Recommended Music: "Kagutsuchi Kourin" by Kajiura Yuki from the Mai-HIME Original Soundtrack I, followed by (once Suzaku appears) "Nightmare" by Nakagawa Koutarou from the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Soundtrack, followed by "Kaze no Ishi" by Toshihiko Sahashi from the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Suites CD vol. 5

Opening Song: "Brand New Day" from Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Avenging Mao

(Sunset Showdown)

Lelouch blinked in surprise, staring at the board nervously. He recognized it too.

There has to be some way I can beat him. If I just think… No, that's pointless. He knows everything I'm thinking. But if I avoid the mistakes I made last time—overconfidence, recklessness, speed—there might be a way. I've conquered many opponents—not even Schneizel could beat me. Of course, it was still a stalemate…focus!

Lelouch strode over to the black side of the board and took his place, staring down at the pieces carefully.

"This balance," Mao explained, indicating the ornate device of brass, quartz and nickel positioned beside the board. "Is both the detonation and the dismantling switch for the bomb," though, of course, Lelouch was quite ignorant of his true meaning. "Any pieces captured are to be placed upon it. If the needle swings toward my side completely, the bomb will be detonated. Likewise, if the needle swings toward your side completely, it will be dismantled. In other words, if you win the game, you'll save your sister."

What a jerk. To attack Nunnally like this… He's not even playing fairly. Maybe I can provoke him though… If I make him angry, he might lose focus, make poor judgments.

"This is a twisted game—just like your mind," Lelouch countered sternly. "No wonder C.C. left you," he added with a cold glare.

Mao blinked underneath his visor. He was aware of the ploy, of course, but the words still bore a certain sting nonetheless. "It's pointless to provoke me. Your thoughts are clear," he replied dryly.

With that, the game began. Lelouch tried to be careful this time, avoiding giving Mao opportunities to take his pieces if possible and taking control of much smaller portions of the board at a time. But each move Mao made seemed to result in the capture of another one of Lelouch's pieces despite all his efforts.

Three pawns and my knight… I needed that knight later though. Damn this! If I move the bishop there and take his knight, I can open up his defense a little bit. The key is to give him something he can't refuse to take, while I create an equally favorable situation elsewhere when he can't respond due to his prior committal. But…he's listening to this right now! What if I just let my mind go blank. If I'm not having any thoughts—if I just play by instinct, maybe I can turn this around. Let my mind go blank…blank…blank….

"You're not the type of person that can empty your mind," Mao chided. "You're constantly criticizing your actions and then observing and studying the critique. It's just who you are. But it's useless. No matter what you think, my victory is certain," he added, taking Lelouch's other knight and dropping it upon the scale.

Lelouch bristled.

My knight! Damn, he didn't go for either the bishop or the pawn. Wait, if I can't block it, maybe I can overload him—confuse him! Think of…so many things at once, he can't find out what's true and what's just a distraction. Qb3? Na4? Qa3? Nxg5? Bxc3? Bxe7? Be6?

"Incredible!" Mao exclaimed, clapping with genuine respect, keeping his broken fingers aloft. "You tried thinking about seven moves at once in order to confuse me. "But as long as my Geass is focused directly upon you, it's easy to tell what you're really thinking."

I can't win! He even foiled that…what the hell am I supposed to do now? This isn't any good…my pieces are totally disorganized.

"Even your last plan has failed," Mao mused rather coldly as he tossed another piece into the air, catching it in his palm. "It's because you've underestimated me that your sister is in danger," he added, shooting the conquered piece into the bowl on his side of the scale, the needle moving dangerously close to the red threshold.

Lelouch's eyes widened, riveted upon the tenuous balance. He noticed he was shaking.

What should I do?

"What should I do?" Mao repeated, mocking his thoughts.

I'm out of strategies…

"I'm out of strategies," Mao continued, his voice exaggerated.

I could make use of the others, but as long as Nunnally is being held hostage…

"I can't call for help as long as Nunnally is being held hostage," Mao read, taking the Area coin out of his pocket and dropping it upon the ground for effect. The glint of the metal combined with the shrill ring as it collided against the hardwood floor seemed to disturb Lelouch and he gasped, abruptly losing focus.

"My apologies," Mao feigned, stooping down to snatch it back up. "I must've dropped it."

Lelouch bit his lips, his eyes riveting back to the board.

There has to be something I can do… I can't leave Nunnally like this.

"It's your turn," Mao pressed. "You should hurry, time is running out. You'll lose your sister at this rate." Mao grinned. He would lose everything, in fact. Everything.

Lelouch placed his wavering hand over the board, his skin deathly white, almost as white as Mao's own. Tentatively, he gripped his king.

"Are you sure you want to make that move?" Mao chided, his mouth turned in a deep frown.

Lelouch's stared at Mao, his once hard face now like a frightened child; no, a kicked dog.

What does he see that I don't?

Mao frowned. "Is it really alright?"

Lelouch's hand began to tremble violently.

I can't do this. I can't do this. Not like this. There's too much at stake. He's unbeatable. I'm gonna lose if I continue this. Enough of this. Please, Mao.

Lelouch's closed his eyes as his shoulders slumped in defeat. "Enough of this," Lelouch began, his voice almost falling to a whisper. "I can't take anymore."

Mao tilted his head sideways, ruminating over all the times someone had uselessly begged Zero for their life. Or the haughty grin Lelouch had flashed only days before as he ordered Mao's execution. But now all his arrogance had been replaced with hopeless resignation and groveling. How pathetic. Even in what he thought was his final moments, Mao hadn't deigned to beg for his life—he had fought for C.C. to the last.

"Mao, please stop this," Lelouch begged, unwilling to bring his eyes back up.

"What's this?" Mao mused, pleased by the display; enjoying his chance to inflict him with such suffering.

Lelouch couldn't take it anymore. "Enough of this already! Please spare Nunnally! I beg you!" he shouted, spreading his arms wide.

"Hmm…" was Mao's only reply, a mockery of the man's desperation, exaggerating his intonation and drawing it out slowly.

I've lost. There's no hope and I've met my match. He found my weakness and used it to cripple me. Mao is…superior to me

"I…" Lelouch stammered. "I admit it. I've lost. You've…beaten me," he confessed.

Mao smirked, a slight chuckle emanating from the depths of his throat. Slowly it transformed though until he threw his head back in maniacal laughter, filling the vacant chapel with its unnerving sound and clapping vigorously, his arms raised above his head in exultation. "You're right!" Mao shouted exuberantly. "Well said! After all this time—all those lies-you're finally speaking the truth from deep within your heart! Doesn't it feel great?"

Lelouch clenched his teeth, averting his gaze, but gave no overt opposition. He wanted mercy and he was willing to let Mao have his little rant in order to get it.

"However, the answer is no," Mao replied, his voice no longer amused but cold like stinging ice. Lelouch froze, his shoulders falling in fear. With everything in position, Mao gripped the queen and brought her forward, trapping Lelouch's king. "With this, I call CHECKMATE!" Mao announced, swiping the defeated piece from the board and tossing it into his side of the balance, throwing the needle into the red.

Lelouch's eyes widened in terror. He screamed, falling backward in shock. "NUNALLY! he breathed, staring up in disbelief.

It can't be... She's not really dead. There's just no way-not with Suzaku there. The world better hope she's not dead!

Mao quickly slid his hand into his coat, gripping the pistol firmly, aware that Lelouch had unknowingly delivered the sign to Kururugi waiting patiently outside. There wasn't much time to gloat; he would have to make this quick. The signal from the balance should have already traveled to the transmitter and sent a charge to the electric cap affixed into the slab, filling the room with thick smoke. Just as planned.

"Let's see if she's burst into little pieces," Mao mused for effect as he used his free hand to take out the portable video display to toss it to Lelouch, that way he could see the smoking room, completing the ruse. Once Lelouch was taken care of he'd have the time to properly deal with Suzaku. Everything would work out.

However, as he glanced briefly at the screen, he was shocked to see a clear view. Nunnally sat unchanged, as if nothing had happened. "What?" he muttered. It didn't make sense. The slab should have burned off, smoking the room beyond recognition, enough to deceive Lelouch into thinking an explosion had detonated. "How?" he breathed in confusion, the hand gripping his pistol absently sliding down to his side as he strained his eyes to examine the tiny rig displayed therein, searching for the source of the malfunction.

-{But there will be no smoke}-

Lelouch merely stared up at him from his knees, his raven hair drenched in sweat.

Mao's eyes widened. It couldn't be.

-{She will offer her hand but there will be no smoke}-

Suddenly there was burst of air as the stain glass window shattered open, followed by Suzaku who vaulted inside and landed squarely upon his feet.

"Damn, you distracted me!" Mao cursed as he wrenched the pistol up from his side, firing off several quick rounds. As Mao had feared, however, Suzaku was too fast and he evaded them, rushing forward and delivering a firm punch into his face, sending Mao sprawling to the ground painfully, his visor and headphones falling away from his face.

Mao groaned, closing his eyes at the stinging pain. Suzaku kicked away the pistol, standing guard over him. Lelouch stood shakily to his feet, surprised by the sudden turn of events.

This is the psychopath? He's certainly dressed oddly enough. But he looks injured. Badly. What's with all the bandages?

"I'm Suzaku Kururugi, warrant officer from the Britannian Army," the young man explained, adopting an authoritative stance. "I'm placing you under arrest."

"Suzaku…" Lelouch breathed in disbelief, still not catching on.

"You dismantled it ?" Mao asked in disbelief as he probed Suzaku's thoughts. "You 'matched your momentum to the motion of the swing'…" Mao read, shaking his head. It was physically impossible. Regardless of Kururugi's athletic abilities, there was no way he could've cut the wire without disturbing the flow and triggering the slab. Humans just aren't able to do things like that. Which left only one explanation—somehow the homemade device had malfunctioned—meaning Kururugi's actions were inconsequential. Since he had cut the wire, however, the problem had to rest with the electric blasting cap—the slab itself was perfectly mixed. He hadn't had the time to test it properly, after all.

"It's because Lelouch showed me which line would have to be cut," Suzaku explained.

"What?" Lelouch exclaimed. I specifically told him NOT to try! It was too dangerous… He could've just gotten Nunnally killed. Stupid, reckless soldier.

"What I told you?" Lelouch demanded.

"Well it was your deduction," Suzaku said, dodging the question. "You told me to barge in once I heard screaming."

"I did?" Lelouch asked in genuine confusion. When did I say that? What in the world is he talking about? I left him there to guard Nunnally… How could I forget something like that? Unless…

That's strange. He made such a big deal about it before, how could he have forgotten? Is he pretending in front of this guy?

Lelouch furtively slid his hand into his pocket, drawing out a small mirror. He stared down into the glass, flashing his Geass. Of course! This is the only explanation.

"Mao, this is checkmate," Lelouch announced, his confidence returned, that same proud smirk returning to his face.

Mao stood painfully to his feet, rubbing his jawline. "Lelouch!" he muttered angrily. It was a warning.

I used Geass on myself to forget what I told Suzaku to do. You, who believe that thoughts are absolutely reliable, have lost. In order to defeat my countermeasures, your Geass' effective range was reduced as well, leaving you open to attack. Your last mistake.

Suzaku gripped Mao's arm firmly. "What did you intend to do if he failed?" Mao demanded, following Lelouch's logic.

That's true. This plan couldn't have been carried out if I didn't trust Suzaku.

"Sayoko, it's alright now," Suzaku muttered into his phone.

"Sayoko?"

"Don't worry, I'm going to get you out of here."

"Do you think you've won?," Mao seethed, striding forward, struggling against Suzaku's restraint.

"Stop it," Suzaku warned, taking hold of his other arm.

"Let go of me you father killer!" Mao spat, wrenching his arm free.

Suzaku's hazel eyes widened in horror and he stared agape at Mao, his lips quivering as his world spun. How…How…How could he know that? HOW THE HELL DOES HE KNOW THAT?

What's this? I've never seen Suzaku so…afraid…

"You killed your own father seven years ago," Mao explained bitterly, briefly glancing out the broken window. The sun had almost set. She would be here soon. "You thought the war would end if you stopped your father, who was fiercely committed to a policy of resistance. What a childish view of things. You're just a murderer!"

"No, I just…" Suzaku stammered. "I just…" Please…don't. Not in front of Lelouch!

"How fortunate the incident was covered up," Mao continued. "All the adults in your life lied in order to protect you."

Suzaku? Did he really? Did he really do something so horrible? "Then…the report from the army that Prime Minister Kururugi had committed suicide in a protest against military action was…" Lelouch muttered in disbelief, his voice trailing off.

"It was all a big lie," Mao sneered.

"Lies," Lelouch repeated, looking at his friend with new suspicion. Even he was being drawn in by Mao's words.

"I had no choice!" Suzaku protested, turning toward Lelouch in desperation. No, Lelouch! Don't look at me that way! "If I didn't do it, Japan would have…"

"—Is that your excuse? That's nothing but a pitiful attempt to justify yourself, and you know it," Mao countered sternly. "Death is what you seek!"

Suzaku gasped, backing away from Mao fearfully. But now Mao held him there, refusing to let go of his arm.

"You want to save people?" Mao pressed, flashing a diabolical grin for effect. "No, the thing you want to save is your own seared conscience, isn't it? You hope that you'll die while doing so, don't you? That's why you always throw yourself in harm's way; place yourself on the verge of death."

Stop it! Shut up! Just shut up! I had to! I HAD TO!

Suzaku screamed, falling to his knees beneath him, like so many others before—a series of agonized whimpers emanating from his throat. But Mao wasn't finished—he was furious and he had plenty more venom to spew at the brat.

"You're no hero. You just want to wash the blood off of your hands. Your kindness is nothing more than intellectual masturbation; a pathetic attempt to atone! You're just a little brat begging to be punished!" Mao spat as he finally peeled Suzaku's limp arm off of him and let him drop to the floor like rock.

So that's what kind of child Suzaku was… This information could even be useful to Zero. I want to make him my comrade, after all… Nonetheless, I can't let Mao carry on like this. He's eyes are uncovered and he's distracted—he's open to my attack! What would be an appropriate punishment for daring to challenge my power or touch my beloved Nunnally? Ah, I have a deliciously ironic fate in mind…

"MAO!" Lelouch shouted imperiously, flashing his Geass.

"Shit!" Mao was the only curse could get out as his bare eyes met Lelouch's, his feet riveted to the spot as his mind fell into a placid trance.

"I order you to never speak again!" Lelouch thundered and Mao shuddered in fear, feeling the psychic command take effect within his mind just as the memory of the event was erased. He stared ahead aghast, his mouth making tremulous motions of speech. But he could form no words, only a sickening combination of gasps, gurgling moans, and grunts. He raised a gloved hand to his throat in disbelief. Before he knew it, Lelouch was running toward him. He threw a punch, spreading his arms protectively over Suzaku, but it was too slow and Mao easily evaded it, taking off running.

"Wait!" Lelouch shouted. Damn, he's getting away. I can't allow him to come back and repeat this all over again

But Mao ran, not looking back.

Father….father!

How could he give me that grade! That old bastard!

"It's getting late. We should probably head back…"

This book doesn't make any sense at all…

Where's Shirley gone off to?

I hope brother's alright.

Damn, I'm out of cash. Maybe he'll cover for me?

What can I say to snap Suzaku out of it?

Zero seemed distracted at the last meeting. Hmm…I wonder if something's wrong.

Can't the students even pretend to pay attention? My goodness!

Somebody buy a kabob? Please! Please someone buy a kabob. I really need the money

"I just...I just…!"

Mao closed his eyes, clenching his teeth in agony. He couldn't find anything to focus on and now, with the loss of his speech, he lacked any way to differentiate his own thoughts. If the world looked horrible before, it was absolutely terrifying now.

He had to get out of there. He had to get to C.C. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to just throw his arms around her and sob into the crook of her neck. He still wasn't able to kill Lelouch. Whatever happened next, C.C.'s life would remain endangered because of his failure here today—because of the interference of another of Lelouch's mindless puppets.

He crashed against the double doors, grunting from the pain, pushing through them. He stumbled outside, sweeping his gaze back and forth. And then-he saw her up ahead, the object of his affection and the reason for his existence. C.C. was standing there, waiting for him just as she had promised. She looked so beautiful, her verdant hair gently streaming in the wind, her golden eyes radiating with warmth. All of the thoughts assaulting his mind seemed to fall away in her presence.

Mao hesitated, wondering what she had chosen.

"I did love you, Mao," C.C. confessed suddenly and Mao's felt his heart brim with happiness as his eyes sparkled in adoration, his mouth opening in a huge, uncontainable smile. She had said it! She had finally said it again! Mao smiled hopefully, trying to choke out her name as he ran to her. He wanted to tell her the same, but for some reason he couldn't. But it didn't matter—all that mattered was her. Rushing over, he met her in the middle, his face a breath away from hers. He stood there, waiting for her to embrace him.

"Mao, wait for me in C's World," C.C. whispered tenderly, reassuringly, as she solemnly placed the suppressed barrel of a pistol against his neck.

Mao's eyes widened. It didn't make sense. She had declared her love, just as he wanted, but she was still going to kill him? He had done this all for her! No, that wasn't quite true...it was also-!

C.C. pulled the trigger just as Mao tried to shake his head and he felt a sharp pain pierce through his neck. The voices stopped but his body went numb and he fell to the ground at her feet. It seemed he would be free from his Geass at last. But only at least.

C.C. stooped down, concealing the gun inside her waistband as she drew Mao's form close, spreading her arms around him and placing her soft chin upon his platinum head. She closed her eyes.

After a few moments, she heard Lelouch call out her name as he emerged from the thick chapel doors. "What are you doing here? How did you know-" Lelouch began suspiciously, looking down upon her as she held Mao's body almost protectively in her arms.

"-Mao is at peace now," she replied cryptically, silencing him.

"Well, then you've removed yet another obstacle to my plans," Lelouch acknowledged triumphantly. "I'm grateful. I thought he was going to escape again…what's wrong?" he added, noticing the bland look in her eyes.

"I'm fine," C.C. replied without a tinge of emotion. "You have a contract to fulfill," she reminded him. "You should be focusing on that."

"You needn't remind me of my obligations," Lelouch countered, his voice full of annoyance. "Since you won't tell me what I have to do yet, I suppose we should get back to work. What about him?"

"Mao is my responsibility, Lelouch," C.C. affirmed. "I'm going to dispose of the body properly first."

Lelouch raised an eyebrow. "Is he really dead then?" he asked.

C.C.'s eyes flashed dangerously for a moment. "You doubt me?" she retorted.

"Let me check him," Lelouch replied guardedly, undeterred. C.C. released her grip on the body slightly as Lelouch felt the neck carefully.

"Why are you being so suspicious?" C.C. demanded, exasperated.

"Because you kept the truth from me before!" Lelouch retorted with a sudden outburst, almost shaking. Though his analysis proved true. "First you never even tell me you have a psychotic former contract out there whose power rivals mine. Then I watched that man get shot in a way no one could possibly survive. Yet he lived and returned to attack me again. And this time...he came for Nunnally. I know for a fact that you can sense whether those who have contracts with you are alive or not. But you chose not to reveal that information either. So forgive me if I don't take your word for it."

C.C. looked away. "I don't have to tell you anything I don't want to. We talked about this before."

"C.C., so help me, if something had happened to Nunnally, I...I..." Lelouch stammered, his eyes locked in a fierce glare.

"You'd what? Kill me?" C.C. mocked. "You should go help your friend."

Lelouch's voice faltered. It was a baseless threat, and he knew it. There was nothing he could do to her. And he needed her for his plans anyway besides. She was a troublesome woman. Without a word, he turned away and strode back toward the chapel. However, just as his fingers met the doors, he stopped for a moment.

"Remember how you said I absolutely could not defeat Mao? Well here we are and I've done just that. You should consider that when going forward." He turned his head ever so slightly to sneak a look at her face.

Her face, however, remained an absolute deadpan, the glare of her golden eyes like blazing steel

The End...?

Endsong: In The End by Linkin Park

Author's Note: Because of the fact that if the bomb were fully functional, Suzaku's subsequent actions would have been physically impossible and it would have been triggered when he attempted it, the bomb's problem had to lie elsewhere. There really isn't much getting around the fact that it is impossible to actually EXACTLY match one's momentum with that of an extremely delicate AND volatile swinging fixture in midair without blowing yourself up like an idiot. Then again Code Geass isn't exactly the most realistic anime, but I have to draw the line somewhere. Thus I proposed it was just a fake, and a malfunctioning one at that, designed to deceive Lelouch. This I must do in order to guard the sanctity of physics somehow without contradicting what we saw happen.