Just my luck, honestly. One moment I'm walking out of the supermarket with some bread and salami to make some delicious toast, the next moment I'm sprawled out all over the street because some dumb idiot drove drunk at 10 in the morning.
The current situation is really just the epitome of brilliant. Now I'm going to die, having not achieved a single thing in life. I never got good at drawing, and I never got to writing the story I've had in my head for the last ten years. I will die with nobody ever knowing it.
But my bitterness had to end there, because I finally bled out. At least, I thought I did.
Just when I breathed my last on Earth, I breathed for the first time elsewhere.
"Where is this?" I wondered. It was an almost pure white room, with a big bright light shining down on me. In the same second, I realized my voice was different. I tried to look at my hands, but they were tied. I was wearing a straight jacket. From my peripheral vision, however, I could make out one thing about me.
I had insanely long green hair. In my sitting position, it went almost all the way to the floor. I almost thought I recognized it from somewhere, but it seemed too strange to be true. I couldn't possibly have actually reincarnated like a damn Isekai anime. And that's when the opaque observation glass seemed to start having signs of life from the other side.
A mic clicked on, and a voice that sounded eerily familiar spoke. "Feeling ready to talk yet, Code R?" The figure on the other side spoke.
Code R… That's the project Clovis la Britannia was working on, experimenting C.C.. In Code Geass. Wow, Okay. I'm C.C. for real. Changing genders when reincarnating is one thing, but going to the world of my all time favorite anime is another. If there was one thing I was confident in in my past life, it's my encyclopedic knowledge of Code Geass. It also helped that I remembered things I didn't actually experience or watch in the show. I think that part is coming from C.C.'s memories. Her first meeting with the Nun who gave her Geass, and the subsequent betrayal and bestowing of Code included.
Back to the matter at hand, it looks like it's really Clovis on the other side of the glass. If what I remember is correct then I really don't want to sit here and be his play thing any longer, so I decided to speak back. "And If I was?"
"Then I'd ask you to explain how you became immortal, so I may reproduce it. As a reward, I will set you free afterwards." He so generously offered. I sincerely doubted that was the truth, but nevertheless, it was my only grapevine for information and possibly escape from his clutches. Kallen's group would probably take me out of here eventually anyway, but it is a good idea to try and get out myself - even if it would dilute the timeline a bit.
"I will consider telling you if you did a few small favours for me, Clovis la Britannia." Strangely, I felt extremely calm.
If anything, I felt pity for the guy. He was far less competent than most of his siblings, and this was his only way to secure a path to the throne. Maybe these feelings weren't coming from me, but from C.C. herself. Maybe my soul and hers made a merger and that's what I am right now.
"Oh, and pray tell, what are these favours of yours? If it is within my power and not something ridiculous, I will do it for you in exchange for the information I seek."
Are all of the Royal Family such Shakespearean personas? I felt half tempted to sarcastically reply in Old English - which I as C.C. actually knew fluently - but it might've ended up just me biting the hand that feeds.
I briefly considered asking Clovis to find and assassinate Mao immediately. He'd be a thorn in Lelouch's side and if I was planning to join Lelouch it would be helpful to not have to deal with him. Then again, I could just let him be and just warn Lelouch that his existence will prove a problem and let the super genius take care of it and not Mr. Try To Get Immortality.
For now, I'll just ask a couple simple questions.
"Then… first will be a question: What day is today, your Highness?" I needed to know when it is first. There's no point in even trying to escape if Kallen's terrorist gaggle is coming tomorrow.
"Hm. How quaint. I guess you hadn't the chance to know in there. It is August the 14th in the year of our Empire 2017."
Welp. I was right. The Shinjuku ghetto incident takes place in August 2017. There isn't really much time 'till the whole mess that is the Black Rebellion begins. I will just give Clovis a crumb of information baked in half truths and let him down the wrong road. I wasn't about to tell this guy about Geass.
"In truth, I was given this curse. Handed down from a nun in old England, around 700 years ago." It wasn't the full truth, obviously. "I don't know where she is now, but I doubt that she is still there." That part is a full lie, though. The nun died after giving C.C. code, having killed herself.
"Hooh. Well then, can YOU bestow it as the Nun did?" This was the obvious followup question to my answer.
"No. I will tell you more if I remember anything, having lived this long you tend to start forgetting things from more than a hundred years ago."
This did feel true. I remember most of C.C.'s early life - the life before Geass - but after being given Code it becomes mostly fragments. It's also why she goes by C.C. now. She doesn't want to be reminded of the time when she had Geass, and she doesn't feel human enough to use a normal name either.
"I see. In that case, for the moment we will return you to the capsule and I shall ask you for more information next month." I smirked at that one. Sorry Clovis, you won't get to even breathe next month.
Two panels on each side of the room opened, revealing two pipes. They quickly started pouring gas of some description, and I lost consciousness soon after.
Prince Clovis was having a good day. Things were finally going his way for once.
The Code R subject had finally spoken! Finally! Clovis was beyond relieved to, at long last, have some progress. The woman admitted she'd lived for centuries and explained that another immortal, most likely older than herself, had given her the power.
"I doubt that she can't give it away herself." He mused as he sorted out a few documents - reports on terrorist activity within Shinjuku ghetto. It appeared they were up to something.
Not that it mattered, they were simply Elevens. They would never best him even with Kyoshiro Todoh at the helm. Let alone some thugs from a ghetto instead of the organized JLF. Clovis put the documents into the shredder. They were of no use to him after all, and he had a party to attend.
But for Clovis' direct underling, things were not going as well.
Bartley knew his days were numbered now that a band of Eleven terrorists of all things had come upon the capsule! The Prince's gamble to label it as experimental poison gas had turned out all wrong. Now the terrorists thought they had a weapon - and in theory they did - but it would do them no good. And it had also doomed Bartley and potentially the Prince himself along with them.
If it got out that they had been experimenting on humans for this research not even the Emperor would deign to protect his Highness. They would be thrown to the wolves, the dregs of the Imperial Court would tear them to shreds. So the only solution he could possibly come up with was to eliminate anybody who comes upon the container who isn't sworn to secrecy at the penalty of death. Naturally this would include the terrorists.
Thankfully, the Purebloods had already mobilized because of the alert he'd sent out. The situation is still recoverable. A scorned man, Jeremiah Gottwald may be, but a capable Knightmare Pilot nonetheless. And the same for Viletta Nu, as much of a glory-seeker as she is. He could leave things in their hands for the moment, while they gathered the Royal Guard and even the Prince's G1 Command Mobile in case it ends up a full scale battle.
It was unlikely, as Bartley was somewhat informed of what these particular terrorists could do. He was the one who had submitted a report on their activity to the Prince, after all. The former Kozuki group. They had one scrap heap Glasgow per reports, so they would not be a major threat. But one Knightmare is more than none, so it was wise to mobilize overwhelming power in this situation. Worst comes to worst, the terrorists manage to hijack their own Sutherlands and assassinate the Prince.
"Tell me the truth Suzaku, poison gas? This girl?" And just like that, the first thing I hear after my sleepy gas OD is Johnny Yong Bosch's dulcet tones. Of course, it's just Lelouch untying my straight jacket. I thought I was supposed to sense him from in there, but maybe C.C. just does that unconsciously? Strange, but that's one of possibly many discrepancies between me and the real her.
"That's what the report said…" Suzaku, an idiot to the core. He was the one contradiction of the story. A walking hypocrisy. Nevertheless, his existence is important for the moment. Suzaku needed to take a bullet for us, after all.
Currently, the plan is for things to go exactly as they did in the show up till Lelouch meets the royal guards a second time. Before Shirley calls him and sends us down a path where I end up shot in the head - I'll tell him to shut the thing off.
It probably shouldn't be the first thing I say to him, though. Maybe reassure him that Suzaku survived that shot? Something like sensing his life force still going strong?
As if on queue, the Royal Guards arrived, Suzaku got shot and Nagata blew up the truck - letting Lelouch escape with me.
As we passed through the subway, I finally built up the courage to speak to him.
"Lelouch, wait." He immediately stopped.
"I don't want to die and let Suzaku's sacrifice be in vain. We are continuing." His voice is shaky. I guess Lelouch was still a bit nervous before obtaining Geass. He didn't even notice that I used his name when he'd never introduced himself to me.
"Your friend survived that, if that's what you're worried about." I answered as he continued dragging me by the hand. "You should probably turn off your phone, the military does use them to track people, don't they?"
"I'm not sure why you're certain he survived, but yes - turning it off is a good idea." He shut it off right as we reached the stairs leading out of the subway. It already reeked of blood, and we could hear the sounds of the Britannian soldiers checking the building.
That's when I decided it was time. "Stop for a moment. I need to do something." Grabbing his shoulders, I turned him around.
"Lelouch, allow me to forge a contract with you." I whispered to him. "The reason your brother kept me hidden away was to obtain power, power that I grant."
He stared at me like I had four heads. "What are you talking about?"
"I meant what I said." As I stared back at the dumb look in his face, I initiated the Geass contract.
"You have a reason for living, do you not?" The imagery around us is quite something. Jupiter, masks, the Sword of Akasha…
What Lelouch focused on, was of course his Father up in C's World. "A convergence of the Ragnarok Connection? So the myth is beginning once again?"
"I propose a deal, Lelouch. I shall grant you the Power of the King which shall isolate you from the world and make you a one of a kind man. In return, you will grant my one wish." I continued, my voice echoing around us.
He may be confused, but Lelouch is still Lelouch. He remained resolute and gained motivation following the vision of his father. "I accept your contract!"
"Good, we will discuss more. It appears that the royal guards might have found us. Be a dear and use your newfound power to dispose of them."
The phone gambit was completely unnecessary it seems, as I had sensed them spot us right before I closed my connection with the black Prince.
"You did well, for a schoolboy." The Captain made a smarmy grin. His henchmen had grabbed me and we're pointing guns at him. I slowly nodded at him, hopefully he picked up the sign.
"Tell me, how does a Britannian who detests his own country live his life?" He began a very familiar speech. I had to control myself not to smile. I loved this scene.
"Are you some kind of radical?" The fellow was almost quaking in his boots.
"Why not shoot? Your opponent is just a schoolboy." Said schoolboy reveals his Geass. "Or have you finally realized that those who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed? Lelouch vi Britannia now commands you, all of you, die!"
I might just fall in love with how hammy this man is. It's even more exhilarating watching him do his magic from up close. I might actually empathise with Diethard now that I've seen it myself.
The soldiers all smiled devilishly. "Happily, your Highness!" They all obeyed, aiming guns at their own heads. "Fire!" The command was given, and just like that, Zero was born again.
My mentality may be somewhat altered by C.C.'s own, but… The sight of all the men around me killing themselves and the amount of blood I could feel on my body made me feel a little sick.
I tried to stop myself from vomiting by putting my hand on my mouth. "Can't handle dead bodies?" Lelouch asked, putting a hand on my shoulders.
"Unfortunately, yes. I may have lived a few hundred years but this is a bit much for me…" I managed to eke out an answer.
"I understand, but I need an explanation on what this power is, and why and how you are the way you are." He tightened his grip slightly, but was stopped by me putting my hand up to his face. "Wait. Something's approaching." I shushed him. Of course, I knew ahead of time that Viletta would be coming soon. But as long as I have the mystery behind what my powerset actually is, I can hide the true reason of why I know things ahead of time.
As if on cue, the loud hammering of a Sutherland busted through the wall of the building we're in.
This is actually the first time I lay my eyes on a Knightmare in this life. Despite the description on the wiki listing it at 5 meters tall, it was still very imposing to look at. Especially now, with it's face open and one giant eyeball scanning the area around us. That's the Factsphere sensor with which Viletta is observing us right now.
"What happened here, and why is a Britannian student and a girl in a place like this?" She demanded. Before Lelouch could answer, I whispered to him. "You need eye contact to use it."
In response, he subtly nodded. "My name is Alan Spacer, and this is my girlfriend Marie. My father's a duke. My ID's in my breast pocket, after you confirm who I am I will request your protection for us." Marie, huh? Did he get that from his mother Marianne or from Milly? Well, it's a nice name I guess. I still haven't introduced myself as C.C. to him, have I?
I was shaken out of my thoughts as he grabbed my hand. Viletta had already climbed out of her Knightmare and gracefully donated it to Lelouch. "Right. Let's go." We climbed into the Purist Faction Sutherland.
"Right then, you have some explaining to do. Who exactly are you, and what is this power?" He asked as we trundled along in the cramped Sutherland.
"It's name is Geass, and I am one of the people cursed with it's evolution - Code. Among one of the perks of Code, I am immortal." I answered, while sitting in his lap observing how he piloted the Knightmare. Didn't seem that complicated. "My name is C.C."
"An odd name."
"Precisely, yes. It's because I don't want to be called by my old name." A double meaning, as it stands I have two former names, and only one current name - C.C.
"Right. You said Code is an evolution of Geass. What do you mean by that?" As he said that, we spotted Kallen running from Jeremiah and his compatriots. "You should probably help her first."
"Her? Right. The woman in the Glasgow is most likely the only pilot these terrorists have right now." He mused, before going to grab the radio he had from when he was in the truck. "The West Entrance. Use the tracks to move to the west entrance."
And predictably, she wasn't exactly amicable. "Who's this, how do you know this code?!"
"That doesn't matter. If you want to win you're just going to have to trust me."
"To win?!" She sounded exasperated. Nonetheless, she followed the orders and the Glasgow jumped onto the old tracks. "Okay, what am I supposed to do now?"
It was swiftly followed by the Purist Sutherlands from behind, and from in front - a train approached. "Since you trusted me, you're going to win. Jump onto the train!"
She gave a quick gotcha, before doing as instructed. "You, go after the Glasgow." Jeremiah ordered his underling to follow. A fatal mistake, as Lelouch quickly tore him to shreds with his Slash Harkens.
"Hm. Now that I hear this voice, I think this man may be useful later." I remark to my benefactor. "If I recall correctly, he was one of your guards at the Aries Villa." Now that one must have sparked the gears spinning in his head.
"You… How do you know who I am?" No doubt he was fearful for Nunnally if he was found out this quickly by me.
"There isn't much I don't know, Lelouch. And don't worry, I don't plan on betraying you. Your sister will be fine." The quick reassurance made him visibly let out the breath he'd been holding.
"What's your name and your unit?" Jeremiah attempted to connect to us. "We're after the one armed Glas-" He couldn't continue, though, as Lelouch fired upon him.
"I believe his name was Jeremiah. Tall fellow, orange eyes, dark blue-ish hair." I spewed some more factoids to jog the little prince's memory.
"Ah, him. Nunnally's favorite guard, if you could even have a favorite. What is he doing here?"
As we had this casual conversation, Kallen forced Orange boy to eject. "No doubt attempting to regain his honour after failing to protect your mother." I absentmindedly remarked. Recruiting Jeremiah is an incredibly good idea. He's loyal to the core, a skilled pilot and already has connections within the Britannian military that we can exploit to get an earlier foothold and launch the Black Rebellion on a faster schedule.
In the distance, I saw Ohgi and the rest of the ragtag team of terrorists approach Kallen and the train's position. We quickly slinked away so as to not be seen. Lelouch contacted Ohgi and Kallen with their orders and presented them with their new Knightmares from the train and gave us some time to talk.
"We have ten minutes to talk. You never finished explaining about the Code. And you said you knew everything, what do you mean by that?" He was rather pensive regarding our interactions today, no doubt.
"You sure have a lot of questions, but I'll oblige you nonetheless." I stretched. I hope we can get the Gawain earlier too, this thing is too tight for two. "I don't know how the Code came about exactly, but I acquired it from a nun in the early fourteenth century. The method to do so is to have a fully matured Geass and kill a person with Code. They will lose it, and you will lose your Geass in exchange for it."
"What, so then, you want me to take your Code?" He was indeed a smart cookie. With the information readily available he immediately deduced what I had in mind with "one wish". Or at least, what the original C.C. had in mind.
"Heavens no. At least, not right now. Life just became a lot more interesting after I got out of my long stay with Clovis and his human experimentation squad." Lamperouge grimaced at those words. Even if he became the Demon Emperor in another life, he'd never stoop to that level. "A Geass matures with frequent use. I have no doubt that eventually yours will be permanently active, so if you don't have some measure in place you will have to be mindful of what you say while staring at people's eyes." He was obviously not pleased with the implications of that, but seemingly ignored it.
"That answers some of my questions regarding this power. What about my other question?" He pressed for more.
"I meant what I said, vi Britannia. I know who you are because I was contracted to your mother before your death." That HAD to be a shocker, but what was the bigger shocker was his assumption right after.
"Did you kill her?" He was almost shaking in anger. I would've been affected by it, but C.C.'s nonchalance at threatening stares was making it completely ineffectual.
"What a big joke, child. I have no reason to kill her. It was your father's co-conspirator V.V. who did. If the name speaks nothing to you, then maybe I can instead tell you that he's your long forgotten Uncle, whom your father worked hard to erase from all records." Now Lelouch's mind really was going at a thousand miles a minute. I had to stop him, because his ten minutes were almost up. Clapping both hands onto his face, I told him so: "You have some terrorists to command. Once you take me back to where you're staying, we will talk all night if need be." At that, he was shaken awake from his thoughts.
"Of course. I have a battle to win." With newfound resolution, he declared.
"One last thing. I think Clovis has an experimental Knightmare present on this battlefield. Supposedly Seventh Generation and funded by the Prime Minister, if his chatterbox is to be believed." This little nugget should help Lelouch not get completely destroyed by Suzaku.
With a nod, he got on with the battle.
Using Kallen's Glasgow as bait, he had two enemy Knights - Sir Eugen and Valerie if memory was correct, taken out. I could almost feel his evil smile creep up. Not that I wasn't smiling myself. Who'dve thought that a battlefield is this exhilarating! It also helped that he had actually taken the time to pick up a chess board that I was diligently holding in my lap for him. There would usually be a little sexual tension when a woman like C.C. is sitting in a cramped Knightmare ontop of a man's lap but given that this is Lelouch who was oblivious to everybody's advances in the show and I am formerly a man and currently not very attracted to him in that manner, neither of us really felt uncomfortable with the predicament.
"P1, P4, P7. Move a hundred meters to the right and fire your slash harkens toward 3 o'clock." After a small delay, "P5, ready?" That was Lelouch ushering Tamaki to get on with his tasks. "Quit calling me that!" The redhead angrily retorted through the radio.
Just like that, Clovis' forces started falling like dominos. Kallen's Glasgow even got the chance to get some revenge and took out a Sutherland on top of a building. Now that I think about it, Kallen's kind of rad, isn't she? Living a double life as a 17 year old and she has the aptitude to pilot a Knightmare to the level she does. What a beast. Maybe I should push her and Lelouch together, some light shipping shenanigans?
"R2, fire anchor. B7, use UN ordinance. N Group, you will continue your advance." The future Zero issued orders like it was second nature to him.
"Now then, the enemy has five options. Their move." Looking at the battle map Lelouch was using to track Clovis' forces, even I could see the flaws in the tactics they were using. He's breaking the encirclement, meaning that now the terrorists who had been creating heavy casualties in this battle had an opportunity to escape. "Isn't this a terrible move from him?" I questioned.
"Yes, an abhorrently bad decision." He took the radio. "You, Q1, do you have an area map?"
"Yes, I have a map of the old town, but it has no current landmarks!"
"It'll do."
"Mission number three now." The map showed all of Clovis' forces focusing onto one point, which for them was the last known position of our units. But of course, it was just the dumber brother falling for the obvious trap. Kallen and the rest had already evacuated via the tunnels underneath Shinjuku - the remnants of the legendary Japanese subway system. "With this, I call check." He moved the queen piece forward, putting the White King that was mostly surrounded by pawns in a check position. Now all Lelouch needed to do to win the game of Chess and the battle was to deliver the finishing blow and block off all routes of escape for the White King.
He cackled madly as all of Clovis' knights showed LOST signs on the map. "Ahahahaha! My plan worked, didn't it? I can do it, I can! I can defeat Britannia!" He was getting a little big for his boots considering the next move could decide how this battle continues.
"Lelouch, remember-" I tried to get him to downsize his ego, but he quickly interrupted me.
"Yes, I remember. This experimental Seventh Generation Knightmare you mentioned. Do you have any more details about it?"
"Hmmm… White with gold trimming, supposedly named Lancelot."
"Good enough. Alright, we have to take precautions for its arrival. No doubt Clovis is feeling pressured enough to use Schneizel's toy against us now." He reached for the radio once more. "Gentlemen. I have become aware of a possible issue that may occur soon." He declared to the Kozuki group. "There is a prototype Seventh Generation Knightmare Frame funded by the Prime Minister himself present on this battlefield. Now that we've dealt a critical blow to Clovis and his army, he will most likely call upon it to salvage the situation. If you see a White Knightmare with gold trimming that looks odd, do not engage. Retreat and escape if possible. I will see to the rest of the battle myself." With that, he shut the radio off. I half expected Tamaki to reply with some dumb remark, but I guess I won't hear it from him. At least for now. I do plan to be more active with the Black Knights early on.
"How about we visit my brother and end this charade?" He smiled down at me.
"Alright Mr Prince, lead the way" And I smiled right back.
Our Sutherland trundled along toward the G1. We had turned on the IFF and told anybody who questioned us that we'd managed to survive the ambush and were coming back to receive medical attention. This worked because unlike the stolen Sutherlands the terrorists were using, ours was a Purist Sutherland with red painted shoulders. Arriving close to the G1, we hopped out and Geassed anybody who could pose a threat. Thus, we climbed inside the nigh on empty G1 command unit.
"Wha- Who's there?!" The Viceroy of Area 11 had already kicked out the command staff in order to mourn his soon to be failing reputation, or brood. One of those two.
"Tell your men to pull back and stop fighting. And don't make it a meek request, make it an order. Or we'll shoot." I decided to take the reigns. Even if Lelouch was the one holding the gun, it was better he kept in the dark for the moment. After all, this time he hadn't changed into a soldier uniform, he was still in the Ashford Academy uniform.
"Wait, that voice! It's not possible! YOU were the one that has been outmaneuvering me all this time?!" Oh, that was a bit of a miscalculation on my part. He did get to hear my voice in this iteration… WAIT! It's not a miscalculation! THAT SCENE! That scene in the C's World, where Charles Zi Britannia talks about conversing with Clovis! This is actually a huge ploy! If they think I'm Zero, things might proceed differently… They may never find out that Lelouch is Zero. Especially if I don't share it with Marianne myself. No V.V. kidnapping Nunnally, no Lelouch running to her rescue during the Black Rebellion!
It's like I've found a Eureka moment. "Don't reveal yourself to him. I will explain later." After whispering that to Lelouch and taking the gun from his hands, I walked forward to reveal myself to Clovis.
"Yes, little prince-boy. They once called me the Witch of Britannia, before your sister, you know." Hopefully the little factoid I remembered from Nightmare of Nunnally would be helpful. "Commanding these terrorists, lousy soldiers as they are, was child's play against your brainless tactics. I mean, seriously, that last trap was the epitome of simplicity!" I put on my best of a mocking grin as I talked down to Clovis like he was a toddler getting a scolding. From the corner of my eye I thought I saw Lelouch nod as if he was agreeing.
"Now, get on with it, idiot. Or have you forgotten that I hold all the cards in this transaction? Go on, get on the speakerphone and tell your soldiers to stand down." He was deathly afraid, but the moment he got on the mic it was like an entirely different person.
"Attention all forces! Cease fire at once! I, Clovis, Prince of Britannia and Royal Viceroy of Area 11 hereby command you! All forces are ordered to cease fire at once! You will also cease destruction of any buildings or property! All casualties, whether Britannian or Eleven shall be treated equally and without prejudice! In the name of Clovis la Britannia - cease fire at once! I shall allow no further fighting!" Have to hand it to him, keeping his composure enough to make a speech like this while having a gun pointed at him is quite the feat.
Then… I hesitated. By taking the gun off Lelouch, I realized one critical thing that I had to do.
I had to shoot Clovis myself now. To keep appearances, I had to steel myself, point the gun and shoot quickly. The deed was done, and he died quickly. I threw up immediately after. We'd been killing people all day, but doing it by your own hand was an entirely different matter. "Sorry for showing this to you…" I meekly apologize to Lelouch.
"Don't worry about that. Killing isn't easy. Let's get out of here." He pulled me up to my feet, and we left the G1 in a hurry. Escaping the battlefield was less than simple, we managed to get to one of the checkpoints, and since Clovis' order was absolute AND we weren't Elevens - we were allowed to leave. We were silent the entire journey. Eventually, we managed to get a cab in the settlement that took us back to Ashford.
"I'll have to stay here with you, Lelouch." I remark. "No doubt OSI is looking for me as much as they are looking for you."
"Fine. We are accomplices now anyway. You'll have to introduce yourself to my sister." He didn't turn around as we talked while going to the building.
"Ah, little Nunnally. Don't worry, I'll tell her I'm your fiancée." It was a joke C.C. had made to Lelouch when they met up in the beginning after her supposed "death".
"What? No." He was firm in his denial, but I could see the slight reddening of his ears. Is this why she did it so much? This teasing is quite fun, and he needs to lighten up anyway.
"You didn't seem to mind how close we were together in that Sutherland." I leaned forward and pressed my body to his. Well, by body - mostly my breasts. That put a real spring in his step as he jumped forward. "Stop doing that, witch!" He wasn't pleased, even if his face was red.
"If I'm a witch then you're my warlock. Or maybe you prefer being my familiar?" No doubt my face was like the Cheshire cat.
By the time the little banter session ended, we reached his front door, where Sayoko was awaiting Lelouch's return. Seeing me, her face tensed a little. "My Lord, this woman?"
"She's -" I managed to interrupt his answer in time to say something outrageous. "Just a friend with benefits." With that I squeezed past Sayoko and entered. Lelouch and the maid hot on my tail - no doubt both stunned - we all arrived at the dinner table where Nunnally sat in her wheelchair.
Oh my. She's quite small. "Big Brother, Sayoko and…?" And perceptive. She heard three people's footsteps.
"My name is C.C., I'm a… business associate of your brother's and will be staying here for a while." The lie wasn't exactly strong, but I'm sure Lelouch could fill in the blanks of our cover story for the two ladies.
"C.C., what a strange name. Well, in that case - welcome!" She beamed the brightest smile I'd ever seen. It felt like I actually had to cover my eyes so as to not go blind.
She is cute. Very, very cute.
"Yes, C.C. is my business partner - she helps me invest in the right companies so that we may continue living off the money I earn from my chess matches." He looked at me with a thankful expression. I guess he appreciated my not making sexual comments in front of her. What a dutiful older brother.
"He's a handful, this brother of yours. But a good child nonetheless." We chatted for a spell, and Sayoko served dinner.
"Miss C.C., you talk like you're old but your voice doesn't match it at all! May I hold your hand for a moment?" As I was sat across from Nunnally, I got up and reached out to her. Of course, in the next moment I realized she was blind and couldn't actually see my stretched out limb. But Lelouch covered up for my miss, by moving Nunnally's hand to mine. Guess that was his way of returning the favour from earlier.
"What did you do before working with my brother, lady C.C.?" As she examined up and down my hand, she looked as if she was surprised. "Your hands are so calloused! Were you a maid before the current arrangement?"
Ah… C.C. was once a slave… Before she obtained Code. So of course, the callouses she had from 700 years ago - they're still there!
Apparently my deer in the headlights look alarmed Lelouch, because he sprang into action. "Yes, actually, Nunnally. I met her while conducting a chess match with a Noble. Once he realized he didn't have the money to pay me back for the win, he offered to make her work for me as a 'plaything'."
"That's horrible! I'm so glad you got her out of that, big brother!" She let go of my hand, and we sat in silence for a moment.
"I'm feeling a bit tired from today, I will elect to go to bed." I declared, nodding at Lelouch.
"Right. Today was rather eventful, you should go to bed too Nunnally." Lelouch said while getting up and taking Nunnally into his arms, and carrying her up stairs. While doing so, he pointed me to his room and went to put her to sleep.
I didn't get to actually get there, though. Instead, I found a knife to my neck. "Do you usually do this, or only to people who make advances at your master?" I joke at the ninja maid. As usual, my exterior is almost 100% stoic but I really didn't feel that way. C.C. has a good poker face for sure, though.
"Lord Lelouch is free to pursue sexual partners as he sees fit. I am just checking on the loyalties of somebody I found suspicious." Ah, so that's it. She thinks I'm here to oust him and Nunnally.
"Very little faith in his judgement then? Don't worry, by business partner what he meant is that I helped him assassinate the Viceroy." I said it with a certain jokey tone but it was obvious that I was serious. This is a somewhat calculated move. Having Sayoko be more on guard because she knows that Lelouch is leading the rebellion is a good security move. Loyal and very skilled is exactly what we need to make the Black Rebellion not go south this time.
She looked surprised, but only for a moment. "I see. So then Lord Lelouch has embarked upon the path of revenge?" The knife left my throat, and her hold on my person stopped.
"He did long ago, Miss Sayoko. I'm simply speeding up the timeline for him." With a silent nod, she left to attend the house.
Laying on Lelouch's bed, I contemplated what had led me to this point. I died on Earth, and woke up as C.C.. That much is already extremely strange. But my personality is definitely altered. The only times I lost composure were when I witnessed the bodies of the Royal Guards and when I shot Clovis. There's definitely more to it than just your standard Isekai setup.
I also retained C.C.'s skills. That much I'm certain of. I never held a gun in my previous life, yet I perfectly lined it up and shot him.
And that's just one of the inconsistencies of my current predicament. If I recall correctly, I was supposed to be in contact with Marianne, right? So then, where is she?
And Lelouch. He seems a bit more trusting of me than he perhaps should. Is it because I laid it on thick that he couldn't hide anything from me?
Speak of the devil, he's just arrived. "Did you put your little angel to sleep?"
"Yes. I hope that you can illuminate me on some of the things that happened today." He made a tiny smirk on the remark about Nunnally before sitting down next to me.
"What would you like to know?"
"Who is V.V.?" Of course it would be that. I didn't elaborate on that after all. It must've been on his mind the entire day.
"He is your father's brother, who gave him Geass." He wanted to interrupt me, but I put up a finger to let me continue. "Yes, your Father has Geass. He can control the memories of people with it. I'm sorry Lelouch, but your sister is definitely being affected by it."
"What…" He looked shocked, in disbelief. "You're certain?"
"Yes. He used it to cover up the death of your mother. By using it on your sister to make her blind. Nunnally was not there to witness the attack, it was only V.V. and Marianne conversing." I confirmed.
"Can it be removed?"
"Through sheer force of will, yes. But other than that, I'm not sure." To be honest, I considered mentioning the Geass Canceler - but it's fully possible that they have not developed it yet and telling him now would be entirely fruitless. "It might be worth investigating General Bartley's part in the experiments your brother did on me." A breadcrumb is really all I can give.
"Tell me about this. What did Clovis do to you?" He looked at me, I thought I saw concern on his face, but that couldn't be right.
"Cutting me open to see how I tick. How long it takes me to regenerate. And whether I could regenerate from fatal wounds." The memories C.C. had of the Code R facility were not good ones. And I could recall the pain, and anguish of being locked away with no method of escape. Almost makes me want to go kiss Kallen for saving me from that wretched place.
"Lelouch." I made eye contact to emphasize the next words. "I want to help you. To help you protect your sister, and avenge your mother. This is why, if you have anything I need to do, or anything I need to tell you - I am always there. As I'm your contractor, and you my contractee, we are partners." I hoped it would get him to trust me some.
"Right. I appreciate your honesty. Tell me about my mother's Geass."
"It is… the power to transfer bodies. I am somewhat certain I know who your mother is possessing, but I would need to see the person to confirm it."
"Who?"
"Anya Alstreim, the Knight of Six." And with that it looked like he'd just had an epiphany.
"Of course! She was there that day! She was learning etiquette from mother!" Hand over his mouth, another thing dawned on him. "So then, she knew? She knew we were sent away, and she did nothing?" His face betrayed his emotions. Despair, Rage, Disappointment, Confusion.
"Yes… I need to tell you something important, Lelouch."
"What could be more important than this?"
"The real reason your father is conquering the world." His eyes widened. "There are structures at certain places in the world, called Thought Elevators. They lead people to a place beyond. A place called C's World. It is where God - the collective unconsciousness of Mankind - resides. Your Father is working to connect all eight of them, and fundamentally alter human existence forever by killing God." Of course, this all sounded outlandish but I hoped that after today's experience Lelouch would get it.
"So then, does this count for Japan as well? Is this Thought Elevator also in Japan?"
"Yes. There is one on Kamine Island." He seemed even sadder at that.
"So then, they prioritized their insane plan over us…" The same revelation Lelouch had at the final confrontation with his father, he is now having here. "They didn't care at all if we were dead or not."
"Thank you, C.C.. For telling me all this. I will become the symbol of rebellion, and take down my Father and his Empire. And create a better world for Nunnally and everyone. Will you help me?"
"Gladly."
Hello. Thanks for reading my story. Hopefully it's coherent and not completely terrible. I don't know if I will continue this or when. If I don't, and you would like to - go right on ahead. I wrote it because I had the idea and thought it would be a waste to not at least let other people be inspired by it. I've written Code Geass fics before, but they were all cookie cutter ideas like "Lelouch goes back in time to when he gets Geass" and "Watching the series". I still kind of want to try my hand at that, but for the moment this story is all I will be posting, if anything at all.
Please post reviews on what you think. I'm not very confident in my prose, so any criticism that makes sense will be applied. This first chapter was almost entirely from C.C.'s POV because I felt that apart from the two context scenes for Bartley and Clovis there wasn't any reason to retread ground for the series when every scene would've been the same. As for where it's going - I'm hoping to make C.C. not a Mary Sue and make some things not go quite according to her plans.