Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or its characters.
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.
Napoleon Bonaparte
You can't say that civilization don't advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way.
Will Rogers
May 24, 2014
It is graduation day for Lelouch and Gino. Anya is helping them get snazzy for their graduation. Gino is off in one of the other rooms making the finishing touches to his look. Anya hugs Lelouch. He kisses her forehead.
"It'll be okay Anya. Andrew will make a good team captain and Julian is probably going to end up as his assistant."
Anya nods. She knows that things are going to be alright. But how can you work for someone else after having worked for Lelouch. He is just about finished getting ready.
"Brother Lulu."
"Buther Lulu, where is you?"
"Opens the door, brother."
Lelouch goes over to the door to discover his little siblings at the door. They are standing there alone holding a note and an envelope. Lelouch opens the note. It's from his mother.
…
Lelouch, can you and watch the kids for a while. I have so many things to do. There's some lunch money in the envelope. Thanks.
Your ever loving mother,
…
Lelouch crumples the note and tosses it. He looks into the envelope and sees some restaurant gift cards. He sighs loudly.
"Come inside munchkins. You guys can hang out with Anya while Gino and me finish getting dressed."
The three vi Britannia kids go over to Anya who is standing there with a stoic expression and holding her camera phone.
"That's memorable."
Anya begins to laugh, "Who wants to play some video games?"
The twins raise their hands. They are days away from their second birthday so they aren't very good. Evelyn pulls a game out of her bag. It is their copy of Lelouch's video game, The Adventures of Zero and the Black Knights. Anya shrugs and puts the game in Lelouch's Mii. Since Kallen's dad owns the Yamauchi Company, the Japanese video game company, Lelouch got to make his own video game.
Then main part of the game involves Lelouch as Zero fighting against criminals around the world as a sort of vigilante. The other part involves a battle mode with the main characters. All of Lelouch's friends and siblings are in the game including the younger vi Britannia kids as secret characters.
The twins just jam buttons on the controllers. Evelyn and Anya sit back and watch them. Kallen, Milly, Euphie, and Nunnally walk into the room. The twins get all excited and run over to them. There are hugs all around. Gino comes running out to get some hugs. Everybody puts out their hands for a handshake but like that is going to stop Gino from hugging them. He holds onto Kallen for a good while. Hugging Milly resulted in him getting pinched in the butt.
Lelouch refuses to come out of his room so they all went in to get him. Once he is out, Anya takes pictures of everyone in many different poses. Since they have all been there before and have received the grand tour, they just hang around Lelouch's quarters. In his last year he used more often for privacy. They all play Lelouch's game. Lelouch decides they should have little tournament with the exception that they all have to pick themselves in the game. Evelyn complains because she wants to pick the Quaker Oats guy (Her not so secret nickname for their father).
It comes down to Lelouch and Kallen. Everybody thinks that it is unfair since he made the game and her father owns the video game company. Gino complains that he is too goofy in the game. Euphie complains that her new moves aren't in there. Nunnally complains about her characters skill levels. Milly complains about her characters figure not matching up with hers. Kallen complains that her character has too much of body. Lelouch ignores them stating that the game was already made. It's almost time for the ceremony to start anyways.
Neither the emperor nor empress is there but several Knights of the Round are as are some of Lelouch's siblings. The ceremony is all about the greatness of Britannia and its military. Lelouch tries not to look too bored. He notices Schniezel raise an eyebrow as he gives his speech. Despite being an excellent speaker, Lelouch decides to use his best monotone voice. After the ceremony Gino goes over to his parents. They want to show him off to all their noble friends. Not surprisingly a lot of those noble friends have teenage daughters. Lelouch walks over to his siblings. At least he doesn't have to go through what Gino's going through or does he?
He notices that his mother has arrived, and she is not alone. Both the Ashfords and Stadtfelds are with her. They seem to be having quite an animated conversation. Lelouch wonders how they got invited. He notices the looks in his direction as his siblings, Kallen, and Milly congratulate him. He notices Guinevere is also there looking around. She must be looking for the emperor. Lelouch wonders if that means he is here. A glimpse of Bismarck Waldstein in the distance tells him all he needs to know. After spending some times with his siblings and friends, Lelouch decides to go over to get the rest of his stuff.
As he expected Guinevere follows him at a distance. The Knights of One and Two are in his room. He grins as he sees them standing around. That means that the old man is in the bedroom. Lelouch sighs slightly. He isn't at the point in his life when he can cross his father without consequence. He can however mess with his knights but there is no time for that today. He enters the room and kneels before his father.
Schniezel notices that Guinevere is snooping around. There is no way that she is here for Lelouch. She must be here for something else. He was hoping to spend some time talking with Lord Stadtfeld about a few business ventures, but he notices that Empress Marianne has the attention of both the Stadtfelds and Ashfords. Lelouch seems very comfortable with both young ladies. Schniezel thinks that Lelouch is more like their father than anyone could have imagined.
Despite the obvious advantage to him of a Lelouch-Kallen marriage, he will worry about such matters at another time. Schniezel notices that Guinevere is conspicuously moving slowly behind what he believes is Lelouch. Schniezel decides to follow. Lelouch seems to heading towards his private quarters. On his way there Schniezel contemplates the situation. In a way he is glad that Lelouch has chosen to befriend the young Miss Stadtfeld of his volition. Schienzel can already see that getting on Lelouch's bad side is a huge mistake.
Not that Schniezel would ever be as foolish as Guinevere. Speaking of his oldest sister, she is slowly making her way up the stairs. Schniezel catches a glimpse of Lelouch pausing at the top of the stairs. For a moment Schniezel swears he sees a grin on his little brother's face. Then it hits Schniezel. The little rascal knows that Guinevere is following him. That means the emperor is up there. Schniezel wisely decides to wait for Lelouch down here. He notices that his other siblings and Lelouch friends are heading in his direction. Trailing behind them are the Ashfords, the Stadtfelds, and Empress Marianne.
There is some commotion upstairs. Schniezel see the Knights of One and Two walk down with the emperor behind them. As they descend the stairs, Schienzel sees an incensed Guinevere at the door. Schniezel hear Evelyn mumble something about the stupid Quaker Oats guy telling retarded Guinevere to shut up. He hopes that none of the other adults heard the little princess say that, but there is a chuckle from the Ashfords, a gasp from the Stadtfelds, and a hushing sound from Empress Marianne. Even Kannon seems amused at the little princess's comment.
As the emperor reaches the bottom of the stairs Lelouch comes swiftly out of what is no longer his room. He runs down the stairs. The emperor pauses slightly. In private Lelouch is very respectful, but here in public where there are others he is not so much.
Lelouch grins and looks down at Evelyn, "Don't pay any attention to the Q. O. G. He isn't officially here."
Lelouch looks over towards Bismarck who begins to lead the emperor away. As he leaves the emperor grins. He decides to let Lelouch have his moment. He knows that it is better this way. Guinevere's impulsive actions have knocked her out of any real contention. Even with his recent actions Odysseus would never amount to much. Cornelia has too much of a fighters mentality. Euphemia and Clovis not enough. The others Lucius, Cassius, etc. rely too much on their noble names and heritage. Only Schniezel and Lelouch were actual competitors to wrest the throne from their father. The emperor will have them at each other's throats soon enough.
Though one thing worries Charles. His other children with Marianne although young were showing lots of potential. Nunnally was proving to be much stronger than anyone had imagined. If given time she would surpass Cornelia perhaps Lelouch. The younger three appeared to be even more dangerous. Charles has always left his children to their mothers. But lately he has needed Marianne more and more, leaving Evelyn, Castor, and Pollux in the care of nannies. Charles knows that soon Marianne will send the three to wherever Lelouch is, and the boy will not refuse his younger siblings.
What worries him is that the combined might of Marianne's children, Schniezel, and Cornelia will undo all his plans. For this reason Ragnarok must be completed. It will be completed soon.
After watching his father walk away, Lelouch goes over and picks up the twins. They squeal as he lifts them up. Evelyn wraps herself around his legs. Lelouch wants to change out of his uniform but everybody mentions how cute and cool he looks in it. He has no choice but to leave it on.
That night Schniezel has rented out the ballroom at the Waldstein-Astoria for a special dinner. Lelouch has recently found out that Bismarck's cousin runs the hotel. They also invite Gino and his family. Of course the usual suck up nobles are present. As Lelouch and Gino walk in they are greeted with applause. Gino obviously eats it up. Lelouch just grins as he takes his younger siblings to a table.
"Okay you guys be good."
He walks over to where his mother is sitting. Quite surprisingly the emperor is also there. They are sitting with the Ashfords, Stadtfelds, and the Weinbergs. Lelouch politely greets everyone there and introduces Gino and Anya to those at the table. After that they walk over to a table where Kallen, Milly, Euphemia are waiting. Cornelia, and Clovis, Schniezel are sitting at a table with Odysseus, Guinevere, and some of their friends.
After the dinner Lelouch is exhausted. For some reason he decides that he will spend one last night at West Point. Gino and Anya go over with him so he isn't alone. After making sure that they are asleep, Lelouch leaves the room. The campus is mostly empty. Only a few cadets stay during vacations. Most have been gone for a few days. Lelouch notices movement down below. Lelouch slowly walks over. In front of him is a teenage girl no older than seventeen with long green hair.
He smiles, "Hello CC."
CC decides to check on Lelouch. She has a feeling he may soon need something for that eye of his. She has a special contact lens made. Since Mao and Marianne are abysmal failures, she hopes that the boy will be successful. She felt the pain a few days ago. A pain she knows is caused by the evolution of his geass. It is a good thing she had that special contact lens made. She almost forgot about it when the pain of the geass evolution hit her.
She wonders where he could be. She remembers hearing something about him going to West Point from Marianne. She was never much of a technology nut, but she knows her way around. She manages to find out that he is graduating on May 24. She decides to head over there. She notices that he leaves with his family. She stays hidden because she see Marianne and Charles. She wonders if they actually care about the boy if there is another reason why they are here. After he leaves with his family, she curses herself for not having approached him earlier. However this wish of hers is granted when he returns with some friends. She tries to find a way to get up to his room; however, he comes down on his own. She sees him standing there before her.
He smiles, "Hello CC."
CC stares at him blankly. "How do you know my name?"
Lelouch smirks, "I have spoken to one of your friends."
Lelouch points to his forehead. On CC's forehead he can vaguely see what MM called the code.
"Who was it? Was it VV?"
CC thought about it. There were others but which of them would have the opportunity to approach a Britannian prince. Of course he didn't remain here at West Point year around.
"Well it doesn't matter who it was I brought you something."
CC pulls out the special contact she had made for Lelouch. Lelouch takes it. As he does he removes the contact he has made himself.
"Well I will keep this just in case I need them both."
"I see you are well prepared and informed." CC pauses and begins to walk away. "I'll be on my way."
"Wait there is something I need for you to do."
CC impatiently turns around. "You need something from me. Well what is it boy?"
Lelouch smiles, "I need you to give geass to Kallen."
Lelouch has pondered this long and hard. Which of his many friends and family would benefit the most from gaining power. More than that he considered which of them would be the most help to him. While Nunnally and Euphemia might to more will to do anything for Lelouch. Even Milly might be more willing to do more than Kallen. Lelouch chose Kallen because of her independent way of thinking.
"Which one is that, the red-head?"
Lelouch smirks. It was obvious that CC was keeping any eye on what he did.
"Yes that is her. We will be in Pendragon for a few days. But if you wish, we will be in Japan in week or so."
CC only nods to this as she continues to walk away. Lelouch can only shrug. He goes back up to his room. He finds Gino and Anya soundly asleep. He decides to get some sleep himself. As he sleeps he feels something snuggle up next to him. He hopes that it isn't Gino.
In the morning he discovers that Anya is the one who cam in to his bed. Lelouch gets up and decides to shower before leaving West Point for the last time. Well he will probably come back to Anya's graduation in a year and a half. He technically is no longer a cadet. He is actually a major in the Britannian military. Gino is a captain. Their actions in Africa and then Area 10 have granted them these rankings. Along with all their West Point stuff.
Gino and Anya wake up eventually. The three of them sit around the table. There is no breakfast. Lelouch didn't think about it. He thought that perhaps Jeremiah or someone else would remember to bring them something. They were in luck because at the moment their stomachs begin to growl. Nunnally, Evelyn, and the twins walk in with some McDonalds. Lelouch remembers the kids' gift cards.
Evelyn brings a bag over to Lelouch. "Hey brother Lulu, I brought you some breakfast with my money."
Lelouch takes the bag from his sister and sits her on his lap. He gives her a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you very much."
Nunnally and the twins give some bags to Anya and Gino. They all begin to eat their breakfast. It is greasy and probably not very healthy, but it is very good and satisfying. A few minutes later everybody else comes in. Schniezel and Cornelia are a little appalled at the fact that they are eating McDonalds. Lelouch points out that they got the gift card from his mother. Still a little hungry Milly and Kallen join in on the feast. Euphemia is held back by Cornelia.
After breakfast they head to Pendragon. Once there Schniezel and Cornelia let out a sigh. In their minds they are home. They are quite used to the heat. Lelouch is glad that it isn't July or August when the humidity rises. One of the things that Lelouch has always hated about Pendragon is the ungodly heat. Who in their right mind moves the capital of the world's greatest superpower to the middle of the desert?
Lelouch stops contemplating this because Schniezel and Cornelia are both taking to him. He doesn't hear all of what they are saying, but he supposes that they are trying to convince him to return to Pendragon. Lelouch thinks about it Where is home to him? Is it here? Is it Japan or West Point? Logically his home is here since he has spent most of his life here. He spent a little under a year in Japan. He spent most of the last three years at West Point.
Either way Lelouch decides to rest this day. He will get back to work tomorrow. He knows the next few days will be difficult. There is no indecision in him. He will go back to Japan. In part because Kallen and Milly are there but also because of his facilities in Area 10. He knows that convincing his mother will be no problem. In fact he will have to convince her that Evelyn and the twins are not ready to go with him and Nunnally.
They spend the day playing at in the garden. The kids in particular want to play with Lelouch. He shows them his old hiding spots in the garden. He makes sure that Nunnally and Euphemia are off doing something else when he does. Lelouch decides to enjoy these next few days with his little siblings. Of course he figures that they are probably going with him to Japan if only for the summer. He doesn't expect CC to come to Pendragon. Lelouch believes that she was a friend of his mother, but they had some sort of falling out. Nevertheless he hopes that she will at least go to Japan. A week later the royal children and friends arrive in Japan. Lelouch knew that to delay anymore would only increase pressure from Cornelia and Schniezel.
Lelouch walks into his room. Over the last few months he has had Jeremiah and Villetta redecorate his room to match his new style. They also got rid of all his clothes since none of it fits him anymore. Lelouch is going to have to go shopping. Lelouch flops down on his bed. He is joined by Evelyn and the twins. Lelouch remembers that as children he, Nunnally, and Euphie would often fall asleep in bed huddled up with each other. Lelouch spends a few weeks getting accustomed to life in Japan. He also has to practice his Japanese.
Near the end of June he decides to head over to Area 10. He takes his siblings with him. Another reason he decides to leave is that Ashford has all high school freshman take a month and a half orientation. Of course Milly is the orientation planner and host. Lelouch does not want any part of that. The kids are the most excited. They want to see the new knightmares.
There isn't much to do since the three scientists are just working the numbers they got a few months ago. Lelouch does some exercises on the Titan. He takes Evelyn up with him. Since Nunnally and Euphemia's Sutherlands were destroyed, they work a little with the Callisto and Europa respectively. Despite the fact that all three knightmares have been around less than a year, Lelouch is already looking towards the future. Now that every minute of his day isn't planned out, he will have some more free time. Since Area 10 is only a few hours flight from Japan, it would even be possible for Lelouch to make a weekend visit every once in a while.
Well Lelouch spent a few days working on making the obstacle course more difficult. After doing that he takes a break. They all spend the next few days hanging out at the beach. Euphemia and Nunnally are obviously a little uncomfortable out there. This is the spot where they first killed someone. They get over some of the anxiety. The kids playful nature helps make the time more enjoyable. Lelouch wished they could have brought Milly and Kallen along. Of course once they get back to Japan, Lelouch knows that they will make him pay for missing the orientation.
Lelouch is up late one night looking over the reports of the Io series. The knightmares are being manufactured on schedule. The best part of it all is that Lelouch gets to select which of his siblings he sells them to. Schniezel and Cornelia get first dibs on the newer ones for their war with the EU. Lelouch also has a few stationed here in Area 10. They are replacing the Glasgows and Sutherlands.
Not only are people interested in his Io knightmares, but there is also interest in his adaptations to the Glasgow and Sutherland. He has also made money selling those to agencies and people from all over the Empire. A few police forces are interested in the new adaptations to the older knightmares since it is what they mostly course other knightmare manufacturers are also interested in what he is doing. There is already talk in improving the Sutherland by making it more capable in knightmare to knightmare combat. Lelouch has heard the name Gloucester being tossed around. Some of these new changes and improvements won't be years from occurring.
Lelouch is already thinking about the next step. So far all attempts at the maser vibration sword have been a failure. Still Lelouch has time and money to spare. Apart from his allowances as a prince. He now draws a small military salary. He has also commandeered some of Nunnally and Euphemia's money. But with the way his knightmare and knightmare ideas are selling, he will return the money back to his sister's by years end.
Of course he has other money making schemes beyond knightmares. As he pulls out his Z-phone and begins to use his Z-pac computer, he knows that he needs to expand his technological empire. He wonders what would happen if anyone knew the truth behind Orange Technologies or The LL Entertainment Corporation. Well in the end what could they do. Lelouch will also have to have a talk with Kallen's father about some investments.
Well most that can wait a few months. Lelouch decides to let his three geniuses rest on their laurels for a bit. They also deserve credit for what happened here in early April. They are the brains behind the knightmares. Sure Lelouch is the originator and money man, but they actually put it all together. Of course he put them all together
Lelouch closes the folder on the Moons project. There is still work to be done with it, but it is mostly just minor adjustments to improve certain systems. Lelouch picks up a new folder. In it he has a few rough sketches of new projects. He won't trouble them with this for a few months. He puts the folder away. This new project will blow all other knightmares away. It is really light years ahead of what anyone else is thinking. He has named it Caerleon. Lelouch puts his things away and decides to enjoy the rest of his vacation. He knows that once back at Ashford. Milly will have him working his butt off.
Kallen has been at Ashford Academy freshman orientation for a month. It all seems a little excessive to her. She blames her boredom on Lelouch who conveniently isn't here. As she looks around she wonders if she is the only one. Rivalz is all too happy to be with Milly. Shirley is her usually happy self. Nina hides in the corner. Milly knows better than to expect anything out of her. Only Suzaku seems just as bored as Kallen. Suzaku walks over to the door. As he pulls his collar up, Kallen stifles a laugh. That is part of Lelouch's secret code. Kallen quietly gets up and makes her way to the door. She goes up to the roof. Suzaku is standing up there looking out.
"I guess your boyfriend is good for something."
Kallen grimaces at that comment. "I guess so. So are you as bored as I am?"
Suzaku nods. "What do you think? So you think Milly is going to put us through some crazy shit this year?"
Kallen shrugs, "Maybe not because we are only freshmen. Although there may be some kind of hazing."
Suzaku frowns, "Well whatever. Speaking of your boyfriend when is he going to get here. I'd hate to be in his shoes when Milly gets her claws on him."
Kallen shrugs, "He is vacationing with his brothers and sisters."
Just then Kallen gets a text message on her Z-phone, another one of Lelouch's gifts. Suzaku comes over and sees who it is from.
Kallen smiles, "It's from your girlfriend."
Suzaku grins. It has to be Nunnally because Euphemia would never text Kallen. His suspicions are confirmed when his own phone buzzes with a message. If seems as if the little princes and princesses are returning but without Lelouch. As Suzaku begins to have a text conversation with Nunnally, he notices that Kallen is receiving another message. This makes her smile. It must be from Lelouch. Their little happy text time is stopped when Shirley comes running towards them.
"Oh there you guys are. Milly has been for you two."
Kallen finishes sending a message to Lelouch. "Why? What does she want?"
"Didn't you guys hear? Lelouch is on his way back and Milly wants to do something special for him."
Shirley takes Suzaku and Kallen downstairs so they can participate in Milly's insane plan. Later that day Euphemia, Nunnally, Evelyn, and the twins arrive in Japan. The go over to Ashford to help with the planning. Lelouch isn't going to in Japan for a few days or so they believe.
As he flies back to Japan, Lelouch is looking at several items. He continues to work on his Caerleon project. There is also the matter of the reward his father gave him back in April. His reward for putting down the rebellion in Area 10. He looks them over. Of course Jeremiah, Villetta, Kewell, Gino, Sora, and Luciano got there reward. Lelouch has even heard that Luciano may become a Knight of the Round. The way Luciano likes to fight that may not be the right position for him. Anya will get her reward once she graduates. As for the others Lelouch has until the end of the year to tell them.
Three people arrive in Japan late in the day. They arrive in very different ways. They also go to very different places. One is hiding in the worst, most abandoned ghetto there is. He is wearing large headphones connected to a Z- pod. He wears giant sunglasses. As he hides he cringes in a corner and raises the volume. The second is sitting in his own hotel room jumping around on the bed. The blonde is excited about finally being allowed out on his own. The third arrives at Ashford Academy wearing his new black school uniform. He looks up and notices that the lights in the school are still on. HE has a surprise in store for them.
Author's note: So Mao will probably show up in the next few chapters.
Writing for CC was a little hard. Normally I don't do much with CC. I think the most I have had her do is tie up Lelouch so he wouldn't interfere in the making of the world's largest pizza in the Demon and the Flash. I guess I also made her go around and adopt a bunch of kids. Well there won't be a lot of CC for a few chapters but she is coming back. You know I always loved that scene where CC doing something with a gun and it slips out of her hand. It always makes me laugh that she has been alive for so long and she can barely handle a gun. Of course it appears as if the creators were just playing with us because she is obviously capable.
In case anyone doesn't know Pendragon is located in what would be the southwest US. Most likely Arizona. I remember the first I saw the map that showed the location of Pendragon and I yelled out hey that's where I live. So I am very familiar with what the weather conditions are like in Pendragon having to experience them every day.