Hello again to you all. Time flies and never waits. So onward without delays!

animekingmike & MisterSP: For his perspective, compared to Britannia militarism, it is. It's more a subtle manipulation via technological and economic progress, which in his book is much better. He still doesn't know the full details: he dimension-jumped first.

CashyHoray1.00: Yes, C.C. and Marianne communicate between each other via mind connection. Too much hacking and it will get suspicious. Remember, he is creating false money accounts, not transferring it.

MM Browsing: I discussed Lelouch harem in the previous chapters. So to remember you all:

C.C., Shirley, Milly, Kallen, Kaguya, Euphemia and Monica Kruszewski

Note that harem for me is simple a group of girls who shared affection for the same guy. I'm not going to abuse it. To be clear I'm going for the "Unwanted Harem" trope. This is part comedy after all.

For Akito...I will think about it after watching it.

n0mster: unfortunately Lelouch is not into older women.

ChaosRune: he can be overpowered in a fight, yes. This is why the setting is one where you can't simply curbstomp your enemies, but you have to use your brains.

Jarjaxle: yes, the intention is to make them more aware of secrets to earn their trust. Lelouch is not his canon paranoiac self and he doesn't want to merely free Japan and destroy Britannia, but to fight the various Geass-users and the organizations behind them. He will even let some know his face (but not his identity as an Imperial Prince).

AFTERMATHS 2

Euphemia and Monica wandered around the city for almost two hours, having fun like there was no tomorrow. The Round showed the young Princess the mall where they brought, true to the female tradition of shopping, lot and lot of different outfits and accessories, chatting and giggling about how their maids (in Euphemia's case her older sister) don't allow them to wear what they want. Suffice to say most of those clothes would be considered improper by popular consensus: most of all the swimsuits, models designates by Clovis after all. Not that they cared about it.

Next was trying the old Japanese food sold by stands on the street.

"Wah! How do you eat this, with the chopsticks? Ugh, they are so difficult to use..."

"With the sushi yes, but you can use your hands with the onigiri. Here, let's me show you. This paste here is called wasabi, remember to always use a minuscule amount for bite because it's super spicy..."

Monica proved herself to be knowledgeable about Japanese culture, she explained it was one of her hobbies to research the history and cultural inheritance of the places she visited, a 'side effect of my jobs' she joked.

Euphemia nodded. Monica was one of the few Britannians she knew who wasn't in some way racist or stuck up. She was a gentle and kind girl, all those rumours about her trying to murder Luciano Bradley were without a doubt false, even if the man was unpleasant there is no way the smiling girl before her would be capable of such an act.

And it was all thank to Lelouch: she didn't know exactly how the two meet but one day the boy introduced the, at the time, shy girl to her and Nunnally while playing. After only few hours they all became great friends. Monica held Lelouch in great consideration and always tried to emulate him in every way. Sure Lelouch was a great mentor for the girl to have become such a great person.

After all the excitement they decided to rest in a small park, where the pink haired princess tried to set up a conversation with a black cat, much to Monica's amusement.

"Meow meow," the Britannian meowed cutely, as if she could speak the language of cats. "Aww, does the kitty's paw hurt? Oh, meow meow meow!"

To which the kitten replied "Meow? Meow!" It was as he was trying to say 'Who is this oddball?'

Monica tried to hold back laughing at the cute scene. 'So Euphie. So so much Euphie.' Laying down the bags she reached out and pet it on the head, smiling when it purred. "You always loved animals, right Euphie? Do you want to take him home?"

"Uhm..." The princess hesitated. "I'd love to, only I don't know if big sister will let me keep him."

"Euphie, you're a princess: having a domestic animal shouldn't be so much of an issue for a person in your position. Not when you see some Counts carrying around cougars with a leash." She sighed. "Is Her Highness so...?" She didn't finish. Doing so would be highly improper.

"So Bossy? Yes!" Of course the pink haired girl didn't care. "I can't do anything without some form of supervising. Even if I'm Royalty I have no real political power." She continued, sulking. "It's like living in a golden cage. I'm so tired of it: for once I want to do something useful with a decision which is only my own." Suddenly a sly smile formed on her lips and she turned toward Monica, the cat now in her arms purring contentedly. "Monica. I have another favour to ask of you."

"Yes?"

"Please escort me to the Shinjuku Ghetto." She said with utter seriousness.

Monica's eyes widened and her face lost all colours. "M-My Lady?! No! Absolutely no! It's too dangerous and..."

"Monica." Euphemia interrupted her. "This isn't an order. But please, just this once accept this selfish request of mine." Her voice didn't betray anything, but her eyes were pleading.

Duty and friendship battled inside her for a short time before she dropped her head in resignation. "Alright, but you have to listen to me and be careful. Clear?"

"Clear!" The young girl's face beamed with happiness.

[*]

The life of Margrave Jeremiah Gottwald was over, he just knew it. He had the most important chance to secure power for the Purist Faction before the arrival of the next Viceroy and he screwed up. Inside the cockpit of his Sutherland while doing a degrading, for one of his rank, patrol around the Settlement, his thoughts went back to that night. He made preparations for almost all the possible occurrences with the chance of upsetting the pageant. Used the most secure of security arrangements.

And then a monster appeared and tore apart everything with contemptuous ease. A seeming single unarmed terrorist claimed responsibility for the attack to the Viceroy, defeated them all and rescued the prisoner.

"C'mon, you know it will not work. What's the point?"

He didn't say the whole truth. He didn't say that till the end he refused to believe the reality before him. He needed to believe that shooting him would kill him like it is supposed to be in a normal and logical world.

Instead he failed: the failure to stop Accelerator and the truth of how they condemned an innocent cast the Purists's reputation into dirt. He barely kept his title while the rest of the Faction lost all its power. Kewell and Villetta fared better: as simple subordinates they didn't receive much attention. But like him their life was in tatters: nobody would trust them anymore. Britannia didn't condone failure, not matter how unreasonable it is.

Jeremiah knew failure very well: it all began that night, that damned night when he failed to protect his true liege. A year later he also failed her children. And now...

An incoming transmission pulled him out of his grim musings. "Lord Jeremiah, Accelerator has been sighted in Shinjuku inside the old stadium in sector two. Lord Wellington is already there and is requesting backup."

'Shinjuku? What he is doing there? Gloating about how we can do nothing about him? It doesn't matter, I will not let you get away, Accelerator!' "Roger that. I'm on my way." Features set into dire determination he pushed his Sutherland at maximum speed, destination: Shinjuku and revenge.

[*]

The Shinjuku ghetto resembled almost a post-apocalyptic city. Nothing but dull grey buildings, devoid of any decorations or flora, with no even one person outside. Instead small make-shift shrines and pictures of the deceased put on the walls dominated the landscape. The two girls advanced carefully among the rubble, the blonde one surveying the area with the cold and analytical eye of a soldier, a mix of disapproval and worry swelling inside her, while the pink haired one wore a distressed face.

"Such desolation..." Murmured Euphemia. "Monica, it is true what they said? That it was terrorists using a stolen chemical weapon?"

"Do you want the truth Euphie?" She stopped and picked up a piece of concrete littered with bullet's holes. "From what I know not only there are no signs of any of the confirmed permissions necessary to work on such a thing, but all the area's damage screamed about an armed conflict. There were terrorists, but they only begun to fight back after hijacking a train full of Sutherlands. The recordings of the battle are clear, but the whole situation which started it is not. Without talking about the most obvious blunder." She turned her head to stare at her. "It was reported that the only thin stolen was a rather large canister of gas. The basics of the use of gas are to equip soldiers with little gas-grenades and gas masks and use them systematically, and inside buildings. Because outside the gas dispersed rapidly. The amount they stolen was not a threat so great to warrant a mobilization of such a large force." She lowered her eyes. "It pains for me to say it, but Her Highness Clovis is hiding something. The subject will almost surely never brought up, but..."

"It's okay." The young princess put her hands on her shoulders in a sign of comfort. "I am a Royal, I know about intrigues and doubt, but I trust my brother to have a very good reason for his actions. That is why I will...!"

"Man, I figured they wouldn't use RPG's on the Elevens." "Hey look! Marks from a Hummer round! Get a shot of that!"

A duo of very excited voices interrupted their conversation. Turning around they saw two Britannian students taking pictures and commenting about the previous battle like they were on the set of a film. This disgusting behaviour made both their stomach curl. As if on cue three Eleven men guided by a redhead with a headband surrounded the two schoolboys and destroyed the camera they were using, yelling to get the hell out of there.

"H-how dare a...a mere Eleven-" One of them tried to shout back, but it was the wrong thing to said because now the men seemed ready to beat them.

Euphemia was fidgeting. "Monica, what should we..." She tried to say, but the blonde soldier was already moving.

The two groups stopped seeing the blonde girl approaching. One of the students seeing a fellow Britannians decided to search help.

"Thank goodness someone's here! You have to call the police: those lowly Ele..."

SLAP! SLAP!

Fast as lightning Monica slapped the two so hard they fell to the ground, leaving all present stunned. Monica stared at them with a vicious and angry glare, her face a mask of cold fury so strong the two students nearly wet themselves.

"You are disgusting." She spoke slowly, each word accented as to no leave any possible misunderstanding about their real meaning. "Without respect for the dead and the sorrow of the living you come here and behave like spoiled children, desecrating what is both a cemetery and a battlefield with your inexcusable conduct. Don't." She hissed, seeing as one of them was opening his mouth to speak, shutting him. "I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses. You are trash: nothing more, nothing else. Not even worthy of being called human beings. Now get lost."

"We..."

"GET LOST!" Finally taking the hint the two students sprang to their feet and run away. Satisfied Monica turned to the trio of flabbergasted Japanese and slightly bowed. "Sorry for the interference, but I wanted to punish them myself. I will take my leave now. Farewell." That said she walked back to and equally flabbergasted Euphemia and, taking her hand, began to drag her away.

"Wow Monica, I didn't know you have such a fire inside you." Marvelled Euphie, eyes shinning with admiration.

"Nothing of the sort...I just, as a soldier I simply feel the need to pay the utmost respect to the places where living, breathing people fought and died. Seeing them treating it like a comics convention...something just snapped. I'm sorry." She trailed off, embarrassed.

"Not at all." Euphemia grabbed her arm and smiled. "I wanted to do the same thing."

They both smiled, before the sound of gunshots and explosions filled the air.

[*]

"Did you see that?"

"Yeah. Chick was scary. The glasses one seemed on the verge of pissing himself."

"At least I'm sure they will not pull off a similar stunt ever again. What do you think Tamaki?"

"Me? I think the blonde one was a soldier or a trained bodyguard. Remember me of Kallen on her worst days..."

"No shit. But I relieved to know not all the Brits are insensitive assholes. The pink one looked more a civilian. Maybe one of them or both have a relative who died here during the battle and they come to pay they respect."

"Yeah, we are not the only ones..."

BOOM!

"Holy shit! Did you hear that?"

"An explosion. And...Knightmare fighting? We have in program an operation here?"

"Hell no. Accelerator made it clear: keep a low profile for the time being. And I know there are not other cells hidden here."

"Suspicious. Best to go and have a look. Tamaki go back to the base and inform Ohgi. Me and Miyahara will go and later report what we saw."

"The hell?! Why should I be the one to run away?"

"Do you want to be near Knightmares shooting wildly without protections?"

"...Good point. Don't do anything reckless."

"Yeah."

[*]

Jeremiah entered the destroyed stadium, his Fractsphere opening and quickly scanning the nearby area: aside from what the heat scanner told him the only one present where a group of four Sutherlands awaiting him, the markings on their shoulders identifying them as Lord Wellington's squad. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the massive anti-armor lances they wielded, an equipment which was by no means standard outside confrontation against enemy's Knightmares. Before he can mused more over it a fifth Knightmare appeared, the cloak and the additional insignia marking him as Major Wellington's unit. He opened communications and asked. "Lord Wellington, where is Accelerator?" The four Sutherlands immediately moved to surround him, their lances accurately aimed at his cockpit.

"I don't know, but from now you don't need to worry about it anymore. After all," He too fall into a standard stance. "you die today, Gottwald."

"What is the meaning of this?!" He shouted, anger welling at the thought of being played for a fool.

"Nothing personal Gottwald, just cutting loose ends. We Purists need to remove your failure before Her Highness Cornelia arrives or we won't have any future." Wellington replied coldly. "Don't worry, I will give you a warrior's death!"

They all changed toward him, a maneuver designated to trap and skewer a target from all sides. But Jeremiah was not a rookie: already predicting it from the start he launched himself to the enemy at his right and, bringing out the tonfa he deflected the spear. Without giving him the time to react he caught the Sutherlands by the shoulder, whirled around and used him as a shield. Some stopped in time but one lance pierced the front and killed the pilot. Without missing a beat Jeremiah drew his Assault Rifle and opened fire forcing the attackers to scatter around.

"As I thought, this will not be easy." Wellington growled before they all begin to circle around him. Jeremiah launched the inert Sutherland to his side to intercept a burst of fire and immediately shooting back, but a Slash Harken knocked the rifle out of his hand. Another come from a different direction but the Margrave dodged it and returned fire with one of his own, but it was deflected by one of his companion's lance.

"Damn! They planned this too well.' Jeremiah thought. He was a pilot of remarkable skills and normally facing four opponent at once would be hard but not impossible. Sadly The enemy knew him very well and pushed him into a corner from the very beginning. What an irony: the same teamwork he always encouraged will now be his downfall.

He parried a lance with his tonfa, creating an opening another Sutherland was quickly to exploit. The lance was ready to pin the Margrave to the ground when...

""LORD JEREMIAH!"" Two voices screamed at once before a burst of heavy AP rounds blew away the backstabber and broke the formation. Coming front the entrance were two other Sutherlands, ones Gottwald recognized very well.

"Villetta! Kewell! Glad to see you!"

"Sorry for not coming early." Kewell replied. "We were lucky to overheard a operator commenting about the trap. We came here as quickly as possible. You alright?"

"Still in one piece." This was good: with the help of his friends he can now face Wellington on equal footing. Unlike him who used the standard equipment and switched in battle to whatever was more convenient his two subordinates specialized in one specific field: Nu focused in high-speed combat, using blades similar to rapiers to dancing around the enemy and attacking weak points, while Soresi had a passion for heavy artillery, favouring cannons and sniper rifles. Wordlessly falling into formation with the other two he turn to the Major. "The table has turned. Surrender and I promise you a fair trial."

"...He. Hehehe." He heard snorting from the communication channel. "They told me to be wary of interlopers. I'm grateful I decided to listen to this advice. Knight of Honour Kewell Soresi! Knight of Honour Villetta Nu! Just step aside and I will forget about you defending this failure."

"The only failure here is you!" Villetta shouted. "We're all on the same side and yet you decided to take the law in your hands. You're nothing but a coward!"

"I agree. This is clearly insubordination and attempted murder. You will not get away." Kewell added his own piece.

"So be it." The major replied coldly. He raised his arm and the next moment four Glasgows rose from the upper level of the stadium, each one armed with missile launchers.

"You should fall honoured, Gottwald!" Wellington crackled. "I have to promise a lot of favours to assemble this impressive force, all for you! It can't be helped, failures couldn't be allowed to exist, no matter the cost."

Jeremiah gritted his teeth. "This isn't over yet!"

"No, it is." The major raised his arm again. "Men..."

It was at that pint that the Lancelot burst into the scene and disabled one of the Glasgows.

[*]

Hidden in a corner, Monica and Euphemia observed the fight.

"Monica, what's happening?" Asked the pale princess. "Those are Britannian soldiers, right? Why are they fighting each other?"

"Those are Knightmares from the Purist faction. It's probably an internal struggle." The blonde bit her lips. 'As I thought: they're loose cannon. I will inform Her Highness Cornelia when she come, but in the meantime...' She put out from one pocket her cell phone and dialed a number.

"Greeting My Lady. How can I help you?" A deep male voice replied. He was one of Monica's subordinate already transferred in Arena 11.

"Redfield. Time is of the essence: a group of soldiers are with Knightmares are fighting each other inside the Shinjuku Ghetto, old stadium of sector Two. Send reinforcements. If there are protests tell them I am here with Her Highness Euphemia Li Britannia."

"I-Immediately My Lady!" He stuttered, clearly shaking and hung up. Good soldier, Monica mused, maybe a little too nervous at times.

She turned to the battlefield just in time to see a white Knightmare entering the struggle.

[*]

"Stop fighting!" Jeremiah heard the pilot of the Lancelot, the Kururugi Suzaku he convicted, yelling. How ironic it was for him to be the one to save him an his friends. Still Gottwald was grateful for the intervention. 'Are those...Maser Vibration Swords? So Earl Asplund completed it.'

"Villetta! Kewell! Change!" He commanded and together they attacked the Major and his goons: two of them tried to intercept, but one was gunned down by Kewell with a precise round to the head while the other fell after Jeremiah parried his lance and Villetta pierced both of the legs joints.

With their numbers dramatically reduced Wellington's squad fell back, just in time for the Lancelot to jump down and surrounding them.

"Surrender Wellington." Jeremiah ordered with finality. "Your luck is at an end."

Via the video link he could see the Major seething with anger, a mad glint in is eyes. 'What in Hades is he...'

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!" Wellington bellowed before drawing a Chaos Mine and launching it into the air. It was a special weapon which burst in mid-air and send several hundreds of super-heated metal shards raining on the target area. It was a terrifying weapon of mass slaughtering.

Just as the Mine flew into the air, a girl ran into their arena while another tried to stop her. Jeremiah's eyes widened when he recognized them. He didn't think about how he wouldn't survive; he didn't ask what were doing here the Third Princess and the Knight of Twelve. He just did.

Both he and Kururugi moved at the same time while Villetta and Kewell pull back to avoid the carnage. The Lancelot crossed his arms and activated the Blaze Luminous shields on both forearms and knees and Jeremiah's Sutherland kneel and cover the two girls, the arms embracing the space around them to offer more protection as possible. For Jeremiah Gottwald the lives of Royalty always come first, even if he has to sacrifice his own life.

Such is this man's loyalty.

But fortunately for the soldier the shields of the Lancelot withstood the rain of pellets with little effort. When the last of them was ejected Euphemia used the opportunity to make herself know.

Raising her voice she declared. "All soldiers, cease fire at once! I, Euphemia Li Britannia, third princess of the Empire, demand it!"

In the face of Imperial authority even Wellington's fanaticism took a step back. Five minutes after with the arrival of the reinforcements called by Monica the Major and his goons were arrested while Suzaku, Jeremiah, Villetta and Kewell were kneeling before Euphemia and Monica, now with a jacket with her proper ranks.

"Your Highness, I apologize for putting you into danger." Jeremiah spoke bowing. "They were aiming to kill me for my failure to apprehend Accelerator. Because of my actions you were almost killed. I am ready to accept any punishment you deem fitting."

"Nonsense Sir Gottwald. Lord Wellington committed a severe breach of protocol and thus all the blame lies to him." Euphy replied with a soothing voice. "Instead I want to thank all of you for protecting me and Lady Kruszewski. May I ask your names?"

"Kururugi Suzaku. Warrant officer employed by the A.S.E.E.C. special force."

"Villetta Nu. Knight of Honour."

"Kewell Soresi. Knight of Honour."

"Then again I thank all of you for your excellent efforts. You are all proud Britannian soldiers, never forget that." She smiled. 'Did I said that right? I tried to imitate big sister, I hope it was good enough.' "I also think you deserve a reward: is there anything you want?"

Suzaku, Kewell and Villetta politely refused, but Jeremiah raised his head, a grim expression on his face. "My Lady, if it's alright with you I would like to be transferred away from Area 11."

"Lord Jeremiah!" "Jeremiah..." Both his friends were shocked, but he continued. "Wellington said he has accomplices and I doubt he will betray them. I fear as long as I am here another similar attempt may occurs. Next they may also tried to harm my subordinates and I do no wish to put them in danger."

"Then how would you like to work for me?" A new voice cut into the conversation.

They all turned and come face to face with Lloyd Asplund, an amused grin on his face and a bowl of pudding in his hands. Many eyebrows twitched while only one look confused.

"For you my Lord?"

"Yes. I read your files and you're an excellent pilot. And I just need a pilot for a prototype of mine. My project is sponsored directly by His Highness Schneizel: I think this is deterrent enough."

"Big brother did?" Asked Euphemia. Lloyd nodded.

Jeremiah seemed to contemplate this development for a few seconds before nodding.

"Very well. I accept."

[*]

Meanwhile, on the roof of a nearby building two men watched the events with a pair of binoculars.

"Kururugi is a Knightmare pilot? Never know they allowed Honorary Britannians."

"This is big. Let's go back to the base."

[*]

Evening. Inside the Lamperouge house a cell phone ringed. A slander hand reached for it and took the call.

"Accelerator here."

"I'm Ohgi. This afternoon some of my men witnessed by chance a fight between the Britannians. Gottwald was attacked but survived."

"Uhmph. The rest of the Purists probably tried to purge their ranks. They're doomed. Anything else?"

"Only one thing certain. They saw the face of the pilot of the White Knightmare we encountered in Shinjuku. They said it was Kururugi Suzaku."

The other speaker froze. After a few moments he spoke again, his voice as cold as the Antarctic. "Are they sure?"

"Yes. There were other important individuals involved but we don't know their identities. If you give me a little time I can..."

"Do it." The cold voice interrupted. Without waiting for a reply he closed the call.

One deep breath. Another deep breath.

The cell phone exploded.

"Very well Suzaku." Lelouch gritted his teeth. "You think yourself a hero? You think a fancy tool with a few gadgets will help you change this corrupt world with no bloodshed?

Then I will show you how frightening a true Villain can be!"

In the shadows of the close sunset a pair of violet eyes shined with a malevolent light.

Aaand...here. I sorry if the end is a little rushed, but I wanted to post this chapter in time for Next Year.

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!