Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass
A/N: I admit that this chapter was hard for me. I wanted to set up points in why some of the things happened in the past. I hope you all enjoy this. As for me, well, I'm not sure but I think it turned out okay…I hope.
Chapter 10
Lelouch and Nunnally had just explained things to Charles about Jinta helping them out and the revelation that it was VV (or Vincent as it's his real name) who killed their mother, Marianne. Charles simply grunted because he felt that Jinta should have just minded his own business and the fact that Jinta got away from his prison and Charles wasn't aware of it.
"So," Lelouch began, "since we're here, will you answer us? Why did VV kill mother and what's your excuse for covering for him. Is it because of the project you've been working on? What is this project you've been working on that you'd be willing to sacrifice your own family to proceed to it?"
Charles simply chuckled, "How ironic Lelouch, here you are with Nunnally seeking the truth, you who made it this far with your deception and lies."
"That true," Lelouch admitted with a grin, "I've lied every step of the way and not just regarding with Nunnally and my own identities, I've hidden my true intentions. But that's pragmatism, isn't it? People need to play along with each other. If we didn't, the nations and people; these things called communities wouldn't exist. Everyone uses lies on family, on friends, on society, and everyone wears a different face. But is that a sin? What is one's true face? Even you wear a mask, that of an emperor."
Nunnally, Jeremiah, and Sayoko were intrigued with the Lelouch was saying.
Lelouch continued, "None of us can make a move now without our respective personas."
Charles turned and the setting in the parallel dimension changed to a library, "You're wrong."
This catches Lelouch, Nunnally, Sayoko, and Jeremiah off guard while Charles picks up a book labeled Akasha. He starts looking over the pages.
"When we realize that lies have no meaning in the endless flow of eternity, those personas will vanished. When we understand each other, conflict will disappear."
"Father?" Nunnally muttered surprised to hear her father say such things Sayoko and Jeremiah were surprised as well.
"That all sounds like metaphysical nonsense to me," Lelouch replied rolling his eyes, not buying his father's statement.
"It will soon be a reality," Charles countered, earning the serious looks from his two children and their bodyguards. Charles turned to face them with a smile, "You see this is my Ragnorok Connection. Soon, these masks known as deceit will be discarded by the world revealing the truth."
Entrance of C's World, Kamine Island Cave
Jinta, CC, Kallen, Suzaku, and Anya were simply standing by the entrance.
"C's World?" Suzaku asked.
"In current terminology, it's the collective of conscious." CC answered.
"It's the collective of people's mind with memories," Jinta added.
"The sea of transmigration," CC added, "the great consciousness."
"Some even refer to it as God," Jinta pointed out.
"You can't be serious," Kallen said, finding hard to believe to what CC and Jinta were telling her and Suzaku.
"Was that what I saw when we met in Narita?" Suzaku asked CC.
"There it was mixed with your personal consciousness. I'm merely guessing as I don't know what you saw," CC replied.
"How irresponsible," Suzaku berated.
"Oh, you like having other people looking through your mind, Kururugi?" Jinta asked, raising an eyebrow and annoyed with the Knight of Seven's statement.
Suzaku glared at Jinta with a grunt.
"It's people, their masks are the collective unconscious," CC continued, "windows that open into their minds and memories and the minds of the people-"
"At any rate," Anya interrupted looking at the entrance, "this is where we'll begin."
"Do you really plan to proceed?" CC asked.
"Of course," Anya replied surprised that CC would even ask, "Charles has been waiting for us after all. This would have been so easy if you had only giving him your code."
"What exactly is this about?" Jinta asked.
Anya ignored Jinta's question and opened the entrance of C's World. When it opened, Marianne's spirit was leaving Anya's body and her own form materialized in C's World. Jinta immediately went in to C's World as well and Kallen quickly followed inside.
Suzaku quickly caught Anya's unconscious body.
"CC, make sure you catch up," Marianne said as the entrance closed.
"You know Suzaku, you and I are very similar," CC said.
"Similar?" Suzaku asked.
"The way we both wish to die but are unable to."
The Other side of the Entrance of C's World's entrance
"Are you serious about this Jinta?" Marianne asked.
"Yes, I am," Jinta answered.
"You really want to make Charles more furious with you, don't you?"
"Do you think I care Marianne?" Jinta was glaring at Marianne.
Marianne merely sighed and shrugged, "Oh well." Marianne looked at Kallen next, "Kallen Stadtfeld or do you prefer Kallen Kozuki? Anyway, I see that you want to see my Lelouch that bad."
"I…I just want to ask him something," Kallen replied amazed to be facing the form of Lelouch and Nunnally's mother.
Marianne was grinning and that made Kallen feel very nervous, "You're very much attached to my little boy, aren't you?"
Kallen's face was beet red from blushing, "Ah…I…that is…"
"It's all right," Marianne assured with a smile, "it can't be helped, and my son is quite handsome. Girls can't leave him alone. Even CC can't escape his charm, though she seems to have trouble admitting it."
Kallen twitched her eyebrow at the mention of CC. She couldn't help but to feel irritated.
Battle on Kamine Island
Bismarck and Rolo were battling the rebel forces. They grudgely decided to work together to fend off the rebel forces. Bismarck was cutting them down one at a time with the Galahad's Excalibur while Rolo was shooting them down and occasionally used his geass. Rolo used the Shinkiro's Diffusion Structure Phase Transition Cannon and wiped out the units that were aiming for him.
Bismarck was detecting signatures of two airships and several knightmares.
"Huh, Prince Schneizel and the Black Knights?" Bismarck said in surprise.
Rolo saw the same signatures and was not happy for what he saw. He was also nervous because he knew that they were trying to shoot him down for rescuing Lelouch.
The Flagship, Ikaruga with the Zangetsu, the Shen Hu, a few Akatsukis as well as an Akatsuki Command Model Zikisan and the Avalon were on flying to the battle that was taking place on Kamine Island.
In the cockpit of the Zangetsu
"Kozuki, do still believe in Zero that much?" Todoh muttered to himself.
In the cockpit of the Akatsuki Command Model Zikisan
"Why Kozuki," Chiba asked in her head, "Don't you see the kind of despicable human being that Zero, no, Lelouch is? Surely, you can see it, right?"
C's World
Lelouch, Nunnally, Jeremiah, and Sayoko had their eyes widen as they saw who appeared before them.
"Ah…what?" Lelouch attempted to speak but was too shocked.
Nunnally was the same way to point that she thought that her vision was playing tricks on her.
Jeremiah was about ready to faint but kept himself in check, "It can't be…is it really…?
Marianne stood, in all of her glory, smiled to see her children again and as well as impressed to see one of her old loyal guardsman as well, "Lelouch, Nunnally, you two have grown."
"Mo…mother?" Lelouch and Nunnally said in unison.
"Lady…Marianne?" it was Jeremiah could say.
"Marianne," Charles started, "I see you've come."
"Is this an illusion?" Lelouch asked irritated turning to Charles, "You'd do this?"
"No, Lelouch," Marianne said, "it really is me however I can only take on my original appearance while I'm present within the system."
"It really is you, mother?" Nunnally asked in shock.
"Yes Nunnally, of course."
Jeremiah kneeled before Marianne with his head down, "Lady Marianne, I'm overwhelmed to see you again. I admit that I failed you. I've never forgiven myself for my incompetence."
"Don't worry Jeremiah," Marianne assured, "you followed orders and served me well. I'm grateful to you for your services. Please raise your head and stand."
Jeremiah did as instructed and then Sayoko walked towards Marianne.
Sayoko bowed to Marianne, "I'm Sayoko Shinozaki it is a pleasure to meet the mother of my charges."
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Sayoko, thank you so much for looking after my children."
"It was my pleasure."
"Marianne, did you happen to see a certain fool on your way here?" Charles asked.
"Are you referring to Jinta?" Marianne asked.
"Yes."
"Well yes, in fact," Marianne turned and Jinta appeared, "he's right here."
Jinta walked next to Lelouch and Nunnally.
"Hello Charles," Jinta greeted although not in a friendly manner and was ready to use his scythe.
Charles gave Jinta a death glare, "So you've come."
"It's been a year since we last saw each other."
"Why are you here? Haven't you learned what happened last time you stood against me?"
"Things are a little different now. For instance, you don't have Bismarck to protect you from a well-deserved beating this time and Vincent is dead. You made sure of that."
"Hmph," was all Charles had to respond, not intimidated of Jinta's intent.
"You finally made it here Jinta," Lelouch greeted.
"Thanks for coming," Nunnally added.
"Yeah," Jinta responded.
Kallen walked in before the rest of the party and Lelouch was stunned.
"Kallen?" Lelouch spoke.
"Lady Kallen?" Sayoko said in surprise. Jeremiah was surprised as well.
"Kallen, is that you?" Nunnally asked seeing the red head for the first time.
Kallen looked at Nunnally surprised to see the difference, "Nunnally, it really is you," she walked over to Nunnally and kneeled before her, "you've regained your sight."
Nunnally smiled, "Yes, it nice to see you Kallen."
Kallen smiled back, "It's nice to see you too."
Lelouch was stunned, "Kallen…"
"Lelouch," Kallen interrupted as she stood up to face her unmasked leader, "I'm sure you never expected to see me here but I needed to see you and confirm something."
Lelouch looked at Jinta, "Jinta, did you bring her here?"
"Sort of," Jinta replied, "she followed me."
"Followed you?"
"Yes," Kallen spoke, "Your brother, Schneizel gave us information on the identity of who rescued you Lelouch. Imagine my surprise to find that it was the man who left me, Ohgi, and the others two days after my brother died."
"Jinta, you were part of Ohgi's old cell?" Lelouch asked surprised.
"Yeah, but they were committing acts of terrorism and I refused to stay," Jinta answered, "it not like I was hiding that fact from you, it just that there was no point to bring it up at the time."
Charles was chuckling and that brought the attention to everyone.
"Do you find something funny, emperor?" Kallen asked with an angry tone.
"Yes I do," Charles answered finding the whole thing amusing, "tell me young lady, did you feel betrayed that Jinta left your little group?"
"Yes but-"
Charles laughed, "I see, it was the same with me. Jinta Kuromaki is not very trustworthy isn't he? He betrays Britannia by turning on me. It seems that this man betrays people when he finds that they no longer keep him interested. You should be cautious my children, he may betray you as well if he finds you boring."
Jinta lost his temper and in a fit of rage threw his scythe, having it land on the ground near Charles, blade first.
"Oh, did I hit a nerve?" Charles asked grinning at the fact he got the reaction he wanted.
Lelouch, Nunnally, and Kallen looked at Jinta with concern, Marianne only shook her head at Jinta's reaction, and Sayoko and Jeremiah were also concern and wondered but what the emperor said about Jinta's betrayal.
Jinta calmed himself down and chuckled, "I'm the traitor? Little Charlie, it seems you actually grew up to be a senile old man," he looked at Charles with a death glare, "it was the other way around you fool, it was you who betrayed me."
Flashback: August 2010 a.t.b. in Japan
Jinta was on top of a hill and saw the devastation of Britannia's invasion on Japan.
"Charles, you did it again," Jinta said in his head, "No, now you've even invade my homeland. You rotten brat!"
Jinta then heard footsteps and turned and saw seven men in gray Britannian uniforms pointing guns at him.
"Don't move," one of the armed soldiers ordered.
Jinta glared at them, "Office of Secret Intelligence. What the hell does Charles's personal legion want with me?"
"Jinta Kuromaki," another officer started, "by orders of our glorious Emperor of Britannia, you are to come with us to Pendragon."
"I'd ask why, but I'm guessing you don't intend to tell me, right?"
"Smart. That's correct. Just what I expected from you, old friend," a voice complemented. The owner of that voice appeared and it was none other than VV.
"Vincent," Jinta muttered.
"Sorry about this Jinta, it just that Charles and I really want to see you again."
"What about-"
"Japan? Oh, it's going to be Area 11 now. You better get use to that and get use to the fact that your people are going to be referred to as Elevens."
Jinta was full of rage, "What about the promise you made to me?"
VV looked at Jinta with pity, "Jinta, we can't afford to keep a childish promise if we're to accomplish our dream. We only said those things so that you could stop pestering us. Now are you going come with us quietly or are you just going to make things difficult?"
Jinta gritted his teeth in anger. He was tempted to fight the OSI members and beat VV to a pulp but decided against that. The soldiers had guns and he knew that being shot multiple times would just slow him down and his paralysis ability was limit to use on one person. It would be hard to fight the rest of them while having one of them in a paralysis state keeping the gold code on a target.
"Fine," Jinta answered.
Throne Room, Pendragon, Holy Britannian Empire
Charles sat in his throne room and smiled as he saw his brother and Jinta entered.
"Welcome back Jinta," Charles greeted with a smile.
"Charles, what the hell is this about?" Jinta asked in a cold manner.
"What this? Is that anyway to greet one of your old charges?
"You know why I'm like this?"
"Yes," Charles stood up, "you're upset about the conquest of the land of your birth."
"It's not just about my homeland. You're conquering other nations, causing devastations."
"What is the problem exactly? Oh my 'promise'. Nonsense, a foolish proposal. Besides, it's the matter of survival of the fittest. This world doesn't need weakling weighing it down."
"Weaklings? That's what you're calling other nations. What the hell are trying to do? Are you trying to take over the world?"
"Hm, you ask too many questions. Get over it this useless sentiment of yours. I wish for you to join me."
"Join you?"
"Yes," VV responded, "our goal will soon be realized and since we go way back when you protected us, we like to give you the opportunity to be part of our goal, to kill God."
Jinta just laughed, "Are you serious? To kill God? Really?" Jinta calmed down, "Wow, I knew you two were becoming arrogant, but the intent to slay God? You two are not the first that I known to think they can take on God."
"Yes, we know," Charles said, "but unlike those you knew before, our plan is guaranteed to succeed."
Jinta glared at them.
Charles continued, "Join us and help us fulfill our 50-year-old vow to create a world without lies."
"Create a world without lies?" Jinta asked in surprised then sighed in annoyance, "Charles, Vincent, didn't you two listen what I've said before. People lie, its part of human nature, their free will. Now you want me to join you in your scheme when you broke a promise me to not to go out of control with power. My answer to you is no, hell no, I won't join you stupid plans."
VV and Charles looked upset with Jinta's response.
"You refuse to join us?" VV asked, "That won't do. Why won't you?"
Jinta looked at Charles, "Charles, a week before the invasion, I visited the Kururugi Shrine to meet Genbu Kururugi and Taizo Kirihara. While I was there, I notice two small children playing with the Prime Minister's son. Imagine my surprise when I recognized those two as your own children, Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally."
"Your point being?" Charles asked with an uncaring look on his face.
"What do you mean 'my point being'?"
"Those two are there because they are weak and I have no need for weaklings. I imagine they are dead now due to the air strikes or the Japanese butchering them."
"Charles, they're your kids. The kids you had with Marianne. Don't they mean anything to you?"
"Nonsense, I expect my children to be as strong as my nation, if they're incapable to do that, then they are weak and I have no need for weaklings."
"In case, then I'm definitely not joining you. In fact, I'm going give you one chance to stop this world conquest you seem to be doing and pull your forces back from the countries you invaded."
"HOW DARE YOU!" Charles roared, "YOU ISOLENT FOOL!
"Jinta, you have crossed the line. We may have put up with you little instructions to us five decades ago, but no more, Charles control Britannia," VV responded.
"You have no right to tell me how to run my country. I am Charles zi Britannia, the 98th emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire. I'm the man who ended the Emblem of Blood and overthrew the 97th emperor Albert za Britannia."
"With the help of Marianne and Bismarck," Jinta added, "now you have betrayed your fifth wife by not finding out who killed her and abandoning her children. Tch, if you won't listen to me and stop this madness you're doing then you leave me no choice.
Charles and VV glared at their former knight.
"What would that be exactly?" Charles asked in anger, "Do you plan to betray us?"
"Tch, you call it betrayal, I call it retribution," Jinta replied and charged at them with his scythe, only to be stopped by Bismarck Waldstein with his sword.
"Bismarck, where the hell did you come from?" Jinta muttered.
"I will not allow you to harm his majesty," Bismarck said glaring at the Japanese immortal.
"Bismarck, get out of my way."
"Not happening, I am the Knight of One, the strongest knight of the empire, the sword and shield of Britannia and its emperor. For as long as I breathe, you will not touch his majesty. Stand down Jinta Kuromaki."
"I understand," Jinta replied, "however…"
Jinta brought up his right palm and turned the color of his code to gold and started to begin paralyzing Bismarck causing the Knight of One to be on one knee.
"Damn you Jinta," Charles cursed.
Jinta thought he had Charles and VV but then he felt something breaking his hold. He turned and saw that Bismarck was fighting Jinta's paralysis with his own strength.
Jinta's eyes widened, "What the hell? Impossible, he's breaking my hold with his own strength."
Bismarck grinned, "Its only effective if the person you're using on is weaker than you. If the person has the same strength as you, it will hard for you to keep the person under control. But if the person is stronger than you," Bismarck broke off the hold and it caused Jinta to feel his right arm numb holding his right hand with his left hand with his scythe, "that person can break off the hold and reflect to ability right back at your right arm, like so."
Bismarck pointed his sword at Jinta.
"Damn, it seems Charles has been talking to you about my abilities,"
"Yes," Bismarck answered as Charles and VV was smiling at what was happening, "You should have never turned on them. You'll pay for your insolence."
Jinta chuckled, "Well, it seems I underestimated you Charles but since that's the case, I'll retreat for now."
Jinta pulled something out his left pocket and threw it on the ground causing a huge smoke making his escape with Bismarck going after him.
Flashback End: C's World
"I tried again a year ago a week before the Black Rebellion in my newly built knightmare, the Shinimaru but I lost. I ended up getting captured by Bismarck and I was sent to the Geass Order as a prisoner with hands covered so I couldn't escape," Jinta explained.
"So that's what happened," Lelouch said.
"You wouldn't had gone through the humiliation if you had joined my cause," Charles said, "hmph, no matter, what's done is done."
Kallen was amazed it hear Jinta's story, "He's known the Britannian emperor for 50 years? I never would have imagined that Jinta was once close to Britannian royalty." Kallen came out of her thoughts, "Just what is this about anyway?"
"Charles," Marianne spoke walking and standing next to her husband, "I think we should tell them, don't you agree?"
Charles looked at Marianne with an agreeable look, "Yes, I see no harm in it. Very well, Lelouch and Nunnally, I will now answer your previous question."
That's the end of this chapter. Until next time. I hope I didn't make anyone in this chapter OOC (not worry about Jinta since he's my OC).