Compass (Re:make)

#12: Capture The Viceroy

Caerleon Floating Ship

Nunally sit at her wheelchair waiting for them to land at Area 11. She stayed at the garden alone. She was thinking why Lelouch and Suzaku would lie to her. Saphira havent contacted her for such time. Was there any misunderstanding between them?

Chinese Consulate

Suzaku and the other Rounds checked upon the Black Knights being cared of by the Chinese federation. "They already left via underground", Xing-ke informed. "Any form of rebellion would cause China federation to break their contract with Britannia", Suzaku reminded. "I have no plans of being manipulated by Zero", Xing-ke answered. "Sir Kururugi, the Caerleon who is escorting the Viceroy is surrounded by nightmares. The Black Knights are there", a report came via phone line. "Lancelot is still on maintenance. Anya, Gino, go and protect her highness", Suzaku commanded. "Who do you think are you commanding? I am four numbers higher than you", Gino chuckled and grabbed on his Knightmare key. 

Viceroy's Palace
Infirmary

Cecil and Saphira sat beside Guilford's bed. He was covered in bandages. "Commander Guilford, you have been so reckless. Once Princess Cornelia comes back, I will report everything", Saphira smirked. Guilford gulped. "I beg you Princess not to", Guilford sweat dropped. "Dont mind her Sir Guilford, she's just teasing you", Cecil sighed. The door opened. "Where is Suzaku?", Lloyd asked. "He's on standby since Lancelot's wings are still being attached", Lloyd answered. "I told him to keep still but he dove in that battlefield with no Knightmare. I wonder why he was my knight. He won't even listen to me", Saphira massaged her head. 

 ."Announcement, Viceroy's ship is being attacked by the Black Knights". Guilford sat straight and removed his Iv's. "Commander, take me with you", Saphira ordered. "This is a battle, Princess", Guilford lectured. "Lloyd, give me Lancelot's key and Id number", Saphira ordered. Her eyes weren't laughing. "Deliver it safely", Lloyd passed it to her. "What are you doing?", Cecil scolded. Guilford and Saphira went underground for the Knightmares. There will be sound of bombs and explosions outside. "This is no time to be scared", Saphira gripped on her dress and climbed up Lancelot. "Princess, how well do you pilot a nightmare?", Lloyd asked using the monitor. Cecil also connected a line between them. "Just for the basics, I only need to deliver this to him. Plus, I need to tell him something", Saphira answered. "Earl Lloyd, you customized Lancelot? There are two sitting capacity", Saphira noticed. "I just made it for future use. I didnt know it will be so early", Lloyd explained. "Setting off", Saphira launched and went to the Chinese Consulate.

Suzaku opened his compass to check on Saphira and saw that she is moving fast and the direction is towards him. He looked up and saw Lancelot. The nightmare opened and a hand grabbed on Suzaku. "Saphira?! Why are you...", Suzaku stopped talking when he saw her face. "Suzaku... two things before I hand Lancelot to you. First, we are here to rescue Nunally. Second, killing Zero is not our priority", Saphira instructed. "Also, you called me by my name", Saphira smiled and shifted seats with Suzaku. "Another thing. Lelouch formed the Black Knights because of Nunally. He wanted to make a peaceful world. In other words, Lelouch's ultimate goal is Nunally's safety. If you really want to help him, secure Nunally's safety", Saphira explained. "And there will be times where protecting would require to sacrifice some things. You said there were only two things", Suzaku added and had a short laugh. "I cant believe I am having a lecture in the midst of the battle. Suzaku, can I ride the Lancelot with you? Wherever you go?", Saphira asked. "I cannot allow that, your highness. Enemies have their eyes on the Lancelot. They will do their very best to take this Knightmare down", Suzaku answered. "You are my knight. Aren't you suppose to protect me?", Saphira crossed her arms. Suzaku didn't respond. 

I failed to protect a princess once. 

Guren came face to face with him. They're lines connected through call. "We met again! Suzaku!!!", Kallen went all out. She was able to slow her down. "Her Guren has higher spec that before?!", Suzaku removed his damaged parts.  Gino and Anya's Knightmare came to aid. "Have you already tracked where Nunally is?", Suzaku asked. "She's at the garden. We'll be sending you the map", Lloyd answered on his line. Suzaku dashed through where he was directed to. Bullets came to him but he was able to evade them. Saphira held tight on Suzaku's chair. "Saphira. I am your Knight and as long as you have me beside you, nothing will ever happen to you", Suzaku eased her anxiety. "What's with the sudden change of decision?", Saphira hummed. "But still, I won't allow you to be inside the Lancelot. Even if you're not close to me, I know where you will be", Suzaku remembered the compass. 

They crashed inside and saw Zero talking to Nunally. "Suzaku!!!", Nunally screamed out. Zero was thrown away by the wind but was caught by Kallen. Saphira watched Guren gently catches Zero. "Are you okay? Nunally?", Saphira asked. "Is that you Saphira? I'm okay", Nunally answered.

Viceroy's Palace
Villa Aries

Anya typed what happened this day on her diary. "Anya, you did great a while ago", Saphira sat beside her on the cottage. "What do you need now? Im busy", Anya said in her usual bored tone. "Can you teach me how to handle a Knightmare? Man, they did a lot of changes with today's Knightmares. I was watching you a while ago", Saphira pleaded. "Teach you to ride a nightmare?", Suzaku interrupted their conversation. He raised his brow and looked at Saphira. "I let you ride Lancelot. I didn't know it could trigger those ideas on you", Suzaku sighed. Saphira ducked her head and prepared to leave. An officer came to them. "Your Highness, we need someone to sign the execution of an eleven who tried to kill your Knight", he explained. Saphira was staring at the piece of paper. 

Anya took it and gave her sign. "I am one of the Rounds", she informed. The officer bowed and left. "I'll go and check on Nunally", Saphira ran away from Suzaku since she knows she'll be having a long lecture if she stays. "You have a carefree princess at your side", Anya commented. "That's why she reminds me of her", Suzaku looked at the sky.

With just one paper, a life can end. 

Nunally's Room
Alicia is having a lecture about politics. "Can I have a moment with the Viceroy?", Saphira asked. Alicia nodded and left the room. "Saphira, is there something bothering you? You came in with heavy clouds above you", Nunnaly asked. "You are really frightening, Nunnally", Saphira chuckled and sat opposite to her. "Nunally, what would be your first move as a Viceroy?", Saphira asked. "I am going to continue what Sister Euphemia wanted", Nunnally answered. Saphira froze on her answer. "Nunnally, you are bringing back a nightmare to everyone", Saphira commented. "Sorry. I know it cause you so much trauma but I cannot let it pass by. She was your closest friend, am I right? I heard about you. You are the only daughter of Uncle Glen", Nunnally tried to reach out her hand. "She really wanted this treaty so much that she spent night working on it. That's why if these works out, I think she'll be happy", Saphira held her hand. 

"Its your decision", Saphira left and met Suzaku along the corridor. "About what you were discussing with Anya a while ago, mind an explanation?", Suzaku asked. "So scary? Its my first time to hear a knight being like this to his princess", Saphira pouted. "You're right. You and I have a special connection. We're both bounded by our past", Suzaku reminded. "I just want to learn the basics of using the Knightmare", Saphira explained. "Then you could have asked your Knight", Suzaku handed a tablet. "This is my schedule. Saturday is my day off", Suzaku informed. "That means?", Saphira's eyes brightened. "We will be using simulation", Suzaku explained. "That will do", Saphira smiled and hugged the tablet. She saw another schedule on Suzaku's. Euphemia's death anniversary.

Ashford Academy
Lelouch entered the council office with his poker face. He couldn't get over how Nunally called Suzaku's name instead of hers. He was devastated. The one he was trying to protect turns to be someone whom he has to face. "Good morning, Lelouch", Saphira greeted. Lelouch flinched and stepped back. "Ah, good morning", he replied and went to face the laptop. He was watching the news. Rolo and Saphira looked at each other. "The new viceroy is just years younger than us?", Rivalz asked. They were asked to stay at the auditorium for an announcement.

"Zero, hear me out. I am going to establish S.A.Z again", Nunnally announced. Saphira looked at Lelouch's reaction and saw a sudden change of expression. 

Could it be?

Author's Note:

THANKS FOR READING!!!!