Code Geass: The Emperor's Blessing
Summary: "Lelouch, the road you have chosen is a long and hard one. Even your death is too small of a price to pay for the future, that is why as your father I'll give you my first and last blessing"-Emperor Charles zi Britannia
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Code Geass
Not Beta Read Yet!
Just a note: I suddenly got obsessed with Code Geass and I couldn't prevent myself from writing a fanfiction about it. It was driving me crazy.
For this Code Geass fanfic, the premise if basically is that what if Charles zi Britannia and Marianne vi Britannia were more like their alternate counterparts in Nightmare of Nunnally who were more accepting of their children's decision and arguably kinder than in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.
In this fanfic Suzaku never went into the world of C and learned of anything so he is still anti-Lelouch. Mostly because I can use this to pit him against Lelouch for what I have planned and my partial hate for his hypocritical ways. Anyways I won't bash him (at least I'll try not to). The official explanation will be that Suzaku returned to Schneizel after he woke after searching the emperor and returned to report his failure and try to renegotiate about becoming Knight of One.
Chapter 1: The Blessing
"Lelouch do you truly believe you can stop Schneizel with only your geass?" The 98th Emperor of Britannia asked as he stared into the fully evolved geass eyes of his son.
Lelouch stared back at his father whose body was starting to dissolved into particle feet up. "I am the man who makes miracles happen, nothing is impossible for me."
It was a small chuckle at first, but soon Charles was booming with laughter. "Lelouch you and I are more alike than I think."
"Charles..." Marianne whispered with a melancholic look before adopting a sad smile on her face.
"Marianne I'm sorry but we lost." A look of shock barely made its way to Lelouch's face as he witnessed his father apologize, something the emperor hardly ever did even to his mother.
"It's fine Charles." Marianne gently said to her lover before turning to Lelouch. "Lelouch, I know I may not have been the best mother, but my love for you and Nunnally was real. At the very least I hope you can accept that."
Lelouch just nodded.
"And C.C. though as short as our friendship may have been with you , I have truly enjoyed it."
"As have I Marianne."
"Lelouch, the road you have chosen is a long and hard one. Even your death is too small of a price to pay for the future, that is why as your father I'll give you my first and last blessing" The Emperor walked-errr-floated towards Lelouch due to the disappearance of his legs.
To Lelouch's utter amazement and surprise his father hugged him. "Lelouch this as much of a blessing and a curse because the mantle of a ruler is heavy, and immortality even more so."
Lelouch froze as his father whispered his last words. "Lelouch tell the Knight of One, Bismarck Waldstein, this phrase "************" and he will acknowledge you as the next emperor. Goodbye my son, and I love you."
It was all over too quickly, the emperor and empress turned into particles and was blown away into the Collective Unonconscious.
"Now what will you do Lelouch?" C.C. asked as she stood up and stared at her Warlock.
Lelouch said nothing as he stared at the palm of his hand, a light mark of geass apparent. "I...will become the emperor of Britannia."
Outside it was chaos as the Britannian and Black Knights suppressed the rebel forces.
Among them was Bismarck Waldstein who didn't even bat an eyelash as he used Galahad's primary weapon, Excalibur, to cut down another Vincent Ward.
Beep
Beep
'A transmission?' The Knight of One blinked as he didn't recognized who but nevertheless opened it, and to his surprise he saw the unmasked face of Zero.
"Do you need something your highness?" Despite Lelouch vi Britannia being the terrorist known as Zero, he was still a prince of Britannia.
"**********"
Bismarck's eyes widened as he heard the young prince's words. He had already expected something like this to have happened but never in his wildest dreams would he thought that Charles zi Britannia would name Lelouch emperor even if he was his favorite son, not that anyone would know.
Moments passed before Bismarck finally regained his bearings. "What are your orders your majesty."
Lelouch didn't even bother to hide his smirk as he issued his orders.
"Ohgi what's the meaning of this?" Kallen Kouzuki nearly shouted as she barged into the meeting room, she had been suddenly ordered to stop the attacks on the rebel forces and her search for Lelouch. Not only that but she saw in amazement as the rebel forces suddenly stoppped their attacks and returned to their ships, Britannian ships that were fighting against them moments ago.
But Kallen stopped short as she saw the occupants staring solely at her.
What was more, the remaining Knight of the Rounds san Suzaku Kururugi and Anya Alstreim were also there while Schneizel and his group wasn't.
"I will repeat the offer, in return for Area Eleven to be freed and return to be Japan the 99th Emperor of Britannia would like you to turn the pilot of the Guren to us." Kallen adopted a shocked face as she heard the proposal from the Knight of One's mouth.
"But that's isn't what we agreed upon with Schneizel!" Tamaki the loud one expressed his distaste loudly.
"Prince Schneizel isn't the emperor."
"But-" Ohgi started to argue but was cut off.
"Also the emperor would also like you to turn over Baroness Nu for her treachery against the empire."
"She didn't do anything wrong!" Ohgi once again argued.
"On the contrary, despite your beliefs Baroness Nu collaborated with you, the traitorous knights."
"Traitorous!?" Shock rang out in the meeting room at Bismarck's remark.
"Lord Waldstein on what grounds do you claim that we the Black Knights are traitors." Tohdoh asked calmly as he gripped his katana tightly.
"Isn't it obvious? You betrayed Zero based on the incomplete truth given to you by Schneizel. "
"Wha!? How did you know!?" Tamaki shouted out. More than one member of the higher ups of the Traitorous Knights cursed Tamaki's big mouth.
"L-lord Waldstein I do not know what you mean." Kaguya Sumeragi, the most composed member of the council asked. "What do you mean we betrayed Zero? He died in the battle of Tokyo."
"Lady Kaguya it seems that you do not know of the traitorous action of your so-called comrades."
"W-wait!" Ohgi cursed the till timed meeting with the Knights of the Round as he didn't have time to inform Kaguya of Lelouch's betrayal. 'Thanks god that Xingke is in the hospital recuperating.' But unluckily for Ohgi, the Knight of One felt no need to obey his orders.
"Lord Waldstein, please explain." Kaguya asked as she glanced suspiciously at her fellow comrades.
"Wait Britannian! You have no right to disclose Black Knight private affairs!" Nagisa Chiba protested.
"On the contrary when the affairs includes one of the empire's member of royalty it has become a Britannia affair too." Bismarck countered. "The deal was simple, in exchange for Zero Schneizel offered the Black Knights Area 11 in exchange."
"Wait, you couldn't possibly suggest that the high members would sell out Zero-sama like that!" Kaguya protested loudly.
"You don't understand Kaguya-sama, Zero betrayed us! His miracles were nothing but frauds that he created with-"
"Geass?" Bismarck interrupted shocking Ohgi and the others who knew of geass.
"How did-"
"Please, do you think that only you were privileged about geass? In fact I have mine right here." Bismarck said as he pointed toward his sealed left eye making the other members tensed. "Don't worry, my geass can't mind control people. But...how could Zero have betrayed you if he fulfilled all the promises he gave you? You asked for victory, he gave victory to you. Besides without Zero, the Black Knights would have never existed. So how could a man betrayed the very existence he created?"
The members were still tensed despite Bismarck's verbal assurance and silent at his accusation. "Monica if you would please." Bismarck said as Monica adjusted the screen behind the conference tables. "I will now explain the whole truth of the situation, including Zero's identity, motives, and the treachery of his forces."
For the next few hours, the truth of Zero was exposed to the core member of the Black Knights. Outrage, fury, despair, hatred, and questions ran amok during the unveiling but the end result was the same.
"Kaname Ohgi did you really make this deal with Schneizel el Britannia?" Kaguya asked with a nervously calm voice.
"Well...yes..but...it was for the future of Japan!"
"Japan? And what of the the UFN?"
Ohgi stayed silent as did the other members.
"If the deal ran through, only Japan would be safe from Schneizel and the other countries in the UFn would have been free to be attacked. Ohgi you have betrayed the UFN and the Black Knights for your own selfish reasons."
"Lady Kaguya if you would please sort out your internal affairs later, we still have the 99th emperor's proposition to talk about." Bismarck interrupted the arguments within the traitorous Black Knights. "Ah, I almost forgot. Baroness Nu is also required to return for her punishments. A very easy deal correct? Sacrifice two people and you get a whole country."
"Wait how could you even insinuate that we'd just sacrifice them like that!?" Ohgi said angered by the Knight of One's words.
"Ohgi stop."
"General?" Chiba and some of the other Black Knight's member whispered in shock of the Japanese man's words.
"Lord Waldstein, you are correct that we are traitors for sacrificing Zero based on a few words from Schneizel, however that does not mean we will do the same. How do we know that the emperor intends to keep his promise?" Tohdoh asked.
"You don't" Bismarck bluntly said much to the outrage of the Black Knights. "However the emperor's words are more reliable than Prince Schneizel's as he is the only one with the power to grant the deal. I was told in fact that we were to acquire the Guren's pilot at all cost saying that he owes her some explanation for his last words."
Kallen's eyes widened as she heard this. 'No it couldn't be!?'
Bismarck then added the final nail into the coffin. "Do not worry, if Lady Stadfeld so wishes, she may return after speaking with the emperor."
"Wait how can we be guaranteed, for all we know this could be a tra-"
"Tamaki that's enough!" Everyone turned to look the red-haired pilot who had spoken. "I am the person in question of this deal so I should choose for myself!"
"But Kallen-"
"Shut up Ohgi" Ohgi looked more shocked than dejected at the way Kallen back talked to him. "Knight of One, this deal I accept."
Many words of protested were ignored as Kallen followed the Knights of the Round out, but before leaving Bismarck spoke his last words. "You can also tell Villetta Nu that she has been stripped of her title as Baroness, dishonorably discharged from the Britannian military, and has been listed as a traitor the empire.
Lelouch vi Britannia scowled as he sat upon his throne upon the Avalon. His clothes as Zero had been discarded in favor of clothes befitting of his status as the 99th emperor. (photobucket albums / oo76 / Lelouch-vi-Britannia / Code%20Geass%20wallpaper / Luluandsuzaku . jpg the same as the one in the picture except it's gold and not silver)
"Your majesty, Prince Schneizel whereabouts are currently unknown." Cecile Croomy informed the new emperor as he nursed his growing headache.
Lelouch had planned to subjugate the second prince, but it seemed that Schneizel had already ran away when he heard about the new emperor despite not knowing who it was.
Thankfully Schneizel hadn't taken Lloyd and Cecile with him, those two were Britannia's best knightmare creators.
'The problem with Schneizel is that I don't know what he is planning! He has no ambition and that is why I can't predict his goal! But whatever he is planning for, its something big.'
"Your highness the Knights of the Rounds are returning." Lelouch nodded at one of the operators and stood up. "Miss Croomy how are the plans for the new knightmare frames coming along?"
"Yes, although we are not familiar as Rakshata with the Gefjun technologies based on the data from the Guren we captured we can redesign a knightmare with the same capacity as the Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. Eight Elements. As for Knightmare Gilgamesh we need some time to construct a second Druid System, it will not take as long as expect since we can use your majesty's Knightmare Shinkiro's Druid System. As for the other knightmare frames they are just a matter of redesigning the flaws and building them."
"Very well, thank you." With that said Lelouch made his way to meet the returning Knights of the Round and hopefully Kallen.
It didn't take long to make his way to the hanger and as Lelouch expected, Kallen was already out and being escorted. "Lelou-"
"Bismarck you and the other Rounds may return to your stations, I have something private I have to discuss."
"Yes your majesty." The knights said in unison as they bowed and left.
"Le-"
"Kallen follow me." Lelouch interrupted for the second time. Kallen looked like she would say more but stayed silent.
The duo walked quietly and ignored the occasional "your majesty" from the crew of the Avalon. Finally the two entered Lelouch's private room. Kallen knew that she shouldn't have been surprised to see C.C. on the bed but she was though she stayed silent and standing staring at the young emperor in front of her who had sat down onto a chair.
Silence strayed into the room.
"Kallen become my personal knight, the Knight of Zero." Lelouch suddenly said out of the blue shocking the half Britannian.
"What!?" Kallen said obviously expressing her shock. "Lelouch! I came here for explanations and out of the blue you ask me to become your knight! Lelouch what is your goal?"
"To change the world as the emperor of Britannia."
"Lelouch..."
"Kallen you should know that I decided the change the world as Zero for Nunnally, but when I confronted my father I realized that I didn't owe just Nunnally but everyone who I gave those promises to. I owe everyone in the world I gave my promises to. That's why I'm asking for your help Q-1"
To Lelouch surprise Kallen slapped him on the cheek...hard; rubbing his hurt cheek Lelouch looked at Kallen who was glaring at him.
"You when I accepted this deal, I expected a more thorough explanation." Kallen suddenly hugged Lelouch. "But I accept, so long as you promise me not to push me away again. You can lie, you can even drag me to the depths of hell just don't push me away again."
"...Thank you Kallen..."
Of course our favorite green haired Witch just had to ruined the moment for her own amusement not that I would blame. "You know I'm here right?"
-Two Months Onboard the Ikaruga command room-
The inner workings within the Black Knights had changed much since the conference two months ago with the Knight of One despite the secret betrayal of Zero remaining a secret, there was no telling what would happen if word got out the real reason Zero died.
Ohgi, Tohdoh, Chiba, Tamaki, and those associated with Zero's betrayal had been stripped of all position of commands, even Tamaki's status as a glorified janitor had been stripped from him.
The official explanation was that due to their foolhardiness, Zero had died which was true in a way.
Villeta upon hearing of her status, cried on the spot, although few could including Ohgi comforted her after having been informed of her role in the Black Rebellion.
The fallout not only created mistrust between Ohgi and the others but also made Ohgi lose his standing.
For the past two months Britannia had called, surprisingly, had called for a ceasefire resulting in a temporary peace between Britannia and the UFN. Members were still in debate on the right course of action to take.
The only reason they were allowed in the command room was because of the important news that would be announced soon, namely the revealing of the new emperor although the rest of the world was still in the dark about the 98th emperor's disappearance.
"Come on why are we even watching this, its clear that the emperor is a liar. I mean Kallen isn't even back, they must have locked her up or something and Japan hasn't been released yet." Tamaki complained as he watched the screen.
"Tamaki, shut up." The usually sweet leader of the UFN, Kaguya Sumeragi, commanded, not that it shocked the other occupants of the room they too were tired of Tamaki's annoying words.
"Quiet the emperor's coming." Xingke the now sole leader of the Black Knight's military force commanded as he heard the palace guard announce the emperor's arrival.
At his commanded the chatter that was previous prevalent on the bridge of the ship quieted, everyone was curious on who the new emperor was.
However for most the curiosity turned to shock as they saw the 99th emperor walked upon the lavish carpet and sit upon the throne.
They weren't the only ones as the nobles and royalty within the throne room also showed their shock.
"I am the 99th Emperor of Britannia, Lelouch vi Britannia."
"Huh!? Really!?" Karine the fifth princess of the empire let out in her shock.
"You were alive?" Guinevere the first princess said more to herself than others, her shock clearly evident on her face.
"Indeed, sister. I came back from the depths of hell"
"I'm so glad Lelouch, when we found Nunnally, I knew there could be a chance that you were alive, but don't you think this prank has gone over the line?" Odysseus, the first prince of the empire, spoke as he tried to make sense of what Lelouch was doing. He doubted that his father would dub Lelouch the next emperor after all. "That is father's-"
Odysseus never had a chance to finish as Lelouch interrupted him. "The 98th Emperor of Britannia, Charles zi Britannia, named me the emperor before he died at my hand."
If anyone witnessing the event were shocked, they were even more so when Lelouch claimed that the late emperor had named his murderer and missing son the emperor. "Therefore I am the new emperors."
Cries of denials rang out within the nobles but not as many would expect. Inwardly Lelouch smirked, he had already convinced most of the more powerful nobles to his side during the two month time, and geass'd those that didn't comply beforehand.
"Guards remove that imbecile, the vile criminal that dares slaughter his majesty!" Guinevere quickly ordered right after she broke out of her shock.
The palace guardsmen quickly complied as they ran towards Lelouch with their decorative muskets.
"Halt! Stay your hands you traitors!" The hall was quiet as the saw the Knights of the Round walking in excluding Suzaku and Luciano who died.
"Lord Waldstein, thank god you have come." The first prince said in relief at the sight of the Empire's strongest knight. "Please tell my foolish brother to stop all this nonsense."
To his surprise Bismarck and the other Knights of the Round ignored him as they walked and stopped in front of the stairs to Lelouch. "Emperor Charles zi Britannia has indeed chosen Lelouch vi Britannia to be the 99th Emperor of Britannia."
Shock rang out once more in the hall as they took in the Knight of One's word. Bismarck Waldstein the closest man to Charles zi Britannia has just confirmed Lelouch's words. If they protested they would be labeled as traitors and executed, as much as they hated it they had to closed their mouths or die.
"Forgive our lateness your majesty" Bismarck said as he and the other member of the Rounds kneeled in front of the emperor.
The kneeling didn't end there as many of the nobles started to kneel, and before long the other nobles started to kneel.
"All Hail Lelouch!" One member of the crowd said, one that soon others followed.
"All Hail Lelouch!"
"All Hail Lelouch!"
"All Hail Lelouch!"
"All Hail Lelouch!"
"All Hail Lelouch!"
"All Hail Lelouch!"
"All Hail Lelouch!"
Lelouch raised his hand and immediately silence descended onto the hall. "You may rise."
Slowly the members of the all rose from the ground, with the Knights of the Round rising first and positioned themselves behind the emperors thrones as his Knight. Strangely Bismarck stood at the emperor's left with the right side opened.
"My first act as emperor is to renounced Suzaku Kururugi's position as Knight of Seven." Although it was not shown many members of the nobility were thrilled at Lelouch's orders.
-With Schneizel in his base in Cambodia-
Diethard, Suzaku, Kanon, Cornelia, and Schneizel, who was sitting in a chair and holding his white king chess piece, were watching the event going on in the Pendragon Imperial Palace.
Suzaku's eyes narrowed at Lelouch's words as he heard the renunciation of his position as a Round. What confused him more was how and why Bismack followed Lelouch.
In fact that thought was going around in the heads of many members in the room. Even if what Lelouch said about Charles action were true, that didn't explain why.
Schneizel who hadn't foreseen the support of the Rounds for Lelouch was surprised but to him it was not that big of deal to him in his eyes. "I need to thank you Lelouch," Schneizel said, "now that you've reappeared on the scene, we no longer have a problem to contend with."
"But why are there Knights of the Round helping him?" Cornelia asked shocked that of all the support Lelouch had it was their father's former knights.
"It would seem that his majesty Charles zi Britannia had truly chosen Lelouch as his emperor, or Lelouch simply used his Geass." Kanon commented.
"Lelouch becoming emperor would just ruin everything, we can't let this go on," Suzaku said.
"Don't be concerned," the second prince said with confidence, "let Lelouch have all of it because it doesn't matter. He can have Britannia, the Knight of the Rounds, the whole nation. The question is what comes next? Which will control the world? Will it be Lelouch's geass power or will it be…?"
-Throne Room of Pendragon-
The sound of a new pair of feet rang throughout the room as the nobles watched a red haired teen wearing what seemed to be a Knight of the Round's uniform but far more decorative than the other members.
-Bridge of Ikaruga-
"Why is Kallen there!?" Ohgi gasped as he watched in horror as Kallen kneeled before Lelouch saying, "Your Majesty."
Not only that, Kallen had forsaken her preferred hairstyle and opted for her Britannian one. Despite the change in look, many could still recognize her as Kallen Kouzuki, ace of the Black Knights and Zero's personal bodyguard.
"Could Lelouch have placed her under geass?" Chiba questioned as she clenched her first as she stared hatefully at Lelouch.
"Wait" Everyone looked at Xingke. "Reserve your opinions for later, Lelouch still hasn't announced the reason for Kallen's appearance."
-Throne Room in Pendragon-
"Kallen Stadfeld, as Emperor I have decided to create a new member of the Knights of the Rounds, one whose standing is above the rest, one whose sole duty is to accompany the emperor wherever he goes and protect him, the Knight of Zero."
The crowd stared surprise at the new emperor as he announced his orders, they wanted to shout out their doubts for those who recognized Kallen as a member Zero's personal bodyguard but Lelouch's overwhelming presence made them freeze.
"In return for your service as my personal knight, the Knight of Zero, I will grant you one wish. Do you accept."
"Yes your majesty!"
"Very well, what is your wish."
"I wish for the liberation of the country known as Japan!"
"Very well, rise Knight of Zero Kallen Stadfeld."
-Bridge of Ikaruga-
The occupants of the room were stunned at what just transpired.
"Clever." Xingke said.
"Indeed" Kaguya agreed. "And infuriating as well."
"What do you mean?" Ohgi asked confused.
"With this move, Lelouch has protected Kallen for all those who recognized her while keeping his promise at the same time." Xingke seeing some confused look he decided to elaborate. "What would happen if Lelouch just made Kallen his personal knight and left it at that."
"Well...wouldn't she get hated by the Japanese and called a traitor?" Tamaki said.
"Exactly, with this not only would Kallen be seen as a hero, sacrificing herself to insure Japan's freedom but this allows Lelouch-no Zero to keep his promise as well. Although we do not know if Kouzuki is under geass, it doesn't seem like she is."
"Not only that, Lelouch is making a personal smite against the Black Knights too." Kaguya added.
"How so?" Chiba asked.
"He's quite literally rubbing it in our faces that despite your betrayal he has come out better than before. Not only has he gained an empire that rules 2/3 of the word but Kallen has defect to his side and there was nothing we could do about it. Also he is also sending a message."
"What message is that?" Ohgi asked, surprisingly it was Ohgi who asked.
"It's not a message to everyone but those who know or might have guessed his identity as Zero. Lelouch vi Britannia discreetly proclaiming himself as Zero saying look at what I can do with just a few resistance member in Japan, imagine what I can do as emperor of Britannia. Its quite audacious but because of the audacity only a few will come to the conclusion."
Eyes widen at Tohdoh's words. But Kaguya again opened her mouth. "Not only that, with this announcement some of the UFN will question on the Zero's so called death."
Ohgi gulped. "W-w-what will you do then?"
Kaguya didn't even take her eyes off the screen. "Tell them the truth behind Zero's death of course without revealing geass."
"What but that would make us seem like we were wrong!" Ohgi cried out.
"Ohgi do you know what would happen if word of this power was leaked? There would be mass chaos, besides there isn't any proof." Kaguya said not feeling one bit sorry.
"But...but...but..."
"Everyone will think we are crazy, besides you are in the wrong this time. Whatever the truths behind Zero's...Lelouch's miracle even if they were frauds gave hope to the Japanese. Besides even if Lelouch did use geass he didn't use it on us."
"Kaguya-sama you can't possibly be serious!?"
"Ohgi as Zero did you really think that if he had used geass on you, you would be questioning him like this? He's too careful of man to let things happen like this."
"but-"
"Ohgi just shut up, we're doomed because we betrayed Zero okay?" Surprisingly it was Tamaki who had said it.
"Tamaki how could you-"
"Ohgi we were wrong to doubt Zero, I mean sure he used us, but isn't that what a commander does? Use his soldiers as pawns, no outright says it but that's the truth. In every battle the soldiers are just pawns to the leader!"
"Kaguya-sama what will you do?" Xingke asked the fifteen year old.
"I don't know, most likely resign as chairwoman and become the Prime Minister of Japan." Kaguya honestly answered.
"Wait but why?" Chiba asked.
"Because once word gets out that it was Lelouch was Zero, the man who created the United Federation of Nations, do you honestly think that they would be able to stand up to the man who created it? They're most likely going to dissolve and try to appease to Lelouch and the Black Knights would be no more."
Every adopted a dark look as they thought of the future. Not only would Lelouch looked innocent and hero once word of Zero's true identity got found out, they the Black Knights would be finished and forever crippled. The most core members who accepted Schneizel's offer would most likely be discriminated against.
The only way they would be save was if Lelouch deliberately made the world hate, and despite not knowing Lelouch's goal they would be fools to think that Lelouch would make the world hate him.
Author's Note: So how is it? Code Geass is an amazingly complex anime that is quite hard to write so I hope I did okay.
This was just one of the two Code Geass ideas I had, I'm going to work on my second idea which I like to call "The Black Lion of Britannia" that will hopefully see the light of day.