The Great Cat hunt
"What!? Suzaku is the Lancelot's pilot?" Lelouch said nearly falling over as Luke nodded knowing he was very serious on what the Jedi saw having returned to the Falcon as Luke nodded as he also informed them of Princess Eupherima one of Lelouch's siblings while taking off his cloak.
"Indeed I saw it all the way from my hiding spot that Knightmare, which was called the 'Lancelot', moved and reacted the same way it did earlier in Shinjuku when I fought it, it is without a doubt that Suzaku was indeed the pilot I have to admit even I was shocked to see it with my own two eyes."
"Well, what do you know?" Han said with a smirk. "Guess we didn't have to lift a finger on who the pilot is anymore!" Leia then said smacked Han on the back of his head.
"Han, can you not? This is reality shattering for Lelouch here!" As he points to Lelouch.
Asami then went over to the table in the middle of the room and displayed the hologram of the Lancelot and said.
"The Lancelot itself is quite the dangerous weapon from what me and Lop can see. This knightmare can move at speeds that surpass any other Britannian Knightmare, as well as built-in shields and four sets of Slash Harkens. From a scientific standpoint!" Tdee beeped in agreement saying it's a work of pure genius.
Asami then folded her arms and said. "Strange to see that Britanania is taking a big gamble by giving Suzaku the keys to the Lancelot and it does look pretty advanced, almost rivalling technology of the Galactic Empire!"
"Oh my word!" Threepio shouted Luke spares a glance at Lelouch as he was hugging himself.
"Lelouch are you alright?" Lelouch grits his teeth and said while his nails dug into the control panel scratching it.
"My very first friend when I was a kid is now my own worst enemy, how do you think I feel?" Lelouch questioned in obvious sarcasm to Luke.
Leia then said. "Let's take a breather. I don't believe that Suzaku is truly our enemy because we saw how kind hearted he is. Luke can vouch for that!" Luke nodded in agreement as he was the first one to meet Suzaku
Luke then said. "Maybe somewhere down the line he could see eye to eye with us, maybe we could become possible allies!"
Lelouch then said "It isn't that simple Luke, I know him Suzaku's as stubborn as a rock, he can't just openly join our side without the military using his position to crack down further on Elevens."
C.C scoffed and said. "Such a waste of effort and time if you truly want him on your side then use your Geass and be done with it!"
"I won't do that! Not to him!" Lelouch said immediately. As the rebels in the room were impressed, did he really value Suzaku's friendship so much that he wouldn't use his Geass and force him to work for him? Luke understood that he did as he and Lelouch did rescue him
Leia then said knowing the tension was bit high. "Moving on from the Lancelot's pilot..." She then looks at Asami and Lop.
"General Asami you and Commander Lop have fought this Royal regime's members before haven't you? We might want to learn about them in case our paths cross with them?"
Asami nodded and said. "Indeed we have always crossed blades with them in the Kozuki resistance, please allow us to brief them to you!"
Tdee beeps as it displays the hologram of Am and Karre
"Let's start off with the twins Am & Karre!"
From what Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie as well the two droids Artoo and Theepio saw Am was a blond haired woman wearing armour and cape similar to that of Darth Vader and purple eyes.
Then to Karre he wore similar armour to the latter but had light green hair and light blue eyes the two they saw the night of Suzaku's execution and Zero's introduction to the world.
"Am is fiercely loyal to the Royal Regime and vows on her own life to to defend it to her very last breath she's a very skilled pilot in both Knightmares and starships as well as a lightsaber user she is strong in the dark side, moving onto Karre he to is a dark side agent and very skilled he may not look like it but he was able to kill Naoto in cold blood!"
Luke then said. "Wait, I thought Kallen said that Britannia executed him..."
Asami then said, folding her arms. "That's what she always tells herself as she tries to avoid seeing this as it was Karre who did the deed as she pins the blame on them instead! Poor Kallen, you should have seen her face when he brought his body over to the others..."
Asami then changed the subject and the image to a Man with Black Hair He has an Elaborate Eye-Patch with two purple crystals hanging from the end and one underneath his left eye. His attire is a Black-and-Gold Suit with the Engraved Symbol of the Sith and this man almost looked like Lelouch.
"This man here is Julius Kingsley, he's a tactical genius..." She then looks at Lelouch "Almost like you Lelouch, is there something strange about this man as he almost looks like you..." Lelouch was caught off guard by that as he sees the man almost looks like him even if it was a hologram.
"Julius is a skilled lightsaber wielder and is above Karre and Am and unwise to underestimate him for he is quite skilled!"
Asami then switches the hologram to Shin as the Falcon crew sees a tall young man with blue long hair and green eyes. He wears the standard uniform of another version of Britannia and carries a lightsaber on his belt as well as a spell-book "This is Shin, a former Britannia knight now an agent of the Royal Regime. He's skilled at lightsaber combat and uses night sister Magik. In public a very honourable and kind individual, but in reality he's an insane man who enjoys seeing others suffer granting them the wish of death but out all of them are far from worse than their leader!"
Asami switches the image of Argos as CC gasped in horror to see the man's face in the hologram as if she knew him from somewhere.
"This is their infamous leader the one leading the armies of the Royal Regime's military from across the planet such as Matrix troopers, Glide packs, Pyro Troopers and even more troopers we don't know about but he is not to be messed with as he is a highly skilled lightsaber to the public he goes under the name of Argus but however his real name is Argos
"Hmm do you think he could be a Jedi?" Luke asked Asami who said as she shook her head. "Not likely as all records of Argos's past were all erased from the network even from Brtiatnaia's servers! He's an enigma."
Han then said. "Well at least we're caught up in the who's in who's army game?" Han then said "So your highness caught up just as we are on what the Royal Regime is considering these guys are just like the Empire?"
Lelouch had no clue if Han was joking or not "Okay first of all don't call me that Second, I wouldn't worry about Euphemia. She's no fighter and not much of a strategist either."
Asami then said "I have heard that her goals are far nobler than the other siblings. It almost reminds me of someone in the former Senate council who stood out like her when I was a Padawn back on Coruscant..." But however couldn't recall her name
Lop nodded and said "And just like us she wants to bring peace to the world!" Luke nodded "I can vouch since I was there!"
"Euphemia never once held a weapon in her life." Lelouch commented. "She may be a Britannian princess, but I can see she's no killer." Lelouch then said
"And she's most likely here because of Cornelia, who is the real threat from Britannia." Lelouch replied.
"Cornelia li Britannia, the elder sister of Euphemia li Britannia, and Second Royal Britannian Princess." Leia pulled up and read her records. "From what it says here she's also known as the 'Goddess of Victory', she is the Chief General of the Imperial Army piloting a custom-made Gloucester Knightmare; she also leads her own personal squad known as the Glaston Knights who also pilot Gloucesters."
Han then said. "Sounds like this princess gets her hands dirty just like you since she does have a fancy ass title!" Leia just gave a small glare to the captain.
Lop then spoke up. "Cornelia never lost a battle in her life on the ground or in her knightmare!"
Lelouch chuckled and said almost a bit reckless. "Just wait until she sees what we can do! If I know my big sister she's going to want to sweep up the entire country looking for us. She'll start off by taking out other terrorist groups and resistance cells one-by-one till she finds us."
Leia on the other hand wondered what Cornelia's plan was as Luke then said. "Lelouch, you should return to Ashford for now. While the rest of us will work to contact Ohgi's group on how we can proceed, until we know our enemy's intention."
"You're really going to be relying on them?" Lelouch questioned being a bit cautious to trust them.
"They're the only resistance group we are currently acquainted with." Luke informed him. "You even admitted that we alone cannot defeat Britannia alone and we don't know when the Galactic Empire may show up that's why we need to be ready!"
Lelouch sighed "Fine!" He didn't like taking orders but he agreed with it anyway as he began to leave knowing that Luke and the others will contact him when they are are as CC decided to leave the falcon as well.
It was night time as Lelouch and CC had returned to Ashfold as Lelouch then said folding his arms.
"Alright, one last time. Do you know anything about a young boy named Rai?" Lelouch asked her. "That young man with white hair, blue eyes, and amnesia?" C.C. responded. "No, I don't think I have."
"Look if you're going to stay here, then I think it's best he doesn't see you, since he's taken up residence with Nunnally and myself." Lelouch advised her.
"Since he has amnesia, I doubt he'd recognise me from anywhere." C.C. commented to him. "You're more worried about word of a 'green haired crazy girl' getting out, which can lead to the military coming here and causing a whole bunch of problems."
"Duh!" Lelouch said to her while CC just shrugged. "Very well I'll be in your preparing my own bed! Since it's most likely you don't want me sleeping in your bed."
"You mean like a blown up mattress or something?" Lelouch said as CC as she walked away he then rolls his eyes as he puts on his fake smile for his sister.
"Hey, I'm sorry I'm late coming home." Lelouch said. "Welcome home Lelouch." Nunnally greeted.
"Hey, look who's decided to make it back." Rai greeted him as well.
"Nunnally, what are you doing up so late?" Her brother asked her. "It's past ten and we have school tomorrow."
"It was my fault actually." Rai told him with a worried look. "She was just telling me about…Well…you and her being royalty and all."
Lelouch did not expect that response as his eyes widened and he gave an audible gasp of shock. "NUNNALLY?!"
"Well since he's going to be living with us, I felt it was best to get that out in the open." Nunnally explained. "But you don't have to worry, we can trust him." Lelouch still stuttering said
"B-but he's a complete stranger, he's not like Milly at all! And you just met the guy today!"
Rai then said to Lelouch. "Listen it's alright I won't say anything. It's the least I can do for taking me in. I promise I'll keep your secret."
Lelouch looked serious for a moment before waking up. "Nunnally, would it be alright if I spoke with Rai in private? I promise I won't do anything, I just need to talk to him."
Nunnally looked a bit unsure, but she was certain her brother wouldn't hurt Rai or anything. "Okay."
Rai sighed as he stood up and followed Lelouch into the kitchen. "Look Lelouch, I get why you probably don't trust me with-"
But however he was cut off as Lelouch used his Geass stating making eye contact with Rai. "I WANT answers!"
The red sigil flew from his eyes and into Rai's, his brainwave patterns shifted before a pair of red rings formed in his eyes. "As you command, what do you need to know from me?" Rai answered automatically, now under the effects of Lelouch's Geass.
"To start off, what do you know about a girl with green hair named C.C.?" Lelouch asked. "I don't know anything." Rai responded. "This is the first time I've heard of that name."
"Are you certain?" Lelouch persisted.
"I am." Rai nodded. "So what do you remember before arriving at Ashford?" Lelouch asked another question.
"Nothing past me waking up in the nurse's office and meeting you." Rai answered.
"Hmm guess that means my Geass can't retrieve lost memories from amnesia." Lelouch made a mental note to himself before cutting off his Geass. The rings faded from Rai's eyes as he gave a slight gasp. As he had no memory of being under Lelouch's control.
"Everything okay?" "It's fine, don't worry about it." Lelouch told him. "But, I know you already said it, but I need you to truly promise me you won't say anything about me and Nunnally to anyone."
"I promise, I won't say a word about you and your sister, or about your asshole of a dad." Rai responded, though that last comment caught Lelouch by surprise. "I may have amnesia, but I'm not stupid enough to know that the so-called Emperor is a pathetic excuse for a human being. And about your mother I'm sorry to hear…"
"Nunnally told you about that?" Lelouch asked as Rai nodded. "What else did she tell you?"
"Only that Milly and Sayoko are the ones who know about you, and an old friend of yours named Suzaku."
"I see. Well, if Nunnally trusts you, that's all I need." Lelouch assured.
"Alright." Rai said with a smile as he and Lelouch walked back into the dining room to talk with Nunnally a bit. Though Lelouch wasn't exactly thrilled with Nunnally that she revealed their identities to a complete stranger, Rai seemed like a pretty decent person, despite knowing so little about him. But now Lelouch had to think of a plan for him and the Rebels so they could combat the Britannia and their Royal Regime allies.
The Following day
The next morning in class, Lelouch could only gap and widen his eyes in shock to see a familiar face in a school uniform, now introducing himself in front of the class.
"I will be joining the student body of Ashford Academy, beginning today. My name is Suzaku Kururugi. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
All the other students at their desks, including the student council couldn't contain their surprise to see not only an Honorary Britannian in school clothes, but the one who had been involved the in the Orange Incident concerning Zero and Luke Skywalker.
"Thank you, Mr. Kururugi," Mr. Keshner said. "You can take a seat now." Suzaku nodded, and the teen went to take a seat in a vacant spot, all the while eyes never left him.
Class went on normally… well, not really… if it hadn't been the whispers going on about Suzaku.
"That's him, isn't it?" "The Eleven?" "He's an Honorary Britannian." "Why the heck is he doing here?" "He was the one Zero and Luke Skywalker rescued, right?" "You think he is in league with them?"
Soon, class was dismissed.
"An Eleven here at our school?" Nina looked very scared when glanced at Suzaku.
"Well, he is an Honorary Britannian," Rivalz said. "I know, but still…" Nina held her arms as if she was feeling cold.
"Well, I think it's actually kind of exciting," Shirley smiled at Suzaku. "Exciting?" Nina asked, perplexed.
"He was rescued by Zero and Skywalker," Shirley said. "So, perhaps there's the chance he talked with them face-to-face. Maybe we should…"
"Uh, as exciting as it sounds… I think it would be rude," Rivalz said. "I mean the guy just got here; I think we should give him some space."
Lelouch released the tension in the room that was being centred on Suzaku. It would even turn some unwanted attention on him if he were to talk to him, so he knew what to do. The raven-haired student got up, and Suzaku's eyes followed him. Before Lelouch exited the class, the student made a pull at the neck of his shirt, and Suzaku's eyes widened, and understood what it meant.
Suzaku followed Lelouch to the roof of the building and saw him standing against the rail. Lelouch turned to Suzaku with a smile. "Seven years since we used this signal." He pulled the back of his uniform, and that made Suzaku smile nostalgically. "Long time, huh?"
"Meeting on the roof like the old days." Suzaku said. "Yeah." "I'm glad you're okay. I've been worried." Lelouch smiled. "Alive and kicking, thanks to you." He narrowed his eyes. "You almost died to protect me."
"I was just returning the favour from seven years ago… and…" Suzaku's look became serious. "I wasn't the only one protecting you, was I?" "Huh?" Lelouch said. "The guy who was with you was with Luke Skywalker."
Lelouch then remembered that Suzaku had seen him with Luke in Shinjuku. "Oh… yeah it was…" "I have to ask, what were you doing in that truck with that guy in the first place?" Suzaku asked.
"It was an accident." Lelouch said honestly. "A truck crashed into the construction, and I thought people were hurt. I was going in to help and I wasn't alone." "You're talking about Skywalker?" Suzaku said.
"Yeah… But I thought he was just another ordinary citizen lending a hand. When we tried calling if the driver could hear us, the truck suddenly pulled out and we found ourselves stowed away by accident."
"It was terrorists…" Suzaku said, with a look of concern. "My unit was told that it was poison gas… but actually…" "It was a girl." "Yeah…" Lelouch said.
"So, what happened?" Suzaku asked. "When I was shot how did you escape the royal guard?"
"There was an explosion," Lelouch said. "I was trying to follow the people with me, but somehow I was knocked out as someone hit me on the head. Next thing I knew I was safely outside of Shinjuku."
"I see…" Suzaku's face softened a bit. "So, he was telling the truth."
"What?" Lelouch asked. "When they rescued me…" Suzaku said. "Luke Skywalker said he helped you get to safety and out of Shinjuku."
You mean when he and Zero saved you from the court martial?" "Yeah."
"I gotta say… that was one spectacle of a show," Lelouch said. "What were they like?" "I might say daring…" Suzaku said. "I was out of my mind to see someone with a laser sword or can do tricks like that to a Knightmare. You saw it, too, right?"
"No doubt the whole world has seen it…" Lelouch narrowed his eyes.
"You have no idea," Lelouch almost looked like he was going to frown. "It was in the middle of class. The whole student body was in an uproar."
"I get the picture," Suzaku said. Suzaku looked at Lelouch when he mentioned the name of the place he once called home. He could tell the bitter feelings that still resided, which reminded him of something.
"So… what about your name?" Suzaku asked. "Do I still call you Lelouch?"
"The records count my old identity among the dead. I go by the name Lelouch Lamperouge, now."
"Oh." Suzaku understood, but then realised something. "Wait a minute. Did…Did he know?"
"Huh?" "Luke Skywalker," Suzaku said, serious again. "Did he learn who you were? I mean, I did say your name…"
"Of course not," Lelouch lied with a reassuring smile. "Even when you said my first name, he didn't know my last name. He may have thought I was an unfortunate citizen at the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Oh, alright," Suzaku said, feeling a bit relieved. "That's for the best." "And you? What happened at your court martial? And why did you enrol at this school?"
"I'm as surprised as you are," Suzaku smiled. "What are the odds that we'd end up at the same school? Truth is someone arranged for me to receive a proper investigation. And that person said that a 17 year old should be in school."
Princess Euphemia, the same person who arranged for Suzaku's investigation, was looking at several paintings done by her late brother. Her eyes fell on one in particular, showing a much younger Lelouch and Nunnally sitting by their late mother Marianne Vi Britannia.
"We're all of these painted by Clovis?" She asked. "Yes madam." A butler responded.
Euphie brushed her hand along the surface of the one depicting her siblings that she missed so very much. "Such gentle colours…" Her eyes wavered a bit as she remembered the smiling faces of her brother and sister.
"Lelouch… Nunnally…"
Several large motor cannons were lined along the side of a large mountain as they opened fire on multiple Britannian tanks on the ground, who returned fire immediately. The rebel forces were able to keep the Britannian military at bay, however this proved to be only a distraction as Cornelia's Gloucester came in from behind.
"What the…?!" "Is that Cornelia?!"
The rebels tried to turn their turrets around to fire on the fast-moving Knightmare.
"Relics of a forgotten age." Cornelia spat as she manoeuvred her Gloucester around the motor shots before leaping up into the air. While airborne, her Gloucester pulled out its rifle and opened fire, destroying a couple motors before she shot one of her slash harkens to destroy one, and shooting another to take out a separate motor. Using the cords of the harkens, Cornelia was able to manoeuvre around the motors shot at her even while airborne.
She landed her Gloucester on the ruins of one destroyed motor turret before contacting her Knight.
"Darlton, in here, correct?" She asked, referring to the tunnel behind her.
"Yes, my lady. Shall we accompany you?"
"Not for this level of resistance." She replied as she turned around and drove her personal Knightmare into the tunnel and into the mountain where the rebels were hiding.
"Understood."
Cornelia entered the enemy base where she spotted the rebels. "Surrender at once you feeble minded Elevens!"
"DOWN WITH BRITANNIA!" They all exclaimed as they opened fire with rifles, but they barely did any damage to the Knightmare as Cornelia looked around.
"Doesn't seem that Zero is here, no sign of any of the other three Jedi either well point in going after them one-at-a-time I suppose. Vermin! Rot like the filth that you are!" She opened fire with her Knightmare's rifle to mow down the rebels without a second thought.
"Report Captain Katarn!" Argos said sitting in his throne chair as he was talking the hologram Matrix trooper a silver pad on his left shoulder the trooper as Captain Katarn then said.
"Viceroy Cornelia has only just now arrived in Area 11 and is already making her way through all the resistance cells in this country. She certainly doesn't waste any time sir!"
Julius then said sarcastically. "What did you expect from her Katarn just casually walking up to other resistance cells if they have seen or saw the Jedi or Zero?"
Katarn shook his head saying. "No sir that doesn't sound like her considering this is the goddess of victory!"
Julius scoffed as if hating Cornliea and said. "She's impulsive even when she was young and her title is proof of that Goddess of Victory hah! What a sick twisted joke, her arrogance like that could cost her eyesight if she doesn't change her attitude!"
Katarn nodded, "Indeed my lord, I'm going to meet up with the other Pack Hunters in rounding up the other rebels here, Captain Katarn out!"
Just like that Katarn's hologram vanished. "Kyle is a good man isn't he?" Julius said to his master with small smile who nodded back.
"Indeed Kyle Katarn is the best Matrix trooper in the military. He keeps this up and a promotion is in his future, maybe even a seat at the big boys table!"
Julius then smirked "Such high praise you really like that guy don't you!" Argos shrugged before getting back to business "Well sure I do. I even know his father but enough about that."
Argos then said getting back to business "What's the word for Shin? Has he and the Nightsisters Sai and Yansu arrived at the small base that belongs to JAF Along with Druge's ETA to the exact destination?"
Julius then displays a holographic map and says "Shin's shuttle has arrived at the destination and is waiting for Druge as his arrival time will be 2 days' time as he and his forces are packing up their equipment after dealing with Pollux and Castor in Area 9!"
Argos then said surprised at that information "He was able to kill them wow! Now I see why they call Druge the most feared Bounty hunter in the universe as he did fight a lot interesting people from what his stories have told us."
Ashford Academy Clubhouse – Evening
"Hi Lelouch, we're home." Nunnally greeted as she and Rai came in, with Sayoko pushing Nunnally's wheelchair.
"Hi there, welcome back. Rai, Sayoko." Lelouch greeted before turning to his disabled sister. "I've got a special present for you today."
"Really? What could it be?" Nunnally asked, as she sounded excited.
Lelouch smiled before looking at Rai and Sayoko, bringing a finger over his mouth for the two to be quiet as he waved his hand toward the right. Suzaku then stepped out, causing Sayoko and Rai to look in surprise, but still kept quiet.
The second Suzaku's eyes set upon Nunnally, he stiffened with nervousness. He quietly and slowly walked towards her before turning to Lelouch who nodded for him to proceed. He slowly kneeled down to her level and took her hand.
Nunnally was surprised at first, but she gave a gasp as she recognized the feeling. "This hand…" Suzaku smiled, as did Nunnally as tears of joy fell down her face. "Thank Heaven! I knew it! I just knew you'd be alright." She held his hand close to her face.
"It's been a long time, Nunnally."
After that reunion, Lelouch and Nunnally told Rai about their history with Suzaku, about his father being the late Prime Minister of Japan before Britannia invaded. Of course they also had to explain to Suzaku about Rai's situation, about him having amnesia and him living with Lelouch and Nunnally till he can regain some of his memories, and Nunnally telling him about her and Lelouch's previous royalty status. Suzaku was a bit surprised but also happy to hear about Lelouch opening up to some people, albeit reluctantly.
"So tell me, you will stay the night, won't you?" Nunnally hopped as she, Suzaku, Lelouch, and Rai all sat down for dinner.
"Suzaku's enrolled as a student at Ashford Academy now, so you can see him anytime you want to." Lelouch told his younger sister the good news.
"Is that true?" Nunnally asked in a surprisingly excited tone. "It would be nice to have some visitors here." Rai said as well.
"Well I still have military duties, so I can't be here everyday." Suzaku replied.
"Hold on, you were in the military?" Rai voiced in surprise as Nunnally looked worried.
"Yeah, but don't worry, I've been assigned to the engineering corps. It's a lot less dangerous." Suzaku replied to them.
"Oh cool. Engineering, huh?" Lelouch of course knew Suzaku was lying. But choose not to say anything so as to not upset Nunnally. He stood up to refill the teapot.
"Oh… let me help you." Suzaku tried to stand up, but Lelouch smiled in response.
"You just sit down. Unlike seven years ago, we get to be your hosts now." Lelouch told him. Suzaku looked in surprise before smiling back. "It's funny, you're a lot more mellow than you used to be."
"And you're a bit more rough." Suzaku jokes. "I suppose." Lelouch said in a half-laugh before walking back into the kitchen.
"So Rai you really don't remember anything at all, not even about yourself?" Suzaku asked the white-haired young man.
"No, nothing prior to waking up here yesterday." Rai confirmed as his smile dropped.
"No parents, no home, nothing?" Suzaku asked, "Nothing at all." Rai said, causing Suzaku and Nunnally to offer sympathetic expressions.
"I'm really sorry." Suzaku said honestly. "Thanks, but it's not all bad. You know what the best part of having amnesia is?" Rai asked with a half-smile.
"Uh no. What is it?" Suzaku asked in confusion.
Rai shrugged. "You tell me, I don't remember." He joked, causing Suzaku to laugh while shaking his head, even Nunnally giggled a bit. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Pretty corny huh?"
Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Lelouch shook his head with a smile at Rai's bad joke as he refilled the teapot. But his smile faded once he saw C.C. enter the room.
"I told you to stay in my room."
"That boy out there, he's the Britannian soldier from Shinjuku, not only that he's also the pilot of that Lancelot Knightmare, isn't he? Are you sure this is wise?" She asked.
"Don't worry, it's fine. He's… An old friend… From the past." Lelouch said.
You're getting out Jeremiah!" Guilford said as the glass cell door opened to reveal Jeremiah bound in a straightjacket and looking at the Britannian Knight with a hopeful expression.
"Lord Guilford! You see I'm innocent, don't you?" However, Guilford did not share the same feelings.
"Well it seems in the eyes of the court you are, Orange-Boy." He spat in disgust, much to Jeremiah's shock.
"One thing is certain. You used Prince Clovis' death to further your own agenda; and allowed his true killers to escape, but not without suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of these Jedi. If it were up to me, I'd see that you rot away in this cell for the rest of your life! As of this moment, the Purebloods connections to the Homeland have all been severed, and you've been demoted three ranks for failure."
Jeremiah had a shocked look on his face however his thoughts on the other hand they told a different story. "Should have seen that coming! But not expected from Britannian scum!"
You should come by again, Nunnally would enjoy it if you did." Lelouch tells Suzaku as he was about to leave.
"Sure, but um…" Suzaku looked a bit uncertain. "Lelouch, I… I don't think we should be seen together at school."
"What do you mean?!" Lelouch asked in surprise.
"Think, how would you explain it?" Suzaku began explaining. "Being friends with an Honorary Britannian? We have to guard your secret. I know that Rai has promised not to say anything, but still, that doesn't change the dangers that could come if the wrong people find out. I don't want to cause you or Nunnally any trouble."
"Doing it again, huh?!" Lelouch questioned in anger. "Everyone's needs but your own!" "Again?" Suzaku questioned in surprise.
"Forget it." Lelouch grumbled. Despite this, the Japanese youth still gave a friendly smile to him. "Thanks for having me." He turned around and was ready to leave. "I'll see you…"
And just like that Suzaku left as Lelouch sighed as he dug into his pocket and held his comp-link but then thought to tell Luke and the others in the morning
Both boys didn't notice C.C. observing from the window in Lelouch's room as she looked like she was holding something under her outfit.
Class seemed to be going pretty well the next day, that is until Suzaku walked in before class started and all the other students stopped talking and most looked towards him with surprise. A few of them looked with disgust at how an Eleven attended their school. He sat down in the room, across from where Rai was sitting.
Rai had been told by Lelouch about Suzaku's request, and he didn't like it not one bit. So what if the guy was from Japan? Why does that matter? He was still human just like everyone else! Being from a different nation shouldn't be a crime! As he looked at some of the disgusted looks some of the students gave him, Rai's own fists clenched in anger at that disrespect.
Onboard the Falcon
"The Blood of the Samurai?" Leia questioned as the falcons crew had contacted both Ohgi though a holo projector as Oghi nodded.
"Yes, it hasn't made the news yet, but they were completely wiped out by Cornelia!"Ohgi informed them. "They were the largest resistance group in Central Japan!"
"I get it, they're going after every large resistance group, likely searching for us, while also wiping out any enemy forces in the country that pose the biggest threat to their future." Asami said knowing that's a clover plot.
"Yeah, it may only be a matter of time before she comes for us!" Ohgi stated.
Leia nodded then said. "Keep your head cool Ohgi, panicking will do no good so for the time being keep your heads down, and keep out of sight. We'll call you on for the next move."
"Alright, thank you, Leia." Ohgi said, before hanging up. Luke then heard comlink beeping as Luke picks it up
"Yes?"
Ashford Academy
At the staircase, Lelouch was on the phone with Luke.
"You want me to meet in your room?" Luke asked.
"Yes, I need your help," Lelouch said with a nod.
"Okay, I'll be there." Luke said, and the call ended. Lelouch looked out the window and saw Suzaku was washing something at the school sinks outside. Suzaku lifted his soaking white shirt, and Lelouch widened his eyes to see it had been spray painted with red words: "GO BACK TO YOUR GHETTO, ELEVEN!"
Nina Einstein was studying very fervently on her computer alone before she heard someone call out her name.
"Nina?" The bespectacled girl gasped and turned to see Nunnally wheeling in.
"I'm sorry, am I being too loud?" Nina asked.
"Not at all. Why are you here? What about class?" Nunnally asked. "Something wrong?"
"Well, it's… I don't know… it's… a little scary…" Nina said very shy. "Scary?"
"We have a transfer student in our class now," Nina hugged her arms tight. "It's that boy who was accused of murdering Prince Clovis. The one who was saved by Zero and the Jedi. He's an Eleven."
Nunnally could only look saddened at Nina's view of Suzaku. The girl was afraid that most of Ashford felt the same way, if not worse.
Having parked his motorcycle in front of the Lamperouge Residence again, the same delivery boy from Pizza Hut made his way to the door and knocked with a couple boxes of pizza. Before he could ring the bell, C.C. opened the door.
"Oh…" The boy straightened at seeing the same girl he not long ago seen wearing only a shirt. "Thanks for all the repeat business. I got to ask if you are paying from a debit with a guy's name on it? Is it your boyfriend?"
C.C. shrugged as she took the pizzas. "He's not my boyfriend… he's more like… an accomplice."
"Oh…" The pizza boy shifted a bit awkwardly. "I see…Well, the other day… you know what? Never mind! Sorry!"
What both of them didn't notice was that the same cat with the limp paw Karre, Suzaku and Euphie helped the other day, made its way inside the house.
Lelouch was waiting in his room as he had his window opened as he sees Luke jumps to the window as Lelouch helps his friend into his room as the two began making a case for Lelouch to carry for Zero's mask to be safe
Luke said. "To think this would happen just the next day, they would do something as degrading as that." Luke thinking about the part Lelouch said about Suzaku's spray painted shirt. "Does the prejudice really stem that hard here?"
"Not all the students are like that," Lelouch said. "But… Many for the sake of their reputation." He grunted. "And this is exactly the reason Suzaku thinks is best for me and Nunnally."
"I see." Luke said, finding the idea of Suzaku isolating himself to be pitiful.
"Ugh… He can be so stubborn at times…" Lelouch gritted his teeth. Luke then said looking at Lelouch
"Well there is a good thing about despite him being the Lancelot's pilot he still has your back!"
Lelouch softly smiled at that comment he was about to say until CC entered the room with the pizzas, and the three didn't notice the cat coming in.
"Huh? What are you building?" C.C. asked.
"A case to hide Zero's mask," Luke replied to her. Lelouch said. "You see, unlike my Geass, the mask is a physical piece of evidence."
"Why not hide it on the Millennium Falcon?" C.C. asked. "That's what I just said to him," Luke said. "But…"
"I can't always come and go to the Falcon to equip my persona," Lelouch said. "And besides, a spaceship of rebels just hiding outside of Ashford presents another physical piece of evidence as well for someone to put the pieces together."
"Does that include me as well?" C.C. asked, before handing one of the pizzas for Luke to take. "I told Chewbacca I would order the one with extra pepperoni."
"Heh, I'm sure he'll be happy," Luke said with a small smirk. "Say… how come you get a whole pizza to yourself?"
The door slid open, and Lelouch, Luke, and C.C paused when it revealed Nunnally. Thankfully, because of her blindness, she couldn't see Luke or C.C.
"All right, Lelouch. The tea is ready when you are." Nunnally said, before she started to sniff something in the air. "That smell. Hey, did you order pizza again?"
"I'm racking up reward points," Lelouch said, as C.C. and Luke stayed quiet by saying nothing. "I'll be right down okay."
"Lelouch, maybe you should cut down on the pizza." Nunnally playfully warned. "You don't want a blubbery belly."
"Just don't touch or rub it, okay?" Lelouch warned as he left the room.
"Ooh, scary!" Nunnally said, and both she and Lelouch laughed as they left the room. Even Luke couldn't help but smile.
"Well, that was close…" Luke said. "So… that's Lelouch's sister… Nunnally."
"Yes, it is." C.C. said. "Surprised."
"No… But…" Luke's face turned to one of sympathy. "I still can't believe… someone… as young as her to be…"
"It tells you how fragile life is…" C.C. said, as she went to open her pizza. "What do you mean by that?" Luke questioned.
What both of them didn't notice was that the cat got in the case, and fell over.
"Huh?" Both Luke and C.C. said.
Luke went over to the case and his eyes widened at the sudden event. "Huh?!" "What is it?" C.C. asked.
"The mask… it's gone!" Said a panicked Luke.
Lelouch sighed. "Yeah, Rai told me he saw some of that going on."
"They're just being cruel to Suzaku." Nunnally said as she held her tea. It was no secret that several of the students were openly displaying racism towards the so-called 'Eleven'.
"No it's just…These things take time, people will come around." Lelouch tried to assure his sister.
"Isn't there anything you can do, though?" Nunnally asked. "I mean he is your friend."
Lelouch didn't really have an answer for that. There were just a lot of complicated feelings about Suzaku right now. However, Lelouch's thoughts were interrupted when he saw the stray cat enter the room and meow, which just so happened to have his Zero mask on its head. This caused Lelouch to stand up and practically scream in shock, causing Nunnally to look in surprise.
The cat hissed as Lelouch tried to chase after it. "Hey! Give that back!"
"Uh… Lelouch?" Nunnally tilted her head.
"A cat! A stupid little cat!" Lelouch cried out as he got out of the window and onto the ground outside, as the cat was still fleeing with his mask. "You gotta be kidding me! No way I'm going to be exposed by a lousy feline! Anything but that!"
Luke heard a cry from outside, he went to the window and his eyes widened as he saw the cat wearing the mask, and Lelouch giving chase after it.
"Are you kidding me?!" Luke cried out in disbelief, as he put his hands to his head.
C.C. looked in confusion and saw what was happening outside. "That wasn't my fault was it? I didn't touch it once."
"Oh, no! This isn't good!" Luke pulled out his com. "I need to call the others about this!" He then ran to get his friends and tell them about this.
Thanks to help from Sayoko, Nunnally had called Rai, Rivalz, Milly, and Nina to see if they could help.
"A cat?" Rai asked in surprise.
"Yeah, that's right." Nunnally confirmed. "I think a cat ran off with something pretty important to him."
"Important?" Milly questioned.
"I'm not sure what exactly, but I'm positive it was something of value to him." Nunnally said. "Because, I've never heard my brother sound like that. He was completely hysterical!"
"That's weird, what could be so important to the guy?" Rivalz wondered.
"Maybe a special key only he knows about?"
Rai suggested. "A love letter?" Nina wondered. "An embarrassing photo?" Milly guessed.
"Poetry he wrote?" Rivalz guessed as well. "Poetry?" Nunnally questioned, her brother wasn't a poet so it probably wasn't that.
"Well whatever it is, we're gonna help him find it, right?" Rai asked as he saw Milly and Rivalz sharing mischievous smirks.
"Leave it to us!" Milly assured him. "We'll get our hands on this thing before Lelouch has a chance to blink! Just you wait!"
She gave Nunnally a thumbs up, despite the younger girl not being able to see it.
Rai didn't know why, but he did not like the look in Milly's eyes; it almost spelt trouble.
Luke had gathered up Han, Leia, Chewie, Artoo, Tdee, Lop and Asami as Leia had a deadpan look on her face
"You can't be serious…"
"You are kidding right Luke?" Han said also not amused Artoo and Tdee beep in agreement
"I am not joking, it was small and it looked like a Loth-cat only with a different colour…" Luke told them
Asami giggled and said with a smile. "I think what you saw was a cat Luke…"
"Huh?" Those who weren't born on Earth or been on it for a while had a confused look on their faces as Asami explained.
"On Earth they have creatures like Loth-cats but only they are more commonly known as cats just like how there are rabbits like my padawan Lop." While pointing back to her student.
Han then said. "Look this isn't the right time for a lesson! If somebody in that school finds that cat and the Zero mask… then Lelouch is done for!" Luke then said worriedly. "Yeah and they could trace it back to us!"
"Then let's go!" Asami said as Leia and Han nodded in agreement with the Jedi master as Lop said right as the three were leaving.
"Wait, what about us?!" As she points to Luke and herself Asami then said. "No you and Luke have to stay put!"
Han then said. "And unlike Zero, Luke's already showed his face to the whole planet! Will be even worse than seeing a cat wearing the mask of another fugitive!"
"But-" Luke said but was cut off right as Asami took off her cape and said. "Stay put both of you, that's an order and besides the school would think Leia, Han and myself are teachers!"
Asami then left with her group with Tdee following from behind, Cc then offers some pizza to Lop as the Lepid girl takes a bite from the pizza and grumbles to C.C. "And how are you so calm about this?"
Cc then said to them "I just guess that patience isn't your strongest attribute…" Luke didn't like being on the sidelines until he had an idea as he looked at Artoo and Tdee.
"Tdee, Artoo." He kneeled and then pulled out a com. "I'm going to need your help for this."
"Oh crap crap crap!" Lelouch mutters as he kept searching for that cat.
"Maybe if I called for Han, Leia, and the others we could encircle the enemy. Wait no. No way! If they hear about this… Han may very well wring my neck for this!"
He chased the cat into the halls, where two female students caught sight of it.
"What's up with that cat?" One of them said, "Is that the mask that Zero guy wears? Or am I crazy?" The other student said. "No way, why would it be here?"
It was convenient as the two students were standing near two wanted posters of Zero and Luke Skywalker. Both of them wanted dead or alive.
Lelouch went up to them and faced them. "You two saw it didn't you? Forget everything you've just seen!"
"Sure, no problem at all." They both said obediently.
Lelouch continued dashing through the halls for the cat, when he heard Milly's voice throughout the school.
"This is Milly Ashford, your student council president speaking! Cat hunt everybody!"
Everyone in the school such as Suzaku who was studying, Asami in one hallway of the school and Han and Leia were doing their to avoid being seen by the students
Milly was in the announcement room along with Nina, Rai, and Nunnally as she spoke through the intercom.
"There's a cat that's on the loose and it needs to be rounded up! Put everything on hold people! Participating clubs will get budget priority!"
"Is all this really necessary?" Rai thought to himself as he looked in a mixture of surprise and nervousness.
Shirley prepared to take a dive off the top diving board.
"And whoever manages to catch our feline friend will get an extra special prize! A big old kiss from one of the members of the council!"
"Wait… WHAT?!" Rai practically shouted over the intercom in near horror.
That announcement caused Shirley to lose her balance as she screamed and comically fell off the diving board to belly flop into the pool. While Milly unleashed a maniacal laugh
"I'm sorry, what?!" Luke said, with his jaw open.
"A kiss?" Leia said, baffled. Han could only look baffled at the statement. "From the…" while Asami's jaw dropped to hear that.
Members of the…" Kallen said, before she realized with horror. "WAIT LIKE ME?!"
"EXACTLY!" Coming out of the bushes in front of her, were members of the film and science club. Kallen baulked back at their sudden appearance. Why the hell were they hiding in the bushes?!
"You've been hanging around the student council, haven't you?"
"I wouldn't mind the taste of those lips!" "It's not gonna be like some lame peck on the cheek, is it?" "A kiss on the cheek would be fine enough for me!" "Wait, we can choose where she lands it?!"
Kallen froze with her face turning red.
"ALL RIGHT!" Both clubs yelled in joy and anticipation, and they all went like a pack of wild bulls, ready to do whatever it took to find that cat… and then one of them would be the luckiest man to get a taste of the lovely Miss Stadtfeld…
Kallen could freeze in horror. All this time she had kept a sickly façade to stave off any attention on her. But to realise after all this time, dozens of students had been stalking her, and now all of them were ready to find a feline which would grant them the one thing she never thought she would give off so easily.
"THERE IS NO WAY THAT'S HOW I'M GETTING MY FIRST KISS!" She ran off to find that cat before anyone else did.
"What about a member of the council? Does that include Lelouch?" A female student asked as she and several other girls squealed in delight.
"Actually, I prefer Milly." One girl said shyly, much to the other girls' surprise.
"Could you get back in the closet please!" A horribly insensitive girl stated.
"Hut! Hut! Hut!" The Football team was already on the run for the cat.
"We have the advantage in mobility!" The Equestrian Club was on horseback.
"Hurry look for catnip!"
"Science will prevail!" The Science Club tried to dig into the ground.
"And when you catch that cat, bring whatever it's carrying to me! To me! To me!" Milly exclaimed joyously with a laugh before coughing furiously over the intercom.
"Dang it Milly this is the last thing I need at the moment!" Lelouch said with a sweat drop
Kallen ran through the halls as well. "Offering people up as prizes, that's why I hate Britannians!" She stopped however as she passed by a few other students in order to maintain her sickly façade, but resumed running once they were gone.
"Damn it! Why do I have to pretend that I'm sick and feeble!?"
Kallen however bumped into someone around the corner. "Geeze, I'm sorry about that…" She however looked in surprise to see who she bumped into.
"Shirley, why are you dressed like that?!" Kallen questioned on account Shirley was still in her bathing suit.
"I didn't have time to change, they're gonna make us kiss somebody!" Shirley stated as she looked like she was about to have a panic attack. "We gotta hurry!"
"I'm with you."
"Rai, where are you going?" Nunnally asked, as Rai was about to run out of the room.
"To find that cat obviously!" Rai exclaimed. "I don't know if I was kissed or not before my amnesia , and I don't want my first kiss to be with some random stranger!" He ran out of the room as Milly drank a glass of water to clear her throat.
"Nunnally, is there anything about this cat that's special?" Nina asked as Nunnally began to think. Milly brought the intercom towards her mouth so that everyone else could hear her description.
"I think that its leg must be hurt, because its footsteps sounded off to me. And uh… Oh, I almost forgot, it meowed like this…"
"MEOW!"
Nunnally's MEOW was heard throughout all of campus, and the majority of students responded back to the MEOW with enthusiasm and praise.
It can even be heard at the edge of the forest, where a certain wookie and gold-plated cyborg heard it as they were working on their starship.
Chewie made a roar to respond to the meow.
"Goodness me! Calm down, Chewbacca!" Threepio exclaimed. "You don't want anyone to hear you! And I doubt that was a fellow Wookie crying out on Earth! Oh, my!"
Let's go!" Milly said as hopped into Rivalz' sidecar, as both she and him wore helmets.
"Hey, what happens if a member of the student council catches the cat?" Rivalz asked. "Don't we get a prize, too?"
"Do we get a kiss? But of course!"
"That so?" Rivalz said as he glanced at Milly's lips. Her perfect, smooth, soft lips… "Well, what are we waiting around for then?! Today's my day to shine!" He revved up the motorcycle, and he and Milly dozed off with a trail of smoke behind them.
"Mr. Cardemonde!" Mr. Keshner exclaimed from the window. "NO SPEEDING ON CAMPUS!"
"Dank farrik!" Asami cursed knowing this now got a bit harder she then growled and said. "You two go left I'll go right!"
She then ran as she used force speed to run as Han sighed and said
"Geez some buds Lelouch has!" At that moment a lightbulb above his head light up while having a cheeky grin
"Say…Suppose if I caught the cat…" "What are you getting at, Han?"
Han almost smirked at her as they both locked eyes. "Well, that girl did say anyone who gets the cat gets a kiss…"
"Are you serious?!" Leia hissed. "You wanna kiss that girl?"
"Who said I wanted to kiss her?" Han asked. "Are you jealous?" "You sound a bit crazy." The former princess countered as a blush was on her face
"Am I?" Han asked, almost looking serious. "So, what if I do catch it, does that mean I am entitled to a nice, good kiss?"
"Not if I catch it first!" "Oh, and who do you have in mind, huh?" Han narrowed his eyes. "Lelouch?"
Leia was taken aback at that. "What… you are delusional you know that laser brain!" Han on the other hand held his finger up. "Don't worry, I'll find that cat and I'll give Lelouch a kiss." He formed his hand into a fist. "A kiss from my fist when I see his smug little face again!"
Leia rolls her eyes as they kept looking for that cat.
"There it is!" Shirley, having been given Kallen's outer coat for decency, exclaimed when both she and Kallen spotted the cat hiding under a stool. Because of the shadows, they were not able to see the mask over its head.
"Okay, we do this right, our lips will be safe!" Kallen said, getting a position. "Shirley, you cover the rear."
"Wait a sec!" Shirley said. "What is it?" Kallen stopped.
"Who would you… want to get a kiss from?" Shirley asked, which surprised Kallen. "Is there anyone in particular? You know like… it wouldn't be Lulu would it?"
"What?!" Kallen widened her eyes. "What made you think that?!"
"Oh, well, I just…" Shirley nervously said, feeling a bit flushed. "I thought…" They didn't notice the cat making its escape from them.
Artoo continued hovering and rolling on rooftops TD floating above the Astromech droid's head until they were met face to face with the cat wearing the Zero's mask. The cat stopped, almost baffled by Artoo's appearance. The cat then looked at TD-4 as it reminded the cat of a bird.
Artoo made a beeping noise that disturbed the cat. The cat responded with a hiss at the two droids, before he ran away.
TD beeps as it follows the cat while Artoo beeped and contacted Luke and Lop.
"Artoo? Did you and TD find the cat?" Artoo beeped saying they did.
"Oh, that's great, Artoo! Great!" Luke exclaimed with joy. "Where is it now?" Artoo beeps as Lop saying
"Tdee's giving chase, that's good, be sure to tell him to stay hidden in case any student!" Artoo beeps until he noticed something.
The cat was running along the roof toward the clock tower, Suzaku happened to spot it, but didn't get a good look at what it had on its head.
"Hey that's…" He ran towards the bottom of the clocktower where he ran into both Rai and Lelouch.
Artoo beeped erratically as if in a panic when he saw Suzaku going after the cat.
"Artoo, what is it?" Artoo beeped as Luke and Lop gasp in their end.
"Suzaku?! He's going after the cat?! Oh, no! Artoo, you and Tdee have to get to that cat first, hurry!"
Artoo beeped, before the astromech equipped his rocket thrusters and ascended in the air towards the roof of the clocktower, being sure to follow Tdee.
Suzaku?!" Lelouch and Rai both questioned in shock.
"Lelouch?! Rai!? You guys are looking for the cat too?!" Suzaku asked.
"Well it's kinda my fault." Rai rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Nunnally told me the cat had something of yours, Lelouch, I told Milly…"
Lelouch looked at Rai in surprise. "And I thought she'd try to help, but I had no idea she'd bring the whole freaking school in on it!"
Ordinarily Lelouch would have been angry, but there were other things to be worried about right now. "You clearly don't know Ashford's resident She-Devil."
"She-Devil?!" Suzaku questioned in surprise when the trio heard a loud meow from the cat echoing at the top of the clock tower. "Up there!"
"Suzaku! Rai! Wait!" Lelouch tried to chase after them as fast as he could, though he was in far less shape than they were, with Suzaku at the lead and Rain in the middle as they ran up the stairs. "Don't go up there!"
"But the Student Council president said to catch it!" Suzaku exclaimed as they continued to climb the stairs.
"Well it's my fault, so I should catch it!" Rai tried to argue. "Plus I don't wanna be kissed by some random stranger!"
"Then I'll catch the cat!" Lelouch argued back as he fell a bit behind. "Don't worry about it!"
"I was always more agile than you!" Suzaku told him. "Remember when that little bird got loose!"
"A bird!?" Rai questioned.
"Quit talking about ancient history!" Lelouch exclaimed.
"It was only seven years ago!" Suzaku started as he got a major lead, with Rai falling behind to help Lelouch.
"You okay, Lelouch?" Rai tried to help him up. He tried to catch his breath. "He always was an exercise nut."
Lop then said from Luke and her hiding spot. "Well no point sticking around!" Luke nodded. "Right!"
Hiding in the bushes near the clock tower, Asami, Han and Leia hid while spotting the cat on the rooftop with binoculars.
"There it is!" Leia whispered.
"Well, looks like we can't without introducing ourselves to the welcome committee gathering," Han hissed, seeing the dozens of students gathering at the front of the clocktower.
"I'm with you there, Captain Solo!" Asami said and among them were Nunnally and the student council.
"So, someone's got it cornered, huh?" Milly smirked with anticipation. "So, who's the lucky winner?"
"Up there!" Shirley pointed to the top of the roof where Suzaku was climbing closer to the cat. "Suzaku?"
"Easy now, you don't have to be scared." Suzaku tried to ease the cat as Rai climbed out the window after him.
"You got it?" Rai asked.
Lop & Luke had made it to the back of the clocktower, where no one can see him, but he can at least see Artoo on the roof. He pulled out his com. "Okay, you too, it's life and death."
Artoo and Tdee chirped in agreement with Luke as they nodded to each other as Artoo slowly made his way to the cat making sure not to startle it
Suzaku! Rai! Come back!" Lelouch called to them as he stuck out the window.
"It's alright, leave this to me!" Suzaku insisted with Rai being close behind him.
"Oh that's not good!" Asami said with a worried look on her face while Han and Leia had scared looks written on their faces
Lelouch scowled. "He never went with the crowd like this. Ugh it's no wonder why the military is having him pilot the Lancelot!" He had to think of something and fast. Until he had an idea it was risky but not like he had a choice did he?
All the students on the ground looked in shock and terror at this sight, Asami panicked saying
"Is he nuts?!"
Suzaku looked back and gasped. "Lelouch!"
"Crap!" Rai exclaimed as he and Suzaku both slid down the roof to try and grab him. Lelouch was about to completely slide off the roof, fortunately Rai caught his left hand and used his feet to steady himself on the gutter while Suzaku caught Lelouch's right arm and caught the window with his other hand.
"Lelouch, are you okay?!" Suzaku asked him.
"Yeah thanks…" Lelouch said, before noticing Artoo in front of the cat. The astromech then popped out a wire with a flat magnet which stuck onto the mask. The droid pulled back, and the cat tried pulling back. With enough force, Artoo was successfully pulled off the Zero mask from the cat's head. As Artoo grabbed the mask with a small claw
'Clever droid!' Lelouch thought the moment he saw Artoo do that as he held the mask that cat discarded Tdee chirped saying he was there as well before leaving the scene with Artoo.
Suzaku and Rai pulled Lelouch back up and to safety. "You okay?" Rai asked him.
"Yeah, thanks." Lelouch nodded. "Pretty calm for someone on the verge of death." Suzaku tried to joke to lighten the mood.
"Yeah right, I was just limp with fear." Lelouch replied to them
Asami, Han and Leia to see Artoo and Tdee fly down with the Zero mask on the other side of the clock tower. "Tdee and Artoo?!"
Luke then takes the helmet saying to the droid partners "Nice work you two!"
"Luke Lop?!" Han and Asami shouted in shock as Lop sheepishly waves and smiles at them.
It was lucky that Milly couldn't hear them, but she could tell there was some interaction between the three of them.
"Hey, what's going on?" Nunnally asked.
"Rai and that new transfer student just saved Lelouch from a really close call." Milly answered, causing Nunnally to look in surprise before smiling.
However, Shirley smiled before running up to them. "You saved him! Thank you so much Suzaku! You to Rai!"
"Yeah, way to go there guys!" Rivalz gave them both a friendly smile and a thumbs up. "That cat was carrying something, wasn't it?" Milly asked excitedly.
"Yeah it was Lelouch's cupboard keys." Suzaku answered. "His cupboard keys?!" Milly, Shirley, and Rivalz all exclaimed at the same time.
"That's exactly what we said." Rai said with a nervous laugh.
"You're kidding me!" Milly exclaimed. "I started this whole cat-hunt only to find out Lelouch just lost his keys?!" "What the heck did you think it was? My baby pictures or something?" Lelouch questioned irritably as he walked outside to join everyone.
Milly comically pouted. "Awe! After all this time I thought I finally had some dirt on you!"
"Yeah, he almost lost his cool for once." Shirley said in a disapproving tone towards Milly. Rai and Suzaku shared humorous smiles as they glanced toward Lelouch.
"So uh, do you two know each other then?" Kallen asked in regards to Lelouch and Suzaku, causing them and Rai to look in surprise.
"But… he's an Eleven…" Nina said nervously, causing Nunnally to look in worry.
"So what?! What the hell does that matter!?" Rai exclaimed, surprising everyone standing before him.
"So what if he's from Japan?! That doesn't mean he's any less human! He eats, talks, bleeds, and breathes the way all we do! I don't care where he's from; he just saved Lelouch's life, the life of one of my friends! As far I'm concerned, he's my friend too!"
Rai stated as he put a firm hand on Suzaku's shoulder. Though pretty much everyone was surprised with what Rai said. Though Suzaku was grateful for his support, it made him a bit nervous about the slander he could receive for standing for an Eleven, but that didn't deter the white-haired boy, nor the raven-haired former prince.
"Well said Rai." Lelouch nodded, surprising Suzaku. "He's my friend too." He looked towards Milly. "Madam President, would you permit both him and Rai as members of the Student Council?" This request surprised everyone even further.
"The rules are clear: all students are required to join a club, although…"
Though it would be nice for Lelouch to have them close as he did consider both of them his friends, it would also give him a better opportunity to keep an eye on them and see if Rai can remember anything about his past, to see if he's connected to C.C., and maybe see about Suzaku in regards to him being the pilot of the Lancelot. But since Milly was the president, she had final say.
Everyone else looked to Milly as she came to a decision. "Well, you are the Vice President, so I suppose I can't refuse."
Her choice caused Rivalz, Shirley, and even Kallen to smile. She was one of the few people who knew Lelouch and Nunnally true identities, that being said she also knew of the time when they were under the Kururugi household before Japan was invaded so she could tell they had a history with Suzaku, plus she'd like to keep an eye on Rai to help him remember anything on his past.
"Alright then! Let's celebrate the catching of the cat!" Rivalz exclaimed. "Everything's on the new guys naturally!"
"Oh back off!" Shirley scolded him before smiling at Suzaku. "Hi there, I'm Shirley. Pleasure to meet you."
"Oh right, I'm Rivalz."
"Milly Ashford, student council president."
Though he was surprised, Suzaku couldn't help but smile as other students began to smile and introduce himself or herself to him. "Thank you, the pleasure's all mine."
As all the other students began to interact with Suzaku, the only one who didn't seem thrilled about this was Nina as her eyes shook nervously.
"You and Skywalker were informed to stay put Padawan!" Asami scolding Lop as the lepti girl then said with a sad look
"Really sorry master about that master but we couldn't just sit on the sidelines!"
Luke then said "But there's some good news to all this Artoo managed to recover this." Luke shows the mask in his hands
"The mask," Leia said, before turning to Artoo. "You're sure nobody saw you or Tdee?" Artoo beeped a negative to the princess.
"At least that's comforting!" Asami as relief appeared on her face Han then had a smirk as he took the mask
The smuggler went to put the Zero mask on his head. "Han, what are you doing?" Luke asked.
"Whoa hey look at me…" Han said in an impression mimicking Zero's voice, and even doing a pose, imagining he was flicking a cape. "I-am-Zero. Beware allies of the Empire…"
Luke, Asami and Leia had deadpan looks on their faces while Lop was struggling not laugh thinking it was funny.
Luke then said taking the mask off Han. "No you're doing all wrong Han let me show you how it's done right!"
Luke said, before he took the mask off of Han, before he put it on himself. "It goes something!" Luke's eyes widened under the helmet. "H-hey… hey it fits nicely. It's even better than a stormtrooper's helmet…"
"Will you boys quit it already!" Asami comically hissed at them. Leia rolls her eyes as she looks at the two droids.
"You two did a marvellous job and you get a reward for it!" Artoo beeped confused.
Leia smiled as she kneeled and placed a kiss on the astromech's head, much to the shock of Han and Luke, and Artoo beeped very confused. Tdee beeped as if saying 'me next!' Leia smiled as she too kissed the small droids head.
There." Leia smiled. "Since you caught the cat first and since this Milly did said in order to get a kiss someone needed to bring the thing the cat was carrying to her and you both brought it back safely to us."
That statement caused Artoo's confusion to turn to one of heartfelt gratitude, and the droid's head spun around. If droids could blush, then Artoo was now. Tdee also cheered as well
"Oh, that's nice, real nice…" Han said with crossed arms. "Real subtle there, Your Highness."
Luke playfully rolled his eyes at Han, and he could tell the smuggler was a bit jealous.
Lop smiled so happily for her robotic friend, "I'm very proud of my droid!"
Royal Regime HQ
"Master Argos, we have arrived at the destination and are awaiting for Durge as we speak!" Shin said though a hologram
Argos nodded and said "Good the sooner you get those Japan Liberation Front peons under your control due to your incredible skills of magick we will start Operation Miracle worker!"
"Understood my lord!" Shin turned off the hologram as he signed off as Julius then said.
"Glad to know we have someone dealing with the JPF problem but there's still the problem with Skywalker and Zero's little rebellion group!"
Argos chuckled and said. "Don't you worry Julius I have that covered because we're bringing in someone who knows their way into enemy lines!"
Julius gasps and says. "Are you talking about who I think you're talking about?" As he smiled like a kid showing a favourite treat or maybe a friend happy to see someone they haven't seen in some time.
"I sure am after all Julius, there's no one's better at stealth in the Royal Regime then…"
Somewhere in the shadows a strange silhouette was moving between pillars to pillars in the base as their golden eyes began to glow.
"PROXY!"