Chapter 27: Narita Convergence

Tokyo Settlement stirred beneath the soft veil of the early October mist, the rising sunlight catching on the many reflective surfaces from the solar panels, the upper roofing, and the hundreds of glass panels adorning the city's buildings. Fading-green leaves clung to tree branches while amber ones tumbled quietly across sidewalks and playgrounds.

It was no different on Ashford's campus as within the Lamperouge residence, its occupants either came to rest after doing as they pleased through the night, such as their night watchman, Gustavus, as the large hound, having been up all night, went to its dog house to sleep. The diurnal creatures, mainly their birds, let out all manner of chirps and unique cheeps as they welcomed the new day. Such sounds were familiar, especially in Nunnally's room, as the girl rose up, letting out a cute yawn as Willy, who often slept with her, whined and tried to catch some more sleep.

"Silly, you can't hide forever." Nunnally teased as she scratched the beagle's back, getting another lazy whine, but the dog snuggled more into her. As always, Sayoko was punctual as Nunnally heard her coming before she knocked on the door, announcing herself and entering with a fresh change of clothes for Nunnally.

“Good morning, mistress Nunnally. Did you have a good night’s rest?” Sayoko greeted.

"Good morning, Sayoko. And I slept fine, but we won't need breakfast for Big Brother or Claude today." Nunnally returned the courtesy before informing her of a change.

"They're going out?" Sayoko asked as it would be odd for them to leave so early. Were they planning to have breakfast in the settlement?

"They'll be leaving on a three-day couples' retreat starting today," Nunnally replied, a knowing smile on her face as she recalled how flustered her big brother acted when she asked if he was trying to get lucky. He stomped off, muttering that Millicent was getting to her again, while Claude made a point of claiming she could neither confirm nor deny what her brother's intentions were when he was going through all this.

Sayoko also giggled as she placed the clothes on the bed and went to open the curtains and windows so that the birds could head out and enjoy the morning sunlight. "Oh, I see; he's been stepping up lately regarding the romance, or do you think Ms. Claude is getting him to act more his age?"

Nunnally thought about it for a moment before she replied. Luluko came up to her side, but Pedro got onto the bed to take a spot on her other side. Willy let out an annoyed bark before shifting to not get crushed, which only made Nunnally giggle as Pedro was such a goofball. Lelouch probably let Pedro into her room before he left.

"I think it's a little of both. I know it's not as simple as him wanting to live with her, but they seem to care for each other. Pretty soon, they'll make me an auntie!" She joked.

"Well, let's hope Master Lelouch didn't skip the health class that taught how babies are made and how to prevent that," Sayoko replied. Nunnally felt the shift in the room as the autumn air entered, chilling the place a little.

"It's not just Ms. Claude; he's been more relaxed lately. I can hear it in his voice; he always sounds reserved and tense. Like he's always watching his words even when talking with me, but with Ms. C.C., Suzaku, Kalle, Alice, and her friends, he's loosening up a little. He and Kallen even tease each other." Nunnally added as she had always worried about that with him. However, she knew she alone couldn't help him as her brother kept secrets from her on many things, and he wouldn't just start confiding in her.

There was Milly, but she figured he didn't tell her everything either. That was just how he was; ever since they set foot in Japan, he had been secretive, tried not to express much, and, at times, spoke in riddles and circles. But she knew why, which only made it harder to help him try and open up. But recently, those around them had been doing just that; though he would complain and act like a grumpy sour puss about it, she knew he cared and was having as much fun as the rest. Milly wouldn't have caught as many pictures of him smiling at Kallen's birthday if he wasn't.

"Really? I can't say I noticed such a radical change in his behavior, but you are a growing young lady, so it makes sense that my growing brain would pick up on things I didn't." Sayoko praised her as she went about the rest of the morning tasks.

Line Break

As Nunnally thought about her brother's friendships and, at present, his romantic plans for the weekend, up in the frigid Narita mountains, two members of the JLF stood guard in a little wooden cabin close to the mountain pass. The area was cold all year around, enough so that at its peaks, snow could be found, but with the time of year, snow was already starting to slowly make its way down the mountain, with clumps scattered around it.

Because of that, both men were much more content to remain in their cabin, their fireplaces already crackling away as heat flowed through the space. "This is Sector 5, nothing to report….right, we'll contact you again in 2 hours.” One spoke through the radio before shutting it off and walking back to the table where they were playing a game of shogi.

“Of course, there's nothing to report. This area is our domain; no one can just stroll-!” His fellow guard was interrupted when the door was casually opened, and someone proved his words false without even trying. Both quickly rose, one already grabbing his gun.

“Z-Zero!” They both called out, surprised to see the masked man there of all places. How was he here? Why was he here?

Zero was not in the mood to answer these slackers' questions. “I don't have time for games. I came here to talk with Katese. So it would be pleasant if you contacted him. Now.” He ordered, his unnatural voice piercing deep into them and instilling a deep sense of fear in the two. His words carried a distinct and unshaken aura of authority and power.

“Why would we do that?” One asked, as they might be scared but wouldn't bend so easily.

“Do you want me to force you?” Zero, directing his gaze onto him, put that to the test. The man was hardly moving, and yet something in their guts told them he wouldn't need to carry out his will, so he bowed his head, to which Zero didn't make any sound of victory or appeasement. “That's what I thought. Now, get the General on the line. Time is not our ally.”

One of them went to do just that while the second stood to the side, his gun aimed at the masked man just in case, though Zero detecting how much his hands were shaking, yet made no comment on it as he stood perfectly still, a stature cloaked in black as he waited for them to patch him through. The radio operator managed to connect and explain things. It took some convincing before they could convince the general to take over as requested. When that was done, the soldier handed Zero the phone and stepped back.

“Zero,” General Katase started. Though he sounded skeptical that it was the masked man on the line, he still answered.

“General Katase Tatewaki.” Zero's distinct, inhumane voice made it clear that his security guards hadn't been lying, which Zero could tell put the old soldier on guard.

“How did you find that outpost? More so, how did you approach without being spotted?” Both were fair questions when this was deep in JLF territory.

“Finding it was easy. As for how your men didn’t see me?” Both soldiers gulped when Zero turned his head their way. Despite not having eyes, they could see; they could feel him judging them and finding them lacking. “All I can say is that you should have instilled greater discipline in them. The responsibility of sentries is a critical one.”

Katase grumbled about that but cut it out and kept things on track. “What do you want?”

“I’ll get to the point them: Cornelia is amassing to launch an attack on this facility, an attack that I have good reason to believe will commence in less than 3 hours.” Zero informed them, the news causing the two grunts to pale. “It's a battle you can't win, but I offer a lifeline: Join me.” Zero's words and ultimatum got the expected response from the General.

“Are you insane?! No, you're just a masked bastard. I would bet my right hand that you knew about this attack before today, and yet you didn't inform Kyoto or us of it all so you could force me to bend the knee.” Katese accused him, though Zero could hear the underlying fear in the old man's voice. This was a logical response to hearing that Cornelia was coming and that she would bring an army.

Zero could play hard to get and might even spin this to sound as if he hadn't heard about this earlier, especially when Katase had no means to disprove it and wouldn't be in the best place to honestly think about his words.

However, he wouldn't need such moves when one could use another simpler yet brutal one to get what he wished. “I won't deny your claims, General, but I don't feel guilt for what you must think is a despicable act. Do you know why? You and the Japan Liberation Front have failed in your mission.” He used honestly. The blunt, uncaring truth of the matter.

Truth that Katese didn’t take so kindly to hearing from him as he argued. “I won't such talk from someone who has hardly been active 6 months when we of the JLF have been fighting since Japan fell; we've survived longer than any other resistance movement, not just Japan but all of Britannia's conquered lands.”

There was a pause, both JLF guards wondering why Zero didn't reply, only for the man to start chuckling, his amusement growing, which unnerved them and Katase. His laughter sounded twisted, like a machine mimicking a beast as it closed on its wounded, defenseless prey. There was no warmth, no protection, only a thick fury coating a core of madness and hunger for destruction.

“Tell me, general, do you know the concept of a fleet in being?” Zero asked, to which the General confirmed he did. "A fleet in being is only a threat so long as you're seen as one, for if you had any teeth, you would have left port. One can't win a naval engagement through denial; sooner or later, one must contend for control, and if you don't, you'll be seen as unable to.”

“It's the same here, only that Britannia never saw you as a threat. Clovis never did anything because he was focused on his own vanities and surrounded by sycophants that never questioned his judgment.”

“And by killing him and bragging about it like a child, you’ve brought an even greater threat to our shores.” Katase rebutted. Clovis was annoying, but his incompetence allowed resistance groups to grow. However, many had been crushed by Cornelia, who was showing no signs of stopping.

“So, are you saying I shouldn't have killed that pompous peacock prince, Clovis? Or are you running scared because the empire will finally test your fleet's strength? Is that all that the JLF is? A fleet in being? One that runs scared when the empire sends someone with a modicum of talent and experience with the interest to confront you?” Zero challenged him, which must have got on his nerves, but the General didn't respond.

“Such a mindset is not just outdated; it's foolish,” The two JLF men gulped at how Zero emphasized that last line. “Were you expecting someone else to help you? To set up the pieces? Put in the work? Who? When? Were you planning to merely serve as the supporting group to someone else's efforts or waiting for another 7 years as you build up strength?” He continued to dig into the man who controlled the largest force in Japan and had no doubt strong support from Kyoto and a fortress hidden in the mountains.

And yet, he did nothing. There were no large attacks or operations. He merely engaged in skirmishes against Clovis over the years that amounted to little gain, nothing more than background news to be reported and reminders that the JLF still existed.

“Pathetic. I loathe such mentalities, and in most cases, I wouldn't have bothered with this call and let Cornelia tear you to pieces.”

“Then why bother? If you hate me so much, and you hate the JLF, why offer us any aid? Or is it because you’ll force us to become your puppets?” Katase challenged him as it was clear that neither man was the other's favorite.

“Don't misunderstand; I don't hate you or your organization. Neither has done anything to warrant it. My issue comes from the fact that you've done nothing to gain my favor either.” Zero reminded him of his lack of results. “As for controlling you, General, let me assure you that if I wished for puppets, I would get them. I’m offering the Black Knight’s aide because I’m not an idiot.”

“What?” Katese asked.

“Whether or not I offered our aide, the JLF is finished as even a perceived threat. When Cornelia finishes declawing you, she'll focus all her attention on the Black Knights. While formidable, I'm not so arrogant to believe we're in a state where we can contest her as we are now, for we are still growing.” Katase gruffed at that admission, but Zero hardly saw it as a sign of weakness.

“We’ve gathered willing and eager members, but many are fresh recruits with little battle experience. I need what you have been squandering, General. I need combat instructors, communications and intelligence experts, mechanics, and medics. I need all of that because I don't intend to build a mere resistance group but a true fighting force that will see Area 11 free and fight evil wherever it dares to rise its head and, when the day comes, see Britannia burned to the ground.”

The General paused, taking in Zero's reasons and goals. He could almost feel the fury in the masked man's words and could tell without a doubt that Zero despised Britannia. But in his experience, hatred is one of the most honest emotions there is. So, he could trust that Zero intended to do as he claimed, though he doubted if Japan was as much of a priority for him as destroying the empire.

“I’ll need time to think this over, Zero." He didn't refuse him, but he couldn't agree either.

“You won’t have much to think things over, General. I’ll be waiting for your response." With that, Zero cut the call and passed the radio to one of the silent, dumbfounded soldiers. He also passed them another radio he had kept hidden on his person.

“That’s how you’ll get in contact with me. Don’t lose it.” Zero told them as he walked out as calmly as he had entered, both men looking at the other for a moment before they bolted to the window and looked out, their jaws falling open when they noted that Zero hadn’t just walked the entire way but had ridden in a beast of a knightmare. Had they been so lax that they didn’t hear or see it coming?

Line Break

Ohgi was sitting in his Sutherland, watching the part of the mountain where Zero said he would be heading. His diligence paid off when his Factsphere picked up flashes of light, one that perfectly matched what he had been expecting.

“I've confirmed the signal from Zero. We're now moving to waypoint 2." Ohgi called out as their forces started moving up the small mountain pass. They didn't bring trucks, so the trailers carrying their supplies and people were instead pulled along by either their Sutherlands or their Burai, with other units following after each to ensure nothing went wrong.

The mood among their forces was high. Many assumed that this was some sort of training exercise with Zero, a change of pace from the typical vigilante work that he had been doing for a while now. Others joked that it was for a hot spring retreat, as they had even brought some excavators to dig them out. Some thought they were planning a meeting with the JLF, as this was rumored to be where they were based.

Ohgi and the rest of his original cell were silent as they knew the truth.

Line Break

“This weekend, we’ll be striking at Britannia.” Zero declared as the group settled in for a meeting, one taking place at their hideout in Shinjuku.

“Another Code-R base?” Minami asked. Though Zero hadn't asked them about their prisoners, he, like the rest, assumed that he had other means of gathering information.

“Yes and no.” Zero replied. “There is, in fact, a code-R base in the area where a portion of our forces, led by Minami, will strike. The rest will engage in open combat against Cornelia as she seeks to destroy the Japan Liberation Front’s main base at Narita.” His words caused a stir among his people.

“What?” Inoue asked in shock.

“We can't fight the Britannians. If Cornelia tries to crush the JLF, she will bring her A-game.” Minami added to that.

“Her forces are far stronger than any we've encountered; even with our growth in manpower, we'll be smashed to pieces.” Sugiyama agreed with that assessment, as Cornelia had heard her infamy.

Zero looked around the room, seeing how everyone seemed to be against the idea, even Kallen, who looked away. However, Ohgi appeared to be an exception as his gaze looked at Zero, knowing that this came from that intelligence he brought up the other day. “So, are you content to remain as we are? To carry out police work?”

His questions caused them to quiet down, even Tamaki. While they had gone into it with some hesitation, they couldn't deny they enjoyed doing tangible good like that. They also enjoyed hearing people praise them, even if under their breaths to avoid the wrong person hearing them.

“Well, it’s not like we’re wasting time," Tamaki muttered, crossing his arms.

“And we haven't, but it's time we move on with our plans. However, I can understand that you're hesitating on this. Cornelia is known to be one of Britannia's best field generals. No doubt a large portion of the forces deployed will be made up of those veterans who have served under her, who are thus some fine soldiers.” Zero didn't sugarcoat things as they stood; this was a nigh impossible task.

“However, couldn't you say they were similar odds at Shinjuku? Was victory then not but a delusion?” He reminded them, as Clovis, foolish he might have been, had still been the stronger of the two sides. With greater numbers, skilled soldiers, and equipment. “And yet, through our collective efforts, we performed a miracle that day, handed Britannia a humiliating defeat, and slew a prince.”

Zero gestured to the room and the supplies around them, all either donated by the Japanese or Kyoto. “From that miracle, we have grained the world's attention, but one miracle will not be enough, so we must perform another miracle to show the world that Shinjuku was no mere fluke, especially after we didn't appear at Saitama.”

“Okay, I get the reasoning, but that still leaves the how. Kallen's Sutherland just got repaired, and even then, we got 7 of them and around 20 Burai. That's not a lot to work with.”

“You'll be right, Sugiyama…if we planned to fight Cornelia as she's suspecting, but I've gone over the Guren's files as well the battle location, and we have a key to victory, one that will clear the way for us, smash the enemy lines and spread chaos and confusion.” With that, Zero pulled out a large map of the expected battlefield, one with rings showcasing elevation, but crucially, groundwater. He also wrote what they'd be doing, how it would work, and the results.

“Is…is this even possible?” Kallen asked as she had never seen something like this. She didn't even think it naturally occurred.

“I mean, if the pressure builds up, it'll have nowhere to put up and then down.” Ohgi, a former teacher, though a history one, couldn’t find much issue with the concept. It was much the same as what happened when you clenched your hand around even a small firecracker, only multiplied thousands of times.

“Doesn’t this seem like a lot to you?” Tamaki scratched his head, looking over at the math for the entire thing, and while he wasn't the best at it and didn't understand much of what he was seeing, that final number seemed crazy high. “I mean, couldn’t we get the same result with less work. Besides, if we’re not careful, we could end up burying the town.”

Zero, along with Kallen, looked it over. While Kallen was about to tell Tamaki that he was just seeing things, as, of course, this would be powerful; they need it to be if the plan was to work, Zero spoke. “Well,” Zero's voice sounded like he had sucked on a lemon, as they could hear the annoyance, not at Tamaki, but at himself, in his words. “It seems that I must thank you, Tamaki. It seems that my probability calculations could do with some revision. But the plans will remain unless you have an alternative or something to add.”

Ohgi was even more concerned about things, especially if Zero had made an error that Tamaki had caught…but simultaneously, he had created what seemed to be the best means for them to get involved and have a shot of winning. So, like the rest, he didn't voice opposition to things.

Seeing that, Zero nodded as he picked up the map and rolled it up. He would need to return home and redo some of his math. “Then we’re dismissed. Get some rest, for come the weekend, we’ll face a trial by fire.”

Line Break

Down below, Cornelia's G-1 made its final approach to its starting position. Their scouts had already confirmed the expected weakness of the enemy's scouting abilities. But even if they knew, it was already too late as the rest of her forces had already gotten into their staging points, some as early as the previous night. Now, she sat on her throne, listening to General Dalton's summary.

"We're certain that the Japan Liberation Front's base is in the area. As planned, we've split 4 battalions into 7 units and placed them around the mountains, cutting off all means of escape." Dalton noted that his attention was on the Sub Viceroy, Princess Euphemia, who, despite her distaste for combat, had insisted on joining them.  "At the Viceroy's signal, we'll move in and, in one strike, wipe them out."

“Are you confident that the encirclement line isn’t too narrow?” Euphemia asked, ignoring her sister, though the elder li Britannia still answered.

“You mean to ask if Zero will make another appearance?” Cornelia suspected that was the real reason her sister had come, as she had been looking into the man with little success since the hotel jacking.

"We've accounted for his possible arrival and have instructed all rear units to be on high alert. Also, as the operation begins, we'll block all mountain roads. If he's even suspected to be seen, we'll know about it." General Dalton replied, as while they knew little about the man nor what he knew, they hadn't just sat on their hands.

Cornelia picked it up from there. "If Zero's stupid enough to show up, he'll need to contend with our reserve units."

Euphemia frowned but didn't refute that. Her sister might be confident, but she wasn't so sure. Cornelia had conceded that Zero was not the typical terrorist, both in leadership, means, or tactics. Still, she could only see him as another terrorist. Euphemia didn't; she couldn't see him like that as she recalled being in his presence. How…angry he seemed to be like he had an ocean of hatred for all Britannia stood for, all cloaked by shadows.

She had been helpless then while Zero stood over the bodies of men he had killed without so much as a shred of remorse, and how he could have just as easily killed her because she was a child of her father, an act held back because he had promised her safety to Cornelia. But there was more that night. The way Zero spoke, it was like he had known her. And then there had been Nunnally, something she hadn't told her sister about as she was still trying to figure it out.

She looked up Ashford again, focusing on its middle school division as Nunna wouldn't be old enough for high school yet, but found no record of her name. She searched through their clubs and sites online, and while it was mandatory for all students to be in one, she didn't appear in their photos or list of members.

There was no Nunnally at Ashford for all intents and purposes, but she didn't want to give up, so she decided last night. Once she ensured her sister didn't just slaughter the JLF, she would speak with Suzaku about this. She could trust him, being outside her sister's control, to be honest with her. If he was quiet because he didn't want to harm them, she'd clarify that she didn't mean anything and hoped for the best.

Line Break

“C.C., I would have thought you'll remain inside the Nemesis.” Zero remarked as he approached, C.C. looking out over the mountains, her back to him. Unlike when she appeared before the Black Knights, he had commissioned something more fitting for C.C. The woman now donning a white, form-fitting suit similar to his own, accented with gold trim. A high collar hid her neck while long sleeves extended into white gloves, which came with a large, gold trim cuff. Lastly, she wore a pair of white heeled boots, which matched the color of the suit.

"I wished to stretch my legs. Is there an issue with that?" She replied.

“No, I merely assumed a green cat would prefer to be warm.” He countered as he looked around as well. “Still, if counting the coming Britannian army, the Narita mountains are quite the spot. A good place to relax out of the city for a few days.”

"Don't you have enemies in the city as well? Is that not why you hide behind a false name?" "Actually, I've been wondering about something, Lelouch. Why are you called Lelouch?"

“You have a unique perspective if you think now is a good time for such philosophic debate.”

“Are you avoiding the question?” C.C. counted, and Lelouch, knowing she'd find other means to get under his skin, just bit the bullet. "Then let's take this time away from your mask of Lelouch Lamperouge to question it. You changed your last name to one you made up, but you and Nunnally both kept your real names, the ones given to you at birth, despite the danger they could bring. Wouldn't you agree that such sentimentality could come back to bite you? Or is it that you can't let go of the past?"

Lelouch didn't quite take kindly to her words, but he had long since mastered his emotions…most of the time, and at least with C.C., he knew that she might act on whims, but she often styled them to carry a deeper meaning. So, while that violent, intensive hate-filled part of him wished to lash out at her for calling his choice to remain 'Lelouch', he went with the logical, mellow, and soothing thought that she was concerned that he would allow himself to be undermined because of eras of his judgment.

“I would have assumed that was a given, considering I'm still hunting for my mother's killers,” Lelouch, speaking as Zero, reminded her as he had stayed at his brother's execution for that very reason. “I agree that changing our names and appearances would have been the best option, but we both chose not to.” He had made sure Nunnally had known then that it was a choice, that she and she alone could choose that for herself.

“We wanted something to tie us to our mother; she picked our names. She birthed and loved us. Everything else might fall apart, but I can't let go of that.” Lelouch took deep, slow breaths to keep himself in check. As now, when he recalled those better days, their end was never far, almost like a shadow. “But is that a bad thing? Is it such a terrible sin to hold onto the past? I don't think so, as it only becomes an issue when you value the past more than the present and what futures you could create.”

In a way, that was what refrain addiction was, chasing a better past, trying to escape to times that you understood, to happier memories than how bleak one's present and hopeless their future would be. He would be lying if he said that he had never been drawn to refrain, to the idea of being able to have even just a shot reprieve from the noise, blood, fear, and hate that was his mind and dreams. But he always kept him far from that because he had to make the future better and bring true justice and freedom to the world; otherwise…else what else was there than this man-made hell?

Turning, he addressed C.C. “You, on the other hand, swing in the opposite direction. The name Claude is as much a falsehood as Lamperouge, something I know you got off some magazine.” C.C. didn't turn his way, but he could tell she was listening. Indeed, she was as if she could feel his gaze on her.

“Instead, the name you identify with the most is C.C., which is not a name. Names are what you call the living and the dead, the known and the beloved, and C.C. is none of that. It's a designation for a thing, a tool, a resource.” She turned at that moment, something in her gaze that Lelouch couldn't quite identify. Still, he could see that part of it was a deep sense of melancholy, but as the wind picked up, flowing over the cold mountain tops, it vanished.

Lelouch went closer to her, hesitant to put a hand on her, especially when she was burying her feelings about this. Still, in the end, he touched her shoulder gently. “So…was that what my brother called you? What those scientists referred to you as?” He asked, as he had gone through the files more times than he would ever be comfortable admitting, but at no point did a name come up; it was always subject 01 or C.C.

C.C. smiled at his question, though there was something in her gold eyes than just amusement. She had come to expect much from the boy. He was only proving that with how passionate he got over something as silly as a name and how he seemed to believe them as something essential…as marks of something being loved. A part of her rejected the notion, and experience would have her lean towards that, for both their sakes.

But she could detect how genuine he was with that passion and the concern and empathy he continued to show her. While she couldn't see it, she could hear it in Zero's monstrous, computerized voice.

"You can relax. You don't need to remember another reason to wish eternal damnation on Clovis' soul. I was going by C.C. long before he ever knew I existed, " she told him.

“Then would you tell me your real name?” Not for the first time, he asked for her name.

“Do you know why snow is white, Lelouch?” And not for the first time, she refused to answer. "It's white because it's forgotten what color it's supposed to be."

Line Break

At the G-1, Cornelia had left the bridge, boarded her personal unit, and waited in the launcher, ready to take to the field, like her soldiers. "Viceroy Cornelia, all preparations have been completed.” One of her officers reported that Cornelia had thumbed the control to her Gloucester.

"Understood. Euphemia will handle logistical support from here as planned. Have her command the medical group, " she replied.

“Yes, Your Highness.” The officer confirmed before he signed off to get to it. Moments later, Cornelia got an alert for another call, this one coming through a private line between her and her knight.

“Princess Cornelia.” She could hear the concern in his voice.

“Let me guess, Guilford, this is about Euphie.” Cornelia sighed, though she felt no irritation towards him for his worries.

“Yes, she really should be back at the Viceroy’s palace," Guilford spoke up, reminding her of his opinions on her sister’s presence somewhere as unsecured as the battlefield.

"But she's being unusually stubborn about this; she insisted that as Sub-viceroy, she should have a greater role and understanding of such matters, even if she finds them distasteful." Cornelia rolled her eyes as she recalled how her sister framed this not even an hour before she was set to leave for Narita.

“If I may be so bold, do you believe that’s her true reasoning?” Guilford asked, to which she scoffed.

"Most likely, no, she's been on my case on my handling of counter-terrorism and will surely fight to ensure we don't just wipe out the JLF, but this isn't going to be like Saitama. The only ones here will be members, associates, or supporters of the JLF." Even if that was the case, the soldiers present were picked from the forces she's led for years and thus would default to her command.

Of course, she wasn't seeking the total elimination of the JLF, as they planned to capture those of high rank. Partly for interrogation of their suppliers and collaborators, but also for prosecution and public execution, to serve as warnings to others and reminders that even the so-called best the Elevens had to offer couldn't match their empire's might, just as it had been 7 years ago.

"Still, I don't like her being this far from safety, as we still don't know how Zero penetrated by brother's G-1, so just doubling the guards I would typically have around it feels inadequate.” Cornelia tapped her foot as she rushed to increase security even further when her sister insisted on coming, as even if he didn't come in force, it would only take one bullet for her to lose another sibling to these damned islands.

To that end, she made it clear that the forces guarding the G-1 would not move from their stations even if she was at risk. Anyone entering would need to be thoroughly vetted before entering the G-1.

“I was able to speak with Dame Kalas, and she's willing to take up our request and can travel to Area 11 as early as tomorrow.” That brought a smile to her face.

"There is some good news, as we haven't made any progress with our…other endeavors, despite Zero's hint." She glared at nothing, furious that she had gotten nowhere, even with Zero finally offering up a proper name. Even with that, it seemed like her brother had been thorough in burying any leads on Code-R, an issue Zero didn't have.

“Once this is finished, we’ll have more resources to deploy against them, then it will only be a matter of time, your Highness.” Guilford encouraged her. As this happened, Euphemia remained on the bridge, looking over their troop deployments before noticing something off.

"What's that unit holding to the rear? " she asked, gesturing towards a unit with a different marking from the rest.

“A reserve unit with an Eleven pilot.” One of the commanders replied, which took Euphemia only a moment to recall which unit it was.

“You mean the Lancelot?” She asked as she would have thought such a powerful unit would be their spearhead.

“As a rule, numbers aren’t allowed to operate a knightmare, but that unit is an exception.” Another one of the commanders replied, keeping whatever opinions he might have had over that to himself. However, Euphemia was still disappointed in that being such a rule.

"As the second prince is the patron for that unit, they exist outside our chain of command, so they’ve been given broader leeway in how they operate. Prince Schneizel has also requested that they be given as many chances for combat as possible." The first explained, as if they had their way, the Lancelot would never see combat till Lloyd saw reason and replaced his pilot with someone more trustworthy.

Euphemia didn't respond, though she frowned as she looked away. ‘Sister, why would you refuse to use them? It could bring things to a close faster without needless bloodshed.’

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Near the top of the mountain, the Black Knights were hard at work, and the sound of heavy excavation echoed through the area. Their drills had already been offloaded and placed where they had been hard at work, penetrating through meters of ice, dirt, and rock to reach the mountain's porous and heated aquifers.

As Zero approached, he noted that some seemed to have done their job, leaving just a couple who must be close to their target depth. “How are things proceeding?”

Ohgi, who had been overseeing things in Zero's absence, replied, “We're just about done, give or take another minute or two, but most of them are in position.”

Zero noted the nerves in the man's voice and how he seemed stiff, not from the cold. “Are you nervous?”

Ohgi sighed but answered honestly: “Well, I can't say I'm as collected as you about this. We're going up against the biggest challenge yet. This is a gamble.”

Zero nodded. “That is an appropriate description, but we're not going in without a plan. Stick to it, and trust in those at your side, and you'll be surprised at what we achieve before the sun sets.” His words carried his typical confidence, an assurance which Ohgi had times envied from the masked man who had already proven to have balls of steel.

“I’ll be more at ease if I knew the JLF had agreed to the terms.” Ohgi reminded him. The two were far enough from the rest that, along with the noise from the excavation work, they didn't need to worry about someone hearing them.

“The good General has not contacted me with such a fortunate yes, but I doubt he'll refuse. It's merely a waiting game, and that'll end shortly.” Despite the news, Zero didn’t seem worried about it.

“Then I'll make sure everyone double-checks their gear," Ohgi replied, already walking off to speak with their recruits. The last thing they needed was one of them shooting another by mistake, especially as when things pick up, stress levels will too.

“And I'll speak with Kallen; she is the key to our critical opening move.” Zero turned and walked towards the Guren, its cockpit open as Kallen read through the unit’s manual for what he hoped was not the first time.

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“Viceroy, it’s time." General Dalton reported in, and Cornelia smiled, eager to start, and now she could.

"Right, commence operation!" She ordered as the command went out to all forces. As she was launched out of the G-1, Guilford and the rest of her Royal guard close behind, across the battlefield, the troops she had split up and hidden came into action.

“You, the Japan Liberation Front. You who time has left behind. You who have forgotten basic human decency.” As Cornelia spoke, knightmares, tanks, and IFVs were deployed from hiding spots in rail cars, buildings, and other sports with VTOLs that had taken off minutes prior and just reached the area deploying their knightmares. Mobile artillery got into position to their air while anti-air missile platforms were sent into high alert.

All to assure that nothing, both by land or by air, could escape them. “You and your dream of a bygone golden age shall fall and rot to nothingness.”

Within the command center, alerts rang out as their sensors detected the mass of enemy units and just how close they were to them. But despite such a surprise, it wasn't nearly as surprising as Cornelia would have liked. Still, Katase was grim-faced as he looked over things. “So the attack begins?”

“Yes, sir, the Britannians have completely surrounded the Narita mountains! We’ve counted at least 100 units.” One of his men confirmed, saluting his commanding officer as he did so.

Katase let out a tired, vexed breath, his age heavier than it typically was. “Zero was right on one thing, Cornelia seeks our destruction and is leaving nothing to chance.”

“Sir?” His soldier asked.

“Contact the Black Knights. We'll need to begin work on co-ordinating our forces as soon as possible.” Katase replied, as he was just accepting the facts of the situation, given the way things were going.

“Sir!”

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With their tasks down, the Black Knights could not help but hear the roar of jet engines and spot the transports. Many recognized them either from the invasion or Britannia's more recent operations in Shinjuku and Saitama. That observation led to the realization amongst their ranks that Britannia was here, and they had come in force.

“It's begun." Zero called out, and his people looked at him and then at the coming army.

“What are we going to do? Those troops coming in have the place surrounded; we'll never escape!” Someone yelled.

“We aren't going to just escape. We're going to fight them; that is why we came.” Zero's response drew eyes to him, and many realized that he had known this would happen, that he wanted this fight.

“What? But that’s impossible!” another declared. As the mountain's base was crawling with Britannians, it was like the invasion all over again.

“That's insanity; how are we supposed to fight them head-on? Those guys out-number and out-gun us!” Another lifted his submachine gun, which wasn't even as powerful as the standard Britannian combat rifle. How the hell were they going to confront that and whatever armor the imperials had.

Zero, in contrast to their growing fear and panic, remained as calm as ever. “Both are correct, and it will take a miracle to win this; thus, we shall create that miracle. That is why we spent this time planning and setting this up.”

“Miracles?” Someone asked, baffled by the response.

“Even messiahs must perform miracles to convince the masses of their legitimacy. And to prove that Shinjuku was no accident, we will perform another by crushing Cornelia’s forces here and now.” Zero boldly declared, lifting his finger and pointing it down the mountainside to the gathering forces.

However, while some seemed to take inspiration in his unshakable confidence, or their commanders didn't seem nearly as concerned as the rest, some didn't. One such soul called Zero out for it. “Crushing them?! With what? We don't have the numbers, and you had us dig into the stupid mountain for the last 2 hours! Like the Yamato Alliance, we'll be slaughtered to the last man!”

“So you’ll just lay down and die?” Zero didn't yell; he didn't need to for his words to zap the fight out of them like a cloud of fury falling on them, with one such person getting the most out of it as Zero turned his faceless gaze towards him. “I shall say this once, so listen well. This is the battle you signed up for, the war to fight for the ideals of the Black Knights, for the cause we champion. Did you think that it would be easy? That this day would not come?” Zero remained still, yet he seemed to grow as he looked down at his men.

“Having second thoughts? Then take off your uniforms right now and run; maybe you'll escape, maybe you'll live, but know that turning your back now means you'll never have a place among my order as for those who wear this uniform, for those who grieve in black, you have both 2 options: To live by our ideals as men, or die like animals.” He declared, his words as strong as steel. All of them, from those who had known about this to those who didn't, couldn't help but fall silent as they let Zero's words sink in.

Looking over them, Zero paid no mind to the coming forces; his gaze remained on his men, who shivered under that look as if he could see deeper into them than they could ever realize, yet giving up nothing of what lay at his soul. Even this feeling of fury fuelled confidence felt purposely, as if he was re-igniting the fire of rebellion in their hearts by sharing flames from the inferno in his own.

“So…what’s your answer?” Zero demanded, putting the choice in their hands. One which they had all realized wasn't just between him and life, but between the ideals and future they sought, over merely living another day as Britannia's slaves.

“Listen up!” Tamaki started, drawing attention to him as he climbed atop one of the trailers. Zero was mildly interested in what the man had to say. “I get that the masked bastard isn't giving up much to work it. Hell, this seems like we'll be thrown to the lions, but so what? He's delivered on that insanity before, hasn't he? How many people can say they defeated those damned Brits in battle? Killed a damn prince right in his stronghold and bragged about it in front of a knightmare and got away with it?” He reminded them.

“Zero's embarrassed Britannia twice now, and he's been leading us in running circles around them by doing what they couldn't and getting criminals out of the ghettos. If he says we can win this, I believe I'll drink to our victory before I go to bed tonight!" Tamaki called out, speaking with as much gusto as he typically did, but this time he wasn't bragging about himself; he was rallying those who were shaken, and unlike the masked man, his lack of charisma, his every-man status made those words hit all the harder.

“We all knew what we signed up for when we started this fight when we put on this uniform, and I'm about to let Zero go in alone!" Tamaki finished by raising his gun into the air, an act mirrored by the rest of the command, who cried for victory and liberty, saying that they'd accomplish this because they would perform a miracle promised by Zero.

Beneath the mask, Lelouch smiled as he saw the flames of faith and determination spreading through their ranks. Did they still fear defeat? Of course. Were some terrified to die? He would call them fools if they weren't. But at this moment, such primal urges were overtaken by a greater desire, which he will surely forge into the foundations of something greater than one man, then one nation.

When he got a call, he quickly answered it. Moments later, when he hung up, he said something to raise their morale even higher: "This will be a hard fight, but it won't be one we'll face alone, and I just got confirmation that on this day, we fight alongside the Japan Liberation Front.” With that, as he thought, the mood rose even higher.

With their determination rising, Zero gave the order. “All forces, to your stations!” No one hesitated as guns were loaded and checked, rockets were slotted into launchers, and knightmares started as commanders called for their people to gather action. During this, Zero boarded the Nemesis, C.C. already inside, as he called Katase once more. This time, his face appeared on his screen.

“General, I take it you understand the situation?” Zero asked, typing away at something as he looked through his unit's info. He found that its fuel and weapons were all well in the green. Of course, C.C. would be manning the weapons as he focused on piloting the six-legged beast.

Katase hardly looked happy with things, but he didn’t let pride get the best of him as he replied. “I do, as much as I wish it wasn't so. The JLF is doomed, and I can't allow my men to fall today without accomplishing anything in all the years we've been in this fight. Part of me thinks we could have a chance if we had Tohdoh, that he'll perform another miracle for us, as he did at Itsukushima…but I know that is merely wishful thinking.”

“So yes, Zero, I agree to your terms. If you can pull off your end of the bargain, then I will do the same.” Some of him still thought that he was failing his men, but he had to accept the facts; he just wasn't the one who could save them, never mind securing victory. If not, even Kyoto's spies could learn of this assault and pass the word along, while Zero could uncover it…

“If it’s a miracle that you desire, then a miracle you shall receive, General.” Zero nodded towards him as he eyed The Guren, shifting as Kallen closed its cockpit. Katese also sent Zero all the info he could, which lit up his area map with details such as hard points, troop movements, and IFFs from all JLF units that had yet to take to the field. He also could clearly see the Britannians, who he had to admit, weren't taking chances as he bet most of those dots were knightmares.

It only took him moments to make his call after seeing the map of the situation: “Send out your forces in a retreating defensive position. I'm sending you the details now, but make sure that you post your weakest and most outdated troops on the right side. That will be our breakthrough point.”

The old soldier’s face twisted with confusion. “Breakthrough? Do you have the manpower for something like that? Britannia would surely note the weakness and hammer the right flank as hard as they can.” They had good information that the Britannians had even brought in artillery. While that area wasn't as wooded as the rest, it would be prime target practice for the imperials.

“Oh, I have something much better in store, but I’ll let my actions speak for themselves.” Zero declared before he cut the call.

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As of writing this, I've finished working on one of those WIP chapters. I'll try to get its second one done and then focus on another one of those ideas, this one being a Danny Phantom one, which has ideas that have been gathering dust in my hard drive. I'll need to rewatch the show a little to recall some stuff, but that'll come later.

As you must have guessed from the chapter title, we're finally getting to the Battle of Narita, which I've been itching to do, getting some good mech action in after a long dry spell. Still, as someone like Lelouch would point out, that time between battles does more for victory than direct fighting ever good. He's not been sitting on his hands, as you've picked up from his and the Black Knight's actions.

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Well, this ended up being more set-up than anything. Still, I'm happy that I was able to get it laid out for all sides, from the Black Knights to the JLF and the Britannians, with some personal drama thrown in between Lelouch and C.C. and Cornelia and Euphemia as Euphie hasn't forgotten her sister's actions. Still, she's been rather busy with some news she's been sitting up for in the story for a couple of weeks now.

One thing I hope I didn't do was write Lelouch as too good, if that makes sense, as I might want him not to be as arrogant as canon and make mistakes; I also don't want him to come off as moral and vanilla. He's a ruthless mess of a man who will lie, cheat, and steal for his goals. He just has tampered with those tendencies…somewhat, seeing how his version of opening up to the BK was just telling them his plans beforehand, and with the JLF, as Katase guessed, he basically waited till the old General had no choice BUT to side with him.