Author's note: I love Code Geass. In my opinion it is one of the best anime series out there. I love to read the stories more than I love to write, but occasionally when I find a lack of certain themes, I will choose to write some myself. I am in no way boasting my own writing capabilities, I am merely satisfying a need to read stories that I would like to read. I'm sure many of you feel the same way. If so, I would be happy to hear from you, whether it be through private messaging or feedback. I am always looking for new angles, new ways to improve my style, and new themes to work with. So feel free to leave comments, suggestive criticism would be appreciated.
Side note: I don't own Code Geass. If I did, it probably would not have turned out as amazingly epic as it did. Also, "..." stands in for C.C.'s true name.
Reminder: This takes place at the end of R2 so if you're not at the end nor into R2, then I suggest you save this read for later.
Enjoy!
Today was the day, the day that the Zero Requiem would be fulfilled and the entire world's compounded hatred for a single man would die, along with the 99th Emperor of Britannia. He had been planning this moment for what seemed like decades. Everything he did was supposed to lead up to this final action, this last push towards a united world, one that could live together in peace and harmony. To accomplish this goal, he understood what needed to be done and did it swiftly, with indifference and a cold heart. In the process, many people died; many people who did not deserve death. He had tried to avoid such results, but in the end it was impossible. There would always be casualties of war, both guilty and innocent. Yet, even after innumerable acts of destruction, the pangs of remorse still afflicted the young emperor. He was human after all, even though most of the world didn't believe it.
He had used everyone and anyone necessary to achieve his goals and had stained his hands with the blood of countless people. Lands were burned, lives were destroyed, and loved ones were lost, all for the sake of reforming the world so that it would be perfect for Nunnally. There were consequences, such things were inevitable of war, and he had readied himself to accept them. His actions caused the entire world to despise him, and to look upon him as the Demon Emperor. He would die, he knew this much. But in doing so he would be able to take the entire world's hatred and decimate it with a single blow; or rather Zero would be able to, with a swift strike of a blade.
Lelouch cringed at this thought. He had been mentally preparing himself for this final event, and had done everything he could to steel himself from faltering. His body however was not complying and every time the raven-haired Britannian thought about his death to come, he would feel sick to his stomach and quickly dismissed the thought. But today was different. No, it had to be different. In just a few hours he would be struck down by the very symbol he himself had created, the symbol of justice that represented hope in the eyes and hearts of all those who had been saved by it. There was no way around it. He knew he was hated, despised, and the center of many assassination plots. The 99th emperor would be killed regardless of what he did, so it might as well be a death that was meaningful. His death would reinstate the magnitude and power of Zero, the man who had challenged the might of Britannia and brought hope to an almost hopeless world. It would also create a society where Nunnally could live in peace, and be safe from political ploys. She would no longer be a tool of the government, she would be free.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Lelouch beckoned, staring out past the ship's glass windows, dressed in his white emperor robes. He was not a heavily built man but this set of royal attire was made specifically for him. This allowed for everything to fall smoothly and emphasize his stronger, masculine features. The only thing missing was his hat, which he had left in the seat of his float.
The door slid open and C.C. walked in, slowly, her face holding its clear indifferent look. She was wearing her Black Knight uniform, an outfit Lelouch had designed and ordered for her before they had entered the Black Rebellion, the battle that had almost won Japan its independence.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked, making her way towards Lelouch. "There's still time."
She stood next to him, affixing her eyes outwards, towards the seemingly endless view of clouds. They were in a ship's Emperor's cabin, an extravagant room made for the occupant's or occupants' leisure. In the event of a successor's rise to the throne, a new aircraft was usually built and commissioned for his personal use. Lelouch's quick usurpation of the status of emperor had caught the mechanics and engineers by surprise. So a ship for the 99th emperor was not ready in time for his inauguration parade. Instead, he was asked to use his father's giant flagship for the time being. It was unnecessary for the short period he would need it, but Lelouch decided that it would be the best way to ensure he captivated the full attention of the world. Besides, what use would he have for his own personal ship?
"I do not have any other choice C.C." Lelouch replied, his gaze still fixed on the clouds. He closed his eyes and sighed; a deep heavy sigh, one filled with anxiety. "This is the only way to ensure peace. What better way to rid the hatred of the world than destroying the center of it all?"
C.C. frowned, her sights still fixed upon the sky. "It will not last you know, this peace you keep talking about. Humans are incapable of maintaining such a fragile existence, it's virtually impossible for such a foolish race to do so. I have seen more than my fair share of this fact. No matter what the cause, group, or person, war will always ensue regardless of how much work is put towards avoiding it. Peace cannot exist without war and order cannot exist without chaos Lelouch. That is the way of mankind."
The Britannian closed his eyes and was silent for a moment. He knew that C.C. was not entirely right. There would be some conflicts, some difficulties, but they would be overcome by the preparations he had made. He was a strategist, a person who could predict his opponents' moves even before they considered them. The world that would result because of his death would last, regardless of who challenged it. He was sure of this. He had thought of every single obstacle, every single error that could occur after the requiem and had put together countermeasures for each of them. With his younger sister's rise to the throne, Britannia would not succumb to the will of an egotistical ruler. With the organization and unification of nations within the UFN, disputes amongst countries could be decided politically instead of with blood and death. There were other precautions as well, and all of these combined would create a flawless insurance against any threat.
"You knew of my plan C.C." spoke Lelouch, his eyes still closed. "This event lay at the end of it all. Why are you trying to stop me now?"
C.C. brought her hand up to the opposite arm and held it. She lowered her head and cast her gaze over the floor in front of them.
"Well C.C.?" asked Lelouch as he continued to look over the passing clouds.
She remained silent.
He turned towards her. "C.C. I asked you a-"
Lelouch was caught by surprise. C.C. had stepped towards him and had moved her body so close that it nearly pressed against his own. She leaned into the emperor and placed her lips on his, kissing him with a sincere tenderness and grace.
They stayed in that position for a moment with the green-haired beauty's hands lying over her accomplice's chest. The inexperienced purple-eyed boy's face reddened. He was confused and didn't know how to react. They had kissed twice before, but both times had been too quick for him to acknowledge just what they were sharing. But this time was different. This time they were closer and much more intimate. He could feel her heart beat rapidly, very much like his own. Heat continuously emanated from her body, warming the young Britannian. His wide-eyed expression relaxed.
Her scent was comforting, and settled the anxiety Lelouch had held beneath his statuesque mask. New feelings arose within him, feelings that caused his heart to beat like never before. He felt nothing but absolute happiness and explosive passion for the woman before him. He closed his eyes as he took it all in: every scent, every touch, and every sensation. It was amazing. Was this what it felt like to care for someone else? Someone who was not family, yet had become so integrated into his life that he could not live without her? Was this what it was like, to be in love?
C.C. had not noticed the change in him and began to pull away, slightly hurt that her affection had not been returned. But she was stopped, her arms were held and pulled towards the man she had guarded and cared for. Lelouch leaned into her, sharing her kiss. He placed his left hand into the small of her back and brought his right hand up to her cheek, where a tear had fallen. He wiped the drop away, and pulled her even closer.
Note: Chapter Two up soon.