'Zero' moved though the palace hallways, his conversation with the Empress still whirling in his mind. How right was she? How wrong was he?

Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. He just wanted to close his eyes and have Lelouch there with him again and never have to feel lost anymore.

Maybe Nunnally was right, maybe he was expecting too much from Andre, who knew nothing than what he'd read in history books and that Lelouch had been the man he loved. He'd even told Andre that thought that he might of been Lelouch's reincarnation once, a long time ago. He had thought nothing of then, only that Andre looked so similar to Lelouch that wondered if people could be reborn. Maybe that was only the one of his many mistakes.

He closed his eyes, suddenly feeling the isolation of Zero's mask. Did Lelouch feel the same way when he wore this mask? Did he feel alone with no one to rely on?

He made his was outside onto a balcony overlooking the palace grounds. It was almost July, and almost his 36th birthday. Well, Suzaku Kururugi's 36th birthday. He gripped the railing tightly, closing his eyes. How had things become so contrived these past 10 years?

He turned around at the sounds of footsteps. Then found the answer to his question: Andre Girouard. He could never find his reasoning when that boy came close to him and was standing there, looking at him with that familiar face, driving him mad.

"What are you doing here?" His voice echoed through his mask and he couldn't bring himself to let his earlier thoughts bother him now.

"I skipped my meeting. You're already done talking with Emperess Nunnally?" Andre walked closer, handing one of the two drinks he held in his hands, knowing 'Zero' would be unable to drink it anyway.

"You really shouldn't do that Andre. Her majesty was kind enough to give you this job in the first place."

"But it was because of you."

'Zero' gripped the small drink in his hand, knowing well enough that was true. "That was only because I knew that you would be able to do the job."

Andre huffed a laugh and he leaned over the railing on his elbows, looking at nothing in particular. "Suzaku," He threw away the unnecessary formalities. "I think I've died."

Suzaku's head turned quickly to the side, but Lelouch's face remained calm. "What are you…"

"She told me that if I let Andre die then all that was left was to accept her power. It was surprisingly easy, being I was never that person to being with. All I had to do was think about you."

Suzaku just stood there, his eyes wide as Lelouch's face remained uneasily peaceful. "What have you done? Andre…"

He made a small giggle as he turned to look at Suzaku, standing up straight. That's when Suzaku finally released everything was wrong. "I've finally obtained the power of the Tyrant Emperor. My geass."

When Suzaku saw the familiar red symbol appear in the boy's eye he felt he felt nausea rush over him, again and again. Mask discarded to the ground. And then, nothing.