This fanfic is being written as part of a personal competition between myself and DBExplorer. The rules are simple – We both write a fanfic based of the same concept, and see who gets better reviews. So, please check out his story (Si vis pacem) and tell us who's wrote the better story.
((A/N: Updated chapter with tweaks to spelling and page breaks))
Schneizel looked over the command deck of the Avalon, his search for Princess Euphemia so far in vain.
"Prince Schneizel, Shall we wait until morning to continue the search?" asked one of his subordinates. Schneizel almost agreed, but something happened between making the decision and vocalizing it.
"Send out one more search party; perform a quick scan of the island." He ordered. Not even Schneizel, one of the few people who could outthink Lelouch, could have foreseen the outcome of that one simple order.
"This is sector 7, clear" a masked soldier reported over his intercom. "Returning to – wait"
"What is it?" The intercom crackled.
"I'm picking something up on thermal – I'm going to investigate." The soldier moved toward a clump of bushes. The sound of crashing waves could be heard in the distance. As he made his way past the bushes, he activated his flashlight.
"Base, this is Ursu-7 – you're never gonna believe this."
Lelouch awoke to a bright, blinding light. "Who's there?"
"Lelouch?" Euphie awoke, immediately bringing up a hand to block the light.
"Base, this is Ursu-7, I've located the Princess. She's with somebody – sending visual feed to confirm identity."
Back aboard the Avalon, The forward screen filled with the image of the unknown guest.
Schneizel nearly fell out of his throne.
"I-Identity confirmed, Bring them both to the ship." Schneizel ordered. "A promotion is in your Future, Ursu-7"
"Thank you, your highness." He replied over his intercom, before turning to the two teenagers. "Please come with me – Prince Schneizel is waiting."
Lelouch had to think fast. Schneizel has discovered I'm alive – The rest of the royalty will soon find out. I can't run now, but I have to make sure they don't discover my 'identity'.
'Very well," He said, standing up. "Lead the way – Euphemia?"
She accepted his outstretched hand as she stood before following the soldier.
"What about your outfit?" Euphie asked, her voice just above a whisper. "Won't they notice?"
"Not if I give a reason not to." Lelouch replied. "Tell them exactly what they want to hear and you can make them think whatever you want." Their conversation was cut off as a snapping twig caught the attention of the trio. The Soldier raised his rifle.
"Are you sure it wasn't an animal or something?" a feminine voice said accusingly.
"I'm sure!" a male voice defended. "Just keep-"
Suzaku cut off his statement as they came across the group.
"Suzaku?" Lelouch said, surprised.
Euphie?" Suzaku said with equal shock.
"Lelouch?" Kallen said confused.
"Miss Stadfeld?" Euphie said, bewildered
"You know these two?" The soldier asked Lelouch and Euphemia, pointing towards Kallen and Suzaku.
"That is Major Suzaku Kururugi – My Knight." Euphemia explained.
"And the girl?" The soldier asked.
"Kallen Stadfeld," Lelouch replied. "She's with me."
"Interesting outfit she has on." The soldier said. "Isn't that the emblem of the Black Knights?"
"Yes, it is." Lelouch replied. Think of something fast, Kallen.
"I found it." Kallen lied. "When I washed ashore, my clothes were trashed – I found this and changed."
"Is this true?" The soldier asked Suzaku.
"I…" Suzaku stopped as he caught Euphemia's glare. "… yes"
"Very well." The soldier replied, lowering his weapon. "You two, come with us."
As they began their walk to the Avalon, Kallen caught up with Lelouch.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed.
"All in due time, Kallen." He replied. "All in due time."
- Airship Avalon -
Aboard the Vessel, The four were brought to the bridge and presented to Schneizel.
"It is good to see you are all right, Euphemia." Schneizel said smoothly. "But, Lelouch – what a surprise – where have you been all these years?"
"After The Britannian Invasion of Area Eleven, my sister and I had to go into hiding, lest we be exploited by the enemy."
"A wise decision" Schneizel replied. "But what are you doing it such an outfit?"
"The spitting image of zero, aren't I?" Lelouch replied. "All I'm missing is the mask." That's still in the forest.
"Indeed, indeed," Schneizel replied. "Though it does seem to suit you. Who is your friend?"
"Kallen Stadfeld." Lelouch explained. "She was with me when we became stranded on this island."
"And how exactly did that happen?"
"We were out sailing when we were hit by a rouge wave." Lelouch explained.
"I see – Officer Kururugi."
"Your highness." Suzaku stood at attention.
"You disobeyed a direct order, and in doing so let a known terrorist escape."
Suzaku winced.
"In the process, however, you saved Princess Euphemia – excellent work."
"Thank you, your highness" Suzaku said, bowing.
"Now then, send out the news – Lelouch Vi Britannia lives!"
Kallen stared at Lelouch in shock.
"Do you plan on telling her?" Euphemia asked Lelouch as they sat in a cabin designated for his private use, hours later.
"Yes, eventually." Lelouch replied. "I had not expected this – it appears our time together is not over."
"So it seems." Euphie said. "Why do you do it?"
"Do what?'
"Be Zero." She replied. "Why do you fight Britannia?"
"You know better then anybody what is wrong with Britannia." Lelouch said. "Their treatment of non-Britannians, their subjugation of those they conquer – you want to end it as much as I do."
"But why these methods?" Euphie asked. "Why?"
"History has shown that revolution only comes from force, an attack from without as the government weakens from within." He explained.
"But what if that Government was to be attacked from within?" Euphie asked.
"Internal reform is subject to red tape. In a monarchy, it is impossible to reform from within." Lelouch paused. "Though dissention within would make things easier."
"So, what could you do if you had somebody on the inside?"
"Well," Lelouch said, thinking. "Events could be orchestrated to a much greater extent – to show the people that the peace Britannia offers is a false peace. 'Those who give up a little liberty to gain a little security deserve nether and lose both.'"
"Benjamin Franklin?" Euphie replied.
"Yes" Lelouch said. "A traitor to his country – not unlike myself."
"So," Euphie said. "If you had somebody on your side, working within the Britannian government, could you reduce… casualties?"
"Civilian ones, yes." Lelouch said, understanding what she was getting at. "The fact that we could not only better observe their reactions, but also strike at them directly, theoretically, fewer conflicts would have to occur to reach the same goal." Lelouch paused. "Why?"
"I would like to make a deal with you." Euphemia said sternly.
"What sort of deal?"
"In exchange for a reduction of assaults in, around, and near populated area's by the black knights, I will assist you from within the Britannian Government."
"Why would I need your help?" Lelouch replied. "I am about to have my royal status restored."
"I am already a sub-viceroy, and thus have far more power then you will."
"But you are still just a sub-viceroy." Lelouch replied. What can you do?"
"Far more then someone who just came back from the dead." Euphemia replied.
"Very well, but it is not me you need to make this deal with," Lelouch said. "But Zero. Meet me near the Kururugi Shrine two days from now – bring your Knight."
"Very well," She said as she stood up to leave. "Good night, Lelouch."
"Good night, Euphemia."
After the door closed, Lelouch collapsed onto his bed and stared at the ceiling, deep in thought.
"This is going to make things… complicated."
- Central theater, Tokyo settlement -
The news of Lelouch's 'resurrection' spread like wildfire, consuming the public less then a day after the discovery.
"Should you really be letting people find out you're alive?" C.C. asked as Lelouch as he prepared for his restoration Ceremony.
"Very few of the Britannian Royalty actually knew about the circumstances of my disappearance. Those who did know cannot say anything, lest they reveal their motives – they have no choice but to go along with this."
"Clever." C.C. replied as Lelouch prepared to walk out onto the stage.
There was a massive roar of applause as Lelouch walked out onto the stage. At Ashford academy, the student council (minus three) watched as the ceremony began.
"I told you it was him!" Rivalz said, pointing at the screen.
"Why didn't he tell us?" Shirley asked, the question directed at nobody in particular.
"He probably couldn't" Milly replied, already fully aware of the situation.
The ceremony, presided over Schneizel, was intended to restore Lelouch to his position as the eleventh Prince of Britannia. This, of course, meant that he would need a knight.
"People of Britannia" Lelouch said. "It brings me great joy to see that I am welcomed back with open arms. You are everything I have believed you to be – fine, honorable, upstanding people. I am pleased to have the honor of choosing my Knight from you people. It is someone who has helped me a great deal in my time in exile, and I am honored to have her by my side. My selection for my Knight is… Kallen Stadfeld!"
Kallen, who had been given a seat on the stage, looked at Lelouch in shock. Before she could argue, a messenger rushed onto the stage.
"Schneizel, your highness." He stammered in between labored breathing. "The Exiled Japanese Government is attacking Kyushu!"
"What?" Schneizel said, shocked. Lelouch, meanwhile, watched as Kallen slipped off the stage. He followed suite.
- Black Knight Flack ship Ikaruga, three miles off the Tokyo coast -
"What is the meaning of this!" A black Knight yelled at the meeting. "You've just been made the Knight of a Britannian Prince – Explain Kallen!"
"It is all part of my plan."
"Zero!"
Zero stepped onto the stage. "She is part of a long term operation to infiltrate the Britannian government. I already have two contacts inside."
"I – I didn't know." The Black Knight bowed. "Forgive me."
"There is nothing to be forgiven." He turned to Kallen. "Meet me in my office after the meeting."
"I… Yes sir." Kallen replied.
"Very, well – let us begin." Zero said as he began the meeting. After going over a few restructurings to take advantage of new information resources, he adjourned to his office for his second meeting of the day.
"Okay, so what do you want?" Kallen asked as she stepped into Zero's office. He was at the desk, with C.C. sitting on the couch.
"Do you know why you were chosen as Lelouch's Knight?" He asked.
"Why?"
Zero slowly removed his helmet, much to the surprise of Kallen, to reveal his dark hair and piercing purple eyes.
"Because, you are the best Knightmare pilot I know."
Kallen stared at him in disbelief. "I… you… I knew it!"
"Did you?"
"Ever since that day at the Academy! I knew something was up!"
"Do you accept the position of being my Knight?" Lelouch asked calmly.
"Yes, You highness" She said sarcastically. "I'm already you're bodyguard here, aren't I?"
"Indeed." Lelouch replied. "But there is more to this situation that you need to know."
An hour later, Zero and Kallen were greeted by Ougi as they left Zero's office. "The Lancelot has been deployed!"
"Interesting." Zero said. "C.C. Come with me."
"Where are you going?" Kallen asked.
"There is something I must take care of." He replied before walking off.
"What's with him?" Ougi asked.
"Who knows?" Kallen replied sardonically.
- Exiled Japanese Government forward operations base, Kyushu -
As Lelouch flew over Kyushu, he listened in on the conversation between Suzaku and Euphie.
"I order you to love me!"
"What?" Lelouch said in surprise at the order.
"What is it?" C.C. asked.
"Nothing! Its Nothing!" Lelouch replied, quickly shutting off the radio. Could she actually order that?
As The Gawain flew into battle to save the Lancelot, Lelouch opened a channel to its pilot.
"Suzaku, are goals are the same – are our methods any different?"
"I don't kill people!" Suzaku replied.
"What do you call what you are doing now?" Zero replied. "We fight for the same goal – the freedom of Japan. We are both willing to sacrifice everything to achieve that goal. Our few differences are not irreconcilable."
"What are you proposing?" Suzaku asked.
"A meeting, that is all." Zero replied. "Tomorrow night at the Kururugi shrine. Allow me to explain my position. If you are still not convinced, then I will turn myself in."
"What are you doing?" C.C. asked.
"Trust me." Lelouch said before turning back to his intercom. "Do we have an arrangement?"
"… agreed." Suzaku said as they raided the rebel base.
- Royal estate, Tokyo settlement -
"What do we have here?" Lelouch asked as he walked out into the front courtyard, surprised to find the Avalon parked above it. Euphemia seemed to be talking to Suzaku.
"Lelouch?" Suzaku said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Euphie is letting Nunnally and I stay here until a villa can be built for our personal use."
"I see." Suzaku replied.
"If you will excuse me, I have things to attend to." Euphemia said politely. Both gentlemen bowed to her as she left.
"I also have things to attend to." Lelouch said as he began to walk off. "Have to go have my Knight approved."
"See you later." Suzaku replied.
- Tokyo military base, outskirts of the Tokyo settlement -
"Are you sure about this, your highness?" A general asked Lelouch as they looked over the testing field for the Knightmare pilots.
"Trust me, General." Lelouch replied. "I think she will do quite well." Lelouch activated his headset. "Are you ready Kallen?"
Inside the Gloucester on the testing field, Kallen activated her comlink. "Ready."
Lelouch gave a nod.
"Begin the test!" The General ordered.
A half dozen Knightmare frame target drones were deployed, charging straight at Kallen. She skillfully dodged the first volley of fire, and immediately charged into battle, her MVS sword drawn. Three of the mechs fell in seconds. The other three began to fire from cover. Kallen deployed a chaos mine, forcing the targets out into the open. She took out two with her rifle, and struck down the lat one with her blade.
"Remarkable!" The General remarked. "Are you sure she has no experience?"
"No known experience in the Britannian Army." Lelouch replied. "Perhaps she's a natural."
"Whatever it is, she is more then qualified to be your Knight." The General remarked. "Now, this being the only technicality, the Knighting ceremony is almost ready."
"Then I guess we should get ready, shouldn't we?" Lelouch remarked, turning to Kallen as she entered.
"Of course, your highness." Kallen replied, her sarcasm thinly veiled as they prepared for the coronation at the Tokyo Administrative Building.
The hall was filled with Britannian nobles, including one Lloyd Asplund, as Lelouch entered with C.C. trailing.
Bartley paled.
"Is something the matter?" C.C. asked in her usual stoic tone.
"No! Not at all!" Bartley replied franticly. He couldn't very well take her custody in the presence of all these nobles. How had she gotten so close to Lelouch? He'd been in hiding for the last several years… right?
Lelouch ascended the stage, C.C. taking a position behind him.
"Who's the green haired girl?' Somebody in the audience whispered.
"Heard she was his assistant." Replied another observer.
The hall quieted as Kallen entered. She approached Lelouch and kneeled.
"Kallen Stadfeld, will thou upon this day pledge thy fidelity to Britannia, and stand as a Knight of the Crown?"
"Yes, your highness."
"Does thou wish to abandon thy self, and be sword and shield for the sake of the greater good?"
"Yes, your highness."
Kallen drew her blade and presented it Lelouch, who took up the blade and ceremonially touched her on each shoulder with its tip.
"I, Lelouch Vi Britannia, Do hereby dub thee Dame Kallen Stadfeld, and in you I seek the virtues of Honesty, Loyalty, Decorum and Devotion and as such uphold these wherever you go"
He presented her with her blade, which she humbly took and sheathed. He gestured for to stand, which she did before turning around to face the hall. After a moment, applause broke out.
"At least I didn't have to start it this time." Lloyd said to himself as he applauded.
As Kallen and Lelouch rode back to Euphie's villa, they enjoyed a moment of privacy in the back of the limo.
"I have a feeling you will be breaking your vows, my Knight." Lelouch said jokingly.
"That's a given." Kallen replied. "So what now?"
"I solidify my arrangement with our other insider." Lelouch replied, "The meeting is tonight – you will join me"
"As a Britannian Knight of a Black Knight?"
"The latter." Lelouch replied, loosening the tie like accoutrement of his formal attire.
- Kururugi Shrine -
Suzaku approached the Kururugi Shrine, surprised to find Euphemia standing there,
"Princess Euphemia! What are you doing here?"
"She is here to meet me." Suzaku turned to see Zero approach their position. "Just like you."
Suzaku glared at Zero for a moment, Kallen flanking him.
"I am merely here to discuss an accord – nothing more."
"What sort of accord?" Suzaku asked.
"We all have the same basic goal – freedom for those who rightly deserve it - Freedom from oppression and subjugation, freedom from tyranny. In this we are bound together, drawn together for a common goal. Our methods, though different, are reconcilable – so long as all sides are willing to compromise." He faced Euphie. "You are already aware of my request – covert support from within the Britannian government to further the goal of a free Japan. What do you request?"
"If I am to work with you, I demand a reduction in not only large scale assaults around population zones, but your solemn vow that you will avoid civilian casualties to as great an extent as possible – that means no more stunts like the Narita incident."
Lelouch winced at the mention of Narita. "Agreed" He said with a solemn bow.
"you cannot be serious Princess!" Suzaku said. "This man is a known terrorist!"
"One man's terrorist is another man's patriot!" Zero replied. "I fight for something greater then myself –I fight for the people of Japan! The Black Knights were the ones who saved the hostages in the Hotel incident, and it was I who stopped Prince Clovis from massacring all of Shinjuku to protect his own reputation! I am willing to compromise on my position, but I will not step down from my duty to the people of this county."
Suzaku glared at him for a minute. "If you want my help, you have to do three things. The first is to assure me that no harm will come to Euphie because of any of this."
"I will give my life before I let any harm come to her."
"The second is that you must assure me that you will protect not only the Japanese, but all innocent civilians – Britannian or Japanese. You must swear that no civilians will be harmed."
"I will run all my plans by you if you wish."
"How will you be able to do that?"
"Don't worry about such a matter. The third requirement?"
"I want you to show me your face."
"Very well, Suzaku Kururugi." Zero said before he began to remove his helmet. Suzaku looked on in shock as Lelouch pulled down his face cover and stared at him.
"So, do we have an agreement?"
