Capital Area 11
It had been two days since the Black Knights revealed themselves. Targeting drug syndicates and criminal operations, their actions were quickly winning over public support.
Inside a fortified corridor, Cobra Commander walked briskly, his boots echoing against the polished floor. Through the windows, he glimpsed the courtyard where his troops trained rigorously—shattering solid concrete with their bare hands. He nodded in approval, impressed by their relentless progress.
As he walked, he suddenly halted.
"You can come out, Storm Shadow. I know you're there."
From the shadows, Storm Shadow stepped forward, arms crossed. "You're getting good at this, Commander," he said calmly.
The two men locked eyes in silence, the tension between them heavy, until Storm Shadow finally spoke.
"You revealed your face to the world. You once said the day you did that would be—"
"—the day I declared war on the world," Cobra interjected, finishing the sentence. "Yes, I did say that. And I meant it. Why bring it up now?"
Storm Shadow was quiet before replying, "Why now? What made you decide the time had come?"
Cobra looked down the hallway, his gaze distant. "After meeting Zero and the Black Knights, I saw not just a worthy foe—but the final piece to complete my plan. It's time to bring Britannia to its knees."
He resumed walking, then stopped to glance back at Storm Shadow. "Soon, Operation Cleanup will begin."
Storm Shadow gave a solemn nod before vanishing into the shadows once more.
Cobra Knightmare Factory
At the factory, Cobra Commander arrived to find Dr. Mindbender studying the schematics of a Knightmare frame on a glowing screen. Upon noticing the Commander, Mindbender stood and saluted.
"Commander, I've just completed the final upgrades to your Knightmare. With Destro's tech enhancements, it's now fully combat-ready."
"Impressive," Cobra said, eyes scanning the frame. "I assume I'm the only one who can pilot it?"
"Indeed, my lord. It's been customized exclusively for you. Others may assist with upgrades or maintenance—but only you can control it."
Cobra then turned to another monitor showing troop deployment plans. His sister had located a base belonging to the Japanese Liberation Front.
"Perfect. A live combat test," he muttered.
He watched the crew prep the Knightmares for deployment, then stepped out to find Firefly and Zartan inspecting their own units.
Both men saluted. "Sir!"
"At ease," Cobra said, facing Firefly. "I'll need you for this mission."
He then turned to Zartan. "Your talents won't be necessary on the battlefield... but I have another task for you."
Zartan tilted his head, confused, until Cobra leaned in and whispered the details of his assignment. The confusion faded, replaced by a devious grin.
"You got it, boss. I'll take care of it," Zartan said with a sly nod.
"Don't get spotted."
As Zartan disappeared, Cobra turned back to Firefly. "Get your team ready."
"It's time. We rise—and strike."
Narita Mountains
Cornelia's forces advanced through the mountain paths while some of Cobra's Knightmares remained in reserve. At the G-1 command center, Cobra Commander studied a holographic battlefield map.
"Sir, Cornelia's forces are pushing through. They'll reach the JLF base shortly," a soldier reported.
"This is too easy..." Cobra muttered. "I expected more resistance from the JLF. This isn't even worth sending in the Dreadnoks."
He was turning to leave when a shout halted him.
"Sir! A landslide! It wiped out half of Cornelia's squad!"
Cobra rushed back, eyes narrowing at the map's updated data. "That kind of precision..."
He grinned. "So, Zero and the Black Knights have entered the fray."
He turned to his troops. "Deploy all forces. It's time for Cobra to show its fangs!"
"Yes, sir!"
"All units, you are cleared to engage!"
Knightmares powered up across the hangar. Firefly's custom frame—marked by its gas mask motif and mounted minigun—led the charge.
"Lock and load!" Firefly barked. "Let's tear 'em apart!"
In the ensuing clash, Firefly downed a JLF Knightmare with a single, thunderous shot. More came into view—some firing, others shouting curses as they mistook Cobra's elite forces for Britannian troops.
Firefly dodged gracefully and allowed his team the glory. They opened fire, decimating their opposition.
Elsewhere, Cobra units engaged JLF soldiers in the dense woods. Though the JLF had high ground, Cobra troops used the terrain to their advantage. One enemy Knightmare lost its hand but continued to fire due to a dead pilot's twitching finger—accidentally causing friendly fire that turned the tide briefly in JLF's favor.
But Firefly's team regrouped with Cornelia's forces just in time.
"You there! Identify yourselves!" Cornelia demanded from her Knightmare.
Firefly casually destroyed an incoming JLF unit before responding. "Relax, Princess. We're just cleaning up your mess."
Cornelia grit her teeth. "Damn Cobra..."
As the battle raged, Cobra troops and Cornelia's knights joined forces, pressing the JLF back.
G-1 Command Base
Cobra refused to sit on his throne, standing beside his officers.
"Send Delta Force to these coordinates. Have them wait until all squads are in position—then strike from the shadows."
"Sir, we're detecting unknown Knightmares approaching the battlefield," an intel officer called out.
"Put them on-screen."
Four sword-wielding Knightmares appeared.
"The Four Holy Swords," Cobra murmured with interest. "Excellent."
He touched the side of his helmet. "Dr. Mindbender, is it ready?"
"Yes, my lord. Your Gundam is fully operational."
The Battlefield
In the thick woods, Cobra soldiers were falling. One cried out for a comrade—then was obliterated himself.
Suddenly, two enemy Knightmares exploded—cut clean through by a beam of red energy. Another was bisected by a glowing sword.
A Cobra soldier stared in awe. "They finished it... The Gundam."
The JLF fired at the new arrival, but it blocked the barrage, charged in, and decimated their units in swift, brutal fashion. After disabling the last Knightmare, the glowing blade faded.
Cobra Commander, inside the cockpit, spoke.
"Glad to see the saber blade works."
"Sir!" two remaining Cobra suits approached. "Awaiting orders!"
"Regroup with Squad Five. Meet up with Firefly."
"What about you, sir?"
"I'm going to deal with the samurai."
Guilford's Battle
Guilford's Knightmare struggled to fend off the Four Holy Swords. One of his allies was sliced in two.
Suddenly, a figure landed and blocked a strike aimed at Guilford.
"I expected more from Cornelia's lapdog," Cobra's voice mocked.
Guilford sneered. "Cobra..."
Cobra turned to face the elite swordsmen. "At last, the Four Holy Swords. Let's make this interesting."
He drew his saber. "Kendo, is it? Surely one of you will face me in a proper duel?"
Tohdoh stepped forward. "I am Kyoshiro Tohdoh. I accept your challenge!"
But before the duel began, another Knightmare intervened—marked by Cobra's emblem and the Arashikage clan symbol.
Guilford blinked. "That symbol...?"
Storm Shadow's voice cut through. "Commander, forgive the interruption, but this is personal. Your sister faces a new threat. She may not survive."
Guilford bolted. "All units! The Princess is in danger! Move!"
The Four Swords stayed, locking eyes with Storm Shadow.
He raised twin blades.
"Tohdoh," he growled.
"Arashikage," Tohdoh hissed back.
A female pilot lunged. "TRAITOR!"
Storm Shadow deflected, then disabled multiple suits with surgical precision—sparing the pilots.
Tohdoh screamed in anguish. "Ryoga! Kosetsu!"
"Fall back, Nagisa!" he ordered.
"No! We can still fight!"
"This is an order!"
She hesitated, then retreated.
Storm Shadow planted one sword into the ground.
"I was ordered to bring you in alive. But don't tempt me."
Tohdoh raised his blade. "You will pay for what you've done!"
Their duel ignited—blades clashing in a blur. Both took damage. One arm gone, one leg lost. Finally, they stabbed one another—both suits powering down.
But their battle wasn't over.
Cobra vs. Guren
Landing with force, Cobra's Gundam stood between the Lancelot and an unknown red Knightmare.
"I'll take this one. You go handle Zero," he ordered.
The Lancelot pilot obeyed.
Cobra turned to face the new opponent.
"Never seen this model. What's it called?"
"Guren," came a confident female voice. "And yours?"
"Gundam."
He raised his shield.
"Let's see which of us deserves the battlefield."
"Bring it on, Gundam!"
They charged. Steel clashed. Sparks flew.
And the battle for Area 11 surged into chaos.
The Duel: Guren vs. Gundam
Both suits charged at one another, metal giants colliding like titans of war. The Guren lunged first, its Knightmare blade slashing low, but the Gundam met the strike with its shield, sparks flying on impact.
Retaliating instantly, Gundam swung its beam saber downward, but Guren leapt back, narrowly evading the glowing arc. She rebounded with a spinning kick toward the head—but Gundam ducked under and shoved her away with its shield.
Guren pressed the attack, launching into another kick, only for the Gundam to block with its shield once more. He flipped around her deftly, keeping the momentum.
Again they charged, blades and strikes flying. A blur of motion—dodges, blocks, counterattacks.
"You're fast, little snake," Gundam's pilot muttered as he brought his saber down.
Guren sidestepped and slammed a kick into his back.
"Of all the insults I've heard, I'd rather be called that than an Eleven!" she snapped.
"Oh, it's not an insult at all, knight," he replied coolly, swinging again. Guren flipped back, landing with precision.
"If you surrender now, you'll have a place in Cobra."
"Tempting—but my loyalty is to Zero!" she shouted, surging forward. Her silver hand extended, clamping down on Gundam's head.
A surge of crimson energy erupted from her claw, enveloping the Gundam in a red glow. The pilot inside flinched—but as the light faded, only faint scorch marks marred the armor.
Gundam countered with a swift kick to Guren's midsection, knocking her back.
"W-What the hell?!" she gasped, regaining balance.
"The Gundam's armor is stronger than your average Knightmare," he said, advancing. "But... that did do some damage."
He swung his saber again. Guren jumped back, narrowly dodging.
"Then I just have to keep trying!" she growled, reloading her claw cannon.
She rushed in, but Gundam swapped to his beam rifle, raising it.
"Not happening again!" he declared, and fired.
Guren blocked the blasts with a crimson energy shield, but the force pushed her backward, her feet skidding across the dirt. Both pilots paused, calculating.
"This suit is something else..." Cobra Commander muttered. "I can't underestimate it."
Meanwhile, inside the Guren, Kallen narrowed her eyes.
"This Gundam… might be even stronger than the Lancelot."
Guren charged again. Gundam raised his shield—but the energy wave corroded it. The metal began to boil. With a grunt, he discarded it just as Guren ripped it away and followed up with a kick to his chest.
Staggering back, Gundam steadied himself. He drew his saber once more.
"I'm not done yet, Guren!" he shouted, firing a few quick shots before the rifle died in his hands. He tossed it aside and ran at her.
"Same here, Gundam—let's finish this!!" she shouted back.
They collided again—blades crashing, sparks flying with every strike. Blow for blow, Gundam pressed forward, forcing Guren to the cliff's edge. He raised his saber for the final strike—
—but the ground beneath Guren crumbled.
She fell, vanishing into the mist below. Gundam froze, his saber dimming. He holstered it silently.
"Until we meet again, little snake," he murmured. "Next time, perhaps you'll join Cobra."
He turned and walked away toward where the Lancelot had fallen.
Lancelot Site
The Lancelot stood, twitching—its weapons firing aimlessly into the sky, systems scrambled. Around it lay a broken Knightmare, scorched and twisted.
Gundam approached calmly. With a single swing, he severed the Lancelot's firing arm.
"Medical team to my location," he said over comms. "Zero got away."
He turned, leaving the battlefield behind.
Ashford Academy – Lelouch's Dorm
The door creaked open.
Lelouch stepped in, soaking wet, his face drained of emotion. He reached for the light—but a small lamp flicked on instead.
He froze.
In the chair across the room, legs crossed casually, sat Cobra Commander.
"Hello... Zero," he said, calm and cold. "Or should I say... brother. We have so much to discuss."
Lelouch's eyes widened in shock, remembering that moment from weeks ago.
Flashback: First Meeting
Zero stood tense.
"What do you want, Cobra Commander?"
Cobra stepped in close and whispered:
"I know who C.C. is... and I know where she's hiding."
Present
"You came to kill me?" Lelouch asked quietly.
"No," Cobra said, standing slowly. "Not to kill. Not to arrest."
He stepped closer. Their eyes met.
"I came here... for a potential—"
"Partnership," Lelouch finished.
The word hung in the air. C.C., hidden in the shadows, listened in silence.
Narita: Zartan's Move
Outside a research facility, Dr. Joseph Fenette ran with his team. A Britannian vehicle pulled up.
"Quick! Get in!" the driver yelled.
They climbed in. Joseph caught his breath.
"Thank you. You saved us."
"No problem, Doc," the driver replied smoothly.
The silence lasted only seconds.
"So... did you get enough research from C.C.?" the driver asked casually.
Joseph's eyes widened in horror.
From the backseat, a wire looped around his neck. He clawed at it—but couldn't breathe. Behind him, Zartan grinned.
"Cobra knows what you've been up to," he hissed. "And we don't like nosy doctors ruining the plan."
Joseph choked, gasping. His final breath wheezed out as Zartan gave a final yank, the wire biting deep into flesh.
"Dump the body," Zartan ordered.
They tossed the corpse on the roadside and drove off—silent shadows vanishing into the night.
Area 11: Rainfall
It rained hard.
A girl stood alone in the park, soaked. Her hair clung to her face.
Lelouch approached with an umbrella, phone in hand. But when he saw her, he hung up and walked over.
"I'm sorry I'm late," he said softly. "I thought you'd gone home."
She didn't answer.
"Come on, let's get out of the rain—"
"Lulu..." she finally said. "Zero fights for the weak, right?"
"Yeah..." he replied, taken aback.
"Then why... why did he kill my father?"
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"He was kind. He never hurt anyone. But he was buried alive. He couldn't breathe… why did he have to die?"
She collapsed into him, sobbing.
"I don't want this," she whispered. "Please, Lulu... help me."
They kissed—desperate, aching.
But they weren't alone.
In the shadows, beneath a tree, Zartan smoked a cigarette, lips curled in amusement.
"Buried alive, huh?" he muttered to himself.
He exhaled slowly, watching them.
"Nice cover for an assassination," he chuckled. "Finally got the girl, Lulu—and all it took was me killing Daddy."
With a smirk, he turned away.
"You can thank me later."
As he vanished down the rainy street, a cobra was spray-painted on the wall behind him.