War of the Seven Kings (Super Robot Wars with Code Geass, Muv Luv Alternative and more)

A/N: Special thanks to Jameyofthemegacosmos, Icysnowsage, Darklord331, silkdreamweaver (chief beta reader and editor) and our Gundam consult and designer Redrat8. Greatkingrat88 and Seerking have also contributed to the development of this story I had begun in-between projects since early last year.

I am posting this story at the urging of those involved and since a combination of stressful events in real life and money trouble, being unable to pay the commission for Greatkingrat88 for the beta work on my crossovers of Code Geass with Sunrider, Kingdom Hearts and Fate/Grand Order for the time being are just the tip of the iceberg. An update is coming for the Honkai crossover, I was hoping to get an update down for the FGO crossover first.
So to show I am still alive and I've stockpiled more than enough chapters to last me a couple months' worth of updates, which at the time of this story's posting I have 11 chapters pre-beta and ready for posting with another three finished awaiting beta work. And updates will be every other week.

Another reason I am posting the story is because while we got MUCH of the story planned out there are some details especially on places Lelouch and others will visit in the coming chapters, once Lelouch concludes his time on the Muv Luv world (expected to be around chapter 16 or chapter 18, the long time spent was due to needing to train, build up exp, and rep). The debates and working out any potential issues, so we need to post the stories so any useful feedback can help with the coming chapters.

I should also warn, massive spoilers for Sunrider the visual novel game ahead.
I'll save the rest of the author notes at the end of the chapter, enjoy.

And a link to a spot to discuss the story Discussion Thread for the story

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"Checkmate."

"You finally got me," a young woman said, more impressed than surprised that she lost.

Sitting across from the young woman was a sixteen-year-old boy with black hair and purple eyes. He wore a black jacket with a white undershirt and matching black pants and shoes. While he did not show it, he was just as impressed as his opponent.

The pair were sitting in a private room with glass walls allowing those inside to overlook the cityscape behind them. It was one of the VIP rooms of the Tokyo Gambling Hall, which were reserved for those who could afford to rent the rooms for special gatherings such as private parties and the like. The room was just large enough for twenty people, with a pair of black sofas, a circular glass table in the center, and two plush chairs opposite one another with the table in between.

"You've provided a good challenge, unlike my other challengers."

"Is that so?" the woman smiled. "You sound pretty bored."

The woman sitting across from the boy looked to be in her early to mid-twenties, with long pink hair, light violet eyes, and pale skin. She wore a form-fitting white strapless dress, flaunting her voluptuous figure while having a scarf of white fur wrapped around her neck. The boy wondered if she was some kind of model or something but chose not to pry.

"I suppose the lack of a challenging opponent would be more worthwhile, but crushing my other opponents has its satisfaction," The boy admitted.

"They were arrogant about chess skills, but you crushed them all in ten minutes."
Arrogant wouldn't be the word I would use, the boy thought. You're not wrong, either.

"Either they never challenged anyone above their level, or they just believed being part of the nobility made them superior to everyone else."

"I say the latter," The woman asked with a smile. "But what about you? Lelouch, was it?

"Yes, it is," Lelouch confirmed the name he had given before the chess match began. "I wouldn't mind a real challenge to test my skills. If I face such incompetent chess players repeatedly, I fear my skills might decline."

"I think I could do a little more than that if you are interested," The woman said before realizing she almost forgot. "Ah, but first your winnings for beating me."

The woman handed Lelouch a generous thick stack of banknotes, much more than Lelouch had normally earned.

"How so," Lelouch asked cautiously.

"I propose a new game with higher stakes," The woman said grinning mischievously. "If you win, you'll get something more than money. I can offer allies and the building blocks for your revenge against Britannia, Lelouch vi Britannia."

"What," In his mind, alarms were going off. However, Lelouch regained his composure and addressed. "I am not interested. Now, if you will excuse me."

Lelouch turned around to head back to the front door, but as he rose to leave the room they had been having their chess game in, the woman snapped her fingers. Before he knew it, everything went white. He found himself trapped in a void as far as the eye could see. Lelouch's eyes went wide in disbelief as he tried to find an exit, but he found nothing, and his mind started to become frantic at the impossible situation he was in that defied all logic.

"What the hell?" Lelouch jerked around. "That isn't funny! What's going on around here!?"

The boy ran around for at least fifteen minutes. Considering his poor physical performance, there wasn't much he could do in his physical shape. With no end in sight where he was, already down to his knees, he found escape pointless.

It's no use. I cannot find a way out of here, Lelouch thought. I guess I should accept the impossible. I am in some unknown location.

By then, he thought he heard some sniffling. He looked up to find someone in the distance.

Huh, someone else is here? He walked towards his new guest, who wore a pilot suit, which looked like a form-fitting body glove in black and yellow. He then noticed that she was a young girl with brown hair. She has an odd style of clothing, probably not a Knightmare pilot. But I can tell that she's Japanese.

He cautiously approached the girl, especially after noticing the blood on her face and attire. The girl appeared to be as old as he was, especially after turning her purple eyes toward him.

"Excuse me," Lelouch approached. "Are you trapped here, too?"

"Who are you? Are you…an American?" The girl asked. She was just as surprised by Lelouch's appearance as he was. But she was speaking Japanese, but thankfully Lelouch was familiar enough to speak it fluently. Even if he hadn't used it for the past six years.

"No, I am Lelouch Lamperouge, a Britannian. I don't know what you're doing here, but I know your language. Are you from Japan?"

The girl was confused, likely not knowing what a Britannian was, but since he introduced himself, she reasoned she should do the same.

"I…I…I am Yui Takamura, an Eishi of Japan," Yui struggled to answer, which was enough to tell Lelouch whatever had happened to Yui was a taxing and traumatic experience.

Despite the blood on her, she doesn't appear injured. Was it from a battle against an enemy? Or did someone else, like a comrade, die for her? Lelouch thought as he tried to piece together Yui's situation and why she had blood on her. It only made Lelouch feel more alarmed about his situation, making him try to think of another way to escape. I don't know what an Eishi means. Maybe a pilot of something if that uniform is what I think it is?

"Sorry to ask the obvious, but were you abducted, too?"

Yui looked at Lelouch, unsure how to answer that question or something else. Yui hesitated to explain, fighting back the tears. He knew it was bad to press something too hard, so he used a gentler method.

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it," Lelouch stepped back. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"I…I just couldn't do anything," Yui was unable to hold back her tears any longer.

"But you would like a chance to undo it?"

Lelouch turned, recognizing that voice as the pink-haired woman stood behind Lelouch.

"It's you!"

"Who…who are you," Yui said as she struggled to regain her composure.

"I am the great Claude Triello," Claude said dramatically, also speaking fluent Japanese herself. "What you see here is my creation!"

"This is your creation?" Lelouch glared at her.

"Yep, details are all classified," the girl pointed out. "What I can say is that this is part of my power, so you better get used to it."

"Well, you sure made a debut here," Lelouch remained uneasy. "What is this place? Why did you bring us here?"

"Well, for a start, this is what you would call a pocket dimension," Claude grinned deviously. "Time doesn't exist here, and just to be clear, there is no escape until I say otherwise."

"What do you want from us?" Lelouch demanded.

"Well, I am offering Miss Yui a chance to save her friends," Claude faced the weeping girl. "She just had her robot crash, and her friends killed right before her. The poor girl couldn't even bare to pull the trigger on her friend as she wanted. In the end, all she could do was watch her rival turned friend eaten alive before her."

"Eaten alive?" Lelouch was speechless, which triggered Yui to break down in tears again. He would have chewed out
Claude for pressing a trauma button as she did, but he was left with more questions. Never before did he know an enemy that could be so savage to eat their enemies alive, nor how dangerous and desperate a situation was that demanded young girls like Yui to fight in such a battle.

"Now, don't be trying to shed too many tears just yet, for I now have a solution," Claude got Yui's attention. "What if I could allow you the opportunity to fix that error and ensure such a fiasco never happened the way it did?"

"What?" Yui uncovered her watery eyes to face Claude as she continued.

"In return, I would like you to become this man's bodyguard," She pointed to Lelouch. "I am giving you a chance to save four lives in exchange for protecting one. That's five lives in total. Not a bad deal, is it?"

"Are you serious?" Lelouch felt skeptical about the whole thing. Even though having an ally with battle experience was helpful, he suspected there was more to the deal despite not knowing her situation.

"I am quite serious," Claude giggled as she approached Lelouch. "And you are an interesting man who makes miracles happen. Well...you aren't that man yet, but you have been in other timelines I've watched you in. Not only would you succeed at liberating Japan from your homeland, but you would also have changed the world. Very impressive, all done within two years before you were even out of high school."

"I did what!?" Lelouch was taken aback. "Don't screw with me! I did the math myself and knew it would take much longer to make the initial move! There's no way I could have done it for that short time!"

"I understand how surprising it is, but trust me. I've seen you at your best and know how capable you are. But I've been wondering what could happen if you were given a head start with the right people and resources on hand?"

"For what?" Lelouch asked. Even if he believed Claude like she was some kind of goddess, he could not just accept anyone offering her help unless they wanted something in return. "You are not doing this out of the kindness in your heart, so what's your angle?"

"You're right. I do want something," Claude admitted. "You see, I have a problem that can't go away with the snap of my fingers. But I need someone with high-quality leadership capability and tactical planning who can bring together and create the strongest army to face it. You, Lelouch, are lucky number seven among six other candidates. However, as capable as you are, the others have the big edge over you due to their resources and tech. So for fairness, I will give you a helpful start."

"That doesn't answer my question," Lelouch pressed as she turned to Yui. "Why her?"

"Well, I could've picked someone else. For Yui, her world is in a far more dire situation. You've already figured out it must be really bad if they send people as young as sixteen to the frontlines, facing an enemy that eats their adversaries alive," Claude eyed Yui, rubbing her chin to her uneasiness. "But for her in particular, she is a good pilot…and a good head on her shoulders. I know you will grow into quite the bombshell of a woman in a couple years."

"That's hardly appropriate," Lelouch scolded Claude harshly. "You're making her uncomfortable, especially after what she went through."

"Right, my bad," Claude retained her light-hearted mood despite the tense moment. "I was just trying to compliment her. But the real reason is that while Yui is a capable pilot with room to grow, her uncle is in a prominent position. I already made a bargain with him and the rest of his friends who run the Empire of Japan's government."

"My uncle? Yui raised her head. "What deal?"

"Your uncle?" Lelouch inquired of the Japanese woman beside her.

"My uncle…is an officer of Japan's Ministry of Defense's Weapons Technology Development Authority."

"I made him and the Empire of Japan some tempting offers to help them against the BETA. Miss Yui has to protect you, plus they would allow anyone else to join her. Because should all else fail, Japan and the rest of her world would be doomed to fall to the BETA. Having an alternate Japan they could move to could be beneficial as a last resort, but I am confident what I've given them will be very helpful as long as they handle it with care."

"Now, I am even more suspicious," Lelouch said bluntly.

"This does open the door for you," Claude pointed with a sly smile as she folded her arms under her ample bosom. "I mean, you come from a world without BETA, and you have weapons tech different from theirs that could be worth trading for something you could use in return. If you haven't picked up on it, you and Yui come from Earths that are similar but with different histories,"

"I did pick up on that. This is just…This is all rather unbelievable to accept so easily."

"Fair enough," Claude placed one hand on her chin before pointing out. "You know, you got to do something about your trust issues."

"What was that?!" Lelouch snapped, his patience with Claude wearing thin.

"You know what I said, and given what happened to you, it's not hard to believe either. Not that you aren't unjustified in being weary of people, which is why you and Yui will work together on this. It will be a good chance to build trust with one another."

Claude then snapped her fingers. A pair of machines, standing at eighteen meters, appeared side by side. They were similar in general design, with both machines having black armor with gold trims and red eyes from the helmet-like heads. It was the weapons each machine was equipped with that set them apart. The machine on the right was presumably built for range combat as Lelouch and Yui noticed weapons stored inside its wings. The opposite machine had a similar wing design but with a pair of spears stored within them. Both machines had the same weapon, a large gun that looked like a hybrid between a hand cannon and a pistol, which could be stored behind the waist when not in use.

The more melee focused of the two carried a pair of swords stored on its back where the wings connect, but it seemed to have other blades hidden on its forearms serving as tonfa.

"Behold the Izanagi and Izanami, two machines made using some tech I picked up here and there," Claude explained in detail. "The Izanami was designed for range combat, carrying two plasma cannons stored in its wings. Its most useful feature is the fact it has a quantum computer tactical system useful for helping direct the battlefield and works with its most defensive feature, energy shields that can appear as plates that can be used to surround the entire machine. The computer is also used for its main weapon, a Diffusion Structure Phase Transition that functions by firing a liquid prism into the battlefield. The computer would program it to release sweeping beams to wipe out great scores of enemies. Of course, it can fire even without the prism being used."

"That's…impressive," Yui remained stunned by the machine's capabilities.

"Well, the next one isn't too shabby either. Its twin, Izanagi, is more focused on close-quarters combat. It has a pair of swords stored on the back, made from the same material as your machines making them extremely tough, but they are also infused with special particles to increase cutting power. As an alternative, the forearms of the Izanagi have a pair of beam sabers that can double for tonfa blades. It also has a pair of beam sabers on its waist."

"Beam sabers?" Yui inquired.

"Ever watch Star Wars?" Claude asked, to which Yui shook her head. "Well, considering you're from a world where even my kind of entertainment is…quite lacking, it's a weapon that uses a blade made out of pure energy."
Lelouch amused himself.

I don't even know what Star Wars is,

"The beam saber is much more compact than the swords, but the reason for having a physical blade is in the event of facing energy shields as those blades are capable of piercing them should they be encountered," Claude explained before adding. "Finally, a common weapon shared between both machines, besides the Beam Sabers, is the Beam Magnum. One shot can vaporize the upper body of a Tactical Surface Fighter. Even a near miss can be fatal."

"That powerful," Yui muttered, surprised by the machine's capabilities.

"A Tactical Surface Fighter?" Lelouch turned to Yui.

"A giant robot that is about, on average, seventeen meters tall," Claude replied. "They aren't as small or nimble as a Knightmare Frame, but they can fly and have a longer operational range. They can use specialized firearms and swords in battle."

"So you're just going to send us into battle to save her friends with these machines," Lelouch found that to be a question that had to be asked.

"No, of course not," Claude waved her hand dismissively. "You two will train together in simulators before you go in to change the fate of Yui's friends and others. A key feature of these machines requires trust between you."

"What feature?" Yui asked.

"Both machines have a feature called the Coupling System. It connects the minds of whoever pilots these machines allowing for a transfer of experience and more. But, it has the benefit of increasing how much your brain can process information, dramatically increasing response time. Not only can this augment the machine's combat performance, but the cockpits are made of a special material that can read the brainwaves of the pilots, furthering response time and bypassing traditional controls almost completely."

"Training takes time," Yui pointed out. "Me and my friends were barely ready when that battle happened."

"Remember what I mentioned about this place?" Claude winked.

"Time doesn't exist here," Lelouch said.

"Good to see you were paying attention," Claude complimented before snapping her fingers. "So why don't we get started? You should get to know one another while you are at it."

A pair of pods appeared before Lelouch and Yui, most likely simulators for the new machines. After inspecting the pods, Claude vanished, to Lelouch's annoyance. Now the two were left alone as they stared at each other in awkward silence.

"Is this…really happening?" Yui asked after a full minute of silence.

"A good question and I don't blame you for thinking that. All of this is a bit much to wrap my head around, not helped that I don't trust Claude," Lelouch admitted.

"Right, that's fair. But could you pull on my ear, and could I," Yui asked reluctantly, but Lelouch understood her intent.

"I understand," Lelouch said before pulling on one of Yui's ears. She pinched him in return, both feeling pain, confirming this wasn't some dream. Even if their situation was understandably difficult to believe, let alone accept. "I felt that."

"Me too, so what do we do?"

"We're not escaping," Lelouch leaned against one of the simulation pods. "I am still skeptical about her intentions, but our only way out is to get the hang of these machines."

"If I had the chance, I would like to save them," Yui admitted. The deaths of her friends were still fresh in her mind.
"But this shouldn't involve you. You have nothing to do with this."

The scars from watching them die wouldn't heal easily, but if Yui had a chance to save them, it was worth a try, especially given how different it was to a TSF. Her previous knowledge of how the battle at the Supply Base went would be useful, too.

"And in return for this chance, you are to become my bodyguard," Lelouch recalled. "I can't imagine you being okay with that."

"Maybe, but…" Yui was silent for a moment. "If there's a chance to save them.."

"At the very least, I am far less skeptical of that offer. I'll be honest. I also have no idea how even to pilot this machine.
I've piloted a Knightmare Frame owned by my academy, but that's it."

"Well, we have nothing but time here."

"But how long exactly?"

Yui didn't have an answer to give Lelouch, but there was no escape for either of them. The temptation of saving her friends was too great to ignore, but she understood convincing someone she had just met to help her was awkward, which was an understatement. But each time she doubted the possibility, the memory of the death of her friends came back to her. The most horrific ones were Izumi and Kazusa. The latter haunted her the most as she pleaded with her to be killed before the BETA got her.

She failed to give her friend the mercy she wanted before the enemy got her and devoured her alive in a feeding frenzy.

If I can change that, I'll protect this boy if it means helping them.

The problem before Yui was not only the issue of mastering those machines. Could she and Lelouch work together?
That, they would have to find out.

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A/N: Right, so the first world Lelouch will be spending time on will be the world of Muv Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse with Yui Takamura to become his first accomplice and later love interest, and a founding member of the polygamous relationship he'll have with other women.

Originally I had Lelouch and Yui start at fourteen years old, mostly because that was the age I assumed Yui was at the time of the BETA invasion due to an entry on Tv tropes, but new information has destroyed that, so I've changed it to reflect their correct ages to match.

Which means I have time to work the relationship between them and others before any romance happens.

But this also gives me a lot of time to introduce the other series and characters that'll be involved giving me a lot of time for set up and introduction avoiding character bloat, I hope. Not to mention given how Lelouch can't fight his way out of a paper bag he needs the time to at least toughen up a bit. I mean he'll be playing more to his strengths as a leader and tactical genius, but he'll have to earn it more in this story, but its also why he has Yui with him, to cover for any issues in his piloting.

After Yui and Lelouch become romantically involved, when the two are seventeen in a couple years story wise, next would be Kazusa Yamashiro with Shimako Kai possibly next. Now I should note the polygamous relationship/harem will have a hard limit of seven or nine. With Stella Bremer, Cui Yifei, and/or Tarisa Manandal as like candidates, assuming the last one makes it through the poll for "problem candidates" being considered, but have a number of issues that could impede their chances against the other candidates.

Poll for the problem candidates

I COULD just build Lelouch's harem/polygamous relationships with just Muv Luv characters easily, but I would like to give other characters I am looking at from other series a fair shot, and not just the CG characters for the sake of more variety. You'll find the poll for the "problem candidates" with the issues they face next to their name and what series they hail from.

I could give a list on who else I am looking at, but it be too big, but anyone who be too dangerous/crazy, too old (C.C. is the exception), is already married with kids are obviously out of the question.

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Here are the series involved in this story.
Muv Luv Alternative (Total Eclipse, Schwarzesmarken (I got a plan for that one), and characters from the day after and other spin offs likely to appear)
Buddy Complex
Gundam Zeta/Gundam Unicorn/
Gundam SEED
Legend of Galactic Heroes
Gundam 00
Gundam Iron Blood Orphans
Gundam Wing
Aldnoah Zero
Cross Ange
Sunrider
Gundam: Reconguista in G
Gundam Witch of Mercury
Code Geass
Gunbuster (this might be a short one, due to the time dilation being a serious headache during planning.)
Gun x Sword
Armored Core 2

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Reserve/Back up series: (Their inclusion would depend on working out a way to introduce them without expending a whole chapter in their introduction alone, and how well they can fit. Some have more specific reasons.)
Diebuster (worried about this one due to the escalation involving the machines that could unbalance things.)
Heavy Object
Valvrave the Liberator
Full Metal Panic
Neon Genesis Evangelion (I foresee heavy conflict with NERV)
Infinite Stratos (debates on how effective IS suits are and other ongoing debates)
Darling in the Franxx (likely to get attacked by the heroes and getting wrecked, but the VIRM might be much)
Expelled from Paradise
Crossbone Gundam and V Gundam
So I figure I'll save any further details for the author notes of the second chapter, which while its ready to go I'll post it the following week. I just don't like leaving big author notes, and this far bigger than I wanted to do.

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Thank you reading, so expect an update every other week. I hope you'll enjoy it, thank you in advance for your feedback and reviews.

Special thanks to Jameyofthemegacosmos, Icysnowsage, Darklord331, silkdreamweaver (chief beta reader and editor) and our Gundam consult and designer Redrat8. Greatkingrat88 and Seerking (all of them their author names from fanfiction.net) have also contributed to the development of this story I had begun in-between projects since early last year.

I should note F-14 Tomcat Lover (fanfiction.net author was also a contributor to the story, and I say was is because for awhile now I tried to ask him for help with some of the chapters (11-14) and I haven't been able to get in touch with him, so I am mentioning now before I accidently forget again that he was involved in this the development of this story.

I am posting at fanfiction.net, archive of our own, here and Space Battles, the latter place has some posts and info on some upcoming stuff there if anyone is curious.

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"Enemy approaching from your right, Yui," Lelouch warned from the cockpit of his simulation pod.

"I see them," Yui replied as she faced the enemy.

Yui had told Lelouch about the enemy the people of her world had been facing, called the Beings of Extra Terrestrial origin which is Adversary to the human race, otherwise known as the BETA. They were first discovered on Mars before they reached the moon nine years later. Unlike his world, the moon had bases stationed upon its surface, most for conducting geological surveys with the possibility for colonization being considered and perhaps even mining operations supported and overseen by the United Nations, international organization comprised of almost every nation that currently exists on Earth, and serves as a means of facilitating international cooperation between countries in almost all subjects and concerns.

Despite their best efforts, humanity lacked a viable means to move needed supplies to the moon to support those fighting against the BETA. Making the situation even worse for the desperate defenders was the fact the moon's environment worked against them and space development treaties prohibited the use of weapons, beyond small arms and certain vehicle necessities, and weapons development on the moon which only served to hinder humanity's efforts to fight back.

Even so the defenders held off for at six grueling years before the United Nations were forced to abandon the Moon, because by that point the BETA had begun invading the Earth.

I knew Yui's enemy was something truly alien, but even seeing them in action is hard to believe. However, while the war on the moon itself might have been a one-sided affair for humanity, they did learn lessons from the conflict.

Even before the BETA had begun their invasion of the moon, many countries recognized the danger they would poise to Earth so research had begun to develop new weapons, drawing from the successful use of a new kind of powered-exoskeleton the Tactical Surface Fighter would be created and be the most effective weapon against the BETA.
Lelouch watched Yui take on a class of BETA known as a Grappler-Class, a creature standing at thirteen meters with two hardened armored forearms used to batter enemies to death and shield against enemy attacks. It had four legs and it was a grotesque looking creature with a human-like head on top, no eyes, but a row of human-like teeth on its tail that made looking at the creature very unsettling.

Yui pulled back as the creature attempted a surprise attack upon her, amazed by how responsive the Izanagi was, and its firepower was truly impressive as Yui quickly moved to its side before firing a shot from the Beam Magnum intending to kill it quickly because she knew Grapplers could turn around very quickly despite their bulk. One shot on its unprotected body blew the creature apart, killing it easily. Suddenly a pair of beam rifle shots flew past Yui striking another BETA type that had been rushing towards her intending to ram her.

The creature was called a Destroyer-Class, a BETA that was at least sixteen meters tall and about seventeen meters wide, a living tank would be a proper description for them. Their hardened frontal carapace allowed them to shrug off most frontal attacks before running up to a hundred miles per hour to ram into targets or most fortifications allowing their fellow BETA to deal with the mop up.
However Lelouch noticed that while the beam rifles were effective, they didn't kill it, but it damaged the frontal armor and the hit was enough to stall its movements to give Yui a chance to evade.

"Thank you, Lelouch," Yui said as she quickly got behind it, but unlike the Grapple-class, the Destroyers couldn't turn their bodies in another direction very quickly making it easier for a nimbler foe to get behind it and strike where its body was the least vulnerable.

"Hang back for a moment Yui, I am going to wipe out some of the approaching enemy and see if I can't clear the field of the Laser-class enemies," Lelouch said as he moved up as Yui stayed nearby to cover him.

"Understood."

The Laser-class are on average three meters tall and surprisingly light, but despite their small size and light body weight, at least compared to other BETA, they were totally lacking any armor, speed, and maneuverability making them easy to dispatch up close. However, they were the bane of Earth's military forces due to their powerful lasers that could hit anything from ten kilometers high and thirty kilometers ahead of their location being the reason they've rendered aerial attacks and long range artillery support almost meaningless. However, according to research made on their attacks as Yui explained to him, they would prioritize attacks on targets with advanced computers such as drones and missiles and almost ignore most artillery unless that was all that was being fired at them.
In addition to the long range, their lasers were frighteningly accurate despite the distance between their targets and could destroy a TSF with a single shot if a pilot wasn't careful to stay low to the ground and thus below the horizon reducing their ability to engage.

"Targets locked in," the computer within Lelouch's cockpit said as the tactical computer combined with its sensors located the Laser-class BETA.

On the lower abdomen of the Izanami was a Scattering Mega Particle Cannon, taking to the air Lelouch took aim as his machine's barrier, called an I-field deflected the lasers of the Laser-class, even redirecting them away from him as the weapon charged readying to fire. Once the weapon was charged it fired a scattering blast which rained down upon numerous BETA units, with many killed in the attack, but most importantly the Laser-class units were wiped out.

"You got them," Yui said, impressed.

"The tactical computer on the Izanami is quite impressive, so I can't take all of the credit. It was helpful in finding a suitable firing location so that I could achieve the desired results and stay out of their line of fire," Lelouch admitted with a grin that he didn't immediately realize he had.

But he could partially understand it.

A machine like this would be useful against Britannia, but…

As impressed as he was by the Izanami, Lelouch was still suspicious of Claude. He was at least certain she had no malicious intent for now, but he opted not to let his guard down around her. Yui, on the other hand, he was more willing to trust, due to their shared situation of being trapped in the space they were in, and he understood the trauma of seeing someone you care for dead. He didn't even want to imagine what it was like watching your friends being eaten alive.

If Claude had something planned for them, then it would logically be in Lelouch's best interest to have Yui on his side, whatever her true intentions were.

With the last of the BETA wiped out, the simulation ended. Yui had told Lelouch the BETA were always known to attack in far greater numbers than those they had been facing in the simulator, which was set to an easier difficulty for the purpose of getting used to both their machines and working together.

Exiting the simulator pods the pair sat down next to one another leaning against Yui's pod.

"Let's grab something, are you hungry?" Yui offered as Lelouch looked exhausted, even now after the amount of training they had done.

"Sure," Lelouch stretched his arms with an audible popping of his spine. "I knew you said fighting the BETA is an endurance battle, but I never expected such battles to last so long."

"True," Yui led the way and Lelouch walked alongside her.

As they began training, Yui was given a copy of her old academy uniform to change into when not piloting. Which Lelouch was thankful for, as the Fortified Suit was more than a little revealing compared to the sailor-style uniforms Japanese schools had used. For Yui and her fellow cadets at their academy it had a blue skirt, a white long-sleeve top with lime green bow, a blue color, long white socks and black dress shoes. Yui normally left the shoes off when they ate or rested. Lelouch guessed it had to do with wanting her feet to be free of confinement from what he had heard the Royal Guards and his mother say about combat footwear.

Since they arrived two months ago, from what both Lelouch and Yui could estimate even if time didn't exist in this space, much of their time had been spent training. Lelouch needed it more among the two, but Yui was quite helpful, instructing him in how to pilot and handle the machine. The controls were different from the Knightmare Frame he had piloted for Ashford Academy, but his previous experience did help him gain an understanding of the basic controls that allowed them to begin training in earnest.

Naturally, Claude added more useful facilities to the space they were in, near the simulator pods and the strange facility they were in was a small hotel, judging by its design. However, both Yui and Lelouch didn't have a good opinion of the structure because of how tacky its decor was. Such that both questioned if it was intentional on Claude's part to fool around with them, likely trying to provoke a rise out of them.

It might've been one thing if the hotel's style was made to match Claude's aesthetic tastes, but then Claude admitted that it was called a Love Motel.

Neither of them could comprehend, or maybe neither Lelouch nor Yui wanted to know why Claude did something like that. Despite their obvious issues with Claude's design choices, the pair had no choice but to endure it.

Entering the motel, Lelouch and Yui made it to the dining hall, and much like the hotel had a heart theme, with the chairs having heart-shaped cushions. The wallpapers had an equally tacky pink color with white hearts upon it. The tables were normal except they were red and were big and round enough to allow for six people to eat.

The machines, contrast to the tacky motel and its old-fashion design, were a different story, they were highly advanced, giving it what Lelouch and Yui could describe as state of the art with food given to them by machines called replicator food dispensers, allowing them to have whatever they wanted when needed to eat and drink.

The pair sat together at one of the, few and thankfully, smaller tables, eating in silence initially, but once they were done with their meal the pair began talking.

"Have you been sleeping better?" Lelouch asked cautiously before drinking some milk from his glass and immediately catching a whiff of himself and noting he would need a shower later.

"A little," Yui admitted, sounding still tired and even a little afraid even now. "I prefer being able to train all the time."

"Understandable," Lelouch said, not quite knowing how she felt, but able to guess and know that while he couldn't understand per se, he did know what the loss of loved ones can feel like. "I remember the nightmares of when my mother was murdered and what I saw when Japan went to war with Britannia."

"Was Japan at war with another country?" Yui inquires, having not done so before, "I seem to recall hearing that a new nation, Britannia replaced America?"

"In my world, yes, that is true." Lelouch answered knowing they would need to compare 'historical notes' later even as Yui drank some juice from her own glass. "I experienced it first hand while trying to survive it with a friend and my sister who was both blind and crippled."

Yui looked at Lelouch in surprise trying to imagine what that was like.

"How old were you?" she asks, looking curious

"I was ten years old," Lelouch answered honestly.

"It was just you and your friend, plus your sister?" Yui had a frown on her face.

"That's correct," Lelouch replied, although he didn't mean to tell her about him being present when Japan and Britannia went to war and the why he and his sister were in Japan.

Have we gotten close enough that I could make such a mistake with an easy slip of the tongue, or…

Maybe Lelouch recognized the sorrow and pain Yui was enduring akin to his own when he lost his mother, and had to struggle to survive Japan while it was at war with Britannia. Since Japan was conquered, Lelouch had to live a lie and hide his true identity and prior history under a blanket of lies. Something he resented at times, but knew it was necessary.

Perhaps I miss Suzaku, because around him I could be…more honest. Maybe I am feeling the same with Yui after all this time we've spent together, Lelouch reasoned, but he was still angry at himself for a careless slip of the tongue.

"I can't imagine that, not just you surviving through a war as a child, but Japan at war with a superpower. Could you tell me more about it?" Yui asked. "Was Japan an Empire in your world too?"

Lelouch shook his head, "No, it was, in theory, a Democracy ruled by an elected Prime Minister. Though, by the time of the war, it was hardly a Democracy in anything but name."

"I see," Yui knew from her mother and cousin the severity of the internal issues plaguing her country and so she could understand why Lelouch used the term 'in theory' and described it Democracy in Name Only, "We, too, have an elected Prime Minister who handles all of the daily running of Japan with an elected Cabinet of Ministers." Yui explained, surprised by how different the Japan
Lelouch knew compared to her own. "Although he technically runs the country in a certain way I suppose," Lelouch didn't have to guess what she meant there, "most of the major decisions are performed by the Nobility, but the Diet has considerable invested powers and technically votes for the Prime Minister from among its members in a Parliamentarian fashion."

"Isn't your Japan an Empire?" Lelouch inquired

Yui nods as she suddenly wishes for a change of topic if the wrinkling of her nose is anything to go by.

"Yes, it's ruled by the Emperor and the Imperial House, but long has it been that he acts more akin to a religious leader than a ruler with complete authority over government affairs," Yui explained. "We have the Shogun and the Shogunate for that, but the position is ceremonial, he or she is the commander-in-chief of Japan's military forces who could wield emergency powers in a crisis. The Emperor, the highest authority, is the true spiritual figurehead who helps unify the people as the leader of the Shinto religion," Lelouch earned a nod from Yui. "That is basically it, but you should be careful of how you refer to the Shogun and the Emperor, some will take offense to that. Though, I hear the Japan of your world no longer has an Emperor or a Shogun, but a Prime Minister?"

"The Imperial Family and the Shogunate were overthrown following a botched war with Russia. Japan technically won, but they got nothing to show for it, other than enraging the population and crippling its economy."

"What about the Holy Britannian Empire? How did that come to be instead of America?"

"Well, there were a lot of events that led to Britannia's birth. For one thing the conflict that led to the birth of the United States in your world ended in favor of the British instead. Then a rebellion in France would engulf all of Europe, seeing every monarchy overthrown save for Russia. Cue Napoleon Bonaparte rise to power, one of the greatest military and political geniuses of his time, who would lead the first invasion of British Isles since the Romans around one thousand and eight hundred years earlier. Once ashore, an Anti-Royalist Revolt aided him and the Queen who controlled the British Isles was overthrown," Lelouch recalled that much quite well and again, he noted the need to see how different history was between their worlds, the Queen and those still loyal to her were forced to flee to the American Colonies from where they had intended to reestablish a Government-in-Exile. But instead, the Queen, childless, would make one of her lovers her successor as she died of illness. He would go on to establish the Holy Empire of Britannia, name her an Empress posthumously, and declare himself an Emperor and connect his position to Alwin I, who defeated the Roman invasion nearly two millenniums earlier, or so historians claim."

"So the British Empire was defeated and driven to America?" Yui frowned, wondering what happened to the British Empire at large, knowing that it was quite large by that time, not quite at its zenith until the mid 19th Century or thereabouts, for her world, before its rapid decline and eventual transformation into the Commonwealth she knew.

"Fearing a repeat of what befell Britain they began an aggressive war of expansion intent on seizing all of the American continent. Eventually they succeeded in becoming one of the world's three greatest superpowers, but their expansion didn't stop. They began spreading to the Pacific Ocean."

"And Japan was conquered by them?" Yui frowned knowing that not even the Americans could be so expansionist as that was quite far for even them and they had a third of a continent to their name and with a Pacific Ocean coastline from whence to operate from, unlike the Europeans, though the Soviets and the Russians before them were notably less interested in the Far East until the other major European nations became heavily invested in it.

"Eventually," Lelouch stated for the beginning, "Japan first had a comfortable relationship with the Empire and even the EU and Chinese Federation. Consider that a miracle at the time, until new leaders came into power and with them, the changes that led to a breakdown in relations with all three powers," Lelouch knew that smaller nations, like the Middle East Federation also cursed Japan strongly. "Cue August 10th of 2010 ATB, when the Empire launched a full scale invasion with almost its full military might, overwhelming the defenses in every direction."

"Did any other nation come to Japan's aid," Yui inquired disheartened to hear about another Japan's fall.

"Unfortunately, no," Lelouch shook his head. "And it might've been for the best, given what was happening."

"What do you mean?" Yui asked, clearly surprised by Lelouch's answer.

"Japan was special in that it was the only place on Earth where seventy percent of my world's supply of Sakuradite could be found. It was a very valuable mineral that had become a key component in military equipment and technological innovations. Japan's monopoly on Sakuradite mining and trading turned it into an economic powerhouse despite its small size and used it to influence world events until it backfired."

"Leading to war with Britannia," Yui assumed, with Lelouch confirming with a nod.

"Had any of the other three superpowers intervened, it would've turned Japan into a puppet state. The land would've split into two at best or three at worst, which was likely a factor why Japan surrendered one month later."

Yui remained stunned to hear the Japan of another world was crushed so completely by a rival superpower. She tried to imagine what a massive invasion with overwhelming force from three different points was like.

But then anger welled up into her, causing her to slam her fists on the table as she stood up quickly, the Fortified Suit she was wearing enhancing her strength that the table not only jumped and tipped in her direction, but her chair was sent flying a good four meters back behind her, crashing into another chair and causing both to tumble to the ground with Lelouch wondering if she broke them and curious if she had cracked the table they were using.

"That's absurd!" Yui shouts at the top of her lungs. "Japan would surrender?! The people of my Japan would've fought to the bitter end!"

"And you're right, they would've fought to the bitter end," Lelouch responds, confident that he had at least a chance in his own Fortified Suit, even if the thing clung a little too much to his groin, "But the danger posed by the superpowers aside, it was painfully clear twenty-four hours after Britannia began its invasion who would win. The Prime Minister, reportedly at least, committed suicide due to the stress, leaving others to surrender in his place all the while what remained of Japan's military went underground, becoming a resistance movement in hopes of overthrowing Britannia when the time was right."

Yui had gone quiet trying to process all she was hearing, if not for being in this strange space and having met Claude, she might've called Lelouch a madman over something the like for what he had told her happening to Japan. Even if it was difficult to imagine what the Japan Lelouch had described was like. Or perhaps, she didn't want to in the face of the fact that her Japan had surrendered in what the West termed 1944 and had signed the San Diego Treaty ending the war with the creation of a more Democratic Japan, more a Constitutional Monarchy, even if the Nobility still had plenty to say and plenty of power.

But it did bring a thought to mind. Something that made her deflate as she went to sit down, only for Lelouch to stand up and stop her and point to where her chair now lay. Yui's face turned an interesting shade of red as she felt her embarrassment for her outburst.

And yet, the boy in front of her, only swung another chair around and that allowed her to sit comfortably which allowed her to calm down to think rationally rather than emotionally and strangely… She felt better after that outburst. Like it was something she really, desperately needed. To boil over and get angry and let it out.
Strange, but comforting.

"You know?" She leaned forward, unaware of what her suit did for appearance as such, but Lelouch was very much aware and thankful for the table, "For everything you've been talking about regarding Britannia, you seem very different. From what Claude said about your future accomplishments, it sounds to me like you have a really big grudge against Britannia. I even noticed that some of your manners are too refined for a Commoner, especially with the way you hold your silverware and chopsticks, the way you walk, and how you seem to be in control of how you speak. All of which points to a higher upbringing than even money can buy."

Yui's knowledge of Lelouch impressed him. The girl before him had shown her ability to understand the situation and from what little he said, begin to paint a picture. No doubt she'll realize he has trust issues. Therefore, she wasn't fully calling him out and was expecting him to not be totally truthful with her.

"An understatement, but you're not wrong in both the grudge and my background being a cut above, if I'm not mistaken, for a Noble such as yourself to notice," Lelouch expected this subject would come up. Lelouch didn't feel at ease revealing the details of his background best kept secret, but he did reason he could share some details and Yui's face made it clear she wouldn't accept anything less.

No reason to tell her everything I suppose. Not like she's expecting it right now either.

"To put it bluntly," Lelouch began, "My mother was a Commoner who clawed her way to the top and was a pinnacle of Knighthood among the Empire's Knights, even being accounted for as an elite after she was accepted into the Emperor's Personal Knights, the Order of the Round Table, and yes, Arthurian Legend is very big in the Britannia Empire," Lelouch had a wry smile on his face as Yui snorted and shook her head as she recalled there were some born to the Nobility and the title of Samurai who lived as Ronin apparently, having cut all connection with Japan and acted as mercenaries for hire or fought for other countries, the West Germans and British predominantly, though some had joined America as well.

"Thus, my mother had achieved the impossible in the eyes of many," Lelouch continued on, "Most notably among the Nobility as she was made a Baron which was only the beginning as there was expectations of her moving on to be a named a Marquis at the very least due to her military nature. Perhaps even a Marcher Lord, which would have put her above many Nobles and left her only answerable to the Emperor himself."

"A lot of jealousy," Yui knew there were some recent Tozoma who were raised to that position due to their military campaigns on Mainland Asia and a number of others were granted even higher positions among the Nobility itself and the IRG for their service overseas and thus, gaining jealousy of those families that had yet to distinguish themselves in battle.

Some were even Fudai like her, but directly to the Imperial Household, whereas she is Fudai to the Shogunate Household. Arguably that makes her and her family Second Rank due to serving the Shogun instead of the Emperor which would be First Rank.

"That's right," Lelouch nodded, guessing there was a system Yui hadn't told him about yet, but then again, he hadn't asked how her system was set up, "But that ended or was tabled as my mother had married up. So, she was now of higher rank through marriage. I never did find out if she had been moved past Baron or not as our territory was never renamed past Barony last I heard and after her death, it was torn to shreds by the jealous Nobles around it."

Lelouch let out a sigh. The whole thing about his exile still was a deep wound. One that time had yet to heal fully. As Claude had mentioned and Yui had picked up.

"When my mother was killed, the man I called father abandoned my sister Nunnally and myself in Japan. We were taken in by a prominent Japanese family, but then we got caught up in the war when Britannia invaded due to their position. Thanks to a friend I had, we managed to survive the month of the war, lucky enough to avoid being caught up in the fighting itself. But we saw much of the aftermath of the invasion, for which I was so thankful I had to carry Nunnally and that she couldn't see either," Lelouch surprised Yui especially at the end there and she had a pretty good idea of why he said that too.

"Your father just abandoned you in a foreign land?" Yui decided that tack was the better choice right now.

"Along with my sister who was left crippled and blind when my mother was killed, yes," Lelouch replied, horrifying Yui and now understanding why Lelouch was grateful that his sister couldn't walk or see.

But that alone couldn't justify wanting to bring down your own country.

"There is more to it isn't there?" Yui observed astutely.

"Yes, but you'll forgive me if I prefer not to share for the time being," Lelouch shrugged as he let out a breath and the look on his face as well as his posture told Yui he had a hard enough time talking about it as it is, "There are some details I would like to keep close to my chest, when I do decide to tell you I think you'll understand why I had to keep some details secret. They are the kind of secrets that can endanger me and my sister if the wrong people find out, which is why we had to fake our deaths following the war to go into hiding."

What kind of secret does he have that would make him and his sister go so far to hide their survival?

Yui was even more curious now, but she decided to respect Lelouch's wishes for the time being.

"Alright I won't pry," Yui at least was able to smile a little, thankful Lelouch had been at least willing to talk, "but you'll forgive me if I say I am curious about the details."

"That is perfectly understandable," Lelouch said with a smile.

"Maybe I'll share some details about me, since you did." Yui said before she began telling Lelouch about her background. "I am the daughter of the man who designed and produced the Type-82 Zuikaku TFS, and I am also part of a Fudai household, hereditary vassals to the Shogun."

"A form of nobility, then?" Lelouch had his guess confirmed.

"Yes, that's one way to describe it," Yui nodded as she leaned back in her chair, "It's a bit more complicated than that, though, with differing ranks that would take time to explain."

"I see," Lelouch understood the system was likely to be different.

"As for the past," Yui continued on, looking up at the ceiling, "I enrolled in a military academy that trained the daughters of the Nobility like myself to become Eishi, 'Guardians' in English, pilots of Tactical Surface Fighters, with my specific academy training only those who are to be members of the Imperial Royal Guard. My friends hailed from similar households, who, like my own Fudai family, are of samurai descent."

"Like you? And Samurai?" Lelouch knew that the Imperial Knights were Knights regardless if the were Order Knights like those in the four famed ones of Euro Britannia or like his mother in the Emperor's Order of the Rounds or even just normal Imperial Knights in the Imperial Army.

So, he was understandably curious by what appeared to be a small difference.

Yui nodded before continuing.

"My family were descended from samurai lineage, as did all the Imperial Royal Guard TSF pilots in Japan. Those in the Regular Imperial Army are just regular Eishi who passed the exams and training to become TSF pilots."

"Britannia is pretty similar, for which I recall that one," Lelouch paused before continuing on. "Relatives have been trying to put a Knightly Order together that would include a number of Commoners in its ranks for example."

Yui didn't miss the obvious pause, but ignored it.

"But the Commoners do not start earlier, but later, correct?" she inquires

"And training begins at an early age for you, as well?" Lelouch was unsurprised at that, given that piloting a Knightmare takes considerable training to achieve a level of competence. While it was possible to achieve competence in a certain amount of time, mastery required far longer and so it came as no surprise to him that Yui had been training for some time already.

"Not quite, the academy I went to accepts students at fifteen years old and begins their physical conditioning at that time as well as continuing their normal education and learning the ins and outs of drill, formation, and military structure," Yui explained. "Actual pilot training begins a few months after enrollment, with the first live piloting a few months later depending on your performance. Normally all cadets would complete training after four years, but my friends and I were sent to the battlefield after a year of training due to the dire situation caused by the BETA invading Japan," Yui explained. "However, because of our lack of combat experience and drastically incomplete training, we were stationed to protect the Arashiyama Supply Base, and…You know the rest."

Yui suddenly looked down towards the floor as some tears began to form in the corner of her eyes.

Lelouch said nothing further, but he did stand up to reach across and use his fingers to wipe away the forming tears.

"There's no need to cry," he said, surprising her. "You friends will live, I'm sure of it."

That had been what Claude told Lelouch, away from Yui during their training. The Supply Base was located along the western outskirts of Kyoto built into a mountain to defend Kyoto from the advancing BETA. It was there that Yui's squad and friends were picked off one by one. Lelouch couldn't imagine how helpless she must have felt as her friends died around her. Despite the horrors Lelouch witnessed in his Japan's brief war with Britannia, at no point did he ever fear being eaten alive. She had ended up alone in a city overrun, faced with certain death.

Lelouch could barely imagine it, although Yui didn't share the details behind how your friends died, but he knew through the night Yui lost them and the rest of the squad she was lost too until she was the sole survivor. Even then Yui almost joined her friends if not for her getting lucky at literally the last minute.

Yui herself was saved by another TSF that was making trips into the city. Otherwise, she might've suffered the same fate as her friends.

Lelouch couldn't begin to comprehend the trauma Yui must've suffered, which explained why she was so eager to change their fates and save them. Of course this also made Lelouch more distrustful of Claude, who was using her trauma and personal loss to manipulate her. Good intentions or not, Lelouch didn't think very highly of using it as means to get Yui to agree into becoming Lelouch's bodyguard and accomplice.

I would be willing to do whatever it takes against Britannia, but even I wouldn't go that far.

"You don't have to join the war with the BETA, you got a sister to look after. Your own goals aside," Yui said, breaking the silence.

"Thank you, but this isn't something I should ignore. Because what if the BETA or something like them might invade my Earth someday?"

"Huh?" Yui looked confused.

"I never remotely considered the possibility of an alien invasion happening, you only see that kind of thing in movies or popular video games and such. This is an opportunity for me to see and take part in a battle for me to gain a valuable understanding so I can make plans to prepare against such a foe. Even if such a foe never appears it would be foolish not to consider and plan for the possibility," Lelouch said, but of course there were other reasons.

The BETA invasion aside, Yui's Earth has developed very differently from his own Earth. Even the battle tactics and new weapons they created to combat the BETA would be worth learning more about them, giving him not only ideas to devise innovate tactics to use against similar foes should Lelouch face them but could even be useful in creating new tactics against Britannia, who like the BETA, do tend to use overwhelming numbers in battle.

How the United States came to be and developed into what it is now, and the United Nations and how well it has functioned would be of use.

Lelouch's goal involved changing the world aside from seeking retribution for his mother's murder and his sister left crippled and blind. Among his plans would be the creation of an international organization in which he could unify the world against Britannia, but observing and reading up on the United Nations would provide useful insight in refining his plans, which could be useful. As for the United States he was thinking of creating a democratic system of government, built up on what Japan should have had initially but expanded to ensure equal treatment and rights for everyone regardless of their nationality.

If the United States in Yui's world is in any way similar to what Lelouch had in mind, he could gain further insight to once more make better refinements as needed.

My issues with Claude and her deal for Yui to be my bodyguard aside, I can't ignore the useful opportunity presented to me. Inspiration for new tactics could be useful, since I don't know what Britannia is developing as far as new weapons go, how it might change fighting conditions should they be introduced, Lelouch thought.

Lelouch hated the idea of fighting in someone else's war, but this was a case where he stood more to gain from it.

Knowledge is power after all, and even brilliant leaders had sometimes drawn inspiration for new battlefield tactics from old ones.

"What you've shared with me has been very insightful about the BETA, but seeing them in battle would help further my understanding of them. Maybe then I will gain all of the required information to begin devising plans and ideas to set up ways to defend against invaders like them."

"That does make sense."

Yui agreed with Lelouch's reasoning, but it only made her curious about just what kind of person Lelouch was.

Claude said in two years, he succeeded in defeating Britannia and changing the world. But what drove him to do that? How did he do it?

The more she talked to Lelouch in an effort to understand him better, the more her curiosity grew which only left her with more questions.

One thing she was sure of, at least, she and Lelouch would be able to work together. That much, she was feeling confident.

"Come on, maybe we should do some endurance training before we go to bed, because as you are learning, fighting the BETA is equal part a battle of endurance," Yui suggested as she and Lelouch finished eating dinner.

"Alright, I guess the history lesson is over," Lelouch mused as he cleaned up his plate and glass and both deposited their dirty items away that would somehow be washed.

Lelouch wasn't a fan of physical fitness, since he was a child his endurance and physical ability was rather poor. However, Lelouch's lack of fitness had come back to haunt him many times since he was child following his exile to Japan. First his soon-to-be friend Suzaku had beaten him within an inch of his life, lacking any strength to fight back, and soon was attacked by the local children whenever he tried to venture out to buy food for himself and his sister. In fact if not for Suzaku providing the muscle, both figuratively and literally, Lelouch was doubtful he and Nunnally would've survived in Japan during its war with Britannia.
Still, he and Yui had been passing the time by doing exercises to help improve Lelouch's endurance at the very least. That way he could better handle the long battles that fighting the BETA demanded without wearing out. They had done push-ups, sit-ups, squats, weight lifting which he actually enjoyed to his surprise and Yui teased him about men loving their muscles only to get a tease about how women loved men with muscles too, and the one they were doing tonight, heavy bag training.

The pair then headed for where the gym was located and into the changing room, which had several changing cubicles. Another of Claude's little pranks they had both decided a while back, but still they changed into clothing attire better suited for working out in a gym, also provided by Claude, before meeting up and heading into the actual gym.
Lelouch wore a black sleeveless shirt with black shorts, while Yui wore a blue sleeveless shirt and identical blue shorts. Yui assisted Lelouch with his workouts, both as encouragement when needed and to provide the needed push, Lelouch often thought of how he could help her come to terms with her loss, believing it would help ensure she would be in the right state of time when the time came. He also saw himself in her. He figured that was Claude's way of making him see someone who had lost so much in such a short time to realize what he had in himself.

"Would it help if I could see if I could put a photo of someone you despised?" Yui asked as she stood behind holding one of the heavy sandbags hanging from a chain.

"Thanks, but no need," Lelouch said, as he was more than capable of imagining it himself.

"Okay, whenever you are ready," Yui braced herself.

Lelouch donned a pair of padded gloves before he threw his first punch followed by another, and in his mind's eye he would try and imagine the people who likely killed his mother. He was thankful Yui didn't press him for further details, because as comfortable as Lelouch had become around Yui after the two months they've spent together, he didn't feel he could trust her as he did Suzaku who knew everything.

He knew Lelouch's true origins and the full reason behind what got him sent to Japan, but Yui didn't, at least for now.

His punches came faster and hit a little harder than before as Lelouch's rage at those who killed his mother, crippled his younger sister while the trauma of their mother dying as she gave her life to shield her from the bullets that killed her even if she couldn't shield Nunnally's legs. Then finally his father appeared in his mind causing a bout of rage that gave him a boost that delivered a punch that nearly pushed the bag back.

"STOP!" Yui shouted, "I think you're getting better."

Lelouch didn't respond as he was too lost in his fantasy of taking his vengeance, the rage in his eyes was visible to Yui who concluded that being abandoned in Japan and his mother's demise, there was much more than what Lelouch had told her. Knowing this and knowing Lelouch had no desire to share for the time being, Yui held her suspicions and her questions back.

Why would someone abandon their child in a foreign nation about to go to war? Giving him away for adoption would've been easier, but why go through that much trouble?

A thought came to mind, the Emperor of Britannia, he must've had children, so could Lelouch be somehow related? Given the parts of Lelouch's story he had shared with her earlier, Yui's suspicions were only heightened; he was somehow related or could even be the son of the Emperor, reasoning that the death of a Prince of an Empire would be good justification for war.

The death of someone from an important position in any nation would be a good reason to go to war? Could Lelouch be the child of someone who wanted Japan to have a better excuse? Even if she was a Knight of the Emperor himself, it was clear her career didn't last long enough for her to make an impression and from the sounds of it… There is more. High ranking? What rank is a Marquis anyways?

Yui had no way of knowing, but she was suspicious given the amount of rage she saw was buried under the surface of the young man known as Lelouch. She continued watching him, studying him, trying to gain a better grasp of him, until he was finally spent. Drenched in sweat as he no longer had the strength to throw another punch.

"Here," Yui said, offering him a bottle of water.

"Thank you," Lelouch said before opening the cap and nearly downing the entire bottle in one gulp if Yui hadn't stopped him and made him drink slower.

"You're lasting longer," Yui complimented, trying to change his mood and her own.

"Thank you, and I am ready to switch."

"Right," Yui replied, picking up a set of gloves she brought before hand while Lelouch took position to hold the heavy sandbag.

Readying herself, Yui began punching the sandbag, but unlike Lelouch her eyes blazed with determination she gradually built up a sweat. Lelouch could feel her hits through the sandbag as he held it in place for her. It wasn't easy, but he put his whole body weight into holding it still for her.

When someone has endured a personal tragedy, they will do everything to keep their mind occupied, Lelouch mused, as Yui would likely be haunted by the loss of her friends even if they succeed.

He knew better than anyone that such scars wouldn't heal. Ever.





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This chapter was also an experiment on how I'll handle introducing some series and worlds to folks, this is to not only help Lelouch, but any readers who may not be familiar with the series involved so they can get a better idea of what the series and characters are about as Lelouch and friends do.
As seen near the end of the chapter Lelouch has a lot of rage and Yui suspects, correctly, that there is more to Lelouch's story than meets the eye. I hope this experimental chapter was a success, and they are getting more used to their Gundams via simulators with the Coupling System helping Lelouch catch up to Yui in piloting skill and training saving time, even if they have unlimited time in the dimensional pocket.

I admit the stuff on the two Japan's I did a little piecing together, especially for Muv Luv because while it seems the Shogun is supposed to be figurehead with powers in emergencies it is clear they and the samurai families below them wield a degree of influence and political power, how much outside of the regent houses I cannot say, so hopefully what I said here makes sense or agrees. None of my betas didn't object to it, so I am going to assume it's ok.

Next Chapter, Lelouch and Yui complete their training and return to Kyoto, on the night of that fateful night for Yui. With Lelouch's cunning mind and Yui's knowledge of events can they devise a plan to save her friends, and maybe more with the aid of their Gundams, while this will be one of the first trials by fire for Lelouch.

Now that is done time for the specs of Lelouch's Gundam, but before I do I should note, although Lelouch isn't a Newtype, I went with a Psychoframe mobile suit akin to the Unicorn Gundam because the pyschoframe makes for a much effective thought sharing technology that compliments the Coupling System much more, as shown in Super Robot Wars X making it more effective and efficient. Don't expect Lelouch and Yui to become Newtypes or anything, in some ways the Coupling System could be seen as a means to help them make up for the lack of Newtype potential they don't have. But its highly unlikely they'll match certain Newtype pilots in, say the Unicorn Gundam…at least in a fair fight XD.
Funny enough though originally this Gundam used heavily of Gundam 00 tech, until RedRat8 was like, NOPE…give it here (redesigns it into a true hybrid of different Gundam tech), there you go.

I should note there will be times Lelouch will be forced to use other machines, as I have no intention of letting his Gundam alone carry him through the story.

Overall through this machine is a monster, but remember what it might be facing later in the story.

Model number: TMP-01X
Code name: Izanami
Unit type: Prototype Full Psycho-Frame Mobile Suit
Pilot: Lelouch Lamperouge
Manufacturer: Unknown
Operator: Order of the Black Knights, Empire of Japan ("sponsors" of the Black Knights)
First deployment: July 31st 2016 A.T.B
Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 19.8 meters
Weight: 55.1 metric tons
Armor: Gundanium Ally coated in Nanoskin
Equipment and Design Features; Sensor Range:23,700 meters;
Psycho-Frame: A Man to machine Interface that builds on the brainwave-to-machine code translator known as Psycommu into the atom-level of the metal frame of a Mobile Suit. More specifically, the psycommu chips are shrank and lined in the gaps between the hive-shaped metal particles of the mobile suit's frame. This allows a Newtype pilot to control the mobile suit as if it were their own body with limitations
Coupling System (with its sister unit the Izanagi)
A.L.I.C.E. System (Advanced Logistic & In-consequence Cognizing Equipment): A.L.I.C.E. is an artificial intelligence, that co-pilots the Izanami.
I-Field Barrier: an invisible force field that surrounds the Izanami and is active all the time thanks to the Izanami's limitless power. Can deflect Anti-Ship Beam Cannons and even the heat and radiation of a Nuclear Bomb close to Ground Zero.
Powerplant: DHGCP (Discontinuous Hyperoscillation Gauge Collapsing Pile) Powerplant: Which is essentially an artifical Black Hole.
Intention Automatic System: This system is inherited from the Sinanju Stein and functions by using the psycho-frame's sensitivity to the pilot's thought-waves to directly affect behavior of the mobile suit. It is also possible for the pilot to intercept the thought-waves of an enemy pilot. Additionally, the system directs the suit's movement when active, and does not completely depend on the pilot for commands.
NT-D Mode: A special operating system installed in the Izanami. The name "NT-D" is supposed to be an abbreviation for "Newtype Drive," but is actually an abbreviation for "Newtype Destroyer," a system developed to eliminate Newtypes. The system is activated when it detects an enemy psycommu machine as well as its Newtype or Cyber-Newtype pilot. When activated, the mobile suit transforms into Destroy Mode, dramatically improving its performance as its limiters are disabled, and allowing it to hijack the enemy machine's psycommu weaponry. However, it places a heavy burden on the pilot and the machine, and is limited to five minutes. This system becomes active when Coupling Mode is engaged, designed to use the combined minds of two pilots to share the burden of the system's usage and to compensate for the lack of a Newtype pilot.

Fixed Armaments
2 X 60mm Vulcan Guns: A basic armament found on many Mobile Suits. While essentially ineffectual against mobile suit armor, they are useful in intercepting incoming missiles/rockets, destroying mobile suit sensors, and engaging lightly-armored vehicles.
4 X Beam Sabers: The beam saber is a small device held in the mobile suit's hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. It emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-Field and can cut through most armor not treated with anti-beam coating. The Izanami stores two in the forearms and two on the side of the waist. The forearm-mounted beam sabers can flip over and be used directly. In this form, they are known as beam tonfas.
2 X Beam Shields: Unlike an I-field generator, which is effective only against beam attacks, the beam shield blocks both beam and projectile weapons, mounted on the shoulders.
2 x Dual-Linked Variable Speed Beam Rifles. Also known as VSBRs, they can fire either low-speed beams with high destructive power, or high-speed beams with high penetrating power, sufficient to destroy two MS with one shot or pierce a beam shield, mounted in the wings.
1 x Chest-mounted Scattering Mega Particle Cannon: a high powered Mega Particle Gun that scatters its Beams to inflict a wide variety of area to inflict maximum amount of damage, can also be concentrated for a high powered single beam attack
2 x Flame Swords: A powerful high output Beam Saber which utilizes the same Phantom Light mechanic. By "flushing" the I-Field against a Beam Shield or Beam Saber, the Flame Sword can destroy the I-Field that holds the shape of the defending weapon. It can also be used as a Heat Sword by heating the device without emitting the beam. hand-carry in use, stored on the back, held by sub-arms sheaths.

Optional Handheld Armament
Beam Magnum: A handheld firearm equipped with an energy condenser, it is common to the RX-0 series mobile suits. The power output of a single shot is the equivalent of 4 regular beam rifle shots at the expense of an entire E-pack. As such, a single shot is sufficient to destroy a mobile armor-class machine, and even stray particles from the fired shot have sufficient power to destroy a mobile suit, meaning a direct hit is not always required. The beams fired from the beam magnum are as hot as 10000°C and are surrounded by a field of plasma ranging from 3000°C to 7000°C—depending on how far away a particular area is from the actual beam. Connected to a Wire from the Izanami's generator for limitless shots mounted on the back skirt armor when not in use.

Technical and Historical notes:
Given to Lelouch by the mysterious Claude Triello, although suspicious of her true intentions he and Yui become the pilots for the Izanami and the Izanagi respectively. Drawn into Claude's planned competition as one of the seven to compete to win access to a cache of ancient technology that once belonged to a galactic superpower, the machine is provided by Claude as a "handicap" due to the resources Lelouch's competition already commands and to further help him arranges for rookie pilot Yui Takamura of the Empire of Japan's Royal Guard to pilot the Izanagi with Yui becoming Lelouch's bodyguard in exchange for Claude giving Yui a chance to prevent and save her friends from their horrific deaths during the Fall of Kyoto against the alien threat the BETA (Beings of Extra Terrestrial origin which is Adversary to the human race) as their overwhelming numbers had overwhelmed them with Yui barely surviving with her life while all of her friends were killed.

---

Yui couldn't tell how much time had passed. For one thing, they had been in the simulators for a long time while trying to get Lelouch up to speed on how to fight the BETA. From their tactics to their class quirks and abilities. As well as how they had been traditionally countered and what they had done to counter the counter. The constant training had had a benefit on his endurance on the side as well as sharpening his mind where he came up with tactics and even strategy on the fly.

Fortunately, Yui had observed, the two never seemed to get any older, so they weren't there for too long.

The thought came to mind when she saw Lelouch make another mark on the wall of the simulator he was in. She counted over 200 marks on the wall by now. He was likely predicting how many days they were in this pocket space based on the number of times they slept for long periods.

Fortunately, the breaks between their time spent in the simulator ease concerns about any mental issues. Even now, they didn't feel a hint of exhaustion after continued training efforts in the simulator. In fact, they just finished what looked like the last stage on the simulators. However, one more came up after the simulation was complete.

"That marks nearly eight months now," Lelouch stated as he finished his mark that morning. He then rubbed his forehead, swearing that he felt a drop left from the previous exercise. "Regardless, it feels like I'm starting to slip."

One could only keep up this training for so long. Without something to offset to rest and resharpen the mind, it was only natural that Lelouch would lose some of his edge. Yui was most assuredly feeling it. But she assumed this was normal given the heightened state of combat prior to the loss of the Korean Peninsula and the invasion of Japan by the BETA.

"It looks like we're almost done," Yui called from the simulators in another room. "Just one more, and that will be it."

"I thought we already cleared all of them," Lelouch pointed out. "We took care of the last one just recently."

"I haven't seen this other one though," Yui noticed the final option.

"I think it just came up after beating all the other courses," Lelouch corrected. "Never expected a bonus stage on the simulators. But I should have guessed. I had, at least, gotten the feeling that Claude wanted to make sure we could pull off all of the training. Then, once we had, this bonus stage would pop up. Clever."

"Bonus stage?" Yui questioned. She had heard of bonus stages before, but not in this manner. Was it something similar?

"As if it were in a video game," Lelouch clarified as he checked off other things, like how if they did things in a certain way, they would be rewarded. Lelouch hadn't noticed it right away, but then it began to click after some time. It was no secret a modern military used some simulations and technology that were more akin to video games than traditional military training to competently teach recruits these days, drastically reducing training time.

At least in theory.

Because something extra was always piled on or a change was made somewhere or for whatever reason, the recruits never got the amount of time they needed to learn.

"A video game? What's that?" Yui wondered how a video and a game could go hand in hand.

"Never mind," Lelouch groaned out, realizing they would be here for a long time if he tried to tell her.

Lelouch kept it to the side, but he felt a little bothered by how she did not know what a video game was. He thought that because her world had simulators, she would easily catch the term. But her obliviousness to the term shows that she did not know a thing.

It must be because of the war and the militaristic state of the Empire, Lelouch thought. I would not be surprised that they never had time for entertainment in their world, considering the resources they're forced to spend on fighting the BETA.

"Alright, Lelouch," Yui called out to him. "Are you ready for the last one?"

"Am I not?" Lelouch commented out the side as he closed his seat to the cockpit. "Let's get this over with."

As Yui nodded in confirmation, the doors for the simulator closed and the grid-like patterns on the simulator faded into a war-torn battlefield. Around them was a black wasteland full of ruined TSFs and BETA creatures, with many types of BETAs still around. There were no friendlies in the area either, meaning they were completely on their own, even worse with the numerous Laser-class BETA in front of them.

Fortunately, Lelouch and Yui had encountered this kind of scenario beforehand in the other stages.

"Move out!" Lelouch shouted as he evaded the upcoming laser fire coming from the BETA. He saw Yui respond in kind as she dodge the enemy fire. Granted, the Gundams they had been given were not the type for mobility as Claude stated, which they experienced throughout the simulator. However, the less shots they took on their Gundams, the less damage.

The both of them boosted high into the sky and around the battlefield until they reached two Fort-class BETA, towering ten-legged creatures with a body resembling a wingless bee. They also took to the sky at a certain distance to reduce the possible enemy fire.

From what I understand, the Laser and Heavy Laser types of BETA won't dare to strike one of their own, Lelouch thought. As strange as it is for an enemy that uses numbers to overwhelm its foes, such a restriction is our advantage.

Lelouch used his computer to input some commands. He locked onto all of the available Laser and Heavy Laser-class BETA before executing the attack, his Gundam's I-field, an invisible barrier that could deflect most energy-based weapons, was working in deflecting the incoming lasers. The Gundam opened up its chest and, for the briefest time possible, the I-Field dropped so the selected weapons could be fired, sending out scattered particle beams. Lelouch fired again, but this time switched the cannon to a single focused beam cutting down any targets Lelouch had missed. Not only were the Laser and Heavy Laser class BETA in the area cut down, but so were many of the smaller BETA that were unfortunate to get caught in it.

As the weapon cooled and the Gundam hovered in the air, Lelouch observed the damage in the area.

It's amazing how such a weapon works, Lelouch thought again. I wonder if I had something like this back in my world.

The Izanami was designed as a machine capable of attacking from a distance, with the Chest-mounted Scattering Mega Particle Cannon being the Izanami's primary weapon. With the aid of its tactical computer, Lelouch could program and accurately aim to ensure the most damage could be inflicted when he fired the mega particle cannon, striking at its intended targets.
Incidentally, while the system simplified much of the work, Lelouch had noted that the tactical computer could glitch and fail in a number of ways. Such as when he didn't make sure he inputted the right data or commands. Including that time he shot Yui in the back and nearly decapitated her mobile suit with the mega particle cannon.

So, while the system was useful, it took time and training to use it right under adverse conditions that could rapidly change and/or evolve or devolve.

While Lelouch had thought a bit, some Laser-class had shown they had been fortunate to avoid Lelouch's attack, so he used the beam rifle stored in its wings to swiftly dispatch them. At the same time, Lelouch made use of the forearm mounted beam shield to deflect their attacks before counter-attacking targets further afield. Knowing that the Laser-class BETA couldn't use their laser again until after eighteen seconds, he could take out the closest enemies before engaging further out.

The Inzangi used its beam magnum to dispatch any remaining Laser-class BETA, while the backwash of the hyper accelerated and activated particles from each shot vaporized any nearby while burning others due to atmospheric friction and actually igniting the air locally due to the high temperatures raised quite suddenly.

Yui had dealt with another Laser-class that had attempted to shoot her down, but like Lelouch she made good use of its beam shield and I-field barrier to defect their attacks, then attacking during the eighteen second window. She started moving ahead of Lelouch to engage the rest of the BETA as they continued advancing upon them.

Lelouch then detected seismic activity coming from below Yui's location. He couldn't figure out the exact size, but it was much bigger than even a Fort-class BETA. Far too much bigger.

"Yui, look out!" Lelouch shouted as he turned on the console, boosting to get backtrack and grab some air and distance just in case. "Climb and fly backwards! Now!"

"Eh?" Yui noticed the alarms going off on her Gundam as well. The earthquake of some sort was erupting near her location at this rate, it was going to engulf her. Using the thrusters on her Gundam, she boosted upwards and then backwards following Lelouch's orders while keeping her main sensors forward. She barely avoided the huge chunks of rock that launched off the ground and would have collided with and dragged her down otherwise.

Bursting out of the ground was almost another Fort-class BETA. However, there was a vastly different distinction by having four eyes that were even bigger than the ones used by Heavy Laser-class and a green fungal body instead of the bee-like head.

"What is that, Lelouch?"

"Don't ask me, this is the first time seeing this kind of creature," Lelouch admitted. "You're the one who knows about the BETA. You're telling me that you don't know about this type either?"

"Unfortunately, this is the first time I've seen this, too. I'm surprised this came up in the simulator at all."

"Well, from what I can visually see, it looks like a combination of both a Fort and several Heavy Laser-class BETA put into one creature. If we could just keep our distance and other BETA in the way…"

Lelouch cut himself off when the new BETA charged its cannons, aimed towards Yui in spite of the Fort and other strains in the way which immediately told him that the rules of engagement had changed and that they had nothing to fallback on.

Damnit, looks like we'll have to use your trump card again.

"Connect with Yui!" Lelouch shouted into the communications.

"Eh!?" Yui jumped, which prompted her to reply by instinct. "A-A-Accept!"

Once the two Gundams received the order, both of their screens changed colors. Headgear emerged from their seats that scanned over their heads. The mobile suits transformed from the outside as well, each head turning into more of a knight helmet with fins from the sides. Vents opened up to release heat from the machine, and wings of energy formed from the back. The armor seams separate, revealing glowing bright red psycho-frame, a sign that the Gundams Destroy Mode had been activated.

I've gotten more used to this as I thought, Lelouch thought, recalling the first time he had used Coupling Mode.

It was as if he was drawn into a sea where Yui was waiting for him and the two passed through one another, and during that moment their minds became synchronized. It was an intriguing sensation, Lelouch recalled how clear his thoughts were, but also so in sync they barely had to speak to one another as the other knew what the other was thinking, allowing them to fight in perfect coordination.

"The Destroy Mode of your Gundams, when activated, will dramatically increase performance thanks to your thoughts driving the Gundam more. However, only minds with a extremely high degree of focus and spatial awareness can hope to use such Gundams to their full potential, but with the Coupling System it can compensate for that to a degree. But remember the strain it puts on your mind, so you are limited to using it for five minutes before it will disengage," Claude's words echoed through Lelouch's mind.

Most of all the Coupling System allowed for the experiences and skills of the pilots to be shared, which was key to helping Lelouch quickly catch up to Yui in terms of piloting skills. At first he retained these skills while the system was in used, but thanks to regular usage and training, Lelouch can use this skills without the system making them his own.

As information surged into Yui's mind, she learned about the new BETA aiming its beams right at her despite the other BETA standing in the way. Her instinct was to boost to the side immediately as the large beam blasted its way through the field, obliterating everything that was in its way. Yui landed on the ground as the bright pink beam faded, creating a half-pipe of molten ground in its wake with steam rising from the sheer heat as well as the areas around burned or even half melted themselves from the atmospheric friction.

"Thanks, Lelouch," Yui caught her breath as she eyed the destruction, noting several BETA had been literally cooked alive while others appear to have simply turned into dried husks from the sheer heat generated. "I owe you for that one."

"No need to thank me," Lelouch was more focused on the larger BETA in front of them. "Looks like this BETA has no qualms about shooting its own kind to get at us."

"I never knew such a strain existed," Yui noticed. "Hiding behind other BETA is a way to counter the Laser-class as they would not engage in friendly fire."

"Well, that tactic doesn't apply to this one."

"Could this really exist in our world?"

"That or it could be a creation Claude made," Lelouch pointed, but if she did, there had to be a purpose as Lelouch doubted she would throw in this surprise until there is a reason. "It appears to be far more intelligent than the rest of the strains we confronted. In fact, it feels more superhuman than anything despite its size."

During that time, Lelouch was counting the seconds in his head. From the past experiences, the Coupling Mode, while powerful, has its limitations. Specifically, it had a time limit of around five minutes, and differing brian wave patterns could make it shorter or longer, which would also change over time.

"Anyway, assumptions can wait until later. We have about four minutes left on the Coupling Mode before it wears off," Lelouch already had considered several sets of tactics and maneuvers, "So let's make this count."

"Let's get closer then," Yui replied as she reasoned with that kind of heavy firepower and size, it had to be weaker in close, plus they really didn't stand a chance at range at this point.

"Agreed," Lelouch said, knowing that attempting to use the Izanami's weapons at this range with the Heavy Laser-class BETA integrated into the creature, put him at risk of a shot getting past him while attempting to attack and he didn't want to risk if his I-Field could actually hold that kind of power off, let alone his beam shield, for longer than strictly necessary.

Getting close has its own risks, but it seemed to Lelouch it would render the Heavy-Laser class built into its body ineffective unless it planned to shoot through itself. Meaning only the Fort-class's stinger would be the only threat to them. Using their beam shields, mounted on the forearms of their respective Gundams, Yui and Lelouch used them to deflect the lasers fired at them. The shields held, but the pair began flying in a coordinated, but unpredictable pattern evading the laser fire.

Once they had gotten close enough, the stinger of the enormous BETA shot out trying to impale Lelouch's machine, but the latter evaded it. Yui drew a beam saber, driving it into one of the integrated Heavy-Laser class rendering it useless. Lelouch meanwhile got under the giant Fort-class, firing the Inzangi's Beam Magnum at its underbelly, killing the creature as the power of the Beam
Magnum lived up to its name and shot a hole big enough for a Glasgow Knightmare Frame to fit through comfortably. Lelouch and Yui moved away from it as the BETA fell over dead, nearly breaking up in two as it looks like Lelouch had destroyed the literal back of the massive thing.

"We did it," Lelouch said, seeing that the simulation was ending.

"That was it?" Yui blinks in surprise as the pods just shut down.

Just after they exited the simulation pods, space warped while they weren't looking and a voluptuous woman showed herself.

"Congratulations on completing the simulator!"

Claude's hair breezed as she spun around and raised her arms in the air, congratulating the two. However, the reception was lukewarm as she got no immediate response. Instead, she got a surprised look on Yui's face while Lelouch gave a stern and even annoyed look. Claude became just as annoyed over the lack of praise for her entrance.

"So, you've decided to show yourself," Lelouch remained ever on guard around her. "It's been how long since you brought us here?"

"Quite a while, but you two seem more than ready," Claude complimented. "You beat the final battle on the simulator on its highest difficulty. Thanks to you two working so well together," a snap of her fingers showed what looked like a recording of Lelouch holding Yui as the girl suffered from a nightmare before she settled into sleep and Lelouch didn't leave her alone, but slept next to her, "and the Coupling System seems to have helped quite well, especially as the trust between you two has built over time. I think you two are ready for the real thing!"

"Really," Yui raised her eyes, hopeful yet cautiously optimistic, but at the same time, seeing the two of them together, with Yui remembering how she struggled to sleep at first, but then Lelouch arrived and did nothing else except hold her gently as the nightmares were chased away by his very presence.

"How exactly are Yui and I going to appear at the supply base?" Lelouch asked, pointedly trying to ignore the image, but couldn't help notice that Yui seemed to practically conform her body against his own and he responded in kind. "The machines we have will bring up some attention. Or rather a lot of it. Their technology is far ahead of the Japanese Empire's most advanced thinking. Even the Americans would be well behind it and they're known for pushing the envelope in Yui's world."

"Don't worry, I took care of that," Claude whimsically held her hands behind her rear. "All you have to do is get in your machines and save Yui's friends, and anyone else if you like. Since you will have the power to do so."

"It can't be that easy, couldn't it?" Lelouch said looking at Yui who shrugged her shoulders, uncertain of how to answer.

"It will be, but first," Claude mischievously handed Lelouch a large white bag that came out of some unseen space as the image disappeared with all the fuss of soap bubbles. "You might want to change."

"Where!?" Lelouch shouted at the new surprise.

"Anywhere, don't worry, I'll turn around," Claude offered reassuringly.

"WHAT!?" Lelouch and Yui exclaimed in unison.

Claude merely laughed at their reactions.

She's a worse trickster than Milly, Lelouch glared at Claude.

"That's not funny," Yui snapped, her patience running out.

"Oh, lighten up," Claude waved her hand dismissively before snapping her fingers, prompting a changing room to replace the simulators. "Just follow the instructions on the wall inside, or would you like Yui to help you?"

Her face turned red in anger before Yui lunged at Claude wanting to strangle her. Unfortunately, Claude vanished causing Yui to hit the ground instead completely missing her.

Yui was left feeling sore from the impact, Lelouch helped her back up to her feet.

"You're going to have to do better if you ever want to catch me," Claude giggled, visibly amused at Yui's effort to attack her.

"Are you alright?" Lelouch asked as Yui was back up on her feet.

"Did she teleport or something!?" Yui was looking positively murderous and Lelouch was glad to see she suddenly had some fire in her and couldn't help but notice that it made her look positively cute as Lelouch was more reminded of an angry kitten for some reason rather than an angry person.

"I think so, it happened so fast I assume she had to," Lelouch replied before turning to Claude. "Just what are you?"

"You'll find out later, but for now, no spoilers," Claude said, waving her right index finger at the duo.

"You lost your patience rather fast with her?" Lelouch noted as she faced Yui.

"We're about to save the lives of my friends, and maybe others, and she has the nerve to just come and start poking fun at us!"

"No argument here, but I should probably change," Lelouch couldn't help but agree with her. But the sooner he got changed, the better so they wouldn't have to deal with Claude more than needed.

Entering the booth and locking the door, Lelouch began changing, which caused Claude to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Yui realized she might've been better off not asking.

"Just so you know, I gave Lelouch a similar suit to the one you wear, replacing that training suit I originally gave him, but with a black and purple color scheme," Claude mischievously winked at her.

"What was that for?" Yui's eyes narrowed as she felt her temper coming to the forefront while also worrying as black and purple were the Shogun's colors and reserved strictly for them and their family.

A few minutes later, Lelouch emerged wearing a suit similar to Yui, but there were some notable design differences. For one the components on the shoulders, wrists and feet were more streamlined and less bulky. Like her suit, it was all black with purple on the metal guards on the shoulders, knees and feet. However, the knees with protective purple plating covered most of Lelouch's legs until nearing his waist and upper inner thighs.

"You said it was similar, but it looks different even if it's just a little," Yui commented before thinking.

He's surprisingly skinny, will he be alright piloting?

"His Fortified Suit is an improved model than the one you are wearing," Claude explained. "It even has an integrated oxygen supply that could last eight hours on a full battery, which itself will last twenty-four hours with all systems running."

"This seems rather flimsy and thin, no different than a body glove," Lelouch inspected himself inside the suit. After putting it on and locking the collar, the suit formed a seal and tightly fit itself around Lelouch's body. It felt so tight upon his body that it was like a second skin. Thankfully, it was a male design so the armor around his waist and midsection prevented certain parts of him from being noticeable on the skin-tight body glove.

"Oh, an actual combat Fortified Suit may look that way, but it has quite the electronics package built into it, as well as the technology from the next evolution in space suits," Claude explained. "Not only can it protect your body from the rigors and risks of piloting a machine like a TSF, it has an automatic system that determines what temperature is best for you, even in the cast of extremely high or low temperatures."

"Surprisingly impressive given how thin it looks," Lelouch observed as he felt more like he was about to, if he dare admit to himself, go onto a stage at a ladies only establishment.

"The thick collar not only helps provide a seal for the rest of your body, but it doubles as a brace to protect your neck from injury during high-G maneuvers. There is even a reactive material in your midsection that will hard upon either a sudden impact or a blow to your gut. It can inject drugs and stimulants when needed to help your body keep going for longer, only if necessary."

"I trust there aren't any drawbacks?" Lelouch questioned, worried these stimulants and drugs could have a negative impact on his health.

"Oh no, as a professional doctor, your suit has only the latest and most advanced technology I could find. Meaning they are beneficial to your body and growth, and will actually help you down the road rather than be harmful through continued use. But the suit only injects them when your body needs it, so if there are any negative side effects that you are worried about, there is no need."

"A doctor?" Yui remarked, clearly doubtful of her qualifications as was Lelouch.

"Of course I am!" Claude cheerfully raised a finger. "I am certified with every major medical licensing organization!"

Why do I feel she's lying, Lelouch thought, while Yui had a similar thought too.

"She said that my suit is similar to yours," Lelouch turned to his partner. "What else can it do?"

"If the suit shares the same similarities to mines, then it should also have the function to record a pilot's combat performance. It's so instructors can compare it to previous combat data to determine what training is required for improvement," Yui answered.

"Well, that's certainly much more advanced than those for Knightmare Frames," Lelouch smirked over the technology squeezed into what was a thin body glove and the fact it was actually practical is definitely a bonus.

"If need be, the suits have waste collection functionality, so that won't be an issue," Claude said, waving a hand dismissively. "Fortunately, most synthetic food TSF pilots are given are designed for maximum digestibility and contain medical drugs that suppress intestinal functions."

"When you put it like that, I can't help but worry," Lelouch said flatly as he recalled when he had his wisdom teeth pulled and how that was a joy..

"Don't worry," Yui reassured. "My friends and I ate some as part of our training. We've never experienced any ill effects."

"Why don't you trust me like that more?" Claude pouted, noticing Lelouch was a lot more trusting of Yui than her.

"Because she hasn't done anything to make me doubt her," Lelouch replied before adding. "And she didn't abduct me with questionable motives."

"Questionable!?" Claude seemed very annoyed. "If I was planning anything malicious towards you, why would I set you up with a bodyguard and a powerful machine?"

"It makes me even more suspicious of your end goal," Lelouch folded both arms across his chest.

"I suppose I could tell that while I need someone with charisma and leadership skills to solve a problem I can't do anything against, where you guys need to go will allow for other issues I can't nip in the bud to be dealt with too," Claude said with one hand on her chin, and a thoughtful expression.

"Need to go?" Yui asked.

"A discussion for later, but most important of all," Claude said before pausing for dramatic effect. "It's to keep me entertained."

"Huh!?" Lelouch and Yui said together, both were left speechless.

"All I can do is offer the occasional help, so I thought why not make it more enjoyable for me to watch everything play out," Claude admitted with a sly smile. "For you I am looking forward to the trouble you'll cause given that I know what you are capable of. Your inevitable clash against the other six competing will be something to look forward to."

For a full minute Lelouch didn't know how to respond to that, and neither did Yui who was also taken aback.

"Anyway, it's your turn. Once you are done changing both of you will be taken to the supply base with your new machines," Claude said before leaving a pink bag for Yui, pulled from some unseen hammer-space before vanishing.

"Oh, and before I forget it will be before the battle, so you'll have time to get acquainted and such." Claude's voice echoed through the white void. "Everything has been prepared for you two."
It was three more minutes before Lelouch and Yui regained her composure as their thought processes returned to normal after the recoil from the shock of Claude's answer completely stunned them.

"Did she just say she wanted to be amused?" Yui found herself essentially struck dumb.

"I believe so, but I doubt we'll be able to get anything further out of her for now," Lelouch said, visibly exasperated with Claude.

Yui massaged her own temples, trying to keep her growing frustrations with Claude from boiling over.

"Let's just get this over with," Yui said taking the bag before vanishing into the changing room, a few minutes later she emerged wearing a suit identical to Lelouch's, but with a gold and black color scheme, designed for a woman in mind and, surprisingly, a little more durable looking with increased armor around her hips and sides as well as her legs and arms.

"So what happens now?"

At the moment Lelouch said those words, the white void was suddenly gone, and now they were inside some kind of office with metal walls, a desk, metal chairs and some cabinets with some books shelves. Lelouch recognized this as one of those offices used in military bases by ranking officials. Designed to serve as both a temporary office for the person in question and their cabin, especially if they are very likely not to stay long at the base. He knew this from the time his mother had brought him along for field testing for the Knightmare Frame she was helping test.

"I don't recognize this office," Yui said before she noticed the picture on the desk that showed several women together in the Red and Black of the Imperial Royal Guard Security Force, "This office belongs to my superior, Lieutenant Kaori Kisaragi!"

"Your superior?" Lelouch inquired.

"It has to be before the BETA's final push on Kyoto, which means we are at Arashiyama Supply Base. I've only seen the outside of her office once along with Kazusa when we were discussing splitting us up into smaller flights should the BETA come upon our location," Yui answered, pointing to the photo sitting on the desk featuring a woman with short brown hair and matching eyes. Dressed in a military uniform in the company of others, they were presumably friends. "I should warn you, she means well but can be…" Yui paused for a moment, "blunt."

Just moments later, the door opened.

"I apologize for the wait," Kaori entered the room and despite the difference, Lelouch was immediately assailed by a similar sensation whenever he was around Sayako, his ever faithful maid.

She looked exactly like the woman in the photo, presumably being in her early twenties, as Yui pointed out. Instead of a military uniform she wore a flight suit identical to the one Lelouch had seen Yui wear before changing out, but she wore a red collared jacket over it. In fact, now that Lelouch had a moment he noticed Yui wearing a yellow one and Lelouch a purple one over their pilot suits.

"No need," Kaori said as Yui, with Lelouch following her lead, attempted to stand up and salute. "At ease, both of you."

Lelouch and Yui quietly sat back down in their chairs in front of Kaori's desk as Kaori herself sat down behind it before looking through a folder filled with papers sitting upon it. Once she was down browsing through its contents, she closed it before putting it down on the desk.

"Let me be upfront, this isn't something I expected would happen. Not only do I get to command a squad of newly commissioned pilots, but two of them have experimental machines to fielded for combat testing," Kaori then eyed Lelouch with narrowed eyes. "One of them happens to be non-Japanese yet allowed to be added into the military."

"Is that a concern?" Lelouch returned a glare when Yui nudged him a bit.

"No," Kaori saved her complaint for later. "It was something, I would say so if it weren't for the government's approval. But then again, Americans are not well known for their… Lack of being colorful when it fancies them."

Lelouch looked down at his Fortified Suit and realized something behind her annoyance.

I remember now, Yui said about how these colors belong to the Shogun, Lelouch remembered more about the lecture about this Japan's military.

The Shogun was the highest in command of Japan's military forces, who would be shifted from a figurehead to absolute command of the military in a state of emergency. Purple was specifically reserved for the Shogun, the only one who could wear the color in battle, which additionally applied to the assigned TSFs. The only reason anyone else could wear the color is if someone had the Shogun's blessing.

Damn that Claude, Lelouch clenched his fist upon not realizing this sooner. If only I knew she would make a laughing stock of me in this fashion.

His thoughts were interrupted as Kaoi went on.

"Make sure that you wear that suit nicely and appropriately," Koari warned him, seeing his personal concerns. "Any screwup with your uniform will be a disgrace to our nation, let alone the Shogun."

"I understand, ma'am," Lelouch complied with mutual sentiments, "Although, I favor the colors myself, I'm well aware of their… interpretation. If I could, I would have had the purple swapped out for green or another neutral color. Preferably the black too as that appears to be the base color overall for the Royal Guard."

"So you speak Japanese, good," Kaori eased a bit as she could instantly see the young 'American' before her was just as annoyed with his chosen colors. "On the other hand, I would almost say something like them is better served on the frontline. But since the orders come from the Regent Houses and Headquarters, I cannot say no to them. Of course, I wanted to get more familiar with the pilots of these machines, named for two of our country's most well-known gods. Bold naming choices. Bold, but fitting. They must have high hopes for you two."

"They are quite different from the usual TSFs," Yui said politely. "Lelouch-san and I have tested them; their performance far exceeds the Type-82F Zuikaku."

"I would remind you that isn't very hard these days," Kaori knew full well how obsolete the Type-82 had gotten. Practically all the F-4 Phantom variants in other countries were being retired. Sure, some could keep them going, but the technology limitations were fast catching up. Kaori knew that the Type-82 had been heavily customized and pushed to its limits as a result. There was literally no room for any significant upgrades left.

"The units should outstrip most more modern units," Lelouch immediately spoke up, speaking using his researched knowledge of other TSF units he had studied while training with Yui for those eight months. "Even the vaunted Su-series of the Soviets and the US Military's current and next generation machines would be hard pressed to match them. They are not invincible, I'll give you that, but that is the truth of any machine."

Kaori nodded. This 'American' if he wasn't a European, maybe British or West German, had a good head on his shoulders in that regard. Especially as he said while they could outstrip the best the Soviets and Americans had, they could still be defeated. Even by those machines as they were truly untested in battle.

Good. He may live to see another year in his life, she thought.

"I would have to see them in action to be truly convinced, but I've been commanded to keep you two together since both of your machines work best when working together. So you shall lead one flight including newly commissioned pilots Iwami, Kai and Noto. Yamashiro will command one flight of other fresh pilots for what will be their first battle, I'll command the first fight and remain in contact
with all of you."

"Understood," Lelouch said.

"Now that we've spoken, I would like you to join the others in the hangar. I have some words that all of you should hear. I'll meet with you all shortly."

Leaving Kaori behind, Lelouch and Yui spoke in the hall as she led him to the hanger.

"So I guess Claude went through in her preparations then," Lelouch said, mindful of the walls have ears, but wondered. Exactly what kind of incentives did she offer them?

"I don't recall meeting with Lieutenant Kisaragi after we arrived," Yui recalled what originally happened. "We must've been summoned after putting our stuff away in the barracks then changing into our pilot suits which happened before we met her in the hangar."

"All we do now is wait, but are you alright about this?"

Yui's calm composure hid a whirlwind of emotions within her. A part of her was delighted to be able to see her cherished friends again and given a second chance to prevent their deaths, but another part of her dreaded the coming battle wishing she could flee with them knowing this base was doomed to be overrun and everyone within it would be killed. However, she couldn't stomach the idea of running from a battle that would disgrace her and her family, not to mention she knew none of them would choose to flee before the fight anyway.

All of these emotions continued to churn within Yui until they reached the hanger where a familiar voice called out giving her pause, causing her mind and emotions to stop in their tracks.

"Are you done talking to Lieutenant Kisaragi, Yui?"

The first of Yui's friends was a young girl of the same age as Lelouch and Yui with long brown hair, a red bow on the back of her head, amber eyes, wearing a flight suit that was black with white along with a matching coat worn over it.

Going off of Yui's descriptions, she must be Shimako Kai, Lelouch thought.

"Hey Yui are you alright, you look like you have seen a ghost?"

You have no idea, Lelouch commented as he quickly figured out who the second girl was. Short hair and very energetic, she must be Aki Iwami.

Aki, per her description Yui had shared while training together, was a girl with short brown hair, teal eyes with a lightly tanned complexion from being the most outgoing and active among Yui's group of friends. Someone who loved hiking and spending time outside a lot, and was the most spirited and energetic girl in the group to match. Her piloting skills, while below average, but through sheer determination Aki pushed herself to match her classmates so she could stay with them after training.

"This is our first deployment as pilots, I wouldn't be surprised if she isn't feeling the pressure."

She seems quite serious, and with that long black hair, she must be Kazusa Yamashiro.

Perhaps the most serious among Yui's friends was Kazusa, her long black hair and steel gray eyes, combined with her serious demeanor made her easy to spot. Lelouch recalled how Yui told her Kazusa and she were rivals because Kazusa was a very competitive young woman that drove her to excel in training and classroom studies. Despite some tension caused by Kazusa coming from a less prestigious family, though hers was known for producing excellent pilots, than compared to Yui's family who were of a higher standing, the two became best friends after Yui bested her in a duel.

Then that means the last one must be Izumi Noto, Lelouch locating the girl in question.

As Yui described, she had long wavy brown hair styled into a pair of pigtails, scarlet eyes with egg-shaped glasses worn over them. She wore the same kind and color of Fortified Suit as the rest of her team with a white overcoat over it. However, unlike Yui's other friends, Lelouch noticed she was looking at something in her hands, but thanks to Yui's information on her the young man deduced what it was.

She lost her boyfriend during the initial invasion of the BETA when they overran Kyushu, Lelouch thought, sympathetic knowing the pain of losing a loved one. According to Yui she fought recklessly and aggressively during the coming battle, but despite it she outlasted most of her friends until they tried escaping through Kyoto.

Lelouch didn't think less of her wanting revenge, as he wants to one day get revenge on the ones who killed his mother, crippled his sister, and ultimately his father for banishing him to a foreign land to die. Evening vowing to destroy Britannia one day and everything it stood for, so Lelouch knew he wasn't in any place to judge.

But, Yui and he did agree to keep an eye on Izumi to ensure she survived like the rest, however her recklessness in battle could get her killed one day.

What could I even say that could be helpful and not cause her to react negatively, Lelouch wondered as he thought his own experiences could be helpful in getting Izumi to be less reckless in battle.

How to speak and get through to her without doing something to alienate a likely ally was another matter.

Not taking notice of him, Aki, Kazusa and Shimako drew closer to Yui, with even Izumi noticing how emotional Yui was becoming caused her to pocket her locket before joining the others.

"Yui? What's wrong?" Shimako tilted her head.

"You're…you're all alive," Yui said softly while fighting back tears at being reunited with her friends, whose deaths she remembered clearly.

Lelouch could see the confusion and concern on their faces, but feeling both awkward and worried they all drew closer to Yui whom they embraced. Yui couldn't stop the tears that flowed, but Lelouch kept his distance and allowed her friends to comfort her, deciding it was best not to interrupt. This continued for a few minutes until Yui's friends managed to calm her down and Yui gradually regained her composure.

"I am sorry, I…I don't know what came over me?" Yui apologized, while lying about what really caused her emotional outbreak.

"He didn't make you cry, did he?" Aki pointed at Lelouch.

"No, he didn't," Yui said quickly, not wanting any misunderstandings to happen.

"You two were walking together, is he a friend?" Shimako inquired.

"Yes, he is, so let me introduce," she noticed the rank marker on Lelouch's collar, "Third Lieutenant Lelouch Lamperouge, he will be part of our squad," Yui said as she gestured for Lelouch to come over for a proper introduction. "We're both piloting the new experimental machines together."

"Why is he wearing a purple outfit," Izumi noticed with a glare. "Let alone a foreigner wearing it?"

"It was authorized by Headquarters and the Regent Houses," Yui spoke in Lelouch's place. "Their decision is absolute, and the Lieutenant," Yui had the smarts to indicate Kaori's office and Lelouch, "knows this as well. We cannot go against them."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all, Junior Lieutenant Takamura has told me much about all of you," Lelouch greeted them in the traditional Japanese greeting with a bow, which Yui had taught him while also remembering the rank she held as a result of her Family's standing. "I look forward to working with you on the field."

"Funny she never mentioned you," Aki folded her arms while eyeing Lelouch suspiciously. "Don't get the wrong idea, you sound like a nice guy."

Suddenly Aki had a big grin, before asking.

"So, is this some secret boyfriend you've been hiding from us?"

"What, no, nothing like that," Yui said as her cheeks reddened from embarrassment forcing Yui on damage control before any misunderstandings could form. "We met after we were chosen to be pilots."

"You never mentioned any of this before," Izumi said, clearly interested in the conversation.

"It's…classified," Yui came up with an excuse on the spot. "Our machines have a large number of experimental technologies."

"Where are they?" Aki asked with both hands on her hips.

"Over there," Lelouch spotted the Izanagi and the Izanami in hanger cages along with other TSF units. "The black and gold is the Izanagi while the purple one is the Izanami."

"Naming them after creation deities, they got to be something," Aki and Izumi began bombarding Yui with more questions since the Type-98X Takemikazuchi is the very best that Japan has.

This is all Claude's fault; trying to explain away all of this is going to be problematic, Lelouch thought, but problematic was an understatement.

It would've made more sense for them to be brought back into events at least some weeks before so they could easily explain away whatever questions Yui's friends might've had and allowed them to be more believable.

Somehow I feel we're going to have to tell them the truth, but I don't think this is a good time. I know Yui understands, too.

"Excuse me, I apologize for my friends, but I am Ca- Pilot Officer Kai Shimako," Shimako politely introduced herself, even though she hesitated a bit when speaking about her rank.

"Nice to meet you," Lelouch said, accepting Shimako's hand to shake it.

"Have you known Yui for long?"

"Yes, but I think you all know her much longer than me though."

"I see, so how did you meet?"

"We were chosen to be test pilots for the Izanagi and the Izanami, I am not sure why they didn't pick one of you given your close relationship as friends but I suspect part of it was testing for opposite gender pairs to pilot the machines," Lelouch explained, being better at improvisation than Yui.

"Why is that?" Shimako placed her right index finger on her chin.

"The machine uses a new system called a Coupling System, which when active will connect the minds of the pilots using the Izanagi and the Izanami. Allowing for experience to be shared, and combat performance to be increased."

"Shared experience?"

"I don't fully understand the technical details," Lelouch admitted. "But think of it like adding RAM to a computer increasing the brain's ability to process information and to react upon it. As an unexpected benefit, experience can also be shared, for example I was barely trained to pilot a machine like a TSF, I was studying History instead, until they snatched me up and were proven right when Yui and I used the Coupling System for the first time. Suddenly piloting at her level became as effortless as riding a bike."

"Really," Shimako said, impressed that such technology exists now. "So they are planning on using it on a larger scale?"

"I imagine so, since the threat of the BETA reaching Japan was a real danger given how close they were. Meaning the training of new pilots would be more limited, so I imagine they plan on using the Coupling System as a means of producing more combat ready pilots more easily, with the benefit of the experiences of a veteran pilot shared for better results," Lelouch said, although he couldn't be sure it was something like that could happen. However, given Claude's promises of giving Japan new tech to coax their cooperation, it was something he logically expected Japan to use for such purposes.

Assuming the Coupling System could be used for such purposes? Lelouch acknowledged it would be a boon for producing more experienced pilots more quickly, but at the same time he suspected it couldn't be that easy to use for such a purpose. He never asked Claude, but made a mental note to do so latter wondering if there was anything notable downsides to the Coupling System, which annoyingly the woman didn't mention to them.

She never did tell us about the technical specifics of the machines, like their power sources and details about the Coupling System, Lelouch thought.

"So that's what they tested with you and Yui."

"But I can't say for sure if they've conducted similar tests using TSF machines equipped with the system. I know trust is a critical factor for the system to work effectively."

"That sounds quite interesting, but I don't think that is all those machines have, do they?" Kazusa said, joining the conversation as she stood next to Shimako with her arms folded over her chest.

"You're not wrong, these two machines also have very experimental weapons, which still have some, best to say touchiness for being used near allies. But rest assured both machines are combat worthy," Lelouch said reassuringly. "Although there wasn't a chance to properly hold a test battle due to the BETA invasion."

"I see, I am interested to learn more about them, Lelouch was it."

"Yes, it was, and you are Miss Yamashiro, aren't you?"

"You can just call me Kazusa, there is no need to be overly formal," Kazusa extended her hand, which Lelouch accepted to shake.

"R-Right," Lelouch knew full well to call her by her given name was a major thing in Japanese customs both here and in his own world, "Of course."

"I apologize for butting in your conversation Shimako," Kazusa turned to her friend. "It was very interesting to listen in."

"Oh no, its no problem at all!"

"So have you and Yui conducted a mock battle between one another?" Kazusa eyed Lelouch.

"Not against each other, but we have endured many simulated battles and training together."

"When circumstances allow it, I wouldn't mind challenging you to a mock battle," Kazusa said, very interested in facing Lelouch. "If this Coupling System you describe works as you say, you should have skills on par with Yui. I am curious if that's true or not."

No shock there I guess, Yui said she was very competitive, Lelouch reminded himself, wondering if she might be good at chess or shogi as an alternative he could suggest. Though, if he recalled right, like Yui, Kazusa was better at Close Quarters Combat instead of Mid Range Combat that Lelouch was naturally much better at.

"I am sure they would allow it, when a chance comes along. The data would be useful," Lelouch said, uncertain if such a moment would come.

"So Lelouch," Aki said, throwing an arm over his shoulder with a mischievous smile. "Maybe you can give us some details."

"What details?" Lelouch glanced over his shoulder at Yui who seemed ready to collapse from a mixture of embarrassment and stress from trying not to buckle under Izumi and Aki's barrage of questions.

"We've known Yui for a long time, but you two seem pretty friendly with one another, are you sure there isn't anything more going on between you two?" the smile on Aki's face reminded him greatly of Rivalz, which was rather refreshing honestly.

"Nothing of the sort, besides aren't we a bit young for that?" Lelouch said, deflecting Aki's suspicions.

"Yeah we are still young, yes," Aki said, nodding her head. "But that doesn't mean you guys aren't dating or anything right."

This one doesn't know when to quit, but it was that same determination that led to her improving as a pilot, or so I was told, Lelouch thought.

Thankfully both Lelouch and Yui were saved from further questions by the arrival of Kaori.

"Officer on deck!" An uniformed officer shouted as he and Kaori approached.

All of the other pilots quickly gathered together and stood at attention.

"I am going to be honest with all of you. Your mission is to protect this supply base with your lives," Kaori said to the assembled pilots with both hands behind her back. "You students have no combat experience and barely any training. If you go out there, you'll only get in the way of our regular soldiers."

Lelouch remained quiet as did Yui, and no one else spoke a word as Kaori continued.

Not exactly a rousing speech to inspire confidence, Lelouch commented internally.

"Right now, focus on only defending this place, dismissed," Kaori said before leaving and Lelouch suddenly realized that the Lieutenant they were to serve under, might be as green to her rank as they were.

As the group of cadets dispersed Yui tugged on Lelouch's sleeve as a gesture for him to follow, as Yui along with her friends, minus Kazusa who was called away by other members of the squad, walked off to the side of one of the cages where a TSF was docked in.

"Get in the way," Aki said, clearly disappointed as she sat down on a nearby crate, joined by Izumi.

"That may be true, but I wanted to get revenge for my boyfriend," Izumi said, who was just as equally disappointed.

"You'll have your chance, just be patient," Lelouch said as he found a good place to lean back and get comforty. "This war will not be over tonight. Far from it. It will last a while more yet. You'll have more than quite a few chances."

"He's right, it's only a matter of time before we'll be in battle," Yui said in agreement, knowing full well the BETA would attack soon.

"You sound so sure," Shimako noticed.

"Given the BETA and their numbers it's only a matter of time. Probably sooner than later," Lelouch said with a serious expression.

"He's right," Yui said, causing a mixture of confusion and concern from Izumi, Shimako and Aki.

Before they could be questioned further, Kazusa came back, running with a look of alarm upon her face.

"Everyone this is serious," Kazusa shouted before stopping then trying to catch her breath as she placed her hands on her knees. "A BETA vanguard has broken through all the way to Takagamine."

"Takagamine, that's right next to us!" Aki said, getting up with a look of alarm on her face.

Yui and Lelouch followed Izumi, Aki, Shimako and Kazusa outside the hangar where a group of soldiers and other pilots had gathered. In the distance they could see the countryside on fire, obviously a battle had broken out. Lelouch and Yui knew this was happening, and so far everything was happening as Yui had experienced last time.

It begins, Lelouch thought as he steeled himself for the battle ahead.

"How," Shimako said, distressed by the fire and battle happening in the distance. "What about the defense line?"

"It was eaten apart," Yui replied calmly.

Izumi, Aki, Shimako and Kazusa were shocked by Yui's words, but Aki noticed something in the sky approaching the base.

"Look, up there!"

A pair of Tactical Surface Fighters were flying towards the base, likely seeking supplies and repairs since Lelouch saw one was missing its right arm and the other a leg. However as they flew towards the base, a white laser beam shot one in the back and through the chest from behind followed by the second TSF suffering the same fate moments later as both machines crashed into the ground as fireballs. The second machine actually crashed into the ground fairly close to the supply base itself.

Suddenly the alarms began blaring throughout the base as soldiers and base personnel hurried to their stations.

The BETA were coming.

"A BETA scouting vanguard is approaching ten km to our west," an announcer declared over the base's intercom system. Condition red, all pilots board your TSFs immediately! I repeat a BETA scouting vanguard is approaching!"

Lelouch and the others hurried into the hangar, Lelouch and Yui boarded their machines as Lelouch sealed the cockpit. The machine came online as its eyes flashed red, while Yui's own machine activated as well, but opened a private channel between herself and Lelouch.

"Lelouch, as we planned."

"Yes, we'll hold off on using the Coupling System until we reach Kyoto. That is when we'll need it most."

"Of course, and as we planned, I'll keep an eye on Aki and you'll watch for Shimako."

"Yes, but be mindful of Izumi if you can."

"Understood," Lelouch said as the crews outside signaled for him and Yui to move their machines forward.

It seems Claude was very thorough in her preparations after all, the DHGCP our machines use doesn't seem to be causing negative effects for disrupting communications, Lelouch mused.

The Izanagi and the Izanami were powered by a unique source of power called a DHGCP, which was short for Discontinuous Hyperoscillation Gauge Collapsing Pile. A unique power source, which Claude assured them would provide unlimited power and therefore operation time. Lelouch and Yui had been curious to learn more about the technology behind it, but Claude evaded their questions and would tell them about how it functioned once they succeed in saving Yui's friends.

Once they were done, Yui and Lelouch opened a shared channel between Aki, Izumi, Shimako, and Kazusa while communications from their superior was open as well.

"They are advancing too fast," Aki declared as her own TSF, a white Type-82A Zuikaku.

Standing at over seventeen meters tall with bulky legs, which housed reinforced armor planting and shock absorption and protection from the jet engines around its waist to allow for flight. Its arms were less thick in comparison to allow easy handling of weapons and close quarters combat, which made the differences between the machines he and Yui were using all the more different.

"How!? This is a supply base nowhere near the frontline," Shimako commented as her own machine, the same model as Aki left its dock.

"No, this is the frontline now," Yui declared as her machine joined her friends along with Lelouch's Gundam.

Meeting them near the launch catapult was their commanding officer, Kaori, inside her own Zuikaku with hers painted red, which Yui had explained to Lelouch was a form of visible ranking. The red paint meant that Kaori came from a influential samurai family close to the Regent Houses while Yui had piloted a yellow Zuikaku, which meant she was a fudai, hereditary vassals to the Shogun, as was the rest of her family.

White was reserved for those from samurai families such as Shimako, Aki, Izumi and Kazusa, but just lacked the social prestige as Kaori and Yui's families, which Lelouch thought was ridiculous but he knew it was best if he kept his mouth shut.

"The BETA scout group is still approaching," Kaori said as her red Zuikaku was ready to launch. "We estimate at least two hundred of them with Destroyer-class BETA at the head of the force followed by several Grappler-class enemies with Laser-class enemies in the rear.

Kaori launched first followed by Yui who declared.

"This time, I won't let any of you die, Izanagi launching!"

The thrusters of Yui's Gundam surged with power before the Izanagi flew out of the hangar at a speed that stunned Yui's friends, but also Kazusa noticed what Yui had said before launching.

"This time?"

"Focus on surviving and staying alive, I gave my word I would help her keep you safe and I'll do just that. Be mindful of the battle, because more BETA could come from anyway so don't let your guards down," Lelouch warned before launching. "Izanami, taking off!"

Following after Yui the Izanagi flew out of the hangar surpassing the speed Kaori's machine displayed when it launched.

Confused, but they didn't have the time to ask Lelouch or Yui for answers, they had a base to defend. They all launched and quickly joined up with Yui and Lelouch as their machines took point.

"Takamura's second flight will go after the Destroyer-class," Kaori commanded.

"Roger that," Yui replied.

"Flight One, under my command, will provide cover for Flight Three. Flight three under Yamashiro will concentrate fire on any individual Grappler-class, but will prioritize Laser-class enemies upon spotting them.

"Roger that," Kazusa replied.

A short time later Lelouch, Yui, Izumi, Aki, Shimako, Kazusa along with the rest of their squad took up defensive positions within an abandoned town, using some of the houses and small buildings constructed upon hills for light cover. As everyone waited on baited breath Lelouch was preparing for his opening attack, using the holographic keyboard that appeared within the cockpit to calculate enemy positions for the Izanami's primary weapon, using the Gundam's AI tactical computer to quickly assist him, to detect and pinpoint the position of the enemy, especially the Laser-class BETA.

I may not have time to manually calculate firing solutions, maybe some prepared ones with the assistance of the machine's AL could help, Lelouch thought.

Like Yui's Gundam, Lelouch's own machine had an onboard assistant AI, called the A.L.I.C.E. System, which was also short for Advanced Logistic & In-consequence Cognizing Equipment. It served as more than an onboard assistant, but if need be it could act as a co-pilot for the Izanami.

"The BETA Destroyer class enemies are closing in," Yui's voice came over the shared communication channel.

The Destroyer-class BETA, Lelouch could see at least more than fifty of them, and more coming along with other BETA types.

Remember Shimako was the first to die by flying too high, Yui thought, reminding herself before calling out to Lelouch.

"Lelouch, are you ready?"

"Ready," Lelouch said as both were drawing their machines' Beam Magnums, the enlarged pistol that looked mixed with that of a rifle that could be held in one hand, while also moving to get into better firing positions to maximize their shots and minimize damage to cover.

Lelouch and Yui fired at the same time, careful their shots would sail over the buildings and hit their targets while mindful not to draw the attention of a Laser-class BETA while exposed. The light blue and crimson beams unleashed by their weapons sailed over the houses, rattling them and still ripping roofing away despite best efforts, but the intense heat set them ablaze while melting down abandoned cars as the shots passed over them.

Lelouch and Yui's shots hit their mark, the front of the advancing and leading Destroyer-class BETA.

Normally the front of a Destroyer-class BETA was protected by an extremely tough frontal armor in the form of a partial body carapace, with hardness fifteen on the Mohs scale in front. Combined with their speed, up to one hundred and seventy miles an hour over an open, flat field, made them ideal for frontal assaults as they could just literally bulldoze through anything in their way. Very few weapons can pierce these hardened carapaces, demanding a TSF fighting one get behind them to shoot their unarmored flanks and rears, and unlike the Grappler-class BETA they can't turn easily.

But when a pair of energy shots from a Beam Mangum struck with a temperature of ten thousand degrees it tore through the armor causing the organics of the BETA to become superheated and explode. The shots plowing through the leading ranks, killing six more BETA in a straight line and the explosive impact of Yui and Lelouch's shots managed to kill several more BETA while wounding others.

Which didn't include the energy backwash or the superheated air that suddenly exploded in instant vaporization when the main bodies of the two shots detonated at their end.

The Destroyer-class not hit straight on, but caught in the backwash were literally pulled off their feet and towards the passage field of the two shots. Their hardened carapaces were peeled away like someone peeling potatoes while badly burning them. Once they hit the passage field, they were instantly caught and torn apart by the trailing energy left in the wake of the twin shots.
Others, caught by the flash explosion of the air, were simply hurled around badly burned with carapace both peeled and ripped away. These BETA struggled for a few moments before stilling, dead from extensive internal and external damage.

The unarmored BETA caught up in the same attack simply ceased to exist the closer to the main shots they were while others, further away, were plastered with secondary debris and could be heard actually screaming in pain that even they could abruptly feel before going just as abruptly silent and unmoving.

For those two shots, the entire attack was thrown off its balance and the BETA were now at the mercy of the Humans as their attack now became a disorganized, piecemeal series of thrusts that could be taken care of.

"H…holy shit," Aki said, left speechless by the destructive power of the weapons of the new machines.

"I want one," Izumi muttered in awe of the weapons and what they did to the BETA.

"All units, advance. Draw them in and fire at will, but remember stay below one hundred meters or a Laser-class will shoot you down," Kaori ordered, although she was quietly stunned by how destructive the main weapons of the Izanami and Izanagi were, she managed to maintain her composure and keep herself from being stupefied. "Be careful of the Izanami and Izanagi's magnums, avoid being in their firing arcs."

"Yes ma'am!" The other pilots shouted in unison as they advanced.

Unfortunately the Beam Magnums, despite their impressive destructive power and effectiveness against the Destroyer-class BETA, couldn't fire in rapid succession. The charging time required and the cooldown needed following each shot to prevent the weapon from fatally overheating.

Still the Destroyer-class BETA were still a safe distance away, Lelouch and Yui joined the others in advancing while firing off their respective Beam Magnums as soon as the weapon was ready again. Even as the Destroyers continued their advance their losses were heavy, but the BETA fearlessly continued their charge, though being careful about trampling over the remains of their own who had been killed.

We've killed a lot, but they still keep coming, Lelouch said, deciding to holster his Beam Mangum so it could begin recharging its shots while saving those that remained, because the weapon had a very limited number of shots before needing a long recharge period.

As Lelouch was preparing to fire the Izanami's main weapon, he noticed a few Destroyers had managed to get close to them, and spotted Shimako's unit take to the air as he could hear her panicked voice. Shimako did manage to turn and shoot the backside of the attacking Destroyer, killing it, but she was in serious danger.

Oh shit, Lelouch said as he flew towards her.

Yui was tied up with another Destroyer that had attacked them, using speed and agility to get behind the Destroyer to crave into its vulnerable backside, killing it.

"Shimako get down from there! You're too high!"

"Huh?"

This would've been the moment when Shimako would've been shot down, being the first of Yui's friends to die.

But not this time.

Lelouch got in front of Shimako's machine, using its beam shield and I-field just in time. A Laser-class's beam bounced off the shield, another fired by a different Laser-class was deflected away by the I-field. Shimako was shocked, realizing she had been nearly killed by a Laser-class.

"Y…you saved me."

"Stop gawking and get to the ground now!" Lelouch insisted as more Laser-class BETA began firing on Lelouch, but the Izanami's defenses held firm.

"Uh, right," Shimako said, returning to the ground, followed by Lelouch, however…

A Laser-class cannot fire again until after eighteen seconds, Lelouch noted, because as he returned to the ground before boost jumping to get a clearer line of sight. A second barrage of lasers pelted his machine and their point of origins were quickly calculated by the Izanami tactical computer prompting Lelouch to grin. Still in the air as lasers were harmlessly deflected by the I-field, Lelouch drew his Beam Magnum to dispatch some more Destroyers before the chest of the Izanami opened as its Scatter Mega Beam Particle Cannon was ready.

Lelouch waited until the Laser-class had attacked again, then firing during the eighteen second window. Having used his height in the air as suggested by the tactical computer to inflict the most damage upon the BETA, but was sure to use two more shots from his Beam Magnum to dispatch any the cannon's scattering shots had missed. Many other BETA were destroyed in Lelouch's bombardment, including Destroyer-class and some Grapper-class BETA that were advancing upon their positions.

Numerous Tank-class, a red multi-limbed creature, about three meters tall, were decapitated before being just essentially erased from the sheer heat and power while a dozen Grapplers were critically wounded or killed, but Lelouch's targets, the Laser-class BETA were wiped out.

"Flight-3 be advised you have Grappler-class BETA advancing on your positions," Lelouch said, looking at the mission time.

"What?" Kazusa responded in confusion, and sure enough she and her unit saw a group of Grappler-class BETA were advancing upon them. "Where did they come from?"

"Good eye Lieutenant Lamperouge," Kaori complimented. "Concentrate fire, we need to draw the enemy to use to keep them off Flight-3."

By now the supply base has been or is about to be overrun, Lelouch thought, as he pushed a few buttons in the cockpit preparing a distress call Claude had given them to play, but just prior to boarding, he had asked that a recommendation be delivered to the base commander, actually hoping that because he was in Purple and Black, that he might be able to influence just enough as a backup plan. The situation will get only more unfavorable from this point on.

"Emergency! All units, this is the Arashiyama Supply Base! We're under attack, requesting immediate reinforcements! I repeat, emergency! This is the Arashiyama Supply base! Our base is under attack and is at risk of being overrun!" the distress call placed before the sound of the officer dying to a BETA was played.

"Command Post, respond," Kaori began responding to the transmission, trying to contact the Supply Base, but all she got was static before slamming the wall of her cockpit in anger. "What are the regular soldiers doing?!"

If Kaori could see, the survivors of the base were doing everything they could to stem the BETA as more and more trucks and support vehicles fled with vital supplies, uncrewed TSFs, and support personnel. Lelouch's 'recommandations' had been taken at value. One of the patrols had discovered a blind spot and barely fortified it before the BETA struck them.

But she couldn't see it. She couldn't even establish contact. The base's transmitter masts had been destroyed by the BETA just moments after Lelouch activated the false signal.

Meanwhile Aki and Yui were fighting the Grappler-classes together, Yui used her beam sabers to evade their attacks before cutting them down, allowing her Beam Magnum to recharge. Lelouch provided support fire using the Dual-Linked Variable Speed Beam Rifles mounted on the wings, while preparing to fire its main weapon again.

"Aki, don't forget, stay mindful, more Grappler-class BETA could attack from anywhere," Yui said, cautioning her friend.

"I got this," Aki said, but she ran out of ammo forcing her to draw her TSF's sword to engage the enemy in close quarters combat.

Yui stayed close to Aki, remembering what caused her death last time.

Meanwhile Shimako stayed close to Lelouch, protecting him so he could continue using the main weapon of the Izanami to continue cutting down the ranks of the BETA. Izumi joined them as she killed a Grappler-class in close quarters combat, but she continued to hack away at its corpse unsatisfied.

"That's right kill them all, he needs to be avenged," Izumi shouted in her cockpit, between shouting in rage while crying, remembering the pain of her loss.

"Commander, there are more BETA approaching from the west," Kazusa reported, having spotted them upon eliminating the last of the Laser-class BETA not killed by Lelouch's previous attacks.

"There were supposed to be only this group," Kaori said, now seeing the next group of BETA, which was much larger than the Scouting Vanguard they were finishing off, which thanks to the weapons Lelouch and Yui had the vanguard had been wiped out beyond a few Tank-class and Grappler-class enemies remaining now being mopped up.

And that doesn't include the fact their base had just fallen to yet another group.

"You trainees can't handle that many," Kaori said, even with the two machines piloted by Yui and Lelouch helping them they ran the risk of being overwhelmed.

Everyone among the squadron she commanded hadn't expended as much ammunition as they normally should have, but Kaori realized everyone would be running dangerously low on ammunition once the next group arrived very quickly. If the Supply Base was truly lost, and she was picking up the odd comms chatter that seemed to indicate so, then it was only a matter of time before they were surrounded.

And without resupply and support, especially reinforcements, Kaori knew there was one order she had to give.

"There is no longer any reason for us to defend this position," Kaori said before commanding. "All flights, listen up, we are withdrawing from this battlefield at once. Fall back to Defense Line Eight!"

Kaori led the group as everyone began retreating from the battle, but Yui and Lelouch knew there was one who wouldn't be willing to withdraw so easily.

"Izumi, we have to fall back!" Yui shouted, knowing Izumi wouldn't respond. "IZUMI!"

Izumi continued hacking into another Grappler-class she had killed, but she continued to cut into its corpse.

"NO!" Izumi shouted in response, a part of her knew they had to fallback or they would be overwhelmed in due time, but another part didn't want to go. That part demanded blood for the death of the boy she loved, who died when the BETA overran Kyushu. "I can't run away! Revenge. I must have my revenge here!"

Yui asserted her authority, but Lelouch stepped in.

"Pilot Officer Noto, that's enough!" Lelouch called out to her.

The sharp commanding words were enough to make Izumi stop. She twitched her head to listen to her.

"Survive and you'll have more chances for revenge, but if you die here you'll achieve nothing. Besides, given how much you clearly loved him, he must have loved you very much. So ask yourself this: 'Would he want you to die?' If you live I am sure he'll be happy, and you'll get more opportunities to get vengeance as long as you are alive, otherwise if you die then you'll have achieved nothing.
Live to get revenge then be there when the BETA are beaten you can stand as the victor with your vengeance complete and honor him by living on victoriously."

"I…I…" Izumi stuttered. Yui could tell that Lelouch's words struck the right cords. By then she finally gave up. "R-right."

Izumi left with Lelouch and Yui, with the three quickly catching back up with Kaori and the others as they flew low to the ground, but Lelouch knew what was coming next. Moving to take up the rear, Lelouch activated the maximum output of the I-field, expanding the field as far as he could behind him.

"Everyone fly ahead of me now, the Laser-class BETA are about to attack!"

"What?" Kaori responded in surprise before a member of the squad, just narrowly avoided being shot down by a Laser-class, having drifted to the side at the last minute thus avoiding death.

"Everyone, do what he says!" Yui shouted even as she turned back to check on the down the pilot, her thrusters more than powerful enough to allow her to catch back up.

Izumi, Kaori, Shimako, Aki, Kazusa and the other members of their squad formed a single-line formation ahead of Lelouch's machine. The Laser-class BETA attacked, but none of their lasers could perpetrate Lelouch's defenses as the I-field harmlessly deflected away their attacks.

"Head for the ridge straight ahead," Kaori advised.

"When did the Laser-class change their firing angle?" Kazusa shouted in surprise, stunned by this sudden development.

"Just focus on reaching the ridge, more BETA will swarm this area soon," Lelouch warned even as Yui caught back up, carrying the shot down pilot who was lucky to be alive, but it was clear her arm was broken.

Everything is going according to plan and to date the squadron has somehow managed to survive essentially intact with no losses, startling as that is and beyond my wildest estimates, but now the hard part lies ahead.

Even as Lelouch thought that last bit, he caught sight of something that surprised him.

His computers read them as two abandoned American A-10 Thunderbolt TSAs and the main arm still clutching its rifle of a third TSA. They were surrounded by dozens of dead BETA, but the two machines sat, with their cockpits open. If the BETA had won that encounter, the two machines and the discarded arm and rifle should no longer be there.

And yet, as Lelouch stabilized the flow and output of his I-Field, he couldn't help but wonder if Yui and her surviving friends and allies had merely missed them previously.

Or did Claude do more than she let on?

Something I'll consider asking Claude later, but right now surviving this night is our priority, Lelouch thought, knowing the night had just begun.

For they were heading to Kyoto, where only he and Yui knew the BETA had already overran most of the city by now.

---

A/N: Well part one is done and in two weeks part two will come out as Lelouch, Yui and company must make their way through a BETA infested Kyoto as they will be in the belly of the best. As you can see in the chapter, Lelouch and Yui surviving the battle won't be a problem, its keeping everyone else is where the real challenge against an enemy that really loves to Zerg rush with overwhelming numbers.

And yeah supply issues won't be a problem for Lelouch, which is one reason why they got basically artificially black holes powering their Gundams.

The Beam Magnums while useful here, they are even improve models of the ones from Gundam Unicorn, won't carry Lelouch and Yui through the story, because the BETA have a nasty habit of adapting after some days has passed.

And add a question of what else Claude did before Lelouch literally entered the world of Muv Luv for Lelouch and Yui, something to find out once the battle is over.

Now as for the harem, I did decide to just swap out the poll on fanfiction.net (on my profile page) for a new one focused on the Muv Luv candidates I am considering for Lelouch, because let's face it that series alone has WAY too many candidates. As much as I don't want to use a poll it has been difficult for me to narrow down who be best for Lelouch, or at least who should have a shot at Lelouch outside of Yui, Kazusa and Shimako who are locked in for Lelouch, meaning there is room for only six more. For now I am just allowing for big voting, since I am unsure of a good number to put on the poll, and I'll leave the poll on my profile open until Lelouch and company leave the Muv Luv world, because the main reason I am doing a poll is because I am very worried about character bloat. My original plan was to try and have them appear and have an opportunity to spend time with Lelouch to see what kind of chemistry happens between, BUT that is a LOT of characters to juggle with, and once you guys see the poll you'll understand.

I will note as something to look forward to, in the coming chapters Lelouch will be meeting the following characters (a slight spoiler, but people who have followed my forums will know already): Yuzuka Sendou, Haruko Kashiwagi, Haruka Suzumiya, Asagi Minori and Tsukiko Fujisawa who will be the members of a squad Lelouch will have command over as a start. With Marimo Jinguuji as his "drill sergeant," so yeah Lelouch's training isn't done yet, but there are some politics behind this too. Because aside from the BETA Lelouch is going to be caught up in some politics and having to deal with some xenophobia along the way, which will be part of the reason why his training under Marimo will be...rough, especially for those who know the character.

Hence why Lelouch is spending so much time in the Muv Luv world, as the BETA aren't the only problem to deal with since he needs to win over the Imperial Japanese Army to gain their support before he could think about going to another world.

Once things on Muv Luv are concluded I'll do a second poll to narrow down potential Gundam candidates for Lelouch since they have the second largest list of potential candidates, but they are much harder since unlike those from Muv Luv, baring an exception from one or two, are not open to polygamy. But its to avoid character bloat mostly, and those from not a Gundam or Muv Luv are much smaller to worry about so I won't be doing polls for them.

Just keep in mind winning a poll doesn't ensure their placement in the harem, it just wins them time with Lelouch to show what chemisty they can build and if they can fit well with him.

Lastly Stella Bremer, Cui Yifei, and Tarisa Manandal are more or less confirmed, but since that would be six Muv Luv candidates in the poll I am holding off on locking them in thanks to the very good arguments of Silkdreamweaver so they are being kept in reserve for now. After all it will be a couple years in story before any relationships happen, so I got a LOT of time to sort it out.
Anyway through talk on that, let me close the chapter and say thanks to everyone who reviewed and gave feedback, its very appreciated.

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Model number: TMP-02X
Code name: Izanagi
Unit Type: Prototype Full Psycho-Frame Mobile Suit
Pilot: Yui Takamura
Manufacturer: Unknown
Operator: Order of the Black Knights, Empire of Japan ("sponsors" of the Black Knights)
First deployment: July 31st 2016 A.T.B
Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 19.8 meters
Weight: 52.6 metric tons
Armor: Gundanium Alloy infused with Nanoskin
Powerplant: DHGCP (Discontinuous Hyperoscillation Gauge Collapsing Pile) Powerplant
Equipment and Design Features:
Sensor Range:23,700 meters
Psycho-Frame: A Man to machine Interface that builds on the brainwave-to-machine code translator known as Psycommu into the atom-level of the metal frame of a Mobile Suit. More specifically, the psycommu chips are shrank and lined in the gaps between the hive-shaped metal particles of the mobile suit's frame. This allows a Newtype pilot to control the mobile suit as if it were their own body with limitations.
Coupling System (with its sister unit the Izanagi)
A.L.I.C.E. System (Advanced Logistic & In-consequence Cognizing Equipment): A.L.I.C.E. is an artificial intelligence, that co-pilots the Izanami.
I-Field Barrier: an invisible force field that surrounds the Izanami and is active all the time thanks to the Izanami's limitless power. Can deflect Anti-Ship Beam Cannons and even the heat and radiation of a Nuclear Bomb close to Ground Zero.
Powerplant: DHGCP (Discontinuous Hyperoscillation Gauge Collapsing Pile) Powerplant: Which is essentially an artifical Black Hole.
Intention Automatic System: This system is inherited from the Sinanju Stein and functions by using the psycho-frame's sensitivity to the pilot's thought-waves to directly affect behavior of the mobile suit. It is also possible for the pilot to intercept the thought-waves of an enemy pilot. Additionally, the system directs the suit's movement when active, and does not completely depend on the pilot for commands.
NT-D Mode: A special operating system installed in the Izanami. The name "NT-D" is supposed to be an abbreviation for "Newtype Drive," but is actually an abbreviation for "Newtype Destroyer," a system developed to eliminate Newtypes. The system is activated when it detects an enemy psycommu machine as well as its Newtype or Cyber-Newtype pilot. When activated, the mobile suit transforms into Destroy Mode, dramatically improving its performance as its limiters are disabled, and allowing it to hijack the enemy machine's psycommu weaponry. However, it places a heavy burden on the pilot and the machine, and is limited to five minutes.
Fixed Armaments:
2 X 60mm Vulcan Guns
4 X Beam Sabers: The Izanagi can emit four Beam Sabers from its forearms and feet. All four can be used simultaneously in Mobile Suit Mode
Gerbera Straight Katana: A mobile suit-sized katana that is extremely sharp, and does not rely on the kinetic energy of a high-speed swing to cut through its targets. Mounted on the Waist.
Tiger Pierce Katana: A replica of the Gerbera Straight, likewise also mounted on the Waist.
Optional Armaments:
Beam Magnum: A handheld firearm equipped with an energy condenser, it is common to the RX-0 series mobile suits. The power output of a single shot is the equivalent of 4 regular beam rifle shots at the expense of an entire E-pack. As such, a single shot is sufficient to destroy a mobile armor-class machine, and even stray particles from the fired shot have sufficient power to destroy a mobile suit, meaning a direct hit is not always required. The beams fired from the beam magnum are as hot as 10000°C and are surrounded by a field of plasma ranging from 3000°C to 7000°C—depending on how far away a particular area is from the actual beam. Connected to a Wire from the Izanami's generator for limitless shots mounted on the back skirt armor when not in use.

A/N: Special thanks to Jameyofthemegacosmos, Icysnowsage, Darklord331, silkdreamweaver (chief beta reader and editor) and our Gundam consult and designer Redrat8. Greatkingrat88, F-14 Tomcat Lover, and Seerking have also contributed to the development of this story.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favorited and followed the past chapters, they always appreciated.

Ok before getting into this chapter I should let you guys know that I had to make some changes to the past chapters, which thankfully I was prepared for so while minimum changes to the chapters had to be done it will cause some changes to the story, and limit the time before events of Code Geass happen.
You see I recently got The Imperial Capital Burns - Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse on Steam (more so since it was on sale), looking for more ideas for Kazusa, Izumi, Aki and Shimako's characters since the story explores more events surrounding Yui's time leading up to and during the BETA invasion. But during it I noticed comments and dialogue suggesting Yui and her friends were sixteen, which also matches with a bit that drafting age was reduced to sixteen around the time of the invasion. Although tv tropes suggested Yui and her friends were fourteen, and no one else opposed this belief when I asked them about, but with the story making it clear they were at least sixteen during the invasion I went ahead and corrected everyone's ages, and bumping Lelouch up to match so they are sixteen.

As I said I was prepared for the possibility they were older than the tv tropes suggested considering that bit about the drafting age, so the edits I had to make were little, but hopefully I didn't miss any.

Before reading this chapter I should note this one and chapter three had been heavily rewritten four times, because the Gundams for Yui and Lelouch were of a different design, but I was forced to rewrite much of the chapter when Redrat8 got involved and redesigned the Gundam's completely.

Now that is out of the way let us move on with the chapter, I'll say responses to reviews I cannot reply to for the bottom of the chapter.

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Everything has gone according to plan or better than planned, but now we are in no man's land, Lelouch thought.

Thanks to Yui's knowledge of previous events, their plan had worked remarkably well. Lelouch had even made some contingencies depending on how things played out, so far they've avoided casualties among the squadron. Still Lelouch was concerned and didn't want his sense of accomplishments to make himself lower his guard, although he was still confident he could survive anything in the Izanami. However, Aki, Izumi, Shimako and Kazusa were dangerously low on ammunition after they ran into more BETA during their retreat and their machines were more inferior compared to theirs putting them at much greater risk.

"Everything seems to be going well," Yui said through their private communication channel.

"Yes," Lelouch said, hoping Yui didn't jinx it, "Keep your guard up nonetheless, as the BETA do have a known history of surprises."

Lelouch wasn't superstitious or anything, but he was also concerned their success might make Yui relax their guard. Compared to the BETA they had faced earlier, Lelouch knew the ones attacking Kyoto numbered in the tens of thousands if not more, like a surging river crushing anything in their path. The battles they waged in the simulators reminded Lelouch that while each individual BETA was dangerous depending on its type, their deadest advantage was attacking in large numbers, using overwhelming numbers to overwhelm their foes.

Now in Kyoto, which was under siege from the BETA, they would have to watch out for some hiding in ambush within the buildings.

Our machines can detect them thanks to their advanced sensors, but how do we deal with them without the squad becoming suspicious? Lelouch thought, contemplating how to best proceed.

"Just remember the enemy hiding in the buildings," Lelouch said, reminding Yui who nodded in response.

"Roger that," Yui replied, remembering what had happened originally.

I hope I am wrong, but…

Lelouch's unease didn't diminish in the slightest, because thinking from their enemy's perspective Yui and Lelouch's Gundams represented a dangerous unknown. Up until this point the BETA had been able to steamroll their enemies, despite fierce resistance they would inevitably overwhelm their opponents . It was only a question of time.

But how would they respond to Lelouch and Yui's Gundams which managed to defeat an entire scouting vanguard with no losses and very quickly?

Claude said the enemy has a human-level intellect behind them capable of strategy and coordinating the BETA, Lelouch thought.

During the BETA's invasion of Earth, efforts have been made to communicate with the BETA, which humanity thought were some mindless horde that consumed everything in their path. Battles against them lead to situations that insinuated that something or someone intelligent was directing them given how the BETA conducted themselves and reacted to certain strategies. After some experiments humanity created humans, born in artificial wombs, with psychic abilities.

The amoral implications of the experiments that created such individuals aside, the results succeeded in which they gained a greater understanding of the BETA and communication was successful. However, the BETA do not see humanity as living creatures as only silicon-based lifeforms were the only living creatures to them, so peace wasn't possible. Defeating the BETA was humanity's only chance at surviving otherwise they would be wiped out.

Still if such an intelligence was behind such aliens, then Lelouch questioned how it would react.

If I was directing the BETA I would likely focus more of my forces to bolster their numbers, which keeps with their preferred tactic of overwhelming an enemy, Lelouch thought.

Lelouch wanted to be wrong, but he would soon learn his unease was justified.

Yui drew a beam saber before slashing a building in two, one she remembered a Destroyer-class had ambushed her from. The energy blade cut through the building easily, which caused the area around the slash to explode from suddenly being superheated. A few moments later, a dead Destroyer-class tumbled out, crumbling the building to the shock of everyone, except for Lelouch.

"A BETA? Hiding in the building," one of their squadmates exclaimed upon seeing the dead Destroyer-class.

"I am sorry for startling all of you, the Izanagi's sensors picked up a BETA class hiding in the building, its enhanced sensors were designed for such purposes to avoid ambush situations," Yui explained, but in her own cockpit Kazusa's expression hardened, suspecting something more behind it.

"Excellent work," Kaori said, praising Yui even as she rubbed her eyes, feeling the strain personally. "I want you and Lamperouge to check the buildings along our path to avoid any ambushes."

"Roger that," Lelouch and Yui replied.

"If the BETA have advanced this far into Kyoto to lay in ambush, we should assume the defensive lines on the city's outskirts and within it have been lost," Kaori said before noticing some fighting happening in the distance. "We should head towards one of the defensive lines, we'll head for Kyoto station, it's where one of the lines were established. Perhaps we can make contact with command."

"Roger that," the rest of the squad said together.

Lelouch and Yui were thankful Kaori wasn't questioning their actions, but the former was assuming it was due to their situation and their actions had kept everyone in the squad alive beyond the infamous Eight Minutes of Death. Since most inexperienced Tactical Surface Fighters pilots don't always survive their first sortie against the BETA.

It was an impressive feat to be sure, but now they would be entering unknown territory as they were in the path of the main BETA force literally flowing towards Kyoto like a river.

Is this what it was like for the Japanese Army when they faced Britannia?

Lelouch could only imagine what the Japanese Army might've thought and felt when they faced down the Britannian Army after they lost the battles for the sea and sky. To be faced with overwhelming numbers from the south, east and northeastern points of Japan. The BETA may have been attacking from one point in their invasion of Japan, but their numbers were much greater given the speed in how they've overran most of western Japan and those who tried to stop them. Despite the odds, Lelouch was certain most were defiant to the end, even if they knew victory was impossible.

I am sure Yui and her friends might be similar, but the rest of the squad? Lelouch thought, because while he knew a good deal about Aki, Izumi, Kazusa, and Shimako thanks to Yui, the rest of their squad he knew less about.

Advancing further into Kyoto, with Lelouch occasionally shooting a hidden BETA Destroyer-class in one of the nearby buildings with his wing mounted beam rifle. Yui used her beam sabers, since using the Beam Magnum in such close quarters was not only ill-advised, but it could upset the pilots in their ranks over Kyoto being destroyed and risk civilians still alive and in hiding, assuming they were alive somehow. The pair were finding one every few blocks they ventured through, and they weren't the only threats. Likely hiding among the deserted buildings and homes, were groups of Tank-class BETA.

The Tank-class is a smaller variant of BETA being over two meters tall, four-legged, two long arms and a set of powerful jaws that can bite through metal and concrete. Individually, they could be dispatched with infantry-portable heavy weapons, but the Tank-class BETA rarely travel outside of groups numbering in the hundreds or the thousands.

"Enemy contact," another squad member said, noticing a group of Tank-class BETA approaching them.

Lelouch saw them as did Yui, the red, four-legged BETA with powerful jaws rushing down one of the empty streets. Soon Lelouch detected more coming down another street near their location, noticing at least greater than a hundred more of them. The cadets with ammunition remaining began firing upon the Tank class BETA, but more kept coming. Tank-class were known for being remarkably fast in their movements. Lelouch and Yui joined in, using a combination of their CWIS head-mounted vulcans while Lelouch used the beam rifles mounted in his machine's wings to help, while drawing the Flame Beam Sabers, more powerful than the standard beam sabers possessing flame-like energy blades radiating intense heat, keeping them at the ready. His Gundam's tactical and AI co-pilot, A.L.I.C.E. System (Advanced Logistic & In-consequence Cognizing Equipment), automatically adjusted the VSBR to high speed setting, which instead of high destructive power delivered penetrating shots. Lelouch fired a spray of beams down the streets, even the buildings themselves offered no protection for the alien creatures as Lelouch's shots went through the buildings hitting their mark as Izanami Gundam's sensors detected them.

The Izanami Gundam kept its flame beam sabers at the ready, just in case any Tank-classes got close.

I don't recall Yui mentioning encountering this many Tank-class BETA until after their machines were downed, Lelouch thought, his fears confirmed that something had changed.

Yui was killing the advancing Tank-classes by the dozens, as were Lelouch, but they kept coming. But the rest of their squad wasn't as capable, because this remaining supply of ammunition was already getting dangerously low as some had to switch to swords to engage the Tank-class in melee.

"I'm on my last clip," Shimako reported, realizing she had only one clip left for her TSF's Type-87 Assault Cannon. She had already used up what she had left for the Type-87 Support Assault Cannon.

"Here, make them count!" Aki said, handing Shimako a spare clip, despite the fact that she was also running low too.

Among the squad they were giving their fellows what spare ammo clips they could, in the hopes of helping one another survive the BETA onslaught. Lelouch and Yui didn't face that problem other than the bullets for their head-mounted vulcans since their weapons were energy based and could be recharged once put away for a sufficient amount of time.

This is going to get bad if everyone runs out of ammunition though, Yui thought.

Unexpectedly another squad of TSF joined them, providing much needed support, but unlike the machines being used by Kaori and the others these TSFs were a Type-94-1C Shiranui Type-1C, having a more streamlined appearance than the Type-82F Zuikaku. Their arrival provided much needed relief for the rest of the squad and allowed them to hold back the hundreds of Tank-class BETA attempting to swarm them.

Lelouch and Yui didn't ease up in their own attacks as they continued killing the Tank-BETA classes attacking, with those slain quickly replaced by more arriving. The fight continued for another twenty minutes, as piles of Tank-class BETA began forming around them until finally the last of the attack swarm was killed.

The threat of the BETA was temporarily eliminated, for now, but it wouldn't be long before more would converge upon their location.

"Thank you for your timely assistance," Kaori said, talking to the squad leader of the second TSF squad.

"Not at all," A voice familiar to Yui replied.

"Instructor Sanada," Yui gasped, recognizing the voice.

"Its Captain Sanada now cadet, and congratulations on you and your squad surviving the Eight Minutes of Death," Kozou Sanada said from the cockpit of his Shiranui, he was a man in his late twenties or early thirties with a tanned complexion with one blue eye and one red, and brown hair. Just about every cadet in this unit was trained by him.

"I see," the Red Coat chuckled, "You've taught your students well," Kaori complimented.

"Thank you, but this isn't the place for idle chat."

"Agreed, what is the situation?" Kaori said as Kozou explained the current situation.

"The situation is bad for a lack of better words. The BETA have pushed all the way into Kyoto itself as you have seen. They began swarming in from Shikoku Island, and around the time we lost contact with the Arashiyama Base the Yawata Defense Line also fell."

"Why was this information kept from us?" Kaori was shaken and horrified that she hadn't heard a thing.

"'For the sake of morale and wanting those assigned to their part of the defense to hold the line as long as possible,'" Kozou answered in a high, condescending tone, but Kaori and Yui knew he agreed with Kaori's anger over this information being withheld. He had heard it from some higher up who didn't know what the hell was happening. Fortunately, his attitude changed a moment later with some good news, "However, all remaining forces in need of resupply are rallying at Kyōto Station. Some of the Americans are still present and are helping to hold the lines in several key areas. Those A-10s are really something else. They act like the mountain and the BETA have to assail the mountain in order to pass."

Kaori released a sigh of relief, "Understood, I'll take my squadron there to resupply before we return to the battlefield," Kaori said as her squad's next destination was set.

"We'll cover you," Kozou said as he reloaded his TSF's rifle, because in the distance an incoming horde of BETA including many Destroyer-class at the front and Grapplers just behind with many more in trail.

"Instructor," Aki said, fearful for their old instructor.

"You girls have done well to survive this far, and so I urge you to follow your commander. Live and keep fighting," Kozou said before he and his squad left to engage the approaching BETA.

"Let's go, you all need to be resupplied ASAP," Kaori said, but in her cockpit she saluted Kozou and his men as they hurried to hold off the BETA, knowing they wouldn't survive.

Yui knew it as well and so she saluted her former instructor, but regretted he was someone she couldn't save either. His wound was visible through the side of his TSF. Bleeding so extensively that he wouldn't survive even if he were able to pull back.

He was already prepared to give his life, I doubt anything we said could've swayed him and especially with that mortal wound, Yui thought as she and the rest of their squad left, heading for Kyoto Station.

The rest of the squadron was dangerously low on ammo, so they continued forward with Yui and Lelouch occasionally shooting a hiding BETA, mostly Destroyer-class, laying in wait for an ambush. Then, remembering a building Yui recalled from her previous experience of events used her Beam Magnum to shoot a building where she knew a Fort-class was hiding. Last time it had gotten the jump on her, Izumi and Kazusa, causing their TSFs to crash, leading to the deaths of the latter two.

Any potential alarm over discharging such a powerful weapon within the city limits was drowned out by the shock of a Fort-class having been lying in ambush.

Not this time, Yui thought as she saw the Fort-class fall over dead, half its body vaporized and the remains completely engulfed in flame as the acid in its body to be used by its stinger had flash erupted into flames.

"A Fort-class!?" Aki exclaimed, horrified. "How did one get so far in without it being seen?"

"Stay on your guard. It's possible the Kyoto Station might've been overrun if the BETA are this far in." Kaori warned, having a bad feeling about this, a feeling shared by Lelouch.

If the rest of the squad can't resupply we'll have a serious problem, Lelouch thought.

Already worrying was that they were now in unknown territory because at this point Yui and her last two friends were grounded by the BETA, leading to Izumi and Kazusa's deaths and Yui being rescued before she could share their fate. They were doing very well having survived to this point without any casualties so far.

Anything could happen at this point now.

---

The group approached Kyoto Station, but found it had been overrun by the BETA made up of Grappler-class, Destroyer-class and Tank-class. However around the station were Supply Containers, likely deployed to help the defenders resupply during the attack, if there was anything left they could take it. But the BETA in the area made that difficult, further complicated by the fact Kaori, Aki, Izumi, Shimako and Kazusa and the rest were nearly out of ammunition.

"Damn it, so the defense line has fallen here too," Kaori said, tightening her grip around the control sticks of her TSF in anger.

"What do we do?" Shimako asked, noticing the remains of two United Nations F-16 Falcons among the destroyed TSFs. Even the UN remained to fight to the bitter end.

"If we could get to those supply containers we could reload our weapons, but there are too many BETA around," Kaori said before Yui offered a suggestion.

"Lelouch and I can clear out the BETA, once the area is cleared that should be enough time to take what we can, if that is fine with you commander?"

Kaori weighed her options, it was too risky, but moving through a city infested with BETA without ammunition was even more so. Also fuel would soon start becoming a problem until they could retreat back to safety behind allied lines or, assuming if the Supply Containers had anything left, they could refuel now. She didn't like their chances of going further through Kyoto without either, so Kaori agreed.

"Alright, I'll leave it to you and Lieutenant Lamperouge then Warrant Officer Takamura," Kaori said.

"Thank you," Yui replied.

Lelouch prepared to fire the Izanami's primary weapon, but unlike before Lelouch set the mega particle cannon to a single beam, to avoid hitting the Supply Containers. He also adjusted the fire rate of the beam rifles in his wings, while he held his Gundam's Flame Swords, knowing they would be able to cleave through the tough hides of the Destroyer-class and Grappler-class BETA.

Lelouch was careful to avoid the Supply Containers, as Yui moved in and began attacking with flame beam sabers, cutting apart the Grappler-class and vaporizing the Tank-class BETA nearest to the Supply Containers. Lelouch used the Variable Speed Beam Rifles, gunning down the Tank-class and Grappler-class BETA in the immediate area, and another shot from the Izanami's Mega Particle Cannon to deal with the remaining BETA nearby.

Yui herself used her own beam sabers to cut down the remaining BETA, those too close to the supply containers that Lelouch couldn't risk shooting them. Then she moved on to deal with the BETA arriving to reinforce their fellows, seeking to eliminate them before they could join the battle as Lelouch dealt with the remaining enemies near the Supply Containers. Being extremely careful not to let the backwash or high energy intermix with the Supply Containers and risk an explosion. Outside of her Beam Magnum, Yui lacked any other ranged offensive options except for her machine's head mounted CWIS. However she spotted a discarded TSF rifle that was just big enough for her Gundam to pick up and use.

And use she did, discovering it was an American heavy rifle called the Avenger. Thankfully, it had a fully loaded swept the rifle through the ranks of Tanks and saw them just vanish into a fine, if somewhat meaty, mist. The Americans knew what they were doing when they decided to build their TSAs. This cannon is incredibly powerful!

The weapon soon clicked empty, but it had done its job well.

Seeing the enemy around the Supply Containers were gone as Lelouch and Yui continued working to keep the BETA at bay, Kaori saw their opportunity.

"Hurry to the containers, resupply as quickly as you can!" Kaori commanded as her squad hurried to the containers hoping there was something left they could use.

Luckily fortune smiled on them and the Supply Containers were still stocked with ammunition and weapons, Kaori even finding a trio of spare 36mm GAU-8 Avengers and their ammunition which she tossed to Yui and supplied Lelouch with. With that kind of covering fire, the remaining TSFs didn't waste time restocking their weapons and replacing those as needed, Kaori actually stowing her
Assault Cannon to acquire an Avenger as did Aki who immediately fell in love with the weapon. Once the TSFs had replenished their ammunition and replaced their weapons, Shimako even found an improved Assault Cannon with Sniper functions and claimed it. They started searching the Supply Containers for fuel for their machines.

Meanwhile Lelouch moved with Kaori's group to help defend the others against BETA attacks, while Yui continued to fight to hold the flanks by herself. Lelouch had to holster his Beam Mangum for now, not wanting to deplete all of its energy, to allow it to recharge before using a third firing of Izanami's Mega Particle Cannon, to wipe out the enemies nearby. The hundreds of Tank-class BETA proving to be the most troublesome to keep in check despite how many BETA Lelouch kept killing. However, in the minutes since Kaori and the rest of the squad reached the Supply Containers, those who stocked up on ammunition and having been fortunate in finding a supply container with fuel inside, they joined Lelouch and Yui in fending off the BETA until the rest of their squad was done.

They couldn't have finished a moment sooner, the number of BETA were increasing as more were converging upon their location. Likely in response to the large swaths of losses they were sustaining.

"If everyone is done resupplying, fallback, we're going to head to the nearest defense line to rendezvous with any remaining allies," Kaori commanded.

If the situation here is this bad, then the Japanese might've been forced out of the city, Lelouch thought as he could see what appeared to be areas of the city on fire, likely from the battle and Destroyer-class just steamrolling through everything.

But it was at that moment distant help arrived.

Explosions began chaining up and down the BETA's line of attack on them. Entire groups of BETA were being wiped out with seemingly pinpoint accuracy. But those who knew the ordnance knew otherwise.

"It's the navy!" Aki cheered as naval artillery fire landed in the city, breaking up large groups of BETA. "They're firing on the BETA!"

"And it's being walked this way!" Kaori realized, "Everyone, we are leaving!"

"Reload now to keep yourself stocked!" Kazusa called out as she replaced what she's just used.

The BETA, ignoring the artillery fire from the Biwa Sea, pressed forward to overrun the group.

Lelouch and Yui covered their escape, shots from their Beam Magnums killing dozens more BETA with a lot more Tank-Classes killed by the intense heat and backwash of the passing shots. Buildings either were ripped apart or melted where they stood with a number bursting into flames. Kaori and the rest of the squad provided cover fire before Lelouch and Yui pulled back, following in their flight from Kyoto Station as the artillery shots finally began to land home and BETA were blown to pieces, along with everything else behind the fleeing machines.

"Are there any defense lines still intact?" Aki asked over an open communication line.

Kaori had no answer, but soon she started picking up an incoming transmission.

"This is Major Kyoko Takatsuka of the Regent Houses, if there are any survivors please respond to this channel!"

"This is First Lieutenant Kaori Kisaragi of TSF Squadron White Fang, responding."

There was a sense of relief from Kyoko's voice hearing their squadron was alive.

"What is the status of your squad?"

"We managed to resupply using Supply Containers left behind at Kyoto Station, which had been overrun by the enemy. We were able to temporarily neutralize the BETA, but reinforcements and the naval artillery fire they were drawing forced us to abandon the station. We are now retreating to one of the other defense lines to rendezvous with the main force," Kaori answered, glad to be in contact with anyone at this point.

"Understood, I am impressed you managed to pull that off. We lost Kyoto Station to the BETA about an hour ago at best. We are having all combat-able units to rendezvous at these coordinates to mount a defense against the BETA to hold them back. I am gathering other survivors to aid in the defense, can your unit make it?"

The coordinates popped up on Kaori's feed while Lelocuh and Yui got them by accident due to their machines' being able to intercept and decode them.

"Yes, we'll head to the location you provided at once," just as the sounds of very heavy caliber shells began to be distantly heard and, just barely, the flashes of the large guns firing them could just barely be made out.

"Understood I'll meet you halfway as I am still searching for survivors, if you find any downed pilots on your way please rescue them if you can," Kyoko asked.

"Understood, and we already are, Lieutenant Kisaragi out," Kaori said before relaying their new orders. "Alright by order of the Royal Guard we are heading to a new defense line. Should we find any survivors or downed pilots along the way we are to pick them up, let's move."

"Roger that," Everyone said as they proceeded towards their destination.

Unfortunately barring their path were a group of Fort-class BETA aided by Grappler-class, Tank-class and Destroyer-class BETA, and behind them another similar group was trying to catch up to them.

"So the BETA has deemed me and Yui as the biggest threats so they are converging upon us to eliminate us," Lelouch said, worried that something like this would happen.

He wouldn't have minded being wrong quite frankly.

"They are trying to get us in a pincer move," Kazusa exclaimed seeing what the BETA were doing.

Lelouch responded by using Mega Particle Cannon to clear the area of as many BETA as possible while Yui used the Beam Magnum to begin dispatching the Fort-class BETA ahead of them. With a battle cry Izumi began firing her Assault Rifle at the BETA ahead of them, wiping out scores of Tank-classes, but the Grappler-class and Destroyer-class enemies would difficult to eliminate as they used their armored portions of their bodies to shield themselves from the attacks of the TSFs.

Lelouch's own beam magnum managed to clear them out with three shots fired into the charging group ahead of them. Yui charged forward intent on clearing a path for the rest of her squads and friends, but called to Lelouch. They were hesitant to use them in the city, but given the sheer number of the BETA surrounding them and given no time to tell if the buildings around them had any BETA hiding within, the pair saw little choice.

Thankfully no one protested their choice to use the powerful weapons within the city, as they knew the danger they were in.

"Connective Lelouch!"

Lelouch understood, if there was a time to use Coupling, this was it.

"Acception!"

The two Gundams entered Coupling Mode as the speed and agility of the Izanami Gundam skyrocketed, as it surged forward into the BETA lines decapitating Destroyer-class and Grappler-class BETA. Beam rifle fire and more shots from the Izanami's Mega Particle Cannon, combined with support fire from the rest of their squad.

Together they plowed through the BETA line leaving dozens of BETA types dead in their wake, but once they were clear of the enemies in their path, a Laser-class BETA managed to snipe one of the TSFs in their squads. The shot itself was a hard one to make, due to the buildings, so it was akin to threading a needle. Likely other Laser-classes were attempting to get a clear shot at the enemy far ahead of them, but there were simply too many obstructions.

Except for the one that managed to down Kazusa's TSF. Thankfully the hit wasn't enough to destroy her TSF instantly, but it was enough to cause it to crash into a building.

"KAZUSA!" Yui cried out in horror.

"I am on it," Lelouch said, feeling Yui's alarm through their connection, and he was in a more ideal position to help, while Aki put her newly acquired Avenger to good use to provide cover.

With no BETA nearby Lelouch reached Kazusa's downed TSF, moving enough for him to see the cockpit which was undamaged. The hatch opened and Lelouch saw Kazusa inside, alive and well, other than being badly shaken from the crash.

"Get on," Lelouch called out, glad that Kazusa was one of the ones without passengers, as he brought the Izanami's hand to the downed TSF's cockpit, as Kazusa leapt onto the Gundam's hand and brought it up to the cockpit's hatch. Lelouch opened it to allow Kazusa inside who managed to grab onto the side of Lelouch's seat to secure herself.

"Thank you," Kazusa said, grateful for the timely rescue.

However, Kazusa's TSF exploded a moment later. A Laser-class had managed to get a clear line of fire and shot the TSF in order to destroy both machines. The cockpit shook, but Lelouch and Kazusa were unharmed thanks to the Gundam's very durable construction as the machine sustained no damage. Lelouch used the Beam Shield to block against further laser attacks, fearing the explosion could've compromised the I-field even if it didn't, before hurrying to escape the area.

But while Lelouch was occupied with saving Kazusa he was attacked by a pair of Grappler-class BETA, one attacking from each side. Lelouch dealt with one by shooting it point-blank with the beam rifle mounted in the wings, but the other had a clear shot at Lelouch's back.

Until Kaori came in and gunned down the Grappler-class, striking all of its vulnerable points with her Avenger cannon.

"Get moving!" Kaori snapped as Lelouch got out of the line of sight of the Laser-class.

The group proceeded along with the BETA hot on their heels.

"Damn! It's like we got every BETA in the city after us," Kaori said as she helped cover the rear.

"How did we lose the capital like this?" Shimako, lamenting the loss of Kyoto and the many fond memories in this city.

"Just focus on reaching the rendezvous. We'll have time to fight back and maybe try to take it back from them," Yui said, trying to keep everyone focused on reaching their destination.

As they hurried through the city while zigzagging around buildings to keep them from being targeted by any more Laser-class BETA, swarms of Tank-class were quickly moving to intercept them. Lelouch and Yui used their Beam Magnums to clear the path ahead of them, vaporizing most Tank-class BETA, with even a near miss being enough to kill them. Followed by using their other weapons to eliminate any surviving BETA to ensure they were not a threat, pawing a clear path ahead. However, in response the Tank-class BETA began using the subway tunnels as a way to get close to their quarry without detection, since their small size made it harder for them to be picked up, not giving off as large of a heat signature as the Destroyer and Grappler-classes.

Yui and Lelouch did their best to keep the Tank-classes at bay, as did those with Avengers, but the ones moving through the subway managed to emerge nearby from the exits. Seeing that Yui and her squad were in danger, Kaori attacked, emptying a clip from her assault rifle, while other members of her squadron and Lelouch were dispatching them as they continued to flee from their relentless enemy.

"Look out Izumi," Shimako shouted, using her assault rifle to eliminate a group of Tank-class BETA that had gotten dangerously close.

"Thanks Shimako," Izumi said before using her own rifle to cut down more of the pursuing BETA.

"There are so many of them," Aki said as she noticed how she was already low on ammunition again.

"Keep calm, remember your training," Yui said. If her friends panicked then they would be overwhelmed in seconds.

Barely escaping from the Tank-classes that had attempted to ambush them, the group was getting ever closer to their destination.

Lelouch had lost track over how many BETA he had killed. It was inconceivable an enemy would keep sending many of its own troops to relentlessly advance. The BETA were no enemy Lelouch had ever expected to encounter and unlike themselves, the BETA had the hundreds or thousands to commit to such a siege.

He wondered how many they would have to kill before the BETA would halt their advance.

"Keep moving, we are almost there!" Kaori shouted as they were closer to the rendezvous point.

Yui used her machine's beam saber to kill another Destroyer-class that tried to ambush them, cutting through its armored hide and beheading the two heads hidden behind it. Lelouch used his machine's beam rifles to put down more Grappler-class BETA that kept chasing them through the city. They couldn't stay in one place for too long, as the longer they stayed, the risks of being overwhelmed increased.

Lelouch couldn't use the Mega Particle Cannon in scatter shot mode without being stationary for a minute or two, to gain the ideal firing solution, which would be deadly with the BETA so close by. The number of BETA attacking them was too much and it would put the rest of the squad at risk. Even when the Beam Mangum got low on shots, Lelouch had to holster it and use flame beam sabers and the wing-mounted beam rifles, to dispatch the BETA while also trying to protect the rest of the squad.

"Lieutenant!?"

Lelouch and Yui heard Aki's voice cry out as they saw that Kaori's machine was seized by a Grappler-class before it was slammed through a building and thrown into the path of a charging Destroyer-class. Yui was swift in avenging Kaori by decapitating the Grappler-class while Lelouch shot the Destroyer-class with his beam rifles.

"Lieutenant Kaori, are you alright?!" Shimako called out.

"Keep…keep moving, you are almost there. Takamura, you are in charge now," Kaori said as she was coughing up blood.

Tank-class BETA were already swarming her machine, using their teeth to begin tearing the machine apart while Kaori was badly wounded. She tried to trigger her Tactical Surface Fighter's self-destruction, but the device malfunctioned and the noise of the Tank-class trying to get into her cockpit grew louder.

"I need one of you to finish me," Kaori said, as she could barely move, a testament to the extent of her injuries. She couldn't even reach for the pistol she and all other TSF pilots kept in their cockpits to end themselves to avoid the worst case scenario.

Everyone hesitated, even Yui, but it was obvious they couldn't risk rescuing her yet alone lingering with the BETA after them. However, Kazusa put a hand on Lelouch's right hand before calmly asking him.

"Could you draw that powerful hand weapon you've been using?" Kazusa said solemnly before speaking into an open communication channel to reassure the squad. "I'll help him do it."

Lelouch was speechless. Although he hadn't known Kaori for very long, he didn't like the idea of delivering a mercy kill. Even if Kaori wasn't likely to survive even if they saved her, something about it just left a bad taste in his mouth. He set his finger on the trigger with Kazusa laying her's on top of his. Lelouch pretended to not notice her trembling.

With some reluctance and help from Kazusa, Lelouch pulled the trigger, striking the TSF and vaporizing Kaori, just as the Tank-class BETA had torn open her cockpit. Her TSF exploded, taking the Tank-class BETA that had swarmed it with her. Lelouch understood he would have to sentence people to their deaths' in his quest to overthrow Britannia, even stain his own hands, but to put a comrade out of their own misery? He did not care for the feeling and now was not the time to reflect on his actions so he buried the feeling.

No one had time to mourn the loss of their commanding officer, all they could do was keep running. As everyone ran for their destination before the BETA had a chance to recover and reorganize themselves once more. They still had some luck as the BETA that were still behind them were now struggling at catching back up due to the rain of artillery fire from the fleet in Lake Biwa. It bought them much needed time to flee and get ahead of the horde that had been nipping at their heels.

"WHY DO THEY KEEP COMING AT US IN SUCH NUMBERS?!" Shimako shouted in fear as a missile exploded at the head of the group and caused several Destroyer-class to topple over and slide across the ground, briefly acting as a barricade and stopping the BETA.

For now.

"Damn it, we're already low on ammo again," Izumi said, realizing they had nearly used up all of the ammunition they've taken from the supply drops.

"Where the hell is everyone?!" Aki shouted as they kept firing at the BETA as they continued making a run for their destination.

Other members of the squadron were on the verge of panicking, despite Yui's attempts to keep everyone calm.

"Remember your training, we have to stay calm!" Yui tried to reassure her friends.

"How can we stay calm? The BETA are right behind us and we are almost out of ammunition again." Aki said aloud what other members of the squad were thinking.

"Focus on surviving," Lelouch said, intervening. "We've made this far despite the odds. We know our allies are ahead, so we need to keep going!"

"What if the BETA has overrun them?" Shimako asked, terrified if Tango Line had suffered that fate by chance.

"Then we'll keep pushing forward until we rendezvous with them. You are supposed to be members of the Royal Guard, descended from samurai. Did anyone in your family panic during a battle, when they met on the battlefield with swords? I am certain none of you would be here if they did, and you are entrusted with Japan's defense despite your incomplete training. That is why we must survive, and endure. Or is this how you want your families to remember you?" Lelouch said, trying to inspire them to keep fighting.

"R-R-Right," Shimako said.

"We made it this far," another member of the squad said. She was a young woman around Yui's age with dark brown hair styled into a pair of small pigtails and brown eyes.

"Sayuri and Lelouch are right, we must as well keep going," another member of the squad, a girl with long brown hair with a blue hairband, and brown eyes.

"Yeah and I think the BETA seemed to have stopped," another girl with long black hair and gray eyes said, sounding hopeful.

"Be careful with that kind of thinking Kasumi and Ayame," Yui warned, worried about a last second jinx. "The BETA swarm as a whole might've given up on us, but we aren't out of danger yet. Stay alert until we rendezvous with allied units."

"Roger that," Kasumi and Ayame said together.

No one else said a word or showed signs of panicking, which Lelouch took as a positive, just not quite a good sign.

As Kasumi noticed, the explosions of artillery fire from Lake Biwa had seemingly shaken off the BETA pursuit for the time being. Perhaps they were organizing themselves for a continued push forward through the rest of Kyoto in order to silence those ships?

Regardless, Lelouch, Yui and the others didn't let this chance pass by and hurried ahead.

The Coupling System had finally worn off by this point, but Lelouch took a deep breath as he tried to relax his mind and body. He suspected it might be needed again once the cool-down period had passed, because he doubted their fight would end once they reached their destination. They had to endure the heavy bombardment of Kyoto that was carried out. Lelouch and Yui's Gundam's detected the long range assault on the city by Japan naval forces stationed in Lake Biwa and the United States Navy supporting from the coast off Osaka given the types of ammunition used and some random intercepts of radio chatter.

That had been by far the largest and heaviest of all bombardments that they had seen or endured.

So Kyoto has been declared lost then, Lelouch said as his Gundam could see in the distance behind them the areas lost to the BETA being the focus of their bombardment.

Lelouch didn't know it yet, but Japan wasn't ready to give up on Kyoto and would fight the BETA for every inch of the city. With revitalized allies at their side and a new commander to oversee the fighting, the Japanese had been reinvigorated and were ready to strike again. Already the reserves were moving into position. The battle wasn't over yet. It wouldn't be for some time.
After making it across the Kamo River, they were approaching their destination, the defensive line set up around Kyoto National Museum. The more open grounds made it a suitable staging area for setting up a defensive formation and receiving airdrops of Supply Containers. However, Lelouch noticed something relieving and worrying, he and the others found the area leading up to the museum littered with the bodies of the BETA. This was a good sign the BETA advance had been stopped, but what worried Lelouch was what kind of condition the defenders were in?

He, Yui and the others had their answer when they arrived.

The defenders had successfully held the line, but they had clearly taken some heavy casualties for it. Over a dozen Type-94-1C Shiranui TSF had been destroyed, and the three that remained were barely functional, some having lost an arm, or two, and were generally badly damaged.

Our approach must've given these defenders a temporary reprieve from the BETA onslaught to attack us, but they needed that break otherwise this line would've been lost too, Lelouch thought.

"Who is in command here?" Yui asked, calling out to the remaining TSF defenders.

"Who is asking?" one of the pilots inquired, sounding understandably stressed out.

"Eishi Takamura Yui, acting commander of White Fang Squadron, Imperial Royal Guard. We were ordered to come here at the direction of Eishi Takatsuka Kyoko," Yui answered strictly.

"Right, please forgive me," the pilot replied, realizing he was out of bounds and that Yui, as part of the Royal Guard, held authority over him. "Lady Takatsuka left some time ago to find survivors, ordering those she found to rally here. Your arrival proves she has been successful in finding some."

Or chose to die fighting to delay the BETA advance as long as possible, Lelouch thought, thinking of Captain Sanada and his unit.

"I assume she hasn't returned yet," Yui asked, worried for her cousin.

"No she has not, and we were beginning to fear the worst might've happened until you arrived," The pilot of the damaged TSF replied. "I'm confident now she is safe, no matter what."

Yui felt emotional, because Kyoko was like an older sister, even if they were cousins, but she also knew she was a highly capable pilot and wouldn't have fallen so easily. Regardless it was clear they had to hold this line as long as they could. Looking around Yui could see scores of injured soldiers and pilots recovered from their destroyed machines, those lucky enough to survive at least, and tank operators who managed to survive up to this point were being loaded onto trucks to take to safety.

"I understand, then we will help hold this line as long as we can."

As if sent by divine intervention, fresh Supply Containers were dropped just beyond the defense line for Yui and her squad.

"Lelouch I would like you to use the Izanami's tactical computer to track the BETA's movements, keep an eye on their movement patterns and call them out as necessary. Offer counter tactics as needed and use your machine's main weapon to carry out crowd control, and your I-field to create a safe zone for our allies to replenish themselves as needed," Yui instructed, which caused a light smile to appear on his face.

Thank you, Yui, you've basically given me tactical command of the defense line.

"Understood, I'll issue tactical counters as needed. "He also punched in the communication line they had intercepted from the Japanese and American transmissions. The operator was surprised to hear from them, but happy to learn that another squad had survived the retreat from Kyoto and that a defensive line had managed to hold. He handed over his squadron's Callsign ID and current location.

"Welcome to the Net! Glad to hear you're still alive," the operator on the other end confirmed his unit's ID, "Units on standby for tasking. Callsign Starbase-Six is in command. Be advised, we're attempting to send reinforcements your way right now, but we got a lot of trouble in another area. A bunch of Fort-class showed up and are requiring special attention."

"Copy all," Lelouch was just glad for the support, "Connect me to Starbase-Six. Got a feeling I'll be making the call for support very soon."

"Copy that." Lelouch signaled Yui he had reestablished connection with command.

"Kazusa, since you are inside with Lelouch, help be an extra set of eyes for him. I am sure the BETA will attempt to flank us at some point," Yui commanded even as a surviving Tank platoon rolled past her feet, survivors on the decks looking up in amazement at the new machines.

"Right, I'll help him as needed," Kazusa said from inside the cockpit next to Lelouch.

"Shimako I want you to cover Lelouch along with any TSF unfit for direct combat against the BETA to both protect him, the Supply Containers and to provide support fire when needed," Yui said.

"Right, I won't let you down," the girl responded as she finally pulled out the sniper cannon she picked up earlier. She noticed it was British made instead of American.

"Aki, Izumi, Ayame, Kasumi, and Sayuri are with me," Yui ordered as the audible sound of orbital drop pods broke somewhere in the distance, signaling additional reinforcements for someone. "Now all of you who can fight resupply quickly."

"Roger that," Aki, Izumi and others replied even as a group of SPGs pulled in, calling for fuel and ammo as survivors were helped off the decks of the vehicles or out of their crammed interiors.

Thankfully they had enough time for Aki, Izumi, Shimako and the others to replenish their ammunition and fuel as needed.

Lelouch modified and expanded the I-field his Gundam produced to a wide area around him, which should be enough to protect the supply containers, but also any TSFs that entered. Providing a safe zone for the TSFs to resupply while at the same time offering protection from potential laser attacks, should Laser-class BETA take the nearby hills.

They completed their preparations, even getting four American A-10 Thunderbolts thumping in and a trio of Japanese A-6J/Type-81 Wadatsumi TSAs waddling in. Just in time as the BETA renewed their push forward, having reorganized the swarm with a line of Destroyer-classes leading the charge followed by Grappler-classes and at least ten Fort-classes following behind them. Likely hundreds of thousands of Tank-classes and the smaller Soldier-class BETAs ran among the advancing wave. It was terrifying. No matter how many they killed, the BETA swarm was relentless. Even more frightening was seemingly how fast they were able to replenish their numbers.

If creatures like the BETA ever invaded my Earth, I fear as it is now humanity wouldn't stand a chance, Lelouch thought, determined to face them, despite a part of him feeling anxiety at facing such an unrelenting and inhuman enemy.

"Firing first volley," Lelouch said as soon as the BETA were in range, using his Gundam's Mega Particle Cannon in focused beam mode, moving his Gundam from one side to the other creating a cleaving beam that demolished any remaintain buildings, and cutting into the BETA ranks. The focused particle beam cut down dozens of Destroyers, Grapplers, and more than hundreds of Tank-class
BETA along with an unknowable number of Soldier-types.

The Izanami Gundam's beam rifles switched to low speed, focusing on high destructive shots, and further range. Whatever his mega particle cannon or beam magnum didn't get, Lelouch could deal with them from a distance and lay down some more cover fire for the others without fear of harming them with the beam magnum.

Then the Wadatsumi pilots opened up with their 120mm guns. With six of them available, the group had some serious firepower to add. They were picking off the most dangerous targets. Those were the Laser- and Heavy Laser-class types.

Lelouch would fire both his beam magnum and charged particle cannon again as soon as his machine could, but in the meantime Yui and the rest of the squad were not idle. Yui was firing shots from the Beam Magnum into the BETA advance, wiping out any Destroyers not slain by Lelouch's initial attacks. The shots vaporized the Destroyers and anything near enough as they cut into the BETA ranks. The Dual-Linked Variable Speed Beam Rifles of the Izanami Gundam sniped enemy targets, each shot was more than powerful enough to down the larger BETA, and when a group of Tank-classes were hit, the resulting explosions either wounded them or killed them, reducing their numbers.

"Enemy Destroyers are beginning to move towards the sides on flanking maneuvers from the north and south of your position Yui," Lelouch warned. "I advise dealing with the south and center, I'll cut down their numbers from the North. TSAs, hold the line slightly off axis from me. You should be able to fire into one group's flank."

"Roger that," Yui replied, holstering her Beam Magnum so it could recharge.

"Moving to intercept," one of the Americans replied.

Yui began using the Izanagi's Beam Magnum to begin taking out any BETA within range that approached while Izumi, Aki and the others focused on the BETA attacking from the front and trying to flank them from the south. Meanwhile Lelouch fired another volley, but this time used his own Beam Magnum to devastate the BETA's flanking advance from the north, given their angle as they were about to encircle Yui and her friends Lelouch was able to secure a higher number of kills.

Lelouch couldn't get a clear shot from his position at the advancing BETA with his own Beam Magnum, but considering the number of Tank- and Soldier-class BETA likely advancing through them Lelouch deemed it worth the risk. He fired four shots, being safe enough away, although most impacted buildings, the explosions and intense heat of each shot dispatching any Tank-classes trying to get a jump on his position, hopefully.

"Ayame, you have a pair of Grapplers and a swarm of Tank-classes heading your way from the northwest," Lelouch warned.

"Understood," Ayame replied, taking notice of the advancing BETA group.

"Aki, could you lend a hand to Sayuri and Kasumi? They are against a swarm of Tank-class. Just keep them at bay, I'll be firing upon them in a moment," Lelouch asked as he was already creating a firing solution.

"Roger that," Aki replied, swapping for her Avenger and moving to reinforce Kasumi and Sayuri.

"Everyone stay mindful of your ammunition, when you are down to your last mag say so, that way we can cover for you while you resupply," Yui ordered, hoping to create an efficient rotation to maintain the line while those in need of resupply can fallback without any concerns.

"Roger that," Izumi, Aki, Sayuri, Ayame, and Kasumi said together, as Lelouch rained down more death upon the BETA. He was cutting down their numbers as low as he could before they reached Yui's position.

We're doing well so far, but the BETA still far out number us, and we don't have the numbers to hold this position indefinitely, Lelouch thought. From a tactical standpoint they needed a greater number of TSFs for an ideal defensive strategy against such a foe, even with the advantage the seven TSAs were providing.

The tanks and SPGs that had rallied here were positioned to defend the line to their best of their admittedly not quite limited quality. Tanks were more than sufficient to kill Tank-class or smaller BETA. The SPGs were making themselves known to the Laser- and Heavy Laser-class and there was little the BETA could do to respond to them as they fired and relocated too quickly.

Several armored jeeps equipped with rockets and missiles were also adding their weight to the fight. As were other conventional vehicles. The few AH-64 Apaches, a mix of American and Japanese, that had arrived to support them were a big help as well.

But they needed more TSFs and TSAs.

Starbase-Six had been quick to provide support. At least two Battleships and six Heavy Cruisers were now on detail to support them. They also got the odd long range fire support from TSFs equipped with missiles as well. Those were launched from the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

He was still confident they could hold this defensive line, but how long was still the question.

And could they do it without any more losses?

Lelouch holstered his Beam Magnum to recharge it, but took a moment to calibrate the heat sensors of the Gundam to try and pick up any approaching Tank-class BETA. Aside from those that could still get around Yui and the others, there were some that could still attack from the subways using the tunnels to move unnoticed. Individually the sensors could probably not pick them up, but since they traveled in large groups, Lelouch hoped his Gundam could notice them well in advance.

As Lelouch continued to pick off the BETA from a distance with the Izanami's Mega Particle Cannon and occasionally when it was ready, the Beam Magnum. The Gundam's Dual-Linked Variable Speed Beam Rifles were being used to eliminate targets too close for comfort or at least to cut down the enemy to make them more manageable for Yui and the others. Lelouch continued to cut down their numbers as much as he could. Even if none of them reached their intended targets, clearing out the buildings eliminated the potential hiding place for Tank-class BETA.

The A-10 pilots had seen what he was up to and provided some advice while also throwing down some fire in areas that Lelouch suspected some Tank- and Soldier-class BETA to be.

So far, so good.

Yui and her friends were fending off the BETA, even if their numbers were considerable. Thanks to Lelouch's tactical directions and crowd control using his Gundam's main weapon the BETA were manageable. At least to a point they were not being overwhelmed, for now.

"They aren't moving forward another inch," Aki said as she mowed down a group of Tank-class BETA trying to swarm her.

Aki was fighting fiercely as was the other squad mates, using their assault rifles to eliminate as many Tank-class BETA as possible while assisted by Izumi's close support. Izumi was using her TSF's newly acquired Type-74 PB Blade in an effort to conserve ammunition. At the same time Izumi enjoyed cutting down the BETA with a blade even if she tried to convince herself otherwise.

"Die, die," Izumi said in a vengeful fury that wasn't easily satisfied. She was still more than mindful of her surroundings, pulling back from the Grappler-class she had killed to avoid being struck by another.

With a battle cry Izumi charged the Grappler-class, dodging one swing of its armored limb before cutting it off in response and cutting off the head-like appendage on top of its body before delivering a killing blow.

"They took him from me, I'll kill them all," Izumi said with barely restrained fury and sorrow.

"Uh, should we do something about that," Aki remarked, growing very worried about Izumi, even if she did understand her sorrow at losing her beloved boyfriend.

"She is being mindful of her surroundings, as long as it doesn't compromise her ability to fight, then nothing we can really do," Yui said. Although she did share Aki's worries about Izumi, this was not a good place to talk about it.

Yui wasn't wrong though, as much as Izumi was letting her rage and desire for vengeance for the loss of her boyfriend drive her, she did maintain enough clarity and awareness of her surroundings to avoid the BETA from getting the better of her. In essence this made her much more dangerous to the BETA as her drive for vengeance had given her a keen awareness of what was happening around her.

Furthermore, Lelouch's words had also caused that drive for vengeance to meld with an equally powerful drive to survive. The longer she lived, the more BETA she could kill until they were defeated. It gave Izumi more than enough cause to kill the BETA whenever she faced them, but also ensured her own survival to continue her cause.

Even then Yui was keeping an eye on her and Aki, intent on ensuring they would survive.

Yui herself killed another Grappler-class, before using a shot from a recharged Beam Magnum to kill an approaching horde of Tank-class and shooting at more Destroyer-class approaching from three different directions.

Please be alright Kyoko, Yui thought, hoping her cousin would show up and aid them.

One Destroyer-class did manage to survive long enough to get into a running charge towards Yui, but she used the Izanagi's Beam Magnum to cut it down by blasting a crimson beam through its main body.

"Yui, we got Sayuri and Kasumi falling back to resupply," Aki reported, now trying to cover for their two squad mates as one of the Type-81s moved up to support them.

"Understood, they know to hurry, and Lelouch's actions have been helpful in keeping the BETA more manageable," Yui said.

"Right."

"Yui, Aki and Izumi, you have a swarm of Tank-class BETA coming up from the south with a dozen Destroyers covering some Grapplers coming from the northwest," Lelouch warned even as the A-10 pilots reported they needed to start pulling back to resupply.

The Type-81s weren't much better off either.

"Understood. Did you hear him?" Yui said, addressing her question to Aki and Izumi.

"Roger that," Izumi and Aki said together, but the latter added, "What about those Fort-classes coming?"

Aki's question was answered by a crimson beam shooting across the sky, downing the one nearest to their location.

"Lelouch can hit them easily from here," Yui replied.

The Fort-class in the distance, while a danger, was in Lelouch's ability to manage and to deal with them. Not just by his Gundam's main weapon, their towering height made them easy targets for his Beam Magnum. And the switching between the low and high settings of the Izanami Gundam's Variable Speed Beam Rifles, enabled Lelouch to continue killing many BETA, even hiding behind buildings offered them no safety as a high penetration shot demolished any barriers, like buildings, they tried to use.

Meanwhile Shimako and the damaged TSF helping her defend Lelouch and the Supply Containers were fending off some Tank-classes that had managed to get around Yui and the others. Lelouch's earlier efforts had lessened their numbers, but they were a potential danger especially since Lelouch was dealing with the oncoming Fort-classes.

Yui asked me to defend Lelouch and our supplies, I cannot let her down, Shimako thought.

Among her friends, Shimako had known Yui the longest, having known each other since small children due to her family being good friends with Yui's father. They have since gone to the same schools together and have been friends ever since, although Shimako felt something different that went beyond being friends. The kind her family would never approve of. Even so, Shimako was determined to follow Yui wherever she went and support her without being a burden.

Furthermore she did owe Lelouch for saving her life and Yui trusted him, so that gave her even more reasons to defend this area.

Yet…

Why does Yui trust him so much? I've known her for ages, but she never mentioned him, and I don't recall any point in which she could've gone long enough for weapon testing, Shimako thought.

Shimako suspected Yui wasn't being completely honest, but knew well enough she would never lie which meant she must have a good reason to hide the truth.

They were questions that would have to wait until after the battle, giving her another reason to survive and not let Yui down.

"Shimako you got more Tank-classes incoming from the southwest," Lelouch warned, as he spared a Beam Magnum shot to cut down the incoming horde as much as he could.

Most were vaporized, but some scattered remnants of the hundred-strong horde managed to survive and continued charging at Shimako and Lelouch's position.

"Lelouch, focus on helping support Yui and the others, I can handle this," Shimako said, steeling herself.

"Very well," Lelouch said, he had his doubts, but the A-10s had managed to resupply and were clearing out the invading Tank-class, though if those Fort-classes got too close they could be a problem serious enough to undermine that effort.

I am not going to panic, not again. I will not, Shimako thought, gripping the control sticks of her TSF. I will not be a burden to Yui!

Aiming her assault rifle, Shimako opened fire, cutting down the scattered Tank-class BETA. She was joined by the other damaged TSF units, aiding her in eliminating the stragglers. More were still coming, but they were far enough away that Shimako could pick them off from a distance, the zoom features were wonders that made her grateful she snatched up the rifle when she found it.

"Kyoto Station has been reclaimed!" a jubilant voice abruptly reported over the radio, but no one really paid it mind as they were having their own troubles they were trying to get into hand.

Some Tank-class were able to close the distance and get under the shield. Shimako attacked them, holstering her rifle and drawing her TSF's Type-65 PB Knife. The damaged TSFs opened fire while Shimako didn't allow her fear to get the better of her. She attacked using the knife, cutting apart any Tank-classes that got too close. Using the secondary-arm attachments of her machine, dubbed the Mount Pylon system, using both her assault rifle and her support weapon, the Type-87 Support Assault Cannon, to fire upon the Tank-classes, an idea Shimako got from observing the damaged TSFs using the sub-arms in place of their missing arms.

"Stay back," Shimako snapped, determined not to fail.

She impaled one leaping Tank-class on her combat knife, while the rest she was gunning them down with the rifles attached to her sub-arms. With a battle cry to push herself forward and power through her fear, Shimako began pushing back the BETA, leaving Tank-classes dead, but thankfully she was keeping them at a safe distance.

Lelouch breathed a sigh of relief. He worried that he was going to have to intervene, but Shimako proved he had nothing to worry about despite her earlier panic.

"We got her covered," one of the A-10s signaled Lelouch as the pair deployed their famed CIDS-1 Javelin System and Lelouch had to admit, that was a clever idea.

We just need to hold out, Lelouch thought.

The situation improved as Lelouch looked up to see what was above him as the Gundam detected a team of UN-affiliated F-16 Falcons belonging to Orbital Divers come in to land on their position even as a company of surviving vehicles and two Shiranuis arrived to join their defenses as well.

More reinforcements and survivors, Lelouch thought with some surprise. But will it be enough to last?

---

Watching the battle unfold as Lelouch and Yui made a stand to hold the line, Claude was amused by their struggle, but also impressed by the fact not only did they keep Izumi, Aki, Shimako and Kazusa alive, but they managed to keep the rest of the squad alive. Claude was sitting in a movie theater style room with a bucket of popcorn while lazily reclining in a plush pink seat.

"You two are doing so much better than I thought, but then again she has the Man of Miracles with her. Even if he hasn't become Zero, Lelouch has the touch especially in the right conditions," Claude said before eating a handful of popcorn.

She smiled wondering what would happen next.

---

Time passed with Aki and Izumi returned to resupply once Sayuri and Kasumi had finished their third and returned to rejoin Yui. As they did Lelouch noticed the sun beginning to rise. What Lelouch didn't know and what Aki and Izumi were discovering was that they were out of supplies. The containers were depleted of ammunition and fuel.

A situation made worse as other survivors wandered in or arrived to join them. Several more drops of resupply had happened through the night, but there had been nothing for a while now. Same with reinforcements as they were no longer getting anymore and Starbase-Six reported they had to withdraw to resupply themselves.

They had gotten a brief support from some American Rocket Batteries, but they had to withdraw to resupply as well. There was just too much demand and not enough ammo to go around it seemed.

"We made it through the night, but I don't think we can hold out any longer," Aki said, wondering if she should break the news before Izumi does.

It's morning I can't believe we made it through the night, Lelouch said surprised.

Looking around Lelouch sees BETA corpse piles around him and near where Yui was. In fact the corpse piles had grown so high she and the others had to pull back. Like him, Kazusa was surprised they had held out, but she knew their survival was thanks to the machines Lelouch and Yui had been piloting.

It only made her want to know the truth behind those machines and what Yui was hiding.

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by lasers hitting the Izanami Gundam's expanded I-field, causing Lelouch and Kazusa to call out to Yui and the others.

"Everyone pull back we got Laser-class on the hills," Lelouch and Kazusa shouted.

Yui reacted immediately as did Sayuri and Kasumi who followed suit. Using her beam shield, Yui deflected their shots while protecting her fellow squad mates. Izumi and Aki stayed under Lelouch's shield, providing cover fire as they retreated.

"Crap! Everyone pull back!" one of the UN pilots shouted suddenly and Lelouch saw BETA advancing over the Orbital Divers' position before the Wadatsumis forced them back with devastating point blank fire.

But even so, the Laser-class in the hills made completely reclaiming the position impossible. Or even feasible.

In response Lelouch turned the Izanami Gundam to face the Laser-class on the hill, having already figured out their locations. He fired Beam Mangum, and they were just within effective range allowing Lelouch to eliminate them.

But this presented a problem.

If Laser-class BETA have taken the hills, then the rest of the swarm has likely begun trying to surround us, Lelouch thought, realizing it was no longer safe to hold this position.

But before Lelouch could recommend they retreat before they were surrounded, explosions erupted on the hills south and north of them. Another chain of explosions ravaged the advancing BETA, and they were followed by a new voice on the communications line.

"I apologize for returning late, but I brought reinforcements," Kyoko Takatsukasa said, arriving from the north towards their position.

She wasn't alone, following behind her were ten Type-77/F-4J Gekishin, the standard TSF used by the Imperial Army with limbs slightly bulkier than the Zuikaku. Kyoko's TSF, assuming she was piloting the lead machine, was blue making it stand out. The Type-98XR Takemikazuchi, Tactical Surface Fighter, painted blue as a symbol of belonging from one of the Five Regent Families. The Takemikazuchi was similar to the Shiranui, but with a more streamlined and advanced design.

Explosions continued erupting on the battlefield as Lelouch realized they were artillery strikes raining down on the BETA to halt their advance. Behind them, Lelouch saw more TSFs showing up, a mix of Gekishin, Zuikaku and Shiranui units with further units advancing on their flanks.

They immediately took the place of Yui and Lelouch's group as they took up positions to halt the BETA advance. Meanwhile the blue Takemikazuchi approached them, as the face of a young woman in her late teens or early twenties appeared on the screens in White Fang Squad's cockpits. She had long blue hair tied into a bun with blue eyes and wearing the same kind of flight suit as Izumi and the others, but hers was blue and black.

"I must apologize for my late arrival, but I must also offer my sincerest gratitude. I confess I was worried this defense line would've collapsed, but you managed to hold it throughout the night." Kyoko said, before letting her serious expression soften to one of relief and gratitude. "As a member of the Five Regent Houses, and representing the Shogun on her behalf, I commend your bravery and efforts, well done."

"Thank you, ma'am you are too kind," Yui said, while the rest of the group, which Lelouch followed along with to avoid offending her and causing unwanted trouble, bowed their heads in respect.

"Thanks to those I managed to find and bring to safety, and the time you brought us. We were able to mobilize and gather forces to reinforce this defense line," Kyoko said before her relief turned to one of regret. "I would've joined you, but I had heard the defense line was collapsing so I took those I found to a defense line further back. But when I heard from the wounded soldiers sent back from this defense line you have been holding it, I convinced the Shogun to let me mobilize reinforcements to provide support."

"Thank you, but what happens now?" Yui asked even as a pair of American F-16s skated by, above her head while helicopters began to land to recover any wounded and those without transportation to head for the rear.

"You lot have fought all night and accomplished more than what a battalion of TSFs couldn't. We can secure this defense line for now while the BETA regroup to resume their advance," Kyoko said, eying the heavily reinforced position as survivors from defeated units had streamed in to help bolster its defenses. "I would like you all to accompany me back to base, we have much to talk about."

Even as she said that, more Supply Containers and Orbital Divers arrived overhead. Additionally, more vehicles and conventional troops arrived. Along with Power Armored soldiers as well.

They began relieving the defenders, all of whom praised the White Fang Squadron and the two new machines for enabling them to survive the night.

To the surprise of various commanders, they learned that not one ally had been wounded or killed since White Fang had arrived at the FOB. Instead, they held the defense line without a break all night long. They even managed to protect those who had managed to break through the BETA to reach them.

Even civilians that hadn't evacuated had arrived and were now being loaded into trucks to carry them to safety. Not one of them had died. They all had made it despite the impossibility of it.

It truly was… a miracle.

One that people would come to call the Miracle of Kyoto.

---

A/N:
Whew the Battle for Kyoto is over, for now, and Yui and Lelouch succeeded in ensuring Shimako, Izumi, Kazusa and Aki survived the battle. Tragically the loss of Kaori was unavoidable. Its not that I wasn't against her surviving, it was debated between me and silkdreamweaver, and we ultimately concluded it would be best for Lelouch's plan to suffer one failure in that Kaori dies, but Lelouch would have to mercy kill her with Kazusa's help, something he won't forget easily I can assure you. It might not affect him much now, but you'll be seeing the signs.

But does this mean Lelouch will begin on going from world to world with Yui, well not yet.

Remember Japan in Muv Luv was badly devastated by the BETA, for those who hadn't played the game or watch the anime by the following month after the invasion was a staggering 36 million. Much of which was due to the navy being impeded by a hurricane and storms around the time of the invasion and evacuations from Kyushu, and while the Japanese had adequate equipment they lacked a solid defense strategy following the loss of Kyushu. The novel surrounding events even hint at signs of complacency among the people of Japan, while they had defenses ready at Kyushu the seemingly lack to take the threat of the BETA serious reflected in the general public. But not to be unfair to the Japanese, the USA, despite their alliance were hesitant to commit forces for head on assaults against the BETA, engagements the American military avoided and clashes on finding an agreeable strategy didn't help things. The Japanese high command withholding news on falling defense lines for the sake of keeping morale at the cost of lives didn't help matters as shown in the chapter.

Which is why, or part of it the early story is spend in sixteen chapters in the world of Muv Luv, Lelouch has to be sure his sponsors in Japan can hold out without loosing anymore ground to the BETA and the reason for events in the next chapter, to ensure Lelouch wouldn't be tied down in Japan fighting the BETA for the whole story.

---

Now due to me changing the age of Lelouch, I did decide to reset the poll which I did use the chance to cut out those who were under performing among the Muv Luv candidates while adding in Martica Barchenowa (who only appeared in the light novel and was cut out of the anime) in response to people asking I include Cryska Barchenowa, which I wasn't expecting and I was planning to pair with Yuuna Bridges, although I did reconsider this I opted instead, at the suggestion to another after some discussion, to use Martica instead who is Cryska's twin sister and who was never paired with anyone...so.

I will say the only reason I considered it was because outside of Yui Takamura, Shimako Kai and Kazusa Yamashiro the rest of the harem hasn't been worked out for Lelouch. Part of this is intentional on my part, because given the other candidates, not just from Muv Luv alone, you got Gundam and other anime series I need to consider. So my plan was to have them interact with Lelouch and see which of them had the best chemistry.

Because remember I am putting a hard limit on the harem for a total of nine for Lelouch, meaning with Yui, Shimako and Kazusa in it, there is only room for six more candidates. So I got to figure who out of the potential one hundred potential candidates for Lelouch's harem who will be the very best candidates who can offer the most for the story and Lelouch's relationship with them, etc.

Which is why I hadn't put in Cryska into the harem by default or Martica for that matter. Because I do admit the Cryska and Yuuna pairing is a good one, and Lelouch might potentially end up with Stella or Cui so I am trying not to take too much away from him or Takeru for that matter. And I am not against Cryska and Lelouch ending up together if I can be convinced it will be better than any of the other possible pairings I am still deliberating on.

I am also trying to avoid being unfair to the other anime series involved in this story yet to appear by not stuffing Lelouch's harem with Muv Luv characters, but due to the state of their world and the characters I do admit I could work them into a polygamous relationship with Lelouch easily as well as possibly those from Infinite Stratos and Undefeated Bahmaut Chronicles.

BUT it still boils down to the question who would fit with Lelouch the best out of all of the candidates who could work? But with the ages for Lelouch and other being uped I am exploring ways on narrowing down the field of candidates so here are the direct links, just reassemble the links and replace the dots, to the polls. I've broken up the candidates into three separate polls to try and make it easier to vote. The goal is to narrow it down to a smaller candidate pool, like I did with the Gundam candidates with Redrat8's help, since not many Gundam characters are likely to be open to a polygamous relationship.

Muv Luv harem candidates poll for Lelouch

The everyone else poll (Code Geass, Sunrider, Infinite Stratos, etc)

Gundam candidates poll for Lelouch

Remember characters winning the poll don't win a spot in the harem automatically, it just means they'll be given a fair shot at Lelouch to determine if they can earn a spot. After all they have to be A: ok with a polygamous relationship since Yui, Shimako and Kazusa will be romantically involved with Lelouch before anyone else can join the harem. B: How they would meet (this applies to some characters who are part of nations and other worlds outside of Code Geass and Muv Luv chapter), and if they could stay with Lelouch's group. C: (most important) what can they bring to the relationship and the story by being part of the harem?

Ok that is enough of this author note for me, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and coming up next Lelouch is going to meet his new instructor to give him some extra training and potentially a new squad he will lead. Yui will be his main companion, but the ship will need more than two Gundams to provide protection.
Thanks for reading the story so far. Next chapter in two weeks on Fanfiction.net, Archive of Our Own, Questionable Questing and Spacebattles.

Special thanks to Jameyofthemegacosmos, Icysnowsage, Darklord331, silkdreamweaver (chief beta reader and editor) and our Gundam consult and designer Redrat8. Greatkingrat88, F-14 Tomcat Lover, and Seerking have also contributed to the development of this story I had begun in-between projects since early last year.
Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed the chapter and added favorites and follows to it.'

Now I have to say this chapter probably wasn't too good, a lot of exposition and talking going around, with some talks between Lelouch and someone very important regarding future arrangements. But also revealing something going forward and what will Lelouch be doing for the next five chapters as we approach the battle for Sadogashima, including what Yui and her friends will be doing. So I apologize for this being a boring chapter.

---

Lelouch, Yui, Izumi, Aki, Shimako and the three others of their squad and the defenders of the defense line were escorted by Kyoko to a safe location in the rear. There, the various soldiers parted to return their respected units or to enter a unit pool for reassignment. But each would get some rest after lasting the night, and all would be recalled for award ceremonies in the future for their heroic defense, relieving them for a while of the battlefield.

For White Fang, they thankfully had the fuel they collected from the last of the Supply Containers was enough to take them to their ultimate destination. A military base north of Tokyo, a safe distance away from the battle against the BETA. It would give them all a chance to rest and recover. It was the Fukushima Military Base, which also had the Research and Development facilities for the
Ministry of Defense's Weapons Technology Development Authority. Yui knew from what her uncle had mentioned that it was here that many of Japan's new technologies and weapons were developed.

Following Kyoko the group landed on the runaway before entering the hangars to disembark their machines.

Lelouch followed the guidance of the hanger crews as they directed him to a hanger rack for his machine. Yui and the others docked as well, and soon began disembarking their machines as crews went to work conducting necessary inspection and maintenance upon them. After Kazusa had left his lap, Lelouch found as he tried to leave his seat, he could feel a heavy weariness hit him, as he struggled to climb out of the Izanami Gundam.

"Here, I'll help you," Kazusa said, managing to slip out of the machine ahead of Lelouch, offering her hand to help Lelouch out.

"Thank you, I can't believe that after an actual battle, I am feeling exhausted," Lelouch now regretted skipping gym class so much to read books.

"Everyone fought an all-night battle." Kazusa helped Lelouch out. "What else would you expect?"

However, Kazusa noticed something at the moment she helped Lelouch out. Although she didn't really look at Lelouch's body before now she realized just how scrawny he was. It was a surprise that Lelouch would be integrated into the Japanese military when they would barely accept that level of physical condition, especially when wearing the Shogun's colors. His slim body also made her suspicious about the man.

How could he have passed the Comprehensive Combat Skill Evaluation with that kind of body? Kasuza questioned. It would make sense for him to be part of the IJA if the UN had some backing, but he is way below their current standards.

The CCSE Kazusa and her friends took was physically demanding, requiring high physical standards to pass, a shared trait to the CCSE used in other nations. As such she knew it was required for cadets to operate a TSFs, and they had to be physically fit due the difficulties beyond even the normal footsoldier forces. What she felt from Lelouch was certainly below that standard, even if he was given special treatment.

Chances are he wouldn't even pass as an Eishi should he actually be in our military, Kasuza was certain. Even we had to undergo similar training like the men from many years ago.

As Lelouch just touched the ground and stood upright, Kasuza was about to open her mouth. However, Yui suddenly came into the scene along with the rest of their squad.

They immediately noticed Lelouch's skinny body type, causing Shimako to be stunned by it. One of a TSF pilot's strictest requirements was physical endurance and strength because of how physically demanding piloting a TSF was. Their training was based on the physical and mental requirements by the military to pilot a fighter jet. Others like Aki and Izumi's jaws dropped at Lelouch's scrawny body, just wondering how he had endurance to last through the night?

Joining them was Sayuri, Kasumi and Ayame who, noticing Lelouch's skinny appearance, was also stunned, questioning how on Earth did he pass basic training. They began talking amongst themselves, speaking too softly for Yui to hear.
Yui could only sigh, having expected these reactions, but it was a testament to the technology behind their machines allowing someone like Lelouch to pilot through the night. However she did work with Lelouch to build up his endurance as best as she could, which was a tall order given how physically inept he was.

I guess those stimulates and injections really helped, Yui mused.

However, Yui was now faced with her friends who were now looking to her for answers, especially Shimako and Kazusa. Lucky for Yui she was saved as a young woman, who appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties, with long green hair, green eyes dressed in a red long tunic-style uniform with purple lines on it, black gloves and boots. She looked at Lelouch's pilot suit and its colors, causing her eyebrow to twitch.

Soon Lelouch and Yui noticed behind the green-haired woman were three other women, wearing identical uniforms. Their uniforms were similar to the green-haired woman's uniform, but were white with yellow and black instead. Their hairstyles, hair color and eyes were different, but their expressions were one of rage when they looked at Lelouch's suit, causing the young man to quickly explain.

"Look I know it's the wrong color, but Claude gave me this pilot suit," Lelouch explained quickly, his exhaustion gone as he went into temporary survival mode. "She seemed to enjoy it given how she was teasing Yui and me mercilessly!"

"Oh," the green-haired woman said before sighing and looking at Lelouch then Yui with pity. "I assume you two were dealing with Claude directly when you received the machines and your pilot suits."

"Yes ma'am," Yui replied, having been wondering when this was going to come up ever since she saw Lelouch step out of the changing room as he was now.

"I see, we'll need to do something about that before any misunderstandings happen," The woman said before providing an introduction. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am First Lieutenant Mana Tsukuyomi of the Imperial Royal Guard. With me are fellow members of the Royal Guard, the one with purple hair and green eyes is Tatsumi Kamiyo, next the one with brown hair and eyes is Yukino Tomoe, and finally Minagi Ebisu."

Minagi Ebisu was around the same age as Lelouch and the others with blonde hair tried into two sphere-like buns and yellow eyes.

Lelouch, Yui and the others saluted, Mana's red uniform was an obvious sign she was a part of the Royal Guard who reported directly to the Shogun, but everyone had the impression she was taking orders from someone important.

"Now I know all of you are likely very exhausted, but there are some things we need to discuss as well as properly debrief you all. We've prepared a change of clothes for all of you, so that you may change and then after that my subordinates and I will escort you to meet with Lady Kyoko who is representing both the Regnant Houses along with the newly appointed Shogun."

Noticing the expressions from Aki and Izumi, Mana recognized their unease and the source.

"Don't worry the defense is being overseen by Major Takatsugu Ikaruga of the Regent Houses, and we have assembled more than enough personnel, allies, and weapons to hold the BETA back, for now," Mana said, although it didn't dispel their unease completely. "Anyway myself and my subordinates will lead you to get changed before the meeting, especially you for your own sake to avoid any further misunderstandings."

Lelouch nodded in agreement.

"Very well, Minagi, Tatsumi and Yukino, please help these ladies and lead them to the changing rooms," Mana ordered.

"Yes ma'am," The trio said together in unison before saluting, then gesturing to Yui and the other seven girls to follow them.

Mana beckoned for Lelouch to follow her.

After a few minutes of walking out of the hanger, the two entered a changing room for men, Mana directed Lelouch to a duffle bag sitting on a bench.

"I trust you know how to get out of that suit?" Mana said, opening the bag to reveal an instruction manual on how to remove the Fortified Suit. "I hope you'll get changed as quickly as possible Mr. Lelouch vi Britannia."

"What?" Lelouch breathed, shocked with a flash of concern in his eyes.

"Calm yourself," Mana said reassuringly. "There is no need for you to be so on guard here, but did you seriously think we would allow you to fight for us in an advanced machine without us not knowing everything about you?"

"I suppose, but…"

"You have nothing to worry about with your true identity known, but given your history and the country you hail from I can understand why you would be concerned about keeping your true identity secret. However, before going into the meeting I thought it best I warn you in advance you'll be addressed by your true name. But in military operations and such going forward you'll be referred to as
Lelouch Lamperouge," Mana explained as she could see the tensionness leave, but the wariness only dimmed to a manageable level.

"I see," Lelouch said, although he wasn't happy about his secret being given out like that even if the reasoning behind it was sound, all things considered.

"I'll leave you to change," Mana said as she turned to leave. "Be sure to shower before getting dressed. You will be thankful later on."

Once Lelouch was certain Mana was gone he began changing. His annoyance over his secret having been shared, no doubt by Claude, irritated him to no end. Afterall, understanding wasn't the same as agreeing.

---

Meanwhile, Yui was cleaning herself in the shower, but as she did so Kazusa observed her for a moment. She wanted to ask Yui about the real story behind those machines Lelouch and she had been using, and how someone like Lelouch was chosen to pilot such a powerful machine.

Now I'm certain, there is no way he could've passed the CSSE, Kazusa thought, wondering how he survived piloting such a machine.

The only thing stopping Kazusa from questioning Yui was the fact that making a member of the Regent Houses and the Shogun wait would not be good for them. At the same time, Shimako was also wondering about Lelouch and his exact relationship to Yui, along with what else she was hiding from them. In nearby stalls, Sayuri, Kasumi and Ayame were talking amongst themselves.

"Did you see that guy, how did someone so skinny pass basic training? No way someone that scrawny would've been allowed to pilot a TSF," Sayuri remarked, as she added some shampoo to her hands and worked it into her light brown hair.

"Were they using him as some kind of lab rat to test the technology of that machine of his? It's no TSF I've ever seen before," Ayame inquired of her friends as she began rinsing out the shampoo from her long black hair.

"It doesn't seem like something they would've done, especially with a foreigner. Just imagine the political bomb that could have been if he died," Kasumi said, preparing to use the shampoo herself. "Besides, being a new weapon with all kinds of new tech doesn't seem like something they trust to just anyone so easily."

"Right," Sayuri agreed. "Just what is the deal with that guy?"

"Maybe Yui might know something, we just need a chance to ask her."

Alongside Sayuri, Ayame and Kasumi, Izumi and Aki were beginning to take notice.

"Do you think Lelouch even received proper TSF training?" Aki asked quietly so Yui wouldn't hear her.

"I'm not sure. I was quite surprised they let someone like that pilot such a machine so he must have gone through some sort of regime," Izumi admitted after rinsing out her hair.

"No way he went through the same training we did, so what's the story then?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Izumi said, not really having an answer to give.

But what is Yui hiding from us?

Aki might've just begun noticing the discrepancies in Yui's story, with Lelouch's obvious lack of physical fitness being a very large red flag. Of course, they weren't oblivious to the fact Lelouch and Yui were piloting highly advanced weapons, nothing they had even heard about. Not to mention neither of them could recall a time Yui could've left to have sufficient time to train to pilot such a powerful machine.

Much like Kazusa, the only thing stopping them from questioning Yui was the fact that a member of the Regent Houses and the Shogun was waiting for them.

---

A short time later, Lelouch, now dressed in a black with orange uniform similar to the one Mana was wearing, was led through the base to a meeting room. Mana opened the door, gesturing for Lelouch to go inside. There he saw Kyoko sitting behind a table wearing a uniform identical to his, but blue with yellow trim. Opposite to her was an older man with a scar on the left side of his face, brown hair combed back and brown eyes wearing a green uniform belonging to an officer of senior rank if his rank tabs were anything to go by.

In-between them was a woman who seemed to be the youngest of the trio, who seemed to be the same age as Lelouch, sat with a dignified and refined pose wearing a white kimono and her purple hair tied up in a topknot ponytail, with matching purple eyes signifying she was someone of importance.

"It seems you are the first to arrive, Prince Lelouch vi Britannia," The purple haired woman said, greeting the young man.

"Yes, uh," Lelouch said, providing a standard Japanese greeting with a polite bow, especially since he could feel Mana glaring at him from behind if he didn't politely greet her.

The girl laughed before providing introductions, "Be ease, I want to take this chance before the others arrive to talk. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Shogun Yuuhi Koubuin, a member of the Regent Families recently chosen as the new Shogun to succeed our previous Shogun. You've met Kyoko Takatsukasa, another member of the Regnant Houses, but this is the first time you are meeting face to face now."

"It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Lelouch, your performance on the battlefield and the directions you provided were impressive despite it being your first time," Kyoko greeted while offering a compliment. "Perhaps you are everything Claude told us you could be."

"Forgive me, I am a little doubtful on that last part, but I appreciate and welcome your compliment," Lelouch said, honest while mindful of his manners.

"And last and not least, this is Colonel Eiji Iwaya, he oversees all research projects in this base and is a leading member of the Ministry of Defense's Weapons Technology Development Authority."

"Welcome to the Fukushima Military Base," Eiji said. "As Yui's uncle I wanted to thank you for helping her and her friends survive Kyoto."

"Not at all, her knowledge of how events went previous for her was very helpful in planning our survival through the night. We had hoped to ensure everyone in the squad survived, but I regret what happened to Lieutenant Kisaragi."

"Her loss was regrettable," the colonel replied and Lelouch was reminded of a somewhat more laid back version of Kyoshiro Toudoh for some reason. "Tragically as you've learned things like that tend to happen where it's better to be killed, than to be eaten alive."

Lelouch was conflicted, as the act had a lasting impression on him, "It wasn't easy to do."

"No, it never is and I never wish for anyone to be in such a situation. But the fact remains that despite the loss of Lieutenant Kisaragi, everyone else survived. Not just the squad she commanded, a significant number of the base personnel at Arashiyama," the man nods, "Most managed to escape with their lives and badly needed support vehicles and supplies. They escaped to safety, though with losses. The fact that not only did you and Yui survive the entire night against the BETA, but so did everyone else in the squadron. Surpassing the Eight Minutes of Death is hardly an accomplishment anymore as the academies like to make it out, but having the entire unit survive with only one loss? A truly miraculous feat alone," Eiji said. He was astonished by the reports that somehow everyone at the Museum FOB had managed to survive, including civilians that had failed to evacuate in time.

"I think our machines deserve most of the credit for that," Lelouch noted, knowing it was his first battle and he had been, almost literally, flying by the seat of his pants the whole night.

"Very true as their combat effectiveness exceeds our prototype TSFs, let alone our mainstay TSFs. We have already begun production of similar weapons for our forces to use, but it will take time to make enough."

"Indeed Colonel, and the new machine I was given will surely help buy time," Kyoko added as she grasped the understanding of the situation and was thankful that their newfound allies in America would be able to supply them with new equipment, eventually,. "I do agree their survival against the BETA and narrowly holding one of our defensive lines in Kyoto has brought us valuable time to reorganize our defensive lines and reinforce them."

"Yes, even now more BETA has been observed entering Japan from Kyushu, and we know hundreds of thousands more are already making their way across the sea from Asia towards Japan. They'll make landfall near the end of September at Sadogashima, but the entire western coast is at risk," Yuuhi said, her expression grim. "Yet we know just your two machines won't be enough to protect our entire coast."

"So what is your plan if you don't mind me asking?" Lelouch began to inquire.

"The fact is, unless something changes, humanity is slowly losing the war against the BETA. Despite our efforts we have only been able to slow them down," Kyoko said bluntly. "Our soldiers will fight to the last, but we have to acknowledge we'll ultimately run out of people and land to defend. We have lost more than half of the country to the BETA, and with it, approximately thirty percent of our population has been lost."

"That is why Claude's proposal, despite our reservations about the woman herself, was too tempting to ignore," Eiji said with a sigh. It was clear to Lelouch that everyone before him had dealt with Claude at least once. "How events leading into the invasion of Japan played out as she expected, although we did try to take advantage of it to shore up our defenses, but…"

"But?"

"Politics got in the way," Kyoko said with a sigh. "We wanted to place the advanced weapons Claude gave us in Kyushu to slow the advance of the BETA. The politicians and the Prime Minister fought with military leaders wanting to use them to protect our coastline, but we didn't have enough to cover our whole western coast."

"And I assume the political bickering had cost time and lives in the end?" Lelouch asked, earning a nod from Yuuhi.

"Yes, and now half of the country is under BETA control. Having advanced weapons to defend our land won't be enough, we must defeat the BETA," Yuuhi said before looking Lelouch in the eye. "Then Claude suggested we support you, as one of the competing kings. If you win you'll be given access to a storehouse containing highly advanced weapons and technology that made an Empire a galactic superpower before it collapsed upon itself. The technology Claude gave us pales in comparison to what the Holy Ryuvian Empire had."

"Holy Ryuvian Empire?" Lelouch asked, curious.

"According to what Claude told us, it was once a powerful empire that ruled over a whole galaxy. All other alien species besides humans were wiped out, and their technology is unlike anything ever seen surpassing what your and Yui's Gundams possess." Yuuhi said. A word she used caught Lelouch's interest.

"Gundams?"

"That is what Claude called the machines you and Yui use," Kyoko answered.

"I see, but your intent is to see me win this competition and share the technology I win with you," Lelouch said, easily putting together what they wanted.

"Yes and in exchange we'll help you, after all how do you plan to make use of the technology if you managed to somehow obtain it on your own? Furthermore, while we don't know who your competition is, we do know they are in possession of considerable resources, something you lack. Help us and we can help you. It is that simple," Yuuhi said with a smile.

"Respectfully you understand I am doubtful of Claude's prize?"

"Of course, and all things considered I can't blame you for being skeptical. However, the situation does give us something we can both help each other with," Yuuhi said diplomatically. "Regardless of Claude's prize your presence and where you come from provides us with a rare opportunity, and the vessel she has given you for your use."

"A ship?" Lelouch said, quite surprised.

"Yes, as surprising as that may sound. Claude has provided a ship, designed to support your Gundam. It is capable of traveling in the atmosphere, space and underwater. It can travel to other alternate Earths in our galaxy and even travel faster than light," Yuuhi explained, placing both hands on the table. "Should the worst-case scenario happen and humanity begins losing to the BETA, we hope during your travels you'll find a suitable planet for us to colonize. But this is only a worst-case scenario should our conflict with the BETA go badly, however…we are hoping exploration of these different Earths could yield other opportunities."

"Collecting advanced pieces of technology, and mining resources," Lelouch deduced thinking it over and remembered that some of the Americans had been using new weapons and equipment and he quickly deduced that Claude must have made allies for him and the Japanese before in America as well.

How is she doing that so well?

"Correct, since we have lost half of the country, we are in need of resources for weapon production and food. If you could find an Earth not populated by humans, we are hoping not only, could we colonize it as a place for our people to fall back to, we could mine it for resources needed to aid our efforts," Yuuhi answered.

"I assume something similar applies to my world too, if you know my true identity I assume Claude told you of my goals then," Lelouch asked, which Yuuhi confirmed with a nod.

"Yes, but we know you can't speak for the Japan of your world. However, if we do grant you command of some of our soldiers and personnel, perhaps the people of your Japan might be willing to open your doors to us should it be necessary or even just consider a mutually beneficial alliance."

"I see," Lelouch couldn't help but smile at how well Yuuhi was seeking to capitalize on the situation, being impressed with her. "You know my intentions would require me to gather followers, but gaining military trained allies would be a difficult offer to turn down."

"Yes and it would benefit you, would it not?"

"I cannot deny that," Lelouch admitted, although it was questionable how loyal these followers would be.

Military trained followers would be much more useful than whatever resistance fighters he could find, true Lelouch could find a few capable men. How he would obtain his followers without his Britannian heritage becoming an issue was another problem. Even if he concealed his true identity, how would he win their loyalty was another question too. He might've questioned Claude and her intentions, but he couldn't deny Yuuhi was offering a good deal in exchange for his cooperation.

It was also a question of how she would live up to that bargain and could Lelouch fulfill his own side of the agreement.

To make his goals happen Lelouch would need competent and capable followers, both for the sake of efficiency and given that his enemy controlled a third of the entire world. He could gain followers among the local population, but the likelihood of having the kind of training and experience his agreement with Yuuhi would give him was extremely slim. Furthermore, as the number of followers grows Lelouch would need those who could serve as leaders in his army to accomplish his goals. They would be necessary for the sake of efficiency and tactical flexibility in battle.

My enemy is the Holy Britannian Empire and to bring down that man, Lelouch thought, thinking of the Britannian Emperor, his father. He would need any advantage he could get.

Access to the firepower of his Gundam, the Izanami, and whatever technology he could win by playing Claude's game, and the support of a Japan on another world would greatly accelerate his plans to bring down Britannia. It all made refusing Yuuhi's offer all the more difficult.

Especially when he factors in the possibility he could potentially get American support. The very idea of Britannian having to fight a ghost from its distant past that nearly brought it defeat, would be a prospect that would be daunting to many Imperial knights. Especially if their democracy was a truer democracy of that of the EU. What he could win would, indeed, be too big to pass up.

"I should ask if you are willing to trust me with your people, and would they be willing to follow a foreigner?"

Yuuhi smiled knowingly. "That is why if you help us and prove your capabilities to them, I think they will. I say it's a mutually beneficial agreement."

"Yes I can see little faults with your offer, very well I accept," Lelouch said, while internally complimenting Yuuhi on her negotiation skills.

"Excellent. Now-" Before she could say anything further, a knock came at the door.

Mana was annoyed, but she opened the door. After checking who it was, she stepped aside to allow Yui and her friends to enter, one by one, soon followed by Mana's three subordinates. Yui was wearing a uniform identical to Kyoko's, but hers was yellow. Izumi, Aki, Shimako, Kazusa, Sayuri, Kasumi, and Ayame wore uniforms that were white instead of yellow.

"Ah welcome, you've all finally joined us." Yuuhi greeted Yui and her friends.

"Is that?" Aki asked, recognizing Yuuhi's attire.

"Yes, this is Lady Yuuhi Koubuin, the newly appointed Shogun," Mana answered, causing Yui and her friends to quickly bow in respect.

"Please forgive us, Your Highness," The seven girls spoke together, worried they might have offended the Shogun.

"Please be at ease, it hasn't been officially announced that I am the new Shogun yet. This is a discussion and I would like it if you all were at ease," Yuuhi offered in a calm manner.

"Of course Your Highness," Yui said as she and her friends bellowed before Mana gestured for them to take a seat. Luckily the table was more than large enough to accommodate all of them on one side of the table with Yui and Kazusa sitting next to Lelouch, on his left and right sides respectively.

"We were talking with Lelouch, and we were able to reach an agreement. In fact your timing is perfect," Yuuhi said, pleased the girls had arrived at the right moment.

"An agreement?" Aki muttered.

"Yes and you'll have the details later, but first allow me to congratulate all of you for having not only survived a night of battle against the BETA, but also holding the line at Kyoto. All of you gave us valuable time to muster reinforcements and rescue any survivors, you have my thanks on behalf of Japan for your efforts," Yuuhi said, bowing her head in gratitude.

"You're too kind," Kazusa said humbly while she and the others bowed in return.

Japan and the constant bowing. Lelouch thought with an internal shake of his head, They really need to figure out something more accommodating.

"Since you are here, this will be a good time to mention in light of his accomplishments during Kyoto, the Shogun has decided to grant Third Lieutenant Lelouch Lampouge non-hereditary status and a suitable rank within the Royal Guard," Kyoko mentioned.

"A black and orange uniform," Ayame muttered, noticing Lelouch's new uniform.

"So he's a member of the Royal Guard now," Kasumi whispered to her friend, but the pair stopped talking when they felt Mana's glare fall upon them, silently telling them to be quiet.

No foreigner for decades has received such an honor, Kazusa thought, now wanting to question Lelouch and Yui more than ever.

So he can't be someone on loan from the UN or America, Izumi thought.

"Yes, he'll be under the Kyoko's household, which in turn Yui will be supervising him on her behalf. This should eliminate any potential inconveniences his lack of rank and status would cause," Yuuhi said, while the others across from her minus Lelouch were shocked.

Judging by the reactions of the others, my new rank must be something to cause such a response. It explains why Yuuhi wants, no, needs me to prove myself, Lelouch thought.

If he was going to command members of their army to aid him in bringing down Britannia when the time came, he knew it would be necessary for him to gain their trust so they would be willing to follow him when he eventually calls upon them.

It was important for soldiers to have faith and loyalty to their commander in battle after all.

"This is quite the honor you've given me and I thank you for it," Lelouch said politely. Fortunately, he had some idea of the importance and so it was not merely for show that he spoke.

"No, I should thank you for your accomplishments that have more than proven you've earned it. But, now that we've addressed our agreement with Lelouch, along with other needed details, there is something all of you need to see and be made aware of. If you would all follow me," Yuuhi said as she rose from her chair.

Yuuhi led the way followed by Mana and Eiji while Kyoko followed close behind, Lelouch and Yui walked together while Kazusa, Aki, Izumi and Shimako walked behind them and Minagi, Tatsumi and Yukino took up the rear. The group followed in silence until after ten minutes of walking they entered an elevator that was used for transporting heavy materials. It was more than large enough to accommodate everyone.

Entering an access code above the panel, Eiji pushed the button for the elevator to descend to a lower level, deep underground. The elevator descended for three minutes until they entered what could only be called an underground hangar where Yui, Lelouch, and the others saw to their shock a ship. It looked to be at least three-hundred and fifty meters long, with an aerodynamic design with an arrowhead shaped bow, before extending back where a pair of wings extended outwards with a pair of engines.

Atop the ship leading to what was the bridge, which stood on a smooth, yet ascending command tower, were a pair of triple-barrel guns akin to those on a battleship placed along the top of the vessel before the ascending command tower. Ahead of the guns the body was smoothing out to form the arrowhead-tip of the ship's bow. The girls and Lelouch noticed other weapon placements dotted along its hull, but for all of them the ship was unlike anything they had seen.

"That is our first battleship, created using various advanced technologies that exceeds our own, hence it was created by another party before Miss Claude Triello gave it to us. It is capable of operating not just in the air, but also in space and in the sea. We've named it the Takarabune," Eiji said, introducing the ship to everyone.

Yui recognized the name. "Named for the mythical ship piloted through the heavens by the Seven Lucky Gods, a symbol of the new year in every new year celebration in Japan."

"Yes this will be the ship commanded jointly by Yui Takamura and Lelouch Lamperouge, since the latter was made owner of the ship by Miss Triello."

"Huh!?" Shimako, Izumi, Aki and Kazusa exclaimed before looking to Lelouch for an explanation.

Lelouch internally sighed. Trying to explain that to the group would be difficult.

"How does he own THAT!?" Aki exclaimed, pointing to the ship that was roughly as big as an American Nimtiz-class Carrier!

Aki's outburst was just as quickly silenced as she recoiled instinctively under Mana's cold and stern gaze.

The newly made Shogun had been expecting their outbursts. "Well your surprise is only natural," Yuuhi acknowledged. "But, this is part of an agreement with Miss Treillo, so that Lelouch can compete in her game."

"Game?" Shimako inquired, while mindful to be respectful, especially as she began shivering under Mana's glare for speaking out of turn.

"Ah yes, that is something else we must discuss," Yuuhi sighed as she began to massage her temples trying to determine how best to discuss the topic.

"While we have had some theories in that regard," she chose to begin, "We haven't seriously thought it possible. It was one of the more insane ideas put forth in this war, to try and find a method to defeat the BETA. Other worlds like our Earth, some are mostly identical to ours with some small or big differences, exist in this galaxy," Yuuhi laughed harshly in thought, "And yet it is true," the young
Shogun still couldn't quite wrap her mind around it, "A woman approached us and told us of a 'game' she had in mind. One we could hardly believe, but she left us in both disbelief and sober when she proved it."

Eiji decided to pick up for the moment and let the young woman not bear all the weight in this.

"We ran the full battery and tests of what we could," the Imperial Army colonel swallowed thickly, "We were able to prove what she said. It was… not easily swallowed to say the least, but swallowed that pill we did."

The man looked thoughtful.

"Though, not all of us."

Yuuhi nodded, quietly thankful for the moment to get some of her composure back.

"Lelouch Lamperouge has been chosen to take part in a competition of sorts spanning different Earths against six other competitors. Should he emerge victorious over all of them, Lelouch will gain access to a large storehouse of powerful technology that once belonged to a galactic superpower that has long since fallen. Of course, that means he'll be chosen to lead an army against a threat bigger than the BETA, hence the need for that storehouse of technology and Claude wanting such a force to be led by the best leader possible."

"If Lelouch wins Claude's game then our country," the colonel took over once more, drawing himself up as an army officer and superior in rank to their girls before him, "along with our new allies and friends that will support us in other nations and therefore by default their own nations, will gain the technology and resources needed not just to force the BETA from Earth, but also in time force them out of the solar system and hunt them down and end them to the last," he saw them all letting that sink in, "And the shortest route will be the creators of the BETA and a system they have in place to just end the BETA," Eiji added causing the girls to be stunned.

"Forgive me honorable Shogun, but that is all a little hard to take in," Kazusa said after a few actual minutes of contemplation, while still being as respectful as possible despite her shock and confusion.

"I understand completely, in fact many in our government were skeptical of Claude's offer and asking for our support for Lelouch. Even if she was arming us with advanced weapons and warned us of the BETA's invasion of Japan, which happened exactly as she said it would," Yuuhi said, causing Izumi to become curious in that form of trepidation as a terrifying truth dawned on her.

"Did… Did they know Kyushu would be overrun then?" Izumi said softly, remembering her beloved boyfriend was among those stationed in Kyushu when it was overrun, losing his life in its defense.

"Yes, they did regrettably, too many in the military and in the government didn't want to believe it could happen despite evidence to the contrary and the weapons Claude offered," Yuuhi said, overhearing Izumi. "That is why a dozen ministers and others," she paused for a moment, "resigned in shame afterwards."

Izumi was shaken, but Aki was there to help steady her.

Lelouch, on the other hand, merely shrugged. He had known what the pause meant. There had been a quiet coup behind the scenes. Likely a few of the most powerful had realized they had royally screwed up and killed themselves, either through seppuku or having 'accidents'.

How does 'He fell out of the window' still hold up so well? Lelouch wondered. It said a lot for when and how that trend had started as it seemed too stupid to last long.

Among other things, it was something that was actually the norm in Britannia every so often with sharp uptakes.

Especially the closer one got to Pendragon.

"I am truly sorry for your loss," Yuuhi said, knowing that Izumi had lost someone dear to her in Kyushu. She had read the reports on all of them, to know who she was going to be dealing with and deciding how best to deal with them. And this was not the easiest of them, "I am also sorry I can offer no more than my condolences and assurances that he did his duty to the very end."

Izumi struggled to keep her composure, but ultimately began to quietly weep as Aki and Yui were there to comfort her as the elevator continued down. Lelouch remained quiet, but he did sympathize with her loss and understood her grief at hearing how the government didn't take Claude's warnings seriously.

A short time later, the group proceeded across a bridge to board the enormous ship. Once aboard they were saluted by a pair of guards patrolling the ship while various technicians and engineers were working on inspecting and studying the ship.

"This ship is quite the marvel of technology. Much of it is at least more than two centuries ahead of our most advanced tech," Eiji said, breaking the silence at the unseen command gesture of Yuuhi. "The medical bay has a cylinder filled with nanomachines to provide emergency care for pilots in critical condition. The ship has a fusion reactor as a main source of power with material and methodology we have yet to begin to find a path to, let alone find a surface to start scraping at. It is capable of amphibious operations, including subsurface travel, flight in space with even Faster than Light Travel, and somehow has the ability to cross over to other, alternative Earths which we are still trying to grasp even the basics of the basics to just quantify into our understanding, let alone learn."

"Wow," Shimako breathed as she heard all of that, "That means this is quite the ship. Impossibly so. I can see why they are investigating it so thoroughly," Shimako remarks only drew some looks of incredulity from her friends as she sounded forced and she had the decency to blush, because… She felt someone had to say something!

"Yes," Eiji said in agreement, saving the poor girl, while everyone continued through the ship. "Although it will be some time before we can even reproduce and develop our own technology based on it. But we do have a few ships like this one in production thanks to the materials being provided by Claude. Trying to find a crew, in light of our heavy losses, will be difficult, especially given the training they'll need to run these ships."

Eventually the group reached what was the hangar of the ship, where to everyone's surprise were four more Gundams, identical to the ones used by Yui and Lelouch. The hangar itself was large enough to accommodate at least six more similar sized machines, but as they approached one of the four new Gundams they were met by a man wearing a white suit with a blue collared shirt and a white tie. He wasn't Japanese as his tanned complexion and white hair made him stand out.

"So this must be Lelouch Lamperouge, and it's a pleasure to meet you too Lady Yuuhi," the man said before bowing politely to Yuuhi.

"This is Cumpa Rusita, an ally of Claude who has been helping us understand the ship and the Gundams, since it was he who designed them," Eiji said, providing introductions.

"Thank you for your kind words, but some thanks should go to Claude for providing the necessary technology and materials for me to combine using what knowledge and resources I had on hand already," Cumpa said modestly. "She has well compensated me for my services and time spent in helping design and create the ship and Gundams along with other machines."

"Then you designed the Izanami and Izanagi Gundams?" Yui inquired, which Cumpa confirmed with a nod.

"I did, after studying the unique technologies Claude wanted incorporated into them," Cumpa said before looking at the four girls behind Lelouch and Yui. "Judging by the photos I was shown it seems you four are going to be the intended pilots for these Gundams."

"What?!" Aki, Izumi, Kazusa and Shimako exclaimed, as even Lelouch and Yui were stunned.

"I guess no one told you," Cumpa noticed, seemingly annoyed, but quickly brushed it off. "Allow me to introduce these new marvels of technology that I helped create. This one, the third of the same series of Gundams from which the Izanami and the Izanagi come from is called the Tsuna."

The Tsuna had the same general frame as the Izanagi and Izanami, but the armaments and its overall design was very different, it lacked the wings as the Izanami and its sister unit. In their place were holders for a large greatsword and opposite of it stored on the larger than normal backpack was a staff-like weapon with a rocket thruster on one side. Its overall color was black with white trim with some red lining for style.

It had large skirt armor around its waist, which was very noticeable making it stand out.

"Miss Izumi Noto I am told will be the pilot for this machine," Cumpa said, surprising the young woman.

"Me!?" the girl in question yelped as she responded.

"Yes, and this machine was chosen for you based on your aggressive style of combat you demonstrated in Kyoto. It has a quantum communication control for controlling the Tsuna's remote weapons, ten small dagger-like remote weapons called GN Fangs, thanks to the GN particles providing an anti-gravity effect enabling them to fly through the air. They each fire a single beam of energy, or due to their sharpened dagger design, can impale and run through targets at high speeds, using a combination of GN particles and an energy integrated into the blade for greater cutting power and penetration."

"GN particles?" Lelouch questioned.

"Unlike the power sources the Izanagi and the Izanami use, the GN Drive can still provide the same nearly unlimited source of power and therefore a much longer operation time than any Tactical Surface Fighter, as long as the pilot is still capable of fighting that is." Cumpa explained before getting into further details. "Think of the GN Drive as akin to a solar furnace, which also produces a unique and useful particle that grants a number of benefits. One of them is enhancements to the Gundam's frame allowing for faster movements and increased durability. Another is that it enables flight and a greater amount of maneuverability in the air no other machine can possess, giving greater agility to where it could float and move through the air flawlessly. Lastly and most importantly, it allows remote weapons like the GN fangs to function in the atmosphere without gravity or wind resistance to impede them. Yours is unique in that it has two integrated GN Drives, which can provide enormous amounts of power."

"I see," Izumi said, awed by her machine's capabilities. "I can control such weapons, these GN fangs?"

"Yes the cockpits of this series of Gundams use Psychoframe Technology, though I'm told this is a particularly diluted and yet upgraded form for normal people,whatever that means exactly. It's able to read the pilot's brainwaves to allow for greater ease of control. Quantum Communication uses this same principle to control the remote weapons as you direct them by thought," Cumpa explained.
"Of course you have a pair of melee weapons, a GN Buster Sword with a built in rifle that combines GN particles infused in a physical blade and a beam blade, able to cut through just about anything, even if that something can shrug off energy-based attacks. Then you have a GN beam scythe with a rocket attached to the opposite end of the blade for more powerful swings."

"Wow, that's some crazy melee power," Aki commented. She guessed that Tsuna would be close to perhaps a Sweeper configured TSF in design, but she wasn't quite sure due to all the new technology in it.

"Like the units used by your friends, it has beam sabers, but you can use a pair of heavy beam pistols, based on a particular type called a Beam Spray Gun, for more urban engagements, but of course your machine can use a Beam Magnum as well as an optional weapon," Cumpa added before moving onto the next machine.

"Quick question," Yui inquired. "Claude never told us the details about the power source of my and Lelouch's Gundams, could you maybe tell us in summary what they are?"

The shocked look on Cumpa's face was potentially the most terrifying thing that Yui had ever seen. Followed, quickly, by the rage the man showed, before he forcibly calmed himself. It became rather abruptly clear that he was counting numbers in an effort to control his anger before speaking again.

"That irresponsible woman!" the scientist growled harshly before coughing into one hand and steadying his voice, "Giving such young people such powerful weapons without at least giving them the manual," Cumpa said, exasperated with the pink-haired woman. "Your machines use a power source called a DHGCP, which is short for Discontinuous Hyperoscillation Gauge Collapsing Pile. To put it simply, it's a self-contained artificial black hole."

"WHAT?!" Everyone except for Mana, Yuuhi and Eiji, exclaimed while Yuuhi stood back, seemingly amused by their reactions.

"Your reactions are understandable, even I was taken aback when Claude told me of the technology. That being said, like the GN Drives they can provide an unlimited amount of power as long as both the pilot is capable of fighting and the machine hasn't suffered any crippling damage. However, such power sources are extremely difficult to produce, as even myself, modestly speaking, was able and could only make a limited number and only thanks to the resources Claude provided," Cumpa said. No one had any further questions, or rather they didn't know how to respond to that.

Simply smiling and assured he likely wouldn't get many more questions for now, he gestured to the next Gundam in the hanger.

"Next is the Suetake," Cumpa began.

The Suetake was identical in general frame design, but other than its head design, this one had wings that were notably larger and bulkier and it had hip-mounted weapons, a pair of blades. On its back it had cannons designed to flip over the shoulders kept between the wings. Like the Tsuna it was generally black and white in color, but had some blue lining to set it apart from the other machines.

"Similar to the Izanagi, the Suetake is built more towards melee combat, equipped with blades on its hip armor and beam sabers, but with the addition of hardened knuckles that could be turned around to become claws. However, unlike the Izanagi it has a more balanced armament possessing railguns mounted on its back. Further it has hard points for beam rifles akin to the ones used by the Izanami, and what is called a Mega Beam Rifle stored on the rear hip armor. It can fold up for ease of storage."

"Who is the pilot of that one?" Lelouch inquired.

"Kazusa Yamashiro," Cumpa answered, causing Kazusa to be left stunned by the announcement. "Observing past mock battles and her performance during Kyoto, she was deemed to be the best choice to be its pilot."

"Then these last two," Yui said looking at the third machine, surprised herself, but knowing that it would be a good match.

The same humanoid frame, but this one forgoes wings altogether for three arms, each of them is attached to a rectangular shield, seen on the left, right and behind the machine. At a glance it didn't seem to have beam sabers, but it carried a weapon on its rear skirt armor. The shields attached to the end of the larger arms sticking from its back had a dual-barrel range weapon attached on the left and right shields. Like the Izanami it had a mounted cannon built into the torso but it was lower on the abdomen instead. The rear shield, unseen by the others, mounted a rocket propelled anchor. Color wise it was the same as the other machines, but had some pink lines decorating it to set it apart.

"The Sadamitsu, designed for support and defense, its shields have a unique technology, not just capable of withstanding attacks, but they can repel most ranged energy-based attacks. The two shields on the left and right mount a powerful pair of railguns, and it has a Plasma Cannon which thanks to its magnetic field generator can bend and direct where the plasma beam will go," Cumpa explained.

"Wow, so the beam can be bent?" Aki asked, left sack jawed by such a weapon.

"Yes," Cumpa nodded, "Most people forget that plasma needs to be a continuous beam to be useful as a weapon and therefore, with such an ability, it will be good for catching an enemy off guard. It has a melee weapon stored on the rear skirt armor, a Beam Gravie, which is basically a naginata that you should be accustomed to, but it's made out of the same material as the Gundam making it an effective hard-hitting weapon even without a beam blade."

"Who is the pilot," Aki said, clearly hopeful, though she was slightly annoyed at being told that they should be accustomed to naginatas just because they were young samurai girls, which ironically they had learned to use every day they could in training.
Lelouch only shook his head.

He recalled Suzaku telling him about that. How the wives and daughters of samurai had learned to wield naginatas as it was seen as ideal for them to use from a philosophical standpoint. He couldn't remember all the details, and he was certain Suzaku, a boy, had made a few mistakes here and there, but it would appear this version of Japan also kept the tradition of using the 'feminine' naginata.

If only they had met his mother, big sister Cornelia, or Sayako. And most especially Nonnette!

"That machine will be piloted by Shimako Kai," Cumpa answered before mollifying Aki. "As for the last one, the Kintoki will be piloted by Aki Iwami."

The Kintoki was identical to the Izanami, but instead of beam rifles stored in its wings, the cannons within looked stronger. On its hip were another pair of cannons folded up for convenient storage. However the forearms looked bulkier and the backpack in-between the wings looked larger as well too, likely storing another weapon system within. On each arm was a pair of shields, each one mounting a beam saber and a cannon.

"This one is a little different, its forearms are bulkier to accommodate a pair of thrusters because the hands can detach and grab onto targets acting according to the will of the pilot. As such the hands have built in beam guns and can deliver painful electric shocks to those seized. The backpack unit houses a pair of discs, each one equipped with a beam gun, that functions in a similar manner.
The wings house a pair of plasma cannons that fold over the shoulders of the Gundam when in use, and are used in conjunction with the hip-mounted railguns. It has four beam vulcans on its chest for close quarters, and the shields have a beam saber built in along with a mega particle cannon, one each per shield. Finally the most interesting aspect of the Kintoki Gundam is the Multi-purpose
Assault Weapon, codenamed Kujaku, it can transform into different weapons such as a large beam sword, a crossbow-like configuration, and a few others," Cumpa explained leaving Aki in awe of the machine before her.

"As impressive as these machines are, why us?" Kazusa said, before remembering the Shogun is present. "Not that we don't appreciate the offer to pilot such machines, but surely there are better skilled pilots more suited for them?"

"True, and you aren't wrong, but worry not. These aren't the only Gundams Cumpa created, both Lady Kyoko and Ikaruga Takatsugu of the Regnant Houses have been given one. Kyoko has in fact partly come here to pick up her machine, the Raikou. The Miyamoto Gundam is already in the hands of Major Ikaruga," Yuuhi said reassuringly.

Eiji stepped back in, continuing their previous discussion. "Other machines with similar armaments are being made, but some of the technology behind these Gundams are difficult to produce and training pilots on how to use them can be difficult. Even veterans and seasoned pilots would need considerable time to adapt to them, but that might be difficult given how they've spent their lives in a TSF, and they may not adapt well to the differences in weapons and handling of the machines."

"Even if Claude provided Cumpa and us with all of the materials and resources required and more for production, our capabilities are still limited. Further given our ongoing conflict with the BETA it would be easier and less risky to train new pilots especially for these machines, some veterans can adapt well but I feared others may not. Lest not we forget we would need to pull these pilots from the frontlines where their skills and experience are sorely needed at this time."

"But why us?" Aki inquired.

"You are probably wondering why we aren't assigning veterans to these machines instead of you four?" Eiji said, prompting Kazusa, Izumi, Aki and Shimako to nod. "The reason is simple, we have suffered enormous losses to the BETA, some of which was caused by poor tactical decisions made by fools who were dismissed or arrested for not alerting our forces of the collapse of our defense lines."

"As such we need every experienced TSF pilot on the frontlines to keep the BETA from advancing further. Even if we wanted our intended pilots, they would be off the battlefield for at least a couple weeks or a month, training to use their new machines, which would be unexpected since the new defense line is barely holding against the BETA onslaught," Yuuhi added.

"Therefore it's more convenient and less of a risk to our efforts to hold the frontline by having you four trained exclusively to use them," Eiji noted. "Furthermore because of the fact we are still reeling from our losses we don't know the full extent of our losses yet, which includes the loss of leaders which combined with those arrested for their poor decisions and those who resigned our chain of command is in shambles, making it difficult and risky for us to pull any veterans from the front who are holding it together."

" I see, but…" Kazusa said, unable to think of a counter argument.

It wasn't mentioned, but I wouldn't be surprised if some abandoned the fight to save their own skins, Lelouch thought, knowing that likely added to the current woes facing the Japanese Army.

Their forces were so badly battered by heavy losses, bad decisions and likely dissertations from their own ranks left the Japanese Military in a weakened state. So much so that Lelouch recognized no one wanted to risk a potential collapse if they pulled anyone willing to keep up the fight at the front line, likely just holding on by a thread.

Lelouch imagined some of the military leadership might've also fled as well, out of cowardice and to likely save their own skins too for their stupid decisions, facing criminal charges for staggering incompetence in Japan's defense.

Assuming some fled before the invasion fearing the BETA couldn't be stopped, that probably just made things worse for the defense of Japan as a whole as the sudden loss of personnel likely further hindered any efforts of holding back the BETA, Lelouch thought, but he decided to push those thoughts aside for now.

"Uh, what about us," Kasumi said, while Sayuri and Ayame stood with her.

"You three will pilot special test models that use the same Coupling and Pyschoframe technology, but scaled for mass-production. We have spare machines for extensive field testing, so we are seeking pilots for them right now," Yuuhi offered reassuringly to the trio. "We have already gathered newly recruited pilots to begin training in their use."

"That's enough questions," Mana said, shutting down further discussion. "You'll begin training with these machines tomorrow once you have rested. Lady Kyoko will return to Kyoto with the Raikou to oversee our defense and try to push back the BETA while we begin creating a new defense line with the new advanced weapons provided by Claude."

"I should have some time to meet with you before I go, Yui, since some work on the Raikou needs to be done before its combat ready," Kyoko offered reassuringly. "Your friends are welcome to join."

"Except for you," Mana said, putting a firm hand on Lelouch's shoulder. "You are going to meet your own instructor."

"An instructor?" Lelouch inquired and suddenly had a sinking feeling.

"Yes, we have granted you non-hereditary status within the Royal Guard, hence your black uniform, which should make it easier for you to work with us. But your lack of endurance and physical ability is concerning, so at the recommendation of Claude we have asked for someone suited for the task of training you from the Imperial Army to be brought in. She will also oversee training for those intending to pilot the new mass-production models, since we are planning on adding more pilots and some of the experimental machines to this ship's complement," Yuuhi explained. "However, if you expect to command anyone you are going to need to prove not just to us, but to them that you are worthy of it."

Yuuhi noticed someone approaching them from the corner of her eye.

"Ah, excellent timing, allow me to introduce Eishi and Sergeant from the Fuji Instructional Group, Marimo Jinguuji," Yuuhi said, introducing Lelouch to his instructor.

Marimo was a young woman of twenty-four with long brown hair, brown eyes, and wearing a military uniform appropriate for one of her rank. She stopped before the group and saluted the Shogun.

"Eishi and Staff Sergeant Marimo Jinguuji of the Fuji Instructional Group have arrived as requested," Marimo announced, greeting the Shogun.

"Here is your new student Staff Sergeant, he has survived an all-night battle against the BETA, but he still needs some work as it were." Yuuhi said, realizing there might be some understatement there as she began gesturing to Lelouch. "You'll be working with my subordinate Mana, so if you have any questions consult her."

"Him," Marimo said, surprised that her ward was a young man of sixteen, a foreigner at that and one that looked like a stiff breeze would blow him over.

"I'm not that bad," Lelouch decried. "I just happen to be a better swimmer than runner."

The look on the Staff Sergeant's face said it all.

Lelouch is in for a rough time, Yui said, knowing what kind of training he would be put through given the Fuji Instructional Group's reputation.

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A/N:

Yes and for those of who familiar with Marimo Jinguuji from Muv Luv Alterative and Muv-Luv Alternative Chronicles Confessions should know how much of a drill sergeant nasty she can be, and this is a big cause of "cruel to be kind" trope in play for her. So Yui's words at the end are an understatement.

But this is where Lelouch will meet those will become members of his personal squad, with the first member being met in the next chapter.

And Lelouch has the backing of the new Shogun, Yuuhi Koubuin, who she and her twin sister are among the biggest contenders for Lelouch who may become romantically involved with him following Lelouch and Yui becoming a couple. But that will depend on how things play out. Still regardless she has made Lelouch a member of the Royal Guard, giving him a non-heredity samurai rank, but as she said if she wants Imperial Japan backing Lelouch in the future he must earn it, and the loyalty of those who will be his personal squad under his command, they would be the starting blocks for what will be the Black Knights later on.

And now Kazusa, Shimako, Izumi and Aki will be given Gundams of their own, thanks to being conveniently available to train to excessively pilot them, and given their relationship with Yui who has experience piloting such machine, will help train them. So that is what Yui will be doing while Marimo puts Lelouch through hellish training and later a mock battle in the new machines that are a hybrid of a TSF and a mobile suit to put him through his paces as a leader.

But all of that aside chapter sixteen is the chapter Lelouch is leaving the world of Muv Luv for the time being to go exploring, but me and the betas have reached a impasse on who else should be assigned aboard his new ship, which I will say while its nice...he's going to end up with something else later due to events beyond his control XD. Just the same it will be good for him to have a second squad aboard to help protect the ship and provide support when needed.

Unfortunately there have been debates on how nationalistic some choices are, if they might pull some shady stuff which could get Lelouch killed, or may not be around at this point. Complicating the matter is the majority of known TSF pilots are women, and I feel I should very careful on how many women I surround Lelouch with, so the new poll located Here has a few male candidates. I would rather see a comment on why I should go with some choices over others than to use a poll, but either someone offering such suggestions or the results of the poll I hope can break the deadlock on our discussions on the matter, so anything can be helpful.

Anyway here are the specs for one of the new Gundams to be piloted by Kazusa.

And I'll see you guys next chapter, thanks in advance for any feedback, they are always appreciated.

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Model number: TMP-04X
Code name: Suetake
Unit type: Prototype Psycho-Frame Heavy Assault Mobile Suit
Pilot: Kazusa Yamashiro
Manufacturer: Unknown
Operator: Order of the Black Knights, Empire of Japan ("sponsors" of the Black Knights)
First deployment: August 2016 A.T.B
Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 19.5 meters
Weight: 58.4 metric tons
Powerplant: Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor
Armor: Lunar Titanium Alloy Ver Gamma
Sensors: 23,700

Equipment/Features

Psycho-Frame
Targeting Sensor Eyepatch: An optional Targeting Visor in the shape of an eyepatch, it is used to give Suetake clear range and view of whoever the machine choose to fire upon.
Coupling System
Minovsky Drive System: A new propulsion system and the most prominent feature of the Suetake. it generates a force field and gains propulsion from the resulting repulsive force. It has a disadvantage where massive amounts of mega particles are emitted when creating the force field, but the propulsion generated by the system exceeded conventional systems. The system also places less strain on the mobile suit's generators, allowing it to use its vast array of Beam Weapons. The Minovsky Drive can also be used for both offensive and defensive purposes, sometimes simultaneously. The system's high-energy exhaust plumes manifested as a giant pair of wings ("Wings of Light").

Fixed Armaments

2 X 60mm Vulcan Guns

2 X VSBRs: A pair of Variable-Speed Beam Rifles (VSBRs) are mounted on the hardpoints on the suit's side armor and powered by the suit's reactor. They can fire either low-speed beams with high destructive power, or high-speed beams with high penetrating power, sufficient to destroy two MS with one shot or pierce a beam shield.

2 X Railguns: A pair of back-mounted electromagnetic launchers for super long range shooting, they pivot over the shoulders to fire in mobile suit mode. In Siege Mode, the output of the two Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactors are concentrated on the railguns, allowing them to fire bullets at explosive speed.

2 X Rare Metal Blades: Stored on the blade holder mounted on the rear skirt armor, the pair of Rare Metal Blades are forged from rare metal, just like the V08-1228 Grimgerde's Valkyrja Blades.

2 X Knuckle Guard/Claws: The armor on the back of the forearms can be used as striking weapons and their designs allow them to turn around and be used like claws.

1 X Mega Beam Rifle: A high output beam cannon with an open mega particle compression-accelerator device. It is an enhanced, lighter version of the Beam Smart Gun. Can be folded for ease of storage and mounted on the back rear skirt armor.

Wings of Light: The unofficial final weapon of the Suetake, The Minovksy Drive System's high Energy Exhaust Plums as a pair of giant wing. Which could be used as either gigantic beam sabers or as massive beam shields to shield both the Gundam itself and other targets. The defensive ability of the Wings of Light could even block the ZMT-S29S Zanneck's beam cannon, which could hit targets on Earth from high in the atmosphere.

Optional Armaments: Beam Magnum, Beam Smart Gun

There was a delay in posting this chapter due to F-14 Tomcat Lover making unauthorized adjustments to the chapter without asking me, so his beta privileges' and role in consulting for the story, since he hasn't made any effort to respond or reply to any messages I've PM him even before the email notification issues.

That being said there will be some sections in this chapter that were not beta-ed by Silkdreamweaver, because those were the sections I had to fix, but Jameyofthemegacosmos did do a quick beta over the new sections, so hopefully that amends it all.

This chapter begins with Lelouch's time in boot camp, where he'll meet the first member of his squad to be.

Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed the chapter and added favorites and follows to it.

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Now on with the chapter.

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Following the initial first meeting with Marimo, Lelouch was encouraged to rest thereafter for the whole day. As Lelouch followed the instructions to where he would be staying on the base, he was met by Claude when he entered his new room who was lazily lounging on his bed.

"Not bad, you got your own modest room, a desk, a closet and your own bathroom," Claude commented with a smile.

"Is this some social call?" The fatigue from battle had finally caught up with Lelouch and was beginning to gain on him, so he was in no mood, or condition for that matter, for antics which he was definitely feeling like this woman could, and would, give Milly a run for her money.

"Oh, don't be so serious," Claude said, waving her hand dismissively before leaping off the bed to face Lelouch who was already annoyed with her. "Afterall with everything going on I thought you would like a chance to visit your sister to check in on her."

"How would that work while I obviously have obligations here?"

As much as Lelouch wanted to check on his sister, fearing she would be worried for him, he doubted he could just simply return.

"Normally, this would be difficult for me. But because of how messed up this world has been with all kinds of branching alternate versions connected to it and more, I can bend the rules for you a little letting you return while you would normally sleep here and likewise when you go to sleep at Ashford Academy," Claude said with a devious smile.

"Difficult? That is something that shouldn't be possible?!" Lelouch was flabbergasted.

"You're right it wouldn't be possible normally, but this world's situation is unique enough that I can bend the rules a little. You'll wake up back at Ashford Academy, barely an hour after you left, but you'll feel rested. Just remember to change back into your uniform before you go to sleep again," Claude warned, while Lelouch looked at her with a very doubtful expression.

"It can't be that convenient?" Lelouch deadpanned.

"It wouldn't be normally," Claude admitted, "but since you have this chance I suggest you take full advantage of it. I'll be busy making arrangements so you can be away from Ashford Academy without people raising any questions or causing trouble for your sister so you can focus without any worries," Claude said, trying to sound reassuring.

And boy was that a chore for even her, though, only that. A chore.

Lelouch was even more skeptical than before, but knew Claude possessed some kind of powers and abilities that defied common sense.

As much as he wanted to ask where her powers came from and how they work, every time he and Yui would attempt to inquire, she would steer the discussion to a different and inappropriate subject matter Lelouch didn't want to recall.

She makes Milly's antics look like those of Saint, Lelouch thought.

Lelouch couldn't help, but compare Claude to Milly Ashford, the granddaughter of the academy's headmaster at the school he attended and lived at. Lelouch was well-acquainted with her, and unlike her parents who lived up to everything he resented about the nobility, Milly was very different. Like Claude she was whimsical, devious, but not in a malicious way, and overly cheerful with an appetite for strange parties, costumes and fascinated by the bodies of her more well-endowed friends. Claude was this and more, but with far less restraint than Milly while difficult to get a read on when not flaunting her sex appeal.

"Just like that?"

"Just like that," Claude said, before noticing the skeptical expression Lelouch had. "Don't give me that look, when I say I can do something then you better believe I can do it."

Lelouch wanted to question that, but decided against it.

"Now just lie down and go to sleep," Claude instructed.

"Before I do, I have a question," Lelouch had just enough energy to ask this one question.

"And that is?" Claude raised an eyebrow.

"Yui," Lelouch had run the details through his mind. Something didn't quite add up, until just now, "Is this Yui the one who saw her friends, or did she dream it and you simply made it look like she participated in the battles that killed all of her friends?"

Claude smirked, "I knew you were a good choice," she began, "But the truth is not so simple?"

"Would you care to elaborate then? I may not understand the full mechanics of what you are capable of, but I would like to understand how there isn't two Yuis? The one I trained with in your dimensional space and the one who should've been there when we arrived? You didn't kill her did you?"

Claude merely laughed, "Oh heavens no I simply merged them into one."

"Merged them?"

Claude nodded, "Even if I killed the past Yui that could've caused some problems, so believe it or not the easiest solution was to merge them. Because even if I did kill her in the future Yui would've ceased to exist, the same thing would've happened if I didn't."

"So merging them, however that is possible, was your only option then?" Lelouch said, realizing the mechanics of Claude's manipulations was more complex than he realized.

"Bingo, but it was easier for me to do here because it already happened to someone else, or rather it will happen to someone else unless my efforts can prevent it?"

"Someone else?"

"That's he would originally die when the BETA overrun his hometown, a city. But simply being killed by the BETA would've been preferable, which he was once they took him and others prisoner."

"This person was taken prisoner by the BETA, I thought they didn't take prisoners?" Lelouch said intrigued and confused by this new information about the BETA.

"Normally they wouldn't, but remember in how I said they don't see humans as living beings as to them carbon lifeforms are an impossibility for their creators? Naturally the intelligence behind the BETA was no doubt confused greatly by lifeforms that shouldn't exist putting up a fight against them. So it took prisoners to begin experimenting on them, not so much to understand humans but rather find other ways to defeat them."

A cold and dark realization began to dawn on Lelouch, recalling what Claude mentioned by "simply being killed by the BETA would've been preferable."

"Judging by your face, I think you realize what the BETA did to those poor people, and trust me it was worst than you thought."

"I won't question you on that," Lelouch said, feeling hesitant to inquire to what happened.

"I'll spare you the horrible details, otherwise I doubt you'll be able to sleep well. Among those prisoners was a girl, a childhood friend to the boy who died protecting her. A simple ordinary girl, who was experimented on in cruel and unimaginable ways, until they realized they didn't need her body so bit by bit they took her apart until she was reduced to a brain and her spine."
Lelouch felt horror and revulsion from this realization, keeping quiet because if she was ultimately reduced to a brain and a spine then just what were the BETA doing to her. What kind of experiment where they running?

The more he thought about it, the more Lelouch believed he was better off not knowing.

"However, despite the horrors she endured, she had but one simple wish, and the wish of a girl can be a very powerful thing. Especially when the hive her brain was kept in was bombarded with bombs that can have abnormal effects on reality, so those bombs and their unknown effects resonated with that wish in a one in a million chance opportunity bringing the boy she loved from an alternate timeline, but unknowingly merging him with the version of himself who died stabilizing his existence here yet turning him into something more as he connected and fused with various versions of himself overtime," Claude explained, seemingly impressed with the girl's wish, but Lelouch realized something else.

"There was some kind of catch, which is actually the problem you want to deal with?"

"You nailed it again," Claude replied with a smile. "Yes, as miraculous as this wish might've been, there was a terrible catch to it. It's one that poor girl couldn't have known about let alone intend it. The boy became a Casualty Conductor, a harbinger of despair in which he causes the gradual memory loss of those close to him, who will forget him in time. But even worse for the poor man he'll cause those close to him and eventually everyone else to die a grim end."

"It's not something he can control then?" Lelouch said, trying to imagine such a person existing.

"Sadly no, and trying to return to his own timeline will just make a much more destructive existence because he hails from a timeline where the BETA never invaded his world. Returning to it as it is will invite an apocalypse in time."

"I see, and you want to prevent this from happening?"

"That's right, his mere existence is a danger and if he were to move around to other timelines he could be a bigger problem for everyone, and the clean up for me would be a lot more troublesome," Claude said, folding her arms over her chest looking displeased.

"Then what about Yui, is she some kind of counter since she was merged in much the same way this Casualty Conductor was?"

"Ding-ding, you nailed it again," Claude cheered, very pleased. "Yes, I made Yui into an anti-Casualty Conductor, whose existence has the opposite effect. It did help in ensuring most of you survived Kyoto despite all of those close calls, and keeping her near you will be of help to you too."

"I see, so Yui was an opportunity for you to create this counter-casualty conductor and involving me was another benefit to prevent the Casualty Conductor from coming into existence then," Lelouch said, deducing Claude's other intentions. "You simply didn't choose this world for just me."

"That's right, let's just say I saw a way to kill two birds with one stone. Besides, given the dire state humanity was in, it was all that much easier for me to get them to back you in exchange for the cool tech I've been giving them, so bonus points right there," Claude replied with a smile.

"I see…"

"If you were wondering Yui does get some extra benefits, while she doesn't get the memories of all of the Yuis who had a bad end, only the one you worked with she does inherit the muscle memory of the others as the Casualty Conductor did, so while it doesn't make her super human, her piloting and fighting skills will improve quickly through as a result," Claude explaining.

"I see, so no other benefits then?"

"Well her mind might get a boost in learning, but like I said, nothing superhuman. But she might have moments of things or someone being familiar to her, but unable to understand why. It could be some help in the right situations, but who can say since this is new territory even for me," Claude replied with a mischievous smile.

Lelouch nodded. That answered his questions, but he had one question left.

"Will you tell her?"

"Not yet, I feel a better time to reveal this will come later. The girl has a lot on her mind right now."

"I see."

"Good," Claude nodded, "Now off to bed."

Lelouch reluctantly did as instructed due to being wary of Claude. But as soon as he was comfortable, it didn't take long for Lelouch to fall asleep due to the sheer exhaustion slamming into him like a Destroyer-class. And so, once asleep, he dreamed, but when he awoke, he found himself back in his room at Ashford Academy. Lelouch felt relaxed being in a place more familiar to him, although he might've written off what had happened in the other world as a dream, he looked down to see he was dressed in the black uniform he had been given.

Somehow, I need to find out that woman's secrets, especially how she does things that are flat out impossible, Lelouch thought sitting up in bed.

Looking around Lelouch saw the bag he had previously put away his clothes in on the chair of his desk. Seeing the sun was rising as the light of dawn began shining through his window, Lelouch got up to clean up and change. He didn't want anyone to see him in the uniform he had and ask unwanted questions, knowing even if he answered truthfully no one would believe him.

Not that he could blame them if he did try telling anyone who had happened to him.

Dressed in a fresh set of clothes, Lelouch went to the dining room, where he found his younger sister Nunnally sitting at the head of the table in her electric wheelchair. She was able to confidently move herself around their living area thanks to her familiarity of where they lived. Unlike her older brother, the thirteen-year-old girl had long wavy sandy brown hair. Her eyes were the same as Lelouch's, but remained close as a result of her blindness due to the horrific trauma of the same incident that left her paralyzed from the waist down.

The day their mother was murdered, she had died protecting Nunnally. Then instead of doing something, like finding those responsible, their father the Britannian Emperor did nothing. Instead he banished them to a foreign nation to be used as political hostages when Lelouch confronted him on the matter. Then they were flat out abandoned to die when Britannia invaded months later, likely expecting them to die and provide a better justification for the invasion.

Seeing his sister reminded him of the injustices they suffered and was a driving force behind Lelouch's desire for vengeance.

"Brother, is that you?" Nunnally asked, seemingly aware of her brother's presence.

"I am here Nunnally, and good morning," Lelouch said, warmly greeting his sister.

"I am glad you are home brother, you worried me last night when you didn't return on time," Nunnally with an expression of worry.

Lelouch joined her at the table, "I am sorry Nunnally. Something unexpected came up, but it…worked out."

He regretted not being honest with Nunnally, but Lelouch knew telling her what he had been actually doing could cause her to panic. It was the last thing he wanted to do to her after all she had been through as a child.

"Were you challenged again?"

"Yes, but this time my opponent was tougher, but I prevailed in the end. Not to mention I got quite the prize for it."

Nunnally looked at her brother with a mixture of worry and disapproval, she didn't like her brother's habit of taking part in these underground chess tournaments. However, her brother was too prideful to get a part time job, and there were risks of their own to just even trying to apply for one since every place conducted a background check which could be risky for him.

She wished her brother didn't have to gamble, but had to reluctantly acknowledge it allowed her brother and by extension her a secure source of income. Nunnally didn't like it, but they had no other alternatives.

"I see, but please be careful brother," Nunnally said, hoping at least he would be cautious with those he challenged.

"Don't worry Nunnally, I always make sure I don't bite off more than I can chew. I know there are people who never take losing well," Lelouch said reassuringly to his sister.

"Ok, as long as you are careful."

Don't worry Nunnally I will be, Lelouch thought, but he held back from saying any more.

The last thing he wanted to do was to make Nunnally worry needlessly. Hearing about him fighting a dangerous alien race would be the last thing she wanted to hear. He didn't feel good about withholding such information, but Lelouch knew it was for the best. Yet seeing her only made Lelouch resolute in his decision to follow the path before him. He had plans for achieving revenge against the
Empire that abandoned him and Nunnally, and the father, ruling it, who casted them aside to die in a foreign land.

The world needs to change, so Nunnally can find happiness, Britannia's way of life that the strong dominate the weak has to be destroyed with the rest of it, Lelouch thought.

Formed from the beaten remains of the British Empire, chased from their homeland of the British Isles, the Holy Britannia Empire grew into a world superpower after rebuilding itself among its colonies on the American Continuant before eventually bringing the entire continent under their rule as a new empire. They continued aggressively expanding, seeing this as a defensive act, determined to not allow a repeat of their near destruction in Britain from happening again.

However, when Charles Darwin's theories of evolution came into play, they took hold in Britannia using it to justify their aggressive expansion while treating all who weren't Britannian as lower class citizens for them to rule over and discriminate. The Royal Family was not exempt from this, in fact, those who ascended to the throne were usually the last heir left standing while other contenders for the throne died under suspicious circumstances ensuring the worthiest heir ascended the throne.

Either that or they had to fight to hold onto the throne for all the time they had the throne. Which would explain why Britannia had such a large number of Emperors and Empresses for a country barely 200 years old. Because the slightest weakness, real or perceived, could prove fatal.

It was such a world he grew up in that claimed his mother's life, a commoner by birth who rose to become the youngest Knight of the Round, the most elite of soldiers who directly serve the Emperor before becoming one of his many consorts.

The other Imperial Consorts likely envied her because of her commoner status, Lelouch thought, suspecting they were potentially involved in her demise. Not to mention his mother, Marianne, was known to have picked fights with the other consorts.

Lelouch and Nunnally only survived because his mother's old allies, the Ashford Family, was willing to shelter them, but only to serve as liability insurance since the death of Marianne. A series of unfortunate events combined with their patron's death caused them to be cast out of the nobility, losing much of their status and wealth. But they still had some resources and old connections that allowed them to retain some wealth and prestige even if it was all a far cry from what they once had. Using those connections the siblings were given new identities while their old identities were declared dead.

Our lack of value kept the Ashfords from exploiting us, but how long can that last? If anyone finds out we are alive we'll end up assassinated as a potential contender for the throne or used as tools of royal ambition that could get us killed, Lelouch thought. It was this knowledge that had him accept Claude and Yuuhi's offers.

Because even among allies, enemies can be found readily enough. Such was the Britannian way of life.

Therefore, Lelouch knew, even if he began his plans of retribution against Britannia, or not he would need to keep Nunnally safe and remake the world so she wouldn't have to hide in fear.

Even if I don't have full control I can still turn this to my advantage given time, and this will be my best shot to make my goals a reality faster than I could've on my own, Lelouch thought, and if something did go wrong he had another place with people Nunnally could interact with to move her to if the situation demanded it.

---

Meanwhile back on the other Earth, Kazusa was sitting on a bench in the indoor gym of the base, she had just completed her usual workout wearing a white towel draped over her neck, a sleeveless black top and matching gym pants with sneakers, and a water bottle in one hand.

Since all of her clothes were either still at her home in Kyoto, which she didn't even know if it was still standing or not, or at her academy dorm, which she knew had been the scene of fierce combat and had since become a field command post and forward medical station, and thus why she was dressed in the clothes she wore.

Only her underwear, socks, and shoes currently fitted her. The current attire was a smidge too small. Allowing a band of skin between the bottom of her top and the top of her shorts to be visible and cling to her. Her shorts were riding higher than they should, but at least it wasn't uncomfortable, but she had noticed the outlines it was making of her body as she was dressed.

That only added to her frustrations.

Which was another reason why was in the gym. Kazusa was working off some of her frustrations. Chief among those were not only was she denied a chance to question Yui, but it seemed Lelouch was also unavailable, which wasn't surprising given his physical condition and weary state after an all-night battle.

Though, even she needed to rest and get some sleep. They all did. But whereas they were able to rest and refresh in a few hours, Lelouch was reportedly out cold. The medical staff had checked him and found him still completely asleep, just exhausted, but nothing dangerous.

Someone like Lelouch could not have piloted a TSF with barely any training. It was one thing to hear it said, but another to believe it. More shocking was the fact that Yui had trained Lelouch herself, while deducing the Coupling System, if it worked as she was told, likely transferred Yui's piloting experience to Lelouch accelerating his training through multiple uses.

She would've had to spend days at a time with him, and yet, Kazusa thought, unable to find any moments for Yui to have been able to teach Lelouch without them knowing.

The entire situation was unbelievable, making Kazusa want answers.

"Mind if I sit with you," Shimako asked, shaking Kazusa from her thoughts.

Kazusa had been in such deep thought, she didn't notice Shimako approaching. Like the former she had gone to the base's gym to work out as part of her daily routine. She wore a white T-shirt, which had stains from perspiration, and black form fitting gym shorts with a water bottle of her own in one hand.

And like Kazusa, the outfit was of the wrong size. Though in Shimako's case, the shorts were a little larger, requiring a band to help keep them in place and up and the legs to be tied off. The shirt was notably a size too small, leading to Shimako to be cautious of who was around.

Something telling of priorities right now. As troops were transitioning through the base heading for the front. A mix of UN units and Americans were the most common. The bulk of the Japanese units already in battle… or destroyed.

"Oh not at all," Kazusa said quickly, giving herself a mental shake before she could go down that morbid lane, though she was surprised she didn't notice Shimako coming.

"Thank you," Shimako said, joining Kazusa by sitting next to her on her right.

After a moment of silence Shimako spoke.

"I think Yui is hiding something."

"I agree. You've known her longer than the rest of us do you have any idea what it is?"

"Yes we've known each other since we were kids," Shimako confirmed with a nod, while smiling as she recalled some pleasant memories. " But I don't know what she's hiding."

"She is afraid of telling us," Kazusa said, having sensed some kind of reluctance.

Now that I think about it, Kazusa thought back to their escape to Kyoto; Lelouch and Yui were clearly expecting those Laser-class to attack them. Did they somehow know what was going to happen, if so how?

"I can't help, but feel they knew exactly what was going to happen that night," Shimako said, having reached a similar conclusion. "Remember how she reacted upon seeing us at the base following her meeting with the commander, where we met Lelouch?"

"Yes, that's right," Kazusa said, which only cemented her suspicions

"Did…did something happen to us? I know it sounds crazy, but what if she knew what was going to happen?"

"Considering how she reacted right before we met Lelouch," Kazusa began, but she did acknowledge the thought sounded crazy, but if Yui somehow did know what was going to happen did that mean something happened to them?

It should be impossible, but Kazusa couldn't think of any other explanation to understand Lelouch and Yui's advance knowledge of events.

"If something did happen to us, maybe that could be why Yui could be scared. Assuming my suspicions are right," Shimako said, doubtful of her own suspicions, but given the evidence before them.

"You're right. There is just no other way to explain it, no matter how impossible it sounds. We'll only know for sure unless we can talk to Yui," Kazusa said, more resolute in talking to their friend.

---

Around the same time Yui was in her room. She was avoiding Izumi, Aki, Kazusa and Shimako, because she knew they would seek to question her about Lelouch and other things. As much as she wanted to tell them, she just couldn't do it. Because how could she even explain it, where would she begin?

How do I tell them they all died, Yui thought, replaying the memories of their deaths to play in her mind.

Yui feared they wouldn't believe her, not that she could blame them, but she was certain Kazusa was suspicious, given how observant she tended to be.

I can hide from them as long as I want, not long enough either, but I know sooner or later I'll have to tell them, Yui thought, thinking she might have to prepare for the day she must tell them the truth.

Thinking back on it now, Yui also understood another truth she didn't fully understand until now, a memory of her uncle expressing sadness over someone as young as her going to the front. At the time she just brushed it off as concern for her safety, which wasn't unreasonable yet it was different from her mother who had nothing but pride for her going off to fight.

I am sorry uncle, I didn't understand your sadness then, but you knew what horrors would await me against the BETA. How many friends did you lose I wonder?

---

Hours later as night time came, Lelouch returned to his room after wishing his sister good night. Lelouch changed back into the uniform he had received before going to sleep as instructed by Claude. Closing his eyes it wasn't long before he drifted into slumber.

Lelouch didn't know how long he slept, but an alarm woke up.

Waking up, and feeling fully rested, Lelouch sat up in bed. He found himself in his room back at the Fukushima Military Base. Getting out of bed, Lelouch saw the time was just after four a.m. Turning on the lights Lelouch saw a pink note and a fresh set of clothes set out on top of the desk for him, given the hearts decorating the card it was likely from Claude.

Sighing, Lelouch picked up the card to read it.

"Dear Lelouch, in thirty minutes you'll be met by someone who will take you to join other new recruits for basic training under your new instructor. Be sure to change and get ready by then, good luck, Claude! P.S. - There are a number of good songs to choose from to describe what you're about to go through. But I left a couple and I highly recommend them."

As much as Lelouch was not looking forward to basic training, but if such pain was needed for him to get what he needed to bring down Britannia then he was prepared to pay for it with blood, sweat and tears. But arrogantly Lelouch had no idea what he was truly in for, though intellectually he wondered how different it would ultimately be?

Doing as instructed Lelouch changed, now wearing a pair of black and gray battle dress uniform pants, black military boots and a black sleeveless form-fitting shirt. Lelouch also noticed he was given his own dog tags, so he put those on as well too. Lelouch was ready with time to spare, which allowed him to use the small facilities and get rid of the smell he realized he had too, when a knock came at his door, which Lelouch promptly opened to find Marimo on the other side, dressed in dark green and brown battle dress pants, boots and a black tank top.

Behind her was Mana and beside her was another woman, she seemed younger than Marimo with short auburn hair, matching eyes dressed in the same manner as Marimo. Unlike Marimo who looked at Lelouch with considerable disapproval in her eyes, the woman was shocked by how skinny Lelouch was.

"I am glad you are very prompt Cadet Lamperouge, but despite your impressive accomplishments in Kyoto, you will be under my care from this moment on, and don't think it means you'll get special treatment from me. In fact seeing your physical condition I'll be giving you my personal attention," Marimo said professionally, yet she conveyed an air of intimidation.

"I understand," Lelouch said politely, but he was silently defiant, something Marimo seemed to notice in his eyes.

Without a change in her expression or tone, Marimo continued.

"Since most of the cadets given to me to train for the new Minamoto models are all female, they'll be sleeping in their own barracks. You'll have to sleep in your own room separate from them for obvious reasons. That being said, my assistant to get you all trained and in shape will be a former student of mine, Lieutenant Michiru Isumi. She'll be fetching you every morning so I can awaken the others on time, or we might switch."

Michiru nodded her head in a silent sign of consent while remaining a professional expression.

"If you expect to lead our soldiers then you need to not only go through the same training as them, but earn their respect. So expect me to be especially hard on you," Marimo said with a steely gaze.

"I understand," Lelouch said, trying to mentally prepare himself.

"Very well, follow me so you can be introduced to your fellow cadets who will be training with you," Marimo said, beckoning Lelouch to follow her.

Mana and Michiru followed close behind and after some twists and turns the two took an elevator before exiting the base. They had exited into a training yard, as the base housed the needed facilities for training new recruits on site, to serve not only as TSF pilots, but also test pilots for new weapons and technologies. The field was wide with an obstacle course on one side, and a pair of buildings on another, which Lelouch assumed were the barracks the cadets were staying at.

Ahead of them, Lelouch saw a group of young girls, most were around his age. One of them seemed older compared to the others, but one of them noticed Marimo approaching, she acted quickly.

The woman was wearing the same BDU pants, black form fitting top with no sleeves, and boots. She appeared to be around Lelouch's age, with short spiky blonde hair and red eyes.

"Company, ten-hut!" The blonde haired woman shouted.

Whatever conversations they had been having ended as the new recruits quickly formed a single line before standing perfectly at attention. Lelouch was silently instructed by Michiru to join the line up while Marimo approached the maroon haired woman who saluted her.

"The squad is formed ma'am," The woman said as Marimo returned the salute, prompting the maroon haired woman to rejoin the line of cadets.

"Well done, rejoin the line up Cadet Minori," Marimo instructed.

"Ma'am," Asagi Minori said with a salute before joining everyone else.

"My name is Sergeant Marimo Jinguuji, my task is to get you all into shape and prepared to pilot Tactical Surface Fighters for the battle against the BETA!" Marimo began addressing the group of nine other cadets plus Lelouch. "Let me be clear about one thing, I will push you to be the best I can make you. I will not hesitate to do what I must, so consider this your only warning. Perform well we won't have a problem, but perform poorly and you will get my personal attention, which none would want. If anyone has any stupid ideas about our fight against the BETA or shows signs of being a cocky shit I will make you regret it. Do you understand me!"

"We understand ma'am!" Everyone said together.

"Good, Lieutenant Michiru Isumi shall be assisting me, and I expect all of you to show them the same respect and willingness to follow orders as would me. You have been chosen to pilot experimental new weapons, so I've been instructed to turn you all into capable pilots by the end of the month. So let's begin, I want to see just how tough all of you are. We will be running ten kilometers, beginning now," Marimo said with a seriousness in her voice. "If any of you falls behind Cadet Lamperouge on the end there, I will not only shock you, but put you through the physical workout of your lives! His physical fitness is woefully pathetic, but unlike the rest of you he actually has combat experience against the BETA and survived."

Lelouch said nothing, but something she said about shocking someone worried him.

"But don't assume I'll be giving him any less special treatment, because I'll be shocking him if he stops running," Marimo said as Mana brought out what appeared to be an electric cattle prod. "Don't worry the voltage is low enough to avoid serious injury, but it will be enough to hurt, a lot, just the same. Maybe a little fear will push Cadet Lamperouge to perform better."

Lelouch's face paled, but he kept his mouth shut fearful Marimo would actually shock him to make an example of him. However, someone would do it instead, and prove his fears correct.

"But that is barbaric!"

"Who said that," Marimo snapped. "Step forward and identify yourself."

In the corner of his eye Lelouch saw a cadet boldly step forward, she was as old as Yui was with long dark blue hair, and antique fuchsia, dressed in the same attire as the other cadets.

"Cadet Yuzuka Sendou, ma'am."

"I see," Marimo said before calmly approaching the young girl, but once she was close enough Marimo punched Yuzuka in the stomach.

No one saw it coming, and Yuzuka's eyes went wide in pain with tears, before she dropped to her knees clutching her stomach coughing, unable to voice her pain, but Marimo wasn't done.

"First warning, never speak out of turn. You ask for permission to speak first," Marimo harshly scolded before shocking Yuzuka with the cattle prod causing her to collapse onto the ground in further pain, causing the teenage girl to cry out in agony. "And second, there are instructors much harsher than me if you think I am bad. Eight minutes is the life expectancy of a pilot fighting the BETA. They make idiots like you panic and wet your pants and that panicking will get you killed. If you can't handle a little pain, or least of all me, then you won't even last five minutes against the BETA."

Lelouch kept silent, knowing he couldn't do anything about it, but he was outraged by Marimo's treatment of Yuzuka. Even if this was somehow acceptable training practices, Lelouch didn't agree with them.

I know survival against the BETA is slim, but this is going too far, Lelouch thought before he deduced something based on Marimo's words. Did she lose someone herself?

"None of you have anything else to say," Marimo said, daring the others to say something. No one said anything as Yuzuka was still on the ground in pain, trying to recover.

"Get up Cadet Sendou," Marimo said, grabbing Yuzuka by the arm and forcing her back onto her feet, which she barely managed even as her legs were shaking. "All of you start running!"

'Told you one of those songs will cover this for you,' Lelouch heard Claude's voice like a breeze whispering in his ear and he really didn't want to know.

Everyone started running as Michiru started running to follow them, meanwhile as Lelouch was about to run he noticed Yuzuka was having trouble trying to run as the shock and hit to the stomach had taken the wind out of her. Marimo glared at the woman and was likely going to shock her again until.

"I can carry you," Lelouch said approaching, causing Yuzuka to look at him in surprise.

To Marimo's surprise and even to that of an onlooking Mana, Lelouch ran back and offered to carry Yuzuka on her back, so she could be given time to recover.

"You can't," Yuzuka said as she struggled to even walk.

"Do you want her to shock you again?"

Yuzuka looked back at Marimo who held the cattle prod in a threatening manner. Realizing she was going to be facing her wrath, reluctantly accepted Lelouch's offer. Marimo did nothing to stop him. While surprised by Lelouch's action she knew he was just making things harder for himself, but believed this could be more of a benefit to him.

Running ten kilometers while carrying a girl on his back, well that will help put some muscle on him for sure, Marimo thought.

Once Lelouch had Yuzuka on his back he started running. His fear of Marimo and that cattle prod pushed his body, even as his muscles began screaming, to force his weak body to keep going. Marimo didn't have to run much to keep up with them, and she already knew Lelouch wasn't likely to catch up even without Yuzuka on his back.

Still she was troubled if this didn't push his physical fitness to develop.

However, whenever Lelouch showed signs of showing down she brought the cattle prod close to his head, which hearing the electric sounds spooked Lelouch enough to keep going. Despite his odds Lelouch managed to make it one lap around the track, but everyone else was on their fifth lap passing Lelouch. Some were surprised there was a boy in their training group, even more so at how despite looking ready to drop he forced his exhausted body while carrying Yuzuka on his back.

---

Watching him, and surprised by his act of aiding Yuzuka despite being a complete stranger, Mana remembered something Claude said about Lelouch.

"No matter how old and aloof he acts, Lelouch will step in and help others. He won't ask for a reward or praise, treating the whole thing as mundane. He does so believing people should help when others are in trouble, and is disgusted with those who rather just sit back and do nothing," Claude said, actually appearing behind Mana causing the woman to snap to full alertness as she turned around to face the smirking woman. "He has that chronic hero syndrome trope pretty bad, even if he wouldn't admit it. Same thing with "Always save the girl," but that one will bite him in the ass if he isn't careful."

"You, how?" Mana snapped, angry someone had managed to get that close to her without her knowing.
Ignoring her, Claude continued.

"It was for these reasons I picked Yui to be his partner, her plight and the desire to save her friends I knew would appeal to Lelouch because of his willingness to help others and he can't ignore a girl in need especially, because of his sister's influence. Not to mention the temptation of access to technology to put him above Britannia and more were additional incentives, just as I hoped," Claude said grinning deviously.

"So you manipulated him?"

"A little," Claude admitted. "Besides, it's his chronic hero syndrome trait that actually set events in motion causing him to become Zero, and ultimately bring about Britannia's downfall as it was and Japan's liberation even if his intentions...weren't so selfless in the beginning. So there was no reason I couldn't appeal to it myself to get him to agree to play my game and help you lot in the process."

Mana glared at her, while Claude was amused by it.

Truth be told, Mana didn't like Claude, aside from her admitted manipulations of a sixteen-year-old boy and her lack of respect towards the Shogun. But she also managed to unnerve Mana at the same time, being able to sneak up on someone not only trained as a ninja, but also a skilled infiltrator, so no one should be able to sneak up on her without being noticed. Claude being able to do so easily disturbed Mana, along with Claude's ability to seemingly appear anywhere at will, no doubt having access to technology surpassing what their world has.

As much of a carefree and seemingly lazy tease she could be, Mana was instinctively on guard around Claude, suspecting she was far more dangerous than her appearance and attitude suggested otherwise.

---

Later that day, Yuzuka had recovered enough so she spoke up to the boy who helped her.

"Uh, could you put me down, I think I can run now," Yuzuka said, aware that trying to carry her and stay ahead of Marimo and her cattle prod must've been hard on Lelouch's body.

"You can put her down," Marimo said, overhearing Yuzuka's request, allowing Lelouch to stop long enough to allow Yuzuka get back on her own feet.

"Thank you for your help," Yuzuka said, thankful for Lelouch. "Uh…"

"Lelouch, Lelouch Lamperouge," Lelouch managed between deep breaths, his body drenched in sweat.

"Yuzuka Sendou," Yuzuka said, returning the introduction.

"Alright, you're done with introductions, back to it," Marimo said holding up the cattle prod prompting the pair to start running, and Yuzuka being in far better physical fitness managed to get far ahead of Lelouch.

Lelouch managed to run a little faster now that he was no longer carrying Yuzuka, but he couldn't help but wonder how he was still managing to keep going despite knowing too well that in the past he could barely run a lap.

Wait, are there still some lingering effects from the stimulates in my body? No that can't be, Lelouch thought as his mind tried to explain how he was able to keep going.

Suddenly Lelouch felt a sharp pain in his lower back causing him to jump in shock and pain, releasing an anguished howl.

Marimo was surprised too, but unlike Lelouch she saw what caused him to cry out in pain.

"Ta-da," Claude announced, approaching riding an electric Segway colored in pink, while holding a dart gun in one hand. "Don't worry Lelouch I got you, this potent endurance and muscle boosting supplement will help you. It's all natural and it encourages muscle and endurance growth."

"You SHOT ME!" Lelouch snapped, pulling out the dart that had been stuck in his back.

"Because I care," Claude said with a big smile. "Besides without regular injections it could take you months to get where they want you to be, and I don't think you would've survived that long."

"Regular injections," Lelouch inquired, not that he was afraid of shots, but it was really the person offering that he was concerned about.

"Uh-huh," Claude said before smiling as she put away the dart gun. "You should be noticing a change right about now."

Lelouch did notice as he was starting to run faster and his previous exhaustion was gone as he began pulling away from Marimo, much to the latter's surprise.

"I trust you'll be giving him those injections every morning?" Marimo questioned.

"Of course, did you want to shoot him in the back too?" Claude offered jokingly.

"No," Marimo said bluntly. "It will be a normal injection."

"Oh," Claude replied, sounding disappointed. "I thought you'd be fine with shooting him."

"I am no sadist, I am simply doing my job to prepare these kids for hell," Marimo answered coldly before running faster to catch up to Lelouch.

"She's no fun," Claude said with a huff.

Despite the odds and thanks to Claude's injection, Lelouch was able to complete his ten kilometer run, although he was the last to finish, the fact he was able to finish at all was a miracle. It was mid-afternoon and everyone else had long finished the run, however Marimo approached him as Lelouch leaned against a lamppost.

"I actually didn't expect you to finish without collapsing," Marimo complimented, even if her expression was stone faced.

"Thank you, ma'am," Lelouch barely managed in between breaths.

"Now it is getting late and we're not done yet," Marimo said before noticing Michiru approaching. "Lieutenant, I'll leave Cadet Lamperouge in your hands to continue physical fitness, but tomorrow I'll be expecting him to keep up with everyone else once Miss Triello gives him an injection in the morning. I'll be checking on the others."

"Yes, ma'am," Michiru said with a salute, which Marimo returned before she left.

Once Marimo was well out of earshot, Michiru sighed.

"You dodged a bullet with her, she was a lot more brutal and uncompromising with us when we were trained by her."

"Really," Lelouch inquired, taking advantage of the chance to regain as much strength as he could.

"What you saw her do to Cadet Sendou paled what she did to a friend of ours," Michiru warned ominously. "But, I have to acknowledge she has her reasons for it. I think having engaged the BETA in battle, you've gotten a glimpse of it haven't you?"

"She lost someone didn't she?"

Michiru nodded.

"Yes, I found out later she was assigned to the Japanese Expeditionary Force that was sent to Dalian, China. She was made squadron leader and many of her fellow classmates from training made up her squad," Michiru said before continuing the story. "However a surprise BETA attack wiped out the rear guard leaving Marimo and her squad completely surrounded. She barely survived but many of her friends and squad members didn't."

Lelouch was quiet, but he couldn't help but think of how Yui was when they met first, fresh out of Kyoto having lost her friends.

"She felt the weight of their losses, because as squadron leader she felt responsible for their lives. Marimo would fight recklessly in the following battles trying to avenge them while I think some part of her was feeling suicidal wanting to join them. Instead she kept surviving those battles until she was transferred to become an instructor."

"Now she instills her students in a way to prepare them for the horrors of facing the BETA?"

"Yes. Although I didn't agree with her methods, after getting command of my own squadron and finding myself in her position, I understood why she was so harsh," Michiru admitted, and Lelouch recognized what she meant. She commanded a squad of her own, then something happened that caused most of those under her command to end up dead.

"I see," Lelouch said, but his tone suggested to Michiru that he understood the meaning she was conveying.

"Which is why I think she'll be a lot harder on you than the others. You want to be a leader to command others don't you? Well I think she intends to instill on you the responsibility of the lives of those who serve under a leader leading soldiers to battle."

"I understand."

"Good, now come on, you still have training ahead of you."

Lelouch said nothing further, but he willed his body forward.

No matter if this is what it took to gain what he needed to bring Britannia down and remake his world into something better, then he would endure whatever Marimo threw at him.

But quietly, deep inside of him, burned the need to help those living in their own personal hell, be free from it.

Claude smirked, "You're not alive unless you're actually dying," she sang before quietly disappearing as she did so.

"Now… When will you tell others it isn't a good day to die?"

With those words echoing in his mind, an exhausted Lelouch followed Michiru into a nearby building; it was mostly empty, but it had rows of tables upon it. They were left bare, but one spot, likely reserved for him, had parts of what appeared to be an assault rifle; it wasn't a model he had seen before but Lelouch was guessing based on its size and magazine. Nearby were parts for a pistol, which made it easy for Lelouch to understand what the next test was.

"Just because you'll be piloting a machine doesn't mean training on firearms and hand to hand combat will be ignored. After all there might be times you might be caught outside your machine in a dangerous situation.

"I suppose that is true," Lelouch began, but paused when a knife suddenly embedded itself causing him to reflexively move back.

"Try not to sound so lazy, I'll take it as a sign you are taking this seriously. And yes you'll be taught how to use a knife in a fight. However, given your woeful lack of physical ability we're going to how off on close quarters combat and knife training for now," Michiru said, before pulling her knife off the table's surface.

I barely saw her draw it out, Lelouch thought, as the display left him sweating a little.

"Now show me how much you know about firearms, can you assemble one?"

Lelouch would've said no, but under Michiru's steely gaze Lelouch decided to attempt it. However, he found, almost knowingly despite never having done it before, he knew exactly what to do. Marimo seemed surprised watching Lelouch assemble the weapon, as if he had done it before. It wasn't long before Lelouch assembled the handgun as well, surprising Marimo even more so.

"I wasn't aware you handled a firearm before, but not bad. You just beat all of your fellow cadets," Michiru said, checking her stopwatch.

The only explanation is that I must've inherited Yui's training she was given, not just her experience in piloting, Lelouch thought, deducing his unexpected knowledge of handling a weapon.

"Thank you ma'am," Lelouch said.

"Lieutenant, take care of the cadets, I'll handle his next training," Marimo said, approaching causing Lelouch's blood to run cold.

"Yes ma'am, Cadet Lamperouge completed his assignment in a impressively timely manner," Michiru said, saluting.

"Very good to hear, you are dismissed," Marimo said, as Michiru left.

"Normally we would have you work on the study of tactics at this point. However, given what I've heard of being a natural with tactical planning we'll skip it for the first few days for you.. But I believe you need more of a workout, otherwise you'll never come close to the fitness of your fellow pilots," Marimo said, as her words sent a chill down his spine. "You have a lot of work ahead of you, so follow me."

Lelouch could do nothing but follow, because he knew to say no or to fall behind would just result in more pain.

This time Lelouch was led to a gym, where he was instructed to work on lifting weights, but his body hadn't had time to recover from the long run he had endured in the morning. Being lead to a mat, Marimo pointed to it.

"Get on that mat and give me thirty push ups," Marimo commanded.

Lelouch did as instructed, not wanting to get shocked, but his body was barely moving. Yet someone he hadn't collapsed yet, it seemed whatever injection Claude gave him was helping him. But only just as, since Lelouch recognized he'll need more injections to properly adapt and get the most out of them.

After Lelouch performed his first two push ups, which took about three minutes due to how exhausted his body was, Marimo shocked him with the cattle prod. Lelouch howled out in pain before he felt Marimo's knee on his back, holding him down. Marimo knelt down close to Lelouch's ear to whisper something into him.

"Just know I take no pleasure from this, but you haven't seen the horrors of the battles against the BETA. You had a highly advanced piece of hardware to make it easy for you, or maybe I should say you've never fought against them using what the rest of us had where eight minutes is the life expectancy against the BETA," Marimo said, although her voice sounded menacing there was something else.

Lelouch said nothing, knowing that talking back would result in another shock or something worse, forcing him to hold back his anger.

But Marimo noticed the rage in Lelouch's eyes.

"Good to know you are smart enough to not lash out. If you have the strength to do that, then you certainly have the strength to do more. Now get moving!"

The verbal abuse pressed him more, made him comply with orders much to his wounded pride. Already, he thought himself thrown for a loop despite the warnings about his extreme lack of fitness. He would probably be dead before the end of the month, or even the day. But if he survived Marimo's training, then perhaps it could be worth it in the end.

---

A/N: You know Jameyofthemegacosmos, as a fun fact, is among those who would like to see Marimo apart of Lelouch's polygamous relationships, considering the hell he is no doubt being put through I admit I am curious on how such a relationship would happen between them, but its good to remember she has some serious competition.

Anyway you've met two people who will be apart of Lelouch's squad, Yuzuka Sendou, and Asagi Minori, both are from Muv Luv Alternative the Day After, which was a hard decision to use them since I am being VERY cautions on the number of women surrounding Lelouch since most female characters are potential love interests who could potentially join with Lelouch in a polygamous relationship, which as a reminder nothing of the sort will happen until Lelouch and Yui are officially a couple in every way (They are my main focus before anyone else).

And there is HOW for it best to happen and getting Lelouch and Yui to be okay with it, I got some ideas, but its one of those I must wait and see where the story stands at that point especially after Yui and Lelouch are more romantically involved.

As for the rest of the squad to be, you'll see them in the next chapter.

I wanted to do more of Lelouch's training for this chapter, but I didn't want to drag it out too much especially given that Lelouch can't fight his way out of a paper bag at this point, so I focused on giving just enough to show what Marimo intends for him. And tactics are taught in basic training in Muv Luv, and we all know Lelouch would be the top of his class for that one, but its everything else he'll have trouble on.

Thankfully Claude is helping him, in his own way.

And there is some reveal on how Yui was brought into the past after training with Lelouch in the early chapters, and she did have another motive for what she did.

And lastly there is Lelouch going back to his world while he sleeps in the Muv Luv world, which was a move I was worried about but none of the betas seemed to oppose it and its well within Claude's abilities, BUT this only last while Lelouch is on the Muv Luv world. This was to keep people on the CG world from wondering where Lelouch is, and to provide an easy way for me to introduce some of the Code Geass characters more easily and at my leisure like Nunnally.

Speaking of Code Geass, I did decide to move the "everyone else" polygamy candidate poll for Lelouch to my profile page, while it has the objective of narrowing down candidates for Lelouch's polygamy relationships (the limit is seven-nine as a reminder), I am worried about character bloat and there are just too many candidates so I am trying to narrow it down to a smaller number, and these choices were considered and debated by me and the other betas, but there are too many.

However, the poll serves another purpose in deciding if series like Gun x Sword, Aldnoah Zero, Darling in the Franxx, Valvrave the Liberator, and especially Full Metal Panic since its at risk of being cut completely, partly because no way in easily introducing it without too many hoops to jump through. So the higher they are, at least making it to the top twenty might ensure they stay in, but not assured yet it will convince me to work harder to keep them in. I am allowing fourteen votes on this poll only because I KNOW Code Geass characters will get the most votes, but keep in mind I will only pick one or two from those that score the highest and ignore the rest.

For the Infinite Stratos folks, it has been deemed Lelouch will a few IS user for his side so if any of them at least make it to the top twenty they might tag along with Lelouch's group.

So the poll is a way for me to kill two birds with one poll in this case.

As for the other two polls to narrow down the love interest candidates for Lelouch who will form a polygamous relationship with, the Muv Luv candidates (because there are enough candidates for their own poll), are located in my Code Geass Crossover R&D fanfiction forum under Crossover Chitchat Corner.

For the Gundam character candidates, which is ongoing, is located in the same forum Code Geass Crossover R&D, but under the thread "Super Robot Wars crossover plans" with impressively, Secelia Dote from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury winning, with Shirin Bakhtiar (Gundam 00), Norea Du Noc (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury), Loni Garvey (Gundam Unicorn: she would be a combination of her novel and OVA selves) and Marina Ismail (Gundam 00) all tied for second. I didn't think Shirin would do so well if I am being honest and the same for Norea.

And in third are Dorothy Catalonia (Gundam Wing) and Miorine Rembran (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury), Mirorine being in third place is shocking since I do like the Mirorine and Suletta relationship, and lastly in fourth and fifth are Ingrid Tradoll (Gundam Seed Freedom) and Rena Imelia (Gundam Seed), and Sophie Pulone (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury) and Suletta Mercury (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury) respectively.

As a reminder these polls are just to narrow down the candidates, out of worry for character bloat, but most important especially for characters outside of Muv Luv, Infinite Stratos and Undefeated Bahamut Chronicles, who would be okay in a polygamous relationship with Lelouch? I'll swap out the polls for one of the three aforementioned polls, likely I'll switch back to the Gundam poll and relocate it to my fanfiction.net profile again, but I will eventually put the Muv Luv one on my profile once enough of its cast has been introduced.

But before I leave here are the specs for Shimako's Gundam, which was designed to be the bane against the Laser-class BETA, which are what killed her. I chose a fusion reactor from the Sunrider series, since they are likely more advance, but sadly don't offer much detail on them so my apology for that one. And I do regret not having the artistic skill to draw these Gundams, because I am sure they would've looked awesome or at least I would've liked to be so.

---

Model number: TMP-05X
Code name: Sadamitsu
Unit type: Prototype Psycho-Frame High Speed Assault Mobile Suit
Pilot: Shimako Kai
Manufacturer: Unknown
Operator: Order of the Black Knights, Empire of Japan ("sponsors" of the Black Knights)
First deployment: September 29th 2016 A.T.B
Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 19.3 meters
Weight: 55.1 metric tons
Armor: Gundarium Alloy Ceramic Composite painted with Anti-Beam Coating: Not Gundanium Alloy, but rather something else known as Lunar Titanium Alloy. When the Earth Federation designed the RX-78 series of mobile suits, they also wanted a material that was strong, lightweight and durable for its construction; at that time they did not possess an adequate number of facilities to effect very-large-scale production and maintenance. Titanium isn't considered ideal as it becomes brittle if subjected to large amounts of stress over time as well as being slightly more complicated to work and weld when compared to other alloys like Steel, prompting the engineers to develop a new lightweight alloy that eventually came into being U.C. 0064, known as Luna Titanium.
Introduced in the U.C. 120s following the miniaturization of mobile suits. This material added a ceramic composite material similar to the earlier armor's used on mobile suits during the mid to late UC 0080s and UC 0090s. With the advent of miniaturized mobile suits in the early U.C. 0100s, multiple mass production suits (such as the RGM-109 Heavygun) could be made out of Gundarium for the price of a single mobile suit of an older design. Unfortunately, the hybridization of Gundarium and Ceramic composites degraded the protective qualities of Gundarium. This meant that while mass production mobile suits were armored with Gundarium instead of a cheaper Titanium/Ceramic based composite; they were more vulnerable to physical attacks, whereas the older prototype mobile suits with pure Gundarium armor were almost impervious to attacks that would severely damage or destroy the former.
Powerplant: Ultracompact Fusion Reactor (Sunrider-series model, due to having more advance fusion reactors)

Equipment Design Features:
Sensor: 23,700 Meters
Psycho-Frame: only the Cockpit is laced with Psycho-Frame due to the rarity of said material
Geschmeidig Panzer Energy Deflection Armor: Mounted on the shields, this system utilizes colloid particles to repel and redirect energy beams away from the mobile suit. The particles used are different from those in Mirage Colloid stealth system, but both systems are similar as powerful magnetic fields are needed to hold the particles in place above the armor. This deflection system however seems to be ineffective against close combat beam weapons, as ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam's beam boomerang is able to damage the shields' surface. This system is also used for moving through water and counteracting water pressure.
Coupling System
Magnetic Field Generator: To make the "Hresvelgr" Plasma Induction Cannon- more effective in battle, the two "Eckzahn" railguns are equipped with magnetic field generators. These devices generate a magnetic field between the railguns that can alter the direction of the Hresvelgr's plasma beam, making it difficult for enemies to evade the attack and allowing the beam to hit unsuspecting enemy units.

Fixed Armaments:
60mm Vulcan Guns
2 X Butterfly Buster Bs, Improved and more powerful version of the Mass Produced Butterfly Busters, mounted on the hip section.
1 X "Hresvelgr" Plasma Induction Cannon: Most powerful Beam Weapon and mounted in the Abdomen.
2 X "Eckzahn" 88mm Railguns, each Railgun is mounted on the side Shield for offensive and variable range fire attack.
1 X EEQ7R Extensional Arrestor: A Wire Rocket Anchor quipped with small caliber beam cannons. Additionally, a beam pick can be generated from the muzzle of the beam cannon. The Extensional Arrestor is also connected to the suit's backpack via a cable and can be launched to strike enemy unit tens of meters away. It is a type of hidden weapon and is difficult to master. Mounted on the back Geschmeidig Panzer Shields as a surprise back attack and to use the Wire Rocket Anchor to move better across the environment and make tricky turns.
3 X Geschmeidig Panzer Shields: Unlike most Defensive Systems, the Geschimeidig Panzer Shields are Physical Shields mounted on sidearms with two on the side for offensive penetration and one on the back for extra defense. Only the two Side Shields carry the Hellguns. The Back Shield carries the Extensional Arrestor.
1 X Beam Glaive: An Naginata Beam Weapon, it's main advantage is its length in CQC with the Beam Blade being able to pierce its target's weak spots with pinpoint precision, the shaft itself is made of Gundanium Alloy and can still be used as a hard hitting quarterstaff. It can be retraced and stored away on the back skirt.

Special thanks to Jameyofthemegacosmos, Icysnowsage, Darklord331, silkdreamweaver (chief beta reader and editor) and our Gundam consult and designer Redrat8. Greatkingrat88, and Seerking have also contributed to the development of this story I had begun in-between projects since early last year.

I regret this is another talking chapter, partially, but some important character moments take place, and with the other members of Lelouch's squad being revealed.

This chapter has been edited a LOT, partly because I had to change the ages of the characters introduced, which some was me just taking a guess and praying to god I was right lol, but I did use other characters to narrow down their likely ages and what ranks they had when they appear, etc. And I admit there were some things I was questionable on including at the suggestion of some of my betas, but I decided to go along for this to maybe play up the troll trope for a certain someone. As this something she would no doubt do if she were capable of it outside of what makes the Muv Luv world unique, something that will be touched up on in this chapter, to employ the use of her powers as shown in Sunrider Liberation Day, which can be found on Steam and its prelude game can be downloaded for free last I checked if anyone is curious about the game.

---------------------------------------------------------





The following morning, Lelouch awoke, but before training could begin for the second day Michiru brought Lelouch to a doctor who administered Claude's special supplement. Lelouch preferred it over having it shot into him like yesterday and was more comfortable with an actual professional doing it.

"You know I could've done that," Claude pouted with both hands on her hips.

"Not when you're wearing that!" Lelouch said, pointing to Claude's professional attire.

Claude's attire as a doctor was a revealing, form fitting white nurse outfit decorated with pink hearts, buttons and lining. It left little to the imagination on how much it revealed Claude's voluptuous figure.

"No respectable medical professional would dress like that," Michiru said, agreeing with Lelouch. "Are you really a doctor?"

"Why, yes I am!"

Michiru was of the same mind as Lelouch and Yui, that of highly doubtful. Even if she has the necessary knowledge and skills, her wardrobe, personality and idea of shooting an injection into someone using a dart gun was not part of any proper conduct befitting a doctor.

"Anyway he's finished," Michiru said, who like Lelouch, didn't want to deal with Claude more than necessary, finding the woman irritating.

"Well just be thankful I'll be nice and continue providing supplements every morning from now on," Claude said, offended, but brushed it aside.

Lelouch was just thankful that it was over with, but most importantly, he was happy it wasn't shot into his back this time.

I can't believe I am looking forward to physical exercise, just to get away from Claude, Lelouch thought with a grimace not realizing that Claude was smirking as he left as though she knew exactly what he was thinking.

---

Later that morning Yui was sitting across from her uncle, Eiji Iwaya. The pair were inside his office, seated at the table, having breakfast. Despite Yui's initial warm greeting, Eiji could tell that Yui was clearly troubled.

"What's on your mind Yui?" Eiji asked, catching her off guard.

"It's… nothing," Yui said, after a moment to regain her composure.

Eiji sighed. "You are just like your father, but you don't need to tell me what is going on. You've been avoiding your friends since Kyoto haven't you?

"I…" Yui wanted to offer a counter argument, but the calm and knowing look in her honorary uncle's eyes made her realize no excuse she could offer would convince him otherwise. "I was arrogant."

Eiji seemed surprised, but said nothing.

"I felt proud on the day I would be joining the fight against the BETA, I wanted to help you and our country. I don't regret my decision, but," Yui hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I understand why you seemed less enthusiastic about me when I sought to fight on the frontline. You told me not to be hasty, and yet you and others were praying young girls like me and my friends would never see the frontline."

Eiji sighed, looking at Yui with understanding eyes.

"I was a lot like you before I went into battle against the BETA, but then…I was the sole survivor of my squad. All of them were my friends from the academy and through training," Eiji explained, shocking Yui. "Tragically it's common for fresh and inexperienced TSF pilots to be the sole survivor of their squadrons during their first battle or be wiped out with the rest. There are some skilled and lucky squads that avoid this, but more often than not only one or two out of a squad composed of freshly trained pilots would survive their first battle."

Yui was silent, processing his words as she now understood the truth.

"The problem with surviving is that you end up with the ghosts of everyone you'd ever left behind riding on your shoulders," Eiji stated, before adding with a thin smile. "A quote from Paolo Bacigalupi."

"That feels very true," Yui said sadly.

"Yes, but you had a chance to undo their deaths, something even I wish I could've done. You should be proud of having been successful," Eiji said hopeful, but when he studied the expression on Yui's face, "But the memories of their deaths will never leave you I suppose."

"No, it's not something I'll be able to easily forget," Yui said regretfully as each death was terrible in how it occurred.

"From what I heard about how they met their ends I cannot blame you, but I regret I can't do anything to help you. I can only offer you kind words, if nothing else," Eiji said, his face full of regret that his niece had to endure such horror.

"Thank you uncle," Yui said, accepting her uncle's kind words with a small, yet genuine smile. He knew as well as she did that there was no way she could banish the trauma she suffered from that day.

All she could do was endure and find a way to move beyond it.

Following the competition of morning exercise and training, Lelouch was eating lunch in the cafeteria. He was exhausted from morning exercises, but unlike yesterday and thanks largely to Claude's supplements injected into him, Lelouch was barely able to finish, narrowly staying ahead of Marimo and her cattle prod.

As much as Claude got on his nerves, to put it kindly, he couldn't deny how effective her supplements were.

Lelouch was expecting to eat alone, but his actions from yesterday and the fact he held his own against the BETA in Kyoto all night had drawn a few people to his table. Yuzuka was among them, and a few more as Lelouch spoke to them.

"I apologize again for causing you such an inconvenience," Yuzuka said regretfully, sitting to Lelouch's right.

"Please Yuzuka, it was my choice to help you. There is no need to apologize again," Lelouch replied. Although he didn't mind her humility he felt she was feeling much more guilt than she really should.

"You guys should be thankful Sergeant Jinguuji didn't decide to punish you both," A young woman warned. She was five years older than Lelouch with long maroon hair tied in a ponytail with two small side-tails and matching eyes. She was dressed in similar attire as Yuzuka and sat across from Lelouch. "If you thought that was brutal, she was a lot worse with me and my friends."

Her name was Tsukiko Fujisawa and from what Lelouch had gathered she was a former TSF pilot who had left the military sometime following the completion of basic training. Lelouch didn't know why, but given how she was older than the other cadets and she was more than familiar with Marimo's training methods, it did confirm she had been under Marimo's tutelage in the past.

"Really," Yuzuka asked, nervously as Tsukiko swiftly finished eating her rice and fruit salad.

"Yup," Tsukiko replied after swallowing. "I was in the same training group as Michiru was."

"And now you are back under her again?"

Tsukiko was silent looking down at her plate. Clearly Yuzuka had unknowingly touched a bad memory and it would explain why she left the military.

"Say Lelouch, was it," a new voice interjected. "How did you end up piloting such a powerful machine and gaining non-heredity status with the Royal Guard?"

The girl was around Lelouch's age, with long dark pink hair, some tied into a pair of small thin braids around her face, and green eyes. She was sitting to Lelouch's left trying to eat a fruit salad.

"It's an unbelievable story. Haruka is your name right?" Lelouch asked, while he gave a nod of recognition for a much-needed change of subject.

"Yes, my name is Haruka Suzumiya." Haruka said, providing a proper introduction.

"There are still some questions I have behind my selection, but I know the one behind it was Claude Trello."

"Claude Trello?" Haruka inquired, curious and surprised. "I've heard that name before. The doctors who restored my legs mentioned her as the one who gave Japan the technology. They are hoping if I successfully make it through training again, they can use it on those who had to leave active service as a TSF pilot to try and get more experienced pilots back out onto the field."

So Claude gave Japan advanced medical technology to regrow missing limbs, Lelouch thought, making both a note of that and wondering what else Claude gave them to ensure they would work with her?

"Training again, so you completed basic training before?" Yuzuka said, realizing she was like Tsukiko, only that Haruka didn't leave the military like Tsukiko did.

"So with the technology that could restore missing limbs, would it allow others who couldn't finish their training to actually finish it? Meaning more pilots for them to recruit," Tsukiko asked. She was surprised to learn she wasn't the only returning cadet.

"Yes, I had to endure physical therapy before they decided I should go through basic training again. To ensure my new legs are strong enough to pilot a TSF, given how physically demanding piloting one can be. I am part of a test group in which they want to be sure the technology will work before allowing it to be used more readily," Haruka explained.

"Basically you aren't going to have much trouble with the training regime having gone through all of it before. You're just hoping that your new legs can handle the physical side of it, otherwise you have no chance with a TSF," Yuzuka stated, which Haruka confirmed with a nod.

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your legs previously?" Lelouch asked.

"I'll answer that question if you'll answer mine about the machine you had gotten," Haruka said with a playful smile.

"Fair enough," Lelouch said. "Claude was also the same one who provided the technology for the machine I used. I can't say I fully understand the technical details behind it, but I know much of the technology is far above that used for a TSF, but I dare say that she has a personality I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy due to her antics."

Lelouch rubs the spot where he was shot the previous day. The pain is there and it is a tender spot too. Though it does allow him a moment to think.

Where would I even begin to explain how Yui's and mine machines are basically powered by a miniature black holes held in electromagnetic stasis fields that if they fail would instantly subject the black holes to real time space and gravity with the effect of going off like an Antimatter Bomb? Lelouch thought, deciding maybe it was best to avoid mention of that and regretting asking Nina and Old Man Reuben about the topic himself.

Naturally Lelouch had played it off as a hypothetical ideal when he asked them about it.

"What are the weapons like?" Haruka asked swiftly, changing the topic for which Lelouch was grateful for.

"They are energy based, which seem to be much more effective against the BETA," Lelouch answered. "One of the weapons used is called a Beam Magnum. One shot is a bolt of energy carrying enormous destructive potential and each shot is rated at one thousand degrees."

"Holy crap, that's hot. You're likely to vaporize the BETA with a shot like that," Yuzuka exclaimed, trying to envision how destructive such a weapon can be.

"It wiped out a lot of Destroyer-class, Fort-class, Grappler-class and Tank-class BETA quite effectively," Lelouch stated from experience, the smaller Tanks were definitely vaporized with others dying from Flash, extreme burns, or exploding as their bodies hyperheated through flashboiling before they exploded. "Even the armored bodies of the larger class of BETA cannot withstand such a weapon."

"And Japan just got their hands on this tech?" Haruka inquired.

"Yes, but I am not sure when. I don't know how long before they can reproduce and field similar weapons, but one risk is that you have to be careful with it. The size of the passage field of each shot and the intense heat and energy release can easily damage or destroy a TSF caught in the line of fire, even a glancing shot or near miss can be fatal," Lelouch cautioned.

"If it's that powerful then you must've killed more BETA than I thought," Haruka commented as she tried to envision how many enemies Lelouch must have killed with such a weapon.

"I can't imagine it would take them long to produce such a weapon in large numbers to get them out as soon as possible," Tsukiko said.

"They might have to modify existing TSFs to use them, or create specialized models for them though," Yuzuka commented. "Judging by what Lelouch described, the recoil on that weapon has to be crazy. Existing TSFs may not be able to handle such a powerful weapon without modification."

"Really, how can you be sure?" Haruka said, curious.

"My father is the owner of a TSF production company," Yuzuka answered before explaining. "He would usually talk about the new models they would make and their parts during dinner. Usually it was about conducting weapon testing, which I recall he said the recoil and the effect it has on the machine has to be kept low otherwise they risk higher rates of mechanical malfunctions and stressing the frame which could be costly for the pilot."

"That is true. If your arms were to fail during battle that could get you killed, especially if it happens at a bad time," Lelouch agreed.

"So is Claude an American or solely part of the UN?" Yuzuka inquired. "The technology she is offering is certainly above anything I've heard about, but which country or organization does she belong to?"

"That is a good question. I think she has ties to the UN, America, and Japan, that much I am certain. How far her support and the resources she commands is unknown to me, but it is clear she isn't American either or they would have that technology already in service, but I saw them using some of it and they were using it quite differently," Lelouch answered and then went on to explain what he had seen the Americans and even the UN using during the many small battles that made up the larger Battle of Kyoto.

"So they were using plasma suspended inside of solid munitions?" Haruka frowns as she couldn't quite understand the why.

"Basically a plasma-based HESH round," Yuzuka had caught on quick enough. "Clever too as it saves them a load of trouble trying to troubleshoot any new technology and they can seamlessly add it in without much hassle or retraining except for some new allowances and restrictions here and there as well as new handling procedures, though, that is pretty benign and normal for any new weapon and infinitely better than learning a whole new weapon system outright to handle."

"If she had access to technology like that, why not share it? Where did it all come from?" Haruka asked.

"A good question, but regrettably I don't have the answer and I wish I did frankly," Lelouch said before finishing his meal.

"That sounds concerning, but I imagine the government who has been dealing with her would know more," Haruka commented.

I imagine they do, but now that I think about it. If Claude is giving me this much assistance, then just what kind of weapons and resources do my competitors have? Lelouch wondered deeply concerned over the threat and that for a moment, Claude had actually been serious with him and that actually scared him.

"They probably do, I can't imagine they would deal with someone like that if they didn't," Yuzuka said, which was spot on with what Lelouch suspected.

"But how much do they know is the real question," Tsukiko added, a question Lelouch silently wondered as well too.

"Excuse me?" A woman, one around Lelouch's age with blue hair in a pageboy style haircut, and green eyes dressed in the same attire as everyone else. "Is this table taken?"

"No it isn't, and you are?" Lelouch asked politely.

"Oh I am cadet Haruko Kashiwagi, I just wanted to meet the guy who barely had any training and who took on the BETA in Kyoto. Not to mention that was pretty bold, giving that poor girl a piggyback ride after the sergeant knocked her down pretty good," Haruko said, giving Yuzuka apologetic glance.

Yuzuka on the other hand didn't know how to react, her cheeks were red, a mix of anger and embarrassment.

"Someone is getting popular," Tsukiko said grinning, as Haruko found a place to sit, as close as Haruko could get to Lelouch.

"Come this isn't high school, she is just curious about the machine I pilot and such," Lelouch said, seemingly dismissive of anyone having any romantic interest in him.

But whether it is true or not is another question.

"Speaking of curiosity, weren't you going to tell Lelouch how you lost your legs?" Yuzuka said, glancing at Haruka who realized she had forgotten.

"Oh right, I guess I need to uphold my end of my deal," Haruka said with a sigh.

"If it's not something you are comfortable with, you don't have to tell," Lelouch offered after swallowing some food.

"No this actually might be useful to you to hear," Haruka said before explaining with a more serious expression. "It was during our Comprehensive Skills Evaluation, a landmine was set off causing an old wrecked car to knock towards me while me and my friends were taking cover behind it. They managed to get away, but me…my legs were crushed under the car. They had to amputate them. I was given some advanced prosthetic legs, but they didn't fit well enough for me to pilot a TSF."

"But you're about as old as us," Yuzuka pointed out. "Were you in a military academy since I don't think they allowed pilots to join the military even if they recently lowered the recruitment age to sixteen when the BETA invaded."

"Yes that is true, I was attending a military academy meant to train pilots near Mt. Fuji. Upon graduating we would've been made pilots, which by that point I would've been the right age," Haruka explained, which Lelouch silently noted was likely similar to the academy Yui and her friends were attending, likely more for civilians than those of the Royal Guard. .

"I see, you are sharing this because we'll likely have to take the Comprehensive Skills Evaluation as well," Lelouch said, realizing the reason behind Haruka's willingness to share the story of how she lost her legs.

"Yes, and even with our accelerated training, I have no doubt they will put us through it," Haruka said, seemingly certain of it.

"I see, then perhaps at a later time I would like to hear more then," Lelouch said, which Haruka acknowledged with a nod.

---

After lunch Izumi was back in the simulator cockpit, learning how to pilot the Tsuna Gundam. Even if its weapons were radically different from those she had been trained to use. She found herself relishing the Tsuna Gundam's firepower and combat capabilities, though, as they were well exceeding the Type-82A Zuikaku she had piloted.

Though an experienced officer overlooking her training, with experience on the F-15J/Type-89 Kagerou, knew just about anything to be better than the Type-82 in general. The F-4 Phantom derived TSF was simply too old to soldier on effectively. Like many others with actual experience, the officer believed the Type-82 should have been retired long ago in favor of newer models.

The cost savings from the maintenance of aging F-4J/Type-77 Gekishin and Type-82s, which was actually a sad thing as that meant they were not seeing combat at all until it was too late, would have allowed for the Type-94 Shiranui to be accelerated into service and fight with the Type-89 as an equal rather than one machine bail out the others, to the detriment of all machines.

Which is why the officer hoped that Izumi and the other cadets would succeed at their training and master their entirely new machines. Machines far superior to anything else they already have. So, finally, the Imperial Military can update their entire inventory.

Still, the officer's job of overseeing the training included arranging for, as the Americans put it, curve balls to surprise the inexperienced cadets and help them learn before they developed bad habits prior to entering their machines for real, let alone going back into actual battle with them.

She had just evaded a charging Destroyer-class before retaliating with its scythe. The rocket engine on the weapon ignited allowing Izumi to deliver a powerful swing that combined with the crimson energy blade nearly beheaded the alien creature as it passed. A warning sounded in the cockpit alerting Izumi to the incoming swarm of hundreds of Tank-class BETA with more than a dozen Grappler-class BETA behind them.

"Fly my fangs!" Izumi shouted the vocal command as the ten-blade-like bits were deployed from the skirt armor of the Tsuna.

Acting on her mental commands thanks to the cockpit's quantum communication interface, the bits swarmed the Tank-class BETA, shooting them, ramming through them, or decapitating them in passing. As the Fangs dealt with the Tank-class BETA, Izumi put away the scythe to draw the GN-buster sword, the second primary melee weapon of the Tsuna.

Her Gundam held the large blade with one hand before it drew its Beam Magnum, as the GN fangs retreated to recharge. The BETA that survived Izumi's GN fang onslaught, were vaporized from the shots fired from the Beam Magnum, wiping out most of the Grappler-class BETA in the process.

Even if killing BETA in a simulator didn't bring the same satisfaction, she was filled with eager anticipation for the time she would take the Tsuna into battle against them. The amount of BETA she was killing in the simulator alone just fueled that anticipation.

I must really thank Lelouch for this opportunity and for his words, Izumi thought.

Izumi had to acknowledge, while killing BETA was satisfying, she knew killing a lot of them wouldn't be meaningful. Humanity had been fighting the BETA for decades, always on the defensive as they would inevitably be pushed back as their defenses wore down.

"Survive and you'll have many more chances for revenge, but if you die here you'll achieve nothing. Besides, given how much you clearly loved him, would he want you to die? If you live I am sure he'll be happy, and you'll get more opportunities to get vengeance as long as you live, otherwise if you die then you'll have achieved nothing. Live to get revenge then be there when the BETA are beaten so you can stand as the victor with your vengeance complete."

As enjoyable as killing the BETA was, killing them, especially these simulated ones simply didn't bring her much satisfaction. Lelouch's words resonated within her, even more so now that Izumi had a machine on par with those Yui and Lelouch had during Kyoto.

"Victory over the BETA, huh?" Izumi mused as she glanced at the kill counter, she had killed more BETA than in Kyoto.

This woman Claude, who knew about the BETA invasion beforehand and provided all of this technology; maybe she knows more about the BETA, even something I could work toward to get real revenge upon them, Izumi thought as an idea came to mind, but suddenly an alarm on her watch went off.

"Oh it's that time already," Izumi said before shutting down the simulator. "I guess we still need answers from Lelouch and I am curious about a few other matters too."

---

It was late in the evening as Yuzuka and Haruka followed Lelouch after dinner. Training was over for the day and the young man's exhaustion was apparent.

"Forgive me for saying this, but I think it's impressive at how well you've been handling the training."

"I am a little surprised myself to be fair," Lelouch said, most times he could barely even run a half-a-lap before collapsing.

Claude's supplements are clearly potent. It could've taken me months to be able to endure such training, Lelouch acknowledged internally.

"Yes, but outside of the physical part you've been excelling. You are the top cadet in tactics class, and I didn't think anyone could assemble a gun or a rifle so fast as you did, it was like second nature,"

That actually surprised me, and I think I can thank the Coupling System and Yui for that.

In the afternoon Lelouch had once again taken part in the class about learning how to inspect, clean, and assemble/disassemble/reassemble a pistol and an assault rifle. Lelouch had practiced with a pistol before so he knew how to shoot, but the processes for assembling and cleaning a weapon was very different. But to his surprise he knew what to do and how to do it, demonstrating the knowledge and skill to do it, even for the assault rifle which he had never touched before. Even today not only was his skill in this regard better when he first demonstrated it to Michiru, but he seemed faster than previously like his body was going off of muscle memory.

It was all second nature to him.

"I am certain that it came from the Coupling System our machines use."

"Coupling System?" Haruka inquired. Yuzuka leaned in, just as curious.

"During my training to learn how to pilot the Izanami, my machine and the one piloted by Yui, the Izanagi, had a system called the Coupling System. When activated it enhances the machine's performance, but also links the minds of the pilots, to enhance the mind's ability to process information and respond to situations much faster in turn," Lelouch explained before Haruka picked up on something.

"That includes the other person's skills, right?"

"Yes, I'm told it would help me catch up to Yui's level of skill and experience in piloting. I still needed physical training to be strong enough and to master that experience, but it seems I got more than just her piloting skills and experience," Lelouch answered.

"Was Yui a cadet like us or…" Yuzuka began to ask, but allowed her words to trail off.

"No, she and her friends were enrolled at the Eishi Imperial Academy in Kyoto." Lelouch answered. "Is their training similar to the one we have been receiving?"

"Yes, but theirs is more spread out over a period of a few years teaching them other skills, history and more," Haruka replied.

"Are you saying you got all of Yui's training and experience from the Imperial Academy?" Yuzuka asked, surprised.

"I think so, " Lelouch said, before wondering what did Yui get from him?

"If they got a system like that then you could train new pilots a lot faster and get them more experienced," Yuzuka commented, impressed by how much Lelouch had gained from Yui.

"They were discussing such plans, but I wonder if it's really that easy." Lelouch said, wondering or rather suspecting there was some kind of drawback or limitation.

"No brain is the same I imagine, what if it's a matter of compatibility?" Haruka suggested with one hand on her chin as she contemplated this information.

"That is a possibility. I know trust between the users is very important," Lelouch replied, believing that compatibility was a likely requirement.

Maybe our minds were compatible with each other, which could be why Yui was chosen out of many others perhaps, Lelouch thought.

"Hey Lelouch, I think you got company," Yuzuka said as they turned a corner and noticed a group waiting outside his room.

"There he is," Kazusa said, folding her arms across her chest.

She was waiting with Izumi, Aki and Shimako.

Lelouch could only sigh, knowing what they were likely here for.

"Lelouch, have you seen Yui lately?" Shimako inquired politely.

"No, not since we returned from Kyoto anyways."

"In that case maybe you could answer a few questions," Kazusa began with a serious expression. "How did you and Yui know about what would happen to us on the way to Kyoto?"

Haruka and Yuzuka were confused, but Lelouch was quiet, furrowing an eyebrow and coolly gazing at the four girls before him, something that surprised the four as they had seen such looks on higher ranked nobles' faces before. Seeing them only be taken aback, Lelouch sighed before asking, "When did you figure it out?"

"There were plenty of clues, one was how Yui reacted upon seeing us after you and her met with Lieutenant Kisaragi. Then there's how you knew those Laser-class BETA would change their firing angle and fire upon us as we escaped. Next Yui knew where the BETA were hiding in Kyoto, which seems to be more than just your machines sensing them, she acted as if she knew where they were," Kazusa answered confidently, before asking, "Should I go on?"

"No, I actually suspected you four would come to see me. I am disappointed Yui wasn't able to tell you all herself, but I can't blame her for her, quite understandable, hesitation."

"Hesitation?" Shimako inquired.

"As impossible as this might sound, did Yui go through the events of that night before? She seemed aware of what was going to happen," Kazusa inquired before reluctantly asking, "Something happened to all of us, didn't it?"

The girls saw Lelouch's reluctance in his eyes as he nodded. Then he gestured to his room and opened the door. He brought all of the girls inside and checked behind him before closing and locking the door. It would stop whoever might want to just storm in.

Turning around, he faced the girls before him as each took a spot in his room. Their rooms would have been no different, he assumed. Lelouch was tidy by nature, more so than Milly ever has been. Wild girl her.

"Best to talk in here," Lelouch began as he took a seat on his bed. "Less chance of being overheard. This information is somewhat if not completely known to some very specific higher ups."

The girls knew just who he meant. They nodded as they understood they had to keep their mouths closed about anything he shared.

The rest might be up to Yui and those who knew her. She likely told her uncle and possibly her sister figure as well, but no one else.

"Yes," Lelouch finally said after a few moments to gather his thoughts, "It is impossible, but Claude somehow reversed time to give Yui another chance to save you and perhaps the rest of the squad or, as I suspect is the more likely case, she fused a Yui from the future who trained me and experienced those events with a Yui of the past to prevent any kind of destructive paradoxes, which comes with its own headaches I don't even want to hazard a guess at for a number of reasons, my sanity being chief among them."

The girls all shared a look with one another in absolute disbelief before Lelouch continued on.

"I don't know how she did it, or anything else she did quite frankly, but-" Lelouch began, but was interrupted.

"That's impossible," Aki stated.

"Oh I agree," Claude said, causing a look of horror to appear on Lelouch's face.

Everyone turned to see Claude standing behind them with a smirk, much to Lelouch's dread.

With a snap of her fingers, everyone in the room including Yuzuka and Haruka were transported into Claude's pocket dimension, that familiar white space. Then it suddenly changed as a large movie theater-screen appeared behind her and everyone found themselves in movie theater seats complete with popcorn, soda, candy. Yuzuka found her shoe stuck on some chewing gum. The girls stared at their surroundings in disbelief.

"This is impossible," Haruka commented.

"Impossible is what I can do," Claude declared, proudly. She pushed out her chest and set her hands on her hips in a pose of smug superiority.

"Claude, don't do this," Lelouch demanded. "This is Yui's story to tell. We both know Yui will do everything in her power to kill you for it, right?!"

Yui's willingness to kill Claude aside, what concerned Lelouch the most was how Claude might reveal the truth about the fates of Kazusa, Aki, Shimako and Izumi. How could you even begin to explain how they died, but convincing them it happened would be much harder.

How would they even react to that, which was no doubt another reason Yui had been avoiding her friends.

"Oh she can try," Claude said dismissively, waving her hand. "Besides we both know how well her last attempt to strangle me went. Also, do you really think even if you explain it that they would really believe it? Which you can't even blame them for, so let's leave little room for doubt shall we?"

Lelouch only huffed in response. Knowing full well that she was right. Despite everything that they had experienced already, it was too in the realm of impossibility for them to take him at his word. Kazusa seemed to be the only one willing to believe.

"So you're Claude?" Kazusa asked, remembering her name from the meeting after they arrived at the base.

"Guilty as charged," Claude replied with a playful wink. "First let's take care of the obvious question, I borrowed this theater from an actual world and so, the seat stains and chewing gum are not me. I think I nabbed it from a 1960s California in a timeline where there is not only no BETA, but no mecha as TSFs generally fall under the heading of for others. Hmm… Maybe I grabbed this from a Texas theater given the decor? No matter, onto the nuts and bolts of why we're here!"

"I no longer doubt your comment on protecting your sanity," Aki stated to Lelouch, before both she and Lelouch were suddenly long eared and dressed in a green tunic with gray tights for Lelouch and a pink and white dress for Aki.

"WHAT IS THIS?!" both roared at Claude.

"Both a demonstration of my power, Link and Zelda." Both growled at the fact they were being targeted by one of her games, "And second, I said we're talking about the nuts and bolts, right? Pay attention and no talking."

"Just change them back," Yuzuha felt a migraine coming on as both were returned to normal.

"Good to hear!" Claude chirped before moving on, "But yes, during Yui's first run during that night the supply base was attacked," she paused, less for effect and more because she needed to take a few steps away, "All of you died. Except for you two who weren't present, but Haruka, a lot of times, you do die in later encounters with the BETA, just FYI."

Haruka shifted nervously, uncertain how to take that.

"One by one, until only Yui was the sole survivor," Claude went on without missing a beat, "Which tragically is a normal occurrence among first time squads who go into battle, which eighty percent of the time they either get wiped out or a sole survivor or two usually make it. Of course, there are some lucky ones who don't suffer any losses, but those are becoming increasingly rare."

"Why do I find that loss rate unsustainable?" Lelouch murmured.

"Technically you're right, so I suspect something else is going on in the background," Claude shrugs because there are just those kinds of surprises in life, even for her.

"We died, but that can't be right. We trained hard," Aki denied, which Lelouch thought was understandable.

Such reactions were to be expected after all.

"Uh huh," Claude said before pulling a remote out of nowhere. "To be fair you did last past the eight minutes of death, BUT!"

Upon pressing the button, a video footage played of Aki in the cockpit fighting fiercely against the BETA before the screen was shrunk to allow an exterior shot of Aki in battle against a Grappler-class BETA using an assault cannon until it ran out of ammo. It wasn't focused on her initially, but after failing to land a fatal blow the BETA turned around to focus its attention. Aki managed to dodge its first strike, barely, but she couldn't escape its follow-up sucker punch that sent Aki's TSF flying.

Her machine hit the ground so hard Aki was slammed against the seat with enough force that she bit off part of her own tongue with a blow to her head causing blood to run down her face as her TSF landed on the ground in a damaged heap.

"Just after nine minutes a Grappler-class sucker punched you, sent you flying before you died of severe external and internal bleeding minutes later, including the loss of your own tongue coupled with severe trauma across your body including such things like a broken skull, back, and pelvis, among other injuries," Claude said, as Aki was left silent and horrified at her own death, dropping to her knees.

"The lesson here is close quarters combat with a Grappler-class is a bad idea unless you can kill it before it can retaliate." Claude scolded a shell-shocked Aki.

"Then…that Laser-class that fired at me, is what killed me wasn't it?" Shimako asked hesitantly as she realized when her death would've happened.

"Yup, but compared to what happened to everyone else your death was clean and painless," Claude said ominously. "Your mistake was panicking and going too high into the air to evade the Destroyer-class BETA, making you the first to be killed."

Unlike Shimako, given how close she was to death, without Lelouch's intervention she realized she should've died then.

"How many made it to Kyoto?" Izumi asked reluctantly.

"Just you, Kazusa and Yui initially," Claude answered. "Very impressive given how you were fighting quite recklessly. Everyone else got shot down or killed during the retreat to Kyoto, even your commanding officer, once it became clear the supply base had fallen to a separate force of BETA and HQ had been withholding the true state of the battle from their forces out of fear for morale, which only caused more unnecessary deaths in the end. I don't need to tell you how that was a very bad idea to put it mildly and bluntly."

No one was going to argue that. Especially those in the know of the… recent 'retirements' in the government among other shuffling being done.

"What…what happened to us?" Kazusa asked.

"You guys did fine in Kyoto, after Yui was almost killed by an ambushing Destroyer-class hiding in a building. She was saved by your old instructor who gave you directions to the nearest rally point," Claude explained, but both Izumi and Kazusa could sense a but in her words. "Sadly as you were heading to Kyoto Station a Fort-class got the jump on all three of you, causing you all to crash. Yui was lucky and crash landed in an empty parking lot while you and Kazusa crashed into a nearby building. When Yui regained consciousness she began searching for you two." The next images showed Izumi being eaten by BETA, "Tragically she found you dead having been eaten alive by a bunch of Soldier-class BETA."

Izumi was struck numb when Claude pointed at her. Her reaction wasn't as bad as Aki's, because deep down from reflections afterwards, she realized she should've died many times during the battle were it not for Lelouch and Yui. Not only that, she couldn't even begin to imagine how Yui might've reacted upon finding her corpse, furthering her feelings of horror.

Thankfully Claude chose not to share any more images of Izumi's death, but Lelouch was worried about Kazusa's demise if she would show anything then. Lelouch noticed the change in Claude's tone during the conversation,. She wasn't being playful or teasing, but more serious than normal and yet sympathetic in her words. Given how she acted, it was usually difficult for Lelouch to tell if she was being sincere or not, but somehow Lelouch felt that this time she was.

"Kazusa was still alive, but both of her arms were broken in the crash, so she couldn't escape. Or fight off the Tank-class BETA swarming her machine. Yui had no chance of saving her, armed with only a pistol with some limited shots, not enough to kill a Tank-class, much less the multiple ones swarming Kazusa's fallen TSF," Claude said as Kazusa paled, realizing the choice now before Yui.

Noticing her expression and realization Claude spoke.

"I guess you realize what that means. Knowing you had no chance of escape. you asked Yui to kill you. The cockpit was open so Yui had a clear shot."

Horror dawned on Kazusa realizing what likely happened, "How could she? She lost everyone. How did she still have the strength to do it?"

Izumi, Aki, Shimako, and even Yuzuka and Haruka who had been caught up in all of this were left in stunned, horrified silence.

Claude gave Kazusa a sad smile as her voice softened. "She didn't," she explained to the girl's shock and mounting horror. "As much as she tried, Yui missed every shot she had."

Kazusa felt sick and covered her mouth as the implication hit her. "That's…" She couldn't put into words the nightmarish horror she felt.

"Indeed. While Yui managed to keep her cool during everything happening around her, the mounting deaths and losses of you all took their toll. Not to mention she almost died herself, but Yui was saved at the last moment by her cousin Kyoko who had been searching the city for other survivors," Claude added before using her remote to show an image of Yui in a hospital room wearing a white button shirt with bandages wrapped around her forehead, and over her left eye.

She sat up in bed crying, mourning the loss of her friends.

"You all would've stayed dead if not for me."

The next image showed Claude approaching a grieving Yui.

"Which I suppose leads to me and Yui meeting that first time," Lelouch noted.

"That's right," Claude confirmed.

"I have a question, why her, exactly? I am sure there were others you could've used, but did it have something to do with compatibility for the Coupling System?" Lelouch inquired.

"Oh someone has been thinking, but yes that is part of it." Claude nodded as she spoke. "Yui has a high compatibility rate for the Coupling System. As you've suspected there was another reason I chose her over others you could've worked with.. As a fun fact I'll reveal that what made Yui an inciting candidate was also the fact that you are compatible with some of her friends with the Coupling System. In fact, among you Izumi has the highest compatibility with Kazusa's compatibility similar to Yui's compatibility followed by Aki. An unexpected, but not an unwelcome bonus," Claude admitted with a smile that shocked the girls in question as they each looked at one another in surprise and at Lelouch who pointedly ignored them, though he twitched slightly.

"Then I take it finding compatible pilots who can use the Coupling Machine is hit or miss?" Lelouch inquired, seeking further answers.

"Yes, since no two brains are the same or function on the same wavelengths." Claude knew as she had been doing this for quite a while., which, despite the headaches, made this little venture all the more enjoyable, "It boils down to having a similar wavelength, which can be determined with what is known as an Emphatier Test. The higher their results are, the more likely a successful coupling will happen, but trust between the two pilots is still critical," Claude answered. "Japan hopes to use this on a large scale, but sadly finding two people who are compatible won't be easy, especially if they want to pair new rookie pilots with experienced veterans."

With a snap of her fingers, they soon saw the screen change to show various machines using the same technology in different worlds with various levels of success and failures as well as a general review of the complexity that follows.

The one with a tech learning how to throw screwdrivers like they were knives was kind of interesting as a byproduct, though, the possible loss of knowledge and the near stroke like paralysis was not so comfortable to see. More so in one example where five complete misfits were able to operate their machines in coordination on a level that was just insane, but the loss of personal space in their own minds was definitely an issue.

"Are they still installing them in the new machines?" Lelouch asked, with one hand on his chin, processing what he was learning.

"Yes and I combined it with Psychoframe Technology because it's a far more efficient method of thought sharing than the standard Coupling System on its own and helps increase its chances of success. Since Psychoframe technology has cockpits lined with thought reading receptors it also increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the Coupling System, which as a bonus helps the machine become an extension of the pilot. It becomes possible to pilot the Gundams with thoughts, bypassing the need for complex controls, making it similar to handling a Tactical Surface Fighter," Claude replied with a wink, quite proud of herself.

"I see, but what was Psychoframe technology designed for?"

"To work with Newtypes, humans possessing high spatial awareness who are usually those best adapted for living in space, or so it says." Claude answered, surprising some among the group. "In general, they possess a heightened mental awareness and incredible focus. For example they become capable of sensing one another. Most importantly they are sensitive to the hostile intentions directed at them by others. So say if someone wanted to harm one of them, they would sense and be able to uncannily react to that person's hostile actions before they attempted it. There were some Newtypes with abilities so well developed they were capable of telepathic-like abilities or in some rare cases display psychokinesis," Claude explained.

"I assume the Psychoframe Technology was made for military purposes, to capitalize on their abilities?" Lelouch inquired as he deduced the likely origins of the technology.

"Ding-ding," Claude said before applauding. "You get a gold star, but yes that is correct. There were military factions who wanted to take advantage of such people and so began developing weapons that could be operated by such individuals. The Psychoframe Technology was the result of their efforts. Used at first to control remote weapons with their thoughts, it evolved over time until the system allowed machines like the Gundams to act as an extension of a Newtype pilot and much more."

"But Yui and Lelouch aren't Newtypes are they?" Kazusa inquired.

"No, sadly, otherwise the Gundams would be capable of much more than they are now. But who knows; if the theory holds true and if Yui and Lelouch spend enough time in space, perhaps. Even so, the Coupling System and their ability to couple does compensate for this along with the Gundams high performance," Claude said reassuringly.

Lelouch considered asking Claude further, but Izumi stepped forward with a question of her own.

"I heard you know much about the BETA. Just what are they and how can we win against them?"

"Good question," Claude said with a smile. "To put it simply they are self-sufficient biological mining machines, created by silicon-based lifeforms who once existed thousands of years ago, until they were wiped out in their native galaxy."

"Wiped out, by who?"

"The Holy Ryuvian Empire, or at least the humans possessing the technology that wiped them out would call themselves after they finished purging their home galaxy of non-human sentient lifeforms," Claude explained. "The creators of the BETA were convinced that only silicon-based lifeforms could exist and not carbon-based ones, something the founders of the Holy Britannian Empire would take issue with when their world was invaded by the BETA. Unlike Earth however, they were a peaceful yet highly advanced civilization so while they suffered huge losses following the initial invasion, they focused all technological development into military and related innovations, wiping out the BETA in due time. In turn, the BETA's creators unknowingly created the Holy Ryuvian Empire who declared a holy war against threats to humanity and began a systematic purge of the BETA from their galaxy while conquering it bit by bit."

"Until they came upon the creators of the BETA," Kazusa said.

"Yeah they were pretty shocked to find carbon lifeforms were a thing, and more so their creations had been wiped out in their home galaxy. I can't say what happened, but probably the efforts to clean out the BETA from the galaxy left a lot of pissed off people on the Ryuvian side who had lost friends and loved ones to them and weren't feeling too merciful. Obviously, as I've mentioned, they got wiped out and now you know what led to it," Claude said.

Lelouch wondered if the genocide of the BETA's creators was justified, but without further details it was a difficult question to answer. On one hand it was hard not to blame the Ryuvians for their fury against a race who carelessly let their creations go about the galaxy fulfilling their purposes without even considering the possibility that other forms of life existed. Lelouch didn't know if that could be called arrogance, negligence, or both. If the creators of the BETA were wiped out, Lelouch deduced the BETA weren't in regular contact with their creators as they continued trying to fulfill their intended purpose. Which reinforced Lelouch's suspicions that their creators had been neglectful and arrogant.

"I can't image purging the galaxy and defeating the BETA's creators was done in a short time," Shimako added, which Claude confirmed by shaking her head.

"Of course not, it took them thousands of years to clean the galaxy of the BETA, before they finally confronted and cornered their creators. Much of what the Holy Ryuvian Empire would become, would be unknowingly shaped by the BETA, so there was no discussion. They just unleashed their fury upon the BETA's creators for their carelessness and would lead to them being hunted down and exterminated," Claude confirmed, while showing no pity for the creators of the BETA.

"Not all of the BETA were destroyed were they?" Haruka asked, joining the conversation.

"No, per their programing, once they've fully taken a planet they would launch the seed for a new hive to begin on another world. Some of these seeds left their own home galaxy and spread to others over the next thousands of years to follow, even after their creators were destroyed by the vengeful Ryuvians. Eventually they made their way to this planet," Claude replied. "They first landed on Mars, then the Moon and now Earth."

"How do I destroy them?" Izumi insisted on knowing.

"Destroying what is called the Superordinate would be a good step to stopping the BETA. It is basically the supreme commander of the BETA, issuing orders to the rest via the Hive Reactors within each hive, which in a way act as field commanders for the BETA," Claude answered.

"Superordinate?" Aki muttered.

"It's the brain behind the BETA invasion, kill it and the BETA's ability to coordinate large-scale attacks and maintain communication and control over the hives would be broken. Making it possible to destroy the other hives one by one since none of them can take the place of the Superordinate and would lose the ability to communicate with the other hives," Claude answered with a wink.

"But that is easier said than done isn't it? I would assume this superordinate, based on your words, must be in the first hive to be created on Earth, isn't it?" Lelouch deduced.

"Bingo, as you said the Superordinate is located within the Kashgar Hive, which invading that place will be a tall order even with the Gundam as the hive itself is heavily defended. However, should humanity succeed in killing it, they will remove the BETA's ability for high-end strategy giving humanity a chance of fighting back" Claude made it clear that killing the Superordinate was humanity's best chance at victory.

"Yeah, but that's pretty deep in BETA controlled territory," Aki commented, cautiously optimistic.

"At least I know what to live for, so I can be there to kill it," Izumi said as her fists tightened, now having a target for her vengeance.

I'll have to ask Yui to keep an eye on Izumi should the day come where we invade that hive, Lelouch thought, deciding to make a mental note of that. He suspected the Gundams would be needed among others to launch such an assault.

"Now is that it for questions?" Claude asked, clapping her hands together.

"Just one, you didn't say why you chose Yui over everyone else? You said part of it was the fact some of us were compatible with Lelouch via the Coupling System, but mentioned it was a bonus. So what was the real reason?" Kazusa inquired.

"Because she was critical in events going forward beyond what happened in Kyoto for your world. Granted there were others, but among them she had the skills and thus I was able to fuse her with her past self, including others from alternative timelines where things ended badly for humanity," Claude said, but the mention of fusing alarmed people.

"Fused?"

"Yes, but I should first talk about one phenomenon that has affected your world causing it to be a nexus point for so many alternate timelines. At the core of this is a boy who unwillingly became a Causality Conductor," Claude said with a serious expression.

"A Causality Conductor?" Haruka inquired, curious.

"A being caused by an impossible quantum phenomenon, as impossible as someone making tea using ice cubes. A series of events and triggers that came together, causing this phenomenon centered upon one boy because of a powerful wish by one girl, made at the same time as her alternative self across dimensions. This combined with other factors triggering the phenomenon," Claude explained, before elaborating, "She didn't know it, but her wish was answered, only not in the way she expected. That boy would be merged with two of his alternative selves and brought to your world, and whenever he died the world would reset to that day creating a timeline and a new branching alternate world."

"That's how you were able to reserve time allowing me and Yui to change events at Kyoto?" Lelouch deduced. "It's how you prepared everything for us too. You didn't let Yui experience what she saw coming through the eyes of another Yui or even changed time itself to unite her two parts from before and after the Battle of Kyoto. You merely merged a number of different Yui Takamuras to create the Yui Takamura who now exists while also altering history with certain, for lack of a better term, gentle nudges to create the current timeline."

"Bingo again!" Claude really found herself enjoying Lelouch's knack for combining the details, no matter how small, to grasp a larger picture. "Yes, I took advantage of the resulting time loops. The feedback did have some bleed over into other dimensions that needed fixing too, so that made things simpler and forced it to go further back by years for me to lay the groundwork for you two. Thus everything was ready when you arrived at the supply base with Yui," Claude answered, very pleased that Lelouch was figuring out most of it on his own. "However, having two Yuis running around would've been a problem as it's an invitation to cause a reality destroying paradox. So to resolve that problem I spoke to the past Yui. Although it took some convincing she agreed and was soon fused with the one Lelouch has been training with, but I managed to fuse her with other future versions of Yui from the Bad Endings for humanity creating a Counter-Casualty Conductor."

"A Counter-Casualty Conductor," Shimako parroted in confusion.

"Yes, because as the name implies, and the poor boy doesn't intend it, he is an unknowing harbinger of despair whose existence causes those close to him to lose memory of him and they tend to suffer tragic ends. His very presence threatens humanity's future unless the cycle of time loops is broken," Claude explained, saddened by the boy's unintended fate. "But with Yui I made the exact opposite to balance his existence and try to negate this harbinger of despair, at least to some degree. She does gain the same benefits he had though."

"What kind of benefits?" Kazusa asked, now very curious.

"You see whenever the time loop resets the boy retains some fragmented memory of the other loops, unless he experiences the same event over and over again enough to embed it into his mind. The rest of his memory is imperfect at best with some knowledge of future events. For Yui, though, since it was a controlled occurrence I made it to ensure she would have a complete memory of events following Kyoto and training with Lelouch. The shared benefit between them is that she gained the collective muscle memory of all versions of Yui I included in the mix, much like what happened to the Casualty Conductor who retained the increased muscle mass and muscle memory of each loop he experienced. Thus Yui will be extremely physically fit for her age, and whatever experiences and training she had would be retained."

"That sounds like quite the edge. Is she like superhuman now then?" Aki asked, causing Claude to laugh.

"Oh no, nothing like that," Claude stated after enjoying the laugh for a few moments. "She is just in far superior physical shape than for others in her age group would've been. She would beat all of you in physical fitness alone, possessing greater strength, endurance and agility."

"That still sounds quite impressive," Yuzuka commented, sounding a little envious.

"I see," Lelouch said, but he wondered if that was the only reason.

"Well I think that will do for questions for now. I think you four should have a talk with Yui, so you can all talk amongst yourselves for a bit while I go fetch her," Claude said before disappearing before anyone could protest it.

"Now what?" Yuzuka asked.

"Time doesn't exist in this space, so we have time to talk things over before Claude actually returns with Yui. I am sure all of you have questions about me now that Claude has revealed the key parts of what happened," Lelouch stated as he could feel all eyes upon him.

"Uh, understatement of the century Lelouch," Aki pointed out, folding both arms around her chest.

"Right, I should begin bringing you all up to speed," Lelouch admitted. He thought of the important things he would have to share and realized they would have to remain seated a bit longer as he explained things. He would have liked to get up and stretch his legs, but that would have to wait a little longer. "I hope you all can get comfortable because this might take awhile." He couldn't avoid a little frustration seeping into his voice.

Haruka was at least able to pat the boy on his shoulder. He had been right. This was too much for one's sanity at best, but it was also, sadly, their reality and they had to learn to live with it.

---

Meanwhile Yui was in the gym performing her normal workout routine. She tried to stay in peak shape. Even before her time through the events of Kyoto, she had needed to do so given how physically demanding piloting a Tactical Surface Fighter was. She had been going late to avoid her friends, which while painful to do, she wasn't ready to tell them the truth yet. She tried to prepare herself and mustered up the courage to do so many times, but she always got cold feet at the last minute and just couldn't bring herself to tell them.

Of course, explaining something that complex was not easy. It was difficult to address how they died when the memories still felt fresh for her. While they had avoided their fates this timeline, that didn't change that she had still experienced it in another. She still had the occasional there was the issue of timelines and Claude herself. Despite Claude explaining things to her multiple times, she still struggled to wrap her mind around it all. It all made her question her sanity which in turn made her afraid that she could end up weighing down Lelouch and the others if she didn't get a hold of herself.

How do I approach them on it?

At the moment Yui was on the treadmill, running at speed for a while without any signs of exhaustion or exertion. She was dressed in the basic workout wear of a sports top and splats. Her usual training clothes were still somewhere in Kyoto. Although her mind was occupied she still kept aware of how long she had been running. Yui was quite surprised to see herself surpassing her previous times as well as the distance which was greater than anything she had run before.

Yui brushed it off, unknowingly partly correct, as due to all of the training she and Lelouch had done.

"My word you are doing quite well," Claude complemented, appearing on the treadmill next to her without warning.

Yui practically jumped out of her skin, nearly stumbling and falling off the treadmill. She narrowly managed to regain both her balance and footing in time.

"Sorry for surprising you," Claude said with a mischievous smile.

"Can't you greet me like a normal person?" Yui said, her face red from a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

"Oh now where would the fun be in that?" she teased.

Yui's scowl against the woman only deepened, but it was then she noticed Claude was wearing gym wear akin to her own with pink sweatpants and a form-fitting white sleeveless top that empathized her buxom figure, showing off considerable cleavage and her midriff. Claude was practically flaunting the fact her breasts were bigger than Yui's. Judging by her grin, Yui's suspicions were correct, only annoying the Japanese teen even more.

Does this woman have any shame?!

"What do you want, Claude?" Yui asked, knowing Claude wasn't just here to show off.

"Oh no, small talk," Claude teased. She managed to keep pace with little effort on her treadmill, clearly disappointed with Yui. "You are way too serious. I thought you would want to know that your friends were suspicious that you were hiding something from them and sought out Lelouch."

The blood drained from Yui's face as a feeling of dread washed over her.

"Come on, you knew this was something you couldn't hold off forever, and your friends Kazusa and Shimako especially were very persistent. You should've known it was just a matter of time before they would've sought out Lelouch instead when you kept hiding from them. Even Lelouch knew that would happen, so you left it for him to deal with that," Claude lightly scolded Yui while waving her left index finger in front of her.

While dreading the very idea of what she would have to break to her friends, and suspecting Claude probably just went ahead and revealed what happened, Yui knew Claude was right.

"Damn you for telling them, but…"

"At least you were spared from telling them, because somehow I doubt you could've done so. At least not any time soon."

Yui had no response to that, because Claude was right much to her chagrin. Explaining it to her friends would've been difficult, as any words she could use were lost to her.

"Well, ready to face the music as they say?"

Yui turned off the treadmill before nodding her head.

"Let's go then," Claude said before instantly transporting Yui and herself into her white space where Lelouch, Haruka, Yuzuka, Kazusa, Izumi, Aki and Shimako were waiting. They were all either grim faced or carried concerned and worried looks.

"Izumi, Aki, Shimako and Kazusa, I am sorry I couldn't-" Yui tried to explain as soon as she saw them, but the words died in her throat as she became overwhelmed with emotion. The grief and despair of what had happened previously to them, plus her own self loathing at being a coward to face came rushing out. Tears started streaming from her eyes, as she tried to regain her previous composure, but failed.

Luckily for Yui, no more words were needed as Kazusa, Izumi, Aki and Shimako's eyes showed tears forming before they surrounded Yui and tenderly embraced her.

"Maybe we should give them some time alone," Yuzuka quietly suggested to both Haruka and Lelouch.

Haruka and Lelouch nodded in agreement before proceeding to leave when a voice called out.

"Come here Lelouch," Aki said as some tears ran down her face. "You're a friend of Yui, and therefore one of us, so come on."

"Thank you, but I really should step aside. This is for you and you alone," Lelouch said, feeling it was best he wasn't drawn in.

But unwilling to hear his protests, Lelouch's arms were seized by Aki and Shimako who drew him into their embrace of Yui with the arms of Aki and Shimako over Lelouch's shoulders ensuring he couldn't escape the group hug.

"Well…" Lelouch began, but soon just settled in. He wondered, just how different this was from comforting Nunnally or Shirley or Milly or even Sayako when words managed to sink deep enough to affect them.

Lelouch always said his door was open to his classmates as he technically was the Middle School's Vice President. More often than not, he found himself helping others out. It was one of the reasons he tolerated the role and here he was, once more helping matter how uncomfortable it was to be held by five teenage girls on the cusp of womanhood.

Fortunately, Yui was there to distract that as she cried heavily into the crook of his neck and that allowed him to gently rub her back to soothe her. He would occasionally wipe a tear from one of the other's eyes or give a gentle squeeze on the shoulder to let them know that he was there if they needed someone to lean on.

No man was an island and the same was true for women.

Meanwhile, off to the side, there were three spectators to the whole thing. Two of whom felt awkward and out of place. The third only smirked in a way that would unnerve someone.

Though, that wasn't the only thing.

"This has to feel quite awkward for him," Haruka commented quietly.

"A guy caught in a group hug by girls, yeah I am sure," Yuzuka said sarcastically.

"Ah, not feeling jealous are we," Claude said with a devious smile, but Yuzuka and Haruka had learned enough about the pink-haired woman from Lelouch, which wasn't much, that the best way to deal with her was just to be quiet.

The less of an opening you gave Claude, the less she has to work with.

Most importantly they didn't want to ruin the moment that had unfolded before them, but one thing was certain, their conversations with Lelouch from now on would be much more interesting.

--------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Well that ended on a touching note despite Claude trolling them, I will admit I did question the theater bit, but I decided to go with it at Jameyofthemegacosmos's suggestion, since I supposed it helped "convince" anyone skeptical of Claude's abilities.

And Lelouch is slowly beginning to realize he is the only guy among a military composed mostly of women, mostly because a lot of the men keep dying and a LOT died early on in the BETA war making women enlisting to replace their losses a necessity, but it isn't doing their populations any favors through. Which is partially why I do feel some characters in Muv Luv Alternative would likely be more open to a polygamous relationship, just how open would vary from character to character.

Speaking of which I do want to dispel any notion of the polygamy polls being done out of a lack of confidence or seeking permission of sorts, but rather they are just simply to shrink the number of candidates, which was mostly my fault since I was too generous in letting my Betas pitch in their suggestions for a good candidate. Which I allowed because I was in a good mood, because for all of the stories I've made I have never gotten this level of help in any of them, catching any potential issues early on and having more than one beta looking over the chapters ensure they are well-polished and more enjoyable to read.

But the other reason that it didn't feel right to have Lelouch's polygamy relationships consist of ONLY Muv Luv characters (and I got a default line up to fall back on if needed in mind already) when I have other candidates from other series I should give a fair shot at Lelouch, which I could do easily, so I am trying to work out who could be real contenders for some.

So on my profile page I decided to give the Muv Luv candidate poll a shot, which as a reminder is only meant to reduce the number of candidates to a smaller pool, characters winning it will just win a fair shot at Lelouch, it doesn't ensure their placement.

Ok enough on the polygamy talk, and I shall speak no more of it for awhile, I've said my piece and if worse come to worse I'll just go to my default line up.

But in the next chapter Lelouch will engage in his new mock battle against his fellow cadets, with his new friends he made. I know the Comprehensive Skill Evaluation should come before TSF mock battles, at least from what I've seen, but they are on an accelerated training track with the evaluation left for last as a final test for Lelouch due its...heightened difficulty because of some politics and keep in mind this kind of test caused Haruka to loose her legs, so consider that for a moment on what the increased difficulty might be like.

Thanks to all who've read it, and if the chapter seemed boring don't worry I promise the next one will be more action packed.

And to end the chapter, here are the specs for Aki's new Gundam, thanks again to Redrat8 for the redesign.

---

Model number: TMP-06X

Code name: Kintoki

Unit type: Prototype Psycho-Frame Heavy Assault Ranged Mobile Suit

Pilot: Aki Iwami

Manufacturer: Unknown

Operator: Order of the Black Knights, Empire of Japan ("sponsors" of the Black Knights)

First deployment: September 29th 2016 A.T.B

Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso

Dimensions: head height 19.3 meters

Weight: 58.1 metric tons

Armor: Trans-Phase Shift Armor

Powerplant: Ultracompact Fusion Reactor (Sunrider series model)

Sensor Range: 23,700 meters

Equipment and Design Features:

Coupling System

Intention Automatic System

Multi Lock-On System: As implied by its name, this unique system allows Kintoki to target multiple enemies and attack them at once. To use this system effectively, the pilot must have high spatial awareness capability, which is rare even among Coordinators.

High Mobility Aerial Tactics (HiMAT) Mode: The atmospheric flight configuration of the Kintoki, in which its wings are unfolded for higher maneuverability. The Kinotoki is capable of flight even in its normal mode, but this form is better suited for aerial dogfighting. HiMAT mode can also be used in space whereby it enhances the Kintoki's AMBAC capabilities.

Full Burst Mode: The name of the attack mode in which Kintoki uses its arsenal of ranged weapons all at once. This mode is often used together with the Multi Lock-On System to destroy large numbers of enemy units at once. However, despite its power, Full Burst Mode can only fire in a forward direction.

I-Field Barrier

Fixed Armaments:

2 X 60mm Vulcan Guns, fire-linked, mounted on the head

2 X M100 "Balaena" Plasma Beam Cannons: A pair of powerful plasma beam cannons located in the wings, they are positioned over the shoulders when in use. Amongst the suit's ranged weaponry, the plasma beam cannon has the highest firepower and longest attack range.

2 X MMI-M15 "Xiphias" Railgun: A pair of railguns that are mounted on the waist, they have an excellent rate of fire and high ammunition capacity. Folded into three parts when not in use, they can be used to deal with situations where beam weapons are ineffective and are the suit's most powerful solid-based weaponry.

4 X B3 Beam Vulcan: Four beam vulcans built into the chest below the intakes. Used for direct assault in close quarters, or restricting enemy movement and intimidating enemies at medium range.

2 X Wired Hands: Kintoki specially designed quasi-psycommu controlled wire-guided forearms that can be launched and maneuvered via built in verniers. These remote arms can be employed to grab and hold enemy mobile suits, as a mid-range melee weapon, and possess an electrical shock ability that allow electricity to flow through the cable and arm into a connected enemy machine. This electrical attack is severely painful to the pilot of the captured mobile suit but is not immediately lethal. Each arm also has a built-in beam gun inside in its palm.

2 X Combat Shields: The Kintoki mounts a Shields on each arm and houses both a Beam Saber and Mega Particle Cannon

4 X INCOMs: A remote weapon designed for use with the quasi-psycommu system. These disc-shaped devices are armed with internal beam guns and controlled via wire cables. Every time an INCOM changes its flight direction, it deploys a tiny relay INCOM to hold the wire in place and maintain its connection to its parent mobile suit. When the pilot recalls the INCOM, it retraces its course as the wire is retracted. A skilled Pilot can use the wires to drastically change directions and gain great agility with these INCOMs. stored in the backpack.

Optional Hand Armaments:

Multi-purpose Assault Weapon "Kujaku": The only handheld Weapon of the Kintoki, it is a Multi-purpose Weapon that combines the features of two different weapons in the form of the Muramasa Blaster and the Peacock Smasher into a single weapon. It can switch between the Buster Mode for close combat through a nine beam blade emitter large sword and the Smasher Mode through a nine beam emitter-converted beam gun crossbow that can aim in any direction for ranged combat. Stored on the back, in its retracted folded mode unless ready to be deployed.