Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass or Sunrise

Stage I: The Resurrection of the Rebellion

Year: 2035

Ten minutes before the New Year. This excitement…this joy…how can these people be like this? Have they forgotten what happened? …Yes, forget. Intentionally forget. Wishing for a new life, a new hope. A new age of peace. But they have not completely let go. The tension is still there. Funny how so much death can even tame a prejudiced and bloodthirsty nation. But as for me, I will never forget. Not because I want to, but because there are some things that should not be forgotten. Some things that cannot be forgotten. And some things that are so great and horrible, that history cannot and will not ignore them. Some things that go by the name of Lelouch Vi Britannia.

-Shirley Vi Britannia, Duchess of The Holy Empire of Britannia

Year: 2017

The enormous, heavy tank sped across the endless freeway. Inside, it was incredibly well furnished and extravagant. The meeting room was circular and had seats all around the sides. It could hold about 10 people but only two were there, locked in a fierce staring competition. On one end sat a serious looking green haired female. On the other was a handsome young man.

"Done glaring at me yet?" smirked Lelouch. He had just finished being rescued by the Order of the Black Knights and regained his lost memories. For so long his heart felt a certain nothingness, a definite gap in where his most important memories were. These days were over now.

"I thought the great Lelouch would have been able to retrieve his memories himself and not get me involved. I got shot because of you." She shot back, without raising her voice. She sat with her legs crossed and her arms folded. "The almighty Zero should have been able to figure out what was missing and put the pieces together. A whole year wasted." The high and mighty brat should have figured it out much faster, and without my help. But inside she sighed with relief.

"I apologize for not remembering something I was forced to forget, your Highness" He said sarcastically. She was the same bitch he remembered. At that moment, a pretty, young redhead walked in the room and kneeled down.

"Welcome back Zero" she said, still staring at the ground. Her heart thumped as she neared him. There was no mask in between them anymore.

"You still amaze me, Karen Kozuki. I'm glad I chose you as leader of the Zero squadron." He said, walking up to her. He kneeled down before and gently lifted her face to see his. " Thank you. Now we will bring back our comrades and face the kingdom once again. " Karen's eyes brimmed with a single tear and smiled. Her worries melted away and her limbs relaxed.

Their leader was back.

C.C had compiled a report of all the inner military actions during the one year Lelouch lost his memories. He was now going over them in great detail, catching up with the events. C.C stared at him from the side. Yes, he was a condescending, arrogant boy, but she still made a good choice. He was excellent material to fulfill the contract. And he was very interesting.

Unexpectedly, the truck began slowing down and stopped.

C.C. immediately got to her feet. Lelouch already stopped reading and was looking up at C.C.

"Was our scheduled stop here?" He asked calmly, assessing the situation.

" No, far from here" She said cautiously. They both stood up and began walking towards the front of the car. C.C maintained her cool. It couldn't be the Britannians. The return of the Order of the Black Knights was not anticipated, and they made sure they weren't railed. There was yelling in the front. Then, a single gunshot was fired. Both stopped walking and ran to the front. Lelouch reached the door before C.C. He quickly jumped out and confronted the roadblock. Lelouch readied his Geass. Once he saw the obstacle, he stopped in surprise, expecting something more than just one, insignificant looking person. C.C. landed next to him. She stood up to look. A gasp escaped her.

" Impossible…" she whispered. Her mouth fell open, and her limbs felt weak. She stood like an idiot for a couple seconds. Later when she replayed this scene in her memory, she edited out the that embarrassing moment. In front of them stood a dark haired young woman, wearing all black clothes. Lelouch thought she looked like an assassin with her wardrobe. A little excessive for a woman, he thought. Maybe she's just trying to make an impression. This woman was definitely Asian, but he couldn't tell whether she was from the Chinese Federation or an Eleven.

" Long time no see C.C. How are you doing without me?" grinned the woman. Lelouch eyes snapped wide open, and his feet unintentionally took a step backward. How does this woman know C.C?!

To be continued…

Preview of Chapter 2:

"I thought you died with Z.Z… I thought…" C.C trailed off. C.C's head was still spinning from her story. "How did you…"

"I fulfilled my contract. And now I have come to realize yours." She said, her face devoid of any emotion. C.C. sat straight up, completely stunned. Lelouch frowned and continued examining this interesting woman. He wouldn't mind if someone else fulfilled the contract, what how would that impact his power? "Of course, that does not come without payment" she added, smiling a little. Lelouch grinned inwardly. Yes, everyone here was just a selfish, conniving bastard weren't they.

A/N: I know I started off a bit slow, but trust me, it'll get really dramatic and interesting soon. I intend to follow the anime's Death Note style.