Dog Soldiers of the Suburbs

Chapter 3: The Princess' Announcement

by LDEJRuff

At the dining room, the Griffins, Vinny and Lelouch were having dinner together. After Lelouch had his first helping, he said to Lois, "That is some good dinner, Mrs. Griffin."

"Why, thank you, Lulu," replied Lois. She then turned to Vinny. "And by the way, Vinny, I'm sorry about what happened to your owner."

"That's okay, Lois," Vinny said. "I've pretty much gotten over him when I told the Captain of the Guard and his soldiers to leave. However, I still wanted someone to take good care of me now that Leo's dead."

This bit of sad news brought a sad look on Brian's face. However, his sad look gave way to a smile when he said, "Maybe, you can live with us, Vinny. I always wanted to have a brother-like figure to take care of."

"Really?" Vinny said, ecstatic. "No kidding?"

"No kidding," Brian repeated in the form of an answer. "That means the Griffins will have an extra mouth to feed."

"That's nice, Brian," Lelouch began, "but we need to end this war between Britannia and Quahog. I don't want my country to shed some Rhode Islander blood."

"Yeah, me, neither," Peter added. "I don't want the family to lose a member, such as myself. That would be a heartbreak."

Brian froze at this, and saw an image of Peter dying from a bullet wound on a hospital bed, and the rest of the Griffin family surrounding him in a sad hug. This was an effect of his newly obtained Geass power: to see gruesome images of the future unless something good happens.

Stewie noticed Brian for a moment, and snapped him out of this trance. Brian shook his head.

"Huh?" Brian said. "What's going on, Stewie?"

"You were in a trance, Brian," Stewie answered. "And I noticed your right eye was glowing pink with a bird-like symbol in it."

Lelouch stopped short as he was drinking his water. "Did that baby just say, 'bird-like symbol'?"" he thought. "Brian must have a Geass power, too."

"Stewie must have figured out about Brian's Geass," Vinny thought. "I hope he doesn't find out about mine."

"Maybe," Lelouch thought still, "he can be the starting point in my rebellion group, the Black Knights."

"I wonder what's up with Lelouch," Vinny thought, noticing him. "He's acting strange, suddenly. Could it be that he has a Geass power, too? Maybe, it's different, like Brian's and mine."

"I'll bet..." both Lelouch and Vinny thought.

Stewie noticed that both Lelouch and Vinny were staring at each other.

"What the hell is going on here?" Stewie said, breaking the two out of their thinking. "It's like you two are having a staring contest, and are waiting to see which one of you two would blink."

"Oh," Vinny chuckled. "Sorry about that, Stewie."

"No, no, Vinny," Lelouch began. "The fault is mine. I was just thinking about what Stewie said about Brian."

"And I was thinking about what you had, Lelouch," Vinny said. "Do you think we can discuss this after dinner?"

"Sounds fine," Lelouch answered. "We'll meet in the living room."

As promised, Lelouch and Vinny sat in the living room couch after dinner, and began their discussion.

"You don't have to say anything first, Lulu," Vinny began. "I'm guessing you have a Geass power, too, just like Brian and I."

"Wait," Lelouch said. "You're a Geass user, too?"

"Yeah," Vinny answered. "With mine, I can give commands to anyone I have eye contact with. However, I don't know if this can be repeated on the same person."

"I'm afraid not, Vinny," Lelouch regretted. "I have the same Geass as you, and mine cannot be used on a person more than once. I tried it on a classmate in school, and the first time succeeded, but the second time failed. But how come you and I have the same Geass?"

"Well," Vinny began, "maybe it's a coincidence. Does your sister, Nunnally, know about this?"

"No," Lelouch answered. "All she knows is that since I'm her older brother, she loves me so much. She even made a pinky promise with me not to lie. And I bet, since you and Brian are going to be like brothers in this house, you can make the same promise with each other."

"I guess so, Lulu," Vinny said.

"By the way," Lelouch began, "what Geass power does Brian have?"

"The ability to see a gruesome future," Vinny replied. "That is, unless something good happens to prevent it."

Just then, a news report got their attention. Tom Tucker was sitting on the desk.

"This just in," Tom said. "Third Princess Euphemia li Britannia is about to give a special announcement to both Britannians and Quahogians." He turned to the news crew. "Is...is that even a word?" he asked.

The picture cut to a podium where Princess Euphemia, who has pink hair and violet eyes, just like the ones Lelouch has, was standing. She looked serious. Vinny gasped in awe at her appearance.

"Oh, my gosh," Vinny said. "She looks so beautiful."

"She is," Lelouch said. "Euphy's my half-sister."

"Half-sister?" Vinny repeated. "Is she related to your pops or som'n?"

"Yes," Lelouch answered. "She and I share the same father."

Euphy gave a speech. "To all of Quahog who is still alive," she addressed, "and to any Britannian out there who is watching, be it a soldier or a royal family member, I have this to say. This war has to stop. Can you not see my pain?" she continued, with tears in her eyes. "My heart was ripped from my chest and torn in two. In other words, I am heartbroken by the fact that both Britannia and Quahog are at war. The last thing I want to see is a bloodbath, and I do not want that to happen. Please, I am begging you. End the war so that I can live my life in peace, especially with my siblings, Prince Schneizel, Second Princess Cornelia, and Third Prince Clovis."

Both Lelouch and Vinny watched this with awe.

"Wow," Vinny said. "Some tough words comin' from such a beautiful princess."

"That's Euphy for you," Lelouch added.

Brian came into the room.

"Hey, guys," Brian greeted. "I couldn't help but notice you watching the news and can tell that Vinny has it in for the address-giving Princess. Maybe I can give some tips on dating."

"That's okay, Brian," Vinny replied. "I already know well enough about dating. Besides, that was a mighty fine speech she gave. Maybe I can congratulate her in person."

"I don't think so, Vinny," Brian disagreed. "Those Britannians will kill you faster than you can say 'Ciao'. Maybe it's better if I drove you over there in my Prius. You'd be safer in there."

"Oh," Vinny said. "Well, that sounds nice. After all, I do need the protection. Thanks for being there for me, soon-to-be step-brother."

"Prius?" Lelouch repeated. "I had no idea that you can drive, Brian."

"Well, Lelouch," Brian began, "I could tell you more about me sometime."

At the Fine Arts Center, as Euphy was about to leave the podium, she stopped short upon hearing the slow clapping of hands. She looked in front of the stairs and saw Vinny, clapping his hands and wearing a smile on his face.

"You're a dog," Euphy said. "Why is a dog like you clapping your hands at the Fine Arts Center?"

"Because," Vinny began, "that speech you gave was wonderful, Princess Euphy. I just came here with a friend after watching you on the telly."

"You saw my announcement?" asked Euphy.

"Yes, your highness," Vinny answered.

"But how did you get passed security?" Euphy continued.

Vinny answered, looking behind himself, "I have my reasons."

Cutaway: We see Vinny approaching a couple of guards, who were about to ready their spears.

"I request an audience with Princess Euphemia," said Vinny, activating his Geass. "Please, let me in."

With that, the bird-like symbol in his eye went to the guards' minds, and the guards lowered their spears and allowed Vinny passage into the Fine Arts Center.

"Perfect," Vinny thought.

Back to him and Euphy.

"Anyway," Vinny began, "I don't know if that message you gave will instantly go through. Many Britannian soldiers will kill us Quahogians without reason. Plus, some Quahogians can use them Knightmares to protect themselves."

"I know," Euphy assured. "My brother, Prince Schneizel, can be very strategic. And I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but I, too, can use a Knightmare."

"Well, as soon as this war is over," Vinny began, "I wanna get to know you better."

"And I want to get to know you, too," Euphy replied. "What's your name?"

"Vincenzo," Vinny answered. "Call me 'Vinny' for short. I recently lost my owner, Leo, to gunfire, but I'll soon be a Griffin dog, and a step-brother, as they have another dog."

"Very well, Vinny," Euphy said, petting him on the head.

Little did either of them know that behind the curtain, a small shadowy figure, about the same size as either Brian or Vinny, has watched them with content. The figure looked like an anthropomorphic Border Collie silhouette.

"You may need some help, Vinny," the figure thought. "More help than you think in stopping this war."