"Are you sure about this?"

Zero stared down at the green-haired girl in front of him. As the symbol of Japan's freedom, Zero's demeanor was cold and impersonal, but beneath the mask, Suzaku Kururugi's face was twisted with emotion. A silent war waged within his eyes.

"I am sure," the green-haired girl replied. Her face was blank of expression—almost inhuman. "I told you. This is what Lelouch wanted."

Suzaku barely stopped his flinch at his former friend's name. He stared down at the disk in his hand, angling it so its surface caught the light from the window. It was hard to believe that the answers to all his questions were now held in his hands. He wanted more than anything to take them for himself, to finally rid himself of all the lies, but still, something in him hesitated.

Is this really what you wanted, Lelouch? he wondered. After everything you went through to hide the truth?

Suzaku shook his head. "I don't know, C2," he said. "This just doesn't seem like something Lelouch would want."

To strip away lies, leaving only truth. To unmask Lelouch vi Britannia, once and for all.

But Lelouch had always believed that masks were necessary—an essential part of human nature. They were needed in order for the world to continue to move forward. So why would he ever want to strip away his own?

"This is his will," C.C. told him. "It is your duty to carry it out."

Suzaku's eyes narrowed. "And how do I know I can trust what you say? You've lied to us before. You tricked Lelouch into accepting the Geass. Just to serve your own selfish ends!"

For the first time, a flicker of emotion passed through the girl's eyes. Suzaku recognized her guilt easily; he saw it in himself everyday.

"I'm sorry," he said. "That was unfair."

C.C. shook her head, her face sad. "It wasn't. Know that whatever mistakes I have made, I am trying to atone for them now. Lelouch reminded me what it felt like to live. I care more for him than I can say."

Suzaku was silent, knowing it to be the truth. The relationship between C.C. and Lelouch had always stumped him. They had clearly been closer than mere friends, but they hadn't been lovers, either. Perhaps theirs had been a unique relationship between contractor and contract-bearer; the type of bond that he could never understand.

"Trust me, Suzaku," she said. She reached out, closing his fingers around the disc in a tighter grip. Through the mask between them, she met his eyes. "This is the only way to move forward."

"This is outrageous," the second princess of the Britannian Empire declared. "It's a complete farce, and I'm leaving."

In a single room, sat about a dozen people. From the former Student Council of Ashford Academy, sat Milly Ashford, Rivalz Cardemonde, and Nina Einstein. Also at the table sat Jeremiah Gottwald, Cecile Croomy, Earl Lloyd Aspund, and Nunnally vi Britannia. They were the only ones who were sitting. The rest of the room's occupants were standing, facing each other.

Former members of the Black Knights faced the two people who had just come through the doorway—Princess Cornelia and Prince Schneizel. There was utter hatred in the Knights' eyes. Cornelia stared back at them as though they were something caught beneath her high-heeled boot.

"If it's so outrageous," Kallen Kouzuki spoke, her mouth twisting with anger, "then why did you come?"

The Viceroy's lips twisted in an identical fashion. "I assure you, I most certainly wouldn't have had I known I'd be in the company of a bunch of filthy Elevens—"

Kallen's eyes flared. "My name is Kallen Kousuki," she snarled, "and I am Japanese, you piece of—"

"You dare address a member of the royal family in such a disrespectful fashion—"

Schneizel placed a calming hand on his sister's shoulder. "Now, Cornelia, let's not overreact—"

Cornelia jerked herself away from his touch. She seemed almost as disgusted by him as she was by the Black Knights.

Kallen's focus turned from the Viceroy to the Second Prince. "And you," she said, her eyes slits. "You have some nerve, showing your face to us. What gives you the right?"

Schneizel raised his chin. "Zero ordered me to come," he said, which was explanation enough. Such was the power of the Geass—even after the user's death.

You will obey Zero.

"Now, everyone," Nunnally finally spoke. Her voice was quiet, but it was so at odds with the atmosphere in the room that everyone still turned to look at her. "All of us were invited here for a reason. Until Zero arrives to explain to us why, we should sit down and try to get along."

She was asking for a near miracle. But with her wide, purple eyes and gentle expression, it was almost impossible to deny Nunnally vi Britannia anything. Reluctantly, the two warring parties sat.

"Brother Schneizel," Nunnally greeted. Schneizel's face showed brief surprise at being addressed. "How have you been? It's been some time since we've seen each other."

He bowed his head. "Apologies, my lady. I would have made a visit to you sooner, but I was unsure of whether I would be welcome."

Beside him, Cornelia scoffed quietly. Across from him, Kallen and other members of the Knights stared between Nunnally and Schneizel with incredulous faces.

"I don't understand!" Kallen exploded. She looked at Nunnally accusingly. "How can you speak to him so casually?! He tried to kill the entire world!"

Schneizel's mouth opened. Before he could speak, Cornelia's hand shot out to cover his lips.

"If you were about to say 'not the entire world'," she said to him, "then I highly advise you to reconsider, brother."

Her hand fell away. Schneizel didn't reopen his mouth. Nunnally turned toward the irate Kallen, preparing to answer her, when the door of the room swung open.

Zero walked into the room, his long cape flapping behind him. Several people stood up at his entrance.

"Zero, my man!" Tamaki yelled. "Where have you been? I thought we were meant to be buddies… the closest of all pals…!"

Ohgi smacked him on the back of the head. He yelped. "Ow! Ohgi, what the hell?!"

Ohgi turned to address Zero. "Forgive him, Zero. Is there a reason why all of us are here?"

"And it better be a damn good one," Cornelia said.

"I am here," Zero declared, his voice distorted by the mask, "for the truth. And so are all of you."

All the faces around the table looked between each other with confusion. "The truth?" Jeremiah spoke up. "What do you mean, Zero?"

"This." Zero held up a gloved hand. In it, he held a simple disk. "On this disk lies the answers to all of your questions, the truth behind all of the lies."

"The truth of what?"

"The truth," said Zero, "of Lelouch vi Britannia."

Instant chatter broke out. Many people seemed stunned; others rose up from their chairs. The three former students from Ashford Academy turned to speak with each other, forming a sort of bubble that excluded the rest of the room. The Black Knights stared at Zero. Cornelia stood from her seat.

"This is an absolute waste of my time," she said. "The Demon Emperor is dead. I care not for any truth you are offering."

"And what of Euphie?" Zero questioned. Cornelia froze on her way to the door. "Don't you wish to finally know the truth about that?"

Cornelia visibly warred with herself. Her gaze snapped up to meet the blank mask in front of her.

"There is no truth," she hissed, her voice shaking with grief and rage. "My brother murdered her. And he used her death to make himself a messiah. That's all there is to it."

"But is it?" Zero questioned. He stepped forward, so he and Cornelia were standing toe-to-toe. He was shorter, but he somehow managed to still be intimidating. "Is that all there was to Lelouch, in the end? Simply the Demon?"

Cornelia did not back down. "He was a demon. If you think any differently, then you are a fool."

"How dare you," Jeremiah said slowly. He rose from his chair slightly, leaning forward on the table. "How dare you speak of His Majesty in such a way! He is the savior of this world! I will not allow him to be disrespected!"

Schneizel stood from his chair. "My brother was a traitor and a murderer. He deserved no less than what he got."

Jeremiah quaked with rage. "Hypocrite!" he yelled. "You preach about mindless murder, when you yourself planned to commit genocide!"

"But I didn't," Schneizel said. His face didn't change. "Which is how my brother and I differ."

"You smug—"

"Everyone!" Nunnally called out. "Please calm down." Calm eyes turned toward the masked man at the door. "I would like to hear what Zero has to say."

"Thank you, Empress," said Zero. He brandished the disk in his hand. "This disc," he said, "is said to be a recording of Lelouch vi Britannia's life—his memories. I intend for us to watch them."

"Memories?" Ohgi questioned, utterly bewildered. "How is that possible?"

"Do not ask me how. Even if I could understand it, I couldn't tell you."

"Wait," Rivalz spoke up. Everyone turned to look at him, and he momentarily shrank away at the attention. "You mean, this will tell us all about Lelouch? About why he became the Emperor?"

The masked terrorist nodded. "It will."

"Then I'm in!"

The Black Knights still looked uncertain, but eventually they consented to stay—as Zero had known they would. Jeremiah looked the picture of devotion, sitting straight with his shoulders back and head held high. Lloyd looked utterly fascinated—which was actually sort of worrying.

Schneizel scoffed. "This is ridiculous," he declared. He made to move for the door. "Like my sister said, the Demon Emperor is dead. Sitting here and observing the life of a dead man serves no purpose. There is no hidden truth to find within Lelouch's actions. He was no more than a coldblooded tyrant, same as our father—"

"Schneizel," Zero commanded, "Sit down and be quiet."

Schneizel's irises glowed red. You will obey Zero. He sat down and stayed quiet, unable to do anything else.

Zero looked out at all of them. "I won't force any of you to stay. I just ask you to hear me out. I myself haven't watched it. I have no idea what to expect. But I'm going to watch it anyway. For the truth."

Zero turned his face to the Ashford Academy students. "For Shirley."

Nina and Rivalz looked down. Milly closed her eyes.

Now, to Cornelia and Schneizel: "For Euphemia. For Clovis."

Cornelia's face tightened with pain. Even Schneizel looked somber.

To the Black Knights: "For trust. For loyalty. For closure."

The Knights who had trusted the Demon Emperor—and had, in turn, betrayed him—drew themselves up.

For closure, Kallen thought. For peace of mind.

Finally, Zero turned to Nunnally. "For Lelouch," he said, and Nunnally eyes gleamed with tears.

She stared into the black mask, imagining the pained face she knew laid behind it. Oh, Suzaku, she thought. You always were the best of us.

"And for science!" Lloyd yelled out suddenly, completely shattering the serious atmosphere of the room.

Cecile hit him. "Lloyd! You completely ruined a beautiful speech!"

"Whoopsie. My bad, sorry!"

He laughed. Cecile groaned, letting her head thump onto the table.

"Well?" said Zero. "Are we all decided?" No one moved. He nodded. "Very well."

Slowly, Zero walked toward the television across from the table and slipped the disc inside. Remote in hand, he raised it and pressed the button to play.

Now, Lelouch, Suzaku thought, his hands trembling as he joined Nunnally at the table. Now I'll finally know. Euphie… Shirley… our friendship… How much was real? How much was just an act?

Did you ever really care at all?