Lelouch let out a muffled cry as I slammed him to the cold marble floor, holding his head down by a fistful of silky black hair. I dared not to look down to him, for fear of the Geass. But he had already used it on me, so why couldn't I face him? Why? My friend had become a murderer; who knew that a student could perform such evil deeds, all for the sake of justice? Maybe that was why I couldn't face him.

I looked up as the Emperor of Britannia glared down at me, a lowly Eleven. His eyes were the same as Lelouch's: cold, piercing… dark. "You're Majesty, I have brought Zero before you, the man who threatened your throne."

The Emperor's eyes hardened as he focused his glare to Lelouch, who strained against his bonds. "I knew you would be no good for anything," he began, his voice gruff. "I was right to toss you and your sister away before you had the chance to stab me in the back."

Lelouch… no, Zero wrenched his hair from my grasp, lifting up his head as she shouted, "Was Mother a disgrace too?! Is that why she was killed?! Because she gave birth to me and Nunnally?!"

Before he could say another word, I grabbed hold of his hair and brought his face with a crushing blow to the floor. "Shut up," I hissed.

Smirking, the Emperor took another step towards us, saying, "Your mother? She was disgraced when she gave birth to you and Nunnally… despicable children. Is this your way to repay me for preserving your worthless lives?"

I heard Lelouch grit his teeth before he replied. "I'd rather die than be kept alive by your pity," he growled.

An uncanny grin replaced the smirk. "Don't worry, my pity won't kill you. I'm sure a more fitting punishment will suit you better." The Emperor turned to me, calmly ordering, "Hold up his head and cover his left eye."

I obliged, yanking Lelouch's head up by his hair with one hand while spreading my fingers and palm across the left side of his accursed face with the other. I watched with loathing as his other eye widened, a mixture of hate and fear sparkling in the violet hue.

"Lelouch, from this day on, everything you once knew will become a lie; I will replace your recent memories, erasing Zero and the Black Knights," the Emperor sneered as a strange look come to his eyes. "As well as Nunnally."

I squared my jaw at the sound of Lelouch's pained screaming. "No! Don't take the last person I have left! Don't take Nunnally away from me!"

His cries were sincere, filled with hopelessness and pleading, but the Emperor paid not heed. As for me, my gut felt as if it had been wrenched from my body as Lelouch pleaded for his sister. Nunnally, I was sure, had nothing to do with Zero, so why was she being punished as well? What would happen to her when her cherished brother comes home? Then my eyes narrowed as my thoughts became clouded with hate.

Did Euphemia plead like this before she was slaughtered by her brother's hand?

Time stood still as the unknown occurred; I figured it was the Geass, but I had Lelouch's defective eye covered. Could it be…? I forced my gaze to the ground, afraid to look up to the Emperor's steel glare.

Then I noticed it: Lelouch had suddenly gone deathly quiet and still. My gaze shifted towards him, shocked at his limp appearance. His mouth hung slightly ajar and his open eye had dulled, half closed. If it weren't for the faint breath that escaped his lips, I would have taken him for dead.

"Kururugi, you can let go of him now," I heard the Emperor order as he turned away.

I released my hold, letting Lelouch collapse limply with a crack that emitted from his head hitting the floor. His unseeing eyes stared up at me, the abnormal hue now turned back into the same violet color as its partner.

Standing, I readjusted my jacket, coughing to attract the Emperor's attention. "My Lord, what further instructions do you have for me? Now that Zero's thought are dead, he is no longer a threat to your kingdom," I said hoarsely.

The Emperor looked to me over his shoulder, replying, "Place him in solitary confinement; he'll be coming around in an hour or two… Make sure he awakes to a warm welcome."

I bowed low, placing my fist over my chest in salute. "It shall be done." Kneeling beside Lelouch, I hoisted him up and slung his limp form over my shoulder like a rag doll. His heavy head jolted against my back with every step I took, and every once in a while, a soft mumble of pain escaped his throat.

Before I reached the wide doors, I stopped at the sound of the Emperor's voice:

"Kururugi, no one is to know of the Geass… it's our secret."

"Yes… You're Majesty…"