A.N. The next chapter in the story. I have had several papers to write and a project for University to do over the past several weeks, I have managed to write this for you guys though so I hope you enjoy. I snuck in a reference into this chapter I hope you can find it. (Disclaimer the reference belongs to its original owners and writers it is used here to pay homeage to the source material)

Fair warning this chapter does contain some heavy material in my opinion so I figured to just make the warning here and now since some people handle these things differently. Anyhow enjoy!

Chapter 31

Imperial Palace, Terra 2230 a.t.b.

The parade had been humiliating, being paraded like a hunter boasts of a rare kill, but the real killer was that the crowd that had seen the parade loved it. The crowds had cheered the marching soldiers, cheered Tamaki, cheered the fact that the prisoners that were shown off were in fact prisoners and not free. Admittedly seeing the state of the city, Tokyo shown almost with an unnatural glow. Clean buildings reached towards the sky while civilian vehicles crisscrossed through the city. It was a sharp contrast to what the prisoner had last seen of the city. A gaping hole in the center with ruined buildings littering many of the districts and dead, dying, and wrecked machinery in the streets while fires burned many of the standing structures.

As well the people themselves were a sight unto themselves were a sight, people of every ethnicity had lined the streets, Japanese, Chinese, European, African, everyone from everywhere. And then there was the statue. The form of Euphemia honored in that statue had been a deep shock. The Massacre Princess had still been a sore subject for the prisoners when they had left, several of them in particular.

Now, unloading in front of the entrance to the Imperial Palace, anger started to rise. Tamaki dismounted his vehicle and went to the front of the prisoners and began speaking with one of the Guards. Sayoko meanwhile helped Nunnally into her wheelchair while other Guards double checked the hand cuffs of the other prisoners, and in two particular cases attached the cuffs to shackles on Gino and Suzaku's ankles. When this was done Tamaki turned to the group and said, "follow me."

With Sayoko pushing Nunnally the group was escorted into the palace and as they entered eyes were drawn to the walls of the palace. The interior was a strange mix of lavish and sparse decoration. Flowerpots with colorful flowers sat on simple tables overlooked by intricate tapestries next to portraits and paintings. IN truth the decoration of the building spoke to a resident who was reluctant to the overly lavish lifestyle of older nobility models but kept enough of the trappings to tailor to other people's presuppositions and enough to demonstrate power.

Once more the second Euphemia appeared walking in through an adjoining hallway dressed in a simple white/pink dress. She smiled wide as she spied the group and fell into step with Tamaki, "are you ready for today uncle?"

"To deal with your father? Please," he dismissed but then turned serious. "Your mother on the other hand."

Euphie giggled her voice echoing warmly, "oh come on uncle it won't be that bad."

"This coming from the girl who ran off to MY ship," replied Tamaki.

"It was my decision," retorted the princess.

"So? When has that ever stopped your mother from messing with me," frowned the Marshal.

Once more Euphie's voice echoed as she laughed and though none would ever admit it the princess' laugh slightly calmed many of those present. Tamaki and Euphemia continued their small talk almost ignoring those behind them, until they reached the throne room doors. The doors were interictally carved, and the Black Knight's sigil was blazed over the doors so that the symbol would split when the door would open. The symbol parted with the door opening and the group entered the empty throne room.

Guards stood around the room under more decorative curtains paintings and tapestries. At the head was a pair of empty thrones, one was a larger and made of ebony inlayed with imperial gold and platinum with deep violet cushionis with a large black eagle with wings spread made up the top of the throne. The second was smaller and made of marble with swirls of emerald, gold, and ebony with a white eagle statue sitting atop it and deep crimson cushions. These were the Ebony and Marble thrones, upon which sat the ultimate authorities of the Imperium. Above the chairs hung a portrait of the Imperial family in a frame of silver and platinum with gold swirls. Lelouch and Ceceniah stood smiling while holding a small Euphie. The group of prisoners slightly gawked at the portrait and thrones not saying a word as Tamaki smiled looking up at the painting, "I remember the day that was painted so well."

Euphie's cheeks turned a shade of red and she muttered, "yeah I do to."

"As do I," came the voice of the green haired empress as she entered the room. Her black dress flowing over her form as she strutted into the throne room, her every step felt like a slap in the face of the prisoners as they spied her. C.C. still smiling looked at her daughter, "Its not every day my daughter accidently sets off the anti-fire protocols for half the palace."

Tamaki's head flew back in a full-throated laugh as Euphemia's embarrassment deepened. "Mother," she half sighed half whined, "I didn't know looking through the operating systems like that would end up shorting out the system."

C.C. giggled, "I know but that doesn't mean we still can't give you grief about it now. And we will also have a talk later about you going out to Tamaki's ship without giving us warning."

The AI dropped her head in surrender, "Yes mother."

C.C. turned to look at the newcomers to her home, frowns and sneers greeted her eyes. Kallen was the first to speak, "so you are the empress now."

Still smiling C.C. nodded, "observant as ever Kallen."

"First his mistress then his empress," muttered Ohgi, disdain and disgust on his every word.

"Hehe, even after all this time you still believe that obscene rumor," laughed C.C. to her side even Tamaki grinned at the remark. "Admittedly," C.C. smirked, "spending enough alone time with Lelouch can pay off."

Kallen's hands clenched at this and Ohgi's sneer depended while the rest of the group slightly recoiled at the remark the empress made.

"It is fitting that two monsters would find love," growled Suzaku.

Before a retort could be uttered a familiar voice sounded through the room and the souls within. "A monster am I? Then what does that make you Suzaku?"

From the shadows in the side of the room Lelouch stepped out, every footstep a confident stride. He wore a simple garb, simple black pants and shoes with a white button up shirt. He struck the image of a man who had power, was not afraid to use it, but did not care for useless pageantry for situations like this. The group stared at the violet orbs that had become Lelouch's eyes, they seemed to glow with a fire from behind them. The emperor's gaze focused in on Suzaku, "a fanatic loyalist? A dog chomping at the bit? A monster?"

Suzaku's teeth clenched as Lelouch looked over the rest of the group and spoke, "I have waited for many years for this moment. But I still don't know how to truly feel about this. Last we met we were enemies and many of you were trying to kill me."

"Something I'm sad to say we did not do on the Ikaruga," snapped Diethard his eyes filled with anger.

"And failed to do at Mt. Fuji," growled Ohgi.

Lelouch smiled, "but you didn't. You failed to kill me and failed to carry out your oaths you made to the UFN. You betrayed them by separately negotiating with Schneizel who was in no position to do anything he promised and even if he was it was still a traitorous act."

Many of the former core members clenched their hands, as did the former knights and Diethard. There anger was near palpable but other than their obvious anger they did not move to act upon it, likely in part do to the near hopeless situation they found themselves in. Though it was also clear that their self-control was strained to the maximum. Admittedly Tohdoh of the former core members was fairing the best as he only bore a slight angered frown. Which also in truth could have been aimed at just near anyone at this point since for the majority of the trip to Terra he had relatively remained silent as the grave speaking only when he had to.

"Why have we been brought here Lelouch?" asked Xingke. His hands were not bound, he was one of the group that was currently standing free of bondage, Tianzi, Kaguya, Lloyd, Cecile, and Nina. "I assume there was a purpose in you bringing us here?"

Lelouch smiled and gave a small laugh, "in all honesty. Curiosity." He looked over the group again, "you have all been gone for centuries, my former allies and enemies, my own flesh and blood, suffice to say I was curious to see what you all thought of the world you have awakened to."

The group, especially those who were in chains, flinched at the reminder, the gleaming buildings, the happy people, and the sheer power exuded by the current incarnation of the Black Knights. Lelouch smiled at the reaction, "yes I thought so."

Teeth clenched at Lelouch smugness, Ohgi gave voice to his frustration, "you turned everything against us! For all his faults Kururugi is right you are a monster!"

Lelouch flung his head back and laughed, "turned everyone against you? Hardly! You did that yourself! Did you really think your betrayel of me would have stayed quiet forever? That the evidence for your cover story about Zero's death would not be examined and found wanting?"

Ohgi's knuckles began to turn white as Lelouch spoke still laughing, "tell the truth Ohgi why did you really fall into Schneizel's bed so easily? Was it because I was Britannia?" He feigned mockingly, "No for Diethard was Britannia, and your lover certainly had Britannian blood. So was it because I was in reality a banished prince? Royalty?"

"You used us," Ohgi shouted back.

Nagisa joined in," you lied to us."

"You butchered innocents! Children!"

"You caused the Special Zone massacre and then murdered Euphie," Suzaku screamed.

While their jabs and accusations flew in his face Lelouch's smile never wavered, and he once again laughed. "Indeed, I used you, but did that make what I promised any less true? Did I not deliver you all victory? Together we formed the UFN and nearly drove Britannia into the Pacific Ocean. I did not become emperor until after you all betrayed and chased me from the Black Knights."

The group fell silent as their eyes remained on Lelouch sweltering in their anger as Lelouch continued still smiling, "lies and deception are part of any military enterprise, you of all people Chiba should know this. I never told you all my identity, Kallen may have known but that was under circumstances beyond any control. So there was no lie there. I never lied about my goal to end the old Britannia, I never lied about fighting for the freedom of the Japanese."

Chiba's head fell but retained her anger impression, Todoh meanwhile remained steadfastly silent before the emperor. "As for killing innocents. How many civilians did the JLF kill during its time, how many innocents did it kill intentionally? How many innocents did the Chinese Federation kill with its politicl sanctions and centralized economy let alone its military? How many innocents did the European Union kill in their wars? Even when I led the Black Knights before that day how many civilians did we kill and you all looked the other way?"

"Those were accidents and criminals!" shouted Ohgi with Chiba nodding in agreement.

"And where does illegally conducting gentetic experimentation fall on your scale of crimes Ohgi? Do you place the distribution of drugs to the Japanese people more horrible then condemning children to shortened lives and a living hell in the interim? Tell me how after everything we did before that day it was only the incident with the Geass Directorate that you find that more horrible."

The group was struck dumb before the Emperor whose demeanor was slowly turning sour. Lelouch then turned from the former rebels who had gone deathly quiet to Suzaku and Cornelia, "as for the SAZ and Euphie, that was just as much an accident as the size of the landslide at Narita. You should both know that by now. You both interacted with Geass, you know its limitations and capabilities. And most importantly, you both know me. You both know that I would never have done something like that intentionally. Admit it, your lasting hatred at me is to cover up your own failings. I did what I had to that day. I did the only thing I knew would stop the madness. Besides do you honestly think Euphie would have been able to live with herself if she had awoken?"

Suzaku leapt to his feet and tried to surge forward, but as he did a guard brought his weapon up and buried the end in Suzaku's gut sending him to the ground without breath. The group jumped in surprise by the action as the former Knight lay on the ground growing and coughing trying to regain his breath.

"Suzaku!" Gino cried as Nunnally gasped and watched the Japanese from her chair.

As the group looked on in stunned silence a small laugh came from Schneizel, "even after all these years Lelouch you still cause others pain without having to touch them."

With his cuffed hands the former prince gestured at the group and let his hand settle pointing at Nunnally, "just look, your family and friends in chains, look at the pain you have caused."

Schneizal's' jab got the attention of the emperor and the violet eyed man looked at the former prime minister. Schneizel smiled warmly at his brother, "come Lelouch you have been ruling for so long over the ashes of the world. How much pain as humanity gone through since you claimed power? Or even before that? Surely you cannot control the minds of the entire population so how much dictatorial and military strength have you had to use to control humanity?"

As the former prime minister spoke his speech in what was an obvious attempt to throw the emperor of balance and to possibly free them from his grasp, the emperor's face fell more and more. Lelouch furrowed his eyebrows, "you believe that because I defeated my enemies with military power that I rule through such means."

Schneizle continued to smile though the side of his mouth twitched at Lelouch's retort, "Please calm yourself brother, Surely you must see now why I had to create the Damocles, it is only in the fear of force that the people will obey. So please brother stop all this pain and loss, surely you have had enough of it in all this time."

Lelouch then took a step forward his voice rising in intensity. His face contorted into one of fury, "you speak of pain and loss brother?! Do you even realize what pain and loss YOU have all caused?!"

Schneizel frowned at Lelouch's resistance to his charm, he opened his mouth to reply but before a syllable was uttered Lelouch's flew wide with the fury of star. Lelouch's voice echoed with deep undertones that boomed in the minds of all present, "you dare to try and justify yourself! I shall show you the pain and loss you have caused!"

The violet orbs of the emperor's eyes glowed and flashed, to the eyes of the prisoners it looked like the throne room fell away from their view in pieces. Explosions, machine gun fire, the roar of strained engines, and screams of the dying echoed in the ears of everyone. That was not even the whole of it, as images of streets flooded with fire began to appear a sense of fear unlike any had ever felt crept into the hearts of the prisoners. Ever more voices filled the minds of those present they begged for mercy, called in for fire support, screamed and cried as they were torn apart. Scenes of the war flashed into and out of existence imbuing upon those who watched the emotions of fear and pain that the illusions felt.

Blood covered figures emerged from shattered buildings, whether they were former soldiers or poor civilians was unclear beneath their ruined clothes and red soaked skin. A number of the prisoners lurched in their restraints as a number of them fell amongst their midst succumbing to their wounds. Those that gazed upon the scenes could not scream as they could not find the voice to express the horror that they were witnessing. In all the images that flashed to life and vanished in explosions felt more to them like scenes from a horror film than the realities of war.

They tried to turn their eyes but found that wherever they looked they continue to witness the images. Li Xingke tried to reach for Tianzi to cover her eyes but likewise found himself unable to bring his hands to cover his liege's eyes. Tears flowed from Nunnally's, Kaguya's, and Tianzi's eyes while the horrors that they witness felt like sharpened blades in the hearts of the others. Through the emotions and the pain that washed like a raging hurricane over them they heard the voice of Lelouch, "do you see!?"

The groups eyes found the form of the Emperor as he stood amongst the devastation, tears ran from his eyes. Those eyes which emitted a fiery glow that peered into the souls of those present. "Do you see!? Do you feel!?"

He spread his arms out and flames began to dance across him and spring from his eyes, "look at what I live with. Listen to what haunts my dreams, feel what bears down upon my soul with every step I take. See what breaks my heart every night only to be healed in the morning! Do you believe that my centuries have been a blessing!?"

Ethereal wings sprung from his back as he gazed upon the group, he thrust his arms out again "it is all this! ALL OF THIS IS MY PUNISHEMENT!"

Bringing his arms down the images vanished and were replaced again by the throne room, and the ethereal form of Lelouch retreated into the corporal body of the Emperor. Tianzi fell to her knees and screamed, Xingke lurched forward to his own knees and wrapped his arms around the girl. He spoke no words as he could not find any. Likewise wails and moans were heard from the others of the group. Villeta's hands came to her mouth as bile rose in her throat threatening to spill out. Diethard lay sprawled on his belly eyes wide and small wines came from his open drooling mouth. Nunnally slumped in her chair eyes wide and voice mute, Cornelia likewise was slumped over her own eyes wide. Like many of the former soldiers in the small group she had seen war, and its horrors, but never before had she seen, and felt, what they had just witnessed.

Lelouch stepped forward and looked over the group as they tried to wrap their heads around what they had witnessed. His step seemed to bring Nunnally from her stupor, she looked up at Lelouch and tears began to well in her eyes. Sensing what she wanted; Sayoko moved the girl's chair forward towards the Emperor. When she was close enough the girl used all her strength to propel herself out of the chair. With ease, and brotherly instincts, Lelouch bent forward and caught his sister in is arms.

The sandy brown-haired girl let out sobs as for the first time in centuries she felt her brother's arms around her. Not since before the Black Rebellion had they held one another, Lelouch said nothing and simply held his sister. As they stood there the sobbing girl whispered repeatedly, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

In an equally quiet whisper Lelouch replied, "I know Nunu, I know."

With grunts of effort Suzaku lifted himself up to his knees, he glared the hugging siblings guessing at what was transpiring between them. Sensing the glare Lelouch looked at the former knight, as the Japanese man huffed with effort Lelouch put Nunnally back into her chair. Through gritted teeth Suzaku spoke, "I…Will…Not Ask...For forgiveness."

Furrowing his brows once more Lelouch retorted, "good. Because its not mine to give to you."

Looking back up at the group as a whole, he spoke to everyone, "you all wondered why I called you all here? It is because this may be the only time, we will ever all be in the same room together again."

Moving his gaze to the Guards he ordered, "take them to their rooms and cells. We're done hear."

The group from the past were escorted from the room leaving the imperial family and Tamaki behind with the silent guards of the throne room. Lelouch moved and sat upon his black throne and slammed his fist into the arm rest. Ceceniah moved to his side and placed her hand on his shoulder, "you did well my love."

Lelouch reached up to hold her hand, "thank you love."

The emperor looked at Tamaki, "I want the courts prepared for the trial immediately. As well contact Guilford and have him give his ETA. I want him here in time to lend his weight on what is to come."

Tamaki bowed, "of course old friend it will be done."

The Marshal turned and left the room.

Euphemia walked up to join her parents, "daddy?"

"What is it sweetheart?" replied Lelouch.

"Will all this turn out alright?"

Lelouch closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and nodding, "yes Euphie, it will."

Outer Terran system

The Everest-class battleship Crusader translated back into real space, on board the bridge Marshal Guilford stared out at the Terran system. Two smaller five-hundred-meter-long Geneva-class cruisers flanked the ship as it moved through the system alongside a single hundred and fifty-meter-long Ironclad-class Destroyer. The small squadron set its course for the orbit of Terra itself with its commanders' eyes never leaving their destination. Guilford issued orders without looking, and officers in their peaked caps repeated those orders and made sure they were carried out. As the ships neared Terra Guilford thought, 'I'm close my princess. I'm almost there.'

A.N. Okay I think there is about two chapters left of this story. My plan is once this story is finished I will work on The Fourth Faction for a little while, while I do research for the sequel to this story (title is a work in progress).

Next is something I hope some people picked up on. Lelouch's condition. To me it seems impossible to go through what he has gone through and not have mental scars or some for of PTSD from it. As stated in this chapter and kind of referred to through the story is that he has been given what he needs to stay sane (or as sane as he can be, cause you know, its Lelouch) and to an extent enjoy his life, but as a form of punishment for the things he's done he has to live with those sins haunting him.

Till next time!