Author: HyperiorV
" " – Talking
' ' – Thinking
[ ] – SFX, Soundtrack, Camera Positioning, Extra Descriptive Details
( ) – Grammatical Clarification Notes, Extra Details, Author's Asides
"Heroines don't kill people to gain a boy's love. It's evil witches who do that." – Mao
ACT 2.25: A Knighting for the White King
[Code Geass: "Eternal Separation"] OR [Code Geass Fukkatsu no Lelouch: Sublime]
The screen appears filtered in an ancient yellow parchment, orange in the glow of a candlelight. In the distance, a French peasant with golden hair looked out at the scene with dead eyes as she walked forward. A mountain of corpses. Faded flags flying in the wind. A brimming red spear, piercing through a red armored knight. A glowing golden sword stabbing through the heart of the blue black one. A white robed figure looked in terror as she stepped over the "living dead". Some of them were still dying, bleeding out as they fought to their last. Striking out, even against their allies. Hands reaching out for the hem of her dress. Mouths speaking of the name of the one that they had died for, but no sound coming out. Eyes obscured with a red glow before fading out as their lives finally came to an end.
The red knight removed both weapons lodged in both her and her foe, ignoring the copious amounts of blood she was losing because of it. She headed towards and kneeled to the white robed figure, sheathing and offering the sword to the her. She took it.
The knight began to collapse as the red glow in her eyes ended. She slowly reached out for the woman's neck... before falling dead in her hands. A helmet fell off with a clack down the corpse mountain, revealing a young woman. [She looks like a cross between Fate/Mordred, and an older Victoria (Renya of the Darkness)]
Rain began to fall. Holding the glowing gold sword in her hands, the white robed figure dashed to the nearby lake, her blood and mud stained white robes clearing off in the downpour. The woman's face was unveiled as she tripped and fell. It was CC. She continued on and briefly passed an unseen blue haired woman. At the cliff edge, CC threw the sword into the lake before fleeing into the forest, forevermore…
[Screen pans backwards to the forest]
[The scroll filter effect begins to fade]
[Code Geass: "The Knight"]
In the same forest, the rain had slowed down to a pleasant drizzle. And out from the silence of the orange groves, two swords rang out. "CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG!"
Out in an opening in the tall orange Groves, a white knight with a long thin fencing sword ran past the falling screen and hid behind the brush/bushes. Following after him, a black knight walked casually yet carefully, looking for the white knight. A golden sword sheathed at her aside. And held at the breastplate, the Black Knight's large golden-red longsword faced skywards, prepared to strike down upon him. Both swords were wet with fresh red blood, but the two knights bickered casually.
"Not very knightly for you to run away from a woman. Or to hide from her in the shadows," taunted the Black Knight.
"You fight with the strength of many men, 'Black Knight'. But that won't matter as long as you can't land a blow," said the White Knight, catching his breath.
The Black Knight followed the sound of her foe's voice. But a few feet aside her, a thin tree fell towards the Black Knight, who caught it with the flat of her blade. As she swung it off, the White Knight rushed forward and unleashed a series of slashes, before he fleeing into the shadows.
The Black Knight inspected her wounds briefly before looking around and gripping her second hand onto her longsword's hilt. "You use too many tricks. But I can still see through all of them. You're too used to being on the defensive. But in real sword-fighting, one must be AGGRESSIVE!"
The White Knight ran forward and slashed through a thick tree trunk, revealing the White Knight with widened eyes. He rolled out and then backed off as the Black Knight charged and unleashed a fury of slashes, scratching the White knight's armor. Before disappeared into the trees.
"Avoid and evade." analyzed the Black Knight. "As expected of a fencer. But if you keep doing that, then you'll never land a hit on me either. How pathetic. If your little sister was watching what would she think of this?"
"You witch!" The White Knight gripped his sword. He treaded slowly but carefully out of the shadows.
"Oh ho~? So you're approaching me?" The black knight spread her hands and stance. "Instead of running away, you're coming right to me? To approach, rather than flee?"
"You said it yourself, I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer."
"Oh ho~! Then come as close as you'd like." The Black Knight began walking forward too.
When within range, both Knights unleashed a flurry of blows, shouting battlecries.
"HoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHORA!" shouted the White Knight, thrusting his rapier.
"ARaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRA!" responded the Black in kind. But her blade was too slow and couldn't match the ferocious onslaught of attacks. The Black Knight gripped the end of his sword and began deflecting or parrying his attacks with the blade. She breathed out "Hooooooh…" [SFX: JOJO Part 2: Hamon exhale]
"Too slow too slow!" The White Knight laughed. "You can't attack and defend at the same time!"
Falling for his taunt, the Black Knight made a final thrust towards her foe's chest, however the white one anticipated it. As she got in close, the Black Knight rotated her sword behind her above and downwards towards the White Knight's shoulder. But it too, was avoided. The White Knight sidestepped the sword as it flew past his helmet. But that wasn't all. After parrying the blow, the white knight span his back around the sword towards the black knight. He forced his red bloodied rapier through the gap of below his elbow, stopping right before the Black Knight's heart. [framed past his own heart too, looking like suicide, referencing Zero Requiem, where CC's scar is, where Lelouch died, and the fact that they fell in love.]
"Look like it's your victory this time. You've learned." The black knight complemented her opposite. They both put their weapons aside. "Still, you're not the fastest or cleverest person I've fought. That honor goes to a certain chivalrous archer… And even he was nothing compared to a certain determined French girl. But you're pretty good! You're no longer the physical potato that you used to be."
The white knight sighed and removed his helmet, revealing the white haired Lelouch in exhaustion. "Easy… huuuuhh." The white knight heaved for a just moment before controlling his breathing. "Hahhhh. For you to say. You have centuries of experience."
Likewise, the Black Knight removed hers to reveal CC. "Which is why I'm sharing it with you now. Or would you rather be building knightmares with Anya?" Lelouch nodded his head tiredly.
"...At any rate, the favor is yours! I'll tell you anything about myself that you want. For today. But for now, let's try practicing something that you haven't done before." She threw Lelouch her longsword and a green and gold buckler. C drew a simple cross sword from a nearby rack.
"If you win… I'll do something for you. Anything you want…" she teased placing her hand suggestively on her body before putting her mask over her head.
Lelouch gulped. If he could ask her to forgive Anya… then half of this entire issue could be resolved. Their household could return to peace. He placed his white helmet over him. "Very well, I accept your challenge!"
C stood firm. "Then come at me!"
[Code Geass: "All - Out Attacks"]
Lelouch swiped the longsword with great effort, but CC dodged it like it was nothing. So heavy! CC was swinging THIS around? With a single hand? Learning to move around in heavy armor was one thing, but how the hell was he supposed to get leverage or balance on this thing?!"
The White Knight tried swinging his sword, but just as he had done to the Black Knight, she began avoiding and parrying his strikes. He tried swing the sword quickly as a feint, but he couldn't control the direction or stop the strike's momentum. CC too anticipated it and parried those feints. She responded in kind by playfully hitting the White Knights helmet with the pommel/butt of her sword and then retreating.
"Try using that style of your ancestor I showed you yesterday; the one I learned from Richard 'The Lionheart' li Britannia."
Heeding her advice, the White Knight tried swinging his sword horizontally, intending to follow up with a double handed thrust, but CC just jumped over and onto it, forcing it into the ground. She lightly tapped Lelouch's helmet in jest. The White Knight reversed his grip and pushed forward, forcing his foe to leap off before she could fall over.
"You don't have a lot of options when you have a heavy sword. You can't react or defend as fast. So think of your own options, not just the options of your opponents. 'Take initiative over your own actions and your own life!'"
The gears in the mind of the Lelouch began moving. In that moment the White Knight accepted his role as an aggressor and began thinking of his own options. "Can I use my Ceass? No, it'll only work for a moment before she could cancel it out again. Then how would she move? How will she counter? Wait… CC always parries my quick blows, never dodging them. She must assume that those attacks are weaker feints. In that case!"
He swung the sword down with all his might. The Black Knight attempted to bat away his crimson sword but it deflected it onto her shoulder.
"This is it!" The White Knight thought eagerly.
CC screamed in pain and Lelouch realized what he had just done. Her right arm fell to the ground steaming at the seam. He activated his green Ceass eye, prepared to reduce her sense of pain but… "AHHHHHHHhhhhhu. Just kidding. 'Tis but a scratch." stated CC, indifferent as ever.
"A scratch?" Lelouch lowered his sword. "No, it's not; you're arm's off! Let's get that bandaged. Or can you regenerate it?"
The black knight sighed. She focused her breathing and suddenly the bleeding at the stub of her shoulder began to stop. "It's been off before. You're too kindhearted. Just like 'the Lionheart' when he was still cute and young. Though for your information, I could have avoided your attack, but my counter would have resulted in your third death. So, I guess I'm a bit too kindhearted as well." CC smiled in self-mockery.
"But let's not finish just yet. I'll consider this a handicap. But in exchange… I think I'll get a little serious…" The yellow eyes of the Black Knight narrowed. Her muscles tensed as she prepared to intercept Lelouch's next move. Her left arm gripped her sword. "Make the resolve to kill, Lelouch."
The Black Knight sped up beyond what Lelouch thought she was capable and made a chain of slashes. Each connected with him. Lelouch jumped back before regenerating his steaming wounds. However, CC thankfully let him off.
He didn't have much experience with this new sword style, but he doubted that he could learn it fast enough before CC got bored and finished the match. And any wasted or practiced moves would just exhaust him. In that case. How should he attack next? Should he learn how to use the weight of the weapon to his advantage? Or… should he try throwing the sword at her?! No that would be practically be handing her victory if she likely dodged. Perhaps he should try to trip her up using her personal sword that she always kept at her side? No, she's far too used to it, he had seen her navigate the house without breaking anything.
However, before he could think of any more options, he felt something hit him. "OW!" he shouted as he saw a pommel rolling around on the ground. Something that CC had thrown at him. "Thinking isn't a free action either. Sometimes, one must combat an incoming threat prematurely."
"Ah well… I don't think I can beat her, so I'll just rush in and see if I can beat her next time," thought Lelouch, despite the ringing of the other part of his mind yelling at him to not be so stupid.
"Not coming? In that case…" The Black Knight charged at him, and he charged in turn. CC made another flurry of slashes, cutting into his skin. But the White Knight ignored them as he made a final cross slash, putting all his might into it.
As expected, the Black Knight anticipated Lelouch's last desperate move and cut his right wrist with a flick, then slicing between his ribs. His right hand dropped his sword as CC posed behind him in victory. However, as he fell, a spark lit up in Lelouch's mind. There was one last option Lelouch could take…
Lelouch turned and drew his trump card with left his hand. "Haahhh. And with this, victory is mine!" "A gun. Really? That's pretty low, demon," stated CC with unenthusiastic eyes.
The White Knight backed away and regained his breath. "In history, victory has always followed those with superior weapons and technology."
Several images flashed by, showing weapons of increasing technology. "Swords replaced sticks and stones, then countered by shields and bows. Guns made bows and shields obsolete, then countered by missiles and cannons. Tanks replaced cannons, then countered by planes and explosives. And today, Knightmare Frames have replaced tanks and planes. That's progress... or evolution, depending on who you ask. So what is a mere stick to a gun? Because in reality, the weapons of war aren't restricted by..."
However, before he could finish, the Black Knight rapidly ran towards LL. He hesitated before firing at her leg, but the Black Knight dodged his expert aim and disarmed Lelouch with her sword. The gun went flying off into the grass. "But always, the old ways have virtues that time has forgotten." She stated simply. CC spun and swept Lelouch's shin, causing him to fall hard onto the ground. She chuckled as she rotated back upwards and brought her sword to his neck. "One of the main reasons that they fell out of fashion was simply because it took more skill and training to use them."
Lelouch brought the shield to his head and tried to roll to either side. But the black knight simply placed her sword to both sides of his shoulder [Looking like a forced knighting ceremony]. CC poked her sword forward to his chest with a cruel, teasing smile. "Checkmate, Lelouch."
The white knight signaled his surrender. CC offered her hand and brought Lelouch up. She began wiping the blood off her sword expertly. "If they are taken care of, a good sword and shield will stay by your side forever. Oh, and they're easier to conceal and get through airports. Normally nobody takes a lunatic with a sword seriously now. Remember that incident during our trip north to Euro Britannia?" She gestured towards her waist towards her personal golden sword with a geass sigil hilt still sheathed in brown cloth.
"How could I forget? I can't, remember," groaned Lelouch.
CC walked around and picked Lelouch's gun up. She inspected it; along the side of the white revolver were indented markings in blue. "Really Lelouch? Engravings… have no tactical advantage whatsoever." She slid her hand across the barrel before offering it to Lelouch. He took his gun and span it around his finger before holstering it. "Still… that was some pretty fancy swordplay. Pretty good! For someone so bad at piloting a knightmare." "Well I did try out fencing at Ashford for a while. But that's nothing compared to the skill of the 'Witch of Britannia'." He grinned. "But I doubt even she could take on a knightmare frame."
CC frowned. "…LL take a break. I think you've learned enough today… and I know you've been pushing yourself."
"Well that's not wrong," he admitted with resign. "What about you?"
"I'll put away the weapons. After that I still need to work the energy out of my system; so I'll be 'taking a walk' to gather some firewood for our dinner."
"Very well. I'll check on Jeremiah and the pets. Then I think I'll try practicing the 'new' ways with Anya."
"Didn't you want to ask me somethings about my past instead? You did win our first duel. AND I did win the second." said CC jealously.
Lelouch paused. In his haste to seek an easy solution, he now found himself ignoring the terms of their second duel. Images in his mind spun around, reminding him of CC's 'punishments' on Anya and Jeremiah. Lelouch tried to dismiss her statement. "Ah that's right… how about you tell me what you want tomorrow."
CC smirked devilishly, "Nice try, but you're not getting out of my request. It's not that hard. What I want… is to go on a nice pick-nick lunch with you. At the place I showed you over the nearby town lake. You can ask me what you want then." Lelouch raised his eyebrows. That was an easy promise indeed. He immediately agreed. "Really? It's a deal then." Lelouch turned away and waved to CC as he headed toward the house. "We'll meet up later during lunch then, I've got some chores to do first."
[Code Geass: "The Prodigy". Align music to movements if possible.]
However, behind him…
"…I'm out of practice." noted CC to herself in disappointment. She threw her black cross-sword in her left hand aside. The code on her forehead glowed and red lightning shot out from the stub of her right arm before suddenly an explosion of mass came out of it. CC put her posed, newly regenerated right hand to the side of her waist. She gripped the handle of a golden sword that she now kept by her always. One that she had twice abandoned. The hilt curved in the form of a geass sigil and a golden glow emitted from the crack in the brown sheath. CC relaxed her body and mind for a brief moment before taking a stance and closing her eyes. Drawing memories she had hidden away in the world of C. Remembering the past.
"Hmmmmm Haaaaah…" She breathed in and out.
Her eyes opened sharply.
CC drew her weapon and with a single slash, several trees were cut. Unseen to Lelouch, she began performing extremely complex swordplay techniques as she quickly ravaged the trees around them. Cutting through bark with air pressure alone as if it was nothing. Jumping across falling trunks as if flying. And then finally, slashing down vertically upon the largest tree in the area, splitting it in two. It would have even made 'the demon' gape in astonishment, had he seen her. But instead, all Lelouch heard were several suspicious thumps come behind him in the distance.
[Code Geass: Quicker "Cheese" or Softer "The Master"]
In a moderately sized barn in the middle of the orange groves was a heaven for rats. Not a wild nest with vicious, overpopulated untamed muskrats, but one of what you might call civilization. Rats walked in straight lines, almost like cars in a crowded city. Several others focused on transporting waste and dung and sometime the dead out of their rooms. The softer, gentler ones preened and pruned their fur, and took care of their young. Some guided the young through mazes. Some, cut open the oranges, allowing them to feed. Still yet others prepared offerings as they stacked up orange sacrifices. Green leaves in the shape of his symbol. They rose on their hind legs and 'pointed', chastising the lazy and the violent; reminding them of their lord. Several young 'play fought' for mating rites/rights as crowds appeared around them forming rings. Instead of lashing out at others, the more violent ones sharpened their fangs patiently in anticipation of their orders. And their patience was rewarded. The gate opened, letting a ray of light shine down upon them. In front of the light was the being responsible for this all.
A flurry of activity overcame the city as the mice and rats hurriedly stopped what they were doing and ran to the door, lining up, still organized as ever. [None of the normal ones get up on their hind legs] Leading them and standing on their hind legs were four rats of different fur; green, black, orange, and red/pink, with the white child mouse arriving on the last one's back. The five chosen ones.
They all looked upwards at the figure as if he were a god. And indeed, he was one to them. For never before, had a titan been able to communicate with them in such a manner. For those who obeyed, there were privileges and benefits. He brought them knowledge and organization. Order and security from predators and violent siblings. Food and water in infinite amounts. And a pleasure like they had never known, exceeding even their desire to breed.
The holy green symbol flashed from the titan's eye, onto them. Those that had obeyed shivered in happiness and ecstasy. their lord had returned.
But for those who disobeyed… Four lone rats did not heed the call. One continued pruning her skin. Another slept. And two continued to fight to the death in the corner, a ringing came out as the titan's raised his limb in judgement. BANG BANG BANG BANG. The four soon became Zero. Such were their fate. Several shivered in terror and excitement but did not step out of line.
He shouted an command in an unknown language and clutched his belly (heart), but all of them knew what he wanted right now. For them to begin again today. For more orange sacrifices. He moved aside, and a group of the rats rushed past him into the light, though careful not to get too close. A few lagged behind; they took away the corpses of 'the shamed' in their teeth outside, for burial.
The little troopers moved out into the fields. They began harvesting the crops. Several orange mice began to cut branches upon the trees. Which were then transported by mice waiting on the ground who brought the oranges to an awaiting motorized cart. They were guarded by black-colored rats with sharpened teeth, looking for any danger or competitors from a distant enemy nest. Some of them began attacking the insects in the brush.
Lelouch sighed as he watched the rats work. At one time, these rats once ravaged these prosperous land. For centuries, the locals had tried to exterminate these pests. They had tried everything. Traps. Dogs. Poison. Even imported Britannian (American) Minks from Area 1. However, they had adapted. Over centuries of evolution, they became attuned to the extermination around them. They became intelligent to the ways of man. Rival and overpopulated nests fought each other and themselves with regularity. Or even just for sport. This did not exclude the humans that tended the land, biting out whenever they got close. They made quite a bit of work for Anya and Jeremiah. On the first few days after coming to the farm, Anya had apparently used the Mordred to carpet bomb the major rat nests that she knew of. She had even 'casually' suggested purging the land with a low intensity Radiant Wave Surger. She probably would have too, if Lelouch hadn't stopped her.
Using his Ceass and some introduced genetically engineered rats, Lelouch changed had that reality. It started with the simple desire to get the rats out of the house. To stop stealing their supplies. But Lelouch was never one to do something simply. Lelouch had soon expanded his campaign into finding, locating, and researching their behavior. It evolved into trying to teach them a new method of harvesting to assist Jeremiah and Anya, instead of causing them to come home exasperated in bite marks. And now an all-out operation to try and introduce civilization to the little guys. Today, the mice had several enclosures made across the fields and around their home. He had bred and handpicked five of them as 'leaders'; for their bravery (red/pink furred muskrat), their loyalty (orange kangaroo rat), their intelligence (black rat), their kindness (green rat), and their potential (white mouse). To CC's surprise, or perhaps amused dismay, Lelouch had decided to grant each of the five faction leaders geass, since it did not run the risk of being inheritable.
Now, their operation was almost entirely self-sufficient. Lelouch was quite fond of how his "little project" had turned out. Who knew what he would introduce to them next? He looked forward to being able to think about it later, after the mess with CC and Anya was sorted out. The only downside was the occasional news reporter or tourist or farmer interested in their methods. Fortunately, this also provided a good excuse to enclose their property, install several legal and illegal defense mechanisms, and kick out anyone who even got close.
Lelouch nodded. They should make it in time now. After they filled up enough, he would send Jeremiah to town. So he wouldn't interfere with the plan formulating in his mind. However, he would have to remember to tell Jeremiah to put a tarp over the mice settlements for when that storm inevitably came. And with that, he left to go take his shower, inside the house.
[Note: Scene is EXACTLY from Code Geass ED2 (Second Ending Theme) around 0:48 and CC's flashback (R1:E24)]
[Code Geass: "Invisible Sound"]
The cliff provided an amazing lake view of the town on the other side. It was a small, medieval one with traditional style housing. In it was a large church. In the distance was a white castle with a blue spiked roofing, upon a cliff of its own. Several green and brown mountains peaked out.
Out at the promised picnic place, Lelouch laid back on a rock bored, waiting for CC. She still hadn't arrived and "It's hi~gh noon," grumbled Lelouch under his hat.
He got up, drew his revolver, and activated his green Ceass. He willed for the sound to be suppressed under his illusions so that the townspeople would not be frightened. It would be easy since no one would expect violence in such a quiet area. Then, at a slightly higher difficulty; for various targets to appear before him and him alone. Ducks flying around, targets floating in the air, a few dartboards, and a few mannequins.
In an instant, he began expertly shoot down the targets, one by one. Bang Bang Bang! Po~ng Po~ng Po~ng! Each of the bullets met their mark.
Yes. This was where one of his expertise lied. Much better than a sword for him, for now.
Lelouch turned to face the last targets and pulled the trigger; upon the mannequins. However, as he turned a memory came back to him; of his terrible acts as "Zero". For a moment he saw the shocked face of a dead brother and sister. His Ceass misinterpreted his confusion and suddenly, Clovis la Brittania and Euphemia li Brittania appeared. Before the bullets entered them. Clovis shrieked in confusion while Euphy whimpered. "Lelouch… Why?" they asked before falling down bleeding.
Lelouch dropped his gun in horror and reached out. "NO! I'm sorry! It was necessary! I didn't… I didn't have a choice!" he spoke hoarsely.
The words of his friend Suzaku Kururugi came into his head and then a Ceass illusion of the boy appeared behind him and walked past him. Past the corpses. Leaving him. "What do results gained in the wrong way leave you in the end? Just regret and an emptiness that has nowhere to go."
The ghost of Suzaku continued to walk away from Lelouch before CC appeared behind the Ghost of Suzaku Past. She waved her hand and activated her code, removing the illusion on her. She raised her eyebrow before continuing on to Lelouch. Lelouch quickly regained his composure in front of her. "Ah, you're here, CC," he said, pretending nothing had happened.
"Sorry for taking so long, LL, but I wanted to dress up appropriately for the occasion." CC span around. She wore a black and apron over her white shirt and red dress outfit. In her hand she held a simple embraided picnic basket with Cheeze-kun poking out. [Note: She wears EXACTLY the same dress from Code Geass ED2 (Second Ending Theme) around 0:48]
"It's fine. You look nice!"
"Thank you! But what about you…?" CC looked at Lelouch silently for a moment before she spoke out. "…Thinking about regrets? Was it your brother Clovis? Or your sister Euphemia?"
"... Both. How did you know?"
"You forget, that I have also killed. So naturally, I've gone through some reflection on my own. But that was a long time ago. Now my sensibilities as a witch are quite different from that of a human's." "Really? And who did you kill first?"
CC dodged the question. "You really should have gotten closure from them when we were at the London Thought Elevator. It's a pity because now the connection to C's world has been disrupted." She set up a tablecloth upon the ground for them to lay on.
"And what's stopping me now?" Lelouch put his gun to his head.
CC regarded his action with sad eyes and a displeased frown. "Are you that eager to die again, Lelouch? Or do you enjoy watching the people you care about see you hurt yourself?"
He put the gun down, guilty. "…Merely curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat," sang CC.
"But satisfaction brought it back," Lelouch finished, grinning.
[Code Geass R1: ED 2 "Mosaic Kakera"]
"Enough of the melodrama. Have some lunch." CC opened the sleeve of the basket. A Święconka. Aside from a miniature Cheese-kun plush toy, inside were various goods. Eggs, bread, lamb meat, salt, horseradish, and ham. A rather good lunch, yet not too extravagant.
"So what's the occasion? Why did you decide to bring me here? It is a nice place and all, but why didn't you ask for something more selfish? You could have had me do anything."
"Because I can already get you to do anything I want." CC teased. "And because if I'm going to answer questions from my past, I might as well look at it." C stated meaningfully. "It's quite the coincidence that you decided to buy the land I was raised in. I'd say it'd be all according to God's plan though, if C/she wasn't already dead."
CC smiled and gazed out at the view in nostalgia. "Well actually, when you think about why you would choose this place, it's not really that much of one, given the sad state of affairs that happened because of me here… but still, it's nice to see 'Camelot' again."
Lelouch looked shocked. "Camelot?! You mean that place in the stories, with King Arthur and the Knight of the Round Table? It was real? Shouldn't that have been in Britain?
"You ask too many questions too quickly, Lelouch. Shut up, enjoy my food, and let me tell you my story." CC said exasperatedly. Lelouch nodded and began taking a bite of the salted ham. "Fair enough."
"Well first, you forget that a long ago, when Rome was still the dominant power of Europe, France too, was still a part of 'Britain'. And yes, there was a 'King' Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table'. As for the reason why Camelot only exists in only legends and not the history books well… I tried to erase my own black history. Harder to create a witch-hunt if you don't know who the witch is right? But I'll get to that later," promised CC.
Lelouch raised an eyebrow and looked at the castle in the distance. "I'd thought it'd look grander."
CC rolled her eyes. "Well… that's the fault of that person, the person who wrote the book; "Tristan". The story you know was grossly exaggerated, which is why I spared it from my purge of history, aside from being a tale that favored me. He always did like to mix lies into the truth. In fact, almost all of the names and locations were incorrect, which is why no one has found "Camelot" today. Over-exaggerations of my daily life. Like that 'demon boar', Twrch Trwyth, which was really just an oversized muskrat that scared me. Or that quest for an everlasting pot of food. Or that one about the Holy Grail. The former just being my favorite food at the time and the latter, something I just took from a book. It was really just to get the Knights of the Round to stop fighting each other and get off my back for a month or two. Funnily enough, Tristan himself was rather close to me because he loved me as a muse, not an object of loyalty or sexuality. Though it didn't stop him from stirring up trouble" she said nostalgically.
"So what person were you in the legends?"
"The Witch, Morgan le Fey." CC smiled and then shook her head. "Well… not really. I was 'Guinevere' herself, or whatever 'damsel-in-distress' the legends needed rescuing at the time. But like I said, exaggerations, only enhanced by the passing of time. I never married 'Arthur Pendragon', though he was definitely my first choice at the end. Otherwise I would have told 'Lancelot' off earlier. Nor did I bear a child. Mordred was just a very close aspiring knight that I became friends with. Though basically all of the magic and legendary items we found were real. Especially in the latter half of the legends."
"So that sword is…" he motioned to her side. She smiled. "'Excalibur', according to the recordings of that person. But that's not what I named it… To me, it will always be 'Caliburnus'. Anyways, unlike the legend suggest, the first part of my life weren't all 'grand adventures' and quests. The early parts weren't even of me; more of a collection of the tales from famous heroes that I would later meet. Some of them true, most of them not."
[R2:E15: CC's flashback at thought elevator: Image of a young CC being entertained by a massive crowd of people]
"Back then, I was enamored by the stories and legends that travelers brought with them. Tales of Knights and Dragons. Heroes and Demons. Princes falling in love with slaves and commoners... I used my geass on travelers and knights passing by, before eventually, I had an entire harem at my beck and call."
CC sighed in nostalgia. She began speaking in a sweet tone that Lelouch had rarely heard from her. "Soon too, I met the young, cute Prince 'Arthur Pendragon'. Or rather, Prince Alwin I of the Roman Empire.
When I first met him, he was an outcast. Exiled to prove his worth by conquering the barbaric tribes of the northeast. He pretended to be a page/squire of his knight, Kay, though his attitude suggested otherwise. And for that, I grew interested in him. After I used my geass on him, he became determined to have me as his own. He really was adorable. Having everyone be 'unable to pull a sword out between an anvil and stone'. Then proving to me that he could do it. Confessing loudly in front of an entire tournament. Revealing that he was a prince of a powerful foreign nation. Asking and then desperately demanding my hand in marriage. And when I chided him for his reliance on his authority and told him that I could never marry such a selfish, unjust royal, he took my words to heart. He humbled himself."
A young short and blond-haired Arthur in the clothes of a commoner swept a patio and then looks towards a youthful CC.
"He renounced his kingship and took the new name 'Arthur Pendragon'. Arthur took up a quiet job for a while apprenticing at a nearby alchemist's house and then picked up swordsmanship. All so he could 'stand at my side'. And every other person, he never gave up on me."
Another scene showed Arthur offering CC what looked like an ancient, poorly made version of pizza, to her delight. But an older (teenage) group of knights brushed him aside and bowed to her.
"Of course, he wasn't alone. I found myself surrounded by the heroes from the stories that I loved so much. The people closest to me formed the "Knights of the Round Table"; who agreed to 'share' my affection. Like from the distance from their round table, each one would be 'equally' close to me. Of course, there were still many, many arguments. Duels and disputes abounded with regularity as the Round tried to curry favor with me. Though after a while, all the attention became boring. I saw the same things over and over as people tried to gain my love. That's why I sent my followers off on quests to bring epic tales and 'magic treasures' from distant lands and whatnot. Mostly as an excuse to get rid of them. But a lot of them came back with the real deal; daring tales of deeds that resounded across the kingdom and genuinely magical items... a few of them even priceless heirlooms stolen from the Anglo Saxons, among other nations."
[R1:E11; Battle of Narita Flashback: Bandits attacking. Then young child CC sees her town in ruins as bandits attack. Then a new image. Traveling on her horse, an older CC stops to see another village being attacked. She whips her reigns as she charges into the fray, followed by the Knights of the Round. Arthur hesitantly leads the troops after her. Different scenes of battle ring out and Arthur changes his demeanor over each one, becoming more dramatic and bold.]
"And as I started realizing ideals like justice and honor and other such things from the tales I was told, I too, tried to be a hero. I used my geass to stop people arguing over stuff like food and war and politics… and start arguing over me instead. With my geass, I unified the local tribes. When the Anglo-Saxon invaders attacked and sacked the country in revenge, I inspired the people to defend themselves. And then, when Prince Alwin's homeland came looking for him and more territory, I helped him rebel against the Roman Empire. To create a nation of our own. Britannia."
CC put her hand over her heart. "But in the Battle of Badon, the newly crowned King Arthur's newfound conviction struck a chord with me."
[R2:E15; CC's Backstory Flashback; Picture of CC in a red dress in a medieval ballroom. In a simple black (squire/page/commoner's) uniform once more, Arthur offers his hand to her to dance. The screen then animates and CC accepts his hand. "You finally called me by my real name." As they dance, CC smiled and a geass sigil appeared in her other eye. Her geass awakened. Over her shoulder, another blacked haired-man eavesdrops. He stares at them with narrowed eyes .(R1 CC: "You have a bad habit... of eavesdropping...")]
"He had learned to be bold and yet so humble at the same time. He truly discarded his desire to have me for his own and decided to live at my side. With the nation that we had recreated together. Britannia. For that, I found myself falling deeper and deeper in love him, to the jealousy of many. At that time, if he had asked, I would have certainly married him. But it was not meant to be… For at that same time, my geass truly awakened…"
[Code Geass: "The Ruins As They Were" and "What Am I" looped]
The sound of a dagger entering two bodies resounded and a falling image of CC bleeding in the church appeared in Lelouch's Mind. [Same one from the ED1]
"And the previous CC forced her code upon you. But then why…?"
"Why was I persecuted? Shouldn't I have lived happily ever after? It's because the King and I were betrayed. By the Knight of One, Lancelot." CC snarled. "How would he say it? 'If she is not mine, then she shall not be for any others!' He knew I was close to 'choosing' King Arthur and so he decided to take the ultimate gamble.
[Screams followed by CC's flashback at Narita: Animation of Townspeople throwing rocks at the church]
On the day that I died, Lancelot also killed my King and blamed me. The royalists were furious. He was the most obsessed over the magic geass stuff so naturally it was easy for him to prove my geass power was real and lead a witchhunt. In that manner, he would eliminate all the competition and then 'rescue me' once he was finished. Basically, he was obsessed with me the same way Mao was."
"Of course, my geass power was still in effect for others. The Round Knight of Six, Mordred, loved me not as a woman or an object of loyalty, but as a friend. She stood by my side and rescued me. Along with the others. But Lancelot's hunt was relentless. Followed by those he had convinced, a civil war erupted between a once cooperative, peaceful, perfect land. Friend against friend. Brother against brother. Father against son. The Battle of Camlann. That was the day I felt I had truly killed someone. On that day, I lost everything I had ever loved. And I threw Caliburnus into the lake. Right here." With a sweeping open hand, CC gestured to the clear lake below them. "After that I fled north to the British Isles and took a quiet life as a nun."
"Wait." Lelouch put his palm forward, stopping her. "What about Excalib…" "Caliburnus" insisted CC.
"…Alright, what about Caliburnus? We didn't find your sword in the United States of France, we found in England. So why did you return? When did you return?"
CC grinned. "Why, the 100 Year's War of course! For revenge! For Britannia! For Henry the 6th!" She cried out in mock battlecry. "...For the cute child king of Britannia who reminded me of Arthur. And the first person I gave Geass to. I had spent my time as a humble priest, like my predecessor. That's when I met a certain French girl 'of the cloth'. Jeanne La Pucelle. That knuckle brained girl had a lot of attitude, only surpassed by skill and service in eliminating heretics. I supported her ambitions, even giving her a geass relic from my past. A 'holy' armor. The same one that we have in storage. Self-repairing and increased regeneration and metabolism. But also, immortality. An artificial, wired code and geass, as long as someone doesn't manage to take it off you. Probably some of God's surviving work in retrospect. And why Jeanne was sainted."
Lelouch interrupted her thoughts. "And why did I not tell or give me such convenient items during my Rebellion BECAUSE?"
"Obviously because I thought you didn't need it and because I simply didn't know where any geass relics were! You're lucky enough that you allowed me to inspect and pillage the Imperial Mausoleum of Dead Emperors before you destroyed it. And for Caliburnus, I was content for that to still be buried in that lake, along with my past."
"Still, one day, I told her who I was and what had done. I confessed my sins. But she betrayed me, declaring me a heretic. Telling me that what I had done was unforgivable. She attacked my church. Killing them all. Not just the men, but the woman and children too. So I returned to Britannia under Henry's service. I was still… understandably… angry. I wanted revenge. And I also wanted to wipe my history out. So that Henry wouldn't know of my past disgrace…"
CC's voice picked up again. "So I led the Britannian Armies into France! Nothing could stand in my way! I conquered city after city. Killed thousands upon thousands of soldiers. And destroyed the churches and their history books! Still, eventually I had to deal with the "Witch of Orleans." I had to draw out the best of my abilities and equipment to put her down at the stake." She tapped the butt of her sword with her palm. "Our battle was truly legendary."
Another flashback appeared. In a battlefield of a castle, a black and green knight (CC) with a glowing golden sword looks upwards to face a white and red paladin flying above with red geass wings. In her hand is a glowing red spear with an eerie aura.
"As for the captured Witch of Orleans. I assumed that she died. Burned at the stake. Of course, there was the chance that she could have been granted Code by that clever advisor of hers, Gilles de Rais. Or possibly that noble, Georges de La Trémoille might have saved her as part of his "revenge". I don't really know what happened to her in the end and I really don't care." CC shrugged.
"As for myself, I achieved greater honor and fame as the 'Witch of Britannia'. I became inseparable with the newly crowned King Henry. …Which is probably why the Sir John, the current Knight of One, betrayed me at that time. He couldn't have a woman potentially surpass him, could he? He too, killed his king and then declared me as a heretical, unholy witch."
[Image from Nightmare of Nunnally; Chapter 16: CC is burned at the stake]
A pained look came about her face. "Most of the treasures and relics I had dug up were destroyed. I was tortured for decades as a martyr and heretic under the castle as the Kingdom I fought for and loved, slowly died. The only saving grace was that my personal sword, Caliburnus, was hidden away by one of my loyal subordinates."
"That must have been terrible." Lelouch shook his head. "How did you escape?"
[CC's flashback; R1 Episode 24; Image of the Iron Maiden]
"During a certain economic crisis, I was sold to a certain Transylvanian King who believed he could use my blood to gain immortality. Which wasn't too far off from the truth. He did indeed find a way to replicate my power... but at a grave cost. Absolute dependence on the blood of a codebearer. I was stuck inside 'the Iron Maiden', where my blood kept him, his life, and his powers sustained for decades. But he was crude, cruel, and didn't care about his children much; so one of them eventually freed me. I granted that boy geass and stayed with him as 'Carmilla' until he killed his father with his newfound friends."
She cackled. "After that, I truly became the Witch of Britannian; creator of the 'Age of Rebellion'. I went to the enemies and rebels of Britannian and gave them Geass, in return for vengeance on Britannia. I especially supported the rebels of the Henry Line of Britannia. I've always had a soft spot for his lineage. After that I went to other nations, to free them of their tyrants, and me of my mistakes."
CC's voice began to fade. "...But then Richard went on another crusade to prove himself to me while his stupid, fat, orange brother was taxing the people to death to support his brother's war effort. He didn't deserve the title of Henry. And neither of them deserved my love. That's when I stopped supporting Royalty in general. I gave some powers to 'Robin Hood' and his gang to fix my mistake and then fled again to the new world. Later, inspired by his courage, I gave George Washington his geass. And then when he was betrayed by Benjamin Franklin for his son, I started giving geass to foreigners."
CC appeared at the guillotine. At the basket, a mound of her heads were collected. An executioner heaved his axe upwards again. But then. "Arrêtez! (Stop)" A tall Frenchman with a hand inside his coat announced it so. The Hero of France had returned.
"Until finally Napoleon Bonaparte! Until the Humiliation of Edensberg! Until the Britannian Royal Family was forced out of their homeland in disgrace! ...To what I'd still rather wish was called George Washington's 'The United State of America' rather than Britannia's 'Area 1'."
She cringed her nose. "I should have killed Elisabeth the III and her husband while I had the chance instead of just humiliating them. Actually, I probably just shouldn't have teased Liz (Elisabeth el Britannia/Elisabeth Tudor I) about being single. As for the specific time I decided to die... It was really more of a curiosity, corrupted by an evolution of my despair. Around the late 1900's, I joined the Geass Order. It was originally created for... 'medical' reasons... but soon I began investigating the ruins and researching how I might end my existence."
"And then one day, investigating a geass ruin in the State of Cuba, I met your runaway mother, Marianne. She was quite the character. All of your charm but none of your father's brains. Constantly pursued by suitors, but never wanting to be tied down. She reminded... me of myself. I found myself - sometimes unwillingly - supporting her ambitions to become a famous knight. One that could prove that women had a place on the frontlines of the battlefield as well. One that could destroy Britannia's long-held sexist attitudes. Even without her geass, she succeeded, becoming the Knight of Six. She became my first 'friend' since the last millennium. And through her I met Charles and VV. …The rest you already know."
"So, why did you tell me all this? What's the morale of the story?" asked Lelouch, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, it's more of personal insight. It's what I've learned... no, what I was reminded by you. One shouldn't just try to just fix the mistakes of the past, or seek to revive a happiness long since past. One should seek the future. And second, I've learned that one must sacrifice parts of your own wishes. And to change the ways one seeks those wishes. I'm trying to say that I've seen the same thing over and over again. But the reason why I saw the same thing was because I sought the same thing; the love of a young, cute prince."
"Implying that I'm not young and cute at all?" teased Lelouch.
CC grinned back at him. "Oh, you were once! When I saw you as a child at Kururugi Shrine. Now you're just beautiful." Lelouch couldn't tell whether to take that as an insult or a complement. "Wait? Did you say Kururugi Shrine?" "Why yes… just use that perfect recall of yours, LL…"
Lelouch thought for a moment with closed eyes before recalling a scene. "…You were there watching when I saw the Britannians approach with the Britannian bombing planes with Suzaku…"
CC raised her eyebrow. "Correct. How else did you think you escaped the Kururugi compound before it was destroyed? Surely not just your own intelligence... though you did get past most of the guards without my help."
"Well… that makes a lot of sense. I guess I still owe you my thanks then."
CC shook her head. "You don't. It was a request from your mother. And back then I still wanted to die, and still saw you as a means to that end."
Lelouch smiled. "But I mean it. Thanks, CC." CC blushed. "It's no problem. So that's about it for my past, unless you want specifics about the truth of any famous historical figure. I basically knew half of them."
"Well there is someone I want to ask about."
"Go ahead. Who do you want to know about? Benjamin Franklin? Pope Sylvester the Second? Reyna of the Darkness?"
Lelouch sighed. CC was in a good mood so now was the time to ask. "About Anya..."
CC poked him. "How rude of you to talk about another girl when you're out on a date with another!"
Lelouch leaned away from CC with a guilty and confused face, causing her to draw back a bit. It was rather cute. She spoke a bit more softly. "But still, I can't say I wasn't expecting you to ask."
"So why do you do it then? Why do you fight with her?" asked Lelouch.
"It's my own selfishness; a very old habit; a 'reaction'... for a feeling that I thought I'd have again…"
CC turned away from Lelouch again, indignantly with crossed arms. "I know it's wrong, but I can't help myself! And remember, after we blew up the thought elevator in Euro Britannia? The link between Earth and C's world is really weak right now. I can't send parts of me back to the world of C right now, only draw them out. So, you're stuck with the current me. Or perhaps you can't accept me for who I am!"
Lelouch shrugged. A bad excuse, but it seemed that CC might be willing to make amends. "It's not that…"
"Good." CC turned back and opened one of her eyes. "Still, if you ever feel that strongly about it. I'm alright if you try using your geass on me; "The Authority". We confirmed that Jeremiah's geass canceler still works, right?" She raised an eyebrow. "Wait… I'm sure you've already thought about using it. The real question is why you haven't used it on either of us already, guilt aside."
Lelouch sighed. "Because I don't ever wish to use it again. I have no right to rule others anymore. Geass is a sin I must bear. You saw what it did to those soldiers in Euro Britannia. But my power is different now. It's the opposite problem; I can compel anyone, anywhere I want, but it won't last forever; once I deactivate my Ceass, all of the illusions and orders I put onto others disappear. So if I forced you and Anya to make up using it, then it would be a short-lived lie. A bandage to a scar. But I still think my new power is better. It doesn't affect people permanently. It doesn't hurt others. Rather than forcing them to obey a single command for their entire life, it protects them from the truth. Even just for a while… Wait… The Truth!" Lelouch's mind lit up. So that was the answer. To simply ask. Like he had just now. The only question was; would he have the courage to do so?
CC smiled. "It looks like you've realized something, LL. That's good. I look forward to hearing it. But for now, let's just enjoy the silence and finish our food." The gentle wind blew between them. CC held LL's hand as they looked out upon Camelot.
Next: Act 2.50 Dreams of Knightmares
An image of the Mordred Frontier and several other knightmares in a hangar appear as a light opens. A techno-furnace glows red in the moonlight. Jupiter is slightly visible.
Author's Notes:
I'm still confused about the progression of the story; particularly with the first arc boss and the motivations of the second. I'm suffering from "too many characters" and sidequests. Maybe I should just tell their backstory later and introduce them without foreshadowing? Maybe I should delay the "action" indefinitely and add more slice of life stuff first? Like Kallen (X) Benio, Anya vs CC X LL. I could even add a bit more excitement by having early fights with Kallen + Benio (Zero Squad), Kallen vs Gino, and maybe even w0/Peace Mark/Black Inquisitors vs Pluton (which I was reserving for O3). I was already planning a minor fight with Zero-zaku. Maybe I should just go back and describe events between the two years first.
I also know about my lack of descriptive detail, but it's difficult for me to tackle it given my style of 'writing'. First, I come up with the concepts, symbolism, and "facts", triple check them against new and old ideas, then make a very rough outline, and finally fill in the details and edit like crazy. It's like I can create points in an x-y-z plane, but I can't connect that dots and other lines. Because I'm obsessed with creating a linear straight line. I still need an editor and someone to flesh out my ideas with.
Thanks for Reading
- HyperiorV
Retrospective Analysis
Black Knight vs White Knight
Both CC and LL are learning as they fight. LL is learning to be a white king/knight in a low risk environment; how to attack instead of deceive, the importance of being determined again, etc. CC is remembering how to act again and become vengeful as a "black" knight.
Lelouch as Snow White: Rats
"Do you know why snow is white? Its because its forgotten what color it's suppose to be." - CC
Maybe that's why snowflakes fall, because they are seeking color.
Like Snow White, Lelouch was awakened from a near death sleep (with a kiss that I should have mentioned but never did…). And his hair is now white as snow. As if a Disney Princess, Lelouch also commands animals to do his bidding. The dogs, the horses, and rats. Though in his case, he's giving something back in return by playing civilization with them. Also it's kind of devilish in the sense that some demons were associated with commanding rats or other vermin, like Beelzebub. Who technically speaking, will have an equivalent (Australia's Noah/BB/"Waterboy").
Rat's Backstory
The situation of the rats reflect the situation at the beginning of R1/Code Geass and Charle's period of blood. A war-torn world where a king/farmer and Marianne/Anya decided to try and kill everyone via Ragnarock Connection/Radiant Wave Surger.
The Rats
By the way, these rats might get like 5+ arcs, 'separate' (parallel) from the Main Story. They'll go through trials and tribulations facing Friedrich Nietzsche's "God is Dead". "Animal farm". "Lord of the Flies." Jojo part 4 reference. (is that a motherf…) Ratatouille is a Mecha anime prove me wrong. Fuck, I'm actually considering writing a story about mice! I might actually just make it a thesis paper.
I'd also like to state that the genetically modified and chosen rats that Lelouch elected as leaders and granted Geass to have "normal" human-level intelligence.
The pink/red muskrat got poison ability basically the same as the Stand [Ratt/Ratto] from JoJo Part 4's Rats. The orange kangaroo rat got minor light manipulation. The black rat got body control when touching (Ratatouille). Green got limited inter-species/distant communication. White household mouse (named Asteraceae or Astrea) is spoilers/flight. It also slightly reflects the story of C and the powers/organization of Eden Vital (Heaven). Each of them have a character arc and "philosophy" of ruling. All show flaws, reflecting the folly of each political system. Residents of Eden Vital actually enjoy watching it all, since their effect on humanity/spacetime is so low that they don't have to do much paperwork for them.
Other Pets
Might not be able to fit their inclusion in yet though so I'll come back later and add them in when I have time.
Lelouch and Co also have a geass German Shepard Dog, "Cavall" (King Arthur's Dog) and/or a stray Geass Golden Retriever. The latter has the uncanny ability to long-range teleport to between certain places. "Home" and "Master". The dog is actually pretty fucken integral to the true villian's plot. Not joking. I'm hoping to write a part where they send an entire battalion to look for it. The orange rats defend the 'holy' dog as a sign of loyalty. Though maybe I could just keep it as Arthur so less characters?
They also have two horses (no geass). CC also may have given Arthur (the Cat) a geass.
Symbolic Lunch
"Święconka - a savoury meal, each element of which is symbolic, blessed in churches on Holy Saturday, and eaten on Easter Day, in Poland"
The foods in the basket have a symbolic meaning:
Eggs - symbolize life and Christ's resurrection.
Bread - symbolic of Jesus.
Lamb - represents Christ's skin.
Salt - represents purification.
Horseradish - symbolic of the bitter sacrifice of Christ.
Ham - symbolic of great joy and abundance.
C's Previous Geass: [The Fair Mirror]
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" - Evil Queen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
(PS The original quote calls more "Magic Mirror on the wall.")
Love is not equal, nor decided by CC. Like a mirror, what each person saw in CC when they were geassed is what they desired or loved the most. For example, Twrch Trwyth, saw CC as what he loved most; food. A person who values friendship would desire CC as their best friend. A mother would see their favorite child. An artist would see the perfect muse. A loyal knight would see her as an object of absolute loyalty. A lawful or just person would see her word as law. A pervert would see the most beautiful woman. A warrior would see the perfect foe. A lonely boy would see a irreplaceable cherished companion.
And of course, CC did not control the people's actions completely. The knights of the round would compete with each other for CC's love. Which is what they basically all did in the original legends.
Code Geass History/C's Backstory:
Guinevere and the Knights of the Round
I had to read a few Arthurian tales for this. Pretty cliché if they weren't so classic. A lot of ancient "dick-measuring". Forgot to mention that CC's home (location unknown) was raided by bandits and she is sold into slavery. This later gives her a justice boner and a liking for stories where heroes save people; where she imagines herself as the one being saved, since she wasn't before. And stories princes falling in love with commoners; which is what exactly happened with King Arthur and Lelouch. There's another story about a witch and a demon/prince, but that's for another time.
And CC's fascination with stories? Totally canon, if you can analyze the show. When CC reverts to her young slave mind, you can see her in some scenes reading picture/story books; when she bids Lelouch farewell and briefly when Lelouch is having is Nunnally-death depression meeting Rolo.
Arthur's geass was broken after he had a near death experience in the Battle of Badon. However CC didn't know this and was heartbroken after she realized the possibility that Arthur's love was a lie created by her geass. So she ran off to talk to the Nun, who basically reassured her that it was her geass's fault. Then forced her code upon her. Anyways, death and Geass don't mix, as you saw with Euphie's and Shirley's death. Those that are on the verge of death cannot be affected. This is MASSIVELY important to the true villain's plans. In fact, it's the entire reason she/he has 'survived' was due to this fact.
Excalibur has many names: In Welsh, it is called Caledfwlch; in Cornish, Calesvol; in Breton, Kaledvoulc'h; and in Latin, Caliburnus. The two different times CC abandoned Excalibur/Caliburnus reflect the two different endings of the story; one where Guinevere and another where Sir Bedivere threw Excalibur back into the lake. In the future, this fanfic will refer to the sword as Caliburnus, as CC prefers.
In retrospect, it would be more accurate for the previous CC (the Nun) be Guinevere since Guinevere's last days were spent as a Nun. And it also matches with the time since supposedly CC wasn't born until the 14-15th Centuries, which I moved up. Unfortunately, I've already written around the fact that she's Guinevere and the story still checks out for the most part, so I'm keeping her identity and backstory as is.
Pope Sylvester the Second
Meridiana was a succubus believed to help Sylvester the Second become the Pope. This was meant as slander most likely but since his time as head of the Catholic Church is best known for cracking down on Simony, promoting scientific studies, building musical instruments such as a hydrological organ and teaching grammar, his fans concluded that if Meridiana helped put him in power, she was a benevolent succubus.
Carmilla and Dracula
I added this detail based off that ONE image of the Iron Maiden from CC's flashbacks. And then based off the legends of Dracula. The part about him stealing her power is actually a bit of foreshadowing/reference to the Irregular Squad (Nightmare of Nunnally) and their dependence on "suppressor" (part of which will be composed of codeblood).
C's Backstory, Full Summary: I wasn't able to fit all of it so... here, you can read this if you want.
- CC is born. Enjoys being told stories/fairy tales by her brother.
- CC's hometown is invaded by brigands, forcing CC and her brother into slavery. CC and her brother plan an escape. They are separated.
- CC's brother apparently dies. In reality saved by the lady of the lake (N.N.), a codebearer. Lancelot becomes a wandering hero, "Lancelot of the Cart". The lady of the lake, being a patron of traitors, also slowly corrupts Lancelot's convictions.
- CC is rescued by the previous CC, the Nun. Gets Geass. CC tests it on villagers.
- CC gathers supporters and travelers using her geass. Enjoys further stories of heroes like "Lancelot of the Cart" which are recorded as the first epics of "King Arthur and the Round Tables.", reflecting it's real world counterpart. Additionally, exaggerations of CC's own daily life are also noted.
- CC encounters the exiled Roman Prince Alwin I and uses her geass on him. He renames himself Arthur Pendragon. Alwin forms the Knights of the Round Table, who compete and quest for CC's affection. Many of these stories are recorded. CC begins commanding the Knights to take just actions.
- Anglo Saxons invade and are repulsed/absorbed. Later Romans attack and are summarily repulsed by King Arthur and CC. CC uses her geass wildly, and is seen. CC is worshiped as "Lady/Goddess Britannia", reflecting the irl "Britannian" coinage. A small religion around her is formed. Britannia is formed from Celtic Tribes.
- CC falls in love with Arthur in the Battle of Badon. Her geass awakens fully. Arthur has broken free of her geass, due to surviving a mortal wound. However CC, not knowing this, becomes fearful that he's still under her control and seeks the advice of the current CC. CC is killed and code is forced upon her. Merlin (Ambrosius Aurelianus, AA or Myrddin, not sure which one I want to use right now) is captured by NN in the magical forest of Brocéliande.
- King Arthur is killed by Lancelot, who indirectly accuses CC of being a witch. Mordred and Lancelot rescue her, but the latter leaks their position, etc. This leads to the Battle of Camlann. Knights of Round are massacred, fighting for 'CC's' 'love'. CC throws Caliburnus (and many other Geass Artifacts) into the lake and runs north.
- Many years later, Lancelot and the remaining survivors of the Knights of the Round find CC as a nun in a distant land. CC rejects Lancelot and tells him she knows the truth about what he did. In despair, Lancelot commits suicide in front of her to "prove" that CC loves him by drawing out a reaction. But CC puts on the "mask" of a witch for the first time.
Extra/Anonymous
"You fight with the strength of many men, 'Black Knight'.",
"'Tis but a scratch." stated CC, indifferent as ever."A scratch?" Lelouch lowered his sword. "No, it's not; you're arm's off! - Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Black Knight vs King Arthur battle.
"You witch!" The White Knight gripped his sword. He treaded slowly but carefully out of the shadows. "Oh ho~? So you're approaching me?" The black knight spread her hands and stance. "Instead of running away, you're coming right to me?" "You said it yourself, I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer." "Oh ho~! Then come as close as you'd like." The Black Knight began walking forward too. When within range, both Knights unleashed a flurry of blows, shouting battlecries. - Is literally the beginning of the battle between Jotaro vs Dio from JoJo's Bizzare Adventure Part 3.5; Stardust Crusaders.
"HoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHoraHORA!" shouted the White Knight, thrusting his rapier. - "Take this/Here" - Jean Pierre Polnareff and his rapier wielding [Stand], [Silver Chariot~su]. JOJO's Bizzare Adventure Part 3.
"ARaRaRaRaRaRaRaRaRA!" - Black Knight/CC. - "Ara Ara"; CC is a canon shotacon. She admits that she prefers cute boys in multiple Drama/Sound CD's, I can't remember which ones.
If they are taken care of, a good sword and shield will stay by your side forever. – CC.
"CC, I will be his (Lelouch's) sword. And you will be his shield."* ...Suzaku, you little shit.
"(Y)ou're pretty good" - CC.
"CC picked Lelouch's gun up and inspected it. Along the side of the white revolver were indented markings in blue. "Really Lelouch? Engravings… have no tactical advantage whatsoever." She slid her hand across the barrel before offering it to Lelouch. He took it and span his gun around his finger before holstering it. "Still… that was some fancy swordplay. Pretty good!" - Metal Gear Solid; Ocelot Reference.
"It's hi~gh noon," grumbled Lelouch under his hat. He got up, drew his gun... - McCree's Special, Overwatch
The words of his friend Suzaku Kururugi came into his head and then a Ceass illusion of the boy appeared behind him and walked past him. Past the corpses. Leaving him. "What do results gained in the wrong way leave you in the end? Just regret and an emptiness that has nowhere to go." - Code Geass Episode 4?
"…Merely curious." "Curiosity killed the cat." Sang CC. "But satisfaction brought it back." - Another Zero Requiem Reference.
The knight slowly reached out for her neck... before falling dead in her hands. - The exact words Mordred spoke were the same as Lelouch, which caused CC to act coldly to him briefly in R1E11: "You're a monster!"
Asking and then desperately demanding my hand in marriage. - Alwin's exact words were the same as Lelouch in R1E11 "(CC)! Don't go! Stay here with me!"
A tall Frenchman with a hand inside his coat announced it. - IRL Napoleon was tall, for a Frenchman back then. British propoganda and one photo have spread the lie that he's short.
Not Added: CC flicked an ancient gold coin to Lelouch. It showed an emperor writhing in agony under the heel of a bare breasted and helmeted female warrior labelled BRITANNIA. - In Real Life, it shows the reverse, with the emperor standing over the warrior goddess. CC was worshiped as the goddess "Britannia" herself. How ironic. "Now some of them are even starting a religion around me!" - CC, R2E15 flashback
[Note: if designing game. CC always gets what she wants, no matter the choices you compel LL to take. A semi-serious CC won't ever lose the second duel, even if Lelouch's shot hits. If LL loses the first duel, then have CC tell him anything he wants anyways for "waiting". And just because she tells him she would answer him anyways. Also have a minigame like duck hunt. Shooting a "Clovis" or "Euphy" cause you to lose points (OOF). Shooting a "CC" however… "Game over man! Game over!"]
Unused quote that might be of use; "Those that gain power must be willing to cast it aside for others." - LL