Chronicle 13: Diego's Confession
The battle was cooling down for a brief moment, many of the soldiers who were fighting for Lelouch broke free from his geass. Lelouch himself was wondering what was going on, after a second he became afraid of what he thought. "Was Roberto able to break the hold of my geass? How?" he pondered as he was troubled by his thought, Roberto took the opportunity to his advantage. "Prepare to broadcast my message. We should at least give them a chance to surrender," said Roberto, "This maybe a chance to turn the tide of this battle." While this brief cease-fire was happening most of the Britannian opposition was either surrendering or retreating, but not all of them were under the influence of geass. Some of them voluntarily swore their allegiance to Lelouch and still held resentment in their heart from the war or blame them for the Third Foundation. some chose to fight while others chose to surrender or retreat.
Meanwhile inside the Damocles, Britannian soldiers who were freed from geass continued fighting. Diego stood behind cover, upset that his idea did not give the results he hoped for. "I honestly thought it might work." said Diego. Commander Leonardo firing his assault rifle looked back at Diego. "Do not feel bad young one. I'm receiving reports that many are surrendering outside; what ever my son did, it is working." said Leonardo. After saying those words, He jumped out of cover and fired his assault rifle, killing the last two guards. "All right my brothers, lets get Princess Marrybell and get her out of here. Him, Diego and Antonio charged towards the control room entrance only to see it open with Marrybeel coming out with her hands in the air.
Lelouch was running out of options. Seeing that his geass was rendered useless and most of his troops are surrendering, he was at a great disadvantage. "How is this possible," Lelouch pondered, "Is he able to break my geass?" He felt a chill down his back, he was genuinely afraid. All he could think of is how Roberto was able to break his subjects free from his god-like power to control other people. "There is now other choice." he whispered. "Give out the order for a full retreat." Lelouch ordered. All the while Roberto was watching the monitor seeing that the Diego's idea worked, the tide was turned in his favor. He was pleased. "The day is ours boys." Roberto said with a smile on his face.
Commander Leonardo, Diego, Antonio, along with other Los Lobos Santos marines were escorting Princess Marrybell to the safety of a VTOL ship. All seem quiet, as if it was going to be an easy escort. Little do they realize they was still a platoon of Britannian guards who were still loyal to Lelouch were lying in wait to ambush them. Diego felt chill run down his back, he knew something was wrong, but didn't know what. As he walked he looked around to see what was out of the ordinary. As he looked he noticed a red dot on Marrybells arm. The red dot move upward to Marrybells head. Diego looked and saw one Britannian guard aiming his assault rifle at her. "LOOK OUT!" he yelled as he jump in the way. Pulling the trigger, one Britannian guard fired his assault rifle, but instead of Princess Marrybell, the bullets hit Diego in the back. Diego coughed out a little bit of blood and fell on top of Marybell. "Diego!" Leonardo cried out and he grabbed him. "Cover the Commander!" one soldier cried as he fired back against the attackers. "GET THE PRINCESS INSIDE! NOW!" Leonardo ordered as he carried Diego to the VTOL ship.
Roberto was happy to see that he had won, but he was unaware what has transpired with Diego. While he relish in the feeling of victory, his father called out for him on the communication channel. "My son, do you hear me my son?" he said. "Father, is everything okay?" Roberto answered. "We secured Princess Marrybell, but Diego was severely wounded." Leonardo answered back. Roberto was in shock, he honestly thought Diego would be fine. "I'm on my way to Med Bay, I'll meet you there." said Roberto. Leonardo, escorting the gravely wounded Diego to the Med Bay, running as fast as he can. "C-C-Commander..." Diego vaguely said. "Take it easy young one, we're almost at Med Bay." said Leonardo. "You and I both know I'm not going to make it." Diego struggled to say as he continued to cough out more blood.
Roberto sprinted through the hallways as fast as he could to get to Med Bay. "Please make it Diego. Please make it." Roberto repeatedly said. A drop of sweat streamed down the right side of Roberto's face. All he could think about was what to say when he see's his wounded former squad mate. He made it to the Med Bay slide door. Catching his breath, he stepped into the sensor and the slide door opened. He looked inside and saw his friends, his father, Euphemia holding Junta, and Marrybell standing next to Diego who was lying on the bed. "Roberto... Come closer." said Diego. Roberto walked towards him until he was able to see his pale face.
"I... have held this in my heart for... so long," said Diego, "Now I must let it all go. I don't think I can fight this any longer." It pained Roberto and everyone else seeing Diego in a dying state. "I have been angry and... and resentful when my parents were killed by the Britannian military and I tried to have my revenge during that mission to k-kill Euphemia," Diego struggle to say as he turned his head towards Euphemia and looked at her, "Euphemia, I tried to have you killed when you did nothing to me." Euphemia detested seeing Diego suffering. "Diego please," she said, "You did everything you could to protect me while I was held prisoner. I forgive you for everything you have done to me." Hearing those words gave Diego a sense of peace, but he still had more to say. "After the attack... General Guerrero used his geass on me. I remember now... He told me to let my anger and hatred rule me and I did." Diego said with a breaking voice. "Because of that... I killed and tortured innocent people... I ruined the lives of many and brought fear in the eyes of children." Leonardo stepped up and put his hand on Diego's shoulder. "Young one, you was possessed by a demonic power, it is not your fault." he said to Diego, trying to comfort him. "Diego," said Roberto, "We all forgive you for everything and God will too, only if you ask." Diego took to heart what he had heard and with his last breath, he said "God... Please... Forgive... M-me."
Diego lifeless body laid on the Med Bay bed. Leonardo closed his eyelids so he may rest peacefully. Euphemia was full of sadness. She fell on her knees and had tears in her eyes. "Diego," she whimpered, "DIEGO!" She then laid her head on his chest and began to cry. Leonardo feeling sympathetic towards her, laid his hand on her shoulder. "He'll be given an honorable burial your highness, rest assure you." he said to her. "Diego waits for us in the Kingdom of Heaven," said Rojas, "Let use make sure that Leoluch will be stopped." Roberto kept quite, witnessing a man who was once his enemy redeemed once more. "Rest in peace Diego." He thought to himself.