Summary: Lelouch is dead, but it wasn't over for Suzaku. He dreams of it every night, replaying it over like a film. A nightmare that he couldn't get over. He hated him, but loved him...a little too late to realize his own feelings for his friend and enemy. Life goes on and he can't stop time, but what if...he was given a second chance? Would he take it or would he give it all up again?
Based after R2 with the assumption that Lelouch is dead.
Disclaimer: We do not own Code Geass. This is purely fanmade.
oddsisters' note: Characters may be out of character. There will be one OOC character that we will claim as our own. This fan fiction is not related to the anime/manga. It will contain boy x boy. Rated M for sexual content, language, and maybe violence (that will be later in the story).
The Fallen King : Return
All he could do was helplessly watch her from the side, blaming himself for not being able to save her in time. He tighten his grasp over the brooch that she had given him and he begged silently to God for the first time in his life to save her. Looking up, he noticed she had awoken. He had so many things to say to her, but he couldn't muster any words. He could only stare at her. Cecile and Lloyd had chosen to leave, allowing him and Euphemia to be alone. She was saying something he didn't understand, but he was just glad she was awake. He believed everything was going to be okay, however, in the short time they spent together his hope turned into despair as the beeping sound from the heart monitor stopped. He gritted his teeth together, choking back sobs. "Damn you Zero," he muttered under his breath, "I'll never forgive you."
It was blurry, yet he could still see him. Pointing the gun at him, he screamed out the name he had called out so many times when they were friends, "Lelouch!" The gun turned into a sword and jabbed forward, stabbing into flesh. He felt the warm trickle of blood as he remained in the position he was in. The tears streamed down his face as every emotion racked his body at once. There was a small tap on Zero's helmet that he wore.
Aside from the buzzing sound in his head, he could hear Lelouch's soft whisper, "The punishment for what you have done shall be this then...you will live on, always wearing that mask, serving as a knight for justice and truth. You will no longer live your life as Suzaku Kururugi. You shall sacrifice the ordinary pleasures of your life in benefit of the world for eternity."
Suzaku bit back a cry, letting the tears flow down his cheeks. He replied with the only answer he knew, "This Geass I do solemnly accept."
The buzzing sound became louder until he was jolted awake. Droplets of sweat beaded down his face as he sat up. He reached over to turn off the alarm clock. His throat had gone dry and he was shivering from the dream. Suzaku ran his fingers through his unkempt hair, unsure of how many times he had dreamt of the same dream. It plagued him ever since the day he killed Lelouch. Night after night, it haunted him until he feared sleeping. Shakily, he sighed and pushed the blankets aside. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and as soon as his feet touched solid ground, his body relaxed immediately. He stretched his arms and glanced at the clock. The time read six o' five in the morning. With an inward groan, he prepared for the day. He slipped on Zero's suit and briefly glanced at himself in the mirror. He could almost feel Lelouch's presence in the suit and grimaced at the thought. Shaking his head, he turned away from the mirror and reached for Zero's mask, putting it on quickly. He checked the time once more before hurrying out of the room.
Being the new Empress of Britannia, the day was going to be busy for Nunnally, who had many meetings to attend. He knew he had to remain by her side at all times. Accompanying Nunnally into the conference room, he pushed her wheelchair up to the table. The meeting commenced immediately with Nunnally addressing the nations' state of affair.
"Today I have called for a meeting because there have been a few incidents occurring within the country. We must resolve this issue before it arises to a national crisis. The problem involves the assassination of a group of influential Chinese allies. The black knights have investigated the situation and the result clearly points to the start of an uprising," stated Nunnally.
Murmurs waved through the room in surprise. This was also news to Suzaku. He looked down at Nunnally who seemed composed, but he could see her hands trembling. He reached down and placed his hand on her shoulder to assure her.
After the murmurs subsided, Nunnally continued speaking, "I have decided to have the black knights work with the Chinese Ceremonial Guards on this matter. I want every one to understand we take this problem very seriously. I would not want Empress Tianzi to be in danger as well as any Chinese officials and citizens."
The meeting continued rentlentlessly, addressing other world issues on the agenda. It was hours later when the meeting was finally adjourned. Suzaku pushed Nunnally out of the conference room and led her to the awaiting van. Pushing the wheelchair onto the railway, he pushed her into the car and slid the van door shut. While they sat in the car, Suzaku asked, "How come you never told me about the assassination attempts?"
Nunnally looked over to him and smiled slightly. "If I did, it would only worry you and then you would have worked even harder than you already are. Sometimes I think you over work yourself too much," she replied in her sweet voice.
Suzaku glanced away from her and sighed inwardly. "It was…my promise to Lelouch that I would always serve justice," he said quietly.
"Am I suppose to be that justice?" asked Nunnally.
"You are the Empress of Britannia…you are a representation of justice and peace."
Nunnally did not reply to him, causing him to look back at her. She was smiling sadly at him.
Suzaku reached out with one hand and placed it over her hands on top of her lap. He squeezed it slightly and said, "You are still Nunnally to me…but things are different now. I don't have time to rest. My duty is to remain at your side and protect you."
Nunnally nodded her head at him. Silence fell over them and it remained that way until they reached Nunnally's home. Guards dressed in black suits were checking the area before opening the gate. The van entered slowly as the security guards continued to check the area. Once fully inside, the guards returned to the positions with four guards guarding the front gate and others placed in close ranges in case their was any attempt of assassination. Suzaku made a quick scan of the area and then slid the van door open. He pushed Nunnally out of the van and toward the house.
After they got inside the house, he pushed her into the living room where Sayoko was already waiting for them. She greeted the both of them and then left to brew some tea. Suzaku pushed Nunnally to the small table, setting her next to it before stepping aside. She was staring out the window as he seated himself across from her. Sayoko returned a few minutes later with a tray of tea and cookies. She set it on the table and bowed, walking to stand besides Nunnally. Suzaku glanced over to her and watched as she readjusted Nunnally.
"Please sit," Nunnaly said, gesturing to the seat next to her for Sayoko.
The super maid nodded her head and seated herself. She poured a cup of tea for Nunnaly and then glanced over to Suzaku to see if he would like some. Suzaku declined, shaking his head.
"Su-I mean, Zero…will you at least remove your mask when you're around me?" asked Nunnaly as she gave a smile to Sayoko for pouring her tea.
"I shouldn't," replied Suzaku.
"But you're just with me. I would at least like to see the face of my childhood friend."
Suzaku sighed, unable to reject her. He reached up with a hand and clicked the helmet. He opened and slid it off. A cool breeze swept across his face and he exhaled slowly. Setting the helmet on the table, he looked up at Nunnally who was genuinely smiling at him.
"It's nice to see your face again," she said.
Suzaku smiled at her, but it was forced. It wasn't as though he didn't want her to see his face. It was just that it had been a while since the last time he was able to see her face to face. Ever since he took on the image of Zero, he had never once been able to be Suzaku Kururugi, just as Lelouch had said. He had to throw away his old life.
"What does it feel like to be Suzaku Kururugi again?" asked Nunnally, as though reading his mind.
He quickly looked down and thinned his lips. "Weird," he replied, "It's been a while since I've been…Suzaku Kururugi in front of you…and I'm afraid I'm not the same."
"…Because of Lelouch's death?" asked Nunnally.
"…Ever since Euphie's…"
"Ah."
Silence fell over the room as Nunnaly drank her tea and Suzaku stared out the window. A knock on the door stirred their silence. Suzaku quickly reached for the Zero mask and slipped it back on. After putting the mask on, Nunnally called for the person to enter. A young man dressed in a black suit with black sunglasses entered and bowed to Nunnally. He turned toward Suzaku stiffly and said, "Earl Lloyd wishes to see you, Zero."
Suzaku glanced at the man and then over to Nunnally. "I can't. Tell him to com-"
Before Suzaku could finish his sentence, Nunnally interrupted him. "Please go ahead and see him, Zero," she said, "It must be urgent if he is asking you to go there."
Suzaku hesitantly stood. After hearing about the assassinations of the Chinese officials, he did not want to leave Nunnaly alone. He stood and stared at Nunnally for a few seconds before looking over to Sayoko. "Take care of her," he said. Sayoko nodded at him. He returned her nod with one of his own and then followed after the young man.
He arrived at the lab that belonged the to military. Entering into it, he found Lloyd sitting at the table with a large computer screen before him. Suzaku walked to him and cleared his throat. Lloyd swiveled around in his seat and smiled lazily at him. "Ah, good afternoon Su-ah, I mean Zero!" he greeted after correcting himself. He waved for Suzaku to come closer which he complied to. When he was a few feet away Lloyd stood from his seat and gestured for Cecile to come over. She walked over and stood by his side, facing Suzaku.
"Please make this quick," said Suzaku, "I do not wish to leave Nunnally alone."
"Is Sayoko with her?" asked Lloyd.
"Yes."
"Then she'll be fine."
He waved off Suzaku's comment about hurrying and gestured Suzaku to follow him. Suzaku did, following after him as they quickly walked pass a few scientists. They walked into another room with lesser people. They made a quick turn around the corner and entered into a white room. Suzaku frowned and stopped himself as Lloyd walked over and pressed a red button, locking the door they had entered from. Suzaku glanced over his shoulder, confused as to what Lloyd was doing.
Cecile patted his shoulder and he looked over to her. "Please remove your helmet," she said kindly.
Suzaku shook his head. He had already removed it once in front of Nunnally; he wasn't going to remove it again.
"It's okay. The cameras are turned off at the moment," said Cecile.
The seconds ticked by as they waited. Suzaku clenched his teeth together and then removed his helmet slowly. Holding it in his hands, he glanced around the white room. To the left, there was a white cot with metal bed posts. A few feet away to its right was a white dresser with black knobs. There was another door with a black knob, but Suzaku wasn't sure where it led to. Scanning the room, it felt as though someone was living in it.
"What is this place?" asked Suzaku, "Does someone live here?"
"I will explain in a bit and yes, someone does live here," answered Lloyd easily, "No one has permission to enter this room except Cecile and I."
"Why?"
"Because this is where the experiment lives."
"Experiment?"
Lloyd turned towards him and smiled mysteriously. He waved his hand over to the white, round table that had four white chairs around it. They walked over and sat down in the chair. Lloyd folded his hands on top of the table, glancing at Cecile briefly before looking at Suzaku. "This will be a little shocking, but…I think it's best if you're the one responsible for him. Cecile and I concluded you were the only one able to," said Lloyd.
Suzaku tilted his head and frowned. "What is it?" he asked.
"Cloning. It's a technology that uses the process of transferring a DNA fragment of interest from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid. The DNA of interest can then be propagated in a foreign host cell. To "clone a gene," a DNA fragment containing the gene of interest is isolated from chromosomal DNA using restriction enzymes and then united with a plasmid that has been cut with the same restriction enzymes-" before Lloyd could finish, Suzaku interrupted him.
"I understand the basic meaning of cloning. You don't have to go into detail. The question I want to know is, why are we cloning? What is the need for this?"
"I see...well, I guess I'll get straight to the point then. It was a top secret research initiated by King Charles. Both Cecile and I were a part of this research from the beginning. We were one of the original researchers. This cloning was meant for a body double, but there was a flaw in the system. The clones were created without retaining any traits and memories of their original. When this project first started, our purpose was to have clones with memories and traits intact. So because of this flaw, the clones had to be taught which took time. However, as we were beginning to find the solution to the flaw, the project was discontinued when King Charles died. Eventually, Prince Schneizel stumbled upon the remaining information of cloning. Fascinated, he reopened and resumed the project under his order. However, once again, it did not last long. It was discontinued, but this time the facility was destroyed under Lelouch's order. All clones were annihilated. No traces and evidence were to be found. It was during one of our travels to China that Cecile and I came across him by accident and putting the two together we understood he was the only one who escaped amongst the eradication. We decided to take him in because he looked starved and ragged. Of course it was also due to our curiosity as scientists. We placed him in this quarter to observe his traits and habits. Interestingly, even though he was not the original, he displayed similar traits. It was exciting, so Cecile and I decided to further the observation-."
"Without informing Nunnally? She is the Empress. You are committing a grave crime without having permission to operate a research-" Suzaku was interrupted by Cecile.
"We wanted to find out more about this clone before approaching Nunnally with our proposal to further our research. So, we decided that you're the best solution to assist in our observation. You cannot decline because we know that you will find this interesting," said Cecile with a smile.
"Suzaku, let me introduce you to the clone. However, please remain calm. Do not treat him roughly. He is a clone that has no memories of the original," said Lloyd, "Now, let us continue. We have named him after his original. It only seemed fitting…please come in."
Lloyd spoke to the door and Suzaku watched as the white door creaked open. The familiar figure that stepped out shocked Suzaku. The name seemed to have lodged in his throat. He stood from his seat, staring at the black hair, purple eyes, slender individual before him. Finally, the name slipped out in a quiet whisper, "Lelouch."
Afterword
oddsisters: This will be one of our more serious series that we will be writing. We struggled for five pages due to the political aspect of the fan fiction. It stumped us just because we're not very political. Anyways, thank you for reading and we hope to see you in the next chapter (which will be much longer). Don't forget to review or favor the story (whisper: and put it on alert)! Bye-bye!