A/N: Well, I was wondering if anyone would give a review or the like. However I suppose that keeping you all waiting wouldn't be the greatest thing, I know I can get a bit impatient when it comes to wanting to see other writers post new chapters for their stories from time to time. If only because I want to see what happens next. I just hope you all are enjoying what I've provided so far...
So, this chapter is going to be a bit of a hard one. Both in the feelings that it will leave our cast with, but also because I'm not sure how to go about the sort of thing I'll include and make sure it doesn't warrant the story getting an M rating. If you are wondering why. Well, you'll find out soon enough...
Besides that though, I'm curious if anyone wouldn't mind me at some point writing a story detailing how this universe's Emblem of Blood went? I know it's not really touched on in the lore and canon as a whole. So I figured if anyone would like me to have a story set where various characters who would have been around during that time are retelling how events went on back then, then I'll do it when possible. I'll probably wait till this story is done first. Both to not take away from our main cast, and also because I'd rather not split my attention between two separate stories at once...
Anyhow, let's get on with the Story, shall we?
Code Geass: Specter of the Rebellion
Chapter 27
Nightmare of an SAZ...
Tokyo Settlement, September 8th, 2017 a.t.b
Kallen P.O.V.
I feel the weight of bodies around me, air is full of lingering heat, as if an inferno had only just ended. I try to get up, it all feels so heavy...
"M-mommy? Daaddy?" I hear a voice pass through my lips, a voice that I had thought I'd long since forgotten...
My voice.
I try to get up, wanting to think they are just tired...
But on some level I knew, that despite the heat in the air around me, that my parents were cold as stone...
They, along with so many of my extended family, were all gone...
I feel fear start to build up, wondering why my family is gone.
Why are they gone?
WHY ARE THEY GONE WHYARETHEYGONE WHY-
I only then notice the bodies start to move, unnaturally so...
'You are all alone, little girl. Don't you wish to join them?'
A voice, that feels slimy and gross and disgusting and horrifying says, as their bodies begun to rise. The Flesh looking sickly as the sounds of bones snapping could be heard...
No, this isn't real...
"This isn't real, it's not real. IT'S NOT REAL!" I scream out, acutely aware of how my voice and body has shifted to the one I have now...
'Who are you really? Little Girl?'
Leave me alone, LEAVE ME ALONE! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
I start to see the forms alter, instead of seeing those in my old life, now I see the misshapen and twisted forms of those I am around in my current life.
"Kallen. We need to move, NOW!" Lelouch? No. You need to go! PLEASE RUN!
"I'm not leaving you! I WON'T LEAVE YOU!" He yells towards me, holding me tight as the twisted things shamble towards us...
And right before those things can get ahold of us, I feel a dark shadow envelop us both...
"It's alright, you have us to rely on now..."
It's then that I wake with a scream, at the horror's I saw. And the voice I heard...
'Are you okay?'
I, I don't know...
'Any idea why of all the things you could have seen it was-'
DON'T bring up that name. Please, I beg of you...
'Okay, let's just hope that is all it was...'
If that is meant to be the case...
Then why does my Mouth feel like it is so full of ash?
Lelouch P.O.V.
I awake with a slight start and can't help but have a bit of a scream...
'Can anyone really blame you? Man, those games and books never really explained the sort of horror you'd feel if you saw it happen in front of you.'
And that voice...
'That wasn't the Lord of Wraith's. If anything it almost sounded like...'
Don't. Just. Don't.
'Okay, okay. Still, we should have things ready, just in case...'
I'd rather not risk the idea of the Lord of Wraith's unleashing anything REMOETLY CLOSE to that sort of nightmare...
'Awaken with a nightmare, kind of-'
DON'T JOKE AROUND WITH ANY OF THAT! UNDERSTOOD!
'...'
Sorry, it's just. I-
'No, it was my fault. I should have known better than to try and tease you with something like that...'
Really, it's amazing anyone could hope to fight against such monsters, much less have the strength to face them down again and again...
'Given the sort who normally end up dealing with such things, is it really all that surprising?'
I suppose not.
...
...
...
Hmm, what's this? A message?
...
I see, well, can't say I'm surprised at all. Thankfully if they all play their roles, we should be able to overturn the attempted trick...
'Assuming that-'
I don't want to think about that right now. For now I should just get ready for what I have to endure for today...
'Right.'
Alright then, well. Time to see what is going to happen today...
Suzaku P.O.V.
Oww, my head...
What happened last night?
...
...
...
Oh, that's right.
Well, hopefully Lelouch and the others know what to do. It sucks I'm stuck in a damn jail cell AGAIN...
"Suzaku?" Euphie?
"Is that really you?" I ask her, cautious as I have no idea what exactly is going on.
"Yes, it's me. What do you feel towards me Suzaku Kururgi?" Well, I feel a lot of things...
Regret mostly...
At how I couldn't do enough to protect you.
How I didn't do enough to keep Lelouch from making such a mistake...
And how everything we sacrificed seemed to be all for naught...
Ah, I think I get it now...
"At least we're together Euphie." I tell her with a sad smile. I can only imagine what the others are thinking right now...
"As glad as I am to know you are alright Suzaku, I don't want us to be stuck here all day." And I have to agree with her, we need to get out of here fast!
"But how? What could we do?" I question, and really. What else can we do?
"I could help..." A new voice, one I haven't heard before says to us.
We turn to see where it could have come from, only to notice a, strange man...
And here I thought Lelouch had one heck of a getup...
This guy, he seems almost mechanical in his outfit, and his voice, it almost sounds like some kind of advanced robotic vocal module or something...
"Who are you?" I ask, putting myself between this man and Euphie. If he try's anything I'll...
"Oh, don't worry. I'm not really interested in making any sort of art out of the two of you. Though I must say, a pair of lovers from rival nations would make an interesting piece of art..." WHAT THE HELL! What kind of manic is this guy?!
"Now that is just rude, then again I suppose it isn't a surprise how most people seem to find my art to be, difficult to handle..." The hell? Is he reading my mind?
"No, you just make it rather easy to gauge your thoughts based on your expression alone..." Okay, I really don't have time for games right now...
"You said you could help us? How so?" Euphie, can't you let me handle this?
"It's rather simple my dear, I'll help you both break out and go along and inform your merry band of rebels and soldiers. In fact, I'll even let that young man who has been stuck painting for a while out as well! While his works are NOTHING compared to mine, I do admit he has some quality that could be endearing to... Normal people, I suppose." Is he?
"You mean Clovis?" Euphie, be careful. if anyone knows you know...
Who am I kidding, if what we are dealing with right now is anything to go by. Then it doesn't really matter if you and Cornelia and the others know...
"Oh, that's his name? Hmm, interesting... I suppose it is a fitting one. Granted I never heard any of the guards here call him by that." Wow, that must suck...
"Oh Clovis, I can only imagine what happened to you for all these years..." Ah Euphie, caring as always. Just how can you keep to that sort of kindness after everything you have witnessed?
Even still...
"What's the catch?" I ask him, a guy like him has to want something in return.
"Oh, not much really. I was just hoping I could return to the realm I am from." Um, what?
"'The realm I am from'?" Thank you for asking Euphie, I am not really in the mindset to understand.
"Yes, you see I was going about my business as normal, often dealing with a number of others who for one reason or another wound up joining this whole thing I found myself caught up in. And then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I find myself getting pulled out of a lovely little match that was set up, and face to face with this rather annoying figure who I must admit. Is rather Gauche and lacking when it comes to true artistic talent." Wait, is he talking about...
"You mean, the Lord of Wraiths?" I ask him.
"Yes. That is what he called himself. To be honest he had a rather interesting offer, to let me do as he pleased and in return, I would be allowed to have as many and as elaborate productions as I wished..." Okay, this guy must be some sort of themed killer or something along those lines, I doubt the Lord of Wraiths would be interested in some regular artist...
"If that's the case, why are you here?" You bring a good point Euphie, why indeed?
"Simple, I turned him down." He says likes it's the most normal thing in the world...
"WHAT?!" Euphie and I both exclaim in sync. I mean, who in the right mind would say NO to the Lord of Wraiths when they are at it's mercy?!
Then again, this guy doesn't seem to be in any sort of right mind. So I guess it's not that surprising...
"I wasn't really interested in his deal. Besides, he would only seek to exploit me for my work! As an artist, that is an INSULT!" He says, voice raising a fair bit with clear anger. Even if his face seemed hidden...
Actually, does this guy even HAVE a face?
"Okay... So, why haven't you broken out yet?" I ask. I have a feeling this guy could have gotten out any time beforehand, so why not do so already?
"It's rather simple. I was waiting for something interesting to happen, and today seems like it will be fascinating indeed..."
Right, today is the day of the SAZ...
I hold Euphie's hand tight to give her comfort, even if we can't stop it. At least we can try to do SOMETHING about it...
"As much as I don't like to admit it. We don't really have many other options, can you make sure to keep the guards here distracted?" I tell him, a hard look in my eyes, making it clear if he tries anything, he is going to regret it.
"Hmph, I will do plenty enough for that to suffice. And I'll make sure to put on a Killer show..." He says, as if he has been waiting for something like this...
I don't like the fact we have to put our trust in some killer, but desperate times call for desperate measures...
I'm wondering just what we should do to try and draw their attention when the guy just starts going off on a 4th's tempo.
"One, Two, Three, Four. Two, Two, Three, Four." And he keeps repeating that...
Over, and over...
So we are sharing a cell with a probable serial killer who seems to have an art/preformer/art-related theme about him and has an obsession with the number 4...
Well, I know that old saying of 4 relating to death and all, but still...
However, one of the guards seems to get annoyed enough to come over and open the cell door, only for our 'cellmate' to suddenly spring into action, knocking the wind out of the guy and grabbing ahold of a revolver...
"ONE!" He says as he takes aim at the other guard in the hallway, shooting him dead. Like it was no effort for the man...
I know I should feel sorry, but these men must have known who we were and went along with it without question, not even bothering to inform the chain of command...
And for that, I can't say I feel all that sorry for their deaths...
"TWO!" He shouts out as he fires yet another bullet, this time striking two more guards that were rushing in.
"THREE!" And yet another bunch.
Only for a larger group to show up, probably meant to respond to him if he somehow broke out.
He just gets a grenade, and throws it...
"FOUR!" He finishes off, with the last bullet striking the grenade. Blowing all the guards away...
I can't help but be awestruck at the man, he seems rather skilled in his craft. Even if it is death...
"Who are you?" Euphie asks...
"I am but a mere Virtuoso. My dear." He says, with a slight bow, as if giving an encore to an audience...
"Help us get Clovis out, and I'm telling you right now, if take any innocent lives while you are here. I will not hesitate to hunt you down." I warn him.
"Hmm, I can't help but be reminded of a pair of Young Men who tried to take me in when looking at you. Though I'm not sure if you are more like the one who used Shadows or not." Okay, I really do not have time for this...
"Well, no matter. I suppose I could spare the effort in helping you out with this. And it just wouldn't be the same if I tried to create my Art here, it just doesn't have the sort of Audience I prefer..." Not much, but I suppose it is good enough from a man like him. Or, whatever he is anyhow...
Thankfully it isn't long before we get to a particular Cell. However it's locked with an Electronic lock and-
WHAT THE FREAKING HELL!
The man's, Face, for lack of a better word, detaches to be like some sort of spider drone that must have done some sort of hacking, cause in an instant the lock is released and it climbs back onto his body...
"Ah, one of the benefits of having such a form. Granted it isn't often I have this particular appearance to me. However it does have it's uses."
...
...
...
Fuck it, I'm not even going to question it anymore...
"Ah, judging by the looks on your faces you saw what he can do as well huh?" Clovis la Britannia says, it appears we caught him just as he was finishing up a painting. A rather decent one of Lelouch as Zero with a triumphant Pose to him. Honestly it kind of reminds me of something you'd see for a Manga or something like that...
"CLOVIS!" Euphie says with joy in her voice after she takes a few seconds to process her Half-Brother. I can't help but smile at the sight, not as much as how I would see with Lelouch or Nunnally, however it is nice to see them anyhow...
I'd imagine if Clovis wasn't normally such an awful Viceroy, he might actually be a decent enough guy, at least somewhat anyhow...
"Good to see you, Your Highness." I say to him, giving a respectful bow.
"Please, just call me Clovis, I haven't really felt worthy of being called by any sort of Royal title for a while now." Well, it's interesting to see him rather humble compared to that other version of him...
That one was just an asshole, more often than not.
"As heartwarming as this all no doubt it. I do believe we are schedule, are we not?" The, man, says...
Not sure if he is a cyborg or a robot or what...
And I don't really care, cause right now I have something more Important to do!
"Right! Let's move!" I say with as much of a commanding voice as I can...
However rather quickly as we get outside a car pulls up, Guliford is the one driving.
"Get in, quickly!" He says, to which myself, Clovis, and Euphie all waste no time in getting in.
"What about you?" I ask to the strange man, robot, whatever, who helped us escape.
"Oh, don't worry about me, afterall. I have no intentions of stealing the show from all of you." He says as he wanders off, where he ends up, I have no idea...
I just hope we aren't too late...
Lelouch P.O.V.
As I get ready to arrive in the Gawain with C.C. as the copilot to the SAZ, I feel my phone vibrate, of course I know what it means, it isn't so much telling me I have a message, as the action itself is one...
'Well, this should be an interesting twist for all of those watching...'
And yet, I fear it will be far from the last one...
Thankfully, most of the scene plays out as normal, I present myself to the crowd while making sure my Black Knights are ready to intervene once things get dicey, and head behind the stage...
"Now then. I have you right were I want you." 'Euphie' says, right before pulling a Knife and lunging at me...
Needless to say, if I was a rather lazy and untrained Lelouch, she would have been a challenge, even might have got a few good hits in. However, I am not that sort of Lelouch, and it is easy to disarm her...
"Surprised? I suppose the Lord of Wraith's doesn't really bother to inform much to it's servants which it deems expendable..." I tell the fact that act's like my kind Half-Sister.
"You... YOU ASSHOLE!" She screams out in anger at being found out and dealt with so easily.
"Now, that is not very nice to treat my Brother in such a way. Granted I suppose you never really cared for anyone where you came from, did you now?" The Euphie I know and care for says, walking along with Suzaku, much to the shock of the fake...
"H-how did you..." She stammers out, unable to believe how they are standing in front of her.
"Get out? We had a little help, not what we were expecting, however it worked in our benefit. As for how we knew what you were doing..." Suzaku says, and I feel it is worth while to treat myself to hear this bit out...
Last Night, after Euphie was knocked out...
"Man, what a day..." Suzaku says as he gets himself ready to rest up, the events of the day having been rather exhausting, yet also rather fun.
"I don't see why the fun should stop here, Suzaku." He hears Euphie say, seeing a bit of surprise as she is by his door, and walking towards him...
'This doesn't feel right, Euphie wouldn't try to be so forward like this. Not to mention she feels, wrong...' Suzaku thought to himself.
"Why the long face Suzaku? Aren't you glad to see me?" She says, smile appearing false, like she was acting kind...
"I would be, if it was the one I knew." He said, making sure to have typed out a message to Lelouch letting him know to get ready to do 'Plan: Fake Facer.' in the morning...
Not sure how he came up with the name, but it works for what is intended...
"Oh come on Suzaku, don't be silly. It's me! Euphemira li Brtiannia!" She says, trying to keep up the act.
"That's the thing, if it was the real you, you wouldn't try to reassure me because I'd already know it was you." He tells the fake.
Said fake sneers and jabs a dart meant to knock him out, quicker than even he could react in that moment. Still, the fact was she had been found out. He did his part, now the others just had to play along and make everything seem normal enough until Lelouch would reveal it all...
Present time...
Ah, I so love it when a plan comes together...
'Indeed. Rather well done I must say.'
"Do you get it now. We knew better than to assume the one you serve would not try to play any tricks, so. What sort of person where you from where you came from? The fake Clovis said he wasn't worth anything from where he came from. What did you do for a living in your world?" I tell the fake, a smug tone as is rightfully so given how we are in the positions of power above her in this situation...
"You want to know? Well then, I guess I'll just tell you. I always had people think I was a sweet and innocent princess, when really. All I cared about was just killing, didn't matter who it was, though I really enjoyed seeing the looks on all those worthless Elevens when I claimed to be making a Special Zone for them! And what's more, I enjoyed the look as that worthless Krurugi looked at me in shock as I left him bleeding out, he though I actually liked him! What a worthless boy! And then once I found out where those two annoying siblings of mine were at that he was friends with were hiding... Oh, to hear the screams of that Blind and Crippled worthless half-sister of mine! Even more when she saw how I cut into her Brother! You know what she saw when she opened her eyes? HER BROTHER LEFT BLEEDING OUT WITH THAT RED HAIRED HALFBLOOD BITCH! Oh it was so wonderful! And then I was offered the chance to do it to yet another version of them all! I hoped I could have taken the place of little miss softie here. But I guess I should have known how clever you were. Right, ZERO?!" She says, a madness in her eyes that not even a Geass command could compare that looked so wrong and out of place on Euphie's face, before starting to laugh like a madwoman...
Needless to say, my actual beloved half-sister was rather angry at what her 'replacement' had to say about Suzaku, and I also felt a rather intense rage building in me at how that fake considered Kallen to be like...
Needless to say, Euphie deserved first crack at this lunatic for treating Suzaku like that, even if it wasn't her own...
Kallen P.O.V.
I wonder what is taking Lelouch so long? He said that Fake Facer was in play, so I figure the fake must have said something to him...
It's kind of funny how the name he used for the plan also shares the name for a Song for a Video Game series I known about and played a fair bit in my old life...
'Ever wish you had that series in this world?'
Eh, I mean it'd be cool, but on the other hand, I get to pilot an ACTUAL Mech! So...
'Well, that a yes or a no?'
I have to admit, it would be nice, if only to really compare to the feeling between such things.
'Yeah, oh, I think they are coming out now.'
Yeah, I see Lelouch, Suzaku, Euphie, and...
Wow, that fake must have REALLY said some things to piss them off, she looks like a total mess!
I hear some chatter from people wondering what is going on, only for Zero to take center stage and announce to everyone.
"People of Japan, and of Britannia! BEHOLD! What you see before you is the true indication for how those who claim to Reign over you all consider you! I have been in prior talks with Princess Euphemira and her loyal Knight Kururgi the days before she announced her plans for the Special Administration Zone. And yet, I had planned to ensure they would be able to address you all without incident..." Clever way of working a way to convince everyone, they might have questions at first, though they'll probably think of a reason why it makes sense...
"However. It appears the ones who sit upon the Throne and their Master do not truly approve or otherwise care for any of you, as they had the gall and NERVE to send a convincing FAKE to preside over this event, and would be more than happy to have all those loyal soldiers of Britannia be ordered to Kill all of those who are Japanese! Now tell me, how do you citizens of Japan all feel at the idea of having your lives be thrown to the slaughter? And for those Soldiers present to have your Honor as noble warriors and Knights be slandered to be little more than to carry out a Massacre? HOW EXACTLY DO YOU ALL REALLY FELL!" I have to admit, Lelouch really has a way with words, and knows how to stir up a crowd...
'Yeah, he really knows his stuff...'
"Ah yes, truth be told I don't care at all how they feel about how little I care for them..." W-wait... Was that...
"So, have we actually got your attention now? LORD OF WRAITHS!" Okay, I am feeling a number of things right now...
A slight sense of fear, cause the Lord of Wraith's is deciding to SPEAK to us at all.
But also, admiration to Lelouch for standing up to that thing and actually standing strong...
'That isn't the only thing you're feeling for Lelouch...'
NOT NOW! I need to Focus!
"Truth be told, I was expecting all of this to occur. However, it is a good opportunity..." Given how that thing can do all kinds of crazy things, I fear what it has planned...
"And what exactly is all of this an opportunity for?" I can tell Lelouch is holding strong, but I just know he is as nervous as the rest of us...
"Why, it is the perfect chance to field test something I have been having a number of scientist work on copying something from another world I am aware of. I am certain it will FLOOD you all with fear!" And it's at that moment I feel my fear deepen, if only because of how it placed the emphasis on the word 'Flood'...
And it's at that moment a box comes out onto the stage, right behind next to the Fake Euphie, and it opens up at the top...
What climbs out, is something that makes me hyper-focused and drown out everyone and everything else around me...
'They didn't...'
They did. They actually FUCKING DID!
Lelouch P.O.V.
No, no,no,nononnononoNONONONONONONO!
'Lelouch...'
It's not real, not real not realnotrealNOTREALNOTREALNOTREAL!
'LEOUCH! FOCUS!'
It's enough to get me to just look, as what I know is an unmistakable vaguely Octopus/Squid like form with a number of feeler tendrils that end in red bristle-esque tips emerges for the world to see, only to launch itself towards the fake...
Never, in any of my lives, did I wish to see what such a thing would do to a person for real and up close...
It latches onto the fake, everyone else backing away on instinct and fear at what it would do.
The fake barely has time to scream out as the thing lands on her...
I know what fate will befall upon her, and I am unsure if such a fate is warranted for someone like her...
I already know what will happen next.
First, it's tendrils tap into her central nervous system, effectively high jacking her body's motor control.
Then, it begins to have it's own cells enter her body, converting her cells own into more of it's own, liquefying organs and things deemed 'useless' by the creatures base designs...
I can hear her scream out in pain as it starts to do this, her body beginning to to have growths form along it of it's biomass, and in the pain it forces her hands around her head...
Her screams halt abruptly, replaced by the loud crack of her neck breaking, body starting to have more growths along it, as the left arm twists and breaks, a new whip appendage growing along it...
Her face is left in an expression of Terror as it hangs backward lazily about, the creature taking root within the chest cavity, pushing back the head as a result...
Somehow, despite everything. I don't freeze up, I instantly take one of the Automatic Rifles one of the nearby soldiers has, take aim at the creatures weak spot...
And I unload, every single bullet into it...
Every.
Single.
Last.
BULLET.
After I do it, it stops moving and falls back...
Even still, I make sure to replace the mag and empty that one as well...
"Burn the Body, Blow it up. Just don't leave it intact enough." I say to the soldiers...
They don't seem to care their enemy is ordering them, or are still just shocked from the sight they just saw, either way, one of them makes sure to have a grenade close to it...
It blows up, leaving it in a number of pieces, however all of it is useless if another one tried to bring it back...
"Impressive! Though I suppose that wouldn't be much of surprise you'd know what to do, wouldn't you Zero?"
I know it's trying to taunt me, to make me colapase in fear. But I will not...
I WILL. NOT!
"IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE?! IF SO I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS ANY REAL SUCCESS!" I yell out, trying to sound confident, like I am not afraid or scared or terrified at the fact the Lord of Wraiths decided to copy one of the WORST things to plague ANY Universe/Multiverse in existence!
"Heh, while granted I was unable to recreate it's Spore based methods of infection and spreading. I suppose it is a worthwhile trade off though, makes it easier to control in the end. And you didn't really think that I would only have just ONE now would you?"
Shit...
FUCKING SHIT!
I Get on the comms to issue a general order to ALL Black Knights...
"ALL BLACK KNIGHTS! PREPARE THERMIC AND INCERDARY ORDINACE FOR MASSIVE SCALE ENGAGEMENT! PROTOCOL: HALO IS IN EFFECT! I REPREAT! PROTOCOL: HALO IS NOW IN EFFECT!"
I made sure the Black Knights would have a number of protocols to fall back on if the situation required it.
One of those was called Halo...
Most thought it odd.
They thought I was referring to the kind Angles had...
If they only knew the truth...
'Would it really be a good thing if the did?'
Don't know...
"You are wise to have it be called as such, ZERO! For you will need a force capable of destroying the Flood that I WILL RELEASE UPON YOU ALL!"
And with that, the transmission was cut.
And the Massacre Began...
Suzaku P.O.V.
I thought I would never have wished I had the Lancelot Conquistador's F.E.L.I.J.A. cannon...
Now, I wish I had a proper WARHEAD instead!
"WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE THINGS!" I heard Darlton yell out in disgust and annoyance...
I don't know, but it looks like Lelouch knows. Based on how he knew to shoot for what seemed to be it's weak spot...
Not exactly easy to do it though, when you have a HORDE of such things shambling towards you...
What's worse, many of the twisted dead were Civilians who were caught in the panic and got unlucky.
I thought having the Massacre occur at Euphie's orders would be bad...
But this...
This is SO MUCH WORSE!
"Suzaku! I am ORDERING YOU to get Euphemira out of here!" Lelouch yells at me, somehow using a shotgun in one hand with his sword in the other, both of which proving rather effective against this, Flood, for lack of a better word...
Man, why did it have to be FUCKING ZOMBIES!
"Zero! I can't just..." Euphie tries to say.
"ZERO!" Kallen yells out as she has the Guren run towards us, the Various Soldiers of both Black Knights and Britannian forces working together to keep these things contained...
"Q-1. We have no other option, engage!" Wait, is Lelouch doing what I think he is...
"But, all those people..." Kallen trails off, as if she also knew there likely wasn't many people left alive.
"I'm sorry, but it would be mercy compared to what awaits them otherwise." Lelouch says, his voice with a forlorn hardness that makes me recall how he was back when he reigned as the Demon Emperor...
A type of Sorrow that would never let him go...
"I can't see anyone else alive anyhow, other than what few we have got out among all of this..." Kallen says, readying her R.W.S., and activating it...
The effect is instant, all the shambling bodies drop, as if their strings were cut...
"What the?" That isn't what the R.W.S. normally does I recall it helping as a type of shield at times, but this...
It was like, some sort of pulse went out, doing something to them all...
"Don't worry, it only went as far as the edge of the stadium field. Even still, I can only say any unfortunate souls who got caught up in it's effect were spared a fate worse than mere death..." To be honest, I'm not even going to try and question how he knows this, who knows what sort of things this Lelouch has seen...
Though, to be honest, if it's anything to go by. Kallen probably saw stuff like what he did as well...
...
...
...
After everyone made sure those things were all dead. They began to try to get all the Japanese together in a spot outside to be looked at and cared for...
It's only then do I notice that the Guren as a girl in the other hand...
Oh, that's right...
Little Akagi-chan...
I wonder if her parents are dead after all of this as well?
Benio P.O.V.
I...
Wha...
What, happened?
I was with Mommy and Daddy for the event today and they were hoping things would be alright, and then the mean Wraith man talked a whole bunch and...
"Wh-where are my Mommy and Daddy?" I finally say, I knew it was the nice Q-1 Lady in the red Knightmare. I could hear her voice from it...
"It's okay Akagi-chan, we'll look for them, together." She tells me, though I know she sound pained in her voice, like she wants to try and keep strong...
We finally stop moving and she has her Knightmare stop and let me down. Then she gets out of it herself and I notice she has a bit of a different outfit this time.
Aside from the cool suit she's wearing, She has a simple mask on to cover her eyes, probably cause she is worried about all the camera's and people finding out her secret identity...
But that's okay, I can keep it Secret!
I- mean, it-
It's like I have anyone to tell it to, right?
Lady Q-1 pats my head, and she looks at me like how I know Mommy likes to at times when she says I'm crying...
"It's alright, you don't have to cry." She tells me.
Am I crying?
...
Oh, I guess I am tearing up a little...
I try to shake off the tears, I'm a big girl! I can handle myself!
She seems to smile proudly at me, almost like a big sister...
I wouldn't mind having her for a big sister...
"Q-1, and little Akagi. Are you alright little lady?" Mister Zero says, I'm glad he's here. He sounded soo cool when he talked back to the mean Wraith man!
"Y-yeah, just, trying to find my mommy and daddy is all." I tell him, trying to have my 'Big Girl' voice. I need to show him I can be strong and tough as well!
"Then lets look for them together, are you alright with that Q-1?" He asks the nice lady.
It's kind of nice being around them, it reminds me a little of how it is when I'm with mommy and daddy...
...
...
...
We do a lot of walking, but someone says they know where they are!
I run to where Mommy and Daddy are, eager to see them and tell them all about what happened...
...
Huh, Mommy, Daddy?
Why aren't you guys saying anything?
"Are they?" Lady Q-1 says...
Does she mean?
"No, just comatose, the sight of everything must have put them into a state of shut down." The man looking over Mommy and Daddy says...
"Then, th-that just means they'll wake up, right?" I ask, I know I heard some people say it's like a really Long Sleep. So I just have to wait for them to wake up...
Right?
The man has a sad face as he looks at me. "I'm not sure if they will my dear. It might take years, honestly I'm not sure what if anything can get them back up..."
Bu-but...
They, they have to...
THEY HAVE TO!
I feel Mister Zero and Lady Q-1 wrap their arms around me...
I know I'm meant to be a big girl, but I...
"It's okay, let it all out..."
I can't help it...
Suzaku P.O.V.
I'm not sure what's worse...
The fact Benio Akagi's parent's are alive. Or the fact they are in a Coma they may never wake from...
But I know one thing, hearing that little girl cry and wail while Lelouch and Kallen hold onto her and try to comfort her as much as they can...
It's enough to be up there on the list of worst things that I have ever felt...
Of course, Killing Lelouch for Zero Requiem is in the number 1 spot.
But I feel this, is one of those things that nears the top ten...
Euphie is crying along with me as well, as we hold onto each other...
At least we have each other, as selfish as that might sound...
I think we deserve this much if nothing else...
Cornelia P.O.V.
I'm not sure if I should envy the version of me who had to deal with Euphie dying, or be glad my Sister is alive still...
Seeing how that Fake acted like everything was fine, only to be satisfied at seeing her beaten and bloody once my actual Sister revealed herself to her...
It satisfied me knowing my Sister isn't as helpless as most make her out to be...
Even still, when I saw the, thing, that the Lord of Wraiths wanted to 'test'...
It horrified me as I saw what it did. And how it unleashed more of such things out to cause havoc and a massacre all around...
I can no longer allow myself to act under the orders of such MONSTERS any longer!
"Princess..." Gilbert says to me, concern clear in his voice.
"I want whoever was responsible for these things being allowed to be here found, I want them to tell me EVERYTHING!" I tell him, trying to let myself just use the rage I feel at all the heartache and pain so many had occur today...
Including that of the fact a number of the soldiers under my command fell to such things and were twisted by them...
AS IF IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO FORCE ME TO FIGHT AS THEIR DOG! THEY HAD TO DEFILE THE MEN UNDER MY COMMAND AS WELL!
"Cornelia!" Gilbert says, his voice more firm...
"WHAT!" I snap at him, I know I shouldn't be. But with everything that has happened...
I just can't hold it back much longer...
And yet, rather than flinch away from me or simply stand there, he comes close and...
Hugs me...
I, try not to allow anyone such things. As the image I have doesn't allow me to show such weakness...
And yet, in this moment...
I can't help but feel like I DESERVE this moment where I don't have to be strong, and allow my tears to flow freely...
I let myself cry, in the arms of my Knight, consequences be DAMNED!
I know Euphie is doing the same with Suzaku, so who am I to judge?
Lelouch P.O.V.
How much longer...
'Huh? What do you mean?'
How much longer can I keep this act up?
Kallen P.O.V.
'I...'
Don't know, yeah. That's what I was thinking too...
'This, I mean...'
Lelouch and Kallen P.O.V.
I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!
Benio P.O.V.
I feel Mister Zero and Lady Q-1 tighten their grips around me...
I might not be that great or smart, but I feel like they are getting tired of having to wear their masks all the time...
"It's okay, you don't have to hide anymore." I tell them, trying to help them somehow.
The two of them just gasp and seize up, and I feel them start crying a real lot...
I don't know what it is they are hiding so badly, but I know Mommy and Daddy would try to not hide secrets from each other...
I wonder how Mister Zero and Lady Q-1 are with their own families?
I feel the two of them stand up, and turn around. To face them.
"M-mommy and Da-Daddy always said it's important to share with those you trust. So, whatever you two have, you can share it with each other." I tell them, trying to make them feel better, it must be a really huge secret they both have if it's hurting them so much.
Lady Q-1 seems to barely put on a smile for me as she nods. "Yeah, we will. Thank you Akagi-Chan." And Mister Zero puts an arm around her shoulder and escorts her, it's kind of cool how his cape is draped over her as if to shield her. Like all those cool stories about Knights doing that to protect Princesses!
I-I just hope those two are going to be okay...
Lelouch P.O.V.
I manage to get myself changed out of my costume and head on back to Ashford Acadmey and am now inside the Council Room.
Young Akagi, for all that she understands at her age. Is able to at least know the fact I am hiding that kind of secret...
'Not to mention she implied Kallen has one of that kind as well...'
...
'You can't keep putting it off any longer.'
...
'You WILL tell Kallen the Truth Lelouch lux Britannia or I WILL-'
Don't call me that...
'What do you mean?'
Don't call me Lelouch...
'Why not?'
I'm not him, I'm not Lelouch lux Britannia, I'm not Lelouch Lamprouge...
I AM NOT EVEN FREAKING ZERO!
I! AM! NO ONE!
'What kind of BULLSHIT ANSWER IS THAT!'
"I'm just a freaking loser..."
'Wh-what are you-'
"I'm a fucking nobody who got stuck playing the role of someone he doesn't DESERVE TO BE! I COULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE ELSE! BUT NO! I HAD TO BE FORCED INTO THE ROLE OF FUCKING LELOUCH 'ZERO MAN OF MIRACLES' BRITANNIA! BE IT AS A VI, A LUX, OR SOME OTHER BULLSHIT MIDDLE NAME CRAP! I had dealt with a world that was going crazy because people wouldn't bother trying to look past their STUPID ideologies and wound up NUKING MUCH OF THE FUCKING PLANET THAT I HAD TO WANDER AROUND OF FOR YEARS AT A TIME! ONLY TO SOMEHOW SURVIVE AND ENDED UP BEING SAVED BY EX-U.S. NAVAL FORCES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE FUCKING JSMDF! And then, after all of that. I wound up living for a whole CENTURY AND A HALF AND SPENT ALL OF THAT TIME WIRTING FUCKING STORIES TO TRY AND KEEP SOME AMOUNT OF HOPE ALIVE FOR WHAT LITTLE OF THE WORLD REMAINED! And you want to know what else? Even after all that bullshit, all that hardship and pain... All I had WAS TO DIE ALONE AND OUTLIVING JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE IN MY GENERATION! Do you have any idea how it feels? Knowing you are the last of an age. Of after putting up with so much bullshit, only to end up having no one to truly love? That you could have a family with? To know the only bits of a Legacy you have is just in FUCKING STORIES! I should be glad that I got to live a life as a character from an Anime I watched... But really... I'M A WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT TO OBLIVION!"
'Are you done?'
I guess, does it matter?
'Yeah, because you screwed up big time...'
Who...
"I- I thought I was the only one, who ever would know that sort of things..." No...
IT CAN'T BE!
Kallen P.O.V.
He, I...
He's...
Like me?
Granted, my world didn't have any real Ideological issues among people, nor did it end up leading most of the world to be Nuked...
But, even still...
"You're, like me." I manage to get out amidst my surprise and shock at the revelation that I'm not alone...
I'm not alone.
I'M NOT ALONE.
I'MNOTALONEI'MNOTALONEI'MNOTALONE!
"N-no, you, you can't be like me. You JUST CAN'T!" He says, trying to back away from me, like he is trying to get as far away from anyone...
I don't care, he is like me. AND HE IS GOING TO ACCEPT THAT FACT!
I move quickly enough to get ahold of him and keep him in place. I look directly into his eyes.
And I see it...
The anguish, the fear, and the pain...
SO MUCH PAIN!
"I-I know what it's like, losing everything... Even if my world didn't get Nuked, and the States weren't divided or anything like that. Even if the world at large didn't end. It ended for me on a personal level. I lost my parents, a lot of my extended family as well. It was hard, having to deal with that kind of loss. Even still. I tried to endure, if only because, I knew they wanted me to. I tried to live my life. I- I never found love. Nor could did I feel I deserved Children... Such a life, that was something a more whole kind of woman should have had. So, I just did what I could to make life a bit more easier for other people. I didn't really mind if I were to live alone, for me. That was something I could look forward to in the next life around. I, I never expected I would end up living the life of Kallen Kozuki-Stradfield. But you know what? I'm willing to make the most of it." I tell him, letting out the feelings I've kept trapped inside for so long out...
He looks at me, the fear still present in his eyes, but also recognition was there as well...
"You knew, how you couldn't really try to have a family there, because you knew such joy. Would always be hampered, by the simple fact that every day, you would wake up and the one thing that stuck out..." He starts.
"... Was that you'd always feel the sense of ash in your mouth. And you vowed you wouldn't try to open you heart to such love, until you found someone who was so much like you." I picked up.
"And that the greatest thing you feared, was that there could be anyone like you. And you were so afraid, you didn't want that fear to go away, because it was a hope you couldn't dare to dream come true." We both said in unison
'And now, you understand...'
Wait, what?
Lelouch P.O.V.
And now I understand? Understand what?
'That you were never meant to live your life all alone. That even with the fear of finding someone like you. You shouldn't be so afraid to try and reach out to that person regardless. It's something I only came to realize once I had my own life end, after I had caused so many regrets. At least this time, we could set things right, and make a better world than the one we left behind. I knew what it was like to earn the hatred of the world. And that only worked for so long, even then I figured it wouldn't last forever. I simply tried my best anyhow. But now, now that you understand, we can do what should have been done so long ago...'
...
Heh, and here I was almost convinced you were just something I came up with to make sure I didn't lose track of things...
'Almost convinced?'
It just didn't quite add up, the fact you could control my body along was something I didn't think a mere sub-persona could do on it's own...
'Well, you are rather smart in your own right. You are my counterpart afterall...'
The other aspect of the core we share. One that embodies those who are willing to suffer all manner of pain and hardship, knowing that no matter what we face...
'We always achieve that which we yearn most for those around us, no matter what it costs us...'
...
'...'
You know, you never did get a chance to tell her how you felt...
'Are you really suggesting what I think you are?'
It's rude to leave a lady hanging, you know...
'Cheeky bastard.'
Magnificent Bastard you mean. Though I am curious how you are aware of the things I know that you never dealt with in your world?
'Hmph. If you must know, I'm not all there is of my soul, the rest of it is...'
With my own Dark Half, manifested as Ranger, and as such you were able to have that part of you share what it learned after spending such an amount of time with my own and learning all there was...
'Moments like this remind me just why it is I need to be aware there are those who are capable of being clever as me sometimes.'
Only sometimes?
'... Just shut up and let me talk already.'
Very well, I do believe 'your' Kallen is ready to hear your answer as well...
And with that, the two of us switch places, him in control, and me watching from the side...
"You asked me what you meant to me. The truth is Kallen. I-" He starts to say. Only for Kallen to put her finger to his lips.
"I already know, after all you made it clear enough right before I joined your side with everyone else." She tells him, leaning into his touch.
While some might argue this would be the point at which the boy and girl would kiss to seal the deal on how they care for each other...
Both P.O.V.
Neither of us have really been all that interested in doing what most people do!
'Besides, we already had a kiss. You two should have it be special'
Thanks for that you two...
Suzaku P.O.V.
As I head to the Council Room, worried for my friends, I notice them inside, and as I see them hold each other.
I just know, that the Lelouch and Kallen I am looking at, are the same ones I had known right till the very end in the old timeline...
Well, guess Lelouch finally got the chance to explain to her what she means to him, though I figured she already knew that anyhow.
Even with all the awful things that have happened today, I can tell the two of them have a massive load taken off, at least around each other...
They'll share it with the rest of us when it's necessary, but right now. Just this little moment of peace is good enough.
Ranger P.O.V.
Finally, it feels good to have them no longer worry about hiding from each other.
'Honestly is the most important part in any relationship.'
Indeed, though it also means the time for us to rejoin with them is right around the corner...
'Not like it'll mean the end of us, just that things will be a bit different now...'
Indeed...
"I must say, what a beautiful sight they do portray. I wish I could capture such a powerful Display, I'm certain it would be inspiring for a long time."
'You do realize you could just do a painting of that, right?'
"For more mundane artists, perhaps but I-!"
We know, but even you have to hold some appreciation for the more mundane forms of artwork, don't you?
"Hmm, well, I suppose you have a point. Thankfully this form I have has the benefit of letting me keep that image stored so I can pull it up when I get back home. Speaking of..."
'Yes, we know. Why exactly are you so insistent on getting back anyhow? I mean, you KNOW how everyone else views you there.'
"Exactly, what is the point of showcasing such art if you do not show it to those who know you first! That, and I'd like to rub it in their faces that I CAN in fact create works they are more accepting of!"
Yeah, of course. It has NOTHING to do with the fact you find the scene to be enough to make you not want to spoil it with your regular 'methods'...
"Hmph, whatever the case might be, I would like to return as soon as I can."
'That will have to take a bit, would you rather have the Lord of Wraiths wreck havoc with everyone back home?'
"I have a feeling they would be able to handle it for the most part, considering how some of them can be, well. You both know which ones I am talking about..."
We do know, needless to say. You might as well stick around, if only to watch the performance that will unfold...
A/N: And that is it for this chapter! So yeah, a fair number of hard feels. And not to mention I think you all have a good idea why something like that would rattle the likes of Lelouch and Kallen. Also the idea of them being somewhat split between the Isekai and Other Timeline was something I was inspired from a Prior reviewer's comments and conversation I had. If anyone has any thoughts on how it all is, please leave a review! Also, now the truth is out between the two! Everyone else will come at a later point, when I'm still a bit unsure of. However I figured this was as good a moment as any for the two of them to come to grips with what they have dealt with. I'm sure you guys might have started to realize it, but the theme between the two is that both have for the longest time held something of a Survivor's guilt from their previous lives. With Lelouch's having been through a world that as I have implied in prior, is pretty much our world if things went to the absolute worst case logical conclusion of how it is currently. This does NOT mean I am suggesting this is what will happen in our future, and I would VERY MUCH prefer it to NOT be the case. However his is just one of many possible outcomes where things took a bit of a nosedive, doesn't mean they didn't get better after a while. And living to 150 in that sort of world would be impressive to say the least, even still it would have left him a sense of guilt as he would have felt others would be more deserving of the life he had, simply because he felt he didn't do as much compared to others. While he has gotten out of his slump somewhat, his emotions will be a bit harsh for a time. Not in that he will be quick to blow up, just that his emotions will be a bit high strung. Same goes with Kallen, though for her case. Her world ending was more of a personal one rather than the world at large, which even if it's scale isn't the same, can be as devastating, if not more so. Than the sort Lelouch had to, granted it depends on the person. And thankfully both of them aren't the kinds who would have been willing to take the easy way out. So the lived long lives nonetheless in spite of everything. I want that to be the case to make sure people know even those who have suffered the worst in life can endure and are willing to put up with it all because they know it will work out in the end, might not be in this lifetime, or the next one, or even 10 or 20 ones down the line. But at some point, they will be rewarded for their willingness to endure and not break under the strain. The thing about cores and aspects is related to a concept I will explain later on, but for now just know it is something that ties the half souls of our Lelouch and Kallen together alongside Ranger and Wayfinder.
Also, I think a number of folks might know who exactly that 'Virtuoso' is. Really, I had a feeling someone like him would be interested in the goings on of all that is happening. However I don't intend on making him a major figure in the story, although I do plan on having a few individuals from a certain mech series in at some point, if only to help provide some interesting dynamics if nothing else. If you need a hint, the name of the plan they had to deal with the reflection Euphie is a starting point as to where you guys should look. Don't know how many of you will actually get the reference, but hopefully some of you might!
Till next time!
