Disclaimer: Code Geass belongs to Sunrise.
Part 0.698: Keeping a Promise
"Any sevens?"
In a place within a young man's mind fashioned after his old room in Ashford Academy's clubhouse, three young men, or, rather, three personae of the same young man, are ironing out the details of their ultimate plan: the Zero Requiem.
"Go fish."
Although he, er, they are distracting themselves with a game of cards at the moment. The one wearing the mask spoke next.
"Why aren't we playing poker, again?"
"Because we can read each other's poker faces," offers the one in the school uniform. "Yes, even with your mask on." He turns his attention to the one in regal clothing next.
"Four?" The young emepror hands over the card being asked for. He then proceeds to narrate how their plan is progressing.
"So far Lloyd and Cecile have agreed to perform the same upgrades they've done on the Guren to the Lancelot. There's no need to use the Geass on them. Tomorrow, we announce our desire to make Britannia part of the UFN, if the remaining Rounds don't change their minds. Why do you keep hiding your cards when it's my turn?" The question is directed to the one wearing the mask.
"And give you the chance to get a peek on my cards?" he answers, tapping a finger to his mask.
"Really, it would be much easier if you just took it off," comments the student.
"Impossible! For I am Zero-"
"Yes, we know," the other two interrupt, rolling their eyes.
"So he has a reason for insisting on keeping the mask. Why do you insist on blowing up the Damocles?"
"I would like to know the reason as well," said Zero, both of them asking the student.
"You know the reason," the student answers, his eyes not leaving the cards in his hand. When neither of his two counterparts respond, he shifts his gaze to see them still waiting for an answer, to which his expression turns to that of embarrassment. He sighs in defeat and gives them his answer.
"I promised fireworks, okay?!"
Part 0.707: Change of Plans...?
The ninety-ninth emperor of Britannia returns to the place of his memories, expression clearly upset. This latest development derails everything he had planned. He has come so far, however, that turning back will produce nothing but bad results. He needs to think this over.
"What happened?"
He turns to speak the new entity formed from his other two personae, fused during his last encounter with Kallen Kouzuki.
"Nunnally is alive."
They both fall silent with this revelation. Zero Requiem is supposed to be their all-or-nothing plan, discarding everything they have because they no longer have anything of real value to lose. For the one thing that was everything to them returning only to be lost again should they proceed with their plan...
The expression of the one wearing the cape and the school uniform turns determined then moves to thrust a forefinger to his counterpart's chest.
"I still say the Damocles gets blown up."
Part 3.596: Desperate Measures 2
"He did it again!"
Ohgi Kaname, Tohdoh Kyoshiro, and Li Xingke were again putting their heads together trying to make especially difficult dummy reports for Lelouch to prepare. At first, they believed that two dummy reports would be more than enough to make him admit he can't do everything alone. This last one, however, was the seventh such report they prepared. Ohgi went on to continue expressing his frustration.
"He even put in backup solutions in case the intel was wrong!"
"...which they were," added Tohdoh. "If he suspected anything, at least he didn't say it to our faces. He could have been considering how Kouzuki would react if he did. It appears we can't use that approach again, however."
"Then let me suggest using this," said Xingke, producing a small paper-bound volume of considerable age and placed it on the table for them to see. Ohgi immediately expressed his curiosity.
"What is it?"
"A sort of puzzle written by a wise man from a small town northeast of Beijing. It is said that whoever manages a solution to this problem is fit to become ruler of the whole world. For over two thousand years, many have tried solving it but failed."
"You mean...?"
At Tohdoh's inquiry, Xingke's expression changed. At one moment, one would say that there was a mischievous glint in his eye. This storyteller would even go so far as saying there was a twinkle usually seen when bad guys smile in certain anime titles while they're explaining an evil plot. Yes, the kind that goes 'chinnngggg!'
"Guaranteed unsolvable," he declared, to which his co-conspirators nodded in understanding and agreement. After minor adjustments to make it reflect present-day notations and names of locations, they sent it to Lelouch to be submitted to them within the usual time frame.
Sure enough, two weeks later, they finally achieved the results they wanted, though not without a light scare. Ohgi and Tohdoh were about to pull Xingke to celebrate their little victory when they noticed the serious look the Chinese man had on his face. The former went on to express his concern.
"Everything okay, Xingke?"
"Hm? Oh, yes. Everything's fine. Go on ahead, I will join you shortly."
Xingke was studying what portion of the report Lelouch had managed to finish. He himself had tried his hand in this puzzle some time in the past, and what Lelouch managed in two weeks was more than what he did in two years - before eventually giving up. Would Lelouch have ended up solving this had he been given another two weeks?
After a moment, he pressed the button that would erase all copies of the report and breathed a heavy sigh. He would not concern himself with what-could-have-been's. He would content himself with the knowledge that Lelouch was on their side. Yes, right now he was glad that the young man was one of the good guys. With that last thought, he stood up and left to join the rest of his fellow Black Knights.
Author Notes: Not as good as the Tamaki and Diethard one, but I hope it's enjoyable enough. Happy New Year!
Date last edited: 2009-02-25