Fear not! This story is far from dead! I'm just really bad when it comes to updating it. I am sorry for that, but I am happy to announce this chapter is finally done. Funny, the rough draft I had for this chapter dated back 3 years. I had to change a lot of it, but it helped me get back on track. I'm looking forward to the new upcoming season, though i think season 2 ended it perfectly, but that only means bonus stuff. I can't wait to see what craziness we get this time. :)

a thousand apologies for taking so long for updates guys,

Enjoy!

Turn 6: The Moon's Power

It was late afternoon the following day. Cornelia had chewed her brother out until she was certain his ears would bleed. The only thing that kept her wrath in check was the fact that any shouting could draw attention, which they certainly didn't need any more of. Suzaku had already disclosed with her the information that Lelouch had used his Geass power once again; she only didn't beat him into a bloody pulp because he had done it out of self defense. She wouldn't have bought his excuse except for C.C. who had vouched for him.

"Is Geass truly necessary anymore," she asked the both of them. "You gave him his power; surely you can take it away."

C.C. shook her head, "I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. Once a Geass power is given it stays with that person until death. Lelouch tried to rid the world of such power, but you denied him that opportunity when you plotted to spare him."

"You still could you know…"

Cornelia turned to look at her brother who had spoken. "What?"

"What's stopping you from ridding the world of Geass? All it takes is one bullet."

"Stop that kind of talk right now! I already told you I don't want to lose anymore family. Losing Clovis and Euphiemia was enough, I won't lose you too."

Lelouch only shook his head in defeat.

"Tell me Lelouch, why are you so eager to die," she asked.

Instead of answering her, he turned to C.C. and smiled at her. "Now I see, why you told me that lie before, about your one true wish."

She blinked in understanding, but she was the only one who got the hint. Cornelia was lost. "What are you talking about?"

"You wouldn't understand," C.C. replied. "Only those who have carried the burden could know."

Cornelia turned then and tried, but failed to hide the annoyance that was laced in her voice. "Whatever. You're both confined to the apartment until further notice. If either one of you were seen so close to Nunnally's party then it could spell trouble later." With that she left and both heard the firm click of the lock before the footsteps faded down the hall. C.C. turned to Lelouch and smiled.

"I see things between you have improved."

Lelouch just turned away and headed into his bedroom, pointedly closing the door. C.C. sensed the dark cloud hovering over him, but ignored it and focused on the TV instead. It was his problem to deal with and if she had a part to play in this he'd come to her sooner or later.

For the next two days he had stayed in his room. He barely ate anything and ignored anyone who tried talking to him. Cornelia and Suzaku were planning to pull him out of there by force when C.C. provided an explanation as to why he had locked himself away. It was the news report that was on the TV right after Cornelia left. C.C. had turned to watch it and saw the announcement of Nunnally's masquerade ball and when it would be held.

Cornelia thought it was nonsense as she had told her brother about it before and C.C. had to remind her that that was before. The arguments continued and finally it was agreed that the only one who could clear up the confusion was Lelouch and he refused to open the door. They knew he was still in his room since Lloyd kept a surveillance drone focused on his window at all times in case he tried to take off again.

Finally the special night arrived. Suzaku would naturally be attending as Zero and Cornelia would also be attending as would all of Nunnally's friends. C.C. was invited to go by Cornelia, but she refused and was content with seeing the reports on the news as well as the speech the princess was preparing to announce to the world before her crowning ceremony back in the homeland.

What surprised everyone in the apartment was when Lelouch asked to go.

"I just want to see her. I'm not going to cause a scene," he told them.

Cornelia looked at him with both worry and heartache. "I don't think it's a good idea. It's too soon after your assassination and what if Nunnally finds out? What will you do then?"

"I don't like lying to her," Suzaku added. "She's forgiven me for what I did, but I hate hiding your existence from her. Do you realize how difficult your being there will make things?"

"I never asked you to do that," Lelouch reminded them. "But this was your choice and now you'll have to deal with the consequences. You can't keep me locked away in this apartment forever."

"Let him go," C.C.'s voice called from the other room. "It might make the evening news a bit more entertaining."

"Who asked you," Cornelia snapped.

The green-haired woman got up and leaned against the door frame. "It's sad when a person can't take a joke. Besides, you forget that he's the strongest bloodline in the room. Neither one of you rose to the top of your house. He accomplished his goals and everything went according to his plans."

Suzaku and Cornelia exchanged glances before looking away from the witch who was smirking with a winning grin. Lelouch had won the argument by reminding them that they had originally wanted him to attend and they eventually gave in. They cut their arrival time close, but they managed to find him a proper outfit for the ball and a good mask to boot.

Zero arrived separately while Lelouch entered beside Cornelia as her plus one guest. The man at the gate asked for his ID but one cold glare from Cornelia told the man not to test her patience and they were let in without any further problems.

"Are you sure you don't have a Geass," Lelouch joked in a low voice.

Cornelia smirked in good humor before reminding him to keep it quiet. Lelouch knew to behave himself.

As they waited in line to be announced Lelouch was aware of the countless eyes upon him. If all else failed he would use his Geass to make them forget he was ever there, but there were a few in the crowd it wouldn't work on and sadly, Nunnally was one of them.

Cornelia nudged him and forced him to focus on her. "Look sharp. Remember, you can't afford to lose focus. One mistake and its over."

A snobbish-looking couple overheard and Lelouch couldn't help but overhear their following comments.

"My, she certainly has him on a tight leash," commented the woman as she waved her fan.

"Indeed," replied her husband, "Perhaps he's more of a pet than a suitable mate. He sure looks like a mongrel."

The Zero side of him wanted to unleash his Geass and show them how real mongrels behave, but then he remembered that he promised to behave. Besides, they weren't worth the trouble.

The man standing at the door bowed to them and turned to face the crowd, "Announcing the arrival of Lady Cornelia and her esteemed guest, Master Gerald Penumbra."

As they made their way in Lelouch glanced towards her and she caught on to his question. "At the moment you're forced to live in shadow. I thought it added a nice touch."

"A least come up with a name that has less finesse," he whispered.

She merely smirked at him. "Coming from the man who could work miracles? That's amusing."

The party was so dull, aside from the arrival of Zero there was nothing out of place. It reminded Lelouch of how things were as a child. The balls back home were so boring and pointless. He told his sister he needed some air and headed over to a door that led to a small balcony. There he let out a grateful sigh, happy to be away from the facade of titles and 'proper behavior'. There was nothing proper about it. Just rich snobs using fancy words to gossip and put down others just to deflect the horrible attributes of their own tainted souls.

"What am I even doing here?"

The clouds that were covering the moon shifted and faded away, forcing Lelouch to squint at its brightness.

"The moon sure is bright tonight," came a voice from behind.

It stopped him cold. He knew who it was, but he was afraid, now that she was there, he didn't know what to say, so he let his student persona take over, although he was very careful about it.

"Yes, but the moon is only as bright as the sun allows it to be."

Nunnally frowned at his description as she rolled up alongside him. They both continued to look up at the moon and she soon smiled again. "The sun may have power, but the moon has friends."

Lelouch glanced at her, confused. "Friends?"

She nodded and pointed. "Just look."

Lelouch followed her gaze and saw that she was pointing at the stars.

"The moon is always surrounded by stars. No matter what phase it's in, they are always there for it. The sun may be bright and powerful, but its always by itself."

Lelouch could only stare at her in amazement. It was as if something that he never realized he needed was unobtainable before, but her words made it possible for him to grasp it. He turned his gaze away from her and looked down at the grounds below.

"So, in the end the moon is the lucky one," he surmised.

She nodded before looking up at the moon. "To be honest, I feel sorry for the sun. People can't look at the sun, but they can gaze at the moon all they want."

Zero was walking amongst the crowd, looking for Nunnally when he spotted her and then noticed who she was talking to. Behind the mask, Suzaku smiled and decided to give them their space.

"So, the moon has more than the sun," Lelouch concluded, "which ultimately makes it more powerful in the end."

"Yes," she replied as a tear rolled down her delicate face.

Lelouch saw it and his old habits screamed to take over, but he restrained them. "Your highness?"

"I'm sorry," she replied, wiping her face. "I was just thinking about my brother."

"The demon king," Lelouch asked.

"I don't believe he was a demon," she replied. "I just don't think he realized the true power he had. Friends and family who loved him…and…and even miss him." She flipped a switch on her motorized wheelchair. "Please, excuse me."

She turned and left, leaving Lelouch feeling torn. He wanted to follow, to tell her it was alright, but revealing who himself would only upset her further.