Code Geass: Lelouch the Reborn
Chapter 0: Prologue
He looked down at his sister's small form and felt his heart sink as she glared at him with so much malice, hate and disappointment. He flinched and looked away, muttering to himself. "Please, forgive me someday, Nunnally." He smirked sardonically at himself, silently scolding himself for even thinking about it, having such a foolish hope.
After all he'd done, even Nunnally, his dear, kind, forgiving sister, probably couldn't find the necessary strength to forgive him for all his crimes. Especially ones he'd committed early in his campaign, at the very beginning, when he didn't care about anything but revenge, when he was still so drunk on his newly acquired power, when the loss of innocent lives meant only a miscalculation on his part, when he still thought of his comrades as pieces in a game of chess. Worthless pieces of wood he troublelessly moved and decided their fate. Then, he was but a coldblooded killer
"Don't worry, Nunnally, everything will be over soon, in just a matter of minutes, I'll be dead you will have your peaceful world." The hated Emperor whispered softly, more to assure himself than anyone else. He knew his sacrifice was necessary, but his cynical side still believed he was but a simple fool for believing in his perfect world. Maybe his crazy plan would work, but for how long? How long would it be until the world's governments got greedy and started another was despite his sacrifice? However, it was too late now. He would die in just a few minutes and all of it won't matter – the world deserved a few years' peace after all he'd put it through during his short, albeit cruel, reign.
"If only I could go back... Euphie, Shirley, Rolo... I'm sorry." He shook his head at such a silly thought and looked at the sky. If he guessed right, this day would be celebrated as a holiday. Why would it not? The world's greatest enemy, the tyrant even worse than Caligula and Nero, killed on this very day. Lelouch thought about all the innocent souls that had to be sacrificed because of him. During the last few days of his reign the guilt continuously ate him out, even in his dreams, no especially in his dreams, those nameless crying faces, Suzaku's angry face, the betrayed looks on the Black Knight's faces. Even Nunnally's piercing glare.
The good old Euphie, the sister he'd violated and twisted in the worst way, successfully killing the girl he knew, albeit unintentionally, then forcing her into ordering a massacre over the Japanese, killing thousands of them just because he told her a bad joke while explaining his power to her. The power of Absolute Obedience was indeed a curse, the heaviest burden for its wielder. Then, the worst of all, he milked her for all her worth and exploited her, her massacre being the catalyst of his rebellion, he even ended her life himself, killing a part of himself in the process. Another name on his list of regrets, another wound on his black heart, another face that haunted him in his worst nightmares.
Who'd think that the Black Prince, Demon Emperor, even the original Zero himself would find his happiness in the act as dark as death itself? He felt its dark hands extending and getting closer to him, ready to pull him in an embrace, the last one he would ever receive, but still welcomed it warmly as he glanced at his executor; his long time best friend, masked as Zero as he made his way to him. He took a moment thinking about his alter ego, Zero. At first, he created it to kill the emperor, and now he was one himself! Oh, the irony. He would have laughed, he really would, but the situation was too grim for that.
Multiple gasps were heard as The Evil Emperor's heart was pierced by his closest friend's sword. The world is saved! Zero showed up, again! Those thoughts were in their minds, every single of them gaping at the sight before them.
Much to his pride, he didn't yelp, scream or even groan as his heart was penetrated by that blade, a sword he'd chosen himself. One could say it was rather unnecessary, that somebody could've just sniped him and finished with it. But no, it was supposed to be memorable, the Demon's end brought to him by his own damn sword. It was overly dramatic, indeed, but blame it on his flair for the dramatics. One could choose the way to arrange his own suicide, right? Oh, Lelouch was truly the man of theatrics until the bitter end. He was really like an anti hero from a Shakespeare drama. Self sacrifice, a desperate attempt when there are no other options left, a last resort. Rather cliché ending for an individual like himself.
This was his punishment for all the sins he'd committed, all the pain he'd brought and all the deaths he's guilty of. His mission – Zero Requiem was finished. It was a plan really out of this world. Becoming Emperor and then declaring war on the entire planet and ruling with fear as a weapon, only to make people hate him with all their hearts. Then, Zero the miracle man comes and saves the day, killing the evil Emperor and creating a new world for Nunnally, with Zero posing as her knight. For the whole world he had fooled, Lelouch Vi Britannia would sacrifice his life, the enemy of all, and give everyone the chance to begin anew.
The boy knew that by directing all the hatred in the world to himself only, he can make them work together for once. His vision was getting blurry , and the world started to slowly disappear in front of his eyes.
Suzaku pulled the sword out of him and since it was the only reason he was still standing, he slid all the way down, only to stop by his sister. He didn't like keeping secrets from her, but he hoped that one day, she'll realize how much he truly sacrificed for her sake – that he loved her the most, as he was about to toss that thought away he heard her say - more shout for the whole world to hear:
"Big brother, I love you!"
Even though he couldn't breathe, the befallen emperor smiled and voiced his last thoughts using the last bit of air that still resided in his lungs."Yes, I have... destroyed the world..." he coughed painfully, his blood splattering over his sister's hands, but she seemed not to care about it, holding him even closer to herself, her quiet whispers of prayers for his life never ceasing, even as she felt his life slowly slipping from him in a shape of a red pool of his blood. Finally, after a couple of seconds, he found the remaining strength that had yet to leave him and managed to finish his last words, the ones he knew his sister will remember forever. "and created... a.. new.." With that, he passed away wearing the promised smile, feeling pleased that he made the rotten and corrupted world he himself lived in, disappear with him, into the eternal darkness, under the shining sun of his homeland.
It was all over, the era of Demon Emperor Lelouch Vi Britannia. Or that's what the whole world thinks. Unlike them, something or someone had other plans for the supposed fallen 99th Emperor of Holy Britannian Empire.
Chapel, barely one mile away from the execution site
It was a pitiful sight, indeed. The self proclaimed gray witch praying in a church that had ordered her execution so many years ago, the same church that set her on a stake and burnt her until nothing was left of her, praying, begging for a miracle on her knees, the newly shed tears sliding down her face, eyes closed deep in prayer. She prayed to whatever god there is to save Lelouch from his undeserved demise, the only contractor she cared about, who wasn't only means to an end.
She recalled when, in the same church, months ago he told her his fatal plan. She was his very shield, defending him sometimes from the shadows, sometimes from the frontlines. She protected him from all his enemies, but ironically, in the end she couldn't save him from himself.
They were sitting in a church next to each other, a veil of silence washed over them. It was strange really, how alone the two were, but still found comfort in the presence of each other. No words were needed to be exchanged, they understood each other perfectly, like two sides of the same coin.
Then, she decided to break the silence, softly asking him the question that bothered her for a long time. "Are you sure about this, Lelouch?" He looked at her, his eyes hard in sheer determination. " I must be. This is the only way I can create a peaceful world for Nunnally."
She nodded. "I... see. In the end, Nunnally is all that matters to you. "
"That's not correct."
"How so? She's the reason you've become the Demon Emperor, declared war on the whole world and planned your suicide so perfectly. It's a good plan, taking all the hatred of the world on your shoulders, then taking it away with your death. Still, is there any other way?"
"There was Nunnally's way, but in the end one of must be killed with the sword of Zero, and I'm just making sure it's me." He answered, now not even looking at her. He was still so young, she noted. He was not even twenty in age, but still held the wisdom of those great people before him. His face was like the one of a battle-scarred general who won countless battles but still lost himself in process.
Then, he rose and headed for the exit. "Also, to answer your question – i'm doing this for you, too my dear/.../ We both know that I can't fulfil your wish anymore, but try at least to enjoy the world i'm creating. Also, if that makes you feel better, I promise you that I will die with a smile on my face."
Her flashback was interrupted as the connection between Lelouch and her slowly shattered into nothingness.
She felt her heat stop for a second, and knew that it was over. Slowly, she got up from her kneeling position feeling the now familiar wetness swell in her eyes. In the 700 years of her existence, she has refused to cry, to let her feelings out of their cage, but there's first time for everything. Ever since she met him, Lelouch has managed to make her feel things she never even knew existed. He was truly unlike anyone she's met in her long life. A wet tear found its way down her face onto the cold floor below. This, she decided, was the last time she ever cried. For Lelouch, she would be happy, no matter what. She owed him at least that much, after everything they've gone through.
Unidentified location
Suddenly, his eyes flew open. Surprisingly Lelouch didn't find himself in the heights of Heaven, nor in eternal fires of Hell. He was in a completely white space which was so quiet he could hear his own heart beating slowly. Wait... beating? But, I'm dead
He looked at his surroundings, only to find nothing but endless white. Where am I? He examined the place, but his genius mind couldn't come up with a solution. Is this where everybody goes after death? The corners of his lips curved upwards a little at the thought that after all, he didn't go to hell as many had predicted he would. Is going to be stuck here for eternity? For all the sins he'd committed, it wouldn't surprise him, even if they were for the greater good.
Then, a raspy voice stopped him dead in his tracks, seemingly out of nowhere."Lelouch Vi Britannia" He flinched at the mention of his name. "Do you feel regret for any of the sins you have committed during your life?"
"I believe there is no point in asking. No matter how deeply I regret them, they were for the greater good in the end. Something i'm sure the people I've killed wanted all along. Not that it justifies them." He admitted, images of Euphie, Rolo and Shirley flashing in his mind, triggering the familiar ache in his heart.
Then, he heard laughing. "Do you honestly think that by killing you, world will have true peace? It will last for maybe two or three years until every country is repaired, then it will all go again. It's a never ending circle. The future of human race is war! An everlasting war!" Even if he didn't want to admit it, the voice was right.
"Why are you telling me all of this anyway? Who are you?" He had a theory who this mysterious voice could be, but he still needed to hear it himself. As on a cue, a huge cloaked figure appeared in front of him out of nowhere.
Its arms and legs were slim and it was all black besides a pair of piercing blood red eyes. His eyes widened and he backed up a little. "Are you death?"
The figure chuckled again, this time even louder than before. "You could say that." He pointed his finger at him. "You, Demon Emperor of Britannia gave me a lot of work during your life, no matter how short it was. The most people think I enjoy when someone dies, but it truly is the opposite."
"Death not enjoying its job? People tend to make you look like you endlessly enjoy bloodshed."
"Indeed they do. It gets pretty boring as time passes. However, even since you got your geass I've been watching your every single move. You amused me quite a bit, more than any other human ever has." Death spoke again in that bone chilling voice of his.
"Oh, is that so? You're pretty talkative and relaxed for someone who's supposed to be as dark as death." Came the almost sarcastic reply, followed by a smirk.
The figure laughed yet again. " So I've been told. Would you prefer I had a grim reaper costume?"
Lelouch's eyebrow twitched a little and he quickly changed the subject. "Is this what they call limbo? A place not in the world of living nor dead?"
Death nodded at that. "As deductive as ever. Do you think I talk with every human? I talk only with the special cases. Like yours for an example." He started walking and gestured Lelouch to follow him. " Do you think that by merely ending your life as a martyr you would redeem yourself in the eyes of those who you killed?"
Lelouch mumbled in response and bowed his head in shame at the grim reminder of his sins. "Well, I never said I did. I know well that my sins are in most cases unforgivable and that I deserve to rot in hell."
Death sighed, as if bored all of sudden "Do you want to know the reason you're here with me?" Lelouch just nodded.
"For you to see, I don't know where I should put you. If I put you in Hell, i' m making injustice to the people who believed in you, who gave away their own lives for your goals. And you've made far too many sins to be in Heaven. And personally, you 're the only person I ever owed a debt of gratitude. I, too am a part of God, just like you. It seems wrong to just leave you die like this. "
"Why, thank you." Lelouch said with a wry smirk dancing across his lips.
"Before we part and I decide what to do with you, tell me one thing. If you had a chance to redeem yourself and correct your mistakes, would you accept it, knowing that if you do one wrong step, you will spend eternity in hell?" The cloaked figure asked with a hint of amusement in its voice – which didn't go unnoticed by Lelouch who guessed that it's enjoying this immensely,
Lelouch frowned at the question. "He knows I'd never refuse, why bother asking? Maybe he takes personal pleasure in tempting people like that? Much like C.C." He snorted at the thought of the grey witch.
"I'm still waiting." The voice then snapped him back to reality, if the place could be called reality.
Emperor sighed and provided him with the answer he wanted to hear. "As a matter of fact, I'd gladly do it. That's the least I can do in the memory of the people who I killed, intentionally or not."
Death nodded approvingly, seemingly satisfied, even giving him an applause. "Very good! Hereby you shall hear my final judgement!" Death raised his hands dramatically, as if trying to mock Lelouch's sense for theatrics.
"Lelouch Vi Britannia, You shall be given another chance. I will send you back in time when you have yet to receive the power of the King, your geass! I'm sure I don't need to tell you what will happen if you go the wrong way again. With that, farewell!" The figure completely disappeared and Lelouch started to feel a little dizzy as he was sucked into the typhoon of time.
"What have I gotten myself into?" thought Lelouch as he felt his consciousness slipping away ever so slowly and the whiteness of limbo shifting to blackness.
