Disclaimer: I never want to own Code Geass. I just love Lelouch, period.

Note: It took a while before I decided to continue this piece of crap. And yep, I'm done sulking with things so I'm back in the circulation. (Honestly I was busy with my manga works so I kinda abandoned this for a moment..)
Anyways, here it is; the Stage Three!! You have something new to comment bad! Yahoo!!

Every action taken has a corresponding consequence. There is no exception to this rule, even for one with great power as Lelouch's.

Though he possesses the power of total control-- the ability to do his bidding-- he cannot escape this inevitable truth.

Lelouch works to avenge his mother, to create a world in which his sister Nunnally might live in peace, but the world and those around him are forced to live with his actions and base on their own actions to the consequences.

If the result of his efforts are to change the world, then who should bear the blame, and who should be punished?

Lelouch wouldn't admit that.

So do I.

"Do you really know how to drive this thing?"

Suzaku smiled as he pushed some buttons and typed on the keyboard. "I know I've just read the manual, but I'm in the army so I should know this."

"It's not that I worry about you."

Lelouch made a little sort of a pout, and though Suzaku couldn't see it- Lelouch was at his back- he could actually feel that glare Lulu was giving him.

"Cut out the chills. I can do this... Trust me..."

Lelouch's eyes flickered- ...That word...
Why does it affect me so much...?

Trust...

Stage Three: The Oracle Waltz

The assaults made in Shinjuku Ghetto continued, and it was seemed endless. Several people were already lying dead on streets while the military Knightare Frames roamed and were still chasing that one and only frame used by the terrorist which was piloted by Kallen Stadtfeld. She was having difficulties in managing herself out of the area that was surrounded by Prince Clovis' army and what's worse, she had no battery life left.

On the other hand, Ougi Kaname and the other members of Resistance were rescuing people who were greatly affected by the ghetto's destruction. Kallen released the Glasglow's weapon to crush an enemy aerial machine but two other Sutherlands showed up, one piloted by Jeremiah Gottwald. This made the girl panicked, and she's still in deep trouble. She swiftly drove away form the enemies, still minding the battery life the frame had.

"Turn west. Use the last of your energy to get to the western exit."

Out of nowehere, a voice suddenly commanded Kallen. For a while, she doubted the command ad asked briskly, "Who are you?"

In a distant location from where Kallen's frame was, there stood another Knightmare Frame. It seemed to be looking at the pathetic state of Shinjuku, just observing. In its cockpit sat a black-haired boy, his face was blank and unclearly seen. He smiled evil, and answered Kallen's query as he started to move closer to that area where the chase was going. "It doesn't matter. If you Wish to win then trust me."

Win.

This word got stuck on the red-haired girl's brain, and quickly the Glasglow's direction. The robot settled its feet on the rusted train rails, going west and asked what should be her next step to that unknown ally. The enemy frames were still trailing her behind. On their front was a cargo train, and Kallen hesitated when she saw it coming her way but the voice spoke out:
"Because you've trusted me, I'll help you win. Jump on its top."

The crimson-haired agrred and did what the mysterious voice told her. Jeremiah's Sutherland met the train and he was able to immobilized it. "Did you think that would do you any good?" He switched on his back and gave orders to the other frame, "Go after the Glasglow."

The subordinate complied but suddenly got crushed after a few seconds. Another frame was at the other building, and it was the one who crushed its fellow frame so it made Jeremiah surprised. He bawled at it, "What unit are you from!?"

He hadn't stopped blabbering and the robot already fired gunshots at him; a simple warning that he was not from the military. This fact triggered the elite Britannian pilot and was about to shoot back when suddenly, the Glasglow swiftly responded, so he got no choice but to release his eject seat and escape.

Kallen thanked the Sutherland, which she knew where the voice came from but it was already gone.

On her location, Ougi and the others came and upon their arrival, the voice connected his line to the Resistance leader. He gave everything inside the train as a present- more Knightmare Frames, which they could use to be able to stand victorious against the governor's army. The Japanese guy was doubting that situation, but since they got no other choice, they decided to ride the flow, and obeyed all the things that myesterious voice was telling them.

King piece.
The unseen guy was playing that chess piece on his hand while holding up a radio in the other. When he cut off his line, he set his back against the pilot's chair and sighed. His amethyst eyes glared at the chess piece and he again smiled.
"This is really tiring. But I no wonder how could these end up- clashed army formation, a white knight crushing in, not-so-victorious ending for the poor Japanese terrorists- and makes me so excited..."

-----

"It seemed that some of the Elevens has organized a crude Resistance, but our Army still has the advantage."

Army General Bartley Aspirius reported to the Third Prince Clovis La Britannia who was apparantly sure of their victory against the terrorists. He also demanded about the recapturing of the one who's on the gas capsule- dead or alive.

The voice again talked to Ougi while he was in one of the frames but the Resistance leader asked who he was. The boy's left eye- which was bright purple in color and had this sign like a curse- stared on his monitor ans he spoke, "I can't reveal myself, we might be monitored. Anyway, Q-1 is on her way. The enemy's Sutherlands would be there within 25 seconds. Two of them probably. Shoot them down."

The Glasglow stood at point 3-1, as it was read on the prince's headquarters. They assumed it as a decoy and immediately ordered their groups to head the location and search any enemy in the vicinity. Two Sutherlands were a the close range, but even before they came closer, they got ambushed and lost their transmission.

"P-1, P-4, P-7; move three hundread meters to the right, and fire your slash harkens at 3 o'clock."
This was obeyed and the army again lost more units. As the game continued, it seemed that the terrorists were already outwitting the rest of the army's frames with sudden ambushes and surprise attacks. Prince Clovis had come to realize that the terrorists were in use of machines, while the bald general ordered a change of formation. In the midst of their commotion, someone popped from their server's scene.

"Konnichiwa!"

-----

With his left hand, the mysterious boy inside the hiding Knightmare covered his cursed left eye and he continued his game orders to the terrorists.

"I know for sure, this is your favorite game. Too bad, I also know how bad you are in playing it. I'll prove it. There are several ways the enemy can move..."

They kept on losing units, so Prince Clovis wanted to send all groups to the center of the formation, though it could only cause the entire formation to crumble. But His Highness insisted the command since the enemy was subject was obviously at the central area. This move was complied- and it made the unseen guy smile.

"Oh, they made the worst possible move. It only shows how dumb you are..."

He again contacted Kallen's unit, making sure of her current position. The crimson-haired sent an affirmative reply, so he now announced Mission Number Three.

All of the troops were driving to the center, where Glasglow was located according to the digital map. Thinking that it was the main force of the terrorists, the Third Prince demanded to focus the all attacks at that point. They had surrounded the target so the prince settled to smile. But then, the target's red light which indicate its existence suddenly vanished form the map, revealing on the actual location that the Glasglow wasn't really there. The terrorists' frames were at the underground, positioning themselves.

"And that's... CHECK."

Slash harkens were released and hit the upper flooring, and since the Sutherlands were all compiled at the center, the ground collapsed and a great land crash occured. All of the units disappeared, making the Royal Governor of Area 11 shiver with frustration. He was dealing with someone who had the ability to read all his moves, all of his commands; which never happened. With it, he desperatedly ordered Lloyd to immediately dispatch the army's newest "toy", the White Frame Lancelot.

-----

"Are you scared?"

Lelouch looked at Suzaku- on his hair though- and snorted.

"Is that the right way of opening conversation with a long lost friend?"

"I'm sorry."

"Stop being diplomatic and just focus on your work there."

The brunet smiled and sped up his Lancelot to the terrorists' location. "If this will give you frights, I again apologize..." He again uttered before beating up the first opponent. The former prince silently watched how the White Frame knocked all of the frames down, but he suddenly noticed the low grunts on the young soldier. Just then, the gunshot registered inside his memory.

"H-hey, you don't have to do this if you're not fine.."

"I can't. I received the order, I should obey it. And besides, you don't have to worry about me-"

Suzaku again paused to twitch with pain, while Lelouch stood up from his seat and though they were already compressed so much inside the frame, he somehow managed to support the driving by grabbing the left arm controller.

"Idiot! I am worried about you!"

Private Kururugi blinked at what his friend had told him, but it made him smile a little. He also noticed something.

"By the way, how did you ever learn about operating a frame?"

Lelouch narrowed his eyes. Why don't you just stop asking nonsense and concentrate on your business? We need cooperation here!

"I was here all time, what do you expect?"

"Oh yeah. What can I expect? It's Lelouch whom I'm dealing with!!"

-----

The king piece settled at the chess board as the mysterious boy suddenly held something on his hand.

"Lancelot's here. Good thing I didn't celebrate much. Time to change the fate you yourself messed..."
He put on that thing he was holding; a very unusual mask.

Both boys were in harmony, helping one another in driving the frame- Suzaku holding the right controller while his left hand was at his wound with Lelouch on the opposite side- and detecting the next target at the same time. Lelouch knew deep inside him this wasn't his expected way of his upcoming rebellion. This was not the one he foresee coming. This was totally different from what he had 'dreamt'.

If this way was the right path he had to chose- being with his long lost friend, who should be his enemy; driving that frame he himself want to destroy; eradicating those terrorists that he should befriend to help him achieve his primary goal- how could he be that Zero he dreamt himself being him?

If he wouldn't be Zero, who could he be then?

What was his Geass for if it would be useless when the right time come?

How could he ever change that sickening society he longed to change?

A glimmering light distracted Lelouch from thinking, and it was from a building not so far from their location. He eyed the shiny subject for a moment and his eyes widened to see that it was Viletta Nu's Sutherland before- the one he encountered hours ago- no mistake.

He quickly moved the frame on the left side, making Suzaku surprised with his action.

"Can you see that?" He meant the object at the building.

"Yeah. What's wrong with it?"

"I had this feeling, it's the one that's making the commands around. Hit it."

"W-What?"

"Don't do fake deafness and just hit it. Have you forgotten the rules of our favorite game?"

The ex-royal boy grinned, while the other pouted. "It was your favorite, I always lose to you like crazy. But yes, I do remember that number one rule; one's the king got trapped..."

"...it's definitely checkmate."

The White Knight immediately rode with the winds as it flew into the building and landed a hard hit on the detected target. The enemy released some bullets, that the Lancelot just evaded and the assault continued until the Sutherland stepped on a weak flooring and collapsed. Even before it could manage to escape, Suzaku hit a button to release the harkens and tied around the frame's metal leg. Its attempt of escaping failed, and the army's frame ceased it from causing further trouble. Since the left arm controller had its gun on, Lelouch moved it and let the gun's tip point at the Sutherland.

"Come out. You, at that Sutherland's cockpit, get out NOW!"

"Hey," Suzaku interrupted for a moment. "Could you just calm down?"

"Just this once, shup up Suzaku!"

"Why would you want the pilot to come out anyway?"

"Did I tell you to-"

Their exchange of words paused for a moment when suddenly, the frame's cockpit opened, but then no one showed up.

A frequency connected to their line.

"You should return the favor, and show yourself a well.."

Both boys made an eye contact.

Suzaku advanced his opinion, "No way. What if he has a gun? What if-"

"What if's is cowardice's favorite line!"

"But we shouldn't do such awkward move. I'm in the army, I should know this."

Lelouch did a painful snort. This is why I hate this kind of human behavior.

Suzaku answered into the line, "I am in the military, I'm kind of ordering you to raise your hand and kindly surrender."

Lelouch sweatdropped. "Kind of ordering? How lame!"

"Shhh. I have no solid power to do such, but at least I'm the only military man present so, no problem."

A pair of rose arms caught their attention. At last, the mysterious pilot was about to reveal himself. Suzaku wondered who could have made the Third Prince's army crumple in a simple yet effective plan, which never happened in his experience while at the army. Lelouch himself was excited: who could be that one who 'stole' the spotlight that he yearned to have.

His exciteness suddenly vanished as the pilot slowly show himself to the boys. Suzaku's jaded eyes got shaken with wonder. The long dark cape danced with the wind as soon as the unseen man completely got out from the cockpit. The weird mask glared at the sun rays, and small chuckles followed.

It was from him.

It was Zero himself.

Stage Four -Genesis- Preview: The different path of destiny suddenly opened up, and they were still in Zero's upcoming rebellion against Britannia. But then, if Lelouch Lamperouge was not Zero himself, who could that be?

Author's Note: I again apologize for the laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate update. I'm really busy these days. e.e