Amazon Forest
The Amazon rainforest, typically tranquil even under moonlight, was anything but peaceful tonight. Gunfire lit up the dense foliage in flashes, echoing across the jungle canopy.
This wasn't the usual skirmish between Britannian forces and the Japanese resistance. No—tonight's battle was between mercenaries. One side was a ragtag crew under Britannia's contract, but their true employer was another name feared across continents: Cobra.
They were known as the Dreadnoks.
Two types of mechs clashed in the jungle: standard, outdated Knightmares on one side and heavily customized Cobra-enhanced units on the other. The Dreadnoks' upgraded mechs, equipped with brutal enhancements courtesy of Cobra Commander himself, easily held the advantage.
As gunfire blazed, explosions erupted in front of the Dreadnoks, causing their line to shift back.
"Oi! Tell those Brit bastards to bomb the other side, not us!" one Dreadnok shouted, unloading his minigun on two resistance units, tearing through them effortlessly.
"Inbred fools don't care!" another yelled over the noise. "They've probably got twelve sisters waiting to screw back home!"
A resistance mech lunged at one of the Dreadnoks. With brutal speed, the Dreadnok slammed a mechanical fist straight through the Knightmare's chest, crushing the pilot within. As he ripped the body free, blood dripped from his metal fingers.
"Not bad. Feels like two-a-day if you don't count Sundays," he chuckled.
Suddenly, the whirring of a chainsaw echoed through the chaos. A new mech, massive and savage in design, leapt into the fray. Wielding a chainsaw like a sword, it tore through Britannian Knightmares with terrifying grace—metal flying in every direction with each strike.
When the carnage ended, the chainsaw mech turned toward the Dreadnoks, resting the weapon on its shoulder.
"Boss says we're almost done with this jungle shithole. Britannians are pulling out," the pilot's voice crackled through the comms.
"'Bout damn time!" one Dreadnok shouted.
Up above, a flying mech suit soared overhead and landed beside the chainsaw unit. It fired a stream of napalm toward the trees, torching a group of resistance fighters hiding with rocket launchers.
The pilot of the flying unit looked over. "So, what fresh hell has Cobra got us in this time, Buzzer?"
The chainsaw mech's pilot, Buzzer, let out a raspy chuckle. "Hope you packed your kimono torches... we're heading to Area 11."
A pause.
"Japan."
Area 11: Britannia Headquarters
Inside a dimly lit war chamber, the video feed ended. Cobra Commander sat regally on a black steel throne.
Dr. Mindbender, smiling proudly, clapped his gloved hands. "As you can see, sir, the footage makes for an excellent recruitment reel. With this, we'll attract even more sympathizers."
Cobra Commander nodded. "The video's fine. But will it truly convince the people of Japan to see Cobra as their ally?"
"Without question, Commander—especially after our intervention in the ghetto crisis, when your sister took action," Mindbender replied.
The mention of his sister made Cobra Commander stand. He eyed the floor with contempt before looking at Mindbender.
"I have a meeting with the nobles. Tell me—are my formal clothes ready?"
Mindbender nodded quickly.
"Good," Cobra growled. "Time to deal with the arrogant little shits."
As he left the room, he muttered under his breath, "Every damn one of them thinks they're superior... pompous, inbred parasites."
Train Ride to Tokyo
Cobra Commander sat alone in the VIP lounge, dressed in a student uniform from his undercover days. He sipped wine, untouched hot food before him, while staring out the window at the ghettos below.
"Soon... you will all be free," he murmured, guilt heavy in his voice.
Nearby, he overheard chatter.
"I've never been outside the Tokyo settlement before!" an excitable girl with orange hair gushed.
"I bet you wish Lelouch was coming too," teased a blonde girl.
The orange-haired one gasped. "Don't be so loud!"
They laughed and continued on. Cobra rolled his eyes under his helmet. Teenage innocence, he supposed. But the name Lelouch made him pause.
That name... I haven't heard it since... my brother was sent here.
A shy girl—Nina—flinched as the train entered a tunnel.
"Nina, it's fine. There are Britannian tourists at the lake," said the blonde, trying to comfort her. "This isn't the ghettos."
Cobra's patience cracked.
"Don't be foolish, girl," he said coldly. The girls turned, recognizing the voice. "You fear people suffering—because of us. If they show anger, they have every right."
The blonde whispered, "Lord Cobra..."
He continued, staring at the passing lights. "My father—the Emperor—feeds you honeyed lies. But remember this: a snake may shed its skin... but it's still a snake."
He tightened his grip on the wine glass until it shattered in his hand.
"And every snake has fangs."
The girls stared in silence. He rose and walked away. Milly, frowning, stood up and followed.
Train Bar
"You didn't need to scare her like that," Milly said sternly.
Cobra glanced at her. "Miss...?"
"Milly. Milly Ashford."
Cobra raised a brow. "Ashford... one of the few noble families I respect. You've lost your political weight, but at least you're not insufferable."
"Thanks... I guess?"
She saw him press a button on his helmet and take a sip of wine through a tiny hatch. For a brief second, she glimpsed inside—burnt flesh, exposed jawbone, teeth with no lips.
Her expression shifted from curiosity to horror.
"I was burned alive," he said quietly. "A terrorist bullet hit an oil lamp. I wear this helmet to breathe—not to scare."
"I—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," he waved off. "But tell your friend—those in the ghettos aren't monsters."
"Why do you care so much?" she asked.
He pointed out the window. "You see a city of lights, entertainment, and comfort."
The window darkened. Another panel opened, revealing the ghetto outside—crumbling buildings, starving families, rats as meals.
"They starve while we eat like kings. My family's legacy is pain."
He turned back to her.
"So enjoy your luxuries. But remember what it cost them."
He walked away, hands behind his back.
Milly stared at the scene outside, eyes brimming with guilt.
"…Are we the villains?" she whispered.
Hotel
Cobra's hotel room was lavish. Too lavish.
"I asked for a normal room," he muttered.
He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at himself in the mirror. Slowly, he reached for his helmet—but before he could remove it—
BANG!
The door burst open. Armed men stormed in.
"Don't move, Britannian scum!"
Cobra sighed. "I knew I should've brought guards."
They struck him in the gut and dragged him away.
Hostage Room
He was thrown into a room full of captives—including Euphemia.
"Logan!" she tried to help him up.
"I'm fine," he snapped.
"We can argue later. Stay calm for now," she whispered.
"Agreed. But hide your identity. They'll know who I am soon enough."
A man entered—a Japanese general.
"At last, Cobra Commander," he said with mock respect.
"You must be General Josui Kusakabe," Cobra replied, unimpressed.
"You're not what I expected."
Cobra sneered. "And your plan? Take us hostage until demands are met? Do you even have an escape route?"
Furious, Kusakabe drew a pistol and aimed it at Cobra's head.
"You're no Zero. You're just a coward hiding behind a mask!"
Cobra slowly removed his helmet.
A gasp rippled through the room.
Burnt flesh. Visible bone. One eye. No lips.
"Not pretty, is it?" he said coldly.
"This isn't a mask of fear—it's my life support."
He grabbed the general's hand, placing the pistol against his own head.
"Does this look like a coward? Kill me, and Cobra will hunt your family to the ends of the earth."
Kusakabe backed away, trembling.
Cobra sat down silently as others stared in stunned silence. Euphemia wept silently. Milly covered her mouth, tears in her eyes.
Cobra replaced the helmet.
Breathing resumed.
Later...
The events of the episode played out. Cobra watched it all—Euphemia saving a green-haired girl, a building collapse, a rescue via lifeboat.
And then, he saw him.
Zero.
He listened to the speech.
"The only ones who should kill are those prepared to be killed."
Cobra nodded.
Then he stepped forward, clapping slowly.
"Well said, Zero," he said, leaping onto the Black Knights' boat with practiced ease.
Everyone stared in shock.
He was standing before Zero himself.