Code Geass: Lelouch the Rebellion
Immortal Penance
Edited Version. Some changes here and there to certain sentences and the spelling of names and places.
To those of my readers, thank you for you words, I went back and change some things for Step 1 making it slightly easier to read, but the way some of you sounded it was as if the story was illegible. Anyways I am not harking on you; I do not mind things like that, it helps. I suggest skimming through Step 1 as there are some added things to the chapter that give it a more fleshed out showing while still leaving the reader ambiguous to what's going on.
On another note, wait I say anything and it spoils the story, damn you people, you have complaints but if I answer them, I spoil the story. This is going to be like watching the Anime an episode comes out things happen with little to no explanation then explained in a later episode. You are not reading a completed book in which you find out things a few pages through, this is a weekly updated story so don't expect the answer to slap you in the face, use your head
Now for this chapter and the next few chapters, it will start in the past helping with Lelouch's identity and such in Pendragon. Then it will shift to Ashford Academy half way through. This will make it easier to write my longer chapters until I fully get a plausible plot going and help with explaining certain things… maybe.
Now that I am finished ranting and you know that the story will be updated every Sunday/Monday depending on my timing and how much I am willing to stay up late at night writing (I work, writing in the day is not an option) we can move onto Step 3.
Step 3: The Power of Contingent Occurrence.
Pendragon, Britannia Capital
1 Month Earlier.
"I want to return to Ashford Academy."
The council just stood there wondering if what they heard come from Lelouch's mouth to be true. He was smiling and almost happy about the idea as he strode in as if he had done nothing wrong, taking the unoccupied seat beside Xingu.
"Lelouch, you must realize that Japan is the worst place for you." Ohgi replied.
"Actually it would be the best place, especially at Ashford where I can stay with those who are loyal to me." Lelouch replied as Cornelia frowned.
"You talk as though Jeremiah will just let you into his home." She questioned and Lelouch nodded.
"In the words of the man himself, 'if you find yourself alive with nowhere to go I offer you my home as a sanctuary.'."
"The man is truly that loyal?" Xingu asked.
"Yes, he served as one of my mothers guards during her assassination he believes it his duty to protect me at the cost of his own well being." Lelouch explained.
"No wonder he followed you, so I take it you never used Geass on him."
Lelouch smiled, this was just what he wanted and it was the reason they would let him go checkmate, "It would be pointless."
"Because he would follow you regardless." Tohdo stated and Lelouch shook his head.
"No, he didn't agree with my Zero Requiem, in fact he almost denounced himself because of it no the reason it would be pointless is because he is the only man to combat Geass directly and win."
"He can combat Geass?" Ohgi asked stunned.
"Yes, the first and only of his design, his body uses a sakuradite core drive now thanks to a mishap during the battle of Narita and he himself now processes a weapon called Geass canceller." Lelouch had a smile on as the various members around him displayed their reactions to his words.
Tohdo had not displayed much of a reaction while wide eyed at the prospect of such a weapon Xingu stared in amazement. Ohgi was lost in thought while Kaguya and Tianzi looked at each other both having a silent conversation with the other.
"Brother, are you sure this is what you want to do?" Nunnally asked now looking at her brother's face.
"Yes your highness, I'm going to Ashford Academy." Lelouch replied and Nunnally nodded.
"Alright then, if everyone here agrees then we can announce Lelouch to the UFN and then propose the idea."
"Nunnally..."
The young Empress turned her head at the voice of Lelouch and he smiled at his sister although it was one of apology. She tilted her head as if questioning him and Lelouch spoke.
"The power of Geass must remain a secret; under no circumstances must the world discover this power." Lelouch stated earning him a harsh reply from Tohdo.
"Remain a secret, if a power such as Geass was known we could find a way to counter it."
"Oh, Tohdo I know the reasons for you turning on me was because of the secret mission I conducted resulting in the slaughter of hundreds, but did you know the nature of that mission besides that told to you by Shogo."
"It was a needless slaughter, you killed woman, children and the elderly for reasons only you yourself know." Tohdo replied.
"Yes I did those reasons are mine alone but the complex was the beginning of the end of Geass."
"That's why the Black Knights were there you have a personal vendetta against Geass Lelouch?" Cornelia asked cutting off a comment from Tohdo.
"Yes, Geass is a power that should be forgotten however others thought it to be something to research building a massive complex dedicated to discovering the abilities those can possess with Geass."
"That justifies slaughtering everyone?" Tohdo shouted.
"Oh, and what justifies releasing those with powers like that, did you know that despite attacking the complex with armed knightmares, I still lost 40 of the forces I entered the facility with 60 after Siegfried was encountered."
"They must have had defenses then if you lost that many units." Xingu stated and Lelouch shook his head.
"Minimal defense, we encountered Sutherlands barely armed and a few mounted turrets, everything else was because of the Geass users in the complex." Lelouch explained as Tohdo closed his mouth unable to argue anymore.
"Geass is a dangerous power; I vouch for Lelouch on the slaughter of the complex as I entered the facility with the same motives in mind." Cornelia admitted and the subject soon passed on to more pressing matters.
"Next week we'll announce your return to the nation's leaders so they know, then a world wide broadcast."
"No."
All eyes turned to Lelouch who was calmly sitting down going through different scenarios in his mind. They looked at him expectantly but he just stayed quiet.
"Lelouch what are you…" Xingu started but quickly hushed by Schneizel who then explained.
"Lelouch has an IQ of 290 he can literally think of strategies on the fly without having to analyze the situation."
"Is that what he's doing now?" Ohgi asked.
"Yes."
All eyes turned to Lelouch who had answered and they waited for his explanation.
"The man you knew as Lelouch Vi Britannia is dead; he has been for three months."
"That would make you Lelouch Lamperouge." Nunnally voiced and Lelouch nodded.
"Yes, I am a student in Ashford Academy who has been absent for a little over a year now and under the protection of Schneizel and Cornelia until Lelouch Vi Britannia was dethroned." Lelouch explained.
"That's all and well but how do we prove that you are two separate people, the fact you share the same name as well as looks suggest you're the same person." Xingu pointed out.
"Yes I took that into consideration but we have a slight advantage." Lelouch said with a smile and everyone looked at each other then back at Lelouch with the same thoughts.
"No Geass Brother." Nunnally voiced and Lelouch started laughing.
"The idea had crossed my mind, Geass the world into believing I never existed but that would be the same as taking over the world." Lelouch explained and Nunnally nodded.
"So how do we convince the other nations that you are not a threat?" Tohdo asked.
"Simple, I died on national television my funeral to my understanding was seen by everyone around the world in the eyes of the public I am dead."
"I see, you'll just act the oblivious to those who believe you to be the 99th Emperor but not everyone will think in the same way." Schneizel stated and Lelouch nodded.
"True, Gaining favor with the world's leaders won't be easy but I will approach them myself and declare my intentions." Lelouch explained.
"And those intentions are?" Cornelia asked and Lelouch could only smile.
1week later
Closed Court, Pendragon Supreme Court
"My intentions are purely for self-gain; I plan to return to Ashford academy and continue my studies as I had two years before the beginning of the War between Britannia and the Black Knights and eventually move on to whatever career I choose myself worthy of."
"Despite not being of Royalty anymore Mr. Lamperouge, you still have crimes to pay for against the world."
"Crimes, I committed crimes against the world? Lelouch asked as he stood before the many leaders of the world.
"Yes, you enslaved the world to your acts of tyranny and then chose to execute those who stood in your way!"
"I did, and tell me what would you have done had been in the same position tell me how you would lead a global populace?" Lelouch asked.
"Through diplomatic means."
"Oh with so many views, races and opinions a diplomatic mean splits the world." Lelouch stated.
"It gives everyone a voice."
"No, it gives those in power a voice… in fact."
Lelouch stepped off the dais and moved forward to the diplomat who was speaking, he held no emotion as he stopped in front of the man and pulled out a gun. The crowd instantly began to panic but before it carried on completely the gun landed on the desk and Lelouch turned his back on the man.
"I just gave you the means to carry out my execution as you so voiced it earlier."
"You should be executed." The man replied.
"I should be… such a bold statement I'm sure everyone in this room agrees." Lelouch looked at the audience and smiled, everything was working out as planned.
"They do, you Lelouch Lamperouge should be excec…"
"No hold a minute, I never agreed to execute this man."
All eyes turned to the representative who spoke then to a second voice.
"I agree; Mr. Lamperouge, as he calls himself now, can only be executed in the terms of a fair trial."
"Preposterous, he never gave any of those he murdered a trial." The man yelled and Lelouch just laughed, "What's so funny boy?"
"You are; I never gave them a fair trial, according to the laws of Britannia which existed long before I was born the punishment for treason is execution."
"You can't use the laws of you're…"
"No he's right, under his time as ruler however cruel it was he was carrying out the definite laws of his country." A female representative said.
"Yes, Schneizel being a part of the Britannia Empire declared all out war against his own country when he destroyed the imperial capital."
"Then what of the previous Emperor, was it not treason for Mr. Lamperouge to murder him and take the throne?"
There was some talking now between the representatives as the topic of Lelouch's fate began to tread on a thin line. Lelouch stayed calm the final act of his plan was about to commence.
"Actually the Emperors death was already planned far ahead of time."
All eyes turned to Schneizel who strode into the room followed by Empress Nunnally, Prime Minister Ohgi and The Tianzi. Lelouch looked at the shocked faces of those judging him as Schneizel explained further.
"My sister Cornelia and I had been planning to get rid of our father even before Lelouch had deigned himself to become Emperor. The reasons were because the Emperor himself had come to neglect his country and in doing so committed a crime as the ruler of his people. In a sense Charles Di Britannia was Emperor no more."
"Then how do you explain the people's loyalty to the Emperor at the time of his dethroning?" Someone shouted and Schneizel smiled.
"They were just as quick to accept Lelouch as the new Emperor or have you forgotten?" Schneizel questioned and when no one spoke he further explained, "They accepted him because he was able to prove his superiority, and the Emperor himself challenged him to do so or did you forget his broadcast world wide."
"That was to Zero."
"To Zero or to the world?" Lelouch asked and all eyes were on him.
"Explain yourself."
"The moment the Emperor challenged Zero, he challenged the world any of you could have taken the thrown by accepting his challenge."
"Preposterous."
"No just the way the Emperor did things at the time; even I took the challenge up when I personally hired the late Kururugi Suzaku to assassinate the man on my behalf."Schneizel filled in.
"Fine you have made your point; you however still oppressed those you ruled under."
"I didn't have a choice in the matter." Lelouch countered.
"Didn't have a choice, threatening the world with the Domocles was text book oppression!"
"It was mandatory."
"You tell me how it was mandatory!"
"Domocles destroyed the capital Pendragon, the very same ground you are currently standing on." Lelouch informed and the representative scoffed.
"We know that."
"During my time as Emperor that attack cost me over 200 million innocent casualties; the F.L.I.E.J.A. bomb turned the city into a hole upon Earth."
"That doesn't give you the right to do the same to other nations."
"That gives me the option to, and not once did I fire F.L.I.E.J.A. other than the first bomb when I declared myself the ruler of the world, I instead subdued the resistances with Knightmare frames!" Lelouch shouted and the representative was silent, "I condoned the use of F.L.I.E.J.A. and Domocles was nothing more than an object in the sky to fear I chose the path of dictator to unite the world under a single rule."
"You did nothing more than turn the world against you."
"Exactly, I turned the world against me and they were in unity."
"And what about those you killed that stood in your way?" The Representative asked.
The rest of the room was silent as Lelouch starred down the man who had become the voice of the court. He could see many of the other national representatives lost in thought as he gave his arguments and he could tell which were willing to give him a chance and those who would take the gun lying on the table and shoot him without a second thought. Taking in a deep breath, he answered the man's question.
"I won't forget the orders I had given; I believe that sacrifices must be made in order to accomplish ones goals despite the loss of life and I don't regret them."
"Sacrifices? those men and women who had been killed had families Mr. Lamperouge." The Representative spoke.
"I suppose they did, but wouldn't it have been wiser for them to care for their families rather than fight for their supposed freedom?"
"They had to fight, you squelched their rights and freedoms and for what, a world unity you sacrificed nothing for."
Lelouch tilted his head as if to consider the man's words, a losing battle for him was about to change into one of his greatest victories ever. He laughed and stared at Zero.
"Zero, you were the man who delivered the final blow, tell me why?" Lelouch asked and everyone moved to the entrance of the court to see the Bringer of Justice Zero marching up the isle commanding respect from all those around him.
"I had to kill you; it was your wish after all." Zero replied and the court stood in shock at that and turned erupted into outlandish slander and hatred.
Both Lelouch and Zero remained silent intently staring the other down as if to have a silent conversation. The remarks thrown towards Lelouch were typical of those who did not understand while Zero ignored the questions on his allegiances. It was pure chaos until the voice of the court called for a silence and the room quickly became silent.
"Zero, you proclaimed yourself an 'Ally of Justice' yet you had a history of working under Mr. Lamperouge."
"Correct, however Zero is nothing more than a symbol; at the time I was nothing more than one of the Emperor's men and had been given his orders to die and live as the people's Justice, Zero." Zero explained and Lelouch smiled.
"You wouldn't understand the truth behind Zero anyhow, he was created to become a persona for those who wish to bring about justice in the world you asked me what I sacrificed in my goals to unite the world, I'll tell you..."
The court was silent as Lelouch began to list off everything starting from the time when he was still a Prince.
"First I lost my mother, exiled from the Kingdom because of that bastard of a man I called father, then during the conquest of Japan used as a political tool until cast aside from my apparent death where I went into hiding for 10 years. Then came about the time of Zero and I took my chances. I planned everything to the letter but it fell apart, I lost my sister Euphemia, then the Britannia Royal Family as a means to get to me kidnapped my sister Nunnally. Replacing her was an assassin portraying my brother who in turn ended up killing someone very dear to me. After that I abandoned any hope for a normal life, I decided that the only way to change the world was to destroy, to bring down everything this world stood for I create a new one starting with the Britannia royal family. I left everyone I cared about, everyone I loved and created the Zero Requiem a process that took 6 months to complete resulting in its final act by having Zero the very symbol I created end my life and with it all the hatred that humanity had with me."
"A well thought out story but you creating Zero is what makes it unbelievable, Zero was killed during the second battle of Tokyo and most of us know that this Zero here is another taking up the commitment."
"Actually..."
All eyes turned to Prime Minister Ohgi who had remained relatively silent throughout the court proceedings. He was waiting for this as Lelouch's witness to the events.
"As the Leader of the Black Knights I will tell you the truth behind Zero's apparent death."
"Prime Minister Ohgi what are you talking about?" The man asked a slight tremble in his voice.
"It is simple, after the firing of F.L.E.I.J.A., Schneizel revealed that Lelouch was in fact Zero and had told us about his brother's plans to manipulate us. We agreed with him and turned on Zero nearly killing him in the process had it not been for some timely intervention. We then agreed to keep it a secret between the top of the Order as to not cause widespread panic among the ranks." Ohgi explained and everyone was left speechless.
Silence remained throughout the court as the words sunk in. Lelouch now had everything in his grasp just a majority vote of those who sympathized with him would allow him to live a somewhat peaceful life. Although he had a lingering thought that he was either going to be shot, or the very least thrown in prison for an unquestionable amount of time. He was prepared for both actions; he did not fear death, not anymore and a lifetime imprisonment just meant a lifetime of learning how to escape from prison. He waited silently as the voice man spoke.
"Lelouch Lamperouge, the court has taken in your proceedings you will await the verdict in a sound proof room."
"As you wish." Lelouch replied and began to follow the guard who led him to his waiting room where he would stay until the voting was finished.
It was a long wait, Lelouch had lost track of time as he came up with over 1500 different sentences for himself, most resulting in his immediate execution and or imprisonment at one time or another. It was laughable really to think he could live a somewhat normal life, he should have geassed everyone into forgetting who he was and live his life as a hermit of some sort. Maybe he could have journeyed with C.C. At least live his life with some sort of company. Despite the woman's attitude, she was bearable company. He was on his next scenario when the door to his containment cell opened up and the guard motioned for him to come out. Lelouch did so and stood once again on the podium, to be judged by the leaders of the world.
"Lelouch Lamperouge, as the spokesman of this preceding it is my duty to announce your sentence, do you accept this?"
"Yes."
"Very well, now we have taken into account everything that has been stated, you started off as a Prince to the throne and then a resident of Japan to which you aided in their war effort for freedom against the 98th rule of Britannia. You then started the 99th Rule of Britannia as Lelouch Vi Britannia who was murdered. Your crimes are as follows... Failure to rule accordingly, Oppression of those you ruled, The needless execution of criminals, and Violation of the rights and freedoms of the people. You have other crimes under your name however, these crimes cannot be taken into consideration due your status and the position you held as a ruler of a populous. As per the law mandates, your immediate execution is to be carried out if, you are found guilty of these laws. Do you accept the terms and conditions?"
"I accept the terms and conditions." Lelouch replied and the man unfolded an envelope.
"For Failing to Rule Accordingly, you Lelouch Lamperouge are found... innocent at majority vote, you ruled according to what you thought was right and took the necessary precautions to stop those who acted against you."
"Continue then please." Lelouch said somewhat relieved although he did not show it.
"The Crime of Oppression of the People... under the laws of Britannia you are found not guilty. In the clause it is stated during wartime and/or rebellion all power is given to the Emperor and he is to do all he can to suppress those against Britannia as agreed upon by the council of the 3rd Emperor of Britannia and his council."
Lelouch was surprised that the court took in the laws of Britannia as part of their decision as far as he was concerned he was being charged against the world not just Britannia.
"For the Needless Execution of Criminals, had they been carried out you would have been found guilty however due to Zero's interference you are instead dropped of the charges as the other rebellions were killed during battle."
Lelouch nodded, the court was being rather lenient and Lelouch wondered if someone was pulling the strings somewhere else to allow him to get off so easily. He calculated the odds of this happening at just a 2. He waited for a moment as the final verdict was read.
"Violation of the Rights and Freedoms of the People, you Lelouch Lamperouge are found... guilty."
Lelouch made no movement, he knew something was up and the man before him was smiling.
"Upon your ascension to the throne of Britannia you have forced your views and opinions onto the populous; you then took over the world and brought upon it all the laws of Britannia with it. Those who openly spoke out against you were silenced and the opinions of others had been tossed aside as though you did not care what they thought. The court is to carry out your immediate execution and without relocation."
Lelouch remained emotionless despite the reading, he watched as the man picked up the gun that Lelouch had laid before him and smiled.
"Any last requests?"
"What would you like to hear?" Lelouch responded and the man just shook his head.
"Truthfully, your cries for forgiveness but a Demon doesn't feel remorse for what he's done." The man replied and was about to pull the trigger when someone spoke up.
"I believe that the orders for his execution were acquitted do to not having the absolute vote count."
"Excuse me?" the man asked turning to Princess Cornelia.
"As stated by the clauses of the United Federation of Nations, in light of someone's execution unless all 192 countries agree to the punishment Execution is no longer an option. I have the tally of votes here and according to them, Empress Nunnally, Prime Minister Ohgi and Empress Tianzi as well as six others voted for no on execution"
"It matters not, that makes 184 countries against 8 Princess this mans execution is most certain."
"No, the fact that three of these votes represent nearly 40 of the total world populous means that you don't even have a majority 50 vote now."
"What!?"
"Britannia do to its size has the largest populous but agreed to join on the basis that it only be given a sway of 30 voting power. China, being the next in line has a voting power of 15 and with Japan, having 2 voting power that brings the total up to 47. With the other six countries having between .3 and .8 the total support for votes against his execution comes to 50.6 vs. 49.4 in favor of no."
The man before Cornelia clenched his fist in anger; he assumed that Britannia was excluded from the vote because they were biased in the proceedings. Having China supporting them was also a problem.
"So because they say he doesn't deserve death means their entire country speaks the same way?"
"Absolutely."
All eyes were on Lelouch now as he smiled before the man who wanted so badly to shoot him. He figured the man had a personal vendetta against him for things that done in the past but it mattered not to him, he was to drunk on his power to remain in the position given to him.
"It is as I said, Democracy is a fickle thing; the elected leader represents his/her people as a whole even if they don't all agree with the decision made by the leader because they represent the majority they can pass laws without question."
"Don't preach to me about democracy I know how it works." The man roared out pointing the gun back at Lelouch.
"Then it has worked against you this time. Everyone does get a voice as you say, but it is the voice of he who leads as apposed to individual voice of the people." Lelouch stated calmly.
"Your lucky Mr. Lamperouge death is only going to come slowly for you."
"Then shoot me."
Cornelia's eyes widened, as she looked straight into Lelouch's left eye, he had removed the contact that covered his sigil and ordered the man to shoot him. She may have been looking but his Geass had already affected her, there wasn't anything for her to fear from it.
"Fine, if you wish to die that badly!" The man shouted pulling the trigger once letting out a sounding echo of fire as the bullet launched from the single shot pistol into Lelouch's chest. The court erupted into panic as blood splashed from Lelouch's mouth shock and surprised on his face either that or he was a really good actor but Cornelia knew despite the fact he was immortal, Lelouch must have been in an immense amount of pain.
"Call a doctor immediately and get that gun out of his hands!" Cornelia shouted running over to Lelouch's body.
"What... what happened?" The man asked looking around frantically forgetting everything that happened while under Geass.
"You Mr. Soresi are charged with attempted murder and under arrest." An armed officer stated and grabbed the man cuffing him as he screamed in his defense.
"I didn't... I mean no he... he order... HE TOLD ME TO!"
He was ignored as the rest of the court frantically pulled themselves together. The paramedics came in soon after to tend to Lelouch, each one of them hiding their faces as they carried the boy away on a stretcher. One looked up at Cornelia smiling a bit before he got into the truck and drove off towards the hospital, at least that's what everyone thought.
Ashford Academy
Student Council Office
"So let me get this straight, Lelouch was once known as the 'exiled prince' being sent to Japan after his mother's assassination and kept himself hidden after Britannia took over Japan only to start a massive rebellion leading to him taking over the Britannia throne and his inevitable supposed death?"
"Pretty much."
"Ya."
"Well it's a little more complicated than that but you have the uneducated summary."
"Reminds me of a certain Knight."
The student council room had been closed off from the rest of the school as Rivalz was told an extremely dubbed down version of whom Lelouch was and why he supposedly died. They did not mention Geass, his immortality or anything dealing with him being Zero only that he was a part of the Black Knights in one of their higher chain of commands.
"Wait if you were in the Black Knights, then you must have been with Kallen." Rivalz said and turned to her for answers.
"I didn't even know he was a part of the Black Knights." Kallen defended trying to sound convincing.
"Of course you didn't, I was part of strategy and information and my contacts with other members was minimal at best, I never took part in the operations just served as an observer when they took place. They only need one genius in the Knights and Zero had that covered." Lelouch explained as Rivalz sighed.
"Man everything gets so complicated, as soon as school starts I get the surprise of Kallen back in attendance with a sister no less though I honestly still don't see the resemblance, then the announcement of Lady Kaguya attending the institution and Anya approaches me not even a week later with interest in joining the student council. Now you're back from the dead and claiming to be someone completely different but in reality the two of you are really the same person trying to keep a low profile and live a normal life when the rest of the world hates your guts." Rivalz breathed out and everyone present just stared at him slightly until Kaguya let out a laugh.
"Your friend is funny Lelouch this is going to be a much better experience than I originally thought."
"Well now that story time is over, we need to have a celebration for the Vice Presidents return, in fact we haven't had a celebration since Milly's 'Love Hat' festival and I think we're due for one." Rivalz stated happily and Lelouch just grimaced.
"No, no crazy psychotic festival, I've put up with that woman's plans to maim me for three years and even when I was working with the Black Knights I never escaped" Lelouch said expressing his very unwillingness to become the target of any of the schools clubs onslaughts.
"Well I don't think I could think of anything that insane Lelouch, Milly always had that special talent of hers." Rivalz joked.
"Hmm she did, I remember when I first met all of you she had the entire school chasing Arthur because she thought the cat was running away from Lelouch." Kallen stated and Rivalz laughed.
"I remembered that day, oh and remember when she tied him down and dressed him up as a cat?" Rivalz said with a laugh.
"That was good, and Lelouch also passed off as a girl pretty well." Kallen replied remembering the day they all dressed up as the opposite sex.
"Yes that was hilarious, if I didn't know any better Lelouch I would have thought you to be a woman indeed." Rivalz said giving Lelouch a pat on the back who was currently smiling at the memories himself.
"Who is this Milly person?" Kaguya asked and all eyes turned to her.
"She's an awesome…." Rivalz started.
"…hilarious…" Kallen interrupted.
"…strange…" Anya added only knowing the woman for a short while.
"…insane woman who was hell bent on making my school life miserable." Lelouch finished having nothing but tiring bad memories of the blonde-haired woman.
"Really, she made your life miserable then what did I do?" C.C. whispered loud enough that only Lelouch and Kallen caught it.
"Well despite making your life miserable she knew how to throw a party." Rivalz said with a smile.
"Yes its to bad I couldn't meet her, she sounds like a very interesting person." Kaguya thought aloud and Rivals smiled.
"I think this calls for a reunion." Rivalz said and Lelouch shot him a glare.
"Absolutely not, if you haven't noticed despite me being alive there are two members who are no longer able to join in the reunion." Lelouch said and Rivalz suddenly deflated.
"Ya, Shirley and Suzaku."
There a short pause of silence as the two names came up. Although Lelouch, C.C. and possibly Kallen knew where Suzaku was Rivalz still thought the man was dead. Moreover, Shirley, there was still lingering regret for what happened to her. Lelouch did not mean to bring them up but he knew it would come up eventually, better to get it out of the way now rather than later. Lelouch let out a sigh and decided to make it up to Rivalz despite the amount of trouble it would cause him.
"Call up Milly if you still have her number, I know how to get a hold of Nina and maybe we can have that reunion although getting my sister to join us will be a bit of a problem."
"Sister?"
'Shit.' Lelouch thought realizing his mistake, Rivalz still had his memories suppressed by his fathers Geass meaning he did not remember Nunnally.
"Sorry, I meant Rolo he… he was in Pendragon at the time of the F.L.I.E.J.A. bombing, he didn't make it." Lelouch quickly supplemented and Rivalz frowned.
"So that's what happened to him."
"Yes." Lelouch confirmed, as he had to add more lies to the table.
"Well I suppose then will have a reunion/commemoration for them." Rivalz stated and Lelouch smiled.
"Yes, that seems perfect maybe it won't be so bad after all."
"Master Lamperouge."
Everyone turned to the door of the student council to find Sayoko standing there with a smile on her facing announcing that it was time for Lelouch to leave. Sighing Lelouch nodded his head and looked over to the rest of the council.
"It seems I'm on a curfew." He joked and Sayoko responded.
"Actually I'm picking you up early because we need to get you situated with where you'll be staying, Anya you are to come back to as Jeremiah needs your help in training him."
"Right, well guess this means I'll be going."
"Wait… you two are living together?" Rivalz asked in surprised.
"It was my choice; Jeremiah was once under my command so it is only natural that he offer me his home."
"Orangee-Jeremiah is the same guy who served under you no way!" Rivalz said in surprise while Kallen scoffed at his surprise.
"Even I knew that Rivalz, geese you need to be more aware of the things around you if you plan to be the Student Council President." She chastised then turned her attention to Lelouch who was already out making his way out of the room.
"I guess will plan tomorrow as it seems I have other duties to attend to." Lelouch suggested and soon disappeared with Anya and Sayoko.
Kallen stood there miffed about not getting a chance to talk with him and a little saddened but her mind was soon diverted to Rivalz who quickly shouted something about shopping and his mother and ran out of the room in a hurry leaving herself, C.C. and Kaguya in the room.
"So what do you plan on doing now Kallen?" Kaguya asked in a tone to cheerful for Kallen.
"Going home and…"
"Contemplating life because her prince charming has returned." C.C. teased.
"Nobody asked you Pizza Girl!" Kallen shouted and Kaguya giggled.
"Oh you have a crush on him?" Kaguya asked.
"NO!" Kallen shouted in horror.
"Liar." C.C. mumbled earning her a glare and the slight showing of her Geass.
"I'll hurt you if you don't shut up." Kallen hissed and C.C. just laughed.
"Oh you could try but It'll just prove to be a waste of energy on your part." C.C. challenged and Kallen just clenched her hands to her sides refraining from lashing out at the green haired woman who had been teasing her non-stop.
After the reintroduction between Lelouch and Rivalz, the group had to go back to their respected classes for the afternoon. Lelouch was only in her 3rd period class and all through forth period she had to listen to C.C. whisper comments to her and twice she had to resort to drawing maiming death pictures of C.C. to calm herself down. It had become common between the two of them since Lelouch's death, Kallen had C.C. around to talk to and mumble about her various problems, a similar experience C.C. had with Lelouch. The fact that Kallen did not register half the stuff that came out of her mouth gave C.C. a variety of ammo for jabs at Kallen and unlike Lelouch; she was quick to anger. Where it would take at least a full day worth of jabs to get a reaction out of Lelouch, it would only take at least three jabs to set off Kallen. It was comical for the immortal, she took every opportunity she could get; add in the questions of the innocent, oblivious Kaguya, and Kallen was right now wishing to be at home locked in her room.
"Nothing wrong with admitting you have a crush, I still think of him as my hubby sometimes when I remember everything he's done for us." Kaguya stated and Kallen shot her a slight glare but it only lasted an instant as Kaguya's smiling face met her fierce gaze.
"Oh jealousy is it." C.C. asked and Kallen instantly turned away.
"I'm leaving." She stated and walked out of the room rather than face the oncoming onslaught of teasing and idiocy.
C.C. chuckled a bit as Kaguya gave a lopsided grin before turning to the green haired witch that she had commonly talked with.
"So did you know about him being alive?" Kaguya asked adopting her more serious side now that the fun and games were over.
"I suppose." C.C. answered never lifting her head to Kaguya's gaze.
"I take that as a yes; I know you're the one who gifted him with his unique abilities so if you knew him to be alive then why did you stay with Kallen?"
"Because, I felt I had to." C.C. replied drifting on the memories of the broken red head in the church that was far different from what she had remembered.
"She was devastated by his betrayal conflicted and yet attempted to kill him. She was also the second one of the Black Knights to realize what he was planning despite it being far to late to do anything about it."
"Oh she found out before it happened?" C.C. asked and Kaguya nodded.
"As soon as Zero appeared she realized what was happening, she screamed, she shouted anything to try and stop it. Then after she just disappeared from the scene and nobody knew where she went."
"She came to me."
"You I find that funny considering the history between the two of you." Kaguya stated remembering the year between the time of Zero's capture and his rescue.
"That was nothing, you should see us now." C.C. said with a smile.
"I can imagine, anyways my escort is here do you want a ride home?"
"I can manage."
Kaguya nodded and made her way out of the room as C.C. turned her head back out the window looking at the sky.
"3 months… why did it take so long for him to regain consciousness?"
Orangee- Orange Farm
6:00pm Dinner Time.
Crowded around the table were the nine of the people staying at the farm. The table was set up and the food was laid out yet not a single person moved. Jeremiah sat at the head being the owner of the establishment looked at what was before him in complete and utter horror. Lloyd, Rakshata and Nina did not even bother to look and instead had their eyes closed waiting. Xingu and Anya were quiet but scared as the thought of what might happen to the sole that moved first. Cecile was sitting there smiling awaiting everyone to move first. Ohgi, Viletta and Tamaki who while not living there (Xingu praised the world that Tamaki was not the Japanese representative as he so proclaimed upon arrival, he was just invited to tag along by Ohgi) were invited to stay for dinner. Sayoko was off to the side standing there awaiting for a specific someone to show up, at least that was her excuse.
Lelouch was the only one not present; upon arriving to the Farm, he was immediately set to work despite his protests and statements that he was ill fit to do manual labor. Jeremiah apologized but stated that if he was to live there he was to do his share of the work, no questions asked. Anya took the poor boy under her wing and worked the unfit genius to his near death. Being immortal had its disadvantages. They were waiting for him now as he had yet to return from wherever it was he was at most likely his bed considering the look on his face as he entered the house at 5:00pm.
"Should we go get him?" Xingu asked eyes still closed.
"I'll get him; he must still be tired from his sudden placement in the working world." Cecile said as a slight joke as she stood up and left the dinning room.
The second she left everyone present except Ohgi, Viletta and Tamaki gave each other harsh glares. Lloyd had been the first one to speak.
"I didn't let her do it." He said with his hands raised in the air.
"I'm inclined to agree with you there, you've known her the longest so you would know the consequences of it." Rakshata said.
"So what do we do not like we can say 'we aren't hungry' then order a pizza." Jeremiah said.
"We could let Lelouch test it for us." Nina recommended getting most of the occupants a nod in agreement.
"I'm confused what's wrong with the food?" Tamaki asked and everyone looked at him while Lloyd spoke.
"If you value you life, you will not eat what is in front of you."
Viletta paled while Ohgi just stared at the food in front of him. He was about to comment on it when Cecile walked in with Lelouch who looked better dead than he was now.
"Poor boy was completely out of it." Cecile said while Lelouch took a seat and started picking out the food that he wanted to eat.
Everyone watched as the boy made no discrimination of what was available and eventually had a sizable meal in front of him. What he did next shocked everyone as he looked at the food for a second before commenting on it.
"Did someone decide to try there hand at making a new recipe?" He asked and the table went deathly still at Lelouch comment.
"Oh that would be me; I wanted to see what kind of combination I could come up with using the oranges in the farm." Cecile answered.
"Did you at least taste your own cooking?" Lelouch asked now getting his barring straight staring at the strange food before him.
"I did, it isn't that bad really I still can't figure out why no one else had tried any of it." Cecile stated looking around the table to notice everyone avoiding her gaze.
"Hmm, well if it hasn't killed you yet." Lelouch mumbled before take a bite of the strange mix of rice, orange jam and soy sauce.
The table watched in shock as Lelouch continued to chew the food and swallow. Xingu could not believe he ate it, Lloyd could not believe he ate it and survived despite being immortal. Cecile only smiled in appreciation as Lelouch hesitated before taking another bite.
"Cecile, don't take offense to this but every Saturday you're going to cook dinner."
Lloyd was going to protest that his liver would be dead in a month as Cecile agreed when Lelouch added in his final assessment.
"However you are also going to be learning the finer arts of cooking with me, as it stands I don't think the rest of the table can even choke down half of what is on the table." Lelouch stated and the entire table was quiet.
They could here a train passing by that was over a mile away that was how quiet the room became. Lelouch however made no note of it and continued to eat what was in front of him despite his comment. Cecile's eyes were wide with shock at Lelouch's comment and Lloyd, Rakshata and Nina were all slowly moving back from the table fearing the wild animal Lelouch might have released.
"Oh, is I really that bad?" Cecile asked and Lelouch laughed.
"Horrible, who taught you how to cook?" He asked in a creepy polite manner.
"I had to teach myself actually, and if it's so horrible why are you still eating?" Cecile asked.
"I guess I would say to be polite." Lelouch answered finishing off his plate, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to sleep to regain the energy I lost from today."
Lelouch left the dining room and Anya looked slightly confused as he left.
"He worked barely for an hour he can't be that tired." She whispered while the rest of the table looked at the food in wonder.
"Well if he can eat it so can I." Tamaki declared and started to select the dishes he deemed suitable for his tastes.
"Well if the rest of you are willing go and eat, otherwise you can order out." Cecile commented and Lloyd, Rakshata and an unwilling Nina immediately stood up and departed the table.
Xingu contemplated on the offer, but eventually resigned his fate being to proper to let the food got to waste and started eating himself. Jeremiah did the same while Sayoko took the seat previously occupied by Lelouch and selected her meal as well. Anya was oblivious as she had already been eating by the time Lelouch left and Viletta being harassed by the young child in her womb started selecting even odder combinations of food to Ohgi's utter horror. He turned to ask Tamaki how the food tasted when he noticed the space was empty.
"Tamaki?" Ohgi asked.
"Oh he's praying to the porcelain god." Sayoko muttered and Ohgi abruptly left the table to join the three scientists awaiting there take out dish.
Shinjuku Apartment Q-1
8:00pm
Ms. Kozuki came home rather early from work that night having been given a break by her boss for doing well despite the bad business. It was a nice treat to come home and have a little time to talk with her daughter who always seemed to be rushing out of the house or sleeping by the time she normally cam home from work.
Upon entering the household however she could tell something was wrong. Call it mothers intuition she already sensed today was a very different day. The fact that Kallen's bag had been sprawled out along the hallway was enough to point her to her daughters room, never mind the open pizza box which obviously belonged to a rather messy houseguest who never seemed to have money but always seemed to buy pizza.
Coming up to Kallen's room she knocked on the door as a polite gesture when Kallen's voice told her it was okay to enter.
"Kallen honey, are you alright?" Ms. Kozuki asked peeking in from the door.
"I've been better." Kallen replied, Ms. Kozuki noticed the photo album in Kallen's lap, and her mother smiled.
"Remembering the days you were fighting for freedom again?" Ms Kozuki asked as she walked in and sat down on the bed.
"Actually, I wasn't." Kallen said with a smile.
"Oh really, well then what's with the photo album?" Ms. Kozuki asked and looked down to the page Kallen was at to notice the pictures on the page were much like the one picture she had on her bill board.
"Just thinking actually."
"Thinking about it again?"
Kallen nodded as Ms. Kozuki sighed. Her daughter had told her about the Black Knights and their leader Zero. She also told her the truth behind Zero and everything that had happened from his abrupt leaving during the first battle of Tokyo to the Black Knights turning against him. It was shortly after Kallen had gotten her out of prison and the girl called C.C. was staying at the home that she learned of it, but she also learned of the underlying tones behind her daughter's words. She could see her daughter regretted abandoning him despite her oath to protect him and the fact that something more existed there for her and possibly for him as well.
"I found out today that he survived." Kallen said suddenly and Ms. Kozuki almost fell off the bed in surprise, not many survive being run through with a sword that big.
"He's alive, but then how?" Ms. Kozuki asked.
"I don't know, I never got to ask him but it is him I know it's him." Kallen said with a smile.
"What do you plan to do?"
Kallen stayed silent for a moment, the question being one that circled in her brain constantly and forced her to consider the fact that she may have another chance. Another chance to protect him when she could not.
"I… I don't know." Kallen admitted.
"Alright then, what do you want to do?" Ms. Kozuki asked this being a much easier question to answer.
Kallen looked at her mother and smiled.
Ashford Academy
The Following Day
Lelouch was sleeping in class, to everyone who remembered him it was normal, for the teacher it was deplorable. Being the newest teacher in the institute, she was never informed of the schools prodigy never mind the fact he was practically the former Emperor Dictator although they could not prove it. She had been discussing the relativity of energy to mass when she caught the boy's head down pleasantly ignoring her lecture. She quickly shot out a piece of chalk that bounced off the boys head, as if it had been repelled from some unseen force.
"Mr. Lamperouge the royal family isn't paying your way through this institution to sleep." She said as Lelouch lifted his head looking rather annoyed at the Teacher.
"And may I ask why I should bother listening to something outdated?" Lelouch recognizing the formula on the bored as nothing more than a history lesson.
"Outdated it may be you still have a research project on it." The teacher replied.
"A research project I suppose I can't just tell you what I already know can I?" Lelouch asked and the rest of the classed snickered as the Teacher growled in dissatisfaction.
"No in fact you can't since you'll be partnered with…"
"Sorry I'm late!"
The class turned their heads to the entrance of the room to find Kallen standing in the doorway looking like she just ran from her house. In fact, she did run from her house thanks to C.C. playing one of her cruel jokes and setting her alarm clock back an hour and a half. Said green haired woman was sitting in the class beside Lelouch looking innocently at Kallen who was giving the woman a death glare that would kill another man.
"Well since you're late you can have the same punishment as the smart ass; Kallen Kozuki congratulations you and Mr. Lamperouge are researching my lesson instead of getting a lecture on it, I'd like it first thing tomorrow morning thank you."
Kallen could only gape at the teachers announcement while Lelouch muttered something unintelligible and resumed his much needed sleep. Waking up at 5:00am to tend to oranges was not in his daily schedule.
"Okay pop quiz!" The teacher announced getting a rather loud complaint from the entire class.
Student Council Office
After School
"So you and Kallen have to finish a project on the relationship of mass and energy by tomorrow?" Rivalz asked.
"Yes we do, and Anya tell them where I'll be at so they don't worry." Lelouch said to the pink haired girl who only nodded withholding the fact that Lelouch would get a double work load if he did decide to go to Kallen's to finish the project.
"Kaguya its nothing stop asking."
Kallen's voice came loud and clear from the hallway and soon the red haired girl walked into the office with Kaguya in tow, the young girl asking an insane amount of questions at an impossible rate to follow. Kallen locked eyes with Lelouch for just a moment and headed straight for him.
"So are they speaking another language?" Rivalz asked and Lelouch nodded.
"As far as I can tell although I'm not paying attention in the slightest."
"Enough, stop with the questions, Lelouch we're leaving now!" Kallen stated grabbing the black haired boy by the arm and dragging him out of the room faster than Lelouch could even start to walk. They were nearly thirty feet from the office when Kaguya poked her head out and shouted at them.
"Don't stay up to late and remember to use…" Her mouth was quickly covered by Rivalz, who could not believe the young woman's proclamations upon Kallen and Lelouch leaving.
Lelouch looked slightly confused by the situation while Kallen kept muttering along the lines of 'crazy Japanese noble princess'. He decided to ignore whatever conversation went on between the two and followed Kallen to the elevator.
"So how did you convince them to let you come to Ashford?" Kallen asked as soon as the elevators doors were closed.
"I didn't use Geass if that's what you're asking." Lelouch replied.
"So they just let you go?" Kallen retorted and Lelouch nodded.
"No, it took me a few days to fully convince them that I wanted to go to Ashford and then another three weeks for a court session and sentence." Lelouch answered.
"So why Ashford?"
"It's a place I feel comfortable in and it also has people I can trust surrounding it."
"People you can trust… some how I doubt that."
"Oh and why would you doubt that?"
"If you trusted us, you would have told us what you were up to."
"Would you have believed me, would you have allowed me to carry out my plans had you known them Kallen?" Lelouch asked and Kallen shook her head.
"There was a better way than what you did Lelouch."
"There wasn't, I weighed all the options and the path I chose had the best possible outcome."
"How is that the best outcome!?"
"In turning the world against me I allowed them to forget their hatred for each other and instead focus it on me, I allowed for them to unite under a common goal and in my death bring about a world I wanted to build."
"Shut up!" Kallen shouted and lashed out at Lelouch knocking him against the wall with a nice imprint of Kallen's fist on the side of his face.
"Guess I deserved that at least." Lelouch said moving his jaw slightly hoping it still worked.
"It was okay for you to die like that! You left everyone who cared about you wondering if everything you were doing was a selfish goal, Nunnally, Rivalz, I think even C.C was saddened by your course of action and that's saying something." Kallen shouted pressing the stop button on the elevator.
"It was necessary." Lelouch replied standing up.
"It was necessary!?" Kallen yelled making Lelouch cringe slightly, " What were you thinking anyways; what does you dying have to do with the goals you set out to accomplish; why would even want to die in the first place; wasn't your original plan to build a world were both you and Nunnally can live peacefully together."
"Plans change as do the ones who build them, does it matter its over and done with…Owe." Lelouch rubbed his cheek this time Kallen sure was being violent all of a sudden.
"It matters to me!"
"You?" Lelouch asked.
"You know damn well what I'm talking about!"
"Is there a reason we are having this conversation now?" Lelouch asked trying to avoid the question when Kallen punched him in the stomach.
"Don't change the subject and we are having this discussion because it's isolated, with no cameras and we have the time now."
"I guess that's reasonable." Lelouch replied trying to get his breath back, honestly he preferred it when she was in the bunny outfit holding a gun to him that this. At least it didn't hurt as much.
"Answer me Lelouch, why did you lie to me, why did you abandon me… why…why…" At this Kallen broke down dropping to her knees slightly while clutching Lelouch's jacket, she hated being like this but the emotions she kept bottled up during the day yesterday and throughout the night were to much despite confiding in her mother, "Why didn't you let me protect you?"
Lelouch looked down at Kallen contemplating what he should tell her. He had not expected her to cry, yell maybe get slightly emotional, but cry that was something he had not seen her do. He bent down to Kallen who was still waiting for her answer.
"Kallen…"
"What?" She asked looking up to his eyes.
"I wanted you to live Kallen, that's why." Lelouch answered and gave her a reassuring smile.
Kallen took in the words as he said them, he said them once before, when she asked the question the first time, but the meaning was so vague. Even now, she could not understand them only that he knew something else that she did not.
"I would have lived, we both would have lived." Kallen replied and Lelouch smiled.
"Kallen, I would have died either way and you would have been branded a traitor." Lelouch said pushing the button to the first floor, "We would have both ended up dead."
"You don't know that." Kallen whispered and Lelouch nodded.
"Your right, I didn't but I wasn't going to risk losing anyone anymore." Lelouch said as the doors opened and he strode out of the elevator as calm as he could be.
"Lelouch, wait!"
"Hmm…" Lelouch turned around to catch Kallen running up beside him.
"I… want to say sorry."
"Sorry?" Lelouch repeated slightly confused.
"For hitting you, I let my emotions get the better of me." Kallen explained.
"It's fine Kallen."
"Come on, knowing C.C. she's at home ordering more Pizza." Kallen said changing her mood so suddenly that Lelouch had to do a double take at her running ahead of him.
"And what makes you think that I'm able to keep up with you?" Lelouch asked continuing at he moderate pace.
"Well you did manage to stay ahead of me yesterday." Kallen replied.
"Only until you decided to cheat." Lelouch countered.
"I cheated, wasn't it you who commanded a student to take my pocket knife?" Kallen asked.
"Well knowing you I'd end up with another metal object running through my body." Lelouch said with a smirk and Kallen frowned.
"That's not funny Lelouch."
"I never said it to be funny, although you're Geass is interesting."
"So you do know I have it." Kallen sighed stopping on the sidewalk as Lelouch walked past her.
"The Power of Contingent Occurrence a Geass that relies on its user to react on their instinct rather than think interesting."
Kallen's eyes widened in surprise as Lelouch had deduced her Geass's power after only seeing them once.
"How did you…"
"I've been around several types of Geass Kallen, figuring them is only a matter of time and the fact that you seemed to appear in roughly 75 of the places I had moved to states that its slightly luck based."
"It's actually more complicated than that but you seem to have deduced my Geass pretty well."
"Almost, I know that you need no eye contact or immediate contact with the person to use it but you also require yourself to be within a specific distance for your Geass to work."
"Correct." Kallen stated and then activated her Geass behind Lelouch and began to trace him without his knowledge.
"Its area affective then, you can track multiple personas but are able to concentrate on specific persons to judge where they would probably go, or react to given situations. Am I close?" Lelouch asked and Kallen nodded.
"Well its true that I do sense multiple persons within the area and I can quickly deduce their actions with a given probability of 50 add that to my already incredible sense of instinct and that reaction time is nearly 95 faster than if I was normally to react. However to track someone specifically I need a few minutes of concentration."
"I see, then that would be do to your tactical knowledge."
"Hugh?"
"Its simple now I know how your Geass works, because you rely on instinct and reactive instances it would only make sense that your Geass fares better during a reactive situation involving multiple persons however your tactical abilities are seriously lacking."
"How would you know Mr. High and Mighty?"
"Is that a rhetorical question or are you being stupid?" Lelouch asked and Kallen realized that Lelouch had commanded her for nearly two years and even fought against her and she growled out some obscenities. Lelouch laughed and gave her a smirk before moving on.
"Because your tactical ability is lacking it actually takes you more time to assess a targets intentions if the target isn't attacking you out right. The longer you spend thinking about it the more accurate your assessment will be."
Kallen was both amazed and pissed that Lelouch had been able to figure out her Geass in less than 24 hours after witnessing it. It took her an entire week to figure it out after useing it for nearly 3 hours a day. She was pissed as well because the edge she thought she had over him just became an equal footing again.
"So you know how it works, doesn't mean you'll escape from me every time now." Kallen stated.
"You talk as if you plan on chasing me forever." Lelouch replied and Kallen smirked.
'Not again Lelouch, you won't run from me again.' She told herself and shook her head.
"Somebody would need a lot of time on their hands to chase you around."
"I'm sure they would." Lelouch replied smiling at the unknown irony of the comment as the two continued to head in the direction of Kallen's home.
1 Week Later
Pendragon, Britannia Imperial Capital
Royal Palace, Empress Chambers.
Nunnally had just received word from her brother after he left over a week ago. She was excited to what Lelouch had to say since she was unable to contact him unless it was an emergency. Opening the letter, she unfolded to look over the neat handwriting he brother possessed and smiled as she attempted to read it.
"D...Dear Nunnally… How is…ev…every….evvererythingu…"
"Having trouble Empress?"
Nunnally turned around to see her brother Schneizel coming in to check up on her. Zero had matters to discuss with Cornelia so Schneizel was left to cater to the Empress needs should she require it. Upon acquiring her eyesight back, Nunnally was happy to look at the different styles of writing the world had to offer, but the problem was learn to read the different words. So use to brail she still had difficulty adapting to the change in life style but was attempting to do so as quickly as possible.
"Oh Schneizel I just received a letter from Lelouch."
"Really how is he?" Schneizel asked and Nunnally frowned.
"I don't know, I'm still having trouble reading the letter, his handwriting as neat as it is makes it difficult for me to read."
"Well give it hear, I'll help you this time considering I'm curious as to how Lelouch is doing myself."
"You don't… you don't hate Lelouch do you Schneizel?" Nunnally asked as Schneizel took the letter from her.
"Nunnally…"
"Please don't lie to me; I felt betrayed when I learned that you lied to me about Pendragon."
Schneizel sighed after that incident; things for him really began to change. He didn't know why but he had a sense that something was different but if he were to be given the offer of returning to the way he was, he's reject it and continue to follow his little sisters rule.
"Nunnally, I don't hate Lelouch as much as resent what he did, his methods may have brought about a lasting peace but they also caused many problems."
"Your talking abut the rising powers of the Central countries looking for more say in the ruling of the UFN."
Schneizel nodded surprised she knew of the conflicts within the newly created faction.
"Yes, despite Britannia being an honorary member many are feeling that we still hold to much power and it was strengthened after Lelouch's court date."
"They want to make it so that each country has equal say despite populace."
"Yes, and in doing that it may cause more harm then good as the smaller countries would ban together and do what's best for them then for the world."
"I see then could you read the letter?" Nunnally asked.
"Certainly your Highness.
Dear Nunnally,
I finally have some time to write to you after arriving. The adjustments have been minor although I believe half the school wishes to maim me in some gruesome way it is starting to feel more like before, with the female population seeking me out as some sort of object. Anyways I've returned to the student council and have mended some of the ties that I broke off by becoming Emperor although it still isn't as strong as before, we are managing. In fact Rivalz and I have just won our first Chess match, convincing him took a while and I am not to sure it was worth it in the end. Kallen says high by the way as does C.C. To my surprise, they are living together with Kallen's mother who is a very pleasant person and an adept chess player.
Speaking of which, could you tell Schneizel to invest in an online chess match, it seems I'm bored playing everyone or attempting to as they are starting to decline my challenges. Xingu accepts every now and then and has managed to beat me once but then again I'm still up by seven and Lloyd and Rakshata have given up seeing as they have devoted most of their time in building a program hell bent on beating me with science.
Jeremiah asked how you are fairing being Empress and says if you need anything to give him a call and he would answer immediately. Sayoko sends her regards as well. We are also holding a festival in commemoration of the students who have passed away during the conflicts, it was somewhat of a combination of Rivalz and my idea and all previous members of the school are allowed to attend and seeing as you were an honorary member at one point you are also invited.
I have to go, Jeremiah requires my assistance in the fields, and I swear when I finally get out of here that I will forever ban oranges in my household.
Your loving Brother
Lelouch Lamperouge.
Seems he is doing well."
"Yes and the upcoming festival sounds like a wonderful idea." Nunnally said with a smile.
"Do you want to go?" Schneizel asked and Nunnally suddenly saddened.
"I do, but my duties as Empress require me to be here in case…"
"That won't be a problem; we can give Cornelia some of the responsibilities for a few days and make a trip there to help in the celebrations." Schneizel said and Nunnally nodded.
"That would be wonderful."
"What would be wonderful?"
The two occupants in the room looked over to see Zero enter the room looking, like Zero as his face was always hidden under the mask.
"Zero make some arrangements in the schedule, we are going to Ashford Academy in the coming month." Nunnally stated and Zero nodded.
"As you wish, you'll be coming as well won't you Schneizel?" Zero asked.
"Yes he will; Lelouch seems to be bored playing everyone at the Orange Farm." Nunnally said with a giggle and Zero sighed.
"I'll inform Cornelia, another favor for that woman to add to my list already." Zero muttered as he exited the room leaving Nunnally and Schneizel with questioning looks on their faces.
Shinjuku Apartments, Complex Q-1
"This is all wrong."
"Then help me fix it."
"I would be trying to help you fix it but your so stubborn and just won't listen."
"Then do it yourself."
"You asked for my help."
"The help me."
"I am!"
Kallen had recently failed her physics test and the teacher required her to get a tutor to help her for the next test. Instead of hiring help, Kallen had managed to worm her way into Lelouch schedule and get him to tutor her instead resulting in the boy degrading her every time she made a mistake ultimately leading into an argument such as this one.
"You are not helping me Lelouch, you stating I've done something wrong."
"I've shown you multiple times how to do the equation."
"You've shown me gibberish."
"Fine look, here…"
Lelouch slowly explained the process again, this time going through it as he would if he was tutoring a child. Kallen watched intently as the numbers, letters began to add up, and she soon realized that what she was doing was so simple that Lelouch doing physical exercises seemed harder.
"I'm an idiot."
"Well we agree on something then."
"Lelouch…" Kallen growled out as he closed his books already finished with his homework, "What your done?"
"Yes, its not hard."
"But you slept throughout the class how can you even be finished already?"
"Because I am, and your answers wrong again." He stated standing up to stretch only to have Kallen slam her hands on the desk.
"THAT'S IT I'M TIRED OF YOU POINTING OUT MY ANSWERS ARE WRONG!"
"Some would consider that helpful, I know Rivalz did."
"Rivalz is an idiot."
"At least he passed the test." Lelouch stated only to hear Kallen scream in rage.
"Your infuriating, if it isn't C.C. it's you, did you like absorb her abilities to be a total pain in the ass when Zero stabbed you!"
"Must come with the experience of dying."
"You didn't die."
"Felt like it, that 's wrong to."
Kallen looked down at the page to find Lelouch was right again, she made another mistake and being the stubborn one she was, she quickly erased it to fix the problem. Sitting down seething she finally decided to give Lelouch the good news she had heard from Rivalz earlier in the day.
"Millay's coming to the festival."
Lelouch tensed in horror. If Milly came and was anything like she had been before then she would quickly forgive him and make his life a living hell as payback. He played it cool though and replied naturally.
"Is she now?" Lelouch asked and Kallen nodded.
"Yep, Millay said something about the good days and a new idea for your return to the school."
"Does she even hold that much power in the school anymore?" Lelouch asked.
"No, but she does have Rivalz wrapped around her finger." Kallen stated and Lelouch nodded.
"I know… and that's wrong to."
"WHAT?" Kallen looked down to her latest question and answered realizing he was right again, giving into her anger and with Lelouch's back turned she finally vented. Slamming her text book closed she picked it up with her Geass activated just as Lelouch turned around only to hurl it at him with such speed that Lelouch face was still smiling as it slammed into his face. Coupled with the fact that Ms. Kozuki had opened the door because of the yelling and the house erupted into a minor fiscal.
1 hour later…
"You could have pitched it normally." Lelouch motioned having a large bandage covering his now bruised nose and ego.
"You deserved it and you know it." Kallen said venomously.
After venting herself, Kallen was immediately scolded by her mother, her ear still red from the amount of force her mother applied without ripping it off. Had Lelouch been conscious for the sight he would have laughed but a 6 lbs textbook to the face made sure he was out cold.
"I'm sorry about Kallen, she still has a slight anger management problem." Ms Kozuki said bringing out a cup of tea.
"Its not a problem." Kallen spat.
"So would you like to play a game of chess than?" Ms. Kozuki asked ignoring her daughters comment and Lelouch smiled.
"Chess sounds like a good idea, but are you sure you won't mind losing again?" Lelouch asked as Ms. Kozuki smiled.
"Your far more challenging than my daughter and C.C. is to lazy to even move the pieces."
"I noticed." Lelouch replied and looked over to the table were Cheese-kun was lying about and C.C. latest order of Pizza was.
25 min later…
"Well you win again, although taking your queen was rather satisfying." Ms. Kozuki stated with a smile.
"I suppose, but even with the strongest piece I still managed to come out on top and even retrieving my queen." Lelouch said with a smile.
"Yes, you do value that piece, I think even more so than your own King considering how recklessly you use him in battle.
"A King cannot lead if he cowers behind his men."
"Oh and you are such a prime example." Kallen scoffed and Lelouch shot her a playful glare.
"And you can do better?" Ms. Kozuki asked and Kallen stood to the challenge.
"I could wipe the floor with him without even trying."
"Well then I'll leave you to your match, I have dinner to cook and a ladies mess to clean up, I do wonder where she goes though sometimes." Ms. Kozuki stated and left the room leaving Kallen starring down Lelouch as if to say I can win.
"So Q-1, you want to rebel?"
"I'm the King in this operation Lelouch just get ready to pack you bags." Kallen replied and activated her Geass making Lelouch smirk.
"I wouldn't do that."
"We'll see what I should and shouldn't do." Kallen replied knowing this trick to work on her own mother. By using Geass, she could eventually figure out her mother's strategy after a few moves and win. Lelouch however kept a grin on his face and Kallen being white made the first move.
"So it begins…" Lelouch said and made his move, followed by Kallen's quick reflexes of moving her pieces about.
They were silent for a long time as Lelouch moved his pieces watching Kallen move her own. He was observing her noticing that she was twitching slightly as he made changes to his strategy and then he realized the weakness of her Geass, it was small and unnoticeable but one that he was willing to exploit and turned his full concentration on the game wanting to test his theory. He made quick movements as Kallen countered them and then smiled.
"I figured it out."
"Figured what out?" Kallen asked just as she was flooded with images from Lelouch's mind from her Geass being activated, in almost an instant Lelouch had deduced over 500 different strategies and moves causing Kallen to overload herself and drop to the ground in pain.
"Lelouch…" She whispered as the chess bored was knocked over from the sudden assault.
Lelouch reacted quickly grabbing Kallen and looking at her. As she had tears in her eyes and ceased any thoughts running through his mind.
"Kallen turn it off now." Was all he said and thought and Kallen did so collapsing from the exertion for only a few moments before waking up staring at the ceiling and Lelouch bandaged face.
"What… what happened."
"Kallen what do you think your Geass's weakness is?" Lelouch asked and Kallen answered immediately.
"Its reliance on probability."
"No its not the weakness, its reliance on probability is a strength no matter how weird that sounds; no I just discovered its weakness and its effects on you."
"It wasn't that?"
"Kallen, Geass weaknesses make the user have to limit the use of their Geass and or suffer because of them. Rolo's stopped his heart which means he both suffered and had to limit its uses, mine was good for one instant unless worded properly so I could only use it sparingly and Mao someone who was obsessed with C.C. had his Geass drive him insane."
"So Geass does have its bad sides." Kallen muttered attempting to sit up.
"Yes, yours has the potential to kill you, I didn't realize it until you knocked the chess bored over."
"I see…"
"You are fed the information from ones brain to react accordingly however in doing so you have the potential to learn to much causing you to overload the brain, like a computer network path. When you have to react to the situation, your brain is reacting to every possible situation confusing your body and causing you to get a severe headache and or migraine. Kallen don't rely on your Geass and use it sparingly now that the risks of using it are fully known to you." Lelouch cautioned and Kallen nodded.
"Okay Lelouch."
"Oh did Kallen loose?"
The two teens looked over to Ms. Kozuki who had entered the room looking surprised at the chess bored knocked over and Kallen and Lelouch on the floor.
"She lost horribly." Lelouch answered and gave a smile.
"Typical, she's all about brute force taking things out as soon as possible." Ms. Kozuki stated and returned to the kitchen as Kallen glared at Lelouch.
"I would have won!"
"No." Lelouch replied and Kallen kicked him away demanding a rematch to which Lelouch nodded to and put in the rule of no Geass.
Preview Step 3
"So Kallen's Geass works on you?"
"It would seem so, but according to you it shouldn't."
"Hmm, perhaps it has to do with the same reasons you have Geass with the code perhaps you've managed to evolve beyond both Code and Geass."
"How do you plan to stop me Zero, I mean seriously your surrounded from all sides with no way of Escape."
"You have too much confidence in yourself."
"I believe the same goes for you."
"Lelouch we have another challenge!"
"Ho who is it this time?"
"Challenge, Lelouch your not skipping class again are you?"
"No of course not, I'm just using my time in a more efficient manner."
"LELOUCH!"
"HELLO ASHFORD ACADAMY ARE YOU READY TO HAVE SOME FUN!?"
"I'm leaving before this becomes a hazard to my health."
"Today's event; Slave for Day!"
"Umm Milly I'm supposed to…"
"Oh sit down and relax let me have some fun..." Milly said and clipped a collar to Rivalz neck and smiled.
Well there is Step 2. Unedited slightly of course. I had a rough time doing this chapter, and it was not the 13,700-word count. Anyways on to some Explanations.
Kallen's Geass…
The Power of Contingent Occurrence.
Contingent
1: likely but not certain to happen :possible
2: not logically necessary ; especially :empirical
3 a: happening by chance or unforeseen causes b: subject to chance or unseen effects :unpredictable c: intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen
4: dependent on or conditioned by something else; payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions
5: not necessitated : determined by free choice
The bolded sentence is the meaning I'm using. Kallen's Geass is more of her own choice. She is able to read the information from someone through their mind or multiple people and able to react according to that information. Concentrating on a single mind allows her to figure out where that person may be going or planning while if she is making split second decisions like a fight, she can react far beyond her capabilities.
To give you an idea, think of her fighting in the original Guren MK-II but with the reaction speed of the S.E.I.T.E.N. Eight Extremities type. It gives her a definite advantage in fights.