Stage Seventeen "Captive Nunally"

In a dimly lit Lelouch's room Feite leaned against the doorway while Lelouch had explained the entire situation with the other Geass user Mao. At first Feite was perplexed to find out that C.C. had given the supernatural ability to him, but it was unseen that it would turn Mao into a psychopath. Her arms quickly crossed over her chest while Lelouch sat exhausted at his desk. His hand rested firmly against his forehead while tapping a pen on the desktop. "So, did that explanation suit your curiosity? Do you hate me for using Geass?" Feite shook her head and walked over to Lelouch's side. "You were forced to do it, as you have said... this guy isn't alive anymore. So we don't need to worry about it." Lelouch glanced up at her face and let out an uneasy grin. "Yes…it's getting late you should head to the girl's dorms." Feite looked back at the clock on the wall, and nodded. "It is pretty late, or early you could say…"

At the docks, the Black Knights were burning the midnight oil on the dusty Voulge that had recently been moved into the bowels of a gutted oil rig. "Move the weapon so it interlocks with the right arm. It's a delicate weapons platform!" A large shield like device with a large switch blade was being raised to the forearm of the towering Knightmare. "Damn, why is Feite getting outfitted with all these weapons when she just got out of the hospital?" Tamaki looked up at the Voulge while looking at the shocked Ogi. "I don't know, but it would seem Kyoto thought this would be necessary for future engagements."

"Hey you guys…" Kallen walked up wiping her face with a towel that had been draped over her shoulders. Both men turn over and wave casually to her while their all turn their eyes over to the machine that hadn't been utilized in weeks. "So that was the new weapon that was sent with the Guren's repair parts?" Tamaki nodded a few time while running his hand across the stubble on his chin. "Yeah, but it would seem like a waste...Isn't Feite right handed? A shield should be on the left right." Kallen took a look at the weapon system, and rotated her sore right arm. "That's an offensive shield…So I don't think regular logic applies…" Ogi let out a small laugh, and glanced over his shoulder. "It's already a few hours past midnight. Don't you have classes today?" Kallen leaned on the railing and shook her head. "I don't have to go…I'm…" His hand moved over and lightly patted her shoulder. "You should go…we're finished here, and are waiting for Zero's next order. Tamaki and everyone else can handle things for now." Kallen let out a disappointed sigh while pushing off the railing, and turning for the doorway. "I guess I could head out…don't stress yourself Ogi…"

The next morning came by swiftly, and the morning bell had already started to ring. The students were slowly walking over to their homeroom, and in that crowd Feite walked casually with her book bag resting over her shoulder. She hummed to herself while catching a glimpse at Suzaku and Lelouch. "Seems that we're all attending class again…" Feite walked over nonchalantly to the two and grinned. "So, we're all going to class for a change. This is remarkable…" Lelouch let out a soft laugh while Suzaku smiled. "Yeah, work has been pretty easy since the Black Knights haven't done much recently." Lelouch paused for a moment and gave Suzaku an odd look. "I thought you were in the Technological department like Rai." Suzaku held up his hands and laughed. "We're shorthanded right now, so I help out a lot with the other divisions." Lelouch paused for a second, and glanced at Feite directly. "Also Feite, do you mind cooking dinner for us tonight? Suzaku, Nunnally, and myself?" Suzaku shook his head in protest, and sighed. "Feite just got out of the hospital, we shouldn't…" Feite pulled up her sleeve, and flexed her arm. "I'm okay Suzaku, cooking is my forte. I'll be able to pay you two back for yesterday's party." Lelouch let out a smile while towards the group Rivalz's comes to a screeching stop on his motorbike.

Feite leaps to the side as the vehicle nearly side swipes her. "Whoa Rivalz watch out where your driving! I don't want to go back to the hospital!" Rivalz pulled up his goggles and rubbed the back of his head. "I'm sorry Feite, but this is an emergency! Lelouch did you hear about the President's matchmaking session?" Lelouch looked over at Feite and nodded slightly. "Yeah, it's supposed to be today right?" Feite shrugged her shoulders, and sighed. "I guess…" Rivalz let out a panicked yell while gripping Lelouch by the collar. "Why didn't you two tell me!" He glanced over at Feite, than back at Lelouch. "Because you'd cry if I told you." Rivalz growled and let go of Lelouch while letting out a fake laugh. "I won't cry! Look at me I'm laughing!" Suzaku let out a friendly smile, and took a step forward. "It's all right. I didn't know about it either…" Rivalz turned over with his fist balled, and passion in his eyes. "Don't reply like an airhead at a time like this!" Feite let out a small laugh while shaking her head. "Let's head to class Suzaku, come on Lelouch…" Lelouch shook his head and started running off towards the student council building. "Lelouch? What about class?" Lelouch looked over his shoulder and smiled. "I know, I'm going to tell Nunnally about dinner."

Meanwhile at the Britannian Technical division, Rai wears the uniform of a mechanic while working on the Club in the background. "I didn't realize, but why did Lloyd bring his matchmaking session girl here?" He switches out a few circuits while at the foot of the maintenance ramp Cecile stood. "I don't know, but she's really pretty. She's the daughter of the Ashford Family." Rai turned over quickly with a shocked look stretched on his face. "Seriously? Don't tell me it's Milly Ashford?" Cecile looked over with an interested look. "Yes, how do you know her Rai-kun?" Rai rubbed the back of his head while letting out a sigh. "I go to Ashford as well Cecile…." She laughed for a moment while covering her mouth with her hand. "Oh I seem to have forgotten, if that's the case shouldn't you be at school like Suzaku?" Rai pointed over his shoulder in the direction of Lloyd's separate lab. "I took the day off to get a head start on getting the Club up and running."

Feite walked out of class with a large smile blooming on her face while she looked over at the classroom across the hallway. She looked at the various students, and quickly rushed over to speak to the teacher who walked out last. "Rai, didn't go to class today." Feite paused before even reaching the doorway. Suzaku leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. "Really? What did he have to do? His work can't be that harsh on him right?" She let out a small pout before walking down the hall. "Well, it's complicated; Rai is a little more skilled than I am at fixing things. So he had to finish some work that Lloyd wanted him to finish." Suzaku kicked off the walk, and followed after Feite. "Aren't you going to wait for Lelouch?" He was partially hesitant while looking over his shoulder for Lelouch. Feite shrugged her shoulders, and sighed. "I have to go to gym class…bye Suzaku."

Lelouch stood in the classroom his hand shaking while holding an envelope that was in Nunally's handwriting. On the front was written, "Do not open until after class." He stared at it with suspicion as it had found it during the morning on the dining room table. 'Nunally, why would she write something so suspicious…' Lelouch opened the envelope, and pulled the single photograph contained within. His eyes widen while the photo confirms his suspicions. The picture of that of Nunally, tied with rope against her wheelchair and a gag across her mouth. An angry scowl forms on his face while he quickly stows the picture away. 'Who could have done this…"

His anger quickly subsides while his mobile rings several times from within his pocket. Lelouch pulls it out and answers only to hear Nunally's voice on the other line. "Nunally, where are you right now?" She quickly answers with a no, while a small laugh is heard in the background. A familiar voice then grabs the phone and talks into the receiver. "Lulu, it's me…" Lelouch's eyes widen while it sent chills down his spine. "Don't tell me its…" He stood stationary locked in a state of shock in the empty classroom. "Lelouch, you were careless. You thought you killed me right?" Lelouch turned to the window and slammed his hand against the wall. "Wait a minute Mao, C.C. isn't here now."

In the dark underbelly of the school Mao sits on a chair with his legs resting on an old desk. A large smile was stretched across his face while holding the phone to his ear. "That's why I came, someone who isn't affected by Geass is quite a nuisance. I'll save that encounter for later. I really can't accept the gift that you offered me the other day."

Lelouch peeked out of the curtains with his eyes moving rapidly searching for any sign of Mao in the immediate area. "You're within five hundred meter radius from me right?"

Mao let out a comforting sigh, and nodded while looking down at Nunally. "Yeah, I am. Do you want to try to search for me? The time limit is five hours, and this is a game between you and me. It'll result in a NG, if you manipulate the police as a chess piece. I don't want to be shot at like last time. Britannian medical science is really amazing. I took so many bullets, and your friend Feite just had heart surgery didn't she? It would be bad if you dragged her in." A sinister smirk flashed across Mao's face while standing up from his chair. "Also Lulu, you shouldn't have issued the shoot order, but told them to kill instead.

In the dark underbelly of the school Mao sits on a chair with his legs resting on an old desk. A large smile was stretched across his face while holding the phone to his ear. "That's why I came, someone who isn't affected by Geass is quite a nuisance. I'll save that encounter for later. I really can't accept the gift that you offered me the other day."

Lelouch peeked out of the curtains with his eyes moving rapidly searching for any sign of Mao in the immediate area. "You're within five hundred meter radius from me right?"

Mao let out a comforting sigh, and nodded while looking down at Nunally. "Yeah, I am. Do you want to try to search for me? The time limit is five hours, and this is a game between you and me. It'll result in a NG, if you manipulate the police as a chess piece. I don't want to be shot at like last time. Britannian medical science is really amazing. I took so many bullets, and your friend Feite just had heart surgery didn't she? It would be bad if you dragged her in." A sinister smirk flashed across Mao's face while standing up from his chair. "Lulu you shouldn't have told them to kill me instead of just shooting. You were too naïve in the end, that's why your sister…is in a bind."

Feite slammed down heavily on a volley ball sending it speeding over the net and to the hands of Nina. She passes the ball to a member of her team, and the ball goes over to Feite's side of the court. A member knocks the ball into the air setting it up for a spike. Feite runs forward and her eyes turn over to Nina who had a scowl on her face. They quickly widen while Feite lets out a smirk. "Take this!" The ball speeds from Feite's power hit, and flies into Nina's face. Her glasses crack while she falls backward onto the floor.

Nina slides on the polished court while a small trickle of blood fell from her nose. Her glasses were bent in her lap while the coach blows the whistle. "Whoa…I seem to have overdone it." Feite moves underneath the net to feel the angered eyes of Nina pierce through her like spears. The game stops while the coach quickly moves to Nina. "Nina are you alright?" Nina wiped her nose with her hand and nodded. "I'm fine, I wasn't paying attention." A few girls turn over to Feite, and pat her on th shoulder. "That was one power spike Feite, you're just like normal. I wouldn't have thought you were in the hospital for a full week." Feite wipes the small amount of sweat off her forehead while a small amount of pain was in her chest. "Yeah, but I think I over did it a bit. Teacher, can I sit out?" Coach let out a sigh while Nina walked over to the bleachers. "Sure, since it'll even both teams out. Is your heart acting up? I was told by the superintendant to restrict you in physical things you know." Feite followed Nina while letting out a firm nod. "Yeah, but I'm glad that you let me play today." She jogged over and placed her hand on Nina's shoulder. "I'm sorry that I hit you…" Nina let out a fake smile, and laughed. "No problem, I wasn't paying attention." Feite smiled back and looked out the corner of her eye. 'Can you fake a better smile than that? Man you really do have it in for me.'

At the end of gym, Feite walks out of the girl's locker room with slightly damp hair, and her jacket resting over her shoulder. Her eyes scan the hallways while the same boring daily school life surrounded her. She wanted to return to humiliating the Britannian Military, but that would have to wait for the time being. Her eyes wander to the flashing lights on her wristwatch. 'it's time for the student council meeting…'

Minutes later at the student council building Rivals in a more content mood climbed off his motorbike, and removed two pizza boxes from the sidecar. He tries to move his goggles out of his face while Feite walks behind him with a playful grin on her face. "So, is that lunch?" Rivals let out a nod while motioning for Feite to take the boxes from him. "Yeah, I thought it would be nice. Can you take them off my hands? I need to get my helmet off." She quickly grabs them, and looks over at the nearby loudspeaker. Milly seemed to have returned from her "match making" session, and was broadcasting the daily afternoon agenda. Rivalz turns over to the loudspeaker while tossing his helmet into the sidecar. "Thanks, Feite…"Feite shrugged her shoulders, and walked up ahead. "So Rivalz, why don't you just confess to Milly?" Rivalz's cheeks quickly turned a different shade of red while he turned over in a joking manner. "What do you mean? It's not like that…" Feite let out a small laugh, and shook her head in disappointment. "If you don't do anything you'll regret it later…" She pauses only to spot Nina walking towards the council building with a bandage on her face. "I'll go on ahead, so bye!" Rivalz turns over and waves at Nina, and by the time he had the chance to turn back Feite had entered the building.

"Hey, everyone Rivalz got pizza for us!" Feite walked in holding the pizza up with one have before neatly placing it on the table. Suzaku and Kallen were both nearby Arthur playing with him by the oversize playhouse that was constructed for him. The cat looked up at Suzaku with his paw slowly moving swinging through the air near Suzaku's hand. "Oh, that was nice… I was getting hungry." Feite shrugged her shoulders, while placing both boxes on the table. "Yeah, he should be coming up with Nina. I'm going to grab some drinks from the kitchen as well as some plates." Kallen stood up, and crossed over to an empty eat at the table. "So Suzaku, what do you think about Shirley? She's been acting weird lately." Suzaku took a slice of pizza while nodding slightly. "Yeah, but didn't Milly ask us to keep playing with their little lovers spat? Sadly, I always thought Lelouch liked Feite more than Shirley." Kallen's eyes widen while she looked at the doorway. "Really, I never knew that…" Suzaku shrugged his shoulders, and briefly sighed. "Well, it's not in a way like that. It's more akin to them being childhood friends." The door opened while Nina walked in with Rivalz. Suzaku turned with his eyes wide and Kallen covering her mouth. "Nina what happened to your face."

Minutes later, Feite walked into the meeting room wheeling a tray of beverages, cups, and plates. A playful smile was stretched across her face, and soon meeting the leering gazes of the other members it faded. "What's wrong everyone? Why do you look so grim?" Rivalz shook his head and crossed his arms. "You really like to pick on Nina don't you. We all heard about the volley ball incident." Suzaku shrugged his shoulders, and took a plate from the tray Feite brought in. "I don't see anything wrong with it. In sports you sometimes get hurt." Kallen smiled while taking a bite from her slice of pizza. "Yes, it really would be credited to Nina, for not paying attention. So no one really is to blame." Feite let out a groan while lightly rubbing her temple. "Let's stop talking about this and eat. I'm starved…since you all helped yourself."

The door opens while everyone slowly turns to the out of breath Lelouch. The quick eyes of Feite and Suzaku beam over noticing a panicked look on his face. "Hey Lelouch, How are things with Shirley?" Rivalz holds up his hand and waves casually. "Why don't you give her a present?" The same usual smile was stretched over his face while Lelouch just glanced at him. Suzaku shook his head, and sighed. "More importantly what about classes? If you don't attend the afternoon…" Lelouch shakes his head and walks over to the doorway. "I'm sorry. Ah, I need to talk to you about tonight later. Feite I had Sayoko collect the ingredients for the meal. So you won't have to go out…" Kallen held up Arthur and smiled at the small cat. "I wonder if he's going gambling again." Feite looked over at Suzaku while he quickly followed after. "What's going on?" Everyone's eyes were on Feite while she stayed seated. "I don't know…I'm not a psychic."

Feite's mobile phone rang while she finished off her small cup of strawberry soda. "Who could be calling me?" She pulled out her phone and held it quickly to her ear. "Hello, is this Feite Avalon?" Mao's voice exited from the other line. "Um, yes…may I ask who this is?" Feite stood up, and crossed over to the wall while the man on the other line spoke again. "You have a sweet voice, now I know why Lelouch cares about you so much." Her eyes quickly shift while she walked out of the room. "Feite is something wrong?" She lowered the phone and stared at Kallen. "No it's the doctor; I'll take this in the other room." Feite held the phone to her ear, and growled. "Who is this?"

Mao snickered over the phone line, while the suspicion grew in Feite's heart. She walked out into the hallway listening while the beats grew faster inside her chest. "Ooh, you got excited; I have a use of your expertise." Feite looked left to right and walked down the hall looking around for someone. "Who the hell are you? Where are you at?" Mao's obnoxious laugh exited the phone once more. "That's for you to find out, now follow my directions, or I may have to kill Lelouch's sister…I have a game with him, and Bingo." Feite's eyes widen while the Mao Lelouch told her about was still alive. His mind reading abilities were sickening; every surface thought that was fluttering inside Feite's head was like an open book to him. "Now, if you don't want any problems meet me in the schools underground basements. You know the code I assume."

Before Feite could counter to Mao's orders the phone shut off with a text message coming within seconds of the disconnected call. Don't try anything, or I will kill her. An image was displayed underneath the text with Nunally tied to the wheel chair with a blind fold over her eyes. Feite grinned at the blind fold as it was unnecessary for her to wear one, but that aside she needed to become serious. She walked quickly through the halls trying to avoid anyone that came to look for her.

Minutes later, Feite reached the data pad for the schools circulation system access elevator. She looked around quickly, and her hands moved quickly on the pad. Her fingers moved as if they were composing some grand work of art. The buttons flashed red as the monitor above showed the code bring over written quickly. The lines of data reflect in Feite's eyes while it shifts from red to green. With a loud beep the doors slide open and she walked into the elevator. "What am I going to do? I'm not going to wire the bomb, but if he kills Nunally Lelouch wouldn't forgive me. Does he know about this? Is that why he was acting so peculiar?" Her fist clenched while the elevator reached the bottom floor.

At the bottom of the elevator, Feite walked out only to be hear the click of a gun by the side of her head. Mao let out a smile and laughed while a small device was resting at the foot of the long hallway. "This is an Avalon Industries Machine Cannon, only used in defenses of small research labs. You know it well don't you?" A feeling of absolute disgust could be seen in her eyes while glaring down at the logo of her mother's company. The support that had been given to the Black Knights, and anti-Britannian forces gave the chance for this madman to secure this type of special equipment. "Yes, why do you have a machine cannon? Why do you want me to set it up?" With a quick spin of his wrist, Mao slammed the handle of the pistol behind Feite's neck; collapsing her to the ground in a large amount of pain. "The question is you're going to set it up, for my game with Lelouch. If you don't I'll kill both you and that bastard."

Moments later, at the top of a ladder in the hallway Feite stood screwing in the small sized anti personnel machine cannon. Without thinking Feite had willingly put it together with no need for durability. If the unit was hit by a solid object, it would immediately fall breaking the delicate sensor equipment in the weapon. Mao looked over at Feite while eating a small sweet bun in his off-hand while aiming the gun at her chest. "Are you done yet? I'm surprised that you didn't sabotage it." She turned her head away, and scoffed at him. "Of course…"

Mao threw the sweet bun at her, and motioned for her to move away by tapping the gun towards the nearby exit. "Now, you're going to be part of the little game." Feite's eyes widen while Mao pulled the trigger of the gun. Instead of the loud bang of a bullet being released, a tranquilizer dart flew into her chest. Her eyes trembled while they slowly rolled back into her head. Mao clapped his hands while tossing the gun to the side. "You are so easy to play with, now go to sleep, and I hope you can hold your breath."

Lelouch stood at the top of a staircase trying to desperately catch his breath while glaring down at the picture of Nunally. "Lulu, since you can't find me no matter where you search, I'm expanding the time limit by one hour. Be careful because another piece has been added to the game." Lelouch's eyes widen but before he could reply the phone call ended abruptly. 'What does he mean by another piece? Does that mean that he's killed Nunally already? Is it because he senses my anxiety? He should be somewhere five hundred meters from me in order to read my thoughts…'

The sound of footsteps quickly catches Lelouch off guard making him drop the picture while Suzaku stood at the foot of the staircase. "Lelouch…" He runs to the top of the stairs only to catch a glimpse at the picture Lelouch had tried to recover. "That is…?" Lelouch glared out of the corner of his eyes knowing that Suzaku's involvement may ruin his chances at saving Nunally. Suzaku stood behind him with a concerned look on his face. "Something has really happened to Nunally."

In the underground location attached to a time lock device, Feite was hanging upside down with several cables tied to her legs. Her arms were bound behind her back, and a bandana gagging her. Mao dusted his hands off while whistling up at Feite. "You really are beautiful, sadly your thoughts are annoying. I hope you can hold your breath when you're sleeping. Cause if they disarm that bomb you're doing to drown." Nunally spoke from across the room. "What are you doing? What have you done to Feite? I heard her voice." He let out a small chuckle, and shrugged his shoulders. "You have no right to know my business you're just a piece to this game. I'm going to make your brother choose; You could say that fate is against him. No pun intended."

In one of the various interconnecting hallways, Suzaku walks with Lelouch. They had discussed the various causes of this abduction, and now were on their way to the center quad of the school. There were few clues for Lelouch to go on, and time was slowly ticking away. "Do you have any more clues? Except for the picture?" Lelouch's eyes widen while he realizes the sound of flowing water in the background of each call Mao had made. "I heard the sound of running water." Suzaku held his hand against his chin, and quickly thought of the location. It quickly came to him and glared down at Lelouch. "The School's waterway system?" Lelouch's eyes widen while he looks up at the student council building. "The underground facility?"

Moments later, Lelouch stands at the very pad that Feite had used in one of the back corners of the school building. He inserts a keycard into the reader, and presses a sequence of keys only for it to reject. "What's wrong?" Suzaku looked over Lelouch's shoulder while he put in another series of buttons. "The code's been changed; someone hacked into this data pad already." Suzaku's eyes narrow while Lelouch continues to fiddle. "What are you doing?" Lelouch opens a small panel underneath the pad, and presses a shredded wire against the locking mechanism. "Bypassing the lock, sometimes the key doesn't work…" Suzaku shook his head while the twin doors opened quickly.

"Lelouch, you are way too familiar with the system. You use it to get out of school all the time don't you?" Suzaku looked over at Lelouch with a suspicious gaze. Lelouch simple nodded while the elevator started to move into the bowels of the school all the way down to the Circulatory system for the water supply. Lelouch stared at the map while walking to the side of the door. "Suzaku, I think this is too easy….that guy most likely set a trap for us." Suzaku let out a small nod while pulling out a small pocket mirror form his pocket. "Why do you carry that around?" Lelouch looked at him with a strange look. "It's always useful to have a mirror with you." The doors opened, and quickly Suzaku slowly moved the mirror around the corner.

The view of the machine cannon affixed to the rooftop camera of the hallway was in full sight. "It's as you suspected, someone fitted a machine cannon to the top of the observation camera. For a system like that, it's probably going on a .005 time lag before it starts shooting." Lelouch looked over with a disheartened look. "We can't go further, we need to head back…Suzaku!"

Before Lelouch could stop Suzaku he rushed around the corner and ran full speed down the corridor. The machine cannon started to immediately fire with its sensor unit following Suzaku's rapid movements. The angle of the cannon gets stuck and barely misses Suzaku while he jumps off the nearby wall, and quickly kicks the device shorting out the sensor, and breaking the pole keeping it on the ceiling. Suzaku lands in a crouched position while Lelouch simply stares in shock at the sheer ability. "We need to hurry, Nunally is waiting."

Suzaku, and Lelouch both enter the waterway only to spot Feite hanging upside down and Nunally sitting across the room. "Feite?" Suzaku's eyes widen while he steps down on a pressure plate releasing the cable holding Feite into the air. Lelouch's eyes widen while her body falls into the water below. "Damn it, Feite!" Suzaku immediately runs over and dives out into the water. Lelouch looks up at Nunally noticing that a large box had started to move in a circle after the plate activated. His phone started to ring once more, and Mao's voice exited the receiver. "Oh, do you like this game? I bet your girlfriend has drowned already. There's no way that Kururugi can retrieve her from that current." Lelouch growled while his hand shook furiously. "Damn it, what do you want? Let Nunally go." Mao replied with a loud gasp. "My so heartless, so you really don't care about that girl. What a waste of time, I should have just killed her instead of making her put up that gun trap. Oh well at least I killed two birds with one stone."

Nunally shouted from across the room in a concerned voice while splashes rise up from the waterway. "Feite, Suzaku please be safe!" Lelouch held his hand out with a concerned look on his face. "Nunally please try not to move, there's a bomb above your head. Please stay calm, I'll find a way to remove it." His eyes turn to the large pool of water to spot Suzaku's head pop out with Feite held in his arms. "Suzaku….you're alive." He coughs several times while pulling himself and Feite out from the water. Her body was lifeless while most likely water was ingested while she fell into the water. Suzaku acting on training quickly performed CPR on Feite.

"Come on…" Suzaku looked down at Feite with tears brimming in his eyes. She had managed to survive with her weak heart for nearly eighteen years, survive an exile to area eleven, and now after finally returning from the hospital taken away by a madman. He pushed heavily onto her chest, and breathed into her mouth. He didn't wish to give up on Feite; if he did it would be the same as letting Nunally die.

Lelouch was in total paralysis, the words impacted him harder than he had assumed. His legs were immobile, and now he was regretting the words that he said. "I do care about Feite, but why did she get involved! How did she get manipulated into doing this!" His hand balled up into a fist while Suzaku pulled back while Feite had coughed out water into his mouth.

A large weight had been removed off Lelouch's shoulders while Suzaku hit the small wall nearby. Feite was coughing as she started to breathe on her own once again. Her eyes slowly open only to be blinded by the bright light of the ceiling. "Where…" Suzaku shook his head and gripped her hand. "You're safe….now Feite please help us."

Lelouch turned to his side trying to hide the slight amount of happiness on his face. His eyes quickly turned to the bomb analyzing the type instantly. "It was a bad idea for Avalon to supply Area Eleven's terrorist groups with weaponry. Mao managed to get one of their notorious motion sensitive bombs. Feite should know how to disarm it, even if she was separated from the main family. She had access to its inventory." Feite got up to her feet, and stumbled only to have Suzaku catch her. "Feite, can you talk?" She scowled over at Suzaku while still trying to clear her lungs of the water. "Yeah, but your rushing me. I almost drowned…"

At the far end of the area the three stared up at the bomb. "Do you know what type of bomb that is Feite?" Suzaku looked over at Feite with a serious look. He knew that Feite was amused by bombs and often would talk about them several years ago. It was shocking for a eleven year old girl to know the various types of explosives, but Feite was the daughter of an known Britannian arms manufacturer. Feite rubbed her eyes, as her vision was still blurry. "That's a solenoid magnetic bomb...but it's that casing is really big." Suzaku let out a small nod while Feite calculated a few options in her head. "Do you know how to disarm it?" Feite rubbed her head while shaking it slowly. "I have no idea; I'm not a bomb squad member. I just know how to identity things by looking at them." Lelouch held his hand out getting both Suzaku and her attention. "Quiet down, I have a plan."

In the miniature chapel used for religious events Mao sat on a chair tapping his foot impatiently. An uneasy look is stretched on his face while he listened to the carefree thoughts of the students. He shook his head quickly noticing Lelouch enter the field of his Geass. "Ooh, what is he doing? Did he leave his friends to die? This is most interesting! What is he going to do next?" Lelouch looked up at the tower in the distance, and stared at it with a detested look. "Mao's location should be where the observation camera that monitored Nunally was transmitting to. Don't tell me he went back to the school, what a reckless guy. I've already told Suzaku, and Feite to not do anything. The only thing left to do is.."

The door leading into the chapel opens shedding light into the dimly lit building. "Welcome Heart stealer-kun." Mao got out from his chair and clapped his hands in a welcoming manner. "You don't have any weapons or strategies. The bomb was just left as it is. You can't make use of the Order of Black Knights, or your two friends that have experience. Lulu what's wrong with you? I thought you'd be a challenge." Lelouch glared down at him with a strong face despite the fluttering emotion held behind it. "I don't care what you think. You have prepared the last game, haven't you?" Mao nodded and quickly sidestepped away from a cloth covered table beside a scale. "Yes, and it's your specialty." His hand removed the cloth revealing a chess board with the pieces in perfect order.

"This balance is both the detonation, and the dismantling switch for the bomb." Mao picks up a piece off the board and places it on his side of the scale. "If the needle swings toward my side completely, the bomb will be detonated. If the opposite happens you know the outcome." Lelouch stared down at the boar with a disinterested look. "This was done in rather bad taste. No wonder you got abandoned by C.C." Mao glared at him from across the table and sighed. "There is no need to provoke me, since your thoughts are all clear to me."

"Are you sure you want to do this Suzaku? You need to time your jump perfectly." Feite looked up at Suzaku while he stood above the spiraling magnetic motion bomb. She held a somewhat concerned look on her face thinking of the outcome of this bout against Mao. "Lelouch your plan better work or this will be one short day…" Suzaku looked over from his spot in the rafters. A look of seriousness was mixed in with fright. "I know the consequences Feite, let me get my concentration and we'll do this. Nunally no all our lives depend on this."

Back in the chapel the game was going horribly wrong for Lelouch, as Mao used his Geass to counter all of Lelouch's strategies. "You're not the type that can blank out your mind it seems. There's a critic within yourself who is always looking down at your own actions, and you are always looking at the actions taken by that critic, who is another part of yourself. You are that kind of person. It's no use, no matter what you think you will still lose." Mao moves his piece forward overtaking another of Lelouch's pieces tossing it nonchalantly onto the scale. Lelouch's eyes narrow in annoyance while Mao picks up on the plan swirling inside Lelouch's head. "Amazing. A plan that involves thinking about seven things at the same time in an attempt to confuse me. However, as long as my Geass is concentrated solely on you, it's easy to tell what the truth is."

Mao picked up another piece making another one of Lelouch's plans to fail. "Sadly, even your last one has failed. It's because you looked down on me that the life of your sister, and your friends are…" He tosses the last piece onto the scale making it shake between the red detonation zone, and the last mark. "What should I do? I'm out of plans. I could make use of the others, but as long as Nunally is still being held hostage…" Mao flips a coin and allows it to fall to the ground purposely making Lelouch stand up straight with fear coursing through his body. "Oops, I dropped it." Mao quickly looks over with a grin and taunts Lelouch while he decided which piece to move. Lelouch's hand jumps from piece to piece with Mao quickly questioning each move playing with his emotions breaking the thick shell that was Lelouch's mind.

After a final taunt Lelouch steps away from the table completely showing defeat in his posture and face. "It's enough…" Mao holds his hand to his ear, and grins. "What did you say? I can't hear you." Lelouch snaps throwing his arms out and with a frightened expression tries to plead with Mao. "It's enough already, right? Please spare Nunally!" Mao turned his head over and shrugged his shoulders. "What?" Lelouch turned his head away, and quietly spoke. "I lost…" Mao quickly started to lose his concentration and clapped. "Sadly, I don't like listening to others. This game is over like your sisters life." Mao quickly moved his piece, and lightly grabbed Lelouch's tossing it over towards the scale. Lelouch yelled like a maniac while his eyes widen in fear. The piece landed on the scale moving it into the red causing Lelouch to fall to his knees in defeat. "Now, how does it feel to be exploded into pieces?"

Mao pulled out a small video monitor from his pocket, and saw Nunally sitting perfectly still in her chair. The bomb hadn't detonated, and the structure looked untouched. "What? How?" He zoomed into get a closer look, but nothing had happened. The stained glass of the chapel shatters apart while Suzaku flies through and quickly throws a combo of punches at the surprised Mao. The first blow knocks off his sunglasses, as well as the headphones off his head. Mao hits the ground and Suzaku glares down with fury in his brow. "I'm Kururugi Suzaku, a warrant officer from the Britannian Military. I'm arresting you for disturbing public order." Lelouch looked over with confusion in his brow while Mao's voice trembled. "This is impossible, you actually disarmed the bomb by matching your own speed with the swinging movement?"

Suzaku let out a smile, and crossed his arms. "It's because Feite and Lelouch told me what line to cut, your plan to kill her and Nunally failed." Lelouch stood in temporary shock while questioning Suzaku. He had no recollection of telling Suzaku this plan, and stood in total confusion. "What are you saying? It was your instructions that I do this right Lelouch? You told me to barge in when I heard screaming." Lelouch's eyes widen while he reaches into his pocket, and pulls out the mirror that Suzaku had used earlier. He lets out a sinister glare at his reflection in the mirror, and activates his Geass for a second. "Mao this is checkmate." Mao got up to his feet almost provoking Suzaku to punch him once more. "Lelouch don't tell me you.."

Lelouch stood across the way with a grin on his face. 'Seems so. I used Geass on myself to make myself forget that I told Suzaku what to do. You, who believe that information from the thoughts from the heart is absolutely reliable, have lost. Also, in order to read my thoughts, your effective range was reduced, leaving a hole within it.' Mao's back straigtened while Suzaku grabbed his upper arm preparing to detain him. "Impossible…what did you intend to do if he failed?" Lelouch paused for a moment and shrugged his shoulders. 'that's true. This was a plan that couldn't be carried out if I didn't have confidence in both Feite and Suzaku.'

Suzaku held his cell phone to his ear, and spoke softly into the receiver. "Sayoko, it's okay now. Yes, I'll leave it to you now."

Mao started to tussle with Suzaku growing as if he were a caged monster. Suzaku tries to restrain him, but Mao glares at him straight in the eye. "Let go of me, you father killer." Suzaku's eyes widen while he quickly enters a state of catatonic shock. "You killed your father seven years ago. You thought that the war would end if you stopped your father, who adopted a do-or-die resistance? What a childish way of thinking. The truth is you're just a murderer just like Fei…" Lelouch's eyes widen while he throws his arm out and activates his Geass. "Mao! Shut up!" Mao's eyes widen while he tries to cover his eyes but it was much too late. His attempt at speaking further just comes out in a jumble of gags, and nonsense. Lelouch rushes over and swings at Mao only to have missed. "Mao, damn you!" Mao hobbles over to the exit and after the doors open.

C.C. stands a few feet away from the door with a welcoming smile on her face. "Mao, I once loved you…" He rushes over with a smile on his face trying to say her name, but no words come from his mouth. His vocal cords were completely useless after Lelouch's command was issued. Mao stops short of C.C. and stares into her eyes. "Mao..go there first to wait for me." His eyes widen while C.C. raises a gun to his head, and pulls the trigger. His Geass fades away, and his body falls lifeless to the ground. Lelouch only catches a glimpse of this before the doors shut.

"Did you really have to shoot him in the head? He deserved a less noble end." Feite walked over in one of Lelouch's dry uniforms, and crouched down to check his pulse. C.C. looked over with a saddened look in her eyes. "Did you have something else in mind?" Feite quickly turned over, and shook her head. "I don't know, but we need to get rid of this body before anyone finds it." C.C. let out a firm smile while walking over to the corpse. "You definitely are a strange girl, it's unfortunate that you're incompatible to forge a contract with me." Feite looked with a strange look in her eyes. "What do you mean by incompatible?" C.C. and Feite picked up the body and started moving it away. "You'll find out soon enough…the reasons why."

--Writer's Corner--

Really sorry for the lengthy delay, I really hated writing this Mao part as you can probably tell. I had some minor case of writers block, but I think I managed to push through it with this chapter. Hopefully with no more Maoish parts until the send of Season 1 I should be able to continue.

Thank you for your continued support.