The Man of Miracles: Zero

Ashford Academy Boy's Dorms, Ashford Academy – Area 11, 11 August 2017 a.t.b.

As the evening sky crept over the academy, one dorm door opened ajar. Shu poked his head in, eyes surveying the room before quickly ushering Inori in carrying the robot. "Quick, get in. It looks like Yahiro isn't here today."

He doesn't want to deal with his questions about why they were hosting a potential fugitive at their dorms. Luckily, it looks like he's off to his part-time job. What does he do that has him working to the night? Shu doesn't know, but he's grateful for the absence.

"Ok," Shu said, clapping his hands. "Make yourself at home. I'll get you the first aid kit."

Inori blinked at him while she sat on his bed. Despite the danger the Student Self-Defense poses if they find her here in the academy, as well as the slight embarrassment of having such a beautiful in his dorm room for the first time, he still thought it best to guide her here.

The academy was the closest place for him to run and hide and was very large, while Haruka's apartment was a little further away and in a very public area. Hard to sneak in someone like Inori without drawing attention.

Inside his dorm, he had two beds and a small desk that held his computer monitor. The walls were barren, which he was grateful for. No need to embarrass himself by posting what he liked for Inori to see.

Not that he could if he wanted, given the lack of a shop selling Japanese items within the Settlement.

"Ok, got it. Here you go." He grabs the kit by his desk and holds it out to her.

A silence falls upon the two, as Inori looks at the first-aid kit in his hand. He blinks, wondering the cause of her hesitation.

"Can..." Finally, she mutters, glancing away. "Can you help me?" She asked, hands shakily lowering her garments, exposing herself. It was then that he remembered the state of her condition.

"Oh! Oh, sure. Um..." Shu moves closer, sitting behind her with his cheeks red. "Hope you don't mind."

He patches her up silently, trying not to let his eyes wander lower.

He would like to think he mostly succeeded in that.

When he finishes up, he and Inori sit in silence, with him facing the wall while she places her dress back on. In a corner, the little robot sat looking at him. He got the distinct impression that it was glaring at him.

Who built and programmed that thing?

Turning to the girl, Shu opens his mouth and hesitates before speaking. "S-so... if you don't mind me asking, why... were you there?" He asked, seeing as she glanced over her shoulder. "At the abandoned university? And why was Anti-Bodies after you?"

No matter how much he thinks about it, he can't understand why Sephirah would be after an underground vocalist. They're a pharmaceutical conglomerate, so maybe she stole something. Why Anti-Bodies though, why not the Britannian police? Sure, she may be an unknown criminal, but wouldn't that then be the police's job?

Inori was silent, looking ahead.

"You... don't need to answer if you don't want to!" He quickly added, waving his hands.

She remains silent.

Shu cringes a little, looking away. "Um... you're welcome to stay here until you recover. Afterwards, we can figure something out-"

"Why?"

"Huh?" Shu turned to the pink-haired girl looking down at her hands on her lap, clenched together. "Why... what?"

"Why... why are you helping me?"

"B-because you need help. You were blee-"

"But why?" She glances at him. "You don't know me. You don't know Fyu-Neru." She glances at the robot. So that was its name. "I don't know you. I've never seen you before in my life. It would have been safer for you if you didn't get involved in this. So, why?"

The boy was silent, staring into her red eyes with her long pink hair framing her slender face.

"Will you marry me, Shu?"

Shu flinches a bit, holding his head.

S-she isn't her.

He stares silently at her, then to the ground, pondering how to answer.

Why did I help her?

"Oh, blooming wildflower..."

He thinks back to their first meeting. Her beautiful singing voice. Her pink hair which gave an almost otherworldly beauty. Her eye-catching red eyes watching him with suspicion and fear. The way her eyes lit up as she ate the bento. The small, cute pout she made when he laughed.

"I... maybe you're right. I don't know you or what you did. But what I know is this." His maroon eyes lock with her red eyes. "I found you sitting in the middle of that university, singing that lovely song with such a beautiful voice, all while injured and bleeding. At the time, all I could think of was..."

He smiled.

"What can I do to help this person who so desperately needs help?"

Silence fills the room before Inori looks away. Shu turns away as well, cheeks colored with a dash of red, coughing to clear his throat and to get rid of the awkward air.

"I have something important to them. Something dangerous. Something that could spell trouble for everyone if in the wrong hands. That's why I have to deliver it to Gai."

His head quickly turns to the girl, who spoke. "Gai?"

"Our leader." She holds her hands to her chest. "Only he can use its power, and bring us to freedom. I have to get to him."

Huh, what is she holding that's so important? He asks her this.

Inori shakes her head. "Gai ordered me never to reveal this to anyone. Not even our allies."

"Wait, so not everyone knows what they're stealing? Is that what you're saying?"

Inori nods.

"Why though? Is that dangerous?"

"I trust Gai. We all do."

Sounds like they're all fanatic about him. I wonder what type of guy he is.

The pink-haired girl turns to Shu. "Thank you for your help, but I need to leave and find Gai soon." She said, grunting as she tried to stand up.

"W-wait!" Shu rushed to the girl's side. "You can barely move now."

"Anti-Bodies might find me. Might even have you killed." She grunts, trying to place her feet underneath her. "So, I need to leave. Now."

"You won't make it far in your state. Besides, do you even know where to find him?"

"We have a rendezvous point if things go wrong." She said, taking a step before crumbling, heading to the fall. Luckily, Shu catches her before she hits the ground.

"Seriously, you can't do much in your state. So, please, let me help you."

The girl remains silent, a frown on her face. Shu wraps his arms under her and picks her up, bridal-style.

As he lays her back on his bed, she speaks "I... why are you so..." She stumbles, trying to find her words.

"I already said it before. You looked like someone who needed help." Shu looks away, rubbing the back of his head. "I couldn't leave you there alone. Doing nothing. Not again." He mutters to himself, looking down.

The girl heard him and gave him a questioning gaze.

Shu sees this and chuckles, albeit a rather weak one at that. "Ah, it's nothing. Inori-san." He shakes his head. "Anyway, like I was saying, I want to help you, so I'm going to help you."

Inori stares silently at him. "You could die." She mutters again.

"Probably." Shu lets out another small chuckle. "But if it's to help such a beautiful girl like you, I won't regret it." He said with a smile, with red all over his cheeks.

The pink-haired girl stares at him, head slightly tilted to the side.

Shu chuckles awkwardly as she continues to stare. Though, inside Shu's mind, thoughts raced by. Whatever he was stepping into, it was probably way beyond him. Just as Inori said, he could very well die. It would have been safer for him to stay out of it.

But that would mean abandoning her to who knows what. That wouldn't just be wrong, it would have meant a return to his old self. His old, weak self.

As the chuckles faded out, his lips formed a small frown.

He can't afford that.

Not again.

A growl fills the room. Shu turns to the source, the pink-haired girl with dashes of red on her cheeks finding the bland walls very interesting, with her stomach growling again.

Shu smiles. "How about I get us some snacks?"

~-~

Interrogation Room, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

In a dimmed room, Jeremiah sat with a frown, contempt in his eyes. In front of him, across a table, was a bruised Suzaku sitting on a chair, wearing the white jumpsuit they had given him. A thick, black band restrained his arms to his sides. Around them were Jeremiah's men, watching over them, dressed in their service dress uniforms with a red armband and a red-winged lapel badge attached to them, the same badge that was attached to his collar.

"Do you recognize this gun, Suzaku Kururugi?" In front of Suzaku was a Britannian handgun sealed inside a plastic holder. "This was the murder weapon that was used to rob Prince Clovis of his life. The barrel striation leaves no doubt."

The boy remained silent, however, looking down at the gun.

"We've also taken the liberty of looking into your history," Jeremiah said, pulling out a folder and reading the papers within. "You're the son of the last Prime Minister of Japan, are you not?" He narrows his eyes at the silent boy. "You would certainly have plenty of motivation."

"You're making a mistake." Suzaku said, finally looking up and speaking. "I've never even laid eyes on this weapon before."

Suddenly, one soldier kicked his chair underneath him, causing him to crash onto the fall. As he was grunting, Jeremiah looked down, unfazed by the act. "Your fingerprints found all over the weapon say otherwise. You're also suspected of killing members of the Royal Guard. Come clean now and you'll be judged as if you were born a Britannian, not some worthless Eleven."

However, Suzaku looks up at him, defiance in his eyes. "You're wrong! I've done nothing-" Another kick, this time to his face, launching it back.

Oh well. Jeremiah muses. It didn't matter if he confessed or not. It was all a formality.

After all, they were civilized people. Not savages.

-~-

Student Council Clubhouse, Ashford Academy – Area 11

The Lamperouge siblings were in Nunnally's room as the evening rolled over. As Lelouch helped his sister by carrying her from her wheelchair to her bed, Nunnally asked him a question.

"Suzaku... that was his name I heard on the news, wasn't it?"

"Yep. Looks like he's still alive, huh?"

"Yeah, it's been ages since we've seen him at the end of the war." She said, being tucked into her bed. For a moment, she was silent before speaking. "Lelouch..."

"Hmm?"

"It isn't true what the news said, right?" She asked, her voice growing somber.

He kneels next to the bed, taking her hand in his. "Of course not. Suzaku would never do that. I bet they just made a mistake." He said while caressing her hand.

"Yeah." She whispers, smiling softly while tightening her grip on his hands. "Must be."

As his sister falls asleep, Lelouch gives a small kiss to her hand. "Goodnight Nunnally."

While kneeling next to her bed, Lelouch's mind races.

Suzaku's alive!? And being persecuted in his place!?

He's relieved that his best friend is alive, yet him being trialed for the murder he committed complicates his relief. He grits his teeth. They're using him as a scapegoat.

And he can make an educated guess as to why. Jeremiah Gottwald is the head of the Purebloods Faction within Area 11. The Purists are a political faction with powerful ties in the military, advocating for racial purity within Britannian society. Given that, they dislike the Honorary Citizenship system, deeming that only Pureblooded Britannians should be the only ones allowed in prominent powerful positions, such as being in the military.

They're not the largest group in Britannian society, however, so they just can't abolish the Honorary Citizenship on their own. Given the predicament Suzaku has found himself in however, they may use this chance to abolish the Honorary Citizenship. If not everywhere, then certainly within the Area 11 colonial military.

The former prince narrowed his eyes. No, he won't allow his best friend to be used like this, not after he risked his life to save him. He and Nunnally just found that he was alive and well, and he intends to keep it that way.

The beginnings of a plan form in his head, one that he knows he needs help to execute.

Lucky for him, he knows just the perfect group of terrorists.

-~-

Garfield's Residence, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Maya sighed, closing her door and walking to her bed. As she sits down, she thinks of her eventful day.

Not only did she knock over a Japanese student, causing a commotion, but the student council had also inducted a new member, only to spill champagne all over her. Then, to add to all that, it's revealed that Prince Clovis has been assassinated.

She takes a glance at her origami crane on her desk, thinking back to the ghetto. Clovis was there. She heard his voice being broadcasted. She knows he had to have a hand in the massacre wrought upon the Shinjuku populace. He had to. What other reason would a Britannian Prince have to be in the Ghetto?

Well, whatever reason he may have had, it died with him. Taken down by Kururugi Suzaku, an Honorary Britannia. Vaguely, she recalls the family name Kururugi sounding familiar. However, that isn't the most important fact about him. What is interesting is him killing the Prince.

Is he the voice?

It's possible. Prince Cloivs wouldn't have ordered that cease-fire without being forced to. So Kururugi could very well be him.

Yet, since he got captured, could he really be him? She may not truly know the voice, but she finds it hard to imagine them getting caught just like that, after orchestrating what happened in Shinjuku.

But if he is the voice, what can she do now?

Vengeful as she is against Britannia, she isn't blind to the facts. She's one girl against a superpower directly controlling about a third of the world. She needs support and after what happened in Shinjuku; she knows that voice could be her help. If Kururugi is the voice, how could she go about saving him?

She groans, caressing her temple. She'll think about what to do later. She changes into her sleepwear and tucks herself into bed, holding onto hope that the voice truly isn't Kururugi Suzaku.

Holding onto hope that there's still a chance against Britannia.

-~-

Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

"I told you we should have made an announcement earlier! We could have taken credit for it!" In the dead of night, Ohgi hears Tamaki's complaints before he slams the door shut on his way out.

Ohgi closes his eyes and sighs. Ever since the news dropped, the group has been restless. Some, like Tamaki, felt they should have said something earlier to cash in the credit of killing a Britannian prince. Others feel that they should try to rescue Kururugi Suzaku, confident since they still have the enormous supplies from those capsules.

And he can't blame them. Before Shinjuku, they were just another resistance group against Britannia. Hell, it was a miracle that they even found that Glasgow in that junkyard, one that was in near working condition of all things.

Now, with the capsules gifted to them by their mysterious benefactor, they had a lot more supplies. Guns, ammunition, equipment; hell, he's sure they still have a Knightmare or two lying around due to those capsules. He can see why everyone's spirits are up.

However, he was hesitant. He felt it was too risky, especially since this meant they were to go up against an army and this time, they would not have the voice by their side. Ohgi holds no illusions. Without him, there's very little they could do against Britannia. Sure, small minor attacks like before might work, but what they did in Shinjuku?

No. Ohgi shakes his head. No, they can't do it.

He can't do it.

"Oh, Naoto," He looks at his desk. On that desk was a small picture frame. On the right, there he stood with a smile, facing the camera, wearing a rolled-up red t-shirt and dark green pants, with a blue towel hanging on his neck. On the left, Kallen stood with a smile as well, wearing a yellow tank top and brown shorts, with two soda cans in hand. In the middle sat Kozuki Naoto, the previous leader of their plucky resistance group. He had the same red hair and blue eyes as Kallen, with a big smile facing the camera. He wore a red jacket over a black shirt and navy pants.

"I'm not cut out for this. I'm no leader."

-~-

Anti-Bodies Mobile Command Base, Shinjuku Ghetto – Area 11

Major Guin stood with his arms crossed behind him, inside his mobile headquarters, watching as around him were monitors where the other enlisted officers worked. While he may appear calm, his hand clenching his arms tightly revealed what lay beneath the surface.

She got away! Again!

The girl had given them the slip! How? That's what they're still trying to figure out. Given the amount of blood they found, she couldn't have gotten far. They've established a search perimeter of the surrounding district, though sadly they can't heavily scout it. The Shinjuku Gas attack only extends inside the ghetto. Too much movement and authorities will start asking uncomfortable questions.

None of this is good news to General Yan, who's displeased by the lack of both the girl and the Genome. And, with Margrave Jeremiah breathing down on the General's neck, he's even less pleased by the lack of progress.

Major Guin growls. If this continues any longer, he might just find his very own neck being served on the platter as well.

"My Lord." Major Guin turns to the massive screen to see a video feed of an intel officer saluting him. The officer wore a white Anti-Bodies uniform long coat with epaulettes, a navy blue armband on his left arm with the Anti-Bodies symbol engraved, dark green cargo pants and a dark green beret. He also wore a pair of glasses.

"Speak, Captain."

"We may have some information regarding the target. We found this in the building." Captain Andrei Rowan said, an image of an empty small box being pulled onto the screen next to him.

"And?"

"My Lord, I believe this is what the Elevens call a bento. Essentially a lunch box."

Major Guin raises a brow. "A lunch box?" That's what he came to say?

The officer, seeing his leader's unamused expression, quickly explained. "My Lord, it's with this, combined with the number of footprint sizes found inside matching that of a young teenager, that we suspect that the target may have had an accomplice who may be a student of a nearby school."

Major Guin looked back at the image, mind racing. A student, huh? Makes sense, but which would that be? An Eleven school? No, those were all shut down and decrepit. That just leaves...

He looks towards the Tokyo Settlement. The only nearby school would be the Ashford Academy, the prestigious Britannian private school. It's impossible though, Elevens couldn't have joined such a school.

A traitor?

Or perhaps, an Honorary Britannian.

Yes, he's beginning to connect some dots now. Still, he needs more information.

Luckily, they have the perfect tool for the job.

"Investigate this further, Captain. And call her in to help."

Rowan nods. "Yes, My Lord."

-~-

School Hall, Ashford Academy – Area 11, 12 August 2017 a.t.b.

Inside the massive school hall that held the entire student body, a man stood on top of a podium. This man was Ruben K. Ashford, grandfather to Milly and the headmaster of the academy. "Truly, this has been a painful experience for all." He said, voice throughout the hall.

"The Viceroy of Area 11, our beloved Prince Clovis, has been taken from us. However, we can and will weather through this tragedy."

In the crowd, Maya looked on with a blank expression. Inwardly, she wonders how these people would react if told what Prince Clovis actually did in Shinjuku.

Not too far from, Kallen also had a similar expression. Inwardly, she was irate. Why did they have to pay respect to a murderer!? Frankly, she was more than fine with him biting the dust. She only regrets she wasn't the one to do it.

In the crowd as well, Lelouch was calm, focused on his plan to save his best friend rather than on whatever emotions he may have remained for his late brother.

-~-

Camelot – Area 11

Within ASEEC's laboratory, Lloyd and Cecile watched as Mariel and the other scientists worked on the Lancelot.

Lloyd lets a deep sigh. "Oh, we've lost the most crucial part of the equation." He said, referring to their missing pilot.

Cecile turned to him, tablet in hand. "Could we get another pilot to fill in?"

"Oh, how I wish." Lloyd shakes his head with a frown. "The other units will never let go of an excellent pilot. Besides, even if we did, who's to say they'll match what he can do?"

He and Cecile turn to the monitors that Mariel is working on. On one screen was the last recorded performance of the Lancelot.

94%

"His operational efficiency clocked out around 94% and you want him replaced!?" Lloyd again shakes his head. Never in his life has he seen such a high synergy between man and machine. It's just as Mariel said before.

It was like the young boy was Lancelot's fated pilot.

"Then why don't you go get him back?" Mariel asked, turning away from the monitors. "You and I both know he couldn't have been the killer. We've been with him at the time!"

"He's an Honorary Britannian. They'll never listen." Lloyd explains.

"But ain't you an Earl? Surely, they must listen to what you have to say."

"With Margave Jeremiah in the helm, there's never little I can do. Especially since, after General Barley's disgrace and with General Yan nowhere to be seen, the Purebloods have the military of Area 11 in an iron grip."

Honestly, what an impressive seizure of power, in his opinion. If only it didn't come with the loss of such a wonderful Devicer.

Mariel looks down, her eyes more gloomy than before. "Why?"

"In the Purebloods' view, one of their own couldn't be the criminal. However, if the criminal was an Eleven, then that would give Margrave Jeremiah the needed political power to push for the end of the practice of giving natives Honorary status."

"Wait, that's it?" Wide hazel eyes shot up to him. "That's why this is happening?"

Lloyd nods. "Well, of course."

"Then," Cecile asked, looking at him. "What will happen to Suzaku?"

"Sadly, with how things are, his fate's sealed." Lloyd shrugs.

The girls fall silent, saddened by the thought.

Mariel slowly turns back to the monitors with a deep frown. "That isn't fair."

Lloyd looks back up at Lancelot. Gazing at its green eyes on the knightly shaped head.

"Life rarely is."

It's a real shame too. Where else would he find such a wonderful Devicer like him?

-~-

Ashford Academy – Area 11

When the principal finished his speech, crowds of students made their way out of the hall.

"Hey, Lelouch!" Behind Lelouch, Rivalz calls out to him, walking past the other students. "Got anything coming up today?" He places his arm around him. "If not, then come on. We've got a free day today, and I know a couple of folks who are itching for a rematch." He grins, excited at the prospect of robbing even more nobles.

Shirley, walking past them and overhearing them, turns to them with a frown. "You're not gambling, you guys!"

Rivalz waves her off. "Ah, come on, Shirley. Don't be a stick in the mud."

"Actually, she's right."

Both Rivalz's and Shirley's eyes widen as they turn to look at Lelouch, who smiles and continues. "Maybe it's time to quit."

"Huh?" While shocked as Rivalz, Shirley feels a smile about to grow. Was her voice actually getting through to Lulu? Will he stop gambling and actually take things seriously?

"I found a better opponent, actually."

Shirley's smile drops while Rivalz's grows. "Is that so? You're cutting me on the action too, right?"

However, Lelouch just chuckles and shakes his head. "Better not. It's not really up your alley." With that, he walks, leaving behind the two confused friends.

-~-

Elsewhere in the academy, a certain group walks out of the hall as well. Hare, walking beside Shu, notices him having a small smile. "Huh, it's rare to see a smile coming from you."

"Huh?" He looks at her. "Oh, I'm just glad to have this free time."

"I don't blame you." Souta said, coming from behind him, arms crossed behind his head. "This week has been hectic, and had I known we be getting an off day, I would have stayed at the dorms, finishing that project for the competition. Speaking of which," Souta turned to Shu. "Hey Shu, did you finish up that video I gave you?"

"Ah, sorry. I couldn't." Shu said, rubbing the back of his head. "Something came up, and I got distracted."

Something tells him what happened yesterday shouldn't get brought up. Otherwise, he could bring them trouble if he did.

He can't allow that.

"Souta, you should really be more conscious of your words." From behind, Yahiro and Kanon walk up to the group. "Who knows how the Britannians will react to what you said." He said, glancing around at the passing Britannians, some who were giving them odd glances and keeping their distance.

"Yeah. The Prince just died, so watch what you say, Souta." Kanon said.

Souta grumbles, muttering in Japanese. "It's not like they can understand me."

"Still, it's better to be on the safe side."

Souta jumps as he hears a voice from behind. Twisting, he sees Maya standing right behind him. "Who knows? You may find the wrong set of ears who can understand you."

"I... um, w-what?" Souta blurts out, surprised by the girl's sudden appearance.

"Just something to keep in mind. And apologies for walking into you two yesterday." She said, nodding at both Hare and Shu before leaving, walking towards the academy gates. The group watches her as she leaves, surprised by the entire interaction.

"Hey...did... did she understand me?" Souta asked, eyes on Maya.

"I... don't think so?" Hare said, even unsure herself.

Kanon sighs, pushing up her glasses. "It doesn't matter if she did or not. Her words have merit. Better watch what you say, Souta." She looks him dead in the eye. "For all our sakes."

Souta grimaces at the spectacled girl before looking away with a frown. "Got it."

With that, the atmosphere around the group soured a bit as they walked away from the academy gates. Hare glanced around, noticing some Britannians were shunning them. Sadly, she understands the consequences of saying or doing the wrong thing around Britannians.

The situation with the Student Self-Defense Force comes to mind.

She frowns. Yeah, I understand that very well.

Though, She looks up, at the direction where Maya walked off, as well as the vice-president of yesterday. I guess not all Britannians are like that.

She sighs before clapping her cheeks and holding her head high, straightening her gait. Let's not dwell on it. It's an off-day.

And she wants to make the most of it.

She glances back at Shu walking back to his dorms and smiles.

Maybe we can spend the day together.

Yeah, she'll surprise him with a visit and spend some time together. It'll just be the two of them. For the whole day.

Hare smiles, her gait gaining a bounce noticed by her spectacled friend, who can confidently guess the cause of it with a small smirk, following her line of sight to Shu.

-~-

Britannian Victory Memorial Center, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

In what used to be the Minato Ward, within the Tokyo Prefecture, stood the remains of one of Japan's greatest landmarks.

Tokyo Tower, a tall red and white observation and communication tower, once stood as the tallest structure in Japan before the war. Afterward, however, the landmark got brown in half, its top half shot off during the war.

The once marvelous landmark is now nothing more than a museum lording Britannia's victory over Japan.

"Britannia's resounding victory over Japan has opened the nation's unenlightened eyes to its place in the world order." The woman over the intercom said overhead as Kallen walked through the museum, with Kallen and plenty of visitors looking over the pictures of the war and the weapons used during it.

"Since then, Britannia and Area 11 have walked hand-in-hand down the road of revival."

Underneath Britannia's heel, that is. Kallen bitterly thought before looking around. "Tokyo Tower at 16:00. Why here?

Yesterday, that voice said to meet him here on the observation deck. Yet, there's a problem with that.

Just who the hell were they?

She had nothing to go off on, except a voice, which really wasn't much. She could go looking around for any Japanese, but most people here were Britannians, the exception being her friends from the resistance.

Naturally, she brought them along. While she's thankful for their leadership during Shinjuku, it still doesn't change the fact this guy was shady as all hell.

No name.

No face.

No motive to speak off.

Just a voice.

As she walked around, Ohgi and two other men shadowed her. One man had brown hair and turquoise eyes. His name was Toru Yoshida. The other, with teal-colored hair and brown eyes, was Kento Sugiyama.

"The one who contacted us was Kururugi Suzaku, wasn't it?" Sugiyama asked in Japanese.

"Hard to say." Ohgi said. While that was the common consensus on the voice's identity, they haven't found definitive proof of that yet.

"But maybe he was arrested after he contacted Kallen." Yoshida said.

"In which case, we're in danger being here."

If it really was Suzaku who called Kallen and he got arrested afterward, then they needed to leave. Who knows, Britannia could have this place under surveillance, uncovering their identities.

"Attention, please. Paging Miss Kallen Stadtfeld, Ashford Academy." Suddenly, the woman over the intercom speaks up. "One of your personal effects has been turned in at the kiosk on the observation desk. I repeat..."

Kallen looks up at the intercom, blue eyes narrowed. What personal effects? She brought nothing with her, except her purse.

Regardless, she went to the kiosk. There, the receptionist holds out her hands. "Hello. I'm assuming this phone is yours, miss?" Picking it up, Kallen sees it's a black phone that she's pretty certain she has never laid eyes upon.

Meaning that it must have come from him. But what's she supposed to do with it?

"Uh, miss..." The woman spoke, her expression growing uncertain. "It is yours, right?"

Shit, she was silent for too long. "Ah yes, t-thank you." She said, smiling before walking away, not willing to draw any more suspicion.

She walks to the windows of the observation deck, giving her a view of the city. She looks down at the phone, wondering what to do next, when suddenly, the phone rings as a call comes in, with a caller's name on the screen.

"Zero?" She reads the name, one brow raised.

A glance to Ohgi, who's nearby and looking through one of the many telescopes that were scattered around the deck. He glances back and gives a subtle nod.

She picks up the call. "Hello?"

"Go to the outer tracks of circuit number five." The familiar voice said, bringing an odd sense of relief to her. So he's not Kururugi Suzaku.

Then who is he?

"Bring your friends."

Her eyes widen. "What!?"

He knew!?

-~-

Jeremiah's Office, Fort Perry – Area 11

Within his office, Jeremiah looked out his window. "You handled His Highness's memorial program very well."

Behind him, at both ends of his desk, stood Villetta and a man with light brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a military dress uniform with the same red armbands as the Purist. This man is Kewell Soresi, Jeremiah's right-hand man within the Purebloods Faction.

Across the desk stood Diethard, a producer and journalist from the press media at Hi-TV Studios.

"Though, if you ask me, it's a bit too weeping for my taste." He said while swinging his chair around to face him.

"Yes, well, the masses tend to enjoy tearjerkers, Your Excellency." Diethard said, giving a nod.

"Spoken like a true TV man," Jeremiah smirks. "Still, I have to acknowledge the finesse you've shown. You've done well in the short amount of time you had. One would think you were expecting His Highness untimely end." He said, raising a brow.

However, Diethard showed no reaction and just bowed. "It's quite common for memorial services to be set in advance for very important individuals."

"Does that include me?" Jeremiah asked, leaning forward.

"Recent events may have pushed you up the list a bit, Your Excellency."

"So I wasn't of importance until recently, is that it?"

"I'm afraid so, sir."

Well, Jeremiah can certainly admire this man's honesty. There aren't many who would say that straight to his face, given his rank and position. Yes, he may not be a prince, but he was the Acting Consul of Area 11.

Now, if only that weasel, General Yan would stop hiding.

"Ever thought of enlisting?" He offered. "The army could use more men like you."

Diethard shakes his head, however. "I don't think it would be a good fit. Not my cup of tea."

"You prefer the civil sector, I take it? No matter. I have another favor to ask of you." He said, getting to the point of the meeting. "Tomorrow night, Suzaku Kururugi shall be transported to his court martial."

"We should line the road with good, patriotic Britannians," Diethard adds.

Jeremiah smiles. "Excellent, you catch on quickly." For a TV man, he has a smart head on his shoulders. "Be sure the rabble can see his face."

"Lord Jeremiah," By his side, Villetta spoke up. "There are those within the Elevens that see Kururugi as a hero. Some may even try to free him." She said.

He turns to her. "Then I'll be there personally, aboard my Sutherland." He clenched his fists, eyes narrowed. "If anyone even thinks of causing trouble, they'll be executed on the spot!"

-~-

5th Circinate Line, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

Aboard the monorail system that ran around the entire settlement, Kallen and the others board the train, just as the voice ordered.

Inside, Kallen stood at one back corner of the car, looking down at the phone in her hands. Ohgi stood not too far from her, looking out the window. Opposite to him, Sugiyama copied him, looking out his window. Next to him, Yoshida sat down on the bench.

She's worried about them, though. While she can easily pass off as a Britannian student, her friends are clearly Japanese.

Thankfully, no one paid any attention to them, choosing instead to ignore their presence.

"Attention, all passengers. If you find any suspicious items or activities, please alert metro personnel by using the nearest inter-telephone." A woman over the intercom said, with none of the passengers moving or even eying the Japanese men on board.

Odd.

Before she could think any further about that, her phone rang, with the same cell name from before.

She picks it up. "What now?" She asked, Ohgi and the others turning to her.

"Look to your right and tell me what you see." She follows his orders and looks out the window on her right.

"The city of the Britannians." The Tokyo Settlement. A wealthy gem of a city with clear, shining high-rise buildings. The structures were as tall as they were wealthy. Even the massive, bright arrays of solar panels that provide power to the city just added to the city's radiance.

It was a city made by Britannians, for Britannians.

A true metropolis.

"A stolen city, built on our sacrifices."

However, it wasn't their city. While it appears glamorous on the surface, anything that was Japanese either got literally built over the devastated old Tokyo as the settlement sat on elevated blocks or repurposed for Britannian use.

"And now to your left." Her blue eyes shift to the Shinjuku Ghetto.

The difference between the cities couldn't be any more different.

"I see our city."

Dull, worn-out buildings, with some leaning against each other or having completely fallen over. Dirt and grim were everywhere, with holes in many structures and craters scattered almost everywhere. Next to the gem that was the Tokyo Settlement, it was almost hard to look at it without feeling some type of rage.

"Remnants of a city, destroyed after the Britannians sucked it dry."

Once a beautiful gem of its own, the Shinjuku Ghetto was nothing more than a ruined husk, devoid of any soul. Even the people living within represent this clearly, living in squalor with their clothes just as dull, dirty and worn out as the city. Given the sights she's seen at the times she went through the ghetto to get to Ohgi and the others, it was clear.

This was a city with no hope.

"Good answer." Zero said, his voice sounding almost impressed. "Now, make your way to the front car." He immediately hung up.

A small frown grows on her face, yet she walks forward, following his orders.

She makes her way to the front car, giving a glance to Ohgi, who sees it. As she walks past him, he follows her, waving at Sugiyama and Yoshida to follow suit. She continues down her path, slipping past the crowd, the others right behind her. Oddly, the crowd doesn't pay attention to the odd behaviors, never even looking up to see them go. Even a guy she bumped into just gave her a stare and nothing more.

It was honestly a little creepy.

Still, she didn't dwell on it for too long when she made it to the front car. The doors slide open as she and the others finally enter. The entire front car was empty, except for one individual who stood in the middle of the car.

The individual had their back to them, but she made out that they wore an odd dark black and gold cloak that split into two ends, revealing that he wore dark purple pants. They also wore something on their head but she couldn't make it out.

She spoke. "Was it you?"

They stood silent and unmoving.

"This isn't a trap, right?" Yoshida looked at his comrades.

They remained silent.

"Tell us." She said, her eyes narrowing, the silence pissing her off. "Was it you in Shinjuku? Was the cease-fire your doing?"

Nothing.

Finally, Ohgi spoke up, fed up. "Hey, say something! Was it-"

The man finally turns around and faces them. Immediately, the car darkens as the train enters a tunnel, sunlight vanishing. Only the fluorescent lights above gave them sight of the man.

Dramatic, but she'll admit that it was eye-catching.

Now, facing them, she could make what he was wearing. The cloak he wore had a high collar, reaching where she thinks his chin was. Hard to tell, since the man wore a peculiar mask that covered his entire head. It had no facial features, other than the large dark purple centre and the large odd golden symbol that rested where its mouth would be. It also looked like it had small horns on its sides and the top.

An odd character. Was this him?

Zero?

"So, how was it?" Zero said in fluent Japanese, a modulated voice coming from the mask.

"Tour?" Ohgi asked, perplexed by the man.

"It couldn't have been this clown!" Yoshida said, turning to his friends and gesturing to the masked man.

"I wanted you to see both the Settlement," Zero continued, unperturbed by their responses, and lifted his left arm. "And the ghetto." Then his right arm. As he did so, he revealed the cloak had a red lining underneath. He also wore a stylish royal purple suit with golden highlights.

Ohgi steps forward. "Yeah, we get it." He said. "There's a difference. A vast difference. That's why we fight as a resistance."

"You're wrong." Zero said, lowering his arms. "Terrorism will not defeat Britannia."

"Defeat?" Ohgi softly repeated. Why use that word?

"Terrorism is nothing more than a mere childish nuisance."

"You're calling us childish!?" Yoshida asked, scowling at the masked man. The others were as equally offended.

"Don't confuse your enemies. It's not Britannians, but Britannia itself!" Zero raised his voice. Against a superpower such as massive and powerful as Britannia, terrorism amounted to nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum. Most of the time, it benefited Britannia more, providing them with propaganda material, especially when innocents got caught up in these attacks.

Therefore...

"You must start a war!" Underneath the mask, Lelouch stared at the group, a deep resolve within his eyes unseen by them. "Without involving innocents! Prepare yourselves and take the path of justice!"

The speech silenced the group, taking in the man's words. However, Kallen scowled and found her voice. "Don't be absurd! It's easy to say whatever with that mask on! As if we'd trust someone whose face we don't even know!"

"Yeah, she's right!" Yoshida glared at Zero.

"Take off that mask!" Sugiyama shouts, clenching his fists.

Ohgi backed up his friends. "That's right. Why don't you show us your face?"

"Very well, I'll show you." Zero said, causing the group to blink at him, surprised at the easy agreement.

"However," Underneath the mask, Lelouch smirks. "Rather than my face, I'll show you my power. If I deliver to you a miracle, then maybe I may have gained your trust."

After all, actions speak louder than words.

-~-

Japanese Liberation Front Headquarters, Narita – Area 11

"He murdered a Prince of Britannia! Kururugi Suzaku should be treated as a hero!"

"But he's an Honorary Britannian!"

"Prime Minister Kururugi Genbu was his father!"

"He was also the bastard who gave up Japan! The people don't know that about him!"

Located deep within the Narita Mountains laid the headquarters of the Japanese Liberation Front. Made up of the remnants of the surviving Japanese military, it was the largest Japanese organized resistance in Japan.

Right now, a debate has engulfed the heads of the JLF. The topic: the killing of Prince Clovis and his murderer.

"The Shinjuku incident was the work of the Kozuki group, wasn't it?" Asked an aged man with gray hair and brown eyes. He wore a dark green uniform with grey shoulder pads, dark long boots and a red and yellow epaulette. This man is Major General Tatewaki Katase, leader of the JLF. He sat in the middle of the room, lotus position, surrounded by his subordinates.

"Yes, General." Said the man kneeling before him. He had brown hair and eyes, and he wore the same uniform as the General, wearing grey long boots and missing the epaulette. "Kaname Ohgi currently leads them." Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe Josui said.

Katase looks down at the floor, rubbing his chin. "Have the Kururugi family said anything?"

"No, General. They've cut all ties with him ever since he joined the Britannian Army."

"Hmm." Katase looks to his right. "Tohdoh, what do you think?"

A tall man with spiky brown hair sat seiza-style with his eyes closed and his katana laid before him. He wore the same uniform, with dark long boots and armoured grey shoulder pads. Behind him, on the wall, was a large white flag with a big red circle in the middle.

The Hinomaru; the flag of the 'Land of the Rising Sun.'

Lieutenant Colonel Kyoshiro Tohdoh opened his eyes, revealing grey orbs, and said. "We have no duty to join in on a public execution."

His words had everyone turn to him.

"What cowardice!" Kusakabe said, scowling. "Aren't you 'Tohdoh of Miracles'!?"

A small scowl appears on Tohdoh's lips. "Do not confuse miracles with nonsense!"

How he despises that title. Everyone looks at him as if he can make mountains bow with simple words. Ever since the 'Miracle of Itsukushima', that's all they've been calling him.

Tohdoh, the Miracle Worker.

Nonsense.

There is no such thing as miracles, only actions. And no action could justify saving Suzaku.

There would certainly be a Britannian military escort surrounding his former student. To save him would mean going up against that and the potential cost could be more than what it's worth. He will not go after Suzaku, just to join him in his execution.

No matter how much his stomach toils in doing so.

-~-

Ashford Academy Student Council Clubhouse – Area 11

In the dining room of the clubhouse, the two friends were having some tea to pass the time.

"Thank you, Sayoko," Nunnally said as Sayoko laid down two cups of tea on the dining table. One for Nunnally and the other for Alice.

Sayoko smiled. "You're welcome, Lady Nunnally." She bows before walking back to the kitchen.

Alice picks up her cup and smirks. "Are you sure you're not kind of noble?"

Nunnally frowns, though upon closer look it was more of a pout than anything. "No, despite how my brother and I act and how much Miss Ekaterina says it, we aren't nobles." She said.

Not anymore.

The blind girl sips from her cup and smiles. "Though I'm flattered that you thought I was one."

Alice stares at her a moment before looking around. "Speaking of your brother, where is he?"

Nunnally's smile drops. "He left, saying he had something to deal with."

Alice frowns at this. "Hey, cheer up. He probably just be back home soon."

Nunnally hums before going back to her tea. Her friend frowns, noticing that this failed to lift her spirits. She opens her mouth to speak when suddenly her phone rings. She picks it up and reads the message on it, her frown deepening as she does.

"Sorry, Nunnally. Looks like I have to cut this short. Something important came up." She said, standing up.

"Oh," Nunnally said, her expression dropping even further.

"Again, really sorry, Nunnally. Maybe next time. And don't worry, Lelouch will be back soon, even if I have to drag him back myself." Alice said with a small grin.

Nunnally giggles. "Hmm. It's alright, Alice. I'll be fine." She said, smiling.

"See you later, Nunnally."

As she makes her out of the clubhouse, she freezes in her tracks as an Eleven student almost runs her over.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" The brown-haired, maroon-eyed boy blurted out, looking back at her before continuing his run to the dorms. In his hands was a bundle of clothing. Uniform, she recognizes.

Was he on laundry duty?

Alice straightens out her uniform, frowning at the fleeing boy. "Should watch where you're going." She mutters, before looking at the girl's dorm.

Odd. If he's doing laundry, then why was he coming from the girl's dorm?

She furrows her brows before shaking her head and walking away.

Perverts.

-~-

Prison, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

"Congratulations!"

A grinning Lloyd shouted through the see-through glass prison cell. Inside, a bruised Suzaku sat in a white with black straps prisoner's straightjacket, arms locked behind him.

"The two people you asked about weren't on the list of casualties." He said, sitting on a stool outside the cell.

The tension on Suzaku's face fades away, and his eyes relax. "That's great." He said, letting out a sigh of relief. Good, maybe that means Lelouch and the girl made it out safely.

Lelouch, wherever you are. Please be okay.

"Not much luck on your end, though. The court is where you may have your trial, but I wouldn't my breath if I were you." Lloyd said with a half-hearted expression, shrugging.

"But the court is where the truth comes to life." Suzaku looked up at the scientist.

Lloyd raised a brow at the boy's statement. "I'll expect there to be more smoke and mirrors than anything. Truth is scarce these days."

"If that is the case, so be it." Suzaku's face grew resolute. "I have no regrets."

Besides, it's far more than he could hope for.

Or deserve.

Lloyd blinks at the odd boy.

-~-

Ashford Academy Boy's Dorms – Area 11

Shu poked his head out his dorm door, looking down the hallway before stepping out and holding the door open. Inori walks out, wearing some clothes he found in the girl's dorm laundry. His face glowed a bright red, immensely glad that nobody noticed him, except for that first-year girl, but she didn't ask questions and just went her way.

He's not trying a pervert! It's just that Inori needed clothes. Not only were the clothes she was wearing before torn, but they were eye-catching and would have gotten her caught immediately.

Shu shook his head, getting rid of his racing thoughts, before turning to Inori.

Inori wore the standard schoolgirl uniform; a light yellow jacket over a white shirt with a dark green tie, a short black shirt with long navy socks and black shoes. However, in his rush to steal the clothes without getting caught, it seems he misjudged its size, seeing how the uniform stuck close to her figure. His cheeks glow red yet again.

He just hopes they can reach their destination without getting stopped by either the school or the police.

"So, where're you supposed to meet up with them?" Shu asked as they walked, tugging at his backpack, which holds Fyu-Neru. Hopefully, this will be a quick endeavor that won't draw any attention to him.

He doesn't want to put any more pressure on Haruka. She's already going through enough, working as hard as she can to provide for him while scarcely getting anytime to visit him when she gets the chance.

"The Roppongi District."

Shu looks up, thinking about the location. "Huh, that's quite the distance." It's south of where they are now. Still, he grimaces. Not a quick trip after all.

Wait a minute.

"Wait, that's inside the settlement." He said, realizing just exactly where it was. Are they actually hiding inside the settlement itself?

Inori nods. "Gai said the authorities would be less likely to look inside than outside the settlement."

He figures that makes sense. Even he didn't think they would be inside. "Okay, so how do you want to get there?" He turns to her. "Monorail?"

She nods again. "It's fast."

As the two walked out of the dorms and made their way to the academy gates, they didn't go unnoticed. Around the corner of the dorms, Hare pokes her head and sees Shu. She smiles, about to join him, before noticing the unfamiliar girl at his side.

Who is she?

-~-

5th Circinate Line, Tokyo Settlement – Area 11

With that, the two walk towards a nearby station on the 5th Circinate Line. Again, Shu looks around. While their clothing should hide their features, he also knows that it also increases their chance of getting spotted, given how they differ from everyone.

Before they could hop onto a train, Inori grabbed Shu by the wrist and pulled him back.

"Huh?"

She points forward. "Anti-Bodies."

Shu turned to look and saw exactly what she meant. Across the street, armed Anti-Bodies soldiers stood around an armored car, conversing with the Britannian Police.

"The police? What are they doing with them?" Shu asks, looking around. He figures they can just sneak past them, seeing as they were the only Anti-Bodies forces he could make out. No need to get into a fight they can avoid.

The two decide to avoid them by going around. Luckily, today was a crowded day, letting them hide among the crowds.

Just a few more steps.

"Shu!"

Shu's eyes shoot wide open, as he turns to who called him out.

"What are you doing?" Meijou Hare asked with a frown, walking up to Shu. "And who's this?" She asked, looking at Inori. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe I've seen you at our academy before."

"Um..." Shu looks around. While Hare wasn't being that loud, she still brought attention to them as a couple of Britannians turned their way, including the police and Anti-Bodies forces, who started making their way here.

"Uh, s-sorry, Hare, we have to leave!" Before she could respond, Shu grabbed Inori's hand and the two both rushed off to the trains.

"Wait! Shu!"

Please forgive me, Hare. Shu didn't stop or slow down. He and Inori pushed through the crowd, trying to evade their pursuers. Up ahead, he sees the open doors of the train,

"Stop! Police!" He hears the shout from behind but ignores it. Pushing through, he and Inori finally enter the trains just as the doors slide close, cutting off their pursuers.

As the train speeds away, Shu stares out the window at the police and the Anti-Bodies forces. Both forces turn and rush away, probably to chase them in their own vehicles, seeing as they weren't getting them out of the train.

Shu turns and sees Inori on a phone. She places it by her ear and speaks.

"Gai. Anti-Bodies found us. Got the police to help them."

She called her leader, then. Sounds like a good idea. He feels they'll gonna need their help soon enough.

She looks out the window. "We're on the 5th Circinate Line, heading down to Hamamatsucho."

While she's talking, Shu looks around. While the train car wasn't packed, there were still some people inside. All Britannian, judging by the features. And with the chaos they left behind, they were looking their way with fear and suspicion in their eyes.

"Yes, I'm not alone. I have Shu helping me."

Uh, Inori-san. It would be nice if you can say my name out loud. Shu thought, his expression growing nervous watching the passengers before looking away, his back facing them.

She turns to look at him, a small puzzled look on her face. "Ok." She hands him the phone. "Gai wants to talk to you."

Surprised, he picks up the phone. "Hello?"

"Good afternoon. I take it you're Inori's friend." A masculine voice comes through the speaker. So, this was Inori's leader.

"Uh, yeah. Ouma," Shu looks around at the Britannians, lowering his voice. "Ouma Shu, nice to meet you."

"Ouma?" Gai asked, his surprise bleeding into his voice. Then Shu hears him chuckling, growing louder by the second. Shu arched a brow.

"You sure picked up an interesting person, haven't you, Inori?"

What does that mean? Does he know me somehow?

"Ouma Shu, I'm entrusting Inori into your hands." Shu's eyes widen. "I need the both of you to rendezvous with us. Stay off the highway. You'd be sitting ducks to the VTOLs."

"W-wait! Hold on, why are trusting me like this?" Shu asked. This was moving way too fast. "Aren't you moving way too fast? We just meet today?"

Shouldn't he be more suspicious of someone he's never met before?

"And I already know Inori is in safe hands. Stay with her and protect her. Give the phone back to Inori."

Shu hands back the phone, perplexed. He watches as Inori hears Gai's orders. "Understood, Inori out." As she hangs up, her eyes roll over to Shu. "Gai trusts you." She said, her slightly pitched voice betraying her surprise that lay beneath.

"Uh, look like so," Shu said, rubbing his head. "I'm just as surprised as you."

"Hmm." She stares at Shu.

"So," He glances away. "Any idea on how to get to them? I'm pretty sure, with the police's help, they'll easily catch up with us."

"I do." She said, before going through his backpack holding Fyu-Neru. "Fyu-Neru. Bike."

He hears a small, electronic chirp before seeing Inori reaching in and pulling out a small capsule.

"A capsule?" With a further look, Shu sees that it's a Capsule Corp capsule with the number 9 on it.

"Hmm." She nods before looking at him. "Can you drive a bike?"

-~-

Anti-Bodies Mobile Command Base – Area 11

"Major Guin, we're getting a report that Squad Alpha has a potential lead on the target! Last seen taking the monorail on the 5th Circinate Line, heading down south!" Rowan said, appearing on the massive monitor again.

Major Guin twists to look at the officer. "Order all nearby units to surround the stations and cut her off! We can't her escape us again!"

Another officer speaks up within the mobile command base. "Sir, what about the police?"

"Inform them that the girl is a bioterrorist! That'll keep them from asking questions and help with the capture."

"Yes, My Lord." The officer nods before turning back to the monitors.

Major Guin watches as the screen in front of him lights up, revealing the map of the settlement. He watches on, seeing as his forces converge around the girl's position.

Soon. This will all be over.

-~-

Hamamatsuchō Station – Area 11

As the train rolled to a stop at Hamamatsuchō Station, crowds of people mutter as they saw both police and Anti-Bodies forces driving up to the station.

"Oh, my! Has there been an accident?"

"What's going on?"

"Is that Anti-Bodies?"

"What are they doing here?"

A person gasps. "Maybe there's some leak nearby?"

"Do you mean like the one from the ghetto?"

Many in the crowd pointed, all wondering the cause as the vehicles parked, and out came police and Anti-Bodies forces, all armed.

The train doors slide open and Shu and Inori rush out, past the crowd. Hearing tires screeching, they look over the railing and see a group of police rushing out of their cars.

"They're here!" Shu said, watching them approach, while Inori pressed the capsule and threw it before them. With a loud bang, a cloud of smoke formed where the capsule was. The cloud dispersed, revealing a white motorcycle with a glass canopy overhead. Plastered on the side of its rear wheel was 'Capsule 9'.

This was the Capsule Corporation Model No.9 Motorcycle.

"Wha-" Before Shu could even finish, Inori pulled him in.

"Get on." She said before forcing him on and sitting behind him. "Drive."

"Wait, now!? Like this!?" He turns to her, wide eyes staring at her. Around them, people stepped back from the sudden deployment of the vehicle.

The sound of heavy footsteps grew loud as the police and Anti-Bodies forces rushed up the stairs, leading to the station. With this, Inori glared Shu dead in the eyes.

"Drive!"

Shu turns on the bike, its engine roaring to life, and twists the handle. Upon command, the motorcycle rockets away, tires screeching as they push against the ground. He swerves the bike down the other flight of stairs, people screaming as they dove out of the way. Hitting the ground floor, he slips into between the cars and drives onto the main street, tires screeching behind as drivers hit their brakes, avoiding the couple and honking at them.

As he drives, Shu pants, trying desperately to calm his racing heart. Only now, as police sirens ring loudly behind him, did the situation dawn on him. Sure, he decided he'll help Inori get to where she should go, but he never expected that he would actually get chased by Anti-Bodies and the police.

This isn't him just leaving his comfort zone. This is him jumping off an airplane without a parachute!

"Watch out!" Inori screams out, pointing to an incoming car. Shu turns and avoids the incoming car, fighting to keep the bike steady after the near miss.

Ok, Shu. Focus!

Shu shakes his head before focusing on the task at hand. While he may not like how the situation has devolved out of his control, he also eagerly doesn't want to get into an accident nor see what happens if Anti-Bodies and the police catch them. So, while swerving past cars and trying to outrun his pursuers, he shouts. "Which way to Roppongi!?"

"Turn right and stick to the main road!" She said, before pulling out her burner phone again. "Gai! Police! Anti-Bodies! They're pursuing us down from Hamamatsucho to Shiba!"

As she discusses with Gai, Shu takes a right, nearing losing control as he comes in fast. Thankfully he maintains control, swerving past traffic, thankful that they were a motorcycle, otherwise, they would be worse off.

Above, he hears the roar of engines in the air. In one mirror, he sees what looks like the VTOLs the Britannian police use.

"Gai said to continue on this road! There's an underground tunnel we can take!"

"A-all right!" Shu shouts, focusing on swerving past the cars on the road, twisting the throttle as hard as he can, the engine roaring as it eagerly gobbles up its fuel.

-~-

Anti-Bodies Mobile Command Base – Area 11

"Major! The terrorists have escaped Hamamatsuchō Station and are moving west on a white Capsule Corp Model No. 9 bike!

Major Guin grits his teeth. "Deploy the knightmares! I want the cargo secured now!" He said, slamming his fist on the map screen, watching the chase take place.

Rowan frowns then nods. "Yes, My Lord."

-~-

Tokyo Settlement Streets – Area 11

As Shu swerves past traffic, a thought races past his mind. How is going to Hare? Hell, how's he going to explain this to Haruka? Would he even be able to-

Before he could think any further, he heard a loud snap from above, then a heavy thud as a stark white Glasgow dropped right in front of him, rifle raised. On its shoulders was the Anti-Bodies logo.

A Knightmare Frame!? They're bringing in knightmares!?

Shu leans left, taking a sharp turn away from the machine, which fires its rifle. Massive bullet holes mark the road where they were just a moment ago.

Shu drives through a nearby alleyway, bullets landing far too close for comfort. Reaching the next street, pedestrians jump out of the way of both the speeding bike and bullets, as he leans right and floors the throttle, launching the bike.

Knightmares? In a public space!?

They really wanted whatever they were holding.

"Shu!" Inori shouts. "Head left! It'll take us down an old subway line!"

"Right!" Shu said, following her directions. The motorcycle's engine roars as Shu pushes it. Behind him, he hears the screeching of landspinners as the knightmare chases them. Shu takes a left onto a narrow street. A one-way path.

And he's facing the wrong direction.

"Shit!" Shu curses as he squeezes the bike through whatever little opening he can find. Pedestrians scream, dodging him, and cars honking at him as he drives past them. He hears his pursuer skid to a stop, the ongoing cars and parked cars blocking his path. It raises its rifle at the fleeing couple.

He's not actually going to shoot? In such a crowded area?

Any hopes he had got thrown away as fast as the bullets that left the knightmare's rifle suddenly lighting up the narrow street he was racing through.

"W-what the hell!?" Shu shouted as he drove away from the murder machine. "There's people in here!"

"What we have is more important to Sephirah than those people!" Inori said, looking behind them with no changed expression, unsurprised by the actions of their foe.

Shu grits his teeth, focusing back on the road. However, his mind never forgot what just happened. They really didn't care if people died for this, even Britannians, their very own people!?

He hears the blare of sirens as police cars appear from the front. Shit! He leans to take a turn before swiftly turning, as another group of police appear from the street. Looking around, he quickly sees he's about to be boxed in.

Desperate, he takes the up-ramp leading to the highway.

"Shu!"

"I know! But I have no choice!" He said, racing up and onto the highway. "We were almost boxed in!"

Inori gives a small frown, looking up at the clear skies that reveal the VTOLs heading their way. She goes for her phone to call Gai again.

Shu, meanwhile, focuses on trying to get the best of the bike, hoping to outrun them. The engine roars, as Shu pushes it to its limit.

Then he hears the loud whirling of landspinners. From behind, the white Glasgow raced towards him at incredible speeds. It fires its rifle at him, forcing Shu to swerve. The bullets continue to rain havoc on him, forcing him to take the nearest exit. Flying and bouncing down the off-ramp, Shu makes it back to the streets, the police sirens, the whirling landspinners, and the engines of the VTOLs not far behind him.

By now, Shu is sweating up a river, panting heavily. The last physical taxing activity he partook in was PE at the academy. Nothing compared to being chased with your life under threat of death. And it's slowly catching up to him.

As the chase continues, Shu sees more police cars coming up from his front. Looking left and right, he sees Anti-Bodies vehicles closing him off and from behind, the Knightmare from the highway gets ever closer. Desperate and near exhaustion, he looks for a way out and sees a gate heading into a construction site.

Shu drove through the construction gate, workers leaping out their way. From above, he hears a VTOL fly close and fire its machine gun, bullets strafing the dusting ground towards them. He leans away, before feeling a heavy impact, throwing him and Inori off the bike.

The two land and roll toward the entrance of the construction site, painful grunts coming from both.

Shu groans, pain coursing through his body. Inori groans as well, sitting up. She wearily glances around, seeing the bike laying against the wall, wheels up.

Or rather, one wheel up, as the back tire was nowhere to be seen.

A crash from the gate catches her attention, as the white knightmare pursuing them barrelled through the gate. Its Factsphere opens, swerving to face them.

Before the Knightmare lifted its rifle to fire, Inori pulled Shu into the construction site with all the might she could muster. Massive bullets crack the ground where they used to be and the couple roll away, laying on the ground as the concrete wall covering them breaks apart, bullets punching a line above them as the Knightmare drags its line of fire.

"Come on!" The pink-haired girl shouts as she drags the boy as best as she can. Shaken, Shu picks himself up and follows her deeper into the abandoned construction site.

-~-

Anti-Bodies Mobile Command Base – Area 11

"Major, they've just entered the abandoned construction site," Rowan reported. "It appears their bike's disabled."

Major Guin grins. "Good. Surround the site! This time, she's ours!"

Soon. Major Guin looked on the monitor, seeing as his forces and the police converged on the building.

Soon.

-~-

Abandoned Construction Site – Area 11

As the couple trudged upwards through the empty site, they could hear the whirrs of landspinners and sirens surrounding them. Shu pants, holding on to Inori. Every part of his body ached. Just taking steps felt as if he had replaced his feet with lead.

Still, he pushed on. He couldn't stop here, not when he could hear Anti-Bodies and the police footsteps stomping through the site, looking for them. Not when the life of this girl was in question.

We just have to make it through! I have to protect-

Before he could finish that thought, the roof collapsed from above. They scrambled away, just as the rubble landed right behind the couple, launching them forward. They groan, Shu instinctively wrapping his arms around Inori, as smoke covers the area.

When the smoke clears, he looks back to see two white knightmares, their Factsphere sensor flashing as they see the two, raise their rifles at them. Shu shuts his eyes and hugs Inori tighter.

Protect her?

Save her?

What was he thinking?

Him?

Being the hero?

Daring to think he could be more than what he was?

A coward?

A failure?

Nothing more than weak, sniveling little Ouma Shu?

"Forgive me, Inori," Shu said, hugging the girl as if to protect her from the gunfire. If he could, he would have let out a humorless chuckle.

I'm sorry... Mana.

"No, Shu. Forgive me."

"Huh?"

Before Shu could react, he felwhat wast a sharp pain in his neck.

Then his world turned white.

Shu opens his eyes, feeling weird. He felt as if he was falling into a dream and yet was very lucid and aware of what was happening.

He looks around to see himself floating in a white void, with Inori in front of him as well. It was not entirely empty, though. Around the couple were threads of silver swaying upwards. Lines of symbols surrounded the two, their meaning lost to the boy.

"What the- Uh!" Shu cries out as a thread of silver wraps around his right arm tightly. He grunts as the thread tightens as if it wants to barrow into him. He feels it entering his arm.

Just as the pain grows, it suddenly stops and Shu gazes on his arm. The thread disappeared, leaving his arm intact. No injury or scar.

The only thing that changed on his limb was the symbol that sat on the back of his palm. A black spire with a crescent on its lower half, with two connecting points. Looking like an odd bow and arrow.

"What is this?"

A set of hands gently grasp his palm and pull them in. Inori guides his hand over her chest, looking up at him with a gentle expression.

"Shu... please, use me."

Perplexing enough, Shu understands what she means. He understands her intentions. He feels a pull, a calling, telling him to reach out and take.

Take what? He doesn't know, yet he knows whatever it was, laid within Inori herself, whose arms hung beside her, leaving herself open to him.

"This is power."

A distant memory.

"The sinful crown spinning the hearts of people..."

Why...?

A smiling, pink-haired girl holds out her hands, a string bridge between them.

Why does she look so much like her?

"Take it, Shu."

-~-

Shu opens up his maroon eyes and reaches out to Inori.

Instead of his hand grasping her chest, his hand sinks in, making Inori gasp as a glow appears where his hand is. Her body shivers as he feels himself grabbing hold of something.

He pulls, dragging out a swarm of long silvery threads from her chest. He holds his hand above him, feeling the threads as they merge and form a single mass.

A bright pillar of light emerges from the mass as it takes proper shape, piercing the heavens above and illuminating it, shocking not just the police and Anti-Bodies but even those within the Tokyo Settlement and beyond, as crowds of people stopped to look up at the pillar in awe and fear.

-~-

Major Guin looks at the screen, gaping along with the officers at the impossible sight.

The massive pillar of light piercing the heavens dominated every screen as everyone looked in with awe.

Is this what they stole?

-~-

Inside a moving car, a blonde-haired man stares out the window, in shock and awe at the pillar of light, dark clouds swirling around at its peak.

Ouma Shu, that's you, isn't it?

-~-

Within the settlement, a lime-haired, golden-eyed girl peeks up from an alley and stares up at the pillar with a deadpan. Her forehead glowing a dim red.

"Usurper."

-~-

Shu looks up at what he wields. A dark longsword with a single edge and an intricate pommel and guard.

"This is..."

Singer's Sword. The name pops up in his head. He has never seen this weapon, nor he has ever heard of a weapon with a name like that. Yet, he was very certain that this was its name.

Shu looks ahead, seeing the knightmares that almost ended the couple's existence. The war machines did nothing but stare, its pilots awestruck by what they had just seen.

That was the last mistake they'll ever make.

Shu steps forward, foot landing on top of a glyph. With a push, Shu launches forward, Singer's Sword right behind him. The blade, which should have felt too heavy and too unwieldy for him, felt as light as a feather, doing nothing to slow Shu down.

Shu shouts, and with a single leap, flies towards the knightmare. The pilot, finally grabbing his bearing, panics and deploys its shock baton. Shu swings the blade and bisects the knightmare, cutting through it like a hot knife through butter.

As Shu flies past the machine, sparks race over the Knightmare Frame before it explodes. Shu coughs, waving and walking through the smoke. He reaches Inori, who stares at him and the longsword.

"Void." She said, staring down the blade.

"Huh? You know what this is?"

She tilts her head. "No...? Gai knows. He would know."

There she goes again with that guy. Gai. Wait, Void?

He looks down at the blade. Is this what they stole from Sephirah? If so, then why did she...

The sounds of a jet engine remind two of the situation. From above, another knightmare swings in through the hole in the ceiling. It brandishes its rifle at them, Factsphere open and pulsing.

He twists to the girl and scoops her up. Wrapping his arm around her, he runs and leaps off the clearing where he once stood. Falling, Shu looks around, shocked to see the amount of Anti-Bodies forces, as well as white knightmares inside the unfinished building. Anti-Bodies look up, seemingly equally shocked at the falling couple.

"Terrorists!" The knightmares shout, raising their rifles at them.

"Ah!" Shu raises his sword in front of him and from the tip of the sword, a large glyph forms, blocking the bullets.

Shu gapes at the act, and so too are the pilots, as they stop firing.

A glyph forms under Shu's foot, launching him across the site at great speeds.

The knightmares rush forward, seeking to crush him with their weapons. Shu glances at his sword before taking a breath and steeling him. He looks at the charging force and sprints.

"Hah!"

What happened next was nothing either group had expected, as Shu flew across the building, glyphs forming underneath his feet. Moving faster than the knightmare pilots ever expect, he reaches the first and swings the blade, cutting through it with ease. Followed up by another swing.

And another.

Shu cut through the knightmare squad, who could do nothing to slow him down, even as he held on to another person. Any bullets that rained on him bounced off glyphs or missed him and hit the surrounding pillars, leaving massive bullet holes. Shu jumped and flew around, leaping off glyphs and making it difficult to lead a hit on him. The sword cut through the knightmares like paper, rendering any attempted defense moot.

Suddenly, the unfinished building rumbles and groans. The couple looks around to see that many pillars had cracks. Cracks that grew larger with each passing second.

The building's about to come down!

Shu and Inori's eyes widened as they realized what was going to happen. Any remaining Anti-Bodies forces realized it as well, booking it to escape in any way they can.

"Hold on!" Shu said to Inori, to tighten her grip. Shu sprints, with the glyphs forming under his feet, making him stride across great distances. In a blinking of an eye, Shu makes it outside to see Anti-Bodies and the police run away from the cracking building about to fall on them.

With a final loud crack, the supports shatter, dropping off the building on anyone and anything left caught under. Shu looks back at the rising cloud from the wreckage in horror.

D-did I do that? He looks down at the blade. Is this why they stole this?

Suddenly, a whirl of motors and rumble shifting has him seeing a surviving knightmare, though very damaged, rising from the rubble, its Factsphere flashing.

"Y-you... you monster!" The last standing knightmare, raising its rifle. Shu raises his blade, a glyph forming before him. "DIE!"

Out of nowhere, a missile flies above Shu's head, blasting the knightmare's head off, throwing it off balance, and falling, its pilot ejecting from the sparking frame. Surprised, Shu looks back and sees a parked black car. There, a gigantic man stood holding an equally gigantic gun, pointing at the knightmare he just took down.

He wasn't alone as a group surrounded the car, rifles in their hands.

Just then, a blonde-haired man stepped forward from the group. As he did, Shu's eyes slowly widened, as his maroon eyes looked the man up and down before landing on a pair of blue eyes he hadn't seen since his youth.

"Inori, you've made it." The man said before looking at Shu. "So, this's the friend you told us about."

"You..."

"Gai," Inori said. Gai nods to her before looking back at Shu with a smile.

"We finally meet again, Ouma Shu."

"...Triton?"