Author's Note: Thanks for the new reviews, they helped me greatly)))Samatron, you're the first to appreciate both Holic and NxR idea's of mine)

TenguTie, good question about Suzaku, but as they both try to change the situation for the best they certainly cannot go on killing more people. And it does stay Suzaku's style not to kill the pilots unless there're too much opponents. And you did guess about Clovis of course (=) ), it was obvious. Hope you enjoy the way it was executed though.


Chapter 4. Theme and variations.

The events taking place the next day were remembered by all residents of Area 11, britannians and japanese alike. When Viceroy's Clovis la Britannia's speech was announced to take place, "elevens" expected usual lies to cover the recent massacre in Shinjuku Getto and britannians expected another enlightening theatrics. But the actual real-time broadcast succeeded in entertaining both of them in the way they least expected.

"My fellow citizens of Britannia, and of course, many, many elevens that chose to help our glorious empire! All of you know of the tragic events that took place yesterday, when so many elevens and fellow britannians died in meaningless confrontation!" Even that along was enough considering that most of britannians were told that the only event taking place in the Getto was traffic jam. And as media department's members were shocked seeing their job covering it ruined, japanese were astonished that Clovis even admitted something like combat taking place and britannians were simply finding themselves unable to understand what's going on, there wasn't a person who's mind penetrated the idea of surprises waiting in store.

"I'm ashamed to announce that his action was made without my slightest knowledge by the group of people who considered their positions to be high enough to act on their own and according to their judgement which sadly differ from mine, as I would have never allowed such tradegy to take place. However, as a part of royal family and appointed Viceroy of this area I'm obliged to take responsibility for their foolish action which took so many lives. And I cannot consider any other way to do it but to resign. So I hereby officially abandon my position as Viceroy of Area 11 and relinquish my title as the Third Prince of Britannian Empire. I think you from the bottom of my heart for all the support you gave me and hope to once earn your forgiveness. My best wishes will stay with you forever."

After this came an unexpected minute of silence. But it wasn't dedicated to victims of massacre as one can assume. It was just that the whole population of Area 11 tried to comprehend the meaning of the words just pronounced by Prince Clovis. And at least get on terms with idea he was not a Prince any more. Many more minutes, speeches, discussions and even an official announcement confirming the one made earlier would be necessary for public to finally accept it.

But it didn't concern Clovis even tiny little bit. Especially when he finally got rid of this obnoxious "patriots" who had the nerve to question him for quite an amount of time and in return received a confirmation of their worst nightmares – yes, by that "group of people" he certainly meant purists, the annoying Jeremiah in particular. He finally got them back for all the time he wasted listening to their "Britannia's army of pure britannians" whining. He couldn't care less about the military, really, don't they get it?

As soon as he got out if everybody's sight, however, his smirk returned to his face. He wanted to laugh out loud, but his sophisticated manners couldn't allow that. Did these fools really buy all this nonsense about royal obligations? Well, certainly they did. Between reality and beautiful illusion people would always choose the latter, from the ancient times an to all the eternity ahead. The existence of art itself proved it. People read books, go to picture galleries, theatres and cinemas. Too weak to change anything, they just try to escape. Same thing with passing the desirable for reality. As an artist, he just took advantage of their own wishful thinking. He had a reason after all. He could finally stop wasting his talent on these disgusting elevens and distracting britannian nobles and turn to realizing his dreams. His plans for Clovisland and the pile of ideas for his yet-to-be masterpieces were waiting for too long. And that was just the way he told the mainland accompanying the announcement of his decision. He didn't care about all the commotion he made (although it did flatter him to get this much attention and he wasproud his play's grand finale ended up being this successful), now they cannot do anything to him. In addition, his little act of repentance should have helped his popularity and leave a positive impression, as well as promote him as an eccentric person. People take great interest in eccentric persona, so his new projects released after waiting for a bit would grab additional attention. And for now he should concentrate on his paintings. That means no visitors, especially not from the royal family. Some peace and quiet in a mansion near the lake... Should he leave Area 11? After all, he hated Japan for taking his precious siblings away from him. But as many other members of the royal family hated it for the same reason, it might just be a good idea to stay, he won't be bothered. Although maybe he could make an exception for the adorable Euphie? He heard she might be coming here since he older sister was the most suitable candidate for the new Viceroy. No way, no exceptions.

Of course, he could't have seen his eyes glowing a bit red as he thought that.

General Bartley entered the room although the order was not to disturb him.

"You Highness," he adressed him, as his loyalty wasn't shaken by the Prince's decision to relinquish his title, "is this indeed because of our failure to capture the girl?"

"I don't understand what are you talking about" Clovis answered, with intonation undoubtedly implying the opposite, "but you're free to consider it to be a reason as well."

It was true, after all. He was free to assume anything that suited his beliefs as long as it didn't bring him any inconvenience.


"Our Lulu is lost in thought again." Milly sneaked behind and poked him on both sides which for one thing was quite painful and for the other made him almost jump on his chair. Well, it was a mistake to loose his concentration with the blond troublema... president around. Even though the possible existence of other people with their old memories remaining was starting to hunt him as much as the idea of this all being just a cruel trick on them both (not minding this ideas being controversial), he had to keep himself together.

"Do you miss our Viceroy already?"

"As if. I thought of it as quite entertaining though."

"That's Lelouch for you. Didn't believe him one bit, did you?" Rivalz giggled. They were supposed to decide fonds for the clubs, but...

"I don't understand how he could be so serious about the deaths of elevens". Nina added with irritation. Lelouch sighed listening to yet-to-be creator of F.L.E.I.J.A. No use trying to tell her where exactly she's wrong at the moment.

"So we gonna get a new Viceroy!" Shirley stated enthusiastically. "I wonder if it'll be a woman for a change. We have men for both Emperor and Prime Minister, so not fair!"

Here she was, Lelouch thought, so cheerful, so beautiful, with her red hair slightly disheveled she shined like a little cute sun spreading rays of positive energy all around. She blushed as he didn't turn away, but he didn't care about that. He has already decided. The only way to protect this precious sun was to hide it away from infallible darkness.

"Shirley, wait! I need your advice on one matter, it's about Nanally..." He stalled her as they were leaving the student council's room.

"Can't we help too?" Rivalz poked his nose back into the room only for his ear to be grabbed and his entire self to be dragged out of the room again by the president. Nina left already. They were alone.

"So, what was it about Nanally, Lelouch? ... Lelouch?" But instead of answering the one she addressed first silently slipped to the door and checked they weren't being eavesdropped and then came to the window and pulled down jalousie before turning back to her. She felt some unexplainable worry that moment, like a premonition, but wrote it off as preparation for some sort of joke, or... she blushed again.

Lelouch glanced at hear one last time and sighed. "I'm sorry, Shirley." He then looked straight into her eyes.

"Shirley, today you will enjoy your swimming lesson so much that you start to feel you should concentrate on swimming even more than you do now and decide to change schools, enrolling into a school specialising on aquatics. You will persuade your father and explain it to your friends while never doubting your decision. In addition, you'll try to stay away from all things reminding you too much about Ashford for a while. And also..." he took a deep breath, "you will forget anything special regarding me. I'm your good friend and vice-president of the student council, nothing more, nothing less. I'm... I'm sorry, Shirley. After this all is over I..." and he released his Geass. Or did he loose concentration? He hurried to the window to pull the jalousie back up.

Shirley looked lost for a moment but then turned to Lelouch and asked with her usual cheerful smile. "So what it was about Nanally, vice-president?"

Lelouch's eyes widened as he heard the way she addressed him. He was shaking inside as he answered. "Well, it'll be Nanally's Angel Day soon. I wanted to as your advice, I'm thinking about a pendant with her initials. I want it to be made of amethyst, it reminds of her eyes' colour."

"Her eyes?"

"She has wonderful liliac eyes."

"Oh... As I remember amethyst symbolise peacefulness and sincerity, it'll suit her. She'll surely be happy, especially if it's a present from you. But we should definitely celebrate it all together, vice-president."

It was to be expected, after what he just did. So, why, why was there a feeling at being stubbed in the chest every time she said it?

"Thanks, I would be really grateful and it will certainly make Nanally happy too. Well, shall we go?"

"Oh, my... My swimming lesson will start in ten minutes and I still need to change! Got to go now, but ask me any time if you'll need advice again!"

And she stormed out of the room. Lelouch, on the other hand, stayed still for a long long time. Now she will most certainly be safe. He should be overjoyed with this fact. How awful he was, really. Since he couldn't feel anything but great sadness. He just lost a friend after all. A precious, irreplaceable...friend.


Well, here they are, first major changes compared to the original plotline. And as you can guess, for better or worse these two characters are far from making their last appearance. And I'll always welcome your predictions in that department as well as any other)

I'm waiting for your reviews while finishing chapter 5...)))