Title: Awakening
Author/Artist/Iconist: Dark Hooded Eriol the Magician
Fandom: Code Geass
Claim: Lelouch Lamperouge / C.C
Prompt Set: Violet
Prompt: 3. Stranger
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Notes: I am writing unofficially again for the Violet set. There are warnings for spoilers on CG R2 because it's slightly based on that. xposted on

I am wrong in thinking that today is just an ordinary day. The start of my day is quite normal actually. I've written everything down on my journal like I always do. It always involves skipping Homeroom, running away from Viletta-sensei and sneaking away to win chess matches over disgusting Britannian lords with my younger brother, Rolo, to drive me there…

My life is boring. As Lelouch Lamperouge, I am a student who sits with discontent at the current situation of the Area 11. Although I am a Britannian, I am not satisfied with how the Viceroy runs the country. I am not happy with the attitudes of my own people.

When the terrorists suddenly attacked Babel Tower, I am actually surprised and somewhat relieved. Finally, something is happening! Of course I am worried sick over Rolo when we got separated and that is why I'm searching for him. I should have the power to save my only brother… I want to save him…

The work of terrorists meets my eyes as I arrive at the landing. Blood and bodies mingle on the floor. The scent of expensive perfume and death mixes an intoxicating fragrance with the fumes. I couldn't believe my eyes when I realized that the terrorists also killed Elevens.

Horror sweeps over me. My stomach rebels against my will and I kneel down with a hand over my mouth. I breathe deeply and then I see a picture clutched on a dead waitress's hand. Zero's masked face stares back. I can't believe it. They are still clinging on to the hope of a saviour.

There is no mistake that Zero is their beacon of hope and salvation. Zero is the symbol of freedom. I am still awed at the influence of the mysterious masked man who disappeared a year ago. "They're still clinging to Zero…" I mutter to myself and then my jaw drops.

Shock washes over me when I get up. A black Knightmare frame is still standing in front of me. I could feel its gaze. "A Black Knight… Is he going to kill me? What should I do? Even if I run…"

For the first time, I felt fear grip me. My knees give out beneath me and I fall on my rear. The Knightmare's cockpit opens up. I am expecting a terrorist to get up and start firing at me so when a young woman stood up I am overwhelmed. She murmurs my name as if it is the most natural thing in the world.

"Lelouch."

My violet eyes widen as I stare at the pilot more. She has long green hair, a slender body encased in a white suit that clings like second skin and hypnotic golden eyes that seems to contain all the truths in the universe.

Who is she? How does she know my name? I think frantically. We are practically strangers. But I feel like I know her and she knows me. She is familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. I do not know why but I feel like I've seen her once before…

"We've come for you, Lelouch. I am your ally. Your enemy is Britannia."

I step back as she focuses her golden gaze on me. The terror and helpless feelings fades away as I return her stare. On the dim light of the collapsing building, she is an unearthly and supernatural being. She is illuminated from above by the collapsing ceiling; I think of devilish angels or angelic demons. I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

"You made a pact with me. We are accomplices."

When our eyes meet again, I have a feeling that she knows me very well. But it is clear to me that she is a stranger. I have never met anyone like her before. If I did, I would remember…

I couldn't take my eyes away. Her golden eyes are holding me in place. But I force myself to get up. "Pact? Accomplices?" I ask, slightly confused.

"Only I know who you truly are," she replies in the same soft and knowing tone.

"Who I truly am?" I murmur to myself with some curiosity and shock. Before I know it, I am walking forward. She stares at me levelly, as though weighing my actions. I watch her stretch out her hand for me.

A gunshot hits her from behind. She sways in the spot with her rippling green hair and pleading eyes before free-falling. I try to will myself to move; I am immobile with shock. "Lelouch…" she whispers before closing her eyes.

I run forward to catch her before she hits the ground. Her eyes are closed; she is not breathing. Panic sweeps over me. I am not thinking rationally anymore when I try to shake her awake. "Hey!" I shout before turning my eyes to the Britannian army squad who had fired the first shot.

The following events are a blur. All I remember is shock, anger and frustration. All I can recall is the sharp pain of betrayal by my country. The insolent captain, the burning bodies and the guns pointing at me aren't as vivid as the knowledge of immediate death.

I am going to die here. I am only bait to lure out this beautiful stranger- the woman he calls C.C. The awful violet fire that is consuming the dead and the wounded living are reflected in my eyes. I stare at the men who are supposed to protect the innocent and defend the weak. I stare at the Britannian nobles who abuse their power. I did not want to believe that the government will use its own men to exterminate the innocent.

Will I die this easily without knowing anything? Screw this. If only I had the power to get through this place… If only I had enough power to stand up against the world…

I stare in shock when the young woman in my arms suddenly sits up and kisses me. Her gloved hands are cool on my cheeks. Our lips connect.

I can see nothing but white. I feel like I am rushing through long halls at high speed.

Do you want power?

This voice… It's the girl just now…

If it's power, you already possess it. It is only shut inside the cage of oblivion. Recall who you truly are and the power of kings!

Images and sounds are overwhelming me. I am rooted to the spot.

Let the seal now break open.

A kiss enters my mind. It is faint and hazy like something out of a dream. My heartbeats accelerate at the forbidden thrill. The girl who is kissing me looks suspiciously like the stranger who is in my arms. The seal on her forehead glows at her last command.

Memories flood my mind. It is like watching a very long movie on fast-forward. I can see everything clearly now. The thorn-like irritation I felt in my everyday life is all fabricated memories.

I remember now.

Standing in front of carved and sealed doors inside the cave in God's island, I face my best friend and mortal enemy. I am wearing my elaborate costume as the commander of the rebellion. After Kurunugi Suzaku fires that single shot, my mask with its violet face splits neatly into two. It falls to the ground to reveal my serious expression before blood drips down from my forehead. The insignia of the active Geass glows on my left eye.

I… I am Zero!

Faces are flashing in front of me. Nunnally. Kallen. Suzaku is pointing his gun towards me with that terribly cold and ruthless expression. His voice rings in my head. "Lelouch, I won't ask for your forgiveness. We are friends after all, right?"

"Ah, so that's your answer Suzaku." I reply as anger danced in my veins. He has betrayed me!

The flames flicker at the slightest breath of wind. I realize that I am still holding her. A wicked smile spreads all over my lips as I hug her tightly to my chest before I get up. I let her go and we both get back to our feet.

She is no stranger. She is my witch, accomplice and friend. We've gone through a lot. She is C.C and that is why I must protect her too.

"Before you execute me, answer my question." My voice rises above the din.

"That woman's still alive!" The stunned commander mutters as he draws his gun. "Impossible, we shot her at the heart!"

C.C watches me command the army squadron to kill themselves without saying a word. The blood doesn't disgust me anymore. I am not affected by the horrific sight of burning bodies. There are sacrifices to be made if we are going to change the world.

I am enlightened now. There is no such thing as a normal life. I am Lelouch vi Britannia and I am Zero. I am both the creator and destroyer of worlds. Thanks to C.C, I remember my ambition and duty.

She stares at me with an indescribable expression. There is worry and pity, I know, in her knowing golden eyes. She is worried about me. It makes me feel relieved and surprised but I push it back. Now is not the time for that.

But anger and frustration wins when I remember that my hated father- the Emperor of Britannia- also has the power of kings. He is the one responsible for my false memories; he is the one who banished me to a worthless existence. "C.C…" I murmur with suppressed rage.

Her reply is quick. "It wasn't me who gave that man a Geass."

"And where is Nunnally?" I ask immediately. My little sister, my only beloved family member, is the first thing that came into mind. Worry swept over me like a wave.

"I could've searched for her but the Black Knights were all but destroyed." C.C replied haughtily.

"What happened to Sayoko?" She used to be the maid who took care of my sister; she also knew too much.

"She ran away with Diethard and the others to the Chinese Federation. That woman doesn't know about Zero's identity. She wouldn't know about Nunnally's importance. There's nothing we can do about that, right?" The green-haired witch explains as she walks towards me. There are blood stains on the front of her white uniform but she carries herself without affectation. She acts like it is something that happen everyday which frankly annoys me but I do not want to say anything.

We continue our conversation without restraint. First things first, I think. We don't need to catch up now. She will be back in my bedroom anyhow. I gather as much information as I can to formulate a good plan when we are interrupted by another soldier in a Knighmare.

I steal his Knightmare with my Geass. It is almost time to finish up. My ears prick up when I hear her say aloud, "Your Geass shouldn't work unless you look your target in the eye."

Her tone was indifferent and vaguely insulting. I smile as I played with the keys. Her footsteps are light and dainty as she walks away. "I don't want to hear that from an immortal witch," I retort with another wicked smile.

Our witty banter and tough love treatment is our game. C.C is too used to being untouchable to demonstrate and I have too much pride to show. We know it's a useless game and we should be more honest but it's impossible. It's not much but it's more than we could have.

C.C looks back at me with a sneaky smile of her own. She is so beautiful and so dangerous at that moment with her eyes agleam with mischief and wit. I feel my breath catch. I could feel my blood pounding on my ears.

I cannot help but think that I am glad to be back. The stubborn and untouchable witch has saved me yet again. By kissing me at our last battle together, she is sealing my power. And by kissing me again, she is setting me free.

As Lelouch vi Britannia and Zero, I am ready to take my destiny.