Rescue Angels
Wanda: And the plot thickens...
Shirley: (looking around nervously)
Wanda: What?
Shirley: (points accusingly at me) He's here! He's HERE! I can't believe you!
Wanda: Don't worry. He's not gonna hurt you in here. He knows he can't.
Mao: (appears out of nowhere) Where's CC? Isn't she here too?
Shirley: (shrieks and bolts)
Mao: What did I say?
Wanda: It's less what you said, and more the fact that you appeared. Don't worry, I kinda like you despite your psychotic tendencies.
Mao: Aww, you're too kind! ...You feel sorry for me? I'm touched.
Wanda: (flushes) Forgot you could read my mind too...I should REALLY do something about that.
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.
Chapter 11: Linked Rebellion
Lelouch looked up at the entrance of the ballroom, shifting his half mask slightly as he prepared to step inside, where Princess Euphemia's Gala was in full swing. He'd arrived an hour late, but had sent Kallen, Ohgi and Tamaki in ahead of time to see what the security at the event was like. After all, if he was planning to have an honest discussion with his half sister, he couldn't exactly afford to have many guards around. Surprisingly, Kallen reported minimum security, and sure enough most of the guards were posted at the entrance.
Was that a deliberate choice of hers?
"You're late. Got a ticket?" One of the guards said, looking tired and bored.
"I got trapped in traffic." Lelouch responded smoothly, handing over the paper. The man eyed it for a minute, before reaching for the handle – not before raising an eyebrow at Lelouch's fallen angel-inspired dress suit. "Huh. Well, have a nice evening."
The door swung open, admitting him to the elaborately decorated hallway to the ballroom. The place was painted gold and silver, with a red carpet and elegant tiled floors. The building had been commissioned by Clovis several years back; though thankfully Euphemia had cut back on the many gaudy excesses that had he had installed originally.
Kallen was waiting at the edge of the crowd, eyeing the room with mild distaste – she never cared much for dancing. Lelouch stopped by her side and asked, "How's your evening been? I'm surprised you're without a partner."
"Tamaki got sidetracked by some pretty girl with orange hair, and I don't dance" Kallen remarked dryly. Lelouch started, and followed Kallen's pointed finger, to where Shirley was standing out in the crowd. She was wearing a blue ballgown with gold trim at the arms, and her mother had braided her hair back with silver pins. She looks incredible. Tamaki was leading her around the waltz, clearly shooting his mouth off.
"Well, do remind him we're not here to just to flirt," Lelouch said, trying to ignore the sharp stab of annoyance the sight inspired in him. "The Viceroy?"
"She's with her Knight," Kallen noted.
Euphemia and Suzaku were, in fact, leading the dance – both were wearing white and blue. It didn't escape Lelouch's notice how happy both his sister and his dear friend seemed – despite other people hoping to cut in and charm the new Princess, she only had eyes for Suzaku.
"So it would seem," Lelouch said with a slight grin. Just as I suspected. The variables are lining up very neatly. "Keep an eye out, nonetheless."
"Of course, Zero." Kallen responded, her eyes sweeping the crowd.
Lelouch walked down the stairs and silently mingled with the other dancers. The classical band playing had just finished the waltz and were moving on to a slightly faster piece as the Demon Prince caught up with his half sister. Euphemia had placed a hand against her heart.
"Thirsty?" Suzaku asked. When she nodded, he smiled and said, "I'll go get something for you."
"Thank you." Euphemia said with a small smile in return. As Suzaku vanished into the crowd, heading in the direction of the concessions stand, she quietly wondered aloud, "What did I do to deserve single minded devotion?"
"Perhaps by virtue of being the only child of the Emperor who can claim to be kind and good?" Lelouch offered, breaking out of the crowd to stand a few feet behind her.
Euphemia turned around quickly, eyes widening slightly. Instead of calling an alarm, however, the tension somewhat went out of her shoulders when she saw him."...Zero?" She guessed, softly so as not to be picked up by the other dancers.
Lelouch bowed slightly and said, "Indeed. You seem to have been expecting me, Princess."
"I've been expecting something from you for the last several days. I'm surprised you haven't made a statement about my sister yet." Euphemia's eyes clouded over. "...How is she?"
"Alive, and relatively unharmed – though I can't speak for any of her escape attempts." Lelouch responded easily. "Have no fear. Under the right circumstances, I'll return her to you as whole and hale she left – though perhaps without her reputation as a War Goddess."
"I see." Euphemia said simply. Lelouch noted her odd calm, despite being faced with her kingdom's current greatest enemy. "Are you here to kidnap me?"
"Ah! No, hardly. I was hoping we could have a civil discussion, and more, if you're willing to heed me." The music was picking up, so Lelouch offered her his hand. "May I?"
Euphemia paused for a moment, before taking his offer as the dance picked up again. While he usually avoided such social function, Lelouch had been taught the finer points of dance as a child. Sure, Clovis took to it far more than he had, but he was quite competent, if a bit rusty.
"Is this another charity if yours?" He asked Euphemia curiously.
His half sister made a bit of a face, which both surprised and amused him. Surprised, because Euphy was rarely cross with others even when they pushed her buttons. Amused, because world weary annoyance was a surprisingly cute expression on her. "Discreetly, and over much and many objections. I am not looking forward to the reactions to other reforms I may attempt."
"With some reforms, the lords could be the least of your worries," Lelouch noted.
"I'm honestly surprised father hasn't sent Schenizel here already. I imagine he's on his way." Euphemia acknowledged.
Lelouch frowned slightly. That was not good. Schenizel had always been one of the few who consistently gave him near impossible odds.
"At least with Schenizel, I can count on him to turn a blind eye a few times, to support his image of being reasonable and approachable." Euphemia said, though she was also frowning at the thought.
The music swept to a slow note again. Lelouch noted that Suzaku was approaching again, and said, "I've found that the balcony is surprisingly quiet, considering the number of people here. If the chatter is starting to bother you, that's where I'd go."
Euphemia nodded slightly. Lelouch then melted into the crowd, to avoid being recognized by Suzaku, before heading towards the balcony himself.
It was a clear evening, with a cool breeze. A curtain separated the balcony from the stairs that lead up to the high rise. The balcony was several stories up, and offered a good view from the centre of Area 11. He didn't have to wait long; a few minutes later and Euphemia emerged from behind the curtain, having convinced Suzaku to wait for her while she enjoyed some fresh air.
"By the way, that's a lovely dress," Lelouch complimented lightly, turning to face her again. "White suits you very well."
"I...thank you," Euphemia said uncertainly.
"Perhaps a white overcoat would work just as well." Lelouch suggested with a small smirk. "Would that be right?"
Euphemia blinked, staring at him. "What do you...?"
"The Lady in White accessed information from deep within Britannia, yet there have been no clues to her identity. Logically, that means she is, or is at least connected to, the royal guard, or a member of royalty. One who rejects the kingdom's cruelty and mantras. ...Like you."
Euphemia gave him the most adorably stunned look imaginable. "How...did...I thought..."
"You were being careful?" Lelouch suggested. "You've probably been considered beneath suspicion; because they didn't think you had the strength of character to do something like that. But now...your situation may be more precarious."
"You knew?" She asked in a small voice.
"Not from the start. I came to the conclusion a short time ago. And if I knew, there's a chance others – like Schenizel – may discover it as well. Especially if you're doing this all alone."
"...I'm not completely alone. I'm only half of the Lady in White." Euphemia admitted, closing her fingers together.
"I see." Lelouch said, mildly surprised. It did make some sense – to put suspicion aside, to misdirect those searching for you. He had shared the moniker of Zero with CC when he went to meet Kyoto. "May I ask who's helping you?"
"A friend. I...I can't give her away. Not right now." Euphemia said quietly but firmly.
Hm. I suppose that question can wait for now. "Why rebel?" Lelouch asked, genuine curiosity in his voice. "Why now?"
Euphemia's expression hardened into the stoic, queenly mask he had seen at Lake Kawaguchi. The symbol of her unorthodox strength. "What sustains Britannia, other than massacres and violence and cruelty? I want a world ruled by peace and kindness, not an endless cycle of brutality. I saw what Clovis did at Shinjiku, and I refuse to be a part of that." She clenched her fists. "I can't bring myself to hold a gun or commit violence. But I...I can't do nothing."
Lelouch smiled softly. "You always were the kindest among us, the children of the Emperor. You and Nunnally."
Euphemia's eyes grew very wide. "I...what?"
Raising one hand, Lelouch removed his mask and met her eyes evenly. "You've grown quite strong since I last saw you. ...Euphy."
Euphemia stood frozen for a moment, her eyes welling up with tears. "...Lelouch!" Then she let out a small, choked laugh, and tackled him in a bone-crushing hug. Lelouch winced slightly, before returning the gesture and letting his sister rest her head on his shoulders. "You were dead!" She whispered. "I had nightmares about it all the time."
"I'm sorry." Lelouch responded sincerely. "We had a close call, but the Kururugi family took us in and faked our deaths."
"'We'? Then Nunnally is alive too?" Euphemia asked hopefully.
"Yes. She's blind and relegated to a wheelchair, but she's alive."
"I'm so glad. I..." Euphemia's eyes welled up again, and she pressed her face against his shoulder.
"Euphy; don't cry." Lelouch said, gently pushing his half sister back a bit so he could brush her tears away. "We have to be strong."
Euphemia nodded slightly, and took a couple deep breaths. "I...I'm okay. I'll be okay." She clutched his arm. "So you're Zero. I should have known! You were so smart, even back when we were little. If anyone could have done these things, it would have been you...!"
"Well, it's hard to do much when you're dead," Lelouch noted, smiling a bit when this earned some laughter from Euphy. More seriously, he said, "I want to obliterate Britannia's tyranny, and avenge the murder of my mother."
"They said Lady Marianne was killed by terrorists," Euphemia recalled, but an odd, uncharacteristic coldness had come into her eyes when she said it.
"You don't believe that lie anymore?" When Euphy nodded, Lelouch went on a bit of a row, "I spoke to Cornelia, she said that mother reduced her staff the morning before she was killed. Who else would know about her decisions if not the Emperor? Or one of his children!?"
"It was certainly convenient for father, after you were banished, that the country that took you in then 'murdered' you," Euphemia noted dispiritedly. "It gave him an excuse to move in and take over the country with massive Sakuradite mines. All those people, dead for a fuel source."
"Don't worry. Justice will come for Japan very soon," Lelouch promised ominously.
Euphemia smiled and looked up. "I want to help. There probably isn't much data surrounding Lady Marianne's last day, but as Viceroy I could probably dig up something."
Lelouch shook his head slightly. "If you dig for that now, you'll only draw attention to yourself Euphy. No, I have a better idea."
He placed his hands on his slightly surprised sister's shoulders. "I have half a mind to make you Empress of Britannia."
~Line Break~
"Wait, what? We're seriously playing Kingmaker-"
"Queenmaker," Kallen interrupted Tamaki for a moment, both amused and curious. They, Ohgi and Lelouch had left the Gala a few minutes ago, after the 'boss' had finished speaking with the new Viceroy. His new plan had come as a bit of a surprise. To put it mildly.
The redhead shot her an annoyed look before quickly returning to his rant, "fine – we're playing Queenmaker for one of the Emperor's kids?! What the hell? I thought we were taking down Britannia!"
"We are," Lelouch noted calmly. "Viceroy Euphemia, it seems, has no more love of the Empire than any of us. She's been supplying information to the Lady in White."
"What?!" Tamaki sputtered, astonished. "No way!"
"It's strange, but true. Who else could access Clovis's personal files, and then come up with an EMP keyed directly to Britannia IFF signatures, if not another member of the Royal Family?"
"But, why?" Kallen asked in awe.
"Because she hates the kingdom's tyranny." Lelouch explained. "Euphemia is a gentle soul. She would rather solve these conflicts with ink, reparations and peace rather than violence. If she were Empress of Britannia, she would grant Japan its sovereignty willingly. And besides," he smirked, "as of right now, Euphemia is the first Princess to be called 'beloved' by those who live in the Areas. No small feat."
"She did raise money for Shinjiku and Kawaguchi," Kallen recalled. Even she had to admit, if the pink haired princess hadn't been a Britannian, she'd be quite happy to befriend and serve her.
"We'd have to kill the Emperor and Prince Schnizel at the very least, if we're going to put the crown on her." Ohgi noted. "How would we go about doing that?"
"Schnizel will be arriving soon enough. Since we still have Princess Cornelia hostage, it will be a matter of careful timing."
End Chapter
(sighs fondly) they're still not telling each other everything. Unfortunate, but necessary, given the unique circumstances. Next up, we take a break from the prince and princess plotting, because Mao has come to town! (hide your family!)
Read and Review please!