A Dying Geass, A Dying Wish
Summary: Before Charles di Britannia disappeared from existence, he left a parting "gift" to Lelouch, one that will change the course of history.
Warning: The characters might be a little OOC-ish. This is Yaoi, as well.
Important: Also the "countries" that were former areas only had their "Number" names revoked and given back their identity as their own Nation. They are still part of Britannia.
Charles' slowly disintegrating body flew towards Lelouch in an attempt to stop fate. "You obnoxious fool!" he said as he put his son into a chokehold. Suzaku tried to stop the Emperor but Lelouch stopped him. "Suzaku, stay your hand." Lelouch said with his hand gesturing him to stop. The emperor strengthened his hold on Lelouch's neck. "Deny me and what waits is his… Schneizel's world!" the emperor shouted. "Good and evil are merely the front and back of the same card. Even so you…" The emperor wasn't able to finish his sentence as he was cut off by his son.
"Even so, I will deny your world." Lelouch said. The Emperors half almost dissolved body returned to Marianne's side and spoke up.
"To you my son, a parting 'gift'" the Emperor said in a most malicious voice. "As long as we are still in the World of C, EVERYTHING is possible as long as one is a Geass user or a Code Bearer. And so a final gift I impart to you Lelouch. May you die an agonizing death, my disappointment of a son." At those words Lelouch's face contorted into utmost hatred. "BE GONE!" Lelouch yelled and as he commanded the emperor was finally gone.
Time Skip 1 month…
A large number of nobles and the children of the Emperor gathered in a great big hall.
"Didn't they say his majesty was missing?" Carline, 4th Princesses of the Britannian Empire said.
"Bismark was the one that reported that and seeing that he's absent…" Guinevere, the 1st Princess of the Britannian Empire replied to her younger sister
"Rather, where is Schneizel and his people?" Odysseus, the Crowned Prince added.
"Who knows?" Guinevere replied.
"Contact with Cambodia is…" Guinevere was interrupted by the announcer.
"His Majesty will now enter!" The announcer said as a boy in a black school uniform went up to the throne and sat down upon it.
"I am the 99th Emperor of Britannia, Lelouch vi Britannia" said the boy
"Huh, really?" Carline questioned
"You were alive?" Guinevere added her own question.
"Indeed Sister. I came back from the depths of hell." Answered Lelouch
"I'm so glad, Lelouch. When we found Nunnally, I knew there could be a chance… But, don't you think your prank has a bit over the line? That is Father's…" Odysseus was cut off from reprimanding his 'long-lost' younger brother by said younger brother.
"The 98th emperor, Charles di Britannia… died at my hands" Lelouch said with much pride.
"Huh?" Odysseus exclaimed in surprise. All around the hall people started murmuring…
"Therefore, I am the new emperor." Lelouch announced
"What is he talking about?! That is unbelievable!" Carline exclaimed
"Remove that imbecile! The vile criminal that slaughtered his Majesty!" Guinevere ordered the stationed soldiers. They ran up, spears in their hands ready to capture/kill Lelouch. Suddenly a black blur stopped the soldiers and subsequently shattered the spears of which they previously held. They then recognized the new person as the Knight of Seven, Kururugi Suzaku.
"Allow me to introduce My Knight, Kururugi Suzaku. As a Rounds above all Rounds members, I shall bestow upon him the title of Knight of Zero." Lelouch said pointing to Suzaku
"That is not nice, Lelouch. You too, Lord Kururugi. You cannot play such awful pranks on an international live broadcast…" Odysseus said trying to chastise the two younger boys. But once again interrupted by his brother.
"Is that so?" Lelouch asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Then I shall make this very simple." Lelouch removes his contacts which stops his accidental use of his Geass and activated it on everyone in the hall. "Acknowledge me!" he commanded
"Like I said, stop that kind of joking or else…" Odysseus started but easily succumbed to the effect of the Geass. "Yes, Your Majesty! ..." Odysseus proclaimed as he raised his right fist towards his heart.
"All hail Lelouch!" Carline and Guinevere followed after which the whole hall chanted.
The broadcast was then cut off after a few more minutes of chanting. The crowd dispersed with the Royal Siblings staying where they were.
"Count Lloyd Asplund and Lady Croomey, do not leave yet and please come up front." Lelouch said over the voices of the dispersing crowd.
The two mentioned went up to the new Emperor.
"What is it your Majesty?" Lloyd said as he removed the sunglasses he was wearing. Suzaku had a few days ago informing them to wear a pair of sunglasses when and if there was a Royal announcement to be made.
"I understand that your genius doesn't stop at robotics, mechanics and physics and that it extends to… various sciences." Lelouch said with in a questioning voice.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Creating Knightmare Frames needs full medical expertise, specializing in radiation sicknesses, diseases, all types of illnesses actually and it's cures as well. Is something the matter, Your Majesty?" Lloyd asked the emperor.
"As a matter of fact…" from there the Emperor left the Grand Hall gesturing to the two scientists to follow.
Time Skip 2 months… Lelouch is in Ashford and the talks had already begun…
"Chairwoman of the United Federation of Nations' Supreme Council, Lady Sumeragi Kaguya. I ask you to acknowledge my Holy Empire of Britannia's status of a member nation of the United Federation of Nations" Lelouch pleaded with pride in his voice.
'Lord Zero' Kaguya thought as she gazed upon the person she once saw as a hero.
"You understand that the approval of at least two-thirds of the member nations is required, correct?" Kaguya asked.
"But, of course. That is what democracy is all about, right?" Lelouch answered with his own question.
"You are correct." Kaguya replied. Kaguya then pressed something in the panel in front of her.
Walls were raised around Lelouch to prevent Geass.
"Isn't this rather rude." A Representative said.
"I believe the evil doings of Britannia is to be blamed on the previous emperor, Charles…" Female Representative added her own comment.
'Geass Countermeasures, eh?' Lelouch thought to himself. 'But, that must mean that Kaguya and the core members of the Black Knights are the only ones that know about Geass.' He added as an extra thought.
A video screen activated showing Kaguya. "What is your objective? Emperor of atrocities, Lelouch." Kaguya said as calmly as possible.
"I take that with exception, Chairwoman. Isn't current Britannia a beneficial country for your federation?" Lelouch answered.
"Is that really so? Resolutions within the United Federation of Nations are decided by Majority." Xingke question Lelouch as another video screen showing him activated on another part of the barrier wall. One by one more screens activate showing Toudou and Ohgi
"The electoral count is proportional to a country's population." Toudou added.
"With the collapse of the Chinese Federation, the country that boasts the largest population in the world…" Kaguya continued. (A/N: Not really sure didn't capture the moment…)
"Is Britannia." Ohgi finished the statement
"Were Britannia to join the federation as a member now…" Chiba added as well.
"…more than half of the votes would be in your hands, Emperor Lelouch…" Xingke said adding to the statement.
"In other words, the United Federation of Nations would be taken over by you, no?" Kaguya finalized the whole conversation
"What do you have to say, Emperor Lelouch?" Ohgi asked.
"If you wish to disagree, then we ask you to divide Britannia as a country… …or lower your electoral count down proportional to 20% of your country's population." Xingke said to start the conditions that are to be laid out for Britannia to be a member of the UFN.
"Chairwoman Kaguya, may I pose one question to you?" Lelouch asked
"What would that be?" Kaguya answered.
"What determines the right to govern the world?" Lelouch asked.
"Pride and honor… are necessary for people to govern others…" Kaguya replied without hesitation
"Very well answered. You are a very gifted person after all." At this Lelouch just closed his eyes and smiled a bit
"Then I shall comply. These are my conditions though… I will not agree if any more conditions are to be set. Will you hear me out?" Lelouch said as he opened his eyes and looked straight at Kaguya. This startled Kaguya, even though there was a wall that separated them and only a video screen to talk to it was as if they were talking face to face. Kaguya averted her eyes, thinking that she might come into the control of Geass.
"Fine, we will hear you out." Kaguya answered still averting her eyes. The representatives and the Black Knights looked eager to listen to the conditions.
"Send representatives of the UFN to my territories to explain to the people of what I ask. To let them vote and decide who will represent them, one former area to another until all former 18 areas that was once was under control have representatives of their own to represent themselves to the UFN. Once they do have representatives, I'm willing to make them autonomous to Britannia, to form their own government as they wish under the guidance of the UFN. Britannian 'Nobles' will not be allowed to partake in election but can vote. Finally, I ask those governments to let Britannians who wish to stay in their newly reinstated states allowed to stay." At this the whole world was stunned. Many quickly realized how disadvantageous it was to the Emperor and yet he seemed to have readied the conditions that he laid down.
The Black Knights as well as the Representatives of the UFN couldn't believe their ears. Lelouch actually complied to their wishes and to what it looked like wanted to ready the released former areas into their own Countries/Nations.
"Will this be alright, Lady Sumeragi Kaguya?" Lelouch asked amused by the reactions that he could see on the faces of his former allies.
"W-we shall vote upon it." Kaguya said with much surprise in her voice.
"All those in favor say 'Aye'" Kaguya asked.
"Aye!" said many of the Representative in unison though some just raised their hands in agreement.
"The decision is unanimous. We agree to your terms, Emperor Lelouch." Kaguya then pressed an button that allowed her to speak to Lelouch privately.
"I shall lower the walls. Do you promise not to use your Geass?" Kaguya asked still wary of Lelouch.
"I swear upon my crown, Lady Sumeragi." Lelouch answered a little breathily. This was noticed by the Black Knights almost immediately.
As the walls went down the Emperor could be seen clearly.
On board the Avalon, on the main deck were Suzaku, Lloyd, Cecil and Nina, who agreed to board the ship to be saved from being found out. Meanwhile Kallen who was looking at the giant screen outside the Academy noticed something off about Lelouch while inside the Emperor's private transport C.C. gasped as she realized the possible state Lelouch was in.
Suzaku immediately noticed the flushed state of Lelouch.
"Oh Kami!" Suzaku said as he rushed to one of the communication panels on the ship.
Inside the Ashford Gymnasium the giant screen blared to life as Suzaku's voice came blaring through speakers.
"Chairwoman Kaguya Sumeragi! Permission to land the Lancelot along with two passengers into Ashford Grounds! The Emperor is severely ill!"
The announcement once more shocked the whole world. As they looked closely, they indeed saw the emperor was quite flushed and was shaking visibly.
"There is no need, Knight of Zero, Lord Kururugi Suzaku. Some of the best medics in the UFN are present in the Campus. They shall attend to your emperor." Xingke said over in another line.
"NO! You don't understand. What his Majesty has is not common, hell, it's not even known! He is unique to this illness and only we have a possible antidote! We…" Suzaku half shouted over the communication lines but was interrupted by Lelouch. (A/N: He just LOVES to interrupt monologues doesn't he?)
"Suzaku! Enough. It's enough. I've done my part, as soon as the former areas become autonomous. The amendments I made in the Constitution is enough. Just- Just promise me though that…" This time Suzaku interrupted Lelouch.
"HELL NO, YOUR MAJESTY! I will not promise anything! We'll get there in time. Just hang on!" Suzaku finally shouted.
"You won't make it Suzaku… No matter how fast you are… I-…" Lelouch as cut-off as he began to cough. Blood seeped through Lelouch's hand clear that he was coughing out and vomiting blood.
"Your Majesty! Hang on, please!" Cecil shouted over the communications.
"Representatives, please allow us permission to fly and land Lancelot into Ashford Academy grounds." Lloyd said in a still calm, if not serious voice.
"I allow permission!" Ohgi, as the new Leader of the Black Knights responded over communications.
At this the communication line to the Avalon died. Kallen entered the gymnasium hoping to be of some help. The Ikaruga, which was stationed above Ashford gone down and the core members of the Black Knights, entered the Gymnasium. They completely forgot that what was happening was still broadcasted. Lelouch just held himself up by supporting himself by holding onto the table in front of him. Kallen and various others tried to approach to help him but he just held up a bloody hand to stop them. Within 5 minutes however the roof to the gymnasium collapsed. Sending panic to the Representative and to the Black Knights.
There in all it's glory was the Lancelot. On it's two arms were Lloyd Asplund and Cecil Croomey that clambered down as Suzaku set down the hands of Lancelot, taking off helmets that enabled their breathing while they traveled at the speed they went through with the energy shields enough not to damage them while outside the Lancelot. Suzaku opened his cockpit just in time to see Lelouch finally starting to falter and collapse. With quick reflexes and great speed Suzaku caught his falling emperor. "Your Majesty!" Suzaku just cried out.
Usually Lloyd held no care in anything that was "fleshy". But for the sole purpose of concern he and Cecil inspected the fallen emperor. Lelouch was breathing shallowly, his face contorted in pain while his eyes were closed. The Black Knights' core members along with Tianzi and Kaguya went nearer to the Emperor to see his condition. All of the other representatives were already out of the Gymnasium by the time the Ikaruga set down.
As Cecil and Lloyd opened the emperor's robes, shocked gasps rang through the Black Knights. Suzaku realizing that the broadcast was still on when he saw the screen that zoomed in to Lelouch's half seen face, he shouted "Kill the broadcast, now!" as he made a slicing motion with his arms. They immediately complied and cut off the broadcast. All over the world, people were curious and worried for the emperor. Unknown to them though Diethard Reid, placed special cameras that sent their broadcast straight to Damocles, Schneizel's current base, this special camera was a special feat of technology as it was completely robotic and was shaped as a bug that was remote controlled from the Damocles.
Inside the Damocles, Schneizel, Cornelia, Diethard, Kanon Maldini and Nunnally watched and listened to the events as it unfolded in a bird's eye view. They saw the state of which Lelouch's body was in while Cornelia explained the state their brother was in. This also made her gasp and the edges of her closed eyes were tears that started to well up.
A blackening and rotting body was what was happening to Lelouch. His torso from his stomach up to almost his heart looked like it was decayed. His shoulder blades as well and what they speculated was until at least his upper arms were also rotting. And as they also noticed was that the decay seemed to spread little by little.
Inside the Ashford Gym Lelouch's former allies were surprised and slightly disgusted.
Xingke turned Empress Jiang, Tianzi's eyes away from the sight.
"What's happening to him? What's happening to Lelouch?" Kallen finally asked the question that plagued their minds.
"A parting gift from the Late Emperor Charles di Britannia I'm afraid." Lloyd answered.
"Wha-what IS this? I've never seen such extent of gangrene. He should be dead by all accounts." Rakshata Chawla, scientist and Knightmare designer/maker for the Black Knights asked with ferocity.
"This is…" Lloyd was about to explain but was cut off by Cecil.
"Suzaku, we've no other choice we have to use it…" Cecil was then interrupted by Suzaku's shout.
"NO! There has to be some other way. I will NOT allow that FILTHY drug enter Lelouch's body again!" Tears in his eyes he held Lelouch's body closer to him.
Before Cecil or Lloyd could counter Suzaku's statement the Gym doors opened with a bang. In entered C.C., she marched straight up to Suzaku and slapped him.
"You STUPID boy, if you want him to live we have to make use with what we can at the moment. That thing is the only thing that will save him for now and you know it!" C.C. said with anger in her eyes.
"F-fine." Suzaku said as he recovered from the slap. "But if anything happens I blame you three." Suzaku said while using his free hand that wasn't holding the emperor up to point to the three.
"We understand, Suzaku-kun." Cecil answered.
Suzaku then reached into his inner pocket. The Black Knights tensed at what Suzaku was going to pull out. They then notice that he pulled out an injection gun, one filled with bright pinkish-red liquid. He was starting to position it when he was stopped by Lloyd's hand.
"That dosage and potency won't be enough, Suzaku."
"Wha-what?! Not enough! This is enou…" Suzaku was stopped by Lloyd's that hand gripped his wrist tighter.
"Give him the strongest one you carry around. This dosage will NOT turn him back to normal. This has progressed farther than the last few times. You have to use the most potent one you carry around." Lloyd calmly reasoned with Suzaku. Suzaku tightened his hold on the injection gun and Lelouch. He relented with a sigh and gave the injection gun to Lloyd. From his pockets Suzaku pulled out the most potent of the liquid that he kept with him. The liquid was dark and almost blood like. Lloyd changed the liquid filler of the injection gun and gave it back to Suzaku.
Suzaku positioned the injection gun to the base of Lelouch's head near the spine, intending to directly inject to the brain…
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SUZAKU! YOU'LL KILL HIM! THAT NEEDLE'S TOO LONG AND THICK. THAT'S HIS BRAIN YOUR POSITIONING THAT GUN INTO, YOU IDOIT! AND IS THAT REFRAIN?! ARE YOU INSANE! WHAT WILL THAT DRUG DO?! ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE HIM INSANE?! WAIT, YOU'RE THE ONE'S THAT'SINSANE. YOU- mmph!" Kallen was about to continue her rant when C.C.'s hand clamped shut her mouth.
"You're right, Kallen. This IS Refrain. This is the reason why I was so reluctant to give this to him but this is the only way as they've said. As for positioning it to be injected to his brain that is the only way to revert his body back to what it once was." Then with no further delay and hesitation, he injected the Refrain into Lelouch's brain. Then they saw the immediate effect. Slowly but surely the decaying of Lelouch's body receded and his body and skin returned to normal. The pain finally leaving his beautiful face, his breathing going back to normal.
He opened bleary eyes and started sitting up. He wiped his mouth from the blood that had continued coming out of his mouth while before the Refrain was injected into him. His now back to normal torso was dripping with blood.
"I'm terribly sorry, Chairwoman Sumeragi and Black Knight officers that you had to witness and see that…" If Lelouch was going to say anything else he was stopped as Suzaku just turn him around and hugged him into his chest.
"Damn it Lelouch. Why didn't you tell us you weren't feeling well? We could've possibly stopped this going further and only, possibly give a small amount of that Damned drug." Suzaku said with tears flowing down his eyes, holding Lelouch tight against him not caring that his white pilot suit got stained with blood.
Lelouch didn't answer and just wound his arms around Suzaku to reassure the younger boy.
"I already lost a lot of things, Lelouch. I cannot afford nor bear to lose you as well." Suzaku said as he buried his face into the emperor's hair.
"I'm sorry Suzaku. I didn't want to be a bother today of all days. I'm alright now though so let go of me. Your embarrassing me." Lelouch said with a flush as he pushed his Knight away. Somewhere in the world the former Knights of Rounds members had a slight twitch on the side of their mouths as they watched the secret video feed. Schneizel along with Cornelia and Nunnally watched and listened to the illegal video feed as well. Nunnally had as slight grin, as the implications of the words sunk in. While her two older siblings were stunned. THIS was their little brother? Their ruthless little brother that killed 2 of their siblings and father?
"Glad to see you are feeling better. We better get you back to the Avalon. The Refrain might start affecting you. This is the first time we've used such concentrated dosage." Cecil said as she touched the emperor's shoulder.
"Y-you're probably right." Lelouch then started to stand up but faltered back into Suzaku's arms.
"You lost a lot of blood Lelouch, rest up. I'll take you back using Lancelot. Cecil, Lloyd, please use the Royal Transport ship to go back to Avalon." Suzaku requested from the two.
They just nodded their assent. Suzaku carried Lelouch bridal style to the foot of the Lancelot and by using just one hand he held up Lelouch in a half carry and pulled up to the cockpit by the automatic rope (?).
"Wait Suzaku." Lelouch stopped Suzaku from putting him inside and turned to the Black Knights.
"I extend an invitation for you all to come to the City of Pendragon. Schneizel, I know that you've planted something in here, especially with Diethard by your side. I invite you back home Brother Schneizel and you too Sister Cornelia, I know you both hear me. Please extend it to former Emperor Charles' Knights of Rounds." Once Lelouch finished his invitation to said people he nodded to Suzaku. Suzaku then lowered Lelouch into the cockpit and entered himself. The Lancelot flew up and disappeared from the sky.
"I know that you all doubt His Majesty still but please give him a chance." Cecil said to the gathered Black Knight officials and partly to their former boss, Prince Schneizel. "All he wants is peace, one that he strived for when his world, his sister Nunnally was still alive."
"We know that you can't forgive him, that he lied to all of you about his Geass." Lloyd added. "But for one thing we've learned about His Majesty is that he values loyalty, true loyalty one that isn't under his Geass. If he had put any of you under Geass, none of you would've been able to rebel against him, to betray him. The only indication that he would've used Geass on any of you as we've seen him experiment on is that one would've lost 30 seconds of memories prior to the use of Geass. I any of you lost any memories that long then he had used Geass on you but if not, then he didn't." at this Lloyd and Cecil walked towards the Gymnasium doors. C.C. semi expecting something like this gave the two, two white cloaks to hide them.
Exiting the building they clambered into the Royal Transport ship.
"It seems that the talks have ended. Though we are sure that the Holy Empire of Britannia has joined the ranks of the UFN with their agreement. We are not sure of the health of Emperor Lelouch. As seen, the green haired woman that left the Royal Transport ship earlier has returned along with two others under white cloaks. The Lancelot, piloted by non other former Knight of Seven now Knight of Zero, Lord Kururugi Suzaku had left earlier. Either one of the two white cloaked people that entered into the Transport Ship might be the Emperor or he had used the Lancelot to leave but it is only in speculation of where the Emperor is. This is Milly Ashford reporting to you live from Ashford Academy, am now signing out." Milly just sighed as she lowered the mic that she had been holding and speaking into ever since before the start of the conference.
'Please be okay Lelouch.' Milly thought to herself. She saw Rivalz in the crowd and was waving to her.
"They took Nina, Milly. Your former fiancée, that count took her, saying that she'll be safer." He said to her, and then suddenly Rivalz's phone rang.
"Hey Rivalz, sorry for not noticing you this morning. I had to, Sorry." Came the voice of their long time friend now Emperor.
"LELOUCH?! How are you? What happened?" Rivalz shouted but lowered his voice when he saw various people look their way in curiosity. Milly then stole the phone from Rivalz.
"Lelouch, we've been SO worried about you! What happened back there in the gym? Why- Why did you all those things?" Milly asked with tears in her eyes.
"I'll explain soon enough. Find Kallen in Ashford. The Ikaruga hasn't left yet. Tell them I'm extending the invitation to you two as well." Then the line went dead.
Milly closed the phone and gave it back to Rivalz. He was about to ask what he said when she pulled him along to go to the Ikaruga just in time to see Kallen about to board it.
"Kallen!" Milly hollered to Kallen. Kallen looked at her friends from her Student Council days.
"Milly! Rivalz! You two… I- I…" Kallen just looked down slightly guilty for lying for so long.
"Lelouch said that he extended his invitation to us as well." Milly said to her. Kallen's head shot up looking at Milly.
"Seriously?!"
"Yes, he called Rivalz's phone. He told us to find you and tell you about it." Milly said with a small smile.
"Wha-what are you talking about?!" Rivalz asked, as he was confused on what was happening.
"Lelouch invited the Black Knights, Prince Schneizel's people and now you two to Pendragon City." She told the two.
"Eh?!" both Milly and Rivalz exclaimed.
"Why would he invite them, Kallen?" Toudou asked as he observed the conversation since the two 'civilians' came up to the Ikaruga and Kallen, one of who he knew was a news reporter.
"We were once part of the Ashford Academy Student Council, Kallen as well. We were once Lelouch's friends." Milly said with a sad tone.
"I see. You two can come with us. We're heading towards Pendragon City right now. We had received a notice that we could come at any time." Toudou said to the two Britannians.
"Don't worry; no one in the ship is prejudiced." Viletta came out of the Ikaruga as she spotted in one of the screens in the main deck her former students.
"Eh?! Ms. Viletta? Why are you with them?" Rivalz asked, shocked.
"I was formerly a part of Britannian Military and was the leader of the OIC planted in Ashford to keep our eyes on Lelouch. I can't explain right now. Maybe Lelouch is willing to tell you guys the truth." Viletta told her former students with a slight smile and started to turn away and get into the Ikaruga but stopped and looked at the two.
"Do you two by any chance are missing a part of your memory?" she asked.
The two looked to each other and said. "No." they said at the same time.
"Good. Come on and welcome to the Ikaruga, the flagship of the UFN and the Black Knights." Kallen then said to her friends.
Back with Lelouch.
He shut off his phone and turned to Suzaku. They were just nearing the Avalon. The Lancelot was quick whilst airborne. It wasn't comfortable but he dealt with it as he gripped his arms that were wounded around Suzaku's waist tighter as they flew. Lelouch just laid his head down Suzaku's back and sighed.
"Are you alright, Lelouch?" Suzaku asked, still concentrating in flying the Lancelot. Even though he could probably fly it in his sleep, he had a precious cargo on it and wanted to be safe.
"I'm alright. Just a bit tired." Lelouch said as he snuggled more into Suzaku's warmth.
"You should be. You lost a lot of blood there. You had me worried there; I thought you were going to die there for a second." Suzaku said with just a tiny bit of playfulness in his voice.
"Well I'm alive now aren't I?" Lelouch said with a bit of a smile on his face as he hugged Suzaku from the back.
"You are. For now, that is." Suzaku said with a frown on his face, all traces of joking gone from his voice.
"People die, Suzaku. You'd never know when it'll be our time. It might be the next second, tomorrow, next month, next year or after 50 years." Lelouch said to his beloved. "But know that I DO love you, Suzaku. Even if you'd never love me back like I do."
The Lancelot lurched into a sudden stop.
"Wha?! Lelouch, what do you mean… I…" Suzaku was stopped when a private channel inside his cockpit turned to life. C.C.'s face came up and started speaking.
"There's someone that wants to talk to you Lelouch, they're using the Royal Private Line." C.C. said in an uncompassionate voice.
"Patch Schneizel through, he's the only one that knows the line." Lelouch said.
What surprised the two inside Lancelot was that it wasn't Schneizel's face that greeted them but Nunnally.
"Nunnally… You… You're alive?" Lelouch said with tears in his eyes.
"Hai, Nii-sama. I'm alive and well. I was going to talk to you to why you've been doing the atrocities that you've done but right now I'm here to confirm our acceptance to your invitation to Pendragon. Will we have your word that no harm will befall us, nor will you use your Geass on us?" Nunnally said with conviction in her voice. Sadness could be traced in it as well.
"There's no need to worry Nunnally. I'll kill him myself if he uses Geass on any of the invited guests. Though please inform Schneizel-denka that we're allowing you all to wear sunglasses, if you doubt any of us. The warning will be sent to the Black Knights as well since we know they've protection against Geass." Suzaku said.
"How can we trust your words, Kururugi? You've betrayed a lot of people a lot of times already. Who's to say that you won't act on your promise?" Cornelia asked from Nunnally's side.
"I won't. If it reassures any of you, I'll allow you or the Black Knights to bound me in chains if need be, to gain your trusts." Suzaku said without falter. Lelouch had calculated the wariness of both the Black Knights and Schneizel's group and told them to propose the idea.
"How about to be put on multiple gun point, Lord Kururugi?" Earl Kanon asked.
"Fine by me Earl Kanon Maldini."
"Could you then please inform the Black Knights of this Brother Schneizel? I've lost quite the amount of blood earlier." Lelouch said from Suzaku's back when he finally blacked out.
This made Suzaku slightly panic but quickly calm down.
"Just please accept that small request, your Highness. I have to get Lelouch to his quarters in the Avalon as soon as possible. He needs his rest." Suzaku said with a slightly pleading voice.
Schneizel just nodded and the screen died out.
The Lancelot made haste and returned to the Avalon in record time. Suzaku then carried Lelouch bridal style to his quarters. He set down his emperor and set to leave but it seemed that Lelouch had an unconscious hold on the hem of Suzaku's shirt. Suzaku just smiled and joined his Koibito in bed, remembering to ask about Lelouch's accusations earlier in the Lancelot. They both drifted off to sleep not caring the drying blood on their cloths.