Chapter 15: Battle of Kyushu
A rainstorm occurred at the Kyushu block and inside the Fukuoka Base, a slim man in a suit stood in front of a large number of Gun Ru Knightmare Frames. The man was Atsushi Sawasaki who led the invasion and occupation of Kyushu. Elsewhere, at the mobile base of the Black Knights; core members along with Zero and Fenrir team were watching the news on the large TV about Kyushu being occupied by Sawasaki's forces.
"We hereby declare the resurrection of Japan as a lawful, independent, and sovereign nation!" Sawasaki loudly declared
"Atsushi Sawasaki, leader of the forces that have occupied the Fukuoka military base was once Chief Cabinet Minister of the Kururugi administration in the former nation of Japan." said a male news reporter. "After the war, he fled to the Chinese federation but is apparently making his move in response to the recent civil unrest caused by Zero. Whether or not the Black Knights played a role in these unfolding events is still under investigation."
"We're not part of it?!" Tamaki said irritated
"What does Kyoto have to say about this?" Ohgi asked
"They didn't know this was coming." Diethard said. "They were just notified about his unilateral claims over the Sakuradite mining rights only recently."
"Hmm." Washington crossed his arms. "He's taking claim of the Sakuradite without their say so."
"Zero, it's our move. What are we gonna do?" Kallen asked as he stood silent and pondered what to do
Elsewhere, the Avalon was flying in the air. In the bridge, Lloyd was watching the news regarding the occupation of Kyushu as Cecile entered and stood behind.
"Sawasaki's group was working in conjunction with a terrorist organization in Kyushu." a female news reporter said. "After cutting off vehicle access from Honshu and Shikoku, with support from Chinese Federation forces in the Liaodong military district, they're expanding their occupation in Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Oita. According to General Tsao, the Chinese Federation is providing humanitarian support and is not acting on-"
"So, how's Suzaku doing?" Lloyd asked
"He says he'll do whatever the mission demands." Cecile stated
"I see." Lloyd folded his arms in thought
"And what about Prince Schneizel? Where is he?" Cecile responded
"In the Tokyo settlement. Got there after his run in with Suzaku." Lloyd replied. "With the Knights of Two, Five, Nine, and Thirteen called away on a temporary assignement, Avalon doesn't have its commander right now. But we have to finish this up if we want to counter the Gefjun Disturber." he added, while Suzaku stared at his father's pocket watch with a sad expression on his face at the hangar
An hour earlier...
In Euphie's office, Suzaku in his uniform brought out his badge signifying as Euphemia's knight.
"I dishonored you. I'm not worthy to be your knight." Suzaku said
"If this is about you disobeyed orders, my brother Schneizel said it was an unusual situation, and you shouldn't be blamed for it." Euphie assured
"I can't forgive myself. Please..." Suzaku said in an upset tone
"Has knighthood become a burden for you?" Euphie queried Suzaku. "Is there something that troubles you?"
"No, I'm grateful for it." Suzaku said, shaking his head
"Then, why?" Euphie asked, moving a step closer to him
"I remembered something." Suzaku spoke with an expression of sadness as he closed his eyes before he continued. "I... I killed my father." he confessed which surprised Euphie. "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! A person like me doesn't deserve this!"
Now, Euphemia looked at the badge she was holding as she held on to it with sadness.
"You don't deserve it...? Then, I don't either."
"What do you mean?" a voice said, startling Euphemia as she looked on the terminal to see who spoke.
"Nonette. I was... it's nothing." Euphie assured the Knight of Nine
"Don't play coy with me. I know love when I see it." Nonette smiled mischievously. "I can practically see the arrows of Cupid on you."
"What?!" Euphie blurted out, blushing
"Whoever you have eyes on, tell them how you feel. Tell them what they really mean to you. Pour your heart and let it all out. And if they disrespect you in anyway, they'll have more than just your sister to worry about." Nonette huffed, facepalming. "Then again, you may have to put that on hold considering what's happened in Kyushu."
Euphie blinked. "What do you mean? How something happened recently?"
Schneizel was discussing things with Darlton and staff officers with him in Cornelia's office.
"Martial law is not necessary." Schneizel said. "Such measures would only upset and frighten people. Contact Europia United Foreign Minister Gandolphi. Oh, and put a call into the Tromo Agency in Cambodia."
"Prince Schneizel, using the tromo agency could be of-" Darlton stopped when the doors suddenly opened, and Euphemia entered
"Prime Minister!"
"Yes, Euphie." Schneizel spoke. "Something wrong?"
"Is there anything I could do to help?" Euphie asked. "I'm the sub-viceroy of Area 11. I should be assisting you."
Schneizel smiled at Euphemia's assistance to help. "Thank you. Just your offer to help me is more than enough." he said with a warm smile
"But I..."
"The viceroy gave strict orders that you not entangled in this matter, Princess." Darlton informed Euphie, interjecting.
"She did?" Euphemia replied with worry. "Just because I chose a knight without her consent?"
"Oh, uh... that's not it at all." Darlton assured her. "I think even the Kururugi matter has-"
"Please understand, Euphie." Schneizel cut her off. "Cornelia simply can't take any chances now; the situation is too treacherous."
"You mean..."
"Darlton, concerning the matter we discussed. I know someone who has a weigh in with them, so I will ask for help."
"Yes, your highness." Darlton nodded in response
In the Knightmare hanger within the airship known as the Avalon, the float unit for the Lancelot was carefully being fitted on the seventh generation Knightmare Frame. Cecile was overseeing the process while Suzaku was inside the cockpit of the Lancelot.
"That's really amazing." Cecil said proudly. "You got a perfect rating on the float simulator."
"Thank you." Suzaku said
"Tell me... why did you want to give up being a knight, Suzaku?" Cecile asked as Suzaku had a smile of sadness in the cockpit
"Well, because... Princess Euphemia still approves of me, even as I am now." he said. "So... if I caused her any trouble, if I brought her shame or dishonor, I had a feeling that she would end up hating herself."
The Black Knights were having a meeting on their submarine, being led by Zero while the other members including all core members stood around the room. Aside from Fenrir and Washington, Todoh, Ohgi, and Diethard stood beside them.
"So, you're saying..." Sugiyama
"We aren't going to collaborate with Sawasaki." Zero declared. "He is not independent, only a puppet for the Chinese Federation."
"But he says he's fighting for Japan" Yoshida pointed out
"But nothing would change, would it?" Washington rebuked. "Only a new name and new master."
"Precisely." Valkyrie spoke. "It'll be no different from how things are now in Japan. The only things that would be different are Japan's name returning and the people would be called Japanese again. In layman's terms, the people of Japan will never be free unless they own it by fighting for it."
"But instead of being controlled by Britannia, we'd be controlled by the Chinese Federation." Zero added. "Sawasaki's Japan is nothing more than a sham."
"Yeah? So, what you're saying is-" Tamaki is cut off by Asahina
"When Britannia strike back, we play dead?" Washington asked
"Not quite." Zero replied
"Zero, perhaps you'd better clarify what our overall mission is." Diethard said, turning to face him
"Yeah, he's right." Ohgi said. "Aside the Sawasaki matter, what's the midterm goal in this?"
Zero turned to Valkyrie. "Valkyrie." said person looked at him as all eyes were on her. "What do you think my midterm goal is for the Black Knights?"
She glanced at Zero, before facing the group. "To make Japan an independent nation."
"That is correct." Zero said as everyone is shocked and surprised by this revelation, safe for Washington and Fenrir team
"Independent?!"
"A nation?!"
"Are you serious?!"
"You mean us? A country?"
"He's joking, right?"
Diethard looked awestruck. "I thought so. He's really going all the way."
"Wait a minute!" Ohgi spoke. "No matter how much the Black Knights have expanded-"
"Our enemy is an empire that controls one-third of the world!" Chiba said
"We can't pull that off alone!"
"Answer this, then!" Zero loudly said. "Are you going to sit back and wait for someone else to defeat Britannia? Who? You think if you wait long enough, the right chance will actually come someday? Don't be naive! If we don't stand up and do it ourselves, that someday will never come!"
"It's more than that, more than just an organization or rebellion. This is a revolution!" Valkyrie said. "All of us planned on liberating Japan from the very start, but that alone won't stop Britannia. We need to fight for independence otherwise everything we have worked for and done, would be all for nothing! And we never be free!"
In the Knightmare hangar within the submarine, Rakshata and her team along with Harkov were looking over the Gawain preparing it for use.
"So, this is the Gawain." Rakshata said
"Indeed, it is. This very Knightmare Zero and the others used to escape Kamine Island." Harkov said
"It's a special Britannian experimental unit that was recently built." One of her subordinates said. "Developed by the Zevon family. It's equipped with a supercomputer unit called the Druid system along with the Hadron cannon."
"Who should we give it to for collecting data?" another subordinate asked, looking to Rakshata. "It is a new model."
"That answer is obviously." Harkov responded. "We give it to Zero. And seeing as how it is a two-seater..."
"He's got that woman C.C with all the time." Rakshata said with a smile
"True enough." Harkov, glancing at Rakshata with a nod. "Zero would no doubt want to know the status of the Gawain, mainly if it can be used for missions."
"Tell him we can get it done in no time. And..." Harkov turned to glance at Rakshata. "Tell Washington I plan on seeing him tonight." Rakshata said with a mischievous expression on her face as Harkov simply shook his head before leaving
"Good, it's cleared up." Cornelia spoke as her forces cleared the sky and in one of their carriers
"Now we resume the landing operation." Guilford said to her. "And we'll try to put Prince Schneizel's plan into motion."
"You think the Special Corps can break through their line?" Cornelia asked
"With Kururugi, it's possible." Guilford replied. "Lord Giovanni suggested this to Prince Schneizel beforehand."
"Using him can also mean trouble for us." Cornelia responded, sternly
"There's no commander on the Avalon now, and Earl Asplund isn't capable." Guilford pointed out to the viceroy. "Despite Lady Lubie's father being there. Think again, he did help work on the Avalon."
In the bridge of the Avalon, they were getting signatures of missiles shown on the large monitor.
"We can missiles, incoming!" an operator said. "Launch point appears to be Fukuoka! 1 minute, 5 seconds to impact!"
"Not bad! They'll well-prepared against air raids as well." Lloyd said
"It would appear so. This Sawasaki and Tsao must be a desperate enough duo." Lenard turned to Lloyd. "Is your Lancelot ready?"
"He soon will be." Lloyd replied
"We will see. My daughter and Lord Giovanni spoke highly of him." Lenard said
In the Knightmare hanger, the Lancelot was almost ready to be launched and Suzaku was preparing in the cockpit.
"Are we sending a barrage?"
"We'll be fine in this position?"
Outside, a barrage of missiles made their way to the Avalon and struck upon impact on the aircraft. Despite the attack, the ship was still moving and had its shields.
"Lancelot shields has already proven on the battlefield." Lloyd said, pleased
"Nicely done, Lloyd." Lenard complimented
"Now, now... Lenard, was there ever any doubt?" he cheekily replied
"Now, on the business at hand..." Lenard turned to Cecile. "Would you kindly get him ready, my dear?"
Cecile nodded. "Yes, of course. Major Kururugi, I'm laying out the mission plan for final verification." she said to Suzaku. "This ship will breach the enemy's line from high altitude and move directly to the launch point. The advanced weapon system Z-01 Lancelot, using the float unit, will attack the enemy headquarters at Fukuoka base. The float unit consumes energy fast, so pay attention to your operation time."
"Yes, My Lord." Suzaku pressed the button and had the Knightmare in position, ready to launch with the Avalon's hatch opened and ramp extended. "M.E. Boost."
"Lancelot unit. Now launching!"
"Launching!" Suzaku said, as the Lancelot launched from the long ramp and was in the air with VARIS drawn
Suzaku looked on ready to put an end to the battle in Kyushu. Missiles were fired at the Lancelot as it dodged every one of them. The Lancelot then fired slash harken at the gunships and took them down one by one. In the cockpit of the Lancelot, Suzaku looked and nodded as he was seeing the headquarters of the forces that had occupied Kyushu. Suzaku used the Lancelot's shield to block enemy fire and then countered them with his slash harkens took down another air gunship. The Lancelot landed on the ground and moved forward, proceeding on to the objective. All the while Sawasaki insulted Suzaku for working with Britannia, the very same empire that took over his homeland. Suddenly, the Lancelot was struck from behind as Suzaku saw Gun Ru Knightmare Frames shooting at the Lancelot. The Lancelot dropped the VARIS, as one of the Gun Ru shot and destroyed it. The Lancelot continued to be shot by Gun Ru KMF units, as they kept the Lancelot from countering by shooting off the float unit. This forced the Lancelot to hide in an alley. While in the cockpit, Suzaku looked and saw the readings on the energy filler were getting lower by the second.
In the bridge of the Avalon, Cecile, Lenard, and Lloyd were horrified to see that the Lancelot was being pushed down.
"Are you kidding me?! They blasted off the float unit?!"
"The Avalon has to strike at the base!" Cecile suggested
"No, we can't. The Avalon's shields don't completely surround us, my dear." Lenard Lubie replied in a grim tone. "One direct hit and this ship of ours will go down in flames! That young man is regretfully on his own."
"Suzaku, reroute all powers to combat and comms systems!" Cecile contacting
While in Fukuoka base...
"Got it!" Suzaku did as he was instructed and cut off power in the Lancelot
"I would surrender if I were you, Suzaku." Sawasaki contacted. "Since you are Prime Minister Kururugi's son, I guarantee that you'll be very well-treated, my boy."
"I decline!" Suzaku responded, defiant. "If I use my father's name for this, I'll never forgive myself! This is between me and you!"
"I see. You're very much like your father's son, foolish and stubborn as he was!" Sawasaki ridiculed him
Suzaku looked around and saw that he was surrounded by Chinese federation forces.
"Suzaku Kururugi!" said a female voice
Suzaku was surprised to see Euphie on the upper screen. "Princess Euphemia!"
"Suzaku!" Euphie nervously spoke. "The truth is, you and I... that is-"
Suzaku dodged one attack from the one of the Gun Rus and few more shots the Lancelot evaded. "Sorry, but right now-"
"You see... I hereby command you to love me!"
"Right!" Suzaku answered, before looking confused after what she just said. "What?"
"Huh?"
"Oh, dear." Lenard said
"What?! What is it?!"
"Uh, sorry... but this is private." Cecile said
"Beside, you probably wouldn't be interested in what was said." Lenard added
"And in return, I will love you! Forever!"
"Princess Euphemia..." Suzaku said, trying to escape the Gun Rus
"Suzaku, I love your stubbornness and your kindness and your strength! Your sad eyes, your clumsiness, and the way you have trouble with cats! I love everything about you!" Euphemia loudly confessed. "So, please don't hate yourself!"
"I see that I've made you even more worried than I did before." Suzaku said, smiling sad. "You really are... everything you do is impulsive. When we first met, when you told me you were a princess, when you selected my school, and when you made me a knight."
"Yes, they were all so sudden. That's because... I suddenly realized..." Euphie said with a smile
"But then, in the spur-of-the-moment feeling that's opened so many doors for me!" Suzaku happily said. "Thank you! Princess, can I make one final request?"
"Final?" Euphie spoke in shock
"If something happens to me, whatever it is, please don't blame yourself." Suzaku said happily. "Destroy all records and erase every trace so no one knows what happened to me. I don't want my friends to be sad. Just tell them I transferred school or make up some other story."
Euphie was shocked when she realized what was going on. "Suzaku, don't tell me-"
"Yes. The Knightmare's out of energy." Suzaku told her. "Oh, and please say goodbye to Miss Cecile, Lloyd, and Prince Schneizel for me. I was stubborn all the way to the end."
"Don't die! Suzaku, you have to live!"
Suddenly, a red light appeared Suzaku's eyes once he heard the word live.
"What?"
"FIRE!" Sawasaki ordered
Outside the base, the Gun Rus moved in when two red beams came from the sky as it decimated the units surrounding the Lancelot. Suzaku was surprised as he saw a Knightmare taking out the Gun Ru units one-by-one, before widening his eyes to see the Knightmare from one of Zero's mercs. The visual showed something floating in the sky and it was actually the Gawain with its arms out.
"Zero." Suzaku spoke
In the cockpit of the Gawain, Lelouch and C.C remain floating while Valkyrie headed her to Suzaku's Knightmare.
"I see. So that's the famous white Knightmare called Lancelot." C.C said. "And he's fighting recklessly as ever."
"Yes, but he seems to be following someone else's plan." Lelouch said, astutely. "They sent in a single fighter into trying to disrupt the main force. Even if he fails, Cornelia can move right in."
"Of course they throw in the expendable asset first before anything else." he heard Alice said on their private comm channel
'Are you behind this idea, Schneizel?' Lelouch thought. "Alice, you get his Knightmare fueled for energy while I deal with some minor annoyances." he said in their private comm
"Got it." Alice said while the Gawain opened fire on the gunships using the Hadron Cannons
"I thought the Hadron Cannon was still in development!" Cecile said
"It was before it was stolen on Kamine Island, if I recall correctly" Lenard replied
"They made the beams converge?!" Lloyd spoke in an unhappy tone with a shocked expression. "I wanted to be the one who perfected that system!"
"Hmm... looks like integrating the Gefjun Disturber has worked." Rakshata said. "But that float system is more advanced than mine. So, my opponent is Earl of Pudding. We were collaborating inadvertently. Oh, how distasteful."
Wash had his arm around her shoulder. "Well, you at least one upped him with the Hadron Cannons." he said, as she gave him a flirtatious smile
Valkyrie stood in front of the Lancelot. "Suzaku Kururugi. Is the Lancelot still operational?" Zero asked through an open channel
"Zero, I thought so." Suzaku glanced at the Valkyrie. "And it looks like you brought one of your mercenaries."
The Valkyrie held an energy filler and offered it to the Lancelot. "An energy filler?" Suzaku said surprised
"Our target is the enemy command center. What will you do?"
"Would it be possible for you to join me?" Zero asked
"What is this?! They're helping him?!" Sawasaki shouted out
"Sorry, but you aren't going your wish." Suzaku said, sheathing his MVS and took the energy filler. "I'm going to hit them first, my way." Suzaku then placed the energy filler inside the Lancelot as the Knightmare's energy was restored.
Alice scoffed with a smile. "Figures." she said to herself
"Then, let us finish this." Zero declared
The Lancelot, Gawain, and Valkyrie proceeded to charge the command center. The Chinese Federation forces went on the attack, but the trio were able to counter against them and strike them down by the ground. The Gawain's Hadron Cannons destroyed the group of tanks, while the Lancelot and Valkyrie used its Slash Harkens on the forces around them. Black Knights and Britannia Empire were watching the display of all three with Washington smiling at the display before him. It was then that they were contacted by Sawasaki.
"Zero! Shouldn't we be fighting together as comrades?!" Sawasaki asked. "Don't you care about Japan?!"
"The Black Knights stand against anyone who uses violence unjustly for their own selfish end." Zero replied
"Selfish?! I am doing this for Japan!" Sawasaki insisted
"If this is for Japan, why did you run away to the Chinese Federation in the first?" Suzaku responded. "You should've stayed for everyone's sake, Sawasaki!"
Sawasaki gritted his teeth at Suzaku's response. "You're still a child!"
"Don't deny the truth!" Alice countered. "All you're doing giving Japan to the Chinese Federation! The so-called independence of Japan you speak of is nothing but a sham and everyone knows it!"
Suddenly, Sawasaki along with Tsao and those with them felt a tremor. The Gawain broke through and enter the base, with the Lancelot and Valkyrie in tow. Cornelia and her forces were taking down Knightmare Frames piloted by the terrorist group in Sawasaki's entourage and Chinese Federation Gun Rus. The core members of the Black Knights were watching the battle in Kyushu with Zero, Valkyrie, and Suzaku dominating against Chinese Federation forces in their submarine. Sawasaki and Tsao decided to make their escape as they were riding a car.
"What's wrong with going to another country, then waiting for the right moment to strike?!" Sawasaki asked, still annoyed at Suzaku's response. "That's an effective strategy, isn't it?"
"We can set up a new line of defense at Kagoshima." Tsao suggested
"Right. I appreciate your help."
Just when they were close to the helicopter, it was destroyed by slash harkens as Sawasaki and Tsao were shocked to see the Valkyrie towering them. The Lancelot appeared behind the Valkyrie along with the Gawain as it hovered.
"Sawasaki!" Suzaku called out
"That's far enough." Zero said
"You are finished." Valkyrie added
"Impossible!" Sawasaki said with a mortified look. "They took the largest fortress in all of Kyushu, with hardly any effort!"
Sawasaki and four members of the former Japanese government were taken into custody after the battle once Zero and Valkyrie fled in their Knightmares. Over half of the Chinese Federation forces on Kyushu were captured as well, claiming General Tsao was acting on his own. They were also requesting all POWs be released in accordance with the Tibet Convention. Elsewhere, the Knights of the Round are watching the news of the ordeal but knew full well of what transpired. The Knight of Two simply stroked his chin, due to the events regarding Kyushu.