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Chapter Text

Prologue

Lelouch vi Britannia: Origins

Throne Room, Pendragon – Holy Empire of Britannia, 31 March 2009 a.t.b.

A set of large doors swings open in the throne room of the Imperial Palace, allowing sunlight to grace the courtroom.

"Announcing the 17th heir to the Britannian Imperial Throne, His Royal Highness, Prince Lelouch vi Britannia!" A man's voice shouts across the room.

Through the open doors, a small child strides in. He has light, black hair with resolute violet eyes that weren't wavering from their target. He wore a small white dress suit with a black lining, a jabot, and a red cape held by a gold aiguillette. Despite being a child, one could easily see him for the Prince that he was.

As he makes his way to the Emperor, the Royal Court, who was bowing before the young Prince, did what many in the Royal Court do when they thought no one could hear them.

Gossip.

"I heard the Imperial Consort, Empress Marianne, was slain within the Palace."

"There's no way terrorists could've gotten in."

"Which means someone must have been-"

"Shh! Quiet, lest you wish to regret those words."

"Yet, the boy remains, even after his mother's death."

"Doesn't matter. They're finished, and so are the Ashford family supporting them."

"And his little sister?"

"Heard that they shot her in the legs. Lost her sight, even."

"Blindness caused by trauma, no doubt."

"Makes no difference. Now she can't even be married off for political gain."

Lelouch heard them. He paid them no mind, however. They weren't the real reason he was here. No, he stared down at the one he was here.

Ahead of him sat an elevated throne. On it sat a large man wearing a full dress uniform with a purple frock jacket with golden lining, an aiguillette, and a golden Britannian insignia on its left. He also wore epaulettes and light purple pants tucked into tall black boots, as well as a jabot. His grey hair with long curls, short grey beard, and hardened royal violet eyes indicate his age and experience.

Yet, the image that surrounded him was unmistakably that of a man who was the Monarch of the most powerful nation on Earth.

The 98th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire, Charles zi Britannia.

Lelouch reached the foot of the throne and kneeled before it, his head low. "Your Majesty, my mother, the Empress, is dead."

"Old news." The Emperor said, his tone coldly monotone. His violet eyes revealed no emotions as he stared down at his son. "What of it?"

Shocked, Lelouch looks up at his father with wide eyes. "What of it!?"

"You dare request an audience with the Emperor just to tell me that?" The Emperor, scowling, turns to his advisor, who stands at his right. "Bring the next one in. I have no time to entertain children."

"Father, wait!" Lelouch tried rushing up the stairs. He stopped, however, as the Royal Guards of the Emperor stepped forward, blocking his way with their rifle-halberds. The Emperor raises his hand, ordering the Guards to stop.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The Guards said, pulling back their rifles and stepping back to his side.

"Father!" Lelouch looks up at his father. "Why didn't you protect Mother? You're the Emperor, the most powerful man in this nation, if not the world. You should have protected her! And now, you won't even visit Nunnally!"

"I have no use for that weakling." The Emperor cuts in.

"Weakling?" Lelouch gaped at the Emperor's words.

"That's what it means to be royalty." The Emperor stated coldly.

Lelouch looks down, his body trembling with anger and frustration. "Then I don't want to be your heir anymore. I renounce my claim to the throne!" He glares up at the Emperor.

Behind the young prince, many in the room gasped. Many began a commotion regarding the young prince's act. Lelouch ignores them.

"I'm sick of all the fighting and scheming to see who will succeed you! I had enough!"

"You are dead."

Silence grips the room. Lelouch gapes once again. But before he could say anything, the Emperor continued.

"You are dead. Dead from the moment you were born. Who gave you the fine clothes you wear, the warm comfort of a home, the food you eat, and your very life!?" Charles glares down at Lelouch. "All these things I have given to you. In short, you are nothing to me because you have never existed! Yet, you dare speak such foolishness to me!?" Charles stands up, towering over the small prince. Lelouch cries out, falling back.

"Lelouch, you are dead to me. Therefore, you are not entitled to any rights." Charles growls, cold eyes looking down at the boy. "I'm sending you and Nunnally to Japan. As prince and princess, you'll serve well as political bargaining tools."

Royal Infirmary, Pendragon – Holy Empire of Britannia

Beep.

Why?

Beep.

Why was this happening?

Beep.

Just days ago, everything was okay.

Beep.

Where did it all go wrong?

Beep.

Those were Lelouch's thoughts as he sat on a chair, his head facing the floor. Next to him, a young girl with fair skin and short brown hair lay on a hospital bed, connected to a heart monitor.

His eyes glance at the girl's legs. The hospital blanket may hide them from view, but he doesn't need to see them to know their state.

This girl was Nunnally vi Britannia. Lelouch's younger sister. And she just recovered from an attack that claimed her legs. While not needing to be amputated, the damage is severe enough that doctors doubt she'll ever walk again.

Lelouch clenched his fists. What did they do to deserve this?

He thinks back, remembering those nightmarish moments on those stairs. He remembers seeing his mother's body over Nunnally, protecting her from the gunfire. Nunnally's wide violet eyes were shaking as her mother bled out above her. And he, a few steps above, looked down upon the tragedy, horrified.

He remembers it all.

Including the loud wailing that soon filled the room.

The young prince's eyes became wet, tears threatening to drop.

How? That was another question in his mind. How had terrorists entered Pendragon unnoticed? They were in the heartland of the Empire. The Capital. The most secure location in the Empire, short of an underground bunker.

How have terrorists snuck in, killed his mother, crippled his sister and leave without so much a trace?

Foul play is the only thing he could reasonably suspect. Someone had to have helped them. Someone powerful. But who?

His mother had many enemies, given that she was but a commoner, not of noble birth like the other consorts. Yet, not only did the Emperor marry her, but many could see that his mother was the most favored of all his wives. Which begs the question...

Why didn't his father do anything?

He may be a child, but Lelouch considered himself quite observant. And he saw no action being taken.

No sanctioned manhunts.

No proper investigation.

Nothing.

"Why..." He mutters, teeth gritting.

A groan from the bed draws his attention. His head swivelled to see Nunnally stir awake. "Nunnally!"

"Lelouch?" She whispers, eyes still closed. "You're there?"

Lelouch grabs her hand. "I'm here. I'm right here. Don't worry."

"Oh... okay." Her voice sounds weak. "Where... are we?" Her head moves around, trying to see.

"We're in the infirmary. It's okay, we're safe here."

"Okay..." Nunnally said before falling silent. "Lelouch, it's... really dark. Why are the lights off? Is it nighttime? And... why do my legs feel weird?"

Silence filled the room as Lelouch grimaced. His mind races. What can he say? How can he say it? And should he even say it?

Should he lie?

Nunnally, hearing nothing, turns to her brother. "Lelouch?"

Lelouch looks back at her, studying her vulnerable expression.

No, he can't lie to her.

Especially about this.

So he spoke the truth. Spilling out everything that has occurred, from the moment their mother died to the moment their father sent them away.

After he was done, silence fell upon the siblings once again.

"Lelouch," Finally, Nunnally spoke. "Can you stay here?"

"Of course, Nunnally," Lelouch said, holding her hand to his face. "I'll never leave you. Never."

"Yes." Her voice started cracking. "Please... don't leave me... don't go..."

Soft sobs prowled the room as he drew her into an embrace. The young girl let it all out on his chest.

At that moment, Lelouch made a vow deep in his heart.

He would protect Nunnally.

Whatever the cost.

Aries Imperial Villa, Pendragon – Holy Empire of Britannia, 20 March 2009 a.t.b.

The Aries Imperial Villa is one of the most beautiful lands within the enormous Imperial Palace. With its bountiful gardens of vibrant flower beds, lovely green pastures, crystal clear watersides, and the breathtaking architecture of its massive castle with its white walls and its royal purple spires, it was the beautiful home of the vi Britannia family, and it was truly a sight to behold.

Outside, three people sat together on a red couch underneath a marble domed cover. In front of them stood a young teen with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes, with his board in front of him. He wore a purple suit with gold highlights over a white shirt with a green string tied in a bow around his collar. This was Clovis la Britannia, 3rd Prince to the Imperial Throne.

"Are you done yet?" A young girl stood on the right side, wearing a bright pink dress with small brown boots, her hair styled in pigtails. The young girl's face was frozen with a smile as she leaned in and held onto her mother.

"Nunnally, you've been saying that for the past hour." On the left stood a young boy, keeping his face silted and his posture strong and proper. He wore a white suit with royal purple and dark dress shoes.

"That's because he's taking too long."

"Just let Clovis finish." Lelouch tries not to let his face drop at his sister's antics. Besides, the boy knows why she's being impatient. It's so she can go and play with her half-sister Euphemia.

"Now, now, you two. Let the poor boy finish." In between them sat a beautifully tall woman. She had raven black hair flowing down her back and striking violet eyes. She wore an indigo blue dress with a similar-colored hat. This was Marianne vi Britannia, one of the Emperor's many wives, the Imperial Empress Consort, and mother of the two children.

After a moment, Clovis steps back from the portrait and gives a proud grin. "All done, My Lady. Behold!" Clovis said, turning the painting around and proudly displaying it to the vi Britannia family, who let out light gasps as they took in the beautiful portrait of them. Its clarity was as if someone had just taken a photograph.

"Finally!" Nunnally exclaims, cheerfully smiling while stretching her body. "I can move."

Lelouch silently agrees, loosening up his limbs as well. Now then, where does one go to find a chessboard? Perhaps Clovis is eager to lose another match. He thought with a grin.

As Nunnally stretches, she looks up to her mother, specifically at her big, fluffy hat, and she lets out a mischievous grin.

Hearing laughter, Lelouch turned to see his sister running off with her surprised mother's hat on her. "Wait, Nunnally! Give that back!" He chases after her, failing as the little slip passes his arms. Clovis cackles as he watches his younger half-brother struggle to catch the cheerful girl, who ran off with the hat on her head.

Marianne giggled and gave a gentle smile at her children's antics.

Truly, there were no better children a mother could ask for.

Japanese Airspace – Japan, 2 April 2009 a.t.b

"Lelouch."

The young boy's eyes fluttered open. He looked around and saw he was in the interior of an aircraft. Seated next to him, Nunnally shook him awake.

That's right. They were on the Royal Shuttle, en route to Japan for 'diplomatic purposes'.

They were given only a day to pack their essentials before they got sent to Japan on the Royal Shuttle. Lelouch remembers how some of their siblings and a couple of knights came to watch them leave. Some gave them pitiful looks while others looked indifferent to their plight. Clovis looked sullen as he watched them go, with his little sister, Laila, beside him, holding his hand as she watched, saddened as well. Another sad, young girl with long pink hair, Euphemia, tried to walk over to Lelouch before being held back by her older sister, Cornelia, who shook her head, her expression similarly sullen.

Those were the last moments the vi Britannia siblings saw in Britannia before leaving.

"Are you alright?" Nunnally asked, eyes ever closed, but the way her head tilted made it apparent that she was addressing him.

He shakes his head, getting rid of the grogginess. "I'm fine, Nunnally. Just had a dream."

"Oh, what was it about?" She perks up, willing to learn more.

However, the young prince just turns his head to the window, gazing at the beautiful Japanese landscape below. Nearby, he sees a massive mountain with a snowy peak. From his research on the island nation of the Far East, Lelouch easily recognizes it. Mount Fuji, a volcano and the highest mountain in Japan, whose beauty and resources have attracted both domestic and foreign eyes.

This was going to be his new home for the foreseeable future. And he hated it.

"Nothing too important."

Kururugi Shrine, Shizuoka Prefecture – Japan

Lelouch grunts as he takes another step. He wore a beige T-shirt and white pants held up by dark green suspenders and dark shoes.

"Are you sure you're okay, Lelouch?" Nunnally asked, concerned, as she rode on his back. She wore a pink T-shirt with a white skirt held up by yellow suspenders and brown shoes. The two siblings recently touched down in Japan and were being escorted to their new residence, the Kururugi Shrine. It was a shrine located at the summit of a steep and tall hill, near Mount Fuji. It was there that they would finally meet their Japanese hosts.

Why does a shrine have to be on a steep hill, of all places? Lelouch complains, taking another step.

A group of suited men, the Security Police of the Japanese government, escorted the two royals. One carried Nunnally's wheelchair, while the others held their packed supplies.

"I'm fine, Nunnally," Lelouch said, sweat pouring from his flushed face. It's pretty obvious that, no, he was not fine. However, he would rather die than allow anyone else but him to hold her.

Nunnally frowns, hearing the obvious effort and strain in his voice. She then tries to help by directing his attention to something else. "You said that we're going to meet the Prime Minister of Japan, right?"

Lelouch grunts, moving up the stairs. "Yep. Genbu Kururugi is his name." Though, given this nation's odd naming conventions, perhaps it was supposed to be said the other way around.

"Wow, so that means that Japan must have some royalty?" Nunnally asked, her face lighting up at the prospect of meeting other royals from another nation.

"Nope." Lelouch grunts. Another step. "They don't have any royals. Or a Monarch. Not anymore."

"Oh, what happened?"

"Apparently, the Emperor of Japan and his family died during the Great War," Lelouch explains, taking another heavy step. "They haven't had a royal family since."

"Oh. Then why do they still have a Prime Minister then?" Nunnally asked, head tilted.

"Don't know." Another grunt. Another step. "My guess is because they haven't found his body since, they're probably holding on to hope that he's alive somewhere."

The two siblings continue their conversations until they reach the top.

At the top of the shrine, by the entrance gate, a group stood waiting for their guest to arrive.

A bald elderly man stood by the entrance, watching and waiting. He wore a black and dark-green kimono and held a wooden cane in his hand. He was Kirihara Taizo, founder and head of Kirihara Industries.

A tired sigh leaves his lips, before looking at his side. Next to him stood a tall man with brown hair and eyes, wearing a white button shirt, dark green pants and boots. This was Kururugi Genbu, Prime Minister of Japan. By his legs stood a young girl with long black hair and green eyes, wearing a white kimono with red lining and a thin circlet around her head. This was the 4-year-old Sumeragi Kaguya, heir to the prestigious Sumeragi family, as well as Genbu's niece. Near the pair stood a young boy with brown hair, green eyes, and a white and navy blue kimono. He was Kururugi Suzaku, son of Genbu and cousin to Kaguya.

They were all here waiting for their guest. Two Britannian royals. A prince and a princess. Apparently, they were sent here to study from home.

Kirihara narrows his eyes. One does not live as long as he does in his industry without having a keen eye for things like this. And this right here was downright suspicious.

Britannia hasn't been exactly too discreet about its intentions within the Pacific. From the small clashes with Japanese fishing boats to the encroaching Britannian presence from nearby Britannian territories such as the Philippines, Britannia has made it clear. It wants to be the most dominant power in the region. And given how the Chinese Federation is doing little to stop it, that may very well end up becoming true.

Speaking of China, the massive nation has been experiencing internal problems lately on the Asian mainland, muddling its ability to exercise control over the Pacific. Though frankly, Kirihara wasn't exactly torn up about it. He's positive that if these problems didn't exist, the Chinese Federation would be the next greatest threat to Japanese sovereignty after Britannia.

Still, if there is one thing that both nations agree on, it's that Britannia could not gain a significant foothold in the Pacific.

The elderly man let out another sigh. Seems that this world is going mad, with three superpowers ruling the world with very few nations remaining neutral.

Though it wasn't all bad news. After all, Japan held a unique position on the global stage. It was the world's largest producer of Sakuradite superconductors. Such a position meant that it was easier for these superpowers to just trade with them, rather than trying to grab those resources for themselves.

It also benefits him, given it's his company that's mining and selling the Sakuradite, raking in great wealth for both him and the nation at large.

Though the industrialist wonders, how long will that status quo last?

Kirihara can't make out why Britannia would send their royals here, of all places? What does Britannia hope to accomplish by doing this?

Before he could think about that further, he looked up, hearing grunts and steps. From the entrance, a young boy carrying a girl on his back came up and walked past the gate. The boy comes to a stop in front of the group, panting, yet still holding the girl. Behind them, the Security Police walked through as well, carrying what he suspects are the royal's belongings, as well as carrying a wheelchair, which one dropped next to the boy.

The young boy lowers the young girl into the chair before staring up at them, watching them with obvious distrust. Not to say the feeling wasn't mutual among the Japanese.

A silence fell before the princess spoke in English. "Lelouch, did we make it?"

Lelouch looked back at her. "Yes, we made it." He said, with a small smile.

He then looks back at them and takes a breath. "Hello, I'm Lelouch vi Britannia, and this is my sister, Nunnally vi Britannia." And in a move that surprised them, he bows his head slightly. "W-we're grateful for your care." He said, his reluctance in his voice complemented by his small frown.

"Hello." The girl, on the other hand, waved her hand with a smile.

Huh. Well, if there is one thing that the old man can make out, it's that this is going to be an interesting spring.

Lelouch stares wide-eyed, gaping. This has to be a joke, right?

"Well, Lelouch, how is it?" Nunnally asked, seated in her wheelchair.

After their introductions, the siblings were led to their living quarters, which Lelouch had been gaping at ever since they arrived.

It's a storehouse. A dusty, old two-story storehouse with two old wooden doors that were open, revealing an interior that wasn't much better. Everywhere he looked, he saw that dust covered practically every surface. Packed boxes were found here and there, with a wooden ladder leading up to the second story. The young prince continued to gape at the abysmal sight of their new home.

Was this truly all they had left? He knew, since the Emperor had sprung this up on not only him and Nunnally but the Japanese government as well, this left them with very little time to prepare. But still... this...

"Lelouch?"

To his sister, there's only one thing he could say. "O-oh, it looks wonderful, Nunnally." Lelouch stammered. That might satisfy her for no-

"Oh! Then can you describe it for me?" Nunnally clapped her hands, smiling.

Or maybe not. With an internal sigh, Lelouch carries on. "Well, it has walls as white as snow, with flower patterns all over. It even has a picture window." He said, grimacing at the dusty boxes.

"Oh, so it's like Euphie's room, then?"

"Yeah. Small though, but I think it'll be enough for us." Hell, he might make what he said a reality if he has. For her, he would do anything.

As he's about to tell her to stay here so he can clean up, he notices movement in the shadows of the storehouse. "Who's there!?" Lelouch shouts, making Nunnally jump in fright.

"Come out of there! Whoever you are!" Lelouch shouts again after hearing nothing. Then he sees movement on the second floor.

"Don't talk like you own the place."

The young Japanese boy from the entrance stepped out from the floor above them.

"This was my place before you got here." Suzaku Kururugi said in accented English, as he made his way down the ladder, glaring at them.

Lelouch glared back, while Nunnally sat quietly.

"You Britannians sure have a lot of nerve coming here." He said as he stood before them. "Trying to colonize Japan now, huh!?"

"Japan controls a lot of nations too, you know." Lelouch points out with a smirk. "You just do it with money, to economically underdeveloped nations."

Lelouch remembers while researching that Japan has a significant hold on the global market, making certain nations depend on it economically. Made all the easier when you have a very sought-after resource like Sakuradite.

Taken aback, Suzaku stammered. "Um, well..."

Lelouch's smirk grew. "In my eyes, Japan and Britannia aren't any different."

"That's a lie!" Suzaku shouts, scowling at the young prince.

"It's not. Go ask your father."

"You're a liar! Why should I believe you when you lied about the walls here?"

"Huh?" Nunnally lets out. Lelouch frowns, glaring at the Japanese boy.

"White walls with flowers? And where is this picture window you speak of? You're nothing more than a liar!"

"Shut up!" Lelouch rushes the boy, but before he can react, the Japanese boy lands a gut punch, leaving the prince breathless. As Lelouch falls to the ground, holding his stomach, kicks start raining down on him.

"How do you like that, you stupid Brit?" Suzaku said as he continued his kicks. "Don't mess with us, you gaijin!"

"Stop it!" Lelouch tries getting up before being stomped back down. "You barbarian!" The young prince grunts as the blows continue.

"Stop it, please!" Unable to bear her brother's pained grunts, Nunnally cries out. "I don't know who you are, but please stop! I'll do anything, just please stop!"

Suzaku stops and looks at her. He then takes a proper look at her and notices that her eyes are closed. Just as they were back at the entrance. In fact, he hasn't once seen her eyes open...

"You're... don't tell me, you're blind?" He asks, wide-eyed.

"Yes," Nunnally answers, clasping her hands together. "So, don't worry about me. There's isn't anything I can do."

She places her shaking hands on her lap, tears building up on her closed eyelids. "I can't run. I can't fight. So please..."

He stares at her before glancing down at Lelouch, who grunts as he picks himself up. He glances rapidly between the two siblings, a conflicted expression growing on his face.

"I'm sorry!" The boy shouts before fleeing out the storehouse.

Lelouch stares at the back of the running boy, making his way to Nunnally.

"Lelouch, are you okay!? Please, tell me you're alright!?" Nunnally asks, frantic about his health.

"Don't worry, Nunnally. He didn't hurt that much." He tries to hide the pain in his voice. Judging by the frown on her face, however, he failed.

"Who was that? It sounded like a boy." She turned her head to the doors, where she had last heard the boy run away.

"I think that was the Prime Minister's son, Suzaku Kururugi." He said, staring out at the doors as well, the Japanese boy long gone.

This was the first day the Britannian siblings interacted with Suzaku Kururugi.

Living Room, Kururugi Shrine

"So, I heard that Kururugi-san had met up with the two Britannians." Kirihara said to Genbu, who sat across from him, drinking his tea. As the evening rolled on by, the men had a late night chat.

Genbu looks up at him. "So you've heard?" He sighs, putting down his cup. "Well, with how he's acting, looks like it didn't go well for him."

"Oh, how so? They didn't trouble him now, did they?" Kirihara asked. Though, given how the kids portrayed themselves, he doesn't see them winning the fight.

"No. He's uninjured." Genbu clarifies. "With how they looked coming in, it's unlikely they fought him. Though, what happened? He won't tell me."

The elderly man hums. "Well, you know how children are."

Genbu hums as well. "True. So," The man's gaze turns cold. "Did you find anything?"

Kirihara knew what he meant. "No. None of my sources found anything suspicious."

Kirihara had people search the Britannians' belongings and couldn't find anything worthy of note.

The Prime Minister furrows his brow. This whole situation was far too suspicious for his liking. The Britannians are up to something, and those children are a part of that thing.

Somehow.

"Keep searching. We can't let the Britannians get the drop on us."

Kururugi Shrine – Japan, 3 April 2009 a.t.b.

Lelouch opens his eyes as he's being nudged. Immediately blinding himself as the morning rays hit him, he turns to see that Nunnally has sat up next to him, her hand on him.

"Lelouch." She nudges again.

Groans leaving his mouth, he gets up. Looking around, he remembers that he and Nunnally spent a night in the storehouse. After much cleaning, he cleared a place for both of them.

Still, this was obviously still a storehouse. Not much he could do.

"Hey, Nunnally. Slept well?" Lelouch asked.

Nunnally hums. "Yep. Now, come on. We have to get ready."

The young boy sighs before standing.

After getting ready, they headed over to the shrine. Inside, the cooks prepared the food, though Lelouch was insistent that he would taste Nunnally's food first before her.

Just in case.

Though, by the looks of everyone at the table and the chefs, his actions haven't garnered him favourable looks, looking offended at the insinuation.

As breakfast ended, the siblings were at a loss for what to do next.

"Hey, Lelouch. How about we explore the shrine?" Nunnally proposes that they explore the shrine. Lelouch pauses in thought, with Nunnally glancing back at him, a smile on her face.

"Sure," Lelouch said with a smile of his own. It could clear the mind. As well as providing him with an overlay of this shrine.

Kururugi Shrine Dojo

Tohdoh Kyoshiro stared at the panting boy in front of him. A tall man with brown hair, Lieutenant Colonel Tohdoh is an officer of the Japanese Armed Forces, tasked with a multitude of responsibilities.

Currently, one of them is training the son of the Prime Minister in martial arts. However, he noticed today that something was off.

"What troubles you, child?" Tohdoh asked the young boy, looking up at him.

"Nothing." Suzaku shakes his head as he gets up.

"Your moves are becoming more and more sloppy." Tohdoh points out. "Something is obviously clouding your mind. Speak."

Suzaku looks down, his face showing how conflicted he truly is. "Um, sensei?"

"Yes?"

"Does... does Japan control other nations using money?

Tohdoh raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you ask?" Tohdoh asked, prodding for more information.

"Well, I heard someone say that yesterday, but..." He furrows his brows. "They could be lying, right?"

Yesterday, huh? Wasn't that when the Britannians came?

"Hmm, what do you think? Are they lying?"

"... I don't know. Maybe. I thought of asking you. Maybe you know more."

"Hmm, it's not my area of expertise, but I do believe that we have significant influence overseas because of our Sakuradite. Again, I ask, why are you asking? What brought this up?"

Suzaku hesitates, then sighs, before telling Tohdoh what happened in the storehouse. The lying from Lelouch, the confrontation and the fight.

After he was done, silence filled the dojo.

"I see." Tohdoh said. So, that was the reason. Still, he could still tell that was not all. "I don't know why you're so troubled by this, though. Is there something else you're not telling me?"

Suzaku flinches, then sighs. Leave it to Kyoshiro-sensei to see through him.

"W-well, when I got a closer look, the girl was blind and in a wheelchair. Still, she was telling me to stop. She was protecting her brother, while I..." He looks away in shame.

Ah, there it is. Tohdoh could see it now. The boy's conflicted as the image of what he perceived about the Britannians didn't match with what he saw.

"Well then, what will you do now?"

Brown eyes look back at him, surprised.

"Now that you have this knowledge and shame, how will you go about resolving it?" Tohdoh stared at him.

Conflicted eyes meet the ground. "I don't know."

Tohdoh sighs. "Well, I know that, regardless of wherever you're born, it's common decency to apologize when you've committed a wrong."

Suzaku's eyes widen.

"Well then, I believe we've done enough for today. You are dismissed."

Tohdoh slightly bows to Suzaku, the boy slowly returning it. Then Tohdoh watches as the boy leaves, eyes still conflicted, but this time, a glimmer of resolve shines through that storm.

Tohdoh closes his eyes as he sits down to meditate. As he does so, a small smile appears.

Kururugi Shrine

As Lelouch pushed on Nunnally's wheelchair, he described all that he saw. The structures, the sights, as well as the symbols that he saw.

"Wow, this shrine sounds amazing." Nunnally said, her imagination going wild with all her brother's descriptions.

"Yeah." Lelouch has to agree. While not from Japan, he can see the beauty.

As they moved, they came across a small pond. On that pond floated some flowers, as well as some koi fish swimming.

"Hmm, is that running water?" Nunnally asked, head moving around as if to see.

"Yep, we're next to a pond."

"Oh, is there anything special about it?"

Lelouch inspects the pond. "Well, the water is clear. I can see everything inside. There are a couple of fish inside. They're red with white marks, like koi fishes. There's also a beautiful white flower blooming on top of the water."

"Oh, what type of flower?" The princess' mind conjures a multitude of flowers that she remembered reading about.

"Um, looks like some kind of special lotus flower." The brother tries to identify the flower. With its white petals and a golden center, it really looked like some kind of lotus flower.

"Hasu."

The sudden voice startled the siblings. Turning their heads, Lelouch sees that, not too far from them, stood Suzaku. The boy froze like a deer in the headlights at the sudden attention.

He looks down, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "D-don't know what they call it in English, but we call ithasu."

Lelouch narrowed his eyes. What's going on? Is he planning something?

"What does it mean?"

The two boys look down at Nunnally, who kept her expression calm.

"What does the name mean?" Nunnally asked again, a bit wary as she remembered what happened yesterday, but curious about the flower.

Suzaku hesitates before answering. "Well, the flower represents purity. You know, like the soul." He moves closer to them. "That a soul can be pure, regardless of its environment."

"Sounds wonderful. Doesn't it, Lelouch?" Nunnally glances up at him.

"Um, yeah. Yeah, it does, Nunnally. Suits you very well." Lelouch answered, keeping an eye on the Japanese boy. One that does not go unnoticed.

As Suzaku stands before the siblings, he takes another breath and falls to his knees, stretches out his arms and plants his head on the ground.

"Please forgive me!"

"Huh?" The sibling said, facing down at the bowing boy.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I had caused to you yesterday. I-I have no excuse for my actions. Still... I must apologize for what I've done."

Wide violet eyes looked at him. Lelouch didn't actually think that this boy would apologize.

After a moment of silence, Nunnally makes her decision.

"May I have your hand?" Nunnally asked, making Suzaku shoot his head up in surprise. As she holds out her hand, Suzaku stares for a moment before slowly placing his hand in hers.

Nunnally smiles. "You have very soft hands. What was your name, again?"

"K-Kururugi Suzaku."

"Well, Kururugi, I'm willing to forgive you. Though that depends on what my brother says." Nunnally turns to Lelouch, who makes a sour face.

Clearly, the memory of what happened yesterday still made him feel unpleasant. However, looking at his sister's face, with that bright smile of hers, he feels like he'll let it go for now.

For her sake.

With a sigh, Lelouch says. "Ok, fine. I forgive you too. Just don't do it again, got it?" He crosses his arms and looks away. Nunnally chuckles, and even Suzaku lets out a small smile.

After a while, Nunnally asked. "Kururugi, would you like to join us? This is your shrine, so you know everything, right?"

"Um, right." Suzaku stands up and looks around. "This way, you may like this." He walks off.

Lelouch pushes Nunnally's wheelchair as they follow him.

"Thanks, Lelouch. I know it was hard for you to do." Nunnally said, twiddling her fingers. Seeing this, with a sigh, Lelouch assures her.

"It's fine, besides that kindness of yours is what I like." He gives a smile. Nunnally, not seeing it but knowing it's there, gives one back.

And with that, Suzaku leads the smiling pair on a proper tour of the shrine.

Kirihara looked at the scene with surprise.

Suzaku was leading the Britannians on a tour of the shrine, explaining all that he could. While the brother pushed the sister around, each discussing whatever caught their eye.

Taizo hummed. He might not have to worry about the boy after all. Seems like he's getting along pretty well.

Who knows, this might even be the start of a long and beautiful friendship.

He then sighs. Now, if only Kaguya-dono was this welcoming to her peers.

Kururugi Shrine – Japan, 10 May 2009 a.t.b.

A shrilling scream shocks Lelouch into wide-eyed consciousness. He sits up, eyes glancing around for any intruders, only to find his sister screaming and flailing next to him.

A nightmare!

"Nunnally!" He hugs her, awakening her from her night terror. "Nunnally, wake up, it's just a nightmare!"

"L-Lelouch?" Nunnally asks, tires flowing past her closed eyelids.

"It's me, Nunnally." He hugs her tighter. "I'm here, Nunnally. It's okay."

The blind girl lets out a sob as she hugs back tightly. Lelouch ignores the growing wet spot on his shirt, focused solely on calming his sister down.

Again.

Ever since the attack at Pendragon and coming here to Japan, she's been having these nightmares.

Every single time, his heart pains.

And every single time, his hatred for his father grows.

Kururugi Shrine – Japan, 14 September 2009 a.t.b.

Nunnally took a whiff of the flower in her hands. Lelouch, behind her, described it as a flower with white petals and a golden center. It also smells very nice.

It's been almost half a year since they lived in the shrine. And it's been an eventful series of months. While they had a rocky start, Lelouch and Suzaku have been getting along well. Good, she was afraid that their animosity would be a hindrance during their stay here.

Now, those two usually just get into trouble with Mister Tohdoh and get scolded by him when caught.

Nunnally smiles at the fond memory. It's almost enough to make her forget what happened.

The smiles drop as she thinks back about Britannia. About her family. And about what happened to...

She shakes her head. No, she can't break now. Not in front of him. Not again.

She wasn't blind to her brother's effort to keep her safe and comfortable, ironically enough. Even since they left Britannia, Lelouch had since then picked up the slack.

And as time went on, the guilt within her grew.

Here was Lelouch, her brother, who would move a mountain for her if she wished so. And what does she have to show for it? Nothing but a smile on her face.

"Nunnally, you're alright?" Lelouch asked over her shoulder. "Your flower..."

Grasping with her fingers, she could tell she accidentally crushed the flower.

"Nunnally, what's wrong?" Lelouch asked, voice laced with concern.

"Ah, it's nothing, Lelouch. I'm fine." She puts on her brightest smile. She can't further burden him.

However, she feels even Lelouch doesn't believe her. Though, before anything could happen, the two siblings heard a loud shout.

"Kaguya! Where are you going!?"

The two siblings turn to where they heard the voice. It's Suzaku's voice. Though, why is he screaming?

"If you can't help me, I'll do it myself!" Another voice, a girl this time. What's going on?

"But wait, the sun's about to go down!"

As she hears the two argue, Lelouch speaks. "Well, I guess that's our cue to head back." And with, he pushes the wheelchair.

An odd silence follows the siblings as they make their way back.

"You're sure you okay, Nunnally?"

"Yes, I'm ok. Just... a little saddened that I lost the flower. It smelled really wonderful." That wasn'tentirelya lie. She was a bit sad that she lost the flower.

Lelouch hums. "Don't worry. I'll get you another one."

"Really?" She glances back at him.

"Yep. Just you wait."

She smiles, but inside, she wilts a bit. Truly, what did she do to deserve someone like him?

Kururugi Shrine Dojo

Earlier

"Hah!"

Swing.

"Hah!"

Swing.

"Hah!"

Swing!

In the Kururugi Dojo, Suzaku stood in the middle of the room, swinging around his shinai. Sweat poured down his head, some even flying due to the force of his swings.

Near the door sat Sumeragi Kaguya with a bored look as she stared on. She was the heir to the Sumeragi Clan, a clan with close relations to the Kururugi Clan. In fact, Kaguya was engaged to Suzaku, despite being cousins.

"Why are you still playing with that stick? Practice was over a while ago."

Swing.

"I have to be disciplined if I want to be a good Samurai. And it's not a stick, it's a shinai." Suzaku answered, still focusing on his swings.

Kaguya tilts her head. "So, you want to be a Samurai? Why?"

"So I can be a good Prime Minister." He wipes off the sweat on his brow.

"You need to be a Samurai to be a Prime Minister?"

"Yes." Suzaku turns to her, lowering the shinai. "It was Tohdoh-sensei who told me that. Said both my mind and body must be tempered."

"So, you can become a Samurai with that shinai?" She asks.

"Um... well..." Suzaku tries looking for the proper words to explain.

"Can you become a Samurai if you want to?"

"Yep! As long as I work hard for it, I will definitely become one." Suzaku grins brightly.

"Oh..." Suzaku could pick up a bit of a somber tone from her.

"Well, what do you want to be, Kaguya-san?"

"Huh?" She looks at him, surprised.

"When you grow up, what do you want to be?"

"Why do you ask?" She eyes him with suspicion.

"You asked if I wanted to be a Samurai."

Kaguya frowns. "What I want to be has nothing to do with me."

"Why?" Suzaku asked, surprised with her answer. What does she mean 'has nothing to do with me'?

Kaguya growls. "Stop asking."

Suzaku, however, continues. "Don't you have a dream? Something you want to be in the future?"

Kaguya looks down. "Grr, stop asking already! It doesn't matter what I want. My father, my grandparent, my clan. They make the decisions, not me."

"Kaguya..."

Kaguya rises to her feet, glaring at him. "Enough! Kaguya wants to play something else. I'm tired of studying."

"Your studies will end in a few days. You just have to be patient." Suzaku explains, trying to calm her down.

"By that time, I'll be heading back to the Sumeragi House." Kaguya rants. "Having to do tea ceremonies and other stuff like that! That's not any better!"

Suzaku rubs his nape, unsure of what he must do. "Uh... well sorry, but it's something you must do."

"What I want to do is play something! So," Kaguya points at him. "Take me outside to play."

Suzaku shakes his head. "Sorry, but you heard Kirihara-sama. I'm not allowed to bring you out. I must heed his ord-"

SMACK!

"Ouch!"

Suzaku holds his head in pain. In front of him stood Kaguya, anger on her face and a shinai in hand. Which she used to hit Suzaku with. Repeatedly.

"Stupid! Fool! You're an idiot, Suzaku!"

"Ah! That hurts! Don't use it like that!" Suzaku cries out, blocking some blows with his shinai.

Kaguya huffs. "Fine then! I don't care about you!" She rushes out of the Dojo.

"Kaguya! Where are you going!?" Suzaku shouts from within the dojo.

"If you won't help me, I'll do it myself!" Kaguya shouts as she leaves the shrine and disappears into the shrine forest.

"But wait, the sun's about to go down!" Moments later, Suzaku emerges from the shrine.

"Kaguya! Where did she go!?"

In the shrine's forest, Kaguya walked, huffing and pouting as she did.

"Stupid Suzaku. Kaguya doesn't need him. Kaguya can do this all by myself." She huffed as she continued further into the forest.

Earlier today, she was just doing her studies as told by Kirihara-sama, because she was the heiress to the Sumeragi.

However, she's been doing all these duties, day in and day out, and honestly, she's becoming sick of it.

Like all children, she wants to do for herself.

Something fun!

The moment the opportunity came, she went out of the shrine to see what Suzaku was up to. Turns out he was just having a fun day catching various bugs with his friends. However, instead of letting her join him, he refused. Saying that wasn't an activity fit for an heiress such as herself. That Lord Kirihara disapproved of it. That it may look bad on the Sumeragi clan.

Then later on, after Kendo training with Tohdoh-sensei, he continues practicing, leaving her in her lonesome.

Huff. Fine then! If he won't help her, she'll do it herself. She doesn't need him.

Though maybe it wouldn't hurt to have company, she muses, glancing around at the darkening forest.

Wait, didn't Kirihara-sama say to her that an Oni lived in this forest? Demons that ate children?

You know, maybe she should have gone when the sun was still high up. Yeah, that's right. She can just go and-

She steps on a twig, its snap echoing louder than she expected.

"Who's there!? Come out!" A sudden voice angrily calls out.

"Ah!" She let out.

Taking fearful steps, she reveals herself and sees a pond. On the other side stood... something. She couldn't see actually as the sunbeam from the setting sun blocked her gaze. The only thing she could see, however, was that whoever stood there had bright violet eyes.

The boy in question, who was Lelouch, raised an eyebrow.

"What the... it's just a little girl?"

Is... is this what Kirihara-sama warned her about? He was a boy, but something about this boy told Kaguya that he wasn't like other boys. He stood there with clear lavender eyes and a white-pedaled flower in hand.

"Are... are you an Oni?" Kaguya asked.

"Oni," Lelouch mutters, rubbing his chin as he remembers where he heard that. "Japanese demons." Suddenly, a mischievous thought ran through his head, accompanied by a devilish smile.

"Perhaps I am."

Fear seizes the little girl. "Do... Oni eat children?"

"Perhaps I do." The smile grew wider as he took a step forward.

"So you're going to eat Kaguya!? Wait, Kaguya isn't tasty!" Kaguya steps back, waving her hands as if to dissuade the monster.

"I won't know unless I try." Lelouch takes another step.

"Ah!" The girl tries to think of a way out. She perks up, an idea quickly forming in her head.

"If you eat Kaguya, then the Sumeragi clan will come after you!" She points at him, smiling triumphantly.

"Who?" The supposed Oni raised an eyebrow.

Kaguya's finger wavers. "T-the Sumeragi clan, they'll become your enemy if you hurt Kaguya."

Lelouch scoffs. "And why should I care?"

Kaguya's eyes widen. "Huh?"

"That's just a human rule. Has nothing to do with me."

Baffled, she tries again to dissuade him. "Kaguya is the Sumeragi clan's princess!" She stands her ground, though the slight tremor in her stance betrays her fear. That's right, she's the Clan's heir, their princess. She should show this demon the respect she deserves.

"Really? A princess, huh? Still, how's that supposed to make me scared?"

"Um... Kaguya... they..." For once, the girl couldn't properly answer the boy. "T-they can fight you! Yes, we have the power to defeat you!"

Lelouch raises a brow. "Oh really? Ok then, what can you do?"

"Huh?"

"What can you," Lelouch points to her, smirking. "Do that can stop me? Alone as you are now?"

The girl remains quiet.

"Nothing, huh?" Lelouch waves away at the girl. "That's disappointing, especially after all that talk. Run along, little girl."

"What?"

"I said, go. I won't eat you. So go along. Shoo. Back to where you came from. Before I change my mind." Lelouch waves again.

The young girl stared wide-eyed. Was it that easy?

She can go back? Back to her life?! Back to her clan, back to all those studies, back to all those practices and all the other duties that came with being the Priest Princess?

Kaguya frowns and looks down. Surprising the boy, she sits down on the ground, hugging her legs.

"Eh? What's this? Why're you sitting on the ground?"

"Kaguya doesn't want to go back." Kaguya quietly mutters, the Britannian barely being able to make it out.

Lelouch blinks, then sighs, shaking his head.

This girl.

"Is that so? Fine, whatever. Do what you want." He said, turning around and picking up the flowers from the pond, Kaguya watching as he does. She tilts her head, curious about the supposed demon.

"Are you going to eat those flowers?" She asked.

"No, these flowers are for my little sister. She said they smelled wonderful, so I'm going to leave her some next to where she sleeps." He explains as he continues to pluck the flowers.

"Onis have little sisters?"

"Of course I do."

"Huh."

It never occurred to her that Onis had families. Though, then again, it makes sense. Otherwise, how could they do things alone? They're very much like a human, then, huh?

As Lelouch gathers the flowers, a moment of silence takes the two.

"Are you going back to the demon world?" Kaguya asked.

"Yes."

"You have no fangs." She said, glancing at his mouth. "No horns either." She added, looking at his head. "And you don't look all that different from humans."

"What's your point?" He looks back at her, irritated.

The Princess slowly stands up. "If... if you promise..."

"Promise?"

She takes a breath and quickly utters. "If you promise not to eat Kaguya, then Kaguya will allow you to take me away with you!"

"Ha?" Lelouch raised a brow.

"Kaguya allows you to take her away from here!" She rambles, getting more vocal. Her eyes light up with excitement. "Kaguya has had enough of all the dancing, waving bells, and incantations. I want to do what I want. Something fun!"

Lelouch sighs, shaking his head while muttering. "I guess Princesses are the same wherever you go."

Kaguya rushes up to him. "So, what life do you lead? Is it any fun?" She asks, excitement coursing through her veins.

"And why should I take you with me?" He asked, deadpanned.

"Huh?" Kaguya tilts her head.

"I ask, why should I take you?"

Kaguya steps back, her enthusiasm waning. "B-because Kaguya has allowed you..."

Lelouch narrows his eyes. "That still doesn't answer my question. Why should I take a boring girl like you with me?"

"Kaguya's not a boring girl!" She said, showing a frown. "And you should be honored to have someone like me by your side."

Lelouch rolls his eyes. "Why? Early on, you had no power of your own. So, why should I listen now?"

Kaguya opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Try as she might, she could find no answer to the supposed demon.

"See, you are a boring girl, one with no value at all."

"Take that back! Kaguya is an important person, and you will do well to know your place!" Her fists shake as she glares at the Oni. She will not take any more slander coming from this demon.

The Prince scoffs. "Please, it's not you who's important, but your Clan. You only have power because of your clan, not you. Nobody likes you."

"No, Kaguya's important! The Sumeragi members listen to me!" The princess shouts, holding a hand to her chest.

"Only because they ain't allowed to disobey you." A scowl appears on the boy. "I know your types. Because you are the Clan Princess, they obey you because it's their job. Not because you did something that earned their loyalty. Therefore, you're a boring girl."

"No, I'm not! Stop it!" The young girl shouted, stomping her foot.

"Or what? You're going to give me an order?" He steps up to her, daring her to do so.

The girl glares up at him; however, the tears and fear in them don't make for an intimidating sight. "I-I will. If you don't listen... then the Clan will-"

"And there you go again with your Clan. Can you not do anything on your own? Is your Clan all that you are? Truly, you're a boring girl." The boy spat out before turning around and walking off.

"Huh? Where are you going? Come back!" The young girl commanded, unwilling to let him get away.

"No, I'm going. I thought taking you along would have been interesting, but I see now. You're a boring, obnoxious girl that nobody likes. Who'd want that?"

"B-but... I'm not a boring girl."

"Then prove it. Show me you aren't a boring girl. That your Clan isn't the only thing you have to your name." Lelouch said, looking over his shoulder.

"Until then, bye-bye, boring girl."

The supposed demon leaves the pond and heads into the forest, leaving behind Kaguya with tears threatening to fall.

Kaguya isn't a boring girl!

Right?

Meanwhile, Lelouch walked on, carrying those flowers. However, a thought ran across his mind.

Regardless of where you were from, Princesses will remain the same. Guess Japan and Britannia ain't all too different.

Still, a part of him feels bad about making a girl like that cry.

"Kaguya! Kaguya!" Kaguya heard Suzaku calling out.

"Kaguya!" As Suzaku enters the pond, he rushes to the girl on the ground. "Are you okay?"

The sniffing girl looks at Suzaku, her bloodshot eyes indicating it wasn't too long since the girl was crying.

"Suzaku... why...?"

"Are you hurt? Do you want me to carry you?' Suzaku looks the girl over, trying to find any injuries.

"Why are you here? Don't you hate me?" The girl looks down, uncharacteristically meek.

"Huh? It's heading to the night. And what are you talking about? Hate?"

Kaguya hug herself tighter. "Kaguya said mean words to you. Threw stuff at you. Hit you with that sword. Aren't you mad?"

"No." Suzaku answered, causing her to look at him with shock.

"But I hit you..."

"It wasn't as serious as you think it was." Suzaku tries to placate the girl. "Besides, I saw how lonely you were. So I'm sorry for letting you play with yourself. It must have been hard to get the attention you wanted."

Kaguya's eyes fill up with tears. "Suzaku! I'm sorry!" She hugs him.

"Kaguya!? Seriously, what has gotten into you?" He tries to calm the crying girl.

Through the tears, Kaguya thinks back on those words the Oni left behind.

Boring girl.

Can you not do anything on your own? Is your Clan all that you are?

Then prove it. Show me you aren't a boring girl. That your Clan isn't the only thing you have to your name.

Kaguya's not a boring girl.

A spark lit up the girl's eyes.

She'll prove it alright.

Kururugi Shrine – Japan, 21 September 2010

"Checkmate," Lelouch said, smirking as he placed down his chess piece. Across from him, Suzaku sat with a frown. He glared down at the chessboard. Next to the boys, Nunnally sat, clapping her hands to her brother's victory.

"Again!" The Japanese boy shouted, pointing at him.

"Aren't you tired of losing? This is your fourth match," Lelouch said, setting up the chessboard for another round.

"I'm not stopping until I win."

Nunnally giggles. "You remind me of our brother, Clovis. He always kept on challenging Lelouch, no matter how many times he lost."

As she continued giggling, a familiar face entered the scene from behind.

"What are you playing?" Kaguya asked, looking down over Suzaku's shoulder at the chessboard with curious eyes. Suzaku jumped a bit, quickly facing her.

"Kaguya? Wait, aren't you supposed to do your studies?"

Kaguya pouts. "Kaguya's done with her studies. Now, what are you playing?" She focuses back on the board game.

"We're playing chess," Suzaku said.

"Chess?" Kaguya repeated, her eyes widening in recognition. "So this is chess, huh?"

She remembers reading about that game during her studies, with the board game interesting her, given its similarity to Shogi.

She faces Lelouch. "Then can I play?"

Lelouch glanced at Suzaku, who shrugged at him. "You can," Lelouch said, watching as Suzaku moved and allowed Kaguya to sit down.

"Do you know the rules?" He asked, to which Kaguya shook her head.

"This is my first time, so treat Kaguya well." The girl said, clapping and smiling brightly.

After teaching her the rules and how the pieces move, the two began their match. Throughout the game, the young prince noticed something peculiar.

Is this really her first time?

He noticed that as time went on, she improved. With every move he made, she countered with a well-placed piece. She quickly blocked any checks he made. Any attack he made, she sprang up a good defense, sacrificing her pieces wherever she could. And whenever she attacked, she did so with surprising ferocity. She was doing pretty well, but not well enough to beat him.

Still interesting though.

"Checkmate," Lelouch said, finally cornering Kaguya's king after dwindling her pieces until too few remained.

"Oh." Kaguya pouts at her loss.

"Don't be so down. You did surprisingly well for a beginner. Makes me wonder if this is truly your first time." Lelouch said, crossing his arms.

She looks up, a smirk replacing the pout. "Well, of course, Kaguya did well on her first try." She said, head turning up. "It's only expected of someone of her caliber."

Lelouch smirks. "It's still not enough to beat me, because only so many pieces you can sacrifice before you run to pieces to use." He said, bringing her down as she pouts again at him. "These pieces, these pawns," He holds a pawn. "Every piece has its use, and with its sacrifice, you lose that use. So, you better make it count.

The young princess glances down, a small frown as she takes in the young prince's advice.

"Don't worry, Kaguya-san," Nunnally said, smiling. "Onii-chan has also been good at chess, always beating Clovis and the others back in the homeland."

Lelouch smirks, head tilted up in pride.

"Although he could never really win against big brother Schneizel." She added, having the boy grimace at the reminder. Both Suzaku and Kaguya giggle at the sight.

"Is that so?" Kaguya asked, a teasing smile aimed at him.

Lelouch looks away, pouting. "Hmph, I got better. Next time, I'll defeat him."

"Didn't you say that last time, though?" Nunnally asked, her smile growing more mischievous. "And the time before that?"

"Nunnally!" Lelouch turned to his sister, cheeks red as both Suzaku and Kaguya let out a laugh.

"Guess you weren't enough to beat him then, hmm?" Kaguya tilted her head at him, grinning.

The young prince scoffs. "You'll see." He said, setting up the chessboard again. "Soon, even he won't be able to best me."

Kaguya looks down at the ready board. "Really? Then let's play again."

Lelouch looks at her, brow raised. She explains. "Since you want to beat him, and Kaguya wants to beat you, it's only natural that we play again. Also, this is a lot of fun." The girl said, smiling brightly. "So much better than studying."

"What makes you think you can beat me this time?" He smirks.

She leans forward, grinning. "Well, what makes you think you could ever beat your brother?"

Lelouch's eye twitched. "Alright, princess. Let's have another match."

Kaguya happily claps, grinning. Once the chessboard was set up, she took up a white pawn, making the first move this time around.

Lelouch shakes his head at the girl and moves to counter her, though a small smile is on his face.

This girl.

Kururugi Shrine – Japan, 09 August 2010 a.t.b.

"Checkmate," Lelouch said as he placed down the piece in his fingers.

Across from him sat Suzaku, frowning as he stared down at the board game. Funnily enough, this time it wasn't Chess.

It was Shogi.

A Japanese board game that, once Suzaku had had enough of losing in chess, decided that he would introduce the Britannian to a new game. One where the Japanese boy was certain he would win.

"Cheater!" Suzaku pouted. It only took Lelouch learning the rules and playing one game to utterly trounce Suzaku.

Repeatedly.

"How can I cheat in such a game?" Lelouch raises his eyebrow, desperately trying to hide a smirk.

"You must have, somehow. No one can get so good so quickly!" Suzaku pointed out.

"Sorry, Suzaku, but Lelouch's always been like that. Winning every strategy game placed in front of him." To the side, Nunnally sat in her wheelchair. "You might want to try something else."

Suzaku lights up, inspired by an idea. "Ok then, how about we do Kendo next?"

"No." Lelouch immediately declines.

"Oh, come on, you need the exercise anyway."

Lelouch crosses his arms. "I won't engage in stick-hitting practice just because you're tired of losing to me."

"You make it seem like you don't do the same with chess," Suzaku said, doing the same with his arms. "And it's Kendo, not stick-hitting."

"How about we play something that I would like?" Nunnally offers, clapping her hands. "That's fine with you guys, right?" She gives her usual bright smile to the two boys, neither of whom has the heart to disagree.

After all, who could say no to such a beautiful smile?

"Well then, what do you produce?" Lelouch asks. As Nunnally thought of what to do, Lelouch reminisced about his stay here in the shrine.

For many months, he and Nunnally had lived here, making it their home. A thought that doesn't displease him as it once did.

It's certainly helped when they had friends to weather through all that came their way. Lelouch takes a glance at Suzaku.

While they had a rough start, as time passed, Lelouch appreciated his presence. And even considers him he's best friend.

Turning to Nunnally, Lelouch smiles. While she may have hidden it well, he could still tell that she was still shaken up with everything that had happened. Her stiff smile. Her robotic-like movement.

The night terrors.

Yet, he could see that she was doing better in her stay here in the shrine. Not fully recovered, but that smile of hers is becoming more and more genuine and beautiful.

Even the people here weren't too bad. Well, except for the Prime Minister. But Lelouch can't exactly fault him. He'd make for a terrible world leader if he didn't suspect them.

But the others, such as Tohdoh and Kirihara, proved to be very interesting people. Even Kaguya, after the incident in the pond and the many chess matches, surprised him. Looks like there was more to her than just some boring princess.

He had seen many things over their stay here. From the cultural to the societal. Many things in Japan are new to the Britannian, yet many things were also familiar to him and his homeland.

With that thought, Lelouch makes a small frown.

Britannia. He still has bitter memories and unanswered questions from his homeland.

Why was his mother murdered?

Why hasn't his father done something?

Why were he and Nunnally abandoned?

Why?

"Oh, I know." Nunnally perks up, excited. "How about we play Shiritori? It was fun the last time we played. Also, it would help us with our Japanese."

Ah, that game. Another Japanese game that Suzaku taught them, where you say the words starting with the last sound from a previously said word. Similar to word chains, except that instead of letters, they used Japanese syllables.

Nunnally very much enjoyed that game. Very much so that even Suzaku had trouble keeping up. It was only Suzaku's experience and extensive vocabulary that won him the victory. Though given how quickly Nunnally was picking up the language, it was only a matter of time.

"Come on, it'll be fun for all of us, won't it?" Nunnally clapped her hands, still smiling. The two boys glanced at each other before shrugging.

"Sure then, Nunnally," Suzaku said, smiling.

"It would be nice to improve my Japanese as well," Lelouch said, a smile also growing on him as he watched Nunnally's and Suzaku's expressions brighten up.

He may not get the answers he seeks, but he won't allow that to stop him from living his life, from cherishing moments like these.

You are dead.

But he will find those answers.

His mother's grave deserves that closure.

"Great! Let's get started!" Nunnally exclaimed, excitement practically glowing from her.

Chiba's Coast, Chiba – Japan, 10 August 2010 a.t.b.

As the morning sun rose, a loud wailing sound woke the people of Chiba. Rudely awakened, every man, woman, and child got up, wondering what that noise was, with some recognizing the sound to be coming from the air siren.

The siren continued, with many people walking out of their houses, glancing around. Couples held on to each other anxiously while children did the same with their parents. Soon, the coastal city had everyone, man and woman, young and old, all stood wondering what was going on.

Was this a typhoon warning?

As the announcement continued, detailing what they were to bring with them, the confusion just kept growing.

Then, people began to hear a particular sound. A loud hum coming from the ocean. The Chiba residents looked out and saw dozens of dots in the sky.

As the dots drew closer, they could make out its shape. They were planes!

With a grey hull with a lengthy wingspan compared to normal aircraft, featuring forward-swept wings with two engines underneath each wing and red-lining tailfins, the presence was new to Japanese civilians.

The military, though, recognized those planes.

Those weren't simply just planes.

They were bombers.

Specifically, the Capsule Corporation B-22 Strategic Bomber. A Britannian bomber.

The bombers flew above them with their bomb bay doors open, releasing their payload. Under the pull of gravity, the explosive ordnance reached their targets and unleashed hell.

The detonations consumed all those nearby, killing many and wounding even more. Now thoroughly frightened, people abandoned any sense of calm and ran to safety. Sadly, with the number of bombers above, safety was nonexistent.

Not too far, a military convoy rushed towards the town. Armored trucks, carrying troops and equipment, and tanks raced through the streets. Above them, the sky screeches as Kirihara F-2s fly off against the Britannian bombers and their Capsule Corporation F-23 fighter escorts.

In one of the armored vehicles, Tohdoh, in charge of the battalion heading into battle, scowls at the devastation and turns on his communicator, shouting. "ALL UNITS, PREPARE TO ENGAGE!"

The troops disembarked from the trucks as soon as they reached the city, with some moving to secure the terrified and screaming populace, and others began digging in for the upcoming fight, especially as they saw the many ships on the horizon.

Ships that were distinctly not Japanese.

Near Kururugi Shrine

Lelouch and Suzaku stood on top of a cliff they had climbed over. In the distance, they could see many aircraft, fluttering around like flies around Mount Fuji.

Suzaku stared on with wide eyes at the explosions and smoke he could make out from a distance. While Lelouch grimaced as he recognized to whom those planes belonged.

They were Britannian military crafts.

It's clear to the two boys what was occurring before their very eyes.

The invasion of Japan has begun.

Unknown Location – 12 September 2010 a.t.b.

Lelouch stared down at the fire in a barrel in front of him, his expression blank. Next to him sat Nunnally in her wheelchair, just as quiet as he was.

Off to the side, Suzaku stood, watching the orange sun set on the ocean. A somber look on his face as he no doubt thinks back on what has befallen his beloved nation.

The nation that fought for nearly a month.

And fell within that same month.

An entire month.

That's all it took for Japan to capitulate. He could scarcely believe it, even though he had just seen it with his own eyes. Yes, militarily, Japan cannot compare to Britannia, but he had expected Japan to put up a fight for at least a year, maybe even longer if they could get the other superpowers involved.

Goes to show just how effective Knightmare Frames truly were.

Knightmare Frames. The young prince thought as he glanced at the devastation left upon this coastal town, which they found refuge in. His eyes took in all the destruction left behind by those new, giant walking war machines of the Britannian military. Bipedal in design and towering over their enemies, they were also more nimble than tanks with similar destructive power.

Compared to them, the Japanese military was outmaneuvered, outgunned, and with no allies, outnumbered. Adding the suicide of the Prime Minister, Genbu Kururugi, and the nation's fate was sealed.

Lelouch glances at Suzaku. The Japanese boy didn't take his father's death very well. He fell into a kind of shell-shocked trance. It was only his need to protect Nunnally and Lelouch that kept him going.

As the Britannia invasion forces drew closer and tensions boiled over, it became unsafe for him and Nunnally to stay there, as that would invite nothing but a justified excuse to get rid of them. Thus, with Suzaku in tow, they escaped from both Britannian and Japanese Forces.

The struggles didn't end there. As they traveled the country, Lelouch and Suzaku bore witness to the worst of mankind.

Corpses. An entire field of corpses. Bloodied bodies of innocent men, women and children lay still. A pungent smell of metallic blood and other bodily fluids filled the air.

It was almost enough to make the boys vomit. Thankfully, Nunnally couldn't see it, though that didn't stop her from asking about the source of the repulsive smell as they travelled through the bloodied field.

Lelouch didn't have the heart to tell her the truth.

Now, here they stood, in the ruins of the broken coastal town. Brooding as day came to a close. Uncertain of what was to come.

The former prince clinched his fists.

There has been a ringing in his head, even since his mother was dead. And it only grew stronger with his stay in the oriental nation.

Why?

Why?

WHY?

Rage filled the boy as he thought back on all that had happened. His mother's death. He and Nunnally's abandonment. The suffering the Japanese have experienced.

Rage aimed at the source of all this suffering. The Holy Empire of Britannia. And the one who stood above it all.

His father.

"Suzaku.." The sheer venom in the boy's voice startled Suzaku and Nunnally. "Mark my words."

When Lelouch lifted his head, what Suzaku saw drove a chill down his spine.

Sharp violet eyes glowing with a passionate inferno.

"I... I will..."

An inferno that threatened to engulf all who had wronged them.

"I WILL OBLITERATE BRITANNIA!"

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

A Day A New Demon Was Born

Babel Tower, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11, 10 August 2017 a.t.b.

On the outskirts of the central Tokyo Settlement stood a series of towering structures, all surrounding the Settlement. Each is made with stark white concrete and massive reflective windows and panels, giving it an almost rainbow-like appearance.

These were a series of commercial complexes that fueled the growing economy of the Settlement. One particular tower stood out among the rest. And that was Babel Tower.

Known for its immense wealth, many nobles gather in the tower. Flaunting their status and wealth to all those close enough to see.

And in one of the tower's many rooms, one Britannian nobleman sat bored, filling his nails. He had brown hair and blue eyes and wore a wealthy suit with a red jacket and brown pants.

In front of him was a coffee table with a chessboard on top. Further on, sitting opposite the noble was a balding man with glasses, also wearing a suit with a vest and a bowtie. Compared to the calm, confident noble, this man was visibly sweating, eyeing the chessboard with fear.

Surrounding the two men stood a group of guards wearing suits of their own.

In the background, a television set attached to the wall showed a news reporter. "This is a video of yesterday's terrorist bombing in Osaka." The reporter said, a small screen next to her was showing smoke coming from a building. "Death toll puts 8 Britannians and 51 others killed in this horrible attack."

A buzzing noise from the chess clock sounded out, startling the bald man. One of the suited guards turns to the bald man. "You're out of time. From now on, you only have 20 seconds per move."

The noble looks up, blowing on his nails. "Very well, I'm game." He said, smirking.

The bald man looks down at the board fearfully, even more sweat pouring from him.

Suddenly, behind them, the doors of the room open, revealing two new guests. The bald man, looking back and recognizing the two, jumps from his chair in joy. "Thank heavens, I'm saved! How are things going at school?" The man makes his way to them.

The noble raises his eyebrow. "So, these are your substitutes?" He narrows his eyes. "Schoolboys?"

Indeed, the two were schoolboys. One was a tall boy with dark hair and violet eyes. He wore a uniform that had black trousers with black shoes, as well as a black jacket with gold lining and a golden symbol at the collar. From what the nobleman remembers, that uniform belongs to the Ashford Academy.

"Hmph, well, look at this, a nobleman." The boy said with a smirk.

Behind him, the other schoolboy was shorter than him and wore the same uniform. However, he wore a helmet with goggles covering his dark blue hair and grey eyes, and wore red, thick gloves.

The noble taps the table with his pen, agitated. "I envy the youth. So much time on their hands." He then smirks. "So much time for regrets. Your name, boy?"

"Lelouch Lamperouge." The boy, Lelouch, gives.

Next to him, his friend looks down at the board and shouts. "Woah! Woah! There's no way you can win this, no matter how you go about it." The boy explains to Lelouch. And his concern isn't entirely unfounded.

Looking down at the board, anyone with a good eye for chess could see how black was at a disadvantage. Checkmate was only a couple of moves away.

However, while at a disadvantage, victory was not impossible.

"Rivalz, when do you think we have to leave in order to make it back in time for our next class?" Lelouch asked, unfazed. Rivalz, looking at his friend in confusion, answered. "Ah... 20 minutes if we're willing to bend a few rules."

"Then be sure that you drive safely on the way back." Lelouch takes his seat. "I won't take long. Just 9 minutes is enough." He then addresses the bald man. "Ah, about yesterday..."

The man nods. "Understood, sir. We'll discuss it later."

"9 minutes? You only have 20 seconds per move." The noble explained.

Lelouch picks up the Black King. "More than enough."

"You're starting with the King!?" The noble bellows out with laughter.

Lelouch smiles.

Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Near Central Tokyo stood the largest academy this side of Area 11. This is Ashford Academy. Massive and extravagant, big enough to include a chapel along with other multiple buildings for hosting classes and club activities, it was truly a beauty to behold.

Outside, on the Academy's massive, crowded lawns, sat three schoolgirls, discussing and eating their lunch.

One girl had shoulder-length blonde hair, dark blue eyes, and a curvy figure with fair skin. She wore the Ashford Academy uniform. However, instead of it being black, the uniform instead had a light yellow jacket with gold trims and black cuffs. Underneath the jacket was a white shirt with a dark green tie, the Ashford insignia woven in gold on it. She also wore a short black skirt with knee-high navy blue socks and black shoes. She is Milly Ashford, President of the Ashford Academy Student Council and granddaughter of the Headmaster.

The next girl had long orange hair and yellowish-green eyes. She also wore the school uniform. She is Shirley Fenette, a member of the Student Council and the Swim Club.

The last girl had short, dark green hair and wore glasses over her indigo eyes. She, just like the others, wore the Academy uniform. This is Nina Einstein, also a member of the Student Council.

"Where's Lelouch?" Milly asked, holding a capped cup with a straw in her hands.

"He went outside. Rivalz took him." Shirley answered, eating her lunch with a pout.

"Oh, so what will it be this time? Poker?" Milly said with a grin, well aware of the two students' out-of-school ventures.

"They seem to forget that they're a part of the student council!" Shirley said, pointing to Milly with her fork, a cherry tomato on its tip. "They're off gambling for money! Lulu may be smart, yet he wastes his talents on such stupid things. He should focus on his schoolwork, getting high grades."

"Oh, how I wish my darling Lulu would be a serious man." Milly teased, causing Shirley's cheek to redden a bit. "Oh, how adorable is that?"

"Madam President, please..."

On the side, Nina ate her lunch, wondering what punishment the President would employ this time for those two.

Suddenly, another schoolgirl runs past the girls, catching their attention.

Ah, Maya's going on another errand again. Milly thought, recognizing the student who was running out of the Academy gates.

Freeway, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

On a particular freeway of the settlement, a truck barreled across at dangerous speeds, nearly crashing into many cars along the way.

"Great!" Said the driver of the truck. He wore a grey coat and hat, which obscured his identity. "We finally steal this damn thing, but no. Tamaki just had to not stick to Naoto's plan, and now look!"

He refers to the Britannian VTOL following them from above.

"Just keep on driving!" A feminine voice brought his attention to his passenger, who also wore the same obscuring clothes. "The quicker we lose them, the better!"

Babel Tower

At the bottom floor of the tower, elevator doors open to reveal the schoolboys, Lelouch, who walked with a calm demeanor, and Rivalz, who had a wide grin.

"You know why I love playing against nobles? It's because they're always willing to pay out of pride." Rivalz said, looking at Lelouch. "By the way, that was a record for you. 8 minutes and 32 seconds."

"He didn't have much time to move, either," Lelouch said. "Besides, as opponents go, nobles are tepid. Overprivileged parasites are what they are."

"Then why don't you challenge the Elevens?" Rivalz said, facing Lelouch while walking backwards. "They're nothing like us Britannians."

Lelouch stares back, bothered by the thoughtless words. Sure, he knows that Rivalz isn't really a racist, not truly, but the fact that he said that is still bothering.

Alas, the consequences of the Britannian Social Darwinist propaganda.

As they made their way outside, across the street, a Jumbotron was attached to a building. On it, the news showed smoke from a building. Around the schoolboys, people respond to the news with fear.

"What are they trying to prove?"

"Killing innocent people..."

"Those Elevens scare me."

Truly, Britannia's influence spreads far and wide.

Suddenly, the appearance of the Britannian Flag interrupted news of the attack. "We interrupt this broadcast for a Nationwide announcement from His Royal Highness Prince Clovis, Third Prince of the Imperial Throne."

People on the streets turned to see what their Prince would say. On the screen, they switch from the flag to a man. He had shoulder-length blonde hair with a single bang falling between his blue eyes. He wore a royal purple suit with a white handkerchief, long gloves and a cape. Lelouch narrows his eyes at the sight of the prince.

Prince Clovis la Britannia, Viceroy of Area 11, stood before his people. "To all my Imperial subjects! Including the cooperative Elevens who choose to serve this beautiful empire!"

Truck

"We're not Elevens! We're Japanese!" The girl in the truck spat out in her native tongue, glaring down at the dashboard displaying the announcement.

Babel Tower

Clovis grasps his chest as if his heart's in pain. "Do you not see my pain!? My heart aches, ripped from my chest and torn apart before my very own eyes. The remnants filled with rage and sadness."

His face twists, his pain obvious to all, before a resolve fills his eyes. "However, as ruler of Area 11, I will not tolerate terrorism of any kind! Because the battle we fight is a righteous battle. A virtuous one, to protect the well-being of all."

Across the colony, many citizens were drawn into the Prince's speech. Even some off-duty soldiers stood and saluted the Prince.

"Now then, everyone. I would like you all to join me in observance of the 8 who died for justice in the line of duty." Clovis closed his eyes and lowered his head.

"A moment of silence, please."

While everyone joined in on the silence, Lelouch and Rivalz made their way to the parking lot. "So, aren't you going to join in?" Rivalz asked.

"Are you?" Lelouch glanced at him.

Rivalz chuckled a little, his hand scouring his pocket. "Well, it's a little embarrassing."

"And I agree with you. Besides, spilling tears over them won't bring them back, now will they?"

"Dang, that's dark, buddy." Out of his pocket, Rivalz pulls out a small blue capsule with a button on top. Plastered there was the number 1 and a black logo on it, shaped like two 'C's.

Pressing the button, Rivalz tosses it forward. Not too soon after it lands, a cloud of smoke erupts from the capsule. As the cloud faded, what was once an empty parking space had a motorcycle with a sidecar. The same symbol from the capsule is present as well, on the side of the motorcycle.

This is the Capsule Corp Model 20 motorcycle, a relatively recent addition to the market. Lelouch remembers Rivalz joyfully explaining how lucky he was when he won the bike in a contest from the company, gushing about how it came with a capsule for easy storage.

"It's all about self-satisfaction. Doesn't matter how hard you try," Lelouch looks back at the screen, a look of contemplation. "You can't change the world."

Viceroy's Palace, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Inside the Viceroy's Palace, Clovis walked down the podium as soon as the cameras were off. Around him stood many cameras, as well as various nobles, all clapping for him.

"Well done, my Prince!" One noblewoman in a red dress commented. "One would have never guessed you were attending a party."

Clovis scoffs, smiling. "Well, the viceroy is the marquee actor of Area 11. I need to change costumes quickly, after all." He states, as his servants remove his cape from his shoulders.

"My! How self-confident!"

"I am just trying to please the media. The populace wants a charismatic Prince, so I'll give them one." Clovis said with a smile, glancing at where the media stood with their cameras.

"Untrue, my Prince!" From the media crowd, a suited man stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Our key purpose in life is to further your reign."

Back at the media group, a blonde man with a ponytail and a single bang of hair over his face scoffs. Wearing a dark blue suit and red turtleneck, he leans on the wall, reading a script on the Osaka Bombing crisis. "His reign is a pathetic sham." He mutters to himself.

Suddenly, he notices a large balding man in a purplish military dress uniform and cape rush into the room. "A soldier?"

"Y-your Highness!" The man calls out.

Clovis, seeing the soldier, frowns. "General Bartley, how boorish of you." He chastises the man.

The general pants, sweat on his brow. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness. It's urgent."

The blonde man raises a brow at this. "What's this? Another appearance for the masses?" Pushing himself off the wall, he makes his way out.

"You fool!" The Prince suddenly screams, drawing attention from everyone, including the blonde man, who stops and turns back.

Clovis glares at Bartley, who looks away from the Prince's gaze. "The police were informed that it was just medical equipment. That's all. If we scramble the army, there'll be a record-"

"Send out the Royal Guards! The Knightmares as well!"

The blonde man, Diethard Reid, looks on with interest in his eyes. It's not every day you see the Prince agitated like this. Which makes him wonder...

What the hell are they hiding?

Freeway

The two schoolboys rode their bike, speeding down the freeway. Rivalz sat in the driver's seat while Lelouch sat in the sidecar, a book in his hand.

"Hey, Lelouch. Quick question?" Lelouch looks up from his book to his driver. "Why did you decide to go with the king first?" Rivalz asked. While he's not a chess master like his friend, he knows that moving a king at the beginning isn't the safest move.

"If the king doesn't lead, how does he expect his subordinates to follow?" Lelouch gave his answer, thinking back on that has happened.

With no way to go, Lelouch, Nunnally and Suzaku were lost in occupied Japan. To make matters worse, the siblings lost contact with Suzaku as they went their separate ways. Lelouch hopes his friend is safe. Knowing him, he's too stubborn to let himself die.

Luckily, the siblings got a lucky break as the Ashford family, their mother's benefactors and long-time family friends, took them in and sheltered them. There, they lived their lives ever since.

However, Lelouch's declaration to Suzaku that day wasn't just the angry tantrum of a boy who could do nothing. No, he fully intends to carry it out.

The gambling and the chess matches were nothing more than a build-up for funding and preparation for when the time comes.

The beginning of the end of Britannia.

Rivalz, unaware of his friend's thoughts, grins and asks. "Are you planning on running a company or something?"

Lelouch chuckles, returning to his book. "No. Such ambitions will ruin your health."

A loud honk interrupts the two. Looking back, they see the issue.

A massive truck was bearing down on them!

"Oh, shit!" Rivalz screams, sharply swerving the bike, trying to get away from the massive vehicle.

Inside the truck, the driver honks the horn and screams. "Dammit! Move out of the way!" Seeing an exit, he takes it.

The comrade, however, shouts. "No! Not that way!"

The truck, coming in fast to the exit, loses control. It smashes past a guardrail, barreling into an empty construction site and crashing into the unfinished work.

Back up the freeway, Rivalz stops the bike with a screech. He and Lelouch look down at the cloud of dust rising from the site. "Um, that wasn't our fault, was it?"

Lelouch, taking off his helmet and goggles, replies. "I don't think so." Suddenly, he sees something. A cloud of green light, like fireflies, hovered over the truck.

"What the..." He squints, trying to make it out. However, they soon disappear.

"Ah, man!" Rivalz kneels beside his bike, inspecting the damage and lamenting what he has found. "The power line got cut!"

"Hey, Rivalz! Come check this out." Lelouch tries to get the boy's attention.

Soon, near the schoolboys, a crowd forms, looking down on the crash as well. However, instead of going down to help them, they just stood there, talking amongst themselves. Some were even recording and taking pictures of the crash site with their phones.

"Hey! Over here!"

"Woah, what a crash!"

"What happened? Some sort of accident?"

"Probably a drunk driver."

"It's always some moron."

"Hey, maybe someone should go help."

Lelouch looks at them with disdain. He will not just be another bystander.

Turning on his heels, Lelouch rushes down to the site. "Lelouch, wait!" Rivalz calls out, but Lelouch carries on. The boy sighs before looking for his capsule. "Damn it, why now, of all times, does he have to play the hero?"

Crash Site

Inside the truck, the two occupants groan, shaking themselves awake while the airbags deflate. "Nagata. Nagata?" The girl shakes her companion. "Come on, we need to get out of here."

Outside, Lelouch makes it to the truck. Above, the crowd sees him. "Look, the Student Rescue Team has arrived." One bystander said.

Ignoring them, Lelouch calls out. "Hello, is everyone inside alright!?" He hears nothing.

He looks for another way in the truck, given that its front is embedded into the site. He climbs the trailer's ladder and reaches the hatch that opened above the trailer as it crashed. "Hello, anyone in there!?"

Suddenly, he stops as the world around him shifts, like his mind and senses were being submerged. It's you... Finally, I found my...

Lelouch perks up, snapping back to reality and looking around, finding nothing. "What the...? Was that a girl?"

Seeing nobody, he calls out again, looker deeper. "Hello?"

Suddenly, the truck starts up and immediately reverses, inadvertently throwing Lelouch into the open hatch. Surprised, he falls near a spherical object.

"Wait! I'm in here!" He tries calling out but loses his balance yet again as the truck speeds out of the site.

Rivalz sees the truck driving away, holding a capsule in his hand with the motorcycle nowhere in sight. "So, would you consider that a hit-and-run?"

He shakes his head. He'll figure out how to sue that driver later. Now he has to focus on finding his friend first. "Lelouch! Lelouch!? Where are you!?"

Freeway

Back to the truck, Lelouch, having given up on announcing his presence, tries to escape his predicament. "You'd think they'd have the insight to install a ladder inside." He said as he looked around inside the trailer. Other than the spherical device and a staircase that led nowhere, there wasn't much he could see.

About to try another avenue to escape, he hears something coming from outside.

"Terrorists, surrender immediately or we will open fire!" Outside, behind the truck, three Britannian VTOL gunships, which were the Capsule Corp AV-64, approach the truck from above.

"I repeat! Terrorists, surrender immediately or we will open fire!" One gunship lowers its cannon and lets out a stream of bullets. The truck swerves as the bullets hit the road.

The driver, Nagata, growls, glaring at the VTOLs in his mirror. "Great! Now the army is here! Now what!?"

"Did you forget? That's why I'm here for!" The girl said, removing her hat, revealing her short, red, spiky hair and blue eyes. She gets up and makes her way to the trailer.

Inside, Lelouch contemplates his choices. If he jumps out now, he's liable to get shot or break his bones. Yet, staying inside isn't good either, as sooner or later, the truck will be shot up and destroyed, with him inside. What to do...

The sound of the door opening behind him had Lelouch scrambling behind the device. The red-haired girl walks by without ever seeing him. "Can you enter the subway via the Azabu route?" She asked, making it up the stairs, disregarding her coat to the side near Lelouch, the schoolboy noting that she spoke Japanese.

Looking past the spherical object, he sees that the girl is wearing a red and brown outfit consisting of a red wool crop top with brown braces, a brown top connected to brown shorts, red leg stockings, black shoes, and beige arm sleeves with red lining. She also wears a red forehead band.

She looks familiar. Lelouch narrows his eyes, trying to remember where he may have seen her before. Down at her coat, he sees her radio communicator in its pocket.

"Kallen," Nagata calls out. "What about using it here?"

The girl, Kallen, glares back at him. "Because that would mean a bloodbath!"

"Yeah, you're right. Sorry." Nagata said, chastised.

With that, Kallen sets out.

Outside

"Target's moving towards the ghettos. No response so far. Moving to neutralize." The VTOLs lowered their cannons, aiming to kill.

Suddenly, the back of the truck opens up, and something shoots out, piercing the cockpit of the middle VTOL, bringing it down. The weapon reels back to the truck, but not before the pilots of the remaining VTOL recognize it.

"A Slash Harken!?"

The back of the truck opens up fully, revealing a terrifying sight. A scarlet red 4-meter humanoid machine jumps out of the truck and lands on the road. It had an elongated head with a blank face that had four glowing green dots acting as its eyes. A large compartment, the cockpit, rested on its back, and on its chest, two hooks, its Slash Harkens, sat ready. And by its legs, each foot had a shaft containing a wheel. These landspinners pushed the Knightmare, allowing it to keep up with the truck, its speed belying its size.

"A Knightmare!?"

Lelouch, seeing the Knightmare, realizes his situation and its magnitude. "Crap! These are actual terrorists!"

"That's right, you guys know exactly what this badass mother can do!" Kallen shouts, pulling on the machine's levers. The VTOLs fire on her, but the Knightmare Frame zig-zags, dodging all fire and firing her Slash Harkens, downing another VTOL.

"Enough."

Another aircraft makes its appearance. However, unlike the VTOL gunships, this aircraft had swept wings with no vertical stabilizer. This was the T-4 Transport VTOL, and in the middle of its frame, it carried a purple and black machine.

Another Knightmare.

"The rest of you, pull back. I'll handle this." The Knightmare dropped from the aircraft and landed with a heavy thud. Unlike its opponent, instead of an elongated head, its head was predominantly more human-like with a carved-on face, four dots on its forehead and two horn-like appendages. In its hand, it held an oversized rifle. Far too large for a human to wield, but perfect for the machine.

"I don't know which junkyard you dug up that outdated piece of scrap, but an old Glasgow could never compare to this Sutherland!" Inside the Sutherland, the pilot grinned. Teal blue hair, orange eyes, and wearing a purple and black battle suit with golden emblems, Jeremiah Gottwald prepares for battle. "Especially from a filthy Eleven who sullies the compassion of our glorious Emperor!"

The Glasgow fires its Slash Harken, but Jeremiah counters with his own. Lifting his rifle, he fires a grenade. An explosion erupts as Kallen blocks with the Glasgow's arm, damaging it and rattling her, leaving her groaning.

"Kallen!" Nagata calls out over the radio. "We need to split up! We can't both be captured!"

"But-"

Suddenly, another Sutherland speeds up and onto the freeway, landing in front of the truck. It pulls its rifle, firing at the truck. Nagata curses, swerving the steering wheel to the left as he's forced down another exit.

Inside the second Knightmare, its pilot, a young woman with blueish-gray hair, yellow eyes, and dark skin, smirks. She also wore a purple and black suit with golden emblems. "Simple-minded Eleven." Villetta Nu says, watching the truck swerve heavily into the exit.

Back to the fight, Kallen tries to fire her Slash Harkens. Instead, however, they twitch and shift, never leaving their holsters. "No way! It's stuck!?" She tries to get them to fire, but to no avail.

Jeremiah, noticing this, rushes in with an overhead swing. "Second-hand garbage!"

Thinking quickly, Kallen ejects the damaged arm at Jeremiah, causing a cloud of smoke to form, obscuring both of them, which she uses to escape. Jeremiah emerges from the cloud, unharmed but surprised. "I'll admit it. I love your spirit. However..." Jeremiah grins before pursuing her.

"It won't save you!"

Inside the trailer, Lelouch looks down at his phone, its light illuminating him and the dark. "No cell reception, meaning we're out of range. And judging by the darkness and road surface, we're taking a route down the subway. Which means our exit is somewhere in the ghettos." He said, feeling the many bumps and shakes the truck is making as it drives.

He looks around, biting his lips. Damn it, this is becoming a precarious situation the longer it goes. He has to get out of here alive! Fast!

In his other hand is the terrorist's communicator that he swiped from its pocket. "I'm not a big fan of the military, but I'll take their protection. If I give them this terrorist's communicator, I can-"

Suddenly, he's thrown forward and falls to the floor harshly. Pushing himself up, Lelouch wonders what the cause was. Did we just crash?

Nagata groans, lamenting his situation. Not only has he crashed into a ditch with no way out, but he also didn't evade the Knightmare fire unscathed. He places a hand on his abdomen, blood spewing past his fingers.

Hand shaking, he manages to press a button on the dashboard, opening a side door of the trailer.

"Ohgi... please... find me..."

Fort Perry, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Around the Viceroy's Palace stood Fort Perry, the largest Britannian military base in not only Area 11, but the entire western Pacific. It's a series of defensive circles that defend the Viceroy's Palace, which houses the colonial government.

In one of these defensive circles, a peculiar scene was occurring.

General Bartley stood in the middle of the base, military hardware moving in the background, staring with twitching eyes at the one sight he wished not to see today.

In front of him stood a tall man with lavender hair and grayish-blue eyes behind a set of glasses. He wore a white long lab coat and had a mischievous smile as he leaned in on Bartley's face.

This was Lloyd Asplund, known for being a rather... eccentric scientist.

"What are you doing?" Bartley asks, wanting to get this over with.

"I'm just looking at the fool who blundered," Lloyd said, his smirk somehow even growing wider. "You lost something, didn't you? Something that you and Prince Clovis have kept hidden from the public."

Something about that smirk made a pit form in the General. The scientist continues. "However, receiving it would have been a simple matter. No, with your actions, it only makes sense that you would want to sweep it all away, along with the terrorists and their hideout. Make sure that there are no witnesses."

General Bartley's eyes widen, cold sweat dripping from his head. Lloyd, noticing this, grins and looks behind him. "Congratulations! Looks like your reasoning was spot on."

Behind Lloyd stood a young woman with indigo-blue hair and blue eyes. She wore an orangish-brown uniform, consisting of a jacket with a green armband over her left arm and a skirt, a white shirt underneath with a dark green tie and long black stockings with shoes.

She was Cecile Croomy, Lloyd's assistant.

"N-no. I thought it was strange, that's all." She said shyly, grasping the tablet in her hands tightly.

"Alright, enough of this!" Bartley shouted, fed up with the antics of Lloyd. "What does the Special Corps want from this?"

Lloyd turns back to him. "Well, that's quite simple, really. I want to help with the clean-up."

"Help?"

"Of course. Because it's data that I want."

"Although I'm curious," Cecile said, an inquisitive look on her face. "What exactly have they stolen?"

Bartley stares at the two for a moment before sighing. "Chemical weapons. In other words..."

"Poison gas."

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Shinjuku City used to be a massive commercial center for Japan. Bright lights filled the streets as people went about spending their hard-earned cash on the various displays of wealth the city had to offer.

However, after the invasion, it has been sucked dry of all that wealth and, seemingly as well, life. Now, it was nothing more than a broken shell of its former glory, with its inhabitants having lost all hope. Many have taken to scraping the war-torn city for anything worth selling, while others set up stalls to trade what they can. Some have even taken to cleaning what they can of their once beloved city.

However, it looked like these bleak conditions were about to get worse as many Britannian VTOL troop transporters, the Capsule Corps V-15 VTOLs, soared through the skies of Shinjuku. These aircraft were relatively small compared to their larger transport jets, with a smaller wingspan, but with their VTOL capabilities, they could quickly ferry a team of soldiers wherever they were needed. Many Japanese looked up in fear, wondering what their colonial overlords were doing.

Soon, the VTOLs slowed down and hovered over various areas throughout the city. Soldiers then fast-roped down to the Ghetto, wearing dark armor all over their bodies with a respirator covering their faces.

These were the Britannian Foreign Legion, units of the army made up of the natives of conquered territories, which in this case consisted of Honorary Britannians, Japanese who had sworn loyalty to Britannia.

"Your mission, soldiers, is to locate the chemical weapons." All the soldiers' radios crackle on as a Britannian Royal Guard commands them. "Repeat, you are only to locate it, nothing more. You may consider yourselves Honorary Britannians, but do not forget your place. You were born Elevens. Maybe the stench of these monkeys ought to be a familiar one. If you want the right to bear arms, then show results. Show your loyalty to our glorious empire!"

"YES, MY LORD!"

Underground Subway Tunnels, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Lelouch, after initially hiding behind the device when the doors opened, stepped out and saw what he had already deduced. They were in one of the underground subway tunnels that used to be a part of the Japanese Railway System.

Still looking for an escape route, he figures he could use the device to his advantage.

Meanwhile, in the same tunnel, one of the Foreign Legion soldiers arrived at the crash scene and found the chemical weapon. He lifts his hand to his radio. "Command, 4-0-4 has located and identified the target."

"Excellent, 4-0-4. Prepare for recovery." Command radios back.

As he crouched and planned to wait, he saw movement near the weapon. He rushes forward as he sees it's a person.

As he prepares to climb on the device, Lelouch hears rushing footsteps. He turns to see a soldier in the air, about to deliver a spin kick.

Quickly, Lelouch raises his arms but falls over when he blocks; the force is too great for him. Before he could get himself up, the soldier pinned him down by the neck. Lelouch recognizes the attire of his foe. A Britannian soldier!?

The soldier unclasps his respirator, revealing his mouth. "Enough with the killing!" The soldier shouts.

"Ugh... wait, I'm not-" Lelouch tries to explain.

"Planning to use chemical weapons on innocent civilians? Don't play dumb with me!" The soldier cuts him off, pinning him harder and choking him.

"GET OFF!" Fed up, Lelouch raises his legs and kicks the soldier off. The soldier flies off but quickly lands on his feet, ready to attack once more before freezing.

Lelouch, now on his feet, glares at the soldier. "I'm not here by choice. And if that's a chemical weapon, then that means Britannia made it, right?"

As soon as the light illuminates Lelouch's face, the soldier straightens up, mouth gaping in shock.

"If you want to stop the killings, then why don't you just obliterate Britannia!?" Lelouch said, his fury from all those years never dimming. In fact, they've only grown hotter. As long as Britannia continues its ways, as long as his father lives, as long as the suffering continues, the flame will never wither.

"Lelouch?" The soldier said, his voice awfully familiar to the Britannian. He then removes his helmet, revealing a familiar brown-haired and green-eyed face.

"Lelouch? It's me, Suzaku. Remember?" Kururugi Suzaku stood before him, a relieved smile on his face. "It's been so long."

"Suzaku..." Stunned, the prince looked at his friend. Aside from being obviously taller, he looks just the same as when they split up.

"Wait, you became a Britannian soldier!?" Lelouch asks. Last he remembered, the boy before him was a proud Japanese patriot.

"And you become a terrorist?" Suzaku asks, equally flabbergasted. He knows Lelouch hates Britannia, but even he doesn't think his friend would stoop so low as to commit terrorism.

"As if!" Turns out he was right as Lelouch glares, offended by the insinuation.

Before the boys could continue, the device hosting the poison gas flashed up brightly before opening, releasing a blindingly bright cloud. Quickly, Suzaku pushes his friend to the ground before placing his respirator on his friend instead of himself.

The light from the capsule somehow became brighter, almost blinding the boys. It then suddenly dims, revealing that at the center was not a poisonous cloud but...

A girl!?

Inside the capsule sat a girl in a white straitjacket suit. She had long, bright lime hair and gold eyes. Gold eyes that glanced at them before closing, the girl slipping into unconsciousness.

Baffled, the two boys look at the supposed chemical weapon with one thought shared between the two.

Just what the hell was going on?

Underground Subway Tunnels, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Elsewhere among the various tunnels, the red Glasgow crouched hidden. Its head opened up to reveal a clear, dark sphere with a red dot in the middle. It pulsated with green lights. This was its Factsphere, an advanced sensor of the Knightmare, allowing it to peer into various environments and providing its pilot with clear, usable vision. Inside the cockpit, Kallen drank from her bottle of water, resting from her escape. "Sorry about not having my radio on me. In all the confusion, I left it in my coat."

"Don't worry." From the Glasgow internal radio, a man's voice came through. "At least the Glasgow's systems are usable. So, was our intelligence correct?"

"Yep. Definitely think it's poison gas, given how hard they're fighting for it." Kallen said, a bitter look on her face.

Chemical weapons, as if there wasn't any more reason to hate Britannia.

"I see then. Where's Nagato?"

"I don't know. He's probably somewhere in these tunnels." Kallen said, her bitter look fading into something more somber. She prays that he's alright.

"Okay, Suzaku. Be honest with me." Lelouch said as he held the girl in his arms. It's been some time since the girl revealed herself, and now he and Suzaku were freeing her. "Poison gas, this girl?"

"That's what they told us in the briefing," Suzaku said as he removed the girl's restraints.

Suddenly, bright lights filled the tunnel from behind the boys. Looking, they see a group of uniformed men. However, they differed vastly from Suzaku's.

Instead of armor all over, they wore a red uniform made of a long coat and a belt, with the officer wearing a short-shoulder cape.

These were Prince Clovis' Royal Guard.

"Filthy Eleven! Even being an Honorary Britannian will not save you from this." The officer said as he observed the situation.

Suzaku gets up and stands at attention before the officer. "But, sir, I was informed that this was poison gas."

"Are you questioning your orders!?" The officer snarls, looking down on Suzaku with contempt.

Lelouch grimaces as he looks on, understanding exactly what is going on. This is most certainly poison. A poisonous situation that could be very harmful to Suzaku's superiors if ever leaked.

"However, in light of your achievement, I'll be merciful." The officer pulls out his handgun and presents its handle to him.

"Private Kururugi, use this weapon to execute this terrorist."

Both Suzaku and Lelouch's eyes widen.

"But sir, he's not a terrorist! He's a civilian who got caught up in this." Suzaku said, trying to explain. The officer frowns at this display.

"You insubordinate little... I gave you an order! Did you not swear your life and loyalty to Britannia?"

While Lelouch looked for a way out of this disaster, Suzaku looked to the ground, eyes closed, before giving his answer.

"But... I can't."

"What?" The baffled officer said.

Suzaku looks up with a smile. "I'm sorry, sir, but I can't do it." He then turns to look at Lelouch. "I can't follow your orders, sir. I won't kill a civilian. Not him."

"Then die with him." The officer said, placing the gun by Suzaku's side and pulling the trigger.

"Suzaku!" Lelouch cries as he watches his friend fall to the ground, dead.

Scoffing down at the body, the officer looks at Lelouch. "Well then, you Britannian schoolboy." He shakes his head. "It's a shame. Not a day to cut classes." He then turns to his guards. "Collect the girl. Afterward, kill the student."

"Yes, my Lord." They all collectively said. Lelouch stared on in horror, the girl in his arms slowly waking up, golden eyes blinking.

As they moved in, back at the truck, Nagata witnessed everything. "Damn Britannians." He groans, flipping a switch near the dashboard that reveals a red button. Before he pressed it, he took one look at a nearby photo.

It was a picture of him smiling, kneeling on the ground with a bucket. Next to him was a woman with brown hair and a bright smile. In her arms, a young boy reached out to Nagata.

With a teardrop and a smile, Nagata proclaims. "Nippon... Banzai!"

He presses the button.

The truck explodes.

G-1 Mobile Base, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

"You let her get away!?" Bartley screamed down at the control panel. He and various other officers were inside the G-1 Mobile Base. A piece of impressive Zevon technology, this mobile base offers decent defense while allowing one to command the battlefield with ease.

"And you call yourselves Royal Guards!?"

"W-we're sorry, my Lord. The explosion was directed up, but the foundations-"

"Do you realize that you are the only ones that I told about this?!" Bartley snarls, having no patience for their excuses.

"We'll continue the investigation."

"The plan will be moved to the next phase." A voice interjected.

Everyone in the briefing room looked toward the source. Sat on his throne was Prince Clovis with his eyes closed, his elbow resting on the throne while caressing his head. He wanted to do this quickly and quietly. But no, the terrorists just have to be a slippery bunch.

"B-but your Highness-"

"If knowledge of her is released, I will be disinherited. Tell them back at home that we're running an urban renewal plan." The Prince stood up and walked forward towards the center of the briefing room. With a wave of his arm, he addressed his troops.

"I, Clovis la Britannia, Third Prince of the Imperial Family, command you all. Destroy Shinjuku Ghetto! LEAVE NO SURVIVORS!"

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

By the orders of their Prince, many Sutherlands and soldiers either fast-roped down into the ghetto or were launched from the Mobile Base and other various launch points. The residents grew even more fearful as they saw the obvious buildup of military personnel.

Then came the bloodbath.

Wherever the soldiers and Knightmares landed, they slaughtered everything and everyone.

It didn't matter who their targets were.

Whether they were a child or an elder.

Whether they were a man or a woman.

They all had their orders. None are to be spared. Their orders demanded the deaths of everyone living in this ghetto.

Even the Foreign Legion joined in the slaughter, murdering their former countrymen.

Many Japanese tried to flee the slaughter, but the military quickly surrounded the ghetto. Killing any that approached the shrinking borders, as the military pushed in towards the center of the ghetto.

"Your enemies are the scum of the earth. Not even worth becoming Honorary Britannians. Wipe them out!" The orders came over the comms. Jeremiah smirked from within his Knightmare.

"Naturally." Soon another order came, though this one was directed solely at him.

"Supervisor Jeremiah, General Bartley requests that you take command of-"

"Bartley has his staff officers, does he not? Tell them to do it! Besides," Jeremiah grins as he raises his rifle. "I haven't had this much fun in a while!"

He pulls the trigger, letting loose on the helpless residents.

Underground Subway Tunnels – Area 11

Far away from the explosion, Lelouch and the girl were running down the tunnels. Amidst all the chaos, they had managed to escape and lose the Royal Guards. However, it appears they won't be off the hook yet as they can hear the distant noise of gunfire, explosions and screams from the dying Japanese.

The girl trips and falls to the ground. Lelouch stops and leans against the tunnel wall, the weight of everything that has happened bearing down on him. "What the hell are you!?" Lelouch shouts at the girl. "All this chaos is because of you, isn't it?!"

He covers his face, trying to calm down. "And... and now Suzaku's dead! Britannia killed him!"

The girl just silently watches him with the straitjacket covering her mouth.

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

Behind the mobile base of the Prince, a large orange truck was parked. Behind said truck, Lloyd stood, tossing up a Capsule in his hands. Next to him stood a young girl with shoulder-length black hair and wearing the same uniform as Cecile.

"Wait, so he's not here?" Lloyd asks.

The girl nods. "Yes, sir. I couldn't find him, so he may already be on the front lines."

The scientist sighs, eyeing the Capsule. "And we just brought the Lancelot here." He then notices his assistant being awfully quiet by her laptop, a concentrated look on her.

"Mariel, while we wait for our Devicer, why don't you check up on the Lancelot?" Lloyd said, handing the Capsule into her hands. Mariel throws glances between Lloyd and Cecile before nodding and walking away.

"So, what has you so quiet?" Lloyd asks as he makes his way to Cecile. She looks up to him. "Come now. You won't be this quiet unless something has your attention or you're angry."

He pauses. "You ain't angry, are you?"

Cecile just looks at him before sighing and shaking her head. "I'm not angry." She said, missing Lloyd's sigh of relief. "I'm just confused."

"About what?"

"Everything about this." Cecile gestures all around. "There's one thing I could never figure out about the terrorists."

Lloyd raises an eyebrow. "And that being?"

She turns to him. "Why be so obvious?"

Seeing the question in Lloyd's eyes, she explains. "If they've stolen poison gas, why would they need a truck? Something that dangerous would be better kept in a capsule. Something that wouldn't require a truck to transport."

"Hmm." Lloyd nods. She makes a good point. Better to have such a weapon encapsulated. The Capsule Corp's primary invention has made the military's life easier when it comes to logistics and storage.

A capsule is small and easy to hide. A truck is not.

"Perhaps they lack a Capsule? They are relatively new and ain't cheap. At least, the military models aren't."

Cecile nods, focusing on her laptop. "Yes, but they could have easily procured one. That or steal one from supplies. Hell, something that important should have already been encapsulated. It just doesn't make sense." A look of frustration grows on her.

"You suspect that they have stolen something along with the poison gas? Something that couldn't be Capsuled?"

"It's possible."

Lloyd nods again. "Hmm, you're right. It's suspicious. However," Lloyd waves his hand and walks off. "We're the Engineering Corp, not the OSI. It's a waste of brain power to fret over it. Come along, we need to find our Devicer."

She sighs before getting up. Maybe he's right. It could just be speculation for all she knows.

Abandoned Warehouse, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Lelouch and the girl are crawling up the stairs leading to the exit. "Stay here and stay quiet," Lelouch whispers as he moves up.

He pecks his head up, sees a dead body drop before him, and quickly drops back, cursing under his breath. The Royal Guards have already reached the end.

"Report." The Royal Guard officer said to his subordinate.

"My lord, we only saw Elevens here." One guard said, gesturing at the dead bodies before him. The officer frowns.

"Are you certain this is where the exit is?"

"Yes, my Lord. It matches up with the map of the old city."

As the Royal Guards are conversing, Lelouch attempts to sneak back down. He then hears a child's sorrowful cries fill the air. Then, one burst of gunfire later, the cries die out into silence.

Lelouch looks on with horror. They really were going to kill everyone here.

In the following silence, the ringing of a cell phone was deafening.

Lelouch's heart freezes as he realizes it's his own.

He hangs up immediately.

Ashford Academy – Area 11

On the school grounds with her phone in her hand, Shirley Fenette stops walking, hearing her call being dropped.

"That jerk!" Shirley shouts, glaring down at her phone. "He hung up on me!"

Abandoned Warehouse – Area 11

Lelouch grunts as he's thrown to the wall. Two Guards held the green-haired girl back.

"Well, you certainly gave a run for our money." The officer said, grinning as Lelouch picked himself up. "You're pretty good, for a student. Makes sense, though. You are a Britannian."

Lelouch just glares at the man.

"Sadly, though, this is where your future ends." He levels his gun at him.

The girl's eyes widen, and she pushes past the soldiers. "He mustn't die!" She screams as she jumps in front of Lelouch.

The gun fires.

The girl drops to the floor, a puddle of blood forming under her. Her eyes glaze over, blood dripping from the hole in her forehead. Oddly enough, her forehead also had a strange, long mark.

Like a silhouette of a bird in flight.

Lelouch stares down in horror at the girl who gave her life for him. "You shot her!" He drops down, trying to see if there's anything he can do for her. Above him, the officer grimaces.

"Dammit. We were ordered to bring her back alive, if possible..."

The officer perks up and smiles, an idea in his head. "How about this? We'll tell our superiors that the Royal Guard had located and destroyed the terrorists' hideout. Sadly, however, the girl was found tortured and killed. How's that, schoolboy? Convincing enough?" He said, pointing his gun at Lelouch with a grin on his face.

Lelouch observes the situation before him. The dead girl. The multiple corpses behind the Royal Guards. The officer pointing his gun at him. The other guards who stood behind the officer. It soon dawns on him that there is no escape.

First Suzaku. And now this girl. How could this happen? Am I really going to die? That easily!? It can't be! He still hasn't gotten his answers!

And it looks like he never will, as his soon-to-be killers raise the rifles at him. Lelouch closes his eyes.

Nunnally!

The image of his little sister pops into his mind. His dear little sister, whose smile could rival- no, outshine any star in existence.

A smile he will never see again.

But before anything else could happen, the dead girl's hand grabbed Lelouch's wrist.

Then he felt the world collapse beneath him.

He was falling.

Or was he?

He doesn't know.

All he knew was that there was no solid ground under him.

In fact, there was nothing around him. An all-consuming void was all that he could see.

You don't want it to end here, right?

What...?

The girl...

Lelouch continued to feel his out-of-body experience for what felt like both an eternity and a second.

Time felt like it didn't exist here.

Traces of blue and green circuit-like lines appeared over his body and in the surrounding void.

Suddenly, he saw multiple copies of himself appearing all over the place.

What was this?

You appear to have a reason to live.

The girl? That's impossible!

What if you had the power?  Would you live?

The girl appeared before him, with her own set of copies appearing as well.

I propose a deal. In exchange for this power, you must fulfill my wish. Accept this contract, and as you live in this world, you will live like no other.

An image of two spheres, two worlds, appeared, the distance between the two so vast and yet somehow so close.

A different providence.

One looked like Earth, yet somehow wasn't, with lands and continents both familiar and unfamiliar.

A different time.

The other, a timeless sphere of blue rings, fire and stars.

A different life.

Feathers overwhelmed the young boy's vision, as another void surrounded him.

One so blindly white.

The Power of the King will condemn you to a life of solitude.

Are you prepared for this?

Images flew by again.

The same symbol on the girl's forehead is carved into stone.

Many children were standing, each with the same mark on their foreheads as well.

Jupiter floats in the heavens above.

And a tall man surrounded by cloaked individuals stood on a strange platform.

"A convergence with the Ragnarok Connection?" If Lelouch had eyes, he'd widen them.

His father!?

"So, the myth is beginning once again?" The Emperor said, noticing that something had changed. Around him were cloaked figures.

He's involved in this!?

Resolve fills the boy.

He knows what he must do then.

"Yes! I hereby accept the terms of your contract!" He proclaims, swinging his arm out as he feels himself snap back into reality.

Lelouch slowly stands back onto his feet, one hand covering his left eye. "Tell me something. How is a Britannian who hates his homeland supposed to live?"

The officer raises a brow at the sudden change in the boy. "What are you now? A radical?" He raises his gun before hesitating.

Lelouch notices this. "What's wrong? Your opponent is just a schoolboy? Or have you finally realized..."

Lelouch removes his hand, revealing his left eye. A glowing eye that held the same symbol on the girl's forehead.

"That the ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed!"

The gun rattles as the guard's hand shakes. "W-What the hell is this?" As he and the soldiers see the impossible mark on his eye.

"Lelouch vi Britannia commands you..." Lelouch swings his arm out. "All of you..."

He stares them all down.

"Die."

The power in his left eye flares up. The silhouette moves as if it were alive.

And with a single flap of its wings, it travels towards the soldiers, down into their eyes.

Their minds.

Their very will is twisted and bent to his own.

And with a smile, the Royal Guards obey. "Yes, Your Highness!" The officer laughs hysterically, placing his gun at his neck. The soldiers behind them gave equally mad grins, and they pointed their rifles at each other.

The officer shouts. "FIRE!" And pulls his trigger.

The soldiers follow soon, firing upon each other, spraying blood into the air, and joining the commanding officer on the ground. Lelouch looks down on all of them, some blood on his face, and the glow of his left eye disappearing. His eyes widen as he slowly realizes what he has done.

His mind ran rampant with thoughts.

This was the turning point. Since that day, I've been living a lie.

The lie of living.

My name?

A lie.

My personal history?

A lie.

I was sick of it. Sick to death, living in a world that could not change.

But even in my lie, I never gave in to despair.

And with this power...

Lelouch let out a devilish smile.

"Well, then."

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

The White and Black Knights

Abandon Warehouse, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11, 10 August 2017 a.t.b.

Amidst all the bodies, Lelouch looks down on the green-haired girl's corpse. I don't understand. What is it you wanted me to do? Why did you give me this power?

Lelouch stared back at the dead Royal Guards. He still could scarcely believe it.

The Power of Absolute Obedience.

Geass. His mind suddenly provides, which he shakes off.

All he did was speak, and they obeyed without question.

Terrify.

He looks back at the girl.

A thought comes up. Is she causing all the Meta Abilities to occur?

Before he could think any further, the entrance of the warehouse was blown wide open as a Sutherland barreled through. On its head, its Factsphere opens up and scans the surroundings.

Inside, Villetta stares in shock at the scene before her. Scores of bodies filled the area, and Lelouch stood amongst them.

"What the hell happened to these Royal Guards?" Villetta asks, recognizing the uniform of Prince Clovis' Royal Guards.

"You, schoolboy! What happened here?" She calls him out via the Knightmare Frame's external speakers. "What's a student from Ashford doing here?"

Lelouch just stares calmly back at her.

The dark-skin beauty frowns at this. "Answer me or..."

She fires around him, creating bullet holes larger than his head on the wall behind him.

Lelouch doesn't even blink.

He takes a step forward and activates his Geass. "I order you to come out of there at once!"

However, instead of complying, Villetta grew irritated at Lelouch's attitude. "Who do you think you are?"

Lelouch deactivates his power, noting this limitation. So it only works through eye contact.

He raises his hands in surrender. "My name is Alan Spacer. My father is a Duke. You can verify my ID in my pocket. Afterward, I would like to request your protection."

A Duke? This news greets a pleasant Villetta. If he is the son of a nobleman, then saving him could further her career greatly.

She opens up the cockpit and climbs down. "Stay where you are," Villetta said, holding up a gun. "I need to verify first."

"Of course," Lelouch said, dropping his hands. "However, before you do that, could you hand over your Knightmare to me?" He activated his Geass once more, and before she knew it, she fell under his command.

Entering a trance, Villetta's face turned into a deadpan, eyes glassy as she tossed her Knightmare activation key at him. "Of course. The code is XG2-1G2D4."

The schoolboy gives a smile. "Thank you."

Villetta blinks and looks around, confused.

She finds herself in an abandoned warehouse, surrounded by dead bodies and her Knightmare nowhere in sight.

"How did I get here?"

Zevon Medical Ambulance, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

With a groan, Suzaku wakes up. He opens his eyes and screams.

A girl with dark hair and hazel eyes hovers over his face. She then smiles and winks. "Well, look who's awake."

She steps away as he sits up in the bed he found himself in. Looking around, he notices two other people in the room. Lloyd and his assistant, Cecile.

"Looks like you missed your chance to go to heaven," Lloyd said with a grin.

"Uh... wait, who are... where am... how..." The boy looked around, confused. Taking pity on him, Cecile explains the situation. "Hello, I'm Cecile Croomy. This is Lloyd Asplund," She gestures to Lloyd, who gives an eccentric bow. "And this is Mariel Lubie." Mariel gives a wave.

"As for where we are," Lloyd spoke up. "We're still in the Shinjuku Ghetto, I'm afraid."

"Good thing we're next to Prince Clovis, though, so we're pretty safe from the fight," Mariel said, pointing her thumb to the massive G-1 Mobile Base.

Huh, well, that explains who they are and why he's here, but it still doesn't answer the how.

Before he could ask, Cecile stepped forward to present him with something. "This was found under your bodysuit."

Suzaku grabs it and sees it's a large pocket watch. His old pocket watch.

Or more specifically, his father's old pocket watch.

"You're lucky to have it. It deflected the bullet." Lloyd said.

"Is it valuable to you?" Mariel asks, noticing the conflicted expression he had towards it.

"Yes. Very much so. Thank you." Suzaku holds the pocket watch to his chest. So his father's pocket watch protected him?

How ironic.

"You Elevens tend to believe that gods live in many things, even objects," Lloyd comments. "I guess this one-"

"Is Lelou..." Suzaku interrupts before falling silent, thinking on his words. "What's the situation?"

Lloyd blinks at the interruption before explaining. "Well, there'd be reports that the poison gas was released. Massive Eleven casualties."

"They haven't found the culprits as of yet," Cecile adds.

Suzaku looks up at them. The gas was released? But he remembers that there was no gas. Just that girl.

Speaking of which...

"Did they really find nobody there at all?" Suzaku asks. Cecile shakes her head.

So they haven't found Lelouch or the girl? Now, he can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Mariel claps her hands. "Good, let's get you suited up. Lancelot's waiting."

"Huh?" Suzaku said as the girl grabbed his hand and dragged him off the bed.

Lloyd shakes his head with a smile, amused, while Cecile sheepishly moves in. "Wait, Mariel. We haven't told him about it yet."

"Huh?" The raven-haired girl looks back, confused. "We didn't? I thought we did." She turns to Suzaku. "I did tell you about it, right?"

Suzaku shakes his head. "I'm just as confused now as I was a few moments ago."

"Forgetful as usual, Mariel," Lloyd said as he turned to Suzaku. "Private Kururugi, how much experience do you have in piloting a Knightmare?"

Confused, the boy nevertheless answered. "Um, not much. I mean, they did let us Elevens use the simulators, so there's that. But what does that have to do with me? An Eleven can't become a Knight."

"But what if you could?" Lloyd holds a white and gold Knightmare activation key. "Congratulations, the only Knightmare of its kind awaits. Once you take the keys to this marvelous beauty, everything will change. You and your whole world."

"Whether you like it or not," Cecile adds.

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

In Shinjuku, the massacre continued, dropping body after body. No matter where they were or who they were, all died at the blade of Britannia.

As an armored vehicle raises its barrel on the populous, a Slash Harkens destroys it. Under the ground, the red Glasgow digs itself up, reeling back its weapon. Inside, Kallen tearfully glares at the genocide taking place. "Those... damn... BRITANNIANS! How dare they!"

"Kallen! Can the Glasgow still move?" Over the radio, Ohgi contacts her.

"Yeah. Don't worry, Ohgi. I'll lead them away as a decoy. You guys get the people out of here." She said, going after the Britannian armored vehicles. "The only ones who should be captured are the resistance."

Elsewhere on the battlefield, A man with short black hair and brown eyes wearing a brown jacket, brown pants, and a red headband held a radio in his hands. Around him, his comrades desperately fought for their lives against the overwhelming colonial overlords.

"I know, but we're trapped!" This was Ohgi, the leader of this small resistance, and he was terrified.

Even as his comrades continued the fight behind, even firing RPGs, he couldn't see a way out for them. No matter where he looked, all he saw was death.

"AH!"

Hearing his comrades' screams, Ohgi turns around, and his heart drops to his stomach.

A Sutherland came racing at them. "Wretched Terrorists! You should die as the vermin you are!" The Knightmare raises its rifle.

While some members either raised their weapons or tried to escape the incoming threat, Ohgi looked in horror, frozen still.

He was terrified. Not just for his life but the life of his comrades as well, whom he felt he had led to their deaths.

Naoto!

Suddenly, bullets landed all over the Knightmare Frame, destroying its arms, legs and landspinners.

"What the-"

Everyone turned to see where the shots came from and saw another Sutherland, standing on top of another ruined building.

"Friendly fire!?"

The rogue Knightmare didn't answer them; instead, they kept firing upon the Britannian. Confused, fearful for his life, and with his Sutherland receiving more damage, the pilot decides to cut his losses and eject. From the chest, rockets flared up, rocketing the cockpit away from the battle. From afar, the resistance can see the cockpit deploy parachutes, safely lower it to the ground.

Ohgi turns back to the rogue Knightmare, unsure of what just happened. The Knightmare lowered its rifle, and Ohgi got a feeling that the pilot was looking at him.

"Uh," He pauses, trying to look for the words. "Thanks?"

The rogue Knightmare continues to look at them before turning, jumping off the building, and speeding towards the heat of the battle inside, deeper into the ghetto, destroying any Britannian soldier and vehicle that they come across.

The resistance members glance at each other, mumbling about that rogue Knightmare. Ohgi stares at where the Knightmare went.

Who was that?

Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

In the Swimming Club's changing room, Shirley was getting ready to swim. She wore a blue swimsuit with white stripes. On the table that was in the middle of the room, three other girls in swimsuits sat talking to each other with a portable television nearby.

Suddenly, Shirley's phone rings. She picks it up and sees the caller is Lelouch.

She answers it. "Lulu? What are you doing?" She asks, attaching the phone to her ear, freeing up her hands so that she can continue changing. "Where are you now? If you keep skipping classes, you'll be held back."

"Are you near a TV?" Instead of answering her, Lelouch asked a question. On his side, he piloted his Knightmare through the ruined streets of Shinjuku.

"A TV?"

"Sorry, but this is important."

Shirley lets out a huff but complies. "Hang on." She approaches the girls at the table. "Hey, can I change the channel?"

"Oh, sure. Which one?" One girl asked.

"The news," Lelouch informs Shirley, who changes to the said channel. "Are they saying anything about Shinjuku?"

As Lelouch tampers with the Knightmare's systems while hiding from the Britannian military, Shirley checks out the news. "They're saying something about traffic restrictions. Nothing about Shinjuku, though." She said, watching the car traffic build up on the screen.

"Why is it restricted?"

"They don't say."

I see. Back at his Knightmare, Lelouch realizes what they're doing. Once everything is finished, they'll release news that favors the military. On the dashboard, Lelouch peers outside and notices a chessboard nearby.

"You're gambling again, aren't you?" Shirley asked, taking his silence as evidence. "I've warned you many times how dangerous it is."

"Yeah, you got me." Lelouch smiles, playing along with her. "By the way, tell my sister that I'm going to be late tonight. Alright, thanks."

"Wait-" Shirley said before realizing he had hung up already.

"Oooh!" She takes her phone off her ear, glaring down at it. "Why does he always do that?" She tries to reconnect, but to no avail.

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

On the Sutherland dashboard, the screen expands to reveal a bird's-eye view of the battlefield, as well as the many units that litter it. They need to keep a lid on the information so it'll be hard for them to call reinforcements. Therefore, they'll have to make do with the pieces they have now.

But I'm pinned in here as well, and it'll be tough breaking through myself. And going to a refuge carries its own risks. Lelouch focuses on the terrorist's communicator in his hand, contemplating his choices.

Looks like there's only one way out of here. He'll have to fight his way out using the terrorists.

Opening the cockpit, Lelouch looks up and sees a VTOL gunship get quickly shot down by a Slash Harken. He traced the wire of the weapon back to the red Glasgow he had seen earlier.

Lelouch gazed down at them. I want payback for bringing me into your fight.

But as they are, the terrorists don't stand a chance. So he has to even up the playing field. He looks down at the map of the battlefield, a smile on his face.

And he knows just how to do it.

As Kallen reels back the Slash Harken, she's interrupted by two Sutherlands pulling up behind her. "Well, well, well. If it isn't our Glaswegian friend." She gasps, hearing Jeremiah's familiar voice.

He raises his rifle and fires, forcing her to flee.

Kallen races down the ruined streets, swerving left and right, trying to dodge the gunfire, though it becomes harder as time goes on, with a few bullets grazing her Knightmare. And looking down at her Energy Filler status, it was only going to get worse. "Only 30 minutes left!?"

Great! Just great! Not only were she and her comrades trapped in the ghetto, with the Britannians slaughtering everyone, but in a few minutes, the Glasgow will run out of power and she'll soon join her comrades in their grave.

And a not-so-small part of her can't help but feel that this was their fault.

If only they hadn't gone to the ghetto.

If only they hadn't been spotted.

If only-

"The west entrance. Use the tracks to reach the west entrance." An unfamiliar voice came over her radio. She knew just about everyone in the resistance group, so she was pretty familiar with everyone who was involved.

She certainly knows the guy is not with them.

"Who are you? And how did you get this code?" She tried identifying the man. He spoke Japanese fluently, so she could say that he wasn't with the Britannians. However, she could never know. Maybe they've decided to learn Japanese so that they can understand whatever plan they may have.

"It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that if you want to win, you must trust me."

"Win?" Normally, she wouldn't be entertaining someone like this; however, the flying bullets from her pursuer reminded her that she didn't exactly have a lot of options.

With reluctance, Kallen follows his instructions and jumps onto the railway tracks. The Glasgow's Landspinners line up perfectly with the rails, pushing the Knightmare along the railway at great speed.

"Okay, what next?"

Behind her, Jeremiah and his fellow knight follow. "Pathetic Eleven. If all you do is run, this hunt won't have much to offer in sport." He said, seeing the Glasgow's act as a desperate attempt to escape.

Up ahead, Kallen sees a blue and white train pulling only one cart coming her way.

"Since you trusted me, you win. Jump over the train."

"Right." As the train came closer, Kallen jumped over the train, springing off its one cart, denting it with the Glasgow's weight. Instead of following, Jeremiah held out his free hand and stopped the train in its tracks, skidding back a bit. "So, you think you can get away like that? Very well... you," He addresses his ally. "Go after them."

"Yes, My Lord!" The Sutherland tries to jump past the train, but as soon as its legs leave the ground, two Slash Harkens strike the unsuspecting Knightmare, destroying its head and torso, effectively disabling it and causing the pilot to eject.

Surprised, Jeremiah turns and sees another Sutherland hidden in a hole of the nearby wrecked building, reeling back its Slash Harkens.

"Friendly fire!? You! State your name and your unit!" He orders them. "Our target is the one-armed Glasgo-" He's interrupted, taking a burst of fire from the Knightmare's rifle that was suddenly aiming at him.

"Oh God, a terrorist!?" Jeremiah said. Terrorists have gotten their hands on a Sutherland!?

He tries to retreat, but the gunfire quickly destroys his Landspinners, crippling his mobility. With a growl, he raises his rifle to fire back, but quickly sees Kallen's Glasgow charging back at him. Realizing he cannot win, he ejects, the cockpit rocketing off into the ghetto where a pair of parachutes deploy, gently lowering it.

With a sigh, Kallen looks at the wrecked building. "Thanks for the help. But how did you get a Suther-" But all she sees is empty space. "Where did he go?"

"Kallen!"

Kallen turns and sees Ohgi and the others in the group running up to her. "What was up with the radio earlier?"

"You heard him too?"

"Yeah. Yoshida's group should be arriving soon."

At that moment, Ohgi's radio cracks on. "Are you the leader?" The voice asked.

"Um, yeah," Ohgi answered.

"Within the cargo of this cart is my gift to you. Your tools for your victory. If you want to use them and win, then you must follow my orders."

Hearing this, the resistance group looked at the one cart the train was pulling. Inside were the tools of victory? Normally, they wouldn't be listening to someone as shady as this guy, but with the distant sound of gunfire and explosions, they didn't have many options.

So they opened the cart and peered in. Inside, it was filled to the brim with crates.

Ohgi raises a brow. "What exactly are we supposed to look for? All we see are crates."

"Open them and see for yourselves."

Pulling out one crate and setting it on the ground, they pried open and gasped.

Inside were capsules. Lots of them. "Get a load of this!" A redheaded man with the same red headband as the rest of the group, Shinichiro Tamaki, exclaimed as he held up a capsule. "And they're from Capsule Corp too!"

The group talked amongst themselves as they each held up a capsule. Ohgi focused on his, wondering if this was what the voice wanted them to see. Capsules were the newest commodity on the market, though they were very expensive. He only ever saw nobles owning them, and it was like seeing magic with how the capsules could compact objects larger than themselves.

Still, why did he give them this?

Taking the risk and remembering how the nobles did it, Ohgi presses the button and tosses the capsule away from the group. As it lands, an explosion of smoke erupts from the capsule. The smoke dissipates to reveal what it had stored.

The group gasps and gapes. From the smoke, they saw a kneeling Sutherland.

"Inside the capsules are enough resources to sustain a battalion." The voice said. "Follow my command and I shall grant you victory."

Excitement spreads throughout the group as they load out the capsules and crates from the train and open them. Explosions of smoke poof into existence, revealing not only Sutherlands but ammo, guns and supplies.

There truly was enough to supply an army.

Inside the Glasgow, Kallen looks on in amazement as the resistance group armed themselves with the weapons. "Amazing."

Her radio cracks on. "Woman in the Glasgow."

"Ah, yes!"

"Stay where you are. Your unit's going to run as a decoy."

"U-understood." Maybe it wouldn't hurt to hear what this guy has to say.

"Energy Filler status?"

With a glance down at her dashboard, she spoke. "About 15 minutes' worth."

"Then recharge it. In 10 minutes, I'll contact you with your next instructions."

In another wrecked building, Lelouch sighs as he turns off his radio. "This is wearing me out." He said, fiddling with the Black King piece in his hands. "Still, I must persevere to win. After all, I'm betting my life on this game."

He looks down at the map, noting all the units on it. Because of the restrictions, it was easy to deduce that they would send in their supplies as discreetly as possible. A train with one cart isn't going to have people asking questions.

Now, with the terrorists having Knightmares of their own, the fight is more even. However, that doesn't mean victory is at hand.

No, not yet. He has to set the conditions for that first.

Speaking of which, Lelouch focuses on a specific part of the map, where he notices an oddity. A Knightmare unit that was attacking its fellow Knightmares. He had noticed them not too long ago.

A rogue unit? Did a terrorist member hijack the Knightmare from a pilot?

Well, given that he also hijacked it from its pilot, he supposed it wasn't too outlandish. Still, they were doing pretty well, taking out any Knightmare that came their way. However, he could tell that they didn't have a plan, given that they were about to head into an ambush. Looks like it didn't take the military too long to figure out what was happening.

He could leave them to their fate, but given that they were attacking Britannia, he could use them. While they weren't his ally, they were certainly not Britannia's either.

With that decision made, Lelouch tampers with the Knightmare's systems once more and contacts them. "Ambush up ahead. Take a right."

"Huh? Who are you?" A feminine voice came through. Hmm, doesn't sound like a Britannian soldier.

"Not important. What is important is that you follow my orders."

After a moment of silence, he received a response. "Why should I trust you? I don't even know your name."

"And I, yours." Lelouch sees that they are getting closer. "Regardless, you must make a choice. Time is of the essence."

With another moment of silence, Lelouch allowed himself to think they wouldn't do it. Then, on the map, right on the precipice of the ambush, they took the right.

"Huh, you were right. I can see them from here!" The voice said Lelouch could hear and see them speeding away from the ambush. "Ok, what next?"

After a moment of contemplation, Lelouch made a decision. "You're first going to remove the IFF tag. If I can see you, so can Britannia. Then we'll join up with the local resistance, K-1."

"K-1?"

"It'll be your temporary designation. I trust you won't have problems with it."

She pauses before replying. "So long as you allow me to do one thing."

"And what's that?"

"Allow me to destroy Britannia," She said calmly, but it surprised Lelouch just how venomous her statement was.

The surprise falls away as he gives a smile.

Huh, seems he might grow to like her.

Still, why does she sound familiar?

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

"The terrorists have mixed in with the Eleven populous and are mounting a resistance. We've suffered light casualties, but the advantage is still ours." In the control room, Bartley informed the Prince of what had been happening.

"Casualties?" Clovis raises his brow.

"Y-yes. It appears that some Elevens were of the...more enhanced types.

Clovis squits, but he realizes what the General meant. "Ah. Well, I shouldn't be too surprised. They've been popping up more and more these days. Carry on." He gives out a dismissive wave.

"Yes, Your Highness. On the topic of the rogue Knightmare unit," He turns back to the map. "Just before we got them, they dodged the ambush. They may not be as alone as we originally thought. Sadly, they somehow removed their IFF, their last location being to the west of Shinjuku."

"Hmm, well, doesn't matter. We'll deal with them later. Proceed with the clean-up and find the girl. Dead or alive"

General Bartley turns to his Prince. "Of course, Your Highness."

As the officers turned back to their work, Clovis leaned back on his throne, gently caressing his head.

My, was this tiring? Couldn't the terrorists just roll over and die? He has more important matters to attend to.

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Back with the resistance, they were finishing up their preparations. However, among them, some felt unsure of the situation.

"Hey, are you sure about this?" Tamaki said to Ohgi, who was getting ready in his Sutherland. "These Knightmares don't have their IFF. What if it's a trap?"

"The Britannians have a total advantage over us. There's no need for traps." Ohgi said, looking down with Knightmare's cameras. "Get to your assigned position."

Despite his attitude, it didn't mean that he didn't understand Tamaki's fears. The fact that these Knightmares don't have IFF is worrying. Everything about this entire thing was worrying. But the voice hasn't led them astray yet, so he'll hold back on his distrust.

"P-1, can you move?"

Speak of the devil.

"The basics should be no different from what you're used to."

"Who are you? At least tell us your name." Ohgi asked. Having a name will at least help alleviate his and every's worries.

"I can't. What if our channels are being intercepted?" The voice said quickly. To Ohgi, it made sense, but he still feels off about that reasoning. "Regardless, if Q-1 arrives on time, possibly two Knightmares will arrive 23 seconds later. Shoot them through the walls."

"What is this guy talking about?" Tamaki asked, growing increasingly annoyed with their mysterious benefactor.

While feeling the same, Ohgi decided to play along. "Everyone, check your weapons." He said, counting down in his head.

"Wait, are you serious?" Tamaki's complaints went ignored as they prepared their weapons.

Kallen's Glasgow raced down the ruined streets of the ghetto. From above, an AV-64 gunship spotted her and informed its superiors.

"Enemy spotted at F-31."

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

On the map, the Glasgow is highlighted and tracked.

"A feint. How pedestrian." Clovis chuckles at the terrorists' lack of ability in tactics.

"Tell Laslo Squad to move straight in. Cut them off." Bartley gives out his orders. On the map, a squad of Knightmare units moves ahead of the Glasgow, planning to intercept it. "Have Eugen and Valerie strike from the rear." Two Knightmare units follow the Glasgow from behind.

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Ohgi calms his mind, taking deep breaths as the countdown nears its end. He hears the Glasgow race past the wall.

"3... 2... 1... FIRE!" Ohgi and the group pull the trigger, tearing down the walls before them and destroying the unsuspecting Sutherlands behind it.

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

"Sir Eugen and Sir Valerie were lost." An officer reports as Eugen's and Valerie's signals were reported [LOST] on the map. The other officers gape while the Prince blinks wide-eyed.

"An ambush?"

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Lelouch chuckles as he sees the results of his plan. An IFF can be a double-edged sword. As long as the terrorists follow my orders, my task at hand is sure to be completed.

And with a smirk on his face, he gives out his next orders.

The resistance gaped at the carnage and the trap that was sprung.

It worked!?

"P-1, P-4 and P-7, move a hundred meters to the right and fire your Slash Harkens towards 3 o'clock." The voice snapped them out of their awe. Ohgi gathers himself and begins to follow the orders.

"You heard him! Let's do this!"

"Damn, what else does he want us to do?" Tamaki complained, yet even he couldn't feel too grievance given what the voice had them do.

"Ready, P-5?"

Tamaki grimaces. "Quit calling me that." He said, even though he complied and entered the Knightmare.

G-1 Mobile Base

In the control room, the air turned for the worse as more reports from the battlefield came in.

"They're using the sam- Gah!" Another signal reports [LOST].

"We lost two more in another ambush!" An officer frantically reports. That was the fifth one they fell into.

"Enemy spotted moving towards G-28!" Bartley turns to that officer, sweat pouring from his head.

"Send Laslo's Sq- no, Glaube's Squad!" Bartley ordered. How did they let this happen? The terrorists were fighting back and effectively!?

"This means that terrorists have our military weapons!?" Clovis stared in shock at the screen.

Glaude and his squad received their orders and were about to set out when suddenly, a terrorist surprise attack caught them off guard. From atop a roof, Sir Glaude stared down in horror at the surprise. Then he heard Slash Harkens behind him.

Turning around, the last thing he sees is a red Glasgow socking him in the head at full speed.

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

"Sir Glaude ejected! They've completely annihilated his squad!"

"Change our codes! They're intercepting our transmissions!"

"We already did, My Lord! Four times!"

"Then change them again!" Bartley shouted. This can't be happening.

"This is unacceptable!" Clovis shot up from his throne. Bartley and the officers turned to the Prince and asked for forgiveness.

"Forgive me, My Lord!"

Suddenly, the map is replaced as they received a sudden call. On the screen, Lloyd appears with a smile. "Good afternoon!"

"What is it you want!? We're in the middle of an operation!" Bartley screamed, having no patience to tolerate Lloyd and his antics.

The scientist continues smiling. "I say it's time to deploy the ASEEC's Special weapon."

"We've got no time for this!" Clovis said, ending the transmission. Great. So even the eccentric scientist knew how badly the situation had deteriorated out of the royal's control.

"R-2, take down that VTOL." Lelouch moves his Rook piece across the board.

From the ground, A Sutherland fired its Slash Harken, striking a stray AV-64.

"B-7, use AP artillery." Next, a Bishop piece.

Explosions rocked the city block, as the Zevons M60 armored tanks and their Zevons M1296 Dragoons crumbled one by one, their heavy armor doing little to stop as another Sutherland fired upon them with heavy weaponry.

"K-1, burst through that unit." Following that, Lelouch moves his Knight piece.

A lone Sutherland fires on the charging rogue Sutherland, who fires their Slash Harkens into the surrounding buildings and launches them into the air. There, they kept dodging the fire, their Slash Harkens reeling them back and forth.

The Britannian pilot screams as he watches the Sutherland dive onto him. "H-How?! Sutherlands can't do th-"

"Group N, keep advancing." Lelouch grins as he sets his pieces into position. "Now then, your move." He said, waiting for his opponent's next actions.

A group of charging Sutherlands let out a war cry as they fired on the retreating Britannians.

"You stinking Eleve-" A pilot screams before being utterly destroyed.

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

"We just lost Laslo Squad!"

Clovis has had enough of these impotent officers, as he takes direct command. "So be it. Bring in Quincey's squad."

The officers turn to him in shock. "But, sire, that will break the encirclement."

"Then reinforce the breach with some of the units guarding me." Clovis points at a certain point on the map. "All we know for certain is that the enemy is centered around here. Therefore, we'll destroy them there."

Bartley and the other officers looked at each other in worry, but obeyed the Prince's orders.

Crawling out of his cockpit, Jeremiah stared in bafflement as he saw units who were supposed to hold the encirclement move in.

"Who ordered them to break formation?"

"Well, that was an even more stupid move than I expected," Lelouch said, twiddling the King piece and watching the encirclement break, with units who were protecting the Prince closing what little they could of the gaps formed.

Leaving the Prince entirely vulnerable.

Oh well, the Third Prince never made the best tactical decisions when panicked. Lelouch remembers that very well, given the many chess matches he had with him.

"Q-1, do you have a map of the area?"

"Uh, yeah. Though it's an old map of the city."

"It'll do."

Now then, time for the final act.

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

Clovis smiled as he saw his forces encircle the enemy and move in. Finally, he can be rid of these terrorists and focus on the girl. This entire day had been tiring, and it was time to put it behind him.

His forces closed in on the highlighted area and...

Nothing.

The units saw nothing but themselves.

No sign of the enemy.

The Prince, as well as the officers, all stared in shock. "Where did they go!?"

Underground, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Underneath all the Britannians, in the underground tunnels, the resistance sped away as they gave the Britannians a slip. Once far enough, Kallen turns and fires her Slash Harkens on the supporting structure.

Then everything collapsed.

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

In the control room, nothing but the beeping sound of the reporting signals filled the room. Stillness grips everyone as they see a sea of [LOST] being reported from the encirclement. Or what remained of it. They watched as the destruction spread out, the soldiers, Knightmares and tanks disappearing as the ground beneath swallowed them, crumbling like sand.

Clovis takes a step back, shaking his head in disbelief. Who... Just who the hell am I up against?

A terrifying thought came up.

What if he's even better than TOHDOH!?

No, no, this can't be. He refuses to accept this defeat!

"Lloyd!" He calls out to the Scientist, who is transmitting once again. "Can you do it? Can your toy beat them?"

Lloyd just gives his smile. "Your Highness, please be so kind as to call it Lancelot."

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

The resistance watched in awe as they saw what they had accomplished. For years, Britannia had been this overbearing presence that ruled unchallenged for years. Only Tohdoh's 'Miracle of Itsukushima' had been a true Japanese victory against Britannia.

And now they did it. They, a small resistance group from Shinjuku, had just won against Britannia.

Cheers break out amongst the fighters.

The rogue Knightmare stood on a rooftop, looking down at the destruction wrought upon by the voice.

Amazing. With nothing but tactics, he managed to land such a devastating blow.

Looks like following this guy paid off.

Lelouch cackles loudly as his plan comes to fruition. "My plan worked, didn't it!? I can do it! I can defeat Britannia!"

Calming down, he decides it's time to end this. "All forces." His voice ended the cheers he heard break out. "Proceed towards the final phase. Destroy the enemy while they are still dazed."

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

In the medical bay, Suzaku was putting on a special suit. It was primarily a white suit with gold linings and black sleeves that carried over the chest. It also had a high collar and shoulder pads.

"Did you read the manual?" Mariel asked over the earpiece he wore.

"Pretty much."

"Good. Miss Cecile worked hard on that, so I'm glad it's not a waste. Although, between you and me, I think that riding the Knightmare will be cooler than the manual."

"Elle!" Looks like Miss Cecile caught that.

"Ah, sorry, Cecile."

Suzaku hears Cecile sigh. "While checking your records, Suzaku, you scored pretty high in the simulations. Impressive."

"Sorry..." Suzaku interrupts. "About what I asked about earlier?"

"Hmm? Oh, you mean about that? Well, the chances aren't good, but neither are they zero." Mariel spoke.

Earlier, he took a risk and asked if Lelouch and the girl could have made it out alive. Of course, he kept their identities a secret. He may not be as smart as Lelouch, but he wasn't stupid.

"So that means there's still a chance, right?"

"True." Cecile came in. "However, I advise that you don't do anything reckless. The Lancelot has not been outfitted with an ejection mechanism."

"Understood, Miss Cecile." Suzaku walks out of the med-bay and towards the ASEEC Transport Truck. Standing behind the truck is the Engineering Corp Pride and Jewel, its Special Weapon.

"Z-01 Lancelot now activating."

"Lancelot,  now activated."

"Release hatch."

"Z-01 Lancelot on standby."

The tarp cover over the Knightmare was removed, unveiling the machine to the world. Suzaku gaped in awe at it.

A knight.

The Lancelot stood at nearly 5 meters tall and appeared more like a traditional knight. It was primarily white with gold highlights. Its armor was more streamlined than other previous generations, with pads on its forearms, protruding horn-like appendages on its shoulders and the back of its head, as well as two horns protruding forward on its head.

It looked more like a knight than any other Knightmare he'd seen.

"Yep," Mariel said. Suzaku couldn't see her, but he could almost picture the grin on her face. "The world's first seventh-generation Knightmare Frame. The Lancelot."

Inside the truck, Lloyd and his assistants, as well as other researchers, were gearing up the Lancelot.

"Well, if you're ready, Suzaku, shall we proceed with the set-up?" Lloyd spoke as he watched over everyone. At her station, Cecile worked on the computer in front of her. Next to her, Mariel did the same with her station.

"Initial Start-Up now proceeding from Phase 20," Cecile announces as Suzaku makes his way to the Knightmare.

"Equipping Energy Filler," Mariel said as they slotted the power supply into the Lancelot.

One by one, many researchers working at their computers spoke up.

"Confirmed. Response: Energy Filler Status now at full output."

"30 seconds to reach critical voltage."

"Blaze Luminous shifting phase."

"Yggdrasil Drive..."

"Initiating Devicer Set-Up."

Suzaku sat in the cockpit and inserted Lancelot's activation key. The dashboard lights up, illuminating him and the cockpit.

"Confirming entry of Devicer into Z-01. Individual ID registration confirmed."

"Confirm Man-Machine interface engaged."

"Yggdrasil resonance confirmed."

"Rejection responses: Weak. Devicer's Stress Response: Weak."

"All systems nominal."

"So far, so good," Lloyd said, looking over the data that was coming forward. Outside, the ambulances moved out of the way, clearing a path for Suzaku.

"Status all green. Status of tactical data bank authorized. Second confirmation given."

The Lancelot moves, stretching its legs and lowering its hand to the ground. Its Landspinners hit the ground, deployed and ready. Inside, Suzaku looks ahead with determination, with a goal in mind.

And he was going to achieve it.

"Lancelot," He said. "Activate M.E. Boost!"

Lancelot's eyes flash green.

And with that, Cecile gave the go-ahead. "Lancelot, launch!"

With smoke pouring from the Landspinners, the Lancelot rockets into the battlefield, leaving a shockwave in its wake, knocking everyone off their feet.

"FULL THROTTLE OUT OF THE GATE!" Lloyd screams over the wind, laughing as he does so. Cecile and Mariel just stuck to the ground.

The Japanese boy looked down at the Knightmare, amazed by its speed and performance. "This is definitely way cooler than the manual! With this-" He grasps his abdomen in pain. Right, he still wasn't fully healed. However, he can't falter right now.

Not yet.

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

The resistance was mopping up the remaining forces in the ghetto. While the Britannians may have lost a significant portion in the trap, there were still enough of them left to cause problems. Luckily, like the voice said, they were dazed, so it made for easy work.

That was until Tamaki noticed something. "What the hell?" He squints his eyes as his Sutherland detects something.

A big and white Knightmare was heading his way. He couldn't recognize what it was, as he had never seen anything like it.

"That doesn't look like a Sutherlan-"

Before he could blink, the Knightmare closed the distance and took the Sutherland's head clean off.

In his Sutherland, Lelouch smiles, looking down at the map. "Another push and it will all crumble."

Suddenly, his radio turns on. "This is Group B! We spotted an enemy!" A voice came in, the panting and sounds of fighting Lelouch could hear emphasized the dread in the man's voice.

So they got reinforcements to come in? Truly, an actual battle is different.

"Status?"

"Some of us ejected, but they took out four units in an instant!"

So he may be dealing with a large force. This may very well turn out to be difficult, but he'll manage. "Number of enemies?"

"Just one!" Lelouch's eyes widen.

One?

"I think it's a new model! Never seen anything li- Gah!" The next thing he heard was static.

"Hello?" Lelouch tries to contact them, but to no avail.

What's going on?

As it took down another Sutherland from the terrorist, the Lancelot activated its twin Factspheres located on its chest, scanning the battlefield. Seeing two more Sutherland with no IFF, he sped towards them.

The terrorists fired on him, but the Lancelot raised its arm, the forearm pad facing the incoming fire. Out of nowhere, a green, transparent kite shield, the Blaze Luminous, projected itself, protecting the seventh-generation Knightmare from the gunfire.

"What!? It deflects bullets!?" Lelouch asked about the validity of such a ludicrous notion.

"Yes! What do we do? Ishida- Gah!" Static.

Lelouch glowered. Useless terrorists. Could they just take out one simple unit?

The Lancelot continued its rampage, destroying any terrorist Knightmare it came across.

No matter the numbers.

With its Blaze Luminous, no weapon could touch it.

With its Slash Harkens in the forearm pads, no Knightmare could touch it.

And with its agility, launching from building to building, reeling itself from place to place, it was clear to everyone on the battlefield...

That nobody could stop it.

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11

"For heaven's sake, now I owe a debt to my brother that I didn't mean to incur," Clovis said as he watched the recent successes that the Lancelot was providing. With a sigh, he walks back to his throne with a tired grin.

"It's for the best."

"These readings are higher than predicted," Cecile said, astounded at the data of Suzaku's performance.

"I've never seen such a high operational efficiency!" Mariel said, looking at the steady 94% that the Lancelot. "It's like the machine is made for him."

"Hoho." Lloyd chortled. "Looks like our pilot is taking his mission very seriously."

Over the radio, the pilot of the rogue Knightmare could hear P-1 scream as he ejected. What's going on?

One moment, they were winning; the next, Knightmare after Knightmare fell to this one foe. And looking at the direction of its carnage, it was closer to the voice that led them.

Now, she could leave him be. After all, while the Britannian unit was outnumbered, they still kept winning regardless. Hard to see how she could stop it now alone.

But if the voice falls, the resistance crumbles, and that means the death of everyone here, including herself.

Onee-chan.

The pilot made her decision.

The Lancelot stood on an open street, Knightmare Frames lay around him with their cockpits gone. He wanted the fighting to stop. He may not like what the terrorists are doing, but he really doesn't want to kill his former countrymen. He understands their reasons.

The source of their hatred.

Inside, Suzaku catches his breath as he holds his abdomen. While the pain is great, he doesn't want to give up yet. Not until he saves Lelouch and that girl.

He then hears an alert on the dashboard. The Lancelot's Factspheres picked up a Sutherland with no IFF signal that was hiding a few floors up in a wrecked tall building. Now, he's not that of a strategic man, but he's pretty sure that's the leader of this resistance.

He rushes in.

"P-1, come in!" Lelouch screamed into his communicator. He hears nothing but static.

Could it really be just one unit? One Knightmare did all this?!

How!?

Suddenly, he hears a Slash Harken being fired at the building he was in. Being reeled up on it was the accursed white Knightmare that wreaked havoc upon his forces.

It rushed, holding up a fist. Grabbing the controls, Lelouch blocks the blow, but it still rattles him inside, with one of the Sutherland's arms rendered inoperable from the single punch.

"Are you the one in charge?" His foe asks, pushing against his Sutherland. Lelouch pushes back, though it does little as the white Knightmare pushes him back with little difficulty, their Landspinners screeching.

Lelouch growls. "Just a lowly pilot. How dare he!"

Beneath the two, the ground collapsed, their combined weight too much for the floor. They drop past the floor. And through the next floor.

And through the next.

Finally, they burst through down to the ground floor. Lelouch, dazed but still coherent, decides it's time to escape. But before he could, he saw the white Knightmare jumping into the air, about to drop a spin-kick on him.

Wait, that Knightmare can do that!?

Also, where has he seen that bef-?

He raises his remaining arm to guard and grunts as he's knocked over, the force too great. The white Knightmare stands before him, pointing his Slash Harken down at him.

He's about to finish the fight but gets interrupted by the red Glasgow, who comes in charging and throws a punch. The white Knightmare catches the punch, neither moving nor budging as it does so.

"Hey! I'm returning the favor!" Q-1 shouts at Lelouch.

Before anything else can happen, they're interrupted once more as, from behind the white Knightmare, the rogue Sutherland bursts through the wall and rains bullets upon the white Knightmare, forcing him away from Lelouch.

"We can't afford to have you fall here." K-1 said.

"K-1!?" Why is she here? He figured she would have run once the battle went awry.

"GO! We'll hold him off!" The rogue Knightmare keeps its fire on the white Knightmare.

Gritting his teeth, Lelouch makes his escape.

Suzaku grunts as he moves the Lancelot, dodging the gunfire. As he brought his arm up and fired his Slash Harken, it was intercepted mid-flight by the red Glasgow, who rushed at him.

Behind them, he can see the leader making his escape. He can't allow that.

With that, he dodges the Glasgow's punch and strikes its arm, tearing it off. But the Glasgow fires its remaining Slash Harken. However, Suzaku catches it and crushes it. The red Knightmare then begins sparking and falls to its knees. The cockpit ejects and flies off.

Huh, Suzaku muses. Guess that Glasgow was on its last legs.

He turns and charges at the Sutherland, who fires at him. But with the Blaze Luminous, every bullet bounces off his shield. He jumps and aims for its head, but he misses, taking off one of its horns as the Sutherland ducks.

The Sutherland fires its Slash Harkens, but even in point-blank range, Suzaku evades, making them hit the wall behind him, as he launches himself and comes down with an axe kick, his Landspinner acting as a club.

Once again, he misses, clipping off the other horn as the Sutherland pulls itself forward, simultaneously reeling itself while pushing its landspinners for extra speed.

Huh, they really are good.

Still, he has a mission. So, with a quick charge and an arm swipe, he tears off its firing arm and fires his Slash Harkens on the other, destroying it too.

Retreating, the Sutherland fires its Slash Harkens, but Suzaku catches both and, just like previously, crushes them. He then delivers a body kick to the Sutherland, the seventh-generation Knightmare's strength crushing its torso and throwing it back harshly.

Weaponless and sparks appearing all over the Frame, the pilot decides they've done enough and ejects, flying off.

Finally done, Suzaku turns around and speeds off.

As Lelouch makes his way out, he contemplates. His plan worked. he saw that. Yet, something he did not foresee came and wrecked his plans.

I must remember that. The most important element of battle is the human one.

Glancing back, his blood turns cold as he watches the white Knightmare racing towards him. Even with the lead he had, it was quickly closing the distance.

Desperate, Lelouch fires on the surrounding buildings, tearing them down and causing them to fall on the white Knightmare. However, his foe just slips past all the debris as if they weren't there at all.

"He's an unstoppable monster!" Lelouch grits his teeth. Just how the hell was he going to get away from this damn thing?

Screams fill the air.

Suzaku grits his teeth, dodging all the debris with ease, but is annoyed with his enemy's tactic. "This man... He's tearing things down for no reason!"

He then hears a screeching scream from above and looks up to see a woman with her child clutched tightly to her chest, fall out of one of the falling buildings.

Quickly, Lancelot twists, breaking off the pursuit, and jumps up, catching her with his palm.

In the midst of battle, he rescues someone? Lelouch stares in surprise.

Huh, how chivalrous.

I'll concede to you this tactical victory. Lelouch thought as he grasped the ejection mechanism. There are places he must go to.

G-1 Mobile Base

"He saved someone?" Lloyd asked as he looked back at the workstation, Cecile and Mariel looking just as surprised as he was.

"Uh, yeah. Looks like he did." Mariel said, looking up at him.

"Hmm, how peculiar."

The Lancelot gently lowers the terrified woman, who looks up at the machine in fear. Clasping her child to her chest, she screams and runs away.

Inside, Suzaku looks surprised at her action. But before he could do anything, Cecile contacted him. "Suzaku, are you tired?" On the dashboard, he could see a video feed of her worried face. "We can call it quits today if you want."

He shakes his head. "No, Miss Cecile. It's fine. I can still do the mission."

G-1 Mobile Base

A lone soldier walked to the unguarded land cruiser that housed the prince.

"Stop there!" Well, almost unguarded. One soldier stood out at the entrance. He held out his hand. "Present your ID."

"Such little security. Just as I expected." The soldier removes his helmet, revealing Lelouch. "Well then, would you kindly let me in?" He said, activating the power in his eye.

Like clockwork, the soldier's eyes glazed over, and he obeyed. "Of course, Sir. Right this way."

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Kallen panted as she ran down the ruined streets of Shinjuku. Just have to meet up with Ohgi and the others.

"Kallen!"

Skidding to a stop, she looks back and sees Ohgi waving at her from an alley. She smiles in relief. Looks like he's alive and well.

"Come on!"

He led her down to a nearby Safehouse. Inside was not only the resistance but also the surviving residents of Shinjuku. Who were obviously not happy that Britannia was massacring them. Thus, they took out their fear, anger and frustration on those they blamed.

"This is your fault for opposing Britannia!" One Japanese man screamed at Tamaki, who stood around with a rifle in his arms.

"What did you say!?" Tamaki glared at the man. "Say that again, you coward!"

"Do you know how many people died because of this!?" This time, a Japanese woman spoke up, tears in her eyes.

Whirling to her, Tamaki shouts. "Shut up! Do you know how many of us were captured or killed?!" All this did was make the woman cry her eyes out. "Stop crying!" Tamaki growls out.

As Tamaki was shouting up a storm, Kallen and Ohgi sat down amongst the group. As she does, Kallen takes a look around and takes it in. Everyone was high-strung, and tensions were flaring amongst them. She couldn't blame them, however.

While their lives in the squalid ghetto weren't the most pleasant thing imaginable, the Britannians at least left them alone, seeking to ignore them rather than interact. Leaving them to live in the ruins of their city. Now, something had happened, and Britannian had come for them.

Kallen's expression sours, the not-so-small guilt within her ever-present. Britannian was chasing the resistance, and now these people had to suffer for being caught in the crossfire.

There were moments in her life when doubt crept up, and she questioned herself.

Was this the right thing to do?

Kallen shakes her head, her doubt being replaced with hatred and frustration. Britannia had turned her beautiful nation into its dominion. Striping them of everything. Taking everything.

Their freedom.

Their rights.

Even their very own name wasn't safe.

Area 11.

She can't just sit around while Japan's history and culture disappear under the might of the Britannians. It's why she fights. It's why her brother fought. It's why they all fought.

Speaking of which...

"Ohgi, what happened to the guy we heard?"

Ohgi sighs, resting his tired body. "I don't know. I'm as clueless as you are. Maybe he died."

Despite herself, she didn't like that possibility. While she still thought that voice was shady as all hell, it was because of him and that rogue Knightmare that they fought and almost won. If only that damn white Knightmare hadn't budged in.

A thought comes. "What about that rogue Kn-"

The gate behind her exploded, startling everyone. As the cloud of dust dissipated, her blood ran cold.

"So this is where you Eleven vermin ran off to." Atop a tank, the tank commander sneered as he glared at the shivering survivors, who were backing up as they saw the soldiers who were with him. He raises his arm. "Prepare to fire!"

"See!" Ohgi turns to see Tamaki glaring at him, his rifle pointed at the Britannians. "I told you we should've used that gas!"

"But-"

"Damn that Nagata!"

As Tamaki ranted off at Ohgi while pointing his rifle at the Britannians, who in turn pointed their weapons, Kallen stared in horror.

Was this it?

Was she really about to die here?

Was there nothing they could do?

Naoto... Onii-chan...

Then an epiphany struck Kallen.

There was something they could do. Something she could do.

Placing her hand on the floor, she closes her eyes and focuses on herself, searching for it.

That power within her.

Around her hand, the air shimmers with red light, and the ground beneath it shakes. Inside her, she felt like a dam was about to burst. Ohgi looks down at her and sees what's happening.

His eyes widen, and he reaches out for Kallen as she opens her own eyes, glaring at the commander whose arm is dropping. She was about to release the dam when suddenly a booming voice called out.

"Attention all forces! Cease fire at once!"

Everything stops. Kallen looks up in shock. Ohgi stops as he also looks up, searching for the source. The survivors and even the soldiers looked up, the commander's arm freezing where it was.

That was Prince Clovis' voice.

It wasn't just them who heard the broadcast. Suzaku looks down at his radio communicator, surprised by the orders. "Cease fire?"

"I, Clovis, Third Prince of Britannia and Royal Viceroy of Area 11, hereby command you: All forces, cease fire at once!"

Every soldier looked at their radios, and those without heard him regardless as the orders of Prince Clovis' voice projected all across the ghetto.

"You shall also cease the destruction of any buildings or properties!"

From the rubble, all remaining Japanese looked up in confusion. And the soldiers were no different. Jeremiah stared in surprise. Villetta, on her way to friendly territory, looked up with the same look.

"All casualties, whether Britannian or Eleven, shall be treated equally and without prejudice!"

Next to the crashed cockpit of the rogue Sutherland, a feminine figure faces the battlefield.

Near the G-1 Mobile Base, the ASEEC team looked at the orders they had received. Lloyd stands silently, a contemplative look on his face.

"I repeat. Under my name as Clovis la Britannia, I hereby order you to cease fire at once! I shall allow no further fighting!"

G-1 Mobile Base

Inside the dimmed briefing room, Clovis sits on his throne, glowering at the intruder dressed in a soldier's uniform.

The intruder, who held a gun pointed at him.

Clovis glowers even further as he looks around. For some unknown reason, the intruder was able to walk in here without a single soul stopping him. More damning was that his officers and guards were nowhere in sight and he had a feeling that wasn't a coincidence.

"So, what shall we do next?" Clovis said, hoping to stall so that his soldiers could get to him. "Perhaps we should sing a few lively ballads or even play a game of chess if you fancy that."

The intruder chuckles, gun still pointing at the prince. "Well, that certainly takes me back."

"Hmm?"

"Don't you remember? The two of us used to play chess together as boys. Of course, I'd always win." The intruder chuckles.

Clovis gives a blink in confusion. "What?"

"Remember? At Aries Villa?"

A pit opens up in the Prince's stomach. Aries Villa? He remembers that place. One of his favorite places in the Imperial Palace. And that was because of the vi Britannia siblings...

He glares at the intruder. "Who are you?"

The intruder removes his helmet and tosses it aside. He then steps into the only source of light in the room, the light from the near-setting sun.

Clovis choked on air as he bore witness to the intruder's face. Eyes widen as they recognize that face.

"It's been a while, big brother."

A face with fierce violet eyes and a devilish smirk.

"The eldest son of the late Consort, Marianne vi Britannia, and seventeenth in line of the Imperial Throne, Lelouch vi Britannia."

The former 11th Prince gave a mocking bow to the current 3rd Prince.

"At your service."

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

The False Masks

G-1 Mobile Base – Area 11, 10 August 2017 a.t.b.

Clovis la Britannia stared in shock at the revelation that his thought-to-be-dead brother, Lelouch vi Britannia, was alive.

He shot up from his throne. "Lelouch!? But I thought-"

"I was dead?" Lelouch smirked. "You were wrong, Your Highness. I have returned."

As he rose to his feet, he leveled his gun at Clovis.

"And I've come back to change everything."

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Kallen glanced back at the land cruiser that housed the prince. She and the resistance were moving along with a crowd of survivors who were leaving the devastation that had been left in their city. The Britannian soldiers stood by, watching them leave. While she couldn't see their faces, she could guess that they were confused and angry that they were letting them go. She sees a man with teal hair shouting into a radio.

"Why the hell are we letting the Elevens go!? What about the poison gas they've stolen?"

His grimace told her that whatever he heard, he didn't like it. "Yes, I heard about the Prince's orders! I'm asking why we're doing it!? Where are Bartley and the Staff Officers?"

Somehow, his grimace grew even more pronounced. "What do you mean they're not at their post? You're telling me that the Prince is in the briefing room, ALONE!?"

"Kallen."

Knocked out of her eavesdropping, she looks at Ohgi, who walks up next to her. He looked at her with a disapproving look. "I saw what you were about to do. Back there at the Safehouse."

She frowns and looks forward, keeping her stride. She's already dreading the conversation.

"Naoto said that you shouldn't use your ability-"

"Unless absolutely necessary. I know." Kallen finishes. "But what was I supposed to do? Let us get shot?"

"I understand that. But using your ability draws attention. And you know what happens if they find those with abilities."

Kallen's frown deepens, shuddering a bit. She's heard many rumors about what happens to those whom Britannia catches, none of them pretty. Ohgi looks around, seeing way too many ears, and whispers to her. "We'll talk about this later."

She nods, still keeping her frown.

G-1 Mobile Base

Clovis stared in fear at the gun pointed at his head. Slowly, he sits back down on his throne.

"I... I'm overjoyed, Lelouch." He said, eyes nervously shifting from the gun to his brother. "They said you and Nunnally died when Japan was brought into the fold."

Lelouch gave nothing but a cold look, the gun never wavering from its target.

"We should depart for the homeland straight away!"

"So you can use me as a tool for diplomacy once more?" Lelouch narrows his eyes. "It seems you've forgotten why we were sent to Japan in the first place."

Clovis widens his eyes as he realizes what he meant.

"That's right. It's because my mother had been killed." Lelouch closes his eyes as the painful memories pop back up.

The bullets shattering the windows.

The smell of blood in the air.

His mother's body over his sister, protecting her.

Nunnally staring at her mother in shock and horror.

And him, standing by the stairs, screaming as he witnessed the tragedy.

For years, he had questioned why that happened. Why was their mother killed? Why did the Emperor not do anything about it? Why did he send Nunnally and him away?

Why?

Why?

Why?

And for years, he had received no answer. No clues. No closure. He was just left there to seethe in the ocean that was his rage.

Until now.

He opens his eyes, glaring at Clovis. "Mother held the title of Knight of Honor, but was a commoner by blood. No doubt the other consorts held her in contempt." He then scowls. "You may have made it look like the work of terrorists, but I'm no fool. You people killed my mother!"

"It wasn't me, I swear!" Clovis scrambles back in his throne, waving his hands in front of him.

"Then tell me who it was. The truth can no longer be hidden from me." He activates the Power of the Kings, his Geass, within his eye. "By whose hand was she slain?"

Clovis widens his eyes as he sees the sigil, before his eyes glazed over, his will succumbing to Lelouch's. In a monotone voice, he spoke. "My siblings, Second Prince Schneizel and Second Princess Cornelia. They can tell you."

Lelouch's eyes widen at this revelation. "They were at the heart of this!?"

Clovis remains silent, his expression revealing no emotions.

"I see." The former prince furrows his brow. "That's all you know, isn't it?"

Appears that's all Clovis can say. He either wasn't privy to their plans, or he truly didn't know and suspected those two. Either way, he at least knows where to look.

As he deactivates his power, Clovis wakes up from his trance. "I swear, it wasn't me!" He screams, panicking again, the memory of what happened moments before, gone.

"I believe you." Lelouch lowers his gun. Clovis blinks at this before sighing, relief flooding his veins.

"However..."

Lelouch gives a devilish smile as he raises his gun, this time pressing it against his brother's head. Clovis' heart races as he stares at Lelouch with terror in his eyes. "WAIT! We may have different mothers, but you and I are of the same blood!"

However, this does nothing to faze the former prince. "You can't change the world without getting your hands dirty."

He pulls back the trigger.

Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11, 11 August 2017 a.t.b.

"LELOUCH, WAKE UP!"

A hit to his head rudely awakens the schoolboy. Looking up, he sees Milly Ashford in her school uniform, an angry look on her face, and a long, rolled-up piece of paper in her hands, which she uses to hit his head. Again.

Repeatedly.

"I know you're sleeping. Your hands stopped moving." She said, still continuing to rain blows on his head.

"Well, you don't have to beat me about it." He said, raising his arm to block.

"HA! Serves you right for ditching me yesterday," Rivalz said as he sat at the head of the table. The children were in the Student Council, sitting at the long table on which they performed their club duties.

Sorting out paperwork.

"Yeah. What was up with you yesterday?" Next to him, Shirley asked as she worked on her set of papers. She sent him a questioning look, remembering all that he did yesterday.

Lelouch looks away. "Oh, uh..." Desperately, he sought for an excuse.

Luckily for him, Milly puts her foot down. "That's enough, you guys. We can't get sidetracked here. If we don't come up with a budget for the club activities, there'll be no funds for anything."

"And if it comes to that point..." At the corner, Nina sat at a desk, working on her set of papers.

"The Equestrian Club will be pissed. We don't want them riding in here on horseback." Rivalz finishes, smiling.

Milly frowns. "Rivalz, can't you be a more serious Student Council member?"

Unbeknownst to her, a man in a red and white uniform rode past their window on horseback, peering into the room before leaving.

Shirley gives Milly an annoyed look. "You know, it would have been helpful if you had reminded us a day earlier."

Rivalz shrugs. "I would have suggested a day later. Then we would have given up."

"Good idea." Lelouch agreed, pointing to Rivalz. "Let's do that."

"GUTS!"

Everyone in the room winces and turns to Milly, who stands in a pumped-up pose, glaring at them.

"Are you trying that 'guts' spell again?" Rivalz asked with an exasperated expression.

"Yep." She smiles, her previous expression vanishing as if it weren't there. "I want you people to start putting your all in this."

"I don't think your magic is going to do anything," Lelouch said.

Milly scoffs. "Who said anything about magic? It could be my special ability for all you know." She gives a cheeky wink at him.

He chuckles. "Don't go joking about such things." However, with how she's able to get people to follow in her antics and, given that he has the power to control minds, maybe he can't rule out the supernatural.

"Well," Shirley said, raising her hand. "I think it's got me all fired up."

"Supple and willing. That's what I like." Milly smiles at her.

"I train hard at the Swimming Club!" Shirley said proudly, flexing her arm.

"That's not what I meant."

"Huh?" Shirley notices Milly gazing suggestively at her. Or, more specifically, what was below her head. Following her gaze, she sees her bosom.

"You're a ten. From what I heard in the girls' bathroom, anyway." Milly teases with a smirk. "You're filling up in all the right places."

"Hoho." Rivalz leered down as well. Shirley covers her bosom, her cheeks flushed red.

"PERV!"

Lelouch gives a small, hidden smile as he watches the shenanigans that are a common occurrence. Never a dull moment in the Student Council.

Finally, they finished their work and were getting ready to head to their next classes. As he was about to leave the room, he was stopped by Milly. "Lelouch."

He looks back. "Yes?"

"Have you seen Maya lately?" She gave him a concerned look. "She never came back from her errand."

"Is that so?" Ah, he thought something was missing. Maya Garfield, one of their recent members. A bit of a distant and quiet girl, but who's also hard working. She also goes on errands whenever lunchtime comes. No one knew where she went, but she usually came back late, slightly chipper than before, he might add.

That was, until now, apparently.

"Yeah. She never did this before. So if you can, check up on her, please? And to give her this." She moves in closer, eyes glancing around them, and discreetly hands him something that surprises him.

An origami in the shape of a crane.

"Where did you get this?"

"She dropped it as she left. I planned on giving it back, but she left before I could. Thought I would give it to her today, but as you can see..." She shrugs.

He looks over the origami, admiring the craftsmanship. Whoever made this certainly had a lot of passion put into it.

"Wait," He looks up. "Why can't you do it now?"

Milly laughs. "Oh, that's quite simple, my Vice President." She places her hand on his shoulder, flashing a wide grin at him. "I have you to do it."

He gives her a bemused look. "What am I, your errand boy?"

"Of course not. You're my Vice President. Besides, Rivalz already got his punishment, so all that's left is you." She tightens her grip, giving him a look that says she will not take 'no' for an answer.

He sighs.

In the background, Lelouch could swear he heard Rivalz laughing.

"Shesh, our president is just a dirty old man inside, isn't she?" Shirley said as she and the other members walked to their classes.

"That's Milly for you," Nina said.

"Relax," Rivalz said, nonchalantly waving at them. "At least we managed to get the budget done."

As the three entered their class, they saw a peculiar sight. Many of their classmates surrounded those with computers. On those computers was the news of what happened in Shinjuku.

"They used poison gas!?"

"Man, that's freaky."

"Shinjuku is just 30 minutes from here."

"I saw smoke coming from there." A gasp. "Maybe that was the poison gas!"

Around the class, many students expressed fear and distress that such a weapon of mass destruction was so close to them.

"Shinjuku?" Shirley asked.

"I heard about it in real time." Behind her, Lelouch entered the class. "That's why I called you yesterday."

As the class continued to discuss the poison gas, Lelouch narrowed his eyes, seeing the news, and noticing a lack of coverage surrounding the Prince's death. This is strange. Are they covering it up?

The death of a member of the Imperial Family should be sending out shockwaves throughout not just Area 11 but throughout the entirety of Britannia. Especially given that Clovis has made himself a very popular figure, at least to the Britannians in Area 11.

He pulls back the trigger.

"GUH!" He gagged, quickly covering his mouth and rushing to the bathroom as the urge to vomit grew intensely.

In the bathroom, Lelouch cleans himself at the sink after vomiting. Turning off the taps, he stares into his reflection in the bathroom mirror. "Heh, guess I wasn't as tough as I thought I was." He chuckles bitterly.

Not only had that been his first kill, but even with hatred in his heart and the blood on Clovis' hands, he remembered a time when they were still brothers who enjoyed each other's company.

As he leaves the bathroom, he thinks back on the cover-up of Clovis' death. Now that he thought about it, it makes sense. The Prince just died, right in what was supposed to be the most secure area of the land cruiser. Of course, they were panicking and trying to buy time, figuring out how to salvage this catastrophe.

So, they're not to incite a panic, huh? Hmm, then by the time they announce it, they would have a scapegoat ready. However, since I'm the killer, the question is then...

Who?

Fort Perry, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Fort Perry is an impressive military installation, furthering the Empire's duties and ambitions in the Pacific, as well as being responsible for the defense of not only the island dominion but also the Viceroy and his government.

In Jeremiah's eyes, however, it's clear that they failed at doing that.

"That ex-civil servant is a joke." He said, glaring as the black sedan that he was in passed through the routine check-up at the gates.

"Are you referring to General Bartley, my Lord?" Sitting next to him, Villetta glanced at him.

"The killer breached through our heaviest security. Twice." He scoffs. "These perfunctory inspections are nothing but a farce."

"He says he doesn't remember how it happened." Villetta pointed out. When they weren't receiving any more orders from the Prince, they went to investigate. What they found was the Prince's corpse, with the killer long gone. And nobody knows how they did it. All that they could gather was that no one had any recollection of what happened between the Prince's orders and his death.

"Don't tell me you believe him." Jeremiah looked at her with incredulity.

"I'm not saying that I am, sir. I'm just suggesting that there may be another element to consider here." Villetta said, a memory coming up. Oddly enough, she, too couldn't recall how she lost her Knightmare. One moment, she was carrying out the late Prince's commands. The next, she winds up in that warehouse.

She furrows her eyebrows. A glimpse of someone standing in the middle of the warehouse appears in her mind.

Was someone else there?

Jeremiah scoffs. "If you're saying that the killer had a meta-ability, I suggest you stop while you're ahead. Many have used that excuse to cover up their failures. So, unless more evidence comes forward, merely forgetting something will not get them out of trouble."

"Very well, sir." She drops the subject, knowing that Lord Jeremiah can be very stubborn when he wants to be. "On another matter, this could be the chance us purebloods need. With the prince gone-"

"Let me make that call." He holds up a finger at her. "We still need to woo everyone over."

Ashford Academy – Area 11

As Lelouch walks back into the class, he comes across a circle of girls surrounding a desk. At the center, he sees a girl with short red hair and blue eyes.

"Kallen, it's been ages!"

"Sophie's been worried sick."

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kallen said softly, with a tired expression. "I just have to go easy for a little while."

Lelouch studies the redhead. Kallen Stadtfeld. Known for being a quiet and sickly girl. She comes from the Stadtfeld family, a noble family with vast amounts of wealth at their disposal. Her attendance in the classroom was poor, and whenever she did attend, she didn't take part in any physical activities. Still, despite her frequent absences, she always remains in the Top 10 in class, so she isn't lacking in intelligence at all.

Still, he feels like he has seen and heard her somewhere...

"Because that would mean a bloodbath!"

His eyes shot wide open.

The terrorist!

So that's why she sounds so familiar.

Walking back to his seat, he studies her again, this time though with intent. So she's a terrorist? That would explain why she's never been to class. And as he watches her interact with the class as the day goes on, he notices some slight differences.

While the girl at the truck sounded confident and had a fiery look to her, the girl in his class is more soft-spoken and has a quiet demeanor, as if she's trying not to draw attention to herself. Even her hairstyle showed this change, with her classroom persona having her hair combed to be straighter, while he remembers it being wild.

"So," From behind, Rivalz sneaks up on him, a smirk on his face. "See something you like?"

Lelouch sighs. Should have been more discreet...

"You've got a thing for her, don't you?" Rivalz looks at him, a knowing look on his face.

"I just think it's odd. She hasn't been here since the semester started." Lelouch said, trying to dissuade the thoughts he knows are running in his friend's mind.

Unbeknownst to the schoolboys, Shirley took a glance at Lelouch from the corner of her eyes before going back to the book in her hands, burying the oddly burning feeling in her chest when she saw Lelouch looking over Kallen.

Elsewhere in the academy, a particular girl with her eyes closed was strolling down a hallway in a powered wheelchair. She has brown curly hair flowing down her back and wears the Ashford Academy uniform; however, instead of the usual yellow and black scheme, she wears a pink pinafore over a long-sleeved white shirt and a red tie with the Ashford insignia woven in gold. She wore rogue pink knee socks and black shoes as well.

She is Nunnally Lamperouge, Lelouch's little sister and a former princess of Britannian. Just like her brother, she had been living with the Ashford family ever since the invasion of Japan. And just like him, she attended the academy, though, given her age, she was assigned to the middle school district within the academy.

Still, she was fine with that. She got to meet up with her brother and her friends daily, so with a bright smile, she went on her day.

That was, until she heard three very familiar footsteps before her.

"Well, if it isn't the freeloader."

Nunnally felt a stone drop in her stomach as she heard the familiar feminine voice.

Before her stood three girls. On the right stood with short black hair and hazel eyes. She wore the same uniform as Nunnally, meaning that she, too, was in the middle school district. She was Alexandria Medici, a member of the wealthy Medici family, a noble family of Marleyan heritage, with ties in the financial markets.

On the left, another girl stood with brown hair in a ponytail and brown eyes. She, too, wore the same uniform. She was Isabella Borgia, another noble family of Marleyan heritage, whose family is rumored to have connections in many places, especially within Britannian politics.

In the middle of the two stood Ekaterina Sforza. A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. She also wore the same uniform. She was a member of the Sforza family, another noble family of Marleyan heritage, with an influential position among the Britannian nobility.

How does Nunnally know any of this? Because these girls like to repeat it.

A lot.

Nunnally slows to a stop and addresses the girls. She nods. "Miss Sforza, Miss Medici, Miss Borgia. While I would love to stay and catch up with you all, I have classes I must attend to."

She tries to roll past them, but Ekaterina stops her by grabbing onto the wheelchair. "Hold it! I didn't permit you to leave." Ekaterina said, glaring down at Nunnally. Nunnally sits back in her wheelchair, anxious. She doesn't know how or why, but for some reason, Ekaterina and her two friends always had an issue with her. Try as she might, Nunnally just can't seem to recall the reason for being these girls' ire.

"Where's your respect for your betters? For a low-born noble such as yourself, I had hoped that you'd been taught about your poor manners by now." Ekaterina scowled at the wheelchair bound girl.

Nunnally gave a small frown. She doesn't even know where Ekaterina got the idea that she was a noble. She and her brother were no longer a part of the royal family. "I'm sorry if I offended you, Miss Sforza, but I truly must get to my classes." Again, she tries to leave, but Ekaterina pulls the wheelchair back, nearly making Nunnally fall out.

"Ah!"

"I said you're not leaving!"

As Nunnally sits back, she feels a sudden rush of wind and hears a new voice popping up. "Really, Ekaterina? This again? Don't you have a better use of your time?"

Surprised by the sudden gust of wind, Ekaterina and the other girls turn around and glare.

Behind them, leaning on the wall, was a girl with blond hair and red eyes, as well as a wide grin on her face. She also wore the same uniform as everyone in the hall.

Ekaterina glowers. "Stay out of this, Beaumont. I am in the middle of educating the uneducated about showing respect."

The girl's grin grows even further as she looks down. "Is that so? Well, you don't exactly give the image of a respectable teacher."

It is then that Ekaterina feels a sudden draft from below. She, Isabella, and Alexandria looked down and shrieked. Somehow, without their notice, their skirts had fallen to their ankles, revealing their panties.

As they scrambled and pulled their skirts up, they glared at the red-eyed girl howling with laughter.

Ekaterina growls, taking a step towards the laughing, before hearing the footsteps of their classmates drawing near. Red in the face, Ekaterina looks to Alexandria and Isabella. "We're leaving." She said, but before giving one final glare to the girl. "You'll pay for this, Beaumont." And with that, she and her friends leave the hall. The girl scoffs, shaking her head before making her way to Nunnally, who held her hand to her chest, sighing.

"Here, let me help you up." The girl asked, standing next to her.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Alice." Nunnally gives a smile to the girl. "But what in the world did you do to them that had them screaming like that?"

Alice smiles. "Just a little trick of mine. Don't worry, they're not hurt. Can't say the same about their dignities, though."

The former princess sighs in relief. "Thank God."

Alice frowns at this. "I still can't understand why you won't let me punch in their stupid faces. They obviously deserve it at this point."

"Yes," Nunnally said, not denying her friend's words. "But then you'll get into trouble."

She scoffs. "Please, I can take any punishment from the academy."

"I'm not talking about the academy." Nunnally fiddles with her hands, her head facing down. "Miss Ekaterina may get punished, but in doing so, she might drag you and the academy down as revenge. I can't let that happen to you."

Especially after hearing just how influential her family is. She doesn't want to add any more to her plate or her brother's, if even half of Ekaterina's claims are true.

She doesn't want to burden Lelouch even more than she already has.

Alice looks down at her and sighs. "I don't like it, but fine. Now then, let's get to class."

As Alice pushes Nunnally to her class, Nunnally tries to ignore how tightly her fingers are clenching her pinafore.

When lunch break rolled by, many in the academy took to either eating at the cafeteria or sitting outside in the courtyard. Amongst the students, Kallen and her group of friends sat outside, eating their lunch while discussing topics. Kallen stayed mostly silent during this, content with just eating her sandwich.

That was until a bee flew into the group.

"Ah! A bee!"

"Don't let it sting me!"

"Kallen, run! Come on!"

As the girls scrambled away from the flying insect, Kallen, in contrast, calmly got up, jogged and crouched behind some bushes.

"I don't get it. Why is a bee following me?" She asked as she saw the bee buzzing around her face. "Is there a beehive nearby?" Annoyed by the constant buzzing from the insect, she raises a palm towards the bee.

Pop.

Suddenly, in a flash of red light, the bee popped like a bubble, its small remains falling to her feet.

"God, I hate this! I shouldn't have chosen to act as a weakling!" Kallen said, her Japanese slipping out as she rose to her feet. Her previous expression of a soft-spoken girl vanishes as she scowls. Why does she have to put up with this? She should be out there with the Ohgi and the others, doing missions and fighting against Britannia.

Not mingling around with these Britannians.

With a huff, she goes back to eating her sandwich and walks back to her seat. But as she turns, she freezes.

Standing not too far from her was a boy with black hair and violet eyes staring at her.

Ah, crap.

No doubt about it. It's definitely her. Lelouch thought as he saw everything that took place. Her Japanese slipping out and her quiet demeanor fell away, revealing the fiery personality that lay within. And even what she did to the bee.

Interesting.

He watches as she freezes upon seeing him. She gulps down her sandwich and tries to act natural before speaking to him in English. "A-ah, may I help you or something?"

As she stood there, hoping that the boy didn't see too much, the schoolboy decided that now was as good a time as any to receive some answers. So, with a blink, he activates his Geass.

"You will answer my questions."

The bird-like sigil flaps its wings before flying through Kallen's eyes and into her brain. And like a flip of a switch, Kallen's will became his. Her eyes glaze over as she falls into a trance. "Of course." She said in a monotone voice.

"Were you the one to pilot the red Glasgow?"

"Yes."

"Why terrorism?"

"Because I'm Japanese. Though technically, I'm half Britannian."

"Half-blood?" He asked, surprised. That explains some things. Her appearance is like that of any Britannian, so her mixed heritage was how she fit in so easily as a Britannian while fighting as a terrorist. It also makes sense why she would hide it, too. Britannian society isn't fond of half-bloods. The nobility, especially, don't kindly to any Britannian if they have a mixed heritage, more so if they're from numbers.

Just another aspect he hates about his former home.

"Why go so far?"

While he understands that as a Japanese, she probably felt that she shouldn't stand by while Japan suffered under the yoke of Britannia, however, many other Japanese people would have already taken arms and fought, if that were the case. So why does she fight?

"Because of my brother's goal. Of a free Japan." She said.

"Your brother?" Lelouch mutters.

"Yes, my brother passed away, so I've taken it upon myself to achieve his goal for him."

So that's why she fights. An admirable goal, one he himself can understand as well. He then looks down at the tiny remains of the bee. "What did you do to that bee?"

"I used my Meta-ability."

His head shoots up to study her. Ah, so she's one of them.

About nearly 3 decades ago, there was a report of a newborn baby in the Chinese Federation. Normally, that wouldn't exactly be newsworthy, except for one fact.

The child was glowing.

The newborn was reported to glow with such brightness that it was almost as if a god had descended. The parents, as well as the doctors, were in awe. No human could emit such visible light, and they couldn't explain it. The baby soon became a national sensation, becoming one of the most famous individuals in the federation. Hell, they even appeared on international news networks.

However, as time went on, the news cycle settled. Other than reporting from people who said they felt great and safe within the brilliance of the child's light, there wasn't much else about it. And soon, people moved on, thinking that this was it.

Then the next one came.

A year later, they found another individual who also made news. In Britannian, there was a tragic train derailment that took the lives of everyone on board.

Except for one man.

When authorities arrived on the scene, they made a surprising discovery. The man was unharmed. Other than the tattered clothes he wore, there was no damage anywhere. No bleeding. No broken bones. Nothing.

And it didn't stop there.

Over the years, more and more people of various ages with extraordinary abilities came forward. And with each person came more miracles. It was at that point that people were getting the memo.

Something abnormal was happening to the world.

Lelouch looks back at Kallen. "And what does your ability do?"

"I can radiate anything I touch. With enough exposure, I can use it to combust objects."

"Is that so?" He said, impressed. That is a powerful ability to have. "Anything, you say? Any limitations?"

"It works best on solid objects and liquids. It gets very difficult with a gas, however, and I tire out quickly. It depends on the material, composition and size as well. Some things are easier to combust than others."

What a treasure trove this girl is. Makes sense why she keeps it a secret.

"When you received your ability, did you ever see a girl with green hair with a strange mark on her forehead?"

"No."

Lelouch narrows his eyes. "Who was with you when you received your power?"

"Nobody. I was alone when I discovered my power."

Tsk. So that's a dead end here. Still, he'll figure out just what the girl was.

After that bout of interrogation, Lelouch decides he has received enough information from her. So, he deactivates his power; the glow receding from his eye.

Kallen blinks, her mind coming back.. "Uh, do you need something?" She asked, not remembering a single thing.

"No." Lelouch turns around. "I got all I needed."

As he's walking away, he stops, a thought in his head. "Just to be safe." He turns around and activates his Geass again. "Don't tell anyone about Shinjuku."

"Hmm? What do you mean by Shinjuku?"

Shockingly, instead of succumbing to the power, Lelouch watches wide-eyed as Kallen tilts her head, confused. "Why did you mention it?"

He tries again. "Go back to class."

"After you answer my question." Again, instead of obeying, she glared at him, suspicious.

Just what the hell was going on?

Inside the academy, Shirley walks down the hallway, looking for Lelouch. Lunchtime was ending, and they had chem class coming up. It was Lelouch's turn this time to set up the equipment.

Now, where was that boy?

Passing a window, Shirley looks out at the courtyard. Stopping, she gapes at a sight as her mind races.

Lulu and... Kallen!?

No wait. That can't be right. Lulu never showed any interest in other girls. 'The Ice Prince of Ashford', the girls call him. Though there was that time when he stared at her earlier today...

Shirley shakes her head, squashing the burning feeling that popped up again. No, Kallen just got into this semester. Most of the time, she's absent. He couldn't have the time to meet up with her.

Although what if, all those times he went gambling, he wasn't actually gambling? She freezes, as thoughts of a... not so wholesome nature creep into her mind.

She blushes before shaking her head again.

No! There's probably just a misunderstanding!

That's all!

What's going on? It's not working!? Lelouch cursed. He takes a step back from the redhead, who was now viewing him with suspicion. His mind races, quickly looking for a way out...

"Lulu! Kallen!"

Lucky for him, Shirley came to the rescue. The two looked up and saw Shirley sticking out of a window above them. "We have to get to the Chem class! Come on!" She shouted, waving them in.

"Oh crap!" Lelouch said, placing a palm on top of his head. "And it's my turn to set up the equipment!" With that, he rushes to class, leaving behind Kallen.

Inside, Lelouch chided himself. He grew arrogant with his power, and now it cost him. Not only did he fail at using it on Kallen again, but he even brought the girl's suspicion upon himself.

Why didn't it work?! It was working beforehand!

Unknown Laboratory, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

"The project is a complete failure," Bartley said as he addressed a group of people who wore lab coats. "Therefore, this research division is being gutted."

He was inside a secure laboratory hidden underneath the Viceroy Palace, where they conducted research that most would consider... unethical. Only the late Prince Clovis, himself, another staff officer, and these researchers knew what was going on in this laboratory.

And now, the Prince was dead, caused by an event he could not even remember. Bartley could see the writing on the wall. He and many other heads were on the chopping block. Which will inevitably expose this research division and all its dirty secrets.

"What? But..."A researcher stood from his chair in disbelief, his expression shared with the others.

"I've already set up a place for you in Narita. Move everything out. There, you'll work with the division already there." A bit of fear creeps up on Bartley. "While we may not remember, the fact remains that the staff officers and I left the prince alone. I'm going to be called back home for this. If the Emperor finds that the project has gone without his consent..."

Bartley shudders, not even willing to imagine just what the Emperor would do.

"Head out as quickly as possible." With that, he leaves the room. Behind him on the desk where the researchers worked, there were many documents laid about, as well as many photos. One was a photo of a green-haired girl strapped to a metal chair, with machines connected to her as well as researchers surrounding, taking notes. Another photo, this one grayed out because of age, shows a battlefield where early tanks rolled over trenches. However, the tanks were not the focus of the photo, but of the same green-haired girl in a brown coat as she ran across the battlefield.

As the door slid closed, he let out a stressed sigh.

"I told you we should have sent out Anti-Bodies."

Bartley turns to his side and spots another man in the same uniform as him, glaring at him. He had bleached blonde hair and a small beard. He was General Yan, the other Staff General involved with the research.

"I told you we should have sent them out, but no. You want to do this quietly. Have as few eyes and ears as possible. Well, how's that working out for you?" General Yan said, glaring at Bartley.

Bartley growled. "The Prince's orders were explicit."

"Prince Clovis is dead. And it's on you." General Yan growls out, pocking Bartley in the chest. "If we had a greater force and responded more quickly, we would have crushed this little terrorist cell into oblivion. Instead, you failed. Now, we have too many eyes looking at us, looking at your failure."

Bartley frowns, seething at what he said. He slaps his finger away. "You would've had us rushing and destroying the terrorists, leaving us exposed, with people asking why all that build-up was there for."

"Like your plan was any better. Because now, all our heads are on the chopping block."

Bartley growls before shaking his head. "We don't have time for this. Have your men escort those researchers to Narita. Discreetly." He glares at Yan before turning and walking away. "And don't you worry, I will resolve this matter."

Bartley ignores the scoff he hears from behind.

General Yan watches General Bartley walk away with a frown.

Scowling, Yan reaches for his phone and makes a private call.

"Colonel Madd, I need whatever available forces you may have."

Student Council Clubhouse, Ashford Academy – Area 11

As the sun went down and the evening night sky rolled by, some student went to their dorms within the academy while others went home. Apart from the dorms, there were the buildings where the Student Council did its business. Not only did it have the main Student Council Conference Room, but it also held a kitchen, a dining room and two bedrooms.

And in one of those bedrooms, Nunnally, wearing a green dress with white sleeves, sat in her wheelchair. In front of her was a table covered in colorful paper, almost all folded.

Sitting next to her was a Japanese woman with short brown hair and light brown eyes. She wore a maid uniform consisting of a frilly, dark gown with a long white apron, a white veil, thigh-high socks, dark shoes and a white maid's hat.

In her hands was a pink piece of paper being folded. "What shall we do? He may be late again this evening." The maid said, finishing the folds.

"I'll wait," Nunnally said. "He promised me we're going to have dinner together."

The woman smiles before handing over the finished product. "Here you go."

Nunnally reaches out for the origami. "A bird?" She asked, feeling the shape.

"Yes, it's a crane."

"Amazing." Nunnally moves her fingers along the folded paper. "Japanese Arts continue to amaze me."

The woman smiles at her. Truly, Lady Nunnally's curiosity about Japanese culture is a treasure to behold. Suddenly, Nunnally stops moving her fingers and turns her head to the door.

"Nunnally-sama?" The woman said, before turning to the door as well. Soon, she hears footsteps before the door slides open, and Lelouch walks in. "Sorry, I'm late."

"Hello, Onii-chan." As Nunnally greeted her brother with her affectionate Japanese honorific, Sayoko took a glance at the blind girl. She sensed him coming before she did?

"Welcome home." The blind girl said, her trademark bright smile always present.

"Yes, welcome home, my lord." The woman greets the former prince.

Lelouch gives a genuine smile. "No place like it. Right, Sayoko?"

Sayoko Shinozaki smiles back.

As the night rolled by, the Lamperouge siblings finally had dinner. There they sat in the dining room, with their dishes before them, eating and discussing their days.

"Miss Sayoko was teaching the art of origami. Fold a piece of paper the right way and you could make birds, boats, anything really." Nunnally explained as she took a spoonful of her food. However, she ate a little too fast, with some of the food drooling past her lips. Lelouch notices this and grabs a napkin.

"Easy there. You don't need to tell me everything at once. I'm not going anywhere." Lelouch smiles as he wipes her lips clean.

"Sorry. You're right." Nunnally said, with a bit of red on her cheeks. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Speaking of origami, he's reminded of the origami he has in his possession. Outside of Sayoko and Nunnally, he didn't expect someone to have one. Especially a Britannian. Maybe if they were Japanese, but last he checked, Maya Garfield was Britannian.

He then thinks back to Kallen and her mixed heritage. Before that revelation, he just thought of her as another Britannian student. Perhaps it's the same with Maya.

"It's just that..." He turns back to his sister, who is fiddling with her fingers. "I'm so happy because you scared me yesterday."

"Did I?" Lelouch asked, surprised. He thinks back to yesterday. Ah, he came late last night due to what happened in Shinjuku. Didn't even have the time to have dinner with her. Of course, she'd be scared. He has to make it up to her soon. "Sorry, I just had a lot on my mind."

"It's okay. I'm just happy you're here now." Nunnally said, giving her usual bright smile to him. He gives one back. After a brief pause, Nunnally grabs her origami and hands it over to him.

"Hey, they say that if you fold a thousand paper cranes, your wish comes true. Do you have a wish?"

"No, not really. How about you? Do you have a wish?"

She hums, thinking about her answer. She then smiles, having found one. "I wish that the world were a gentler place."

The former prince smiles. "When the time comes when you can see again, I'm sure it will."

"Really?"

"I promise," Lelouch said, resolve flowing through his veins. He'll move heaven and hell for her wish. He'll make sure of that.

He has to.

The truth is, though, we have little chance of survival in the future.

They couldn't hide forever. Soon or later, something will happen. And they will be forced to run or risk being found and killed.

Or worse, be forced back into the Imperial Family.

The Ashford Family is sheltering us, but how long will that last?

He was thankful to the Ashford family for taking them in. He truly was. It's just that he can't always rely on them to protect them. He was a long-time friend of Milly, dating back to when he was still a prince, so he was certain she wouldn't betray him. Her family was a different story, though.

Milly's mother, Madeline Ashford, has been trying to bring the Ashford family back to nobility ever since his mother died. And he knows one of those attempts involves revealing himself to Britannia and marrying Milly. He knows because she tried to convince him once in the past. Luckily, Milly's grandfather put a stop to it. However, he knows she truly hasn't given up on it.

And if not her, the many enemies of the Ashford family would certainly benefit from having his identity revealed.

And if our identities are revealed, even Rivalz, Shirley and the others would abandon us.

While he certainly enjoys their company, Lelouch can't trust them with such a secret. If even one of them reveals it, it'll put Nunnally and him at risk. He can't do that. We'll just be used as political tools again or casualties of royal ambition.

He watches Nunnally caressing her paper crane. I have to build a world where Nunnally can find happiness.

He won't gamble on Nunnally's safety. He'll make that dream of Nunnally's a reality, even if it costs him.

Suddenly, Nunnally grabs his hand. While she couldn't see her brother's face, she could still tell something was worrying as he stayed silent. With their hands connected, she slowly let go, finger by finger, until their pinkies were holding each other.

"Sayoko taught me this the other day." She said, holding up their pinkies. "It's a Japanese promise. A pinkie promise. May I be struck with lightning if I lie. I'll be struck by lightning and eat a thousand needles if I lie, I swear." She sang, reciting the song in Japanese while shaking the pinkies up and down.

Lelouch blinks, taking in the act before smiling, shakingly. "Well, that's scary. I might have to eat a thousand needles someday!"

"Yup!" Nunnally giggles. "So I'd better not catch you telling lies, all right?"

He laughs. "Don't you worry. I won't lie." His lips turn into a somber smile.

Not to you, anyway.

Shinjuku Ghetto, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

As the nightlife rolled by upon the capital city of Area 11, the Shinjuku Ghetto is active this particular night, as clean up begins after the terrorists' chemical attack. As such, many vehicles holding the necessary equipment and personnel to clean up drive towards the ghetto.

However, a peculiar sight takes place as a convoy of trucks and cars drives down a street not towards the site of the attack but to a bridge that leads to Narita. This convoy consisted of two white semi-trailer trucks, escorted by three white armored cars, one leading the convoy, another between the trucks, and the final one trailing them from behind.

In the driver's seat of the forward truck, the driver let out a sigh. They wore a white suit with a gray bulletproof vest and a white helmet with dark goggles. On the arms was an insignia made up of two lines, white and gray, twisting around a white pillar.

"What's wrong?" His companion, sitting next to him, asked. He also wore the same uniform.

"It's just... man, what the hell is going on?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, just think. Terrorists drop a chemical bomb in Shinjuku. Yet, instead of driving to the site, we're ordered to drop these guys off in Narita. Don't know about you, but to me, it sounds fucking weird."

"Hmm, you're right. It is weird. However, not much we can do about it." The passenger shrugs.

"Aren't you the slightest bit concerned? Hell, what are we even hailing that needs to be in Narita instead of Shinjuku?"

"The hell I know." The passenger remarks, annoyed. "We're paid to shoot, not think."

"I'm fine with that. What I'm not fine with is being told nothing."

The passenger glances at his partner with a deadpan, his goggles doing little to hide it despite their presence. "Buddy, you know very well Command never tells us anything important."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's just, why not put it in a capsule and drive it there? Then I can get some sleep." The driver complains, yawning.

"Apparently, the cargo we're hauling is a group of researchers." The passenger explains.

"Then, why can't they just put these guys in a capsule and stuff them in some car? Wouldn't need us to do it."

"Can't." The passenger shrugs. "They said it's a bad idea to put a live human in a capsule. Something about organic... materials, or something like that. Whatever that means."

The driver scoffs. "That's a load of bu-"

The armored car in front of them exploded. It flips into the air before coming back down. The truck's tires screeched to a sudden halt as the driver slammed on the brakes.

"Contact!" Their radio cracks out before an electronic howling scream overtakes it. Right as soon as the world underneath them lit up.

Then they knew no more.

Earlier

Inside the trucks, a bald man with an orange-tinted visor sighed. He wore a white coat with a back armband, dark green pants and boots. On the armband was the same insignia as the other soldiers.

The bald man turns to look at his companions for this trip. It'll certainly be hard to conduct research in such a contested region. That would explain why General Yan had ordered them to escort them. However, he feels that a convoy such as this would still bring attention.

Major Guin glances at the occupants in front of him. Sitting before him were five researchers. They sat quietly, not talking to him or each other, which he was thankful for. He wasn't much of a conversationalist anyway. They were the research team that General Yan had ordered to be escorted to Narita.

Though I doubt that's the real reason we're here.

His glance turns to a case held by a researcher with glasses. He tried to act calm, but the way he gripped the case spoke of its importance.

That must be the package General Yan said to secure.

Suddenly, everyone got flung in the air harshly as the truck bounced and shook, screeching to a stop.

"What was that!?" One researcher said.

Major Guin grabs his radio. "What the hell happened!? Why did we stop!?"

Instead of an answer, an electronic howling scream was all he could make out from the radio. "Report! Report, damn it!" What the hell was this? Were their communications being jammed?

"Tch!" He then turns to his soldiers. "Go out there and find out what's going on!"

"Yes, My Lord!" The soldiers nod before walking up and opening the trailer. As soon as they did, the sounds of gunfire, dimmed by the walls of the trailer, grew louder. Stepping out as well, Major Guin walks out and takes in his surroundings.

In front of the convoy, he sees two parked armored black cars with unknown fighters dressed in black outfits with red highlights, using those black cars as cover and firing at them. The white-colored soldiers fought back with gunfire of their own, also using the middle white escort car as cover. However, it's very clear how affected they were by the sudden attack.

He then notices that the truck's entire front is nothing but a still-flaming slag of metal. They were going nowhere.

Suddenly, Major Guin sees a rocket fly past him from behind. It hits the white car, which detonates. The explosion rips apart those nearest to it while wounding the others. Major Guin looks around, not expecting the surprise attack. He sees two more black cars parked behind the convoy, with their fighters firing on the last white escort car, pinning them down.

Near those fighters, a giant of a man holds a smoking rocket tube, the source of the rocket that flew past the Major.

All around him, bullets went flying. Major Guin ducks back into the truck, a bullet bouncing off the trailer where his head was. He turns to the soldier next to him. "Get the Radio back up and running!"

The soldier nods before grabbing his radio. Major Guin scowls, turning back to the trailer, the researchers looking at him with fearful expressions. "The truck's stuck, so we have to transport you elsewhere! Follow these soldiers as they'll lead you away!"

As he points to the soldiers in question, he hears something skidding on the ground near him. Looking down, his eyes widened. Surrounding them were very recognizable cylindrical devices.

The guards tackled him away from the grenades as they exploded. His world shifted as multiple bright flashes went off, and a loud ringing overtook his ears. Shaking himself up, he realizes the multiple grenades were flashbangs, as he still had his limbs.

As the ringing in his ears slowly fades away, he still can't see further than his own hands. However, it wasn't because of a lack of sight, but because all he saw was smoke.

Smoke grenades.

These weren't normal terrorists. Were they Blood of the Samurai or the JLF?

Luckily, the smoke slowly dissipates, allowing his soldiers to surround him with their rifles raised. Ready for any attack. As time went on, it was clear no attack was coming. None of the gunfire was directed into the smoke cloud. And as he looked around, there were no attackers who took advantage of their lapse in sight.

"What the hell...?"

"It's gone!"

He looks back at the trailer. The researcher, who held the case, stood at the end of the trailer. "The case is gone!"

WHAT!?

Major Guin looked past the researcher and saw no sign of the case inside. "How!?"

The researcher shakes his head. "D-don't know! I held on to the case, but then suddenly I felt it ripped out of my hands!"

Major Guin growers at the researcher. Of course, they weren't here to attack them. They were here for the case. "Well, find it then!" He orders his soldiers, who nod. Pointing to another squad, he said. "Take them into the surrounding buildings. We can't wait for reinforcements to..."

Suddenly, he heard the screeching of landspinners. Major Guin looks out and sees a particular sight.

From behind the convoy, a white and black Sutherland raced towards them at ludicrous speeds.

Reinforcements? That was quick. Way too quick.

The Sutherland raced, moving faster than any Knightmare he'd ever seen. The white Sutherland fires on the terrorists, bullets tearing up the ground towards one of the terrorists' cars.

The rounds hit the car, tearing it up and engulfing it in a fiery explosion. Guin hears a feminine scream near the explosion. The air shimmers and flickers as if glitching. Suddenly, the effects give way to reveal a pink-haired girl wearing a revealing red leotard. The girl flew back and crashed back down, giving out a cry of pain. Next to her, a small four-legged dog-like robot whirled as it approached her, sparking a bit. As the girl groans, blood dripping from her wounds, Major Guin sees what landed not too far from her.

The case!

Groaning, she picks herself up and looks around. The other terrorists picked themselves up and started firing on the Sutherland with rockets. The giant terrorist shouted at the girl. "Get out of here! We got this!"

She nods before running, grabbing the robot and the case, and running into a nearby alley, narrowly avoiding bullets from the soldiers and Knightmare hitting the street and building.

"After her!" Major Guin shouted, pointing at the fleeing girl. "She has the package!"

The soldiers shout out. "Yes, My Lord!"

As the soldiers gave chase, Major Guin grabbed his radio.

"All forces, the package in enemy hands! I repeat package is in enemy hands! Apprehend a pink-haired girl in a red leotard! Top priority!"

The sound of footsteps and heavy breathing echoes down the street as the pink-haired girl dashes, the little dog-like robot in her hands. Blood continued to drip behind, leaving a bloody trail. As she ran, ahead of her was a bridge over a river leading deeper into the Shinjuku ghetto.

The girl hears the screeching of landspinners behind them. Jumping over the buildings from behind, the white and black Knightmare lands with a thunderous quake. Upon seeing her, the Knightmare raises its rifle and fires.

The bullets land behind her, launching her forward, screaming onto the bridge. There, she lands outside with a grunt of pain.,

Weakly, the girl tries to push herself up. The little bot whirled and chirped loudly at her as if encouraging her. Behind her, she can hear the Knightmare speed towards her. She closes her eyes as the Knightmare raises its rifle.

Suddenly, she hears another set of Landspiners and a loud bang of clashing metal. She looks back up and sees the Sutherland being held back by a dark black and red Glasgow.

"Go! I'll hold them off. Get to Gai!" A feminine voice came from the Glasgow.

The girl nods before pushing herself up and running, grabbing the little bot as she goes. As she runs away towards the bridge, she hears the screeching of Landspinners as the Knightmares fight for dominance. The Glasgow kept the Sutherland's weapons aimed away, but it was slowly being pushed back.

As the pink-haired girl reaches the bridge, she hears a crash and looks behind. Her eyes widen as she sees that the Sutherland, fed up, pushed the Glasgow away and raised their rifle at her. With a gasp, she jumps to the side.

The rifle fires a round, and an explosion hits right where she stood moments before. The girl cries out as she is flung away from the blast.

And off the bridge.

"NO!"

Clutching the bot and case to her chest as she falls, the girl gasps as she looks up at the starry sky, stars sparkling through the already bright city.

Beautiful.

And with a splash, she crashes into the water.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Hidden Depths

Ashford Academy – Area 11, 11 August 2017 a.t.b.

As the morning sun rises upon the settlement, with everyone getting ready to go on their day, one violet-eyed schoolboy walks away from the Ashford Academy Student Clubhouse.

Lelouch sighs, making his way across a bridge. He stops, looking down at the river beneath him. His reflection stares back at him. Faintly, he can see his Geass within his eye flare up, the bird-like sigil appearing for a moment before disappearing.

This is my only weapon, and I don't even know how to use it.

"Lelouch?" He turns around, seeing a professor about to walk past him. "Wow, rare to see you up this early."

The schoolboy chuckles lightly. "Oh, I just have some things I gotta do for the president."

"Well, don't let me hold you up then."

As the professor is about to leave, Lelouch gets an idea. "Sir?"

"Hmm?" The professor looks at him.

"What exactly are the topics of your next exam?" Lelouch commanded, his Geass in his left eye powering up.

The professor's expression turns blank, his will being subject to Lelouch's. "The Great War, the First Pacific War, and the Fall of the Eldian Empire."

So I haven't lost the power. Lelouch thought as he deactivated his Geass.

As the professor comes back to his senses, Lelouch calls out again. "Sir, what exactly are the topics of your next exam?" Again, he activates his power. Instead of obeying, however, the professor scoffs.

"Hilarious. Maybe try studying?" The professor walks away, shaking his head. "Just apply yourself. You'll do just fine."

"Yes, sir!" Lelouch said, with a hidden smirk. As I suspected. I can only affect a person once.

Interesting. He'll make note of this limitation. In fact, he'll have to make a note of all of his power capabilities. He cannot afford to make the same mistake twice.

However, he decides he'll have to make tests another time. He has somewhere to get to. The former prince resumes his walk. However, he doesn't walk to the academy's main building; instead, he walks out of the academy gates.

His destination was the home of Maya Garfield, a classmate and fellow member of the Student Council. Normally, he would just call her over the phone and ask her why she wasn't attending classes. However, he already tried that yesterday afternoon, to no avail. She wasn't picking up any of his calls.

He had greater success in contacting their guardian as they answered his call. They've informed him about Maya's state; that as soon as she came back home, she barely muttered a hello before locking herself into her room. She didn't even come out for dinner.

Clearly, whatever happened during her errand from yesterday didn't go well for her. Enough so that she didn't come back to grab some of her stuff that she left behind at the academy. Speaking of which...

From the bag he carried with him, he pulled out the blue origami crane that Milly gave him yesterday. This honestly surprised him, as Britannia has been trying to crush Japanese culture and supplant it with Britannian values. No, not just in culture, but in everything. The Japanese language is slowly being phased out with compulsory English, while Christianity, being the dominant religion in Britannia, becomes the dominant religion in Japan, with the Church of Britannia pushing the faith within the colony.

So for a Britannian such as Maya to have this means there's definitely more to the girl than meets the eye.

As he looks over the origami crane, he notices something. Inside the wings, he noticed some marks that looked an awful lot like...

"Writing?"

Garfield's Residence, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Sitting on a street corner, not too far from Ashford Academy, was a humble abode. Well, humble by Britannian standards, not as big as mansions that nobles commonly possess, but still greater than the homes within the ghettoes.

Perfect for the wealthy Britannian middle class.

As such, for Clarice Garfield, her home was perfect. Not too big that she would feel lonely, nor too small as to feel cramped. Affordable too. The blonde-haired woman with emerald-green eyes covered by a pair of glasses stood at a table, laying down breakfast. She wore a pink long-sleeved jacket with gold highlights that reached to her midriff. It also held a blue and white marker over her heart. Underneath the jacket, she wore a blue dress and heels.

As Clarice finished up, she gave a sad look to the stairwell, up at a specific room.

While she may not be Maya's biological mother, for a time, it felt that she had a good relationship with her. Even if Maya likes to keep a distance, she never got the feeling that she hated her. In fact, she and Maya spoke quite a bit. Sometimes, when she comes back from the academy, she would discuss her day with her. That was their routine for a while.

Then it all changed the other day.

When Maya came back home late, Clarice was reasonably worried about her and was about to ask her where she was.

Then she froze.

When Maya looked at her, Clarice felt her words and breath slip away.

Her eyes...

Her royal blue eyes, which used to shimmer with beauty, looked dead, the light within them snuffed out. The schoolgirl took a glance at her before walking past her, muttering something she could barely make out before walking up to her room, her movements stiff and robotic.

Whatever happened that day had affected her. What was it? She doesn't know, and after receiving a call from yesterday and trying to get answers from Maya, only to have the teenage girl blow her off and lock herself in her room, she may never know.

"Please stop pretending to be my mother!"

Clarice grimaces, holding a hand to her heart.

Ding-dong.

As she hears the doorbell, she turns to her front door. Someone is at the gate? Who? Making her way to the door, she checks the interface to see. The screen turns on, revealing a tall boy wearing the Ashford Academy uniform.

From the academy?

She presses the speaker. "Hello. May I ask who you are?"

The boy looks towards the camera. "Good morning, this is Lelouch Lamperouge, Vice President of the Student Council. I'm here for Maya Garfield, a fellow member."

The Student Council? Didn't Maya say she was a part of that? Wait, wasn't that the name of the boy who called her yesterday?

"Oh. Come on in then." She unlocks the gate and lets him in.

Inside the room, a bed creaks as its occupant shifts and moves, the blanket sliding off, revealing a girl with long black hair and royal blue staring blankly up to the ceiling. She glances at the clock beside her bed.

"It's also time for classes." She mutters, her expression never changing. Despite that, Maya Garfield felt like not getting up. Why would she? She didn't go yesterday either. Or the day before.

She thinks back to that day. She was on her usual errand whenever lunchtime rolled up. There she was, in the ghetto, not wearing her uniform but a pair of civilians, made of a black vest with a half-cape over a white buttoned long-sleeved shirt, a yellow tie, a black skirt with white stockings and red shoes, and a black headband with white frills. In her hands was a brown bag filled with food.

In front of her were children eating the food she delivered to them. She smiles, seeing the cheerful expressions on their faces. That alone always makes the journey here truly worthwhile. Especially since they were orphans.

She then remembers seeing a lot of Britannian VTOLs flying into the ghetto. She remembers that she and the children were looking up in fear and worry. Britannian has no reason to bring that much military power.

No good reason, at least.

And she was right. As soon as they arrived, they started shooting everyone. While running to find a spot where they could hide, she could hear gunfire and the screams of the innocent Japanese that quickly fell silent soon after.

Why? She remembers thinking. Why are you doing this? What have these people done to deserve this?

Among the swirl of confusion, worry, and fear, so too was anger within her. Anger at all the injustices happening around her. Anger at Britannia for the suffering it has caused the weak and oppressed.

Anger at her cowardice for not being able to stop them.

Soon, they went underground to hide from the constant fighting on the surface. She thought they could use the old tunnels for protection.

But that was a mistake.

Above her, an explosion rang out, knocking her off her feet and collapsing the ceiling. When she got up, dirtied and battered but unharmed, she saw a sight that haunts her nightmares.

Onee-chan!

Her hands grip the sheets as she closes her eyes, desperately holding back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Hana... Mari... Tomo..."

She couldn't save them. Try as she could, she couldn't be there for them when they needed it.

Her eyes open up, now with a glare.

"Britannia..." She growls out.

Yes, why should she go to class? Britannia was still out there, causing more suffering and ending more innocent lives. She can't keep being a coward. She has to do something.

But her strength alone will not be enough to defeat Britannia. No, she needs more than that. She needs support.

I need to find that voice. She thinks about the voice that led her and that group against a foe they normally wouldn't have a chance of beating. When she had stolen that Knightmare from that Britannian soldier.

Ah, she also needs to find her origami crane. She must have dropped it when she was in the ghetto last time. When she went there yesterday, however, security around the ghetto grew tighter due to the cleanup. There was no way she could enter without getting caught and having to answer some very uncomfortable questions.

It's why she came late last night, meeting a worried Clarice waiting for her.

She winces, remembering what happened. While Clarice isn't her biological mother, she takes care of Maya as if she were her true daughter. And for that, Maya's grateful. She still feels bad for blowing her off yesterday. It's just that... she really wanted to be alone.

"Maya!" Speaking of which...

Maya turned to the door, where she heard her foster mother calling her out. "Someone from the student council is here for you!"

"...Huh?" Someone came for her? Well, now that she thinks about it, it makes sense. She left the academy, only to not return. So, of course, they'd send someone to check on her.

For a moment, she contemplates just staying in her bed, hoping that ignoring the call might get them to leave before deciding otherwise. If it's the president, she'll somehow figure out how to stick with her throughout the whole day.

Despite being a relatively recent member, Maya knows very well how Milly Ashford can act. If she wants something done, she'll figure it out.

Always.

So, with a sigh, she rolls off the bed, fixes up her appearance as much as she can, and exits her room. Walking down the staircase, she sees a surprising sight.

Clarice stood by her table, her bag for work nearby her. And standing next to her wasn't the President of the Student Council but Lelouch Lamperouge, the vice president. Who, in contrast to the energetic President, was more cool-headed and, while an easygoing person, he's kind of lazy as well. He doesn't interact much with others, outside of a few people. Though she doesn't have much to say on that, given her own fairly aloof deportment.

Honestly, she thought he was the type of person who would take the easiest route when possible. A boy with a great mind that Shirley says he squanders. It's no wonder he gets along with Rivalz.

"Maya." Clarice smiled at her. "Nice to see you coming down. I'm sure you know Lelouch." She gestures to the boy, who nods at her. "Apparently, he came here to bring back your stuff."

Lelouch hands over a bag to her. Hesitantly, she reaches out and grabs the bag. She looks inside and is surprised to find her school supplies that she left back at the academy. "I advise taking your stuff with you next time. Who knows who could've stolen them if we never picked them up?" Lelouch said with a smile.

"Oh, thank you." She mutters, giving a small nod in gratitude.

Clarice's smile dims a bit as she notices how much softer-spoken she's gotten. While not much of a talker, Maya was never like this.

Before she could reach out to her, she looked down at her wristwatch, and her face fell when she saw the time. "Well... looks like I have to get to work." She then looks at the downtrodden girl. "...Maya, I'll be seeing you this evening. Have a good day. And please... go to the academy, alright?" As she grabs her bags and opens the door, she pauses and looks back at Maya with a sad look, before stepping out.

Maya looks at the closed door before looking down with a somber look. She really needs to apologize to her later.

"She's very kind," Lelouch said with a smile before turning to her. "You're lucky to have such a considerate guardian."

"Thank you. Though I doubt you came here to only say that." She looks him in the eye. She doesn't like how harsh she said that, but she has a feeling that he wasn't just here to drop off her stuff.

Evidently, she was right. Lelouch didn't address her tone as he explained himself. "You're right. I also came here to ask why you were absent yesterday."

Ah, shit. "I... uh... I was sick." She quickly said, wincing at how generic and unconvincing her lie was. A raised eyebrow from the schoolboy showed as much.

"Your voice doesn't sound hoarse, and your appearance isn't that of an ill person." As he makes his observations, Maya takes a surprised backstep. She looks down at herself, a dash of red on her cheeks as she now realizes the state of her attire. While her hair was slightly unkempt and she couldn't hide the wrinkles from yesterday on her clothes, it wasn't the appearance of a sick person.

"You don't look pale, but your face is red. So maybe you are coming under something." He raises his hand, about to place it on her forehead, but she takes another step back, facing getting even redder.

"AH! Um, t-there's no need, really!" She sighs, calming down. "Ok fine, I wasn't sick." She frowns at the small smirk on his face. He knew what he was doing.

"Is that so? Then pray tell, why weren't you at the academy?" He asked.

"Um..." She holds her arm, thinking of a suitable excuse.

After a moment of silence, Lelouch spoke. "If you don't tell me, I'll be forced to involve your guardian, as per my responsibility as vice president. And I have a feeling you don't want that."

He's right. She doesn't want to involve Clarice in this if she can. Otherwise, she would be more worried, and she doesn't add more to her plate. Not any more than she already has.

She sighs. "Alright. Something... happened during my... errands back on Monday." She gives a glance to Lelouch before turning away. "There was an... accident. Someone... very close to me..." She chokes, the words refusing to leave her throat as memories come flooding in.

She stares, sitting on the ground, watching the small hand that was surrounded by the blood creeping out from underneath the rubble.

She closes her eyes, trying to keep back the tears. She won't cry now. She already did so then, and it didn't bring them back.

"I'm sorry."

She turns to him, surprised to see what looks like an apologetic look on his face. "I forced you to bring up painful memories, not knowing what you went through, and for that, I apologize." He places his hand across his chest and gives her a small bow, his words sounding more genuine than before.

She shakes her head, looking away. "It's fine. You didn't know. It's why I didn't return to the academy."

"I suppose it would be too much to ask if you could return today, then?"

Maya stays silent, rubbing her arm. Lelouch stares at her, awaiting her response, though he probably already knows her answer.

"Oh, before I forget." Lelouch interrupted, bringing something out from his bag. Her eyes widen as she sees what's in his hands.

It was the blue origami crane she thought she had lost.

"This is..." She reaches out and takes the crane, cradling it in her hands.

"The President found it left behind in the clubhouse, along with your stuff. I apologize, but I took the liberty of reading what was inside."

"Huh?" While she feels her anger flare at the fact that he read what was inside it, a curiosity takes her as she has actually never read it herself.

"Eh? Is this an origami crane?" Maya looks at the paper crane in her hands.

"Yep!" A cheery young girl said, smiling. She had black hair with twin pigtails with brownish-red eyes. She wore a white apron over a grey shirt. "Because you kept bringing us food from the city, I wanted to pay you back. So, ta-da."

Maya smiles. "Thank you. I love it. My father used to make these for me." As she checks over the crane, she notices markings on its wings. "What's this?" However, before she could unfold the crane, Hina stopped her.

"Ah! No, no, no, don't open it!" The young girl waves her hands over the crane.

"What? Was that writing?"

"Nooo, don't look! It's a surprise!"

Hina was very adamant in telling her not to read what was inside, so she didn't. She did, however, take it with her everywhere. It was just such a lovely gift that she couldn't just leave it alone.

Hina...

Shaking herself before she falls into another mournful state, she slowly opens up the paper to reveal the writing.

A soft gasp escapes her lips, as Maya looks down at what's writing while Lelouch watches her.

Her vision grew blurry as she felt something dripping past her cheeks. Bringing her hand up, she then realizes what was going on.

She's crying.

"Hina..." Maya sobs, falling to her knees. She presses the paper to her chest, her sobs growing louder.

"I don't know a whole lot about you," Lelouch admitted, kneeling next to her. "But from what I have gathered, you're a kind person, someone who many cherish."

He turns to leave. "I'll tell Milly you can stay at home until you're ready. I could send you any material you-"

"No, wait... it's fine." Maya said, sniffing while rubbing her eyes. "I can get ready soon. Please wait."

He looks back at her with a small smile. "Sure, then."

With a nod, she stands up and leaves. As she makes her way to get ready, she looks down at the paper with a smile. Written on the paper was a single sentence in kanji.

I LOVE YOU, ONEE-SAN!

Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

"Nunnally-sama."

With a gentle nudge, Nunnally lightly groans as she wakes from her slumber. "Sayoko-san?"

Shinozaki Sayoko stood by Nunnally's bed, leaning over to nudge her. "It's time to get ready, my lady."

"Where's Lelouch?" Nunnally asks as she sits up in her bed.

"Sorry, but your brother had to leave early to complete what he said were Student Council matters." She said, picking up the girl and gently placing her in her wheelchair.

"Is that so?" Nunnally sighs. "Shame. I was hoping to have breakfast with him this morning."

Sayoko smiles at the girl as she wheels her to the dining room. "Apologies, Nunnally-sama. Maybe tomorrow morning."

"Hmm."

After breakfast, Sayoko helps Nunnally into her uniform and wheels her towards the academy. There, by the entrance, stood Alice, leaning on the door with her arms crossed. As soon as she saw Nunnally, she gave a smile and pushed off the frame. "Morning, Nunnally."

"Good morning, Alice," Nunnally said with her usual smile. "It's great to hear from you today. You're early, too."

Alice grins. "Just didn't want a repeat of what happened."

"Repeat?" Sayoko blinks.

Alice flinches as Nunnally quickly answers her maid. "Uh, it's nothing, Sayoko! Just had a little trouble yesterday. It's no big deal."

"Are you sure? It's my duty to ensure you're safe."

"Don't worry. It's fine. Alice helped, so it's all good."

Sayoko frowns but concedes. "Very well, Lady Nunnally, Lady Beaumont." She steps back, allowing Alice to wheel Nunnally to her classes. As the pair moved away from the maid, Nunnally let out a sigh. "That was close. You've got to be more careful, Alice."

She scoffs. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you. I still think you're being stupid, though."

"Maybe I am." Nunnally's hands grip her skirt tightly. "But just this once, I want to do something on my own. I can't keep relying on my big brother."

Alice frowns. "But that's what big brothers do. At least, that's what I heard. They watch over their little sister."

"But who watches over him?" Nunnally turns her head to her. "There's not much that I can do besides smiling at him. Just this once, I want to do something that'll have Lelouch look at me with pride, instead of worrying over me like always."

Alice looks down at her. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, every time I see him with you, he always looks at you like he's proud."

"...Really?"

Alice grins. "Yep, he's always smiling when you're around. So, really, you have nothing to worry about. Besides, you're not alone. I'm here, after all, ready to push you wherever you want to go."

Nunnally looks forward, a smile growing on her face, this one more genuine than usual. "Thanks."

"No problem," Alice said with a smile of her own, before covering her mouth and letting out a loud yawn.

"Hmm? Did you get enough sleep, Alice?"

"Huh? Oh, it's fine. Just had to do some late-night homework. It was really annoying."

Ashford Academy Courtyard – Area 11

At the Ashford Academy gate, a particular sight greeted the students who were there.

Walking down the courtyard was Maya Garfield, dressed in her Ashford Academy uniform. While she was absent yesterday, her presence wasn't the source of the students' attention. That was who stood next to her. Lelouch Lamperouge, the vice president of the Student Council and considered one of the most handsome students, was walking side by side with her. His face was stoic, revealing no emotion, while Maya walked with her gaze on the ground beneath her feet.

"This was a terrible idea," Maya mutters. This level of attention was new to the girl. For most of her time here in the academy, she was just another face among the crowd. Even when she became a member of the Student Council and more attention was directed at her, it was never on this scale.

"I agree." Lelouch glances around, not liking the attention as well, though he was better at hiding it. "We should have gone down another route. Well, it's too late to do anything, so ignore them. They'll get bored soon."

Maya knows this. However, it isn't just the attention she's worried about. It's what comes after that she's more afraid of. Students like to talk. And from those talks comes gossip. And from those gossips, there's always a chance of rumors popping up. She's seen it happen before, and now, looking around, it seems likely that there'll be ones about her and Lelouch.

This is just the worst.

Eager to distract herself from the constant attention, she switches her focus to the boy next to her. Lelouch wasn't exactly as she expected. Underneath that cool exterior was a boy who was more compassionate than she expected. What was more surprising to her, though, was him reading that letter.

Or, more specifically, him understanding it.

Britannians didn't bother learning the Japanese language. It's basically a national policy to ignore anything Japanese, most considering it as 'inferior' to traditional Britannian values. Yet, this boy could read the letter. This begins the question...

How and why does he know Japanese? Could he also speak it?

Distracted by her mind, she walks into someone. She yelps, the sudden collision knocking both of them to the ground. Maya groans, her face flushed as she looks at the boy she just knocked over, who's groaning as well. A nearby student rushes to help him up.

Great. I just made this day even worse.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

The boy groans. "It's fine. I wasn't paying attention, so it's... my... fault..." The boy said, though she heard a Japanese accent, which surprised her. The boy trailed off, though, as he turned to her, his eyes growing wide, with the other student's eyes, who Maya noticed was a girl, doing the same.

The boy had brown hair and maroon eyes. He also wore the same uniform as the boys in the academy. Near him was a tablet on the ground, playing a video. The girl helping him up had brown hair and eyes, with the same uniform as her. However, one thing was obvious about the two before her.

They were Japanese.

The boy rockets to his feet and gives a deep bow, the girl following suit. "A-apologies! Forgive me for making you fall!"

As Lelouch helps her to her feet, she tries to calm the shivering couple. "It's fine-"

"What's going on here!?"

Maya turns, and a small grimace appears on her face as she recognizes the two boys who have appeared. One boy had dirty blonde hair under an orange bandana and blue eyes, while the other had black hair with a ponytail and green eyes. They both wore the uniforms of the academy, except they had a yellow armband on their left arm.

These were the prefects, members of the Student Self-Defense Force. A club that has taken itself into policing the academy, enforcing its rules and protecting from anything it deems threatening to the student body.

Maya's grimace grows as she watches one boy look at the two bowing Japanese, no attempt being made to hide his contempt. "What did these Eleven do to you?"

This was the reason Maya wasn't very fond of them. Its members showed no kindness to the Japanese students. Harassing them whenever the moment came.

"Nothing, I just walked into him. That's all." She quickly explains.

"Is that so? Then why didn't he move out of the way?" The orange bandana boy sneers at the brown-haired boy. "It should be a simple matter."

"Wait, it wasn't Shu's fault!" The Japanese girl steps forward.

"What was that?" The black-haired boy glares at her.

"Wait, sir! It's my fault!" The Japanese boy, Shu, steps in front of the girl, his hand across his chest. "Let me bear responsibility." He said, staring at the Self-Defense member in the eyes. The girl stares at him, saddened.

"Shu..."

Around her, Maya can hear the surrounding students mutter.

"So it's the Eleven's fault then, right?"

"Why didn't he move out of the way?"

"Poor Maya. Hope she isn't hurt."

"Honestly, what was the principal thinking, letting them in?"

"I guess, even as Honorary Britannians, you can't expect much."

The more she hears, the hotter her anger grows. She walked into him! How was it his fault!?

Britannians. She clenches her fists, nearly drawing blood.

"Now, now. Let's be hasting." Lelouch steps in, catching the prefects and the Japanese couple's attention, and picks up the tablet from the ground. "He didn't see her coming, and Maya was a little distracted, so you can't put all the blame on him." He then looks down at the tablet, which plays a video of a pink-haired girl in red singing.

Maya admits she has a beautiful voice, though she wonders where she has seen this girl before.

"Onee-chan, listen to this. Doesn't she have a lovely voice?"

She remembers now. That was the singer Hina showed her in the ghetto that one time. An underground Japanese music band, if she recalls correctly. She heard it was popular with many in the Settlement.

Lelouch hands over the device to Shu, who hesitantly grabs it. "That's a lovely song." Maya barely picks up the whisper from him. "Though, do try to be more subtle. Otherwise, you might invite not-so-friendly attention."

The two Japanese students look at Lelouch wide-eyed before nodding rapidly. Shu hugs the tablet, his eyes moving back and forth between Lelouch and the glaring boy before settling on Maya. With one final bow, he said. "I apologize for making you fall. Please forgive me."

The two then proceed to speedwalk away.

"Hey, wait! We're not done here!" The orange bandana boy makes to grab the fleeing boy. But Maya speaks up. "It's fine, really!" She winces at the loud tone but continues. "It's fine. I'm not hurt."

The boy frowns, glaring at the fleeing Japanese couple. "Come on, buddy." His friend said, grasping his shoulder while looking at the Student Council members. "She said it's fine, so let's leave it."

The boy sighs, a frown still in place. "Fine then. But next time something like this happens, report it straight to us."

Finally, the boys leave. The crowd, seeing the resolution, leaves as well, with some students grumbling about how it ended. Soon, the courtyard clears out as students make their way to classes.

"Well, that certainly could have gone better," Lelouch said. She turns to him and notices something. While his expression looks unchanged, she notices a faint frown. So faint she almost thought she imagined it.

Was... was he angry as well?

However, as soon as she noticed it, it disappeared as he began walking towards the campus. "Let's get to class before we're late. Otherwise, we'll never hear the end of it from Milly."

"R-right." Maya follows him. However, her gaze turns to Shu, who joined a group with other Japanese students. The boy rubs the back of his head while the girl pesters him, looking around for injuries. The others around him shake their head at him, as if embarrassed.

The Britannian students gave the group a wide berth, ignoring their existence, while others glanced with not-so-friendly looks.

Maya looks down at the ground, her fist tightly clenching her bag.

I'm such a coward.

Highway, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Driving the highway was an armored personnel carrier escorted by several Sutherlands. However, instead of an infantry squad, inside sat the lone General Bartley, who held his head in his hands, his expression revealing that of an exhausted man.

"Say again?" He said, his voice echoing through the vehicle.

"M-most of the research reached the destination. However, one team was intercepted by some terrorists along the way." Next to him, the screen displayed a secure connection to one of his subordinates on the research team.

Bartley releases a long sigh. "Were they able to fight them off?"

"Yes. However... the terrorists run off with the case. Later reports said they found the case, but it was empty. Whatever was inside, they took it, My Lord."

Bartley's eyes grow wide. "Tell General Yan to find those terrorists immediately! We cannot afford to lose the Genome!" He shouts into the radio.

"Yes, My Lord." With a click, the radio goes silent.

Bartley turns to the coffin sitting in the middle of the APC. The coffin of the late Prince Clovis. Adorned on top of it was the flag of the empire.

"Forgive me, Your Highness."

Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Later in the day, as students were enjoying their lunch break, Kallen stood by the roof of the academy. She leaned on the railing, her phone in hand.

"So, how does it feel to be back at school?" Ohgi's voice came through the device.

"Stifling. Today was history class." Or, as she would more adequately put it, Britannian History.

Most of what was being discussed was Britannian history, and if any other nation's history got brought up at all, such as Japan, it was through the lens of the Britannians.

So obviously biased and littered with misconceptions.

Out of all the classes in this academy, saying history was her least favorite class is putting it lightly.

She sighs. "Maybe it would be better if I stuck with you guys."

"No can do. The Britannian Army is on high alert. More than usual. Word is that people saw 'White Clothes' roaming around even. Better you stay where you are."

"Then what about the voice on the radio?"

"Forget about it. We can't keep chasing a voice with no lead. Besides, Naoto would be happy seeing you back at school."

She looks down, a small frown on her face. Yeah, Onii-chan would be happy. It's just...

She wishes she could do more.

"Just lie low for a while. Don't bring any attention to yourself and-"

"Yeah, don't use my ability. I got it." Kallen huffs.

She can hear Ohgi's chuckle through the phone. "I was going to say don't bring up Shinjuku, but sure, that too. See you later. I'll contact you again." He hangs up.

Kallen stares down at her phone, pondering. Ever since Shinjuku, all she's been doing is hiding. She understands Ohgi's concern, but-

Shinjuku? Her eyes widen as a memory comes to mind.

The boy with violet eyes looks her in the eye. "Don't tell anyone about Shinjuku."

Why did he bring up Shinjuku?

Wait a minute, his voice...

Could it be him?

Back in class, Lelouch stood up, answering the teacher. "The Aristocracy was highly educated. With such an emphasis on edification and training, they produced a superior breed of rulers. Secondly, they possessed heightened efficiency, since only a few of their very best were carefully chosen to be amongst their ranks..."

As he continued, Kallen, sitting in front of him, listened closely to his voice. Is it him? I can't properly tell. My memory isn't reliable.

When he finished, the professor nodded. "Thank you, Lelouch. That will do." She then turns to the class. "With the enthronement of Henry IX, son of Queen Elizabeth I, the golden age of the Tudor dynasty..."

As Lelouch sits down, he sees that Kallen is watching him through the mirror in her handheld case, which she quickly closes, and looks ahead, acting as if she wasn't watching him. However, he wasn't blind to her sudden attention and had a good reason as to why.

I only mentioned Shinjuku, yet it was enough to get her suspicious.

The redhead girl's mind races. If he knows about my involvement in Shinjuku...

At the first opportunity... As Lelouch kept his eyes on Kallen, she glanced back at him.

I'll have to take care of him/her.

Highway, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

General Bartley watches in horror as the roof of the APC peels away as if made of paper instead of metal. "I hope that with this, you can see how determined we are." He hears Jeremiah Gottwald's voice as his Sutherland tears off the crumpled sheet of armor.

Around the APC, other Sutherland surrounds him, draped with the same red shoulder pads that adorned Jeremiah's Sutherland. At their feet were the remains of his protection force, all the Sutherland's heads destroyed and the knightmares disabled.

"B-but I've already told you-"

"That you don't remember? Still clinging to that pathetic excuse!?" The cockpit of Sutherland opens with a hiss as Jeremiah pulls out, dressed in his pilot suit. He glares down at the shivering general with disdain.

"J-just ask the others! They'll testify-"

"Ducking the blame!?" Jeremiah's glare grows even harsher. "You shaltn't remain by His Royal Highness' side another minute!"

Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

As the bell rings, signaling the end of the day, students rush out, bent on enjoying their afternoons.

As Lelouch finishes packing his things, Shirley walks up to him with a bright smile. "Hey, Lulu! Want to tag along?" She asked.

"Sorry. Maybe another time." Lelouch declines and walks off, leaving Shirley to blink and then pout at his dismissal.

However, she then watched him walk towards Kallen, who was surrounded by her female classmates.

"Hey, how about we have a tea party? Kallen, come join us."

"Uh, sorry. I can't. Don't want to upset my parents."

"Ah, so you gotta go straight home, then?"

"Wait, so do you have a curfew?"

One girl notices Lelouch walking up to them. "Oh, hey, Lelouch. What's up?" The other girls turn to see him.

Lelouch, however, keeps his focus on Kallen, who stares blankly up at him. "Hey, do you think you could spare a minute? I need to talk to you about something."

"Huh?" Shirley and the girls gaped, the crowd of girls looking at each other in shock. Lelouch Lamperouge, aloof 'Ice Prince of Ashford' is asking for a girl's time?

"Sure." Kallen agrees further shocking everyone as she stands up and stares him dead in the eye. "I was wondering when you were gonna ask."

"Huh!?" Shirley gaped while the crowd of girls squealed in excitement.

Wait, what!? What's going on!?

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Ouma Shu, a 17-year-old brown-haired and maroon-eyed Japanese boy, sighs as he walks to the border separating the settlement and ghetto, carrying his bento case.

Today just wasn't my day.

First, he wakes up tired because of staying up so late. However, in his defense, EGOIST just released a new video, and there was no way he was going to miss its premiere. He felt a tad bit guilty, though, for making Hare worried when she caught what he was watching.

"You need to be more careful, Shu!" Menjou Hare said with a scowl on her face, which honestly looked more cute than threatening in his opinion. She had short, brown hair and brown eyes, and she wore the female Ashford Academy uniform, which gave prominence to her rather large... assets. The two stood inside a high-speed train heading towards the academy.

"If the Britannian police catch you with this, you might get punished." His eyes rapidly move up to Hare's, who frowns. "I don't want you getting hurt, Shu."

Not wanting to upset her, after all, she was looking out for him; he agreed.

And then, the incident at the academy happened. A girl knocked into him, yet the Student Self-Defense Force placed the blame on him and Hare. It was one of the few times he nearly got angry. Not because they blamed him unfairly, but because they dragged in Hare, who was innocent in all this.

Luckily, it looks like it got resolved by the Student Council vice president, Lelouch Lamperouge, who even gave his tablet back with the same warning as Hare's. That surprised him, as he thought the Britannian wouldn't want to deal with an Eleven- with a Japanese student like him.

Though the proper term would actually be Honorary Britannian. Shu shakes his head. He may not be smart, but he knew that distinction only meant he would never be a true Britannian.

They'll never look at them as equals.

Then he had to deal with added attention from not only the Britannian students but even from his fellow Japanese peers. Souta wouldn't shut up about it. Kanon wouldn't stop berating him for how dumb he was for not paying attention. And Yahiro just stayed silent, which he was both thankful for and annoyed by.

You ain't berating, but you ain't helping me either.

Only Hare was the one defending him. Thank you, Hare. I really don't deserve you as a friend.

Shu sighs again as he makes his way into an abandoned building. Apparently, this used to be a university once, before the invasion. Now, like many things in the ghetto, it's devoid of life.

Which makes it his perfect hiding spot.

Inside, it wasn't much, but it was his refuge if he even wanted to escape from the outside. Sometimes, he even brings his laptop with him, either to play games or make videos.

Which reminds him, Souta has been hounding him to finish the video for the competition for the Movie Club. Well, he's almost done with it, so he'll just hand it over tomorrow.

"Oh, blooming wildflower..."

Now, he just needs to find a song that goes along with it...

"I beg of you, please tell me..."

Was that a voice?

"Why do people fight..."

It's coming from inside. As Shu walks deeper in, he stops, eyes wide.

"And hurt each?"

Sitting in the middle of the room was a beautiful pink-haired girl, half dressed in a red leotard, her naked back facing him.

"Oh, blooming valiant flower..."

She sat singing with such a beautiful voice. From above, sunlight shone through a hole in the roof, and the girl basked in its light, like an angel descending.

"What do you see from up there..."

Shu watches, mesmerized by her beauty and voice.

"Why is that people..."

Wait, she looks familiar.

"Can't forgive each other?"

Hold on, isn't she the lead singer of EGOIST?!

He takes a step forward towards the beauty before a loud clang echoes through the building, stopping her singing. Shu looks down to see that he kicked an empty can.

Looking up, he sees the girl look at him, startled. From behind her, an object makes itself known by moving in front of the girl. It was a small, clear white machine with a single black line, curved on top, creating a U. On that line were two small hemispheres, each to a single slit across, acting as slit eyes. It stood on four legs with wheels at its soles, with a small tail with a glowing point.

What? Is that some kind of... some kind of robot dog?

He's given no time to ponder on that as the robot dog fires a wire wrapping around his leg and pulls, knocking off his feet and making him drop his bento case, popping its lid and revealing its contents. "Ah!"

As Shu struggles with the robot, he sees the girl watching him with fearfully red eyes, slowly crawling backward away from him, holding up her clothes to cover her chest.

"W-wait, you've got the wrong idea!" Shu said, pulling on the wire, trying to free himself. "I wasn't trying to spy on you!"

The girl didn't believe him as she continued crawling back. Eventually, she hits a table that was behind her with the back of her head. The girl grunts, cradling her head. As she does so, Shu finally notices the torn cloth acting as bandages and the bloodstains that surround her.

Is she injured? Is that why she's hiding in here?

What is going on?

Shu wonders as the girl stares at him with suspicion and fear in her eyes. She then glances at his bento case.

Growls.

Suddenly, a familiar sound reaches his ears.

Surprised, the boy looks to see the girl staring at his bento.

While still struggling with the robot, Shu crawls over to his bento. Picking up his bento case, he makes his way near her. Crawling and kneeling, he offers his bento, smiling shakily. "Here. I'm not going to hurt you."

The girl stares at him with suspicion, and the robot lessens its struggles with him. She looks down at the food and back at him. She looks away.

Growls.

The two remain silent, though a bit of red appears on the girl's face. With a smile, Shu places the bento on the ground and pushes it towards her. She looks back at the bento while Shu shifts to sit further away.

After a while, the girl reaches out and grabs the bento case, occasionally glancing back at him. Grabbing hold of the chopsticks, she pauses for a moment before another growl from below forces her to take the plunge.

At first, it was slow, but she picked up speed, devouring the bento case like a lion devouring its prey. Within moments, she cleared out the entire case, not leaving any crumbs. Shu stares, gaping, before looking up at the look of contentment on the girl's face.

He couldn't help it. He chuckled.

The girl's eyes shot towards him, momentarily forgetting he was here. She glares at him, which only causes him to chuckle harder.

"S-sorry! It's just... I've never seen anyone clear out a bento case so quickly."

The girl frowns before pouting and looking away, a bit of red on her cheeks.

As Shu calms down, he thinks. Wow, it's been a long time since I've had a genuine laugh like that.

A moment of silence falls upon the two, interrupted as the small robot detaches its cable from him, before making its way to the girl. Shu notices that one of its legs is sparking, making its movement look less like a slide and more like a crawl.

Huh, what happened to it?

"So... um..." Shu coughs, clearing his throat. "What's your name?"

The girl stares at him for a moment, the silence making him a little nervous. "Inori." She breathed.

Ok, so far, so good. He's got her name. He's making progress. "Nice to meet you, Inori. I'm Ouma Shu." He then looks at the wound on her shoulder. "That looks very serious. Should I call an ambulance for-"

"NO!" Shu jumps as Inori suddenly shouts at him with wide eyes, the robot dog crouching, looking ready to jump at him.

Shu holds up his hands. She glares at him, yet he can see the desperation in her eyes. She's injured and needs help, but doesn't want it. The robot's leg sparks again, as it crouches in front of the girl.

Wait a minute, could there be more to this than he originally thought?

Just as he's about to open his mouth and ask, he hears something. Down the hallway from where he came in, he heard what sounded like footsteps.

The sound of heavy boots echoed through the decrepit building as Major Guin walked in, glancing around, arms locked behind him. The soldiers march past him, with their rifles up and ready. They spread out, securing the room.

One soldier kneels, observing the bloodstains on the floor. The tablet in his hands scans the blood. "The blood is fresh, My Lord. She's near." He then turns to the empty bento case. "Note: target may not be alone, My Lord."

"Doesn't matter." He said before addressing the other soldiers. "Spread out and find her!"

"Yes, My Lord!" The soldiers march out, roaming the area.

Major Guin grins. Finally, this chase nears its end.

Elsewhere, Shu and Inori are hiding behind a wall, watching through a crack in the wall as the soldiers begin searching for them.

"Aren't those Anti-Bodies forces?" Shu whispers, recognizing the symbol on the soldier's uniform.

The girl glances at him before looking back at the soldiers. She would have dashed off by now, but she lost a lot of blood and could barely stand, much less run. She clenches her hand and reaches for something behind her, the robot following her actions by bringing out what looks like a taser. Shu observes the two before looking back at the Anti-Bodies forces.

While he'll admit he wasn't the sharpest knife in a shed, he can still understand that these guys were obviously after the girl. It would certainly explain how she got those injuries.

Has he just gotten involved in something he shouldn't have? Anti-Bodies, if he remembers correctly, were the private military arm of Sephirah Genomics. Usually hired to protect researchers and civilians in hazardous environments. That was what Haruka said.

So, why are they here, now? And after Inori?

Should he run away? This was definitely something beyond him. Maybe he can hide and they won't notice him?

He looks back at Inori and remembers. Her voice when she sang. her fear when he arrived. And the look of contentment she had when she finished the meal he gave her.

He clenches his fists, his mind made up.

No, he won't run. He's done that already throughout his entire life. Doesn't matter if she is a criminal or not.

Just this once, let him do something good worthwhile.

From her back pocket, Inori pulls out a handgun and readies herself. But before she could do anything, Shu grabbed her wrist.

"Wait. You're outnumbered and can barely move." He noticed her slow movement as they ran up behind this wall to hide. "I know a place where we can hide," Shu whispers, holding out his hand. "But you've got to trust me."

The girl looks at his hand, hesitant to trust him. But then she hears the encroaching footsteps of the soldiers. She stares into his eyes, which were watching her.

Waiting for her choice.

Hearing the footsteps getting nearer, she makes her choice.

She grabs his hand.

Just this once, she'll trust him for now.

Student Council Ballroom – Area 11

"I never knew such a place existed," Kallen said as she glanced at her surroundings. Both she and Lelouch stood in a large, 2 story ballroom. A large staircase connected the two floors. Around them were large tracery windows, bathing the ballroom with light, tables covered in a stark white tablecloth, and above them hung a massive, luxurious, sparkling chandelier.

"This is the Student Council Clubhouse Ballroom," Lelouch said, standing before her. "Built for various special occasions."

"So," She turned to him, staring him directly in the eyes. "We won't be bothered here, then?"

"Yes, that's correct," Lelouch said, staring right back.

The air between the two felt stuffy despite the large room. The tension between them built as the two prepared for what was to come next.

"Hey! I think I found it!"

Suddenly, Kallen and Lelouch looked up at the second floor to see Shirley smiling, holding up her hand. Pinched by her two fingers was a small green chip. "This is it, right?"

"Ah, thank you. You found our lab data." Nina walks up to her with a small smile.

"Ah, finally!" Rivalz said, walking up to them while rubbing his bottom. "All this crawling is killing my ass. You have to keep a better eye on that thing." He points to the chip. "Don't want to do that again."

"How did it get here, anyway?" Shirley asked.

"Ah, must have fallen out when I moved my supplies to and from the council room," Nina said, holding the chip to her chest.

Kallen and Lelouch watch them from the floor below, confused. Said confusion only grew as the double doors slid open, revealing Milly in a white fluffy apron pushing a cart filled with food, while Maya, also in an apron, followed her with a set of plates in her hands.

"Did you guys find it? Maya and I finished up on our end."

"Yep, we found it," Nina said, holding up her chip.

"Oh, wow!" Rivalz said as he observed all the delicious meals.

"Way to go, Milly, Maya!" Shirley said, clapping her hands over the delicious food.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Milly said with a grin while laying out the plates. "I know you guys adore us."

"I didn't do much, really," Maya said while setting down the plates.

"Nonsense!" Suddenly, Milly gives her a side hug. "You were a massive help getting this all ready."

"What's this?" Lelouch finally asks, wondering why they were all here with food being laid out.

"Hmm? We're inducting Kallen into the Student Council. My grandfather's idea. I thought you knew, bringing her here and all." Milly tilts her head.

"It was the principal's idea?"

"Yep! He thought it best, given her poor health, that she'd have a harder time with regular club activities." She holds out her hand towards Kallen. "I'm Milly Ashford, by the way. President of the Student Council. A pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine." Kallen shakes her hand, smiling. Next up, Rivalz walks in with a grin and a thumb pointed to himself.

"I'm Rivalz Cardemonde, the secretary. Anything you need, I'm your man."

"Shirley Fenette!" Shirley said with a smile. "And I'm also a member of the Swimming Club."

"Nina Einstein," Nina said softly, fidgeting a bit.

"Maya Garfield," Maya said with her hand across her chest and giving a small nod.

"Nice to meet you all," Kallen said, nodding at them.

Just as they were done with the introductions, the doors slid open again, with Nunnally rolling in with Alice behind her. On her lap was a tray filled with pastries.

"Alice, could you help set down the cakes?"

"Sure then, Nunnally," Alice said, grabbing the tray.

"You too, Nunnally?" Lelouch asked, surprised that his sister was involved as well.

As the blonde-haired girl helps her, Kallen stares at the wheelchair bounded girl. Milly notices this.

"This is Nunnally, Lelouch's little sister. And the other girl is Alice Beaumont."

"I'm still in the Lower years of the academy, so I can't join yet as a proper member. Same with Alice." Nunnally turns towards Kallen and the rest. Upon further inspection, Kallen notices that she's also blind, as she has opened her eyes since.

"That's alright. Both of you are honorary members." Rivalz cheers her up, with Nina, Shirlet and Maya nodding in agreement. As they walked towards the table of food, Kallen glanced at them before turning back to Nunnally, whose existence surprised her.

Hearing so much about Britannia's 'Survival of the fittest' mentality, which they pride themselves on and push upon others, she would have thought that people like Nunnally got treated harshly. Yet, everyone around here treats her kindly.

She supposes that there are Britannians who are kinder than stated.

Or maybe it's the fact that she's Britannian that she gets exempted from the treatment.

"Hello, Kallen." Lost in her mind, Kallen doesn't notice Nunnally moving up to her until she's right in front of her. The blind girl gives her usual bright smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Kallen looks at her before giving a genuine smile. "It's a pleasure to be here."

Whatever the reason may be, it doesn't mean she can't repay her kindness with her own.

"Now then! Let's kick this off with a toast." Rivalz declares as he puts down a champagne bottle in the middle of the table.

"Champagne!?" Shirley stared down at the bottle.

"Wait, we're Student Council. We shouldn't have alcohol." Nina muttered.

"Oh, lighten up, guys," Rivalz said, giggling as he tried to pop out the cork.

"No way! We're going to get into trouble!" Shirley grabs the bottle and tries to pry it off Rivalz's hands. A struggle begins as the two fight over the bottle. Nunnally, hearing the struggle, asks. "What's going on?"

"Ah, it's nothing. Just the usual." Alice said as she grabbed Nunnally's hand to give her juice. "Here you go, Nunnally."

Kallen raises a brow as she watches the struggle over the bottle. She turns to Maya, who stood by. "That doesn't happen a lot, right?"

Maya gives a strained series of chuckles. "Actually, it's almost a daily occurrence. I know, it shocked me too when I first joined as well. In fact, my induction was similar to yours."

"How so?"

"Well," Maya looks away, bashful. "It happened all so fast that I didn't get to say if I wanted to join or not. Got swept up."

"Oh." So it was very similar.

"I-it's not all bad!" Maya quickly said, waving her hands at her. "They're good people and I've enjoyed my time with them."

Rivalz pulls the bottle to his chest and turns around, making Shirley reach for it over his shoulders. Seeing Lelouch standing behind her, Rivalz takes the chance and tosses the bottle above her. "Lelouch, heads up."

While surprised by the sudden act, Lelouch still catches the bottle. Shirley growls, pushing off Rivalz, and rushes to him. "You're not getting it either, Lulu!" She reaches for the bottle, but he holds it above their heads. She jumps on him, trying to reach the bottle, but she loses balance, toppling both her and Lelouch.

"Woah!"

"Ah!"

As the two fell, inside the champagne bottle, pressure from its contents, shaken by all the constant movement, finally reached its limit. With a loud pop, the cork launches itself at high speeds.

Right towards Kallen.

Fortunately, with her quick reflexes, she quickly smacks the projectile away. Unfortunately, she couldn't stop what came next as a stream of champagne poured out just as fast.

All over her head.

The room falls silent. Rivalz slumps over. Nina covers her mouth. Lelouch, Shirley and Maya watch wide-eyed, shocked as the poor girl gets drenched in alcohol. Milly simply just blinks.

"What just happened?" Nunnally innocently asked, head cutely turning, unaware of what just happened.

As the stream of alcohol lessened, one thought was going through the irate Half-Britannian's mind.

Somehow, she has a feeling that she won't enjoy her time here.

In the Student Council Bathroom, Kallen mutters angrily as she washes herself clean, water showering down from above. "This is why I hate Britannians."

What was supposed to be just a simple task of figuring out what Lelouch knew about her and Shinjuku quickly grew out of her control, and then suddenly, in the blink of an eye, she was a member of the Student Council.

Why did this have to happen to her?

She hears a knock on the door. "It's Lelouch. I brought some clothes for you." Lelouch said, muffled by the door.

"You can come in. I've already drawn out the curtain."

The door slides open, and the schoolboy walks in. He blinks, seeing that the curtain is closed, yet, because of the light, the silhouette of her naked body can be seen on the curtain. He looks away before stepping forward. "Sorry about all this. They can be a little over the top sometimes."

"It's fine. Nothing with cutting loose every once in a while, you know?" Though, did it have to involve her? Washing off alcohol was not how she planned to spend her afternoon.

"These are some of my clothes. Hope you don't mind." He said, putting the clothes down in a basket.

"It's cool. Don't worry about it." She looks over her shoulder. "That was fast. You ran all the way to the boys' dorm?" The walk to the clubhouse has shown her just how big the academy is. She knows how far the dorms are from here. Did he run? He doesn't sound out of breath.

"Actually, I live here." He said, making her turn around. "It would be hard for my sister to live in the dorms, so the principal lets us live here as a favor."

"I see." He really cares for his sister, huh?

She thinks back to Naoto, her own brother.

"Anyway..." Lelouch makes his way out of the bathroom before Kallen stops him.

"Wait!" She puts out her arm from the curtain, pointing to the sink. "Could you hand me that pouch over there by the sink?" He looks and sees what she means. A small pink pouch sat by the sink.

"Sure, then." He grabs it and walks up to the curtain. Looking away, he reaches his arm through the curtain, handing the pouch to her.

Suddenly, a powerful grip surrounds his wrist, making him drop the pouch in the wet bath. He looks down at his wrist, at her tight grip. "My, my, ain't you a live wire?" A strong grip for someone who supposedly has a weak constitution.

Behind the curtain, Kallen drills a suspicious look into Lelouch's head. "Were you the one from Shinjuku?"

"Shinjuku? What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb! You brought up Shinjuku the other day. Why?"

"Is there something wrong with Shinjuku?" He looks at the curtain, acting nonchalantly.

"Don't answer my question with another question!" As she reaches for her pouch, Lelouch notes a sudden rise of heat around her grip on his wrist. So, this is her ability, huh? Fascinating.

"Yes or no. That's all I want right now." She picks up the pouch and, with a flick, a small knife extends from it.

A moment of tense silence surrounds the two, a reminiscence of the scene earlier in the ballroom. Yet again, they get interrupted, this time by a telephone attached to the wall. Its ring draws the two's attention to it. She tenses, surprised by the sudden out-of-place call while Lelouch calmly looks at it, its blinking green light signaling an incoming call.

"If I don't answer it, someone will come. That okay?" Hearing nothing from her, Lelouch reaches for the telephone. He picks it up and answers. "Hello? Ashford Academy Student Council. No, this is... Oh, apparently it's for you." He hands her the telephone. "Says he knows you."

Kallen looks down, confused. Was it Ohgi or someone from the resistance? She places the pouch down by the bath and picks up the telephone. "Hello?"

"Glad you're still alive, Q-1."

Her eyes shoot wide open as she hears the familiar voice. It's him!?

Was I wrong? She peeks out the curtain, seeing Lelouch doing nothing but looking away. So, he's not the voice?

"16:00 hours. The day after tomorrow. The observation deck at Tokyo Tower. Come alone." The voice said before hanging up.

"Wait!" Kallen whirls around the telephone, unknowingly dragging the curtain open. "Who are you!? How did you arrange that cease-fire!? Hey, don't hang up on me!"

"Cease-fire?"

She flinches, remembering that she isn't alone. "Sounds like you keep dangerous company." He said calmly, glancing at her.

"Um... that was..." Kallen panics, her eyes darting around as she struggles to find an excuse.

"Let me guess? You're talking about a game, right?" Lelouch turns his head away. "Something online?"

Seeing an excuse, she quickly latches on to it. "A-ah, yeah! Y-you got me! Because... I've been shut up in my house for so long." She slowly let go of his hand.

"That's what I was warning you about when I brought up Shinjuku." He said, rubbing his wrist. "Seriously, some people will try to show you some pretty grim videos. It's disturbing." He then glances at the ceiling. "By the way, you know I can see you, right?"

It was then that she looked down and noticed that the shower curtain was wide open, revealing her exposed, wet body. She shrieks, cheeks red, pulling the curtain closed while crouching down, her back facing him. As she hugs herself tightly, she hears Lelouch saying. "Uh, I won't tell anyone." He leaves the bathroom, the door sliding closed behind him.

As he leaves, a glum Kallen looks down at the wet floor. "I was wrong." She whispers.

Elsewhere, Lelouch stood before Sayoko, with a recorder in his hand. Next to them was a table holding a telephone.

"Glad you're still alive, Q-1." The recorder plays his voice before he switches it off. With a smirk, he leaves the room.

Amazing what one can do with just a simple recording.

As he walks out, Sayoko wakes up from her trance and looks around, confused about how she ended up here.

"Man, now I feel bad," Rivalz said as he finished wiping the floor with the large white towel in his hands.

"Well, you should," Shirley said, looking down at him with crossed arms. "Told you we shouldn't have the bottle."

"Nobody was going to know. Besides, aren't you a little curious about how it tastes?"

"No!"

Maya sighs and smiles as she watches Shirley chastise Rivalz. Off to the side, Milly, Nunnally and Alice watch as well. Well, Milly and Alice watch. Nunnally listens with a giggle. The President giggles as well before sighing and looking at the food.

"What now? Should we warm up the food?"

"I think so," Maya said. "Kallen may be back soon, so we might as well prepare."

Plus, she'd hated to waste all this food. Not only did she have a hand in making it, but food was also important, and not everyone had access to this much food.

A smiling Hina flashes through her mind.

Before Maya could lose herself in her sorrow, she shook her head. No, she won't lose herself in grief. She'll avenge them. She'll avenge them all. And she'll do it by going after the one who started it.

The Prince, Clovis. She heard him broadcast the ceasefire, so that meant he was there before that. He has to be the source. No one can command that many soldiers without his approval. And if it turns out he's not the source, she'll find them through him.

Suddenly, she heard a gasp coming from Nina, who sat at a table, using her computer. She had a look of complete shock.

"N-no way." She says, drawing everyone's attention.

"Nina? What's wrong?" Shirley asked, worried. She's never seen the usually timid girl like this.

Nina looks up at them. "T-this... M-maya! Please turn on the TV!"

Maya raises her brow but does as she says. Picking up the remote, she turns on the TV, wondering what this has to do with anything.

As the screen flashes on, luckily on the news channel, a female reporter in a blue suit is speaking.

"-assassinated. I repeat, His Highness, Prince Clovis, Third Prince of the Empire and Viceroy of Area 11, has been assassinated."

Maya's eyes go wide.

"You don't have to worry much about what we do in the Student Council," Lelouch said as he and Kallen walked down the hallway. After she finished washing, Kallen donned the clothes Lelouch gave her, which were a brown, thick jacket over a long black shirt and grey pants. Overall, it gave her a masculine look, which made sense, as they were his casual clothes.

"Aside from the usual paperwork, we also plan the school events."

"Are you talking about the cultural festival?" She asked.

"Yes. As well as the cross-dressing festival, the absolute silence festival and swimsuit day." He said, looking to the side as Kallen gave him a look.

"What's up with that?" She asked, incredulous at the mentioned festivals.

"Blame our president." He chuckles. While the festivals annoy him a bit, he can't deny that there's certainly a genius in Milly's random choice of festivals. They help give the academy a boost in morale and overall never fail to improve someone's mood.

As they walked back into the ballroom, the two saw that everyone was huddling around the television set. Nunnally, hearing her brother's return, turns and calls him out. "Lelouch, it's awful!"

"What is?" He asked.

Milly turns to him. "Prince Colvis has been found dead."

"They say he got murdered," Rivalz adds.

Lelouch's and Kallen's eyes widen, shocked. Both Lelouch and Kallen tuned in to the TV, as a reporter continued. "-from Margrave Jeremiah."

The screen transitions to showing Jeremiah Gottwald in his military dress uniform and a cape on one shoulder, standing in the State Broadcast Room, a crowd of reporters before him. Behind him were soldiers wearing the same uniform, minus the cape.

"Prince Clovis has been taken from us. He fought for peace and justice against the Eleven. He died a martyr!" Jeremiah said, glaring at the camera while holding up a fist. "We must bury our sorrow and carry on his will."

The former prince ponders this recent development. Given that he hasn't been exposed and arrested, that means they finally found a suitable scapegoat. That would explain why they're announcing it now.

Yet, if not him, then who?

"We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news." Suddenly, the screen changes again, showing the female reporter from before. "The man suspected of the murder has been captured. This man is an Honorary Britannian."

Honorary Britannian, huh? So they're using the Japanese, then? Lelouch narrows his eyes.

The screen shifts again, revealing the supposed suspect, and Lelouch nearly loses his composure, eyes flying wide open.

"Private Suzaku Kururugi, a former Eleven turned Honorary Britannian." On the screen, he watches as Suzaku is escorted down a walkway, wearing a white prisoner's jumpsuit. Two Britannian soldiers held his arms, dragging him forward. The boy shouts, saying something that goes unheard. Suddenly, one soldier raises their fist and backhands him, silencing him.

"I repeat: Suzaku Kururugi, suspect of the crime of murdering His Highness." Lelouch watches wide-eyed at the screen, at the grimacing Suzaku with a bruise forming on his cheek.

Pendragon Suburbs, Pendragon – Holy Empire of Britannia

Pendragon. The Capital of the Holy Britannian Empire. An affluent city whose lights shone through the night sky like gems. At its center was the recently renamed 'Saint Darwin Street' district, an elevated section of the city where the Imperial family lives and rules. Throughout the city were also large manors and mansions where various noble houses and celebrities lived.

One impressive manor rested on the outskirts of the city. A massive, gothic-like structure, surrounded by an equally massive field. Around the fenced complex were guards patrolling, making sure nothing unwelcome ever reached the manor.

Whether they be man or otherwise.

Inside the main office room of the manor, a tall, young woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes and creamy brown skin sat at her desk. She wore a dark green blazer and pants, a white buttoned shirt and a red cravat. She pushes up her circular glasses before looking ahead. "So, what do you have to report?" She said, stifling the urge to yawn. She may have woken up earlier than usual, but she's still a noblewoman with dignity.

Standing before was a tall man with slicked-back black hair and grey eyes with a monocle over his left eye. He wore a white buttoned shirt with a blue sleeveless vest over it, white gloves, grey trousers and black shoes. His old age showed on his face with wrinkles, and even his hair had slight tints of grey.

Nevertheless, he portrayed the image of a stereotypical, impeccably sophisticated butler.

In his hands is a folder, which he places down on her desk. "The news gave the confirmation. Prince Clovis is dead."

The lady looks down at the folder with narrowed eyes. "Is that so? Well, that's a shame. Though I doubt that's only why you've awoken me." She said.

"No, My Lady." The butler said as she took up the folder. "It's what we found related to him that may interest you."

She opens it up and reads. After a moment, her eyes widen a bit before narrowing again, leaning forward. She looks up at him. "So, you found her there?"

"Yes, My Lady. While it's only a small glimpse before our agent lost them, we have confirmation that she is in the Tokyo Settlement."

She looks back at the folder. "And just as the prince is announced, dead. Think she did?"

"We don't know, My Lady. It could be possible. However, we need more information."

The noblewoman sighs. That girl just likes making things vexing whenever it involves her.

The noblewoman reads the entire folder before closing and putting it down. She sits back into her chair, taking out a cigar and a lighter. With a flick, a flame lit up her cigar. She takes a breath before turning around in her chair, facing the large windows behind her. The moon shone, illuminating her and the office room.

"Continue the search, but remember, she isn't our highest priority." She looks back at him. "What's happening in Tokyo and Fuyuki City is. Especially, Tokyo. I don't like the readings of mana we're picking up there. Therefore, Walter, we'll focus our attention there instead. Who knows? Might run into her while we're there."

"Of course, Sir Integra." The man, Walter C. Dornez, placed his hand across his chest and gave a small bow before leaving. As he exits the room, the noblewoman looks back at the moon.

"Area 11." Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing takes another smoke from her cigar. "Such a chaotic nation you're turning out to be."

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

Usurper

Ashford Academy Boys' Dorms, Ashford Academy – Area 11, 11 August 2017 a.t.b.

As the evening sky crept over the academy, one dorm door opened ajar. Shu poked his head in, eyes surveying the room before quickly ushering Inori in, who was carrying the robot. "Quick, get in. It looks like Yahiro isn't here today."

He doesn't want to deal with his questions about why they were hosting a potential fugitive at their dorms. Luckily, it looks like he's off to his part-time job. Shu doesn't know what job Yahiro has that requires him to work at night, but he's grateful for the absence.

"Ok," Shu said, clapping his hands. "Make yourself at home. I'll get you the first aid kit."

Inori blinked at him while she sat on his bed. Despite the danger the Student Self-Defense poses if they find her here in the academy, as well as the slight embarrassment of having such a beautiful girl in his dorm room for the first time, he still thought it best to guide her here.

The academy was the closest place for him to run and hide, while also being very large. It doesn't help that Haruka's apartment was a little further away and in a very public area. Hard to sneak in someone eye-catching like Inori without drawing attention.

Inside his dorm, he had two beds and a small desk that held his computer monitor. The walls were barren, which he was grateful for. No need to embarrass himself by hanging up posters of what he liked for Inori to see.

Not that he could if he wanted, given the lack of a shop selling Japanese items within the Settlement.

"Ok, got it. Here you go." He grabs the kit from his desk and holds it out to her.

A silence falls upon the two, as Inori looks at the first-aid kit in his hand, before turning around, her back facing him. He blinks, wondering about the cause of her hesitation.

"Can..." Finally, she mutters, glancing away. "Can you help me?" She asked, hands shakily lowering her garments, exposing her back. It was then that he remembered her injured condition.

"Oh! Oh, sure. Um..." Shu moves closer, sitting behind her with his cheeks red. "Hope you don't mind."

He patches her up silently, trying not to let his eyes wander lower.

He would like to think he mostly succeeded in that.

When he finishes up, he and Inori sit in silence, with him facing the wall while she places her dress back on. In a corner, the little robot sat looking at him. He got the distinct impression that it was glaring at him.

Who built and programmed that thing?

Turning to the girl, Shu opens his mouth and hesitates before speaking. "S-so... if you don't mind me asking, why... were you there?" He asked, seeing as she glanced over her shoulder. "At the abandoned university? And why were Anti-Bodies after you?"

No matter how much he thinks about it, he can't understand why Sephirah would be after an underground vocalist. They're a pharmaceutical conglomerate, so maybe she stole something. Why Anti-Bodies though? Why not the Britannian police? Sure, she may be an unknown criminal, but wouldn't that then be the police's job?

Inori was silent, looking ahead.

"You... don't need to answer if you don't want to!" He quickly added, waving his hands.

She remains silent.

Shu cringes a little, looking away. "Um... you're welcome to stay here until you recover. Afterwards, we can figure something out-"

"Why?"

"Huh?" Shu turned to the pink-haired girl, who was looking down at her clenched hands on her lap. "Why... what?"

"Why... why are you helping me?"

"B-because you need help. You were blee-"

"But why?" She glances at him. "You don't know me. You don't know Fyu-Neru." She glances at the robot. So that was its name. "I don't know you. I've never seen you before in my life. It would have been safer for you if you hadn't gotten involved in this. So, why?"

The boy was silent, staring into her red eyes, her long pink hair framing her slender face.

"Will you marry me, Shu?"

Shu flinches a bit, holding his head.

S-she isn't her.

He stares back at her silently, then at the ground, pondering how to answer.

Why did I help her?

"Oh, blooming wildflower..."

He thinks back to their first meeting.

Her beautiful singing voice.

Her pink hair, which gave her an almost otherworldly beauty.

Her striking red eyes watching him with suspicion and fear.

The way her eyes lit up as she ate the bento.

The small, cute pout she made when he laughed.

"I... maybe you're right. I don't know you or what you did. But what I know is this." His maroon eyes lock with her red eyes. "I found you sitting in the middle of that university, singing that lovely song with such a beautiful voice, all the while injured and bleeding. At the time, all I could think of was..."

He smiled.

"What can I do to help this person who so desperately needs help?"

Silence fills the room before Inori looks away. Shu turns away as well, cheeks colored with a dash of red, coughing to clear his throat and to get rid of the awkward air.

"I have something important to them." His head quickly turned to the girl, who spoke. She continued. "Anti-Bodies. I have something important to Anti-Bodies. Something dangerous. Something that could spell trouble for everyone if it's in the wrong hands. That's why I have to deliver it to Gai."

"Gai?"

"Our leader." She holds her hands to her chest. "Only he can use its power, and bring us to freedom. I have to get to him."

Huh, what is she holding that's so important? He asks her this.

Inori shakes her head. "Gai ordered me never to reveal this to anyone. Not even our allies."

"Wait, so not everyone knows what they're stealing? Is that what you're saying?"

Inori nods.

"Why, though? Is that dangerous?"

"I trust Gai. We all do."

Sounds like they're all fanatical about him. I wonder what type of guy he is.

The pink-haired girl turns to Shu. "Thank you for your help, but I need to leave and find Gai soon." She said, grunting as she tried to stand up.

"W-wait!" Shu rushed to the girl's side. "You can barely move now."

"Anti-Bodies might find me. Might even have you killed." She grunts, trying to place her feet underneath her. "So, I need to leave. Now."

"You won't make it far in your state. Besides, do you even know where to find him?"

"We have a rendezvous point if things go wrong." She said, taking a step before crumbling, heading to the fall. Luckily, Shu catches her before she hits the ground.

"Seriously, you can't do much in your state. So, please, let me help you."

The girl remains silent, a frown on her face. Shu wraps his arms under her and picks her up, bridal-style.

As he lays her back on his bed, she softly speaks, "I... why are you so..." She stumbles, trying to find her words.

"I already said it before. You looked like someone who needed help." Shu looks away, rubbing the back of his head as he sits in the desk chair.. "I couldn't leave you there alone. Doing nothing. Not again." He mutters those last words to himself, looking down.

The girl heard him and gave him a questioning gaze.

Shu sees this and chuckles, albeit a rather weak one at that. "Ah, it's nothing. Inori-san." He shakes his head. "Anyway, like I was saying, I want to help you, so I'm going to help you."

Inori stares silently at him. "You could die." She mutters again.

"Probably." Shu lets out another small chuckle. "But if it's to help such a beautiful girl like you, I won't regret it." He said with a smile, his cheeks a bright red.

The pink-haired girl stares at him, head slightly tilted to the side.

Shu chuckles awkwardly as she continues to stare. Though inside Shu's mind, thoughts raced by. Whatever he was stepping into, it was probably way beyond him. Just as Inori said, he could very well die. It would have been safer for him to stay out of it.

But that would mean abandoning her to who knows what. That wouldn't just be wrong, it would have meant a return to his old self. His old, weak self.

As the chuckles faded out, his lips formed a small frown.

He can't afford that.

Not again.

A growl fills the room. Shu turns to the source. Inori looks at the wall, finding its blandness very interesting. Her cheeks have a dash of red on them, which grows slightly brighter when her stomach growls again.

Shu smiles. "How about I get us some snacks?"

Interrogation Room, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

In a dimmed room, Jeremiah sat with a frown, contempt in his eyes. In front of him, across a table, was a bruised Suzaku sitting on a chair, wearing the white jumpsuit they had given him. A thick, black band restrained his arms to his sides. Around them were Jeremiah's men, watching over them, dressed in their service dress uniforms with a red armband and a red-winged lapel badge attached to them, the same badge that was attached to Jeremiah's collar.

"Do you recognize this gun, Suzaku Kururugi?" In front of Suzaku was a Britannian handgun sealed inside a plastic holder. "This was the murder weapon that was used to rob Prince Clovis of his life. The barrel striation leaves no doubt."

The boy remained silent, however, looking down at the gun.

"We've also taken the liberty of looking into your history," Jeremiah said, pulling out a folder and reading the papers within. "You're the son of the last Prime Minister of Japan, are you not?" He narrows his eyes at the silent boy. "You would certainly have plenty of motivation."

"You're making a mistake," Suzaku said, finally looking up. "I've never even laid eyes on this weapon before."

Suddenly, one soldier kicked his chair underneath him, causing him to crash onto the floor. As he was grunting, Jeremiah looked down, unfazed by the act. "Your fingerprints found all over the weapon say otherwise. You're also suspected of killing members of the Royal Guard. Come clean now and you'll be judged as if you were born a Britannian, not some worthless Eleven."

However, Suzaku looks up at him, defiance in his eyes. "You're wrong! I've done nothing-" Another kick, this time to his face, launching it back.

Oh well. Jeremiah muses. It didn't matter if he confessed or not. It was all a formality.

After all, they were civilized people. Not savages.

Student Council Clubhouse, Ashford Academy – Area 11

The Lamperouge siblings were in Nunnally's room as the evening rolled over. As Lelouch helped his sister by carrying her from her wheelchair to her bed, Nunnally asked him a question.

"Suzaku... that was his name I heard on the news, wasn't it?"

"Yep. Looks like he's still alive, huh?"

"Yeah, it's been ages since we've seen him at the end of the war." She said as she was being tucked into bed. For a moment, she was silent before speaking. "Lelouch..."

"Hmm?"

"It isn't true what the news said, right?" She asked softly, her voice growing somber.

He kneels next to the bed, taking her hand in his. "Of course not. Suzaku would never do that. I bet they just made a mistake." He said while caressing her hand.

"Yeah." She whispers, smiling softly while tightening her grip on his hands. "Must be."

As his sister falls asleep, Lelouch gives a small kiss to her hand. "Goodnight, Nunnally."

While kneeling next to her bed, Lelouch's mind races.

Suzaku's alive!? And being persecuted in his place!?

He's relieved that his best friend is alive, yet him being tried for the murder he committed complicates his relief. He grits his teeth. They're using him as a scapegoat.

And he can make an educated guess as to why. Jeremiah Gottwald is the head of the Purebloods Faction within Area 11. The Purists are a political faction with powerful ties in the military, advocating for racial purity within Britannian society. With that goal, they dislike the Honorary Citizenship system, deeming that only Pureblooded Britannians should be the only ones allowed in prominent, powerful positions, such as the military.

They're not the largest group in Britannian society, however, so they can't just abolish the Honorary Citizenship on their own. Given the predicament Suzaku has found himself in, however, they may use this chance to abolish the Honorary Citizenship. If not everywhere, then certainly within the Area 11 colonial military.

The former prince narrowed his eyes. No, he won't allow his best friend to be used like this, not after he risked his life to save him. He and Nunnally just found that he was alive and well, and he intends to keep it that way.

The beginnings of a plan form in his head, one that he knows he needs help to execute.

Lucky for him, he knows just the perfect group of terrorists who can help.

Garfield's Residence, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Maya sighed, closing her door and walking to her bed. As she sits down, she thinks of her eventful day.

Not only did she knock over a Japanese student, causing a commotion, but the student council had also inducted a new member, only to spill champagne all over her. Then, to add to all that, it's revealed that Prince Clovis has been assassinated.

She takes a glance at her origami crane on her desk, thinking back to the ghetto. Clovis was there. She heard his voice being broadcast. She knows he had to have a hand in the massacre wrought upon the Shinjuku populace. He had to. What other reason would a Britannian Prince have to be in the Ghetto?

Well, whatever reason he may have had, it died with him. Shot down by Kururugi Suzaku, an Honorary Britannia. Vaguely, she recalls the family name Kururugi sounding familiar. However, that isn't the most important fact about him. What interests her is his killing of the Prince.

Is he that voice?

It's possible. Prince Clovis couldn't have ordered that cease-fire without being forced to. So Kururugi could very well be him.

Yet, since he got captured, could he really be him? She may not truly know the voice, but she finds it hard to imagine them getting caught just like that, after orchestrating what happened in Shinjuku.

But if he is the voice, what can she do now?

Vengeful as she is against Britannia, she isn't blind to the facts. She's one girl against a superpower directly controlling about a third of the world. She needs support, and after what happened in Shinjuku, she knows that voice could be her help. If Kururugi is the voice, how could she go about saving him?

She groans, caressing her temple. She'll think about what to do later. She changes into her sleepwear and tucks herself into bed, holding onto hope that the voice truly isn't Kururugi Suzaku.

Holding onto hope that there's still a chance against Britannia.

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

"I told you we should have made an announcement earlier! We could have taken credit for it!" In the dead of night, Ohgi hears Tamaki's complaints before he slams the door shut on his way out.

Ohgi closes his eyes and sighs. Ever since the news dropped, the group has been restless. Some, like Tamaki, felt they should have said something earlier to cash in on the credit of killing a Britannian prince. Others feel that they should try to rescue Kururugi Suzaku, confident since they still have the enormous supplies from those capsules.

And he can't blame them. Before Shinjuku, they were just another resistance group against Britannia. Hell, it was a miracle that they even found that Glasgow in that junkyard, one that was in near working condition, of all things.

Now, with the capsules gifted to them by their mysterious benefactor, they had a lot more supplies. Guns, ammunition, equipment; hell, he's sure they still have a Knightmare or two lying around due to those capsules. He can see why everyone's spirits are up.

However, he was hesitant. He felt it was too risky, especially since this meant going up against an army, and this time, they would not have the voice by their side. Ohgi holds no delusions. Without him, there's very little they could do against Britannia. Sure, small minor attacks like before might work, but what they did in Shinjuku?

No. Ohgi shakes his head. No, they can't do it.

He can't do it.

"Oh, Naoto," He looks down at his desk. On that desk was a small picture frame. On the right, there he stood with a smile, facing the camera, wearing a rolled-up red t-shirt and dark green pants, with a blue towel hanging on his neck. On the left, Kallen stood with a smile as well, wearing a yellow tank top and brown shorts, with two soda cans in hand. In the middle sat Kozuki Naoto, the previous leader of their plucky resistance group. He had the same red hair and blue eyes as Kallen, with a big smile facing the camera. He wore a red jacket over a black shirt and navy pants.

"I'm not cut out for this. I'm no leader."

Anti-Bodies Mobile Command Base, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Major Guin stood with his arms crossed behind him, inside his mobile headquarters, watching as around him were monitors where the other enlisted officers worked. While he may appear calm, his hands, clenching his arms tightly, revealed what lay beneath the surface.

She got away! Again!

The girl had given them the slip! How? That's what they were still trying to figure out. Given the amount of blood they found, she couldn't have gotten far. They've established a search perimeter of the surrounding district, though sadly, they can't heavily scout it. The Shinjuku Gas attack only extends near the center of the ghetto. Too much movement outside that, and authorities will start asking uncomfortable questions.

None of this is good news to General Yan, who's displeased by the lack of both the girl and the Genome. And, with Margrave Jeremiah breathing down on the General's neck, he's even less pleased by the lack of progress.

Major Guin growls. If this continues any longer, he might find his very own neck being served on a platter as well.

"My Lord." Major Guin turns to the massive screen to see a video feed of an intel officer saluting him. The officer wore a white Anti-Bodies uniform long coat with epaulettes, a navy blue armband on his left arm with the Anti-Bodies symbol engraved, dark green cargo pants, and a dark green beret. He also wore a pair of glasses.

"Speak, Captain."

"We may have some information regarding the target. We found this in the building." Captain Andrei Rowan said, an image of an empty small box being pulled onto the screen next to him.

"And?"

"My Lord, I believe this is what the Elevens call a bento. Essentially a lunch box."

Major Guin raises a brow. "A lunch box?" That's what he came to say?

The officer, seeing his leader's unamused expression, quickly explained. "My Lord, it's with this, combined with the number of footprint sizes found inside matching that of a young teenager, that we theorise the target may have had an accomplice who may be a student."

Major Guin looked back at the image, mind racing. A student, huh? Makes sense, but which would that be? An Eleven school? No, those were all shut down and decrepit. That just leaves...

He looks towards the Tokyo Settlement. The only nearby school would be Ashford Academy, the prestigious Britannian private school. It's impossible, though. Elevens couldn't have joined such a prestigious school.

A traitor?

Or perhaps, an Honorary Britannian.

Yes, he's beginning to connect some dots now. Still, he needs more information.

Luckily, they have the perfect tool for the job.

"Investigate this further, Captain. Contact her again if you have to."

Rowan nods, understanding who he meant. "Yes, My Lord."

School Hall, Ashford Academy – Area 11, 12 August 2017 a.t.b.

Inside the massive school hall, which housed the entire student body, a man stood on top of a podium. This man was Ruben K. Ashford, the grandfather of Milly and the Headmaster of the academy. "Truly, this has been a painful experience for all." He said, his voice throughout the hall.

"The Viceroy of Area 11, our beloved Prince Clovis, has been taken from us. However, we can and will weather through this tragedy."

In the crowd, Maya looked on with a blank expression. Inwardly, she wonders how these people would react if told what Prince Clovis actually did in Shinjuku.

Not too far from Maya, Kallen also had a similar expression. Inwardly, she was irate. Why did they have to pay respect to a murderer!? Frankly, she was more than fine with him biting the dust. She only regrets she wasn't the one to do it.

In the crowd as well, Lelouch was calm, focusing on his plan to save his best friend rather than on whatever emotions he may have had for his late half-brother.

Camelot – Area 11

Within ASEEC's laboratory, Lloyd and Cecile watched as Mariel and the other scientists worked on the Lancelot.

Lloyd lets a deep sigh. "Oh, we've lost the most crucial part of the equation." He said, referring to their missing pilot.

Cecile turned to him, tablet in hand. "Could we get another pilot to fill in?"

"Oh, how I wish." Lloyd shakes his head with a frown. "The other units will never let go of an excellent pilot. Besides, even if we did, who's to say they'll match what he can do?"

He and Cecile turn to the monitors that Mariel is working on. On one screen was the last recorded operational performance of the Lancelot.

94%

"His operational efficiency clocked out around 94% and you want him replaced!?" Lloyd again shakes his head. Never in his life has he seen such a high synergy between man and machine. It's just as Mariel said before.

It was like the young boy was Lancelot's fated pilot.

"Then why don't you go get him back?" Mariel asked, turning away from the monitors. "We all know he couldn't have been the killer. We've been with him all the time!"

"He's an Honorary Britannian. They'll never listen." Lloyd explains.

"But ain't you an Earl? Surely, they must listen to what you have to say."

"With Margave Jeremiah at the helm, there's very little I can do. Especially since, after General Barley's disgrace and with General Yan nowhere to be seen, the Purebloods have the military of Area 11 in an iron grip."

Honestly, what an impressive seizure of power, in his opinion. If only it didn't come with the loss of such a wonderful Devicer.

Mariel looks down, her eyes more gloomy than before. "Why?"

"In the Purebloods' view, one of their own couldn't be the criminal. However, if the criminal was an Eleven, then that would give Margrave Jeremiah the needed political power to push for the end of the practice of giving natives Honorary status."

"Wait, that's it?" Wide hazel eyes shot up to him. "That's why this is happening?"

Lloyd nods. "Well, of course."

"Then," Cecile asked, looking at him. "What will happen to Suzaku?"

"Sadly, with how things are, his fate's sealed." Lloyd shrugs.

The girls fall silent, saddened by the thought.

Mariel slowly looks down at the ground, a deep frown on her face. "That isn't fair."

Lloyd looks back up at Lancelot. Gazing at its green eyes on the knightly shaped head.

"Life rarely is."

It's a real shame, too. Where else would he find such a wonderful Devicer like him?

Ashford Academy – Area 11

When the principal finished his speech, crowds of students made their way out of the hall.

"Hey, Lelouch!" Behind Lelouch, Rivalz calls out to him, walking past the other students. "Got anything coming up today?" He places his arm around him. "If not, then come on. We've got a free day today, and I know a couple of folks who are itching for a rematch." He grins, excited at the prospect of robbing even more nobles.

Shirley, walking past them and overhearing them, turns to them with a frown. "You're not gambling, you guys!"

Rivalz waves her off. "Ah, come on, Shirley. Don't be a stick in the mud."

"Actually, she's right."

Both Rivalz's and Shirley's eyes widen as they turn to look at Lelouch, who smiles and continues. "Maybe it's time to quit."

"Huh?" While shocked as Rivalz, Shirley feels a smile about to grow. Was her voice actually getting through to Lulu? Will he stop gambling and actually take things seriously?

"I found a better opponent, actually."

Shirley's smile drops while Rivalz's grows. "Is that so? You're cutting me on the action, too, right?"

However, Lelouch chuckles and shakes his head. "Better not. It's not really up your alley." With that, he walks, leaving behind the two confused friends.

Elsewhere in the academy, a certain group walks out of the hall as well. Hare, walking beside Shu, notices him having a small smile. "Huh, odd. It's rare to see a smile coming from you. Especially now, since... well, you know..."

"Huh?" He looks at her, confused, before realising what she meant. "Oh, no. It's not the Prince's death. I'm just glad to have this free time."

"I don't blame you," A boyish voice from behind drew their attention. Walking behind them was a young Japanese student with short, black hair and dark, brown eyes, wearing the same Ashford Academy uniform.

"This week has been hectic, and had I known we were getting an off day, I would have stayed at the dorms, finishing up that project for the competition." Souta Tamadate said, coming from behind him, arms crossed behind his head. Speaking of which," Souta turned to Shu. "Hey, Shu, did you finish up that video I gave you?"

"Ah, sorry. I couldn't." Shu said, rubbing the back of his head. "Something came up, and I got distracted."

Something tells him what happened yesterday shouldn't get brought up. Otherwise, he could bring them trouble if he did.

He can't allow that.

"Shu, Souta, you two should really be more conscious of your words." From behind again, two more figures walked up to the group. One was a tall Japanese boy with straight brown hair and dark brown eyes. He also wore the Ashford Academy uniform. The other figure was a young girl with short, black hair and glasses over her gray eyes. She wore the Ashford Academy uniform as well.

"Who knows how the Britannians will react to what you said." Yahiro Samukawa said, glancing around at the passing Britannians, some of whom were giving them odd glances and keeping their distance.

"Yeah. The Prince just died, so watch what you say, you two." Kanon Kusama said, narrowing her eyes at the careless boys.

Souta grumbles, muttering in Japanese. "It's not like they can understand me."

"Still, it's better to be on the safe side."

Souta jumps as he hears a voice from behind. Twisting, he sees Maya standing right behind the group. "Who knows? You may find the wrong set of ears that can understand you."

"I... um, w-what?" Souta blurts out, surprised by the girl's sudden appearance.

"Just something to keep in mind. And apologies for walking into you two yesterday." She said, nodding at both Hare and Shu before leaving, walking towards the academy gates. The group watches her as she leaves, surprised by the entire interaction.

"Hey...did... did she understand me?" Souta asked, eyes on Maya.

"I... don't think so?" Hare said, even unsure herself.

Kanon sighs, pushing up her glasses. "It doesn't matter if she did or not. Her words have merit. Better watch what you say, you two." She looks Souta dead in the eye before looking at Shu.. "For all our sakes."

Souta grimaces at the spectacled girl before looking away with a frown. "Got it." Shu, frowning as well, nods in agreement.

With that, the atmosphere around the group soured a bit as they walked away from the academy hall. Hare glanced around, noticing some Britannians were shunning them. Sadly, she understands the consequences of saying or doing the wrong thing around Britannians.

The situation with the Student Self-Defense Force comes to mind.

She frowns. Yeah, I understand that very well.

Although...

She looks up, in the direction where Maya walked off, as well as remembering the vice-president from yesterday.

I guess not all Britannians are like that.

She sighs before clapping her cheeks and holding her head high, straightening her gait. Let's not dwell on it. It's an off-day.

And she wants to make the most of it.

She glances back at Shu, seeing him walk back to his dorms, and she smiles.

Maybe we can spend the day together.

Yeah, she'll surprise him with a visit and spend some time together. It'll just be the two of them for the whole day.

Hare's smile grows wider, her gait gaining a bounce noticed by Kanon, who smirks, confidently guessing the cause following Hare's line of sight.

Britannian Victory Memorial Center, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

In what used to be the Minato Ward of the Tokyo Prefecture, stood the remains of one of Japan's greatest landmarks.

Tokyo Tower, a tall red and white observation and communication tower, once stood as the tallest structure in Japan before the war. Afterward, however, all that remains of the landmark is its bottom half, its top half shot off during the war.

The once marvelous landmark was now nothing more than a museum. Just another symbol of Britannia lording its victory over Japan.

"Britannia's resounding victory over Japan has opened the nation's unenlightened eyes to its place in the world order." The woman over the intercom said overhead as Kallen walked through the museum, with Kallen and plenty of visitors looking over the pictures of the war and the weapons used during it.

"Since then, Britannia and Area 11 have walked hand-in-hand down the road of revival."

Underneath Britannia's heel, that is. Kallen bitterly thought before looking around. "Tokyo Tower at 16:00. Why here?

Yesterday, that voice said to meet him here on the observation deck. Yet, there's a problem with that.

Just who the hell were they?

She had nothing to go by, except a voice, which really isn't much. She could go looking around for any Japanese, but most people here were Britannians, the exception being her friends from the resistance.

Naturally, she brought them along. While she's thankful for their leadership during Shinjuku, it still doesn't change the fact that this guy was shady as all hell.

No name.

No face.

No motive to speak off.

Just a voice.

As she walked around, Ohgi and two other men shadowed her. Ohgi wore a dark red and black jacket over a brown shirt and grey pants. One man had brown hair and turquoise eyes, wearing a blue, sleeveless, high-collar vest and navy pants. His name was Toru Yoshida. The other, with teal-colored hair and brown eyes, was Kento Sugiyama. He wore a light green shirt and red pants with knee pads.

All three wore the red headband, which is their resistance group's signature mark.

"The one who contacted us was Kururugi Suzaku, wasn't it?" Sugiyama asked in Japanese.

"Hard to say," Ohgi said. While that was the common consensus on the voice's identity, they haven't found definitive proof of that yet.

"But maybe he was arrested after he contacted Kallen," Yoshida said.

"In which case, we're in danger being here."

If it really was Suzaku who called Kallen, and he got arrested afterward, then they needed to leave. Who knows, Britannia could have this place under surveillance, uncovering their identities.

"Attention, please. Paging Miss Kallen Stadtfeld, Ashford Academy." Suddenly, the woman over the intercom speaks up. "One of your personal effects has been turned in at the kiosk on the observation desk. I repeat..."

Kallen looks up at the intercom, blue eyes narrowed. What personal effects? She brought nothing with her, except her purse.

Regardless, she went to the kiosk. There, the receptionist holds out her hands. "Hello. I'm assuming this phone is yours, miss?" Picking it up, Kallen sees it's a black phone that she's pretty certain she has never laid eyes upon.

Meaning that it must have come from him. But what's she supposed to do with it?

"Uh, miss..." The woman spoke, her expression growing uncertain. "It is yours, right?"

Shit, she was silent for too long. "Ah, yes, t-thank you." She said, smiling before walking away, not willing to draw any more suspicion.

She walks to the windows of the observation deck, giving her a view of the city. She looks down at the phone, wondering what to do next, when suddenly, the phone rings as a call comes in, with a caller's name on the screen.

"Zero?" She reads the name, one brow raised.

A glance at Ohgi, who's nearby and looking through one of the many telescopes that were scattered around the deck. He glances back and gives a subtle nod.

She picks up the call. "Hello?"

"Go to the outer tracks of circuit number five." The familiar voice said, bringing an odd sense of relief to her. So he's not Kururugi Suzaku.

Then who is he?

"Bring your friends."

Her eyes widen. "What!?"

He knew!?

Jeremiah's Office, Fort Perry – Area 11

Within his office, Jeremiah looked out his window. "You handled His Highness's memorial program very well."

Behind him, at both ends of his desk, stood Villetta and a man with light brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a military dress uniform with the same red armbands as the Purist. This man is Kewell Soresi, Jeremiah's right-hand man within the Purebloods Faction.

Across the desk stood Diethard, a producer and journalist from the press media at Hi-TV Studios.

"Though, if you ask me, it's a bit too weeping for my taste." He said while swinging his chair around to face him.

"Yes, well, the masses tend to enjoy tearjerkers, Your Excellency," Diethard said, giving a nod.

"Spoken like a true TV man," Jeremiah smirks. "Still, I have to acknowledge the finesse you've shown. You've done well in the short amount of time you had. One would think you were expecting His Highness' untimely end." He said, raising a brow.

However, Diethard showed no reaction and just bowed. "It's quite common for memorial services to be set in advance for very important individuals."

"Does that include me?" Jeremiah asked, leaning forward.

"Recent events may have pushed you up the list a bit, Your Excellency."

"So I wasn't of importance until recently, is that it?"

"I'm afraid so, sir."

Well, Jeremiah can certainly admire this man's honesty. There aren't many who would say that straight to his face, given his rank and position. Yes, he may not be a prince, but he was the Acting Consul of Area 11.

Now, if only that weasel, General Yan, would stop hiding.

"Ever thought of enlisting?" He offered. "The army could use more men like you."

Diethard shakes his head, however. "I don't think it would be a good fit. Not my cup of tea."

"You prefer the civil sector, I take it? No matter. I have another favor to ask of you." He said, getting to the point of the meeting. "Tomorrow night, Suzaku Kururugi shall be transported to his court martial."

"We should line the road with good, patriotic Britannians," Diethard adds.

Jeremiah smiles. "Excellent, you catch on quickly." For a TV man, he has a smart head on his shoulders. "Be sure the rabble can see his face."

"Lord Jeremiah," Villetta spoke up, looking down at him. "There are those within the Elevens who see Kururugi as a hero. Some may even try to free him." She said.

He turns to her. "Then I'll be there personally, aboard my Sutherland." He clenched his fists, eyes narrowed. "If anyone even thinks of causing trouble, they'll be executed on the spot!"

5th Circinate Line, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Aboard the monorail system that ran around the entire settlement, Kallen and the others boarded the train, just as the voice ordered.

Inside, Kallen stood at the back corner of the car, looking down at the phone in her hands. Ohgi stood not too far from her, looking out the window. Opposite to him, Sugiyama copied him, looking out his window. Next to him, Yoshida sat down on the bench.

She's worried about them, though. While she can easily pass off as a Britannian student, her friends are clearly Japanese.

Thankfully, no one paid any attention to them, choosing instead to ignore their presence.

"Attention, all passengers. If you find any suspicious items or activities, please alert metro personnel by using the nearest inter-telephone." A woman over the intercom said. However, none of the passengers moved or even looked at the Japanese men on board.

Odd.

Before she could think any further about that, her phone rang, with the same caller name from before.

She picks it up. "What now?" She asked, Ohgi and the others turning to her.

"Look to your right and tell me what you see." She follows his orders and looks out the window on her right.

"The city of the Britannians." The Tokyo Settlement. A wealthy gem of a city with clear, shining high-rise buildings. The structures were as tall as they were wealthy. Even the massive, bright arrays of solar panels that provide power to the city just added to the city's radiance.

It was a city made by Britannians, for Britannians.

A true metropolis.

"A stolen city, built on our sacrifices."

However, it wasn't their city. While it appeared glamorous on the surface, anything Japanese either got literally built over as the settlement sat on elevated blocks above the old, devastated Tokyo or repurposed for Britannian use.

"And now to your left." Her blue eyes shift to the Shinjuku Ghetto.

The difference between the cities couldn't be any more different.

"I see our city."

Dull, worn-out buildings, some leaning against each other or having completely fallen over. Dirt and grime were everywhere, with holes in many structures and craters scattered almost everywhere. Next to the gem that was the Tokyo Settlement, it was almost hard to look at it without feeling some form of emotion.

Mainly, in her case, rage.

"Remnants of a city, destroyed after the Britannians sucked it dry."

Once a beautiful gem of its own, the Shinjuku Ghetto was nothing more than a ruined husk, devoid of any soul. Even the people living within represent this clearly, living in squalor with their clothes just as dull, dirty and worn out as the city. Given the sights she's seen at the times she went through the ghetto to get to Ohgi and the others, it was clear.

This was a city with no hope.

"Good answer." Zero said, his voice sounding almost impressed. "Now, make your way to the front car." He immediately hung up.

A small frown grows on her face, yet she walks forward, following his orders.

She makes her way to the front car, giving a glance to Ohgi, who sees it. As she walks past him, he follows her, waving at Sugiyama and Yoshida to follow suit. She continues down her path, slipping past the crowd, the others right behind her. Oddly, the crowd doesn't pay attention to the odd behaviors, never even looking up to see them go. Even a guy she bumped into just gave her a stare and nothing more.

It was honestly a little creepy.

Still, she didn't dwell on it for too long when she made it to the front car. The doors slide open as she and the others finally enter. The entire front car was empty, except for one individual who stood in the middle of the car.

The individual had their back to them, but she made out that they wore an odd, dark black and gold cloak that split into two ends, revealing that they wore dark purple pants. They also wore something on their head, but she couldn't make it out.

She spoke. "Was it you?"

They stood silent and unmoving.

"This isn't a trap, right?" Yoshida looked at his comrades.

They remained silent.

"Tell us." She said, her eyes narrowing, the silence pissing her off. "Was it you in Shinjuku? Was the cease-fire your doing?"

Nothing.

Finally, Ohgi spoke up, fed up. "Hey, say something! Was it-"

The man finally turns around and faces them. Immediately, the car darkens as the train enters a tunnel, the natural sunlight vanishing. Only the fluorescent lights above gave them sight of the man, whose figure seemed to pop out despite the darkness.

Dramatic, but she'll admit that it was eye-catching.

Now, facing them, she could make out what he was wearing. The cloak he wore had a high collar, reaching where she thinks his chin is. Hard to tell, since the man wore a peculiar mask that covered his entire head. It had no facial features, other than the large dark purple centre and the large odd golden symbol that rested where his mouth would be. It also appeared to have small horns on its sides and the top.

An odd character. Was this him?

Zero?

"So, how was it?" Zero said in fluent Japanese, a modulated voice coming from the mask.

"Tour?" Ohgi asked, perplexed by the man.

"It couldn't have been this clown!" Yoshida said, turning to his friends and gesturing to the masked man.

"I wanted you to see both the Settlement," Zero continued, unperturbed by their responses, and lifted his left arm. "And the ghetto." Then his right arm. As he did so, he revealed the cloak had a red lining underneath. He also wore a stylish royal purple suit with golden highlights.

Ohgi steps forward. "Yeah, we get it." He said. "There's a difference. A vast difference. That's why we fight as a resistance."

"You're wrong." Zero said, lowering his arms. "Terrorism will not defeat Britannia."

"Defeat?" Ohgi softly repeated. Why use that word?

"Terrorism is nothing more than a mere childish nuisance."

"You're calling us childish!?" Yoshida asked, scowling at the masked man. The others were equally offended.

"Don't confuse your enemies. It's not Britannians, but Britannia itself!" Zero raised his voice. Against a superpower as massive and as powerful as Britannia, terrorism amounted to nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum. Most of the time, it benefited Britannia, providing them with propaganda material, especially when innocents were caught up in these attacks.

Therefore...

"You must start a war!" Underneath the mask, Lelouch stared at the group, a deep resolve within his eyes unseen by them. "Without involving innocents! Prepare yourselves and take the path of justice!"

The speech silenced the group as they took in the man's words. However, Kallen scowled and found her voice. "Don't be absurd! It's easy to say whatever with that mask on! As if we'd trust someone whose face we don't even know!"

"Yeah, she's right!" Yoshida glared at Zero.

"Take off that mask!" Sugiyama shouts, clenching his fists.

Ohgi backed up his friends. "That's right. Why don't you show us your face?"

"Very well, I'll show you." Zero said, causing the group to blink at him, surprised at the easy agreement.

"However," Underneath the mask, Lelouch smirks. "Rather than my face, I'll show you my power. If I deliver to you a miracle, then maybe I may have gained your trust."

After all, actions speak louder than words.

Japanese Liberation Front Headquarters, Narita – Area 11

"He murdered a Prince of Britannia! Kururugi Suzaku should be treated as a hero!"

"But he's an Honorary Britannian!"

"Prime Minister Kururugi Genbu was his father!"

"He was also the bastard who gave up Japan! The people don't know that about him!"

Located deep within the Narita Mountains lay the headquarters of the Japanese Liberation Front. It was the largest organized Japanese resistance on the archipelago, combining the remnants of the surviving Japanese military after the invasion.

Right now, a debate has erupted within the JLF's leadership, the topic being the killing of Prince Clovis and his murderer.

"The Shinjuku incident was the work of the Kozuki group, wasn't it?" Asked an aged man with gray hair and brown eyes. He wore a dark green uniform with grey shoulder pads, dark long boots and a red and yellow epaulette. This man is Major General Tatewaki Katase, leader of the JLF. He sat in the middle of the room, lotus position, surrounded by his subordinates.

"Yes, General." Said the man kneeling before him. He had brown hair and eyes, and he wore the same uniform as the General, though without the epaulettes. He also wore grey long boots. "Kaname Ohgi currently leads them." Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe Josui said.

Katase looks down at the floor, rubbing his chin. "Have the Kururugi family said anything?"

"No, General. They've cut all ties with him ever since he joined the Britannian Army."

"Hmm." Katase looks to his right. "Tohdoh, what do you think?"

A tall man with spiky brown hair sat seiza-style with his eyes closed and his katana laid before him. He wore the same uniform, with dark long boots and armoured grey shoulder pads. Behind him, on the wall, was a large white flag with a big red circle in the middle.

The Hinomaru, the flag of the 'Land of the Rising Sun'.

Lieutenant Colonel Kyoshiro Tohdoh opened his eyes, revealing grey orbs, and said. "We have no duty to join in on a public execution."

His words had everyone turn their heads to him, surprised.

"What cowardice!" Kusakabe said, scowling. "Aren't you 'Tohdoh of Miracles'!?"

A small scowl appears on Tohdoh's lips. "Do not confuse miracles with nonsense!"

How he despises that title. Everyone looks at him as if he can make mountains bow with simple words. Ever since the 'Miracle of Itsukushima', that's all they've been calling him.

Tohdoh, the Miracle Worker.

Nonsense.

There were no such things as miracles, only actions. And no action could justify saving Suzaku.

There would certainly be a Britannian military escort surrounding his former student. To save him would mean going up against that, and the potential cost could be more than what it's worth. He will not go after Suzaku, just to join him in his execution.

No matter how much his stomach churns in doing so.

Ashford Academy Student Council Clubhouse – Area 11

In the dining room of the clubhouse, the two friends were having some tea to pass the time.

"Thank you, Sayoko," Nunnally said as Sayoko laid down two cups of tea on the dining table, one for Nunnally and the other for Alice.

Sayoko smiled. "You're welcome, Lady Nunnally." She bows before walking back to the kitchen.

Alice picks up her cup and smirks. "Are you sure you're not kind of noble?"

Nunnally frowns, though upon closer look, it was more of a pout than anything. "No, despite how my brother and I act and how much Miss Sforza says it, we aren't nobles." She said.

Not anymore.

The blind girl sips from her cup and smiles. "Though I'm flattered that you thought I was one."

Alice stares at her for a moment before looking around. "Speaking of your brother, where is he?"

Nunnally's smile drops. "He left, saying he had something to deal with."

Alice frowns at this. "Hey, cheer up. He'll probably just be back home soon."

Nunnally hums before going back to her tea. Her friend frowns, noticing that this failed to lift her spirits. She opens her mouth to speak when suddenly her phone rings. She picks it up and reads the message on it, her frown deepening as she does.

"Sorry, Nunnally. Looks like I have to cut this short. Something important came up." She said, standing up.

"Oh," Nunnally said, her expression dropping even further.

"Again, really sorry, Nunnally. Maybe next time. And don't worry, Lelouch will be back soon, even if I have to drag him back myself." Alice said with a small grin.

Nunnally giggles. "Hmm. It's alright, Alice. I'll be fine." She said, smiling.

"See you later, Nunnally." She leaves, the door sliding closed.

As she makes her way out of the clubhouse and down the porch stairs, she freezes in her tracks as an Eleven student almost runs her over.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" The brown-haired, maroon-eyed boy blurted out, looking back at her before continuing his run to the dorms. In his hands was a bundle of clothing. Uniform, she recognizes.

Was he on laundry duty?

Alice straightens out her uniform, frowning at the fleeing boy. "Should watch where you're going." She mutters before looking from where he ran, seeing the girls' dorm.

Odd. If he's doing laundry, then why was he coming from the girls' dorm?

She furrows her brows before shaking her head and walking away.

Perverts.

Prison, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

"Congratulations!"

A grinning Lloyd shouted through the see-through glass prison cell. Inside, a bruised Suzaku sat in his white prisoner's straitjacket, arms locked behind him with black straps.

"The two people you asked about weren't on the list of casualties." He said, sitting on a stool outside the cell.

The tension on Suzaku's face fades away, and his eyes relax. "That's great." He said, letting out a sigh of relief. Good, maybe that means Lelouch and the girl made it out safely.

Lelouch, wherever you are. Please be okay.

"Not much luck on your end, though. The court is where you may have your trial, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you." Lloyd said with a half-hearted expression, shrugging.

"But the court is where the truth comes to life!" Suzaku looked up at the scientist.

Lloyd raised a brow incredulously at the boy's statement. "I'll expect there to be more smoke and mirrors than anything. Truth is scarce these days."

"If that is the case, so be it." Suzaku's face grew resolute. "I have no regrets."

Besides, it's far more than he could hope for.

Or deserve.

Lloyd blinks and tilts his head at the odd boy.

Ashford Academy Boys' Dorms – Area 11

Shu poked his head out of his dorm door, looking down the hallway before stepping out and holding the door open. Inori walks out, wearing a female Ashford Academy uniform he found in the girls' dorm laundry. His face glowed a bright red, immensely glad that nobody noticed him, except for that first-year girl, but she didn't try to stop him and just went her way.

He's not trying to be a pervert! It's just that Inori needed clothes. Not only were the clothes she was wearing before torn, but they were eye-catching and would have gotten her caught immediately.

Shu shook his head, getting rid of his racing thoughts, before turning to Inori.

Inori wore the standard schoolgirl uniform: a light yellow jacket over a white shirt with a dark green tie, a short black shirt with long navy socks and black shoes. However, in his rush to steal the clothes without getting caught, it seems he misjudged their size, seeing how the uniform stuck close to her figure. His cheeks glow red yet again.

He just hopes they can reach their destination without getting stopped by either the school or the police.

"So, where're you supposed to meet up with them?" Shu asked as they walked, tugging at his backpack, which holds Fyu-Neru. Hopefully, this will be a quick endeavor that won't draw any attention to him.

He doesn't want to put any more pressure on Haruka. She's already going through enough, working as hard as she can to provide for him while scarcely getting anytime to visit him when she gets the chance.

"The Roppongi District."

Shu looks up, thinking about the location. "Huh, that's quite the distance." It's south of where they are now. Still, he grimaces. Not a quick trip after all.

Wait a minute.

"Wait, that's inside the settlement." He said, realizing just exactly where it was. Are they actually hiding inside the settlement itself?

Inori nods. "Gai said the authorities would be less likely to look inside than outside the settlement."

He figures that makes sense. Even he didn't think they would be inside. "Okay, so how do you want to get there?" He turns to her. "Monorail?"

She nods again. "It's fast."

As the two walked out of the dorms and made their way to the academy gates, they didn't go unnoticed. Around the corner of the dorms, Hare pokes her head and sees Shu. She smiles, about to join him, before noticing the unfamiliar girl at his side.

Who is she?

5th Circinate Line, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

With that, the two walk towards a nearby station on the 5th Circinate Line. Again, Shu looks around. While their clothing should hide their features, he also knows that it also increases their chance of getting spotted, given how they differ from everyone.

Before they could hop onto a train, Inori grabbed Shu by the wrist and pulled him back.

"Huh?"

She points forward. "Anti-Bodies."

Shu turned to look and saw exactly what she meant. Across the street, armed Anti-Bodies soldiers stood around an armored car, conversing with the Britannian Police.

"The police? What are they doing with them?" Shu asks, looking around. He figures they can just sneak past them, seeing as they were the only Anti-Bodies forces he could make out. No need to get into a fight they can avoid.

The two decide to avoid them by going around. Luckily, today was a crowded day, letting them hide among the crowds.

Just a few more steps.

"Shu!"

Shu's eyes shoot wide open as he turns to who called him out.

"What are you doing?" Meijou Hare asked with a frown, walking up to Shu. "And who's this?" She asked, looking at Inori, her eyes looking her over. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe I've seen you at our academy before."

"Um..." Shu looks around. While Hare wasn't being that loud, she still brought attention to them as a couple of Britannians turned their way, including the police and Anti-Bodies forces, who started making their way here.

"Uh, s-sorry, Hare, we have to leave!" Before she could respond, Shu grabbed Inori's hand and the two rushed off to the trains.

"Wait! Shu!"

Please forgive me, Hare. Shu didn't stop or slow down. He and Inori pushed through the crowd, trying to evade their pursuers. Up ahead, he sees the open doors of the train,

"Stop! Police!" He hears the shout from behind but ignores it. Pushing through, he and Inori finally enter the train just as the doors slide closed, cutting off their pursuers.

As the train speeds away, Shu stares out the window at the police and the Anti-Bodies forces. Both forces turn and rush away, probably to chase them in their vehicles, seeing as they weren't getting them out of the train.

Shu turns and sees Inori on a phone. She places it by her ear and speaks.

"Gai. Anti-Bodies found us. Got the police to help them."

She called her leader, then. Sounds like a good idea. He feels they're gonna need their help soon enough.

She looks out the window. "We're on the 5th Circinate Line, heading down to Hamamatsucho."

While she's talking, Shu looks around. While the train car wasn't packed, there were still some people inside. All of them are Britannian, judging by their features. And with the chaos they left behind, they were looking at them with fear and suspicion in their eyes.

"Yes, I'm not alone. I have Shu helping me."

Uh, Inori-san. Please, don't say my name out loud! Shu thought, his expression growing nervous, watching the passengers before looking away, his back facing them.

She turns to look at him, a small, puzzled look on her face. "Ok." She hands him the phone. "Gai wants to talk to you."

Surprised, he picks up the phone. "Hello?"

"Good afternoon. I take it you're Inori's friend." A masculine voice comes through the speaker. So, this was Inori's leader.

"Uh, yeah. Ouma," Shu looks around at the Britannians, lowering his voice. "Ouma Shu, nice to meet you."

"Ouma?" Gai asked, his surprise bleeding into his voice. Then Shu hears him chuckling, growing louder by the second. Shu arched a brow.

"You sure picked up an interesting person, haven't you, Inori?"

What does that mean? Does he know me somehow?

"Ouma Shu, I'm entrusting Inori into your hands." Shu's eyes widen. "I need both of you to rendezvous with us. Stay off the highway. You'd be sitting ducks to the VTOLs."

"W-wait! Hold on, why are you trusting me like this?" Shu asked. This was moving way too fast. "Aren't you moving way too fast? We just met today."

Shouldn't he be more suspicious of someone he's never met before?

"And I already know Inori is in safe hands. Stay with her and protect her. Give the phone back to Inori."

Shu hands back the phone, perplexed. He watches as Inori hears Gai's orders. "Understood, Inori out." As she hangs up, her eyes roll over to Shu. "Gai trusts you." She said, her slightly pitched voice betraying her surprise that lay beneath.

"Uh, it would appear so," Shu said, rubbing his head. "I'm just as surprised as you."

"Hmm." She stares at Shu.

"So," He glances away. "Any idea on how to get to them? I'm pretty sure, with the police's help, they'll easily catch up with us."

"I do." She said, before going through his backpack. "Fyu-Neru. Bike."

He hears a small, electronic chirp before seeing Inori reach in and pull out a small capsule.

"A capsule?" Looking closer, Shu sees that it's a Capsule Corp capsule with the number 9 on it.

"Hmm." She nods before looking at him. "Can you drive a bike?"

Anti-Bodies Mobile Command Base – Area 11

Inside the Mobile Base, the massive monitor lights up, with Rowan appearing on screen.

"Major Guin, we're getting a report that Squad Alpha has a potential lead on the target! Last seen taking the monorail on the 5th Circinate Line, heading south!" Rowan reports. Next to him, the map highlights the reported areas.

Major Guin looks to one of his nearby officers. "Order all nearby units to surround the stations and cut her off! We can't let her escape us again!"

Another officer speaks up within the mobile command base. "Sir, what about the police?"

"Inform them that the girl is a bioterrorist! That'll keep them from asking questions and help with the capture."

"Yes, My Lord." All the officers nod before turning back to their monitors.

Major Guin watches as the screen in front of him lights up, revealing the map of the settlement. He watches on, seeing as his forces converge around the girl's position.

Soon. This will all be over.

Hamamatsuchō Station – Area 11

As the train rolled to a stop at Hamamatsuchō Station, bystanders muttered as they saw both police and Anti-Bodies forces driving up to the station.

"Oh, my! Has there been an accident?"

"What's going on?"

"Is that Anti-Bodies?"

"What are they doing here?"

A person gasps. "Maybe there's some chemical leak nearby?"

"Do you mean like the one from the ghetto?"

Many in the crowd pointed, all wondering the cause as the vehicles parked, and out came police and Anti-Bodies forces, all armed.

The train doors slide open, and Shu and Inori rush out, past the crowd. Hearing tires screeching, they look over the railing and see a group of police rushing out of their cars.

"They're here!" Shu said, watching them approach, while Inori pressed the capsule and threw it before them. With a loud bang, a cloud of smoke formed where the capsule was. The cloud dispersed, revealing a white motorcycle with a glass canopy overhead. Plastered on the side of its rear wheel was 'Capsule 9'.

This was the Capsule Corporation Model No.9 Motorcycle.

"Wha-" Before Shu could even finish, Inori pulled him in.

"Get on." She said before forcing him on and sitting behind him. "Drive."

"Wait, now!? Like this!?" He turns to her, his wide eyes staring at her. Around them, people stepped back from the sudden deployment of the vehicle.

The sound of heavy footsteps grew loud as the police and Anti-Bodies forces rushed up the stairs, leading to the station. With this, Inori glared Shu dead in the eyes.

"Drive!"

Shu turns on the bike, its engine roaring to life, and twists the handle. Upon command, the motorcycle rockets away, tires screeching as they push against the ground. He swerved the bike down the other flight of stairs, people screaming as they dove out of the way. Hitting the ground floor, he slips between cars and drives onto the main street, tires screeching behind them as drivers hit their brakes, avoiding the couple and honking at them.

As he drives, Shu pants, trying desperately to calm his racing heart. Only now, as police sirens ring loudly behind him, did the situation dawn on him. Sure, he decided he'll help Inori get to where she should go, but he never expected that he'd actually get chased by Anti-Bodies and the police.

This isn't him just leaving his comfort zone. This is him jumping off an airplane without a parachute!

"Watch out!" Inori screams out, pointing to an incoming car. Shu turns and avoids the incoming car, fighting to keep the bike steady after the near miss.

Ok, Shu. Focus!

Shu shakes his head before focusing on the task at hand. While he may not like how the situation has devolved out of his control, he also doesn't want to get into an accident, nor see what happens if Anti-Bodies and the police catch them. So, while swerving past cars and trying to outrun his pursuers, he shouts. "Which way to Roppongi!?"

"Turn right and stick to the main road!" She said, before pulling out her burner phone again. "Gai! Police! Anti-Bodies! They're chasing us down from Hamamatsucho to Shiba!"

As she discusses with Gai, Shu takes a right, nearing losing control as he comes in fast. Thankfully, he maintains control, swerving past traffic, grateful that they were on a motorcycle otherwise things would have been a lot worse for them.

Above, he hears the roar of engines in the air. In one mirror, he sees what appears to be the VTOLs used by the Britannian police.

"Gai said to continue on this road! There's an underground tunnel we can take!"

"A-all right!" Shu shouts, focusing on swerving past the cars on the road, twisting the throttle as hard as he can and hearing the engine roaring as it eagerly gobbles up its fuel.

Anti-Bodies Mobile Command Base – Area 11

"Major! The terrorists have escaped Hamamatsuchō Station and are moving west on a white Capsule Corp Model No. 9 bike!

Major Guin grits his teeth. "Deploy the knightmares! I want the cargo secured now!" He said, slamming his fist on the map screen, watching the chase take place.

Rowan frowns but nods. "Yes, My Lord."

Tokyo Settlement Streets – Area 11

As Shu swerves past traffic, a thought races past his mind. How is he going to explain this to Hare? Hell, how's he going to explain this to Haruka?! Would he even be able to-

Before he could think any further, he heard a loud snap from above, then a heavy thud as a stark white and black Glasgow dropped right in front of him, rifle raised. On its shoulders was the Anti-Bodies logo.

A Knightmare Frame!? They're bringing in knightmares!?

Shu leans left, taking a sharp turn away from the machine, which fires its rifle. Massive bullet holes mark the road where they were just a moment ago.

Shu drives through a nearby alleyway, bullets landing far too close for comfort. Reaching the next street, pedestrians jump out of the way of both the speeding bike and bullets, as he leans right and floors the throttle, launching the bike.

Knightmares? In a public space!?

They really wanted whatever they were holding.

"Shu!" Inori shouts. "Head left! It'll take us down an old subway line!"

"Right!" Shu said, following her directions. The motorcycle's engine roars as Shu pushes it. Behind him, he hears the screeching of landspinners as the knightmare chases them. Shu takes a left onto a narrow street, down a one-way path.

And he's facing the wrong direction.

"Shit!" Shu curses as he squeezes the bike through whatever little opening he can find. Pedestrians scream, dodging him, and cars honk at him as he drives past them. He hears his pursuer skid to a stop, with all the cars blocking its path. It raises its rifle at the fleeing couple.

He's not actually going to shoot, is he?! In such a crowded area?!

Any doubts he had got thrown away just as fast as the bullets that left the knightmare's rifle. Suddenly, bullets started raining down the narrow street he was racing through.

"W-what the hell!?" Shu shouted as he drove away from the murder machine. "There were people in here!"

"What we have is more important to Sephirah than those people!" Inori said, looking behind them with no changed expression, unsurprised by the actions of their foe.

Shu grits his teeth, focusing back on the road. However, his mind never forgot what had just happened. They really didn't care if people died for this, even Britannians, their very own people!?

He hears the blare of sirens as police cars appear from the front. Shit! He leans to take a turn before swiftly turning, as another group of police appears from the street. Looking around, he quickly sees he's about to be boxed in.

Desperate, he takes the up-ramp leading to the highway.

"Shu!"

"I know! But I have no choice!" He said, racing up and onto the highway. "We were almost about to get caught!"

Inori gives a small frown, looking up at the clear skies that reveal the VTOLs heading their way. She goes for her phone to call Gai again.

Shu, meanwhile, focuses on trying to get the best out of the bike, hoping to outrun them. The motorcycle screams down the highway, its engine roaring as Shu pushes it to its limit.

Then he hears the loud whirling of landspinners. From behind, the Anti-Bodies Glasgow raced towards him at incredible speeds. It fires its rifle at him, forcing Shu to swerve. The bullets continue to rain havoc on him, forcing him to take the nearest exit. Flying and bouncing down the off-ramp, Shu makes it back to the streets, the police sirens, the whirling landspinners, and the engines of the VTOLs not far behind him.

By now, Shu is sweating up a river, panting heavily. The last physical taxing activity he partook in was PE at the academy, which was nothing compared to being chased with your life under the constant threat of death. The stress and exhaustion were slowly catching up to him.

As the chase continues, Shu sees more police cars coming up in front of him. Looking left and right, he sees nearby Anti-Bodies vehicles closing him off, and from behind, the Knightmare from the highway gets ever closer. Desperate and near exhaustion, he looks for a way out and sees a gate heading into a construction site.

Shu drove through the construction gate, workers leaping out of their way. From above, he hears a VTOL fly close and fire its machine gun, bullets strafing the dusty ground towards them. He tried to lean away until he felt a heavy impact, throwing him and Inori off the bike.

The two land and roll toward the entrance of the construction site, painful grunts coming from both.

Shu groans, pain coursing through his body. Inori groans as well, sitting up. She wearily glances around, seeing the bike lying against the wall, wheels up.

Or rather, one wheel up, as the back tire was nowhere to be seen.

A crash from the gate catches her attention, as the Anti-Bodies knightmare barrelled through the gate, its Factsphere open, and it swerves to face them.

Before the Knightmare lifted its rifle to fire, Inori pulled Shu into the construction site with all the might she could muster. Massive bullets crack the ground where they used to be, and the couple roll away, lying on the ground while the concrete wall covering them breaks apart, a line of bullet holes being punched in above them as the Knightmare dragged the gunfire across the wall.

"Come on!" The pink-haired girl shouts as she drags the boy as best as she can. Shaken and in pain, Shu nevertheless picks himself up and follows her deeper into the abandoned construction site.

Anti-Bodies Mobile Command Base – Area 11

"Major, they've just entered the abandoned construction site," Rowan reported. "It appears their bike's disabled."

Major Guin grins widely. "Good. Surround the site! This time, she's ours!" He commanded, looking at the monitor and seeing his forces as well as the police converge on the building.

Soon.

Abandoned Construction Site – Area 11

As the couple trudged upwards through the empty site, they could hear the whirrs of landspinners and sirens surrounding them. Shu pants, holding on to Inori. Every part of his body ached. Just taking steps felt as if he had replaced his feet with lead.

Still, he pushed on. He couldn't stop here, not when he could hear Anti-Bodies and the police footsteps stomping through the site, looking for them. Not when the life of this girl was in question.

We just have to make it through! I have to protect-

Before he could finish that thought, the roof collapsed from above. They scrambled away, just as the rubble landed right behind the couple, launching them forward. They groan, Shu instinctively wrapping his arms around Inori, as smoke covers the area.

When the smoke clears, he looks back to see two white knightmares, their Factsphere sensor flashing as they see the two, raise their rifles at them. Shu shuts his eyes and hugs Inori tighter.

Protect her?

Save her?

What was he thinking?

Him?

Being the hero?

Daring to think he could be more than what he was?

A coward?

A failure?

Nothing more than weak, sniveling little Ouma Shu?

"Forgive me, Inori," Shu despaired, hugging the girl as if to protect her from the gunfire. If he could, he would have let out a humorless chuckle.

I'm sorry... Mana.

Then, he hears the ruffling of his backpack and Fyu-Neru's beeps.

"No, Shu. Forgive me."

"Huh?"

Before Shu could react, he felt a sharp pain in his neck.

Then his world turned white.

Shu opens his eyes, feeling weird. He felt as if he had fallen into a dream, yet was simultaneously very lucid and aware of what was happening.

He looks around to see himself floating in a white, empty void, with Inori in front of him as well. It was not entirely empty, however. Around the couple were threads of silver swaying upwards. Lines of symbols surrounded the two, their true meaning lost on the boy.

"What the- Uh!" Shu cries out as a thread of silver wraps around his right arm tightly. He grunts as the thread tightens even further, as if it wants to barrow into him. Soon, he feels it entering his arm.

Just as the pain grows, it suddenly stops, and Shu gazes at his arm. The thread disappeared, leaving his arm intact. No injury or scar.

The only thing that changed on his limb was the symbol that sat on the back of his palm. A black spire with a crescent on its lower half, with two connecting points. Looking like an odd bow and arrow.

"What is this?"

A set of hands gently grasps his palm and pulls it. Inori guides his hand over her chest, looking up at him with a gentle expression.

"Shu... please, use me."

Perplexing enough, Shu understands what she means. He understands her intentions. He feels a pull, a calling, telling him to reach out and take.

Take what? He doesn't know, yet he knows whatever it was lay within Inori herself, whose arms hung beside her, leaving her open to him.

"This is power."

A distant memory.

"The sinful crown spinning the hearts of people..."

Why...?

A smiling, pink-haired girl holds out her hands, a string bridge between them.

Why does she look so much like her?

"Take it, Shu."

Shu opens up his maroon eyes, determined, and reaches out to Inori.

Instead of his hand grasping her chest, his hand sinks in, making Inori gasp as a glow appears where his hand is. Her body shivers as he feels himself grabbing hold of something.

He pulls, dragging out a swarm of long, silvery threads from her chest. He holds his hand above him, feeling the threads as they merge and form a single mass.

A bright pillar of light emerges from the mass as it takes proper shape, piercing the heavens above and illuminating it, shocking not just the police and Anti-Bodies but even those within the Tokyo Settlement and beyond, as crowds of people stopped to look up at the pillar in awe and fear.

Major Guin looks at the screen, gaping along with the officers at the impossible sight.

The massive pillar of light piercing the heavens dominated every screen as everyone looked in with awe.

Is this what they stole?

Inside a moving car, a blonde-haired man stares out the window, in shock and awe at the pillar of light, dark clouds swirling around at its peak.

Ouma Shu, that's you, isn't it?

Within the settlement, a lime-haired, golden-eyed girl peeks up from an alley and stares up at the pillar with a deadpan expression. Her forehead glows a dim red.

"Usurper."

Shu looks up at what he wields. A dark longsword with a single edge and an intricate pommel and guard.

"This is..."

Singer's Sword. The name pops up in his head. He has never seen this weapon, nor has he ever heard a name like that. Yet, he was very certain that this was its name.

Shu looks ahead, seeing the knightmares that almost ended the couple's existence. The war machines did nothing but stare, their pilots awestruck by what they had just seen.

That was the last mistake they'll ever make.

Shu steps forward, foot landing on top of a glyph that appeared. With a push, Shu launches forward, Singer's Sword right behind him. The blade, which should have felt too heavy and too unwieldy for him, felt as light as a feather, doing nothing to slow Shu down.

Shu shouts, and with a single leap, flies towards the knightmares. Shu swings the blade and bisects one of the knightmares, cutting through it like a hot knife through butter.

As Shu flies past and lands the machine, sparks race over the Knightmare Frame before it explodes. The other pilot, finally getting his bearings, panics and turns around to fire at Shu.

"Ah!" Shu raises his sword in front of him, and from the tip of the blade, a large glyph forms in front of him, defending him as the bullets bounce off it.

Shu gapes at the act, and seemingly so too the pilot, as they stop firing.

"W-What are you?!" The knightmare shouts as the pilot deploys its shock baton and charges at Shu.

Shu looks at his blade before narrowing his eyes and looking at his charging opponent. He screams, rushing forward with the glyphs beneath him propelling him forward at great speeds. Soon, the two meet, the knightmare swinging its baton down on the Japanese boy while Shu jumps, his sword meeting the baton.

And cutting through it with ease, along with the knightmare who wielded it.

Shu lands past the knightmare, while its baton lies cut in two on the ground.

"I-Impossi-" The pilot cries out, as the knightmare sparks before exploding.

Shu coughs, waving and walking through the smoke of the explosion. He reaches Inori, who stares at him and the longsword.

"Void." She said, staring down the blade.

"Huh? You know what this is?"

She tilts her head. "No...? Gai knows. He would know."

There she goes again with that guy. Gai. Wait, Void?

He looks down at the blade. Is this what they stole from Sephirah? If so, then why did she...

Loud beeps coming from Fyu-Neru remind the couple of their situation. From above, the sounds of a jet engine are heard, and another Anti-Bodies knightmare swings in through the hole in the ceiling. It brandishes its rifle at them, Factsphere open and pulsing.

Shu turns to the girl and scoops her up. Wrapping his arm around her, he runs and leaps off the clearing where he once stood. Falling, Shu looks around, shocked to see the number of Anti-Bodies forces, as well as Anti-Bodies knightmares inside the unfinished building. Anti-Bodies soldiers look up, seemingly shocked as well at the falling couple.

"Terrorists!" The knightmares shout, raising their rifles at them.

Shu raises his sword, the glyph blocking the gunfire. He glances at his sword before taking a breath and steeling himself. He looks at the charging force and sprints. A glyph forms under Shu's foot, launching him across the site at great speed.

"Hah!"

What happened next was nothing either group had expected, as Shu flew across the building, glyphs forming underneath his feet. Moving faster than the knightmare pilots ever expected, he reaches the first knightmare and swings the blade, cutting through it with ease. Followed up by another swing and another knightmare.

And another swing.

Shu cuts through the knightmare squad, who could do nothing to slow him down, even as he held on to another person. Any bullets that rained on him bounced off glyphs or missed him and hit the surrounding pillars, leaving behind massive cracks and bullet holes. Shu jumped and flew around, leaping off glyphs and making it difficult to land a hit on him. The sword cut through the knightmares like paper, rendering any attempted defense moot.

Suddenly, the unfinished building rumbles and groans. The couple looked around, seeing that many of the pillars supporting the building had cracks. Cracks that grew larger with each passing second.

The building's about to come down!

Shu and Inori's eyes widened as they realized what was going to happen. Any remaining Anti-Bodies forces realized it as well, booking it to any escape they could find.

"Hold on!" Shu said to Inori, who tightened her grip. Shu sprints, with the glyphs forming under his feet, making him stride across great distances. In the blink of an eye, Shu makes it outside to see Anti-Bodies and the police running away from the cracking building, which is about to fall on them.

With a final loud crack, the supports shatter, dropping off the building on anyone and anything left caught under. Shu looks back at the rising cloud from the wreckage in horror.

D-did I do that? He looks down at the blade. Is this why they stole this?

Suddenly, a whirl of motors and rumble shifting has him seeing a surviving knightmare, though very damaged, rising from the rubble, its Factsphere flashing.

"Y-you... you monster!" The last standing knightmare, raising its rifle. Shu raises his blade, a glyph forming before him. "DIE!"

Out of nowhere, a missile flies above Shu's head, blasting the knightmare's head off, throwing it off balance, and falling, its pilot ejecting from the sparking frame. Surprised, Shu looks back and sees two black SUVs parked. There, a gigantic man stood by one SUV, holding an equally gigantic missile tube, pointing at the knightmare he had just taken down.

He wasn't alone as a group surrounded the cars, rifles in their hands.

Just then, a blonde-haired man stepped forward from the group. As he did, Shu's eyes slowly widened, as his maroon eyes looked the man up and down before landing on a pair of blue eyes he hadn't seen since his youth.

"Inori, you've made it." The man said before looking at Shu. "So, this's the friend you told us about."

"You..."

"Gai," Inori said. Gai nods to her before looking back at Shu with a smile.

"We finally meet again, Ouma Shu."

"...Triton?"