I haven't updated in a while, but not school is out so I hope to start again. I am using slightly different writing style. Lines will symbolize a change in location or moment in time.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN CODE GEASS

The pain was almost unbearable, but adrenaline dulled the pain. Gino tasted the blood I his mouth. He was in a daze he could barely stand up, but he knew that he had to protect Lelouch. He reached for the combat knife that was hidden in his boot, and limped to the command center in search of Lelouch.

Gino saw a man smoking outside the entrance and slowly crept up behind him. Memories raced through his head, all the people he had killed. All of the families he had broken, all of the children he had left fostered, and all of the innocents he had killed. Gino quickly put his hand over the man's mouth, and brought the blade to rest on his throat. The man didn't make a sound, but Gino knew the fear that was racing through his mind, the knowledge knowing that you were going to die, and being powerless to stop it.

Gino was startled by the shouting behind him, he saw several armed men. They raised their guns, and switched off the safeties. The commander of the group spoke.

"Drop the knife, and step away from the hostage"

Gino wasn't in the mood for negotiations. He brought the blade across the man's throat and swung his corpse around 180. The body served as a shield against the bullets as Gino rushed the group. He pulled the dead man's service weapon out of the holster and fired 7 shots. Two missed, but the other five hit the commander dead center.

He caught the other two men off guard and through his knife into the chest of the one on the right. The one on the left drew his pistol, and fired. 2 shots whistled pass Gino as he rushed the man. Gino threw the empty pistol at the remaining man. Blood oozed down his face and he blindly through punches.

Gino took advantage, and in one smooth motion snapped the man's neck. Gino collapsed on the floor. He told himself he had to get up, he had to save Lelouch!

Gino jumped to his feet and ran into the command center. He looked to his right, and saw the broken door. He searched the small room for any trace of Lelouch to no avail.

He collapsed once again, but this time he was defeated. The blood loss had gotten to him, and he had failed to protect his prince. There was no reason for him to get back up. He heard the footsteps, but he couldn't manage to rise back to his feet. He was dazed, but he still manage to hear the charges against him. He was being charged with the murder of four members of the Britannian military, the punishment was death.

Lelouch was dazed, the room wouldn't stop spinning, and he couldn't move. Why couldn't he move he thought to himself, he felt the ropes around his arms and legs. His memories made little sense. He was attacked by former royal guard. They claimed to be the saviors of Britannia.

Lelouch knew who they were, he could tell by the markings on their uniform that they belonged to the late prince Clovis. There was not time to dwell in the past however, it was time to find a way out. He observed his surroundings, but was blinded by a sudden flash. He quickly recovered and saw just how bad of a predicament he was in. He was in a line of people in a stadium, he counted six knightmares in front of him, but could not turn his head to count their full numbers.

The other people were tied in a similar manner to himself, but they had masks covering their head. Several soldiers came out of a nearby hall way, the last one out was the General he had sent to the royal prisons. The General walked up to the first person in the line, and removed the mask.

Lelouch recognized the man immediately. It was one of the personal guards Gino had trained. The General began a speech.

"You are a disgrace to Britannia, you are guilty of treason and the penalty is death"

Lelouch knew what was going to come next, but he couldn't turn away. The General brought up his pistol and put the barrel against the soldier's head. He pulled the trigger and the man's eyes rolled back into his head.

Blood oozed from the wound, and the General walked down the line.

Lelouch had a sudden realization that man had made no noise, no begging for his life or screaming in pain. Lelouch pondered on this for a moment, but then decided he had more pressing issues to deal with than ponder on why a now dead man didn't scream.

Lelouch was at the end of the row of people, and would be the last to be executed. He decided to exploit this and try to come up with a plan, but his head was still spinning. It hurt his head just to have his eyes open.

He closed his eyes, and listened as the steps got closer. The steps were almost on top of him right now, and he opened his eyes. He needed to see who would die next to him.

Lelouch was in disbelief at what he saw. It was Gino his trust knight. He was battered and covered in a rusty red that showed the extent of his injuries. His eyes were glazed over. He didn't seem to even realize what was going on. The General brought the gun to Gino's skull.

The General decided to savor the moment, the smell, the sight, and even the taste in the air. His sadistic ritual was stopped by the sound of explosions outside. The walls crumbled, and a cold breeze blew into the room. The knightmares that had surrounded him now rushed to repel the invaders. Lelouch saw two knightmares where the wall had been breached.

The knightmares were clearly of different design. They easily outmaneuvered the Sutherlands that had engaged them. Lelouch paid no heed to the battle, as his gaze was firmly locked on Gino. One of the knightmares came within inches of Lelouch. It brought a blade down and cut the ropes. Lelouch rushed over to where Gino had fallen after his robes had been cut.

Lelouch completely neglected the sounds of the outside world. He was in such a trance that he failed to notice the soldier behind him. Gino's eyes filled with life as he rushed himself at the soldier. The soldier pulled the trigger before dying from falling debris. The bullet pierced Gino's chest, and he lay motionless on the floor.

Lelouch fell to his knees hanging over Gino's body. Blood was pooling beneath his body, and he wasn't breathing.

Lelouch screamed at the top of his lungs as the knightmare pilots walked behind him. The male pilot tried to pull Lelouch away, but he wouldn't budge.

"Sir Lord Gino is dead you must accept this!" Said the pilot

Lelouch looked backed and saw a girl no older than he with bright pink hair. Suddenly he snapped back into rational thought.

"Who are you and what is the situation" Demanded Lelouch.

"My name is Kallen Stadtfeld I am the only honorary Britannian to be allowed the honor of being a test pilot for the most advanced frames in the world." Said Kallen as she reached out her hand to help Lelouch up

"The situation is dire, the forces that were under your command were rounded up and executed. That is what occurred here. The forces that attacked you were a mixed bunch of former terrorist, and royal guard that formally served prince Clovis. We have very little support we only managed to save the knightmares due to their advanced capabilities. The knightmare transport vehicles, and their drivers managed to survive. A facility in Narita is also answering are transmissions. We believe that they have betrayed the empire and are now loyal to you. "Said Kallen

Lelouch's eyes lit up with hope as Kallen informed him of the Narita facility. She was told to pack up the empires and to steal a medical transport for Gino.

Amidst him rambling that followed Kallen was surprised, and confused as Lelouch kept repeating the word brid….