Important note: I had great influence from the anime movie Paprika.
Chapter 1
'This is so troublesome...'
Lelouch thought to himself as he was slowly realizing the situation he was in. Artificial memories had been placed inside his head, strangers and enemies had surrounded his everyday entourage and nothing seemed real anymore. How long was he under that powerful Geass? The one that his father willingly and blithely cast upon him?
"Che..."
The raven haired boy growled, annoyed by the blood bond that connected the Emperor of Britannia with him.
"Nii-san?"
The stranger who had intruded in his life looked at him worried.
"A-ah, I'm sorry Rolo. My head hurts a bit."
"Does nii-san want to stop for now? I'll be able to study alone if-"
"No Rolo. You are my brother after all, I want to help you."
The slight jerk of Rolo's body was enough for Lelouch to understand that the first was aware of that lie. The young boy who posed as his younger brother was not under the cast of Geass and he was acting the way he was by choice.
The eleventh prince of Britannia glanced at his watch and then turned his gaze on the other boy.
"It's late Rolo. Let's finish with your Maths homework tonight and we'll continue with Physics and Chemistry tomorrow, okay?"
"Yes nii-san."
"Don't worry, we'll manage to finish in time."
He carelessly smiled; a smile he was used at faking.
The sky was clear in that cool night and a full moon had made its appearance on the dark cloak. The charming feeling of enchantment and romance that the firmament could offer them was unable to reach Lelouch's heart. The young boy who was constantly wearing masks in his life could not let himself enjoy the simplest things in life; but how could he? The perplexity that had been caused in this world, thanks to that boy's Geass, were actions that he couldn't take back. So many deaths, so many sacrifices.. So many lost games. He was feeling comfortable thinking of the battles as games, but he was fully aware of the blood that had baptized the name Zero. Nevertheless, stepping back was not a choice he could make.
"So the final result is four?"
"Well done Rolo!"
Lelouch patted Rolo's head, striving against the feeling of disgust that overwhelmed him.
"Now it's time to go to sleep, okay? We'll continue with the rest tomorrow."
"Yes nii-san."
The two boys placed the school books in an order and each of them headed to their bedrooms.
"Goodnight nii-san."
Rolo quietly embraced the young prince before leaving.
'Is that really necessary?'
Lelouch wondered, as he noticed how close their relationship was.
'It's inconceivable for two male siblings to be that close.'
He thought before kissing softly Rolo's forehead. Despite his thoughts and beliefs, he had to continue acting, so that his foe wouldn't be suspicious of him.
"Goodnight Rolo."
The young prince said and walked away, troubled of all the obstacles he had in his way. Being Zero was actually impossible, with all these people watching over him.
After two hours, Rolo's phone started ringing. The young assassin picked it up immediately and listened to the person on the other line.
"Rolo, it's me. We found something that will help us forego Zero's actions. Come to the headquarters immediately. We must use it today."
"Yes, I'm coming."
The boy who had taken Nunnaly's place put down his phone and dressed up. The time was after midnight, so he moved in complete silence, trying not to wake up his enemy. After a while he reached the headquarters and saw Villetta along with the other members of the Britannian Secret Intelligence Service, who were staring at some devices on the table and were having an intense conversation.
"This thing guarantees us no results!"
"But if we try-"
"What if it causes unfixable damage to his brain? The whole Service will-"
"Did you need to see me?"
Rolo interrupted their argument and looked at Villetta.
"Yes Rolo. We received this device, it's called D.C. Mini, and it will be a great help for us."
"However, there hasn't been any actual experiments... I-it's mostly in theor-"
"I understand. Do you want me to try it on Zero?"
Rolo interrupted the man who was talking and his determination was more than enough to please most members of the Service.
"Yes."
Villetta replied without hesitation.
"After yesterday's sudden terrorist attack, we have to make sure that Zero's not going to make any moves."
She continued.
"Of course. How do I use it?"
Villetta thoroughly explained to Rolo how it is used.
"But be careful not to wake him up. If he does, then find an excuse for this device and don't hang it to him."
"I understand."
"Tomorrow we want a full report on what you saw."
"As you wish."
With these words Rolo exited the room and headed back to their dorm, ready to use the device on Lelouch.
"Do you think he'll succeed?"
"He's just a child!"
Some of the members of the Secret Intelligence Service were unsure if they made the correct choice.
"It will be okay."
Villetta said with certainty.
"Rolo won't disappoint us."
She was the only one who was aware of Rolo's and Lelouch's Geass, so she strongly trusted Rolo, as she knew that thanks to his Geass, nothing could possibly go wrong.
Important note:
As you have understood only the device from the movie Paprika will be involved in this story, yet I thought it would be unfair (and completely wrong) to not give credits to the original owner. Moreover, the way the device is being used will be a bit different from the original... I am really sorry for using someone else's material, but when the inspiration strikes.. well, you can't really help it. :/