192East Asia was often thought to be a homogenous region to many of the Common Britannians. The truth was, the region was made of many ethnic and cultural groups. While China managed to maintain its sovereignty and even gain territory much like its Britannian rival, it left Indochina open for the taking, and Britannia did just that.
Indochina was subjected to many of the same procedures as other conquered areas, the different countries merged into one colony, Area 10. It quickly became a resort colony for many of the wealthy Britannians, attracted to its natural beauty. Even after being colonized, many of its underground markets also became popular with the Britannians.
Of course, this was all irrelevant to the Emperor, for he had a much loftier goal in mind…
The Shitora approached the region once known as Siam. "Zero, we're approaching the West Coast of Area 10." Ohgi said. "I suggest we anchor near these isles."
"Take us in, Ohgi." Zero ordered.
The Shitora anchored near the reef of an atoll, and the Black Knights brought out rafts to cross over onto the mainland. The coast was just on the horizon, but as long as they kept a low profile, they probably would not be spotted.
As they began to set up camp, Todoh approached Zero. "I presume the same deal as before?" He asked.
"Pretty much." Zero agreed. "CC and Kallen will go with me." He then looked at Sharyua. "Sharyua, I hear Todoh made you an Honorary Holy Sword."
"Something of that nature, yes." He replied.
Zero nodded. "Very well. You will come with us."
Shaurya, surprisingly, didn't act hostile. But his glare still screamed suspicious. "Any reason?"
"If I have a slightly bigger group with me, we may not stand out as much. Besides, you are closest to a native here than any of us. They probably won't eye you with as much suspicion."
Shaurya sighed. "Fine."
Zero then turned to Ohgi. "Ohgi, I would like you to accompany me as well."
"What?" Ohgi pointed to himself. "Why me?"
"For one, your roots started out on the field. And, I have a task for Kallen. I think you can help her."
Ohgi looked to his nakama. Tamaki smiled and gave him the thumbs up, while Todoh nodded. "We'll hold the fort. Or rather, the sub."
Todoh then walked close up to him. "Besides, this is a good opportunity to watch Zero," He whispered. "Please, if you learn anything, no matter how insignificant you think it to be…let me know."
Ohgi had half a mind to say no, but they were burned by him once before. They couldn't blindly trust him anymore; if anything went wrong again…they would need some kind of leverage. He nodded, and turned back to Zero. "Very well."
"Excellent." Zero unraveled a map, showing the coast of Siam. "There is an inlet I hear is sparsely populated. We'll head this way at dark." He pointed to the location.
Ohgi looked towards the setting sun as the others got Zero into a suitable disguise. Truth be told, Ohgi was beginning to see Todoh's point.
Newcomers like Fadah and Shauryaa knew what, if not who, was under the mask. Rakshata also knew, but she was not loyal to their cause. Their only real nakama, Kallen, discovered by accident. He wanted to trust her at least…but if she wasn't willing to come forward to her friends and countrymen, what was she really hiding?
"Thank you for waiting, Ohgi."
Ohgi turned around to see Zero. That moment of excitement was gone when he remembered while Zero ditched his gaudy costume, the young man before his eyes was not him. The clothes were very touristy, with a Hawaiian shirt and jeans. He sported blond hair and a goatee, and dark skin. "It's quite amazing, isn't it?" Zero asked.
Ohgi froze for a moment; he knew Zero's voice was distorted from the helmet, but hearing a natural voice from him was somehow unnerving. All he could tell was that he was younger than they were lead to believe; he couldn't have been any older than Kallen. "So," he gestured all over Zero's body. "…this?"
"It's fake." Kallen assured him. "We applied make up to his arms and face; as long as he doesn't decide to take a swim, we should be fine. The hair isn't his either." She fingered the locks; Zero didn't react.
Ohgi still got a good idea of his body type, for all the good it would do him. But now that he thought about it…the man before him had a slight muscle tone. Even underneath his disguise back then, he could see Zero was skinny and unathletic. "Guess those sessions with Kallen have been paying off for him." "Onwards?" Ohgi asked.
"Onwards." Zero agreed.
Suzaku was back in Area 11, in his penthouse, relaxing in his favorite chair after a good shower. After the revelation the emperor revealed to him, he couldn't help but sigh. He fully believed to follow the law, no matter the ruler. To break it was to invite chaos. He remembered his own father lived by those words during his time as Prime Minister. "Following my father's example indeed." He almost chuckled at the irony.
He could only imagine that his father would be dead by sepukku years ago if he didn't kill him before that.
He banished those thoughts from him mind. He knew what his father would think of him. And so did the rest of his people.
But now, Suzaku was more uncertain than ever. After the revelation of the Sword of Akasha, Suzaku was conflicted. Not only did the emperor have goals beyond the reach of mortals, but a secret society since before the empire was at play! This was more complicated than the ethical dilemmas of colonization, and he wasn't sure if his stance against contemptible means applied here.
Suzaku then heard his home phone ring. He pressed the speaker, fearing his break was about to come to an end. "Sir Kuurugi here; go ahead."
"Sir Kuruugi, I trust your trip to Pendragon was productive?" Dorothea asked on the other line.
"As much as it could have been." He sighed. "If anything, too productive."
"I'm sure you have a lot on your plate, but Viceroy Nunally has a proposition."
"A proposition?" Suzaku asked. "What kind of proposition?"
"She wants to address you directly about it." Dorothy asked. "Do take your time, but do not keep her waiting, sir. She insists this is of utmost importance."
"Understood." Suzaku said, finally standing up. "Give me one hour. I will see you soon."
At a glance, the city seemed to be just fine. Crowds of people were out in the streets, despite the heat. In Area 18, the heat was drier and felt like an oven. Here, it didn't quite reach those levels, but the humidity didn't help. Yet the natives were unperturbed. Kallen noted that while it was not paradise by any means, the people around them seemed to be in good spirits.
"I always wanted to come here." Shaurya said. To her surprise, he actually smiled. "So far it's everything I hoped."
Kallen looked around. "Crazy as it may seem, my ideal Japan would be like this. I love my country, but we were very repressed."
"I hope you both get what you want when we're finished." Zero said. "But we're on a mission."
"Rather, THE TWO OF US are on a mission." CC corrected him. While the others seemed they were dressed for a trek, CC wore a white sundress and hat. "The rest of them are trying to find something productive."
Zero nodded. "Well, the temple is due east of here." Lelouch said as he checked his phone. While it bore the risk of tracking them, it was meant as a temp phone to be discarded as soon as they left. "So, what are we to do?" Lelouch looked around…and seemed to notice something. Turning to the group, he said "Hey. Seems a fight's about to start."
Kallen blinked. "What?" Lelouch was getting stronger, but he was still so NOT a combat enthusiast as of yet.
Lelouch gave a mysterious smile. "We should have a look."
Elsewhere, Viletta sat at a table. Though she considered Britannian culture the pinnacle of human civilization (at least until recently), she had to admit places like Area 10 had its perks. The food here was superb at least.
She found nothing too unusual during her days here; some tourists, but that was it. In fact, just now she spotted another entourage of foreigners. One in particular caught her attention: among this group was a green-haired girl. She wasn't sure if it was the CC VV wanted found, but it was her duty to report all suspicious activity.
However, a man among them confirmed it was her target: among them was Ohgi. Her eyes widened as she remembered her time as Chigusa, as he names her during her bout with amnesia. "No that wasn't me!" She told herself. "I wasn't myself!" She reached for her earpiece, but trembled. She realized tears were falling down her face.
A waiter came by, asking her something in Thai, probably if she was alright or something along those lines. She slammed money on the table and hurried out of the outdoor café. Turning a corner, she peaked out and made sure she had their position correct. She didn't want to do this, but after all she had seen, she feared the consequences would be too great if she refused. "This is Viletta." She said into her earpiece. "I found some of the Black Knights here in Krabi…"
"I didn't know you were into this kind of thing." Kallen muttered as they found a bleacher for themselves.
"Well, I think it's important to immerse ourselves in the culture of those we intend to become allies with." Zero answered, his attention focused on the ring ahead.
The arena was really a large shack, with wooden benches all over. The place was filled to the brim with people, if not overflowing. As a result, the collective body heat made it even hotter, the only relief the fans above. It wasn't enough. Even CC had to take off her hat and use it as an additional fan, while Kallen's red tank top was getting darker. If Fadah were here she would have all sorts of fun with her at this moment.
"Z-Zer…Zeres." Ohgi stopped himself, remembering even here, Zero was known. "Do we have to do this? We should be doing important work…"
"We are doing important work." Zero said. "Is the heat too much for you?"
"It isn't for you?" He asked.
Truth be told, Lelouch felt like a fried egg. The only thing that kept him focused was subtly checking on his make up. Miraculously, it showed no sign of melting off. It was truly the work of a master artist.
An announcer stepped into the ring, making announcements. Lelouch only had a few basics of Thai down, and that was from days ago. The others had no clue what he was saying. But they knew his intent. He pointed to his right, shouting "Chang Yai". If Lelouch remembered correctly, he believed the name meant "Big Elephant." An absolute unit of a man approached the ring, dressed in nothing but boxing gloves and large red sports trunks. His hair was in a fade, and his face looked like that of a killer. He stepped into the ring, which only requires two steps for him. He would have towered over even the largest of Britannian men, such as the Emperor and the Knight of One. He smacked his fists together, smiling as he eagerly awaited his opponent.
"Are we watching the heavy-weight division?" Ohgi asked nervously.
"Actually, it seems this tournament has no weight class." Zero looked at the program, which was generous enough to have english translations.
"Is this an underground fight?" Kallen asked.
"Underground fights don't have open arenas in the middle of the day." CC said. "They just don't have the same rules here other martial arts tournaments do."
The announcer then called for the other fighter: Don Jaa. They eyed the second man. He was tall, built, and lanky. His dark hair stood up in spikes, tied by a yellow headband, and had bright pink shorts. He too was tall for the region, but nothing out of the ordinary. Kallen could see he could handle himself. But against that thing? Yet, he only smirked.
"Either he's going to win, or he's too stupid to know when he should run away." Shaurya said.
"Which one do you think?" Ohgi asked.
"The former." Shaurya answered with certainty. "I can tell he's been here a while."
"You think this is fixed?" Kallen asked.
"Doubt it." Shaurya shrugged. "It would be too obvious. Plus, I heard the Thai love fighting too much to lose on purpose. Most would rather come home victorious and poor than lose rich."
"Shh." Zero raised his finger. "Let's watch."
Don walked into the ring, still looking confident. "Kallen," Zero asked. "If you were in the ring, do you think you could take the big one?"
"Honestly?" Kallen responded. "No, I don't think so. If I were allowed all moves, maybe. But even then it would still be a slim chance. In a ring fight, I'd have absolutely no chance." Kallen looked to him in realization. "You want him."
"Maybe." Zero nodded. "If he wins, he still needs to be vetted."
Finally, the fight was about to begin. The big one did the traditional dance before a fight, but Don just leaned against the ropes, eliciting boos from the crowd. "Not very popular." CC deduced.
"Guess he's not one for tradition." Zero shrugged.
The referee rang the bell. The big one swung his fists, which Don dodged with ease. Of course, fists were only a quarter of their martial art, as the giant quickly launched a kick. Normally it would have been a low kick to the shins, but due to his height, it would have landed easily into Don's sternum. Would have, had he also not moved out of the way. One would have attributed it to speed, but not the way ordinary people would think.
Contrary to popular belief, bigger people, when they kept in shape, were faster. More muscles meant more speed. Which meant Don wasn't dodging because his opponent was slow. He was able to dodge because he was that much better.
"I'm guessing he's going to try and tire him out." Kallen said.
"Maybe." Shaurya agreed. "But if he gets in close attrition will not work." Soon the big one managed to grab him into a clench, and kneed him in the body. "No way he continues." He winced.
The bell rang, and the big one let Don go. Though Don walked to his corner like he was fine, even from far away they could make out the giant black bruise on his body. "Well, he can take a beating," Shaurya nodded. "But unless he goes on the offensive, this fight is over."
CC turned to Lelouch. "So, did you know who was going to win before hand?"
"Eh. Not really." Zero said. "But when I saw the banner, I had to see for myself. It was a mismatch either way." The bell rang again. The fighters squared off, Don acting like nothing was wrong. "I just want to see if it's for the reason most would think it would be."
The big one swung again, Don ducking under. This time, however, he landed a solid uppercut on the bigger man. And to everyone's surprise, he fell back. The spectators jumped in excitement, a chorus of boos and cheers. The big one managed to stand, shaking his head. He was bleeding from the nose; a solid hit. The big one got even more aggressive as a result.
"I admit I'm not an expert in hand-to-hand combat," Zero conceded. "But it seems to me a man of that size is not used to being hurt. Wouldn't you two agree?"
"You're right." Kallen nodded. "He likely never had a real challenge in quite some time, but being that big and strong can turn you into a bully. And when bullies get hurt, they lash out of fear." The Big one got swung wildly, but Don managed to hold him at bay with a push kick. He followed with a round kick from his left, knocking the mouthpiece out of him.
"You're almost right, Kallen." Shaurya nodded. "But I must amend your point. Before the fear comes the anger." The Big one threw every attack allowed wildly, which Don dodged each time. "He probably felt invincible his whole life. He took being wounded as a slight, and now he's lashing out." Don suddenly hit him again with a flying knee to the nose. The big one gripped his nose, clearly bleeding. "It will take a few more hits before he realizes he's human like the rest of us. Then, that's when the fear will kick in."
The big one lunged, only to be stopped by an instep kick to his knee. Don quickly followed with an elbow to his head, knocking him to the floor. Kallen winced. Elbows were deadly; most sports martial arts didn't even allow them. Obviously that wasn't the case here. The ref began counting…and the Big One forced himself up. Don only smirked, and creaked his neck. The look on the Big One changed. "Ah." Shaurya nodded. "There's the fear now."
The fight entered its final round, but the Big One's style had changed. Before he seemed to be fighting to kill, but now his style took on a more defensive measure, with leg checks and push kicks. Don seemed to say something, but none could hear it over the roar of the crowd. He rushed forward, and the Big One retreated behind his arms. Unfortunately, he miscalculated; Don got to work on his legs with low kicks. He seemed to withstand them, but Kallen and Shaurya could see that he was about to buckle any moment.
"Kallen…" Zero asked. "When do you think he is going to win?"
Kallen looked ahead. "I think the next move will be the last."
"I agree," Shaurya said. "And I fear it will be brutal."
Indeed, Don kicked his opponent's leg back, causing him to falter. Don wasted no time, grabbing his opponent's head and kneeing him in the face again. He let go, only to follow up with a round kick swift as a bullet across his jaw. A few of his teeth flew out of this mouth, and the big one fell to his side. The ref counted again; his eyes were open, aware of what was happening, but his spirit was broken. He played possum so he wouldn't have to suffer anymore.
"Kallen." Zero called. "When you have a moment, interview him. Tell him who we are, and see if he's interested."
"Does he have any political value?" Shaurya asked.
"No. Not really." Zero admitted. "But after our last few experiences, I think we need to consider those who aren't 'political'."
CC and Zero walked out of the arena by themselves. "We better get going. The temple is not far from here."
"Indeed." CC agreed.
Viletta eyed the tan man and the green-haired girl as they exited the arena. She couldn't be sure from that far a distance, but the man looked like Lelouch. The colors were wrong, but that could be explained away via makeup. The other, however, was definitely C2. There was no doubt, the Black Knights were here!
"Good job."
Viletta froze at the familiar voice of Rolo. Turning around, she saw him, emotionless as ever. The only difference was that he ditched the Ashford uniform for a tropical shirt, shorts and sandals. He obviously didn't have a gun, but he probably kept a switchblade somewhere. She knew from personal experience it was all he needed. "I take it you will deal with Zero?"
Rolo nodded, walking past her. "Do with the other knights whatever you please." He took a moment to pause. "But allow me to warn you: if you choose to show mercy to them, I will come after them myself." Vileta said nothing as Rolo walked in the direction of Zero. The boy paused to turn back. "And after them, I'm coming for you."
Don sighed as he plopped down on his mattress, holding the icepack to his chest. In spite of the attitude he showed in the ring, that Big Dude was all that. Don probably shouldn't have played with him so much. He won fairly easily, but if he got any lower that knee would have knocked him out. Thankfully nothing felt broken, but he probably should take it easy for a while.
He then heard a knock on the wall, since his room didn't have a door. "How'ya feelin'?" His coach asked.
"Like I tried to make love to an elephant." Don groaned.
"Your gross analogies aside, that's what you get for showboatn'." The coach said. "Anyway, there's a young lady to see you."
"As much as I'd love the company, I'm afraid I'm not up for a good time right now." Don responded, waving him away.
His coach sighed, saying "Actually, I don't think she's here for that." Don's face went serious, and forced himself to sit up. "She a rep? Trying to poach me?"
"That's what I thought, but it doesn't seem to be exactly that either." He shrugged.
Don swung his legs over the mattress to sit properly. "Well, send her in." His coach called for them to enter and left.
Two people stepped forward, one woman and one man. They both seemed to be Japanese, though the woman also sported some caucasian features; she could possibly pass for both. "Glad we got our first assumption out of the way in private." Don said in English, the only foreign language he knew. "Coach says you're looking to hire me for something. Something not ring fighting."
The red head nodded. "You're a great fighter. Saw your match."
"You think that was my best match?" Don chuckled. "You should have seen my fight last year. I genuinely thought I wasn't going to win that one; that elbow saved it for me at the last second."
"Impressive. You're experienced too." She said. "Do you have military experience?"
"No, can't say I do." Don shrugged. "Never wanted to join the Britannians anyway. I'd have been fighting for them, not my people."
"If only a certain someone came to that realization." Kallen thought about Suzaku. "But you wanted to make a difference in the world at one point?"
Don sighed. He groaned as he stood up, walking towards a mini fridge. "Want a soda?"
"Got a 7up?"
"You?" He asked the man.
"Same." Ohgi said. He sighed, fanning his face with his hand. "How do you guys stand this heat?" He asked himself in his own language.
Don pulled out the sodas and tossed them, both catching them expertly. "As a kid, I thought about being a rebel. Superhero and all that. In fact, that was what ultimately got me into Muay Thai here."
"And what changed your mind? Thrill of the fights?" Kallen asked. "I can see they don't pay you enough, so that can't be it."
"I grew up." He shrugged. "Can't say I'm educated in history and politics, but eventually you realize what it would take to fundamentally change the world. On top of that, if somehow we did overthrow the Empire, the Federation would swoop in and take us. And the Alliance wouldn't bother to help us."
Kallen nodded. "Understandable…."
"And I bet the Black Knights can, right?" Don asked. "That was what you were going to say, right?"
They didn't flinch at him guessing their affiliation. "He's a lot smarter than he looks." Ohgi said to Kallen.
Kallen stepped forward. "How bad are you hurt?"
"I've had worse." Don shrugged, gently touching his chest. "We don't have the best healthcare here, but boxers like us gotta keep fighting or we don't eat."
"Are you up for some sparring?"
Don looked up at her, scanning her body, but not the way most men usually did. "You're a fighter too, I see." He stood. "I can't promise my best, but sure." He grinned, raising a fist. "I'll play with you a little bit."
Lelouch stood in the line to the temple, CC by his side. "I don't think it will take our friends this long to recruit," she said. "And I don't think you have time to wait."
The site in question had not only the temple they wanted to explore, but several others in the park. Zero sighed as he stared at the line ahead of him. "Well, I could Geass the tourists here, but I worry that it wouldn't exactly be subtle." He whispered back. The park in question was surrounded by a stone wall. Zero and CC could probably wander about to their leisure once inside, but any attempts to get through the line would get them barred and withheld. "It's big," Zero noticed. "Normally I would ask you to scout the area, but I fear we might as well wait in line. The time it would take to complete either will likely be the same." Lelouch looked beyond the people in front of him, seeing the guards put a chain over the main entrance. "Of course."
Even if they were under the rule of the Britannians, it seemed they were able to convince the Empire to preserve their historical relics.
It struck Lelouch as odd that they were more merciful here than in other areas like Japan.
"It seems it will be thirty minutes before the next group is allowed in," CC said.
"And if we move, we'll lose our place in line. And if the worst-case scenario happens, we'll have to start in the back of the line again." Zero and CC looked at one another. "What's the temperature?"
"Forty degrees." CC answered. "Sorry, for your system that would be over a hundred."
Zero felt the sweat escape the makeup. He was assured sweat alone would not wash it off, but Zero didn't want to take that chance. That, and standing in this heat was insane. "Let's have a look around."
"Agreed." CC nodded, fanning herself with a flyer from the arena.
Suzaku, dressed in his formal attire, headed down the carpeted hall, the soldiers flanking both sides. Despite their outward respect, Suzaku could still feel their hatred for him, just for what he was. Thankfully none dared attack him.
The last time that happened, Suzaku showed mercy. With everything going on now, he would strongly consider stricter punishment. After he was done putting them in their place himself.
The doors opened to Nunally's office. It may as well have been a throne room, a luxury given to all viceroys, as they were still royalty. "Your Highness." Suzaku bowed, even though Nunally couldn't see him.
"I an so glad you are alright, Suzaku!" Nunally exclaimed with glee. "Miss Dorothea informed me of your troubles in India; I hope you are alright?"
"Only our pride was damaged," Suzaku replied. "But I am more than happy to try again."
"Yes, but perhaps not in the way you would expect." Nunally paused for a moment. "Sir Kuurugi, I would like to meet Zero."
Suzaku's eyes widened in shock. "Princess, I implore you: Zero's a monster!" Despite him raising his voice, he remained bowed. "Not only has he raised an army, but he is poised to alter the empire in a way that could change the course of history! And…"
He held back his tears as he remembered Euphemia. Of course he thought first of the compassionate woman she was…and her last hour of life, a mad woman who killed specific people mercilessly, not even paying heed to the literal blood all over her. "He killed Princess Euphemia." He could barely contain the venom in his voice.
"Yes, I know." Nunally said. "It saddens me to learn I couldn't see Euphemia again."
"Princess," Suzaku stood, breaking protocol but here everyone understood their closeness. "I am not at liberty to say how, but Zero was responsible for your sister's madness. I knew her personally, and I assure you Euphemia would have never done those things had she been in control of her faculties."
Nunally nodded. "I also know the Japanese, and all the others we have deemed numbers have suffered under our reign. Euphemia did what she could for them; but it seemed to only inflame Zero. Even so, I cannot believe anyone, not even Zero would resort to forcing her into those things."
"Are you suggesting to make peace with Zero?" Suzaku asked. "Your father and brothers would not be pleased."
"Nor was he when Euphemia made the Special Administration Zone," Nunally said. "I do not know if we can succeed with the Black Knights, nor am I certain I can forgive him." Despite her eyes remaining closed, Suzaku could sense the great sadness within her. "But if we do not try, I worry it could begin a war unlike anything Britannia has ever faced."
"Do you not think the empire can win?" Suzaku asked.
"The way things are looking, not without great cost," Nunally said. "And yes, I am worried for my nation. It is best we approach war only as a last resort, while we can still treat it as such."
Suzaku sighed. In many ways, Nunally was like Euphemia, even though they were only half siblings. Surely they couldn't have gotten that from their father. Though in someway, she also reminded him of Lelouch. Despite his hatred, even he had to recognize his strategic mind. It was impossible to say if Nunally had that same intellect, but clearly she learned from Euphemia's downfall. "Did you see it too, Lelouch?" Suzaku wondered. "Did you think of Nunally as a worthy ruler? Was this all for her, not just for her to have a peaceful world to live in, but to rule over as well?" Suzaku finally said "Very well, your highness. I will support you in this endeavor as much as possible." He stood; normally this would have been taken as him disrespecting his better, but he knew even if she could see, Nunally would not take it aa such. "However, I must insist on leading security."
"I agree to your terms, Suzaku," Nunally smiled. "In fact, that is what I intended for you."
"Thank you, your highness." Suzaku bowed. "Will there be anything else?"
"Just to begin your work immediately, if you have nothing else on your schedule."
Suzaku tapped his boots and bowed again, before heading back the way he came.
As Suzaku walked out, Dorthea approached him. "Do not worry, I intend to obey the Princess to her letter."
"That's what I'm afraid of." she said. "I know your feud with Zero is personal; no doubt you wish to cause something."
Suzaku eyed her. "I am a Knight of the Round; I have not forgotten my vows. But I will not allow her to put herself in danger."
Dorothea nodded. "Having said that, I agree. Zero cannot be trusted." She leaned in. "I imagine you have a contingency plan in place when things go south. When that happens…I want in."
Suzaku eyed her, but didn't turn to address her directly. "I don't exactly have the plan in place yet…but I warn you, we may betray the princess' trust. I cannot guarantee what will happen."
"If it comes to that, I will accept responsibility alongside you."
"Very well. Meet me in my office after lunch."