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Harriet Potter: The Demon Empress (One chapter!)

The White Lion of the Red Keep (One chapter!)

The White Wolf of Winterfell (One Chapter!)

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Chapter 12

It hurt; a wave of pain came across her head as if an elastic band had squeezed her brain. Lelouch or Zero, it didn't matter, experienced a horrible thing, a nightmarish dream where she couldn't wake up, a hell she couldn't run from. Yet, she did, slowly, but Lelouch could open her eyes. The room's light hurt her delicate sight too much, too soon. Lelouch sensed something off and noticed she was in her room. But there was something different, a sound she didn't recognize. There was a machine next to her, allowing her to breathe, and another one that seemed to make a peep sound every time her heartbeat.

What happened to me? What's this?

Lelouch's thought didn't make sense. She couldn't recall anything. No memory came to her mind. It was as if things were scattered, lost somewhere. That sensation did not make sense, not at least for her. Lelouch tried to speak, but her voice didn't come out. It was sore and dry. Lelouch tried to move, but her body felt heavy and numb. Lelouch could only groan in pain and confusion. Her breathing started to go faster.

I... I need to do something. I... where... what?

Lelouch's mind became even heavier with thoughts and images. She couldn't remember what she was, who she was, or where the pain was coming from. Like having her memories, everything she was was on the tip of her fingers, but she couldn't quite grasp it. That sensation of desolation was horrible and scary. More importantly, Lelouch's started to hear a voice, or it was multiple ones. Yet, it was one she recognized. It was from Charles. Her father, the emperor of Britannia.

Charles...! I...!

Images came slamming down, things she didn't know or remember, but it was enough to send her into a dangerous fit.

Lelouch started to move abruptly on her bed, trashing around, desperate for control. She didn't notice a certain maid frantically speaking to her, trying to calm her down. Nor the screams of Kallen or the green-haired witch, all of who were trying to help her. They heard the alarm going off and eventually came to the room, only to find Lelouch trashing the bed and moving her eyes around like crazy as if she was fighting someone. Her eyes were rolling around desperately, an incredible, bizarre sight as terrifying for them.

I have to kill Charles...! I have too... free myself! Me...? Of her? Who am I?

Lelouch couldn't hear the voices outside, only faint echoes, so she slowly faded away.


A slow light emerged from the darkness and appeared as if the worst of the nightmare had gone by. Lelouch's eyes were thankful that the light didn't hurt as much this time. Yet, she was still fairly pulled from everything. Lelouch's gaze noticed someone sleeping near her, on the edge of the bed, snoring softly. A red-haired girl was holding her hand while she slumbered near her. Lelouch's head was hurting, but she couldn't help but smile at the sight of the beautiful girl.

Lelouch caressed those cheeks tenderly and rejoiced at the contact of her skin with her fingers. Kallen seemed to feel it as she slowly started to wake up. Those tired eyes suddenly became bright with life when they caught the face of Lelouch's smiling at her.

"Lelouch!" Kallen whispered as she started to inspect her girlfriend.

"Le-Lelouch...?"

Kallen frowned at those words and glanced at those purple eyes. She expected them to be golden. But no, they were the same eyes she knew before the truth came. Still, Kallen's trembling hands took Lelouch's and sighed deeply. The fears inside her heart were still there, but Kallen had to be brave and strong, if not for her, for Lelouch. However, Lelouch's reaction wasn't making sense, at least for her. Kallen could see the confusion on Lelouch's face as if she was lost.

"Lelouch... you're Lelouch," Kallen whispered.

Lelouch then just stared at the roof, remembering things now. Not all, but she does remember her name and Kallen, among other things. A huge gap of memories was in her mind. "Yeah... I am... Lelouch." Those memories came to her now.

"And you're Kallen... my girlfriend," Kallen chuckled softly.

"Yes, I am," she replied.

"What happened? I don't remember. Why am I here? What are these things?"

Lelouch asked, and Kallen was now worried about those questions. Does she even remember Zero? About what took place during our talks with Kyoto?

"You..." for some reason, Kallen didn't seem able to answer Lelouch's confusion. She couldn't say it. However, one person had no problem laying the truth before her.

"You had a stroke caused by a seizure during Zero's meeting with the Kyoto family. You're lucky to be alive, but it does explain your lack of... sense and understanding," C.C. spoke as she appeared from the room's shadows. If Kallen had an exhausted face, so was C.C. But the green-haired witch was better at hiding it and pretending it didn't bother her.

"You have been in bed for an entire week, a very long week," C.C. stated, sitting on the edge of the bed. She saw the confusion on Lelouch's face as if she didn't know what she was saying. Perhaps that was the case. C.C. didn't know anymore. She, in fact, was as worried about Lelouch as Kallen was. The face of someone who didn't remember herself and didn't know where she was could be terrifying.

Sometimes, I then forget who is who. I am slowly losing myself.

C.C. recalled those words and pondered about the girl's future if there was such a future in the first place. Would she truly lose herself more? Would those little lies truly become a reality? Was she lying or just telling a prophetic vision of her future? C.C. didn't know, but she was afraid of that.

"I... see," Lelouch muttered, feeling a headache coming. "So... you know now."

Kallen nodded slowly, and for a few minutes, no words were exchanged.

"I am sorry, Kallen. I never intended to lie to you," Lelouch said, slowly returning from her slumber. She was now remembering again everything that happened and her plans. Or half-plans, for that matter. A lie that became the truth ain't that karma? Lelouch thought, basking in the glorious irony that was her life.

"Don't... don't apologize," Kallen replied. "I haven't been truthful to you either. My part in the rebellion, doing stuff. It must have come as a surprise to you... when did you see me? Did you know already about me? Did... Zero, told you to get closer to me?"

Lelouch hummed deeply. "Zero... thought it would be a good idea having you by my side. Although, I... like you even from before. I was scared, confused and, when she woke up... everything changed. I didn't know what was happening or who... what I was."

Lelouch stated, and she was actually speaking the truth, sadly. She, well, Zero, or Galadriel, the name didn't matter. But memories of Lelouch's past life as a student, when she was just another student and nothing more, were filled with feelings for Kallen. A crush of sorts. It seems that at the time, Lelouch was fascinated by Kallen.

The red-haired girl appeared to be incredibly sick all the time, just like her. Someone who understood what it was to be fragile and weak. Lelouch never had to courage to speak with Kallen back then. Until that day.

"I am sorry," Lelouch said one more time. "I'll understand if you hate me now."

Kallen just avoided Lelouch's gaze, watching the white sheets. C.C. didn't know what the red-haired girl would do, but hopefully, she won't do something stupid. But what could C.C. do now? She was as lost as Kallen, if not more. Even after so many centuries, she wasn't familiar with a surprise in life. But the girl with purple eyes and two souls in one body has completely changed everything. C.C.'s view was that while lies were being spoken now, some horrible truths were lying underneath, which were the ones that were hard to hear.

C.C pity Lelouch, Galadriel, and Zero. She wasn't jealous of their current situation.

"I don't hate you, can't hate you, won't do it," Kallen whispered softly. "It's not fair that it has come to this. I lied to you as well. But I still don't know what's going on. I... just feel lost, confused, scared."

Kallen admitted. "The power, those things you... she can do. What is it? Who is Zero?"

Lelouch thought, what could she say? She didn't even know the truth, even after all those years. Lelouch recalled the last days of Yggdrasil, where Galadriel sat on the throne of Nazarick. Then, she woke up as a baby, and not long after, she was taken to that place where those things attacked her, forcing her to bear a scar that was more than just a wound. Lelouch's understanding of the situation wasn't better.

"I truly don't know," Lelouch answered with honesty. "She doesn't tell me much. I believe she doesn't know herself."

C.C. hummed as she recalled the day she met the strange girl. "Must of her memories and powers are sealed away. Truly, who she is, and what she can do is still an unknown."

Kallen just listened. She wasn't sure of what to think of C.C. so far. She told Kallen that she was on Lelouch's side, whatever that meant.

"Zero doesn't tell me much of what she does," Lelouch added, thinking it would be a good idea to show her lack of knowledge especially if those seizures continue. She hoped they didn't, but Lelouch believed this was just one of many to come soon. Could I start losing my memory even more? Lelouch thought with fear. What if next time I wake up... I don't remember anything? I'll have to think of something to help me with that.

"So, you don't see...? Like, you're not there when she's Zero?" Kallen asked softly.

C.C. and Lelouch looked at her, confused. "If I am there?"

Kallen whined softly, not knowing how to explain herself.

"She is asking if you're watching everything, Zero does while she is in control of your body," C.C. asked, watching Lelouch wondering if she was going with it.

"No, really, she sometimes tells me what she is doing," Lelouch muttered. So many lies, so many truths. What am I doing now? Lelouch thought deeply. I am complicating my life unnecessarily. Or, perhaps I deserve this mess. I can't back down now.

"Zero only tells me things I should know, for my sake. But, Zero doesn't tell me more than that."

"I see," Kallen replied softly. Maybe, it's better this way. She thought, unsure of what to think. "So, you don't know much about the Black Knights? About everything she does?"

"No, only what she decides to tell me."

C.C. sighed, seeing the decision of Lelouch to continue with that path. She couldn't fault her for pushing this lie or half-truth. But sadly, it may become a reality. That was the worst thing about all this. C.C. could almost tell that Lelouch understood that her time might be running out in more than one way. Lelouch may be telling a lie where she has two people living in her head to control people and improve things. But, it could become true if those seizures and strokes become more frequent.

That's the terrifying reality of all this. So, in a horrible, quite ironic way. She is not actually lying. C.C thought with a bitter smile.

"Zero and Lelouch are two consciousness living in the same body. Yet, I wonder if the power Zero has is causing problems in Lelouch's body."

"Perhaps, this body can't hold Zero's power and is breaking down," Lelouch muttered, thinking that the possibility of that could be high. "I mean, I knew I was living on borrowed time. Maybe next time, it's going to be truly over."

"Stop!" Kallen exclaimed. "You're not going to die!"

Lelouch stared at Kallen, a bit surprised by her reaction.

"I don't know much of what's going on, but I know... Zero is going to think of something. You're going to be fine. I'll make sure of it."

Lelouch chuckled softly at the red-haired girl. I surely hope Zero truly knows what to do.

"Hopefully," replied. "Truly, I wish."


The days that followed weren't as pleasant as she thought they would be. Lelouch's action brought more than just physical and mental pain to her. But also everyone around her. Nunally didn't eat properly during the last week. She didn't sleep and couldn't speak to people until she finally saw her sister was fine. After that, poor Nunally refuses to leave Lelouch's side, sleeping next to her. That hurt to see her sister in such a state.

But as if things were bad. Lelouch heard about what happened to Shirley's father, another casualty of her decisions. And another bundle of problems. Still, it was too late to cry over it. Lelouch was too deep in everything to try to change her approach.

"And here I thought you'll be over there, with Britannia doing stuff."

Lelouch stated as she saw Suzaku sitting next to her. She wasn't allowed to move out of her room yet. Not for a few more days. Meaning that she had to lie on her bed and do nothing. Of course, that wasn't true. She was busy with many things, but having friends visiting her was fun. Sometimes, but not always.

"I asked for a few days," Suzaku replied with a smile. "I have to keep up with homework, and when I heard about what happened to you. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"I am alright, bored, but fine," Lelouch said. "I only move when it's time to eat or when my show is going on; besides that, nothing much."

"I see," Suzaku muttered slowly. "What did the doctor say?"

Lelouch sighed as she just lay her head on her pillow. "All of the x-ray and returned with nothing. No tumor, nothing out of the ordinary. They don't know what caused my seizure and stroke. But well, they are going to do more tests. But so far, I'll have to be careful."

Lelouch wondered why they hadn't found anything in her head. Surely, a stroke was caused by something, anything. But the more the doctors tried to come up with an answer, the less they knew.

"Well, it can't get worse, can it?"

"Don't joke about it," Suzaku replied.

"I am not, but... I have just come to terms with it, that's all."

"Terms with that?"

Lelouch lay on her bed, breathing slowly. "That my life is this fragile, this... painful and filled with hard truths and horrible lies." She muttered to herself, not caring if Suzaku heard her or not.

Suzaku looked at her, troubled, and kept quiet for a bit. He hasn't told her about Cornelia or anything. He couldn't bring himself to say to her that he had betrayed her trust.

"Lelouch," Suzaku muttered as Lelouch sighed.

"Nothing, it's nothing, Suzaku. I was just moping around, that's all. I'll be fine, just give me an oreo cheesecake and food, and I'll be back on my feet."

That brought a chuckle from Suzaku, who simply shook his head.

"So, how is the life of a Suzaku?" Lelouch asked, hoping to hear something interesting about her old childhood friend's life. "Have you saved the world already?"

"Save the world, eh? No, still just waiting around. Trying to figure out... well, anything really."

"Who said saving the world was easy?" Lelouch joked, making Suzaku chuckle.

"I am just trying to do what's right even if the rest of the world hates me. I know what Kallen thinks of me, and I can see why she thinks I am an idiot. Sometimes, I feel like one."

"Mm, well, Kalle does use another word," Lelouch muttered; now Suzaku smiled widely at her.

"Perhaps, I am that word. Who knows? I just know I only have one life, and I am trying to do my best with it."

One life, eh? Lelouch thought as she stared at the window, wondering if she was so different from Suzaku. "Maybe, you'll find out soon."

"Maybe, right now... I am just waiting for what to do next."

"Waiting?"

"Well, things are slow now. Nothing has happened, and truthfully it feels quite tense being out there. Everyone is on high alert, but nothing happens."

Lelouch hummed deeply, thinking that the last operation had made Cornelia stop and think through her next procedure. But that could also be dangerous. Lelouch has been capable of always being one step ahead of her sister because of Cornelia's brute force behavior. Yet, if the Britannia princess changes her tactic and becomes more patient and careful. That would be hard to predict.

"So, you're not doing much now?" Lelouch asked, trying to see if Suzaku knew something.

"No, just waiting around, and nothing much. If I am completely honest, it's quite unnerving," Suzaku sighed. "But it gives me time to be with Nunally and you."

Lelouch smiled at him, and while she could find in herself to hate his guts and his ideals. Suzaku was still her friend, and she owed him her life. If it wasn't for him, she would have died. Still, Lelouch just didn't know what to make of him. What is Suzaku's job in the Britannia army? What does he do? Even though Suzaku tells her his job was doing some engineering on the back lines of a special unit. Lelouch didn't believe him.

"Thank you, Suzaku, for being with Nunally when I was out," Lelouch said. "I know she was... in bad shape."

"Don't say it like that. Nunally is like my little sister. And we were all dead worried for you, Lelouch."

Suzaku took her hand and smiled softly. "You're my dearest friend. Maybe, we don't see eye-to-eye, but... I'll always be on your side, Lelouch, no matter what."

Lelouch looked away, not knowing if Suzaku would think the same if he knew the truth.

"Thank you, Suzaku," she whispered slowly. "You're, even now, even after everything. My friend."

Both remained silent for a few minutes before a certain red-haired girl entered the room.

"Lelouch, I brought you... Suzaku," Kallen stated, frowning at the way he was holding Lelouch's hand.

"Good evening, Kallen," Suzaku replied calmly.

"Good evening," Kallen approached them, as Lelouch found the face of Kallen quite amusing.

"Oh, you brought me something to eat?" Lelouch stated. "Give me, give me!"

Suzaku chuckled as he stood up. "I'll leave you to be. See you later, Lelouch."

"See you later, Suzaku," Lelouch waved the browned-haired boy, as Kallen only sneered at him.

Kallen huffed, sitting on the chair. Only glancing behind her to see if Suzaku was still there.

"You dislike him that much?" Lelouch asked, amused by her reaction to Kallen.

"Yeah, I do," Kallen muttered angrily. "He thinks he so high and mighty and that only he knows what pain is. You should have heard what Suzaku said during Shirley's father's funeral. It wasn't the place or time to speak about the Black Knights or Zero, but somehow, he made it about him and Britannia. As if Britannia was an innocent little angel. As if Britannia hasn't killed hundreds of innocent people already."

Kallen understood that the death of Shirley's father was in her hands. She was responsible for many people's deaths during that battle. But, she wasn't a hypocrite nor heartless to bring Britannia and how they killed her brother during a funeral to make her feel right or justified. Kallen owned her decision and faced the pain and guilt head-on. She knows that if Shirley knew the truth. The girl would never forgive her, and that was fine. Kallen understood it better than most. Especially Suzaku, who somehow still searches for the guilty among shadows.

It was the reason why Kallen hated Suzaku. She feels that Suzaku isn't honest with what he believes in. Kallen truly believes, for the few moments, she has interacted with him, that the only reason he joined Britannia was to make himself feel better. As if he was running away from something. Suzaku was a selfish person. Kallen was sure of it.

Lelouch hummed deeply and sighed as she stared at Kallen but couldn't help but chuckle. "He can be very selfish and stubborn, that's true. But I think there's more than that. He carries a lot."

Lelouch stated softly, and Kallen only glanced at her, confused.

"Guilt makes people do things that don't make sense. Do you know? His father's action caused the downfall of Japan and submission. Yet, he was never blamed for it. He was a child. Why would people blame him, right? Yet, he carries this guilt and horror. He lived quite safe after that. Better than most Japanese after the war. Again, he didn't suffer anything. He had warm food in his belly and a lovely little house where people would help him as a child. So, he joined the Britannia army to find meaning in his life and ease his pain and guilt. But nothing of sorts happened, even after watching what Britannia did and what the Japanese people suffered. Suzaku was unscathed by it."

Lelouch chuckled sadly. "I truly believe that Suzaku wants to die. No... he wants to get killed. As a sort of penance, to stop running away from that guilt."

Kallen frowned but thought about those words for a while. Still, it didn't make her feel good at all. "That makes him a coward and an arrogant fool, isn't it?" Kallen spat angrily.

Lelouch took a deep breath. "You sound like Zero," Lelouch pointed out with a smile. "You know, Zero wanted him to join the Black Knights. But Suzaku refused."

Kallen was now surprised by that bit of information.

"Zero told me about it. Suzaku's refusal only made Zero angry, and she was close to killing him. Perhaps, she would if she found him again. But I don't want that."

Kallen stared at Lelouch for a bit, wondering why she would say that.

"Suzaku is stubborn, selfish, and naive. But he is my friend and a loyal one who saved Nunally and my life; I owe him that. He saved my life back during the first time I met C.C. Even after not seeing him for years. Suzaku put himself before me and saved me. He wants to do what's right, to stop the bloodshed, stop the killing of innocent people and find peace for everyone. Again you don't have to like or agree with how he does those things. But at the same time, we must look at the bigger picture. No one is completely good or bad in this situation. No one can hold the banner of justice and ride all high and mighty, thinking we can do no wrong or that we are on the side of honesty and virtue. We are just a bunch of flawed people trying to do what we believe is right. You on the side of Zero, and him on the side of Britannia."

And I am in the middle of everything, causing harm and bringing hope.

Lelouch stated before staring at Kallen and picking her hand softly. "We are humans, after all. We always want to believe we are decent. But we are not perfect. We are flawed, and that's fine."

Some of us are, maybe.

"I still don't like him. He is an idiot," Kallen muttered, making Lelouch laugh.

"It's okay," Lelouch replied, kissing Kallen's hand. "Also, I think he needs to get laid. Maybe a girlfriend would make him less annoying."

"Ugh, I don't want to think about it."

Lelouch then moved a bit and patted the space next to her. "Please, lay with me," Lelouch whispered, and Kallen nodded. Taking her shoes, she of her clothes and cuddled Lelouch, who sighed in contentment.

"Kallen, can we try to go back?" Lelouch whispered. "To pretend there are no Black Knights, no Britannia, no Zero, nothing, just two girls dating and enjoying their lives together."

Kallen wondered if that was possible. It seemed so far away. So alien to her.

"That's quite the lifestyle," Kallen muttered softly. "It sounds too good. No war, no rebellion, nothing."

"Yeah, that's why I know it will never happen."

Kallen flinched at those words but just kept on holding Lelouch tightly. "Don't speak like that. One day it will happen. Maybe not tomorrow or next year. But it will happen. I'll make sure of it."

Lelouch wondered if that would be the case. It was hard to say. She couldn't see such a future with high hopes. But she would like to believe, at least to pretend, it could be achieved.

"Promise?" Lelouch whispered.

"Promise," Kallen replied, smiling, gently kissing Lelouch's lips before they were taken away by dreams of a beautiful tomorrow.


"Sister, I am going to meet our sister," Euphemia stated with fierce determination as she stared at Cornelia daring her sister to say anything about it. Cornelia took a deep breath, knowing there was no other way around it.

"Euphy, you know this is dangerous for you and them," Cornelia whispered. "If words get out... if someone finds Lelouch and Nunnally are still alive. It could put their lives at risk."

"Their lives are already at risk!" Euphemia exclaimed. "Lelouch had a stroke, Cornelia! A stroke! She needs help before it is too late! Are we going to simply let her suffer alone?!"

Cornelia's jaw became tight at the notion of what could happen. She knew that Cornelia truly understood that the situation with her sister was more delicate than she thought. But, at the same time, she was afraid of risking them.

"Please, Cornelia, we can help her. Please!"

Cornelia sighed again, deciding not to remain idle any longer. "Alright, Euphy. It's time, but you're taking Villetta and Suzaku with you. And no one can know this. For now, let's keep this quiet. I'll make some calls and see if we can arrange a visit. I want our doctors to check on her."

Euphemia smiled happily. "I'll be careful, Cornelia. And I know Lelouch and Nunnally would be happy to see you again."

"I hope," Cornelia replied softly as she stared at the picture on her desk where all of them were together.

I hope.