A/N: So I just updated chapter 10's A/N's as I felt the opening half was too long and I felt that it would better suited to being on my profile Bio rather than just put on a chapter. Anyone who read through it all I do hop you understand I am trying to keep my musing's and the like in check. And if nothing else I hope you understand why I feel going over such thing's was necessary, as I am sure you are all understanding now, the fact the Viletta wasn't Geassed into giving Lelouch her Knightmare mean's she won't be in a state for her and Ohgi to have connected as they did in Canon, and while I am sure some of you might feel that I could have done it with more tacit. Let it be known that I am VERY much aware of what I was doing and that I was simply doing it as a mean's to establish as solid and firm point of connection between the two of them. Not to mention that I also plan on having the whole event being referenced around the time the SAZ would be 'established' and don't worry, Lelouch know's better than to risk his Geass causing Euphie to become a 'Massacre Princess' like in Canon, in fact while sadly their will be a massacre, it will only give further reason for the Li Britannia sister's and their loyal soldier's to work alongside the Black Knight's, as for the event's of Saitama Ghetto, well... That's what this chapter is about! Anyhow, let's get on with the Story!


Code Geass: Specter of the Rebellion

Chapter 11

The clash between a Goddess of Victory and a would be Demon

Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, August 22th, 2017 a.t.b

Cornelia P.O.V.

Honestly, why must I deal with these proceeding's...

I only just stepped off the plane that was to take me and Darlton and Guliford, and at once I had to deal with one of the worthless Noble's that got in my former 'Brother's' good grace's...

Oh yes, I am aware that the Clovis that was Viceroy of this Area wasn't the same one who I had known for my life, even if I am not sure who replaced him or how, I have a good guess as to who...

They all call me the 'Goddess of Victory' for my achievement's...

A lie if there ever was one...

They claim I only have Victories abound, but they are wrong, so, so wrong...

And every time someone say's that to me, I am forced to do nothing more but put on a smile and give a sign of approval, as if there was only truth behind such word's...

I hate it. I! HATE! IT!

"Sloppy, corrupt, worthless. Get this filth out of my SIGHT!" I tell them, watching as they struggle to respond, lest they end up like the idiot who was going to list all matter of gathering's and event's...

I hide my shame behind such outward display's of anger, for it is all I can do to keep them from suspecting me...

I am certain those three are aware, if of nothing else then how I resent them. Yet they don't bother killing me because they know I would do whatever is asked of them, so long as Euphie is at the risk of an 'accident' happening to her. And they know that I know that they know...

And how I HATE them for it!

I am little more than a pawn to be used and sacrificed as they see it, and they know if I attempt to step out of line, then Euphie would be the first warning, then Darlton, and then finally Guliford...

I am not deaf to the ear's of the rank-and-file, I know what the daily gossip is among the soldier's. How they think that I am in a relationship with my Knight...

I let them think it is just that, because it mean's they are unaware of the actual thing's he and I do...

For he and I have a shared understanding, as with Darlton, when I need to speak with either of them for about plan's, I invite either one to discuss such matter's in the one place even the Wraith's minion's are set to not actually wander into so long as the individual in question has yet to be slated for elimination...

I've even heard rumor's about how apparently I am even having a three-way dalliance with my two closet adviser's, even one time there was the idea that I had wished for a three-way entanglement all at once even!

Needless to say I made sure THAT one was squashed before it could give any of us a major headache, and I might have also caused the person responsible for the rumor in the first place to be 'demoted' down to permanent Latrine Duty. Although there was nothing stopping me from doing so, so why would anyone bother?

Still it's been a long time coming. Seven Year's...

Seven...

Long...

Painful...

Exhausting...

Year's...

I still recall what Lelouch asked of me back then, when he had told me of the duty he had asked of me, both as his older sister and as a Princess of the Empire...

Seven Year's ago, the Upheaval...

"Lelouch, what exactly are you Planning!" I exclaimed to him in shock, he had just told me to have the ENTIRE Military just submit to the rule of those who just WALKED in and said they would own the whole Empire...

The fact that there were so many who had sided under the banner of this so-called 'Lord of Wraith's' had only angered me more and had me wish to see every single last one of them DEAD for their Betrayal!

Not even the Emblem of Blood was this bad, and I was but a few year's younger than Lelouch when it came to a close!

"Cornelia Li Britannia... I am ordering you to surrender so as to ensure our entire nation's military and command staff are not wiped out by the foe we face." He only used my full name when he had something Serious to tell me.

DEADLY SERIOUS...

I knew better than to interrupt him and allowed him his chance to speak.

"If we continue to fight, the entire loyalist element's of our Empire's force's will be wiped out to the last, and I KNOW that the enemy is not simply attacking in Pendragon, despite your best effort's at hiding such a fact from me. dear sister. You REALLY need to improve your Poker Face Nelly..." He spoke to me with a tone that while Mirthful, spoke as if HE was the elder and that I was the child.

"Regardless, if our Empire's loyal element's surrender, than at least enough of those still alive will be allowed a chance to live. Even if it is under the unjust rule of unjust ruler's, in fact I am very much so BETTING on that fact." And while Lelouch was known for many thing's. One thing that came to mind when he explained his plan was that he was never allowed to bet on anything, if only for one simple reason...

He ALWAYS won his bet's...

And while some, like Schenizel, always assumed he cheated in some way, they could never find any evidence of cheating or any form of foul play. Which meant only two thing's...

Either A) Lelouch Lux Britannia was very good at hiding his track's...

Or B) He was so skilled at predicting the way thing's would end up, he could EASILY figure out which way thing's would end up based on the data given and place his bet's accordingly...

Honestly the way he spoke, it seemed to be Option B more so than anything else...

It's no wonder Father and Lady Marianne seem to consider him to be the one actually next in line for the throne, hell, even SCHENIZEL is willing to concede defeat and give up his claim to the throne. freaking SCHENIZEL!

Honestly the only other person who would be foolish enough to try would be Guinevere, and even SHE would probably admit defeat as soon as she realized just WHAT she was up against in the form of Lelouch...

It made me all the more glad that I was rather simple in my ambition's are to simply wish to lead the Military and not bother with the matter's of the throne. In fact I was hoping to talk with Father about giving up my claim later on today...

Not that Mother would approve, but the way I see it she merely carried for me and Euphie as simply the consort that she was...

If there was any woman who was worthy of being called a mother than it would be Lady Marianne, kind and gentle to her children, yet strict and firm when discipline was needed. And woe unto any who would dare threaten her children...

Yet another reason I looked up to her as an Idol, not only was she a strong solider who was loyal to her people and country, and an excellent strategist, but also a kind and caring mother and wife who was more than willing to express her more feminine side...

The only thing that irked me was how often she just LOVED to play matchmaker with those around me...

Honestly, WHY does she think I should involve myself with my Knight as if we were like a Princess and Knight in some children's story!

And to think the one who STARTED this whole amount of Teasing in subtle and not-so-subtle way's was LELOUCH of all people...

...

I can't help but get ANNOYED by my younger Half-Brother for what he come's up with...

"Which I must remind you are mostly composed of people who the common folk relate to more due to their more chivalrous attitude and behavior, be it in peace time or in active warfare. When the Common Public and more virtuous inclined among the Nobility are left at such a point that they will have had enough of the unjust regime, then they will seek to engage in open rebellion, upon which those loyal to our family within the Military, led under your leadership of course. Will proceed to lead an uprising and rebellion of their own, allowing both movement's to combine their momentum, along with time and development of more advanced technologies, will ensure our regain of the Empire from these Usurper's to be FAR more effective and with a MUCH higher rate of success than what would have been achieved otherwise." He list's out in complete and immaculate detail.

...

I can't help but just LOVE my younger Half-Brother for what he come's up with...

Still that leave's me with one rather glaring question...

"And what about you? And for that matter Father, Nunnally, and Lady Marianne. I doubt Sir Gottwald can keep you safe alone, and even though I have my reservation's about your... Special Guardian. I am at least willing to concede that at least it has managed to hold it's own against these Damnable 'Wraith's' with little Effort." I tell him, and I am well aware that it's gaze is on me...

Honestly when Father and Lelouch announced that thing to be Lelouch's final Guardian above all other's. I was a bit skeptical as to it's nature and intent, given how it never spoke. It's actual goals were something I have been wary of...

"Well then sister, since you asked. We will be using this plane to fly off in the direction of Japan, yes I am aware of how there are those who plan on invading the Island nation. And YES I am aware the enemy has control of the anti-air emplacement's in at least the section of the city near us. And that is where Ranger come's in, he will ensure that our death's will end up being seen as such to those who are unaware of the actual going's on. If nothing else it will give me time to plan out some finer details as to how I am to achieve my part of the plan..." HIS part? What does he mean by HIS part?

"Oh I am sure you are wondering why I would have our death's be faked and as to why it is we will be going to a nation that will soon be invaded since Father will be unable to halt any motion's to do so. It's rather simple really, when the Japanese People find themselves being treated unjustly after being made into nothing more than Number's and their land used for nothing more than what the Empire demand's of it. When the time is right, I shall act upon the mean's to gather the disparate resistance group's under a single banner, while you and those loyal to our cause shall weaken the Empire from within, I shall lead my group of Loyal seeker's of Freedom to break the corrupt and vain ruler's of the empire from without." He clarified, and it was certainly a good strategy. And yet as he spoke, it felt less like he would be taking advantage of the would-be Rebel's (barring a few group's that would most likely be rather lacking in his grand plan's that is.) And instead actually wished to ensure their freedom and Independence after it would be stolen from them. Honestly Lelouch, you really appear to know how a situation will unfold and know how to make the most of it...

And as I saw them take off, his Guardian having just got aboard in time, and saw the plane erupt into a fireball of death as the missile struck it. I could only think about how I needed to make sure to get all of the actor's on my side ready for their eventual role's to play in the coming year's...

Present day, Viceroy Office of Area 11.

As I drifted out of my reminiscing of the role thrust upon me, I was made aware that Darlton had something to say to me.

"Yes what is it?" I asked him, wondering what sort of idiot noble had to write about this time...

"It's about your sister, Euphemira, your Highness." He informed me.

Wait- EUPHIE!

"WHAT HAPPENED! IS SHE HURT! IS SHE-" NO! CALM DOWN CORNELIA! It's probably nothing serious...

"Nothing like that, your Highness, actually, I think it's best if she told you herself." Darlton told me, composed as ever, even in the face of my outburst.

Dammit! I need to be more careful, at least it's only Darlton and Guliford who are here with me...

"Very well, allow her in. Anything else?" I tell them, doing my best to keep my voice calm and composed as I can.

"Only that she has requested two other's be with her, as they were also present during the event and can serve as witnesses that can collaborate on what she saw. One Major Viletta Nu, and a Honorary Britannain, Private Suzaku Kururgi, who is apparently the chosen Devicer for the Prime Minister's ASEEC very own 'Lancelot' Experiential Prototype 7th Generation Knightmare Frame." Guliford told me, straight and to the point as always...

Hmm, I do recall hearing about this Major Nu in a report detailing how she had responded during the reveal of this 'Zero' character, and of how she had ensured Kerwell Soresi was apprehended upon his action's that he has repetitively denied any memory of, as well as attempt by the Purist's who sought to perform a power-play and oust him from his position as leader of the Pureblood's. Over all her record is rather plain, if anything I suppose her end goal is to gain a position of nobility for her effort's...

The Honorary Britannian, Suzaku Kururgi was it? He seems to be a bit of an odd choice, the only thing's really on record was how he was the son of Japan's last Prime Minister before the war, and of how his rather impressive synchronicity rate with Schenizel's newest project effort's. The Lancelot is rather impressive, based on what detail's I have been able to access that was given to me by one Earl Asplund, who seemed all too happy to share the data he has of his 'Key Component' to his Lancelot's success.

FAR too happy for one who is a self-proclaimed Sociopath at that...

Best to see what this Kururgi has to offer, he may be of importance, he might even know the whereabouts of Lelouch and Nunnally! Perhaps even Father and Lady Marianne!

"Very well, I shall allow them in, make sure NO ONE is allowed inside or any unwanted listener's are able to gleam anything, am I understood." I order the two most loyal men in front of me, who simply nod and make sure the place is cleared of any bug's and any other listening devices, before my Sister and the two she mentioned walk in.

Nu and Kururgi give a standing Salute as expected in the presence of a Superior Officer.

"Hail! Your Highness!" The two of them say before standing attention.

"At ease, now tell me, I was told you both were present with my sister for an event recently correct? Care to explain." I tell them in what some have begun to call 'My Interrogation Voice.'

The three of them share a wince and Euphie speak's up first "Well sister, I wanted to explore the Settlement and I went to escape the assigned guard's. Only to be found by Suzaku here."

I let out a sigh, "AGAIN Euphie? You know you are not supposed to be out of the line of sight of your assigned guard." I tell her in a scolding tone, honestly the amount of time's she tries to push her luck with these thing's...

Kururgi speaks up next "My apologies, but Princess Euphemira was rather convincing and wished to take a tour of the settlement, so I had obliged. I offered her to take a look around the Settlement's various district's, and if you'll forgive me for my informality you Highness. But it seemed she had a fun time being out and about among the people..."

While I should be stern and condescending to Private Kururgi for his action's, I can't help but give a slight smile at how Euphie must have been enjoying herself, being able to not have to worry about anything, not having to be Princess Euphemeria Li Britannia, 3rd Princess of Britannia, nor as the Sub-Viceroy of Area 11. But instead being just... Well, Euphie...

I promise you this sister, I will do WHATEVER it take's to make it so that you can live a life where you don't have to adhere to any strict amount of rule's, and you can simply live and enjoy life with our family. Our ACTUAL Family...

Whatever it take's, even fighting against the Empire I swore to serve...

...

Still, protocol DEMAND'S I Discipline the Private for his action's...

"While I am aware of how Euphemira can be rather convincing, Private. Protocol DEMAND'S that you were to inform the Royal Guard of her location and not allow her to wander off without an escort." I scold him, expecting him to wither under my stern gaze.

Instead, his eye's only harden with what I can only call RIGHTEOUS Fury, the like's of which I had only seen shared by one man in my life...

My Father's own eye's, when he heard about the various comment's made about Lady Marianne when they were still present in the Imperial Palace...

"Believe me your Highness, your Sister was in FAR better safety under my escort than those so-called Royal Guard could EVER hope to be." He spoke with such fury and venom in his voice, it make's me wonder all the more why he feel's such a way...

And more Importantly why did he feel the Royal Guard that were meant to watch over Euphie should be considered as such...

If I recall, the guard still present are those of 'Clovis' own guard, at least until my own and Euphie's arrive, perhaps they can give an explanation.

"Guliford, Darlton, see if you can ensure the Royal Guard still active are to be brought here." I tell them, giving a Salute and a 'Yes, Your Highness.' they saw to calling up whatever remnant's of 'Clovis's' Royal Guard still remained...

Soon enough, the last remaining member's of his Guard came in, all Four of them...

Strange, wasn't their supposed to be more? And why do they look as if they are fearing for their lives...

"Private Suzaku! Continue your Report!" I order him, it's best to see what all of this is about.

Giving a brief nod "Of course Your Highness, I had been unaware of the Princesses True Identity when we first met, so that is why I did not inform anyone as to her whereabouts'. After an encounter with a cat-"

"Hold on, a cat?" What does he have a reason to mention a CAT of all thing's for?

His cheek's flush with embarrassment, as well as Euphie's. "Well, Sister, we happened to notice a cat nearby and I was drawn to it, I wanted to show Suzaku it and well..." Ah Euphie, lover of Animal's as much as people, you truly are too good for this world...

"Well I happened to reach out to pet it, and well, it bit me..." Suazku finished...

...

...

Not many thing's really can get me to laugh anymore, but THAT I can't help but give loud and roaring laughter towards!

A CAT! To think the one thing the Private has as an unbeatable opponent is A CAT!

After noticing the odd look's from everyone and collecting myself I tell him to continue.

After taking a few second's for his brain to process what had just occurred he said "Yes well, after that, incident had occurred. Euphemira had asked me if I could show her the way to the Shinjuku Ghetto, I had asked her for her confirmation as Royalty or not, I would consider it an odd request for a Britannian Young Lady of such an appearance as herself to wander into an area in which would make her appear to be a target for all matter of... Unpleasant activities among the less scrupulous among the Number's..."

I think I am starting to like this Suzaku Kururgi, I wonder if I should consider giving him a Promotion?

Then Euphie spoke up "Sister I am aware of the risk's that such action's would be inviting unto me, however how I am supposed to know of the Region I am meant to help Govern if I do not know of even the less fortunate of it's people live their lives..."

May you never change sister, even if other's consider you soft, I know your conviction into improving the lives of the Number's across the Empire is one backed by a strong will, you ARE my sister after all...

"And I can gather it was around THAT time you revealed yourself to stop the action's of the Purist's and the fight they had with Kerwell, correct?" I said, it WOULD explain how she stepped in so fast to halt it, not to mention how Kururgi was so quick to respond with the Lancelot so fast...

The two of them nodded "Yes, Your Highness, after which Major Nu came to us to discuss a matter of 'Upmost Importance' as she had put it and how it had information pertaining to the identity of Zero." Suzaku finished...

Well now... I wonder what Major Nu has to comment...

Shifting my focus to her, I ask her "And What exactly did you inform them Major? Answer it correctly, and I might give you a good word to see you possibly getting a Title, how does 'Baroness' sound?"

She straightens up, and appears to share a look with Euphie and Suzaku, as if she is asking for their Permission to tell me...

Now I am REALLY Curious as to who this 'Zero' figure is. Given how even my own Sister has kept it secret from me...

Appearing to be given a slight tilt of the head as an approval. The Major asks "Can I confirm that absolutely no one will hear of this, nor that anyone here will speak of it to anyone not trustworthy."

And I know she's only talking to Me, Darlton, and Guliford here, the four Guard are just here to be made an 'example' of if needed.

I am about to mention for my men to handle the issue when Euphie speaks up.

"Sister, I would like for these four to remain here, if only held under Restraint by Darlton and Guliford that is." Well I guess it will be of some use to make sure they don't make a break for it.

The four Guard's seem to share a look as if they are planning on doing just that, but Father made a wise choice in having Darlton as my aid and Guliford as my Knight, and the four Royal Guard soon give up any attempt of escape.

Seeing how all of this is, Major Nu give's me a Smirk and say's "While I do admit the offer of Baroness is Tempting, I do believe your Brother make's a MUCH more Tempting offer, if to say nothing less of his Performance recently..." My Brother? I doubt she was talking about Clovis, otherwise we Wouldn't be here right now...

Odysseus? No, he doesn't have the Political clout to arrange such thing's as an award.

Schenizel? No, he isn't one for Dramatics, much less to act as Zero.

Pollux and Castor? No, they would be more than happy screwing around with all matter of Women they come across than do anything like this.

Wait...

There is ONE Brother of mine who I can think of that would pull something like this off...

Euphie can tell the look on my face and say's "I know what you're thinking Nelly. But could you hold off on killing the four tag-along's until AFTER we are finished?"

THAT made my eye's widen in surprise, I would think she would rather have them NOT be killed, instead having them be sworn to secrecy after this is over...

Major Nu then goes on "Yes he did reveal himself to me, and from what I can understand, he has quite the network being formed, if not already in place. Of course after I informed your Sister and Kururgi, the two of them fainted from the realization, thankfully they were able to recover, and I was about to help them with the aid of an Eleven who happened to be nearby."

Well I can see how such a revelation could cause Euphie to faint, if only due to the idea of Lelouch being ALIVE if nothing else, and knowing him, Nunnally is alive as well...

"The man's name is Kaname Ohgi, and he could be considered something of a contact between us and Zero, your Highness. And we where about to go on our separate way's, until a number of the men of the Royal Guard showed up..." Nu Finished.

The four remaining member's of the Guard soon all shared a look of panic on their face's. As if they were afraid that a massive secret would get out...

"Th-They cornered us, and talked about how they were going to say th-they were going to k-kill Mr. Ohgi and Suzaku, and how they were going to say that Major Nu and I were... That we were..." Euphie start's saying before she break's down in tear's holding onto Suzaku with dear life, all the while he glare's at the rest of the remaining Guard with such fury one would think he was trying to set them on fire with his mind...

...

...

...

THOSE ANIMAL'S! AND THEY DARE CLAIM THAT THE NUMBER'S ARE LITTLE MORE THAN MONKEY'S!

Guliford realizes it the same time I do, and throw's the two men he has held in arm-lock against the wall's while screaming "HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELVES BRITANNIAN'S! MUCH LESS TO BE CONSIDERED MEMBER'S OF THE ROYAL GUARD!"

Oh Guliford, sometimes I can't help but think how impressive you are, the way you act so noble and just in dealing with these filth and how you look to be so strong and capable to hold them aloft as so...

Wait...

Why do I feel so warm?

And why do I feel a certain tingle from my core...

Wait!

Am I?

AM I BEING TURNED ON BY GULIFORD?!

"Were you aware of what your fellow Guard where planning? ANSWER ME YOU IDIOT'S!" Darlton exclaims in questioning anger...

Ah Darlton, you prove most helpful in keeping such thing's that should not be surfacing from me in check.

Such as our wish to jump Guliford's bone's you mean?

AH! STOP THAT! MY SISTER WAS ALMOST FORCED ON BY SUCH SAVAGE'S! FOCUS CORNELIA!

"We-we Knew, we gave them the idea's on how it could be explained away in the first place!" One of the mongrel's said between his teeth, as if he would be spared punishment...

"Is this something new? Or has it been going on for a while now?" I question the man, looking at him with a fury that only few see upon them and live...

The man quickly break's and tells us about how it has actually been going on in some form or fashion for a while now, and of how no one ever questioned them because they were the Royal Guard to 'Clovis' and how it was always the blame of 'Filthy Eleven's' that were the root cause, if it wasn't being done of such women themselves, then it would simply that they were 'Just Number's' and not even 'Clovis' would bat an eye at what had occurred...

Now I REALLY wanted to kill these dog's for what they were...

Suzaku spoke up "Can I be involved? I didn't get my chance to last time!" Honestly I am too enraged to even say anything else other than to agree.

Soon enough we have the four coward's be bound by the hand's and Knee's, lined up on a clean enough wall that would not leave any much of an unsightly mess...

Darlton and Guliford had their Pistol's raised, and I gave Suzaku my spare sidearm as I leveled my own on our target's...

The four guilty cried out in a high pitched squeal of pain as they soon found themselves being lacking one Particular member of their bodies...

It was Suzaku's idea to aim there, as it would be the most poetic place to have them be tried for, and he was so right about that...

"Just for that I am promoting you to Warrent Officer, Kururgi." I told him...

"Thank you Your Highness, now let's finish these scum off shall we?" Suzaku said as he readied for the killing blow.

"I recall hearing about how the Japanese have particular Deity of death for those of crime's such as these. What is it called again? Shin-Something" Guliford say's, as if we were talking about some random trivia rather than sending some vile pig's to their grave's.

"Shinigami, Sir Guliford, although I do believe these four will find themselves wishing they were to face such a being for Judgment, if the way companion's met their end was anything to go by." Suzaku said.

Okay it's official, I approve of having Suzaku Kurugi to be Euphie's Knight if she want's him to be...

"You said you didn't get the chance 'the last time' care to elaborate?" Darlton asks, and it is a good question.

"Let's deal with these four first. Then we'll talk about what happened to the other one's, although I think you will be pleasantly surprised." Suzaku finishes.

Now I'm thinking about just telling Euphie to just take Suzaku as her Knight already...

We figure it took long enough to finish off our guilty target's, and at once fired a bullet into each one's skull.

"If anyone asks, these four were Traitor's responsible for giving the mean's for Zero to kill the Prior Viceroy." I tell them all, making sure everyone knew to keep it secret if needed.

"Actually Your Highness, I've heard from some of the other Soldier's that the action's of these men is a well known fact around the whole settlement's Military. The only reason why no one spoke up, was because it would appear as if they would be opposing the will of the former Viceroy himself. So rest assured no one will question you, I and many of the of the other women in the military here thank you Your Highness." Nu spoke up, a look of satisfaction on her face at seeing such vile men being brought down like the dog's they are...

"I'll see to appointing you a promotion for your effort's, and perhaps I might even get you a minor title of Nobility, but don't get your hopes up Major, at the very least expect me to request any report's you have in regard's to Zero." I tell her with a Smile on my face...

After making sure there was no blood on my outfit I asked. "Now, Warrant Officer Kururgi, I would like an answer to the question General Darlton asked just second's ago."

He look's at me with a smile and eye's filled with hope "I saw them Your Highness. I saw Lelouch, and Ranger..."

WHAT! So the legend's after Itsukushima were true after all!

"Not at the same time however, although knowing Lelouch I am sure he believes that Ranger is still active, however I saw another figure besides Ranger, one with a More Feminine appearance to Ranger's own. And even if he took on a darker color shift, he's still the same as ever, although I'm sure you'll be surprised to know they CAN talk. Believe it or not!" And that IS a surprise, though I suppose having kept silent would ensure Ranger would have been more intimidating if nothing else.

"I'll have you know I was PLENTY able to talk back in the Pendragon, I just simply choose not to speak, Nelly..." Was a voice that I didn't know but felt as if I should.

Turning around to see an armored figure that was the same as Lelouch's old Guardian, only with Red's instead of Blue's, Black's replacing white's, and Dark Grey where was once Light Grey.

And seeing him be right next to Euphie, who soon turned to look at what we were seeing and let out an 'EEP!' At the sudden figure before her.

"Ranger? Is that you?" I ask, even if he look's the same it doesn't mean he is the same.

He let's out a light laugh, ringing out as if it's source was from something hollow and said in a similar sounding voice "Yeah, it's me Nelly. Though these day's, I go by Dark Ranger as to why. Do I need a real reason to?"

Guliford tense's up and asks "Why are you here?"

Ranger- No, DARK Ranger turn's His head to face face and say's "GULIFORD! Good to see you, you and Nelly haven't bothered solidifying your relationship yet still? Honestly what's keeping you two? Is it work? Or are you two just scared to go through with what everyone can already see?"

YEP It's DEFIANTLY Ranger, annoying tease and all, honestly I wish he just didn't speak at all now...

"As for why I'm here, well I figured it'd be best to get the soul's of those idiot's you just killed collected so they can spend the rest of their time with their colleague's." Dark Ranger spoke.

"Oh by the way, if you want to get a chance to talk to Lulu, then Might I recommend saying you 'clear out' Saitama Ghetto. If nothing else, It'll give him something to do, and you all know how he get's once he's bored right?" Hmm. I was thinking about going there to act as a trap, only now it will be a 'Trap' instead, and it would be good to talk to Lelouch again.

"We'll keep that in mind, should I mention that you came here and talked to us?" I tell him, unsure if I should say anything about all of this.

"Honestly, I don't think you should, if only because he already knows to a degree, and to give him a challenge. I mean really, do you have any idea how BORING it can be when all you can do is just play against Noble's who don't give ANYTHING worth of a challenge at chess, aside from having to get ready to plan a rebellion that is. Trust me when I say he'll be glad to have something to keep him occupied." And he is right about how Lelouch can be a problem when he get's bored, I recall how one time when he wound up having the whole throne room set to rain confetti all over the throne whenever Father and ONLY Father would sit down on it...

While it was all good laugh's for the two of them, everyone else was worried how easy it was for Lelouch to pull that off, and the reason he gave as to why he did such a thing...

He was bored...

Honestly, Lelouch, you never cease to amaze those around you, well it will be good to see you again little brother...

Lelouch P.O.V

It will be good to see you soon. Big Sister, it will be good to see you soon indeed...

Hope you enjoy this little clash of mine with these random assortment of forces I have, of course I don't doubt that your Well-trained and well equipped soldier's will easily take care of the like's of the random assortment of punk's and vagabond's of the Blood of the Samurai...

Honestly, as much as I feel for those who I happen to share connection's and ties to. I can't say I can feel anything to what amount's to mere Thug's who have no real sense of discipline...

At least the Kozuki group have some amount of standard's to who they have join, and have people I actually care about...

Oh yes, while I do care in general for all those who live and suffer, I do have limit's to what can be considered my ability to reach out and link to other's.

Some people, like Suzaku, are easy to have my Geass reach to and require no real effort or strain on my part...

But other's, like the Captain of the 'Reflection Clovis's' Royal Guard take far more effort and strain for my Geass to work it's way to achieve it's effect...

Speaking of his Royal Guard...

HOW DARE THEY THREATEN TO ASSAULT MY SISTER!

Ohgi made sure to inform me of how he wound up meeting Viletta Nu as well as Suzaku and Euphie after the whole 'Fight' that Kerwell and the Purist's had...

And Mentioned how in particular how some of the last part's of that FAKE'S Royal Guard wound up encountering the four of them and of what it was they were implying to do after they managed to kill off Suzaku and himself...

Needless to say the anger I showed was WELL JUSTIFIED! Not simply due to having close ties to Suzaku and Euphie, but also in such a way that any well serving and Decent Man of any kind would feel!

I can still recall how it all went too...

"THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO WHAT!" I Screamed out in anger and Rage, the only way people would have known I was mad was due to my body Language and the sound and tone of my voice.

"Just what I said, that they would kill me and Kururgi, and that they would, well... You know..." Ohgi said in a meek voice, more so due to what he recalled going on than anything else.

The other's where stunned at what was being said, even Tamaki, who was rather vocal in his dislike towards Britannians, was left speechless at what he heard...

I was shuddering and heaving in anger. And I growled out with rage in my voice "PLEASE Tell me you made them suffer for their arrogance!"

"Actually no, sadly I couldn't, if only because they had a Wraith with them..."

That made everyone stop and go silent, even as Angry as I was it made me stop...

"How exactly are you still alive then? Wraith's from my experience make sure to leave ZERO Survivor's." I told him in a somewhat composed tone, anger still leaking into my word's and voice.

"Yeah well, you wouldn't believe what happened!"

"I have seen MANY thing's, Kaname Ohgi, do not be so quick to think I would not believe you." I told him, if I was right, then I'm going to have quite the interesting experience to deal with...

"They came in so fast, you couldn't even so much as BLINK before the guard's were cut down, they revealed themselves after cutting down the wraith, and they called themselves 'Specter's of Justice' and claimed to act on behalf of the 'dead and forgotten soul's' of those who longer alive. As for their Name's, well. They called themselves Dark Ranger and Shadow Wayfinder..."

I knew it...

I KNEW it...

I figured he was still around, even if he changed his name and color's, I knew he was alive...

And I wasn't at all shocked at the idea of him having a feminine counterpart, it only made sense to me...

And I had to admit, hearing the bit about the letter's left me, well it left me a bit quiet to say the least...

I figured that Mother and Father were alive, I KNEW they would be alive considering the plan's we had in place for remaining hidden, to know Genbu was alive as well also helped boost morale among the rest of the group, however I told Oghi to just say who sent the letter's and not exactly WHAT the letter's said. As since they were meant for Suzaku and Euphie, having the rest of us hear what the letter's contained would be akin to a breach in Privacy, and he agreed if only because he felt it was also a bit needless to say what was contained as it was rather personal, and considering the look's on Suzaku's and Euphie's face's upon reading Mother's letter and how they felt best to burn them. I can image that HER letter at least was not one meant for anyone else to know about...

'Classified Information' my ASS!

Still knowing Mother, it might be best that the two of them didn't read it aloud, if only because it would be MORTIFYING for them to have anyone else know...

I'm sure C.C. knows what Mother wrote, but I won't bother asking. It would be rude to my sister and future Brother-In-Law...

Although I have no doubt's Father and Genbu made sure to inform Suzaku to NOT have them become early Grandfather's, and that Mother would have most likely tried to encourage them in some degree to not be so hesitant...

Note to self, ensure Mother and C.C. do not attempt such thing's on the two of them, and for that matter be mindful for myself as well...

Now that I think about it, might also be best to watch out on behalf of Nunnally as well, knowing Mother she already knows about Rai...

Contrary to what most would assume of me, regardless of wither I am going by Lelouch Lamperouge, Lelouch Lux Britannia, or even in my old life even! I am in fact NOT dense on matter's of the heart...

I was aware of how Nunnally was giving glance's to Rai every so often in class lately, as well as being aware of the interaction's between Sayako and Jeremiah having a slight undertone of attraction, even if it was more of a sub-conscious matter than either of them were aware of...

Indeed I even was aware of the interaction's between Rivalz and Milly becoming far more than a simple one-sided crush on Rivalz's end...

The point being I was quite aware of how people acted with each other in regard's to romance, having seen the various interaction's between lover's for a whole lifetime's worth and then some!

Of course I was also VERY much aware of my own amount of CONSTANT attraction from MUCH of the Female Student body at Ashford Academy...

Honestly I don't see any good in involving myself in romance, if only for a rather simple amount of reason's...

It was the fact that even though I am an exiled Prince, a Prince I still am. And most of those who displayed a Romantic Interest would either be scared off by the fact that I was Royalty, or that they would feel I was out of their league...

It was the fact that I am Zero, and that knowing it would make them be scared of being involved with someone who could be the greatest threat to Britannia since Napoleon, and I could not afford such a risk of a reveal...

But above all else, I was terrified of if they someone managed to get past ALL of the Mask's I wore to the world and saw the side of me that NO ONE has ever seen. Not Father, not Mother, not even Nunnally...

THAT side of me, was something that those who saw it would make them feel as if I was unworthy of them...

To know that the Mysterious and Impressive Lelouch, be he called Lamperouge, Lux Britannia, or as Zero...

Was nothing more than a role played by one who had seen how such event's play out in a work of Fiction,,,

If it wasn't the Earth Shattering Revelation that the Live's they had lived had been view in another time and place and world as being fictional stories for the entertainment of people who thought they were just that. As well as make the incorrect assumption that they were not real and therefore the Live's they had did not matter...

Then they would reject me as the would see everything about me, EVERYTHING THAT I AM! As being just another LIE that I tell them all just to make them feel BETTER!

They don't even have the mean's to BEGIN to understand even the most BASIC element's of the thing's I am aware of. Of the thing's that I KNOW!

This world is as real as any world which view's it as nothing more than a work of Fiction. It's only the lens upon which we see the world which change's based on what we see unfold around us...

If we see thing's in a matter that has a physical impact on us and our surrounding's, as much as a emotional and intellectual one, then it is considered physical, even if we are not the one's actively observing it. Then it is considered REAL.

But when we perceive thing's in a way that appears to have ONLY a emotional and Intellectual impact that has NO impact on our surrounding's and is confined to just our mental processes, then it is considered FICTION.

But what about thing's like quantum physics? You may ask. What about the thing's we CAN'T see or perceive with our own sense's? What about all of THAT you might ask...

It's thing's like THAT which lead's me to the explanation that I had come to so long ago in my old life, before my time as Lelouch...

The way I see it, every single work of fiction, be it the tale's of Gilgamesh, the work's of the Iliad and The Odyssey, the classic's of the ancient world...

To epic's and legend's of King Arthur, Beowulf, and the work's of Shakespeare. Tale's that are well known by many a scholar the world over even in this day and age...

To even the work's and musing's of the Modern Age, be they Physical or Digital, on screen's or in pages, interactive experience or merely a story unfolding before your eye's...

While many would be willing to simply brush them off as just 'Tale's that amuse and tickle the fancy of those who are bored and have nothing else to do' I see them differently, in a way most would find a bit hard to grasp, if not in concept then in exact proof of evidence...

I see such work's, as being more akin to looking glasses into the world's that they showcase, and way's for the mind to perceive and rationalize that which unfold...

For instance, if I were to come up to a random Britannian and told them of a world were Washington's Rebellion succeed, and that the nation that came to exist was one in which could Rival, if not exceed even, the power of Britannia. They would either think of me as mad, or simply someone who is a fool for thinking that Washington could have ACTUALLY won against the Empire and that Franklin would have refused the offer of Nobility given to him...

Just as how if were in that other world, and I told them that there was a world in which Julius Ceaser did not conquer the British Isle's upon his arrival of them and that said world contained the like's of Geass, Sakuradite, and Knightmare's. They would think I was watching too much Anime or some such and that I should realize they can't POSSIBLY be real...

Funny isn't it, that when it I finally would leave behind the world and life I lived in, a world that so many would think of to be the only thing that was 'Real'. I would end up in a world and setting that was considered 'Fiction' to all of them, and how in this world I am born into, the people around me consider it to be the only 'Real' World and that any other world was 'Fictional' by comparison...

Honestly though, now is not the time to think on such grand thing's. The time for such thing's can be done once this world if Safe and Free from those who would seek to ruin it all! For now. I have a fight to engage in, and perhaps I might just in fact win, though I wouldn't get my hope's up...

Hope you ready Nelly. Cause I sure am...

Guliford P.O.V.

I must admit, Prince Lelouch has managed to do rather well considering the matter of force's he has arranged against him...

Though the Blood of the Samurai is NOTHING compared to the forces he led back in Shinjuku, that much is clear.

At least the force's he lead while engaging Clovis La Britannia had some level of composure, and could actually be counted on to follow his order's even with the odd's to heavily stacked against them...

But the Blood of the Samurai, they are the exact opposite of such a group...

Honestly, it's a shame the Prince had not felt it necessary to at least have SOME of those from the First cell he commanded be present, at least THEY would actually put up a decent fight...

The Princess and I had recalled about how with regard's to the A.A.R's from the Skirmish at Shinjuku of how even Prior to the Terrorist's gaining a train filled with Sutherland's and Proper Military grade weaponry. That they had been doing surprisingly well with just a Pilot in a rather damaged and worn out Glasgow that really looked as if it should've been sent to the scrapyard by now...

Honestly I figured if that Pilot had been in a Knightmare of decent quality and standard of function, they might have been able to be quite the force to deal with. I would even go so far as to say they might even be able to compare with the Knight's of the Round even!

Which is most certainly saying something considering how the current Knight's are...

Princess Cornelia and I were thankful that at least Nonette Enneagram was spared of a potential execution, although in truth aside from the disappearance of Sir Bismarck Waldstien and Lucario Bradley taking his place, it seemed as if none of the other Knight's of the Round had been removed and/or dealt with by any matter...

Apparently it was due to practicality reason's rather than anything grander. As the skill's shown by the Knight's of the Round are those of which are hard to come by in the best case scenario's... So rather than just kill them all off and deal with empty void's left in their place, the new regime felt it better off to just leave them aware of what would happen should they disappoint their new overlord's...

Even still, it was rather Impressive how Suzaku Kururgi managed to prove himself during Shinjuku, truth be told it appeared as if he could easily be made a Knight of the Round if the offer was granted to him, however considering the fact of how it is with that Damnable 'Lord of Wraith's' effectively keeping them them on a VERY short and tight leash, it was decided that it would be FAR better for him to not be brought up to such a status where he would easily be made a target for elimination...

It was quite the shock while we reviewed the Footage of the battle with the Lancelot active and on the field, when all of a sudden the Sutherland that was confirmed by Viletta Nu herself to be the one she gave to Prince Lelouch came to fight head on with Suzaku and how as he stated to them with a flat face to us that. No, he was in fact NOT Joking when he said that it was Lelouch who was the Pilot of the Frame in question...

If only due to the fact that Prince Lelouch was toying with the Lancelot, as if there was NO effort being spent on fighting it whatsoever...

Or rather ZERO Effort I suggested, the Princesses and Darlton got a laugh out of that, while Suzaku questioned me if I in fact had a sense of humor...

Regardless of that fact, I could the the Prince was very much so skilled, though we all agreed it was best that Earl Asplund was not made aware that the person who had so easily beaten His Lancelot and Devicer had in fact been Prince Lelouch...

If only because doing so would mean either a number of outcome's that the Prince would VERY much so disapprove of...

Loyd Asplund would either...

A) Attempt to do all matter of test's and invasive surgeries on the Prince in an attempt to discover some hidden part in his body that enable him to act in such a way...

B) Keep the Prince held captive and have him be his eternal Test Subject, or until he finally got to a point he could no longer get anything else from him and THEN Dissect him...

Or C) Attempt to obtain a sample of his DNA in an attempt to create a matter of genetically engineered and designed Super-Devicer that he would keep for personal reason's...

Admittedly the last one was more so of Suzaku's thinking, and Darlton and I felt it a bit ridiculous. But he simply told us that we would understand his reasoning once we got to know the Earl a fair bit more and that was by far the most tame of idea's he could come up with with regard's to the Earl's action's. Princess Euphemira however appeared to agree with him wholeheartedly and when asked, she said she happened to have a chance encounter with the Earl as he was getting the Lancelot ready for Deployment, and that a number of thing's the man did were, unsettling to put it mildly...

Does he REALLY consider the Devicer of a Knightmare to be just another part of the machine? And what sort of a man would not even bother with an EJECTION SEAT of all thing's!

If it wasn't the fact he was such a genius AND an Earl, I wonder if he would be allowed anywhere NEAR a Knightmare Frame...

Still, one must admit he manages to get result's, and that assistant of his Cecile Croomy is a rather good measure of trying to restrain his more ambitious tendency's...

One thing is agreed about her though, is that she has NO Culinary sense whatsoever, but I suppose such thing's are the price's to pay for such Genius...

At least for most people, anyhow.

Truth be told though, I wonder where Prince Lelouch get's his skill's as a Pilot from? It would be easy to assume it would be from his mother, as Empress Marianne was among the Knight's of the Round before she was Empress, and indeed it would be rather plausible that a fair amount of his natural aptitude could be passed down to him from her. But even among the Empire, eugenics has never really been a concept widely accepted as being a scientifically plausible, even Asplund agrees that it is a false concept made by those who have no real understanding of how Genetics work and he's a Robotics' Engineer not a Geneticist!

And while whatever fighting George Lux Britannia had done was mostly in the age before Knightmare's, he never really seemed all that interested in actually piloting such a machine himself, having been said to 'not really adapt' to the matter's of which such a machine worked. And oddity in and of itself, considering how much of Britannia worked upon the concept of 'Survival of the Fittest' even if Emperor George wished to have it be done more in a matter of having Britannia be the ideal for the world strive towards rather than 'all the world is ours now' like the current Regime has it set upon being...

Matter of where the Prince got his skill's as a Pilot aside, what is he going to do just now?

"Princess! One of our Knight's said he found himself wandering across the battlefield outside of his Frame, he said he has no idea where he left it or why." One of the com's officer's exclaims to Princess Cornelia.

Ah, trying to use a frame so as to slip past the outer guard to get close to the command center. Rather clever Young Prince...

It seems Princess Cornelia came to the same conclusion as I did as she ordered all Knightmare's to return for inspection. It all seemed to be going rather smooth and easy until...

"Princess! One of the Knight's appeared to has lost control of their frame, it's GOING TO CRASH INTO US!" One of the soldier's shout's.

WHAT ON EARTH IS HE THINKING! CAN HE BE ANY MORE OBVIOUS!

Unfortunately there is no time to have any of the other's act to intercept, however it is just enough for the whole command staff to evacuate the bridge.

I try to suggest for the Princess to move and just get out, yet she simply stay's put and order's me and Darlton do do the same...

While I am not one do disobey my Princess, I am left to question if what she is doing is a wise move, either she is being rather reckless, or...

She has far more Trust in Prince Lelouch than most would give credit for...

It's about to crash in, and it seems like as if death might be all but certain...

I think about everything that lead me to where I am currently, of how I stood by my Princess's side the whole time since the Upheaval...

How every time I was asked to accompany her to her room, just to see her cry out her tear's as she said of how she hate's the title's she has been given...

Witch of Britannia...

Dog of Britannia (a fair amount of resentment for that one)...

And the one she hated and despised the most...

Goddess of Victory...

And I knew why she hated that one above all the other's too, because she never felt as if she had ever won a single battle, even when by all account's she did...

And that no matter how many praises she was given, no how many award's she was received for a successful campaign...

It didn't change how she felt since that day, how she had lost the one battle that was most important to her...

How she lost the one's she had considered to be truly family...

I know how she dislike's her own mother, who was simply interested in having her and Euphemira just solely as proof of evidence of having slept with the Emperor and that she was good enough to have two daughter's, it didn't matter that said daughter's might as well been nothing to her...

It didn't matter that she never came to when her eldest graduated among the top of her class at the military academy she studied in for year's...

It didn't matter that she never really bothered to wish either of her Daughter's 'Happy Birthday' whenever the day's would come up, only being there to socialize with other nobles who could care less about the one's the event's were being thrown for...

It wouldn't even matter if one or both of them would DIE, she would simply just shrug, say something like 'They were weak, such is the fate of all who are like they were.' and just move on without a thought...

The only one's who cared for either of the Li Britannia Sister's and who considered them as family were, oddly enough, a Commoner for an Empress, her two children, who themselves were often the subject of ridicule and scorn among the nobility for being the children of 'a worthless whore' and 'pathetic commoner' among many other such claim's against her offspring, and the Father the four children all shared, who often was too busy to be involved with them, much less any of the mother's who birthed them...

And in a way, they became a sort of family to me as well...

Though I never had to deal with my own Parent's disregarding me, much less any sibling of mine to feel as if I was any lesser, I always felt as if I was only being compared to my Father's action's, rather than my own.

'Oh did you hear about the Young Guliford? Wonder if he'll end up like his father?'

'Guliford? The one who actually served? Or the boy who has done nothing of worth?'

'HA! As if THAT boy could do anything more than be the mere servant to a girl who isn't even regarded as much by the majority of the Imperial Family as being little more than a hound to be set on it's enemies and nothing more!'

My Father was a commanding officer who served under George Lux Britannia during the Emblem of Blood...

In fact Darlton himself was part of the same Unit as my father's...

I was always told of how the battles they fought...

How the battle's were so fierce, it was amazing how they managed to survive...

How every defeat felt as if they were being ripped apart...

And how each with victory, they felt as if they were one step closer to a better future...

For the longest time I have resented such thing's, feeling that I would never escape the shadow of my own Father's effort's...

Yet, there was one day which changed all of that, and it was a time when I had spoken to Prince Lelouch in fact...

I was at the Ares Villia, I was only just recently made the Knight of Honor to Cornelia Li Britannia, having been here as part of a social event in the honor of Marianne being crowned Empress. And already the insult's began to come about more and more from the Upper Nobility...

'Pathetic boy, just barely out of his teen's and already made a knight? What is the Emperor thinking?'

'As if the one he was Knighted too is any better, it's as if she only just want's to be playing soldier and nothing else!'

'Those two are made for each other, in that they are both Failure's!'

I couldn't take it anymore, the insult's were just getting to be too much!

Why? Why me?

Why did the Emperor think it was such a good idea to have me be made a Knight?

Why did he not pick someone more skilled? Or More experienced?

WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE ME!

And then I heard crying...

I looked to see where it was coming from, and who would be crying?

I checked all over till I finally saw them...

"It's okay Nelly, it'll be okay. We promise!" I heard a young boy's voice speak.

"Prince Lelouch? Princess Nunnally? Princess Cornelia? Princess Euphemira?" I asked aloud, shocked at seeing all of them in the same place.

Young Nunnally was holding onto Princess Euphemira, both of whom were crying their eye's out, while Lelouch was sitting next to Cornelia, who's tear's had stained the makeup she wore on her face...

"Oh! Nelly! Your Knight's here!" Lelouch spoke, a smile on his face at seeing me.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" I yelled out to him in anger.

I soon realized how I just yelled at a Prince, the son of the now current Empress in fact...

I made to apologize, only to be stopped by the young Prince holding up his hand...

"What's wrong, Sir Guliford?" He spoke as if I had done nothing wrong at all!

"What's wrong? I just lashed out at you Your Highness, such an action is unbecoming for someone like myself. So why are you not upset?" I ask him in disbelief, unsure as to why he just passed it off as if it was simply an argument between to Sibling's!

"Don't worry about that Sir Guliford. It's nothing new to me, so I'm used to it." He spoke as if it was nothing new to him, as if he had always had to deal with this on some level...

Why would a Prince of the Britannian Empire say such a thing?! He is Royalty! The highest rank one can be save for the throne! Why would HE be used to people YELLING at him and saying ALL matter of thing's!

"Forgive me my Prince, but why would you say such thing's, does your status as son of the Empress and Emperor mean nothing?" I ask.

Prince Lelouch simply look's at me with a hardened look in his eye's "It's BECAUSE I am the son of Empress Marianne that I am treated this way."

"Forgive me, I am afraid I don't understand." And I didn't, surely the one consort of the current Emperor to be crowed as his Empress meant that her children would not suffer at the hand's of other Nobles did it not?

"Oh, well if you must know, the Nobility dislike the mere EXISTENCE of myself and my Sister due to how our Mother is but a commoner, who only was granted the position of consort to our Father due to being the Knight of Six. If they could have had it there way our Mother would have been dead before she even caught our Father's attention." He spoke with such a saddened tone. And while it was rather well known that the Empress was a former Knight of the Round, to know that she was a COMMONER of all thing's was something I was not exactly aware of at the time...

Princess Nunnally turned her gaze at me and with fresh tear's flowing in her eye's still said "Now that you know why, are you going to treat us the same as the rest of them do? Are you going to hate us too, Sir Guliford?"

"No, because I know how it feel's to be held up against your own family and be considered lacking as well." I told them, how could I lie to those who knew what it felt like to be treated in such a way?

"I'll ask you again, Sir Guliford, what's wrong?" Lelouch say's yet again, still holding on to Princess Cornelia in a comforting gesture.

Should I tell them? But what if they disapprove of me for it? What would the Princess think of me? Would she have my Knighthood renounced?

No, I'll tell them the truth, they were willing to tell me that much, I must do the same.

"I overheard a number of the Noble's making comment's with regard's to myself and Princess Cornelia, and I can not help but feel... Lacking in my abilities..." I told them, hopefully it wouldn't give to much away of my-

"You feel that it would be better to kill yourself, to commit suicide. That it would mean you would no longer have to burden my sister with yourself, whom you feel to be an inferior choice as a Knight compared to other, more obvious candidates..." He spoke with such a Piercing gaze, at it felt as if he could see right though me.

DAMMIT! HOW DID HE KNOW! HOW COULD HE HAVE FOUND OUT!

"Guliford." He said, in such a tone of voice that I felt I was compelled to listen to him.

"I know how you feel, because well... Nelly here told me how she felt the same's thing's you do, and how she also feel's lacking compared to other's, and how you would be better suited to have someone more worthwhile to be a Knight to..." He told me in no uncertain term's as if he was talking to someone he had known his whole life, rather than simply just a Mature Teenager who happened to be handled the role of protecting a Member of the Imperial Family.

"As for Euphie, well she was upset at what Nelly said, and she and Nunna just held onto each other in hopes of comforting one another with such a realization." He continued, a sad smile on his face as he looked at his Sister and Half-Sister...

"Forgive me my Prince, but I-"

"Lelouch."

"Huh?"

"Enough with the titles, just call me Lelouch, okay Guliford?" He spoke with such a look in his eye's that meant there would be no argument, one not to dissimilar from the like's of his Father's or Mother's own...

"Very well, Lelouch. I don't believe I am the sort of person you should be talking to about such matter's." I told him, honestly what good would it be to talk with me, I am just the son of an accomplished soldier, nothing more and nothing less...

"On the contrary, Guliford, you are the exact sort of person I feel best to be talking about this with."

He continued "I looked up your families service record, I wished to know more about the sort of person who would be looking after my favorite Older Sister, and I must say, your Father's career is rather exemplary, good conduct, both on and off the battlefield. A sound and good mind both in matter's of war and not. Not to mention being listed among the most valued and trusted soldier's under Father's command, alongside the like's of Darlton as well as Bismarck Waldstien."

What?

His Father, Emperor George Lux Britannia, thought that MY Father was to be ranked so highly that he was on the same list as the like's of the Knight of One!

"And before you start going on how that just proves that you aren't worth it. I want you to know that while the action's of our Parent's and of our Families in general can have an Influence in the sort of person we CAN be, wither or not that is WHO we WANT to become is up to US as individual people." He spoke before I could say anything.

"Or in other word's, think of it like this. What Your Father and my Father have done can indicate the sort of lives we are born into, but what it is WE do with OUR Live's is up to US and US ALONE, NO ONE ELSE get's to choose what our fate's are but US!" He told me, and while it was odd to get advice from a simple child, it somehow felt, right...

I felt like I finally realized something, though my Father's action's and legacy will always be with me, whatever I do with my life is MY doing, not his, and most certainly not any Noble who think's they know how the world work's!

"I think I understand now, thank you, Prince Lelouch." I tell him with a slight smirk, knowing that addressing him by such a title would most likely Irk him.

Instead he simply grinned "That's good to hear! Honestly I don't mind it if you just call me 'Prince Lelouch' I just don't like it when people think I need to be treated differently just because of who my parent's are! Now come on! It's a duty of a Knight to look after his Princess isn't it!"

Despite my earlier response to being referred to as a Knight. Now I couldn't help but give a slight laugh and decided to be there with them and walked along to be by Princess Cornelia's side.

"Guliford? Why are you willing to put up with me? There are other's who are more notable, Guinevere is by far the most connected to the nobility. To say nothing less of someone like Odysseus or Schenizel. So why me?" She asked me, Tear's threatening to well up from her eye's again.

"Honestly, it's because I don't care if the Princess I am asked to watch over isn't the most well connected, or that she would rather deal with soldier's and gun's rather than Noble's and Parties. I don't care that you aren't that interested in the throne, or that you could care less about who you involve yourself with. What matter's to me, is that you are you Princess, and that there is no one else quite like you. I could care less that I am tasked with being the Knight to a Military Princess, all I care about is seeing you well, and nothing more would be better than to see you well. My Princess. My Lady Cornelia." I told her as I held her in a comforting embrace, I felt her grab onto me and she just to cry her heart out, I simply held onto her. Letting her let out all the sorrow and sadness she had kept held up inside for all this time, and we simply just stayed there, for hour's on end...

I recalled that day, and of how Lelouch had put his trust in me to ensure the well being of his older sister, the one who I was sworn to protect as her Knight of Honor, and it made me feel something.

If he was willing to put his trust in me in such a hard time for her in her life. Then I must repay that trust by believing in him!

Cornelia seemed to notice the change in my expression and smiled at me, knowing that I recalled such an important event, and that she simply had her hand grasp my own, I could do nothing more but hold firm in the belief in my Princess, and we awaited for whatever result might be, if it end in us living or in death, our trust would hold firm regardless...

Death didn't come, instead the Sutherland in question stopped just shy of us, and opening up the hatch was a figure that was masked yet I knew all to well...

"Zero." Cornelia spoke.

"Princess Cornelia." Zero replied.

"Might I ask why you have chosen to take such a bold approach?" My Princess asked.

"I wished to speak with you and your Knight of Honor and General in Private, away from Prying eye's." He spoke back.

"Since you asked kindly and without any undue threat's, I shall grant you that if nothing else, Guliford! Dalrton!" She said.

"YES! YOUR HIGHNESS!" We replied with the dignity as True Knight's of old would have been proud of.

"Ensure Zero is to be kept within my Private Quarter's within the command center. NO ONE else is to be allowed Entry besides us, am I CLEAR!" She spoke with the tone that while at first glance appeared to be anger and rage, yet I knew was a request for one's as loyal as myself and Darlton to keep firm.

"AT ONCE YOUR HIGHNESS!" We replied.

Lelouch P.O.V.

I took a look around for what amounted to Nelly's Private Quarter's aboard the command center for overnight deployment's.

It had a bed, a work desk, a personal bathroom, and a book case filled with book's detailing Military Theory and tactics.

Simple, No Nonsense, and focused for what was needing and nothing else.

Just like Nelly.

"Ah, exactly as I expected from one such as yourself. How was battle. Was it up to your standard's?" I ask, best to keep in mind if any bug's were present, you can never be too careful after all, especially when dealing with Cornelia Li Britannia...

"I can't say it was anything particularly amazing, although granted. I would say it was less of the commander's fault as that of the troop's he was leading. Wouldn't you agree Lelouch?" She tells me, and that is my cue to know the room is safe.

Giving a slight laugh and removing the mask and cloth, I see upon with my own eye's fully my dearest older sister and her ever loyal Knight and trusted General no longer hidden to them.

"You've grown into a handsome young man, I am sure your Mother will be pleased to know how you've matured. Dearest Brother." Nelly say's to me, after taking a few second's to adjust to my feature's...

Ah how good it is to be among what few family I have again "I have no doubt's Mother is pleased to know how I have managed to gain the attraction of many a young woman's heart. But I am afraid I have yet to find one who's flame can match that of my own." I speak with a wistful tone, a smile on my face as I do my best to memorize every last moment I have with the one older sister I am fond of.

Darlton let's out a hearty laugh "With look's like yours, I have no doubt you've got the attention of many a lass in wherever you are, I'm sure your sister has quite the number of boy's interested in her."

I let out an equal laugh of my own "If there are any boy's Interested in Nunnally's heart, I'm afraid they are too scared to admit it for fear of bringing down mine and Jeremiah's wrath!"

We all shared a good laugh at that, honestly it almost made me feel like as if there was nothing else going on with the world, and that we were just normal people talking about normal thing's...

But sadly we all know that isn't the case, still best to make of what few time's we have while we can.

"How is your sister by the way? And have you heard of Lady Marianne or Father's whereabouts?" Nelly asked.

I had a slight smirk on my face "Regrettably, I have neither heard of nor seen any thing pertaining neither Mother nor Father's whereabouts, however I am aware they are alive, as well as to the evidence that Genbu Kururgi is alive and well and is with them, wherever they might happen to be."

The mention of the Elder Sir Kururgi made their eye's widen "He's alive?!" They all spoke at once.

My smirk grew even larger at that "Indeed, when the OSI had enough with sending in their agent's, they simply resorted to bombing us from above, thankfully by the time they had gotten to such a point, we had already well and truly fled from the Kururgi Shrine and had made our separate way's, all the while having evidence to suggest that the Prime Minister, upon realizing the futility of a continued war against Britannia, had committed suicide rather than face dishonorable capture by Britannian force's. All the while leaving no evidence that no one else dwelt there, not of the possible whereabouts of his son, who was not even known by many to exist until after the war, and by that point it was assumed the relation between them was distant, if not nonexistent even, and that there was nothing to suggest that any exiled member's of the Britannian royal family plus that of an honored guard had ever dwelt upon the premises. And the world was none the wiser."

I let out a bit of a flourish "Indeed, it would say it was one of my best act's preformed by such a sizable group as what we had yet! With only the 'Nemesis Incident' being anything close to it in recent year's!"

Nelly let out a slight laugh "You always did make a habit of making a show out of everything major you did. I'm glad to see that hasn't changed in all of these year's."

"Thank you sister, however as much as I would like to reminisce upon the past as well. I am afraid we will have to discuss that which has yet to come." I tell her, my voice and look shifting into a serious one that meant that now was the time to discuss business.

The three of them also understood and shifted attitude in turn "What exactly do you plan on doing, Prince Lelouch?" Guliford asked.

"It is quite simple Guliford, I am certain my sister has told you what I told her all those year's ago now didn't she?" I told him, knowing that Cornelia would have told her Knight of Honor and most loyal General of such a thing.

"Yes, we have been making effort's to shift thing's into our favor, gathering those remaining loyal force's who are still alive, as well as gathering what little support from those Nobles who are of like mind to our own cause that still have some measure of influence. As well as also keeping track of the common Populace's overall attitude and behavior, although it pain's us to admit it, the Usurper's have kept most information of dissent among commoner's locked up tightly, not even those in the military are aware of the extent the common populace are sympathetic to our cause, be they in the colonies or the homeland." Darlton stated, as if he was informing a superior officer and not a wanted terrorist. Handing me over a number of files that gave a rough estimate as to the current situation...

Overall the situation was pretty much what I had predicted given the circumstances, as expected the few Nobility who remained loyal that held power were either in position's of little importance or simply overlooked. With one notable mention in the overlooked category being that of the Stradfield Nobility, best to inform Naoto and Kallen about that much if nothing else to say the least, if I can get their father's support and backing, given how he is the current head of House Stradfield, such support would do well with regard's to our Operation's as the Black Knight's...

"Well then this is about what I had anticipated within my most optimistic estimate's, though I must ask, what is the current state of House Stradfield?" I inform them.

Guliford answer's quickly "From what I can gather, the majority of the family appears to hold much resentment towards the current head, might I ask why?"

Smart of him to ask, he and Nelly really deserve to be together, I promise you both this much to ensure you can live to see the day where your children can enjoy their lives.

"The resistance group in Shinjuku that I operated as my opening act of rebellion? They were created and led by the two children of the head of House Stradfield." I told them.

Needless to say, for the three of them to hear the children of a Nobleman to rebel against their father's homeland made their eye's widen just a bit, then again they are talking to me and I am a PRINCE of said homeland, so it is more of a comparison of apple's to orange's than anything else.

"Let's see, if I recall correct, the eldest one is their son correct?" Cornelia ponders.

"Correct, Naoto Kozuki-Stradfield is the elder son, while Kallen Kozuki-Stradfield is their younger daughter, she's around my age actually." I tell them, of course I expect them to connect the dot's from there, but I figure they were going to find out where me and Nunnally and Jeremiah have been hiding all these year's.

Cornelia pull's up a data file on the Stradfield sibling's "Hmm, Naoto Stradfield, around 24 year's old, born before the invasion, was found alongside that of his younger sister Kallen Stradfield, age 17, is said to have been absent from school for some time now due to 'medical issues' but has been more recently noted to participating in the student council of... Ashford academy, who's member's include Rivalz Carmonde, Shirley Fenette, Nina Einstein, Milly Ashford, and... Lelouch and Nunnally Lamperogue." She finishes with a knowing smirk.

"Clever, clever, Prince Lelouch, and to think no one noticed such a simple thing for 7 year's..." Guliford say's, also Smirking.

I can't help but grin "'The best place to hide from a whale is it's stomach.' I figured that logic would ensure my Sister and Jeremiah and I would be able to hide easily enough with the help of old Ruben and Millicent."

Darlton give's a knowing smirk "Considering after everything that has happened, hiding among the student body of an academy who's headmaster and Student Council President are the patriarch and heiress of a once noteworthy noble family respectively, whom also had once been avid supporter's of the Empress Marianne and designed the Ganymede Knightmare Frame. Effectively marking the true beginning of the age of Knightmare combat, stomach of a whale indeed. Well done young pup." He say's while finishing by calling me by the old nickname he gave me when I was still a child...

I can't help the smile on my face grow even larger "Well it was only natural for me to use what was available given the situation, and I would like to keep it that way as long as possible, the only one's who know of mine and Nunnally's true heritage as well as Jeremiah's actual last name are Milly, Ruben, and their maid who they gave to us, Sayoko Shinozaki, who before you start asking. Is a well trained Ninja in the Shinozaki line of martial art's and Ninja Technique. As well as being an accomplished assassin when needed. As when she had to ensure a few, troublesome noble's would seek to get back at me for nothing else but their own lack of skill."

"Ah yes, the rumored 'Black Prince' of Chess Gambler's infamy and fear all across the settlement. Noted for appearing to be but a simple school boy yet somehow always won against every single opponent he has ever face against. Even in the homeland your exploit's are spoken about in hushed whisper's among even some of the higher noble's." Cornelia say's with an amused smirk on her face, no doubt of imaging the look's on all the face's of the hapless Nobles that unknowingly signed away all of their funding to me.

"Well now, to know my infamy is so great that even those back in the homeland speak about it, I wonder if dear brother Schenizel has figured out it's me yet?" I say, honestly I figured my exploit's would be well known at least in Area 11, but for it to be talked about in the HOMELAND and not only that a among the ROYAL Court's as well...

Just another reason why I guess I embody the Trope of 'The Dreaded' so well, it's actually something I didn't really expect to say the least...

"If he does know, then he hasn't bothered to mention of it, though to be honest it might be a good thing if he doesn't. Considering how the Wraith's appear to lurking around for a chance to find you all..." Cornelia say's with a slight frown, all indication's of joy having left hers and her loyal men's face's.

I can't help but frown as well, knowing that if they have sent just ONE to the Settlement in public, there are probably MANY more hidden out of sight and mind of the Area at large. "Yes, I was told by one of my Resistance agent's they had an encounter with one, I think Viletta Nu has informed you about his name already, yes?"

Guliford speaks up "Yes, Kaname Ohgi, if I recall, did you send him out to meet up with the Major?"

"Actually no, from what he told me he and a few member's of his group were simply being out and about while they lay low until a new operation would come up, he just so happened be in the general vicinity of where Euphie and Suzaku, speaking of those two. How are they?" I tell them.

Cornelia is the one to speak up next "Euphie's fine, a bit shaken by the fact of a number of pig's who called themselves royal guard had attempted to molest her among worse thing's. But we both know she's tougher than that, as for Warrent Officer Suzaku Kururgi. He's at the top of the list for potential candidate's for Knight of Honor for our sister."

Well now, a promotion to Warrant Officer and a fast track to being allowed Knighthood? Look's like Suzaku got in Nelly's good grace's. Good, this will make the idea of him getting support among the Populace much easier. "Might I ask what was your reason to grant him such blessing's? If you don't mind me saying but it almost sound's like you've all but given him your acceptance to Marry Euphie! And while I would fully approve of such a Union, and I have no doubt that Mother and Father would as well. It does make me wonder as to when you and Guliford will finally admit your feeling's and tie the knot yourselves? I do believe it is saying something when the Younger Sister get's married before her Older Sister does..." What I can say, prime opportunity, that and it's been seven year's since I've had a chance to tease them. So I feel it might as well be making up for lost time!

And Poor Nelly and Guliford are left blushing and stuttering and are as red as the sun!

Ah how I have MISSED this feeling so, SO Much!

Darlton can't help but laugh loudly to the point I am starting to get worried that the soundproofing might not be enough, before he say's "HA! You think THAT'S Impressive, just wait until you've heard all the Rumor's the rest of the Military have had about all the time's She asks him for 'R&R' if you get my meaning..."

Don't Laugh.

DON'T. LAUGH.

Oh who am I kidding, I might as well make it last!

I can't help but ERUPT in roaring laughter that is easily enough to shake the whole room ever so slightly!

"My, my, my, I am certain Mother will LOVE to hear about this!" I say while having the biggest shit-eating grin on my face.

"AND HOW WOULD SHE KNOW! YOU SAID YOU HAVE NO WAY OF SEEING HER! MUCH LESS SPEAKING TO HER!" Cornelia yell's out in a high pitched voice, sounding MUCH more like a Young Girl than a Grown Woman.

"Well, she and our Godmother happen to have a special way of communicating, so she'd be able to send a message to Mother if she felt like it." I mention. I figure now would be a good time as any to bring up C.C. and Geass, if only so they don't ask question's later.

"Godmother? I don't recall anyone in the Royal Family having a Godmother?" Cornelia asks, her and Guliford's blushes having mostly died down. With all three having a look of confusion.

I smirk "You wouldn't really recall her, but she's been around for as long as the royal family, or rather she's been around for MUCH longer than just that, she was also mother's Midwife, if you can believe it."

And none of them seem to get it...

Sometimes it's annoying how easily I figure out thing's compared to other's...

I give out a slight sigh "She goes by the title C.C. and has gone by that for Centuries, also she look's around my age and has been like that for the past, oh 900 year's give or take, and she has green hair, and if you wondering how she has managed to live that long, it's because she's Immortal." I say with a flat mood and tone.

"Huh?" Was their collective response.

This, is going to take a while...

Guliford P.O.V.

This, is a lot to process.

Geass, a power of King's, as varied as it's user's, but all powerful enough to change the course of history...

To Think that the Knight of One and the Emperor have access to such power's of their own...

Not to mention the Prince's own power of 'Absolute Connection' being able to do all matter of thing's, so long as their is a type of 'Link' between himself and his target, with the difficulty of the link making it so he would have to expend more 'focus' or 'energy' into achieving what he wishes if he want's them to act on his will...

I have no doubt Prince Lelouch is aware of the potential danger's of such a power, and the fact he has stated he is willing to resort to ANY and all method's up to an including killing himself so as to ensure the world he wishes to create will not suffer at the hand's of his power running rampart, speaks volumes to his character...

Not that the Princess agrees with his measures of course...

"ARE YOU INSANE! DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT IS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION!" Was the Princess Response to her Younger Brother's contingency plan, preceded by a VERY Loud and Painful slap!

"I just KNEW you were going to do that sister..." Lelouch say's while rubbing his still red and stinging cheek.

"WHAT DID YOU THINK I WAS GOING TO DO! YOU JUST CAME BACK INTO MY LIFE AND NOW YOU TELL ME OF HOW YOU PLAN TO END YOURSELF BEFORE YOU BECOME A THREAT TO THE WORLD!" She continues to yell at her Younger Brother for his self-sacrificing behavior...

"Oh come now Nelly, you should know as well as anyone how at the end of the game, the King and the Pawn go into the same box." He say's, to which he get's ANOTHER slap...

"ENOUGH WITH THE CHESS ANALOGIES!" Cornelia say's, before she begins to cry out in tear's and hold's onto Prince Lelouch.

"I-I Just got you back, I don't want the rest of our Family to be left apart without you, I care about you!" She tells him, tear's still flowing non-stop...

Lelouch for his part, simply give's her a sad smile and wipes at her cheek and say's "And it's because I care about you and all of our family, that I have to resort to it if there is no other option."

Honestly Lelouch, the thing's you say can just REALLY be at odd's with those around you, yet even Darlton and I can see the reasoning behind it all, even if we ourselves don't like it, we know why you choose to do so...

Cornelia P.O.V.

STUPID LELOUCH! WHY! WHY! WHY! WHY! WHY! WHY! WHY!

"Nelly, I know you would rather I not do such a thing, but if I had to choose between my life or the lives of all of those I care about as well as the world at large. I'd choose all of you in a heartbeat, less than even." He tells me.

BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO CHOOSE! I WANT YOU TO STAY WITH US! WHY LELOUCH! WHY!

"Listen to me Nelly, if my Geass were to run rampart. I could very well have everything I say be made into an unintentional command, let's say I was talking with Euphie, and I joked with her about Ordering her something like 'Kill all Japanese' then with my rampart Geass. She would be forced to kill anyone who called themselves Japanese, do you honestly want to see our sweet sister Euphie be turned into something like that? Or Nunnally for that matter?" NO BUT THAT WON'T HAPPEN BECAUSE IT WON'T BE LIKE THAT AND WE WON'T HAVE TO SEE YOU DIE AND-!

"I know what you are probably thinking, that there is a way to prevent it or fix it or some way of keeping it from happening, sadly my dear sister. I regret to inform you that there is no simple way to fix such a thing. There is no way to simply fix it, nor is there a way to avert what will eventually come, I will try to limit my Geass usage to only where I have no other option or choice to do so, but even with every single last precaution I take. I must face the reality that no matter what I do, I will grow unable to control my Geass, and when that happens, I might not be able to keep it from affecting those I care for the most. That includes all of you three." I DON'T BELIEVE YOU! I DON'T! I DON'T! I DON'T! I DON'T!

"Why would you accept such a power if you know what danger it can bring?" GULIFORD! PLEASE! TALK SOME SENSE INTO HIM! PLEASE!

"I accepted this power because I know that without it, I can not hope to stand a chance to beat the Usurper's and the Lord of Wraith's who lead's them, so I really had no choice in the matter" NO! DON'T! I'LL KILL THEM! I'LL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM! ALL SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS LELOUCH! PLEASE!

"Nelly, I know you just want to keep me safe, that you would rather try to kill them all, but I would rather die than force the world and all who live upon it to suffer." I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIE! YOU UNDERSTAND! I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIIIIEEEEE!

"Oh Nelly, even if you act harsh and rough on the outside, you are as kind and gentle as Euphie and Nunna on the inside, I'm sure when the day come's that you'll be a mother, that your children will be glad to have one like you to raise them." BUT I WANT MY CHILDREN TO KNOW YOU! I WANT THEM TO MEET THEIR UNCLE! I DON'T WANT THEM TO KNOW YOU ONLY BY A GRAVESTONE AND A MEMORIAL! I WANT THEM TO MEET YOUR OWN CHILDREN! I WANT US ALL TO JUST BE A FAMILY! PLEASE!

"Nelly, Promise me that when I'm gone that you look after Nunna for me okay? Can you do that for me Big Sister?" I DON'T WANT TO LOOK AFTER JUST NUNNA! WHAT ABOUT HER! HOW DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD FEEL? WHAT ABOUT YOUR MOTHER! OR FATHER!

WAIT...

FATHER!

"Lelouch! You said Father has a Geass, if so than why aren't the effect's of it recorded?" PLEASE LET THEIR BE HOPE! PLEASE! PLEASE!

"The only reason why Father's was never noted to be on record is BECAUSE it can alter record's, or rather Memories of a person who he gazes into. And from what I know, eventually in some case's, but not all, a Geass can 'Mature' after going Rampart for a time, effectively allowing one to Regain Control over it to a degree." SO THAT'S IT! JUST NEED TO KEEP HIM ALIVE LONG ENOUGH TO-

"However, I feel as though My Geass would be too wild in it's potential effect's upon running Rampart to be ensure I have the time to ensure it can Mature without causing someone who I care about to be hurt, or even killed... And that's even IF mine can 'Mature' at all even." IT HAS TO! IT! HAS! TO! I WILL NOT LET YOU DIE LELOUCH! PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME!

"I know you wish that I can live long enough to grow old and be surrounded by my Children and Grand-Children, and part of me does wish for that too, but I am afraid that the world might not allow me such an option. I have already had much choice taken from my life, who is to say the time in which I die is of my choosing?" NO! NONONONONONONONO! IF THE WORLD WON'T LET YOU CHOOSE THEN I SAY FUCK IT! YOU HEAR ME WORLD! FUCK! YOU!

"I sure you would rather have me promise to live, to live even despite everything, but you know me Nelly. I'm not someone who can make Promise's that he can't keep." I DON'T CARE! WAIT? TEAR'S? WHY ARE THERE TEAR'S?

I look up to see my Brother Lelouch, not the one who played the role of Zero, nor that of the aloof student he appears to make himself to be at Ashford, but the young, helpless brother who I haven't seen all these year's...

AND HE'S CRYING!

"I'm so sorry Nelly, I am SO SORRY!" He tells me and he's CRYING HE'S CRYING AND HE WON'T STOP WHY WON'T YOU STOP CRYING LELOUCH PLEASE STOP!

Darlton P.O.V.

I have seen many soldier's cry, often it was after a major loss...

During the Emblem of Blood, mine was when I found my hometown scorched and burnt down, as a result of one of the warring Royalty, it was at that time when George found me, and he simply asked my if I wished to forget it all, looking back he must have meant using his Geass to make me forget, but I refused...

I refused, because I knew the pain would never go away, and never wanted to forget the reason why...

When he asked me if I wanted the chance to change the world for the better, then would I have to fight for it...

I told him I would do whatever it took, fight as hard as I had to, and do WHATEVER was needed to make a better world...

He smiled, a grim sad smile, and told me that if I walked down this road, then it would be one of pain and suffering like no other...

I told him I didn't care what I faced, I that I wanted was to ensure that there was a better world for those who came after to live in...

He asked me if it was my mind talking or my Anger or Grief talking.

All of the above I told him, that and so much more...

His smiled hardened, and he told me that if it was my wish, then he was in no position to stop me...

And so I fought, I fought and killed so many of my fellow countrymen, all for their own reason's, their own dream's...

Even still, something inside me told me that what George Lux Britannia promised was MORE than just word's that wound up being empty promises...

The he was being GENUINE with his word's, that when he spoke, he meant it with all of his heart and SOUL!

And when he Finally won, when the last contender for the throne was finally slain, I wondered if we all had finally achieved our goal...

But then the Lord of Wraith's came, and with it the Upheaval...

Looking upon the face of the one who claimed the Emperor's throne, the one who called himself 'Charles Vi Britannia' all I could see was little more than a false reflection of the man I served...

Where George spoke of how 'all men were not created equal' as a reason for why Britannia should be an ideal to strive towards, to ensure the other nation's and their people's COULD BECOME equal. Charles merely used it as a reason to punish and enslave those of conquered territories, having the land's Name's, Culture's, and Identities be striped, leaving them with just a number in their place. It had been the case before the reign of George, by a number of Ruler's beforehand, and where George sought to end it, Charles appeared to only wish to expedite it...

Worse still was how easily it was for them to have such a control over the Empire, in almost no time at all the entire nation changed, from one in which our Homeland was a place in which other Nation's could look to as an Ideal to emulate, now all that was seen was a place were the strong ruled, and the weak did nothing more than serve as glorified slave's...

It sickened me to see how thing's changed so easily and swiftly, with almost no apparent resistance, and while part of it was no doubt due to Lelouch's planning, even now I feel that this 'Geass' of whatever kind it might be, had something to do with it...

Still, the sight before me, it broke my heart so much I felt that it might take the top spot of 'event's that made me break down in tears' and it's not impressive I know, but it shouldn't be...

Here I saw two member's of the royal family, who ACTUALLY deserved the position's their Father would want for them. One a Prince that I had not seen in age's, the other his half-sister Princess I had been assigned as aid to for almost a decade now...

And they were crying at the very real chance that the prince would have no choice but to die in order to ensure the world would be safe from his own power, that he choose to have no less, even knowing what that would bring...

Even if it wasn't due to his power, he might die due to something beyond our control, after all, war never play's by your rule's, you play by it's rule's.

Something any soldier that has lived long enough will tell you...

And even if Lelouch wasn't much a soldier, he knew enough about war that he knew that even after everything he has planned, he's still just a human being, he's still mortal. That he can still die...

"I've had enough of this..." A voice call's out of nowhere, who was that- wait a second...

Lelouch Tense's up and stutter's "It's, it's you!" Looking at the figure of his old Guardian, Dark Ranger he called himself now right?

"I got to admit, as heartfelt as all of that was, I'm getting tired of having to see you all keep crying and bursting into tear's at the thought of your Geass going wild. So I'm going to throw you a bone for this, just so you can stop crying and start working on your Rebellion okay?" He say's blunt as can be, and reminding a fair bit of Lelouch at time's with how he'd speak in such a straightforward and blunt manner...

"What is it? Is it about my Geass?" Lelouch asks, and I do hope it is.

"Hmm, yep. I want to give you a challenge to solve, so I won't just up and tell you it." Ranger say's.

"Just tell us, PLEASE!" Princess Cornelia say's, her voice sound's so Desperate, I swear if she and Guliford just don't come clean and admit their feeling's, I and going to LOCK THEM IN A CLOSET AND-

"OH! Nice Idea Darlton, BUT save that for later okay. Anyways, even if I wanted to give you a straight answer (Which I don't) I can't. Sorry, rule's from some folk's high up on the ladder, and I mean REALLY High up, like so HIGH you can't even BEGIN to Comprehend how HIGH it is." Wait, did he just-

"In case you're wondering, no I CAN'T Read you mind, I'm just REALLY Good at reading face's, speaking of mind-reader's... Don't worry about him Lulu, all you got to do is let him get a GOOD LONG look at your mind and he'll be unable to do ANYTHING to keep you from killing him. Okay?" Huh? What is he talking about?

"Don't worry you guy's, just a former contractor of C.C.'s who's Geass let's him read mind, his went rampart and now I'd say his mind's gone crazy. Lucky for me his power is as much a weakness as it is a Strength" Lelouch say's with a bit of his old confidence.

"YEP! So anyhow the thing is about your Geass..."

Okay? Get to the point...

"...it Doesn't work like anyone else's! So don't worry about it going Rampart or wild. So long as you keep your head together, you'll be fine Lulu."

Huh, well considering how his Geass can do multiple thing's at once you'd think he'd have figured that out at least...

Lelouch P.O.V.

Okay I'll admit I've thought about the possibility that since my Geass work's differently it might not go wild per-say, but even still...

"I have to admit, while I am somewhat glad I don't have to plan for my own death due to my Geass. That leave's quite the question for me to solve, then again that's the whole point isn't it?" I bluntly say to Guardian Specter...

"You don't seem all that surprised that he's here..." Guliford say's rather flatly.

"I was more so wondering when he'd show up, I was expecting a more combat filled and dramatic moment to be honest." I told him rather simply...

"As for why he's not asking how I got here, he's as good as sneaking around as me so don't be so surprised." Ranger tells them.

"Excuse me? If I recall, you only started doing that AFTER I Did." I tell him.

"Nuh uh, I DID it FIRST!" He say's.

"NO! I DID!"

"I DID!'

"NO! ME!"

And while the three of them They would have assumed we'd just go back and forth, instead...

"TRICK QUESTION! WE DID IT AT THE SAME TIME!" We both shout in unison!

Ah, glad to have you back, if even just a moment Ranger...

"Well, as fun as this all has been. I think it's time I get going, BYE! Oh, AND GOOD LUCK ON YOUR PROJECT LULU!"

...

RAAANNNNGGGGEEEERRRR!

"What is this 'Project' he was talking about, Brother?" Nelly asks in her 'Answer me or your not going anywhere' tone of voice.

"Um, It's a project with regard's to my Resistance! That's all! Nothing more to it really! NOTHING AT ALL!

Darlton P.O.V.

He's Lying.

Guliford P.O.V.

He is most certainty lying.

Cornelia P.O.V.

Lelouch, I know you can lie better than that, still I'll let you off the hook this time.

Lelouch P.O.V.

They know I'm lying, and FAILING at it at that.

Still even if they know that, they also know we've taken long enough as is...

"I'm sorry you three, but I am afraid we must depart for now..." I tell them giving an actor's bow.

"Make sure to give Nunnally a Hug and a Kiss from me and Euphie, okay Lelouch?" Nelly tells me.

"Only if you give the same from me and Nunna to her too okay." I tell her with a smile on my face.

Placing the cloth and mask back on my face, I get ready to leave when I had the most devious thought come to me...

Should I?

Eh, why not, it'll be a good cover for me if nothing else...

"Take good care of Nelly for me will you, Gilbert-Oniisan!" I'll give them a moment to have it sink in...

3.

2.

1.

"ZEEERRRRROOOOO! GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" Cornelia and Gilbert yell in Perfect sync!

"Oh my! You are talking in prefect sync! Do tell me when the wedding is coming up! Although I do think it would be best to hold off on having any children, if there is ever are those who I have no intent on harming, is children, and those whom are expecting and raising children!" I tell them in a voice that I know will only piss them off even more!

"GET BACK HERE! YOU DAMN BRAT! I WILL!" And I leave them at the door only for them to start banging on it to open.

"That's not how you open that kind of door and you know it!" I saw JUST to rub it in even more...

After all, it's good to have an excellent cover after all, right?

Either way it was so easy to escape, honestly it almost felt like I was a kid again!

Ah, oh well, it was fun while it lasted! Now to prepare for Lake Kawaguchi...

Ranger P.O.V.

Oh that was SO FUNNY!

'Not to mention all sort's of thing's, right dear?'

Your not wrong about that, still, just because he won't die because of his Geass...

'Doesn't mean something else won't attempt to kill him, I know, my Love...'

...

'...'

We can't let them die, no matter what...

'I know my love, I know that...'

Still, even if we have to resort to THAT...

'It's not like it'll be anything we can't postpone forever...'

I know, one day it'll happen for sure...

'I know, but it's not like we'll die, it's just that we will rejoin with our Lighter-half's once more...'

Yeah, and we KNOW they'll understand and accept it, since they ARE our Lighter-Half's, but it's if EVERYONE else can accept it...

'And not just the matter of re-joining, but of the revelation's surrounding it all...'

...

'...'

I'll love you always, you know that right?

'I know, I love you too, always...'


A/N: And that's it for this chapter! And I didn't really feel like I had to go over the battle since anyone who's read the scene play out in fanfic's all over know's how It'll mostly go, speaking of Fanfic's...

Now I'm sure some of you guy's might be able to tell, but if you haven't yet...

I've been inspired by the Work known as 'Zero of the Black Crusade', as to why? Well it's an AWESOME STORY for one thing! And it also kinda gave me the basic idea on how to go about the setting for this story, although granted the Plot's of Wing Zero Alpha's story (and if you ever come across this story, know that I am a BIG fan of your story!) and Mine are rather different, with his being more of the basic idea's of Britannia, Lelouch, Zero, Geass, and all of that being more of a 'looser' usage, mine is more in line with 'canon' storytelling, just with a few added element's from other work's that I find work and idea's of my own (hopefully!) design. As such I'll go ahead and say it anyhow, I! DO! NOT! STEAL! OTHER! PEOPLE'S! IDEA'S! Why did I do it like that? Because I figured it would help drive the point home more if I wrote it like that. Speaking of point's...

I do hope you understand that it seemed to go through a lot of emotional shift's throughout the character's perspective's, I'm doing it to highlight the flaw's and issue's the cast have in the story (both mine and in cannon, to varying degrees)

Lelouch and Kallen- self worth issue's and self-sacrificial tendencies (in the sense they value themselves less than those around them, Zero Requiem anyone)

Suzaku and Euphemria- Idealism and the conflict that has with reality (Do I need to explain?)

Guliford and Cornelia- doubt's about their ablilites and guilt's for perceived failure's (Guliford's for thinking he failed in his duties as a Knight, Cornelia for her thinking she failed the woman she Idolized)

Ohgi and Viletta- unsure of what it is they actually want in life (for all that people bash on them, the fact is they both simply thought they knew what goal's they had in mind, only to find themselves question if it's what they actually want as people, funny how they end up finding the greatest reward in each other in the end, and not their individual ambition's, his for a free Japan, and her's for becoming a Noble.)

And not to leave out our W-0 Couple!

Akito and Lelia- Unsure if the Live's they have lived almost their entire live's are worth fighting for (which is interesting for the two of them in how they end up finding out that the live's they always wanted was in fact with each other)

Hell you can even explain Charles and Marianne's as being rather simple.

That being they wished for a world where people didn't have to lie, only that they failed to realize that the world they wanted could not realistically exist without taking away that which make's people, people. And it just so happened that one of those thing's is to be able to lie.

Point being, for those who say Code Geass isn't really that deep of a story or there isn't really a point for romance to be involved, just consider these point's I have brought up, and see how they work in the story, both of my own and that of Canon...

Actually there is one last 'Pair' to mention, even though they more or less HATE each other than anything else.

That being C.C. and V.V.

What could I POSSIBLY have be relevant that THOSE two have in common.

It's simple really, their loss of humanity and how they attempt to deal with it...

And I'm not talking JUST about the whole 'Being Immortal' part of it...

C.C. has been around for CENTURIES, and consider just how much she would have suffered as a result, both from how she came to become Immortal in the first place, and of how she dealt with it all...

I know it's something of a gag and a joke that C.C. only eat's Pizza, and in a way it is, however one could also say the fact she only ever seem's to eat ONE type of food most of the time, it mean's that it's because it's her own way of dealing it all of the loss and change's over her VERY long life, she's seen the rise and fall of empire's, see revolution's rise, be crushed, and also fall on their own, and so much DEATH and destruction, is it really all that surprising she'd try to find ONE thing and stick with it as a mean's to cope with everything, in a way to her, it's like a constant comfort food that she KNOW'S will be there, even after everything that might happen, she know's there will be something that she can rely on to be there, at least until she find's something else to take it's place. But I think we can all guess she isn't really interested, much less in a hurry, to change her eating habit's soon...

Oh and as for V.V. do I need to explain his big deal with it all, he want's to have his Brother be with him, AND ONLY HIM. Make's it rather clear why he'd want to kill the ONE person who (In his eye's anyhow) is the major threat to him having his own anchor to what little thread's of humanity he has left (even if that ain't saying much...) Don't worry I plan on making him SUFFER, OH YES! I Will make sure he BEG'S for DEATH! *Que Villainous laughter*...

Anyhow, I think that's good enough for now, till next time!