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Chapter 10: Prelude to Madness

Luscious green leaves were slowly replaced by bright and shining crystal ones as Sayoko neared Milly's lair. She had reached the Crystal Forest in record time, despite the responsibility of being the bearer of such important news weighing heavily on her neck.

Once Sayoko saw the tranquil stream that was the life force of the forest, she knew she was close to home. It wasn't long before she reached the Mother Tree; Milly's lair.

"I'm home!" Sayoko called as she landed at the hallow tree's entrance.

"Oh Sayoko and…" Milly wanted to greet before realizing that it was only Sayoko "Where are your friends? Why are you alone?"

"Regarding that, I have an important - "

"ENCHANTRESS!" they heard a furious shout from above. Milly sighed as she looked up.

"What is it this time?" Milly asked, slightly annoyed. She looked up and saw Kallen, the Crimson Dragon, coming at her from above.

"Do not feign ignorance! You know well why I am here! I want you to return my Guren Gem to me!"

"Ah yes, it the same reason as last week. I thought you have learnt your lesson by now"

"Do not get ahead of yourself; I have become much more powerful than before!" Kallen defended herself as she charged her power within her mouth before releasing a powerful fire breath.

"Sayoko!" Milly called and Sayoko instantly picked her up, dodging the fire onslaught just in time. Sayoko took to the sky, ascending until she reached an altitude just a little higher than that of the fuming crimson dragon. "Take me closer!"

"Yes ma'am!" Sayoko said, afraid but willing to trust her leader. As soon as Sayoko reached a close enough distance, Milly twirled her staff and swept it across the air, invoking a magic circle.

"Mirror reflection!" Milly called, surrounding Kallen from all sides with mirrors, caging her within her own reflections. Kallen was temporarily fazed, not knowing where to look. She quickly regained her focus though, and invoked all her magic into a great burst of fire magic from her tail, shattering the glass that surrounded her.

It was no use, as a magic circle still hovered beneath Kallen. She cursed and looked up. It was just in time to see Sayoko, with Milly onboard coming at her from above.

"Caught you" Milly said, leaping from Sayoko while spinning her staff above her head, charging it with magic power. With a wink the Enchantress pierced Kallen's wing with the tip of her spear, crystallizing both wings. With practiced eased Milly dropped back into Sayoko's saddle.

"Darn, a misstep!' Kallen cursed as she felt her wings hardening, making it more and more difficult to stay a flight. Not being able to move her wings, she tumbled through the branches of the crystal trees. She landed on the floor with a hard thump.

"Okay, now that that's over we can continue where we left off" Milly said, taking out the letter and reading it.

"Right" Sayoko agreed.

"Talking so casually in the presence of an enemy, don't look down on me!" Kallen snapped, trying to free her wings but it is in vain. She tried to release a fire breath, but it came out as nothing more than mere puffs.

"What? Lelouch will be taking part in the Battle Royale at Pendragon tomorrow?" Milly exclaimed "We need to help him!"

"Shh!" Sayoko shushed Milly "I know we need to help Lelouch, but what good will it do if we alert another enemy of his presence?" Sayoko said, discreetly pointing to the Dragon behind them, who perked its ears.

"Oh right, but Sayoko, I will not able to go and help. I have my hands full here." Milly explained apologetically. Kallen was really interested, now.

"I can't either, not after two days' worth of heavy travel!" Kallen's tail began to wag excitedly like that of a dog.

"Hmm if only we had someone who could go for ~us" Milly drawled. Kallen could not contain her excitement any longer.

"I'll go!" Kallen offered.

"What?" Sayoko asked, incredulous. "Why should we trust you; you who will the first chance you get to kill him!"

"Of course, but before I can have my revenge on him, I have to make sure that nobody else gets to him first, am I right?"

"Good answer. Alright, you can go, but only after you show that you can free yourself" Milly set the condition.

"That's a simple task!" Kallen said as she charged magic into her wings. With a burst of energy flames erupted from her wings, thereby freeing her, and lifting her off into the sky.

"Wait for me, Enchantress! As soon as I have dealt with Lelouch, you're next!" Kallen called over her shoulder before heading in the direction of the capital.

"Eh is that okay, ma'am? Isn't she going to go after Lelouch and the others now?" Sayoko questioned.

"It's fine, since that persistent creature finally left. Lelouch might as well be our diversion for once, wouldn't you say?"

"No ma'am, not really. I do owe a lot to them, after all. I don't want them to be hurt"

"Don't worry; they're big boys who can take care of themselves."

'At least, I think so' Milly thought. She could only hope that Lelouch and Nunnally would reach their home safely once more. 'Save your sister, Lelouch! I did not lend you one of my best cranes just for you to return empty-handed!"

Many stars already donned the night sky when the carriage arrived at the Castle's front courtyard. The moon's light outlined every curve of every petal, and it accentuated the sharp edge of every blade of grass. The castle garden at night truly was something to behold.

Schneizel thought that it was a pity that Lelouch was missing it, since he was still asleep due to C.C.'s potent sleeping powder. Lelouch would only see the garden in the morning, when its presentation would be fit to impress the forty hundred spectators that will adorn the castle grounds, but that is also only if Lelouch is lucky.

"Should I arrange for someone to take him to a guest room, sir?" the coach man asked.

'Oh that's right' Schneizel remembered 'None of the staff working in the castle worked here eight years ago, so it's not surprising that they do not recognize the exiled prince'

"No, that is not necessary. I shall escort him to his room" Schneizel answered charmingly.

"As you wish, sire" the coachman said with a bow, standing back for Schneizel to step out.

Once outside, Schneizel turned back to the carriage and scooped the sleeping man into his arms, princess-carrying him into the castle. Most of the castle's household and staff had already retreated to their private quarters, so the halls were empty. The further Schneizel moved into the Castle, the darker and more desolate it grew. In the easternmost hall in the castle, Schneizel came to a stop in front of a door on his left side.

Schneizel shifted Lelouch's weight in his arms so that it appeared as if Schneizel was holding a child,

'Lelouch had grown so thin. He must have lost a lot of weight while in exile. Not that he was a plump boy to begin with. Poor little brother. He had probably not eaten a passable meal in over eight years, let alone a King's meal.' Schneizel thought concerned. Using his now free hand, Schneizel opened the door.

Inside the room a white cloth covered everything. The moon's light shone through the window, creating a rectangular spotlight on the dusty mat. Schneizel made his way towards the bed and placed Lelouch on the bed. Schneizel stood for a moment, just looking at his sleeping younger brother.

"Oh Lelouch…" Schneizel sighed, brushing Lelouch's unruly dark locks out of his face. "Why did you have to rebel all those years ago? If you had stayed here, older brother could have protected you. Indeed, I cannot ignore the fact that I also was at fault" he whispered "I, as your older brother, should have known what these past eight years would do to you, and I should not have allowed you go." Schneizel stepped back from the bed, and moved on to the window.

"However," Schneizel continued "We, as Royals of the Dragon Clan Britannia, cannot go against Father's wishes without facing the consequences." he placed a small bouquet of violet irises in a delicate vase on the window sill. "Hopefully you would have learned your lesson by tomorrow, and not make trouble for Father again." Schneizel went to the bed once more.

"May your rebellious spirit and independent soul finally be laid to rest tomorrow; not only for your sake, but for our that of your adorable little sister as well." Schneizel affectionately brushed Lelouch's forehead with his own "Tomorrow we are enemies, Lelouch. So sleep tight, my younger brother, for it might be your last" he said with a soft kiss to Lelouch's forehead. Schneizel left the room, and glanced back once, before closing the door and locking it.

"Welcome home, Lelouch"

"Why are we so few guarding the barracks tonight? Sure the festival is tomorrow and I understand that the guards have to hone their energy, but still!" the guard complained.

"It is true what you said there, my friend." A voice from behind agreed. "They are suppose to be especially vigilant on nights such as these"

"Right? I'm glad someone understands" the guard said happily and turned around to face the newcomer. His eyes widened when he saw the one who addressed him. "You! How?" but it was too late. Something hard hit the guard against his head from behind and he collapsed.

"Sorry, but I sneaked in with this disguise. Who knew it would be so effective?" Suzaku said, pleased with the result of his infiltration. He rummaged through the knocked out guard's clothes until he found what he came for; an identification badge. The exquisite engraving on the gold-colored metal was so incredibly gaudy that it could have only been from that of an egotistical narcissist royal family.

Suzaku tied up the guard up and threw him into one of the warehouse's abandoned rooms. He closed the door and locked it, thinking that after all the excitement is over, Suzaku would come and free the poor man.

Unbeknownst to Suzaku, Sugiyama of Tohdoh's troops saw what he had done, and immediately left, travelling in the shadows of the night until he reached Ohgi. Ohgi was waiting in the bustling night square, casually observing the people.

"Sir!" Sugiyama discreetly saluted. Ohgi's thoughts were clearly somewhere else, as he jumped when Sugiyama suddenly appeared. "What is with that jumpy reaction? Ah, don't tell me? You were thinking of your lovely mistress back home, weren't you?"

"W-wh-what are yous talked a-b-b-out?" Ohgi stuttered incomprehensibly.

"That reaction totally gives everything away! I don't blame you though...that Viletta woman with the teal hair and yellow eyes is the stuff that makes up men's dreams.

"Stop it immediately!" Ohgi ordered "You're beginning to sound like Tamaki, and no matter how you look at it, that is not a compliment! Now, what news do you bring me?" Sugiyama explained how Suzaku used an old guard uniform to sneak into the barracks and steal one of the guards identification badge. Sugiyama surmised that Suzaku would use that badge to infiltrate the Battle Royale tomorrow.

"I see, thank you for your good work, Sugiyama" Ohgi thanked before he pulled out his walkie-talkie and paged Tamaki.

"Yo, Tamaki here, over" Tamaki responded, in between chewing bites of food.

"Tamaki, don't tell me you men are still at the corn dog stand?! Over"

"Oh, Ohgi-sir! You've got to admit though that you don't get this kind of food around here. It's super rare! Over"

"Whatever you say. Sugiyama just got back to me. We need old guard uniforms and identification badges, you can do that, right? Over"

"Who do you think you're talking to? I am the great Tama...Oi wait! Identification badges? Where the hell do I get that? Over"

"Suzaku infiltrated the barracks where the guards sleep at night. You can ambush a few guards there, just make sure you deal with them properly, so that they don't cause problems for us at a later stage. Over"

"Hoh sounds like my kind of job! Leave it me! Over"

"We're counting on you Tamaki, don't screw this up. Over"

"Yeah yeah, Over" Tamaki drawled, before finishing the last bit of his fifth corn dog. "Alright, fellow b*stards! We're moving out!" Tamaki bellowed.

"Shh. Not so loud, sir!" one of Tamaki's men whispered.

"Oops, my bad" Tamaki apologized, and he and his nine men left in the direction of the barracks.

Between breaking into boutiques and stealing uniforms from the men themselves, Tamaki chose the method that he believed was "less troublesome' and not bothering to find which act was 'the lesser of the two evils according to the eyes of the law". Besides, Tamaki could never steal from a woman, or at least that's what he always likes to say.

Tamaki and his men easily infiltrated the barracks. Separating, they all acquired uniforms and identification badges in different ways. Some stole from the guards on duty, and others stole through more ambitious means. For example Tamaki; he shamelessly infiltrated the men's rooms and stole from there.

It took longer than Tamaki would have liked, but they had to keep Tohdoh and the others in mind. So in the end, they robbed twenty men of their clothes and badges, and locked them up all over the estate. Afterwards, Tamaki and co. returned to the base with the goods.

"Big brother" a small, feminine voice called.

"Nunnally?" Lelouch called out. He thought he had heard his sister call him, but it was too dark and misty, Lelouch couldn't see anything.

"Big brother" the voice called again, more urgently.

"Nunnally, where are you, I can't see you!" Lelouch called out again, also more urgently this time. He looked up, down and sideways, but couldn't see anything in the darkness.

"Big brother!" the voice practically screamed. Lelouch spun around and stared straight into the eyes of a horrendous beast with dark , red eyes. Right before the hideous beast sat his sister, chained to the ground. "Please...save me…" the horrendous beast opened its mouth around her and -

"Nunnally!" Lelouch shouted, sitting upright with his hand stretched out before him. Droplets of sweat dropped of his chin. "A nightmare" Lelouch breathed, clenched his fists. The image of that beast and Nunnally was still fresh in Lelouch's mind, but he could not afford to be rattled. There was something that had to be done, after all.

Lelouch looked around him. White covered everything. Even so it only took Lelouch a moment to recognise his old room.

'So I'm back at the castle, huh?' Lelouch thought angry*, looking at the large window. The white satin curtains stirred as a soft wind blew through the window. The moonlight shone through the window, illuminating the room. 'Being forced to come here against my will...that man hasn't change' Lelouch thought in disgust. 'However, I would have come here anyway. But leaving me alone like this? The old man must be losing his touch' he thought, looking around to confirm that he was alone 'Though I must thank him for placing me in such ideal position' Lelouch stood up from the bed and made his way towards the window.

Looking out of the window, Lelouch could see the most guarded tower of the castle. It was where Nunnally always stayed when they were children, after all. It was why Lelouch chose this room. It was the one room in the castle from where he could watch over Nunnally the best. Lelouch could feel that that was where they were holding his younger sister. While thinking about how atrocious it was to keep a girl under lock and key, Lelouch unconsciously moved his hand across the window sill until it tapped something.

Snapping out of his contemplation, Lelouch looked down at his hand and saw a vase filled with a bouquet of flowers. Violet flowers. The colour immediately sparked an unpleasant feeling in Lelouch. The violet flower bathing in the light of the full moon was so similar to how his mother looked that night.. For some reason Lelouch couldn't pull his eyes away. No matter how Lelouch tried to fight back, the images of that night kept appearing in his head.

The pull of his memories on Lelouch's consciousness were too strong, and soon images of that man's face reappeared in Lelouch's mind over and over, sparking a chain reaction of memories.

Geass transferred into a still 5-year old Nunnally after leaving Lelouch's mother dead in the wake of its hunger for power. That man issuing an order. Doors slamming. Nunnally resisted before being pulled along mercilessly. A slightly older boy, Lelouch, run after her. The bright colours, lively music and cheerful decoration bringing about excitement, anticipation and celebration. Lelouch stood among a crowd, shouting and pulling, trying to get someone's attention to help. All of the adults, even Lelouch's own brothers and sisters turned their backs on him. Lelouch was alone among a crowd.

Lelouch desperately shouts for help and it mixes in with Nunnally's screams, her eyes aglow. Former humans twisted and morphed into unrecognizable forms before transforming into the large, hideous creatures; dragons, all dancing like the denizens of the underworld, all turning on Lelouch and Nunnally with all the malicious intent of predators looking down on their prey -

"No, stay back!" Lelouch shouted, swinging his arm protectively out in front of him, knocking the vase off of the window sill. The vase fell and petals scattered. Lelouch stumbled back before falling. He looked at his hand, and saw red. He looked around him and saw that an even darker crimson stained all the petals.

Lelouch felt his sanity slipping, but he couldn't let go, not if didn't want what happened eight years ago to happen again. Lelouch looked up at the tower once more, remembering his sister and strengthening his resolve.

'I have to get to Nunnally! I have to save her, or else…!' Lelouch thought as he clambered towards the door.

Lelouch only had thoughts of saving Nunnally on his mind when he opened the door. It was unavoidable that his one hundred thoughts per second train came to an immediate halt when he saw C.C. suddenly standing at the entrance way of the door.

"C.C.?" Lelouch asked surprised, looking at the green-haired witch.

"What on dear Avalon could you be making such a ruckus for? You're going to wake up all of your neighbours" C.C. said, inviting herself into the room.

"Ha you're a riot" Lelouch said, still standing at the door. "I know that I'm the only one who is staying in this hall of the castle. Most of the people of the household felt that the closer their quarters were to the central throne hall, the more important they were."

"Well, nothing's much changed about that since you left, and now you're back in this room." C.C. said, taking a bite of pepperoni pizza.

"Of course, it is from this room that I have the best view over the tower Nunnally is being held in"

"Everything is for Nunnally's sake" C.C. summarized. Lelouch was a bit surprised at C.C.'s comment. He saw her making herself comfortable on one of the sofas, and grew slightly annoyed.

"If you understand then you wouldn't mind if I left now, right?" Lelouch said, wanting to leave the room. With a twirl of her finger C.C. closed the door and sealed it with a spell. "I saw that there was no guards outside. Don't you think you were a bit too lax with security?"

"Come now, Lelouch, do you think that I do not know the properties of my own magic spell?"

"Magic spell?"

"That's right. Back at the clearing in the forest, I used a spell to make you come along quietly. I know that my spell is only effective for a certain amount of hours, so I came here when I knew my spell would wear off" C.C. explained lazily.

"Your estimation is a bit inaccurate then, for I have been awake for a while now" Lelouch said.

"Yes well, I had to wait for the pizza to finish baking in the oven. Otherwise I would have been here sooner."

"Could a normal guard not have been just as effective? Why did they send you here?"

"I offered to come here. Naturally they allowed me to, for what better way to contain you with than magic? It be much more effective than a shield and sword, I'd say" C.C. quipped.

"Why would you want to guard me?" Lelouch asked, genuinely puzzled. He could not figure out that woman's motives. C.C. grew quiet, pausing between bites of pizza. She resumed then a split-second later, but it was long enough for Lelouch to notice the pause.

"Do you want a slice of pizza?" she asked casually

"Don't change the subject! I doubt that someone like you would ever share their pizza with any one anyway!" Lelouch pointed out.

"That is too bad. Here I thought I could get you to eat this pizza slice which I spiked with sleeping powder especially for you. Now I have to stay here and personally keep guard over you myself!" C.C. whined sarcastically.

"Enough joking around. I know that's not the real reason"

"Not the only 'real reason' anyway" she said, placing the pizza box on the coffee table. Lelouch went and stood at the other side of the coffee table. He crossed his arms around his chest and waited for C.C. to continue. "The matter concerns your dear little sister…"

The cool wind of the early morning hours blew through Suzaku's hair as he reclined against one of the cabin's walls. It wasn't long before he and a few other men in the housing area would move out to the castle for guard duty. Putting his hand in his pocket, Suzaku looked up at the many stars donning the night sky. It was so similar to that night.

I think it is better for you not to become more involved in this. Even if only because you don't want to get hurt by me and the vi Britannia clan anymore." Suzaku remembered Lelouch's words to him that night.

"That selfish bast*rd" Suzaku grumbled under his breath. After trying but failing many times not to think about Lelouch , Suzaku gave up. 'He cannot up and decided to leave me like that without giving me the oppurtunity to say something. Well, I guess I was too stunned then to say anything anyway, but still…'

"Reveling in dismay, Suzaku?" a deep voice asked.

Suzaku spun to his left, surprised that someone addressed him on his name. Five guards stood before him. For a moment Suzaku feared that someone he had caught him, until he recognized the man who was obviously the unit's leader. It was the intimidating man who Suzaku and Lelouch gave information at the port town of Agulhas. Suzaku recalled that Tohdoh was the man's name.

"How do you know my name?" Suzaku asked.

"You might not remember me, but I certainly remember you. You, the son of the village chief, Genbu"

"You knew my father?" Suzaku asked, on guard.

"Yes. I was once a close friend and subordinate of his. And you, you might have been too young to remember, but I thought you the ways of the sword."

Suzaku stared disbelieving at the man before looking down at his sword. Suzaku closed his eyes and tried to remember, but could only remember was that fateful day when everything burned.

"I'm sorry; all I can ever remember is that day…"

"Don't apologize" Tohdoh stopped his former pupil. "Use the resentment that the past etched into your being to fuel your rage in the present"

"What?"

"No matter how many moons pass, I also cannot forget. However there was not one day when I did not think about the day where vengeance would be mine!"

"Hey"

"The ideal opportunity has presented itself to us! Tomorrow we will enact our revenge on everyone in the Dragon clan!"

"Hey, wait"

"So join us, Suzaku!"

"I said wait, damn*t!" Suzaku raised his voice. Everyone stared at him in confusion. 'Darn it!' Suzaku cursed internally when he realised that he let his tongue slip. Now everyone was likely to suspect him.

"Suzaku?" Tohdoh inquired.

"Oh no, it's just that I...uh... I have already made my own plans on how I will approach the royal family and the Battle Royale tomorrow, so I won't be joining you"

'I have to keep it a secret that Lelouch is a prince and that he indirectly caused the destruction of our village eight years ago' Suzaku reminded himself. Lelouch already had enough people after his head; he didn't need another man with a vendetta after him.

"Oh?" Tohdoh raised his eyebrow at Suzaku. "I feel you have something that you are not telling us. If it is additional information that will aid us in our mission please do not hesitate to inform us"

"No! I have nothing of the sort!"

Tohdoh narrowed his eyes at Suzaku, disbelieving. "You're lying" Tohdoh said and instantly pulled out his sword and swiped at Suzaku. Using his natural reflexes Suzaku managed to defend himself just in time. "When I defeat you, you will tell me what information you are hiding" Tohdoh stated and swung at Suzaku once more. Suzaku blocked the strike and jumped back.

"Like I said, I have nothing to hide" Suzaku tried to explain while continuously being pushed back by Tohdoh.

"If your swordplay is poor like this, then it is no wonder you couldn't protect your master from being separated from you" Tohdoh quipped.

"What did you say? That had nothing to do with my fighting skills. Do not talk about things you know nothing about!" Suzaku shot back. He struck with his swords a few times.

"So you believe you can still save him?" Tohdoh asked, dodging every one of Suzaku's strikes.

"Of course! I still have a mission to protect Lelouch, and I don't intend to stop until I have completed that mission! Until then I am still his knight!" Suzaku proclaimed as he blocked one of Tohdoh's own strikes.

With force he pushed Tohdoh back and went in with another strike. Tohdoh dodged the strike. The blade missed Tohdoh's face by a margin. Both Suzaku and Tohdoh moved in to attack at the same time. The swords reflected the moon's light every time they made contact, blinding the spectators. The dance of blades ensued until, with Suzaku's final breath, he was able to sidestep Tohdoh and, ducking underneath, aimed his sword to pierce Suzaku's side. He stopped just before the tip of the blade drew blood, as he felt his own back in severe danger with Tohdoh's sword perfectly poised to strike from above.

"Cut, cut, cut! I say that's a wrap, people!" Tamaki stepped forward, waving his hands in a conceding way.

"Tamaki's right, you two" Ohgi stepped in. "Let's call it a draw".

Suzaku and Tohdoh looked at each other, and simultaneously came to an unspoken agreement that neither have them have achieved victory nor suffered defeat.

"Judging on your performance in this match, I have come to two possible conclusions; either this Lelouch is worthy of Suzaku's respect, or that the days the son of Genbu had spent in the wilderness had completely clouded his judgement." Tohdoh concluded

"I wonder" Suzaku admitted "I will only know the answer tomorrow.

"Do what you will, but be sure to show me your answer tomorrow" was the message Tohdoh left before he and his men disappeared into the barracks.

'Today is sure to be a spectacle' Suzaku thought as he looked up at the every lightening sky.

To Be Continued

A/N: Hey guys, thank you for reading! I apologize for the lack of SuzaLulu, but it's coming. I promise!

As the title of this chapter suggested, everything in this chapter was to set up what comes next; the finale which will take place over two chapters! Though I say two chapters now...It might be more, since this chapter didn't even exist until I finished chapter 9. Such are the whims of a writer I suppose… -.-"

Special thank you shout out to all my wonderful reviewers; yuuram2fangirl, InsanePurpleLove, Katkatw1luv, A Random Person, Deidara4ever & crazy anko and a

Normal thank you shout-out to all who read/ follow & favorite!

Edit: Thank you to Guest who have pointed out to me that Sayaka is suppose to be Sayoko. And I call myself a Code Geass writer...I am so ashamed! But that is one of the reasons why reviewers are so great. You guys see things that I miss. I apologize for my mistake. Thank you again, Guest!

See you again!