I would like to note that this story is a work of pure fiction. Nothing in this story is meant to be offensive towards anybody. The destruction of any major city and deaths of any group of people is only to move the plot along. If you are offended, I sincerely apologize.
Too Eager to Die
Prologue: Old News
The news was one of the only things that kept him connected with the outside world. He would turn on his TV and watch everyday without fail. Each day he would sit on his couch, press a button on a remote, and watch as the world he crafted gradually crumbled to dust.
July 12, 2018
Coronation of Nunnally vi Britannia
"With the death of the Demon Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia three days ago, Britannia has been ever on her toes. She has been at constant war with the other nations under the dictatorships of Lelouch and his father, Charles zi Britannia. However, today marks a new era: a shift away from the violence that defined our past. Today is the coronation of Empress Nunnally vi Britannia, who in her first declaration to the world claimed peace and prosperity for all. We are all hoping that Her Majesty will bring new light to this darkened world."
January 1, 2020
New Years
"3! 2! 1! Happy New Years! Welcome to 2020, everybody! You know, I'm a little sad to leave 2019 behind. It was undoubtedly the most peaceful year we've had. Her Majesty is really living up to her declarations, isn't she?"
"Yes, I do agree. Her Majesty is doing tremendously well, especially by prioritizing relief efforts. There's still tension between native Britannians and the former numbers, but progress is going well. With Britannia's resources being allocated all over the world, it's expected that we will have recovered from the damage done by Lelouch and Charles within the next two years."
"Amazing. We here on the Britannian News team all pray for another wonderful year under Her Majesty's reign."
March 17, 2020
Enter the Sons of Charles
"Down with Britannia! Down with Britannia! Down with Britannia!"
"Hello, Britannian News here live at the newly rebuilt Pendragon where the current protests by middle-eastern immigrants who are outraged at Her Majesty's inaction in regards to the recent school house burning in Tehran are occurring. Officials are currently searching for the criminals, although the suspects appear to be members of the extremist group, the Sons of Charles.
"12 children died in the fire, with another 83 injured as the school collapsed minutes later. Her Majesty has chosen to hold off any form of armed operation until a thorough investigation has been conducted."
April 23, 2020
Declarations of War
"Breaking news. Today, the Middle Eastern Federation embassy in Pendragon was set ablaze by the radical Britannians who call themselves the Sons of Charles; the same group who burned down the Middle Eastern Federation school last month. Since the death of Emperor Charles zi Britannia, these radicals have been slowly gathering more and more Britannians to join their cause. Their headquarters is unknown, however it is highly suspected they are situated in Pendragon, with many chapters in the Middle Eastern Federation, the Chinese Federation, the United States of Japan, as well as the European Union.
"Her Majesty has yet to make a statement on these Sons of Charles. Are the Sons of Charles an extension of Britannia? Are we moving towards the same goal? After only two years of peace, are we returning to the battlefield?"
April 29, 2020
Her Majesty's Response, and the People's Response
"'As Empress of Britannia, I will say that the actions committed by the Sons of Charles do not reflect the mindset of Britannia. We do not wish any harm or suffering to come upon the people of the Middle Eastern Federation. However it is important to remember that even though the Sons of Charles may have different views, they are citizens of Britannia, and thus will be treated as such. For now, the local police will arrest and detain members, and we will negotiate with the Sons of Charles to reach a compromise.
"This was the statement made by Her Majesty this morning, six days afterthe deaths of dozens of Middle Eastern officials. I have with me here Earl Redican, a high ranking politician in the noble court. I'd like to know your thoughts on this, your Lordship."
"Well to begin I must make clear that whatever I say means no offense to Her Majesty. She has shown nothing but kindness and care for the people of Britannia and for that I am grateful. However in her kindness lies a terrible weakness that is currently being exploited. There are a few points I must address in her statement.
"The first is the timing of her address. It has already almost been an entire week since the incident, and the Middle Eastern Federation have been absolutely furious. They had considered this act a betrayal on Britannia's part, and have already mobilized their army if further conflict were to arise. The destruction of an embassy is a clear act of war. It was a mistake to have waited so long, as our already weak relations with the Middle East crumble.
"The second is her treatment of the Sons of Charles. They are undoubtedly a group of terrorists trying to upset the world order. They are not people we should negotiate with. Trust me, I was in Charles' court no more than 3 years back. If these Sons of Charles truly hold the late Emperor's ideals close to heart, they will never agree to a compromise. To them, it is do or die. They should have been treated as enemies of the state.
"And lastly going off the previous point, the mobilization of our police force is a weak display of authority. The Sons of Charles are armed. Maybe with Knightmares, maybe without but either way, asking our policemen to arrest an armed group of fanatics just so we can negotiate is absurd. I predict heavy heavy casualties on both sides. If she treated this group as terrorists, then mobilizing the Black Knights would have been the perfect solution. Crush this petty rebellion before it continues to expand. That's what our late Emperor Charles would have done, and I will be completely honest and say that is what the Demon Emperor Lelouch would have done.
"With the way Her Majesty is handling this now, I foresee nothing but conflict in the future. In times like these, we do not need a ruler who will hold our hand and tell us everything is going to be fine. We need a ruler who can lift us by the collar and push us in the direction we need to go. I only hope Her Majesty is capable of putting on an iron fist."
November 7, 2020
The Britannian Dominion
"The Sons of Charles have already claimed the Middle Eastern Federation, renaming it back to Area Eighteen. We here at the Britannian News team ask for a moment of silence for the millions of lives lost in the destruction of Tehran and Baghdad. The usage of thermonuclear weapons was banned by the UFN. However in violation of the United Federation of Nations, the Sons of Charles detonated two sakuradite fusion bombs on the cities of Tehran and Baghdad comparable to the destructive power of Damocles and its FLEIJA warheads, annihilating the central government of the Middle Eastern Federation. The remainder of the MEF has surrendered and the Sons of Charles have created a separate nation in the city of Riyadh known as the Britannian Dominion."
"In other news, their success has prompted several others to rebel, each group similarly naming themselves after late royalty. Under the banners of Clovis, Euphemia and Lelouch, insurrections against the other areas, and other nations have been on the rise. Her Majesty has deployed the Black Knights to cease these rebellions and bring peace once more. Unfortunately this decision, it seems, is a little too late."
December 20, 2020
Collapse of the Black Knights
"Where had the old Zero gone? This is the question we are all asking ourselves as the Black Knights barely scraped away with a victory against the Britannian Dominion. They sustained heavy casualties, and victory seemed almost hopeless until Zero himself stepped in to claim victory. Where was the undefeated tactician? Where was the strategy? Zero cannot win this war by himself. He needs to command his troops. He needs to conduct missions and operations. If the only way for the Black Knights to claim victory is for Zero to battle in the front lines, then I fear this war on terror is already lost."
June 9, 2022
Address to the Downfall of the Holy Britannian Empire and Rise of the Britannian Dominion
"We of the European Union -"
"We of the Chinese Federation -"
" - do not recognize the Britannian Dominion, or any of its conquered territories. All former agreements with the Holy Britannian Empire are to be ceased, and new agreements with the Britannian Dominion will not be issued until the Sons of Charles cease their hold on the capitol of Pendragon, as well as relinquish control of Areas 11 and 18. The use of sakuradite fusion as a thermonuclear weapon is in violation of arms agreements. We do not accept Arcturian Mentz as emperor nor do we plan on negotiating with him."
"Huh, the sky is awfully pink today." A woman stood outside of her little log cabin in the middle of nowhere, squinting her eyes at what was once a bright yellow sun. In retaliation to the European Union and the Chinese Federation, the Britanninan Dominion waged all out war on the two lesser nations. The fallout from the Sakuradite warheads spread across the countryside, being carried by erratic winds and storms. That same fallout dyed the blue skies pink. "I don't think it's even good for my tulips. Everything I've built is crumbling away now... not that I can really talk."
She turned to see his downcast face. He leaned against the cabin door in his old royal garb staring directly into her eyes. They were supposed to detach themselves from the outside world. They, the immortals who could swim in tainted waters and tread on corrupted soil, had no place in the world. At least, not anymore.
She had hoped that upon his death, everything would be over. What was once eternal loneliness would cease to exist and in its place, eternal happiness would flourish. They were supposed to be happy forever. He had accepted his father's code, after all.
Yet he could not let go. Whereas her tulips, her hard work for the past few months, were laid to waste, his dream for a better world, his legacy built over the years, was crushed the moment the Empress' palace in Pendragon fell.
She surmised the only thing keeping him together was the possibility that his sister had escaped unharmed; that is best friend was still watching over the both of them.
She knew it was unlikely, but said nothing. Had she voiced her doubts, he would have broken inside with wounds not even an eternity could heal.
He rarely spoke, always lost in thought. If he wasn't watching the news he was staring blankly outside with longing eyes as if his purpose was out there with them, instead of inside with her. She wasn't even mad.
"... " He muttered something barely audible. She moved closer.
"What?"
"I said 'It's my fault.' I should have recognized that Nunnally was not suited to be a leader, and Suzaku was not suited for the mantle of Zero. And Schneizel. That puppet was meant to serve Zero but what can a mere puppet do with an incompetent puppet master? Perhaps Tohdoh would have been a better choice to lead the Black Knights. I should have seen that, but I didn't. I ran away by dying and placed my burden on their shoulders. Pathetic." He scowled.
She eyed him warily.
"Do you regret coming with me?" He only chuckled and shook his head.
"I regret giving up the throne. I didn't have to die for us to be together." He sighed as she straightened his jacket. The clothes were old and he never wore them. They hung in the back of his closet. She poked her finger through the hole where Zeros blade had pierced through the outfit. She ran her finger along the scarred tissue, tracing the geass sigil made by his code: a symbol of immortality.
He turned to walk back inside.
"Are you going to stop them? Reforge Britannia once more?" He shook his head. "Then what about starting from the beginning?"
He stopped as if he considered it. As if he considered going back to erase the mistakes of his past.
"Yes... I would. But I am not deserving of a second chance."
She placed her hand under her chin, and pondered in thought.
"You know, I think I could handle being an empress again..."
He was trapped. Chained to the darkness, immobile. He watched it happen again and again. The explosions going off one by one. The ornate marble columns crumbling under the blast as walls collapsed under the enormous weight of the palace. Glass panes shattered as a plume of smoke and dust rose from the rubble of what was once the Royal Palace.
His sister was in there. His best friend too.
His eyes widened in shock, disoriented. He tried to sit up but found a great weight on his body. The world spun as he gasped for breath. His vision slowly cleared, the blurry images becoming sharper. The light from the moon illuminated her long green hair and piercing yellow gaze. She was straddling his waist. Had it not been for the one thing in her hand, he would have fallen for her beauty all over again.
"C.C.?"
"They need you, Lelouch. They are nothing without your guidance. Promise me you'll find me again." Click.
"...Always."
Bang! His head recoiled, hitting the pillow. Bang! Then something heavy landed on his chest. He saw nothing, and heard nothing. The only things he recognized as his mind drifted into nothingness was the weight of her body pressed against his.
Lelouch vi Britannia. As per your order, I have kept the river of time marching. As per her request I have allowed that river to ebb and flow. As the waters recede, I will ensure you wash up on familiar shores. Consider this a token of gratitude.
"Checkmate."
Thank you for reading the prologue of Too Eager to Die. Any comment or criticism is much appreciated. Till next time.