Demons – Trust me, it isn't an omake. And I've read some of your material – good stuff, man. You have talent.

[*****]

GEASS DIRECTORATE, CHINESE FEDERATION

Rolo Haliburton had been to New City many times before. The Geass Directorate's underground city was a place he knew well, and over the last decade he'd observed how New City grew from a few measly buildings into a genuine metropolis, complete with streetlights, avenues, institutional buildings, major thoroughfares, a fully-fledged sewer system and train system. People could walk on the desert ground above and never once know they were walking above a man-made miracle of science and architecture.

Prince Clovis, however, seemed terrified and hopelessly confused. Rolo rarely had feelings on any of his clientele or targets; to him, there were either people who either needed his services or got in the way of completing his services. Yet, there was something about the soft-spoken, timid Prince that royally pissed Rolo off. Perhaps it was his noted history of inhuman experimentation, or the fact that it was his fault Lady C.C. was gone, but everything about the prince – from his surly attitude to the way he sat – rubbed Rolo the wrong way. He'd wanted to kill Clovis the moment he saw him, but V.V. wanted him alive and well.

And if that's what he wants, then it's what he'll receive.

The light rail system came to a halt, pulling into the familiar Central City station. Rolo rose from his seat and walked over to Clovis, who'd requested to be alone for a little while. Probably still scared out of his wits.

"We're here," Rolo said as the doors slid open. "Let's go."

"Um…" Clovis started.

Playing the mercy card? Playing weak? Not going to work on me. Rolo stared at him in silence for a few moments before Clovis rose, walking out of the light rail and into the station. Rolo walked out after him, followed by two shock troops, who had slung their rifles onto their backs. The Prince's attitude swiftly changed to curiosity as he noted the tall rocks that surrounded the place, the lack of a sky or horizon.

"Where are we? Where is… the sky?" Clovis asked.

"This is your new place of residence. Artificial lighting has been placed here to compensate for the lack of natural light."

"We're underground?"

"You catch on quick. Now, go. Just follow my lead, and don't make any sudden moves, or else you will have to deal with them." Rolo gestured vaguely to the troops behind him. Clovis nodded.

Like he has a choice. Rolo began walking down a staircase and made a right, a left, another left, and a series of rights, following a path he'd had years to memorize. The tall, all-encompassing rocks and layers of concealed dirt became a distant memory as they entered into New City's central district. Whereas the rail station was quiet, dark, and dangerous, New City was far more inviting in comparison. There were some people milling about; perfectly normal people, some accompanied by children. So normal-looking and bland that nobody would have expected them to all be part of a conspiracy.

"Are there… cars, here? Some kind of…?" Clovis attempted, looking around at everything, looking more curious and startled than angry or fearful.

"Apart from the light rail, no. Everyone here walks. It was requested by Master V.V. that it should be that way."

"V.V.?" Clovis repeated, as if the words were alien.

"Yes, V.V," Rolo said, hoping that would bring an end to this conversation.

"It's like a dream here…"

Why does he talk so much? Is he trying to establish some kind of relationship? Keep me distracted? I'm not fooled.

Eventually Rolo and Clovis came upon The Ministry, an exotic, ornate building that had the appearance of being fantastically tall, taller than it actually was. They walked up onto a portico, wreathed in skeletal vines, and on the right side of the wall was a Geass sigil. Rolo was unfazed, but Clovis started and stared at it in silence, as if realizing just how much trouble he was actually in. Wisely, he didn't say a word.

Rolo opened a tall revolving door that led into a wide open space, like a vast lobby. The impression the room gave was a sterile one; everything was clean and pristine, almost perilously so. There were a few stained glass windows; had there been any natural sunlight shining through, said windows have looked almost inviting. Instead, they appeared dark and foreboding. Rolo had never been a fan of anything artistic, but he'd heard a passing comment about their appearance that stuck with him.

"They look like the end of the world."

"Are we in a church of some kind?" Clovis asked tentatively.

Rolo didn't answer. There was nothing to say. He approached an elevator and waited as it opened. Rolo dismissed the shock troops, who promptly left the Ministry. Rolo and Clovis boarded into the elevator and Rolo pulled his gaze toward the control panel as the elevator ascended to the topmost floor.

"How did you kill all those men? Are you going to kill me?" Clovis continued, shaking.

"I have a power that allows me to do incredible things."

"A power…?"

The ability to stop time. "Yes."

"…B-but are you going to kill me?"

"That depends on your actions."

Clovis didn't say a word for the rest of the ride up. Eventually, the elevator stopped and Rolo entered an enormous yet narrow room; the Headquarters of the Geass Ministry. In contrast to the bland, industrial name, the almost-subterranean topmost floor had the appearance of being a palace room, with elegant floors, staircases, and walls. There was a television and a few monitors near a computer bank toward the right. At the front of the room stood V.V., sitting atop his throne.

"…"

"Hello, Master V.V." Rolo announced, walking up the small staircase and bowing in front of V.V.'s small form. "I've brought in our client like you asked. He didn't protest. Very much."

"That's good, Rolo," V.V. praised, drumming his fingers on the armrest. "You've proven yourself once again."

It is my duty as a child of Geass, after all. Rolo watched as Clovis' expression turned from confusion and shock to fury.

"What the hell?!" Clovis spat, turning towards Rolo. "Is this some kind of prank?! I'm not laughing! Come on, you could have at least tried a little harder than that! He's a kid, a little brat!"

"If you treasure your health, I'd advise you watch your mouth around me," V.V. said, falling back against his throne and looking at Clovis with apathy. He quickly donned a smile, however. "What do you think of the New City, eh?"

"Lovely, just lovely. Who are you? And how dare you talk down to me?"

"Didn't you see the Emperor's seal?" Rolo asked, glaring at him.

"Of course I did! But this isn't our Emperor! You forged that seal, I'm sure of it!"

"Right you are, about that one part," V.V. said, chuckling. "I'm his older brother."

The look on Clovis' face was that of a defeated man.

"…Older?!" Clovis managed to spit out impatiently.

"We know about your experiments on C.C.," V.V. continued, not wanting to haste his time.

A mixture of fear, hate, and mistrust came over Clovis' face.

"How did you know…?"

V.V. laughed. "Britannian Energy."

Clovis had murder written on his face. "W-what?! How?! I specifically ordered them to not spill anything!"

"We know. I own Britannian Energy."

"You. Own it?" Clovis said, emphasizing his words as if they would help V.V. realize the clarity of the situation.

"I have connections across the entire world, funded an entire city – as you saw – and I have a fully-armed military force. You're wondering how I was able to buy one measly company? Strange."

"They said they had no connection whatsoever to the Homeland!"

"Exactly," V.V. stressed, groaning. "You think they'd admit they had connections to us?"

Clovis grew quiet. Rolo leaned his back against a pillar.

"You're doing that thing where you ask too many questions," V.V. stressed. "Don't. I can assure you all of the answers we have to your questions are far beyond your comprehension. If you're done, I'd like to—"

"If you're going to kill me, h-have the guts to get right to it! Don't be a coward!"

V.V. paused, looked at Rolo.

Idiot.

Without speaking, Rolo produced a knife. Clovis' body had gone rigid, having realized his mistake. Before Clovis had a chance to run, Rolo activated his Geass. And just like that, time stopped. That wasn't an illusion – no time was actually passing, or if it was, it was moving incredibly slowly. But Rolo had free roam of the place. He stepped up to Clovis and got to work, pulling out a thick string from his pockets and tying Clovis' hands, then pressing the knife near his throat. Just as Rolo felt his heart start to falter, he deactivated his Geass.

As time resumed and Clovis realized what had happened, his eyes went wide. "H-how did you-?!"

Clovis swallowed hard as Rolo inched the knife nearer.

I ought to do it. He's nothing to me.

"There's a certain philosophy my brother and I adopted some years ago," V.V. said quietly. "That the weak will always be devoured by the strong. Look at you, Clovis. Brought down to your knees by a mere boy. You wear the clothes of a prince, but you're a peasant at heart. A peasant in velvet is a peasant no less."

Clovis was breathing hard now. "Please, I…"

"And don't you think it's a tad ironic for you to call me a coward?"

"I'll do as you please, I—"

"Now, don't say that just because you want to live. I want to hear the words come from your mouth."

Clovis' hands were trembling in a mixture of mute fury and embarrassment. Rolo pressed the knife closer.

"If you don't give any indication of being willing to compromise, then I will cut you," Rolo warned, gripping the knife hard, his knuckles slowly turning white.

"I am a Prince of Britannia!"

"Down here, you are nothing."

A lengthy pause.

"…I swear, I promise my services to you," Clovis muttered. "Upon my honor as a Prince of Britannia."

"Louder," V.V. spoke up, turning his voice up a notch. "People speak aloud to me."

"I swear, I promise my services to you! Upon my honor as a Britannian Prince!" Clovis said, half-shouting.

"Much better. Release him, Rolo."

Rolo took the would-be murder weapon and cut Clovis' bonds. The Prince stood back up, wobbling back to his feet.

"I imagine you've had a long day, so you go on now. Rolo will take you to your quarters. You can rest up and have some privacy there, then I'll brief you on the details of your objective. Your research regarding Lady C.C. and Geass hasn't gone unnoticed, and it can be of great use to both of us. Understand?"

Clovis stiffly rubbed his face, blinking and looking around. "Yes…" he muttered.

"Excellent. Rolo, you have your orders."

Rolo exited the Ministry, Clovis following him along the way. Rolo hadn't hand to keep the restraints on him after all, seeing how cooperative he was being. After some distance, Rolo presented to Clovis a high-ceilinged room with a couple of desks, shortwave radios and phones, a couple of short windows, and dim, warm lighting.

"These are my quarters…?" Clovis whispered.

"Yes. That phone will allow you to call Services, who can help you with basically anything, and the radio will give you a direct hotline to V.V. or his closest officers."

Clovis nodded wearily and silently took a seat on his new bed, staring without moving. Deciding enough was enough, Rolo walked out of the room and descended the staircase, which brought him almost directly into the heart of New City. A couple meters away, a group of children starting approaching Rolo excitedly, and Rolo's demeanor swiftly changed, adopting a warm smile and easygoing body stance.

"Hey, Rolo!"

"Who was that blonde guy?"

"You've been really busy, Rolo!"

"Rolo, hey! Check out my new Geass!"

"I got a haircut, see? Looks cool, right?"

"Hey, kiddos," Rolo said, kneeling down and looking at them. "Yeah, Suzy, I do like your new haircut. Did Kirk cut it for you?"

"Mm-hm," she said, tussling Rolo's hair. "Where've you been lately?"

"You know, the Master's been sending me out a lot lately, so I haven't really had much time to spend around with you guys. How have the exper—exercises been going?"

"Great," one boy said, rubbing his arm. "Doctor Price gave me some kind of pink thing and she told me it would sting for a minute, and it kinda did, but I feel really good now! Like, I wanna stay up all night."

"Is your heart okay, Rolo?"

I feel it stop every time I use my Geass. "Yeah, don't worry! They're making a pacemaker for me." Not.

"Pacemaker? What's that?" one girl asked, looking at him.

"It's like a toy that helps my heart. Helps it beat," Rolo explained, tapping his fist against his chest. "I've gotta go report back to V.V., but stay safe and don't get into trouble!"

"Can't promise anything," one boy giggled.

"See ya, Rolo!"

"Drop by sometime!"

Rolo gave a little nod and left the group, immediately resuming his stoic attitude. By the time he'd returned to the Ministry, all of the looseness and ease in his body language had drained; there were only tight shoulders and stiff movements, that of a trained assassin and soldier.

"The Prince has been taken to his quarters, V.V.," Rolo said, closing the door behind him as he entered Headquarters. "He didn't put up a fight."

"I didn't think he would. Too shocked right now," V.V. hypothesized, playing with his blonde curls. "Anyway, Rolo, I have a prime mission for you. Possibly your biggest one yet."

Rolo looked over V.V. "Yes, sir?" The last time he said he had a "prime mission" for me, he sent me all the way over to the European Union. I wonder if this will be the same. "Do you want me to take care of a certain someone?"

V.V. tipped his head back, closing his eyes. "Have you been watching the news recently?"

"Don't really have a lot of time for that, sir," Rolo responded.

"There's been a lot of activity going around in Japan, as you're well aware. Do you know about Zero?"

"Somewhat. He humiliated the Prince on live television, right?"

V.V. shook his head and pulled out a tablet, handing it to Rolo. "This will interest you, trust me."

[*****]

BRITANNIAN PRISONER'S COMPOUND

It had been nearly one and a half weeks after the storming of the Viceroy Palace, and General Bartley Aspirus was shocked to find this information out. Time stopped when one was inside of a prison cell, especially one as pathetic as his, which was little more than a big, steel box. He had a bed, with some mediocre excuses for bedsheets and pillows, and a table to eat and read, but little else. He'd barely touched any of the books he was allowed to pick. His only visitors were the pink-collar men and women who brought him his meals. For a while, he'd tried to interact with them, even just to ask their names were or how the weather was outside. But rarely did they offer a word in response, as if they were afraid to speak to him.

I am a General of the Britannian Military. I graduated from Pendragon, the finest military academy in the world. I served next to Prince Clovis. And I get this in return. Wonderful.

He wondered where Clovis was, what was happening to him. Bartley had hoped that Clovis would come back and claim his rightful position as the Viceroy of Area 11, but Bartley hadn't heard anything about the Prince. Not a damn thing. He wondered if he'd ever step foot out of his jail cell.

God, I wish I'd never gotten involved with all this supernatural voodoo…

The opening of the jail door broke Bartley's thoughts. For a moment, he thought it was another faceless, come-and-go meal bringer, but this visitor was different: it was Kewell Soresi. He looked exactly like the man Bartley had met a year ago: polished, finely-tuned, professional looking. Interestingly, however, his eyes looked bloodshot and the neutral, thin line he always wore on his face looked strained, as if he was trying to force himself to stay awake. Kewell sat at the dining table and folded his hands.

"Aspirus," Kewell began.

"Soresi. What brings you here? Are you here to execute me? Perhaps torture me for information?"

"So negative," Kewell muttered, rubbing his deep-set eyes and smirking lightly. "If we'd wanted to torture or kill you, we'd have already done it."

"But you're keeping me here for a reason."

"Of course. You know too much. And it would be nice to get some information. But, honestly, you ought to eat. Here."

Kewell pulled open a box and pulled out a salad, setting a fork and butter knife by the side of the plate.

"I'm afraid I don't have much of an appetite," Bartley shot back.

Kewell raised his shoulders in a shrug. "Just trying to be helpful. You need to eat, Bartley, keep your strength up." Kewell pulled out a cigarette. "Anything you might want? Books?"

"Yes, I've a request."

"Then?"

"Don't smoke."

Kewell stared at Bartley, an invisible power struggle raging between them. Eventually, Kewell stuffed the cigarette away in its case, a look of reluctance crossing over his face.

"When can I be released?" Bartley insisted.

"I'm sorry, we can't release you quite yet. But, if it helps, we haven't told your wife or the rest of your family about the details. For all she knows, you're still working alongside us in Area 11."

Bastard. Two can play at this game. "How's your sister, Kewell?"

A frown skittered across Kewell's face, but he put it away. "Not sure. Haven't had communication with Mari in a while."

"She's serving under Princess Cornelia, I hear. In the E.U.?"

"Yes."

"She seems to respect you a lot, and you her. I remember her from Pendragon. I wonder what she'd think of you, knowing you're a cowardly traitor."

Kewell cleared his throat. "Bartley—"

"Don't try to sweet-talk me, you garbage. That's the oldest interrogation trick in the book! Say what you came here to say, and don't beat around the bush."

Kewell's eyes were floating with disdain. He was furious, but exhausted. He tightened his hands. "We've been trying to search all of the sites Prince Clovis has been involved with. We managed to find a science bunker in the Hirosaka Forests."

No. Way.

Bartley, to his credit, didn't break, but his eyes said everything. Kewell nodded and continued. "So you know."

"We didn't—"

"Everything was destroyed."

What. This surprised Bartley, his eyes floating in confusion. "Excuse me, Soresi?"

"When we actually found the place, we managed to hack the controls and go down the enormous elevator. Once we touched down there, though, everything was sacked. It didn't even look all that abandoned – it looked like it was razed to the ground. We didn't find any bodies, but debris aplenty. No sign of the Prince or his security anywhere."

What. The Hell.

"What on Earth?!"

"Did you contact them during our assault? Tell them to destroy the data?"

"What?! No, damn it! And besides, if I had a direct line to them, wouldn't you have found it by now?!"

I do, but they don't have to know that.

"That's true, but there are other ways to contact others," Kewell admitted. "But I believe you, anyway. If all of the material had been moved or relocated? Then, yes, I would have every reason to suspect you. But destroyed? That doesn't add up."

Oh no. "Are you saying it was the work of terrorists?" Bartley said, glancing dangerously at Kewell.

"I think it's a definite possibility."

Bartley found that he was panicking. "If the terrorists found that, they have leverage against Britannia. They could use that as reason to-!"

"However," Kewell cut in. "I don't think it was the work of Zero."

"What? Why?! He's cunning enough!"

"Well, Zero made another appearance on television last week. A few days after Viceroy Jeremiah replaced Prince Clovis."

Bartley groaned. "What did he brag about this time?"

"Well…"

[*****]

A late-night broadcast, via NHK Newsline. A familiar mask and outfit: Zero.

"Good evening, Area 11. This is Zero. Tonight, I will be providing news nobody else dares to discuss, even if it must be talked about. The footage you're about to view are piled-together clips of my organization, The Black Knights, justfully taking down a series of Refrain dealers. Refrain is a Britannian-made drug that dulls people into bliss, as an underhanded method of keeping the general populace of Area 11 under Britannia's iron grip. Refrain is being sold right under the Area 11 Military Police's noses. Curious, no? Perhaps Refrain dealers are too subtle, too artful for the A11MP. Or maybe they simply don't care. After all, they have shown no interest in protecting or serving the Japanese, especially Japanese in the Ghettos, where the police have been allowed to loot, rape, and murder as they please, almost certain of escaping punishment!

If the police refuse to do any kind of work, then the Black Knights will. The Black Knights have pledged to serve and protect everyone within Japan, be they Japanese or Britannian! The foolish Prince Clovis la Britannia was punished for his unforgivable actions; I have brought the same swift justice down upon the cowardly Refrain dealers helping to aid the brutal Britannian status quo! The only ones who should fire and those prepared to be fired upon!

And furthermore, I have a message for the Purists… or rather, to be specific, Viceroy Gottwald, the Britannian puppet on a string. Tread carefully. If you think you can escape punishment for your actions, then you are blind. I know that you and your peons will try to oust Honorary Britannians from the military, even remove the Honorary Britannian application system as a whole. I know that you will use them as an excuse to target innocent Japanese! The Japanese deserve guarantees of survival! They deserve basic human rights! They deserve to be treated with respect!

But so be it. You sealed your fate! The Black Knights will be the ones delivering justice in this scenario. We are not terrorists. We refuse to fight Britannians for the sake of it! We have long ago stopped believing in the Britannian-soaked mythology of Might Equals Right. Our only goal is to liberate Japan! So consider this a warning. We shall appear again! Those of you with power, fear us! Those of you who are powerless, join us! We are the Black Knights, and we will protect the innocent from the clutches of the guilty!"

[*****]

MATTER OF TIME LOBBY

In the sterile, pristine Matter of Time Lobby, Time Baron stared at the screen, whistling. "Now that was a good speech. Couldn't have done it better myself. Or wait, yeah, I am that guy."

Kaguya blinked. Her expression indicated she knew something Time Baron didn't. "See? This timeline is different, and I just… know that something will happen in this timeline that will have considerable consequences against the other worlds. It'll be like a shockwave."

"His cravat looks off," Time Baron said, squinting his eyes and forming a camera photo frame with his fingers. "As far as my recollection of cravats go – and my recollection of how to tie cravats is fucking flawless – it looks too loose for his neck."

A glimpse into the mind of Lelouch vi Britannia. "I swear, it's like I'm talking to a brick wall."

"I consider myself to be more of a brickhouse, honestly. When does that portal open up?"

Kaguya groaned, leaning against a pink grand piano. "I don't know. The other Time Investors are being incredibly slow. If we're lucky, we can make it to that universe's equivalent of the Battle of Narita with minutes to spare."

"Do you really think there's gonna be a Narita? I mean, after all, my uptight sister is in the European Union in this timeframe."

"I don't know. It's like I told you already – I can't predict time, I just make sure it all runs smoothly. Princess Kaguya, administrator of Timeline Efficiency. Something goes wrong? I take care of it."

"By using me," Time Baron yawned.

"Yes, Lelouch," she stated, sighing.

"My name is Time Baron, Ruler of Time and Space."

"I knew I should have been an actress. We may not even be able to fix this problem."

"You're being awfully vague about what that problem is."

"Because I don't know what it is! All I know is that something happens here! Do you even have a plan for how to deal with this?"

"Yes! Something completely unexpected. The masses of the world will never see it coming."

If your strategy is unexpected because it is profoundly stupid, that probably indicates that it's not a good strategy. "If you say so. Where did Sonic and Waka Flocka go?"

[*****]

GEASS DIRECTORATE – PRESENT TIME

"That's Zero," V.V. said, taking the tablet back.

"I see," Rolo said.

"I want you to join the ranks of the so-called Black Knights."

What? Rolo stared at him. "How, sir? I don't think he has a public recruiting station. He's a terrorist."

"Yes, but there's an entire network of terrorist cells in Japan who are either considering joining Zero or already have. Find them, and you can track down Zero."

"I accept, but I have to ask: why?"

V.V. paused. "I have reason to believe Zero has a Geass power."

"Geass...?"

Is he a former member of ours? Has he defected? In that case, he's probably trying to help the Chinese Federation take over Japan. I'll have to kill him.

"Why else would none of the soldiers in Shinjuku remember anything? Why else would Jeremiah Gottwald let Zero go so easily, so quickly? How else could he have gotten so many supplies so quickly?"

Rolo's eyes searched out V.V.'s face, taking a moment to answer. "So if he has a Geass—"

"Then he's definitely in league with C.C." V.V. leaned forward in his throne. "And in case Zero does manage to defeat Jeremiah like he says he will, then I want you as a backup."

"So is my mission to find C.C. or find out if Zero has Geass?"

"Both. Also, if Zero does anything that will impede with the Directorate's plans, or if he does anything against Charles, then take care of him."

"I see. When do I depart?"

"As soon as you think you're ready," V.V. said, handing Rolo a manilla folder. "We've created a new identity for you; our agents in Russia will make sure you get to Japan safely. Remember, when you get there, learn as much as you can and devise a plan from there. If the Black Knights' ranks are rising, then there must be a way in. That's the only logical solution."

"I understand."

"Enjoy the Japanese scenery, then, Rolo Haliburton. Dismissed."

Why should I? I go where I'm told and kill who I'm told to kill. I don't have time for art, or nature.

Rolo took his leave, opening up his folder and reading over his brand-new, fabricated identity.