A/N: Thank you for the kind word's IS6A6E, though I would never consider my work's to be perfect. To know that you are willing to consider it as such warm's my heart. And while I don't think I'll ever be able to view this story as being Perfect, I hope you all enjoy it for what it's worth. And Know that I will happen to have some subject matter's being brought up in this chapter and might have skirted around in the story at large. Do understand that when I do so, I am only doing it for the sake of better establishing how these character's are in their mindset's as well as to ensure the connection's they share don't feel forced or in any way off with how the event's of the story unfold. I will not actively showcase such thing's, as they also deeply unsettle me for the most part, but I am willing to admit such thing's are real and how if one is to be stronger in the face of adversity, then you must face it head on with all of your will. And I only hope those who have suffered such thing's can understand and that these word's of mine can help them on their path to recovery...

But that is enough of me and my thought's, you all are here for this story, so that is what I plan on giving to you all! Let's get on with the story!


Code Geass: Specter of the Rebellion

Chapter 10

A Princess, and her to be Knight, and a Would-be Noble and a former School Teacher

Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, August 19th, 2017 a.t.b

Suzaku P.O.V.

The more thing's change, the more they stay the same, yet again...

As Lelouch had Predicted, I was exonerated of all charge's, and now Kerwell was under scrutiny for being a possible terrorist under the guise of Nemesis...

I had to admit, rather clever title there, as it would mean Retribution, be it coming from Kerwell, or towards him...

What? I happen to find Greek Mythology to be rather intriguing. A fair bit more than Arthurian Legend, and a fair bit comparable to my Homeland's own!

Still, I wonder what made Lelouch choose a Greek Goddess that most people have no real knowledge of?

Well he's Lelouch, so I guess it make's sense that he would pick a relatively obscure Figure from a Mythology of a Nation that while what some could call a key element for the Modern world, has gone unnoticed and pretty much forgotten today, aside from a few people who took studies to learn of such thing's to only shove it in their face's to show how 'Intelligent' they are by learning of such thing's...

Wait a minute. That MUST be why he did it, so that anyone who DID know what it meant would either confound themselves over it's exact meaning and purpose in the grand scheme of thing's. Or be left to consider it as a code or phrase meant to get a reaction from those he had met with back when he was still viewed as a Prince!

It's thing's like THAT which prove why Lelouch is a Genius! And Why out of the rest of his family, his father and mother appear to consider him to be the rightful ruler upon their passing of the throne to the next in line.

And why I consider him to be worthy of a Brother in all matter's of the word save blood...

"Oh Excuse me! Look out Bellow!" Although granted he and I might ACTUALLY be considered Brother's in the future, as In-Law's if nothing else, here's hoping to that becoming a reality.

May the God's and Spirit's of the land and my Ancestor's ensure my wishes be made true!

OOF! Sometime's I forget how hard it can be to carry someone, much less catch them in their fall!

"Are you alright? You didn't hurt yourself did you?" I ask her, a heartfelt grin on my face as I saw the one girl-no, Young Woman, who had taken hold of my heart and never let go, even after her heart stopped beating...

Never again, never again will I allow you to die, nor will I force Lelouch to confront the pain of shooting a beloved sister of his whose death he knew was caused by his hand's...

"No, although I'm pretty sure I should be asking you that question." She tells me, as kind and loving as ever, in my old timeline I would have been left to wonder how one as kind and sweet as Euphemira Li Britannia could be the result of a woman who seemed to have little regard for her Daughter's, much less a Man like Charles Zi Britannia?

Yet having spent time in the presence of George Lux Britannia, I could see how the side to such a man might have always been there, only Buried and locked away in his belief that his action's would make all the death's and loss of loved one's no longer matter...

It is a shame such thing's appear to be the exception rather than the norm. But whatever the case might be, the life I live in now, will be one I am proud to have experienced!

"Honestly it's no big deal, might I ask why a lovely lady such as yourself appeared to drop out from the sky?" How funny it was how I had actually seen such an event when i was younger. Only it was more than just a nice looking Lady.

It's easy to see why Lelouch managed to be such a looker, and how eventually Nunnally grew to be as lovely in appearance as her gentle and kind nature had been for her heart...

In a way I'm glad that whatever Memories Lelouch has of the timeline I came from, that at the very least they appear to be one divorced from a direct experience, as I can only imagine how he would feel being reminded of having to Geass his Sister to keep her from doing something she would have regretted doing.

Know this Schenizel, should you choose to go down the same path as you had in my timeline, you will DIE by my hand, regardless of what ANYONE ELSE SAY'S!

Not even Lelouch will stop me from doing such a thing...

Although knowing Lelouch, I would not be surprised if he felt it best to at least TRIED to move his second older brother away from deciding the only way to achieve World Peace is through W.M.D.'s...

Even if Nina is kept from developing it into a weapon, F.L.E.I.J.A. would probably be made a reality, be it by a team of scientist's who just happened upon it. Or by the machination's of some other power...

And I had a good idea which one too, even still I am sure Lelouch knows about this, and probably convinced Nina into making an effort into developing a counter to it. Even if it could only keep the bomb from detonating automatically within it's short window it can be averted. Then it would be enough...

Even I would try to make an effort to ensure a better mean's of countenance if possible.

"Oh well the thing is, I'm trying to hide from some bad people, come on this way!" She playfully said as she dragged along for her foray into the settlement.

If nothing else, THIS is what I am fighting for...

Euphemira P.O.V.

The more thing's change, the more they stay the same, as always!

Honestly it was strange though, having the part of my mind that held all of the memories of the life I had ahead of me be left in a state where I could only have brief instances where it could be in control.

Or rather, the live I had lived...

It was so hard having to deal with my mind being kept in two for so long, not so much as to suggest a total shift in personality, only that there were time's I'd wonder where Suzaku was.

Mother and the servant's had always assumed I was referring to an Imaginary friend, that 'Suzaku' was simply made up because of how I was rarely allowed to interact with anyone aside from Cornelia...

But Lelouch had always believed me, he never once bought the idea that Mother always liked to claim.

Oh Lelouch, how I wish I could see you and Nunnally again...

I was devastated when News reached me about the Upheaval, how those Thing's swept aside the Military and Royal Guard for Father and Lady Marianne as if they were nothing but paper cutout's!

And of how that haunting visage of my hated past who called himself Father, had came in and acted as if he was in charge the whole time. As well as that blasted brat of a so-called Uncle named only V.V. who took to using the OSI as his own personal death squad as if it was nothing new...

But the worst thing, was the Vile, Unholy MONSTER that called itself 'Lord of Wraith's'...

I recalled how it acted as if it had total control, as if it was the sole power in existence. How it acted with such ease only one who felt they had no opposition and KNEW IT had acted...

I recalled how Cornelia had looked so Defeated, never in her life, be it in this timeline or the old one, had she looked so beaten down as she did that day.

I found her in the Ares Villa, by the chess broad where Lelouch would use ONLY to Practice his strategies and nothing else...

I saw her there, and how she just cried non-stop as if she was nothing more but a little girl, instead of the strong young woman she often showed herself to be...

It was always something to see Lelouch Practice, mostly because of how he did it in such a way that was so differently from everyone else.

Whereas most would use the standard Black and White color contrast in their Chess Pieces, Lelouch used only Black Pieces exclusively,

Honestly I could never follow or keep track of what was what when he did that, even Schenizel and Father could only get it right about 3/4th's of the time, just goes to show how different Lelouch is from how I knew him in the old timeline...

It took a bit to adjust to the differences in name's and behavior's, it took a bit to get used to calling Nunally the 4th Princess rather than the placement she once held for starter's. Not to mention how it took a bit to getting used to calling the two now non-identical twin children of Lady Marianne with 'Lux' instead of 'Vi' in their name's.

But I managed to adjust well enough, and I enjoyed how Father had become so different from the man I had the misfortune of having once had in his place...

Honestly the one thing that did not change was how Mother always acted towards myself and Cornelia, and how while in my old timeline I was willing to forgive Mother for her action's, in this timeline I made it rather clear I had no intent of following her rules and order's any longer...

So instead of staying in the Imperial Palace, where I would be left worried that a Wraith might come out and 'Dispose' of me, I instead followed my Sister as she went to whatever War Zone she was needed at...

She asked me why I would do such a thing, and I told her I was safer and better off dealing with enemy soldier's possibly killing me than having a Wraith come at me for no real reason...

The fact that she did not even attempt to form a counter-argument made my heart break, as it meant that the timeline I now lived in meant I was safer at area's of conquest and war than location's of which were meant to be peaceful by comparison...

As much as I should hate the fact that he killed Clovis, I can only be grateful for what Lelouch had done. But even then, I, and no doubt Cornelia, had noticed that Clovis was not the same brother we knew for our lives', if she knew of it. Cornelia never mentioned it to anyone, just as I had made sure to keep it hidden from everyone around me...

Paranoid? Then one does not know the Li Britannia sibling's all that well...

I know neither of us can say anything about our suspicion's, for if word got out, then it would not matter who we were, the two of us and all we knew and held dear would die, and no doubt they would make sure to search for wherever Lelouch and Nunally, as well as were Father and Lady Marianne were hiding...

Honestly I am amazed at how Lelouch and Nunally have kept themselves so hidden, I would dare not look up for any information on their whereabouts, as it would lead them to certain death alongside me and Nelly. And I have ZERO Intent of letting myself die again.

Heh, Zero.

I have to admit, seeing Lelouch's grand reveal to the world for myself made me feel hope, that the world could be better than the sorry state it was in now...

And I am certain he plan's of staging a two-front rebellion, with him and his Black Knight's assailing from without, while Nelly and myself to a degree work our way from within...

I wouldn't be surprised if he got Suzaku involved in on it to. It would just be like him...

Still for the time being I have to play the part of Naïve Princess, how i dislike it so to be seen as such...

I think I understand the frustration that Kallen Kozuki had felt when she had to hide under the guise of being a sickly school girl...

It really is annoying to have to act as if you are less capable than what you actually are capable of...

Oh, and there he is!

"Meow, kitty's paw hurt say's I? Meow, Meow, Meow." Ah, Arthur, a sweet cat to be certain, if only for one minor thing that bother's me...

CHOMP!

"OW!" It's that you seem to dislike Suzaku no matter what.

"Are you okay?" I ask with genuine concern as I can't help but worry for the one who I love with all my heart.

"Yeah, it's fine, I honestly like cat's, it's just that they don't seem to agree with me." And why? Honestly I can't help but wonder why.

Well I guess it can't be helped, some thing's will probably never have a real explanation, the reason why Cat's seem to hat Suzaku being one of them.

"Say, is it okay if we go to Shinjuku?" I ask him, trying to see if there could be a time to which I can inform him of my hidden Knowledge of the other Timeline...

It's going to be a lot of work, not to mention Paperwork, THAT is one thing I wish could be changed

Suakzu P.O.V.

Honestly it annoyed me how some people think they can treat other people like utter Garbage and can get away with it...

Still, at least Ohgi managed to keep thing's from getting out of hand. Honestly I hope him and Viletta can get together again, as strange as it might seem for a guy who was a school teacher turned freedom fighter and a woman who had wished to get into the nobility. The two of them turned out to work rather well together, I wonder if Lelouch even bothered to use Geass on Nu this time, or if he just talked to her and got her to hand her Sutherland over with no argument, as I know he could have done so any time he wished in either Timeline, he just didn't bother doing it the first time as he was trying to see how his Geass worked and that he did not know it's limit's at the time...

But considering how different it appears to be now, I do wonder what he could have used to achieve such an effect if he needed to,,,

Well no matter, it was rather easy to get the rest of the Pureblood's to stand down after I managed to disable them.

"Well, I suppose I should be thanking you for this Kururgi." I could hear Kerwell spat out.

"The only reason why I did that was because of how your fighting would mean the reckless endangerment of a Princess of Britannia, and of how I would have rather limited damages to bystander's and not to mention avert the waste of Military Hardware. NOT because it was you who was targeted." I told him in no uncertain word's.

However he would die, be it by Kallen's action's or Lelouch's, I could care less upon the news of his passing...

Oh I knew Lelouch had a second affect to the Geass command he placed Kerwell under, I knew it before he even told me. As if the Lelouch of my Timeline would have done a similar thing had it been the case of Kerwell being the one who could get a Geass Canceler rather than Gottwald...

Really I think the only reason in the old Timeline he didn't cast such a command on Jeremiah was due to know he probably knew his Knight of Orange from his time as a palace guard, and figured he would use that connection to his advantage when the time came. Even if he did not do so consciously, then some part of him at least planned it out...

Even when he is not actively aware of it, he keep's making plan's so long term that it is always a shame the he seems to consider it best for his own death to be at the end of it all.

That will not happen again, NEVER AGAIN!

Oh and here come's Viletta, wonder what she want's to ask me and Euphie...

Viletta P.O.V.

I have to admit, for an Eleven, that Kururgi boy is something else, it's no wonder he would be accompany the like's of Royalty.

To think, four day's ago I would have thought nothing less of such a person, yet then I met someone who changed how I viewed such thing's, as well as to my exact way of achieving my goal's...

I was searching for potential terrorist's amidst the Shinjuku Ghetto, when I came across an odd sight, a Britannian Teenager in a School Uniform.

"A Britannian Student? Who are you?" I Said into the loudspeaker's on my Sutherland's Com System's, who would be so wiling to step into an active war-zone?

The student spoke with a resigned tone in his voice "Before you decide to kill me, might I look at the face of my executioner and speak with whomever she is?"

Honestly the voice he had seemed as if he was all but certain he would be killed by my hand's, and while I hoped to become a Noble of some kind, there was something to be said to be killing another Britannian!

I climbed out of my Sutherland Frame and walked up to the Student, and managed to get a good look at his face...

His hair was black, his body while lithe and thin spoke of one who had dealt with thing's in life at a young age most would not be bothered to deal with.

But the main thing that stood out to me was his eye's. A Purple color befitting Royalty...

Or rather, to be among ONLY Royalty...

"Who are you? Are you a Prince?"

His eye's seemed so dull and hardened, as if life had been something he had only endured in rather than simply lived...

"Once upon a time, perhaps, but now I am little more than a living ghost among the dead and forgotten of the world." He spoke in such a way that his voice seemed so hollow inside, as if he knew that being who he was would assure death for him and all he knew, and that he could care less for himself, but could only care the world for those who would die because of him being found out...

Who is this boy? And why does he have to be like this?

Then it hit me, as there was but ONE person who's feature's matched the like's of the one in front of me.

"Are you perhaps, Prince Lelouch?" I recalled the visage of the young prince from the day's when there was still Painting's and Photo's and Images of him and his family still around, before it all changed, before the Upheaval began...

He let out a short, mirthless laugh "I am Impressed, I was certain they had wished to erase any trace of me and my family's existence. Tell me, did the Wraith's demand you find me so I may be struck down like I was but a nuisance?"

The fact that he figured that the Wraith Corp's had sent someone to rid the world of him told me he was used to the idea of this being a common occurrence...

"No, I know because of how I recalled seeing an image of you from before, a gift from a fellow soldier and friend of mine who disappeared after it all happened." I told him, handing him a Photo that I have done to keep a secret ever since that day, from a man who I saw as a good soldier and leader.

"Jeremiah did say he had known you for a time, I'm sure he'll be glad to know you are alive still. After what the Lord of Wraith's mentioned of planning on having you die, he assumed the worst and thought you were already gone from the world. I had disagreed and told him I felt otherwise, and how glad I am to be right." And while it concerned me that the Lord of Wraith's itself had me on a list of 'people to kill later' the fact that Sir Gottwald was alive still was a relief.

I was at a bit of a crossroad's, either I could...

A) Reveal the Prince and have him and all of those around him be killed, which happened to include myself.

Or B) Work on behalf the young prince in some way, and hopefully be rewarded for my effort's...

I would much rather be able to Live thank you very much, so option B it is...

"I am willing to provide any assistance to you and your cause anyway I can, so long as you ensure I am justly compensated for my action's."

The Prince's eye's began to light up in such a way that told me he was not one so easily beaten or defeated and spoke with certainty "Rest assured Viletta Nu, you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dream's. And know that I plan on ensuring that you will live to see the result's of such a reward, make no mistake of it."

I found myself being very glad for choosing to stand with the Prince rather than against him...

Steeling myself for what might be asked of me I said "What would you have need of me, Your Highness?"

"Just the activation code's and key to your Knightmare Frame for now, oh and I do believe this should go without saying, but do not speak of this to ANYONE aside from that of my Sister's Cornelia and Euphemira, as well as that of one young man of similar age to myself named Suzaku Kururgi, and of Cornelia's Knight and lead General Guliford and Darlton, respectively." He spoke with a simple yet commanding presence.

Honestly since that day, I've felt like I made the best decision of my life...

And now that I see the Young Princess and the young man who she appeared to know as Kururgi. I figured it would be best to inform them of what the Prince had sought to achieve with regard's to their plan's, although perhaps it's best to save the full explanation until the 'Goddess of Victory' and her men arrive so as to not repeat myself.

"Your Highness, may I have a word with you and Young Kururgi in private? It is a matter pertaining to the issue of Zero."

The look upon the Princess and the boy's faces made me laugh a little inside, oh how they seemed so shocked at my knowing.

Making sure to find a place to speak in private I told them.

"I must say, that brother of yours is quite the performer and charmer, wouldn't you say Princess?"

Now their eye's were widened to such a degree that I could not help but actually laugh.

"Ho-How did?" The two spoke in perfect unison.

"Four day's ago I spoke to the prince and he had promised me that I would be rewarded for my service and loyalty in supporting his cause, and considering that I would be most likely dead by the hand's of a Wraith eventually, I figured that I would at least try to advert my potential demise, not to mention he spoke with such a way that one can't help but feel as if you can't help but agree with him. I must say he is very much Emperor George's and Empress's Marianne's son." I told with with mirth and a smile clear upon my face and voice.

Only to then see their eye's roll back and then faint...

...

Not exactly what I was expecting, though to be honest I couldn't really say I had an idea of what was going on...

Great, NOW how am I going to get them back without raising suspicion.

"Woah, are they okay?" A Eleven man asks, walking towards the three of us, a look of concern on his face...

"Who are you? And what do you want?" I tell him, having my sidearm at the ready to deal with him should he ask too many question's.

"Woah! Easy, I just noticed you were talking to them and they just fainted, I didn't hear anything I swear!" he told me, clearly afraid of my pistol and not wanting to get shot.

"I'll ask you again one more time, who are you?" I repeated again, turning off the safety to my pistol, ready to kill him if he say's anything wrong.

"Ohgi! Kaname Ohgi! I don't want to hurt anyone, you have to believe me please!" He tells me, fear in his voice rather apparent.

Kaname Ohgi, why does that sound familiar...

Ah that's why.

"One last thing, if you happen to meet a Japanese Man by the name of Kaname Ohgi, please don't try to kill him in any way possible, consider him your contact between my forces and you if it help's."

Well Prince Lelouch, I figured you would have us meet in a more formal situation, but I suppose you would have considered something like this...

"My apologies, I was told by Zero that you would be my point of contact with him and the rest of his force's. I wasn't told what sort of man I was expecting."

Well he isn't a bad looker by any mean's, so I guess-

HOLD IT Nu! He's just an Eleven, he isn't worth your time for anymore than what Lelouch would ask of you two to do your assigned role's as needed.

Ohgi P.O.V.

Okay THIS was not what I was expecting to have happen today. I pretty much knew that Zero would have us keep thing's quiet and lie low for a while until something came up, so I figured it was good enough to just try to live a normal of a life as I can for the time being...

Honestly I expected the whole issue between Tamaki and those Britannian's to occur, cause he's Tamaki, what else is he going to do?

Didn't expect to see Suzaku with some Pink Haired girl in a rather high end outfit being in the Ghetto of all place's, but I figured she must have asked him to bring her here, when I heard a clash between Knightmare Frame's by the old Stadium I went to see what was going on. Imagine my shock when that guy who was the head of the Pureblood's (Kerwell I think Suzaku said his name was?) facing off against his former comrade's as they sought to get rid of him for making them a laughing stock in the military...

Just goes to show how even despite their action's, the Britannian's are just as human as us Japanese, and how it mean's they are just as willing to turn on their own if they feel like it would best suit their agenda.

Then I saw that frame that Suzaku Piloted in Shinjuku, and how he took care of the Purist's as if they were nothing more than flies!

If THIS is the sort of pilot we ran the risk of fighting in Shinjuku, and how Zero managed to beat him even with all of THIS at his disposal...

...

...

...

Note to self, never, EVER, bother to accept an offer to betray Zero from ANYONE. No matter what they have to offer, even if it's the whole WORLD for Japan to have...

Unless Zero think's it's a good plan to trick his enemies into a false sense of security.

Not to mention how he and Kallen seem to be kindred Spirit's in a way, then to betray Zero would be betraying Kallen as well, and that might as well be betraying Naoto as well, and the whole reason why we choose to take up arm's against the current regime in the first place!

Really, I would just be betraying myself if I did that, so whatever Zero Plan's on doing, I'll accept it. I'll question him as needed to help counter his plan's if he need's it, but even if he has a secret so huge that he can't let anyone know, then I'll accept it for what it is as well. If only because for a guy to resort to so many thing's, up to and including a plan for SUICIDE! JUST so those he care's about are kept safe, then the secret's he hold's must be something he really wishes he didn't have to hide to the world.

And for what it's worth, I can respect a man who has no other choice than to hide and remove any and all traces of the person he is to protect those he love's...

It was something to learn that the girl Suzaku was with turned out to be Euphemira Li Britannia, 3rd Princess of the Britannian Empire. Even more shocking was how some Britannian woman came up to them and said she had something to say to them about Zero!

Who is she? How does she know Zero? What is her end game?

I did my best to follow them without being spotted, sadly I couldn't listen to what she told them, what I could tell however that whatever she said caused them both to look surprised, than they both fainted after a few second's...

Is this going to be something of a running gag Kururgi?

Whatever the case, I figured I should at least help out however I could, and to see what this Britannian Woman knows about Zero if at all possible.

Of course as soon as I said something she turned around and pointed a gun at me.

Man am I such an IDIOT at time's...

I told her that I was just walking by and happened to notice Kururgi and the Princess had fainted, careful not to give any name's away, as THAT would leave me with a bullet in my head for sure. Hell, even TAMAKI wouldn't be that stupid.

And then she asked for my name again, and rather than have the woman have another reason to shoot me, I told her...

Thing is, after a few second's she seemed to have a look on her face and did a complete 180 in personality!

And then she said how I was apparently to be her 'contact' between herself and Zero and the rest of our group...

Just WHAT the hell is going on!

Figuring it would be best for me to just go along with it for now. I told her "Yeah well, I'm afraid Zero didn't get to tell me the name of the person who I was meant to meet, only that it would be a woman in the Britannian Military. So then miss...?"

"Nu, Viletta Nu, pleased to meet you, I hope we work well together." She told me with a rather decent smile and her teeth shone nicely and complemented her skin and...

WHAT THE HELL AM I THINKING! SHE! IS! BRITANNAIN! SHE CAN KILL YOU WHENEVER SHE WANTED! AND SHE! IS! ARMED!

Clearing my throat I try to keep my voice on a rather professorial level "Um, yes. Yes! I hope we work well together too."

Smooth, real smooth Ohgi.

Like Sandpaper...

At least I'm not dead yet, here's hoping I walk away from this and not be carried off in a body bag...

"So, how did you first meet Zero anyhow?" She asks me, should I tell her the truth? Considering she has a gun and can kill me in a second if she wanted to...

Fuck it, I'm probably going to end up in an early grave anyhow, IF I get the luxury of that much at least, so might as well come clean...

"Here, In Shinjuku actually, four day's ago." Which is TECHNICALLY correct, after all I DID meet him here four day's ago. Let's just hope that she doesn't notice...

"What a coincidence. So did I. In fact that was the day I decided to go along with whatever his plan's are, and I'm sure you were glad he stepped in to aid you and your group I am sure."

SHIT! SHE KNOW'S!

It must have shown on my face, because she gave a slight, harmonious giggle (stop that!) and continued.

"Don't worry, I'm willing to serve him so long as he ensures I get rewarded for my effort's and Loyalty. And not to mention, I'm sure I'd end up dead either way even if I rejected his offer, I'm the one who gave him my Sutherland after all!"

What a Minute, she GAVE him her Sutherland.

But that mean's...

Oh.

"You've seen his face?" I whispered to her, even though there is no one around to hear us (that is conscious anyway) I still can't help but worry at the idea of someone listening in on such a large secret.

"As a matter of fact I did, but I am afraid I can't tell you, or would you rather have a task force of Wraith's hunting him down, and everyone else he has ever been in contact for just a moment with afterwards?" She tells me, and I don't try to suppress the shudder that goes down my spine and body, it's one thing to simply draw the Ire of the military. It's another to get get the OSI to consider you a target. It mean's a Death Sentence to have just ONE Wraith hunt you down and everyone who ever knew you on a personal level. But to have a whole TASK FORCE of Wraith's to hunt down just YOU and THEN focus on killing anyone who had even the BRIEFEST amount of contact with you for even a FEW SECOND'S worth of time and interaction...

...

...

...

Whoever Zero is, he has some SERIOUS BALL'S to be just revealing himself for all the world to see...

As well as that he might as well be the only one Perfect for Kallen considering what she is willing to risk...

No one's P.O.V. Ashford Academy student council room

"ACHOO! ACHOO!" Sneezed one Lelouch Lamperogue and Kallen Stradfield.

"Oh my, are you two sure you're not getting sick?" Nunnally asks the pair.

"Nope, we're fine." They say in Unison, than share a look of bewilderment at their shared speech.

"Talking in sync are we? Are you two sure you're not-" Rivalz start's saying before cutting off as seeing them emanate a death glare and deadly aura. With a Hannya Mask behind Lelouch while he radiated a dark aura that felt like a living shadow that was an extension of himself, while Kallen looked as if she was surrounded by an aura of Flame's that acted as if they were a reflection of her will.

"What were you going to say just now Rivalz?" The two of them asked in a deathly sweet and kind tone that made Rivalz regret opening his big mouth.

"Nothing, nothing at all." He barely got out in a voice just loud enough to hear...

And just like that, the visages vanished and the shared expression's of the two turned to that of shared smiles from both.

"Ah that's good." Lelouch started

"And here we thought you said something." Kallen finished.

"Does anyone else." He began

"Want to comment?" She finished.

Everyone else knew better than to tempt fate and risk such apparition's appearing again, and so kept their mouth's shut...

Suzaku's P.O.V.

Ow, my head, why does it hurt.

Letting out a groan I open my eye's and sit up, only to see Viletta and Ohgi standing over me and Euphie.

"What happened?" I ask with a slight groan as my Head feels dizzy from sitting up too fast.

"You fainted" the two said in a deadpan voice in perfect unison.

Again? Just my life...

"Great, again." I say letting out a brief sigh.

I try to get up only to feel a bit unsteady on my feet for a second, before regaining my balance.

"You sure it's alright for you to be moving so quick?" Ohgi asks. Concern evident on his face, the kind I'm sure he would have given to his student's back before during the invasion, when he was just a school teacher...

"I'm fine, honestly." I wave him off.

I hear a slight groan from beside me and we turn to see Euphie begin to open her eye's and come too.

"Suzaku? Viletta? Ohgi?" She asks looking at each of us.

Wait, how does she know Ohgi's name?

Does she remember from before?

Could it really be true...

Oh Kami, World of C. Whoever or whatever is behind all of this. Please. PLEASE! Let it be True!

"Um, how do you know my name Miss?" Ohgi say's, that's right, if it's just us two who where sent back, then Ohgi doesn't know how she knows, though to be honest I don't know HOW she knows either, from what I understand, the only Black Knight's she ever met was Lelouch and Kallen, and even if she knew his name, I don't recall them ever meeting each other face to face...

"PRINCESS! ARE YOU ALRIGHT!" Came the loud voice of one of the random royal guard's assigned to protect Euphie.

As if THEY could protect HER! If they left her a mean's of escape, then what could they do to keep her safe?

Geez, now I'm starting to sound like a Yandere guy...

Wait a second, if they see the four of us then they might think Ohgi tired to harm Euphie, or worse that he was working with ME to hurt her!

This is going to be trouble...

"Don't worry I'm okay, I just spent a little bit too much out in the sun is all!" Euphie say's in an attempt to placate the guard's, who after the death of 'Clovis' are all a bit too trigger happy to mine or Euphie's liking...

"What are you doing here Princess? Why are you here with Major Nu and these two Eleven's?" The head guard spat out the word Eleven like it was the most revolting thing he ever spoke in his life...

As much as I would have rather punched the asshole in the face, Euphie thankfully stepped in "I was merely taking a tour of the Settlement, and since I am going to be Sub-Viceroy, I felt it best to understand the situation from a more Down-To-Earth Perspective, as such I requested Private Kururgi to act as my guide, and found myself being asked by Major Nu here to listen to a report she had wished for my ear's, I had allowed Kururgi to listen to what was being said. Yet before Major Nu could begin her report, we both felt exhausted from our long day and fell unconscious. After which this very kind and pleasant Japanese man noticed our condition and offered to aid Major Nu, until shortly before your arrival where we had managed to come to." And I must say, I am rather Impressed how she managed to weave together such an excuse so well thought out, and while it doesn't really compare to what Lelouch can pull off, against these rather simple-minded idiot's who call themselves Royal Guard, it would be more than enough.

Ohgi and Nu both knew to take the hint and offered comment's to support.

"Why yes, I was unaware of how the Princess and her Escort Kururgi here had spent so much time being active today that I did not anticipate them collapsing from exhaustion, my most sincere apologies your Highness." Nu said, lying with a skill only one who had aspiration's for becoming a high class noble could have.

"I was merely walking by and saw a young man and lady appear as if they had been very busy. I had no idea she was a Princess, forgive me your highness." Ohgi said while giving a traditional formal bow one would give to royalty.

The head guard sneered at Ohgi's mannerism's and said "Do not sully a member of the royal family with your Inferior Gesture's you filthy monkey!"

Okay, now I was REALLY just tempted to just take Viletta's pistol and shoot these asshole's for their attitude!

One of the other guard's spoke up "Hey sir, Perhaps we could say that happened?" Huh? Say what happened?

The head guard sneer morphed into a sinister grin "Oh yes, we should report that two Eleven Monkey's had cornered the 3rd Princess and Major Nu and had acted like the animals they are, and how we had regrettably found both the Princess and Major Nu dead with evidence of the Eleven's having defiled their form's and were sadly found dead..."

The rest of the royal guard had shared look's of just what they had planned and meant by all of that...

...

...

...

That's it I'm killing them all, no question's about it...

But then another one had to mention something "But Sir? What about the Wraith? Won't it interfere?"

That got everyone to stand still in shock, a WRAITH! HERE?! WHERE IS IT! WHERE COULD IT BE!

Only THEN did the Wraith in question reveal itself in front of the group, it's black form being that of a humanoid form made of a torso who's four limb's had ended into fine sharp point's, with the only other defining feature was it's 'head' which was black as the rest of it's body, with only a thin sliver of red for a 'face' to which one could look at.

It's presence was made clear due to the aura it emanated, feeling as if the heat of the surrounding air was being sucked into an empty void, it felt less like it was black due to what normal light physics would say would produce black being all color's being absorbed, and more like as if any light would simply vanish upon reaching it's area, as if it was destroying light itself, save for a thin sliver of red that it had to only indicate that it was a tangible thing at all...

Now I know why Todoh-sensei and the Holy Sword's and anyone else who survived a battle with Wraith's felt as if it were like trying to fight to protect one's own soul instead of just one's own life.

It turned to the mongrels who dared called themselves Guard's and simply moved it's head as if to suggest that it would allow them to do whatever they wanted.

And they soon grinned with dark intent.

NO! I will NOT let these BASTARD'S just simply DO AWAY WITH THE ONE I LOVE!

Ohgi P.O.V.

It seems no matter what, there will always be those who think they can have the power to do whatever they wished just because someone said it was okay.

And as I saw the one's who Dared to call themselves Guard's to royalty form into a half-circle around us, looking at the Princess and Nu as if they were little more than slab's of meat, and merely passing Kururgi and I off as if we were little more than insect's, all I could feel was righteous anger at those who were arrayed against us...

Anger at the one's who called themselves royal guard, only to act as if they could just abuse and do away with a Princess and a Major in the military as they wished...

Anger at how they felt perfectly okay with assaulting a Teenage Girl and a Young Woman in such a way that they thought was perfectly normal...

But most of all I felt anger at the being that represented part of the core reason why such thing's were allowed to go on in the world...

I never saw a Wraith first hand in my life up until now, and though part of me prayed that I never would, I figured that if nothing else one would come for me eventually...

I just didn't think it would be so soon...

Perhaps it just did so because it's master felt like it, perhaps is was an attaché of someone who Colvis knew prior to his death, or perhaps whatever it might have had for a mind or in place of it was drawn to the malice and evil the men who were ready to assault us and decided to watch the 'fun' that would unfold...

If this is part of what the manifestation of true evil is like, then I would like nothing more than to see it be cut down and torn to piece's...

If only to protect the Woman who I felt an odd feeling towards and this poor girl who was being forced into a situation she should NEVER have been made to face.

I looked at the Princess, and could only see a sense of fear and worry that I couldn't help but be reminded of some of the girl's who were my student's in the early day's of the invasion and occupation, how they looked at me with such fear in their eye's at the thought of some Britannian men barging in and deciding to 'deal' with them however they saw fit...

I looked at Kururgi, and all I saw was a gaze that reflected my own, a determination to protect these two woman behind us even if we were up against Malice incarnate...

Only it seemed like we wouldn't be doing anything, because someone had decided to act on our behalf...

Faster than the eye could see, chain's appeared to wrap around the Wraith's limb's, it attempted to struggle but could not break it's restraint's.

The men noticed how the being that encouraged them being bound and all look's of what they planned on doing was replaced by a shared unanimous look of fear across their eye's...

Then we heard the rattling of Chain's, the sound's of which seemed to echo all around us and within us. As if it was less of there being any actual chain's, as much as the idea of chain's being rattled was what we heard...

One of the bastard's cried out "It's the-"

He didn't get to finished as his head was cut clean off, blood gushing from the removal of it as if there was little more than a second between it being on and off...

The rest soon followed suit, with all but two being killed off in an instant, arm's, leg's, torso's, all matter of area's were sliced and stabbed into and left to bleed from.

The last two, being the captain of the group and his second, could only watch in horror as they saw the Wraith that seemed to goad their action's suddenly fall apart into piece's, cut in such a way and so fast that all we could see was brief slashes where blade's had once been and found their mark. The Wraith dissipated into nothing, as if it was never there in the first place...

They fell to their knees, terror and fear being etched into their face's, as the looked upon the one's who would pass them judgement...

I had heard Rumor's of their action's, back during the war...

Being's of death and vengeance, of justice and fury...

Undying and unyielding to any foe, impossible to break...

Said to take on whole armies worth of Wraith's at a time, only halting for when they ran out of Wraith's to kill...

Being's that fought in such a way that one would only view it as being akin to watching two partner's for life dance...

The one's who had ensured Todoh's Miracle would not come at the death's of so many more than it already had...

But I knew that behind it all, that at least the one I knew had one thing they would do above all else to ensure.

She was the honored guardian of Kallen Kozuki-Stradfield, silent, yet devoted in her duty. Never halting in her quest to ensure that her charge would live until a point she would be able to grow in life in relative safety...

She never spoke, though Kallen took to calling her one thing above all else...

"Wayfinder..." I whispered softly, seeing her for the first time in Seven, Long Year's.

She had changed, her once majestic and shining white had turned into a dark, yet comforting and enveloping black shadow, what part's of her which had been light grey had turned into a dark and brooding grey tone. And the once gentle and shining blue light's of energy that flowed throughout her frame like blood through the human body, and her kind and caring blue visor that glowed in that same etheric light, was now red as blood and avenging rage seemed to be all her being had devoted itself to...

Suzaku P.O.V.

I was at a loss for word's.

To think he would finally show up after all these year's...

Even though his noble white was now a menacing black, his light grey's darkened into a more somber dark grey, and how his kind and welcoming blue's along his visor and line's now shone with a red akin to blood and righteous fury fueling him. I could tell it was the same being that drove this armored form, the same one who had stood watch over Lelouch always, the same old guard that even Jeremiah admitted was best suited to his prince...

"Ranger..." I spoke, the word coming to me like an old friend had finally returned after year's apart.

The two of them shifted their gaze ever so slightly. I knew what Ohgi called the female looking one, Wayfinder, a name fitting for one who was in many way's a pathfinder as Ranger was, those who sought to make new path's for other's to follow along.

The four of us knew on some level they didn't need to stay, they could have killed the last two as easily as they had the rest, but they WANTED us to look, to see them...

To know they have finally returned...

And that they mean business...

The two turned their head's down upon the hapless fool's that would now face judgment.

"You Sought to defile and impose your desire's upon those who would rather face death than suffer at your hand's..." Ranger spoke, it's voice the same as the figure from the night they approached me...

I knew it was them who came to me and told me what they wanted to say...

"You should have know your fate's were sealed the moment you walked down this path..." Wayfinder continued, her voice tinged with barely contained rage at the sight before her, in a way I guess it was to be expected, as in a sense she was like a goddess of protection of Maiden's and Pure Soul's all over, and while I could not say as such for Viletta. I knew well enough that such thing's would earn the Ire of any woman who came across such a sight...

"We have been called many title's by many people over these Seven. Long. Year's." Ranger Spoke, his voice having an almost wistful tone to it as if he was looking back on what they had been known by.

"The Ghost's of Ituskushima, The Soldier's of the forgotten..." Wayfinder started

"...The Guide's to the Fallen, The Ferrymen of the dead." Ranger finished

"Name's such as those and many more we have been known by..." She continued

"But there is but one above all other's the world will know to recognize..." He finished

"I am the Dark Ranger, for I dwell within the hidden side to this world, waiting for the time upon which I strike out against the guilty." Ranger proclaimed, as if to ensure the world witnessed the rebirth of those who had been there since the beginning...

"And I am Shadow Wayfinder, for I lurk amongst the shadow's of the world, seeking the guilty for their crime's, to strike where I am needed." Wayfinder spoke, her voice acting as if she knew it would pierce into the very fabric of the world, engraving her presence for all of time...

"As our Lighter halves strike out against those who are unjust and corrupt on behalf of the souls of the living, whom cry out for justice!" Ranger stated.

"We strike out for the soul's of the dead, who wish for Judgement for the one's guilty of their death's, yet have no power to do so. For we are the shadow's of their soul's!" Wayfinder Finished

The two then stood, drawing their blade's, a pair of Katana's for each to wield, holding one blade in a forward grip, while the other was held in a reverse grip. Looming over them as executioner's the four of us as witness to their final judgment...

"KNOW THAT THE WORLD SHALL FOREVER KNOW OF US AS TOGETHER AS 'THE SPECTER'S OF JUSTICE!'" They cried out as one, and as one they struck down their target. Acting in such perfect harmony and union, that I could not help but yearn for such unity and harmony with Euphemira in our own way...

The two sheathed their blade's, having dealt with the last to judge, now the turned their focus sole onto us.

I could feel them bore straight through me, as if their gaze was upon my very soul, a feeling I am certain the other's had felt upon them at the exact same time as I did...

"Well, hope you enjoyed the event! We'll be keeping tab's on the progress of all of you!" Ranger spoke with a much more cheery voice that was at odd's to the scene of death around him. That he himself was half the cause of in fact.

"Oh! And before we forget, here! George and Marianne wrote these! They wish you and Nelly Hug's and kisses Euphie!" Wayfinder spoke, her voice being so light and airy that it was shocking to know it came from a figure that appeared as if Death itself given Form. And threw us two letter's that Euphie and I caught with expert reflexes.

"Be seeing you! AND GOOD LUCK!" The two spoke in perfect sync as they just vanished in the blink of an eye. The only sign's of their presence being all of the Dead Bodies strewn about of our would be assailant's...

Opening our Letter's from George first, in his exact handwriting no less...

Euhpie deciding to read her's first.

"To my dearest daughter, Euphemira Li Birtannia. How I wish to hold you and your dear sister Cornelia with all my heart and tell you both that it will be okay, and that I will fix everything... But I can not do so until a point which thing's would change in the form in the event's surrounding what would have once been your Untimely Demise... But even still I would say that you are, as well as Lelouch and his Sister, as well as your own. Are among some of the best and most favored Children I have ever had the pleasure to have brought into the world... If there are any of which I would place the Empire in the hand's of, then it would be you four, Lelouch as Emperor as you and Suzaku know EXACTLY why. (We both shared a knowing look that said 'Talk Later') With Nunnally as Prime Minister, though knowing Lelouch he would happily trade places with her once he felt he had done enough (That got a few laugh's from us both.) And I would have Cornelia as the head of the Birtannian Military, for reason's that should be Obvious to all... And that you, my dear sweet Euphie, if there was anyone to help heal the divide's between the people's of the world. I could think of no other better suited to achieving such a task than you... May your life with your faithful and Loyal Knight Suzaku be one of a long and happy one, and the world you create be one for all to enjoy and share... Your-Your Loving Father, 98th Emperor of The Holy Britannian Empire, Leader of the Realm and Protector of it's People's, George Lux Britannia..." She read out loud for all to hear, as she finished, her eye's were awash with non-stop tear's that wouldn't cease to flow, I could see her shake and hiccup as the full weight of the word's she read settled into her, both in the love and trust her father had in her, as well as how he knew that we had in fact lived in another timeline and that we were both given a second chance at being together...

We didn't need to say any word's, not for now at least. Instead I opened up the letter that George had meant for me and so I read it out for all here to listen...

"To Suzaku Kururgi, in another time and place, you had face off against that which was I who had felt certain in his action's. Who felt that all the death and Pain upon the world was necessary compared to the Peace that Ragnarok was thought to be. But I know better than that visage of me, I learned from an early age of how such a Peace was one of a Stagnate World, devoid of true life and meaning. As the version of Zero had said when you and he had confronted that visage 'The march of time must go on!' and I realized how it was truly what the world was to have occur. Though I will not ask you to recall how it ended, such a future is long past you now. And you have been given a second chance at living once more. All I ask is that you do not waste such a chance, live your life with your friend's and loved one's. Or perhaps it's more so Loved One in particular (That got a large blush from me and Euphie, and after Oghi and Viletta understood the meaning, shared a knowing laugh between them both.). And may you know that Bismarck would be honored to have you take his place as Knight of One should Lelouch come to the Throne, or Perhaps I should be saying Knight of Zero... (Now Ohgi and Viletta were confused, and it was me and Euphie that shared a knowing laugh. This time bittersweet.) And may you know your Father is with us, though he had no interest to write. I do believe you know he has you on his mind and within his heart... May you spend your day's with my Daughter in Happiness and in love, although if Genbu and I hear of being made Grandfather's early, rest assured you will be BEGGING that you had simply faced that visage from your forgotten Future instead... Signed, George Lux Britannia, your future Father-In-Law."

...

...

...

I am going to take EVERY Precaution I can think of whenever Euphie and I choose to take that step, but I have NO INTEREST WHILE THE WORLD IS AT STAKE...

Loud, roaring laughter could be heard from the two adult's present with us...

"I can't say I get the whole thing, but it seems like you two at least better not piss off dear old dad!" Ohgi said in between laugh's.

"And as cute and sweet as the whole thing is, I'm sure there will be PLENTY of time for you to think about having children later!" Viletta added, her soft laughter making it even MORE embarrassing than it already was...

I looked at Euphie and we both shared a knowing smirk...

"Well, what about the two of you?" I ask them with a clever tone.

That got the two of them to stop laughing in an instant.

"What do you mean 'What about the two of you?'" Viletta questioned with an eyebrow raised...

Euhpie knew exactly what I meant and had a teeth shining grin that would do Milly Proud.

"Well, if Suzaku and I, a mere Honorary Britannian and a Princess of Britannia could get together, than the same could be said of the two of you!" She said to the shared look's of shock and embarrassment from the two of them.

Oh WHY did I not think to bring a Camera!

The two looked at each other for a long second and then turned away in an instant, red blushes BLAZING across their cheek's.

"That's- That's ridiculous! I may not hate them. But there is NO way I'd get together with a Britannain!" Ohgi exclaimed, desperate deny the subject.

"The same with me! I'm just trying to earn a title of nobility! And I would not EVEN bother being with an ELEVEN if it meant I gained such a title!" Viletta exclaimed, her face bright red and desperately trying to look at anything OTHER than Ohgi...

NOW I know why Milly love's to tease and match make people so much...

I am SO getting the other's in on this! This is just TOO good to pass up!

But we each have just Marianne's Letter to go through, oddly enough it was just one and assigned to both of us. We both share a look and agree that it is best to just get it over with...

'To Suzaku and Euphie! I know George and Genbu said that you two should wait until you are older for the idea of having kid's, but I think they are just saying that because they know I'll spoil them constantly! I would LOVE it to see what sort of babies you would have and can't wait till when you finally go ahead and do it, of course C.C. suggested that perhaps we should try to encourage you both to get started on it sooner. But then again we would have to do the same for Kallen and Lelouch! Oh and do send Lelouch and Nunnally our best regard's! And that Rai boy is rather fetching if I do say so myself! I'm sure Nunnally will have her hand's full with him for sure. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Actually do all of that and even more! Signed, Marianne Lux Britannia.' Rather than read it aloud, we felt it best to just be silently and honestly I say that was the smart choice...

Only Marianne would write in such a matter, and with such blatant name dropping to boot! And why does the name Rai sound familiar?

Oh.

OH!

Well, this is going to be something to unfold to be sure...

"Does anyone have a lighter?" Euphie say's.

Ohgi grab's his out. "Sure but why do you- Hey!" Just as Euphie grab's it from him.

Never have I seen someone flick a lighter on and have a letter burnt to unreadable ash as how I saw Euphie just do.

"Um, why did you burn it?" Viletta asks.

"It had classified Material for our Eye's only, and we had to burn it after reading." Euphie offer's, and it is Technically correct, the best kind of correct...

Good call my Princess, good call...

Ranger P.O.V.

Heh, well that was fun to watch, wouldn't you agree my love?

'Indeed my lovely Dark Ranger, it most certainly was.'

I aim to please and ensure well deserved relief, my beautiful Shadow...

'Oh stop, now your just flirting!'

If I recall YOU are the one who started it, my dear...

'Guilty as charged! So what now?'

Now, now we wait for a few more day's for the grand reveal of Zero's Black Knight's.

'OOH! I can't WAIT to see what they've got planned!'

Indeed, and while they strike out into the open, fighting the Britannian Military however they can, we will strike out against those who would claim to be monster's in the dark.

'Oh yes, I know my love! So what do you suppose we do with our most recent take down's?'

Let's have them feel the pain they've wrought onto the victim's that couldn't speak, either way I guess it's best to be on our way now then would you not agree?


A/N: Now, again, I know some people might not like how I delved into some rather touchy subject matter. But if so, then just accept that it is a thing and move on. Really if you want to get past such thing's, you need to prove that sort of stuff has no control over you. By letting yourself get set off in such a way mean's you still have a LONG way to go before you are fully recovered as can be from such a experience. I'm not trying to downplay it's importance, but part of being able to HEAL from a wound or Trauma requires that you FACE the source of it! Either way I hope you all enjoyed this chapter for what it's worth! Anyhow, till next time!