A/N: Wow, I did it. Another chapter. Well, I'll try to get another one out in two weeks, but I make no promises because my computer is fucked up, and unless I get my laptop soon, I won't be doing anything to do with this story, which sucks.
You may consider this chapter as filler, but you may not, seeing as there are several important things that happen in it.
And responses are done. I don't feel like writing them out, so I wont.
But please, Enjoy chapter 10.
"You idiot! You fucking idiot!" Lelouch mentally chastised himself "All you did was think with your dick instead of your brain. How far are you going to get in overthrowing Britannia now that you've made love to the Second Princess of the Empire?!"
For the past half hour that he had been awake, Lelouch had been berating himself for being an idiot, and causing one hell of a mess to get out.
Every scenario he ran offered only two conclusions, which were a) He'd need to kill Cornelia sometime before/during his treason of the Empire, or b) He would need to convince her to join him in going against their father.
Lelouch much preferred the second option, but he would need to work behind the scenes to 'accidently' show his sister the corruption and filth that was the Empire of Britannia.
It would take time, and he would need to be very careful to cover any tracks he made, but it would be possible to do.
He stopped himself, just before he slammed a fist into the soft mattress, remembering that there was another body present, and he didn't feel like waking his sister from her peaceful slumber just yet.
Lelouch thought about it long and hard, and came to a conclusion. Cornelia made him happy. Cornelia made him feel loved. For the first time in his life, he felt like he couldn't live without someone other than Nunnally, yet these feelings, and more, surfaced when Cornelia came to the forefront of his mind.
He quashed the thought as he felt Cornelia moving beside him, mumbling sounds, and starting to wake up. Closing his eyes and steadying his breathing, he pretended to be asleep, until he felt kisses being placed along his neck.
Opening his eyes lazily, he looked over at the goddess watching him with large indigo eyes and a sensual smile playing over her lips.
He managed to get out a wheeze as his eyes fell over her naked body that was on top of the covers beside him, but he managed to push the feeling away.
"Cornelia, if we start this, I'll never get back to my command, and I really need to get back today" Lelouch said, running a hand over her silky smooth skin.
"I know" she sighed, rolling onto her back "I just wish we had more time together than just one night."
"Believe me, I wish I could stay too, but Hartley would screw my plans up if I left him there for long enough" he replied, getting up and looking for his clothes, which he found still piled in the bathroom.
After dressing and having breakfast all together with both Majors, along with Guilford and Darlton, Lelouch set off with Jeremiah and Villetta back to his command.
Outside of Tunis, Four hours later
The small aircraft touched down on the sandy strip that had been cleared and taxied to the large tent which served as a hanger.
The engine shut off, and a set of stairs flipped out of the fuselage.
Lelouch, Jeremiah and Villetta walked down the stairs and to the waiting jeep which would take them to the temporary headquarters located in the center of Tunis.
They arrived without incident to a rather...horrific sight.
People, rebels judging from the uniforms, against the walls..well...they were against the walls. The bodies were slumped down into a semi sitting position.
Each body was riddled with bullet holes, many more than necessary to kill a man, and there were no weapons around them at all.
And it was all around. There had to be thousands of them, and nearly every building around him showed the signs that people had been lined up against them and mowed down by machinegun fire.
Blood flowed slowly down the streets, hardened in most spots, but it would become liquid again once the rains came.
The smell was terrible, even though it had obviously only happened a day before, the stench of rotting flesh was in the air, and the hot desert sun wasn't making it any better.
Lelouch felt dizzy, and began to clutch at his head in a vain attempt to steady the spinning world around him, and then his breakfast came back up.
Dropping onto all fours, he threw up. Three times. Each time worse than the last until there was nothing left, but he continued to gag.
The world finally stopped shaking, and he slowly got to his feet, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and spitting to get the horrible taste out of his mouth.
"What...what the fuck happened?" he said quietly, looking over all the bodies that surrounded the jeep.
"I've...never seen anything like it" Jeremiah said, his eyes watering from the smell.
Lelouch didn't think that he'd ever seen two Britannian officers, both experienced in combat, be at a loss of words for this, and actually look disgusted at what had happened.
It surprised him, but what happened next surprised him even more.
A voice proudly proclaimed "Do you like how I've redecorated the area?"
"Of course it was Hartley. Who else could it have been?" Lelouch thought as he choked back more bile and turned around to see the smug Colonel.
"The place looked rather bland, so adding a little color here and there was a pretty good idea" he said, waving off the lives as if they were nothing.
Lelouch could feel the anger building inside of him, and it was only a matter of time before he slugged Hartley, so he chose a different route.
Saying nothing, he turned away from the man and walked away, his subordinates standing in place, before swiftly following him towards the headquarters.
The large building, thankfully, was air conditioned, the cool breeze blasting the three of them in the face as the doors slammed shut behind them.
It seemed as though time stopped as everyone look at their commander, standing there with two high ranking officers, faces alight with anger, as they strode through the pencil pushers that were needed to run the military.
"Where's Ried?" Lelouch said, hauling one of the technicians out of his little world, staring at the radar scope.
"He's on the second floor, fourth door on the right sir" the boy said, obviously nervous that he was being addressed by the CO and a Prince all in one.
Once again turning swiftly, Lelouch and his troop walked through the many people, who were smart enough to step out of the way.
They took the stairs three at a time, and they got to the door, which opened to the sick sound of gunfire, screams, and cries for help.
Again, the sight wasn't something they wanted to see.
On four large television screens, it seemed as though there was a montage of the systematic murders of the rebels going on, along with 'dramatic' voice over's done by both Diethard and Colonel Hartley.
Lelouch felt sick, and if he hadn't already emptied the contents of his stomach on the pavement outside, he would've done it for sure as the sound of bullet meeting body was pulsing through the room.
And then, it stopped. The video feed cut to a blank screen, and they heard a noise of approval from the back wall.
"Not too shabby if I do say so myself" Diethard muttered, as he sat back at the console and started tapping away on the keys.
The three of them, almost simultaneously cleared their throats, causing the propaganda producer to turn around and look at them, before giving them a toothy smile.
"Your highness, did you see the video that was playing on the screen?"
"I did" Lelouch said, his voice left no quarter for argument.
The smile quickly fell from Diethard's face as he looked at each person in turn, and every time he looked, they looked madder than they did the last time.
"Is there something wrong with it?" he said.
"What are you planning on using this video for?" Villetta asked, before Lelouch even opened his mouth.
"Boosting your popularity, your highness" Diethard said, his eyes twinkling at the prospect of major ratings. "We'll show the people how the Empire deals with rebels, and then support will soar."
"Such short sighted views" Lelouch thought with disgust. "While the Empire might think it's a glorious sight to see the blood of their enemies splattered on the walls, I know that my men would balk at such video, and their families probably would as well."
It was Jeremiah who surprised them all by verbally lashing out at the reporter.
"Unacceptable! Totally unacceptable! Those men had willingly surrendered, expecting to be treated like humans and instead they were shot like animals. They were prisoners of war, and were recognized under the Geneva Convention as such! Releasing this footage as propaganda purposes would be in direct violation of at least six laws."
Lelouch spoke, his voice low and dangerous "Ried, delete that footage, all of it. Keep one copy, and give it to me. If you don't follow these orders exactly, and trust me, I will check, there will be...repercussions."
Diethard's eyes seemed to clear, as he shook his head "Understood your highness. It will be done at once."
"Good. See that it is" Lelouch said, turning around and walking out of the room.
He had thought that he had seen the worst of Britannia's cruelty when they invaded Japan, but this was worse. Why was it worse though? He had seen fields of civilians, all of them slaughtered by the might of Britannia, but somehow...this felt worse.
Those men had been fighting for what they considered to be a just cause, and when they realized that there was no hope, they surrendered with the intention that they would be kept as POW's, according to the rules of civilized warfare.
Unfortunately, Britannia hardly followed the rules, and one would be hard-pressed to find Britannian's who actually did follow the rules in a wartime setting.
The sight sickened him to no end as he walked back outside to the damaged city.
Shaking his head at the sight of locals picking up the bodies and carting them away, the three of them got back into the jeep that brought them there, and they drove away.
They arrived back at the G-1 Base about twenty minutes later, and the first thing Lelouch did was get in the shower, as if cleaning the filth off his body would somehow cleanse his mind of the sights.
Getting out of the shower, the only thing that felt clean was his body. His mind still played the images of the dead on a loop, mixing together what he had witnessed when Britannia invaded Japan for good measure.
He had heard from a teacher in the PMA "Wait until you see what a man can do to another man."
Lelouch never thought of the people in the machines he killed, he just knew they stood in the way of obliterating Britannia, and they had to be obliterated as well, but once it was just soldiers surrendering, he took them prisoner.
Still, it was unsettling to know that some of his men would partake in such barbaric actions.
A knocking on the bathroom door roused his mind from the state it was in, and Lelouch noticed that he was sitting, fully clothed, on the tank of the toilet.
Abruptly getting off, and nearly falling in the process, he walked over to the door and opened it, to reveal a fidgety Villetta.
"Major Nu, what can I do for you?" Lelouch asked, leaning against the doorframe.
She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but the words didn't come. Instead, doing something that surprised Lelouch, she pulled him into a soft hug.
"You shouldn't be seeing stuff like what's going on here your highness, and please excuse my informality, but I don't really care" she murmured "You should be in school, with your friends, and not leading armies into battle."
"Major Nu..." Lelouch said, pausing to try and comprehend what was actually happening around him "Villetta."
This gave the woman pause, and she slightly backed away, without releasing the prince from her grasp, giving him some space to say what was on his mind.
"This is war. This isn't the first time I've seen the horrors that it brings, and for damn sure it won't be the last time" with a shaky sigh, Lelouch ran a hand through his hair. "I was in Japan when Britannia first invaded, so I've seen it all. I just never thought it could be like that.
"I was ten at the time, and I saw what went on. The mutilation, the rapes, everything. The signs were everywhere, fields of bodies were all around, rotting corpses were in high supply. I guess what happened in Tunis shook me up a little bit, but I can assure you, it won't affect my judgment in the field of battle."
A small smile spread onto her face as she looked at him, and said "Thank you, your highness."
"No problem Villetta. I always have an open door policy" Lelouch replied, smiling lightly, before he said "Was there anything else?"
She seemed to pause for a moment, thinking, before snapping her fingers "Yes, there's news about Area 11, Major Gottwald is streaming it in the planning room."
Nothing more was spoken as the pair walked briskly to the planning room, where there was an image of smoke clouds rising over buildings, with the heading "Terrorist Attack in Shinjuku Ghetto!"
The screen cut to a reporter and the broadcast resumed "We're live here on the outskirts of Shinjuku Ghetto in Area 11 where Britannian Forces have just put an end to a bloody battle against terrorist forces.
"I've been told that the terrorists had a capsule of poison gas, and were prepping it for deployment when Britannian soldiers stopped them and recovered the capsule. Casualties are unknown at this time, but it seems that all terrorists were killed in the skirmish.
"Prince Clovis will now speak about the attack."
Once again, the screen cut, and it was replaced by the face of Clovis, a grand backdrop present from the inside of his G-1 base which Lelouch could easily tell.
"Why do these attacks persist? Britannia is kind to you Elevens, allowing you to become Honorary Members in our society and you repay that by killing our soldiers in brutish attacks, you're tearing me apart!"
Clovis became overly dramatic and placed a hand on his heart, fake tears welling up in his eyes "You must see the error of your ways, it isn't easy for me to do this, but there will be public executions from now on of all those who support and take part in terrorism."
Once again, the screen flicked back to the reporter, who recapped what he had said before, just as Lelouch scoffed and cut the footage.
"As if public executions will do anything to curb the terrorism. Unless it's someone important like Tohdoh, it will more than likely spur on a revolution in Area 11. Idiotic fool, he has no idea what he's dealing with."
"Hold on a second" Jeremiah said, pausing the thoughts of the other two people "How would terrorists make poison gas? It would be nigh impossible for them to get the facilities required to do so."
"Are you saying, what I think you're saying?" Lelouch asked, placing a hand on his chin.
"Your highness, Britannia would have made the gas..." Jeremiah muttered as realization dawned on him.
"Ding ding ding, we have a winner!" Lelouch thought, a brief smile flashing on his features before it faded to a frown.
It seemed like at least one of his officers was recognizing that Britannia wasn't the amazing empire they made it out to be.
A quick look at Villetta, and she too was figuring this out, with a sense of betrayal present in her eyes.
"Now's the time to tell them. I can easily sway them to my side, and as long as I have their loyalty, it shall never waver" Lelouch thought, as he cleared his throat.
"If I may, I'd like to talk with you both, away from here."
A nod, and they walked out of the base. As soon as they stepped outside, Lelouch got in the first vehicle he saw, which was a deuce and a half, keys dangling in the ignition.
Switching it on, the massive diesel roared into life, spewing a cloud of black out of the exhaust stack before changing into a background rumble as Villetta and then Jeremiah got into the cab, squeezing together to close the door.
"Your highness, where are we going?" Jeremiah asked, as Lelouch shifted into first and started driving away from the G-1.
"Come on Jeremiah, don't you trust me?" Lelouch asked, taking his eyes off the road for a second to look at the Major, who stiffened immediately.
"With my life sir" he replied, looking out the window at the sand dunes passing by.
"Good" Lelouch said quietly, returning his full attention to the road.
15 Minutes Later
Lelouch pulled over on the side of the road and shut off the engine. Opening his door, he hopped down onto the pavement and walked around the truck to the passenger side door.
Jeremiah and Villetta were already standing outside, unsure of what to do.
Without a word, Lelouch motioned for them to follow him, and they did.
A moment later, they were on the other side of a dune, seated on the warm sand as the sun began to set.
"I bet you're wondering what this is all about" Lelouch said, putting a lighthearted tone on, despite the serious nature of the conversation he was about to have.
"The thought did occur sir" Villetta replied, pulling her knees up to her chest.
"Please Villetta, though the information in this conversation is important, I'd like us to remain informal when not in a combat setting" Lelouch said, setting the woman at ease.
She nodded, and he continued.
"Now, this is something that is very important" he said, pausing for a moment. "Where do your loyalties lie?"
Naturally, as Lelouch expected, Jeremiah was the first to answer.
"My loyalties are with you, Prince Lelouch. I follow nobody but the vi Britannia line, and I would follow them to hell and back if that is what was wished for me. I swore myself to Lady Marianne, and all members of her bloodline. My loyalties belong to you and only you."
"I concur, your highness" Villetta said, picking right up "In the short time that I've been assigned to you, I feel that my loyalties belong with you more than anyone else."
"I'm glad you both feel that way" Lelouch replied, smiling. Now that he had their trust and loyalty, there were no bounds to how far he could take this. "You probably don't know this about me, but I'm not too fond of the Empire. Actually, I hate Britannia."
Both of them were slightly taken aback at the venom present in his tone, but they continued to listen in silence.
"They hoist the strong onto a pedestal, and they trample the weak underfoot. The views of Social Darwinism are grossly misused, and against moral ethics. The only reason I'm here is for the sake of Nunnally.
"I already know what's coming. I'll be sent to Area 11, possibly without anyone but my troops, to take up the position of Sub-Viceroy to attempt to quell the threats of terrorism. However, I'm planning on doing the exact opposite. I plan on sowing the seeds of a revolution powerful enough to topple Britannia!"
After Lelouch finished his small rant, silence was all around, with the only sound being the shifting grains of sand, before both officers shared a stare and stood up.
"Your highness, we will partake in the revolution. Our loyalty belongs with you, and only you."
"You do know that this is considered treason, and is punishable by death?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes your highness. My decision has not changed" Villetta said.
"Nor has mine" Jeremiah chimed in.
"Thank you both, very much" he said, a grateful smile cascading onto his face.
"There isn't anything to thank us for your highness, we're doing what we're sworn to do" Jeremiah said, as they sat back down. "What of Prince Clovis?"
"He'll know nothing. We'll work in secret, building underground connections with terrorist cells all over Area 11. Once we have enough support, we'll incite a rebellion. The goals of that are not yet worked out, but they will be soon."
They both nodded, appeased at the answer, as Lelouch stood up, making the other two stand up again.
"We'll discuss this more when the time comes to go to Area 11, which should be soon" Lelouch said, dusting his uniform off "I anticipate that in a few days, we'll be recalled to Pendragon, and then sent to Area 11 on the authority of the Emperor."
They walked back around the dune, and got into the cab of the truck, pulling a quick u-turn and heading back to the G-1 base.
"Hey, where you been Vi?" Marcus asked, as they walked into the common room inside the G-1 Base.
"Oh, y'know. Just around" Lelouch said, smiling at his friends. He made a subtle gesture to Villetta and Jeremiah, which told them that Marcus and Tommy knew nothing of his plans, nor would they know for a long time.
Today, he had taken the first steps to inciting a wildfire which would burn down and Empire, and shake the world to its very core.
Area 11, Viceroy's Palace
"And you have the gall to call yourself a General of Britannia?! You nearly lost our most important research project to a bunch of Elevens!"
Not surprisingly, Prince Clovis was giving his Generals involved in said secret project a severe reprimand.
"Your highness, we..." General Bartley began, before he was cut off.
"I'm not interested in excuses Bartley! Has the experiment been damaged in any way?" Clovis said.
"Our scans are showing that everything is normal, your highness" one of the technicians answered.
"Thank god for that" Clovis muttered, before facing his staff again "Remember, you all got lucky, and unless you want to be replaced, I suggest you pull yourselves together."
Clovis walked out of the basement laboratory and back up the stairs, opening and closing the heavy oak door and locking it with the electronic keypad, which slid back into the wall.
"Why must all the people they send me be utterly useless to my work?" he muttered, walking through the halls until he reached his throne.
He had barely even sat down, when the tone signifying an incoming caller sounded, and the video screen on the wall lit up.
"Whoever it is, please go away" Clovis said, throwing an arm over his eyes.
Deep, rumbling laughter came after the request, but not from Clovis, who opened his eyes and shot forward in his chair.
"Your majesty! I request your forgiveness from what I just said."
It wasn't a mirage. Charles zi Britannia was calling Clovis, and a call from the Emperor usually meant something bad.
"Clovis, why is it that you can't manage to stop a few measly terrorists and nearly lose the 'Code R' Project in the process?"
The stunned look in his eye didn't go unnoticed by Charles, who smirked at his shock. "Yes, I know all about Code R, and the results you've produced, which are practically none."
"Forgive me your majesty. The subject just hasn't been very cooperative, but I think we're nearing a breakthrough" Clovis said with confidence.
"Well I don't. It seems as though this task was far too advanced for you to take on" Charles said, face hardening with every word "I'll be appointing a new Viceroy and a new Sub-Viceroy to take command of Area 11 and flush out the terrorists.
"You're to give the Sub-Viceroy full access to the project, and give him every scrap of information that you've gathered, which probably isn't that much to begin with. You'll be in Area 11 for another two months after that, to which you will be reassigned to a new Area. Do I make myself clear?"
Clovis bowed his head, and said "Yes, your majesty."
"Good."
And with that, Charles was gone, leaving behind a black screen.
Only one word left Clovis' mouth as he stood up off his chair.
"Fuck."
September 3rd (I Day + 28) Gabes, Tunisia, 1330
The sun beat down on the armored column as they continued down the road in a single file, troop trucks and ammunition carriers not far behind.
Since leaving Tunis, Lelouch had been rounding up rebels who had surrendered, which was 95% of them, the rest were content to die fighting for a lost cause.
The capture and subsequent killings at Tunis had knocked out all of the rebel high command, so the troops were without order, and no order means chaos.
They rolled onto the outskirts of Gabes with no resistance met in the last hundred kilometers, and Lelouch didn't think any was coming anytime soon.
Sitting half out of his tank, he looked around lazily as they approached the city.
Once again, he proved correct, as the troops dismounted their trucks and walked towards the city center. Some people were already outside, smiling that Britannia had beat back the rebels and were clearing the city.
The G-1 base pulled up outside the city, and a technician ran out of one of the doors.
Just as Lelouch hopped off the turret of his tank, the tech reached him.
"Your highness. Urgent call for you from Pendragon. Priority 1."
Lelouch turned and smiled "Very well Ramius, I'll be right there."
The tech nodded and saluted, running back to the parked base, getting inside just as Jeremiah and Villetta reached Lelouch.
"Showtime" Lelouch said, a mischievous glint in his eyes as they started walking towards the G-1.
Inside the base, it went exactly as Lelouch had hoped.
"Your majesty, to what do I owe this call?" Lelouch said, taking a knee in front of the video monitor.
"Rise Lelouch, my son" Charles said, as Lelouch stood up. "You've done a very good job fighting for Britannia, better than I had ever thought you would."
"Thank you, your majesty" Lelouch replied, stoic as ever.
"The nature of this call is business, as it should be" Charles stated "You're being recalled to Pendragon for reassignment. You'll keep your regiment, but they will be transferred to your new Area.
"Your staff will be coming with you to Pendragon, and after that you'll have two days to yourself before you're sent out. I want you here by 3pm tomorrow at the latest for a meeting in the royal chambers. I want to see the people you've surprised, in person, and I have a reward for all your hard work as well. That is all."
Lelouch, Villetta, and Jeremiah let out an "All Hail Britannia" as Charles cut the feed on his end.
"That went rather well" Villetta said, smiling.
"It did, now come on, we've got a plane to catch" Lelouch said, starting for the door.
September 4th, Pendragon, 2:50pm
Lelouch wasn't at all nervous as he stood outside the throne room, one hand casually in his pocket as he looked around at the gaudy tapestries on the walls.
"Lelouch" A voice brought him out of his musings as he turned to greet the speaker.
"Odysseus. Pleasure to see you" he said, shaking hands with the First Prince.
"I heard you were back from Tunisia, and you did an excellent job of cleaning the rebels out of their holes while you were at it" Odysseus said, putting his hands behind his back "Father would like to reward you for that."
"So I've heard" Lelouch replied, staying neutral.
Just then, the grand doors opened, and Lelouch gave his brother a nod, before walking in.
"Announcing Major Lelouch vi Britannia, Eleventh Prince of the Britannian Empire, and fourteenth in line for the Imperial Throne."
The call surprised all in attendance, including Lelouch. He had no idea of the promotion, but that must've been Cornelia or Darlton's doing, and he was surprised he was further up the succession line then he was before.
Ignoring the whispering nobles on each side, Lelouch walked down the center aisle, black cape flowing behind his dress uniform until he reached the appropriate distance to stop before the Emperor.
Once again, 'pleasantries' were exchanged as the crowd of nobles continued to gawk at that, and then something happened that would blow them all over.
"Lelouch vi Britannia, in light of your excellent job in North Africa, in the Holy name of Britannia, I, Charles zi Britannia, 98th Emperor of the state, hereby place the tile 'Duke of Cambridge' upon you, as well as the position of Sub-Viceroy in Area 11. Do you accept these gifts as they are bestowed upon you?"
Lelouch was a little surprised. There hadn't been a Duke of Cambridge for the last fifty years, after the last one had died without any successors to carry on the title.
"I humbly accept these gifts, and thank you from the bottom of my heart, your majesty" he said, smiling slightly.
"You depart for Area 11 in two days. That is all" Charles said, dismissing Lelouch, who retreated back to the doors, past the stunned nobles.
Aries Villa, Two Hours Later
"That's excellent news, your highness" Villetta said, as the three of them sat in the study discussing what happened at the meeting with the Emperor.
"It really is" Lelouch mused, leaning back into the soft chair. "Now we can go to Area 11 and really get some work done."
"Quite right, your highness. However, I think I'm going to turn in. That jet lag is catching up with me" Jeremiah said, standing up and stretching, before walking out the door.
A moment of silence reigned between the two before Lelouch spoke up.
"Villetta, I do have something for you though."
"Oh?" she said, perking visibly at the statement. "What is it your highness?"
"Please, call me Lelouch" he replied, reaching into his breast pocket and pulling something out.
It was a pin, with four white wings and a violet and golden sword. It was a badge for a Knight of Honor.
"Major Villetta Nu, do you wish to abandon yourself and become a sword and shield for myself?"
Villetta was stunned for a moment. Prince Lelouch was asking her to be his Knight of Honor.
"Yes your highness" she said, a second later.
"Then I dub thee, Knight of Honor for myself, Prince Lelouch vi Britannia" he said, handing her the pin.
"I will be extending this offer to Jeremiah, due to the fact that I've already made many enemies in my short travels, and the extra protection is warranted" he continued, watching her pin the medal on her uniform.
"Your high...Lelouch...I gratefully accept this honor. I will stand by you when nobody else will, I will fight for your honor, and I will protect you at all times" Villetta said, smiling slightly.
"Excellent" Lelouch replied, standing up "I will also see that you are given the noble rank of Baroness, because I know that you don't come from a military family, and everything that you do is for your family."
"Lelouch...I don't know what to say...other than thank you" she said, standing up as well.
"Think nothing of it" he said, heading for the door, but pausing once it was open "I'm going to take a nap. We'll talk soon."
She said nothing, but inside, Villetta was bursting with joy. She had been appointed as a Knight of Honor, and given the title of Baroness. There wasn't anything more she wanted in life...well...maybe there was now.
September 7th, Area 11. 0900.
The dark limousine pulled up outside the Viceroy's Palace to a massive reception.
Nobles were milling about, guards were standing at attention in full dress uniform, and at the top of it all, Prince Clovis looked on as his brother Lelouch, along with his two Knights exited the vehicle.
Lelouch glanced around un-amused. "These men could be off looking for terrorists, but noooo, Clovis needs to have this big bullshit gathering welcoming me in" he thought, walking quickly towards the stairs, which lead to the large doors.
"Lelouch! I'm so glad to see you" Clovis said, opening his arms as Lelouch got to the top of the stairs.
"Yes, yes" Lelouch said, visibly irritated with the massive procession. He had plans to make, and people to see. "What are we standing around for? I have business to attend to."
Clovis folded his arms and said, distaste ringing through his tone "We need to wait for the new Viceroy."
"Oh ho ho. I knew it. Clovis couldn't keep his subjects under his thumb, so father is bringing in someone else to do it. I wonder who..." Lelouch thought, as another armored limo pulled up.
Imagine how surprised Lelouch was when Cornelia stepped out, followed closely by Euphemia and her Knights.
"I expected this, but I had hoped I was wrong" he thought, half frowning, before smiling.
"Viceroy" Lelouch said in greeting as his sister ascended the stairs.
"Sub-Viceroy" she returned, nodding at him.
"We're all here now Clovis" Lelouch said, flashing back to irritation "Now please, I have business to take care of."
He swept the cape behind him as he walked through the doors with Jeremiah and Villetta close behind.
On the plane, he had managed to get a copy of the building schematics, so it was easy to find where his office would be located.
Turning the diamond doorknob, Lelouch walked inside and groaned.
All the decor was modern and tacky. It would be an eyesore if he kept it there.
"Jeremiah, fetch me a garbage can, would you?" Lelouch asked, rubbing his temples.
"With pleasure your highness" he said, grimacing at the awful room and stepping back outside.
Twenty minutes later, all the statues, paintings, vases, tapestries, and podiums were gone, and the place looked a little bit nicer.
"A coat of paint, and a few things are still needed, but it looks better than it did" Lelouch said, dusting his hands on his pants.
"It does, it really does" Villetta said, looking around the bare office.
A knock from the door interrupted them, and Lelouch said "Enter."
Clovis walked in the room and had to do a double take, before shouting "My art! Where's all the decoration gone!?"
"Garbage" Lelouch replied, sitting in the nice leather chair behind his desk "It was all tacky, so I put it where it belonged, in the trash."
"You...you...you" Clovis fumed, trying to find words that suited the animosity he was feeling, but none came to mind. "Whatever. Here, take your work."
With a thump, a pile of manila folders fell onto Lelouch's desk, cluttering the now neat space.
"Very well then. Thank you for bringing it by" he said, taking the first folder off the top and opening it.
Clovis had made sure that the Code R file was down at the bottom, so that he could at least get an extra day or two of research in and possibly make a breakthrough which would prove the Emperor wrong.
The door closed, and Lelouch stood back up, stretching his arms over his head and looking out the massive window behind his desk.
Even though there were several negatives, it was a good feeling to be back in Area 11 again, where he really belonged, where he felt at home.
Once again, knocking interrupted his monologue as the door was opened without waiting for a command.
"What is this, Grand Central Station?" Lelouch thought, turning around to look at the intruder.
Once again, he was surprised, as Euphemia walked into the room, fiddling with her hands.
"What can I do for you Euphie?" Lelouch asked, walking around the desk and sitting on the corner.
"Lelouch" she began, evidently nervous by the way she was asking "I want to ask a favor."
He looked at his Knights, who were staring back at him, confusion on their faces, as he glanced back at Euphemia.
"Well tell me what it is, and I'll see what I can do" Lelouch replied, crossing his arms over his chest.
Euphemia took a deep breath, as if preparing to divulge some big secret, before saying "IwaswonderingifwecouldseeNunnally."
Lelouch blinked in confusion, and said "Once more, but slower."
This time, she sighed and looked down, saying "I was wondering if we could see Nunnally."
"That's the big problem?" Lelouch asked, shrugging his shoulders "Sure. I'll call in a couple of favors with my friends who still go to school. They're on the Student Council, so it should really be no problem to get us all in for some time."
"Thanks Lelouch" Euphemia said, before walking to the door "Oh sister Cornelia will be so happy to see Nunnally again."
The door closed once again, and Lelouch said "Jeremiah, has the Zero Squad arrived in Area 11 yet?"
His Knight nodded in the affirmative, and Lelouch smiled.
"Good. Have Warrant Officer Kururugi in my office in fifteen minutes. He's coming with us" he said, sitting down and pulling out his cell phone.
"It will be done your highness" Jeremiah said, crossing his arm over his chest in salute, before turning and striding out of the office.
Lelouch was happy. Neither one of his Knights felt any discomfort at bringing Suzaku along for the trip, and it would be good for him to see Nunnally again.
Lelouch kept smiling as he punched Milly's name in his contact list and heard her pick up on the first ring.
"Milly, it's Lelouch. I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
Two Hours Later, Ashford Academy
*Bing Bong* "Attention all members of the Student Council. This is Milly Ashford. Could you all stop what you're doing and come to the Student Council Clubhouse at once. Thanks!" *Bing Bong*
Ten minutes later, Nina, Milly, Shirley, Kallen, Rivalz, and Nunnally were all standing in the clubhouse, with most of them wondering what the purpose of this meeting was.
"Come on Prez, what's going on?" Rivalz asked, scratching his chin. "What's the meeting for?"
"It's a secret" the blond said, before they all heard the door open and a very familiar face walk through.
"Lelouch!" Milly said "You're late!"
While the rest of the council looked on in shock, Lelouch merely chuckled. "Sorry Prez, I was held up in traffic. Rolls Royce may make a fast car, but we need to cater to the slowest vehicle on the road."
Everyone, including Nunnally, but excluding Milly, continued to gawk as Lelouch walked up to the group with a slight smirk on his face.
Tapping twice with the heel of his boot on the floor, the door opened once again and more people walked through.
This time, Lelouch put his finger to his lips so that everyone would stay silent. He wanted to make this reunion as meaningful to Nunnally as it was to the rest of the royalty in the room.
All the council nodded, as Cornelia, Euphemia, and Suzaku walked inside, followed closely by the four Knights.
Euphemia was the first one to reach Nunnally, and when she took Nunnally's hand, she felt her recoil slightly in shock.
"Sister Euphie?" Nunnally asked in surprise "Is it really you?"
"Yes Nunnally, it's me" Euphemia said, smiling as tears began to form in both of their eyes "And sister Cornelia is here too."
"Cornelia?" Nunnally asked, tilting her head, as the other woman took her other hand.
"Yes Nunnally" Cornelia said, a soft smile on her face as she saw another supposedly dead member of her family "It's me. Lelouch has told me all about what's been going on these past years and how you've grown. It's very good to see you again."
"Nunnally, I've got another surprise for you" Lelouch said, gaining her attention.
By now, most of the women, and even a couple of men (Rivalz, I'm looking at you) we're starting to cry at the reunion of a lost family.
"What could it be?" Nunnally asked, attempting to dry her eyes with a tissue.
Lelouch motioned Suzaku forward, until he was beside Nunnally's wheelchair, and he took her hand.
"No! It couldn't be" Nunnally said, smiling as more tears started to flow "Suzaku, is it really you?"
"It's been a long time Nunnally" Suzaku said, grinning and looking back at Lelouch, who gave him a thumbs up. "I work closely with Lelouch, so he suggested that I come along to the meeting."
"I'm glad he did" Nunnally said, before turning to Milly. "Shouldn't Lelouch meet the person who took his place?"
"Great idea Nunnally!" Milly said, before dragging Lelouch over to a red haired girl in a school uniform "Lelouch, this is Kallen Stadtfeld, our resident Vice President."
Lelouch took the girls hand and bowed slightly "A pleasure to meet you Lady Stadtfeld."
"The pleasure is all mine your highness" Kallen said, keeping the annoyance out of her voice.
Finally, the rest of the council stepped in and started shaking hands, and slapping Lelouch on the back (Rivalz, still looking at you).
"I know!" Shirley said, "Let's have a small party to welcome Lelouch back to the Area! That is...if you're staying in Area 11."
"Well I should be" he said, rubbing his shoulder "I'm the Sub-Viceroy now."
Any further talk was broken by Sayoko bringing in a tray of food on a cart, an obvious preparation that Milly had her make after Lelouch had called, and everyone grabbed something.
Then Nunnally suggested that they go for a walk around the school grounds.
Nobody had noticed that Kallen had disappeared, and was nowhere to be found.
On the Roof of Ashford Academy
"Fucking Britannian Royalty. They're disgusting" Kallen muttered, as she put together the high powered rifle.
After she dipped out of the party, presumably to go to the nurse, she called Ohgi, the leader of the terrorist group she was in.
She could practically hear him salivating over the phone when she mentioned that both Lelouch and Cornelia were in the same place.
"You know what to do" was all he said, before hanging up the phone.
Kallen had stashed weapons around the school, mostly in her lockers that she commandeered, or in underground crates.
The rifle, luckily, had been in one of her lockers, right by the stairwell to the roof, which was also beside the nurses office, for some reason.
Because classes were still in, she didn't need to worry about being spotted, and if she was, she could easily pass the case off for some musical instrument.
Finally, she had the rifle together and loaded, she put it on the ground, and started scanning the school grounds for the royals, and then she spotted them.
Lelouch, Cornelia, Euphemia, and Nunnally were all going down the same path together at a leisurely pace. The four Knights, two belonging to Lelouch, and the other two belonging to Cornelia, as well as Warrant Officer Kururugi were following them a short distance behind, just enjoying the scenery.
Kallen picked up the rifle and rested it on the small stone wall surrounding the roof, to stop people from falling off.
Taking deliberate aim at the head of Prince Lelouch, she began to put pressure on the trigger.
Finally, she reached the breaking point, and the rifle barked once.
The bullet was forced out of the barrel by the high pressure gasses expanding behind it, and flew towards the four people.
A sickening crunch was heard as it impacted with someone's head, killing them instantly.
And then someone started screaming.
A/N: Oh boy! A cliffhanger! In all seriousness though, someone has died, and I will attempt to punch out another chapter before I'm sent to basic training so I'm not leaving you all hanging.