Chapter 2: Tribulations

Lelouch had taken a few steps towards Cornelia. The guards in their shock didn't stop him. "Not the reunion you were hoping for dear sister?" Lelouch asked the rage and intensity of his words radiating from him.

Cornelia's eyes widened. "Im-Impossible... brother you're dead, you can't..." she said confused. She took a step back shakily only to fall on her royal behind looking utterly stunned.

I've never seen her like this, to think that Zero, the enemy of the empire whom she has been so fervently attempting to find and avenge her brother is another one of her brothers. What a personal tragedy for her majesty as well as for the nation; Guilford thought sorrowfully.

"Your Majesty what should we do?" Guilford asked concerned for the well-being of his liege.

"Indeed sister, what will you do?" Lelouch sneered.

Cornelia didn't respond, she only sat where she had fallen and stared at her long-lost brother.

Cornelia opened her mouth as if to say something but a man interjected, "Excuse me I'm from S.I.S., we need to have a few words with the prisoner", the man said as he flashed his badge.

"Hey wait a minute, the S.I.S. isn't going to take credit for his capture are they?" Villetta asked angrily.

"How dare you speak to me in such a tone, I'll have you know I'm a baron. Besides nobody is will take credit for his capture without the approval of the Emperor. We're just going to interview him and then hand him over to the local authorities again", the man replied.

The man and other S.I.S. Agents walked towards Lelouch, but Guilford got in their way, "Your Majesty?" Guilford inquired looking at Cornelia.

"Let them" Cornelia said drily.

Guilford nodded and let them past.

The S.I.S. agents immediately put a blindfold on Lelouch and grabbed his still handcuffed arms. They proceeded to drag him out of the room, into S.I.S. Section of the Government Bureau and then into what Lelouch could only assume to be a cell.

Lelouch was straining his genius brain. How did they know to put a blindfold on me? Is it standard procedure or do they know about my geass?Maybe if I rub my face on the wall I can get this blindfold off, but if they see...

Lelouch's thoughts where interrupted by a boy's voice, "You've created quite ruckus my errant nephew, but all can be forgiven if you cooperate."

Lelouch didn't respond, he only knelled in his cell, staying quite. This irritated VV, but then a sly look came upon his face. "Play your cards right and Nunnally might not be tortured, raped and killed" VV said utterly devoid of any compassion.

Lelouch gasped, "What do you want?", he asked scornfully.

"Ah I knew that would get your attention. There are many things I want. C2 is the means to most of my wants, so tell me where is she?" VV demanded.

"C2?! How do you know about C2?"

VV kicked Lelouch in the stomach, "I'm the one asking questions here, I know she's the one who gave you your geass. Now tell me where is she?" VV asked calmly.

"First I need proof Nunnally will be unharmed."

"You're in no position to make demands. Tell me where C2 is. At the Black Knights headquarters? They're nothing but nuisances but I'd be happy to wipe them out while capturing C2."

Lelouch stayed silent.

"Tell me where the headquarters is. Tell me where C2 is." VV demanded.

Lelouch still stayed silent.

"I see, that's the way its going to be. Well unfortunately for you we've been preparing a way to make you talk from the moment you entered this building."

Lelouch felt a heat near his face.

"Guards pull the blindfold off and force his left eye open"

Once Lelouch could see his face filled with terror as he saw the red-hot poker in his self-proclaimed uncle's hand. He realized what this boy was going to do. "No, stop! For god's sake don't do it!" Lelouch yelled activating his now unblocked geass eye.

VV looked straight into Lelouch's eyes and grinned. "Sorry Lelouch, but your geass won't work on us immortals; didn't C2 tell you that? From what Clovis told us I'm guessing your geass is absolute obedience isn't it?"

"Huh? Clovis is dead he couldn't..."

"No Lelouch, death is just an illusion-a lie, as is pain" With that remark VV stabbed the red-hot poker into Lelouch's left eye socket. Lelouch screamed like he had never screamed before and then fainted.

Mobile Black Knight Headquarters:

"YOU BRIT PIG!" Tamaki screamed as he punched Diethard in the abdomen again.

"I had nothing to do with Zero's disappearance" The bruised Diethard yelled again attempting to defend himself.

"That's enough Tamaki, we'll keep him under lock and key until we know definitively whether or not Diethard did anything" Ohgi said, attempting to calm his friend Tamaki.

"He's a Britannian and one the first day he shows up he leads us to a battle where Zero disappears! What more evidence do you need!" Tamaki yelled, seething and looking like he wanted to kill Diethard.

"That's enough Tamaki, take him to the cell we made" Ohgi said sternly.

"Fine, fine, but if he's guilty..." Tamaki looked at Diethard menacingly, "I'm going to kill him."

Cornelia heard a faint scream from the bowls of the Government Bureau, Lelouch, she thought, tears coming to her eyes. Cornelia was no fool; she knew what an "interview" from the Secret Intelligence Service meant. She had always supported such activities, they are a necessary evil to stomp out terrorism, but to use those tactics on my brother, on an imperial prince...The thought disgusted her.

She continued to walk, alone, to her destination. The roof of the government Bureau, a complete replication of the Ares Villa. She sat in the meadow, reminiscing childhood memories of Lelouch, Nunnally and Euphy. I have so many questions for. How did he survive, what happened to Nunnally, and why did he betray his country? No, I already know the answer to that last question. Still though, I would have never imagined he would take things this far. What should I do? Maybe Britannia is behind Marianne's assassination, I always did find the terrorist angle hard to swallow.

Cornelia hugged her knees and sobbed. Here nobody saw her pain, her vulnerability; she wanted things that way.

A/N: Uh-oh... No more geass for Lelouch.

I'll write about Shirley and Villetta next chapter. The fate of Nunally will also be explained. Also Jeremiah will make an appearance either next chapter or the one after.

Yes, that last line from chapter was inspired by the Gladiator line: My Name is Maximus Decimus Meridius.