Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
R-eset
Part 5: Spark of a Rebellion
Stage 27: A Chance Meeting, Pt. 2 (Revelations)
"You should know what this badass mother can do!" -Kallen Kouzuki
"I-I can do this if you want!"
"N-no, it's fine!"
Lelouch told her as he struggled to put the trap into place. Just like before the first time around, he had begun constructing a trap from the old ages meant to capture lively food of the four-legged variety. He had discarded both his mask, and his cape, thus leaving him in his violet suit. Behind him, Euphie had been watching, albeit in some reluctance. She felt bad that she was making her brother do all the work, and had tried to insist that she do this, fully aware that Lelouch was not physically fit for this sort of manual labor. Back then, this was true, as his physical stature was non-existent, and comparable to that of a twig. However, now, he had developed some muscle, courtesy of Sayoko and Suzaku, much to his ire.
He huffed a grunt as he pulled the log up to a suitable position, finally relinqueshing his hold. Now, the trap settled with a loud thunk, leaving him exhausted. Meanwhile, Euphemia was left slightly amazed by how he was able to move such a heavy-looking log. Now she looked more closely, beneath the clothes, she could see some muscle having developed. 'I guess seven years really is a long time.' she thought, smiling softly. The joy in her heart had not settled down in the least. After so long, after seven years, she was finally reunited with her dear brother, the one she grieved for when news of his 'death' had reached the imperial court. Within those seven years of separation, and the developments Britannia had achieved, with the gaining of many new territories, Japan being the most recent, her heart only grew more and more torn. Cornelia shared her sentiments, and she too held some reluctance with following her father's orders, but to what choice did she have? The Emperor had made it perfectly clear that any weakling child was no longer allowed, and would be removed from his sight.
Euphemia, contrary to her pacifistic outlook on life, truly held hate. Hate for her father and his actions. Surely, there must have been a better way, a way to end all of this fighting and heartbreak. What could war and conquest possibly solve? Sadly, if anyone had the answers, they were not to be found. That was why she believed in peace, in the path her fellow Britannians could not believe in, or refused to. She hoped, dearly in her heart, that Lelouch would agree with her. When she started to suspect that Lelouch and Zero were one of the same, it begged the question as to why he was fighting in the first place, and why he so focused on defeating Britannia. That was when she remembered Nunnally, her sweet little sister, who had lost her eyes and legs. Then the answer became clear: he became Zero because of Nunnally. There was little doubt that Lelouch had taken up the role of a revolutionary to obtain revenge for both himself, and for her. That said, it anguished her knowing her dear brother was fighting. She couldn't stand it, and she couldn't take it.
That was when she learned about a certain, particular detail while she read a few documents and papers. A solution that would no doubt make Lelouch get rid of that damned mask, and live the peaceful life he deserves.
A solution Lelouch was aware of... far too aware of. 'I can only hope that nothing happens at that point...' he thought grimly, his hand gingerly touching his left eye. The cause of the curse that he bore when the Special Zone Massacre had erupted. 'Then again, with so many changes to the current flow of time, it's impossible to know what's going on. The only thing I can do... is pray I can endure the storm.'
"...so, let me get this straight. Your Lelouch... from a whole other world?"
"Yep."
"And in that world, you became something called the Demon Emperor."
"Technically, I became C.C., a name I got from the same witch who gave me Geass, but that's a whole other story."
"And, somehow, you found a way to jump in between dimensions?"
"That's basically it in a nutshell."
Rai could only stare at C, who the individual introduced himself as, in bewilderment. He currently sat cross-legged, hands on his knees while C, carefree and oblivious to the obvious danger, munched on a mango he had pried from a tree. For the longest time, he just continued to eat while Rai stared at him in utter silence. His face was passive, blue eyes fixed on the odd-eyed stranger for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually, however, he could only sigh as he scratched his head in absolute confusion and the sheer insanity of it all.
"...That's it. I quit. I give up. I fucking quit. I am done. I am done trying to understand the shitstorm that is my life, because obviously, I have done something to majorly piss off God, as I keep getting one "Oh Shit" moment after the next."
C chuckled as he downed the last of the fruit, gulping it before letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Hey, you should try living my life, bud. Believe it or not, this isn't my first time going through dimensions. First one I ended up had me, I kid you not, working at a goddamn convenience store. I was a FREAKING clerk of all things! Can you believe it?! Me! Zero! The man of miracles, and the future motherfucking Demon Emperor, a part-timer!"
"Uh..."
"And then the next one I ended up in was me... as a girl. Had to admit, that version of me was pretty hot...er, in another sense. I mean, technically, she wasn't me, but she still is me, so... you know what? Never mind. Anway, the female version of me turned out to have a huge crush on Suzaku, however that went, but I don't really know much beyond that. I ditched it around the time the Black Rebellion happened."
"Er..."
"Next one I ended up was a bit...odd. No Knightmares, and my bitch of a mother was inside Ohgi's soon-to-be wife, Villeta 'fucking' Nu. Oh, and apparently Euphie was in Ashford too, so that was pretty cool, especially with the Japs being able to attend Ashford and all, even if they're still getting oppressed by society. Then again, what can you do when your ruler is the 'holier-than-thou' Britannia, they who eternally have a stick rammed up their ass."
"Um..."
"The last one I was in before this one was definitely in my top favorites! Well, it was kind of sad, since Nunnally didn't exist, but it was still pretty cool. Epsecially that Time Baron guy! Hah, oh boy, I can only imagine what kind of horrors the Lelouch of that world is going to have to endure when C.C. and the Baron get together. A shame I had to leave early, though. Things were really getting interesting!"
Before C could say anymore, Rai, who's head was now pouring out steam with his eyes blank, held up his hands to stop him.
"Wait, stop, hold it, time out! Just STOP! Please! My head can't take any more of this!"
C pouted.
"Aw, really? Come on, I was just about to get to the good part!"
"How in the hell can you and Lelouch possibly be the same person?! I mean, you-you guys don't even act the same! I mean, sure, Lelouch can act pretty cool and all, and maybe a bit weird, but you're...you're...!"
"More like the green-haired babe he hangs around with?"
"Yes!"
"Well, let's just say me hanging around one too many C.C.'s gave me something to think about. That, and I've been around for nearly... what was it? 1000 years now? give or take?"
Rai's eyes threatened to bulge from his skull. '1000 years?! How old is he?!'
"Anyway..."
C resumed the conversation as he leaned back, propping himself up on two arms.
"I got to admit, this world is definitely an odd one. Really different from the original world."
The silver-haired teen immediately frowned.
"Original world?"
"Yep. You see, when me, and by that, I mean the Lelouch of this world, destroyed the Sword of Akasha and severed the Ragnarok Connection, he kinda made up a bunch of parallel universes as a result, each with a different history. Each world has it's own Lelouch, Suzaku, Kallen, basically everyone with relevance to the original world. Where I come from, the Britannian empire went by another name and history, and the power of Geass was altered. Instead of having the power to make anyone obey me, I could hack into any Knightmare, all the while having a badass armor to go with it. Of course, each world has it's own conclusion too."
Rai's confusion grew. Alternate worlds? Different histories? What? And... wait, what the hell was the Ragnarok Connection and the Sword of Akasha?!
"Normally, it's impossible for two worlds to interact with one another, but every now and then, someone finds a way. For me, it was my newfound power as C.C., the Demon Emperor. However, there's usually a common trend, no matter what world your in."
Rai immediately snapped out of his spiralling confusion, shaking his head as he became more serious, and also curious to know what this trend was... as impossible as it may have sounded. Then again, Geass existed, so perhaps there was some truth to all of this business C was spouting.
"What...is it?"
C gave grim look, his cheery smile all but gone. What he said nearly made Rai's heart stop.
"Lelouch always dies when that world has run it's course."
"...I see, so this is what Father has been after all these years."
Schneizel currently stood in front of a giant, earthen door bearing no form of entrance, having been seemingly shaped inside the cave himself and the research team currently resided in. Many officers had machines wired up everywhere, mostly centered on the door itself, which more looked like a monument or an epitaph than anything else. Beside him was Bartley, one of the officers that was in charge of Code R, the project that had been done by Clovis. He didn't understand much of the project, other than that it focused heavily on some woman that held great significance.
"Yes, milord. We've found similar sights all around the globe, particularly in the newfound territories we've been acquiring these past years."
The general informed him, looking at the door with both interest and peculiarity.
"I believe these sights are the reasons behind our conquests."
Schneizel hummed as he walked over to the door, his gloved hand tracing along the stone. It was such a peculiar sight, yet it also brought forth a sense of intrigue to him. If such objects were the desires of his father's wars, then it begged the question... why? What purpose did they serve? The blonde prince turned to Bartley, who was still going over the latest data they've acquired.
"How many of these sights have you discovered so far?"
"We've found nine others like this, thus this makes the tenth. However, I'm only aware of four other sites: Russia, Eastern Europe, California, and Canada."
"I see... ten sites in all."
'Just what are you planning, father?' he wondered. 'And... Are you aware of these plans, Zero? If so, then it makes all the more reason to talk to you.'
Alice was growing tiresome of traversing through this damned jungle. It reminded her too much of her expedition a few years back in Africa, with the thickness and the constant feeling that you were being watched. The thought of being by herself was not too comforting, either, considering that, as far as she knew, she was the only one present on this island. Still, she needed to find any possible inhabitants. She could wonder how she found herself here later. All that mattered was trying to find a way out of here.
As she pushed through the mass of bushes, she took another look around her surroundings, and focused more on her hearing. It was faint, but she could hear the sounds of voices speaking to one another over the disgusting and annoying buzzes of bugs. 'Finally.' she thought in relief. She was quick to move to the source of the voices, but when she got close enough to distinguish them, she stopped in her tracks. One voice was familiar, recognizing it with slight ease, while the other was...
'Prince Kaizaren!'
Her heart became elated with joy. Finally, this was her chance! She could whisk him away from all of this! She could get him away from Zero, and protect them! She could finally fulfill her promise to the woman who had been like a mother to her! No matter what, she had to find him and protect him. She moved closer, cautiously approaching as not to startle him. Given that he was without memory, it was obvious that he would not recognize her, so the best she could try was to rationally explain everything. That said, there was the chance that Zero had corrupted him, which, of course, left her with only option should it come to it; force. Even if she had to drag him, kicking and screaming, even if he hated her, she would do whatever it took to protect him.
"...s a sick joke!"
"Your telling me, kid."
Alice paused, her face scruncing in confusion. 'That voice... Lelouch?' she pondered why Nunnally's brother was here, but shook her head. How troublesome, now she had someone else to look after while looking for a way off of this island. She entered the small clearing that the voices emanated from, but was quick to hide herself. Her prince was sitting on the ground, garbed in that damnable Black Knights uniform, while in front of him was a figure she did not recognize. He bore a striking resemblance, if not frighteningly so, to Lelouch, except his hair was long, reaching past his shoulders, one of his eyes was gold, and wore what could only be described as a prisoner's jumpsuit with several straps, albeit more stylized.
What made her stop was what was printed on his forehead; the Mark of Geass.
'A Code!' she recognized it quickly as the same one branded on Lord V.V.'s flesh, but immediately became confused. 'But... I thought only the green-haired woman known as C.C. and Lord V.V. were the only ones to possess the Code Geass... So, then, who is this man?'
"It's still bullshit!"
Alice was surprised by her prince's use of foul language. A result of being with those uncouth barbarians, no doubt.
"Your saying that, no matter what, Lelouch is destined to die?! Just how does that make any sense?!"
Wait, destined to die...? Just what on earth were they talking about? Curiously, she learned forward, hoping to hear more.
"I don't really get it myself, but it apparently stems from how everything progressed in this world."
The odd-eyed stranger told her prince, biting into a piece of the island's fruit that was found in his hand.
"From what I get, each world is based, to a certain degree, to this one; the original. Mine's no exception. I was just one of the lucky ones that didn't get killed. Although, I do recall there are a few worlds where he inherited the power of the Code, thus making him immortal, but I tend to stay away from those worlds. Paradox Effect, ya know?"
"You being here is a Paradox, if you what your telling me is true!"
The ebony-haired man grinned.
"What do you expect? I'm C, the Demon King~"
Her prince growled in frustration, scratching his head.
"Just how in the hell are you supposed to be Zero?!"
Her heart stopped.
'Zero!'
Before she had time to register her own thought process, her body began to move instinctively. Her Geass flared, and shot out from her hiding spot, combat knife brandished. She had moved past her prince, and went straight for the one who dared to use him like a pawn, like a mere cog in a machine.
"ZERO!"
She thrusted her knife forward. The one known as C merely tilted his head to the left, allowing the knife to stab deeply into the tree behind him. Once the situation seemed to register, her prince immediately stumbled back, eyes wide in shock while C merely gave her a look, staring at her for a good while before recognition shone in his eyes. A grin broke out across her face.
"Heeey, it's Alice! What's up, rabbit girl?"
Alice scowled as she leaped back, whipping out another knife from her sleeve, flicking it into a reverse-grip, eyes focused on her target.
"W-wha?! Your the girl from-!"
"Prince Kaizaren, get behind me, quickly!"
"W-what?!"
C's grin grew wider, looking at her prince with amusement.
"Oho, your a prince? That's even better! This world's really gotten interesting!"
He sat up from his sitting position, dusting off his jumpsuit before looking back at Alice.
"Still, didn't think you were here too. Did you follow me? ...nah, that couldn't be it. I only got here because my Geass was special to begin with. So, that would mean..."
He slammed his fist atop his palm.
"Your the Alice of this world! Man, the timeline's really out of whack, hasn't it?"
"Shut up, Zero!"
Alice snapped, not listening to his ramblings.
"I am taking my prince back! I will not allow you to manipulate him any further!"
"Hmhmhm... is that so...?"
Suddenly, she felt the temperature around her drop. C's cheery grin turned cold, and his violet eye suddenly developed the mark of Geass. The Code upon his forehead began to glow. His jumpsuit flapped about with the straps as a dark aura began to surround him. 'W-what...?' Alice fumbled back, eyes widening in shock. Her prince was also reacting in a similar manner. He pushed his body back against the tree that stood behind him, trying to scramble away from the approaching nightmare. The aura around the mysterious man began to enclose his body, and slowly solidified. To her shock, it was the form of Zero, albeit wearing what appeared to be an armored version of his attire, and the cloak that enshrouded him left in tatters. The violet orb in the center of the mask was also a dark crimson red, with a slim, dark, more pronounced mark of Geass, only with a sword running through it. 'What... is this?!'
"In that case, why don't you give it a go?"
C asked her, a dark, booming echo left behind in his voice.
"To be honest, I didn't think you would be here... but then again, with what's been happening in this world, perhaps it's a twist of fate. Either way... This will be quite interesting."
He extended his hand to her. His cloak parted, and extended outward, forming into several tendrils.
"Come, Alice of the 'Speed'... Show me what you can do against one who destroys world, and creates them anew."
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." -Friedrich Nietzsche
