Pre-notes: From fluff to gruff. The trial - Part 2.

Disclaimer: Code Geass belongs to Sunrise.

Part 3.024: Truth and Consequence

"Why?"

That is the question in the minds of many, but let us explore the reasons of three select individuals for asking that question; and how that question relates to a certain Lelouch vi Britannia. These three, after all, stood as witnesses against the man in his trial. Why explore those thoughts, you may ask? Because trials aren't about learning the reasons behind the act, but the facts surrounding it; for determining whether or not the one on trial is guilty or otherwise.

Let's start with the eldest of them, shall we: Tohdoh Kyoshiro, aged thirty-five. I'll stop there as other facts about him are well-recorded in the Court's archives. Now, let us see the questions he wants answered.

"Why, Zero?"

My, that was a little too general, wasn't it? Let us try and dig a little deeper.

"Why keep your identity from us?"

Hmmm, too shallow, this. He himself, after all, had said that in battle, sometimes some parts of the plan needed to be kept from all others to be effective; that secrecy is sometimes necessarry. Now, the next one...

"Why make the world your enemy?"

This, too, isn't much. It's somehow related to the first one, and deep inside he believes it to be so.

"Why order the death of civilians?"

Ah, this one, by far, carries the most urgency. What ultimately made him join Zero's fight was the Black Knights' motto: Heroes of justice; protectors of the weak. I'll have to agree that this question deserves an answer.

Let's try the youngest one next: Sumeragi Kaguya, aged fifteen. What's a minor doing here, you may ask? This particular minor is anything but a child. She is mature beyond her age and is learned in the ways of diplomacy. The records should have it written: she is at the very head of the UFN.

"Why commit such atrocities, Zero-sama?"

My, such an open book, her mind. Already we arrive at the question she wanted answered the most. An excellent judge of character, this young lady. Early on, she had understood Zero's purpose. Hers was the faith that was unshaken when when the rest of their group believed they were abandoned. Yes, the question deserves an answer. I wonder, though, whether or not she felt betrayed when his true identity was revealed to her.

Let's move to the next one: Ohgi Kaname, aged twenty-seven. And the question in his mind is...

"Why, Zero?"

Ack, not again. Pardon me while I slap my forehead. Sometimes one would really wish that people become more articulate with their questions. Henceforth we dig.

"Why?"

"Why?"

"Why?"

Ungh. Either this fellow isn't much of a thinker, or is more emotional than intellectual. Let us attempt a different approach:

"Why?" There are images of his fallen comrades-in-arms.

"Why?" There are images of a man with his mask removed, left eye glowing a strange red.

"Why?" There is an image of a woman. Ah, this one has a high level of emotion. Truly one of those emotional types, this one. The logical mind would want an answer to the first one the most. Ah, if only he knew what ultimately made this third one possible!

Perhaps the reader is confused at this point, or, at least, may wonder why all three's questions are for a certain 'Zero' while they are all aware that it is Lelouch vi Britannia that's under the mask. Truth be told, they'll never admit it to anyone, but said man will always be 'Zero' to them.

It was Zero who brought them together. It was Zero who made them grow as a military force and as human beings. It was under Zero's command that they're this much closer to achieving their goals. It was Zero who saved them from the fate of being executed as criminals in the very land they have sworn to gain freedom for.

But they betrayed him. On information freely given by a most untrustworthy source, at that - the enemy.

Perhaps now they've realized the have acted in haste. They've realized that they were overcome by the emotions that ran high in the wake of that terrible weapon -- FLEIJA. They've realized that they had pounced on whatever reason that would make even the tiniest bit of sense in the light of the overwhelming loss they have all just suffered. Now they are calmer, and are willing to hear him out, which brings us to the other question that's in all their minds right now:

"How?"

Now that it is all over, they are enlightened to what their former leader was trying to accomplish. It is not lost to them that he has risked capture to save the life of one of their own. They are all ready to forgive him as soon as they obtain the answers to their questions. However, due to the methods employed by said man as Britannia's ninety-ninth Emperor, they are at a loss as to how to get him out of this crisis alive. All three of them are of high positions in the UFN heirarchy. All of them have a responsibility to become examples to their subordinates. All of them cannot lie under oath. All of them are among the handful that are aware that the young Emperor and Zero are the same person. All of them cannot volunteer whatever information they have that can save this man unless the High Council asked it of them.

Was it Lelouch vi Britannia that lured the High Council to Ashford Academy? Yes.

Was it Lelouch vi Britannia who detained the High Council against their will? Yes.

Was it Lelouch vi Britannia who used the High Council as human shields in the Battle of Mt. Fuji? Yes.

Was it Lelouch vi Britannia who detonated the sakuradite reserves in Mt. Fuji, causing heavy losses to the UFN's Black Knights? Yes.

Each question was a nail, and each answer was a hammer's strike that sealed Lelouch vi Britannia's coffin. As the trial progressed, their chances of at least having his sentence reduced plunged, and with it the hope of getting their answers. Whatever alternatives they have would end up dividing the UFN all over again, and any one of them can say that the life of one man was not worth such a disaster.

Their thoughts are interrupted by the doors of the Hall of Justice bursting suddenly open, and Britannia's Knight of Three taking the stand. Looking and sounding determined, he requests that what he had to say be heard. The Council members all look to Kaguya, trusting her judgment as Head of the Council. Sensing that all have taken interest in what the Knight had to say, she nods her assent.

"I have reason to believe that the man you have in custody is not the man on trial. You may be condemning an innocent man."

Murmurs are heard throughout the hall at the declaration. The thoughts of most of them ranged from incredulity to skepticism to bemusement to exasperation. Three people in the room, however, once again thought as one:

"That's it!"

End-notes: Sorry, so short. I've said in the forums that I was suddenly without a defense witness from the Black Knights side, now I ended up with three :p Let me know how big of a mess this chapter was.

Date last edited: 2009-03-02