Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note or Code Geass.

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Light Yagami. He was born to a rising star within the National Police Agency (NPA), and a famous novelist* (his father and mother respectively). His parents were a loving couple, and they deeply cared for their child. Light had a happy time growing up as a young boy, even if his parents did not always have time for him. And, while reluctant at first, Light came to love his sister Sayu as well, when she was born.

As a young boy, Light displayed an unusual amount of intelligence for someone his age. Many thought he would become a very talented and gifted boy, as he went on during his life. One would think, though, because of his unusual intelligence, the boy would become a social outcast among his peers, once he began school. However, this was proved not to be the case as Light easily made friends. It did not hurt that the young child had good looks, either.

As the years came and went, Light Yagami eventually became friends with one Kallen Kouzuki. The two hit it off quite well, even though their personalities dictated that they shouldn't get along. Kallen was hotheaded and aggressive girl who could easily be provoked. Light, although, was a calm and collected boy who could not be driven toward violence unless you outright attacked him. Because of their persona alone, one would think they would never be able to become friends. Light and Kallen defied that, nevertheless. It seemed they played well off of each other's traits. Light became the kindly, peaceful influence Kallen needed to get into less trouble, and in turn she taught Light how to defend himself if necessary. While the duo did hang out with many others, these two were constant companions, and were inseparable at times. Truly, they were the greatest of pals. Perhaps, someday, they might have even been able to become something more.

Then Britannia invaded. While it was possible for Light to remain somewhat the same as he once was, fate seemed determined not to let it be so. The events that happened to him following the Britannian takeover of Japan would forever shape this boy's outlooks on life, his morals and values, and ultimately, his dreams of the future.

And because of the terrible events that happened to Light after Britannia came, the child he once was and could have become slowly withered and died.

The student council chamber was vacant of any sound (oddly enough), and no flurry of activity seemed to be taking place. For those who knew the nature of the Ashford student council, this would seem quite strange. But it would soon become apparent as to why, if one were to look inside the room. Right now, only two people occupied the room, though neither made much noise as the time went by. At last, however, one Millay Ashford audibly broke the silence.

"God, this is boring." Millay sighed, swinging her legs back and forth while she sat on a table. Nearby, Shirley Fenette gave her own groan of boredom.

"Remind me why we're having a meeting again, when all the other's are gone Millay? I could really doing some homework that needs to be done right now." Shirley complained, giving a longing glance at the clock. But to her disappointment, time had not sped up any since she last looked at it.

"Because Shirley," Millay admonished, giving the redhead a fierce glare. "Even if Rivalz, Light, Kallen, and Nina are gone, we're going to have a meeting! We haven't had one cancelled yet, and we're not going to start now!"

Shirley gave her friend an annoyed look. "You mean we're having this meeting and doing nothing just because you care about a petty thing like that?"

"Exactly." Millay said with a smile.

Shirley gave another irritated groan. She tried to think of something that would pass the time. "Well, can't we at least do something? Its so dull just sitting here and doing nothing."

"Well—"

"And no, we're not watching another marathon of Haruhi Suzumiya!" Shirley hurriedly objected. Millay pouted in response.

"Oh come on, you're no fun! I like that show. It's one of the only intact animes left in Area Eleven. Don't you like it?"

"Yeah, it was good…the first five times." Shirley said. "After the sixth time, it just got annoying. It's no fun to watch the same thing so often."

"Point taken." Millay conceded. Another moment of silence passed between them again.

"So, where did everyone else go?" Shirley asked, giving an additional fleeting look at the clock. The meeting still wasn't any closer to officially ending, to her dissatisfaction.

"Well," Millay began, thinking for a few seconds. "Light said he wouldn't be here today, but never really gave a specific reason. Kallen reported in sick again. As for Nina and Rivalz, Nina's out visiting her parents in Kyoto, while Rivalz said he had a job interview to go to."

"Really? Rivalz, getting an actual job? Hard to imagine." Shirley said with a soft giggle. Millay gave one of her own.

"I know. But apparently he's getting serious now, though I don't know why. Probably needs the money for something, though what I can't think of."

An additional moment of silence descended upon them. Shirley tapped her finger impatiently, but this time managed to resist the urge to look at the clock. No point in disappointing herself further, after all. With a bit of urgency, Shirley searched for some topic in her mind for them to talk about. Anything would do, just so long as it broke the silence.

Then something did come to her. "Hey Millay, mind if I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure, go ahead." Millay said, pausing from swinging her legs back and forth.

"Well…why are you always leading Rivalz on? I mean, we all know about his crush on you. But you never seem to turn him down, or ask him out. Why lead him on?" Shirley asked cautiously. The young school-girl knew she was treading on dangerous ground, but she'd always been curious about that, yet never had the time to ask Millay about it until now.

"Well, that is a personal question, isn't it? Well…" Millay wondered off, not continuing. After a moment of indecision she went on. "I guess you could say I just don't want to break his heart. I mean, Rivalz is a swell guy and all, but either way, if I went out with him or not, it just wouldn't end up well. I mean, if I flat out turned him down, it'd just crush Rivalz's poor little heart. And if I decided to date him for a while, and then broke up with him, well…that'd hurt him even more. And I don't want to hurt him, if possible. Then there's that last prospect…"

"What's that?" Shirley asked, more than curious now. Everything Millay said made sense to her, she supposed, but still…

"If I do end up dating Rivalz, then there's always the chance I may end up falling in love with him. And that wouldn't end well…for either of us." Millay said, a sad smile on her face.

"Because you're a noblewoman." Shirley finished for her, just now remembering that little fact. Most of the time that tidbit of information usually slipped her mind. After all, Millay hardly acted like some spoiled daughter of a noble family. But she was the only heir to the Ashford family, one of the most famous noble families in all of Britannia right now, because of their early support of Empress Marianne. While it was an easy fact to forget when you knew Millay personally, it was an important factor in her life and for her future.

"Bingo! Yes, I am a noblewoman. Hard to remember that, I know, but it is a fact of my life. At this moment I'm the sole heir to the Ashford Family, and I'm sure Grandfather would never want me to marry a 'commoner' like Rivalz. My parents might be 'ok' with it, but I know for sure Grandfather never would be. And since he's the head of our family, his word is law. To go against it would mean, in my case, certain disgrace and banishment from the Ashford's. I'm sure my Grandfather plans to marry me off to some Prince of Britannia or other noble family, to further his political ambitions. He might tolerate me dating those not of nobility, but he'd never let me marry any of them." Millay said, a frown etched on her face. Her arms were now crossed, and within her she fumed at the very thought of her grandfather.

"But you'd never let that stop you!" Shirley pointed out. She chose her next words carefully, trying not to offend her friend. "I mean…you're not one for tradition, that's for sure. Not to mention you rebel against most authority. If you did fall in love with Rivalz, why would something like getting kicked out of your family stop you? I mean, with your talents, you could do nearly anything."

Millay calmed her internal rage and considered Shirley's words for a few minutes. Her friend had a point, true, but she didn't know her Grandfather. And he'd make sure to make the remainder of her life a living hell, if she ever went against him. At the end of the day, no matter how kindly he portrayed him, the head of the Ashford Family was a vile and spiteful man. Many people had been brushed aside (or worse) so he could get to where he was today. No, her Grandfather wouldn't let the rebellion of his granddaughter get in the way of his plans.

"You are right in what you say, Shirley. I am a natural rebel, that's for sure. I've done many things that have upset my Grandfather and my parents, though they've always learned to deal with it. However, they plainly wouldn't put up with me marrying anyone who they haven't chosen for me, especially a guy like Rivalz. Normally, I wouldn't let something like that ever stop me, if I were to fall in love with Rivalz. But…"

At this point Millay gave an exasperated sigh. "My 'kindly' Grandfather, being the old bastard he is, would make my life a living hell, for a lack of better words. He's the type to hold onto a grudge, and would forever hate me if I ever went against him in such a big way. Because of his years in the political arena, my Grandfather has a lot of allies, people who would do anything for him. He'd use these connections, and essentially blacklist Rivalz and I. We'd never be able to find a job, buy a house, or anything else. Even when the old man's long dead, his wishes would still be honored. The only hope we'd really have at that point would be to immigrate to the EU or the Chinese Federation. Even then, though, we might not make it…"

She took a few seconds to compose herself before going on.

"I really wouldn't want to put Rivalz through all that. Maybe if I weren't a noble, then things would be different, but…well, you can't change something like this, I suppose. So, does that answer your question, Shirley?" Millay inquired, turning to the girl in question. She gave a sheepish 'yes' in reply, and a lull in the conversation followed. Millay stared off in space for a while, seemingly lost in thought.

"Well!" Millay shouted, hopping off the table. "That's enough depressing talk. Time to move onto something more uplifting. Any ideas?"

Shirley merely shrugged. Millay bit her lip in contemplation before coming up with a bright idea. Her lips curled up into a devilish smirk.

"Ok, I see one of two things we could do. One the one hand, we could watch Haruhi Suzumiya. On the other, we could talk about the one time you and Nina—"

"Watching Haruhi Suzumiya is fine!" Shirley speedily objected with a deep blush. Millay's smirk bloomed into a full-blown grin.

"Good! That's what I thought. Now, where did I put those dvds…?"

The moment he stepped inside the pub, Clovis knew he made an awful mistake in coming. The patrons were loud and drunk, spilled beer and other muck covered the floor, and the smell of the place itself absolutely reeked. It was a place a proper prince (or princess, in the case of Euphemia) would never even consider going, let alone take a single step inside. Were it not for the fact that finding out who murdered his mother could be found out here, Clovis wouldn't have come at all.

Ah, but sacrifices had to be made. All for the greater good, he supposed. Taking another breath, so he could get used to the smell, Clovis gagged a little.

The greater good, it seemed, smelled like vomit and excrement.

He felt Euphemia clutch his arm tightly. Clovis turned his head toward her, seeing a similar look of disgust on her face. Poor, poor Euphemia, Clovis thought. If anything, it'd be worse for her. Clovis himself had been here, once before. (Of which he would never ever speak of again. He still had nightmares.) But this was Euphie's first time coming here. It would likely be very rough for her. At least Xavier had done his best to prepare the both of them…

"Master Clovis, Princess Euphemia, I know this place may seem…repulsing, to the both of you, but this is the place were servants of the Nobility come to unwind. Cooks, stable workers, butlers, you name it, they eventually come here. We can only stand acting proper-like and mild-mannered for so long, Lord Clovis. We all come here sooner or later, to have a beer and let out everything. It's much better than keeping everything in." Xavier whispered to the two of them. Clovis glanced back at the elderly man and saw him smiling, while his eyes gave off a twinkle.

Clovis gave his servant an accusatory glare. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Indeed, I am." Xavier replied with a laugh. The man turned serious a moment later, however. "Now, enough about that. We must remember that there's a reason for our being here. If a noble family murdered your mother, Clovis, then this would be a good place to start. Lips are often loosened here, and I may be able to find an old friend of mine, see if he's heard of anything. After a certain point, I may be forced to separate from the two of you. If so, make sure you stick together, and remember what I taught you. Otherwise they'll eat you alive."

Clovis heeded the man's warning, taking it to heart. From his last experience here, he knew that was completely true. This time, though, they had come prepared. Xavier had taken a week to teach he and Euphie the proper mannerisms a servant here would have and whatnot, but it would pay off for them in the end.

"I do have one question, though." Euphie confessed.

"Yes, Euphemia?"

"Why exactly do I have to wear this itchy wig?" the disguised Princess asked, tugging at the black curls hiding her hair. Xavier chuckled.

"Unlike what some people think, pink hair is not a known natural hair color, Miss Euphemia. If I didn't disguise your hair as well, it'd give you away in an instant." Xavier said. Euphemia blushed and mumbled an apology.

"No more questions? Good. Now, let us begin." Xavier announced. The servant led the two over to the bar, where a gruff and greasy looking man greeted them.

"Ah, Xavier! Good to see yer. Hm, what's this? Brought some friends with ya?" the bartender asked, speaking with a slight accent. The burly man offered his hand, and Xavier vigorously shook it.

"Frank! How good to see you! It's been a long time. These two are new servants to Lord Clovis, Michael and Sarah. They're new to the servant business, so I decided to bring them on over here! Now, be nice to them. Especially Sarah. She's an innocent girl, and I don't want her being corrupted." Xavier said. Frank gave an energetic chuckle.

"Don't yer be worried, 'Avier! We'll all make sure to take care of 'em. I'll see to that. 'Sides, I think you'll look after them fine, no? Now, moving along, do yer want yer usual?" Frank asked, reaching for a bottle of beer behind him. Xavier declined graciously with a shake of his head.

"I'm afraid not, Frank. I need to stay sober tonight. Just want to show these guys the ropes here. Besides, I don't want a pounding hangover in the morning, that's for sure. Master Clovis would never allow that." Xavier said. The bartender gave a knowing laugh.

"Yeah, sure is tough working under these spoiled brats. They probably wouldn't last a day without us, though. Without us, they'd fall apart in minutes! I imagine it's even harder working for those royals. A bunch of pain in the backside, they all are. Even worse than most nobles. Right, 'Avier?"

"Ah, yeah, right." Xavier replied, giving a nervous laugh. He glanced briefly at Clovis, who was trying to not look offended. Xavier offered his lords an apologetic smile before turning back to the bartender.

"Say, know where Marty is? I need to speak with him." Xavier said, getting to business. Frank thought for a few moments before pointing at the back.

"Last I saw the lad, he was towards the back. No doubt he's completely drunk by now. You're welcome to try and find him, though. Now, holding a conversation with him, that'll be the hard part!" Frank declared with a grin. Xavier hurriedly thanked the man, and started to make his way to the back. Euphie and Clovis tagged along and tried to stay close.

"So, we're all pains to deal with, are we?" Clovis asked with a sardonic smile. Personally, he wasn't sure whether to feel offended or amused.

"Well, ah…oh, look! There is our guy." Xavier said, hastily changing the subject. Clovis let it slide and looked at the person his servant pointed to. Beside three other (wasted) gentlemen (if they could be called that at this point), a portly and scraggly looking man chugged down some beer, loudly laughing at something his fellows said. Clovis opened his mouth to speak, but Euphemia beat him to it.

"That's the guy you need to talk with? From how drunk he appears, it doesn't seem like he could walk without tripping every few seconds, let alone hold a comprehensible conversation. What could he possibly know that pertains to Gabriella's murder?"

"Nothing, actually. He does, however, know the location of an individual that makes it his business to learn everything that happens in Pendragon. If anyone has knowledge of who may have poisoned her, it'll be him. He's a hard guy to find, however. Moves around often, never stays in one place for long. This man, Marty, is one of the few whom I know that keeps in regular contact with this information broker.

One of his 'friends', so to speak. To find him, I'll need to talk with Marty. It won't take long, I promise. In the meantime, you two can just listen around, see if any of these fools are drunk enough to speak about sensitive matters. Who knows, our search for the killer could end here." Xavier explained. He approached the wasted workers, and began to talk with them. Clovis and Euphie, meanwhile, just hung around, trying not to attract too much attention to themselves, while also trying to listen in on what the other patrons were saying.

As they waited, a man stumbled passed them. As he strode by Euphemia, the Princess gave a shriek. Clovis whirled around at the sound.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Euphie gave a shocked stare over at the man as he walked away. A furious look overtook her face.

"He-he-he groped me!" she cried with an incredulous tone. Clovis merely stared at her in reply.

"He…he did what now?"

"That pervert groped me!" Euphemia repeated with rising anger. Turning to her brother she said, "Clovis! I demand you defend my honor and beat him to a bloody pulp!"

"Now now Euphie," Clovis whispered back, trying to hold back a few chuckles. "He's drunk, so he's not entirely responsible for his actions. Besides, he'd probably beat me up. I have no combat training whatsoever, and it wouldn't do to cause a spectacle. We need to remain inconspicuous, after all."

"I don't care! He groped me Clovis! And only Lelouch is allowed to do that! Er…I mean…" Far too late, Euphemia's brain was only now just catching up with what she had blurted. The Princess proceeded to turn bright red, and really hoped Clovis hadn't been paying attention.

He had been, unfortunately for her. And maybe for him too.

"Excuse me now? What did you just say?" Clovis asked, giving his sister a look that came across as being halfway between bemused and horrified. Of course, had heard countless times in Britannian history of incest taking place in the royal family but…in this day in age…? Just what did Euphemia do in her spare time? Or perhaps the more appropriate query would be who…

"I-It wasn't what it sounded like! I swear! It's not anything like that! I love Lelouch, but certainly not in that way!" she quickly denied. Her partner was more than skeptical of her answer.

"It's not like that!" Euphie restated, her cheeks an even brighter shade of red now. Clovis lifted an eyebrow.

"Oh really? Then what did you mean by that, Euphie? That certainly doesn't sound like an activity you'd let a sibling do…"

Euphemia stuttered for a suitable response, something, anything that would explain what she had, by accident, slipped out.

She didn't have to, though, as Euphemia was saved from answering. Well, in a way, of course. Because it was at that instant a series of events took place: a mug of beer was thrown to the floor as two drunkards began to duke it out, causing the contents of said drink to leak onto the floor. A waiter came by, carrying more drinks, who then slipped on the spilled alcohol, and started his descent to the ground. Abandoning his tray, the waiter latched onto the nearest thing to prevent his tumble, but ended up dragging said thing down with him.

That person just happened to be Euphemia li Britannia.

The Princess in disguise tumbled down with the man, and landed roughly on the hard, wooden floor. In the process of this, her wig had loosened from its secured place, and now was sliding off her hair. Her pink curls were now visible to the world.

Euphie and Clovis froze. It seemed as if the entire bar had also become silent, observing the scene before them. With an uneasy smile, Euphie stood back up, straightening her wig.

"Do you…think they noticed?"

"Bloody hell! It's Princess Euphemia li Britannia!"

They noticed all right.

Without thinking, Clovis voiced his thoughts: "Oh shi—!"

"—t a drill! I repeat, this is not a drill! All pilots, to your stations! The attack will be commencing within twenty minutes. I repeat, this is not a drill!"

Kallen Kouzuki rushed down the hall as everyone began to head toward their ordered destinations. This was it. After much planning, the moment was at hand. Viceroy Mello and his army were now coming, and the Battle of Narita would soon commence. The fate of the Japan Liberation Front and the Guardians of Justice would be decided here.

Kallen just hoped that Light's plan would succeed. If not, they would all be finished, and all hope Japan had left for its freedom would be devastated for years (if not decades) to come.

Kallen's dash down the many intersections that made up the underground JLF headquarters slowed to a crawl as she noticed a figure blocking her path to the hanger bay. Once she was close enough, she could see that it was an unmasked Kira obstructing her way. Kouzuki stopped in front of the terrorist, keeping her expression neutral. While she still had mixed feelings about her former friend, this was not the time or the place to bring them out in the open.

"What do you want?" she finally asked. Light gave his most charismatic smile and replied.

"Why nothing, Kallen. I simply wanted to wish you luck. The battle ahead will be a fierce and hard one; even with the strategy we have in place. I just wanted to wish you the best out there. You are a great pilot, Kallen, and we'll all be counting on you and the Four Holy Swords to lead us into triumph against the Viceroy. Good luck."

Kira stepped out of the way, and walked away. He was just passing the redhead when she whispered something. He paused and turned back to her.

"What was that?" he inquired. Kallen took a deep breath before facing him. Their eyes met, and Light could see the furious expression held within them.

"Is that all I am to you, Light Yagami!? Am I nothing more than a pawn on your chessboard that you can do your way with? Am I just a puppet whose strings you can manipulate whenever you want, and cut them away once you're through with me? Am I simply a tool that you only use to your benefit when you see fit?!" the inflamed Kallen Kouzuki asked, her voice rising with each question. While it was not the time for this, she could not hold her emotions in on this matter any longer. Kallen was angry, infuriated, with Light Yagami, and her feelings about him couldn't be contained any longer. She needed to let them out now, or else she felt she'd burst from the repressed feelings.

Light shook his head and gave an extra appealing smile. "Of course not, Kallen. You mean much more than that to me. You are a great friend. More than I—"

Kallen slapped him.

Light blinked, more shocked than anything. The blow did not actually hurt him a great deal, but it still stung his face. Looking back at Kallen, there were the beginnings of tears evident in her eyes, but they were not from her stinging hand.

"A friend!? Is that what you want me to believe? That you still think of me as a friend? We haven't been friends in six years, Light Yagami, and I'm only now realizing that. You've changed a great deal…you're no longer the boy I knew back during my childhood. You're nothing but a shell of the man you once were. It's taken my years to understand that, but I have now. The Light Yagami I knew would never just send someone to comfort me during my time of need. I admit it. I needed someone to console me, and I'm thankful that C.C. was considerate enough to be that person. But where were you, Light? Where were you when I really needed you? Off planning the destruction of Britannia, no doubt. But if you had been a true friend, you would have helped me, you bastard!" Kallen ranted, her resentment continuing to increase. Everything was coming forward now; she wouldn't hold back any longer. Kallen wouldn't be stopped now, even if there were a major fight looming on the horizon.

"You insolent little bi—!" Kallen grabbing him and bringing her face inches away from his own cut off Yagami.

"Shut up! You are going to listen, and listen well, damn it! I am going to speak, you will not interrupt, and when I'm done, then you can talk. Are we clear?" she bellowed. Light glowered at her, and she matched the glare.

After letting out a snarl, Light reluctantly backed down, placing a hand over his left eye. Oh, it was so tempting to…! But no, he couldn't. Kira would regret it later, and like it or not, Kallen was a vital part to the plan today. If she wasn't…! Well, that wasn't a thought that would salvage this tense situation…

"Good. Let me tell you this, Light: if it weren't for the fact that I really believed that you are Japan's only true hope against the war with Britannia, then I would have left the Guardians by now. Just feel lucky about that fact, Light. I will follow your orders and obey you as my superior, but don't you ever think you can toy with my emotions again. I may have considered you a friend before, but now…the Light Yagami I knew is dead. I'm right, aren't I?"

Without waiting for her answer, Kallen brushed past Light and marched away from him. Light stood where he was even after she disappeared from view. He gave a ferocious snarl and threw his mask roughly at the floor, feeling the rage churning within him. Kira, after trying to calm himself (and failing), bent down to reach the mask, picking it up and placing it over his head.

"You have no idea what I've been through, Kallen. The old Light Yagami is dead, and for good reason. There is only…Kira." He whispered to the thin air. Reminding himself of his duty and of the battle that was rapidly approaching, Kira cleansed his mind of all unnecessary and distracting thought. Kallen could be dealt with at a later date. He walked back toward the command center.

Hidden behind a corner, the Geass Directorate assassin smiled. "Well, that was pretty fascinating. I'll have to file that information away for later. It'd be useful in my mission if I could cause a schism in the Guardians. Now, where is that troublesome immortal…?"

"All our forces are in position, Viceroy Mello. The extermination of the Japan Liberation Front can commence at your order."

"What of Nunnally?"

"She insisted on seeing real combat, my lord. We could not persuade her otherwise."

"I see. Well, it will be no problem. I'm not surprised at her persistence, considering..."

"My lord?"

"It matters not. All units begin the attack! Today, the Japan Liberation Front shall fall at Narita! Spare no one! Now, begin their execution! Wipe out all of the terrorists."

"Yes, my lord!"

"Sir! We're picking up multiple enemy units, approaching us! The operation has begun!"

General Katase drew a sharp breath. He closed his eyes for a moment before turning to the only masked man in the room.

"It is as you said, Kira."

"You doubted me, General?" Kira asked. Katase shook his head.

"Of course I didn't. But that matters not right now. All units! Begin the counterattack! Follow the plan, and we shall emerge victorious against Mello and his dogs! Death to Britannia! Nippon Banzai!" General Katase shouted, speaking the last part over an intercom.

"Nippon Banzai!" the soldiers chorused back. Katase sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"Our survival rests in your plan now, Kira. I pray that you do not disappoint."

"You worry too much, General Katase. Don't worry. Everything shall go according to what I have predicted." Kira assured. Beneath his mask, a sadistic smirk was born.

"Today, Mello, your armies will be crushed, and you shall become our prisoner."

*I decided to make Sachiko a novelist in this fic, because I felt that just making her a housewife here too wouldn't do.

Thus ends another addition of The Revolution! Yeah…I said the Battle of Narita was going to take place this chapter, but it didn't work out that way. I wanted to update before the end of February, and I didn't think I'd be able to update in time if I fit the Battle of Narita in this chapter. But rest assured, it should be in the next! I promise that, or so help me, I shall commit seppuku!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Oh, and special thanks to my beta-reader Manysidestome. Again, I apologize for not including the battle of Narita in this chapter. But it will be in the next! Until next time, goodbye.