The Kings Cometh 23: All is as It Should Be
More than 12 hours had passed since the Chinese Federation began their invasion of the USJ, and according to Britannian news the island nation's prime minister had fled with his cabinet at Zero's behest, leaving only local governments behind. Japan was conquered once more in but a single disastrous night.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in the capital city of Britannian Mexico, it was a quiet and peaceful evening. In the largest hospital built there, where Lloyd Asplund and his employees had gone to recooperate a little over a week ago, there was hardly a sound throughout the halls, not even the occasional tap of a nurse's shoes on the linoleum floor. However, there were some who still prowled.
An older man with receding orange hair slicked back, followed by a team of men and women in suits of black, stepped purposefully through the hospital. They carried two huge briefcases each, black and apparently quite heavy from the way some of their number struggled. They kept their eyes forward, looks of grim professionalism upon their shaded faces as they made their way toward some unclear objective.
They passed through a dimly lit white corridor, watching the doors to patient recovery rooms to either side go by. No one stood in their way. No one was present to do so. Earlier in the day an order had come through for the hospital, and every patient down that wing of the facility was swiftly moved due to "repairs." Not a doctor nor secretary knew what repairs were needed, nor why, but they followed their instructions and did as they were told, leaving an entire section of the building unused, unwittingly giving these black-clad agents full privacy.
Also unknown to the hospital staff, by design rather than negligence, there was still one patient left who had not been moved.
The black-clad team stopped in front of a door, innocuous, unassuming, like any other entrance to any other recovery room. A label by the door was the only standoutish feature that could be seen.
4-IC-113-[M]
Cardemonde Rivalz
The orange-haired leader to the team smirked to himself and set down one of his briefcases to place a hand gently upon the door's handle when...
"Good evening, gentlemen!"
From farther down the hall came a singsong voice and a shadow, peering from behind the eerie blue reflection of fluorescent lights against thick, round glasses. The agents' heads snapped as one to stare in sudden fear of who could be there. They'd been told they'd have no witnesses to the deeds they were soon to perform, and now they were held in the suspense of the moment, of whether or not they could trust this newcomer who should not have been present in the first place.
The leader of the mysterious team fumbled his free hand into his black suit and drew a revolver, pointing it shakily at the equally mysterious intruder standing in the half-shade of the few lights left on in the deserted hall.
"Who's there?" he called, his breath quickening.
The figure stepped closer, becoming a little clearer to them. It was a man, tall, lanky, swathed in the close fit of a white lab coat.
"Oh, you know." The man pirouetted in place then outstretched a carefree hand. "At least, I hope you do. After all, I was your last patient!"
The agent lowered his gun as understanding hit him.
"Earl Asplund?"
The nobleman stepped fully into view and grinned.
"Who else?"
"What are you doing here, m'lord?"
The leader's voice was lined with suspicion, but Lloyd didn't seem to realize, or else he didn't care. He replied deviously.
"A better question is what are you doing here? You're here because I asked for you to be here, to operate on my dear intern-boy, isn't that right, 'Code R?'"
The Code R agents stood in silence, unsure of what could come next. After performing surgery on the absent-minded scientist their cell went to ground, hiding out until they got the signal that all was well and they could return to their normal, civilian life. They were paranoid, (how could they not be?), of who could be watching and where, for their group was supposed to have been disbanded almost four years ago, and there was no telling what watchdogs could be lurking to blow the whistle on them, and worse, their employer, Prime Minister Clovis himself.
Lloyd eyed the agents, one at a time, seeing the fear in their features at being caught, and judged now was the opportune time to speak once more.
"I wonder what kind of trouble you could get into if anyone were to find out you've been performing secret, illegal surgeries? What could happen? I wonder! But... Maybe I could keep this information to myself? Tell me, you wouldn't mind if I looked over your shoulders while you worked, would you?"
LLLLLLLLLLLL
Nightfall was upon Pendragon, and following her new nightly routine, Milly sat in her news studio's breakroom, laptop set before her, trying to piece together a mystery. What kind of mystery? The Ashford woman wasn't sure. Lelouch had been acting very suspiciously, not just since informing her her husband Lloyd had been hurt, but even before that, as she'd since found, tracking what little she could of his movements during the past three months. He'd been all over the world, but for what purposes, she couldn't be sure. What she could be sure about though was that she'd exhausted her leads pertaining to the young king and turned up nothing.
In every action Lelouch took there could never be found a greater, or overarching motive. There was nothing that could link any of his trips around the world to each other. There was just nothing - disconnected actions being performed for their own sake.
Yet still, Milly was convinced. She knew Lelouch. She'd known him since they were kids and she knew he was always involved in something.
With nothing else to look into in relation to the Black King, Milly took a new approach. Her laptop had three internet windows out, each a newspaper article written all from different sources but following the same story, of Anya's vacation through the EU. Of course, Kallen and C.C. were travelling with the pinkette, but they weren't often mentioned. C.C. was an unknown, so was above media scrutiny. Kallen, though engaged to the Britannian Emperor, was likewise mostly overlooked, as her relationship with Lelouch was still being kept quiet until they officially married, (what those two were waiting for, Milly knew not, but she guessed it had something to do with the phantom conspiracy she presumed Lelouch was involved with). But the Knight of Six, Anya Alstreim was world famous. Quite the celebrity she was. Whether for fighting against freedom on behalf of the mad Emperor Charles, or for swearing to uphold it on behalf of Emperor Lelouch, her name was known to all.
The first article was in Russian, (translated thankfully, Milly was sure to note), stating that Anya and her escorts had been in Derbent for an afternoon, but it was unknown where they were headed next. A date was at the top. The next stated Anya had been seen in the, once more Britannian, city of London, early in the morning. The date at the top was the same as the first. How those three had gotten from Derbent to London - as best Milly could tell, instantly - was unknown. And why they'd gone back to the starting point of their EU vacation wasn't clear either. The third article was again in Russian, this time coming from Irkutsk, telling how Anya had been in the city for several days without any clear reasoning why she'd stayed for so long. The date at the top was from a little over a week ago. These were not the only things written about Anya and her less well-known companions' travels, but they stood out to Milly as being particularly suspect.
Milly minimized the news articles and opened a different window, a map of the world on Paint, red marks at every point where either Lelouch, or Kallen's team seemed to exhibit strange behaviour. Miami, London, Derbent, Lusaka, Mexico, Irkutsk... The more Milly added points of interest on her map, the more a pattern emerged. For the first time since beginning her personal investigation, the Ashford noblewoman began to feel she was close to an answer.
Of course, she could just ask Lelouch what was going on. After all, she was his close personal friend. She was welcome to visit his palace whenever she wished and was allowed to roam throughout as she saw fit. Hell, she knew most the palace guards by name. But if she asked Lelouch, she knew just what he would say, or rather, what he wouldn't say. He was a secretive boy, that one, an unending enigma to Milly Ashford that couldn't be trusted to tell the truth to even the people closest to him. No, asking Lelouch what great plot he was involved with was a pointless endeavor. She'd get nothing out of him.
Outside the breakroom's propped open door, Diethard stepped hurriedly with a news camera bag in hand toward the station's exit. Milly blinked at his rushing.
"Mr. Ried," she called mischieviously, "what's got you so bothered?"
Diethard stopped in his tracks to look into the breakroom. Seeing Milly as the one who'd addressed him he gave a smooth half-smile and entered the room.
"Sorry, Mrs. Ashford, but I can't say. It's top secret."
Milly's eyes sparkled with curiousity.
"Top secret?" Could this have anything to do with the other day when he received an Imperial Summons, both Suzaku and Jeremiah coming to fetch him?
Diethard nodded.
"Yes, and on another note, I quite unfortunately can't help you with your investigation into His Majesty any longer." He paused to gauge Milly's reaction before continuing. At his declaration her face had gone suddenly grim and suspicious. "I need to go, but before I do I'll tell you this..."
Diethard glanced back and forth, checking to make sure no one else but Milly would hear his words. When he was sure, he leaned in close to her and continued, speaking low.
"You're well on your way to discovering one of the greatest secrets mankind should never learn the truth behind. It might be better for you if you stop digging, but if you truly want answers then try looking in a different direction. Ask yourself: 'Who was the first Zero?' If you can figure that out, then everything else should fall into place."
With that, Diethard checked his wristwatch and excused himself as politely as he could to run for the door, leaving Milly alone sitting before her laptop set upon the coffee-stained breakroom table in still, stunned silence.
LLLLLLLLLLLL
The Black Knights had only just arrived in Pendragon, landing their carriers behind the palace's walled perimeter and upon its largest courtyard. There was much to be done still, much to discuss between the masked hero and the Britannian Emperor, but first had to come the matter of formal request for asylum.
Lelouch was not fond of tradition, especially those of the Imperial Court, but he observed them for the most part, if only for the time being. He'd once torn apart the status quo, in his previous life before the event he called 'C' whisked him away to the past, but back then he'd been pressed for time. In this new life, he figured, he could introduce change to the Empire at his leisure, when the matter of assembling the Codes was resolved. Until that day came though, Zero and any others who sought refuge in Britannia from their enemies, would have to meet with Lelouch upon his throne and before his entire court, to publicly request the Emperor's protection.
So it was that Zero, Ohgi Kaname, Shina Kozuki, and Anna and Shirley Fenette, were led by a guard to the magnificent gilded double doors to the Great Hall and told to ready themselves. Their names were announced by a court page and the doors opened, revealing a long red carpet with throngs of nobles and other important figures to its either side, Lelouch at the carpet's end, sitting impatienty on his throne waiting for them. Reporters were forbidden from attending meetings of the Emperor's Court, but Diethard had somehow slipped in and stood among the courtiers casually. The group of refugees walked purposefully, following the trail of red ever forward.
Lelouch was dressed more formally than usual, eschewing his regular black and deep purple suit, embroidered with gold down its violet lapels and along its cuffs, for something more recognizably regal. His costume now consisted of a flowy, black silken shirt and a grand cravat, longer than his usual, hanging loosely down his chest above black dress pants, the same as he normally wore. Atop this was a heavy coat of black velvet, trimmed in crimson thread with the white frills of his undershirt popping out from its cuffs. He went without his small, bejeweled ceremonial crown, but a cape of purple and ermine was draped around his throne. It looked like he was holding himself back from fidgeting, impatient with the pomp and ceremony of this whole affair.
At last Zero and his fellows stood before Emperor Lelouch. Though some of their number were Britannian, none were currently considered citizens and therefore were not subject to Lelouch's rule. Instead of kneeling, they bowed.
"Great King, Lelouch vi Britannia," Zero said, still bowing, his synthesized voice coming out elegant and impressive, "I, Zero, Leader of the Black Knights, come before you to ask for aid; for sanctuary within your realm against mine enemies who would see my life ended and my people laid low."
Lelouch stood.
"Zero, Leader of the Black Knights, I, Lelouch vi Britannia, Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire, do hereby grant your request and allow you sanctuary within my realm."
Zero was about to stand tall when a malicious voice came from the crowd of observers.
"Do you really deserve His Majesty's protection?"
All eyes snapped in the voice's direction and the crowd parted to reveal Clovis, arms crossed and face sneering at the masked hero. He continued, speaking half to Zero and half to the audience.
"You attacked the Chinese Federation, did you not? You sent in a strike force of knightmares to destroy the Empress Tianzi's Forbidden City, then ask for protection when she and her people rightly hunt you down? How incredibly low. You're hardly a hero at all, a pale comparison to the previous Zero, committing terrorism then expecting everyone to just go along with it!"
Zero could hardly believe what was happening. He was so utterly shocked he wasn't even able to feel rage at Clovis' slander.
"The media says the Black Knights are to blame," he retorted dumbly. "Do you really believe everything you see?"
"Why, of course not!" Clovis made a show of throwing his arms wide apart and laughing snobbishly. There was glint of red in his left eye. "Not everything you see can be believed..."
Diethard now stood in front of the crowd where it had parted for Clovis, news camera unpacked and filming. Nobody seemed to notice he was committing a crime by breaching the privacy of Lelouch's court. In fact, nobody seemed to notice he was there at all, not even Zero. Lelouch glanced in the former Black Knight Spymaster's direction, raising a brow at what he saw, but remaining silent. Clovis meanwhile chuckled haughtily at the dumbfounded posture Zero held.
"But in light of the evidence we have, video footage of your troops burning the Forbidden City, we have to at least wonder about your character. And what about your attendance of UFN meetings? Last I checked, you weren't attending any, even before you decided to attack the Chinese Federation."
"Wha- but..." Zero spluttered back.
The audience began to murmur amongst themselves over Clovis' words and finally Lelouch decided to intervene. He raised a hand and spoke firmly.
"Enough." A single word from him was all it took to quiet the crowd down, and Clovis melted, smirking at Zero, back into the wall of colourfully-dressed bodies. "Let us now return to the task at hand."
Lelouch glared down upon Ohgi and addressed him.
"Have you a request for me? If so, speak it."
Though Ohgi had done Lelouch no wrong in this second life, the Black King still remembered being held at gunpoint aboard the Ikaruga, now so long ago. He remembered, and though he knew Schneizel had been the one to turn the Black Knights against him, he held Ohgi in particular contempt for so willingly going along with the betrayal. Lelouch remembered, and when he started over again, had not allowed Ohgi any opportunity for leadership in the Black Knights, for to him, the Japanese man could never be trusted again.
Ohgi was returned to the moment, still in disbelief at Clovis' cruel words, and returned to bowing.
"Great King, Lelouch vi Britannia, I, Ohgi Kaname, Prime Minister of the nation of the United States of Japan, come before you to ask for aid; for sanctuary within your realm against mine enemies who would see my life ended and my people laid low."
Lelouch granted the request and Ohgi stood tall. Then Shina Kozuki, Shirley, and her mother Anna made their own requests, and again Lelouch granted them, and they stood tall.
"Anna Fenette," Lelouch wondered. "You and your daughter are citizens of the USJ, but are Britannian by birth. Do you have a place to stay? Is there any family you can call on?"
"Ah..." Anna said nervously, and she dipped her head before the Emperor. "Yes, Your Majesty. My husband and Shirley and I moved from Vancouver to Japan after it became Area 11. My parents still live there, so we could go stay with them."
"It's a long way north to Vancouver from here," Lelouch considered back. "It will take time for you to make arrangements, so until then I offer you lodging within my palace. There's plenty of spare bedrooms."
The Emperor addressed the whole court.
"Our business for tonight is concluded."
Almost instantly the reverence in the crowd was erased, replaced with chatter and shifting groups of bodies. Ohgi turned to leave and guards came to escort him back to the Tsugumi to gather the other Japanese politicians Zero rescued. From the crowd of nobles and gentry came a cry of delight followed by a tuft of red hair.
"Shina!"
Shina Kozuki blinked and held her breath in surprise as Earl Patrick Stadtfeld leapt from the mingling crowd, joining her on the red carpet before the Emperor and his throne.
"Patrick-san..."
How many years had it been since they'd seen each other? Patrick's parents broke them up so he could marry into a more powerful House in 2011, after the fall of Japan a year prior, and he'd employed his ex-wife as a maid shortly after, as his way of ensuring she wouldn't be mistreated as an Eleven. Of course, with his new arranged marriage, Patrick had to take certain duties onboard, having to stay in the Empire's capital for the sake of business and politics and rarely managing to find an excuse to return to Area 11 to see his family, (not entirely a disagreeable thing, if only because he didn't have to visit his new wife either). It was now late December 2020. Had it truly been almost 10 years since they divorced, with hardly a sight of each other in all that time?
Patrick ran up to Shina and gave an awkward grin of excitement, taking her hands up in his own. He tried to speak, but words failed him. Shina looked into his blue eyes and saw the same wonderstruck love there that she'd seen when they first met, and words eluded her as well.
Lelouch stood rigid before the impromptu reunion, finding the whole thing rather an uncomfortable situation.
"They're going to be your inlaws, you know." Clovis appeared by Lelouch's side, as if from the ether, gently massaging his chin with forefinger and thumb in amusement. "Are you going to say anything to them?"
Lelouch let his mouth open slightly in a rare fit of indecision, then shook his head, never taking his eyes from the touching scene before them.
"That is a conversation I'm ill-prepared to deal with."
"Oh really?" Clovis snickered to himself. "For all your talents, I'm still better at dealing with emotional moments than you."
The Third Prince shrugged and tossed his head to the side as he continued snickering away. He gestured to Anna and Shirley, still standing in place, commoners unsure what to do next in such a royal setting.
"Come, come, then," Clovis chided. "The Emperor has deigned you his guests, so why don't I show you around and get you a room? Are you hungry? I could possibly get the chefs to cook up a little something for you despite this late hour. We have..."
Clovis led the two women away, babbling about this and that the whole way, not bothering to notice his hospitality fell on mostly deaf ears. Anna was dividing her attention, staring at the expensive masonry of the Great Hall and being careful not to bump into anyone, while Shirley followed behind, letting her gaze linger upon Lelouch.
When they had left, Lelouch realized Zero was still standing, waiting to speak with him.
"Kallen and C.C. say they need to see you ASAP," the hero muttered. "You probably better not wait."
"I see. Are they still by your ships?"
"Yeah, probably."
Zero wasn't very enthused, his mind still rolling with all the troubles that had come upon him starting with the aptly named Dropsite Massacre. Lelouch was in fairly good spirits though, and he looked into the hero's mirrored helm and smiled gently.
"Why don't you walk with me along the way."
The king did not wait for Zero's reply and started on his way out the entrance, Zero falling in behind him. They walked in silence for a time, leaving the stuffy confines of the palace walls and stepping into the fresh, crisp air of black winter night. Zero eventually spoke up, or rather, he erupted into an angry tirade.
"What's Clovis' damn problem anyway!? I mean, we're all on the same side! He knows who I am, he knows I'm on the level - what the legitimate FUCK!?"
Lelouch walked on in silence, but his face fell into a frown.
"Don't mind my elder brother. He is... When it comes to battle he is craven and meek, but in the political sphere he is not to be trifled with. He excels at empassioned speeches but is equally proficient at mud-slinging, to the point that even Schneizel or I would have a difficult time outmanoeuvring him."
"Yeah, but why!? That doesn't explain why he started screwing with me, calling me a bad guy - what the FUCK!?"
Lelouch kept his eyes forward, knowing from experience not to enflame Zero's fury further, instead changing the subject.
"I need to know what is truth and what is lie, Zero," he demanded suddenly. "The battle above Nagoya - what happened?"
"I've already seen what the news has to say about it, if that's what you mean." Zero growled his words, but otherwise seemed to be calming down. "What they reported was accurate."
"I see. Did you use the Cataphract Strategy?"
"Yeah."
Lelouch stifled a genuine laugh.
"You're as predictable as ever."
"What? How's that predictable?"
"You're predictable in that you're willing to gamble with your troops' lives for the sake of total victory." Lelouch fell into deep thought. "It's one of the traits that makes a man greater than himself - what makes him Zero."
Zero hummed at Lelouch's words and there was a period of silence between them. By now they were far from the Great Hall and in the gardens, following a brick path through quartered sections of flowers and shrubs. The emperor and the hero passed by Lelouch's life-size chess-set, its carved oak pieces arranged as if in midgame. The courtyard was close, and the black and gold forms of Zero's small fleet were in sight, silhouetted by the pale moon.
"And you say Horai is no more?" Lelouch interrupted the silence with a sudden query. There was a slight delay before Zero answered.
"Yeah. The Chinese Federation blew it up when they attacked. 'Took out their guys with it."
"Is that so?" Lelouch's tone grew sly. "The Chinese Federation just happened to detonate enough bombs to destroy Horai right as you were escaping, accidentally killing all their own invading forces? That's quite a coincidence. To me, it's much more plausible that you set off those bombs."
Zero stopped in his tracks.
"Wha- how did you...?"
Lelouch kept walking, leaving Zero to catch up.
"It's a clear example of scorched earth," he chuckled. "Just the kind of tactic Zero favours."
"Ah." Zero placed a hand to the back of his neck in embarrassment once he was by Lelouch's side again. "Looks like you got me. I got the idea thinking of what you would do in my situation."
Lelouch's gaze fell and his voice shrank to a whisper.
"And you even lied that you weren't the one who did it." His face was almost unreadable, but if Zero had to guess, Lelouch was feeling regret about something. "You're an even better Zero than I thought you'd be."
If it wasn't awkward before, the conversation had truly become so now, and not a word passed between them until they arrived at their destination.
The main courtyard of the Imperial Palace was a massive, stone-tiled open space, built in that way to accomodate hundreds of people during outdoor parties, (which Lelouch rarely attended if he wasn't required to be there). Now resting upon that grey, rock floor were eight hulking warships, with Black Knights and others rescued from the USJ loitering around them. The refugees were tired, having not slept in more than a day, but so relieved were they to be safe from the Chinese Federation, for at least the time being, few were able to sleep. Some stood together in circles, gossiping about their hopes to fight the Federation again. Others sat upon the stone ground weeping for the friends they'd lost in the Battle of Nagoya. There were half-hearted attempts at recreation, with Tamaki taking his rank seriously for once and watching over the other Knights to ensure they didn't get too rowdy. There were a few frisbees being tossed back and forth and at least one gambling ring, several Knights sitting on metal crates brought out from their carriers and holding cards close to hand. They didn't have money to bet with, nor anything else of value besides the clothing on their backs, everything having been left in their escape from Horai, so they had unloaded their side arms and were bidding with ammunition to take the place of currency.
Sitting near the Tsugumi's loading ramp was C.C., Kallen, and Anya, T.T. having gone off to speak with Miguel shortly after landing. The white bandage Kallen had found was still wrapped around her head, covering her left eye. C.C.'s Code glowed brightly against her forehead and she held Kallen's hand in her own, the two seeming to be in a trance. Anya meanwhile glowered down at her phone dejectedly, but when she saw Lelouch and Zero making their way over, she jumped to her feet and her face lit up.
"Hey!" She waved a hand high in the air, letting the one carrying her phone hang by her side. "Over here!"
The pinkette ran to meet the two leaders dressed in black, and C.C.'s Code grew dim and her eyes opened, followed by Kallen's a second later. They stood up to follow the excited girl.
"It's good to be home," Anya cheered.
She grinned up at Zero then began to take to one knee before Lelouch. He only sighed.
"Please don't," he said in light frustration. "I've already had enough of that for one night."
C.C. strolled up, stretching her limbs and arching her back. She gave a long yawn.
"Now that you're here, you can deal with Kallen. I'll be in your room taking a nap."
Lelouch quirked an eyebrow and watched as C.C. wandered toward the great spired form of the palace rising up behind them.
"Kallen," the king wondered. "What's wrong?"
Kallen shrugged quickly and tore the bandage from her head, revealing her left eye, shining hatefully. Seeing her Awakened Geass Lelouch felt a tingle across his body - on his right palm, his right and left shoulders, and his right foot - every spot where he was branded with Code. He stepped forward silently, gawking at the burning red in Kallen's eye and raised his right hand, laying it gently upon her cheek when he was close. Kallen plucked it away, quickly, but not violently, and leaned in, placing her lips against his.
Lelouch's Codes ignited, and in the time it took to think it, both he and Kallen were standing before each other naked in a space of blinding white nothingness. Their Geasses and Lelouch's Codes burned red.
"Your Geass..." Lelouch started.
Kallen grinned boldly.
"I guess I'm halfway to becoming immortal, huh?"
Whatever negative thoughts Lelouch had at seeing his love's Geass, they were instantly dispelled. He placed a hand upon the Code of Right Shoulder, the one he'd promised to Kallen, and flashed a smile of his own.
"I look forward to the day. What side-effects are you experiencing so far?"
"Nothing as bad as you had it. Everything goes really slow, so I move faster to make up for it. C.C. says it's pretty noticeable. Know how to fix it?"
Lelouch furrowed his brow and shook his head.
"I don't know. The best I can recommend is to start practice at controlling your Geass."
"How'd you do it?"
"I remembered the wish my Geass granted me. I remembered how powerless I was before I received it, then reminded myself I was no longer weak. You have to attempt to reject your Geass - reject a part of yourself by rejecting your own deepest wish. If you've already gotten everything you initially wanted, then it's a lot easier to do that."
Kallen frowned. She still had no idea what wish her Geass granted her. This wouldn't be easy, but at least she understood what Lelouch meant.
"Is that why Mao couldn't control it?" she asked. "Because he wanted to understand people, but in the end got caught up with C.C. instead? He lost track of what he truly wanted, so he couldn't reject it."
Lelouch nodded, impressed at Kallen's reasoning and using an example she'd learned from his past.
"That's the only explanation that makes sense. We all have to strive toward our own futures rather than letting the power of Geass do all the work. Otherwise we'll lose ourselves, and never be able to overcome that power. The current users are better than Mao though. None of you will become slaves to Geass, I know it."
Lelouch was on Kallen's side. For her, that was more than enough reassurance to get through whatever was to come.
The king and his queen-to-be found themselves back in reality, their lips still upon each other, not a second having passed in the real world. Kallen drew back, making a physical effort not to jerk back too suddenly. Her eyes, red and blue, met Lelouch's passionate purple.
"What do I mean to you, Lelouch?"
It was a question that meant so much more to them than anyone could know. Lelouch leaned in and wrapped his arms around Kallen, taking her lips in his once more.
Anya and Zero watched this in awkward silence. Where Zero felt rather uncomfortable however, Anya became envious. What Kallen and Lelouch had made her heart sink, and the knowledge she could've had that if not for Marianne stung. But no, she could still have that, couldn't she?
"So, Zero..." she said, not taking her eyes from the couple before her. "You wanna make out?"
Zero stiffened and turned his helmeted head to look down at his 'girlfriend' beside him. Not for the first time he was glad he was in costume. If he was just his regular old self at the moment he wasn't sure he wouldn't die of embarrassment. But the suit, mask, cape and cravat gave him courage, and he slipped his gloved hand into Anya's.
"Nah," he replied, looking back at Lelouch and his sister. He squeezed her hand. "This is more than enough for me."
The young knight looked down at Zero's hand gripping hers and felt her spirits soar. This wasn't what she asked for, but she had to agree with her 'boyfriend' on this one. This would be enough for now. With joy in her heart she tangled her fingers betwixt Zero's own and looked back at Lelouch and Kallen.
The couple was radiant together. Like ice and fire they were, black and red holding each other tight. Kallen pulled away from their kiss to breathe and she laid her chin against Lelouch's shoulder.
"If-I-wanted-to," she started between gasps for air, not realizing she spoke faster than was comprehensible, "I-could-make-this-moment-last-forever."
She referred to her Geass, shining eternal in her left eye. Lelouch smiled to himself and matched his pace to hers so his words would not seem slow to her.
"I'd-hate-to-linger-on-a-single-moment-when-each-one-that-passes-with-you-brings-new-sensations-and-joys, each-greater-than-the-last."
Kallen pulled back again to look Lelouch in the eye.
"Smooth-talker."
Figuring this could go on for a while, Zero cleared his throat, gaining their attention.
"EHEM. There's something kind of important we need to talk about."
He received questioning looks from the other three but proceeded on before before they could get in a word.
"During the Battle of Nagoya Gino fought one of the enemy commanders. His report has me convinced a Code-Bearer is behind the recent attacks against the Black Knights."
LLLLLLLLLLLL
It was getting late into the night as people filed into Clovis' office, one at a time, all those allied to Lelouch who knew of Geass. Lelouch and Kallen were there, C.C., Suzaku, Naoto and Anya, Gino, Mitchell, Masashi and Miguel and T.T., Jeremiah, Sayoko and Rolo, Clovis and Kaguya, all there at Lelouch's emergency request. Clovis' office was large and soundproof, intended to entertain large groups anyway, so it was decided that's where they would meet. At the moment, they were still waiting for Euphemia to arrive before they could begin.
Jeremiah stood on one end of Clovis' pool table, Anya, pink hair popping out from underneath Zero's mask, on the other. The Knight of Orange watched suspiciously as the girl lined up her pole and struck the cue ball. The white sphere shot forward and struck another with a clack, then another, and another, and by the time the clacks had ended five balls had fallen into the board's pockets.
Anya stepped back and cheered, the mask's synthesizers making her cry of success sound dark, metallic, and most disconcertingly, male. Jeremiah's jaw dropped.
"How did you...?"
Naoto, still wearing the Zero costume minus the helm, sat on one of the chesterfields overlooking the table and laughed.
"My mask has a real-time augmented reality display," he explained. He shifted his attention to Anya next. "You must have been using the trajectory simulator, right, Anya?"
The pinkette unlatched the mask with a hiss of pressurized air and pulled it off, then shook her hair back into place.
"This thing is amazing! It's a lot like the targetting computers on my Mordred."
Jeremiah was not amused.
"That's cheating."
Anya rolled her eyes.
"That just means we get to have a rematch."
At that moment the door to the office opened and Euphemia walked in. She was not, however, alone. All eyes focused on the li Britannia sisters, both Euphemia and Cornelia, in scrutiny. The elder princess had been officially barred from learning of the existence of Geass. Lelouch had been adamant about it, claiming she'd go on a rampage if she found out. He seemed to speak from experience.
Clovis at his center computer desk shot up from his seat in fright, knocking his chair out from under him.
"Dear sister! What, uh, are you doing here?" He tugged at his collar as Cornelia marched up to face the tense Geass users around the room.
"Clovis, I should have known you'd be a part of Lelouch's little cabal, the way you take orders from him like a dog." She glared at the politician prince then set her gaze upon Lelouch, sitting on one of the chesterfields before the pool table. "Euphemia told me everything. You've been controlling people with that despicable power!"
Euphemia looked away in shame as she received only betrayed looks from her friends and kin. Suzaku, sitting by Lelouch on one side, Kallen, Kaguya and C.C. on the other, knitted his brows together. He knew whatever happened, it wasn't Euphie's fault. Nevertheless, he stood up and faced down Cornelia's wrath.
"Lelouch isn't controlling us. He offered us the power to change the world and we accepted of our own free will." He placed a hand to his face and pulled away his eyepatch, showing the glow of Geass, his tone falling to gloom. "We accepted this curse, even knowing the consequences."
Cornelia took a step back, actually surprised by the sight of the Knight of One's flame-filled stare. She dropped a hand low, as if to reach for a weapon, and might have drawn one too if not for Lelouch, sitting calmly with legs crossed, derailing her.
"Euphie." He said the familiar name slowly, almost hypnotically. "Did you really tell Cornelia everything about our goal?"
Euphemia, eyes still focused on the floor, shivered at her brother's smooth voice that neither condemned nor condoned.
"Well, yes, she asked about it, so I couldn't lie."
Lelouch nodded in resignation.
"Everyone attending this emergency meeting is involved with Geass, whether directly or not." He gestured a welcoming hand to his sister, a less than welcoming frown upon his face. "As of now, Cornelia, you are involved."
With Lelouch's declaration the tension in the air was drained. Regardless what doubts he may have still had about her, Suzaku still relaxed and mimicked his friend, swishing his hand for the princess to join them. Cornelia glared suspiciously at the man, his left eye seeming to sear into her soul, but relented, and made her way to the center of the room to sit by Naoto, (who scooched away slightly).
Now certain the potentially violent situation was diffused, Euphemia let out a breath of relief and ran up to sit by Lelouch, Suzaku retaking a seat beside to her.
Lelouch was about to speak, but Naoto cut him off.
"Before we start, I just wanna ask: Clovis, WHAT THE HELL?"
The Third Prince had already set his chair back upright and now sat off the edge of his desk. At Naoto's comment he let his lips slide into a snide smile.
"Are you mad?"
"Cheeky bastard."
"Look, it was nothing personal." Clovis extended an arm as he spoke, then the other, then drew them both back, lapsing into his overdramatic persona. "Everyone believes Zero is to blame for the mess in Japan, so I merely said what everyone else was thinking."
Naoto's eyes narrowed.
"You said what everyone wanted to hear just so you'd look good in front of all those nobles?"
"Just because your reputation is in the gutter doesn't mean mine has to be as well."
"They'll find your BODY in a gutter!"
Naoto stood up, cape rustling behind him and fists raised, and Clovis leapt down from his seat, igniting his Geass in self-defense. Lelouch intervened.
"Stand down - both of you!"
Clovis smirked at the furious redhead then crossed his arms and turned away. Naoto was not so quick to behave, standing stiff and ready to pounce for a moment, before huffing, flashing his first and second finger, palm inward, then plopping himself back down in his seat.
Lelouch, finally starting to lose his patience for the night, got straight to business.
"Everyone, we have a problem. As most of you may know-" his eyes flitted to Cornelia, "-we have only two Code-Bearers left to find. However, it could be possible that one of those two is on to us. Gino? Naoto?"
Gino, standing with the others from Zero Squad 1st stepped forward with all seriousness.
"In Nagoya I fought with some Russian guy in a red Akatsuki. He said he and Zero had unfinished business."
"But that's the thing," Naoto picked up where his Knight finished. "I fought a Russian in a red Akatsuki when the Chinese Federation turned on the Black Knights. The bastard said he was behind the betrayal so I skewered him. But then he just shows up again a week later? And how'd he turn Xingke and an entire regiment against me? It seems obvious now Geass was involved, but back then I was too busy picking up the pieces to think about it."
Those listening to this had already heard the true account of what happened between the Black Knights and the Chinese Federation from Lelouch, and now they listened grimly, seeing how the details added up. As Naoto told his explanation, a glint grew in Lelouch's eye, like the beginnings of an idea, and when all was said, the Black King took control of the conversation once more.
"Gino, you said the Russian and Zero had unfinished business?"
Gino nodded resolutely.
"Yeah, it sounded like he wanted the boss dead."
Yes, Lelouch did indeed have an idea. It was written clearly across his face.
"Given your two accounts, and the fact that the Chinese Federation invaded Japan solely to arrest 'Zero,' I believe this Russian you met is indeed a Code-Bearer, and is specifically targetting you, Naoto.
"Besides us in this room, the UFN, the highest officers in the Black Knights and the rest of the Royal Family, nobody knows Zero's true identity. For your own safety, it might be best to give up the mask for a while."
Naoto gawked at this.
"Give up being Zero!?"
"Only until we can deal with this Code-Bearer. I doubt he knows who you are under the mask, so if you go without you'll be safer. And it'll be easier to draw him out when he comes searching for Zero again."
"Yeah?" Naoto was still not pleased, but at least seemed to be considering it. "What about the Black Knights?"
"They're under my protection now, and are too concerned with being refugees to start questioning why Zero isn't personally around anymore."
"Tohdoh and the others will know."
"C.C. and I can close memories off with Code and open them once the situation is resolved. The rest of my family will have to forget as well. Only those in this room can know the truth."
Naoto grit his teeth and his face contorted in troubled thought. On the one hand, he wasn't about to give up on his people. But on the other hand he knew from years of experience that Lelouch was always right.
"Ehhhh," the redhead sighed, leaning back on the couch. "Fine. We'll make it work."
The others in the room were surprised by this turn of events, but they stayed silent, wanting to know how things would play out. Cornelia said nothing because she barely understood what they were talking about. Geass was magic, right? So what the hell was Code!? Euphemia had been a lot more vague in her explanations than the elder princess had first thought. As the topic wound down and Lelouch began a new one, she and the others let their thoughts rest so they could focus once more.
"Now, onto another pressing subject, this morning I made the decision to bring the Knights of the Round back up to full strength."
To this there was a more vocal reaction from around the room. The Round Table had not been complete in decades; that Lelouch wanted every seat filled was a foreboding prospect. The Emperor raised his hands for quiet.
"Before today I only had five Knights: Knight of One, Suzaku Kururugi, Knight of Four, Dorothea Ernst, Knight of Six, Anya Alstreim, Knight of Nine, Nonnette Enneagram, and the Knight of Twelve, Monica Kruszewski. Considering the danger a Code-Bearer poses, I believe it's only right to bring our full might down upon the one who's singlehandedly dealt the Black Knights defeat after defeat."
Naoto and the whole of Zero Squad 1st cringed at Lelouch's verbal jab. Rolo, hanging back with Sayoko hesitantly stepped up to stand by Suzaku.
"Um," he began nervously, formally reintroducing himself, "this morning His Majesty promoted me with Princess Nunnally's approval. I am the Knight of Seven, Rolo Lamperouge."
Lelouch couldn't help but smile for his adopted brother. Of all the better results he'd gotten by doing his life over again, helping Rolo to have his own life was among the most heartwarming for the Black King.
"That leaves Two, Three, Five, Eight, Ten, and Eleven." Lelouch grinned devilishly to Naoto. "Since you won't be leading the Black Knights as Zero anymore, I'm prepared to make you Knight of Five."
"Eh?" Naoto was starting to feel overwhelmed. "Are you sure I'm good enough for that?"
Rather than Lelouch, Jeremiah replied proudly.
"Certainly. I have borne witness to your tenacity firsthand many times. You're more than worthy."
The Knight of Orange referred to the days when the Black Knights were still getting started and he pilotted the Lancelot for the Area 11 Colonial Army. Though a double agent for Zero - for Lelouch - all along, the battles between Jeremiah and the Kozuki-Stadtfeld siblings had been real enough at the time, and the more seasoned soldier harboured nothing but respect for both of them and their shared ferocity.
Despite the opening hiccups, this meeting was proceeding more or less as Lelouch had planned.
"More importantly, it'll be an excuse for you to get back out in the field."
Naoto shrugged.
"Whatever. Sign me up."
Next Lelouch turned his gaze upon Zero Squad 1st Detachment.
"Gino Weinberg? Mitchell Perry? Masashi Kuroda? Miguel Andrews?"
Gino looked to Naoto, stewing in thought on his couch beside Cornelia, and nodded.
"Where the boss goes, I go. I'll be a Round - but only if I'm Knight of Three again!" A look of embarrassment crossed his face and he looked away. "I, uh... I like the green cape."
The other Zero Squad members looked to each other, back and forth, then stared Lelouch right in the eye. Miguel spoke for his less vocal squadmates.
"Our apologies, Your Grace, but we'll have to decline."
"Oh?"
Miguel gave a crooked smile and opened his arms wide so as to include his friends to either side.
"If you make us all Knights of the Round Table we'll probably be split up, and that's no fun. No matter what, we're sticking with Gino and Naoto."
Lelouch appeared less than amused by this, but Sayoko spoke up before he could respond.
"Lelouch-sama, they are sure of their liege. Such a bond should not be broken carelessly."
Jeremiah chimed in next.
"Their loyalty does them credit. I cannot in good faith condone forcing them apart."
Lelouch sighed and rolled his eyes at this, completely giving up.
'The numbers worked so well though.'
"Lelouch." Cornelia spoke for the first time since the meeting proper had started. She seemed mostly at ease by now, now that talk of the supernatural was done. "Some of my Royal Guard are extremely skilled knightmare pilots. I'd like to volunteer them for promotion."
"Cornelia," Lelouch laughed, honestly surprised at her forthrightness, "what a generous suggestion. We can discuss it later. For now though, there's still one person here who I'd like to be my Sword."
The Black King turned his head, laying his eyes upon C.C. on his chesterfield's far end. She blinked then checked behind her. Nope, he meant her. He was actually suggesting she become a Knight of the Round Table. The immortal was about to protest when Kallen beside them, left eye uncovered and shining bright, gave the greenette a playful shove.
"Oh,-c'mon,-Pizzagirl,-think-of-it-as-earning-your-keep." She grinned deviously at her friend and instantly C.C. knew she wasn't going to like what was next. "C'mon,-Cassie."
C.C.'s eyes grew wide and she pursed her lips as a blush formed on her cheeks.
"You're as bad as Lelouch." She looked away. "Neither of you ever say my name with any tenderness, love, or sympathy!"
Though everyone else in the room had no idea what was going on between the Emperor and the two girls, Lelouch and Kallen shared a laugh at C.C.'s expense.
"You'll have all the pizza you could ever ask for," they teased. "We'll get you a new Cheese-kun plushie? What if we say your name real nice? Hm, Cassandra?"
That did it. C.C. stood up in a huff and made for the door.
"Cassandra of the village of Catrine will join the Knights of the Round." She smirked back at Lelouch and Kallen as she opened the door. "This makes us even, Lelouch, for not fulfilling my wish."
The door shut behind the immortal witch, leaving almost everyone staring after her, confused at what just happened. As for Lelouch, he merely shut his eyes and sniggered.
'Even if we're even, I don't think I'll ever be able to get rid of you. Maybe that's for the best.'
He hadn't said the words, but C.C. burst back in through the door only a few moments later, a concerned look on her brow.
"Lelouch, go to your office. Now."
C.C. was hardly ever in a rush. That she was so suddenly commanding him could only be a bad thing. Lelouch stood up and rushed out without uttering another word.
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The guards outside Clovis' office weren't allowed to intrude on the the Emperor's Geass Council, even to relay a message of great consequence, but when C.C. exited they passed the news along to her, and she in turn passed it to Lelouch.
The Black King now stood in his office in his tower, alone, for C.C. had officially retired to her bed, staring into the small screen of his laptop on his desk. The display showed four people before a backdrop of the flag of the UFN, unobtrusive text windows below each of them stating their names and affiliations. The first was a stern-faced woman from the Chinese Federation, dressed in a professional garb of dull greens and grey with black-brown hair knitted into a bun atop her head. The next was an even more severe man in black with a tie of striped red and white, the colours of the United States of Japan. Beside him was a Britannian diplomat, wearing a slightly less gaudy outfit of purple and white than his royal masters. Last was a terribly grumpy young man in the usual dress of European officials, a pin of the German state flag over his breast.
"Your Highness," the Britannian UFN member addressed first, "we, the United Federation of Nations, made a new resolution this morning that will be affecting your glorious Empire."
Something was off, Lelouch could tell. The Britannian's words were right, but the tone was empty, soulless. And come to think of it, the other three politicians appeared just as one-dimensional, their expressions almost plastered on their faces. Fake.
"You four are speaking on behalf of your nations' political unions, correct?"
What Lelouch asked was innocent enough, but had a queer effect on those he spoke to. They seemed to stiffen involuntarily, and their gaze stayed pointed unnaturally forward. Lelouch narrowed his eyes at their behaviour and carried on.
"I see the Speaker for Australia isn't present. Where is Reginald Falk?"
Again, the UFN members hesitated. The Chinese Federation woman gave an answer, though not to the question Lelouch had posed.
"For attacking the Forbidden City we have decided Zero is guilty of international terrorism. The UFN resolution we passed was a demand for his immediate arrest."
The German speaker entered the explanation.
"Japanese Prime Minister Ohgi refused to comply with Chinese Federation soldiers last night in their attempt to apprehend Zero, so he will be considered an accomplice."
Like clockwork the Japanese man continued.
"Until these fugitives are caught, the USJ will remain under temporary occupation by Chinese Federation forces."
The Britannian completed the others' thought and brought the topic back to the start.
"Emperor Lelouch, the Black Knights and Prime Minister Ohgi are criminals on Britannian soil, so it falls to you, in accordance to 'UFN Resolution 66,' to bring Zero and Ohgi Kaname into custody immediately and send them to Penglai for a UFN trial."
Lelouch scowled at the Britannian UFN Speaker. Those fools were ordering him? HIM!? Never before had anyone from the UFN demanded anything from Lelouch, always tending to stay diplomatic rather than aggressive. It only helped confirm the suspicions raised for him within the opening seconds of their online conference.
"Gilles Vavier is usually the Speaker for the EU, and he's missing just like Falk."
Complete silence was all Lelouch received as a reply. He tried a different tactic.
"Your 'resolution' seems a little vague, but if I'm to understand correctly, it justifies the Chinese Federation's invasion of the USJ after the fact. But if the attack on Japan was not originally condoned by the UFN then it was an illegal military action, plain and simple. No amount of revisionism can change that."
Lelouch was met with dead-eyed stares and more silence, then...
"If you will not comply, then you will be declared an accomplice to Zero and your country will be excluded from the United Federation of Nations. We will declare war on you and occupy your territory until you, Ohgi Kaname, and Zero are found and placed under arrest."
Lelouch's eyes grew wide at the threat and he felt a twitch in his fingers as adrenaline flooded his system.
"So, you still had a move to play," he whispered coldly. "You're being controlled by Geass, aren't you? I suppose this is 'check.'"
"Hand over Zero and Ohgi Kaname or face war."
Lelouch shut his eyes and balled his hands into fists. He breathed in deep, then exhaled long. His eyes shot open and he slammed a hand upon his desk, causing the laptop to bounce on its surface.
"You're declaring war on Britannia!? Whoever you are, controlling the UFN, you are a reckless, arrogant FOOL! You don't know who you're dealing with! I am Lelouch vi Britannia, 99th Ruler of the Holy Britannian Empire! I have overcome men and gods alike and even death itself, and I will overcome you as well! You would use the political machinery of the UFN against me? I BUILT the UFN! Don't start throwing legal terms and words on pieces of paper at me, because I see through them. Even if you convince the rest of the world, I see through them!
"You think the UFN can successfully invade Britannia a second time? Then send out your misguided armies, fighting for a lie! I have the will of my people behind me, and we will fight you to our last drop of blood for the sake of total victory! I'll have your Code and your head too, your Contracted Geass users will hang, and peace will be brought once again by my sword!
"I know your tricks, Code-Bearer! You'll manipulate everyone to get what you want, no matter how many lives you end and how many minds you shatter! Well, know this! I stand against you. Britannia will stand against you. This Empire of Justice will crash down around you and drag you from your hiding place! Who will be captured first? Me, Zero, and Ohgi, or you? The first King to fall loses everything, so let the game begin!"
Lelouch flung his hand out and snapped his laptop closed. He fell back onto his office chair, seething, panting with rage; rage, and something else. Tears began to form at the corners of the young king's eyes and his body trembled.
"This..." he muttered to himself, stopping abruptly to suck in a shallow breath of air. "This isn't what I wanted. I didn't want it to come to this!"
Lelouch grit his teeth, and a single tear of raw emotion rolled down his cheek.
"This whole time I've been preparing for war, but all the same I hoped...!" Another tear fell, then another and another, unrestrained. A sob wracked his chest. "I tried. I tried so hard to prevent this. Even while readying my precautions, while making my preparations for a long and bloody struggle, even then I hoped they wouldn't be needed! That's why we moved in secret to acquire the Codes! I..."
Lelouch tensed as a thought crossed his mind. His jaw went slack and a chill ran up his spine. Regret. He hadn't felt that in years, not since starting his life over after "C." He felt it now though, as cold and uncompromising as the pale flesh of his loved ones who once died before his very eyes. He leaned down and dropped his head into his palms, letting his ebon hair shroud his tear-stained face.
"If I hadn't started searching for the Codes," he whispered to himself, "would it have ever come to this? Am I to blame for the bloodshed before us? Is this my fault?"
The Black King swallowed and breathed slow, trying to regain control of himself. His crying had stopped and his body had finally relaxed. He sat still, breathing, his muscles limp. At length he let his hands fall across his legs, his head hanging low.
"I prepared for war." His words were calm, cold. "I did... I did what came natural."
A laugh - just a small one - escaped his throat. One single, derisive sound.
"Yes..." Lelouch raised his head, firey passion of sigiled red blotting out his purple irises. Another laugh, two sounds this time, the hushed titter of madness itself. "This is only natural. Evil has risen, and the world cries out for salvation."
Another laugh came, louder, heavier, darker, coming from the deeps of his chest.
"What comes was inevitable from the start, I suppose. The world I saved is crumbling once more, and when all is ash at my feet, only then can the world again begin to move forward. That's the way it has always been. It is the way it will always be. Yes... All is as it should be..."
Then it came. Lelouch let out a long, rising howl, a cackling, full-bodied laugh of hate and despair. His sad mirth echoed around his office, filling it with the rolling sounds of laughter, laughter, laugher.
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