Revolution 2: Wither

If that damned bitch nun could see me now, I have no doubt she would be shocked and utterly dismayed.

I, the haughty, vicious girl who used men and women alike as playthings…...laying by the bedside of a boy, no, a man a fraction of my age, and praying to the devil that he survives.

I have long since lost any faith in god. And I doubt he would hear me considering the things I have done against various churches and religions.

A raspy chuckle bubbles up from my throat, echoing through the empty room.

"Lelouch, you truly are a monster. I said you were cruel enough to give me hope. But to make fall for you so completely that my heart would blossom anew?"

My hand cups his face, fresh tears threatening to spill forth as I smile brokenly at him.

"You really are an asshole."

Rakshata said she would have a diagnosis for us on what his prognosis for the future is. Though I am not an expert in medicine, I fear where her words will lead.

Lelouch's spark of life is weak, but it still burns. In all my years of misery, of war, of suffering and seeing the depravity of human nature?

Never have I seen a soul cling so hard to life when it should have been extinguished by all rights.

However, a spark of life does not mean it shall burn anew.

I called him a sword once. One that had to be protected from destroying itself. Ha! Far far too accurate a description.

"A sane man would have given up or not chosen to embark upon your quest, you know," I whisper as I toy with a lock of his hair.

"And not just to fulfill the divine ambition, but to claim you will overthrow the will of the world and break my curse of 600 years? No one would have expected such a vow. Least of all me."

My forehead presses against his, feeling his cool and clammy skin, hoping that he will give me a sign that he may yet hear me.

"Anyone else who made such a vow, I would scorn or mock. To claim such a thing is the height of hubris and arrogance. And I would shed no tears for their failure."

Salty tears drip down my cheeks, "So why? Why can't I do the same for you? Why does your saying it fill me with endless joy and hope I have not felt since my curse began?"

Denying it at this point would be lying to myself. I know full well why I can't discard him. Perhaps it's madness setting in, thinking I could gain a sign from him by speaking to him. That if I speak what is in my heart, that he will awake and heal the bleeding wound within.

"CC?"

Nunnally…..

Such a sweet girl. Hard to believe she is Lelouch's sister, or the child of such rapacious monsters like Charles and Marianne.

Her hand rests on my shoulder as I lay curled up on the bed next to Lulu.

"We just received word. Laila was right. Cornelia is coming to join us."

Nelly….my best student's protege. Her finest pupil. Oh Mari, you stupid bitch. How could you let this one slip your grasp? Or do you and Charles simply not care who sides with your son?

It might even be an act of mercy, but that is a thought almost comical in how unlikely it is.

"Where is she?"

"She's not far from here. She just called a few minutes ago. One of our scouts is guiding her in. She's….not alone."

My eyebrow raises as I roll over to face the young princess.

"Who?"

My gaze sharpens as I look her in the eye. She would not mention this unless it were something important.

"Her knight Guilford, the Glaston Knights, and some others that she was unwilling to mention without explaining in person."

Curiouser and curiouser. I should greet her myself it seems.

"Do you suppose I have time to clean up a bit?"

It took a day and a half for her and Alice to drag me into a shower and order me to wash off the blood and gore from my ordeal. Not that I blame them. I was….less than responsive.

Even now I haven't had the energy to get up and do much more than stay by Lelouch's side.

"Ten minutes or so."

Tche. Not enough time for a shower. Oh well, I can at least wash my face and try to look somewhat presentable. Not like anyone can't see I'm faking it.

Hmm. Transport trucks. It would seem Cornelia brought gifts. Any port in a storm, Nelly?

Heels clicking on the ground alerts me to Euphemia's arrival. It seems every day she's here, her dress ends up with blood on it. The girl has some talent as a nurse and counselor. What she lacks in medical training, she makes up with charm and a sunny disposition. I daresay she's winning the hearts of the remaining Black Knights. Though some of that may be due to Zero himself vouching for her.

"Big Sister!" "Euphie!"

Tearful reunions were never something I used to care about. Obviously, I blame Lelo-

Hmm?

My eyes look down to see Nunnally wearing a hood and half mask on her face, holding my hand and looking up with a wan smile.

"CC. You hold yourself apart from others and say you're an inhuman witch. But, you still have a heart, even if you don't want to admit it. And you are MY family. No matter how much you might want to close yourself off, I'll be there for you."

…..How? How are you doing this? Part of me wants to sniff imperiously, to ignore her, to give a barbed retort.

Such would be my normal modus operandi.

Ha. Normal modus operandi. That's a stupid joke. Even if I wasn't involved with her brother? There's something about her that brings my long dormant maternal instincts to the fore.

"You shouldn't waste your tears on one such as me, Nunnally. I-"

She holds my hand tighter, cutting me off.

"CC. Don't shut me out. I know you're hurting. Let. me. Help."

I shake my head, mouthing 'later' at her as Cornelia makes her way over.

"Are you in charge here?"

An excellent question. We never really made plans for Zero being incapacitated. The possibility wasn't considered.

Chalk that up to Lelouch's ego. He didn't think he could be sidelined.

"That is being worked out. We weren't expecting to lose the Siege of Tokyo, Nelly."

Hmm? Her hand is twitching at that. Does she remember me? Or did Charles erase her memories of my being with Marianne?

"Do NOT call me by that name. Only friends and family are fit to address me so."

Nunnally wheels up and looks up at Cornelia's face, the mask not hiding her violet gaze.

"She is Zero's second in command. And as much my sister as those I still recognize as kin. You will respect her as such."

Nelly's breath catches, freezing in place.

The young girl's hand slowly grasps Cornelia's in her own, a whisper coming from within the hood.

"I missed you, big sister Nelly. I'm so glad to see you again."

A cough from me interrupts what would be a tender moment. Is it rude of me to do this? Most assuredly. But this is neither the time or the place.

"Cornelia, there is something you need to see. And things that are best said elsewhere. Wouldn't you agree?"

With an act of will, Cornelia masters her emotions and stands tall once more.

"Yes. You are correct, Miss…?"

I turn on my heel, "CC. Follow me."

The walk to the infirmary is slow, almost tortuous in it's length. And given the eyes on our party? There will need to be some smoothing over after this. Cornelia made many enemies in Japan in her time here.

"Boss Lady, who's that behind you-woah! The bitch of Britannia?!" Tamaki yelps before bringing his rifle up at Cornelia and her entourage.

"Stand down."

Faithful Tamaki. Loyalty likes yours is a rare prize. I cannot begin to thank you for helping me save my husband from those traitors.

"Huh? But Boss Lady….she's….?"

My hand gently pushes his gun down as I look him in the eye, "Circumstances have changed. We're not in a position to refuse aid. And I will vouch for her. She has joined our side."

"For real, dawg? You're a Black Knight now, Cornelia?"

Cornelia is less than amused at being put on the spot, but sighs and nods.

"I considered striking out on my own, or working from within the empire to undermine it. But ultimately? I had compelling reasons to defect. Thus, I am now here to swear my allegiance to Zero."

After a revelation like that, Tamaki leaning back and lighting up with a joint is not the worst reaction.

"Holy fucking shit…..Boss Lady, I ain't that smart. And I ain't trying to say I know what's going on."

Tamaki coughs before continuing, "But…..you know this shit ain't gonna slide, right?"

Of course it won't. This is exactly the sort of thing I'd prefer having Lelouch for, but…..

"We are aware of difficulties that will arise. It will be handled. But since we're here, what is your opinion of this new situation?"

Tamaki is well liked and has his ear on the pulse of the rank&file. I couldn't ask for a better first test.

"Umm….well..," he says haltingly, before taking a puff and then slowly talking.

"I sure as fuck ain't gonna tell you how to run the show. But I got to ask. Do you trust her? Is she on the level?"

Nodding my head slowly, I look into his eyes, mildly concerned that perhaps I have asked too mu-

"K. If you say it's cool, then it's cool."

And of course, Cornelia is the one most surprised by this turn of events.

"What? Just like that? You aren't curious why? I would think you would desire to have words with me, Mr..?"

Ashing the joint against the wall, Tamaki stands up and resumes his guard position, rifle by his side.

"Tamaki Shin'ichiro. And yeah, just like that. If Mrs. Zero says you're on our side, that's good enough for me. I sure as fuck ain't second guessing her."

Damn. I was hoping not to talk about that yet. Given the looks I'm getting from Cornelia and her knight? Fat chance of that.

"Mrs. Zero? Are you his paramour, Lady CC?" Guilford asks with incredulity on his features, which heightens to raw shock as I bring my right hand up to his eye level, the shimmering emerald in the serpent's jaw sparkling under the fluorescent lights.

"No. His wife. Tamaki. Let them pass. I wish to show them my husband."

Saluting, he hits the button for the security door and stands aside, Dr. Chawla standing over the medical capsule….medical capsule? What's happened?

"Rakshata? What's wrong? Has he gotten worse?"

The indian blonde turns around, giving me a look of absolute pity, her face exhausted and showing bags under her eyes. A clipboard full of papers gripped in her left hand.

"You're going to want to sit down for this. We finished our diagnosis of Zero….hmm? Are they allowed to know who's under the mask?" she says gesturing to our guests.

"They already know. What has happened to my husband?"

A mechanical sound behind me? Nunnally must have arrived. And the sound of heels is almost certainly Euphemia.

"Very well, I will now read you the full medical report and future prognosis for the health of Zero, aka Lelouch vi Britannia."

The doctor sits down, pouring herself a cup of coffee, downing the entire thing in one long gulp before continuing.

"Quite simply? He should not be alive right now."

She gestures to the paperwork on her clipboard, "3 pints of blood lost from various injuries. Half the bones in his body broken. Shrapnel embedded in various places, including the spike through his chest that barely missed killing him outright. Fluid in his lungs. Concussion with unknown levels of cerebral trauma. Second degree burns in various places. Hematomas and subcutaneous bruising."

The clipboard is slammed down as she looks us in the eye, tiredness and frustration evident.

"There is no sane or rational explanation for how he is somehow still alive. Anyone else would have expired from the injuries he has taken."

Nunnally is wheeled forward, Euphemia pushing her chair, "Dr. Rakshata. What is my brother's prognosis? Will he recover?"

Sighing deeply, Rakshata rubs her forehead for a moment before responding, "None of what I just said is the problem. The key issue with all of the aforementioned medical issues would have been surviving it. A medically induced coma and time would enable us to fix everything."

Standing up, she paces back and forth, fatigue present in her every step.

"What is the problem, and what we've been working day and night to try and stabilize the last several days, is a much graver dilemma."

Flipping through the pages, she brings a chart to our faces…..which I cannot make heads or tails of.

"Rakshata, please do us the courtesy of translating this from medical terminology to something we can understand."

Why yes, I am irritated. How ever could you guess? It's unfair of me to take it out on her, but my patience is at a low ebb. …..I suppose I've taken on some of my husband's short fuse.

"Ah, my apologies. This chart shows the health of his central nervous system a few hours after he was brought here. If you will observe the parameters here, here, and here," she says, pointing to various numbers and terms I do not understand.

"Then it is obvious his nerves are not functioning properly. And if we skip ahead to a few hours ago?"

Flipping through the paperwork, she turns the clipboard around.

"The brainwave patterns and nerve activity numbers are clear as day. Lelouch is dying."

…...What?

Everything feels quiet. Like a glass shattering into a thousand pieces in an otherwise silent room.

"The Siegfried's electrical discharge nearly electrocuted him to death. His armor and mask helped mitigate the voltage, and helped hold him together from all the various wounds on his body."

No. No no no. It can't be. Not after all this.

"But the underlying damage is irrefutable. His entire nervous system is unable to deal with the pain and internal injuries. His nerve endings and central nervous system are slowly shutting down. And once they do? Brain death will follow in short order."

My body stumbles as I shake in raw fear. This can't be happening. I can't lose him now!

Rakshata leans over the capsule holding my beloved's body, "For all of the incredible advances Britannia has accomplished in medical science? This is beyond even their power. There is nothing more I can do. Lelouch will last perhaps six months if he remains as is. No. More."

I'll cut her down to size! She can't give up so easily! MY HUSBAND WILL NOT DIE LIKE THIS!

Huh?! Who the fuck is-?!

I turn my head to see Cornelia holding my hand back from striking Rakshata.

"Doctor. You say this is beyond Britannian medical science. What if I said you didn't know the limits of what said science has done?"

"DO NOT SPEAK IN RIDDLES, NELLY! I WILL RIP YOUR CHEST OPEN TO DEVOUR YOUR-!"

Cornelia moves to hold me by the shoulders, her eyes resolute even as tears flow from them.

"Please. Let me finish. I took a gamble, and it seems it may have paid off. There might yet be a way to save my brother."

…..Very well. My shoulders sag as I let out a breath of air, "What do you have?"

"General. You may reveal yourself now."

General? Did she bring Darlt-

YOU!

With a shriek of rage I leap out of Cornelia's grasp to hold the now unmasked Bartley Asprius by the throat against the wall.

"Oh ho ho ho. It has been far too long since we last saw each other, BARTLEY ASPRIUS!" I bellow in a hissing shriek at his face.

A fingernail runs down his blubbery cheek, drawing a line of blood as a cruel smile more fitting to a ravenous beast graces my lips.

"Listen to me woman. I can-"

His head is slammed against the wall with my arm holding his neck, "MY NAME IS CC!"

"And you should know whom you have tortured and torn apart for the last seven years!"

Cornelia tries to make a move to say something, but my grip tightens in response.

"Stand back! I will not be denied my vengeance! I will burn this filth like I burned that bitch Jean D'arc!"

Guilford looks askance at me, "Jean….D'arc? You mean….the Witch of Orleans?"

Ah yes. That's right. I never did tell anyone here who I used to be.

"Yes. The Bitch of Orleans. Tell me, Nelly. Did you ever hear the story of where your other nickname came from?" I casually speak, a cloyingly sweet tone in my voice as my grip holds Bartley against the wall, fires of blood and hate dancing in my eyes.

"Yes. A legendary warrior woman first held the title when she…...no. That's impossible. There's no way you can be-"

Snapping around to face Cornelia, my gaze causes her to step backwards in surprise.

"Oh but I am. I am CC, the first and original, Witch of Britannia. Slayer of the Witch of Orleans. One of the greatest heroes in Britannian history."

My name has been lost to history. But my title and deeds echo through the ages, serving as an inspiration to countless Britannian women across the nation's history. Cornelia is not the first to hold my title, just the most recent inheritor. It is a title both chosen, and conferred by our enemies.

"And I am also the woman who taught your mentor and beloved lady, Nelly. That, is how I know you."

Nunnally pulls off her mask, looking at me in surprise.

"You? You're the one who taught mother how to fight? You trained her to be a knight?"

Her small hands grip the chair in suppressed anger.

"WHY?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?! WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP US BACK THEN?!" she screams at me, struggling not to try and make her way over.

….Well. Since I cannot hide this any longer…

"I was asked to look after you and Lelouch should anything happen to your mother. And I did. I tried as best I could to look out for you during the war. Keeping an eye on you, without your awareness. Unfortunately?"

I slam Bartley into the wall again, my mouth open with teeth almost like fangs as I continue, "This fat fuck and his vile prince were waiting for me. Because VV, aka Vincent Victor zi Britannia, your thrice damned uncle, TOLD HIM HOW TO FIND ME!"

"...Milady. I will accept that my prince was a mad man. That he was twisted by grief and anger. And that we have done you a great wrong."

His hand reaches into his coat, pulling out a dagger, which he holds at my neck, face reddening with anger.

"But I will NOT permit you to insult him further! Prince Clovis is dead, let his memory rest with what grace it has left!"

Heh heh heh heh….

"Hahahahahahahaha! You...you're threatening me with a blade? Even as I hold your life in my hands, knowing that it will do nothing to me? Hahahahahaha!"

My mad laughter fills the room, causing everyone to look at me in fear and worry.

Let them fear. Let them cower. I have no more reason or ties to this world to hold me back. And that old familiar feeling is coming back. That burning insatiable desire to burn. To ravage. To ruin. TO KILL.

I haven't felt like this in a very long time. Not since I cackled in sadistic glee as that worthless whore Jean D'arc burned to death before my eyes.

"My lady. I have but one request before you slay me."

Bravado? No. This is true loyalty. Heh. Clovis had one retainer who truly loved him it seems.

"Very well. I will honor your last request. Speak, Bartley."

Sheathing his dagger, the man slowly cleans his monocle off, wiping his face with the cloth afterwards.

"I ask that you finish me only after I save your husband, Lady CC."

What?

"Do not toy with me, Bartley. I can and will make this oh so much worse for you."

Grimmly nodding, he continues, "I am all too aware of the terrors you can visit upon my mind and body. You and Zero are well matched in that regard, at least. But I speak only truth. I can indeed, save Prince Lelouch from what ails him."

Impossible. Rakshata said he was doomed and she could do nothing.

"What can you do that our own medical specialists and scientists cannot-?"

"Code-R."

The grip around his neck loosens just a smidge, but it's enough for him to catch his breath.

"Cornelia brought not only the remnants of the Guren, and the Gawain, but myself, my science team and the complete data from all our research on Code-R. I worked upon the cyborg, Kewell Soresi, and the Siegfried he piloted. What you went through, what our research was aiming towards, it can all be put to use now."

Leaning in to look him in the eye, hot steaming breath passes from my lips as my eyes narrow in calculation.

"So you would barter my suffering for my husband's life? You think that will buy you your freedom, or forgiveness?"

Setting his jowls into a frown, General Bartley shakes his head in a negative.

"No. I neither want nor need such things. All I have done, I have done for the sake of my prince, and my country. I am all too aware that I am damned and will suffer in the hereafter for my crimes."

Cornelia leans against the wall as she purses her lips, "You knew. You knew she was here. You knew CC would likely kill you on sight. And yet you still came with me. Why?"

Giving a Britannian salute? You conceited….

"Because it is what my master, the late and unlamented Prince Clovis would have desired. For he loved and cherished the vi Britannia siblings. And he would have gladly ordered me to save Prince Lelouch from his travails."

You sanctimonious blubbery little shit….

"You think that depraved lunatic would have-"

"The man you met when you were captured was NOT my prince! …..He was a ghost, a wraith inhabiting his body. My prince lost himself to madness long ago. What remained was a deranged fiend obsessed with immortality, your power of Code, and the power of Geass you could grant."

The way his head is hanging, his expression, I'd almost believe he was in earnest.

"That, excuses NOTHING. I saw you stand idly by while I was ripped asunder! Raped in body and mind by what you did to me, under his orders!"

My finger hold his chins in my hand, "Why should I not hold you to account for your actions?"

"I….I believed my actions would be worth my price of my soul. That if I could perhaps save Britannian lives, keep our soldiers and citizens whole, hearty, and hale through your suffering, that it would be worth it. That was my aim. Not the savage and debased desires of Clovis for your power, or his twisted idea of finding the bodies of the vi Britannia children and resurrecting them somehow with your power over life and dea-"

"...What? Brother Clovis….wanted to revive us?"

Nunnally sags back in her chair, clearly not expecting to hear this. Neither was I, honestly.

Clovis had an ambition like that in mind when he was tormenting me? I find it hard to believe.

"My power doesn't work like that. As far as I am aware, it cannot be transferred that way. And trying to split the power of the Code among others would only lead to dilution of the power and demented and twisted creations. It is a fool's errand."

My other hand strikes the large man in the gut, causing him to cough and spasm.

"And you expect me to care, or to let you have this holier than thou vision of your prince? I think not. He and VV were gleeful about tormenting me. If anything good came of this, it was not by either of their designs."

His breath catching as he tries to regain his composure, Bartley grasps my arm tightly.

"It is all too apparent that VV was the instrument that twisted my master's desires and set him on his course. Though it does not absolve Prince Clovis of his actions, he is not solely to blame for them."

…..True. VV's part in this vile operation cannot be ignored. And it does make sense that Clovis could be manipulated by that little goblin.

"So I beseech you, Lady CC. Let us save your husband, the man they call Zero the Demon King. Let us save him with what we have learned and gained from your suffering and pain. And let me redeem in some small way, the tarnished and bedeviled name of my prince. For I know that were he in his right mind? Prince Clovis himself would have urged me to save his brother, for he loved the vi Britannia siblings dearly. Code-R may be the key to restoring him, but only if you let us help."

I drop the overweight general to the ground, my eyes icy with suppressed fury.

He's right. I know he's right. His research paid for with my suffering might be the only way to save Lelouch.

And that irritating, and oh so charming, little shit would tell me to keep Bartley around because he's useful.

I wipe the angry tears from my eyes.

Very well. For you, darling.

"General Bartley Asprius. From this day forth, you shall swear your loyalty to me and my king, Lelouch vi Britannia," I say with a tone that even Lelouch would call regal.

I turn to face the survivors, the remnants of Cornelia's forces and the Black Knights, "From this time, until such time as Zero is ready to return, I am in command of the Black Knights."

With a grand gesture, my arm calls the room to silence.

"For when the King cannot fight, it falls to the Queen to protect her husband and his kingdom."

Till death do us part, Lelouch? I think not. I'm not letting you go that easily.

It's time that the Queen of Hell took charge.

Whatever devil has yet preserved my husband from death? Continue watching over him. For I do not know how much longer I have the strength to lead without him…