A.N. Okay everyone this should be the final chapter of this story, I hope you all enjoy.
Also thank you all for all the support you have showed for this story, it was my first story and I never dream it would be this popular or come so far. Thank you for all the kind reviews and the support of my writing. Writing has been a dream of mine and to have written something that people enjoy reading has been a dream come true. I promise to move forward with creating the sequel to this story. Again thank you everyone for all your support!
Chapter 32
Imperial Palace, Terra 2230 a.t.b
One of the most securely guarded places in the entirety of the Terran Star Imperium was the Imperial Palace itself. Not only did it contain the Imperial family and the Ebony Throne, but it also played host to some of the most secure prison cells in the Imperium. Some of these cells were standard prison block cells while other were statelier. Even a few were in the upper tiers of the palace and were the most comfortable with room service and more free access to the outside world with supervision of course. But all in all, few people in the Imperium ever warranted being imprisoned and guarded in the most secure building in the entire TSI.
But those who had been arrested by Tamaki aboard the Silver Blade fell into the category of being imprisoned in the lower cells. They had been dressed in simple prison garb and placed in individual cells, purposely kept separate. This was more of a means to keep the prisoners from conniving together to cause trouble for their jailors in any way. As well to a lesser degree, and in one particular red headed case, from tearing apart the others. They were brought all the toiletries and food they needed; Sayoko came down to the cells to look after Nunnally.
As such was the prisoner's situation, they did not know that a shuttle set down on one of the Palace's landing pads and its occupant quickly disembarked and made his way to the cells. While the Emperor knew of the arrival, he made no move stop Guilford's advance instead opting to continue perusing the documents on his desk with a small smirk. It did not take long for Guilford to reach the cells and with barely restrained emotion he made his way to one in particular.
Cornelia had sat in silence for most of the time she had been in the cells, she had spent her time rummaging through her own mind. She ran through the memories she had of when she, Euphie, Lelouch, and Nunu had played together in Pendragon. She thought about what she learned about Geass, about what she discovered in the Directorate and with Schneizel. She ran over all the things Schneizel had said and done to get her to his side and what she had forced herself to believe. What had caused her to abandon her homeland on a self-imposed crusade, and most of all what Lelouch had said. His words echoed in her mind, "you of all people should know I would never do something like that intentionally."
Did she know him, she had scene him grow up, she had seen how large his heart for his family was. He had fought her and formed the Black Knights; he had actually brought justice to places where there hadn't been any for years. His push for revenge was obvious, but his promises for freedom rang true even to her. Did she know him?
She was broken out of her stupor when the two-way mirror that was her door opened and in stepped Guilford. Cornelia's eyes widened and she practically jumped of her bed to stand ram rod straight. She looked at the man up and down, "Guilford?"
A smile pulled itself onto Guilford's face as he replied, "yes my lady."
Tears began to well up in Cornelia's eyes as she stumbled across her cell and gently reached up to Guilford's face. She traced her fingers across his cheeks and looked down at his uniform and back up to his face still touching his cheek looking close to see if he was truly there. Looking into his eyes she asked, "this isn't a dream, right?"
Guilford reached up and took Cornelia's hand in his, "no, my lady, this is real."
The tears began to fall, and Cornelia pushed herself into his chest and let out small sobs, "you're hear, you're actually here."
Guilford's arms wrapped themselves around the trembling form of the former princess, "yes Cornelia, I'm here. I'm by your side once more my lady, my princess."
Cornelia looked up from his chest into his eyes, ignoring everything else, she leaned up and captured Guilford's lips. Making no resistance he leaned into the show of passion, he reached behind him and the door closed behind him. Words fell to silence and passion and feelings long repressed came to the surface. The reunion was silent yet thunderous and pure, a new memory of love and passion.
Meanwhile in the control room the video feed from the room cut out as Tamaki depressed a button. He depressed several keys and the two-way mirror of the cell darkened leaving the room in total isolations from the outside world. Tamaki turned to the technicians inside, "the video feed to that cell did not just go out, there is constant survelience in that cell right now. And I am no here."
The Imperial Guard technicians nodded, "yes my lord."
Upper Tiers of the Palace
For the time being the others of the Damocles group that were not prisoners were being housed in the upper suites of the palace. The reasoning they were given, a safe environment to adjust to the new world they were in and if they accepted posts in the new order. C.C. sat across from Kaguya who looked back at the empress with a smile masking confused emotions beneath.
Sipping her tea C.C. spoke, "suffice to say Kaguya your talents for diplomacy are quite impressive and it would be a waste to have you disappear into the masses."
"You mean keep me on a leash and a quasi-prisoner of your government," replied the Japanese woman with a smirk.
"You may think that Lady Sumeragi but that is not my intention or that of Lelouch," C.C. returned the smirk. "The man can be surprisingly forgiving and the fact that you were not directly involved in his betrayal means you currently are not in any real hot water with anyone in power."
"So what's the real reason I'm locked in this gilded cage?"
Taking another sip C.C. giggled, "not everyone may believe your innocence and therefore we intend to wait before putting you in the open."
"This really is for my safety, Tianzi's to?"
C.C. nodded, "I can understand why you might be disinclined to believe my words at the moment but that doesn't mean they don't hold truth in them."
Biting her lower lip Kaguya scanned the empress's face, and found nothing beneath her visage. "So, what will become of me?"
Adopting a thinking pose C.C. took a moment to respond, "Lelouch will likely offer you and Tianzi a position as minister of one of departments or ministry's. He'll likely put Nina, Cecile, and Lord Pudding in Cerberus out of the public eye. Xingke and what's her face he'll likely give your security to. Maybe, even I don't know everything he thinks of immediately."
Kaguya nodded, what the immortal had said made sense, though she wondered if any offer given to her would be an offer. What if she refused? Would she be followed and watched the rest of her life? Matter of fact she didn't even know what would become of those imprisoned below. Maybe it would be wise to research the courts of this new world before any trial began.
Prison Block
While tea and refreshments were taken above, and a single cell nearby was bathed in darkness Kallen sat slumped on her cot. Her mind raced with all the information that had been thrown at her over the course of the previous days. It would be an understatement to call it difficult to process it all. So engrossed by her thoughts she barely noticed the shadow that appeared at her cell door.
The figure stood silently for a time, either out of respect or curiosity, but it was eventually noticed by the red head. Looking up Kallen was greeted first by a simple yet impressive dark blue and white Knight's uniform with silver and gold trim. Then she saw the blue haired face of the Japanese man that wore the uniform. The two stared at each other in silence and contrast before Akito Hyuga spoke, "you are the famous Red Lotus."
Taken aback by the words Kallen nodded, "yes."
"I am Akito Hyuga, Second Knight of the Round, I wished to see the person whose piloting skills were not easily surpassed. The person who struck such fear into brave soldiers that they would flinch at the merest sight of crimson."
Still not processing the meaning behind her visitor fully Kallen could only respond in her classic sarcastic tone, "well here I am, hope it was everything you thought it was."
"Hardly," replied the knight. The suddenness of the retort knock Kallen back, though she regained composure as Akito continued, "I do see what I described. But I see them as faded glories stained by treachery and betrayal."
Anger, regret, sadness, and more conspired together to paralyze Kallen to her cot and trap her voice in her throat. Akito's cold stare penetrated the red head's soul with its icy depth, "I must say I am also amazed, you were so loyal to Zero and yet you took the chance to leap from his side."
This sent a burst of resolve into Kallen's heart, enough to speak out, "I was loyal, and I did try to defend him!"
"Yes," Akito nodded. "Once. I know the story, both of the betrayal and your own personal tale Kallen Kozuki. Your own mother went out of her way to save you and care for you at her own happiness. Yet you failed to notice when Zero was doing the same thing."
A memory came crashing into Kallen's mind she stood facing the guns of the traitorous Black Knights. Lelouch leaned in to whisper to her, "you have to live."
Her eyes widened, the way he had spoken to them that day, how he "admitted" to all the crimes that Schneizel had accused him of. Not denying any of it, knowing full well that those before him were willing to kill. He had done it to protect her and punish himself.
Tears welled up in her eyes, Akito's face turned into a sympathetic smile, "you figured it out didn't you Kozuki?"
Kallen could only stare at the Knight as he spoke, "our stories are not so different Kallen Kozuki. We both lost much during and after the Second Pacific War, we both sought revenge on those we thought responsible. We both fought, we both become grand pilots, we both became wiling to do whatever it took to complete the mission and get revenge. We both had someone we wanted to protect and in doing so we believed we needed to distance ourselves from them.
Kallen's stare only deepened as she sat transfixed by Akito's words, "but those we wished to protect did not stay away. They came back to us and pushed hard until we heard them. We both listened, but you only listened once, when it was a blood relation. And now, here we stand on opposite sides of prison door."
Akito went silent as the tears in Kallen's eyes began to fall, the Knight turned and walked away saying, "I wish you the best of luck Ms. Kozuki. Your defenders should be hear soon."
Akito passed by a blacked-out cell but payed that fact no mind, such a blacked-out cell could only be accomplished by someone of great power, and he was in no position to ask about it. Turning his thoughts to other matters he continued his trek out of the cells, meanwhile inside the dark cell two bodies held each other in a tight embrace. Cornelia looked up into Guilford's eyes, "what now?"
Guilford sighed as he pulled the sheets further up over the two, "your defenders will come to talk with you. A case for everyone here will be attempted to be made, I have served Lelouch since you disappeared. I have done everything in power to give credit to your name, create a legacy for you that was not filled with the horrors of war. Then when the trial is had that legacy I built, I pray, will bear a great weight to your fate."
Cornelia pushed up and kissed her knight, "you were fighting for me all this time."
Cupping her cheek in his hand Guilford responded, "I never stopped milady. Cornelia."
Indeed, it was true, over the course of several days lawyers both civilian and military came and went from the cells. They talked with the prisoners, asked questions and did their best to construct their arguments. Throughout it all the prisoners barely saw one another except on a few exceptions. The days rolled by and the day of their trial approached.
Begining of the Trial
The day was here, and it was a headache for many people, one of the biggest concerns was where to have the trial in the first place. Security was paramount as danger to the lives of the prisoners was definitely under threat. As well there needed to be precautions just in case some of the more gifted prisoners did not attempt an escape. In the end it was decided that the great court in the Ministry of Justice would be enough after security measures were taken. The Ministry of Justice building stood near the Imperial Palace and its domed head was iconic against the blue sky.
The court room itself was modified to house the sheer number of prisoners for this trial and the number of judges to hear the case. As there were former royals, and Black Knights on trial a combination of judges from the civilian and Black Knight courts would sit in on the case. While teams of defenders and prosecutors would present their cases for the fates of the accused. Said groups sat before the head the room and talked amongst each other organizing papers and files.
The stands looking into the court were packed with those that would witness the trial, no seat was left empty and cameras broadcasted the room to the Imperium at large. Billions watched as the accused were led into the stands their shackles still in place. Nunnally was helped into the stands by Sayoko who stood nearby, as did Imperial Guards. Other Guards stood throughout the court room, their weapons stood ready and primed to lash out at anyone given provocation. Despite this a low, almost inaudible, hum could be heard, this was in fact a repulsor field that was raised around the box. These fields were based on the FLOAT systems, the fields produced a type of gravitational shield that would repulse anything that came in contact with it.
As the people stared at the accused and whispered amongst themselves, a call went out, "all rise. The High Court of the Terran Star Imperium is now in session."
The Judges appeared taking their seats behind a large podium on a raised dais, some wore black robes while others wore the uniform of the Black Knights. Another voice called out, "ladies and gentleman, their Imperial Highnesses Emperor and Empress Lelouch and Ceceniah vi Zero."
A large holographic screen flicked to life on an unoccupied wall, the images of the Emperor and Empress sitting on their great thrones appeared. Nodding their approval the Judges sat down and at a gesture the bailiff that had called spoke again, "be seated."
Another steward stood up with a scroll, "this court is called to judge and pass sentence upon the accused present."
The steward unrolled the scroll, "Schzeizel Windsor, Cornelia Stuart, Kanon Maldini, Suzaku Kururugi, Gino Weinberg, Villetta Nu, Nunnally Lamperouge, you are all charged with high treason, dereliction of duty, abuse of powers given to you, crimes against humanity in the forms of mass murder and inhuman experimentation. Murder attempted murder and assassination, as well aiding and abetting in these crimes and all the lesser crimes associated with the crimes hence listed."
The steward then picked up a second scroll and opened it, "Kaname Ohgi, Kyoshiro Tohdoh, Nagisa Chiba, Kallen Stadtfeld-Kozuki, Diethard Reid. You are accused of treason, dereliction of duty, insubordination, abuse of your military powers and positions, and attempted murder as well as all the lesser crimes that are associated with the crimes hence listed."
As the steward finished one of the judges spoke, "how do the defendants plead?"
This had been a point that the defenders had talked about with the prisoners while they were in the Palace's cells. The answer to this could swing the decision of their fates, however all knew that the guilt of those accused was absolute. This was still not mere formality but also a show of the accuseds' characters and could still lend weight to their fates.
A small floating microphone lifted up to hover in front of the accused, the steward stood again, "Schneizel Windsor?"
"Guilty," replied the former prince still bearing his serpents smirk.
"Cornelia Stuart?"
"Guilty," Cornelia's head slump in either shame or sadness, but whispers echoed in the court.
"Kanon Maldini?"
"Guilty."
"Suzaku Kururugi?"
"Not guilty," replied the former knight in a monotone voice yet with anger written on his face. This definitely got whispers going in the court and were only silenced when a judge banged his gable for silence.
"Gino Weinberg?"
"Guilty," intoned the blond knight.
Suzaku glared at the blond man but before a word could be spoken the steward spoke again, "Villetta Nu?"
"Guilty," tears ran down the woman's face, Ohgi's head jerk to the side to look at his lover shock written over his face. Villeta turned her head so as not to meet his gaze.
"Nunnally Lamperouge?"
The young girl clenched her eyes shut and blurted out her answer in a semi sob, "guilty."
"Kaname Ohgi?"
"Not guilty," the Japanese man cried with convition before turning back to look at Villetta.
"Kyoshiro Tohdoh?"
"Guilty," the old general sighed, Chiba flinched as he spoke having figured that was going to be his answer.
"Nagisa Chiba?"
Echoing her love's answer she spoke with a sigh, "guilty."
"Kallen Stadtfeld-Kozuki?"
Her conversation with Akito and all the information she had absorbed since her awakening she spoke out, "guilty."
"Diethard Reid?"
The man did not answer and seemed trapped in his own world, his eyes were wide, and he just stared ahead. The steward spoke again, "Mr. Reid we require an answer. Mr. Reid."
Shaking as he spoke Diethard moaned out in disbelief, "not guilty. I was only—"
"The accused is only required to give his plea nothing more Mr. Reid," the steward interrupted.
While this was going on the Imperials watched the proceedings, C.C. quietly spoke, "Schneizel is still confident."
Lelouch gave a near imperceptible nod and replied just as quietly, "they are prostrating themselves before the court. Putting themselves willingly at their mercy, it's an obvious attempt at gaining a lighter sentence."
C.C. smirked, "do they know what's really at stake here."
Lelouch likewise smirked, "in their visits I don't think their defenders bothered to tell everyone of them what their fates could be. I think some might believe they will only be given life imprisonment."
One of the judges stood and she spoke, "the pleas have been officially spoken and recorded the following arguments shall decided the sentencing and fates of those accused. Prosecution you may begin."
A man in a Black Knights uniform stood up, straightening his uniform he stepped forward from behind the tables his party occupied. His gleaming name plate had his name emblazed on it, 'Hackett.'
"Your honors," nodded Hackett. "Before the we begin, I must first bring this issue forward. Nunnally Lamperouge at the time of these crimes was still only a teenager and was still at the time extremely naïve and susceptible to suggestion. Especially from her family."
"What's your point captain?"
"That Nunnally Lamperouge was not fully in control of her actions, and as she was still underage at the time, I ask that this court drop the charges leveled against her," replied Hackett. The court room rustled with activity as those present once again began to talk amongst themselves.
Again, they were silenced by the sound of the judge's gable, "considering what the charges are you asking quite a bit captain. She also has already given her plea."
"I must also remind the court that she has been in stasis for two centuries and has not had the chance to mature. She is still for all intents and purposes still the teenager she was."
Before Hackett could respond the judge pounded the gable again, "this matter is something that we must confide on. At the moment the trial will continue as it is. Allow we do feel that we should inquire why a prosecutor is trying to defend one of the accused?"
Hackett straightened up, "I do so sir because I am of the firm belief in what I have stated already. I take no pleasure in prosecuting someone who for all intents and purposes underage I shall do my duty but as much I also feel that speaking what I have spoken is what my honor demands of me."
The judges nodded, "very well captain, but bear in mind that going forward you are to focus on your duty and leave the defending to those who are in that position."
The trial then went forward, both the defense and prosecution took turns in giving their arguments for and against the accused. Schneizel had fallen into what was an obvious rehearsed defense of his actions, he gave much the same reasoning he had given before to Lelouch and everyone else. "I did what I did because it was the only way to bring peace at the time. I intended to save the lives of billions rather than condemn them to a meaningless existence in fear for their very lives."
The rest of the former Britannians, save Nunnally who was skipped, fell into similar defenses to each other. "We were following orders and keeping with the oaths we swore to the Britannian crown."
This defense was very heavily pushed by Suzaku whose emotional state had heightened to the point that he started to yell. "I was holding to the ideals of honor and justice! I did everything to save my countrymen!"
Hackett in turn responded, "you claim to have acted as an honorable knight yet you betrayed the government who made you a knight by siding with traitors that sought to overthrow the government. As well you were willing to help Schneizel follow through with his attempt to control the world. Do you deny this sir?"
"No!" retorted Suzaku. "I followed my orders. Schneizel promised a better world and he seemed the better choice then, not some madman who used magic to get his way."
"No," Hackett shook his head. "You just chose to follow the man who used fear of death as a means to get his way. As for using magic to get his way, did you not also allow V.V. to help kidnap Ms. Lamperouge and you didn't seem to bat an eye when you found out about the crimes committed by the Geass Directorate. It was only when the opportunity to betray the Emperor Charles and advance your own rank did you suddenly grow a conscious."
Suzaku's anger grew and his words caught in his throat, jerking up his head collided with the invisible barrier and he was pushed back down into his seat. There he sat dazed and confused mumbling out incoherent words.
Gino and Cornelia followed with similar defenses though they seemed more open to admitting that they held fault in themselves. Then came the time for the Black Knights, Hackett turned to them with just as much fire in his eyes, "now we come to all of you. In truth its quite simple, all of you joined in together and voluntarily agreed to betray Zero and the UFN in exchange for Japan."
"No!" cried Ohgi jumping up. "We never agreed to betray the UFN! We were told that Zero was only using us to gain power!"
"And you believed him!" retorted Hackett. "And as a fact the Black Knights at that time were the UFN's military arm. By acting outside of the bounds of that post in a way to gain politically you were in fact betraying your own UFN charter. Only the CEO of the Black Knights with permission from the chairman of the UFN had the power to exercise the decision all of you took."
The arguments continued down the line more and more the evidence of treachery was given against the accused. The defenders came next and gave their arguments, mostly the defenders cited the achievements and benefits that could be gained by passing light sentences on the accused. Cornelia's Legacy was very much brought forward, the things that had been done in her name by Guilford. As well as the many things that she herself had done during her military career. Particularly the apprehension and destruction of legitimate terrorist cells throughout the world. How she had actually brought justice to many areas of the world under her military power. As well the character witness testimonies of Guilford and even Anya Alstreim were given for Cornelia and Gino.
It was much the same with the Black Knights, the defenders and the accused used the things they had accomplished during their careers. Mostly this was the destruction of criminal syndicates, corrupt politicians etc. As well they were given the chance to try and defend their actions on the day and days of the betrayal. Mostly their arguments boiled down to, "we were doing what we thought was the best way to regain Japan."
This was responded to by Hackett with, "yes you were trying to regain Japan when the goals of the campaign and the UFN was ultimately to bring the Britannian regime down and splinter the Empire. Your actions were solely focused on your selfish goals."
When it came to Schneizel the man himself stood in the stands and orated a long speech that explained his actions. For Lelouch it was nothing new it was much the same he had heard the blond prince spout before. Other than remarks between themselves the Imperials did not speak during the trial. The trial went on for three days, at the end of each day the judges retire to council and rest while the prisoners were returned to the Imperial cells.
The fourth day brought an end to the trial as the judges appeared ready to pass the judgement of the court. The judges stood before their seats their faces hardened as they stared out at the accused and the Imperium. The center judge began to speak, "this trial was for the purpose of passing judgement on the accused before us. Their crimes were great and are therefore deserving of sentences equal to their crimes. Evidence and arguments given have been weighed into the decisions of this court. We will now in full sight of all we shall pass these sentences."
The judge then pulled out a large paper and unfolded it and began to read aloud, "Kyoshiro Tohdoh, you are found guilty on all charges. In light of your previous service in the Black Knights and Imperial Japanese Army you are herby sentenced to three hundred years penal service in the Black Knights. In this light you shall be demoted in rank and your privileges revoked."
"Nagisa Chiba, you are found guilty of insubordination, attempted murder, treason against the Black Knights, and dereliction of duty, you are likewise sentenced to three hundred years penal service in the Black Knights. You shall be demoted in rank and your privileges revoked."
"Kallen Stadtfeld-Kozuki, you are found guilty of dereliction of duty. You shall be demoted in rank and sentenced to two hundred years penal service in the Black Knights. You are herby demoted in rank and shall have the majority of your privileges revoked."
"Diethard Reid, you are found guilty on all charges and aiding and abetting in crimes against of humanity, therefore you are hereby sentenced to death. You shall be taken from this here to an appointed place where you shall be hanged by the neck until dead."
The man crumpled in his chair and soft sobs began to trickle from his mouth, meanwhile the judge continued, "Kaname Ohgi, you are found guilty on all charges. You are hereby sentenced to the Exile's Death. You shall be sterilized and transported to an unnamed planet where you shall live the remainder of your life working for the wider Imperium. You will be nameless and faceless before the Imperium; you shall never be seen again."
"Villetta Nu, you are found guilty of dereliction of duty, and abuse of powers and station you are hereby sentenced to the Exile's Death."
"Kanon Maldini, you are found guilty on all charges, you are hereby sentenced to death by hanging."
"Cornelia Stuart, you are found guilty of dereliction of duty, abuse of powers and station, and treason, however in light of your attempt to stop the Damocles plan you sentence of death is hereby waved. You are therefore sentenced to three hundred years penal service in the Black Knights."
"Gino Weinberg, you are found guilty of dereliction of duty, insubordination, and treason. However in light of your accomplishments and the testimony of your character given by Lady Alstreim, your are sentenced to three hundred years penal service in the Black Knights."
"Nunnally Lamperouge, in light of the age you were at during the time of the events and crimes you are charged with, we the court find that you are in part guilty of the charges. Therefore, you shall not be sentenced to death but are sentenced to house arrest to be served under the watch of the Imperial House."
"Suzaku Kururugi, you are found guilty on all charges, including aiding and abetting in crimes against humanity. You are hereby sentenced to death by hanging," Suzaku's hands clenched and color began to slowly drain from her face as Nunnally began to let tears fall from her eyes.
"Schneizel Windsor," the court got deathly quiet as the last of the accused was about to be sentenced; the most anticipated moment of the trial. Schneizel himself had lost his smile after the first death sentence had been passed. A small bead of sweet beaded on is temple, "You are found guilty on all charges; you are therefore sentenced to death by hanging."
The court burst into applause and cheers; spontaneous celebrations happened all over the Imperium at the passing of the sentence. Schneizel himself sat in his chair unmoving, Diethard's sobbing got louder and his slumped posture got deeper. The sound of a gable sounded through the din, "the sentence has been given this court is hereby dismissed."
Imperial Guards came forward and began escorting the prisoners from the room, they had drag Diethard from his seat. As Schneizel exited the box he stumbled and buckled over and vomited onto the floor. There were laughs through the room as the former prince was half carried out the room his face deathly pale.
The screen berring the image of the Imperials vanished, Lelouch looked over at C.C., "its nearly over."
C.C. nodded, "now you just have to decide what to do with those that now have to serve in the Black Knights."
Lelouch shook his head, "I'll let Tamaki decide what to do with them, I'll focus on Kaguya, Tianzi, and the rest."
"Probably for the best," agreed Ceceniah. "They'll be headaches enough as is, no need to make them bigger if you deal with the Black Knights."
Days Later
Kallen sat on her bed like she had been when she was in cell, she was currently in a better prison by comparison. She, Todoh, Cornelia, Chiba, and Nunnally were in some of the higher tier cells in the Imperial Palace. They were told they would remain their until they were given assignments and deployed to them. Either way the accommodations were slightly better, better beds, better food, some time outdoors, and of course an actual view to outdoors. It wasn't a five-star hotel but it was certainly better than the lower cells.
A knock on her door preceded the appearance of an Imperial Guard, "you have a visitor."
Nodding her head Kallen stood as the Guard vanished and another form appeared. Kallen's knees weakened and nearly buckled as her gaze met her mothers teary eyed gaze. No words were spoken as her mother closed the distance between them in a blink and wrapped her daughter in her arms. Tears began to fall from both of them as they settled into the warm embrace and presence of each other.
Meanwhile, another pair of visitors stood outside of Nunnally's door waiting entrance. A Guard exited the room and stood aside allowing them in, Milly and Rivalz smiled as they entered the room, Milly spread her arms and wrapped them around Nunnally, "Nunna!"
"Milly!?" said the surprised girl.
"Yep, and me," quipped Rivalz. "We thought it was a good time to visit so we called Lelouch and here we are!"
"I can't believe you're here," retorted Nunnally finally able to loosen Milly's grasp but not break it.
Milly giggled, "you'd be amazed what modern medicine can do for crow's feet."
Despite herself Nunnally couldn't help but giggle, Milly giggled with her, "we have so much to catch up on Nunna!"
"Hehe I'm sure Milly," smiled Nunnally.
Milly then separated herself from Nunnally and sat back and held up her hand and the shiny wedding band on it, "beginning with."
"Your married."
"Yep," Rivalz said holding up his own hand and ring.
"You married each other?" Nunnally said wide eye as both Milly and Rivalz laughed.
Location: Undisclosed
In the darkness of the room Ohgi and Villetta sat, they were shackled to their chairs while Tamaki sat across from them. Sighing Tamaki spoke, "you two have tried the patience of the emperor quite a bit. Simply put I'm going to allow you two to stay together for old times sake."
Ohgi went to speak but Tamaki held up a hand, "listen, from here on out your sentence stands. You both will be sterilized; you will never have children and you both will never speak to anyone outside of your world ever again. If you two ever try to leave the penal world you go to, you both will be immediately killed, try to contact anyone off your world or from your past and you will both be killed. After today we will never see each other again."
Before the two could protest two more men appeared behind them and injected a needle into their necks, the pair dropped unconscious.
Day of the Execution
The sky was blue and clear, the air itself was surprisingly warm deceptively cheery despite the morbid subject of the day. The wide-open area of Execution Field was packed with people around the massive scaffold of the Imperial Gallows. Large screens showed a view of the scaffold so those at distance could see and those at home could watch. The Imperium took a page from old Britannia in keeping public executions a thing. Though they made sure that anything to gruesome was censored.
Imperial Guards, just like in the court, surrounded the area and the scaffold in order to maintain security for such high-profile prisoners. As well a raised platform stood nearby with a pair of thrones. The sound of drums echoed through the are and the crowd turn as an open roofed vehicle pulled through the crowd. Inside were the condemned, they wore dreary gray prison suits, and their arms and legs were shackled.
The vehicle stopped next to the scaffold and the prisoners were pulled off by Guards and were led up the stairs. Four nooses hung prepared for the condemned and executions stood waiting for them. The executioners wore all black and dark masks that concealed their identities. The Guards positioned the condemned under each noose and held them as the executioners moved among them sliding each noose over the heads of the condemned and tightened.
When this was done the Guards and executioners stepped away allowing the crowd to see them. The crowd broke into applause and cheers but stopped when the drums struck up again in a different beat. The screens switched to a split screen of the other raised platform as two figures appeared and sat. The dark eyes of the Emperor looked out at the gallows, "you have been found guilty of great crimes, your deaths shall allow the souls of those you have wronged to rest in peace."
Another person appeared holding a platter with four large pieces of paper, as well it held a pen and stamp. Picking up the pen Lelouch began to sign each paper in turn and stamping them, "with this the I sign the death warrants of the accused. Now let Imperial justice be carried out."
With a wave of his hand the executioners came forward with black hoods in hand. The condemned men's faces paled at their approach and sweat began to poor down their faces. Diethard sobbed openly to the point he could not utter a single word and the masked men just slid the hood over his head. Kanon Maldini was next, he turned to Schneizel and said, "I'm sorry my lord."
The hood was slid over his head before Schneizel had the opportunity to speak, not that he would have replied as the man did not seem to hear his former aid. Suzaku had tears openly falling down his head as the executioners approached, "any last words."
His voice cracking Suzaku cried out, "I did it all for peace."
As the crowd booed at the former knight the executioners pull the dark hood from his face sending the knight into darkness. Coming finally to Schneizel the executioners asked the same question, "any last words?"
Looking to the platform Schneizel yelled, "Lelouch! Please!"
The executioners turned to look at the platform as the Emperor shook his head, and the executioners pulled the hood over the former royal's head. Tears stained the cloth as the masked men stepped away, one of which stood next to a protruding lever. Looking again to the Emperor the drums began to beat a constant beat. Raising his hand Lelouch let it fall, nodding his head the executioner placed his hand on the lever. The drums kept beating then stopped, and the man pulled the lever.
The traps door beneath the condemned opened, with the floor gone the men dropped fast then stopped. The nooses tightened with loud snaps that filled the condemned' s ears as the final sounds they heard. The area erupted in cheers as the bodies swung on the scaffold. Those that had been aboard the Damocles watched from the palace, tears filled the eyes of some other watched in indifference.
Lelouch watched with a small pang in his heart but endurance in his eyes, this was a necessity. This was justice. The future awaited, and this was a step towards it. The strength shown today and in the time before this moment would be what would be needed to face what was going to come. From the ashes of Britannia and the world in the Rising. No matter what the darkness that was coming would face an enemy it had not ever faced in its history. Standing before the darkness to come would be the Imperium.
A.N I am no expert in the ways of the criminal justice system so please do not hound me on how I portrayed the court, I did it in the way I thought best.
Next I killed off who I killed because I chose to do so. Next Ohgi and Villetta will never be seen again. As I said in the chapter they will be sterilized, i.e. they can't have children and will be shipped off to another world to work for the rest of their lives.
The next chapter here shall be a sneak peak of the sequel to this story and a bit more information. I will be posting that tomorrow.
Thank you