Fractured Existence

by Daemon of Wrath

He stained his hands in the blood of his father, his friends, his brother. All to protect who is most precious to him. As his life ebbs away, he has been given a second chance. A chance for redemption. A chance to prevent the deaths of many. A chance to heal. With the end of his former, fractured existence as Ludger Will Kresnik, comes forth the birth of Victor vi Britannia.

7. Chapter 7

Co-Written with Demons Anarchy of Pride, my good friend and the author of so many good stories that I'm pretty sure I told you all about now, so I don't think I should be so repetitive. If you still don't know, refer back to my earlier author's notes.

Like, Follow, Review, and tell us what you think! Thank You to everyone who continue to support this story

It's been a while since we last saw this….but now it's time to revisit the Fractured Existence!

XXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 6: Normality, if Only

Victor paced around in his room, one hand at his hip, and the other rubbing his scalp furiously, trying to figure out the thoughts that ran around in his head wildly like fire. After what Lelouch had just told him, he could scarcely believe what was happening.

First Spirius, and now the very same bastards who had nearly made his life, and in the past, Alvin's life a living hell?

Just how was this possible?! He thought the only diverges made to this dimension by C's doing was only his presence. For what reasons were the Kresniks, Chromatus, Spirius, Julius, and Exodus present as well?!

It made no sense whatsoever!

"Graaaagh!" Victor yelled in frustration, grabbing his hairs by the ends. "This doesn't make any sense at all!"

He had been so preoccupied by his thoughts that he hadn't noticed that someone was knocking against his door, only now recognizing their presence when they spoke up. "Big Brother?" Lyoko called out through the door. "Are you awake?"

"Huh?" Victor turned around to the closed door, breaking away from his panic and confusion. "Y-yeah! Sorry, I was just thinking out loud." He walked over and opened the door, letting his little sister in. "What's up?"

"It's nothing, really." Lelouch's twin assured him. "It's just... Ugh, I guess I just need to get away from that green-haired witch."

He instantly knew who she was referring to. After all, he only knew one person in this house with such a description.

"Is C.C. giving you a hard time?" he asked. Lyoko pouted. "She keeps calling me a damned brocon!"

"A brocon? Really?" Victor questioned in surprise...also thinking of ways to reprimand the immortal witch.

"Yes!" Lyoko growled. "It was when I told her to keep her filthy mitts off of Lelouch and you! I've worked FAR too hard to try and get Lelouch and Shirley together, and now that witch is trying to steal him away!"

The young man cracked a small smile, sitting down on his bed. "So then, that whole thing from a year ago WAS your doing."

"Who else's would it be? Those two were definitely not going to get together by themselves." Lyoko crossed her arms.

"Heh, so true..."

"Anyway, do you seriously think it's okay for that girl to stay with us, big brother?" the girl asked, concerned. "I mean, we hardly even know her. Actually, how do you guys know about her anyway?"

"We met her back when we got stuck in that truck." he told her. "Also, there's another reason we are having her stay here."

"Oh?" Lyoko raised an eyebrow, curious. What exactly had this woman done, or what did she know, that made her brother put her under surveillance? "And pray tell, what exactly is that?"

"She knows we're royalty."

That answer alone was enough to stun her to silence. Her face fell, her eyes grew as wide as possible, and her jaw dropped.

How was it possible? They were always so careful about keeping their real identities a secret. The only ones who know the truth are the Ashfords.

"...h-how...?!"

"She apparently has some sort of ties with our mother, but that's all we really know." Victor told her, a stern frown. "We've spent so much time trying to keep a peaceful life, away from Britannia, and that woman could easily put it in jeopardy."

As much as he hated to lie to his sister, he knew he had to. He knew that C.C. wouldn't reveal anything, since she had a contract with Lelouch. She wouldn't betray him, unless circumstances led her to do so.

"But...but still..." Lyoko still couldn't believe it. Were their times of peace really going to come to an end...just like that?

Lyoko couldn't help but smile softly at her brother's reassurance. If there's one thing that victors known for, aside from his housekeeping and cooking skills, is that he always keeps his promises.

XXXXXXXXXX

"I see..." Euphemia nodded her head, a sad look on her face. "So, you believe that it was my brother involved in that incident?"

Jeremiah nodded. "Yes, your highness. Other than Lady Marianne, Lord Victor is the only person I know of with the capabilities of piloting a Knightmare, even a Sutherland, to that degree."

The princess nodded once more, letting the Margraves words sink in...

She was both deeply overjoyed and deeply saddened by such news. On one hand, her brother who was thought to have died was alive and well, on the other hand...he had a hand in the incident in Shinjuku.

"So then, Suzaku was telling the truth after all..." she muttered under her breath before shaking his head. "I thank you for telling me this, Margrave Jeremiah."

The teal-haired man bowed formally, and turned on his heel to leave. Once he did, Euphemia sighed cradling her head in her hand. "Oh, Victor..." she whispered. "Could you really be with Zero and Nemo?"

Her question remained unanswered in the still silence. She desperately hoped that her siblings were safe, but she only heard of the conditions of her brothers while her sisters remain to be determined.

As her thoughts lingered on her siblings, she then realized that they would probably be around high school age now... well, at least Lelouch and Lyoko. Nunnally would likely be in middle school, and Victor would most likely be in college. They were probably living a normal life now, a life away from Britannia, from anything remotely related to the aristocracy.

Then, a thought came to her. "I wonder..." she whispered to herself before going to the phone laid on her desk. She punched in a button, and soon, a servant's voice came through. "Yes, I would like to make a request. Could you bring Private Suzaku Kururugi here?"

XXXXXXXXXX

"..." The classroom was set in brief, stunned silence. Everyone's eyes were fixated on the new student.

One pair of siblings and a certain were more shocked and horrified than all the others.

Lelouchs eyes were wide open, his jaw hanging low. His eyebrow was twitching from the insanity of it all.

Lyoko shot out of her seat, her chair clattering behind her. Whether it was from alarm, excitement, relief, or horror, she did not know.

Kallen was speechless and confused. Why was the one person she, zero, and Nemo saved here of all places?!

"Now class, allow me to introduce our new student joining today..." The teacher announced.

The young Japanese bowed his head politely. "My name is Suzaku Kururugi," he spoke with a clear voice, completely unfazed by the looks he was receiving. "I'll be attending Ashford Academy from today forward. Please, take good care of me." he finished with a bow.

"Very good." the teacher nodded. "Now, where to put you...? Hm? Lyoko, why are you standing up with your mouth open?"

The girl blinked. "E-eh?"

"If you keep your mouth open, you'll let a fly in." the old man joked, causing the girl to squeak from embarrassment, and quickly slid back into her desk. Suzaku smiled sightly.

'Same old Lyoko...' he thought warmly. 'And she's gotten even more beautiful... W-wait, what am I saying?!'

"Teacher, if it's alright," Lelouch announced. "Suzaku can sit by me."

Everyone, save Lyoko and Kallen, looked to him in both surprise and alarm. Did they all hear right? Was Lelouch really offering some Eleven to sit by him?

"Very well. Mr. Kururugi, please take your seat." The teacher nodded without a care.

Suzaku nodded, and walked over past the rows. As he passed them by, he could hear the students whispering to themselves, shooting off dirty looks.

"What the hell is an Eleven doing here?"

"Wasn't he the one who murdered Prince Clovis?"

"No, that was Nemo, remember?"

"Still, he was a suspect in His Highness' murder, so that should tell you something, right?"

Kallen masked her expression well, but her hands coiled into fists. 'Racist bastards...!' she thought in rage. Lyoko was not any better, and unlike Kallen, she openly displayed it with a glare at the people whispering such things, though they did not notice it. 'He can hear you, ya know?!'

Suzaku winced a little, but tried his best to ignore them, and took his spot next to his friend. "You alright?" Lelouch mouthed, having heard the slander.

"Yeah! don't worry about it...I'm used to it..." Suzaku shrugged as he sat down. Lelouch could only look at his best friend in worry. He's already been through a lot and he's still smiling through it.

He never forgot his words that night when he and Victor saved him...they would forever be ingrained in his mind...

'Suzaku... I know you're doing this for us, but...'

XXXXXXXXXX

Cornelia li Britannia was truly one of the most terrifying women in all the Empire, second only Marianne vi Britannia, if given the correct incentive.

Her title, Goddess of Victory, was not just for show. Her skills with a Knightmare and in physical combat are unmatched with nearly anyone within the Empire.

There very little who could match her, and people doubted they could ever defeat her, nor her knight, her Twin Blades. Currently, the two stood at ASEEC's garage, observing the Lancelot as it was undergoing repairs.

Upon seeing the whole in its chest, Julius whistled. "Nemo did that, all by himself?" he asked, looking over at Lloyd. "I must admit, not the best way to unveil the world's first Seventh Generation."

"Oh don't remind me..." Lloyd groaned, preferring not to remember that traumatizing incident. "We're just lucky that he left THAT much of it intact. The core was destroyed, it's weapons broken, the whole thing was a nightmare!"

Cornelia lips curled upwards. It appeared that the rumors she heard about Lloyd Asplund, the infamous "Earl of Pudding", about him being eccentric were on the mark after all. "I understand that the one who piloted it was an Eleven."

Cecile nodded. "Yes, Suzaku Kururugi. He showed excellent results until his encounter with Nemo, and, well..." she glanced over at the white Knightmare, which was currently being repaired. "You can see how well that went."

"Well, at least you have the Club to work with." Julius said, trying to cheer the man up. "Still, to be able to do this... I must admit, I truly want to fight Nemo even more now."

"If you can take care of that bastard who did this to my precious Lancelot, then by all means, go ahead!" Lloyd gave him the OK.

"And let me guess, you are letting private Kururugi pilot the Club as well?" Cornelia asked.

"Well, of course." the eccentric man said, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "He had a near 100% synch ratio with the Lancelot, so I can't exactly get rid of a good pilot like him."

"Well, I can understand that." the twin blades nodded in understanding. "So, how much data have you managed to collect thanks to him?"

"Well...granted it's not as much a we were hoping for, given the fact he's only piloted each model once...but it's enough for a start."

"And how soon do you think you can star the Grail project I asked you about the other day?"

Lloyd pushed up his glasses. "We're still lacking sufficient data, as Suzaku's only had two sorties, but if you had to make an estimate... perhaps four to five months? It really all depends on how much data we'll be able to get from combat."

Cornelia did not look impressed. "I'm promoting Kururugi to Warrant Officer." she stated. "That should keep him satisfied."

Julius chuckled. "Cornelia, I sincerely doubt that Suzaku is the sort of person who wants promotions, given his profile."

"Well, he'll have to make do. We need to do everything we can to further our agenda as quickly as possible." She spoke with finality.

"Of course." the young man nodded.

XXXXXXXXXX

Nina fidgeted slightly as she watched Suzaku Kururugi from afar. Now, this wasn't the 'I've got a crush on him' kind of stare, mind you. This sort of stare came from her past experiences with Elevens, and it was not a pretty one. The stare she was giving him was the 'I'm scared of him' sort of stare.

She was confused as to why her friend Lelouch would offer the seat next to him to the new student, even more so when they seemed so familiar around each other.

She couldn't bring herself tone like that...not after what happened years ago...

'N-no.' Nina shook her head. 'Not all Elevens are like... like...' She didn't dare bring up those memories. 'I need to remember what my senior taught me.'

Ever since Victor found out about her phobia of Japanese before he graduated, he had taken up the part of a sort of counselor for her. The sessions they had helped quite a bit, as she no longer held true fear against anyone that was Japanese.

"Man, talk about rough." Rivalz stated, standing next to her with Shirley. "Transferring to our school, after that whole business with Zero and Nemo?"

"Yeah...he must've been through a lot even before this. Maybe we should go over and welcome him." Shirley tried to walk up to the new student, but rivalz grabbed her arm to stop her.

"The guy just got here." He shook his head no. "Give him some space."

"Eh?" Shirley tilted her head.

Suzaku finished packing up his supplies, and was about to get up when he saw a familiar figure walk up to him. "Suzaku!"

Before he even had a chance to figure out what was about to happen, Lyoko leaped on him, wrapping her arms around him with a gaint grin on her face.

Everyone in the classroom, including Shirley, Rivalz and Nina, looked at the sight in confusion and shock.

"Wait, why is Lelouch's sister hugging him?!"

"Don't tell me they're actually friends?!"

"No way, that can't be! Why would they be friends with an Eleven?!"

"Ooh, that lucky bastard! Getting a hug from Lyoko-sama like that!"

Suzaku blushed heavily, feeling two large 'somethings' pressing up against his arm. "L-Lyoko-chan!" he shouted in embarrassment.

Shirley was the first to recover. "W-wait, Lyoko, do you know him?"

Lyoko looked up at her with a smile. "I should! He's a childhood friend! I told you about him before, remember?"

The girl frowned, digging around in her memories. When had Lyoko brought him up? ...Oooh, now she remembered. Upon recalling the conversation, Shirley put her fist atop her palm. "OH! So you're THAT Suzaku! Koko mentioned you before!"

"She did?" Suzaku looked at his childhood friend, who continued to smile brightly. She nodded in confirmation.

"Yep! There is no way I can forget my favorite childhood friend!" She rubbed her cheek against his, making his blush deepen to a furious red.

Rivalz pouted. "Oh, that is not fair..." he said. "How come he gets a hug and I don't?"

"He who stares at my chest and dreams lewd thoughts about Milly does not deserve a hug."

"Hey!" the blue-haired teen's face turned scarlet red. "I do not think about Milly that way!"

"Yet you don't deny you stare at my sister's chest." Lelouch said simply as he walked into the classroom. "Honestly, Rivalz... You see, this is why you can't get Milly to date you."

"Aw, c'mon Lelouch...! Not you too...!" The blue haired teen whined. The group of friends laughed at Rivalz's misery, as it was something he brought upon himself.

"L-Lelouch." Suzaku spoke up. "U-um, could you...?"

The male twin shook his head, amused by what he saw. 'Still have a crush on him, Lyoko?' he thought. When he was younger, he didn't exactly enjoy the thought of Lyoko dating Suzaku, but overtime, his perspective had changed. He now had no problems with Suzaku being a surrogate brother, though if the boy did anything to break his poor sister's heart, there was going to be hell to pay.

"Lyoko, can you get off of him?" Lelouch asked his sister. "You're making a scene."

"Mou~ Do I have to?"

"Yes, you do."

"Mou~...fine..." She reluctantly pulled herself away from the Japanese boy and crossed her arms in frustration. Suzaku was both relieved and saddened she left go.

"Long time no see, Suzaku." Lelouch smiled, and the teen returned it. "Hey, do you mind if we talk up on the roof?"

Suzaku caught the motion Lelouch made, a hand tugging at the collar. 'Just like old times...' he thought, nodding with a smile.

Once the two siblings left with him, whispers began to flood the room.

"Why is that Eleven going with Lelouch?"

"Forget that! Didn't you see how he and Lyoko-sama act so close?!"

"I don't care...our precious Lelouch could be tainted by that Eleven filth!"

All of these whispers and others served nothing but to fuel Lyoko ire.

And it wasn't just her either. Shirley and Rivalz glared at the gossipers, while Nina looked surprised. "Do-do you think he might know Victor and Nunnally too?" she asked quietly.

"Maybe, if he's seriously their childhood friend." Rivalz replied. "Still, did you see how close Lyoko was to the new guy?" A grin formed on his face as he turned to Shirley. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Seven years since we last used this signal..." Lelouch muttered as he, his sister, and his friend stood atop the rooftop, gazing out across the campus. "Hard to believe it's been so long."

"Yeah...time really flies by..." Suzaku walked over and leaned on the railing. "It felt like just yesterday we were all together last. By the way, how are you guys doing after...you know..."

"We're doing fine, Suzaku." Lyoko said, walking up from behind him, her hands clasped behind her back. "And it's all thanks to you. We would have been in trouble if it weren't for you." A giant smile formed on her face. "Really, thank you so much, Suzaku!"

Suzaku turned away with a blush on his face, scratching his cheek. "N-no, it was nothing, really!" he told her, unable to look her in the eye.

Lelouch gave a teasing grin. "Whoa, hey now. If you two lovebirds are going to confess, then I'm out of here."

Both Lyoko and Suzaku sputtered and turned to deny his statement.

"Wh-what are you talking about Big brother?!" Lyoko cried.

"L-Lelouch, it's not like that!"

"Oh, please." the raven-haired teen rolled his eyes. "You think I haven't noticed the way you two look at each other. I'm surprised the two of you aren't already an item. Hell, even Victor says he wouldn't mind having you for a brother in law..."

Then, to Suzaku's immense horror, Lelouch gave a sickly, sweet smile as a dark around surrounded him, and from behind, the personafication of death. "However, if you do anything to break Lyoko's heart... You'll be wishing Zero and Nemo left you to hang, understand?"

Suzaku gulped. "H-hai."

"Brother!" Lyoko snapped at him. "Quit scaring Suzaku! A-and it's not like that, okay?!"

"H-hai...!" Was still petrified by what he just saw...was that a Shinigami behind Lelouch?!

"Great! You traumatized him, big brother!" Lyoko pouted.

"Well, excuse me for being a protective brother." Lelouch grumbled. "Anyway, how are you doing, Suzaku?"

"E-eh?" For the sake of his sanity, Suzaku pretended that he did not see death floating behind his best friend, and nodded. "Y-yeah... Though, shouldn't I be the one asking you that? I mean, you did kind of get caught up with terrorists back in SHinjuku-"

"Gah, y-you idiot!" Lelouch instantly panicked, wanting to shut Suzaku up before the truth slipped out.

Unfortunately, however, the damage was done. Lyoko's eyes widened in horror, and looked at Lelouch. "Wait, what?!"

"Wait, you didn't tell her, Lelouch?"

"No! That was kind of the plan not to worry her and Nunnally!" Lelouch whispered harshly back.

"Wait...you and Victor were at Shinjuku when..." As Lyoko trailed off, her bangs overshadowed her eyes as a dark aura started to emanate from her slender frame.

"...Ah crap...!"

"You... You..." When she lifted her bangs, her eyes were glazed over with a fierce fire, and a trembling fist. "YOU IDIOTS!"

WHACK!

"OWWWW!"

Suzaku winced. "Owch... That had to hurt." he muttered, seeing Lelouch on the ground, clucthing his head where a gigantic bruise was pulsating.

"YOU STUPID MORONS!" Lyoko shouted at him. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU GUYS THINKING?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US THIS?! WERE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELVES KILLED?! WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IF YOU LEFT US ALONE, HUH?! WELL?! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?!"

'Yeah...' Suzaku sweat dropped, chuckling nervously. 'She really hasn't changed at all.'

"Uh...we were trying to be good Samaritans and help out a crashed truck, which we accidentally fell into as they sped off for the ghettos?"

WHACK!

"OW!" Lelouch yelped out as another bruise was added to his head. "Dammit woman! What the hell was that for?!"

"Again, HOW COULD YOU TWO BE SO STUPID!?"

WHACK!

"SON OF A- WILL YOU QUIT HITTING ME?!"

"NO!...because it's fun..."

WHACK!

"AGH!"

Suzaku sweat-dropped. "A-ano, Koko... I think he's been beaten enough."

Lelouch had several bumbs on his head, each steaming and pulsing in pain. Lyoko looked like she wanted to protest, but relented, and the dark aura around her vanished. Once she helped her twin up, Suzaku apologized. "S-sorry... I guess it's my fault you got beaten up... Still, what kind of big brother gets beaten by their younger sister?"

"Oh shut up, Suzaku." Lelouch retorted.

The brown-haired teen sighed, shaking his head. "You wouldn't have ended up like that if you actually exercised. Seriously, you look like a twig!"

"Dammit, shut up!" the revolutionary snarked, his face red.

"But it's true...!" Lyoko interjected. Victor says that if you keep avoiding physical exercise like the plague, you're limbs are gonna snap like twigs from lack of use."

"No, they won't!" Lelouch retorted. "The two of you are just exercise nuts!"

Suzaku grinned. "No, you're just a slacker."

"Gah, you are impossible..."

"Hahah... Oh, yeah, whatever happened to that girl?"

Lyoko immediately became interested. "Wait, what girl?"

"Oh, well..."

Suzaku, much to Lelouch's displeasure, explained the series of events leading up to them meeting C.C. Upon learning the whole story, Lyoko's eyes widened. "Wait, Clovis was keeping that witch?!"

"Yeah-wait, did you just call her a witch?"

"Yeah...that witch has been doing nothing but mess around with me and my brothers ever since Victor let her stay at our place...!" Lyoko explained, not noticing Lelouch's motions for her to shut up.

A second later, Suzaku blinked, and stared at Lelouch, who face palmed. 'Why can't everything go right...' he thought, wondering how everything when so wrong in just a few seconds. Honestly, why did his sister have to be such a blabbermouth?!

"Wait, she's staying with you guys?!" he shouted in disbelief. "Lelouch, do you not remember that the Royal Guard almost killed you and me just because we got involved with her?!"

"Wait...you guys almost WHAT?!" Lyoko reverted back to rage mode once more.

"Thanks a lot, Suzaku!" Lelouch shouted in sarcasm. But Lyoko already delivered another blow to the head.

WHACK!

"GAAH!" Lelouch screamed. "Son of a bitch, that hurt!"

'...For Lelouch's sake, I should probably keep my mouth shut on anything relating to Shinjuku.' Suzaku thought, quickly noticing how anything related to Shinjuku was enough to warrant a smack from Lyoko.

"You got in trouble with the ROYAL GUARD!?"

WHACK!

"MOTHERF- WILL YOU STOP IT ALREADY?!"

WHACK!

"NO!" Lyoko shouted. Suzaku, feeling uncomfortable with the situation, chose to slowly inch away. But Lyoko spun around, freezing him in his place with a sharp glare.

"Well?" she tapped her foot impatiently, her arms folded over her chest. "What do you have to say for yourself, Suzaku Kururugi?"

"...I'm...sorry...?"

Lyoko took as step forward and slowly approached the Japanese teen. Suzaku now feared for his life, as Lyoko was beginning to resemble more and more like an incarnate of death with her hair somehow levitating, her eyes white circles, and a scary, black aura emitting from her body.

She raised her hand. Instinctively, Suzaku shut his eyes closed tightly, and waited for the inevitable strike.

PAT!

The brown haired teen immediately opened his eyes, not expecting what was currently happening. Instead of slapping him...Lyoko was softly patting his head.

"...Make sure you don't do this again...!" She scolded sternly.

Lelouch, of course, face-faulted at the action, while Suzaku just stared in disbelief.

"Uhm... Okay..." he said quietly. Lyoko nodded, a smile on her face while Lelouch was scowling.

'Damned lovebirds...'

XXXXXXXXXX

Victor sighed as he looked up from the counter, seeing a coworker of his standing not too far form him. "Oh, hey Silas..." he greeted. "What's up?"

"Nothing much, Vic." the waiter said, shrugging his shoulders. "But, you alright? You look dog tired."

"Yeah, I'm fine..." Victor opened his mouth wide, yawning. "...just had trouble sleeping last night..."

"You sure you're going to be okay? You seem pretty exhausted."

"Yeah, I'm sure. I just had trouble with a damned witch is all."

"Witch? Oh, girlfriend troubles?"

Victor scoffed. "I wish. Try a slob of a roommate who eats nothing but pizza, and loves getting on Lyoko's nerves."

"Wow! That bad huh?" Silas raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"You don't know the half of it!"

"Hahahahahahah!" the waiter chuckled, taking a seat at one of the booths. "Well, sounds like you've been having fun lately."

"If you could even call it that..." Victor muttered under his breath, as it went unnoticed by Silas.

"Oh, yeah, you hear about the new Viceroy?"

At this, Victor snapped to full attention, his expression now void of fatigue. "...Yeah, it's Princess Cornelia, the Goddess of Victory, right?"

"That's right." The waiter nodded.

"So, she's really here, huh?"

"Just arrived last night." Silas informed him. "She's already cracking down on resistance cells and terrorists. Hell, she's even brought the Twin Blades of Victory, Julius Kresnik with her! I'm telling ya, man, those two guys are in deep shit once they find 'em."

"You mean Nemo and Zero?"

"Yep. I mean, you've heard what she's capable of, right?"

"Who hasn't? Just a few days ago she took down the entire string of resistance groups of a country and established Area 18 motley by herself and her royal guard." Victor responded, but memories flooded into his mind.

'Really...she is as strong as ever...'

Then again, he had expected as much. Even after being banished, or rather, leaving in self-exile, Cornelia still sent him and the others letters. She had stated that she would be attending the military academy once she was old enough, and without a doubt, she proved to be every inch the person she wanted herself to be, someone who could be recognized by Marianne.

'She's going to be no easy opponent, that much is for sure.'

"By the way, what do you think about those two guys? Nemo and Zero?"

"Hmm? Well..." How to answer that without sounding. Completely treasonous...? "Honestly...I only see them as people who hold a grudge against Britannia for what the empire had taken from them..." Victor stated, giving an inkling of their motives.

"Well, yeah, I get THAT." Silas scoffed, waving his hand about. "I mean about them in general. To be honest, a lot of the Japs, or Elevens, or whatever the hell you wanna call 'em are getting restless, ever since Mr. Nobody put a bullet in Clovis' head."

"Well, what do you expect? Victor shrugged his shoulders. "For nearly all of their lives, they've lived in oppression. The fact that there is someone fighting against Britannia has given them hope. Now, the real question here is how long can that hope last."

"I know. I mean...there is only so much an individual can do, and how long would it take until they make a mistake and fall like the others? I mean, nothing lasts forever."

'Yeah...' Victor silently agreed, feeling the sudden increase in weight of his pocket watch. 'Trust me... I know that feeling... Far too well.'

Suddenly his musings were cut short when he heard his cell phone go off. "Huh." Silas noted as he removed the device from his trousers. "Didn't know you were into techno."

Victor shrugged, and opened his cell. "Hello?"

"Brother, you won't believe who arrived at our school..." It was Lelouch, and he sounded pretty excited.

XXXXXXXXXX

"I'm surprised the fool is even still alive, after what happened." Jeremiah muttered as he looked at Kewell, who was visibly shaking in the chair. It was probably a good thing that there was a wall of plexiglass separating him from Cornelia, otherwise he would most likely be dead already. "One would think the Viceroy would have had his head."

"Trust me, Margrave." Guilford said as he pushed up his glasses. "She was very tempted to come after him in her Gloucester. Thankfully, however, Julius dissuaded her. But, enough of that." He turned to the teal-haired Pureblood. "Normally, in your situation, you would be given two choices: either start working on an orange farm, or start over as a pilot, demoted three whole ranks."

Jeremiah winced at the obvious accusation. He had expected as much.

"However, the information regarding Shinjuku has made you a valuable asset. Still, though, if the Black Knight is truly against Britannia, I don't even want to imagine how a duel between him and Lady Cornelia would go."

"Neither do I..." Jeremiah agreed grimly. He did not wish for Lady Marianne's eldest to go against the Goddess of Victory. It's not that he's worried about who would win...it's more like watching close siblings having to fight.

During his time as Lady Marianne's guardsman, he noticed how close of a relation her children had to Cornelia and Euphemia.

"Tell me, Margrave..." Guilford said solemnly. "Who do you suppose would win in a fight such as that? Victor vi Britannia, or her highness?"

"That all depends, does she have you, Lord Darlton, and Lord Kresnik at her side?" Jeremiah answered his question with one of his own. "If so, then I am unsure. Lord Victor is a talented warrior, one might even call him the second coming of Lady Marianne... However, against the Twin Blades of Victory, I doubt the victor would be decided."

"I see...and I don't disagree with your thoughts..." Guilford spoke honestly. He recalled how Julius was once Victor's teacher in the arts of reverse sword wielding. In a short amount of time, the young prince was able to assimilate to the unorthodox fighting style. "Lord Victor truly was gifted...I will not deny that...but there to account the lack of experience he has compared to all of us. He had only partaken in a limited number of battles at the time..."

Jeremiah nodded. In contrast to the rest of the Britannian's elite warriors, such as Guilford, a few members of the Purebloods, and even those from the Royal Family who chose to partake battle held experience, whereas Victor lacked that experience. He had very few battles, and those were but simulations.

There was a difference between a set battle, and a real one.

"Margrave, in a fight to the death... who do you believe would win?" Guilford asked. "Julius... or Nemo?"

"...This may sound treason, but in a fight such as that... it would likely be Nemo." Jeremiah's fists clenched together. "That man... Even though it was one meeting, I could tell immediately that he wasn't just some terrorist... He was a man who had fought and lived through a hellish war, like a veteran. And that is not even accounting for that strange armor he possesses. Just where on Earth could he have obtained that power in the first place?"

"We're currently looking into that ourselves." the guardsman answered. "Apparently, Prince Clovis had been doing some research on something referred to as "Chromatus". What that is, however, we have no idea. From what little information we have gathered, it's been referred to as "an armor of Death".

Jeremiah's expression shifted to one of horror from the piece of news...an...armor of death...?!...the chromatus...?! Then...

"...D-death...?! So...there's a possibility that this...Chromatus kills the wearer?" He questioned.

"It's possible." Guilford answered again. "Or it could refer to the immense power it boasts. Given to what happened to the Seventh Generation Knightmare, Lancelot, it would certainly aspire such a title. However, if it does kill the wielder..." His face was set into a hardened scowl. "It makes one wonder what they would sacrifice to wear such a burden."

"Agreed...after all...all power must come at a price...it's the way things are..." Jeremiah nodded. Within his heart, he deeply hoped that his suspicions regarding Nemo and Lord Victor are false. If they are not...then...

'I truly hope that it is not you behind that mask, my lord...' the former guard thought, a saddened expression on his face. 'Even if Lady Nunnally and Lyoko, and Lord Lelouch are gone... Such a power is... It is not worth it.'

XXXXXXXXXX

It was already sunset when the oldest Lamperouge sibling had returned home.

When Victor arrived at Ashford, he found three people there at the front gate. The man smiled brightly, relief filling his heart with joy upon recognizing one of them. "When Lelouch called me, I almost didn't believe him." he said, walking up to Suzaku. "Who would have thought Euphie would send you here of all places?"

"I know...I'm just as surprised as you are...Victor-niisan." The Japanese teen greeted, extending his hand. Victor took it and pulled him in for a one armed hug.

"It's good to see you again after all this time."

"Yeah!"

Once the two parted, Victor turned to Lelouch. He frowned when he saw him tending to his skull, rubbing it with a slightly aggrivated look. He turned to Lyoko, and immediately backed away. "K-Koko?"

"Ara, Big Brother..." Lyoko gave a sickly sweet smile; the same one Lelouch wore earlier, and behind her, the Shinigami. "You and I have a lot to talk about. So, what EXACTLY happened in Shinjuku?"

Suzaku's face turned solemn. "Victor-niisan... Run." he said simply. "Just run..."

Upon seeing Lyoko's behavior...the eldest Lampergoue did not have to be told twice. Without a moment's hesitation, he dashed out of the room through the doorway and leapt out through an open window in another room.

"GET BACK HERE AND TAKE YOUR PUNISHMENT LIKE A MAN!" Lyoko roared as she chased after him, a fire lit in her eyes.

"...So, do you think he'll be able to get away?"

"In all honesty, I hope so." Lelouch prayed, rubbing the back of his head. "Those chops of hers hurt like hell."

"Sorry..."

"Next time, Suzaku... learn to keep your damned mouth shut."

XXXXXXXXXX

"So...what is this surprise you were telling me about, big brother?" The youngest Lamperouge asked as she wheeled herself into the main room.

Lelouch smiled as he brought a hand up to his lips, a finger acting a sign of silence. Sayoko, who stood beside Nunnally, was confused until a familiar young man with brown hair and soft green eyes entered the room. She understood almost immediately, and smiled, nodding in understanding.

When Suzaku saw Nunnally, he felt his heart being conflicted. On one hand, he was saddened to see Nunnally, still confined to a wheelchair, and her eyes forever closed to the world, while on the other hand, he was so glad to see her after so long. Just like Lyoko, she had grown to be beautiful, her brown hair falling down to her waist.

Lelouch nodded, his voice silent. His friend slowly walked over, his footsteps quiet and soft as possible, and gently knelt beside Nunnally. He slowly placed his hands over hers, feeling the warmth that only an angel could provide.

Almost immediately, the young girl recognized the sensation on her hands. These large...calloused hands. Their warmth and kindness are unmistakable.

"Oh! S-Suzaku...!"

Suzaku smiled as he felt her hands clasp around his tightly, as if afraid they were nothing but a fragile illusion that could disappear at a moment's notice.

"It's been so long... Nunnally..."

"I'm so glad you're alright...!" The girl shed tears of joy. It was a sight that warmed lelouchs and Suzaku's hearts.

Now if only Lyoko and Victor were here as well...

"Haa... haa...

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Nunnally looked up, hearing a familiar voice she could not mistake panting, while Lelouch, Suzaku, and Sayoko looked to see Victor at the doorway, panting heavily with sweat pouring down his face, his back hunched, and his hands on his knees.

"I finally..." he gasped for air. "Got... away..."

"Big Brother?" Nunnally tilted her head, confused as to why her brother sounded so tired. "Did something happen?"

Lelouch smiled as he walked over to her, placing a hand over her free one. "Don't worry about it, Nunnally." he assured her. "Me, Victor, and Lyoko are simply having..." He shot a glare at Suzaku. "Disagreements."

"Hey, I said I was sorry." Suzaku replied, holding his hands up. "I thought that you told Nunnally and Lyoko that you guys were-OW!"

"Suzaku?" Nunnally turned to her brother figure. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing..." he whimpered, tending to his injured foot. "Just... have to learn to keep my mouth shut."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Wow, really? You're going to school with Lelouch and Lyoko?"

"That's right." the Japanese teen confirmed for her. The group was now having dinner that Victor made, and Lyoko was still nowhere within sight. She was still searching for her older brother across the empty school and dorm grounds. "I just transferred into their class today..."

"He still has military duties, though." Lelouch informed her, handing her a plate of spaghetti.

At this, Nunnally became downcasted, her face appearing sad. "You're still with the army?"

"It's not as bad before." he told her. "I'm with engineering now."

Lelouch didn't say anything, and kept his expression even, though internally, he was sad. Because of Tamaki and the others from the Kouzuki Resistance Cell, he learned that his friend had piloted a Knightmare vastly similar to the one that had made a mess of his plans back in Shinjuku before it was neutralized by Victor. It hadn't taken him long to realize that it was Suzaku in that Knightmare from that time as well. 'That means, if Victor had gone all out completely... he could have killed Suzaku without even knowing it.'

That thought pained him more than anything.

The very idea of his own Brother killing his best friend, even by accident...it was just too much. He wouldn't know what to do if that were to happen. He didn't know who to take his anguish out on.

Victor had realized the same thing and shared the same sentiments...mainly because he had to kill his own friends in the past.

"Engineering, huh." Lelouch replied to the inquery. "That's cool..."

"Not really." Suzaku said, exasperation taking hold of his face. "For one thing, my boss is a complete nutjob. When the project I was helping him out with got busted, he started to cry over how precious baby was totaled."

Nunnally giggled. "He sounds like an interesting person."

"That's one word I'd use..." he grumbled before taking a bite out of the pasta. Instantly, a giant smile spread across his face. "Sugoi! I'd almost forgotten how great Victor-niisan's cooking was!"

The reborn Kresnik smirked. "What can I say? I learned a thing or two from cookbooks, and of course the staff back at the palace."

"Even though they insisted that they should be the ones to cook for YOU." Lelouch pointed out. "I remember mother and a few of our siblings, especially Cornelia, throwing a fit because you had learned how to cook."

"And their arguments ended when they got a taste of my cooking." Victor shot back with a smug grin.

"Hah! Ain't that the truth?" Lelouch laughed in remembrance. "I vividly recall that they all became fans of your confections. Even mother said that your Tomato cupcakes were her favorite..."

"Same went for Lyoko." the eldest Lamperouge chuckled. "She just might get fat off of them, too."

"Well, can you really blame her?" Suzaku asked, taking another bite of the heavenly products. "I mean, when it comes to cooking, I don't think there's anyone who can beat you!"

Victor smiled, nodding at Suzaku. While he never really boasted about his cooking skills, he knew he was good. Just ask Laura and Elle, they could attest to this. Same went for Ludger when he arrived at the Fractured Dimension, conceding even he couldn't cook such wonderful confections. Of course, he didn't want him to feel bad. He would get better in 8 or 10 years, give or take.

As he was thinking that, he heard someone collapse behind him. "E-eh?" Suzaku blinked in surprise. "L-Lyoko?"

Victor turned, and saw Lyoko on the floor, panting and face-first on the ground. "So." he said simply. "Are you done running around like a chicken with its head cut off?"

Lyoko flipped him off in response.

"Alright, if that's how you want to be, you won't get to eat any food. Shame too, since Suzaku is our dinner guest and all..."

As if by magic, Lyoko sprang up and rushed to the open seat next to the military officer, who was stunned by how fast she could move. "Oh I am so very sorry, Big Brother. Please forgive my rudeness earlier!" She bowed with a sweet smile before helping herself to some of the Food of the Gods.

"Oh, Lyoko is back?" Nunnally asked.

"About time." Lelouch remarked. "Where were you?"

Lyoko glared at him in response before turning to Suzaku. "It's nice to see you again!"

"H-hai..."

"Oi, lovebirds." the raven-haired teen said slyly. "If you two are gonna gaze lovingly at each other, then take it somewhere else?"

Instantly, the two blushed fiercely, with Victor chuckling and Nunnally giggling.

"Sh-shut up, lelouch!" Both shouted simultaneously. This caused both to look at one another in mild embarrassment.

"And that only strengthens the point of you two lovebirds..." Victor stated, adding to the teasing. "You even say things at the same time...So...Am I really going to be an uncle within the next few years?"

"B-BIG BROTHER!" Lyoko spluttered. "WH-WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!"

"Eh?" Nunnally's face suddenly became eager and excited. "Then, does that mean I'll be an aunt?"

"W-well, th-that's..." Suzaku stuttered. "I-I mean, well... Gah, dammit, Victor-niisan!"

"Haha...you two make this all too easy...!" The Chromatus user chuckled. Lelouch on the other hand was doubled over, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

"You guy suck!" Lyoko snapped, her face the brightest shade of red. This only served to increase their laughter.

All in all, it was a wonderful dinner.

In a short while, while Lyoko was helping herself to thirds, they noticed that they were out of tea already.

"Oh, let me get some more..." Suzaku got up from his chair, but Lyoko and Victor promptly pushed him back down.

"No way." Lelouch said, getting up from his seat. "Unlike last time, we're your hosts."

"B-but...!" Suzaku tried to argue, but a look from lyoko caused him to comply. "...Sorry, force of habit I guess."

"Looks like you've gotten softer, Suzaku." Victor joked. Suzaku smiled back at him.

"Well, you guys have only gotten rougher."

Lelouch chuckled, and entered the kitchen. Instantly, however, he scowled. "...What are you doing here?"

"Oh, just why wasn't I invited to this party?" C.C. asked, clad in her prison jumpsuit.

"It's none of your concern..." Lelouch waved her off.

"Hmph, whatever..." the green-haired witch scoffed before looking back at the dining room. "That boy... Isn't he the one you saved?"

"...Yes. That's right..." The violet eyed boy answered her.

"You knwo things are just going to be hard for him from here on out..."

"I am well of that." Lelouch snapped, going to the stove and began to refill the pot. "Me and Victor have no intention of allowing anything to happen... Not with so much he's putting on the line for us..."

He gripped the handle tightly.

"...So you both really are willing to go through with this..." She stated the fact.

"Of course..." Lelouch took the pot in hand. "...We fully understand the weight of our decisions..."

"I wonder about that..." the witch said as he left the kitchen, rejoining his friends and family. "It makes me wonder if you could kill your friend, if he ever became your enemy."

XXXXXXXXXX

"That was fun." Suzaku said as the three oldest Lamperouge siblings escorted him out of the house. "I don't remember the last time I ever had that much fun."

"Yeah." Lyoko nodded her head, a bright smile on her face. "We should do this again sometime! I know Nunnally enjoyed it!"

"I think we should." The boy nodded in eager agreement. "I'd really like to catch up with all of you some more."

"Well, you're welcome to come over at any time." Victor smiled.

Suzaku smiled bright before he recalled something. 'Everyone at school was confused why I knew Lelouch and Lyoko...' he thought, a tight grip overcoming his heart. 'If someone were to learn the connection between us...'

"...L-listen, Lelouch. Lyoko." Suzaku stuttered, not really wanting to do this, but knew it was necessary. He didn't want to be responsible for his friends, or more accurately, his family, being torn away from the peaceful life they finally managed to regain. "I think it might be best if... we didn't talk to each other at school."

"..." This mere statement plunged them in heavy silence. Victor remained silent as well, but his eyes held understanding, knowing well what Suzaku's reasoning was.

It was Lyoko who broke the lack of discussion. "WH-WH-WHAT?!" She quickly grabbed Suzaku by the collar and held him up. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN WE CAN'T TALK?!"

"Lyoko, calm down!" Lelouch snapped harshly at her. He was also hurt by Suzaku's words, but he at least wanted to know his friend's reasoning. Lyoko looked as if she wanted to protest, but reluctantly nodded, dropping Suzaku back to the ground. "Well?"

"...I don't want to be a burden on you guys." he stated earnestly. "Think about it, how would you explain it? Britannians mingling with an Eleven? No one can know your guys' secret... no one can know your royalty."

"Well..." Victor interjected, gaining their attention. "...none of them, aside from Milly, know the true story about us. Why not just make one up, using our forged identities?"

"Even still... You guys worked so hard to live a normal life. And I..." he looked down at the ground, his hands balled into trembling fists. "I don't want to be the one who ends up tearing all of that away."

Lelouch sighed, shaking his head. "Good grief... Suzaku, I hate to say it, but I'm afraid we can't abide by that request."

Suzaku's head snapped up, eyes wide in disbelief.

"You seriously think you can go one day without talking to us?" the male twin asked. "Also, what makes you think your girlfriend won't glomp on you first chance she gets?"

"DAMMIT LELOUCH!"

"What? I'm stating the truth here..." The violet eyed male defense himself. "Let's face it...Lyoko likely going to tackle you in a death hug every chance she gets."

Said Lamperouge sibling pouted. "Mou~ I don't put him into a death hug!" she retorted.

Even still, Lelouch had a point. It would be impossible for him not to interact with them every day. He was afraid of them having their peaceful lives being torn away, but when he thought about it, he realized that he didn't have much of a choice. There was no way he could avoid total interaction.

"...Alright, you win." Suzaku relented. "So, what do we tell people?"

"That all depends..." Victor grinned. He attributed to what he was about to say to him hanging around Muzet for far too long. "Will you hit me on what I'm about to say?"

"Uh, what?"

"You're Lyoko's fiance?"

"..." The all blinked once. Twice. Three times. The silence now was much more deafening then...

As soon as this information processed within all their minds, they had to shout out simultaneously.

"WHAT?!"

'Saw that one coming...' Victor mused.

"M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-me a-a-a-and S-S-S-S-Suzaku...?!" Lyoko's face had developed into a deep, dark shade of red. It was probably the darkest shade of red Victor had ever seen. She would probably give Efreet's color a run for its money.

"Wh-wh-wh-wh-what...what are you saying Victor-niisan?!" Suzaku exclaimed in shock. Him...engaged with Lyoko...?, the mere thought couldn't keep his face from reddening to a deep color like the girl in question.

"As amusing as that would be..." Lelouch said. "I'm afraid you know what would happen once Milly finds out about it. I think it would be better to say that Suzaku is a friend from childhood, who we met back before the invasion started, and leave it at that."

"Hm...I guess you're right..." Victor shrugged, realizing the implications of the plan. "...knowing her...she'd most likely make their lives a living hell...in an amusing way of course,"

Upon realizing what her older brothers were referring to, Lyoko shuddered, clutching both of her arms.

Yeah, she REALLY didn't want to deal with Milly if they used that cover story. Gods above, she could already imagine what the perverted she-devil would do!

She could actually hear the blonde girl cackling evilly, her glowing red eyes prominent from the shadowed portion of her face with devil horns popping from her head.

"So yeah...childhood friends it is, then."

"Is this Milly person really that bad?" Suzaku asked, though his face was still slightly red.

If the looks on the Lamperouge family was any indication, words could not even begin to describe the woman in question.

"You don't want to know, Suzaku." Victor told him with a serious face. "Just... trust me."

From the deathly serious look Victor was giving him, Suzaku knew better than to think otherwise. He would definitely take his word for it.

"Well, Milly being the devil incarnate aside..." Lelouch decided to change the subject. "...even with our story...I know for a fact a lot of the student body won't be willing to accept Suzaku just because he's Japanese, If what happened earlier was of any indication..." Lelouch reminded.

"Hmph!" Lyoko snorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "If anyone even thinks of giving him grief, I'm kicking their ass!"

Victor sighed at this. "Just please, if you do... beat them until their unconscious, and not what to within an inch of their life?"

"Hey! That bastard touched my ass!"

"And you nearly got arrested. If I hadn't been there, you would have been sent to Juvenile hall, young lady."

Suzaku looked at Lelouch, who sighed in exasperation. "It's a long story," he told him and left it at that. "Anyway, I guess we'll see you tomorrow?"

"Definitely." Suzaku smiled. "You know, it's really great... Us meeting together again, like this."

"Likewise...although, I'm not sure if we can handle all this madness..." Lelouch spoke honestly.

"Meow~" from their feet a familiar face mewled.

Suzaku blinked, and looked down at the ground. "Wait, hold on, is that...?" he asked. Lyoko broke away from her intense glare contest with her older brother, and grinned as she picked up the large, white cat.

"Yep! This is Lulu!" she chirped. "He's gotten pretty big in the last seven years, huh?"

"I'll say!" he exclaimed. "Man, with how fat he is, you wouldn't think he was that small kitten we found!"

"Yeah." Victor chuckled. "We finally decided on a name shortly after we enrolled at Ashford."

Lulu meowed, snuggling against Lyoko's chest. Suzaku smiled slightly, as he tried to pet the tub of lard.

Naturally, however, his affinity with cats showed through, as Lulu opened his mouth and-

CHOMP!

"...Ow."

Suzaku pulled away his injured finger and quickly blew on it...trying to ease the pain a little. "I guess he is still not that much of a fan of me." He chuckled.

"Well, you always did have bad luck with cats." Victor pointed out to him before shooting a glare at the cat. "And Lulu, no biting Suzaku, got it?"

"Meow!" the cat growled in response.

"Oh, don't give me that. If you decided to pull this, then no more Kitty Crisps for you."

"Meow..." Lulu seemed to be pouting in response. But he seemed to have understood and nodded once.

The group laughed at that.

All in all, it truly was a great day, being able to reunite with a great friend, one that was irreplaceable.

XXXXXXXXXX

It had been early in the morning when Julius took to the field, Cornelia at his side.

They both had awoken early to complete their current assignment: eliminating the Blood of the Samurai resistance group in Area 11. Using just their Gloucesters, the duo of victory proceeded to storm the main hideout.

To the rebels, it was like seeing two demons, a purple queen wielding a lance that could pierce you straight through, down to your very core, while a blue knight held twin blades that would sever your soul.

The Goddess and her Twin Blades of Victory charged down the mountain, evading the sprays of bullets as if they were not even there to begin with. Cornelia showed disgust at the turrets, leaping into action and bouncing off the mountain side, firing her slash harkens. "Relics of a forgotten age!" The anchors destroyed the turret, and with it, the one controlling it.

Julius stuck to the ground, his movements fluid and graceful, while his blades gleamed in the sunlight. "Forgive me," he said, pushing up his glasses. "But, unfortunately... This is to be your fate for opposing Britannia." With swift motions, every form of opposition in front of him was sliced and diced.

The turrets and tanks quickly fell apart into cleanly cut pieces of scrap metal before being engulfed in fiery explosions. The two paid no mind to the destruction trailing in their wake as they moved into a railway track carved within the side of a mountain.

"Princess, Lord Kresnik," the tactician back at the G-1 Base said through the communication system. "Do you require assistance?"

"With this level of resistence?" Cornelia scoffed. "If I had to use something from Julius' book, it would be that calling in reinforcements against pitiful fool such as these would be the same as overkill."

Julius chuckled. "Overkill is a bit too strong a word, but accurate nonetheless."

The two stopped when they reached the innermost area of the mountain base of the Blood of the Samurai. Several soldiers were already in the process of either retreating or readying themselves for one final stand.

"Surrender now, and lay down your arms!" Julius roared. "If you do not, you know what shall happen!"

As Cornelia had expected, the rebels brought out machine guns and opened fired. "DOWN WITH BRITANNIA!" they roared, though the man knew that they knew it would be for not. For what was a feeble gun compared to a Knightmare?

"Looks like Zero or that bodyguard of his are here." the second princess said as she looked around, finding no trace of either masked men.

"It was to be expected." Julius said, not at all minding that they were still being shot at. If at all anything, he respected what they were doing. If you are going to die, you may as well go down fighting, like a warrior. Little wonder they chose the name 'Samurai'. "Zero, nor Nemo seemed to be the type to side with such a group as this."

"I see. Well then, they shall be crushed like the ants they are!" Cornelia accelerated her Gloucester toward the attacking group. Her golden lance was raised and poised to skewer.

"Well, since these guys are going down fighting..." Julius followed her lead, his blades fully extended and aimed to kill. From win his knightmare, a bright glare was present on his glasses, obscuring his eyes. "...then I would be happy to oblige your request!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Wait, what?" Lelouch narrowed his eyes, keeping his voice low. "Ohgi, are you sure this information is correct?"

"Yeah, positive." Ohgi spoke on the other end, his voice shaken. "The Blood of the Samurai Faction was wiped out. They were easily the biggest resistance cell in Japan, second only to the JLF. Ever since she showed up, Cornelia has been taking down cells left and right."

"Damn it." the revolutionary scowled deeply. "I knew Cornelia wouldn't waste time dealing with any Resistance Cells, but she's nearly wiped out nearly all of them in a single day."

"And according to the rumors...she has her sights on the Yamato alliance next." Ohgi added grimly.

"Yamato alliance...? Wait, isn't that the group you said your friend, Yoshi leads?"

"Yeah. I don't know when she'll attack, but if what I've been hearing is anything, Lelouch... She isn't just going to destroy them, she'll outright slaughter everyone in that ghetto."

Lelouch nearly dropped his cell in horror. Terror washed over him at first, but it was soon replaced with unbridled rage. 'Cornelia... You would go so far as to kill innocent people... Just to lure me and Victor out?!' he clenched the phone in anger.

The Cornelia he knew wouldn't have done such a thing... She was not that sort of person. However, he of all people should know how much time could change a person.

The Cornelia he knew was a strict, yet kind and gentle person. She chose to fight in order to protect her little sister and himself and his own siblings. She even helped tutor victor in knightmare piloting for the sake of it.

Even when Victor became the black knight, she didn't see any of them differently. She was greatly saddened when they were exiled, just like Euphemia.

'And now, look at where she is.' Lelouch grimaced. 'She's become our enemy, and even earned herself a hellish monkier... the Witch of Britannia. It must have something to do with mother's death... Clovis said she might know something about what happened that night. I need to learn what exactly she does know.'

"Give me an update when you know when the attack is to take place." he told him. "Also, tell Yoshi Izumi he has our full support."

"Got it, I'll relay the message."

With that, Lelouch hung up, slipping the phone into his pocket. 'Cornelia won't be like Clovis. Victor has already told me as much. She's a far more superior warrior than him, having battlefield experience. There is also the fact that Julius Kresnik will also be present. The only person I can think of who can match him in a battle is brother, since he trained under him personally.' He bit his lip. 'This will be far from easy.'

Lelouch looked out the window, and found a rather amusing sight, one that was very much needed. It was the sight of his sister, who looked every part of the demon she was when angered, chasing two boys. He could even hear them screaming all the way from up here on the second floor.

"GET BACK HERE YOU ASSHOLES! I'LL TEACH YOU TO MESS WITH ONE OF MY FRIENDS!"

"RUN! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, RUN!"

"WHAT THE HELL DID WE DO?!"

A chuckle escaped his lips. "And this is why they shouldn't try to mess with Suzaku with Lyoko around."

Still...he should really check up on Suzaku, just to make sure he was okay. If Lyoko's rampage was any indication, it must've been pretty upsetting.

He walked through the corridors of the second story building. But he stopped when a sight below caught his eye. He approached the window to get a better look, and it was Suzaku.

The Japanese teen was at one of the outdoor faucets; his sleeves rolled up and busy scrubbing away at a piece of clothing. He pulled it out of the metal bucket to see his progress, allowing Lelouch to scowl after seeing the words spray-painted on it: Go back to your Ghetto!

"I hope she beats the shit out of them." he growled as he trudged down the stairs, tempted to go and chase the bastards down himself, were it not for his weak constitution.

Instead, he met up with Suzaku outside, the boy still scrubbing away furiously. "I see some of the students decided to give you a greeting..."

"Well, it wasn't all that bad." the brown-haired teen said. "But, did they really have to use spray paint? On a white shirt too?"

"How did this even happen?" Lelouch asked, concerned. "They didn't do anything, did they?"

"Oh no, not really. It happened during class. Lyoko caught them by chance, and well..."

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"I think you already know." Suzaku sweatdropped. "I kinda feel sorry for them... That chop is no joke."

"Yeah...no kidding..." Lelouch agreed, subconsciously rubbing his cranium. Hopefully she wouldn't follow Victor's advice to beat them to unconsciousness, but near death instead.

After Lyoko, who was dragging two unconscious students with her, both of which bearing two giant steaming lumps on their heads, the three rejoined class. Everything had proceeded as usual, though at home, things were another story altogether.

XXXXXXXXXX

Victor moved off to the left, avoiding a knife from slashing his face. When another knife came at him, his body ducked, and retaliated by swinging his sledgehammer. Sayoko proved to be as agile as Leila, using the strength of the swing as momentum and leaped away, high into the air before landing back to the ground, quite a ways away from her opponent.

"You've improved, Sayoko." the reborn Kresnik praised, smiling.

The maid smiled, nodding her head. "Thank you, Lord Victor... though you've improved as well."

"Thank you. It's always refreshing to be training like this." Victor smiled warmly as he swung around his sledge hammer and rested the shaft on his shoulder. After regaining his memories, Victor decided to relearn his entire combat style back from his past life.

He was already proficient with dual blades, but he needed a lot more practice with a sledge and dual pistols to get back to the level he was one at before.

"I must admit, I never imagined you would be so skilled with such a... blunt weapon." Sayoko hesitated, unsure of what to actually call her master's weapon of choice. She was a shinobi, a warrior skilled in stealth. Katanas, knives, shuriken, wires, such weapons with a sharp edge were her preferred weapons, and as such, she admired Victor's proficiency with dual blades. She had never seen such an unorthodox style, but its grace, speed, and lethality were truly something.

The sledgehammer was an odd choice. It was powerful, sure, but the speed was dull. It was slow, and was likely to miss. But, it was not her place to question her master's preferred weapon of choice.

"Yeah...I guess it just feels natural to me." Victor mused. "While I may have my dual blades, I'm going to need some variation in my fighting style should the situation be called for it. Using swords may be fast and lethal, but a heavier, blunt weapon, is great for breaking ironclad defenses.

"Ah." the maid nodded in understanding. "Well then, shall we continue?"

"Lets."

Without a moment's hesitation, the two resumed their bout. Sayako moved quickly and threw two kunai daggers. Victor intercepted them by bringing his sledge out in front of him.

With a twirl, the knives were repelled. Sayoko then took the offensive, dashing forward with her knives in hand, ready to strike.

Victor did not move, as his choice of weaponry would not allow him to move away in time. Instead, he stood his ground, his stance vigilant.

When she was within range, Sayoko threw her knives, but did not stop her advance. Instead, Victor moved his upper body, swiftly dodging them before slipping back into his stance, and twirled his sledgehammer around, twisting his body and delivering a quick, swift strike. Sayoko managed to move away, but Victor's improvising was far better than what she gave him credit for. With a quick step, he moved forward, and swung.

The heavier end of the weapon came hurtling right toward the shinobi, who barely had the time to block it. She crossed her knives in front of her as a means of defense, but the weighted attack threw her back instead.

"Hurk!" Sayoko gritted her teeth, her feet skidding across the ground before she swiveled around, almost appearing as if she were skating on solid ground before she tossed her knives again.

Victor still anticipated this. He swung his hammer, but this time, made no move to attack Sayoko. Using the weight of the heavy weapon as momentum, he ducked and spun underneath the flying blades.

'Here goes nothing!' He allowed the power flowing from his pocket watch to flow through him. Flames engulfed the hammer.

"Hammer Toss!" Using the last of his momentum, he landed on his feet and threw the heavy weapon over his shoulder. The sledge spun forward, giving it semblance of a burning wheel.

Sayoko's eyes widened, unable to believe her eyes, and quickly moved back, narrowly avoiding being struck.

However, where one would've expected the hammer to just continue and impact the ground, the sledge spun around in the reverse direct and ended up back in Victor's hands.

'Glad to know I can still use some of these artes...'

"Master Victor..." Sayoko spoke up, dusting off some of the soot she had inadvertently gained from dodging the strike. "What on Earth was that?"

"That was an arte," he informed her.

"An...arte...?" Sayoko tilted her head in confusion. She was unfamiliar with the word...but the feat she saw her master pull off was astounding.

"Hai." Victor nodded. "I can use them by diverting power from my Chromatus."

"You mean the armor you donned before, correct?" Sayoko asked, curious. "Master Lelouch informed me of it. That is... a dangerous power to use."

"I know..." The Black Knight spoke grimly. He was well aware of the consequences, having experienced them first hand for over ten years in his past life. "...But even so...I am not afraid to use this power for them..." His mind focused on his siblings and Suzaku. "They all deserve better lives than what Britannia put them through..."

Sayoko smiled kindly back at him, already knowing what sort of person he was, having worked for him and the Lamperouge family for nearly seven years. Truly, he was nothing at all like any Britannian nobility, or royalty. If at all anything, it was like he wasn't Britannian at all.

She could still hardly believe her ears when she first learned about him, when he had become a figure of well-known infamy throughout the world.

The Black Knight...

That was the title given to one of the Exiled Princes of the Imperial Throne. He was given such an identity for openly talking blasphemy right in front of the Emperor, Charles zi Britannia, and taking down two of his Royal Guard without any difficulty.

His presence had all but upset the world... and in more ways than one.

It established the fact that not everyone...even a crowned prince...agrees with the Empire's...the Emperor's methods. His actions have inspired rebels that even a prince was willing to defy his very country to protect his beliefs. It also induced spite amongst the nobility and most of his siblings for such foolishness.

But Victor cared for none of it. The only thing that mattered to him was the safety and happiness of Lelouch, Lyoko, and Nunnally.

He would do whatever it took to protect their happiness, even if it meant he would have to fight against Britannia by himself. In truth, he wished he didn't have Lelouch take up the mantle of Zero. After witnessing his story in C's world, that boy deserved the chance to live a normal life, the life he was never able to live.

He would be satisfied if it were him in his place alone...Raising the Rebellions, instigating the Revolution...tearing down the ambition of the Emperor and those who stand in his way. He was a demon once before...And for his siblings...he'd be happy to change the world as one again.

XXXXXXXXXX

It had been sometime after school that things had become... hectic... for a lack of better words. Lelouch was sitting in his room, slipping his Zero costume into a suitable case for him to carry around. "Hiding away your costume?" C.C. asked curiously, munching on a cupcake she had stolen from Lyoko earlier today.

"Unlike my Geass, it's physical evidence."

He was making adjustments to said mask, making sure it was in proper working order. He didn't want to risk of it breaking and coming undone at the most inopportune moment. Next to it was Victor's mask. Unlike, Lelouch's, it possessed no mechanisms to come one or off of his face.

"Well, at least your brother has a mask where it's easy to hide." the immortal woman said, looking at the masks. "While he could easily slip it into his pocket, yours is pretty big."

"That's just he preferred it." Lelouch replied. "And unlike Victor, I prefer mine not to be knocked off so easily."

He folded the panels in the back of his mask and placed them inside a metal brief case. He placed Victor's mask right next to it. He didn't notice the feline head popping in the window.

"Lelouch?" Nunnally's voice called out as she appeared in front of the door. "Tea's ready whenever you are."

"Alright."

The girl sniffed the air, caching the familiar scent of tomatoes. "Is Miss C.C. eating Big Brother's cupcakes again?" she giggled. "Big Sister is going to get mad if you keep that up."

"Meh." C.C. shrugged. "Ask me if I care."

Lelouch shot the woman a sharp glare. He disliked the way she talked like that to his sister. "You're just asking to be burned one day, you know that?"

"Been there, done that. It is much worse than what people imagine."

"E-eh?" Nunnally cringed. "You've burned yourself before?"

"It isn't what your thinking, Nunnally." C.C. informed her. "It's a bit... harsher."

Lelouch paled. "Y-you were burned at the stake?" he whispered. "Where the hell were you? Salem?"

"Right during the end of the witch hunt."

Lelouch could only gape at her, unsure if the woman was really serious. Did she really line THAT long?

"Huh? What do you mean Miss C.C.?"

"Nothing you have to concern your pretty little head of yours with."

"Okay...?"

Nunnally held an expression of confusion. None of them even noticed the dark gray cat jumping in through the window, not the large cat strolling through the door.

As Lelouch placed the case on the table, he shot a glare at C.C. "Don't touch anything." he mouthed, and turned to leave with Nunnally. "Same goes for you, Lulu."

"Meow~" the white feline mewled, watching it's master leave the room before it met the eyes of the intruder. The stared at each other before Lulu growled.

The spotted feline hissed in response. Lulu, seeing his territory was compromised, pounced on the intruder. But the dark cat proved to be agile, and leapt out of the way. However, it landed on the metal case that Lelouch was tending to earlier.

"Meow!" Lulu leaped up after it, knocking down the case after the intruder jumped off. The case fell to the ground, the locks popping open and allowing the two masks to fall out. C.C., who had been idly eating away at Lyoko's cupcake, blinked and looked at the sight. The only thing she saw was the case on the ground, open slightly. She also heard what sounded like tussling and tossing around, accompanied by loud hisses.

Then, she saw two gray and white blurs dash right out the door. The witch blinked, unsure of what just happened, but later shrugged it off and resumed eating.

XXXXXXXXXX

"It's rare for us to have moments like these all to ourselves." Victor noted as he set the two cups of tea down in front of his siblings. They nodded in agreement, taking the cups from the plates. "I guess I should thank the boss he gave me a day off."

"Hey, least you're away from school most of the time." Lelouch said with a miffed expression. "I have to deal with your damn fangirls nagging at me all day."

"Heh, sorry about that. I still don't understand they go after you when I'm not around..."

"You two are really popular." Nunnally giggled.

"Yeah, well sometimes I wish we weren't. It gets pretty hard just to avoid them all..."

"No kidding." Victor chuckled. "So, how's Suzaku adjusting?"

"Fairly well, I suppose." his younger brother replied. "Most of the students don't seem to take it kindly that Suzaku is apparently our friend, and anyone that tries to approach him ends up getting blocked by Lyoko."

"Anyone try to hurt him in anyway?"

Not physically, but two guys from our class thought it'd be nice to spray paint an offensive message on his white t-shirt." Lelouch scowled. Victor frowned in ire as well. "Fortunately, Lyoko happened to see them in the act, and traumatized those two for life." He said on a happier note.

"...Did she kill them?"

"Sadly, no... But they both have permanent lumps on their heads, if it's only consolation."

"Well...at least she didn't go as far as last time...as much as the bastard deserved it." Victor shurgged as he recalled the time where a perverted student thought it'd be a great chance to feel up his little sister. Honestly, if Lyoko hadn't beaten him within an inch of his life, he would've given the bastard a punishment worse than death.

No one messes with his siblings.

"Also, I talked with Milly earlier about Suzaku joining the Student Council."

"Really? That's good to hear." Victor nodded; glad that his surrogate brother will be around his siblings' friends and people he could trust.

"Yep...She's already making the arrangements."

"I'm so glad..." Nunnally sighed in relief. "But, will Nina be alright? I mean, after what happened to her..."

Victor cringed upon that subject. Nina had a run-in with some of the more aggressive Japanese back when she had wandered into the ghettos, though they were far from the nicest. In fact, it was these sorts of people that made Elevens out to look like a bunch of savages. What they did to her was... well, it was a scarring time, being sexually assaulted. Thankfully, however, the thugs were stopped before anything truly serious could have happened, but the incident left the poor girl with a phobia of Japanese in general.

When he heard of her trauma, Victor chose to help the poor girl out. While she was slow and reluctant at first, Nina was definitely making progress. The Eldest Lamperouge's counseling sessions proved to be the therapy that she needed to start healing. While she still possessed some phobias, they weren't as severe as what they once were.

Victor taught her that not all Japanese people were bad. His surrogate Suzaku being a prime example of that. In all honesty, he hoped that they would be able to get to know one another soon.

"So..." Leouch sighed, dread present in his voice. "What are the odds of Milly throwing another one of her crazy parties?"

"In all honesty?" Victor chuckled, about to answer when he suddenly froze, his smile practically twitching. Lelouch frowned upon seenig his brother's frozen. "Victor?" he asked worriedly, following his line of sight. "Is something-"

Then he saw it.

Two cats were walking out of the clubhouse, one being an unfamiliar one, and the other being Lulu... both of them wearing the masks of Zero and Nemo.

"B...Bwuah?!" Lelouch, unlike his brother, shot up in alarm. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Or was he facing reality right now?!

"Huh? Is something the matter Lelouch?" Nunnally asked, oblivious to the horrific sight.

"Meow~" Lulu mewled upon seeing his masters together.

"L-LULU!" Victor screamed. Instantly, both Lulu and the stray cat took off, frightened by the shot. "GET BACK HERE!"

"Son of a bitch!" Lelouch cursed, bolting off with his brother. "Get back here you stupid cats!"

Nunnally would have blinked if she could see, staring at the door with confusion. "...What just happened?"

XXXXXXXXXXX

"That wasn't my fault, was it?" C.C. asked, staring out the window as she watched the two male Lamperouge siblings chase after the cats. "I didn't touch or rub anything."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Dammit! How the hell could this happen?!" Victor shouted as he broke into a full sprint. Lelouch was behind him...albeit at a slower pace as he was not as athletically capable.

"Our identities...discovered...by a couple of...prissy felines...?!" Lelouch gasped as he ran. Victor mentally made a memo to get his brother to exercise more. They barely ran for more than a block's worth.

"Tch, if only we had reinforcements...!" the elder Lamperouge growled. "So long as they aren't Milly!"

"I'll give... Kallen... a call..." his brother wheezed, taking out his cell phone.

"You do that. I'll go on ahead!" With a curt nod fom Lelouch, Victor sped up to catch the two cats. He gave the felines credit; they were much faster than he thought, Lulu especially.

Lelouch immediately collapsed to the floor and dialed the selected number on his cell, waiting for the caller to pick up.

XXXXXXXXXX

The Red head in question was just on her lunch break, enjoying the peace and quiet of being alone as her 'friends' were getting their lunches.

"Things have been quiet for the most part..." she muttered to herself. "Though, with Cornelia taking out Resistance cells left and right, it's only a matter of time before... Hm?" She paused as she felt something vibrate next to her. Looking down, she saw that it was her cell phone. "Lelouch?" she frowned. "Why is he calling me now?"

Curious, and anxious as well, she picked up the cell, and placed it against her ear. "Hello? Lelouch?"

"A-ah, Kallen!" the voice of Zero said on the other line, panting heavily. "W-we've... we've got a problem!"

"What? What's going on?" She put down her lunch, her senses now on full alert. "What kind of a problem is it?"

"One that could... compromise our secret identities!" Lelouch panted with urgency.

"Wait, what?!"

"Two damned cats... stole mine and... Victor's masks...!" he told her. "They're... running around... the campus!"

"WHAT?!" Kallen screeched. "How-what-why-HOW THE HELL DO TWO CATS GET THE MASKS OF THE WORLDS MOST WANTED TERRORISTS?!"

"Hell if I know...And what's worse...One of the cats...is Lulu!"

"Wait, your own cat sold you out?!"

"L-look, just... just help us find it, okay?!"

She didn't need to be told twice.

She quickly packed up her things and rushed back to the school, keeping a keen eye out for the runaway felines. She still wondered how a pair of cats was able to obtain her friends' masks. She thought they would've kept them in a safe place.

'Never mind that!' she shook her head, running full power around the school. 'I've got to find those cats before anyone else does!'

XXXXXXXXXX

"A cat?"

A couple of girls in the hall were gossiping about Lyoko and Suzaku when a dark gray cat with a helmet like mask walk past them. They immediately recognized what it was wearing. "Wait, isn't that the mask Zero wears?" The cat immediately ran away, and lelouch appeared soon after. He noticed the girls looking in the direction the feline left.

"Ah crap, did you two just see that cat just now?!" he asked them.

"Uh, yeah..." The first answered hesitantly.

Lelouch's left eye now bore the red avian symbol of geass. "Then do me a favor and forget everything that you have just seen within these past few minutes."

The Geass sigil danced out of his eyes, flying straight into their irises. Immediately, the command took place once the nerve system bended to his will, signified by the red rings in the girls' eyes. "Yea, sure, no problem." the girls answered in unison.

Lelouch then resumed his chase. 'Crap, if anyone sees that mask, I'll have to use Geass on them!' he scowled. 'I've geassed a total of twelve people to test it's durability and what sorts of commands I can give that can be carried out! If anyone one of those people has seen that cat, my Geass is useless!'

"Lady luck, don't fail me now!"

XXXXXXXXXX

Milly raised an eyebrow. "Two cats stole something of your brothers?"

Milly along with the rest of the Student Council were with Nunnally, whom they were just visiting for lunch. The young girl explained to them what happened earlier.

"Yes. They both seemed really upset about it..."

"Hm, what do you think it could be?" Rivalz asked. "If it caused the both of them to react like that, it's got to be something BIG. Hrm... A diary, do you think?"

"An embarrassing photo?" Milly offered.

"Poetry?" Nina guessed.

Nunnally tilted her head. "Poetry?" That really didn't sound like something either of her brothers would do. In fact, it sounded more like something Lyoko would do.

The perverted she-devil turned to Lyoko, who looked to be deep in thought. "Got any ideas on what they might have stolen, Koko?" she asked.

The girl in question tilted her head in thought. "Hm...Nope. Nothing really comes to mind." She knew most of her brothers' hobbies, and none of them were THAT embarrassing or secretive. Maybe it was something that they were hiding from her?

"So it's sort of like a mystery item then..."

Lyoko suddenly worried about her brothers when a familiar smirk formed on Milly's face. "Don't you worry a thing, Nunna!" she declared, giving the girl a thumbs up, even if she couldn't see it. "We'll catch those cats before they can!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Found you, you damn cat!" Lelouch snapped angrily, leaping after the cat that had his mask. It jumped away at the last second, leaving Lelouch to fall straight into a bush. "Gah, damn!"

He pulled himself up from the shrubbery, having more than a few leaves and twigs in his hair and uniform. "Just how can things get any worse?!"

As if his sarcastic remark was answered, the PA speakers blared to life.

"Attention Students..." Lelouch paled when he heard Milly's voice through the speakers.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Cat hunt everybody!"

Victor's face lost all of its color, stopping momentarily. "Oh no..."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing...especially when the one who's announcing it is MILLY of all people!

Just how the hell did things go from bad to worse?!

XXXXXXXXXX

Suzaku frowned, looking out the window as he was packing up his stuff for the day. "Cat hunt?

XXXXXXXXXX

"There's two furry four-legged furballs that need to be rounded up!" the blonde announced. Kallen stopped as well, wondering if Milly knew what they were carrying. "One of them happens to be our darling Lelouch's pet cat, Lulu! Whoever catches those two kitties will get an extra special prize: a kiss from a member of the student council!"

In that one instant, Kallen's entire face went red. "W-wait, from the student council?! T-that includes ME?!"

XXXXXXXXXX

Shirley spluttered, unable to believe what she had just heard and felt her body lose its balance, dipping over the edge of the diving board and falling straight into the water.

XXXXXXXXXX

Lyoko's eyes widened, her jaw slack. "W-what?!" she screamed in outrage. "M-Milly, you can't be serious!"

"Hoho, but I am, Koko." Milly grinned back. "Besides, who knows? Maybe Suzaku will catch one of the cats, and will ask you for a kiss~"

Suddenly, Lyoko's mind came to a halt. Her mind went into what her brothers called 'over imagination mode', as she saw her and Suzaku leaning forward, hands on each other's shoulders, staring lovingly into each others eyes. Their lips were only inches away...

"K-KYAAAAAA!"

Her face was burning red from the romantic and stimulating thoughts. Her hands were used to cover her own reddening cheeks.

"Geez, do you really have to tease the girl like that Milly?" Rivalz questioned her. Nina looked at her raven haired friend in concern.

"Hmhmhmhm...If it will get her closer to admitting her true feelings for him~" The blonde she-devil's grin resembled that of the Chesire Cat.

"You are evil, do you know that?" Rivalz dead panned. 'I kind of feel sorry for you guys...'

XXXXXXXXXX

"Dammit all, Milly!" Lelouch cursed. "Why did you have to go and make things so complicated?!"

As he cursed the devil incarnate, he continued his search for both Lulu and the other cat. But due to Millys unwanted interference, now the entire student body is on the search for the felines.

"That's it...! When we catch Lulu...we're putting him on a strict diet!" He swore punishment upon the rebellious cat.

XXXXXXXXXX

Elsewhere, the cat in question suddenly felt all of it's fur stand on end, knowing he had just angered his master. "Meow..." it mewled sadly before noticing someone coming up from behind. It turned around, its blue eyes staring at them before meowing again. "Meow~"

XXXXXXXXXX

Kallen repressed a scowl. 'Dammit, why did I have to choose the sickly persona of all things?!' she screamed at herself as she had to momentarily stop her sprint as she passed a few classmates, not wanting to blow her cover. 'And seriously?! How hard can it be to find a fat tub of lard like Lulu?!'

"Kallen?!" A familiar voice exclaimed, snapping her out of her thoughts. She stopped as the noticed the girl in front of her.

"Shirley...? Wait, what are wearing?!" Kallen questioned, just noticing that she was just wearing the blue school swimsuit.

"I didn't have time to change!" the girl replied, panic clear on her face. "They're gonna make us kiss someone!"

"Like hell they are!" the red-head said fiercely. "C'mon! We've gotta catch those two cats, and pronto!"

"Y-yeah! You're right!" She nodded, but still seemed embarrased by her current attire. Seeing this, Kallen took off her blazer and held it out to her.

"Here, this will keep you covered."

"Thanks..."

The girl smiled. "Hey, no problem."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Yeesh, everybody's worked up." Rivalz noted as he saw several people, mostly the agricultural club, the equestrian club, and fanboys looking for the cats. Of course, there was a vast majority of females looking around as well... all of which being the male Lamperouge siblings' fangirls.

"Yep...Everyone sure is motivated." Milly grinned as she rode in the side car.

"So, let me get this straight..." the blue-haired teen faced the blonde object of his affections, slipping on his gloves and strapping on his helmet. "Anyone who catches the cats gets a kiss from someone on the council, right? ...Does that include other Student Council members too?"

"Of course!"

That was all the motivation Rivalz needed, and with a grin, he slapped on his goggles. "Alrighty!"

"It's now my time to shine!" Rivalz revved the handles of his motorcycle, and soon they were shooting across the school yard.

"Hey!" A teacher called out. "No speeding across campus!"

XXXXXXXXXX

Lelouch had never run so much in all of his life. Personally, he wished he didn't have to. run at all, but given the situation, he really didn't have much choice. "Gah... Remind me to ask Victor..." he panted as he ran into the courtyard near the belltower. "To get this twig body... a little more buff...!"

"Lelouch?"

Said prince looked up, seeing Suzaku running up to him. "Su-Suzaku...?" he gasped for air, taking a moment to stop and rest, sweat pouring down his face. "Don't tell me... you're after those damned cats too...!"

He really hoped Suzaku wasn't actually trying to look for them. He didn't even want to think about what would happen if Suzaku learned that they were really the same people who saved him from being killed!

"Well...yeah. It seemed fun. So why not?" Suzaku shrugged, completely unaware of his best friend's current panic.

'Dammit! Just what the hell is with everything getting worse!?'

"Meeeeooooow!"

The two suddenly turned upwards, hearing the echoing of the cat they were chasing. "It's all the way..." Lelouch paled. "Up there...?!"

'Damned cat...!' he growled inwardly. 'When I get my hands on that mangy furball, I'm gonna-!'

"Wait here!" Suzaku told his best friend as he ran inside, already running up the staircase. Immediately, Lelouch's panic skyrocketed, and chased after him. Dammit, if Suzaku found out who he really was, then he would figure out that Victor was Nemo in a heartbeat too! All because of a damned furball!

"S-Suzaku, wait!"

"But the President said to-"

"Nevermind that! She's delirious! Don't mind her! I mean, this whole thing is ridiculous, right?" Lelouch tried to reason.

"Don't worry, it's fine."

"B-But…!"

Lelouch continued to try and chase after Suzaku, but he was steadily losing pace. "Just leave it to me!" Suzaku tried to assure him. "Besides, I've always been better at sports, remember?!"

"Quit talking ancient history!"

"Seven years ago doesn't count as ancient history!"

Eventually, Suzaku had all but left him in the dust. Lelouch gasped for air, stopping for a moment. "Dammit..." he cursed. "He always was... an exorcise nut...!"

However, he couldn't risk just standing there to catch his breath. If Suzaku caught that cat first, everything would be ruined. And their secrets would be revealed. Mustering up nonexistent energy, Lelouch hurried up the stairs. His body was screaming to stop, his legs feeling like jelly.

"Why...did I ever skip...P.E.?"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Argh, dammit all...!" Victor huffed as he took a minute to stop, looking around. He was behind the school's gymnasium, having searched for Lulu all over the damned place. "Where the hell is that little...?"

"Meow~"

The elder Lamperouge blinked, hearing the familiar mewl. He looked off to the side, and to his surprise, he found Lyoko walking out from the corner, holding Lulu in her arms. "Lyoko?" he said in surprise. "What are you..."

He trailed off when he saw her face, and noticed that his mask was no longer on the white tub of lard's furry mug. Lyoko had a downcasted face, a look of sadness reflected in their family's violet purple eyes.

"Lyoko...?"

"...I found Lulu for you guys..." She spoke softly. Victor winced at the sorrowful and hurt tone in her voice. "...As well as this..." She reached into her pocket and held out the item that made the male's heart drop.

It was his Nemo mask.

"Lyoko I...I can explain...!"

"Brother..." Lyoko stopped him, looking straight into her older brother's eyes. It was a look of hurt, of betrayal... and of sadness. "Why... why didn't you tell me...?"

"I...I..." Victor's composure was breaking. He really didn't want his sisters to know about his and Lelouch's Revolutionary personas. If they did, then their lives would've been in great danger. He couldn't let that happen...Not to them... "...I couldn't..."

"Why not?!" She shouted at him, her voice cracking from the emotion in it.

"...We didn't want you to get involved..."

Lyoko did no miss the 'we'. She bit her lower lip, tears threatening to fall from her face. "So... Lelouch is Zero, huh?" she muttered weakly. "Why... Why do you two...?"

It hurt him the way he saw her cry, clutching a confused Lulu tightly. "Why do you two... always have to put yourselves in danger... just for us...?"

"...We are your big brothers..." Victor spoke with honesty and conviction. "...It's our job to protect you two..."

"But none of that's worth it if we lose you two!" Lyoko shouted out, startling both Victor and Lulu. But the former remained silent while the latter did not run away.

"You already helped us so much..." the girl sobbed. "Big brother always goes out gambling against those nobles, and you're... you're always cooking for us... I don't care about Britannia, or that we might have to go back to Pendragon... I want us all to stay together...!"

Victor said nothing. The only thing he could do was gently wrap his arms around her, his chin sitting atop her ivory head. "I'm sorry we're such difficult brothers..." he told her, his tone gentle and soft. It was the same tone he had always used with Elle... the Elle he had been with in the beginning. "But... it's our job as older brothers to protect our younger siblings."

"but..." Lyoko sobbed louder against his chest. "But...!"

"Lyoko." he stopped her there. "I made a promise to myself, that no matter what happens, I would protect you all... I don't care what I have to do. If I ever have to fight Cornelia, or even Schneizel, or even Charles, then so be it... I'll risk everything to protect you guys."

"B-Big Brother..."

"I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family... I'll destroy the world if I have to."

Lyoko was taken back by the tone of his voice when he said it. She knew immediately he was serious. Deadly serious. If she had been looking at his face, she would've seen the lethal, grim expression he had on.

Her mind flashed back to her dreams of Ludger, as she recalled that in them...he had to do the same thing...

"Big... Brother..."

Lyoko allowed herself to be lost in his warmth, while Lulu mewled in comfort, being pressed against two of it's masters. For a while, the only thing that could be heard was Lyoko's cries, saddened that her family had lost the normal lives they once led, all to protect the lives of their precious little sisters.

XXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, back at the bell tower, a large number of students had gathered up at the front entrance, having learned that a few students had managed to corner one of the pesky cats. "So, someone's got it?!" Milly asked excitedly as she ran up to her friends and colleagues in Student Council. "Who's the lucky winner?!"

"Here, take a look!" pulling out a pair of binoculars out of nowhere, Rivalz gave them to Milly after seeing the victor for himself.

The blonde accepted them and looked through them. "Wait...that's!"

Up on the roof was none other than the new student, Suzaku Kururugi. Slowly, but surely, he was climbing up the tiles at a steady pace. "Easy there..." he said gently. The cat in question was sitting at the base, its head obscured underneath the bell. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Milly whistled. "Aha, so it's the new student!" she grinned a familiar grin. "Looks like Koko's gonna get that steamy kiss after all~"

To the group's surprise, another person showed themselves, their upper bodies sticking out from the window. "Suzaku!"

"Don't worry, Lelouch!" the Japanese teen called back. "I got this!"

The violet-eyed revolutionary scowled as he began to crawl up towards his friend. "Dammit, what the hell... He never went along with the crowd!"

He kept cursing the fact that Suzaku didn't seem to listen what Lelouch says as he just continued to approach the cat. This was bad...not only Suzaku...but the entire student body is present. If Suzaku saw that mask...then everyone would know!

He had to think of something, before it was too late.

Lelouch hastily climbed up the tiled roof, but unfortunately, his haste was what led to him nearly losing his grasp. One of his hands lost their grip on the tiles, and his body began to roll back. "Waaah!" he cried out, his form sliding down the roof. The crowd of students gasped, some looking away in horror.

Suzaku immediately looked back, and his eyes widened. "Lelouch!" Without even losing speed, Suzaku allowed his body to slide down the tiles, reaching the edge just in time. Quickly, his arm snaked forward, and grabbed a hold of Lelouch's sleeve. "Gotcha!"

"S-Suzaku..." Lelouch hung there, trying to take in what just happened. Suzaku just saved his life...If he hadn't reached him in time, he would've fallen great heights to the cold, hard ground. He was grateful to his friend. At that moment, the cat that stole Lelouch's Mask moved out from under the bell that it was hiding under. However, as it did so, the mask it wore slipped off its head, allowing it to fall down the other side of the roof before being caught on a antenna. No one seemed to have noticed that.

The violet eyes teen sighed in relief, just dodging a bullet.

"Hang on, I pull you up." Suzaku pulled Lelouch's arm up. It was an easy task, given that he had little to no muscle mass. Lelouch used his free arm to grab the edge of the roof and helped with the task. Soon, both friends were back on the roof, out of harms way.

"Man..." the brown-haired youth cracked a slight smile, as if he hadn't just saved his friend from dying. "You're as calm as a cucumber, aren't you?"

"No way..." Lelouch replied back shakily. "I was limp with fear!"

The two shared a laugh, an act that did not go unnoticed by the students. It seemed that, finally, the realized that their story was true: they truly were childhood friends.

It was around as Lelouch and Suzaku were doing the finishing touches that Lyoko, carrying Lulu, and Victor, came around. "What happened?" the girl asked. "Did someone catch the other cat?"

"Yeah." Rivalz answered. "It was Suzaku and Lelouch."

At this, Victor and Lyoko froze. Suzaku?! Then...did he find out?! However, once Victor saw the gray cat in the Japanese teen's hands, he was relieved to see that it wasn't the case. The cat had no mask on, and Lelouch did not seem to be panicking.

"Huh..." Suzaku said, getting a better look at the cat. "I think this is the same from the other day."

"Other day?" Lelouch frowned. His friend nodded. "Yeah. While I was showing your sister around the Settlement, we came across this cat."

"Is that so...?"

Once the two came out of the building, Milly saw that neither had anything on them, sans the cat in Suzaku's arms. The blonde she-devil pouted. "Oh, drat... and here I thought I finally had something on you two!"

Victor glared at her, vastly annoyed. "So THAT was what this was about." he muttered, shaking his head. "Unfortunately for you, some secrets are better left unsaid."

"Well, whatever..." the woman shook her head before turning to Suzaku. "By the way... You're name is Suzaku Kururugi, right?"

"Huh? Y-yes. That's right." Suzaku nodded. He was unsure why he was called out. DId he do someting wrong?

But contrary to his worry, the girl smiled and extended a hand. "My name is Milly Ashford, Student Council President. Would you like to join?"

Instantly, everyone around them fell into stunned silence. Suzaku's eyes widened, his jaw hanging open while Lyoko could hardly believe her own ears. "P-President?!"

"W-why me, if you don't mind me asking...?" the Japanese youth asked, confused as to why she would want to recruitment.

He soon understood why when he saw the grin on Lelouch's face.

"Lelouch recommended you. He said you were quite capable. Of course, the decision is up to you... Although, you ARE aware that you're required to join at least one club to complete your stay here, right?"

"I-I am...?" Suzaku was uncertain. He wasn't sure if he was cut out for something like Student Council. However, his doubts were dashed when Victor slapped him reassuringly on the back.

"I for one think it's a good idea. After all, someone's gotta push my little brother to start exercising. And who better than his best friend?"

"Ain't that the truth?" Rivalz cracked a grin as he joined in, hopping to Suzaku's side. "Alright, time for a party to celebrate a new member! Of course, the new guy is paying!"

"Oh, back off Rivalz!" Shirley snapped at him before smiling and bowing her head to Suzaku. "My name's Shirley!"

"The name's Rivalz! Nice to meet ya, new guy!"

"I-I'm...N-Nina..." Nina stuttered anxiously. A part of her was still hesitant about Suzaku, but she was willing to get to know him.

"My name is Kallen." Kallen smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Suzaku."

The boy smiled back at all of them. "...It's nice to meet all of you."

"Yosh!" Milly grinned. "Well, since that's out of the way... I do believe it's time for your rewards for catching the cats!"

Instantly, Lelouch, Victor, and Lyoko paled. 'Oh boy...'

"Our winners are Suzaku Kururugi, Lelouch Lamperouge, and Lyoko Lamperouge! Now then... who will be the lucky people you'll kiss?"

Suzaku's eyes widened in disbelief, nearly dropping the gray cat. "W-w-what?!"

"Ara? Didn't hear the reward for catching the cat? Whoever catches the cats gets to kiss someone on the student Council~"

"E-Eh...?!" Suzaku was still shocked. A Kiss?! What kind of person makes a prize like that?! He then turned to Lyoko, who had a face just as red as his.

"Dammit Milly! Why the hell do you have to make prizes like this?!" Lelouch face palmed.

"Well, come on, who's gonna kiss who?" the devil inquired, leaning forward with her ever-lecherous grin. "Will it be Kallen, or Shirley?"

"Wh-what?!" Kallen sputtered. That damned she-devil! She just put her on the spot like that!

"M-Milly...!" Shirley cried. She did have a crush on Lelouch...but she never imagined her first kiss would be like this! She wasn't even properly dressed as she was still wearing her swimsuit and Kallen's blazer.

"And I think I can already guess who Suzaku or Lyoko will kiss..." Milly ignored them, still grinning as she turned to the two in question. Both of their faces flushed bright red, and when they looked at each other, they immediately turned away, even redder than before.

Lelouch sighed. "Will those two hurry up and kiss each other already?" he muttered. "This is getting old real quick."

"Or..." Suddenly, Milly's grin increased. "Perhaps, one of the boys would like to volunteer?"

Lyoko's eyes shot wide open in horror, as suddenly every male around them brightened with looks of anticipation. Before any of them got a chance to shout, Lyoko screamed at the top of her lungs. "I-I'VE MADE MY DECISION!"

Gods, she knew she was gonna regret shouting this. If she knew Milly, and she really did know that she-devil, then she would hang this over her head for the rest of her life! "I-I choose Suzaku!"

"Eh?!" Suzaku exclaimed in surprise. He had mized feelings about this. On one hand...he would be kissing Lyoko. On the other hand...it would be under awkward circumstances.

POP!

Out of nowhere, confetti fell down all around them. The source of it: Victor with a party favor.

"About damn time!"

"B-Big brother!" Lyoko cried, even more embarrassed by the fact he's celebrating this!

"V-Victor-niisan...!" Suzaku was just as embarrassed.

"Wait, hold on!" Victor pulled out a video camera. "I have to document this memory."

"W-what?!"

Lyoko was now mortified. Was her older brother seriously about to tape she and Suzaku kissing?! 'More importantly, where did he get that camera?!'

"Well, what the hell are you two waiting for?" Lelouch asked them, his arms crossed against his chest. "Hurry it up! We don't have all day, lovebirds!"

"J-just give me a second, stupid brother!" Lyoko snapped, her face completely red. Suzaku could have sworn he saw steam pouring out of her head as well.

"I-I'm... r-really sorry about this, K-Koko..."

"D-don't be..." she told him. "L-let's just... get this over with."

The Japanese youth nodded, and the two leaned in. From the positioning, it seemed like Lyoko was going to give him a kiss on the cheek. 'Jeez,' the youngest male sibling sighed mentally. 'Do I have to do everything?' Taking a page from Milly's book, Lelouch placed a foot in front of Suzaku.

The action caused the boy to stumble slightly.

"W-whoa-Mmph!" That slight trip up was enough for Lyoko to miss her intended mark. Instead of his cheek, she ended up kissing Suzaku...straight on the lips...

Both teens were surprised by the sudden development. But they stood still, feeling each other's close contact.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

The sound of thousands of schoolgirls squealing could be heard all over Area 11, while many of the members of the Lyoko 4RVR fanclub wept anime tears, glaring at the lucky bastard named Suzaku Kururugi. Victor grinned madly, while Nunnally, who had arrived in time to hear Lyoko's announcement, smiled in joy.

Lelouch simply took a photo with his phone. "Mou, that was unfair, Lelouch..." Milly pouted. "I was just about to do the same thing, then you stepped in."

"Sadly, Milly..." he smiled back at her. "I'm the only one who can get away what I just did. Want to know why?"

"Why?"

"Because I'm her older brother, that's why."

"Hmhm...touché..." Milly pouted. Even thought there would've been consequences, she still wanted to do that.

Even now...the couple still hasn't separated.

When they finally did, their faces were completely red, and they were utterly silent, staring at one another.

Nunnally clasped her hands in joy. "Congratulations, you two!" she said with the brightest smile on her face. "Does this mean Suzaku's going to be our brother-in-law?!"

"N-Nunna! Not you too!" Lyoko cried. Even her little sister was now in on this!

"What?" Lelouch shrugged. "You two do make a cute couple." He looked at Victor. "Right?"

The young man nodded. "Yep. Although..." He walked up to Suzaku, and gently grabbed his shoulder.

Then, Suzaku's face paled, going almost as white as a sheet. Just like with Lelouch, a dark entity was behind him, except this one had a defining feature: it was carrying a scythe.

"If you do anything to break my precious sister's heart... I'll kill you." victor smiled. "Okay~?"

"H-HAI!"

"BROTHER!"

Everyone couldn't help but burst out laughing. One that was certain: Suzaku knew that there was something even scarier than even Nemo in that armor.

And that were overprotective older brothers.

XXXXXXXXXX

All students from Ashford Academy had gathered in the auditorium. Even the teachers were present, and lined up at the podium. The national broadcast system was online, revealing an image from what appeared to be from Pendragon.

The Lamperouge siblings didn't need to know what this was about.

It was about Clovis's assassination and the appearance of Nemo and Zero. They knew something like this would happen sooner or later, given the stunt they pulled in rescuing Suzaku.

But they didn't care. They would do anything to see those they cherish to remain safe. They would rip apart anybody that stands in way of that.

"And now, a message from his royal majesty, the Emperor, Charles zi Britannia!" the newscaster spoke. On the screen, a giant figure strolled into the hall, walking towards the podium. Behind him was a giant artwork of Clovis, and below that, a row of flowers dedicated to his memorial.

This was Suzaku's first time seeing the man, and he couldn't help but gape. 'That man is enormous!'

Charles zi Britannia was a man of great stature. He possessed a tall, broad frame that represented his pride and might as the Emperor of Britannia. All the other students looked up to him in reverence.

However, in the Lamperouge siblings' case, they were filled with nothing but burning resentment and hatred. Lyoko was gritting her teeth in anger. Lelouch was glaring with the intensity of death.

But for Victor...it was taking every ounce of self control he had not to jump up on stage at that very moment and rend him to pieces.

At least, that was what he would liked to have done, were it not for the fact that it was a broadcast from Pendragon. With him standing in front of the camera, he gripped the podium tightly, and glared right back at everyone that was watching... at every Britannian who stood watching.

"ALL MEN... ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL."

His voice was like the booming thunder, a roar that spoke volumes of his power.

"SOME ARE BORN SWIFTER AFOOT, SOME ARE BORN WITH GREATER BEAUTY! SOME ARE BORN SICK AND FEEBLE, OTHERS BORN INTO POVERTY!"

Suzaku felt his hands coil into fists, glaring at the screen.

"IN SHEER SCOPE OF ABILITY, EVERY HUMAN IS INHERENTLY DIFFERENT! YES! THAT IS WHY PEOPLE DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, WHICH IS WHY THERE IS STRUGGLE, COMPETITION AND THE UNFALTERING MARCH OF PROGRESS! INEQUALITY IS NOT WRONG!"

Lyoko felt her slim body tremble in anger.

"EQUALITY IS!"

Nunnally's body, which was hearing the broadcast via radio, shaked like a leaf, her hand gripping Sayoko's fear dear life.

"WHAT OF THE EU, WHICH MADE EQUALITY A RIGHT? RABBLE POLITICS AS A POPULARITY CONTEST! WHAT OF THE CHINESE FEDERATION, WITH IT'S EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH? A NATION OF LAZY DULLARDS!" Charles zi Britannia thrusted his fist into the air, his face set into the mask of an iron giant. "BUT NOT OUR BELOVED BRITANNIA! WE FIGHT! WE COMPETE! EVOLUTION IS CONTINUOUS!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Evolution..." Lloyd mused, a strange smile on his face as he listened to the progress from the ASEEC trailer.

XXXXXXXXXX

"BRITANNIA ALONE MOVES FORWARD, ADVANCING STEADILY INTO THE FUTURE!"

Jeremiah gritted his teeth in anger, his fists curled tightly. Villetta noticed this action, and looked on in worry. 'He must be thinking about the vi Britannia family...' she thought. 'It's understandable why he would feel this way... against the man who sent his own children to a future warzone.'

XXXXXXXXXX

"EVEN THE DEATH OF MY SON, CLOVIS, DEMONSTRATES BRITANNIA'S UNSWERVING COMMITMENT TO PROGRESS!"

Euphemia looked down at the ground sadly while Cornelia remained passive, recalling the times of peace she once had with her family, including the vi Britannia family.

XXXXXXXXXX

"WE WILL FIGHT ON! WE SHALL STRUGGLE! WE SHALL PLUNDER! WE SHALL DOMINATE!"

Victor snarled fiercely, swirling on his feet as he left the living room, his body barely containing his overwhelming anger.

"AND IN THE END, THE FUTURE SHALL BE OURS!"

In unison, every self-respecting Britannian thrusted their fist into the air alongside their ruler, and screamed:

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

'Charles zi Britannia...' Lelouch thought as he continued to glare at the man who he used to call father. '...Your mere existence, as well as the existence of Britannia has ruined countless lives. You abandoned Nunnally and Lyoko, and refused to pay respect to Mother...You also made SUzaku suffer by taking the war against Japan!...I won't let you do as you please any longer...!...That's why...'

XXXXXXXXXXX

"I won't allow him to continue his plans..." Victor muttered as he looked at his pocket watch. "...He and Marianne...they are nothing but self-righteous bastards who threw their own children away for the sake of their plan! I won't allow that to happen. I will protect Lelouch, Lyoko, Suzaku, Nunnally, Euphie, Shirley, all of them...! That is why..."

XXXXXXXXXX

"...Victor and I..."

XXXXXXXXXX

"...Lelouch and I..."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Will destroy that bastard's world!"

And so began to drums of war.

WELCOME TO THE REBELLION

To Be Continued...

Preview:

"Julius... The last time we met was back in my world..."

"You may be a Goddess of Victory, Cornelia, but even a god can fall."

"The trial is cruel... unbearably cruel. And people are weak, Victor. Weak enough to ruin us all."

"So then, Victor, you take your stand against Britannia... It's a shame. I had hoped that, when we met again, you, Euphie and I would be able to sit down and drink some tea, just like the old days."

"You will come to understand... this is our CURSE!"

Next Time: Kresnik