckled or smiled at a random joke that was thrown by Rivalz or someone else.
'Of course Sasuke was more arrogant and wasn't as much as an ass as Lelouch is.' Kurama chuckled.
'Yeah, there is that.' Naruto snickered.
While similar Lelouch and Sasuke were both motivated by purely opposite reasons. Sasuke was motivated to avenge the death of his clan which had possibly changed the last time he saw Sasuke during Fourth Shinobi World War despite the fact that Sasuke had stated his intention was to become Hokage. On the other hand while Lelouch wished to avenge his mother's death but the core reason of his rebellion was his love for his little sister.
'I wonder if Sasuke would have been any different if he had a little sister when he was growing up. Would he have still left to go to Orochimaru for power or would he have stayed in Konoha to protect his little sister if he did have one? Would she have been like him or more like Nunnally?' Naruto mused before shaking his head. 'Okay, I am starting to over think this.'
As Naruto walked through the forest he could not help but think to the Old Man Sage's words that Madara had failed and wondered how things were back in the world he had come from.
'It's been a whole year since I ended up here and I still think about everyone from time to time.' Naruto pondered.
'Without us the Elemental Nations won't be able to create Jinchuuriki anymore so it's a start.' Matatabi added thoughtfully.
'Yeah, no one will be hated for containing you guys anymore.' Naruto nodded with a smile before stopping. 'She's near.'
Xxx
Lloyd Asplund sighed as he looked through the battle reports before looking at the battlefield in front of him. The battlefield was littered with craters, burnt trees that had been ripped out of the ground, and the burnt metallic remnants of broken Knightmare Frames from both sides. Luckily his precious Lancelot hadn't been one of them and Prince Schneizel had been lenient as his main focus was locating his two sisters.
And then there was the bonus.
"My goodness, a floating aircraft carrier!" Lloyd proclaimed as he walked into the hanger where the Lancelot was stored. "I thought you weren't going to make a prototype until we gathered more data."
Cecile thought Lloyd was talking to her until Prince Schneizel came out of the shadows behind Lloyd. "Because I'm extremely interested in whatever you create. I needed to see if it could be made for real."
"And the Hadron cannon?" Lloyd asked with a smile.
"We wanted to know if it worked." Schneizel answered, smiling back at Lloyd before looking at the speechless. "I have been looking forward to meeting you. I am-"
"Prince Schneizel?! Right here?!" Cecile blurted out.
"You impudent little-How dare you look down on the second Prince of the Empire?!" The man behind Schnelzel shouted.
It was none other than General Bartley who had regained his rank and status thanks to the Emperor and Prince Schneizel.
Cecile quickly stood up. "G-General Bartley-GAH!"
The sudden commotion caused Cecile to lose her footing and fall off the Lancelot and onto the floor.
"Nice one." Lloyd said as Cecile groaned and rubbed her behind.
"You're not injured I hope." Cecile looked and saw Prince Schneizel holding out his hand to help her up. "Yes, I am Prince Schneizel el Britannia. Please give me your hand."
Cecile was silent as Schneizel helped her onto her feet. "Bu-Yes."
"Uh…She's unworthy." Bartley whispered.
"General, you're quite a devoted subject aren't you?" Lloyd commented, earning a scowl from Bartley.
"Primarely because the Prince is the one who commuted my sentence and saved me from being chained up beneath temple tower." Bartley replied.
Prince Schneizel turned around. "I wish you'd stop thinking of me so formerly. You've been a great help to me in this current matter as you were to my brother Clovis. It is I who am grateful to you."
"My-My lord!" Bartley sputtered.
"Please Bartley." Schneizel turned back to Cecile. "Now, my lady Cecile if you'll excuse me."
Cecile blushed as Schneizel kissed her hand. "You-your highness."
"Farewell." Prince Schneizel stated as he turned away, leaving a blushing Cecile that earned a smirk from Lloyd.
"You can wait for me at the base, Cecile." Lloyd said.
"Huh? Where are you going?" Cecile asked.
"Just a little errand. In the meantime you can use the Avalon to look for Suzaku. It's hard to find a young man like that, especially after yesterday's exploits." Lloyd waved as Cecile as he left.
Cecile gasped. "Wait! Where those order yesterday given by the Prince?"
"Silence!" Bartley shouted as he looked over his shoulder. "You don't want to be found in contempt of royalty do you?"
Prince Schneizel turned around. "Those orders were mine, Miss Cecile. I also fired the Hadron. Even in a situation like that priorities mustn't be forgotten. Besides if something anomalous had happened we still wouldn't have been able to rescue him. This is what I gambled on. He is after all Suzaku Kururugi, ace pilot of the special corp and Euphie's knight."
"Yes my lord. I understand now." Cecile looked down at the ground to hide her disappointment. "And I sorely regret my rudeness. I accept any punishment you decree."
"Nonsense." Schneizel seemed to look sad. "It's my fault for not protecting my subordinates." He turned around but they could hear him whisper. "Can you ever forgive me?"
Cecile watched as they walked off, leaving her alone in the hanger.
Xxx
Princess Cornelia was on high alert as she searched the island for a suitable source of water as well as taking note of the wild life that inhabited this island that could be used for food.
Of course all of that was behind her number one objective: locating her little sister.
Euphie was no doubt on the island and she'd be helpless without Cornelia with her to keep her safe. There's no telling what kind of animal life is on this island and if there were any predators Euphie wouldn't stand a chance.
She needed to-
"Hi!"
Cornelia stopped and spun around, pointing her pistol at the person who spoke. "You!"
Naruto smirked under his mask at the glare Cornelia was giving him. 'Wow. Almost as fierce as Granny Tsunade.'
"This is your doing isn't it?! You're the reason I'm on this island!" Cornelia growled.
"What makes you so sure? As I recall it was the big ass ship firing down on us that caused us to be here. So really, you and the assholes on that ship are the ones who screwed up, psycho lady." Naruto retorted.
"How dare you?!" Cornelia's eyes blazed with violet fire. "How dare you talk to a Princess of Britannia like that you scum?!"
"Don't worry you'll get used to it. You're not the first lady I pissed off that was considered royalty." Naruto stepped to the side as Cornelia pulled the trigger, dodging the bullet that sailed past his head. "Wow. You remind me of someone I knew who had hair similar to yours and had a major temper. Of course she and someone else I knew both beat me down with their fists instead of using a gun."
"Perhaps I should try that method!" Cornelia shot at him again but Naruto dodged the bullet like the first one.
"It would make me remiss about the old days but then I would feel like an old man." Naruto sighed as he dodged another bullet. "How many bullets does that thing have?"
Cornelia growled as she pulled the trigger again but all that came out of the gun was a clicking sound.
"Okay that answered my question." Naruto said sheepishly.
"You've been hanging around that Cera woman for too long. You're starting to pick up her habits." Kurama snickered.
Cornelia growled as she tossed the gun aside and pulled out her sword. "As of now you are my prisoner. Surrender…or die."
"You don't waste time." Naruto didn't move an inch despite the sword pointed at his head. "You want me alive so I can talk about your siblings."
Cornelia narrowed her eyes. "So you do have them."
"I never said that so don't put words in my mouth. I never once said we had them. You don't listen well do you?" Naruto retorted.
"Where are they? What have you Elevens done with them?" Cornelia snarled. "Answer me!"
"For starters, referring to an oppressed people as a number instead of a name is not the best way to make friends and you'd really think we'd harm a kid and his little sister? I seem to recall that your bastard father, the Emperor, sent them here to die in the first place." Naruto retorted.
"Liar! He wouldn't have done that!" Cornelia shouted but her voice wavered slightly.
"Would he? Why send a little boy with his blind and crippled litter sister to a country that he invaded a few months later for the Sakuradite and then say they were dead without confirming it? Their bodies were never found, were they?" Naruto asked.
"They were probably burned!" Cornelia retorted.
"How can you deny your siblings being alive? I can tell just from looking at you that you love them, perhaps enough that you'd risk everything, even your status to protect them like a real older sister would." Naruto grunted.
"Don't you dare accuse me of not loving my little brother and sister!" Cornelia yelled. "I loved them as much as I love my full blooded sister! Their mother was more of a mother to me than my own mother!"
"You're talking about Marianne aren't you?" Naruto cut her off. "The woman who earned the title 'The Flash' because of her skills and how she was nothing but a commoner and yet she rose to the rank of Empress. You got to respect someone who came from no noble clans or royal bloodlines and earned her titles. The fact that she was murdered in what should have been the most secured places on Earth seems strange, almost as strange as sending a boy who just lost his mother along with his crippled and blinded sister to a foreign land. Even for a guy like me that just screams conspiracy and I don't usually pay attention to this kind of stuff."
"I'll say." The Biju inside Naruto's mind all said at once.
'Quiet you!'
"What are you saying?" Cornelia took a step forward as she prepared to attack.
"You consider yourself a smart woman don't you?" Naruto asked, making Cornelia stop. "Then put aside your bias towards me and all that numbers bullshit that was shoved into that pretty little head and actually analyze the situation!"
'I can't believe he just said that.' Kurama muttered.
'Will you knock it off?!' Naruto shouted, getting annoyed at all the jokes to his intelligence.
Sure he wasn't the sharpest kunai-
'I'd say you're even duller than a thousand year old kitchen rusted knife.' Shukaku laughed.
'I SAID KNOCK IT OFF!'
Cornelia narrowed her eyes but lowered her sword.
"The first thing you should know that is Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally, upon arriving to Japan, stated they were no longer apart of the Britannian Royal Family. They had no idea that their country planned to invade Japan until the sound of bombs being dropped by an aircraft flying over the shrine they were staying at and a loud boom that they heard in the direction of that shrine while they were on a hill, watching everything. So tell me, Princess Cornelia, if you and your family claim to love them so much why is that the very government you serve attempted to kill them if they are still royalty? Did they have any information that Britannia couldn't afford to lose? Is it because Lelouch abdicated his claim to the throne? Or was it because someone wanted him and Nunnally dead and arranged it in a way that would make everything think that the Japanese were responsible like how you thought terrorists were responsible for death of Empress Marianne vi Britannia?" Naruto continued on, watching Cornelia's eyes widen in shock and disbelief.
"You…you're saying…that whoever killed Lady Marianne…tried to kill Lelouch and Nunnally?" Cornelia stuttered.
"I'm just following what I learned. What happened to the Vi Britannia family suggests that someone wanted them dead and it started with Empress Marianne and tried to finish her children off here in this country. Fortunately as long his little sister needed him Lelouch vi Britannia would move Heaven and Earth itself to keep her safe." Naruto stated, knowing how much Lelouch loved his little sister.
Cornelia had no trouble believing that as she had grown up with her favourite half siblings and knew how close they were. So as long as Nunnally needed him Lelouch would have fought Death itself. "They really are…alive aren't they?" She knew it was a stupid question but she kept on trying to look for ways to disprove it as it went against everything she was to believe the word of a terrorist.
"Yes, they live and the one thing they want more than anything is this: a gentle world where they can live happily without all the violence their homeland preaches." Naruto stepped back. "As their sister, I'd have thought you'd want to grant that wish to them more than anyone."
Before Cornelia could respond Naruto vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving her alone as she fell onto her knees from whatever it was that made her feet weak.
'Lelouch…Nunnally…' Cornelia closed her eyes as tears threatened to stream down her cheeks like a waterfall. 'I'm so sorry.'
Xxx
"Are you sure that this will work?" Euphemia asked as Lelouch dug a hole. Her dress had finally dried up but she still kept Lelouch's cape as she watched.
"From the paw prints and droppings I can tell wild animals use this path." Lelouch grunted, using a log as a shovel. "I plan to set up a trap…Gah…That dates back to medieval times."
"Oh." Euphemia said as she watched on.
Xxx
"Gotcha!" Suzaku laughed as he caught a big fish.
"Oh wow. You're not bad at that." Kallen commented as Suzaku tossed the fish up to her.
"Do you want to try it too?" Suzaku asked, glancing at her from the water. "I'll tell you what; I'll cut you loose if you promise to help me find food. Is that a deal?"
Kallen looked away. "You're not going to win me over so why try? What do you take me for?"
"You're stubborn." Suzaku stated. "You're not anything like the way you are at school."
Xxx
Cornelia's makeshift spear had a dead rabbit at the end over a fire while Cornelia herself stared at the flame. The talk with Zero's knight left her silent but her mind was in overdrive from what she had learned.
'Did father really intend to kill Lelouch and Nunnally? I knew he was cruel, he sent them here to this blasted country in the first place and called off the investigation of Lady Marianne's death but would he really try to kill his own children?' The Second Princess contemplated.
Cornelia had been raised to show nothing but complete loyalty to Britannia and the Empire but the one thing she loved and would discard her loyalty for it was her family. Her sweet younger sister Euphie and the children of her idol, the boy who beat her at chess despite him being a little boy and his younger sister who was just as sweet and loving as Euphie, the siblings she would give her life to protect without a second thought.
'The one thing they want more than anything is this: a gentle world where they can live happily without all the violence their homeland preaches. As their sister, I'd have thought you'd want to grant that wish to them more than anyone.'
'A gentle world.' Cornelia thought with a small smile. 'That was always Euphie's wish but…I couldn't help her because father is too dangerous to cross. He'd have sent Euphemia away or married her off some noble in an instant if she stood up to his ideals.'
That didn't mean Cornelia didn't wish she could try and make that dream a reality but she was a soldier, she didn't know how she could even try.
Xxx
"Wow. This is a sight to see." Naruto laughed as he saw Lelouch kneeling down, gasping for breath. "Are you actually doing physical work?"
"Even using a lever…" Lelouch gasped.
"Why don't you let me help?" Euphemia asked.
"Manual labor…isn't…for a princess." Lelouch answered, sweat pouring down his face.
"Wow, you're stubborn. Was he always like this when he was little?" Naruto asked Euphie as he took his mask off.
Euphiemia chuckled. "Well I suppose we could go and search for some fruit."
"No need." Naruto spread out his cloak, revealing a handful of apples. "Who wants to eat?"
Euphemia smiled as she accepted an apple. "Thank you, Mr. Uzumaki."
"Just call me Naruto." Naruto replied as he sat down. "And I got good news. Cornelia's fine, a little cranky but otherwise fine. I didn't say anything about the two of you but I know she'll find us sooner or later."
"Thank you…Naruto." Euphemia said again. It would be awkward if Cornelia showed up and found out Lelouch was Zero.
"What about Kallen?" Lelouch asked.
"Oh knowing her she's entertaining Suzaku." Naruto answered with a chuckle.
Lelouch had to smirk at that, wondering how Suzaku was reacting to Kallen Kozuki.
Xxx
"Enemy battleship has passed."
"You've got to be kidding. A battleship that can hover in mid-air. That's great." Ohgi sighed.
"We can't remain in this area any longer. This risk is too great. We should pull out of here." Todoh stated.
"Hm-hm." Ohgi nodded.
"Ohgi, I disagree. We ought to stay and at least look for Zero." Diethard stated.
"He had a point." Ohgi admitted, despite Diethard's status as a Britannian.
"We can't send out a rescue party in this situation." Todoh replied. "Even though we're able to hide thanks to Rakshata there's no guarantee Zero, Kallen, or Seizan are still alive. One wrong step and we threaten the very existence of our organization."
"What do you mean it's entirely the other way around. This entire organization is built around Zero." Diethard argued.
"It's not a group without members." Todoh glared at the reporter. "The way you speak you sound like a typical Britannian to me."
"All right well answer me this: we have almost every ideology under the sun gathered here so how is it that they can work together and cooperate towards the same goal? Because of the results we get? Tell me who is it that gets us these results?" Diethard retorted.
Todoh banged his fist on the table. "I'll be the first to admit that he does but is he worth the lives of everyone?"
"At times the life of a single man are worth more than the lives of a million. I thought that would be common sense to a soldier." Diethard stood his ground.
"You dare say that here?" Todoh's eyes narrowed.
"Easy guys." Ohgi tried to calm them down.
"It seems I can't leave you all alone without starting a fight." Everyone stopped as they noticed C.C. in the room.
"Shinryoku-san." Ohgi whispered.
"I'll tell you that they are alive and they will not need our help to come back. But since we're on a time limit we'll give them until tomorrow before we head back to Japan. Zero wouldn't want us getting into trouble for his sake." C.C. announced before leaving the room.
"Sounds reasonable." Ohgi commented once she was gone.
Todoh nodded.
"It seems we have no choice." Even Diethard relented.
Xxx
"Honestly, Lelouch and Naruto have some never leaving me to deal with the children." C.C. mumbled. "Marianne's a special kind of observer to put me through this grief. And to top it all off she even sent Kallen to that island. Honestly, she is the most annoying woman I have ever met in my life and that's quite an accomplishment."
Xxx
"I can't eat another bite." Kallen smiled as she leaned back with her eyes closed. "Boy am I stuffed."
"So is this a glimpse of what you're really like?" Suzaku asked, finishing his fish.
"Yeah why? You want to make something of it?" Kallen cast an irritated eye at Suzaku.
"No, I think it's charming to see you so much livelier than you are at school."
Kallen gasped and looked away so Suzaku wouldn't see her blush.
Suzaku took on somber look as he put his fish down. "Kallen, leave the Black Knights." Kallen's eyes widened when she heard what Suzaku said. "It's not too late. A captured terrorist never winds up with a happy ending."
"I thought you weren't so bad and then you showed your true colors." Kallen straightened up. "Well that won't work. I happen to be the captain of Zero's elite guard and in fact I fought you in my Knightmare back at Narita."
"Are you that red one?" Suzaku asked surprised.
"Yeah and even if I lose my life doing it I'll beat that Knightmares of yours someday just like Seizan." Kallen continued.
Suzaku closed his eyes. "Using Zero's methods offers no future."
"And what about your future then? To just live the life of a conqueror subjugated lap dog? Honorary Britannian? Or to be the Knight of the Third Princess? Ha!" Kallen spat. "The name of Genbu Kururugi, the last Samurai weeps! I am not you, the world is wrong and I'm trying to change it! If I don't…If I don't my brother's death will have been for nothing. That's my reason for fighting and I'll do whatever it takes to win!"
Suzaku looked down at the fire. "Kallen…the truth is I killed my father."
Kallen stopped, rendered speechless by what she had heard.
"My father didn't commit suicide. I took his life." Suzaku held up his right hand. "With this hand."
Xxx
"The stars haven't changed have they?" Euphemia lied back on a makeshift bed that was Lelouch's cape. "They look the same as back then. Long ago we all used to gaze up at the stars together. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live like that again? I'd be so happy." Lelouch gazed sadly down at Euphemia. "Can't we go back to that time?"
Lelouch looked out to the ocean. "Yes you're right. It'd be so good to go back to how things were."
Xxx
"Zero is a lot like my father, he firmly believes that the entire world revolves around him. That's why he's able to justify spilling the blood of so many people." Suzaku stated.
"That's why you're set the way things are now? You call that peace? Some things are more important than your life you know?!" Kallen exclaimed.
"It isn't that I want you to give up. I just want you to ask if you gain the results the wrong way what are you left with in the end?" Suzaku asked. "The dark regret and emptiness with nowhere to go."
Kallen fell down onto the pillow made for her. "Then explain something, what higher purpose did the death of my brother serve?"
Suzaku's eyes widened.
"What about the people in Shinjuku? In Saitama? I was there and everything Seizan said was true. Britannia doesn't hold the people they conquer to the same standard as human lives. Who gets to sit in judgement? Who decides whether it's right or wrong?"
Suzaku didn't have an answer to those questions.
Xxx
"You two may have lost each other once but you found each other again and maybe that's a sign." Naruto spoke up, earning Euphie and Lelouch's attention. "Maybe the road to a better world starts with two siblings finding each other in aftermath of war and maybe they can make the decision no one else has to make. Isn't that what it means to be Zero, a Princess, or someone who simply wants to try end the cycle of hate?"
"Naruto…" Lelouch whispered.
The blond sighed and lied down. "Good night, Lelouch. We have a big day tomorrow."
Lelouch stared at Naruto for a moment. 'Naruto, the only person who knows you best is C.C. even though you're both different. Did you lose someone close to you too? Even for me to survive…'
Xxx
'Even struggling with my shame I still search for a reason to go on living. I'm a disgrace.' Suzaku had spotted the lights in the distance and knew someone was on the island. He should have gone to find it but he didn't move from his spot. Kallen was asleep and he was staring at the fire, not moving to find the source of the lights or wake up Kallen so he could take her with him.
Xxx
Contrary to popular belief Naruto didn't fall asleep that night as he was on high alert when he sensed life signatures nearby and spotted the same ship that had attacked them on Shikine Island landing deeper in the forest of the island they were on.
'Already? They don't waste time.' Naruto sighed as he made a hand sign. 'Mind Connection Jutsu!' He closed his eyes. 'Cera, can you hear me?'
'It's about time you talked to me, blondie. I've been stuck managing these kids here as they argue what to do next.' C.C.'s voice replied.
'Yeah well it's no picnic here either.' Naruto retorted.
'The dinner you had with Lelouch and Euphemia says otherwise. So are you only contacting me because of that airship?' C.C. asked.
'That and I want to confirm that the Thought Elevator that the Geass Directorate is on this island.' Naruto answered.
'So you remembered. Yes, a Thought Elevator is indeed on that island.' C.C. said, sounding impressed. 'So what's your plan?'
'Nothing for now. Right now we're working on getting off this island without showing Euphie any of our powers. That and I can't stand to separate her from Lelouch so soon.' Naruto glanced at the sleeping Euphemia.
'You big softie.' C.C. remarked with amusement.
"And you love me for it." Naruto smirked. 'Now listen up, I got a plan.'
'I'm all ears. I was getting bored anyways.'
Xxx
Cornelia had almost fallen asleep when a sudden flash made her look up, spotting lights in the distance. 'Those lights…It must be a search party!'
Shaking her head and standing up slowly Cornelia took off in the direction of the lights, realizing it must be Schneizel's airship that was nearby. It was the only ship that could make out here to this island without her knowing. She would have seen a boat coming miles away and with it being night the lights would have been seen off in the distance.
'With Schneizel's help I can find Euphie before anything bad happens to her.' Cornelia thought as she took off running. 'Hang on Euphie, I'll find you.'
Xxx
"We couldn't find Major Kururugi washed ashore on the other island so it's obvious we should look here." Prince Schneizel stated, gazing at the view screen of his airship calmly with Lloyd and Bartley flanking him on either side of his chair.
"I'll send a search party out in the morning." General Bartley stated.
"And this must be what you mentioned?" Schneizel looked at the screen.
"Yes, we uncovered it when the Shinjuku Incident occurred." Bartley answered.
"Yes I can see why this would have attracted Clovis's interest." Schneizel said, looking at the cave that looked like it was made by something tearing into the mountain.
Xxx
If the circumstances were any different Kallen wouldn't be following Suzaku towards the location of the lights that Suzaku had seen last night but she knew in her current state that she wouldn't be any match for Suzaku and she too stubborn to use her Geass.
"Are you sure you really saw a light?" Kallen asked, fumbling with her bonds.
"Yeah, I'm positive." Suzaku answered.
Either Suzaku was too trusting or Kallen was letting her guard down again but she had no plans to become a prisoner of Britannia.
Xxx
"Must be a search party." Lelouch mused as he, Euphemia and Naruto walked through the other end of the forest.
"Yeah and it's no doubt Britannian." Naruto answered. "If it was a ship or a sub we would have seen them in the direction of the beach. Oh, Kallen, Suzaku, and Cornelia are up ahead."
"Are you sure?" Lelouch stopped and looked at Naruto.
"Are you questioning me after all this time?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
"Fair enough." Lelouch relented as he pulled out his mask.
Naruto noticed Euphemia looking down at the ground with a sad look on her face. 'Oh boy. This is won't end well.'
"Lelouch, if it is a search party then will our time here be over?" Euphemia asked.
Lelouch looked over his shoulder with sadness in his eyes but he steeled himself. "Yes it will."
"For now." Naruto added.
"We're such undependable knights; we couldn't capture you any further." They both said at the same time and looked at each other with surprised looks on their faces.
"Did you read my mind?" Naruto asked.
"No. Did you read my mind?" Lelouch replied, remembering that one of Naruto's powers was reading minds.
"No."
Euphemia couldn't help but giggle.
"And besides, that's a job reserved for a real knight: your knight, Suzaku Kururugi." Lelouch stated, surprising Euphemia. "Mind if I ask you, why choose an Honorary Britannian as your knight?"
"Well I…" Euphemia trailed off.
'I think she has a crush on Suzaku. Yikes, pretty pink hair girl crushing on the knuckle head? This truly is a different world.' Kurama snickered.
Luckily for Euphemia a sound in the bushes caught their attention.
"They're here." Naruto quickly slipped on his mask.
Lelouch quickly pushed Euphemia into some bushes as he wrapped his cape around him and slipped his mask on. They spotted Suzaku coming out of the woods, followed by Kallen who had her arms tied behind her back.
'So they are together.' Lelouch thought.
"Suzaku!" Euphemia stood up and called out.
Kallen and Suzaku looked over to see Euphemia coming out of the woods.
"Princess Euphemia!" Suzaku gasped.
Lelouch leapt out of the woods and pulled out his handgun. "Don't move!" He grabbed Euphemia and pressed the gun against her head. "This girl is my prisoner!"
"Zero!" Kallen whispered.
"Just follow my cue." Lelouch whispered to the scared Euphemia who glanced at him. "I'll take back my subordinate you have there. We'll exchange prisoners."
Suzaku glared darkly. "Zero. Once again you-"
"Keep back!" Lelouch barked, not in the mood for Suzaku's antics. "Ha! You find my actions cowardly?"
Suzaku didn't answer but narrowed his eyes.
Lelouch chuckled. "Eliminate terrorists, no matter what the sacrifice. Would you really follow that rule and let your mistress die?"
As Lelouch and Suzaku stared each other down Kallen's slipped her bound hands down her feet so they were in front of her. She would have moved to attack Suzaku but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She spun around to see Naruto wearing his fox mask standing behind her. "Nar-Seizan!"
Suzaku looked over his shoulder and saw the masked man free Kallen's hands. "Seizan!"
"You're looking well, Kururugi, despite the fact that I kicked your ass again." Naruto remarked as Kallen ran forward and grabbed Suzaku.
"Leave him alone!" Euphemia shouted.
"Shut up you royal puppet! You're useless! You can't do anything on your own!" Kallen shouted.
"What?!" Euphemia's took on a dark and angry look.
'Wow, déjà vu again. Pink haired girl getting all angry with a scary look.' Naruto had to fight the urge to chuckle, now seeing a resemblance between Euphemia and Sakura.
"I'm not afraid of you and I don't care what happens to me. Suzaku, I command you to fight!" Euphemia shouted.
"With pleasure!" Suzaku broke free of Kallen's grip and lunged at Lelouch.
Lelouch released Kallen and jumped out of the way, standing next to Kallen and Naruto. "You hard headed fool!"
"I could say the same for you!" A voice shouted behind them.
Naruto swung out his sword and blocked another sword aimed at the back of Lelouch's head. "Hello, Cornelia!"
Cornelia glared darkly at the fox shaped mask as she grappled with him. "Using my sister as a hostage will you?!"
"Sister!" Euphemia called out.
What happened next surprised everyone as a flash of red light taking on the form of the Geass crest appeared underneath everyone. Lelouch and Kallen's Geass activated on their own while the Henge around Naruto's eyes faded, allowing the purple Geass crest in his Rinnegan to glow. The ground exploded and started sinking, pulling them down.
'This light, is it the work of the Thought Elevator?' Naruto looked at Lelouch and Kallen. 'It's affecting Lelouch and Kallen's Geass!'
They were brought down into a chamber in front of a large door and with strange symbols written on it.
"Major Kururugi! Princess Euphemia and Cornelia! And is that…" A voice trailed off. "Zero?!"
'Out of the frying pan and into the fire!' Naruto thought as the guards pointed their guns at him, Lelouch, and Kallen.
"Don't shoot you fools!" Bartley shouted. "Princess Euphemia and Cornelia are with them! Capture them! Capture them!"
"Want to bet?" Naruto asked as he threw several kunai that took out the guns aimed at them.
"Zero look!" Kallen pointed behind Lelouch. "That's a Knightmare over there!"
Lelouch looked over and spotted a gold and black Knightmare that was obviously a new model. "Perfect, we'll use that! Let's go!"
"Right!" Kallen zipped up her suit but spotted soldiers coming onto the platform.
"Don't worry about them! I got this!" Naruto said as he ran at the guards, slicing through their guns and taking them out with a few quick punches and kicks.
"You scum!" Cornelia slashed at Naruto with her rapier.
"You sure know how to sweet talk a guy, don't you?" Naruto joked as he pushed Cornelia back.
"Suzaku? Suzaku?" Euphemia couldn't tell what was wrong with her knight. He was just standing there with a shocked look on his face. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Lelouch landed in the cockpit of the gold and black Knightmare and looked at the controls. "This is good. Not only unmanned but activated too."
Kallen stole a gun from one of the downed soldiers and was holding back the enemy while Naruto and Cornelia slashed at each other.
"This is my lucky day." Lelouch chuckled as the Knightmare powered up but stopped when he saw Schneizel on the monitor. "Schneizel!"
Before he killed Clovis he used his Geass to interrogate Clovis on what he knew about the death of his mother and Clovis stated that Cornelia and Schneizel knew what happened.
"So that's him. That's Zero." Schneizel stated at the black and gold Knightmare started moving.
"Ah! The Gawain!" Lloyd exclaimed, not happy to be losing an advanced Knightmare.
Kallen and Naruto jumped onto the Gawain's shoulders, knowing it was time to leave.
"Stop them now! We have to get that machine back! We cannot allow it to fall into Zero's hands!" Bartley shouted.
Lelouch grunted."Schneizel, next time!" He grabbed the throttles for the wheelspinners and propelled the Gawain forward.
At the end of the tunnel they could see Sutherlands gathering, forming a blockade.
"Sutherlands are blocking are exit!" Kallen called.
"Hang on tight! I'm going through them!" Lelouch replied.
"Huh?!" Kallen and Naruto wondered what he meant.
The shoulder panels on the Gawain opened up and gathered bright red energy.
"Those look like the same weapons that were fired on us back at Shikine Island!" Naruto realized but his Rinnegan spotted energy fluctuations in the weapon. "Lelouch wait a second!"
"Disappear." Lelouch said as he pressed the firing button.
Naruto quickly grabbed Kallen as the weapons fired; firing red energy bolts that hit the ceiling, the walls, and the Sutherlands.
"Damn!" Lelouch pulled off his mask. "The weapons are incomplete!"
"You think?!" Lelouch heard Naruto shout.
The Gawain rolled out of the cave but they were not out of the woods as Kallen pointed out. "Zero, reinforcements!"
Naruto was ready to spring into action as the Sutherlands up ahead fired on them but stopped when he heard Lelouch. "Don't be worried yet. Another system is operational."
"Whoa!" Naruto could have sworn he saw energy wings like the ones on his and C.C.'s Knightmares but realized it wasn't the same even though the Gawain was now flying.
"We're flying?" Kallen gasped as the Gawain flew over the enemy army and into the sky. "This Knightmare can fly!"
Lelouch laughed loudly which unnerved Naruto a bit. 'Oh boy. Let's hope that's just an adrenaline rush.'
Xxx
"The Gawain." Bartley groaned as they watched the Knightmare vanish into the blue sky.
"Damn it. We had him!" Cornelia growled but sighed as she turned to Euphemia. "Euphie, are you all right?"
"I am fine, sister." Euphemia smiled at her and turned to Schneizel. "Schneizel, I missed you."
"Hello, Euphie, Cornelia, it's good to see you're both still with us." Schneizel said with a relieved smile. "I was worried you had both been captured or killed."
"Fortunately it seems fate had other ideas." Cornelia remarked. "Though, Zero now has a dangerous weapon in his hands."
"Well it was only a prototype and fortunately the weapon is not yet operational." Schneizel pointed out. "So we can be thankful for small favors."
Xxx
"I've contacted Ohgi; we'll rendezvous with them out at sea." Lelouch said through the speakers.
"Right and one other thing…The Guren Mk-II?" Kallen asked worriedly.
"It's back in the Ashford Weapon's factory thanks to some quick thinking from Naruto and Sayoko." Lelouch answered.
"That's good to hear." Kallen sighed.
"Lelouch, Kallen, when we get back we need to have C.C. look at your Geass." Naruto spoke up, earning their attention. "When that red light appeared before we ended up in those ruins both your Geass activated and I don't believe you did that on purpose."
"What?" Kallen instinctively put a hand over her left eye.
"You think it affected our Geass?" Lelouch asked with a frown.
"Those ruins have a special connection with the source of where Geass comes from. If it's done something to your Geass we need to check them over." Naruto looked at Kallen with his mask off, showing his Rinnegan. "I don't know what effect it might have had but I don't think it's a good idea for either of you to use your Geass until C.C. has a look at them."
"A special connection with the source of Geass?" Kallen questioned. "Those ruins, they have something to do with Geass."
"There are ruins like them all over the world but almost impossible to find. The fact that Britannia's found one makes me nervous. If the Emperor knows about them he's possibly looking for more like them and I'll bet my hard won Britannian money that it's not good." Naruto explained.
"Very well. We'll speak with C.C. about it when we get back." Lelouch replied after a second of silence. "The last thing we need at this point is the Emperor gaining a powerful weapon that has a connection with Geass."
*Chapter 21*: Chapter 21Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"So you say these ruins caused your Geass to react?" C.C. was hugging her Cheese-kun as she lounged on the bed of Lelouch's private quarters on the sub.
After Lelouch, Kallen, and Naruto rendezvoused with the rest of the Black Knights out at sea Rakshata quickly had her technicians looking over the Gawain while the three were in Lelouch's quarters, speaking with C.C. about what happened on the island.
"Do you know what those ruins are?" Kallen asked.
"Of course. They were built thousands of years ago by civilizations that worshiped Geass as the power of the Gods and powered by those who had a Code." C.C. clarified.
"So you and V.V. were the not the only immortals." Lelouch commented.
"Of course. The Code has been passed down to Geass Users for centuries but even then I don't know who exactly created the ruins. I do know however that they are powered by the thoughts and emotions of humanity itself." C.C. continued.
"How is that possible?" Kallen asked, trying to understand.
"They work in the same way Geass works upon awakening in someone. I know Naruto said these doors have a connection with the source of Geass." C.C. answered.
"And you know what the source of Geass is?" Lelouch questioned. "And did it affect us?"
"It possibly affected you and Kallen but I know Naruto is immune since his is already permanently activated. What you experienced was direct contact with the source and it's possible that it 'accelerated' the development of your Geass, meaning that both your Geass will become permanently active sooner." C.C. explained.
"You mean our Geass will be permanently active and we won't be able to turn them off?" Kallen questioned, a little fearful while Lelouch only frowned.
"It would have happened eventually; those ruins just simply accelerated the time table." C.C. shrugged.
"Did our Geass cause the ruins to react like that?" Lelouch asked.
"No. They can be activated by someone with a Code or the knowledge of how they work. It's obvious that someone, most likely V.V. was behind that." C.C. shook her head.
"The one who gave the Emperor his Geass." Lelouch stated. "Was he trying to capture us or was he trying to force our Geass to go rampant?"
"It was likely a combination of both. He was no doubt responsible for those advanced Knightmares that attacked us on Shikine Island." C.C. smirked slightly. "Charles won't be happy if V.V. went behind his back like this."
"You believe he wasn't under orders from the Emperor?" Kallen asked.
"V.V.'s often gone behind Charles's back on many occasions. Of course Charles is aware of this as V.V.'s not as subtle as he thinks but he's allowed that little shrimp to get away with it most of the time because it never interfered with their plans. Of course, V.V. will try and smooth talk his way out like he usually does and will likely back off if he thinks he's going too far." C.C. continued. "Of course that won't stop him from trying something else. He's too stubborn to give up and he'll do anything to please Charles."
"The way you speak, you make it sound like you've known both of them for a long time." Kallen commented.
"Because I did know them, at least I knew them through one of my previous contractors." C.C. didn't miss Lelouch's eye twitch, most likely because she didn't tell him that. "V.V. gained the power of Geass when he and Charles were children and gained a Code a year later. I made a contract with an associate of Charles at the time and from then on they were all together…at least until my contractor was killed and I left."
"And that's why they captured, isn't it? You know what they're planning and they didn't want you telling anyone." Lelouch stepped forward.
"Like I would tell anyone. The only person who knows is standing in this room with us." C.C. glanced at Naruto who hung back.
"You told him." Lelouch glanced at Naruto. "I shouldn't be surprised."
"And you're wrong when you said they didn't want me telling anyone. They wanted to convince me to come back to help them but I was only interested in having my wish fulfilled." C.C. retorted softly. "As for Charles and V.V. they have nothing I want and only care for the contract they made."
"And what is that contract?" Lelouch asked.
"…To recreate the world they want it." C.C. said as she lied down. "They resolved to change the world into something they believed was better."
"And for that they had to conquer Japan and all the other Areas?" Kallen scowled. "Is that why he invaded Japan?"
"In his mind, all the sacrifice justifies the new world he plans to make." C.C. simply stated.
"…Fine then." Lelouch stepped back. "Then I'll make sure the world the Emperor wishes to make never comes to pass."
Naruto and C.C. glanced at each other. 'There might be some hope for him yet.'
"It won't be easy even with the powers we've gained but if the Emperor wants to destroy the world and recreate anew in his image then I declare myself an enemy of that world and everything it stands for." Lelouch declared as he held up a hand and tightened it into a fist.
"Lelouch…" Kallen trailed off, surprised by what he had said.
"Sounds like fun." Naruto smirked. "Count me in."
"And what is your next move, oh great leader?" C.C. asked rhetorically with a smirk of her own.
"Hm. For now we return to Ashford Academy before we're missed. We need to lie low and wait to see the fall out of the duel." Lelouch answered. "It's possible that Suzaku's loss will affect moral and his standing."
Kallen's eyes widened. "Oh Suzaku! You guys won't believe what he told me last night."
"Hm?" The three looked at Kallen.
Xxx
"So you had their pilot captive but you couldn't force them to reveal anything about Zero?" Cornelia scowled at her sister's knight as he bowed his head. "That is unacceptable. We had Zero cornered and he slipped through our fingers."
"Sister," Euphemia stated but flinched when Cornelia scowled at her. "Viceroy, you cannot blame my knight for Zero escaping. It was a volatile situation and Suzaku rescued me when Zero used me as a hostage. And General Bartley ordered the soldiers not to shoot because he didn't want us to be harmed in the crossfire."
Cornelia didn't say anything, even though she knew Euphemia was right. As much she wanted to blame someone, i.e. Suzaku she knew that wasn't possible as both her sister and herself were witnesses to what had happened on the island. "Perhaps but we're still faced with the fact that Zero has gained a powerful new Knightmare that he stole from our brother. He's openly mocked the Royal Family with this new stunt and disgraced our brother Schneizel along with it. And let's not forget that his underling, Seizan defeated your knight in a duel just after you knighted him, this is a direct insult towards you."
Suzaku flinched but Euphemia stood her ground. "It was duel and no matter who won or lost I accepted the challenge. And even though Suzaku lost Zero still revealed to us what we wanted to know."
Cornelia's eyebrow twitched. "We'll discuss this later. Right now we need to return to Area Eleven and suppress all knowledge of the duel."
"Your Highness!" Guilford ran into the room and quickly straightened himself.
"What now Guilford?" Cornelia sighed.
"The enemy has destroyed the great bridge in Kyushu block." Guilford answered.
"What?" Cornelia's eyes went wide.
"They also cut off vehicle access in four other points. And a large number of assault craft are moving into the Genkai sea." Guilford continued.
"The Chinese Federation?" Cornelia asked. "But have they made a declaration of war?"
"No Highness, the craft are carrying the flag of Japan." Guilford answered, shocking everyone in the room.
'The flag of Japan?' Suzaku thought.
Xxx
The return to Ashford Academy had been quite for the four students due to the heavy news that almost each of them had given. C.C. explained that it was possible that Lelouch and Kallen's Geass may be in danger of becoming permanently active without them knowing it, making things harder for them if they couldn't control their own powers. Then there was the information Kallen had that she had learned from Suzaku during their time on the island.
'Suzaku killed his father.'
'It can't be. Suzaku killed his father? Kallen wouldn't lie about something like that but to really murder his own flesh and blood?' Lelouch thought as he slowly walked back to the clubhouse. 'I killed Clovis and that action haunted me despite my hatred for the Royal Family. But Suzaku, he carried around with him all these years. Is that what caused him to join the Britannian military? I still don't understand, he killed his father to stop the Japanese from being massacred but he's helping them oppress the Japanese all the same.'
Lelouch sighed as he simply walked up to the door and opened, stepping inside and a small smile appeared his face as he was actually to be home.
"Nunnally? Sayoko? I'm home." Lelouch called out.
"Big Brother!" Lelouch's smile widened as his little sister ran out and crashed into him, hugging him tightly. "I was worried something happened to you on your trip!"
"I'm okay, Nunnally. I was just delayed a little bit. Nothing happen while I was gone." Nunnally looked up at her brother's face with a relieved smile. "I'm so glad you're back."
"Glad to be back." Lelouch leaned down and kissed Nunnally on the forehead. "Want me to make lunch?"
"Oh yes! I've missed your cooking!" Nunnally exclaimed as she pulled Lelouch into the kitchen with Lelouch laughing all the way.
It was days like these that made Lelouch forget about the war and just let himself smile and be happy.
Xxx
"So Euphemia knows about Lelouch? Is he crazy for letting her go?" Kallen sat up on her bed.
Naruto was sitting cross legged on the ground while C.C. was lying on her back on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. "Don't worry, Kallen. Euphemia's not going to say anything. I sensed that much from her on the island. Plus he's her brother."
"How can you be so sure?" Kallen asked skeptically.
"The fact that Euphemia adored Lelouch since they were children. Besides, if Cornelia found out about you and Lelouch we would have known by now." C.C. closed her eyes. "Honestly, your paranoia is amusing but it's starting to get on my nerves."
Kallen glared at the green haired immortal. "Excuse me for being worried since you don't seem to be about your two contractors." She looked at Naruto. "How do you put up with her?"
Naruto shrugged. "She cares. She just likes to annoy everyone."
"Oh, Naruto, you say the sweetest things." C.C. rolled her eyes. "Now that we've established Cornelia is not busting down the doors what did you want to ask us?"
"I want you to train me." Kallen stated, earning stares from the two. "Even if I can't have the same powers as you two I know you're more skilled than I am and after Suzaku easily beat me on that island I need to get stronger."
Naruto and C.C. glanced at each other before looking at C.C. with mischievous looking smiles on their faces.
"Well, I suppose we can give you a few tips." C.C. commented.
"But it won't be easy." Naruto commented.
Kallen snorted. "I'm not afraid."
"Oh, you will be." C.C. stated as she stood up, her grin widening.
"You will be." Naruto chuckled evilly.
If Kallen had any idea what she was getting herself into she would have shouted at herself for making that request.
Xxx
Lightning flashed across the sky as ships bearing the flag of Japan sailed through the sea despite rough currents.
"We hereby declare the resurrection of Japan as a lawful independent and Sovereign nation!" A man stated, standing in front of an army of modified Knightmares.
The man was obviously of Japanese heritage, tall, thin, neatly combed black hair and wore a clean suit as he stated his intentions.
Xxx
"Chief Cabinet Military Advisor of the Kururugi Administration in the former nation of Japan. After the war he fled to the Chinese Federation but has apparently made his move now in response to the civil unrest caused by Zero. Whether the Black Knights have played a role in these turn of events is still under investigation."
"We're not part of it!" Tamaki exclaimed as the Black Knights listened in on the news report.
"What does Kyoto say about it?" Ohig looked to Diethard.
"They didn't know this was coming. They were just notified about it as claims of the Sakuradite mines." Diethard answered.
"Zero." Kallen looked to Lelouch. "It's our move, what are we going to do?"
No one but Lelouch, Naruto, and C.C. noticed that Kallen's eyes had been twitching and she had been struggling not to groan from how sore her muscles had been for the whole day. Naruto and C.C. had honored their promise to train Kallen and they had been ruthless. The training regiment had consisted of spars, dodging objects that really hurt when she had been hit because of how hard they were thrown, and forcing her to run in weight seals drawn onto her exercising clothes and Black Knights' uniform. Kallen would glare at C.C. and Naruto whenever she thought no one was looking, promising revenge on the both of them.
"Hm…" Lelouch remained silent before turning to C.C. "Shinryoku, Seizan, your thoughts?"
"It's painfully obvious that this crusade is a ploy by the Chinese Federation and they're using this Atsushi Sawasaki as a puppet to avoid a full declaration of war from Britannia. Even if he topples the government here he'd just be a puppet ruler while the Chinese Federation gains access to the Sakuradite." C.C. spoke up, sounding amused. "The question of involving us in the matter is a different matter. I doubt Sawasaki will allow us to operate as an independent organization."
"Our best bet is to hang back and let them and Britannia duke it out before we do anything." Naruto added.
"Agreed." Lelouch nodded. "There are too many variables for now."
Xxx
C.C. took the small slice of pizza out of the microwave and saw down on her bed next to her precious Cheese-Kun. As she devoured the cheesy food of the gods (if she said that out loud she and Naruto would get into another argument about pizza and ramen) she looked down at Naruto who was drawing seals on an empty scroll. "Again? You've been working on these seals for the last week. What are these seals supposed to do anyways?"
"Well if it works when I use them on someone with a Geass it'll seal that Geass." Naruto answered with a prideful smile.
C.C.'s eyes widened in interest. "Seal a Geass? That's what you've been working on?"
"I actually thought it up ever since you told me about the chance of a runaway Geass. Basically the seal is placed somewhere on the head, most likely the forehead. It emits a subtle chakra pulse through the brain that cancels out the Geass." Naruto explained as simply as he could.
"A subtle chakra pulse? Enough that it won't cause brain damage?" C.C. questioned.
"Duh. I know how dangerous that could be. The seal will have enough chakra to last for years but it'll emit a pulse low enough to travel through the brain without causing any damage." Naruto scoffed. He knew what he was doing.
"And since Geass is focused on the brain due to its mental powers I suppose that's why you place it on the forehead?" C.C. surmised with amusement in her voice.
"Where else would you put it?" Naruto shrugged.
"So you've not only made a seal to block Geass but one to cancel out a runaway Geass. I think you're a little paranoid of Geass, aren't you?" C.C. smirked.
"Well, considering it was Geass that made you immortal can you blame me?" Naruto retorted with a smirk as C.C. made a small scowl. "While an individual Geass is useless against us that doesn't mean there's nothing that can hurt us. I'm a Shinobi and a Shinobi's life is built from being paranoid of threats. Let's not forget that even if immortality is the only physical ability Geass has shown that doesn't mean it is the only one. Your Code made you immortal and allowed you to grant Geass before it gave us both the Rinnegan remember?"
"Then I suppose you're looking for a way to shut off our Rinnegan too?" C.C. surmised.
"I doubt this seal would be able to do that. I guess we need to learn how to properly control our Rinnegan before we can shut them off again. It's odd because even though we didn't gain it like anyone else did our bodies adapted to them and we could turn them off before they finally remained on. The only reason why I think we can't turn them off because they might still be evolving." Naruto surmised.
"Much like how Geass evolves with each use. Only our Rinnegan might still be growing stronger and we'll only be able to turn it off once it's fully evolved." C.C. caught on. "Any idea to support that conclusion?"
"Well Kurama and the other biju believe that when we gained the Rinnegan our chakra changed our bodies to adapt to our new powers. We've managed to control our chakra thanks to our chakra control exercises but we still have massive amounts of chakra that we haven't gained complete control and not to mention these eyes would be two powerful if they were somehow transplanted into someone else who didn't have enough stamina or vitality to handle them." Naruto surmised thoughtfully.
"So in other words until we've gained complete control of our chakra we won't be able to willfully deactivate our Rinnegan." C.C. finished her pizza. "Nice to see you've actually been thinking this through."
"I have more experience at this than you so I got an idea." Naruto retorted.
"So then do you plan to show this seal to Lelouch and Kallen?" C.C. changed the subject.
"Well if that V.V. brat did tamper with their Geass he's probably planning something. If we don't want something horrible happening we might have to seal their Geass." Naruto explained.
C.C. shrugged. "So as long as it doesn't blow in our faces I don't care."
"Yeah, I saw that coming." Naruto shook his head. "Don't you have any interest in seeing what you can do?"
"Just because you're not seeing me training doesn't mean I'm not. I just prefer to keep you guessing." C.C. smirked.
"What could you be doing? Using the Creation of All Things to make the world's giant pizza?" Naruto wondered.
C.C.'s eyes went so wide Naruto thought they were going to pop out of their sockets. "Why didn't I ever think of that?"
"Oh crap. Idiot!" Naruto realized his folly and shouted at himself.
'About time you admitted it.' Kurama snickered.
"I could have been training to make my own gigantic and delicious pizza this whole time." C.C. said like she was in a trance. "Pizza anywhere, anytime, and any size. No more waiting for a delivery, no more having to call a restaurant and having to pay…Any…Time…I…Want."
"Oh Kami, what have I done?" Naruto whispered in a horrified voice.
Xxx
"Sawaski's group is working in junction with the terrorist organization in Kyushu. After cutting off vehicle access Honshu and Shukoku and with support from some Chinese Federation forces they're expanding their occupation-"
"So," Lloyd tuned out the news when he Cecile behind him. "How is Suzaku doing?"
"He says that he'll do whatever the mission demands and Rai was no different." Cecile answered sadly.
"I see…" Lloyd commented thoughtfully.
"What about Prince Schneizel, where is he?" Cecile asked.
"In the Tokyo Settlement." Lloyd turned back to the view screen. "After that duel on Shikine Island and failure to capture Zero and prevent him from stealing the Gawain they are all out for blood. And Avalon doesn't have its commander right now but we have to finish this up if we want to counter the terrorists."
In the Avalon's hangar the Lancelot and the Club were being modified with the same flight mechanism that allowed the Gawain to fly.
Xxx
Suzaku looked down at his watch as he waited for his orders.
"Are you okay?" Rai asked, seeing the look on Suzaku's face.
"Hm? Oh I'm fine." Suzaku quickly answered, trying to cover up any feelings he might be showing.
"You've been sullen ever since you got back from the island. Is something wrong?" Rai asked.
"It's nothing." Suzaku said with a sad smile.
It was anything but nothing.
Xxx
Euphemia looked down at the badge she had given to Suzaku that showed his status as her knight.
"I've dishonored you. I'm not worthy to be your knight." Suzaku stated.
"If this is about failing to stop Zero from escaping my brother Schneizel said it was an unusual situation and you shouldn't be blamed for it." Euphemia stated.
"I can't forgive myself." Suzaku looked down at the ground. "Please."
"Has knighthood become a burden for you? Something that troubles you?" Euphemia questioned.
"No, I'm grateful for it."
"Then why?" Euphemia askd.
Suzaku's lips tightened as he looked down at the sword shaped badge. "I remembered something…"
"Huh?" Euphemia looked at Suzaku, trying to see what was bothering him.
"I…I killed my own father." Suzaku's answers made Euphemia's eyes widen and her body slightly trembled. "I was never punished for it. I just lived on like nothing happened. And right now I'm being protected again while soldiers die and Elevens suffer. I'm unscathed." Suzaku put the back in Euphemia's hands. "A person like me doesn't deserve this."
Xxx
Euphemia held that same badge in both of her hands as she remembered that conversation. "If you don't deserve then I don't either."
Xxx
"Princess Cornelia, we're taking too many losses. This tempest is preventing us from using our air power." Guilford stated, watching the battle alongside his princess and was racked with guilt and shame for how the battle was going. "We'll have to delay the landing operation until the weather changes."
Cornelia didn't say anything but she gritted her teeth in frustration.
Xxx
"It's a stroke of good fortune that this storm hit." General Zhou, a high ranking representative of the Chinese Federation stated as he and Sawaski observed the battle. "We must use it to tighten our grip on Kyushu."
"You see, General Zhou? Heaven is on our side, we are going to prevail in this battle with ease." Sawaski stated with a confident smile.
Xxx
"Marshal law is not necessary. Such measures would only upset and frighten people. Contact EU foreign minister Gandalfy. Oh and put a call to the Totemoi Agency in Cambodia." Prince Schneizel stated, taking charge of the government in the Tokyo Settlement.
"Prince Schneizel, using the Totemoi Agency could-" Before Darlton could get any further the doors opened up, allowing Euphemia to enter the room.
"Prime Minister." Euphemia stated.
"Yes, Euphie?" Schneizel smiled as the generals parted, allowing Euphemia to walk past them. "Is something wrong?"
"Is there anything I can do to help? I'm the Sub-Viceroy of Area Eleven, I should be assisting you." Euphemia said.
"Thank you, just your offer to help me more than enough." Schneizel smiled at his sister's willingness to help.
"But I…" Euphemia trailed off.
"The Viceroy gave strict orders that you not be entangled in this matter, Princess." Darlton stated.
"She did?" Euphemia asked with a saddened face. "Just because I chose my knight without her consent?"
"Oh…Uh…No that's not correct." Darlton answered but he didn't sound very convinced. "I think even the Kururugi matter-"
"Please." Schneizel spoke up. "You must understand Euphie, Cornelia can't take any chances right now. The situation is too treacherous."
Euphemia was trying not to show how upset she was with the current events. Suzaku turning down his knighthood and now she was being placed on the sidelines, again. "You mean…"
"Darlton, concerning the matter we were discussing I know someone who has a way in with them. I ask for help." Schneizel continued.
"Yes, your Highness." Darlton stated.
Xxx
"After all our hard work getting ready it looks like they are going to cancel the school festival." Shirley sadly said as she, Rivalz, and Milly looked over the paperwork in the School Club Meeting room.
"That's hardly a huge consideration since we're at war." Rivalz said, typing away on the computer.
"Did you say work?" Nina looked at Rivalz.
"They're using this government in exile as a smokescreen." Milly looked over her shoulder as Rivalz explained. "But this is a war with the Chinese Federation."
"Oh I see." Nina said.
Putting the paper down and adopting a smile Milly changed the subject. "Nina, what about the booth we were planning to burrow from the art museum?"
Nina looked at Milly. "Uh, I'm going there today. If I have some extra time I'd also like to drop into the science department."
"Are you talking about that present of yours?" Milly asked with resigned look on her face.
"Uh? What present is that?" Rivalz looked up from his computer.
"Professor Asplund said that I should ask if there is something special that I wanted." Nina answered with a small smile.
"You mean Lloyd?! That floundering playboy!" Rivalz exclaimed.
"That's enough!" Milly said sternly. "Could you get a little work down?"
"Easy for you to say, this is work for three people. Suzaku's in the army, Kallen's in the hospital, Naruto and Tsunade are out on a trip with Tsunade's mom, and that other fool's nowhere to be found!" Rivalz complained, annoyed to be left with all the work. "There's something really weird about Lelouch lately."
Xxx
Contrary to what Naruto had believed C.C. had indeed been training to gain proper control of her Rinnegan ever since they had started training together in India. Though eventually C.C. branched off to experiment with her powers and see what she could do since she knew that Naruto did not have a full grasp on the Rinnegan's true powers. So far she had learned she could do any elemental jutsu and thanks to the Biju inside Naruto she had an extensive knowledge of element and sub-element jutsu, she was able to use Rasengan thanks to Naruto teaching her and she expanded on that by fusing it with various chakra natures, and she had mastered the Six Paths Techniques. Now she was working on a small discovery she had made a few months ago.
'Okay, concentrate.' C.C. looked at the log she had found and placed a few feet away.
She found a private spot in the forest around Ashford Academy to train and made sure no one would accidently come upon while she was training. The log suddenly began to stretch and distort itself before vanishing right before C.C.'s ringed eyes.
"Hm…So it is possible. Interesting…" C.C. smirked victoriously. "So the Rinnegan is even capable of Time-Space Manipulation. Now before I take it any further…" She placed her hand down on a patch of dirt that she made when she dug a hole and placed a small plant seed in. She channeled her chakra into the ground and a moment later a small plant slowly sprouted from the ground. "It can even grow plants…Like that Mokuton power that Naruto told me about."
C.C. had been going over what Naruto had told her of the most powerful shinobi he had fought in his world and she had wondered if the Rinnegan would allow her to copy these powers. The first she wanted to try was the Time-Space technique called Kamui used by Obito Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake and the second was the Mokuton of the First Hokage. She had surmised it was possible that with her Code's link to C's World fused with the Rinnegan it was possible she could develop a variation of this technique and the Mokuton came second because even though it was unique to only the First Hokage the Rinnegan must be able to allow her to use it since it granted it's wielder control of all nature manipulations.
"Too bad that's about all I can do. I heard the First Hokage could create an entire forest and village with his power. But I suppose it's a start. Now to see if I can use this Kamui on…myself." C.C. concentrated her chakra around herself, channeling it through her eyes.
If anyone was watching they would have seen C.C. vanish into thin air.
Xxx
When C.C. opened her eyes she found herself looking at a bright blue sky, completely clear and she was standing on one of many platforms right next to the log she had used Kamui on.
"So it works. I really can send things to an alternate dimension. My own personal little dimension… I think instead of Kamui I'll call it...Takamagahara(Plain of High Heaven). " C.C. smiled at the implications. "This is beyond anything I could have imagined. Is this the kind of power the Sage of the Six Paths wielded in his time? Is the Code really the final evolution of Geass or is there more to it than that?" Ever since Naruto came into her life her world had been completely turned upside down and that's saying a lot for a woman who's lived for centuries. The only difference was that Naruto gave her the strength to become something better than she was and allowed her to alter her long meaningless life into something that gave her hope. "It's kind of bland." C.C. commented, imagining the place looking a little nicer. Suddenly the white blocks shifted, changed color until a nice looking house on a platform floated in front of a shocked C.C.
'I wonder what else I can do.' C.C. wondered and suddenly the Geass crest in her eyes flashed. C.C. gasped in shock as a small orb appeared in front of her and in it appeared Ashford Academy. "What the-"
The orb showed Milly, Rivalz, Nina, and Shirley in the Student Council room, talking even though C.C. couldn't hear them.
"I can see anything going on outside this dimension?" C.C asked with widened eyes. "Or maybe I can only see things what I'm thinking about."
The orb's image changed to show a Pizza Hut restaurant.
"Now things are really getting interesting." C.C. smirked. "So I can see events happening outside of my own dimension. This is good to know. I wonder what training Naruto was doing."
The orb's image changed due to C.C. thinking of Naruto and when she saw him she knew it wasn't training.
"You…little…bastard." C.C.'s eye twitched.
Xxx
"ACHOO!" Naruto sneezed as he sat up from the towel he was on. "That was random."
'Someone thinking about you?' Gyuki asked.
"Probably." Naruto lied back down on the towel.
The place Naruto happened to be at was a beach on Kamine Island and right now he was working on his tan in only his swimming trunks.
"I wonder if my dad ever thought of using Hiraishin like this." Naruto muttered.
'Your mother would have kicked his ass for not bringing her along.' Kurama snickered. 'Kind of like you.'
'What about me?' Naruto wondered but a voice answered his question a second later.
"Hello Naruto."
Naruto's eyes shot open to see C.C. standing above him, looking calm but her Rinnegan was glaring down at him. "Oh…Cera…Hi."
"Nice little spot you've found." C.C. commented, taking in the warm beach with the clear blue sky without anyone around to bother them. "You had all this and you were planning to invite me along…right?"
Naruto sweated as he swore he saw the Shinigami hovering behind C.C. "Of-Of course, Cera-chan! I wouldn't leave you behind."
"Good." Cera said as she started taking off her school uniform. "You can start by giving me a massage and it better be good."
"You got it!" Naruto quickly said to save his ass as C.C. lied face down on Naruto's towel after taking her shirt off.
'Whipped.' Kurama chuckled along with the other Biju.
'Shut up.' Naruto grumbled as he put his hands on C.C.'s shoulders, massaging her muscles and hearing the pleased sound from her meaning he might get away with his skin intact.
Xxx
"Z01-Float Attachment Connect. Z02- Float Attachment Connect." A voice announced as the Float Unit was connected to the Lancelot's back with Club being next. "Control and establish. Avionics-"
Cecile looked over the Lancelot and Club's systems. "It's really amazing. You two got a perfect reading on the float simulators."
"Thank you." Suzaku answered.
"Tell me, why did you give up being a knight, Suzaku?" Cecile asked.
In the Lancelot's cockpit Suzaku looked down at his console. "Well because…Princess Euphemia still approves of me, even though I lost the duel with Seizan. So if I caused her any trouble, if I brought her dishonor or shame I had a feeling she would end up…hating herself."
Xxx
'A figure head…That's all I was from the start.' Euphemia stared at the picture of her dead half brother Clovis in the museum. 'I knew that but I thought if I gave my best efforts maybe I could make some difference. Forgive me, Clovis. I met Zero face to face but I didn't avenge your death. I have to think of some way to save Lelouch and Nunnally, but how? I don't have the kind of power that my sister has. I'm not like her or Schneizel. No matter where I go I'm just a burden and I act selfishly though I don't mean to. I chose my knight against my sister's advice.' Tears started to fall from Euphemia's eyes. "And now he's resigned."
"Lost in thought Euphie?" Euphemia gasped as she turned around and saw her younger brother, Castor walking up to her. "Castor, you are still here?"
"With this new government in exile business Schneizel has asked me to remain in Area Eleven until the matter is cleared up." Castor explained as he looked at the picture of Clovis. "It seems to catch our big brother perfectly, don't you think?"
"Yes, I guess." Euphemia looked back at the painting.
"If it makes you feel any better neither Schneizel or Cornelia asked for my input, they just asked me to stand aside to let them solve the matter. So like them isn't it?" Castor asked with a sigh but smiled. "All well, at the very least I can take a break. This is starting to get a little tiring."
"Tiring?" Euphemia asked.
"First there is the matter of Zero, then the duel with possible information about our lost siblings Lelouch and Nunnally, and now this." Castor explained. "I don't know about you but I could use a vacation. Wouldn't you?"
"Oh…." Euphemia trailed off.
Xxx
"Oh yeah, they told me about you." A guard said at the entrance. "You need to get the document signed today, right? But a member of the Royal Family is viewing the art right now."
"Huh? Which member is it?" Nina Einstein asked.
Xxx
Lelouch stared at the Black Knights gathered before him in the conference room. Naruto and C.C. had stepped out for the moment but it was fine. He had the tri-pronged kunai Naruto gave him so if there was an emergency he could summon them both when he had the chance.
"Uh, so you're saying…" Tamaki trailed off.
"We aren't going to collaborate with Sawasaki. He's not independent, he's a puppet of the Chinese Federation." Lelouch stated.
"But he says he's fighting for Japan."
"We'd get a new name and a new master but nothing would change." Lelouch levelled his head. "His Japan is a sham."
"Yeah, so what you're really saying is…" Asahina started.
"That when Britannia strikes back we play dead?" Urabe finished.
"Zero." Diethard looked over at the masked leader. "Perhaps you better clarify what our overall mission is."
"Yeah, he's right. Leaving aside the Sawsaki matter what's our long term goal in this?" Ohgi asked as he and Todoh looked at Lelouch.
"To make Tokyo an independent nation." Lelouch answered, drawing gasps from everyone in the room.
"Independent?!" Kallen's eyes went wide as she stared at Lelouch.
"A nation?!" Asahina exclaimed.
"Are you serious?!"
"You mean us?!"
"An independent country?!"
Diethard's eyes seemed to water as an awe-struck smile appeared on his face. "I thought so…He's really going all the way!"
"Wait a minute!" Ohgi stepped forward. "No matter how much the Black Knights have expanded-"
"Our enemy is an empire that controls one third of the world." Chiba finished.
"We can't pull that off alone!" Tamaki stepped forward.
"Then answer this, are you going to sit back and wait for someone else to defeat Britannia?" Lelouch boldly asked. "Who? You think if you wait long enough someday the right chance will finally come? Don't be naïve! If we don't stand up and do it ourselves that someday will never come!"
Xxx
The moon shined bright in the night sky as storm clouds scattered.
"Good, it's cleared up." Cornelia stated.
"We can resume the landing operation and we'll try to put Prince Schneizal's plan into action." Guilford said.
"You really think the Special Corp can break through their line?" Cornelia asked, her feelings on Suzaku Kururugi remaining skeptical as always.
"It's Kururugi, it's possible." Guilford replied.
"Hmph." Cornelia huffed. "Using him can also mean trouble."
"But there's no commander on the Avalon now. Earl Asplund isn't capable." Guilford pointed out.
Xxx
"Incoming missiles. Appears to be coming from Fukuka base! One minute, five seconds to impact!"
"Not bad, they're well prepared against air raids as well." Lloyd commented, despite the fact that he was on the ship that was targeted.
Xxx
The Lancelot and the Club were moved into launching position.
"Are they sending up a barrage?" Suzaku asked.
"We'll be fine in this position." Cecile answered.
Xxx
The missiles came through the clouds and engulfed the Avalon in a series of explosions.
Xxx
"Direct hit confirmed. The Avalon is destroyed!"
"Hmph! Even if it is state of the art a single ship can't possibly hurt us." Sawasaki said with a smirk that faded a second later. "Hm? What the?"
The radar screen showed the Avalon was still approaching.
Xxx
Up in the sky the Avalon emerged from the smoke without a single scratch.
"Lancelot's shields have already proved on the battlefield." Lloyd remarked with a satisfied grin.
"Major Kururugi, Rai, I'm laying out the mission plan for final verification. This ship will breach the enemy line from high altitude and move directly to the launch point. The advance weapon systems Z01-Lancelot and the Z02-Lancelot Club, using the Float Unit will attack the enemy headquarters at Fukuka base. The Float Unit consumes energy fast so pay attention to your operation time." Cecile stated.
Xxx
In the hangar the Lancelot and the Club both stood ready to launch.
"Yes." Suzaku gripped the throttles in his cockpit. "My Lord. M.E. boost."
Xxx
"Lancelot and Club unit, now launching!" Cecile stated.
Xxx
The two Knightmares wheeled down the launching system and shot off the ramp of the Avalon. The Flight Units on their back folded out, resembling the Gawain's flight system while rocket boosters propelled them towards the enemy base.
"So it works!" Rai exclaimed in awe.
Suzaku stayed silent, focusing on the mission.
Xxx
"The enemy ship seems to have launched two bombers but they are moving faster than a fighter plane!"
"I have a picture."
An image of the Lancelot and the Club appeared on the screen, earning gasps from the command center.
"Two Knightmares, they're not being transported they're just flying on their own." Sawasaki realized. "That weapon's report we got, could this be it?"
"You mean that novelty weapon?" General Zhou asked. "Then that means the pilot of the white and gold Knightmare is-"
Xxx
"The military force that's trying to occupy the Kyushu block is fighting under Minister Atsushi Sawasaki. If they lose him then the Japanese Government will collapse very quickly, in that case the Chinese Federation will lose their excuse for being here and have to withdraw." Lloyd stated as he watched the battle.
The Lancelot and Club avoided the missiles being fired and took out the air craft with their Slash Harkens in a cunning display of speed and resourcefulness.
"There it is…" Suzaku spotted the enemy base as he blocked an attack from another aircraft with his Blaze Luminous. "The enemy headquarters."
A beeping sound caught his attention.
"An open channel?" Suzaku muttered as the screen showed Sawaski.
"This is Minister Sawasaki, is that Prime Minister Kururugi's son in the pilot seat of the white and gold Knightmare?" Sawasaki asked but got no answer. "I see. I didn't know he had a son like you."
Xxx
"Wow, so you can mimic Obito's Kamui too?" Naruto asked, looking around C.C.'s personal dimension in awe.
"Yes but I call it Takamagahara." C.C. answered with a satisfied smile.
"Seems more appropriate. And you can even see things happening outside of this dimension. How is that possible?" Naruto asked.
"It's possibly my link to C's World. I know that C's World can be used to monitor and sense those with Geass and Codes but when our powers merged I believe that ability was upgraded. Instead now, I can combine the power of that Kamui ability with my Code's link to C's World and thus I gain a personal dimension and the same power of viewing events through C's World." C.C. explained as she created a small orb showing Ashford Academy. "Only I can see more than just people connected to Geass. It's almost like Earth and C's World were combined through our link."
"Earth and Heaven, that's one hell of a metaphor." Naruto chuckled. "So can we use to watch something else?"
"Like the battle going in Kyushu?" C.C. asked as another orb appeared.
"We've been gone a little too long, Cera. We need to catch up on current events." Naruto explained.
"Fine, I've had fun for today anyways." C.C. shrugged.
Xxx
"This has nothing to do with my father. I came here to stop this fighting. I will accept your surrender." Suzaku said as he landed the Lancelot with Rai landing the Club behind him.
"You want to rob Japan of its dream of freedom?" Sawasaki asked.
"Freedom has to come the right way not like this." Suzaku replied.
"You act out of selfishness? It's justice without ideology." Sawasaki retorted.
"No, you're wrong! That's not what I-" Suzaku was cut off as something exploded very close to the Lancelot.
"Suzaku!" Rai shouted as he activated his Blaze Luminous.
The VARIS rifle fell out of the Lancelot's hand and was destroyed a second later as Knightmares moved out and attacked.
"My VARIS…" Suzaku grunted as he looked at the Knightmares. "These are Chinese Federation Gun-Ruse!"
Xxx
Sawasaki chuckled. "He allowed me to distract him, he still has much to learn."
Xxx
Suzaku grunted the Blaze Luminous on the Lancelot's left arm exploded along with his Float Unit as he and Rai took cover but that was not the worst of his problems. "My energy filler!"
Xxx
"Are you kidding?!" Lloyd exclaimed, turning to Cecile. "They blasted off the float!"
"The Avalon has to strike at the base!" Cecile said urgently.
"No, the shield doesn't completely surround us! One direct hit and we'll go down in flames!" Lloyd was freaking out now.
"Suzaku, reroute all power to combat and comm systems!" Cecile looked down at her console. "You too, Rai!"
Xxx
"Got it!" Suzaku and Rai quickly tried to carry out Cecile's orders and the factspheres on the Lancelot and Club chut down.
"You had better surrender, Suzaku. Since you're Prime Minister Kururugi's son I guarantee you will be very well treated my boy." Sawasaki stated.
"I decline. If I used my father's name for this I'd never forgive myself. This is between you and me." Suzaku retorted as he and Rai were surrounded.
"I see…You are very much your father's son, as foolish and stubborn as he was."
"Suzaku Kururugi!" A voice made Suzaku's eyes widen as he looked up and saw…
"Princess Euphemia!" Suzaku gasped.
"Suzaku, the truth is you and I…Well…" Euphemia trailed off.
"Sorry." Suzaku wheeled the Lancelot out and attacked the enemy. "But right now…"
"You see…I hereby command you to love me!" Euphemia shouted.
"Right…Huh?!" Suzaku stopped upon realizing what Euphemia had said.
Xxx
"Huh?" Cecile heard what was said.
"What? What is it?!" Lloyd asked anxiously.
"Uh…Sorry but this is private." Cecile said as she took off her headpiece.
Xxx
"And in return I will love you forever!" Euphemia continued.
"Princess Euphemia…" Suzaku whispered.
"Suzaku, I love your stubbornness and your kindness and your strength." Euphemia continued as Suzaku pierced a Gun-Ruse.
'Should I turn off my comm. system?' Rai wondered.
"Your sad eyes, your clumsiness, and the way you have trouble with cats. I love everything about you!" Suzaku kept on fighting as he listened to Euphemia. "So please don't hate yourself!"
Suzaku's eyes widened before he smiled. "I see that I have made you even more worried than I did before. You really are-"
The Lancelot whipped its slash harken out and knocked several Gun-Rues down.
"Everything you do is impulsive. When we first met, when you told me you were a princess, when you selected my school, when you made me a knight…Always."
"Yes, they were all sudden but that's because…I suddenly realized."
"But then it's that spur of the moment thing that's open so many doors for me." Suzaku wheeled the Lancelot towards the enemy command center. "Thank you."
Xxx
"What are you doing?! Stop him now!" Sawasaki shouted.
Xxx
Suzaku opened his eyes. "Princess, can I make one final request?"
"Final?"
The last line of defense prepared to attack the Lancelot while Rai quickly wheeled the Club after Suzaku.
"If something happens to me, please no matter I do please don't blame yourself." Suzaku stated. "Destroy all the records and erase every trace so no one knows what happened to me."
The Lancelot wheeled down a pair of walls with one leg on both walls and leapt out to attack the enemy army.
"I don't want my friends to be sad. Just tell them I transferred to another school or make up some story…"
"Suzaku, don't tell me you're-"
"Yes." Suzaku said, even though Rai was right next to him. "The Knightmares are out of energy."
Both of the Knightmares were low on energy, they would not last long against overwhelming numbers like this.
"Oh and please say good bye to Miss Cecile and Lloyd and Prince Schniezel for me. I was stubborn all the way to the end." Suzaku said sadly.
"Don't die, Suzaku! You've got to live!" Euphemia screamed.
Xxx
"And fire!" Sawasaki shouted.
Xxx
However before Sawaski's forces could attack a burst of snow and ice came down from the sky and hit the enemy forces, freezing them and their pilots instantly.
"Uh?" Suzaku and Rai gasped.
Xxx
"What was that?" Sawasaki shouted.
Xxx
Out of the frozen mist appeared a strange shape and was distorted by blue electricity that solidified into a Knightmare.
"No doubt, Suzaku and Rai were following orders from someone to act as bait to allow Cornelia to attack. Schneizel is this your doing." Lelouch wondered as the Arashikage faced the Lancelot. "Kururugi, is your Knightmare still operational?"
"Zero." Suzaku frowned.
Xxx
"It's Zero?" Sawasaki gasped as he stepped back.
"is that an open channel?" General Zhou asked.
"Yes."
"Then stay with that source and find out what he's after!"
Xxx
The Arashikage held out one hand and in it was an energy filler.
"An Energy filler?" Suzaku asked, confused.
"I'm going to take out the enemy command center. What will you do?" Lelouch asked calmly.
Xxx
"What?!" Sawasaki shouted.
Xxx
Suzaku stared at Zero's Knightmare, both opponents silent before Suzaku smiled and took one energy filler. "Sorry, Zero. But you're not going to get your wish. I'm going to hit them first, my way."
The Lancelot loaded the energy filler in, recharging itself.
Xxx
"Kururugi's Knightmare is named the Lancelot and he's fighting just as recklessly as the real Lancelot did." C.C. commented with an amused look on her face.
"That's why Lelouch went to help them." Naruto replied with a smile. "No matter what Lelouch says or does his friends and family will always be the first ones who matter to him."
Xxx
The Lancelot wheeled forward while the Arashikage activated its hover jets on its back and the ones on the back of its feet, taking off into the air and following Suzaku.
'Zero and Suzaku, working together.' Rai whispered.
Xxx
"Resume attack! Stop them!" Sawasaki shouted. "Stop Kururugi and Zero!"
Xxx
Suzaku slashed through the multiple Knightmares, the Lancelot moving too fast for anyone to react while Lelouch activated the Bolt mode on the Arashikage's Element system and took out the enemy tanks. Lelouch then switched to Torch mode and burned a whole into the command center.
"Zero, shouldn't we be working together as comrades? Don't you care for Japan?" Sawasaki asked.
"The Black Knights stand against anyone who uses violence unjustly for their own selfish ends." Lelouch answered.
"Selfish?! I'm doing this for Japan!"
"Sawasaki, if this is for Japan why'd you run away to the Chinese Federation? You should have stayed for everyone's sake." Suzaku asked.
"You're still a child!" Sawasaki shouted.
The Lancelot wheeled into the whole followed by the Arashikage.
Xxx
"A joint operation…Arashikage." Rakshata said with a smile.
Xxx
"Lancelot…" Lloyd mumbled.
Xxx
"So Suzaku and Lelouch are…" Euphemia whispered with a happy smile.
Xxx
"What?!" Cornelia exclaimed as she speared an enemy Knightmare. "Zero?!"
"Yes, he saved Kururugi." Guilford answered.
"Fighting on our side, what the hell is he thinking?" Cornelia scowled.
Xxx
"So his tactic was to bring the Arashikage alone to slip past the Britannians." Diethard said as he and the rest of the Black Knights watched the battle. "That was brilliant."
"Maybe but the Guren Mk-II could have acted as a shield for them. It's not like I can go home or back to school at this point…After all our battles to be working with the Lancelot is…" Kallen stared down at the floor.
"What's necessary here is not victory." Diethard replied, making Kallen look at him. "The Black Knights' participation in this battle is an undeniable truth. Of course it will never be officially reported but the rumors will spread and everyone will know what happened here. As Zero said this will show the world exactly where we stand. Protecting the nation is our first commitment."
Xxx
Naruto and C.C. watched as Lelouch and Suzaku captured Sawasaki before Lelouch disappeared with the Arashikage's Mirage system.
"And so, Lelouch once again stands by his friend while hiding behind the moniker of justice." C.C. remarked as the orb vanished.
"Maybe but he did a good thing today and he saved not only a friend but he proved how far he'll go." Naruto remarked as they vanished from C.C.'s world. "What good is being a man of justice if you won't protect the lives of those precious to you?"
Xxx
Takamagahara(Plain of High Heaven): A variation of the Time-Space technique known as Kamui(Authority of the Gods) C.C discovered her Rinnegan allowed her to warp herself and objects into her own personal pocket dimension. Unlike Obito's Kamui C.C. can alter the setting and shape of her personal dimension and can see what's happening in places she thinks about but cannot see places she does know the location of or their existence. It is currently unknown if Naruto can use this technique as well.
Hope you enjoy this and Merry Christmas!
*Chapter 22*: Chapter 22Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
The ocean was completely calm on the nice sunny day as the waves slowly washed against the beach of Kamine Island while seagulls flew above the beach, cawing out and simply enjoying the nice day. Meanwhile the two humans on the beach weren't concentrating on how nice a day it was; rather they were focused on each other. Naruto and C.C. were dressed in their ANBU style clothing but left their cloaks and masks under the shade of a nearby tree since they weren't needed. C.C. held her kodachi in both hands while standing in a basic ready stance but Naruto kept his sheathed while holding a tri-pronged kunai in one hand, pointed at C.C. with his other arm just below his right, protecting his chest.
The henge around both of their eyes had dropped, Rinnegan staring into Rinnegan as they prepared. A single wave crashed against the beach…
And they both vanished, blurring through the air as katana and kunai clashed with each other, sending sparks flying. Both opponents were able to keep up with each other due to their massive amounts of chakra and stamina and their eyes could keep up with their opponent no matter how fast. C.C. smirked as she was able to push Naruto back with her kodachi even though he was the one who taught her the art of Kenjutsu. The style she was using was actually from the Uzumaki Clan that Naruto had learned from Kurama who remembered the fighting styles of his previous hosts and passed them on through Naruto.
The style was known as the Dance of the Whirlpool Goddess
It was a style that revolved around utilizing speed, agility, along with spinning strikes to overwhelm the opponent but the hidden power was that it relied heavily on a body of water being nearby, using it as a weapon in its attacks, increasing the power of the strikes and using the momentum of the movements to gain the advantage of larger opponents. It was a style that C.C. found had suited her perfectly, possibly because she had fought with a sword in several conflicts during her long life and had easily taken to the style.
"Are you done playing, Naruto? I'm waiting for you to actually do something." C.C. said as her kodachi clashed with Naruto's kunai.
"I'm sorry; I thought you were the one who was playing, Cera." Naruto retorted but he was smiling. "Does this mean we're both done playing?"
"I guess so." C.C. answered, mirroring Naruto's smirk before both jumped back.
'Time to see if it works…' Naruto said as he made a hand sign and took a deep breath before opening his mouth and releasing a giant fireball from his mouth. "Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!"
C.C. dropped her kodachi and made several hand signs. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A dragon made of water erupted from the ocean and collided with the fire ball, cancelling both attacks out and covering the beach in mist of steam.
'The classic result of fire vs water.' Naruto mused as he stared at the steam.
His eyes narrowed as he caught a hint of movement through the mist and knew C.C. was up to something.
"Wind Style: Wind Slash!" C.C. called out.
The steam mist was cut in half by crescent arc of wind that shot at Naruto who quickly defended by holding up his hand and a wall of chakra and air spun around the palm. "Wind Style: Vortex Wall!"
This technique took the first level of the Rasengan and was converted into spinning wind that expanded outwards, creating a powerful shield that blocked and literally shredded anything that touched it. C.C.'s wind attack was no different as it collided with Naruto's Spinning Wind and was absorbed by the spinning shield.
"Impressive." C.C. commented as she took a step through the remains of the steamy mist. "I didn't think you took your Rasengan training to this level."
"And you said I was getting lazy." Naruto retorted.
"My apologies." C.C. sarcastically replied as she picked up her kodachi. "But is that all you've done."
"Come and find out."
That was the invitation C.C. needed as she charged forward with an eager grin on her face.
Once again the two clashed, dance, and spun around each other at high speed for a moment before C.C. dodged Naruto's kunai as he slashed at her cheek but she still felt a cut across her cheek and blood flying out before it instantly healed. C.C. narrowed her eyes as she eyed the wind chakra circling at the end of Naruto's kunai and knew that Naruto had dropped a fast one on her.
"Like it? It's called Hien no Jutsu." Naruto remarked, holding his kunai in front of his face. "Who needs to directly cut you when the sharpness of the blade can be extended through Wind Chakra?"
"Cute." C.C. wiped the blood of her cheek as the cut instantly healed. "But you should have done the smart thing and aimed for my neck. It's not like it would have killed me and now that I've seen it you won't get another chance to use it on me. Are you dim or are you just pretending?"
"Now that's just mean, Cera." Naruto remarked.
"Oh I'm sorry. Here let me show you my new trick." C.C. thrust her blade at Naruto who stepped aside.
C.C. spun and slashed her blade down at Naruto, channelling chakra through her sword as she did. Naruto's eyes widened as he could see flames traveling through C.C. kodachi as she spun and a fire ball appeared at the tip of her blade as she swung her blade down. An explosion kicked up dirt as C.C. jumped back, watching as crater she created spawned shards of glass created from the super heated sand but no Naruto.
"Wow." C.C. turned her head and saw Naruto sitting a rock not far away. "You channeled your chakra through your sword like I did through my kunai but instead of converting it to wind you converted to heat, burning the air to make a fire ball at the edge of your sword just as you spun."
"Someone's smart today." C.C. commented with a smirk. "Combining fire and air to use the Scorch element but I got inspired by the secret of the Uzumaki's sword style."
"I almost didn't see that coming. If not for my dad's kunai I'd have been roasted." Naruto chuckled as he stood up. "You've come a long from falling on your ass off the wall."
"Why thank you. Does this mean you give up?" C.C. asked amusedly.
"Dream on." Naruto retorted as he made a hand sign and pointed the palm of his hand at C.C. "Here's a new trick of my own. Storm Style: Laser Cannon!"
A giant blast of white light shot out of Naruto's hand towards C.C. who jumped to the side as the blast shot past her. C.C. barely had time to react as Naruto was right in front of her and delivered a kick to her stomach that sent her skidding across the ground.
C.C. used both of her hands and flipped up, landing on her feet and made a hand sigh. "Water Style: Violent Water Wave!"
She released a gigantic wave of water from her mouth that shot towards Naruto who jumped out of the way and landed on a tree branch, watching as the beach was flooded. Amongst the many uses of the Rinnegan was the use of all the natural elements and sub-elements meaning he and C.C. were all naturals with any elemental ninjutsu. They were putting all their training into this spar but they agreed not to use any of the Six Paths techniques into this spar, rather they would use any form of ninjutsu and anything else they had learned over their training and push themselves to the limit.
"Now to try your jutsu, Haku." Naruto whispered as he made hand signs with a single hand which surprised C.C. who didn't know that Naruto could now make seals with one hand. "Hidden Jutsu: Sensatsu Suisho(A Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death)!"
The water created from C.C.'s water attack flew up into the air, turning into spikes and then freezing ice as they flew at C.C. who spun around in circle while channelling wind chakra into her sword and creating spinning tornado that blocked the icy needles.
C.C. stopped spinning, smirking in victory but that smirk faded as she saw Naruto make another hand sign. "Ice Style: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!"
C.C.'s eyes widened in shock as she was surrounded icy mirrors that formed around her like a dome, even one floating above her. And in each mirror was Naruto smirking at her as he created icy needles in his hands. "Like it? This was the greatest technique of a good friend of mine and a powerful shinobi. Almost no one has ever defeated it."
"Let's see if I break that record. Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!" C.C. said as she made hand signs and released a giant ball of fire from her.
The fireball hit the mirror in front of her, melting it slightly but it then it suddenly restored itself a second later.
"You were saying?" Naruto asked rhetorically.
"I see…" C.C. narrowed her eyes. "This jutsu, you are drawing moisture from the air to repair the ice and freeze it quickly."
"Yep. I saw what happened when a fireball hit the ice when we fought my friend." Naruto explained.
"Too bad I can do this." C.C. smirked as she vanished, using her new space-time jutsu to disappear and reappear outside the dome.
Naruto sighed as he stepped out of a mirror and dispelled the jutsu. "Really? Not even going to fight your way out?"
"Now why would I do that?" C.C. retorted as she readied herself, unsheathing her sword. "Ready to continue?"
Naruto held out his hand and summoned his tri-pronged kunai in a puff of smoke. "I'm more than ready."
With that said the two charged towards one another and the battle was renewed. Naruto jumped up onto a branch and C.C. quickly followed, jumping above the blond and swinging her sword down but Naruto jumped off the branch and landed on another. C.C. raced after her sparring partner, determined to make sure her sword sliced him to bits or at least get a cut on his torso. The battle was now raging through the forest as C.C. and Naruto jumped from tree to tree, clashing through the air and sending sparks flying everywhere. Both of them had eager grins on their faces which was coming from the pure adrenaline they were experiencing fighting each other with nothing to hold them back.
Nothing hold them back in the slightest.
C.C. landed on a tree branch, spotting Naruto land on another and put her hand on the tree she was on. "Let's see if this works. Plant Style: Razor Leaf Barrage!"
Her chakra shot through the tree and sent dozens of leaves flying towards Naruto who jumped off his branch, watching as the leaves cut through the tree like a knife through butter and landed on the ground. He was not out of the woods yet as he jumped back as tentacles made of wood sprouted from the ground to grab him.
'Cera has made some progress with the Mokuton. She's not at the Shodaime's level but it's an impressive start and it's even more advanced than the Shodaime.' Kurama commented.
"You got that right. Shadow Kunai Jutsu!" Naruto threw his kunai which turned into a dozen kunai as it flew through the air, cutting through the wooden tentacles with ease. "But not enough."
"Then let's kick it up a notch." C.C.'s voice whispered from behind Naruto. "Takamagahara(Plain of High Heaven)!"
Naruto felt himself being stretched as he was pulled towards C.C.'s eyes and knew what he had to do. He threw his kunai and just before he was pulled into C.C.'s pocket dimension he vanished and reappeared next to the tree his kunai was embedded in.
'That was close!' Naruto thought as he grabbed his kunai. 'I almost forgot how dangerous Kamui was and Cera's Takamagahara is just as dangerous.'
'In some ways she is more dangerous than Obito was because she has both eyes while Obito only had one original Sharingan meaning his Kamui ability was crippled.' Kurama commented.
'You're kidding right? Considering how dangerous Obito was with just one eye how bad could it have been if he had both from the start?' Naruto shuddered.
He made it out into a clearing and stopped as he watched C.C. appeared using Takamagahara with a smirk on her face. "Going somewhere?"
"Just catching some fresh air." Naruto retorted with a smirk.
"Well…time's up." C.C. said as she took a step forward.
"Yes…it is." Naruto replied and charged forward.
'What's he up to?' C.C. narrowed her eyes as she dashed towards Naruto as well. 'He's obviously got a plan to counter my Takamagahara but what? I won't go down so easily, Naruto!'
Naruto tossed his kunai at C.C. who simply used Takamagahara to make the kunai pass through her head while she prepared to stab Naruto in the chest but just as her blade was mere inches from Naruto's chest, right where his heart was, he literally vanished.
'Wha-FUCK!' C.C. realized what Naruto had done as he appeared right above with her back facing him and Naruto already forming a Rasengan in his hand.
"Rasengan!" Naruto slammed his hand down and the attack sent dirt flying everywhere, forming a crater in the ground but when the dust cleared Naruto saw that C.C. had vanished. "So that's what Kurama meant when your Takamagahara was more powerful than Kamui. You literally teleported, switching with that rock over. It was so fast I almost didn't see it."
"That's what I was hoping for." C.C. remarked as she stepped out from behind a tree, looking slightly dirty. "I had forgotten how experienced you are with Kamui so it makes sense you'd try and use what you'd learned against me. Now that I've used my best tricks how about you show me yours since you've only showed a few techniques in our little match."
"What makes you think I'm holding back?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
"Because I know you." C.C. simply said.
Naruto chuckled. "All right, let's see the results of my training." He held out his hand and formed a Rasengan.
"Oh please. I know all about the Rasengan and the Rasenshuriken, Naruto. Are you trying to bore me?" C.C. frowned.
"You're right, Cera. I taught you all you know about the Rasengan and how to use the Rasenshuriken. But not everything I know." Naruto's mischievous smile widened a bit, making the hairs on the back of C.C.'s head want to stand up. "Now here's something new."
C.C.'s eyes widened as her Rinnegan gazed at Naruto, seeing him infusing chakra into the sphere of chakra in his hand. 'That's not wind chakra! That's-'
"Lightning Style." Naruto whispered as Rasengan turned blue-ish white and expanded, forming itself into a giant arrow with the sphere that was originally a single Rasengan in the very center of the arrow, sparkling with electricity. "Rasenyajirushi(Spiraling Arrow)!"
He shot his new Lightning Rasengan at C.C. who almost used her Preta Path to absorb the chakra from the attack but remembered the deal and quickly dodged because she didn't believe she could use her Takamagahara to phase through it by ducking and the attack sailed over her head. The arrow of lightning chakra hit the ground and created a large explosion that drilled through the ground, scorching the surface as a small shockwave shot out of the crater, knocking several trees down.
'He infused that Rasengan with Lightning chakra and actually shaped into something other than a shuriken. I didn't think that was possible.' C.C. stared at the crater before looking back at Naruto. 'But is that the only thing he-'
"It's not over yet, Cera-chan." Naruto remarked as he created another Rasengan and infused with chakra like before only this time it turned aqua blue. "This one's a little different."
The newly formed chakra sphere expanded outwards, looking like a tidal wave that snaked around Naruto, forming into a lance.
'He did it again. He infused another form of elemental chakra into the Rasengan and completely altered it.' C.C. thought as she readied herself.
"Water Style: Rasenransu(Spiraling Lance)!" Naruto shouted as the Rasengan morphed into what looked like a lance with charka circling through it like a raging whirlpool and launched it at C.C.
"Earth Style: Earth Dome Fortress!" C.C. shouted as a dome formed around her for protection but she used another technique to sink into the ground.
And it was a good thing she did as Naruto's Rasenransu pierced through the earth dome, shattering the wall and coming through the other side, collapsing the dome and continued on until it hit ground and exploded, resembling a massive tidal wave that shot into the air before it finally dissipated.
"Two down, two more to go." Naruto remarked as C.C. rose up from the ground. "Are you impressed yet?"
'I just had to ask if he had any new tricks.' C.C. grumbled but the smirk on her face showed she was enjoying herself and the spar. 'I just need to come up with something to counter this technique.'
"Having trouble, Cera?" Naruto asked.
"Oh, what gives you that impression?" C.C. asked with a scoff. "I was just taking a breather. So, anything else?"
"Oh yeah." Naruto replied as he formed another Rasengan in his hand. "Plenty."
'He already used Lightning and Water chakra so the next one is either Fire or Earth.' C.C. thought over in her head. 'I wonder what form it will take this time.'
This time the sphere of bright blue chakra turned bright orange, morphing into a bladed disk spun much like the Rasenshuriken. "I read up on weapons resembling these discovered they are called Chakrams in India. This is what I gained. Fire Style: Rasenchakuramu(Spiraling Chakram)!"
'Chakram, now that's a surprise.' C.C. commented in her head as she readied herself.
"Here we go!"
Naruto threw his new Rasenchakuramu at C.C. made a hand sign. "Water Style: Violent Water Wave!"
Like before a massive blast of water shot from C.C.'s mouth and collided with the flaming attack but the Rasenchakuramu literally turned the water into steam the moment they came into contact and continued towards C.C. who narrowed her eyes as she was engulfed by an explosion of fire when it seemingly collided with her. Naruto stared at the flames before conjuring some water and quickly putting the fire out.
"Could you have cut it anymore close?" C.C. asked in an irate tone as she appeared out of thin air next to Naruto using Takamagahara.
"You know I'm not pulling my punches, Cera and you did ask me to show any new tricks I came up with." Naruto retorted.
"Well if I didn't know better I'd have thought you were trying to kill me." Cera humped as she turned her head away. "Now you make me feel like all the progress I made was for nothing."
"How the hell do I make you feel like that?" Naruto asked incredulously.
"By doing this…" C.C. gestured to the scared battle ground. "Coming with so many versions of the Rasengan with a different elemental nature…I never thought it was possible."
"Probably my dad didn't either." Naruto smiled. "And what I just did probably doesn't ever scratch the surface."
"What do you mean?" C.C. looked at Naruto with confusion in her eyes.
"Think about it, if I can combine the Rasengan the five natural chakra elements than what would happen if I tried to combine with a sub-element?" Naruto asked rhetorically.
C.C.'s eyes widened as she considered the implications of what Naruto had just said. "That's…that's…that's brilliant…and actually a little scary."
'We thought the same thing.' Kurama commented in Naruto's mind with the other Biju agreeing.
"Now we have one more…" Naruto remarked as he created another Rasengan.
"Are you sure you're not going put some strain on your body? I remember what you said about the Rasenshuriken when you first used it." C.C. pointed out.
"I guess you're right." Naruto said as the Rasengan in his hand vanished. "I guess I just got carried away."
"Again/Again." C.C. and the Biju said at the same time.
"Shut up." Naruto grumbled.
"Is that all? Is the Rasengan the only thing you've improved on?" C.C. asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"Well, I did consult Kurama on my mother's powers…" Naruto grinned and C.C. knew that meant trouble for anyone, even her. "Let me show you…"
Naruto raised his left hand and chains made of chakra with sharp spears at the end blasted from the sleeves towards C.C. who jumped to the side, grunting as a single chain managed to slice her side but it was only a shallow cut. Naruto recalled the chains and held out his hand, creating a staff made purely of chakra.
"Secret Uzumaki Technique: Materialization Of All Things." Naruto stated with pride in his voice.
During his training Naruto had asked Kurama about the chakra chains his mother could create and Kurama explained that the special chakra the Uzumaki were known for was so thick they could temporarily become solid objects and be shaped into anything with the right training. It was actually a variation of the Creation of All Things like the forbidden technique Izanagi but instead of bending reality it created and shaped temporary vessels of chakra that remained as long as the castor used it or ran out of chakra.
'If I had trained with these when I was younger I'd probably have made Chunin in the exam and wouldn't have needed Kurama to fight Neji and Gaara.' Naruto thought.
'Blame the idiots in your village for erasing all knowledge of the Uzumaki Clan and Uzushiogakure.' Kurama stated.
It slightly stung Naruto that his village, including the Sandaime had erased all knowledge of his family, the family that was Konoha's strongest allies and was even bonded with the Senju Clan through the marriage of the Shodai Hokage and Mito Uzumaki. Naruto's trust had been slightly damaged because even though he still thought of the old man as a grandfather Kurama wouldn't lie to him about his family or what they had gone through.
"I think we're done for now, Cera. We've both improved greatly but even we need to take a break." Naruto sighed as he sat down on the ground.
C.C. smirked as she walked over and sat down next to Naruto, the two of them now gazing at the ocean.
"Lelouch will have noticed we're gone soon." Naruto spoke up after a moment of silence.
"He and Kallen can take care of themselves plus they both have that kunai you have them." C.C. replied with a shrug. "Besides, he won't call upon us unless he really needs our help. You know stubborn he is sometimes."
"I guess." Naruto sighed as he leaned back while C.C. put her head on his shoulder. "You know I still wonder if I'm still dreaming."
"Why is that?" C.C. asked, closing her eyes.
"It's just…I've never been with a woman before even though I asked one on dates many times and a girl crushed on me but I never knew." Naruto explained, thinking back to his world. "I was an idiot not to see it."
C.C. opened one eye. "It's not your fault."
"Huh?" Naruto looked at the green haired girl. "What do you mean?"
"How could you have known anything about love or crushes when you were never shown it. The 'people' of your village showed you only hate when you were growing up and you had no one at the beginning." C.C. explained, frowning at the mention of the people who were mean to Naruto while he was growing up. "If you had parents growing up things would have been different."
"…You understand." Naruto stated.
"Of course, I went through the same thing you did." C.C. looked up at Naruto. "I only had a nun who looked after me while everyone else in the village I was raised in ignored me."
"That nun…She was the previous possessor of the Code wasn't she? And she was the one who gave you Geass." Naruto asked, figuring it out.
"Yes. At first I was happy; she gave me a home and food and raised me as if I was her daughter. Then she bestowed upon me her curse in the form of Geass…My Geass, the Power to be Loved. I used it to make people love me and I loved the attention but then I lost control and couldn't turn it off. The nun told me she would help me but she tricked me into killing her…She died and transferred her Code to me and when my Geass vanished and the villagers realized what I had done to them…" C.C. closed her eyes tightly as she remembered the feeling of fire burning away at her body.
Naruto, sensing her feeling put an arm around her and held her close. "It's all right, Cera, it's all right. You have me now…"
"Yes." C.C. looked up at Naruto with a smile as a tear fell down her cheek. "I have you. I lived for so long, I only thought of death and the sweet release from endless torment but you changed everything, Naruto. You gave me…"
"Love." Naruto smiled back at her. "We're not so different after all, Cera. We've both lost so much but in all that pain we found each other and we're connected. Not because of our contract or our shared vision…We're connected through our hearts."
C.C. sighed but leaned back on Naruto's shoulder. "You had to get all sappy on me."
"It's true and you know it." Naruto retorted.
C.C.'s smile remained as she snuggled against Naruto's shoulder, looking content. "Yes, it's true."
Two battered and broken hearts had come together and through the pain they shared slowly healed as they promised to journey through life together.
"You know…we should probably…go destroy that Thought Elevator." Naruto spoke after a few minutes.
C.C. opened one eye in irritation. "Do you ever take a break?"
"It's not my fault that I've just got a lot of energy and get bored quickly." Naruto pouted. "We could have destroyed it last time we were on this island but there were so many people."
"You could have just blown it up." C.C. blew a strand of hair from her face.
"Come on, Cera. I am a Shinobi but I don't killing pointlessly. All those soldiers…" Naruto looked away.
C.C. sighed. "You're fighting a war but you don't like killing people, just like that Suzaku kid."
"In my defense I'm not working with Britannia and hoping things will change just because I am a good soldier." Naruto retorted. "I kill but only when there is no other choice or when the enemy is a bastard that has it coming to him. I didn't see you killing every guy in every battle."
"I've fought and watched a dozen wars and I even fought Joan of Arc on behalf of Lelouch's ancestor who was perhaps one of the few good Emperors Britannia has ever produced only to be assassinated at a young age. At this point I'm most apathetic to killing or not, even though your softness has rubbed off on me a little bit." C.C. said, not even blinking in the verbal spar. "I've even been trying to die for thousands of years. At this point even if killing is a sin I've long accepted that death is an inevitability. By the sword, gun, human fists, or by old age all things die."
"But that doesn't mean all living beings shouldn't have a chance to enjoy life while they have a chance." Naruto stated.
"And there it is again, that un-shaking faith in people." C.C. sighed. "Why do I put up with you?"
"I thought that was obvious." Naruto said with a smirk.
C.C. lightly smacked Naruto on the head. "And you have the nerve to complain about perverts."
"At least I don't peek on woman in hot springs." Naruto grunted as he stood up, offering his hand to C.C. "Come on, Cera. It'll be quick and you know it."
"Fine." C.C. accepted Naruto's hand and stood up. "If V.V. or Charles are there I'll at least get satisfaction in watching them try and fail to extract my Code."
"That's the spirit." Naruto smiled as they walked through the forest.
It would be easy to locate the Thought Elevator and simply blow the ruins up, destroying one of them and delaying the plan Britannia's rulers had made to try and destroy the Gods. If they destroyed all but three Elevators than the Ragnarok Connection and the Sword of Akasha would be useless and their plan to unite humanity into a dream world would fail.
Xxx
"Rolo, did you make sure that Zero's spies intercepted the information?"
"Yes. I discovered several cells working as part of Zero's spy network and ensured that proper information reached them."
"Excellent. He'll no doubt want to investigate and we'll have him. The Director is getting impatient and we're running out of excuses. We need to understand what we're actually dealing with. We had C.C. but we badly underestimated her."
"I'll be on stand-by, My Lord."
"Good. We've been fighting Zero from the shadows. We need to force his hand by using the same power that's been key to the success of his battles."
"Geass." Rolo stated.
"Yes. Zero's Geass allow him to make the impossible trivial but if he was on his he would not have come this far without the help of those two Knightmares. It's time we started getting answers before the Emperor and the Director become impatient."
"Everything will be set up by the time the Black Knights arrive." Rolo said, knowing the plan down to the last detail.
"Good."
Xxx
"This information…is it reliable?" Lelouch asked as he gazed at the report handed to him by Diethard.
"Yes, I went over the information myself and used a few sources to confirm its authenticity. It would explain Castor rui Britannia's presence here as I am aware he is in charge of a Knightmare factory in Area Eight." Diethard nodded.
"A special project? The Daedalous Project? I've never heard of it." Ohgi commented as he looked at the information.
"There are likely not many who have, Ohgi if this information is correct. Many in the Royal Family who are connected with the military conduct their work in secret to avoid the possibility of humiliation should anything go wrong. So far only Prince Schneizel el Britannia has avoided such a fate due the fact that he's been behind so many successful projects in the fields of military, economy, and medical work that he's avoided that humiliation despite the defeats the Lancelot has suffered against us and the theft of the Gawain." Lelouch pointed out.
"It is true on that and that fact that Prince Clovis was collaborating with Prince Castor means there is perhaps something they did not want being discovered." Diethard agreed.
"Like what?" Tamaki questioned, skeptical of the information.
"Possibly the reason why Prince Clovis had poison gas even though biological warfare is outlawed." Lelouch deduced, wondering if C.C. or Naruto might know about this.
"Good point, must be big." Ohgi agreed.
"Hmm…" Todoh closed his eyes. "I have my own reservations about this. There is a chance that this could be a trap."
"Yes, I took that into consideration but the fact is the late Prince Clovis was involved in a conspiracy that he did not want anyone to discover. That is why he ordered the massacre in Shinjuku." Lelouch stated, earning everyone's attention at the table.
"What do you mean, Zero?" Ohgi asked.
"For some time now I've been attempting to learn what Clovis was up to here in Japan. He claimed the capsule was full of poison gas which is illegal and then ordered that everyone in Shinjuku be executed to ensure it wasn't discovered while saying that it was the poison gas that killed all those people. If another Prince of Britannia is involved than it means whatever Clovis wanted to keep hidden might still be in operation." Lelouch explained.
"What do you think he was up to?" Ohgi questioned again.
"It's too early for me to make any assumptions since Clovis's staff cleared out any evidence before I killed him." Lelouch answered, pushing down the remaining guilt he felt for killing his half brother.
"They want to hide the evidence that badly? Well we should go and find out and expose it the public! We owe it to the people who died in Shinjuku!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"He has a point, Todoh-sama. We know that Clovis massacred those people and Britannia covered it up." Ohgi looked over at Todoh who opened his eyes.
"Very well but we must tread carefully. There is a chance that a secret this valuable will be heavily guarded." Todoh cautioned.
"Agreed." Lelouch nodded.
Xxx
Kallen panted as she held the training sword in her hand while in front of her stood Sayoko. Both of them wore karate robes and were in a training room that Sayoko used to keep her skills sharp. Kallen had asked to be trained by Naruto and C.C. but Sayoko had volunteered to fill in for them while they were away and Kallen realized that Lelouch's maid was perhaps more dangerous than he was. Kallen had a few bruises on her face and tears on her outfit while Sayoko was perfectly fine with her signature calm expression staring at Kallen.
"Are you ready for more, Kallen-san?" Sayoko asked.
"You better believe it." Kallen grunted as she leapt at Sayoko with a shout.
Sayoko was mostly on the defensive as she dodged Kallen's slashes expertly, taking note of Kallen's progress. She was too rigid in her stances and she broadcasted her attacks quite openly even without her shouting. She was fast and swift but too aggressive and often let her guard down, allowing Sayoko to move in and disarm the red head easily. Kallen gasped as Sayoko caught her arm and twisted her wrist, making her grunt in pain as she dropped her sword.
"You are making progress, Kallen-san but you are moves are still too rigid. You are paying too much attention to instructions and not focusing on reflexes and movement." Sayoko said as she released Kallen's wrist. "It's good to focus on form and stance but you must also focus on movement and precision."
Kallen sighed as she rubbed her wrist. "Lelouch knew what he was doing when he hired you."
"I was caretaker to Milly Ashford before Master Lelouch and Lady Nunnally. The Ashfords knew no one better to protect their youngest child than the head of the Sonazaki School of Taijutsu." Sayoko softly retorted with a smile.
"Yeah…I heard about you growing up." Kallen sat down on the floor. "I actually studied a few techniques practiced at your school when I stated fighting Britannia."
"I'm flattered to hear you say that, Kallen-san." Sayoko bowed her head. "It's an honor that my clan's teachings have not been forgotten."
"Yeah…Hey Sayoko, where did C.C. and Naruto go anyways?" Kallen asked, wondering why they weren't here.
"Training. Even they must branch out to learn new things." Sayoko answered. "If you feel that they are needed they will come and help you."
The way Sayoko spoke of them made it hard for Kallen to not believe her but at the same time she wondered about the exact origins of their powers.
Powers that the Emperor of Britannia would kill to get his hands on.
Xxx
Nunnally sighed as she looked at note left by her brother saying he would be out late again. Whatever this new job of his required it had him out late at night and she wondered what he could possibly be doing.
'Oh Big Brother, I thought things would be like they were when we were children now that I can walk and see again but something is keeping us apart…' Nunnally put the note down and looked at the hall where Lelouch's room was.
She was always a curious child when she was little and when she regained her legs that curiosity had returned in full force which was proven when Nunnally was in front of the door to her brother's room and slowly opened it. She slowly peeked in, keeping the lights off and looking around carefully as she took her first step in.
'I snuck into Big Brother's room a lot when Mother was still alive.' Nunnally mused with a small smile before frowning.
For the longest time her brother had been sole silver lining in the darkness that had become her life and when her sight had returned that lining became a rainbow of colors in the forms of the many friends she could now see and walk with like she was a normal little girl. Of course a few friends she made around her age were incredibly shallow to the point that Nunnally wondered if she should start trying to find a way to skip a grade so she could in the same class as her brother. Maybe then she would be with him and she might figure out what he's up to. Nunnally may play the role of the cute innocent little sister that her big brother loved but she wasn't naïve.
She knew when someone was keeping secrets from her.
She knew when her Big Brother was keeping secrets from her.
Perhaps she was being paranoid and Lelouch would be back any second now but that was Nunnally's heart speaking, not her mind. She found Lelouch's laptop sitting on his desk and walked over to it, pressing the power button and waited as it powered on. It was as simple as any other ordinary laptop but Nunnally knew that if her brother was hiding anything he'd disguise it as something ordinary that would be easily overlooked.
'Let's see…' Nunnally looked over the files.
Xxx
It was waiting.
It had been waiting for what seemed like an eternity ever since it had first awakened to the golden sky above and it knew what it was and where it was and why it was here. It sensed a presence, no, it could sense presences coming towards it and they both carried great power.
Power that it needed badly.
Power that would heal it.
Power that would make it grow stronger.
Power to reshape the entire world.
Xxx
The warehouse that was at the address Lelouch's sources looked like a regular ordinary warehouse and it likely supposed to look the part. According to Lelouch's sources the warehouse was front for a special project that Prince Clovis had been involved in before his death at the hands of Zero. The crates in the warehouse were found to be empty which proved it was nothing but a front for whatever it was that Britannia was hiding.
"The entrance is an elevator that's hidden somewhere in this warehouse. It could be camouflaged to be disguised as part of the wall so everyone check carefully and be on the lookout. There are most likely motion sensors and cameras in place." Lelouch stated as he pulled out his handgun. "Split off into pairs and no one is to be left alone or out of sight."
Kallen nodded as she stayed with Lelouch while everyone else paired up and slowly walked in different directions, checking each and every point of the warehouse.
"You sure it's good idea to come here without Naruto and C.C.?" Kallen whispered when they were alone.
"As skilled as they both are we need to remember that there will be times when we can't rely on them for everything. This is an information and gathering mission which requires a low profile. I'm confident we can make it through this without our two aces to bail us out." Lelouch's modulated voice whispered back to Kallen who hesitantly nodded.
Any future conversation between them ended as they walked around the corner of the fire row of crates at the far end of the warehouse and stopped, seeing a pair of elevator doors and…
"Oh my God." Kallen gasped.
"Over here!" Lelouch shouted.
The rest of the Black Knights quickly regrouped and saw what had surprised their leader. Two bodies near the elevator, wearing military uniforms that were bloody and torn.
"Holy shit." Tamaki whispered.
"Those bodies…Looks like something took a big bite out of them." Ohgi suppressed the urge to vomit.
Todoh narrowed his eyes as he slowly stepped forward, gripping his katana as he looked at the pattern of blood on the floor.
"Colonel." Chiba whispered.
"Whatever did this to them was no animal. They would have left paw prints on the floor from all the blood that came out. They didn't leave this warehouse meaning they must have taken the elevator." Todoh stated, his keen eyes looking at the bloody scene.
"What do you mean an animal didn't do this? They look like they were mauled to death by a bear or something." Kallen stated.
"I don't know but a bear or a dog wouldn't have left a mess like this and not leave any prints." Todoh looked around. "And if an animal did do this we would have seen considering the doors to this warehouse were locked."
"That's a relief." Sugiyama whispered.
Lelouch walked over the bodies and looked at their uniforms, seeing a badge. "It seems our sources were correct. This was a front of Prince Clovis's operations."
"What do you mean?" Urabe asked.
Lelouch picked up the badge and showed to them. On the badge was the crest of the Britannian Royal Family with a three and a sixteen under it. "The crest represents the Royal Family of Britannia while the number symbolize Clovis's status. He was the Third Prince to be born and the sixteenth in line for the throne. These badges are worn by soldiers that personally answered to Clovis and to avoid misunderstandings with the authorities."
Everyone nodded, including Todoh who knew how the Britannian system operated thanks to learning it from his two charged before Japan was invaded.
"So now we've confirmed that this warehouse was part of whatever research Clovis funding despite the manner in which we found these bodies. We know this was not done by an animal, drug cartels, or even rebels since most of you were part of the group that stole the gas canister from Clovis before joining the Black Knights and I know none of you would condone actions like these." Lelouch stated, earning nods from everyone. "This means that something else happened, most likely something trying to escape this facility but was taken back if the trail of blood is anything to go by." He gestured to the blood trail leading back into the elevator.
"So whatever they were doing when Clovis was still alive…They're still doing it." Ohgi whispered, his skin slightly pale now.
"Precisely." Lelouch nodded.
"What do we now?" Inoue asked.
"We have two choices. We can leave and report this to the authorities and let them deal with it. However any work involving the Royal Family will be instantly covered up and we'll lose any chance of discovering what that elevator leads down to. The second option we go down there and learn the truth for ourselves." Lelouch stated turning to face his subordinates. "These are our options. The question is which one will you choose?"
Xxx
"Looks like Britannia has cleared out here." Naruto commented as he and C.C. stood in front of the cave that led to the Thought Elevator.
"Charles no doubt has men on the inside helping to construct the Sword." C.C. said as she stepped into the cave, quickly followed by Naruto.
They walked through the tunnel that was lit by artificial lights no doubt left by Britannia before they left. A moment later they reached the end of the tunnel was the giant door with strange markings resided; looking exactly the same as the last time they saw it.
"Here it is." Naruto stated.
"Thank you for the obvious, Naruto." C.C. walked up to the door and touched the markings. "This one has not been used since we were last here."
"Then let's make sure it's not used ever." Naruto remarked as he prepared to blow the place up.
In that instant the markings on the door lit up with a bright red light that temporarily blinded the two as they had not been expecting the Thought Elevator to react.
"What the hell-" Naruto was cut off as he and C.C. were suddenly pulled forward by an unexpected force and vanished into the light.
C.C. grunted as she hit the floor but shook off her disorientation as she lifted her head to get a better look around. She knew this place, it was the place that Charles, Marianne, and V.V. had begun building when she had left to complete their dream: killing the Gods.
"Ugh…What hit me?" Naruto groaned from behind her as he stood up. "Where are we?"
"We're in the Thought Elevator." C.C. answered as she looked around, frowning. "Hmmm…I thought they made some progress since I left but it looks like something happened here."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
"The Sword of Akesha…It's been damaged, badly." C.C. saw the cracks, stress fractures, and several broken pillars around the platform. "I'm not sure what could have done something like this."
"Maybe someone tried to destroy it." Naruto offered with a shrug. "Does it really matter? We were going to destroy it anyways."
"I guess so." C.C. shrugged back.
They would have tried to leave if the world around them hadn't seemed to stir, causing them to stiffen as they sensed something was in the world with them.
'Kurama, you feel that?' Naruto asked.
'Yeah, some kind of strange consciousness waking up.' Kurama grunted.
"Cera." Naruto started.
"I know." C.C. unsheathed her sword. "We're not alone."
From below the platform lunged tendrils of bright energy that reached up and tried to grab the two but their speed and reflexes allowed them to dodge by jumping out of the way as the tendrils hit the platform. C.C. back flipped and swung her sword at a tendril that tried to sneak up behind her, cutting through the tendril easily and discarded limb dissolved into nothing.
"It's not physical…It's a manifestation of psychokinetic energy." C.C. realized as three more tendrils tried to grab her.
"In English Cera!" Naruto pulled out his kunai and sliced through two tendrils.
"They're spectral manifestations!" Cera grunted as she spun out of the way of another tendril. "They're not human!"
"I knew that part!" Naruto grunted as he pressed his back against C.C.'s. "It's some kind of strange consciousness that just woke up."
'I just said that!' Kurama growled.
"The question is what is it? Is it the Gods?" C.C. looked up at the gold tinted sky. "No it can't be the Gods doing this."
"Gods…." An ethereal voice whispered throughout the sky of C's World.
"Did you hear that?" Naruto whispered.
"I'm not deaf, Naruto." C.C. narrowed her eyes.
From below the platform came a giant spiral that transformed into a cloud that stretched out, consuming part of the platform. "Kill…the Gods…Kill the Gods. Destroy it all."
"What the hell…" Naruto whispered as his and C.C.'s Rinnegan stared at the giant cloud. "I've never seen anything like that before."
From within the cloud spawned a giant eye with the Geass crest growing bright red. "Eliminate…All…Lies."
"Geass?" C.C. whispered in confusion.
"Power…Code…Power of the King…" The cloud whispered as the red light of the Geass crest glowed brighter.
Naruto readied himself as he sensed a sudden feeling of…hunger emanating from the entity and knew what it wanted.
It wanted C.C.
"Cera, it thinks you still have your Code." Naruto whispered.
C.C. didn't reply, she just readied herself. The cloud seemed to think they would fight it as the Geass crest vanished and unleashed a blast of cloud darkness at the two.
"Wind Style: Vortex Wall!" Naruto quickly created his Wind Barrier, blocking the attack but grunted as he was pushed back by the force of the attack.
The cloud launched more attacks and C.C. jumped forward and attempted to slash the cloud with her sword but the cloud released several tentacles to attack. C.C. slashed through the tentacles but was knocked back by a dark smoky blast that knocked her back.
"Cera!" Naruto exclaimed but to his relief C.C. landed on her feet, only looking a little winded as she glared at the cloud.
"I'm fine." C.C. answered. "Just getting a little annoyed."
The cloud released another giant black smoky attack but this time C.C. used the power of the Preta Path to absorb the attack. The cloud relented in its attack, deciding to attack a different way. Above the platform appeared giant blocks that materialized out of thin air and fell towards the two shinobi.
"Oh crap!" Naruto exclaimed as he jumped forward, avoiding being flattened by the giant block that fell towards him.
C.C. jumped as well to avoid getting flattened but as she jumped she was suddenly paralyzed by a bright red light that surrounded her. A tendril lunged out of the cloud and wrapped itself around C.C., pulling her towards the cloud. As C.C. grunted as she tried to break free the Geass crest that had appeared inside the cloud earlier returned, glowing even brighter.
"The Code…" The cloud whispered hungrily.
C.C. grunted as she felt the tendril touched her head but didn't find the sigil left by the Code. "You're in for a disappointment."
"Two disappointments!" Naruto landed next to C.C. and cut the tendril holding her. "Don't touch her!"
The cloud recoiled in shock as the discarded limb dissolved into nothing.
"It does want my Code but it probably just realized my Code's been altered." C.C. stood up with a smirk.
"Either way we're taking it out here and now." Naruto stated.
The cloud screamed as the Geass crest almost blinded them with its red light. Bolts of red lightning shot out of the cloud but Naruto and C.C. dodged it attacks.
Naruto quickly created a Rasengan and fused it with Lightning Chakra. "Rasenyajirushi!"
He launched the spiraling arrow at the cloud, watching as it pierced the entity and causing it to scream out in pain as the arrow passed through it, hitting the Geass crest. C.C. narrowed her eyes as she wondered if Naruto had managed to hurt it but that question was soon answered as the creature split into smaller puffy clouds that flew around the platform. Just as she and Naruto were planning their next move spikes sprouted from the platform and almost skewered the both of them if not for their enhanced senses detecting movement beneath them.
"We need to pull back! That thing has the advantage here!" C.C. called out. "It's influencing the Thought Elevators to attack us!"
"There's no way it'll let us leave!" Naruto pointed out as the clouds flew at them.
"That's why you have me to do the thinking." C.C.'s Rinnegan flared. "Takamagahara!"
Naruto was slowly pulled into C.C.'s eyes followed C.C. herself as the clouds converged on them. Once they were gone the entity let out a psychic scream that shook the foundations of the Thought Elevators.
Xxx
"That was close." Naruto sighed once they were in C.C.'s pocket dimension. "But what the hell was that thing?"
"I don't know. Whatever that thing was it was connected to Geass, I know that much. It wanted me because it thought I still had my Code." C.C. answered with a frown.
"That's not good. If it managed to pull us into C's World when we just in front of a Thought Elevator then we shouldn't go anywhere near those ruins again. But still…where did that thing come from?" Naruto asked with a frown. "All I sensed from it was a need for something. It was single minded and its emotions were all scattered, I couldn't understand it."
"Whatever it was, I doubt even Charles and V.V. made it. That was not the kind of monster they would unleash." C.C. sighed a chair appeared behind her as she sat down. "If it wanted my Code there's a chance it may want V.V.'s Code as well."
"What do you think we should do?" Naruto asked.
"…We find out what that thing is and what it wants. It mentioned killing the Gods but that's not possible. The Sword of Akesha is damaged and without two Codes it can't be done." C.C. closed her eyes. "We need to understand what it is we're dealing with and fast. If it can control the Thought Elevators and use them to its advantage…It's only a matter of time before it tries something else."
Xxx
I changed the name of C.C.'s space-time technique to Takamagahara(Plain of High Heaven) when a reviewer suggested because it sounded better. Hope you all enjoy this new chapter and the new techniques. There are not many stories where Naruto gets the Rinnegan to explores just how much he can really do so I'm experimenting with these sparring matches. What else will we see in the future? Who knows.
*Chapter 23*: Chapter 23Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"I can't believe we're doing this." Minami whispered as the gathered Black Knights waited as the elevator went down to the warehouse's basement level which was not supposed to exist.
"What do you mean?" Kallen asked.
"We're going in an elevator down into some place that we have no clue about and almost everyone voted to go along with this." Minami said accusingly at Kallen.
"It's not like we didn't have the option of turning back before." Sugiyama pointed out.
"But we're here regardless." Urabe said, looking at Minami. "So we'll just have to go along with it."
"I'm just getting a bad feeling about this." Minami said to justify himself.
"Good, use that feeling to help us stay alive." Urabe turned and faced the door with everyone else.
Lelouch was in front of the group, waiting for the elevator reach its destination. 'If things go out of control I'll use the kunai to summon Naruto and C.C. to assist us. They should be back at the clubhouse by now but if Nunnally is up they won't do anything to alert her. At some point I accepted I would have to do things without relying on them either in infiltration or combat but at the very least if something happens Kallen has a kunai as well.' Lelouch glanced at Kallen through the corner of his vision. 'I don't plan on relying on them for everything but if I want to be seen as an effective leader and a legitimate threat I must be willing to walk first into any dangerous situation no matter how the cost.'
The elevator stopped and the doors opened, allowing Zero and the Black Knights to step out and walk into the mysterious basement.
Xxx
"Whatever that thing was it I sensed a form of energy from it that was…similar to Geass." C.C. closed her eyes as she and Naruto walked up to the club house. "It's odd because it's not possible for anything to exist in C's World except the Gods."
"Not to mention the obsessive feelings it was channeling. It wanted you but for what?" Naruto replied with a frown. "You think it wanted your Code…for the same reason Geass Users gain a Code."
"The Code grants immortality but that thing doesn't have a physical body. What could it gain from that?" C.C. frowned as she stopped walking. "Naruto, it's possible whatever it was it was what damaged the Sword."
"That's good right?" Naruto asked. "Without the Sword then the Emperor can't go ahead with his crazy plan."
"But that thing wants to kill the Gods so even if it's not the Sword it must have some type similarity." C.C. closed her eyes. "We will have to investigate this once we go after the Geass Order."
Xxx
Nunnally frowned as she looked Lelouch's files and found…nothing. They were all news articles along with school essays and Student Council paperwork. But Nunnally knew how smart her brother was and that if he wanted to hide something he would have disguised it as something harmless. The problem was that Nunnally had no experience with computers since she had been blind for seven years. She thought of her brother and knew that despite the act he puts on at school Nunnally knew there was a deep anger and hate for Britannia that longed for revenge.
She knew it was there and tried to temper that anger by playing the role of the sweet little sister that loved her brother more than anything.
She knew her brother loved her just as much but she knew when he was up to something. Deciding she needed to take lessons in computer's Nunnally closed Lelouch's laptop and left his room. She needed some air and decided to something…
Different.
Nunnally smiled as she knew Lelouch would probably strap her back onto her wheel chair for the rest of her life but he was not here to stop her and so she decided to take a walk out onto the town. She slipped on a jacket and headed for the door.
"Nunnally-san, where are you going?" Nunnally turned her head, cursing her luck as Sayoko stood behind her. "It's late."
"I know Sayoko but…I need some air." Nunnally said, trying to pull the sweet girl act she had used for the last seven years to try and convince her guardian not to rat her out to her brother. "Please. I want to see the city. I've been all over the Academy but I need to see more."
Sayoko looked in Nunnally's pleading eyes and was fighting the urge to squeal like a little girl at the cute look Nunnally was using. Her training as head of the Sonozaki clan and as a Shinobi allowed her not to show any facial reactions aside from the slight twitching of an eyebrow. "Very well, but Master Lelouch will not want you going alone."
Though Nunnally was slightly disappointed that she couldn't go alone she was happy that Sayoko wouldn't stop her from leaving. "Thank you, Sayoko."
The door opened and in walked C.C. and Naruto who were back in their civilian clothes.
"Hey, Nunnally. What are you doing up?" Naruto asked, spotting Lelouch's little sister.
"I couldn't sleep so I asked for a walk into town." Nunnally answered, wondering if they'd rat her out to Lelouch.
"Sneaking behind big brother's back are we?" C.C. asked with an amused glance at the embarrassed look on Nunnally's face. "It's about time."
"Huh?" Nunnally sounded confused.
"All this time playing the sweet little blind and crippled angel I thought for sure you'd go and try something like this sooner or later. I mean after seven years of not being able to walk or see you are probably ready to take on the world." C.C. remarked with a grin, remembering what Nunnally was like when she was still in the Pendragon.
Nunnally was always a feisty little one, unable to keep still for very long before she was rushing through the gardens or pulling off some kind of stunt that almost made her older brother literally die of a heart attack. Now that she has regained what was taken from her she was regressing back to that reckless little firecracker that drove everyone around her bonkers.
"So you're not going to try and stop me?" Nunnally asked with a bit of hope in her voice.
"Of course not." C.C. stated before Naruto could say anything. "So as long we stop by a pizza place."
"But I don't have enough money for the both of us." Nunnally said as she relied on her brother to get them money.
"Oh that's right. It's almost too bad that we don't have Lelouch's credit card…Oh wait." C.C. held out Lelouch's card between her index and middle finger. "We do."
"You stole his card?" Nunnally gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.
"Of course. You didn't expect Naruto or me to actually pay with our own money did you? First rule of breaking big brother's rules, if you don't have your own money borrow big brother's money instead." C.C. chuckled as she knelt down in front of Nunnally. "Now tonight is officially 'The Night of Nunnally Without Lelouch Watching Her Every Move'. The first night where little Nunnally experiences the city without big brother trying to wrap everything around her bubble wrap so she would get as much as a paper cut."
Naruto sighed as he realized that C.C. was seeing this as another chance to mess with Lelouch but didn't say anything. He figured it would be good for Nunnally to step on her own outside of Lelouch's supervision and even if it wasn't a good idea the two of them and Sayoko would be there to make sure it wasn't too bad.
"Is this a good idea?" Nunnally asked.
"Is sneaking out this late at night while your brother is out a good idea?" C.C. retorted.
Nunnally couldn't think of an excuse and simply smiled. "Okay, let's do it!"
"Excellent." C.C. grinned as she stood up. "Nunnally, my little friend, this will be a night to remember."
Xxx
"WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE THINGS?!" Tamaki shouted as he and the other Black Knights wildly shot at what was coming at them.
The 'things' in question were what looked like humans but they blood trailing down their mouths and onto their clothes with looks of pure hunger in their eyes. They had come down into a dark complex with lights flickering on and off with the air smelling of dry blood that was staining the walls and floor. Even Lelouch had to suppress the urge to vomit his guts out as he shot a man in the head with his handgun and looked around to see that they had managed to kill all of the…creatures that had tried to attack them the second the elevator doors had opened. Sugiyama had almost been killed if it hadn't been for Todoh saving him in time from a man that rushed towards him and tried to…bite him.
"What the hell was that? Why'd they attack us like that?" Ohgi whispered in stunned silence.
They couldn't be reasoned with as they kept on trying to attack, blood flying out of their mouths with their red rimmed eyes glowing with madness.
'Those eyes…It's like when Zero used his…' Ohgi's eyes widened. "Is this…Geass?"
This earned everyone's attention.
"Geass?" Inoue whispered, remembering the power Zero claimed to possess and showed it them as an example a few times.
"Those red rims in the eyes, it's like before." Ohgi looked at Lelouch. "It's Geass isn't it?"
"It appears to be." Lelouch agreed grimly as he looked around. "The red rims confirm this is Geass related but I have not seen a Geass affect people like this before."
"So this is Geass." Todoh stated as he looked at the bodies. "When I heard of it from Kyoto I was skeptical until you demonstrated it. A power that compels people to obey any command you give them." The very idea of commanding someone against their will did not sit well with Todoh even though Zero had taken steps to ensure his power did not act against him or to make sure he did not use it on his own allies.
"Only if they make eye contact with me and I made sure to take steps this does not affect my allies." Lelouch replied. "However this form of Geass, it seems to turn people…animalistic. The few times I have encountered Geass in other people I have never before seen it to be capable of doing this."
"You got that right." Kallen muttered, her left eye looking away.
She knew Geass was dangerous but to see it turn all these people into monsters…
"What do we do?" Ohgi asked. "If Geass can turn all these people into monsters is it safe for us to be down here?"
"Perhaps not but at the same time can we ignore what is going on down here? If Britannia conducting research relating to Geass down here can we afford to just leave and hope that nothing will come from it?" Lelouch asked looking around.
"That's a huge risk. Why should we continue on?" Chiba stepped forward. "We don't know what lies ahead of us and we could all die. You've said Britannia has its own Geass users and if this is one of their bases we should just destroy it."
"A wise precaution, Chiba but what if it contains vital information to these Geass users?" Lelouch calmly pointed out. "Like for starters, a number of Geass users here in Japan."
"He's got a point there. What if there are people with this Geass here in Japan working for Britannia and we don't find out until it's too late?" Ohgi agreed. "We'd be endangering ourselves and everyone by not finding out if this cult has sent a few assassins here."
Chiba and Minami looked like they wanted to argue but couldn't seem to find anything to say.
"You all have a choice: leave or continue forward. I wear this mask," Lelouch tapped his mask. "And gave you all visors to ensure that my Geass could not be used on you, accidental or not but I cannot guarantee that any other form of Geass will need eye contact. The Geass Order has over fifty users with only ten of them on active missions but just one of them could endanger our entire mission. So the question is do you wish to avoid them and deal with them later or find out if they are in Japan now and look for ways to stop them?"
The entire group were silent as they contemplated Lelouch's words until Kallen stepped forward. "I'm with you, Zero."
"Of course you are." Minami muttered but quickly closed his mouth when Kallen glared at him.
"Whether or not this is a death trap Zero is right. To just leave and blow this place up without first gaining attempting to collect intelligence on this Geass Cult shows the markings of a tactical error that might be our undoing." Todoh stated as he stepped forward.
"Colonel…" Chiba whispered.
"Well, as usual our great leader shows no fear." Urabe said with a chuckled as he stepped forward. "Might as well, can't let him hog all the glory."
"Hard to argue with him on something like this." Asahina remarked with a sigh.
Senba smirked. "Since when have we ever argued with him?"
"True but like I said before, wherever you go, Colonel, I belong right next to you." Asahina remarked as he stepped forward.
"So we're all in?" Ohgi asked.
"Looks like it." Tamaki remarked with a grin. "Let's do it and show those Britannians we ain't afraid of no freaky eye power!"
"I still think this is a foolish idea. We're risking our lives against something we know absolutely nothing about." Chiba remarked, looking at Zero.
"And you are right to be cautious, Chiba. Despite my own experience with Geass I know almost nothing about it aside from the strength and limits of my own. No matter what skill I possess…I am not a God. I am a human making the same risk as you are. All I can do is say that I will do everything in my power to ensure you all make it through this alive." Lelouch replied, looking everyone in the eye. "This is war and we are risking our lives every day to defeat the enemy."
When he saw that everyone was willing to follow him Lelouch smiled underneath his mask for his genius. 'Good, now all I have to do is live up to my claim.'
Perhaps he wouldn't need to call on Naruto or C.C. after all.
Xxx
Nunnally couldn't honestly remember the last time she was this happy.
Here she was in a pizza restaurant with a double cheese pizza that she was sharing with Sayoko while Naruto and C.C. shared one of their own. Well, sharing was bit of a strong word considering C.C. had eaten over half the pizza while Naruto was still finishing one slice. She was content for the moment but she felt like she was still missing something. She was happy to out in the city late at night but she still felt like she was a little girl that had to be supervised when she wanted to be…
She wasn't sure what she wanted.
For the first time in seven years she could walk and see like a normal person and that came with the choice of being able to stay in the confides of her curfew or actually break a few rules like the regular young teenage girl liked to recklessly do. It was like she was still confined by just hanging out with her friends who expected her to act like the sweet little sister everyone had come to know. The only problem was that she was having trouble finding the strength to keep that façade up.
"What's the matter mistress? You seem…quiet." Sayoko observed, shaking Nunnally from her thoughts.
"Oh, I was just…thinking." Nunnally quickly said, yelling at herself for using such a lame excuse.
"I see. Is it about your brother?" Sayoko asked. "Are you worried that you might be in trouble with him if he finds out?"
"No, no, not that." Nunnally shook her head. "It's just….I don't know."
"Hm?" Naruto looked at Nunnally. "You don't know?"
"It's just….It's just…" Nunnally sighed. "I'm not sure if my brother notices how much things have changed."
"Changed?" Naruto asked.
"I can walk…I can see…And I wonder if my brother only sees the blind and crippled girl he's coddled for the last seven years." Nunnally explained with a saddened and-what they all thought to be- a small amount of anger in her voice and eyes.
"And…What do you want, Nunnally?" C.C. asked.
"I…I want to be able to stand with him. I know what he's planning to do. He's been planning it for a long time." Nunnally explained. "He plans to destroy Britannia. He's been filled with the desire for revenge since we were little when our mother was murdered. In fact I'm surprised he hasn't gone and tried to join Zero."
The three were silent but a silent conversation was shared through their eyes as they glanced at each other.
"He's keeping secrets even if he acts like nothing's wrong but I know him. I know how he acts when he's hiding something." Nunnally continued. "And I think…I think you all have an idea of what's going on with him."
She looked each of them in the eye, looking for any signs of deceit.
"Well, it seems the little sister is just as smart as her brother and possibly even more perceptive." C.C. remarked with amusement in her voice.
"So…you know what's going on?" Nunnally sat up straighter. "Please, tell me what's going on."
"What makes you think it has anything to do with this promise to destroy Britannia?" C.C. asked while Naruto and Sayoko remained silent.
"Because…I know my brother." Nunnally said, narrowing her eyes and C.C. saw the same look Lelouch made he was annoyed appearing on his younger sister's face. "I know him better than he thinks. I know he sees me as this little girl who is kind and sweet and wants me to be nothing else but that sweet little girl."
"But…you're not exactly a sweet little girl. You're as much a liar as your brother is." C.C. answered with an amused smirk on her face.
"Only so I can protect him as much as he can protect me." Nunnally grimaced. "So are you going to tell me?"
"And what will you do if I tell you anything…Or if I decide to not tell you anything?" C.C. asked, picking up the last pizza.
Nunnally glared at the green haired immortal. "Then I guess you're not the friend my brother believes you are."
With that said she stood up and ran for the door, ignoring Sayoko calling out to her as she opened the door and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Sayoko ran after Nunnally, determined not to lose sight of her charge.
Naruto glared at C.C. "Really, you couldn't flip the witch switch off for just a second?"
"What? It was an innocent question." C.C. said as she finished the last slice. "So did you bring Lelouch's card?"
Xxx
"Stupid, arrogant, condescending witch!" Nunnally stopped and covered her mouth with both hands when she realized she was had not only stomped out of the restaurant but had spewed out insulting words about Tsunade. A part of her could not believe she had done that but another part was elated to be able to do something like that and get away with it and her brother or her older sisters were not around to scold her. "I can't believe I said that…And I meant every word of it!"
She had been so used to being the good and sweet little angel that her big brother loved but like Lelouch Nunnally had a part of her she kept hidden away from everyone.
'I can't believe I said that out loud. Sure Tsunade deserved it for being a…a…A complete witch but still…If my brother heard me say that out loud he'd have washed my mouth with soap for that!' Nunnally frowned. "But he's never around…I have my legs and my sight back and he's always sneaking off somewhere. It's like he's still treating me as an invalid, being gone and just expecting me to wait for him."
She loves her big brother.
She loves almost literally to death and she knew he loved her just as much, if not more.
So why was he keeping secrets from her?
'It's not fair. I can be just as strong as brother now…I want to be as strong as my big brother…and my mother.' Nunnally closed her eyes, thinking of her mother.
The last time she saw her mother had been the day she thought she had lost her ability to walk and see forever. Now that she had regained what she lost she suddenly hated herself for being so weak, for being so useless and leaving her brother to take care of both of them.
'How could I let that happen to me and become so dependent on everyone around me? It seems so easy to me now and I've let myself grow so needy and weak…I've been a burden to my brother all this time!' Nunnally shut her eyes tightly as tears threatened to leak out. 'How can I expect him to be honest with me when I can't help him?'
That was when it hit her.
"Take down Britannia…That's my brother's goal and I wouldn't be surprised if he's considering joining Zero…" Nunnally frowned. "Though I hope he doesn't."
Despite Zero's stance against the injustices perpetrated by Britannia he had killed her brother Clovis and no matter long it had been since she had last seen him or how distant they had become Clovis was still her brother.
"Zero killed Clovis and that's something I cannot condone…But he saved Suzaku and Euphie and though he claims to know about Lelouch and I he hasn't tried to recruit us." Nunnally said as she kept on walking.
The reason she came out tonight, the real reason was that she wanted to see the world her brother endured for the last seven years and the place she walking to had the answer.
"Here I am…the Shinjuku Ghetto." Nunnally said, finally arriving at the entrance to the ghetto and what she saw…disgusted her.
The disrepair and decay was bad enough without all the rubble everywhere which was only heightened Nunnally's disgust and horror at what the Japanese had been forced to endure. Sure when she and Lelouch arrived their identity was kept but she had learned enough of Japan and bonded with a few good friends who were Japanese to be hurt and angry on their behalf for what her nation had done to them.
'This is what's been happening to them all this time?' Nunnally wondered as she took another step but jumped when she heard a squeak sound and looked down to see a doll that was covered in dust with a few tears. Nunnally reached down and picked up the doll, staring at it and wondering what happened to the child who had originally owned the doll.
"…Fuck Britannia." Nunnally dropped the doll. "Fuck them for doing this to all the Areas…And fuck the Emperor."
That did it.
She was done playing the sweet little princess.
"I need to start setting up my own little resistance movement…Probably without them knowing that I am just a Britannian student and a kid…And I have no experience in how to fight a war…This is starting to sound like a bad joke." Nunnally closed her eyes as she kicked the ground. "How am I supposed to do anything when I don't have a clue what I'm doing?"
Perhaps it was the adrenaline from finally walking on her own at night without anyone supposedly supervising her.
'…I need to step back and think.'
"PLEASE! SOMEONE HELP!"
Nunnally's eyes shot up and she took off in the direction of the scream that echoed through the ghetto. She stopped at end of an alley and narrowed her eyes when she saw what was happening. Two Britannian police officers harassing a woman and her child who both happened to be Japanese. One held the woman down while the other was holding the screaming boy who struggled futilely in the man's grip.
What happened next Nunnally did not know but she was suddenly overcome by what could be adrenaline still pumping through her or the feeling of anger and hate that had come out of nowhere…
Or maybe had been dormant inside her for a long time.
Either way it didn't matter because the moment she saw the child who was around the same age she was when she lost her mother she snapped and ran forward, tackling the officer who looked ready to rape the mother while his partner held the woman's screaming son.
"Gah!" The man fell over, allowing the woman to slip free.
"What the-" The man holding the boy trailed off, seeing it was a small girl that attacked his partner. "A little girl?"
"Yeah, a little girl…And what are you? An officer of Britannia, charged with protecting the lives of Britannian citizens and be an example of the law…Now tell me what could this woman and her son have done to deserve such a harsh fate?" The way Nunnally spoke was like she was practically spitting something disgusting out of her mouth.
The officer was still in shock when Nunnally launched herself at him, slamming her fist into his face and while it wasn't strong it was enough to make the man let go of the boy who ran into his mother's arms. The woman picked her sun up and ran out of the alley as fast as she could.
"What was that for you stupid brat? Aren't you supposed to be napping for school tomorrow or did you come out looking for trouble?" The first officer snapped as he stood up.
"Aren't you supposed to be looking for real criminals instead of looking for reasons to unzip your fly?" Nunnally snapped back.
"She sounds like she's got a mouth on her." The partner stated. "Maybe we should take her in and have her spend the night in confinement."
Nunnally didn't seem afraid.
She was too pumped up to be afraid and she'd fight these two bastards to the death if she had to. But luckily she didn't have to as two shuriken flew through the hair past her and slit both their throats. Nunnally watched as they collapsed and turned around to see Sayoko standing behind her.
"Are you all right, my lady?" Sayoko asked, kneeling down in front of her.
"Sayoko…Is this the world I've been blind to all this time? The world my brother tried to shield me from?" Nunnally softly asked as she looked at the dead officers. "Is this what he has been living through for the last seven years?"
"Lady Nunnally…" Sayoko whispered, staring her charge with a saddened look.
"Is this what he meant when he said Britannia was rotten to the core? That it was rife with corruption that prayed on those who could not defend themselves? That no one lifted a finger to help those in need without helping themselves?" Nunnally looked down at the ground. "This…this is the world that took our mother from us and left me too weak to look after myself…or help my brother."
"My lady?" Sayoko asked.
"Sayoko, I want to learn how to fight. I don't want to be weak ever again." Nunnally looked up at Sayoko and the ninja/maid saw a look in her eyes that mirrored the same look of her brother's whenever he was planning his rebellion. "I want to be strong enough…to obliterate Britannia!"
Sayoko could only stare at her charge and feel like everything had been changed in a way that could never be reversed.
Xxx
"So Nunnally is like her brother after all." C.C. remarked, watching Nunnally walk away from the ghetto with a look resolve on her face.
"I sensed those emotions inside her as we left the Academy." Naruto said with a saddened look on his face. "Nunnally's younger than Lelouch and she's already preparing her own revolution. She can't do that on her own."
"Should we tell her about Lelouch?" C.C. raised an eyebrow.
"You know that we promised to keep it a secret from her and I honor my promises." Naruto frowned at C.C. "And I know you do too."
C.C. looked back down at Nunnally. "Perhaps there is another way…"
"You mean offer her Geass or the Rinnegan." Naruto stated.
"Look at her, Naruto and tell me you don't see in Nunnally what you saw in Lelouch." C.C. retorted. "You know what she plans to do."
Naruto sighed and looked back at Nunnally as she vanished down the street with Sayoko as they walked back to the Academy.
"She might not share Lelouch's intellect but she has the potential to be just as dangerous if not even more than Lelouch. She possesses his insight, her senses were enhanced by her blindness and I have to wonder how good she might be at the controls of a Knightmare. Perhaps she even inherited her mother's talent." C.C. continued.
"So we offer her Geass or the Rinnegan and then what? Turn her loose on Britannia? She doesn't have the resources to start a war and I doubt she'll suddenly want to join Zero unless she finds out that her brother is Zero." Naruto pointed out.
"Then we'll simply tell her Zero's power." C.C. smirked. "Lelouch doesn't want his identity exposed but we convinced him not to keep his Geass a secret."
Naruto sighed. "I hate this manipulation game."
"I know…" C.C. wrapped her arms around Naruto's shoulders. "But that's what a shinobi does and you can do it in a way that helps everyone."
Naruto didn't answer as they vanished in a spiral of leaves.
Xxx
If anyone in the Black Knights thought things would get better than they were in for a rude surprise. Despite the military discipline they had learned from Lelouch and Todoh they were still unprepared for the hoards of blood thirsty maniacs under the control of an unknown Geass that made it difficult to adapt to with normal military discipline. It didn't take long for the group to be separate into three smaller groups with Todoh and the Holy Swords in one group, Ohgi, Manami, Inoue, and Yoshida in another, leaving Lelouch, Kallen, and Tamaki as the last group. Lelouch cursed himself as he ran down the hall with Kallen and Tamaki next to him, chased by the animals in human form that lunged after them with hunger in their eyes.
'This is my fault for not properly checking! These things may not be human anymore but they follow basic hunter instincts that possibly came with the Geass effect! Anyone could tell you a second is the perfect place to set up a trap!'
"Do you see the others?!" Kallen shouted as they kept on running.
"No! Goddamnit! What the fuck are these things?!" Tamaki fired several shots but they did little to stop the hoard chasing them.
Lelouch spotted a pair of doors up ahead. "Those doors!"
They rushed past the doors and slammed them shut, quickly wedging a rifle to better lock the door as banging sounds were heard. Kallen and Tamaki were both shaking as they tried to catch their breaths but Lelouch looked ready to fall over.
'If Naruto was here I wouldn't hear the end of it.' Lelouch thought as he struggled to catch his breath and looked around.
They were in another dark hallway with only their flash lights as a source of light but it did little alleviate their concerns of what might be lurking in the dark.
"Where could the others have ended up?" Tamaki wondered, looking back at the door as the banging sounds continued.
"One way to find out." Lelouch pulled out his walkie-talkie. "Ohgi, Todoh, are you there?"
But to his and the other two's disappointment no one answered.
"Could they be dead?" Tamaki whispered, starting to shake a little.
"Not likely. It's possible that these walls are too thick for a radio signal to get through." Lelouch said as he put the radio away. "We'll have to find another way to contact them and search for a way out. From the looks of it this facility has not been occupied for time. Perhaps it was abandoned when Prince Clovis was killed."
"But what about those things?" Kallen gestured to the door.
"From what I've seen the Geass used on them turns them in cannibals that does not seem to wear off. It is either some kind of command that keeps them going or perhaps it causes them to experience a form of madness that slowly eats away at their mentality. If that is the case then there is no chance for them to recover even if they break free for they either remember everything they did or wake up with the smell and taste of blood on them and soon enough paranoia will set in." Lelouch explained as he looked around. "Still though, I can't believe they simply left all those people down here. Usually Britannia cleans up messes like this with some form of sterilization, usually bombing or torching the entire area to get rid of the evidence."
"Maybe they got sloppy after Clovis died." Kallen offered.
"Possibly and it's unlikely Cornelia knows about this place. If people learned the kind of experiments Prince Clovis was running down here his reputation as well as his chance at the throne would be in ruins." Lelouch replied as they started walking. "In fact from what I gathered from my sources Clovis was conducting some kind of bizarre medical research."
"So what was with the poison gas?" Tamaki asked, pointing his rifle at every dark corner. "How is that medical research?"
"From a first glance Clovis's experiments seemed bizarre but the deeper I dug in the more I came to realize that Clovis perhaps had found something with a link to Geass and was looking to replicate it. Perhaps he was creating a drug that offered a form of enhancements to Britannia's troops or even a way to turn them into brutal killing machines." Lelouch said, picking up on what he knew of C.C. and Naruto. "At the very least it is possible that this was the target for the poison gas. A way to kill those people left here and leave anything vital to be retrieved."
"And we threw a cork in that plan when we stole the canister." Kallen said, catching onto Lelouch's story. "They must have cut their losses and abandoned this place."
"Indeed, Kallen." Lelouch nodded. "But we still need more information about this place."
Tamaki was about to say something when all three heard the sound of the gun lodged into the door starting to break along with sounds of snarling cannibals on the other side growing louder.
"Oh crap!" Tamaki shouted as the gun snapped in half and the doors were knocked down a second later. "Not again!"
"Run!" Lelouch yelled as the cannibals chased after them.
'I should have summoned Naruto and C.C. when I had the chance. Knowing them they're back home sleeping!' Lelouch thought on his head as they tried to find a way out.
The problem was that there no doors that could hold the cannibals back and no stairs to climb. The only set of doors that might have a way out were elevator doors at the end of the hall. Tamaki tried to pry open the door while Lelouch and Kallen shot at the approaching hoard of bloodthirsty animals in human skin but they were getting closer. Tamaki grunted loudly as the doors were slowly opened but not fast enough so Kallen and Lelouch turned around and helped him open the empty shaft.
"Go now!" Lelouch turned and shot back at the monsters that were getting closer. "I'll cover you!"
"But Zero-" Kallen started.
"Don't argue! Just go!" Lelouch cut Kallen off and continued to shoot.
Tamaki jumped first, grabbing onto the elevator cables and slid down into the darkness below. Kallen looked back at Lelouch and saw him nod before she jumped next, grabbing the cables and like Tamaki slid down. Lelouch fired one more shot before turning and jumping, rather poorly but managed to grab onto a cable and slid down below. However his grip was not as strong as the other two and just when he was half way down his hands slipped and he let out a scream as he fell to the bottom floor, letting out a grunt when he hit the ground.
CRACK!
"Zero!" Lelouch heard Kallen cry out.
"You okay man?!" Tamaki asked anxiously.
Lelouch strained to keep his eyes open as the visor on his mask slowly cracked and as much as he tried to stay awake he couldn't.
He blacked out hearing Kallen and Tamaki saying his name.
Xxx
Nunnally sat on her bed, waiting for her brother to come home even though he was going to be late. She couldn't sleep without knowing he was safe but as time went on she grew more frustrated as she waited.
'Lelouch…What the hell are you doing? Why can't you just come home?' Nunnally's foot tapped impatiently against the floor. "Why can't you just talk to me? Why can't you…let me help you?"
Everyone had their breaking point and Nunnally was closely approaching hers no matter how much she loved her brother.
"It's annoying waiting for him, isn't it?" Nunnnally looked up and saw C.C. standing at her door. "Lulu can be such a pain sometimes can't he?"
"Tsunade…" Nunnally whispered, glaring, actually glaring at C.C. "You know where Lelouch is don't you?"
"We have people tracking him down as we speak but I wanted to speak to you about something." C.C. said as she walked in. "Say Lelouch was the one who was crippled and blind and you were left to take care of him. Would you do anything to protect him?"
"Of course! You don't need to even ask me such a question!" Nunnally stood up. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Even wage a war against Britannia?" C.C. asked, making Nunnally freeze. "That's the question isn't it?"
"Tsunade…Is my brother…" Nunnally's eyes widened as she remembered what Zero on the television. "Is he…Zero?"
C.C. raised an eyebrow. "Somehow I feel that is not the real question. I suspect the real question is…What can you do to help him?"
"Help him?" Nunnally gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. "He's doing this…All of this…Against the Emperor…"
"And leaving you behind, trying to keep you innocent and pure. But is that what you want? To be the little princess who sits and watches her brother descent into darkness to make the world supposedly a better place?" C.C. held a hand. "Or do you want be strong enough to stand with him?"
"Stand with him?" Nunnally stared at the hand.
"There is a power that your brother knows that he is using to perform miracles in the name of his rebellion to garner respect and fear. You can have that power…or something greater. It all depends on what you would be willing to sacrifice for." C.C. stated. "Well, Nunnally, do you wish to take your next step into the real world?"
Nunnally stared at the hand, wondering if this was a mere dream but if it was all true…
She reached out and grasped the hand.
*Chapter 24*: Chapter 24Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"Zero!" Kallen shouted as she and Tamaki knelt down next to their knocked out leader.
Lelouch seemed to be in reasonable condition but Kallen's eyes widened when she saw a crack slowly forming on Lelouch's mask.
'Oh crap!' Kallen's eyes widened in fear.
She accepted Lelouch for who he was because she had seen him, seen the hatred for Britannia for what they had done to him and his sister but she wasn't sure if Tamaki or the others were ready for it. They weren't racist or prejudiced towards Britannians as much as some other Japanese soldiers and or groups but that didn't mean it wouldn't cause trouble in the Black Knights.
"What do we do?" Tamaki asked.
"We check for any injuries first and then we get to a safe place." Kallen looked at the open doors of the empty elevator shaft. "So far there are no cannibals trying to kill us."
"Don't jinx us!" Tamaki whispered harshly.
Kallen rolled her eyes as she slipped Lelouch's arm over her shoulder and stood up, thankful that Lelouch wasn't so heavy. That was probably the only good thing about his poor physique despite Naruto's attempts to make Lelouch exercise more back at the academy.
"Tamaki, keep an eye open for an infirmary of some kind. We don't have anything to treat Zero if he's badly hurt." Kallen said quickly.
"Okay. Do you think we'll have to…" Tamaki looked at Zero's cracked mask.
"Only if we have to." Kallen answered.
She needed to try and keep Lelouch's secret for as long as possible. There was no telling what would happen if the Black Knights found out their leader was actually an exiled Britannian prince with a power to control people.
CRACK!
Kallen stopped upon hearing a cracking sound and her eyes widened as part of Lelouch's mask broke off, showing his dark hair and soon enough the entire mask split off, falling onto the ground.
Tamaki gasped, seeing Lelouch's face which had a facemask covering the bottom half of his face . "His mask…Is that…Zero…He's just a kid!"
"Oh crap." Kallen whispered.
Xxx
Nunnally honestly had no idea what to expect when she touched C.C.'s hand but the moment she did she overwhelmed with images of places and people she had never seen before in her life.
'What-What is this?' Nunnally wondered as her mind tried to process everything.
'An interesting question.' C.C.'s voice supposedly whispered into her ear.
'Tsunade?'
'That is a name I've used as a disguise at Ashford. The name I use with your brother is C.C.' The strange girl replied.
'What's going on?' Nunnally asked as the visions kept on flashing, threatening to blind her.
'What you are seeing are images of places in the world long forgotten by humanity but not by its will. It is part of the collective…The sea of transmigration…The World of C.'
'World of C?'
'Yes and from that world comes two powers that will allow you to crush Britannia…'
Nunnally's vision was clouded with darkness as a copy of herself appeared in front of her but Nunnally gasped when her duplicate's left eye flashed red with a bird like crest shining around the pupil.
'The first is Geass, the Power of the King…'
Another Nunnally copy appeared next to the first one only both of her eyes had a purple sclera with multiple black rings surrounding a black dot that was the pupil.
'And the second is the Rinnegan, the Eyes of God.'
'Geass? Rinnegan?' Nunnally repeated.
'Your brother was given Geass because he lacked the physical strength needed to handle the Rinnegan. The power of Geass is focused on mentality while the Rinnegan's power requires physical strength and endurance.' C.C. explained, appearing behind Nunnally. 'The power of Geass manifests differently with each person. Your brother's manifested as the Power of Absolute Obedience, giving him the ability to compel anyone who makes eye contact with him obey any command he gives them.'
'That is brother's power?' Nunnally's widened in shock.
'Yes. Another person's Geass, the Power of Absolute Vision allows them to see with a longer and enhanced vision and can paralyze anyone she makes eye contact with while another had the Power of Absolute Mind Hearing which allowed them to hear anyone's thoughts over a small distance. As for the Rinnegan…There are only six people I can grant this power to.' C.C. said as she walked around Nunnally. 'Deva, Asura, Animal, Human, Preta, and Naraka. These are the six paths and I can make anyone who I grant the Rinnegan to one of these paths. Right now I have only three paths, leaving three more open. They are Deva, Preta, and Naraka.'
'Paths?' Nunnally said, trying to process everything.
'Yes but be warned as each power comes with a price. If you accept Geass than it'll eventually be permanently active, leaving you unable to turn it off and thus you will be isolated. If you accept the Rinnegan than you will share your vision with five others who are my paths and you will need to learn to control this power or everyone around you will be in constant danger from you.' C.C. stopped behind Nunnally. 'The question now is which power will you choose?'
The two Nunnallys held out their hands to the real Nunnally who stared at them. 'I have to choose which power.'
'Yes.' C.C. nodded. 'It is your choice, Nunnally Vi Britannia.'
'…I only have one more question.' Nunnally turned and faced C.C. 'Is my brother doing all of this for me? Did he kill our brother Clovis for me?'
C.C. raised an eyebrow. 'That is a question I cannot answer for Lelouch. I can only say that there is more to what happened with Clovis than you currently know. If you wish to understand you must ask Lelouch that question yourself.'
Nunnally frowned but restrained herself.
Even though Tsunade or C.C. as she preferred to call herself did not answer her question she did have a point. If she wanted answers she needed to ask her brother herself instead of asking his friends behind his back.
'Very well.' Nunnally turned and faced her duplicates. 'I have made my decision.'
She reached out and touched a hand…
And screamed when she felt the power travel through her body.
Xxx
"They are in the facility." Rolo stated through the phone.
"Good. Sierra's Geass is working perfectly, I assume."
"Yes sir." Rolo nodded.
"Good. We can keep Zero and his Black Knights contained until we have them cornered. Have you located C.C.?"
"Negative. She is not with Zero or any of the Black Knight groups that have scattered throughout the facility."
"…I see. Continue the plan. She will come soon enough."
"Yes sir." Rolo nodded and hung up.
He looked at the multiple monitors showing the Black Knights in the abandoned facility.
"Your time will come soon, Zero." Rolo whispered as his right eye flashed red. "You and your allies will fail and C.C. will be back with us."
Xxx
Lelouch felt like his head had cracked open like an eggshell when he finally regained consciousness and when he opened his eyes he saw Kallen and Tamaki looking down at him. Kallen looked concerned and Tamaki looked like he was ready to freak out for some odd reason. Lelouch put a hand to his face-
Wait, his face?
Eyes widening Lelouch looked around and saw the broken half of his mask in Kallen's hands and realized what must have happened. 'My mask must have broken during my fall. Damn it, I never made a plan if my identity was compromised this soon.'
"Kallen, this is Zero…He's just a kid…And he's a Britannian!" Tamaki realized upon finding his voice again. "Holy crap Zero is a Britannian!"
"So am I, Tamaki! Does that make me the enemy?!" Kallen snapped.
That caused Tamaki to pause. "Uh…no…But you are Japanese too."
"Yeah but remember I'm also half Britannian no matter how much I hate to admit it." Kallen said dully, not liking the little reminder.
"Uh…." Tamaki seemed lost for words.
"Let's not forget it's understandable that Tamaki would be confused by the fact that a Britannian, even a full blooded one would be rebelling against his nation." Lelouch stood up and rubbed his head. "Considering that you discovered who I was and didn't kill me I probably should have seen this coming. Even though we could have used their help it's actually good that Seizan and Shinryoku aren't here or they would have never let me hear the end of it."
"Kallen knows who you are?!" Tamaki blurted out.
"Not at first but I found him at the school I go to and after some hard negotiating I agreed not to tell everyone who he was immediately but I asked him to consider sharing his identity with some of the others sooner or later." Kallen sighed and looked back at Lelouch. "I didn't like it but I agreed as he was the best chance we had."
"But why help us?" Tamaki questioned.
"Why indeed." Lelouch grunted and a scowl on his face. "Why would a Britannian rebel and wage war with his own people?"
"Lelouch, your eye." Kallen pointed at Lelouch's left eye.
"Oh right." Lelouch closed his left eye and tore off a piece of his face mask, wrapping it around his eye as a patch. "Just so you don't think I'm using my Geass on you. With my eye covered I can't use my Geass to make you obey any command I might make. You also have those visors I gave you in case I remove the cloth."
"Wow…Thanks." Tamaki had almost completely forgotten about Zero's Geass. "I didn't think about that."
"In the meantime the reason I'm fighting against Britannia is simple: they've taken from me as much as they've taken from your people." Lelouch continued. "In fact they've probably taken more since I lost two homes to them and I was forced to carry my sister who was blind and crippled at the time of the invasion through a field of corpses and lied to her about the smell."
Kallen flinched at that while Tamaki's face turned slightly green as they both saw the rage and anger in Lelouch's eyes. It was what convinced her that Lelouch was on their side despite lying to them from the beginning. Actually he didn't really lie, they just all assumed he was Japanese and that he was just fighting to free Japan which wasn't far from the truth. Everyone had built up their own ideas and believes of what Zero was and though he hadn't denied it he didn't confirm it either.
"My sister and I came to Japan along with a number of Britannians before the war and we had no idea of the invasion that happened several months later. In fact I believe the plans for the invasion were kept secret to most of the empire until the time was right because I doubt there wouldn't have been any Britannians in Japan when the invasion started." Lelouch continued. "Knowing the Emperor I believe it was his intention to not allow anyone in Japan, his own people included, know about the invasion and if any Britannians were caught up in the war and killed they were just written off as weaklings who couldn't survive."
"Jeez, that's harsh." Tamaki admitted. "So that's why your fighting with us? They killed your family in the invasion?"
"Something like that." Lelouch admitted. While he didn't want to tell the whole truth he could tell enough to hopefully get Tamaki to trust him. "My sister was left blind and crippled and she only recently recovered but it was long enough for the pain of being betrayed to sink in. Needless to say I haven't been proud of my own nation or people for a very long time now and recently I decided that it was time for a change."
"By helping us take back Japan?" Tamaki asked.
"It's a start." Lelouch said with a small smile. "If Britannia loses Japan they lose a large amount of sakuradite and word of their defeat would reach the E.U. and the Chinese Federation who would take it as a sign that Britannia is weakening and it would embolden them to attack and other Areas would suffer as their own resistance groups would be galvanized by the loss of Japan. And if that happens than the Japanese will have a chance to rebuild and not worry about Britannia launching a massive counter attack to take back a country that defied them."
"…Wow." Was all Tamaki could say.
"Not the word I was expecting but I'll accept that. The only people who even know my secret aside from Kallen are my knights and the heads of Kyoto." Lelouch continued.
"They knew who you were the whole time?" Tamaki remembered the encounter with Taizo Kirihara.
"They knew I was in Japan at the time of the invasion but they didn't know I was Zero until I unmasked myself before Kirihara." Lelouch answered. "That's why he placed all of Kyoto's resources at our disposal. He knows just how much I despise Britannia and he knows just how dangerous I can be."
Tamaki and Kallen both shivered when they saw Lelouch's eyes flare again with anger, hate, and determination.
"Wow…I didn't think it was possible for Britannia to screw its own citizens over." Tamaki finally said after a moment of silence.
"Believe it. More than one person has suffered because of Britannia's cruelty and their social Darwinist attitude but none of them had the courage to speak up. Speaking out against the Empire is a death sentence not just for you but your family and anyone who knows you. I did that and for that my blind and crippled sister and I were shipped off to Japan as political hostages and left to die in the war zone when the invasion started." Lelouch explained reluctantly. "That's how things are run in Britannia, strength and obedience is the only way to live. I've suffered as much as the Japanese have but I knew that I wouldn't gain any trust if anyone knew Zero was a Britannian, at least not yet. I had considered revealing myself at a later time, when I proved myself with my promise of taking back Japan and showing the entire world that Britannia can be defeated. So, Tamaki let me be direct before you suddenly decide to tell Ohgi and the others about me."
Tamaki almost gulped when he saw Lelouch's eyes narrow at him while Kallen put a hand on Tamaki's shoulder to help him stay calm.
"I swear if it's the last thing I ever do I will obliterate Britannia!"
Xxx
Nunnally gritted her teeth from the pain as the power she chose seemingly embedded itself into her. Her body felt like it was on fire but slowly the pain faded away and what was left was a feeling of…
Invincibility.
She felt like she was strong enough to take on the entire Britannian Empire by herself even though she was left gasping for breath as she fell on her knees.
"Lady Nunnally?" Sayoko asked as she knelt down in front of her young charge, watching as the young girl lifted her head…
And Sayoko was greeted with a secondary vision added to her own, showing her own shocked face as Nunnally's eyes, now having a purple sclera and multiple black rings stared at her.
Nunnally had become one C.C.'s Paths like her and gained the Rinnegan!
"Sayoko?" Nunnally asked as she slowly lifted her hand to touch Sayoko's cheek and the maid brought her hand up to Nunnally's with a smile.
"It's all right, my lady." Sayoko closed her eyes and when she opened them Nunnally had two pairs of vision, one staring at Sayoko and the other staring at…
Herself?
"Your eyes…" Nunnally whispered seeing both herself and Sayoko with the same kind of eyes that were different than anything she had ever seen before.
"Yes, my lady. I too have the Rinnegan." Sayoko nodded. "I gained these eyes after I promised to help your brother in his rebellion."
"You knew?" Nunnally asked with slightly widened eyes.
Sayoko nodded with a regretful look on her face. "Forgive me, my lady. Master Lelouch made me swear not to tell you. He did not want you to know that he embarked on a quest of vengeance against his former homeland or that he was prepared to stain his hands in blood."
Nunnally had a small frown on her face but smiled. "Don't be sad, Sayoko. I do not blame you. I know you would protect my brother from anything."
Sayoko smiled. "You are too kind, Lady Nunnally."
Nunnally stood up, staggering a bit as she found herself feeling that her body was a little different and harder to move. "I feel lightheaded."
"It'll take a few minutes to get used to, Lady Nunnally. I was the same when I gained this power." Sayoko put a hand on Nunnally's shoulder to help steady her. "The Rinnegan does not just change your eyes it changes your body. It'll take some time to get use to as the Rinnegan forces the body to create a circulatory system to channel the energy properly and it leaves you light headed."
"I definitely feel lightheaded." Nunnally rubbed her head. "These eyes…I remember Tsunade, no I think her name is C.C."
"You can still call me Tsunade when we're in the company of others." C.C. said with a grin. "But you can actually call me Sensei since I will be helping to train you."
"C.C.? Why do you call yourself that?" Nunnally questioned.
"That my dear is my little secret." C.C. remarked with her usual grin that she liked to use when she was annoying anyone. "All you need to know is that I gave this power and it was used to cure you of your blindness."
"You cured me of my blindness?" Nunnally asked, her mind suddenly filled with images of…
She remembered waking up in a hospital bed, unable to move her legs
She remembered her father coming to see her and she saw his eyes flash red, saying something that caused her to close her eyes, never to open them again.
Nunnally cried out as she fell onto her knees, causing Sayoko to kneel next to her. "Are you all right my lady?"
"I remember…my father….I woke up…I couldn't feel or move my legs and my father came…He said something and I saw my mother's body on top of me…She was all bloody and I…I closed my eyes and never opened them…" Nunnally's Rinnegan eyes began to tear up as she looked up at C.C. "Those red crests…They were the same eyes you showed me when you…He has those other eyes…"
"Geass." C.C. finished, looking slightly sympathetic. "Though it is not as powerful as the Rinnegan it has the power to bring entire countries to their knees. It is a power that a few in this world have and one of them is Charles zi Britannia. His Geass is the Power of Mental Manipulation which allows him to suppress or alter the memories of anyone he sees."
"He altered my memories?" Nunnally looked up. "Did he do the same thing to Lelouch?"
"No. He prefers not to use his Geass on his family but he chose you to make you Lelouch's greatest weakness. He knew Lelouch would seek justice for his mother's murder and decided that you would be used to keep him grounded." C.C. explained, knowing that Nunnally was more concerned about the possibility that Charles had used his Geass on her brother than the fact that he had intentionally blind and crippled her.
"He…He did this…" C.C. could see fury rising in Nunnally's eyes. "He made me weak…He made me dependent on my brother…He made me helpless…WHY?! WHY DID HE DO THIS TO US?! WHY DID HE CRIPPLE ME AND EXHILE US?!"
C.C. actually took a step back as Nunnally's new Rinnegan flared, highlighting her fury. "I cannot say why he did it. All I know is that he needed the two of you out of the way."
"…I hate him. I hate him. I HATE HIM!" Nunnally shouted as she stood up, looking at C.C. with absolute hate in her ringed eyes that seemed to glow eerily, as if manifesting her rage for all the world to see. "HE STOLE MY LEGS AND MY SIGHT TO MAKE ME A BURDEN TO MY BROTHER! Well he's not going to get away with this! Now I understand…Why my brother became Zero…It's because of our bastard father and what he's done to us...He's not going to get away with this…From this day forward I swear if it's the last thing I ever do I will obliterate Britannia!"
Sayoko and even C.C. were shocked to see the fury in Nunnally's eyes, seeing the same kind of fury before in Lelouch's and realized that Nunnally was exactly the same as her brother: a lost child of royalty that harbored enough hate and rage that would destroy everything in their way.
'If only Charles and Marianne could see this now. I can't even imagine how they'd react to this.' C.C. thought as Nunnally looked at her. 'Perhaps the one thing more dangerous than Lelouch was in fact his little sister, their daughter.'
"C.C…I believe it's time for my training to begin." Nunnally said, looking C.C. in the eye. "I have a rebellion of my own to plan."
"Well…" C.C. slowly grinned, interested in what she had started. "Let's get started."
Xxx
Both Lelouch and Kallen were relieved that Tamaki agreed to keep Zero's identity secret for now. The last thing they needed was the rest of the Black Knights reacting badly to the idea of a former prince of Britannia leading them, even if it was the son of a Britannian commoner that had become a member of the Knights of the Round and than an Empress Consort. Kallen didn't want to admit but back when she was…proud of her Britannian heritage she looked like to Empress Marianne along with a great many other commoners and nobles for reaching the top of the Britannian Empire with her skills as a pilot. Kallen had read up on Marianne during her research on Lelouch and Nunnally and remembered her as the woman who piloted the prototype of the Knightmare Frames: the Ganymede and becoming known as the 'Flash'.
It was then Kallen remembered attending a few parties as a little girl with her father and she remembered seeing the Ganymede in action which left her shaking with awe. She knew the Ganymede was at Ashford Academy since Milly's family designed it and she remembered thinking about how much she wanted to learn how to pilot a Knightmare when she saw the Ganymede in action. Of course when Britannia invaded and enslaved Japan she put all those thoughts to the back of her head and pretended they never existed. But now she was fighting Britannia with the son of the woman who had been her idol for a time which almost made her want to laugh.
Of course Lelouch obviously didn't have any of his mother's skills but she had seen his intellect in action and knew he was dangerous in his own way.
'He sure has a way with words.' Kallen thought in her head. 'If not for Naruto to keep things honest I'd honestly be more irritated with him and possibly C.C.'
She realized that she knew less about Naruto and C.C. than she did about Lelouch and they were the ones who gave her and Lelouch their powers while they had powers of their own that was even greater and more dangerous. Kallen shook her head to get back on track as she heard growling sounds and knew that the monsters in the facility were getting close.
"Oh. We gotta get moving!" Tamaki yelled as they started running through the hall again.
At the end of hall was a door that led into an office and they quickly barricaded the door with a few chairs and a desk.
"Great, now what?" Kallen rubbed her forehead.
"I guess since, as they say, the jig is up I can go ahead and reveal a few more tricks." Lelouch said as he pulled out a tri-pronged kunai. "Tamaki, get ready to have your mind blown away."
"Uh?" Was all Tamaki said as Lelouch threw the kunai onto the ground.
There was a flash of yellow light and standing in front of Lelouch was Naruto, dressed in simple blue pants, a black T-shirt, and a dark jacket with orange highlights.
"Hey, Lelouch. It's about time you called me…" Naruto looked around and saw Kallen and a startled Tamaki behind him. "Oh…Hey, Kallen. Tamaki, you're here too? Lelouch actually showed his face to you? Guess working on those trust issues paid off."
"Not now, Naruto." Lelouch sighed and closed his eyes. "We're in a bit of a situation."
"I noticed. You didn't make it back and Nunnally was getting worried." Naruto remarked. "C.C.'s with her and keeping her distracted. So what happened? That tip said there was something here that had to do with whatever Clovis was up to."
"It seems this place was a set up. We were attacked by people who were affected by Geass, turning them into rabid monsters." Lelouch explained.
Naruto scowled. "The Geass Order? I'm not surprised. We've been kicking Britannia's collective assess for months now. Those bastards must be getting pretty steamed to set up something like this."
"Uh…Who is this guy?" Tamaki asked out of the blue.
Naruto smacked himself on the head. "Dumbass! I can't believe I forgot!" He reached into his jacket and pulled out his fox mask. "Recognize me now, Tamaki-san?"
"You're Seizan?!" Tamaki exclaimed, pointing incredulously at Naruto. "You're a kid like Zero!"
"But I am also more badass than Zero." Naruto chuckled as Lelouch rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, Lelouch. Get a sense of humor."
"I'll consider if we make it out of here alive." Lelouch retorted. "But we have bigger problems. We got separated from the others, into groups of three. We don't know if they're still alive or not."
"No problem." Naruto said as he looked around the office. "They're still alive. They're moving through the facility but Ohgi's team is on the far end while Todoh's moving down the middle."
"How can you tell?" Tamaki asked.
"Oh, Lelouch and Kallen didn't tell you. I got a few gifts of my own that is different from their Geass and one of them is that I can sense the life force of the rest of your team." Naruto explained casually, ignoring the gobsmacked look on Tamaki's face. "Lelouch did say that Shinryoku and I have the ability to block his Geass."
"How the hell do you have a power like that?" Tamaki asked.
"I found a lamp with a magic inside that granted me three wishes." Naruto said with smile, ignoring Lelouch and Kallen's eyes twitching at the obvious lie.
"Really?" Tamaki's jaw nearly dropped.
"No, but I tell people that story anyways." Naruto laughed. "I'm actually a ninja who uses a secret art created by a priest thousands of years ago as a way to promote piece. Funny thing about that, it didn't work out so well."
"…You made that up too, didn't you?" Tamaki accused.
Before Naruto could answer Lelouch decided to speak up. "Putting aside the levity, Naruto we need your help. We need a way out of the facility and find the others before we're all killed."
"Well, finding the others isn't going to be an issue, Lelouch. It's getting out of here and making sure nothing here gets out onto the streets and making sure that no one's recording us. The last thing you need is Britannian soldiers showing up at Ashord Academy, right?" Naruto threw a kunai at a security camera.
Lelouch winced as he forgot that one detail. "Right. In our haste to find shelter I forgot about disposing of any evidence. I hadn't even taken into consideration that the fact that my mask was destroyed that I'd be recognized if the footage was found by Cornelia."
"Relax, boss. We'll take care of that before we leave." Naruto waved it off. "Right now we just need to focus on meeting up with the others." He tossed his mask at Lelouch. "Here, you can use my mask for cover."
"What about you?" Lelouch asked, catching the mask.
"Don't worry about me. Focus on staying alive." Naruto answered. "At the very least if the others do see me they won't think I'm a Britannian." He walked over the door, pulling out a kunai. "So there are people acting like cannibals because of Geass? I'm sensing feelings of unrestrained blood lust from the other side of the door."
"Essentially, yes." Lelouch nodded as he put on the mask.
"Can you stop them?" Kallen asked.
"Hell yeah." Naruto nodded with a grin. "I just need to get a better look at them."
With that said he kicked the door open and in rushed a crowd of Geassed cannibals at Naruto who took out his kunai as the Henge around his Rinnegan vanished and he looked each of them in the eye. There was a flash from the Geass crest in eyes and the cannibals froze and then collapsed onto the ground.
Naruto walked over and put his hands on their heads, closing his eyes. "The Geass that made them like this has been cancelled and I just erased their memories so they won't be scared for life for what they did while they were controlled."
He pulled out a small scroll and in a quick puff of smoke he sealed them all into the scroll. It was a small comfort to save a few people who were the victims of a dangerous power and a cruel mind that used them as pawns for some twisted plot, just so that they could try and capture Cera for their insane plans. Naruto also made note of the figure he saw in their minds, a shadow figure with a red glowing Geass crest on the left eye. This was the monster who had turned the people in this complex into monsters and set them loose, killing anyone who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The three behind him watched as Naruto made quick work of the cannibals with little time and effort without actually killing them.
"Whoa…" Tamaki gaped as Naruto turned and faced them. "How'd you-Those eyes!"
"Oh." Naruto realized that he didn't cover his Rinnegan back up. "Sorry about that. I forgot you didn't know. Well, you know how Zero said Shinryoku and I could counter his Geass. Well, these eyes," Naruto pointed his ringed eyes. "Can counter and remove any form of Geass that exists. It is called the Rinnegan."
"Rinnegan?" Tamaki repeated in confusion.
"Anyways the Geass seems to drive them mad to the point that disabling the effect does little does stop them. I guess it doesn't affect memory like Lelouch's does." Naruto frowned. "They are driven to such madness that cancelling the Geass doesn't work."
"That's unsettling." Lelouch stated. "A Geass that causes madness and cannibalism is something that could endanger the entire country."
"Yep. This screams 'set-up.' Someone wanted us here." Naruto looked around with a wary look. "If they didn't want any knowledge of Geass falling into the wrongs hands they would have killed everyone here."
"A set up? How? Why?" Kallen asked.
"Was it for us or someone else?" Lelouch questioned, quickly catching on.
"Probably both. They wanted the Black Knights to find this place because they suspect someone they're looking for us with us. With all of these Geassed cannibals around they probably thought that the Black Knights would be wiped out with only the person they are looking for left alive. Too bad she's not around." Naruto said, wondering if that brat V.V. was behind this.
"Are you talking about C-I mean Shinryoku?" Kallen asked, quickly covering up her mistake.
"Yep."
"Why would they be after her?" Tamaki asked.
"Because she's the one who gave Zero his Geass in the first place." Naruto answered, ignoring Lelouch's glare. "Britannia can't afford her running around and granting Geass to anyone who is not under their control."
"So they're after her." Kallen grunted. "And we fell for it."
"Not entirely. You guys are still breathing which counts for something." Naruto pointed out. "All we have to do is find the others and get out of here."
Lelouch nodded. "He's right. The sooner we get out of here the better."
With everyone in agreement they followed Naruto out of the room and back down the hall with Naruto quickly disposing of any cannibals that were in the way.
"So why couldn't C.C. show up?" Kallen asked. "She could have simply left Nunnally with someone to make sure she didn't suspect anything."
"Yeah…About that." Naruto rubbed the back of his head while making sure to avoid eye contact with Lelouch, not that Lelouch's Geass could have done anything.
"Naruto…" Lelouch spoke calm and low but it was enough for Kallen and Tamaki's spines to have a sudden chill. "What happened?"
"Nunnally…tried to sneak out and look for you." Naruto answered, omitting a few details.
"She what?" Lelouch's eyes widened. "Why the hell would she do that?"
"Maybe because she's starting to suspect you. It's not like she's still blind and crippled anymore. She's up and running around and she's starting to put two and two together. You didn't actually think she'd sit still and wait for you, did she?" Naruto retorted.
"What did you do?" Lelouch harshly questioned.
Naruto rolled his eyes. "We took her out for pizza. It was either that or tell her to go to her room and wait for her to sneak out because that's what kids do when they got a feeling something is going on and when they are told to not do something. They get curious and then sneak away when the gullible grownups aren't looking."
"I don't believe it…" Lelouch shook his head. "I can't believe she would do that. Doesn't she realize how dangerous that is? How could she act so irresponsible and reckless? Doesn't she realize the danger she would be in?"
"Well she's not blind and crippled anymore and she's not falling for the 'working late' crap anymore either. She either knows you're up to something or she thinks you might be in trouble and actually she'd be right on both those things." Naruto retorted and then smirked. "Face it, Lelouch, Nunnally may act the sweet little sister but she can be as smart as you are and just as observant and that was before she got her sight back. Giving her back her sight and legs has made her determined to make up for the last seven years of being immobile and completely dependent on you and you obviously weren't expecting this."
Lelouch grunted. "And you were?"
"The fact that she ran laps around the academy with you puking your lungs out was proof enough for me. Come on, you can't say you weren't expecting things to be a little different? Boy you are in for a big surprise then." Naruto chuckled.
"Can we please get back on track? We're kind of in the middle of a situation right now." Kallen cut in, slightly annoyed that the two were easily distracted by something as simple as Lelouch's little sister rebelling against her big brother.
'Like you were any better. How many times did you argue with your big brother when he was trying to protect you from getting involved in the fighting?' A traitorous little voice in Kallen's head pointed out, reminding of how protective Naoto had been towards her and how she argued with him over almost every little thing.
Naoto had naturally been against letting Kallen join the resistance, believing it was too dangerous for her and had only relented when Kallen agreed to have an education which meant she had to go to school, a school full of stuck up Britannians. It hadn't been an easy compromise but in the Kallen had grudgingly relented but had only gone to school when she had no choice and made a quick cover of acting sick and feeble so she would have a legitimate excuse to skip school for an uncertain amount of time without drawing suspicion from anyone, even from her bitch of a step mother who neither cared about Kallen of what she did when she was out. In Kallen's mind going to school was a waste of her time since all she did was listen to a biased Britannian history of how they were great while everyone else, the Japanese included, were not worth the dirt on their shoes. Of course if it wasn't for her going to school she wouldn't have met Lelouch, Naruto or C.C. or gained her Geass which she knew was a benefit but she now knew more than almost anyone how dangerous it was in the wrong hands.
Many times she thought she was seeing herself and her brother when she watched Lelouch and Nunnally, seeing how protective Lelouch was of her, remembering how protective Naoto was of her when she was little. It was eerie of how similar the two were when Naoto had joined the Japanese resistance, rejecting his Britannian heritage and Lelouch was actually a Britannian prince. Well technically he was a former Britannian prince but to some Japanese resistance groups it wouldn't matter. They'd either try to kill him or use him and Nunnally as hostages to try and force Britannia out of Japan but Kallen knew it wouldn't work if the Emperor himself had thrown his own children away as political hostages.
And no matter how much Kallen hated Britannians she would never think of doing something like that, especially to someone who didn't deserve it.
"She's right. I don't know the whole story but we got to move." Tamaki agreed with Kallen who quickly shook her head to get rid of her distracting thoughts.
"Fine but we'll talk about this later, Naruto." Lelouch added with a glare that Naruto shrugged off. "Now we need to regroup with the others and find a way out of here."
"Got that covered." Naruto held up a tri-pronged kunai. "I didn't mark any of the others but I can find them in a flash. We just need to move and be quick about it."
"You have a plan, Naruto?" Kallen asked.
"I got a few ideas." Naruto answered with a grin.
Xxx
"He's here." Rolo said to his cell phone, watching the image of Naruto taking out the security camera on the monitor before him.
"Good. Sanitize the complex and capture the bodies."
"Understood."
Xxx
The halls suddenly lit up with red lights as klaxons rang throughout the underground facility, earning the group's attention.
"Now what?" Lelouch muttered.
"SANITATION SEQUENCE ACTIVATED RELEASING NERVE GAS." A female electronic voice spoke through the speakers.
"Nerve Gas?!" Kallen and Tamaki shouted.
"Damn it!" Lelouch cursed himself for not seeing this coming.
"Everyone stay close to me." Naruto said as the vents began to release the gas.
"But what can you do?!" Tamaki shouted, becoming hysterical.
"JUST DO IT!" Naruto shouted, his Rinnegan blazing as he made a hand sign.
Just as the gas almost engulfed them it was pushed back by a blast of wind that spun around the four, keeping them safe from breathing in the toxic gas. Acting on reflex Kallen activated her Geass when she was sure Tamaki wasn't looking and saw that Naruto was manipulating the air molecules around them, spinning the molecules like some kind of…
Whirlpool.
It was spinning but it was repelling the gas instead of sucking it in, forming a protective barrier around them.
'He keeps on doing these things and I don't even think it's even half of what he can do. Just where on the Earth could he have gotten this?' Kallen thought as she looked at Naruto, wondering where in the universe he got this power.
Lelouch had realized what Naruto was doing but unlike Kallen he didn't need his Geass to figure out what Naruto had done. 'This power…I see more of it every day and I know that not even Naruto knows the limits of it. I could have used it but according to him and C.C. I don't have the physical training to fully use the Rinnegan's powers but my Geass is still a valuable weapon.'
"Everyone all right?" Naruto asked, continuing to keep the nerve gas away.
"We're fine." Lelouch answered, ignoring the shell-shocked Tamaki. "It's a good thing you are here now or we would be dead."
"But what about the others? Ohgi and Todoh will be killed." Kallen said, concerned for the others who were separated from them.
"Don't worry, Kallen. I wouldn't let any of you guys go into any dangerous hell hole without some kind of protection." Naruto said with a reassuring smile. "After all as my sensei used to say 'Those who break the rules are trash but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash'."
"Wow. That sounds pretty cool." Tamaki admitted.
Xxx
"I can't believe we actually agreed to come down to this hell hole." Minami said as they barricaded the door, keeping the cannibals from getting into the cargo room. "Whose bright idea was it to come down here anyway-Oh right it was Zero!"
"I didn't see you arguing with him at the time!" Yoshida retorted.
"I was outvoted! Even Todoh and the Four Holy Swords agreed to come down here!" Minami exclaimed. "And look where it got us!"
"Yeah, you bitching every two minutes about it." Inoue grumbled. "Come on, it's not like Zero knew what was going on down here and we all agreed to come down so we're not exactly in a position to complain about it."
"Will you guys knock it off and check our ammo?" Ohgi said, looking at his pistol. "I got five rounds left."
"Twenty rounds left for me." Inoue said, inspecting her rifle.
"We all got around twenty to forty rounds left." Yoshida said once everyone checked their weapons. "We're going to run out soon and it'll be after we either starve to death or those cannibals knock the door down and eat us alive."
"It won't happen. We're going to make it out of here alive." Ohgi said, looking at everyone he was charged with protecting. "Zero won't let us die."
"There it is again. The whole 'Zero will save us' crap. Come on, Ohgi, you got to admit he dragged is down here. Who cares about this whole 'Geass' shit? We're just fighting to take back our home from those Britannian bastards. What does he fight for?" Minami asked.
"If he didn't fight for us he wouldn't have bothered to help us all." Ohgi reasoned. "He saved us and he even informed us of his Geass when he didn't have to. That was a big risk, especially if we ever thought he could be controlling us but our thoughts are our own. We chose to follow him and look at what we've accomplished since then."
No one could argue with that, considering the victories the Black Knights have gained since Zero appeared.
"So we wait for him to come and save us?" Minami questioned.
Before Ohgi answered the group heard roaring and fighting sounds on the other side of the barricaded door followed by bodies collapsing with loud thudding sounds.
"What was that?" Yoshida asked, looking at the door.
"Don't open it! We'll be killed!" Minami whispered harshly.
"Hello?" A voice said, knocking on the other end of the door. "Are you guys still alive?"
Ohgi's eyes widened in shock. "Seizan?"
The group carefully cleared out the barricade and slowly opened the door to see one of Zero's personal bodyguards standing on the other side of the door, waiting for them like they were late for an important appointment or something.
"Hey guys." Seizan said casually.
"Seizan, when did you get here?" Ohgi asked, pushing the door open. "How did you get here?"
"Oh I had Zero bugged just in case he got into bigger trouble than he thought. Despite how good he is we usually keep a backup plan ready for shit like this." Seizan shrugged. "I'm glad to see I wasn't too late."
"You and me both." Ohgi smiled in agreement before frowning. "What about the others? Is Kallen all right?"
"She's safe. Right now we're combing this place for everyone and then we are getting out of here. I've set explosives to blow this hellhole sky high." Seizan explained, gesturing them to follow. "Come on, the others will be waiting."
"All right. We're finally getting out of here." Inoue sighed in relief.
"What about the cannibals?" Ohgi asked as they followed their cloaked ally.
"Got it covered." Seizan answered simply.
Xxx
"Well this is a fine little mess we got ourselves into. Guess all that Geass-shit that Zero warned us about was real." Urabe said, smirking as usual despite the situation.
"Are you seriously joking in a time like this? We are in the middle of hiding from an army of cannibals because of this…'Geass' and because Zero brought us down here." Chiba scowled as she leaned against the wall.
"That's not true, Chiba. We agreed to come down here to see this Geass power with our own eyes. We all had our doubts and we needed to see it to understand that it was real." Todoh said, quickly preventing the potential argument that was about to break out.
"Colonel…" Chiba whispered, looking at Todoh with a surprised look.
"Zero warned us about his Geass and why he would always wear his mask around us and he even warned us about the Emperor having a Geass of his own, something he could have chosen to keep hidden but he told us anyway. He must known that some would regard him with mistrust and suspicion if he told us this but he warned us that his Geass only works through eye contact and even gave the Black Knights special protection in case something went wrong. This is not the actions of someone who would seek to us for his own gain." Todoh said, looking at the Four Holy Swords. "This is the action of someone who has given up any hope of a normal life and dedicated solely to one purpose and one purpose only."
No one argued with him about that but then again it wasn't like they expected him to. They looked to him as their leader and their source of strength and wisdom.
It perhaps was the price to be paid for being known as 'Todoh of Miracles'.
"Well said, Todoh-san." A voice on the radio said, causing the Holy Swords and their leader to jump in surprise. "Didn't expect that did you."
"That voice, isn't that the guy who wears the fox mask who is one of Zero's bodyguards?" Urabe asked out loud.
"Glad to see you remember me." Seizan said dryly.
"Where are you? Are you aware of the present situation?" Todoh asked, holding the radio.
"I am and I'm moving to rescue you all. I've already rescued Zero, Kallen, and Tamaki followed by Ohgi's group. I'm just getting to you guys now."
"Seizan, you must be cautious. These people-" Todoh started.
"I know, Todoh-san. I recognize Geass when I see it but don't worry. It has no effect on me and if you forgot Shinryoku and I can cancel its effect." Seizan said to calm him and the Holy Swords down.
Todoh narrowed his eyes as he remembered Zero saying that his personal knights were capable of blocking and canceling his Geass's effect as another incentive to avoid being accused of controlling the Black Knights or any allies. "Are you saying you cancelled its effect on the people in this facility?"
"For the most part, yes. I'm cancelling the effect on anyone I see but I still haven't found who did this but you can bet I'm going after the bastard that did this next. This is horrific. What they did to the people here is just despicable."
Todoh nodded in agreement. "We can help you."
"Thank you but no. You do not have the experience in dealing with people who have Geass and we don't know how exactly it is used." Seizan said before a knocking sound was heard at the door to the room the Holy Swords had barricaded themselves in. "Oh and that's me knocking on the door right now. Can you open it up?"
The group exchanged an uneasy look as they slowly pulled away whatever they used to barricade the door and slowly opened it to peek outside.
On the other side of the door was Zero's knight, Seizan who was lazily waving at them. "Hi, how are you guys doing?"
Most the Holy Swords were put off by his casual attitude but put aside as they stepped out to greet him and thank him for saving them.
Urabe was a possible exception. "I like this guy."
"Thanks." Seizan nodded with a chuckle. "Come on, I'm getting you guys out of here."
"What about the Geass? We can help you." Todoh asked.
"Don't worry. I won't let it touch you." Seizan tapped the eyeholes in his mask. "I'll take care of the Geass and then I'm blowing this place to hell."
"Are you sure you don't need help?" Todoh asked again, not wanting to leave a comrade alone in a dangerous situation.
"Thank you, Todoh-san but I will be fine. I've been in more dangerous situations than this and I came out just fine. It's you and the others I'm worried about. They tried to flood the place with nerve gas but I stopped it just in time." Seizan explained, patting himself on the back for his, or rather the real Naruto's quick thinking.
The instant the facility was beginning to be flooded with nerve gas Naruto used his shadow clones to track down the other members of the Black Knights and appeared via C.C.'s new technique which he could use as well, Takamagahara. He then used another special power the Rinnegan gave him, the ability to create clones in some kind of shadow world that could move through solid objects and quickly saved everyone from the nerve gas the same way he had saved Lelouch, Kallen, and Tamaki. Once he had saved them he forced the gas back into the vents and sealed them.
"We heard the computer saying it would start flooding the area with nerve gas but nothing happened. That was you?"
"In a manner of speaking. I barely had the time to shut it all down and make sure it wouldn't open up again. Look I don't have a lot of time to explain. You five have to hurry now because I stirred the hornet's nest. Those bastards will do everything they can to stop us from leaving." Seizan quickly changed the subject.
Todoh reluctantly nodded. "Very well. We're meet up with the others and leave."
Seizan nodded back. "And I'll catch up."
Xxx
"He stopped the nerve gas and he's somehow in three places at once? How is this possible? What kind of Geass does this intruder have?"
"Unknown." Rolo reported, watching the security monitors showing Seizan or rather Naruto appearing in different locations at once. "What do we do?"
"We do whatever it takes to capture him and find out where C.C. is hiding. I will not tolerate anymore failures. We will stop him here and now."
"Understood." Rolo nodded and stood up.
Time to capture one the Empire's most annoying enemies as of late.
*Chapter 25*: Chapter 25Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
It was easy for Naruto's clones to rescue all of the Black Knights, allowing him to locate the psychos that were responsible for this entire mess in the first place. The complex turned out to be more than just a research facility. There was a hanger that stored Knightmares at the bottom floor with a secret tunnel leading towards the Viceroy Palace. This was likely built in secret; the Viceroys probably had no idea about this facility.
Well it wouldn't matter because Naruto was planning on destroying this place when he was done anyways.
With a simple punch the doors to the hangar bay were knocked down. "Take that Baa-chan!"
Xxx
Back in the Shinobi world Tsunade suddenly felt angry and she knew why she felt angry. "That little bastard! Wherever he is I hope someone bashes him on the head!"
Xxx
Looking around Naruto saw Sutherlands and Gloucesters all lined up with their weapons pointed at him. "Geez guys, is that any way to say welcome?"
The answer came in the form of a clapping as a boy around Naruto's age with brown hair came out from behind the Knightmares. "Welcome, Naruto Uzumaki."
"So, you know me." Naruto scowled.
"Along with the traitor Lelouch vi Britannia, his little sister Nunnally vi Britannia who live at Ashford Academy under the aliases Lelouch and Nunnally Lamperouge. You also harbor the Code Bearer C.C." The boy stated.
Naruto's hidden Rinnegan saw the red light in the boy's right eye. "And you're a member of the Geass Directorate. If I had to guess…Rolo."
Rolo raised an eyebrow. "So C.C. told you about me. This was unexpected. It was believed she would not reveal anything."
"Yeah she can be stubborn." Naruto smirked. "But I broke her down."
Xxx
C.C. sneezed which annoyed her because she was enjoying a fine slice of pizza. "Naruto…"
She knew he had something to do with her sneezing on her pizza and she vowed she'd make him pay dearly.
Xxx
"In any case it does not matter. You will surrender and tell me where she is or you will die." Rolo said as the Knightmares levelled their weapons at Naruto who didn't bat an eye. "You can't escape."
"I wouldn't be so sure. Being an escape artist is practically my specialty." Naruto remarked casually.
"Not against this." Rolo said as he activated his Geass, freezing Naruto's perception of time. "You made a big mistake underestimating us." Rolo pulled out a knife to slit Naruto's throat and walked up to the blond. "You had your chance."
"So did you."
Rolo's eyes widened as Naruto grabbed his wrist as he held it Naruto's throat. "Wh-what?! How can you move?! My Geass hasn't worn off yet!"
Naruto chuckled. "You know a lot of times since coming a lot of people have made a habit of underestimating me. I guess it's kind of expected since you pricks haven't met anyone like me before but it's really getting annoying."
CRACK!
Rolo gritted his teeth as Naruto broke his wrist and released him, watching as the assassin jumped back. "FIRE!"
The Knightmares all aimed their rifles and pulled the trigger, releasing a hailstorm of bullets at Naruto who whispered two words as his Rinnegan eyes flashed with unlimited power. "Shinra Tensai!"
The bullets stopped mere inches from Naruto and were instantly launched back at the Knightmares ten times faster and harder as they pierced the armor on the Knightmares and came out the other side. The hangar was soon riddled with explosions and flying Knightmare pieces. The remaining Knightmares that survived the barrage moved to attack but Naruto was already on the move, dashing at the nearest Knightmare at high speed he jumped up and channeled chakra into his fist as he pulled back and slammed into the Knightmare's 'face' punching right through to the other side.
Landing on his feet Naruto spun around, making hand signs as he took a deep breath. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
From his mouth came a giant blast of fire that melted two more Knightmares in blast of fire just as they fired their slash harkens which were incinerated instantly. Taking out his katana Naruto channeled wind chakra through the blade as he slashed through the air, releasing wind blasts that cut through even the thickest armor like a knife through butter. In just under a moment Naruto had completely decimated the hangar, leaving piles of destroyed Knightmares across the floor and he hadn't even had to use his full power to take them down.
'I wonder if I went a little overboard.' Naruto wondered.
'Nah! This is what I've been waiting for. These weaklings don't exactly measure up.' Kurama laughed from inside Naruto's mind.
'You got a point.' Naruto conceded before looking at the speechless Rolo. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
Rolo was unable to speak or even move as he had just witnessed his target repel an entire group of Knightmares without moving an inch.
And then he saw those eyes…
He shivered as those ringed eyes seemed to stare into his very soul but his training kicked in when he noticed the Geass crest underneath the pupil. "What kind of Geass is that?"
"It's not Geass." Naruto simply said.
Rolo grunted and threw a knife at Naruto who caught it between his index and middle fingers. After seeing that tactic fail he pulled out his gun and fired at Naruto who kept his two fingers up and the bullets suddenly stopped in mid air.
"Magnet Release. Comes in handy in dealing with bullets." Naruto stated. "Seriously, this was your back up plan?"
Rolo stepped back, his mind racing to find a solution to this problem he was now facing.
"Now, there's a little matter I want to talk to you about. The matter of someone turning the people here into monsters." Naruto took a step forward. "It's not you because your Geass doesn't work that way so there's another Geass user around here. Where are they?"
"I will die before I talk." Rolo answered defiantly.
"No. You won't." Naruto said simply.
Rolo didn't have a chance to react as Naruto suddenly appeared right in front of him, his purple ringed eyes flashing ominously, and grabbed his head. Rolo tried to move but he felt a powerful presence in his mind, shifting through his mind like a library. Gasping at the unexpected sensation he fell to his knees, unable to move as Naruto shifted through his memories with nothing to stop him. No amount of training could have prepared Rolo for this.
He was literally helpless under the weight of what felt like an ocean of literal power beyond anything he had seen before. The assassin of the Geass Order was completely at the mercy of this interloper and he knew when he was helpless. For what had felt like a lifetime he was finally released and he fell face first onto the floor.
"So that's happened." Naruto scowled as he looked down at Rolo and leaned down to whisper into the assassin's ear. "I should kill you right now for what you've done but I won't, because I want you to send a message to the Geass Order, to V.V., and to Britannia's ass of an Emperor. Tell them that Zero isn't the only problem they will have in the future. I'm going to tear down the entire empire and end the suffering it has caused. That is my promise."
With that said Naruto Uzumaki disappeared in a flash of yellow light.
Xxx
"You're back." C.C. noted after Naruto reappeared in their room. "How'd it go?"
"I feel the urge to strangle the hell out of that little brat when I finally meet him." Naruto sighed as he sat down on the bed. "He left all those people to be turned into monsters just to capture us."
"V.V. was always a little psycho." C.C. rolled onto her stomach. "Find anything interesting?"
"A few things, including a little something Lelouch will want to know." Naruto slipped off his shirt and fell onto the bed, laying his back. "Too tired to talk now."
C.C., wearing only a tank top and her panties cuddled up to Naruto with a smile. "You can tell me in the morning. Time for peace."
Naruto nodded and closed his eyes.
Xxx
Lelouch just couldn't find the strength to get out of bed the following morning.
Perhaps it had been because the previous night raid had not only been physically taxing to a point that he didn't even bother to dream when he went to sleep. He just plopped onto the bed and closed his eyes.
'I should be getting and interrogating Naruto on the events of last night after he rescued everyone but I am just not in the mood. Perhaps today will simply be a resting day and allow everyone to recuperate after dealing with those cannibals.' Lelouch sat up on his bed. 'Perhaps spending the day with Nunnally will help me relax and curb her sudden rebellious streak.'
The thought of Nunnally suddenly acting a girl that would sneak out after bed time and recklessly wander the streets at night without consideration for her own safety was something Lelouch couldn't believe and he needed to speak to her about it as soon as possible. And then there was the matter of someone else knowing his face beneath the mask…
'Tamaki.'
Lelouch sighed and pulled the covers over his head.
It was too early for this shit.
'Oh great. Now I'm thinking like Naruto.'
Xxx
Naruto suddenly sneezed which woke him up from a rather nice sleep. "Fucking bastard. I was having a nice sleep until someone started talking about me."
"Will you stop whining? You're not the only one trying to sleep."
Naruto looked over and saw a single golden eye staring at him annoyance as her body rested against his. "What time is it?"
"Don't know. Don't care." C.C. scooted a little closer. "Go back to sleep."
Naruto chuckled. "Don't we have school?"
C.C. scoffed. "What do I care? Anyways shouldn't my need be more important?"
And to think back in his world Naruto was scolded for not taking education seriously. "Come on, Cera. If I can't go back to sleep we might as well get up."
C.C. scoffed and sat up. "I think I liked you better when you were not the responsible one."
Naruto chuckled as she walked over to where her school clothes were lying.
"So, Naruto, tell me something." C.C. said as she slipped her skirt on, very slowly to tease Naruto who was closely watching.
"What?"
"Why didn't you kill Rolo when you had the chance?" C.C. took off her tank top and then slid on the school shirt, doing it slowly to tease Naruto by showing off her chest.
"I wanted him to tell V.V. what happened to scare the shit out of the little bastard." Naruto said, not batting an eye to C.C.'s teasing.
He had been around her and Jiraiya enough times to have some form of control.
"That's hardly a reason." C.C. replied after doing up the buttons. "That will force him and Charles to back off for a short time but they'll be back."
"Maybe but I also learned of the hidden Geass Order base here in Japan and I want to take care of it first. They have been using it to distribute Refrain throughout Japan." Naruto replied. "And I want them all to be there for when I bring the shirt storm down on them."
C.C. did her tie up. "So just a warm up to the finale."
"You got it." Naruto nodded.
"That does sound like you." C.C. admitted as she slipped on her blazer, doing it up and then straightened her hair.
"And you're any different." Naruto retorted with a smirk.
C.C. threw a smirk back at him as she slid on her white thigh high stockings followed by her shoes. "At one point I'm going to wonder which of us is the most mature." She tied her hair into a pony tail and then did a little twirl to put on a show for Naruto. "Satisfied?"
"Beautiful." Naruto said honestly which in turned provoked an honest smile from C.C.
She always loved how honest he was with her, making her feel special with how much he cherished her even when he teased her.
"It's your turn to get dressed." C.C. winked. "Unless you plan to be dressed like that all day…Not that I really mind."
"You truly are a pervert." Naruto said as he started to get dressed feeling C.C eyeing him as he took off his shirt, showing her his bare chest. "Were you like this with anyone else?"
"I've had a few lovers. Of course I had a few moments when I've need to relief myself of any stress…But I never said I had any…male lovers in that time." C.C. answered with a sadistic grin.
It only widened when she saw a drop of blood coming out Naruto's nose.
Xxx
Nunnally had no idea how exactly she was supposed to feel when she saw her big brother making breakfast the following morning, acting like nothing had changed.
Like this was just another day.
Like he acting that he wasn't hiding a big secret from her.
The problem was that Nunnally knew.
Her eyes had been opened both literally and figuratively to the cruel world that she had been blinded to by both her brother and father.
Her father did it to ensure her brother would have always have a weakness, a crutch, a burden to her brother.
Lelouch had tried to protect her and what innocence she had left.
The problem was that the innocence he had tried was merely a mask she had made for his sake just as he pretended he wasn't waging a war with their former homeland to keep her safe but she wasn't a blind, crippled, naïve little girl anymore. She had already taken her first step into the real world and she was already following in her brother's footsteps by gaining a great power like he had. Bringing up a mirror to her face Nunnally watched as her purple eyes morphed into the same purple colored and black ringed patterned eyes that she shared with only a handful of people.
These eyes had made her look so different with just one glance.
Only six people could share these eyes according to C.C.
Six people sharing the same eyes but wielding different abilities.
Six people bound to each other and their contractor by the same vision.
C.C.'s Knightmare: Asura Path
The woman scientist named Rakshata who Nunnally was introduced to through their shared vision: Human Path
Her own maid, protector and friend, Sayoko Shinozaki: Animal Path
And now Nunnally who did not know what kind power or path she had taken yet but when she started training she soon would know what power she had been given. And then she would leave her own mark on the world like her brother.
"Six Paths of Rebellion." Nunnally whispered, staring at her Rinnegan.
The Six Paths of Rebellion and their masters, the two who gave them their powers, would one day change the entire world.
'And now I am one of those paths, like my brother. He wanted to change the world for my sake but I will not stand by and watch from the side lines. He has the power to change the world and I knew he would embark on the path of blood and destruction but he will not be alone.'
If he was a demon than she was a fallen angel who was cast out of Heaven and whose wings would be stained with the blood of her enemies.
Xxx
"So tell me, Lulu, how did the mission go last night?"
Lelouch had to sigh as Naruto and C.C. caught up to him on their way to class. He was not in the mood for this after what had happened last night. "Why don't you ask your boyfriend?"
"I want to hear it from you." C.C. said simply, wrapping her arms around Naruto's right arm. "Naruto already told me his story. Now it's your turn."
"If you must know it was a disaster." Lelouch answered with a grunt.
"Really? A mission led by you was a disaster?" C.C. lightly asked.
Lelouch scoffed and turned his head away, knowing that C.C. was teasing him and wasn't interested in what happened.
"I heard you lost your mask and had to rely on Naruto to save you when you were cornered. You really need to start training a bit instead of relying on that brain of yours to get you out of trouble." C.C. continued baiting Lelouch.
"Perhaps if you were there things would have been easier." Lelouch retorted.
"And then what? You start relying on me or Naruto to save you when things don't go your way?" C.C. said smoothly.
"And what about the Geass Order? I thought you had that taken care of." Lelouch argued. "My team was in no way prepared."
"How unfair. Things don't go your way and you blame it on us. At the very least you are all alive, proving it wasn't a total disaster. I guess this means we'll have to keep a closer eye on you from now on, just in case something goes wrong." C.C. smirked.
"It's possibly better that way." Lelouch reluctantly conceded. "At the very least a secret Britannian base that was possibly conducting experiments involving Geass has been destroyed and another trap by the Geass Order has been neutralized. Now I have another problem."
"Oh and what's that?"
"Tamaki saw his face." Naruto answered, earning a glare from Lelouch. "Oh knock it off. It's not as bad as it sounds."
"Really?" Lelouch scoffed.
"He could be telling everyone in the Black Knights that Zero is really some Britannian kid that goes to the same school as Kallen." Naruto pointed out.
Lelouch had admit, at least in his mind that Naruto had a point there was no way in hell that he would admit it out loud.
"Now then you have to prepare yourself for something very important today. Something that possibly too great for the great Zero to handle."
"What's that?" Lelouch asked, feeling unnerved at Naruto's menacing grin.
"Gym."
Xxx
"GAH!" Lelouch cried out as he fell onto the ground.
"What's this? Another miss! Lulu's really stepping up!" Milly said, acting as captain of the opposite team. "This is breathtaking moment ladies and gentlemen. And to think he decided not to try and skip like he always does."
'It's not like I actually had a choice.' Lelouch thought glumly. 'Both Milly and Naruto are completely insane!'
Normally Lelouch wouldn't be caught dead in a gym class or any kind of activity involving exercise but unfortunately for him he had been blackmailed by a pair of blondes from Hell that had joined forces to make him squirm. On their own Naruto Uzumaki and Milly Ashford were separate forces of nature that couldn't be stopped. But when they came together?
Complete Armageddon.
And it didn't help that C.C. was contend to simply watch the two Hell-Blondes make him squirm for his life.
Kallen had to sit out because of her condition but she had stifle the urge to laugh as Lelouch got up, looking like he was about to pass out any second. Naruto and C.C. were both on Milly's team and were sharing a small laugh Lelouch's predicament. Naruto was all for sports, getting some exercise while C.C. was simply bored and want to tease Naruto with her white bicycle shorts when no one was looking.
It was then Naruto realized that C.C. had a bit of a one track mind when it came to certain things, such as pizza and their relationship.
Milly suddenly got an idea and everyone knew it by the Cheshire Cat smile on her face.
"Milly, what are you up to?" Lelouch stopped upon seeing Milly's smile.
"Why, Lulu, what makes you think I'm up to something?" Milly innocently asked.
"Because you have that gleam in your eyes. The one you make when you are plotting something." Lelouch answered, wishing he could run away.
Milly giggled. "Well I just had this wonderful idea. Since Lulu is actually showing some backbone let's make this interesting. The person who hits Lulu will get the same reward as the Cat challenge: a big kiss from a member of the student council!"
"WHAT?!" Kallen, Lelouch, Shirley and several other students shouted the same instant.
"That's right! Let's give our Vice-President of the Student Council a proper challenge, a proper workout and proper motivation!" Milly continued, her face consorting in a grin so evil that even the Biju inside Naruto shivered.
Rivalz had stars in his eyes. 'I've got to win!'
Naruto clutched his stomach as he laughed. "Oh wow! This is too good!"
C.C. grinned at Lelouch. "I wonder who will win…Lulu."
Kallen and Shirley were both blushing and sweating bullets from the looks some of the boys were sending their way they realized that Lelouch was their only hope…
In a dodge ball game.
'We're doomed!' Both girls thought frantically.
C.C. noticed some of the boys and maybe a few girls were looking at her and knew what they were thinking. "Go ahead and try everyone. Give it your best shot. I'll go and pucker up my lips for the one who gets him."
Naruto sighed as the boys she was talking to now had stars in their eyes. 'Cera, you're a cruel, cruel woman.'
'I know. Isn't she great?' Kurama snuckered.
'She is…But we both know she's only teasing them.' Naruto thought and smirked at Lelouch who was now sweating. 'Now back to present matter.'
Lelouch cursed Milly while started sweating when he saw the grins on Naruto and C.C.'s faces and knew he was in trouble.
Naruto had a fox-like grin that threatened to split his face in two.
C.C.'s grin was more composed but she looked like she had found a new toy that she wanted to play with for as long as possible.
'Damn you Milly! Do you have any idea what you've done?!' Lelouch thought, looking at the cat-like grin on Milly's face.
Apparently she did.
Now Lelouch was helpless as all hell broke loose and he could only do one thing: take cover behind Suzaku who happened to be on the same team as him. "Suzaku, as my best friend and teammate I order to be my shield."
"Come on, Lelouch. Don't you think this is a bit dramatic?" Suzaku asked.
"GET HIM!"
'On second thought, maybe not.' Suzaku realized as over a dozen balls flew at him.
Naruto almost got carried away since Suzaku was able to effortlessly dodge or catch all the dodge balls but the ones he used and it was actually a bit of a challenge to try and hit Suzaku and then dodge the ones thrown back at him.
In the end though Naruto whacked a ball back at Suzaku, knocking him down along with Lelouch.
"And Naruto is the winner!" Milly declared causing everyone to cheer at his victory or mourn for their loss. "So who is the lucky girl?"
"Probably not me." C.C. spoke up, earning everyone's attention as she adopted an upset look on her face. "Why not go kiss one of the pretty girls you've been eyeing behind my back? Am I really so ugly to you?"
"Wha?" Naruto said and then realized what she was doing. 'Oh she's evil!'
'I know! Isn't it great?!' Kurama asked as he and the other Biju laughed.
"Really? Your boyfriend's been eyeing other girls?" Milly leaned in, eager to hear the juicy details. "Go on dear, do tell."
"It's been happening for a while now. He sends a few glances to some pretty girls who walk by us in the middle of our dates when he thinks I'm not looking! I'm so ashamed that my own boyfriend would do such a thing to me on our one year anniversary!" C.C. explained, looking like she was about to burst into tears.
Only Naruto, Lelouch, and Kallen saw the smug look in her eyes as she looked at Naruto who started sweating as everyone glared at him. 'That's what you get for ruining my pizza last night, Naruto.'
'Cera, I'm going to get you for this!' Naruto thought as his eyes darted back nervously between the slowly growing army of glaring students.
"Well we can't have that now can we?" Milly turned and glared at Naruto with an evil smile. "The first one to capture Naruto Uzumaki will decide his punishment and once again earn a kiss from a member of the Student Council!"
"Madam President!" Shirley shouted in protest. "You can't keep offering our lips as prizes!"
"Oh? Don't you want to be kissed by a certain…someone?" Milly asked, sending a hidden glance at Lelouch that made Shirley blush. "Well, what are you standing around for? Get him!"
Naruto spent the rest of the day running from angry students, especially the female half since he had learned long ago to fear the female fury towards perverts and cheaters.
Xxx
"Well, C.C. is there something you wanted to talk to me about or are you up here just to watch Naruto squirm? I honestly didn't expect you to leave him to the wolves like that." Kallen asked once she and C.C. were on the roof, wearing their regular uniforms.
"Oh don't worry about Naruto. He can handle himself and while I am entertained by my boyfriend fleeing from all my little puppets that's not what I'm here to talk to you about. Naruto asked me tell you something that we cannot tell Lelouch yet since we know how he'll react." C.C. leaned against the railing.
"And what's that?" Kallen frowned.
"Nunnally has the Rinnegan."
"What?!" Kallen spun and looked at the back of C.C.'s head. "What did you just say?!"
"I gave Nunnally the Rinnegan." C.C. answered simply. "I offered and she accepted."
"And Lelouch doesn't know? How could you do this behind his back?" Kallen asked, suddenly angry that C.C. gave a dangerous power to a little girl.
"The same way Lelouch went behind her back." C.C. said without missing a beat.
"The same way…Nunnally knows that Lelouch is Zero?!" Kallen exclaimed and quickly shut her mouth and looked around just in case anyone was listening. When finding no one was around she turned back to C.C. "You told her?"
"She figured it out." C.C. answered with a shrug. "She's not a blind angel anymore and she's finding herself in the world her brother tried to hide from her. She knows that she cannot stop her brother because he's gone too far down the path he chose and she loves him too much to even consider turning him over to Britannia. So now she wants to help her brother rebel, if only to protect him because she doesn't want to be a burden."
"But why give her the Rinnegan?" Kallen questioned, slightly understanding since she was the same with her brother.
"She has the same potential as Lelouch, perhaps even more and unlike Lelouch she's not afraid of a little exercise. If she was given Geass it would be powerful but with the Rinnegan she would be held back until she is ready with Naruto, Sayoko and myself training her." C.C. explained. "She won't do anything unless her brother is in danger and that will keep her safe."
"What about keeping her out of this? Lelouch will never forgive you for this." Kallen pointed out.
"Can't keep her out if it's her own choice." C.C. shrugged. "Nunnally is not the fragile blind and crippled little girl that depended on her brother for everything anymore. She's come a long way and Lelouch would only try to keep her away to protect her but Nunnally is too stubborn unless he orders her away with his Geass."
"He'd never do that." Kallen stated, knowing that Lelouch would never actually use his Geass on his little sister of all people.
She knew that much about him.
"Yes. That is why the only way to keep Nunnally safe is to make her stronger than even her brother. Something greater than Zero…Infinitely greater."
*Chapter 26*: Chapter 26Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Nunnally had no idea where her brother and Suzaku were taking her since she couldn't open her eyes to look around and she couldn't walk with them because of her useless legs which left her brother to carry her which could not have been easy since Lelouch was not the best when it came to physical activities.
"Where are we going? Are we getting moved to another place again?" Nunnally asked, unable to stand the silence any longer.
How she wished she could open her eyes.
"It's one of the Kururugi homes. This time it's the main house, okay?" Her brother's voice, it sounded so young compared to how he sounded now, answered reassuringly. "Keep on walking, Suzaku."
"But-"
"Keep walking." Lelouch cut him off sharply.
"Where are we? It smells really bad here." Nunnally inhaled the air, noting the stench and was starting to grow worried.
"We're going by a garbage dump. Right, Suzaku?" Lelouch answered but Nunnally didn't hear an answer.
Nunnally thought she heard a sob. "What's wrong, Suzaku?"
"I...I…" Suzaku stuttered.
Nunnally reached out and placed a hand on his cheek, seemingly surprising him.
"Nunnally?" Suzaku asked in surprise.
Nunnally smiled. "My mother taught me a warm touch is good for tears. Do you think it is true?"
Xxx
Lelouch narrowed his eyes as he looked over the latest reports regarding Britannian activity in Japan. Cornelia had doubled security and increased patrols along the ghettos, obviously because she wanted to know how the Black Knights were getting in and out of Japan. The mere fact that they could attack an outer base in the middle of an ocean while holding a Princess of Britannia while at the same time defeating her knight was like a slap in the face for the Empire and it made Cornelia look bad in front of the rest of the world.
She no doubt took it personal that Euphie was almost captured again.
"Now that the Geass Order's plan has failed, I can get back to dealing with ridding the world of Britannia." Lelouch closed his eyes.
"Master Lelouch?" The door to his room and Sayoko peeked her head in. "Do you have any dinner plans?"
"Hm? Nothing special. I am thinking of inviting Suzaku over for dinner again." Lelouch closed his laptop and stood up. "Where's Nunnally?"
"Lady Nunnally is out jogging again." Sayoko answered neutrally.
"Again?" Lelouch sighed. "She'll have to clean up immediately if she doesn't want to be dirty when dinner is ready. Is someone watching her?"
"Master Naruto and Lady C.C. volunteered to watch her and bring her home." Sayoko stated.
"Well, I can expect the two of them to at least make sure she gets back and doesn't do anything too strenuous." Lelouch said resignation.
He just hoped Nunnally wouldn't go too far and end up leaving herself sore for an entire week.
Xxx
"Sixty seven…"
"Sixty eight…."
"Sixty nine…"
"GAH! I can't do anymore!"
"Come on, Nunna-chan! You're nearly there."
"Is this all our little apprentice is capable of?"
Nunnally didn't know whether to be grateful she was being trained to be stronger or to hate and curse Naruto and C.C. to the depths of Hell for their torture-training that they were putting her through. Naruto was moderately better as he endlessly encourage her and promised her a nice cold water for when the training was over with something to take care of the painful aching all over her tiny body. Sayoko was slightly better as she patiently taught Nunnally numerous stances that allowed for quick speed and precision which would fit Nunnally perfectly as while she was more physically capable than Lelouch she was not a powerhouse yet.
C.C. on the other hand was the definition of the word 'witch' as though she liked to encourage Nunnally she was also annoyingly so smug about it made Nunnally actually more determined to get through the training to beat that smirk off the former immortal's face.
She was dressed in the gym clothes worn at Ashford Academy which she was actually happy for as she had never been able to engage physical activity for a long time and she had a lot of catching up to do. Especially in light of what she had learned from her trainers about her brother's activities. The fact that Suzaku was part of the Britannian military had been surprising at first, even if it had been a simply technician job but Nunnally was glad he was alive all the same. It was the fact that Suzaku was not only the Knight of Euphie but was also the pilot of the Knightmare that been one of Lelouch's most persistent enemies and had even tried to kill him on several occasions.
The fact that Suzaku would perhaps be one of her greatest enemies if she chose to stand with her brother had never entered her mind until she listened to the stories of how her brother's rebellion had started. Now she knew everything and she honestly didn't know what to feel:
Sadness that her brother and his best friend are enemies trying to kill each other.
Anger that they were fighting.
Despair that she couldn't do anything to stop it without giving away her brother's secrets.
Rage that Suzaku was fighting for Britannia while killing innocent people, including his own people, and deceiving both her and Lelouch in such a way.
And right now that anger was being channeled into her training which was heavy and she wondered how she was still alive.
"All right, Nunnally. Break time." Naruto stood up and walked over, smiling at Nunnally collapsed onto the ground, panting for air. "I think she might be exhausted."
"What a little girl." C.C. scoffed, leaning her head back to look up at the sky.
Nunnally growled. "Go…to…he-"
"Uh-uh-uh!" Naruto put a finger on Nunnally's mouth. "No language here young lady. Now let's get some water and then onto the next exercise."
Nunnally groaned but greedily accepted the bottle of water Naruto offered her and the water was gone in under ten seconds.
"Now then, onto the next stage." Naruto declared proudly but frowned as Nunnally groaned. "What's the matter, Nunnally? I thought you wanted to be strong."
"I do, I do! But I feel like I am about to collapse and I'm not sure I am strong enough for the next stage." Nunnally weakly answered.
"You're too weak to make a few hand signs?" C.C. teasingly asked.
"Hand signs?" Nunnally perked up in confusion.
"Essentially yes. What we're working on next is hand signs to help better control your chakra." Naruto sat down in front of Nunnally. "Now listen and watch closely as I show you."
Nunnally watched as he made twelve hand signs and showed them to her repeatedly and asked her to copy him.
Bird
Boar
Ox
Dog
Dragon
Tiger
Serpent
Rat
Horse
Monkey
Hare
And Ram.
"These are the twelve basic hand seals to harness and control your charka. Usually it'll take an average academy student months or likely years to memorize these hand signs but with enough practice you'll have them committed in only a few months." Naruto stated as he did the hand signs over and over again with Nunnally struggling to keep up.
"You use these hand signs for all your powers?" Nunnally asked, trying to keep her hand signs as accurate as possible.
"With enough practice you can make so fast you could possibly even do it with one hand but those are extremely rare." Naruto replied. "I know it took C.C. two months while it took Rakshata two and a half months and Sayoko only one month to memorize everything. Rakshata had her high IQ to help her and Sayoko-chan was already proficient in taijutsu before we met. The next step, once you're ready will be practicing chakra control exercises which will help you control your powers and lessen the risk of being exhausted if you use them in a fight. Even if you have a large amount of chakra you can still use it all up, especially if you don't have any control."
"I understand." Nunnally nodded.
"With enough control you'll be able to do almost…anything from making copies of yourself to walking on water." Naruto continued but was stopped when Nunnally interrupted.
"Wait a minute. You can walk on water?" Nunnally asked, surprised at such a thing.
"We can do much more than that, Nunnally-chan." C.C. teased with an annoying grin. "Walking on water is so…basic."
"Basic enough that you were spent a whole falling into the pool when you were practicing." Naruto shot back.
C.C. shrugged and leaned back.
"Well, she's right about one thing. Water walking is basic compared to the more powerful and complicated techniques." Naruto said, getting back to the lesson. "Our techniques are divided into three categories: Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu."
"Taijutsu? Like martial arts?" Nunnally spoke up.
"Exactly." Naruto nodded. "Genjutsu is for illusionary techniques and Ninjutsu stands for all sorts of cool techniques like elemental techniques and the ability to make clones, both solid and made of more than one element. I'll teach you basic Ninjutsu and Genjutsu but C.C. has a better grasp on Genjutsu than I do and Sayoko-san will be in charge of Taijutsu."
Nunnally smiled at the idea of Sayoko teaching her.
"And then we find out what your Path is." Naruto said, making a dragon sign for Nunnally to copy. "Three paths left: Deva, Preta, and Naraka."
"What do these paths do?" Nunnally asked.
"Well, each path has their own special power as we already told you. The Human Path which Rakshata has is able to read the minds of anyone through physical contact and forcefully remove the soul from the victim's body. The Asura Path transforms the host body, creating mechanical armor that oddly enough is a lot like a Knightmare machine but it's more unpredictable as the Asura Path alters the body to be more like a mechanical demon than a Knightmare. The Animal Path summons animals of any kind that can be connected to the Path through the Rinnegan and not only does the summoner have a shared vision with the animals but so the rest of us." Naruto rubbed his head. "But for the sake of not going overboard Sayoko doesn't summon the animals very often. It's already hectic enough with five of us sharing the same vision."
"And the other three?" Nunnally asked, now looking slightly eager.
"The Naraka Path summons a creature that can heal anyone it swallows instantly and it can store souls stolen by the Human Path and remove souls of liars who are being interrogated. The Preta Path absorbs all form chakra based attacks but it might be able to do more than that in this world. Finally, the Deva Path can repulse or attract anything with great force to the point that if a person is repelled their bodies could be shattered if they hit anything like a tree or a wall. The Deva is the strongest and most dangerous since it basically manipulates gravity in a way that it is almost unbeatable but it can be beaten with the right strategy." Naruto continued. "Right now we have no way of knowing which Path you are yet but it's important we find out which one you are and fast."
Nunnally nodded. "So I can avoid being a danger to everyone around me."
"Exactly." Naruto nodded.
"But if the Rinnegan is so powerful that only a single path can cause untold amounts of destruction why didn't you give my brother Rinnegan instead of his Geass?" Nunnally questioned. "Combined with his intellect my brother would have been unstoppable."
"He might have been but…" Naruto trailed off.
"But Lulu is too much of a scrawny slacker to train like this." C.C. said with a smirk. "He was always more brains than strength so granting him the Rinnegan would have been a waste. You on the other hand have more potential, perhaps even the potential to rival and surpass your mother if we test you in the cockpit of a Knightmare."
"A Knightmare?" Nunnally's eyes widened as she looked at Naruto. "You think so?"
"It's possible. We've tested Lelouch in the simulators while he's not bad he's no match for pilots like me, Cera, Kallen, or Suzaku. That's why the Arashikage was customized for him, it played on his strengths and allowed him a solid offense and defense." Naruto answered.
"I saw the news feed on the battle at the prison. Lelouch's Knightmare was…amazing." Nunnally admitted. "Will I get a Knightmare?"
"Do you want one?" C.C. asked, sounding interested.
"I'll need a Knightmare if I want to keep my brother safe on the battlefield." Nunnally answered, determination settling onto her face.
"We'll have to talk to Rakshata after you've had some training." Naruto said sternly. "It's a little too far to talk about that."
Nunnally nodded in understanding. "When will my brother find out?"
"We'll…keep that a secret for now." Naruto looked away and rubbed his head.
C.C. didn't look guilty or like she even cared.
It was likely she didn't really care.
"Now, let's work on those hand signs." Naruto said, showing Nunnally the hand signs again and then had her copy them over and over again.
Xxx
"Well this one took a little work but we finally have the Lancelot back up and running." Lloyd sighed as he looked over the report. "Now the question is how long it will be before its next fight and how much repairs will be needed?"
"Lloyd?" Suzaku asked from the Lancelot's cockpit.
"I mean after all considering our less than admirable record it's a wonder we're even still in business. I guess having the Knight of a Princess does have some advantages." Lloyd mused out loud. "Still though, unless we make a major breakthrough we won't gain much ground against those Black Knights and those new toys Rakshata keeps on pulling out of her hat."
"What do you suggest, Lloyd?" Cecile asked, wondering what was going on in her co-worker's head.
"Simply put without a complete understanding of how those Knightmares wore we might be in over our heads at this point. We need a way to counter them which is not easy since they always seem to overpower or trick us." Lloyd stated, remembering the records of all the battles the Lancelot had been in against the Black Knights.
Suzaku frowned in thought as Lloyd was right.
Almost every time the Lancelot had gone up against the Black Knights it had come back damaged and defeated. Sure it had been making some headway but not enough and unless something was done Suzaku could not climb up in rank to start working to change Britannia from within.
"We could work on the energy wing project." Cecile suggested.
"We don't have enough data and it hasn't even been tested yet." Lloyd replied. "The fact is that Rakshata has found a way to give her new Knightmares an enormous boost of power far beyond current power sources…" Lloyd's eyes widened. "Or maybe she has created a new source of power."
"Lloyd?" Cecile and Suzaku asked at once.
"It all makes sense now! Rakshata has made a new source of power that has allowed her to make advancements ahead of anything we've seen before!" Lloyd grinned with a look of excitement on his face. "That's where we start!"
"You mean…giving the Lancelot more power?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes. We look over the energy readings from the last battle…and then we find a way to increase our own." Lloyd nodded, looking excited.
Suzaku looked down at the controls. 'Power…Is that what I need? More power?'
He thought back to all the times he had faced the Black Knights and all the times he had lost.
'If I need more power…Than so be it.'
Xxx
"Yes it is true that the invasion by the Chinese Federation and the terrorism of the Black Knights have disrupted out society but that is a completely separated issue! The fact remains that you both have been absent from class far too often! I don't care how good your grades are or that you are Princess Euphemia's knight if you don't improve you will repeat this year!"
Lelouch simply tuned out the teacher's ranting, wondering why Naruto, C.C. and Suzaku aren't in here with him. Oh right, Naruto and C.C. could skip through the use of Shadow Clones and Suzaku was working late night shifts.
'Figures they'd leave me like this.'
Xxx
"So the opinions in the Ghettos are split?" Ohgi asked. "Some are submissive and some want to fight?"
"Bet they'll all be shocked when they find out Zero's goal is to start an independent nation." Minami commented. "Yeah right, we need to be realistic."
"I agree with Zero." Tamaki spoke up, earning all eyes on him. "Well, isn't it true? We stick with him we might get a huge lucky break. We might even get my dream of being a bureaucrat."
"A bureaucrat? Seriously?" Kallen asked, unable to picture such a thing in her mind.
"Hey, even I had a dream once." Tamaki retorted.
Ohgi was silent as he watched everyone continue to debate. He perked up when he heard Tamaki say if he had joined the Black Knights he'd on Refrain by now and that caused him to start thinking of a certain woman in his mind. 'Refrain might help her get her memory back so I can find out who Zero is. But what would I do if I know?'
"Ohgi?"
Ohgi perked up when he heard Kallen mention his name. "On that other issue, you wanted to ask for instructions but we haven't heard any word from Zero."
"Don't worry about Zero."
Everyone looked at the door and saw Zero's knights walk into the room. "Zero's got a personal life outside of the Black Knights like everyone else. We can't rely on him for everything."
"Seizan. Shinryoku." Ohgi straightened himself up. "What exactly are we doing?"
"For the moment, nothing." Seizan answered. "Our recent activities with the Chinese Federation and the abandoned facility has for the most part put everyone off balance. The Britannians remain focused on maintaining order in Japan but Suzaku Kururugi's ascension has caused a split amongst the people now. His defeat in our duel has caused some damage to his reputation but not enough that we are strong enough to start striking back. We will wait until we have enough strength that we can strike at the head of Britannia in this country and force them to either fall back or surrender when their structure of power collapses."
"Sounds like my kind of plan!" Tamaki grinned in excitement. "Tell us what to do, boss."
"For now we make for the hidden escape route that Diethard set up. There is word of someone who wants to join us and we need inside sources." Seizan stated.
"So we're going in as planned." Ohgi commented.
"I still think it's a trap." Tamaki scowled.
"We don't have a choice." Kallen replied. "We need all the help we can get."
"Good and in the meantime, Kallen, you go back to school." Seizan said, earning a surprised look from Kallen. "We wouldn't want your grades slipping."
Kallen scowled, wondering what Naruto was up to.
Xxx
"Good morning everyone! I'm proud to announce the start of the Ashford Academy school festivel! Everything will start at the signal."
Nunnally took a deep breath. "MEOW!"
Fireworks shot into the sky as students wearing school uniforms and cat costumes cheered loudly, mimicking Nunnally's 'meow'.
"Must they be so loud?" C.C. sighed in irritation as she watched from the roof top with Naruto and Lelouch.
"Why are you complaining? You've been looking forward to this." Naruto pointed out.
"I only came for the giant pizza." C.C. huffed.
"Right." Naruto looked down at the festival. "Maybe I can get Milly to invent the world's biggest Ramen bowel."
"That's stupid."
"It is not!" Naruto said outrageously. "How dare you say something like that?!"
"I only speak the truth."
"Bull shit!"
Lelouch tuned both of them out, listening to Deithard's report. "That's what I thought. So even Sawasaki and the others turned out to be useful. We've covered all the tasks at hand."
"Yes. We've gathered all the sector data on the emergency attack that they left behind." Lelouch spotted a camera and quickly ducked as he listened. "We've identified the solar panels in each settlement as well as the energy storage sites. Oh and what about that collaborator issue?"
"I've handled most of it myself. About seventy two percent of it is complete. And Todoh?"
"He's drawing up a list occupational targets, broadcasting stations and such. I need you to check them, including the dummy plans we're sending to Kyoto."
"I understand. I'll confirm tomorrow."
"Oh and I know we're late in reporting this to you but regarding the operation of the Zero squad-"
"There he is!"
Lelouch turned and saw Milly coming onto the roof. "I'll have to contact you later."
He hung up just as Milly found him and dragged him off. "What are you doing goofing off like that? You're the festival chairman!"
"But everything is running fine." Lelouch pointed out. "There's no problem."
Naruto and C.C. stopped their fighting and watched as Milly dragged Lelouch off.
"Milly is the one in charge of the giant pizza, right?" C.C. asked, stopping them.
"Yeah, she is. She declared we had to have a twelve meter pizza." Lelouch answered.
Both Lelouch and Naruto saw what looked like stars forming in C.C.'s eyes as she slowly sauntered over. "Can I help?"
"You want in, Tsunade?" Milly asked with a grin. "After all it's going to the largest one of its kind in the world!"
"Yes. I do." C.C. nodded.
Naruto sighed as he leaned against the railing. "Oh boy."
C.C. looked over at Naruto. "And Naruto can help?"
"Well what are we waiting for?!" Milly exclaimed as she dragged Lelouch off, followed by C.C. who dragged Naruto with her.
Xxx
Naruto sighed as he walked to the door leading the kitchen, spotting Suzaku cutting up some onions. Naruto looked over his shoulder and saw Kallen with her knife pouch out. Moving quickly Naruto was in front of Kallen and snatched her pouch away.
"Hey!" Kallen protested quietly.
"Not here, Kallen. Today's a good day and I'm not letting you spoil it." Naruto said sternly. "Don't let your hate cloud your judgement, especially here of all places."
"How can you say that?!" Kallen whispered incredulously. "After everything that he's done-"
"This isn't about that. As far as I am concerned this is neutral territory so weapons and powers are off the table." Naruto cut her off.
"Suzaku the truck is here and the cheese on its way."
Both Naruto and Kallen turned and saw Lelouch at the door who waited for Suzaku to come out. Both boys stopped upon noticing the two in the hall.
"Kallen, you came back." Lelouch stated.
Kallen quickly adopted her 'Kallen Stadfeld' persona. "Yes. I am feeling much better now."
"I thought you would never come back." Suzaku said with a happy smile.
Lelouch smiled. "Kallen, if you don't mind could you go check in with your class? They seem to be a bit short handed."
"Sure I don't mind." Kallen stated.
It's not as if Lelouch was going to order her into some stupid costume.
Xxx
"I DO MIND!" Kallen shouted as she stood up, wearing what appeared to be a mattress with a big scary grin painted on it that scared off the young couple.
Naruto burst out laughing as the couple ran of screaming. "Nice one, Kallen!"
It wasn't just the costume she was in, her face was painted red and her hair was dyed blue with a blue eye drawn onto her forehead making her look like a funny devil, especially with the ticked off look on her face.
"Shut it, Naruto!" Kallen cried. "Seriously, something like this actually scares people?! I am going to get Lelouch for this! And I think you had something to do with this too!"
Naruto snickered. "Sorry, can't claim credit for this one. If you had been in class you'd have known that it was running the horror house."
"And to think before I know who he was I would have thought the only person I wanted ordering me around was Zero." Kallen groaned as she sat back down on the fake gravestone she was assigned to hide in.
"Aw, what about me, Kallen? Technically I'm your superior and I put my back into training you to be tough." Naruto commented, smirking at the huff Kallen had made as a reply.
Naruto looked around with a big grin on his face, too entertained by antics of 'demon Kallen' to care about anything else. He spotted movement coming towards them and grinned at the expected show Kallen was supposed to put on. When they came into view Naruto nearly lost his composure upon seeing Ohgi and next to him was a woman wearing a white dress and a sun hat on her head. They seemed to be having a good time but it wasn't the fact that Ohgi actually came here with a date was what surprised him.
It was the fact that the woman was the same one who teamed up with Mao to try and capture Zero.
'No way. Ohgi, you are going with a Britannian? The same one who kidnapped Kallen?' Naruto thought as he sensed the woman's emotions.
They were not what he expected. The woman was happy and tranquil, a major difference from she was the last time.
'She must have amnesia. She hit her head pretty hard.' Kurama pointed out.
"MOVE YOUR ASS!" Kallen shouted as she 'rose' from the grave.
Ohgi and the woman screamed in shock, jumping back and covering their faces.
Kallen stopped when she saw who she was trying to scare. "Ohgi?"
Ohgi opened his eyes. "Kallen?"
Both Black Knights stared at each other in shock while Naruto looked on. "Ohgi…You got some explaining to do."
Xxx
"That's it?! You're helping her because she lost her memory?!"
Ohgi flinched and stepped back at the scary look on Kallen's face which was actually enhanced by the face paint. Naruto had taken Chigusa, the woman he named since she couldn't remember her real name, aside and left her to wait while Ohgi and Kallen had a little…Talk.
"She had no memory and it felt wrong to keep her locked up." Ohgi weakly defended himself.
"She kidnapped me and almost got me killed!" Kallen shouted. "What the hell is wrong with you?! She's the enemy!"
'I'm not one to step one someone's toe because he didn't want to hurt someone who didn't know why they were locked up but he didn't tell Lelouch or Kallen about it.' Naruto thought as he watched Kallen angrily scold Ohgi for being so stupid. 'Why would he…Was he looking for information on Zero? Did he think she could identify him?'
Naruto looked at the woman who simply sat and watched with slight worry for Ohgi.
'She's no help. She can't remember shit.' Kurama grumbled.
'Still though.' Naruto frowned. 'If Ohgi was willing to let her go on the hunch she had information on Zero that means he might suspect that Zero either lied about his Geass or he's looking to double cross at the right time.'
Things just got complicated.
*Chapter 27*: Chapter 27Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"School is a really noisy place." C.C. mumbled, hearing all the talking going on.
As she walked past the many games she spared a glance at one blue haired woman who was laughing her head off as she popped a student on the head with a rubber hammer in an altered version of whack-a-mole.
"School festivals are so much fun! I feel so free!" The woman laughed as she endlessly bopped the blonde haired student with glasses in the middle.
C.C. shrugged to herself before spotting Lelouch on a bench nearby and decided to see what he was up to.
"Right, the pizza's starting late." Lelouch said and hung up his cell phone only for his second one to ring. "I definitely don't have time for this." He muttered before answering. "Yes…"
C.C. tuned Lelouch out as her enhanced senses told her to duck as the rubber hammer that had been Cecile's hands flew out and ended up hitting Lelouch in the head, much to C.C.'s amusement.
The hammer flew back into Cecile who looked very embarrassed. "I'm sorry! The handle just broke in two!"
Lelouch stood up with a scowl. 'Soldiers, how peaceful the world is.'
"Say, aren't you Suzaku's friend?" Cecile asked.
Lelouch sighed. "Yes I am. You might want to turn that in for a new one."
"Oh yes, right away!" Cecile said, turning back to the game to get a new hammer…
So she could continue bopping the guy who looked like Lloyd.
"Hey you, boy. Where am I supposed to go to get the biggest pizza in the world?" C.C. spoke up, smirking at the irritated growl from Lelouch's lips as he turned to face her. "Oh, there you are, Lulu."
"Don't you have somewhere to be? Go bug Naruto, I am sure he's planning a few pranks." Lelouch grumbled.
"I am here for the world's biggest pizza which Naruto has no interest in. I can see you are as busy as ever." C.C. said dryly.
"How about you make yourself useful? That woman works with Suzaku so she might have some information we need. You could use those powers of yours to figure out what she knows." Lelouch commented.
"I'm having a day off. You want information you do it yourself." C.C. walked past Lelouch, no longer interested in her little contractor. "I have a pizza to find."
Lelouch grumbled.
Xxx
"Good work getting them from Area Eighteen here in one night. Your forces are impressive, Cornelia."
Cornelia tried to shake off the feeling of embarrassment at receiving praise from her older sibling who happened to be Schneizel el Britannia himself, the most successful of the Emperor's children and the one believed to be the next one to sit on the throne. "You flatter me. I'm honored that you deployed your regular troops to fill for them, Schneizel."
"It was the least I could do." Schneizel looked at the assembled soldiers.
"The Glaston Knights who were standing by in the Homeland have joined us here and that means we even have additional power for the Gloucesters." Cornelia stated.
"I understand and I'm going to play this card in my negotiations with the Chinese Federation." Schneizel replied.
"Please do-"
"What a great honor." Cornelia gasped at what Schneizel had just said. "Being asked for assistance by Princess Cornelia who is unmatched in the battle field."
"Please don't tease me about this." Cornelia muttered miserably, her pride having taken from serious blows already.
"But I am sincere. On the field of combat you shine more beautifully than any flower or butterfly. Yes…like the Flash herself."
Cornelia held a hand to her chest in shock, embarrassment and a little pain. "Please stop saying that…Now where could Euphy have disappeared to? I told her I was coming to see you off."
"I had a long talk with Euphy last night." Schneizel stated.
"Last night?" Cornelia asked.
"Yes." Schneizel nodded. "Ah and about the other matter. Bartly's project?"
"Oh yes, I really don't mind but will he be on any use to us?" Cornelia asked.
Xxx
Bartley stared nervously at the tank and the person held inside.
"Stop fidgeting, Bartley. The readings are within predicted parameters. All we have to do is make a few…" The man behind Bartley smirked. "Modifications."
Xxx
Lelouch walked past the stands as he made the calculations for the giant pizza. 'This is such a drag sometimes. How can I plan my revolution when I'm stuck planning stupid little parties?'
He stopped as he heard a voice that he had not heard since his childhood.
"WHOO-HOO! THAT'S MY LITTLE RAI!"
Looking up ahead he literally froze in shock as he spotted the one woman who was perhaps the one woman who was more terrifying than Cornelia and able to make him squirm more than even Milly on her best day.
'Nonnette Enneagram.' Lelouch whispered in his head.
"WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE YOU?!" Nonnette shouted in glee as she hugged Rai tightly to her chest after winning a bull's eye game and won her a stuffed animal as a prize. "ALWAYS SO LOVING WITH ME!"
"Nonnette, ple…please." Rai gasped in embarrassment…and the lack of breath.
"I so wish Nelly could have come along. Always worky-worky with that girl. How does she have such a loving little sister?" Nonnette pulled Rai away from the stand while holding the stuffed bear in her other hand. "Aw well. Here's another teddy bear for her collection."
Xxx
Back at the military base Cornelia shivered and she had a feeling who was responsible. 'Nonnette…what are you up to now?'
Xxx
'Why of all places is she here?' Lelouch quickly ducked behind a game stand, watching as Nonnette walked away. 'This complicates things even more.'
Nonnette was perhaps the one woman considered even more dangerous than Cornelia in some ways as she was a Knight of the Round and a student of his mother. Lelouch remembered all the times Nonnette visited Areas Villa when he was a child and not to mention how Milly idolized her. Honestly the idea of someone more crazy than Milly on her best day was someone not even Zero would dare cross.
Of course the one thing worse than dealing with Milly and Nonnette together would be dealing with Milly, Nonnette, and Naruto at once.
Lelouch shuddered. 'That would be a Hell that perhaps not even the Emperor would deserve.'
Of course Lelouch might actually pay to see his bastard father endure the pain of dealing with all three loonies at once.
'I need to alert the others.' Lelouch quickly slipped away.
Xxx
"Seriously Ohgi, are you that thickheaded?! I can't believe you would do something this stupid!"
Ohgi took a step back, wary of the temper his best friend's little sister while Naruto simply kept the concerned woman to the side, having no wish to be on the receiving end of Kallen's which he knew would happen if he intervened.
"B-But Kallen-" Ohgi weakly protested.
"Don't you 'but' me, Ohgi! I have a mind to-"
"Kallen!" A voice called out. "There's room is for authorized personnel only. Can you get them out?"
Kallen and Naruto turned to see Lelouch walking in and Kallen quickly reacted by trying to push Ohgi out, even though Lelouch knew Ohgi and wouldn't rat her out for letting an Eleven onto school grounds.
Lelouch stopped when he Ohgi and the woman who took Kallen hostage with Mao's help. 'Ohgi?'
Xxx
"I'm really sorry but there's something I want to take to Suzaku about."
"It's all right your highness."
The woman in question was in fact Princess Euphemia, wearing civilian clothes with a hat and sunglasses so no one would recognize her. Euphemia had come to personally speak with Suzaku about something and she needed it down without the eyes of her older sister watching her back.
It was something regarding her talk with her older brother last night.
Schneizel looked over the proposal Euphy had submitted and looked up with a smile. "Euphy, I think this is a wonderful idea you have come up with."
"Really?!" Euphy could hardly believe her ears. "Then…"
"You should always follow the path you believe in with all your heart. I will discuss it with Cornelia so she understands."
'Suzaku, my brother approved my idea. Now we can-' Euphy was cut off from her thoughts as someone bumped into her.
"Excuse me!" The person who bumped into the disguised princess quickly stepped back. "I was in a rish and I didn't see where I was going!"
Euphy froze as she looked down at the little girl who stared back at her with shocked violet eyes as she stood back up. "Nunnally?"
"Euphy?"
Xxx
'And things just keep on going to shit.' Naruto thought, looking between Kallen and Lelouch.
'Oh great. Now Lelouch is here. I really don't want to him poking around in this.' Kallen thought, not wanting have to rely on Lelouch and his Geass.
'This is bad. If Ohgi's here with the woman that suspects us does this mean-' Lelouch thought, his own mind racing.
Luckily for both of them the door opened and in came Suzaku and Shirley, apparently looking for something.
"I'm sure they were back here." Shirley said thoughtfully and looked down at the back. "Maybe at the back-Kallen? Naruto?"
Kallen and Naruto, having pushed Ohgi and Villeta into the corner quickly came out.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Naruto asked.
"Are there any spare fuel tanks in the back? Rivalz needs them for the pizza." Shirley said as she and Suzaku walked towards them.
'You might have to use the Human Path to erase their memories.' Kurama advised Naruto.
'No thanks. I'm not poking around their heads.' Naruto replied.
"Uh, maybe they are on the other side." Kallen quickly said.
"Okay." Suzaku nodded and turned around to take a look.
Lelouch crouched down in the corner of the back of the storage room, pulling out a trigger for the smock machines he installed in the room. "Can this get anymore annoying? I need to slip away before I get spotted."
"Yo Lelouch! Did you see any spare fuel tanks back there?" Naruto suddenly called out, quickly thinking of a plan but needed a distraction.
"Damn it, Naruto!" Lelouch grunted silently as he stood up.
"Is that you, Lulu? I need to talk to you about something?" Shirley called out, walking to the back and one step closer to seeing Ohgi.
"Can't it wait? I have something important to do." Lelouch said, walking out of the shadows.
"I'm going to create a distraction." Kallen whispered to Ohgi who nodded.
"What are you talking about? You're never around." Shirley complained.
Kallen screamed as she looked up, causing everyone else to look up and then quickly pulled out her pocket knife to slice at the straps holdng a large container up. "The panels are falling! Run away!"
However, instead of running Shirley just screamed as it fell towards her.
"Don't just stand there! Watch out!" Kallen shouted as she and Naruto rushed forward while Lelouch pushed down the trigger, activating the smoke generators and spewing smoke all over the room.
"Uh…Thank you." Shirley said, looking up at Kallen who had knocked her down to save her.
"I'm just glad you're okay. But where did all this smoke come from?" Kallen looked around, already suspecting Lelouch.
"It must be undetected gas leaks." Lelouch answered as he, Naruto and Suzaku held up the large crate. "It looks like the main valve was knocked loose."
"Never mind that. Can someone help me please? I'm in a little pain here." Suzaku said, his voice quivering slightly as his left look shook.
"What's the matter?" Kallen looked up.
"My ankle. It's a familiar feeling." Suzaku answered.
Naruto looked down and saw Arthur biting down on Suzaku's leg before laughing. "Just what did you do to piss that cat off so much?"
"Trust me. I ask the same question over and over again." Suzaku replied.
'Such an amusing one isn't he?' Matatabi asked with a chuckle at her feline friend. 'And such great timing too.'
Naruto chuckled. "I think he just missed you."
Suzaku could only weakly chuckle.
Xxx
"Sorry you got up in the weirdness back there." Ohgi panted for breath, leaning against the tree.
"No, it was actually sort of fun. I haven't felt this excited in a long time." Villeta chuckled, smiling at Ohgi as he straightened himself up.
"I think it's better you move out Area Eleven now. You won't be in danger if you're not here." Ohgi said.
"You know Ohgi, I wonder if the person I used to be was as happy as I am now. So…" Villeta trailed off. "Can I please stay with you?"
Ohgi's eyes widened as he started to stutter.
Xxx
"Are you going to keep our secret?" Nunnally asked as she and Euphy shared a cup of tea in the Club House.
"But Nunnally, what about Cornelia and Schneizel? They would be so happy to see you again, especially now that you can walk and see again." Euphy pointed out.
"They would but I'm afraid for my brother's life if we return to the Homeland." Nunnally looked away. "Lelouch still believes the Emperor had a hand in our mother's death and he is still hurting from that day."
Euphy looked down sadly at the table. "Cornelia never forgave herself."
Nunnally looked back at Euphy. "Euphy, not that I am not unhappy to see you but why did you come here?"
"Oh, I wanted to talk to Suzaku about something." Euphy quickly replied. "I know he's here because I was the one who convinced the principal to enroll him here."
"Really?" Nunnally smiled. "You did that?"
"Just because he was the Special Engineering Corps doesn't mean he could skip out on his education." Euphy smiled. "I am guessing he knew about you and Lelouch already. After all he was the son of Priminister Kururugi."
Nunnally looked at the table. "I can't believe he would never tell us."
"Nunnally?" Euphy asked in concern.
"It's nothing." Nunnally quickly waved off her older sister's concern. "So, Euphy how is Cornelia?"
"Oh, she hasn't changed very much." Euphy smiled. "She's a little stressed but she's getting better now."
"That's good." Nunnally said quietly. "I'm glad…Do you remember when you and I got into that argument? About which one of us was going to marry Lelouch when we grew up?"
"Yes I do." Euphy smiled. "We put Lelouch right on the spot by making him decide right then and there."
Both sisters giggled at the happy memory of the awkward look on Lelouch's face.
"So how about now? Do you still love him?" Nunnally asked.
The look on Euphy's face pretty much answered Nunnally's question.
Xxx
"All right, any moment!" Rivalz declared into the earpiece as steam rose up from the giant oven behind him. "We are about to begin the historic catch of the world's largest pizza. Please note that the oven has been specifically built for this occasion. A fabulous waste of money!"
Lelouch was in the control booth as Rivalz continued his speech. "Yes I understand Shirley. I'll make some time for you but right now Rivalz needs me on the stage to help." He hung up and smiled with a hand over his left eye. "This is so easy. If I make a mistake there's no one here to see."
The door opened and in walked Milly and Naruto. "Not bad. You got everything pretty much on schedule huh?"
"I've learned to manage people lately." Lelouch replied as he faced the two. "What are you doing here, Naruto?"
"Tsunade's all up and excited about the pizza enough that my company is actually a bother so I slipped away. She won't really care about that. All she wants is a piece of the pizza." Naruto looked out the window. "By the way, I invited Kallen up here to take a look to get away from the crowd."
"I see. They all seem optimistic don't they?" Lelouch asked, looking at all the students that were waiting eagerly for the pizza making to begin. "The Chinese Federation attack just ended the other day and of course there's the recent trouble with the Black Knights."
'Can't resist bringing that up can you, Lelouch?' Naruto sighed.
"That's why we need this." Milly leaned against Lelouch's chair. "Festivals are necessary for everyone all the time. You still need to learn a little bit more."
Naruto looked at Milly and suddenly wondered how he missed the devious intelligence in the young woman's eyes.
'Because you're not that bright.' Kurama offered.
'Bite me.' Naruto grumbled.
'Okay, come in here!' Kurama laughed, taking it as a challenge. 'Or let me out like you let Matatabi out!'
Lelouch laughed, ignorant of Naruto's silent conversation. "Okay, lesson learned."
"Lelouch?"
A very familiar voice made Lelouch smile a bit more. "Nunnally how's the pizza-"
When he looked at the door he saw Nunnally standing with a young woman wearing sunglasses and a hat over a very familiar head of pink hair.
'Wow. How does no one put the pieces together?' Naruto thought as Lelouch stood up and quickly ushered Nunnally and the disguised Euphy out, brushing past Kallen who looked on in confusion with Milly.
"What was that about?" Kallen asked when they were gone.
"Lelouch is having a visit from a personal friend by the looks of it." Naruto commented.
'Subtle.' Kurama grumbled and rolled his eyes.
"Looks like the ingredients are all prepared." Rivalz landed on the stage and gestured to the large tarp. "Now introducing our special doe handler the Ashford Family's Ganymede."
"Finally." C.C. whispered and smirked as Suzaku came out in the old and outdated Knightmare that was stored underneath the academy. "Well, I wonder if Marianne would be insulted or entertained with her Knightmare being a pizza maker."
"Yes, though an antique at the controls is our special member and Princess Euphemia's personal knight, Suzaku Kururugi!" Rivalz announced.
"Poor Ganymede but on the other hand I can literally hear Lady Marianne laughing from beyond the grave." Nonnette remarked with grin. "I can only imagine the look on poor Nelly's face if she saw what has become of the personal Knightmare of her idol. This looks delicious." Nonnette looked on, licking her lips. "Milly Ashford hasn't changed a bit since she was a little girl…Except that she's become such a pretty lady, huh Rai?"
"Uh…Yeah…" Rai blushed as Nonnette leered at him.
"Does my little Rai have a crush?" Nonnette leaned in with a grin on her face.
Kallen watched from the control room with Naruto, surprised at all the cheers Suzaku was gathering. "Is this all because of…"
"You really surprised? Not everyone supports the Black Knights and believes Suzaku is a traitor. They also see him as their ray of hope." Naruto commented. "They revere him in a way."
"I see…" Kallen whispered, not wishing to understand that some Japanese believe in Suzaku after what he had done but didn't wish to dash the hopes of her own people.
"Ganymede, a Third Generation Knightmare." Lloyd remarked, standing next to Milly outside of the control booth. "The type used by Lady Marianne the Flash. Isn't that correct?"
"It's just a fundamental frame. A puppet for events like this." Molly answered, schooling her features.
"An unorthodox design dropped from the next generation of Knightmares due to Lady Marianne's death." Lloyd stated.
"I'm guessing that's the real reason you want to marry me." Milly said, looking at the ground.
"So now you get it." Cecile walked up between the two and looked at Milly. "He has no attraction what so ever to the opposite sex."
Lloyd chuckled. "Well I get the general idea anyway."
"And the doe can't get any larger! C'mon Sir Suzaku, we have high hopes for you!" Rivalz said as the Ganymede twirled the pizza doe.
Not far away, three siblings sat in the courtyard of the academy.
"Last year it was my turn to do it but I can't compare to a real pro." Lelouch said, watching Suzaku make the pizza with his mother's Knightmare.
"This is a day of sweet surprises. To think you and Nunnally were so close all this time and that you and Suzaku were friends as well." Euphy commented to a now sombre Lelouch and caused Nunnally to look at him in concern.
Shirley spotted Lelouch on the stairs with Nunnally and a girl he had never seen before which annoyed her. "What is that guy doing? This is not time to be hitting on some pretty girl!"
"I never want you to leave me ever again." Euphy stated.
"Remember, we can't be found out here." Lelouch looked away.
"That's not true I found a solution for everthing."
"Lelouch!" Shirley stomped over to give him a piece of her mind but stopped as the wind blew past…
And knocked Euphy's hat off.
Shirley gaped. "Is that Princess Euphemia?!"
One by one the entire crowd turned around, seeing Princess Euphemia right behind them.
"Oh boy!" Naruto grinned nervously. "Cat's literally out of the bag now!"
"That was Euphemia?!" Kallen exclaimed, looking at Naruto.
"Oh…You didn't know?" Naruto asked with a nervous chuckle.
"Huh?!"
"Princess Euphemia?!"
"It's her!"
"It's Princess Euphemia!"
"This could be fun." Nonnette commented. "So I'm not the only one who snuck away." Her eyes widened she saw the other two with Cornelia's younger sister. "Lelouch? Nunnally?"
"Princess Euphemia?" Nina spun around from the monitor of the Ganymede's status.
"Lelouch, get Nunnally out of here!" Euphy stepped back, knowing what was about to happen and was already used to these kind of situations.
"Camera, get a link to the studio! Quick!" A reporter shouted as the students and adults rushed towarss Euphy.
"All right!"
"Princess Euphemia is here!"
"No way!"
"Wh-Where is she?!"
"Everyone stop! Don't run!" Suzaku stood up in the Ganymede's cockpit. "Please don't panic!"
Unfortunately Suzaku forget what he was doing and the pizza dough he was making spun up into the air and landed on a tree, effectively ruining the world's larget pizza before it was even made.
"…." C.C. stared at the ruined pizza as the students ran past her towards where Princess Euphemia was rumored to be. "Pizza…."
"Oh crap." Naruto whispered as he sensed a disturbance in the Force that left him shaking. "She's pissed."
"What do you mean?" Kallen asked, watching as all the students rushed towards Euphy.
"C.C…She's pissed!" Naruto pointed at C.C. who was staring at the ruined pizza.
"How do you know? She didn't say anything. She's just standing there." Kallen pointed out.
"Exactly. We got to go! We got to go now!" Naruto said and grabbed Kallen as they both disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Guess we should have this to the pros." Lloyd said, watching everyone rush past him as he looked at a disappointed Milly.
"I guess I'll just have to give up on this." Milly muttered.
Just as the students and reporters were about to rush Euphy the entire was covered in smoke from what was believed to be smoke bombs from all over the courtyard.
"What happened?!"
"Where's the princess?!"
"Is she all right?!"
"Aw I wanted to kiss her!"
"We almost had her!"
As this happened Suzaku jumped out of the Ganymede and rushed into the smoke covered courtyard, calling out for Euphy.
He rushed past C.C. who remained still as a statue for a second, registering Suzaku's presence as he ran into the cloud of smoke. "Pizza…"
Suzaku, along with the students and reporters suddenly had a chill up their spines as the air became colder. "Wh-What is that?"
"You ruined my pizza."
Turning around Suzaku saw C.C. right behind him with her hair covering her eyes. "Tsunade, have you seen Princess Euphemia?"
"My pizza…" C.C. whispered. "My pizza…"
"Huh…Oh the giant pizza. Sorry about that, I got distracted." Suzaku nervously rubbed the back of his head.
"I want my pizza." C.C. lifted her face up and looked Suzaku in the eyes.
When Suzaku saw her eyes he froze in complete shock and terror as C.C.'s eyes flared with flames of anger that would be enough to burn the entire school down. "Get me my pizza!"
"Uh…Sorry, Tsunade I have to find Euphy!" Suzaku nervously took a step back. "I am her knight after all!"
"I WANT MY PIZZA!" C.C. roared, her voice becoming deep and demonic that scared everyone in the entire courtyard as she chased after Suzaku, her formerly immortal body leaking with pure unrestrained bloodlust.
Many cameras were destroyed by the chakra C.C. unconsciously leaked out but luckily she maintained enough control to not crush anyone to death.
Xxx
Euphy had almost no idea what happened to her.
One second she was getting ready to be literally squished to death by the hundreds of students and reporters rushing to 'talk' to her and then there was the explosion of smoke followed by someone grabbing her and suddenly she was back in the clubhouse, in the very room where she had tea with Nunnally earlier.
"You okay?"
Looking up Euphy gasped when she saw two familiar faces from her time on the deserted island. "It's you…"
"Nice to see you again, Princess Euphemia." Naruto said with a smile while Kallen just scowled. "Got yourself in trouble again didn't you?"
"Naruto." Euphy smiled as Naruto offered a hand to help her stand up which she accepted. "You go to school…" She looked at Kallen. "You too?"
"Yes me too." Kallen said harshly. "What are you doing here?"
"Kallen, calm down. She's not a threat to us." Naruto said sternly before facing Euphy. "Sorry. I'm afraid she's not big on Britannian royalty, even though she's friends with two of them."
"Naruto!" Kallen snapped. "We can't just talk to her like it's normal! Even if she's not like her sister what if she accidently rats us out? She had bodyguards all over the place looking for her!"
"Kallen. Relax." Naruto said, his voice now serious and full of authority which made Kallen look at him in shock but she decided not to argue with him anymore. "Now then…Princess Euphemia, not that I am not happy to see you again but what brings you here? Here to see Lelouch or Suzaku or even Nunnally?"
"Well I was hoping to speak with Suzaku, seeing Nunnally and Lelouch again was a welcome surprise." Euphy answered with an honest smile. "And now I find two his subordinates here as well."
"Subordinates? Don't make me laugh." Kallen grunted as she turned around and walked to the other side of the room.
"What did I say?" Euphy asked, unable to understand Kallen's anger.
"Let's just say when Kallen found out who Zero was he was not who she was suspecting. Granted she got over the fact he's an exiled Britannian Prince but at the same time he's more or less not as strong as she realized. Zero was meant more to be a symbol and when you find out who is behind the mask it sort of takes away the dark mysterious act girls are so attractive to." Naruto said with a cheeky smile.
"I WAS NOT ATTRACTED TO HIM!" Kallen shouted.
"No, not after you found out who he was. You even shook him up a bit when he annoyed you." Naruto laughed, easily shaking off Kallen's anger and looked at confused and shocked Euphy. "Let me guess, we're not what you expected either."
"Uh…Well, I was under the impression my brother was in full command of the Black Knights." Euphy admitted honestly.
"And in a way he is. Don't underestimate your brother, Euphy. Can I call you that? I'm not one who stands on ceremony honestly." Naruto admitted with a sheepish chuckle.
"Oh that's all right." Euphy said with a small smile. "I prefer it that way."
"Anyways, when we're on a mission Lelouch as Zero makes the plans and works to try and organize everyone. But on the battlefield he can only plan ahead so far when plans have to change on the fly. When that happens, we're all pretty much equals and Lelouch has known better than to argue with me or Shinryoku." Naruto explained.
"Shinryoku? Is she the masked woman? Does she come here too?" Euphy asked curiously.
"Oh you don't want to be near her at the moment." Naruto quickly said. "She took the loss of the giant pizza really hard."
"I'll say." Kallen muttered. "How can she be so obsessed with pizza? And how can you be so obsessed with ramen?"
"Now that is just silly. I understand questioning her about the pizza but is there to question about ramen?" Naruto asked, looking at Kallen like she was crazy.
"It's the same thing!" Kallen exclaimed, unable to believe she was having this conversation.
Again.
"Ramen is the greatest food in the world, simple as that." Naruto said like it was simple.
"I am not getting another argument with you about this! She's not even here to fight you about it!" Kallen said incredulously.
"That's good. It means I win!" Naruto laughed.
Xxx
C.C. suddenly heard a voice in her mind that told her to hurt Naruto when she was done beating Suzaku to death.
He is amazingly fast when he is running for his life.
Xxx
"Anyways, she might be mad at you, thinking it's all your fault that the world's biggest pizza was ruined and the last thing we need is the headlines saying 'Princess Euphemia nearly killed by insane Britannian Student.'" Naruto continued, ignoring Euphy's shocked expression. "But if Suzaku tells you he was nearly murdered by a green haired yellow eyed demon he is totally lying."
"Uh…." Euphy was unsure how to actually respond.
"Naruto, I think you're too weird for her to understand." Kallen commented in a deadpan voice.
Seriously, he was crazy enough that he was able to make her forget they were in the same room as Britannian Royalty. How messed up with that?
"Really? I thought I was being serious." Naruto said, knowing how C.C. was when someone stole her ruined her pizza.
Almost everyone back in India knew the rules regarding C.C. and pizza.
Rule 1: Do not interrupt C.C. when she is eating.
Rule 2: Do not steal her pizza.
Rule 3: Do not in any way harm the pizza.
If any of these rules are broken than fly, do not run or walk, literally fly away and pray you die before the demon unleashed finds you.
How is that not serious?
"Anyways, Euphy, what is you wanted to talk to Suzaku about if you don't mind me asking? Must be pretty important to risking coming here. Lelouch looked ready to have a heart attack when he saw you with Nunnally in the control booth." Naruto turned back to Euphy who sighed and looked at the ground.
"…The truth is I wanted to speak to him and Lelouch about something…I couldn't stand them fighting anymore and I found a way to end the fighting." Euphy answered, looking back up at Naruto.
"End the fighting? How will you do that?" Kallen asked, now curious.
Euphy started explaining everything to them.
Xxx
"Are you all right, Nunnally?" Lelouch asked, peeking out from the snack booth.
"I'm fine, Lelouch." Nunnally smiled as she stood up. "Lelouch, Euphy told me something…She and Suzaku are becoming really close."
Lelouch looked at Nunnally. "What?"
"It's her!"
"Princess Euphemia!"
Lelouch and Nunnally looked up see Euphy on the stage with Naruto and Kallen watching from the edge, walking onto the hands of the Ganymede as Suzaku, looking none the worse for wear as he managed to escape C.C.'s wrath by hiding back in the Ganymede, lifted her up. C.C. would have gone up to beat the crap out of him but a burst of chakra from Naruto that only she could sense, telling her something serious was happening barely called her off.
But she would get her revenge.
"Princess Euphemia, are you all right?" Suzaku asked.
"I am fine." Euphy turned to the crowd of reports gathering around the stage. "Could you please network this broadcast nationwide?"
"Euphy?" Suzaku asked.
"I have a very special announcement." Euphy said, taking on the role Princess for all the world to see.
Xxx
"Your Highness! It's Princess Euphemia!" Guilford cried, rushing into the Knightmare hangar.
Cornelia, who had been looking over her Gloucester, sighed. "What's she done now?"
Xxx
"I am Euphemia, Sub-Viceroy of Area Eleven of the Holy Britannian Empire." Euphy started her speech as Todoh stood up. "There is something of great consequence that I wish to tell you."
Rakshata walked up next to Todoh, looking irritated. "Now what? This little girl makes such a fuss."
Xxx
"I Euphemia li Britannia herby declared the Special Administrative Zone of Japan in the area surrounding Mount Fuji!" Euphy declared to all who were listening.
"What?!" Lelouch gasped along with the crowd. "Britannia has-"
"They're recognizing Japan?" Suzaku whispered.
Xxx
Diethard bang his fist on the monitor in front of him. "Damn it! I never thought of this scheme, even though it's only in a limited area."
Xxx
"Within the Special Administrative Zone of Japan Elevens will be permitted to call themselves Japanese. Restrictions against Elevens and special rights will no longer be restricted in this zone. It will be a place where Elevens and Britannia can live side by side as equals." Euphy said, finishing her speech.
'Stop this Euphy! I already thought through every detail of that scenario. It's nothing but an empty dream.' Lelouch gritted his teeth.
'Euphy…' Nunnally looked at Lelouch. 'Will you stand in her way, brother?'
"Do you hear me, Zero?" Euphy called out, pulling Lelouch from his thoughts. "I don't' care about your past or who you are under that mask. I beg you, join us in creating this special zone of freedom."
'She's actually going through with it.' Kallen could barely believe this was happening.
Xxx
"WHAT IS SHE DOING?!" Cornellia was beside herself, watching her younger sister's broadcast with complete shock.
Xxx
'This is unexpected. Lelouch and Nunnally still alive and now this.' Nonnette thought as she merely listened. 'Does she know? Is that why she's doing this? The deceased Vi Britannia children alive and here in this school…Does this mean that Zero is watching this place if he knows where they are? Is that why she's doing it here and now?'
"I ask you, Zero to help me build a new future in Britannia. A place for everyone!" Euphy called out to the world.
"FOR PRINCESS EUPHEMIA!" The crowd seemed to accept her words as they applauded her.
'Things just got really complicated now.' Naruto looked over at Lelouch who was still hiding, sensing his emotions. 'This is not what Lelouch ever had in mind. No way he'll accept it and there's nothing he can do…'
'If the Black Knights do anything we'll lose the support of the Japanese.' Kallen thought, thinking over the implications of this special zone.
'She's effectively crippled the Black Knights and she didn't even lift a gun or even wish any form of violence.' C.C. stared up at Euphemia, temporarily forgetting about brutally killing Suzaku. 'What will you do now, Lelouch?'
'I'm finished. No matter what I do the Black Knights will break apart over this. The reason we exist had vanished. How could this have happened so easily?' Lelouch turned away, making sure Nunnally couldn't see his face.
But she knew. 'Brother…'
'You think you can take it all away from me like this? Even if it is a place where we can be ourselves…You know nothing! You understand nothing! I am a terrorist who hides his face and you…' Lelouch narrowed his eyes at the smiling gaze of Euphemia who was looking at him.
'Lelouch, now everything can be like before!' Euphy thought happily.
'No, the past is dead and gone! Euphemia!' Lelouch's eyes flared with complete anger.
'He's going to do something stupid, I know it. His sister wants to help…' Naruto looked up at Euphy. 'And Lelouch will try and smash it to bits. This is going to be ugly.'
*Chapter 28*: Chapter 28Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"About this Special Administrative Zone of Japan, there are some unpleasant rumors about Princess Euphemia."
"It must due to the Kamine Island matter. You think she contacted Zero there?"
"I suspect there's a connection there that goes all the way to the top."
"No connection. The Viceroy wasn't only one asking what was going on."
"But in any case our connection with them is need to be-"
"Right. We'll have to sever ties with them at once."
The doors to the room opened and in walked Dalton and General Bartley. "I'm afraid it's too late."
The administrators gasped as they spun around, facing Dalton with shock and slight fear.
"All the evidence has already been gathered Vice-Minister. Namely the profiteering bribes." Dalton explained with a grin.
"I appreciate this, General Dalton. With this we can finally sweep away the parasites that were sucking Prince Clovis dry." Bartley narrowed his eyes at the ministers. "There are more rats than expected and all of them confused by Euphemia's special zone."
Xxx
The mobile base moved into the center of the station with Euphemia and Suzaku watching the construction of the Special Zone.
"Over two thousand people have applied to join the Japan Special Zone and the way things look that number is only going to grow." Suzaku stated.
"Thanks to you, Suzaku." Euphemia turned and faced her knight. "Because of what you represent to the Japanese people everyone is rallying. They believe in what we are doing here."
Suzaku turned away with a smile. "No you're giving me too much credit. It must due to your proclamation, Princess. I am truly thankful for this, I really am."
"Just as I am thankful to you." Euphemia looked at Suzaku. "And I'm hopeful that you'll help in everything that is to come."
Suzaku quickly saluted his princess. "Yes your-"
"Not like that." Euphemia cut him off, slightly annoyed.
Suzaku dropped the salute, smiling sheepishly. "Yes."
Euphemia giggled.
Xxx
"Euphy truly is amazing, isn't she? Now the terrorist groups in Area Eleven will lose their popular support and fall apart. Public order will be stabilized." Schneizel said to his younger sister Cornelia, who was not at all happy with the plans her younger sister made.
"I personally oppose this." Cornelia stated.
"But since you understand the situation you've sent Dalton as an adviser did you not?" Schneizel asked knowingly.
"To ensure puplic policy stays on track. It's a matter a Viceroy would obviously take." Cornelia answered smoothly.
"Hm. Did you approve her plans as the Viceroy or as her older sister?" Schneziel asked amusedly.
Cornelia didn't answer but it didn't matter.
"There is another matter. The fact that one of Zero's knights came forward with possible information regarding Lelouch and Nunnally."
Cornelia flinched. "What about it?"
"Euphy personally invited Zero to meet with her at the Special Zone. Perhaps this also her way of asking him what happened to our siblings."
"We can't believe that Zero would ever give them to us." Cornelia protested heatedly.
"Perhaps not but it is worth looking into."
Xxx
"I must say this a rather unexpected move from Princess Euphemia and best of all it was done in a way that completely neutralizes Zero. If we refuse we would end up alienating the Japanese, the very people we are sworn to protect and lose their support which of course Zero needs if he intends to make Tokyo an independent nation." Rakshata said amusedly as she looked at the TV that was showing a recording of Euphemia's announcement.
She looked at the laptop as Nunnally and Sayoko's faces appeared on it, both of them in Nunnally's room.
"Well, well, the exiled princess herself graces me with her presence." Rakshata commented with a grin.
"Rakshata-san, have you seen Master Lelouch, Naruto, or Lady C.C.?" Sayoko asked, getting straight to the point.
"I'm afraid not. Naruto and C.C. cut their vision off from me and who knows where little Zero went? I imagine he was a little upset by this turn of events." Rakshata sat back on her red couch.
"You do not believe my brother will support this Special Administrative Zone?" Nunnally asked, naturally worried for her brother.
"Knowing him he is most likely annoyed as this plan effectively cripples and destroys his plans for rebellion against the empire." Rakshata said, sounding like it was as plain as reporting the weather. "I would check with the Black Knight base and see if they are there."
"Understood." Sayoko said before ending the call.
Xxx
"Lelouch…" Nunnally sadly whispered, looking out the window. "Where did you go? Are you not happy that sister Euphy is trying to end this?"
"I am sure he is fine, Lady Nunnally." Sayoko leaned down, placing a hand on Nunnally's shoulder. "He has protection, even if we can't see it."
Nunnally didn't answer as she was too busy looking out the window, as if hoping her eyes would see him walking up to the clubhouse. She knew he was upset, even angry that Euphy had effectively destroyed him as a terrorist against Britannia. A small part of her was even upset as she wanted the Emperor to suffer for blinding and crippling her but she couldn't let herself show these feelings.
Not yet.
Xxx
Kallen for the life of her didn't expect Euphemia to actually to go through with it but now that she did it was causing a little bit a problem within the Black Knights with even a few of their own deciding to leave and join the Special Zone.
"The situation is serious. Not only are we losing supporters, some of her own members have applied to join the Special Zone." Todoh said, sitting on the couch with his arms folded.
"Unlike the Black Knights there is no risk in signing for the Japan Special Zone." Deithard stated.
"Besides when you compare the pedigree princess with the mysterious unknown man behind a mask it's obvious which one sends more appeal." Rakshata said amusedly as she looked around.
"There's a rumor that Kyoto is cooperating with them too."
"What's up with that?!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"They're offering equality, that's what."
"Equality my ass! Don't just accept their word for it!" Kallen stepped in.
"I agree but unless we decide how to respond to this quickly…"
Ohgi closed his eyes in thought as he remembered what the woman he was looking after said. 'You want to apply to the Special Zone.'
'Because there it won't make any difference to who is a Britannian and who is an Eleven.'
Ohgi opened his eyes. "Listen, if it works like Euphemia's proposal then it wouldn't be wrong for the Black Knights to support this, right?"
"Yeah sure. Like Britannians would ever offer such a promise." Tamaki said dully.
"I think we should support the Zone. It doesn't condradict what Zero said, does it?" Ohgi asked.
'Does it, Ohgi?' Kallen thought.
"First off if we accept peace on their terms we'll be forced to disarm." Chiba stated.
"That is a problem isn't it?" Rakshata asked rhetorically, waving her pipe in the air casually.
"We would also get swallowed up in their regime and lose our independence." Todoh said in agreement.
"On the other hand if we don't support then we're against equality and freedom." Diethard pointed out.
"Then let's support it." Ohgi said.
"What? Without any guarantees in place?" Diethard asked rhetorically.
"But we can't ignore it either."
"And we can't predict how long it will last."
Everyone looked to the doors as they opened up and let in Zero's knights.
"Seizan, Shinryoku." Kallen said with a hopeful tone in her voice. "Any word from Zero?"
"At the moment Zero is waiting to see how this will play through but in the meantime we thought we'd check in on you all." Seizan answered as the doors closed. "As I can imagine, you all sound divided over the issue."
"Does Zero plan to support the zone?" Ohgi asked.
"You sound hopeful, Ohgi. Is there something you'd like to tell us?" Shinyroku asked, slowly walking past everyone towards Ohgi who looked slightly nervous.
"Uh…No. There's nothing important anyways." Ohgi quickly said, sweating slightly at the glare Kallen shot at him.
"Euphemia made this announcement of her own volition but she couldn't have done it without first ensuring it was approved. Now obviously Cornelia would never approve the zone so it means that Euphemia went over her sister's head." Shinryoku said, looking to everyone in the room. "The only person able to approve aside from the Emperor himself without facing repercussion would be her brother, Schneizel el Britannia."
"Why would he approve it?" Kallen asked.
"Simple, it effectively cripples any resistance and boxes us into a corner where we lose the support of the people either way." Shinryoku leaned against the table. "However at the same time Euphemia is making a horrible mistake."
"A mistake?" Ohgi asked. "I don't understand. Doesn't this benefit us?"
"Do you think the Britannians who live in the settlement will accept those they see as mere vagabonds now becoming equal to them with names and a place to be themseleves without repercussions? Mistreating Japanese in Area Eleven is a way of life for them and to see it taken away from them by their own princess would be unacceptable in their eyes." Shinryoku asked slowly and condescendingly to Ohgi. "This will lead them to treating Japanese citizens, even honorary Britannians even harsher than before and the Japanese who believe they now have the rights they have been hoping for in the zone will surely want to fight for it. And what do you think will happen then?"
"The Britannians will see it as the Japanese turning the zone into a front to assault them." Todoh answered, catching on to what the two knights were saying.
"Exactly." Seizan nodded. "Those are in power are naturally afraid to give it up and soon enough someone, Japanese or Britannian, will do something stupid and then the shit will really hit the fan. Britannia will lobby for the zone to be decommissioned and the Japanese inside to be put on trial for any crimes the Britannians can think of. It may take a week, it may take a month, a year, or even two days but this is the likeliest outcome, even Zero predicted something like Euphemia's special zone and considered it to be a temporary solution at best."
"So what do we do?" Kallen asked.
"Well, that's obvious isn't it?" Seizen asked, a grin possibly forming from the sound of his voice. "The simplest solution now is we wait."
"We wait?" Tamaki asked looking as surprised as the people around him.
"Remember, Tamaki-san our purpose is not to make war with Britannia even if it is the goal many of you signed on for. What is our goal?" Seizan asked looking around the room. "Remember closely why the Black Knights exist."
Kallen's eyes widened. "To…protect the innocent."
"Exactly!" Seizan pointed at Kallen. "Exactly! To protect the innocent, Japanese or Britannian! Those were Zero's words at Lake Kawaguchi and it hasn't changed. Only the battlefield has now changed. If and when the Zone fails the Japanese will need us to protect them again and we will be there, waiting and watching."
"Hell yeah!" Tamaki stood up with a grin on his face. "Sounds like a plan to me!"
Todoh nodded. "Very well. I assume this is Zero's plan."
"It will be the plan for now. We wait for the right time before we make a move." Shinryoku stood up. "We use this opportunity to plan and perhaps even set up a base in the zone to monitor for when the time is right."
"A sound move." Deithard said with a smile. "From what I see Zero values your input greatly."
"Zero is a Master of Miracles…We are the ones who keep him alive to make these miracles." Shinryoku said cheekily.
"So we just wait for something that may never happen?" Ohgi said skeptically. "How are you so sure it will fall apart?"
"Human…Nature." Shinyroku looked at Ohgi. "And Britannia's own history speaks for itself."
Xxx
"Sorry about having you drop me off like this." Lelouch put the helmet back into the side-seat of Rivalz's motorcycle.
"Hey, you helped me go shopping after all." Rivalz happily replied, waving off Lelouch's apology. "Besides, I heard you were going to meet up with Shirley."
"She might need me to go shopping too." Lelouch took his goggles off. "Britannians shouldn't be worried just because of the special zone starting up."
"Oh yeah. I think you're right about that." Rivalz replied, not really caring much about the Special Zone. "Anyway you better make up with Shirley pretty soon buddy."
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR SPECIAL ZONE!" The two looked over and saw a Britannian noble beating down a young boy, obviously Japanese with his cane. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT SUPPORT! I'D SOONER DIE THAN SIGN THAT!"
"It's a nobleman. A shining example of class." Rivalz commented.
"You think you're equal to us now? The lower classes should simply obey their betters without any backtalk." The noble spat.
"There it is." Lelouch declared as he slowly walked over. "That's the true nature of the Sub-Viceroy's benevolence."
"What do you want?" The noble asked.
"Doesn't it feel good to look down from above? It is rather like being a god." Lelouch stated as the nobleman's driver stepped forward.
"Hold it, school boy. Just back off." The drive put hand on Lelouch's shoulder.
Lelouch looked up at him as his Geass activated. "I think you should go home right now."
The man's eyes flashed red. "Yeah, okay I will. I better get going."
"Uh? What did you say to him?" The nobleman rushed after his driver. "Come back at once."
"What's wrong, Sir Noble?" Lelouch turned around, calling out the nobleman's attention. "Confusing borrowed power with your own ability is a huge mistake you know. Garbage like you should simply die and be thrown out-" Lelouch stopped as his felt his left eye flare up.
Luckily Rivalz stepped in. "All right everyone, let's break this up. Mister why don't you apologize? What do you say?"
"Aplogize?! You insolent whelp!" The nobleman shouted.
"Go away!" Lelouch declared, managing to deactivate his Geass. 'Am I losing control of my Geass? I need to check with Naruto and C.C. I can't be losing control. Not this soon.'
As the nobleman walked away in anger Shirley watched everything happened from above. 'Lulu, what's the matter with you? You help that Eleven but you talk to Princess Euphemia. Lulu, what are you hiding from me?'
Xxx
Kirihara didn't have to wait long before Britannia sent some big strong armed thug to come and talk to him about selling what was left of Mount Fuji.
"DAC or rather Kyoto as it is known to other terrorists. Tomorrow, after the ceremony why don't you dissolve your group and leave Mount Fuji. We can talk about a legal agreement if you hand over the mining operations to us peacefully." Dalton stated to Kirihara who did not answer. "Of course that will mean the end of your support to the Black Knights. Whether Zero comes tomorrow or not, doesn't matter. With this, that man's downfall is assured."
Xxx
"You think your Geass is acting up?" C.C. hugged her Cheese-kun close to her as she sat on the bed she and Naruto shared while Naruto was sitting cross-legged on the floor with his arms crossed.
"I felt it earlier today." Lelouch scowled. "It's too soon for me to be losing control isn't it?"
"You have not used it enough for it to be evolving beyond your control." C.C.'s yellow eyes faded away, showing her Rinnegan that allowed her to see the power of Lelouch's Geass. "Yes, it is much stronger than it should be at this point."
"It's because of those ruins on Kamine Island isn't it?" Lelouch questioned. "You said those ruins had a special connection with Geass. What are they?"
"I already told you." C.C. replied.
"You only said what they could be but I believe you know what they really are." Lelouch stated.
C.C. fell onto her back. "And does it really matter? Right now you have other matters."
"Like sealing up that Geass to keep it from going out of control." Naruto stood up. "Now we should get started and have this all done before the big event tomorrow."
Lelouch frowned but relented. "Very well."
"Oh and we better get Kallen." Naruto said as he held up a brush. "We wouldn't want her losing control of her Geass either."
Xxx
Kallen sighed as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. It was a trying day with everyone up in arms over the Special Administration Zone of Japan and even after Naruto helped calm everyone down emotions were still high. She knew she had to be ready for tomorrow and decided to turn in early for tonight.
She opened the door to get into her nice and cozy bed…
Only to find C.C. sitting on her bed, fiddling with a pink book with a lock on it. "Oh, hey Kallen."
"GAH!" Kallen's jaw dropped, barely managing to keep her towel on. "What are you doing?! And is that-PUT THAT DOWN NOW!"
"Oh, is there something personal on this?" C.C. asked casually, like she wasn't violating Kallen's privacy.
Which is exactly what she was doing.
"YOUR DAMN RIGHT IT'S PERSONAL NOW PUT IT DOWN!" Kallen shouted as the door opened.
"I got some tea and cookies." Naruto said as he walked in but stopped as Kallen spun around, her grip on her towel slipping away. "Oh!" Blushing Naruto quickly turned away. "Sorry!"
"Why, Naruto are you still so shy? You know I'm okay with it if you have a few thoughts about other girls." C.C. grinned sinisterly and Kallen hastily moved to cover herself. "You mean to tell me we're not here to ask Kallen to have a threesome with us?"
"WHAT?!" Kallen shouted in complete shock, embarrassment, and a little rage at being intruded upon like this.
"I'm just going to step out now." Naruto quickly slipped out of the room. 'Good thing I put up sound proof seals. If Cera keeps pissing Kallen off the entire neighborhood might wake up to a warzone.'
"Are you sure? She's a pretty little thing and you've seen her naked before." C.C. held a hand to her mouth.
Naruto wisely closed the door as Kallen faced C.C. with her Geass flaring in her left eye. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"Oh, Naruto wanted to check on you and make sure your Geass wasn't acting up out of your control." C.C. said simply.
"Huh?" Kallen mumbled as her Geass deactivated.
After C.C. explained things Kallen took the chance to dress herself in a simply shirt and shorts and let Naruto back in who was pretty nervous about being the outlet for Kallen's wrath considering C.C. enjoyed riling the red haired pilot up. Naruto wondered if his father had a thing for violent red heads when he was dating his mother and shook his head of those thoughts.
Now wasn't the time for such thoughts.
"So, why are you worried about my Geass?" Kallen asked, glaring at C.C. and making sure the green haired didn't try and steal her diary.
"Lelouch said his Geass activated for an instant today and believes it's starting to evolve beyond his control." Naruto explained. "We wanted to know if you went through anything similar."
"As I far as I know my Geass hasn't done anything yet. I haven't used it for a while." Kallen answered, frowning in concern. "Naruto, about what you said…"
"Hm?" Naruto tilted his head.
"Do you really believe that the zone will fall apart?" Kallen questioned.
"Hmm…Well, it might not fall apart so fast but even if it does get the go ahead there are a lot of Britannian nobles unhappy about it. Your step-mother I think ranks as one of them." Naruto scratched his cheek.
Kallen frowned. "No surprise there."
"So instead of deciding on what to do even though the Black Knights will lose support no matter what choice we make we simply bear with it for now." Naruto shrugged. "Think of it as a small vacation, Kallen and you don't have to worry about so many people being hurt. You can even enjoy being Japanese in the zone for a while."
"And Lelouch?" Kallen asked curiously. "Did he agree to this?"
"Ah…." Naruto trailed off, looking very awkward now.
"What he's saying that we never talked to Lelouch about it yet." C.C. clarified in a bored tone. "And to be honest about it Lulu wasn't in a talking mood about it."
"So he never agreed to your idea? What will he do?" Kallen asked.
"Probably something stupid like getting Euphemia to shoot him and become a martyr to the Black Knights." C.C. answered, spreading herself across Kallen's bed.
"What?!" Kallen spun around, looking at C.C. in alarm. "That's his plan?!"
"Kallen, calm down. We're keeping an eye on him." Naruto said, almost unable to believe he was trying to be the reasonable one between C.C.'s smartass attitude and Kallen's short temper.
This must be how Sakura felt when she kept in trying to break up the fights between him and Sasuke.
"We don't exactly know what Lelouch will be planning to do but we're not going to let him do anything stupid. We'll keep an eye on him." Naruto continued, seeing his words were helping to calm Kallen down. "Right now we need to make sure that neither your or his Geass goes out of control."
Kallen sighed and nodded. "Right. What do we do?"
"Kneel down on all fours and strip yourself. No bra or underwear either." C.C. said with a grin.
"No! You don't need to strip!" Naruto quickly said, seeing the anger build in Kallen's eyes. 'I really need to talk to Cera about this. She's going to get me killed one of these days.'
'I like her. She actually knows how to entertain me.' Kurama laughed.
"Just turn around and I can draw the seal on the back of your neck." Naruto said, pulling out his brush.
"Just like that?" Kallen asked, not expecting it to be so simple.
"Well I could draw it on your forehead but it'd be easier to notice. At least on the back of your neck you can cover it up." Naruto shrugged. "So which is it? Forehead or back of neck?"
Kallen sighed. "Back of neck please."
"Okey-dokey!" Naruto smiled as Kallen turned around, pushing aside her hair covering the back of her neck.
The seal Naruto was applying to Kallen and had already applied to Lelouch was actually based off of the seal used by the Hyuuga clan on the branch family, only this one did not cause pain to the person who had the seal and it could be easily removed. It worked by detecting the energy associated with Geass reacting with the knowing consent of the person and applied a subtle pulse of chakra that would cancel out the Geass. This would ensure the Geass would not become permanently active unless Lelouch or Kallen knowingly wanted to activate their Geass.
"And…Seal!" Naruto made a hand sign, activating the seal which glowed for a second.
Kallen nearly jumped as she fell an almost unnoticeable shift through her but it didn't harm her in anyway.
"All right, done." Naruto said, pulling the brush away and stepped back to admire his handy work. "That wasn't so bad was it?"
"So this will keep my Geass from acting out?" Kallen asked, placing a hand on the back of her neck.
"It'll release a pulse that will cancel the Geass out. Basically the Geass works through your eyes which is connected to the brain meaning that the source of your Geass is embedded in your brain. The seal will sense the energy traveling from your brain to your eye when you activate it but the seal is designed to also sense when you knowingly or unknowingly activate it. The pulse will be subtle, too weak to cause brain damage but it will disrupt the energy as it travels to your eye and cancel it out." Naruto said, explaining carefully how the seal worked. "You'll be able to use your Geass simply by mentally activating it like always because the seal will cancel itself cancelling out energy of your Geass but when you want to deactivate it the seal will react to your command and it will continue to release that pulse to stop it."
"Well, at least I'll still be able to control it." Kallen sighed in relief. "I couldn't live with myself if my Geass went out of control and accidently killed someone."
"That's why you got us." Naruto stated as he sat down and drank some of the tea he brought up. "Now we're almost ready for tomorrow."
"But were you guys serious when Lelouch said he might do something to turn the zone in a battle field?" Kallen frowned.
Naruto sighed and decided to just come clean. "Truth be told, Kallen Lelouch is not at all happy about this special zone since Euphemia basically stripped him of the power he needs to make a stand against Britannia. There's no way he'll accept this zone as a good idea and believes that it will fall apart but he thinks he can control how it falls apart."
"By making himself into a martyr?" Kallen questioned.
"It's a dirty move but if Zero was suddenly shot by Princess Euphemia it would be a rallying cry for the Japanese to take up arms." Naruto answered.
"How can he do that? Is he really that to fight against the empire?" Kallen asked, just wondering how far Lelouch would go.
"Lelouch is not the type to give up, even in the face of possible defeat but when he's desperate he'll resort to anything he can come up baring endangering his little sister." C.C. spoke up. "This is war and he's already accepted the fact that people, innocent or not will die but he will work to ensure the battle is as controlled as he can make it without turning it into a slaughterhouse."
"Exactly. So what we need to do is keep it from happening since this would tarnish the Black Knights and I believe that his plan has been anticipated by the Geass Order or even worse the Emperor himself." Naruto stated. "Lelouch is too far emotionally affected to be reasoned with at this point. The question is will we have to do something or can Euphemia convince him to work with her?"
"Convince him to work with her?" Kallen repeated in confusion.
"Yeah. I mean Euphemia is his sister and I don't believe he'll threaten her into shooting him. So he'll likely use his Geass but perhaps Euphemia can get through that stubborn head." Naruto explained with a smile.
"How can you be so sure?"
"I have an inside source."
Xxx
As she was getting ready for bed Nunnally suddenly sneezed and fell onto the mattress. "Oh dear. Could someone be talking about me at this late hour?"
Xxx
"C.C. and I will be with him tomorrow as his personal knights so we'll keep an eye on him and wait and see what he will do." Naruto finished explaining the outline of his plan. "Just keep yourself ready but don't jump the gun too quickly."
Kallen sighed. "Fine, I'll play along. Just don't do anything crazy without telling me."
"As you wish." C.C. lied back and started pulling on the covers over Kallen's bed.
"What are you doing?" Kallen asked slowly while giving C.C. a glare that would even make Todoh sweat but C.C. didn't budge.
"Uh oh." Naruto whispered as he stepped back.
"Are you kicking us out after all we've done for you?" C.C. asked dumbly with a devious smile. "And here I thought we could have a sleepover. You, me, Naruto, this nice bed for us all."
"GET OUT!"
Xxx
"I'm back." Lelouch said, adopting the smile he reserved for his sister and his sister alone.
"Oh hi, Lelouch. Welcome home." Nunnally smiled as she put down the book she had been reading. "Where's Shirley?"
"I'm sorry, Nunnally. She had to go visit her father at the last second." Lelouch answered as he unbuttoned his school uniform.
"Perhaps she's getting back at you. You have been a little chilly with her." Nunnally pointed out.
"You think so?" Lelouch asked, taking off the black top. "Then I guess I'll try to be nicer. Sayoko, would you bring us some tea please?"
Sayoko bowed. "Yes, as you wish my lord."
As Sayoko left to make some tea in the kitchen Lelouch placed the black uniform on the table and picked up a hangar.
Nunnally frowned. "I have the feeling you're worried about something, Lelouch."
"Huh?" Lelouch looked at Nunnally.
"Does it involve, Euphie?" Nunnally asked as Lelouch put the uniform top on the hangar. "It would be selfish to say I want to see her again. I'd like to, I admit it, but that would simply cause trouble for you both."
"You like Euphie, don't you?" Lelouch asked rhetorically.
"Yes, very much. The same way you like her." Nunnally answered, watching as Lelouch turned away.
"Yeah…I did like her." Lelouch whispered.
Nunnally frowned, sensing something wrong with Lelouch. 'Brother, why do you not let me in?'
Xxx
"We're bringing live coverage from the stadium where the inaugural ceremony will be held for the Special Administrative Zone of Japan. The stadium is already packed full with Elevens-I mean Japanese." The reporter quickly corrected herself. "And those unable to get in are gathered outside the stadium."
"Lesley, do you think Zero will show up here?"
"No and we've heard nothing about it at this time."
As the news of the Japan Special Administrative Zone spread across the world everyone had their own opinions.
Xxx
"Ah, you think Zero will even show up?" A member of Executive Council of the Chinese Federation asked.
"I seriously doubt it. What do you think?"
Xxx
"The data we have on the man is accurate and I don't believe he will either." A man in the European Union Council chamber answered.
Xxx
Charles zi Britannia stood in the center of the Thought Elevator with his servants, watching the news through C's World to see the events transpiring in Japan.
Xxx
Euphemia was barely paying attention to the millions of people waiting in the station that had been decorated with the flags of Britannia and Japan before it had been absorbed by the Empire. She should be happy that her plan for the Special Zone was approved but in reality there was one person she wanted to be here more than anyone in the world.
'Lelouch, where are you? Will you not come?' Euphemia thought in dismay.
"Princess Euphemia it is time."
Euphemia glanced over at Darlton and nodded. "Right."
Standing near the lines of chairs Nonnette silently watched Euphemia, deciding to come here to keep an eye on the event. She knew her eyes were not deceiving her when she saw Euphemia with an older version of Lelouch and Nunnally vi Britannia and she knew Euphemia did not tell her older sister about them being at the Ashford Academy. Whatever the reason was Nonnette was here under the excuse that she was watching Euphemia for Cornelia who refused to come to the ceremony, believing that Euphemia was being foolish and making them look weak in front of numbers and terrorists.
"Lady Nonnette?" Nonnette looked over her shoulder, seeing Rai standing behind her in his formal uniform. "Are you all right?"
Nonnette smiled reassuringly. "Oh I'm all right, my little knight. Just getting a little bored."
Rai blushed at being called her little knight which brought her some form entertainment. Unfortunately right now Nonnette had no time to play as she had a job to do here. So Nonnette silently watched as Euphemia prepared to address the crowd. As she stood up she looked over at the vacant chair between her and Darlton, the one that would have been for Zero if he had appeared.
The sound of gasps of shock caused Euphie to look up and to her surprise she saw Zero's personal Knightmare along with the two Knightmares that belonged to his knights flanking the Arashikage as it hovered over the stadium.
"Zero." Suzaku whispered, staring hard up at the masked terrorist as he stood on the Arashikage's shoulder.
"Zero?"
"Zero is here?!"
Euphemia smiled. "Oh he came after all!"
Darlton however was grinning for another reason. "You accept that you lost."
'What are you doing? I thought I would have to take your identity to the grave.' Kirihara thought. 'If people discover that Zero is a Britannian Prince it's all over. They'll mistake this for a farce planned by the empire. That would even cause the Special Administrative Zone to fall apart.'
"Your target is Zero. If he makes any suspicious moves kill him at once."
"Yes my lord." The pilots all replied.
Euphy stepped forward and spread her arms out to welcome her new guests. "Zero, welcome to the Special Administrative Zone."
"Greetings Euphemia li Britannia. I wish to request an audience with you." Zero stated.
"Just with me?" Euphemia asked.
"Yes, with you alone."
Xxx
The Student Council all watched the news with baited breath.
"Something major has happened here, ladies and gentlemen. Zero has just appeared out in the open! Under Princess Euphemia's direction he is moving towards the G1."
Xxx
"I'm afraid something is going to happen. We should have gone there like I thought." Cecile said, watching from Prince Schneziel's airship.
"What for?" Lloyd looked at Cecile with his usual grin. "It's not as if we had a choice in the matter. Everyone said if Lancelot was there waiting Zero wouldn't show."
Xxx
The Arashikage along with Seizan and Shinryoku landed on the decorated red carpet and its pilots strolled up, while a security guard ran a metal detector on Zero.
But when he ran it on his knights he detected weapons. "Zero doesn't have any weapons your highness but these two are armed."
"Of course we are. We are Zero's bodyguards after all." C.C. retorted to the man. "Did you think we would come unarmed into a possible trap?"
"How dare you…"
"It's all right, they have a right to be suspicious." Euphemia replied and gestured to the G1. "Then this way please."
"Princess Euphemia, it's too dangerous to be alone with this man." Suzaku spoke up. "As your knight I request you allow me to accompany you for you safety."
Euphemia turned and smiled at Suzaku. "No, it's all right. Please just trust me Suzaku."
Suzaku could only watch in stunned silence as Euphemia continued to the G1 with Zero behind her. In the meantime Naruto was looking at the G1, his Rinnegan eyes active and he could see life signatures in the G1 even though Euphie had ordered it to be emptied for her meeting with Lelouch.
And among them two life signs were glowing red.
Xxx
"Come on, how much longer are we supposed to hang around here?" Tamaki asked impatiently from his Glasgow.
"What? It's not enough that Zero instructed us to wait here?" Kallen retorted calmly, deciding to simply trust the three who were possible hostile territory.
"Yeah, whatever." Tamaki drawled, sitting lazily in his cockpit.
"First of all we have to confirm the empire's true intentions." Ohgi pointed out.
"Deputy Commander." Todoh called from his Glasgow.
"Uh, yes." Ohgi answered, slightly surprised to be hearing Todoh.
"Zero knows their real intentions. Isn't that why he told us to wait and hide in all four directions?" Todoh asked.
"A risky assumption." Ohgi replied.
"He's even got Diethard and Rakshata standing by with his own two knights with him. Zero is probably planning to assassinate Euphemia."
Kallen closed her eyes, hoping that was not the case. She had no love for Britannian Royalty but it's one thing to assassinate someone who might be innocent in the conflict.
Xxx
Even though the cameras are off, you're still being extremely careful, aren't you?" Euphie asked as Lelouch turned off all the power in the G1.
"I have been in hiding for a long time due to a certain empire I'm afraid," Lelouch stated as he took off his mask. He took out a gun and pointed at his half-sister, even though he had been searched earlier. "This is a needle gun made from ceramic and bamboo. It can't be picked up on a metal detector."
"Lelouch, you would never shoot me, would you?" Euphie plainly asked, not looking the least bit alarmed by the gun.
"No." Lelouch answered, "I would never do that; you'll be doing the shooting Euphie."
"Huh?" Euphie was confused and a bit disturbed at what her half brother was saying.
"This ceremony is being broadcast globally and the world is going to witness you, a Britannian princess, shoot Zero." Lelouch stated. "What do you think will happen next?"
"Rioting would break out, I imagine," Euphie answered.
"Right, Zero will become a martyr tricked into a deathtrap and instantly your popularity will crash to earth."
"What kind of nonsense are you saying? You should just help me rebuild Japan…"
"If you force it upon us from up high, then you're just as bad as Clovis was."
Euphie was taken back by what Lelouch was saying.
"All task at hand have been cleared. After hovering near death, Zero will be met with cheers when he makes a miraculously recovery because people don't give a damn about reason but nobody can resist miracles." Lelouch flipped the needle gun so the handle was facing Euphie and held it out to her. "Now take the gun.
"Huh?"
"There can only be one messiah you understand and when the people realize that you're a false one, they'll-"
"Stop it!" Euphim cut him off. "I will not listen to this anymore. I did not come here to listen to plans of me shooting my brother and causing more violence."
"Then stop giving me your pity!" Lelouch looked at his sister with a glare of contempt. "Stop giving me your charity!"
Euphie only looked concerned despite the argument.
"This is something I have to achieve on my own and so for that, I shall now stain your hands with blood Euphemia li Britannia!" Lelouch prepared to activate his Geass.
"That isn't my name, I renounced it!" Euphie announced passionately.
Lelouch deactivated his Geass in shock by Euphie's statement.
"There'll probably be a formal announcement issued by the homeland about it any day now, but I've given up my claim to the throne." Euphie continued.
"But why? It isn't because you accepted Zero, is it?" Lelouch asked, still shocked by what he had heard.
"Well of course, I had to pay the price for doing something so selfish, those are the consequences," Euphie answered with a smile.
"Yes, but it wasn't difficult to give that up, was it? And I suppose you did it for my sake." Lelouch said skeptically.
Euphie chuckled, "As conceited as you ever were but no, I did it for Nunnally.
'For Nunnally?' Lelouch thought with surprise.
Euphie turned around, her back now facing Lelouch. "She told me herself, 'all I want is to be with my brother and that's all that matters, I want nothing more'".
"For that petty reason?"
The third princess turned around, looking her half-brother in the eye. "That's right Lelouch, that's how I made up my mind. It made me stop and reflect what was truly important to me in life. Do you understand now? I'm not giving up anything that has significant meaning or real worth to me and you don't need to worry, I won't tell anyone about you."
Lelouch wasn't able to resist chuckling. "And Cornelia?"
"It's not like we'll never see each other again."
"Euphie, you are a fool, an amazing fool."
Euphie glared. "I know I'm as smart as you Lelouch, I've never been able to beat you in games or study, however-"
"However," Lelouch interrupted. "In your usual rash fashion, you've managed to win all of it. When I think of you, I don't visualize a Sub-Viceroy or a princess, I only see the plain little Euphie who you used to be."
"Then will you join plain little Euphie and help her?" Euphie asked as she extended her hand.
Lelouch considered the notion and saw the determination on Euphie's face, "You are…you are the worst opponent I have ever faced." Lelouch took Euphie's hand. "You win."
Euphie was a bit surprised.
"I'll amend my plans to help out your special zone." Lelouch said and that made Euphie very happy, "Ah, but not as your subordinate, all right?"
"All right." Euphie replied happily. "Though you haven't got very much faith in me, have you?"
"Hmm?"
"Did you honestly believe that by simply threatening me I would shoot you?"
"Oh no, you got it all wrong. When I really want people to follow my orders, they will not resist me, whether to shoot me, to grant pardon to Suzaku, or any order at all."
"Oh now you're being silly. Stop playing with me."
"I'm serious. For example if I told you to kill all the Japanese it wouldn't matter how you felt about it." Lelouch smirked.
"What a good idea, Lelouch!"
Both Euphie and Lelouch stiffened and turned around as the door opened and into the room poured men dressed in combat gear and wore masks and helmets while pointing rifles at the two.
"In fact, that is exactly what will happen!" The distorted voice laughed as a figure appeared at the door and walked into the room.
"Castor?" Euphie gasped but upon seeing who she thought to be her fellow royal member but his eyes…His eyes were more sinister looking, much too sinister to be the same eyes as Castor.
"Ah, that's right. We've never officially met but allow me to rectify that." He theatrically bowed to the two. "Pollux rui Britannia at your service, my dear siblings." He stood straight and grinned, his left eye flashing red with a familiar crest.
'Geass!' Lelouch's eyes widened in shock and horror.
"And now I have a task for you." Pollux said, grinning sinisterly. "Kill the Japanese."
*Chapter 29*: Chapter 29Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"Kallen."
The red haired pilot stopped and saw Naruto, wearing his cloak and mask behind her. "What is it Nar-Seizan?"
"When we're are the stadium for the opening of the Special Zone keep an eye out. I sense that the Geass Order will try something." Naruto whispered.
"What do you mean?" Kallen said, her voice just as quite as Naruto's.
"The Geass Order and the Emperor don't care about peace and how many people that may die because of the wars they might cause. They want C.C. and they might try something to bring her out into the open." Naruto explained. "C.C. and I will be with Lelouch to keep an eye on him. You stay with the others and watch out for sudden attacks on the stadium."
"Does Lelouch know?" Kallen asked.
"He might suspect it but he's more worried about Euphemia at the moment and he won't be worried too much if C.C. and I are with him. If you see something like an air strike or a sudden movement of armed forces moving towards the stadium don't hesitate to act." Naruto said. "The main objective is the protection of the people in that stadium. If something happens they will need protection and you and the the rest of the Black Knights will be the ones to protect them."
Kallen's eyes hardened and she nodded. "I understand. Good luck, Naruto."
"Hey, it's me." Naruto's voice was light and filled with humor. "What could go wrong?"
Kallen didn't answer but the glare made Naruto both scared and happy as he chuckled and walked away.
As he walked away he muttered something 'Red heads and their temper.'
He was so lucky that they were in view of the others as they getting ready or she would have whacked him on the head.
Xxx
"Kill the Japanese?" Euphemia whispered in horror. "But why?! My plans for the Special Zone were approved by Schneizel!"
"I apologize sister but my orders were given to me by the Emperor himself." Pollux answered, a mocking apologetic grin on his face.
"The Emperor?" Euphemia's eyes widened and her body stiffened at the mention of her father.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. 'I should have known…He must have known I would meet Euphie. Damn it! I walked right into it!'
"So without further interruptions we will carry out our plan." Pollux's eye flashed red. "We will order the soldiers to kill the Japanese and Zero…you will assassinate Princess Euphemia li Britannia."
Lelouch's eyes went wide as he realized what Pollux was planning. Start a massacre that would lead to Euphie's death and frame the Black Knights for the crime. Once the Black Knights were accused all of their allies would turn on them and the organization would collapse.
"Now…God Bless. Take the gun." Pollux's eyes were both red now, showing his Geass was fully evolved as he held out a gun for Lelouch. "And shoot Euphemia."
'He doesn't know his Geass has no effect on me. I could use this against him but we're too outnumbered and everyone except Pollux are using goggles and no doubt with protective lenses.' Lelouch thought as he slowly took the gun, ignoring Euphemia's urges for him to not do it. 'I need a way to summon Naruto and C.C. in here. If I drop the kunai Naruto gave me the guards will shoot both me and Euphie but if I nothing Pollux will get impatient and maybe even pull the trigger himself. Do Naruto and C.C. even know about this? Their Rinnegan should have detected Pollux's Geass by now!'
Time was running out and he needed to do something fast. His mind was racing, coming up with different scenarios but none of them ended well for him or Euphie. If he was killed the Japanese would rally and use him as a martyr which was his plan, only he planned to live. If Euphie was killed everyone would accuse the Black Knights of being against freedom and the Japanese would turn on them, gutting the Black Knights and ending any chance of them becoming a power against Britannia. If both died Britannia would spin a story of Zero trying to kill Euphemia but the princess struggled against him and accidently killed each other while fighting over the gun.
He could take the gun and simply shoot Pollux, eliminating him as a threat but his men would simply shoot him and he had no idea if Euphie would survive or would be shot with him? He could use his Geass now and order Pollux to kill his men, allowing him and Euphie to escape in the resulting chaos but there was no way of knowing if either of them would make it out in the resulting cross fire. There was no way out of this.
At least not for him.
"Now kill her." Pollux ordered.
"How about no and you can suck it?"
Everyone's eyes widened as one of Pollux's guards exploded in a puff of smoke and from that smoke came several shuriken that knocked out the weapons Pollux's guards were carrying out of their hands.
"What?!" Pollux shouted as Naruto wearing his cloak and mask stepped out of the smoke. "What are you?!"
"Just a friendly guy here to give a helping hand to his friends." Naruto smirked at Euphie and Lelouch. "You guys okay?"
"You took your sweet time." Lelouch grumbled.
"Hey. The hero always arrives at the last second. You know that." Naruto retorted as he turned to Pollux. "Now about that order. Consider your plans cancelled."
"How dare you?! Do you have any idea who you are speaking to?!" Pollux angrily shouted.
"A whiny homicidal brat?" Naruto rhetorically answered, scratching the cheek of his mask.
"He's a member of the Royal Family and possibly a member of the Geass Order." Lelouch answered, pointing the very gun Pollux had given him at its previous owner. "And you consider yourself my prisoner now."
"Get them!" Pollux shouted.
The guards charged forward but Naruto was one step ahead, moving too fast for anyone to see and unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks that knocked them all out instantly. "Wow, this is sad. Don't you guys actually train?"
"You…" Pollux gritted his teeth but grinned. "It's a good thing I came prepared."
"Hm?" Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I mean right now my troops are in position right now to begin killing the Japanese." Pollux grinned manically as he pulled out a radio. "And I just need to give the order!"
"Stop him!" Euphie shouted in horror.
Lelouch was about to shoot Pollux but Naruto threw a kunai that hit the radio, breaking it before Pollux could get a single word. Naruto quickly followed up with a punch to the face, knocking Pollux out with one blow.
"Don't you hate it when they get all homicidal?" Naruto asked with a sigh. "Seriously, what's with these idiots and killing people?"
"Naruto, did anyone outside see you come in here?" Lelouch asked, putting the gun down.
"That's a trick question, right?" Naruto asked as he took off his hood and mask. "Who do you think I am?"
"Naruto." Lelouch scowled.
"Sheesh how can you be related to Euphie and Nunnally? They both know how to take a joke." Naruto rolled his eyes. "No, no one noticed I was gone because they think I'm still out there with C.C."
"Uh…."
Euphie trailed off, staring at Naruto who smiled at her. "Hey, Euphie. How's it been?"
"Naruto, you know she was just through an assassination attempt and you ask her 'how's it been'?" Lelouch's left eye twitched.
"Well she's alive and no one hurt her so I figured she was okay." Naruto shrugged. "Besides with this Pollux bastard down you won't have to worry about anyone trying to kill her and turn the special zone into a blood bath."
Lelouch sighed. "Very well you have a point there. What is important now is that we make sure Pollux is not able to order anyone to start a massacre."
"Don't worry about that." Naruto put a hand on the knocked out Pollux who vanished a second later. "Good thing C.C. taught me her dimensional technique." Naruto stood up, putting his mask and hood back on. "Well, I'll let you take it from here Lelouch and good luck on stage."
And like that Naruto vanished in another puff of smoke.
"Uh…." Euphemia stared at where Naruto vanished. "Lelouch, who exactly is Naruto?"
"I've asked that question more than once." Lelouch shook his head. "I'll try and explain later Euphie but right now we have to attend to the Special Zone."
"Oh right." Euphemia nodded, deciding to ask Lelouch more about Naruto later.
She needed to make sure nothing else happened or the dreams of the people outside wishing for a better life would be crushed. As the two left the room they did not notice that a single camera was still active in the room that recording everything.
Xxx
"Well she's alive and no one hurt her so I figured she was okay." Naruto shrugged. "Besides with this Pollux bastard down you won't have to worry about anyone trying to kill her and turn the special zone into a blood bath."
Lelouch sighed. "Very well you have a point there. What is important now is that we make sure Pollux is not able to order anyone to start a massacre."
"Don't worry about that." Naruto put a hand on the knocked out Pollux who vanished a second later. "Good thing C.C. taught me her dimensional technique." Naruto stood up, putting his mask and hood back on. "Well, I'll let you take it from here Lelouch and good luck on stage."
And like that Naruto vanished in another puff of smoke.
"Uh…." Euphemia stared at where Naruto vanished. "Lelouch, who exactly is Naruto?"
"I've asked that question more than once." Lelouch shook his head. "I'll try and explain later Euphie but right now we have to attend to the Special Zone."
"Oh right."
The person reviewing the life recording turned the monitor off and slipped his helmet on. "The first plan has failed. I will proceed with the second one."
There had been contingency plans set up to make sure the main objective did not fail to take in C.C. and this 'Naruto's strange abilities into account.
The second plan was now in effect.
Xxx
Euphie stepped back onto the stage with Lelouch who was wearing his Zero mask again.
"Princess Euphemia!" Suzaku rushed up, quickly bowing. "Are you all right, my lady?"
"I am fine, Suzaku." Euphie replied with a smile. "There is nothing to be worried about."
"Zero did not harm you or make any demands?" Suzaku cast a look at Lelouch who remained calm.
"No, he did nothing. Now it's time we begin the celebration." Euphie replied as she stepped up to the microphone. "People of Japan, I have just spoken with Zero and he has agreed to support the Special Administrative Zone!"
The people let out cheers and applause while Suzaku looked at Lelouch who was standing with Naruto and C.C. in silent shock. 'He…agreed?'
"Zero has agreed to work with us to create peace in the zone and ensure that you all can embrace the freedom and peace this zone offers." Euphie continued happily, seeing all the people cheering for the zone, for her, and for Lelouch.
Xxx
SLASH!
The guard fell over, his throat slit open and moment later his body was dumped to the side as the person now wearing his uniform walked over to the window, seeing the crowd in the stadium standing before the stage as Princess Euphemia continued her speech.
"Working together we will bring an end to the death that has plagued Japan for the last eight years."
He held the rifle up and aimed it at the stage.
"Together we shall take the first steps into the future."
Looking through the scope he saw his target perfectly.
"And it will be made possible by you, the people of Japan."
He knew that he couldn't chance someone not spotting him or hearing the shot and moving his target out of range. In order to avoid that outcome he would have to make sure the entire stadium would not stop him.
It would be risky.
But he would carry out his orders by any means necessary.
"And so I dedicate the Special Administrative Zone to you…"
His left eye flashes red with the crest of Geass shining through the scope. And from it the effect spread, trapping people in its power as it travelled to the stage, paralyzing everyone it touched, including Princess Euphemia and the target.
"You die now, Lelouch vi Britannia."
He pulled the trigger…
Xxx
"It's happening." Naruto narrowed his eyes as the red light associated with Geass froze the crowd and everyone on the stage. "And I don't need to bet the next dinner on who it is."
Not only did he see the Geass with his Rinnegan but as everyone froze he could sense Rolo's killing intent. Lelouch also noticed that people were seemingly freezing, as becoming frozen in time and he noticed it happening to Euphie just now.
'What is going on here? Everyone's just freezing…Is it…Wait I remember! A Geass that freezes one's perception of time!' Lelouch realized. 'It's that Geass assassin Rolo! He must be trying to assassinate Euphie!'
"That's too bad but I don't take sucker bets anyways." C.C. remarked, looking at the source of the light. "That little killing machine of V.V.'s is up to his little tricks again. That little brat never knew when to stop when he was told."
BANG!
Naruto moved quickly, seeing the bullet heading straight for Lelouch who was moving towards Euphie just as the Geass effect was wearing off and pushed Lelouch out of the way. The bullet left a hole in the edge of Naruto's cloak as he and Lelouch hit the ground while the bullet left a hole in the stage. As the Geass wore off C.C. disappeared in a puff of smoke before anyone noticed and everyone was left to see what had almost happened.
Zero had almost been shot.
Euphie turned around, her eyes widening in shock while her mouth as she looked at Lelouch as Naruto helped him up.
"Are you all right?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah." Lelouch nodded, narrowing his eyes. "One second Euphemia was speaking but then…I thought she was the target."
"Nope. It was you. Good thing the seal blocked his Geass." Naruto remarked. "And we have someone on the job to catch that rat."
Xxx
"Damn it!" Rolo dropped the rifle upon seeing Lelouch was still alive. "They couldn't have known I was here or move fast enough to save him!"
His position had been compromised and he knew he had to move before he was discovered. He quickly rushed to the door but just as he was out a fist slammed into his face, knocking him down and knocking him out at the same time.
"I really don't like playing with V.V.'s toys but I can't have you or him ruining this and making things difficult." C.C. remarked dryly. "Naruto already saved Lulu and Euphie so it was my turn."
Xxx
"What happened?"
"Someone tried to shoot Zero!"
"Filthy Britannians! It must be them!"
"Euphemia is a liar! She set him up!"
"Princess Euphemia!" Suzaku rushed forward, hugging Euphie to her as the people started shouting and booing at Euphie, some of them even started to throw food and objects at her.
Euphie's bodyguards quickly surrounded her, blocking the projectiles aimed at the shocked princess.
"Are you all right?" Suzaku asked.
"I'm all right…Someone tried to kill Zero." Euphemia looked up at Suzaku, her eyes filled with pain and fear. "I didn't order this…I didn't want this…Who did this?"
Suzaku looked at Zero who walked out in front of Euphie's bodyguards. 'Zero…Someone tried to kill him. After he agreed to support Euphie. Who would do this? Euphie ordered that no was to harm or arrest him here.'
"Zero!"
Just when things couldn't get any worse, the masked woman Shinryoku landed on the stage with a bound Britannian soldier.
"Shinryoku, is that the assassin?" Leloich narrowed his eyes.
"Yep. Caught him just as he tried to flee." C.C. answered simply. "It was like catching a frightened puppy."
That seemed to set off the crowd who saw it was a Britannian soldier who tried to assassinate Zero.
"Liars!"
"Murderers!"
"They lied to us just to kill Zero!"
"Princess Euphemia is just like them!"
"Killer!"
"Massacre Princess!"
Euphemia stepped back in horror as the insults were directed at her, even as the bodyguards and Suzaku pulled her back. The Japanese had gone into a frenzy of insults and anger that showed as they rushed to the stage and climbed up, all of them wearing expressions of anger, hate, and outrage for apparently being deceived.
"Get the Princess out of here!" Darlton shouted as he moved to hold off the mob. "This is falling out control."
Euphemia couldn't believe this happening.
She only wanted to stop the fighting for Nunnally and Lelouch and be with them like they had been as children. Why was this happening? She didn't wish for anyone to be hurt. She didn't want any of this.
Lelouch, seeing the mob was going out of control quickly tapped his mask. "Kallen, Todoh, I need you here now!"
"Zero, what's going on?" Kallen asked.
"Someone tried to assassinate me and the Japanese are blaming Euphemia. I need you here now before this turns into a bloodbath." Lelouch answered quickly. "Now!"
"Understood." Todoh answered before cutting the line.
Lelouch looked up, seeing Euphie's bodyguards pulling out their guns and quickly stepped in between them and the Japanese mob. Naruto and C.C. shared a look and nodded, looking to their Knightmares as they activated. In the cockpits were Shadow Clones they had left as a precaution and quickly brought the Knightmares between the crowds, next to Lelouch while careful not to step on anyone.
"STOP THIS!" Lelouch barked loudly, earning everyone's attention. "There will be no killing today! As long as I stand no one shall harm a hair on Princess Euphemia's head!"
Both the Japanese and the Britannians were shocked at what they had heard but Lelouch was not done.
"You believe that Euphemia set this up as trap to kill me but that is impossible for when we spoke in private she revealed to me that to make this happen she gave up her title as Princess of Britannia and her claim to the throne! She is now just as an ordinary citizen with no political connections to the Britannian courts!" Lelouch continued, watching as everyone was still in shock.
'Euphie...Gave up her claim to the throne?' Suzaku looked at Euphie who was staring at Lelouch with everyone else.
"This assassination is indeed Britannian but it could not have been ordered by Euphemia. She is no longer a princess, therefore she does not have the authority even if she knew a great many people capable of assassination. Why would she give up her claim to the throne and do all this for you if her goal was only to bring me here to kill me? I ask you all, look at her and see if she is truly the tyrant and murderer you believe her to be!" Lelouch stepped out of the way, gesturing to Euphie. "Look at her and see!"
The Japanese all stopped and looked at Euphie, seeing her frightened tear stained face as she stared back with fear, anguish, and shame in her eyes. In that instant the bloodlust seemed to vanish upon staring into those blue eyes and everyone stepped back, no longer feeling the anger and indignity at feeling deceived.
"Do not cast your anger on her. Cast your anger on those who ordered this assassin. Cast your anger on those who would turn what was meant to be a path of peace into a bloodbath. Cast your anger on Britannia itself that selfishly oppresses its own people to further its goals and would even betray its royalty to justify its ideology!" Lelouch shouted, earning cheers from the gathered Japanese who became emboldened by his words and began to chant.
"ZERO!"
"ZERO!"
"ZERO!"
"ZERO!"
"ZERO!"
The Black Knights had arrived in time to see the Japanese crowd chanting Zero as Lelouch stood on the stage before the crowd with Seizan and Shinryoku standing by him, looking every bit the knights their pilots had made themselves to be.
"What's going on? I thought there was a riot." Tamaki commented in confusion.
"Zero must have managed to calm them down." Todoh stated, seeing the way Lelouch was standing.
'He's stopped the crowd from hurting Princess Euphemia but he's turned them completely against us.' Darlton gritted his teeth as he looked on. 'He's even more of a threat now and if anyone were to try and kill him now he would be a martyr.'
Suzaku looked on in shock as the Japanese chanted for Zero, the most wanted terrorist in Japan. 'They're chanting for him. Don't they realized what they're doing? It was Britannia that set this zone up for them and they're chanting for the terrorist that is responsible for so much death. Don't they realize this?'
If the Japanese were now on Zero's side they would turn against Britannia and cause the Special Zone to fall apart, destroying all of Euphie's work. How could they support a terrorist after everything Euphie had done for them?
"From this I declare this Special Zone open to all Japanese looking to make a fresh start without fear of oppression from Britannia. We will work with Euphemia who gave up everything to make this possible a reality. We will not let her dream be destroyed by Britannia's petty propaganda of the strong lording over the weak. Here, now, we make our stand and declare this…OUR DAY!" Lelouch ended with a scream that was echoed by thousands of Japanese now seeing him as their savior.
And the world had seen it all happen.
Xxx
"This is unexpected." An elder in the council of the Chinese Federation stated. "Zero now has the complete support of the people and with Euphemia's status of princess gone in light of this assassination attempt Britannia's credibility will suffer."
Xxx
"The Japanese will rally behind Zero even if he declares war on Britannia." An E.U. officer said as the event continued to be broadcasted.
Xxx
Charles zi Britannia watched silently at spectacle, actually smirking at the crowd as they chanted his son's title.
Xxx
"Euphie…" Nunnally stared at Euphie's face on the television screen, seeing the heartbroken look on her face. "This was not your fault. You were betrayed…Just like we were."
Xxx
'He singlehandedly calmed them down and stopped them from causing a blood bath. If they got near Euphie someone would have been shot and the whole place would have turned into a warzone.' Nonnette silently thought. 'Is it because of Lelouch that Zero is protecting Euphie? Awfully considerate for a man who has already killed Britannian Royalty.'
Euphemia could only watch as the Japanese chanted Zero, hailing him and the Black Knights as heroes and they were right to do so. She had given them hope and she not been able to stop the betrayal of her country from happening. Her brother Schneizel had approved it, making her honestly believe that there was no chance of anything bad happening even if her father or sister didn't approve. She was wrong and her brother had nearly paid for it by almost being framed for killing and almost being killed himself.
There was only one way to make this right.
She straightened herself up and stepped away from Suzaku and her bodyguards, moving towards Lelouch.
"Princess Euphemia!" Suzaku took a step after her.
"Stay back!" Euphie said loudly, causing her guards and Suzaku to stop. "There is no need for concern and as you have heard I am not a princess anymore."
Lelouch turned, facing Eupie as she walked up to him. "Euphemia, I apologize."
Everyone stopped look at Lelouch in surprise for what he had just said.
"I came here, suspecting a trap even if you had no intention of harming me and in my blindness I did not consider the possibility of someone acting against your orders. For that you have my apology for my short sightedness." Lelouch bowed his head.
Euphie smiled and shook her head. "I am the one to blame for this. I did not believe that anything like this would happen and you almost paid for it. There is only one way I can make amends for this…Though I am no longer a princess of Britannia I was left in charge of this Special Administrative Zone which I failed to protect from pointless violence, even from my own country. Therefore there is only one way to redeem myself…Effective immediately I surrender control of this zone and myself to you, Zero and the Black Knights."
If today was not already filled with surprising events this was the big one. Everyone was flabbergasted by Euphie's declaration but none more than Suzaku who started with wide shocked eyes, unable to say a word.
His mouth hung open, unable to even breathe as Euphie bowed before Zero who nodded. "Very well. We accept responsibility and promise that all who join the zone will be protected."
"Princess Euphemia, you can't!" Darlton shouted, knowing how her sister would react.
All of Japan would be turned into a warzone once Cornelia found out. She would search high and low for her sister and it would galvanize the Elevens to side with Zero who could start an all-out rebellion with the support of the entire country.
Euphie looked over at Darlton. "Tell my sister I do not want her to search for me and I will not allow anyone to be hurt by her in my name."
"Yes…Euphemia." Darlton reluctantly nodded.
Euphie looked at Suzaku who only stared in muted shock and smiled. "Do not worry for me, Suzaku. I will be fine."
That seemed to shake Suzaku out of his silence. "Please reconsider this, Princess Euphemia! You are handing yourself over to a man who has murdered royalty! He cannot be trusted! Let me take your place!"
"No." Euphie stated sternly. "This is my decision and I am no longer a princess. You do not answer to me anymore as my knight."
Suzaku gaped. "Eu-Euphie…"
"I will be fine." Euphie said before facing Lelouch. "This zone and its people are under your protection, Zero. Treat them well."
"I will." Lelouch nodded and held out his hand to her. "And you will not be harmed either, Euphemia."
Euphie smiled as she took and allowed Lelouch to lead her to the Arashikage, sending one last look at Suzaku before she slipped into the cockpit.
Lelouch looked at the Japanese as they stared back at him, awestruck and gratefulness in their eyes. "Children of Japan, today is the day you can stand proudly and declare yourselves Japanese for all the world to hear!"
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers as Lelouch entered the cockpit and activated the Arashikage, standing with Seizan and Shinryoku and the rest of the Black Knights as they left the stadium, having much to do.
Euphie looked at the monitors, seeing the people who cheered for Zero…
And her despite her failure.
Lelouch looked at his sister, knowing that look on her face. It was the same look he had when he was betrayed by Britannia when the Emperor called off the investigation into his mother's death. Euphie no doubt blamed herself, believing she was a fool for thinking she could do something good and not become a victim of Britannia's cruelty.
He needed to help her.
Xxx
"Any idea what Zero's going to do to Euphemia?" Tamaki asked, looking at the rest of the Black Knights in who sat in the living room of their mobile headquarters. "I mean having a princess surrender is big."
"She's not a princess anymore. By giving up her claim to the throne she is longer recognized as a Princess of Britannia." Todoh replied.
Diethard nodded. "And with the Special Zone under Zero's control and the people rallying behind him in light of the failed assassination attempt on Zero. The people will no doubt demand retribution against Britannia."
"It really worked out for Zero didn't it?" Rakshata remarked casually.
"So how do we use this? What do we do now?" Minami asked. "What exactly do we do with the zone?"
"Well we can use it to protect anyone who joins the zone. Euphemia gave total control of the zone to Zero and the Black Knights." Ohgi suggested.
Kallen was about to say something when her phone rang and when saw the caller I.D. she quickly answered. "Zero? All right."
She put him on speakerphone. "Todoh, Oghi, is everyone with you?
"Yes, Zero. We were just talking about what happened at the zone." Todoh answered with a nod even though Zero couldn't see him.
"Good. Get in contact with Kyoto and speak to them about how establishing a security detail in the zone."
"Right." Todoh nodded.
"Zero, where are you and is Princess Euphemia with you?" Ohgi asked.
"She is with me and I'm setting her up in a hidden location where Britannia won't find her. Cornelia will no doubt demand her return, even threatening to invade the zone. We'll have to prepare for that and find a way to prevent Cornelia from making such a move." Zero answered.
"Are you going to use as a hostage?" Chiba asked.
"No. Britannia already tried to use her, meaning they were willing to endanger her life. She cannot offer us anything in military matters and the Japanese see as much a victim as us. For now remain undetected and wait. Expect a call in about a week. And Kallen?"
"Yes, Zero." Kallen answered.
"Go back to school." With theat said he hung up.
Xxx
Lelouch put his cell phone away and turned to Euphie. "That should keep them busy for now. We can set up a room for you and no one will think to look for you here."
Euphie smiled. "It was sort of obvious when you think about it. I can't believe Cornelia never looked here, considering how close the Ashfords and Lady Marianne were."
The Arashikage had been left in the tunnels underneath Ashford Academy while Lelouch slipped out of his Zero outfit and into some ordinary clothes. Euphie was already wearing sunglasses and a cap over her pink hair and slipped out of her dress and into casual clothes to walk with Lelouch without being recognized.
"I guess I should consider myself lucky then." Lelouch replied, smirking. "The Ashfords have been very accommodating to us over the years."
"I remember." Euphie smile became sad. "They were loyal and yet they were stripped of their status. They did not deserve it."
"Milly and her grandfather do not seem to mourn the loss of their family status. If anything they could care about as much as the Empire as I do. Unfortunately Milly's parents seem determined to get back their status by any means, even trying to betroth Milly to any dukes or earls." Lelouch said, scowling slightly.
"I heard she had been engaged to Earl Lloyd Asplund." Euphie commented thoughtfully. "Though I'm not sure the Earl of the Asplund family agreed simply to help the Ashfords or even cares if Milly cheats on him. I believe he was more interested in the Ashford family's military work, specifically the Ganymede."
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "The Ganymede?"
"It would make sense though, right. The Ganymede is the prototype of all Knightmare frames." Euphie pointed out. "It makes sense that he'd want it."
"And it's a good thing I made sure that Milly has everything she needs…" Lelouch smirked. "To call off the marriage."
Euphie glanced at Lelouch, looking surprised. "Really?"
"She helped me and my sister when I needed it. It was the least I could do and I don't condone what her parents are putting her through." Lelouch stated solemnly.
Milly's parents were not much different from typical Britannian nobility, only in some ways they were worse for trying to force their daughter into a loveless marriage. Milly's father, the son of Ruben Ashford never cared for the military work the Ashford family specialized in and attempted to set up other branches but he lacked the business skills his father had and had literally no sense of intelligence or wit to the point it was hard to believe that he was actually Ruben Ashford's son. Her father was a spineless idiot who couldn't help himself, but her mother on the other hand, Milly hated her mother with a passion and Lelouch disliked her just as much. Milly's mother was a snake who used her pretty face to hide her poisonous fangs, seducing her brainless husband into marriage to become matriarch of the noble Ashford family and had done everything in her power to regain the family's status.
She had even attempted to reveal Lelouch and Nunnally to Britannia but was stopped when Sayoko stepped in, threatening to slit her throat in her sleep. She didn't take it well but with both Ruben and her own daughter protecting the vi Britannia siblings there was nothing she could do. For all her ambition Milly's mother was too arrogant and impatient, unable to see her own weaknesses that left her an open book to both her despised father in law and traitorous daughter who easily outmaneuvered in any scheme she could come up with. She and her husband were toothless and even more so in the fact that only Ruben could approve of the marriage between her and Lloyd Asplund and if Milly wanted to she could call off the marriage.
Only Lloyd could care less about the marriage, he only wanted the Ganymede and in some ways Milly benified from it more than Lloyd but she still had her doubts.
"Now let's see Nunnally. She's probably worried sick." Lelouch changed the subject.
"Won't she suspect you are Zero?" Euphie asked.
"I'll simply say that Zero knows of the Ashfords and contacted them, ordering them to look after you or reveal the few deals Milly's mother tried to make behind Ruben's back."
Xxx
Nunnally knew what was coming before she even looked out the window.
She knew the only place that her brother would bring Euphie to was the same place that kept them safe. The door opened and Lelouch walked in, followed by Euphie and the both of them smiled as Nunnally ran up to them, hugging them both with all of her might. Well, all the might she controlled to avoid crushing her brother's frail body.
"Lelouch! Euphie! I was so worried about you!" Nunnally cried out.
"Nunna!" Euphie hugged Nunnally back just as fierce. "I'm so glad to see you again!"
"Me too!" Nunnally looked up at Euphie with a big smile. "I saw what happened. I can't believe someone tried to do that."
Euphie smiled was slightly saddened but she was still happy. "I know…But no one was hurt and I'm here now."
"Does Zero know we're here?" Nunnally asked, looking at both Lelouch and Euphie who exchanged glances.
"…Yes. He contacted me and ordered me to bring Euphie here." Lelouch answered. "He told me that no harm would come to us and said Euphie was no longer a princess. She had no political use for him and gave her to me…To help start a new life."
Nunnally looked at Euphie who nodded and understood what happened. Euphie didn't know that she knew and Lelouch continued to keep his secret. A part of her was upset that her brother was still hiding from her.
But she was still happy to be with both him and Euphie and wanted nothing to change for the moment.
Xxx
"So what happens now?" Naruto asked, looking at the door to the cell Pollux and Rolo were in. "The Geass Order's going to be pissed when they find out about this and Pollux has a twin brother who no doubt already knows what happened."
"Knowing V.V. he'll try to use what happened at the zone to his advantage. Even if there was no massacre he won't take this lying down." C.C. hugged her Cheese-kun to her chest. "That little brat is no doubt having a temper tantrum by now. Either way, who cares? We got through it and we've had a long day. I want to relax now." She looked at Naruto with an expected look. "Now let's go. I want pizza and you in the bedroom in three seconds."
Naruto sighed but grinned. "Yes dear."
Xxx
Suzaku stared blankly up at the ceiling of his room.
Today had started off perfectly.
The violence would finally end and Japanese would be given what they deserve after eight years of suffering.
Only it ended terribly.
Princess Cornelia had been furious with him and Darlton when they returned and Suzaku had been ordered to stay in his quarters for the time being. Suzaku suspected she would have done more but Darlton managed convince her it wasn't his fault. The whole debacle had blown up in their faces and worst of all with the special zone under Zero's control he and the Black Knights were now untouchable. The Japanese hated Britannia even more than before and Zero was now their messiah, the one they looked to lead them.
Didn't they understand what kind of man they were following?
Didn't they understand that Zero would use them to sow chaos and death?
And then there was the assassin that tried to kill Zero. He claimed that Britannia had ordered the assassination without Euphemia's consent, using as a pawn to kill Zero and turn the zone into a blood bath just to lure out the Black Knights.
It was a lie.
It had to be a lie.
Why would Britannia turn on its own princess?
It didn't make any sense.
It could not be true.
Zero must have used the assassination as a way to further his own schemes.
But if the assassin was not Britannian than who was responsible?
The door slid open, causing Suzaku to sit up. "Who's there?"
"Suzaku Kururugi." The person who spoke, sounded like a child. "Would like to know the truth of what happened?"
"What?" Suzaku stared at the shadow standing at his door.
"The truth of the zone…and Zero's power."
*Chapter 30*: Chapter 30Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Lelouch carefully considered his options for the moment.
The Special Zone was now under the control of the Black Knights, their claim authorized by Euphy which made it legitimate so for the most part Britannia could not touch them in the zone. This gave the Black Knights the perfect base to expand and there were already people volunteering to join with the Black Knights again, their numbers already in the hundreds. Zero's popularity had sky-rocketed and the people were ready to follow him as he prepares the next phase of his plan.
The Rebellion.
This has been Lelouch's plan for many years, even since the day of the invasion of Japan. He had an army lead by skilled pilots and tacticians. With his Geass along the abilities of Naruto and C.C. Britannia would be defeated, driven out of Japan and the whole world would see that Britannia was not the unstoppable nation it believed itself to be. However he also needed to figure what he would do about Euphy.
Right now Euphy was in Nunnally's room, sleeping with her newly reunited beloved half-sister after a long day. It was only a matter of time before the Black Knights would ask him what they should do with Euphy and he needed something plausible. Obviously he would never stand for them imprisoning and interrogating her but he didn't want them to become suspicious.
'Euphy should stay here with Nunnally so she can be safe. If this Rebellion is to be a success I need it down without endangering the two of them.' Lelouch thought. 'I'll need to send them somewhere where they will be safe or I need Ashford Academy secured so it would get involved in the fighting. I'll have to make a move soon or Cornelia will be the one who makes the next move and she'll kill over a thousand people to find Euphy.'
First he would make sure his sisters were safe.
And then the Rebellion would begin.
Xxx
In another corner of Ashford Academy a girl was crying her eyes out as she watched the recording of Princess Euphema surrender herself to Zero after he saved her from the ungrateful Elevens that tried to kill her.
"Princess Euphemia…" Nina whispered before bawling her eyes out.
Xxx
PUNCH!
"HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?!"
Suzaku was slammed into the ground by Cornelia's fist. The Second Princess of Britannia would have done more if Guilford restrained her and pulled her back.
"HOW COULD YOU LET HER GO WITH A TERRORIST?! YOU WERE HER KNIGHT! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT HER!" Cornelia kicked and screamed against Guilford's grip. "AND YOU SIMPLY LET HER GO! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?! YOU LET A TERRORIST TAKE MY SISTER AS A HOSTAGE!"
"Princess Cornelia, I know I failed but I have reason to believe that Zero set Princess Euphemia up." Suzaku stated, standing straight.
"What?!" Cornelia growled. "What are you talking about?!"
"I received intelligence that Zero set up the failed assassination to gain the support of the Japanese and force Princess Euphemia to surrender herself." Suzaku answered.
Cornelia narrowed her eyes as she broke free of Guilford's arms. "And how do I know you're telling the truth and not trying to save your own skin, Kururugi? Who is your source?"
"I cannot say. They had clearance and they left me no way to contact them. But they state that they answer directly to the Emperor and that they know that Zero not only tricked Princess Euphemia into surrendering but staged the failed assassination to gain complete control of the zone." Suzaku stated, bowing his head again.
Cornelia glared down her sister's knight. "Get out of my sight."
Suzaku hastily bowed before leaving the room.
Darlton walked up to Cornelia, bowing. "I'm afraid I share in the blame, Princess Cornelia. I did not anticipate this and I could have stopped Euphie but she was adamant in surrendering to Zero."
Cornelia looked at Darlton. "I have not forgotten but if Zero did indeed set the entire assassination up just to gain control of the zone then I need you to mobilize our forces." She turned around, glaring at the window. "I will not let Zero hold my sister hostage for one second longer. It's time I do what was I sent here to do. I…I am going to destroy Zero!"
Xxx
Kallen walked back onto the school grounds, spotting Naruto and C.C. under a nearby tree and made her way over. "Hey, Naruto. C.C. You know where Lelouch is keeping Euphemia?"
"Oh, hello to you as well, Kallen." C.C. smirked. "No hello for us?"
"She's with Lelouch and Nunnally in the clubhouse." Naruto said, trying to keep the peace for the moment.
"With Lelouch and Nunnally?" Kallen was puzzled. "Does this mean Nunnnally knows?"
"As far as Lelouch knows no she doesn't and she won't press him for answers until he decides to tell her." Naruto answered. "He's not going to treat her like a prisoner and I think you know there is nothing we gain from treating her like a prisoner."
Kallen stopped, reluctantly conceding that Naruto had a point. "Still, Cornelia will try and take her back. She even might make a move against the zone."
"Might? No, dear Kallen. Cornelia will launch an attack the second she believes she has permission." C.C. stated. "The only reason this zone exists was because it was approved by Schneizel as a way to politically trap the Black Knights. Thanks to that idiot brat V.V. who believes he's advancing his and Charles's plan. They expect that Lelouch will prepare his next move."
"And that is?" Kallen asked.
C.C. closed her eyes for a second. "Open rebellion. He'll stage an entire rebellion to liberate Japan from Britannia and show the world Britannia is not unstoppable."
"Open rebellion? He's actually going through with it?" Kallen questioned, surprising herself with the question.
"Yep." Naruto nodded.
"But isn't that a little too soon? He just got control of the zone and he'll have a lot of people supporting him. Wouldn't it be better to wait until he has a large army?" Kallen asked.
"Lelouch won't wait. In his mind the popularity he gained from the zone won't last forever so he needs to strike now." Naruto shrugged.
"So why not stop him?"
"Don't you want to liberate Japan?" C.C. asked.
"Well yeah but-"
"There's nothing we can do for now, Kallen. We can't liberate Japan without fighting and Britannia will never let it go, especially with Charles in charge." Naruto pointed out. "The only way to do that is by recognizing the time to fight."
"I see…" Kallen looked down at the ground for a second. "I'll be ready for when it happens. But what about Cornelia and Suzaku?"
"We will have to deal with them. Lelouch won't kill them but we can't let them stand in the way." Naruto answered.
Kallen looked at Naruto, seeing the absolute look in his eyes and nodded. "Right."
"Now, can we do something more enjoyable? I want to get some pizza here before the war starts." As always C.C. had to make her needs a priority.
"We have to get to class." Naruto pointed out, again wondering how he ended up as the responsible one in the group.
"Fine." C.C. sighed as she followed the two to class.
Kallen opened the door to class and gasped when she saw a new student being introduced. Only she looked a lot like Princess Euphemia. The difference was her hair was short and black with green eyes.
"Now that everyone was here, allow me to introduce Elizabeth Lamperouge." The teacher said.
'Eli-No way! Lelouch,' Kallen glanced at Lelouch who glanced at the three for a second. 'You actually went and enrolled Euphemia here in school.'
It was actually a brilliant move as no one would expect to find Princess Euphemia, a political prisoner of the Black Knights to be found in a school. Still, the least Lelouch could have done was give them a heads up. Kallen didn't like how Lelouch went off on his own without at the very least talking to C.C. or Naruto about it. At least she could count on them, or mostly Naruto to keep her in the loop about anything Lelouch might be planning.
'Looks like we will be having a new discussion.'
As class went by Lelouch volunteered to give Elizabeth a tour of the school to which the teacher agreed. Kallen found this to be perfect chance to confront him and discreetly followed them, knowing Naruto and C.C. would either follow or at least keep an eye out for anything. Once they reached the school council building Kallen made her presence known to Lelouch who was seemingly waiting for her with 'Elizabeth'.
"All right, Lelouch. Why didn't you tell me you about 'Elizabeth'?" Kallen asked, dropping her sickly façade.
"There was little time." Lelouch simply said.
"Don't bullshit me, Lelouch. You could have told me ahead of time and given me a heads up." Kallen retorted. "Seriously, a student?"
"The academy is the perfect shelter." Lelouch answered.
"And what about Suzaku?" Kallen asked, seeing 'Elizabeth' flinch. "You know he'll be here eventually and might figure it out if he sees her."
"There is a chance…" Lelouch trailed off.
"Suzaku won't be coming here." Elizabeth spoke up, earning their attention. "He'll be working under my sister who is working in a way to get me back, as we speak."
Lelouch nodded. "We'll have to be ready. The battle of Japan is about to start."
Euphy looked away, reaching down into her pocket for the cell phone that Lelouch had given her while making sure it was untraceable.
Xxx
Suzaku looked out across the city, knowing that it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down.
RING!
Suzaku looked down at his phone and answered it. "Hello?"
The voice on the other end made his eyes go wide. "Suzaku?"
"Euphy?!" Suzaku gasped in shock and joy. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. I am completely safe."
"Tell me your location and I'll rescue you!" Suzaku said urgently.
"Rescue me? But I'm fine Suzaku. Zero and the Black Knights have not hurt me." Euphy said, confused by Suzaku's statement.
"Euphy, you have to get out there now! Zero and the Black Knights set the whole thing up! They were prepared to start a massacre to start a war!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"What?! You're wrong! Zero would never do that!"
"He did, Euphy. He tricked you and tricked the Japanese! It was all an act to gain power and now he'll start a war that cost millions of lives just to get what he wants!" Suzaku continued, banging a fist against the wall. "Euphy, tell me where you are! Please!"
"He never lied to me and he even agreed to work with us! It was Britannia that tried to start a massacre and they tried to kill Zero to start it!"
"No, Euphy! It was a trick! Zero used you and he'll toss you aside when he has what he wants!" Suzaku stated, becoming slightly hysterical.
"No he's not! He's done nothing but good!"
"He's a murderer! He killed your brother and spread chaos and death since the Black Knights were formed!"
"That's not true!"
"IT IS! HE IS A LIAR! A MONSTER! YOU NEED TO GET AWAY FROM HIM NOW! TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE SO I CAN SAVE YOU AND STOP HIM ONCE AND FOR ALL!"
Euphy gasped on the other end, nearly dropping her phone. She couldn't believe she was hearing this from Suzaku.
Didn't he understand what was going on?
How could he blame Zero for what Britannia had done?
She couldn't take anymore and hung up before Suzaku could say anymore.
Xxx
Lelouch watched in shock as Euphy collapsed to the floor, sobbing and rushed over to her. "Euphy? What's wrong?"
"Suzaku…" Euphy cried, looking up with tear filled eyes. "He's convinced you set the assassination attempt at the Special Zone up…He wants to kill you."
"Euphy…" Lelouch trailed off.
"Lelouch, I need to be there with you so I can stop him. He's angry. He'll try to kill you." Euphy stood up, wiping her eyes. "I need to be there…When you go to war."
Xxx
"Lucked out, didn't we? I can't believe they left all this footage and equipment behind." Rakshata commented, lying down on the couch, watching Diethard working with the broadcast equipment.
"Yes. Once we're done editing we can throw it on the net for the entire world to see." Diethard replied with a smirk. "It's pretty clear which side justice is on."
"How curious. You don't feel any loyalty to Britannia, do you?" Rakshata asked, leaning her head on a one hand while smirking at Diethard.
"Loyalty?" Diethard asked.
Rakshata nodded. "Hm-mm."
"Britannia's glory has ripened on the vine. My talents are wasted serving them." Diethard turned around, looking at Rakshata who chuckled.
"You're more of an honest man than I thought you were."
"And what will you do?" Diethard asked.
"Hard to say. The only reason I came here was to gather data. But I'd feel bad abandoning you all when I find Zero so…amusing."
Down below Zero and his knights met with a young girl dressed as Japanese noble. "How wonderful to finally meet you!"
'This girl…' Lelouch blinked. 'She's a relative of Suzaku's.'
Her name was Kaguya Sumeragi, Suzaku's younger cousin who seemed have grown since the last time Lelouch had seen her.
"Zero, are you prepared to work beside us in what's to come?" Kirihara asked.
"The opposite!" Lelouch barked, surprising the people in front of him. "From this point on, the Six Houses of Kyoto will be under my direct control. I will not hear any objections. All other paths of survival have now vanished!"
Xxx
"Our brother has gone again. I think he's about to make another statement." Nunnally remarked, sharing tea with Euphemia who was not wearing her disguise for the time being. "I think I know what he's planning."
"I think so too." Euphemia sighed. "There's no stopping him now. I originally created the zone to end the bloodshed for you because of your wish to be with Lelouch."
Nunnally smiled sadly. "I think we both learned the hardway that wishes are hard to fulfill. Still…I'm happy enough I could stand with him."
"Nunnally?" Euphy whispered as Nunnally turned on the radio.
It was starting.
Xxx
The Japanese watched, chanted, and cheered as Lelouch stepped onto the stage, waiting a moment to look over the thousands of people whose attention were locked solely on him.
"People of Japan," Lelouch thrust his hand out of his cape, adding some dramatic flair. "And all who are oppressed by Britannia. Long have I waited, all through the struggles against Britannia and their injustices, I have waited for them to come to their senses, but that hope was betrayed by an act of barbarism that can only be called attempted genocide."
"Cowards!"
"Monsters!"
"Butcherers!"
"They are stinking traitors!"
"Euphemia's attempt to install peace was betrayed by the very people who swore to serve her. A gang of murderers calling themselves a nation!" Lelouch clenched his hand into a fist.
"May they burn in Hell!"
"Everyone single one of them!"
"I hereby declare our independence from Britannia but don't take this meaning as the resurrection of a fallen nation. We will not turn back the hands of time! A new Japan we go on to build, it shall be one broad enough to accept all people, histories, and ideologies. Where the strong shall not reign over the weak." Lelouch thrust hands arms out, spreading cape out as it fluttered with the wind to bring the climax of his speech. "And it shall be called, the United States of Japan!"
The crowd erupted into cheers so loud that it would echo across the entire planet.
"He's done it." Deithard whispered in awe and happiness. "This is the birth of nation."
"ZERO!"
"ZERO!"
"ZERO!"
"ZERO!"
It was finally happening.
The Rebellion had begun.
Xxx
Lelouch walked into his private quarters, not surprised to see Naruto and C.C. waiting for him.
"Nice speech out there, Lelouch. With the way things are going you'll have the army you've wanted." Naruto leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
"So, you plan to assault the Tokyo Settlement?" C.C. asked.
"Yes." Lelouch took his mask off. "This is the best chance we'll get."
"Be careful how far you go, Lelouch. It's one thing to lead a rebellion. It's another to start a massacre, especially with the way you've rallied the Japanese." Naruto pointed out.
"Don't worry about it. I will aim to minimize civilian casualties." Lelouch sat on the couch. "Still though, I will have to take extra precautions. When Euphie finds out…This will go against her very nature."
"Knowing Cornelia and Suzaku they will be ready to fight with everything they have to get her back." C.C. said idly.
"I know…That's why I came up with a strategy." Lelouch looked over to a box on the table.
"What is that?" Naruto asked.
"…Euphy's initiation."
Xxx
Euphy opened the box and looked inside to see what Lelouch had given her. "…Lelouch. This is…"
"I know. This will be your political statement as no longer a part of Britannia. I understand if you feel hesitant about it." Lelouch said softly. "I won't force you to wear it. You can stay at Ashford and look after Nunnally."
Euphy shook her head. "No. Nunnally is already safe. I accepted becoming a political prisoner of the Black Knights. It's time I live up to that."
Xxx
"We weren't fast enough. We may have managed to keep the news off the net but there's insurrections all over the map!"
The image of Mount Fiju was highlighted.
"That's correct. The Black Knights are the largest of the insurgent groups. They are now absorbing all of the masses and advancing on the Tokyo settlement. All of our units are in play now. We're completely on our own."
"Yes and with so many Honorary Britanians turning on their own. Our enemies number in the tens of thousands."
"Lord Guilford-"
"Forget it." Guilford cut the officer off. "We cannot move without her Highness's word."
"But sir, the Viceroy's been shut up in Princess Euphemia's room ever since she surrendered herself to the Black Knights."
Xxx
It was nighttime and already the Black Knights and just about every surviving Japanese resistance group left in Japan was on the moving, coming together to form a large army. The Black Knights were leading the attack in the G-1 from the Special Zone, using it as their forward base.
"We have some explosives from Okayama but we don't have any vehicles. Can you spare any?"
"Best I can offer are freight trains. That okay?"
"Looks like troops from Yamansahi joined up with us."
"Yeah and remnants from the Blood of the Samurai factions too."
"Our numbers are growing by the minutes."
Kallen tuned out the talk, leaning against the railing as her thoughts were on something else. 'I hope everyone in the student council can get away.'
Xxx
"Naruto, I suppose you have a plan to keep everyone at Ashford safe." C.C. asked, looking at Naruto who sat next to her in the hall of the confiscated G-1.
"Yep. No way am I letting them get caught in the crossfire." Naruto nodded, his eyes closed.
"Good." C.C. nodded.
"Hm?" Naruto looked up, seeing a small smile on C.C.'s face.
"It's surprising, I know. I forgot the art of kindness long ago…But I guess you can say I found it again." C.C. explained, knowing why Naruto looked confused. "You sense him, right?"
Naruto frowned and nodded. "I guess that would be V.V."
"The little brat has finally come out to play." C.C. closed her eyes. "He's close to Ashford Academy. He's going for what he perceives to be Lelouch's one weakness."
"Nunnally." Naruto smirked. "Won't that little snot be surprised."
Nunnally had worked and trained hard under their guidance, learning things at a rapid rate which proved Lelouch wasn't the sole smart one of the Vi Britannia siblings.
"Yes, it's about time gives him the spanking he should have got long before he was immortal." C.C. grinned. "But he no doubt has done other things since arriving here."
"Like?"
"Possibly informing Suzaku or Cornelia about Lelouch's Geass to rile the both of them up. They'll be coming and they will strike hard." C.C. stated.
"Then we'll have to fight back. We can't allow them to go on trying to control this country anymore." Naruto stated as he stood up. "The days of oppressing the Japanese are over and they'll just have to learn to accept it."
Xxx
"I hope you're all right, Kaname." Chigusha said, looking out the window.
"I'm fine over here. Look Chigusha, we need to talk about something important when I get back."
Chigusha gasped slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, that's the first time you called me by that name." She answered with a smile.
"Oh, you're right. Does it sound weird?"
"Not a bit. Anyway I'll be here." She said before hanging up, smiling happily.
However that was when the door was knocked out and men wearing Black Knight uniforms came in.
"There she is! That woman!"
"Watching from your window huh?"
"Admit it, you're some sort of spy!"
Chigusha could only tremble as she stepped back against the window, fearful of what they might do to her.
"Stand down!"
The three Black Knight soldiers stopped and looked behind, stuttering as they saw one of Zero's Knights standing there.
"S-Seizan-sama!"
"You harm a single hair on that woman's head and you answer to me!" Seizan barked angrily. "Do you understand?!"
The three men quickly saluted Seizan, fearful of his anger as they knew his reputation. "Yes, Seizan-sama!"
Seizan looked at the woman who seemed be slightly relieved and yet afraid because she knew who Seizan was. "I'll handle this woman myself."
Xxx
"As the insurgents get closer security in the ghettos continues to worsen. The government is asking all citizens to stay in their homes until further notice." The radio continued to bring more news to Rivalz, Shirley, and Nunnally who were all looking grim faced.
Nunnally could not help but ask. "Do you think the fighting will come our way as well?"
"Uh?" Rivalz spun around with a smile on his face. "Of course not. Princess Cornelia has her regular forces stationed here. There's no way."
"I hope so." Shirley said, looking down at the floor.
"Geez, buck up will ya? You're scaring me." Rivalz said, wondering what was wrong with Shirley. "Nunnally, what about Lelouch? Is he back here yet?"
"Lulu?" Shirley perked up, having forgotten about her crush.
"Are you all right, Shirley?" Nunnally asked.
"Oh, I just forgot about Lulu for a second." Shirely quickly shook her head, changing the subject.
Xxx
"Nina, they want us back upstairs at school! The insurgents are coming this way to Tokyo!" Milly came into the storage garage, seeing Nina working on the Ganymede.
Nina perked up. "Right. Zero's coming isn't he?"
Milly was confused as she watched Nina wipe sweat from her forehead.
'Please, wait for me Princess Euphemia. I'll rescue you, I swear!' Nina said as she got back to work.
The device she had with her would destroy Zero and save Princess Euphemia.
Xxx
The battle was growing more and more fierce as the Black Knights and the Japanese army broke through another line.
"Maybe the homeland can help us."
"They'll never make it in time. We should evacuate this area right away."
The door opened and in walked Cornelia, having heard everything. "Don't panic!"
Everyone gasped, looking in her direction with shock and relief. "Princess Cornelia!"
"I've put the Glaston Knights on standby. Place all our forces on the outskirts of Tokyo. We end this,we just need to take down Zero!" Cornelia declared.
Xxx
At the same time Lelouch was rallying his forces for the final assault, standing from the throne like chair in the bridge of the G1 and walking down the stairs, flanked by his two knights and standing next to his throne was former Princess Euphemia li Britannia. Only now she was possibly Zero's Princess by the way she was dressed. She wore a black elegant dress that fell to the floor with a black corset laced with silver ribbons and the symbol of the Black Knights sewed into the chest, showing her allegiance was now to the Black Knights.
"Kill Cornelia and the day will be ours. You all have your orders, now be ready. Deithard, have Todoh handle the frontline. I am leaving you in charge here. Ensure that nothing happens to Euphemia in my absence."
Diethard turned as Zero moved to the door. "Yes, very well Zero."
Lelouch was at the door as it opened, revealing Kaguya Sumeragi who caused Lelouch to stop. "Sumeragi?"
"Thank goodness I made it in time! That was so mean of you, heading off into battle without me! I've been a huge fan of yours ever since your big day view!" Kaguya said in excitement. "I was hoping I'd finally get talk to you. Wow! You're really tall, aren't you? Don't worry though, I'll catch up with you soon!"
Naruto chuckled out loud. "Well, it seems the great Zero has met his number one fan."
"Lady Kaguya?" Diethard asked from behind. "I thought the head of the Six House would remain in Fuji."
"I followed after you so I could watch my future husband fight." Kaguya answered simply.
"Fut-Zero, you proposed?" Naruto asked, unable to shake the amusement from his voice.
This was way too nostalgic for him to pass up. Euphemia stared in surprise at the little girl for what she had said.
"Don't joke around." Lelouch said, ignoring Naruto.
"Well, once you win this battle you'll eventually need a wife, won't you? I mean I know you identity is a big secret and all but you're going to need someone as your public face, right?" Kaguya asked.
"Really?" Lelouch asked thoughtfully. "You believe we're going to win this battle?"
"Of course! I am the Goddess of Victory after all." Kaguya answered like it was obvious.
'Sure as hell is nicer than the Kaguya from our world.' Kurama muttered in amusement, remembering the Sage's mother.
What a psycho.
"Well, luck is on our side then if a Goddess has blessed us." Naruto remarked in amusement which made Euphy smile.
"Indeed. I'd be lucky to have you then. Unfortunately I've already made a contract with the devil." Lelouch replied.
"Uh?" Kaguya blinked.
"I have no room in my life for deities right now." Lelouch said, walking past her.
'At least he's nice about it.' Naruto thought as he patted Kaguya's shoulder while passing her.
Euphy stared in slight sadness at Kaguya for Lelouch's rather cold rejection but said nothing.
C.C. looked back at the confused and slightly hurt Kaguya before considering something. 'A Goddess of Victory…Perhaps I should test that claim.'
Xxx
"Hurry!" General Bartley shouted to all the scientists. "We have to get this experiment back to the homeland now!"
"The pressure! The pressure is rising!"
Bartley spun around, seeing the glass tank starting to crack. The tank shattered, releasing the liquid into the lab and the man inside whose body was covered in wires and cybernetic enhancements.
"Now of all times…" Bartley groaned, watching as the man slowly rose to his feet.
The man looked at Bartley, recognizing him instantly.
"Good morning to you it was." Jeremiah Goodwald stated.
Xxx
The army had gathered just outside of the Tokya Settlement, waiting for the word its leader as he hovered from above like a fallen angel. Lelouch, piloting the Arashikage while flanked by Seizan and Shinryoku rose into the air and looked down on the entire settlement.
"Hear me, Britannia!" Lelouch announced on all channels for the entire country to hear. "This is Zero, a rebel against oppressors who abuse their power! We will wait until midnight. You have until then to surrender to me. This is your only warning. Heed it. Twelve midnight, not a single second later."
Lelouch tapped his console, starting the timer at twenty three minutes before midnight.
Xxx
"Your little bluf is meaningless, Zero. The Tokyo Settlement is an imprenatable fortress." Cornelia said, gathering her forces.
This is the night that would see the end of Zero's Rebellion.
She would see to it herself.
Xxx
"You can still turn back, you know." C.C. said on the radio, earning Lelouch's attention. "Your actions here will affect more than Area 11. You and this entire world will be steeped in war."
"I am aware of that and yet all the same-" Lelouch stopped as his phone rang and looked at the caller I.D. which caused him to stiffen. "Euphy?"
Wondering why Euphy would call him now Lelouch pressed the answer button but it wasn't Euphy. "Lelouch, it's me."
"Suzaku." Lelouch said, not expecting it to be him. "Why are you calling me now?"
"Lelouch, are you at the school?"
"No, but I will be soon."
"I see. I've called because there's something I want you to tell everyone for me."
"Yes and what would that be?"
"The sky, makes sure no one looks up at the sky."
"What?"
"Lelouch, is there anyone you could ever hate so much that you'd actually want to kill them?"
"…There is. Yes."
"I used to think that sort of feeling was unacceptable. That unless you follow the rules, killing someone was just murder…But now it's hatred that's guiding me. I am fighting to kill someone."
Naruto frowned as he listened. 'Suzaku, is he going down the path of hate like Sasuke did?'
"I'm going to become a murderer in the sky of Tokyo. So please…"
"Embrace your hate. Just think of Euphy. I made my own mind up long ago." Lelouch answered. "I have no intention of turning back."
"For Nunnally you mean."
"Yes. I have to go now."
"Thank you, Lelouch."
Lelouch smiled. "Forget about it. I mean, you and I are friends after all."
"For the last seven years."
"Right. See ya then."
"Yeah. Later."
Leluch hung up his phone and put it away just as the timer hit zero. 'I guess our talk made time go faster. It only feels like it lasted two second.'
Just as the timer hit zero complete and utter chaos wrecked the Tokya Settlement as buildings, bridges, and roads started to explode and collapse.
Xxx
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Cornelia shouted in complete surprise as the Tokyo Settlement started to break apart and sink into the earth.
Roads sank into the ground with dozens of tanks that had been lined up to engage the enemy while airships slammed into falling buildings. The Britannian Army had fallen into complete disarray and the chaos only continued to spread.
Xxx
"These hands of mine have been dirty for a long time now, Suzaku." Lelouch curled his black gloved hand into a fist. "You're coming to face now doesn't matter at all. Hell, I welcome it even. I mean of course, you and I friends." Lelouch chuckled before letting out a manic laugh at the destruction that was happening.
'This is going to break the two of them.' Naruto thought somberly. 'Hell, it broke them long before this battle even started.'
C.C. remained silent, simply watching as the enemy before them struggled to reform themselves.
'Perhaps this is what I've longed for all this time. The destruction and loss of everything. That's right, destruction always comes before creation. And for that goal, even my conscience must be pushed aside. The only path left to me is straight ahead.'
"Now then…" Lelouch grinned sinisterly.
*Chapter 31*: Chapter 31Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
The Tokyo Settlement had erupted into complete chaos as buildings collapsed onto the front Britannian lines, completely scattering their ranks and leaving them wide open to attack. Lelouch had planned far ahead, using his Geass to order Britannian constructions workers to place explosives in strategic positions in many buildings that were thankfully empty or else Naruto would have kicked his scrawny little behind.
The plan was simple and yet effective.
The explosives would be set in locations to turn any fall-back positions into rubble while slowing down retreating Britannian forces and quickly reduce their reserves. Even Cornelia couldn't coordinate her forces if the entire settlement was a deathtrap.
"A laired structure build to be earthquake resistance. But if you demolish all of the four sections simultaneously you won't find anything more fragile." Lelouch mused.
"And with the entire city in chaos Britannia's army will be left in disarray, even if Cornelia survives." Naruto commented, watching carefully.
"Yes, exactly. By lining up at the city's perimeter to engage the Black Knights Cornelia has sealed her fate." Lelouch agreed.
Meanwhile Cornelia was busy trying to stay alive as the ground beneath her Gloucester split apart and fell earth below. "I'm not beaten yet!"
She quickly fired slash harken up that wrapped around a support beam and kept her from falling with the rest of the rubble.
"Damn, you are one amazing dude." Tamaki muttered, unable to believe this was made possible by some angry Britannian kid.
Kaguya in the meantime trembled as she sat on Zero's throne with Euphy and Diethard. "Wow. They destroyed an entire settlement?"
"I heard only the outer perimeter was affected." Diethard answered. "There are facilities in it we're going to need later." However despite the effectiveness Diethard was confused about it was possible. 'Still, how were Zero's underground collaborators able to pull this off? I'm guessing that Villetta and Jeremiah's theories were true.' Diethard grinned. 'Then this is magnificent. Yes, the world is a game and people are mere pawns.'
Euphemia on the other hand stared in concern with Kaguya, wondering about her brother, her sister, and Suzaku who were in the middle of all the fighting. She knew that Lelouch had Naruto looking after him, but who was looking after Suzaku?
'Suzaku…' She remembered the last time she spoke to him.
Why did he say all that?
Lelouch may have done bad things but she knew, she just knew he was not the monster that Suzaku saw him as. He didn't even listen to her when she tried to explain. Did her words mean nothing to him? After everything how could he doubt her?
'Suzaku, what is it about Zero that upsets you so?' Euphemia thought, staring at the coming battle.
Xxx
Lelouch chuckled, watching as the battle slowly turned in his favor before it even began. "This will do. Once we broadcast images to the world of their government hero falling to us, along with our declaration of independence he'll be forced to face me. And if I can get him, get the Britannian Emperor to meet with me one on one than all the pieces will fall into my hand."
"Assuming you have us with you." Naruto said dryly. "Have you forgotten that the Emperor also has Geass along with probably a whole boatload of guards. If you really think it's going to be that easy you really have gotten cocky."
"And you doubt your own skills, Naruto? You gave me a seal to protect me against Geass so even if his does not need eye contact I have the advantage." Lelouch retorted.
"I'm not dumb enough to ignore that the Emperor will try to cover his own ass given our victories." Naruto scowled. "Just remember that not everyone is as dumb as you think. In fact there a few people out there that may be even smarter than you."
Lelouch scoffed. "Very well, I'll keep that mind."
'Yeah right.' Naruto mentally retorted.
"If the two of you are done can we get on with this?" C.C. cut in, sounding bored. "There's a battle about to happen I believe."
Both boys relented, remembering the coming battle and agreed to push the argument aside.
Xxx
Todoh was leading his own forces from his modified Glasgow through the settlement along with the Four Holy Swords. "How does the enemy's air power look?"
"Our allied groups are concentrating on hitting them hard in each sector. The rest around the Eizu areas, Sado and Awachi islands." Chiba answered.
"Then the time is right. Now is our chance." Todoh declared. "Attack!" On his command the gathered forces moved forward into the desolate settlement as Todoh coordinated the attack "Third squad take the media sector. Sixth squad take the harbor. Special forces, suppress the lower levels. All remaining push in from the front, gather intelligence on the enemy forces that are left."
On the other side of the battlefield Cornelia quickly took command of the surviving Britannian army. "All forces hear me! Fall back to the Britannian government bureau!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
The government building was built like a fortress with appropriate armaments and defenses. It could allow them hold out until reinforcements from the Homeland arrived.
Cornelia turned around, seeing one of the Gloucesters was not moving. "What's wrong? If you're having trouble controlling it just attach the cockpit lock."
The pilot was wounded from the earthquake but was not ready to surrender yet. "No, Princess Cornelia, forget about me and get to the bureau."
Just as Cornelia was about to answer Todoh and the Four Holy Swords appeared from out of the debris field. "Cornelia's been found! Surround her!"
Cornelia looked over her shoulder just as the downed pilot brought his Gloucester up, using it as a shield to protect Cornelia from Todoh at the expense of his own life as the sword cut through his Knightmare frame.
"Meet your fate!" Todoh shouted, rushing at Cornelia who jumped back as her troops laid down covering fire.
"Todoh, you phantom!" Cornelia growled and was about to attack.
Only for Guilford to lunge forward, thrusting his lance at Todoh. "No Princess! Stand aside! Leave him to me!"
"Guilford!" Cornelia whispered.
Todoh leapt over the golden lance, demonstrating his skills. "Well, it's the one from Narita."
"Get away while you can, Princess." Guilford said as he clashed with Todoh.
"You expect me to simply abandon my men and runaway?" Cornelia asked outrageously.
"Your Highness, you must survive for Princess Euphemia's sake!" Guilford urged which made Cornelia stiffen. "Go now, because My Lady, I am the one you chose to champion you." Guilford abandon the golden for the sheathed sword.
But it was no ordinary sword.
Todoh narrowed his eyes. "That sword's the same one as the Lancelot's."
"Therefore I must be the one who stays and fights!" Guilford declared as he and Todoh faced off.
"So be it." Cornelia said solemnly. "Then Guilford, your orders are to come back alive, my knight."
Guilford smiled. "Yes your Highness. I will return."
Xxx
"The school area is a priority for the special force and the Zero Squad to take over. We'll use one of the buildings for a command center." Lelouch said through the radio.
"What? At the school?" Kallen asked.
"You're going to set up a command center there of all places?" Naruto stated. "There is too much of a chance that someone will get hurt there."
"Very well. Seizan, you go with Ohgi." Lelouch replied.
Ohgi hesitated for a second, looking at his phone.
"Ohgi?"
"Oh, right. Understood, Zero."
"Ohgi, I'll have someone meet up with you there." Naruto stated, knowing he could not leave Lelouch yet.
Xxx
In the meantime Naruto's clone led Chigusa away from the battle, keeping her in his sight to she didn't do anything rash.
"Are you going to answer that?" The clone asked.
Chigusa looked at her ringing phone. "…Not yet. I don't want him to worry about me in the middle of a fight."
Xxx
"You can't just go, Suzaku. We haven't been ordered to the battlefield." Rai said as Suzaku walked into the launch bay. "We still need permission from Princess Cornelia."
Of course Rai would have preferred to stay with Nonette but she ordered him away from the battlefield.
"It doesn't matter now." Suzaku replied harshly. "I'm going there to stop Zero once and for all."
Zero had taken the chance for peace his dear Princess had offered him and used it to start a massive war.
He needed to be stopped.
He needed…to be destroyed.
"You're planning to go to the Tokya Settlement, aren't you?" Lloyd stepped out from behind the Lancelot and held up the keys with his annoying smirk. "However…You can't have it."
Suzaku glared harshly at Lloyd.
"The AC exists for research and development. It appears our duty's here wound to an end and we haven't been ordered by the Viceroy to go out there either." Lloyd continued as Suzaku stepped forward. "Leaving would be a violation of orders right?"
Cecile tried to step in. "Suzaku I know how you feet but-"
Suzaku stepped right past her as Lloyd tried to hold the key out of his reach. "Oh no you don't!"
However Suzaku surprised them both by grabbing Lloyd's arm and punching him in the face, knocking his glasses off his face and onto the floor along with their owner as Cecile gasped.
Suzaku held the Lancelot's keys. "Listen to me, Zero's in Tokyo and I'm going to finish him with my own hands. I won't let you stop me. I'm doing this."
Xxx
Meanwhile the battle between Guilford and Dalton continued below the surface as the Britannians retreated but held down covering fire to hold the enemy back. Eventually Guilford himself fell back as Todoh received help from two Glastows that flanked him.
"Colonel!"
"Lieutenant Colonel, should we pursue?"
"Where are the other units?" Todoh asked.
"They're approaching, climbing up from the side."
The three Glasgow quickly moved back as missiles rained down from above.
Guilford looked up in surprise when he saw who it was. "The Glaston Knights?"
"Lord Guilford, we're holding a position just ahead of you. Please head back."
Guilford smiled in gratitude. "I appreciate that. I am grateful."
"Think nothing of it, sir. General Dalton is coordinating from the bureau and Cornelia should be with him shortly."
"Do you know the situation?" Guilford asked.
"The enemy's frontal assault is a diversion but if we beat them here the rest are simply militia forces. I mean, they are just rabble."
Xxx
The Arashikage's shoulder cannons lit up the sky with bolts of lightning and destroyed all Britannian aircraft in under a second.
"Diethard, enemy air power has been taken care of. Kaguya will command the G-1, move to your assigned location immediately." Lelouch ordered.
"Understood."
"Yoshida, get the Rako ready."
"Yes sir."
"Tamaki, do you know Rakshata's status?"
"She's on the move."
"Kallen, go provide her group with backup."
"Right."
"Todoh, you know what to do if you see the target."
"Understood."
"Okay, now what's the name of the collaborator, Ohgi?"
"Uh, I have a Sayoko Shinozoki." Ohgi answered.
Lelouch already knew that Sayoko was taking part but he had to maintain appearance he did not know her to make sure nothing could be traced back to their connection with Nunnally.
Xxx
The rebellion in Japan wasn't the only thing giving the Britannian First Prince Odysseus su Britannia a headache today during the meeting in the conference room.
"Contact's been lost with the Hiroshima settlement."
"Uprisings have broken out in the suburb settlement as well."
"And Chinese Federation naval fleets are massing in the East China sea."
"The Chinese Federation too?" Odysseus sighed. "That's all we need with His Majesty still not present."
Schneizel who was attending the meeting looked at the table in thought. 'He must be there again.'
A High ranking official stood up. "Lord Odysseus, our troops are standing for deployment. You need to chose a commander now."
"We mustn't be too hasty here, gentlemen. What happened to Euphemia was unexpected and a complete blunder. Handle this irrationally and it may spread to every area." Odysseus quickly said.
"My lord, we must go to help Princess Cornelia!"
Schneizel stood up. "Brother, why don't I go? Send me there."
Odysseus perked up. "You're serious? Would you really go there?"
"Doesn't it sadden you to see those people killing each other?" Schneizel simply asked.
Xxx
"Super magnetic shrapnel cannon fire!" The very same weapon used by the Japanese Liberation Front under the hotel at Lake Kawaguichi had been useful enough to be mass produced for the Black Knights and it proved its use again by destroying large amounts of debris that was in the way, clearing the path straight to the government bureau building. "First special forces move in!"
Kallen was part of the special forces and led them through the battle field in the Guren but so far there were no enemies in the way.
"They only seem to be defending the government bureau right now." C.C. observed.
"As expected, they're trying not to scatter themselves while waiting for reinforcements." Lelouch replied calmly observing the map projected in his cockpit.
Xxx
"Don't move!"
"We're the Black Knights!"
The Britannian broadcasting station had been taken by the Black Knights which was complete unexpected by the news crew that worked there.
"We're taking over this building. Do exactly as we tell you to."
"N-No! It can't be!"
The biggest surprise was when Diethard walked in, wearing a Black Knight uniform. "Hello chief, I've brought you an exclusive. Shall we transmit this to the world? The moment when Zero changes everything in our lives. Now that's a scoop."
"R-Right!" The chief said, hoping Diethard wouldn't shoot him.
"We'll give the public a spectacular show and then let's see whatever they hope to see." Diethard grinned, almost manically.
A great change was coming and Diethard was in the center to see it all.
Xxx
The student council at Ashford Academy watched as news reporter stood with an alarmed look on her face before the transmission was cut.
"That was it. The last broadcasting station, they're all down." Milly said, keeping herself calm for the sake of her friends.
It didn't end there as the door opened up and to their shock and horror in walked men wearing Black Knight uniforms.
"Hands up and turn around!" The leader in question was Tamaki. "The Black Knights now control this school. All of you are now our hostages."
Rizals stepped out in front of Milly and Shirley. "Lower your guns!"
"Uh? That's a hell of a thing to say in this situation." Tamaki commented thoughtfully, ignoring Arthur who hissed at him.
"But no less a brave thing to say." Someone wearing a dark cloak and a white and red fox shaped mask said as they walked in. "At ease, Tamaki. They are no threat."
"Rivalz." Milly whispered urgently.
"Oh come on. Let me be cool for once okay?" Rivalz quickly whispered. "I'll protect everyone."
"I believe you." Seizan put a hand on Tamaki's shoulder to calm him down. "Quite a brave man you are."
"Indeed." Everyone looked at the door, surprised to see Zero himself at the door with Shinryoku and Kallen but the students didn't recognize her due the visor she wore. "A very fine and brave effort."
"Are sure this is place is a good place for our command center?" Tamaki asked curiously.
"Your command center?!" Milly exclaimed as the students exchanged fearful looks.
Nunnally however stared at Zero, who made no effort to acknowledge her but she knew why he was here. 'Brother…'
'Why'd it have to be Ashford of all places?' Kallen wondered, glancing at Lelouch.
"Your academy is strategically useful for our purposes. Therefore we are turning it into a command center." Lelouch stated neutrally.
Milly boldly glared at the leader of the Black Knights. "We're in no position to refuse you."
"I guarantee none of you will be harmed." Lelouch stated, looking at his sister. 'Nunnally, until the fighting has ended you will be safe here. Protected by the Black Knights. So please…'
Rivalz however was skeptical. "Like we can believe you? You're at war with us Britannians. We're the enemies remember?"
"Please Rivalz, don't argue." Kallen stepped forward and took off her visor. "Do exactly as he says."
The Student Council gasped and Shirley even took a step back. "Kallen?!"
There was moment of silence until Milly was able to speak again. "Well, well, there's a surprise around every corner. Do I have your word that no one gets hurt? Not only us but any other student, body, faculty, or staff member on campus?"
Naruto was impressed by Milly's sudden change in her character and how she was quickly taking charge to protect everyone.
"As long as nobody tries to leave the dorms or administrative they will be fine." Kallen replied.
"Kallen, why are you doing this? You are a Britannian too, aren't you? How can you wage war like this?" Shirley asked, unable to grasp how this was happening.
"I'm also Japanese, Shirley and I rejected my Britannian heritage when my home was destroyed and enslaved by Britannia." Kallen said sharply but remained calm.
She hated Britannians but she recognized the people here were innocent of the crimes that had been committed by their country.
Ohgi choose the moment to rush into the room. "Zero, it's the Lancelot!"
"I knew he'd come." Lelouch said, ready for the confrontation.
Xxx
Lelouch couldn't be more right as Suzaku rocket through the battle, taking out anyone who was unfortunate enough to be in his way. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
He slashed through three Glasgows and a shrapnel cannon before wheeling his way up by planting both foot on the walls surrounding him and shot up to the top of the building.
"When I find you Zero I am going to kill you!" Suzaku declared.
Xxx
"Geass?" Suzaku asked, staring at the boy standing at his door.
"That's correct. Zero possess a supernatural power." The boy answered.
"That's not possible." Suzaku said, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"Then how do you explain the sudden assassination attempt on himself just when he agreed to work with Princess Euphemia or how the Princess declared that it was Britannia who tried to assassinate him in broad daylight. Don't you find it odd that it happened in a way that was easily prevented and turned the Japanese on Britannia or how Euphemia surrendered herself to Zero and seemingly agreeing with him?" The boy asked, never once losing his grin.
Xxx
"Going somewhere, Suzaku?"
Suzaku had just landed on the top of a ruined road and stopped when he saw the familiar blue Knightmare in front of him. "Seizan!"
"You are sure in a hurry, Suzaku. If you are here looking for a fight than I suggest you turn around right now." Naruto said, sensing something wrong with Suzaku.
"You are all fools! You, the Japanese, Zero is lying to all of you!" Suzaku shouted angrily.
"Funny how you of all people should comment on lying and what do you even know about Zero anyways?" Naruto retorted.
"Well then tell me what you know about him!" Suzaku said as he piloted the Lancelot forward and swung his MV swords at Naruto who blocked with his single sword. "Tell me where Zero is!"
"Take a chill pill!" Naruto as he pulled his kunai and slashed it at Suzaku who leapt back. "Not too eager to get into another losing match with me?"
"Did you know about his power? Did you know about his Geass?!" Suzaku shouted as he wheeled back.
Naruto's eyes widened. 'He knows? Who could have-'
"I see someone's been poking around." C.C. said as Shinryoku and the Guren landed next to Seizan.
"Shinryoku, Kallen. So you do know!" Suzaku accused.
"And what do you think we know?" Kallen asked, keeping herself calm and pushing aside the question of how Suzaku knew about Lelouch's Geass.
"You hypocrites! You spout of freedom for the Japanese and yet you follow a leader who manipulates and controls the people around him!" Suzaku roared as he lunged forward. "Tell me where Zero is!"
C.C.'s eye twitched. "Don't flatter yourself."
She pulled out her and spun out of the way of Suzaku's blades, launching a kick at the Lancelot that Suzaku barely dodged.
"No one controls me and even if this so called power is real did you think Zero would risk using such a power and tell no one, risking the chance of a rebellion in his own ranks? Why do you think he always wear the mask?" C.C. asked smoothly as she piloted the Shinyroku to begin an elegant like dance with the Lancelot, blocking its blades and dodging the kicks Suzaku sent her way. "And let me guess, you heard about it from a little brat with long blond hair?"
Suzaku grunted as he continued to try and hit C.C. who controlled the Shinryoku with such skill it was like it was an extension of her body. "So what of it?! You follow a leader who takes advantage of the innocent and takes away their dreams for his own selfish gains! The power to manipulate and control people for his own gain it explains so much! It explains how you all could have become this dangerous!"
"And what of you, Suzaku Kururugi? You who murdered your own father and then made yourself a puppet of the powers that be that oppressed and humiliated your own kin. Do you not understand the nature of the human spirit?" C.C. asked, spinning back and ducking under a slash from the Lancelot. "Its very nature is to question and resist what it perceives to be oppression. You cannot stop it and neither can Britannia."
"And you think that justifies what you have done?!" Suzaku said, getting more angry and frustrated. "This whole matter is pointless! You could have had peace but you threw it all away when you turned the Japanese on Princess Euphemia's proposal of peace!"
"We did not!" Kallen shouted, angered by such an accusation. "Zero would have worked with Euphemia but that went against Britannia's views! They wanted him dead!"
"And they would simply disobey one of their one royal members?!" Suzaku rhetorically asked.
"Hmph! They did that seven years ago did they not?" C.C. found an opening and launched a spinning kick that sent the Lancelot spiraling onto the ground. "Did you forget about that already? The Emperor discarded two members of royalty once. Did you really think he would not do it again?"
Suzaku growled as he got the Lancelot back onto its feet. "And that gives you the right to do this?! To exchange peace for war!"
"There was no peace, Suzaku! There never was! Even if Euphemia's special zone worked it was only a matter of time before someone did something that caused the fighting to begin! We had nothing to do with that!" Kallen shouted.
"Like I believe the words of people who follow someone like Zero!" Suzaku shouted as he prepared to attack again. "Tell me where he is!"
"Like I'd talk to a filthy traitor like you!" Kallen retorted.
That's when C.C. did something unexpected…
She laughed. "Oh my, this is just too much! Really Suzaku Kururugi, Princess Euphemia's shining knight and here you are showing a deep dark side. Acting like the obedient sheep and always doing what you're told but then along came Zero and the people hailed him as a hero and not you. Zero, the anarchist and you the loyal knight and the people look to him for help instead of you."
"Stop it…" Suzaku said, gritting his teeth.
"Now I see. With all the attention Zero is getting it caused the obedient sheep to shed his fur and reveal the angry wolf underneath." C.C continued on.
"Stop it!"
"And now you are led by the leash of your masters, believing every little lie they whisper in your ear because you cannot accept that everything you believe in is wrong."
"I SAID STOP IT!" Suzaku roared as he moved to attack C.C. with everything he had.
"Wait!"
Suzaku stopped and looked up, seeing the Arashikage hovering above with a flight unit now attached to it that allowed it to offer and the rockets attached to its legs would allow for more speed while the flight unit allowed it to fly more safely.
"Suzaku Kururugi, my belief that you and I could be allies was incorrect. I am no longer gullible about our would be partnership. Let's resolve this one on one." Lelouch stated.
"Works for me. Let's do it!" Suzaku declared, ready to end this once and for all.
Xxx
"Colonel?"
Todoh perked up as a Glasgow moved next to him. "Asahina, what about Urabe?"
"He's moving on the energy filler repository right now, sir." Asahina answered with a smile.
"All right then let's go rendezvous with Senba and Chiba." Todoh stated, knowing they would need to gather their forces to make the final push to the government bureau. "Once we have recharged we will surround the government bureau then we of the main force will push in from the front."
Xxx
Cornelia walked towards the main commanders in charge of the defense of the building. "Order Lord Krain to fall back. Set up a defense line the railway station."
"Yes, right away Your Highness."
"Princess Cornelia." The princess turned around and saw her Knight on the screen. "We've completed our formation. What about a line of defense around the bureau?"
"You are to hold your position Guilford. If we can just drag this battle out it'll go badly for the Black Knights." Cornelia said, knowing that reinforcements would be dispatched to Area Eleven soon enough and if the government bureau held out they could turn the tide of the battle.
"Yes Your Highness."
As the screen went to black Cornelia faced Darlton. "Well what did my brother say?"
"He said the Pacific Fleet should arrive in approximately seventy five hours. Also the Sado and Tori island divisions have are ready to deploy their forces into Area Eleven." Darlton answered.
"Meaning that they should be here in thirty minutes." Cornelia noted thoughtfully. "Leak this information to the Black Knights." She noted a few of the Glaston Knights seemed surprised. "After that Darlton you will join Lord Guilford at the defense lone protecting the Government Bureau."
"And you my lady?" Darlton asked.
Cornelia smirked. "Oh I'll be preparing a party."
Xxx
"ZEEEEEERRRRRRROOOOOO!"
"Can't you calm him down?" Bradly anxiously asked the technician.
"I can't! His resistance is too strong! We didn't anticipate this chain of events!"
All the while as they spoke Jeremiah was kneeling down on the floor, screaming his lungs out from the pain coursing through his body.
Xxx
Dalton readied himself in his Gloucester for the battle that was about to happen. "Princess Cornelia, I will stand with you to the end."
Xxx
"Poor Nina, I wonder if she is still in the Ganymede hangar." Milly commented.
Rivalz however was thinking of something else. "Kallen's a part of this whole thing? Man this sucks! What are we going to do?"
"It's all right." Nunnally spoke up, surprising everyone. "The Black Knights or Zero, rather. They won't do anything to harm us."
"But how can you be so sure of that?" Rivalz asked.
Whatever Nunnally was going to say was cut off by a loud scream of anger. "COWARD!"
The Student Council looked up, seeing Zero's Knightmare hovering outside of the school building and just above was the Lancelot.
'Lelouch, what are you doing?' Nunnally thought.
Xxx
Suzaku gritted his teeth as he stared down at Zero's Knightmare. "You've taken them as your hostages? Some one on one fight this is!"
"You brought this all on yourself when you rejected my offer to join me as my ally." Lelouch looked down, seeing that Sayoko was in position. "Now you'll regret these foolish moral standards you cling to."
Xxx
"Hey!" Rivalz jumped up. "Isn't that the Black Knightmare that's been all over news lately?!"
"No way. Zero's not targeting this building is he?" Shirley asked anxiously. "It can't be! He can't! Because if he does…"
Xxx
"If I can get close enough to him to use the Harkens." Suzaku propelled the Lancelot down at full speed. "ZERO!"
Lelouch fired the Arashikage's Elemant cannons, setting them to Bolt mode and firing twin bolts of lightning at the Lancelot but Suzuak rolled it out of the way, landing on the ground and moved in to attack. Unfortunately for Suzaku Lelouch planned for that happened and it showed when Sayoko activated the trap and lit up the circle around the Lancelot, disabling it instantly. The GEFUJIN net had been design from Rakshata even before she met Naruto and C.C. but she never had the chance to properly test it until now.
All the while Rakshata looked on with a satisfied smirk. "Didn't see that coming did you, Sir Knight? Zero, remember your promise."
"Yes, you may do with the machine as you wish." Lelouch replied.
"Zero!" Suzaku roared. "You deceive the people who trust you to the very end! You betrayer!"
"Hmph!" Lelouch scoffed. "I have no time to argue which of us is the bigger hypocrite. Farewell, Suzaku Kururugi!"
"DAMN YOU!" Suzaku banged his console in sheer rage, only able to watch as the Knightmare of his enemy flew away.
Xxx
The battle at the Government Bureau had begun with the Black Knights attack from all sides but its defenses were strong enough that the Black Knights were having to take cover from the rain of enemy fire. The Arashikage along with Seizan and Shinyroku hovered from above, watching the battle down below.
"We better get down there and give them a hand." Naruto remarked.
"We have another problem. Enemy reinforcements are arriving." C.C. said, the eyes of Knightmare spotting the air fleet of Britannian ships easily. "If they start bombing us it's all over."
"Heh. Then it's a good thing we have an unlimited amount of energy." Lelouch said, activated Element system and aiming the Arashikage's shoulder cannons at the fleet.
Setting the cannons to Bolt mode Lelouch fired a continuous stream of lightning, destroying a dozen aircraft as he spun the Arashikage around in a circle until the skies were cleared.
"Todoh, we're going to land on the Government Bureau from above." Lelouch said through the radio.
"Isn't that risky? Cornelia has likely anticipated that." Todoh pointed out.
"I know that. We're just going to create some confusion." Lelouch replied as the three landed on the roof of the building and Lelouch quickly noticed something. "It appears to be…"
"Yes. Aries Villa." C.C. answered.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "So you know about that. Likely from your time with the Geass Order."
"…Yes." C.C. answered.
Lelouch wanted to ask more but a familiar voice cut him off. "Welcome, Zero."
The three spotted her, along with two more Gloucesters flanking her and all off them well armed, piloted by Darlton and Nonnette.
"I figured you would show up here as soon as you learned about the air raid." Cornelia said, grinning sadistically. "Now join us for your welcome party. Care for a dance?"
Xxx
"Oh! Now they even got Suzaku!" Rivalz said, unable to believe what happening.
"I wonder what's going on out there." Shirley said, trying to listen in on what might be happening.
"Don't worry." Nunnally said, surprising everyone. "We are safe here. They won't hurt us but we can't do anything to antagonize them."
Meanwhile down below the school, Nina sat in the cockpit of the Ganymede. "Zero, Princess Euphemia-"
Xxx
"WILL BE SAVED!" Cornelia shouted as she led Nonnette and Darlton into the fight she had been waiting for.
Lelouch quickly activated the Arashikage's tractor beam, aiming to grab Cornelia but she spun to the left and fired her rifle. Lelouch quickly activated the Dampening Field, repelling the bullets back at Cornelia who wheeled, suffering minimal damage to her Gloucester.
"My Knightmare is far superior to hers." Lelouch muttered, the PROVIDENCE system activated and analyzing Cornelia's attack patterns.
In the meantime Naruto clashed with Nonnette while C.C. danced around Darlton's attacks, consisting of multiple thrusts and slashes that while fast didn't even touch Shinryoku. Lelouch fired the Element Cannons, switching them to Ice Mode and aimed them at Cornelia's feet since he wanted her alive. Cornelia however was no fool and kept a distance while shooting at him.
"I cannot get a solid lock on her." Lelouch muttered, the PROVIDENCE being useful for keeping Cornelia from attacking him but unable to find a way to trap her. "Is she really that good a pilot?"
"You're a better opponent than I thought, Zero but I will be victorious!" Cornelia shouted as she moved behind a pillar and thrust her lance through it, breaking it off the ground and wheeled forward.
The Element cannons fired, freezing the pillar but Cornelia had used it as a shield to get in close. Lelouch activated the flight unit to avoid getting hit. Cornelia however fired her slash harkens that dug themselves into Lelouch's shoulder and pulled Cornelia up.
"I have you now!" Cornelia shouted victoriously.
"Don't count on it!" Lelouch quickly switched the Element cannons from Ice to Wind and released compressed bolts of air that hit the shoulders of Cornelia Gloucester, tearing the arms off. 'The PROVIDENCE system accounted for the possibility of her using such a tactic as I lifted off. If I had been a second slower she would have had me. Ice Mode Torch Mode are perfect for a full field range attack while Bolt Mode can destroy any enemies from a distance. The Aether Mode though can take out opponents at a close range and I can modify the size and power of the compressed air to any size I want.'
Cornelia gasped as her console shattered and exploded but she was not too badly wounded. That was about to change as the Arashikage's Element cannons had destroyed her harkens and left her to fall to the ground below.
"Princess Cornelia!" Darlton, who had been grappling with C.C. spotted his Princess as Zero defeated her and broke off his fight to help his Princess.
Only he left himself wide open.
"Sorry for this." C.C. fired the slash harkens from her fans, puncturing Darlton's Gloucester from behind. "Lightning Style: Thunderbolt!"
A blast of electricity traveled down the harkens and into the Gloucester, overloading the core and causing a chain reaction from the inside.
"PRINCESS CORNELIA!" Darlton shouted as his Gloucester exploded, bringing an end to one of Britannia's best commanders.
"Crap!" Nonnette realized she was outnumbered now that Cornelia and Darlton were defeated and did the only thing she could do by retreating.
She would have to meet up with Guilford to form a counterattack on the Bureau if Zero managed to take over.
Xxx
Nunnally stared out the window, pondering what was going on but she knew her brother was safe. Her shared vision with C.C. and Naruto showed her that he defeated Cornelia without killing her, meaning he still valued his family.
The sound of the door opening was heard and she slowly turned around, keeping her eyes hidden. "Hello?"
She saw him, a boy with long blond hair and looked around ten years old. 'Is that…V.V.?'
"Nunnally, I've come to take you with me." V.V. said, stepping forward.
"Hello…Uncle V.V."
V.V.'s eyes widened and he stopped, staring in surprise. "You know me?"
"I do." Nunnally fully turned to face him, opening her eyes and revealing her Rinnegan. "I've been waiting to meet you for some time now."
*Chapter 32*: Chapter 32Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
V.V. stared into Nunnally's ringed eyes and took step back as a chill went through his spine which was unusual. After all he was immortal, the only thing that could kill him would be a person with a fully evolved Geass that could take away the Code that made him immortal. He remembered Charles mentioning seeing something similar to those eyes back in C's World and every time it happened the Sword was damaged more and more. It was at this point that if something was not done it would take years to repair the Sword.
V.V. heard a sound turned around, seeing a woman dressed as maid close the doors and she had the same eyes as Nunnally. "Who are you?"
"I am Sayoko Sonozaki of the Sonozaki clan and servant to Lady Nunnally." The woman answered stoically.
V.V. would have said something if not for the fact that just as Sayoko finished speaking a fist slammed into his face and knocked him down onto the floor. V.V. cried out in pain as the blow nearly disconnected his jaw and looked up to see Nunnally standing over him.
"I remember what happened that night, Uncle. I know it was you who killed my mother and it was my father who blinded and crippled me." Nunnally cracked her knuckles. "Even before I remember I shared the same hate my brother had for our bastard father for abandoning us and leaving us here in the middle of a warzone but then when I remembered…" Nunnally looked down at V.V. with a scary glare that was only enhanced by the ringed eyes that seemed to glow with a purplish light. "I was more than angry…I…Was….Pissed!"
What happened next could only be described as the fury of a woman scorned as Nunnally, the little sister who was thought to be weak and defenceless let loose seven years of anger from all the pain she had gone through on her immortal uncle, using the lessons she had learned from Naruto, C.C. and Sayoko to beat the little bastard within an inch of his immortal life and more. He was immortal now so Nunnally didn't have to pull her punches, which she enhanced with chakra and made them even more powerful against V.V.'s childlike body that broke instant under her blows but regenerated instantly because of his Code.
In this case immortality was the worst thing imaginable for V.V. as Nunnally continued to let out all her hate, anger, and rage against monster that had made her life Hell all because of his childish jealousy towards her mother.
Sayoko had made sure to put a barrier that blocked the sounds of V.V. screaming. It wouldn't be good for any Black Knights to come in and see a little Britannian girl beating the snot out of a younger boy. Plus this was her lady's vengeance and thus Sayoko would ensure that Lady Nunnally would have her ten pound of flesh. It took over ten minutes before Nunnally finally let up but those ten minutes felt like an eternity to V.V. who screamed, cried and blacked out through those ten minutes, perhaps even dying but Nunnally made sure he was wide awake through it all and the Code kept him from truly dying.
"This is for my mother!" Nunnally slammed V.V.'s head into the floor.
"This is for my brother!" Nunnally grabbed V.V. by the collar and punched him so hard his head was nearly launched right off his neck and into the wall.
"This is for my legs!" Nunnally enhanced her foot with chakra as she kicked him in the chest, breaking all of his ribs in one hit.
"And this is for my eyes!" Nunnally brought both hands together and slammed them right into V.V.'s eyes seemingly splattering them and most of V.V.'s head as he hit the ground.
The Code regenerated them but the pain lingered enough for V.V. to go into shock from the sheer intensity of it.
"Don't think this is over, uncle. You still have yet to pay me back for the seven years of the pain of being a weakling that you and my bastard father did to me and my brother. Seven years of me being blind and immobile, a constant burden to my brother as he went through Hell to keep me safe and happy. Only after understanding all of my pain will you have paid back your debt." Nunnally pulled V.V. up by the collar until his face was mere inches from hers as something large appeared behind her. "Then you have my permission to die."
And once she was done with her uncle Nunnally would see to it that her father would understand how she felt after what he had done to her.
He would pay back his debt to her and Lelouch and it would be paid in blood.
Xxx
'Damn, Nunnally. You really did take our training like a sponge.' Naruto thought, now a little scared of Nunnally for the beating he put V.V. through.
If not for being a selfish little bastard Naruto would felt sorry for him.
C.C. on the other hand grinned. "It's about time someone gave that little shit the beating Charles should have given him years ago."
Cornelia grunted as she climbed out of her destroyed Gloucester, her left arm possibly broken from the fall while her uniform was bloody and tattered. She watched as the Arashikage stood before and the cockpit opened up.
Her eyes spotted Zero with his mask under his arm, allowing her to see his face. "I see…So you were Zero the entire time."
Lelouch stepped onto the ground and stood before her with his left hand over his left eye.
"Darlton was right. He said it was someone with a grudge against the Britannian Imperial family. Zero's knight, the pilot known as Seizan said you knew what happened to my brother and sister here during the war and he was right." Cornelia muttered, staring at his face. "The answer was staring at me in the face the whole time and I didn't make the connection. You…You did this for Nunnally?"
"Correct." Her long lost brother, Lelouch vi Britannia answered. "I will demolish the present world and build a new and better one in its place."
"You did all this for the sake of that madness? You killed Clovis. Does Euphie know about this?" Cornelia said tearfully.
"Clovis died by his own actions and Euphie knew of my identity from our time on the island. It was directly connected to her reason for the Special Zone. The zone that went against Britannia's agenda and thus they betrayed her like they did me. Along with my mother who you idolized." Lelouch replied calmly.
Cornelia grunted as she sat up straight. "It would seem talking to you any further would be utterly pointless."
"Indeed then. Well there is only one last thing." Lelouch said, already knowing the truth about his mother's death. "You can look forward to seeing Euphie again as a prisoner of the Black Knights."
Lelouch would have said more when there was blast on the far end of the building.
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
"What the hell?!" Naruto grunted as a massive machine rose up into the sky. "A Knightmare that big that can fly?"
It looked like a fortress, a massive machine that was roughly shaped like an egg with slash harkens shaped like spikes. The pilot was at the very top of the machine, wearing pieces of metal over his body with large wired attached to his back.
'And it's orange too.' Naruto noted thoughtfully.
"Mister Zero? Can it really be? What? Oh what luck! What fate!" The pilot said, his voice very familiar. "What evil fortune!"
"Is that you, Orange Boy?" Lelouch asked, putting his mask back as he ran back into the Arashikage's cockpit.
Jeremiah Gottwald let out a loud yell, then surprisingly calmed down as he put his hands together as if to prey. "I beseech you! I beg of you. Please die."
"Orange Knightmare and Orange boy." Naruto commented thoughtfully. "I am seeing a bit of a trend here."
"Can you please focus?" C.C. asked, not sounding at all annoyed or irritated.
"I'm just saying-"
The massive machine slammed into the Arashikage as Lelouch tried to grab Cornelia who finally feinted because of her injuries, both of them flying off the roof.
"Zero I," Jeremiah said as he elevated down into the cockpit. "I must rid the world of the Empire's enemies! And so…ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
"Damn it." Naruto quickly created a Shadow Clone who rushed over to Cornelia, picking her up and jumped off the building, taking her somewhere safe. "The guy's become a total loony! Who goes crazy over the color orange?"
'Is that a trick question?' Kurama could not help but laugh.
Xxx
General Bartley looked down on the ground with a clenched fist. "It's a damn disgrace. If we report to the Prince what happened here…"
"It's only his emotions running wild. His behavior is too hard to predict right now."
"I wish we could communicate with him. Get through to him somehow!" Bartley grunted.
Xxx
"Get out of the way!"Lelouch fired the Elemental cannons, setting them to Bolt mode but the giant Knightmare Jeremiah was piloting dodged and fired a slash harken that would have pierced the Arashikage if the Seizan hadn't flown in and pushed the Arashikage out of the way.
"ZERO!"
C.C. fired her own harkens from her fans but the giant Knightmare moved with such speed and used flight patterns so random that even Naruto and C.C. were having trouble figuring out where he was going to be. Then it began spinning at an impossible speed, creating some sort of spinning shield.
'They invented Kaiten!' Naruto thought as the Knightmare fired its harkens at them. 'Oh if the Hyuga clan saw this they would be pissed!'
They managed to dodge but it was a close call as the giant Knightmare fortress called back its weapons so fast and quickly attacked again.
"This Knightmare, only the Geass Order could have created something so advanced." C.C. mumbled as she dodged another harken.
"We need to take this fight away from anyone else and take it out. This is one opponent we can't hold back against." Naruto said, looking at the Arashikage.
"Understood. I'll be the decoy." Lelouch nodded, projecting a map of the city. "Just be ready to take it out when you're ready."
"ZERO!" Jeremiah shouted as the Arashikage turned and shot away. "DO YOU THINK YOU CAN RUN AWAY FROM ME?!"
Naruto and C.C. glanced at each other through their Knightmares and each made a hand sign before sinking into the ground. Lelouch sped down the street with Jeremiah hot on his trail, the latter screaming through the speakers as he got closer and closer.
"Have you lost all your arrogant bravado, Zero? Do you fear me, Jeremiah Gottwald?!" Jeremiah shouted.
Lelouch spun around and fired his Element Cannons, this time they were set to Ice Mode and soon enough the entire street and even Jeremiah's Knightmare were covered in ice. However the Knightmare fortress began spinning and instantly the ice broke off.
"Is that it, Zero?! Is that all you have against me?!" Jeremiah shouted, his voice becoming more maniacal.
Lelouch grunted but smirked. "Come and see for yourself."
"ZERO!" Jeremiah shouted and lunged forward.
Jeremiah was just on top of him when he spotted a pair of arms reach up and grab the Arashikage's legs, pulling all the down into the ground. At the same time the buildings around the Knightmare fortress began shake and collapse right on top of it.
"YOU COWARD! YOU ATTACK FROM BEHIND!?"
"Be crushed to death you relic." Lelouch stated, watching as the buildings fell.
"ZEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Jeremiah screamed as he and his Knightmare were buried under the frozen rubble.
He tried to escape but the weight of all the rubble falling on him was too much even for his large Knightmare fortress and soon enough was left buried in the former street, now a field of rubble. The three Knightmares of the leaders of the Black Knights emerged from the Earth, staring down at the rubble pile before them. Even if he could escape eventually Naruto and C.C. had come prepared for that. While Naruto grabbed the Arashikage C.C. had touched the Knightmare fortress as it was buried and attached Shinyroku to the machine with the power of the Asura Path.
C.C. then called upon the power of the Preta Path to drain the machine of its energy, connecting herself to her Knightmare and thus was able to drain the Knightmare's power until it was completely drained and its energy channeled into Shinyroku as extra power.
Not that it needed extra power.
Thus a possibly dangerous threat was eliminated before it could cause any real problems. Lelouch's strategy was sound but against a Knightmare that advanced it would have taken more than dumping an entire building on it to keep it down. Still it would make a good research project for Rakshata once they fished it out of the rubble. She wouldn't dare pass up a chance to study a machine this advanced and see what she could do with it.
"That was easier than I thought." Naruto remarked, having been ready to go all out against the massive Knightmare.
"He might still do that. Let's just be grateful Jeremiah's obsessiveness towards me distracted him and made him vulnerable." Lelouch replied. "With Jeremiah and Cornelia down we can now win this battle. The enemy will be in complete disarray without their leaders to keep them assembled."
"There is still the matter of the Guilford and Nonnette. They are high ranked officers and both could still rally a counter-attack." C.C. noted. "The battle's not completely over."
Lelouch nodded. "You're right, of course. Still with the government bureau under out control we have won the first battle."
Xxx
"Why did you try to stop him?"
Lloyd sat against the wall, allowing Cecile the privacy she needed as she slipped out of her uniform and into a modified pilot suit. "I'm a military contractor."
"You didn't want him killed did you?" Cecile asked as she slipped the custom black and yellow pilot suit on.
"Why should I care?" Cecile looked over her shoulder as Lloyd answered. "You know as well as I do the biggest humans parts are a bit fragile in our bodies, our hearts, and our relationships with each other."
Cecile stepped out of the room as she put a head set into her ear. "Nevertheless you can't bend the world or people in any which you want."
Lloyd looked down. "I want every part of my mechanisms to function exactly as I wish. If we lose Kururugi we'll just have to find another devicer."
Xxx
Rakshata frowned as the large torch cutter was activated. "Be careful please. Any Knightmare entering the field will be immediately shut down."
"Understood." The Knightmare slowly out the cutter to the Lancelot, ready to cut the pilot out.
Inside Suzaku gritted his teeth, looking for a way to escape but couldn't do anything with the Lancelot powered down. However it seemed for the moment luck was on his side as the torch cutter failed to burn through the hatch.
"Damn that's a thick hatch." Tamaki commented from the ground, acting as part of the ground unit guarding the Lancelot. "I wish we had the sword with the rotating blade or Kallen's lightning sword."
"Tamaki." The red head turned to the right, seeing three Britannian students brought to him at gunpoint. "Should we lock them up with the other students?"
"Call Zero!" Shirley said suddenly. "I guarantee that Zero wants us to be safe. If not, something's wrong. He's trying to guard us!"
"Ah shut up!" Tamaki grunted. "Zero and me are tight and I know the man better than anybody. And he's not going to hesitate to shoot anyone at a time like this!"
"Tamaki!" Rakshata shouted, earning everyone's attention. "You will not shoot anyone this close to the field. Take them to other students."
"Huh?" Tamaki looked surprised by Rakshata's orders.
"Do not think you believe you know what Zero would do if he was here. His orders were that no students, teachers, or workers be killed unless there was no choice. And considering these three are unharmed I say that the need to shoot them is unnecessary." Rakshata stated sternly. "Now either do as you are told or would you like to take your chance that Zero won't be mad at you for wasting bullets."
Before Tamaki could answer a light shined down from above and annoying voice echoed across the school grounds. "Good evening everyone!"
Rakshata looked up, her Rinnegan eyes activating on instinct at the voice. "Earl of Pudding. You actually came onto the front lines to get your precious toy." She smirked. "I am almost impressed."
On the bridge of the airship Lloyd narrowed his eyes when he spotted Rakshata smirking, presumable at him. 'Rakshata, I knew you would have something do with this. You've been a busy girl these last months but you're not getting my Lancelot.'
A Knightmare equipped with a flying unit along with the Lancelot Club flew down from the massive ship, firing down on the enemy guarding the Lancelot.
"Retreat! Retreat!" Tamaki shouted as they all scattered.
"Come on!" Milly shouted as she along with Rivalz and Shirley ran back into the bushes.
Tamaki turned around, spotting the students fleeing but was stopped as the new Knightmare landed in front of him. In surprise he shot at it but the Knightmare was armed with the same kind of shields, the Blaze Luminous as the Lancelot.
"Well Miss Cecile how are the test parts working?"
"They're ready to practically be applied." Cecile answered calmly as the air ship fired down on the new surrounding the Lancelot, causing its systems to reactivate.
"It's back on!" Suzaku said in relief.
Cecile appeared on the main screen. "Unlock your fuel hatch. We'll replace your energy filter."
"Right. Why did you out here too, Miss Cecile?" Suzaku asked as the hatch opened.
"Good question. Why did we Lloyd?" Cecile asked.
"Why else? To recover the Lancelot."
"We'll handle things here. You and Rai go after Zero." Cecile stated once the Lancelot was fully powered.
Suzaku nodded. "Yes, I will. Please protect everyone here at Ashford Academy."
"Why of course." Lloyd replied in a seemingly happy tone. "After all my fiancé lives here."
Suzaku and Rai lifted off the ground and took off into the air, flying back into the battle for Japan.
Xxx
Naruto's eyes shot open. "Oh crap."
Lelouch heard Naruto's irritated voice on the radio. "Naruto, what is it?"
"Suzaku escaped the trap and is on his way here with Rai. An airship, likely the same one that attack us on the island is hovering over Ashford" C.C. answered calmly.
"What?!" Lelouch gritted his teeth. "We still have take down Guilford and Nonnette who are leading the counter attack and those two are right behind us? They even have Ashford now."
"Looks like it." Naruto looked in the direction the two were coming from. "Talk about arriving at the last moment. I thought I did those things."
"We got to move!" Lelouch said urgently, worried about his sister.
"Calm down, Lelouch. The academy won't be harmed so as long as no one shoots. We have problems of our own." C.C. retorted as the Lancelot and the Club came into view. "Let's take those two out before they become an even bigger problem."
Lelouch grudgingly nodded. "Very well. Take them out of the battle by whatever means necessary. Just don't-"
"Kill them." Naruto finished. "You go with the others and take that building."
"ZERO!" Suzaku shouted as Lelouch took off to take control of the battle for the government bureau. "You can't escape!"
"Time to go all out on these guys." Naruto said, a grin appearing on his face that C.C. matched with her own.
As one Seizan and Shinryoku activated their energy wings and shot up, moving at high speed and meeting the Lancelot and the Club in the air.
"Seizan." Suzaku gritted his teeth, glaring at the two Knightmares that had been the largest causes for all the chaos that had been happening since day one.
"Suzaku, you sure are one hell of a stubborn guy and from me that's saying something." Naruto commented, his Knightmare holding its nodachi and kunai in its hands, ready for battle. "Seriously, you just keep coming back every time."
"You will not get away with this. Today is the day I make you and Zero pay for all the destruction you have caused!" Suzaku snapped, unsheathing his MVS swords. "Here is where I finally defeat you!"
"Someone has a bruised ego." Naruto commented, scowling. "It's over, Suzaku. Cornelia has been captured, the defenses around the bureau are falling and you don't have any reinforcements to come help you. The Japanese are taking back their country that was stolen from them by Britannia when they invaded without provocation or reason seven years ago."
"I will not allow it! This is not the way! A country built on the blood of innocence is not a country at all!" Suzaki shouted.
"And what do you call Area Eleven or the other Areas? You saying they weren't built on someone's blood?" Naruto growled. "Don't preach that crap to me, Suzaku! I know you don't believe it! This isn't about Japan or Zero it's about you and your father!"
Suzaku's eyes widened in shock.
"You killed your father and you've been guilty about it ever since! You believe the only way to repent is act like a good boy while secretly hoping you'll die in battle and somehow find redemption! Only you've been looking for your so-called redemption at the blood and expense of your own people because in your eyes resisting Britannia is what your father wanted and he died because you didn't believe it that way. You've built your believes around the idea that if everyone follows the rules they get rewarded and any other way is unacceptable." Naruto said, pointing a finger at the Lancelot. "You've destroyed the lives and dreams of others for your own goals to keep your morals clean and believing if you obey you will be rewarded…You are a traitor, Suzaku. And those who betray their friends, families, and people are lower than trash."
Suzaku gritted his teeth to the point they might actually start to break as he seemingly lost control. "SHUT UP! You think you have the right to lecture me?! You who would rather make war than peace?! You and Zero who use everyone around you for your own selfish lust for power!?"
"Then I guess you can call me a God of War because this what happens when people don't like the views of people like Britannia who treat them as slave and you who would see them in chains to satisfy your own conscious. And for the record I don't need power, especially against someone like you. So you can take that selfish bullshit and shove it up your hypocritical ass." Naruto retorted. "You ran away and abandoned your people and into the arms of the very people who invaded this country on the day you killed your father, abandoning your friends in the process and for what? Just to bow your head and hope and pray for some sort of change if you make yourself a useful scapegoat. You are pathetic Suzaku Kururugi and I for one have no idea what Princess Euphemia, an honorable woman ever saw in you."
"SHUT UP!" Suzaku shouted as the Lancelot shot at Seizan. "DON'T EVER SPEAK OF PRINCESS EUPHEMIA! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SPEAK OF HER!"
Naruto however dodged each and every slash, every kick, every punch, and every form of attack that Suzaku sent his way. "And you do?"
Suzaku had completely lost all form of emotional control, his attacks becoming sloppy, easy to counter, and easy to dodge.
"Suzaku…" Rai whispered in shock, seeing the White Knight attack like a raging berserker.
Naruto spun Siezan through the air as he evaded every one of Suzaku's attacks, easily seeing through them since Suzaku had abandoned any form of coordinated planning. The energy wings made Seizan faster than the Lancelot and Naruto had been fighting ever since he was young.
"STAND STILL AND FIGHT YOU COWARD! YOU, ZERO, YOUR LIVES ARE A BLIGHT ON THE WORLD!" Suzaku roared, slashing wildly.
"A lot of people could say the same for you and Britannia!" Naruto retorted, finally blocking with his nodachi and fired his kunai.
The kunai flew past the Lancelot's head but Naruto whipped the cable line, causing it wrap around the Lancelot's shoulder and Naruto flew down, pulling the Lancelot with him.
"Suzaku!" Rai shouted, angling the Club fly after them but C.C. flew up in front of him.
"Sorry, Rai." C.C. whispered, blocking the Club and ready to fight. "This is not a fight you can win."
Rai grunted and aimed his VARIS rifle at her but C.C. was ready.
"Wind Style: Wind Blades." C.C. swung Shinryoku's arms wide open, releasing concentrated wind in the form of blades that cut through the rifle and move of the Club, cutting the arms and legs off.
The Club would have fallen to the ground below and the height would have killed Rai in impact but C.C. grabbed the Club by the back, keeping it in the air.
"Lucky for you I actually am a bit of a softie on the inside." C.C. mumbled. "Thanks to a certain blond in my life."
"SEIZAN!" Suzaku screamed as he tried to break free but Naruto kept pulling him down. "YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS! YOU AND ZERO WILL BE STOPPED!"
"Not by you, Suzaku." Naruto replied and somersaulted Seizan up, delivering a kick to the torso, releasing the Lancelot and sending it shooting down to the street below.
The whole time Suzaku screamed out before hitting the ground hard enough to kick up dust and crack the road open. Naruto landed on the ground and watched as the dust cleared, looking at a badly damaged Lancelot and could tell Suzaku was alive but he was injured.
"You cannot change a system that does not care for the people who serve it." Naruto remarked, looking up and watching as the defenses around the government bureau finally fell.
The battle would soon be over after that.
Xxx
Rakshata laughed as she watched Naruto and C.C. defeat the Lancelot and the Club from inside the academy. "All too easy, Earl of Pudding!"
Meanwhile in the airship Lloyd growled as the readings on the Lancelot and the Club all read as critical. "What's happening?! Has something happened to my Club and Lancelot?!"
"Lloyd, what is going on?" Cecile asked over the radio.
"The Lancelot and Club have suffered extensive damage! What have those two done?!" Lloyd banged the console.
"Having a rough day, Earl of Pudding?"
Lloyd's eyes shot up as Rakshata's voice came from the radio. "Rakshata…"
"Sounds like your second rate toys were dismantled. If you need confirmation I can gladly upload you an image." Rakshata laughed.
"Second-rate?! SECOND RATE?!" Lloyd screamed out, his face becoming manic and just plain scary to the bridge crew. "MY LANCELOT IS NOT SECOND RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!"
Needless to say Lloyd had effectively deafened the entire school with his loud scream since he had left the radio on.
Milly actually sweat-dropped from where she was hiding. "Seriously, this is the guy my parents are trying to hook me up with?"
Xxx
"I see." Kaguya said before hanging up and looked at Euphemia. "Suzaku Kururugi and Rai were just defeated moments ago by Zero's knights."
"I see…" Euphemia trailed.
Kaguya smiled. "Don't worry, they are still alive. Zero wouldn't order them killed but they will have to be captured."
Euphemia offered a saddened smile as she nodded. "Of course."
Xxx
"Damn it!" Tamaki swore as he and the others traded fire with Cecile who showed surprising skill in her Knightmare but having Blaze Luminous and a flight unit helped greatly. "Can't we at least hold this place?"
"It will only be until all the students have boarded the ship. Hang in there." Lloyd advised.
"Yes I will." Cecile complied, keeping the Black Knights back long enough to evacuate the school. Her scanners picked up something and spotted an opening in the ground. "Why am I reading a thermal reaction in there?"
An elevator came up with a Knightmare, the Ganymede with something attached to the chest.
"The Ganymede? What in the world is that antique doing active?" Rakshata wondered.
Milly, Shirley and Rivalz watched as the Knightmare came up with Milly recognizing it instantly. "Can it be…NINA!"
She wasn't the only to realize something was wrong as Lloyd spotted the device and actually became concerned. "Oh hell! Cease fire! That goes for you too, Black Knights!"
Rakshata activated her Rinnegan and saw a large amount of energy in the device. "What is this?"
"Call a temporary truce! We can't fire on that!" Lloyd exclaimed.
"Listen everyone! Do as he says! Hold your fire!" Rakshata quickly ordered. 'If it's got Lloyd that panicked then…'
Lloyd sighed in relief and looked at the Knightmare. "Nina, did you complete it?"
In the cockpit Nina looked absolutely determined. "There wasn't enough time to test. I don't know if it will explode. Though I'll try to…"
Milly rushed forward. "Nina, what did you mean by explode?"
"Stay back!" Cecile landed in front of the Ashford Heiress.
"If her theory is correct that thing may destroy the entire Tokyo Settlement." Lloyd explained.
"But that isn't possible." Tamaki denied.
"Believe it! She's been using Sakuradite!" Cecile replied, causing even Tamaki to stop and realize how serious it was.
"Where is Zero holding her? Where is he hiding her? Tell me so I can save Princess Euphemia!" Nina shouted, her hands around the trigger shaking.
Luckily for everyone Nina suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed, dropping the trigger.
"Quickly, someone deactivate that device!" Lloyd shouted.
"I'm on it." Cecile came up to the Ganymede and stepped out of the cockpit. "She must have feinted from the stress."
As Cecile worked on disarming the device Nunnally watched a nearby window with Sayako appearing next to her in a puff of smoke. "Good work, Sayoko."
"Thank you, Lady Nunnally. It was fortunate our eyes spotted the energy from the device." Sayoko bowed to her lady.
Nunnally nodded and closed her eyes. "The battle is ending. My brother has pushed back the defenses around the government bureau and with Cornelia captured the battle will soon end."
"What will you do when it is over, my lady?" Sayoko asked.
Nunnally opened her eyes. "I will wait for when the time is right. As Zero leads the revolution as head of the Black Knights, Infinity will watch from the shadows and plot the downfall of the Emperor and his secret order. Is V.V. secured?"
"Yes, my lady. My animals are keeping a close watch on him and should he try anything they know what to do." Sayoko nodded.
Nunnally smiled and looked more like her brother in that moment than ever before. "Good. Then for now…Let's watch as a new nation is born."
*Chapter 33*: Chapter 33Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Smoke rose up into the sky, almost creating clouds that would have eaten the sky and blocked out the sun but that did not dampen the mood of the people. Cheers from over thousands of people echoed as the fighting ended and they came out of their shelters, celebrating with the soldiers who had fought on their behalf. Flags of Britannia were being torn down as the people of Area Eleven, Japan rejoiced their new found freedom and hailed the man who saved them and led his army to victory:
Zero and the Black Knights.
Leading his forces Zero defeated Cornelia li Britannia and took over the Government Bureau, establishing it as his new headquarters, his soldiers capturing and arresting any remaining Britannian soldiers and bureaucrats, imprisoning them down below in the holding cells. Among them were Cornelia li Britannia, her knight Guilford, the Glaston Knights who managed to survive but were captured by Zero's knights, Lloyd Asplund along with Cecile Croomy, Rai and Suzaku Kururugi. When word of Cornelia and the bureau's capture resistance from the remaining Britannian forces had been effectively crippled and any survivors had either fled or surrendered.
The battle had been costly but luckily Zero's strategy involved sparing much of the infrastructure for the Black Knights to use in the takeover.
Lelouch was in Cornelia's office, looking through her files on everything regarding Japan and information on the homeland. Specifically he was looking for battle plans, fleet deployments, military records, and everything else he could find and use against Britannia when the time was right.
'Everything I need is right here. Cornelia knew reinforcements would be coming and purposely leaked it to try lure me in and either capture or kill me. An effective plan but she didn't count me using my Geass to turn the battlefield against her. The Pacific fleet will be on the way to try recapture the settlement and with our forces low from the early battle it will not be easy to counter. At least not without Naruto and C.C. using their full powers out in the open.' Lelouch frowned, his mind racing. 'I'll need to make an effective strategy and quick. I better speak with the others.'
A ring on the phone, Cornelia's personal phone earned his attention and he answered. "Yes, this is Zero."
"Zero, or should I call you Lelouch?"
Lelouch's eyes widened as he gripped the phone. "Who is this?"
"Don't remember me, Lulu. That's hurtful after I spent so much time with you back at Areas Villa."
That voice…
"Nonnette." Lelouch whispered, remembering the infamous Knight from his childhood. "How did you-"
"Did you think I wouldn't predict you would take Nelly's office as your own? Come on Lulu, it's like you don't know me at all." The woman laughed.
"So you knew…But how?" Lelouch whispered, glancing at the door.
"Lulu, I think we need a little talk."
Xxx
Kallen almost spent the whole morning smiling.
It had been a long battle but they had won.
They had defeated Britannia and took back their country.
That thought alone made her so happy, something she had not truly felt in a long time. She came up to the door to the office Lelouch was using and knocked on it.
"Zero?" Kallen asked, remembering to be careful about Zero's true identity. "Zero are you there?"
She slowly opened the door and peeked inside, seeing the room completely empty. Kallen stepped in and looked around, seeing it was luxurious and fancy looking as she had come to expect from Britannian décor.
"Guess he stepped out." Kallen said, looking around the room.
However her ears perked up when she heard water splashing from the private bathroom this office had.
"Hm?" Kallen walked over to the door and knocked on it. "Zero is that you?"
There was the sound of shuffling and suddenly the door opened.
"Ze-AAHH!" Kallen jumped and screamed, her face going complete red like her hair.
The reason why?
C.C. was standing at the door, soaking wet from head to toe, looking annoyed and didn't have a single bit of clothing on her. "Looking for someone?"
"Why are you naked?!" Kallen spun around to not look at the naked immortal who stood shamelessly at the door.
C.C. raised an eyebrow. "It's a bathroom with a large bath inside. Is it hard to figure out or do you just now shower?" She smirked at the dirty pilot suit Kallen had worn for two days now. "Considering how dirty you look I guess you don't even use that large bathroom back at your house."
Kallen sputtered and growled.
"Come on, Cera. Leave her alone." Naruto's voice came from behind.
Kallen glanced her shoulder and her face was even redder as Naruto came out, only he was wearing a towel so at least he knew the meaning of modesty.
C.C. sounded annoyed. "I told you not to call me that around other people."
"Kallen's not other people, she's one of your contractors. And let's not forget even if things are different now you're as much human as I am no matter what you say or believe." Naruto retorted but not unkindly.
"Be that as it may she still interrupted us and I don't kindly to that." C.C. said, looking at Kallen with a grin. "I guess we'll have to just punish her."
"Excuse me?" Kallen turned around, glaring at C.C. but still blushed since the green haired former Code-Bearer made no attempt to cover herself. "Punish me?"
"Yes. Since you interrupted us during our cleaning time I as your contractor order to get in here so we can clean you up properly. You have some nerve walking around all dirty like that, especially since you are a fellow contractor. Since you have no form of personal hygiene I guess we'll have to clean you ourselves." C.C. explained, her grin turning into a sadistic smirk.
Kallen glared at the former immortal. "I'm not going to join in some orgy!"
"I think we're done anyway, Cera." Naruto stepped away from the door, knowing C.C. well enough what to expect.
"I'm not." C.C. said and grabbed Kallen by the collar of her pilot suit.
"Hey-" The red head tried to pull her hand off but C.C. used her enhanced strength to pull Kallen into the bathroom and shut the door.
There was a scream and then a splashing sound followed by the sounds of struggling as Kallen shouted curses at C.C who was silent but Naruto watched as water leaked out from under the door.
Then again Naruto wasn't sure he wanted to know what his green haired girlfriend was doing.
"Honestly, that girl…" Naruto sighed at C.C. and her antics.
It didn't help that C.C. was sharing her vision with him and the others of her washing Kallen from head to toe.
Xxx
Rakshata raised an eyebrow as she leaned back on her couch, originally looking over the data for the Lancelot and the Club with an amused grin. "Well…A victory followed by some morning entertainment."
Xxx
Sayoko sighed as she cut herself out the shared vision. "Some things should not be shared."
Nunnally giggled. "C.C. really has no boundaries."
Xxx
Euphemia was thankful that Lelouch allowed her to visit the holding cells and thankful that she wouldn't need an escort. This was a personal matter and she didn't want anyone aside from those close to her hearing what might be said. She opened the door to her sister's cell and was thankful to see her older sister was badly hurt in any way and her wounds were even bandaged. She was tied to a chair but not in any way that left her uncomfortable.
"Sister." Euphemia smiled as Cornelia's head shot up and nearly teared up seeing her.
"Euphy." Cornelia whispered as Euphemia came up and hugged her. "I was so worried about you."
"Not as much as I should have been about you. I was not in the heart of the battlefield." Euphemia replied, still hugging Cornelia. "I'm glad you weren't hurt too badly."
"Euphie…Did you know Lelouch was Zero?" Cornelia asked.
Euphemia pulled away and looked her sister in the eye. "Yes. I suspected since the incident at Kawaguchi and then I saw him on Kamine Island."
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Cornelia cried out. "Didn't I deserve to know?! Do you know what he's done as Zero?"
"I wanted to…But I didn't want Lelouch and Nunnally to be put in danger. Lelouch, he still hurts from his mother's death. He blamed the Royal Family for his mother's death and it was only Nunnally keeping him from doing what he had done sooner." Euphemia explained.
"Nunnally, is she all right?" Cornelia asked, anxious to know of her other little sister.
Euphemia nodded. "She is doing so well. She is no longer blind and crippled. She found someone to heal her of the injuries that our own people refused to do. She no longer cares about the dealings of the Homeland and the Royal Family."
"Does she know about Lelouch?" Cornelia asked.
"I believe so…Nunnally would be able to see through her brother no matter what deception he would try."
"And Clovis? Why did Lelouch murder him? Clovis was as close to him and Nunnally as we were." Cornelia questioned.
Euphemia became sad. "I didn't ask…But Lelouch held Clovis in contempt for his actions in Shinjuku. I didn't want to believe it but he claimed Clovis ordered the massacre of all its people because he was afraid of being disowned by Father."
Cornelia shook her head in denial. "That's impossible…Clovis wouldn't do such a thing. He wouldn't have what it takes to do such a thing."
"I didn't want to believe you would do the same in Saitama but you did, Sister." Euphemia countered sadly. "I never condoned Lelouch's actions but I understood them after I was betrayed."
"Betrayed? At the Special Zone? Suzaku claimed it was a trick." Cornelia replied.
Euphemia closer her eyes and looked away. "I tried to tell him it wasn't a trick but he didn't believe me. It was all true. Lelouch and I were attacked and they attempted to frame him for my death but they failed and then they tried to kill him on stage to start a revolt from the Japanese who believed I was to blame. If not for Lelouch and his friends we would have died in the Special Zone…I couldn't forgive myself for letting such a thing happen when I was the one who proposed the zone and I couldn't hope to keep it from happening again after I gave up my claim to the throne."
"You what?!" Cornelia gasped. "Why would you do that?!"
"Because I don't care about the throne." Euphemia looked her sister in the eyes. "I never once held an interest in gaining the throne. I never cared about our father's policies. I wanted the zone to exist to end the fighting between you and Lelouch. He was going to agree to help me but the choice I made condemned me."
"Euphie…" Cornelia trailed off as she digested her sister's words.
"That was when I decided if I could not save our brother from the fighting…I would at least stand with him. I wanted to be by his side and remind him he was not alone." Euphemia stood up. "Lelouch killed Clovis, yes but he wouldn't have done so without good reason and he would never lie to me. It breaks my heart to know Clovis intentionally murdered so many people for no good reason but at least I know the truth. If Lelouch stopped caring about us he would have killed me at Kawaguchi and he would have killed you as well, sister. Please, try to understand what has happened before you judge him.
I will be back for you but I have to see someone else."
Cornelia watched in stunned silence as Euphemia walked out of the cell, sending a smile before the door closed.
Her older sister was actually the easier.
Now comes the hard part.
She approached the door to Suzaku's cell and opened it, looking inside and seeing Suzaku strabbed to a chair like her sister.
He looked up and his face lit up with shock and happiness when he saw her. "Euphie."
Euphemia smiled as she walked forward. "Suzaku, are you all right?"
Suzaku looked over, seeing her wearing a black and silver dress that fit her well and noticed the Black Knight's symbol sewn into the chest, above the heart. "Euphie, what has he done to you?"
"Suzaku?" Euphemia said.
"Did he force you to join the Black Knights?" Suzaku quickly asked.
"Force me? Suzaku, I am here by choice. I wanted to see you." Euphemia replied.
"Euphie, you have to get me out. We have to get out and stop Zero. He'll kill you and everyone else to get what he wants!" Suzaku said, struggling against his bonds. "We have to go! Stop him! Stop him before he plunges this country into never ending war!"
"Suzaku…" Euphemia stepped back. "Zero would never hurt me or you."
"Yes he would! Look at what he's done! He's going to kill so many people if he's not stopped! Please Euphie, try to see through his lies!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"He's my brother!" Euphemia cried out, causing Suzaku to stop. "My brother…Lelouch is Zero and he would never hurt me."
Suzaku's eyes were wide as dinner plates as he stared at Euphemia in shock.
"I know who he is…I've known since Kamine Island and that is why I wanted to create the Special Zone. I wanted to end the fighting for him and for our sister Nunnally. I wanted us to come together and be a family again.
But then I was betrayed and I nearly got him killed so I surrendered to him and went to be with him and Nunnally." Euphemia explained, trying to get through to Suzaku.
"Lelouch…is…LELOUCH IS ZERO!" Suzaku roared, causing Euphemia to shrink back. "HE WOULD DO ALL THIS?! START A WAR AND MURDER AND MANIPULATE HIS OWN FAMILY!? HOW CAN HE JUSTIFY HIMSELF?!
LELOUCH COME OUT AND SHOW YOURSELF YOU COWARD! YOU DECIEVE EVERYONE AROUND YOU AND BETRAY THEM!"
Euphemia stepped back, her form trembling at the pure rage Suzaku was emitting as he thrashed against his bonds.
"EUPHIE YOU HAVE TO RELEASE ME OR YOU WILL DIE! YOU WILL DIE! WAKE UP! DON'T LET HIM CONTROL YOU!"
Euphemia couldn't take it anymore.
She turned and ran, shutting the door behind her and just ran, tears slipping down her cheeks.
This couldn't be real.
She thought Suzaku would understand.
But he became so different.
She tried to reason with him but all he did was become enraged, becoming like some sort of rabid animal motivated by some sort of primal rage.
She couldn't see anything of the Suzaku she thought she knew in those maddened eyes.
She couldn't see the one she thought she loved.
And that made it all the more heartbreaking for her.
She could only run away as far as she could.
Away from Suzaku.
Away from the rage.
Away from the one she thought she knew.
The one she thought she loved.
Xxx
"That girl's really something else sometimes." Naruto said, having gotten dressed and left the office.
Of course he left a bathrobe for Kallen to use given that her pilot suit would absolutely soaked or wrecked by the end of it and because C.C. wouldn't care for such things. He just hoped the two didn't destroy the entire building, especially since even though the battle was over the war was just beginning.
SLAM!
Naruto stopped and looked up just in time as Euphemia ran straight down the hall and slammed into him because she wasn't looking completely. "OOF!"
Naruto fell onto his back with Euphemia on top of him and she looked up at him, showing her own tear stained face. "Nar-Naruto?"
"Whoa, Euphie? You okay." Naruto instinctively hugged Euphemia after seeing she had been crying. "Have you been crying? What's wrong?"
"It-its Suzaku…" Euphemia buried her face into Naruto's shoulder as she started to tear up again. "I went to see him and he thought Lelouch was controlling me! He got angry and started screaming, saying Lelouch was going to kill me and that I was being manipulated into joining him!"
Naruto scowled as he hugged Euphemia a little tighter and let her cry. 'Suzaku you asshole. This girl…She had feelings for you and you pissed all over it because your stupidity.'
It was like watching Sasuke and Sakura all over again.
Euphemia had feelings for Suzaku before, the two of them getting close but Suzaku became too focused on trying to fight the Black Knights, all in the same of some form justice of a country that built its fortune on the backs of others and warped sense of peace that was being forced on everyone who didn't agree. Honestly it made Naruto want to go down to Suzaku's cell and beat the living shit out of him for refusing to open his eyes and understand why the Japanese and everyone else enslaved by Britannia fought for their freedom.
And for breaking this Euphie's heart.
Suzaku was a really nice guy at school but he focused too much on what he believed to be right and considered everything else wrong. He believed he was helping everyone but it still robbed people of their lives and dreams to say nothing of the people who fought back for their own people and ideals.
Suzaku was basically forcing his beliefs on others and saw no wrong in that.
Naruto sighed as helped Euphemia to her feet. "Come on, let's get you something."
Naruto led Euphemia back into the officer, Cornelia's former office and saw Kallen sitting at a chair in the corner, wearing the bathrobe he had left for her and was glaring daggers at C.C. who wore a simple towel to cover herself.
Not that she cared if she did or not.
"Oh, bringing in a third girl are we, Naruto?" C.C. said with a teasing grin.
"Not now, Cera. Our princess here just had a bad encounter with Suzaku." Naruto said as he brought Euphemia over to the nice chair her sister used and sat her down.
Kallen glanced at the saddened look on Euphemia's face. "What happened?"
Naruto scowled. "He accused her of being manipulated by Lelouch and screamed out that he was going to kill her and everyone around her."
Kallen cast a sympathetic glance at Euphemia. "He said that? What's his problem?"
"To be fair he was likely deceived by a lie told to him by V.V." C.C. commented, examining her finger nails.
"V.V.?" Kallen asked.
"The little shrimp tried to abducting Nunnally from Ashford Academy but quickly found out how much of a bad idea that was. We have him locked up somewhere and fortunately unlike me he only has immortality and the ability to grant Geass, nothing else." C.C. said with a smirk. "Knowing him he likely told Suzaku about Geass and made him think the incident at the Special Administrative Zone was caused by Zero using Geass to manipulate the outcome."
"Geass?" Euphemia asked, perking up at the conversation. "What is Geass?"
Naruto sighed. "A long story, Euphie. A very long story. Anyways Suzaku is not going to be convinced anytime soon and he likely knows about Lelouch."
"Does it matter if he does?" C.C. asked rhetorically. "The Japanese will no doubt see him as a traitor now. Why would they believe a word he says? And if he somehow makes it back to Britannia it won't matter because Charles will tell him to keep his mouth shut."
"Wait…What do you mean by that?" Euphemia asked, staring at C.C. "Does my father know about Lelouch?"
"He's likely known since Zero's debut." C.C. shrugged. "Charles is many things, randy as a rabbit on steroids being one of them."
Naruto shuddered in disgust along with Kallen while Euphemia actually twitched an eye at that comment.
"There's no way he wouldn't have suspected Lelouch being Zero and it's also likely he's been watching everything closely while letting Cornelia and V.V. do all the dirty work." C.C. continued. "He won't make any moves yet, especially with V.V. captured. He'll need to keep an eye on the Geass Order since V.V. is not around as their leader anymore."
"Meaning we have some time to figure out what our next move is before they launch a full scale counter attack." Naruto replied.
Kallen glanced at Naruto. "A counter-attack?"
"You didn't think Britannia was just going to take this lying down, did you? They're probably sending an invasion fleet to take back the country as we speak." Naruto answered.
Euphemia sadly agreed. "Yes, they likely have. It will no doubt be the Pacific Fleet, led by Schneizel."
"So what do we do? Where's Lelouch?" Kallen stood up.
Naruto frowned. "Good question."
He must have slipped away for some reason but he had no idea where the former prince might have gone. He could just sense Lelouch's Geass signature but to be honest Naruto wanted to hold off on that because he wanted to speak with Suzaku.
And he also wanted to speak with Rai as well.
"Lulu has the kunai Naruto gave him so if he is in dangerous and we are not so helpless without out him." C.C. said dismissively. "We'll just start preparing for the coming invasion."
Xxx
Lelouch followed Nonnette's instructions came down into a tunnel underneath the government bureau and sure enough saw her standing in the tunnel, waiting for him.
"Hi, Lulu." Nonnette waved at him.
"Nonnette." Lelouch said, readying his Geass, not even bothering to change out of his Zero outfit. "I should have known you'd evade capture."
"And I should have guess you were Zero." Nonnette stated, her smile fading slightly. "It was all there. The vendetta against Homeland and the Royal Family, the skills and familiarity with our tactics, and your refusal to harm Euphie or Nelly."
"You suspected me?" Lelouch asked.
"I saw you at the carnival at Ashford with Nunnally and Euphie. I knew if she refused to tell Nelly it had to be because you didn't want to be found." Nonnette smirked. "Clovis and Nelly weren't doing their job if they didn't check Ashford Academy, a school run by the very family who supported Lady Marianne."
"And when you suspected me of being Zero." Lelouch stated.
"At the Special Zone, the way you protected Euphie." Nonnette frowned. "Is what Kururugi said true? Did you set it up?"
Lelouch shook his head. "No, I didn't. Euphie actually convinced me with work with her but I should have suspected that something like that would happen."
"You mean like what happened with your mother?"
Lelouch scowled. "My mother was murdered and the Emperor knew who did it but he didn't care. He just sent me and Nunnally away, not caring that he was sending us into a warzone."
"And Clovis? You murdered your own brother." Nonnette stated.
"Clovis was trying to preform research on live human beings and when he was afraid of his secret getting out he ordered the people in Shinjuku to be killed. No matter what he believed there was no excuse for that." Lelouch retorted.
"Live human beings?" Nonnette looked surprised. "Clovis?"
"I was surprised as well but I have all the notes and records on what he and General Bartley were doing. What he did was horrible and inexcusable." Lelouch answered honestly.
And Nonnette could tell just by looking at him. "So this is the path you've chosen."
"I chose this path seven years ago when I watched Britannia invade with no regard for me or my sister. I meant every word I said as Zero." Lelouch stated.
Nonnette sighed. "I shouldn't be surprised. But I have what I came for."
Lelouch was ready to use his Geass but was surprised as Nonnette turned around. "Aren't you going to attack me?"
"There's no point now, Lulu. Even if I captured or killed you the fact is I couldn't hope to take back the bureau on my own and my main mission for coming here is finished." Nonnette explained.
"Main mission?" Lelouch questioned.
"I was sent here to observe Zero and report back to the Emperor if I discovered anything that could possibly confirm his identity…I now suspect the Emperor suspected you were Zero." Nonnette explained.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "He knew about me? This whole time?"
"At this point I wouldn't be surprised." Nonnette sighed. "As you can see Lulu the politics have not changed much since you were gone. I can only say this much, the only reason the Emperor didn't do anything until now was because he didn't have confirmation."
"You're going to inform him?"
"Does it matter if I do?"
Lelouch closed his eyes for a second. "No. Let him know I'm coming and let him know that when I see him again he will actually answer my questions regarding that day. I know who killed my mother and I know that he knew about it and did nothing."
Nonnette raised an eyebrow. "You know who killed Lady Marianne?"
"Yes, it was someone close to her and the Emperor. He knew about it from the beginning and did nothing." Lelouch spat.
Nonnette thought this over and sighed again. "Like I said, the politics haven't changed. See ya around, Lulu. Take care of Euphie and Nelly for me."
Lelouch watched as Nonnette vanished into the darkness of the tunnel, thinking over what he had learned from her.
If the Emperor knew he was alive he might have been planning for this all to happen.
But on the other hand Lelouch still had an ace in the hole.
It was very likely the Emperor didn't know about Naruto and C.C. or the Rinnegan which gave Lelouch the overall advantage in their future encounter.
So when they did meet Lelouch would be ready.
But for now he would settle for the next part of his plan: the birth of the new nation.
Xxx
"People of Japan! Seven years ago, when Britannia invaded, the country known as Japan was burned and Area Eleven was built in its place. And yet from the ashes of the fallen country, its people rose up and stayed true to the ideals and name of their home and now today you can now stand with pride, with your heads raised and freely declare yourselves to be Japanese once more!"
The people of Japan erupted into a loud cheer that echoed across the entire country as Zero addressed them.
"Now we take the first step into a brave new world. Now we take the chance to build and make this country anew. Now we begin the era of the United States of Japan!"
The Black Knights, standing next to Zero on stage listened to the cheering while staring in wonder at Zero themselves.
"The United States of Japan guarantees the health and safety of all its people! We do not follow the laws of Social Darwinism like Britannia that believes to be strong one must violently oppress the people they see as inferior. Our United States ensures us to be strong by valuing human life regardless of race, ideology, or color. We are strong because we stand together, united against any form of tyranny!"
With that said the people of Japan cheered as the flags of Britannia were torn down while Zero walked back into the government bureau with all the top members of the Black Knight.
Xxx
Lelouch sat down at the table, looking at the gathered members of his organization. "I'll keep it quick. First off, I want to know the status of our forces."
Todoh stood up. "Our forces are down to sixty percent. A large number of our Knightmares were destroyed taking the bureau but modifications by Rakshata saved a great many of our soldiers. Any wounded were immediately taken to the Special Zone where Kyoto has set up medical facilities. Any salvageable equipment that we have found has been sent back to the G1."
"With their factories captured we'll be able to produced our own Knightmares in addition to the ones we already had." Chiba spoke up.
"The Six Houses of Kyoto will be begun working on distributing food, water, and medicine to the ghettos. The entire country should have renewed supplies in a matter of days." Kaguya chimed in.
Ohgi smiled. "Then we'll have the entire country rebuilt."
"We will, once we make sure Britannia's counter offensive has failed." Lelouch said, earning everyone's attention.
"Counter-offensive?" Minami questioned.
"Do you think Britannia is not going to take this lying down? As we speak they are preparing their invasion force to take back this country." Lelouch replied.
"You're being unrealistic. We just defeated all of the forces they stationed here." Chiba stated with a scowl.
"And you are being naive." Lelouch retorted. "Have you forgotten that our enemy controls a third of the world? How do you think Britannia made that possible?"
"Zero is right." Naruto spoke up. "My spies have confirmed that a fleet is approaching as we speak."
"Wait? What?!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"It wasn't surprising. Zero found information in Cornelia's files that a fleet was crossing the Pacific Ocean. She intentionally leaked it so we would launch our attack, hoping we'd be so desperate that we would fall into her trap." C.C. said, looking around the room. "Let me remind that the reason that Britannia is mighty is because it is many."
"How large is the fleet?" Kallen asked anxiously.
"Three full battalions with possibly their elite soldiers leading the charge." Naruto answered, looking through the eyes of the shark he had summoned with the power of the Animal Path.
"Impossible!" Ohgi gasped.
"A full on counter-attack and we've barely just finished the last battle." Todoh said grimly.
"Don't worry, everyone." Naruto said with a smile under his mask. "We're ready for this. We've made it this far and Britannia will find out the hard way that they won't be taking this country back anytime soon."
*Chapter 34*: Chapter 34Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Deep beneath the Pendragon, the capital of the Holy Britannian Empire a pair of large doors opened up, revealing a golden light as Emperor Charles zi Britannia stepped out.
"Big brother." The Emperor frowned, having witnessed his brother's capture.
What was more concerning was that Nunnally, his youngest daughter had the same pair of eyes that he had seen several times before. Each time these eyes appeared the Sword of Akasha was damaged, reaching the point that it would take years to repair.
"What are these eyes?" Charles mumbled as he scowled. "Lelouch has gain some new allies and they've helped him along further than I thought possible."
With his brother captured Charles would be forced to find someone else to manage the Geass Order in his absence. If this continued his wayward son would become a dangerous threat to the plan.
This would not do at all.
"I believe it is time, Marianne. That we discipline our children." Charles smirked at a pair at red glowing rimmed eyes.
Xxx
He didn't how long it had been before he finally breathed in the sweet fresh air.
But when he did he took a deep breath and exhaled happily while laughing in exhilaration as he stared up at the sun shining down upon him.
They tried to kill him but he survived.
He was alive.
And he would see to it that all the Empire's enemies would pay.
"All hail…BRITANNIA!"
Xxx
Suzaku looked up as the door opened and in walked two people with familiar cloaks and masks. "Seizan. Shinryoku."
"Nice to see you too, Suzaku." Seizan crossed his arms. "Enjoying our hospitality?"
"What are you here for?" Suzaku demanded.
"Honestly, I might be here to kick your ass before I go out and stop the invasion force from Britannia." Seizan retorted.
"You won't win. You're outnumbered. Zero and the Black Knights will fall and order will be restored." Suzaku spat. "You've lost, Seizan. Lelouch shouldn't have started this. He should have just followed the system to try and change it."
"You really are a moron, you know that?" Seizan brought a hand up to his mask and took it off.
Suzaku's eyes widened as Seizan took his hood off while Shinryoku did the same. He knew them both from Ashford Academy.
"Naruto Uzumaki. Tsunade Senju." Suzaku whispered in shock.
"Nice to finally meet you, Suzaku Kururugi." C.C. said with a smirk.
"You…You were with Lelouch from the first day. You helped him. You and Kallen knew about it the whole time." Suzaku realized.
"The plan was take down Britannia from the start. Lelouch just happened to be someone who agreed with us. Funny how a Prince can decide to take on his own country when a boy helps that country oppress his own people." Naruto spat.
"It was for the best! Nothing could have been gained from everyone dying! My father would have had everyone die for nothing!" Suzaku retorted.
"You're right about one thing. Your father would have had everyone die before they would end up as slaves but that does not excuse deciding to help Britannia oppress them and strip them of their dignity and culture. And it sure doesn't excuse you making Euphie cry just because you can't accept her decision." Naruto scoffed.
"She would never join with you! You brainwashed her!" Suzaku shouted.
"I don't brainwash people, Suzaku, unlike those bastards you serve whom you belief will reward you for kissing their asses. You should check your facts before believing everything you hear. Euphie chose to join us of her own free will and she tried to make you understand. But you just refuse to believe anything out of your sad little delusion. Euphie came down here to help you and you made her cry simply because you refused to listen…To understand how she felt and what she believed." Naruto shook his head. "And to think you say your father and Zero were men who believed the world revolves around them. From where I'm standing that's all you."
"Shut up! What would you know about struggling to change things for the better?! All you care about is making war and causing des-" Suzaku shouted but was cut off as Naruto punched him in the face.
"First off, I know all about trying to change things for the better! Second of all, you help make war on other people every time you're in that cockpit so don't project any of that bullshit on me or anyone who fights for their freedom! Thirdly, your stupid idea won't ever work because a country that runs a third of the planet, with thousands of people liking the system as it is would never accept your idea of change." Naruto growled. "Fourthly, that was for making Euphie cry, you insensitive ass! I've had just about enough of hearing this bullshit so listen up good. So why don't you tell me just how exactly you intended to change the system. I mean you had a plan right?"
"I…I would climb up the ranks to the Knights of the Round. I would become the Knight of One, the best warrior in the Empire. Once I had that I would control Area Eleven and I could make things better." Suzaku argued. "Once I was the Emperor's Right Hand I'll have proved myself and gained the influence to change everything."
Naruto closed his eyes as he sighed. "And oppress more people? How many countries would you conquer before that even happened if it ever actually happened at all? And what about the other Areas?"
"What?" Suzaku looked confused.
"You planned to help them right? Or were you only going to help Japan? Don't you think they need to change for the better? All the people you would have to kill to rise up in rank and you only want to help Japan." Naruto shook his head. "You still don't get it. The system will never change and you would sell your soul with hope for change. The Emperor, the nobles, and anyone else in power don't give a damn about the people in the Areas who are simply numbers to them and you only wanting to run Japan even with the Emperor looking over your shoulders to make sure things go his way and you would go along with it just because you think obeying him would help change the Empire. You'd have sold your friends, family, and people out for nothing."
"You don't know that!" Suzaku shouted.
"Yes I do!" Naruto shouted back. "You're blind and you won't accept that the Japanese and the other Areas will always fight for their freedom! They will not stop so as long the dream of a free world lives within them, their hearts and their dreams. They will always fight against for what Britannia stands for and for what you believe in. When this is all over you'll have a choice to make Suzaku and a lot of people are either going to try and be your friend or they will want you dead for all the choices you made. Think about it."
With that said Naruto turned and walked out the door with C.C. who threw a dismissive glance at Suzaku before closing the door.
Once they were outside Naruto glanced back at the door to Suzaku's cell and let out a frustrated sigh. "This guy, he's so frustrating."
"It can't be helped, Naruto. He's closed his eyes because he can't accept the world he lives in. It does have a side effect of giving people a little betrayal syndrome." C.C. closed her eyes. "I've seen it before, happening to countless people throughout history. Euphie might have seen the small bit of him that was the Suzaku who is Lelouch's best friend but the war and Britannia has poisoned him. He might not ever try to understand."
"And it seems war always has the power to tear best friends apart." Naruto remarked while shaking his head.
"Forget about him, Naruto. If he doesn't want to change his mind it's his choice. You have other things to worry about." C.C. stated sternly.
Naruto sighed but nodded. "The invasion."
Xxx
"This…This is real?" Euphie asked as she stared at the red crest in Kallen's left eye.
Kallen nodded as she deactivated her Geass. "Yep. Geass, the Rinnegan, all those powers Naruto and C.C. have. It's all real. Surprising huh?" Kallen smirked. "I could hardly believe it myself but they…Showed me."
Kallen had been telling Euphie about Geass and the Rinnegan, including the ones she and Lelouch had. Euphie believed her brother wouldn't actually control anyone against their will but Kallen said he only used it when necessary after she told her what his Geass was. Then she went on to show the former princess her own Geass, the Power of Absolute Vision and how it worked. Once she explained Geass she did her best to explain what the Rinnegan was but Naruto and C.C. didn't tell her a whole lot about it. Naruto did tell her about his origins, coming from another world where people like him used all sorts of amazing powers every day and that he got the Rinnegan when C.C. tried to give him Geass.
The result was a fusion of his and her powers, giving them both the Rinnegan and linking them together apparently. And C.C. had already granted two people the Rinnegan, linking their vision together and granting them a special power, one of six for both of them.
Naruto had jokingly called these powers the Six Paths of the Rebellion.
"Giving away little secrets, Kallen?"
The two girls looked and watched as C.C. entered the office with a smirk that caused Kallen to frown. "Do you even care C.C.?"
"Not really. Just as long as she doesn't touch my pizza, I'm fine." C.C. sighed as she sat down at Cornelia's desk. "Besides, it was bound to come out sooner or later."
"So it's true?" Euphe stood up and walked up to the desk. "Geass, the Rinnegan, and my brother."
C.C.'s yellow eyes morphed into the Rinnegan with the purple Geass crest under the center pupil, shocking Euphie who stared into the ringed eyes. "Does this answer your question?"
"And you gave my brother this Geass?"
"Yes but the way it manifested was according to his desires." C.C. nodded casually.
"But why? Why give him such a dangerous power?" Euphie asked, worried about her brother. "How could he even use such a power when he hates being controlled? He would not force his will on anyone."
"You're actually right, he wouldn't. He wanted to destroy Britannia and help change the world. I merely offered him a way to increase his chance of actually winning. Geass is just a tool for him to use to help him accomplish this goal. In exchange for Geass he would fulfill whatever I wish in return, no questions asked." C.C. answered as her Rinnegan deactivated. "I offered Kallen Geass because she has potential and fights for pretty much the same reason. Geass can be a curse but in the hands of the right people it can be a power that changes everything."
"And the Rinnegan?" Euphie questioned.
C.C. closed her eyes. "It is the power that changes everything. That is why Naruto and I have to be careful with how we use it. We could no doubt destroy Britannia on our own but Naruto believes power alone is not the answer and I happen to agree if for the sake that I'm too lazy to do all the hard work myself."
"So that is why you help my brother?"
"For the most part." C.C. shrugged.
"And what do you want in return?" Euphie asked and Kallen was interested in what C.C. could want from Lelouch.
C.C. shrugged. "I don't know yet but I will now when the time is right."
"And me? Have you decided what you wish from me?" Kallen asked, not sure what she could offer C.C. given what she had seen of the green haired girl's powers and possibly what she had not seen.
"Nope. I still haven't decided." C.C. suddenly smirked. "But you and are needed. Rakshata has something for us."
Xxx
Naruto looked in awe at Rakshata's newest creations. "You built all this?"
"I got started shortly after you and C.C. went to Japan. It took me some time to design the uniqueness of these new babies." Rakshata said with a big grin on her face.
"Oh man. Kurama and the others love this." Naruto said as he looked at each of the Knightmares.
All nine of them.
"So who pilots them?" Naruto looked back at Rakshata. "Or are these for…"
"They don't have Core Radiance like yours and my other wonderful children do. I believe that the upgrade should come from…The direct source themselves." Rakshata answered.
'What do you think guys?' Naruto mentally asked.
'Let's do it!' Kurama said with a massive grin. 'I've waited too long to pass this up!'
'I agree. Let us aid in defending this new country.' Matatabi said in agreement.
'We are with you, Naruto.' Gyuki said with all the other Biju agreeing.
"Then let's get to work." Naruto said as he moved to the first Knightmare.
The one that was colored bright orange and shaped like a fox.
Xxx
"Are you sure about this, Zero?" Todoh asked as the Arashikage lifted off the ground.
Naruto and C.C. were next, activating their energy wings and flying up into the air alongside Lelouch's Knightmare.
"I am, Todoh. This is the only way to ensure the invasion force doesn't make it to the beaches and force us into a corner. The sea is the perfect place to engage them." Lelouch answered, setting course for out into the Pacific Ocean.
"You will still be outnumbered."
"Don't worry about that. We have a secret weapon." Lelouch answered, looking back at Naruto's Knightmare.
Naruto had approached him earlier, saying there was no need to fight the invasion force on land when they could engage them in the middle of the sea. Lelouch of course pointed out that fighting a large and fully armed fleet with only three Knightmares, even ones that could fly.
Naruto only smirked and told him they had a secret weapon.
Lelouch assumed that Naruto was referring to the Six Paths powers he and C.C. shared and since it was out in the middle of the ocean there was no need for secrecy. The elimination of a fleet would force Britannia to hold back for fear of the E.U. and the Chinese Federation taking advantage of this loss. So with that mind in Lelouch was now leading the counter-attack against the invasion fleet, leaving Todoh in charge. Kallen wanted to come along but the Guren did not have a flight unit and it would take some time to modify it with the energy wings upgrade.
The only reason Rakshata had not upgraded it already was because she did not expect the Guren to gain a pilot as good as Kallen. She made plans to upgrade the Guren for future use but for now it was up to the top three.
"I hope you know what you're up to, Naruto." Lelouch whispered as they began their flight over the ocean.
They would meet up with the invasion fleet in exactly twenty minutes.
Xxx
Nunnally rubbed her head with a towel that Sayoko offered as she stepped out of the Knightmare simulator. "Thank you, Sayoko."
"My pleasure, Lady Nunnally. I should inform you that your brother along with Master Naruto and Lady C.C. are leaving to intercept the Britannian invasion fleet as we speak." Sayoko stated.
Nunnally smiled. "I see…Then I'd better speak with Miss Rakshata."
She sat down in front of the laptop and a second Rakshata appeared on the screen. "Well, Miss Nunnally. How are we feeling today?"
"Great. Thanks in no small part to you, Miss Rakshata…Or should I say Mito." Nunnally said with a grin.
Rakshata's grin widened. "And here I thought my clone's acting was top notch. I went through so much trouble to make it look convincing."
"Oh it was convincing. I just know now it was you or should I say your clone from the very beginning thanks to Naruto and C.C. including me in this bond." Nunnally replied with a smile. "But if we can change the subject, I'd like to speak with you about something else."
"And what is that?"
"A Knightmare…One specialised for me." Nunnally said, turning serious.
"Oh? Little Nunnally now wanting to take to the battle field?"
"Not yet but I need a Knightmare when I am ready. I am ready to send you recordings of my simulation runs to better help you."
"Why not just use the Gawain?"
Nunnally shook her head. "I've looked over the specs for the Gawain and while it is impressive the Gawain is designed for long range combat like my brother's Knightmare. I do better close range."
Rakshata smirked. "You really are the opposite of your brother, you know that? You actually exercise and do your gym classes. It seems between you and your brother you're the one who inherited your mother's talents."
"Thank you for saying that but I'm a long way from matching my mother in combat." Nunnally said before looking slightly sad. "Speaking of my mother did you disarm the bomb Nina attached to the Ganymede?"
"I did. I didn't think that girl would actually go this far. I've looked over the specs of her bomb and if she had detonated it she would have killed herself and everyone in the entire country."
Nunnally shook her head. "I knew Nina was shy but I never thought she was ever this troubled. How could this have happened?"
"Perhaps I can answer that if I take a better look." Rakshata offered. "My Human Path powers can show me what is going on."
"I'd rather not go that far yet." Nunnally said. "I'm not comfortable with you reading her mind without her permission, regardless of her mental state."
Rakshata shrugged. "Very well. Now about your own Knightmare…"
Xxx
"We are on course now, Admiral. Estimated arrival to Area Eleven in ten minutes."
The Admiral nodded, satisfied with the number of ships carrying full platoons of Knightmares armed with their pilots ready while the helicopters and planes above would bomb those filthy Elevens from above, ending any hope of this foolish rebellion. In his mind victory for the Empire was all but assured as a single bunch of ragtag terrorists were no match for an entire a royal fleet, carrying the best soldiers and weapons in all the Empire.
It wouldn't even be a battle at all.
It would what is referred to as a rout.
A humiliation.
A massacre.
Once the terrorists were put down like the rabid dogs that they are he would restore order to Area Eleven and the Emperor would reward him for his efforts. He might even become the new Viceroy of Area Eleven once it is re-established. The impression on the Homeland after learning he personally led the assault that led to the rescue of Princesses Cornelia and Euphemia li Britannia would ensure him as one of the most famous military officers in history.
He could hardly wait for the battle to begin.
"Admiral, I have three objects approaching on radar."
"Can you identify?"
"They seem to be…Knightmares!"
"What?! Impossible! They could not have modified Knightmares to fly faster than we could have!" The Admiral shouted.
"Admiral, they're coming into range!"
Xxx
"The fleet is coming up." C.C. remarked dryly as she stared out in boredom at the incoming Britannian fleet. "Honestly, you dragged me out of here this?"
"Better than to wait for them to us." Naruto retorted.
"I agree…So as long as your plan works, Naruto." Lelouch remarked.
"It will, it will. Don't worry about it, Lelouch." Naruto replied with a smile. "This is where the Guardians of the United States of Japan make their debut."
"The Guardians?" Lelouch questioned.
"Something Rakshata was working on." Naruto said as he closed his eyes. 'Okay guys, it's time for it to happen. You ready?'
"Yes!" All of the Biju said, eager to begin.
Xxx
"Target those Knightmares and blow them out of the sky!" The Admiral shouted, recognizing the three Knightmares as the ones piloted by the top leaders of the Black Knights.
Zero and his masked cronies.
He would destroy them here and now and thus be remembered as Man who killed Zero.
"Locking on-HUH?!" The ship suddenly started shaking.
"What is happening?!" The Admiral gripped his chair.
"We're picking up something…Down below!"
That was when the shacking worsened as a large whirlpool slowly appeared in the middle of the fleet. Boats that were pulled forward were suddenly attack as large metallic appendages resembling tails lashed from out of the water and slowly tore the ships apart.
Lelouch watched in shock as the large Britannian fleet was slowly destroyed by the unknown enemy or enemies right under them. Helicopters fired down on the water, trying to hit whatever was attacking the fleet but to their surprise the ocean exploded, sending up pillars of water that slammed into the helicopters, knocking them out of the sky.
What was once a might Britannian fleet was reduced to wreckage as the perpetrators rose to the surface.
"What in the…" Lelouch trailed off as he stared at them.
"Impressive." C.C. remarked with an impressed look.
They all resembled giant mechanical animals that ranged from common animals to bugs and slugs, one of them even looking like an ox/octopus hybrid and what stood out were the multiple tails. They were nine of them and they all had tails numbered one to nine starting with the sandy colored racoon dog with the one tails to the large orange colored fox with the nine tails.
"Lelouch, let me introduce you to the Biju or in your language the Tailed Beast." Naruto said with a smile.
"Shukaku."
The one tailed Racoon Dog.
"Matatabi."
The two tailed Cat with armor painted with blue flame like patterns.
"Isobu."
The three tailed Turtle.
"Son Goku."
The four tailed red Ape.
"Kokuo."
The five tailed Horse.
"Saiken."
The six tailed Slug.
"Chomei."
The seven tailed Beetle.
"Gyuki."
The eight tailed Ox/Octopus.
"And Kurama."
The nine tailed Fox.
"Say hello guys." Naruto said with a big smile.
The nine Knightmares designed in the image of and powered by the chakra of the nine Biju themselves all roared as one. The Biju controlled these Knightmares directly because of their chakra powering the them. With this the Biju could serve with Naruto in freeing this world from the war started by Britannia and they would not have to fear people exploiting their power.
Not when their power and the science of this world had been combined to create the greatest machines to walk the face of the planet.
And nothing would ever be the same again.
Xxx
When the three Knightmares returned they were greeted with almost the entire Japanese population as they landed in front of the Government Bureau. The Black Knights were at the front, having witnessed the entire one-sided battle which shocked and surprised many of them, even Todoh himself.
Naturally Lelouch had to appear like he knew this was going to happen. "People of Japan, I come before you now to proudly announce that the beginning of our new nation begins now!"
The people shouted even louder.
"As we speak now the Britannian government will have received word of their fleet's defeat and thus pull back for fear of another humiliating defeat. It is during that time that I will ask you all to help rebuild and remake this country as I speak with their leaders and convince them of the folly of attempting to continue this foolish war with us! I know they will listen for Britannia now has reason to fear us, you the people of this new nation, and what we can do as we work towards creating the greatest nation in the world! They have seen our strength and they now know that to continue to fight us is the greatest mistake in their history!" Lelouch thrust his cape out for added effect. "People of the United States of Japan, stand tall and proud now and let us all take the first step into a new world!"
"ZERO! ZERO! ZERO!" The people chanted as one, placing all their faith in him as their savior.
Xxx
"Oh that was sweet! Zero buddy, you got to tell me where you got those!" Tamaki said enthusiastically as they stood in the main command center of the bureau.
"They are my children." Rakshata said with a pleased smirk, relaxing on the red couch she had brought in. "I started creating them shortly before I arrived in Japan. They are not piloted like your typical Knightmare. They are…remote controlled."
"Remote controlled? They seem so life like to me." Ohgi commented.
Rakshata smirked. "That was the idea. It's mostly because the requirements for piloting my 'Tailed Knightmares' are too much for a single human to handle. They are powered by Core Radiance and have been built with experimental technology that for now is too much for a human pilot. They are remote controlled, using the best in virtual technology that allows them to be controlled as if they actually have a pilot inside them."
"So in a sense these 'Biju' are puppets." Todoh remarked which caused Naruto to stifle a chuckle because of how right he was.
"Exactly."
Lelouch nodded. "They proved themselves perfectly on the battlefield, having completely destroyed the Britannian Pacific fleet. With the loss of the fleet Britannia will be forced to pull back to consolidate their forces, especially since the Chinese Federation will already be moving."
"The Chinese Federation?" Kallen asked.
"I have intelligence stating that the Chinese Federation will want to 'offer' us aid and protection from Britannia in exchange for the Sakuradite we have. No doubt they will be hesitant to try and take over like they possibly planned on doing given to how the Britannian fleet was destroyed but they will be watching along with the E.U." Lelouch explained.
"So now they'll be gunning for us?" Inoue asked. "We can't fight them all off."
"And we won't have to." Lelouch said the large computer beeped. "I believe this is the call we are all waiting for."
C.C. casually accepted the call and on the large screen appeared Schneizel el Britannia. "Ah, Zero. I am glad to have reached you. I've been waiting to meet you for some time now. I only wish it could have been face to face."
"I share that sentiment, Prince Schneizel el Britannia. I was actually hoping you would call." Lelouch answered, standing in front of the screen.
Euphie remained silent, wondering slightly what her brother had thought of her decision to surrender herself to the Black Knights and how he would feel if he knew Lelouch was Zero.
"Oh?" Schneizel didn't even blink. "And why would you wish for me to contact you?"
"To discuss a way to properly end the conflict between us. Surely you realize the waste of men and resources caused by this war." Lelouch answered.
"Yes, but even if I do consider your proposal I cannot negotiate with a terrorist."
"Perhaps not but you wouldn't be contacting me if you weren't interested in negotiations." Lelouch replied. "I know that our victory here has caused open rebellion in other parts of the Britannian Empire. You don't have the resources to continue fighting us in addition to the rebellions you are now dealing with. In addition to that the E.U. and the Chinese Federation are no doubt moving to take advantage of the rebellions to push your incursions out of their territory."
Schneizel smiled. "You are remarkably informed, Zero. I have indeed contacted you for the purpose of offering…A ceasefire."
Almost all of the Black Knights were caught off guard by Schneizel's offer but Lelouch continued on. "Interesting. And how do you know I'll accept it?"
"Even if you have destroyed the Pacific fleet sent to take back the country your resources have no doubt been depleted. You cannot hope to continue battling against Britannia in your condition. In exchange for this cease fire we will not make war with you so as long as you do not make war with us."
'This guy's a smooth talker.' Naruto thought.
"A fine offer, Prince Schneizel. One I am willing to accept, under two conditions." Lelouch answered.
"And they would be?"
"My first condition is that as Prime Minister of Britannia you actively acknowledge this country seceding from the Empire and from this point on become known as the United States of Japan. The second will be that you accept an armistice with the United States of Japan and that no Britannian forces will cross into our territory." Lelouch answered.
Schneizel smiled. "A cunning move, Zero. I am truly impressed. Do I have your word that any prisoners or citizens who wish to leave will be allowed to?"
"I am willing to release anyone who wishes to return to Britannia."
"Even Princesses Cornelia and Euphemia li Britannia?" Schneizel glanced at Euphie who let out a silent gasp but otherwise remained composed.
"I would be willing. But I should remind you that Euphemia li Britannia formerly surrendered and gave up her claim to the Britannian Throne." Lelouch pointed out.
"I remember but I must ask all the same."
"As I said, if anyone wishes to leave they will be allowed to."
"Very well, as Prime Minister of Britannia I hereby recognize the United States of Japan as a country not part of the Britannian Empire. The audio recording of our agreement will be enough for the treaty between our two countries." Schneizel said, his smile not leaving his face.
"Agreed. The terms are fair and I will allow the airship that was captured to be used to ferry anyone who wishes to leave to a set of coordinates in international waters. It was an honor speaking with you, Schneizel el Britannia. I hope we will have a chance to do so again."
"As do I, Zero." Schneizel said before the transmission ended.
'Schneizel.' Euphie thought silently.
"Can we trust him to keep his word?" Minami asked. "He could just use this offer as an excuse to launch another invasion."
"Not if he wants his reputation to be smeared." C.C. softly retorted. "As Prime Minister of Britannia he is skilled in diplomacy and politics and has been the reason for the Empire's victories against the E.U. However by offering the recording as proof of this ceasefire if he goes back on his word than negotiations he makes in the future would be seen as a sham and he would be hailed as a liar."
Todoh nodded. "He is bound by his honor to ensure this cease-fire is genuine."
"So now what?" Ohgi asked.
"It's simple…We celebrate." Lelouch answered, facing everyone.
"Celebrate?" Kallen asked, surprised that Lelouch would even suggest such a thing.
"We have achieved a great victory by convincing Schneizel el Britannia to recognize us as a foreign nation, thus ensuring our goal of a free Japan." Lelouch explained. "A celebration is the perfect to boost morale."
"I agree." Todoh said, surprising everyone. "A celebration is what the people need to show them that they do not need to fear another invasion."
"Yes, a celebration is exactly what the people need." Deithard actually agreed.
"So…Tamaki is in charge, I assume?" Naruto asked with a smile under his mask at the surprised look on Tamaki's face.
"Me?" Tamaki pointed at himself.
"I believe he will be perfect." Lelouch nodded. "Think you can handle it?"
"Handle it? Yeah I can handle it!" Tamaki said with a big smile. "Just you watch, Zero! I'll through the biggest party ever!"
With that said Tamaki pulled Minami and Inoue out of the room, already making a list of what he wanted for the party.
"And now that is taken care of-" Lelouch stated.
"You can actually get some sleep." Naruto spoke up, earning everyone's attention. "Almost everyone in this room has gone without sleep for two days straight. Unless you want the people of Japan to see you all with dark circles under your eyes you'd better take a nap. That goes double for you, Zero."
Lelouch sighed in reluctant agreement. "Seizen is right. We have earned at least a moment's rest for now. I have some personal errands to run so in the meantime you all should get some sleep while you can. Given Tamaki's enthusiasm the party will be a little…big."
That was the understatement of the century.
Lelouch let out a small yawn, realizing how tired he was and reluctantly agreed with Naruto's suggestion. But first he had someone to visit.
Xxx
Suzaku's eyes shot up as the cell door and they glared hotly with rage. "Zero…Lelouch."
Lelouch slowly took off his mask and looked at Suzaku with a calm face. "Hello Suzaku."
The Black King and the White Knight stared at each other, none of them speaking for what to them almost felt like an eternity.
"Looking back on it, Zero's identity was so obvious but I refused to believe you would actually start a war simply for revenge." Suzaku stated darkly. "Are you so much like your family that you'd sacrifice everyone around you just for revenge?"
"I could say the same for you, considering your blind undying loyalty to the very country that invaded your homeland." Lelouch retorted.
"At least I was trying to change things for the better! You've made everything worse, especially once the counter-force arrives." Suzaku growled.
Lelouch smirked. "There was a counter-force…Fortunately I came prepared."
Suzaku was surprised but then glared. "Your bluffing. You could not stop an entire invasion force."
"I did…And my brother Schneizel offered a ceasefire to us due to other rebellions taking place across the Empire. In exchange for a cease-fire he agreed to recognize Area 11, Japan as an independent nation." Lelouch explained, watching as Suzaku stared at him in shock. "It's over, Suzaku. Japan is returning as a new nation, free of Britannia's tyranny."
Suzaku however was less than happy. "You-Do you know what you've done?!"
Lelouch looked confused. "I helped your people."
"You've condemned them! A nation founded on blood is not a nation at all! It's a gang of pirates who believe they can succeed through killing and making war! You've torn apart any chance for true peace with your bloody crusade!" Suzaku shouted furiously.
Lelouch glared back. "And what about you? How can you justify your own actions against your people when it's done nothing but help oppress them? You can't change the system, especially with that man, the Emperor deciding how the Empire is run. I know it and even Euphie knows it which is why she gave up her claim to the throne in the first place."
"She could have made a difference if you hadn't tricked her!"
"I didn't trick her!" Lelouch shouted back. "I was willing to work with her even when I knew it would not last long and it would not change anything!"
"You manipulated her with your Geass! You controlled your own sister!" Suzaku shouted, not hearing a word Lelouch said.
Lelouch stepped back. "It seems my words are wasted on you, my friend. I can only say that I wish things were different but I did what I had to do and for that Nunnally won't be burdened by the kind of world Charles zi Britannia envisions."
He turned to the door but stopped and looked over his shoulder. "I suggest you take a long look at yourself because between the two of us I'm not the one who made my sister cry…Twice."
With that he left the room.
*Chapter 35*: Chapter 35Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
The party came in full swing as not ten, not fifty, not a hundred, but thousands of people lined the streets to celebrate the liberation and rebirth of their country and to honor the ones who made it possible. The Black Knights, various members and even Knightmares moved down the streets, waving and cheering back at the people who wanted to celebrate with them.
"Do I know how to party or what?!" Tamaki shouted amongst all the shouts and applause.
The Seizan, Shinyroku, and the Guren were amongst the Knightmares to move down the streets, flanking the Arashikage but none of their pilots were in there. Lelouch had asked someone to cover for him in the party so Naruto created Shadow Clones to disguises themselves as the real owners of the Knightmares while they went off do their own business.
Lelouch wanted to go to Ashford Academy.
While Naruto and C.C. were off doing who knows what, leaving Kallen in the party who waved down at the people from the Guren's open cockpit.
Kaguya along with the members of the Six Houses of Kyoto were also present, waving happily to the people who continued to cheer.
It was truly a good day for the Japanese.
Xxx
"It looks like they are having a lot of fun out there." Rivalz commented, looking out the window of the Student Council room.
The rest of the Student Council looked out, watching as the people celebrated.
"So what happens to us now?" Rivalz asked.
"They won't harm us. Zero doesn't harm civilians, let alone students." Milly said calmly. "So as long as we don't cause trouble we won't give them reason to harm us."
"What about Nina and Lulu?" Shirley asked nervously, glancing at Nunnally who seemed calmer than even Milly.
Nina had been about to set off a bomb the night of the battle and Lelouch had been missing for almost two days now.
"I'm sure Lulu is all right." Milly said after a moment of silence. "If he had been caught they would just hold him. To them he is a simple student. He wouldn't be of any use to them as a hostage."
"Yeah, I'm sure he's fine." Rivalz said with a slightly strained smile.
The doors opened and the Student Council was greeted again with the sight of Zero walking into the room, escorted by two Black Knight guards.
"Milly Ashford." Zero called out, watching as Milly stood up. "I have important news I'd like you to announce to the school."
"Important news?" Milly asked.
"Yes. If you can guess from the party happening on the streets we are victorious in taking this country back from Britannia." Zero explained, gesturing to the window.
"You have won?" Milly was genuinely shocked.
"Yes. The Britannian Prime Minister, Prince Schneizel el Britannia himself agreed to a ceasefire in exchange for Japan remaining independent from the Empire." Zero nodded. "Given that a great many Britannians will find themselves as outcasts in a newly established United States of Japan I am offering the students and their family the chance to leave and return to the Homeland."
"Really?" Rivalz asked, shocked at what he was hearing.
Zero nodded again. "I will not keep political prisoners who are guilty of no crime aside from being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Xxx
A dark shadow was watching Zero as he walked across the courtyard with Milly Ashford behind him to the school where all the students and staff were being gathered.
"Zero…" The shadowed man growled.
Xxx
"There must be a big party going on out there." Rai mused to himself, barely able to hear the guards talking about a party going on.
The door suddenly opened and in walked Naruto and C.C., still wearing their battle gear.
"Naruto? Tsunade?" Rai gaped upon seeing them. "Those cloaks…That armor….You both are Zero's knights!"
"Hey, Rai. Sorry to catch you by surprise like this but I wanted to talk to you." Naruto walked forward, standing in front of Rai. "Don't bother with your Geass. Both C.C. and I are immune to it."
"C.C.?" Rai glanced at the green haired immortal who watched them silently.
"Rai…What do you know about the Geass Order?" Naruto asked carefully.
"The Geass Order…I don't know what…There are more people like me?" Rai stuttered, looking shocked and confused.
And they both knew he was not lying.
"You didn't know." Naruto frowned. "Rai, where did you come from?"
"I…I don't remember." Rai looked down at the floor. "I awoke in a base and from then on I was trained…They told me I was a soldier, training to serve Britannia. I was apprenticed to the Knight of Nine before coming here."
"Just like that. No family? No friends?" Naruto narrowed his eyes.
Rai shook his head. "I don't remember them."
Naruto sighed. "What if I help you remember?"
Rai looked up at Naruto. "Why would you help me? We're supposed to be enemies."
"Does it matter if someone is a friend or enemy? Does a person really deserve to suffer not remembering who they really are?" Naruto asked calmly. "I don't believe anyone does. Let me help you and if you still want to fight for Britannia you can…"
Rai should have said no but the honesty in Naruto's eyes made it impossible for him to refuse. "All right. Help me remember."
Naruto placed his hand on Rai's head and closed his eyes. When he opened them his Geass enhanced Rinnegan was now active as he used the power of the Human Path. Rai gasped as he felt a great force penetrating every corner of his mind.
And in one second he remembered everything.
Xxx
"And so I allow Zero to speak."
The students and staff watched as the infamous Zero himself stepped onto the podium once Milly moved away. Cameras were pointed at him, broadcasting to every place in Japan and everyone was on their seats, waiting to hear his message.
"Thank you, Miss Ashford. A finer class president could not have been chosen. Students and members of Ashford Academy, as I'm sure you know the former Area Eleven, now christened the United States of Japan is no longer a member of Britannia in any shape or form. Many of you have no doubt wondered what this means for you. Have you wondered if you would be left in the ghettos as many of the Japanese, the people your parents have taught you to refer as Elevens and thought of as less then vermin?
To be forced to endure harsh abuse due to your status as Britannians in a country where you do not exist as a first class citizen. Well let me be the first to say that what happens to you next, depends entirely on you."
That statement confused nearly everyone.
"It has been agreed that anyone in the new United States of Japan that if they do not wish to live here they will be welcomed to do so. A ship is being prepared to allow you and your families to leave back to the Homeland. It will meet with Britannian escorts in international waters to ensure the safety of you and your families. The choice to stay or leave is solely yours as this country does not endorse oppression in any shape or form.
If you stay you have my personal word you will be treated well and for those who wish to leave simply come to the harbor where the boat will be waiting at noon until mid-night. Let this be the first sign of peace between Britannia and the United States of Japan." Zero declared as he stepped down, leaving a shell shocked assembly.
His speech left big enough an impact.
Xxx
"He's member of Britannian Royalty?! And a half blood?!" Euphie exclaimed, shocked what she was hearing.
Naruto nodded, sharing what he learned with Euphie who simply waited in her sister's office. "Yeah…I was surprised myself. Apparently that little shit V.V. offered him Geass since he and his mother were outcasts with the Imperial Family which is similar Lelouch's but instead of eye contact all he needs is for someone to hear his voice but he can be affected by it too and deaf people cannot be affect and it cannot work through microphones or speakers. Apparently he and his family where in a village when it was attacked and his Geass went out of control when he got everyone to fight back and his mother and sister were killed."
Euphie was silent as she listened with dread.
"Rai tried to commit suicide but V.V. sealed him away in a Thought Elevator before he was found by Clovis and Bartley."
"Clovis found him?" Euphie asked, now afraid what her brother might have done.
"Yeah but Rai had no memory of his past because he used his own Geass to erase his own memories." Naruto nodded.
"What will happen to him now?" Euphie asked.
"Well, I'm going to seal his Geass off but he's really hurting. He doesn't want to live in a world without his mother or his sister." Naruto said with a saddened look on his face.
"You think he will try and commit suicide again?" Euphie asked, unable to bear the thought.
"He saw his mind so I know he'll try and do something stupid. Just another reason for me to beat the shit out of that brat V.V. for everything he's done." Naruto scowled. "Actually, I think Cera is going to take of that."
Xxx
The door opened and C.C. actually smirked at the look of V.V. on the floor with all of his bloody clothes. "Well, well, well, this is a sight I've been looking forward too."
"C.C." V.V. glared up at her. "I know you have something to do with that girl…What did you do?"
"I gave her the power to take her vengeance or justice, however you want to call it and considering what you and Charles did I'm sure you realize that you had it coming." C.C. remarked. "Killing Marianne…Or trying to kill her."
V.V. growled, knowing what she meant. After the Sword of Akesha had been damaged severely Charles revealed that Marianne had survived with the help of her Geass and Charles had allowed her to punish him. It was almost as bad as the beating Nunnally had given him, thus proving that she really was that woman's daughter.
"What do you want?" V.V. snarled.
"My own band of payback. You and Charles sent me to that brat Clovis to be experimented on." C.C. grinned sadistically as she showed V.V. her Rinnegan. "And I know just the way."
V.V. looked into those ringed eyes, trembling as he stared. "Tho-Those eyes…"
"Yes. These eyes." C.C. grabbed V.V. by the head and V.V.'s rolled to the back of his head as C.C. used the power of the Human Path…
And ripped V.V.'s soul out of his body.
V.V.'s body was immortal but not his soul as C.C. pumped chakra, destroying V.V.'s soul.
"The Code cannot be destroyed, only passed down. But I suppose only the body counts truly in that regard." C.C. said, staring down at the soulless body of Vincent zi Britannia. "And now this body can never grant Geass again and I will see to it that Charles never gains the Code."
A quick trip over the deepest part of the ocean after she made sure to entomb V.V.'s body in a block of cement was in order. With V.V. disposed of for good Charles lacked the Codes needed to actually initiate the Ragnarok Connection and soon enough all the Thought Elevators would be destroyed now that Japan had been liberated from Britannia. And Charles had also lost what he needed to produce Geass users thus crippling his Geass Order.
'Charles and Marianne will be literally pulling their hair out by now.' C.C. said as she walked out of the cell with a satisfied smirk on her face.
She was having a really good day now.
Xxx
Suzaku could barely believe what was happening as he was escorted out of his cell along with Princess Cornelia. He looked through the windows and watched as the people continued celebrating.
Don't they know what has happened?
Don't they realize they were cheering for?
How can they support the actions of a terrorist and a murderer?
How can they approve of the bloodshed that had been shed and all for Zero, Lelouch's vendetta against his own country?
"They seem happy." Cornelia commented, somewhat calm about the entire situation.
"How can they support all the violence and bloodshed? They have to realize how wrong this is." Suzaku gritted his teeth in frustration. "How can they be so foolish?"
"I could ask the same thing of you, Suzaku."
Both watched as Naruto approached, wearing his mask to hide his face.
"Naruto." Suzaku glared at the fox mask as Naruto ordered the guards to leave and they did so without questioning him.
They knew how skilled he was.
"You were foolish enough to believe that you could actually help people by turning them into slaves and building a worldwide empire on their backs. You call this violence and bloodshed but what you planned was the same on a worldwide scale. These people didn't choose to be part of Britannia as Elevens but they chose this, something you would have not allowed because if they chose anything but what Britannia offered you'd say they were wrong. And for what?" Naruto shook his head as he took off his mask. "To lord over them and turn Japan in whatever you want while allowing the Empire to do whatever it wants to the other areas you helped establish? You would take away their pride, their dignity just for a grab at power."
"That power was what I needed to make things better. I know I can become the Knight of One and change things!" Suzaku said but Naruto only shook his head again.
"You're not the best, Suzaku. You may have been skilled enough to operate the Lancelot but you are hardly the most skilled pilot in the world. There's no guarantee that you would ever become the Knight of One and if you had died it would have all been nothing, despite you looking for an honorable death. They don't make martyrs out of Numbers. And even if you had managed to take control of Japan it would probably with the Emperor looking over her shoulder to make sure everything is the way he wants it to be. Hardly fair to the people." Naruto retorted.
"They would understand when I show them that it's a better alternative to open war! I cannot understand how they can support this! I cannot understand how you can support this! Don't you understand the only way to make things better is for people to stop fighting and work together to change the system!" Suzaku said, looking out the window and saw them celebrating. "This is wrong! This is not how it supposed to be!"
"You are such a child!" Naruto threw his arms up. "Screaming out how this isn't what you want. That only you can decide how things are supposed to be. Saying how everyone else except from you are wrong and at fault."
"It is your fault! You and Lelouch chose to betray the system for your own selfish needs!" Suzaku shouted.
"Like I said, just call me a God of War then. The people don't want to wait years of being treated like trash just to hope that things might change for the better. And they won't want to be led by a man who betrayed them to climb up in ranks. They want to live free for themselves and their families, free of tyrannical oppression of any kind.
And for the record the system betrayed Lelouch long before I showed up and I never was part of the system to begin with. So you can't betray someone who betrays you first and you can't betray something that you were never loyal to in the first place. That is not delusion. That is fact.
You know of Lelouch's history, you know how his father abandoned him and Nunnally here when all Lelouch wanted was answers for his mother's death which should have been clear from the beginning how rotten the Empire is. And then he did it again when he set Euphie up to be a pariah by nearly killing Zero. This is a clear example of how mad the Emperor truly is and how he deserved to be kicked off that throne." Naruto shook his head. "You may be right about people needing to work together but what you are doing is not working together. Working together doesn't mean fighting other people and forcing them to work with you. That is not working together, that is slavery. The kind of thing you claim to be fighting against."
"I did what to do! You think all of this will last? All you've done is prolong the inevitable!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"You are wrong on so many things, Suzaku. We've started a change that will one day end with peace finally being achieved. And it won't be done at gunpoint as you would have it. And speaking of you and Cornelia both have a choice now."
"A choice?" Cornelia asked, having been silent through the conversation.
"Prince Schneizel has offered a cease-fire in exchange for recognizing the United States of Japan as a legitimate country separate from the empire. Any Britannian who do not want to live here will be allowed to leave by a ship that will take them to international waters where they will be escorted back to the Homeland." Naruto explained, surprising the both of them.
"Impossible. Schneizel actually agreed?" Cornelia could hardly believe it.
"He did when he found out that once we fended off the counter-attack when the E.U. and the Chinese Federation started moving and rebellion started up in the other areas." Naruto answered. "You two have a choice to make. Stay or leave."
"What about my sister?" Cornelia demanded to know what was happening to her sister.
"She's fine. She decided to stay since she gave up her claim to the throne and has no interest in returning."
"You mean after you-"Suzaku was cut off as Naruto grabbed him by the collar.
"Shut up you moron! You don't have the right to speak of Euphie or accuse us of brainwashing her after you made her cry and call her a liar!" Naruto growled. "Now I really don't know what she ever saw in you. You never try to understand others and you never for once consider that you might be wrong. Euphie made her choice and she hasn't regretted it once. If you can't accept that than that's your problem but don't blame others for her making a choice that you don't want to believe she'd make on her own!"
Naruto shoved Suzaku back.
"If you want stay you sit back in your cell until we find out what to really do with you but if you want to leave we can go right now. I'll escort you out myself." Naruto looked at the both of them. "Just don't cause any trouble and we'll be fine."
"I want to speak with my sister." Cornelia said, not willing to leave without seeing her beloved little sister.
Naruto nodded. "All right. We can go see her…" He looked at Suzaku. "You're not seeing her."
"What?!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"I will not let her be put through another round of you accusing her of being brainwashed and causing her more pain simply for her choice. Cornelia can speak with her and determine if she's actually making her own choice by herself." Naruto said sternly.
"You-" Suzaku was cut off by Cornelia.
"Deal." Cornelia wasn't sure what to believe but if Suzaku made her little sister cry again she didn't want him anywhere near Euphie than Naruto did.
"All right, Suzaku can wait back in his cell. And you better make up your mind." Naruto said as he put his mask back on. "And you better be sure."
With that said Naruto called the guards back and they escorted Suzaku back to his cell while Naruto led Cornelia to her office where Euphie was waiting.
Said girl looked up with a surprised look at seeing her sister that slowly turned into a smile. "Sister…"
"Euphie." Cornelia smiled as she walked forward and hugged her sister with all of her might.
Naruto smiled as he slowly stepped out and closed the door.
Xxx
Lelouch removed his Zero outfit and his mask and slipped into the clubhouse. He found his sister in the living room and smiled as he walked in.
"Nunnally?"
Nunnally spun around and smiled as she ran to him and gave him a hug. "Welcome home, Lelouch! Are you all right? Everyone else was so worried."
"I'm all right. I just had to hide away when the fighting broke out." Lelouch explained.
Nunnally pulled away, seemingly accepting his excuse. "Thank god you didn't get hurt. So what happens now?"
"Now…We just sit back and relax." Lelouch said as he sat down on the couch with Nunnally sitting next to him. "And watch a brave new world be born."
Nunnally put her head on Lelouch's shoulder. "I like that."
Just spending her time with her beloved brother was all that mattered to her for now.
Xxx
"Zero…" The man watched as he slipped away and slipped into the clubhouse. "I have you now."
*Chapter 36*: Chapter 36Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Nunnally at first hated how Lelouch became Zero and started a war with Britannia for her sake. She didn't care about the peaceful world she told him about. Sure she wanted a world that was just and kind but it wouldn't be that world if her brother was not part of it. She was upset that he had kept secrets and she was still upset.
Why wouldn't she be?
Lelouch had lied to her about so many things, murdered his own flesh and blood, began a war against their former homeland, and even used a power to control people against their wills. How could he lie to her without a second thought so callously? How could he think he could keep it all a secret from her without her eventually learning about? She was sure she should be outraged at everything he had done but could she really be angry?
Ever since she regained her legs and sight she had stepped out of the small home that allowed the world she envisioned, a world without cruelty and violence, to exist. She saw how some students still treated Suzaku and the Japanese, she saw the injustice and evils of the world she wanted to leave behind slowly all around her no matter how much she wished it didn't, and she remembered what had happened to her that made her blind and crippled that night her mother was murdered.
It had scarred him, possibly for the rest of his life. The soft and caring side he showed only with her and their friends was only reserved for them since they were close enough for him to feel anything other than rage and misery.
It made her realize how much of a naïve and spoiled child she had been in a world where life was not far.
It made her realize how much her brother wanted change things for the better and for the lives of people who all wanted things to change.
It made her angry.
Angry enough that a small part of the innocent princess her brother wanted her to be actually died, allowing the hardened warrior she never she'd be to be born.
Angry enough that she made the same contract her brother made and gained the power to change the world. Lelouch gained the Power of the King while Nunnally gained the Eyes of God, becoming one of the six who could be chosen to wield this power. This power actually suited her more than Geass would as the training Naruto and C.C. put her through helped her realize that she had possibly the potential to become like her mother who was skilled enough to defeat the Knight of One. Lelouch had the intelligence but that was not enough to fight the war he had started.
She knew Lelouch would have tried to stop her just as she would have tried to stop him but she then realized she couldn't stop him anymore than he could have stopped her. So for now she would let him keep his secrets just as she would keep her own secrets from him until the day he was finally ready to confess. She would train her new power, becoming his shadow and protect him from any and all dangers.
She would be Zero's shadow.
"Lelouch?" Nunnally asked as Lelouch came in with a cup of tea.
"Yes, Nunnally?" Lelouch sat down at the table.
"What do you think will happen now that the Black Knights now run Japan?" Nunnally asked, playing the innocent sister.
Lelouch adopted a thoughtful face. "Well, Zero said that anyone who wishes to leave will be allowed to leave so it's likely that most Britannians will chose to leave."
"Will they want us to leave?" Nunnally asked, looking worried.
Lelouch shook his head. "The Ashfords had been here before the invasion they've made a few friends with the Japanese. I am sure Rueben Ashford can convince them not to force everyone to leave."
"So we might be able to stay along with any of our friends who want to stay too?" Nunnally asked, now hopeful.
Lelouch nodded with a smile. "You know Milly and her grandfather. They know who to handle pressure and they know how to negotiate."
"What about Suzaku? What will happen to him?"
That changed the mood.
"…I honestly don't know." Lelouch looked away slightly. "He chose to fight for Britannia from beginning. I know a lot of people will be angry with him for that."
Meaning Suzaku will either be thrown in prison or exiled. Nunnally understood that much from what she had seen and heard. She hadn't been happy to know that Suzaku was actually fighting his own people and knew that his belief in changing the system was flawed. Even she knew invoking change from within was unrealistic because of the hundreds of people, nobility and royalty that liked the system the way it was and would never accept the idea of equality.
She had seen through the shared vision with Naruto and C.C. that Suzaku had started changing from the good friend he had been to someone that she almost did not recognize.
'Poor Euphie. She didn't do anything to deserve what has happened to her. Suzaku, you really have no faith in the people you care for do you?' Nunnally idly wondered.
Like how she had been angry at Lelouch she had been angry at Suzaku for lying to them as well but she was also angry that Suzaku could just so easily believe the bastard who was responsible for her mother's death over Euphie and Lelouch so easily.
Did he really believe that Euphie wasn't acting under anyone's influence except for her own?
He didn't even try to consider her words. That was enough to make Nunnally angry at him, especially for trusting the words of V.V. who was thankfully no longer alive…
In a sense.
C.C. had used the power of the Human Path to remove V.V.'s soul from his body that was kept alive by the Code, proving that a soul was not needed for the Code to keep the body alive and immortal. C.C. then used her chakra to destroy V.V.'s soul, removing him from this plane of existence forever and had now gone to entomb V.V.'s body cement and transport it to the deepest and darkest abyss at the bottom of the ocean using her Takamagahara. Without a Code-Bearer the Geass Order could not produce anymore Geass users and whatever her father planned to use C.C. for was finished once and for all. He would either launch a full attack on them or hopefully pull and realize that he could not hope to win at all.
However she knew her father was not one to give up so easily.
'Father, you have no idea just what you are up against. You let our mother die and then cast us aside without second thought, forever scarring me and my brother. I was scarred physically and was spared the emotional and mental scars that Lelouch had suffered when we were exiled and through the war. In a great sense I was spared a great deal of pain and suffering.' Nunnally narrowed her eyes. 'But that only makes me hate you so much more for everything you did my brother. You did this to him. You set him down the path that created Zero and set me down the path that I have chosen to protect him from you. The Path of Rebellion.'
Just as Zero rose from the depths of her brother's scarred heart a new and more powerful icon would emerge from hers and she would see to it herself that would destroy the world and create it anew.
But for now she would enjoy the moment of peace.
Xxx
He saw the large house that Zero had entered and had finally cornered him.
Finally he would end one of the greatest threats to the Empire.
Finally he would have his honor restored.
Finally he would destroy Zero.
"All hail…" The man roared as he charged forward, smashing the door down. "BRITANNIA!"
Xxx
Nunnally and Lelouch heard the shouting as the door was smashed down and Lelouch quickly pushed Nunnally down under the table.
"I know you are here, Zero!"
Lelouch gritted his teeth as he recognized the voice. 'Jeremiah! You just won't die, will you?'
Jeremiah marched into the room, spotting the two shadows under the table. "I have found you! I know you are in here!"
"Jeremiah Gottwald. I don't know why you are here but if you want me come and get me, Orange Boy!"Lelouch quickly rolled out and started running towards the back door.
Jeremiah let out another scream as he chased after Lelouch. "DIE!"
Nunnally peek her head up as Jeremiah chased her brother out of the room. 'Jeremiah…Jeremiah Gottwalt, one of mother's guards!'
The man Lelouch had humiliated was a former guard at the villa she and her brother had lived in when they were children.
And now he was trying to kill her brother.
Nunnally's eyes narrowed as they morphed in the Rinnegan. "No more hiding for us, brother."
She was at her closet in a second and pulled out a large locked suitcase. She could have just summoned Sayoko who was elsewhere in the school trying to help keep the students and staff calm but she wanted the maid to have some time off and enjoy just some time with her brother. And to be honest she was through letting others fight her battles for her.
"It's time for me to show you the other Bringer of Miracles."
Xxx
Lelouch wasn't exactly a runner.
Okay, he wasn't exactly good at anything involving physical labor.
But his determination to prevent his sister from any harm was enough for him to run out of the clubhouse with a crazed cybernetic disgraced Britannian chasing after him.
But it only worked for a few seconds.
Jeremiah had easily caught up to him, slamming into him and knocking him down to the ground. "I HAVE YOU NOW!"
Jeremiah had a crazed look on his face as he kept Lelouch face down on the ground, having finally captured the one who had repeatedly humiliated him.
"This is it…Now you will die for all of the times you defeated and humiliated me and the Emperor will reward me for my loyalty!" Jeremiah said, laughing madly.
Lelouch closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. 'Nunnally, I'm so sorry.'
"NOW DIE!" Jeremiah raised a fist to smash Lelouch's head and finish him once and for all.
A kunai shot out and hit Jeremiah in the shoulder, causing him to grunt in pain.
"Step away from him now."
Jeremiah and Lelouch looked in the direction of the voice and where the kunai had come from. Standing before them was someone, short in height and wore a white flowing cloak that hid their head over a white body-suit similar to the armor Naruto and C.C. wore under their cloaks along with white eblow length gloves and white knee length boots. The person wore tight white face mask that covered their entire face save for a single slit that showed their eyes.
'Rinnegan.' Lelouch realized when he saw the ringed eyes starting at Jeremiah. 'C.C. must have given this person those eyes. They're another Path.'
"Who are you?" Jeremiah growled as he glared at the stranger.
"I am Infinity." The person, girl spoke in a cold robotic tone. "And you will step back away from him or perish. Possibly painfully before it's over."
"NO! You will not stop me from ending Zero and his threat once and for all!" Jeremiah shouted before charging head on towards Infinity.
Infinity however seemingly danced out of the path of Jeremiah's fist before leaping him and delivered a spinning kick to Jeremiah's back, knocking him head into the ground. Jeremiah growled as he stood back up, the cybernetic modifications having hardened his body and increased his strength. But it did not help that his rage was clouding his judgement and making him easy to predict. She easily dodged and countered his attacks as he went on a full rampage.
"HOLD STILL!" Jeremiah shouted as Infinity danced past a kick from him.
"How about you hold still?" Infinity asked as she tripped Jeremiah and punched him in the back of the head, knocking him out instantly. "Be thankful I held back in that blow or your skull would have been shattered."
"I see Naruto and C.C. wasted no time in training you." Infinity turned around, hearing Lelouch's voice and watched him slowly approach her. "I knew Sayoko and Rakshata were made into two C.C.'s Six Paths but either they didn't tell me about you or you are a recent addition."
The way he looked at her showed Infinity the dangerous intellect in his eyes and the way he carried himself was worthy of a leader confident in himself. However where as he inherited the fine qualities of a leader she inherited the skills of a soldier, or possibly a warrior depending on who ask and who actually knew her and who her mother was. Luckily for her he could not recgonize her due to her Rinnegan eyes being seen instead of her normal eyes.
"So, Infinity huh? The opposite of Zero. Was this Naruto and C.C. making a joke at my expense or do you like emulate Zero a bit?" Lelouch asked.
Infinity smirked, knowing what Lelouch was doing. He was fishing for her true identity, trying to see if she was someone he knew.
'Nice try, Brother but just because I'm not a genius like you means you're going to be able to trick me.' She thought before speaking. "Perhaps it means I am everything Zero is not."
Lelouch raised an eyebrow. "And what could that mean? Is Zero not the leader that brought about the revolution that liberated this land and created a brand new country in its wake? A country forged from the blood, sweat, and tears of those helped make this miracle possible?"
"Zero is a leader but I am not. I do not inspire others to follow me and I do not work to create miracles. I am not a Knight or Hero. I am…A Warrior. I fight in the darkness, eliminating my enemies and deliver judgement on all those who have committed unforgivable sins while spreading death, destruction, and pain in their wake." Infinity answer stoically. "Zero is an icon, a symbol for others to rally behind to fight for a better world. I exist in the shadows only to kill the enemies of that better world and end the previous world. You use Geass, the Power of the King and you have formed your kingdom. I use the Rinnegan, the Eyes of God to smite the enemies of this kingdom."
"The opposite of Zero, you say?" Lelouch frowned, looking Infinity over.
There was no true way for him to see just who this person could be or if she was someone he already knew. Her voice was slightly muffled and cold, like a true assassin. And yet she was possibly younger than any of the other paths which was saying something. In a way she was possibly everything she had said about herself.
Zero and Infinity, opposite of each other in perhaps almost every way.
But where they allies?
"Do I get the courtesy of seeing the face behind the mask? I am sure you know of the face Zero wears under his." Lelouch offered.
"And ruin the surprise?" Infinity asked and Lelouch believe she was smirking under her mask. "Even Zero cannot know all."
With that said she and Jeremiah vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving Lelouch to stare at where she had been. 'Infinity…I need to speak with Naruto and C.C. This may be them thinking ahead in case Zero had been compromised. Still there is something about this Infinity…'
"Brother!"
Lelouch was cut off as Nunnally rushed out of the clubhouse and ran at him, jumping right into his arms and knocking them over. "Ooof!"
"I was so worried about you!" Nunnally cried, burying her face into Lelouch's arms.
Lelouch hugged her back. "I'm okay, Nunnaly. I'm all right."
As Lelouch comforted her Nunnally opened one eye and looked up, seeing a window and looking down at them was a surprised looking Milly.
Nunnally saw the surprise and recognition in her eyes. 'It seems someone else knows about you, brother.'
Xxx
Cornelia li Britannia was a prideful woman.
This was known just about by anyone who knew her or knew of her. She was stone cold hearted woman, only showing her hidden soft caring side for those she cared about.
Her sister Euphemia li Britannia being one of the top people, perhaps at the very top.
And it showed when she was escorted into her former officer and saw her sister, still wearing the black and silver dress that showed her new allegiance, standing at the window. She turned around and smiled as Cornelia entered the room while the guards closed the door to give them privacy.
"Euphie!" Cornelia rushed forward and hugged her sister so tight she might as well have glued the two of them together.
"Sister." Euphie smiled, returning the hug. "I'm glad they let you out."
"I'm glad you are okay." Cornelia reluctantly pulled away. "How have you been? I heard something about Kururugi making you cry? What happened?"
Euphie looked away slightly, now looking sad. "I…I…"
Cornelia quickly hugged on arm around her little sister. "Euphie, it's okay. Just tell me."
"…After I left your cell I visited Suzaku and tried to explain to him why I chose to surrender myself to the Black Knights. He didn't believe me and believed that Lelouch had brainwashed me. I tried to prove him wrong but he didn't listen to a word I said. Then I told him that Lelouch was Zero he…" Euphie trembled a bit. "He got angry and started shouting, thrashing wildly. He kept on shouting that I needed to free him and stop Lelouch. I saw his eyes and I couldn't stay in there anymore…I I had to get away…I had to be anywhere else because the look in his eyes terrified me. I thought I could prove to him that Lelouch wasn't the bucher that Suzaku thought he was but when I looked at him…I never seen him so angry and he looked at me like I was a stranger, that I wasn't who he thought I was…I just…I just…"
Cornelia hugged her again, allowing the few tears to fall onto her shoulder while cursing Suzaku for hurting her sister like that. It was enough that she hoped she would be taken back to her cell so she could try and murder Kururugi for what he did and now she understood why that boy, Naruto refused to let Suzaku speak to Euphie.
Cornelia would have just shot him for daring to ask.
"And you haven't been brainwashed or manipulated?" Cornelia asked.
Euphie shook her head. "No, my mind and my choices are my own. I chose to give my claim to the throne, I chose to create the Special Zone, and I chose to surrender myself to Lelouch when the zone nearly failed."
Cornelia looked her sister in the eye and saw nothing but truth. Her sister had made no one's choices but her own.
"So you will just stay here?" Cornelia asked. "The Elevens…The Japanese will never forgive or accept you or any Britannians who stay here."
Euphie smiled. "Are you sure about that?"
Cornelia looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"Lelouch's intention was to create a nation independent of Japan and he's done it. A new nation that accepts all cultures. It may be hard but many honorary Britannians have joined up with us and are helping stabilize the country in the wake of the battle. And I'm going to be part of the political leadership, acting as a representative of any Britannians that remain behind, no matter how small the number." Euphie explained happily.
Cornelia was genuinely shocked. "Really?"
Euphie nodded. "Yes. Kaguya Sumergi, a member of the new government and the soon to be new Prime Minister for the United States of Japan approached me with this offer on Lelouch's behalf. She and the Six Houses of Kyoto want me to help create what I wanted in the Special Zone, only now for the entire country and for everyone."
Cornelia could almost hardly believe what she was hearing. Her sister, a former princess of Britannia now acting as a poltical representative of an independent government. Such a thing was not considered possible as at best royalty would act as diplomats, like the times Schneizel represented Britannia in many diplomatic meetings with the Chinese Federation and E.U.
"What about me?" Cornelia asked finally.
"If you stay Lelouch will speak on your behalf and keep you safe. And so will I." Euphe answered honestly.
Cornelia considered her options and no matter what she would never ever leave her beloved little sister behind.
Even if they could never return to their homeland she would always stay and protect Euphie.
"I will never leave you behind, Euphie." Cornelia said once she finally pulled back.
"Good. Now then there is a matter of something I need help with discussing to the Prime Minster." Euphie said with a big smile.
Xxx
The call was out and many Britannians were now being escorted to the docks where the ship that would take them home was waiting. It gave Kallen no small amount of pleasure to see her step mother walking out of the Stadfelt mansion, complaining as her maids and butlers cleared the entire mansion, except for Kallen's room.
It made her even happier when the woman saw her and glared hatefully. "You…I should have figured you'd be with those terrorists."
"Technically we're not terrorists anymore. We're the citizens of the United States of Japan. Ceritified citizens." Kallen retorted with a nasty smirk.
Her step-mother scoffed. "How disgraceful that you cast aside your heritage for these barbarians. I should have cast you out with your bitch mother when I had the chance."
"Good luck explaining to Dad about it." Kallen snarled. "I'm sure he'd love to hear how you sheltered a terrorist in your own home."
The woman gritted her teeth and snarled before turning away and stomped through the gates, having nothing else to say to her traitorous step-daughter. For Kallen it had been the best thing to see since witnessing the legitimization of the new Japan.
"That must have felt good."
Kallen jumped and spun around, spotting C.C. leaning against the fence with her arms crossed. "When are you going to stop doing that?"
C.C. smirked. "When you learn to mind your surroundings. Member of the Zero squadron and you still can't tell when someone is behind you."
Kallen sighed but she was less irritated with C.C.'s charm despite what happened the previous day due to how good things had been lately. "What is it now? Where's Naruto?"
"Oh, Naruto's helping people in the ghettos who are happy to be able to live better now. Clearing up debris from the battles with his shadow clones, dispensing food and medicine to those who need and all in all trying to help out with everything." C.C. shrugged. "But I suppose you've heard of what's happening tonight."
"Tonight?" Kallen questioned that caused C.C. to sigh.
"Clearly not."
Xxx
Lelouch had just finished cleaning up and calming his sister down as he left to call Sayoko back to keep an eye on Nunnally. At first Lelouch was afraid Nunnally would think he was Zero but she hadn't asked him anything. Given how scared she was it seemed to Lelouch that she had been too scared to remember which was both relief and infuriating. Jeremiah's attack had shown Lelouch that his recent victories had caused him to lower his guard and almost got his little sister killed because of his arrogance.
That was unacceptable in Lelouch's mind and he would not let that happen ever again. Just as he finished cleaning up the mess there was a knock at the door.
He walked over and opened, thinking it was Sayoko but instead it was Milly. "Milly?"
"Lelouch." Milly said calmly. "Or should I say Zero?"
Lelouch's eyes went wide. "Exc-"
"Drop the act, Lelouch." Milly cut him off. "I saw that man attacking you and heard him. When I heard him it all made sense."
Lelouch quickly closed the door, leaving the two of them outside so Nunnally wouldn't hear them. "…Yes, I am Zero."
SLAP!
Lelouch staggered back from the slap Milly gave him.
"That's for scaring everyone in the school when you took it over and made it into a command center, including our friends." Milly said coldly. "I'd do more but I want you to explain to me right now what you are hoping to achieve with this."
Lelouch rubbed his cheek as he straightened himself up. "You know why I chose this."
"This is about your mother. You did all this for revenge?" Milly's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe even that would be enough."
Lelouch nodded. "You are right. My mother's murder is a key motivation but there is another reason."
"Nunnally." Milly stated. "You did this for her too."
"Yes. For the last seven years she had been blind and crippled, a victim of the cruelty of the Empire that was ruled by our father, the Emperor. In the world that he invisioned Nunnally would be weak, disposable, or a pawn to be used by those in power. That is why we faked our deaths but it couldn't last forever." Lelouch sighed. "Eventually we would either be discovered or forced to reveal ourselves in some form. I knew it even as the first bomb was dropped onto this country the day it was invaded and knew what I had to do. If Nunnally was to ever live without fear of being exploited I would have to change things and that could only be done by defeating Britannia. Not the country or its people but the very idea it stood for. The idea of the strong enslaving and exploiting the weak to suit their own needs."
"And Nunnally doesn't know?" Milly asked, looking more neutral than angry now.
"She doesn't and she can never know." Lelouch said sharply. "I won't let her feel like she is responsible for my choices."
"But you can't hide it from her forever." Milly pointed out. "Eventually you will have to reveal everything to her."
"Perhaps. I have considered that possibility but for now she cannot know. She's only just begun to feel like a normal young girl again. I can't tell her that I am Zero, the masked terrorist who killed their half brother, no matter how justified I may have been at the time and I speak honestly when I say if you knew what Clovis had done you would understand why I killed him." Lelouch stated.
"And Kallen?" Milly asked again.
"She was a rebel before I even started. I am sure you know of her heritage." Lelouch said honestly.
Milly nodded. "I do. To be honest I shouldn't have been surprised because I always felt there was something to her that she kept hidden. She's a child of both Britannia and Japan but she chose her Japanese heritage. To be honest I can actually understand why given my own experience with Britannian nobility."
She was of course referring to her parents and their attempts to marry her off to an Earl to regain their noble status but both she and her grandfather could care less since in their eyes they had been wrongfully betrayed by the Emperor after the death of Lelouch's mother, Marianne vi Britannia.
"So what now, Lelouch? What will you do now?" Milly asked, getting back on track. "Are you going to start another war with Britannia?"
Lelouch shook his head. "For now I plan to stabilize this country, set up a suitable government, see to it that the Japanese gain back their lives and ensure there is no hostility between them or any Britannian that chooses to stay."
"Chooses to stay?" Milly asked.
"I will not keep anyone as a hostage. As we speak many nobles are packing up and heading for the docks to leave and my sister, Euphie has agreed to act as a representative on behalf of any Britannians who might choose to stay." Lelouch said and then looked thoughtful. "But I believe you can help if you, Milly."
"And how's that?"
Xxx
"A grand party?" Kallen asked.
"Yes, organized by the soon to be Prime Minister to celebrate the formation of the United States of Japan and to help set up key political figures and to honor the Black Knights. You'd be surprised at how quickly everything is being set up for tonight." C.C. said with a small smile.
"And Lelouch knows?"
"Knows? He approved of it, agreeing with Sumeragi's idea to help honor the Black Knights and Zero while at the same time ensuring that Zero was there. It's also to bring all Japanese leaders together to help form the government and even set up a representative to the Britannians that might be staying." C.C. answered.
"So why are you telling me this?" Kallen asked. "I would have gone anyways as a member of the Black Knights."
"So you would go as a Black Knight…." C.C.'s grin widened. "As the recongized celebrity pilot of the Guren alongside Seizan and Shinryoku."
"Yeah. Why are you asking?" Kallen asked, now wondering what the greein haired powerhouse was getting to.
"Well in that case we'd better make sure you'd get all dressed up since it's a formal and serious occasion." C.C. remarked mischeviously.
Kallen's eyes widened. "I don't need to dress up. My Black Knight uniform would do just fine."
C.C. sighed and shook her head, knowing that she was going to be stubborn since both she and Naruto would need to be taught a thing or two about formal events. "Really? That drab jacket uniform? Did you learn nothing about formal occasions?"
"I'm not that kind of girl, C.C." Kallen retorted. "Besides, why does it matter to you?"
C.C. shrugged. "Well, you can consider it a part of the contract I made with you."
"What?"
"We have a contract remember like what I made with Lelouch and my paths. Anyways with V.V. dead and left entombed at the bottom of the ocean and my Code altered beyond the point of being useful it no longer matters if Charles knows I am here or not. And I want to enjoy it, the feeling of being free." C.C. explained as she walked up to Kallen and stood in front of her. "I actually want to enjoy the feeling of being human again. Well, somewhat human. And I want to enjoy it with people I've grown close to. It's not like we'll be fighting much for a while."
"That makes sense, kind of but how does that have anything to do with me?" Kallen questioned.
C.C. smirked. "Still don't get it, huh? Well, let's say I want my contractors to be happy and find someone to love. While having an excuse to mess with them some more as I like to play with all of my toys."
Kallen frowned. "Just when I thought you were actually flipping the witch switch off. Sorry, C.C. but I don't think I'll find anyone interested in me or someone who will be interested in me. I'm a little busy for that."
"Yes, you sure are stubborn aren't you? But unfortunately…" C.C.'s yellow eyes morphed into her Rinnegan. "So am I."
Needless to say Kallen was not ready for what happened next as she blacked out.
Xxx
Suzaku's eyes shot up as the door to his cell opened and in walked Todoh. "Todoh-sensei."
"Suzaku. I came here because it's time to make your choice." Todoh said stoically.
"To stay in the new Japan or leave." Suzaku surmised.
"Yes." Todoh nodded.
Suzaku closed his eyes and made his decision.
Xxx
"Traitor!"
"Murderer!"
"Go back to your masters!"
Suzaku didn't spare them a glance as he boarded the ship with the Britannians who chose to return to the homeland. He refused to stay in the new United States of Japan, refusing to believe that Japanese could support the creation of a country that will cause more pain and suffering in the world. The world that needed to be united for peace to survive and this country will only create more wars.
'This isn't about Japan or Zero it's about you and your father!'
Suzaku's fist clenched at the memory of Naruto's voice.
'You killed your father and you've been guilty about it ever since! You believe the only way to repent is act like a good boy while secretly hoping you'll die in battle and somehow find redemption! Only you've been looking for your so-called redemption at the blood and expense of your own people because in your eyes resisting Britannia is what your father wanted and he died because you didn't believe it that way. You've built your believes around the idea that if everyone follows the rules they get rewarded and any other way is unacceptable.'
'Stop it.' Suzaku thought, trying to block the voice out.
'You've destroyed the lives and dreams of others for your own goals to keep your morals clean and believing if you obey you will be rewarded…You are a traitor, Suzaku. And those who betray their friends, families, and people are lower than trash.'
'I didn't betray anyone. My people betrayed themselves by fighting a war that was lost!' Suzaku shut his eyes.
"He's my brother!" Euphemia cried. "My brother…Lelouch is Zero and he would never hurt me."
'But he did, Euphie. He brainwashed you.' Suzaku felt a tear form in his right eye.
"I know who he is…I've known since Kamine Island and that is why I wanted to create the Special Zone. I wanted to end the fighting for him and for our sister Nunnally. I wanted us to come together and be a family again. But then I was betrayed and I nearly got him killed so I surrendered to him and went to be with him and Nunnally."
'He's not your brother, Euphie. He's a murderer!' Suzaku banged the railing. 'Why couldn't you hear me? You had to see it.'
"I don't brainwash people, Suzaku, unlike those bastards you serve whom you belief will reward you for kissing their asses. You should check your facts before believing everything you hear. Euphie chose to join us of her own free will and she tried to make you understand. But you just refuse to believe anything out of your sad little delusion. Euphie came down here to help you and you made her cry simply because you refused to listen…To understand how she felt and what she believed."
'She believed in non-violence but you twisted her beliefs, Naruto.' Suzaku's mind shifted to the image of Naruto, whom he believed to be just an enemy to true peace as Lelouch.
Naruto closed his eyes as he sighed. "And oppress more people? How many countries would you conquer before that even happened if it ever actually happened at all? And what about the other Areas?"
"What?" Suzaku looked confused.
"You planned to help them right? Or were you only going to help Japan? Don't you think they need to change for the better? All the people you would have to kill to rise up in rank and you only want to help Japan." Naruto shook his head. "You still don't get it. The system will never change and you would sell your soul with hope for change. The Emperor, the nobles, and anyone else in power don't give a damn about the people in the Areas who are simply numbers to them and you only wanting to run Japan even with the Emperor looking over your shoulders to make sure things go his way and you would go along with it just because you think obeying him would help change the Empire. You'd have sold your friends, family, and people out for nothing."
'That is not true!'
"You don't know that!" Suzaku shouted.
"Yes I do!" Naruto shouted back. "You're blind and you won't accept that the Japanese and the other Areas will always fight for their freedom! They will not stop so as long the dream of a free world lives within them, their hearts and their dreams. They will always fight against for what Britannia stands for and for what you believe in."
Suzaku shook his head. 'Not if they see the good in joining together. They can come together and make the world better.'
"You were foolish enough to believe that you could actually help people by turning them into slaves and building a worldwide empire on their backs. You call this violence and bloodshot but what you planned was the same on a worldwide scale. These people didn't choose to be part of Britannia as Elevens but they chose this, something you would have not allowed because if they chose anything but what Britannia offered you'd say they were wrong. And for what?" Naruto shook his head as he took off his mask. "To lord over them and turn Japan in whatever you want while allowing the Empire to do whatever it wants to the other areas you helped establish? You would take away their pride, their dignity just for a grab at power."
'And what you and Lelouch have done is not a grab for power?'
"That power was what I needed to make things better. I know I can become the Knight of One and change things!" Suzaku said but Naruto only shook his head again.
"You're not the best, Suzaku. You may have been skilled enough to operate the Lancelot but you are hardly the most skilled pilot in the world. There's no guarantee that you would ever become the Knight of One and if you had died it would have all been nothing, despite you looking for an honorable death. They don't make martyrs out of Numbers. And even if you had managed to take control of Japan it would probably with the Emperor looking over her shoulder to make sure everything is the way he wants it to be. Hardly fair to the people." Naruto retorted.
'If I am not the best then I will become stronger!' Suzaku declared.
"They would understand when I show them that it's a better alternative to open war! I cannot understand how they can support this! I cannot understand how you can support this! Don't you understand the only way to make things better is for people to stop fighting and work together to change the system!" Suzaku said, looking out the window and saw them celebrating. "This is wrong! This is not how it supposed to be!"
"You are such a child!" Naruto threw his arms up. "Screaming out how this isn't what you want. That only you can decide how things are supposed to be. Saying how everyone else except from you are wrong and at fault."
"It is your fault! You and Lelouch chose to betray the system for your own selfish needs!" Suzaku shouted.
'All this death is your fault.'
"Like I said, just call me a God of War then. The people don't want to wait years of being treated like trash just to hope that things might change for the better. And they won't want to be led by a man who betrayed them to climb up in ranks. They want to live free for themselves and their families, free of tyrannical oppression of any kind.
And for the record the system betrayed Lelouch long before I showed up and I never was part of the system to begin with. So you can't betray someone who betrays you first and you can't betray something that you were never loyal to in the first place. That is not delusion. That is fact.
You know of Lelouch's history, you know how his father abandoned him and Nunnally here when all Lelouch wanted was answers for his mother's death which should have been clear from the beginning how rotten the Empire is. And then he did it again when he set Euphie up to be a pariah by nearly killing Zero. This is a clear example of how mad the Emperor truly is and how he deserved to be kicked off that throne." Naruto shook his head. "You may be right about people needing to work together but what you are doing is not working together. Working together doesn't mean fighting other people and forcing them to work with you. That is not working together, that is slavery. The kind of thing you claim to be fighting against."
'A God of War. Fine, you made your choice and I will see you brought down. You will see that I am right.'
"I did what I had to do! You think all of this will last? All you've done is prolong the inevitable!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"You are wrong on so many things, Suzaku. We've started a change that will one day end with peace finally being achieved. And it won't be done at gunpoint as you would have it.'
'Naruto, you hypocrite. You and Lelouch trick and decive everyone around you to get what you want and you have the gall to condemn me.' Suzaku gritted his teeth and gripped the railing so hard it actually started to bend.
His mind flashed to Ashford, all the times he spent with Lelouch, Naruto, Tsunade, and Kallen.
All those times and he never suspected.
He looked at back at the city and saw the people who were so happy.
Happy to be part of a country created by a madman and a monster in human flesh.
'I'll prove them all wrong. I will rise to the top, I will become the Knight of One, the right hand of the Emperor and I will change the system. I will be the one who brings peace to this world by showing them all how someone can change the system for the better from within.' Suzaku held up a hand and clenched it into a fist. 'Lelouch, Zero. Naruto, you both are enemies to peace and I will not stop until you both are brought down and face justice.'
He would succeed even if he had sacrifice his life to make it happen.
Xxx
Naruto could honestly say he was slightly exhausted by all the effort he made to help in the clean up the battle fields, sending thousands, actually millions of Shadow Clones all over the country to help clean up. Of course he made sure that they all disguised themselves to avoid anyone one pointing out the massive clone army that was helping them out. Now he was returning to the government bureau where he knew Rakshata had set up shop to examine the Lancelot and the massive Knightmare Jeremiah had piloted before it was buried. He smirked at the memory of seeing Nunnally beat down Jeremiah through her eyes and easily capture him before vanishing.
Lelouch would throw a fit if he knew who Infinity really was.
It was sun down when he made it back the bureau on the roof and saw all the decorations Kaguya had been making for the big party she was throwing tonight. Naruto could only smile as he looked around for Cera and found her waiting for him in the Viceroy's office by the window.
What he didn't expect from her was how beautiful she looked.
She wore an expensive looking white evening gown that bared her shoulders and fell to the ground, exposing one leg that showed the white sandles on her feet with her hair tied into a neat elegant bun that made her look even more beautiful in Naruto's eyes.
"C-Cera!" Naruto stuttered.
C.C., Cera smiled as she glided towards Naruto and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hey you. You were almost late for the party."
"Uh…Right, the party." Naruto stuttered, trying to remember how to actually think.
Cera grinned as she leaned in. "Tonight's a special night. That brat Vincent is dead and with him gone Charles and Marianne's plans have gone to hell. I don't have to care if anyone sees me anymore. I am free…Thanks to you, Naruto."
Naruto smiled as he held her. "You have no need to thank me, Cera."
"Idiot, you saved me and gave me the means to be free from both those two and being an immortal." Cera said with an annoyed look on her face.
Naruto chuckled as Cera pulled back. "Yeah, I guess so but you saved me too, Cera. You gave me a life after I lost my old one and you were the first to ever…Consider having a family with me."
"And you were the first to ever truly love me." Cera smiled as she patted Naruto on the shoulder. "Now go get dressed and I mean actually dressed. Sayoko should be able to help you."
As if saying her name had some sort of magic command Sayoko appeared Naruto with a bow. "At once, Lady Cera."
Naruto yelped as Sayoko grabbed him and they both vanished in a puff of smoke. Nearly half an hour later they were back with Naruto staggering from everything happening so fast. Cera smiled, satisfied to see Naruto was now dressed in a formal black tuxedo while his hair looked shiny and combed back.
Naruto rubbed his head, blushing slightly from how Sayoko had helped him get cleaned and dressed. She obviously had great experience ensuring that any of her charges were dressed and ready for almost any occasion. "Well, I guess I'm ready."
"I see Sayoko was well prepared." Cera commented as she walked forward and straightened the tie.
"Yeah." Naruto said, feeling slightly uncomfortable being dressed so formally. "So is this for the party."
"Yes. But first…Here's our third wheel." Cera said as she activated her Takamagahara that caused a distortion to form.
And out of it appeared the red-headed ace of the Black Knights.
"Kallen?!" Naruto's jaw dropped.
Kallen was slightly disorientated from the sudden rush but when she regained her senses she found herself in the Viceroy's office of the bureau. And when she looked down at herself her face turned complete red as she looked back at Cera and then back at herself.
"What did you do now?!" Kallen growled.
Cera smirked. "I got you ready for the party."
Kallen was now wearing a red satin dress that complimented her figure greatly with fancy white sandles on her feet while her hair was now straight and fell down to her shoulders, sparkling slightly in the light, and a golden chance necklace around her neck. The last thing Kallen remembered was speaking to C.C. after her stepmother cleared out about the party before C.C. activated her Rinnegan…
She must have knocked her out and dressed her!
"C.C." Kallen growled, looking ready to pounce on Cera and beat the hell out of her.
"Now, now, Kallen you didn't have any formal ware left in that now empty house so I helped out." Cera said teasingly.
Kallen clenched a fist as she stepped forward until Naruto stepped in between them. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Come on, let's not fight tonight. We're supposed to be celebrating, not fighting."
Kallen stared at Naruto, looking him over unconsciously and admitted how good he looked. The both of them stared at each before they both blushed and looked away.
"Fine but if you and C.C. is trying to trick me into a three-way I swear I will rip your balls out by the-" Kallen threatened.
Naruto held up his hand frantically. "No, no, no! Nothing like that!"
Behind him Cera was smirking at Kallen that caused the red head to scowl even further. Kallen held both fingers to her eyes and then pointed them at Cera, transmitting a silent 'I'm watching you'. Naruto sighed, knowing Cera was looking for an excuse to have some fun but she seemed genuinely happy tonight.
"So let's get this over with." Kallen calmed down and walked forward ahead of the two.
Naruto looked at Cera. "Did you really have to do that?"
"I wanted all my contractors to enjoy tonight. Lelouch will probably be making a grand speech, Rakshata will have the Lancelot and Jeremiah's Knightmare to herself, Sayoko will probably be helping Nunnally who be here as well." Cera said as she wrapped her arms around Naruto's arm and pulled him along to the roof of the bureau where the party was taking place.
The party was in full swing with music with the woman dressed in fancy dresses and kimonos and men like Ohgi wearing formal suits. Todoh was dressed in a formal dark brown kimono with Chiba wearing a dark formal kimono with a flower in her head, standing next to him with a small smile. The three were mildly surprised to see Milly there as well with Lelouch in his Zero guise, wearing a blue strapless dress and high heels, looking calm and slightly at ease. Euphemia was there, still wearing the black and silver dress but oddly Cornelia was next to her, still in her uniform.
Sayoko was standing at a table, next to a girl with long wavy blond hair, blue eyes, and slightly tanned skin while wearing a cyan gown. She looked at the three and winked, showing Naruto and Cera that it was Nunnally but disguised as someone else.
"Master Naruto, Ladies Kallen and C.C., allow me to introduce Nemo." Sayoko bowed as they approached.
"Nemo?" Kallen asked.
'Nemo' nodded with a smile. "Glad to meet you, Kallen. I look forward to speaking with you more after the party."
Any further conversation was cut off as Kaguya Sumeragi stepped up to the microphone and cleared her throat, gaining everyone's attention. "Esteemed leaders of Kyoto, members of the Black Knights, and honored guests, it is my pleasure to welcome you all today as we celebrate the first day of our independence and the birth of our new nation. It has been a long road for many of us and many have died to help us reach this destination. Their sacrifices have not been in vain as today we stand and together we can make country great again with leaders like Lord Zero and Commander Todoh to lead us. Now as we celebrate our victories there still much to be done and I speak for the United States of Japan that we still need your help. To that we ask for you all each to contribute to the building of the government." Kaguya stepped aside and allowed Lelouch to speak.
"Thank you, Lady Kaguya for you wise words. It will indeed be a great journey, building the greatest country in the world but it can be done. You are all here because you believed in a world where the people, the common folk would be free from oppression and it was because of you that it was made possible. And now we have been called on upon to build that world for all to live their lives in peace. I ask you, will you help us?" Lelouch called out and was silent as most of the party answered back with cheers. "Very well. To that end, divisions will be set up to aid in creating the government. They will be focused on education, construction, and management of news, food, and supplies all over Japan. The Six Houses of Kyoto will function as the main political cabinet with Kaguya Sumeragi as Prime Minister. For any Britannians remaining in Japan, Euphemia li Britannia, former Princess of Britannia along with Milly Ashford, heiress to the Ashford family have agreed to act on behalf of the remaining Britannians to ensure that no more hostilities break and show the world that we are not like Britannia who would discriminate anyone not worthy in their eyes. This is merely the beginning but for now, let us enjoy this night, dance to the sound of tranquil music instead of hearing the screams and cries of the dying in warzones with friends and comrades, and let your troubles fade away into the night!"
The party cheered and clapped as music resumed playing and the party resumed, everyone trying to enjoy themselves. Cera quickly dragged Naruto out onto the middle of the roof where they enjoyed dancing with several others, quickly becoming the center of the floor. It was peaceful to everyone to simply enjoy themselves for the night and it showed on the smiling faces of the many people attending the party. Even Kallen had danced with Naruto when he and Cera finished and the red head honestly could say she enjoyed dancing with him, finding him to be good, if a little clumsy but it was fun regardless.
Naruto approached Milly, seeing how nervous she might be and offered a dance to help her try and enjoy the night and to make up for the events that happened to Ashford during the Rebellion. Milly accepted, if only because she suspected Naruto to be one of the Black Knights, likely one of the two masked warriors that always accompanied Lelouch, the fox masked man known as Seizan while Tsunade was Shinryoku. So she danced and she looked at Naruto, seeing him as more of a mystery than any person she had met before and she wanted to know who he was. Cera watched with a smirk before Naruto came back with Milly and allowing her to be near friends, knowing that even if the battles were over for now things would get very interesting.
For now, there was peace and it was the start of healing a scarred country and its people.
*Chapter 37*: Chapter 37Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
The months passed by and many changes had been made in the wake of the formation of the United States of Japan.
After the armistice was signed the people worked about in building the new country Zero had offered to them which that they had accepted enthusiastically. Britannia's belief in its superiority had been shattered in the wake of the Black Rebellion that caused multiple rebellions in dozens of areas and let to renewed effort by the European Union and the Chinese Federation. Without the sakuradite from Japan Britannia's economy and ability to field large numbers of Knightmares had been crippled and thus was forced to accept a truce made by all countries. In the months that followed the European Union and the Chinese Federation had all made diplomatic approaches to the United States of Japan, hoping to form an alliance and even exploid the sakuradite the new country still had.
The Black Knights quickly became recognized as the new government even if it had not been Zero's intention but after some prodding by Prime Minister Kaguya Sumeragi Zero accepted the charge of running all military operations in Japan. The Britannians that remaned found themselves forced to accept that in the eyes of their country they were no longer Britannians. With the exception of the wealthy and nobles Britannia disavowed the rest, seeing them as no longer part of Britannia for living in the same country as Zero before the Rebellion. Zero ordered that they not be treated as prisoners of war, slaves, or forced to live in horrible conditions like the Japanese had been as Numbers.
Hating people for simply being Britannian was not what the United State of Japan stood for.
Instead Zero saw to it they were well looked after, having kept most of Japan in stable condition even if it required rebuilding. Now almost a year has passed and the United States of Japan has grown stronger in strength and popularity with the name Zero becoming revered to the point of Godhood. But even now, there are still enemies out there that would love to see the United States of Japan and its leader disappear from the world.
And even now these enemies plot Zero's downfall.
Xxx
"Bye mom! I'll be back around dinner!"
The door was almost completely closed as Kallen Kouziki uttered those words, rushing out of the apartment she shared with her mother and running out of building with a sandwich stuffed into her mouth, determined not to be late for school. She still wore her Ashford Academy uniform and was still going to Ashford Academy that had remained intact following the Black Rebellion. It wasn't very different, only it now accepted Japanese students who were in desperate need of an education. Zero and the Black Knights had ensured a healthy economy with many branches dedicated to health, security, research and development, education, and much more.
Prime Minister Kaguya Sumeragi had proved to be very skilled in politics, even if she had leaders of Kyoto as her advisers. The Black Knights in the meantime were recognized as the primary peace keeping force in Japan but an official Japanese army was made separate from the Black Knights, led by Colonel Todoh and the Four Holy Swords who were still members of the Black Knights as a representative of the army. It was an inspiring move and necessary one as despite the treaty that had formally recognized Japan as a soverign country there was still a chance that Britannia would attempt another invasion.
Fortunately any encounters had been mere small incursions, no doubt meant to probe Japan's defenses for weaknesses.
The official headquarters was the former Britannia Government Bureau that was transformed into the new HQ for the Black Knights and the new Prime Minister so the two groups could work together side by side. It was still amazing how fast the country managed to rebuild itself under Lel-Zero's leadership. Kallen had long ago come to terms about Zero's true identity and understood why he acted against his country, given how he and his sister who had been blind and crippled at the time had been abandoned and left to die in a warzone. She could even sympathize with him since she was half Britannian and believed that she had been betrayed by the people that she was once part, though she was ashamed to admit that part.
Still she had come to learn not all Britannians were inheritently like the people who had invaded and enslaved the country she was born. The few friends at Ashford Academy were certainly nothing like the typical snotty and heartless monsters she had once sterotyped all Britannians to be. Some Britannians were left behind, unable to leave for many reasons, including families who had people in the military who were shamed by their homeland for the military's failure to hold Japan. As for Kallen, she moved out of the mansion she previously lived in with her mother and step-mother and into an apartment after her mother was released from prison and was completely free of the addicting affects of Refrain and they both had plenty of money since Kallen was a member of the original Black Knights and was given a heavy income from the new Japanese government as a reward for her services before and during the Black Rebellion.
Now she was mostly an ordinary girl going to school while still having her military duties but for the most part things were peaceful in Japan.
"Hey Kallen!"
Kallen stopped when she saw two familiar people walking down the same street she was on. "Naruto! Cera!"
Both Naruto and Cera, formerly known as C.C. had changed very little in the following year of the rebirth of Japan. They both attended still school with Kallen since they never passed the previous grade due to the Black Rebellion caused the Academy to close for a few months to deal with the reorganization of the country. Of course the same could be said for just about anyone such as Rivalz and Shirley who remained behind and their families were civilians with little to no prejudice to the Japanese along with Lelouch who remained the same in his attendance to class since he was also the masked revolutionist Zero.
After much prodding by Naruto Cera allowed her real name to be used on the grounds it would only be known to her contractors and they would use it in private. In the meantime Nunnally had come far under Naruto and Cera's training, reaching the point that Sayoko believed she would have been a proud successor to her in the ninja arts of the Sonazaki clan. And there was the fact that Cera had gained a new path from someone unexpected.
Xxx
Fifteen Days Since the Black Rebellion
"So this poweris real?" Cornelia question, shocked and surprised along with her younger sister as they watched the many feats Naruto and Cera preformed.
Elemental Manipulation.
Duplication of themselves and any objects in their hands.
Walking on water and up trees with no hands what-so-ever.
And other superhuman feats.
And they found out Nunnally had these powers, the Rinnegan.
"I accepted this power to protect Lelouch. With or without the power of Geass he would have attempted his revolution in the future but when he gained Geass along with Naruto and Cera as allies he was able to free this country when against opponents like Suzaku and you, Big Sister it would have been much more difficult." Nunnally explained when they asked him why she accepted this power. "At the very least I am no longer his weakness and I was able to avenge my mother's death."
Cornelia looked shocked. "You know who killed her?"
"Yes…And it's a very long story."
And so, Nunnally told them what truly happened that night, how the immortal child named V.V. assassinated Lady Marianne under the pretence of meeting with her to discuss important business. Charles covered it up and physically crippled Nunnally while using his Geass to alter her memories and make her go blind. By the end of the tale Cornelia and Euphie were shocked and horrified that their father would do such a thing to his youngest child.
And yet he showed how little he cared when he sent them away to Japan just before it was invaded.
"I no longer recognize that man as my father. He took away my legs and sight, making me a helpless sack of meat that needed to rely on everyone her to survive and forced my brother to witness terrible atrocities through the invasion. That man is a monster and I swear that I one day will bring him down for his sins." Nunnally declared, her Rinnegan flaring. "He will not hurt Lelouch or anyone I care about ever again."
Euphie quickly grabbed her little sister in a deep hug. "Oh Nunna, I am so sorry for what you went through! I never wanted you and Lelouch to leave us!"
Cornelia gave them both a hug of her own. "Neither did I."
Nunnally smiled and hugged them both back. "I know."
"That is why I want to you help, Nunna." Euphie said as she pulled away. "I don't want to stand on the sidelines anymore."
"Euphie?" Cornelia asked as Euphie faced Cera and Naruto who were silent through the whole sibling moment.
"Is it possible for me to gain the powers you gave my sister?" Euphie asked, surprising Cornelia.
"Euphie?!"
Cera nodded. "I can bestow upon anyone the power of Geass and only two more with the Rinnegan. Nunnally is my Naraka Path while Sayoko is my Animal Path, Rakshata is my Human Path, and Shinryoku is my Asura Path. The two paths left are Deva and Preta."
"Then I wish to become one of these paths." Euphie said.
"Euphie, wait-" Cornelia tried to protest.
"Please don't stop me, sister!" Euphie looked at her shocked sister. "I have sat behind you for most of my life, letting you keep me blind to how harsh the world truly is. But I saw it that day at the zone I tried to set up to bring people together for our sister's sake and it almost ended in a bloodbath and Lelouch was nearly killed as a result. I won't sit by anymore and watch as our siblings try to change the world for the batter, they are our family and family stays together. So I wish to make the same kind of deal Nunnally and Lelouch made."
Cornelia stared at her younger sister in shock and awe, as if seeing the young strong woman Euphie had grown into instead of the sweet little sister Cornelia had loved through their childhood.
"Very well." Cera said as she stepped forward. "But be ready. This will hurt."
It certainly did.
Cornelia had to be pulled back more than once as Euphie gritted her teeth in pain as she struggled through it all. It was until the process was finally complete did Euphie let out a relieved gasp as she fell onto her knees and Cornelia rushed over to her.
"Euphie, are you all right?" Cornelia asked as she hugged her sister.
"I'm…I'm okay, sister." Euphie pulled away slightly and opened her eyes.
Cornelia gasped as she looked into her sister's eyes, seeing the black rings and the purple sclera. "Euphie…"
Euphie pulled out a small mirror and looked at her reflection, seeing her new eyes. "It is real…I feel so…So…Alive."
"That's the feeling your new chakra circulatory system in your body." Cera said, smiling softly at her new contractor. "Take a few hours to get used to this. Your body will need time to adjust to the changes."
Euphie nodded. "I understand…Thank you, Cera."
"Just remember, don't speak my real name to anyone else outside of our little circle. I have a reputation to uphold." Cera reminded mischeviously before becoming serious. "This will being more changes than you realize, Euphemia. What you have come now is one of my Sixth Paths, what I have decided to call the Six Paths of Rebellion. You are still you but in many ways you are different from the rest of humanity in ways that cannot be imagined. It will take training, discipline, and the right people to ensure you are able to control this power you now carry."
"How dangerous is this power? Will it hurt her?" Cornelia quickly asked.
"She is in more danger of harming anyone near her than herself." Naruto answered. "A single wrong move could harm or even kill anyone who is not ready. The training will be difficult so for the first few months we will be training in isolation from the rest of the world. The training will be help Euphie learn how to focus her power before we even think teaching her any dangerous techniques."
"So, I suggest we get some supplies ready." Cera said, finishing the lecture.
Xxx
So in order to Euphemia control her new powers Naruto and Cera took her and Cornelia out into the far countryside of Japan, where no one would bother them. It was fortunate that not even Britannia paid complete attention to the countryside, preferring to focus its control in settlements in locations where resources would be plenty. As a soldier Cornelia already had gone through survival training but Euphie needed to be taught all of that since Cornelia had refused to have her trained as a soldier before. Despite her elder sister's misgivings Euphie was a surpisingly fast learner and moved through the basics of survival training while slowly learning how to control her chakra.
Euphemia was a natural learner, soaking up what she learned like a sponge and she still continued attending Ashford Academy as Elizabeth Lamperouge. Her kind and friendly nature allowed her to make friends with almost everyone in the school and she even sat on the Student Council. It was there that she found a very good friend in Milly Ashford as they both shared interesting stories about Lelouch, much to his embarrassment. They shared laughs back and forth, including Naruto, Cera, and Kallen with the other members while Lelouch simply closed his eyes and waited out the storm.
When she was not at school she was Euphemia li Britannia, former Princess of Britannia and the current acting representative all remaining Britannians that were now living in the new Japan. Cornelia herself had become Euphie's bodyguard, keeping her training as a military officer sharp. Most Britannians were re-located into an area set up like the Special Administrative Zone Euphemia originally set up for the Japanese a year ago but now she was doing the same for Britannians left behind. It's been a long journey but everyone was starting to feel relaxed and at peace.
"Ready for another crazy day at Ashford?" Naruto asked. "I hear Milly's planning to make another giant pizza again."
Kallen sighed. "Again? Wasn't the last epic failure not enough?"
"Nope. She vowed she won't stop until she get its right. Though I wonder if I can convince her to make a bowl of ramen to go with that pizza." Naruto said thoughtfully.
"Seriously?" Kallen said, a blank look on her face.
"Don't get him started." Cera remarked. "Him and Milly have already been working on ways to make the giant bowl."
"And I know where to get the ingrediants!" Naruto laughed eagerly.
"Oh boy." Kallen shook her head.
Needless to say Naruto and Milly formed a scary friendship due to how much they loved pranks and blowing things over the top. It was enough that almost the entire school might have to join forces to stop them in whatever crazy shenanagins the two might pull. The less said about how much trouble the two have caused following the school's reopening the better.
"As long as it doesn't interfere with the giant pizza, I don't care." Cera shrugged. "Just don't break the stage."
"How did I ever survive hanging around you two?" Kallen sighed as they walked through the gate of Ashford Academy.
"Because you love us?" Naruto asked with a big smile.
"Love might be too strong a word, especially for you." Kallen said, throwing at glare at Cera who simply smiled and blew a kiss at her.
"Suck it up. I am the witch and you are the contracted servant." Cera retorted. "It's not like anything would be different if you weren't."
Kallen simply rolled her eyes.
She had long come to expect this from the former immortal.
"And where is our glorious leader?" Cera asked sarcastically with a smirk. "Has he decided to skip class again?"
"Do you really need to ask that?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
Xxx
Naruto was absolutely right for as of this moment Lelouch was in a very important meeting as Zero with the all of Japan's top leaders, regarding an important discussion.
"So Schneizel has made a pact with the Chinese Federation…" Lelouch said slowly as he looked over the reports. "I expected as much."
Todoh nodded. "With all of the uprisings in the other areas and the fights between the Chinese Federation and the EU it is expected that Schneizel el Britannia would attempt to use diplomacy to not only end the fighting but bring them on his side. If the Chinese Federations joins with Britannia then they'll be able to move through Chinese territory and surround the EU on all sides."
"Effectively neutralizing them as a threat." Lelouch finished. "And it all took was to set up an arranged marriage between the first prince and the Chinese Empress."
"This affects us as well. With the Chinese Federation allied with Britannia and the EU either defeated or forced to surrender they will eventually look to Japan, believing their new strength will allow them to overwhelm and re-conquer this country." Diethard spoke.
Kaguya frowned. "The Empress is but a child and the first prince is a grown man. Is Britannia truly this depraved?"
"With the uprisings and the wars between the other super powers Britannia will do anything to ensure they remain the most powerful state in the world." Lelouch answered.
Diethard nodded. "And since we have a trade agreement set up with the EU it would be easy for the Chinese to help set up a blockade to prevent."
Tamaki groaned. "Great. We go through all those months of setting up an ecnonomy and already those Brits are looking to sink it. So how do we stop this?"
"It's unlikely that we can. An act of armed force would only galvanize the Chinese to declare war and with Britannia already at the negotiation table with them it would be easy for them to ask for assistance." Todoh replied.
Rakshata looked barely interested in the meeting. "They'll likely do anything to get their hands on any equipment the Britannians have, even if their knightmares are second rate now."
"I know the Empress and I know she wouldn't agree to this arranged marriage. We were friends and I do have invitation to the wedding. As Prime Minister of Japan I can speak on her behalf, ask them to postpone the wedding at least so they can listen to an offer of an alliance between the Chinese Federation and the United States of Japan." Kaguya offered.
"It is unlikely you can change their minds as Schneizel no doubt has bought the loyalty of nearly everyone in an influencial position in the Chinese government. Still, you are right." Lelouch nodded. "We cannot allow this to happen without attempting to stop what will be a plot aimed at the United States of Japan just as it has truly prospered. I will speak with the ambassador at the Chinese Embassy and see what he knows of this wedding. For now we will simply continue the business of running this country and prepare."
"For what?" Tamaki asked.
"The wedding of course."
Xxx
"So Lulu's flaked out on another school day? Normally I'd sit back and let Shirley and Rivalz get all worried about him but I think I know what he's away for." Milly said, sitting back on her chair as she shared lunch with Naruto, Cera, Euphie or rather Elizabeth, and Kallen. "Still, I should take the chance to make him regret skipping out again."
Naruto snickered. "Need a hand?"
Milly grinned. "Are you offering?"
"Please say no." Kallen groaned. "Come on, Naruto. Can't you go one day without pulling a prank?"
Naruto looked at Kallen like she had asked the stupidest question to ever be asked.
"Right, sorry I asked." Kallen said, realizing the futility of trying common sense here.
Euphie giggled. "Kallen, you should know better by now."
Considering that Ashford Academy was a zone that attracted complete madness Kallen should have known better than to ask.
"So what's going on?" Kallen asked, knowing how good Milly was good at finding out secrets. "Any reason why Lelouch would skip out on another day of school without coming to any of us?"
"I hear there is an important meeting being held with the leaders who were almost all original members of the Black Knights." Euphie commented.
"Well, rumor has it that the Empress of the Chinese Federation is getting married to one of the members of the Britannian Royal Family." Milly answered.
"What?!" Kallen gaped. "But if that's true than Britannia and the Chinese must be making an alliance?!"
"Yep, sounds like it." Cera said, having a slice of pizza.
"But if they make an alliance it'll tip the balance of power in Britannia's favor and they might just decide to attack us again!" Kallen stood up.
"Kallen, calm down. You know we won't let that happen." Naruto said, placing a calming hand on Kallen's arm. "Knowing Lelouch he probably knows about it by now thanks to the intelligence from Diethard. And he's probably already got a plan."
Milly rolled her eyes. "No doubt about that. I always knew that he would one day try something but he went and made a brand new country to call his own."
"Technically it's Zero who made the country. I'm not sure how they would react if they knew who Lelouch was." Kallen admitted.
"Even after all this?" Naruto asked.
Kallen did have to think about that for a while. "…I am not entirely sure."
"Because working with us Lelouch was able to give you all back the country you fought for. Turning on him simply because of who he used to be would be a betrayal of the worst kind. Sure Lelouch has his moments of being an ass and has a bit of a dark side but he accepts that as simply a part of him. That's something not many people are capable of doing." Naruto replied.
"But now he may have his chance to make his move." Cera said, having another slice of pizza.
"His move?" Kallen asked.
"He's been patient but this move by Britannia will no doubt give him the opportunity to strike at the Empire and maybe even the Emperor." Cera remarked. "If he stops this wedding he'll have the chance to get the Chinese Federation and maybe even the European Union to join him, forming an alliance against Britannia. With everyone united against Britannia and with Zero leading the charge it'll be a matter of time."
"As in a matter of time before he can strike at the Emperor." Milly surmised.
"Exactly." Cera nodded with a smirk. "It seems the famous intelligence the Ashford family is not lost on you."
Milly scoffed. "More than I can say for the brainless sperm doner and the soulless hag he knocked up. How my grandfather could deal with either of them is beyond me."
There had been no love lost between Milly and her parents who were among the people to return to the Homeland under an alias sice they would not be accepted back if they were known to be part of the Ashford family. Since her parents had tried to get her married off to simply restore their nobility Milly considered both of her parents idiots and heartless for what they tried to put her through. Her father was a brainless idiot who did whatever his wife told him and her mother was a parasite who simply married into the family and tried to take control. However Milly had been spared the horrible fate of being like either of them, inheriting her mother's determination which was the only good thing about being related to that woman and her grandfather's intellect.
"At least you have your grandfather." Kallen said, trying to be supportive to her friend.
"And he's not a complete ass." Naruto offered.
Milly chuckled. "Yeah, true on both counts."
"So what will happen?" Kallen asked.
Naruto rubbed his chin. "Well, knowing Lelouch he'll want to journey to China before the wedding starts, to meet up with the Empress and get a layout of the forces that will be there to make sure the wedding happens."
"And no doubt he'll survey geological land to look for the perfect way to make a quick escape." Cera continued.
"And he'll probably make his big entrance in the middle of the wedding and wisk the Empress away." Milly said with a Cheshire smile. "Lulu never does things small."
Euphie nodded in agreement.
"Wouldn't kidnapping the Empress turn the Chinese Federation against us and provoke them into declaring war on Japan?" Kallen asked.
"Not unless Lelouch can get the Empress to call off the manhunt." Naruto replied. "It's actually happened before."
"And if Lulu gets the Empress on his side he can get the Chinese to stand down and call off the wedding." Kallen caught on.
"Not unless Britannia has the Eunuchs on their side. Knowing Prince Schneizel he'll have bribed them to make sure there is no opposition from the Chinese Federation in this agreement." Cera quickly replied. "Bribe them and they could just sacrifice the Empress for a chance to capture or kill Zero."
Milly frowned. "There is that…"
"They would let the Empress be killed?" Kallen gasped. "She's only a child!"
"The higher ups of the Chinese Federation aren't that much better than the nobility and royalty of Britannia, Kallen. They're a bunch of greedy spinless old men that'll sacrifice anyone and anything that benefits them." Cera replied stoically.
"It's true on that. Rakshata primarily joined up with us against Britannia for Japan's help in liberating India from the Chinese Federation's control." Naruto agreed. "She's been huge leaps ever since she started working with us and got help from Lloyd and Cecile. Which kind of explains why the Chinese doesn't like us all that much."
"But if they make an alliance with Britannia by marrying their Empress off to whomever she's bethrothed to not only will Britannia have the chance to corner the E.U. but they'll be able to sell weapons and supplies to the Chinese which they can use against the resistance in India." Milly surmised.
"Exactly." Cera nodded.
"Those sly bastards." Kallen scowled. "They couldn't beat us during the Rebellion so they want to unite everyone against us."
Euphie closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Pretty much." Naruto smirked. "Too bad they don't realize how much of a pain for anyone's plans we can be."
"But enough serious talk. That won't happen for a month so let's get onto more important things." Milly said, holding up a paper with a big grin.
Anniversary Festival for the United States of Japan. World's Biggest Pizza and Ramen here.
Cera and Naruto's eyes lit up as they read the paper while Kallen sighed, knowing what to expect while Euphie giggled.
"Yep and I'll be counting Naruto to make sure the stage is strong enough to hold back." Milly remarked.
"Yes sir!" Naruto said with a salute.
Kallen rubbed her head. "Oh no."
Just what fresh hell were Milly and Naruto planning this time?
Xxx
Cornelia Lamperouge, formerly Cornelia li Britannia supposed life could have been worse for her.
Euphie could have been dead and framed for a crime she did not commit that dishonored her good name. Now she was a representative of the Britannian civilians left behind in the United States of Japan and seemingly damn good one at that. She ensured that the Britannian families had homes, powers, water, food, and even jobs in the country that was once part of the Empire that invaded and conquered nearly eight years ago.
And here she was as Euphie's bodyguard with Lelouch, better known as Zero speaking with the Chinese representative Li Xingke.
"So the Empress is betrothed to Odysseus eu Britannia." Zero mused, sitting in a comfortable chair near a window that showed New Tokyo.
Li Xingke nodded. "Yes. The arrangement was made by Schneizel el Britannia and the Eunuchs."
"By Odysseus is a grown man and the Empress is only ten years old." Euphemia said, sounding outraged.
The former Princess wore a cream colored business suit that represented her status as the Britannian representative while Cornelia wore a black business suit that was tailered for her to be able to move and fight.
"Perhaps but it was argued that he was the only available member of royalty." Li Xingke replied.
Lelouch frowned behind his mask. Odysseus was the first born son of the Emperor and a mediocre prince, having barely done anything as a prince of Britannia unlike Schneizel, Cornelia, or even Clovis for that matter. There was no possible way he could have arranged this one his own so that meant that this entire arrangement was Schneizel's doing.
"How could the Chinese Federation allow such a union? Did the Empress even agree to this arranged marriage?" Euphie continued to question.
"The Empress believes in doing what is right for her people and the Eunuchs believe that with Britannia as an ally they will gain many resources, specifically the kind of resources that they tried to gain from your country but were unable to get as much as they wanted." Xingke replied.
"The Sakuradite." Euphie frowned. "The Chinese Federation asked for too much during the negotiations and the Japanese were not willing to turn Mount Fuji hollow after much of its environment was destroyed by Britannian mining during the occupation. The Eunuchs cannot be insulted over not taking what was never theirs to have."
"I assure you that this arrangement has nothing do with our negotiations." Xingke stated.
"And what are the current feelings towards us now?" Lelouch asked. "Has there been any talk of Britannia and the Chinese Federation uniting against us or the E.U.?"
"Not yet." Xingke answered. "The wedding will only cement the alliance but any talk of mutual defense against any enemies has yet to be discussed."
"By the use of the phrase 'yet' that means that someone has been thinking about it." Euphie stated sternly. "Has the Chinese Federation considered that an alliance with Britannia would threaten diplomatic ties with the United States of Japan?"
"There have been no talks of breaking ties with Japan. I have told you all I know about the arrangement." Xingke stated.
"Thank you. It's all we needed to know." Lelouch nodded.
Xxx
"What kind of nonsence is this? How can Schneizal set up an arranged marriage between our eldest brother and a child?" Euphie asked as she slipped into the limo with Lelouch and Cornelia. "I never though he would go such lengths with little consideration for the people his plans will affect. He couldn't be that desperate in the war against the E.U., could he?"
"It's not just the E.U., Euphie." Lelouch took off his mask. "The rebellion that led to the creation of the United States of Japan caused many rebellions all across the Empire and the loss of three members of royalty, two of them becoming traitors no doubt humiliated Britannia and inspired resistance groups into believing that the Empire was now vulnerable. Schneizel has done a good job pushing the E.U. back but the additional resistance groups no doubt has strained the Empire's resources."
"It is more than that. It wasn't just royalty that was lost but Schneizal lost the heads of his science division. Lloyd Asplund and Cecile Croomy were responsible for the creation of the Lancelot with the hopes it would become the base design for the next generation Knightmare frame." Cornelia continued, looking out the window. "He has no doubt been hard-pressed to find replacements for the both of them."
"But now this arranged marriage with the Chinese will tip the scales of power back in the Empire's favor. The E.U. will be forced to surrender in order to avoid being conquered." Lelouch put a hand to his chin.
"If they haven't already sent a representative to meet with you for an alliance." Cornelia remarked.
Lelouch smirked. "There is that."
Xxx
"All right, I want twenty laps!" The new gym coach said to the Ashford swim team.
Shirley took a deep breath as she jumped into the water and began swimming arund the pool as fast as she could. The new gym teacher looked at the students with a small smile, patting herself on the back for how she had been able to manage these teens.
Chigusa, formerly Viletta Nu of the Britannian military made a small sigh. 'The things I do to not be exposed.'
That's right, Viletta Nu finally regained her memories after she had been taken by Zero's knight, Seizan to a secret place but when she tried to kill him she failed miserably.
Only instead of killing her or turning her over Seizan offered her a choice: return to Britannia in disgrace or start a new life.
She hated him as much as she hated Zero and the Elevens that caused so much death and destruction but when the United States of Japan were formed she found herself unable to leave as many of the military officers formerly part of the occupation force were disgraced and forced to retire or be severly demoted. Viletta could not let that happen to her so she stayed and became of the Britannian faction still living in Japan and luckily no one recognized her from her time in the military. Former Princess Euphemia herself had interviewed Viletta for a job at Ashford and though it would be a simple gym teacher she could still hide from the Black Knights who might persecute her for her early actions. She pretended she was still suffering amnesia and remembered enough of her time with Ohgi to hide from him or the Black Knights.
She even identified members of the Black Knights such as Kallen Kouziki, the Red Queen of the Black Knights but had no idea who Zero's other ace pilots were. Only she could do nothing but continue living this lie until she had some form of opportunity.
But if Zero had spies in the academy she could do nothing for the moment.
She only wondered why Zero's knight didn't kill her when he had the chance.
Xxx
"HURRY IT UP! I WANT MY BABIES READY TO MOVE IN A MONTH!"
"My, my, Rakshata is really excited." Lloyd Asplud commented, watching as Rakshata ordered her staff around with ruthless efficiency. "I guess the chance to mess with our former homeland has got her all excited."
Cecile sighed as she looked at her clipboard. "I still wish you wouldn't try and make her mad."
Lloyd shrugged. "Whatever."
Both Lloyd and Cecile had been brought on as members of Rakshata's staff simply because they were too dangerous to be released back to Britannia and Lloyd himself had no real loyalty to the Homeland so to continue the path of science he 'reluctantly' agreed to work with Rakshata and despite how she would rub the superiority of her 'babies' in his face Lloyd worked well and collected endless data that he enjoyed working on. Cecile joined as well and though she was somewhat reluctant she found life in the United States of Japan was not so bad.
It was mostly the same but now under a different flag.
"Well, if things go according to plan we'll be in China before we know it. Maybe we'll see Suzaku again and find out who replaced us in the Camelot division." Lloyd commented.
Cecile sighed, wondering how Suzaku was doing.
It could not have been easy.
Xxx
The bodies were layed out before him, covered in sheets as he looked at them all. The last banch of resistance in this area and they had all chosen to foolishly fight rather than surrender and live.
Couldn't they see how pointless it was fight a war that was over?
He closed his eyes and turned away, deciding to put these thoughts aside because he just received new orders.
In a month there would be a wedding to ensure a union between Britannia and the Chinese Federation.
And Suzaku would be there to see it done.
Xxx
It had been watching for a year since its last encounter with the two that had injured it. It knew that one of the Codes were now lost, trapped in the bottom of the sea but it had a plan to reach the Code.
And it would rely on the people who were working to repair it.
*Chapter 38*: Chapter 38Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"You're late, Lulu."
Lelouch had struggle not to flinch at the tone of Milly Ashford's voice as he walked into the Student Council room. He wasn't sure if he was lucky that only Milly herself was present instead of everyone on the Student Council or not.
Except Nina.
In the aftermath of the Rebellion Nina disappeared back to Britannia and no one had heard from her again. Shirley and Rivalz were able to stay since their families were only civilians and they seemed to be doing well in the new Japan. Kallen was now living in an apartment with her mother who seemed completely cured from the effects of the Refrain drug. He remembered the first few months of trying to set up an education system and Milly had come to him with complaints of Britannia staff and students that had no left being threatened by mobs harassing the school grounds, fights between Britannian and Japanese students, and even families being threatened.
Needless to say Milly was happy about it and expected Lelouch to do something about it.
In return Milly actually promised that she and family's resources, no matter how little they would be at his disposal. Of course Lelouch had no need for Milly to swear allegiance to the Black Knights and made it a personal statement on the grounds of the Academy that it was under the personal protection of the Black Knights, especially after Kallen had been revealed to be one of his personal ace pilots in the organization. The fights soon dimmed down as the Japanese had an immense respect for Zero, even treating him as their personal messiah for liberating their country. It helped when Prime Minister Kaguya Sumeragi and Kaname Ohgi created a special Japanese police force to help keep the peace and the Prime Minister stressed that there would be no form of prejudice whatsoever.
It had helped that Milly had worked with Representative Euphemia li Britannia who had become a popular figure in Japan and soon both were well liked by just about everyone, Japanese and Britannian alike. However the seven years of brutal occupation had left scars on many of the Japanese and to them taking back their country was not enough while some Britannians were left bitter about being reduced to a minority in a country once part of their Empire.
It gave Lelouch a headache for a while as a country where people who were once being bullied now turning the tables on the bullies was not a country he meant to create. Thus he had to put his future plans on hold and work on properly stabilizing the country before he made anymore moves. Luckily Naruto was on the job and he was quick to help when he could, breaking up fights, trying to talk or literally beat some sense in a few people, and helping to form friendships between students in the Academy. Under Euphie and Milly's eyes the prejudice in the school soon was brought down to a mere dislike between certain students while others soon began to form friendships and clubs together, slowly leaving the hate behind.
And Kallen was among the most popular people now much to her dismay since she found herself the attention of so many people she actually pined for the days of being sick and feeble Kallen Stadfeld, even though she would never admit it.
"I'm sorry about that. I got held up." Lelouch offered a weak excuse as he sat at the table.
"Yeah sure." Milly said, waving off his excuse. "Now in the meantime we have work to do. Especially for tomorrow's festival."
Lelouch could only sigh, knowing Milly had a big job for him.
Xxx
Nunnally vi Britannia woke up as soon as the sun came up and was up and jogging around the campus before she even had breakfast. Her brother would still scold her for her routine but she kept on jogging before breakfast no matter what he said. And since then she had joined all the clubs that involved physical activity of somekind.
Jogging, swimming, climbing, but passed on cheerleading.
The last thing she needed was her brother going crazy over her wearing a cheerleading outfit and being seen by hundreds of students in it. And Lelouch was still not aware of Nunnally's other self, Cera's fourth Path of Rebellion known as Infinity. She continued her training and had come far with Naruto saying she was even strong enough to be considered an elite Jounin in his world. While Lelouch and Cornelia did not know of Nunnally's new status, the same could not be said for Euphie.
Her pacifist sister who was the fifth Path of Rebellion.
Only unlike Nunnally while Euphie had a few self defense skills she had primarily concentrated on being a healer, learning under Rakshata whose medical skills now surpassed everyone in Japan. Euphie had enough of living in a world full of pain and dedicated herself to healing the people in it.
When Naruto heard her claim he was reminded of Sakura.
So Rakshata took her as a student and she had been a very apt learner, taking what Rakshata was teaching her about medical ninjutsu and even began studying with regular medical students in Ashford. Nunnally was proud of her sister, she was finally growing up which she never could as a Princess since her views went against that of their bastard father and thus if Euphy had not been somehow liberated she would have been married off to some noble to keep her quiet. And Cornelia was proud of her little sister as well, settling to be her bodyguard and secretary, even though Cornelia would threaten to horribly beat anyone who referred to her as such.
Former Princess of Britannia or not the Goddess of Victory had a reputation to uphold.
"Another day." Nunnally smiled, watching the sunrise. "And another beautiful start of that day."
And another day of peace that would hopefully last a little longer.
She dressed up in her gym clothes and snuck down into the basement of the clubhouse, satisfied to see both of her trainers waiting for her.
"Good morning, Lady Nunnally. Did you sleep well?" Sayoko asked with a small smile.
Nunnally nodded. "I did and I am ready to continue."
"Your skills have come a long way, your Highness. Your mother would be so pleased to see how strong you have become." Her other trainer said with a prideful smile.
"Thanks you and your training, Lord Jeremiah."
Lord Jeremiah Gottwald, former leader of the Britannian Pure Bloods was now one of Nunnally's trainers as he had been one of Lady Marianne's guards at her villa before she was murdered and had blamed himself for failing to protect her and her children. When Nunnally revealed herself as Infinity and that her brother took up the mask of Zero in the name of justice against the Empire for abandoning them, their mother, and to change the world for the better Jeremiah had surprised her by swearing himself as her eternal protector. Jeremiah explained that he had originally come to Japan, hoping to find Marianne's children and protect them and even though he had dishonored himself he swore to spend the rest of his life working to regain that honor, even it meant dying as a traitor to Britannia. With such devotion Nunnally agreed and welcomed Jeremiah as a trainer and secret bodyguard alongside Sayoko and needless to say he had nothing but complete pride in her abilities that she had shown, even without the powers she had gained from Cera.
Jeremiah had also shared valuable intel regarding the special project that had installed machine parts into his body and that General Bartly was part of a secret Britannian project known as Code-R that existed outside the normal Britannian chain of command and only the Emperor and those he trust completely knew of it. Nunnally suspected the Geass Order that was once led by her deceased uncle whose body was placed in the deepest depths of the ocean to ensure it was never found. Bartley had fled back to Britannia but even if they did not know much else about Code-R it was possibly ended with the passing of V.V. What mattered now was anticipating what the Emperor's next move would be given that it was more than likely that nothing had gone according to plan since Cera had escaped from the Britannian Research facility.
Nunnally had no intention of being left out of the chance to ensure her father's crazy plan never succeeded.
"It is my honor, Lady Nunnally." Jeremiah bowed his head again.
"And now we shall continue." Sayoko held up a kunai.
Nunnally readied herself.
Xxx
"C'mon Rivalz! Hurry and get those onions ready!"
"On it, Shirley! How's the cheese coming?"
"You let me worry about that!"
"Okay, okay! Sorry!"
Shirley sighed as she worked tirelessly to get the chesse for the giant pizza ready. In addition to preparing a giant pizza the Student Council was also working to make a giant bowl of ramen which was making Shirley's day slightly more stressful as she worked to get everything ready.
"More salt!"
"More salt!"
"And where are the dumplings?!"
"They're coming!"
"Not fast enough!"
"I am going as fast as I can! Where is everyone else?!"
"Here we are!" Naruto stepped into the kitchen with Cera and Kallen. "And the food smells delicious!"
"It will be better when its ready so hurry up and help us!" Shirley shouted, wearing an apron and a hair net while sweating from the steam coming from the cooked food.
Naruto quickly and wisely got to work, deciding to help with the ramen.
"How is the pizza?" Cera asked, looking at the large tank filled with tomato sauce.
"It should be ready by the festival." Shirley answered, sending a nervous glance at Kallen.
Kallen noticed how nervous Shirley looked and didn't blame her. While the transformation from Area Eleven to the United States of Japan was a lot smoother with people like Lelouch, Euphie, Milly, and Kaguya Sumeragi there was still a lot of unsolved feelings.
Like the strained friendship between Kallen and Shirley.
Shirley felt betrayed that Kallen was a member of the Black Knights who nearly killed her father during the attack on Narita and who pretty much trapped her and so many Britannians in a country where she and so many others were in the minority. It only got worse to as Shirley's emotions got to the point that she almost physically attacked Kallen until Milly grabbed her and pulled her away to speak with her.
Xxx
"What are you thinking?!" Milly asked, dragging Shirley into an empty classroom. "Do you realize what would happen if everyone on campus sees you trying to attack Kallen?"
"She's part of the Black Knights! She's the reason we're trapped here!" Shirley shouted. "She's Britannian and she betrayed us!"
"She's also Japanese!" Milly snapped, shocking Shirley. "Kallen's father is a Britannian noble but her mother is Japanese."
"What?!" Shirley gasped. "B-But how?! The school board wouldn't have let her attend if she was half Ele-Japanese!" Shirley quickly corrected herself as Milly glared at her.
"I knew and so did my grandfather but unlike certain people we are not blinded by the prejudice and arrogance that was the reason the rebellion succeeded." Milly said sternly. "I was not going to judge Kallen for not having only Britannian blood and I don't judge her for joining the Black Knights."
"Why not?! They forced us to remain here from our homeland!" Shirley snapped.
"Because this is their country and it was taken from them by force, Shirley! You might not know this since you were living the easy life but they were forced to live a much worse than any of us have under the United States of Japan. Poor housing, barely any food or water to feed themselves, let alone their children and forced to work menial tasks and being mocked and ridiculed by average citizens. Just be thankful that things aren't worse." Milly explained, her voice becoming every bit the noble woman of the family she had been originally born into. "We were not forced to stay but because we were not important to be considered when the Empire sent a ship to extract the remaining military and nobility after the Rebellion who left us stranded."
"That's easy for you to say! Do you know how many looks I get when I return home? My mom is worried out of her mind for me every time I walk out the door!" Shirley retorted.
"At least you have a home! Stop pretending this is all about you and your pain, Shirley! Remember, Kallen saved us at Kawaguchi, no matter what you think of her." Milly said.
"And what about what she did afterwards?! She betrayed us to Zero and his terrorists!" Shirley shouted even louder.
"You brainless self-righteous hyprocrite! Don't preach to me about betrayal, Shirley Finnette!" Milly shouted so loudly that Shirley stepped back in sheer shock. "In case it slipped your pretty little head, I was once the heiress of a noble family and look what staying loyal cost me!"
Shirley stepped back, leaning against the desk as Milly stood over her.
"My family was loyal for generations and yet when Empress Marianne was murdered in her own home, right in front of her son and daughter the Emperor stripped us of our titles and banished us from the homeland and it was only through our own brand of luck that we weren't swept up in the war that they started nearly a year later when they invaded this country without any warning whatsoever! They did it and they didn't care who they hurt or killed in the process, Britannian or Japanese. Do not preach to me about betrayal, Shirley. You have no idea of what it feels or how deep cutting it can be." Milly declared loudly.
Shirley was trembling now as Milly reached as if to slap her…
But instead Milly hugged her tightly.
"You may not like how things are, Shirley but things are better for both the Japanese and us. In the eyes of the Homeland we are traitors but even if some of the Japanese hate us we are still free to be who we have always been. It is not we who are the traitors here, Shirley. If the Homeland doesn't want us than they are the traitors, not us." Milly whispered softly into Shirley's ears. "Besides, Kallen saved us when Cornelia would have let us die."
"But she-"
"She would have let us die. I know enough of the royal family to know that if Euphemia wasn't with us she would have just attacked and killed us and the terrorists. Even knowing she would become a terrorist Kallen still saved us." Milly pulled away. "So in a way Kallen has been more of a friend to us than our own people have been."
Shirley stared at Milly in shock as the president of the student council wiped a few tears from her eyes.
"Now," Milly smiled. "Will you promise to behave? I will not say forget everything that has happened. But perhaps this new country can help us start over, this time with no lies. Nothing but truth from here on out."
Xxx
Since then Shirley had not done or said anything in offence to Kallen or any of the Japanese students now attenting Ashford. Shirley for the most part ignored Kallen or kept any conversations the two had for any important reasons short. Still though Naruto had worked to try and rekindle the friendships in the Student Council as best as he could without resorting to drastic measures. Rivalz was the easiest since he was too nice to hold on to any kind of grudge and his family seemed to take it all in stride, even becoming a like-able family in Japan.
Nina however had disappeared back into Britannia and no one had heard from her since the end of the Rebellion. It wasn't hard to figure out why as Nina was terrified of the Japanese even the ones who were harmless and the thought of being in an entire country run by the Japanese would have been too much for the xenophobic genius. Kallen understood why Shirley and few Britannian students resented her and the Black Knights but everything she had done was done in the name of a free Japan. She never condoned mistreatment of any kind, even towards Britannians who had done nothing to deserve it of any kind.
"Kallen, can you help cut up the pepperoni and get some spice? We want the ramen and pizza to have every kind of toppings there is." Shirley quickly said.
Kallen nodded. "Okay."
Even if Milly's schemes often drove everyone crazy Kallen had gotten used to it and to be honest it was a breath of fresh air from the day to day military dealings since the Black Knights had been forced to become an integral part of the Japanese Military.
"Make sure the pizza is perfect. I'd hate for someone of such beauty to taste with such bland." Cera said with an annoying smirk on her face.
Of course the chance to throw something at Cera and her annoying smiling face wasn't something she'd like to pass up either.
Xxx
"I really wish you'd change the dress code. That skirt is far too short." Cornelia said as Euphie changed into her Ashford school uniform.
"It's fine, sister. Besides, your idea of a uniform would have everyone wearing bullet proof body armor that would be so heavy the chairs would break." Euphie said with a smile as she prepared her lunch. "The school would be turn into an army recruitment with you running it."
Cornelia rolled her eyes. "Excuse me if I find the life of a normal school student a little bland and boring."
Euphie sighed. "Suddenly I remember how many times Lady Marianne would be amused at how devoted you were in your duties. You certainly drove our mother insane."
"That wasn't hard at all." Cornelia replied with a small smile.
"Yes and I remember how Schneizal would comment on it…" Euphie suddenly frowned. "I really hope this marriage was not Schneizal's plan. Perhaps the Emperor ordered him to set this marriage up."
"We both know that the Emperor could care less about subtle plans like that. Schneizel was always kind to you, Euphie but he is also Prime Minister of the Empire and he's been in charge of directing the war against the E.U. I am soldier, I have no patience for politics but Schneizel is skilled in those areas which is why he's been seen as the most likely candidate for becoming the next Emperor." Cornelia replied honestly.
"But to marry a child off for political use-"
"Has been done by our family for generations. The nobles play these games all the time and our father has had over a hundred consorts that were all arranged to ensure there would be an heir to the throne." Cornelia cut her younger sister off gently.
Euphie looked conflicted, knowing Cornelia was right. "Still, Schneizal never resorted to such tactics before. Has the Rebellion's actions truly made him that desperate?"
"The Empire's never lost control of an area before, Euphie. One small victory can inspire others to fight, a victory like the Rebellion was enough to inspire an entire world to fight back." Cornelia looked out the window. "I can only imagine how Guilford must feel."
Cornelia's personal knight who had been evacuated at the end of the Rebellion and most likely knew that Cornelia was still in Japan.
As a prisoner or a traitor she did not know.
"Have you heard from Guilford?" Euphie asked.
"The last I did hear from him he was assigned to deal with uprisings in a few areas. Probably the best he can do in the situation the Rebellion left him in." Cornelia frowned. "I am still angry at Lelouch for starting this war."
"Lelouch didn't start the war, sister. He just joined it when he had enough." Euphie said. "What good ever came from being a member of Britannian royalty? Even you hated your time in the royal courts. That's why you joined the military. And you even hated our father for how cruel and callous he acted, especially when Lady Marianne died."
"But it was something I forged with my own two hands, Euphie. I became who I was without relying on the connections a princess could have. Whether I hated the royal courts and the Emperor or not I was proud of being a soldier." Cornelia replied.
"And you still train as a soldier." Euphie said with a small smile. "Sister, I like what we've made here. It's far better than what our home land would have made. And I was never truly myself as a princess. You know I would have been swept aside for not agreeing with our father."
Cornelia smiled back. "That's why I dragged you, kicking and screaming, to all of my campaigns. I couldn't trust you not to keep your mouth shut."
Euphie stuck her tongue out at her sister before grabbing her bag and left their room in the clubhouse.
Xxx
"Hmm…" Taizo Kirihara mused as he shared a cup of tea with Lelouch who was not wearing his mask because the meeting between them was private. "This is a bold plan of yours. Are you sure you want to risk Prince Schneizel's ire? Officially we would not be able to intervene officially on your behalf. Even a risk taker such as you should know the consequences."
"Schneizel may not take direct action against us but to pass up this chance to stop him now would endanger Japan in the future." Lelouch replied.
"Then I trust you will make sure this does not affect Japan in any way." Kirihara smirked.
Lelouch smirked back and nodded. "Of course."
"Just to be sure you know what you are doing what will be your plan if Kururugi appears in China?" Kirihara frowned and for good reason.
The name Suzaku Kururugi was hated by nearly all Japanese for betraying them to Britannia and for supporting them in every decision they made, even horrible acts such as the massacre in Shinjuku and for fighting against Zero and the Black Knights during the Black Rebellion. Suzaku left with the Britannians when Japan was allowed to establish itself as an independent nation and was considered the greatest traitor in Japanese history for his deeds. The Japanese knew of Suzaku's plan to take control of Japan and rule the way he wished and though he claimed it would be better for them the Japanese condemned him for his choice as they never wished to be part of the Empire in the first place. Suzaku had even spoken against former Princess Euphemia's decision to represent the Britannians still living in Japan, believing the Black Knights had brainwashed her.
With the success of the Rebellion and the exposure of Suzaku's deeds, including the murder of his father, in the eyes of the Japanese Suzaku had tarnished the honor of his family name and betrayed his country and people for a delusional quest for power.
"Plans have been made if he does appear. But there has been little word of him since the end of the Rebellion." Lelouch said, a hint of regret in his voice.
"Do not underestimate him. A traitor he may be, but the strength of the Kururugi family still exists within Suzaku and he will be one of your most dangerous enemies." Kirihara stated.
Xxx
"As you can all understand this is important to the continuation of the Empire. With the loss of Area Eleven in the Rebellion and the sakuradite that had been vital our economy our resources have been dwindling. The minor rebels in the other areas have made it difficult for us to maintain our nation and it was only thanks to the work of our soldiers and our scientists that we have only now managed to stabilize our economy and our military. To ensure that our Empire remains completely stable for a good amount of time this alliance with the Chinese Federation must be ensured by the union of their Empress and our first prince." Prince Schneizel el Britannia said to the gathered officers before him in the large meeting room. "That is why you are all gathered here. You will be there to ensure this alliance is finalized."
"Do you suspect the Black Knights will try to stop this wedding?" An officer asked.
"It is possible. Zero is no fool and if he knows of this wedding he may believe the only way to stop this alliance is stop the wedding." Schneizel answered calmly.
"If Zero tries to stop the wedding we can declare war on him and those upstart rebels." Another officer said, earning a few agreements.
"Perhaps, but Zero is not foolish enough to provoke the Empire into another war when Japan has only recently been fully stabilized." Schneziel replied. "I will not make authorize any action against Zero or Japan so as along as they do not provoke us."
"But what about the possible threat they represent?"
"It is possible Zero will journey to China himself to see if there is any way to disrupt the wedding." Shneizel answered. "If he is seen I want to ensure that my brother and the Empress are completely protected."
"Do you wish for us to-"
"No. There will be no orders of assassination on Zero. There was already an attempt on his life which drove my younger sister into Zero's arms. Whether or not the assassin was Britannian in origin or not Zero's bodyguards have proven themselves to be highly skilled as bodyguards and pilots. The Special Administrative Zone would have broken the moral of the Black Knights and turned the Japanese against them." Schneizel replied calmly. "I will not have a repeat of that disaster and potentially bring down an alliance I have spent many months negotiating. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Prince Schneizel!" Everyone answered.
"Good. Prepare my ship." Schneizel nodded in satisfaction, watching as most of the officers left the room.
Except the one he ordered to remain behind.
"Kururugi, now that you know why I summoned you here, I wish to know your opinion on how Zero might attempt to disrupt the wedding."
Xxx
"I'll say this for Milly, when she throws a party everyone just joins in!" Naruto remarked with a huge smile as he looked around the festival, happy to see so many people attending.
Most were Japanese but there were many Britannians and so far they seemed to be getting along.
Or simply ignoring each other to not ruin the fun day they were having.
"I want to see what kind of mayhem we can cause here." Cera said, tugging Naruto's arm forward. "And then see the giant pizza."
Naruto shook his head but let Cera drag him to the many game booths, where Naruto proceeded to win every game and won several prices for Cera.
Unfortunately he ended up carrying all of them while Cera walked in front of him with a satisfied smile.
"Well, it was fun to see win all those prizes for me, even a friend for my Cheese-kun but I am getting bored now." Cera said, handing the large rabbit to Naruto who sighed and wished he could create some shadow clones. "Now what shall we do next?"
Naruto hoped someone would come and save him and luckily someone did. "Naruto!"
Kallen moved through the crowd and made her to them, taking note of the many toys Naruto was carrying. "C.C. made you play almost all the games, didn't she?"
"Pretty much." Naruto admitted with a chuckle.
"Well Milly needs you to operate the Ganymede. We do need it for the giant pizza and ramen, you know." Kallen pointed out.
Cera narrowed her eyes and grabbed the rabbit from Naruto, making him drop everything else. "You played all those games while knowing you were supposed to help with the pizza?"
"I was-" Naruto tried to explain but Cera silenced him with a finger on his lips.
"Go to Milly and help her make my pizza." Cera said sharply, narrowing her eyes with a scary glare. "Now."
Naruto quickly nodded and ran so fast he left an afterimage of himself where he had once stood.
"Idiot boy. Being so nice to me when he could have been preparing the greatest gift in the world." Cera muttered with a sigh.
Kallen could only shake her head, wondering just what Naruto saw in her.
Xxx
"Arthur! Arthur! Where has that cat gone this time?" Euphie sighed as she looked around the festival for her pet cat, Arthur who ran off with one of her pens.
"Why do you keep that blasted animal?" Cornelia sighed, following after her sister.
"Arthur is not so bad, sister." Euphie replied, looking around all the game booths. "Milly Ashford really worked hard to set this all up. She always was one for parties."
"Her grandfather has clearly spoiled her." Cornelia remarked. "Then again he and his granddaughter are the smartest in their family."
"What do you mean?" Euphie asked.
"Millicent Ashford's parents both lack a certain amount of intelligence that she clearly was blessed with. Her mother was a gold digger with a penchant for spending about as much as Gwendolyn did in a whole day and her father is an idiot who always fought his wife's battles for her, especially when it came to trying to control the Ashford fortune and industry. It was only their relationship with Marianne that kept her satisfied." Cornelia explained. "I spoke with Ruben and it seems her daughter in law kept on trying to wrestle control what was left of the Ashord fortune but even if she has ambition she lacks a certain…Well, she lacks a brain."
"Sister!" Euphie gasped at Cornelia in surprise.
"Oh come on, Euphie. Even you have to remember how some nobles acted towards allies of Lady Marianne." Cornelia sighed, wondering if she had sheltered her sister a little too much.
"I am well aware of how many of our siblings acted towards Lady Marianne. I even remember our mother and you constantly arguing about your position as head of her guards." Euphie pointed out.
"And many wonder why I hadn't spoken to her since that assassination." Cornelia grumbled. "The point is Ruben and Millicent Ashford have all the gifts that made the Asford family famous and respected while Millicent's parents are mediocre self-centered and single minded typical nobles that look backwards instead of forwards."
"That sounds like something Lelouch would say." Euphie said with a smile. "I guess you really are siblings."
"Too bad he still being stubborn about his PE classes. I need to convince that teacher to double his class time." Cornelia remarked, causing Euphie to giggle. "Did you know she was a former member of the Purist faction?"
Euphie stopping giggling and quickly looked around. "I remember being second in command to Lord Jeremiah Gottwald who used to be one of Lady Marianne's guards. I wonder how she was able to get a job here."
"I don't like a member of the Purist Faction working here, given how they behaved before they were dissolved." Cornelia said. "I should speak to Ruben about that."
"Just be careful, sister. The last thing we need is this festival turning into a battlefield." Euphie cautioned.
"Give me some credit, Euphie. I don't turn every place I go into a warzone." Cornelia huffed.
Euphie wisely did not reply to that.
"Now come on, you're the guest of honor here." Cornelia said, keeping her sister focused on today's tasks.
It was days like this that Euphie almost wish she was just the simple princess kept ignorant of the world…
Almost.
Xxx
"C.C. I am really not in the mood." Lelouch groaned as he checked the pizza sauce container while Cera was sitting on one of them, being her usual irritating self.
"Just make sure I am the first to taste the delicious pizza that Naruto will be making for me. Do that and I will put an end to that wedding myself." Cera retorted.
"Normally I'd probably agree after making sure that whatever you plan doesn't affect my plans but I have no interest in taking a back seat at this point." Lelouch replied.
"Typical. The one time I offer to do all the dirty work and you being the prideful great leader refuse." Cera sighed in frustration.
"Lulu!" Shirley's echoed from around the corner.
For reasons he did not understand Lelouch pushed Cera into the container and closed the top just as Shirley came around the corner. "What's up, Shirley?"
"There you are." Shirley spotted Lelouch and walked towards him.
"Do you need something?" Lelouch asked as Shirley climbed up.
"Well, I was wondering…" Shirley looked away for a second. "Just how are you holding up with how things are now? You know, living here with…Japanese?"
Lelouch shrugged. "It's okay. Not too bad all things considered."
"So would you like to…" Shirely stopped when she heard something banging in the container. "Is someone there?"
"Nope." Lelouch quickly answered with a small innocent smile.
C.C. might try and get him back later but no one couldn't say he didn't have a sense of humor after this.
"So I was wondering if you'd like to… You know, enjoy the festival with me. We can watch Naruto help Milly make the giant pizza." Shirley offered.
Lelouch considered and decided that for a good laugh he would actually say… "Why yes, Shirley. I'd love to."
"Really?!" Shirely gasped but quickly composed herself. "Okay, let's go."
Lelouch followed Shirley back into the festival, leaving Cera inside the tank of tomato sauce who had yet to use her powers…
But she used enough to lift the lid up and peek her head, which was completely covered in tomato sauce.
She threw an annoyed glare at Lelouch while licking some tomato sauce from her lips. "…At least the sauce is good."
The sound of machinery surprised her and she looked down to see the container was moving and realized what was happening.
'I am about to baked in a giant pizza…' Cera thought with a surprised look that actually turned into a smile. 'I don't know if I should be pissed or happy. Naruto, you colossal idiot, you better not mess this up.'
Xxx
"And now folks, our resident pilot who has taken over after the departing of our last pilot, Naruto Uzumaki will make the giant pizza!" Milly said through the microphone, earning endless cheers from the crowd that had gathered to see the giant pizza and bowl of ramen be made.
'Man, compared to Seizan and the Shen Hu this is literally an antique.' Naruto thought, despite moving the Ganymede with ease. 'Good thing Cera made me go through all those hours of learning how to make a pizza. Now I just need to make this right.'
He had the Ganymede ready the pizza dough, make it all nice and ready to put the pizza sauce on.
"And now we add the sauce!" Milly announced as Naruto lifted up the tomato sauce container and opened the lid before slowly pouring it onto the pizza.
Along with a human body that was dumped onto the center of the pizza for everyone to see.
"Is that a body?!"
"Someone was in there?!"
"There's been a murder!"
"Wait! She's still alive!"
"They were going to bake someone alive!"
"That poor girl!"
"How could she breathe in all that sauce?"
"A girl covered in sauce on a pizza? Sounds like something out of a pervy magazine."
"My cousin told me this place was crazy!"
"Uh?!" Milly spun around and saw a girl covered in tomato sauce, sitting in the center of the giant pizza. "Tsunade?! What are you doing in the pizza sauce?!"
Rivalz just stared at Cera covered in tomato sauce. "Wow! A girl covered totally in pizza sauce! I saw something like this in a magazine once! Only it was a giant pie and the girl was covered in cream!"
Shirley who had been standing next to Rivalz with Lelouch exclaimed in disgust. "Rivalz, that's disgusting! What was she going in the pizza sauce?!"
"She must have fallen in when no one was looking." Lelouch quickly said, remaining calm. "It's a good thing Milly didn't turn our custom made oven on or she'd be baked alive."
Kallen gaped in shock at seeing Cera being dumped onto the pizza, covered in sauce. "What the hell?! Is she trying to get baked alive?!"
Seriously, what the hell was wrong with this girl?
Naruto's jaw nearly dropped. "C-C-C-…" He suddenly whimpered, believing she was going to kill him for ruining pizza…
Even though he no idea she was in the tomato sauce!
"Oh dear. They make the stage right but didn't take C.C.'s obsession with pizza into it." Nunnally giggled as she watched with Euphie and Cornelia.
"Just what is the matter with that girl?" Cornelia asked.
"Its how she's always been." Nunnally shrugged.
Cera finally sat up and glared up at a pale Naruto who shrunk down into the cockpit. "Well, are you going to add the cheese or not?"
Covered in tomato sauce in front of the entire school or not she would get her giant pizza.
Xxx
Needless to say the festival came to an interesting end with Cera having the entire giant pizza all to herself since no one wanted to try a pizza with a girl that had been in the pizza sauce, leaving a happy Cera to have the giant pizza all to herself.
"Is she just going to eat that pizza all through the night?" Kallen asked while helping to clean up the festival as Cera continued eating.
"Might as well let her." Naruto chuckled weakly as he finished picking up what was left of the garbage and looked back at the barely half eaten giant pizza. "I wouldn't want to pull her away from that pizza if I wanted to live. Besides, this'll keep her happy for a good long while. Too bad I couldn't make that giant bowl of ramen."
"Seriously, how do you put up with her?" Kallen asked. "She's the most shameless…Person I have ever met in my life."
"She's not so bad…Once you get past the witch switch." Naruto chuckled weakly.
Kallen rolled her eyes and helped sweep up the discarded food wrappers and containers. "You guys are weird."
"And you are not?" Naruto snickered. "You hang out with all of us."
Kallen had to bite her tongue to avoid retorting.
Xxx
Villetta had watched the entire festival and saw former Princesses Cornelia and Euphemia in the crowd with another young girl. She did not know if they were under Zero's control or not but if she could convince them to help her they could rip control of this country from the Elevens and place it back under the control of the Empire.
She just needed to wait for the right opportunity to approach them.
*Chapter 39*: Chapter 39Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Emperor Charles zi Britannia watched over the repairs of the Sword of Akesha with a scowl, believing it was now totally pointless. The Thought Elevators had been damaged nearly beyond repair and without his brother's Code and C.C. it would be impossible to use the Sword to slay God. And yet there was still strange energy readings inside the Sword that was allowing the Thought Elevators to repair themselves even though they had had yet to fully identify the source.
All they knew was the Thought Elevators were being repaired despite the ruins on Kamine Island being destroyed shortly after the Rebellion. He did not know what to make of it but he knew that unless he had the Code-Bearers it was useless. His brother was dead, that much Charles knew but he did know the Code had not been passed or somehow destroyed. It was imperative that his brother's body be retrieved as soon as possible and either transferred to a new host or be used to aid the Sword of Akesha in slaying God.
Charles scowled. "I am finding myself more burdened as Emperor every day."
"Really my dear?"
Charles turned around and smiled when he saw the red ringed eyes of his beloved staring at him with amusement. "It is harder without my brother to manage the Geass Order for me, no matter how much he thought I was unaware of his doings."
"I certainly do not mourn or miss him but you are right in that regard, darling." Marianne noted as she looked at the Sword. "Still do not know what is happening?"
"No. C's World only lets me see glimpses of what is happening. It is as I feared. Lelouch may have gained access to a power beyond the Code. For all we know the Code's potential is greater than even immortality." Charles answered.
"And what could be greater than immortality?" Marianne asked.
"I am uncertain." Charles said. "It is imperative we discover this power before we make our next move. My brother rushed in foolishly and it cost him everything. If we are to understand this new power we must wait."
"That is why you are content to let Schneizel move forward with his plans." Marianna said with a smirk.
Charles smirked back. "Schneizel will no doubt force our son to make a move in the the interest of insuring Japan's prosperity and for the chance to strike even close to the throne. He will not be able to hide his powers for long and you can be there to see all of it."
"Of course, darling. It's been so long since I have seen my children. I wonder how Nunnally is doing." Marianne noted with a smile.
Xxx
It watched silently as the two left the Thought Elevator after their discussion.
It listened their discussion and knew that it was time to make its move. If the two were going to be in China it needed to make its move now. It influenced the Thought Elevator, sending its presence through the power lines and into the facilities that monitored the Thought Elevator's construction, looking through data files until it found what it needed.
A body.
It manifested a small bit of its existence into the body, taking it over and noting the Geass it had. It would for now and the Geass could be enhanced and modified to its liking.
Now it was ready.
Xxx
"Xingke-huixa, our transport is ready." A Chinese woman said to Xingke who was reading a book in the lobby of the Chinese Embassy of the United States of Japan.
"Good." Xingke nodded as he put his book down. "Then Zero's next performance will be on our stage."
"It's sure to be a lively performance." Xianglin agreed with a smile. "Perhaps enough to distract even the high eunuchs."
"We shall see…" Xingke said as his smile turned grim.
Xxx
The A141F5 Ikaruga the aerial carrier of the Black Knights, designed and built by Rakshata shortly after the end of the Black Rebellion to act the flagship of the Black Knights. It featured the Druid System and Hadron Cannons of the Gawain, both of which attained after Rakshata had studied its desgin, a number of Slash Harkens equipped with harken boosters, seven normal turrets, one large turret, and shielding based on the Guren's Radiant Wave Surger. Unlike the Gawain, which could fire its cannons repeatedly, the Ikaruga's cannons have a long recharge time after each shot. It also held submersible capabilities, doubling its value.
"Man, the Federation's laying a lot of recognition on us." Asashina mused, watching as Ikarauga was docked and the Chinese helped settling the Black Knights in. "There was that whole bit with Sawasaki too. You think they're pro-Japanese?"
"Who? You mean the High Eunuchs?" Shougo asked.
"Asahina!" Tamaki called out as he walked up to them with a wheelbarrow. "The High Eunuchs may be guys but they have no jewels down below!"
"That's enough." Minami said sternly. "You're going to get us into trouble for saying stuff like that."
"Aw, chill out!" Tamaki laughed.
"Hey! I need a hand offloading the Knightmares!" Ohgi called out, walking up to them.
"What? They're here already?" Shougo asked. "Something's gotta be going on behind the scenes for India to be giving us this much cooperation."
"Not really." Ohgi replied. "I think they're serious. They've recently won back their independence and set up a trade agreement with us to provide everything they have, including new designs for everything Rakshata makes in exchange for Sakuradite from Japan."
"Considering the place is nowheresville."
Xxx
"We've finished picking out staff leader candidates." Diethard announced, the head of Propaganda standing before Zero. "Should we assign them to the Ikaruga for now?"
"That would be best." Zero answered looking over the list of candidates that the former Britannian had handed him, before handing it back with a nod. "That just leaves the municipal leaders."
"Correct." Diethard agreed, accepting the papers back with a graceful nod, tucking them under his arm as he spoke "Let's work with the intelligence section and get that set up. Now then, if you'll excuse me."
Cornelia watched as Diethard left the bridge, frowning thoughtfully. "For someone who started out just as a television reporter he seems to have adapted well."
"I still don't trust Diethard ever after him being with us for for a full year now. He tends to act on his own." Kallen said, sitting down on a chair.
"On the contrary, he's easy to read." Lelouch said, taking off his mask. "In his mind he is trying to turn Zero into the symbol of God. Going from there he is easy to predict. Besides he has a useful talent for manipulating information."
"And he's also a journalists. Those guys kill for a good story that would make its place in the history books." Cera remarked with a smirk.
"That's also another reason to not trust him. Considering how easily he turned on his own country in exchange for a good story there is no assurance that he might not do the same to us." Cornelia said with an annoyed scoff. "This is why I don't like dealing with the media. I can hardly stand them while just with Euphie as she deals with them."
Euphie smiled softly, knowing how true that was. Between the two of them only she was able to handle the media in a way that didn't backfire in anyway, able to satisfy endless questions while keeping herself composed the entire time.
It was a very extraordinary ability.
"You really must learn to be patient, sister." Euphie giggled enough to make Cornelia actually stick her tongue out at her, causing Euphie to bust out in laughter.
Xxx
Todoh put down his book when he saw the Knightmares were finished being offloaded. "All right. That just leaves the combat carrier."
Xxx
"So who wants to hear our plan for the wedding?" Naruto asked, getting everyone back on track. "It's got to be exciting since Lelouch came up with it."
"You guys seriously want to take down the Chinese Federation's capital?" Kallen asked.
"In such a way that we won't be viewed as invaders." Lelouch answered.
"And think about it, with them on our side Britannia will be out of allies." Naruto said with a big smile. "Won't be making any nasty bites at us without their teeth."
Kallen looked at the way Naruto was smiling but then noticed Cera looking at her and quickly looked away. 'Damn witch.'
Cera only smirked. 'That's right, keep trying to run, Kallen.'
"And with us making an alliance with the Federation the E.U. will no doubt send an envoy as well. We've only heard a small bit from them since the Rebellion but they have been reluctant to speak with us on account of possibly being as seen as weak for relying on Zero and the Black Knights." Euphie pointed out.
"Luckily I am sure Lelouch already has a plan for that." Cornelia glanced at her younger brother.
"It is simple if you understand, I suppose. The plan is simply to arrive at the ceremony being held in honor of the wedding in the Forbidden City. Schneizel will no doubt be there and if he is anything like before he'll attempt to discover the type of person Zero is through a chess match." Lelouch answered with a small smirk. "One that Zero will accept."
"A chess match? Is everyone in the Royal Family obsessed with chess?" Kallen asked out loud.
"Not me." Euphie and Cornelia answered at the same time.
"Not since they know Lelouch would beat them easily." Cera said, smirking at the irate looks the sisters were giving her.
It was true though. Lelouch had easily defeated them both in the game of chess even when he was a little boy. To this day it was still a slight sting to Cornelia's pride that she couldn't even beat a little boy in chess who then later bested her during the Rebellion.
"It's a game most members of royalty play to demonstrate their abilities to show themselves suitable for being heir to the throne." Lelouch clarified. "And Schneizel is one of the best players."
"And the only one to beat you in that game and never lost once." Cera pointed out cheekily, earning a small glare from Lelouch.
"So you are planning to play against the man who has never lost once, not even to you." Naruto said skeptically. "Sounds like you're being overconfident."
"And why bother playing a game in the first place?" Kallen said in agreement. "Wouldn't our appearance just alert him and tighten security around the Empress?"
"I am confident in my ability to beat Schneizel and if I can convince him to agree I can convince him to agree to any terms I wish should I win." Lelouch replied calmly.
"Like calling off the wedding?" Naruto asked.
"I highly doubt Schneizel will agree to that." Cornelia stated. "He'll have members of the Knights of the Round with him so he'll have no reason to call off the wedding even if he lost and he certainly wouldn't do it as a request from one of the Empire's greatest enemies."
"Even though he agreed to allow Japan to become an independent nation again?" Euphie asked.
"That was done to prevent an all out war with the E.U. and the Chinese Federation as well as consulate the Empire's forces to deal with uprisings in the other areas. Even if Schneizel honored his word it was only so he could strike back at us later, once he found the proper time. He cannot afford to let this wedding fail when it has a chance to tip the balance of power back in the Empire's favor." Cornelia replied.
"I had considered that as well. That is why I am not going to ask him to call off the wedding. Rather I'll ask him to hand over one of the Knights." Lelouch explained.
"One of the Knights?" Euphie asked.
Lelouch nodded. "With one Knight brought over as a political hostage Schneizel will have one less of the best pilots and guards he could have at the wedding."
"And do you even know who will be at the wedding?" Cornelia asked skeptically.
"It does not matter as any member of the Knights of the Round is considered the best soldiers in the Empire." Lelouch answered.
"That's not exactly true and you know it, Lelouch." Naruto remarked. "And not to mention the chance of someone being there who will do anything to stop us."
He heard from Rakshata that the Shen Hu had been sold to the Chinese by Rakshata who failed to find an adequate pilot for it. He had been sorry about that but felt that only a good pilot like him, Kallen, or even Suzaku could handle it. Rakshata had her doubts that anyone in China was skilled enough to pilot the Shen Hu but Naruto learned to expect the unexpected. He wouldn't be surprised if they encountered right in the middle of the wedding.
Lelouch frowned. "By which you mean Suzaku."
Euphie stiffened slightly but remained calm.
After Suzaku had left Euphie had been comforted by Lelouch, Nunnally, and Cornelia over what had happened. It had been difficult since Euphie had honestly believed she had loved Suzaku but the fall-out of the rebellion seemingly broke apart their relationship. Suzaku just refused to understand Lelouch's reasons for rebelling against his former country and did not believe a word Euphie had said in her brother's defense. At that point Euphie's innocence had been trampled, ironically by the very boy who made her feel hope for a better world.
She couldn't stand being who she was anymore: a mere princess unable to shoulder any form of burden in the world.
That is why she approached Cera and asked for the power of Geass or the Rinnegan. She needed to change and that change started by becoming Cera's fifth Path of Rebellion.
"You got to admit, there's no way he won't show up with a type of event like this going down. Especially if he wants another shot at us." Naruto explained.
"I have considered the chance that he would be there as well. I have heard very little of him, no doubt since the Empire would not broadcast the achievements of anyone in their ranks who is not a Britannian." Lelouch answered.
"How do we know he was not just executed for his failures?" Kallen asked, knowing how the Empire frowned on failures.
"Nah, he's too stubborn to be killed off just like that. We gave him a chance and he chose Britannia over his homeland. Even if he's hated by the rest of the Empire and Japan he knows how the government leaders in Japan think, that includes the old guys on Kyoto, his cousin, and us." Naruto shook her head. "They'll want to keep him alive at least as another body to throw at us."
Cera nodded. "Indeed. It wouldn't surprise me if Schneizel brough him along as an extra body guard in the event Zero actually appeared in China. He's not the type to discard a useful pawn, even a disgraced one."
Lelouch did not miss the glance Cera threw at him but ignored it.
"And what happens if he is there?" Kallen asked.
"We cannot ask for him." Euphie said suddenly, earning stares. "He would not be a welcome political prisoner. Too many would call for his death for his actions during the occupation and he would require twenty four hour guard and almost everyone in the Japanese Military lost someone under Clovis and my sister's time as viceroys. They would even call for his head for murdering his father, Genbu Kururugi the Prime Minister of Japan at the time of the invasion, no doubt blaming him for Japan surrendering before they had exhausted all their military."
To her credit Cornelia didn't even blink, knowing how much her sister had condemned her actions like the near-massacare in Saitama.
"I am not even sure we could trust anyone in the Black Knights not to attempt to kill him given that he was an opponent in every major skirmish up to the Rebellion and was seemingly aware of such events like the massacre in Shinjuku but did not speak out against it." Euphie continued. "It would be pointless to ask for him. We would do better to ask Schneizel to call off the wedding if Lelouch wins. At the very least Schneizel would not say no and would honor his word if Lelouch does win. He would not simply go back on his word no matter how much he has invested in this wedding."
Naruto nodded. "Yeah and he wouldn't cooperate with us in the slightest even if Schneizel gave us his word. The douchebag hates us and I mean he really hates us for all those times we beat him, even though we saved his country and people."
"He is very stubborn." Cera said with a smirk, knowing why Naruto so readily agreed with Euphie on the matter of Suzaku.
That was more for Euphie's benefit since the last time they had spoken it had not ended well. Suzaku had accused Euphie of being Lelouch's brainwashed slave to the point that he flat out ignored all of her claims to be thinking for herself. It reached the point that Euphie ran off in tears and no one wanted to repeat that incident again.
Lelouch nodded, somewhat saddened. "I agree. If Suzaku is present I cannot ask for him should I beat Schneizel. However there is a chance that Schneizel will not be able to call off the marriage at this point and with how much the High Eunuchs have invested into it."
"And what happens after the chess match?" Kallen asked, eager to continue the conversation. "If we can't trust Schneizel to honor his word what would be the point of asking him to call it off?"
"We'll simply see who is present at the ceremony and then at the wedding the next day we'll be ready." Lelouch said, holding out a map. "If we know what type of forces Schneizel has brought we'll be better prepared when we make our move."
"A map of the country side." Naruto smirked. "Know any good places to…Set up an escape route?"
Lelouch smirked.
Xxx
"I can't believe I have to dress up in this drab again. To think I had hoped when I was left in Japan I thought I could put behind all this nobility nonsense." Lloyd sighed as he stepped out, dressed in a fancy tuxedo but tugged at the collar. "Well, I suppose it's a bit simplistic compared to the fancy clothes nobility likes to wear."
Cecile sighed, looking at her reflection in the mirror and checked herself over. Like Lloyd Cecile had dressed her new evening dress that made her feel slightly out of place. Lloyd had not exactly mourned the indignity of his exile and being disavowed as a member of Britannia's military and Earl of the Asplund family. Far from it he embraced it working under the science division of the United States of Japan, even if it meant he was working for Rakshata but what did it matter to him?
He cast aside everything possibly human in him for the pursuit of science.
Cecile only had minor problems with her status as Japanese citizen since unlike Lloyd she did not come from a noble family but often thought of them from time to time. She had considered taking the chance to contact them but didn't want to be thrown in jail on suspicion of being a traitor after Zero had pardoned her and Lloyd and her family would no doubt be cast under suspicion by the rest of the Empire that would accuse and even execute them.
Even after she was left in Japan and started working for Rakshata she still wore her military uniform to at least have some form of connection to her home land. Now as she looked at herself, wearing a black evening dress with little to no make-up that complimented her skin and figure so well she could barely recognize herself. She even wore black high-heels to go with the dress which made her slightly uncomfortable since she was not used to this dressing up like this. She knew as a member of Prince Schneizel's personal advanced science division she would be expected to attend important ceremonies and balls but after the Rebellion she never thought she'd be attending a wedding on behalf of the United States of Japan.
She'd rather be in her military uniform but old habits died hard, even for her.
On the bright side at least she wouldn't alone with Lloyd.
Milly Ashford, Lloyd's former fiancé and registered citizen of the United States of Japan had come along, acting as a representative of the Britanians living in Japan and was already ready for the wedding ceremony, wearing a blue elegant evening dress with her hair combed back on one side and high heels. She looked very beautiful, enough that Lloyd had been nice enough to actually compliment her which was surprising for both women.
Considering the only thing he thought was beautiful was the Knightmares and weapons he built.
"Lloyd, do you think Suzaku will be there?" Cecile asked, staring at her reflection.
"Hm? Hard to say. I can't imagine our former homeland being so welcoming to an Honorary Britannian that failed to prevent the success of the Rebellion." Lloyd rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Why? Do you wish to ask him for a dance?"
Cecile shot Lloyd a dirty look.
Milly looked over at Cecile with a curious look. "You worked with Suzaku?"
Cecile nodded. "He was our test pilot for the Lancelot in the Camelot division. He was the only pilot capable of almost synchronization."
"For the lot of good it did him." Lloyd drawled.
"Lloyd!" Cecile exclaimed angrily. "That's not fair to him and you know it!"
"And I suppose it's fair for him to condemn his people for accepting our new leader Zero's proposal of a new nation over his?" Lloyd retorted. "Let's face it, for all his skill listening to other people's ideas was never his strongest attribute."
"You believe Suzaku really hates his people for accepting Zero and not him, do you?" Milly asked rhetorically.
"Well, given that he opposed Zero every step of the way, even going as far as to reject his people for looking to Zero can you be surprised?" Lloyd asked his fomer fiancé.
"I see." Milly closed her eyes. "I truly wish that was not the case."
"So, what do you hope to do if you see him again? Try and talk to him, convince him to come back?" Lloyd asked.
"I don't have the power to ask a traitor to come back." Milly replied.
"Is he a traitor even though he was never part of the Japanese military at the time of the invasion or is he simply branded a traitor by the Japanese as a figure of treachery?" Lloyd smiled a bit. "Carefull, my dear former fiancé, you might sound too much like a Black Knight."
"In the eyes of the United States of Japan Suzaku is a traitor and not just for murdering his father, the Prime Minister of Japan at the time of the invasion. He willingly acted on Britannia's side at the worst battles before and during the Rebellion. Shinjuku, Narita, and Tokyo, while condemning the Black Knights even for cleaning up corruption in the system that made things better for even Britannian citizens." Milly sighed as she looked down at the floor. "The truth is I cannot help him anymore. I never could even when he was at school with us. Lelouch, Naruto, and Euphemia all tried but their words fell on deaf ears. What hope could I have if they couldn't?"
Lloyd shrugged. "I suppose we'll have to wait and see."
That did not comfort Milly or Cecile in the slightest.
Xxx
Nunnally sat against a wall in a dark room, her eyes closed but her Rinnegan was active and she had been using it to listen into Lelouch's plans.
"So that is your plan, brother." Nunnally opened her eyes. "It's your kind of strategy but is it the kind that big brother Schneizel won't see coming?"
She was right to ask that question for Schneizel was perhaps the only other genius of the Britannian royal family whose intellect rivaled even Lelouch's but Schneizel was far more experienced than Lelouch in the realm of politics and combat. Lelouch had confidence in his own skills and the abilities of his Geass along with Naruto, Cera, Kallen, Euphie, and Cornelia with him but he might be too confident for his own good. There was the matter of who Schneizel would have with him at the wedding and what measures he would set up to prevent such an attack.
"You can challenge Schneizel to a chess match and perhaps even beat him. Even if he were not to honor his word he would not refuse." Nunnally sighed. "You both have that crazy love for chess. But what will Schneizel ask of you if you lose?"
Sometimes her brother was such a hot-head.
And it did not help with Naruto right there with him who enjoyed crazy stunts that her brother thought up.
"Sometimes I wonder how we are all even alive with your crazy schemes." Nunnally sighed and looked at Sayoko who standing perfectly still like a sentinel. "Sayoko, we have a wedding to attend and I think Infinity is due for another appearance."
"Yes, my lady." Sayoko bowed her head, keeping her mistress from seeing the small smile forming.
Xxx
The location of the wedding reception was the resecption hall of Luoyang, the Vermillion Forbidden City and it had been set up and decorated extraordinally for the celebration of the wedding between the Empress and the First Prince of Britannia. It was a larger gathering than Suzaku who wore a white formal outfit, similar to the uniforms worn by the Knights of the Round even though he was not an official member. It was a sting to him but he was allowed to remain a member of Prince Schneizel's Camelot division even if Lloyd Asplund and Cecile Croomy had been left behind in Japan-
No, that place was not Japan.
Suzaku scowled as he refused to call that so-called new country Japan. The country that was once his home died long ago and Zero had created a lie built on the blood of the innocent.
In his eyes it would never be Japan.
Just a hollow corpse brought back to life by a mad man.
Suzaku's fists clenched as the mere images of Lelouch, Naruto, Tsunada or rather C.C., and even Kallen in his mind was enough to enrage him for what they did.
Betraying the system.
Causing chaos and death across Area Eleven.
Lying and sowing destruction wherever they went.
And building a mockery of his former homeland instead of settling for peace within the Empire.
Lelouch, his best friend who was the masked leader, Zero who started the rebellion over pitiful vengeance.
Naruto, Lelouch's ally and the second but greatest opponent who stood in Suzaku's path the entire way of his attempt change things for the better.
C.C., an immortal who bestowed the damned power known as Geass that ruined a peaceful life for him and the one girl he truly loved.
And Kallen Stadfel or rather Kallen Kozuki who spilled the blood of her own kin, rejecting part of herself out of foolish hate.
And worst of all everyone, including his own former sensei were blinded or perhaps enslaved by Lelouch's Geass as they kissed the very ground he walked on.
It was enough to make Suzaku sick.
"This is thing is made of potato right? I can eat it right?"
Suzaku shook his head and looked over to see another of the guard entourage that had been sent with him, the Knight of Three Gino Weinburg. Gino was extremely tall, being even taller than Lelouch, and had a muscular build like Naruto. He had blonde hair with three braids that are typically draped over his shoulder, and blue eyes which reminded Suzaku even uncomfortably like Naruto. It didn't help that like Naruto had been at Ashford Gino was as outgoing and energetic and always was looking for the best in everything around him.
And there was his other fellow guard who he could not keep track of.
He spotted her tapping her phone near one of the tables, 'memorizing' something as usual. The Knight of Six, Anya Alstreim who happened to look about as young as Nunnally with pale skin, pink hair tied in a pony tail that left thick strands of hair falling next to her face and reddish eyes. Anya was stoic and nearly void of emotion in all the times Suzaku had known her, paying attention to only her phone and video diary for some strange reason. At the very least she was not C.C. had been at school because the last thing he needed was a reminder of those two together with him 24/7.
What surprised Suzaku the most was who Prince Schneizel's escort was.
"Nina?" Suzaku whispered.
The former xenophobic student of Ashford Academy looked so different from the last time he had seen here. She was not wearing her glasses for one and was dressed in a beautifull red and pink Victorian dress with purple flowers in her hair that flowed perfectly down her shoulders.
It was complete change from the girl he had seen before.
"Be strong." Schneizel said to Nina who had her head down. "Euphie always presented herself grandly."
"Right." Nina said as the two Knights and Suzaku bowed before him.
"It's been a while, Your Highness. The Emperor has demanded that we accept orders from you while in this land." Gino said, keeping his head bowed.
"Two Knights of the Round and the White Knight himself in court. How splendid." Schneizel said with a happy look. "All though…"
"What sir?" Gino asked, looking up.
"This is a celebration. Relax a bit and have some fun." Schneizel stated.
"Understoo sir." Gino said simply.
Nina looked at Suzaku. "Suzaku, I trust you have been doing well."
"Yep." Suzaku answered with a smile.
Xxx
"A secret agreement has already been made by the High Eunuchs and Prince Schneizel. When she's married they'll hand our territory to them. He'll then grant the High Eunuchs the title of Britannian nobility." Xianglin said to the gathered officers in their meeting room.
"Nobility? They'd sell off their country for that?" Xingke asked, angered by such an action.
"And our people?"
"Death to the Eunuchs!"
"We've got to stop this wedding! Even if it means putting our plan into action early!"
"When we stage the coup Britannia's going to declare war." Xianglin pointed out quickly.
"Either we ensure peace or we do not." Xingke said with his arms crossed.
He left the meeting room and walked out onto the deck, looking at the building where the ceremony was taking place. "Either I protect her majesty or I allow an alliance to ensure peace."
He was torn between his loyalty to his country and his loyalty to the Empress, the young girl who he once promised to show her the world outside the Forbidden City.
Xxx
"Well I see my younger brother has things well in order." Odysseus su Britannia said, sitting at the table with the Eunuchs and the Empress who was trembling slightly. "In an case I'm glad this arrangement worked out. I am not good at fighting."
"Your Highness, will the Emperor be attending the wedding?" One of the Eunuchs, a portly man asked.
"He informed me at the banquet back in that he would attend." Odysseus answered.
"Lady Sumeragi Kaguya! Prime Minister of Japan and leading member of the Sumeragi conglomerate!" An announcer said as the doors opened.
The Empress looked at the doors as they opened, looking happy instead of sad and nervous at the thought of one of her friends being here. It's who she was with that caused everything in the room to turn so silent that when a fork fell to the floor it was as loud as a bell.
Kaguya Sumeragi walked in while wearing a pure white kimono with her arms around the arm of none other than the masked terrorist Zero who was flanked by his two knights and Kallen dressed in her Black Knight uniform. Behind them came Lloyd Asplund and Cecile Croomy along with Euphemia who wore her Black Knight gown and next to her was Cornelia who wore a Britannian military uniform with a cape.
Suzaku looked at them in shock before narrowing his eyes. 'So they have come. Lelouch, Naruto, this time I will stop the both of you.'
Naruto and Cera looked across the room and spotted a red light coming from one of the Knights and Cera narrowed her eyes when she saw the light was shaped in the outline of a woman.
'So that's where you've been hiding, Marianne vi Britannia.' Cera thought, scowling at the idea of seeing her former contractor again. 'You and Charles must be pretty anxious to come here to try and find me. Only you'll be disappointed when I am through with you, Marianne.'
'Cera's pissed. That girl…She must be that woman Marianne's host.' Naruto scowled. 'Haven't given up yet have ya?'
Things were about to blown out of preportions again.
"ZERO!" Nina shouted in pure hate and would have moved to attack if Schneizel had not grabbed her and pulled her back.
A few guards helped pull her back as Schneizel looked on in amusement, holding up his wine glass. "Well now, this evening just got more interesting."
"Zero. How dare he show his face?" Schneizel's assistant Kanon Maldini said with a glare.
"That red head and those two masked guys? Those are Zero's best pilots. The red head is the pilot of the Guren." Gino whispered, motioning to the three escorting Zero and Kaguya. "She's a lot cuter than her wanted poster, that's for sure. And that guy with the fox mask is the guy who beat Suzaku during the Rebellion."
Suzaku scowled at Gino for mentioning that in front of him.
Anya was staring at the female knight, taking out her phone and snapping a picture. "Recorded."
The guards came forward with their spears pointed at the newcomers but Naruto and Cera pulled out their katanas, taking position to protect Zero and Kaguya while Kallen readied herself for the possible fight about to break out.
"I seem to recall hospitiality of this place being more courteous the last time I was here. I thought weapons were not allowed at a wedding." Cera spoke, sinking into her Shinyroku persona. "It is fortunate we came prepared, right Zero?"
"Indeed." Zero remarked, looking at the second born prince. 'Schneizel, so you are the puppeteer behind this act. I expected as much.'
"Kaguya!" Tianzi, the young Empress called out happily to her friend.
"It would appear our wedding present has arrived of it's own accord." The dark skinned Eunuch said amusedly, looking at the Empress. "Please put that girl out of your mind. Her crimes warrant the death penalty."
"You can't!" Tianzi protested. "This isn't Britannia!"
"Your majesty, the Black Knights are the ones who killed Gao Hai, please don't get involved and leave the politics to us." Xiao Ho smiled down at the girl. "Isn't that what you've always done? Let us do things our way?"
"But…" The empress stammered, looking back at Kaguya. "She's my friend…"
"Could we please stop quarrelling like children now?" Schniezel called out, walking forward with his aide Kanon at his side. "Today is a celebration, isn't it? Lady Sumeragi, while I'm certain you will be welcomed with open arms by the Empress, will you refrain from having Zero accompany you to the wedding tomorrow?"
"I suppose I have no choice." Kaguya said but her smile remained and looked at her cousin. "Kururugi Suzaku? Do you remember me, dear elder cousin?"
"Of course I do…" Suzaku noted, regarding the smaller girl he had once thought of as a younger sister.
"We are both blood of the Six houses of Kyoto, aren't we? It is so sad that you could not support them in creating our new Japan." Kaguya said cheerfully, but her words stabbed at Suzaku for betraying their family.
"Kirihara Taizo and the others supported terrorists." Suzaku retorted. "I would never have supported such a crime."
"But this is different." Kaguya countered, her smile remaining. "Cousin, did you forget that Zero once saved your life? Did you truly intend to execute someone you owe your life to?"
"T-there's no comparison…" Suzaku retorted, glaring over Zero and Seizan.
"Oh how sad…" Kaguya exclaimed with an innocent smile. "It's a good thing we aren't able to kill anybody merely with the words we say."
"I quite agree."
Suzaku looked with widened eyes as Euphie stepped forward, looking at Suzaku with a stern look. "P-Princess Euphemia-"
"I no longer answer to that name." Euphie cut Suzaku off, her voice stern but calm. "I gave up my claim to the throne and disavowed my relation to the Britannian Royalty Ramily. I am now Euphemia Lamperouge, head representative of the former Britannian citizens that had integrated themselves into the United States of Japan."
Suzaku could only stare with widened eyes as Euphie turned away from him, struggling to keep the feelings of anger and remorse from causing him to lose control.
Nina looked at Euphie with shocked and horrified eyes. "She-She supports the Elevens?! It can't be! She can't support them!"
'Lamperouge. Lady Marianne's maiden name before she became empress consort. I remember how Euphie and Cornelia idolized her.' Schneizel thought with an amused smile.
Euphie looked at Schneizel. "It has been a long time, brother Schneizel. Forgive me but Lady Kaguya wished to keep our coming to this event secret as a surprise. Though, I do protest the treatement from the guards since I am sure you were aware that Lady Kaguya was invited to attend the wedding."
"Of course, Miss Lamperouge. I apologize on behalf of the Eunuchs but given Zero's reputation a little security was believed to be prudent." Schneizel said, deciding to keep the atmosphere professional for the time being and looked to Cornelia. "And Cornelia, have you settled well into your new role?"
Cornelia maintained a calm and aloof look like her sister. "Though I never would have believed this would one day be the role I have to play but I am content to be at my sister's side. And like my sister I am now Cornelia Lamperouge."
"You did not take name of your mother?" Schneziel said, watching Cornelia's eye twitch. "It's understandable I suppose, given how rocky the relationship you both had."
That was one way of saying it.
"In the meantime." Zero spoke up. "Prince Schneizel, I wonder if you would care to join me in a game of chess."
Schneizel raised an eyebrow. "Chess you say?"
"I recall you and I agreeing to a game of chess when we last spoke a year ago at the end of the Rebellion. It would seem now is as good as any time." Zero said.
"Yes, I recall that conversation. Very well then. I accept your offer."
"Your highness!" Gino protested.
"It's alright Gino. It's only a game of chess. Besides… this will make a fine evening of entertainment for the wedding. Can someone please procure a chess table for the two of us?"
Suzaku glared at Lelouch along with the other masked terrorists while Kallen glared back at him, showing her disgust for him and his beliefs but he paid her no mind.
Lelouch and Naruto were the real threats and he would make them pay.
*Chapter 40*: Chapter 40Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"Now Zero, since I agreed to play a game shall we make it interesting?" Schneizel asked, shaking the girl from her thoughts.
"Agreed. If I win I'd like to have one of your Knights." Zero said.
Suzaku looked surprised at such a request, thinking that Lelouch would ask for him.
"Agreed. And if I win you will remove you mask and reveal to us who you are." Schneizel replied.
"Agreed." Zero said, surprising almost everyone in the room.
'Is he really confident he can win?' Cornelia thought, remembering all the times Lelouch played against Schneizel and lost.
"What a fine evening of entertainment this has become." Schneizel said, pleased with how interesting things were becoming.
As a table and chessboard was set up for Prince Schneizel and Zero a small girl remained behind the crowd surrounding the two. A girl around the same age as Anya with long blond hair that fell straight to her back, bright blue eyes, and wore a cyan gown with long sleeves. The girl was looking at the Empress who remained under the scrutiny of the High Eunuchs as she was moved into another room with Odysseus.
'A mere child thrown into a position of power she never wanted and exploited by the advisors around her. This brings back so many bad memories in the Britannian Royal Court.' The girl thought, barely paying attention to the upcoming chess match. 'And to think the people here have yet to be poisoned by my former home's corruption.'
She could see the anxiety and fear in the Empress's eyes, knowing that no matter what her fate was out of her hands. It was a feeling she knew all too well and it was not something she would allow to linger for much longer.
'Zero is confident as he always is and must appear to be. He may be the only one here who can defeat Brother Schneizel at the game they both love.' The girl thought, picking up a glass of water and taking a sip. 'But the stakes, they are much higher with the future of a little girl on the line. I cannot imagine how easy it is to decide someone's future through a game.'
She looked around and saw everyone was watching the upcoming game intently.
'Brother Odysseus, is this the path you believe will allow you to serve the Homeland? You never expressed any interests in any of the politics, preferring to step back and allow the others like Brother Schneizel and Sister Cornelia to carry out the Emperor's will.' The girl thought, looking at the First Prince as he left. 'I do not wish for you to be an enemy but even if you did not chose this you have know that it is wrong.'
She frowned when she saw Nina glaring at Zero with hate.
'Nina, what has become of you? What has my brother done to deserve such hate from you that rivals even Suzaku's? Is it because you blame Zero for Euhpy's choice? It is so hard to believe that she and Cornelia would leave the royal family behind?' The girl sighed and looked away. 'So many friends gathered together and yet so much hate.'
Her eyes settled on Anya and saw a red outline surrounding her body. It was in the form a long haired woman.
'That form, I can't see who it is but it shows that Anya has a Geass.' The girl narrowed her eyes. 'I am not surprised that Man would send someone here. It doesn't matter though. Just another body thrown to the dogs.'
Nina walked slowly over to Euphie. "Princess Euphemia, is it true you've switched sides?"
Euphie glanced at Nina. "I am not a Princess of Britannia any longer. I disavowed any relations or claims to the throne on the day I attempted to establish the Special Administrative Zone. I am now Representative Euphemia Lamperouge of the United States of Japan."
Nina stepped back in horror. "You work with Elevens?!"
Euphie glared at Nina. "They are Japanese, not Elevens. I will not hear people being degraded for no reason."
Nina looked at Euphie with a look of someone whose entire world was shattered. Suzaku moved to speak with Euphie but Cornelia stepped out in front, ready to take out her pistol.
However before that happened Naruto stepped in between. "Let's not start something in the middle of an important game, please."
Suzaku glared and gritted his teeth. "Naruto."
Naruto stared back through the eyeholes of his mask. "Suzaku. How's it hanging?"
Suzaku clenched his fists. "You have some nerve appearing here. Do you plan to start another war in another country?"
"Start another war? Funny, I don't recall staring any wars at all. You really need to check your history." Naruto said sarcastically.
"Don't give me that! Japan was not enough now you're here to drag China into it!" Suzaku accused.
"At least he's the one who betrayed his country and people!" Kallen snarled as she stepped in, next to Naruto. "Don't you dare accuse us of being warmongers after everthing you've done as Britannia's lapdog."
Suzaku glared at the red head. "I was always fighting to protect Japan. You are the ones who caused a rebellion, killed thousands, and started smaller wars across the world."
"Those rebellions are from people who were forced into the Empire like Japan was and has their homes desecrated, cultures destroyed, and identities stripped. They were never the ones who started any wars, it was Britannia's fault from the start. Even now you plan to start another war and you are dragging China into it." Naruto retorted.
"That's not true!" Suzaku growled.
"Are you too stupid to not see how young the Empress is or how old that Prince is? And don't even say that little girl agreed to this." Naruto rolled his eyes.
"It's necessary for peace." Suzaku said simply.
"Yes, planning to extort China and its resources to revitalize Britannia's army so it can force the E.U. and thus unite the rest of the world against Japan. Very peaceful." Naruto shook his head.
Euphie stepped forward. "I agree with Seizan. This is no path to peace and the fact you try to justify it is sickening, Suzaku."
Suzaku stepped back, eyes widening. "Euphie…"
"Do not for one second tell me this is the best path to any form of peace. This is extortion and I can't believe both you and my brother would stoop to this level." Euphie said, looking between Suzaku and Nina. "I speak as the Representative of the Britinnians who were forced into exile after the Rebellion who would be forced to endure another war because of this fake marriage. Don't lie to me and say that is not your intention. I know that with the Chinese Federation as your ally Britannia's economy would be strengthened and allow them to force the E.U. to surrender or sign a non-aggression pact, allowing them to turn their eyes back to Japan. And considering how the last invasion had been without warning or provocation I don't imagine the treaty between the Empire and the United States of Japan meaning much if the Empire believes it can just take Japan like before."
It had been a year since Euphie had last seen Suzaku and last time she had spoken to him he left her in tears, believing her words to be lies and her to be a puppet of Lelouch. Since then, thanks to Naruto, Cera, Lelouch, and Nunnally Euphie had matured since that time and was brave enough to face Suzaku, her former love.
"Wow, she's serious." Gino said quietly, admiring Euphie for her bold stance in a room full of Britannian nobles who looked her and her sister like they were trash.
It was not everyday that two members of royalty betrayed the Empire after all.
"Princess Euphemia…" Nina stepped back, clutching her head. "This is not real, this is not real! This cannot be real!"
"What is your deal, girl?" Cornelia cut in, scowling at Nina. "Who are you and what makes you think you can speak to my sister like that?"
"She's Nina Einstein. She used to be a student at Ashford Academy." Kallen answered, glancing sadly at Nina.
Nina looked at Kallen and would have said something but the words died in her throat.
"I remember you." Euphie said, looking at Nina. "I am not sure why you find this so hard to believe but I will say it one last time, I am not a Princess of Britannia any longer. I work to create a world of peace and sanity, a world that would never exist in Britannia under the reign of the Emperor who does not care about me or the rest of his so-called family. It has allowed for a system of corruption to exist, suffocating people who were forced to live as numbers under their thumbs without a care to whoever they hurt. That is a world I am no longer a part of and I want you to understand, Miss Einstein, that I oppose it with all my strength."
Nina and Suzaku could only stare in stunned silence as Euphie turned back to the game.
Everyone turned back to the game upon hearing Prince Schneizel's voice. "Your king?"
"If a king cannot lead how can he expect his followers to follow?" Zero answered, having moved his black king forward.
"Interesting strategy. Infact I'll do the same." Schneizel moved his white king forward as well.
"Stubborn competition." Lloyd commented, looking amused while Cecile looked nervous. "It's practically a fight."
The game continued on until Schneizel's white king was one space away from Lelouch's black king.
"So you can't advance any further." Lelouch noted.
"Hmmm…We'll get into a threefold repetition at this rate." Schneizel noted.
"It was not my intent but shall we declare this a draw?" Lelouch asked, knowing now he may have to resort to his backup plan.
However Schneizel grinned and Naruto instantly knew Lelouch had walked into a trap. "You should not underestimate the white king."
He moved his king right in front of Lelouch's king, much to the shock of everyone watching.
"But if Zero moves forward-" Suzaku said.
"He'll capture-" Gino continued.
"Prince Schneizel's king." Kallen finished.
'Son of a bitch.' Naruto thought, looking at Schneizel's smug face. 'Smug bastard makes me think of Kabuto.'
"Schneizel is playing on Zero's pride." Cera noted.
Euphie looked at the chessboard in shock. "Schneizel, you'd really let yourself lose just to damage Zero's pride."
"I've never seen him do something like this." Cornelia whispered, just as shocked as everyone else. "Is he really throwing the game just to humiliate Zero?"
Both sisters knew that Lelouch would never accept a win like this and it was a complete stab at his pride as a strategist.
"This is a joke!" Odysseus said from the other room, having seen his younger brother's insane move.
"He's giving up on purpose?" Kaguya asked out loud, shocked and angered at Schneizel's move.
The silent girl who remained out of sight glared at Schneizel. 'Schneizel, how can you do something so horrible?'
Lelouch's hand on his king was shaking slightly as held up his king…
And moved it back one space, causing almost everyone to gasp.
Schneizel was the only one who was smiling. "With no hesitation whatsoever the Emperor would have grabbed it. I've just learned a little more about what kind of man you are, Zero."
Lelouch gritted his teeth as he glared at the second prince from under his mask. 'Schneizel, you dare look down on me?!'
"But since you've moved back you've left yourself open." Schneizel said, moving another white piece that put Lelouch in check.
'Damn it!' Lelouch glared down at the pieces with such intensity the pieces would literally melt from rage if possible.
His refusal to take Schneizel's king when he had the chance left him open to Schneizel's counter attack and forced him to struggle to keep his black king from being checkmated. But for every step he took Schneizel easily countered him and eventually his king was left in a corner and Lelouch realized that no matter which move he made now Schneizel would checkmate him.
'This can't be happening. If I lose I'll have to unmask myself in front of everyone. Schneizel will know who I am and the Black Knights may fall apart when they discover me.' Lelouch gritted his teeth, sweating as he struggled to find some way out of this situation.
"He's trapped now. Schneizl used his pride against him and left him wide open. Zero lost this game before it even began." Cera said under her mask.
Suzaku looked Cera, satisfaction in his eyes. "And when he takes off his mask everyone will know who he is. The Black Knights will be finished."
Kallen glared hatefully at Suzaku. "It'll take a lot more to bring down the Black Knights."
"Maybe but if their leader is humiliated and unmasked everyone will question his authority. Without their leader the Black Knights will fall apart along with the so-called United States of Japan." Suzaku replied smugly.
"And you believe this in someway will bring Japan down?" Cera asked rhetorically. "Are you so determined to see your people enslaved again?"
"They should never have supported a terrorist and a traitor in the first place." Suzaku said with no sympathy in his voice.
"But they should support you? The man who murdered his own father and condemned his own people? By your own words they shouldn't support you since you're a traitor to the Japanese. You supported the people who invaded our home, enslaved us, stripped us of our name and culture, killed us for sport, and even aided them in their atrocities." Kallen spat. "In our eyes you are the traitor and terrorist for turning your back on your people. Don't you dare look down on the Japanese and other people for not agreeing with you, you self-righteous hypocritical elitist!"
Suzaku narrowed his eyes. "How dare you, Kallen?! What about the people who had no choice but to join the system for their own safety? What is fair? You judge me for joining the system and for trying to change things for the better but ignore your own sins?"
"I never made excuses for anything I ever did, unlike you. If I joined the system I would have just been selling my soul, hoping and praying for things to get better but they never would because the system is rotten. That is why I joined the Black Knights and not Britannia. I know where both sides stand and I won't falter like you have." Kallen turned away. "Don't ever speak down on others for not accepting your selfish views."
Naruto and Cera both looked proudly at Kallen for not losing her cool in the middle of the room. She had come a long way since the beginning of the Rebellion.
But right now they had bigger problems than Suzaku's self-righteous attitude.
"You Eleven bitch!" Nina shouted, lunging at Kallen. "You lied to me!"
However Naruto jumped in and pushed Nina back, standing between her and the surprised Kallen. "That's enough!"
Nina however had a crazed look in her eyes as she tried to attack again but Cera grabbed her wrists and pinned them behind her. "Will you stop with the dramatics already?"
Nina struggled in Cera's grip. "You filthy Elevens! Why couldn't you just stay down and die like the barbarians you are?!"
"Nina…" Kallen said, looking at her former classmate in shock.
Did her words to Suzaku somehow set something off in Nina?
Kallen actually felt shocked as she saw the anger, the hate, and the crazed animal like look in Nina's eyes as she fought to reach her.
"You pretended to be my friend but all along you were a liar and just like those Elevens! You lied to and turned Princess Euphemia against me!" Nina shouted, struggling even harder now.
Euphie could only stare in sadness at the younger girl as she struggled harder and harder.
Naruto shook his head. "For someone who hates Japanese, you sure have a lot in common with Suzaku."
That comment caused Nina to stop struggling and look at Naruto along with Suzaku.
"You both refuse to listen and understand Euphemia's decision to no longer be a Princess of Britannia and you blame the Japanese and us for it. You direct all your hate on us but you never consider the fact that there might have been a reason why Euphemia chose to be with us. You Suzaku Kururugi are a fool who wants everyone to say you are the only one following the right path and you Nina Einstein are a little girl clinging to the image of Princess Euphemia as your idol but you never look at her as a real person and understand the kind of person she is. You are both selfish and pathetic for being the kind of people you are and never taking responsibilities for your own actions. Suzaku, you helped kill and oppress your own people and Nina, you threatened to set off a bomb that would have killed everyone at Ashford and the Tokyo settlement." Naruto's eyes flashed under his mask. "Is this how you both truly see the world? Seeing your people, Suzaku as traitors and fools for not supporting you in an Empire they never wanted to be part of? And you, Nina, you consider all Japanese to be mindless barbarians, even ones that have never committed any form of violence in their lives. If so then I can only say this, you are both among the most pathetic people I have ever met in my life."
Suzaku clenched his fist while Nina bristled.
Gino whistled. "Wow. This one's got a pair on him."
"You have no idea." Cera said loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Kallen's left eye twitched. "Seriously? Right now?"
"Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum, but those who don't understand other's feelings are even lower scum." Naruto declared in a loud voice. "Remember these words because one day you might find yourselves facing a similar betrayal and you might not have any friends to help you through it."
Kallen stared at Naruto in surprise and awe. "Naruto…"
Cera smirked under her mask. 'Can't resist making a big speech can you? Got to admit, Lelouch's got nothing on you.'
Euphie was just as awed by how Naruto was defending her decisions. 'Naruto…'
'This boy...The way he speaks, he might be able to rally an entire army on his own without help from Lelouch.' Cornelia thought.
"I must say your knight has a way with words, Zero. It seems we'll have to put our match on hold, Zero." Schneizel stood up from the table and walked over to Nina. "I apologize for any trouble directed at you, Miss Kozuki."
Nina trembled slightly as Cera released her but wouldn't dare do anything with Schneizel now offering his apologies to Kallen. Lelouch stood up, still glaring at Schneizel and knew he had been saved by mere luck at Nina's attempted attack and Naruto taking everyone's attention. Not that he didn't appreciate the quick save but he was still humiliated by Schneizel defeating him even without officially winning the came.
"I believe I have had enough excitement for today. But perhaps we can speak again, tomorrow at the wedding." Schneizel said with a kind smile.
Zero merely nodded as he turned and left the room with his group.
"This is not going to be pretty." Naruto whispered to Cera and Kallen who both nodded.
Nunnally who was still wearing her Nemo disguise looked sadly at the back of her retreating brother.
Xxx
"God damn it!" Lelouch threw his mask at the wall of his quarters back on the Ikaruga and safely out of hearing range of anyone.
He was so full of anger right now he was in no mood to speak to anyone about the plan for tomorrow. He had been confident that he could have at least reached a stalemate with Schneizel but his older brother played an unexpected move that turned the entire game around. The only thing that saved him from losing and removing his mask was Nina's assault, Naruto scolding her and Suzaku, and Schneizel deciding to end the match in a draw.
A draw that could have been a victory if Schneizel did not decide he was not interested anymore.
That had been an extra sting to Lelouch's pride and he was struggling to keep himself composed even if he was now alone. He had played chess against Schneizel as a child and thought even if he couldn't win he could have predicted Schneizel's move enough to reach a draw but what Schneizel had done was completely unexpected.
"Damn, damn, damn!" Lelouch banged his fist against the wall. "Schneizel, I swear this will be the last time you ever surprise me like that."
He would learn from this but for now he needed to focus and remember why he was here in the first place.
Xxx
"What Schneizel did to Lelouch was cruel." Euphie fell back onto the comfy chair in the quarters shared by Naruto and Cera, having been invited in along with Kallen to discuss what had happened.
Lelouch obviously wanted to be left alone but they needed to discuss what would happen tomorrow.
"How could he do something so despicable?"
"It was a calculated move to understand his opponent." Cornelia shrugged, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "I've seen Schneizel gather many things from areas that have been conquered, saying that it was important to learn about an enemy's culture."
"Learn about their culture?" Euphie questioned.
Cornelia nodded. "Schneizel believes in understanding more than just the battle tactics of the enemy. He believes in learning their history and culture, claiming that by knowing everything there is to know about the enemy he knows them better than himself. I never bothered with such tactics because I prefer to leading soldiers out into the battle field but I know enough of Schneizel's skills as a commander that even I can't predict what he would do in most of the battles Britannia had waged against the E.U."
"It was still horrible." Euphie closed her eyes. "Schneizel did more than gamble on the outcome of that game he gambled with the life of one of his knights. And he didn't even finish the game. Why would he do that and not try and find out who was behind Zero's mask? Our father would never forgive him for letting someone like Zero slip through his fingers."
That was a question Cornelia had trouble answering. A chance to unmask the terrorist leader that had been Britannia's bane for over a year now and Schneizel passed it up. She was not sure how the Emperor would react if and when he learned of what had happened. It was hard to imagine if the Emperor would even punish Schneizel at all given how Schneizel was considered to be the best of the royal family and the most likely to succeed their father as Emperor.
"You are under the impression that Charles hasn't already predicted what would happen." Cera said, lying down on the couch, resting her head on Naruto's lap.
"Hm?" Euphie perked up. "What do you mean, Cera?"
"Charles knows how Schneizel thinks and he knows enough of Lelouch to know what Lelouch would do. So I doubt that even if something unexpected happened Charles wouldn't care enough to punish Schneizel at all." Cera opened one eye. "Not when he's more interested in seeing what Lelouch will do about the wedding."
"I thought the plan was in motion." Kallen cut in.
"Well, I guess it depends if Lelouch accepts Schneizel's offer to attend the wedding tomorrow." Naruto pointed out. "I mean, he did just dare Lelouch to show up and try and do something about the wedding."
Cornelia nodded. "So, Schneizel does suspect something will happen. That means we could be walking into a trap."
"So do we change the plan?" Kallen asked.
"Nope." Naruto shook his head. "Too late. We can't change the plan over night and besides, we can't let Schneizel get away with humiliating Lelouch like that."
"Huh?"
"Zero's the leader of new Japan and when word gets out he almost lost a match with Schneizel but was spared when Schneizel called off the game it'll totally have people thinking that Zero is vulnerable with the right kind of hotshot. Maybe even cause a few unhappy former Britannians in Japan to form their own group and do what we did." Naruto explained. "Stare a rebellion right in the very zone set up for them to be safe."
"Aren't they left alone with no chance of bringing weapons in or out of the zone?" Kallen questioned.
"Doesn't mean they still won't find a way. People can be resourceful when they need to be, Kallen. You should know that." Naruto said with a small smile.
Kallen silently admitted that Naruto had a point. "So if we do nothing it'll show the world that Zero and the Black Knights are not as strong as we appear to be. But if we disrupt the wedding we'll be playing into Schneizel's hands because he knows we will try something."
"Yep." Naruto nodded with a grin. "Been a while since we've had this kind of trouble, hasn't it?"
"Naruto, this is serious!" Kallen admonished. "We can't just take this lying down!"
"Motivated aren't we?" Cera smirked. "That's good to hear."
"And why is that?" Kallen looked down at Cera who was still relaxing with her head lying still on Naruto's lap.
"Because our glorious leader is right outside the room." Cera said simply.
The door opened, revealing Lelouch with his mask back on.
Euphie stood up as Lelouch walked in, closing the door behind him. "Lelouch, are you all right?"
Lelouch took off his mask. "I'm fine and I'm ready to continue with the plan."
"It's still on?" Kallen asked.
"It's still on."
Xxx
It sensed the presence of Geass and the strange powers that were associated with the ones who damaged it. And it knew what they were planning to do tomorrow.
It would see to it that they were captured and brought to its dwelling.
*Chapter 41*: Chapter 41Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Tianzi remained in her room for the rest of the night following the ceremony, feeling afraid of what would happen the next day.
The day when she would be married.
"Feeling scared, Empress?"
Tianzi gasped as she spun from her the window she was looking out and looked around her room. "Who is there?"
"Do not be afraid. I am not threat to you." In a puff of smoke appeared a girl, dressed in a white body suit and cloak with a white face mask covering everything but her eyes. "I am Infinity."
"Infinity?" Tianzi repeated, shaking slightly.
The girl named Infinity nodded and bowed. "Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you, Empress Tianzi of the Chinese Federation."
Tianzi was still nervous but for some reason did not call for her guards. "Why are you here?"
"To ask you what you want." Infinity straightened herself up.
"What I want?"
Infinity nodded. "Yes. What do you want? What is it you want most out of this life?"
Xxx
Naruto looked out the window of his and Cera's room, staring at the Forbidden City and his Geass-Rinnegan enhanced vision saw something.
It was hard to describe what it was but was not like a Geass user though it was similar.
A dark smokey like outline that seemed to block out his vision when he tried to center on it but he could still see it.
It was like a fire lighting up the night.
He could not make it out but it was lurking close to the palace. That was not good because the Empress could be in danger, not to mention Nunnally who was there seeing the Empress.
"So, you see it too." Cera spoke from behind Naruto.
She walked up to him, wearing nothing but the sheets from their bed to cover herself even though she never cared much for modesty when it was just the two of them.
"Yeah. I remember seeing something like that before…In the Thought Elevator." Naruto said, remembering their encounter with the strange creature in the Thought Elevator on Kamine Island a year ago.
"We destroyed the Thought Elevator on that island but I guess it survived. I doubt Charles and Vincent had anything to do with it though." Cera said, activating her Rinnegan. "And now apparently it's here in China."
"But is it after us or something else?" Naruto wondered.
"It's us. It's waiting for us, daring us to make the first move." Cera answered, scowling slightly. "This couldn't come at a worst time."
"Yeah." Naruto agreed. "I'll take care of it and leave a Shadow Clone to handle my part in the plan."
Cera glanced at Naruto. "You're not leaving me behind."
Naruto didn't bother to argue with her.
He learned that it was useless to argue with her on anything.
Well except for the argument of their favorite foods were better which of course in Naruto's mind in was Ramen but Cera stubbornly claimed that Pizza was better.
It was a never ending war between them on that front.
Xxx
The day of the between the Empress of the Chinese Federation and the First Prince Odysseus had begun quickly, and preparations were made to have the ceremony performed at the height of day, signifying the beginning a new era in the history of the Empire and the Federation. However not everyone was happy about it.
The Empress knew she would finally be able to leave the Forbidden City but she would then be sent to Britannia as a hostage. She looked up to see her friend Kaguya along with Zero, his two knights and the pilot named Kallen sitting in their booth. She only wished that she could see Xingke one last time.
A wish that suddenly came true because just as they arrived before the alter, the doors to the temple burst open, guests and betrothed looking back in shock at the figures gathered in the doorway.
"We ask this question," Li Xingke announced, the long haired swordsman backed up by members of his own guard, who shared his ideals "By the roar of the Heavens, the Voice of the Land and the Hearts of the people." He drew his sword. "How does this marriage represent the will of the Chinese Federation?"
"Xingke have you lost your mind?" Xiao Ho demanded, rising from his seat in shocked outrage, only to be silenced as Xingke pulled out his sword.
"Be silent, Xiao Ho!" Li Xingke pointed his sword at the portly man. "In the name of my fellow countrymen I challenge the legality of this wedding!"
"Cut off the broadcast!" The Eunuch quickly ordered, even as the nobles were evacuated and the Eunuch's directing the guards against the long haired general.
"Kaguya, step back." Kallen said, pulling Kaguya back.
"We can't let anything happen to the Britannians, otherwise it would be disasterous!" One of the Eunuchs cried out.
"You mean like this?" A voice asked from behind.
Everyone turned to see the priest knocked down while Odysseus stepped back in fear as a white masked figure stood next to the Empress.
Behind his mask Lelouch stared at the familiar masked person in surprise. 'Infinity?'
It had been over a year since he had last seen Infinity who saved him from the deranged Jeremiah Goodwald. He had asked Naruto and C.C. about Infinity but they had refused to tell him anything about her, only that she was another ace in the hole for their team. Despite his annoyance at their secrecy he reluctantly dropped the subject, knowing Infinity could be a better asset while remaining in the shadows.
Now here she was and once again he did not expect her to appear. He glanced at Naruto and C.C., wondering if this was their idea and felt slightly irked that if it was they neglected to inform him again.
"It is with my deepest regret to inform you all this wedding has been canceled." The masked girl declared in a loud voice to everyone who remained.
"Who are you?!" Xiao Ho shouted.
"I am Infinity, Knight of Zero!" Nunnally smirked under her mask as she pointed at Zero. "I am here on behalf of my lord to help this girl fulfill her wish to leave the Forbidden City, not as a political hostage as you old fossils would have her be but as a free woman!"
"Infinity?" Kaguya asked, not knowing of this knight.
She looked possibly younger than Zero's other two knights, possibly even younger than Kallen. The red haired pilot herself was also confused by the appearance of Infinity.
'Infinity? Who is that?' Kallen's eyes then widened when she saw Infinity's eyes. 'The Rinnegan! She's another one of Cera's paths!'
If Cera had another path than that meant she could only give the Rinnegan to two more. She could give Geass to anyone but the Rinnegan to six people. But Kallen wondered why she never knew about Infinity until now. She knew Cera wouldn't bother to tell her if she had a new path but she was slightly surprised Naruto never mentioned anything.
Then again it was not like Kallen ever asked him or Cera if they had recruited anyone else. Everyone had been so busy since the Black Rebellion that no one even remembered about Lelouch's Geass or even the other hidden powers his knights possessed. She'd have to talk to Naruto and Cera after this wedding debacle was settled and see if she could find out who Infinity really is. Everyone has their secrets but Kallen felt that she needed to know who Infinity is or at least how to get in contact with her if there was an emergency.
"Infinity?" Cornelia asked, having never seen her before.
But Euphie was different story.
'Nunnally. I should have known that you'd be here.' Euphie thought. 'You want to stick close to Lelouch and protect him as much as I do now.'
"Zero…" Xingke called out, moving towards the alter while looking up at the masked leader who remained on the balcony. "What is the meaning of this?"
"We are aware of the plot by Prince Schneizel and the High Eunuchs to use the Empress as a political tool in creating an alliance between the two powers against the United States of Japan. This, we cannot allow." Infinity announced, speaking for Zero. "The Empress has decreed this wedding to be against her wish and is now cancelled."
"How dare you?!" Xiao Ho shouted as Infinity dropped something on the ground and it exploded, covering the room in smoke.
"Farewell, High Exalted Eunuchs!" Infinity's voice echoed through the smoke.
'At'a girl, Nunnally.' Naruto thought with a smirk under his mask.
Nunnally had just shown she can compete with her brother in the game of theatrics.
"We must move." Cornelia said, knowing the Chinese would try to capture them.
"Fortunately we came prepared." Zero nodded as the wall blasted open and revealed a black Knightmare.
Xxx
"Lady Xianglin, the guests are fleeing the reception hall just as we predicted but we have reports that a new knight of Zero has shown up as well." Xingke reported to his second in command who was in the make-shift command center of the attempted coup.
Xianglin's eyes widened. "Zero? Section three, report your break-in status. Master Xingke needs backup at once." She didn't receive an answer. "Could it be that Zero is using our own plan for his own purposes?"
Xxx
"Todoh, get Schneizel!" Lelouch called.
"Rught, I'm on it!" Todoh moved to attack Schneizel, unsheathing a sword from the Knightmare's hip but quickly deflected a shot from above. "He's already here."
From the airship above came a newer version of the Lancelot that had been destroyed during the Black Rebellion. This was the Lancelot Conquista, designed like the older Lancelot with a flight-unit built into its back.
"Hand off the prince." Suzaku shouted from the cockpit of the new Knightmare.
"Suzaku!" Todoh declared.
Suzaku's emerald eyes widened as a black Knightmare rushed forward, its sword propelled by a built in projection system.
"It can't be!" The traitor gasped, blocking the strike, barely, with his own sword, as he pulled the Lancelot back to get some breathing room. "Todoh-sensei?"
Todoh did not answer back with any words as he brought his Knightmare's blade down for another strike on his former student.
'Surprised, Suzaku? Me, Cera, and Kallen aren't the only ones with the fancy Knightmares anymore.' Naruto thought.
"Flee while you can, Your Highness." Gino said, remaining as a bodyguard to the two princes.
"I guess it can't be helped." Schneizel said reluctantly, glancing at his older brother. "Brother."
"Yes, I think we should." Odysseus quickly agreed.
Lelouch glanced at the two of them as they turned to leave. "Seizan, Shinryoku, block their escape!"
"We should go to." One of the Eunuchs said.
"Yes, leave it to the soldiers."
"Are you sure about that?" The Eunuchs gasped in horror as Cera appeared in front of them, unsheathing her katana. "Have you forgotten you're in the middle of a coup?"
Schneizel and Odysseus were just near the door when Naruto landed in front of them, pulling out a tri-proned kunai. "Hello there."
Gino stepped in front of the two princes. "You will not harm Prince Schneizel and Odysseus on my watch!"
"Fine by me. I was wanting to see how good you Knights of the Round are outside of a cockpit." Naruto smirked. "You got a sword?"
Gino smirked and pulled out a fancy sword. "As if you need to ask."
Naruto readied himself as Gino attacked, blocking his sword slashes with his kunai, not allowing the princes to slip past them.
He was having too much fun to bother kidnapping two more members of royalty. In the meantime Cera was just having fun intimidating the Eunuchs long enough for Lelouch to leave and make sure Kaguya escaped safely. Gino was skilled, that much was true and he was skilled enough that Naruto wanted to fight him fairly, without the use of his Rinnegan or ninjutsu.
Naruto was many things but a cheater wasn't one of them.
Xxx
The two dueled in mid-air, black and crimson blades clashing repeatedly, the black Knightmare's greater strength actually forcing the Lancelot to retreat. Suzaku tried to grap his VARIS rifle, only to be forced to block as Todoh used his sword-mounted Slash Harken to halt the action, the Black Knightmare seizing the high ground as he descended on the Lancelot.
"Yes!" Suzaku grit out, thinking his former sensei had left himself open, pulling out the VARIS rifle and firing off a shot. "Now!"
However, it seemed that Todoh had been prepared, as the VARIS shot was deflected by a red wall of energy that emanated from the Zangetsu's helm.
"The same system as the Gurren?" Suzaku muttered in surprise.
"So it does work…" Todoh mused, smirking proudly as he looked at the Lancelot, imagining the shocked look on his former student's face. "With this Zangetsu, I can take on a class-one warrior like Suzaku."
Suzaku powered up the VARIS booster again, aiming at the Zangetsu but Todoh maneuvered himself so that the Zangetsu's back was to the Forbidden City. Suzaku's eyes hardened as four more Knightmares flew up to join the Black Knightmare, a blue Akatsuki, the red Gurren, the green Shinryoku, and the blue Seizan.
"Stay back!" Todoh ordered as he charged the Lancelot. "This is my duel! Kururugi Suzaku, taste defeat!"
"Not yet!" Suzaku countered, lashing out at the black Knightmare with his blade, narrowly dodging a strike to his flank, only to curse as Todoh's 'Shadow long sword' sliced through the Lancelot's float unit.
"Good work, Todoh. You destroyed his flight unit. Now we can leave without being followed by him." Naruto stated. "We better regroup with Zero."
"Understood." Todoh muttered, though he didn't like the idea of leaving his battle with Suzaku half finished.
As much as he personally wished to defeat his wayward student the military strategist in him recognized that they had to retreat and hopefully rendezvous with Inifnity and the Empress.
"Wait!" Suzaku aimed his VARIS rifle to take out Naruto but the blue Knightmare swing its kunai, creating a wind blade that sliced through the rifle. "Damn it!"
"You want me to kick your ass again, Suzaku? As much I'd like to stick around for ass-kicking number five I've got a little girl to save and keep safe from your idiotic schemes." Naruto said as the Seizan flashed Suzaku a salute. "Until next time."
"Get back here!" Suzaku shouted but could only watch as the four Knightmares flew off, moving much faster than him.
Xxx
'Well Suzaku, you sure haven't changed much.' Naruto thought, stepping out of the ceremony hall with Cera next to him.
Their shadow clones piloting their Knightmares would get Lelouch to the rendezvous point with little trouble now that Suzaku couldn't catch up. Gino had reluctantly retreated with Anya to keep Schneizel and Odysseus safe.
But the two had bigger problems.
And one of said bigger problems appeared in the form of someone wearing a dark cloak and had been waiting outside of the hall for them. When they first saw the newcomer their Rinnegan activated and they saw the same dark smoky aura they had detected earlier.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked, deciding to start first.
The strange chose to answer by pointing at the two. "You..."
"Yes, us. But that wasn't the question now was it?" Cera asked sarcastically. "He asked you who you are."
The stranger stepped forward. "You. Enemy!"
The strange lunched forward and Cera unsheathed her katana, channelling wind chakra into it to slice the stranger in two. However just as she swung her blade there was pulse from the stranger that to the shock of Naruto and Cera, cancelled out the chakra in Cera's katana. The stranger lunged at Cera but Naruto lashed out with a kick, knocking the stranger back.
"Did you just see that?" Naruto asked, now very wary.
"Yeah, he cancelled out my chakra." Cera glared the cloaked man. "It seems this one is going to be more of a challenge."
Naruto looked back at the stranger as he stood back up. The fact that the stranger cancelled out chakra, literally cancelling it out into nothingness instead of absorbing or redirecting it was a serious matter.
'Looks we might be late, Lelouch.' Naruto thought, eyeing the stranger.
The thought of anyone learning how to cancel chakra in this dimension was a bigger threat to him and Cera right now.
At least their Shadow Clones were with Lelouch and the others.
Xxx
I know you were all expecting a bigger chapter but unfortunately I didn't have the chance to make this bigger and I'll be going on vacation for two weeks and I won't be able to have internet for my laptop where I am going. So I can keep writing but I will not be able to update until I return. In the meantime I have good news. After reporting to Wattpad on Austinbanner's plagiarizing they removed Austinbanner's profile and apparently banned him, which means all the stolen stories were removed as well.
So while this chapter may not be as a big as the other ones at least that plagiarist won't be stealing anymore stories. I doubt he or she learned their lesson but it doesn't matter. So hope you enjoy this chapter, no matter how short it is and be patient as I will to work on the next chapter when I have the time.
*Chapter 42*: Chapter 42Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Naruto could say he had seen a lot of things in his life, both in his home world world and this one.
Massive beasts made of chakra.
Humanoid machines piloted by humans.
And supernatural abilities granted by an immortal who was now connected to him for life.
Naruto had seen enough of Geass in this world to know that while it was powerful in its own right against certain powers like the Mangekyo Sharingan and the Rinnegan it was like a Genin against a Kage. So when this being emitted a pulse that cancelled out Cera's chakra he knew this guy they were facing was trouble. The pulse was able to negate the chakra in Cera's attack, breaking it down and dissipating it, making it harmless.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked, taking a step forward. "What do you want with us?"
"Want…Want to…Want to…Kill." The cloaked figure declared dash at them.
Naruto pulled out his kunai and as the stranger swiped at him, blocking his hand. His Rinnegan spotted the dark smoky energy travel through his kunai and quickly dropped it before it could touch his hand.
'Wise move, Naruto. You cannot allow him to touch you. He might be able to drain you of your chakra or disable your ability to use it altogether.' Kurama pointed out in Naruto's mind.
'Guess we can't rely on the big flashy stuff then.' Naruto thought, stepping back as the stranger lunged at him.
Cera jumped in, slashing at her katana at the stranger and leaving a cut in his chest. "You may be able to disable our chakra but we can still-"
Cera stopped and saw the smoky energy travel down her sword, touching her hand. She suddenly felt weak and realized it was draining her chakra as it entered her body, becoming stronger as it spread. The stranger laughed as Cera's strength was being drained from her.
'Damn it!' Cera chastised herself for letting her guard down.
"You have the Code…Give it to me!" The stranger shouted, lunging at Cera.
However Naruto pulled Cera back before the stranger touched her and looked over her. 'It's like a parasite, leeching off her. How could something like this happen?'
'If it has existed in C's World it must represent a form of Geass we've never encountered before.' Kurama mused. 'If it absorbs chakra like this, even from someone like Cera and us it's extremely dangerous.'
'So how do I stop it?' Naruto asked, watching as the substance traveled up Cera's arm while keeping the stranger in his sight.
Cera grunted, feeling slightly weak. "Anytime now, Naruto."
'There might be a way.' Gyuki offered.
'And that is?'
'If it is an evolved form of Geass it's possible that yours and Cera's ability to counter and even disable Geass can counter it.' Gyuki explained.
'All right. Let's try it.' Naruto thought, placing his hand on Cera's arm, noting how the invading substance was starting to infect him. 'Here we go.'
The Geass symbol in his Rinnegan flared, sending a pulse that stop the substance from spreading further. Another pulse tore the substance apart, freeing Naruto and Cera from its effects.
"Looks like this thing can absorb and negate chakra but the fusion of your Code and my chakra can counter it." Naruto said as he and Cera stood up.
"It almost feels like whatever this thing is it was designed as a weapon against the Rinnegan." Cera noted, staring at the stranger with restrained anger.
It pained her to admit she underestimated the stranger and it angered her that she had led her guard down. If there is one thing she had gained from first meeting Naruto was aside from her powers she had gained a sort of pride from being able to now fully control her own destiny. Never again would she be captured and experimented on by anyone and she was fully capable of protecting herself. She had come a long way and admitted to herself but no one else that she felt human again.
And in one second this stranger had nearly defeated her with their strange powers and she nearly let them.
She had no intention of ever letting her guard down again, even if she believed that any opponent she face after this was a threat or not.
"So if we can't touch him how do we beat him?" Cera asked.
"We don't have to touch him." Naruto slammed his fists into the ground, creating a huge crack that opened up under the stranger and caused him to fall in.
Naruto then made a hand sign and the ground came back together, effectively trapping the stranger up to his neck.
"That should hold him." Naruto stood up, cracking his fingers.
Cera slowly walked up to the stranger, holding her katana in one hand. "Now let's see who you really are."
She reached down and pulled the hood off, careful not to directly touch him. When she saw who it was her eyes widened and she stepped back.
"It can't be…It can't be." Cera dropped her sword.
It was Mao.
The boy she had given a Geass to when he was a child.
The boy she had abandoned when he became a lunatic.
And the one she killed.
And yet here he was.
Alive.
"Impossible." Cera stepped back. "You are dead."
"Dead…" Mao repeated slowly, his voice sounding like a mix of a dozen people and his eyes flashing with a gold Geass symbol. "We are far from dead."
His eyes flashed and suddenly Mao broke free of the earth, standing bacj up and summoned a large two handed long helix shaped sword.
"We are the Sword, created by the alteration of God. We exist to destroy God. But we need something." Mao grinned evilly. "We must have the Code! The Code will allow us to slay God! Destroy God and eliminate all lies!"
"The Sword…" Cera's eyes widened. "You are the Sword of Akesha! That's impossible! The Sword doesn't have a will of its own!"
"Give us your Code!" Mao lunged at Cera who jumped back.
Naruto held out his hand at Mao. "Shinra Tensei!"
Mao was knocked by a repulsive force, sending him flying through several walls.
"That'll hold him down for a few seconds." Naruto said.
"Naruto, we have to move now." Cera said urgently, picking up her sword.
Though he was not one to run from a fight Naruto nodded when he saw the alarming look on Cera's face and grabbed onto her, disappearing in a yellow flash.
As soon as they were gone Mao emerged from the hole in the wall made by his crash. "…We will meet again."
Xxx
Cera sighed as she fell onto the floor of the room she and Naruto shared on board the Ikaruga. "The Sword of Akesha with a will of its own now. How is that possible?"
"You tell me. You helped create the damn thing." Naruto said, sitting down on the bed.
Cera shook her head. "The Sword of Akesha was created by Charles, Vincent and Marianne to destroy C's World, the Collective Will of Humanity, better known as God. They believed that with God destroyed, humanity would be forced together into one mind, eliminating the existence of secrets and lies and thus bringing about eternal peace."
Naruto snorted. "In other words another couple of power hungry maniacs. Eliminating the existence of secrets and lies. That's about the dumbest thing I ever heard."
"I didn't care for any of that. I was only interested in someone fulfilling my wish which led me to granting Marianne her Geass but shortly before I left Marianne was gunned down by Charles's older brother Vincent who was jealous how close Charles and Marianne had become. I left to find a new contractor but Charles didn't plan on letting me leave quietly and Marianne had taken refuge into the body of the girl we saw with Schneizel." Cera scowled. "The two of them staged the entire invasion of Japan, waiting for Lelouch to stage his rebellion to draw me out into the open."
"I can only imagine how Lelouch would feel if he found that out. His rebellion being nothing but loud noise." Naruto sighed. "So about this Sword…"
"It was the weapon Charles, Vincent, and Marianne created to destroy God but they never created it with any intelligence. It's impossible for whatever that thing was to be the Sword or even Mao or have all those powers. We even destroyed one of the Thought Elevators and buried Vincent down in the bottom of the ocean." Cera stated.
"Is there anyway something could have happened to the Sword after you left?" Naruto questioned.
"Even if they did try and make some modifications they couldn't have done something like giving the Sword the power to match the two of us." Cera responded.
Naruto frowned. "Or maybe it was something else."
"Something else?"
"We need to find another Thought Elevator and find out what the hell is going on." Naruto explained, thinking of someway to discover more about their new enemy.
Cera looked at Naruto, thinking for a moment. "Charles could use C's World to speak with the dead and monitor the world. If we find a Thought Elevator we can use it try and find out what happened to the sword."
Naruto grinned. "So, we have a plan. So do you know where we can find one?"
"Yes. The Geass Order." Cera stood up. "They have a Thought Elevator and then there's one under the Pendragon which Charles uses."
"Oh, so we can finally get the drop on them." Naruto remarked, now eager. "Well, first we need to get there."
"And how do you plan to get there?" Cera smirked, already seeing a plan forming in Naruto's head and not the kind of plan Lelouch would normally come up with.
It was the stupid, reckless, and outright insane kind of plan.
And it was just the kind of plan Cera liked.
"But first let's see what Lelouch is up to and how far he got without the two of us covering his back." Naruto changed the subject. "We are still his knights after all."
Cera shook her head. "Of course."
"And then we pay our old Britannian buddies a visit."
Xxx
Lelouch folded his fingers as he sat down, watching as Kaguya and Euphemia comforted Tianzi. It pleased him to see that Infinity had brought the Empress onboard the Ikarugi but had disappeared before he could speak with her. While slightly annoying her presence was vital to the mission.
"Our nation, the United States of Japan should be thought of as just a giant union of states. Including the United States of China and for that we need you."
"India's southern province has already to support us. Mongolia and Burma will probably agree to move with them." Kaguya said.
"This union of united states will form an asset to oppose Britannia." Lelouch continued.
"But…Our nation's already a federation all systems-" Tianzi started.
"All systems are limited." Lelouch cut Tianzi off, making her looking down at the table. "That's why the High Eunuchs sold you to Britannia for their own ambition. That is unforgivable."
Tianzi looked down at Lelouch stood up. "Uh…It's hard to understand this but.."
"Your majesty." Kaguya cut in gently. "Is Xingke really the one you'd really like to be married to?"
Tianzi gasped in embarrassment. "Oh no! He just made a promise!"
"Really?" Euphie asked, the romantic in her becoming interested.
"As your fiancé?" Kaguya asked.
"W-Well, I told him I wanted to go outside six years ago." Tianzi explained as Lelouch walked away.
"That long ago?" Kaguya continued to question with a smile. "He must be destined for you!"
"Y-You think so?" Tianzi asked.
"That's great!" Kaguya exclaimed.
Euphie nodded in agreement. "He sounds like a great man."
Tianzi smiled softly. "He is…"
Xxx
The moment Zero had escaped with the Empress Xingke and his fellow rebels had been placed in prison by the High Eunuchs.
"Judging from the look on your faces." Xingke muttered, the man's features grim as he sat in a confinement cell beneath the Eunuch's feet with his followers. "They've taken down our strike force."
"And how did you know that?" Xiao Ho demanded looking down at the disgraced general.
"If I were in their place," Xingke answered. "I'd hang back and stage an Ambush at the Shinchu ravine. Then I'd join up with my main force in Chao Pei."
"Xingke." Xiao Ho started with a grin. "We're willing to overlook your crimes, if you bring back our empress."
"We'll even give you a new weapon." The short Eunuch added, smirking as the man looked up at him in shock.
Xxx
"That went more smoothly than I had hoped." Lelouch said, walking towards the elevator. "Perhaps I should thank Xingke for setting his own plan in motion. He's a talented strategist."
"How'd you know Xingke was planning a coup da tat at the ceremony?" Cera noted as she and Naruto followed Lelouch onto the elevator.
"I was working on the same thing." Lelouch answered as the doors closed.
"Including the ECM and the ambush?" Naruto asked.
"Yes. While we were setting our traps Xingke's troops had been setting theirs in the exact same place." Lelouch explained.
"And then you got them to tell you their plan." Cera caught on. "Did you have to use a truth serum?"
"Yes, it's called Geass." Lelouch answered dryly.
Cera smirked while Naruto chuckled. "And people say Zero has no sense of humor."
The elevator door opened and the three stepped onto the bridge, seeing Diethard and Ohgi already waiting for them.
"Is there news from Horai Island?" Lelouch asked.
"Reinforcements from India have already arrived." Ohgi answered. "We just have to return and rendezvous with them. How are things with the Empress-"
An alarm suddenly sounded, cutting Ohgi off in mid-sentence.
"An attack?" Ichijiku Hinata exclaimed, the Ikaruga's bespectacled Radar-Operator staring at her screen in shock. "Our forward Knightmare unit has been wiped out."
"Stop!" Ohgi commanded. "All units come to a halt!"
'Strange.' Lelouch thought. 'We should have had an hour before we encountered any enemy forces.'
The Ikaruga and its Knightmare escorts immediately came to a stop as the smoke cleared, revealing the attacker.
"A Knightmare?" Ayame Futaba gasped, a woman with purple hair who was the defensive systems operator magnified the image to better look at the frame.
Rakshata blinking, the scientist sitting up on her couch with a look of shock. Naruto's eyes narrowed when he saw the frame. It was the same Knightmare frame he had tested a year ago before he was given the Seizan.
'The Shen Yu. Here?' Naruto thought. 'What the hell is it doing here?'
"What is that thing?" Ohgi wondered, gazing at the blue and purple mech, with golden faceplate. "And why's it equipped with the same float unit we use?"
Xxx
Down below Kallen spotted the enemy frame and rushed to the Guren.
Xxx
"That's because it was made by the same person who made our Knightmares and the Guren." Cera answered, looking Rakshata. "Knightmare Frame Shen Hu."
"What?!"
"You know what that Knightmare is?" Cornelia asked, glancing back between her brother's knights and the screen showing the new Knightmare.
"Flight unit or not it's only one unit. Surround it!" Senba ordered.
Chiba however knew something was wrong. "No! Hold on!"
"Pull our forces back now!" Naruto said urgently.
"You people underestimate the Shen Hu at your own peril." The Shen Hu fired a Slash Harken from its wrist that took the form of a golden spear that pierced an Akatsuki and used it to smash the others down.
"How dare you!" Chiba moved to attack.
"Silence! You have no say here!" The Shen Hu used its Harkens as a propeller and knocked Chiba out of the air and smashed her Knightmare down into the ground.
'It's just as powerful as I remember.' Naruto thought with a note of nostalgia.
"Can you hear me…Zero?" The pilot of the Shen Hu called out, hovering towards the Ikaruga while the face of its appeared on the monitors, his features stern "Zero…you shall not pass!"
"Xingke? Why is he attacking us?" Naruto wondered. "I thought he was against the Empress being used as a pawn."
He deactivated the rotation of his Harken, the whip-like weapon receding back into his frame's arm "Now…return the Empress, and I shall spare your lives."
"XINGKE!" A familiar voice snarled, the crew of the Ikaruga looking on in shock as the Guren, launched into the air, the crimson frame clashing with the Shen Hu in an aerial battle.
"Kallen Kozuki!" Xingke growled, recognizing the Guren and the voice of its pilot. "Even so, the Shen Hu will crush you!"
"We got to move." Naruto said, turning to the elevator. "Kallen's not experienced enough to take on a frame like that."
"What do you know about it?" Lelouch asked.
"I piloted it once before." Naruto said, stepping into the elevator with Cera. "And it's not something you want to go up against unless you're a damn good pilot."
"Scatter shot!" Kallen yelled, deploying her GEFJUIN net spheres, only for Xingke to blaze through them "Not bad…But I'm a Black Knight Ace!"
"Show me Shen Hu!" Xingke demanded, pulling back on his control yoke, arming the firing system for the frame's main weapon "Show me your power!"
"Oh no! That's-" One of Rakshata's scientists stammered.
"Seizen said you designed it." Lelouch cut in.
"Of course we did." Rakshata replied, turning around to face Zero with a scowl. "We know because we built it. We developed it at the same time as the Guren, but it was to high spec to handle…" She gazed back at her abandoned child, her expression unreadable. "A one of a kind Knightmare that no pilot could master...until now."
"Why is it in the hands of the Chinese Federation?" Cornelia asked, unable to believe that India would give up such a powerful Knightmare.
If anything she'd have expected it to have been used by the Black Knights a year ago before the Black Rebellion alongside the Guren.
"Eat this!" Kallen shouted as she fired her Radiant Rave Surger.
"Take this!" Xingke said, firing his weapon.
Both Knightmares fired, the beams of deathly light colliding with each other and creating a powerful shockwave.
"My goodness!" Cecile cried upon seeing the two attacks collide.
Lloyd simply smiled. "My, my, Rakshata. You've been holding back on us haven't you?"
Xingke smirked. "The Heavenly Particle Cannon. It's just as powerful-"
"As the Radient Wave Surger." Kallen finished, looking on in shock.
"But how did our enemies gain obtain it?!" Lelouch banged the arm of his chair.
"It's possible that the Indian forces are split against us." Diethard observed.
"That crusty old Maharaja…he must have sold it off to the Chinese to line his own pockets." Rakshata said darkly.
"You let it be sold?" Cornelia questioned.
"Does it have a weakness?" Ohgi asked.
"It's based on a different design concept than the Guren. There's no Radient Wave System and the piloting takes skills that are almost beyond human." Rakshata explained. "Only Seizan was able to pilot it to near perfection but he turned it down in favor of his own Knightmare after we created Core Radiance."
"Well there's a human piloting it now isn't there?" Ohgi asked.
"Afraid so." Rakshata simply said.
"My, my, first Suzaku, then Seizan, and now this Xingke. So many suitable pilots and none of them around when I could have used them for the Lancelot." Lloyd remarked in amusement.
One of the Shen Hu's whip-like Slash Harkens managed to get under the Guren's flagging guard, the cable wrapping around the crimson Knightmare's left ankle and latching on tight.
"I have you!" Xingke declared, the Shen Hu yanking the Guren into the air, it's sword held at the ready to impale it's sibling frame as it descended, the general sending the command to fry the crimson Knightmare's systems. "Your fate is sealed!"
"That's right…" Kallen said with a smug grin, the Guren's left hand coning down to block the Shen Hu's attempts at freezing her system. "And so is yours!"
"What?!" Xingke exclaimed, not expecting a move like that.
"You can't get away from me now! This is where I take you apart!" Kallen readied her Radiant Wave Surger.
"Really?" Xingke replied. "Then I'm going to have to crush you."
He aimed the Shen Hu's cannon up just as the Guren was right above him but before either one could attack both grabbed and pulled away from each other.
"Huh?!" Both Xingke and Kallen exclaimed.
"Yeesh, you two are bunch of suicidal idiots!" A voice groaned over the speakers.
"Na-Seizan?!" Kallen looked to see to that it was Naruto's Knightmare that was holding the Guren. "What are you doing?!"
"Stopping the both of you from killing each other." Cera answered calmly as she pulled the Shen Hu back. "The two of you are bickering like little children in big toys."
Xingke looked behind to see Shinryoku holding the Shen Hu down. "I didn't even see her. This is one of Zero's knights, the one known as Shinryoku. And the blue one is Seizan."
Rakshata sighed in relief at her two youngest children saving the older ones. "That was a close one…"
"Chinese Federation forces inbound!"
"Come on, let's go." Naruto said as he released the Guren. "Fall back."
Kallen reluctantly nodded. "All right."
"Wait!" Xingke tried to break free and in response Cera kicked the Shen Hu, knocking it down to the surface.
"As much as it pains me to take down a Knightmare sibling of my own I can't afford to play now." Cera said and flew back to the Ikaruga with Naruto and Kallen. "We'll settle this another day."
"Come back here!" Xingke shouted, aiming his cannon at the retreating Black Knights.
Cera made a hand sign. "Wind Style: Great Wind Breakthrough!"
A blast of wind hit the ground, causing dust to cover the entire area around the Shen Yu.
"Damn it!" Xingke banged his console upon seeing he was blind.
The Black Knights had escaped with the Empress.
*Chapter 43*: Chapter 43Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"Recovery of all remaining Knightmares now confirmed!" Hinata declared, watching as four top Knightmares of the Black Knights pulled into the mausoleum of the eighty-eight emperors, which had been the designated rendezvous point for the Ikaruga.
"The enemy will think twice before attacking us here." Diethard insisted as the Ikaruga backed into the mountain mausoleum. "The greatest emperors from Chinese history are buried here."
"And since they can only approach us from head on, it means we can deploy the bow mounted Hadron Cannons." Ohgi reasoned, nodding in approval.
"So all we gotta do is wait for the Indian forces, right?" Tamaki asked, disembarking from his personal Akatsuki.
"I doubt they'll come." Chiba pointed out grimly. "Even if they do, who's willing to bet they'll be flying Britannian colors?"
"Besieged with no reinforcements…" Shougo muttered, smirking up at the grinning Urabe as they walked up alongside their female comrade. "Just like old times."
"If that's the case, there could still have been room for negotiations." Kaguya pointed out, looking up at Ohgi in concern with a nervous Tianzi clinging to her friend's side.
"I would agree with you, Miss Kaguya. However I know enough of the High Eunuchs to know that they wouldn't negotiate, even for their Empress." Euphie sighed sadly.
"I have to agree with Miss Euphemia. Something tells me the high Eunuchs would never even consider that option." Ohgi muttered, grimacing at the sound of cannon-fire ahead.
Xxx
"What?" Xingke yelled, over his shoulder in outrage as a mortar shell exploded dangerously close to the rear of his troops, his eyes narrowing.
"Did you REALLY think we would forgive you after you betrayed us?" Xian Ho asked rhetorically, sneering over the intercom as their own troops swooped in on Xingke's forces, battering them from all sides.
"This is not the time for revenge!" Xianglin protested, Xingke's eyes narrowing at the sound of his aide's voice, as she was no doubt being betrayed as well. "Or perhaps you don't care about the empress?"
"You've become obsolete." Xian Ho stated. "We have more powerful forces to serve us now."
'They can't mean?' Xingke wondered, his eyes narrowing as he spied two familiar Knightmares hovering in the air behind the Pyramid fortress. "You fools! Bringing the forces of a foreign empire into our territory? Aid from Britannia? From Avalon?"
He scowled at the floating transport behind the Tristan and Mordred, the same airship that was the Lancelot's mode of transportation. "Don't the High Eunuch's know who they're dealing with? Who do they think conquered half of the EU?"
Xxx
"I never thought the Knights of the Round would get involved with this." Ohgi muttered.
"Well…" Cera noted with intrigue. "It seems the High Eunuchs are intent on wiping out Xingke along with us."
"Those old farts are cruel, even by Britannian standards." Naruto mumbled, scowling at the screen as the enemy approached.
"OUR REINFORCEMENTS AREN'T COMING?" Tamaki yelled. "WHAT THE F-!"
"Calm down Tamaki!" Ohgi barked, his own features grim as he watched the incoming enemy forces advance on the mausoleum. "We still have the Chinese empress as a captive, they can't just start shooting at us-!"
But it seemed he was wrong as the amassed Chinese forces promptly began a full-scale bombardment.
"What is it?!" Deithard demanded.
"Full scale bombardment." Zero answered grimly.
"But that means-"
"Yes." Zero nodded. "The Chinese Federation intends to bombard the mausoleum of eighty eight emperors and us along with it. As for the Empress, they want her to die."
Xxx
"The High Eunuchs…" Xingke growled, his eyes narrowing in anger as he watched the Mausoleum of Eighty-Eight emperors undergo bombing from aerial forces. "They'd violate this sacred Mausoleum for their petty ambitions-!"
He glared as he fired up his radio, hailing all allied forces. "All forces cease fire! Her Imperial Empress is inside!"
"You still don't understand, do you Xingke?" Xiao Ho mocked. "Generations upon generations of emperors are buried there…"
"In short, it's a grave." The dark skinned Eunuch pointed out. "As good a place as any to bury our current empress."
Xxx
"We've already arranged for a new empress to replace her." Xiao Ho admitted, smirking at the general's face, a bound and gagged Xianglin kneeling off to the side, scowling angry at them. "A puppet bride that will nicely match prince Odysseus on their wedding photo."
Xxx
"YOU DAMN DECEIVERS!?" Xingke roared, the Shen Hu lunging towards the Pyramid fortress, only to be blocked and forced back by the Tristan.
"You're the one who started the coup de ta?" Gino asked.
"Stand aside Britannian!" He fired a Harken to warn the advanced frame off. "This concerns my country alone!"
"Be glad to," Gino replied over the radio, transforming the Tristan to jet mode "But you see, those guys represent your country…internationally speaking."
Xingke scowled, driving the Shen Hu back before shifting back to Knightmare mode, pulling up alongside the Mordred . Xingke grimaced, only to look up in surprise as the aerial assault crafts that had been sent in as part of the second wave were wiped out by Todoh and the Four Holy Swords, the Zangetsu wiping out countless numbers with its shoulder mounted guns.
Xxx
"Well what'd you know…" Gino muttered, the blonde Knight of three eyeing the newly arrived black Knightmare warily as it wiped out their forces. "Looks like they brought in someone good besides the Gurren after all. Good for me since I have a score to settle with that pilot and Zero's knights."
Xxx
"Remember, our air power is limited." Todoh said as the Zangetsu led the Four Holy Swords, the Gurren, Seizen and Shinyroku into battle. "Fight with honor and strike like steel!"
"Right!" The Holy Swords complied.
Gino watched as Todoh tore through several units. "Well what do you know? They brought someone as good as that Gurren girl and those two."
"Gino." Suzaku called out, the emerald eyed Knight of Seven launching from the Avalon, the newly restored Lancelot Conquista leading a flight of Vincents in its wake as they swooped onto the battle field "Leave them to me!"
Todoh spotted the white knightmare. "Kururugi."
"I got him!" Kallen shouted, shooting up towards the Lancelot. "Suzaku!"
Suzaku narrowed his eyes at the approaching Gurren. "I'd rather be fighting Naruto but I'll settle for you at the moment, Kallen!"
Cera smirked at the screen showing the advanced Knightmares. "How interesting. They have the Lancelot and those next generation units. Someone must have stepped up to replace Asplund after his capture."
"Show off." Gino scoffed, only to smirk as he watched Anya wipe out Xingke's rebel forces with the Mordred's built in Missile launchers, the Dragon Cavalry's shells impacting harmlessly against the Assault Frame's shields.
"Oh no you don't!" Gino called out, grinning as he interfered with Xingke's attempts to slip inside the Mordred's shields, the two high-speed frames crashing in the air in a flurry of sparks. "I'm leading the dance at this party!"
"Are you?"
Gino looked up just as the Seizan aimed a kick at the Tristan's head. "Whoa?!"
He managed to block the kick and flew back. "Well, we meet again Seizan! Let's see if you dance in the sky as you do on the ground!"
Naruto grinned. "Like I need to prove it."
Xxx
"So you admit you're outmatched?" Xiao Ho asked, the fat eunuch smirking up at the screen, which depicted a grim faced Zero, the revolutionary having initiated the call "Well we won't accept your surrender, it's too late now!"
"So you insist on fighting?" Zero demanded. "Even knowing your own Empress will die in the attack?"
"The 'Empress' is merely a system." The pompous ball of blubber simpered, shaking his head dismissively at Zero's apparent naïveté, "There are plenty of others to replace her, so you can't use her as a bargaining chip."
"But you used her to gain noble titles for yourselves in the Britannian court." Zero pointed out coldly, earning a round of simpering chuckles from the eunuchs, even as Xianglin glared at them heatedly from the floor.
"You have sharp ears, don't you?" The dark skinned Eunuch noted."A cheap price to pay for power, I assure you."
"Cheap…A false treaty that gives China's land to a foreign nation?"
"Oh please…" Xiao Ho simpered. "Land is just dirt after all, isn't it?"
"Yes." The dark skinned Eunuch agreed, smiling smugly. "We're Britannian Noblemen now, that's what counts."
"And what about the lives of the common people you've sworn to protect?"
"Oh come now Zero…" Xiao Ho simpered. "When you walk down the street, do you worry about stepping on the ants?"
"You throw away the paper you use to clean your bottom don't you?" The midget Eunuch piped up, an equally disgusting smirk adorning his withered features as he cackled. "It's the same thing really."
"You sell out your country, abandon your empress, betray your own people and all for what?" Zero asked, his voice slowly rising.
"An idealist. I never thought you were so naive." Xiao Ho chuckled. "Masters and commoners will always breed."
"Like insects!" The midget Eunuch said, causing them to laugh.
Xxx
"Radiant Shield Generators Two and Five are nearing their limits."
"That'll leave the deck exposed!" Ohgi realized.
"Stop it!" Tianzi called out, the distressed Chinese empress tearing herself from Kaguya's embrace, despite her friend's protests, and racing out of the room they'd hidden in, having had enough of the fighting going on around her.
"Your Highness!" Kaguya and Euphie raced after the Empress.
Zero stood up from his chair. "Noblemen? You're bureaucrats! Paper-pushers! You know nothing of nobility!"
Shoving past the guards on duty, the empress clambered onto the main deck, heedless of the constant stream of gunfire as she ran to the prow.
"Please stop it!" she called out, desperately trying to make her voice reach the fighting. "You have to stop all this fighting!"
A round impacting against the deck was her reply, the empress crying out as she was knocked off her feet by the explosion.
"Your Majesty!" Xingke called out, the pilot of the Shen Hu racing in, barely holding on as the Tristan's Harken knocked out one of his wings. "Dammit!"
His eyes went wide in desperation as he powered the damaged frame downwards, even as the High Eunuchs gave the order to finish his lady off.
"Shen Hu! My life is yours!" He pleaded, pushing the frame for all it was worth. "Take it if you must, but please save the empress!"
The sibling frame to the Gurren, Seizan, Shinryoku, and Arashikage charged downwards, coming in and gracefully landing as it deployed its slash harkens as propellers to deflect the oncoming assault from the fragile girl before it.
"Guh!" Xingke grunted, the cockpit of his Knightmare sparking as several rounds made it past his defensive wall."Run away your majesty!"
He looked down at the stunned empress as she got to her knees.
"Go now! You've finally made it outside of the city, but you haven't seen any of the world yet!" He grimaced as another assault crashed into his back. "Go now! I will defend you here!"
"But…" Tianzi insisted, tears streaming down the empress' cheeks as she gazed up at her protector and friend. "Without you there's no point! It has to be the two of us together! It has to!"
Xingke stopped but a smiled a second later. "Your words are wasted on me your majesty…Someone…I don't care who it is…but please…" He bowed his head as the right arm of Shen Hu was damaged, the frame leaning forward from the impact. "SOMEONE SAVE HER!"
"Very well. I understand. Your wish is granted."
Xingke blinked, looking back over his shoulder, his eyes wide with disbelief at the sight of the Arashikage, the Knightmare of Zero hovering before the Ikaruga, having deactivated its Mirage system its shoulder panels open as it unleashed a hail of death on the enemy forces.
"I ask this of the Chinese Federation and of Britannia." The pilot spoke. "If you want to keep fighting, are you prepared for the consequences?"
"Zero? He's come to the front line himself?" Suzaku wondered, hovering above.
"Zero!" Xingke whispered.
The Empress looked at the black knightmare. "But why would he-"
Xxx
"Why are you stopping?" Xiao ho demanded, the sack of lard slamming his pudgy fist into the command table with a snarl. "WIPE THEM OUT!"
Xxx
"So be it." Zero declared, activating the Arashikage's PROVIDENCE system along with the elemental weapons as the enemy opened fire.
The Arashikage held out its hand and activated its IDF system, repelling the incoming motor shells and sending them straight back to the enemy. Lelouch then activated the Elemental cannons, switching them to Cryo mode and setting it to full power.
"Now to turn the land you fight against you!" Lelouch declared, firing the cannons, unleashing the cryo-beams.
The beams froze the enemy units, the land and even the air surrounding them, rendering the units and their artillery useless.
The Mordred activated its shield, blocking the beam from freezing it as Anya looked on calmly. "This could…Be a problem."
"What are your orders, Prince Schneizel?" Gino asked, contacting Schneizel for instructions.
Xxx
Kanon leaned over to whisper to Schneizel. "We could just evacuate."
"There's something strange about this." Schneizel said, watching the battle. "Why did Zero choose this time to show up on the front?"
Xxx
"How pathetic Xingke." Lelouch addressed Shen Hu behind him. "You are betrayed by your own countrymen and you couldn't even save one little girl. You get it now? You need me. I am the only ally you can rely on."
"I'll never be subordinate to you, Zero." Xingke said defiantly.
"Subordinate? No. You have the potential to lead your entire nation." Lelouch replied, turning the Arashikage around. "They need deliverance, your Empress and all the helpless people of the Chinese Federation. They are crying out for it."
Xingke managed to get the Shen Hu to stand to face Zero. "You think you can turn the tide of this battle?"
Lelouch grinned. "Not at all. The tide of war is determined by strategy, not tactics."
Xingke stared at Arashikage in confusion.
Xxx
"Emergency alert! Riots have broken out in Shanghai!"
"Street Riots?" The dark skinned Eunuch gaped, paling in horror at the images of countless civilians storming the imperial palace.
"It's not just Shanghai!" Markers popped up all over the map. "Shusha, Beijing, Burma, Jakarta, Islamabad and fourteen other areas that we're still confirming, people are rising up everywhere!"
Xxx
"Riots breaking out simultaneously?" Nina gaped watching on the monitors as the news reports came in.
"Yes, they're broadcasting a communication between Zero and the High Eunuchs."
"Communication?" Kanon repeated, turning to stare at the woman, his features narrowed in suspicion. "So they were conspiring without informing us."
"Can you run it?" Schniezel asked, looking on with interest as an image of the Arashikage and Zero standing between the kneeling Shen Hu and the Empress, the Eunuchs denouncing the Empress as a mere puppet.
Xxx
"Dumbasses. They bragged openly and didn't even bother to think we'd be recording it or using it against them." Naruto grinned at the recording. "A prank worthy of any Uzumaki."
"So now the people are rising up against them." Kallen caught on with a grin. "And without the people supporting them the High Eunuchs can't be considered representatives of the Chinese Federation anymore."
"Better than that. Britannia will have to leave them high and dry or risk starting a war with the Chinese who will want them off their land immediately." Naruto chuckled.
Xxx
"He couldn't have planned this…" Kanon stated. "It's happening too fast…"
"Unless he's making use of someone else's plan…" Schniezel countered with a smirk.
Xxx
"The Black Knights are to be annihilated…" Anya muttered, looking around in interest as Shougo and Chiba pushed the Mordred's shields to their limit, only to flinch as the Shinyroku launched itself at her, the other two frames breaking away as the green frame pressed the advantage, the Shen Hu bringing up the rear.
'She's just as tough as I'd heard…' Cera muttered, the Geass crest in her Rinnegan flashing. 'No doubt thanks to you Marianne.'
"What is this?" Anya gasped, the pink haired Knight of Six clapping her hands over her ears in desperation as strange images and screams overloaded her senses as she looked on in shock, her eyes clenching shut as her head threatened to split open.
"GOTCHA!" Urabe yelled, bringing his blade down on the Mordred's unprotected flight unit, sending the large frame crashing towards the ground, Anya looking up in shock as the images receded.
"ANYA! NO!" Suzaku yelled, looking on in desperation as the Heavy Assault Frame crashed headfirst into the ground, while deadlocked against his former master and just barely dodging a swipe from the Gurren while a hoard of Akatsuki's were streaming out of the mausoleum, even as Gino swooped in to cover their comrade.
"WHOO-HOO!"An ecstatic Tamaki shouted while leading the pack, his wild yells motivating the pilots as they rushed forwards, swords at the ready.
Xxx
"Suzaku, we're withdrawing." Prince Schniezel declared with a mild form of distaste in his voice. "Nations are not built on 'dirt' nor 'systems'. They're built on people, the High Eunuchs have lost the peoples' support, they're no longer qualified to join us as representatives of the Chinese Federation."
Xxx
"Yes…You're Highness." Suzaku acknowledged the Lancelot backing away from the Mausoleum, features grim. 'This is not over, Lelouch, Naruto…'
Xxx
"Tell me…what do you think the Emperor would have done Kanon?" Schniezel asked, a small smile on his face as he watched the Black Knights round up the stragglers, only to shake his head at Kanon's look of confusion. "Never mind…it's irrelevant."
*Chapter 44*: Chapter 44Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
"What is this place?" The voice of General Bartley demanded, looking around in alarm at this strange, desert facility he'd been brought to "I thought we were going to meet in the Britannian Homeland, by direct order of the Emperor!"
"Yes…"
Bartley watched as the young man stepped out to greet him. "P-Prince Castor Rui Britannia!"
"I asked him to bring you here, General Bartley. Because you were one of the people who helped 'rebuild' Lord Jeremiah's body before he disappeared, correct?" Castor asked. "In order to re-created C.C.'s powers."
Bartley was now sweating heavily.
"I am in need of your services again."
Xxx
With Britannia's withdrawal and the people rising up against them the High Eunuchs were quickly deposed and executed personally by Xingke and his sword in response for their conspiracies and betrayal of the Chinese people. With the High Eunuchs removed from power the Black Knights and the Rebels were now standing together on the hull of the Ikaruga.
"Is this alright for you?" Xingke asked, kneeling before his Empress, his pinky finer reaching out to hold hers as he smiled kindly.
Well…" the Empress began uncertainly, causing Xingke to look up in concern "I was finally able to leave the Forbidden City…" She looked up at Xingke, and his allies behind him. "But…this doesn't mean it's the end…right?"
"I shall protect you in the future as well." Xingke assured her, bowing his head in a sign of fealty "Until the end of time."
Tianzi smiled, her ruby eyes glistening as she gazed down at her protector "It's so strange…I'm so happy…and yet…"
Looking on from the sidelines, the Black Knights watched with satisfied smiles at the touchine scene.
"Zero…" Diethard muttered, turning to whisper into the Zero's ears. "We need to let the world know that the Empress' betrothal to the Britannian Prince is off."
Zero nodded. "Indeed."
"And the best way to do that is to have her marry someone from our side…a member of a Japanese family would be perfect." Deithard continued.
"Seriously?" Naruto deadpanned. "After all we went through to cancel one arranged marriage?"
"What the hell, Diethard?" Kallen asked.
"They are right, you mustn't!" Kaguya exclaimed, the Kyoto princess imposing herself before the blonde Britannian man with a look of stubbornness about her features."
"Lady Kaguya…" Diethard muttered."This is a political maneuver, it isn't personal…"
"You're wrong!" Kaguya insisted, the Kyoto princess looking up at the Britannian born man with stubbornness in her emerald eyes "It IS personal! It's a simple question of love!"
"She is right." Euphie cut in. "Such practices are expected in Britannia, not here. We cannot simply take over and force the Empress into another loveless arranged marriage."
"She has a point…" Cera hummed, the immortal witch smiling knowingly as she inclined her head towards Zero.
"We are at war here." Deithard protested.
"You be quiet." Chiba cut in.
Diethard glared at Chiba. "You, how dare you talk to the chief of staff like that!"
Rakshata giggled causing Diethard to glare at her.
"Perhaps I should cut in and remind you Diethard that we have no jurisdiction here." Cornelia said coldly, causing Diethard to turn pale.
Traitor to Britannia or not Cornelia was still a recognized military leader, soldier and a warrior. Diethard would not dare provoke her, considering that Zero had allowed Cornelia to act as her sister's aid and bodyguard.
"Zero." The propaganda minister turned to Zero. "What's your decision?"
"Zero, about our talk from yesterday…" Tamaki called out as he stepped onto the deck but stopped when he saw the tense scene. "Oh, still in the middle of the meeting?"
"No, it's okay." Zero answered, moving to leave.
"Zero, we're-" Diethard protested.
"Tamaki's issue is important as well." Zero cut him off.
Naruto chuckled. "Translation: you're on your own on this one, Diethard."
Cera smirked while Kallen and Chiba grinned victoriously at the flustered Diethard.
'Even C.C. is against it. Even if I wanted to I could try and use my Geass but of course Naruto, Cera, Kallen, Rakshata and Euphie are immune to it.' Lelouch idly thought.
Xxx
Rakshata looked over Xingke's medical files with an intrigued look. The greatest general in the Chinese Federation seemed to be suffering from a rare disease eating away at his body. It had been thanks to some 'special' sources that she was able to get her hands on Xingke's medical files once her Rinnegan had spotted signs of a disease inside the general's body, eating away at his vital organs.
'I could probably cure him, given the right amount of time even through all the other work.' Rakshata thought idly. 'But it's unlikely he'll trust me so soon to treat his condition. Still this does present me a challenge.'
Xxx
"And now with the Chinese Federation now allied to us the United States of Japan needs only one more ally to fully become a super power capable of challenging Britannia." Lelouch said, taking off his mask once the door was closed and revealing his face to only those who knew of his identity.
"The E.U." Cornelia said frowning as Lelouch sat down on the couch. "Assuming they would even want to do business with us. They have been in talks with us for months but show no interest in having an alliance."
"She's right, Lelouch. The E.U. is properly only interested in the Sakuradite like the Chinese Federation was." Kallen spoke up. "I did some trade with pilots working for them months ago and the official response was they would consider it."
"Perhaps but now that the Chinese Federation and the United States of Japan are officially allies now they won't hold out for long, especially since Schneizel has been pushing them back for the past year now." Lelouch replied, looking at his chessboard.
"Perhaps or perhaps there would be another way to solve this." Cera spoke up, walking out of the bathroom, wearing only undergarments and a towel.
Kallen and Cornelia scowled at how Cera carelessly flaunted herself but said nothing since it wouldn't matter anyways.
She never cared what they thought anyways.
"And what is that?" Lelouch asked, not even turning to look.
"A long time ago I bestowed Geass on someone in Europe who had the same ambition as you, Lelouch." Cera answered, surprising everyone, including Naruto.
"Another Geass user?" Naruto asked, looking at Cera in shock.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "And you didn't tell me?"
"What point would there be? I was captured after I gave her Geass and I haven't heard from her since then. For all I knew she could have been dead and I didn't exactly have the time pop over to Europe during the Rebellion." Cera shrugged. "But I have been doing some digging lately and I believe I may be able to find her."
"Would she help us?"
"Depends on what state she is in when I find her." Cera sat up.
"Then I suppose the next move will be against the Geass Order." Lelouch stated. "You and Naruto will remain here and contact me once you have information on the order. I know you two have the abilities to track them."
With the Chinese Federation now allied with them the Black Knights were now in the perfect position to begin searching for the Geass Order and destroying it as an opponent in the war against Britannia. Without Geass Order Britannia would not have any soldiers with any strange powers that could give them the advantage and it would open the path straight to the Emperor himself. It was also important to destroy it with an incarnation of the Sword of Akesha out there somewhere with the power to negate Naruto and Cera's powers.
This made the Geass Order extremely dangerous and needed to be eliminated as quickly as possible. When Cera left the order there was a total of fifty Geass users but most of them were children and were still being trained to properly use their Geass. With the Siegfried, the experimental mobile fortress defeated during the Black Rebellion it only had the conventional military forces to protect it. Now all that was left was to find it.
Cera and Naruto grinned, already having a few ideas on how to find the Geass Order. "Trusting a single mission to only us?"
"Yeah. Not worried about those Knights causing trouble without us around?" Naruto asked.
"With Schneizel's deal null and void they will have to fall back and consolidate their forces before making another move. I want to use that opportunity to eliminate the Geass Order while they are still off balance." Lelouch explained.
"Well, I guess it's better now to finally put those bastards out of commission than later." Naruto's grin turned eager.
"In that case I will ask that Kallen and Rakshata be allowed to remain behind and while we contact Infinity." Cera spoke up.
"Uh?" Kallen tilted her head slightly. "Why me?"
"Despite the fact that we can possibly track the Geass Order it would go much faster if we have an extra pair of hands with us. They still have over fifty Geass Users and will be heavily protected with secret weapons." Cera remarked with a smug grin. "It'll go much faster with our Paths with us to destroy the Order than just the two of us."
Lelouch looked at Cera but couldn't tell what she was really thinking but that was no surprise. She wasn't easy for anyone to figure out.
"Should I not also come along? I am one of your Paths as well after all." Euphie spoke up.
"You are needed back in Japan, Euphie. You are the official representative for non-Japanese citizens there." Cornelia spoke up in protest.
"True but perhaps she should come along." Cera pointed out, smirking. "As I said it's better if all my Paths are with us."
Lelouch considered it. "Very well. When you find the Geass Order it's best if it is destroyed. Geass is a dangerous power and it should be destroyed."
"Leave that to us." Naruto answered solemnly.
The faster the Geass Order was destroyed the faster they could get rid of the Sword of Akesha, no matter what form it was in.
"And I believe Rakshata has something for Cornelia anyways." Cera said, earning a curious look from Cornelia.
Xxx
"It's about time you asked me to reveal this. I guess it's appropriate since we just encountered my wayward child." Rakshata said as the tarp covering the Knightmare she was storing secretly on the Ikaruga came off, revealing her latest child. "Behold, the Murasame!"
Cornelia stared up at the new Knightmare supposedly made for her and was amazed by its appearance. It was the same size as Shinryoku with a golden and violet color design. The armor on its chest and shoulders seemed to resemble Britannian armor back during the time of Hundred Years War with Factspheres installed into the chest and shoulder armors. Like the Shinryoku an MVS nodachi was sheathed next to the left hip with energy emitters in both hands and energy wings folded on its back like its 'siblings'. It had Harken blades installed into its wrists, under the hands like the Seizan only it did not have an MVS kunai.
"Made exactly to match Cornelia's specifications and skills. I took a bit from Britannian history as inspiration in the design." Rakshata said, holding up a violet colored key.
"Reminds me of the armor I wore when I served Henry IV." Cera admitted with a nostalgic smile.
Cornelia glanced at Cera. "You served under Prince Henry IV?"
"I was the Witch of Britannia during those times." Cera admitted with a smug smirk.
"The one who defeated Joan of Arc, the Witch of New Orleans." Cornelia shook her head. "Why am I not surprised?"
"I enjoyed watching that bitch being burned at the stake." Cera said as Cornelia accepted the violet key from Rakshata. "And now the former Witches of Britannia in this era will be serving one of its enemies. Can you not see the humor in that?"
"I am more interested in seeing how this new Knightmare works." Cornelia said, changing the subject.
Cera pouted but said nothing as Rakshata spoke up. "Its design is meant for close range combat with an MVS blade that actually mimics the Raijin Sword of the Guren. The Harken blades under the hands can be used to spear and pull enemy units to be finished off with the blade."
"Exactly the kind of fighting that was done back during the war." Cera admitted, still lost in her memories.
"And the kind of fighting Cornelia specializes in." Lelouch said, silently impressed but frowned. "When did you start working on this?"
"A few months ago." Rakshata shrugged.
That was technically a lie.
She started designing the new Knightmares shortly after the Black Rebellion at the requests of Naruto and Cera, deciding they would need extra fire power if and when they would go after the Geass Order.
"And now I present the Chimera!" Rakshata pulled down the sheet covering the second Knightmare.
It was similar to the Murasame but its color design was white and pink and it had similar emitters to the Lancelot. For weapons it carried an MVS kunai matching the ones used by the Seizan and two MVS short blades.
"Who did you design this Knightmare for?" Leleouch asked, gazing at the details of the second Knightmare.
"Why for Infinity of course." Rakshata said simply.
"This is Infinity's Knightmare?" Kallen asked, impressed by the look of the new Knightmare.
"Yes." Rakshata answered, looking very pleased. "She came to me with a request for a Knightmare of her own."
"She's a pilot?" Lelouch asked, remembering that Infinity looked rather young to be a pilot despite the skills she showed in their brief meeting.
"And a rather skilled one." Cera said with an irritating smile on her face.
A smile showing she knew something and wanted to taunt everyone about it.
"Where is Infinity anyways?" Euphie changed the subject.
"She's agreed to meet with us and help search for the Geass Order." Naruto answered. "She wants to remain hidden for now."
"So she still wishes to remain anonymous." Lelouch noted, slightly annoyed that he did not know much about the mysterious Infinity other than that she was the newest of Cera's Paths. "Very well. I've seen enough of her to not doubt her skills."
Now he needed to get back to Japan and see how Nunnally was. He was sure Sayoko's disguise was enough to fool her.
Xxx
Nunnally giggled loudly at the many dates her 'brother' had in the last few days. It wouldn't surprise her that he would gain the reputation of a 'player' in a few more days.
'You are clever Big Brother but I am the apprentice of a Prank Master with a master of disguise as a maid.' Nunnally thought as she could only imagine the look on her brother's face when he got back to Japan to see the clone she left behind.
"Jeremiah, Rai." Nunnally spoke up, closing her phone. "It's time we meet with the others and deal with the Geass Order."
"Yes Lady Nunnally."
Xxx
"Is that what his majesty said?" Schniezel asked, frowning at this latest, yet not entirely unexpected decision from his father.
"Yes." Bismarck admitted, the Knight of One inclining his head respectfully towards the second prince. "He said to take all of it."
"I agree!" Carine le Britannia chimed in, the fifth Princess of the empire clapping her hands together. "I say we wipe out the Chinese Federation for good!"
"Those savages humiliated Odysseus," Guinevere su Britannia agreed, the grey haired First princess smiling coldly as she spoke. "We can never forgive them for that. Zero has been the bane of our existence since he first appeared and the Rebellion he incited in Area Eleven has caused other Areas to rebel against us. If we have the chance to eliminate we must take it."
"Guinevere please." Odysseus chastised. "I harbor no grudge for the incident that occurred with the Empress. The war with the E.U. is ongoing and the other Areas are still suffering from heavy terrorist activity since the end of the Black Rebellion. We also have the matter of the Chinese Federation in open negotiation with the Black Knights."
"Oh as if we care what those savages do over there!" Carline pouted. "We should be sending an armada there to wipe them out!"
"This would be an easy matter to resolve if Cornelia were present." Guinevere noted but scowled at the mention of her younger traitor sibling.
"I haven't." the Knight of One answered apologetically, bowing his head low as he shook somberly. "And there has been no word from Lord Guilford either."
"We can station two divisions along the Mongolian border." Schniezel pointed out. "Battle is unnecessary, the Chinese Federation has fallen apart we can gain half their territory by rattling sabers and through negotiations, which should more than placate the emperor."
"Your awfully confident brother," Guinevere noted. "Or could it be you simply don't wish to confront Zero again so soon?
"Zero is a matter for another day." Schniezel countered. "However, if I play my cards right…he might just fall into my hands."
"You mean to bring him to side?" Guinevere asked, arching a brow imperiously. "After he murdered Clovis and brought Euphemia and Cornelia to his side against their own country? Have you gone mad?"
"As I said, Zero is a matter for another day." Schneizel replied, smiling confidently.
Xxx
A man in a cloak scowled as he slew yet another one of the guards that tried to stop him.
"I've finally grasped it…" He muttered, gazing into the facility "The tale of Geass…and now I'll drag it from the shadows, and wipe the stain from Princess Euphemia and Cornelia's names at last!"
Xxx
It easily hijacked a boat and took out across the sea, leaving China behind it.
It knew where to look in the sea and unlike the meat puppet it was using as a vessel it did not require sustenance.
It had infinite time to find what it needed to find.
And no one would stop it.
*Chapter 45*: Chapter 45Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
Villetta Nu could only express her nervousness when she heard the news that Zero was coming back to Japan.
She heard the news about how the Black Knights had interfered in a possible alliance between Britannia and the Chinese Federation and she knew that Zero would try to make an alliance with Chinese, ensuring that all powers in the world were united against Britannia. As she changed out of her coach outfit into something casual she remembered how hard it had been to ensure Zero didn't throw her in prison when she was interviewed for this job. She didn't know if she passed because she managed to convince them that she was not a threat even if her memories had returned or not.
So now she was a teacher at Ashford Academy which was probably the safest place in the entire country for her. If she had regained her memories before the Black Rebellion had ended she would have slipped away on one of the ships that took the majority of Britannians back to the homeland. Her only blessing was that during the first few months into the new United States of Japan she was contacted by OSI, the secret intelligence branch of Britannia that tasked her with being a spy for them inside Ashford Academy.
Why Ashford Academy?
The reason was because it was home to the inner circle of the Black Knights:
Kallen Kozuki, ace pilot of the Black Knights and pilot of the Guren.
Naruto Uzumaki, one of Zero's knights and pilot of the Seizan.
C.C. aka Tsunade Senju, the one who supplied Zero with his Geass power and pilot of the Shinryoku.
Milly Ashord, granddaughter of the principal of the Ashford Academy and possible collaborator with the Black Knights.
Euphiemia li Britannia, former Princess of Britannia who defected after the Special Administration Zone debacle.
Cornelia li Britannia, former soldier and Princess of Britannia who was captured during the Black Rebellion and seemingly defected to the Black Knights but it was possible Zero used his Geass on her to make her betray her country.
And then Villeta learned it was possible that Prince Lelouch vi Britannia and his younger sister Nunnally vi Britannia who were presumed killed by the Japanese during the invasion of Japan were not only still alive but possibly working with the Black Knights which made them even more dangerous.
Four members of Britannian royalty working with their greatest enemies was an unacceptable threat. That was what led OSI to contact her, asking her to confirm if they were still alive. Though it wasn't easy she easily recognized Lelouch vi Britannia from the picture of him as a child and realized he was the student she saw in Shinjuku, the one who pretended to be a lost child of nobility in a war zone who possibly hijacked her Sitherland. And she spotted Nunnally vi Britannia who was not only alive but also able to walk and see which should have been impossible.
Princess Nunnally had been crippled in the terrorist attack that resulted in the death of Empress Marianne vi Britannia. She remembered her former commander, Jeremiah Gottwald telling her of his former position in Marianne's royal guard, tasked with protecting her and her children and how he blamed himself for her death. He had been distraught when her children had been reported killed in Japan and thus led him down the path he took to take up post in Area Eleven, head of the Purist faction and was heavily against the Honorary Britannian System. He blamed the Japanese for the death of Lady Marianne's children and sought to punish them in any way he could.
If only he knew her children had survived.
'How long must I endure being trapped in this web?' Villetta wondered as she leaned back in her chair and looked out the window of her office.
Xxx
"So Lulu's coming back?" Shirley asked, speaking to Milly on her phone. "I heard what happened over there. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Shirley. I was far from the fighting with Minister Kaguya and the Empress and the Black Knights didn't let anything happen to me." Milly answered, her voice sounding happy.
"So what is happening over there?" Shirley changed the subject.
"Well, Minister Kaguya and the Empress are speaking of an alliance between Japan and the Chinese Federation."
"An alliance?"
"Yeah."
"And what will happen if they do make an alliance?"
"Well with the Chinese Federation and the United States of Japan working together I imagine they'll have access to all the main trade routes between Japan and China."
"And will that affect…" Shirley trailed off.
"Britannia?" Milly's voice turned solemn. "Well, with the trade routes between Japan and China cut off they'll only be stuck with the routes they have been using to coordinate their war in Europe. They'll be forced to pull back though since with China now working with Japan they can't openly invade Chinese territory without reprisal from Japan."
"So they might lose?"
"Maybe not lose but it'll either take longer to conquer the E.U. or be forced to make a cease-fire with them to conserve resources."
Shirley sighed. "I am so worried, Madam President. How long do we have to endure these wars? I am not sure how long I can handle being between my home land and the people who almost killed my father."
She knew her father had no grudge against the Black Knights or the Japanese for fighting back against Britannia. Unlike many Britannian her parents never treated the Japanese harshly or called them Elevens but she still nursed a small grudge against Zero for her father nearly being buried alive.
Xxx
In the aftermath of the failed wedding it had been decided that now was the time to make a strike at the Geass Order.
So as long as they existed Britannia would have a secret edge against its enemies that could easily tip the balance of power in their favor. So Lelouch came up with a convincing story that Euphie would remain behind in China to continue fostering relations between the United States of Japan and the Chinese Federation. So Euphie would remain behind with her sister who was also her bodyguard, Captain Kallen of the Zero and Zero's personal knights and bodyguards Seizan and Shinryoku. While officially Euphie would be conducting negotiations with the new government of the Chinese Federation, headed by Xingke who was with the Empress at all times during the meeting.
"I am sure you know why I am requesting I leave Euphemia behind to continue these talks." Lelouch said, speaking as Zero.
The meeting was composed of most of the Black Knights along with Xingke, Tianzi and other Chinese officials.
"Are you worried we will back out of any agreements?" Xingke asked.
"That is one angle. Another is the fact that after it is reported that Britannia failed to secure an alliance through a marriage between your Empress and their First Prince it is no doubt that Britannia will become desperate with their economy now approaching a state where it will collapse."
"Collapse?!" Ohgi and Tamaki spoke up.
"Diethard." Lelouch gestured to Deithard who nodded.
"When Britannia invaded Japan eight years ago it was for the purpose of securing the sakuradie that was large in abundance, especially in Mt. Fuji. After the Black Rebellion the Britannian economy suffered heavily, not just because of their defeat but also because more resources were spent to deal with uprises in previously conquered areas inspired by our success and renewed aggression by the E.U. When Japan was still under their control they mined sakuradite in other areas more than it was necessary. " Diethard explained. "Without Japan's resources and the conflict growing both in and out of the Empire their use of sakuradite grew at an exponential rate to the point that eventually they will run out of it without us having to actually fight them."
"Sakuradite is used in almost every form of Britannian technology, no matter how little. Laptops, cell phones and televisions only need a very miniscule amount while military technology like knightmares use loads of it. It is no surprise that when Britannia invaded Japan that they would start using all of it carelessly." Rakshata remarked. "And once they lost Japan and all the sakuradite they needed they started using more of it to deal with all their little fights in all of the areas of the Empire. And now they've stretched their use to the limit."
"In other words we would not have to worry about engaging them in direct war." Lelouch said, smirking under his mask. "The economy will collapse."
"Sweet!" Tamaki pumped a fist into the air.
"It really is that bad?" Ohgi asked.
"It's been a closely guarded secret but my sources have confirmed it." Lelouch nodded.
"If that is true than it's likely that Britannia will become desperate enough to launch another invasion." Todoh said darkly. "They invaded Japan for our sakuradite before. There is nothing stopping them from trying again."
"Especially since they have a history of going back on their word before." Chiba agreed.
"Perhaps but I know Schneizel will not be the one to order it." Lelouch replied. "He agreed to a ceasefire at the end of the Rebellion to regroup and he attempted to make an alliance with the Chinese Federation to find more sakuradite in Chinese territory as well as gain additional forces from his new allies."
Xingke nodded in agreement. "And with the High Eunuchs deposed he lost that chance."
"He wouldn't dare make an open attack on either Japan or China in the state the Britannian economy is in, especially since they are still at war with the E.U." Lelouch leaned back against his chair. "Thus for now they will have to full back and regroup again. Schneizel will use the ceasefire with us and attempt to form a new agreement with the Chinese Federation to avoid fighting a war on two fronts. That is why I wish for Euphemia, our spoke person for non-Japanese in the United States of Japan to remain behind and foster negotiations with the Chinese Federation."
"Would it not be easier for Prime Minister Kaguya to carry out that task? She is after all a friend of our Empress." Xingke pointed out.
"I would agree but as Prime Minister of the United States of Japan I cannot remain away for long." Kaguya said with a saddened smile. "Miss Euphemia is our best negotiator and our people trust her, even before she was betrayed by her country when she attempted to create the Special Administration Zone."
Euphemia nodded. "I would be honored to remain if you allow me."
Xingke shared a look with Tianzi who nodded. "Very well."
Xxx
The Ikaruga took off, taking the Black Knights with the exception of the hand full who agreed to be left behind back to Japan. The group staying behind watched as the flagship of the Black Knights lifted off into the air and vanished into the clouds.
"So now we have to look for the Geass Order." Kallen said after the Ikaruga was gone.
Euphie smiled sheepishly. "There is that but first…"
Xxx
"A soiree?!" Kallen could not believe what she just heard. "What about tracking down the Geass Order?!"
"We are but I have to keep up my appearance as Japan's spokesperson in China and thus I have to attend the soiree being held to gather all the scattered leaders in China and show them that the government is still stable with the High Eunuchs executed." Euphie explained, unable to hide her smile at the flabbergasted look on Kallen's face.
Cera was certainly enjoying Kallen's reaction while hugging her Cheese-kun and sprawling herself on the couch in the room Lelouch had been given during his stay in China. "So looks like we'll have to find a dress for Kallen."
"What?!" Kallen exclaimed again.
"What? It's not like it wouldn't be rude if the Captain of the Zero Squad didn't attend." Cera said, a look of mock-surprise on her face. "Along with his knights who don't have to dress formally."
"WHAT?!"
Naruto chuckled nervously as Kallen looked at him. "I mean, no one except you and a few of the others know what his knights look like under the masks so…"
Not that he wasn't relieved he didn't have to wear a suit.
"And since the Captain of the Zero Squad is famous across the world it only makes sense she would attend with Japan's spokesperson." Euphie finished, keeping herself from giggling at Kallen's expression.
She only ever had this much fun with Lelouch.
"Can't you just use Shadow Clones?" Kallen asked, not seeing the point in this whole soiree which she saw as pointless.
"Absolutely not." Euphie said sternly, surprising everyone, including her sister. "This is an important event and it cannot simply be blown off with use of clones disguised as us. It is our responsibility to personally attend this event and assure all of the delegates we are invested in ensuring an alliance between our two countries. As a member of the Black Knights, specifically of the original Black Knights you have a lot of influence but it also means you represent Lelouch and the rest of us and if it was found out you skipped an important event like this it would cast bad light on the rest of the Black Knights and even Japan."
Everyone was quiet as they stared at Euphie, still finding it hard to believe that she could act this way when she called for it and the fact she spoke that way to Kallen who once considered her a mere puppet of the Britannian system a year ago.
"Well…" Cera spoke up, smirking at the surprised look on everyone's face. "It seems our dear spokesperson for Japan has raised a good point. Are there any objections?"
That question was directed at Kallen who still looked surprised and couldn't seem to form any sentences.
"No? Well then we better get a dress for our dear captain of the Zero squad." Cera said, sitting up on the couch with her Cheese-kun on her lap.
Kallen could only mentally sigh and groan.
This was going to be a long day.
Xxx
"Presenting Lady Euphemia of the United States of Japan and her escorts."
The palace had been quickly repaired following the recent fight between Britannia, the High Eunuchs and the Black Knights. The ball room where Zero had played chess with Schneizel was now filled with delegates from all over the country and they had all come to meet with the members of the famous Black Knights, even though their more famous leader wasn't here to greet them. Euphie lost track of the people she had spoken to and she couldn't help but giggle at the exhausted look on her sister's face who never cared for such things, even she had been a warrior princess for Britannia. Fortunately Cornelia's reputation did not work against her since she had never participated in any campaigns against the Chinese Federation.
Euphie had taken to wearing the black and silver dress that identified her as a member of the Black Knights while Cornelia wore a black military uniform similar to what she wore as during her time as a Britannian soldier. Just because she was no longer part of Britannia didn't mean she was going to wearing a uniform like the Black Knights. Fortunately Japan had an official military now with the Black Knights acting as a special branch. So she had a special custom uniform made just for her when she was on important missions that were mostly being a bodyguard for her sister but it was better than being a paper pusher.
Both Naruto and Cera wore their battle armor, cloaks and masks since they were meant to keep their identities hidden.
The same couldn't be said for Kallen.
The red headed ace pilot of the Zero Squad looked very out of place, wearing a pink strapless dress that flared down to the ground from her waist. The dress had a low cut but it kept her chest hidden and gloves that were the same color as her dress traveled up to her elbows. Her hair was actually styled the way she usually wore it but it also the same smooth and sparkly while a pink choker adorned her neck. Her lips were painted the same color as her dress and her eye lashes were carefully lined with black mascara.
All in all Kallen looked very beautiful and she had been getting a lot of looks here at the party even though she also looked uncomfortable.
"Not used to this huh?" Naruto asked, slipping next to her.
"Does it take those special eyes of yours to tell?" Kallen whispered, trying to not let slip how she wished she wasn't here. "Do you have any idea how it feels to have all literally hundreds of old guys staring at you?"
"Actually no and I am not in a hurry to find out how it feels." Naruto said, chuckling slightly even as Kallen glared at him.
"Where's Cera?" Kallen asked, changing the subject.
"Around here somewhere." Naruto looked around. "Probably sniffing around for pizza."
"No surprise there." Kallen rolled her eyes, annoyed at how little Cera took anything seriously.
It annoyed her even now considering how serious Euphie had sounded about this soiree and yet even when she participated in almost anything, including battle Cera still found a way to make it seem she cared so little at all.
"So please tell me we're almost done?" Kallen asked, almost sounding like she was pleading.
It was hard standing here all dolled up and getting leered at by almost every male here, including the married ones. She supposed she should be flattered but all it did was make her uncomfortable, especially since it reminded her of a time when she was younger and proud of her Britannian heritage. Back before the invasion of Japan happened and when her father read her fairy tale stores as a little girl. She often wondered what she would be like when she grew up since she was the daughter of a noble from Britannia.
When she saw how many young heiresses behaved she decided it wasn't for her even if she didn't have dreams of marrying a prince. The fact that the leader of the Black Knights was in fact formerly a prince wasn't lost on her but she had long since left those dreams behind. She briefly wondered what she would have been like if she hadn't rejected her Britannian heritage.
She knew that even if she hadn't she couldn't stand being like one of those ladies standing around, simply looking pretty and looking around for a rich husband to leech off of. She briefly had a flash in her mind of her dressed a Knight of the Round before shaking her head and pushing those thoughts aside.
She was Kallen Kozuki, ace pilot of the Black Knights and proud citizen of the United States of Japan and nothing could take away her pride in her Japanese heritage.
"I wish. We haven't done that whole song and dance thing." Naruto answered with a shrug.
Kallen sighed, bringing a hand to her face but was careful not to ruin her makeup. Just because she initially hoped not to have come to this party all dolled up didn't mean she was going to ruin all the hard work put into it.
Don't say Kallen Kozuki was never professional.
That was when the orchestra began.
"Who shall have the first dance?" One of the high officials asked.
"I believe our Lady Kallen will be willing to dance with Seizan, one of Zero's knights!" A familiar female voice called out but was hidden amongst the crowd.
Kallen's eyes as she and Naruto became the center of attention in the room. Kallen looked around the room and spotted Cera who was not wearing her cloak and mask anymore. Instead she was wearing a black evening gown and was holding a glass of champagne, smirking at the two of them with glinting golden eyes that were only highlighted by her mischievous smile.
'Damn her!'
"I agree." Euphie said, standing next to Cera with an amused look on her face. "Will the two of you honor our hosts with the first dance?"
Kallen's face was now red as her hair and Naruto was shifting nervously from all the attention as he turned to her. "W-Well, shall we?"
Kallen looked at Naruto, saying nothing at first since her mind had literally gone blank. Look into the mask eyeholes she could see Naruto's blue eyes looking at her with nervousness and kindness. The comfort that he was just as surprised as she was enough that she slowly took his hand and allowed him to guide her out into the middle of the room.
"You do know," Kallen whispered to him as his free hand slipped around her waist. "I am going to kill Cera for this."
"Just don't make a mess." Naruto chuckled.
The two of them were joined by others as they danced to the music, getting used to quickly and becoming very graceful. It was enough to make Kallen's heart beat a little faster and she almost like she was in one of the fairy tales her father had read to her as a child.
She tried really hard not to wander if one of those dreams were coming true.
Xxx
After the party finally ended and the group returned to their apartment Kallen changed out of her dress and back into her Black Knight uniform while waiting outside of the suite Cera and Naruto shared for someone to speak with. That person she wished to speak with opened the door and looked at her with an amused smirk.
"Why, Kallen. What brings you here? Are you feeling alone and wishing to have a slumber party with us?" Cera asked innocently.
"We need to talk." Kallen said, quickly pulling Cera out into the hallway and closing the door.
"Very well." Cera said moving down the hall way to ensure no one would be eavesdropping on them as they spoke. "What do you wish to speak about?"
"What the hell are you trying to pull?"
"Me? Trying to pull?" Cera asked, maintaining her innocent persona.
"Stop screwing with me." Kallen said, not in the mood for the green haired immortal's antics. "I've noticed this before but never spoke about it but you seem to have a vested interest in me spending time with Naruto for some odd reason. I noticed it a year ago after you gave me my Geass and again during the victory party after the rebellion and just tonight. Just what the hell is your deal?"
"My, my, my, Kallen. You seem to be rather paranoid. Just what exactly are you accusing me of?" Cera inquired.
Kallen leaned and harshly whispered. "I am accusing you of trying to set me up with Naruto!"
"Oh…." Cera brought a hand over her mouth, feigning shock. "…It took you this long to come out and say it?"
"So you admit it?!" Kallen gaped.
"Why so surprised? You did after all show him your whole body in that shower the day you met." Cera smirked.
"That was an accident!" Kallen found herself struggling to keep her voice quiet but it was just so hard around Cera.
She just knew what to say to piss the red head off.
Cera shrugged. "Details, details."
"So what is this? You have him; the two of you were together before I even met you so why are you doing this?" Kallen continued her interrogation.
"Simple…" Cera leaned in, bringing her face close to Kallen's. "I have a wish."
"A wish?"
"Before I met Naruto my wish had been to pass my Code on and finally die. I had lived for far too long and found life pointless. I could not die, I could not have a family and everyone I knew around me would die so it was pointless to have any friends or loved ones. I cast aside my humanity, becoming the witch my village accused me of and looked for anyone who could take my Code and free me." Cera's face softened. "But then I met Naruto and when we made the contract he freed me from my curse in an instant and gave me a great power in return. I am still immortal but now I can die if I wish but now I have a reason to live again."
Her yellow eyes morphed into her Rinnegan. "My eyes gave me a power greater than the Code, the power to ensure I would never be helpless again and the contract bonded me and Naruto forever. My wish for him is to never leave my side and in return I would give him what he and I always wanted: a family to love and to be loved by. You know of his past and his world."
Kallen nodded, having learned of it from Naruto. "I have."
"Then you know he didn't have a family as child. He was an outcast much like I was when I was a child: no family and no friends while being treated as outcasts in the villages that were our homes. And when he finally had friends and even a surrogate family in all the people he bonded with he lost it in a war. Now he has me along with you and our friends." Cera brought a hand to Kallen's cheek. "I want to make sure he never loses what he always wanted ever again. I promised him a family when the war was finally over."
Kallen blushed when she figured out what Cera meant. "You mean…"
"I do." Cera nodded. "And I know you have feelings for him too."
"Wha-What?!" Kallen blushed even deeper, stepping back. "I do not-"
"Don't bother denying it." Cera's eyes flashed as she harshly interrupted. "I have lived long enough to know what a person is feeling just by looking at them. I saw it a year ago during our battles, even when you thought no one was looking and even tonight when you danced with him. You looked like a princess dancing her charming prince and I could tell you immensely enjoyed it. And I know how much you admired and respected him as you came to know him."
"That doesn't mean anything!"Kallen stepped back. "And even so I wouldn't but into your relationship. I mean you two are-"
"I am not a conventional woman, Kallen. You could sleep with him, even marry him and I could care less."
"WHAT?!" Kallen shrieked.
"I only care for my wishes being fulfilled. You of all people should know that about me by now. Naruto and I are bound by our powers and contract and I prefer contracts since it means you know what you are getting, nothing more or less." Cera shrugged, smirking at the gob smacked look on Kallen's face. "Besides, Naruto would deny it but I know he thinks you are beautiful. He and his father seem to have a thing for violent and yet beautiful red heads."
Kallen's right eye twitched. "Excuse me?"
"And then there is the contract you made with me." Cera's smirk widened. "Remember, we made a contract when you accepted the power of Geass."
Kallen's eyes widened. "You mean-"
"I am not planning on forcing you to do anything you don't want. I said I would give Naruto a family but I never said I would be the only one. I want him to be surrounded by loved ones for the rest of his days and I wish to never be alone." Cera said, pointing at Kallen. "Regarding the terms of our contract my wish is for you, Kallen Kozuki to become part of our family, to stand by our side if you admit your feelings for our dear blond fox and love him as much as I do."
Kallen could only stare in shock at Cera for her proclamation as Cera turned back to the door to her suite and closed it, smirking in Kallen's direction. "But don't worry. It wouldn't so bad if you gave it a shot. I know it to be very…fulfilling."
Kallen's face went as red as her hair as Cera closed the door, leaving her out in the hallway for a few minutes before she returned to her room, walking like a robot.
She needed a long cold shower right now.
Xxx
"What did you talk to Kallen about?" Naruto asked as Cera slipped back onto the bed the two of them shared.
"Oh…Just a little topic for the future." Cera said, snuggling against Naruto as he embraced her. "A little something for Kallen to think about."
Xxx
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes, My Princess."
Nunnally smiled, pleased at the progress of her knight.
Make that two knights.
Jeremiah Gottwald who was once a member of her mother's royal guard and actually blamed himself for her death. When she learned his story and the pain he felt from not being able to protect her she revealed himself to Jeremiah, shocking the now cybernetic Britannian. She then explained why she become who she was, telling him that her father had known who her mother's killer was and allowed him to get away with it, even using her as a puppet by intentionally crippling and blinding her. She spoke truthfully and Jeremiah could tell she was not lying.
From the day forward Jeremiah swore to protect Nunnally and her brother, making himself as the Knight of Infinity, the hidden ally of Zero.
And then there was Rai.
He was a member of the Britannian royal family like she was only he was born before her or any of siblings. Rai was once a prince born from the Britannian and Japanese royalty, the latter which is somewhat related to the Sumeragi house which meant he was actually related to Kaguya. But he, his mother and his younger sister were ill-treated by the rest of the family due their status as 'outsiders' which is something she and Rai had in common. She and her brother were outcasts since their mother was originally a commoner who married into the royal family with only Clovis, Euphie, Cornelia and Odysseus treating them like family.
So, in order to protect his mother and younger sister, he made a contract with V.V. and acquired the power of Geass and used it to ascend to power after killing his father and half-brothers. One day, Britannia was invaded by a neighbor country without warning. Outraged, Rai quickly ordered a full counteroffensive. Unfortunately, his Geass went out of control at that moment and caused all who heard him, including the civilians, to take up arms against the invaders.
Although the enemy army was successfully repelled, there were massive casualties on Britannia's side, including Rai's mother and sister. Overwhelmed by sadness, loneliness and guilt, Rai went as far as wish for his own death. However, V.V. did not allow that, saying that he still had to fulfill the contract they made. So he sealed Rai inside a Thought Elevator instead.
At that occasion, Rai also used his own Geass on himself in order to forget everything that happened. Decades later, Rai was found by General Bartley's team during their research in Kamine Island and then sent to the same Code-R facility where C.C. was. There, he was put through several kinds of experiments, including Knightmare training and artificial reinforcement of his body. He was released by V.V. to aid Britannia against the Black Knights and because of Cera and Naruto's indirect interference with the Sword of Akesha.
Apparently every time Cera granted someone the Rinnegan and made them into one of her Paths it sent a pulse through C's World that directly damaged the Sword that her father and uncle were creating. The fact that her father supporting such a project only showed her just how much of an insane monster he really was and it made her hate him even more.
Blinding and crippling her just to support his brother's lie.
Abandoning her and Lelouch in a warzone.
Planning to use her as a hostage against Lelouch when the time was convenient.
When Rai regained his memories he had intended to take his own life but Nunnally refused to let that happen. She knew what it was like to be treated as an outsider and to wish for death. When she had been blind and crippled there had been times when she had considered killing herself to free her brother from the burden of doing everything for her, making her feel like she was completely useless to him. She confronted Rai, urging him not to take his own life and to work with her to bring down the Geass Order.
V.V. was dead and Nunnally had made sure he had paid for his crimes before Cera had removed his soul, leaving his body that had been left to rot in the bottom of the deepest ocean. She wanted him to help her to ensure what happened to them would never happen again. It was hard at first but Rai eventually accepted her offer and swore to help her rid the world of the Geass Order and to ensure Geass would be wiped from the world. While the power of Geass had accepted by him and Lelouch it was a dangerous and destructive power that destroyed many lives both intentional and not and it often came with the price of either becoming insanity and leading to death or the cursed life of an immortal.
The deal was set.
As for the other two prisoners…
Xxx
(Flashback)
Cera's Rinnegan flashed coldly as she swiftly killed Pollux and Rolo without hesitation. They both answered directly to V.V. and were as cold hearted as he was. With them both dead there was only one high ranking Geass user in charge of the order other than Charles.
"Castor rui Britannia." Cera glanced down at the body of Pollux. "I am sure you saw what happened to your brother by now. Consider it to be a vision of your future."
Xxx
"We know the location of the Geass Order and what to expect. It is only now a matter of when we make our move." Jeremiah said, addressing Nunnally who was staring out the balcony of the apartment complex they were living in for the moment.
"We won't move yet. Big sister Euphie has to smooth things out with the politics between Japan and the Chinese. The last thing we need is the Chinese wondering what Zero's Knights are doing looking for in the desert of their country. When relations have improved enough to allow it we can inform them of the Geass Order as a secret Britannian facility that needs to be destroyed quickly." Nunnally said, aware of the plan and was glad her brother would be safe back in Japan.
"The Emperor will likely anticipate such an attack, especially if he believes Zero will lead the assault." Rai pointed out.
"My brother will remain in Japan. We cannot allow him to endanger himself." Nunnally leaned back on the couch.
"Even if he ordered that he is to be informed when the order is found?"
Nunnally smirked. "Naruto and C.C. don't always do as my bother asks and he never ordered the same from us. This is for us to handle."
"As you wish, my lady." Jeremiah said, bowing.
Rai did the same. "Understood."
"I really wish you two would stop with the bowing." Nunnally sighed since even after becoming the warrior she is she is still treated like a princess.
Even though she gave up on being a princess.
'If the Emperor is there when the attack happens I hope I have the chance to personally speak to him.' Nunnally narrowed her eyes. 'And see if he still believes me to be as weak as he thought I was when he abandoned me.'
*Chapter 46*: Chapter 46Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Xxx
It had been noisy at the airport when Lelouch and the Black Knights had returned to Japan. That was the curse of being famous but when it came to Zero, the Bringer of Miracles that curse was ten times as worse since people had crowded around the airport to watch as Zero returned, all them cheering and welcoming him back. He swiftly moved to the limo that had been prepared for him and sat in the back while ignoring the people crowding around his vehicle.
"Government Bureau." He ordered the driver who nodded and drove off in the direction of the bureau.
As the limo drove down the street Lelouch mentally recalled everything that had happened and how it all fit into his plan.
'With the Chinese Federation now on my side the time is close that I can openly move against the Britannia. Once the Geass Order is exterminated I can begin working on directly moving against the homeland.' Lelouch thought, the image of the Emperor flashing in his mind. 'I can move directly against that man and Nunnally will be safe here in Japan, far from the fighting. The Knights of the Round will be easy to handle and with Britannia's economy now suffering they will have to direct their forces inward to better protect the homeland.'
And that plan came in the form of the creation of a new superpower that would challenge Britannia: the United Federation of Nations.
With the Chinese Federation now allied with Japan it gave Lelouch and his forces the chance to claim as much territory as possible, including the chance to negotiate with the European Union. It would only take a few weeks for Xingke to eliminate the remnants of the High Eunuchs' loyalists. There were still many independent powers that for the most remained neutral in the wars but with Zero, the Champion for Justice sweeping across the lands it was only for a matter of time before they flocked to his cause.
Zero would be the face of a united front.
An alliance of nations against Britannia.
'Prime Minister Kaguya is the perfect candidate for negotiating with the E.U. I would have asked Euphie to do it but with her searching for the Geass Order I will have to rely on Kyoto. I can send Todoh and the Four Holy Swords to speak with the delegates for use of the weapons factories in Germany. Rakshata has spoken with the leaders in India and in exchange for independence from the Chinese Federation they'll agree to start openly producing Knightmares and weapons for us.' Lelouch mentally checked all the points of his plan. 'While that is being taken care of I will send Ohgi to speak with the leaders in Russia. Any treaties will be personally signed by me to show our commitment to what we are offering. If and when the neutral and independent nations all agree I can move onto the next step of officially declaring all nations under a single banner. There will only be two sides left on this world: Britannia and the United Federation of Nations.'
Lelouch's eyes narrowed. 'Schneizal and the Emperor will be feeling the pressure soon and will make a desperate move to stop what I have planned. And when that happens I will be ready.'
But of course for now he would have to wait.
He had just arrived back in Japan and was anxious to get back home and see how Nunnally was doing. She had become quite the athlete ever since she gained back her legs. Lelouch could barely see her move from one spot to another in the blink of an eye. In fact except for when she went to sleep it seemed she just couldn't stop moving.
It was both great and troubling.
His plan was to reach the Government Bureau, change out of his Zero disguise and return to Ashford Academy to check on Nunnally. It would have been easier if Naruto had left a clone disguised as Lelouch behind but Lelouch decided to rely on Sayoko since she had known his little sister longer than Naruto had.
The last thing he needed was Nunnally wondering when her brother had started eating an insane amount of Ramen.
Now to see what had been going on since he had been away.
Xxx
"Shirley and I were…" Lelouch trailed off, unable to finish the sentence as he listened to Sayoko finish her report.
"Yes." Sayoko answered calmly. "You and Shirley were dating. I was afraid she might discover you were away acted as I thought you would."
Lelouch only had two words to say. "Bad call."
Naruto's Shadow Clone on the other hand was laughing his ass off. "This is rich! I can't believe no one figured it out! Sayoko, you were acting way too nice."
"Don't be too mean, Naruto. Aside from that, she did a good job." Cera's Shadow Clone pointed out. "I'd expect nothing less from someone working for the Ashford Family. And it's very impressive considering she was originally charged with looking after Nunnally."
"Yeah. I guess Milly's love for fun really spreads out." Naruto's Shadow Clone snickered.
"Master Lelouch, I have your schedule for tomorrow." Sayoko held up a pager.
"Tomorrow?" Lelouch questioned.
"Oh yeah. Sayoko made a lot of promises to other people. Good news is that no one, not even Nunnally thought anything was off. Actually, Nunnally was very happy by the end of the day." Naruto's Shadow Clone looked ready to burst into laughter again.
"I was instructed to maintain his inter-personal relationships." Sayoko replied calmly.
"Can't be helped." Lelouch could only say.
"Still, I think you were kind of careless in a few areas." Cera's Shadow Clone commented. "Not something you'd expect from a ninja."
"I am a secret service agent, a 37th master of the Sonazaki-"
"SAYOKO!" All three looked Lelouch who had gone pale as he looked at the pager. "What's with the schedule?!"
The pager showed a full day of…dating appointments nearly every hour.
"Allowing for three hours of sleep, you have a date scheduled with one hundred and eight girls. Fourteen are waiting for cancellation and they've been on the wait list for six months." Sayoko explained as Naruto's Shadow Clone burst into laughter again.
"Nunnally was very happy to see the schedule. In fact she wanted to inspect each girl herself and see if they were perfect for giving her lots of nieces and nephews in the future." Cera's Shadow Clone threw her two cents in, sitting back on the chair and grinning at the dumbstruck look on Lelouch's face.
This was absolutely too funny to pass up.
Xxx
"LULU!" A very familiar voice screamed from the girl's shower room, promising nothing but pain for the unfortunate former prince.
Xxx
A single boat sat out in the middle of the ocean with only one occupant on board. The consciousness resting inside of Mao's body looked down at the water, staring at it mirror reflection for what seemed like hours.
It had come here, seeking the power it needed.
It knew where it was thanks to its brief encounter with C.C. and was able to see what she had done with it.
"Down there…" It whispered.
This dead meat bag form had served its purpose.
The body of Mao collapsed as ooze like substance emerged from its mouth and dripped down into the water. From there it traveled down to the very bottom of the sea, searching for what it had come for and needed.
A pure Code.
The Code that granted the power of Geass and Immortality.
The power needed to slay the Gods.
A power that when combined with it would be unstoppable.
C.C. was one former Code bearer before her Code had been mutated by the newcomer's presence and merged with the new power.
But there was one other.
Though the one known as V.V. had effectively been killed his body was still host to the second Code that would be needed.
The Code would keep the body immortal no matter what state it was in.
Crushed by the pressure of the ocean...
Entombed inside pure concrete…
Left to freeze from the cold temperature of the sea…
And it would be there for it to take.
Xxx
"Oh is that what Schneizel said?" Emperor Charles zi Britannia asked, staring down the Knight of One who kept himself bowed before the emperor.
"Yes Your Majesty." Waldstein answered. "Do you approve?"
"Do you, the Knight of One, the mightiest knight in the empire ask me?" Charles retorted.
Waldstein stuttered for a second. "Your Majesty, war is merely one method of diplomacy and is far in a way the least efficient one."
Charles chuckled and grinned. "Perhaps you are right. War has historically been favored by idiots."
Xxx
"Due to the recent events with the Chinese Federation our invasion forces are being pulled back to reinforce our defenses and protect the Pendragon. Knights Dorothea Ernest and Nonette Enneagram will be charged with supervising the defense."
Suzaku Kurugi was silent as he listened to the de-briefing from Sir Waldstein, the Knight of One who was addressing all of the Knights of the Round.
Gino Weinburg, the Knight of Three.
Dorothea Ernest, the Knight of Four.
Anya Alstreim, the Knight of Six.
Nonette Enneagram, the Knight of Nine.
Luciano Bradley, the Knight of Ten.
And Monica Krushevsky, the Knight of Twelve.
"We have received reports that members of the Black Knights have been conduction negotiations with scattered factions in the Chinese Federation so for the moment they are too distracted to launching any attacks against us." Waldstein continued. "We will be taking the opportunity to marshal our forces, using Areas Six and Ten as staging grounds."
"And Zero?" Luciano asked, smirking arrogantly.
"He has apparently returned to the former Area Eleven."
"Why would he return there instead of handling these negotiations himself?" Monica asked.
"Possibly because he believes we'd try and stage an assassination if we ever gained such an opportunity. Or perhaps he returned to his main area of operations to plan his next offensive." Waldstein answered calmly.
Suzaku flinched since Waldstein was right. Lelouch had the main advantage in this war he started and he could launch an invasion straight into Britannia's heart if he wanted to. Suzaku briefly wondered why he hadn't yet and concluded because Lelouch was still building up his forces for that. Lelouch was patient and cunning and he liked to plan ahead, ensure every plan, ever detail was absolutely perfect and could not be countered.
He looked at the world map and briefly tried to imagine what he would do if he was Lelouch.
Send a massive invasion force?
Too easy to detect.
More like he would attempt to sneak a force into the Homeland and attack from the inside, stage chaos in the surrounding Areas and force Britannia's economy to collapse even faster. That was why security was being upped and all sea ports were on high alert.
"We can confirm that General Todoh, the Four Holy Swords and Minister Ohgi are the ones conducting the negotiations." Waldstein continued.
Bradley grinned. "General Todoh and the Four Holy Swords…Perhaps we should move to kill them before they unite all of China."
"The Emperor has ordered us to continue pushing the E.U. back. He's making plans for dealing with Zero." Waldstein replied.
Suzuku perked up but remained silent.
"Dealing with Zero?" Monica asked.
"Though Zero has sent some of his important officers to help the Chinese Federation it has come to our attention that former Princesses Cornelia and Euphemia have not returned to Japan with Zero." Walstein continued. "We believe they may be on a secret mission by Zero to start a civil unrest in the Empire."
Suzaku was listening closely now. If Euphie was not in Japan with Zero anymore there was a chance he could find her and show her Lelouch's plans were only madness.
"Oh. Are we hunting traitors now?" Bradley asked eagerly.
"The Emperor wants the former Princesses found and brought to him so he can decide their punishment." Waldstein stated.
"Nelly is not going to be easy to catch. She knows the Empire's security inside and out. She did after all managed security for the Pendragon." Nonnette pointed out, lounging on her chair.
"That is why you will be supervising the security, Nonnette." Waldstein replied. "Cornelia was your protégé."
Nonnette smirked. "Say no more, Wally!"
The rest of the Knights and Suzaku could only stare as Waldstein brushed off Nonnette's nickname for him. In the short time he had known her Suzaku had discovered that Nonnette had been Princess Cornelia's mentor and Milly's idol since she was different from the rest of the Britannian military.
Extremely different.
'I am starting to see where Milly got her penchant for crazy ideas. Though I think that most of it was genetic.' Suzaku could only think.
Xxx
"H-hold on there!" Bartley stammered, the portly general's eyes horrified at what he'd just heard from one of his surviving assistants. "Should that theory be accurate, then we're the worst criminals in all of history!"
"L-Let's get out of her General!" An assistant pleaded, as the group nodded their heads empathetically towards him.
"But…We'd be abandoning our Nation…" Bartley stammered, torn between his loyalty to his empire, and his horror at what had been discovered before flinching as the jagged point of a firearm was jabbed into his back.
"Freeze." A cold, voice ordered, Bartley tensing up as his assistants backed away from him in shock. "Why are you here, Bartley?"
"Kn-Knight Guilford?" the General asked, feeling a surge of hope. "T-thank Heaven you've come! Please, save us! We were ordered to be here, by the emperor!"
"The Emperor?" Guilford repeated.
"The world is spiraling down the path to destruction." Bartley continued as Guilford released him, gesturing for the former knight to follow him down another dark set of stairs.
'The Emperor…So Zero is not the only one aware of Geass.' Guilford thought grimly.
Xxx
"And that confirms your schedule for today." Sayoko said, having gone through the schedule. "Since you have no classes pending I was able to fill all your twenty four hours. At 0700 you will enjoy a homemade box lunch, at 0900 you'll visit the art gallery, at 1030 shopping and at 12 noon a trip the aquarium and from there travel aboard the Arashikage, please go underwater until you are four hundred kilometers from the shore. You'll change clothes inside the cockpit and proceed to the Chinese Federation where you will conclude a trade treaty with Shang Hi in 1500. You will be allotted forty seven minutes to complete your business there then you'll return here to see a late move at 2100. At midnight-02 you will see a live show and then-"
Xxx
"He's late!" Shirley growled under her breath, waiting her date with Lelouch.
Speaking of Lelouch he was sneaking through the bushes knowing that out of all the girls he'd be in big trouble with Shirley. "Sorry, Shirely. I promise I'll explain all this to you."
"I am sure that will go over well." Cera's Shadow Clone said, standing against a tree with Naruto's shadow clone. "I am so looking forward to hearing it."
"Damn it. You know this would be easier if you just made a clone that looked like me." Lelouch grumbled, sneaking past them.
"If we did everything for you you'd never get anything done." Naruto's Shadow Clone before spotting more girls. "Looks like you got a second batch!"
"Damn it!" Lelouch exclaimed, sweating heavily. "Give me a break already."
"Man…" Naruto's Shadow Clone mumbled as Lelouch took off again. "If they were this determined in the Britannian Army we'd actually have trouble."
Xxx
Nunnally could only giggle as the vision from Naruto's clones was shared with her. "Poor brother, I know he's too frail for a schedule like this but I really want to be an auntie."
And she swore that Lelouch would give her nieces and nephews whether he liked it or not.
Xxx
SLAP!
Lelouch fell to the ground, his cheek stinging from the slap he had received. "Damn…Who hit me? I said I wasn't running away."
He looked up and paled a bit when he saw who it was. "Shirley…"
Shirley was smiling calmly down at him, despite the slap she had given him. "So what lucky girl do you have a date with this time?"
It didn't help his case since he was being surrounded by most of the girls on campus, all of them watching the massacre that was about to happen. "Uh…"
"You not only gamble but you run around with other girls too? Ugh, you're pathetic!" Shirley exclaimed.
"Wait a minute." Lelouch got back up and held up a scarf. "It's just…I forgot. Here, this is for not explaining about it."
Shirley took it but she didn't look one but happy. "Oh? Is it an apology? You think you can fix what you did by giving me some silly thing?!"
"You got it all wrong. I just wanted to apologize." Lelouch meekly defended.
Both Naruto and Cera had amused grins while Rivalz simply rubbed his head, knowing what his buddy was in for.
"An apology?!" Shirley shouted.
'This is not good. I'm clearly doing something wrong and don't know how to make it right.' Lelouch thought. 'If only C.C. and Naruto would help me.'
"Attention everyone!" A light shined on the student council building behind them and everyone looked up to see Milly standing on the balcony, wearing a blue and white dress and pink hat on her head while holding a blue one. "I have decided my graduation event and I'm going to christen it 'Cupid Day'!"
"Prez, are you really planning on graduating soon? Why not just wait for the rest for the rest of us?" Rivalz asked, dismayed that Milly was graduating.
"On the appointed day I'll have every student in school wearing one of these hats." Milly gestured to the hat she was wearing and held up the blue one. "The boys will get this color, then if you steal the hat of your target and put it on…"
"Then what?" Cera asked.
"By order of the Student Council President, that's me, those two will be proclaimed boyfriend and girlfriend!" Milly said grandly.
The entire audience gasped in shock.
"Holy crap…" Naruto snickered. "Why couldn't Milly be born in my world?"
Xxx
"Are you going to kill me?" Guilford demanded, glaring at his feet, refusing to look at the so-called leader of the Geass Order. "Or are you going to control me with your Geass? Like you did to Princess Cornelia and Euphemia?"
The leader was none other than Castor Rui Britannia, one of the Emperor's children and heirs to the throne, which was among the top of list of strange things he had seen. After V.V. and his twin brother Pollux Rui Britannia were killed at the end of the Black Rebellion a year ago Caster had been left to take control of the Geass Order that had suffered heavily with the deaths of the previous director and the loss two of their Geass users. Castor was the most qualified to take control of the Geass Order since the Emperor was too busy to deal with it. The Geass Order had been forced to remain hidden and refrain from sending any of their remaining operatives on missions for the time being.
In the meantime Guilford had found General Bartley inside the research facility of the Geass Order who had told him about the Emperor and the so called former director of the facility, someone named V.V, planning to slay the Gods or whatever nonsense he actually meant. At first he hadn't considered much of the man's words since he looked obviously unbalanced and had been ever since Prince Clovis was assassinated over a year ago. Needless to say, he had been so surprised he had not noticed there more people in the room until he found himself restrained and thrown into a cell.
"To prove your princesses' innocence, you abandoned your duties." Castor noted with a kind face. "You gave up everything! That's inspiring! How loyal of a knight to do so much for his princess. I can really understand your reasons."
"Director Castor…"A masked assistant spoke up. "We just received a message from one of our agents. C.C. is coming this way."
"C.C.?" Guilford repeated, sitting up straighter. "Who?"
"What a mess…" Castor sighed, shaking his head. "But now I will have the chance to avenge my brother."
He never forgot the last moment in which he and his brother shared their thoughts and he looked into the eyes of his brother's killers.
"Wait!" Guilford called out as Castor left the room. "What is going on?"
"Do not worry. I am about to avenge your princess." Castor said, not bothering to stop as he left, leaving Cornelia's knight alone.
Xxx
"This is Milly Ashford, speaking for the last time as Student Council President! My graduation event, Cupid Day, is about to begin, and before you start, make sure you're at least two meters away from your target!" Milly announced to the entire school. "By now you should all be familiar with the rules! If you capture your target's hat and put it on, then you have to be boyfriend and girlfriend. I won't question how you obtain the hats, feel free to work in teams or use whatever tools you can get your hands on."
Lelouch was in class, wearing a blue hat with all the girls wearing pink hats and all of them staring at him with determination.
Shirely was the most determined of them all. 'I have to be the one, no matter what flaws you have, Lulu.'
"And finally, any club that brings me the hat of Lelouch Lamperouge gets their budget increased Ten-fold!"
"SAY WHAT?!" Lelouch's eyes widened in horror.
Xxx
Milly cackled deviously. 'Let's see the great Zero get out of this one.'
Xxx
"I love this girl!" Naruto cackled, seeing and hearing everything through his Shadow Clone. "She's got to be related to me somehow!"
"Milly Ashford, a paragon of the Ashford bloodline considering the Ashfords never settled for anything halfway." Cera remarked in amusement.
Xxx
'Milly's making her move.' Nunnally grinned, sharing the vision of Naruto's Shadow Clones and was fighting the urge to burst into laughter considering what was about to happen. 'So, it can either be Milly who gets the hat and becomes brother's girlfriend or more likely big brother becoming her slave or maybe Shirley will finally catch him. On the one hand Milly has known big brother for a long time but on the other hand Shirley is just too cute and determined for me not to like. Oh, so many girls to give me nieces and nephews and I have no idea which one. It could even be Sayoko if she was ordered to but I am not that cruel. I only told Sayoko to ignore my brother's order to switch with him.'
If her brother was a demon then Nunnally was a little devil disguised as a sweet little girl that could get anyone to do what she wanted.
And she secretly loved watching her brother squirm.
Xxx
"HE'S MINE!"
"HE'S GETTING AWAY!"
"LELOUCH!" The hoard of girls shouted as they chased after him.
"YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Lelouch was literally dripping a trail of sweat as he struggled to get away from the many girls chasing after him.
He had ordered Sayoko to switch with her in the library but for some reason she wasn't at the elevator like he expected so he had to hide.
'This is not good. Sayoko should have been there. What could possibly have called her away?' Lelouch wondered. 'She could easily make a clone if she was called away and the only persons who could that would be Milly or Nunnally.'
He was positive Milly didn't need Sayoko for anything involving this little Cupid's Day thing so it was possible Nunnally called Sayoko away.
'Nunnally's not sick or anything like that. She would have told me.' Lelouch thought. 'Still, she might have asked Sayoko for something at the last minute and Sayoko didn't have the time to send a Shadow Clone.'
Lelouch could only hope that Sayoko would be able to switch with him soon.
Xxx
"Are you sure about this, Lady Nunnally?" Sayoko asked Nunnally's Shadow Clone as they watched from the underground bunker.
"My brother is too used to being in control. He needs a few surprises in his life." Nunnally's clone answered with a smile.
Xxx
Lelouch ducked through the library, having to use his Geass on a girl that had stolen his hat to get it back without the girl putting it on or even remembering she got it in the first place.
'If Sayoko can't switch with me I'll have to hide until the event is over. I can just hide in the elevator until it's over. I can wait in the bunker for Sayoko to come and switch with me.' Lelouch thought, slipping towards the elevator. 'It'll look suspicious but if I must I'll use my Geass.'
Only the elevator doors didn't open.
"Wha…The elevator's not working!" Lelouch had to struggle to keep himself from shouting in frustration.
"Master?"
Lelouch quickly answered his ear device. "Sayoko? What's wrong?"
"I am sorry. The elevator seems to be inoperable and Lady Nunnally has requested my presence. I cannot leave her side to switch with you or make a clone but Master Naruto and Lady C.C.'s Shadow Clones are still in the bunker and will provide you with quick escape routes."
"Yeah, don't sweat it, Lelouch! We'll get out of this mess!"
On one hand he wished he could order Sayoko to take over in the bunker but he didn't want to leave Nunnally alone if she needed something and it would suspicious.
So with great reluctant he complied. "Very well."
Xxx
Nunnally snickered, seeing her brother take off again. She had disabled the elevator so Lelouch would not be able to make down here.
'And people call me an angel without single mean bone.'
Xxx
"Where's Lelouch?"
"Where'd he go?"
"Nobody's caught him yet!"
"All students, if Vice-President Lelouch is spotted commence a simultaneous assault!"
Shirley could only sigh as she walked around the school grounds, seeing everyone were in a complete frenzy now. "Boy, the prez is in full scale play. Still…what's going on? I thought Lulu was completely helpless and no one's caught him yet."
"Hey look! It's Shirely!"
"We have to catch Lelouch!"
Xxx
"Prez, if Lelouch is what you want then I, Rivalz will get you what you want!" Rivalz cried as he drove across the school grounds on his bike. "My best friend in the world!"
Xxx
Shirley stepped into the library. "This is the spot where Lulu started acting strange."
Lelouch was hiding down below. "So far, so good."
Xxx
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Narut's clone asked Cera's who nodded.
They both preformed hand signs and placed their hands on the ground. A second later the entire school started to shake.
Xxx
"What the-GAH?!" Shirely cried as stumbled back and fell down the stairs, colliding with Lelouch.
Both hit the ground, groaning as their hats landed in front of them.
Lelouch opened his eyes, seeing Shirley on the floor next to him. "Shirely?"
"Lulu?" Shirley opened her eyes.
Both glanced at each other before looking away, both feeling too awkward to speak for a few moments.
"Say, Lulu?" Shirlet suddenly spoke.
"Hm?"
"Why did you kiss me before?"
Lelouch stuttered, trying to find an appropriate answer since it was Sayoko, not him that kissed. "Well…Um…It's because I…Like you."
Shirley scoffed. "That's a lie. I know you aren't serious."
"Wrong!" Lelouch suddenly barked, surprising Shirley. "I mean…Just…" Lelouch looked back down at the floor. "A good question."
Shirley giggled. "So you want to do more than kiss?"
Lelouch stiffened, looking back at her.
"It's okay, even if you're not serious." Shirley said, smiling at the floor.
"You shouldn't say things like that." Lelouch scolded.
But Shirley kept smiling. "Welcome back, Lulu."
Lelouch could only stare in surprise and confusion at Shirley.
"You haven't been yourself lately, you know?" Shirely continued, simply smiling. "It's okay, I forgive you. In return, close your eyes for me."
"Uh?"
"Hurry up."
"O-kay." Lelouch closed his eyes, deciding it was the least he could do for her given everything that happened.
Shirley placed her hands on his cheeks for a second, then pulled on them, making him open his eyes in surprise at her smiling face. "You thought I was going to give you a smooch!"
Lelouch could only stutter again. "Well you know…I thought it was a possibility."
"You dirty little boy." Shirley said, smiling as she took her hat off.
"It's just…"
"Even so." Shirley took Lelouch's hat off and placed her hat on his head. "Even so, I want to try making you fall in love with me for real, someday."
Lelouch could only stare at Shirley in stunned silence.
"I told you, I said love is power." Shirley said, now wearing Lelouch's hat.
Xxx
Naruto and Cera watched Shirley's graduation through the eyes of their shadow clones, both smiling.
"Well, I can actually say I am going to miss Milly. She really made things fun." Naruto closed his eyes while smiling.
"At the very least her plan seemingly worked." Cera leaned back in her pilot seat. "This ought to keep Lulu busy for a bit."
And now onto the matter of the Geass Order.