Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.
Author notes: I present to you Clovis. And I started another Fan Fiction request. This time by Terlander it is called 'An Edge of Soul'. I would love it if you would check it out and give some feedback. Thank you.
nahte123456: Here is Clovis. I really hope I did him justice. Thanks for reading this and enjoying it. Feel free to suggest anyone else. Thanks for the review!
Eclipse130: I am glad that it touched you so much. (I too dislike Nunnally and like Suzaku) I hope you continue reading it. Feel free to suggest anyone you want. Thanks for the review!
KK: Well, I think what Dumbledore meant that we should never let fear of a mere name rule our hearts. He did say that words cut deeper than any other weapon(Sorry for the rant, avid HP fan here) I thought Suzaku and Shirley were good friends so i decided why not add her here. I will do as you said. I really appreciate your compliment. it does mean a lot to me. Thanks for the suggestion and review!
Terlander: I love the dynamic relation between Suzaku and Lelouch. Here is Clovis. I hope you enjoy this. Thanks for the review and suggestion!
Scarease: I am glad you enjoyed it so much. Your review made me laugh. Thanks for the review!
winxfan808: I did think they would be a couple actually. (They would make a cute one) I too thought about it! Never did any of the Black Knights question why did Kirihara decide to believe him. Maybe he thought that even Kirihara was under his Geass. -.- Brainless fools! Thanks for the suggestions and reviews!
Chapter 25: Clovis la Britannia
He is an artist.
He paints and it expresses his deepest desires and hidden secrets.
(A splash of colour here and another there)
He paints and draws his siblings, brothers with eyes brighter than the stars and sisters with smiles larger than life.
He loves each and every one of them.
(Maybe except Schneizel)
(But then, it is understandable. After all, Schneizel has never appreciated his talents and has always mockingly scoffed him)
He loves painting in the Aries Villa.
The gardens with flowers brighter than found anywhere else and stars bright in the night sky, it is perfect for him.
(He loves to paint Nunnally and Lady Marianne; the latter being the picture of poised elegance)
(Lelouch not so much since he couldn't sit still in one place long enough for Clovis to capture him)
(It has nothing to do with the fact that Lelouch always beat him at chess; or so he claims)
He stops painting for a month after the proclaimed death of Lelouch and Nunnally.
(His brother with eyes full of wonder and his sister with smile full of warmth)
But it's Euphemia who comes to him with tears in her eyes and asks him the reason for him stopping.
('The world needs more brightness Big Brother. Without your colors it seems more deary then ever.')
(And he starts to paint again)
People often call him a snob.
(And he wonders how can loving only his family and not anyone outside it make him a snob)
He is not as stupid as others think.
(He is an actor, just like most of his siblings)
Being made the Viceroy of Area 11 is a bittersweet feeling.
(While it meant that he is being recognized, it also meant that he had to govern the land that had taken the life of two of his siblings)
So he turns ruthless.
He is an artist.
And an artist feels all their emotions more intensely than others.
So, even his hatred towards the Elevens is intense.
(He doesn't care whether they live or die.)
(They would pay for taking the life of his beloved siblings)
He doesn't care about the people who work below him.
(What did they know about the life of the nobles, they were too simple-minded for such complexity of a higher lifestyle)
He continues painting.
It is by accident that he finds out about the green haired woman.
When a lowly Britannian soldier comes to report an unusual incident to him, he doesn't think twice before dismissing him.
(He doesn't like interacting with low class people)
It is only by sheer luck that the soldiers manages to get in a word before he is thrown out by his bodyguards
("The woman I shot came back alive, Your Highness." The soldier screams as he is being'escorted' out.
Clovis freezes before turning towards his bodyguards and signalling them to let the man go.
"What did you say?"
"I shot all the citizens of the Kazumi Ghetto as you ordered but there is a woman who continued breathing even after being shot through the head. And even her wound had disappeared after a few hours.")
(And the artist in him is piqued)
So he starts to experiment on her.
(Being an artist he wants to know if it is possible to preserve something, to keep it forever young)
(If he can be forever young)
Shinjiku Ghetto incident changes everything.
He, being involved in the project, orders the massacre of all the Ghetto citizens.
(After all, they were just commoners and nothing else. What matters if a few were killed? There were a thousand more to replace them)
Failing was not something he was used to.
(The only time he remembers loosing is with Lelouch in chess. All others let him win everywhere to keep him happy)
But with defeat staring at his face he orders the execution of all the people in the Ghetto.
(And that turns out to be his worst mistake)
He doesn't know what to feel when he sees Lelouch once again.
He feels happiness, joy, astonishment and many other emotions.
He notices that Lelouch vividly purple eyes have darkened over the years making him look more sinister.
(The eyes of the man who was betrayed)
The purple disappears and is replaced by a red symbol.
('I don't know who killed Lady Marriane.' He hears himself say.)
(And somewhere, in an isolated corner of his mind, he is sure that it is connected to the green haired woman, CC)
The last thing he remembers before being shot is the regretful smile on Lelouch face.
I sigh as I see you empty your stomach contents in the bathroom.
At least you regret killing me.
Somehow I was able to see everything you did.
All your plans and dreams.
(It all had the same underlying tint of red; anger and vengeance)
I even saw Nunnally and it did hurt me so to see her with her eyes closed and her legs crippled.
(Somehow, she still retained her innocence despite everything that happened to her)
I did laugh when they framed a Eleven for my murder.
(As if those fools could kill me)
But what I didn't expect was for you to be ready to help him escape.
Zero.
(And it fills me with glee. At least, you inherited some of your character from me. It was dramatic and eye-catching)
It doesn't surprise me to see the green haired girl at your home
(I already knew that she couldn't be killed and that she would be the one responsible for your mysterious power)
On the other hand, I am filled with disdain when I see Euphie with my so claimed murderer.
That child is as naive as ever.
Cornelia hasn't changed a bit.
She still gives more value to military duties than social ones.
(Really... who would roll about with Knightmare Frames when they could live lavishly?)
Well, not all people can be the same.
And she is family.
I hadn't expected her to bring Euphie with her though.
Being her real sister, she is as over protective over Euphie as you are over Nunnally.
(You both are more like mothers than siblings)
But I am sure that she will try to shelter Euphie as much as she can even though she made her the Sub-Viceroy is Area 11
But I really wonder if you would be able to stand up against Euphie like you stand up against Cornelia.
Euphie and you were always close.
(A picture of childish innocence; you, Euphie and Nunnally)
When I see your interaction with the Eleven, it clears a lot of doubts from my mind.
(I would have never expected my arrogant brother to ever make friends with a lowly Eleven; oh, how people change)
I talk with Father.
('Clovis, you are the first one of my children to die so pathetically.')
(I shiver and remind myself that I am already dead. 'Father... it's Lelouch who killed me. He had the Power...')
('I expect complete loyalty from my children and death is your punishment from hiding CC from me.')
(I open my mouth to defend myself but am not given a chance to speak. 'I will soon destroy 'God' and all of humanity will be united.')
(I stop in shock. For all I had found out, I had never expected Father's goal to be this.)
(He fades away)
You never did take defeat very well
(But then, nor did I)
You are still like the petulant brat you had been when Schneizel defeated you in Chess.
You have forgotten the fact that no matter how much you ignored it, Cornelia is your half-sister and she could be as cunning as you are.
It is only due to CC that you are able to escape unharmed.
(I could feel jealousy in the air when CC and the red- haired girl faced each other)
For a moment I thought that another member of the Royal Family will be killed in a terrorist attack.
Euphie was always a bit dense
(She has to understand that her life held more value than that of a lowly commoner; that she didn't need to stand up for anyone at the Kawaguchi Lake conference)
It doesn't surprise me that you spared her.
(She is your favorite sister after Nunnally after all)
Cornelia too could never accept defeat gracefully
(It is a trait shared by most of the members of the Royal Family)
Narita mountain, for her, is a defeat.
I never did trust Kirihara.
Despite him being business allies with us, he is still an Eleven.
So it doesn't surprise me much to see him secretly supporting terrorist groups.
(He is a shade of brown; with the wisdom and experience of the world)
I had truly believed that you had changed into a complete monster incapable of feeling sorrow.
(After all, who could kill their brother without a second thought- even is it was half brother)
But when I actually see you consider what you had become after the death of the father of a friend, I had to- rather reluctantly I admit- change my view.
(I guess for you, the people you considered your family was not us but your friends)
I pray that you would change your mind, that you would continue living normally.
(I didn't want to see any more of my siblings die anymore than I wanted to be dead)
But the Witch has other plans.
She manages to instigate you once more.
So I wait.
You are as ruthless and Father or Schneizel.
To meet your goals you sacrifice the JFK without any remorse.
(And you had the nerve to point me out when I did the same to save my dignity in Shinjiku)
But you paid for it.
When I see that your identity has been discovered by your orange haired friend and a member of the Pure Blood Faction, I think that it it the end of Zero.
(I didn't know whether to be happy or sad)
But love is greater than anything else.
(At least, it's supposed to be)
Despite you being responsible for the death of her Father she still shoots the lady to save you
(And I can't help but scorn that. How could she put you above her father?)
Somehow I doubt she would expose you to others.
It is the first time I see you use your Geass for something other than your own gain.
That is when I realize.
As much as you are ruthless and unforgiving to your enemies, you are equally loving and protective about your friends- your family.
(The light heartedness of the picture cannot be captured by any artist- including me)
(It is a concept I cannot completely wrap my mind around; they aren't blood so how could you be so-so free with them?)
Nunnally getting kidnapped has thrown you into complete panic.
It is nice to see that there was someone from our family that you actually cared about.
Being away from the family has completely changed you.
If you would have grown up with us, you wouldn't be interacting with commoners let alone Numbers.
The inauguration of my Art Museum is an event I would've loved to attend.
The paintings are utterly delightful and some of them are magnificent beyond belief.
But alas, I am dead and can no longer enjoy the fine pieces of art.
(I have to curse you for killing me so early)
I never thought you would pull back your attack when you saw that it was your Eleven friend who piloted the Lancelot.
(You actually have a heart?)
(Did the life of the Eleven hold more value than mine in your heart?)
(That is sad)
Despite you promising to walk the path of carnage, you still couldn't stomach killing your friend.
I never expected Schneizel to make an appearance.
(But maybe he realized that his opponent, Zero was someone above average intellect and it is like a challenge he could not resist)
It isn't surprising that Euphie discovers your identity before anyone else.
She was always perceptive even though it was often overlooked.
(And just like that you found another person you couldn't fight against)
The Ancient Ruins in Kamine Islands was something I knew about but didn't get the chance to explore
(The tragedy of an untimely death)
But now I have an idea of what it was going to be used for.
(For destroying the pleasures of living that made the life enjoyable)
I am against Euphie decision of creating a special zone in Japan.
(Those people didn't deserve the privileges)
But then, she has always been soft hearted- and, if I am not wrong, in love with her Eleven Knight.
(I hoped that she would have a better choice but unfortunately it seems that even she, like you, didn't care about a person's standing)
I thought that it would mean the end of all the fighting.
(Shame, I was starting to have fun seeing you act so dramatic)
If there is one person other than Nunnally you couldn't fight against, it would be Euphie.
(Despite your anger at her decision, I know that you would end up supporting her)
But what happens is something even I could not have predicted.
It is one of the rare times I saw that kind of expression on Schneizel face and I am sure that it was the same expression that is mirrored on mine as well as your face.
(If it had been any other situation I would've enjoyed seeing such an expression on Schneizel's face but this was...)
Even though I know that it is a mistake, that you didn't mean to make her do what she is doing, it still fills me with anger that one of the gentlest people I know had to go through this.
When I see you shoot her, it is with a sense of foreboding.
(Somehow, things are going to get worse)
And I am proved right when I see an immortal talking with Kururugi.
(VV; our uncle)
Our Uncle, the one who gave Geass to Father.
I wonder if the sense of betrayal or the strength of friendship would win.
I get my answer when I see Kururugi level a gun against you.
(And there are splashes of red, orange, brown and mostly black in the picture you both painted. The picture of broken friendship and trust)
I actually feel afraid for you when you were dragged in front of Father.
I have proof that Father is also involved in the power of Geass and it just got confirmed when he uses his own Geass on you.
(The expression on your face is something that would've made any artist shiver at the intensity)
There is a whole year of inactivity.
(Though it seems like mere minutes to me)
I wonder if you would ever awaken.
(That is foolish of me; you are always too stubborn after all)
I get my answer when Babel Tower is attacked.
The Demon is born again.
(And the dark aura that had been hidden emerges once again as you embrace Zero)
Kururugi returns to find out if you are Zero.
(And as an artist, I shiver at the elegant dance of various emotions between you two that remains hidden from everyone)
Even Nunnally being against you fails to break your resolve.
(It did waver it but there were people to pull you out of it)
(And there is love blooming in midst of the darkness)
The way you juggle both your lives is admirable; since you are dedicated to both and both of your life displayed the different sides of you.
You create another 'miracle' by helping in the exile of a million 'Zeros' out of Japan.
(And you know that Kururugi would never allow another massacre to take place after what happened last time)
The girl is too young to marry Odysseus.
(But then, since when did the Royal Family marry for love?)
You rescue her.
(And that gains you an ally inform of the strongest man in China)
With Schneizel entering the fray, I figure that things are getting more interesting and serious.
But it is not the end for your allies.
Jeremiah Gottwald, someone I thought to be your enemy, joins you.
(It didn't take me long to remember that he was Lady Marriane's guard)
Then you lost a friend.
I never actually thought that I would see you shed tears after what happened to Euphie.
But it seemed like you still had some humanity left in you.
It was a picture of tragedy.
(You hunched over the corpse of your friend, the same one who had forgiven you and protected you. And that's when I feared that any weakness left in you- any trace of your heart- has been buried along with her)
VV is killed. Father is now an immortal.
(I admit that it was something I had wished for)
(And I also admit that the thought of Father gaining immortality scared me)
Despite everything that happened in the past, you once again decide to put your trust into Kururugi.
And are betrayed.
(Though it is actually a false betrayal)
As usual, you have a back up plan for it.
(I don't think Cornelia will be too happy with you for involving the person she cared about in your plans; not after what happened to Euphie)
Another war.
(The battlefield is a combination of yellow and red)
Fake death of a family member.
(One that would completely break you)
Another betrayal.
(The scornful faces of your once faithful and loyal Black Knights; smug face of Schneizel and your resigned face)
A rescue.
(Somehow I understand why you put more trust into people who are not even family; those are the people who have saved you over and over again, even at the cost of their own life)
Finally, you are ready to go against Father.
(And somehow I am not surprised)
(What is surprising is the fact that I wanted you to win)
I thought you would join up with them when Lady Marriane appears.
(After all, she is the reason you fought so hard for)
But you are no longer the brat you once were.
(You grew up)
You reject their dream.
(And I sigh thankfully)
The Zero Requiem.
A dramatic plan and I didn't know whether to be happy or sad that you thought of it.
(I wondered if you would even succeed. It's Schneizel you will be up against)
The way you established yourself as the Emperor is something anyone would have been proud of.
Schneizel proved his ruthlessness when he killed all our siblings in Pendragon without any mercy.
(And I realize that there were bigger monsters than you out there)
(He made Nunnally do it)
(He never did get his hands dirty)
But still, in the end, it is you who won.
And it isn't long before the day of completion of Zero Requiem comes.
Zero's cape flutters in the wind before he comes dashing towards you.
As he pushes the sword in your chest, blood blooms on your pristine white robes.
(And the sheer beauty of it has me stumped)
(So it's true)
(There is a beauty in death too)
And so an era of peace starts.
By now, I really didn't care about what happens in the world.
Most of my family is dead and the ones who were left behind are scarred.
Maybe it's time for me to move on.
You are dead and so am I.
Maybe in our next life we might live together as brothers but it is not possible in this life.
Until then, I will wait.
Maybe enjoy a bit before going on to my next life.
Also trouble you a bit for killing me long before my time.
A/N: The ending is not all the good but this has already reached 3K+ words and I got tired. Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out idea by Terlander 'An Edge of Soul'