Author's note: I've been off the radar for quite a bit now, haven't I? For a while now, I haven't been motivated to write. Sure, I had all my ideas down, but it was so tiring for me to actually connect the ideas that I gave up on doing the story for quite a bit. However, after taking a much-needed break from school and other responsibilities (thank you, Spring Break), I've started writing again.

This chapter is the final one, at least before the epilogue. The conflict finally gets resolved, but the story doesn't end here. I for one, thought that the ending bit was a little bit rushed, but I needed to finish off the conflict before the story got too long.

Chapter 10, the epilogue, and possibly an extra chapter will hopefully be coming out within two to three weeks, and I hope to hear your suggestions as my readers on what you might like to see in Book III, which I've already begun laying out.

P.S. I know there are some things in here that may seem a bit unrealistic, but then again, we're talking about a fantasy world where countries fight with giant robots.

Until Next Time!

~TabiNoTochuu

P.S.S. - To those who noticed Suzkau disappeared in the ending, thanks for pointing that out. Turns out I had uploaded a slightly older version of this story, and it was missing a few lines that tell what happened. Don't expect too much though. At this point, Suzaku is nothing more than a minor character (actually... he's been a minor character all along in this story.)

Book II

Chapter 9 - Final Turn

I opened my laptop and popped the disk into the drive. While the computer read the disk, I opened up a highly secure video chat program that rich celebrities and politicians normally used. I entered an ID into the program and waited for the call to connect. "Lelouch... Shouldn't we leave? We gain nothing from staying here, and with the circumstances, time is something we do not have."

I held up a hand, silencing Suzaku's objections while I opened up another program. "I know what's at stake here. But, this is something I have to do or we will not succeed."

A beep sounded as the call connected. I turned my attention to the computer screen to see the smug face of Mao. "Hello Lelouch. I hope you're calling to tell me that you've given up. I see no other reason for you to contact me."

I gave him a cold smile and shook my head. "I'm afraid not. You see, you've taken something very important to me, and this isn't something that I can forgive, let alone ignore. So, I'm here to tell you one thing and one thing only. Prepare yourself, because I'm coming to find you. And when I do, you had better hope that I feel merciful."

He laughed at my declaration. "I'll look forward to it. Brave words, coming from someone who has no information at all. You're smart, I'll give you that. But intelligence isn't the only thing you need." He gave me a mocking smile before he disconnected the call.

I felt Suzaku's hand on my shoulder, but I kept my eyes on the screen. "Don't worry, Lelouch. I'll do what I can to find him. I'm here to help."

A small notification screen popped up and I clicked on it to open a real-time satellite feed of our city. The screen quickly zoomed and narrowed down an area of the map, and marked it with a glowing green dot. I looked back at the confused expressions on Suzaku and Kallen's faces, and smiled. "I attached a virus to that previous call. That's why I had to call Mao. With this, I can trace where he called from. And, as an added bonus, the virus allows me to completely hack into his computer network, giving me access to his security systems."

Suzaku and Kallen stared at me for a moment in astonishment. "I never knew you were so... skilled with computers, Lelouch... Any other surprises you have in store for us?"

I tapped a few keys on the laptop and closed the lid. "Maybe. We'll just have to see how it goes." I stood up and headed for the door. "Let's go."

A hand on my shoulder stopped me. "Lelouch, you have a great idea, but you're missing a very important factor. What will we do if his guards are armed? Do you plan on taking them on barehanded?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. I had not thought about the possibility of an armed and obedient security force. More precisely, I had fooled myself into thinking that the security would not fire upon a group of innocent and harmless children, but knowing Mao's character, this wouldn't be out of the question. Suzaku motioned for me to follow him, and we walked out to a van he had parked outside. He opened the back doors and revealed military-grade equipment fit for a small army. For a second, I stood there, just trying to take in the sight. "W-Where... Where did you get all of these?"

He hung his head slightly in embarrassment. "One of the assets my father owns is a weapons company. It was easy for me to divert a miniature fragment of our stock for this. No doubt he'll find out sooner or later, but given the circumstances, I don't think he'll mind."

A closer look in the van showed three bulletproof vests, a few pistols, tasers, and what looked like a pile of grenades. I picked one up and squinted at it. "Ah! You might want to be careful with that. It's a flash grenade. Pull the pin and toss it, and it'll temporarily blind and deafen anyone within a 15-meter radius, including yourself if you're not careful... Totally nonlethal too, if you're wondering."

The van also had what seemed like a fully functional surveillance system, the kind you see in detective movies. I raised a questioning eyebrow at Suzaku, which only made his embarrassment deepen. "We... uh... have another friend in the business. I thought it might be useful."

I smiled and rested my hand on his shoulder. "Thank you. I could not ask for a better friend than you. I will never forget what you have done for me."

"Let's go."

-oOo-oOo-oOo

I stopped the van outside a normal looking research facility. The signal from Mao's call had led me here, and it was here that I hoped to rescue C.C. from his hands. I turned off the engine and climbed into the back. Suzaku and I strapped on bulletproof vests and began to arm ourselves. I noticed the magazines for the pistols weren't filled with normal bullets, and a closer inspection revealed them to be tranquilizer darts. Suzaku noticed what I was looking at and gave a shrug. "We're here for a rescue mission, but that doesn't mean we have to kill everyone on sight. I did bring a few with live ammunition, and I hope we will not have to use those."

Before we stepped out, I turned to Kallen, who was struggling to get into her bulletproof vest. "Listen. I appreciate the fact that you were willing to come help me, even though we only met today. However, I cannot allow you to put yourself into danger like this. That's why I want you to monitor the security feeds and keep an eye out for us."

She looked disappointed, but at the same time, slightly relieved. Kallen nodded and sat down in front of the monitors and gave me a thumbs up. "Go get them, Lelouch. I believe in you."

I made a silent prayer and stepped out of the van. From afar, we looked normal enough, but any close inspection would reveal the bulletproof vests under our clothes and the weapons at our sides. We would have to try our best to not be noticed. And if we were, then we would have to make the plan succeed however we can.

I pulled out my cell phone and squinted at the screen for a second. I had hacked it to bring up a fully detailed 3-D layout of the compound in front of us. We obviously couldn't just walk through the front entrance, and the other doorways were also guarded carefully. But, as I looked over the blueprints, an obvious weakness came to mind. "Suzaku... I've found us a way in. But... you're not going to like it."

"What do you mean? What kind of entrance is it?"

I grimaced and turned to him. "The kind where you might want to throw your shoes away afterwards."

-oOo-oOo-oOo

Our boots sloshed through water as we made our way through the tunnel systems. At a fork, we paused while I quickly checked my phone again. "... This is the last time I listen to you when you pick a route for us. Of all the possible ways we could have gotten in, you had to pick the sewers."

I turned to him with an exasperated expression on my face. After analyzing various entrance routes, this had turned out to be the one with the largest probability of success without detection. However, this did mean we had to make our way through the large, maze-like sewer systems, filled with god knows what. Luckily, it seems Mao did not expect anyone to come through the sewers, and there was no security or cameras that we could see.

"I got it already... I'm sorry there isn't a better route, okay? Just bear with it a little longer. According to the map, we're almost there."

Sure enough, we soon came to a set of stairs leading up to a metal door. We gladly left the sewers behind us and carefully made our way to the door. Suzaku slowly opened it, careful not to make a sound, and we peeked through the crack. After we had made sure there were no guards around, we both proceeded through to the hallway beyond the metal door.

"Kallen, we should be inside the main compound of the building now. I can see cameras in front of us, do you think you can do anything about it?"

There was a burst of static, then her uncertain voice responded. "Uhm... I would, but I don't know what I should do... Is there a way that I can keep you off the cameras?"

"On the console in front of you, there should be a series of buttons. Press the blue and red ones. Those will start a loop of footage I recorded from their security system, and it will also allow you to pretty much control their entire security network. They will only see the looped video we want them to, but you will be able to see everything in real time."

There was a slight pause, then Kallen responded. "Got it. The loop should be running now, and we should be in control of their systems."

"Thank you. We're moving past the cameras now, can you see us?"

"Yeah. Keep going forward toward the door in front of you, but be careful. There are two guards stationed right outside of the door, one on each side."

"Understood. Keep us informed."

Suzaku and I quickly made our way to the door. Muffled sounds from the other side told us that there were two people just on the other side of the metal door. I opened the door as slowly as possible, and pulled out a taser from a pouch on my leg. I held up three fingers to Suzaku, signaling that we would attack them in three seconds, and he nodded and pulled out his own taser.

I grabbed the first guard and jabbed the taser into his side and pressed the button, sending 50,000 volts of electricity into his body. He collapsed without a sound, and before his partner could react, Suzaku grabbed him and subdued him as well. We tied up the two guards and left them behind us as we proceeded through the compound.

-oOo-oOo-oOo

"Sir!"

Mao turned to the security guard who had just shown up and frowned at him. "What is it? You know I told you not to interrupt me at this stage in the operation."

"Yes, sir. But it's-"

"Perhaps your tiny, insignificant mind was unprepared for the order I gave it, and decided to forget the order the moment I issued it."

"Sir. Two intruders have broken into the compound. It appears that they entered through the sewer system."

A chilling smile appeared on Mao's face. "Two intruders? So... You really came, Lelouch... But, even if you did bring help, I will not allow you to ruin my plans." He turned to the security guard, who had been fidgeting nervously in his spot. "You. Tell the security team to regroup on this floor. They will not be allowed to enter this room, am I clear?"

"Y-Yes sir."

Before he could turn and leave, Mao's voice floated through the air once more. "Oh, and please remember to tell the security team that the use of deadly force is permitted. Do what you have to in order to bring them down, dead or alive."

The moment the guard left, Mao turned his attention back to the computer screen in front of him, and the form of a girl on a white operating table, with what looked like a crown of thorns on her head. The screen showed a progress bar that was more than 85% filled. "Soon... Even they will not be able to stop me."

He laughed out loud, and all who heard him could hear the insanity in his voice. "Lelouch... you are already too late."

-oOo-oOo-oOo

Suzaku placed a hand against my chest and pushed me back, slowing me down. "What? Why are we stopping? We have to get to the room before it's too late."

"I know, Lelouch, but think about something. After those two guards by the sewers, how many other guards have you seen?"

I thought about it for a second. "None. We were lucky that we haven't encountered any others. It's the only reason why we are making so much progress."

Suzaku shook his head. "Look at you. Your haste in trying to save C.C. has muddled your mind. What if this is what Mao wanted? He could have pulled back his security team around him and he could be just waiting for you to show up."

I calmed down and thought about what he just said. Now that I really thought about it, it was strange that we had encountered no guards after the initial two. I cursed myself for letting my haste get to me, and for being careless enough to almost walk into a trap. "Kallen. Can you take a look at the cameras on the 16th floor? Tell me what you see."

"Just a minute..." I could hear her tapping on the keyboard, then a sudden intake of breath. "Lelouch... all of his security forces are there, surrounding the operating room. They've barricaded the entire area, and all of them are armed."

I ground my teeth in frustration, until I happened to look up. An idea formed in my head, and I worked it until I decided it was feasible. "Kallen. Can you check the building layout? Tell me if the operating room has air vents in it."

"Yes, it does. But, are you sure you want to go that way? I can't shut off the fans from here."

"We'll find a way. This is the only method that will get us past Mao's security without getting shot to pieces."

Suzaku pulled the grate off the air vent above us and gave me a boost into the vent. "Alright... Keep crawling forward, and take the left path at the end of the vent. From there, I'll try and find you a way that doesn't have a fan for you to deal with, because it might get very loud if you do have to stop it."

"If we do come to one, we'll figure out what we need to do when we get there."

-oOo-oOo-oOo

Mao looked up in irritation at the same security guard who had intruded not too long ago. "Why must you disturb me when I'm working? Wasn't one time enough for you?"

The man fidgeted in his spot, knowing that the insane man in front of him held his life on the line with a single word. "Sir... They've entered the air vents, and are trying to use that method to bypass our security."

Mao's eyes lit up with amusement. "Interesting... You might be clever, but not clever enough to outwit me, Lelouch..." He thought for a moment, then turned back to the guard. "I want you to turn off the fans in the ventilation systems. All of them."

"Sir? But that would let him make his way to you easily."

"That is of no consequence. In fact, I would be more than happy to see him right now. And, I'm sure there's another person who would be delighted to see him right now. Turn off the fans."

The security guard bowed and left, all the while noticing that the computer screen behind Mao had changed. The progress bar that had been at 85% was now completely filled.

-oOo-oOo-oOo

There was a loud mechanical whirring, and soon, it seemed like it was coming from every direction. I held up a hand and listened carefully, straining to figure out what had just happened. Then, as the air around us became warmer and less fluid, I understood. Mao had shut off the fans in the ventilation system. But... why would he do that? He knows that if he does this, we would be able to get to him easily. However, he still went ahead and did it... What does it mean? I shook my head and continued, questions still racing through my mind as we crawled.

At Kallen's order, we popped a grate off of the vents and dropped down into an eerily quiet hallway. We made sure that no one was around and carefully made our way to the operating room, a few doorways down from us. "This is it, Lelouch. I can hear him inside."

"Don't be hasty, Suzaku... This entire situation is suspicious to me... I'm certain that he's planning something. I just don't know what."

He grabbed the butt of his pistol and placed a hand on the door. "We don't have time. We have to go now, or it may be too late."

Despite the voice of caution in my head, I decided to go with Suzaku's instincts. I was prepared to save C.C., no matter the cost to myself. I took a deep breath and drew my own pistol. At my nod, Suzkau opened the door soundlessly and covered my entrance. Upon entering, I saw Mao, standing in front of a console, with C.C. strapped to what looked like an operating table in front of him. I signaled Suzaku to guard the door, while I raised my pistol and stepped forward. Halfway across the room, Mao suddenly turned around, a broad smile on his face. The door behind me slammed shut, and sealed electronically. I heard a surprised shout from my earpiece before it was filled with static.

He brought his hands together slowly in a clap. "Well done, Lelouch. I didn't think that you would actually make it this far. Well, to be honest, I thought that you would just give up. However, I think you're too late."

"Like hell I am. I'm here to rescue C.C., and you aren't going to stop me."

Before I could say anything else, I noticed the body on the table stir, and quickly rushed over, keeping my pistol aimed at Mao the entire time. "C.C... Cera... Are you alright? Can you hear me?"

Her eyelids fluttered before her eyes focused on me. "L...Lelouch... You came for me... I always believed that you would."

I helped her up from the table and let her lean against me to support her still unsteady body. "You see, Mao? You've failed. If you know what's good for you, then you'll turn yourself in. If I have my way, let's just say there might not be enough of you left to arrest."

He laughed confidently, and something in that laugh sent a chill down my spine. "Oh Mr. Lamperouge... you know nothing. This isn't the end at all, only the beginning. You think you've accomplished something, but in reality, you've done nothing."

Before I could ask what he meant, I felt a sudden pain in my side, and I saw C.C. walk away from me to stand near Mao. I touched my side with my hand, and was shocked to see it covered with blood when I pulled it away. Then, I saw the knife in her hand. "W-Why..."

Mao laughed and walked forward to kick my gun away. "You see?! You are worthless! You were far too late to prevent me from overwriting her mind with memories and sensations that would make her obedient to me. Fitting isn't it? For the one you came to save to be the one to kill you."

C.C. walked forward, the knife held loosely in her hand, and a blank expression on her face. She stood in front of me and raised the knife, and I closed my eyes, ready for my life to end. So... This is how it ends. I never thought that I would die by her hands...

-oOo-oOo-oOo

I slowly opened my eyes. It took every fiber of my being not to flinch, as I realized the tip of the knife was only centimeters from my throat. I looked past the knife and stared into C.C.'s eyes. I was shocked to see tears running down her face, though her eyes were still blank and emotionless. Her hand, the one holding the knife, wavered constantly. I became aware of Mao standing behind her. His expression was confused, frustrated, and angry all at the same time. "Why are you hesitating?! I told you to kill him!"

Her hand moved forward a little more, and I clearly felt the cold steel on my neck. However, it stopped there, and I could swear I felt the pressure on my throat lessen slightly. Why is she hesitating? Her mind has already been modified, hasn't it? Then, an idea popped into my head. Though my common sense told me not to try what was on my mind, I knew it might be my only chance to save C.C.

In one swift motion, I slid myself sideways, out of the way of the descending blade and rushed forward. Instead of trying to disarm her, I threw my arms around her and embraced her as tightly as possible. Her hand with the knife came up, but stopped before it could reach me. "C.C... You're still there, aren't you... Come back to me. Fight off whatever he's done to you. I know he hasn't completely erased who you are."

The tension in her body disappeared and the knife clattered to the floor. Her arms wrapped around my body as she began to shake uncontrollably. "I-I'm s-s-sorry... What have I done?"

Before I could say anything, I was violent dragged away from her. "You... What did you do?! You've ruined my hard work and my plans!" Mao, enraged beyond reason at this point, grabbed a metal pipe from nearby and walked back towards me. "If she won't kill you, then I will. You may have reversed the brainwashing once, but I'll make sure you won't be able to do it again."

I managed to crawl upright, clutching my side as I did so. He swung at me, and it took almost every ounce of strength in me to dodge out of the way. My side flared with pain, and I dropped to one knee. "Shit..."

Mao walked forward, still brandishing his pipe. Once again, I managed to barely dodge his swing, but I knew that there was no hope of me dodging the next one. My strength was gone, and the stab wound on my side hindered my ability to move significantly. But... I cannot allow it to end like this. I didn't come this far to save her just to have her fall into his hands again. My eyes fell upon the pistol Mao had originally kicked away from me, only a few inches away from my outstretched hand.

But, even as I thought this and begun to reach forward, Mao had raised the pipe once more. His mouth curled into a feral grin as he prepared to swing the piece of metal. "Goodbye, Lelouch. Your time on this world is over."

There was a flash of green, and the sickening sound of metal hitting flesh. "W-What..."

In that final second, C.C. had thrown herself between me and the pipe, without a moment of hesitation. The pipe had dealt a severe blow to the side of her head. Mao dropped the pipe and fell to his knees, his face contorted with anger and disbelief. "WHY? Why save him?! Why must you both deny me the dream I've held for so long?"

In the confusion, I had picked up the pistol from where it lay. I pushed the barrel against his back. "Your dream was wrong, something that should never be realized. And now, you reap the rewards for the evil you have sown." My finger tightened on the trigger.

A single gunshot echoed through the room.

Chapter 9 - Final Turn