Interlude 2: The Broken Captain

September 3rd, Ashford Academy, 8:03 A.M.

Euphie Levett

"A board game?" Euphie dully exclaimed, "Seriously?"

Most of the Student Council, with the exceptions of Lelouch and Kallen, were gathered in the living room of Lamperouge Manor.

'Most likely discussing things with the Black Knights.'

"Yeah," Rivalz replied, "We already balanced out the budget, and we've got nothing else to do, and, personally, we need a little fun after the torrent of emotion we went through yesterday."

"But still, a board game?"

"I'm in!" Milly retorted.

"W-well," Nina added, "If Milly thinks it's okay."

'Oh, dear.' It wasn't that she wasn't up for it, rather, just the simplicity of it baffled her.

"Well," Shirley continued, "It could be fun."

'Oh, to hell with it.' Euphie waved her hands in defeat. "It seems I've been outvoted."

"Sweet," Rival exclaimed, "Milly, could we go to the store and get a game I've been eyeing."

"Wait, is that why you suggested we play a board game? So you'd have an excuse to~"

"Sorry," Milly interrupted as she semi-dragged Rival out, both smiling, "We need to go fast."

The Nest. 8:59 A.M.

Lelouch

"And to Zero and Celaeno," Nonette exclaimed. The Dark Council had gathered in Zero's office and were watching a recording of the broadcast and review intel, courtesy of the Twins. "I have one thing to say: I'm coming for you."

"Well," Lelouch, wearing his Zero outfit, replied, "This got difficult."

"I can't believe I was this close to a Knight of the Round," Tamaki groaned, arm still sore from his 'fight' yesterday, "And I didn't kill her."

"Like you would ever beat Nonette in a fist fight," Cornelia retorted, "Back during my Academy days, we trained together. I beat the floor with every other cadet, including those that were in their graduation years.. I never beat her once."

"Though, I'd say that your chances might've gone up since then."

"I doubt she slacked in her training."

"True. But she didn't have a martial art master teaching her for several years."

"Sir," Ohgi stated, "I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but this isn't good. We already had to deal with the Twin Demons, now this?"

"I agree that things are escalating faster than anticipated. Lady Nonette, by our intel, drives a custom Knightmare, though we don't know it's exact details. I will get that intel soon. However, with every major criminal network destroyed, and the rest cripplied, as well as our supply bases up and running, I can conclude that Inari's Wrath is a success."

"Sir?"

"Prepare our forces for Stage 2."

"But," Inoue retorted, "What about the Britannians? How are we~"

"Tolia and Talio have a test in the works. If it works, and if the field tests grant results, it might change the future of warfare."

Everyone was silent at Lelouch's bold declaration.

"I'm afraid to ask," Ohgi stated, "But, what do you mean?"

"Some of the biggest changes is when a new force enters the field. Just look at both world wars. In World War 1, the introduction of tanks completely destroyed trench warfare. A similar event happened in the second World War. Tanks, at the time, were mostly considered infantry support units. However, the Germans proved that they could be a fast moving, heavy hitting assault force. The most recent, and drastic example, however, is the Knightmare. More mobile than a tank, and carrying enough firepower to take them out, they changed the landscape of war forever. I doubt there's a major power today that doesn't have their own variation of the Knightmare. The twins are designing something that could change it once more."

"Uuummm," Tamaki squeaked out, "I'm not even sure I want to know what they're building."

"Regardless, if it can even the playing field, we can't afford to not take it. Cornelia, assist Ohgi with Operation Kannon's Embrace. Everyone else, take a break. We've earned it."

Cornelia put on her mask, resuming her Celaeno persona, as the Dark Council left the office...except for Kallen and himself.

'She's been dangerously quiet ever since Rival busted my identity wide open to her.' "You want to punch me."

"No, but I want to punch something, and you're the closest, so forgive me."

"Understandable. It's one thing to be working with a Britannian. It's another to be working for a former Prince of Britannia."

"Yeah. Wait, Cornelia was the captain of your mother's guards. So, how the hell did she get killed? With Marianne's palace being in the center of Pendragon, it should be impossible for a strike team of any kind to get there without being spotted, even if it was orchestrated by the nobility."

"Believe me, that was the first thing I asked when we boarded the plane for Japan."

(Years Ago)

Lelouch vi Britannia

"Cornelia," Lelouch quietly demanded, "We need to talk."

The four were currently on a private jet bearing the royal insignia, heading to Japan to smooth diplomatic talks between the two nations. Based on the time since they left, he guessed that they were around halfway across the Pacific at this point. It was nighttime, but he didn't bother sleeping. He couldn't afford to take his eyes off of Nunnally and Euphemia for even a second. However, this was the best time to get answers.

"Of course." Cornelia replied calmly, showing no emotion. The two quietly made their way to the back of the plane.

'She failed mom! She failed me! She failed NUNNALLY!'

As the two closed the door to one of the bedrooms, Lelouch whipped around with cold steel in his eyes.

"Cornelia, whe~" Lelouch was halted as he felt something large wrap around him. He realised it was Cornelia, hugging him.

"Lelouch, I am sorry."

'She's sorry!? Is this a confession?' "Cornelia," Lelouch continued, "Where WERE you?"

"The night before her murder, your mother ordered me to shut down all security and relieve the night guards."

'What?! But, mom knew how much the other Consorts hated her. Why would she leave herself vulnerable.'

"I protested, but she insisted. She was meeting someone, and wished for no one to observe it. If I had stayed, not as a soldier, but, as a concerned family member, then, maybe I would've been there when she was killed. I could've shielded her. Please, forgive me." Cornelia had tears forming at this point.

'So, she didn't kill her. But, she did make it easier for her killers by following orders, like a good drone. And there's only one person I know that mom would trust to be completely alone...father!' "And, how did you get banished alongside us? Did you also demand to know why the investigation was cancelled? I can imagine so, since you were most likely heading it."

He noticed that Cornelia, still hugging him, gave him a look of shame.

"It was Euphie, actually. She confronted father over the issue of sending you to Japan. She insulted the Emperor and, when he moved to strike her, I moved in between them. He judged that reason alone as the grounds to banish us. I doubt we would've been banished with you if Euphie didn't have such courage."

"Wait, are you saying that, if Euphie didn't confront the Emperor, you would let us get banished? Are you suggesting things would've been better if Euphie wasn't brave?!" Cornelia gave him a look of horror.

'Of course she would! She's just a soldier, following orders!'

"No, Lelouch," Cornelia pleaded, "That isn't what I meant~" Lelouch wrestled away from her grip.

"It doesn't matter what you meant. What you said tells me all I need to know." Lelouch began walking out of the room.

"Lelouch, wait~" Cornelia tried to place a hand on his shoulder, but he shoved it away.

"Stay away from me." Lelouch gave a cold stare that told her one thing.

'We're through.'

He left the room, leaving a distraught Cornelia alone.

(Present Day)

Lelouch

"Okay," Kallen exclaimed, "That was cold. And completely unjustified."

'Can't argue there.' "You're right, of course. At the time, I wasn't thinking logically. My mother was killed, my sister crippled, both of us banished for daring to question the Emperor. All I could see were enemies everywhere. My only concern was Nunnally and Euphie."

Lamperouge Manor

Euphie

"Rival," Milly interjected during the middle of their game, "Are you still going for the Vault?"

"Of course I am! I want those items."

"They probably won't even be that good."

"Says the person currently stuck in the Pentagram Chamber."

"Fair point."

"Euphie," Shirley interjected, "What was Japan like, before it became Area 11?"

'Had to happen eventually.' "Honestly," Euphie replied, deep in thought, before giving a genuine smile, "It was unlike anything I've seen before. The culture, the landscape, and even the people. Living in Pendragon, my mother always told me that every person you meet is a potential enemy. I only understood what she meant after Lady Marianne died. Unfortunately, I didn't really get to enjoy it for the first month or two."

"Why?"

"Simply because Cornelia looked too depressed for me to actually enjoy it. It was clear that she and Lelouch talked about something on the plane ride here, but they didn't tell me what they talked about until a couple years later. All I knew at the time was that, whatever Lelouch said, it shook her to her core."

(Years Ago)

Kururugi Estate, Mt. Fuji.

Euphie crept around the darkened estate. When they arrived in Japan, they were introduced to Prime Minister Genbu Kururugi and his son Suzaku, where he allowed them a small estate near Mt. Fuji. She had to admit, two of her favorite differences from home would have to be the doors and the bed.

'Sliding doors with thin walls! It must be hard to have a private chat. And the beds! Makes me feel like we're camping like ordinary people would do!'

It was near midnight, and she couldn't sleep. Instead of bothering Lelouch and Nelly on it, she figured she'd get a glass of water. Luckily, Suzaku's cousin, Kaguya, taught her how to move quietly on a wooden floor. Very handy when the room doors are paper thin.

She was nearing Cornelia's room when she heard a sound. Euphie froze, thinking she'd get caught if she even breathed. It was someone taking short breaths, and also...sniffling?

Euphie realized it was coming from Cornelia's room, which was slightly open, with a small light inside, most likely from a candle. Knowing that her shadow would appear if she stood near it, she layed on the ground and scooted over towards the door. When she looked inside, she saw an unbelievable sight: Cornelia was crying. She may be being as quiet as possible, but Euphie could see the tears on her face. She was currently sitting at a desk in her room, with some kind of bottle on it.

'Does she miss home that much? Oh, I've made her so sad.'

"He hates me." Cornelia mumbled. If the house wasn't shrouded in silence, she doubted that she could hear that.

'Hates? Who could she be talking about? Father? He doesn't really show emotion, so I don't know how Cornelia would know. I've really scre~'

"He hates me," Cornelia repeated, "I failed to save Marianne, and he hates me."

'Marianne? But, that would mean...Lelouch hates Nelly?! But, why? I don't~Is this why Lelouch wanted Nelly to have a seperate room? Not because she's an adult, but to keep her away from us?!'

Euphie had to do something. She got up, her shadow illuminating against the thin materials. Cornelia quickly noticed, turning her head to the doorway.

"Nelly," Euphie said, poking her head through the door, "Is everything alright?"

"Euphie," Cornelia replied in a calm demeanor, "What are you doing up so late?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I went to get a glass of water." Euphie entered the room, coming up to Cornelia. "You're crying."

"Don't worry about it," Cornelia countered, "Sit here. I'll get you a drink"

Cornelia placed her on the chair and left the room. A few minutes later, she returned with a glass of milk. Euphie took a sip, noticing that it was warm.

"Nelly, you were crying just now. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Euphie," Cornelia lied, "Just feeling homesick."

"Nelly," Euphie retorted, "I may not be as smart as Lelouch, but I can tell when you're lying."

"It's really nothing~" Cornelia was interrupted by Euphie hugging her hips. She wasn't as good at lying as Lelouch was, but she could trick her sister, she hoped.

"Nope. You're clearly sad about something. And, since I know I make you happy, I'm not leaving you until that sadness goes away."

"Euphie."

But Euphie wouldn't hear any of it. She simply moved to Cornelia's futon and laid down. Cornelia sighed, conceding defeat, and laid beside her.

(Present Day)

"Damn," Rival exclaimed, "I know Lelouch can be cold, but that was bad. By the way, Milly, you rolled below a seven, so now we got a haunt."

"Okay, everyone pick up the instruction books, let's see what we have. I got the Book, and I'm in the Furnace room."

"Milly," Nina exclaimed, "We got 33, so you're the traitor."

"Ha! Okay, hand me the traitor book, I'll go read my rules while you read yours." Milly then left, leaving the four alone with their set of rules.

"So," Shirley, "Did whatever plan you had work? I mean, there doesn't seem to be any hate between them these days."

"Well~"

Zero's Office

Lelouch

"For the first few days when we arrived in Japan, I didn't even look at Cornelia. Pretty soon, however, Euphie, sensing the tension growing between us, both figuratively and literally, decided to stay close to Cornelia, in an effort to bring us closer. I think she fully understood the situation before any of us did. I still didn't speak to her for the first two months, however. I think even Euphie was starting to wonder if it was all in vain."

"Until?" Kallen replied.

"It happened around the end of September. Me, Suzaku, and Euphie were on an old hiking trail near the Kururugi Shrine. Not only that, but the guard shift for our place was changing, so, for a brief bit of time, there was no one guarding the estate."

(Years Ago)

"A perfect storm."

Cornelia

"Nelly," Nunnally exclaimed, "I think I did it. Could you come look at it."

The two were currently in their estate, though, by Britannian standard, they would consider it a small estate. The guards were shifting, so they were alone for a time. Nunnally had recently taken up folding paper cranes.

Cornelia looked over the table, putting down her biography on Oda Nobunaga. She saw the 'crane' Nunnally tried to make. It had bent in all the wrong places, unfortunately.

"It looks great." Cornelia lied, though, due to her tone, Nunnally quickly picked that up.

"Oh," she replied, "I'm sorry."

'Damnit.' "No, no," Cornelia pleaded, moving beside her, "It's not your fault. You're just now getting into it. I'm sure you'll get better with time."

The two heard a door slide open hard. Cornelia instantly tensed up at the sound, getting between Nunnally and the direction of the sound.

"NELLY!" Euphie's voice cried out, "Lelouch and Suzaku are in trouble!"

'Asdjlfh' Euphie then bursted in the room, her clothes having dirt on them.

"Euphie," Cornelia replied, kneeling, "What happened?!"

"We were on the old trail, near the shrine. Everything seemed fine. Then the ground coll~The railing~I, I, I~" Euphie was hyperventilating at this point.

"Euphie," Cornelia calmly said, placing two hands on Euphie's shoulders, "Are they near the trail?"

"Y-y-yes, follow the trail!"

"Euphie, stay with Nunnally! When the guards arrive, inform them!"

With that, she bolted out the house, making a beeline for the trail.

After several minutes, she came to the top of a ridgeline with a wooden guard rail. She could see in the distance part of the trail had fallen down the ridge, at a very steep angle, accompanied with a hundred foot drop.

"Heeeeelp!" She heard Suzaku yell out. Cornelia ran up to the collapsed part. Looking over the edge, she saw Suzaku using one hand to hold himself to a part of the ridge, ten feet below her. His other hand was being used to hold Lelouch, who could find nothing to grip onto.

"Cornelia!" Suzaku cried out in joy, causing Lelouch to look up at her, with a look of hope.

Cornelia quickly scanned the ridge, looking for a safe way down.

'Damnit, why didn't I bring ROPE?!'

Cornelia found some grapple points, and began moving down the ridge. However, she soon realized she couldn't go any farther down without making it impossible to get back up. She could easily reach Suzaku's hand, however, with him holding Lelouch, the combined weight might be too much for her.

"Kururugi," Cornelia exclaimed, "I can't lift you both up, so I need you to lift Lelouch as high as you can."

Suzaku nodded, and began, with great strain, lifting Lelouch. Cornelia grabbed Lelouch's arm, and hoisted him up.

"Okay, Lelouch, I need you to step on my shoulders and~"

"Got it." Lelouch interrupted. Cornelia pulled as high as she could, before Lelouch stood on her shoulders, much to her discomfort. He then jumped and grabbed onto the edge, using the railing to hoist him the last few inches.

'One down, one to go.' She reached down, grabbing Suzaku's arm. She turned her head back up, seeing several Japanese guards quickly approaching them.

'Good job, Euphie.' She then heard the worst sound that could've happened: A rock dislodging.

She realized that the rock she was gripping was coming loose. With Suzaku using her other arm, she couldn't place him back down and switch to another rock before it was too late.

"Lelouch," Cornelia roared as he swung Suzaku up, "GRAB HIM!"

As Suzaku went up, the rock finally gave out, sending her down the ridgeline. She could see Lelouch quickly lay down to grab him before gravity pulled him down, followed by several guards quickly helping them up. Cornelia began tumbling down the hill at a rapid pace, before her world went dark.

(Sometime Later)

'Ugh, why does everything hurt?' Cornelia slowly blinked, but was blinded with whiteness. When her vision cleared, she saw she was on a bed, her right arm hooked to an IV stand, as well as other medical equipment around her. She couldn't see sunlight out a nearby window, so it must be night time.

"Nelly." Euphie's voice exclaimed, coming up to the bed. She noticed that Lelouch was also there, but he didn't have the scowl he would have whenever he looked at her.

"What happened?"

"The Prime Minister took you to his private medical room. He's giving the guards many harsh words for why we went on a hike with someone escorting us. They want to keep this quiet so father doesn't use it as an excuse to invade.

"The doctor said you have several fractures, mostly along the legs and left arm. You also took a bad hit to the head."

"Where's Nunnally?"

"She's asleep. Took Kaguya an hour to convince her, and only because we promised to stay up until you woke up."

"That's good."

Lelouch said nothing as the two conversed, and it seemed the young Li Britannian had enough.

Cornelia saw Euphie stand up and look towards Lelouch, with anger burning in her eyes.

'What did Lelouch do?'

"Lelouch," Euphie growled, which shocked Cornelia, "I don't know what you and Nelly talked about, but it stops now."

Lelouch looked shocked, not having seen such an angry side of his beloved half-sister.

"Euphi~"

"Nope, I won't hear any of it. You and I are both smart enough to know that Cornelia isn't to blame for your mom's death."

'She thinks he's mad that I couldn't save Lady Marianne? But how did she...that night! She must've heard me.'

"It's not like that~" Lelouch tried to retort, but Euphie wouldn't let him.

"We're all we have. Father has kicked us out, and, since none of our other siblings have bothered to send us a message since we left, we have to believe that they've abandoned us as well. It's just us. The only family we have left is each other. So stop being made at each other, and start acting like normal siblings."

Euphie tried to look tough and intimidating by puffing her chest. However, this made her look angrily adorable to the two.

Lelouch choked back a laugh, "I'm sorry, Euphie, but you really don't do the intimidation look."

Cornelia bit her tongue, trying to contain her own giggle.

'That's it I can't take it anymore.'

The two then started laughing, not at Euphie's words, but, rather her attempt to look intimidating.

"Haha~ooog!"

'Oh, my arm's hurting really badly now.'

(Present Day)

Kallen

"After that day, things started to get better," Lelouch finished, "My anger at Cornelia didn't instantly go away, but it did dissipate over the months."

"And," Kallen replied, "When Britannia invaded."

"She made a promise to me during the invasion that removed all doubts from my mind." Lelouch retorted, placing his helmet on, and resuming his Zero persona, "Now, I believe we should get going. Don't want to miss the operation's first meeting."

Ashford Academy

Euphie

"And," Milly exclaimed, knocking Shirley's figure down, "With Heather Granville dead, the Elder God is free to destroy the world. I win!"

"Gah!" Rival slammed his head down, "I had the gun and the spear! This game's awesome, but don't let Lelouch near it. We'd lose in the first turn."

"I have to say," Shirley replied, shifting the attention to Euphie, "After all that's happened to you four, it's amazing you've come through it all unscathed."

"I wouldn't say that, Shirley."

"Well," Rival retorted, "It does answer why Cornelia's so paranoid on security."

"Paranoid's a strong word, but I will agree. In fact, I'm pretty sure there's one or two security features that Lelouch doesn't know. She said it herself once. She failed his mother."

Ashford Security Building

Cornelia

"She won't fail with us."

Cornelia entered her office in Ashford Security. Due to moving into Lamperouge Manor, it was pretty bare bones. However, she still had one important feature inside. She moved to her locker, which was bolted to the wall. After opening it, she gripped the handle inside the locker, and opened it, revealing a hidden room. He hadn't used this room for at least a year, but C.C.'s presence warranted its usage.

She entered her locker, exiting into a small room, with only a swivel chair, several monitors, and~

"Meow."

'?' Cornelia looked down, seeing Arthur on her chair.

"How did you?"

"Nyah!" Arthur looked up, and Cornelia noticed, on the upper wall, an air vent with the cover hanging loosely.

'This damn cat!' "Alright, Arthur, move aside. I need to work."

"Meow." Arthur jumped off as Cornelia pulled the chair, and the cat exited the hidden room. Cornelia turned the screens on. Each screen was connected to a hidden camera. The locations of the camera's were scattered across Ashford, inside hollow bricks that had a one side being a one-way mirror.

Since they began their rebellion, Cornelia had been watching Ashford, specifically C.C., for any hints to whatever secrets she contained. As she looked over yesterday's recordings, one of the live cameras on top of one of the buildings caught a girl in a school uniform scratching a mark on the building.

'A cruel way of testing how long the Geass will work, brother. Just be lucky she only has to do it if it's a school day, and she's actually at Ashford.' She then noticed C.C. enter the roof and observe the school girl. Cornelia zoomed in the camera and enhanced the audio.

"Yes, yes, I understand," C.C. dully replied to no one, "I'll do well this time. I'll try to look out for him, but I'm not his guardian."

'Again, talking to our mystery person.' Cornelia remembered that C.C. could communicate with her contracts under specific conditions. Which begs the question~

"Who are you talking to?"

Author's Notes: So, Cornelia's not so trusting of C.C. Will she find out who C.C. 'ally' is?

As always, leave a review, and I will see you next time.