Chapter 1

Lelouch

Aries Villa, Pendragon

A scream echoed through the hall, bouncing off the marbled pillars and stained-glass windows to enter into the hearts and souls of even the most callous noble or cold-hearted guard. Lelouch vi Britannia, 11'th Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire collapsed to his knees, his arms shaking and eyes wide with grief. Before him lay his mother, 5th Consort Marianne vi Britannia, her chest torn to shreds by a burst of shrapnel. Her vital organs had destroyed before she started falling and she was dead by the time she hit the ground. Around the room the scene played itself out a hundred times over, grieving and injured family and friends mourning the loss of loved ones, all casualties in the worst bloodbath Pendragon had seen in years. The twisted remains of the buffet cart, the hiding place of the explosive that had ripped through the room lay on its side, all but vaporised by the highly explosive Sakuradite that had fuelled the explosion.

Stumbling to his feet Lelouch lurched forward on unsteady legs, desperate to reach his mother's downed corpse. Pushing through the crowd, his heartbeat pounding in his ears, drowning out the sounds of terrified people around him. Just as he was about to reach her the sound of a rifle firing cut through the air. Smashing through the gilded door at the front of the room, men stormed into the room, armed with rifles and sharpened blades. Through the confusion consuming him Lelouch's years of education kicked in and his eyes instantly looked over the men. Wearing dark coloured trench-coats, balaclavas covered their faces and black kepis worn on their heads disguised their identities completely. No further clue was given by their weapons, with unmarked, service issue Britannia rifles arming the majority of the attackers, and the rest armed with cross hilted swords and axes.

Lelouch could only watch in horror, eyes wide and mouth gaping, before he was grabbed from behind. Screaming, he turned to find the stern face of Genbu Kururugi staring down at him. The old man grabbed Lelouch by his jacket and threw him across the room, sending him tumbling behind an overturned table where his new friend lay, eyes wide and arms shaking. Suzaku Kururugi looked every bit as confused and afraid as Lelouch did, even if his eyes did not hold the same horror that his own had. Sliding down beside the two boys, Suzaku's father grabbed the pair by the shoulders before he began shouting.
"You two must leave at once. I do not know who these attackers are, but they have obviously planned this far in advance. They must be attacking those who supported the peace talks. Kaguya is not here, and Marriane is already dead. You two must leave now, before they realise they only have you two left to kill."
Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out a handgun, forcing it into Suzakus shaking hands as he pointed to the door at the far end of the room, furthest from the wholesale massacre that was consuming it. Pushing the boys towards it, he turned back towards where the shots were coming from and grabbed the weapon of a fallen Guardsmen. Going a few steps, the pair halted as they turned back, Suzaku calling out to his father.

"Where are you going? You told us to go that way."

"Indeed, but I must stay. I cannot abandon my people in a time like this, I brought them into this slaughter, now I must stand with them and pay for my mistakes."

"Then we will stay too, we can help"

"No, you must leave, if both of you were to die it would completely destroy any hope of an alliance between Britannia and Japan, and cause a massive blow to both our nations. I will stay as a distraction and to buy you time."

"Father-"

"No, I will hear no complaints, go. Protect Lelouch and reach safety, an Imperial force will be arriving any minute, you must reach them before the assassins reach you, now go."

Shoved one final time both boys took off running, sprinting across the now ruined room as fast as their legs could carry them. Slamming open the door at the far end, they ducked around just in time to miss a storm of gunfire that narrowly flew over their heads, smashing into the far wall and creating a storm of swirling plaster and glimmering glass. They took off running once more, down a hallway through another door before reaching the first of the forces sent to help. Bearing the distinctive red sun of the Japanese Empire the soldiers rushed forwards, encircling the Royal children and presenting arms in the direction they had just come from.
"Your Majesties, come with us, we must get you to safety."
"No, my father in still in the hall, you must go and help him."
Hesitating for a second, split between his loyalty to Suzaku's father and getting the boys to safety, he finally obeyed Suzaku's orders, ordering three men to take them out of the building to safety while the rest ran off to help their Shogun.

Once again taking off, Lelouch began panting as they ran through yet another long corridor, finally arriving at an area of relative safety in the small guard room by the back entrance to the Aries Villa. Two of the soldiers immediately took up positions within the room, one guarding the door and the other looking through the windows. The third took them to the back of the room and had them hide under a table, kneeling beside them offering them the water bottle he carried with him.
Lelouch quickly gulped down the water, before passing it to Suzaku who finished it before handing the bottle back to the guard. The man opened his mouth to say something, only to be cut off by the man watching the window.

"Gunso, Britannian forces arriving outside the gates, armoured car and ten soldiers, bearing the banner of the vi Britannians."

The man in front of them sighed audibly, before motioning for the Lelouch and Suzaku to rise, leading them outside and running towards the household guards who were standing around the car in a defensive perimeter. The guards had obviously been informed of the charges they would soon be receiving. Opening a small gap in their perimeter they allowed the men to run through and enter the vehicle, before five of the Guards jumped into the vehicle with them, the others running for the guard house they had just left. The back door of the car slammed shut and they took off. Finally taking a second to breathe and think after all that had been happening, the tears that he had been supressing since their escape came bubbling up once more, leaving Lelouch a crying mess in the corner of the vehicle. Vaguely through the tears that had clouded his vision and the sobs that muffled his hearing he could hear Suzaku speaking to the guards, explaining what had happened and answering questions. Silence overtook them all after the head of the Britannian guard asked what had become of Lady Marianne. Broken only by the renewed sobs of the young prince at the mention of his recently deceased mother.

Slowly Lelouch began to regain control over his emotions and managed to stop crying. Wiping the tears running down his check, he began to ask what had become of his sister Nunally, who had not been at Aries Villa at the time of the attack. Just as he opened his mouth he was interrupted once more by the sound of screeching metal and explosions. The vehicle jolted, seeming to jump off the ground before swerving violently to the right, throwing the occupants around and slamming Lelouch's head into the roof of the now partially destroyed vehicle. His vision swam and his body felt like dead weight around him, even as his eyes and ears continued to work with perfect clarity. As the armoured car crashed off of the road the back door flew open throwing out Lelouch and two of the guards. As the remaining guards attempted to stand and rush to his aid a small cylindrical object was launched onto the road beside the car, spewing out a white cloud that enveloped the vehicle, seeming to hover menacingly in the air for what felt like hours before dissipating finally to reveal the occupants either passed out or in no state to help themselves, let alone the young prince. As the cloud cleared soldiers stepped out from the tree line, wearing gas masks and heavy coats they quickly swarmed the vehicle, taking the sleeping occupants out and piling them up beside the road. A soldier wearing a dark grey balaclava and peaked cap stepped up beside Lelouch. Staring at the man Lelouch's eyes burned with a well of fury and hate that even the disciplined and battle-hardened soldier found difficult to look at without flinching. Staring down at him the man seemed to be wrestling over some decisions, his eyes almost seeming confused before another man stepped up beside him.

"My Lord, the survivors have been gathered, including the son of the Japanese leader, no casualties and none appear to have suffered severe injuries."

The man remained staring at Lelouch for a few more seconds before seeming to reach a decision.

"Good, gather them up and get them in the truck, have our men take them to the drop off zone, our role here is done."

"Yes My Lord."

Saluting the soldier turned and ran back to his comrades while the officer continued to stare before finally speaking, as if to himself.

"I hope this is worth it, by the old world I hope so."

Turning away, the man walked slowly back towards the trees he had emerged from, as more soldiers grabbed Lelouch, tying his hands behind him and shoving a clean rag in his mouth just as his eyesight faded to black.

Lelouch

Unknown Location

Lelouch woke with a start, the nightmares that had plagued his sleep rising up to come out as shout, before they were muffled by the rag shoved in his mouth. Panicking, he tried to remove the rag before realising his hands were bound before him in strong yet light handcuffs. After struggling briefly, Lelouch calmed himself and looked around. He found himself seated on a metal chair, completely alone in a dark room. Remembering the events that occurred before he fell into unconsciousness tears welled in his eyes, slowly making their way down his face in a trail that tore through the dust caked to his face. The tears left as quickly as they came, replaced by an all-consuming rage as he heard the sounds of bolts being drawn back. A door opened before him, rusty hinges releasing a tortured scream as the heavy slab of steel they held ground open, letting light flow into the room, blinding Lelouch and highlighting his captors while keeping their identities in shadow.

"Ah, awake at last I see, I was beginning to fear we had used far to much gas. Young lungs deal with such things far worse than older ones, and despite your exalted position you are yet young."

The man stepped into the room, giving Lelouch his first look at the man who had imprisoned him. Instead of the proud, leering visage of a European officer, or the hateful and crude look of an Extremist from the Areas, he was instead greeted by the kind face of an old man, Britannian by look. A light smile and warm eyes that shone a startling shade of purple, highlighted by a thick white beard and long, straight hair. He couldn't tell much about the mans body as it was hidden behind a thick coat that looked oddly familiar. It took Lelouch a second but then it occurred to him why it looked so familiar, the mans clothing looked like an inverse version of the uniform worn by priests of the Church of Britannia. A thick black coat covered his upper body, wide silver tassels coming down from his shoulders and ending just below his elbows. A hard collar rose, dark red fabric offset by the colour of his hair.

The man stepped forward, temporarily blocking out the light from the hallway before he stepped to the side, making way for two men dressed in similar fashion, with the exception of their faces which were encased in black masks. Placing a table and chair, they left the room with a bow and closed the door behind them. A few moments later a light came on above, bathing the room in a glaring white light. Raising his hands in a placatory gesture, the man stepped forward, before carefully placing a simple key within Lelouch's reach. Stepping back and taking a seat in the chair the man stared at Lelouch expectantly, his hands crossed and a small smile on his face. Hesitating for a brief moment Lelouch reached forward, grabbing the key and unlocking the chains around his wrist. Looking towards the door with door with longing, he threw the idea aside, reasling the futility of that path. Grabbing the chair he has been seated on, he brought it up beside the table and sat down. The mans face split into a beaming smile, seeming to light up the room with his white teeth.

"Good, a very good first step Your Majesty. Now, I know who you are, so I feel it is only fair to tell you who I am, at least in some manner. My name must for now remain a secret, however you may refer to me as Grandfather. I run an organization devoted to rooting out corruption and restoring balance to countered mired in the false beliefs of our enemies." He spoke, his voice gruff yet almost warm, as if a grandfather speaking to a favoured grand child.
Lelouch raised an eyebrow before scoffing.

"So what, does that make you terrorists for religion or politics?"

The man laughed, a sound that seemed to come from deep within his chest and rolled out into the room.

"A sense of humour, and so soon after the events at the Villa, you'll be fine I am now certain. As for your question, a bit of both really. We primarily act as political agents seeking to create unrest and change in systems that have been stagnant for too long or become corrupted by greed and self-interest. However we also work as religious teachers and leaders to a very small group of people in the world, people who can find no other safety in the greater expanse of humanity and whom come to us for a time to seek shelter and reprieve before once more going into the greater world."

Lelouch interrupted him, a cold disdain for all opponents of Britannia and the false religions they accept, drilled into him since his youth, slowly creeping into his voice.

"So you have a nice goal. That doesn't change the fact you are nothing more than terrorists and extremists. Even if you do fight against corruption as you so claim, there was no corruption in my mother, or the Japanese Imperial Family. The meeting your men attacked was to negotiate a peaceful trade agreement between out two nations and bring about a greater understanding and peace between us."

"Is that what you were told? Then maybe you should revaluate your views on the world my young Prince. There is much in the world you do not understand, and that you must yet learn before you can reach the potential we have seen in you."

He stood, pushing the chair aside and walking towards the door.

"Until that time you will remain in this cell, treated like an honoured guest, but forbidden from leaving. When you come to us and can see the world for how it truly is, and not how it appears, then the next stage of your training may begin."

Before Lelouch could speak the man stepped through the door, closing it behind him and plunging the room into darkness. With rage building within him Lelouch stormed towards the door, slamming his fist into the iron banded slab, screaming out for the man to return. With his voice failing he slowly fell to his knees, his experiences overwhelming him as his eyelids began to droop and the fog of sleep overwhelming him.

Sirens rang over Pendragon as the Knights of the Round, supported by extensive retinues of the Imperial Guard patrolled the streets. Roadblocks erected on almost every street corner halted all travel as homes were searched and people questioned. Even the Nobility, long held as nigh on untouchable since the days of the Emblem of Blood were not safe from the wrath of the Emperor as arrest warrants flew out of the Imperial Palace. Within hours of the Death of Empress Marianne the Office of Secret Intelligence had taken control of every source of communication or transport within Pendragon and tanks formed a blockade around the capital. Helicopters searched the surrounding countryside, heavily armed assault teams packed inside the metal hulls.

"Bismarck, I want the Chinese and EU embassies searched immediately, I don't care what the Ambassadors say, any resistance is to be seen as an act of aggression towards Britannia."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

With that the final guest within the Emperors room was cleared out, and the mourning Emperor was finally alone. The previous 24 hours had turned from hopeful optimism to gut wrenching sorrow as his favourite wife was murdered, his son was kidnapped and any alliance with Japan had been destroyed with the Japanese cabinet. All that remained of the Japanese Imperial Family and Military High command was the young Empress Kaguya Sumeragi, the General Tatewaki Katase and Colonel Tohdo. With their High Command all but destroyed the Chinese Federation had led a 'peace keeping' mission into Japan claiming to be trying to keep order in this turbulent time. There actions had been met with stern protestation from every formal government in the world, although as usual nothing had been done at the end of the day. And now the Japanese government was in exile, refusing to return home to no doubt death or imprisonment in their homeland. To add to the weight on his shoulders they had found nothing about where Lelouch and the young Suzaku had gone. They had left the palace after the attack, protected by a full squad of the Vi Britannia Houshold Guard and an armoured car, which should have been enough to handle anything thrown at them. A few minutes away from the palace the car had been found, the wheels torn to shreds and the front smashed. Footsteps had been found around the wreck, but no signs of a struggle or any bullet casing. Any sign of human presence had been removed from the area. He had the full might of the Imperial Guard and OSI searching the area trying to find any trace of the missing boys, but so far nothing. Interrupting his rest the phone on his desk began to ring, the shrill tone striking another nail into his head, worsening the headache he had had since he was told of the events. Picking up the phone he looked over the number, before holding it to his ear.

"Bismarck, tell me you have something."

"Unfortunately not your majesty, both embassies opened their doors immediately and we have found nothing, we have teams searching them top to bottom but so far there is nothing tying them to the attack."

Slamming his fist into the priceless desk in front of him, Charles could feel that the endless tick at the back of his head start to pulse again.

"I want those buildings torn to pieces, find me something Bismarck. I want our agents looking for them, I don't care what you have to do."

"Yes Your Majesty, I already have our teams in the Chinese Federation and the EU looking for any sign that could lead us to them. Unfortunately, our teams in Japan have been forced to go underground to avoid being taken by the Federation, but as soon as they can they will regain contact with the remains of the Japanese Government and try to find anything on that end."

"Good, see to it Bismarck."

Placing the phone down with a sigh, Charles let his shoulders slump. Allowing for the briefest moment the exhaustion to overwhelm him he let his head fall into his cupped hands. But only for a moment.
Raising his head once more he stared at the phone, thinking over the options he had before him and wondering if the course he was to take was the right one. He snorted, a brief smirk overtaking his features as he reached for the ornate device. What was right had never been an option, only what was possible. Dialling a number known to few even within his inner circle, he held the receiver to his ear and cleared his throat.

"Warlock? Yes, get me the director."

Suzaku

Suzaku groaned as his eyes slowly opened, the sound of ringing bells dragging him up from the sweet embrace of the abyss once more. Raising his tired body from the hard cot he had been sleeping on, he looked up to see the familiar sight of the black masked figures filing into the room, bringing food and other necessities. Before he could stand he found himself surrounded by a wall of bodies. Ever since they had been captured the guards who had been with them had made it their sworn task to protect him, blaming themselves for the loss of Lelouch. While he found it constricting and needless, he could understand their motive. He himself still felt the guilt of having lost Lelouch. His father had tasked him with protecting his friend, and Suzaku had failed. One motive he could not figure out however was that of their mysterious captors. Ever since he had awoken after being kidnapped, he had found himself in a sparsely furnished room, unable to leave and under constant surveillance, but until now completely unharmed. Every day their guards brought them food and anything else they asked for, but never answered any questions, or spoke at all for that matter. One of the Britannian guards had attempted to escape on the first day but had collapsed with his muscles spasming after touching one of the guards. And so had the same pattern continued for the last four days. But today, it looked like something was to change. After placing the food before the prisoner's, the guards formed up in a line on the far side of the room and waited. Soon after the door opened once more, and a man entered the room. Almost identical to the others they had seen up until now, the only difference being the strange mark carved into the man's mask. Overlaying the black material, a red carving taking the shape of a bird in flight stood boldly over the man's left eye. Stepping into the middle of the room and bowing before the assembled men, the mysterious visitor stood to his full height before clearing his throat.

"Good morning gentlemen, I hope you have been enjoying your stay so f-"

"Fuck your stay, where is our prince?" A loud voice, bellowing in burly Scottish.

Suzaku turned and saw the same man who had attempted to attack the guards before step forward, his hands balled into fists and a dark look on his face.

"The prince is safe and sound, he is currently receiving a medical check-up for his lungs, as I'm sure you now your young prince is not the most, shall we say physically gifted child."

"Where is he!" The man growled, slowly tensing his muscles up and stepping forward.

"He is a lot safer than you are about to be my very angry friend." The visitor snapped, his hand slowly slipping into his pocket. "I was here to bring you a gift, but if this is how you are to treat me, then perhaps I should just leave.

The angry man opened his mouth to respond but was quickly shut down by a loud bark from the Sargent.

"Shut it Aaron, we don't need your loudmouth at the moment." This time an Irish accent, although far fainter than the other.

"Ah, a man with some sense, thank you." Taking his hand out of his pocket their visitor relaxed slightly. "Our master, and the man currently holding you has decided that there is nothing to be gained from keeping you locked up in this cell all day."

Suzaku flinched, and the guards surrounding him visibly tensed as they prepared for whatever was to come.

"We have decided that you shall join the other inmates within this facility and begin your training procedure."

"Training? You think were gonna join your bunch of-"

"Shut it Aaron. Don't antagonise the lads, we don't want anything happening to the Prince."

"Ah, truly a man of wisdom. But worry not, no harm will come to the prince. And no, worry not, we have no intention of forcing you to join us, however it would be a waste of talent to let your finely tuned skills go to waste. As well as the young heir to the Shogun here."

At that statement the Japanese guards in the party gathered tightly around Suzaku, staring at the visitor with hatred in their eyes.

"Now, now. I mean no harm to any within this room, but it would be tragedy to let such a promising warrior go to waste, would it not?"

Lelouch

Bright electric lights shone overhead as Lelouch was led through another set of reinforced doors. Every entrance watched by hidden eyes and guarded by cloaked figures, the maze like set of corridors he found himself in was more heavily guarded than even the Imperial Palace. He had been taken through a corridor's every day for the last week, visiting new areas and speaking to other members of the organisation that had captured him. Doctors appointments, IQ tests and discussions of theory had taken up most of his days. Finally reaching his destination the figure who had unerringly led the way opened another steel door, turning and bowing to Lelouch before motioning him to step through. Upon entering the room, he found himself in a space that could only be described as a mixture of opulence and spartan necessity. On one side of the room stood a bed, just large enough for Lelouch and covered in a clean white linen sheet. A small table and a basic metal folding chair sat beside the bed with a small bowl of fruit and a set of utensils. On the other side of the room, a vast expanse of shelves lined the walls, stretching far into the distance and packed with what seemed like thousands of old and ornately decorated books. At the very end, a rich wooden desk stood, stacks of paper and writing equipment neatly laid out. A large screen covered the wall, showing news reports and an interactive world map. However, it was the centre of the room where Lelouch's eyes were drawn. On a small, simple table a chess board had been set up. Seemingly already far into a game black stood on the verge of defeat, the king standing alone with only 3 pawns to aid it. Surrounding it the white pieces were in position to strike and end the game, and yet no move had been made to finish. Walking forward slowly Lelouch reached out, grabbing the black King and looking over it. Placing it gently back on the board, he looked to the sides, where more pieces for both sides stood ready to be placed on the board. Far more than any normal game, and a small note. Reaching forward Lelouch picked it up and read over the message it contained.

The rules are gone, when you win, we will talk.

Letting his hand fall and looking back at the board, understanding dawned in the young child's eyes as he glanced between the board, the letter and the screen still flashing with reports at the end of the room.

With tired eyes and a sick heart, Lelouch grinned, picking up the king once more and holding it up before him. Unknowing to any, three men stated the same phrase from around the world.

"And so, the game begins."