Turn 3: A shadow in Shinjuku

Lelouch was sour. That his father dismissed his words and banished him and Nunnally to Japan was one thing. But, three years ago, while training mentalism and memory manipulation, Sanjati had discovered something strange within the teen's mind. Further examination, with Niv-Mizzet's help, had revealed his memories had been rewritten by a particularly nasty memory spell. The Living Guildpact had effortlessly broken it… allowing Lelouch to remember that, on the night of his mother's murder, he had been sleeping in his bed until his father woke him and altered his memories. The teen had thrown one hell of a hissy fit, calling the Emperor every name he could think of – and, between Earth and Ravnica, he knew a lot of them.

Just to be sure, he had examined Nunnally's memories. To find the same memory alteration in her mind had nearly caused another tirade. Instead, he had spent the next months learning to undo such spells since his sister couldn't come to Ravnica. As soon as the knowledge was his, he had Planeswalked back to Earth and undone his father's memory spell. It hadn't simply restored Nunnally's true memories. It had also returned her eyes. To the joy of both siblings, the girl was no longer handicapped.

They were living at Ashford Academy, now. Fortunately for them, Ruben K. Ashford was still loyal to Marianne vi Britannia and instantly agreed to shelter her children. Though it was for free, the old man was aware of Lelouch's "talents", and the teen had agreed to lend them to his family as a thanks. The Ashfords paid him handsomely for any successful mission, and Lelouch was proud to say he had never failed a job, be it theft or espionage. Assassination, he avoided if possible. At Ashford Academy, he kept his Perception Filter at all times, Nunnally instead using a variant that made people around her feel she was unimportant, and thus not worth paying attention to. She also kept her eyes hidden behind sunglasses. Their cover was simple: a pair of siblings kept as wards of the Ashfords, the boy chronically ill and the girl handicapped by her lack of sight.

Of course, it was completely untrue. So long as both kept decent grades, the headmaster let them do as they pleased, which suited Lelouch just fine. Whenever he was missing from class, he wasn't at home recovering from a disease. He was in Ravnica, studying under Sanjati and Vatra, who had taken to teaching him swordsmanship.

"Subtlety is good and all, but there will be times where it isn't an option, Child. When it happens, you must learn to face your problems head-on."

So, Lelouch knew how to use a sword. He saved it for last resort, but those who underestimated him for his roguish methods were still in for a surprise. Nunnally didn't know how to fight. She didn't need to. Not when she could channel white mana to remove all trace of aggressivity in people and use green mana to rust their weapons and equipment to dust.

"All I wish for is a gentler world. It isn't enough yet, but it's a start."

Lelouch respected his sister's decision. His personal opinion was that, to achieve a gentler world, people who sought a harsher one had to be removed first. Nunnally reluctantly agreed. Before the body could heal, it needed to get rid of its cancer. Lelouch would handle this part. She would handle what came after, her brother watching her back and keeping her safe.

–v–

It wasn't for a job that they were skipping class today, however. It was for gambling. Lelouch had always been a skillful chess player and Nunnally had quickly picked up the skill. Sure, she had never won against her brother, but she had still beaten most of Ashford's students at the game. The activity was thus as much a hobby as it was a source of income.

Their opponent of the day was a noble boasting an undefeated streak. Lelouch intended to put an end to that. Nunnally in his back, he rode his motorcycle to the Britannian settlement. The man was filing his nails, an elderly Japanese facing him.

"So, this is who they send against me? Schoolkids?"

"Indeed." Lelouch said sweetly. "We shouldn't be too much of a challenge, then. Sis, do you want to take him on?"

Nunnally glanced at the board. The situation was ugly.

"Why not, Big Brother? It has been some time since I faced a proper opponent. I shall be your challenger, Sir."

The noble laughed uproariously.

"Really? You, little girl? Wait, what's with the sunglasses?"

"It's because I am blind, Sir. They hide my ugly white eyes."

"What? You're blind? How do you even play?"

"I have a good memory and a keen sense of touch. So, shall we play?"

Eight minutes later, she had won. The noble gaped at the board like a fish and Lelouch was struggling to contain his mirth. His little sister was awesome.

"And… checkmate. You lost, Sir."

They left with a big check to cash on the way. As they got on the bike, an announcement about a terrorist attack appeared on the screen, followed by a speech from Viceroy Clovis. Nunnally sighed heavily. Lelouch fought the urge to gag. Their brother he may be, neither siblings liked the man he had become.

"Let's go home, Nunna."

They were edging the Shinjuku ghetto when a trunk nearly ran them over, and it was only Lelouch's quick reflexes which prevented an accident. The trunk veered to a dead-end and crashed amidst a construction site. Brother and sister parked the bike, Nunnally holding a blue gym bag in her arms, and went to see.

"You think they're fine, Brother?"

"Even with airbags, that kind of crash is bound to leave bruises. Let's check."

Their Perception Filters both active, the two siblings ran to the trunk, Lelouch gently caressing the mind of the two passengers. As he did, he felt a third presence in the back of the trunk. However, it was harder to read.

"How are they?"

"Conscious. More fear than hurt. What bothers me is the third passenger. Their mind feels strange, as if they have mental barriers set up."

"Uh, not good. If they are kidnappers…"

They both got in, Lelouch frowning at the sight of the metallic container. Then the trunk started moving again and the siblings grasped the huge capsule to keep steady. Lelouch brushed the mind of the two passengers once more and growled.

"Damn it, I should have been more thorough. Those two are Resistance fighters who broke into one of Clovis's secret labs."

"Uh oh, bad news. What do we do, Big Brother?"

"Let's wait until we stop moving and change. Our outfits are in the bag."

So, they waited, watching the red-haired girl fend off their pursuers with an outdated Glasgow-pattern Knightmare Frame. The darkness told them they had reached the old subway system. Lelouch was fine with it. The dark was an ideal environment to use his magic. Nunnally frowned.

"Uh. Brother? The driver is injured. Badly."

They peeked through the door and saw the red liquid pooling down the seat. Moments later, the trunk stumbled on a gap and stopped. Lelouch opened the gym bag.

"We change. Now. Then you heal the driver while I keep watch."

He took his outfit and undressed. In seven years, his operative clothes had changed a fair bit. The shirt and pants were still black tissue, but the boots were steel blue, knee-high and buckled while the gloves were a similar shade and reaching his elbows. A navy-blue scarf covered the bottom of his face, but the biggest change was arguably the cape, ankle-long, hooded and royal blue. The hood was deep enough to hide the top of his face without hampering his eyesight, perfect to hide his identity while the cape gave him some flair. It had taken him years before Sanjati allowed him to wear one, and he had spent the first months getting tangled in it before learning how to move correctly. The cape was also breakaway, just to be safe.

Nunnally's outfit was a lot different. She wore a white dress which reached her knees under an emerald cowl, which covered her shoulders and whose deep hood covered the upper half of her face while containing her hair. Not that it really mattered since she was wearing a white mask with tinted lenses. Her legs were protected by pale green leggings, her boots by leaf-green mid-calf boots with white lining and white opera gloves.

Things were clear: while Lelouch was a rogue, Nunnally was a healer. And their faces were both hidden. Lelouch left the trunk and slipped in the shadows. Nunnally smiled under her mask. She had often seen her brother do it, even following him if she held his hand. She agreed: the shadows felt safe and made for a great shelter. But, as golden light danced in her hands and she healed the driver, she had also learned that light wasn't as dangerous as it was made to be. It brought warmth and succor, and the energy to keep going. It had taken Lelouch time to appreciate that fact.

Someone was coming in the tunnel. Lelouch shadowed them, his mind brushing the soldier's as he readied a knife. Suddenly, he froze.

"Nunna! This is Suzaku!"

"What!? What is he doing there? …Big Brother, put the driver asleep!"

Lelouch complied, a quick mental jab knocking the driver out.

"What now?"

Nunnally wasn't sure. On one hand, she and her brother were hiding. On the other, she and Suzaku were childhood friends.

"Shadow me." The girl grimaced. "And prepare to alter his memories if things go south."

"Got it. Fair warning, though: he became an Honorary Britannian."

Nunnally nodded and got out of the trunk, removing her mask while pulling off her hood. The soldier stopped dead in his tracks. Then he did the same and bared his face.

"Nunnally? Is that you?"

"It's me, Suzaku. It has been years."

"You tell me! Wait, you can walk, now! And see! That's great! What are you doing there?" The teen looked around. "Is your shadow nearby?"

"Always. As for my eyes and legs, I recovered."

The two teens walked to each other, both smiling hugely. Then the capsule opened, revealing its contents: a woman, green of hair and clad in a straightjacket. Nunnally ran at her side, green light dancing on her fingertips.

"Her body feels strange…"

"They said it was poison gas." Suzaku frowned. "Why would they lie?"

"Top secret experiment." Lelouch mentally told Nunnally. "The Resistance fighters also thought it was poison gas. They were mistaken."

"Somebody lied." Nunnally turned to the shadows. "I don't like it. Something is going on."

Then a presence made Lelouch dive further into the shade.

"Hostiles! The Royal Guard!"

Nunnally jumped.

"Suzaku, trouble!"

The teen winced.

"I hope your shadow hasn't lost its edge…"

The Guards gathered around the group, unaware of the presence lurking behind them.

"Well, what do we have? A terrorist holding a deadly weapon."

"She is – She is a civilian! She landed here by accident! We should protect her!"

"How dare you talk back, you Eleven monkey?" The captain handed Suzaku a gun. "But I am willing to be lenient. Shoot that terrorist and we will see if there is a chance you could be promoted."

Suzaku took a single second to think. Then he placed himself between the soldiers and Nunnally.

"Go through me."

"Very well, filthy monkey. Die!"

"You first!"

Suzaku suddenly had a flashback of the guard who had taken Nunnally hostage. Same angry tone, same strategy, same result. Except, this time, the princess's shadow had to contend with several opponents. He wasn't disappointed.

Two Guards collapsed, shadow knives already vanishing in their back. The captain turned, only for a lightning-fast strike to open his throat. He collapsed gurgling in a red pool. Lelouch jumped and threw two shadow knives which struck a pair of Guards in the chest. He landed among the men, then ducked right as one aimed a gun at him. The shot got another in the head. The Guard took a knife in the bowels while one of his teammates received one in the forehead. Lelouch lunged and spun around, his cape cloaking his presence to the two remaining Guards who stumbled back. The teen's hands lashed, embedding two knives in their heart through the backswing. The men collapsed, dead. Suzaku blinked.

"Alright, you haven't lost your edge."

"My training is over. I am stronger than I was, seven years ago. A good thing, given our predicament."

He walked to the pair and, after all this time, Suzaku could finally behold Nunnally's shadow. He saw the clothes, black and dark blue. The hood and scarf concealing his face. The slender figure, built like a gymnast more than an athlete. The cape flowing behind, following the shadow's feline gait. The most startling, however, was that his footsteps didn't make a sound.

Lelouch knelt to the woman and frowned.

"Her mind has some powerful mental shields. I cannot look inside. Nunnally, we should get out there and head to our shelter. Let's go home. We will decide what to do once we're safe and rested."

"Good idea, Big Brother."

"Suzaku? You're coming with us."

"What? But – "

"It wasn't a question."

"Come on, Suzaku." Nunnally reassured. "You'll be safe with us. It's clear that those men don't care about you. We do, and I don't want to lose you now that we just reunited."

"…Fine." Suzaku sighed. "I'm coming along. And that woman?"

Lelouch simply flung her over his shoulders. Then they walked away.

–v–

When Nagata woke up five minutes later, he was startled to find an entire squad of the Royal Guard dead from knife wounds and the capsule supposedly containing the poison gas completely empty. Sighing, he decided to abandon the trunk and regroup with his teammates. In his mobile command center, Clovis was worried.

"Any new of Colonel Neider?"

"None, Your Highness."

"Send men at his last known position. Every other team is responding. There is no need for drastic measures… yet."

–v–

Lelouch, Nunnally and Suzaku made their way across the ruined subway, eventually reaching an exit. Two presences made the rogue freeze.

"Wait. People."

He brushed their mind, frowning when he realized they were two high-ranking soldiers in Knightmare Frames. A grin ghosted his lips.

"Our way out. Once I got them out of their Sutherlands, you take the woman's, Suzaku. Here." He handed him the green-haired girl. "Nunnally and I will take the man's."

Suzaku nodded. Lelouch carefully took control of the pair's mind, inducing a feeling of drowsiness while slipping in a compulsion to leave their Frame and find a quiet corner to nap. The pair turned to be a blue-haired man with sharp features and a blue suit while the woman had a tan skin and a purple suit. Suzaku shuddered when the information regarding his Frame jumped to his mind.

"Could you please keep your head out of mine?"

"It's the easiest way to pass knowledge that I know. Usually, I ask first."

"Fair."

Then Lelouch brushed the now-sleeping pair's minds to make sure they were asleep and froze when he saw something.

Years ago, the blue-haired man had been a guard at Aries Villa. The teen held a hand and peered deeper. What he saw made him shudder.

Jeremiah Gottwald was a devoted supporter of Lady Marianne and one of her admirers. Failing to protect her and find her children during the Invasion of Japan counted as his two greatest regrets. Thanks to Prime Minister Kururugi, he knew Princess Nunnally was out hiding and hadn't given up on finding her, unlike Cornelia who had been forced to abandon the country and her own search. He still looked for her in his free time. Unfortunately, the princess had vanished into thin air. Once he found her, however, he intended to pledge his loyalty to her and serve her in whatever way she needed. Naturally, the same devotion applied to her brother.

"Once this mess is over, we need to have a talk."

"Something up, Big Brother?"

"Yes." Lelouch grinned dangerously. "A potential ally, and this in a place quite hard to infiltrate – unless you're me."

Nunnally knew she would get details later. For now, they needed to escape the ghetto. Fortunately, Suzaku had trained to pilot a Knightmare Frame. Lelouch had learned too, because a mission had required him to steal a prototype. He had used the Ganymedes to train. The four thus made their way back, careful not to draw attention to themselves. Suzaku was honestly surprised it was working. They had reached the command center when things went south.

–v–

"Your Highness, Colonel Neider has been found with the trunk and the capsule!"

"What? Where are they?"

At the end of the line, the soldier winced.

"Well… He's dead. With his squad. Someone opened his throat and stabbed the rest of the Guards, visibly with daggers… Uh? Oops, nice dodging there. One of the Guards tried to shoot them but they dodged and another Guard got shot."

Clovis didn't know whether to be exasperated or afraid.

"And the capsule?"

"Empty. No trace of the driver either. That's strange, though. There is a large pool of blood so the driver was fatally shot, but the body isn't there and there is no blood trail. It's like someone patched their wounds and took him away, probably the knife killer."

Clovis idly made a note to send the soldier to forensics. He was clearly good at examining a crime scene. He closed his eyes.

"No choice, then. If my family knows what I've been doing, I will be disowned. Men, prepare to – Ack!"

A violent headache suddenly gripped his mind. The prince held his head and gritted his teeth. Outside, Lelouch was bristled.

"So utterly ham-handed – Seriously, this is idiotic even for you! Alright, change of plans."

He had peeked into the mind of the gathered troops and made an interesting discovery: a prototype Knightmare Frame, better than even Gloucesters. Several ideas crossed his mind.

"It's been some time since I beat Big Brother at chess… Suzaku? Change of plan. The army has a shiny new Knightmare Frame they brought for testing. You are going to steal it and bring it to the Resistance. I'm sure they will appreciate the gift."

"You want to do what?"

"Gran Theft Knightmare!" Nunnally giggled. "Come on, Suze!"

Suzaku sighed heavily.

"Fi-ine. It's really because you ask. Why am even helping you? I'm an Honorary Britannian. The only reason I'm listening is because you're my childhood friend and I care for you…"

"And the Britannians don't give a rat's ass about you." Lelouch pointed. "Those Guards would have gunned you down if given the chance, and I know everyone calls you an Eleven despite your status. Suzaku, they don't care. The Japanese will, especially with the gift you will show up with. Oh, and leave the girl with us."

Suzaku groaned but complied, especially when Lelouch passed him the information on the Frame, which he had taken directly from Earl Asplund and his assistant. A quick mental jab to knock the two scientists, then Suzaku changed into the suit, got in the Frame and stepped on the gas. The Frame bolted, causing the teen to gasp.

"Whoa, it's fast!"

The troops yelped and scrambled on their feet.

"Hey, someone stole the Lancelot! Hurry up and catch it!"

They failed. The white Frame was much faster than any Sutherland, and Suzaku quickly got a hold of the commands. A picture appeared on his head, the location of the Resistance's location. He headed there.

–v–

Clovis was livid. First, terrorists had managed to steal the secret project he was working on and escape with it. Then his Royal Guard had been coldly murdered by a knife-wielding opponent. Then, before he could order the eradication of the ghetto, a violent headache had seized him that had kept him from thinking straight. Then someone had stolen the Lancelot prototype.

Truly, the day was getting better and better. Idly, he wondered what was next.

Fate was all too happy to answer the challenge. As his head cleared, he noticed everyone in the command center had fallen asleep. He was the only one awake, now. Well, he and two masked figures, one clad in black and blue and the other wearing green and white. He tensed… then his mind went blank. When he opened his eyes, the black and blue figure had a jet-black knife in hand.

"Checkmate, Your Highness."

"What did you do?"

"I took control of your mind to have you recall your forces. You are already an unpopular figure, Your Highness. People will take poorly to you slaughtering and entire ghetto, no matter the reason. Besides, Eleven or not, those people are innocents. I am willing to tolerate a lot of things from the Britannian nobility. Meaningless bloodshed isn't one."

"Who gave you the right to decide?" Clovis hissed. "Who are you to tell me what is right and wrong?"

"Good question. Who are you to decide such things, Your Highness?"

Clovis gaped at the words, cut to the quick.

"Me? I am the Viceroy! My authority is supreme! What I say goes and that's it. So, what about you? Who are you to stop me?"

"I am a shadow. I am the man who watches from the dark, the dream of the innocent hiding in the shade and the nightmare of the guilty basking in dazzling light. You have blood on your hands, Clovis la Britannia. Your tyrannical rule has made you hated by your people, as much as the nobles of your court love you for it. You are disgusting."

Clovis sneered.

"They had it coming. Those filthy Elevens deserve nothing but scorn for keeping my sister away from me."

Lelouch and Nunnally both tensed.

"Your sister?"

"Yes. Princess Nunnally vi Britannia, my little half-sister. Prime Minister Kururugi outright said she was still alive and hiding, and I doubt the situation has changed in seven years. She is out there, somewhere in Japan. But those god-forsaken Eleven monkeys refuse to tell us where! Why? She is my sister, for god's sake! She's family!"

Lelouch's eyes narrowed, and Nunnally felt guilt build in her throat.

"Do you remember what Prime Minister Kururugi told Cornelia li Britannia before dying? You don't deserve to find her or her brother until you can answer *Yes* to the question Can you protect them from your father? So, tell me, Clovis la Britannia. Can you answer *Yes* to that question?"

Clovis shuddered before looking down.

"I can't. Sorry."

"Then my answer shall be no different from the Prime Minister's. You don't deserve to find Nunnally."

The Viceroy gritted his teeth.

"And… if I choose not to return her or Lelouch to the Imperial Court? If I decide to let them hide and only give them secret visits once in a while? I cannot protect them, but I can keep them hidden. Would it be enough?"

Something ugly twisted Lelouch's stomach.

"Why are you so insistent? If Lelouch and Nunnally don't want to be found, let them hide. Is it so hard? Why do you want to see them? They were exiled, remember? Banished from the Court. Thrown to the wolves like a piece of meat. Why can't you let it go!?"

"Because I am their elder brother and it is my job to protect them, that's why! Even from Father and the rest of the Court, if I have to! Please…" Clovis's voice broke. "I just want to see them again. Just once."

Lelouch growled. Nunnally put a hand on his arm. Then, to both of her brothers' surprise, she removed her hood and took off her mask.

"I am right here, Big Brother."

A tug and Lelouch reluctantly pulled down his hood and lowered his scarf. Clovis gasped in shock. For the briefest moment, his eyes shone with mirth… then Lelouch invaded his mind. He searched his memories and read his thoughts, uncaring of the pain he caused. Normally, mental magic was performed delicately and with care. The rogue teen cared neither about subtlety nor gentleness. He watched, and if his elder brother screamed in agony, he didn't give a damn. As far as he was concerned, his half-brother was a relentless asshole. Nunnally winced.

When the two teens left the command center, mask, scarf and hood pulled, they noticed the green-haired woman was already gone. They decided it would be a matter for a later day. Right now, they had key information to discuss and plans to make.