Greetings Fanfiction Readers! So, Xingke's on the warpath, Rivalz is unconscious, and Rolo has Lelouch at gunpoint. Let's see what happens next.

Disclaimer: It seems that the Disclaimer is still blank. Looks like I'll have to acquire a new one.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

Turn Four

For now, there is still tomorrow. For Lelouch Lamperouge, it is a tomorrow he can dream of. And that dream is based on Geass, the power given to him by a mysterious girl named C.C.. It is the unique ability to compel anyone to obey him. Using his Geass, Lelouch is determined to destroy the Holy Britannian Empire to avenge the death of his mother and create a world where his younger sister Nunnally can live in peace. Japan is now a colony known only as Area Eleven. Here, his vow was made to change the world.

Sometime in the Past, on a Rainy Day

A group of five men were walking out of a building. They then stopped to see a young boy dressed in a red hat and red clothes with white cotton puffs on his shirt and a white fringe at the top of his clothes.

"Huh, a child?" A man wondered.

The boy then looked up suddenly and his right eye showed the symbol of Geass. The Geass stopped the people from encroaching upon him. The little boy then took a gun from the person in front of him and shot his intended target. It looked like Rolo had shot him in the neck.

"That's right." Rolo said. "I can't remember how many people I killed. Nobody counts the number of times they brush their teeth or eat a meal, same with this. My Geass is suited to assassination. That's what I was told. So I killed. There was no other place for me."

Rolo was then sitting in a room, seemingly by himself. "An undercover operation, I'll be playing someone's little brother? Are you sure this is the right assignment for me? I've never known any parents or family. So it doesn't seem...No, if that's the order I'm given, then my big brother shall be Lelouch Lamperouge."

Present Day at the O.S.I. Base on Ashford Academy Grounds

"Your Geass is the power to stop time?" Lelouch asked, looking at Rolo from his peripheral vision, Rivalz still lying unconscious on the floor.

"I have no reason to answer you. The orders given to me are as follows." Rolo said. "If Lelouch Lamperouge's memories return, if Zero is awakened, then he is to die."

"Sixteen...Seventeen...Eighteen...Nineteen." Lelouch said. At him speaking Rolo stiffened.

"What's that?" Rolo asked, the gun still aimed for Lelouch's head. "Why are you counting?"

"Since the moment you appeared," Lelouch said, pointing over to a machine over by his left. "I've been counting the seconds to myself carefully one by one. But now the count is out of sync." Lelouch then took out a device reminiscent of a remote. "Now why do you think that is?"

Lelouch then showed on four separate screens in front of them what had happened when Lelouch was about to use his Geass on Rolo.

"I'll make you my pawn to find Nunnally." Lelouch said.

Rolo then used his Geass. He then proceeded to backhand Rivalz, causing him to crumple to the ground in unconsciousness. Rolo then took Rivalz and Lelouch's guns, taking the clip out of the former before putting it in the latter. Rolo then walked behind Lelouch and pointed the gun at Lelouch's head before time resumed.

"Rolo, you can't stop time." Lelouch said. "No one can. You've just altered my sense of time."

"Understanding that doesn't help you. You still can't beat me." Rolo said. That's absolute. No one can live in the same time flow with me.

"You're correct, Rolo, but that doesn't help you, either." Lelouch said. "You'd like to kill me now, but you can't. And we both know the reason why. If I die, you won't gain either of the two things that you want."

"Two things?" Rolo asked.

"First, you won't get C.C. for whom I've been the bait in your hunt." Lelouch answered. "But if you let me go, I can draw her out for you. I'll help you get her."

"You'd sell out C.C. like that?" Rolo inquired.

"She isn't worth my own life." Lelouch said, looking forward with closed eyes. "Survival comes first."

"And what's the other thing?" Rolo asked.

"Your life." Lelouch replied, turning back to look at him from his peripheral vision with open eyes.

Rolo scoffed. "Like I care about that."

"Rolo, what is the future?" Lelouch asked.

"Huh?" Rolo said.

"The future is hope." Lelouch answered. "Without hope, your life is on hold, empty, waiting. And you have no hope beyond your mission, Rolo. If you capture C.C. what sort of future will it open for you? Things will just go on as they are, and nothing will change."

"But this is my mission." Rolo said.

Lelouch then turned fully around to face Rolo, who lowered the gun a bit. "Kill me, and your mission will never be completed. You want to capture C.C., don't you? Tomorrow, I'll lure C.C. out and she'll be yours. Once that's done, your new future will begin. Don't worry, I would never lie to you. Not to you anyway."

"Okay." Rolo said. And with a nod of his head, he put the gun in Lelouch's hands and walked out of the room.

It was then that Rivalz started to stir. "Oh man, what hit me?" Rivalz said, sitting up on the floor, clutching his head. "I feel like my bike just ran over me."

"That was Rolo." Lelouch said. "He backhanded your head and wanted to shoot me."

Before Rivalz could speak, Lelouch continued. "Don't worry about him though."

"Aren't you worried he's a threat?" Rivalz asked, standing up.

"Not at all." Lelouch said before smirking inwardly. If all goes according to plan, I'll have no need to worry about him.

"If you say so." Rivalz said, although it was obvious he was unconvinced.

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Chinese Federation Consulate

Two plumes of black smoke are billowing into the air from the previous explosion.

"This reminds me of Aomori." Kallen said.

"It isn't as bad as that was." C.C. said. "At least everyone here is wearing their clothes."

"Zero used his Geass on the Council General, right?" Kallen said as she was fiddling with a gray gun. "So why are they doing this now?"

"Who knows?" C.C. wondered as she was putting a handgun together. "Still, if they run us out of here, then me and Lelouch will be..." The handgun C.C. had her hands then sprung apart. She then leaned down to retrieve it. "split up all over again."

C.C. then noticed that someone was coming into the room. It was Xingke. "How unexpected." C.C. said, going back to sitting on the couch instead of leaning over to retrieve the gun. "You came alone."

"I thought the United States of Japan had been recognized by the Chinese Federation Council General." Kallen said.

"He's going to be disposed of." Xingke said, stopping in front of the two girls. Kallen sitting in a chair next to an empty one on his right, C.C. on a couch to his left. "Or do the Black Knights choose to take the path of destruction right here?"

"Hold it!" Kallen exclaimed, pointing her gun at Xingke. "You can't just spring this-"

"I see." C.C. said, interrupting Kallen. "You can arrange it so it appears the Council General is killed fighting us."

"C.C.!" Kallen said, having turning from Xingke to C.C..

"It seems Zero was pulling a trigger he never meant to pull." C.C. said, looking at Xingke slightly. "Will this be noble ambition or base treachery?"

CGCGCGCGCG

Lelouch was reading a small black journal sitting next to Rivalz on a train. Convincing Rolo to wait bought me a little bit of time. As long as he thinks he can get C.C., he won't report that I've regained my memories. Lelouch was then at the police station to deliver a lost vehicle report for Rivalz. Still, what's his motivation? It doesn't seem to be a desire for promotion in Britannia or simple loyalty. Rivalz then was waving and calling Lelouch over in front of his bike. Rivalz seemed to be chuckling sheepishly and flushed a little with embarrassment. Is there some other line of question I should be following? It's a dangerous card, but it has its merits. I don't have any time to hesitate because tomorrow. Tohdoh and the others are scheduled for execution. So what do I do? Rolo knows about my Geass now. Lelouch had returned to Ashford Academy as night had fallen. Even if I managed to kill him somehow, the O.S.I. would know that I've regained my memories. If that happens, Nunnally will be...Seems I'll have to keep playing student till I can rescue Nunnally. Lelouch was standing in front of a full-length mirror, putting on a light blue shirt and white pants. Fortunately, Guilford's men and the Office of Secret Intelligence don't seem to share information. That explains why they haven't found the Knightmare I hid. But that's all I have in my favor. So what should I do? How do I save the Black Knights and neutralize Rolo at the same time?

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O.S.I. Secret Base on Ashford Academy Grounds

Rolo was coming down the elevator to enter the room.

"Unacceptable!" A male O.S.I. Officer with brown hair in a suit and a red tie said as Rolo stood outside the door. "Did this kid kill Bruno in cold blood or not?"

"And he was the fifth one." The male O.S.I. Officer with sandy-blonde hair in a suit and black tie added as he sat next to him on his right.

"All Victor did was touch the kid's locket and the next thing-" The O.S.I. Officer with brown hair said, his fists on the table.

"Victor had his own personality problems." Villetta said, her arms crossed.

"You don't kill a man because of that!" The brown-haired O.S.I. Officer said, slamming his right fist on the table once.

"Now that there's this guy claiming to be Zero, we have to get our priority straight and pull the team together." The O.S.I. Officer with sandy-blonde hair said.

"That's exactly right and I'm not teaming up with a freaking angel of death!" The brown-haired O.S.I. Officer said, shifting his gaze from Villetta to the table.

Team? Rolo thought, his back to the door. He then started to walk away from the door. The mission is what's important, isn't it? Who cares about the team?"

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Place Where the Black Knights Were Awaiting Execution

From the middle carrier of prisoners from right to left stood Asahina, Senba, Chiba, Tohdoh, Ohgi, Tamaki, Sugiyama and the female Black Knight who had survived during the Black Rebellion.

"Hey Ohgi, is this new Zero the same as our Zero?" Tamaki asked.

"I wish I knew." Ohgi said.

"Either way, don't get your hopes up." Chiba said. "He'll probably abandon us again."

"How ironic." The person next to Sugiyama said. "To survive what happened to my Knightmare due to a last-minute ejection, only to be captured and executed like this."

"I'm sure that Zero will come for us." Sugiyama said. "Until then, all we can do is wait and hope."

"Zero wouldn't leave us just to die." Tamaki said. He then took note of how the people on either side of him were decidedly quiet and solemn. "Right?"

CGCGCGCGCG

"What was the source of the explosion in the consulate?" Guilford inquired.

"They haven't issued a formal statement." A man he was talking to said.

"They've given their approval for the executions." Another said. "That's all we heard."

"Hmph." Guilford said, looking out at the imprisoned Black Knights.. "These executions are a crude show to frighten the Elevens. What a vulgar approach this is."

"Do you think Zero will dare to show himself?" Bart asked, leaning against the wall.

"Even if he doesn't, we still come out ahead." Guilford said.

"Huh?" The five Glaston Knights asked in unison.

"If this Zero can't pull of a miracle, he'll never gain the support of the people." Guilford said.

"You've thought it through that far, Lord Guilford?" Claudio asked.

"In any case, I want him to show up." Guilford said, walking over to what looked like Princess Cornelia on a plate, looking triumphant. "Or rather," He then saluted the image of Cornelia. "I pray deeply that he does for the sake of Her Highness, wherever she is now."

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Chinese Federation Consulate

"Why did you recognize the U.S.J. on your own, without confirmation from the Vermillion Forbidden City?" Xingke asked Gao Hai. Xingke has four soldiers behind him as he stood in front of Gao Hai. "Even if you are one of the High Eunuchs, that was unforgivable. Just what were you planning to use Zero for?"

"I've no intention to use Zero for anything." Gao Hai said, looking down. His eyes were rimmed with orange. "Zero must be pleased in every way!"

"And the Empress's feelings on this?" Xingke inquired.

"That little wench doesn't matter." Gao Hai answered, his left sleeve below his mouth. "The absolute law is that Zero shall bring happiness to me."

"Sniveling traitor!" Xingke spat, sending forth a dagger into Gao Hai's mouth and killing him as he fell backwards onto the ground. "The Crimson Dynasty is dead."

CGCGCGCGCG

Ashford Academy

The day had begun.

It's no use. Lelouch thought as he was looking at his computer and fiddling with the inside of it. Killing him, controlling the data, disguising it...No matter what plan I come up with, Rolo remains an obstacle. I need to confirm this data before the execution starts.

Lelouch then saw a picture of himself holding bread and Rolo holding what appeared to be a roll of cheese.

Lelouch took a picture of Rolo and put it next to the previous picture before looking at the journal he had gotten from the O.S.I. Commander he had killed back at Babel Tower.

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Place Where the Black Knights Were Awaiting Execution

"It looks like the execution will be getting underway shortly." The female announcer on the television said as Milly and Shirley stood on opposite sides of a table and looked at the television. "Once again, these are the rebel terrorists who formerly call themselves the Black Knights. Will Zero appear to stop the execution of his followers?"

"Oh Zero...please." A woman outside the area said.

"General Tohdoh." The man to her right said.

"Don't kill them." The woman to the man's left said.

"Zero betrayed us when we needed him most." Chiba said. "I doubt he'll show up to save us."

"He's gonna come." Tamaki said. "If he's the real one, if he's alive, then somehow someway he'll make a miracle happen."

"I would hope so." The woman next to Sugiyama said.

"Miracle, huh?" Tohdoh said, looking down a little with eyes closed.

CGCGCGCGCG

"Maintain tight surveillance." Villetta said, standing behind two O.S.I. Officers. "It's a long shot, but it's possible that C.C. might show up."

Villetta then looked at the image of Ohgi imprisoned. Kaname Ohgi... Villetta thought of the time when she was cooking dinner while he was home after she lost her memory when she was shot by Shirley. Villetta then looked down with closed eyes. ...This is the end.

CGCGCGCGCG

"Show yourself, Zero." David T. Darlton, a man with red hair, said. "My father, Andreas Darlton, shall be avenged at last."

David's attention shifted when heard a beep coming from his right. He saw Lelouch disguised as a Britannian, dressed in black gear.

"I have top secret orders from headquarters." Lelouch said. "Communications are being intercepted, so I'm to deliver them to you face to face."

CGCGCGCGCG

Rolo used something to knock out a man as he was walking around.

"Right, I'll be borrowing your identity." Rolo said.

CGCGCGCGCG

Kallen pulled on her right red glove before turning to Xingke.

"Tell me, how are we supposed to interpret this?" Kallen asked.

"If Zero appears, you're free to do whatever you wish." Xingke replied.

"So, even if we starting shooting at the Britannians, you can pretend that you know nothing about it?" C.C. asked, walking up to Xingke and Kallen.

"That's not such a bad deal, is it?" Xingke said, turning to face C.C..

"You may be a military officer, but you can play politics as well, I see." C.C. said.

CGCGCGCGCG

"Sir Kimmel, any problems with the A.S.E.E.C. Mass pro unit?" A male Britannian Soldier asked. "It may have some glitches left from when the O.S.I. was using it. It's a high-value apparatus. Report in if it malfunctions in any way."

"This is Kimmel." Rolo said, using a device to disguise his voice to that of Kimmel. "No problems with Vincent. Moving out." Rolo then turned off the device as he situated himself in the Vincent, the Knightmare from Babel Tower. Lelouch, if you don't keep your promise, you'll die.

"Lord Guilford." A male Britannian Soldier said.

"It's almost time for the execution." The female announcer said. "The remaining members of the Black Knights shall feel the judgment of justice."

"Zero, please!" A brown-haired man exclaimed, his hands against the glass separating pedestrians from the Black Knights.

"We're waiting for you." A dark haired man next to him said.

"To make a miracle." The dark haired man next to him said.

"Elevens, the Zero who you believed in has not appeared." Guilford said, gaining their attention. "It has all been a deception. I challenged him to a fair and honest duel, and he has skulked away like a coward. Take aim."

The Knightmare Frames then set their guns to fire at the Black Knights.

Ohgi had his head down and eyes closed as others cringed away.

"Don't do it!" Tamaki cried, tears looking to spring from his eyes.

"My friends." Kallen said from inside the Guren Mk-II, Rivalz's Knightmare right next to hers. Rivalz Knightmare looked like a thinner, sleeker version of the Guren. Its colors were different too. Instead of the crimson colors of the Guren, Rivalz's Knightmare was dark blue. Another difference was that Rivalz's Knightmare lacked the Radiant Waves arm of the Guren. Rakshata had called Rivalz's Knightmare the Pendragon. Rakshata derived inspiration for the name from the naming theme of the Knights of the Round Knightmare Frames.

"The poor guys." Rivalz said.

"Don't move, if you go out now, you'll just die with them." C.C. said.

"I know, but..." Kallen said.

"Zero'll will pull through, don't worry about it Kallen." Rivalz said, a note of conviction is his voice.

"Still, I worry about them." Kallen said, tightening her hold on the controls.

"It's all right." Ohgi said. "We fought well. Now let's die well."

"You're mistaken!" Zero said, alerting everyone to his presence on the field. "You're wrong, Guilford."

Guilford then looked around, trying to pinpoint the sound of the voice.

"He showed up, but still." Kallen said.

"Hold back, we can't jump into this." C.C. said. "If he is by himself, what can he do?"

"Zero is one to make miracles appear after all." Rivalz said, a hint of reassurance in his voice for Kallen's benefit.

"I see." Guilford said before turning around to see Zero on his custom Burai Knightmare Frame outside where the pedestrians were. "You snuck up behind me, Zero!"

The wind blew some leaves over Zero as his cape billowed a little. "Guilford, those aren't terrorists you are executing. They are Black Knights, soldiers of the army of the United States of Japan. And most importantly, Knights of Justice."

"You expect me to recognize them as prisoners of war?" Guilford asked. "That their terrorism should be called "justice"?"

"It's Zero!" Ohgi said.

"So, you did come, as expected." Rolo said. "But if you break your promise to me, I'll kill you, Zero or rather, Lelouch Lamperouge."

The newscasters then put an aircraft over the field as they trained a camera on Zero.

"It's Zero!" The woman exclaimed as Zero was approaching the gate. "Zero has appeared. What a reckless, foolhardy move."

"Zero?" Asahina wondered.

"Yes, but why?" Chiba pondered.

"He must be here to liberate us." The woman next to Sugiyama said.

"Either that or he just wanted to make an appearance." Sugiyama said.

"Is it the real Zero?" Ohgi queried.

"Of course it's really him." Tamaki said before shouting out. "Zero!"

"I remember they announced their execution, but..." A male citizen said.

"That's how it's been reported." Another male citizen said.

"No." Another male citizen spoke. "No!"

"He's alone." The woman on the television said, Milly and Shirley watching the broadcast. "Zero is all alone. He is riding atop a Knightmare Frame. So, apparently he's not here to surrender. However, if he intends to fight alone..."

"See?" Kaguya said, sitting in a chair, Sayoko standing behind her as Rakshata and Diethard sat on a couch. "He came just like I said he would."

"Then let's proceed with the operational plan that we started last year." Diethard said, his eyes closed and his arms crossed as he looked down slightly.

"Assuming that Zero can wiggle out of the tight squeeze he's got himself into." Rakshata said, moving her pipe up and down thoughtfully.

Diethard then chuckled to himself before turning his attention to Sayoko. "Sayoko, I would like you to begin making the arrangements for our future."

Sayoko merely nodded her head.

CGCGCGCGCG

O.S.I. Secret Base on Ashford Academy Grounds

"Where's Lelouch?" Villetta asked, looking downward to her right as she had her left hand against her chin thoughtfully.

"He's with Rolo at the theater." The O.S.I. Officer with the red hair from earlier replied. "They've been in there for the last half hour." The O.S.I. Officer with sandy-blond hair from earlier next to him.

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Place Where the Black Knights Were Awaiting Execution

"It's been a quite a while, Lord Guilford." Zero said as the gate opened for him and he went through it. "Why don't you come out? We can talk about the good old days."

"Tempting as that invitation is," Guilford said as Zero entered the field. "I'll stay where I am. We'll just settle our past grudges from the insides of our Knightmares."

"If Guilford won't come out, Zero can't use his Geass." Kallen commented.

"Zero has more skills in his arsenal then just his Geass." Rivalz said.

"Hmph. How predictable of you." Zero said, getting into his Burai Knightmare. "Then let's set some rules."

"Rules?" Guilford asked.

"The rules of our duel." Zero said as he started to take off his mask. "We'll settle this..." Zero took his mask completely off. "...one on one."

"Very well." Guilford said. "No one else will interfere with our combat."

"We will each have one weapon." Lelouch said.

Guilford then tossed aside his gun. "Agreed." He then took the two guns on his sides off as he took his lance, twirled in in the air in a circle a few times, and then pointed it at Lelouch. "I choose this as my weapon."

"And for mine," Lelouch said, pointing to his right at a white, red, and blue Knightmare Police holding an orange shield that said Police in white letters and a white bar under it. "I shall borrow that shield."

"What?" Guilford inquired. "But that's-"

"It will do." Lelouch interrupted.

"He's going into battle with a riot shield?" Rolo wondered. "So could it be possible he is..."

"Running to kill himself?" Tohdoh pondered.

Lelouch smirked under the cloth covering his mouth and nose.

"You disappoint me, Zero." Xingke said.

"What shall we do?" A man of the Chinese Federation Army asked next to him.

"I owe him a debt for giving me a perfect excuse to get rid of that parasite of a eunuch." Xingke said. "However, this is hardly a pledge of enduring harmony. If Zero turns out to be incompetent, then we'll just use the Black Knights as our diplomatic tools."

Lelouch then pulled down the cloth covering his mouth and nose. "I have a question for you Lord Guilford. What do you do when there is an evil you cannot defeat by just means? Do you stain your hands with evil to destroy evil? Or do you remain steadfastly just and righteous even if it means surrendering to evil?"

"In either case," C.C. said, her left hand against a maroon column. "evil remains."

"A paradox." Xingke said. "Is it merely wordplay?"

"In the name of Cornelia," Guilford said before charging forward. "I choose justice!"

"I understand." Lelouch said. "In my case, I commit evil to destroy the greater evil!"

"Yes, Your Highness." A male member of the Britannian Army who Lelouch used his Geass on said. The man was fiddling with controls as he was about to cause a small-scale equivalent to what happened during the Black Rebellion. The lock was released from the floor elevator.

"What the...?!" Guilford exclaimed as Lelouch's plan took form.

The pedestrians outside then scattered in a panic.

"An earthquake." Asahina said.

"No, this strategy is..." Tohdoh said.

"The same one from the Black Rebellion!" Rolo exclaimed.

The floor then started to tilt as everyone started to fall due to gravity.

"Infantry Unit Twelve," Alfred G. Darlton said. "go to the control room on level four. Zero's men are in there!"

The man who Lelouch had used Geass on to cause the event then pulled out his gun and shot his neck.

"Kallen, charge in and take command." Lelouch shouted. "The same goes for you Rivalz!"

"Right. Autonomous armored knights, follow me!" Kallen said. "Remember, rescuing Ohgi and the others has top priority!"

"Everything else is trivial in comparison." Rivalz added as they moved out.

"Alpha-four to Alpha-one..." A male Britannian Soldier said inside a Knightmare before another one fell on him.

To keep himself from falling, Guilford put his lance into the ground.

"Disgraceful." Guilford spat.

Lelouch then came by him and went over him, riding the riot shield like a surfboard.

"Yeah, one on one, my ass!" Bart L. Darlton said as he was shooting at Lelouch.

He then stopped and looked in surprise as a mobile base was coming straight for him.

"No, Bart!" Guilford said as Bart was killed in the explosion that resulting from the building hitting his Knightmare.

"Black Knights, listen." Lelouch said. "The enemy around me has fallen into our territory. Wipe out the Britannian Forces and save your comrades!"

"Our comrades..." Ohgi said, looking up at the sky after the place he was on collapsed on its back.

"He used the very structure of their settlement against them?" Xingke wondered.

"Hurry up!" A male Black Knight said as they were releasing the prisoners. "Release everyone before the Britannian Forces can regroup!"

CGCGCGCGCG

"They're going to escape right into the Chinese Federation." The sandy-haired man of the O.S.I. said.

After looking down and away, Villetta turned her attention back to the screens. "C.C. is our primary operational target. Leave the military issues to Lord Guilford."

CGCGCGCGCG

"These damn terrorists!" Alfred exclaimed as he was putting his lance through the middle of a Knightmare Frame. After pulling the lance out, the Knightmare exploded.

"Britannia, you're on notice!" Kallen said, standing behind Alfred as she had the metallic arm of the Guren raised. "This is Japanese territory now!"

"There is no Japan!" Alfred said, unleash three blue projectiles from either side of his Knightmare's head.

"Oh really?" Kallen said as she evaded the projectiles before going in. "That's why I hate Britannians!"

"I both resent and resemble that." Rivalz said as he was fighting off a Knightmare.

Alfred then went to attack with his lance with Kallen fending it off with her right arm.

"Goodbye, Eleven ace!" Alfred said.

Kallen then put the Guren's metallic arm forward. A red energy shield then appeared, blocking the projectiles Alfred shot at close-range.

"It's blocked at this close range?" Alfred exclaimed before Kallen put the metallic arm on Alfred's Knightmare Frame's head.

"This is the Radiant Wave Surger." Kallen said. "The moment you came in close, my victory was assured." She then activated the Radiant Wave Surger after saying one last thing. "So long!"

As the waves coursed through the Knightmare, Alfred was moving a little, his glasses falling off. Kallen then got out of the immediate area before Alfred's Knightmare exploded.

"Alfred!" Edgar N. Darlton exclaimed before aiming his Knightmare Frame's gun in Kallen's direction. "How dare you?!"

"Don't shoot!" Claudio S. Darlton shouted, getting in front of Edgar and inhibiting his aim. "This is Chinese Federation territory."

"But-" Edgar said.

"There are broadcast cameras all over." Claudio said.

Edgar grunted.

"The Vincent." A male Britannian Soldier said.

"Hmm?" Claudio said.

"The Vincent's charged inside!" The soldier continued as the Vincent was entering the fray.

Lelouch looked back and grimaced.

As two Black Knights were encroaching on Lelouch, the Vincent was in pursuit. The Vincent, in the air, sent down two wires at the Knightmares shooting at it. He shot the heads of the Knightmares, incapacitating them.

Three Britannian Knightmares were shooting down at the prisoners. with their guns as they stood on the slanted ground.

Kallen protected them with the red shield that came from the Guren's metallic arm. The Guren's metallic arm had three fingers instead of the five from before the Black Rebellion. Rivalz also assisted them by having a blue shield in front of him that came from his left arm. The Black Knights around them were retreating to safety.

"I can't move from here!" Kallen exclaimed as she looked back. "Run for it!"

"Talk about cowardly." Rivalz said, focusing his attention on the blue shield in front of him and the shooting Britannians. "Attacking those who are unarmed and fleeing."

You've come. Lelouch thought as he was running off, the Vincent and Rolo following closely. You've finally come, Rolo.

So, you're running after all. Rolo thought as he held his phone in his right hand, the locket dangling. So much for your promise to give me C.C.. Lelouch, you were lying to me from the start.

Rolo then shot a cable from the Vincent, cutting Lelouch's Burai Knightmare Frame's left arm off.

Not yet. Lelouch thought as he was looking back. I can't get caught yet!

All that talk about giving me a future. Rolo thought.

I can't die here! Lelouch thought, one or two beads of sweat on his forehead.

As long as I complete my mission, I'll open the way to my future. Rolo thought, looking down slightly with determination.

It was then that Rolo saw David firing something from an elevated distance.

Oh, no... Rolo thought, his eyes fearful. I can't stop a physical object. It's going to be a direct hit. Am I going to die at a place like this?

Lelouch then stepped in front of the Vincent, the projectile taking off the Burai Knightmare's other arm.

"David, stop!" One of the Glaston Knights, presumably Claudio, said. "If you hit the Chinese Federation Consulate, it'll start a war with them."

"Understood." David said, under the effects of Lelouch's Geass as he held a gun aimed for where the Vincent is.

"But why?" Rolo inquired, seeing Lelouch's Burai Knightmare fallen on the ground. "Why did you save me? Why would you?"

"Because you're my little brother." Lelouch answered. "The memories may have been planted in me, but the time that you and I spent together was real."

A few of Rolo's memories of being with Lelouch then played through his mind. Rolo and Lelouch cooking a meal, most likely breakfast. Lelouch, his hand on the side of a white horse that Rolo was riding. Rolo and Lelouch, wearing white shirts and black pants as Lelouch was holding a pink blanket that was about to go over Rolo. "You're saying all the things we did up to now, they weren't lies?" Lelouch pointing something out to Rolo in a book. It looked like he was helping him with his studies. And one of the most recent memories was Lelouch pushing Rolo out of the way of gunfire back at Babel Tower.

"Because you're my little brother." Lelouch repeated.

"Brother?" Rolo said before looking down at the locket on his phone. "Me?" Rolo then remembered the day that Lelouch had handed Rolo a white box with a red ribbon for his birthday. What Rolo had found inside the box. "That day...I've never had a birthday before...and for the first time...What about when you told me your life was more important? Yet you risked your life for this?"

"I made a promise to you." Lelouch said. "I promised you a new future. Your future is with me."

Rolo looked down in his Knightmare, not quite sure of what to think.

Guilford, looking down at the two, saw an opportunity.

"Zero, our grudges will be settled now with now resounding blow..." Guilford said before the point of his lance separated in one large one and four small ones on the side. "...from this iron hammer!"

As Guilford threw the lance, Rolo caught it in the Vincent's hands.

"What?!" Guilford exclaimed. "Sir Kimmel, what is the meaning of this?!"

"No, I just..." Rolo said, looking to his left side.

"Don't tell me!" Guilford shouted. "You're one of Zero's men!"

No...I... Rolo thought, looking back at Guilford, several beads of sweat on his face. If Lelouch dies, then my mission is...No, but what am I doing?

Rolo was brought back to reality when he heard his phone ringing. Looking around, he got it out and answered it. "Uh, Yes?"

"Rolo, trouble." Lelouch said. "It's Ms. Villetta. I'll connect you on the conference."

"Uh..." Rolo said before Lelouch connected Villetta.

"Rolo, where did you go?" Villetta inquired.

"I, uh..." Rolo said, unsure of what to say.

"Ms. Villetta, come on." Lelouch said. "We can at lest go to the bathroom in peace, can't we? So what were you calling about?"

"About the Chinese Consulate, of course." Villetta replied.

"Oh yeah." Lelouch said. "Looks like a real mess down there."

Oh no. Rolo thought. If they find out what's happened. I'll be thrown out of the O.S.I. Even that person would...

"I understand. I'll keep my little brother out of danger like that." Lelouch said.

"Uph." Rolo said.

"Of course not." Lelouch said, continuing his conversation with Villetta. "A place where people are being killed in no place for a boy like Rolo."

CGCGCGCGCG

"Britannians," Xingke said over the speaker system. "this is your last warning. Any further action will be taken as armed intervention. Withdraw at once!"

At that, Guilford pounded his right fist against his Knightmare's right side once in frustration.

CGCGCGCGCG

"He-hey!" Tamaki exclaimed as the sun was setting and the Black Knights had been liberated fully.

"Thank goodness," Kallen said, running towards him as he ran to her. Rivalz was close behind Kallen. Albeit, he was following at a slower pace with his hands linked behind his head.

"Ohgi!" Kallen said as she hugged Ohgi, glad to see him alive.

"Thanks Kallen, from all of us." Ohgi said as Tamaki collapsed on the ground.

"Mm-hm." Kallen said, pulling her head away from Ohgi as she shook her head. "And Tohdoh and the others. Thank goodness."

Kallen then pulled away from Ohgi.

"Sorry for being so much trouble." Tohdoh said.

"It must have been hard for you." Asahina added.

"And for you as well." Kallen said as Rivalz went back to lean against his Knighmare.

"Hey, who's in that Knightmare over there?" Tamaki asked, looking at the Vincent. Kallen rubbed her eyes with her sleeve before looking at it as well.

"I don't know." Kallen answered. "It was an enemy unit, but I'm not sure who's piloting it now."

The Vincent was holding up Zero's Burai Knightmare nearby.

"Zero was protected." C.C. said, turning to look over her shoulder at them. "Whoever it is, it's not an adversary."

"C.C.'s right there," Rolo said, his eyes moving around frantically in his head. "but now I can't take her in."

"From the beginning, you never felt you belonged with Britannia." Lelouch said. "You belong with me." He's mine now. Lelouch thought, smirking as he looked at Rolo in the empty room where he was assigned to impersonate Lelouch's little brother. Only an amateur leaves data like this lying around the control room. Apart from his Geass, he's nothing to me. Lelouch then looked at the journal they used to catalog Lelouch's activities. Leaving me this guy's password was very convenient. And it worked like a charm.

CGCGCGCGCG

Before Zero Appeared

Back when Lelouch approached David.

"Pattern Delta." David said, his eyes showing the clear sign of Geass.

"Correct." Lelouch said. "When Zero's unit takes that course, aim carefully and shoot the pursuing Knightmare from behind. After that, if Zero escapes, destroy the opposing Knightmare completely. If he does not escape, go into stand-by mode and await orders."

"Right." David said. "I've got it."

CGCGCGCGCG

The Present

Lelouch chuckled to himself, a sinister smirk on his face. Trying to take Nunnally's place, you little phony. I'll use you up and then throw you away like a piece of trash.

CGCGCGCGCG

The Night

As a bell in Ashford Academy was chiming a bit ominously, a brown-haired male Eleven was holding a briefcase-esque bag in his right hand. A blue-haired woman with cosmetic glasses was standing next to him, holding her briefcase-esque bag in her left hand. They were both dressed in the uniform of Ashford Academy.

"I'm still not sure it is such a good idea for you to be here." Suzaku said.

The woman huffed indignantly. "Now Suzaku, I can't just let the past control me."

"I'm glad to see you're still as impulsive as ever." Suzaku said, a small smile on his face.

"Still," The woman said. "I can't forgot the horrible, unforgivable things I have done."

As she remembered, a tear fell down from her left eye as she stared at the ground.

The woman then felt Suzaku lift her chin up with his left hand as he wiped away the tear with his right hand.

The woman smiled sadly. "A part of me believes that I don't deserve you. Especially the kindness you show me."

Suzaku's expression then hardened. "Don't hate yourself for it."

"How can I not?" The woman asked with only a hint of bitterness. "I tried to change things for the better using peaceful means, and it ends up resulting in a massacre."

"That was not your fault." Suzaku said, his voice strong with conviction.

"It may have been by his words, but it was still done with my hands!" The woman shouted, a few tears now streaming down her face.

"I know." Suzaku said, his hands making fists at his sides in barely-contained rage. "The coward."

Rubbing her eyes clear of her tears, she spoke up. "Suzaku, I now in my heart that he didn't mean to do it."

"How can you know?" Suzaku said, then he remembered something.

Poor, misguided Suzaku. Do you not see? I had every intention of joining up with Princess Euphemia and the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan.

"Because, he's my family." Euphemia answered. "And deep down, he is a legitimate kind person."

"'Legitimate kind person.'" Suzaku repeated. "He used his Geass on you to kill all the Japanese."

"Suzaku, you were his best friend once." Euphemia said. "I think you of all people would know him like I do."

"All I know is that Lelouch is a despicable coward." Suzaku said, straining to keep the snarl out of his voice.

Euphemia then reared back her right arm and slapped him across his face.

"Euphy." Suzaku said, holding his left cheek. While he couldn't believe she had done that, he admitted, albeit begrudgingly, that he deserved it. He also smirked inwardly, remembering the last time he had seen Euphy slap someone.

I'll not allow you to insult this man any longer you oaf!

"Thank you, Euphy." Suzaku said. "I needed that."

"I'm sorry Suzaku." Euphemia said. "I love you, but I also love my family."

"Yet another admirable trait you possess." Suzaku said, a genuine smile on his face.

"I wouldn't exactly call that a trait." Euphemia quipped in an uncharacteristic manner.

"I suppose you're right." Suzaku admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck before his expression became serious. "No matter what Euphy, know that I love you."

Before Euphemia could respond, Suzaku took her and hugged her close.

"I love you too Suzaku." Euphemia said as she wrapped her arms around him. "No matter what."

Suzaku and Euphemia then looked into the eyes of one another, forest green eyes looking onto bluish violet. They then stood there, their body heat felt by the other, feeling secure in the arms of each other.

They then leaned in closer, their faces just inches apart. A second passed and Suzaku kissed Euphemia. It was a simple, quiet kiss. It spoke volumes of their undying, Geass-shattering love though.

When then came up for air, Suzaku moved Euphemia's wig of blue hair a little as he took out a strand of her pink hair.

Suzaku and Euphemia then looked at each other, their faces flushed with the color of crimson. Suzaku, upon placing the wig back on, brought her in close as he hugged her. Euphemia did the same as she put her chin on his left shoulder, her arms firmly around each other.

Author's Notes: Oh. My. Goodness. Yeah, Euphemia is no longer under the trance of Lelouch's Geass. Some of you – if not all – are perhaps wondering about how she was freed. Don't worry about that though, I'll most likely write about it in a sort of flashback-related event. Suzaku and Euphemia make a cute couple though, wouldn't you agree? Their interactions, at least when they are alone, just give me the warm fuzzies. So, yeah, I might be biased a little in any of the pairings that emerge. Although, think about it. Closely. Really close. Is there anyone besides Suzaku that Euphemia can be paired with...logically of course...and vice versa? I'll leave that for you to decide.

And as for Euphemia's disguise, she can't exactly walk about in public since she had gained the moniker of "Massacre Princess". Poor girl. Well, see all you guys later.