A/N: Hey guys! It's been a while...sorry about that. It's just that I've been busy with school lately. My classmates and I will take a college entrance exam on September 21,2013. Since that college is my college of choice,or rather my first choice among all the universities in our country,I've been reviewing these past couple of days. Not only that,but our periodical exams will be next week,so I've been burning eyebrows night in,night out,just trying to prepare for the big tests. Anyways,thanks for the reviews and suggestions guys! I really appreciate it,please continue to review the story and give me your thoughts and insights about it. For those of you who are wondering if Lelouch's feelings for Anya will affect his actions,definitely. In this fic,the Zero Requiem will also be altered. It will not be executed like it was in the anime itself. How will Lelouch and Suzaku execute their plan? All you have to do is to stay tuned to find out! :))
Chapter 4: Reality Check
The blinding rays of the sun roused me from my slumber. As usual,I took a shower,got dressed and fixed my things for school. I went ahead and cooked breakfast. When Rolo finally got done preparing for school,we sat down and ate together. After cleaning up,we headed to school. When I arrived at the building,I went to Anya's room first. There were a couple of students inside the room,but there was no sign of Anya. I looked over the teacher's desk and found the professor. I approached him on his desk. As I did so,the students whispered among themselves. Eh,probably about yesterday's events. As I walked up to the professor,he looked up.
"Excuse me,sir,but has Anya been around?" I asked quietly.
"Haven't you heard? She's on military duty for the next couple of weeks. So,that means that she won't be going to school anytime soon." He replied,matching my tone.
"I see. Thank you sir."
I headed to my classroom and sat down on my desk. Everyone seems to be talking about what happened to Anya and I yesterday. Nah,I probably shouldn't pay attention that. So Anya's gonna be gone for a while eh? School's gonna suck,that's for sure. It's just that,this place isn't the same without her in it. Well,I guess that's how the life of a knight of the round goes. Actually,Anya's absence is a good thing. Without her,I can probably think about how am I going to rescue Nunnally and Kallen. There's going to be no distractions...not a single one. But somehow,I felt incomplete,I felt as if I was missing something. Probably have to get used to it though. It's my fault why my feelings grew like this anyway. I knew that this was gonna happen,and now it's right here. I'm not backing down,that's for sure.
Since I only had three classes pending,I was able to return home early. I was able to accomplish all of my tasks,even some extra homework to give me some extra credit just in-case Sayoko botches my quizzes again. The whole day,I noticed something different about Shirley. She seemed to be...avoiding me. Does it have something to do with Anya? I doubt it,since we already talked about it yesterday. She just kept staying away from me the whole day. Apart from that,she wasn't her usual bubbly self. Very unusual of her...I decided to dismiss the thought for now. After classes,I immediately went to a secluded area. I made some phone calls to check up on Ohgi and the others. They seem to be doing fine without me. I ended the call a few minutes later. Since I have no homework to do,I went to the control room on the underground levels to check on things. I met Rolo there and helped him a little on his homework. Once he knew what to do,I went to the world map and observed our progress. According to the map,our faction has conquered a few key areas.
"It seems that the Jianmenguan Pass has fallen. We've also taken control of the Air Force facility in Macau. Why don't we send Asahina to defend Chenya. And Minase and Sugiyama to take charge of menial affairs there?" I said as scanned our territories.
"It looks like things are taking a turn for the better for us." Rolo remarked.
"Our so called 'foes' are military factions that simply won't join our cause. Merely insurgences that refuse to side with us."
"Not to mention,you've captured the empress,the one person who can unify all those factions."
"That's exactly why I saved her,to gain her trust." I explained as I walked to the elevators.
"Going somewhere?"
"I'm going to Ikebukuro. But don't worry,I'll help you with the rest of your homework when I get back."
"Catch ya later then."
With that,I headed to my room and got changed. After a few minutes of prepping up,I opted for the Ikebukuro Station. Once I arrived at the station,I checked on the delivery of the G trains,a network of Gefjun Disturber-equipped trains that works exactly like an E.M.P.. I casted my geass on the operators and ordered them to hand over the schematics of the network. I analyzed it,and was quite contented with what I saw.
"Not bad for the first stage." I commented. I handed the report back to the operator.
"All right then,continue with the same procedure."
I left the station,as I already have what I came for. When I was walking at the platform,I caught sight of Shirley and Suzaku.
"Shirley?" They both looked at me in shock.
"Lelouch?"
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Oh...um...Shirley just wanted to hang out. So I figured that I should go with her." Suzaku answered. Somewhere along the line,I knew that he was lying. It is none of business,but I might as well stay with them.
"Mind if I tag along?"
"Sure."
The three of us walked to the city together. While we were walking across the park,I couldn't help but think. What is Shirley up to? She's been acting weird since we were at school. What kind of game is she playing at? Or is Suzaku behind all this? What does he have in mind this time? I zipped my mouth the whole time. No use of asking one of them of what's going on right now. I could smell tension a mile away. Eventually we arrived at the rooftop boundary.
"Here it is,this is the boundary right here." I said as I looked around.
"Yeah. The borderline that separates the ghetto from the settlement. We have to erase it." Suzaku added.
A few moments later,I heard a gasp. I looked up at Shirley and saw her staring at Suzaku and I in horror.
"Shirley? What's wrong?" Suzaku asked.
"What's the matter is something wrong?" I asked as I approached her.
She remained motionless and just stared at me,aghast. When I took another step forward,she screamed frighteningly and ran to the edge of the building. Shirley stepped on the railing,then turned to us. Is she going to...Dammit!
"Shirley,wait!" Suzaku and I ran up to her.
"No! Stay away from me! You're both liars! You two are a pair of fakes,nothing but a bunch of-" She was cut off as her foot slipped off the railing.
I quickly dove forward and grabbed her hand,holding on to it for dear life. What the hell is she doing? Is she out of her mind?! Suzaku grabbed my foot to prevent me from falling off. I placed my other hand around her wrist to get a better grip. She opened her eyes and was terrified of the sight below her. She looked up and found out that it was I who was holding her. She tried to loosen my grip by flailing her arms wildly.
"No! Let go of me! Let me go!"
"Stop it! Please! Don't do this to me..." Her anger subsided when I said this. No,not another important person,not on my watch. "I can't lose you! I don't want to lose one more important person in my life! Please...I'm begging you."
She allowed me to pull her up after I blurted that out. I looked at Suzaku and signaled him to pull us up. When we pulled Shirley to safety,we sat down on the ground. I was panting heavily. Not only am I physically unfit,but that just scared the hell out of me. I may not return Shirley's feelings,but she is special to me in a way. We remained silent for a minute as we regained our breaths.
"You two have done this before,haven't you? Remember when you tried to catch Arthur?" Shirley asked.
"Yeah,you're right." Suzaku turned to me suspiciously.
"I guess you're right,Shirley. We have done this before."
"And Suzaku's always been the one who pulls you back up."
"If Lelouch would be the one to pull be back up,he'd fall down with me." We had to chuckle at this.
"Oh really? You're in the army,it's just normal for you to be strong. Besides,if you wanna brag,you should've saved us before we even fell."
"That's just ridiculous,then why'd you-" He was cut off. He must've realized that I have indeed regained my memories. He must've remembered Euphie. I turned to Shirley to see her expression. It was as if she was hiding something. The tension disappeared,for my phone suddenly rang.
"Excuse me." I excused myself and walked a few meters away. I flipped my phone open and found out that it was Rolo.
"Lelouch,it's Rolo,Jeremiah's headed right for you. We're on our way now,but be careful. My geass didn't work on him. He's an assassin sent by the order."
"Wait a minute,so you're telling me that Jeremiah is alive?"
"Yes,and he's headed to Ikebukuro as we speak." I may have a big problem in front of me.
"Okay,thanks for the heads up." I ended the call afterwards.
"Who was that?" Suzaku asked. "From the looks of it,that doesn't sound like a friendly phone call. Ah,as keen as ever,Suzaku. I hung my head low. This is not going to be good,especially with Suzaku and Shirley around. Suzaku started to approach me. Now that he knows that I have regained my memories,he knows that I am indeed Zero. Fortunately,Shirley slapped the back of his head.
"Suzaku,stop that! My problem comes first,remember?"
"Oh yeah..." Suzaku trailed.
"That's right,you two are waiting for each other aren't you?"
"You jealous?" Shirley joked. I just had to smile.
"Can't we just wait for a while?" Suzaku begged. He's really starting to get nosy.
"Nope. Let's go Suzaku." Shirley dragged him away.
"Hold on,wait-" Shirley ignored him and continued to drag him to the distance.
This area is about to become a battlefield. Shirley's better off with Suzaku,since her safety's not going to be a problem with a knight of the round as her companion. I went to the ground level and casted my geass on several police officers. I ordered them to kill Jeremiah on sight. After that,I went to the station where the G cars were parked. It will surely come in handy. If geass doesn't work on Jeremiah,then he's most probably a cyborg. And that's exactly what the G cars were meant to stop. I grabbed the detonator and kept it in my pocket. When the Gefjun Disturber was prepped up,I grabbed another detonator and wired it with a few smoke grenades. I stood by the railing of one of the floors to see what was happening.
I saw the officers that I casted my geass on. Jeremiah approached them and had a conversation with them. In the end,the officers pulled their guns out and shot Jeremiah. However,it did not faze him one bit,and the bullets just deflected when it hit him. He used his left eye and casted something. A sphere of blue light engulfed the officers. The officers seemed to have regained their senses when Jeremiah used his ability. Jeremiah gave each the officers a punch to the gut that knocked them out. Not only is he immune to geass,but he has the ability to cancel it as well. I pressed the detonator in my hands to unleash the smoke screens. He looked up at me and smiled. Yes,that's it,come and get me orange boy.
He headed for me. I ran as fast as I could to the station that held the G cars. I ran to the end of the station and waited for Jeremiah. A short while later,he found me.
"A mechanical body,and you have a geass canceller. Your vengefulness is top-notch,orange boy."
"It's no vengefulness,it's fidelity." Jeremiah answered as he approached me.
"How I hate to hear that word. What could the emperor have possibly done to deserve such fidelity?" I grabbed the other detonator and pressed the button. The Gefjun Disturbers activated at once. Jeremiah was paralyzed afterwards. I got you now. "It appears that I was right. I figured that you're using Sakuradite."
"G-gefjun Disturber!" He muttered.
"I see that you've done your homework. You know perfectly well that when the Sakuradite Disruption System is complete,we can paralyze all urban functions with the Railway Circular Route. In other words,bring Tokyo to a stand still. I am grateful,orange boy,you've been an exemplary test subject! Now then,will you tell me what I wanna know? Where is the order hiding? Where is V.V.?"
"You're one to talk here!" He blurted out as he took a step forward. Impossible...
"What the?"
"Because I have my reasons...to see my loyalty through! I must know the truth for certain,once and for all!" He was almost in my face...how can this be?!
"But how?! You should be paralyzed!"
"Why Lelouch? Why did you become Zero? Why did you turn against your homeland? You became an enemy of the emperor as a result!" Did he just ask me that? Very well then...I stood firmly and proud. I looked at him and answered.
"I did it,because I am Lelouch vi Britannia!" When I said this,he was stunned. "The emperor allowed my mother to be killed. In doing so,he stole Nunnally's sight,her legs,and our futures from us!"
"I remember,because I was there too." He replied. What?!
"You...were there?"
"My first assignment...to guard her...Lady Marianne...whom I loved and respected. I failed to carry through with that loyalty! I failed to protect her!" He collapsed on the ground as he continued.
"That's why founded the 'Purebloods' then."
"Master Lelouch...everything is becoming clear now...you..." He looked up at me and extended his hand. "You became Zero for Lady Marianne's sake didn't you?"
"If you didn't come here to kill me,then why are you here?"
"I follow only one...it's Lady Marianne." Tears cascaded down from his right eye. "Now...I'll die without regret..."
"Lord Jeremiah!" I quickly disabled the disturbers and ran to his side. If he serves my mother,then he is not my enemy,he is my ally.
"My prince..."
"Jeremiah Gottwald,listen to me,your remarkable loyalty is still desperately needed in here. Isn't that right?" I asked as I held his shoulders to look at me. Then,he smiled and nodded.
"Yes,your majesty."
"Now go,Jeremiah,clear the entrance for us."
"As you wish,your highness."
Jeremiah went on ahead. While I on the other hand,ran down the stairs to the ground level. I flipped my phone open and called Viletta. I told her that Jeremiah's on our side now and that he'll clear out the place. When I was about to go down the stairs,something caught my attention. I turned and saw a pool of blood on the floor. I took a few steps forward to see what was there. Is that,a person? I looked closer and saw...oh no...oh my goodness...it can't be! I ran to her side,and could finally see clearly. There lay Shirley,dipped in a pool of blood,and a handgun at her side. No...it can't be...I can't lose her. She can't die on me...SHE JUST CAN'T! I rushed to her side and tried to shake her awake.
"S...Shirley! Who...who did this to you?!" I asked as I stared at her abdominal wound that was bleeding out badly.
"Lulu...I'm glad that we can talk in my last moments..." She trailed.
"No,Shirley,don't you say that! I'll call for help!" I flipped open my phone to get some medical assistance.
"No..." Shirley trailed as she grabbed my hand,wanting me to stop. "Ever since my memories returned,I've been afraid. A teacher who wasn't a teacher,a classmate who was Zero,another classmate who was a soldier...it seemed like everyone's lying. Like nothing revolving around me was true. It felt like the world was spying on me. That's the world that you've been fighting alone by yourself. So that's why...that's why I wanted to be at least someone who's going to be truthful to you,because I know that everyone lied to you." Tears started to form in my eyes. Shirley...she did this...she did this all for me?
"Shirley..."
"Lulu...I love you...I know that you killed my father...but I simply can't hate you." I started to cry at her words. "Even if you made me forget about everything...I still fell in love with you...even though my memories were clouded by lies,I kept falling in love with you all over again." As she said those words...her hand started to let go of mine.
"NO,SHIRLEY YOU CAN'T! YOU CAN'T DIE!" I casted my geass on her so that she'll live.
"No matter how many times I am reborn...I'll keep falling in love with you. I suppose that it's simply fate."
"NO DON'T DIE,DON'T DIE!" I ordered repeatedly.
"No matter what happens...I'll always fall in love with you,Lulu...but...you have Anya now...t-take...care of her...I...love...you..." With that,she closed her eyes,and her hand fell from my wrist. I couldn't accept it...no...WHY DID SHE HAVE TO DIE?! SHE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS! ONE PERSON WHO WANTED TO BE THERE FOR ME AND SHE'S GONE!
"N...no...SHIRLEY!"
I sat there,beside Shirley's lifeless body,just mourning over her loss. I've lost so much in my life...I promised myself that I won't lose any other person in my life. First,I lost my mom,then I lost Suzaku,then I lost Nunnally,now,I lost Shirley. I couldn't help but cry at my own naivety. It is a cruel world,a world that is disfigured with lies. Yes,it is the world that is wrong,that's why I must change it. Shirley wanted me to be happy,that's why she wanted to be there for me. She knew that I was Zero,that I was fighting the world on my own. She understood everything about me,she never hated me,she never complained and she never left my side. Even if I made her life a living hell,she still remained beside me. That's something that I'll never,ever forget. Why did I have to lose her? For the next twenty to thirty minutes,I sat there crying and wheezing. Thank you,Shirley. Thanks for everything that you've done for me. Thank you for loving me even if I didn't return your feelings. And most importantly,thank you for being there for me through thick and thin. Goodbye,Shirley.
I dried my tears and stood up. Her sacrifice will not be in vain. She has given me another reason to change the world. She did everything she could to make me happy,it's time to do my job now. I will avenge her. Whoever did this to her,will share the same fate. I turned about and went ahead. I manned up and prevented tears from falling. When I got to the ground level,everything was in utter disorder. Everyone was panicking,and this is going to be a good time to get the hell out of here. I returned home and headed to the control room. When I entered the room,I saw an incoming transmission on the screen. I pressed the button to answer the call,even if I was in no mood to talk to anyone.
"Lelouch? How are things there?" C.C. asked.
"Jeremiah has joined our cause. Apart from that,there's nothing going on." I replied dully.
"I see,did you use your geass on him?"
"I didn't have to."
"What is wrong with you?"
"Huh?"
"You seem...depressed." Of course I am depressed. I just lost a very important person in my life!
"Who wouldn't be if he lost a very important person."
"What happened?"
I sighed. No point in hiding it anyway. "I-it's Shirley...she's...she's dead..." I whispered as I fought back the tears.
"Well,I'm sorry to hear that,but I'm not surprised."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember our contract? In exchange for the power to control your destiny,you will walk a path of solitude. You will lose everyone and everything that is precious to you. This is your reality. The reality that comes with the power of the king. I asked you this before I gave you your geass,but in the end,you accepted. You just have to get used to it,Lelouch."
"Get used to it? Are you serious? Who would want to get accustomed to losing his loved ones?"
"No one wants to,but you have to. That is the price of your geass. You can't run away from it. As long as you possess the power of the king,then you will continue to lose what you hold dearly. I am sorry,Lelouch,but that is your fate."
She's right. I have already forgotten. The price of the power of the king,is a solitary life. I can't be with anyone,because they will only die if they stay with me. That is my destiny,I cannot run away from it. Since I was a child,I had a lonely life,especially when my mother died. When Nunnally and I were exiled to Japan,we were lost,we didn't know what to do. I met C.C. eventually. When I was in the brink of death,she offered me a contract. She will give me the power to control my destiny,but in exchange for that power,I must walk a path of solitude. I was caught up in everything around me,that I forgot the terms of our contract. I remembered,that was another reason as to why I didn't want to love anyone,because I'd end up losing them in the end. And I don't want that to happen to my loved ones. During that period of time,I only cared about Nunnally,so I accepted the contract. I didn't know that it would end up like this.
Suddenly,my eyes widened,and I was paralyzed. If I'm supposed to lose those who are precious to me,then...Anya...I mentally screamed at myself. No,I can't let that happen,I can't put her in danger. I've lost Shirley,I won't lose anyone else,especially not Anya. Anya and Nunnally are the only ones that I have left,everyone else is either dead,or far away from me. Although,Nunnally may be in the emperor's hands currently,I'll find a way to rescue her. If I lose either one of them,I'm going to lose it. For now,they're both safe,Nunnally's the viceroy,she should be in good hands. While Anya is a knight of the round,and she's with Nunnally. But I have to stay away from them,especially Anya. But...how can I explain everything to her? What if she starts to get suspicious? Not only will she be in danger,but she'll find out who I really am. It's a good thing that she's on duty for the next few weeks.
"I accepted my fate when I accepted this power. I will use this power to save my loved ones and to make this world a better place for humankind. Although it is ironic,isn't it? I am trying to save the ones that I love,but to do that,I must lose them. I probably should stay away from them from now on. I can't risk losing any other important person in my life. I only have Nunnally and Anya left."
"That would probably the best way to keep them out of harm's way. Correct me if I'm wrong,but didn't you just mention Anya?" I only nodded. "What's going on between you two?"
"It's a long story."
"Do you even know who she is?" I looked at her weirdly.
"Yes,of course I do. She's a childhood friend. I've known her since I was little."
"I see...that's why..."
"That's why?"
"Nothing. Forget about it. Is she aware that you are Zero?"
"No. She doesn't have a clue about that."
"Then how do you plan to tell her about your true identity?" It was as if C.C. was asking all the questions that I've been running away from.
"I don't."
"Then you'll lie to her?"
"I have no other choice. If she finds out,she'll get caught up in the middle of this mess. I've lost enough people,I'm not losing her."
"I understand. What are your plans now?"
"I will find and annihilate the geass order. Geass is the reason why I lost everyone in my life. Why Shirley died...is all because of geass...because of me. I will destroy the order,and put an end to their nefarious plans."
"How will you find them?"
"I have Jeremiah on our side now. He was sent by the order,which means he'll know where the order's hideout is."
"You've done your homework then."
"Prepare the troops. We attack tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
The transmission ended. I went back to my room and changed clothes. A few minutes later,Rolo came home.
"Lelouch? Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
"I...I have something to confess..."
"Hm? What is it?" This ought to be interesting.
"I...I killed Shirley..." He trailed. WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?! My blood boiled at his words. I wanted to grab a knife and stab him until he dies. I wanted to make him pay badly.
"W...what?"
"She had knowledge of Nunnally. That's why I decided that it would be best to get rid of her. She'll only be an obstruction in your mission." Why you little...I tried to conceal my anger from Rolo. Little bastard just made rash decisions,not even caring about how it's going to affect me!
"No,it's not your fault." I lied. I still need his geass. Until then,I'll play along with him. "It's the geass' fault. If it didn't exist,then none of this would ever happen in the first place. We will flush the order out of hiding. And when they reveal themselves,we'll make them pay for what they've done."
After our conversation,I cooked dinner and ate with him. I so badly wanted to avenge Shirley. But no,that would be a bad move right now. I cleaned up and went to bed afterwards. I laid there in bed,just staring at the ceiling.
Today,I was reminded of my grievous destiny. I was destined to be secluded from my loved ones. It is indeed a cruel life. However,if I won't be able to endure the rigors of this grueling,hellish life,then my loved ones would become mere puppets of the empire. If that happens,then everything I've done since the beginning would be in vain. Too many people have already died for this,I have to continue,I have to succeed. Even if it means being estranged from Nunnally and fighting Anya,I have to finish what I started. The people long for their freedom,freedom from the hands of these oppressive Britannians. I can give that to them. Not only to the people of the world,but to Nunnally and Anya as well. Knowing that I am doing this for Anya and Nunnally's sake already gives me a reason to finish all of this. Although it hurts,I have to stay away from the both of them to ensure their safety. For if they die now,then I have nothing to fight for,and no reason to continue. They are the only ones that fuel my desire to rid the world of the emperor's grip. Their future is my priority,and I will see to it that they get just that,even if it kills me to be away from them and...even if it costs me my own life.
So there is chapter four. Please continue to review the story,so that I may find out if you guys want me to continue writing this fic. I may be gone for a while,since we have multiple tests in the next few weeks. I have to review for those(especially the college entrance exam on the 21st) first before I continue with the fic. Although,there's a possibility that I'll upload the next chapter this weekend. I dunno,your reviews will let me know,so please do review the story. Thanks for reading guys!