When Zero reaches Nunnally's quarters, Cornelia exits. "Zero, I guess that you will be escorting Nunnally to the school?" Cornelia style="font-weight: bold;"br /span
"Yes, ambassador." Zero replies. Cornelia then departs, and Suzaku enters Nunnally's quarters.
"Suzaku, I am ready to go to Ashford." Nunnally greets Zero.
"Well, you look ready to me." Suzaku replies. He and Nunnally leave the embassy and head for Ashford Academy, as Lelouch, C.C., and Allison head for the Black Knight's Academy.
"I haven't seen Milly on the news for some time now. I wonder if she took over for her grandfather?" Nunnally says to Suzaku as they head to the school.
"She may have. But I do not think she has the potential to run the school, she has the enthusiasm, just not the potential." Suzaku replies. When they reach the school, the sun is setting. "It is rather quiet here." Suzaku notes.
"It's been awhile since both of us were here. Things may have changed." Nunnally says. She then grabs Suzaku's arm and drags him onto the school grounds. "Come on, Suzaku." She adds. They enter the school and head for the principal's office.
When they reach the principal's office, they see Milly locking the door. "Milly!" Nunnally says, as she sees her.
"Huh? Nunnally, what are you doing here?" Milly asks as she turns to see Nunnally.
"My brother and sister agreed that I could attend Ashford for some time." Nunnally replies. Zero then rounds the corner.
"You are never far from her side. Let's talk in my office." Milly says as she sees Zero. She then unlocks her office door, and the three of them enter. "Nunnally you wish to attend Ashford Academy?" Milly asks.
"Yes I do. I also know what will happen, if people know that I am the Empress. So I will be aliasing as Nunnally Lamperouge." Nunnally replies. At this moment Arthur the cat enters Milly's office.
"Lamperouge? Like Lelouch and Rolo Lamperouge?" Milly asks. She sees the cat head straight for Zero.
"My brother and I attended Ashford for a while, but family got in the way." Nunnally says. Suzaku then winces in pain as Arthur bites him on the ankle.
"Arthur, bad." Milly scolds the cat. Arthur then jumps up on Milly's desk. "I'm so sorry, Zero. Arthur is generally much better behaved. I have only known him to bite one person." Milly apologizes. "Nunnally, to be honest, I have no memory that you ever attended Ashford. But I will let you live in the student council clubhouse, you can even have Lelouch's old room." Milly says to Nunnally.
"That's great, thanks Milly." Nunnally says.
"You can go down to the clubhouse, Zero and I will catch up with you later." Milly says. Nunnally leaves the office and goes to the clubhouse. Milly turns to face Zero. "Zero, that cat only ever bit one person. So tell me, why did you take on the role of the person you hated?" Milly asks.
"I guess I can't hide it from you. How did Arthur get here?" Suzaku asks.
"I am always looking for secrets. Arthur, he must have stowed away, he must think this is his home." Milly answers.
"I am Lelouch's successor, as Zero that is. Who else would he choose to guard Nunnally?" Suzaku says. He then removes his mask.
"Suzaku, you are looking a little pale." Milly says, as she lays eyes on Suzaku, for the first time in years.
"I have been behind the mask of Zero for two years now. I am to never show my face again, Suzaku Kururugi is dead to the world and Zero has taken his place. I am the knight that Lelouch couldn't be." Suzaku says. He then goes to pet Arthur, but the cat bites his hand. "Yes, I missed you too." He winces.
"It's nice to see that things haven't changed." Milly muses. "Let's catch up with Nunnally, shall we." She says to Suzaku.
"Let's." He says. He then places his mask back on, and they leave the office and head for the clubhouse.
"R.R., when did you become coded?" Allison asks Lelouch as they head for the academy.
"Quite recently, in fact. More recently than the others, actually." Lelouch replies.
"Why have you not killed me? I am against Zero, after all." Allison asks.
"No, you are not against Zero. You are against the world. Now, why are you after him?" Lelouch says.
"To accomplish the director's goal. He wants to remove the peacekeeper and have chaos. At least, that's what he's told us." Allison replies. When they arrive at the academy, Cyrus and Morgan are waiting for them.
"Allison!" They both say as they rush towards her.
"So, how did you get caught?" Morgan asks.
"Morgan! That is the least of our worries. It's Alistair that we have to worry about." Cyrus says.
"He probably already knows that we are hiding the truth." Morgan snaps.
"Well, at least we don't have to remain hidden. I want to go to Tokyo Tower, some time." Cyrus says.
"That is a place with a view, and over glorified events of Britannia's victory of the Second Pacific War." Lelouch says.
"You're a Britannian, why would you say that?" Cyrus asks.
"He's a Black Knight, how else would he be a professor here." Morgan says.
"R.R., you're a professor?" Allison asks.
"R.R.?" Cyrus and Morgan ask.
"You want answers to some difficult questions. Well, I'll try my best. I am Professor Lelouch Lamperouge and I am coded. I go by the name R.R., similar to C.C.." Lelouch says. He then proceeds into the academy. "I will see you all tomorrow." He adds as he enters the building. Allison, Morgan, and Cyrus head for the dorms. Lelouch enters his classroom, and takes a seat at the center desk.
"There is only so much I can teach these knights." Lelouch says, as he is tapping a rook on the desk. "Maybe Kallen can tell them about her experience at Shinjuku." He muses. The door then opens, and Schneizel enters the classroom.
"So this is where you teach? I never thought you would be able to do something like this." Schneizel says.
Lelouch stops tapping the chess piece. "And hello to you too, brother." Lelouch says. Schneizel takes a seat in front of Lelouch.
"We never did finish that game in the Vermillion City." Schneizel says.
"So, you want a rematch of that game, or do you want to play a new round?" Lelouch asks.
At the student council clubhouse, Milliy and Suzaku see Nunnally waiting for them outside the doors.
"Why haven't you gone inside, Nunnally?" Milly asks.
"I'd rather go in with you. I don't want to walk in, like I know the place." Nunnally says.
"But you do know… Oh, I forgot." Milly says, as she remembers that Nunnally was blind. The three of them enter the clubhouse. "Alright, follow me." Milly says. Nunnally follows, but Suzaku stays in the ballroom. "Aren't you coming, Zero?" She asks.
"I'd rather stay here. We do not want anyone to know she is the Empress, after all." Suzaku replies.
"Suit yourself." Milly says as they depart for the council room. Meanwhile in the council room, the council members are discussing events for the next few days.
"Oh, come on, Ryan. I can never beat you in this game." One of the students says.
"Amanda, that was a close match. Besides, you're one of the better players here." Ryan says.
"I just think it's a waste of my time." Says another student. Milly enters the room with Nunnally.
"I hope you don't plan on gambling now, Ryan. I knew someone who gambled at chess." Milly says. "Everyone, I'd like you all to meet your new addition to the council." She says, indicating Nunnally.
"My name is Nunnally Lamperouge, it is a pleasure to meet you all." Nunnally says.
"Well not all of us." Amanda says.
"Taylor, where is Miles?" Milly asks.
"He went to your office. He must have been waylaid, with what's on his mind, and all." She replies.
"We did not see him on our way here." Milly says. They introduce each other and get to know one another.
Back in the ballroom, Suzaku is walking about. "Euphy, you'd have liked it here." He says.
"Zero?" A student asks. Zero then turns around and sees the student.
"Can I help you?" Zero asks.
"Actually, yes you can. I would like to see Nina Einstein. I have something that she needs to hear." The student says.
"If you tell me, then maybe I can take you to her." Zero says.
"It involves the FLEIJA." The student responds.
"What about the FLEIJA?" Zero asks.
"I ran some simulations of the one that destroyed Tokyo two years ago, and I found something that might…" The student trails off.
"Might what?" Zero says, trying to encourage the student to explain further.
The student regains his composure. "Old Tokyo will return! I do not know how, but something will spark its return. The only reason I looked into this was because Guilford survived the FLEIJA." The student says.
"That explains Asahina." Zero says to himself. "What is your name?" He asks.
"Miles, sir." Miles responds. Milly then returns to the ballroom.
"There you are, Miles. You wanted to see me?" She asks.
"Huh… Oh, yes. I wanted to ask you if I could head to the Black Knights Academy, and speak with Miss Einstein." Miles responds.
"Nina, eh. Very well, tell her that Milly Ashford says hello." Milly responds. Miles and Zero head out towards the Academy.
"Checkmate." Lelouch says to Schneizel, after a few matches.
"I must hand it to you Lelouch, you are brilliant. I can't believe that you beat me this time." Schneizel says.
"I just had to get into your head. Brother, you are a cheater, especially during that match at the Vermillion City." Lelouch says.
"Well, I did unmask you, didn't I. What would you have done, if you took Suzaku?" Schneizel asks.
"At that time, I would have a prisoner, and I would have made my move to destroy the Chinese Federation sooner." Lelouch responds.
"Well this was an interesting meeting, brother. I must bid you farewell, for I want to check up on Lloyd and Rakshata's project." Schneizel says, as he gets up.
"You know about that now, do you?" Lelouch says. He gets up, and extends his hand out. Schneizel takes Lelouch's hand and shakes it. "Good game." They both say. Schneizel then leaves the classroom, and heads for the research lab.
Once outside, Schneizel sees Zero, and a young student go to the lab.
Inside the Lab, Zero and Miles seek out Nina. They hear the sounds of them working on their project.
"Wait here, I'll get Nina." Zero says to Miles. He then goes into the workshop. Once in the workshop, he looks up and sees the impressiveness of the Merlin frame.
Lloyd looks up from his work and sees Zero. "Suzaku, welcome to the workshop." Lloyd greets. He then looks at the Merlin. "As you can see, this is the beast we are working on." He says.
"Lloyd, we need to get to work on the resonators. We only have so much crystal sakuradite." Rakshata reminds him.
Suzaku sees Nina, fine tuning a chunk of crystal sakuradite for the resonator. "Here you go, professors." Nina says, handing the core to Rakshata.
"Nina, I have someone that needs to speak to you, urgently." Suzaku says to Nina.
"What's so urgent, that they need to speak to me?" She asks.
"Follow me and you'll find out." Suzaku says. He then leaves the workshop, with Nina right behind him. Back in the lab, Zero sees Schneizel talking with Miles. "Schneizel, what brings you here?" Zero asks.
"I just came to check on a certain project I wish to patron." Schneizel responds.
"Right behind this door, ambassador." Nina says.
"Thank you." Schneizel replies. He then goes to the workshop.
"You're Nina Einstein. I've heard so much about you, and your work." Miles says.
"You have?" She asks, shocked.
"Oh yes. I was most impressed with the anti-FLEIJA device. The prospect of countering a device so powerful, just amazing." He responds.
"You are the person Zero wants me to talk to?" She asks confused.
"Yes, I am. My name's Miles. I ran a simulation of your FLEIJA and I found a flaw." Miles says.
"A flaw?" She asks.
"Yes. Where does the matter that the FLEIJA absorbs go? It cannot be simply destroyed, so where is it?" He asks.
"What are you getting at?" Nina asks.
"Guilford was caught in the FLEIJA that destroyed Tokyo." Miles says.
"So was Asahina." Zero adds.
"Yes, now how did they survive?" Miles asks.
"They couldn't have. If they were caught in the sphere, then they should be dead." Nina responds.
"Well, here's my theory as to how they survived. You used sakuradite with the FLEIJA's, yes?" He asks.
"Yes, to help the U-235 reaction." Nina says.
"Well, where ever the FLEIJA sent them, something is breaking down its reality. Guilford, and Asahina were in knightmares, and their knightmares may have had the same composition of sakuradite to counteract the FLEIJA's." Miles explains.
"That's impossible. But if what you say is true, then Tokyo and Pendragon are in serious trouble." Nina replies. She then panics. "I would be responsible for even more deaths, if this were to happen."
"I'm so sorry, Miss Einstein, I didn't mean to upset you. I didn't think that would be your reaction." Miles apologizes.
"She never knew just how dangerous it would be. The UFN has banned the creation of FLEIJA warheads, but the Black Knights are out in the world hunting anyone who would create them again." Zero says.
"Zero, I never thought you would have done that. I thank you for trying to maintain peace, by keeping the FLEIJA dead." Nina says, recovering a bit.
"I'm just wondering, what would cause the reality around Old Pendragon to break down? Unless the city was powered by sakuradite, there would be no explanation for its return." Miles says.
"I'll tell the others about this. Thank you, Miles, for this information." Nina says. She then returns to the workshop.
"I have to inform a rather important person of this as well. Are you alright heading back to Ashford?" Zero says.
"Of course. By the way, you could have just said the Empress." Miles says, as he and Zero exit the lab. With Miles returning to Ashford, Suzaku then searches for Lelouch. Inside the academy, he finds Lelouch entering a room, and he follows.
"You made those three very happy, Lelouch. But why are you helping them, they're with the Order?" C.C. asks.
"Do you remember Rolo?" Lelouch asks.
"Your brother. The one who sacrificed himself, to protect you." C.C. replies, when she sees Suzaku.
"I'm glad that I had not eliminated him earlier. But I want them to get away from the Order, it may cost them their lives." Lelouch says.
"So, Rolo died saving you." Suzaku says.
"Suzaku, how long were you there?" Lelouch says, surprised.
"Long enough. I have some dire news to tell you." Suzaku replies.
"Go on." Lelouch says, intrigued.
"I was told that Old Tokyo and Pendragon will return. Nina's working on a way to prevent it, but I don't think she will be able to do it this time." Suzaku says.
"Trying to reverse the damage done by the FLEIJA. You may be right, she might not be able to do it." Lelouch replies somberly.
"Is there anything you can do, Lelouch?" Suzaku asks.
"I wish I knew. If there was anything, I would do it. I created this world… Well we created this world, that we all live in. I will not have anything destroy our work." Lelouch says.
"You think the Order might be responsible? How could geass do this?" Suzaku asks.
"If geass is causing this, then we need to use geass to stop it." C.C. says. "Although, I think this might kill Lelouch and I in the process." She adds.
"But we cannot risk their return. The academy is right where the bureau used to be." Suzaku says.
"And Pendragon was rebuilt. If this kills me, then I will be with the ones I have wronged." Lelouch says.
"Lelouch, why did you return? I could have handled this on my own. I cannot be killed, don't you remember." Suzaku asks.
"I thought I would be a mentor, of sorts. But, now, I think I have to be more involved than I already am. The Order may find out about me sooner than I wanted." Lelouch says.
"Mentor? You have fought me twice already. What is that supposed to teach?" Suzaku says.
"There are some things that I never counted on happening. This for instance is one of those things. Now I have to work my plan around this." Lelouch says.
"What is your plan, Lelouch?" Suzaku asks.
"To keep you by Nunnally's side. I can do it, if I were Zero. But since I am no longer Zero, you have to be the one. I want you to stay by her side for the rest of her life." Lelouch answers.
"I would have done that regardless." Suzaku replies.
"Yes, but time can kill you. You will age until your body cannot keep up. I would rather have you coded…" Lelouch says, but stops himself mid-sentence.
"Coded? Whose code am I to have? Lelouch, you wouldn't do it, for you would rather be by Nunnally's side. C.C. you have lived a long time, but you are hard to read. You either wish to die, or see the betterment of yourself." Suzaku says.
"Really? I wish to see the betterment of myself? You may be right, geass has corrupted me, so I might wish that. But I still wish to die, because I have ruined the world too many times with geass." C.C. says.
"Well I have class tomorrow. I will see you around, Zero." Lelouch says. Suzaku then leaves the academy and heads back to the embassy.
