"Stop!" a person in a familiar cape and mask was seen in front of the moving car, preventing it from moving forward anymore. Lelouch's eyes narrowed when he saw this. His last step to a world of peace, his success is near.

"Zero?" Kallen who was tied up and ready to be executed gasped and said in surprise. "but... Lelouch is over there..." She looked at Lelouch and tilted her head, not understanding what is happening

The figure started running up to the car and drew his sword. He avoided the bullets easily and was nearing Lelouch. Lord Jeremiah step in front and slashed at the fake Zero. When he passed him, Lord Jeremaih smiled and whispered. "Go on, white knight and receive your punishment."

"When he heard that, Zero's hand shook a bit but then went on steadily. He arrived on the platform where Lelouch was standing and prepared to accomplish his task.

Lelouch held out his gun. "Fool! You think you can get away with this?!" He shouted but his gun was then knocked away. The figure stopped for a moment, stalling, and then, seeming that he made up his mind, he stabbed Lelouch in his chest.

Lelouch fell and leant on the figure. His hand which was clutching his chest lifted up and touched the mask. "Suzaku, this is your punishment for your sins. You will forever have to live with the guilt of killing me." Lelouch coughed. "You will forever lurk behind the mask of justice and freedom and take my place, my mask, my identity."

Behind the mask, tears were falling from Suzaku's eyes. "Lelouch, I... I..." Suzaku stuttered. He had to tell him, it's now or never. Before he could say anything, Lelouch spoke up. "Suzaku, I... love... you..." Then, his body went limp. Suzaku's knees gave out and he fell to the floor. Lelouch's dead one slid down the slope and in front of Nunnally.

"No... No!" Nuannally screamed. When she touched his hand, pieces of Lelouch's memories flashed into Nunnally's mind.

~"Suzaku, we are only one step away from the world we've wanted. But I need your help to complete the checkmate step." Lelouch said and held out Zero's cape and mask to Suzaku. "I need you, to put these on and... kill me."

Suzaku's eyes widened. "Lelouch... Why?" he asked as he knew he would never be able go kill him, kill his first love.

Lelouch gave him a sad smile. "Think of this as a punishment to both of us, Suzaku. Please, I trust you and I hope you will do it, you are the only one I can trust this with." Lelouch looked at him with pleading eyes. "Do not greif for my death. Remember, when people dies, it is to protect the ones they love." Suzaku nodded and held back the urge to hold him and cry. Anything for Lelouch, he told himself. Anything.~

Nunnally was horrified. "Brother, this was your plan all along? How could I face a future without you?" She cried and looking at the smile froze on his face, she cried harder and harder.

But Nunnally was not the one who got the worst impact on Lelouch's death. As the crowd was cheering for Zero, only one thing was crossing Suzaku's mind. He finally understood what was the punishments to him and Lelouch. "We will be apart forever." he whispered. This was the real punishment. And he knew, he could never forget him to dim the pain, for Lelouch has given him the greatest reminder of his existence...

Zero.

-end-