Chapter 8

Zero's Mansion

Zero sat within his office his hands folded in his lap, his face was formed into a contemplative pose. He then reached out his hand and two purple magic circles formed, from the right a blue and white orb formed and from the left a red and green orb came.

"Draig, Albion," greeted Zero.

""Zero,"" replied both heavenly dragons.

"It's been a while since we talked like this," said Draig. "It still feels weird being dragged out of my gear like this."

"Cry baby," insulted Albion.

"Pompus, pretty boy," replied Draig.

Before Albion could respond Lelouch said, "enough you two. I've called you so we could talk about important issues not to trade insults."

""Sorry"" replied the dragons.

"What is it you wish," said Albion meanwhile Dariag thought 'suck up.'

"Mostly I've summoned you two about what I expect from you both in the coming months,' said Zero. Both dragons listened as Zero continued, "I expect both of you to stop your petty fight."

Both dragons muttered their surprise at the order they had just been given. Zero then continued, "I have no intention of waiting another generation for both of you to gain new hosts. This is aside the fact that my time table has been accelerated due to current events. I'm going to need both of your hosts if our faction is to survive, this means no killing each other understand?"

""Yes uncle,"" acknowledged both dragons.

"My host would've won anyway," said Draig. Albion guffawed while Zero sighed and said, "by creation Draig."

"Really?" questioned Albion. "Do so enlighten us as to why I would've been beaten, my host achieved Balance Breaker right when he awoke me."

"Ha, I expect my host could do the same," replied Draig.

"What makes you think so?" asked Albion, meanwhile Lelouch shook his head.

"I sense my host has great power and will," explained the red dragon. "As well I sense there is something else different about this host."

"What do you mean?" questioned the white one.

"He means that his current host has caused a mutation in the gear," explained Zero.

"You know?" said Draig.

"Yes I do," acknowledged Zero. "I sensed the change when I met your host Draig. I admit that she will be the most powerful Red Dragon Emperor the world has ever or will ever see."

"Great," said Albion, if he could he would have rolled his eyes. "When I and Suzaku find you." Lelouch then interrupted saying, "NO Albion, you two will not fight, I am done dealing with your petty fight. It has gone on long enough, am I understood."

""Yes uncle,"" came the reply. To which Draig muttered, "father never said to stop." Zero sighed again as he dismissed the circles, and slumped back into his high backed chair.

Kuoh

Kuoh one of the few places in Japan were a Japanese could be a Japanese and not expect horrible reparations. Officially the town was like all other places in Japan, however due to devil influence things tended to work a little differently than normal. The most notable example would have to be Kuoh Academy, another of the few schools that did not make distinctions between ethnicities. Inside one of the dilapidated buildings the Occult Research Club, the most select club in the school, aside from the student counsel, was headquartered. Of course the reason for it being picky about its members was due to that every member was devil in service to the president of the club, Rias Gremory.

"Come now Issei, you should've finished a contract by now," said the red head that was Rias. The brown haired boy that was Issei (and the largest pervert in the school) hung his head at the reprimand.

"Sorry Rias," said Issei in shame.

"It's alright Issei," replied Rias. "You may not be able to finish a contract, but your customers seem to love you." This perked Issei up, who then got a far off look in his eye as his eyes fell upon his master's chest.

"Great job Issei," congratulated Asia the blond haired ex-nun. Snapping put of his trance Issei returned a "thanks" to his friend. All conversation was cut short as a red magic circle, bearing the Gremory sigil on it, appeared in the center of the room. From it a tall man with hair reminiscent of Rias's appeared, as did the silver headed figure of Grayfia.

"Big brother?" said Rias in surprise.

"Rias, everybody," greeted Sirzechs, as everybody, aside from Rias knelt. "Please rise everybody, there's no need on my account."

"What are you doing here big brother?" questioned Rias.

"I came here to give you this personally," said Sirzechs handing Rias a piece of paper, with a strange seal on it.

"What's this?" asked Rias.

"It is your permit to continue making contracts in the surrounding area," said the Maou. Seeing the confused expression on his sister's face he explained. "You see the Youkai and Shinto factions have placed a ban on all factional activities that are not approved by them."

"Why are they doing that?" interrupted Akino, Rias's queen piece, and a former shrine resident.

"We don't know," replied Sirzechs. "The times are starting to change and it seems that the other factions here in Japan have realized this and are taking precautions."

"Do you mean Zero?" asked Issei.

"Possibly," said Sirzechs. "Something about him and the Black Knights harkens back to ancient things."

"What do you mean?" asked Rias, confused at her brother's cryptic response.

Shaking his head he said, "right know it doesn't matter, just be careful from here on Rias."

"We will," acknowledge Rias, everyone else I the room shaking their heads in confirmation. Smiling Sirzechs and Grayfia disappeared through another teleportation circle leaving the ORC alone in the building.

Zero's Mansion

Lelouch concentrated over the map laid out on the desk in front of him. Multi colored dots covered the large paper, some covered cities others covered completely vacant areas. Or so they seemed. Chuckling to himself and smiling as he looked down on his map, he then frowned and folded the map and placed it in one of the drawers of the desk. Standing he patted down the wrinkles in his plain white button up shirt and black pants and proceeded out of his office. His plain black shoes echoed on the floor as he walked down the hall, he approached and entered the elevator pressing the button for the lower floors.

When the elevator doors opened he moved down the blank hall with identical doors. He stopped at one of the doors and reached for the door knob. When he grasped the handle a purple seal appeared on the door and then dissipated. Opening the door the green haired form of C.C., who sat on the bed looked up at Lelouch's form.

"Come ta gloat?" said C.C.

Smirking Lelouch said, "no, just Q and A session."

"What makes you think I'll say anything," replied C.C. snarkly.

"I know you C.C.," said Lelouch. "I've known you longer than anyone else. I know you'll answer me." C.C. bowed her head in defeat, Lelouch then said, "why did you leave?"

"He I was bored the world offered better chances," said C.C. with a smirk.

Sighing Lelouch said, "Ceciniah, I said I've known longer than anyone, I meant it, that also means I know when you're lying."

Ceciniah furrowed her brows in anger and opened her mouth to deny what Lelouch said but before she could speak Lelouch continued. "You were afraid that I would abandon you like she did," said Lelouch venom lacing his voice when spoke of the nun.

C.C. sputtered like a fish at what Lelouch spoke, he then continued, "you never had a good life, you were always ignored never loved. And when someone you thought actually loved you and then betrayed you, you became afraid that I would happen again. So instead of waiting for what you thought was inevitable you took it upon yourself to try and avoid being betrayed."

C.C. stared at Lelouch with wide eyes that started to brim with tears. She then nodded her head and said, "I didn't want to be abandoned again. You should me the same kindness the nun did so I thought you would do the same as she did."

At this point tears started to fall down her cheeks, Lelouch then moved forward and wrapped his arms around her frame. He then said, "I brought you into my world, into my family, I would never have abandoned you."

C.C.'s head raised up to looked into Lelouch's eyes, as though she didn't believe him. Snickering Lelouch said, "don't give me that look, you've known me just as long as I've known you. So you know I'm not lying, I promised you before that you didn't need to worry anymore I meant then and I mean it know."

"Really?" said C.C. To which Lelouch nodded, and said, "so you think you're willing to start anew with me again?"

"I..I don't know," said C.C. dropping her head. Standing up and lifting her head with his finger he and said, "come with me and all your pain will but a memory to go with your new life."

C.C. nodded her head and took hold of Lelouch's hand and stood with him and moved for the door. Before they could exit a black armored figure with a red dragon emblazed on his shoulder stepped in front of them and said, "my lord we've had a situation."

"What is it?' asked Lelouch his brows furrowing.

"A devil trespassed onto our territory," explained the man. "We sustained multiple casualties before the devil escaped, we did manage to figure it was a high-class devil because it appeared along with its peerage."

"Did we identify the devil?" asked Lelouch. "What family it was from?"

"Yes sir," replied the man. "It was a member of the Phenex clan. WE believe it was the current heir, Riser."

Lelouch's eyes furrowed more and he growled, "I think it's time we sent the devil a message, contact our moles in the underworld, find Riser. And contact Sirzechs for me, tell him the details and notify him we are going to hunting our little peacock."

"Yes sir," replied the guard.

Turning to C.C. he said, "now let's get you a better room before things start to get unpleasant again.

Britannian Hospital

Suzaku exited the hospital, his long coat fluttered in the breeze slightly while his sunglasses shined in the light of day. Cuts and bruises covered his face and body, 'why did Zero leave me alive Albion' thought Suzaku to Albion.

'The mind of a being like Zero is not one to be easily understood Suzaku,' lied Albion.

'He beats me up, then leaves me alive and goes and kills the prince. Then proceeds to run off and kill the leader of the Purists,' thought Suzaku. He continued to ponder these things as he walked down the street his eyes not rising to meet the Britannians that passed him. Until was stopped by the sound of "look out below."

Looking up he saw a pink blur falling to him dropping his bag he extended his arms and caught the form. It was revealed to be a girl, who then said, "sorry."

"Don't worry," replied Suzaku. "I just wasn't expecting a girl to fall into my arms. But why did you jump out the window."

Looking down the girl said, "the truth is bad guys are chasing me."

'You know she's lying right?' asked Albion.

'Kinda, but she must be trying to get away from something so.'

"Well then," said Suzaku helping the girl to her feet. "As an Honorary Britannian private it is my duty and my honor to escort you miss?"

"Euphie," she replied. "What's your name?"

"Suzaku Kururugi miss Euphie," he answered.

"Just Euphie is fine Suzaku," giggled the pinket. She then said in an over dramatic voice, "now will you kindly show me around the city?"

Suzaku smiled and said in a similar tone, "it would be my pleasure."

'Oh brother,' thought Albion rolling his imaginary eyes.

Meanwhile hiding in the bushes a black cat watched and thought, 'this is going to get interesting.'

A.N. Next chapter Suzaku and Euphie, plus Lelouch confronts the devils, mainly Riser.