Oberon (Code Geass x Fairy Tail)
Chapter 3: Fairy Tail
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Through a dark and moist cavern, a ten-year-old Lelouch ran for his life. His clothes are torn and caked with grime. He lost one shoe, and the sock is becoming torn as the rocky surface scratched the sole of his foot. Blood began to drip from it when the scratches cut deep enough. But none of that didn't stop him.
"I have…to…get…away!" Lelouch huffed in between breaths. "Can't…let them…catch me…!"
His poor physical prowess is showing itself. He only had his upbringing to blame for his weakness. No matter how much Todoh and Suzaku helped him exercise, he still couldn't do it. Now he was regretting that choice to give up. His body is screaming for him to stop, but he couldn't. If he did, he'll be caught by those squid men.
The boy didn't know what happened, but somehow, he was able to escape the confines of that room. That didn't make the Squid men happy, and they chased after him. He managed to lose them by sliding down a shaft. The moment the slide ended, he started running, the fear of the squid men behind him fueling him.
Therefore, he didn't give in to the fatigue. Back at the chamber, he saw what the squid men were doing to the others they've abducted. If they catch him, he will meet the same horrific fate. He needs to escape so he can get back to Japan. Get back to Nunnally, the only family that he has left. Without him, she'll be used as a political tool just like before.
Lelouch lost track of how long he'd been running. Had it been an hour or several. He didn't stop to ask himself. All that he knew is that he was somewhere underground. If he kept going, he's bound to find an entrance that will get him out of here and away from danger.
All that running is about to pay off as he finally found it. At the end of the cavern is an entrance filled with white light. Lelouch felt hope stir within him at the sight.
"Finally…I can get out…" Lelouch breathed out as he urged himself to go faster. Freedom is within his reach. Once he got out, he can find the nearest trace of civilization and…
The raven-haired boy cried out as pain overloaded his mind. He lost his footing and fell forward. Pain flared as his face met the rocky ground. He could swear that his cheek had been scrapped. He couldn't move, but he felt something wrap around his ankle. Whatever held his limb flipped his body, giving him a good look at the owner.
Terror filled his brain at the sight. A stalagmite that he passed by is staring back at him with one red eye. It grasped him with a black tentacle that easily blended in with the darkness. Lelouch is helpless as the thing wrapped more tentacles around him, dragging him in. His violet pupils became dilated as he saw a mouth beneath them, exposing rows and rows of sharp teeth.
Lelouch could feel the hot breath as it pulled him closer. A tentacle wrapped around his neck and force his head forward. He knew what was going to happen to him. The boy had seen it happen to some of the abductees. Tears of despair began to fall as he realized he will never see his sister again.
With what little strength he had left, he did the one thing he could do.
"HELP!"
The cry that came out of his throat was strangled and desperate. It seemed pointless to do considering that nobody is nearby. Help didn't come to save his mother and sister. No one came to help him when Britannia invaded Japan. Why bother clinging to hope when there is none to be found?
Suddenly, he felt the air shift behind him and grow heavy. The creatures' tentacles suddenly released him. Lelouch fell on his rear with a grunt. Slowly, the boy looked behind him. Covered in a thick white aura is a tall, muscular man with shoulder-length orange hair and a stubbly beard. He wore a long, black, high-collared, and tattered cloak with shoulder plates with a simple belt wrapped around his waist. He wore an armor waist-guard over loose-fitting dark pants.
"Thanks for letting the kid go."
After seeing the creature release him, the stranger threw a fist. The moment it collided with the creature, white lines crisscrossed all over and it fell apart. Not into pieces, but numerous, doll-like versions flailing their tentacles. Lelouch watched in awe as they bounced on the ground. When some of them fell near him, he scrambled to get away, inadvertently bumping into the stranger.
"Whoa, easy there," the man said as gently as he could when Lelouch backed away from him. "I just save your life. You don't have to fear me."
"W-who are you?" Lelouch asked.
"Me? I'm Gildarts Clive…and I'm a Fairy Tail wizard."
"Wake up Lelouch!"
Lelouch felt a roll of paper hit his head, snapping him out of his thoughts. The person holding the paper is the Student Council President Milly Ashford. An attractive girl a year older than him with shoulder-length blonde hair, fair skin, blue eyes, and a curvy figure. She is dressed in the female uniform of Ashford Academy.
"I know you were sleeping. Your hands stopped moving," Milly said as she repeatedly beats his head with the roll of paper.
"Well, you don't have to beat me up over it, do you?" Lelouch asked.
"Huh, serves you right for ditching me like that," Rivalz declared smugly. Lelouch didn't need to waste any effort to know that Rivalz is still miffed that he got left behind. Frankly, he should be thankful that he wasn't whisked away to a battle zone. But he didn't say that out loud.
"That's right. What was up with you yesterday?" Shirley Fenette, an orange-haired girl the same age as him, demanded with a frown. During the battle of Shinjuku, Lelouch received a call from Shirley. How she was able to call him from Ashford to the Ghetto when communications were jammed is a mystery, he'll leave to another. She probably wanted to tell him off for going off to gamble again so he ignored it.
"Um, well…"
"That's enough you guys," Milly ordered. "Let's not get sidetracked here. If we don't come up with a fix for the club activities budget, there won't be money left for anything at all."
"And if it comes to that point…" Nina Einstein, a timid girl with dark green hair tied into braids sitting at a computer said in a small voice. She's a gifted girl in science who spent most of her time on her projects.
"The equestrian club will be pissed," Rivalz finished jokingly. "We don't want 'em comin' in here on horseback."
"Rivalz, can't you be a more serious student council member?" Milly asked.
"You know, it would have been nice of you if you would have reminded us about this mess a day ago," Shirley said.
"I would have to say a day later," Rivalz chimes in. "Then we would've given up."
"Good idea. We can still do that," Lelouch said.
"GUTS!" Milly cried out with all her might. Everyone stared at her blankly.
"Are you trying that guts spell again?" Rivalz asked.
"Yeah, I want you people to start putting your all into this," Milly said, raising a finger.
"I don't think your magic's going to do a whole lot," Lelouch said flatly. He should know because he's seen actual magic. If Milly Ashford, the Academy she-devil, ever got an origin it will be even more chaotic.
"It's got me going, Madam President," Shirley said cheerfully.
"Supple and willing, that's what I like," Milly said.
"I train hard in the gymnastics club," Shirley declares proudly, pumping a fist in the air.
"That's not what I was getting at," Milly said, drawing a look of confusion from her. "You're a ten."
"Huh?"
"From what I've seen in the girl's bathroom anyway, you've been filling in all the right places, huh."
Rivalz chuckled while Shirley hugged herself in embarrassment. Lelouch just shook his head and focused on the budget in front of him. Moments like these are probably the only thing that's keeping him from falling asleep in boredom. While staying in Ashford offered little to no excitement, it's quite peaceful.
"Hey Lelouch," Shirley broke him out of his thoughts. "There's something I've been wanting to ask you."
"Huh?"
"When did you get that tattoo?" Shirley asked, pointing to his left hand. Lelouch looked at the back of it instinctively. He knew that she was talking about his guild mark.
"Yeah, I've been curious about that for a while," Rivalz said, leaning over in his seat. "I was afraid to ask myself."
"Did you join some sort of secret club?" Milly asked mischievously. "If so, are you accepting members?"
"It's nothing like that," Lelouch lied, covering his left hand. "I got into a little trouble a while back and I met some people that helped me out. I got this to always remember them even if we are far apart."
What he said wasn't exactly a lie. But he couldn't tell them that he'd been abducted to a world of magic by those squids lest he is sent to the madhouse. It held a lot of meaning to him than anything he could've brought from Fiore.
"That's neat. But why does it look like a fairy with a tail?" Rivalz asked.
"It represents a sense of adventure for one to be able to discover more about mysteries and fate," Lelouch answered honestly. "As for the tail…well, do fairies have tails?"
"I don't know, but it sounds exciting," Shirley said with a smile. "I feel motivated just by looking at it."
"But doesn't the school forbid tattoos?" Nina asked pointedly. Lelouch cringed at the memory of a teacher scolding him. He was able to suggest that they forget they ever saw it. He didn't know what he would do if they tried to force him to remove it.
"Not anymore!" Milly declared, and from the tone of her voice, Lelouch knew what is going to happen. "Today, everybody is getting a tattoo! Tell the art club that they will get budget priority if they collaborate. Wait…we should make a contest! Whoever gets the best design will get a prize!"
"Are you serious?" Rivalz asked. "What kind of prize is it?"
"I'm not telling," Milly said teasingly. "That's a mystery that you're going to have to solve! Isn't that right Lelouch?"
"I know what you mean, Madam President," Lelouch chuckled. She's living up to the meaning of his guild mark. If it means that he doesn't have to keep suggesting the teachers now and then, he's all for a tattoo contest. Even though the students will be in pain from the needles.
Lelouch looked at his guild mark and fondly remembered the day he first came to Fairy Tail. Which is the same day that his life is saved by them.
"So…you're a wizard? An actual wizard?"
"Yep."
"And magic is real?"
"Double yep."
10-year-old Lelouch walked behind the man who introduced himself as Gildarts. After rescuing him from the monster, the man asked him where he lived. Lelouch told him that he had been abducted from Japan. Gildarts told him that he never heard of a place called Japan. But he knew a guy in a nearby town who might be able to help him. Seeing the state of his feet, Gildarts offered him a ride on his shoulders, which the boy gratefully accepted. After all that running, he could barely move. As they walked, he asked questions about what he witnessed.
"You're acting as you've never heard of wizards and magic," Gildarts said.
"That's because magic doesn't exist," Lelouch said, causing the man to look at him in surprise.
"What rock did you crawl out from?" Gildarts asked, which made Lelouch flinch. "How can you believe that magic doesn't exist?"
"I mean…where I came from, we believe magic only existed in fairy tales," Lelouch clarified, not wanting to anger the guy who could easily destroy him. "You're the first wizard that I've ever seen. Can you blame me for being skeptical at first?"
"Well, when you put it that way…" Gildarts conceded. "I've never been to a place that hasn't heard nor seen magic before."
Lelouch didn't argue with him. Young as he may be, he is far from naïve. As much as he wanted to disbelieve in magic, he had seen this man turn a monster into miniature dolls in one punch. The actual proof presented itself right as he was in death's hand.
"What was that creature back in the cave?" Lelouch asked.
"I don't know," Gildarts admitted with a crease in his brow. "I've never encountered something like that before. That's something I'll have to ask about when we get to Magnolia."
Magnolia. That was a place that Lelouch never heard of, and it didn't sound anywhere near Japan. Before he could ask if it was somewhere in Britannia, his head suddenly felt throbbing pain. Lelouch cried out and gripped his head to stifle the unexpected migraine.
"Hey! Are you alright?" Gildarts asked, looking up in concern.
"I'm fine…just another headache," Lelouch said through gritted teeth. After a few heavy breaths, the headache receded. "It's gone."
"That's the third one now. Someone ought to look at you," Gildarts said before turning his eyes back to the front. "Well, here we are. Magnolia Town."
Lelouch looked up to see Magnolia. It is a large built-up area, extending over a large, rectangular surface. A series of large roads split the town vertically and horizontally. Strangely, the whole place is western in style, like the pictures of old Britannia in the history books his tutors showed him back in Pendragon. Located in the middle of town is a grand cathedral overlooking the central path. With the blue sky, canals, distant mountains, and forests, it's like he's looking at a painting.
"It's beautiful…" Lelouch said out loud. Gildarts smirked but said nothing as he continued walking. The boy never took his eyes away from Magnolia, he wanted to burn the image in his memory. To see a sight not devastated by the horrors of war is relieving. But he knew that it's just a matter of time before Britannia ruins their lives as it did to Japan.
As they approached the town, they came across a man dressed like a medieval knight armed with a spear and shield. How curious. The moment the knight saw Gildarts, his eyes widened in panic.
"What was that about?" Lelouch wondered.
"Oh yeah. I have a bit of a reputation in Magnolia," Gildart said carefree. Lelouch raised an eyebrow at that. Before he could ask about this reputation, he heard bells coming from the town. Several minutes later, the town began to move. Buildings began to slide sideways and rise over platforms. This is jaw-dropping for the young, exiled prince.
"The town is moving!"
"Yeah, they do that every time I come here," Gildarts said as he followed the red arrows. "You see, I tend to destroy anything I touch with my magic whether by accident or intentional. They set this up as a precaution."
Lelouch gulped when he realized the implications of what he just said.
"Then should I be on your shoulders?" Lelouch asked nervously to which Gildarts barked out a laugh.
"Don't worry. I can control it somewhat. Otherwise, I'd have a problem eating," Gildarts said. "On the bright side, I get a direct path to the Guild Hall and I don't have to destroy anything."
Wouldn't it be better if you try not to destroy anything? That was a question that Lelouch didn't speak out loud. The boy looked up at the buildings that are held up over the wall. It's impressive that the people of this town created a mechanism such as this just to prevent it from being destroyed by one clueless man. This made him even more curious as to where he was.
Gildarts walked until they came to the building Lelouch saw on the coast. It is an imposing three-story building with several architectonic styles. It reminded him of a pagoda tower back in japan, consisting of extremely long arched tiles lined up one after the other and possessing simple curved protrusions jutting upwards on the building's angles. On the highest roof says a small, round, and pointed dome with a flag on its point. The middle roof housed a large banner with the image of a fairy with a long tail held up by a pair of vertical poles. Above the entrance to the building are two words.
"Fairy Tail?" Lelouch read off the sign.
"The guild I belong to," Gildarts said with a proud smile. "The strongest guild in the Kingdom of Fiore!"
The confusion began to take hold of Lelouch's mind. He had never heard of the Kingdom of Fiore. Just where had he ended up? Those thoughts are pushed aside as Gildarts walked through the double doors, which are wide open as if they were expecting him. Case in point, groups of people have gathered just a few feet away in a lunch hall. People stood on several long benches to look over the crowd of people.
"Welcome back Gildarts!"
"You finished the quest already?!"
"As expected of the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail!"
"Aw, it's nothing like that," Gildarts said. "Something came up. Is the Master here?"
"GILDARTS!"
Lelouch looked up to see a blur of pink plummeting towards Gildarts. Without looking up, the giant of a man raised a single hand and flicked it. The blur went flying towards a wall and smashed through it. He thought he heard someone yelling out. Wait…was that a blue cat with wings that went flying after it?
"What was that?" Lelouch finally asked.
"That was Natsu," Gildarts answered with a sigh. "He's a kid who's been trying to pick a fight with me now and then."
"Hey, who's the kid you got there?" A man with a brown pompadour asked.
"He's why I came back early Wakaba," Gildarts answered. "I need to see Master Makarov."
"I'm here Gildarts."
The voice came from the back of the crowd, which parted to let Gildarts pass. Lelouch's eyes widened as sitting cross-legged on a bar counter is the shortest man he had ever seen. He looked to be an elderly man given his white hair and a thick mustache. He wore a dark blue overcoat over a yellow and green accented robe and a red cap. In one hand, he held a wooden staff with a red smiley face ornament.
"Hey master," Gildarts greeted. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"I don't think you've been gone for long," Lelouch pointed out with a deadpan look. The old man looked up at him.
"Who is this?"
"A kid that I picked up just outside of town," Gildarts said. Kneeling, Gildarts set Lelouch down and introduced, "Lelouch, this is Master Makarov. He's the guild master of Fairy Tail. He'll be helping you get home."
"It's good to meet you, Mister Makarov," Lelouch said politely with a bow. In Japan, it's used to greet someone and as a sign of respect. Makarov chuckled to himself in amusement.
"Aren't you a polite one," Makarov said in a grandfatherly tone.
"I've been taught to treat my elders with respect," Lelouch answered. Although there is one that he refused to respect.
"Well, looks like you got it from here boss so I'm out of here. Got a quest to complete," Gildarts said. He turned on his heel and walked towards a wall. Lelouch was about to tell him that he was going the wrong way when he noticed that Makarov didn't seem worried. Rather, he looked resigned. Then, just as he approached the wall, a section of it glowed white before it broke into cubes. Gildarts just continued walking like nothing happened while the rest just watched with eyes and open mouths. After a while, the people went about their business as usual.
"Couldn't he have used the front door?" Lelouch asked.
"Unfortunately, this happens every time that Gildarts comes here," Makarov said with a sigh. "I'd rather pay for the damage he's done to the Guild Hall than Magnolia."
Makarov gestured to a nearby stool. Taking the hint, Lelouch climbed it and sat down. He's grateful for the chance to sit down. His feet still hurt from running in the cavern and he still had bruises from where the creature in the cavern wrapped its tentacles around him. The piggyback ride that Gildarts gave him wasn't exactly comfortable either.
"Now then…" Makarov said with an air of getting down to business. "Lelouch is it? Gildarts tells me that you need help getting home."
"Yes, Mister Makarov," Lelouch answered. "I was abducted by squid men."
"Squid men?" Makarov asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. One moment I was with a friend, the next I was in their clutches. If it weren't for Gildarts, I would've been food for them. Please, sir…I have a crippled sister that needs me, and I must get back."
Lelouch's voice sounded small, desperate even. Nunnally is the only family that he had left, and he is worried sick about her. She might've been killed or worse, turned into another bargaining tool by that man. He had to make sure that she was alright. Master Makarov stared at him with a sympathetic look.
"Please calm down, child," Makarov said in a gentle way of voice. "We'll help you get home. You have my word as the Guild Master of Fairy Tail."
"Thank you, sir," Lelouch said.
"Now then…where are you from?"
"Japan, Mister Makarov," Lelouch said. Gildarts didn't seem to be a reliable source despite his help. He hoped that Master Makarov would be able to help him. Yet that hope is dashed when he saw the elderly man become confused.
"Japan? Strange…I've never heard of the place."
"With all due respect, how could you not?" Lelouch asked, a hint of frustration leaking in his voice. "It's a country in East Asia. I know it's not as big as the Holy Britannian Empire, but everyone should know about the invasion…"
"Slow down there," Makarov held out a hand and interrupted him. "East Asia? Holy Britannian Empire? I'm afraid I haven't heard of those places either."
Lelouch was about to argue when something stopped him. Something was telling him that Makarov is genuinely confused by his words. But how could he be? Everyone should know even the Holy Britannian Empire.
"Mister Makarov…" Lelouch asked, keeping himself calm as much as he could. "Do you have a map of the world?"
"I do," Makarov said as he reached into his robes and pulled out a roll of paper. Standing up, he rolled it on the table. Lelouch examined it, his eyes growing wide with horror as he didn't recognize the continent on the map. The top of the map is titled 'Earthland' and it didn't even show the whole world. There are also names of countries that he didn't recognize as he memorized the world atlas.
"Lelouch," Makarov spoke carefully. "Is everything alright?"
"No…it's not alright…" Lelouch said, his voice quavering. He took deep breaths to calm himself down. When he recomposed himself, he asked, "Master Makarov…can I ask you some questions."
"Ask me anything."
"Have you heard of the Holy Britannian Empire?"
"No," Makarov shook his head. "I'm sorry to say I have not."
"You never heard of Japan either, right?"
"Correct."
Lelouch hung his head when he answered those questions without a hint of deceit. He didn't know how, but he could tell that the elderly man isn't lying.
"Lelouch?"
Then, something came to mind. A story that he once read to Nunally during their happy days at Pendragon. About a girl who fell down the rabbit hole and stumbled into another world unlike hers. Everything came crashing down as he realized what happened.
"Lelouch?"
"I…I think I've fallen into wonderland…" Lelouch said, at last, resigned to the truth. Part of him is still in denial, that this is a trick. But how could he explain everything that he witnessed? Creatures that he's never seen before. Places that he knew aren't on the map. Even magic and the wizards that wield it.
They don't exist in his world because this isn't his world.
"Argh!" Lelouch cried out and clutched his head. The headache returned. But this time, it is more painful than before.
"What's wrong?" Makarov asked in alarm. A few wizards nearby looked over in their direction.
"I…don't know…" Lelouch grunted. "I've…been getting…these headaches…"
That was all he could say before the pain intensified. He fell off the stool and hit the floor. He could hear Makarov shouting and people running towards him. But he couldn't take his mind off the pain that had begun to steadily increase. Then, he began to hear voices in his head.
"Is he alright?"
"Maybe something's wrong with his head."
"Sister, who is he?
"The request board is blocked."
"Where's my shirt?
"I need to get him to Porlyusica, now!"
He couldn't take it anymore.
"QUIET!"
His body gave off a red glow as a wave of force burst out from him. Everyone who gathered around him is suddenly knocked off their feet. The wave spread throughout the hall, flipping tables over and shattering the windows. The bottles at the bar shattered into pieces and spilled their contents onto the shelves. The walls cracked when the force hit them and the supports splintered, nearly falling.
Then, everything became still. Everyone was on the floor groaning or clutching their heads from lingering pain. Master Markorov, who had fallen into the bar and soaked in alcohol, jumped back onto the counter. His wide eyes surveyed the damage that had befallen his guild.
A groan drew his attention. Lelouch, who had fallen on his back, looked at him with his violet eyes. The guild master could've sworn that they were inky black and with red pupils a moment ago. The boy said two words before he fell unconscious.
"Help…me…"
"Hey Lelouch, you there?"
Lelouch snapped back to reality when Rivalz elbowed him in the side. It is the end of class and all the students have been gathered in the gymnasium for an announcement from the Viceroy. Normally, Lelouch would skip out these Britannia Propoganda sessions and go back to the clubhouse where he lived with his sister. But this one he can't afford to miss.
"What'cha staring off into space for?" Rivalz asked.
"Sorry Rivalz, I was just reminiscing," Lelouch said. "Is it starting yet?"
"The teachers just announced that it'll start in five minutes. Don't want to get in trouble with them, do you?"
"As if I've ever," Lelouch said with an honest chuckle.
Even if he did get into trouble, he can deal with it easily. Just one look and he can use his Brain Thrall…no, Geass on them. Geass is the true name of the power that had been given to him. But he had to use it wisely as it turns out it had one unexpected complication. He can only use it on a person once.
The exiled prince found out the hard way when he tested it on Kallen Stadtfeld. Otherwise known as Kallen Kozuki, a member of the terrorist group he led back in Shinjuku. He slipped up and she got suspicious of him. Judging by her thoughts, she's slowly connecting him to the mysterious voice. That is something he's going to have to take care of.
But for now, he had to see the fruits of his mischief. The teacher called everyone to attention as the big screen displayed the Britannian flag. Once again, the automated female voice announces that the Viceroy is about to address them. In a split second, the camera showed Clovis standing at a podium on stage.
"To all my imperial subjects. I would like to thank you for sparing me some of your time. As a prince of Britannia, I am ever grateful and promise to keep this brief."
Lelouch almost snorted. He is fortunate that he chose to use his Geass to make Clovis obey him, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to control him. His half-brother is much more useful to him alive. It's also why he didn't expose the truth about the gas attack in Shinjuku…for now. Under his orders, Clovis is to go about his business unless he receives further orders from Lelouch. That also includes not telling anyone about him obviously. He's also ordered to give him any updates regarding Code R. This announcement is also part of his orders.
"Today, we are gathered so that we can witness the renaming of some of the finest soldiers in our military. They have done an honorable service to our nation in fighting off the terrorists that sought to topple our way of life with poison gas!"
As Clovis droned on and on, Lelouch resisted the urge to smirk. If it's one thing that hadn't changed, it was Clovis' use of flowery words. Eventually, Clovis got down to business and called the first man forward.
"Bob-1," Clovis called. A green-haired man stepped forward to the podium. His face is looked as if he swallowed something sour. He is dressed in the same Britannian military uniform with a cape over his shoulder, signifying his status as a Margrave. There is also a red feather on his collar. Lelouch recognized him as Margrave Jeremiah Gottwald, one of the soldiers that partook in the Shinjuku massacre.
Another Pureblood…oh this is going to be good.
"Now then Bob-1. You have plenty of time to look over the chart and select your new name. Tell the proud citizens of the Holy Britannia your new name."
Bob-1 remained silent.
"Anytime now Bob-1. We don't want to take up any more of my subject's time," Clovis said with his eyes narrowed and his tone dangerous. On both sides of the stage, the barrels of assault rifles could be seen. He must've been the only one who noticed because he didn't feel any nervousness.
"Um…it's…Loopy BubbleSniffer."
Lelouch couldn't help but snort.
"Wonderful! Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Margrave Loopy BubbleSniffer! Now fair warning, failure to address them by their new names is considered an offense to the crown. So please be careful everyone."
And so, the festivities continued. Lelouch recognized some of the soldiers from the information Clovis gave him. Viletta Nu became Bootie RhinoSprinkles. Kewell Soresi is now Flunky PizzaLips. They're part of the Pureblood faction, and they weren't happy about their new names. Not that anybody cared. After fifteen minutes, the last person was finally renamed.
"And Lumpy HammerBiscuits! That is the last person. Thank you for joining me and I wish you all a good day! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
After a chorus of the Britannian slogan, the students are released. Lelouch was glad that he had Clovis schedule that announcement at the end of classes. He wasn't sure if he could contain himself as he hurried to the rooftop and burst out in laughter. The raven-haired teen could've sworn it could be heard all over the schoolyard, but he didn't care.
"Oh, that was rich! I am so storing that in a mind drive when I get one," Lelouch guffawed as he clutched his stomach. He let himself indulge at that moment for a while before he got up and made his way downstairs. The exiled prince made his way back to the clubhouse. When he made his way to the kitchen, he found her waiting.
"Welcome home, Lelouch," Nunnally called from the table. She sat at the table with their maid, Sayoko. Right now, she is learning the Japanese art of origami. Sayoko had just finished folding a paper crane and handed it to his little sister.
"Welcome home, milord," Sayoko greeted.
"No place like it," Lelouch greeted with a smile. "So what are you making Sayoko?"
"Plenty of things milord," Sayoko gestured to the table. Lelouch could make out a shirt, a fox, an elephant, a giraffe, a snake, a frog, and various birds.
"You've given Nunally a lot she can't see," Lelouch sent his maid a grateful smile. Then he remembered something and put a hand in his pocket. "Oh yeah, I have something for you."
"Let me guess. Another doll?" Nunnally asked, holding out her hands expectantly.
"You little cheat. You read my mind," Lelouch accused playfully as he pulled out the doll, he got from Shinjuku. "Here you go."
Nunnally happily received the doll. She felt her fingers all over it and frowned.
"What's this one supposed to be?" Nunnally asked.
"It's anything you want it to be," Lelouch said automatically. "It's only blank until you put fill it with an image. For example, if you want it to be a fairy, it can be a fairy. It's not about what it is, but what it can become."
"Hmmm…sounds deep. Okay, Lelouch, I'll take it," Nunnally said as she hugged it close.
"I'm glad you like it," Lelouch said. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get some schoolwork done."
"Okay! Just don't be late for dinner!"
"Wouldn't dream of it," Lelouch said as he exited the dining room. Frankly, he didn't see any harm in giving Nunnally that doll. There didn't seem to be anything special about it and felt like a waste to let it rot in a kill zone.
Lelouch entered his room. On his desk are a sewing kit, various fabrics, white stuffing, scissors, and glue. They are supplies that he got from the home economics department. Call it what you will, but he found it a useful skill. Next to these tools is a blank doll. One of the reasons it's unfinished is that he didn't He meant to give this to Nunnally, but he didn't have time to finish it. It was a blessing that he was able to get his hands on that doll.
"Hmm…if I get a few tiny sheets of metal and blue fabric, I'll be able to make Lucy," Lelouch said to himself. "I'll make a note to drop by Home Ec again."
Ever since he has begun telling Nunally about his adventures in Earthland, he's been making dolls of his friends. The hot-headed dragon slayer Natsu. Gray Fullbuster, the ice wizard who would strip often. The strongest female wizard, Erza Scarlet. And many more of his guildmates in Fairy Tail. It warmed his heart to see Nunnally smile at his stories and beg him for more every day. Sometimes, he would catch her playing with the dolls he gave her, pretending that they are fighting some evil wizard or monster. It became something of a hobby for him that he enjoyed, which made him long for them.
"I should start making dolls of celestial spirits after I finish Lucy," Lelouch said. "I wonder if Lucy managed to get the complete Zodiac?"
Setting the doll and materials aside for a moment, he sat at his desk and opened a drawer. He took out a huge leather-bound tome. Flipping through the pages and various images and writing, he came to the section he was looking for. Taking out a pen, he began writing in space.
Power Bestowal – the ability to grant he/she a Psionic ability. Unknown if it can be learned or taught. Further research is required, but what can be inferred is that a contract must be made with the agreement between the bestower and the recipient.
Lelouch stopped writing to frown at that small paragraph. It felt like he could write a few more. But without all the facts, that's all he could jot down. He flipped back a few pages and wrote another entry.
Immortality—as the term implies, the user cannot be killed by any means. Unknown if this is a psionic ability. Further research is required.
"That's two new abilities discovered," Lelouch said. He was about to lower the pen when he realized something. If the girl in the capsule is psionic, how did she get her powers?
Lelouch flipped backward until he came to the image of a humanoid creature with an elongated octopus's head.
Could she have been abducted by them as well?
Ten-year-old Lelouch drifted between the waking world and oblivion. He couldn't feel anything, but he could tell he was laying on something. But he could neither move nor say anything. What he could do is wait and hope something will happen in this void.
Finally, something did. Light begins to fill this vision and he can see. Groaning, he sat upon a bed with yellow sheets. Looking around he found himself in a large room. It is decorated rather sparsely, without too much furniture. Aside from the bed, there is a working desk, several stumps, and numerous crates and barrels. There is also a large collection of books placed on shelves which are dug inside the wall. Speaking of which, the aesthetic of the house looked to be wooden.
"Where am I?"
"Who told you to look around my house without permission?"
Lelouch flinched from the snappish exclamation. He found the source of the voice standing nearby. Towering over him is a slim and tall elderly woman with pink hair tied in a bun on the back of her head by two large pins with crescent moon-shaped edges. She wore a dark green blouse with a tie around the collar, paired with a long matching skirt, simple shoes, and a crimson-colored cape with a wide collar decorated by massive horn-like decoration protruding outwards. Reddish-brown eyes glared at him.
"I-I'm sorry," Lelouch quickly apologized.
"Hmph. At least you have the nerve to apologize," the woman scoffed. "No matter. My name is Porlyusica. I know who you are Lelouch. Makarov brought you here so I can examine and treat you."
"Oh, are you a witch?" Lelouch asked.
"Be careful who you call a witch boy," Porlyusica snapped, making him flinch. "I'm what the humans call the Healing Wizard. So, unless you don't want to be treated, mind your tongue."
"Yes ma'am," Lelouch bowed his head. "Please forgive me. From where I came from, a witch is a female wizard. I didn't mean any offense."
Porlyusica sighed. "Just save your apologies and tell me about your headaches. When did they start occurring?"
"Well…it started after I escaped from the squid men," Lelouch said, not noticing the Healing Wizard suddenly stiffen. "My head would hurt at different times. I don't know
"Stop right there," Porlyusica ordered in a low voice. Lelouch stared at her and waited for her to speak in fear of angering her. "Did you say…squid men?"
"Yes, ma'am," Lelouch nodded.
"Stop calling me that," Porlyusica ordered as she approaches the bookshelf. She scanned the spines until she found the one, she was looking for. Pulling it out, she opened a book and flipped through it. Stopping she came back to Lelouch, who sat up and let his legs dangle off the edges. Reading off the spine, the book is titled 'Weird Creatures'.
"Did they look like this?" Porlyusica asked, showing him the book. She pointed at an illustration. Lelouch's eyes widened in recognition at the vague picture of a squid man.
"Yes! That's it! That's the creature who abducted me!"
"Damn…I thought Makarov was pulling my leg," Porlyusica sighed with a shake of her head. "I'm not going to mince words…your condition is worse than you can imagine."
"What do you mean?" Lelouch asked nervously.
"The 'squid men', as you call them are Mind Flayers," Porlyusica answered. "Creatures that are beyond our understanding. Don't ask me about them. Not only because I hate humans asking me questions, but because there is little to be known about them. Heck, I didn't even believe they existed. This book right here is the only proof of their existence, and the author is considered a mad man who makes up creatures that don't exist."
"Okay," Lelouch said. "But what does this have to do with my condition?"
"Because of something I read?" Porlyusica said irritably. "Answer me Lelouch…when you were held captive by the Mind Flayers, did they put anything in you?"
Lelouch shivered as he remembered the tadpole that the squid men—no, Mind Flayer held over his eye. Instinctively, he covered his left eye, which is where the tadpole burrowed into his head. Even now, the memory and pain of it entering is still fresh.
"Yes. One of them held a…tadpole over my eye and it forced itself in me."
"And that is why you should be worried," Porlyusica said. "If the author is right, what they put inside you is a baby Mind Flayer. It's bad because if not stopped, you will turn into one of them."
That revelation took Lelouch completely off guard. "What?"
"According to the book," Porlyusica said, looking at the entry. "Once the tadpole has burrowed into your head, it will devour your brain and replace it. After that, you will be beyond help. You'll change and turn into a Mind Flayer. No exceptions."
Lelouch digested this information with pure horror. He rested his head on his hands, trembling. It was as if he'd been handed a sentence far worse than death. What's worse is that she wasn't lying.
"Is there something you can do?" Lelouch asked desperately. "You're a healer! Can't the tadpole be removed?"
"Not unless you plan on cracking your head," Porlyusica said, looking down. "The only thing I can do is delay the transformation. As I said, I know little about the Mind Flayers and I'm no miracle worker. This is the only thing I can do."
What hope he had left was replaced with despair. Lelouch hung his head, his eyes dead like a doll's. There was nothing that can be done to escape this fate. It can only be postponed. Porlyusica moved around the room and picked up an empty crate. She began filling it with glass vials of tonics. When she was done, she picked it up and walked to a massive ornate door. The healing wizard cleared her throat. The boy took that as a signal to get over there. Silently, he got up from the bed and walked over to her.
"These tonics will keep the tadpole dormant," Porlyusica said as she opened the door with one foot. "Make sure you take one every twenty-four hours. I've already given you one during your sleep. When you start the runout, make sure you come back. And you can have the book. Little good that's done for me."
Lelouch took the book and walked out the door. Night had fallen upon the forest that he found himself in. He turned to face her as she sets the crate down in front of him.
"Take this and get out of here! I hate humans!"
With that, she slammed the door shut. Lelouch just stood there, staring into space for several seconds. Then, he bent down and tried to pick up the crate. He tried to pick it up, but his small arms couldn't even lift it an inch. Lelouch didn't seem to care about it and continued to try and pick it up. Finally, he proceeded to drag it away from the house, which turned out to be a giant tree trunk.
Suddenly, the crate was picked up by a massive hand. The owner of the hand happened to be Makarov, who despite his size, he can carry the weight.
"May I lend a hand?" Makarov asked with a kind smile. Lelouch somberly nodded. "It's not safe to travel alone in the East Forest. Stick with me. I'll protect you."
Lelouch dutifully nodded and proceeds to follow the guild master. Makarov walked in front of him. They walked past trees and other flora that he had never seen in his world. He might as well take in the sights as it might be the last time, he lay eyes on them.
"You'll have to forgive Porlyusica," Makarov spoke up. "She's the best healing advisor Fairy Tail has, but she hates humans."
"Yeah…she's made that clear," Lelouch said emotionlessly. Because we are a race of simpletons who see fighting as the only way to accomplish things. He pretty much agreed with her on that. It was that nature that killed his mother and crippled his sister.
"What's going to happen to me now?" Lelouch asked.
"That all depends on you I'm afraid. No one can decide what someone else should do with their life," Makarov said. "What do you want to do?"
Lelouch stopped walking. What did he want to do? After what happened to his mother and sister, he wanted to find those responsible. When his father abandoned them, he wanted to destroy the Britannian empire. But after the Mind Flayers abducted them, he sought to find a way home and back to his sister.
"Lelouch?" Makarov stopped walking. He turned to face Lelouch.
But what good is going back when he's cursed to become one of them. Even if he found a way back, this world may be the only one with the components for the tonic. He'd have to go back and forth to refill his stock. Even if found a way to replicate the tonic, it can be used to keep him on a leash and turn him into a political tool. Without it, he'll be a danger to himself and Nunnally.
Right now, there's only one thing he wants to do.
"I want to die."
Those four words were spoken with bitter resignation. The tonic is the only thing that is keeping him from turning. One false move is all it takes for him to fall. Living with this fear should never be considered living.
"You…want to die?" Makarov asked.
"You said that I should decide what to do with my life, so this is what I want to do," Lelouch answered firmly. "Before you start preaching about the value of life, know that I'm a dead man walking with my condition. Do you know any magic that can end my life?"
"Now Lelouch, you really shouldn't say stuff like that," Makarov scolded. "Didn't you say you want to go back to your world? How would your sister feel if she never saw you again."
"She might already be dead," Lelouch answered. The words tasted like ash in his mouth, and tears threatened to fall. "A crippled girl in the middle of a warzone doesn't have a high chance for survival. Even if I found a way back to my world, I'm a threat to everyone around me. Hell…I might even kill her the moment I see her. Even if she's alive, the only thing that'll keep her safe from me is if I die."
"Whatever's got you think that way, it needs to stop," Makarov said sternly. "You have so much life to live—"
"EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!" Lelouch roared as he let his emotions out. "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HELL MY LIFE HAS BEEN LIKE! YOU DIDN'T SEE YOUR MOTHER MURDERED BEFORE YOUR EYES! YOU DON'T HAVE A SISTER THAT'S BEEN CRIPPLED AND BLIND. YOUR FATHER DIDN'T LEAVE YOU TO DIE AS A POLITICAL TOOL! YOU DIDN'T CARRY YOUR SISTER ACROSS A BATTLEFIELD OF DEAD BODIES! YOU WEREN'T WHISKED AWAY TO A WORLD WITH NO WAY BACK! YOU DON'T HAVE A PARASITE IN YOUR HEAD THAT WILL TURN YOU INTO A MONSTER AT THE MOMENT YOU STOP DRINKING! TELL ME MAKAROV…HOW CAN I LIVE WHEN I'VE ALWAYS BEEN DEAD SINCE THE DAY I'VE BEEN BORN!"
His throat was hoarse by the time he finished his pitch. As he screamed, hot wet angry tears fell like water falling from his eyes. Unbeknownst to him, power had been building up in the form of a red aura. Loose dirt, rocks, and pieces of wood were lifted in the air. At the end of his sentence, a wave of force shot outward. This time, Makarov was ready and braced himself as he felt it rush past him. The force was enough to knock down nearby trees, leaving splintered trunks where they once stood.
Makarov slowly stood up and stared at Lelouch, who fell to his knees broken. This is the second time that he experienced this burst of power. But he couldn't detect any hint of Ethernano in his power. If this isn't magic, then what is it? He pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the broken boy in front of him.
"I mean…look at me…" Lelouch sobbed. His eyes were black and red before they reverted to their normal violet. "What am I supposed to do?!"
With that, the façade that he put on broke. He fell on his hands and cried as everything poured out. Gravity drew his tears to the ground as his body heaved. Makarov watched the boy as he cried a river. A solemn look crossed his face as he looked down. No one spoke for a while, save for Lelouch's cries.
"You're right…" Makarov spoke at last. "I never knew the pain that you've suffered before you got here and when you got here. Nor do I know of the curse that you now carry. Human beings have always suffered from adversity. From the day we are born, we've always felt pain. But feeling the pain that you suffer is proof that you were always alive. If you continue to believe in tomorrow and urge yourself to keep going, you will be able to smile and live."
Slowly, he approached the crying boy. On the way, he picked up the book he dropped. It was opened to the Mind Flayer section, the creatures that are responsible for bringing him to this world.
"Lelouch…would you like to join Fairy Tail?"
"Huh?" Lelouch looked up at him with puffy eyes.
"Of course, you can choose to decline," Makarov said. "There are people in this world…well, in both our worlds that enjoy being alone, but there isn't a single person who can bear solitude. It's why we have guilds. So that nobody feels alone and has a family to lean on. That goes for those who have suffered and lost their way. Some of them are the same age as you."
"But why?" Lelouch asked with a sniff. "You only met me for a day, and you want to help me? Do you want a guy with no magic in your guild? I'm no wizard."
"I can't let your adventure end before it has to start," Makarov answered. "It's what our symbol represents. Do fairies have tails? Do they even exist…like them, our guild is an eternal mystery…a never-ending adventure!"
"Besides, something about you caused all of this," Makarov said, gesturing to the fallen trees. "I don't know what it is, but I know that we'll discover what on your adventure. We'll make you a fine wizard in no time. But as I said…the decision is up to you."
Lelouch stared at the man, who seemed to be taller than his stature gave off. Seeing that look on his face and hearing his words stirred something within Lelouch. Something that he never thought existed within him. Could it be a sense of adventure?
Who said that finding a way home would be easy? Wasn't there a proverb that said a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step? And the curse has been laid upon him. When there's a curse, there should be a way to lift it. Then he remembered that everything leads back to the mind flayers. They are the ones that brought him here and planted the parasite in the first place.
The healing wizard said that there is little information about them. Perhaps it's time somebody changed that.
"If I join, what will be expected of me," Lelouch asked.
"Only that you follow the path you believe in," Makarov answered grandly. "Do whatever you think is right! Never let anyone scare you! That's the way of the Fairy Tail Wizards and how we are the number one guild in Fiore!"
Back in his world, Lelouch's respect for authority died. But seeing this man reignite some of it. Only there will be one person he will give it to.
"Okay…I'm in," Lelouch declared firmly.
"Excellent!" Makarov said. At that moment, they heard a howl coming from behind. The guild master picked up the crate of tonics and said, "I think we should make our way back to Magnolia. We can discuss your training in the morning."
"Agreed," Lelouch said as they took off running.
Lelouch continued to read the notes about the Mind Flayers, or Illithids as they call themselves. Their anatomy has been highlighted and pointed out with diagrams. At the corner of the right page is a drawing of the Illithid tadpole.
"Ironically, it's thanks to them that we were able to prove their existence," Lelouch said to himself. "But if that girl was abducted by them, I don't want to imagine what would happen if they have an Illithid that is immortal."
Ever since the day he joined Fairy Tail, the Illithids have become something of an obsession for him. And he wasn't the only one. He and several others who've been abducted from this world have been pursuing them and their secrets. What they did to them was a big mistake. Thanks to the tadpoles, they got access to their psionic powers.
Everything they've learned about them they put into this tome, whom they've affectionately called the Illithid Field Guide. Their physiologies, their culture, the history of their society, horrific experiments involving the tadpoles, technologies, and even psionic powers. As their power grew, it became to be the largest section of the guide. Whenever they discover a new power or technique, they will record it onto the field guide.
Before he left, he made another copy and left it with Fairy Tail in case an Illithid invasion happens again. The one he held is the original guide. Something that has become something of importance to him and his team.
Speaking of which, he had to get in touch with them. When they discovered the ability to Plane Shift, they got separated. In their defense, they were still testing it out and the Illithids made it look easy. Lelouch had been experimenting with Plane Shift so that he would have no problem getting home.
He's going to need them if his plan to defeat Britannia is going to work. But he'll also need an army that follows him and his ideals. An army that would almost be like Fairy Tail. Unafraid to face any enemy in their path and crush them under the heel.
As he was about to think of a plan, he felt his phone ring. Grabbing it, he saw that the number is labeled 'Butterscotch'. Knowing who it is, he flipped it open and held it to his ear.
"Hello Butterscotch," Lelouch said. "Wait…Suzaku Kururugi is alive? The Purebloods are doing what with him…interesting. Keep me updated but proceed as usual. Await further orders Queen of Hearts."
Lelouch closed his phone and let out a dark smile.
Looks like I found a way to kill two birds with one stone.
[~][~]
Greetings and Bienvenu readers.
Given how my fellow Code Geass fans have already seen most of the canon, I decided to have this chapter focus on Lelouch's past with Fairy Tail. And it appears we are about to enter the Kururugi Trial chapter. How will this play out? And who else had been abducted from the world of Geass?
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Until next time.