A/N: Ever since I saw the first episode of Code Geass, I got to tell you: I was hooked. It's even difficult to explain why, maybe it's the storyline, it's deep cast of characters, or maybe it's just because how badass Lelouch outsmarts just about everybody in the whole show. Nonetheless, I love it.

Now we all know that our main protagonist Lelouch Lamperouge is your typical Byronic hero. He's smart, devious, and charming towards women. As such, he's paired up with multiple individuals. But the pairing I'm always fond with is between Lelouch and his first mate, Kallen.

It's fun to poke at the fact that she adored Zero and considered Lelouch a total jerk throughout Season 1.

And now, I present you this fanfic in tribute to these two.

"The Long Epilogue"

Chapter 1
At War's End

It was over…

It was all over…

Years passed and gone. Lives taken and ruined.

But it was over…

Finally, this war is won.

Lelouch stood at the pinnacle of the Britannian Palace. His dark hair being blown by the rough winds as is his long theatrical cape. His arm wrapped over his Zero mask at his side, he looked onward.

This was it. He was on top of the World and finally, he had won. They have won. Victory was to the Japanese, and they have reclaimed the country that they've lost to them that many years ago. Britannia has been routed out and sent back to it's content. It was to never come near Japan ever again.

The lone Prince of Britannia was part of the single spec left in the land of the rising sun. He departed from his uncompromising view of the beautiful green plains and recluse himself into the Palace.

He passed through the dark corridors malevolently, the shadows of the stain décor windows leading his way.

Lelouch was caught in a long windward silence. With each step he took, a familiar face brushed through his entangled mind.

Everyone… he murmured to himself.

They were all gone. Every last one of them. Euphemia. Nunally. Suzaku. C.C. They were all dead, casualties of his blood-drenched sword of a rebellion. They're all dead, along with the whole Britannian Royal Family. He practically murdered all of them with his own hands. A dark grief washing over his troubled mind.

He just continued walking though, his face as emotionless as the Zero mask he was carrying. Normally, a leader would rejoice in the face of victory, especially after a war as grand as this. But not him. Lelouch Lamperouge, the strategist that lead the Japanese to this day, could only think of the many sins and sacrifices he made just to fuel his quest for revenge.

Was it really worth it? he asked.

But no one replied.

Lelouch was almost to the double doors at the end of the hall he was walking through. He only assumed that the other side held a large applause and a long celebration in favor of the Black Knight's victory over the Britannian regime. Sadly, he was in no mood to celebrate.

The doors opened for him despite his displeasure. As his cloaked figure came into view, a large crowd grouped in front of the Palace door and broke into a cheering frenzy. They all looked at him as a hero despite of his nationality. Literally a phantasm of justice. His words.

The Black Knights emerged from the heavy crowd and all proceeded to congratulate their aspiring leader themselves. Most of the Knights have been killed in the heat battle like the others, but the remaining few still owed it to themselves that their sacrifice wasn't in vain. They all rejoiced, believing that they made the right choice in sticking by him until the very end. If only Zero would share in their enthusiasm.

"Zero, I-I mean Lelouch. We did it! I can't believe we did it! We won!" Kallen cheered gleefully. Even though all of the Knights carried a bright smile in their faces, she seemed joyous the most. She raced towards Lelouch and wrapped her arms around him in a celebratory hug. His body slightly swayed to her movements, but his emotions barely flinched.

He reckoned that people would start wondering why he was in a down mood right now, especially Kallen. In reply, he tried to muster up a fake smile for her. "Y-yeah. Can't believe it either." He heaved in a dry response. It was the best false act he could do at the moment.

Kallen noticed that there really was something a bit odd about their normally self-assured leader. She looked up to see the odd smile he carried. She could immediately tell he was lying through his teeth.

"Lelouch, is something wrong?" Kallen then drew her distance. Blushing profoundly, she was worried she might've gone a bit too far with the hug. Ohgi, who was there with them all, would probably tease her about this in the next couple of days.

Great Kallen, ruin the moment! She scolded herself silently.

"No, everything's fine. Listen, uh, you guys go on ahead. I just need some... time to myself." Lelouch remarked coldly.

Although he was clearly referring to Kallen and the rest of the Black Knights, his mind was elsewhere and his eyes remained staring ahead.

The others were starting to wonder themselves but Lelouch simply left them. The last prince of Britannia walked towards the cheering crowd who gladly parted in half to let him through. And then he disappeared without a trace, like Zero normally would.

The rest of the Black Knights didn't venture further into what was going on, for as long as they've known Zero, he may be the odd kind but he certainly comes out with a miraculous plan in the end.

But one Knight was still in worry…

Kallen's deep blue eyes didn't leave the path Lelouch made. Unlike the others in the Order, she knows both Lelouch Lamperouge and Zero. The student who goes with her in Ashford Academy, and the leader she followed during their vendetta. She can piece together both halves to form the man he really is. Not just Lelouch, not just Zero, but both personas...

In other words, she knows him better than anybody else in the world.

And in a way, she could sense that they may be something wrong.

End of Chapter 1

A/N: I know not much development is going on right now but bear with me hear, this is my first time working with characters as deeply complex as the colorful cast of Code Geass.

Trust me though, further chapters will somehow build on to form a pairing between Lelouch and Kallen. I'll see you guys again in Chapter 2.

Peace out.