Greetings Fanfiction Readers! So, most – if not all -of you are perhaps wondering about how Euphemia is no longer afflicted by Lelouch's Geass. The answer to that will come shortly. In fact, I think I'll even write about it at the beginning of this chapter! And there is more opportunity in that for showing the love between Suzaku and Euphemia. But enough about me talking about it, scroll down the page and read it for yourself. This might be an even longer chapter though due to the added events. After all, in this story, the Canon is merely a blueprint. While I may follow that blueprint, events will change nonetheless.
Also, look at this chapter! It is my longest chapter by far. Around eleven thousand words. Give or take two hundred.
Disclaimer: Code Geass belongs to certain people. I don't know who they are. All I know is that they produced an anime with its highs and lows. Its very...polarizing highs and lows.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
Turn Five
Holy Britannian Empire
Before Euphemia's Geass was broken...
"Princess Euphemia," The man keeping an ever watchful eye on the princess said with a bow. "You have a visitor."
"A visitor?" Euphemia said, her eyes still rimmed with the effects of Geass. "Who is it?"
"Someone who wishes to speak with you." The man said as Euphemia was admiring a work of art painted by the late Prince Clovis. It was of Lelouch, Nunnally, Cornelia, and Euphemia as children resting by a lake. Cornelia was doting on Euphemia as Lelouch and Nunnally were simply conversing.
"Okay." Euphemia said. "Send them in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The man said before leaving. As he walked by Suzaku, he stopped him by putting a hand on his right shoulder. "Be careful."
"Yes, I know." Suzaku said.
"There is no telling what'll happen if she recognizes you somehow as an Ele-Japanese." The man said, correcting himself.
"Don't worry about me." Suzaku said, putting on a blue mask. It was simply a mask colored blue in the shape of a circle. Not exactly the most inspiring of masks, but all it needed was to hide Suzaku's identity.
"If you say so." The man said, leaving the room where the art was placed.
"Hello Princess Euphemia." Suzaku said, bowing to her before returning to his upright position. "I, the Knight of Seven, wish to speak with you."
"The Knight of Seven?" Euphemia asked, turning her attention to Suzaku. "Is it news of the Japanese? How many have been killed?"
Suzaku cringed a bit at that. Euphy... "No, Your Majesty." Suzaku said. "The Japanese are still alive."
At that, the Geass that afflicted Euphemia flickered. "What about Suzaku? What happened to him."
"Suzaku has been killed." Suzaku lied. Although it was false, in a way it was true. In a melodramatic sort of way.
"He's been...what?" Euphemia asked, her Geass flickering once more as her hands went to her mouth in horror.
"Killed, Your Majesty." Suzaku answered, and, he might've been mistaken, but he thought he saw the old Euphemia behind the veil of her Geass.
"No." Euphemia said softly, falling to the ground, her hands on the marble floor. The orange rim of Geass flickered once more as tears fell from her face onto the floor. "Suzaku..."
"Princess Euphemia!" Suzaku exclaimed, going to be behind her. He had a hand on her back as he rubbed it in a comforting manner. "What's wrong?"
That voice. Euphemia thought, her Geass flickering more strongly as the tears stopped. I know that voice. The kindness and strength that lies behind it.
Euphemia then turned to face Suzaku. "Knight of Seven?"
"Umm, yes, Your Majesty?" Suzaku asked.
"Are you Japanese?" Euphemia asked, the Geass coming back in full force. It was flickering though.
Suzaku cringed at that. He knew that if the young princess made any hostile moves against him, his "Live!" Geass would undoubtedly activate. On the other hand, he couldn't – wouldn't – lie. At least not to Euphemia. Not if he could help it anyway.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Suzaku said, albeit a bit hesitatingly. "I, Suzaku Kururugi, Knight of Seven, am Japanese and a Honorary Britannian."
"Suzaku..." Euphemia said, her Geass flickering again, like a candle at the mercy of a faint breeze. "You're Japanese..."
Euphemia then took her hands and placed them on either side of Suzaku's simple blue mask.
"Princess Euphemia." Suzaku said, wondering what the princess was going to do next.
"No, I must've have such thoughts." Euphemia said, talking more to herself than anyone else as her Geass continued to flicker strongly. Suzaku's Japanese...I must kill all the Japanese...but yet...I couldn't bring myself to do such an abhorrent act.
Impulsively, as her Geass shattered dramatically like a vase falling to the floor, she ripped Suzaku's mask off. Euphemia then moved forward, pressing her lips softly against Suzaku's.
This caught Suzaku off guard as his eyes widened considerably. He thought for a moment, darkly humorous, if she planned on giving him the "Kiss of Death". Suzaku then relaxed into the kiss as he deepened it slightly, wrapping his left arm around her waist as his right hand was fiddling with her long, flowing pink locks. Euphemia had her petite arms wrapped around Suzaku, holding him close.
As they parted after some time passed, they simply looked at each other as they stood up, a fierce crimson blush on their faces as they looked into their eyes.
"Euphy." Suzaku said, his voice a bit hoarse and cracking. "Is it really you?"
Euphemia quirked her head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean, 'is it really me'?"
Of course. Suzaku thought. From what I've gathered, people who were under Lelouch's Geass have no recollection of what they have done under it.
"Euphy." Suzaku repeated, wondering how best to tell her about the what she had done. The failure of the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan. Better I tell her then her learning it herself. Suzaku thought resolutely. "I need to tell you something Euphy."
"What is Suzaku?" Euphemia asked, wondering why Suzaku seemed so serious...and forlorn.
"It's...about the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan..." Suzaku began as he started to detail the events of that fateful day. From the moment Euphemia was alone with Lelouch disguised as Zero. When Lelouch had used his Geass in whichever way he did. V.V. wasn't exactly specific about the details. How she emerged onto the stadium and ordered the nearby Britannian Knightmare Frames to kill all the Japanese. He also informed her of how Lelouch was about to kill her before he rescued her with the Lancelot. The final detail he felt to include was how she was then restrained and sent off to the Holy Britannian Empire on orders of Cornelia.
"You mean," Euphemia said as she absorbed the information. Her hands flew to her mouth as tears threatened to break free. "I killed innocent Japanese people?"
"I'm afraid so." Suzaku responded, eyes downcast. "But it was Lelouch's Geass that caused you to commit such a horrific act of genocide."
Euphemia then threw herself onto Suzaku as he then held her. Euphemia was quietly sobbing into Suzaku's chest as he patted her hair in a comforting manner.
As Euphemia stood there, her head pressed against Suzaku's chest, he was looking on with a resolute look on his face. Zero...no...Lelouch, you will pay for what you have done. Your Geass has harmed so many innocents.
A realization then befall Suzaku like the Lancelot and the Guren Mk-II had both slammed him into the ground. Using Geass to harm innocent lives...
Suzaku noticed then that he was following a man who used his Geass flippantly. How he himself a part of his most powerful team. Suzaku then shook his head to clear it. The Emperor uses his Geass callously...but Lelouch is no better with his Geass either. And Lelouch is in no way an innocent.
Another thought then sprung to the forefront of Suzaku's mind.
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"This place..." Suzaku had asked. "Is it a shrine?"
"No, it's not." Charles zi Britannia, the ninety-eighth emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire had answered. "This is...this is a weapon for destroying God."
"A weapon?" Suzaku had repeated.
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Suzaku shook his head once more as Euphemia had calmed down and was relaxing in the embrace of her lover. Charles's plan is impossible. Besides, corrupt systems are changed from within, not without. Certainly not with acts of terrorism and barbarism caused by a deceitful masked man.
A lone tear then fell from his right eye, landing in Euphemia's pink hair. She seemed not to notice though. How things change. Suzaku thought wistfully. Best friends turned into bitter enemies.
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Chinese Federation Consulate
Present Day
"Long live the Black Knights. Hip, hip, hooray!" Tamaki exclaimed as he threw his prisoner's uniform into the sky.
Other members of the Black Knights cheered as they threw their prisoner's uniform into the sky.
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"What happened to that Knightmare?" Kallen asked, sitting in a chair on the left side of the room, Rivalz sitting next to her as C.C. sat on a couch across from them, hugging a pillow in place of her Cheese-kun. "The one that saved Zero."
Lelouch was sitting at a desk, his Zero mask lying on the table, close to his contact lens container.
"It escaped using a route Xingke gave us." C.C. answered.
"Xingke?" Lelouch inquired.
"The Chinese Federation guy I mentioned." Kallen explained as she turned to look at Lelouch.
"I see." Lelouch said. "Then I'll be sure to make use of that route as well."
"So was that pilot the same one from Babel Tower?" Kallen asked.
"Because of what happened to Urabe, I won't tell you his name." Lelouch said, his left hand over his right as they were below his breast, his elbows on the table. Lelouch then took the contact and put it back on. "Simply think of him as a person who supports our cause."
"You didn't use your Geass on him, did you?" C.C. asked.
"As it turned out I didn't need to." Lelouch replied, removing his hand from his eye, the contact in place. "C.C., about the Emperor-"
"Now wait a minute!" Kallen exclaimed, interrupting Lelouch. "You'll keep the pilot a secret from me?"
"So what?" Lelouch said, the image of the Black Knights celebrating outside behind him cutting off. "There are times when I like to keep secrets, too."
"Are you speaking as Zero or Lelouch right now?" Kallen inquired as she stood up.
"It's not as if everyone knows about our relationship, do they?" Lelouch said.
"Stop saying weird stuff like that, all right?" Kallen said, a faint shade of pink under her eyes.
Rivalz then snickered to himself. "Careful Lelouch, you don't want Shirley hearing that." Rivalz then stood up himself. "Goodness only knows what would happen if she found out."
Lelouch quirked an eyebrow. Shirley? Rivalz you make it sound like she'll go on a rampage. A memory then came to forefront of Lelouch's mind. Shirley, with a gun in hand. The barrel of it pointing straight at Lelouch, her mind messed with by the psychotic man known as Mao.
Lelouch tossed the memory aside. Poor Shirley...
"And your true identity?" C.C. asked, standing up and throwing her purple pillow to the side. "Kallen, Rivalz, and I are the only ones among the group who know who you really are."
"That's secret, too." Lelouch said, having been broken out of his forlorn thoughts.
"Lelouch, do you still want me to be the captain of Zero's personal forces I have been?" Kallen asked.
"I do." Lelouch replied.
"Understood." Kallen said before taking the coat of her outfit off the chair as she turned away from Lelouch. "I'll consider that. Roger and out."
"I'm counting on you now." Lelouch said, putting his hands down as he straightened in his chair and Kallen left the room.
"And what do you want me to do "boss"? Rivalz asked, his arm raised in mock salute.
Lelouch thought about this for a moment. Given his ability to control the Pendragon Knightmare Frame, I can think of only one place for him to be.
"You'll be a part of Zero's personal forces, the same as Kallen." Lelouch said.
"But won't Kallen have disagreements with that?" Rivalz asked.
"Somehow, I don't think she'll mind." Lelouch said.
"Okay," Rivalz said, taking the coat behind him with him. His outfit was basically the same as those of the other Black Knights. The only difference being that his outfit was blue and more similar to Kallen's outfit. Albeit more masculine in appearance though. "Then see you later Lelouch," Before he left the room though, he added. "Or should I call you Zero?"
Lelouch then turned to C.C. as she turned to him.
"We'll talk about Geass later." C.C. said. "And Rivalz's involvement too. There are more pressing matters."
"Very well." Lelouch said, taking his Zero mask. "I catch your drift."
Lelouch then placed the mask on his head.
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"Here it is!" Sugiyama exclaimed, pulling aside the Black Knight outfits. "Man, I've missed my old uniform."
"I have too." The female that stood next to Sugiyama added, her arms around his neck. "Although, I've missed some things more than others."
Sugiyama blushed a faint crimson at that. "Inoue..."
"Rock'n'roll!" Tamaki shouted, adjusted his red headband.
"I can't believe they had all this ready for us."
"They say Captain Kozuki and Urabe arranged it."
"Apparently some guy named Cardemonde also assisted them."
"Isn't that a Britannian name?"
"Oh, man."
"Oh, I see." Tohdoh said, looking to the distance as Kallen was talking to him. "And you say Urabe died well?"
"Yes." Kallen answered, her arms crossed.
Unbeknownst to either of them, Chiba was looking at them with a half-lidded gaze and a slight smile on her face.
"You should just confess already." Asahina said, walking up to her.
"Uh, what do you mean by "confess"? Chiba said, a faint shade of pink under her eyes.
"It's Zero!" A male Black Knight exclaimed, acquiring their attention.
The Black Knights were conversing amongst themselves as Zero appeared from the Chinese Federation Consulate. Rivalz was standing nearby, leaning against the wall next to the door that Zero had come from.
"Hold it, hold it!" Chiba demanded, walking to the front of the crowd as she silenced them, Asahina close behind. "While we appreciate you rescuing us, Zero," Chiba's right hand became a fist. "we wouldn't have captured in the first place, if you hadn't betrayed us the way you did."
"Don't you owe us an explanation?" Asahina added, the back of his hands on his hips.
Kallen was standing next to Senba as they looked at Zero.
"What happened?" Ohgi asked. "We deserve to know."
"Everything is for victory over Britannia." Zero said.
"Okay." Tamaki said, Sugiyama and Inoue next to him. "Go on."
"That's all." Zero said to the surprise of most of those present. Rivalz the only one looking, besides C.C. if she was watching, that looked unperturbed by Zero's cryptic answer.
"Huh? Nothing more to say?" Asahina inquired. "No apologies? No excuses?"
"Stop it!" Tohdoh demanded, walking through the crowd as he had their attention. He then emerged from the crowd as he stepped towards Zero. "Zero, were your actions intended to give us a chance of winning?"
"I'm always focused on getting results." Zero answered as Tohdoh was walking up the stairs.
"I understand." Tohdoh said, standing next to Zero on his left side as he turned to face the assembled masses. "At times, our operations must be kept secret. Right now, we need to rely on his power. I can think of no one more capable than Zero to be our leader."
"I agree!" Ohgi added, standing on Zero's right. "We should all trust Zero."
"But Zero treated you as if you were nothing more than a pawn." Minami said.
"Who other than Zero could have pulled this off?" Ohgi asked, impassioned. Kallen nodded her head as Rivalz beamed at his friend with a sense of pride. No one was paying attention to him though. "Even the Chinese Federation isn't strong enough to wage war on Britannia. And the E.U. Continues to lose to Prince Schneizel, doesn't it? We're the last hope out of all the areas Britannia has colonized." Ohgi raised his right hand in a fist close to his head. "Zero is the only one who can lead us to victory in our war of independence!"
"Ohgi's right!" Tamaki shouted, raising his right arm in the air. "Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero!"
Soon, other members of the Black Knights were joining Tamaki as they shouted the masked man's name. "Zero! Zero! Zero!"
C.C. was behind the ajar door as she listened in as Rivalz joined the shouting of their leader's name. Rivalz sounding the most incensed out of all of them. Besides Tamaki anyway. Rivalz's shouting was marginally more subdued.
"Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero!"
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Ashford Academy
The Next Day
Lelouch looked on with a bit of trepidation as Rivalz sat behind him, a look of surprise on his face.
At the back of both their minds, they were wondering who the blue-haired, bespectacled beauty was standing next to him, a smile on her face that seemed to light up her face as her eyes danced with an innocence that had the touches of war plastered against them.
"Hello, everyone." Suzaku said as he stood at the front of the room, Euphemia next to him. My name is Suzaku Kururugi and I'll be returning to classes here at Ashford Academy starting today. I look forward the studying here."
"And my name is Elizabeth Morningbloom," Euphemia said, using the name that she and Suzaku had decided on. "I'll be starting my term here at Ashford Academy. I look forward to studying here as well."
"Suzaku Kururugi?"
"The guy who caught Zero?"
"The White Death is coming to school here?"
"He's the Knight of Seven."
Lelouch tightened his right fist on his leg.
"But he's an Eleven."
Japanese. Euphema thought, opting to ignore the girl's faux pas.
"Doesn't matter. He's the Emperor's immediate subordinate."
"Elizabeth Morningbloom?"
"Is that even a name?"
At that, is was Suzaku who chose to ignore the guy's faux pas.
"Okay, quiet down." Villetta said as it seemed that a staring contest was going down between Lelouch, Suzaku, and Euphemia. "Sir Kururugi has been reassigned to Area Eleven and that why he's coming back to school here. And Miss Morningbloom is a recent transfer student from Britannia." Villetta then raised her right hand a little to point over at Lelouch. "Why don't you take the desk next to Lelouch for now?"
Japan. Euphemia thought. It's Japan, not Area Eleven.
"Yes, ma'am." Suzaku said respectfully. Lelouch unclenched his fist at that.
"Thank you." Euphemia said with the same, if not more, amount of respect.
Suzaku... Lelouch though as Suzaku and Euphemia were walking down the aisle. You...You were my first real friend.
But the war tore us apart. Suzaku thought as if they were having the same feelings. They both were remembering a time when they were children.
The Second Pacific War, the conflict in which Britannia took control of Japan. Lelouch thought.
After its defeat, Japan became an area colony of Britannia. Suzaku thought as they both remembered when they parted ways as children.
Lelouch, why... Euphemia thought. Why did you use your Geass on me to kill all the Japanese?
Euphemia thought back to that fateful day before everything went wrong. Could it be...you never meant to use your Geass?
I, who was abandoned by my homeland. Lelouch thought.
I, who was forced to abandon my homeland. Suzaku thought.
When we reunited, we were at once enemies and allies. Lelouch thought.
Although I was Japanese, I was also a Britannian Soldier. Suzaku thought, remembering when he saw Lelouch in the Shinjuku Ghetto.
I was Zero. Lelouch thought. We both hid our true identities.
We fought each other. Suzaku thought as they remembered the many times in which they clashed.
However, those are memories of what really happened. Lelouch thought.
The Emperor rewrote three things in Lelouch's memory. Suzaku thought.
Nunnally. Lelouch thought.
Anything about Zero. Suzaku said as he and Euphemia stepped in front of Lelouch.
That I was a prince of the royal family of Britannia. Lelouch thought as the three stared each other down.
And so, the two of us now... Lelouch and Suzaku thought.
Birds then chirped outside.
"Hey, welcome back." Lelouch said. "It's been some time."
"I missed everyone a lot." Suzaku said as Shirley then came up to shake his hand.
"Suzaku, it feels like forever!" Shirley exclaimed.
Rivalz then came from behind and tackled Suzaku, though he stayed upright.
"You've really come up in the world, haven't you?" Rivalz said, although there was a bit of a knowing, accusatory undercurrent. Rivalz then noticed the blunette. "And I see you've been busy." Rivalz added, wagging his eyebrows suggestively as Suzaku and Euphemia both flushed a little.
"Hello, it is so nice to meet you!" Euphemia exclaimed, shaking Lelouch's hand. "Suzaku has told me so much about you."
"Has he now?" Lelouch said in his mild-mannered voice he used at school or when he wasn't acting as Zero. "Well I hope he hasn't tarnished my chance at a first impression." Lelouch laughed a little at the self-deprecation before his features schooled themselves. This girl...she seems vaguely familiar.
However, before he could think about it further, the spirited hurricane of enthusiasm known as Milly Ashford burst through the door.
"Suzaku's back?" Milly exclaimed, looking around. "Where is he?" Milly then noticed the blunette, wagging her eyebrows suggestively as she saw her standing next to Suzaku. "And who is this?"
"Madame President," Lelouch said, looking at her. "Class is in progress, you mind?"
"Oh, what's with you, Lelouch?" Milly complained as Lelouch focused his attention on Suzaku.
You screwed up Suzaku. Lelouch thought as Shirley and Rivalz were conversing with Suzaku and Euphemia-disguised as Elizabeth. Milly soon coming behind them as see looked on. When you heard the name, "Lelouch", you just walked right to my side. In other words, you acted as if you knew me. Now to make sure Rolo doesn't do anything stupid...
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Lelouch, Shirley, Suzaku, "Elizabeth", Milly, Rivalz, and Rolo had gathered outside for lunch.
"Hmph?" Lelouch asked as Rolo looked at Lelouch. Rolo then stiffened before looking away.
Lelouch grunted softly at that.
"And so everybody up and left except us." Shirley explained as Lelouch turned his attention back to her, Rivalz was sitting on his right as Rolo sat on his left. "They all went back home. Even the teachers."
"Back to the homeland?" Suzaku asked, Shirley and Euphemia on his left as Milly sat his right.
"Yeah, and that's the reason why we're the only ones here at school who know you Suzaku, right Rolo?" Lelouch said.
"R-right." Rolo stuttered.
"That explains why I don't recognize anyone here." Suzaku said.
"And who's the ravishing woman next to you Suzaku?" Lelouch asked.
For a second, everyone just looked at Lelouch as if he had grown a second head.
One similar thought was running through all the minds. Did Lelouch just...flirt?
They all shook their heads.
"What, was it something I said?" Lelouch asked, seemingly confused.
"I met Suzaku while he was in Britannia." Euphemia said, a faint shade of pink under her eyes from the compliment. "I was strolling around when he showed up."
"Strolling around?" Suzaku asked, an eyebrow raised. "Is that what their calling falling out of a window?"
Suzaku and Euphemia had decided to use the story of their first meeting if anyone asked how they met.
"Not my fault." Euphemia said, a slight pout to her lips. "I was being pursued by bad people."
"Bad people?" Rivalz asked.
"Oh, don't mind her." Suzaku said. "She was playing a game while she was bored."
"Still, if I hadn't," Euphemia said, her voice sounding wistful. "I might've never met you."
"An unnerving thought to say the least." Suzaku said after faintly shuddering involuntarily.
"Hey, you saw Zero's face, didn't you? Rivalz suddenly burst out, the question coming out of left field. "So what did he look like?"
"Is he really a girl?" Milly asked, looking at Suzaku.
"It's really Prince Clovis, right?" Rivalz said, although, he knew that the masked man was secretly sitting next to him.
"Or a prince from another country?" Shirley interjected, looking at Suzaku as she held a fork in the air and he looked at her.
"Uhm..." Suzaku said, looking straight ahead with a bit of a half-lidded gaze and a frown. "Well, um.."
"Can't you share that with us?" Lelouch asked.
"Don't bother." Euphemia said, crossing her delicate arms. "He hasn't even told me."
"No, it's a military secret." Suzaku said, answering Lelouch's question. "I'm sorry-"
Suzaku then grimaced as Arthur bit Suzaku's right hand. His index and middle fingers to be precise. Arthur was nibbling away happily.
"Arthur?!" Milly exclaimed, getting up.
"Oh, you brought him with you?!" Shirley said as she stood up. Rivalz was also standing.
"Well, Suzaku," Lelouch chuckled. "you really have a thing for cats, don't you?"
"Yes, he does, doesn't he?" Euphemia said as she took Arthur and cradled the little black cat in her arms. Euphemia then started to meow at it. Arthur purred with contentment at Euphemia's gentle touch.
Euphemia then reached over to kissed Suzaku on the cheek.
"What was that for?" Suzaku asked.
"I find your trouble with cats adorable." Euphemia replied with a smile, vaguely reminded of when she professed her love to him.
Suzaku remembered that day as well with a smile of his own.
Suzaku, I love your stubbornness and your kindness and your strength! Your sad eyes, your clumsiness, and the way you have trouble with cats! I love everything about you!
They then were also hit with the next thing that they remembered.
So please, don't hate yourself!
"After all," Rivalz said, breaking them from their reverie, an eyebrow raised. "No woman can resist a man who has trouble with cats."
This brought a laugh to Rivalz, Milly, and Shirley and a chuckle out of Lelouch, Rolo, Suzaku, and Euphemia.
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O.S.I. Secret Base on Ashford Academy Grounds
"Did anything leap out at you two during your contact with him?" Villetta asked Suzaku and Euphemia.
"No, not especially." Suzaku answered.
"Although," Euphemia said, taking off her blue wig and cosmetic wide-rimmed glasses. "It was rather strange of him to say I was...ravishing."
"I know it doesn't concern his memories..." Euphemia continued. "But still. I found it rather strange."
"Then we can conclude that the subject's memories haven't returned." Villetta said, her arm on a chair as Rolo sat next to her as they were looking at Suzaku and Euphemia.
"Wait just a minute." Suzaku said. "Please, I feel we have to investigate this further."
"Do you mean you don't trust our surveillance?" Rolo asked.
"There's also the matter of C.C.." Suzaku said, looking at Rolo. "Continue playing his little brother just the way you have been."
"What about me?" Euphemia asked. "Wouldn't I have been a better candidate given how we share blood?"
"Euphy." Suzaku said sternly. "If he did regain his memories then I couldn't and wouldn't trust you alone with him."
Suzaku then looked downcast. "If anything happened to you again..."
Euphemia cupped Suzaku's face in her hands, smiling serenely at him like some sort of enchanting siren. "Do you honestly believe that Lelouch would want to harm me?"
"To be honest," Suzaku said. "I don't know what to be believe about him."
Suzaku then turned to Rolo. Before he could speak though, Rolo spoke up.
"All right, my lord." Rolo said in response to acting like this little brother.
"It seems the student council is planning to throw you two a welcoming party." Villetta said. "Please reconfirm his state then."
"Yes, understood." Suzaku said, looking at Villetta as Euphemia sat in the chair next to him, her hands lay in her lap.
Still, I wonder if this is for the best. Euphemia wondered, looking at the table where her wig and glasses were.
What should I do? Rolo thought. Do I dare trust Lelouch?
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Ashford Academy
Lelouch was looking at a teacher as he was about to use his Geass on him. Lelouch then swiped his left arm across his eyes as he took the contact lens off. "Teacher, could you please overlook all the campus infractions that Rolo and I are involved in?" He then supposed he should add something. "And Rivalz as well?"
The Geass then did its work as it went into the brown-haired, gray-bluish-eyed and sharply dressed teacher.
"Very well." The man said. "I can do that." The man then turned to walk away, passing by Rolo. "Just don't wander off school ground so often, you two. And wherever your friend Rivalz is."
"Yes, sir." Lelouch and Rolo said in unison.
"Will do." Lelouch said. "I'll be sure to keep watch on him."
"The only member left now is Miss Villetta, right?" Lelouch asked as Rolo turned to face Lelouch on the bridge as Rolo stood on the outskirts.
"Correct." Rolo said. "But Suzaku Kururugi is here now. Shall I kill him?"
"You shouldn't behave like that." Lelouch said as he put his contact lens back on. Besides, it would prove to be a wasted effort. Due to the "Live!" Geass I placed on him, he'll do whatever it takes to survive. Although, Rolo's ability to stop time around him might complicate that. "Oh, and something else."
"Yes?" Rolo inquired.
"Can you quit speaking to me in such a formal manner?" Lelouch asked. "After all, we are supposed to be brothers."
"Uh." Rolo said.
"Don't worry." Lelouch said. "I'll hurry up with my plan for your sake, as well. " Lelouch then looked up a little. "I am going to do it. Independence for Japan will begin with this school."
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Tokyo Settlement Government Bureau
"Iwate..." Edgar N. Darlton said as an image of a ruined red bridge was on the screen. Tendrils of smoke billowing into the air. "Wakayama..." An image of a derailed black train. "Tokushima..." A silvery blue building had three tendrils of smoke billowing into the sky from the top of it.
"There are reports from Yamaguchi, too." Claudio S. Darlton added.
Edgar growled. "Zero makes an appearance again and now we get this!"
"It may be an effect of Lord Guilford's absence, too." Claudio said as the image of Tokushima disappeared, leaving only the map of Japan on it with red dots spread throughout.
"If this keeps up, our Sakuradite supply will also be-" Edgar began but was cut off when they heard a sound like an explosion and the image in front of them was distorted with static.
"Emergency!" A man announced. "Unknown M.R.F. Within the perimeter."
"What is it?" Claudio wondered as an alarm sounded.
"No way!" Edgar exclaimed. "This government bureau controls all of Area Eleven."
"Hahaha." Gino laughed, riding his Tristan Knightmare Frame through a dark part of the bureau. "Getting in here couldn't have been easier. These guys are almost annoyingly sloppy." Gino then drove the Tristan faster a bit. "Is this the best line of defense that Area Eleven's got to offer?"
"Ah-ha!" Gino said as several Knightmare Frames were shooting at him and as he dodged them expertly. "Perhaps I was being a bit hasty."
Gino then fired his two blue Slash Harkens at the firing troops.
One blonde-haired man yelped a little at the sight.
"Oh?" Gino said as he saw another Knightmare headed for him after he had dealt with the people firing at him.
"I don't know who you are." Claudio said, putting his red glasses on. "But this ends right here!"
"Careless fool." Gino said. "That armament shows you care more about protecting the building." Gino then moved the stick he held in his right hand over to the side as he activated something. "Oh well, too bad."
"What?" Claudio wondered as the Knightmare began to change from a jet-esque flying object to a Knightmare Frame.
"That Knightmare?!" Edgar said. "Could it be the one...?"
"I see. That's what we're dealing with." Claudio said as the Tristan went from a jet to a Knightmare. "The variable Knightmare Frame Tristan. Which makes you Lord Gino Weinberg, the Knight of Three. Am I correct?"
"You are. I'm putting you guys to the test." Gino answered before equipping his polearm. "All right. Try and stop me."
"Very well, we accept your challenge." Claudio said. "We can't allow this insult to go unanswered."
"Don't hold back." Gino taunted. "Give me your best shot."
"As you wish!" Edgar shouted as he charged at Gino's Tristan.
"Thank you." Gino said, expertly dodging the attack and deflecting it with his polearm. Gino deflected their attacks by using the swords on both ends of his polearm.
"Why you..." Edgar growled as the head of his Knightmare was cut off.
"Stop it!" Suzaku exclaimed.
Gino then stopped the encroaching Knightmares by putting his polearm out straight and putting it to them.
"That's enough." Suzaku said, walking toward them, Euphemia next to him. "The battle's been decided."
"Then, Sir Kururugi, is that the final decision of the Knight of Seven?" Claudio asked, several beads of sweat on his face.
"It is." Suzaku answered.
"I also cannot allow such a pointless battle to continue." Euphemia added, her commanding yet sweet voice firm.
Edgar grimaced as he looked slightly down in his Knightmare.
"Hey, Suzaku." Gino said with a tinge of excitement as he emerged from his Knightmare, as if he were a child about to open a present on Chirstmas Day.
"Gino, I thought I asked you to bring the Lancelot here for me." Suzaku said as he walked towards his fellow Knight of the Round. Gino was lowering himself from the Tristan.
"Yeah, but Earl Asplund is coming with it next week." Gino said, running over to Suzaku and Euphemia. He then placed his hands on Suzaku's shoulders. "Not to change the subject, but what's with the outfit?" He then analyzed them both. "Why is a Knight of the Round and a former princess wearing such attire?" Everyone knew that Euphemia had renounced her claim to the throne. A formal announcement was made regardless of what happened involving her.
"I came straight from school." Suzaku said. "It's required."
"Very fashionable." Gino said, wrapping his arms around Suzaku from behind.
Euphemia wasn't fazed by the Knight's rather...exuberant...behavior. "There is a beauty to its simplicity."
"Gino, I know you are from a great noble family, but can't you act more normal?" Suzaku asked. "By the way, you are amazingly heavy."
Anya's Mordred Knightmare Frame then landed in front of them.
"Is it over?" Anya asked in her emotionless tone.
"The Mordred?" Suzaku wondered, seeing the imposing figure before him as Gino removed his arms around Suzaku's neck. Euphemia then decided to wrap her own arms around Suzaku's neck. Only to this contact, he was a little more receptive as his cheeks felt warm from his lover's embrace. "Anya came along, too?"
"Is it over?" Anya repeated.
"Yep." Gino replied. "Suzaku and Euphemia made me end it."
Anya sighed, pulling out her red device of a diary and looked at it. "How dull."
We should have more than enough fire power assembled by now. Suzaku thought, his expression determined. "Lelouch, three days from now, at the welcome party for me and Euphy into the student council, everything will be made clear.
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Ashford Academy
"Apologies for the delay." Milly exclaimed over the speaker system. "We are now officially kicking off the welcome party for the Knight of Seven," She then hugged herself, trying her level best to keep her voice bubbly yet professional. "And his girlfriend. Give the word, guests of honor." Milly turned to face Suzaku and Euphemia standing next to Lelouch. Suzaku had Lelouch on his left and "Elizabeth" on his right. Rolo stood next to Lelouch as Shirley and Rivalz stood behind Milly. Arthur was looking at them with mild interest.
"Yeah, umm, I don't suppose I can refuse." Suzaku said.
"I see no problem in it." Euphemia said, ever the optimisic ray of sunshine in a world ruled by manipulation, deceit, and Geass.
"Exactly!" Milly said, clapping her hands before tilting her head to the side with eyes closed. "And Suzaku, sorry, no. It's a presidential order."
"Just accept it." Lelouch said. "She sets the rules in this school."
"Hmph, all right, guys." Suzaku said, microphone in his right hand as Euphemia gripped his hand. "I'll get ready then."
Suzaku and Euphemia both took a deep breath as Suzaku raised the microphone to their faces.
"Meooooooow!" Suzaku and Euphemia shouted over the microphone.
"There, that wasn't so bad was it?" Euphemia said, a smile on her face. Her bluish violet eyes hidden by her cosmetic glasses.
"I guess." Suzaku said, although he sounding unconvinced. A fierce shade of red was on his face in utter embarrassment at what he had done.
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The students milling around were having the time of their lives. Some were dressed in outfits and some were walking around.
Two male students in laboratory coats were demonstrating steam coming from the inside of what looked to be the face of a Knightmare. Students gathered around them to see the presentation.
A girl was bungee-jumping from something tall and made of steel as she screamed.
"This way to the horseback riding course." A male student in the red jacket of an equestrian said, waving their arms.
"Lelouch, are these things appropriate for the occasion?" Rolo asked Lelouch as they were alone in a nondescript building.
"That's Milly for you." Lelouch said. "The Prez loves events like this. She's also over-compensating for last year."
Lelouch then shuddered involuntarily. Rolo didn't seem to notice though. Last year, that's right before the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan was announced. It is also the time when I lost control of my Geass and Euphy ended up causing a massacre.
Tears threatened to break through. Lelouch held them back though. For once, I'm actually glad for once that Suzaku interferes so much.
Lelouch, dressed in the outfit of Zero, starred down the barrel of a gun as he aimed it straight at Euphemia's bosom.
What should I do now? Rolo wondered as Lelouch ceased his musings. He fiddled with the knife in his hands. I ought to just...
"Rolo." Lelouch said, catching Rolo's attention. Lelouch then placed his hand over the one holding the knife. "I've told you. That's dangerous." Lelouch then showed Rolo the correct way to hold the knife. "Here, hold your knife like this. Got it?"
"L-like this?" Rolo asked.
"Careful of your fingers." Lelouch said. He then looked out of his peripheral vision to see Suzaku holding Arthur outside the doorway, "Elizabeth" standing next to him. As Lelouch looked at her, a sense of familiarity washed over him. I feel as though I've seen her before.
Suzaku then stepped away before walking off with Euphemia by his side.
"How odd." Euphemia mused as she whispered into Suzaku's ear. "That two best friends could become such bitter enemies."
"You would say that." Suzaku said. And although the string of words was accusatory, Suzaku had no such intent. "You're his flesh and blood and abhor hatred and violence."
Euphemia sighed as they walked. Mostly at Suzaku's thickheadedness.
"Lelouch." Rolo said after they were gone.
"Hmm?" Lelouch asked.
"The truth is..." Rolo continued, looking up from the ground at Leloch. "My Geass does have an Achilles' Heel."
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"Wow, would you look at that." Gino said, putting his orange shades up to his forehead as he looked down at the food. He then pointed at it as he looked at Anya next to him. "Hey Anya, check it out."
"Recorded." Anya said, having documented it to memory with her diary.
"You sure love that stuff, huh?" Gino said, straightening from his leaning over position. He then looked around. "There's nothing in particular to do here. Should we take a tour of where the commoners go to school?
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"I'm here now, in the storehouse under the school" Rivalz said as he was where the Ganymede was located during the Black Rebellion. Rivalz then shone his flashlight over the boxes. "Okay, so where are those spare energy fillers?" Rivalz then spotted a box that was written on in black ink. "Hey, didn't these belong to Nina?"
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"All right." Lelouch said, talking over the phone with his voice disguised as Zero's deep voice. Lelouch was walking past the wall that had the marks made by the girl that Lelouch used to test the longevity of his Geass commands.
"Understood." Lelouch said as he was approaching the railing, looking down at the school yard. "Go through Cell F in Kyushu and make contact with Diethard. Yes, that's right. Have Rakshata come here and..." Lelouch then noticed C.C. down below. "She wouldn't! Lelouch exclaimed, the person on the other end oblivious.
"Come and watch us make the world's biggest pizza pie." Rivalz said with a smile as he handed a brunette a flyer.
"Do you have information about it?" C.C. asked, dressed in the school uniform of those at Ashford Academy.
"Of course." Rivalz said, turning around. "Here's a flyer-" Rivalz cut off when he saw to whom he was addressing. C.C.? What are you doing here? Rivalz then continued has if nothing ever happened. "-for you." Rivalz then ran off. "Come see the world's biggest pizza!"
"Hey what do you think..." Lelouch said before leaning over a bit and panting from the run. "you're doing?"
"I'm looking for something I left behind." C.C. answered. "And it isn't as though Rivalz couldn't assist me if the need arose."
C.C. then motioned her head almost imperceptibly in the direction Rivalz had went. Lelouch rolled his eyes as he focused on the first part of her statement.
"Why are you so obsessed with this stuff anyway?" Lelouch asked as he looked at her. He then put a white bag with holes for eyes on her head. "Come on!"
"Acting a little devilish, aren't you?" C.C. said as Lelouch was walking her away. C.C. then smirked under the bag. "The least you could do is allow me to partake in the world's biggest pizza."
"Shut up, witch." Lelouch said. "Don't you understand your situation?"
"Doesn't mean I can't have a little enjoyment." C.C. said, her smirk still evident on her face.
As they were walking alone off the side of the school, C.C. continued. "The Emperor is trying to capture me and he is using you as bait."
"That's right, Suzaku's here." Lelouch said. "As well as another, a woman I can't use my Geass on." He was of course, referring to the Britannian woman that he meet after he first used his Geass. There's also the matter of that girl Suzaku brought. Why does she seem...so familiar.
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Villetta dropped the black covering she wore as she turned around, dressed scantily in a very revealing white swimsuit. Villetta had a scowl of contained rage on her face.
"From pretty girls..." A brunette with grayish-blue eyes said.
"To sexy grownup women." A girl with black hair said, gesturing to Villetta.
"Welcome to the Swim Club Café were you get exactly what you want!" The girls around Villetta exclaimed.
A few poppers were heard as confetti rained down on them. The people around them, mainly the guys, were clapping and cheering at the sights.
"Oh, I'm so glad the coach agreed to do this for us." Shirley said happily, clapping her hands.
So help me. Shirley, you'll die a thousand deaths for this. Villetta thought, her eye twitching slightly. If I didn't have to play teacher for my mission, I'd...
She trailed off as she remembered when she last been at Ashford Academy with Ohgi.
"I used to be a school teacher so I was feeling..." Ohgi had said.
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"They've confirmed that the Guren Mk-II is there." Suzaku said, sitting on a purple and yellow vehicle as Milly was playing with Arthur using a white quill. Euphemia was next to Suzaku, her head resteding on his shoulder as she looked at what he was looking at. "I assume Kallen is in the consulate building."
Suzaku then scrolled down the page a little, quirking his eyebrow as he took note of something. "It appears that there has also been reports of something looking like the Guren Mk-II." He then quoted from the page. "The Knightmare we have analyzed from a distance appears to be a sleeker, thinner version of the Guren Mk-II. The Knightmare is blue and was undoubtedly created by Rakshata Chawla. It is assumed she made it after the Black Rebellion. She calls it the Pendragon. She derived inspiration for the name from the naming theme of the Knights of the Round". Hmm...I wonder who uses that Knightmare Frame.
"I see." Milly said, almost absently as she played with Arthur. "It's hard to judge her. They call themselves resistance fighters, but still..."
Suzaku fiddled with the devices near him. "Nina's doing quite well. She just presented a thesis at the Science Academy."
I wonder how she's doing. Euphemia thought, remembering the bespectacled xenophobic girl.
"I wonder if she's planning to perfect the Ganymede." Milly said.
"Don't know." Suzaku said. "Unlike Lloyd and Cécile, Nina's specialty is..." He trailed off as if he shouldn't mention the Earl in front of her.
"Has Earl Asplund happened to mention me?" Milly asked, looking at Suzaku as she stopped playing with Arthur. Arthur looked disappointed at that.
"Afraid not." Suzaku said, looking over his right shoulder, the one that Euphemia didn't have her chin on.
"Maybe he was overwhelmed." Milly said. "The wedding was put off because I had to repeat school."
"The thing with him is..." Suzaku began, looking impassioned as he waved a quill around, Euphemia moved away to give him some venting room.. "so many things are wrong with him as a human being so..." Arthur then leaped up to take the quill in his mouth. "What the...!" Suzaku then dropped down from vehicle before running after the cat, Euphemia close behind. "Arthur! That's Euphy's!"
"Suzaku, Elizabeth, you two are the guests of honor!" Milly shouted as she ran after them in her poofy dress. "You have to wait here! You can't run off like that!"
"What have we here." Gino said as he picked up something that they dropped. Anya standing next to him. "They're using a Knightmare to create a giant pizza?" A flamboyant smile appeared on his face. "My, the commoners sure are interesting, wouldn't you agree Anya?"
"Recorded." Anya said, taking a picture of what he had picked up and the Knightmare.
"You really love that stuff don't you?" Gino said, chuckling slightly.
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"So, the person who gave the Emperor his Geass is the same person who told Suzaku?" Lelouch asked as he and C.C. were outside a carrier of tomatoes.
"That's right." C.C. said. "But you shouldn't delve into it any further."
"I'm already involved in this." Lelouch said.
After a few moments of staring, C.C. relented. "V.V.."
"V.V.?" Lelouch repeated. "Did he give Suzaku a Geass power?"
"No, it doesn't appear that he did. Although, if he did have a Geass, it would explain his physical prowess." C.C. then looked Lelouch up and down before her lips quirked up at the corner. "Unlike you, the crust of pizza is more thick and firm."
"Witch." Lelouch spat, although that was a sense of amusement behind it.
"Anyway, about Villetta..." C.C. then trailed off as she heard Shirley's voice.
"Lulu!" Shirley shouted.
"What's up, Shirley?" Lelouch asked as he casually pushed C.C. into the tomatoes.
Shirley rounded the corner before looking around. She then spotted her quarry. "Oh, there you are."
"Do you need something?" Lelouch asked as he closed the lid of the container.
"Well, I have a little problem that I hope you can help me with." Shirley explained, running up to her not-so-secret crush. "Miss Villetta seems to be avoiding me, so I was thinking you should...huh?" As she emerged to she Lelouch, she was puzzled by that. "You're alone?"
"Yeah." Was Lelouch's terse reply.
"I could've sworn you were talking to someone just now." Shirley said.
"Nope." Lelouch said. "We're the only ones here. Just the two of us."
Just the two of us? Shirley thought as C.C. straightened up inside the closed container. What awful timing. Shirley looked away, a faint shade of pink on her cheeks. But this might be my best chance to tell him how I feel. Shirley then looked down before looking at Lelouch. "Ah..listen...umm...Lulu, would you go..." She trailed off as she saw the face of what looked to be a green dog looking at her.
"Sorry, but I couldn't quite catch that." Lelouch said.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" Shirley said as she walked over to Lelouch.
"What are you doing?" Lelouch asked. "If someone spots you as well..."
"Don't worry." Kallen said. "I came here to take pizza girl back."
"Fine. She's in with the tomatoes." Lelouch said. "Take the whole container and have Tohdoh or Ohgi command..." Lelouch trailed off and grunted as Shirley pulled him out from where he was.
"Who's in there being so rude!" Shirley demanded as Lelouch was on the ground, clutching his head with his right hand.
"How undignified." Lelouch said. The full brunt of what happened though came to him. Was I pulled out from there...by Shirley's strength alone?
"Will you quit standing there and say something?" Shirley inquired as she was grappling with the costume's head.
If I say something, she'll find out who I am. Kallen thought as she freed herself from Shirley's grasp.
"Oh, hey, wait!" Shirley said before punching the costume in the head.
"Shirley, be careful with that." Lelouch said.
"Hey, Lelouch." Suzaku said, coming from behind with Milly and "Elizabeth".
"Say, have you seen Arthur?" Milly asked.
"We saw him running off in this direction." Euphemia said.
"He grabbed a valuable quill pen from me and-" Suzaku said but was cut off when they heard a noise emanating from the container of tomatoes. C.C. kicking the side of it being the cause. Lelouch looked at the container.
"Oh no, is he inside that thing?" Suzaku asked as Lelouch ran over to the container, Suzaku close behind.
"No!" Lelouch exclaimed. "Cats and tomatoes don't mix!"
Lelouch then grunted once at seeing the container being lifted into the air. Lelouch and Kallen both sweated a little at the sight.
"You're suppose to start with this, right?" Gino asked, picking up the tomatoes in the Ganymede that Suzaku and Euphemia were sitting on.
"It can't be, Gino?" Suzaku asked.
"Yeah, this commoner school is really a blast!" Gino exclaimed before running off.
"Hey, wait!" Lelouch shouted as the Knightmare turned the corner, Lelouch following them.
"Hey!" Shirley exclaimed indignantly as Kallen pushed her down before following the Ganymede.
Arthur, lying in the middle of the pathway, ran away from the oncoming Knightmare.
Kallen, Shirley, and Euphemia were running after the Ganymede.
"Was that, Arthur?" Suzaku wondered as he and Milly stopped.
"Oh, we'll have to change the schedule." Milly said, putting her left hand against her cheek.
"It looks like its coming out onto the parade route now!" Rivalz shouted. "It'll be marched around the school building first then make a way down here."
"Even though it's a vintage Knightmare, it's handling well." Gino commented, looking around. He saw the route and then decided upon something. "Okay, the route's all set so...shake time!"
Gino then started to shake the tomatoes and C.C. around in the container.
What a mess. Lelouch thought. It's taking her straight to the stage.
"Let me at least see who you are!" Shirley called after Kallen in the costume.
Suzaku then ran past them. He then passed Lelouch. Kallen, Shirley, and Euphemia close behind as they passed Lelouch as well. Lelouch then stopped and panted, fatigued. His hands on his knees as he looked at the ground. "I'm not cut out for this sort of thing." Maybe I should take up some sort of physical training if I have the time for it. C.C. was right, I am about as, if not less, as thick and firm as the crust of pizza. Lelouch's lip quirked up at the corner, if only for a moment. Although, why she decided to relate my physical abilities to that of the resilience of pizza crust, I'll never know.
"Release the hounds!" Milly shouted as she passed Lelouch. The whip-esque object in her hand pointed forward
Lelouch looked up and saw her go.
As he looked back down, he then remembered something. Wait, that girl. He remembered seeing a strand of stray pink hair coming out from her blue hair. Could it really be her? Has my Geass been broken?
"Over there!" Rivalz exclaimed as he pointed at the Ganymede. "The Knight of Seven, Suzaku Kururugi! He's arrived along with Andes-Grown Ultimate Tomatoes!" Rivalz then raised his right arm as the left held a megaphone. "Suzaku, come on over, you're the one we've been waiting for!"
Suzaku then dove in front of the Ganymede, rescuing Arthur as Euphemia ran behind the Ganymede, chasing after Suzaku. Rivalz then looked on in surprise. "Umm, except that..."
"There's a different person piloting." Gino said.
"Uh, whoa!" Rivalz said, getting out the way of the incoming Knightmare.
Lelouch stood on a balcony overlooking the ground as he called her someone on the ground. Lelouch was getting ready to Geass someone as he removed his contact lens. "Teammate one. Turn around and look up at me!"
"Yes, what is it, Vice President?" The male student asked, looking up at him.
"Employ System Pattern, Rouge!" Lelouch said before his Geass did its work.
Gino then started to lower the tomatoes onto the pizza as C.C. held onto the container for dear life. Not that she would need to worry about that though.
"Now going to System Pattern, Rouge." The male student said, holding up a tablet. "Release fire extinguishing gas, initiating."
As C.C. fell onto the pizza, the rose-colored gas emerged, obscuring her from view.
Kallen then threw Shirley off of her.
Gino was laughing as he had his right hand to his head. "Hahaha. What's the matter. Is it really that much of a surprise?"
"What the hell's going on here?" Villetta wondered aloud, seeing the bubbles and smoke appear. She then crashed into Kallen, knocking the head off. "Sorry," Villetta said, covering her left eye with her left hand. "are you okay?"
"Ah, oh no, it was my fault." Kallen said, looking by at her. Kallen then realized just who she was talking to as she quickly put the costume's head back on. That was...
"Huh?" Shirley wondered as Anya was taking a picture of her lying on the grass.
"Recorded." Anya said. "Thank you, Miss."
"No problem." Shirley said. "You're welcome."
"Oh, Arthur." Suzaku said, sitting on a tree branch as he looked at the chaos.
"Crazy little cat, aren't you?" Euphemia said, petting the cat in Suzaku's arms.
"He really does like you, doesn't he?" Suzaku commented, his lips quirking up at the corner.
Milly stood in the front of the school as she saw all the bubbles. "Well, sometimes you just get these little filler incidents in life, and that's fine."
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C.C., Kallen, and Rivalz then met up with Lelouch at the top of a school building.
"So then, the person who saw you was from the swim club?" Lelouch asked, directing the question to Kallen.
"I think it may have been the teacher." Kallen said.
"Villetta?" Lelouch said.
"I didn't get her name." Kallen admitted. "But the weird thing is that I think I remember seeing her at the festival last year with Ohgi."
"Ohgi and Villetta?" Lelouch asked, turning to face Kallen as she was half-dressed under the costume. Most of the costume was off as she remained with the legs.
"Minami said that Ohgi might have had a collaborator who reported directly to him." Kallen said.
"Ohgi kept a secret from me?" Lelouch wondered. This was quite the surprising news to him.
"When it comes to these sorts of things, you're really very thick." C.C. said as she put her hands on Lelouch's left shoulder before whispering in his ear. "The truth is..."
"Lelouch sure is dense, I can attest to that." Rivalz muttered, recalling his friend's obliviousness to Shirley's love of him. Selective or otherwise.
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O.S.I. Secret Base on Ashford Academy Grounds.
Rolo had a gun pointed at Villetta as Rivalz sat quietly in the corner of the room. Most likely fantasizing about a certain student council president.
"That's it, Rolo? Villetta asked. "You've turned traitor?"
Lelouch then walked in from the door behind Rolo.
"Villetta Nu." Lelouch said as he made his way towards the Britannian. "The woman who was awarded the rank of baron for ascertaining Zero's real identity. But unknown to most, you are connected to the Black Knights." Lelouch then added with a quirk of his eyebrow that he lowered as soon as it appeared. "In more ways than one."
Rivalz snapped out of his fantasizing long enough to hear Lelouch speak. Did Lelouch just say what I think he said? Rivalz then decided to think about the Pendragon Knightmare Frame.
"Not true!" Villetta exclaimed. "I never betrayed-"
"Kaname Ohgi." Lelouch said, interrupting Villetta as a smile was on his face. Villetta reared back a little as if slapped, yet not quite. "If word of your relationship with him ever got out, you'd have to relinquish that title you worked so hard to earn. Why not be reborn as someone new?" Lelouch then took out the wine he bought with Shirley. "Oh, yes. Shirley gave me this to give to you. So the timing works out nicely." Lelouch then undid the ribbon around the bottle. "Happy Birthday, Coach Villetta."
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Xingke was sitting in a limousine talking with Zero as C.C. was holding onto her Cheese-kun and Kallen was still inside the costume.
"It seems I owe you another debt." Lelouch said.
"I simply used my diplomatic immunity." Xingke said. "Besides, I'd like to repay my debt to you as quick as I can."
"Then, my I ask another favor of you?" Lelouch asked.
"I don't like to be in collusion with you." Xingke said.
"I'd like to get in contact with the High Eunuchs." Lelouch said.
Xingke grunted at that as he looked at the phone in his peripheral vision. They were driving to what appeared to be the consulate.
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Lelouch then put the device he hooked up to his phone into his school uniform as he hung up.
"The only one left to defeat is Suzaku." Lelouch said. And see if that woman is who I think she is.
"Lelouch." Suzaku said as he was followed by "Elizabeth". The three of them stood there together on the roof.
"Shouldn't the guests of honor be at the main stage?" Lelouch inquired.
"Hmph?" Suzaku asked. "No. Everyone seems to be having a fine time without us. Besides, I want to discuss something with you."
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Down belong, Milly was dancing with Gino as Anya stood off to the side. Rivalz looked over to Milly, disheartened at her dancing with someone other than him. As long as she's happy. Rivalz thought. I guess I just have to accept it.
"You seem troubled." Gino said as he noticed that Milly seemed to be rather distant.
"Oh, I'm fine." Milly said, her exuberance shining through.
"And yet," Gino said thoughtfully, tilting his head. "You don't seem fine."
"What are you talking about?" Milly asked, a dismissive tone to her voice.
"I get the feeling you'd rather dance with someone other than me." Gino then leaned in conspiratorially. "Don't worry, I won't tell the Earl."
Before Milly could react, Gino had sent her twirling through the crowd.
"Hey Anya!" Gino called, his exuberance shining forth. "Care to dance?"
"Recorded." Anya said in her constant emotionless tone. "I suppose so."
"Fantastic!" Gino exclaimed as he danced her across the floor. "You know, you're rather light on your feet."
"Thank you." Anya said. And off they danced. As they danced, a bright smile was on Gino's face and even Anya had a small smile on her face. It was hardly noticeable though.
Milly was dusted imaginary dirt off herself as she had regained her bearings. Who knew a Knight of the Round could be so...interesting.
Milly then noticed that Rivalz seemed to be off the side of the crowd, looking forlorn as he sat on the ground, cupping his face. I've never seen him so...depressed before.
With a sympathetic smile on her face, Milly walked over to Rivalz.
"Hello Rivalz." Milly said, extending her hand. "Care to dance with me?"
Rivalz looked up at the delicate gloved hand offered to him. Is Madame President serious?
"What happened to that one guy you were dancing with?" Rivalz asked, taking her hand to stand up.
"Oh, he decided to dance with someone else." Milly said.
"And you want to dance with me?" Rivalz asked, disbelieving.
"Of course I do." Milly said, taking his other hand as they got into position to begin dancing. "After all, you just looked so lonely and depressed sitting by yourself."
Oh, so that's it. Rivalz thought. I'm just second-rate. Bet that if Lelouch were here you wouldn't hesitate to dance with him instead of a bit player like me.
Nevertheless, Milly and Rivalz danced across the ground. Milly commenting internally that Rivalz was actually quite the good dancer, matching her animated dance moves step by step. Rivalz noting how he seemed to be keeping up rather well with his dance partner. They also looked at the eyes and smiles of their partners and saw that there was actually genuine joy behind them.
CGCGCGCGCG
"Seems Rivalz and Madame President are enjoying themselves down there." Lelouch commented.
"How fortuitous of them to have found one another." Euphemia said, her wig and glasses still on.
"Anyway," Suzaku said, observing for himself how Rivalz and Milly were enjoying themselves on the dance floor. "About what I wanted to discuss."
"What is it?" Lelouch asked as they were standing away from the railing. Lelouch then put his elbows on the railing as he looked straight ahead.
"Well you see, I'm aspiring to become the Knight of One." Suzaku said.
"Whoa, that's the greatest knight in the entire empire-" Lelouch commented.
"The Knight of One is bestowed the privilege of choosing one of the Britannian Areas for his own." Suzaku said before looking at Lelouch. "I intend to have Japan."
Lelouch backed away from the railing a hand still on it as he listened to his friend-turned-foe.
"Lelouch, I've lost too much. Precious friends and a woman who no one can ever replace." Suzaku said. Although it was a bit of a lie, there was a ring of truth to the statement. He lost his friend Lelouch and his lover Euphemia to the madness of Zero and the power of Geass. "By acquiring power, I will never again lose anyone else I care about. And then, the Japanese people won't need Zero anymore."
"Hmm, indirect rule, eh?" Lelouch asked. "You want to make it a protectorate?"
"You can ask this person." Suzaku said, pulling out his phone. "They'll know. The new vicereire who's coming to take charge of Area Eleven next week."
"Suzaku." Euphemia started.
"What is it Eu-Elizabeth?" Suzaku asked.
"It is just," Elizabeth said, taking her glasses off. "I wish to say my greetings."
Before Suzaku could ask her what she meant, Euphemia took her wig off.
Lelouch had the outwardly appearance of calm. Inwardly though, his eyes were widened as he looked at the figure before him. Her delicate pink locks framing her face. Her eyes having an amount of passion and steel behind them. Passion from their kind nature tempered with steel from the massacre. It really is you...Euphemia.
"Hello, Lelouch." Euphemia said.
Author's Notes: So, what do you guys think? Looks like while things are improving, other things are falling to ruin. Think Milly and Rivalz will end up together? Only time will tell. In a way, I ended this episode the same way that the actual anime did. With a family member of Lelouch's surprising him. So what will happen next? Will Suzaku and Euphemia reveal that Lelouch regained his memories? Will they inform their leader? Will Nunnally get to call her big brother Lelouch? Will I continue to ask you questions even though you can't answer them through the screen? I might. Who knows. Anyway, see you all later.
Also, if any characterization seems off, criticize it and gives some insight. Although, I have my doubts about that.
