I don't own code geass or anything that is related to it.
I would like to offer my apologies for taking so long on this chapter. It was a lot harder to write than I thought it would be. I promise to be quicker with the next one. I would like to address some of the reviews I have gotten. This is not a LeouchxKallen fiction; they are just the main characters. This is a LelouchxHarem. Right now it will only include Kallen, Shirley, and C.C., though I'm not yet sure how to work her in. If you readers want anyone else then send me a review and I may consider them.
memory
"talking"
'thinking'
Chapter 2: The Twin Brothers of Heaven
As I watched Zero's broadcast replayed on the news and listened to his declaration to help the world I couldn't help but smile. He was at it again, the theatrics and the speeches about justice. Of course knowing Lelouch, he probably had some ulterior motive. But that didn't matter, as long as he continued to give hope to the people and help the black knights achieve their goal of an independent Japan then I had no reason to give him trouble. Hearing the door behind me open and close I begin to turn around.
"It seems that you've done it aga—, "I stop upon laying eyes on who entered. It was not Lelouch like I expected but C.C. "What are you doing here?" I ask.
"Where else would I be?" she asked in that usual flat tone.
"I mean what are you doing here and where is Lelouch?" I responded with some heat. Sometimes I wondered if she knew how much that flat voice she used ticked people off. Of course, knowing C.C. she did know and it was how she got her laughs at every ones expense. Not that I had ever really heard her laugh.
"Lelouch left right after he finished with that speech. He is under surveillance you know. He needed to get back to Ashford Academy before he was missed." She replied.
That was true. For the time being it was best that nobody knew who Zero was. And if the Britanians suddenly lost track of who they knew was Zero originally it was as good as hanging up a neon sign that said I'm the empires worst enemy, send your entire army out to kill me. But even though I understood the reasons, there was still something bothering me.
"If our leader decides to leave our headquarters then we need to know. Why didn't he tell anyone that he left?" I asked.
C.C. just looked at me and gave me that smile that seems to say, 'who are you trying to fool?' and I suddenly got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. This feeling proved accurate with C.C.'s next words.
"Are you angry because he didn't tell the black knights he left? Or are you angry because he didn't tell you he left?" she asked putting emphasis on the word you.
"What are you insinuating C.C.?" I asked with some heat.
"I simply find it interesting that you would be so concerned with Lelouch's well being. Could it be that you have feelings for a prince of the empire. What a scandal that would be, the ace of the black knights falling for a member of the royal family." She said with that same annoying grin on her face.
"Me in love with that arrogant manipulating jerk. How dare you. I could never have feelings for a man that uses people like pawns. Someone who isn't even capable of real love." I said. But even as I said this I couldn't help but remember that look that had crossed his face so briefly in the tower. That look that showed pure love and caring. I still didn't know why he looked at me like that. But thinking about it I couldn't help the blush that came to my cheeks.
Looking at C.C. and seeing that smug look on her face I knew she had seen my flushed cheeks. I could tell that she was not going to let this go. But it didn't matter, it wasn't like I was actually falling for Lelouch.
Was I?
……………
"Add some more salt to that pot Lelouch."
"Please check the oven Lelouch."
"Break two eggs into that bowl Lelouch."
"Add some more seasoning to that plate Lelouch."
"And Lelouch don't forget to—. "
"Slow down Milly, I've only got two hands and they're both full right now."
The student council was currently in the kitchen preparing a welcome back dinner for me and Rolo. After I was dropped off by the ambulance the paramedics explained to Villetta that I had been found in the basement of Babel Tower unconscious. Sense she had no way of disproving the alibi that my pawns had invented on my orders she was forced to accept that I had been in their care when Zero gave his speech. Thus for the time being I was in the clear.
"Why don't you ask Rivalz or Shirley to help out." I ask her.
"Because Rivalz isn't responsible enough to trust with all that. And Shirley…" Milly looks over at Shirley only to see her turn on a blender without the lid on top.
As I watch Shirley swing her arms around trying to stop the mess from getting any worse, I remembered how She was something of a klutz in the kitchen. I reply, "I see your point."
"Just behave yourself Lelouch. After all, you don't strike anybody as the responsible type." She said with a grin on her face.
"I don't know, after all a guy who keeps a record of his house hold spending seems responsible to me." Said Rivalz with his usual humor.
"How did you know about that?" I asked accusingly.
"Jeez, you really do? Just when you think you know a guy." Rivalz replied with a laugh.
I should have seen that coming. He got me with that same joke in my previous life. I can't believe I let him get the same laugh at my expense again. I really needed to stay more focused. Of course my thoughts were once again interrupted by the sound of Shirley falling on her butt and some how wound up with a bowl of flower on her head.
"Want a towel?" Rivalz asked her condescendingly.
"I can get one myself thank you very much." Was Shirley's tart reply.
"You know, you and Rolo were really lucky to have escaped Babel Tower. Shirley was practically beside herself with worry." Milly began a high pitched imitation of Shirley, "Oh my darling Lulu, are you going to be alri--."
So distracted by her own performance that she never saw Shirley run up behind her and cover her mouth, while telling her to be quite.
Shirley. There was a problem that I still didn't know what to do about. In my previous life I had pushed her away in order to protect her. Of course that didn't work out well. Back then she died because of a misunderstanding with Rolo. He thought some one had discovered my identity and would tell others. Knowing how it happened I know I could easily make sure that it didn't happen again. This time I would make sure Shirley lived, I owed her that much.
Thinking about that day was still painful. Listening to her declare with her dieing breath that she would continue to love me in this life and the next. It still brought a stabbing pain to my heart. She loved me, and I would be fooling myself if I said that I didn't have feelings for her, feelings that were in many ways both similar and different to how I felt for Kallen. But unlike the situation with Kallen, I knew that I had no right to act on them with Shirley. Aside from the obvious morale dilemma of having feelings for two different women. Shirley wasn't a fighter. She wasn't a soldier in this war like Kallen. She had no stake in either side and I had no right to make her choose one. So for the time being I would have to play the cold and uncaring person around her, and pray that she got over her crush on me before it was too late. I just hope I wasn't making the same mistakes twice.
……………
I certainly have a lot to deal with at the moment. If memory served then in just a few hours the acting Viceroy Gilbert Guilford was going to publicly announce the execution of the captured black knights. And he would dare Zero, me, to try and stop him. I suppose the plan of collapsing the platform would work twice, or was this the first time. The difference was that I wasn't going to use this as a chance to manipulate Rolo. I had toyed with him and strung him along in the previous timeline. I had thought of him as just a pawn to control, but in the end he had given his life to save mine. I had done the same for Nunnally so how could I not see him now for what he was? My little brother.
As I walked down the deserted hallways of Ashford Academy lost in my own thoughts I hear someone call my name.
"Lelouch, be sure to show up for class tomorrow." Villetta shouts from down the hall.
Well, speak of the devil. Following Villetta Nu down the hall was none other then Rolo. This time I would do right by him, this time I would be a true big brother, this time I would not let him die. And the best way to keep that from happening would be to use another power that the gods have given me. But this would be more difficult. The gods had graced me with the full control of my geass and anti-geass. But that was merely an improvement on an ability that I had when I was alive so there was no consequences to that. However, the other powers that they had granted me were another matter. They told me that using them there would be a price to pay, they didn't say what but I knew that there would be. So the question was if I was willing to pay this price for Rolo?
"Big brother, are you alright? You look a little depressed." Rolo asked with concern.
"Yes Rolo I'm alright. Sorry about zoning out, I've got a lot on my mind." I answer automatically.
Yes, like Nunnally, Rolo was my family. I was his big brother in all but blood and I will pay any price to help him. This time I would save him.
……………
Three days, it has been three days sense Babel Tower and the declaration that Zero made. And in that time all the Britannias have done is glare at us from across the wall of the Chinese Federation embassy. 'That won't last much longer,' I think as I stand beneath the hot water of the shower in the room provided for Zero.
'He hasn't contacted us at all. What the hell could he be waiting for?' I ask myself as I turn off the water. I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body as I continue to contemplate the character of the man who will lead us to victory.
As I finish drying off and pick up the fresh clothes that had been set out for me I lay my eyes on the bunny suit that I wore at Babel Tower. I still can't believe that I was talked in to wearing something so demeaning. Having to parade around in that overly revealing outfit and be leered at by all of the men in that place, and even some of the women. All of this so they could see which of those wearing these ridiculous things was attractive enough to be purchased like property. God, how far has our society fallen?
Although, thinking of Lelouch's reaction brought a blush to my cheeks. I still wasn't sure if his words were meant to be a joke at my expense or if he was flirting with me because he actually found me attractive. Before I learned who he was I would have given my life for the man I thought Zero was. I would even say I was falling in love with him. But then the mask had come off and I didn't know what to think.
It didn't matter, he was back now and he would either lead us to victory or die trying. I would make sure of it. And it didn't matter if I had fallen for Zero; I still didn't think that I was falling for Lelouch. But every time I thought that I remembered that look he gave me in Babel Tower. I still didn't know what it meant. Even more puzzling was the warmth that it still brought to my cheeks. I just don't understand how one look could have this effect on me.
Putting that thought aside for more contemplation later, another thought occurs to me, one that seriously pisses me off.
I marched out of the bathroom and went to confront the reason for my anger. As I step in to the next room I see the large table in the middle with a couch on either side. Sitting on the couch on my left I see the Chinese ambassador and standing behind him I notice his body guard Xingke. And on the other side of the table seated in the opposite couch I see the source of my problem, C.C.
"C.C., it just occurred to me, wouldn't it have made more sense if you wore the bunny costume?" I ask her with anger. I couldn't believe that I had endured wearing that stupid costume when it would have been easier if she had done it instead.
It wasn't until after I said that that I realized all three of them were staring at me. I look down at myself and realize that I was only wearing a towel. In my anger I had forgotten to get dressed before rushing out to confront C.C.
With a gasp and a shriek I throw my arms around my chest and scramble back behind the screen blocking the view into the bathroom.
I could hear the Chinese ambassador exclaim that Zero was actually a woman and C.C. conform his question. I was about to step away from the screen and tell them the truth, clothes or no clothes. But I was stopped by the voice of the last person I expected.
"She is not Zero, I am."
I look around the screen and I see him. He hadn't sent word that he was coming. nobody notified C.C. or me that he was here; I didn't even hear him open the door. But there he was and what shocked me was he wasn't dressed as Zero but as Lelouch. No mask, no long coat just the basic Ashford Academy uniform. I couldn't believe he had done something so reckless.
As I look at C.C. I can see by the widening of her eyes that she is just as surprised as I am. But despite all this nothing could have shocked me as much as his next words.
"Kallen, as much as I enjoy looking at your magnificent body, I don't think we're to the point in our relationship where you can walk around my chambers naked." He says while laughing.
"Pervert!" I shout at him as I hurry back into the bathroom to put my clothes on. I can't believe he said that, and in front of the others no less. I don't think I had ever blushed so hard in my entire life.
As I walk back into the next room, now fully clothed, I hear Lelouch address Xingke.
"Xingke, I am aware of your love for the Chinese empress. And I know that you're aware of the fact that the high eunuchs would use her to gain favor with the empire. I would even bet they would set up a political marriage between her and a member of the royal family just to get on the empires good side. Knowing those are their intentions, I will make you a deal. If you agree to join and support the black knights then I will give you my solemn vow, I will do everything in my power to help you protect the empress." Lelouch declared with authority.
I looked at Xingke and could see him considering the deal. Finally with a nod he agreed.
"Excellent, well with that done I will bid you all good bye." Lelouch said before he vanished with a brief flash of light. Looking around at the other shocked faces in the room I could see that I wasn't the only one asking, 'how the hell did he do that?'
……………
'Astral projection. What a useful and useless ability.' I think to myself as I lean back off of my desk and into my chair. To the casual observer it would appear as if I had simply fallen asleep at my desk. In truth, I was projecting my spirit from my body and toward the spirit of anybody that I wanted. In this case Xingke.
When the gods told me about this ability I wasn't really sure what good it would be. After all, in astral form I couldn't touch or be touched by anything or any one. I couldn't use geass and while I was using this power my body fell into a trance-like state leaving me completely vulnerable. And I appear in astral form exactly as I am when I use this power. So unless I wanted to dress up like Zero in the middle of Ashford and inform those watching me that I had my memories back then I had to appear in the embassy as Lelouch.
But this power did have a bonus. Even though all I could do was observe and be observed this would make being in two places at once much easier. If I was with the black knights I could occasionally use this power to create an alibi that I was somewhere else and the witnesses wouldn't know the difference, unless they tried to touch me. And if I was at Ashford I could attend meetings with the black knights like I just did.
I have to admit the look on C.C.'s and Kallen's faces when I appeared dressed as I am were priceless. And after Kallen went to get dressed C.C. left no doubts about her surprise.
"Well I certainly didn't expect to see you here." She stated.
"I needed a word with Xingke." I replied.
"Might I inquire why you're not wearing your mask?" she asks with some curiosity. I knew that she had to be going nuts trying to figure out what I was up to with this stunt. But for right now she was going to have to remain in the dark.
"There was no need. The only person that I'm revealing myself to is Xingke." I tell her with finality. This was true, with the eunuch under my control then the only person in the room, who didn't know my true identity was Xingke.
With that discussion finished I turn to Xingke and see the calculating look on his face. I knew he was attempting to understand what I meant by excluding the ambassador from that statement.
I wasn't worried; I knew that I could trust Xingke. This was the man who had captured Kallen in my previous life and nearly defeated my forces. He is as strong as Suzaku but as brilliant as me and as long as I helped him protect the Chinese empress then he could be one of our greatest allies.
I'm pulled from my thoughts as I look at the television and see the imprisoned black knights. Turning up the volume I listen as Guilford makes his challenge.
'Zero, face me in an honorable duel. Yeah, right. Like having a duel with a dozen sniper rifles pointed at me is a fair fight.' I think to my self.
Well the clock has officially started. I now had to get control of the rest of my watchers. The ones who work on the grounds were simple enough to find, I still remembered them from my previous life. That means all that was left were the ones in the control room under the leadership of Ms. Villetta. It was easy to get around her; I just had to wait till she was teaching her classes.
My problem was my little brother Rolo. If he was down there he would attack me the moment I took a step off the elevator. And I can't use my geass and anti-geass at the same time. So if I went down there with my anti-geass ready I could fend off Rolo's geass long enough to incapacitate him, but that would leave the Britannia's free to sound the alarm. Then Charles would know I had my memories back and he would threaten Nunnally. If I used my geass then I would be vulnerable to Rolo's geass and he would kill me.
I'm pulled from my thoughts by the sound of the door opening. I turn to see Shirley and I remember she was going to ask for my help in picking out a gift for Ms. Villetta.
Knowing the part that I have to play, I turn away from her and with my head down I coldly ask her,"What do you want Shirley?"
"I was hoping that you might help me with something." She responds with a subdued tone.
I could tell that she was shocked by my cold attitude.
Seeing the heartbroken look on her face hurt. But I knew if I wanted to keep her safe I had to keep her as far from me as possible, physically and emotionally.
As if lightning had suddenly struck me, I realized the opportunity in front of me.
"Why don't you ask Rolo to help you pick out a present for Ms. Villetta? I'm sure he would be more than willing to help you." This was perfect. If I could convince Shirley to get Rolo out of the school for just a short time, then I could deal with my watchers.
Had my back not been to her, I would have seen the puzzled look on Shirley's face.
"Okay, I'll ask him." She says slowly.
I pretended to ignore her as Shirley left the room. Had I been paying more attention as the door closed behind her, I might have heard her ask herself, "How did he know that I was going to ask about Ms. Villetta's birthday present?"
……………
'Well, this is boring.' I think to myself as I sit on the couch at the far end of the Britanian observation room. Thankfully, Shirley took my advice and dragged Rolo with her to the mall. With him out of the way and Villetta teaching a swim class, sneaking in and subduing the last of my watchers was simple.
Now alone in the room I just had to wait for Rolo to get back. Then I could put the last phase of this plan into action. Looking at the monitors to my left I see Rolo exiting the elevator.
"Where is he? Where is Lelo-," He stops upon seeing me sitting on the couch. Idly pointing a gun at him.
"I don't want to hurt you Rolo. I just want to talk." I tell him calmly, as I rise to my feet.
"Sense you're here, am I to assume that you have regained your memories?" He asked with that emotionless look on his face.
"Yes I have. I am Zero." I tell him, knowing how he will react. A moment later I get the response that I want as I see his right eye begin to glow. I don't try to stop him with my anti-geass. Its better to let him believe he is in control until he is close enough for me to help him.
Seeing that the gun is no longer in my hand, I look over my shoulder to see Rolo ready to kill me.
"Now, you will tell me where C.C. is so that I can complete my mission."
I couldn't help the smile that broke out across my face. "No I don't think that I will."
"Then I'm afraid I will have to kill you." He threatens. Hoping that will get me to talk.
"You know, you need to give me a little more credit. Do you really think that I would hand a loaded gun to a trained assassin?" I ask him with seriousness.
A puzzled look crosses Rolo's face before he squeezes the trigger. His eyes widen when the only reaction is a quite click.
Taking advantage of his momentary distraction. I spin around, grabbing his right hand with the gun in it by the wrist. I twist it so he drops the gun and with my right forearm pressed horizontally against his chest, I force him back against the vacant stretch of wall to the right of the monitors. Letting go of his wrist I position my left palm flat against his forehead. Seeing the glow of his right eye, I activate my anti-geass. I don't freeze to Rolo's great shock.
With Rolo stunned by the ineffectiveness of his power, I close my eyes and brace myself for what I am about to do. I have to concentrate for this to work. The gods gave me the power to heal the bodies of all those who have been touched by the power of geass. Both users and victims alike. I was going to use this power to make sure that when Rolo used his geass, his heart would never again be stopped in the process. Hopefully, this would convince Rolo that I was not his enemy.
The irony is the gods told me that in order for this ability to work I had to power it with intense emotion. That I had to draw on the feelings invoked by my own tragic history. When I heard this I almost went into hysterics at the absurdity of it. Healing the people I loved and lost with the very memories of their pain and deaths at my hands.
As I try to tap into this power, I summon the memories I had of Rolo. The time I saved the Vincent from the sniper at the cost of my own knightmare frame. Our battles with the black knights against Britannia. Just spending time together working for the student council. And the most powerful memory of all, Rolo saving my life at the cost of his own.
The love, anger, and sorrow these memories invoked had the desired effect. I could feel something in my heart beginning to respond. A warmth was spreading through my whole body. It was working, I could feel the power to heal Rolo at my fingertips.
That's when it hit me. The warmth suddenly vanished, and was replaced with a physical stabbing pain. I could feel blood running down from my nose and I could taste it in my mouth. Was this the price the gods warned me about? Healing the wounds of others inflicted actual painful injuries on me. What kind of sick joke was being played on me? Pulled from hell just to continue my own masochistic torture.
But it didn't matter. Even if it meant I had to be set on fire again, I swore to do all in my power to help the people that I cared about. And that is exactly what I was going to do.
fortifying my resolve, I open my eyes to see the face of my one true brother twisted in a silent scream of pain. His eyes and mouth were wide open and a light was shining from within him. His body was being healed but he was feeling the same pain that I was. And he didn't have the same tolerance for it that I had from being in hell. I had to finish this quickly for Rolo's sake. For that reason I called upon the most powerful memory I had. The memory of Nunnally crying her eyes out as I lay dieing from the fatal blow Suzaku dealt me.
With a final push, I force all of the power I can into Rolo. With a burst of energy I am blown into the wall behind me. I look at Rolo and see him on his hands and knees trembling from the pain of what I had just put him through.
A smile broke out across my face as I realize it had worked. Then the unexpected happened. I felt as if my heart had stopped. I place one hand on my knees and bring the other to my mouth as I start coughing. It felt as if something was forcing its way up my throat and out of my mouth. Looking at the crimson stain on my hand, it hits me just how accurate that is. I was coughing up my own blood. There was already a small puddle on the floor. Slowly my eyes started to drift shut and I was overcome by the sensation of falling. I could hear somebody shouting my name before I lost consciousness.
……………
"Why do you think he did it?" I asked C.C. as I finished assembling my rifle.
"Why do I think who did what?" She replies.
"Don't play dumb. Why do you think Lelouch revealed himself to Xingke like that?" I growl at her. I wish she would stop acting so emotionless. It could be very frustrating.
"It doesn't really matter to me what he does as long as he doesn't get killed." She says with that same uninterested voice she always uses.
Hearing her show concern for Lelouch's well fare, an interesting question occurs to me.
"How do you feel about Lelouch?" I ask her with some curiosity.
"Do I have romantic feelings for him, you mean?" She responds with that same smug look. "There is nothing romantic between me and Lelouch. So your free to act on your feeling for him Kallen."
"WHAT FEELINGS?" I shout as my blush rises.
……………
"What am I doing here?" I asked myself as I view the darkness around me. And the one voice I had hoped never to hear again, answered.
"Because I brought you here." It answered. The voice that had haunted my every waking moment sense Suzaku plunged that sword through my chest. The voice so cold it could freeze hot coals. It was the voice of the demon that had tortured me everyday in hell.
" Surprised to see me again?" He asked, almost laughing with delight.
"You know, when the gods dragged you out of here I thought I had lost my favorite play thing. But no, I was lucky. Lucky that I you were dumb enough to get your self killed. HA HA HA." He laughed sinisterly as he continued to skulk in the shadows of this place.
'Die? How could I die? There is still so much for me to do. So many people for me to save.' I kept asking myself how this was possible. Then the answer was given to me.
"You know, I have always been a big lover of irony. And it doesn't get more ironic then killing yourself trying to save someone else life. It just so funny. Now you get to rot down here while everyone and everything you ever cared about gets destroyed all over again. How does it feel to have failed twice little Lulu." He shouts in my face.
'This can't be happening. Kallen, Shirley, Nunnally, there all going to die again. NOOOOO.' I scream in my mind as I strain against the chains hooked to my flesh. "No, I can't let that happen. I won't let that happen. I will save them, ALL OF THEM!!!" I roar at the top of my lungs as the chains that bind me snap and I lung at that monster.
"I'LL SAVE THEM ALL" I shout as I fly through the air.
"Brother(cough)your hurting…me."
As I come to my senses, I realize that I'm not in hell. But back in the secret Britanian surveillance center beneath Ashford. And I'm kneeling on top of Rolo with my knees on his chest and my hands around his throat.
Seeing that it was just a nightmare, I quickly release him.
"Rolo I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…" I try to come up with a reasonable explanation as to why I did that. But I find that I don't have to.
"Its okay big brother. You must have been having a terrible nightmare." He says with his usual happy smile. Seeing that he wasn't disturbed by my…episode. I was about to start an explanation of what I did to him. But all thoughts of that were driven from my mind before I could even open my mouth.
"Tell me big brother. Were you dreaming of Charles and Marrianne? Or were you dreaming of hell? Or perhaps you were dreaming of Nunnally as she cried over your dieing body." He asked me while giving me that same penetrating stare he has when ever he gets serious.
My eyes widen as my mouth falls slack. 'That's impossible. How can he know about those things? The gods never said this would happen.'
He must have taken my silence as a request to explain himself.
"I know everything. I could see it all flashing before my eyes as you healed me. The previous recovery of your memories, your death at the hands of Suzaku, your time in hell." His voice begins to crack. "I even saw your deal with the gods. I saw it all. You came back to save us. The whole world." He says as tears begin to fall from his eyes.
'Rolo knows everything.' I realize with horror. I lower my head in shame, unable to bare looking him in the eye. "If you know everything, then you know that I must apologies." If he knew everything then he knew how I manipulated him. Even if I came to see him as my brother in the end, it could not make up for using him like an expendable tool.
"Yes, you do need to apologize." I could hear his voice harden. I began to brace myself for what ever pain he was about to inflict on me. "You need to apologize for letting Suzaku kill you after I gave my life to save yours."
Stunned by this statement, I look up and lock eyes with my little brother. He was smiling at me. He knew what I did and I could tell he had forgiven me. Realizing this, I began to smile myself.
"Commander Zero, what are your orders." He asks while he salutes me. It finally hits me. I had my little brother back. And together we were going to give the emperor hell.
A look of determination on my face, I respond, "Its time we freed the black knights. Lets go little brother."
He gives me a brief nod before we both turn toward the door to leave. I knew there was going to be more explaining later. But for now it didn't matter. We had a job to do. Walking side by side to the elevator I begin to plan exactly how we were going to give Guilford the battle of his career.
……………
Well that's it. If anybody has any comments good or bad let me know. Seriously, your opinions positive or negative are what motivate me to continue. If I can't get more responses after this chapter then I may have to end my short career as a writer. This is my first fanfiction and I could use the help. Send me reviews. Until next time.