Demon and the Red Moon
I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK...
usual disclaimers apply
Spinzaku Kururugi fact number 39: Spinzaku Kururugi does not stop spinning. He merely spins the earth upon landing to match his perpetual spin. So he appears to be standing still.
Euphemia
Euphemia sighed as she entered her bedroom in the Viceroy's residence. She reached behind her and pulled her pink hair free from its bindings. 'Tired' wasn't a sufficient word for how she felt at this moment. The government of Area Eleven was in a state of panic after Cornelia's capture. Guilford was angry at everything, including himself for failing to protect Euphie's sister.
What would Cornelia do if I were captured? Euphemia immediately remembered as soon as she finished the thought.. Cornelia had surrounded the JLF who had captured Euphie, and allied with Zero. A man she had every reason to want dead. Unfortunately, that was exactly who had Cornelia. Her enemy...
Euphemia stood up with renewed vigor. She quickly ran from her bed room. She had to get a number. She ran to the nearest servant she could find.
"Please get me a phone number for Taizo Kirihara!"
The servants weren't quick to get the number, but Euphie couldn't fault them for it. The idea she had was crazy just by itself.
'Your highness?' came the old man's voice. Euphemia smiled, despite herself.
"Mr. Kirihara," she greeted. She had to handle this carefully, but she knew she could do this. She knew people, if nothing else. "I'm glad you were able to take my call. I trust that you are well?"
'Despite my age, very well, thank you,' Kirihara replied, politely, but Euphemia could hear his disinterest in pleasantries.
"How much do you know of the recent battles our forces had with the JLF and the Black Knights?" Euphemia braced. This was where her gamble might ruin her life. If she let it.
'I know very little,' the elder eleven confessed. 'I try to keep out of local politics and news.'
"Oh? I'm glad that the rumors about you are false then," Euphemia said cheerfully. The Rumors. Always capital R. Kirihara supplied the resistance groups in Japan, as part of the Kyoto Clans. She had a few cards in her hand, none of them powerful. It was time to bluff.
'You shouldn't believe such gossip, Princess Euphemia,' Kirihara replied. His tone was still polite, gentlemanly, and strong. But he was still trying to throw off the princess.
"I always believe that in every lie there is a pearl of truth, if one examines enough," Euphemia commented sweetly. -We might start investigating you for your affiliations.- Britannia could try to strip the entire industry of Sakuradite mining from Kirihara. Then Euphie decided to play her hand.
"For example, I just discovered my brother Lelouch vi Britannia was very much alive. But during the war we were certain he'd been killed. I have yet to launch an investigation of how he was not discovered earlier."
'I see,' Kirihara commented, noncommittally. 'A joyous reunion then?' Did Kirihara know if Lelouch was alive?
"Did you happen to know Lelouch? During his time in the Prime Minister's household perhaps?" Euphie was buying time on what to say.
'I met him once, yes,' Kirihara admitted cautiously. Maybe too cautiously. 'What does this have to do with the Black Knights?'
"You see, they captured my elder sister, Viceroy Cornelia, and I have to maintain the state of the colony while she is a prisoner. So I just wanted to ask if we cold meet in person to discuss Britannia's continued partnership with your company. It would be tragic if our partnership was ruined by unsavory elements." At the end of her proposal, Euphemia listened carefully to Kirihara's reply.
'I look forward to our meeting. I must put our assistants in contact to see if our schedule's align as soon as possible.' Kirihara ended the call with a few platitudes. Euphemia frowned as she set the gilded phone-set down.
0.0.0
"She knows that you are alive," Kirihara declared angrily. Lelouch resisted the urge to sigh, barely. He'd brought along Kallen, and only Kallen. Despite this, Lelouch kept his mask on. He didn't need to show the old Japanese his expression. Their meeting room in Mt. Fuji was now brightly lit, eliminating all shadows, doubtless to prevent Lelouch from pulling the same trick twice.
"You're right," Lelouch admitted through his mask. "I was far too careless. But she has nothing. Only suspicions and rumors. "
"Suspiciouns and rumors?" Kirihara repeated, emphatically. Lelouch rolled his eyes at the old man's melodramatics. "She could investigate our business and discover our financial support of the Black Knights! Far less has been started on suspicions and rumors."Lelouch knew that whole witch hunts had been previously started with rumors.
"Give me enough supplies to attack the Government Bureau. We will eliminate the problem at its source." Lelouch was irritated that he still had to rely on these out-dated fools. Without Cornelia, even with the reinforcements that had just arrived, Lelouch could take the Bureau with Kyoto's resources. Dalton was no match for Lelouch's strategics.
"If Euphemia survived, or even told anyone about her insinuations, any assault would confirm that they were correct!" Kirihara rebutted. Lelouch thought about this for a nano second.
"She made her call herself. That suggests that she is acting alone," Lelouch counter-rebutted. Kirihara gritted his teeth. They both knew that Lelouch couldn't know for sure. "What do you propose that the Black Knights do? Sit around and wait for the Emperor to die of old age?"
"Euphemia knows that Lelouch vi Britannia is alive," Kirihara reminded. "If she goes to the Emperor with that knowledge, nothing can stop Britannia from finding him." Lelouch frowned behind his mask. If it came to that, he would simply use his Geass to make Euphemia forget. He would have to move Nunnally from Asheford. A cover story would have to be enacted. Unless he also simply Geassed Euphemia to leave Asheford.
But if Euphie told the Emperor. Or even others of the Colonial Government. Then it would be beyond his control. Even Geass...
"I think it is past time that Lelouch vi Britannia spoke with Euphemia again," Zero declared.
0.0.0
"And what is Kallen Kozuki's position on Euphemia and Lelouch?" Zero asked his red-haired half-breed. Kallen eyed Zero, taking her eyes from the hall the two walked along.
"Euphemia's bluffing. She doesn't have anything on Kyoto. But she's using the threat to get Kirihara on her side." Zero turned his black and violet helmet to gaze at Kallen. Her ideas patently baffled him. And her idea that Euphie was trying to turn Kirihara...
"What gave you that idea?" Lelouch asked, honestly curious.
"Woman's intuition," Kallen declared, earning a bemused exhale beneath Zero's helmet. "Why did you just refer to yourself in the third person?" Lelouch didn't pause. He looked ahead again. He knew the reason, but revealing it to Kallen? Did he trust her that much?
"I am Zero. Lelouch is another person while I'm Zero. It closes off those parts of me that are human. I don't feel pain as Zero. I can do anything I need to, because I'm not human in this mask anymore." Kallen frowned at Zero's explanation. Lelouch was an idiot. Calling himself a different name to try and save himself from guilt.
"I've given this a great deal of Lelouch's thought," Zero replied when Kallen said out loud what she was thinking. "Lelouch isn't strong enough to defeat Britannia, and he said so after we tried to recruit Kururugi."
"I'm not dating Zero," she reminded. Lelouch paused at this and Kallen stopped along with him. They were alone, Lelouch checked, in the hallway before Lelouch removed his mask.
"I thought you couldn't be with someone who didn't trust you," Lelouch demanded, removing his thin under-mask. Kallen turned away. Lelouch trusted her, but so far, no one else. But after Mao, her idea had changed somewhat. If Mao hadn't been taken care of, he could have used Lelouch's friends against him. Or Nunnally. Or her? And used the Black Knights to do it?
"What do I mean to you?" She counter-demanded, not looking at Lelouch. "Not as Zero or Lelouch, but to you?" Lelouch narrowed his eyes in thought.
"I want to hear your answer first," Lelouch told her, his voice still strong.
What did Lelouch mean to her? Was he an instrument in her crusade against Britannia? A future after that? Commander? Lover? Did she love him or the idea of him? He'd saved her mother from a prison, and shown her just what her family had meant to her. She spun to face him.
"You're the future to me. Even after defeating Britannia." Lelouch absorbed this with thought.
"After I erased Shirley's memories I knew I couldn't allow myself the benefits of people close to me. They would be a target next to me. I hadn't realized that at first. Even when we assaulted Cornelia at Narita, I never thought those around me could be used to hurt me."
Now you're asking me if I am willing to accept that you could be harmed or even killed, simply because of whatever feelings I have for you," Lelouch declared. His voice wasn't full of emotion. It was cold, emotionless, pragmatic.
"So you're trying to protect me by hurting me?" Kallen asked, for clarification. Lelouch frowned and nodded in confirmation before continuing.
"We'll be in battle again someday, perhaps someday soon," Lelouch declared. "And if you're killed I'll be the one left behind. You're already in far too much danger as it is in the Black Knights. Had I known what I know now I would have suggested you leave. You thought to. I would ask now, but I know you wouldn't."
To answer you question of what you mean to me, I can tell you: you're not just a piece on a chess board to me. Where with others I would send dozens to die, with you I can't." Lelouch finished his explanation and looked down at his mask. Kallen felt her throat tighten as she absorbed this. She meant something to him. More than just a useful pawn. Maybe more than just a friend.
"Do I mean more to you than a friend?" Kallen asked, struggling to speak through her tight throat. Lelouch looked up at her, his eyes full of vulnerability he was trying to hide. He frowned, not sure if he could answer.
"You could mean as much to me as Nunnally, or Suzaku," Lelouch finally confessed. His eyes couldn't look back up at Kallen. Kallen's eyes widened as her chest felt like it exploded.
Zero's helmet hit the ground with a loud clatter. Lelouch nearly jumped as Kallen embraced him tightly. Lelouch's arms were held out, himself not certain if he should return her embrace. Finally his arms settled around Kallen's form.
0.0.0
Suzaku stared down at Euphemia, his eyes wide. She wanted him to be with her as she spoke with Taizo Kirihara? Guilford raised from his chair with an objection. Suzaku's mind was still filled with questions as to why, which Guilford separately asked.
"As the former Prime Minister's son, he'll make our negotiations with Kirihara easier," Euphemia declared. "He's an honorary Britannian. A full citizen in the eyes of this Viceroy."
"Your Highness you are only a sub-viceroy from Cornelia's appointment," Guilford objected. "If the emperor discovers your plan..." The idea was left unsaid. Euphie could wind up disinherited, even if her plan worked and saved Cornelia. Or worse assassinated.
"But if Cornelia is rescued using Kirihara's help, it will signal to the Japanese people-" she ignored the winces of everyone assembled- "that the Britannian Government is willing to work with them. If we achieve cooperation then the resistance against the Empire will subside."
"Your highness," Suzaku argued. "You're risking your life for this plan."
"No different than you have done, Suzaku," Euphemia replied. "Or you Sir Guilford." The princess stood to face Suzaku. She looked across the room. "We won't rescue Cornelia in any other way, so we must do this thing. We must use every available means to try to rescue the Viceroy."
0.0.0
"Lelouch, I'm leaving."
Lelouch recoiled at the words. The redhead saying them just looked at him with her sad green eyes. When he asked why, he was even more perplexed by Shirley's reply.
"My mother is moving us back to the homeland. My grandfather has an estate so we can be supported, now that my father is gone. And I'm planning to enter the Britannian Military Academy." Lelouch's jaw dropped.
"I've already told Milly and Rivalz," Shirley informed.
"You're going to be a soldier?" Lelouch asked. Shirley nodded, still looking at him sadly. Did his Geass do this? "I love you, Lelouch. I know you don't feel the same for me. But I wanted you to know." Lelouch closed his eyes. She was in love with her father's murderer.
Shirley's lips pressed against his, shocking his eyes open again. Shirley's arms were on his shoulders as she kissed him passionately. Then she turned and ran away, leaving Lelouch guilt-ridden and shocked to his core.
Your love is fake, Lelouch declared. To you I'm just Lelouch Lamperouge, but in reality you blame me for your father's death. Shirley, I hope I never see you again. It would be a kindness.
0.0.0
Jeremiah awoke with a start. The burning pain was gone, but his body felt...sore. Like he'd never be able to move again. Then he realized his right eye was seeing far too clearly. With an amused snort he realized he was still adjusting to the new data feeds.
Wait. Data feeds?
He raised his right hand and froze. He could see his hand. But it was made from metal. He could see right through it, the elegant mechanisms slid smoothly, visible underneath an exoskeleton of fluid metal workings.
"Hell what am I?" Jeremiah hissed, horrified. Jeremiah's internal clock suggested that the hours before he got his answer were actually only a few seconds.
"You're awake," Alice told him, leaning over to stare into his eyes. Jeremiah wanted to move, to catch this little girl and make her explain, but with a sudden click his body froze. Even his eyes wouldn't move. He couldn't even breathe, swallow, twitch.
"You're far too strong now to let you just do whatever you want," Alice explained, still staring down at him. "You're got the physical strength of ten men in your new limbs." Jeremiah's jaw and tongue were allowed to move again.
"How much of me is left?" he almost cried.
"You're still mostly human. Your right eye was far too damaged to recover. Your right arm was broken above the elbow. Your hand was severed in the ejection. Your brain was far more complicated. But you survived. According to most scientists you should have been dead long ago."
"Then let me out of this hell!" Jeremiah was pleading now for release.
"I could do that, but I've been ordered not to. Do you still want to kill Zero?"
Jeremiah had to think about the girl's question. Yes, Zero had been indirectly responsible for this. If he managed to achieve his revenge on Zero, wasn't a little pain worth it? His right arm was unfrozen, Jeremiah smirked and lowered it back to his side, smiling up at the girl.
The girl didn't smile back down at him. She didn't show any emotion. Her right eye flashed red, a bird emerging in the center.
"What do you feel?" Jeremiah chuckled at the question.
"Awake," he replied.
"Good," Alice declared flatly. "There is a mission that needs your skills. Princess Euphemia is meeting a representative for the backers for the Black Knights. You will intercept that meeting and draw out Zero or his location."
0.0.0
Lelouch sat across from Kallen in the Asheford apartment's dining room. Nunnally was folding more origami cranes. Lelouch and Kallen were conversing silently via their phones messaging.
K: What do we do about Euphemia?
L: Euphie isn't smart enough to threaten us reliably. They have no idea where Cornelia is. If they did, we'd be warding off rescue attempts.
K: You said the hostage ploy wouldn't have any affect on Britannia.
L: Against my father, no. Euphemia is far weaker to her emotions.
K: You mean that she actually has compassion.
L: That is what I said.
Kallen gave him an irritated frown. Lelouch shrugged with a 'what?' expression.
K: She's your sister don't be a jerk.
L: Half-sister.
"How's your thousand cranes coming Nunnally?" Kallen asked sweetly. Lelouch hid his annoyance at Kallen's distraction. Nunnally tugged the wings out, completing another pink one.
"I've done about a hundred and fifty I think," Nunnally answered. "I'm glad you and my brother have gotten back together." She smiled at Kallen as she felt out for more paper. Kallen handed her a purple sheet. Lelouch huffed as he picked up a black sheet.
"Well I just couldn't stay away from your smiling face," Kallen teased, reaching over and stroking Nunnally's long chocolate curls. Nunnally made a guileless sound of affection and leaned into Kallen's hand. Kallen giggled a bit and stroked the princess's cheek.
"Good think Lelouch is half as cute and a little smart," Nunnally teased, folding her purple paper artfully. "Otherwise I'd have never heard from you again Kallen." Lelouch gave a snort of derision and noisily folded his black piece. Kallen examined his paper for a second. He wasn't making a crane, at least as far as Kallen could see.
"It was her thick-headed-ness that was ruining it," Lelouch declared. Kallen and Nunnally both laughed, not amused at Lelouch's proclamation. Kallen picked up her cup of tea, eyes closed, not-looking down her nose at Lelouch.
"Big brother, we all know who the thick-headed one is in this room," Nunnally commented. Lelouch frowned noisily and kept folding. "Make sure you're not too difficult to work with, I want a niece or nephew to spoil." Kallen choked on her tea at this. Lelouch froze, feeling a similar reaction.
Milly dragged Nina into the dining room, closing the double doors behind her. Lelouch rolled his eyes at their entrance. Where were Rivalz and Suzaku when he needed them? Too much more estrogen he might choke.
"Girl talk time," Milly declared in her own style. "Out Lulu!" Lelouch finished his origami and set the paper king chess piece on the table, then flicked it over and left, heading for his bed room.
"So you're back with Kallen," C ventured. Lelouch frowned as he closed the bedroom door behind him. C made no move to leave her spot laying across his bed with her white outfit. Lelouch ignored her and sat down as his desk. After locking the door.
"I hardly see how it's any of your business," Lelouch replied, beginning to set up a chess board. Despite his comments otherwise, Euphemia visiting Kirihara was cause for concern. Cutting the Black Knights from support permanently would hamper his plan.
"I'm just warning you. You're fighting against destiny. And that never ends well," C warned. Lelouch scoffed, looking back at the witch.
"I don't believe in destiny," the prince told the witch. "Some god of the afterlife writing down our lives in a book? Animal-headed giants carrying celestial objects across the breadth of reality? Fate? The idea implies that there is no such thing as free-will. I've never observed anything that would convince me of destiny, and I've seen more than most people see in their lifetime."
"So the religions of the world to you are nothing but stories?" The prince went back to his chess board at the enigma's question.
"You don't need gods to explain how the universe works. Numbers are sufficient. Even if we don't know how something works it is explainable that it does work. But a giant storybook that tells us how our lives will play out? That's simply the excuse for people with no power to choose for themselves." C frowned. Lelouch's ideas of the universe didn't appeal to her, and Lelouch could see it.
"How do you explain your Geass? Or my immortality?" The prince frowned and eyed her.
"Just because I don't know how it works," the raven replied, looking back to his board populated by a few pieces, "doesn't mean it can't be explained. A fluke of evolution, ESP. Despite the evidence, both are within reality's limits."
"I wasn't born immortal," C declared, seeming to remind him. "So the universe is simply what a bunch of particles say it is? What about people?"
"We all make choices and are affected by the results of other's choices." Lelouch picked up the black queen piece. "Nothing more."
"And love?" C countered smugly. Lelouch's eyes winced for a moment.
"Are you asking me to perform psychoanalysis on the notion of love?" The prince saw the witch watch him intently. "Hormones and pheromones related to intercourse and child-rearing."
"That sounds like something the Emperor would say," C commented, rolling onto her back. Lelouch frowned and eyed her with irritation.
"He's not wrong," Lelouch admitted. "That's why I hated him. 'You are dead, you've always been dead, since the day you were born. Who gave you the food you eat and clothes you wear. And even your very life.' Right on all counts. If not for him I would not exist. And I knew it at the time. There was no argument against him. That's why I hate him."
"You don't declare war on your father because he's right and you can't argue against him," C reminded. Lelouch smirked with a chuckle.
"No, I made a promise," Lelouch declared, bemused. C looked back at Lelouch, meeting his amethyst gaze.
"Destiny," C declared. Lelouch frowned and set the piece on the board again.
"No, a choice."
0.0.0
"Thank you for agreeing to see me," Euphemia said as she entered the massive room overlooking Mt. Fuji. Euphemia ignored the view, but Suzaku took a moment to gaze out the massive window. "I brought along a few of my guards and advisors to help us discuss the future of our partnership. I trust you don't mind."
"Of course not," Taizo Kirihara replied, politely. "Suzaku Kururugi." Suzaku spun, and subconsciously straightened in his brown military uniform. "I met you a long time ago, in your father's residence. Along with Lelouch vi Britannia. A pity he did not survive Japan's invasion." Behind Euphemia, Guilford tightened at the mention of the name 'Japan.'
"I have reason to believe Lelouch vi Britannia survived," Euphemia hinted. Kirihara and Suzaku looked back to the sub-viceroy. "In fact I've gone to school with him recently." Guilford and Dalton almost fell over in shock. "I'll have to put him in contact with you so you can reminisce."
Kirihara chose not to respond. 'So he does know something,' Euphemia thought to herself. She smiled despite herself. She had never thought she'd amount to anything. It was invigorating, even such a small achievement.
"I would like to discuss your help in locating the whereabouts of my elder sister, Viceroy Cornelia," Euphemia declared. "In exchange, we would work a special economic zone in Area Eleven specifically for the recreation of Japan."
"What?" Guilford blurted. Even Taizo was stunned. Suzaku couldn't pick his jaw up. A zone dedicated to recreating Japan?
"You will have to give up your support for the JLF and the Black Knights, of course." Euphemia wasn't surprised at Kirihara's measured not-reaction to her own comment.
"We do not support the Black Knights," Kirihara assured with a smile.
"Yes," Euphemia agreed, placating. "But you will need to cease your support for them, all the same. In exchange we will create a large zone where the numbers will be allowed to self-govern, and even call themselves Japanese, once Cornelia has been returned to office of course."
"Our resources are very limited in such matters," Kirihara explained. "We do not possess the intelligence network necessary to even track down the Black Knights."
"Lord Kirihara," Euphemia chastised, playing a schoolmarm to a naughty boy. "Think about the implications of a Special Zone. No Britannian oversight? The right to vote for your leaders? Protection against the refrain trade? With the right to create your own police forces? When it is created, will there even be Black Knights needed anymore."
"In exchange for securing the return of Princess Cornelia," Kirihara confirmed. 'She's clever. The creation of a special zone for Japan? She'd render the Black Knights and every other means of liberating Japan obsolete in a matter of days.' Kirihara kept his face passive, but still even he was tempted by the very notion.
"Do you believe the Japanese people would accept such a gilded cage?" Kirihara countered.
"Princess Euphemia I've heard enough!" Guilford declared. "They are merely Numbers! No matter how we treat them they will always bite the hand that feeds them! Give them back the name of a defeated people and in a few years it will be back to open rebellion!"
'For once I agree with you Taizo Kirihara,' came Zero's synthesized voice. The ceiling exploded in four areas and down dropped dozens of Black Knights, armed with assault rifles. The caped form of Zero walked out from behind the shadows. 'That's why I want to offer a different proposal.'
Zero snapped his fingers. A bound and hooded form was ushered in. Zero swiftly removed the hood, and brought Princess Cornelia's bound from to stand beside Kirihara's. Then he put a pistol to Cornelia's head and cocked it.
'Now, we hold the monopoly of Sakuradite Mining, and Princess Cornelia, the head of the Area Eleven government.' Kallen dropped down in her Guren, the radiation arm primed. 'Shall we discuss the terms of Britannia's surrender, in exchange for Cornelia's life?'
"What are you doing?" Kirihara hissed. Euphemia heard it from where she sat.
"So you were supporting the Black Knights," Euphemia confirmed, disappointed. Kirihara's eyes widened, then he accepted it with a sigh.
'You should've supported our direct assault on the Government bureau. He who dares, wins, Lord Kirihara.' Kirihara squeezed his cane angrily at the masked man's taunt.
"Any negotiations being held at gunpoint are considered under duress Zero," Euphemia reminded. Zero chuckled at this.
'What surrender is not held under duress Sub-Viceroy? The fact is is that I'm offering you far more than most of the established Areas were offered. Most were simply taken with overwhelming force. It must seem so strange to be outnumbered for once, Sir Guilford. General Dalton.' Euphemia blinked. He hadn't mentioned Suzaku. She looked over her shoulder to see that Suzaku had quickly hidden in the confusion.
"Now Britannia, let's hear your answer," came another voice. Kirihara looked behind himself to see five more figures join the congregation, bearing swords. Tohdoh had his usual stern expression when he came into the light.
'As you can see,' Zero explained to Kirihara. 'I had little trouble convincing Tohdoh and the Four Holy Swords to join my cause, after telling them of Kyoto's refusal to properly supply us. And we were clearly more effective at finding him than your own network, Lord Kirihara.' Lelouch was lying of course. His Geass had made Kyoto's network into his own.
"Allow my sister to speak and we will discuss terms!" Euphemia ordered. Cornelia let out a stunned sound and began to growl against her gag.
'A fair offer,' Zero decided, and removed Cornelia's gag before releasing her to walk to Euphie.
"Don't give them anything!" Cornelia ordered, running over to stand with Euphemia. The pink-haired princess jumped up from her provided chair to hug Cornelia fiercely.
"Don't worry about a thing," Euphemia whispered to her older sister. If Suzaku was gone, then that meant he was on his way back in the Lancelot.
'The white Knightmare is back!' came Ohgi's voice over the radio. Lelouch sighed inside his mask. Kallen set her teeth, growling.
'Tell Rakshata we're mobilizing the Gekkas now. We don't have time to deal with any aberrations,' Zero said to Tohdoh. The colonel looked back at Zero.
"The Gekkas? But they-" Kirihara was cut off in his surprise. "How long were you planning to betray us Zero?" Tohdoh and the caped prince turned to look down at Kirihara. He scowled up at Zero's expressionless mask.
'You're acting like a petulant child. I don't trust children, even those with political favor. I planned this coup ever since you blamed us for Katase's suicide. You weren't committed to the cause, just to protecting your own political power. You're no different than Kusakabe. Now it will end the same for you.' As if on cue Kirihara was dragged out, a gag being stuffed in his mouth.
"I'll personally take the Holy Swords and the Guren to deal with the white Knightmare," Tohdoh declared. "I'll trust you with the Viceroy and the surrender."
'You have full authority on the defense matter,' Zero replied cheerfully. 'Don't take unnecessary risks however. It would be foolish to get anyone killed in a battle we've all but won. You only need to buy time.' Tohdoh nodded and went down a different hallway from Kirihara.
"We won't surrender Zero," Cornelia declared.
'You keep saying that,' Lelouch noted inside his mask with a hint of amusement. 'Why continue to fight for a man to whom you're already dead? Everything you own belongs to him. Your fine clothes, your food, your life? I'm offering you freedom from him!'
Euphie's eyes widened at the words.
'Lelouch?' she mouthed to herself. Zero noticed, even from across the room, despite the darkness. Behind his mask, Lelouch's eyes widened in rage.
No! You won't ruin this now! I won't let you!
0.0.0
C's left eye twitched. That was the only warning. She suddenly sat up, clutching her left eye, overwhelmed by the burning pain that was ghosting the orb.
"No, it's too soon!" the witch almost cried. Then the tattoo atop her brow also began to burn. "No he's not ready! If he reaches the tabris stage now, he could see it before his mind is able to comprehend!" C clutched the left side of her head and fell off the bed. She was in too much pain to even notice. A scream escaped her unbidden.
Nunnally rolled into the room, forcing her chair through the door way.
"Who's there?" she called out, terrified. She reached with her hands.
One finger tip barely brushed the back of the green witch.
"No!" C screamed.
0.0.0
Jeremiah gripped the left-side of his head, screaming in agony. The lift to the Kirihara meeting was stalled. But Jeremiah's head was on fire. Then the lift opened to see the Black Knights surrounding Zero. Jeremiah moved.
0.0.0
"What's this sound?" Suzaku asked into the ether. The Lancelot's cockpit was filled with the sound of voices screaming. It reminded him of something. It reminded him of Narita. But one voice was there.
'Are you using Geass?' Suzaku could almost place the voice.
"Lelouch?"
0.0.0
Lelouch couldn't move. Both his eyes were alight with Geass inside his helmet, but he couldn't move. He couldn't even trigger the latch to show his Geass.
"Something is interfering with the Sword of Akasha? Who's?" His father's voice was in his mind. That wasn't possible, was it? "Such a reaction should not be this strong! Summon V now! This must be contained or the whole plan will be ruined!"
Lasciate ogne speranza
Abandon all hope
voi ch'intrate
ye who enter here.
Lasciate-
Lasciate-
Lasciate-
Darkness surrounded Lelouch in the fog of a thousand dead.
Lelouch was staring up at Jupiter, and the double-helix of a thousand bodies lives of people who despaired against fate. A figure stood at the foot of the holy mountain holy temple made by god the lives of millions. It was Lelouch's father. Charles zi Britannia. King of Memory.
'Lasciate ogne speranza, voi chi'intrate,' Zero declared out loud. Every one around him lacked understanding. Lelouch's Geass burned through both eyes. Tabris Stage. Lelouch's mind didn't understand but he held all the knowledge. It was like gripping a live wire with a million volts. But he didn't die. All compressed in his head.
If I keep connected to the Sword of Akasha like this, Lelouch told himself. I'll never be able to regain the use of my body. If I even survive for much longer.
"Lelouch?" Charles asked softly, eying his surroundings. "Lelouch is that you?"
Darkness surrounded Lelouch.
0.0.0
The sound ended inside the Lancelot's cockpit, save one voice.
'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.'
Suzaku's center viewscreen exploded as the Guren rushed out to meet him, its claw blazing red.
Please read and Review.
No real questions among the reviews since my last update so I'll ask a few.
1) What do we think of Orange becoming a weapon to surpass METAL GEAR?
2) Does anyone think Nunnally will be affected by contact with C? Seems kind of obvious but what kind?
3) How will Lelouch be affected by his episode in this chapter?
