Author's Note: Happy birthday to my fanfic! Last month, my story turned a year old… Not even kidding. June 8th, 2010 is when I began writing this. I'm really slow at updates -_-;

Now, I have to tell you I'm sorry I haven't updated this since April. I honestly don't think this chapter compares to the last one (because the last one had mech-battles… I mean, who doesn't like mech-battles?), but I hope it does the trick! Enjoy, and keep leaving reviews ;D Your reviews are very inspiring to continue this story!

~Chapter Seven: Fate~

"I've secured the target and I'm on my way…" a low, female voice said over the cell phone Ohgi was holding to his ear. He approached Zero, who was leaning against his Knightmare as he waited.

"Zero," Ohgi began. "C.C. has Suzaku and is on her way now."

"Good, good… I'm tired of waiting," Zero replied. Ohgi then put his phone back to his ear and walked away.

Zero went back to his thoughts. He had been thinking about Nunnally. He remembered when he spoke to Nunnally over the phone before he killed Rolo. He wondered if Nunnally knew a reason behind her being taken from him. What did they do to her? Does she know about our brother Rolo? Doesn't she find it even a little bit weird that she's not able to see me anymore?

Zero walked towards Nunnally. "Viceroy," he said in an intimidating voice. "You spoke of your brother earlier…"

"What about him?" Nunnally asked.

"When you say 'your brother,' which of the Britannian princes are you referring to, exactly?" Even though he knew exactly who she had spoken of, he wanted to find out if she knew anything about their separation.

"Why should I tell a terrorist something like that? You would probably end up murdering him as you did to my other siblings…"

"I only kill those who stand in my way, Viceroy."

"Then why haven't you killed me yet? Is it because you're not as evil as you're made out to be? Is that it?"

"You pose no threat to me…" It was still hard for Lelouch to speak to his sister so sternly. "Viceroy Nunnally, do you actually know why I killed your brother Clovis so long ago?"

Nunnally paused for a moment, then said, "I would guess it was because he was a threat to the Black Knights…"

"You're right but at the same time wrong. It's true he posed as a threat, but to be honest with you, it was actually because…" Zero stopped and thought to himself. Should I really be telling her this? Should Nunnally really know the truth about Clovis?

"It was because…?" Nunnally spoke.

"That day in Shinjuku I was there as a normal man. I witnessed the military slaughter innocent Japanese. When the military attempted to kill me, a fellow Britannian, knowing I meant no harm against them at the time, I took on the persona called Zero… I escaped my own death and took command over the Black Knights, who had come in response to the military's attack. If it wasn't for me, every last one of the Japanese would have been eradicated." Zero stopped again. Damn it! Just stop telling her this! If I continue telling her the truth, I might end up harming her!

"Zero," Nunnally finally spoke up after patiently listening to the story. "If you speak the truth… about Clovis, about Shinjuku, and even about Suzaku… I'll allow you to leave with this prisoner… But know that as long as you continue to kill my people, you and I will remain enemies. So, until we can come to a peaceful solution: I will have you killed on sight next time we meet…"

Under his mask, Lelouch's eyes widened. I've only heard Nunnally speak like this once. Back when she attempted to fire the Freya cannon, she acted just like this. She… really hates me… I'm sorry, Nunnally. I'll make this all up to you one day, I promise.

"I accept this agreement. You will never meet with me face to face again, Viceroy…" Zero finished the conversation.

Moments later, a Knightmare entered. C.C. climbed out of the cockpit and behind her followed Suzaku.

"Nunnally…" The Viceroy heard a familiar voice and she began to cry.

"Suzaku! It can't be true! Please… tell me you haven't joined the Black Knights!" she continued to cry.

"You're wrong; I have joined Zero… I swore to him that I'd help destroy Britannia…" Suzaku remembered the day long ago, when Lelouch swore the same thing as a child.

"My brother said the same thing, didn't he? I remember hearing him say that… Suzaku, how is he doing these days?"

"Right… He's doing just fine," Suzaku smiled, even though Nunnally couldn't tell from her blindness.

"Does he speak of me at all? Why haven't we been able to talk since that day over the phone? Is he in some sort of trouble? They still haven't told me the whole story…"

"Don't worry! You're brother misses you, too. I'll make sure to tell him I was able to see you again. I'm sure he'll be happy to hear about you."

"Suzaku… If you really have joined to be an enemy of Britannia, will you promise that you'll leave Lelouch out of it? I know he hates our family for everything that's happened, but if he gets killed, I wouldn't know what to do anymore…"

Suzaku couldn't find anything to reply with. It hurt him to lie to Nunnally, just as it did for Lelouch to lie to her.

"Suzaku, are you still there? Will you promise to leave my brother out of this?"

Suzaku almost began to cry. "I promise, Nunnally… I'll end this fight between Japan and Britannia, and you'll be able to be with your brother again."

Upon hearing this, Zero began to silently cry. He walked away as casually as he could, but he couldn't hold back the tears. The last two people Nunnally could trust were liars. Two people who had never meant to hurt her in way, who were also that last two people she could rely upon, were nothing more than liars. No regrets… Lelouch told himself. I can't stop now… I'll tell Nunnally the truth one day. Even if she hates me for it; even if she never wants to speak to me again, I'll tell her the truth. I just want revenge for what my own family did to us…

"Zero," somebody said behind him. "I've finished speaking to her now. You can finish the mission now…"

"Suzaku…" Zero's voice trailed off.

He simply smiled at Zero and returned to the Knightmare he came in. C.C. entered, too, and they both left. Zero then approached Nunnally. "May I leave with my prisoner now?"

Nunnally suddenly began to cry. "I can't believe he's joined you… Zero, please hurry up and let me be with Lelouch again…" With saying that, Nunnally moved out of the Black Knight's way, allowing them to free Kallen. As she passed Zero, she held out a cardkey.

Zero grabbed it and, holding back his own tears still, handed it off to Ohgi. Zero nodded at him, and Ohgi hurried to Kallen's cell, swiping the card across the scanner. With a load "CLUTHUNK," the large glass door slid open. Kallen jumped out at Ohgi and hugged him.

"Ohgi, you're finally here!" she cried.

"Heh, w-…well, we can't just leave a fellow Black Knight to rot in a cage, right?" Ohgi led Kallen to where Zero stood.

"Kallen, it's good to have you back…" Zero said.

Kallen cringed. "Thank you… Master Zero…"

"Lelouch, you're the biggest jerk a girl could ever know!" Shirley yelled, slapping Lelouch's shoulder as he entered the room.

"Yeeea, you're a pretty big jerk to leave a girl helpless in the movie theater. What kinda guy does that?" Rivalz shrugged his shoulders as he backed up Shirley.

"Ugh… What the hell, Rivalz! Stay out of this!" Lelouch exclaimed.

"Lelouch, even though I've been your friend since we were kids, I have to say: that's a terrible thing you did to Shirley…" Suzaku was turned around in his seat.

"Thank you, Suzaku!" Shirley said. "See, you jerk? You're… a big jerk!"

Now, the entire class had their attention turned towards the quarrel. One spoke, saying, "Pres, who would have known you were such a heart-breaker…?"

"Wha-! No! It's… It's not like that!" Lelouch frantically tried to back himself up, but nobody cared. They were all bent on the fact he ditched Shirley the night before.

"Aww, but…" Shirley grabbed Lelouch's arm. "I'll forgive you if you make it up to me somehow…"

Lelouch's face turned deep red as he turned his head away from Shirley. In unison, a number of his classmates went, "Ooo~oooh!"at the comment.

Then, Shirley turned red. "H-…Hey! It's nothing like that, you pervs! Besides, this is between Lelouch and me, so butt out!"

Right then, the teacher entered and asked, "What's all of the 'oooh-ing' about?"

Once student answered, "Shirley and Lelouch are having a lover's-quarrel back there…"

The teacher laughed. "Well, save it for after class. I'm sorry I'm a little late, but we must begin the lesson now."

Lelouch was finally able to get to his seat. He stared out of the window as usually, thinking to himself, How can everybody be so oblivious to what really happened last night? There was a battle between the Black Knights and the Britannian military, but nobody even cares… It's like they've grown accustomed to things like this… Lelouch stretched his arms over his head and yawned. Well, maybe it's for the better that high schoolers aren't worried about that kind of thing… I can't even think right now, though. I was up so late last night with the Black Knights... Perhaps I'll just…

Lelouch closed his eyes and rested his head on his arm, quickly falling back to sleep.

Lelouch stared at Zero's mask as he sat on a couch in his office when a knock came at the door.

"Who is it?" he asked in an intimidating voice.

"It's Kallen…" a voice said from outside the room.

"Please, come in…" Lelouch said. As Kallen entered the office, he didn't bother putting his mask over his head, since she knew well who he really was. "Long time no see, Kallen."

"Save it, Lelouch. Why the hell did you have the Black Knights perform such a careless rescue mission for only one person! What were you thinking! Do you know how many Knights you lost in that invasion?"

"Now, now, is that any way to speak to your leader?" Lelouch asked.

Kallen glared at him from the sarcastic question. "Unless you speak to me without that mask hiding your face, I will speak to you however the hell I want! For all I care: you're not Zero unless you're hiding your identity."

"Well, I can't argue with that logic, I suppose. Would you prefer to speak to Lelouch or Zero?" Lelouch said with a sarcastic smile.

"Answer me, Lelouch! Why did you risk so many men for me?"

"It's simple, Kallen. You're our best fighter we have. I would even have to say you're even better than Suzaku Kururugi. Don't tell him I said that, though."

"What? You mean… the pilot of the Lancelot? What does he have to do with all of this?"

Lelouch laughed. "My… A lot has happened in your absence…"

"What the hell are you talking about, Lelouch! Out with it already!"

"Perhaps you'd like to see for yourself? Well, unfortunately you'll have to wait. I'll tell you that it's going to be a big surprise, though."

"Quit screwing with me, you bastard… I want to know what you've done to the Black Knights while I was imprisoned!"

Lelouch smiled evilly. "Let's just say I've acquired some useful allies to accompany the Black Knights… You'll understand in our next attack, dear Kallen."

"Allies…? …Next attack?" Kallen gave Lelouch a confused look. "Wait, you're planning another attack already! What are you thinking!"

"Quit worrying so much… I'm Master Zero, remember?"

"Don't get cocky, Lelouch… I don't know what you're planning, but remember that your power doesn't make you invincible."

Kallen began to leave when Lelouch interrupted, saying, "Would you like to hear the plan?"

"Emperor, I have news about the boy Kururugi," a guard said as knelt before Emperor Odysseus.

"Is he my father's murderer?" the emperor asked.

"No, My Lord. We still haven't found out who actually killed him, but we heard Schneizel mumbling somebody's name… Does the name 'Lelouch' ring a bell?" asked the guard.

Odysseus raised his eyebrows. "I haven't heard that name for some time now. Why does my dead brother have to do with this?"

"I'm not sure, My Lord, but when we heard Schneizel say the name, we did some digging in your father's documents. He had a hidden, off-the-record meeting with somebody named Lelouch." The guard handed Odysseus a piece of paper.

The emperor studied it. All it said was "Lelouch lives."

"Guard," Odysseus began, "when did my father write this and where did you find it?"

"Well, My Majesty, it seems it was sent to him from an unknown source. It was in a decrypted folder that was hidden on his computer. This note is all we found in it. We also noticed that it was sent several months ago."

"Okay, guard, this is beginning to bore me. What does this have to do with Kururugi and my supposedly living brother?" the emperor asked in an annoyed voice.

"This note was created only days before the disappearance of Zero, back when he was supposedly executed. We also know that not long after this note was sent to your father, Kururui personally detained and brought Zero before him. That is the last we heard about Zero before his 'execution.'"

"You're not saying Kururugi is Zero, are you?"

"Emperor, that's not quite it. There's still one more thing: we found out there was a secret group created to spy on your younger brother, who is said to be deceased as we know. Lelouch vi Britannia lives, and he's attending Ashford Academy, along with the Knight of the Round: Kururugi. We've pieced together that Lelouch is, in fact, Zero."

Odysseus eyes grew wide. A moment passed, and the emperor burst out in laughter. "Right, right… My dead brother is Zero. If Lelouch truly lives, bring him before me. I'll find out for certain if he's who you say he is, or not. You're dismissed…" Odysseus raised his hand at the guard, and the guard quickly exited the throne room.

"Lulu, how do you do that? I don't understand this at all!" Shirley whined as she worked on her math homework with Lelouch.

"It's easy, really! Here, all you do is…" Lelouch began to explain, but he froze at who he saw enter the student council room, where he and Shirley were sitting.

"Lelouch 'Lamperouge' is what I believe you go by these days," a strong, stern female voice said. He instantly knew who this lady was. There were a group of royal guards behind her.

"Cornelia li Britannia? What does the second princess of Britannia need with a commoner like me?" Lelouch asked.

"Cut the crap. You're about to be in deep, deep trouble, my naïve, little brother…"

Lelouch grit his teeth. "What is it you want with me, Cornelia?"

"I'm under direct order from our brother, the emperor, to bring you before him under suspicion that you are the terrorist leader: Zero."

"I, a simple schoolboy, am being marked as a terrorist?" Lelouch smirked as he reached his hand towards his eyes. He was about to take the contact out to reveal his Geass, be he stopped. He noticed something wasn't right. Cornelia seemed different. That's when he noticed her eye. "Cornelia, might I ask… what's that over your eye?" Even though he asked this, he's seen the exact device before. It's the same device Jeremiah Gottwald had: a Geass Canceller.

Cornelia waved her hand towards the guards, who surrounded Lelouch and brought him to her. "What are you doing to Lulu!" Shirley screamed. "Let him go!"

"He'll be fine." Cornelia smiled. "That is, as long as he isn't part of the Black Knights… Oh, and Lelouch, to answer your question, this is a little piece of Britannian engineering. I had a run in at a little facility. Perhaps you've heard of it? Does the Geass Order ring a bell? While I was there for a completely different reason, those dreadful Black Knights attacked me. Tragic, isn't it? If it wasn't for our uncle, I would have died for sure…"

Our uncle…? V.V.! Damn it! She got mixed up in the attack on the Geass Order! I completely forgot about her being there… DAMN IT! Because of me, there's a second Geass Canceller. Just when things start looking up, something bad takes its place… Lelouch thought to himself. The words of the old man with the Geass to turn back time entered his mind. He told me that even if I change the past, a bad event is bound to take the place of the event I changed… Can this be true? Perhaps… No, I can't stop fighting against fate. Fate is on my side! I'm going to change things for the better!

Lelouch, still being held by the guards, looked at his half-sister and said, "Fine then… If I'm suspected to be a terrorist, bring me before the emperor. I will prove my innocence. When I do, I don't ever want to see you again, dear sister… I don't want to see you or any of our siblings for that matter!"

"Not even sweet little Nunnally?" Cornelia asked.

Lelouch bit his lip when he heard her name.

"Did I hit a soft spot? She's an exception, then? Well, it's too bad you won't see her again before you're found a terrorist. You won't ever see her again for that matter. Now, Lelouch, I believe we're late for a meeting with the emperor…"

-End of Chapter-

Author's note: Man, I read over the previous chapters of this story and I must say: I can't believe how bad they are… I mean, they're crappily written. It's so embarrassing o/o

Anywho, there you have it! Chapter seven is complete! Ffff, it's pissing me off, though, because I want to get to the good part! I have some legit stuff (if I don't say so myself) planned for future chapters! For all of you who still read this thing (after a year of me writing it .;), thanks, and I hope you enjoy this and all chapters to come! o3o