Credits to 30 Seconds to Mars for lyrics. I do not own Code Geass.

A Beautiful Lie

Chapter Two- Deceit

I won't suffer, be broken, get tired, or wasted
Surrender to nothing, or give up what I
Started and stopped it, from end to beginning
A new day is coming, and I am finally free

Everyone gathered in the lounge room as Zero watched as Princess Cornelia announced that she would declare war on every single Eleven until Zero was turned in. She said that she would destroy every ghetto, throw every Eleven inhabited area upside down until Zero was found. Zero found the whole broadcast rather humorous. All the Japanese would now be completely persuaded that Britannia was evil if they hadn't already. 'Cornelia, you've lost it, haven't you?' Ohgi clenched his teeth. War on all Japanese would mean civilians dying. Would Britannia be willing to go that far just to have Zero in custody?

"What are we going to do Zero?" Tamaki asked.

"We'll show ourselves in an area that isn't overwhelmed with people. That way, civilian causalities will be minimal; she and her army will come. Let me take care of her, she's lost her mind; she wont be a problem." Zero left the room in his usual grace. Everyone seemed to have mixed feelings. Ohgi ran after Zero, wincing as the wound from the bullet seared in pain.

"Zero!" he shouted. Zero turned around and faced Ohgi. "Our ranks are injured! I'm injured! We can't jump into this immediately, but at the same time, if we don't people will die!"

"You're contradicting yourself. What plan do you have?"

"We need to heal up, and replenish our knightmares! But we have to do it quickly!"

"I still cannot see a plan," Zero's voice was strong, and to be honest, he was getting quite annoyed.

"Then make one! That's what you're good at!" Ohgi yelled. Zero didn't respond for a moment.

"Ohgi, you'll stay behind. The rest of us will go into battle with Cornelia. I've already got knightmares waiting." Ohgi was stunned and angered. He didn't want to be treated like a child!

"Wait!"

"What?!" Zero's voice boomed in anger.

"I'm coming too!" From under Zero's mask Lelouch smiled, there was the Ohgi that he knew.

Schneizel stared at Cornelia in anger. He wanted to backhand her but decided that his words would sting harder. "What you did was foolish! How could you allow your emotions to get the better of you? Do you realize that's what Zero wants?" Cornelia stared at the floor like a puppy being scolded. "The relationship with the Elevens are already terrible! Now you've furthered that to a whole new level! Zero has beaten you! Do you understand? Zero has won!" Kanon stood in the corner of the room. He was shocked to put it frankly; he had never seen Prince Schneizel so worked up. The pink-haired man watched as Cornelia just took it like a weakling. It was disgusting. She was supposed to be strong and here she was, whimpering like a dog. Disgusting.

"Sch-" Cornelia was cut off before she could say anything.

"Princess Cornelia li Britannia, I hereby place you under arrest for treason!" Kanon looked up in surprise, as did Cornelia. "Arrest her." Two Britannian soldiers grabbed a hold of Cornelia and took her away as she kicked and jerked.

"Schneizel! I'll kill you for this! I swear I'll kill you for this!"

"As much as I dislike questioning you, Your Highness, but was that necessary?" Kanon asked as he approached the prince.

"I can't have her in the way anymore. She's become a hindrance; her mind is no longer there. It died along with Euphemia.

Zero was getting into his knightmare when a world-wide broadcast by Schneizel could be heard coming from the screen in the cockpit. Zero took off his mask and watched as Schneizel's piercing blue eyes gazed into the camera. "Ladies and gentlemen of Britannia, I am broadcasting all over the world currently to bring you some unfortunate news." Schneizel made a pained face, as if the news he was going to be delivering actually made him upset. Lelouch laughed in disgust. "Princess Cornelia has been placed under arrest for treason. In her previous statement on broadcast as you all remember she threatened not only the lives of Elevens, but of Britannians as well. She was planning to kill civilians of all races and we could not allow that. Rest assured however, she will not be put to death. But her punishment has not been officially decided yet. I am terribly sorry I had to give you all this news. It saddens my heart to know that my own sister would try to bring such atrocities to all of you, my beloved citizens. However Zero, sleep with your eyes open, for I am now your opponent!" Lelouch's eyes widened in madness and a smile crossed his face as he began to laugh softly at first and gradually it became stronger, and stronger.

"Well, it looks like we'll no longer need to be going to battle now," Lelouch said as he exited his knightmare. Kallen, Ohgi, and everyone stared now at Zero, awaiting orders. "Relax, Schneizel isn't going to attack anyone for now. Go enjoy yourselves." Kallen followed Zero from the hanger to his private quarters. "I think I'm safe now Kallen, you don't need to continue guarding me here."

"That's not it, Zero…I want…to talk to you." Lelouch noticed the quivering voice. He smiled from under his mask.

"Come in then." He motioned for her to step inside. Kallen looked around for C.C but she wasn't anywhere.

"Where's C.C? Doesn't she share this room with you?"

"I don't know where she is. But I'm sure she's fine."

"What is…C.C…to you?" Kallen asked as a deep blush crept up her cheeks. Lelouch was taken aback. He hadn't expected such a question.

"She's my accomplice. Secretly, she and I are calling the shots together."

"So, do you mean to say that Ohgi is actually third in command?"

"No, I mean that C.C helps me decide if my plans are doable or not. Occasionally I'll plan a strategy that is impossible and could only work in theory. But C.C and I have a close bond."

"Is she your lover?"

"Are you jealous?" Kallen's eyes widened. She didn't expect such a quick reply, and that reply of all! "It's ok, I understand. I give you special attention because of your talents, I do like you Kallen, and to answer your question, no, she's not." Relief and flattery mixed in unison on the girl's face.

"How old are you?"

"Kallen, I think those are enough questions for today," Zero said as he made his way to the door to let Kallen out.

"I'm sorry. I understand the position you are in but, we're all curious. Yesterday, Kento kept making jokes that you may be an old man, or someone with a disfigured face. I got carried away I guess."

"Kento was making jokes? C.C told me he was sad."

"Well, he is sad. At the last battle, he lost a good friend to the Britannians; Inoue."

"Oh."

"Maybe it would be a good idea if you started to show more compassion for those who have died. Especially for those you have served you. A service would be nice?"

"I don't have time for such things." Kallen was stunned. How could Zero be so cruel?

"If I died, would you still not have time for such things?" Kallen fought hard to keep the tears at bay. Zero was silent for a moment.

"Kallen, you're different from the rest."

"How so? I fight for your cause like them! I listen to your orders like them! I trust you like them!"

"No, you're wrong. They don't trust me." Kallen's eyes widened.

"How-"

"Do you honestly think I'm oblivious by all their skeptics? They stand in the halls thinking that I'm not going to walk by, talking about how they feel about me. I hear them."

"Zero-" Once again Zero interrupted her.

"It's ok. I understand their feelings. But now I'd like for you to leave. I want to be left alone."

"Zero, no matter who you are, or what you do, I'll always stand behind you."

"No you won't." Kallen was about to say something when he finished his sentence, "You'll stand beside me." A smile found its way to Kallen's lips as she left the room happily.

"Zero, you're a good person. Aren't you?" she said.

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