Disclaimer: I do not own code geass or darksiders. But this is still awesome.

Those who attack strike from the heights of the sky. Those who defend hide in the depths of the earth.

The Art of War

Chapter 10

Ashford Academy

It was morning and Lelouch was sitting with the rest of the class in amazement at their newest member.

"My name is Suzaku Kururugi I'll be a student at Ashford academy."

By the time the class ended the students had already started whispering.

"Isn't he the one who killed Clovis?"

"That was zero. The court cleared him of those charges."

"He was suspicious enough to arrest though. What if he's dangerous?"

"Of course he isn't, the school board would know something like that."

Shirley and Nina were off to the side.

"I'm frightened Shirley an Eleven at school?
Rivalz butted in. "He is an honorary Brittanian."

"I know but still."

Shirley smiled "Well he doesn't look all that scary to me why don't we talk to him I'm sure he's nice."

"Hang on a minute the guy just got here, leave him some space."

From where they stood, they could not see the reaction on Suzaku's face as Lelouch passed by him. Suzaku turned his head and as Lelouch approached the door he pulled up the cuff of his shirt.

Ten minutes later

Suzaku walked out onto the roof to see Lelouch leaning against a banister.

"Seven years since we used this signal." Lelouch repeated the pull on his collar. "Long time huh?"

"Meeting you on the roof like the old days." Suzaku smiled. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Alive and kicking thanks to you. You almost died trying to protect us."

"Yeah about that."

"Ah you wonder about Luthur. Yes to be clear everyone here believes him to me my brother. We actually tell them he's my half brother if anyone presses on it."

"Huh." Suzaku's face then grew anxious. "What about the girl you know the one from the capsule."

"I don't know we got separated after. Luthur was more worried about getting me out. But you would know more about her then I do." Extremely unlikely but lets see what they told the rank and file?

"No." Suzaku's face became downcast. "The only ones who had any clue were the inner circle of the royal guard."

"I see."

"And your name do I still call you Lelouch?"

"The records list me among the dead I am Lelouch Harkin Lamplerouge now. Although most people stick to the first name. And you? What happened at your court martial and how did you enroll at this school?"

Suzaku grinned. "I'm as surprised as you are. Who'd have believed we'd wind up at the same school. Truth is someone saw to it I received a proper investigation. That same someone decided that a seventeen year old should be in school."

"I wonder would it possibly be that someone my brother saw you with at the memorial a while ago?"

"He told you about that?"

"Yes he mentioned meeting you when he stopped by here."

"He was here?"

"For a while."

The Reaper and the Witch

Ashford academy. The night previous.

Luthur walked into the main receiving room trying to wrap his mind around an oddity that kept propping up in the data he'd been reviewing on Clovis's experiments. There was only one woman's face listed in the medical subjects list. That of the woman they got from the gas canister. However a careful review of the test results revealed what had to be a least a dozen different women all dying. Yet they all had identical physical data. Height, blood type, lung capacity even the neural structure of their brains it was crazy. He entered the main room where the dinner table sat. "Alright Lelouch what is it you wanted to." Standing there was the green haired woman from Shinjuku who'd been shot in the head.

"Hello Luthur."

The world slowed down as Luthur's mind raced. Woman identical to one shot in head in Shinjuku. Same woman? Impossible fatal wound, no scarring around forehead. No sign of brain damage. One photo. All subjects had identical physical data. Only Logical conclusion. Clones. Clones created by Clovis's science team. And then sent here? By them? An assassin!

In an instant Luthur charged across the room. Before the woman could blink his right hand seized her by the throat and pinned her up against the wall. He tightened his grip so that she could only whisper and then increased the auditory reception so he could hear her. His left hand warped into the demonic form the tips of his fingers twisting into claws. He leaned in close and whispered. "Now listen you little green haired assassin clone. I know who must have sent you. The boy and the girl who live here? Where are they? Answer or you will die."

"Were it so easy." The girl looked down at him and her face was extremely unimpressed. You'd think she was actually bored by the prospect of death by demonic eyeball hand.

"Oh Luthur I see you've met C.C."

Luthur turned his head to see Lelouch holding Nunnally's hand while they walked into the room. Nunnally was wearing what looked to be paper flowers in her hair. Lelouch's voice was perfectly natural but his face was barely concealing held in amusement.

It was awkward Luthur holding the woman up against the wall his metal claw raised to rip her head off while Lelouch just stood there with Nunnally. Nunnally spoke up "Luthur are you allright?"

"Uhmm I'm fine Nunnally I'm just saying hello to." He whispered to her. "What's your name?"

"C.C"

"C.C here." Luthur loosened his grip so that she could talk.

"Hello Nunnally Luthur was just surprised to see me here that's all."

"Well I'm just glad you're back." Nunnally then walked across the room and gave Luthur a hug. Luthur lowered his left arm and returned the hug his clawed fingers gently caressing Nunnally's hair while his other arm held C.C up.

The green haired woman looked more closely at Luthur's cyber arm as it slowly shifted back to normal. And then she sighed in exasperation. "Oh here we go again."

The Devil and the Knight

"We met up not long after you and I parted ways. He's not Brittanian he's a South African who got stranded here when the war began." Lelouch looked grim. " So to conceal both our identities we pretended to all be related to each other. I understand there is not much back in his homeland to go back to."

Suzaku winced if area Eleven was an example of one of the swiftest and least destructive conquests by Brittania the fall of South Africa was one of the most drawn out and devastating. The South Africans had mounted a defence long enough for the EU to reinforce them. The war had lasted over a year and a half. By the end over a third of the population was dead. Many more died from starvation and disease due to the near total destruction of any significant infrastructure. Remnants of the feared Afrika Korps and the death's head commandos still operated there. Having gone through three viceroys (none of them royal family members) in a year Area 15 was still considered the ultimate punishment detail for the Brittanian army.

"I didn't inquire into all the details. I'm fairly certain that he broke some laws. But the result? New identities for us all, though for a while we had to dye Nunnally's hair black to be safe. You know he actually owns the company that built Ashford academy? His profit margin on the construction was minimal. He said it was worth it just to give Nunnally such a good place to stay."

"So it isn't just an act. He really?"

"Yes he is my brother and Nunnally's brother too. He and I have endured a lot together. It was difficult staying out of sight in those months just after Japan fell. He's more a brother to me than any of the ones tied to me by blood. He loves us both even if he's not always the most approachable of people."

"I suppose I should thank him when I see him."

"You'll meet him again later but I think it's only fair I introduce you to Nunnally.

"What's he doing now?"

"Some of his employees were having trouble moving some stock. Knowing him I imagine he's micromanaging again."

The Reaper and War

Area 11, Blood of the Samurai stronghold 57 Kilometers outside Hiroshima.

In an isolated valley Brittanian heavy artillery was pounding away at the Samurai's fortress. It was nothing more than a small mountain honeycombed with tunnels. Numerous defense guns returned fire from their emplacements on the sides.

In a mobile G-1 Base Andreas Darlton looked at a datascreen showing units surrounding the Samurai's stronghold.

"Yes we've confirmed the location of the upper entry level."

"Excellent get that information to the viceroy at once.

Sublevel 3

The mountain shook as Brittanian artillery pounded away. The chamber was Spartan. Two large elevators descended form the upper floor. They were simple platforms with guardrails which were raised and lowered using heavy gear trains. The platforms descended and men and women headed from them to the open shaft in the centre where another elevator rose out the darkness.

Blood of the Samurai members were hauling crates towards the central elevator shaft before getting on themselves. Some of them moving faster at the sight of Shinigami and the even larger armored giant standing next to him. Only the group's leadership and another quarter of the men were in the second tier. To the rest of the soldiers Shinigami was a ghost story who was hired on to help with the most deadly of missions. When questioned it was explained he was paid for by their backers. "I'll give Cornelia credit she doesn't waste much time. Even with forewarning we'll only got half of our equipment out before we have to blow this place to hell. "

The armored monolith next to him spoke as if they were casually discussing the weather. "True but that half constitutes the heavier weapons and classified materials. We can replace the rest. We've already cleared all of the group's families. Fifty percent of soldiers and support staff are already on the middle road." The lift returned to the top of the shaft and more men began pushing a larger black crate on wheels towards it. "Even without the intel we should have anticipated this. Next to Zero the blood of the samurai has been the most public group of all when it comes to spitting in Brittania's face."

"It had to be, we needed a strong reasonably well known group to draw in recruits these past four years. A pity to lose this base though. It was one our most well positioned tier 3 strongholds in central Japan." Another faint rumble shook the room. Luthur tapped the side of his death mask. "Status report?"

"They've shelled the second level defence guns on the south side." Another rumble came over the communicator. "If they take out the two upper lines we won't be able to cover the south entrance."

"What eyes do we have left?"

"The summit observation post is down. We're blind thirty meters above the top line. AA as well."

Death linked his mask to War. Before them a holographic map of the base appeared. The weapons emplacements on the outside were all moved on rails that headed inwards to a central hub chamber. The upper four levels were each formed from these hubs and were connected by a central heavy elevator which transported ammunition. There were numerous smaller elevators and ladder ways connecting the hubs as well. Below the four weapons hubs was the main Level containing the vehicle bays, weapons storage, barracks and general inventory. Two other heavy elevators were on this level a heavy track running from them to the central elevator.

Below that was the base's water supply and generators. Below them lay the base's ammunition and explosive storage where ammo was shifted to the two elevators.

And below that was the chamber they were now in. The elevator within it forming a link to the middle road. Part of the underground network of tunnels that they'd 'added on' to Japan's sealed over subway and maglev network. Of course a number of the soldiers had believed that there was no sub level three. Certainly like many of their sleeper installations the central access shaft had been covered with concrete with only a smaller elevator for access. However upon learning of Cornelia's imminent attack they'd used charges to blow the central shaft open and immediately ordered the Conclave operatives leading the Samurai to prepare for immediate and complete evacuation.

"War you see as I do?"

"I do."

Death waved his hand at the number of destroyed weapons emplacements. "They are seeking to destroy the guns that are covering the south entrance. The two upper levels are harder for them to reach properly with their artillery from that range. They can maintain for now but I estimate that within the next half hour the Brittanians will have taken out enough of the other levels that they can risk moving close enough to get accurate fire and destroy the remaining emplacements."

War nodded. "With the southern door uncovered they'll charge the entrance with Knightmares and APC's carrying infantry. Those doors will not hold them. This place is a holdover from the 1st Pacific war."

"Indeed. We should be grateful that Cornelia has not employed bunker busters against us. She probably wants to see if she can wring any information on Zero from the bases remnants. Status on the charges?"

"The ammunition chamber had been set with mining explosives as well as the generators. We have additional charges placed in the escape shaft to collapse as we leave. This part of the middle road has no value with the loss of this base."

"Excellent at this rate we will be able to manage a full evacuation. By the time they can take out the upper guns we will be well on our way."

"It's Cornelia!" Death tapped his mask again. "Location?"

" She's attacking from the top of the mountain she's argghh." Death adjusted his radio.

"Get me the top weapons hub."

Meanwhile Cornelia having dropped from a VTOL transport maneuvered her Gloucester with skill firing her slash harkens at two separate guns then retracting as she plummeted towards a third. "Relics of a forgotten age." She hit the third gun like a thunderbolt the blood and guts of the gunners melded with the twisted metal by her knightmares armored feet. "Darlton in here correct?"

"Yes my lady do you require aid?" Cornelia turned her knightmare around and accelerated down the tunnel.

"Not for this level of resistance." She burst into the central weapons hub to see dozens of soldiers armed while more hauled crates to the central elevator. "Surrender at once you feeble minded elevens."

The soldiers answer was simple "Death to Brittania." And they all opened fire their rounds sparking off her armor.

Cornelia scanned the room. "Looks like Zero isn't here then. No need to go after them one at a time then. Vermin." She raised her rifle "Rot like the filth that you are." Even as she gunned them down the blood of the samurai refused to break. Yelling their defiance as they were shredded to bloody ribbons.

Clever, clever Cornelia you VTOL dropped onto the mountain top to hit us from every side. "Weapons level three Cornelia has breached the upper level. Activate the locking rods for the central lift then blast the gearing train. All troops on level three commence retreat to evac point by secondary ladder ways. Level two maintain suppressing fire for an additional two minutes then seal external tunnels and retreat. Level one maintain for five minutes then seal external tunnels and retreat. The central lift is now inoperable" Death turned to War. "Cornelia might be able to force the lift to descend but we can at least trap her in the third level." He tapped his communicator again. "All troops on main level move to barricade points one and two."

"Yes by taking out the suppressing fire of the two upper levels. She will be able to assault both entrances simultaneously."

"Indeed." Then Death's cold voice blared over the base's intercom. "This is a general address. Blood of the Samurai the upper level is breached. All those not assigned to rear guard on central level are to head to evacuation point. All material is to be abandoned."

"Brittanian forces are crossing the no mans land towards both entrances."

War and Death both leapt onto an ascending elevator platform while Death seized a bandolier of grenades. "War head to the north entrance engage the first ones with anti armor weapons then retreat. I will take the south if we blow the larger tunnels between the vehicle bays and the central lifts they'll have to fight through the barracks section using infantry." Death adjusted his radio yet again "Set the charges to a timer of twenty five minutes." The voice on the other end protested and Death's voice became ice. "Well pack them all on the lift at once. Safety limits be damned, this entire facility will be rubble before the warranty expires."

War then turned to his communicator. "Generator level I need you to carry out two very specific orders. You'll need to access the switchboard for the base's lights and the steam pressure for the boilers."

North entrance. Twenty two minutes remaining

The door exploded inwards followed by a hail of missiles and knightmare rifle rounds that shredded the few trucks and even a couple of tanks that had been resting in the vehicle bay. The Brittanians continued their fire for another ten seconds before slowly advancing. At that moment all the lights in the chamber went out.

The first knightmare through the door opened its factsphere in time to receive a missile right to the head. The second fared no better. Standing back from the entrance holding what appeared to be a sideslung demonic crossbow was a giant clad in grim steel armor. His metal was covered in a tabard of red cloth. His head by a hood from which long pale white hair hung down. His eyes burning blue as the red half circle of illuminated circuitry shone from his forehead. His voice was spoken calmly almost devoid of any emotion or inflection. "Initial assault unit disabled." The weapon made an eerie clacking sound as a third missile was pulled along its external rack and slotted into position. His cyber eyes pierced the smoke easily. He fired again and this time impaled a luckless Brittanian soldier to the floor before he was blasted into pieces. War and his soldiers had all taken cover in the working pits that lay underneath several of the vehicles. Converting them into temporary foxholes. Now they all fired RPG's towards the Brittanian forces. The half dozen soldiers around him maintaining cover fire. "Time to detonation?"

"Twenty minutes."

War yelled to his troopers "Blow the connecting tunnel then fall back to the barracks." The central tunnel leading from the vehicle bay to the main hub was consumed in a blast of fire and shrapnel. Smoke bombs filling the area while War and his troopers abandoned their positions and raced down the side passages into the south west barracks.

South entrance 19 minutes remaining

The Brittanians burst through the heavy door of the southern entrance. There was nothing. Immediately they fired tear gas into the room. The gas mask wearing infantry would be safe but any of the samurai would be completely incapacitated. Their factspheres and scanning equipment swept the room. At the far end lay the connecting tunnel to the central area. Their scanners detected placed explosive mines along he floor and walls.

South East Barracks 17 minutes remaining

"Spread out take both side passageways. Check for traps." The knightmares and APC's moved into the chamber. Covering both side entrances to the barrack blocks with their weapons. The infantry broke into two teams approaching each entrance. One covering the other before moving forward. Several pulled out anti ballistic shields and advanced ahead of the others. Still nothing. The soldiers storming the southwest barracks entered a central mess area. The lights turned off plunging them into utter darkness.

"Activate night vision." The room was bathed in green then burned to white as the lights came on. "What the hell?"

"Arghhh" The soldiers turned in the direction of the shout as the lights went off again. One of the men was writhing on the floor his legs cut off at the knee. Then they were blinded as the lights came on. On and off on and off. And every time they were rendered blind another man died. Their heads exploded by pistol shots and as they turned to the source of the sound men screamed as invisible blades maimed them. Another soldier gave a gurgle as he stumbled forwards and then fell back blood gushing from his neck. "Deactivate night vision." Blinded in the light or blinded in the darkness. The shifting light sources disorientated the troops. But in the flash of light the commander saw a figure running close to the wall. There. He pointed his arm and then screamed as it flopped off at the elbow. Neatly severed by a strand of the molecularised razor wire that had been strung throughout the room. The blood dripping along the wire made it briefly visible before the lights dimmed again. The shifting light rendered it undetectable. The maiming of their commander broke the soldiers morale and they moved to retreat only to find that someone had strung another strand of the wire behind them at waist height. As the first man fell forward filleted like a fish with his guts spilling onto the ground he saw the other end of the wire which had been attached to a grenade.

As the smoke cleared a single soldier the one who'd lost his legs earlier was dragging himself towards the exit. The pain and blood loss had narrowed his thoughts down to one thing, Get out. He hauled himself along the chamber hearing the sounds of further troops rushing behind the first team. He prepared to cry and then coughed blood into his helmet as a massive scythe blade rammed between his shoulders pinning him to the floor. Death hauled in his catch like a fish and while the legless soldier writhed gasping he reached out with one hand and casually snapped his neck before flinging the corpse down the passage way. He moved swiftly avoiding the wires whose positions were recorded on his masks computer and sped down a second passage way. His computer clock counting down.

South West Barracks 14 minutes remaining

"Raaaahgh." War screamed as he fired a heavy chain gun swinging the weapon so that it swept the assembly hall as the enemy soldiers entered. The hail of rounds chewing through the walls and shredding the Brittanians. Beside him stood several Blood of the Samurai taking cover behind crates as they exchanged fire. War laughed cruelly as the armor piercing rounds bounced off his thickened metal plates. "You Brittanians die too fast. Fight harder so I actually feel like I'm making an effort." After a couple of minutes his gun belt ran dry. The troopers came from behind cover and returned fire. At this point some might have fallen back. Not War he charged straight forwards. He closed with the Brittanians and swung the gun like a mace knocking one to the ground while his oversized right hand snatched another by the head and held him in front as a shield. He drew an unfeasibly large sword with intricate carvings of tormented faces from his back and swung, severing men in half as he waded in among them laughing all the while. This was fighting eye to eye with the screaming of packed men. It was from another time and no training could have prepared these soldiers as War gutted them with such unrelenting brutality. His radio chimed. "We've hit the ten minute mark we're releasing the steam."

Another voice colder than the steel of his blade came in over the radio. "War retreat from your position I think Cornelia's trying to shoot her way down through the elevator platform."

War screamed in rage and impaled another trooper through the guts. The turned and ran his feet stomping the ground like thunder as he retreated.

Central chamber. Eight minutes remaining.

The central chamber looked like a scene from hell. The rotating emergency lighting bathed everything the color of blood. Massive plumes of steam and smoke rose from the two open elevator shafts. Coming up through the open metal grills that formed the elevators flooring. Another group of nearly forty men and women stood on a descending platform looking like nothing more than damned souls sinking into the pit. Death ran through this smoke and stood at the base of the central elevator. Above he could see the metal of the top elevator deforming as Cornelia kept trying to blast her way through the thick reinforced steel platform.

The roaring of gunfire grew closer as wounded were dragged out of both barracks buildings by their comrades. There was no time for stretchers. They simply flung them onto the lifts as they descended. War had picked up another Chain gun and steadily paced backwards towards the second lift his soldiers concentrating fire as the Brittanians emerged from the barracks entrance. Death headed to the opposite entrance and leapt up onto a vantage point above it. The soldiers moved cautiously. His traps had made them wary and they had moved carefully to clear the way. The troopers emerged and immediately took cover behind the abandoned crates by the entrance. They covered one another as more filed in opening fire on the soldiers gathering near the escape shafts gradually falling back. Death twisted his hand to activate his armors system. "Armor medic, commence focus injection." He drew in a breath and the world slowed down. Then Death fell upon the soldiers. He drew out both his scythe blades and swung, cleaving arms and heads. He connected both hafts together and spun it around himself. Dodging and weaving as the Brittanians fire lost cohesion and tried to fight the enemy in their midst. But he was too swift he held the weapon behind him one handed while firing his pistol. He leapt into the air above the enemy and rammed the blade edges through their heads and into the floor. His arm stretched outwards to penetrate a soldier's chest and then flung him to knock over his own men. What shots the enemy landed glanced off the molded bone shaped armor. It was if they were all in slow motion so easily did he dodge their attacks. Finally he grabbed his final grenade and flung it towards the soldiers who'd backed off to a safe distance to fire.

They scattered for cover and he ran for the first elevator where the remaining samurai had gathered. War and the second elevator were beggining to descend. Then Cornelia dropped down through the smoky haze that covered the ceiling. To Luthur it happened in terrible slow motion. As Cornelia fell, her rifle snapped out and unleashed a hail of rounds on the soldiers in the first elevator. Packed together taking cover behind the barriers of the elevator platform. They died swiftly. The heavy rounds blasting enormous holes in them. The pair of slash harkens she fired seemed superfluous but as they smashed into the control box he saw the sense of it. He reversed course and charged across the wide space towards the other elevator. At least they'd had the sense to keep going down. He kept low behind what sparse cover he could find until there was only twenty meters between him and the open shaft. He tapped his comm. System one last time and yelled out over the intercom in Japanese. "Alert the fire has reached the ammunition storage. Prepare to take these filthy Gaijin Brits to hell with us. Death to Britannia." The only real gamble there was whether or not any of Cornelia's troops knew the language of their enemies. They did.

Cornelia's amplified voice rang out. "All forces retreat." Luthur charged across the smoky haze to the escape. But Cornelia swerved right in front of him. "But not before killing you 'Death'. Cornelia raised her spear prepared to skewer him. But then an armored figure leapt out of the smoke billowing from the shaft. He grasped onto the Knightmares cockpit block with his gigantic metal gauntlet and stabbed his sword into the gearing of Cornelia's shoulder. "What." Cornelia looked almost comical as she tried to reach around to grab the armored figure clinging to her cockpit block. Before war could stab through the cockpit she fired both her slash harkens straight up. They impacted the roof. She rapidly ascended and war leapt off her and to the floor before she could smash him against the ceiling and her cockpit. Cornelia cursed them. Together War and Death leapt into the shaft. They did not see Cornelia detach and fire a second slash harken as she prepared to exit the facility from the direction she entered.

Instead they concentrated on staying alive. War's hand reached out and dug its metal claws into the wall of the shaft. His other held onto Death. Below them lay the elevator platform stopped halfway down. They dropped into the midst of the soldiers and then Death kicked the lift brake off. They descended faster. The metal screaming as they passed both levels. "Time?" War bellowed over the sound of breaking metal. "Four minutes." The elevator hit the sublevel.

They charged across the concrete to the exit. War had slung a wounded man over his shoulder. There was no order to this just a gaggle of desperate men and women trying to outrun time. Another man blinded was pulled along desperately by a second soldier who'd lost his arm. As the last of them got onto the platform Death hit the descent lever.

"Three minutes." The elevator picked up speed.

"Two minutes" They continued to descend the shaft.

"One minute." They reached the bottom before them lay a long tunnel with trucks at the end. "Run." They all started moving as far away from the shaft as possible. Then a massive rumble echoed down the passageway. And a cascade of rubble fell down the elevator shaft behind them. Death sounded slightly peeved. "How embarrassing I was off by half a minute."

The moment of levity brought faint laughter from even the wounded and as they all stumbled towards the waiting transports it grew louder encompassing the tunnel as the base fell into ruin above them.

He turned towards War. "It's a three hours journey from here to Nexus two. Another two hours along the Deep roads towards Bastion. Who can begrudge anyone some laughter at the start of such a trip?"

"Will you be coming all the way?"

"No. I must return to the settlement. Take care of these ones War. They will be needed come E-Day." No more needed to be said. The two horsemen had saved each others lives so many times that the gratitude was a given and unspoken.

The Knight and the Beloved

Night had fallen on the academy. Nunnally came in the door of the dinner room. Sayoko at her side. "Hi Lelouch I'm home."

"Hello Nunnally, miss Sayoko. I've got a special present for you." Then Lelouch held his fingers to his lips.

"Oh what could it be?" Nunnally wondered as Lelouch led her to a seat. Then he gestured and Suzaku walked in. The honorary Brittanian seemed to muster up some courage then knelt at the girl's side placing his hand into hers.

Nunnally gasped and then tears of joy came from her closed eyes. "This hand. I just knew it." She lifted his hand close to his face. "I just knew it. I knew you'd be alright. He promised you would."

Suzaku smiled "It's been a long time Nunnally."

Later they all sat around a table enjoying a light dinner. "You will stay the night won't you?"

"Suzaku's enrolled at the academy so you can see him anytime you want to."

"Really. Oh that's wonderful."

"Well I still have military duties so I can't be here everyday."

Nunnally's face became concerned. "Oh. You. You're still in the military?"

"Don't worry they shifted me to the engineering core. It's a lot less dangerous."

Lelouch smiled politely as he picked up the teapot. "Engineering, cool." So they decided to bury him in an engineering unit where he'll be out of the way and the media spotlight. Makes sense.

"Oh let me help you with that."

"You sit down. Unlike seven years ago we get to be the hosts. Funny, you're a lot more mellow than you used to be." What happened to that young boy who tried to solve so many of his problems head on with his fists?

"And you're a lot more brash."

Lelouch chuckled as he went into the kitchen. He turned his head and spoke softly. "I thought I told you to stay away. You'd think everything down in the base would be enough to keep you occupied?"

C.C looked back her face as calm as ever. "That boy. He's the soldier from Shinjuku. Is that wise?"

"It's alright. He's a friend." He lay the teapot on the counter. "From the past."

The Orange

In his prison cell the straight jacketed Lord Jeremiah looked up with hope as the glass doorway of his chamber opened. In front of him was Lord Guildford and two of Cornelia's guard. "Lord Guilford you see I'm innocent don't you."

"Well in the eyes of the court you are. And our own investigators as well." Guildford's tone was harsh but his eyes held a trace of speculation. "Still regardless of how you acted to protect the civilians Zero got away and you purebloods let it happen. You're being demoted one rank." Jeremiah blanched. "You have two options starting over in the military as a Harrier squad commander or buying an orange farm."

The Devil and the Knight

The next day Lelouch listened on a cell phone while Ohgi told him what he already knew. "It's not made the news yet but Cornelia wiped out the blood of the samurai faction yesterday. They were the largest group we had in central Brittania. Zero, it's only a matter of time before she comes after us as well."

Wiped out ah if you only knew Ohgi. "Keep your heads down for now our time will come. You are prepared to meet with Shinigami for training tomorrow?"

"Yeah they've all agreed. Even Tamaki."

"Good." They're skills and teamwork are good but if they're to act as the core of our 'rebellion' they will need to be better. Especially Tamaki. Haha once Luthur gets done with training them they'll be lucky to walk. "We'll talk later."

He cut off the phone and looked out the window to see Suzaku washing a shirt. As he pulled it out of the water he could see the words 'go back to the ghetto' scrawled on it in red marker.

The Cat

Later that day Lelouch walked into his bedroom to see C.C sprawled out on his bed. In one hand she was chewing on a thick slice of pepperoni pizza in the other she looked at his unarmored zero helmet. So distracting was the image he didn't even notice the cat that came in the door after him. "You know I keep that thing down in the base for a reason."

"Oh relax. The other person in the building who could see it is already in on your secret. Flair for the dramatic much?"

"Perhaps. But it's not something I should be careless with."

The door behind him swished open again and C.C placed the mask on the edge of the bed. It was Nunnally standing by the door. "Alright Lelouch the tea is ready when you are." Her nose twitched and she inclined her head. "That smell hey did you order pizza again?"

"Yeah I'm chalking up reward points. I'll be right down okay."

"Lelouch." Nunnally teased. "Maybe you should cut down on the pizza you don't want a blubbery belly."

"Just promise not to touch it or rub it okay?" Lelouch took Nunnally's hand and went down the hallway.

Nunnally giggled. "Ooh Scary."

Neither C.C or Lelouch took note of the dull thump from the other side of the bed. "Mrowl"

C.C turned around to see the helm gone. She did not notice the soft padding of the cat's feet.

Lelouch and Nunnally were sitting having tea. "They're just being cruel to Suzaku."

"No it's just these things take time they'll come around."

"But you're his friend could you do something or Luthur."

"Perhaps we can. Oh Luthur will be around more."

"Really."

"Yes he's going to delegate any out of the Area business. He plans to take a part time vacation so he can spend more time with us. For the rest of the year he'll only be gone for a day at the time at most."

"I'm so glad. I know he gets sad when he's away from us for a while."

"Yeah I know wh. What?" Lelouch stood paralyzed his face twitching in utter disbelief and consternation as he saw a cat ambling its way across the room wearing his Zero mask.

The door hissed open and the cat bounded off. Lelouch ran after it. "Hey give that back."

"Uh Lelouch?"

Outside Lelouch hauled himself out a window in pursuit of the masked feline. "A cat. A stupid little cat? Urgh." He promptly fell into a bush. "This can't be happening. How can all my plans be undone by a mere feline?"

The green haired witch looked out the window in surprise. A dollop of cheese hanging from her lip. "That wasn't my fault. I didn't touch or rub anything."

While Lelouch pursued the little furball. Nunnally out of concern for her brother called the student council thus proving that old maxim about good intentions. Milly sounded rather puzzled. "A cat?"

"Yes but it must have taken something important to him because." At this Nunnally sounded genuinely worried. "I've never heard my brother sound like that. He was completely hysterical."

"Oh what could it be?'

Nina softly spoke up. "A love letter."

Milly held a finger to her chin "An embarrassing photo?"

Rivalz cocked his head. "Poetry he wrote."

"Poetry?"

Rivalz and Milly looked at each other and giggled. Milly gave a thumbs up. "Leave it to us we'll catch that cat and whatever it is that it stole. Just you wait."

Lelouch burst into a hallway in time to see the vigilante cat rush by a pair of students chatting. "Hey is that a cat with zero's face or am I crazy?"

"You must be crazy. How could that be here?"

Lelouch stopped and turned to both of them. "You saw that." His eye turned red. "Forget everything you've just seen."

"Sure no problem at all."

Lelouch ran outside to see the cat heading along the roof he chased alongside it.

Damn it if I had those terrorists with me we could encircle the enemy. Maybe Kallen could help. No she's suspicious of me as it is. I just hope Luthur has gotten back.

"Arg" Lelouch fell into the bushes and watched as the cat hopped down and ran a meter past his face in the opposite direction.

As he reached for his phone Lelouch thought his situation could not get any worse. Then it got worse. "This is Milly the student council president. Cat hunt everybody."

At that several students all stopped what they were doing including Suzaku. "Cat hunt?"

"There a rogue cat on the loose and it needs catching. Participating clubs will get budget priority." On top of a diving board Shirley listened. "And whoever catches our feline friend will get a very special prize. A big old kiss from one of the student council members."

"What" Shirley lost her footing and executed the most awkward dive in the history of the school.

Damn it Milly stay out of this "Luthur have you arrived at the base?

"Yes I just got in."

"No time we have a potential tier one security breach on campus."

Luthur's drew in a sharp breath. "What, is it a Brittanian agent?"

"No it's a cat."

"Oh no that's even wor. Wait a minute did you say a CAT?"

"Yes it's wearing my mask. Activate Dust and the others and help me catch it."

Even as Luthur ran towards a stairway to one of the other exits on campus. He cried out over the phone. "A CAT?"

Meanwhile in the gardens Kallen listened with alarm. "Members of the student council. You mean Like ME?"

"EXACTLY." From the bushes behind her the members of both the photography club and the gardeners club leapt out.

"You're on the student council aren't you?"

"Yeah I wouldn't mind a taste of those lips."

"A peck on the cheek would be fine with me."

"Wait we can choose where she plants it?"

"ALRIGHT." And immediately over a dozen men charged off in search of the cat.

Kallen blushed. "There is no way that's how I'm going to get my first kiss."

Elsewhere several of the girls speculated. "Any member of the council? Does that include Lelouch?" The girls all squeeled in delight.

"Actually I'd prefer Milly."

"Oh get back in the closet would you."

The football team gave a mighty hup and started running across the grounds.

The equestrian club began to patrol. "We have the advantage in mobility."

The gardeners began rifleing through the bushes. "Quick search for catnip."

"Plants will prevail."

"And when you do catch that cat bring what it's carrying to me. To me. TO ME ahahahahahah."

Luthur paused a moment as he emerged from a hallway. "Truly she is diabolical."

Kallen ran down a hallway. Offering up people as prizes this is why I hate Brittanians.

Then she had to stop as a pair of students came around the corner. As soon as she passed them she took off again. Damn it why do I have to keep pretending that I'm sick and feeble. She immediately ran into someone coming around the corner. "Oh I'm sorry. Shirley? Why are you dressed like that?" Shirley Finnette was looking very flustered and still somewhat damp in her one piece swimming outfit.

"I didn't have time to change they're going to make us kiss somebody."

Kallen nodded her head in agreement. "I'm with you."

Milly's control centre of doom (The public address booth)

Milly and Nina were standing near the address microphone along with Nunnally.

"Nunnally is there anything special about this cat?"

Milly held the microphone to Nunnallys face as she answered. "Hm I think one of its legs is hurt because its footsteps sounded off to me. Oh and it also made a meow like this." She drew in a deep breath. "MEOOOWWW" which echoed around the entire school.

The Cook and the Pudding

Across from the schools main gate and just outside the university Cecile Croomy listened to the amplified cat sound. "The school seems so laid back. In spite of the fact that they're in mourning. I hope Suzaku will be okay."

Lloyd Asplund the earl of pudding walked out from behind the ASEEC trailer. "Never mind that. I've just finished talking to the university here. They still say I have to keep poor Lancelot out though."

"I know but they refuse any elevens."

The Diabolical Mistress

Rivalz strapped on his helmet as Milly sat in his sidecar. "What happens if a member of the student council catches the cat? Do we get a prize?"

Milly smiled at him. "Do we get a kiss? But of course."

"Alright then this is my chance to shine." Rivalz gunned the engine and they sped off in a cloud of dust.

"Hey no speeding on campus."

The Queen and the Crush

Kallen and Shirley blocked off the cats escape as it hid under some furniture beneath a stairwell. "Okay we catch this thing and our lips will be safe. Shirley you cover the rear I'll catch it."

"Okay." Shirley watched as Kallen slowly moved forwards. "Wait. Who would you want to get a kiss from?"

"Is it Lelouch?"

Kallen blushed furiously. "Why would you say a thing like that?"

"Well uhm." They did not even notice the cat running between their legs.

Ten seconds later Luthur came pounding around the corner.

"Have you found the cat?"

"Luthur." Kallen was surprised but glad for something that broke the awkward conversation. "Well its right under … there?"

"Oh no it got away."

"There it is." And they all began rushing down the hall. Dozens of birds flying around outside.

One of them caught an image of the cat running across a connecting rooftop into the clocktower building. Luthur sent a message on Lelouch's phone. "It's in the clocktower."

Unfortunately he was not the only one who had seen it. Lelouch ran into Suzaku at the base. "Suzaku? What are you doing here."

"Lelouch you're looking for the cat as well?"

An echoing meow came down the stairwell.

Suzaku to Lelouch's dismay began running upwards. "Suzaku wait don't go up there."

"But the council president said to catch the cat."

"Don't worry about it I'll catch the cat."

"I was always more agile than you. Are you forgetting when that bird escaped its cage."

"That's ancient history."

"Ancient history. It was only seven years ago."

"Oh for Pete's sake. Huh huh." Lelouch was two lengths of stairs behind Suzaku and breathing heavily. "He always was a fitness nut."

Meanwhile just below them was Kallen and Luthur. "We'll never catch them now."

Luthur however knew the layout of the Ashford academy better than anyone. (After all he'd designed it. Especially the unofficial architecture.) "Don't worry Kallen our lips will not be subject to Milly's whims today. If that cat is going where I think it is they'll be stopped by a locked door." Then he opened a grey door marked 'maintenance' on the third flight of stairs. "This is how people get to the top to work on the belltower mechanism. Hope you don't mind ladders." If she wants to maintain that sickly persona she'll have to lag behind me.

However Suzaku was not to be deterred. The Cat had clambered up into the belltower section. He went out the window after it. Much to the shock of the crowd who had gathered below. "Suzaku don't bother leave the cat alone."

"Don't worry I'll get it." Lelouch stepped out the window himself. What's with him? He never went along with the crowd like this. Then Lelouch's foot slipped and he started sliding down the rooftop. "Suzaku."

Suzaku turned around and slid down grasping the windowsill with one hand while the other held onto Lelouch's hand. "I've got you."

Down on the ground Nina was surprised. "Those two are they?"

Meanwhile while looking up at the cat Lelouch saw a huge form appear behind it. Luthur quickly grabbed the cat and before it could meow took off the mask collapsed it and tucked it into his jacket. Then he roared in triumph as Kallen clambered up next to him "Kallen and I have caught the cat."

Down on the ground Nunnally asked Milly "Hey what's going on?"

"That transfer student just saved Lelouch from a really bad fall."

Nunnally smiled.

Eventually they all emerged at the bottom. Suzaku reached out to the cat which hissed at him. "I think it's the same cat from the other day."

Shirley looked a bit worried then smiled and stepped forwards. "You saved him thanks so much."

Rivalz chimed in "Yeah way to go new guy."

Milly looked at Luthur then at Kallen who'd he handed the cat to. "Hey that cat was carrying something where is it?"

Luthur looked at Kallen. "I didn't see anything on it. Did you Kallen?"

"No."

"I think I saw something on it but it must have fallen off."

Milly pouted in disappointment. "Rats and I thought I'd get some real dirt on Lelouch this time."

Shirley joined in. "Yeah he almost lost his cool for once."

Lelouch smiled wearing an expression of totally false innocence. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Milly looked grumpy then her face lit up in a mischievous grin as Kallen handed the cat over to a member of the gardening club.

"Well there's still the matter of the prize for the winners."

Luthur pointed triumphantly. "Hah we beat you there Milly. It was Kallen and I who caught the cat together. And we are already members of the student council."

"Exactly."

Kallen looked rather pale at that. "What, what do you mean?"

"Well it obvious that you too will have to kiss each other."

"WHAT?" Kallen blushed as she looked at Luthur and the image of him without his shirt immediately came to mind. Luthur for his part looked a bit red as well and his expression was one of consternation and perhaps a hint of hopefulness.

"You can't compel members of the student council to do that Milly."

"Oh well if that's the case. I guess the first non member to catch the cat wins."

Kallen looked at the member of the gardening club whose face lit up in joy. NO FREAKING WAY. Then she turned, grabbed Luthur by the shoulders and pulled him down into a kiss.

She'd meant to make it quick. But when their lips touched each other she didn't let go of his shoulders. They remained pressed together. His mouth opened slightly and she felt his tongue slide gently across her upper lip. She felt her breath mingling with his and dug her hands into his shoulder as he kissed her right back. She pulled away just as she felt herself starting to run out of air. She realized that everyone there had been watching her kissing Luthur for, for, she even didn't even realize how long. Her face turned as red as her hair and right then she wished a hole would open and swallow them both. But preferably swallow Milly first. Who was grinning like the cat that got the cream.

Kallen desperately wanted to change the subject and turned towards the amused looking Suzaku and Lelouch. "So, uhm. Do you two know each other then?"

Nina gulped "Yeah but he's an Eleven."

Everyone looked uneasy at her words until Lelouch spoke. "He's my friend. Madam President each of us can nominate someone to be a member of the student council correct?"

"Well sure you're the vice president."

"Every student is required to join a club. So I would like Suzaku to join the student council."

Milly held her hand to her chin for a while and then grinned. "Sure."

Rivalz held his hand high. "Oh right then. Let's celebrate the catching of the cat. Everything is on the new guy of course."

"Oh back off Rivalz. Hi I'm Shirley Fenette Pleased to meet ya."

"Oh yeah I'm Rivalz."

"I'm Milly Ashford the student council president."

As everyone crowded around to welcome Suzaku, Lelouch saw a smile come to the serious teen's face.

Luthur cleared his throat. "uhh hum actually I'd like to make an announcement. In order to spend more time with my family I'm going to do part time work. Two days a week I will be teaching the martial art of Silat at the spare meeting hall on the end of Campus." Everyone looked surprised at this. Luthur's face took on a grin that looked like a shark about to eat you. "There any who join me can seek to improve their bodies and minds through the most brutal and physically demanding martial art style in the world." At that one everyone winced slightly.

Luthur rested his hand on Lelouch's shoulder. "And of course my little brother shall be the first volunteer."

Lelouch's face became a mask of utter dread. "What?"

"You lost our bet Lelouch so you have to volunteer for something. It's this."

"Of, of course brother looking forward to it." Yes, in the way a condemned man looked forwards to an execution.

But Luthur was not done. He saw a pair of rather sour looking faces. He walked around the edge of the crowd to where a thin blue haired student and a tubby blond stood.

"And Jason and Michael have decided to join the first class as well.

"Us?"

Then Luthur leaned forward so only they could hear. "Unless you want footage of you vandalizing a students clothing to go to the principle. Or the student council president perhaps."

Both of them gulped although which of the two options frightened them more was hard to tell. "Yeah sure."

"Excellent I'll expect them and anyone else who wishes to hone themselves through the cleansing fire of physical exertion to be there after final class tomorrow."

Later as they walked alone Lelouch objected. "Luthur I'm not sure about this."

Luthur looked at his adopted brother and military commander. His gaze was one that held no compromise. "Lelouch you are my brother and I love you. You are a brilliant tactician, a patient strategist and a fantastic shot. I've never seen you miss with a revolver or any firearm. But your close combat skill is laughable and your stamina pathetic. I know that you should never wind up in direct combat but we can't be certain that I will always be there if you do. I had believed you were keeping up with your basic exercises when I was away. You clearly have not."

"It's not that bad."

"Lelouch we have created a massive plan of secrecy and preparation. A plan we've been laboring on for seven years. Which was nearly undone due to your inability to catch a cat with a weight on its head and a wounded leg! You can't be too reliant on your power armor. You may not need to become a close range master but I can make sure you're fit enough that you can at least run away effectively if you have to."

Lelouch sighed "Alright, alright. But watch out I don't take revenge on you."

"If getting you fit enough to stay alive, makes you plot vengeance it's a price worth paying. Cheer up I understand you have an appointment with a certain masked lady tonight."

"Well at least you are not calling it a date."

"Well of course it's obviously not that." Luthur coughed into his mouth.

Authors Note

Derain: Whew. That was huge. I didn't mean for the samurai part to take so long but damn it once War and Death start blowing things up I just can't stop myself.

War: That's right people. We blow stuff up.

Luthur: Yes as we prepare for the day we will emerge and conquer the surface world. Hahaha. Uh sorry about that.

Lelouch: War is very direct.

Derain: Yes with war killing is all about fighting you. Death is purely about killing you. He doesn't care whether it's face to face or miles away. If scaring you and screwing with your head makes it easier to take you down he will do it.

Luthur: Or just kill you instantly with a car bomb.

Derain: (nervously) Yeah. Before anyone objects I need to point out that the use of the underground tunnels by resistance groups is actually part of the canon. Cornelia and her generals have a meeting about that and how the elevens self governing council (the six houses of Kyoto) are helping keep the tunnels operating. Although it should be clear that the black knights have taken that concept and run a thousand miles with it. Got you wondering just how much stuff they've got down there hmm?

Kallen: On the subject of objecting, you made us kiss each other.

Derain: Actually I offered you a choice between kissing him and kissing the gardener guy. Not much of a choice but a choice.

Luthur: A really good choice.

Kallen: Hey!

Derain: And before anyone makes an objection about age difference let me point out that in the canon it's made to appear as if Lelouch ends up being with a woman who is centuries older than him.

C.C: I prefer to think of myself as exceptionally mature.

Lelouch: Mature? Not so sure about that.

Derain: Lelouch is a really good shot with firearms. In the whole series I never saw anyone dodge his shots.

Lelouch: That's right.

Derain: Except of course Suzaku.

Suzaku: Oh yes.

Derain: Also as with Lady Kami War is NOT an OC. He is a very minor character (seriously I don't think he got half a minute of dialogue) who I have saved from obscurity and imbued with PURE AWESOMENESS.

War: HELL YEAH.

Derain: So get ready kids next chapter Lelouch will go on a date.

Lelouch: It's not a date!

Derain: And then endure a BRUTAL TRAINING MONTAGE at the hands, feet (and weapons) of Luthur.

Luthur: Pain is good. Pain will be your friend.

Lelouch: Oh no.

Derain: (singing) It's the eye of the tiger. It's the thrill of the fight. Rising up to the challenge of your rivals. And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night.

Lelouch: Shut up.