This is Tori's point of view. As confusing as all of this is, her main concern is for Lelouch. I should probably apologize beforehand for how complicated this storyline is going to get, so I apologize. I love theorizing and dreaming and I'm a total geek. I come up with random circumstances and try to create scientific reasonings for why and how. This entire storyline is kind of a result of that. If you're looking for a straightforward and simplistic story, I suggest you leave now. However, if not, I invite you to try to enjoy this as much as I do. I love puzzles like this.
Lelouch: So you're just trying to confuse your readers?
SnowyNeko: No, but there's a definite element of mystery to this one.
Sebastian: There's nothing wrong with that.
SnowyNeko: I'm really enjoying writing like this. Wish me luck, though. This is my first time using such a large cast.
Yuki: I like how the reader knows some things the characters don't.
SnowyNeko: That's always fun, but in this story there are also things the characters know that the reader doesn't.
Sebastian: Which creates all the more mystery.
Lelouch: When you say complicated, how complicated are you thinking.
SnowyNeko: I mean like scrambled brain soup.
Yuki: Does that make any sense?
Lelouch: She does not own any of the animes or their characters.
What just happened? One second I was riding my knightmare, Kallen by me in the Guren, and then I sort of blacked out. Next thing I knew, I was here. Weird thing is, I'm standing. You don't black out and then come to standing. It's wrong.
And my head! I clutch at my skull, groaning in pain. It hurts like hell! Was I hit on the battlefield? Could it be I'm in a coma? If I am, is it possible for me to be…well, conscious? Maybe I died. No, that can't be it. There are other people here, and I don't believe in the afterlife. Now that I think about it, that rules out my coma theory, too. Perhaps it was a drug produced by the Britannian military. If so, why haven't I heard about it, and how could I have ingested it?
And who are these people? If we were prisoners, I'm pretty certain I'd recognize my inmates. My memory is perfectly intact as far as I can tell. There aren't any gaps that don't make any sense.
A moan from behind me catches my attention. "Le- Zero!" This can't be good. He's here too, and still in disguise. He wont be able to take it off, otherwise they'll se who he is. I get down on my knees and grab his shoulders. I can't help but wonder why I was upright when he's on his back.
"Are you alright, Zero?" I help him sit up as he reaches up to touch his head, only to meet the cold metal of his helmet.
"Was it a drug?" he asks, sounding a bit dazed.
"That seems likely, but I can't tell," I admit.
He glances at the door before scanning the rest of the room. "Check if the door's unlocked. Be subtle about it," he orders. He pulls himself to his feet and sinks further into the shadows, observing quietly the people we're with. As they help each other get their footing, as some of them appear to be put off balance, I silently slip towards the door. I stand directly in front of it, keeping an eye on the four strangers. One girl seems to have tripped in her confusion, caught by the arm by a tall, black-haired man. His outfit is that of a butler's, hers one of a bride. An odd pair, if you ask me.
The other two are holding hands. The boy holding the girl's hand strikes me in a peculiar way. His hair is grey and his skin is pale, but he can't be much older than me. If he's older at all, that is. For a boy, he's actually kind of pretty. He sort of reminds me of Lelouch, in that respect. Both of the guys have a dreamlike air to them. The girls, however, both seem nothing short of ordinary. Bizarrely mismatched, they make a cute pair of couples.
Then it hits me. We appear to have arrived in sets: three boys, three girls. From the looks of it, we're also all coupled up. Something like that isn't accidental, is it? But what reason is there for gathering us here? A survey? It wouldn't be so innocent, with such a method to get us here, so scratch that. A science experiment for the military, or an underground organization? What would they be testing, in that case?
I reach behind my back and try the doorknob. I almost yelp when I find it unlocked. They aren't keeping us here? Does that mean they're all right with us wandering around, or are they confident they can keep us here without taking such precautions? The door remains shut and I slide back to Lelouch's side unnoticed by the others.
"It's unlocked," I inform him softly. The rest of my observations, I keep to myself. He's surely thought of them all by now, with a mind like his. The girl in the flowing white gown whispers something to her dark haired companion, but other than that she's silent. The grey-haired boy is having a quiet conversation with his girlfriend, whose expression is a mix between confusion and anger. She breaks away from him and turns to address us.
"Hey, what's going on?"
All eyes lock on her as her question lingers heavy in the air. I look to Lelouch, who's staring at the girl who spoke. He's trying to figure out what to say in this situation.
"Uh, excuse me!" A voice crackles through the room and I jump a little. This place as me on edge. "Is this thing on? Hello? Can you hear me at all?"
It seems to be waiting for a response, so I answer. "Loud and clear. Who the hell are you?"
"Unimportant," it states in a huff. Clear wasn't exactly the best choice of words on my part. I can't even tell what gender the speaker is. "I apologize for the inconvenience, and I'm sure five of you have some pretty skull splitting headaches. If you trust me not to poison you, there's some medicine for that in the cabinets behind you." We all turn to look, but none of us make a move towards it. The voice sighs. "Since you do not trust me, and it would be best if you're all undistracted, I urge Sebastian to confirm the benefits and nontoxicity of the medicine."
The young butler steps forward after recovering from the surprise of hearing his own name. My suspicions immediately arise. Could he be in on this? For a butler, he doesn't look old enough, and he doesn't appear to have any qualms about following the voice's instructions. Not only that, he knows exactly where the medicine is without looking at all. He removes the cap and sniffs the bottle. Then, to my amazement, he pours two pills into his hand and offers them to the girl he was talking with earlier.
"They are perfectly safe, milady. Two should be enough to get rid of the headache you were complaining about just now." To my even greater astonishment, she accepts them without question. Sebastian fills a glass with water and brings it to her and she takes it with a quick 'thank you'. She doesn't hesitate to swallow them down. When she brings the glass down, she shakes her head in disbelief.
"Has medicine always worked this quickly?" Sebastian whispers something in her ear and she jerks back, wide-eyed. "Really? That can't be good. Is it medicine for you?"
"Mistress Kara, I don't need medicine," he enlightens her with a small bow. She gives him a laughing smile.
"Of course you don't, but it's safe, as you said?"
"Of course." What he says next doesn't seem to be directed at any of us. "May I inquire as to how you know my name?"
"You can ask, but I can't really give you an answer right now," the voice replies. "I know all your names."
Lelouch is next to speak. "Tell us, then, what is it you want us to do?"
The sound of rustling papers. "Um, right now you're in the pet sanctuary. I'm sorry to inform you that you'll have to travel to the main compound on your own. I insisted we come pick you up, but the others weren't too keen on your being here in the first place. I can continue being a guide like this, but that's all I can do until you get here.
"I suggest you grab a few snack and water bottles out of the cabinets before you head out. It'll probably take you at least a day on foot, so be prepared to spend at least one night out there. The door to your left if the one to outside, and the door on the right is the one to the animal sanctuary. Feel free to spend some time there before you leave."
Pet sanctuary? Main compound? I'd love to ask about those things, but Lelouch asks the truly important question.
"And why do you expect us to go along with this?" We all pause, curious as to the answer. For a moment, there's silence, as if the voice can't think of what to say. Then,
"Sebastian and Kara, Yuki and Vierra. Tori and Lelouch. I'm telling you you have to do this. If you don't, people will die. People, animals, and every living that that has ever existed in any universe that has ever existed or will ever exist, will die." We're all frozen, stunned by the seriousness of the tone of voice.
"I'll explain it better when you reach the compound."
Yay! The mystery deepens. How is this for a mystery? I'm aware there aren't too many people reading this, which is to be expected with a crossover like this, using my past stories, but I think this one will be my best story yet! If any of you start to piece things together, please feel free to post your predictions in the comments. I want to know whether or not I'm giving too much away. Plus, it will be interesting to know what you think'll happen so I can shock you all the more. Don't worry. If you do by some chance guess what I'm planning on doing, I won't change it just so you'll be wrong.
Till then, Kisses from SnowyNeko! :3 MEOW!