Crossroads

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.

The whole road had been emptied for the Emperor 's vehicle. The police force had been dispatched all over the road and formed a human barrier. Soldiers marched down the street as the Emperor's vehicle passed by. Curious onlookers stood at the corners and peek at the scenario. Some even decided to watch from the buildings nearby.

It was the execution day. The day where all traitors to Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia shall be executed. The members of the Black Knights were tied to poles and were tightly guarded by dozens of soldiers on the stage. The sight of the heroes to the Japanese being tied to the pole, powerless was heart wrenching to the Japanese whom fought against the empire. Their hopes are dashed like glass shattered into pieces. No one can save the from the clutches of the Demon Emperor. No one except Zero. Everyone was hoping for Zero to appear and perform his miracles again. He was their last hope.

Lelouch sat on his chair above the vehicle and watched his surroundings. None of the citizens dared to look into his violet eyes, fearing they might end up in the gallows too. All of them stared at the ground as he passed by. It was a total silence until Lelouch thought he could even hear a pin drop. Lelouch gazed below and saw his beloved sister, Nunnally sitting on the floor with the chains on her. Then he looked at his former subordinates of the Black Knights. They too, refused to look at him. Except one red hair girl. Kallen Kozuki.

She stared at Lelouch with her blue eyes with a tear streaked face. She must have been crying for the whole night, Lelouch whispered. Kallen mumbled something which Lelouch could not made it up. Seeing his friends being chained was a sore to his eyes and his heart. Lelouch didn't want this but he had no choice. It was for the world peace. He shall be the demon and sacrifice himself. For Nunnally.

"Please forgive me, everyone. Gomen" he whispered to himself. Lelouch checked the time on his watch. 10 more minutes before his death. He chuckled. It was weird as he was doing a count down for his death. Normally, humans don't know precisely when is their death but he does. Lelouch rested his arm on the arm rest of the chair and placed his chin on his palm. He watched the very scene of his last day on Earth. "Soon, I will be joining Shirley, Rolo and Euphie in heaven...perhaps I wouldn't be there too. Maybe I will reach the hell instead" he thought to himself. He had committed to many crimes and his hands are stained with blood. He should be dead.

Lelouch checked his watch again. Suzaku was late! He peered around for the sight of the iconic mask but to no avail he saw nothing. Just then his eyes spotted a green hair girl among the crowd. He quickly turned but she was gone. Is this hallucination? Lelouch whispered.

"Your Majesty, what should we do now?" Jeremiah came forward and asked. He clearly was a bit worried with the sudden delay. Lelouch sighed. He bit his lips and clenched his fists. That damn Suzaku! He cursed. Just then, there was a loud commotion. The crowd were shouting and pointing at something. Lelouch and Jeremiah turned and smiled. He finally arrived. Lelouch signalled at Jeremiah to take his place while he sat on his chair with his demonic look.

"Kallen, Nunnally,...goodbye" Lelouch muttered. He spotted Suzaku/ Zero heading towards him with the sword in his hands. The soldiers fired multiple shots at Suzaku but he managed to dodge it. Jeremiah pretended to stop Suzaku/Zero but the masked man jumped on his shoulders and leapt up to where Lelouch was.

"Go kid!" Jeremiah whispered. The crowd grew louder as their Zero stood faced to face with the Demon Emperor. Black versus white. Lelouch smirked at Zero. But he quickly changed his expression to a shock and furious face. He pulled out the gun from his pocket and aimed it at Zero. While Zero rushed towards Lelouch with the sword.

"You-" Lelouch pulled the trigger of his gun. But he purposely misfire it to the other direction to make the scene more epic. Inside the mask of Zero, Suzaku was cursing. "Damn Lelouch, do you really have to make it so real?"

Down there, Kallen was waiting for somebody to release her. She looked around and rattled the chain. She tried to break the reinforced chains but she failed. Then she heard a familiar irritating female voice. "Ah, little Kallen is playing damsel in distress huh?" Kallen turned and twitched. It was C.C. The green hair girl was still eating her pizza and even brought a pizza box with her too!

"Release me...NOW!" Kallen growled. C.C ignored her. She licked the bits of cheese on her fingers. Everyone were shouting and whispering as Zero fought with Lelouch. More gunshots could be heard. Kallen looked over and was glad Suzaku had not killed Lelouch yet. She turned back to C.C and shot her the most threatening glare on Earth.

"C.C..." She hissed. Sensing Kallen's rage, C.C gave in and quickly unlocked the chain. Kallen quickly jumped off from the stage and pushed through the crowd. Meanwhile on the vehicle, the two were still fighting. Lelouch raised his eyebrow. This isn't like we had planned... "What are you doing Suzaku?" He asked. Suzaku said nothing. He just continued to dodge the attacks.

"He is destined to be the King. He must lead the world. I saw Britannia crumbled." Euphie's voice ringed in Suzaku's ears. Euphie...he whispered. Suzaku stopped. He looked at Lelouch under the emotionless mask. As the duel stopped, the crowd stopped moving. All eyes were on them.

"Your Majesty, I propose a truce!" Suzaku said in Zero's firm and proud voice. The crowd gasped. Even Lelouch and Jeremiah were shocked. Jeremiah tried to stop Suzaku but he found himself being run over by a heavy object. "Don't move Orange-kun!" Kallen threatened with a gun she stole from one of the soldier.

"What the hell are you talking Su-Zero?" Lelouch blurted out. It was not as expected. Is this Suzaku under the mask or someone else? Suzaku lowered the sword and threw it on the ground. C.C caught it. Then he moved closer to the Demon Emperor. Lelouch move backwards.

"I believe we should work together. I think a young child like you have no idea how to lead the empire. You need assistance. And I, Zero will be your guide. To all citizens of Britannia, I, Zero assured you that Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia will lead the empire in peace" he paused and took a deep breath. Then he continued "Under Zero watchful eyes. I will make sure Le-His Majesty does his job well or...he will receive death" he said, emphasising on the word 'death'.

There was a long silence. Lelouch stared in disbelief at Suzaku. Suzaku, his best friend betrayed him? At the last moment? What the-

The crowd cheered. They pushed through the human barriers of the police and headed to the vehicle. They chanted Zero's name. "Zero! Zero! Zero!"

Once Zero had received the support of the public, Kallen let go of Jeremiah. She stood up and smiled. "At least Lelouch did not killed himself. Suzaku is pretty a good actor too!" she muttered. Then she heard a click. It was Jeremiah. "What did you just did? You spoilt my Lord's plan! You-" before he could finish his words, Kallen did a back kick at Jeremiah and kicked his face. Jeremiah was thrown towards a group of police. C.C cheered from behind, of course with another box of pizza.

"Your Majesty, I hope we will be able to work together" Suzaku said and held his hands to Lelouch. Lelouch was still stupefied by it and stood uprooted to his place. "Why?" He asked. Suzaku cleared his throat. He wondered whether his voice will be projected to the public with the speaker in the mask. So he decided to call Euphie by her title.

"Princess Euphemia sent me a sign yesterday. You are destined to be the once and future King. You shall be King Arthur and rule the Empire. We, are your humble knights waiting to serve the Great King. You must not die or-" just as Suzaku was about to finish saying his words, a loud gunshot could be heard. Suzaku managed to dodge away from the gunshots heading towards them. But he totally forgotten about Lelouch. He turned and gasped.

Lelouch was shot! His white Emperor clothes was stained with red blood as he fell to his knees. Suzaku saw his friend vomiting blood from his mouth and looking at him with a sad face before tumbling on the cold hard ground. Lelouch fell from the vehicle and dropped right in front of Kallen. Blood poured out non stop from Lelouch. Kallen grabbed his body in disbelief. The person whom she admired and thought could save was gonna die?

"Lelouch!" She screamed. Lelouch stared at her for one moment and then his eyes was shut. Jeremiah and C.C were shocked by the sudden turn of events and looked around for the attacker. The soldiers were forming barricades and urging the people to get out from the scene. It was a total chaos. Suzaku stood on top of the vehicle and watched in disbelief.

He had failed Euphie! He had caused the Great King to die! Suzaku clenched his fist. Tears rolled down his cheeks. What have I done! I couldn't even save my own friend! He fell to his knees and hit the floor hard. Then it hit him hard. He heard Euphie's voice again. "What are you doing? Bring him to the hospital! It is still not too late! Hurry!"

Suzaku looked up. Euphie was right! Lelouch need to be in the hospital! He jumped down and pushed the crowd away from Lelouch. He grabbed his body away from the crying Kallen and immediately instructed Jeremiah to bring the ambulance.

"Go! His Majesty needs medication ASAP! Bring the stretcher! Put him on the life machine! Hurry!" He shouted. The soldiers dispersed to search for the stretcher. The paramedics from the nearby hospital came to the scene and rushed Lelouch to the ambulance. Suzaku and Kallen hopped into the van as the ambulance rushed to the hospital.

"Lelouch...don't leave me!" Kallen wept as she held his hands. Suzaku sat there in remorse. Lelouch you must live! He whispered.

Author's note

Please review. The next chapter will be more exciting. One question, who shot Lelouch? Guess! :)