Author's note: As some of you might remember, this was the original chapter one. I changed it somewhat to fit the new plotline I thought up, so there really isn't too much different here. But, yes, I did manage to fix this up really quickly in order to better facilitate my publishing speed.

Currently working on Chapter 2, though I don't know when it will be out.

Until next time!

~TabiNoTochuu


Book I:

Chapter 1.5 - Awakening

"Lelouch, do you know why snow is white?"

"Snow is white, because it's forgotten what color it's supposed to be."

Lelouch coughed as blood trickled from his mouth. Heshould have been happy that his plan was proceeding without any problems, but he could only feel bitterness now. His eyes looked past the familiar helmet of Zero and toward a church in the distance.

Inside Zero's outfit, Suzaku gritted his teeth as his sword plunged even deeper into his friend's body. Lelouch raised a hand, stained with his own blood, and rested it on the helmet that created the persona of Zero. "This is your punishment as well. From now on, you will live a life of solitude, hiding behind a mask, as the defender of justice. You will no longer be known as Kururugi Suzaku. Happiness, comfort, understanding. You will give up all of this for all eternity."

Tears streamed out of Suzaku's eyes as he nodded. "I hereby accept the conditions of this Geass. From this moment on, Kururugi Suzaku no longer exists."

With a single, swift motion, he drew out the sword. Blood splattered across the floor as Lelouch staggered to the ramp leading down from his mobile throne. As his life poured out through the wound in his chest, his legs weakened. He slumped over and slid down the ramp, leaving a streak of blood behind him.

He felt soft arms catch him and he looked up into the tear-streaked face of C.C.. Please... don't cry. Now, the world will be able to return to an era of peace... If it does, then I will have succeeded. But, I wish that I could have had more time with her.

Around him, the gathered people cheered on the figure of Zero as Lelouch closed his eyes for the last time. He smiled bitterly. I destroyed the world... to create it anew. But at what price?

The light left his eyes then as Lelouch Vi Britannia passed away.

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

Lelouch POV

My eyes snapped open. Well... that's certainly unexpected... I'm almost certain that I was dead. Slowly, I sat up and took a good look at my surroundings. Truthfully, there wasn't really anything to see. The room, if it was a room that I was in, was as high as the sky and as wide as the world itself. There was no sign that there was anyone else in the room with me. To be honest, I even felt a bit lonely, sitting there in an endless room by myself.

"Is this... the afterlife? Could this be Heaven?" I smirked. "Well, with what I've done, I think Hell is a little more appropriate."

From behind me came a voice I did not recognize, layered with rich tones. "This is neither the world of the living nor the afterlife, master Lelouch."

I turned around to see a tall man dressed in a white robe. "Hm? Who are you?"

The man smiled. "I have no name. Certainly, I did, a long time ago, but the passage of time has led me to forget."

"Well, then what shall I address you as?"

The man in front of me thought for a while before he answered. "I suppose you can call me Abraham. It's what C.C. called me when she last saw me."

A shock ran through my body as I heard the name of my immortal witch. "C.C.? You... know who she is?"

He smiled. "Of course. I know everything about you, master Lelouch, as well as miss C.C.. I know everything about all of the code bearers that have come through this place, and I never forget a face or a name."

"Code bearers..." I looked down at my hands. Could it be? Could there be a chance that I get a chance to return and be with C.C.? "Does that mean..."

"Yes. You absorbed your Father's code. However, the power of the code only begins to take effect after you 'die' once."

"I see..." That meant that I would soon return to the world, this time as one with the gift of immortality.

A searing pain ran through my right shoulder without warning. "Gah! What... is this?"

I ripped open my shirt to see a bright red glow surrounding my right shoulder. As the glow faded, a symbol, shaped like a bird, appeared there. A Geass symbol.

Abraham smiled knowingly. "The code has begun it's work. It's been a pleasure meeting you, Lelouch Vi Britannia."

My code flashed red and the room around me faded into nothingness, leaving me in a vast white void. I tried to speak, to call out for someone, but no sound came forth from my mouth. A voice resonated within my mind, calm and soothing, a guide for me to return to my world. Focus on something that you want to see the most. Be it a place, a day, or even a lover, as long as your feelings are strong enough, you will manage to return to your time. However, be warned. A loss in concentration will spin you into time, and you will have no control as to when you arrive.

I see now... Focus on an image of something I want to see? It's obvious who I want to see the most. With my new immortality, I have truly become her warlock. I can be with her for the rest of eternity if I so wish.

Her soft golden eyes and waist-length lime green hair became fixed in my mind. C.C... I'm sorry for making you worry. But, I'm on my way back to you now.

"Prepare yourself. Focus on one image. Ten."

My mind thought back the first time I had met her, surrounded by armed soldiers, and how she had taken a bullet meant for me. I wonder what my life would have been like had she not saved my life...

"Nine. Eight."

"If I grant you power, could you go on? I propose a deal—in exchange for this power, you must agree to make my one wish come true. Accept this contract, and you accept its conditions. While living in the world of humans, you will live unlike any other: a different providence, a different time, a different life. The Power of the King will condemn you to a life of solitude. Are you prepared for this?"

"Seven. Six."

"You are not alone. We are partners. If you are a witch, then I'll become your warlock."

"Five. Four."

"I was dead until the moment I met you, C.C."

"Three. Two."

The use of my Geass had isolated me from all those that I held dear to me. My friends, my peers, even my family. I had separated myself from all of them. Yet, at the same time, I was never truly alone. She was always by my side. Her words of comfort in the bad times and the way she accepted everything I did eased my heart and allowed me to maintain my sanity. Ever since we first met, I've always loved her. And she's always loved me.

"One."

I smiled as my final image of C.C. was engraved in my mind. The first kiss we shared, in the cockpit of the Gawain. I'm on my way home, my immortal witch.

"Zero."


Chapter 1.5 - Awakening