Code IVANO: Omni Rising (Chapter Maker)
Disclaimer:
I don't own the rights to anything related to the anime: Code Geass
The rights to it belong to…other people…
I do (for what it is worth) own myself…maybe…
Chapter 18: A White Fright
-August 29th 2018 (Sunday)-
-Japan [Albion -Britannian Settlement-] = Albion Mall-
The force of the explosion pushed Kallen back into the restaurant and rocked the windows and ground. "Mee… Meeya!" She coughed as she rubbed dust from her face. Her eyes watered as the heat of the blast lingered. "Meeya!"
She rose to her feet and stumbled towards the smoke clouded entrance. "Meeya!" Her right hand moved to cover her mouth as her left hand attempted to fan away the smoke she waded through. Faint coughing brushed against her ears as she blindly approached where she had last seen her friend stand. "Meeya?"
"Kal… cugh-cugh… Kallen?"
The smoke was clear enough that Kallen could make out the coughing form of her friend. She quickly approached Meeya and gently patted her back to ease the quiet coughing fit her friend was going through. "Yeah… are you alright?"
Meeya nodded between coughs and rose to her feet. Kallen steadied her and guided her into the restaurant. She could feel the slight tremble of shock and fear that lingered within her friend.
-1-
"There was some guy… and he was holding this weird cube…"
Meeya trailed off before falling into another -brief- coughing fit. Kallen gently patted her on the back until her coughing died down.
"Take your time."
"The cube started to float in his hands…" She cupped her hands and raised them to the sky. "It started floating and spinning and spinning… then everything started to die… Like… all the colors started to fall away and then the guy started turning into some kind of monster…'
Kallen frowned. "Monster?" Meeya nodded. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah… everything started to slow down and the guy started to turn into some sort of monster… And this voice…?"
"Meeya. Kallen. Are you two alright?"
Their attention snapped to the figure of their new teacher -Genesis- as he entered the restaurant they had taken shelter in. The former of the pair began to stammer and her face reddened whilst the latter of the pair responded in the affirmative.
"Yeah… just a bit shaken up…"
Genesis nodded before turning his full attention to Meeya. "You were the closest to that man. Are you alright?"
The girl glanced at her friend before rising to her feet and throwing herself at her teacher.
"OOF!"
"Genesis-sensei! I was sooooooo scaaaaaarrred! It was horrible!"
Genesis gently patted her on the back. "Umm… there… there… Everything is alright…"
Kallen shook her head and her lips curled into a slight smirk. "Geez… Meeya… You never miss a beat."
-2-
The police arrived five or so minutes later. The mall had been put on a temporary lockdown while they gathered testimonies and evidence. Meeya quickly became a target of interest once it was revealed that she had been at the center of the explosion.
"What did the man look like?"
"He looked like a normal guy…" Meeya shifted her sight to the floor. "I dunno… He had… oh! He was wearing a… blue shirt…"
"What else?"
"A jet black jacket and… I think he was wearing khaki cargo pants… Oh! And it looked kinda like his hands were bandaged!"
"Facial features?"
"Huh?"
"Did you get a good look at his face?"
Meeya looked to Kallen for a moment. Her brows slanted into a thoughtful frown as she attempted to recall any facial traits belonging to the mysterious man. "He had… a… he was white… I think he might have been Britannian… His jaw was round… he had a red beard and hair… and… and…"
She paused for a moment.
"…And a hat! He wore a hat and it was pointing backwards. It was -I think- khaki colored."
The officer ceased his drawing and turned his clipboard towards Meeya. "Is this the suspect?"
"Kinda… close…"
"Did you see anything else?"
Her eyes darted to the floor. Mentioning the surreal spectacle she witnessed would no doubt earn her an invitation to the local crazy farm. Perhaps what she saw was just an illusion caused by stress over having nearly lost her life.
"Meeya."
Her attention snapped to Kallen.
"What you said you saw sounds crazy… but I believe you."
Meeya smiled and nodded at her friend before turning to the officer. "I saw… I saw a strange…" Her words trailed off as she recalled the bizarre being that the man turned into: a humanoid creature with an erratic -unstable- form. The light emanating from it was blinding.
It turned to look at her… and upon its chest sat a symbol…
Something then took hold of her and moved her to speak.
"A symbol."
"Symbol?"
"There was a strange symbol on my phone. Before the explosion. It was on the man."
"Can you describe it?"
She instead extended her hands towards the clipboard.
The officer reluctantly relinquished it to her.
-August 29th 2018 (Sunday)-
-Japan [Albion -Britannian Settlement-] = Albion News Station-
A man clad in black
A red mask upon his face
Had gone on the attack and
Had forced his way into this place
No blood was upon his hands
No evil he sought to do
He dispatched their armed bands
He sought to speak what is true
A girl of gold hair did he meet
A look of shock did his red mask greet
The cameras had faded and
The people were sedated
She listened as he spoke: "Do as I say."
She nodded in silence and followed his way
-1-
Milly watched anxiously as the man paced back and forth throughout the newsroom. She looked about the room and spotted the still bodies of her associates. "Are they…" She stopped herself. Who knows what this man might do if she spoke out of turn?
"Are they what?"
Her stomach tightened and her attention snapped to the man. He had ceased his pacing and was now staring at her from beneath that demonic mask of his. She opened her mouth to speak.
"Are… are they alive?"
"Yes. I have not come here to kill anyone."
A wave of relief washed over her and the man resumed his pacing. Seconds had passed when she spoke again. "Why are you doing this?" It was a risky action -and pushed her luck- but the journalist within her desired an answer.
"Why? I want to show the world what true justice is." He stopped his pacing and looked up at the ceiling. "I am going to punish Britannia for its sins… and then…" Severely sharp beeps rang throughout the room. The man reached into a pocket upon his flak vest and pulled out a red cell phone.
"Status?"
"There was an explosion… but Joseph failed to fully Manifest."
"I see… He served his purpose well. Observe the police and who they talk to. I will relay our message."
"I understand. May our Mother be with you."
"And with you."
He hung up after that and tucked the phone back where it once. He then turned to Milly and approached the desk she sat at. "Citizens of Britannia…" he mumbled as he took a seat next to the girl. "No. Britannian dogs… Hmmm… too rude."
Milly watched as he closed and opened his right fists whilst musing about his upcoming speech.
"Citizens" open "of Britannia" close.
"Hmmmm… No… Britannian" open and wave a little "citizens" close and lower.
He leaned back in his seat and placed his right hand upon his heart. "For too long have you allowed evil to fester… no… Your complacency in regards to and encouragement of the evil of your empire… hmm… yes… Miss Ashford."
"Ye-yes?"
He raised his hand and pointed to all of the cameras in the room. "Please man one of the cameras." She quickly rose to her feet and took control of one of the front-view cameras.
"Thank you. Make sure to get my good side."
-August 29th 2018 (Sunday)-
-Japan [Albion -Britannian Settlement-] = The Rivalz Household-
"Agh… I hate colds…" Rivalz sniffled before taking a sip from the mug of soup he held. He then returned to staring at the 'Connection has been lost. Albion News will return shortly' that was plastered upon his television. "I wonder what-choo!" He sniffled again and wiped his nose of the sleeve of his pajamas. "Ugh… Milly was doing such a great job. Stupid cold… cugh… I could have been there today…?"
The screen flickered a bit and the familiar scene of the Albion News Room returned.
Except… Cyrile and Toma were not there… and neither was Milly.
A man wearing a strange dragon mask had taken their place and a sinking feeling welled within Rivalz.
"Citizens of Britannia… Ha… Greetings... I am a Harbinger of things to come." He raised his right hand and made a single 'left to right' sweeping motion. "An explosion has occurred today at Albion Mall. That was our second warning to you." He then curled his fingers into a ball and pulled his fist closer to his chest.
"It has been too long. You fiends have escaped punishment for too long. Your tyrannical agenda… Your complete disregard for the sovereignty of others has left millions dead and millions more humiliated as you trampled upon them and their traditions. You sought to unify the world under yourselves… and you failed. There was no justice in your actions. There was no justice in the heart of the megalomaniac -Charles zi Britannia- who led you. Your last Emperor -Lelouch- brought about some much needed change… and your Empress is doing well… But it is not enough to quell the need for justice…"
He then set his fist down and leaned in.
"What occurred today is only a fraction of what will occur once our Mother is free… Miss Ashford. End the transmission."
'Connection has been lost. Albion News will return shortly'
-August 29th 2018 (Sunday)-
-Japan [Albion -Britannian Settlement-] = Albion News Station-
The man rose from behind the news desk and made his way towards Milly. She stood still for a moment before reluctantly making her way to meet him. "Miss Ashford. I appreciate your help." He reached into his flak vest. The young woman stopped in her tracks.
His speak had made her reconsider his previous benevolent behavior. Her colleagues were still breathing -that much was obvious- but his mentioning of an explosion at Albion Mall...
"Miss Ashford."
Her stomach tightened and her eyes snapped to the man. "Ye-yes?"
"I would like to offer you this card. It is a token of my gratitude."
Her eyes darted to his extended hand. In its grip lied a red card. She gently took it from him and looked it over. There were numbers and a black -wingless- dragon on its front. There was no expiration or 'Customer since' date and a slogan (Our Beloved Mother) lied where a name would usually be. She looked at the back and saw "Red Mask: The 46th Ivano" written in the signature box.
"Is this… Is this some sort of credit card?"
"Debit."
She let out a nervous laugh. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Use it whenever you please. It will accept your PIN."
"Ha… haha… I just…" Her hands trembled as they cupped the card and she shook her head. "This is crazy… Take it back." She extended her hands to him. "I… You…"
"Are a terrorist?" He gently grasped her extended hands with his own. He felt her try to tug away, but his grip only tightened. "I suppose I am. Keep the card, Miss Ashford, and tell others what I have spoken to you alone… but do not give anyone that card or tell them about it. You may speak about what is written upon it, but do not mention the card itself."
He let go of her hands and she took a few steps back.
"Why?"
"Because I want the world to know the truth… An exclusive story… And who is better to bring that out than a lovely young lady such as yourself?" She would have blushed had the situation been different and had his tone (an eerie politeness mixed with a regal sense of self-righteousness) and attire been friendlier.
"Do not spend more than $777 a month and make sure to look at the receipts you will receive...Hmm?"
"Hello… Heeellooo… It's meeee… Picasso."
Their attention snapped back to the news desk they had previously been sitting at. Upon it sat a light blue purse from which the song was originating.
Milly looked back to the man. "My… Uh… cell phone."
The man let out a gentle laugh. "I like that song. I think both versions are good." He then flicked his left wrist towards the purse. "Go ahead and answer it. We will be in touch."
-1-
"Rivalz?"
"Oh! Milly! Thank goodness! Are-are you alright? Did that guy hurt you?"
"No… No. I'm fine. He just knocked everyone out and talked to me."
"So, C and T are alright?"
"Yeah. They… Hold on…" Her words trail off as a whirring sound fills the room. A few seconds pass before the whirring dies down. "I think everything should be back online… I'm gonna try to wake everyone up before the police arrive."
"Okay… I'll talk to you later. Stay safe, alright, Madame President?"
"Haha. I'll try… and thanks for calling, Rivalz. It means a lot."
"No problem."
-August 29th 2018 (Sunday)-
-Britannia [Imperial City] = The Wise Household-
"What occurred today is only a fraction of what will occur once our Mother is free… Miss Ashford. End the transmission."
The following commentary by the Imperial Host news anchors was drowned out by the lively chit-chattering of the Wise family and their valet.
Aaron let out a disgusted scoff before rising from his seat at the dinner table. "Another terrorist group? This sounds like the plot to a bad fanfic." He then made his way towards the kitchen and grumbled from over his shoulder: "What are they even trying to accomplish?"
James let out a small laugh. "They want to punish Britannia." He raised his fork and stuck it into the half eaten steak upon his plate. "They want to make everyone suffer for what the majority has done." He cuts a piece off and raises it to his mouth. "They want to see 'justice'be done."
"They can take their justice and shove it."
"Madeline…"
She narrows her eyes upon her husband. "What Britannia did was wrong, but we've suffered some much needed defanging… but that's not enough for these psychos. They want to take justice into their own hands."
"I know what you mean…" Her husband extends his hand towards her and she responds by handing him the bottle of sparkling grape juice next to her. "Thank you."
"Is this kinda like what the Black Knights did?"
Lelouch felt his stomach tighten at the question posed by the youngest Wise. A part of him felt justified in what he had done. He fought for the freedom of Japan and much of the free world. Britannia had grown too powerful and controlling and its megalomaniacal leader needed to be stopped. Yet a great part of him recounted the deaths he caused and the evils he has done to bring about the current world. That part of him felt no justice. There was only a sense of finality: he had to finish what he started or else all that he did would have been worthless.
"Brandon…"
"Yes."
Brandon and Lelouch set their eyes upon James.
"No. Maybe. It could be argued either way. On one hand: the Black Knights were striking at our defenses and making life dangerous for Britannian citizens. On the other hand: Britannia was slaughtering Japanese citizens for no good reason and the Black Knights mostly struck at our military… So I feel some sympathy towards their past actions."
Brandon nodded his head before glancing back at the TV. "But what if they had killed Granpa and Grandma? Or anyone else we cared about?"
"No one can kill those two." Aaron stated as he returned to the table. "As for people we care about…"
"They almost got one of your aunts over in California… but the logical response would be anger and/or sadness." James shrugged his shoulder before pouring himself a glass of sparkling grape juice. "I remember losing someone important to me…" He paused for a moment and a frown crinkled his features. "…That sounds about right…"
"James." Madeline reached for him and gently gripped his right shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Just reminiscing." He set the bottle down and reached for his glass. "Just reminiscing…"
-1-
Dinner eventually concluded and the Wise household residents -except for Brandon and Lelouch- had retired to their rooms. The youngest Wise and his valet were currently lounging in the living room: the former was preoccupied with reading his bible whilst the latter was busy using the laptop belonging to the former.
Lelouch was worried. The man in the red mask had referred to a 'Miss Ashford" at the end of his speech and the entirety of his speech indicates that he has no problem with using violence to accomplish his goals. What if Milly had outlived her usefulness?
He shook his head and continued his search for anything that would stifle his worry. The first few websites he had visited were abuzz with news about the Albion Mall explosion and the video put out by that terrorist, but nothing helpful to him. Then, he stumbled upon that Dragon Eye in the Sky website:
"The Masked Terror: Explosion at Albion Mall and Hostage ordeal at Albion NS."
He skimmed through the article and found a large "UPDATE" notice which read: "Apparently there were no casualties in either situation." The update was linked to an article from the Albion News website and an amateur video by an ANS employee who happened to be at Albion Mall. Both bits of evidence helped to put Lelouch at ease. This was especially true for the former bit of evidence since it was apparent that Milly had written it.
"Do you think he would be justified?"
"Hmm?" Lelouch glanced at the boy to his right.
"David. Saul was trying to kill him. Saul was delivered into his hands. Yet David did not kill him.'
"Oh!" Lelouch nodded his head and smiled. "I see. I suppose he would be justified in killing Saul."
"But he refused to kill Saul." Brandon looks away from the young man next to him. "He showed mercy and it looks like he genuinely cared about Saul…?" The family dog waltzes over to them and hops onto the sofa. Brandon offers her a smile and a few gentle scratches behind her ears. "I guess… I understand how he feels. Ammy here tried to kill Charles and I when we were kids."
The dog growls and looks away as though she were embarrassed.
"Then I suplexxed her… Ahhh… it was the start of a beautiful friendship."
Lelouch let out a quiet laugh. "You are quite the storyteller."
-2-
DragonFan: "Another one of those attacks?"
TuffEbrum: "Yeah. It looks like that freak in the mask is going after Britannia."
Numbers1: "Do any of you guys think he might by a Jap?"
CameraShy: "I dunno. Some Black Knights wsere Britannians."
CameraShy: "Crap. wsere = were. Carry on."
callykid27: "So we got another Britannian who hates Britannia? Stupid liberals."
DragonFan: callyKid27 "You could say that I guess." CameraShy: "Spellchekk is yur frend ."
Numbers1: "Whoever he is, he's got some nerve trying to pass judgment on Britannia like this. Emperor Lelouch already decreased our military prescence and handed over everything not in north, middle, or south Britannia, to UNF or local control. What more does he want?"
RezaBedmedzný: Numbers1 "Blood. Justice. Absolution."
"The Sigil of Her Children"
What?
You ask for truth?
Why?
What shall I say?
I have told you.
Nothing is new.
I saw the demon you speak of.
And I saw upon its chest the sigil of her house.
The spear of her Son stood:
Its blade was silver. Its tip was blood dipped.
Its handle was gold and sapphire engravings lied upon it.
They were of engravings of dragons.
The wings of her daughter -by the acceptance of his hand- stood behind the spear:
They were wide and beautiful.
Her feathers -108 upon each wing- were of an emerald color.
The eastern petals that fell from her wings glistened like rubicund jewels.
Where the staff and the wings met sat the Dragon Eye.
Its field was sky blue and its center a fiery gold.
Who can escape its vision?
And there is a hand.
It is unseen.
It is her.
Heard by the Wandering Watcher
-August 29th 2018 (Sunday)-
-Japan [Albion -Britannian Settlement-] = Albion Mall-
Meeya returns the clipboard and pencil to the officer. He looks over it and cocks an eyebrow at the symbol she drew. "This is what you saw?"
She nods and he writes something beneath the drawing. He then tucks the pen away and nods at the young girl and her two companions. "This is good. Thank you all for your time and patience. You are free to leave now."
He and several other officers take their leave after that.
Meeya closes her eyes and whatever had taken hold of her makes its exit as well.
"Meeya?"
The pink-haired girl raises her hand to her forehead and groggily opens her eyes. She tiredly turns to look at her concerned friend as a slight headache begins to form.
"Why did you not talk about what you saw?"
"What I saw…? What are… ugh…" She shakes her head as the headache briefly intensifies.
"Meeya. Are you alright?"
The headache subsides at the sound of his voice.
"Oh! Genesis-sensei…" She blushes as she looks upon the man. "Yes. I am totally fine."
Kallen sighs before shaking her head and smiling. "Good… but you still forgot about that thing you said you saw."
"I did? Oh… Well… I might have just been hallucinating or something."
"You believe you were hallucinating about what you saw?"
She looks towards Genesis. "We-well… it just seems so bizarre."
"Many things that 'are' and 'were' can be considered to be bizarre."
A frown crinkles her features and she attempts to question her teacher. She stops upon catching sight of a familiar youth who was now entering the shop.
Golden shoulder length hair… fair white skin… emerald colored eyes… timid looks.
"Tyler?"
Her companions follow her gaze and set their eyes upon the boy approaching them.
"Hey." He raises his hand weakly and glances at the floor. "I saw the explosion… Are you alright?"
"Yeah. It was kinda scary... but things are fine now." Meeya offers him a smile.
"Good. Great." He returns a small smile before scratching the back of his head.
Genesis clears his throat and takes a step forward. "It is fortunate that the Lord sought fit to foil the plans of that man so that he did not harm anyone." He glances over his shoulder at Kallen and Meeya before making his way towards the exit. "I ought to return home. I hope to see you two in class…"
He stops at the exit for a brief moment.
"And remember to finish your homework if you have not done so."
His students and Tyler wave him goodbye before settling into a brief conversation.
\/\_[U]_/\/
[I]\==/[I]
\_/
-Author Notes-
Charles: "That Red Mask fellow seems to be a rather affable terrorist."
Author: "He likes to see himself as a good guy. Anyways, sorry about the late update. I got thrown off schedule by a power outage and a temporary sickness. The next chapter will be up during the first week of March and will deal with, among other things, the UFN's and Britannia's discussion of the attack."
Ridley: "And I will be observing the proceedings of said meeting."
Charles: "Tune in next time…"
-Side Stories-
Reaver Musings
"I wonder: what Cathleen is doing?"
The Reaver had taken to pondering such questions ever since his ascension to the throne. His secret crusade against the scum of his city had brought him back to when he had first met the Immortal 'Witch'. She had been rather helpful (even outside of granting him Geass) and he had always regretted never telling her how much he appreciated her.
So he had taken to sitting upon his throne while the sun was high in the sky and wondering about her well-being.
"Is she well fed? Well clothed?"
He did this every day until nightfall.
This is not to say that he did not think about other things -business and chaste things- of course.
"Is she happy now? I wonder if…"
"Ummmm…"
He glances to his left. One of the concubines stands there. She is a woman of fair skin and long brown hair. Her eyes are brown. Her face is long like that of a horse and she appears to be of Chinese descent. She wears a blue dress with a low neckline that revealed… a tad too much of her lady bits.
"Grrrr… what do you want?"
She takes a step back and looks a bit fearful. She quickly puts on her best face and moves closer to the man upon the throne. He lets out an annoyed grunt before turning his attention to the grand door several feet in front of him.
"Soooo… I was wondering…" She 'seductively' begins as she gently places her hand upon his shoulder. "If we could get to know each other better…"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Totally…" Her hand begins to drift lower and she briefly glances at the other concubines. "We could take a walk through the park… or the mall. And you could take me to a nice dinner…"
Ridley unfolds his legs and stomps the group. The sudden sound prompts the concubine to retract her hand in surprise. He then sets his eyes upon her and is greeted by a wary smile.
"Do I look like Scar?"
"…Uhmmm… n-no?"
He rises from his throne and reaches for her. She flinches but does not flee.
He gently grips her slim arm and pulls her closer. She feels fragile with his hands.
"Woman…" His eyes briefly lower before narrowing upon her. "Girl… What is your name?"
"Sha-Shaolin Fon… My friends call me Lin…"
"I am not your friend."
Her heart sinks and he roughly drags her away after asking her where her room was. The other concubines watch anxiously and follow the two to the second level.
"Is this it?"
"Ye-yeah…"
He opens it and pulls her inside before slamming the door.
"We should do something…"
"Like what? That guy is a hell of a lot stronger than Scar…"
"We could call the cops."
"Like they would give a-"
"St-stop! What are you-no! No! No!"
Their hearts sink and they begin to wonder what to do. The door suddenly flies open and Ridley walks out with an arm full of clothes.
"Those are designer clothes! NO!"
The concubines watch in confusion as Ridley approaches ledge overlooking the throne room.
"Please! I need those clothes!"
"Melodramatic wench!" He then throws the clothes over the ledge.
"No! No! NO!" She attempts to run down stairs. He quickly seizes her. "Stop! My babies! Let. ME. GOOOOO!"
"Calm down!"
She struggles in his grip for a few more seconds before dropping to her knees. '"You… hah… hu… you jack… ugh…" He releases her and lets out a disgusted sigh.
"Reina de las locas… You will either get new dresses or you will wear a shirt with your dress to cover your… flesh."
"Okay! Okay! Just let me keep my dresses…"
"As you wish. I will even provide funds for you to get more modest attire."
She rises to her feet and lets out a huff. "How come? Scar never-"
"Scar enjoyed seeing you dress as whores. I do not. You are living under my roof and will follow my rules." He turns towards the other concubines. "That goes for all of you."
They nod before scurrying to their respective rooms.
Vest Test
Lelouch turns towards the animal lying upon his bed and offers her a smile. "Oh? Are you lonely?" She lets out a whimper and rolls onto her back. He approaches her and gently scratches her belly. "Good girl."
His scratching eventually ceases (earning a disappointed whimper from Ammy) and he takes a few steps back. "I want to show you something." He then extends his hands and closes his eyes. "My furry friend… Prepare to be wowed!"
Vest! I call upon you! Extend and cover my hands! From my wrists to my fingers!
He feels a slight tickling feeling creeping along his hands. The feeling passes and he opens his eyes to see that the vest had answered his mental command.
"Arrooo? Oooh?"
"Amazing, is it not?"
Ammy nods and paws at his bed. A series of beeps draw his attention to his watch.
"Oh! I better head off to get Brandon."
He turns to leave before glancing over his shoulder.
"Hey… would you like to come?"
Her head tilts to the side and she stares at him before hopping off of the bed and bounding to his side.
"Haha. We had better hurry."