All things considered, yesterday was a successful day. As it would be too awkward. for me and Lelouch. To just brazenly strip and go to sleep in his bed - I left the room and after a little bit of questioning as to what we did in there by Sayoko, I was led to a guest room and tried to sleep there. Emphasis on tried to. Now Lelouch is out playing as the guise of a student rather than living his "lie of living" as he had so eloquently put in the show - I was having a "lie of living" moment myself at this very time.

So, while he's out I decided to compile a few things I've noticed in the last day - and maybe run a couple experiments within the next few days.

One thing that I found somewhat concerning is, of course, the whole affair of how I came to be in this body. But to be honest, I don't think I'll get an answer easily. I as C.C. certainly don't know of any way a body or mind can transmigrate to another universe. And the only people in this entire world who could possibly know more than C.C. aren't exactly the most amicable… Given that they're my and Lelouch's mortal - or eh, immortal? - enemies, the Father and his patron saint.

So given that I can't do anything about the predicament short of giving myself over to Charles and making him kill me immediately, it's better not to worry about the logic of how I came to be.

Onto more practical things!

I don't feel hungry at all. Which kind of breaks my brain to think about. If C.C. doesn't experience hunger, does that mean she just ate all that pizza for the heck of it? If delivery pizza is that good in this world, then I guess I'll have to try indulging in that.

And earlier, I tried to sleep - but it didn't really come to me. Maybe that's just anxiety and stress from what I've experienced the last 24 hours? From what I can recall, C.C. definitely sleeps. But she forced herself to. It would take hours, but she would end up taking a small nap.

That's a bit of a conundrum. From a third person point of view, she was doing it to keep at least an inkling of being human. But, this body definitely is not feeling any more tired now than it did when I first woke up in it. Will I stay sane if I don't sleep? I don't wanna end up like the Russian Sleep Experiment creepypasta people… Maybe I can ask for some sleeping pills, since the knockout gas Clovis used on me was extremely effective.

There's also the matter of my gender. As I am a lady now, there is a certain question to my sexuality that needs to be answered. Yet, I don't really… need it? From my memories as C.C., she hasn't actually had a sexual encounter in a very, very long time. And she hasn't experienced sexual attraction to people for even longer. Even sitting uncomfortably close to Lelouch in that Sutherland, I felt nothing.

Is that just my male brain doing the thinking? Yet again, No! Because I don't care about lady parts anymore, either! I know it works differently as a girl, but surely I'd find at least something attractive? But no, no matter what I looked at - from the head to the toe of the women I could search up online from Lelouch's computer - NOTHING! Maybe I could ask Lelouch if he could make Sayoko help me with this - y'know what maybe that's not the greatest idea I've had.

So, another thing I can check off the list that's different about C.C… or rather, me.

Now, onto the matter of how I go about things from now on. Being more involved with the Black Knights is a must. The cause of their betrayal at the end of the series was Geass and him hiding everything from them. So I need to be a mediary between them and Lelouch in some manner. Maybe I can even tell them about Geass myself if Lelouch doesn't agree to doing so? Would that end badly or not? I honestly have no idea.

As much as I like to think that I know what's going on through these character's, no, people's heads - I really don't. What if my meddling has already irreparably changed the course of history?

I can't really think of this as a story. It's not that simple anymore. Fear of the butterfly effect will also get me nowhere, though. As it stands, my only path forward is to not doubt what I am doing and trust that Lelouch can patch up whatever mistakes I make. It's pathetic, but that's really just my existence right now, isn't it? An inhuman who doesn't need to eat or sleep and with no need for human affection. All I can do is manipulate the events based on what I remember from the show, so that's the course of action I'm taking.

From what I can tell, the changes I've made so far should end up being positive ones. Sayoko being in on it from the start is a universally good thing. Lelouch being aware of Gottwald's unending loyalty for the vi Britannia line, too.

But, Lelouch knowing the whole truth? Is that also a good thing? Will his motivations stay the same? I know he still wants the world to be better for Nunnally, but will his conviction be swayed if he knows his mother is still alive? It didn't seem that way to me last night, but Lelouch is the best liar there is.

Especially since I am definitely more gullible than the real C.C.. I may have her memories, and I may have kept some parts of her consciousness and muscle memory. But that C.C. I am not. Did he lie to me last night? I demanded his trust, but that guy more than anyone doesn't trust easily.

But at the same time, he definitely allowed me into his home. And definitely allowed me to meet Nunnally. And definitely allowed me to stay here while both he and Nunnally slept. So at the very least, I'm being given trust to that level.

That has to count for something right?

Oh, wait, shit, I didn't tell him about the use limit on his Geass, did I?

…

Lelouch, meanwhile, was completely in the dark about that. What he instead had his eyes on was the Glasgow woman from yesterday. 'Rivalz told me she's Kallen Stadtfeld, and the first part of that name certainly tracks from the terrorist's communications yesterday.' He stared intently at the woman, who was wearing a sick exterior that did not suit her at all. 'Stadtfeld… An Earl's family in the mainland.'

'What exactly is somebody like that doing piloting a junkheap Knightmare against the Britannian Empire? She must have her own circumstances.' He watched her and a couple other female students run away from a bee. He approached.

"God I'm sick of acting like a freaking invalid!" She chopped the bee into pieces and finished the sandwich she had started eating, much quicker than she had been going with her classmates before. 'There's no question it's her.'

"Can I help you with something?" She tried to go back to the meek personality she'd been putting on.

"I want answers." He said, activating his Geass. Immediately the effects showed. Her face went totally neutral, her posture changed, and her tone of voice dispelled all pretenses about being a sick and frail noble lady.

"Of course." She robotically answers.

"Were you the one piloting the Glasgow in Shinjuku?" He had to confirm who she was, because a case of mistaken identity would be dangerous for him.

"Yes."

"Why terrorism?" This was the other question that Lelouch was dying to ask.

"Because I'm Japanese. Though technically I'm half Britannian."

"Half blood?! But why go so far?" He was surprised for but a moment. But it seemed she regained her senses and the Geass wore off. "Um, did you want something?" She went right back to acting.

"No, I got what I wanted here." 'Maybe I should make her keep silent.' "Oh wait, just to be sure… Don't tell anyone about Shinjuku." He activated his Geass once more.

But it did not work. "Huh?" Kallen elicited a momentary lapse in her disguise. "What do you mean about Shinjuku? Why would you say that?"

'What?'

"Go back to class." Lelouch tried once more to Geass her.
"As soon as I get an answer to my question I will." She replied more forcefully. 'Why isn't it working? What's going on here? Did she not tell me something?'

Thankfully, at least somebody was on Lelouch's side at that moment. Shirley appeared from above shouting at Lelouch. "Heeey, Lulu, Kallen!"

"You know it's time to go to the Chem lab, you better get a move on!"
'Thank you Shirley!' "Oh crap, it's my turn to set up for class!" Shirley's appearance gave Lelouch a chance to escape the dodgy situation he was in. 'It didn't work? But why? Did she not know that it can only be used once per person?'

'Or did she wilfully hide this fact? She told me to trust her and ultimately I have no choice but to do so, as she seems to know everything to do with me. She said she's immortal, so even if I try to get rid of her, she can still easily leave and report my existence to the OSI…' The anxiety Lelouch was feeling was quite disconcerting to the boy genius.

…..

"Oh, so you're doing Origami?" C.C. walked into the dining room, finding Sayoko and Nunnally there. "I wanted to talk to you a bit, miss Sayoko. If you don't mind, I'd like to take her away from you for a spell, Nunnally."

"I understand. It's about that time to prepare dinner for when Master Lelouch arrives." Sayoko stood up and followed C.C. out of the room.

Moving out of the room and into the hallway, C.C. surprised Sayoko by starting the conversation in Japanese.

"Sayoko, is there a way for me to contact a person within the Viceroy's Palace without it getting out?" This was a gamble on C.C.'s part.

"Hm? What could you possibly need the Viceroy's Palace for? Are you planning on-" And it was immediately subjected to suspicion. Not without good reason, but this was not what it looked like.
"No, no, not like that. Prince Clovis is already dead. I plan on contacting somebody who might be loyal to the vi Britannias." The strange woman explained herself.

"The vi Britannias? Wait, the Prince is dead?" The sudden confession of regicide caught Sayoko completely by surprise, even more so than the passable Japanese.
"Yes, I killed the Prince yesterday with Lelouch. Anyway, the guy's name is Jeremiah Gottwald, and he was once a guard for them when they were children. From what I understand, he came here to Japan to 'avenge' them." She completely glossed over the death of the Viceroy and moved onto the random guard from Aries Villa, as if he was more important.

Nonetheless, she shook off the surprise and regained composure. "The most effective way to get a message into the Viceroy's Palace would probably be through the Ashford family's connections, but… I would guess the subject matter is such that you do not wish it to be leaked?" C.C. nods. But before Sayoko could recommend taking the letter in herself, Lelouch came in.

"You know Japanese? No, of course you do. I want to talk later." He then turned to Sayoko. "Is dinner ready?"
"Yes, Master. Mistress Nunnally is waiting in the dining room."

….

Judging from his look at the dinner table and stand-offish non answers whenever we tried to include him in the conversation - it was evident he was looking to talk to me. He went so far as to use the signal language that he and Suzaku had made as children. The tugging on his collar signified to meet him on the roof. I guess he expected that I knew it? C.C.'s memories certainly line up with watching the two from afar shortly before the invasion.

"Seeing as you brought me to the roof, say your piece." I won't try to be cool about it if he asks about the use limitation, but I won't purposefully allude to it before him either.

"Did you not know that my Geass could only be used once per person?" Straight and to the point as usual. "Or did you not just tell me?"

"No, I knew. I just forgot." I looked away. It was kind of embarrassing to forget such an obvious thing.

"Haa… No matter." He facepalmed. "What were you talking to Sayoko about?"

"I wanted to gather some useful people that are currently working in the Viceroy's palace and was looking for a way to get a message in."

He grabbed my shoulder. "What?! Are you trying to get us both captured?"

Okay. This is turning out to be a total miss. Here I am, looking like a total idiot and staring at Lelouch wide eyed as I tell him I've been trying to talk to his greatest enemy.

"Nevermind." His hand left my person, and he turned around and leaned onto the balcony railing. "Thankfully you still haven't actually done it yet." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Is this about Jeremiah Gottwald?" The guilty look only my face was clearly enough to confirm his suspicions.
"I appreciate that you're trying to help, but I would like for you to consult me before making decisions. I won't pay any mind to your forgetting to tell me about my Geass, even I understand that people make mistakes." Looks like he's letting me off.
"I met with the Glasgow woman today. Because I didn't know that my Geass can only be used once on her, she suspected me after I told her to not tell anyone about Shinjuku." Right, that scene happened today. Meaning he also had the bathroom incident with Kallen after inducting her into the Student Council. And, where he saw Suzaku arrested for Clovis' murder. I saw the broadcast from Jeremiah earlier today.

"Sorry about that." I sighed. So far the only things I have achieved are fuck ups. "I take it you also saw Gottwald and the Purebloods arrest your friend?"
"Yes. I take your word for it that that man is only doing it out of some messed up sense of duty towards my mother and us. I'm going to arrange to meet with Q1 and the rest soon. I want you to come with me."

"I can't imagine you're going to reveal your face to them, even though it would arouse suspicion if you didn't."

"No, I will appear to them as a faceless mask. I plan to call myself Zero." I didn't intend to, but I smiled at the notion. Zero, the best part of the whole show of Code Geass. One of the most entertaining and fun to watch personages in fiction.
"If you're going to be Zero, then what shall I be?"

"For better or worse, you are my right hand woman. It's up to you to decide whether you want to show your face to them or not." How considerate, even if I didn't like 'for better or worse' being part of that sentence.
"Hmmm… Given that you will be the masked messiah leading them to victory, then perhaps I should be the human connection that keeps the peace between you and them? I can't imagine the results will be terribly good if eventually they learn of Geass from anybody but you or me - or learn about your identity." This was something I was absolutely desperate to mend if things were to be different. Lelouch lost to Schneizel when the Black Knights betrayed him due to the skewed perspective they received. The Prime Minister of Britannia approached them with information about their leader, and they blindly followed his lead instead. All Schneizel had to do was give them some veiled words and bribe them with Japan and all of a sudden the fragile unity within the Black Knights was completely annihilated and Lelouch ousted.

This time, I'll try my best to stop this from happening. "Do you truthfully think that there's a chance they can learn of it from anybody?"

"Absolutely. It's V.V.. He will try to manipulate things from behind the scenes. Whether it's by sending Geass users of his own, or by leaking information. It's why I told you earlier not to show yourself to Clovis - your Father has access to the C's world and through that, access to the dead." And just like that I dropped a bombshell.

"What?!" It was his turn to be dumbfounded.
"Yes… For the moment, they probably think I killed Clovis for revenge. Most likely, they are not aware of you being the ringleader behind the rebels in Shinjuku achieving victory." I look down mournfully. In truth, if I'd had more time I could maybe have stopped the massacre from occurring, but with my waking up in this body happening only hours before Kallen and crew stole the pod, my hands were basically tied. It wasn't really victory, more of a pyrrhic victory if anything.

"Thank you." Huh? "For covering for me there. I didn't think that was a possible variance. I was ready to gloat in front of Clovis and make him tell me everything he knew of my mother's murder. If nothing then just to confirm what you'd told me." Did he just set his pride aside and -

"I'm sorry for doubting you." Apologize…

"Don't worry about that. We are in this together now, as you said." I cupped his hand between mine. "I'll accompany you when you meet your soldiers, and I will work with you to save your friend Kururugi. It's the least I can do to earn your full trust."

"I appreciate it, C.C.."

….

Kallen had only just gotten home, to see her mother being useless as usual. Why was she still here, she questioned. But that didn't matter. The voice from Shinjuku had contacted her, and she almost embarrassed herself in front of her classmate thinking he was involved in that whole thing. 'He ended up seeing everything…' Her face burned up.

"Ha… No doubt Ohgi will want to come with." The voice had told her to meet him in Tokyo Tower tomorrow. 'A museum showing off the Britannians' "heroic victory" over us. Not being subtle, Mr. Voice.'

She still had her doubts as to how trustworthy he was exactly. What she did figure though, was such: 'He's the real culprit behind the Viceroy's death. Not Kururugi, he's just a scapegoat. A convenient one at that!' The Purebloods. Kallen didn't like them from the start, especially since somebody like her would be persecuted even more for being an "abomination" by their standards.

She texted Ohgi about the meeting with the voice tomorrow, and went to sleep.

Kallen arrived at Ashford the next day, only to be treated to a full blown speech lamenting the death of the poor Viceroy of Area 11. "Truly this has been a painful incident for all! The Viceroy of Area 11, our Beloved Prince Clovis has been lost to us forever." She truly had no niceties to throw towards the guy. A member of Britannian royalty, somebody who exploited the people they conquered harder than anybody else. 'Somebody who shouldn't get to live like he did.'

She looked around the auditorium, to see Lelouch from the Student Council not even minding the speech, as if he was in his own world. She'd heard he frequently didn't attend classes, almost as much as her, and yet still stayed at the top of the class, unrivaled. 'So what is he, the nonchalant genius type? Or does he truly just not care about anything?'

Then she remembered her last meeting, and once again looked away with a slight blush.

While leaving, she witnessed him talking to Shirley and Rivalz, also of the student council. That blue hair looked a little familiar, but she shook that thought away because it would be ludicrous. "...After all, classes have been cancelled for today. Folks have been asking for a rematch. The student council 'treasurer' seemed to be egging Lelouch on.

"You will not be gambling, you guys!" Miss-totally-not-crushing-on-Lelouch immediately responds in a very annoyed fashion.

"C'mon don't be such a stick in the mud!"

"She's right though, maybe it's time to quit." But Lelouch's response was the most interesting to Kallen. "I found a better opponent actually."

'What exactly does he mean by 'better opponent' anyway?' There was very little chance that he's actually the Voice, because how would he call her while she was right there in front of him? Nevertheless, she resolved herself to keep an eye on him for the time being.

…..

"So you Geassed this guy to make you the outfit?" It was only a couple hours from now that Lelouch would don the mask and become Zero for the first time. So they were visiting to pick up his 'order'.

"Yes, why, do you want one too?" He looked at C.C.. "I'm afraid I won't be able to get him to make you one in time for today."
"No, it's no problem. Better to have at least part of your organization's leadership have a real face." She looked around the store. "Although you could get me some real outfits, this straight jacket isn't exactly stylish." She picked up a pair of jeans and a crop top. "What do you think? Would this look good?"
"It appears you lack fashion sense." He gave an offhand remark, and took the box in which the Zero cloak and suit were stored. "Let's go." To which C.C. pouted, but nevertheless followed him out. They took a cab to the famous tourist spot from when Japan was its own sovereign nation. Lelouch Geassed the driver in advance, as he had also taken them to the store.
"So what's the plan exactly? We go to Tokyo Tower, you Geass everyone in a room to not pay attention and then I lead them to you?" She took the box from his hands and peeked inside. "Very extravagant, I guess it runs in the family?"
"Very funny. You're going to lead them to me on the outbound train - Loop Line 5. The Glasgow woman is the one I specifically contacted, so look for a pretty girl - red hair and light blue eyes. She'll most likely be in an Ashford uniform. Her name is Kallen Stadtfeld." He listed off details about Kallen and where to take her. "Unlikely that she'll be alone, most likely she will be with P1 - the man who was in charge back at Shinjuku."

"I understand. Anything you would like for me to tell them in advance?"

"Just that you'll lead them to Zero, and hand her this phone." He passed a flip phone over.

"Mhm. I take it while we're on the train, you will be speaking to them?" She looked it over, spinning the phone in her hand.

"Yes. A little test, if you will. A prelude to what I want to talk to them about in person."
"To see if they are fit for the job."
"Exactly." The cab arrived at the taxi stand at the base of the building. "Go on and wait for them, the scheduled time is fifteen minutes from now. I'll go to the train station." They left the taxi, splitting up and going to their respective waiting spots.

…..

This place is actually in such bad taste, now that I think about it. They turned one of Japan's biggest monuments into what is essentially a glorified 'Britannia, Fuck Yeah!' museum. Obliteration of culture is one way to suppress the people you conquered, and it appears Britannia is really good at that. What with stripping away even the names of Japan and the Japanese.

I already hated Imperialism back on Earth, but it's really been taken up to Eleven here. Was that the point of choosing this place, Lelouch? To make them realize what they've lost? If that's the case, genius execution. Only problem is that now they're meeting an ostensibly Britannian woman here. Even if I was a little strange looking in this outfit.

Ah, speaking of Kallen and the group. There they are.

"Hello." I greet them. "You were called here by Zero, correct? I am to escort you to him. Take this." Handing the phone over to the somewhat dumbstruck Kallen, I looked them over. Honestly, they stood out even more than I did. The red bandanas and relatively cheap clothing on Ohgi and crew, while Kallen was in the uniform of the most prestigious school in Japan.

"You're with the voice?" Ohgi asked. He definitely looked suspicious of me.
"Yes. I am his partner, his closest confidant if you will. He will be waiting for us on the outbound train, the Loop Line 5. If you are ready to meet him, follow me." I started going to the location. Thankfully I'd looked it up beforehand. It would be quite awkward if they were the ones to lead me there.
"How do we know this isn't a trap?" Sigh.

"I am a far more valuable capture for Britannia than any of you. The same goes for Zero. If anything, we are the ones who should be worried about it being a trap." I tried to be firm, and get these guys to just go.

"Let's just go, Ohgi. They already know who we are anyway." Kallen with the assist! Thank you, red haired Knightmare ace pilot Goddess!

Boarding the train, the phone I handed to Kallen finally rang. I couldn't hear his end, but I could hear her. "What now?" It also got the attention of her posse.

She looked right. "The Britannian city, it was stolen away from us. And built on our sacrifice."

Then she looked left. "I see our city. Remnants of a desiccated city after the Britannians sucked it dry." This was my queue. I gestured to the group of terrorists to follow me, and we made our way to the front of the train. Everybody in the next few cars was Geassed. They didn't even react when I pushed them gently out of the way.

Finally, we reached an empty car, where Zero stood - his back facing us. I walked over to his side and sat on one of the benches. "Was it you? Who led us in Shinjuku?" The question was different than in the show. Maybe it was beyond obvious that he was the one on the phone, because of me being here? "Was that ceasefire your doing?"

He didn't turn around, until the train entered a tunnel. Quite the theatrical display. Not that I didn't appreciate it myself. "What do you think of my tour of the settlement?"

"Your tour?"

"Come on, there's no way it was this joker." Ohgi wanted clarification, while Sugiyama - the blue hair guy - obviously objected to the exaggerated start to this meeting.

"I wanted you to fully grasp the two - the settlement," He swung one of his arms to the side, "and the ghetto." His presence as Zero really is something. I was with him and he was still sweeping me away in it.

"Yeah we know, there's a difference between us and them. A very harsh one. And that's why we resist them." All in all, Ohgi's answer was sound.

"You are wrong. Britannia will not fall to terrorism." But not sound enough for Lelouch's standards.
"Fall?"

"It's little better than childish nuisance." He's being harsh, really.

"What was that, you calling us a bunch of kids?" I looked at Zero, signaling him for a chance to speak. He nodded back with consent.
"Yes, that is exactly what he is saying." I stood up. "Simple acts of terrorism, whether it be blowing up supply outposts or stealing supposed poison gas canisters. None of that will stop Britannia. It will only rile up the normal populace and the innocents into distrusting you even further." Hopefully it was a good answer.
"Know your enemy, it is not people - but Britannia itself! It is a war you must wage, but not on the innocent. Take up your sword, fight for justice!"

"Oh please, that's easy enough to say - isn't it?" This time it was Kallen's turn to get mad. "Hiding behind that mask, why should we trust you two?!"
"Did you forget what I told you already?" I swiftly rebutted her. "Both I and Zero here are targets that the Emperor himself wants captured. That poison gas canister you stole? That was a prison cell. One that contained me!" It really got me mad, honestly. They were beyond ignorant at the moment, and yet they acted as if we hadn't saved their hides.

"Wha-what?" Ohgi took a step back. "What do you mean, you were inside that thing?" He looked at me like a deer in the headlights.
"Yes. I was being subject to human experimentation by Clovis. I appreciate you getting me out of there even if it was unwittingly, but don't act as if you are the only ones with something to lose here!" With that, I sat back down. I'm not sure it was entirely the best decision, but hearing them say that we were the ones that were untrustworthy. The things they did to C.C., to me, in there… Even if I didn't directly experience them, I can definitely remember the pain.

"Instead of showing my face, I shall show you my power. If I deliver to you the impossible - to save Suzaku Kururugi from his trial, then I may earn your trust."

"We'll meet later today to prepare for his rescue. I will send you the coordinates via that phone." With that, the meeting concluded. They left the train, and we did at the station after that.

…..

"Was it entirely wise for me to tell them about the capsule, you think?" C.C. questioned Lelouch, as they waited in the abandoned landfill.
"Not necessarily, but it worked to our advantage regardless. All we need is for one or two to arrive and help with the operation. Afterwards, it should be hook line and sinker." C.C. visibly sighed as if a weight had left her shoulders.
"Haah. I got too heated in the moment."

"It's understandable. You are risking yourself by even appearing in public, and by being with me I'm also at risk - even with this mask." The two were sitting on what would eventually be the driver's seat for the replica of Clovis' transport.

"Mhm. Not that it matters, after tomorrow that mask of yours will be far more well known across the world than I am." She remarked with a smile. 'At times like these, I do wonder whether C.C. really is as old as she says she is. The chances of the operation failing are not low, yet she is sitting here assuring me that it will succeed no matter what with the naivete of a child.' Lelouch doesn't answer, and instead is stuck in his own mind. 'The same with the idea of contacting Gottwald, who is leading Suzaku's procession to the court. What does she see in that man?' He looked over again at the immortal. 'I feel like I could fool her easily, even if she acts like she is independently capable.'

He was shaken awake from his thoughts by C.C. pinching his cheek. "Lelouch, you there?" She waved a hand in front of his face, trying to gauge whether he was.
"Yes, yes, what is it?" Then he realized what was happening. He could see Kallen and Ohgi approaching. They hadn't spotted them yet, but they would soon. He quickly put on the mask and stood up.

"Just you two, then?" Zero's slightly robotic voice echoed around the area.

"I'm sorry, we just need a little bit more time - if the others -" Ohgi tried to excuse the lack of people who had volunteered to help Zero, but was swiftly interrupted.

"No, the two of you will do just fine."

"C'mon, that's ridiculous - there will be too many of them!" Kallen wasn't wrong, but she wasn't right in what Zero had in mind for the operation.
"With your help clearing the task at hand will be child's play. I'll need this by tomorrow." He showed a blueprint of what he had in mind. "She'll be helping you with this and then accompany you to your base." He handed the blueprint to C.C..

"What, why?" However, like Kallen, Ohgi was not entirely mistaken either. What he expected was that she would oversee the work and then come to spy on the rest of the group.

"I'll be helping you construct this vehicle, and then I will come to your base to get to know you better. Yes, that's not a joke." C.C. giggled as she explained the purpose for the visit. "We can trust that you two will do the job with gusto, but since this operation will be the deciding factor in whether we continue to work with your group - I will be going on ahead of Zero to see what the atmosphere is like, and how you behave within your own clique."

"Yes. She will also act as a bargaining chip for you." Zero continued where she left off. "Because you two will be participating in this endeavour - she will be my offering to you. That way, both of us have something to lose if we decide to backstab each other." It was a risky solution that Lelouch was not entirely on board with when suggested by C.C. but there were definitely merits to the idea.

"I see. Alright then. We'll be in your care, miss…"
"C.C. is my name." She finished the former teacher's sentence. "And yes, I will be in your care as well. I will see you tomorrow, Zero." She climbed down from the mountain of wrecked cars and handed over the plans to Ohgi.
"Yes, stay safe as well C.C.." He waved goodbye, and left the scene.
"Well then, shall we begin? I will retrieve the suitable parts and you can cobble them together. I trust that working on that misbegotten Glasgow had you develop a couple of skills in DIY engineering?" She smirked and got right to searching the trashed vehicles.
"What you said before, about the human experimentation. Was it true?" However, Kallen's head was in an entirely different space.

The question, of course, elicited a sigh from C.C.. "Unfortunately, yes. I'm… not very comfortable in recalling what that animal of a prince had ordered to be done to me." The expression on the strange green haired woman was complicated. "That day, Zero discovered your friend's truck and retrieved me from the capsule. I then proceeded to witness him command you to victory from inside the Sutherland he'd commandeered." She recalled the events of that day, only slightly altered to hide a few details.

"What would have happened if he hadn't found you?" Ohgi questioned. They were still working on the truck, but he was curious about Zero and figured the best way to get answers about him was from the woman who was seemingly his mistress.
"The Royal Guard would have found the truck, and extracted the capsule with me inside it and I would still be languishing in some Britannian Laboratory." It was matter of fact, and quite depressing at the same time.
"But why specifically you? What's so special about you?" Kallen had reached the conclusion C.C. expected.
"Well, isn't that the million dollar question?" C.C. handed the door frame that matched the blueprints from Zero. "This might sound very strange, but he was seeking immortality from me."

"Huh?" Both Japanese were scratching their chin at that.
"Wait, are you saying you're immortal?!" Kallen was faster on the draw with the second question.
"I am. I am cursed with it." C.C. was continuing to search for parts, quickly finding a set of wheels and dragging them one after another. "It's not all roses and sunshine. It's a hex, one that makes a person wish they could die. I live a life unlike anybody else. Without any of the standard indulgences of the human race." C.C. felt a little awkward trying to paint herself as a tragic figure, but while she was exaggerating for effect she did indeed hold these ideas as a truth.

After a short while of silence, C.C. spoke again. "Would you like proof?" It was a shock to the two members of the future Black Knights

"Are you asking us if we want to see you die?" Kallen's eyes were entirely bugged out.
C.C. burst into laughter immediately, "Hahaha, no. I will simply cut my hand here," she pointed at her palms, "and show you how it regenerates."

"I'll pass." C.C. jumped. She honestly expected that they would agree in order to have some modicum of proof. However, Kallen had just declined the offer.
"Why?" She was the one with a gaping mouth this time.

"Given how serious and forthright you've been with us, I think putting in a little trust towards you is fair." Ohgi answered with a light smile.

"Thank you." And he received a sincere one from C.C. in return.

The man had also finally finished attaching the trailer to the main part of the vehicle. At this point, it was a fully operational one - but lacking the aesthetics and the capsule from before. Zero had Geassed a steel mill's owner into creating a replica from what he remembered of it, and it was currently sitting in storage nearby.

At this point, night time was on approach - so Ohgi and Kallen both said that they were going to call it for the day. "Right, let's go then. Show me where you operate, Mr Kaname." He didn't expect that she knew his full name but he reckoned that they'd done background checks or something to that effect.

They split with Kallen, as she had to go back home to the Earl's Estate.
"That girl, she's kind hearted." C.C. commented as they began to enter the ghetto in which the Kozuki Resistance group was located.
"Yeah, her brother used to lead this group before he…" Ohgi was still hung up on Naoto's death. It'd been three years since.

"Before he died. I see… So she took up fighting for the resistance in his name?" C.C. inquired. In truth, she was somewhat curious about the previous leader. He had hardly been mentioned in the show, but clearly left a big impact on both Ohgi and Kallen.

"We tried to stop her, but she was very adamant and always came here to the base regardless of our protests. In truth, I don't think I'm cut out for this job either." The older Japanese man admitted. "Naoto was like a born leader. He would rally us and come up with bulletproof plans. I'm just a teacher, so it's not the same since he died…"

The buildings in Shibuya Ghetto were in just as bad a state as those of Shinjuku before Clovis' siege. It truly reflected the state of the Japanese spirit, which had been broken and battered much like Ohgi himself. This is why C.C. chose to speak about the future.

"Britannia has taken many a thing from many a people. This is why Zero has taken up the sword, so to say. He too lost much from Britannia's relentless conquest." C.C. began equating Zero to Japan itself. "It is truly justice he seeks. To both avenge those who he has lost, and for everyone under his banner as well. That's why I decided to follow him." C.C. smiled bitterly. Ohgi wasn't sure exactly the meaning behind her expression, but it didn't matter.
"You really revere that guy, huh?"
"Yes. I truly believe that man is capable of changing the world. And it is very much in his capacity to conquer the world." She was talking about insane feats as if it were a matter of time before Zero achieved them.

"Well, then I hope things work out tomorrow." She was almost like a fanatic for Zero. 'Maybe she really is his mistress?'

"It should be fine. You'll have to be driving the Worker Frame that helps them escape, and Kallen the Prince's transport. Zero will do the talking and they will hand over Kururugi."

"That sounds simple enough. Does Zero have something on the purebloods to make them do that, though? Handing over somebody who committed regicide isn't gonna be easy for them." He put his hand to his chin in a thinking pose. "Is it the canister and you?"

"That'll just be a distraction - it'll be filled with colored smoke. It's personal dirt for the Margrave that Zero plans to use." She waved off Ohgi's suggestion. "Besides, Suzaku is only 'accused' of regicide. The one who did it was Zero." She was lying, but in the end it didn't matter.

Zero would admit to killing the prince anyway, since she thought it would help dupe the Emperor at least for a while to think that C.C. is Zero.

"I knew it!" Ohgi was unexpectedly excited for some reason, which made C.C. raise an eyebrow. "Oh, sorry. Just that we had a little bet whether Kururugi is the voice from Shinjuku…" He scratched the back of his head in a sign of slight embarrassment.

"Heh. No, he isn't. As far as I know, Suzaku Kururugi is not the type of person to don a mask and lead a rebellion."

"Wait, you know Kururugi?"

She shrugged. "Sort of? I saw him before the invasion."

"What were you doing here before the invasion?" He tried to pry a bit further, but it went unanswered. He thought maybe he'd hit a sore spot, but in reality it's just that C.C. was a bit flustered as she didn't know how to respond without sounding strange. 'Saying that I was watching children from afar because I wanted one to kill me when he was older would be intensely creepy, huh?' Unlike the old C.C., this one had a modicum of shame still remaining.

After a long silence only punctuated by the sounds of their footsteps walking upon the pot-hole filled streets of Shibuya, Ohgi stopped. "We've arrived."

It was an old school. The decrepit state of the building was clearly visible. The trees in the yard, rotting. The windows, boarded up. A big crater from an anti tank missile was the cherry on top. "Well, this looks terrible." C.C. joked, oblivious to the significance of the place.
"I was here when the invasion started, we holed out for a long time with the children but in the end we had to escape on our own… I could only take a few with me…" Ohgi retold the events that had transpired when the invasion began, from his perspective.

"Oh… Sorry about-" C.C. felt extremely bad about joking about what was obviously the site of a tragedy.

"Don't worry about it. Anyway, I'll go talk to the guys and then I'll escort you inside in a bit." He quickly changed the subject and went inside.

And once again, C.C. sat alone to ponder what the hell she was doing.

…

"What did you just say, Ohgi?" To say that Tamaki was not pleased would be an understatement. "You're letting that guy's fuckbuddy into our base? She's already outside?! What the fuck?! What are you thinking?!" Tamaki was already holding a bottle of beer, so even if one gave sound reasoning to him he probably would still not back down.

"Look, Tamaki, you just have to endure it. If Zero's plan fails then she'll be out of here. If it succeeds then we will be working with them anyway."

"Like it matters! I don't want to work with no brit bitch!"
"Kallen's half Britannian, Tamaki!" Ohgi slammed his hands on the table. This was getting out of hand, and even Sugiyama and Minami were looking to pull the two apart.

"Like I said, it doesn't matter! Kallen chose Japan over Britannia!" Tamaki stood up from the table and walked over to get into Ohgi's face. "If you want to walk into that trap and drag Kallen with you, I won't take any part in saving you!"

"You say that working with little Kallen is safe because she chose Japan but I, whose only tie to Britannia is my blood, am not a reliable comrade?" C.C. had walked in during the shouting match. A confrontation between these two was exactly what Ohgi had been trying to avoid.

"How can I believe that?!" Tamaki was about to walk off after finishing his rant with Ohgi, but the target of his ire had just arrived, so he turned back around and walked towards her.

Inoue felt that this could get violent and grabbed Tamaki by the arm. "Stop, this is more than enough already!"

"No, it's fine." C.C. replied instead of the red haired drunk. "I have to prove my mettle just as much as Zero has to prove his. I understand that." She took a very deep breath, as if to prepare for something. 'Let's hope this works.' Was all she could think of.

"Mr. Ohgi, could you please hand me that gun?"

"Huh?!"
"Please. I won't shoot any of you." She asked a second time, an intense stare in those gold eyes of hers.

"O-okay?" The former teacher wasn't sure what exactly she was planning on, but he assuaged to the demand nonetheless.

Without another word, only a short breath, C.C. pointed the gun at her own temple and shot.

The bullet rang out in the desolate school's halls, and further outside into the empty streets of the ghetto.

The body thumped down onto the floor. The blood from the injury had not only splashed the walls and a couple of the people in the room, it was also now pooling on the floor around C.C..

"What the fuck?! She just killed herself!" Tamaki, much like the rest of the group, were completely exasperated. All except Ohgi, who realized the gravity of what she was doing. 'A test of mettle, she said. It's more like a show of force. Saying that even if we kill her it won't matter as she will come back. That is, if she was telling the truth.'

"Was she trying to do russian roulette… This isn't even a revolver?" Inoue picked up the gun and Minami started to mop up the blood.
"See?! She's so stupid, there's no way this Zero guy is the real deal!" Tamaki sat back down at the table and took a swig of his beer.

After all the blood was cleaned up, Ohgi decided to put the corpse on a chair across from where he himself sat down. He resolved himself to at least confirm if the immortality she boasted of was real.

…..

'The momentary flash of pain from giving myself a headshot was not nice. Hopefully that got them shook enough to shut the fuck up for a bit. This is C's World, right?'

The clouds illuminated by a sunset-like sun and the big floating platform in the middle of nowhere certainly gave her that impression. C.C. climbed the small staircase up, only to come face to face with somebody she didn't want to meet yet. Marianne vi Britannia.

"Oh, C.C.. Back so soon? Oh no, you must've just died again." For her part, the mother of the vi Britannias was being quite smug. "How about you just come back to the Geass Directorate already? You won't have to die and we won't let anybody experiment on you like that!"

"Ugh. More annoying people." However, contrary to what Marianne expected, C.C. was rather cold to her. Colder than usual, that is.

Gone was the eternally calm exterior and empty voice. The green haired immortal in front of her was not at all enjoying this meeting. "First I have to make that fucking idiot shut his trap and think for once and now I have to deal with this petty bitch?"
"Petty?!"

"That's right, Marianne vi Britannia. Petty. Because even though you survived the attack by V.V. you did not care at all about what happened to your children. I'm sure living within Anya Alstreim's body was enjoyable, while your son and daughter had to roam battlefields full of corpses?" Right now, at this very moment, the contracted was being reamed out by the contractor. "I have no interest in working with you, or the Emperor or that fucker V.V.. I'll crumble all your plans to the ground and watch you grovel at my feet."
The reason C.C. was like this right now was a large intersection between her current and past self's emotions. The C.C. from before was already having doubts as to the plan's success. It was partially why she left the Geass directorate and chose to find a contractor to kill her. The current C.C., meanwhile, with all the knowledge of the future events and a formerly third party perspective - was somebody who deeply disliked the Emperor and former Empress.

"Somebody who'd abandon their children has no right to me, or my Code. Your plan will fail, and I will make sure of it. Tell this to Charles as well."

Marianne was positively shocked to her core. C.C. was somebody who'd previously been fast friends with her. A confidant, and a great help both in the Imperial Court's political mind games and had even volunteered to test the Ganymede to see if it was safe for humans to use.

All the loyalty and friendship they'd built was obliterated. It had only been a couple years since Marianne and C.C. last spoke. And yet, the woman that had lived in the same way for several hundred years had completely changed in the span of those few years?

"What happened to you, C.C.?"

"You could say I was born anew." The immortal turned, and disappeared from C's World again - back into the land of the living.

…..

Hello. Thank you for reading Chapter 2. I hope I've addressed some of the problems you all have notified me of from the reviews of Chapter 1.

I have developed some misgivings of my own while writing chapter 2: I write too formally and same-y if it's not the "all the text is just first person thoughts of the character" kind of thing. If you have any advice on how to fix this conundrum, I'd be more than happy to listen!

Also hopefully, the way C.C. acts is more distinct from canon and she also reacts to things more realistically.

A few comments from the reviews I'd like to address real quick:

There was no way to prevent the massacre of Shinjuku in a way that SI would also still be able to meet Lelouch on a good pace for certain things like the invasion by Sawasaki or the completion of Ragnarok. That's just my Doylist answer on it. As for in character, it wasn't really something that was a realistic option - no matter which way you look at it. Joining hands with somebody who made a fool of himself quickly in a moment of weakness is a bad idea, flat out. And there would still be the whole being his experiment and the baggage that comes from that.

Also, the concerns that C.C. developed this chapter were also because of reviews. Not directly, of course. I thought it through, and somebody who is both aware of the butterfly effect and time travel fiction it wouldn't be all too strange that she would realize that there would be implications behind the changes she was making.

It took about eleven days to release this chapter, the goal was originally a week after the first but I kind of dragged it out with the goal of getting to Suzaku's rescue, but I felt it was getting long and I had added more things like C.C. staying with Ohgi's group for the night so I cut it short with the cliffhanger up above.

With all this being said, next chapter faster than the last is the aim.