(A/N: Maybe this is the egoist in me, but I feel like this fic deserves more recognition than it's getting. Maybe I'm just not popular. I need, like, a "bump" or something from someone super high profile to just drive a lot of traffic here. (shrug) Anyway! Let's roll!)
19th Day of the Horsebow Moon
Edelgard's first stream after Zero's debut was a complete nightmare in terms of her chat. So many people had opinions of Zero, and so many people wanted to hear Edelgard's opinion on him.
"Chat, you know, in my position, I can't officially comment on someone that's basically a vigilante. I could get in serious trouble with the law."
Many people took that to mean that as an evasive "yes", and Edelgard did nothing to correct this notion. She did support Zero after all. She just couldn't outright say it.
She had planned to stream for nearly three hours, but it got cut short by an entire hour by Hubert entering the room.
There he is.
Man of the hour.
Enemy of fun is here.
Go away Hubert :P
Enter the fun police!
Bye, Edelgard!
Any time Hubert entered the room, everyone knew that was visual shorthand for official empire business, which meant the stream was basically over. Edelgard always prioritized her royal office over her side gig.
As Edelgard swiveled her chair after ending her stream, she faced Hubert with her index fingers pointed at her cheeks, knuckles facing Hubert. "My chat says I should act more cutely while I'm on stream. What do you think?"
Edelgard did her best to try and smile, but there was something very, very off about it.
Hubert shut the door. "I think you should give greater priority to your revolution than people you're never going to meet in person."
"That's not true," Edelgard, prompting an eyebrow raise from Hubert. "Monica watches all of my streams."
"Of course she does," Hubert remarked, not surprised by this in the slightest.
"So, what's your reason for prematurely ending my stream this time?" Edelgard asked.
"I was just contacted by a revolutionary group looking to make contact with the Flame Emperor," Hubert pointed out.
"With us? When Zero is everywhere?" Edelgard asked, wide-eyed.
"I was as surprised as you were," Hubert said with a smirk. "Their concern is that Zero is planning to play both sides, while we have already made the point that we support the freedom of Japan."
"When do they want to meet?" Edelgard asked.
"Saturday. Worry not, I made sure your schedule was open," Hubert told her.
"What's their name?" Edelgard inquired.
Hubert smiled and answered with two words. "Peace Mark."
20th Day of the Horsebow Moon
Edelgard was not the only infamous vigilante gaining friends in new places. In the middle of the day, Lelouch had to answer a summons from Shamir to Abyss. Fortunately, he was able to get down there without being spotted.
He was surprised to see her sitting in Abyss's main tavern—the one next to the library—with a man he'd never seen before. She was drinking what appeared to be a non-alcoholic drink. It made sense given the time of day. Hmm, cider perhaps, judging from the color.
Zero's attention turned to the blond man across the table from his best sniper. "And who is this?"
"Says his name is Diethard Ried," Shamir answered. "He was poking around here while I was patrolling the area, so I took it upon myself to pull him aside. His jacket's too finely pressed. He seemed out of place. Turns out he wanted to meet with you. He wouldn't tell me anything else besides that. But don't worry…" Shamir slammed the back of her shoes on the edge of the table and pointed a pistol from across it at Diethard's temple. "If he tries anything, he won't be a problem for much longer."
"No need for that, Miss Nevrand," Diethard responded. "I am here only to help."
"I'll be the judge of that," Zero said, standing at attention. "Who exactly are you? What do you want?"
"I believe the young lady already gave you my name, so I'll cut right to the chase. Zero, your story fascinates me. People across the world, in multiple superpowers, are talking about you. They want to see and hear what you're all about. Your brazen audacity to stand up to such powerful enemies with such a small group of allies. People love a good underdog story. I would like to be your official publicist!"
"In other words, you want to use my name to boost your ratings," Zero replied cynically.
"Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, noooo, not at all!" Diethard's tone of voice suggested he was extremely apologetic in how Zero came to that conclusion. "Zero, your cause is exactly what the people need right now and what they want to see! I'm doing this for the people, not for the cash or the ratings! I'm terribly bored running the same Britannian and Seirosian propaganda day in and day out. I want a story with some teeth to it! And you have all the bite force of a shark, my good man!"
"Flattery will get you nowhere," Zero said. "But I could use a good PR boost." He pulled a chair away from the table and sat down. "Let's discuss business you and I. But, if I don't like what I hear, just remember, the nice young lady with the gun is all too ready to take your head."
Shamir smirked. Yes, joining Zero had been a good call to make. Very rarely did she take personal enjoyment under the people she worked for. Zero was one of the rare few to have that honor. She sat and listened as Diethard and Zero discussed business on how Diethard would do his job for Zero's sake. The Knight of Seiros in her should have seen her grab Diethard and Zero and drag them both to Rhea, but Zero was paying her top dollar to aid him. She wasn't about to turn on him for a sense of justice. The only loyalty she had was to her checkbook, sure, and she definitely didn't have the highest moral code, but Zero amused her. It was the way he went about things that she found…oddly charming. He was a good employer, one her check book would hate to lose.
Was it just for the money? Sometimes Shamir wondered, but…maybe it wouldn't be so bad to fight for a revolution, if only because the commander-in-chief leading it seemed like a good man worth the loyalty of the coin he was paying her. If only she knew what was under that mask.
21st Day of the Horsebow Moon
Among Zero's biggest detractors was Dimitri. The man was an outspoken critic of anyone that operated outside the law, and he had told the journalists that interviewed him shortly after the interview essentially this. He did his best to push the narrative of what he saw, citing Count Gloucester as a witness, that Zero was pining and scheming for the fall of the Church of Seiros and pointed a gun at Princess Euphemia. Unfortunately, as a pampered noble, this did little to sway Zero's popularity with the commoners.
When it came to talking to someone who would listen, Dimitri hoped that Ingrid, a longtime friend and confidant, would listen to his woes.
"I believe you, your highness, but, Zero still chose to save the hostages."
"From an explosion he caused," Dimitri complained. "How is this a point of contention for you, Ingrid?"
"I simply see things from a different perspective. Galatea territory is barren and plagued famine. If Zero stands for what he claims, it gives me hope that things could change, that my fortunate could be turned around. I'm not saying I would abandon my duties and join his revolution, but it gives me hope to keep going, even if I must face that hope on the battlefield."
"And you believe him?! He's a criminal Ingrid, one poised to lure us into a false sense of security, and plot our demise! I heard him plain and simple that he wishes for the fall of the church! That's nothing short of global treason! Do not let his honeyed words fool you!" Dimitri shouted at her.
"I am merely saying…" Ingrid tried to explain herself.
"I know what you are saying, and I care little for it. I thought you of all people would understand!"
Dimitri stormed away from his friend in an angry huff, finding himself, where else, but the training yard. He began practicing the basics with his energy lance, putting energy and rage into his strikes.
"Dimitri, are you okay? You sound like you're in pain. Do you need healing? Is it your shoulder wound?"
Dimitri turned around, finding the kind voice calling out to him to be not Euphemia, but Nunnally.
"Oh, hello Nunnally," Dimitri said, calming down on a dime. "Apologies, I did not think anyone was here."
Nunnally giggled. "I like coming to the training yard every day. I can see and walk when I use my HLKMF, so it's always so liberating."
"Ah, yes, I suppose you would consider it such," Dimitri said with a gentle smile. It must be her favorite part of the day. He then cursed at himself. A burning question hung on his lips, but…no…he couldn't drag poor Nunnally into this…right? Well… "Nunnally, I hate to ask this of you, but…"
"No worries, ask away," Nunnally said politely.
"What are your opinions on Zero?" Dimitri asked.
"Zero?" Nunnally questioned. "Well…he did save Flayn."
"That's true, however…" Dimitri trailed off.
"Zero threatened Princess Euphemia, right?" Nunnally asked, guessing what was on Dimitri's mind.
"Yes. I was there. He not only threatened her, but he claimed that his hatred towards Britannia's royal family was simply because they exist. It's regicide on a scale I cannot even begin to fathom. And there's this gnawing feeling at the back of my mind that I can't escape," Dimitri said, looking pained, "That Zero could have played a hand in the death of my father."
Nunnally looked sorrowful, "The Tragedy of Duscur."
"Indeed," Dimitri replied, looking just as depressed. "Zero's motive, age, and nationality are all hidden. Nobody knows where he came from or what spurred him to action. He could have been operating in the shadows for much longer than many suspect. If his aim is the fall of the church of Seiros, I can only believe that his desire is to plunge this world into chaos. That's something I can't abide by."
"But…Zero said…"
Dimitri growled. "I don't care what I said! I know what I saw! Men like him and the Flame Emperor can never be trusted! They hide their face so that they can conceal the truth from those around them, to set the world on fire when it suits them, while covering their malice with lies!"
Nunnally shied away, having not expected Dimitri to yell.
"Ah…my apologies. I didn't mean to lose my temper," Dimitri apologized, eyes filled with guilt.
Dimitri was surprised when Nunnally grabbed his hands with both of hers. "The Tragedy of Duscur, really hurt you, didn't it?" she asked.
Dimitri let out a very deep exhale. "It did. It left scars on me that will never heal. I have nightmares regularly. Sometimes I wish I would not wake to see tomorrow just so they would stop, but…the duty I have to my people spurs me forward." His palm closed tightly over Nunnally's fingers. "It is the only thing keeping me sane, and giving me strength."
"You must have really loved your father," Nunnally stated.
"My stepmother as well. They were both good people," Dimitri stated, reflecting on happier times in misery. "And they're gone, forever." He quickly pulled his hands away from Nunnally. "Apologies, I need to be going."
"Ah, Prince Dimitri!" Nunnally exclaimed, reaching for him, but she could already hear his footsteps retreating.
Dimitri isolated himself near the monastery's sauna, clutching his head with both hands, before putting one hand on the wall.
"Avenge us!"
"AVENGE us!"
"Zero killed us!"
"The Flame Emperor helped him!"
Dimitri began to break out into a cold sweat, feeling short of breath, panting, listening to the various voices in his head calling to him. He could see their faces in his mind. Glen, his father, his stepmother, Prince Clovis, they were all yelling at him, demanding that their killer be brought to heel.
Dimitri was only snapped from his panic attack by a hand coming down on his shoulder. He had fully expected to see Dedue having tracked him down like a bloodhound, or even Euphemia and her kind smile. However, the person he spotted was neither. Instead, he was face to face with Lelouch.
"Nunnally said you seemed troubled. Are you all right?" Lelouch asked him, sounding genuinely concerned. "You…don't look well. Your face is pale." Truthfully, if Nunnally hadn't texted him in a panic, he would have not even bothered, but Dimitri didn't need to know that.
"Ah, you've caught me at a bad moment. Apologies, Lelouch. I imagine Nunnally is concerned she offended me in some capacity," Dimitri stated.
"She is, but I'll put that aside," Lelouch promised, only to add, "So long as you tell me that's not the case." He frowned with all the power of brotherly scorn.
"Ah, apologies, she has every right to be concerned, but she did nothing wrong. I…I was caught up in bad memories. I was worried, had I stayed, since I do not know my own strength, that I might have crushed her tiny fingers, then you really would have had something to be upset with me over," Dimitri replied in remorse.
"Indeed I would have," Lelouch replied. "Do your comrades know?"
"Know…what?"
"About your panic attacks?" Lelouch asked.
Dimitri gasped. Just how much had Lelouch seen?
The answer was all of it, but Lelouch wasn't the type to reveal his hand that easily. "If you're going to be on the throne, mental illness can hold you back from your capacity to rule effectively. At the very least, if Lord Rodrigue Fraldarius and Margrave Matthias Gautier don't already know about it, they should be informed."
"You are quite well-versed in Faerghus's heads of state. Not everyone has Faerghus's top brass memorized, and you're not even from there," Dimitri commented, quite impressed with Lelouch's knowledge.
"Comes with years of memorizing chess moves," Lelouch said. "When you can memorize thousands of moves across a myriad of chess games, your memory adapts to other areas of life as well. I could probably name the heads of state in every superpower in the world if I had to, possibly down to the local regions."
"Quite the impressive memory," Dimitri stated, sounding more impressed.
"Let's not change the subject though," Lelouch pointed out. "Do they know? At the very least, do Ingrid, Felix, and Sylvain know?"
Dimitri sighed. "Felix is at the very least aware of my inner demons, though I've not explained them to him in full. I've not spoken a word of this to Sylvain or Ingrid."
"Because if a king shows weakness, it's only inviting a dagger in the back, does that about sum it up?" Lelouch asked.
Dimitri didn't have to answer with words. His guilt ridden face gave his answer away.
"Mental health is different," Lelouch told him seriously. "If you don't take care of your mind, it will come to try and destroy you."
"Do you have your own inner demons, Lelouch?" Dimitri asked him.
"More than you might realize," Lelouch replied honestly. "But…although they motivate me, they don't consume me. I can't say they've ever brought me to a cold sweat."
Dimitri sighed. "I fear as though…the only cure for my health…is Zero or the Flame Emperor's death."
"Killing people isn't the answer," Lelouch told him. "Not unless you're prepared to be killed."
"Hmph, Zero said something similar. Now the whole world is treating it as if he invented the philosophy."
"It's a good philosophy," Lelouch replied honestly.
"Well, I am prepared to be killed. The sins I've committed deserve either more death or my own life as penance," Dimitri answered with a grim expression.
"Mhm. When you're done crucifying yourself, let the world know. I'm sure Faerghus would be better for it," Lelouch said, without a shred of sympathy in his voice.
Dimitri grumbled, shaking his head. Lelouch's snark was not helping him right now. "How do you do it, Lelouch? How do you go through life and watch all of the cruelty go by and just…carry on as if nothing happened?"
"Who says that's what I do?" Lelouch asked.
Dimitri looked confused.
Lelouch turned around, staring at the ground, smirking. "Well, perhaps I've said too much. As long as there's no problem, I should be letting Nunnally know everything is okay? Have a pleasant day, your highness." Lelouch then walked away, leaving Dimitri to ponder what exactly the kind of scars the man he didn't know to be an exiled prince bore upon his soul.
22nd Day of the Horsebow Moon
Because they both fought with a twin-sword style, Shez and Oldrin often found themselves teaming up as training partners. There was a lot they were able to learn from each other too. Shez's self-taught style was not without merit, and Oldrin's traditional style offered Shez new insight into a fighting style she hadn't fought with all her life.
In terms of who was stronger, both hoped it never came down to that on a live battlefield and neither was truly interested in checking to see which one of them could definitively clobber the other. Oldrin's Crest of Ernest gave her a significant power boost, for certain, but Shez's unique power bestowed upon her by Arval—which she still never told anyone how she got it or where it came from at Arval's request—both girls believed helped even the odds, at least in training.
"Thanks for always training with me, Oldrin," Shez said with a smile.
Oldrin smiled back. "Anything for a future knight," Oldrin told her. "Hey, so…have you given…any further consideration to my proposal?"
"You mean about joining the Glinda Knights?" Shez asked.
Oldrin nodded.
Shez stuck her index knuckle of her right hand under her chin, as if considering her thoughts and emotions right then and there. "Honestly, I have given it a lot of thought, still not sure if that's what I want out of life though, especially now that the Ashen Demon is teaching the Black Eagles. I kind of like Cornelia's teaching style. I'm learning a lot from her. Plus, I'm so going to kick our old Professor's butt when it comes time for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion!"
"You know, you don't obsess over your rivalry with Professor Byleth so much, I actually sometimes forget you have a bitter one-sided rivalry with her," Oldrin stated.
Shez's mood grew somber, as if she…no…this wasn't fair. …But…she had to ask. "Hey, Oz…what if…what if the Professor did to you what she did to me?"
"What do you mean?" Oldrin asked.
"Picture if you will that the Ashen Demon, our old Professor, was hired by a terrorist group and became an enemy of Britannia. Imagine that the outcome of the mission was that she wiped out all of the Glinda Knights: Sokkia, Tink, Leonhardt, Marika and even Marrybell. Imagine you charged to lend Marrybell aid, only to watch her corpse fall to the ground, and even as your Crest of Ernest evolved in the middle of an enraged battle, you still couldn't best her? How would it make you feel?"
That was a lot to take in and dump on Oldrin all at once. Shez felt awful just for asking it, but…she was too curious.
Oldrin gave it a lot of thought. She knew Shez wouldn't accept a cop-out answer such as "the Professor is our friend. She wouldn't do that to us anymore. Byleth was still a mercenary at her core, referred to in all the world as The Strongest."
"Well…" Oldrin began, "I…I can't even imagine how I'd feel. Mary and the others…they're all super important to me. They're my world."
Shez nodded. "See, that? That's why I'm not so sure if the knight life is the life for me."
"What do you mean?" Oldrin asked her.
"I can be only so spiteful towards Professor Byleth because our altercation was just business. It wasn't personal. Heck, from what I've heard from Captain Jeralt, it happened because Captain Berling was so strong. He told me that…when his daughter found out that she'd be fighting Captain Berling, she specifically decided not to hold back. And even now, especially as we've been cooperating and getting to know each other, I can't really bring myself to hate her as much as I used to." Shez shook her head. "Even back then, what I felt wasn't hate…it was envy, envy of her strength. I want to best her, so I can prove which of us is truly superior. The title of strongest isn't just handed out to anyone. I want that spot. It's what gets me up in the morning."
Oldrin smiled. "Coveting the title of strongest is an admirable goal, Shez. I respect that."
"Thanks, Oz," Shez said with a smile.
"But yeah, mercenary life and knight life are a bit different in that regard. If the Glinda Knights were wiped out, I would absolutely take it personally. I'd hunt down through hurricanes and earthquakes the person responsible until I could have revenge," Oldrin admitted.
Shez nodded. "And I don't want to end up like that. If there's one thing I've learned over the time of wanting to show up the Ashen Demon, it's that obsessive revenge isn't healthy."
"…"
Shez continued on, oblivious to Arval's silent gaze. "I want to get better and make her feel inferior, like she doesn't matter, just once. Revenge by killing her…that's not going to do anything." She frowned. "Plus, it would make Lelouch and Nunnally really upset, and I care about them too much to do that to them."
"Family's wonderful, isn't it? I'm jealous," Oldrin said. "I always wanted a little brother or sister to grow up with, but my mom only had me."
"Heh, well, adoption isn't all its cracked up to be either. But hey, I think I'm older than you, so you can call me big sis if you want, Oz," Shez said, ruffling her hair.
Oldrin laughed. "Jeez, Shez, you're such an informal weirdo, but I like that about you. Even if you don't join the Glinda Knights, promise we'll always be friends."
Shez offered her hand at shoulder level. Oldrin clasped it and Shez pulled her in, bumping their elbows and then reaching for her shoulder with her free hand and patting it. "Best friends."
"Thanks, Shez. Well, anyway, I'm due for tea with Mary, so I'll see you later."
"Yeah! See you!" Shez exclaimed.
As Oldrin left, Shez was left alone with Arval.
"I'm surprised she didn't catch onto your lie," Arval stated.
What lie? Shez questioned.
"The one about why you're not sure you want to join the Glinda Knights," Arval told her.
Ah, right, guess you'd see right through that, Shez responded, frowning.
"Are you sure about this? If Zero isn't actually Lelouch, would you come to regret joining forces with Zero?" Arval asked her.
Not at all. Honestly, I've never actually cared too much about what's right and wrong. As a merc, I was practically just in it for the money. You earn bedrooms, you eat food, you make enemies. Lather, rinse, repeat. Sure, Zero pointed a gun at Euphemia's head and wants to bring down the church, but…I've been thinking a lot about that myself.
Shez could feel Arval's surprised gaze at her back.
What? Surprised I agree with you that this place gives me the willies? Shez questioned. Everyone here is so devoted to the cause it's unnerving. I've known servants to lords I've contracted with that weren't this fervent about who they served. You'd think Rhea was the goddess herself or something. That, and Lelouch is pretty open about his hostility for the church. I'd like to trust his judgment on that front. She chuckled. Heck, if we can find Zero's hiding spot, maybe I'll drag him with me to open recruitment.
Arval smiled. "If the church is your enemy, then I have no trouble aiding you in bringing it down." He then looked more concerned. "As for Zero's hiding spot, I haven't the faintest idea. We would need a lead of some kind as to his usual whereabouts."
Yeah and since I'm not in a mercenary group, can't just ask our scouting guys to go trading information for a lead, Shez thought. If only Garreg Mach had something like that.
"What about that Abyss place we stumbled into some time ago? That might be a good place to start," Arval suggested.
Right…how did we get there again?
"I believe there was a large elevator in the maintenance tunnels," Arval told her and then noticed Shez on the move. He grew pale and started to sweat profusely. "Shez! Hold a moment!"
Shez would later be found by the night staff after curfew, hungry and having missed dinner, requiring escort back to her dorm room.
23rd Day of the Horsebow Moon
Flying out of Rome's national airport to catch a flight back to Enbarr was a simple task for Edelgard, given she never flew economy. Her royal status, even on a commercial passenger plane, granted her privilege she was willing to abuse in times such as these. Since she was leaving after classes were concluded for the day and would be back before the end of tomorrow, no one had to know the reason for her absence.
Enbarr was not the final destination of course, as Peace Mark could not take the risk of being spotted in a public area. No, instead Edelgard needed private transport to the south side of what was now referred to as "The Bay of Old Rome." Ever since Rome had been propelled into the sky by the church of Seiros, the sea had reclaimed it as its own. Fish and other aquatic life galore now lived in bay and the coastline was now a tourist attraction with ocean front property.
Before locating Peace Mark, Edelgard made sure to put herself in her Flame Emperor guise and, as per usual, had the Death Knight at her back. She then broadcast her HLKMF's location over a secure, encrypted, pre-agreed upon channel to Peace Mark's engineering team. Within twenty minutes, a van rolled up. The Flame Emperor, gazing at the coastline, turned to face it.
"So, you've come," Edelgard's disguised voice echoed.
When she saw the visage of the young man that approached her up close, at first she thought she'd been had. But, no, upon further examination, despite being a dead ringer for Oldrin Zevon, he was, in fact, a man. He was aided be three people, a man of Chinese-Indian decent, a man of homeland Chinese descent, and a woman who definitely wasn't Chinese. She appeared Seirosian, but Edelgard often had time deciphering members of the different Seirosian nations apart at first glance.
"You must be the Flame Emperor," the young man said.
"I am indeed. Is this all of you?" The Flame Emperor asked.
"Peace Mark is a much larger organization," the woman asked. "But for this meeting, we came as its liaisons. Joining you was Orpheus's idea after all."
"Which one of you is Orpheus?" The Flame Emperor asked. They refused to presume identities of anyone.
The young man resembling Oldrin stepped forward. "That would be me."
"I see. And what do you offer me, young Orpheus?" The Flame Emperor asked in an attempt to disguise their age. "I am the Flame Emperor after all. After my failed contract with the Iron King's Thieves, I have resigned myself to only work with those who deserve it."
"I have it on good authority that you are allied with the Japanese Liberation Front and Kyoto house," Orpheus stated.
"A benefactor of mine is allied with Kyoto House. I have yet to meet them personally," The Flame Emperor responded. "The Japan Liberation Front was my own doing, however."
Orpheus nodded. "I have a vested interest in Japan's liberation. I could go to them directly, but since it was your cunning and army that nearly saw Cornelia's forces routed, I decided to come to you and offer you my aid."
"A wise decision," The Flame Emperor responded. "But, I go back to, what can you offer me? I do not work with incompetent buffoons."
Whatever the Flame Emperor and the Death Knight were expecting, it was not for Orpheus to suddenly turn one to one into the Flame Emperor themselves.
"What do you think?" Orpheus disguised as the Flame Emperor asked.
"What manner of trickery is this?" the Flame Emperor asked.
Orpheus de-activated his transformation. "Let's call it…a special power that only I am capable of. I can turn into anyone of my choosing for five whole minutes. It can trick any human mind without fail."
"Five whole minutes? That's enough time to record speeches or cause sabotage in a limited amount of time," The Flame Emperor noted.
"I thought you would start to see the benefits of it," Orpheus said.
"How talented are you at assassination?" The Flame Emperor inquired.
"Depends on the target, but I've yet to fail a mark," Orpheus responded. He extended a hand to the Flame Emperor. "So, are we in business?"
"Not so fast," The Flame Emperor stated, shaking their head. "Your power is magnificent indeed, but it can easily be turned against me. I believe a test is in order before I cut you loose."
Orpheus nodded. "All right. I'm listening."
"Before I give you my test, I have a question, why do you resemble Oldrin Zevon, the head knight of the Glinda Knights?" The Flame Emperor asked. "The resemblance between you two is uncanny."
Orpheus nodded. "Oldrin is my younger twin sister."
"Preposterous. Oldrin Zevon is an only child. Every official document in Britannia corroborates this," The Flame Emperor stated, shaking their head.
The white haired woman next to Orpheus clutched his shoulder and stepped forward to explain in his defense. "It's true," she said. "I know it's hard to believe, but Orpheus is the forgotten child of the Zevon family."
"Explain," The Flame Emperor demanded. Even Hubert's research had not discovered this.
"The Zevon family has always succeeded through the women in the family. We also have a rule against twins to prevent inheritance wars." He put a hand on his chest. "I was cast aside and left to rot, eventually forced into a lab and experimented on."
The Flame Emperor stopped him. "Say no more. I can hear the sincere anger in your voice. You are not the only one to have been wronged by the world simply for being born into the wrong family. There is no need for a test. I accept your aid, young Orpheus. I expect that you will follow my instructions to the letter."
Orpheus smiled, taking a knee. "My oath is to you, my Emperor."
Orpheus Zevon…if he's anything like his sister, he will be a powerful asset, Edelgard thought, sporting a grin that easily matched one of Lelouch's own. The things I could do with his power at my disposal. But…for now, I will need to gauge his strength. As much as I would like to use his power to dispose of my uncle, the time for that is simply not right. "You are coming with me back to Rome. I will have use for you all there," The Flame Emperor instructed. "I will book your flight and your hotels through my own channels. Apologies that I cannot have you ride with me. The secret of my identity is paramount to my continued revolution."
"Everyone has something to hide," Orpheus stated. "I understand that."
Edelgard smiled. Oh yes, Orpheus Zevon was going to be of great use to her. In her mind, she could see a chess board, one of a game played between Lord Arundel and herself. She could see a knight moving across the board, and she was calling Check.
24th Day of the Horsebow Moon
On paper, many considered the Green Pheasant house to be a charity of the church, just a means of placating the Japanese people that they weren't considered lesser citizens of the Seirosian superpowers, even though they were forced into this life. In practice, Rhea treated all students of the Green Pheasant house with respect, which was one of the many reasons Suzaku respect her in turn in the first place.
But today wasn't about Suzaku or Rhea…well…mostly. Instead, the Green Pheasants were gearing up for warfare, but not on their home soil, or even in defense of it. They had a job to do today, more fighting in Kingdom territory.
"Does everybody remember the objective?" Ohgi asked his class.
"We'll be fighting the Duscur people, right?" Ashe questioned. "Because they're trying to take back their homeland from Viscount Kleiman who currently rules over their former home territory?"
"Correct," Ohgi stated. "Expertly remembered, Ashe."
"You enlisted aid for this mission, did you not?" Felix inquired.
"I did. I know that it's up to the Green Pheasants to sink or swim on their own merits, but…I had my doubts about this mission, and Lady Rhea immediately agreed with my point of view," Ohgi stated.
"I wish we didn't have to do this," Inoue said. "The Duscur people didn't do anything wrong."
"Unfortunately, that's not how its being broadcast to the known world. We get it because we're oppressed. We know what twisted truths look like. The archbishop seemed to understand that, which is why she assigned this to our class," Ohgi stated.
"The Tragedy of Duscur…" Kallen stated, trying her best to remember history class. "That's the incident that took the life of the former King of Faerghus, Lambert, correct?"
"Correct," Felix said with a nod. "But, the boar has insisted and even found enough proof to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Duscur people being blamed. Unfortunately, by the time he found this information, the damage was already done, and the Duscur people became scapegoats within the Faerghusian region."
"Buncha nonsense," Tamaki commented.
"I concur. I may love a good fight, but I detest needless violence, which brings us to today."
At this, Dedue, Dimitri, Oldrin, and Marrybell walked towards the group, arriving at the hangar for their airship transport.
"Princess Marrybell, Prince Dimitri," Kaguya said, bowing to each of them. "I thank you for accepting our request of aid."
"When it comes to counterterrorism, the Glinda Knights are on the job," Oldrin said with a wink.
"And when it comes to the Duscur people, you can always count on me," Dimitri said with a small smile.
"The forces of Duscur are not armed with any HLKMFs," Dedue explained. "They have been oppressed within the kingdom for the past four years. Yet they intend to rise up against their oppressors in spite of this."
"They'll be wiped out if they do that!" Ashe exclaimed.
"Which is why we're getting involved," Oldrin stated. "Mary and I came up with an excellent strategy. If we defeat members of the Duscur army first, then it will save more lives and prevent needless death."
"But we can't stall the Kingdom's army and act like we're there to provide terrorists with aid," Marrybell stated. "If not for my complete and total understanding of the situation in Duscur, I would probably be calling for heads to roll myself."
"So basically we're going in there to act like we are there to wipe out insurgents, but in reality, we're there to prevent more death," Sugiyama pointed out.
"Precisely," Dimitri answered.
"We need to be quick about things and we need to pull our punches. If we kill even one Duscurian soldier, we'll be seen as their enemy as well. I want things to not end in chaotic violence," Ohgi instructed.
"Count on us, Ohgi," Tamaki said.
Ohgi nodded. "Let's move out, team!"
The trip took enough hours, and into a different time zone, that sleep was recommended among all the passengers on this plane. However, mid-flight, Viscount Kleiman contacted Ohgi via video phone.
"Viscount," Ohgi said, bowing. "Good day. Fear not, we're on our way."
"Get their faster!" The Viscount shouted. "We're already under attack!"
"Rest assured, our ETA is much closer to arrival than departure," Ohgi pointed out.
"I don't care about time, you fool!" the irate Viscount declared. "Zero's here!"
"WHAT?!"
To understand the situation, the clock must be turned back slightly. The head of the Duscur rebellion army had been plotting his attack and would be doing so in a matter of hours, when he received word from one of his subordinates of Zero's approach.
More than aware of the man's speech to the masses, the tall, muscular general let Zero through.
"General Matheo of the Duscurian resistance, I thank you for letting me through to speak with you," Zero said, his Black Knights formed at his back.
"Zero, what business do you have with the people of Duscur?" Matheo asked him.
"I should think that would be obvious. The people of Duscur did nothing wrong, yet they were stripped of their homeland, framed as criminals, and have begun to be hunted down to the last man. Across the world, people hate them more than the Leicesterians hate the Almyrans and the Japanese hate the church. They are pariahs of the highest order," Zero told him.
"You mean to help us? You?" For so long, the Duscur people had stood alone. Yet here was a mysterious man in a mask offering them his aid.
"Do you reject it? The world is big enough for all men, women, children, and others. My offer of aid comes at a cost, though," Zero replied.
"What sort of cost?" The large, muscular man asked curiously, but also scornfully, figuring Zero would be taking advantage of a man in need.
Zero gestured outward with his right arm. "I only ask that the people of Duscur join me in my quest to free not only their homeland, but the homelands of all forced to sleep in the dust, that no man should be denied the comfort of his own home. Once you and I wage warfare against the Kingdom, it will simply not be a one day, one battle affair. We would join forces. You would become part of something greater. The Duscur people have little to lose in this exchange. You are already world pariahs. But, in the long run, you will be seen as heroes and not even the Kingdom would be able to deny your greatness!"
"He speaks lies!" A gruff soldier exclaimed.
"Lies? LIES?!" Zero shouted, taking offense. He jumped up onto a table. He threw out his cape as he raised both arms into the air. "A man walks up to a stranger's home and offers him bread when he has nothing to eat." He bent backwards, putting his fingers to his visor, "Fire when he has nothing to burn." He spun on the table and held one hand to the air as if gripping an invisible chalice, "And water when he has nothing to drink or bathe with. All the stranger has is the roof over his head." Zero lowered his arm until it was below his waist. "Winter is coming and he will die before the end of the week. Does he truly have the luxury or calling the man's offer lies?"
"But…" The soldier uttered.
Matheo seemed to comprehend Zero's point. "Zero, I don't know what drove you here, but I want you to know something: The Duscur people do not forget grudges, but they also do not fail to honor favors. If you can bring us to salvation, we would forever be in your debt."
"Then nothing else needs to be said. Together, we will fight! Together, we will take back the land of Duscur AND DRIVE VISCOUNT KLEIMAN OUT!"
That was only a few short hours ago and now, thanks to Zero, the Kingdom was suffering heavy losses. Alone, the Duscur people were powerless. Combine with Zero, they had the might to rival the vanguard of the Kingdom's army.
"Fire all main cannons, for what need is an already burned landscape of additional cannon fire! Show no mercy!" Zero ordered atop a tank that was already moving. The Duscurian soldier manning it fired it to obliterate a few snipers positioned on a ledge.
This carnage was being fed to Ohgi in real time, and many of those joining him on this operation were crowded around him.
"The Duscurian people are…winning?" Marrybell gasped.
"It's because of Zero!" Kaguya exclaimed.
"Impossible! The technology level of the Kingdom far outstrips that of the Duscurian people and Zero's forces are small in number. This shouldn't be possible!" Dimitri exclaimed.
"But is this not good for us?" Dedue asked. "If the Duscurian people succeed—"
"If the people of Duscur succeed in their rebellion, it will only mean more lives lost long term!" Oldrin shouted. "The Kingdom will send its entire army to retake the land it conquered! We have to do something."
"Then let's go down there and stop Zero from reclaiming any more territory," Dimitri said.
"But…your highness…" Dedue stuttered. "I…"
Dimitri noticed from looking at everyone around him how unpopular that plan was.
"If we stop the Duscurian people now, we will definitely be seen as their enemy," Kallen said.
"I understand that, but…" Dimitri began, only to trail off. He became angry. Zero! How dare you!
Zero was making things more complicated. By providing this much aid to the Duscurian people, to the point that he was winning outright, meant that he was forcing Dimitri's hand. Either Dimitri had to choose to become an enemy of the Duscurian people by acting in a matter that aligned with the faith of the majority of Faerghus's populace…or he had to join the Duscurian people in their destruction before he even had a chance to sit on the throne. His rule would be marred by stigma.
"Dimitri, we have to do this," Marrybell said to him. "I understand your reservations, but they've taken land violently."
"Land that is rightfully theirs," Dimitri reminded her.
"Whether it's rightfully theirs or not isn't the issue," Marrybell lectured. "It's Faerghusian territory now. It's your sovereign soil! And you have to do something about it!"
"Mary's right!" Oldrin exclaimed. "No matter the problems of the Duscurian people, rising up against the Kingdom isn't a solution. You've been planning to help them once you begin your rule."
"Some people don't want to wait," Inoue said. "Nobody likes to here "sorry you have to suffer today, but I promise we'll change things real soon.""
"Yeah…well…" Oldrin said, unable to launch a counterargument.
Marrybell put a hand on her shoulder. "Relax, Oz," she said. "This whole situation is already complicated enough as it is. And Zero's making it worse." She then jolted as if she suddenly got a brilliant idea.
"I know that look," Oldrin said with a smile. "Lay it on us, Mary."
Marrybell pulled up a 3D area map. "Let's let the Green Pheasants do the bulk of the fighting against the Duscurian people here!" she exclaimed, pointing to the enemies flanks. "We'll move in from two sides and try to pincer the gap, separating Zero from the main Duscurian force. We can then move back across the enemy formation. Dimitri, since you command authority here, you can force the kingdom to focus on Zero's forces while letting my force do its specialty and deal with the terrorists of Duscur."
"If we take Zero's head," Dimitri said with a stern glare, "All will come to an end."
"Leave it to you to suggest we decapitate the enemy general," Felix stated, rolling his eyes. "But…I agree. Zero needs to be stopped, for the sake of the Kingdom."
Ashe seemed a little more hesitant to agree. Was Zero…really the bad guy here? What was the right thing to do? If only he had knowledge to figure that out?
"Let's move!" Marrybell exclaimed. "The battlefield awaits!"
When it came to objectives, Lelouch, as Zero, had three.
Objective #1: Take as much Duscur territory back as possible by setting down supply lines and kicking Faerghusian occupiers off the land.
Objective #2: Rout as much of the Kingdom's forces as possible without compromising army formation or spreading his forces too thin.
Objective #3 and the most crucial one of all…
Lelouch picked his head up, noticing the Seirosian transport ship overhead, his thoughts interrupted.
Over radio, Yuri communicated to him. "They're here."
"We anticipated this. Don't break formation," Zero replied.
"Copy that," Yuri stated.
Zero knew that the church would send reinforcements. What he didn't expect was for the Green Pheasants to plummet out of the sky, activating their HLKMFs on the way down, and they weren't the only ones. When Lelouch saw the Lancelot Paladin and the Saintly Witch descend from the sky, he instantly knew that this battle just got a lot harder.
"K2! Q1! Move to intercept! I will not have the Glinda Knights ruin what we have strived for! They're likely to split up! K2, Oldrin! Q1, Marrybell!"
"Oldrin Zevon, is it? Well all right then!" Kronya exclaimed. "I can't wait to carve her up!"
"I will handle Princess Marrybell," C.C. replied calmly.
Zero then saw the visage Dimitri's HLKMF. It had upgraded since the battle at Magdred Way. Dimitri had fed a knight's certification exam to it and now it resembled Oldrin and Suzaku's Lancelot models, but painted deep blue. And, instead of gold, the alternate color was jet black. Codename: Azurian Pendragon.
"Prince Dimitri is here!" A soldier shouted randomly.
"We're saved!" cried another.
This was right before tank fire blew them to meet the goddess.
"B1! B2! Continue tactics Shock and Awe and do not let the Faerghusians morale improve due to Dimitri's presence. R1! Break through the ranks on the southeast front with General Matheo!"
"Roger!" Hapi exclaimed.
"Copy that!" Constance replied.
"Leave it to me!" Yuri shouted.
"All other high tier units, engage the reinforcements! We'll crush the Seirosian forces here and now!"
Shamir was, without question, the most experienced combatant of the Black Knights outside of C.C., though that was arguable. As soon as she saw the reinforcements dropping, she put her eyes on a target and didn't let it out of her sight.
Unfortunate for her though, this target happened to be Naomi Inoue in her school-sanctioned HLKMF. Although she didn't have quite the same massive battle rifle as her Kikai no Yurei, she still was far from underpowered. Inoue's HLKMF was dark blue like the ocean under an overcast, it also was jungle green in some locations. What it lacked in a battle rifle and her other HLKMF's gimmick, it made up for in serious firepower. This other HLKMF had three main weapons, two massive howitzers that could be grown and retracted on the back and the left arm. These were the heavy arms, designed for taking out forests with enemies in them. However, doing so sucked out a lot of energy.
That was why Inoue was currently arming herself with the long-range rifle of her right arm that provided a scope for the right "eye" of her mech. With it, Inoue could hit a target up to a kilometer away, more than enough to tag an opponent in her sights as she descended from a transport ship.
Unfortunately, Shamir's HLKMF given to her by Zero was the perfect counter. A massive shield protected the left side of the mech like an oversized shoulder guard, but it also doubled as the dock for her weapon, a long-range rifle similar to Inoue's. Shamir's black and green HLKMF fired a massive energy shot up from the ground at Inoue's the two shots impacting in midair and causing a shockwave.
Using the hover thrusters in her boots, Inoue did her best to juke backwards to try and land, only to get shot at by Shamir. After taking several shots, several of which were almost direct hits, Inoue decided enough was enough and unloaded a massive howitzer shot from her left arm that turned the location Shamir was firing at her from into a crater.
Unfortunately, it turned out Shamir's HLKMF had back thrusters like tiny wing jets to propel herself into the air.
No words were exchanged. Inoue and Shamir knew the cardinal rule of a sniper duel: don't talk to your enemy, you waste time. Their rifles aimed at each other from opposite ends of the horizon, Shamir's Jungle Artemis was prepared to be a match for Inoue's Mystic Eagle IX.
Both also knew the cardinal rule of having a long range HLKMF, that other enemies could always be picked off from afar even if you couldn't hit your primary target.
I'll hold this one here, Inoue thought. Good luck, everyone!
As a member of an oppressed people herself, Kallen wasn't too keen on dropping down and pushing back the Duscurian people. However, saving their lives was better than laying waste to them, which was what had originally been asked of by Viscount Kleiman.
Still, for such a high profile mission, especially against Zero, Kallen would have preferred to throw down with her Guren Mk. 2. Moreover, if she had the choice, she would have loved to have joined Zero. Zero gave voice to those that had none. And, if anything, he seemed a lot more outspoken and charismatic than the business oriented Flame Emperor. Still, she had a job to do and she'd do it, no matter how bad of a taste it left in her mouth.
Unfortunately, before she could start engaging members of the Duscurian forces, she was attacked outright by a swift and fast pair of hard light Maser Vibration Swords or MVSes. She had to use her upgraded Gekka 900, the Red Hornet, to evade.
She turned to see what she recalled from the battle with Zero's forces last time: the Starlight Shinobi. Oh, it had a new name now, the Shadow of Hope. It also appeared to be closer to black than bright purple now.
Kallen changed the right arm of her Red Hornet into a built-in energy lance, the weapon clashing and slamming against the twin swords of the Shadow of Hope. Despite having only 1 weapon versus two, Kallen had the strength and the speed to keep up with the enemy HLKMF user. Sparks flew as Kallen's right arm pushed against the crossed over, blocking weapons of the Shadow of Hope.
"Let me through!" Kallen shouted. "I'm trying to help the Duscur people!"
"By killing them?!" Ayano shouted back.
"You're wrong!" Kallen yelled. "Prince Dimitri wants to resolve this without casualties!"
"The Duscur people will be free!" Ayano yelled back. "That is what Zero has decided, and I will help him through it!"
Ayano began to attack more fervently, forcing Kallen to decide that evasion was a better idea than blocking. She then morphed her left arm into an energy axe and decided to meet the Shadow of Hope head on, their weapons clashing as their foreheads slammed into each other. Sparks flew as their mechanical and hard light metallic heads scraped against each other.
Kallen couldn't fault Zero's resolve. Why oh why couldn't she just help him? But…if she turned…she could never go back to Rome again and everything would be ruined.
I just have to…endure, Kallen thought, endure…and save the Duscur people!
Zero's frontline platoon continued to roll forward unimpeded towards his goal, at least until Dimitri landed right in front of him.
"ZERO!" Dimitri bellowed. "This is retribution for Magdred Way and the Holy Mausoleum!"
"I see a man of your caliber sees only the world in black and white," Zero told Dimitri. He halted his troop's advance. Dimitri alone was a one-man army and a storm of pure destruction. Charging ahead recklessly would only cause unnecessary sacrifices.
"No one may operate outside the law!" Dimitri shouted. "If you have a problem with the way society conducts itself, terrorism is never the answer!"
"Then let me ask you, what would you do, your highness? The Duscur people are people you believe to be innocent of the crimes they've been punished for. Are you simply going to tell them to crawl back under the rock they've found themselves under? Is that your idea of a fair and just rule?" Zero questioned.
"I am not currently in charge of Faerghus! And no matter how much I support the Duscur people, the Kingdom of Faerghus sees them as savages! Only by becoming a fair and just king with a noble reputation would I be able to explain unfavorable policy to the citizenry that trust me before I enact it! I intend to be a transparent king, a good king! And I want you out of my kingdom!"
"There are always options! Don't be stupid! You could join me!" Zero offered. "The validation of a prince's word to the world that I strive for would be the best of both of our worlds! Your kingdom is corrupt and stagnant, full of nobles that prey upon the weak in order to line their own pockets! You will be eaten alive by your own court!"
Dimitri clutched the lance he had generated with his Azurian Pendragon. He didn't want to admit it, but Zero had something resembling a point. And also… "You asked me a question, it is only fair that I do the same. What are the Duscur people to you, Zero? You are aiming for the fall of the Church of Seiros, are you not? So why drag the Duscur people into this?"
Zero held his arms up as if gripping two invisible chalices. "Because it is right!" He declared. "Because it is justice! No one will aid these poor souls that have done nothing wrong to reclaim land that was stolen from them, so I shall do that! And I shall do it no matter the blood that needs to be spilled!"
"You are a barbarian! You don't care about the Duscur people at all! You're using them to fulfill your own ends!" Dimitri hollered angrily.
"The Duscur people want to fight back against the people of Faerghus and I have a vendetta against all those who oppress the weak. As a result, we make natural allies. I would think you would want to support them."
"I do, but…but this is not the way," Dimitri replied, sounding heartbroken. "I cannot abide by the use of force to take what is rightfully deserved, it will only set a sour precedent and it gives validation to terrorism!"
"You can't change the world without getting your hands dirty!" Zero declared, holding his right arm out at his side. "You stand there, the good man, doing nothing, believing in the power of the human spirit. Yet while there are those like you who see only good in mankind, there are plenty who would prey upon it. Ugly, corrupted spirits that take from those beneath them in order to maintain a position of power they cling to like a rope over shark infested waters. You refuse to be one of those sharks. You refuse to leap at the rope and bite it and send those corrupted souls to their doom."
"No man can rule by ending the life of every ruler, local or otherwise, that he doesn't like! That's only going to pile up more bodies and cause more suffering! This isn't the way to do things!"
"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?!" Zero shouted. "You, the prince born into the lap of luxury and never had to fight for anything until his father was killed before his eyes? Sure, you trained, sure, you've killed, but you never wanted this life for yourself. And instead of taking the life you do want, you cling to the foolish notion that you can change your kingdom from the top." Zero held up his left hand as though clenching an invisible glass. "Corruption can only be eliminated if it is pulled out by the roots, to burnt to the ground, and with it, a new Faerghus shall rise!"
"You're wrong! My people need stability, not rapid change! You talk as though your way of violence will solve the world's problems, but it will only lead to the misery of mankind! I will not allow you to drag the world into war!" Dimitri swung his lance out at his side with one hand. "I will tear your head from your shoulders and have the archbishop stick in on a spike in the front yard of the Monastery!"
"Then choose the path of a fool!" Zero shouted at him. "It will not avail you this day! People of Duscur, this is your chance! Seize Prince Dimitri and capture him alive! He must bear witness to see the dawn of my new glory as the one that will transform this world!"
"Avenge us!"
"Kill Zero!"
"Burn him!"
"Burn it all!"
"Kill him!"
"KILL him!"
Dimitri screamed at the top of his lungs. "ZERO! I WILL NOT LET YOU PASS! FOR DUSCUR! FOR MY FATHER! YOUR REIGN OF TERROR…" The green eyes of the Azurian Pendragon glowed and then flashed, "…ENDS HERE!"
(A/N: …So Dimitri's lost it. I wanted to make a longer chapter, but not only is this going to be absolute chaos, I had juuuuust enough content to plug a chapter. Next time, things are going to get messy and the moral confliction and bitterness will reach their peak. Lelouch, this was a simple paralogue in the original, why ya gotta go and complicate it like that man? XD
Well, that's all I've got to say. Until next time, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)