Pendragon
The royal siblings sat together as they watch the news report.
"While previous reports have tried to give a better depth as to why the Dimwit Prince chose to save Zero, his approval rating has actually soared with the general population in Area 11. Many Elevens and Honorary Britannians have sent their wishes for his recovery, including many commoner Britannians themselves." A news reporter said as the television cut to quite a number of flowers and cards left near the Viceroy Palace, all for Joseph. "However, many are also wondering if he'll be tried for his actions once he's awaken from his coma. Details later to come." The reporter concluded.
"I say hang the retard from his bed and be done with it. Not like he was serving the Empire before and this just shows how useless he is." Cassius said with a smirk.
"Cassius, please don't be so hasty to judgement. I'm sure there's a good reason why he saved Zero." Odysseus said.
"Yeah, it's because he was never one of us, that's why! The only reason he wasn't kicked to the curb a long time was because of that damn mother of his. I say good riddance and have him join her!" Carine sneered.
"And what does one need to do to be 'one of us' Carine? Act all high and mighty and then have a temper tantrum whenever we don't get what we want?" Guinevere asked with a bored tone.
"Excuse me!? Big talk for someone who can't even seduce a noble!" Carine said angrily.
"Whoring yourself out already at such a young age? Gold star for you?" Guinevere mocked with a smirk.
"Okay! How about we just stop now before things get out of hand." Odysseus said with a bit of panic in his voice as Carine was about to raise fists with Guinevere.
"What is with you, Guinevere? All the times I've known you, you never had a bad thing to say about that idiot." Cassius asked with scrutiny.
"Pardon me if his absentmindedness doesn't ruin my day like the rest of you." Guinevere said with annoyance as she left for her room.
...
Guinevere closed the door behind her and locked it to make sure no one bothered her. She took a deep breath and felt like she needed to take another valium, instead she chose to sit down at her desk and ponder a bit. She looked at the empty picture frame that was on there.
...
(Flashback)
Guinevere's Bedroom - 2009
Once again, Guinevere's mother tried to set her up with another noble and once again, Guinevere gave him the finger(literally this time). She was 25 years old now and she was wondering if her mother would ever leave her alone, the hag was rich enough and yet she kept insisting that Guinevere find someone to make whoopee with as it would be "good for their name and for the honor of Britannia", whatever that meant. She heard that excuse so many times over the years, and it started to become less and less significant for her. She was already a princess, wasn't that enough?! What did she need to prove to everyone? That she was worthy? That she deserved to be here?! ...Did she want to be here? Guinevere could only stare out the window of her bedroom and take in the early afternoon and quietly enjoy the-
"HEY!" A maniac screamed as he slammed his face onto the window.
"AH!" Guinevere responded in kind as she rapidly back away and ended up landing on her bottom in a hard fashion.
She took deep, terrified breaths and looked up to see that the maniac was her half-idiot-brother, Joseph.
"Hi Gwen!" He said excitedly as he waved to her rapidly and then started banging on her window to signify her to let him in.
"Unbelievable..." Guinevere thought with an eye twitch as he brought herself back up.
Soon, two guards came rushing in.
"Your highness, are you all right?!" A guard asked quickly, ready to attack any intruders.
"It's fine, it's just my idiot brother. Return to your post." Guinevere ordered, the guards saluted and went on their way. She went over to her window and opened it with a glare in her eyes. "What is the matter with you?! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" She asked in anger and annoyance.
"Hearts pump, not attack.." Joseph explained innocently as he climbed through the window. Guinevere could only sigh and roll her eyes at his buffonery.
"What are you doing here anyway?" Guinevere asked impatiently.
"Saying goodbye." Joseph told her as he gave her a big, tight hug.
Despite lacking air and feeling awkward receiving such a hug, she looked at him with confusion.
"'Goodbye'? What are you talking about?" Guinevere with a cocked eyebrow.
"Going away! Packing up! Vamonos-ing! Making like tree! Making like egg! Making like-"
"I get it!" Guinevere fumed before calming down. "Where do you plan on going exactly?" She asked.
"To infinity and beyond..." Joseph said simply as he looked out the window with an excited look on his face, Guinevere could see he was serious.
"Are...are you going to come back?" Guinevere asked stiffly.
"Don't know." Joseph said in a quizzical manner. "Maybe someday. For now, new era, new things!" Joseph proclaimed happily.
Truthfully, Guinevere wasn't sure how to feel about this and all she could muster to say was: "Well...make sure to eat protein...you already let your mind go to waste, no reason your body needs to as well." Guinevere said in an awkward manner.
"Abso-toda-lutely!" Joseph exclaimed as he came over and kissed Guinevere on the cheek. "Love you, Big Sis." He said sweetly.
Guinevere froze as her cheeks turned red, she really didn't know what to say right now.
Joseph then proceeded to grab a self-portrait of her, which her mother forced her to take, and took it out of the frame.
"Never forget!" Joseph exclaimed as he put the photo inside his walkman with his other photo and then proceeded to jump out the window shouting "Laters!"
He left a befuddled and conflicted Guinevere standing there, not 100% sure what just happened.
(Flashback End)
...
Silent tears ran down Guinevere's face as she wondered about the outcome of her brother's condition.
...
Ashford Academy
"Yes, it is true that the invasion by the Chinese Federation and the terrorism of the Black Knights have disrupted our society and the betrayal by the Dimwit Prince doesn't make it any better. But that is a completely separate issue! The fact remains that you both have been absent from class far too often! I don't care how good your grades are or that you're Princess Euphemia's knight! If you don't improve, you will repeat this year!" Lelouch's and Suzaku's English teacher scolded them, both Lelouch and Suzaku winced at the volume of her voice.
The teachers from Lelouch's and Suzaku's other classes could hear her yelling from outside the room.
"Sounds like she's still going strong." The history teacher said.
"She may carry on all night." The math teacher agreed.
...
Area 11 Ghettos
"I'm telling you, Zero's our savior!"
"Even Elevens can move up in the world! Just look at Suzaku Kururugi!"
"If it hadn't been for Zero, the Chinese Federation would have conquered Kyushu! Even Prince Joseph believes in him!"
"Princess Euphemia showed her recognition for us by making Kururugi her knight! That's two royals on our side!"
"Aren't we better than to trust a retard!"
"But he saved Zero's life!"
"That's right! Britannians have even started to be kinder to us on the street! His influence is more powerful than we realize!"
"I don't care as long as there's peace."
"The peace of slavery?! That's what Kururugi wants! I rather take a bullet in the name of freedom like Prince Joseph did!"
...
Black Knights Submarine
Kallen, Ohgi, Tamaki, Sugiyama, Minami, Yoshida, and Inoue were meeting in the Knightmare compartment
"I hate to even admit it, but Diethard was right. Opinions of us have skyrocketed since it was revealed Prince Joseph saved Zero's life." Ohgi said bitterly, still angry the journalist used such distasteful tactics to get such results. He could see Kallen clench her fists at the mention of his name.
"But they'll all be shocked when they find out Zero's goal is to start an independent nation." Yoshida mentioned.
"Yeah right, that's totally crazy!" Minami exclaimed.
"We need to be realistic." Sugiyama added.
"I agree with Zero." Tamaki popped in, surprising the others. "Well, isn't it true? If we stick with him, we might catch a huge lucky break! Maybe I'll even get my dream of being a bureaucrat.
"A bureaucrat?! Seriously?!" Kallen exclaimed in surprise.
"Hey, even I had a dream once! If I hadn't thrown in with the Black Knights, I'd probably be hooked on Refrain by now." Tamaki said, the mention of Refrain got Ohgi thinking.
"Refrain might bring back her memory… so I could find out who Zero is. But what would I do if I knew?" Ohgi thought to himself conflicted.
"Ohgi? You okay" Kallen asked, concerned.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry." Ohgi said in reassurance.
Before they could continue their conversation, a Black Knight soldier came up to them.
"Hey! You guys need to check out the news, they're saying they found the guy who shot Prince Joseph!" The Black Knight soldier exclaimed, surprising the group, especially Kallen.
...
The group watched the news intently.
"We have received word from our sources that Prince Joseph's shooter was a Frederick Proval. A Britannian soldier who was being held prisoner on Fukuoka Base during the Sawasaki Seige. From what's been gathered, he escaped while Suzaku Kururugi and Zero took back control and tried to take matters into his own hands." The News Reporter said as the screen showed the picture of a slender, pale man with brown hair.
"You mean like trying to kill our boss?!" Tamaki complained. Kallen narrowed her eyes at the man shown on the screen, wishing she could get her hands on him.
"Even though the attempt was made on Zero's life, Imperial law says he has been executed for almost killing Prince Joseph. His majesty, the Emperor, has yet to comment on the events." The News Reporter concluded.
...
Viceroy Palace
Medical Facility
Cornelia, Euphemia, and Schneizel watched the news on TV in Joseph's room with surprise.
"Goodness..." Euphemia said with surprise that they found the culprit so soon, her hand grasping Joseph's.
"How the Hell am I only hearing about this now?!" Cornelia asked angrily, she didn't like being left in the dark about these type of things. "Has the Emperor said anything to you?" She asked Schneizel, who was looking at the screen with curiosity.
"No, hasn't said a word." Schneizel said simply.
...
Ashford Academy
Student Council Building
Lelouch, Shirley, and C.C. watched the report from his room.
"Well I'm glad they were able to get him, now we just have to wait for Joseph to wake up." Shirley said optimistically, before realizing something. "Oh! Maybe he's listening right now! Um, Joseph? If you're here, we just want you to know they got the guy who shot you." She said while looking around the room, hoping he got the message before turning to C.C. "You can tell if he's here or not, right C.C.?" She asked curiously.
"I'm immortal, Shirley, not a Ghost Whisperer." C.C. said with half-closed eyes before turning her attention to Lelouch. "And I thought all the Britannian soldiers were killed when Sawasaki sieged the base." She said curiously.
"That's what I thought too." Lelouch said, processing the news. "What the Hell is going on? They find the shooter this quickly and don't try to upsell him as a brave soldier trying to do away with the terrorist problem. Not even the Emperor has made a decision whether or not to disown and arrest Joseph. Where does he fit into all this?" He asked himself, deep in thought.
...
The Next Morning
Ashford Academy
Joseph's spirit floated alongside the exploding powder with glee.
"Man, I haven't been this close to fireworks since I set off those cherry bombs at that shopping mall few years ago. The security guys were not happy with me, that's for sure." Joseph's spirit fondly remembered.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! The Ashford Academy school festival, which is the most open event in the Tokyo Settlement, is about to start! It will begin at the sound of this voice!" Milly shouted through the intercom.
"MEOW!" Nunnally shouted, making Joseph and the rest of the students cheer with glee.
"Nunne's so lucky, I wish I got to do the 'MEOW!' But nooooooo, some stupid jerk just had to try to kill little bro with his stupid sniper and all his stupidness!" Joseph's spirit complained but then lightened up quickly. "Oh well, might as well fly around and have some fun." He said optimistically as he flew around to check out the various venues, games, and people in costumes. For Joseph, it was like going to a comic-con!
...
Meanwhile, Lelouch and Shirley were up together on a roof. Both were observing the festival down below while Lelouch was on his phone with Diethard.
"That's what I thought. So even Sawasaki and the others turned out to be useful. We've covered all the tasks at hand." Lelouch said.
"Yes. We gathered all the sector data on the emergency countermeasures that they left behind." Diethard informed him.
"Lulu..." Shirley quietly spoke up to get Lelouch's attention, and then pointed down below at the news woman and camerman that was with her.
"The press?!" Lelouch said in surprise as Shirley gently pushed him back so he wouldn't be captured on camera.
"We've identified the solar panels used in each settlement as well as the energy storage sites. Oh, and what about that collaborator issue?" Diethard asked
"I've handled most of it myself — about 72% is complete. And Tohdoh?" Lelouch asked.
"He's drawing up a list of occupation targets — broadcasting stations and such. I need you to check them, including the dummy plans we're sending to Kyoto." Diethard said.
"I understand. I'll confirm tomorrow." Lelouch told him.
"Oh, and I know we're late in reporting this to you, but regarding the operation of the Zero Squad, Ohgi has..." Diethard started to explain but his voice was soon overpowered by the shrieking president of the Student Council.
"There's trouble! There's huge, huge trouble!" Mill shouted frantically.
"Madam President?" Shirley said surprised.
"I'll have to contact you later." Lelouch said quickly.
...
News Van
"Hmm? Trouble?" Diethard questioned, wondering who that voice in the background was.
...
Ashford Academy
What are you two doing goofing off like that?! Lelouch, you're the festival chairman! And Shirley, you're suppose to be helping!" Milly complained as she dragged the two of them through the school grounds.
"But everything is running fine! There's no problem." Lelouch insisted.
"Yeah, the only thing that needs to be taken care of is the giant pizza." Shirley told her.
"Besides, you're taking charge of that part, right? It was two meters wide up through last year, then suddenly you declared we had to have a twelve meter pizza." Lelouch said annoyed.
"Uh-huh. Isn't it great? It's gonna be the largest one of its kind in the world!" Milly said in excitement.
"I know someone who definitely would want to get their hands on that pizza." Shirley thought with a mental giggle.
"Just the oven and ingredients are causing an uproar, and now there's a TV crew roaming around campus? You know we can't show our faces." Lelouch said exasperated.
"That's right! What if the Viceroy and Sub-Viceroy see his face." Shirley said with a worried tone. Both she and Lelouch had let Milly know that he told her about his real identity, they figured since she already knew who he was, it should be addressed.
"Geez Shirley, you've become such a worry-wart since you've learn Lelouch's secret. We have to document making the pizza! Lelouch can run things from the control booth, okay? President's orders!" Milly told them with glee, and they both just sighed tiredly. "Honestly though, I'm surprised you told her, Lelouch. Even if you two are dating, I didn't expect you to come out to her so soon. I guess it just shows you two are a match made in Heaven." Milly teased a bit, making the two blush a bit.
"Ugh, Prez..." They both said at the same time, before Shirley decided to change the subject.
"By the way, have you heard from Nina at all?" Shirley asked, concerned for her friend.
"She was still working on her project the last time I checked, she's been nose-deep in it ever since the footage of the...um...incident regarding Joseph came out." Milly said sadly and a bit-awkwardly, knowing it was touchy subject for Lelouch.
"It's all right, Milly. What matters is he's still alive." Lelouch reassured her. "Besides, I'm sure his spirit is floating around somewhere, having the time of his life." He said in a joking manner, which it all the more funnier for Shirley knowing he was serious as she covered her mouth to contain a laugh.
"You have a strange sense of humor, you know that." Milly commented on the weird joke. "Alright! Enough stalling, both of you, get to work!" She commanded.
...
Meanwhile in her room, Nina was furiously typing away on her computer, working on her project, a determined look in her eye.
"Soon my prince. Soon I will get you justice for what Zero made you do." Nina thought dementedly.
...
Tokyo Settlement
"Sorry, but an Eleven from the ghetto walking around alone would be..." Ohgi said awkwardly.
"It's all right." Chigusa reassured.
"If you're afraid that some Britannians..." Ohgi said worriedly
"You needn't worry about me so much. I'm okay, really. Anyway, is this going to help you with your work?" Chigusa asked as a butterfly landed on her finger.
"Yes. I can gather data for our development project." Ohgi told her.
"I understand. That's good then." Chigusa said cheerfully, making Ohgi smile outwardly. But inwardly, he was conflicted.
"What the hell am I doing? If I get the chance, I should hand her over to the cops or a hospital. No, I can't…if they connect me to the Black Knights, it would implicate everyone. Even so, I can't just kill her… I can't." Ohgi thought to himself, not sure what to do as they walked around the settlement for awhile, eventually making it to the entrance of Ashford Academy. "Here we are." He said.
"Is something wrong?" Chigusa asked, noticing his mood change.
"No, I used to be a school teacher, so I was feeling a little nostalgic." Ohgi assured her.
"Why did you stop teaching?" Chigusa asked curiously.
"My best friend since we were little kids… well, he's since passed on. You could say that I'm living out his dream in his place. It's kind of a heavy thing for me to carry around." Ohgi told her, trying to keep his happy face on. Suddenly he felt a tug on his arm.
"Let's go in!" Chigusa insisted happily.
"Wha-No! I can't go into a Britannian school — I'm an Eleven!" Ohgi said hastily, before suddenly being bombarded by some Ashford students.
"That doesn't matter!" A female student said.
"The campus is open today! Come on!" Another female student insisted.
"Yeah, in you go, you two!" A male student said.
...
Meanwhile, Kallen and Suzaku were working together in the kitchen. Suzaku was cutting onions while Kallen washed the pieces. They were getting along but it was kind of awkward for them to talk to each other because they were still technically enemies.
"So...how's Joseph doing?" Kallen asked, breaking the ice.
She wondered if he was there with them in his spiritual form at this very instant. She hoped he was.
"Same as before. Princess Euphemia has rarely left his side." Suzaku said simply.
Kallen couldn't help but cast a downward glance, she'd hope his condition would change eventually.
"I have to say Kallen, it's a relief. I was afraid you were never going to come back to school." Suzaku said happily.
"Trust me, it was an option I was heavily considering." Kallen said with a blunt tone before turning sentimental. "But...I missed everyone here." She said awkwardly, Suzaku smiled at that.
"We missed you too." Suzaku assured her.
"Why didn't you tell anyone…about who I really am?" She couldn't help but ask.
"You're Kallen Stadtfeld right now, aren't you? Not Kallen Kouzuki, right?" Suzaku asked cheekily.
"Are you trying to draw me in by acting friendly?" Kallen deadpanned with an arched eyebrow.
"On the battlefield, I won't show any mercy, but I want to try to persuade you here. I know this is against the rules, but while we're at school, I'd rather try to change your mind here than defeat you in combat later." Suzaku told her.
Kallen was surprised, but then again, from what Lelouch told her...
...
(Flashback)
The Black Knights Base
Kallen looked at Lelouch awestrucked. He just got through telling her that not only was he and Joseph in the truck in Shinjuku that day, but the container they took of the poison gas wasn't poison gas at all! It was a prison meant to hold C.C.!
Because apparently she's both immortal and has the ability to give people a power called Geass! A power that gives Lelouch the ability to make people obey him, something that finally jumpstarted his rebellion all together! Not only that, they are different Geasses out there as well! Such as being able to read minds, which belonged to a guy named Mao. Who apparently kidnapped Shirley and lured both Lelouch and C.C. out to where he got his power in the first place!
Why? Because this Mao was a crazy love-sick stalker who had the hots for C.C. and thought Lelouch stole her from him! And how did they get out there alive?! Joseph, the moron himself, was in an "astral projectile" form the entire time he was in a coma that he, for some reason, couldn't get out of! He followed them to the location and somehow willed his mind to wake up again and charged after them.
And how does he save them? A dance-off! The madman had a gun to his brother's head and he used dancing to save his brother's life?!
Yes...yes he did...and it actually worked too.
After throwing this Mao through the roof like a javelin, Joseph, Lelouch, and C.C. let Shirley in onto who Lelouch was. Both the prince and the masked leader, Zero.
And the rest you can say, is history.
Kallen found it very hard to believe at first. But honestly, it all made sense!
Being able to rescue Suzaku, those bullies leaving that hotdog vendor alone, Joseph's panicked state when he woke up from his coma the first time around. It finally seemed like all the dots were connected.
The one thing that really churned her guts was the fact he used it all her. He swore he only used it to get information about her and why she chose to rebel, and that it only works once on per person.
After he was finally finished explaining everything, Kallen just stared at the wall, taking it all in.
"Um...wow...definitely did not expect to hear all that today..." Was all Kallen could think of saying.
"It's a lot to take in, I know." Lelouch said in understanding.
"You swear that you only used your Geass to get information, nothing else?!" Kallen asked angrily, wondering if she was right to put her trust into this guy.
"Ask yourself this Kallen; if I had used my Geass to make you obey me, would we really be having this conversation right now?" Lelouch asked with an arched eyebrow.
"...Good point." Kallen said, knowing he had her there. "Still, what about the whole shower incident with the phone call?" She asked curiously.
"That, I actually used my Geass on Sayoko to play a recording of myself when you took the receiver. Simple but effective." Lelouch said, a bit proud of himself.
"I'll say. And you told her after that?" Kallen asked.
"Actually, I hadn't told her about Zero until a few weeks ago. At that time, I still wasn't fully trusting of others. The only reason Joseph was in on it at that time because he was there when I got my power and was able to connect the dots from there." Lelouch said.
Kallen stared at him a moment before coughing up a giggle that started to turn into full-on laughter. Lelouch just looked at her dumbfounded.
"What?!" Lelouch asked annoyed.
"Out of all the people who figured out your identity first, it was Joseph! Perhaps he's the smartest one in your family after all!" Kallen said with gut-busting laughter. Lelouch just gave her a sour look.
"Big talk coming from the girl who's identity was discovered by her hair." Lelouch countered, remembering the first conversation he overheard between them.
"Yeah, but I wasn't wearing a mask, was I?" Kallen re-countered with a smirk. Making Lelouch huff in frustration. "Anyway, anybody else I know that you used your Geass on?" She asked curiously.
"I had to use on Suzaku back on Shikine Island so we wouldn't be killed by that big warship. I told him to live." Lelouch explained, Kallen groaned at the mention of him.
"I know you guys have been friends since you were kids, but I honestly don't know how you keep yourself from strangling him each day! Idealistic idiot!" Kallen complained.
"Trust me, I thought about it several times." Lelouch said in a agreeing manner.
"You think it has to do with him killing his dad?" Kallen asked, remembering how Lelouch mentioned the "shock images" C.C. fed him during their confrontation on Narita.
"Most likely, his own perception of good and evil is completely skewered and that's the problem right now. And in a way, he's trying to redeem himself for that day, that if he dies, he'll finally atone for his sins." Lelouch theorized.
"Basically, he's a little guilt-ridden kid." Kallen concluded before sighing in annoyance. "Damn, I feel bad for the guy if he wasn't always such a pain in the ass." She muttered.
"Right now, me and Shirley are trying to think of ways to help him, and although she's technically our enemy, Euphemia has been good support for him as well." Lelouch explained.
"Yeah, Joe did mention she could help him 'find light side.' Whatever that means." Kallen said offhandedly.
"I believe it's a Star Wars reference." Lelouch said with a smirk.
"I know that, smartass." Kallen said with an annoyed tone. "I just mean I don't think it'll be that easy." She explained.
"Probably not, but the fact of the matter is, he's still our friend." Lelouch said.
"He tried to arrest me!" Kallen argued.
"And he could have told the Britannian military or even the Student Council about your identity, but he hasn't. Because he still sees you as a friend as well, so perhaps it's not too late for him." Lelouch said in a wise manner.
Kallen looked at him in a surprised manner, before sighing and standing up.
"You really have changed since I first met you." Kallen said.
Lelouch just gave a small smile and stood with her. To which she kicked him in the shin.
"Ah!" Lelouch groaned in pain as he rubbed his sore shin.
"Consider us even for the Glass." Kallen said with a smug smirk.
...
"He does seems different somehow..." Kallen thought to herself as she looked at Suzaku and saw the calmer, more peaceful look in his face. To which the door opened revealing Lelouch.
"How are the onions coming along guys?" Lelouch asked.
"Just fine Lelouch." Suzaku said. "Kallen, what we were talking about has nothing to do with school, okay?" He whispered.
"Yeah, I get it." She whispered back.
"Kallen, if you don't mind, could you go and check in with your class? They seemed to be a bit shorthanded." Lelouch asked.
"Sure, I don't mind." Kallen complied.
...
Sometime later
Meanwhile inside the festival's haunted house.
"I DO MIND!" Kallen screamed as she scared two Ashford students away while wearing a rectangular costume with a scary face on it. She also had her face painted red to match.
"This thing actually scares them?" She asked herself with a deadpan. "I'm gonna get Lelouch for this! He should've told me I had to be part of the horror house.
Hmph! He may be Zero, doesn't mean I should have to put up with this!" She complained as she crouched back down in her hiding place.
She looked at map laid out below her so she could which people would cross her path.
"Oh great, here comes another couple." Kallen muttered as she looked at the screen. "Why couldn't they make this whole thing mechanical if they've got this dumb screen? It's sweltering inside of here! It's like those early Glasgows! C'mon, move your ass. Hurry!" She complained before they finally made it. "MOVE YOUR AAAAAAASS!" She screamed, scaring the couple until realizing who it was. "Ohgi?!" She said in surprise.
Ohgi and his friend looked up from their scared positions and he recognized who it was.
"Kallen? You're back safe?" Ohgi asked in surprised.
"...Fortunately, yes." Was all Kallen could think to say.
...
Meanwhile on the campus grounds, Joseph's spirit happily floated through the endless venues and stands that were there.
"Man, so much cool stuff around here today. Why can't I be like one those ghosts that can touch things!" Joseph's spirit complained.
He noticed a certain blue-haired assistant.
"Hey, it's Cece!" Joseph's spirit said excited as he floated next to her.
"School festivals are such fun! I feel so free!" She said happily as she played a game of whacking people on the head with a toy hammer, just like Whac-a-Mole!
Joseph's spirit noticed she particularly kept hitting a guy with glasses.
"The one she keeps whacking… doesn't he look like Lloyd?" A coworker whispered.
"No great wonder. Working under that guy must really drive her out of her mind." Another coworker replied.
"What's he talking about? Lloyd's awesome!" Joseph's spirit said gladly as Cecile dealt multiple head poundings on the poor student.
...
"Right, the pizza's starting later." Shirley said one of the many phones she and Lelouch had on them.
"Yes. Oh, the Drama Club? I've spoken to the Film Club about it." Lelouch said speaking into one of his own phones. "Thanks again for helping me do this Shirley. Managing this while organizing extracurricular activities is hard enough as it is." He said gratefully while being careful with what he said in case anyone was listening.
"It's no problem, Lulu. Besides, it's good to not worry about too many things at once." Shirley reassured him.
"Well I appreciate it either way." Lelouch said with a smile, making Shirley blush.
Suddenly, a toy hammer came flying and hit him on the head. Lelouch grunted in pain.
"Lulu! Are you alright?!" Shirley asked as she looked over his head.
"I'm sorry! The handle just broke in two!" Cecile said frantically, Joseph's spirit following her.
"Soldiers? How peaceful the world is." Lelouch muttered, which made him receive and elbow jab from Shirley.
"It's okay, he's fine." Shirley reassured.
"Say, aren't you Suzaku's friends?" Cecile asked.
Before either of them could reply, a woman's voice came up.
Hey, you! Where am I supposed to go to eat the biggest pizza in the world?" She asked.
"Oh, well it hasn't been ma-AAAH!" Shirley shrieked after she turned to answer the woman's question and saw who it was. Lelouch turned around too with a glare in his eyes.
"Oh, so here you are." C.C. simply replied.
"Hey Seaweed!" Joseph's spirit said happily as he waved at her.
...
Britannian Military Base
Cornelia and Schenizel stood across each other with a bunch of soldiers.
"Good work, getting them here from Area 18 in one night. Your forces are impressive, Cornelia." Schneizel complimented.
"You flatter me. I'm honored that you deployed your regular troops to fill in for them, Schneizel." Cornelia said.
"It was the least I could do." Schneizel told her.
"The Glaston Knights who were stand by in the homeland have joined us here. And that means we even have Sattel Waffes for the Gloucesters." Cornelia explained as she gestured to the five Glaston Knights, who were also Darlton's adopted sons.
"I understand. And I'm going to play this card in my negotiations with the Chinese Federation." Schneizel said.
"Please do." Cornelia said.
"What a great honor… being asked for assistance by Princess Cornelia, who is unmatched on the battlefield." Schneizel said in a sweet tone, surprising Cornelia.
"Please, don't tease me about this." Cornelia said shyly.
"But I'm sincere. On the field of combat, you shine more beautifully and brightly than any flower or butterfly at a soirée — yes, like the Flash herself." Schneizel complimented to the fullest extinct.
"Please, stop saying that. You know I'm only..." Cornelia stuttered all flustered, she decided to quickly change the subject. "Now where could Euphie have disappeared to? She wasn't with Joseph and I told her I was coming to see you off." She said.
"I had a long talk with Euphy last night." Schneizel told her.
"Last night?" Cornelia asked, surprised.
"Yes, and concerning Joseph. Ever since the footage broadcasted, a lot of our siblings and the nobility in Pendragon have been asking for his head." Schneizel said in a concern tone. Cornelia's mood soured at that.
"Damn parasites. They've been looking for a way to expel him from the court ever since he was a toddler, and now they have a good reason, curse it all." Cornelia muttered as her fist tightened in frustration.
"For once, his brain condition will be helpful in this situation. It being simply chalked up to him motivated to save the one in the costume, like in comics and films. Plus, with the popularity he's receiving from many Elevens and commoners, it's likely they'll want to avoid a scandal." Schneizel explained.
"(Sighs)I swear, he lives in his own fantasy sometimes. How he managed to survive almost eight years wandering the world is beyond me." Cornelia said tiredly "Has the Emperor said anything about it yet?" She asked.
"No, he seems preoccupied with other affairs. Ah, and about the other matter —Bartley's project." Schneizel mentioned.
Oh yes, I really don't mind, but will he actually be of any use to us?" Cornelia asked.
...
Unknown
Jeremiah gently floated inside the tank, cybernetics slowing infusing into his body. Almost time to be woken up.
...
Ashford Academy
Lelouch and Shirley brought C.C. inside a warehouse, both really frustrated with her. Joseph's spirit followed inside.
"I'm asking about the biggest pizza in the world." C.C. insisted.
"I'll bring you some, now wait in your room!" Lelouch said angrily.
"How do I know you'll really bring it?" C.C. asked.
"I'm not going to deceive you over a pizza!" Lelouch said annoyed.
"The military and the press are here, C.C.! What if they see you?! You could get Lulu in trouble!" Shirley lectured.
"I'll wear a disguise. I don't like cold pizza." C.C. said in her bored tone.
"I hear that. I had leftover pizza once and its just 'BLEH!'" Joseph's spirit said as he stuck his tongue out in disgust.
"Why do you have to make his life so hard sometimes. It's bad enough you sleep in his bed without his permission!" Shirley said in frustration.
"Why? Wishing you were the one in it? Your Lulu right next to you as you smell his body sweat" C.C. asked with a sly smile.
Lelouch and Shirley blushed heavily at that.
"Aw, that's sound so sweet." Joseph's spirit said, happy that his brother and new sister were making big steps in their relationship.
"Ah! you're worst than Milly." Shirley said as she covered her ears in embarrassment.
Suddenly they heard voices coming towards the tent.
"Crap..." Lelouch muttered.
"Come on." Shirley quietly ordered as she pulled C.C. away and hid behind some crates from another direction.
"Thanks Shirley." Lelouch muttered.
"Why did you come into the school?" Kallen asked with an annoyed tone as she walked in with Ohgi and Chigusa.
"Oh, that's my fault." Chigusa said apologetically.
"Who are you, anyway? You're definitely not an Eleven. What's your name?" Kallen asked.
"This is, ah… She's my…" Ohgi stammered, not sure how to explain it.
"Kallen! Authorized personnel only. Could you get them out of here now?" Lelouch asked and then noticed who it was as Kallen tried to scoot them out of there. "Ohgi?!" He thought in shock as his day was not getting any better.
"Oh, uh, hey Lelouch..." Kallen said awkwardly.
"Hey Og! Good to see you!" Joseph's spirit said excitedly, but then he noticed the person with him. "Who's this?" He asked as he went to get a closer look. "...wait, is that..." His eyes widen in surprise, recognizing the woman.
...
Meanwhile, on the festival grounds. Euphemia, in a disguise, and a couple of bodyguards were walking pass the venues.
"I'm really sorry, but there's something I want to talk to Suzaku about." Euphemia said apologetically.
"It's all right, Your Highness." The female bodyguard said.
...
(Flashback)
Viceroy Palace
"Euphie, I think this is a wonderful idea you've come up with." Schneizel told her.
"Really?! Then..." Euphemia said excitedly.
"You should follow the path you believe in with all your heart. I'll discuss it with Cornelia so that she understands." Schneizel said in a positive manner.
(Flashback End)
...
Ashford Academy
"Suzaku, my brother approved my idea. Now we can–" Euphemia thought before a hand to her chest stopped her in her tracks, she looked down and realized she almost ran into a girl in a wheelchair. "I'm so sorry! Are you all right?" She asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. Are you okay?" Nunnally asked with her own concern.
Euphemia's eyes widen in realization as she recognized who she was talking to.
"Huh? Nunnally?!" Euphemia said in shock.
"Huh? That voice, is it you?" Nunnally asked in equal shock.
Euphemia took off her sunglasses and tears started to sprout from her eyes. "...Nunnally..."
...
"Uh, hello..." Ohgi greeted awkwardly.
"Friend of yours, Kallen?" Lelouch asked with a subtle glare.
"Uh, yeah. This is one of my friends outside of school." Kallen said with an apologetic look on her face.
"It's nice to meet a friend of Kallen's from school. I'm Ohgi, this is Chigusa." Ohgi said in a polite manner as he gestured to Chigusa, who waved politely.
"Strange, she looks vaguely familiar." Lelouch thought to himself.
"What's Ohgi doing with the woman that tried to take Lelouch to jail? I thought she was killed by Diethard. Unless..." Joseph's spirit asked himself until gasping and eyes widening in realization. "He saved her life, convincing her to turn into a good guy! Way to go, Ohgi!" He said excitedly, happy by these turn of events.
Suddenly, they heard someone else enter warehouse.
"Rivalz said I would find them in here." Suzaku said to himself and then noticed two people. "Lelouch, Kallen?" He asked surprised.
"Oh come on!" Kallen thought with irritation.
"Suzaku, what are doing here?" Lelouch asked with faux cluelessness.
"Looking for any spare fuel tanks, Rivalz needed one for the pizza." Suzaku told them.
"Oh, funny you say that, because that's what we're doing. Right Lelouch?" Kallen asked, gesturing for Lelouch to go along.
"I thought we were talking to Ohgi and Chigusa?" Joseph's spirit asked in confusion.
"Uh, yeah! I think I saw some over here, I'll go get them!" Lelouch insisted, going over to his suitcase where Shirley and C.C. were.
"Can this get any more annoying?!" Lelouch quietly said in aggravation.
"You can use your Geass, can't you?" C.C. asked.
"It'd be dangerous to use it on Ohgi and whoever that is with him, and I've already used it on Suzaku." Lelouch explained.
"Well it's your own fault then. You shouldn't use it so freely." C.C. said teasingly, before being pinched in the ear by Shirley.
"Stop being mean to Lelouch, C.C." Shirley quietly lectured.
Kallen got a better look and was surprised to see Shirley and C.C. there as well, and she also saw a small device in Lelouch's hand. He gave her a subtle nod and she saw what he was going for.
"I'm going to create a diversion — use it to get away!" Kallen whispered to Ohgi and Chigusa as she took out her pouch knife.
"Oooooh, stealth time." Joseph's spirit said as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
"Aaagh!" Kallen fake shouted.
"Huh?" Suzaku said in confusion.
"The panels are falling! Run away!" Kallen said as she cut the cable holding the panelings together and then pushed them towards Suzaku. "Don't just stand there! Watch out!" She warned. Lelouch on his end, pushed the button on the device, releasing a bunch of smoke.
The end result ended up with Ohgi, Chigusa, Shirley, and C.C. escaping while Suzaku was on top of Kallen, protecting her from the panels, which Lelouch was struggling to hold up.
"Uh… I… thank you." Kallen said.
"I'm just glad you're okay. But where'd all this smoke come from?" Suzaku asked.
"It must be for detecting gas leaks. It looks like the valve was knocked loose." Lelouch said with a tight breath as he struggled to hold the panels.
"Never mind that. Can someone help me, please? I'm in a little pain here." Suzaku said, his voice having a touch of pain in it.
"What's the matter?" Kallen asked.
"My ankle…it's a very familiar feeling." Suzaku said as he felt Arthur's teeth around said ankle.
"Ok, seriously. Can one of you please help me with this?" Lelouch said as he was really struggling with the panels.
"Gotta do more pushups bro." Joseph's spirit said with his dopey smile.
...
Ohgi and Chigusa stood under a tree, catching their breath.
"Sorry you got caught in that weirdness back there." Ohgi said.
"No, it was actually sort of fun! I haven't felt this excited in a long time." Chigusa said happily.
"I think it's better you move out of Area 11 now. Whoever shot you wouldn't come after you. You should be safe." Ohgi told her.
"You know, Ohgi…I wonder if the person I used to be was as happy as I am now." Chigusa wondered. "So… Can you tell me what you were going to say… when we were back there at the school? You started with 'She's my…' She's my what?" She asked with a hopeful tone, surprising Ohgi.
"Well…you see…" Ohgi said nervously.
"I really don't think I'd mind becoming an Eleven." Chigusa told him.
And for a moment they stood there in silence, enjoying each other's company as the winds blew through them.
...
Meanwhile in the Student Council Building, Nunnally and Euphemia had a cup of tea together. Sayoko and Euphemia's bodyguards were outside.
"Will you keep our secret? I mean, about Lelouch and I being here?" Nunnally asked as she set her cup down, Euphemia looked at her in surprise.
"But if you just stay like this…" Euphemia tried to tell her.
"All I want to is to be with my brother; that's all that matters." Nunnally told her. Euphemia contemplated this as she took another sip of her tea. "Do you remember that time you and I got into a great big argument? On which of us was going to marry Lelouch when we grew up?" She brought up happily.
"Yes, I do! We put Lelouch on the spot by making him decide right then and there!" Euphemia remembered.
"And then Joseph popped in, not getting the joke at all." Nunnally said fondly.
"'Can't marry, already siblings. And siblings having sex with other is weird!'" Euphemia said with her best Joseph expression, she and Nunnally both laughed at that.
"Big sister Cornelia blew a fuse that day, that's for sure." Nunnally said happily, but then her expression turned solemn. "How is he doing? Any change?" She asked worriedly, Euphemia sighed sadly at that.
"Unfortunately not. But don't worry, something tells me he's not missing out on anything." Euphemia said encouragingly.
"Indeed, Joseph always finds a way to keep his spirit alive." Nunnally said optimistically. "Of course now you have competition, Lelouch has a girlfriend." She said happily.
"Oh yes! Shirley is her name I believe. Joseph saved her father didn't he? I was wondering what he meant by 'new father-in-law'." Euphemia said quizzically. "I was hoping to meet her the day his friends came to visit. Maybe now I'll get that chance now." She said optimistically.
"You'll love her Euphie, she's perfect for Lelouch!" Nunnally told her, excited.
...
Rivalz stood on the platform for all to see him. A giant oven was behind him and many people were crowded to watch the spectacled event.
"All right! Any moment! We are about being the historic task of the making of the world's largest pizza! Please note that this contraption at my feet is an oven specially built just for this occasion — a fabulous waste of money!" Rivalz said into his speaker as waved his hand at the giant oven behind him.
"This is so unfair! Stupid coma! I want some pizza!" Joseph's spirit said with a pout as he floated the in the sky in anticipation for the pizza.
...
Meanwhile, Lelouch was in the control booth, watching the event before him. He was currently on the phone with Shirley.
"Yes, I understand, Shirley. I promise I'll make time for you. And thank you again for helping with C.C. ...Of course, right now just send Group B to the stage to help. Okay, talk to you soon." He said as he hung up. "This feels so easy. If I make a mistake here, no one's life is on the line." He thought to himself in a peaceful manner.
"Not bad! Got everything on schedule, huh?" Milly asked as she entered the booth.
"I've learned to manage people lately. Still, they seem so optimistic, don't they? The Chinese Federation attacked just the other day, but look at everyone." Lelouch said in somewhat awe of what was transpiring before him.
"That's why we need this. Festivals are necessary…for everyone, all the time." Milly said happily.
"...Thank you, Milly." Lelouch said out of nowhere.
"Geez Lelouch, it's not like I told you the meaning of life itself." Milly said with amusement.
"No, I mean, for everything you've done...for me and Nunnally. You and your grandfather kept us safe all these years, even knowing what could happen to you both if he were to find out. All these years I never thanked you for it, and it's finally time I do that now. So thank you, you're a great friend." Lelouch told her with a genuine smile.
Milly didn't know what to say, she can't remember the last time Lelouch was sincere with his words, if ever. In return, she gave her own smile.
"There was never even an opposing thought, you and Nunnally are my family." Milly told him as she put her hand on his shoulder.
"I think I'm starting to realize that." Lelouch said.
"You know Lelouch, I don't know if it's because of Joseph and Suzaku coming back into your life or because you're dating Shirley now, but you really have changed in the last few months. Ever since your mother, you used to let life past you by without a care in the world, you were there but you weren't really living. I'm happy to see you this way" Milly said sincerely.
"...Me too." Lelouch said as he watched the outside with a small smile.
Suddenly the door opened.
"Lelouch!" Nunnally called out.
"Nunnally, how's the pizza–" Lelouch turned to greet, only to see who was pushing her wheelchair.
"Euphie?" Milly said in surprise.
...
"It looks like the ingredients are all prepared! Now, introducing our special dough tosser: the Ashford family Ganymede!" Rivalz introduced the blue, low-tech knightmare frame.
"Hey! That's the robot Aunt Mary used to drive! Cool!" Joseph's spirit excitedly as he hadn't seen the machine on a long time.
"Yes, it's a bit of an antique, however, at the controls is the student council's special member and Princess Euphemia's personal knight, SUZAKU KURURUGI!" Rivalz introduced excitedly.
Suzaku functioned the Ganymede swiftly as he tossed the dough back and forth. The crowd cheered him on excitedly.
"Go Suzaku! Make that pizza with extra cheese!" Joseph's spirit cheered, clapping his hands excitedly.
He then noticed on the ground level that Lelouch and Nunnally were sitting with someone, someone with pink hair under her hat. Joseph's grin grew wide at that.
...
Kallen looked on curiously as she and Shirley made sure the tomato sauce ran into the container.
"Listen, is that because of…" Kallen asked wondrously.
"Yes. There are lots of Japanese who came here today. It's an open festival after all, and this is Suzaku's school too." Shirley said happily.
"So they came to see him?" Kallen asked in surprise.
"Yes. Suzaku is like a ray of sunshine for many of the Japanese. They revere him, just as much as Zero." Shirley said fondly. "Though I still think Lelouch is more popular." Shirley whispered excitedly, Kallen chuckled at that.
"No need to convince me." Kallen said in agreement.
However, they soon heard some comments from some teachers near by.
"Kururugi has become quite popular hasn't he?" A male teacher asked with a sneer.
"What the princess sees in that Eleven, I'll never know." A female teacher said.
"Hey, at least we don't have to deal with that retard prince coming around here for the time being." The male teacher mocked.
"Maybe we'll get lucky and the rest of that brain of his will rot away." The female teacher joked.
Kallen's eyes glared at the teachers as her teeth clenched and her hands tightened around the tube she was holding. She was about to give them a piece of her mind, but surprisingly it was Shirley who beat them to the punch.
"If you two have time to insult a Knight and a Prince, then maybe you have time to pour the rest this sauce into the containers." Shirley lectured as she shoved the tube into the female teacher's hand.
"Hey! You can't do that! I'm a teacher!" The female teacher complained.
"Yes, but you're not my teacher." Shirley told her as she walked away with Kallen, who shoved her own tube into the male teacher's hands.
"Have fun." Kallen said with a shit-eating smirk as she walked away. "Wow, Shirley. Not worried you're going to get expelled for that?" She asked, impressed by her friend's upfront approach.
"Nobody insults the people I care about. Especially when one of them is my new older brother!" Shirley said determined. "Besides, with Milly as the president of the Student Council, we can get free passes for stuff like that every once in awhile." She said proudly, Kallen couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"You know Shirley, you've changed so much since learning about who Lelouch is. I'm glad he has you by your side here." Kallen said with respect.
"Thank you Kallen, I'm glad I finally get to know the real you as well. Especially knowing that Lelouch will be safe with you protecting him out there." Shirley said with a fond tone. "Just make sure you don't die yourself!" She lectured like a mother.
"Please, I'm his Q1, those soldiers aren't going to know what's coming." Kallen said with a proud smirk. "Besides, you're not worried I might try to steal him from you?" Kallen couldn't help but tease, but instead of being flustered, Shirley just gave her heartfelt smile.
"Kallen, we both know how you feel about Joseph." Shirley said kindly, this time it was Kallen who turned flustered.
"Ugh, will this ever end?" Kallen said miserably, to which Shirley took her hands into hers.
"I've seen the way you've looked at him. They're the same looks I used to give Lelouch. You keep these thoughts inside, and eventually they'll crush you. Don't be afraid to take that risk, when Joseph wakes up, just give it a chance." Shirley said encouragingly.
Kallen looked at Shirley with surprise. Was she right? Should she give these "feelings" a chance?
Thankfully, she didn't have to think about said questions as she noticed Lelouch and Nunnally talking to a certain pink-haired girl.
"Hey, is that..."
...
"And again! Can he get it any larger, folks?! C'mon, Sir Suzaku! We've got high hopes for you!" Rivalz shouted through the speakers as Suzaku continued to spin the dough.
"Last year, it was my turn to do it, but I can't compare to a real pro." Lelouch said nostalgically.
"This is a day of sweet surprises. To think you and Nunnally were so close all this time, and that you and Suzaku are friends as well." Euphemia said happily.
"I'm so glad we can be together like this again. Joseph would be so happy knowing this!" Nunnally said excitedly.
"I am!" Joseph's spirit said with glee.
"Lelouch, Nunnally?" Shirley called out to them as she and Kallen approached the siblings.
"Shirley, Kallen." Lelouch said in surprise.
"Oh, so you're the 'Shirley' that Joe told me was his 'new little sis'!" Euphemia said, excited to finally meet Lelouch's girlfriend.
"P-Princess Euphemia!" Shirley said in shock as Euphemia came over and took her hands into hers.
"No need for the title, it's so nice to finally meet you! How long have you and Lelouch been together?" Euphemia asked with glee.
"Uh! Well..." Shirley stuttered nervously.
"I think you're flustering her a bit, Euphie." Kallen said, intervening.
"Oh, Kallen, good to see you!" Euphemia said happily, but then noticed her lack of shock with Nunnally and Lelouch being with her. "Wait, do you know...?" She asked in surprise.
"Oh yes. Sorry Euphie, I forgot to mention that earlier." Nunnally said apologetically, remembering Lelouch telling her about it yesterday.
"It's quite alright. And sorry about that, the only time I've seen Lelouch have any feelings towards anyone was me and Nunnally." Euphemia said apologetically with an awkward smile.
"Hah?!" Shirley exclaimed as she glared at Lelouch.
"I-it's not what you think! Her and Nunnally were just playing a game is all!" Lelouch said quickly, not wanting that type of attention.
"This again? I told you three, siblings having sex with each other is a BIG no no." Joseph's spirit lectured.
The group laughed at Lelouch's composure.
"This is nice. I never want to see people unhappy ever again." Euphemia said proudly.
"I'm sorry Euphie, but we can't meet after this. It's too big of a risk." Lelouch said in a solemn tone.
"Lelouch..." Nunnally said sadly.
"Oh come on bro, don't be like that." Joseph's spirit said with a pout.
"That's not true. I've found a solution for everything." Euphemia told them excitedly, before the wind suddenly came in and blew off her hat and revealed her pink hair.
A few seconds passed before:
"Is that Princess Euphemia?!" A male student yelled out.
"Princess Euphemia?!" A female student exclaimed.
And soon enough all the students focused their attention in the direction Euphemia was.
"Lelouch! Take Nunnally away!" Euphemia told him.
"Sorry to leave you alone at a time like this!" Lelouch said hurriedly.
"Come on!" Shirley said as she and Kallen gestures towards the tents.
"This way!" Kallen said.
"Camera! Get a link to the studio, quick!" A news reporter told his camera man.
Soon all the students and media there started charging towards Euphemia.
"Everyone, stop! Don't run! Please don't panic!" Suzaku tried to say as he let the pizza dough roll out of his hands and onto the trees.
...
C.C. witnessed these events unfold, and added this to one of her most traumatizing moments in her life.
"Pizza…" C.C. said with a rare sad voice.
...
Lelouch, Nunnally, Shirley, Kallen, and Joseph's spirit were currently hiding in a tent.
"I guess I should have let C.C. know the pizza has never been finished at our festivals before." Lelouch said with a head scratch.
"Last year the container for the tomato sauce leaked out, the year before the platform holding the oven came too." Shirley said sheepishly.
"You guys are so weird." Kallen said as she shook her head in amusement.
"I love my friends." Joseph's spirit said with a chill tone as watched the spectacle.
...
"Everyone, stop this at once! Do you realize who this is?! This is the Sub-Viceroy, the Third Imperial Princess!" Cecile said as Euphemia's bodyguards came to protect their princess.
"Thanks for your help! We'll take over from here. Stand back of–" The female bodyguard didn't get to finish as a female news reporter tried to shove pass them.
"H.I. TV! A comment! Just one word, please!" The female H.I. TV reporter said, practically shoving her mic into Euphemia's face.
Soon enough, many of the people there were squeezing together to see Princess Euphemia.
"This is getting tight!" Cecile complained.
"Please excuse me! No, don't!" Euphemia practically begged.
...
Meanwhile at Diethard's news van.
"You don't say? Already? You've escaped on your own? I'd say that's excellent, Deputy Commander. We'll stay right here. Right." Diethard said as he hung up and turned his attention to the person beside him, that person being Sayoko that is. "Looks like we wasted the equipment space inside the news van. There's no need for the captain of the Zero Squad to escape now either. I'd like you to continue to stay under cover here in the settlement. I'll introduce you to Zero later on." Diethard told her.
"I understand." Sayoko said with emotionless mask, not letting it be known that she already knew Zero's identity.
...
Soon enough, Suzaku was able to take the Ganymede and lift Euphemia out of the crowd.
"Oh, wow…" Rivalz said as he looked in awe, as did the rest of the crowd.
"Princess Euphemia, you're not hurt, are you?!" Suzaku asked urgently.
"I'm fine! Thank you, Suzaku!" Euphemia said gratefully.
...
"Are you okay, Nunnally?" Lelouch asked in concern.
"Yes. How about Euphemia?" Nunnally asked.
"She's all right. Suzaku's taking care of her." Lelouch reassured.
"I see…Lelouch, guess what? Euphie said that she and Suzaku are becoming very close now. They make a nice couple, don't you agree?" Nunnally asked with a sweet voice, but surprising Lelouch, Kallen, and Shirley.
"They are?" Lelouch asked in astonishment.
"Suzaku and Euphemia?" Kallen whispered, flabbergasted.
"Makes sense honestly. Joseph always did say they started spending more time together after Narita." Shirley whispered back.
"They be great together!" Joseph's spirit said excitedly. "Of course, if Suzaku ever hurts Euphemia, I would definitely have to kill him in the most painful possible." He said straightforwardly.
"It would be so nice to have Suzaku as a new brother." Nunnally said with a hopeful tone. "And I already look forward to you two being my new sisters!" She said proudly to Shirley and Kallen.
Shirley blushed while Kallen shifted awkwardly at that.
"Nunnally, you…" Lelouch said in surprise.
"Kallen becoming a sister too? Wait...she also likes Eup?! But what happened to Nina?" Joseph's spirit said in a confused tone.
...
Euphemia looked down from the knightmare's hand and saw Lelouch, Nunnally, Shirley, and Kallen hiding safely.
"Thank heavens, they're all right!" Euphemia thought in relief.
"Princess Euphemia, down here! Can I get a statement, please?!" The female H.I. reporter asked.
"Could you please network this broadcast nationwide?" Euphemia asked.
"Huh? You mean go live now?" The female H.I. reporter asked in surprise.
"Euphie?" Suzaku asked, confused.
"I have a very important announcement!" Euphemia declared.
...
Britannian Knightmare Hangar
"Your Highness! It's Princess Euphemia!" Guilford told her urgently.
"What's she doing now?" Cornelia said tiredly.
...
The Black Knights Base
"I am Euphemia, Sub-Viceroy of Area 11 of the Holy Britannian Empire. There is something of great consequence that I wish to tell you all today!" Euphemia said through the television that Tohdoh and Rakshata watched.
"Now what? This little girl makes such a fuss." Rakshata said with her chill manner.
...
Ashford Academy
"I, Euphemia li Britannia, hereby declare the formation of the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan in the area surrounding Mt. Fuji!" Euphemia declared, shocking everyone there.
"They're recognizing…Japan?!" Suzaku said in shock.
...
"What!?" Kallen said, shocked.
"Huh?!" Shirley said in surprise.
"Britannia has...?! Lelouch in equal shock
"I have no idea what that means!" Joseph's spirit said excitedly with his dopey smile.
...
Diethard slammed his fist onto the control panel.
"Damn it! I never thought of this game! Even though it's only a limited area!" Diethard said angrily.
...
"Within the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan, Elevens will be permitted to call themselves Japanese. Restrictions against Elevens and special rights for Britannians will no longer exist within this zone. It will be a place where Elevens and Britannians live side-by-side as equals!" Euphemia declared happily.
...
"Oh! That's cool!" Joseph's spirit said, finally getting it.
"Euphie, what are you doing?" Lelouch asked with a tense voice.
...
"Do you hear me, Zero? I don't care about your past nor who you are underneath that mask! I beg of you! Join us in creating the special zone of freedom!" Euphemia told the crowd, but mainly Lelouch.
The students murmured around each other, not sure if they agreed with that part.
...
Britannian Knightmare Hangar
"WHAT IS SHE DOING?!" Cornelia screamed at that wild proclamation, thinking the only headache she would have to deal from a sibling was Joseph.
...
Ashford Academy
"Zero, help me build a new future within Britannia! A place for everyone!" Euphemia decreed, to which was met with a huge applause.
"Long live Princess Euphemia!" Many people shouted.
"The Japanese Zone? Why's she doing that now?" A female student asked.
"That's pretty obvious. She's in love with an Eleven." Another female student told her.
...
"How surprising. Big brother, do you think Zero will agree?" Nunnally asked innocently.
"Uh, I don't know Nunnally, I don't know." Lelouch said softly with a conflicted look on his face.
"Lelouch...?" Shirley called out to him, putting her hand on his shoulder in concern. Kallen also looked on in concern.
"This is not good! Either way I go, the Black Knights will break apart over this! And what she's proposing, Britannia will never allow it, especially him! What if he decides to get rid of her like he tried to get rid of me and Nunnally." Lelouch thought in fear as Nunnally gripped his shaking hand.
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"Lelouch! Now we can be like before!" Euphemia thought optimistically.
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"Euphie..." Lelouch thought with fear and anger. Fear for Euphemia, anger for the Emperor.
"Oh relax bro. What's the worst that can happen?" Joseph's spirit asked with his dopey smile.
To Be Continued...
And done! Sorry this one took so long, been real busy the last two months. Stuck pretty close to canon this time, just with Kallen in on Lelouch's secret now. So we all know what happens next, will things change from here? Well...
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Guess you'll have to wait and see!
Let me know what you think and have a nice day!