Archive of Our Own ^beta

The cry of pain from C.C. being hit by debris due to the White Helmet Knightmare suddenly going berserk—the pilot out of control due to whatever that was that C.C. did, that Lelouch got caught in a loop of—makes Lelouch grab her.

He probably should leave her alone, should prioritize himself over her, but he doesn't think that way in the moment.

Bright, shining bright gold energy suddenly flows over White Helmet, like a cylinder made of light just appeared. Lelouch glances over at it through the mask of Zero, as the light shines brightly and then fades just as quickly as it arrives.

And the Knightmare stops. There is a sharp whine, as the entire Knightmare powers down in an instant.

Lelouch can only thank his luck that the Knightmare ran out of its energy filler, and scurries away carrying the supine C.C.; he saw a cave nearby and heads there, so he can take shelter and not be captured while tending to C.C.'s injuries.

It takes some time before he thinks back to the weird golden light and frowns, wondering if the reason the White Helmet actually stopped had to do with that, not the energy filler...

He knows exactly where he is. He floats in darkness, full of awareness of where and when he is. It's like if he pushes just a bit further, he can fully bring himself over. But something is off, something is wrong, and he hesitates too long—the moment passes.

But he is here. Anchored between his present and this new awareness. He can feel the energy, feel the two machines connected to him. The energy that surrounds him is warm, soft, and seems to be awaiting orders from him.

He floats, considering his options.

Cécile frowns up at the bulk of the Lancelot. Brought back from Narita, as for some reason it didn't activate once they put in a new energy filler. Lloyd had muttered something unpleasant and so the Lancelot, and as a result Suzaku, was pulled from the field.

Suzaku still volunteered to help out, so was granted access to a spare MR-1 Knightmare to help with clearing debris since he can pilot. He's still back there, doing what he can to help with the disaster relief needed after the landslide that the Black Knights used in the conflict.

Lloyd is currently having a scan being done on the Lancelot, a thoughtful look on his face, when Cécile turns back to him. “Hm, this is unusual...” Lloyd says, as he looks up from the screen. “The energy filler was completely drained as soon as it connected to the Lancelot. But I cannot find what caused it.”

Cécile's own frown deepens, hearing that. “That doesn't make any sense. I examined it physically too with the rest, there's nothing that could explain it.”

“Hmmm. A puzzle, a mystery! But also true that we won't need Suzaku for some time like this.” Lloyd says, smiling suddenly. “I'll continue investigating this. Suzaku can go and take a well deserved break once he returns. Do tell him that!”

Cécile nods, still considering the mystery. Lloyd prances off, calling for more energy fillers to be collected and to recharge the one they put in the Lancelot prior.

She looks up at the white bulk of the Lancelot and shudders, not sure why. But something dark, something strange, seems to be there somehow there, not just the Lancelot.

'I'm just tired from all the work I've been doing.' Cécile rationalizes it as, turning on her heels and pulling out her military communicator to contact Suzaku. Lloyd is right, until the Lancelot's unusual problem can be addressed he won't be needed as the devicer.

Energy comes towards him and he drinks it in greedily every time it comes. As he tugs on the two connections, as he gathers energy, he becomes more aware of what the result will be from going to the point he previously connected with.

It is not the expected path, in fact it's probably the furthest from ideal. But he considers it, considers the option between heading back and pushing forward....

....he knows what lies ahead of him if he goes forward, he knows who is there. There really isn't any choice.

Lelouch can only stare at his hands, flexing them. The last few days have just been too much on him.

The consequences of Narita, with Shirley losing her father, the kiss, and then her finding out he's Zero.

Mao. Everything to do with that man, all he did. The way C.C. reacted to him appearing and what she revealed to him about Geass as a result.

Lelouch closes his eyes, breathing out slowly. Mao is dead now, he has to be after all those police shot at him under Lelouch's Geass.

But the consequences remain. Shirley has forgotten him, thanks to his Geass, as the only way to keep her safe going forward. And, now, Lelouch has a better idea of what C.C. is seeking from him. The contract has been affirmed, with him acknowledging the possible future this will lead him to.

Lelouch sits here, considering his options, and knowing there aren't that many left...and neither would he choose otherwise.

He knows what he is doing at this point, knows what it will bring forth, and has made his decision even so.

So he greedily takes in the energy, gathering it, controlling it, and using it to tug the anchor point in his present closer, letting it be pulled through the doorway that he is floating within.

While also keeping a careful eye on the point which is granting him energy in that time he wants to be in, as he creates a cocoon of golden energy by siphoning off what he doesn't use to keep pulling the present anchor closer and closer.

Soon, he will tug himself closer and then...

Suzaku feels like throwing up. Like he is too dirty, unclean, that nothing can wash away the filth on him. His stomach rolls as he curls up on his bed. A simple bed in the ASEEC's place, where he is staying for now.

Lelouch knows now, the horrible thing he remembered in Narita somehow thanks to that strange green-haired girl he remembers from Shinjuku—he knows he's a horrible father-killer.

Suzaku opens his eyes, staring at the bland wall before him. It's dark and he could have stayed longer with Lelouch. He could have done something, anything, but pushed Lelouch away even so. He remembers Lelouch's soft expression, his clear worry in his eyes, and turns away from it.

He rolls around with that in mind, staring out at the small room he is in. He can see the green lights of his nearby alarm clock, telling him it is close to 2 am now and he's still not asleep.

'Will I be here longer?' Suzaku has to wonder. Something went wrong with the Lancelot in Narita, something he did there broke it in a strange fashion. What use do they have for a devicer when the Knightmare doesn't work?

Lloyd, at the least, seems to be having fun pursuing his curiosity of what is going on that makes the Lancelot just eat up the energy fillers without turning on. Last time Suzaku asked him what he learned, he babbled about weird dimension energy and drains that went right over his head.

Suzaku sighs, turning around to face the wall once again, and closes his eyes. He's learned from hard experience that if he just lies here with his eyes shut, it will help him at least feel a little like he got the needed rest.

It will have to do for now.

He knows exactly who is responsible for the apparently endless energy that is thrown at him and cannot help but be amused. In his present and in this time, it seems that man can't help but help him in odd ways.

It's comforting, in a very strange fashion, to know that.

It is getting closer and closer. Everything is close, nearly perfectly in place for what he needs. The anchor point, the Lancelot thanatos, is right above him, ready to take the final step. The other side, the original Lancelot, just needs to be coaxed over closer before he does so.

It won't take that long, he knows it. Just one more energy filler, two if he's going to play it safe.

He can only hope that the energy he has gathered in the cocoon of golden light around him is enough for the energy to matter conversion he will need for this.

Lloyd sits back, staring up at the Lancelot before him. A deep frown is on his face, as he stares up at his precious work. Lancelot is his child, his dream, and right now....

...right now it's a hunk of metal that only eats up what energy fillers are given it without any sign of using any of it. He found the same result this afternoon when he put in two more energy fillers before stopping, the Lancelot still as unresponsive as ever even as it greedily eats the energy.

Lloyd doesn't like to think of it that way. The way it's being done has firmly caught his eye; odd dimensional energies, signs of something using it like a siphon. He can't look away from it.

But right now he can't ignore what the Second Prince is telling him. Ordering him, to be honest.

Alone right now in the hangar, except for some technicians working late and a janitor, none of which are close to him, Lloyd speaks out loud, “I don't like the idea of abandoning you. But I supposed I have to listen to royalty when ordered, especially when my own sponsor says so.” Lloyd tilts back in his chair, crossing his arms and pouting, just a little. “The original Lancelot is going to be decommissioned and I'm being given the parts and budget to recreate it. Hell, I'm being given more than I need to see about tweaking it to be just a little better. The Lancelot Enhanced, is what I'm supposed to call it.”

Lloyd sits there, in the silence, looking up at his Knightmare, his dream. “It's a shame, really. What is exactly going on to have you take in such energy...” Lloyd's voice trails off as he notices something.

Golden light. Bright, golden light that seems to thrum and hum as it forms over the Lancelot.

Lloyd's eyes widen.

Sweeping away from him, away from the Lancelot, to hang above in the air over the hangar, the only thing to be seen is a massive golden beam of light, before a large chunk of the hangar catches fire and alarms start ringing out.

A golden and white bulk can just be seen, bursting out of the hangar and heading out into the night.

Suzaku rushes over to the hangar proper, having shrugged on a jacket and shoved on some boots. His constant insomnia that has been ongoing for nearly a week now seems to be just in time, considering something just happened.

Reaching the hangar, he finds various technicians looking confused, a janitor shaking as he mumbles something about a monster, and Lloyd being looked over by some EMTs.

Lloyd looks shell shocked; completely out of it with various cuts and bruises, and even burned bits of clothing on him. The EMTs are tending to him, as Lloyd just stares off in the distance.

“What happened?” Suzaku asks, and sees the expected confusion and annoyance at an Eleven approaching here.

Lloyd actually shakes out of his shock at the sound of his voice, turning to look at him. He moves before anyone else can, grabbing his shoulders. “I made a very grave mistake.” He says, looking actually scared. “A very big one!”

“Lloyd?” Suzaku says, feeling a fissure of pure fear at his reaction.

“I fed it. I should have stopped...! I should have...but I was so curious! I fed it...I fed that beast and now, now it's free!” He laughs, somewhat hysterically and shakes Suzaku. “Do you understand?! It's free!”

“What happened...?” Suzaku says, trying to understand what Lloyd is getting at.

“The Lancelot!” He says, as Suzaku's eyes widen. “It's run off! That beast has...!”

“What...?” Suzaku manages to get out before Lloyd is laughing again. One of the EMTs gets Lloyd off of Suzaku, before hitting him with a sedative. Suzaku stares, as Lloyd passes out and is put into the ambulance to be brought to the hospital to be tended to.

He looks over at the nearby hangar, feeling something like fear as he moves quickly over to it. It's not on fire anymore, with rescue people all around, and people examining things.

It doesn't take long for Suzaku to confirm one thing Lloyd said is true; the Lancelot is gone. There's a large hole in the wall, broken and destroyed, where a Knightmare of its size or even bigger could have exited through.

Suzaku stands there, feeling numb.

Tohdoh Kyoshiro awaits in his cell, knowing that execution is what lies before him. He kneels there, awaiting the time when it comes.

It is not impossible for a rescue, but he will not get his hopes up in that regard. At this point, he doesn't even have anything worth living for.

The sound of a Britannian soldier walking towards his cell can be heard, but he doesn't react to it just keeps waiting patiently. It is only when the footsteps stop right in front of his cell that he bothers to pay attention, though pretends outwardly otherwise.

“Your executioner has been changed.” The Britannian soldier says with gleeful smugness. “Warrant Officer Suzaku Kururugi. You should be glad it's someone you know.”

That can't help but make him open his eyes and raise his head, looking at the Britannian who looks so smugly at him. 'Suzaku, you remained in the Britannian military? Why?'

He likely won't ever find out, but a sense of unease builds knowing that. Does it have to do with...?

Cécile keeps an eye on both Lloyd and Suzaku, who to different degrees she is worried about. Suzaku is the most visibly shaken, staring at his lap as he shakes, hands on his knees, over the new orders he's been given.

To be the personal executioner of Kyoshiro Tohdoh, terrorist, member of the Japan Liberation Force, and, previously, his mentor in combat. An honoured teacher, that he now has to kill because they are on opposite sides. A truly horrible test of loyalty from the Viceroy.

Lloyd, on the hand, seems fine. But he's been hysterical since the Lancelot got stolen—which he claims was actually the Lancelot itself getting up and leaving on its own power. Which is utter nonsense but stress can have odd effects on people, Cécile knows that very well.

Lloyd has some cuts and bruises still from the incident a day ago, though bandaged up. Currently, he is only whining and complaining about all the papers he has to sign about this. But if anyone makes a comment about the Lancelot, he might be set off again.

So, naturally, Cécile worries for them both.

The sound of an explosion is just yet another thing for her to worry about, in the end. As well as the alarms suddenly blaring and the sight of some aspect of the military prison they are in on fire.

'Though,' Cécile muses at it becomes clear who has shown up and likely why, 'perhaps this counts as a blessing in disguise.'

Suzaku doesn't have to go through with being the executioner of his old teacher, not if he's been rescued by the Black Knights of all people.

Though Cécile ends up instead having to handle Lloyd as he goes off on the fact they don't have the Lancelot anymore, the beast that it became, and she needs to at the least try to calm him before he really gets hysterical.

The thrill of deep satisfaction in Lelouch cannot be overstated. His smile turns into a smirk, as he gets comfortable back in his Burai now that Tohdoh has gone to the Gekka prepared for him. The mask taken off and placed in its spot, Lelouch looks at the screens before him.

'Now all the conditions have been cleared. Nunnally's knight has also been chosen. That leaves—' Lelouch's thoughts are cut off, suddenly, as the sound of something being destroyed nearby draws his attention.

He frowns, seeing that it's not a place where he has arranged for the Black Knights to go to yet. It's an outer wall, close to the highway and not far from here. Did someone get overly excited and jump the gun?

“New enemy incoming!” Is announced over the intercoms, Inoue monitoring things from the mobile base yelling into her microphone. “It has the IFF of the White Helmet, but something is wrong!”

'Hm? What does that mean?' Lelouch wonders, but doesn't have to for long.

His eyes go wide.

Striding through the wreckage and smoke, is a Knightmare. It has the white and gold plating of the White Helmet, with strange blue glass-like plating on the shoulders making it look like it has very broad shoulders.

But it is the rest that catches everyone's attention; the Black Knights, the Britannian military here, and even the media due to some drone cameras flying around.

Strange, dark pink-purple flesh seems to make up the spaces between the armour, which makes it stand up taller than the original White Helmet. The White Helmet is approximately 4 meters tall; this one seems to be over 5 meters tall. The back seems to have a strange extra addition of metal, flattened in a weird way like a jagged halo. No cockpit in view, but certainly a long, thick, and plated in metal tail that sways back and forth. And the head! The head is strange as a, comparatively, small neck snakes out of the torso and on this an elongated head rests; broad and almost like that of a lizard mixed with that of a human in shape, with a mouth full of teeth revealed as it opens it and howls.

Eyes are there, green and slit like a predator, like a tiger. They are not on the side, but frontward like a human's and the previous “helm” of the Knightmare that was more decorative than functional is now bigger, actually being used like a helm with the green eyes peering through it. The bottom half of the helm is no longer there, letting the slightly elongated jaw stick out.

There is silence, as everyone absorbs this strange sight. A monstrous form, like a giant knight, suddenly is before them.

“I told you! The Lancelot turned into a monster!” Lloyd exclaims, hands pressed to the glass wall that reveals this to them. Cécile and Suzaku can only stare, numb with shock, as they take in that form.

Elsewhere, where Euphemia was stalled trying to come to a decision about who to award the winning prize for the opening art gallery ceremony, she stares at the screen that came down due to the various reporters having been contacted in regards to what their station's drone cameras saw. Her hands are over her mouth, the symbol of the prize on the ground at her feet.

“What is that?” She can only just get out, as Darlton stands by her utterly speechless.

The reporters murmur, wondering just what that is and what is going on. It being the Lancelot prototype in some form is obvious. But the rest makes no sense! What could that be?

Rakshata stares at the screens from the Factspheres showing what is before them all, mouth wide open in pure shock. No one here knows what to say, just stares at it in fear of a terrible monster.

“What the...?” Kallen asks, staring at it with a sense of terror sinking into the pit of her stomach. Something is very wrong here, because that looks like someone turned the White Helmet she faced off against in Narita into armour for some monster! A thought crosses her mind and she immediately calls out to one person alone she can trust here, “Zero! Instructions! What do we do?!”

Lelouch hears Kallen's words but can't work himself up to answering yet. The White Helmet was what he considered was next on his list to consider, to deal with. But this...this is beyond anything expected!

The strange beast of a Knightmare howls again, and then charges forward. Heavy footfalls, not even bothering to use the landspinners that can be just spotted on its legs.

Tohdoh sees a threat and reacts accordingly. “Destroy that! Whatever it is, it's definitely an enemy!”

“Wait! Hold on for Zero's instructions!” Kallen yells at them.

She is ignored.

“We're not waiting!” Chiba shoots back at her, before focusing on the enemy before them. “Capt. Senba, take Rotating Absolute Power formation!”

“Acknowledged!” Is said not just by Senba, but the rest, as the Four Holy Swords and Tohdoh close in.

“Wait!” Kallen protests, even as she moves the Guren forward having a very bad feeling.

Lelouch reacts finally, seeing this. “Stop! The situation is—!”

“Relax!” Asahina says confidently. “This is a four-way simultaneous attack! It'll never dodge it!”

The Monster Knightmare doesn't—because suddenly the four slash harken on its forearms and hips activate with small rockets at the back of them, allowing for a controlled use of them to partially disarm most of the Gekka surrounding it.

“It still has the harken boosters?!” Cécile manages to gasp out, seeing this.

It doesn't stop there, moving quickly towards Tohdoh's Gekka. Before he can respond, already disarmed, the Gekka soon is literally disarmed of an arm as the monster rips it out of the Knightmare and tosses it towards the incoming Gekka piloted by Chiba, knocking her off course. It then punches the front of Tohdoh's Gekka, sending it back and crashing through a building wall.

Chiba's Gekka is next, being grabbed and thrown away towards the same building. Asahina and Senba only have a moment to yell just before the monster has thrown them right next to Tohdoh. Urabe manages to do a token resistance, using his slash harken, but it is batted aside with the tail in the same move that sends his Gekka flying and soon joining the rest in having put yet another hole in that building.

The monster stops then, just for a moment, ignoring the Knightmares it tossed aside, and the factspheres in its torso activating. It turns, focusing on...

...Zero, it faces directly at the Burai of Zero's. It starts walking forward, as the Gekka struggle to get up from the damage done to get back into the fray.

“Zero! Get away!” Kallen calls out, just before she dives at the monster before it can get to Zero's Burai. She activates the radiant wave surger, getting in close to strike at the monster so it cannot hurt him—

And the monster just kicks at the joint of her radiant surger arm, knocking it astray and then follows up by grasping the other arm. In a move that feels right out of a judo technique, it tosses aside the Guren. Screaming in shock, Kallen ends up thrown through a different building than the Gekka were tossed through. The blast of her radiant wave surger dealing more damage to the building echoes out.

Lelouch doesn't have any chance to even try to resist, before the monster is right there and grabbing his Burai. To his shock, it goes straight for his cockpit, Lelouch only having a moment to gasp in shock before it twists, yanking on it.

Pulling it right off of the Burai, making the main body collapse. Lelouch goes quickly for the mask, putting it on, even as the monster lifts the cockpit to its chest. There is a moment, where it just seems to cradle the cockpit, before Lelouch feels a strange rumbling and hears it too, like a motor going. A soft sound can be heard, similar to whale song, as the monster holds the cockpit.

To the eyes of those watching, the Lancelot monster seems to actually nuzzle the cockpit, holding it in a gentle fashion that belies the violence that led it there.

It shifts suddenly, turning its head up, and noticing the incoming reinforcements for the Britannian army flying in the night air towards the prison.

“Zero! Hang on, I'll—!” Kallen says as the Guren climbs out of the building, seeing the vulnerable state her leader is in. She has to shake her head, feeling blood from a cut dripping down from her forehead.

“No! You are to retreat! All of you!” Lelouch says, feeling fear thudding in his chest. He can just hear the sound of the incoming Britannian army, can just see the monster carrying him through the small damage done to the cockpit that reveals him just a bit.

“But, Zero!” Kallen protests, as she starts to move her Guren towards him. The Gekka are up, Tohdoh's being supported by Asahina's.

“Do not argue with me! It is too dangerous. Retreat! The Black Knights completed their objective of rescuing Tohdoh Kyoshiro! Use escape route 3! Withdraw at once!” He says. “That is an order, Q-1!”

“But I can't leave you!” Kallen feels like she might cry, leaving Zero at the mercy of such a monster and, possibly, also the Britannians! If they manage to deal with the monster then—!

She moves the Guren forward. It had to knock aside the radiant wave surger, so it has to be vulnerable like anyone else to its power! If she can just—!

And the monster moves then, still cradling the cockpit, turning up to face the sky. There is a brief moment, a pulse of energy, before strange green energy wings extend from its back. Before their very eyes, the Knightmare monster suddenly shoots up into the sky in a manner and speed that defies all eyes to keep track of it.

“We lost the signal!” Inoue reports, before adding, “The Britannian army's reinforcements are almost there! Everyone, follow Zero's orders and retreat! Q-1, that means you too!”

“But...!” Kallen stares at where the monster was.

“Kozuki, retreat!” Inoue says, her hard voice slicing right through her panic.

Kallen slowly nods, choking back on sobs. “Understood...” She glances back, only once, before following the rest to escape and not be captured, releasing chaff-smoke as they retreat.

Just as Zero ordered them, in what likely was the last time they might see him...

...his last act was care for his forces. Kallen will not forget this, and neither will the others here. Tohdoh can only close his eyes for a moment, considering his so brief time with Zero speaking to him.

'You truly...were a great leader...' He thinks to himself, a bit sadly.

The new form took time to get used to, approximately 20 hours in fact. But he did adapt to it, as being used to piloting a Knightmare means that being one, so to speak, is similar.

Suzaku can even connect to the military systems and other systems for knowledge, with the ease of just a thought. That led him here, where now he has him.

After 20 years of being without him, Suzaku is carrying Lelouch in his arms once again.

'This form is certainly causing a stir already,' Suzaku thinks, a bit amused, 'I think I actually scared Lloyd when I formed before him.'

But he hadn't expected Lloyd to be there, since by what he could tell it was late at night in this time. Oh well, it didn't reveal himself before he was ready to deal with people even so with only really Lloyd and one random janitor seeing what became of the Lancelot that night.

Suzaku looks down at the cockpit in his arms. He wonders what kind of thoughts are racing in Lelouch's mind. There's no way he's given up quite yet, even against something like what Suzaku has become, but nothing he could imagine would prepare him for this.

Suzaku knows that he won't be effected by Lelouch's Geass; not just because of his strange biomechanical nature that reminds him of the cybernization that Jeremiah went through years ago from his perspective, but because he can still feel the energy of Lelouch's Geass command on him.

The one time use is still in effect for this, if Suzaku is right about the mechanics involved in this. This is going back in time, due to the way he interfaced with the Thought Elevator. Pretending outside of a few in the know to be only testing out the new Lancelot thanatos that Lloyd designed recently; a tenth generation version of the Lancelot.

'It didn't work out like I expected, but I can work with this. With this form, I am the most dangerous person around and capable of protecting Lelouch like no other.' Suzaku thinks to himself, as he finally lands. At a thought, he checks using the processors he has now what is going on; the news reports are already talking about the appearance of the strange biomechanical monster and the Britannian military has no clue where he is. So it's likely the Black Knights don't know either.

The warehouse he found is long abandoned, in a part of Shinjuku ghetto that is no longer being lived in due to that massacre that happen not too long ago now. It is private, alone—perfect for his needs.

He carefully sets down the cockpit, before kneeling next to it. A press of a certain outside part results in it opening up, revealing Lelouch to him.

Rather, revealing him as Zero. He has the mask on, is pointing a handgun up and looks ready to shoot. Suzaku moves faster than Lelouch could possibly respond fast enough to, carefully taking the gun from him in a quick motion. Lelouch staggers, moving forward as a result, and it is automatic for Suzaku to catch him with his other hand, just closing his hand over his waist.

Suzaku looks at the small gun in between two fingers, fingers that alternate between metal and flesh, and carefully sets it back in the cockpit even as he lifts up Lelouch in his other hand. He is struggling, just a bit, but isn't yelling at him. Probably doesn't think it would matter for a being like him.

Suzaku lifts up his hand and very gently presses a finger to the back of the mask. Lelouch freezes as he finds the spot that makes the mask release and let him remove it oh so carefully. Lelouch is heaving in breathes, staring at him with wide violet eyes once the mask is removed and placed in the cockpit along with the gun gently.

Suzaku drinks in the image of Lelouch, gently pulling down the cloth mask to see his face in full. Beautiful, he's so beautiful. He's not saying anything, just staring at Suzaku with wide, terrified eyes.

Eyes that are also thinking, trying to puzzle out the being before him.

He's so slight, so fragile in Suzaku's hands, as he moves to cup him in both his hands as he brings him up. He closes his eyes, breathing in deeply. He can smell the scent of Lelouch, alongside the cologne he uses with the Zero identity. Not his normal cologne, oh no, Lelouch wouldn't forget even scent as a possible thing to give away his real identity. It brings a fond smile to Suzaku's face, to smell that slight difference, a sign of how methodical and careful Lelouch is.

He is alive and in front of him, Suzaku feeling a coiling heat building inside him. And there are probably reasons to not do so, but he did a thorough exploration so he would be comfortable in this body. He also was very careful when visualizing what he would have in certain equipment, just in case.

Suzaku opens his eyes, bringing Lelouch back down away from his face and considering his outfit. It just had to be when the Zero suit was more of a jumpsuit didn't it?

But even with the difficulty involved, Suzaku sets to figuring out how to gently remove the Zero suit. It won't do to annoy Lelouch later with him having wrecked a very important outfit!

Lelouch lets out a gasp and, to Suzaku's not-so-secret delight, a beautiful red flush forms on his face as he starts removing his clothing.

“Wai-wait!” He manages to get out, but Suzaku ignores him. He has a goal right now and he has no real reason to stop.

He's missed Lelouch and he will have him for the first time, after 20 years of him missing him and prior years of being a fool.

He won't waste this shot, this second chance.

The fact this monster showed up and went straight for him is bad enough. But the way the monster is treating him is odd. It makes odd whale song-like sounds and even made a weird rumbling sound when bringing him up to its head. And that's after being startlingly gentle at removing his helmet.

Lelouch has no clue what is going on here. Nothing makes sense, not since that strange monster showed up. Everything else made sense, but this? It's beyond even Geass and what C.C.'s immortality brings to the table.

He can only tremble in its hands, waiting to see what the monster will do next. But as it moves one hand away to start working off his jumpsuit, Lelouch can't help blurting out, “Wai-wait!”

It doesn't even seem to react, just continues stripping him with a shockingly deft and gentle hand. Lelouch can feel the burn of a flush on his face, a part of him shocked he has the mental space to be embarrassed to be laid bare underneath the eyes of a monster.

Green eyes, which he didn't miss seem too human from his view for him to be anything but embarrassed at being laid naked before it.

The monster keeps him in one hand, as the other hand manages to actually fold his clothing and set it in the cockpit—another oddity for Lelouch to wonder over. Then the other hand comes back to cup him, Lelouch flinching a little from the feeling of the large warm metal and flesh hands that are holding him as the monster lifts from its kneeling position and moves away from the cockpit.

Moving a little away in the warehouse he's in, dust and rubble filling it to prove how long it has been abandoned. The monster stops and actually sits down in a cross legged position, getting comfortable. The monster lifts him up, bringing him back to his head and—the jaws open. Teeth that have an eerie similarity to a human's teeth are below him, white with sharp canine teeth, and Lelouch immediately starts struggling despite it being absolutely hopeless.

The monster is not so big that it could swallow him in one go, which honestly is more terrifying than the idea of being swallowed whole—!

A tongue licks at him, thick and dark purple-red in colour, going up from his groin to his chest. And then again, licking with a focus on his penis. Which, to Lelouch's own embarrassment and horror, is starting to respond to the sensations. That part of him feels the wet warmth, the feeling of the tongue moving over his penis and balls, and a little back to his anus, and perks up as sexual desire activates in his body.

“He-Hey! S-Stop, what are you—ah!” Lelouch can't help the gasp that comes out his mouth, along with a soft moan. He's getting hard, part of him enjoying this weird thing happening to him. It's like a blowjob, vaguely, except the size difference means it's more of a tongue bath. A giant one.

Lelouch squirms, stuck in place by how the monster shifts to hold him by one hand, fingers underneath his arms, while the other hand goes against his back and keeps him place. He's lowered down a bit closer to the mouth, as the tongue lathes at him. Going up a bit, teasing at his hard nipples. Lelouch is embarrassed by the gasps he's making, the moans, as the fear mixes oddly with the arousal his body now feels.

“Ah...no...I...Aah!” Lelouch can only cry out, as the simulation of the tongue lathing his penis results in an orgasm spurting out, white spunk landing on the tongue. Lelouch gasps, bending forward just a bit. He brings up his arms, hands gripping on to the fingers supporting him, as he pants. The monster below him licks his penis some more, swallowing his spent in a way that makes an embarrassing heat pulse across his chest.

There is a pause, the monster closing its eyes for a moment, before it opens them again. The green eyes, a part of Lelouch thinks in the slight pull of spent energy from his orgasm, are the same shade as Suzaku's—a fact that he can't linger on as he's lowered down to the lap of the monster.

Lelouch feels the warmth of the monster as he is lowered into its lap. He can feel an odd hum, like an engine running, and glances up at the monster above him once again. It has let him go, leaving him just resting in its lap, but he doesn't doubt that if it wants to it will grab him again. So as much as a part of him screams to run, Lelouch does his best to control his breathing, to calm down.

He is vulnerable unlike anything else with such a monster before him. He doesn't even know what it wants. But he can't help blushing even as he sits here, thinking of how it worked him up into an orgasm with its large tongue!

Lelouch glances at the torso in front of him; metal plated with the dark pink-purple flesh not underneath but actually seeming to transition into the metal. A biomechanical being, like that cyborg concept popular in scifi but on a large scale. He can see streaks of what look like strange black stripes of flesh mixed in, which turns into the gold plating in metal form.

Lelouch feels just a bit calmer, for all he's still in a precarious situation, and looks back up at the monster which is now staring down at him, a rumbling sound that he's starting to think is a purr filling the air and vibrating through the massive body he sits in the lap of. Lelouch braces himself, figuring that it's about to do something else to him.

But what happens next still makes him let out a cry of shock because he did not expect it!

Then again, who expects tentacles next?!

Suzaku is glad he can't really blush like this, because he would be. Having turned inwards to focus on certain equipment he added with this in mind, the many small tendrils – tentacles – slip out from the flesh in between the metal plating on the torso, around the stomach area and just below where lungs would be, if he had human lungs in this state.

'I would so get teased by Lelouch if he knew this was a deliberate choice by me!' Suzaku thinks with some fond embarrassment over the whole thought. 'Even he heard about the infamous Japan tentacle porn prior to the invasion! But even so, I needed a safe way to work him open and my hands are way too big like this.'

The fleshy, dark pink tendrils coil around Lelouch. He is actually yelling a bit, flailing his limbs, as the thicker tendrils wrap around his forearms, his thighs, and even a little around his waist. Lifting him up closer to Suzaku's groin, while more, thinner tendrils move towards his ass and one tendril starts rubbing against his opening, seeping out an oil-like substance to smooth the way.

Suzaku feels as much as hears the strange, whale song-like groan he lets out. He can feel that, that small tendril is as much a part of him as anything else. He can feel the softness, the warmth, as the tendril slips in and carefully starts moving. It's like putting a finger in there, except for the part where the tendril has more nerves and sensors in it similar to a dick. So really, it's better.

The black flesh stripes on his body light up, turning from black to a bright, sakuradite pink as the feeling transmits itself through his mix of nervous system and electrical wiring. Lelouch lets out a cry, as the tendril moves in and out, slowly opening him up. He opens eyes he closed and looks at the bright pink shining on Suzaku's form with some shock, some curiosity.

Then his eyes roll back as Suzaku finds his prostate and he lets out the loudest moan yet, a flush deepening on his face as the sound echoes back to him in this vast warehouse. Suzaku moves another tendril to slip inside alongside the first, widening it up a bit, while a third is made to wrap around the base of Lelouch's dick. He can't have a full ejaculation while Suzaku is preparing him!

Lelouch lets out a gasp, as the two tendrils move in and out, forming a slightly bigger whole that helps spread his hole. “Aah, this is...ah!” Lelouch gasps, withing and trying futilely to break free of the tendrils that are holding him in place. His dick pulses, but he doesn't ejaculate even as he cries out loudly, pale chest heaving and spotted with red from the increased heat of his body.

“No...! Wha-what was...aah!” He glances down, seeing how his dick is prevented from ejaculating and then jerks his head back, his sweat soaked hair clinging to his pale, flushed skin. Sweat drips down his chest, as yet another tendril slips in, spreading his hole even more.

Suzaku breaths in and out, feeling the air venting in and out of his body. He can feel the humming of his fans activating within his body to keep him from getting overheated. The sakuradite pink glowing stripes seem to hum, even as he lets out another whale song-like groan at the feeling.

Lelouch gasps again, crying out in a loud echo throughout the warehouse as he goes through another dry orgasms as a fourth tendril enters, helping spread him more. Suzaku watches him carefully, feeling a coil of heat deep in his stomach. Twisting, getting tighter and tighter. He has to force himself to not reveal it yet, having the deepest suspicion that right now he would orgasm in response to just the sight before him.

Lelouch is pleading at this point, begging to be allowed to come properly, not just a dry orgasm. “Please, please...no more...ah! Please, let me...ah! I need...I need to come—aaah!” Lelouch calls out again, as the fifth thin tendril moves into his hole and spreads it even more.

Suzaku shifts oh so slightly, his hands going to cup Lelouch and hold him, as the thicker tendrils release him. He is freed of the tendrils gently, to lay in Suzaku's hands, and he can feel the way he moves here, so small and fragile in his giant hands. A thick tendril moves down, even as the thin ones remove themselves from Lelouch—except for the one around his dick.

Lelouch lets out a sharp, hiccoughing gasp as the thick tendril enters him, moving in and out. Suzaku groans again, feeling how Lelouch clenches down on the tendril, and brings up a second thick tendril. It should be what is needed, just enough.

Lelouch lets out a shocked moan, feeling his body being opened up even more. “This is...ah...too much, I—!” He practically screams his next dry orgasm, as the two thick tendrils move in and out, making sure to finish stretching him out.

Suzaku swallows against a suddenly dry mouth, and brings Lelouch in closer to his lap. He moves the tendrils out of Lelouch's body, carefully, and sees how he is limp in his hands, panting harder than he likely has before. Even without considering how poor his stamina is, he needs to let Lelouch calm down.

Lelouch gasps, heaving in heavy breaths, eyes closed and little jewel like tears clinging to his lashes. A small tear trail can be seen dripping down from his left eye. His breathing slowly evens out, as Suzaku watches. Once he is calmed down just enough, Suzaku carefully removes the final thin tendril from his dick. Lelouch twitches just a little at that, and opens his eyes.

He manages to lift himself up on an elbow, still shaking a bit, and just manages to watch as the last of the tendrils slip back within the greater mass of Suzaku's. He swallows, glancing up at his eyes, before back down as metal and flesh shifts.

Revealing Suzaku's own dick like this. It is somewhat large, but within human size by his own estimate; his original dick wasn't too different in size from this.

But Lelouch's eyes widen and his hands go up to his face, as he cries out. “No...please...no! It's too much...you will hurt me!”

Suzaku's eyes widen, hearing the pure fear in his voice and seeing it in the way Lelouch trembles and shakes, curling up in the open palms of his.

Lelouch breathes in and out, feeling white hot and terrible panic at what he saw. That is way too big, he's pretty sure of it! Peeking out between his hands, Lelouch stares once again at the massive penis the monster has and feels only terror. He squeezes his eyes shut again, shaking all over.

It's not proportionally big, but it's definitely way bigger than he can possibly take! Even after the way the tentacles – tentacles, just like in those weird old Japanese porn magazines! – stretched him down there, there is no way! Especially with such a massive being behind it!

The hands move him up, close to the head. Lelouch shakes, feeling the hot breath of the being as it opens its mouth and—

“I will not hurt you.” That voice, deep, strange with an almost electronic hum, makes Lelouch snap his eyes open and remove his hands from his face. The green eyes are looking at him with softness, a gentleness he's used to seeing from Suzaku, from other friends. “I would never hurt you.” It...no, he says. This is a monster, yes...

...but he is intelligent. Lelouch swallows, brain scrambling to understand this. The way this monster has been treating him, oddly gentle. The strange sexual desire it so obviously has for him.

This is a person in a monster body, somehow. Maybe. He doesn't know how this could have happened, but it is still so, it makes some strange sense.

No longer shaking so much, relaxing despite himself at realizing this really is an intelligent being, Lelouch is lowered once again towards the groin. His heartbeat picks up speed, his breath catching, as the hands shift their placement enough to bring him down towards that large penis.

He can just feel it against his anus, feel the heat and solid nature of it, as he so slowly is lowered on to it. Lelouch lets out a sharp cry, feeling how it enters him. It is slow, careful, but it is without major pain just the sense of it stretching.

'I was wrong, those tentacles did prepare me enough...' Lelouch thinks in a daze. His penis is still hard, twitching just a bit, as the fear pulls away and arousal forms yet again. Lelouch watches the monster shifting his position, moving from crosslegged to kneeling again with the legs spreading enough to bring the groin low to the ground. Even as he lays him down on the warehouse ground. He can feel the cool cement floor underneath, even as a hand keeps him cupped just enough so his head doesn't bang against it.

The monster shifts, the green eyes focused on him. And Lelouch glances down, seeing the odd way the penis protrudes out, with something large and almost circular at the base where it connects to the lowest part of the torso. And that bit, that bit of muscle and machinery, is what moves. Only a small part of the whole has to move to get the penis to move, unlike he feared.

Lelouch cries out yet again, embarrassing with how it echoes against the warehouse walls, as the large penis thrusts in and out. He sees the hand not cradling his head pressed against the cement floor. Can hear the strange whale song sound that the monster keeps making, so different and guttural in tone from what he first made when he grabbed him, and Lelouch realizes with a rush of strange arousal that the monster is groaning in pleasure. He is enjoying this, as much as Lelouch is despite himself.

Lelouch moans, as pleasure sparks up from his prostate. He presses his hands into the cement floor, leaning a bit harder on the hand holding him up, and can only let the monster continue to fuck him into the floor. It is obscene, ridiculous even.

But he's enjoying this very much even so. This monster of a Knightmare, a Nightmare made flesh, wants him sexually and Lelouch is not hating it. He's enjoying it!

Lelouch gasps, as the thrusts gets harder, faster, being bounced on the big, fat penis of this massive monster. He can feel orgasm approaching yet again, like with the tentacles, but there's nothing keeping him from ejaculating. He feels it coming, the tension and hot heat growing, and feels his body tense all over as he lets out a loud cry that echoes across the warehouse.

The monster doesn't stop, continues to move through his orgasm with the penis seeming to get even bigger inside, before he stops and from his lips comes the most human like groan he has heard from the monster. He can feel the wet heat of the monster's own ejaculation filling him, Lelouch letting out a soft moan at the feeling.

Lelouch trembles, breathing hard once again, as he blinks back the tiredness dragging at him. He tries to move, get off the penis, and yelps in surprised pain. The penis did get bigger inside! Lelouch looks down, seeing the way his belly is distended just a bit, and can't believe he can blush right now as he puts his hand there, feeling the bump within him.

It's too big to remove, the monster shifting so he will be in a more comfortable position but keeping Lelouch and the penis connected. Lelouch's mind flips through odd biological facts and remembers how male wolves' penises form a knot after orgasm to hold them within the female wolf. Lelouch swallows, pressing down on the flesh that is stuck to him, and then back up at the monster.

The helmet, the odd elongated jaw, and yet....yet he gets the impression of the monster softly smiling down at him. “Who...who are you?” Lelouch manages to get out, licking his lips in nervousness.

The head tilts, just a bit, before the monster speaks again, “I am your knight. And your knight alone.”

Lelouch can practically feel the way his chest moves up and down with his breaths in the silence. “That...that explains nothing!” Lelouch manages to snap out, feeling oddly frustrated by this. What is this monster, who is he, to go straight to having sex with him? And yet only say that?!

There is a huff, a deep chuckle from the monster. “I apologize. You may call me Lancelot, in name of part of what makes me as I am.”

Lelouch looks up at Lancelot, at the strange monster, and wonders just what he's gotten into here. Though his words confirm he isn't in danger from this strange biomechanical Knightmare monster. Outside of Lancelot taking his virginity, which just makes him blush harder thinking of it.

'I have the strangest feeling that if C.C. finds out what happened she's going to laugh...' Lelouch thinks to himself, sighing just a bit. And glances down with annoyance at the sight that the knot still hasn't gone down. “How long does this last?”

There is a pause.

“Errr....” That, incongruously, is all that Lancelot has to say of all things!

It takes five minutes for the knot to subside, much to Lelouch's annoyance as he gripes about it while walking to the cockpit to clean up as best he can and Suzaku just waits where he is to give him time to calm down.

Speaking of calming down, the sakuradite pink glowing stripes have resumed being black and not glowing since his knot went down.

'A knot like that of a wolf. I don't even remember consciously thinking of that as an option...' Suzaku thinks to himself, feeling a bit embarrassed about the whole thing. 'Though I did think I wanted to cuddle Lelouch after...er...whoops.'

His dick has been reabsorbed into his body, his internals shifting to account for it. There are a few elements of his body that really are nothing like a natural organic being, that's for sure. Even discounting all the mechanical parts, he's a little too fluid in how he can shape his body at will.

Which will come in handy since he can change the position of the few weak points he has, like his very altered “heart” organ that rests within, at a single thought.

Suzaku might now be a monster beyond anyone's imaginings, using technology from over 20 years ahead in an alternate future, but he is no fool. It's not impossible for him to be injured in some form. The Geass command of Lelouch's helps though; he's of the opinion that following that command is part of why this body will be so very hard for people to wound, much less kill.

The energy he used, the method in which that happened...it likely cannot be done again in any fashion. But Suzaku wonders if the Geass Order might figure out that a Thought Elevator is part of this, if only in how his form was crafted.

The sound of a clearing throat makes him pull out of his thoughts, opening his eyes and turning his attention to Lelouch. He is dressed once again in the Zero suit, though has the helmet in hands and not on his head yet. He seems a little less flustered now, having done some clean up. He doesn't doubt that Lelouch has things to clean himself with in the cockpit of his; it fits with his over-prepared nature.

Lelouch cannot prepared for every single possibility, but anything he thinks might be vaguely useful has to be available to him in easy reach.

“Lancelot, you said I should call you that.” Lelouch says, looking very thoughtful as he looks up at him with those vibrant violet eyes. “Is that the name of the Knightmare we faced prior? The White Helmet that showed up in Shinjuku, Lake Kawaguchi, and even Narita?” He asks, then seems to reconsider. “Ah, I suppose you wouldn't understand...unless you have some memories of those events?”

Suzaku considers it, then nods, kneeling in front of Lelouch like a knight to a prince. The difference in size makes it also practical for coming face to face with Lelouch. “I know what you speak of. The Z-01 Lancelot is a prototype Seventh Generation Knightmare. That is part of what makes up my form.” He pauses, considering Lelouch before him. “It has records of being deployed in two separate incidents in Shinjuku, a hostage situation at Lake Kawaguchi Hotel, and as special reinforcements during a battle at Narita.”

Which is actually true, now that Suzaku is poking his mind through the records he got from the Lancelot's own personal database. 'Hm, the Battle of Port Yokosuka is not here...it must have been Narita that the link was forged. As we theorized, it is true I was able to create an anchor during the tail end of that battle as the earliest time period. Hm, though it appears that it played out similarly even without the Lancelot. Otherwise the execution of Tohdoh Kyoshiro wouldn't have that sudden update to have Suzaku Kururugi as the executor as ordered by Viceroy Cornelia li Britannia; not if she had been captured successfully.'

“At Narita, I saw a strange golden light form around the Lancelot before it shut down...” Lelouch says, dragging Suzaku out of his thoughts. “Were you involved in that...or...” Lelouch's eyes flicker a bit, looking him over. “Or were you that light itself?”

Suzaku can't help the smile that pulls at his mouth. Lelouch looks vaguely intimidated by the large white teeth revealed, but Suzaku himself cannot help but happily say, “You are brilliant, my lord. You speak correctly to some degree. It is a complicated state I was in, before I could truly take physical form. It is thanks to Lloyd Asplund repeatedly inserting energy fillers I could feed off of that I stand here at this time.”

It would have taken longer or have been not as complete a transformation as Suzaku needed if not for that, that is true.

“Lloyd Asplund. Is he the one behind the Z-01 Lancelot?” Lelouch asks, still giving him a sharp look.

“That is correct.” Suzaku tilts his head. “Is there a person you wish to know about that is connected to the Z-01 Lancelot?”

“The pilot. Do you know who the pilot is?” Lelouch asks, still looking at him with a mulish tilt to his mouth. He can practically see the thoughts building behind his violet eyes, various plans already being brought up and discarded in an instant.

Suzaku doesn't hesitate. He knows this will hurt Lelouch, but if he hadn't done this whole process to return to this time Lelouch would have found out today anyways. “Yes. The pilot, rather devicer, of the Z-01 has been since it's first use in Shinjuku is Suzaku Kururugi, previously Private and now Warrant Officer of the Britannian Military within Area 11. An Honorary Britannian with a near perfect record.”

As he expected, Lelouch cracks in front of him, pure vulnerability forming on his face as what he said registers and his heart breaks . “Suzaku...? The one piloting that Knightmare was Suzaku....?”

“Yes. Recent data suggests that Z-01 Lancelot was about to be decommissioned because it could no longer be used, and they have plans to create a new version. It likely won't be too different from the original prototype, allowing similar data to be gathered.” Suzaku says, knowing Lelouch needs the warning even as he stares down at his hands, at the Zero helmet, having to come to terms with the fact Suzaku is his enemy.

That data isn't in the Z-01 systems, that information comes from him connecting to the ASEEC computers as part of practising his new abilities and finding the new orders and blueprints there.

“...It is late. I need to rejoin with the Black Knights and confirm my survival to them.” Lelouch says, pushing back the breakdown he wants to have. “It is already past midnight and I cannot stay longer.”

“I shall escort you.” Suzaku, rather Lancelot now if he is to keep things from getting confused with a second, stupid brat version of himself around, offers to him. He stands up, just for a moment, and sees how Lelouch steps back at his size once again.

Lancelot focuses, pulling up elements that are normally – in a very weird standard of normal – hidden within and moves the large metal plating on his back around at the same time. Before Lelouch's eyes, a cockpit appears and he arranges next for the tow line to descend.

There is a pause, then he feels the tug on the tow line as Lelouch places his foot in the stirrup and the tow line is dragged up by a mental command from Lancelot. Lelouch enters the cockpit, which closes around him.

A camera placed in there lets Suzaku-Lancelot see what is within, and sees how Lelouch is amazed by the strange, keyboard array before him and the many screens that turn on, sharing with him Lancelot's visual feed and what sensors give him. He has put the Zero mask in the spot created for it, as if it is only natural, but is still staring at the different cockpit set up he has.

“What is this?” Lelouch asks, softly.

“It is a set up for a commander and strategist, not a knight.” Lancelot's voice coming from a small speaker within makes Lelouch ever-so-slightly flinch in surprise. “I am the knight, this is for a leader to command while I am active.”

“...I'm starting to think you are an escaped science experiment or something...” Lelouch murmurs to himself, obviously not meant for his ears.

Lancelot doesn't say anything, just gets in starting position and goes through system checks as if he was the pilot and not the Knightmare itself, as is habit for him. The keyboard set up was prepared by Lloyd as part of the Lancelot thanatos, an extra rig for command being tested out. In reality it was meant to help bring certain information with Suzaku. Which has still happened, just not in the planned fashion.

Not that Lancelot has any intention of letting anyone but Lelouch in his cockpit. He made sure to keep this aspect intact and broke down the normal cockpit set up because this is for Lelouch and Lelouch alone.

“Launching.” He says, and then takes off with great speed. The stealth systems are still active and will remain so. So he makes sure to say, “My lord, I am certain you have a means to communicate with your Black Knights. Please do so to announce our arrival.”

“Ah, yes, of course.” Lelouch goes for his phone and after a pause where he thinks on who to call, hits the call button; already obviously thinking of how he can explain this.

Lancelot smiles, yet again. He's pretty sure Lelouch won't be explaining things and let them draw some conclusions from how this Nightmare is now under his command.

It certainly serves the legend of Zero, for him to be captured by a strange monster but come back with it tamed to his will.

The mood is very dour if not defeatist right now among the Black Knights. It is of no surprise, considering that strange monster Knightmare popping up out of nowhere and taking Zero with it.

C.C. knows very well that the Black Knights have already resigned themselves to the idea of Zero being dead and gone, even though C.C. told them that Zero is still alive and she would know if he was dead. They didn't believe her, which is annoying.

Diethard brought up part of the problem of having no Zero; that means no person to help bring all sorts of people with different goals and ideologies together in a harmonious cooperation. Which is unfortunately true. As a result, they are having a late night meeting right now.

“He's not dead. I will keep saying it and not stop until you believe it. I have ways to know if he's dead and he is not.” C.C. says, interrupting that late night meeting after entering through the door and hearing it swish shut behind her. No one has slept, focusing on trying to organize the Black Knights to function without Zero. Or just too scared to sleep, judging by Kallen's expression where she leans up against a wall in this room, a bandage above her left eye.

“You are just Zero's mistress! What do you know?” Tamaki demands, once again looking frustrated with her.

But this time, Diethard looks thoughtful. “If you are telling the truth, then Zero will contact us soon to confirm it. That does, however, beg the question of why that monster went straight to Zero and why...”

'That's actually a good question. Perhaps whatever it is, has a tie to Geass.' C.C. thinks to herself, even as the Black Knights start arguing on what they are to do, if Zero really is actually alive and there is a chance. A few are bringing up the possibility they will need to rescue him. 'If it is drawn to Geass, to the Power of Kings...I wonder what that means. Lelouch is currently the only Geass user here... '

The sound of Kallen's phone ringing cuts through the arguments, even dragging C.C.'s attention over to the redhead. Kallen pulls out a cell phone, looking wide eyed at the contact on screen, then hits answer and brings it to her ear. “He-Hello?”

There is a pause, then a bright smile forms on her face. “Zero! You are alright!?”

Everyone exchanges looks there, before looking over at Kallen. They all relax, as Kallen nods at them, giving a thumbs up. Diethard grins triumphantly, while Tohdoh gives a soft smile of relief.

“Hm? What do you mean hold your fire?” Kallen frowns a bit, looking confused, before it clears up a bit. “Alright, I'll make sure they know.” She hangs up, looking at everyone. “His ETA is in three minutes, he told me to go make sure no one fires on what is going to approach them.”

“What could he mean by that?” Ohgi asks, frowning with a puzzled expression on his face.

“I believe we will be enlightened shortly. Shall we?” Diethard says, an odd smug smile on his face, as he goes and leaves the meeting room. Kallen is quickly on his heels, with the rest following.

C.C. brings up the rear, wondering what exactly went down. What did Lelouch do, to allow himself to still be alive and also able to return to the Black Knights?

It doesn't take long for everyone to be informed, woken up, and gather together by the entrance to this particular base, which is part of the hangar they built in here. It's going to be abandoned soon, as Rakshata brought over something to be a better base for them, but it works right now as a central hub.

The sight of the same monster as before has everyone curse, looking ready to prepare for combat. Only for Kallen to shout, “Wait! He said to hold our fire!”

“There's a cockpit now.” Rakshata says, tapping her long pipe in her hand as she stares at the screen that shows the approaching monster. She suddenly grins. “Don't tell me...”

The doors into the hangar part of this building activate and open, having been given the private code to do so. The Monster Knightmare glides in smoothly, even elegantly, with everyone backing away despite already being far away from it.

It comes to a halt and the cockpit opens up...

...revealing Zero, his cape briefly flung behind him as he stands up.

A pin could drop and be heard, as everyone falls quiet. C.C. can only stare, eyes wide in shock. They can hear the hum as the tow line activates, letting Zero come down. The cockpit then seems to fold up, being absorbed half into the monster, with the metal spikes restored as if the cockpit was never there.

Zero approaches them, acting as casual as ever. “It is good to be back.”

Kallen races forward and gets up in front of him, stopping just shy of actual physical contact. Practically bouncing up and down, Kallen salutes Zero with a bit of tears in her eyes and a wide smile. “Zero! I'm glad you are safe!”

“At ease, Kallen.” Zero's voice is warm, as he turns to the rest. “I do apologize for not contacting all of you until I was on route here. I should have told you sooner I was alright, that was my fault.”

“We're just glad you are safe.” Tamaki says, letting out a big sigh. “We all thought you were dead. Only that weird C.C. of yours said otherwise!”

“Ah. She would know if I was dead or not, I assure you all.” Zero says, glancing over at her, before back to the rest. C.C. twitches, just a bit, feeling a rising irritation. “This being is now under my command. Do not attack him or make any threatening moves. He shouldn't attack even so, but don't risk it.”

“He's yours?!” Rakshata of all people is the one to shout that, looking shocked.

The Monster Knightmare shifts, going into a kneel like that of a knight. The eyes, sharp and eerily human in intelligence, look them all over and the head tilts. It nods, letting out a sound like a whale song that seems...friendly. Perhaps.

C.C. just stares, unable to speak as she slowly processes this.

“This is delightful...! My this is going to frighten the Britannian forces to see this fighting on our side!” Diethard says, looking eager and gleeful.

“They likely believe I am dead. We can make use of it, though not for long.” Zero seems to consider everyone here, before he turns and starts to walk towards the mobile base. “I need to rest, so I shall speak to you all later today. We should all get our rest, in fact.” He says, waving a hand.

The group can only nod silently, even as the monster stands up and starts following Zero, keeping a close pace with him while also being careful to not accidentally step on them as it moves—which includes lifting up the tail even as it sways above them.

It is quiet, everyone just digesting the return of Zero with that Knightmare Monster in tow.

“Holy shit Zero's so damn cool. He fucking tamed an actual monster!” Tamaki gets out, a broad grin on his face.

“What the absolute fuck.” C.C. says and ignores how everyone turns to look at her, as she watches Lelouch walk away.

There is no other reaction to make, after all. What the actual fuck did Lelouch get into this time?

Ignoring the rest, she moves quickly past them to follow after Lelouch. This strange monster could be a grave problem for her. Especially if it is as protective of Lelouch as it seems to be.

It could very well be a major problem in getting her wish granted.

Settling into the small room he has as Zero in the mobile base, Lelouch half collapses into the chair by the desk. He can't stay here that long, he needs to see about leaving and sneaking back as “Lelouch Lamperouge”. And to come up with an excuse for why he was out so late.

At least for Nunnally.

Which brings to mind Suzaku, which Lelouch internally flinches from. He will have to investigate, to prove if what Lancelot told him is true, but a part of him thinks about how it makes sense.

Lelouch sighs, staring at the desk. He has no clue what to feel, knowing Suzaku is an enemy. But it matches with a few things he's seen in regards to the White Helmet's – the Z-01 Lancelot's – abilities in combat. And Suzaku being busy at times, including being called away today by someone in the military, that matches with the majority of the times the White Helmet showed up in the field.

Lelouch frowns remembering that. He wonders if Suzaku was there at Chofu tonight and if so, why. He should ask Tohdoh a few more questions about his stay, if anything came up.

A knock on the door makes him turn, ready to grab the mask. “Who is it?”

“It's me.” The familiar voice of C.C. makes him relax, hitting the button to unlock the door. C.C. steps in, the door swooshing close behind her and the electric lock reengaging with a beep. She fixes him with an intense golden gaze.

“What was that?” C.C. demands, stepping towards him.

“What was what, C.C.?” Lelouch asks, feigning ignorance.

C.C. actually huffs, looking annoyed, and goes to take a seat on another chair. Sitting down, she glowers at him. “That monster. How the hell did that not kill you? Why is it now working with you?”

“I tamed him.” Lelouch says, thinking about how he needs to investigate Suzaku and not on what really went on. “He is capable of understanding commands and seems to be drawn to me.”

“Him? You keep using him, is there a particular reason for it?” C.C. asks, giving him a scrutinizing look.

“It feels less rude and it's merely an assumption.” Lelouch says, which isn't really a lie. The equipment that Lancelot has is generally associated with men, not women, and Lancelot hasn't told him definitely if he is male. Though that equipment Lelouch knows very well now and his speaking voice does imply that Lancelot's gender is male.

Lelouch really, really focuses hard on the problem in regards to Suzaku so he doesn't blush in front of C.C., as the last thing he needs right now is giving her more teasing fuel. “Anyways, I gained some information from him that makes me have to investigate something soon.”

“Oooh...what do you mean?” C.C. is still eyeing him with a sharp gaze, obviously not really buying that he's telling the truth.

“Suzaku was apparently the pilot of the White Helmet until recently. And there will be a new one produced soon that he will pilot in its place.” Lelouch's words make C.C.'s eyes widen.

“He's the pilot?” She says, sounding actually surprised. “How certain are you on that information?”

“Enough to want to investigate further.” Lelouch stands up, taking in a deep breath. “I need to head back home for now. Are you staying here, or are you coming?”

“I'm coming. I don't want you out of my sight right now. And what about that monster? Will it be fine with you leaving?” C.C. asks, still eyeing him, watching for any tell.

Lelouch sighs, picking up the Zero mask and placing it back on. “He will listen to me, one way or another.”

He walks out, feeling a twinge from his butt as he does, and hopes C.C. didn't notice that at all. He dare not glance back to see what her reaction is as they both leave the small room and head back outside.

A few of Rakshata's people, including her, and a few Black Knights are staring at Lancelot, where he stands nearby at attention. His head turns immediately, as he registers that Lelouch has exited the mobile base. Lelouch walks up, keeping outwardly calm, as the Lancelot kneels once again.

“I need to head to a place where you cannot be seen. You must stay here until I return and not bother anyone. Of course, they shall not bother you.” Lelouch turns his head, looking over at Rakshata. “You understand that, right?”

Rakshata sighs and shrugs. “I do. I'm curious, but that thing could squash us all if we annoyed it. So I'll keep my hands off it and so will the rest of my people.”

“We also won't go near it. I'll make sure of it.” Ohgi says, from where he is leaning against a wall. “But are you sure it is safe?”

“Yes, I do.” Lelouch says, turning back to Lancelot who has gotten closer and is making a soft, whale song-like sound. “I cannot always be here, you must understand. And you cannot hide yourself...can you?”

There is a pause, then Lancelot shakes his head and makes another mournful whale song-like sound. A hand slowly reaches out and briefly wraps around Lelouch, like a hug, before letting go and the Lancelot stands up again, going back on stand-by.

Lelouch lets out a breath, relieved that he was listened to, and then turns to face the rest. “I shall speak to you all later.” He says, before turning and leaving. He knows C.C. is following him, still staring at him with a scrutinizing golden gaze watching for any sign of anything strange.

And the feeling of Lancelot's eyes on him are like pure heat. Lelouch licks his lips and does his best to, once again, not think of what happened recently.

But a part of his mind wonders...when will he get a chance for private time alone with Lancelot again?

That part of his mind hopes it will be quite soon, despite the horrible embarrassment he feels even thinking about it a little.

But that, like many things in his life that is more indulgent of nature, will have to wait until much later. He has a mission to complete first, a nation to free, an Empire to topple...

...and a dear friend to investigate on whether or not he has been a personal enemy since the beginning unknowingly...