The Demon and The Red Moon

Disclaimer: the following is a non-profit fanfiction. Code Geass is owned by Sunrise...i think. Please support the official release.

This chapter was a pain in my ass. I need to get paid for this or something.

Turn 03- Orange

"Congratulations!" Suzaku opened his eyes, surprised by Lloyd's sudden greetings. "Those two you asked about weren't on the casualty list." Suzaku smiled, at the news. Lelouch was still alive. "No good luck on your end, however."

"But the courts are where truth comes to light!" Suzaku replied. Lloyd smiled at Suzaku's words. He was strangely naive for a soldier.

"There'll be more smoke and mirrors than anything," Lloyd admitted, sadly. "I suspect the Purebloods are using this incident to gain power. So how does that feel? You're being used as a political tool." Suzaku winced. Just like Lelouch and Nunnally, seven years ago.

"Is this the state of the world? Is this what the world is really like?" Suzaku wondered aloud, frowning at his realization. Lloyd frowned at Suzaku's words.

"Private Kururugi," Lloyd said carefully, "is this your first time falling afoul of the law?" Suzaku's wince answered Lloyd's question. "I hate to point it out to you but the world isn't a nice place."

"If that's the way the world works," Suzaku decided, steeling himself. "So be it, I've no regrets!"

0.0.0

Lelouch helped Nunnally from her chair, his arm beneath her shoulders and thighs. She was getting heavier. It reminded Lelouch that she was growing. That their time was beginning to run out. She'd be a full-grown woman soon. Too soon. Would she start following after boys? Lelouch smiled in sympathy for the broken hearts sure to follow.

"Lelouch," Nunnally asked, her voice flush with concern. "What they were saying about Suzaku, it's not true is it?" Lelouch smiled at his sisters compassion.

"No of course not," Lelouch assured. The one who killed Clovis...was him. It may not have been his hand, but he had caused it. If he hadn't helped that group, they would've almost certainly been killed. Their lives were in his hands.

"It's all just a big misunderstanding," Lelouch assured, smiling. Nunnally smiled back at him. "Go to sleep, Nunnally," he ordered softly, placing a soothing hand on her hair. He stroked her hair gently until she finally fell asleep. "When you open your eyes, this world will be different. I swear."

He spun and walked out of Nunnally's bedroom. He paused as Kallen's face flashed through his mind. What was she thinking right this moment? He supposed he could find out. It wouldn't be that hard to find out where she lived.

"What am I thinking?" Lelouch chided himself, sighing. He took a detour heading for his office with the computer. He was stopped by the sight of Nina still bent over the computer. "Nina, do you know what time it is?" The black-haired mouse of a girl jumped as he spoke, then looked around to the darkened windows.

"I'm sorry," Nina muttered softly, avoiding eye contact with Lelouch. "I got caught up in my work again." She turned back to the computer. "I'm just so close to having it finished! When this is completed, we could have unlimited energy for everybody on the planet!"

"Unlimited power," Lelouch muttered to himself, thoughtfully. There was already a power like that in this world. And he had control of it.

0.0.0

"GUTS!" Lelouch was stirred awake suddenly by another of Milly's spells. He looked around to see Kallen working on her information for the student council. Kallen noticed him looking at her, then looked back to her paperwork.

"You think that guy really killed the prince?" Rivalz wondered aloud. Lelouch blinked at the words. No, Lelouch thought. Suzaku didn't kill Clovis. The military is using him as a scapegoat to pursue an agenda. Lelouch glanced at Kallen. She was listening to Rivalz as well. What are you thinking? What is your opinion of Suzaku?

"That eleven?" Nina asked, fearfully. Nina's fear of elevens might be justified. Not this time.

"What do you think, Lelouch?" Rivalz asked. Lelouch looked up.

"I think it's just more politics by the military," Lelouch commented. "They're using an accident to try to gain more power. More proof that the world doesn't work."

"Doesn't work?" Shirley asked from between Lelouch and Kallen. "Are you planning to change the world all by yourself?" Lelouch grinned to himself.

"Now that's silly," Lelouch said humorously. "How could one school-boy change the world?" Rivalz chuckled as Lelouch changed his face into a smile. Shirley and Milly laughed. Kallen just watched him carefully.

"I just remembered, I have to get home for a doctor's visit," she said, standing. Lelouch stood with and gave her a friendly smile.

"I'll walk you home," he offered. Kallen gave him a fake smile. She walked from the student council room. Lelouch followed behind, stuffing a hand in his pocket. As soon as the door closed she began to speak again.

"What are you planning?" Lelouch looked at the back of Kallen's head, uninterested.

"What do you mean?" Lelouch asked, curious.

"You aren't going to let the military get away with this, are you?" Kallen asked, not turning.

"I had no intention of claiming responsibility for Clovis's murder," Lelouch announced. "However, Suzaku Kururugi is no murderer."

"He's a Britannian soldier, of course he's a murderer," Kallen argued angrily.

"Are you a soldier?" Lelouch asked. Kallen stopped, and Lelouch nearly bumped into her. His hand accidentally brushed her hind end, and her face turned red. Lelouch heard a slap and saw stars, and the next thing he knew he was on the floor. And his cheek was burning.

"Don't touch me you pervert!" she shouted at him. The doors in the hallways suddenly opened, and heads began to peek out. She looked around and blushed, then gasped and began to quickly walk away. Lelouch sat up as people began to murmur. Oh what fresh hell is this? He sighed to himself.

"Lelouch!" came Shirley's angry voice. Lelouch looked over his shoulder to see the ginger rapidly running at him. He gave a shout and jumped to his feet. "A lady should never be touched without her permission you pervert!" she shouted as she began to chase him.

"Wait, Shirley!" Lelouch cried at the form pursuing him. "It was an accident!" he passed Kallen, who stopped in place, her eyes wide.

"Oh, no," she said in realization. "I stopped walking too soon." At the other end of the hall, Milly and Rivalz were watching from the door to the student council room.

"RIVALZ, HELP ME!" Rivalz and Milly winced at Lelouch's cry as they heard the crash.

"What the hell did I run into?" Lelouch wondered aloud as he tried to extricate himself from the band equipment. He gasped, remembering why he'd been running. He saw Shirley holding a large bass drum over her head. "Shirley," he said calmly, trying to reason with her. Then Lelouch cried out as Shirley dropped the drum on his head like an iron hammer.

"Sorry," Kallen muttered apologetically later. Lelouch was sitting in the student council room, holding a bag of ice to the top of his head as Kallen stood over him. Lelouch looked up from under the icepack on top of his head, arching an eyebrow.

"You think sorry is going to cover this?" he asked incredulously. Kallen winced. "Sorry is for when you trip someone. Sorry is for dropping food on the other person. Near-concussions are a little more serious."

"Oh shut up, you don't have a concussion," Kallen reminded, annoyed.

"The day isn't over yet," Lelouch refuted. "Maybe Shirley will find the steel flag poles next." Kallen rolled her eyes as Lelouch finished.

"Hey buddy," Rivalz said from the door as he entered. "Classes have been Canceled for this afternoon. People have been asking for a rematch." Lelouch dropped his head and groaned at the pain in his skull. He could barely think, let alone play chess. He smirked as he wondered if the game would finally be even in his state.

"No, thank you Rivalz," Lelouch said, wincing as he spoke. "I have a date with Kallen tonight."

"Oh-ho," Rivalz said, chuckling and crossing his arms with a smirk. "A little romance, huh?" Kallen narrowed her eyes at the implication but said nothing. Lelouch chuckled at Rivalz.

"Nothing special, I can assure you," he said jokingly.

"Alright," Rivalz said, turning to leave, "but you better give me the gory details later, you lucky bastard." Lelouch chuckled at Rivalz until his friend left.

"We are not dating," Kallen argued defiantly. Lelouch sighed and removed the ice pack from his head, setting it down on the table.

"You shouldn't have told them that we were dating then," Lelouch reminded, not looking at her.

"Look," she began, angrily. She grabbed the top of his head.

"Ow!" Lelouch yelped. Kallen let go of his hair with a jump, reminded at the condition of his head. "Watch the head, will you?"

"Sorry!" she repeated emphatically.

0.0.0

"Do you recognize this weapon?" Jeremiah Gottwald asked Suzaku. Suzaku ignored the plastic-wrapped pistol. He was surrounded and bound.

"I've never seen that weapon before," Suzaku affirmed. He was knocked sideways by a blow. The punch dazed him and made his vision spin. He fought to regain his equilibrium. Jeremiah set the evidence bag down carefully.

"It is a model you're familiar with, however?" Jeremiah asked, carefully.

"Yes," Suzaku replied, dutifully.

"But you claim that this gun is not yours?" Jeremiah added, cocking his head to the side.

"No." Suzaku's reply was immediately met with a blow to the head.

"We found your fingerprints all over this weapon," Jeremiah informed, turning his head straight again. Of course, it wasn't the gun that killed Clovis. But no one knew that. "The barrel markings match the bullet that robbed prince Clovis of his life. Come clean now and you'll be judged as a Britannian instead of a number."

"You've got it all wrong!" Suzaku argued, before another blow hit him.

"Tell me, was General Bartley involved in your plan? He left his highness alone in the G-1. Or did he just run away like a coward? Personally I'd never believe Bartley had the intelligence to come up with this kind of thing, but he did leave the Prince unguarded." Suzaku growled to himself.

"Why would I kill Prince Clovis?" he asked, trying to reason with Gottwald.

"You were the son of Japan's last prime minister," Jeremiah reminded, but it was as if he was stating it matter of factually. As if Suzaku didn't know who his own father was. "You still carry his pocket watch with you. During the Shinjuku incident, I would imagine you were particularly angry that so many of your kind were being slaughtered."

"It's called motive," Gottwald's orange-haired subordinate stated. Suzaku winced.

"Of course I was disgusted," Suzaku admitted. Jeremiah smiled. "But wouldn't anyone be angry about the cold-blooded murder of innocent people? But I wouldn't kill my superior over it!"

"And I would believe that," Jeremiah said honestly, "if you hadn't murdered the prince."

"You're wrong," Suzaku argued.

"That's for your court-martial to determine," Jeremiah declared, standing. He left the interrogation cell and turned to Villeta. "Everything was recorded?"

"Yes, my lord," Villeta replied.

"Good," Jeremiah replied, smirking. "Have the TV man edit it for the Court-martial. I'm sure he'll be able to make the eleven look guilty."

0.0.0

Lelouch carefully packed the new clothes into a back pack. He was ready. He checked his watch. And just in time, too. He grabbed the new cell phone, especially bought for Kallen and her friends. He mentally ran through his plan as he walked over to Tokyo Tower.

He stepped round a corner and ran into a tall Japanese man in worn clothes. Lelouch let out a breath as he recovered his footing and looked up at the man. It was Ohgi, Kallen's friend from the Shinjuku Ghetto.

"Sorry 'bout that," Lelouch apologized, smiling a friendly smile.

"That's okay," Ohgi assured, smiling in return.

"Get lost!" Tamaki said angrily at Lelouch, from behind Ohgi. Lelouch acted like a wimp, (no stretch, for him,) and quickly ran across the street.

"Sorry again!" he shouted over his shoulder.

"That wasn't polite," Ohgi said over his shoulder at Tamaki. "He's just a kid."

That was close, Lelouch thought in irritation, gritting his teeth. He looked up the street and saw Kallen waving. Lelouch glanced over his shoulder to see Ohgi waving back. Dammit, if Kallen pointed him out to Ohgi, his identity was ruined! He needed to hide, quickly. A taxi was up on the street. Lelouch quickly ran to it and got in.

"Where to?" the driver asked in the mirror. Lelouch let his power burn up his eye.

"Drive," Lelouch ordered. The driver was offended for exactly half a second before taking off. Kallen didn't see him as he passed. "Take me to Tokyo Tower," he ordered. The order would still technically work. He was just specifying where the man should drive to.

Kallen smiled at Ohgi as the three of them joined her on the sidewalk.

"Tokyo Tower," Kallen informed Ohgi. Ohgi frowned and looked up at the remnants of the tower. The top half had been blown apart by the Britannian Invasion. The quartet continued to move towards the tower. Kallen found herself stunned by the size of the landmark as they entered.

"Who is this Zero character, that he'd want to meet us here? Here at a symbol of our defeat." Kallen frowned and looked over her shoulder at Ohgi.

"I don't know," Kallen admitted. Lelouch, what are you doing? Kallen asked herself internally, suspiciously. She looked back ahead as they entered the elevator.

"Was it Suzaku Kururugi?" Ohgi asked, worried. "He could've gotten a message out before he was captured. But if that's the case-"

"It was Zero," Kallen corrected. "That man in Shinjuku." The elevator door opened. Lelouch hugged the wall as Kallen and her friends left the elevator. He kept his face turned the other way. As soon as Kallen and her friends were past, he moved into the elevator. He nodded at the receptionist. She smiled, her red-tinted eyes widening slightly as the doors closed.

"Excuse me, miss?" the receptionist called, distracting Kallen. "I think this is yours." She held something black out in her hand. Kallen widened her eyes as she realized what it was. A cell phone.

"Thank you," Kallen said, smiling at the receptionist. She took the small black phone.

"What?" the woman asked, shaking her head. "What was I doing?" Kallen blinked. He used it on that woman. Lelouch used that mysterious power. The phone rang. The caller ID read 'Zero.' Kallen looked at Ohgi, waiting for his answer. He nodded, and Kallen answered the phone.

0.0.0

Lelouch was waiting for them when they stepped into the front car of the train. Lelouch looked ahead. The tunnel was coming up, just as he planned. He didn't turn yet.

"Look to your right," Lelouch told them, not turning. "What do you see?"

"The Britannian city," Ohgi commented, not understanding.

"It was stolen from us," Kallen added, bitter. "And built on our sacrifice." Lelouch smiled inside his mask. That was correct. He'd seen it built on their sacrifice. Though Kallen probably had too.

"And on the left?" Lelouch added, looking up to see the tunnel.

"Our city," Kallen replied. "The city that the Britannians left us after they sucked it dry."

"Good answer," Lelouch commented, smiling to himself. The tunnel was almost here.

"Who are you?" Ohgi asked. The tunnel was here. Lelouch spun to face them. They recoiled at his appearance in shock. A black cloak and purple uniform. And a helmet to protect his identity. Kallen stared at him as if he were a madman. And he might be.

"I am Zero," Lelouch declared.

"So you were the one in Shinjuku?" Ohgi asked, unbelieving.

"I was," Lelouch confirmed, nodding once.

"What's with the mask?" Tamaki asked angrily.

"I wanted you to grasp the difference. Between the Japanese City and Britannian City." He raised both arms one at a time, gesturing to the windows where the cities had been sighted through. "The difference seems insurmountable, doesn't it?"

"What's that mean?" Ohgi asked, pausing. Lelouch blinked inside his helmet.

"Insurmountable? Like cleaning a skyscraper with a stepladder." Lelouch explained. Dear god, Lelouch thought to himself. If I'm going to have to explain every other word I might as well join the Japan Liberation Front. At least they have resources.

"I knew what the word meant," Ohgi corrected. "I know there's a difference. A harsh one. That's why we resist them."

"You're mistaken," Lelouch commented. "Britannia won't be defeated by terrorism."

"What other option is there?" Kallen asked angrily. "Why don't you lose that mask?"

"This mask is not for me," Lelouch declared. Ohgi and the others were suddenly confused. Kallen understood, judging by her narrowing eyes. "There is someone I must protect. Until then, I must hide my face from our enemies. However, if you do not trust me, trust Kallen. She's seen my face and knows who I am. I ask that you not question her about it."

"I see," Ohgi replied, frowning in discontent. Lelouch watched him carefully as Ohgi frowned at him. No, Ohgi was frowning at Zero. He eyed Kallen, who watched him with one eye. He frowned more deeply. "I guess we can at least trust you not to kill us all."

"I could've done that in Shinjuku," Lelouch joked, cocking his head to the side in a smile. Ohgi smirked at the joke, despite himself. "Now, it's time to properly introduce myself to Britannia as well. Suzaku Kururugi is being moved to a court-martial tomorrow. I only require one more piece in order to prevent an innocent man's execution." He pulled the photo out from beneath his cloak, and held it out to Kallen. She took it and looked at it, then showed Ohgi.

"All that matters is the exterior. I'll provide the other two items," Lelouch said, informatively.

"What are they?" Ohgi asked, curious.

"Since you asked, the first is a Knightmare Frame," Lelouch said, moving his arm back beneath his cloak. "The second was the capsule that you stole. It didn't contain what you thought it contained. However, we can turn the Britannian lie into a Japanese truth."

"It wasn't poison gas?" Ohgi asked. Kallen seemed stunned by this revelation as well. Lelouch frowned at that. She'd seen the occupant. Or did she not know how he'd gotten his new power? "Well, what was it then?" Lelouch thought for exactly a second.

"It was Pandora's Box. And it released me unto the world."

0.0.0

'Do you recognize this weapon?' Jeremiah's voice sounded from the tape player.

'Yes,' Suzaku's voice replied.

'The barrel markings match the bullet that robbed prince Clovis of his life. Come clean now and you'll be judged as a Britannian instead of a number.'

'Why would I kill Prince Clovis?'

'During the Shinjuku incident, I would imagine you were particularly angry that so many of your kind were being slaughtered.'

'Of course I was disgusted,' Suzaku's voice admitted. Diethard clicked the tape to stop playing.

"Excellent," Jeremiah complimented, smiling.

"Thank you, my lord," Diethard said, bowing slightly. Jeremiah looked to the left of the desk where he sat. They had appropriated Bartley's office quickly. Seeing as the fool had no further need for it. Jeremiah blinked when Diethard offered the tape recording. He smiled and took the tape. "I have another favor to ask."

"I thought you would, sir," Diethard replied flatly.

"Suzaku Kururugi's court-martial. It would serve us if it were a highly public event."

"We should line the road with good, patriotic Britannians," Diethard finished, his eye flashing with intuition. Jeremiah smirked. Not just for women, then.

"You catch on quickly," Jeremiah noted whimsically. "Ever thought of enlisting? The military could use more men like you." Diethard kept his face perfectly nuetral. He's not just nuetral, Jeremiah thought to himself. He's like me. Bored to death.

"I don't think it would be a good fit," Diethard admitted.

"You prefer the civil sector I take it," Jeremiah deduced. "No matter. As you guessed, we should make the trial and execution a live public event."

"Understood, sir," Diethard responded dutifully. Jeremiah frowned. This newsman was getting old quickly playing the passive observer.

"Margrave Jeremiah," Villeta began, from behind Gottwald's shoulder. "There are some who view Kururugi as a hero. They might try to free him." Jeremiah anticipated this information. Part of him even longed for it. It'd been too long since he'd had a real battle.

"We'll be there personally in Knightmares. If anyone even thinks of trying something, they'll be executed on the spot."

0.0.0

Lelouch was carefully wiring the capsule. It had taken less time than he'd thought. Ohgi was set in the loader. Kallen sat in the front of the car, ready for his word. He sighed when he was finished. He stood and closed the remaining open petal of the capsule. He stepped from the carriage in the back of the car and sat down beside Kallen. She eyed him as he sat down.

"The surprise is ready, and the event is about to being. It's almost time," Lelouch said aloud, crossing his legs in the passenger seat. He noticed that Kallen was still looking at him. He turned his head so he was meeting her gaze with a disinterested expression. She looked away. Lelouch turned his head away, but narrowed his eyes as he kept his gaze on her.

"You're being quiet," Lelouch noted, bored. "Did I do something wrong again?" Kallen didn't answer. Lelouch frowned at her silence. He glanced down at her driver's uniform with disdain. "This outfit doesn't suit you. I liked your borrowed Britannian uniform much better." Kallen's lips pressed together and she blushed.

"Shut up," she told him.

"Why? Do you dislike being complimented on your beauty?" Lelouch probed, smiling a confident grin. Kallen blinked and looked at Lelouch, uncomfortable. Lelouch leaned closer to her, but stopped before he could touch her.

"Stop teasing me," she said, uncomfortable.

"I'm not teasing you," Lelouch corrected, smiling sincerely this time. "By any standards you're a beautiful girl. But," he added, cocking his head, "you dislike that beauty?" Kallen didn't answer, still watching him, blushing a fierce pink.

"I'd rather be complimented as a soldier than as a girl," she finally answered. Lelouch's smile changed from a sincere smile to one of amusement, and he leaned away again.

"I understand," he commented, looking ahead. "I'll admit thought, that kiss of ours has been on my mind lately. It's been rattling around my memory, resurfacing at all the wrong moments. But I don't think the kiss in and of itself was wrong. In fact..." he glanced back at Kallen, dropping off.

I liked it, too, she thought, not looking at Lelouch. If they were about to die, she'd want to go out knowing someone loved her. She mentally prepared herself to ask when he spoke again.

"It's time to go," he announced, standing and heading into the back. Kallen winced as he did. She'd missed her chance. Maybe her last chance. In the back of the vehicle, Lelouch unpacked the last items of his uniform.

All tasks have been cleared, he told himself, pulling on his black gloves.

If you stop, you die, he wrapped his black cloak around himself.

There's no need to turn back, he held his mask up to his face, staring into the visor.

He turned the mask and drew it over his face. The die is cast.

Two minutes later he stood before the military convoy, surrounded by Britannian Knightmare frames. So far all according to plan, Lelouch thought to himself. Of course, if it hadn't been according to plan, he wouldn't have even gotten this far. But Kallen probably didn't want to know that.

"Who are you?" Margrave Gottwald asked rudely, gesturing with a firearm. Utterly moronic. Lelouch noted a camera being aimed at him. He looked directly at it.

"I am...Zero," he announced, keeping his cloak wrapped around him. "Suzaku Kururugi, I'd like you to hand him over to me." Jeremiah's eyes widened at the request.

"He's guilty of murdering Prince Clovis! I can't hand him over!" Jeremiah argued, angrily.

"You're mistaken," Lelouch announced. Behind Jeremiah, Villeta stiffened. Her gun had killed Clovis. But who had been aiming it? "The hand by whom Clovis was slain...belonged to me!" Kallen stiffened, glancing over her shoulder. He was taking responsibility for her act.

"A trade, then," Jeremiah reasoned, before aiming the gun directly at Zero. "You for Kururugi."

"I think not," Lelouch countered. "Unless you want the world to know about Orange."

"Enough joking around!" Jeremiah declared. "Lose that mask!" Lelouch raised a hand, touching his mask as if he'd forgotten it was there. Then he snapped his fingers. Kallen flipped the switch. The carriage on the back of the vehicle fell apart just as planned, revealing the steel capsule within. You think this is poison gas.

"Counter-proposal, Jeremiah," Lelouch offered as Zero, lowering his arm back to his side. "This for Kururugi. And if you don't want Orange to be exposed," he flipped the slide of his helmet open from within, "you'll help us escape, including the prisoner!"

"Right," Jeremiah said, red tint turning his golden eyes orange. "Hand over the prisoner! That's an order. Immediately!" The two guards stood down, lowering their assault rifles. Lelouch jumped down from the car. Kallen stepped out from the driver's seat. Suzaku walked over. Lelouch met him halfway. Lelouch frowned at the collar around his neck.

"They didn't allow you to speak," he noted.

"Zero," Jeremiah added, drawing Lelouch's attention. "I will order our units to stand down!"

"What?" asked another Britannian from a nearby Sutherland.

"Lord Quel!" Jeremiah admonished angrily, "This is an order!"

"Time to go," Lelouch noted quickly. He raised the remote and clicked the top button. The capsule erupted with purple gas. Or to be more accurate, colored smoke. Lelouch smiled as he ran, gesturing for Suzaku and Kallen to follow. The three quickly clambered up the concrete railing.

"I'll cover you!" Kallen commented, turning and drawing a pistol. She was about to fire when Lelouch wrapped his arms and cloak around her and dropped backwards off the railing. Suzaku jumped after them. Launch the net, Ohgi, Lelouch mentally commanded, and prayed. Their fall was broken by the net launched by the loader Lelouch had provided. Then Kallen landed on top of him, knocking the breath from him.

But they weren't dead. They'd landed safely in the net. They crawled out of the net quickly and into the waiting truck. Lelouch was regaining his breath the whole way back to the Shinjuku Ghetto. Suzaku sat across from him in the back of the trailer.

"Thank you for rescuing me," Suzaku said, surprising Lelouch. He looked up to see Suzaku's face. He didn't look happy. He looked uncertain.

"Not at all," Zero replied, sitting up and crossing his legs. "I was merely repaying a favor."

"I see," Suzaku replied, smiling now. "I'm grateful, but I have to go."

"Go where?" Lelouch asked, confused.

"My trial begins in an hour," Suzaku answered, standing. Lelouch's eyes widened behind Zero's mask. He was going back to them?

"Are you mad?" Lelouch raged, standing. "The only reason they're having a trial is to find you guilty! Is that the kind of law you want to serve?!"

"And you?" Suzaku countered angrily. "Those were civilians! That gas-"

"Was a bluff! We achieved our results without a single death!" Lelouch was enraged. The idiot was throwing his life away, again!

"The results?" Suzaku frowned, lowering his eyes. "I guess that's all you recognize. Still, orders are orders, and I have to go."

"But you'll die!" Lelouch countered.

"I don't mind," Suzaku declared, smiling. Kallen listened carefully from the cab of the truck.

"Idiot," Lelouch hissed.

"Stop the truck, please," Suzaku asked. Kallen slowed and stopped the vehicle. Suzaku raised the door at the back and jumped out. Lelouch walked over to stand at the end of the truck.

"Suzaku," Lelouch said, desperately. "I want your help to create something." Suzaku turned around at this, frowning.

"I'm sorry," he said, saddened. "But anything gained by contemptible means aren't worth anything. I'm grateful for your help, Zero, but I can't help you."

"Suzaku!" Suzaku turned and began to walk away. Lelouch gritted his teeth, his rage growing equal to his desperation for his friend. Kallen stood from the seat and watched Lelouch's back.

"Suzaku!" he repeated. Suzaku kept going. He was almost gone, the darkness was beginning to swallow his white prisoner's outfit. Lelouch ripped his helmet from his head, then tore down the under-mask to free his face.

"Suzaku!" Suzaku still didn't turn. Then he was swallowed by darkness. And gone. Lelouch backed up, quivering in rage. He turned and threw down his helmet, then slammed the butt of his fist against the inner wall of the truck. Kallen stepped past him to lower the door at the end of the truck. "Still caring about everyone except himself!"

Kallen turned from closing the door of the trailer. She walked over and placed a hand on Lelouch's cloaked shoulder, comforting. Lelouch shrugged, his hand still on the wall. It slowly unclenched and pressed against the wall, then was slid down.

"I'm sorry, Kallen," he said, not turning to face her. She frowned. "I thank you for you help tonight. But I was wrong. I can't defeat Britannia."

a/n this is not the end! Be sure to keep following, and please, remember to review!