Decided to do this since I realize how some of the bits I'm writing atm might be overlapping each other and how some might affect the main flow of the story telling. So I might just move the extra bits here instead.

Chapter numbering here would reflect the order of the scenes according to the main story.


Chapter 1.965 Reunion


Schneizel eyed the patient lying on the bed, who had numerous wires placed all over his body to keep him alive until they reached a better facility.

He had his suspicions. He'd been considering it for a while ever since the news of Clovis's death came around. Alongside the circumstances around the incident in Shinjuku as well as the rumours of 'Zero' seemingly having a personal grudge against the royal family. A part of him felt elated at the thought of the survival of the siblings that he's lost. Yet another dreaded the fact since it'd mean that he had another contender to face in his quest to gain the throne. An opponent who would have no qualms about using every means possible to gain their goals, which includes murder.

He was just entertaining his curiosities, at first. Examining the area where Lancelot and Gawain were seen together before the explosion. To see if there were any other casualties to be found.

He didn't expect to find 'Zero', lying motionless among the broken rubbles. Barely missing being crushed by the bigger fragments of cement and concrete as if telling him that even the heavens would not let the youngling face death in this way.

The Zero mask was cracked and had been loosely covering the owner's face. It fell away just as he approached the person. As if it was trying to reserve the honour of witnessing the reveal to him alone. And Schneizel couldn't even express how he felt at the time.

Delighted? To be able to see how much the child had grown since the last time he'd seen him? Sadness? For them to have to be reunited in this way?

Lelouch had started to look even more like their father when the man used to be young. And the black hair that covered his face, the way it was grown unkempt—unlike in the earlier years when it was kept straight—just served to accentuate to air of nobility that never left the child.

Schneizel returned his focus to reality as he watched his brother fighting to live in front of him. Even with the breathing mask fastened over his face, it seemed that even breathing was hard for Lelouch to do at this time. He frowned. Seeing his brother like this, reminded him of how Nunnally has also been in this same situation... eight years ago.

Strange how the past seemed to repeat itself.