(A/N: It certainly has been a while since I did a chapter for this, but somehow I found the inspiration to get started)

Disclaimer: I do not own Mirai Nikki or Code Geass

3rd Person pov

Two Days Later

Suzaku was at the airport waiting for an arriving pair of important soldiers: the knights of the round. When Schneizel mentioned that they would be arriving Suzaku took it upon himself to be the ones to greet them.

Considering the fact that Suzaku had no transportation on his own, Cecile and Lloyd were forced to drag out the van to bring him to the airport, and were waiting there with him. Lloyd was displeased about the whole thing.

"How much longer are we going to be waiting? I still need to install the Beowulf's tertiary drive core so that the arm weapons will function properly." The scientist complained.

"Now, now Lloyd we're doing a very good thing for the Viceroy." Cecile reminded him. "We're giving a welcoming greeting to two very important members of the Britannian military. Who knows, perhaps you could examine their Knightmares to improve the Beowulf's performance?"

"Well when you put it that way…"

Suzaku cut his boss off, "Hold that thought Lloyd. I think I see them." Suzaku had been given photographs of Gino and Anya so spotting them as they came out of the main gate was easy. He waved and flagged them down.

Across the road Gino noticed Suzaku waving his arm frantically in the air. "Is that our ride?"

Anya looked at her phone and found a picture identical to the scene before her. "That's them." She answered.

"Wonderful," Gino said, ecstatic, "Let's go introduce ourselves." He sprinted towards Suzaku's location. "So you here for us?"

"We are if you and that pink haired girl are the Knights of the Round and not just some lookalikes." Lloyd joked.

"Haha," Gino laughed, "Not to worry we're the real deal." Anya finally had walked up to Gino's location. "I'm Gino Weinberg and this is Anya Alstriem. Who are you guys?"

"I'm Suzaku Kururugi, Captain of the Glaston Knights. This is Cecile Croomy." He gestured to her.

"Hello." She waved.

"And my boss Lloyd Asplund, who seems to have already made his presence known." Suzaku gestured to his boss.

"Yes, yes, so now that introductions are out of the way could we please get back to the lab?" Lloyd asked.

"I can drop you off at the lab Lloyd, but these three are due for a meeting with the Viceroy." Cecile gestured to the three soldiers.

"Not to worry." Gino grinned. "I can drive us."

"You can?" Cecile questioned.

"Driving a car has to be like piloting a Knightmare. How hard could it be?" he asked.

"You would be rather surprised." Suzaku told Gino. Hearing that reminded him of a certain incident when he and Lelouch were kids, a time of which Suzaku believed driving games could teach him all he need to know about driving.

"Ah come on. We won't get into an accident or anything. I promise. Come on Anya show him some proof."

"How do you prove something that hasn't happened yet?" Suzaku raised an eyebrow. He did know a way, but the chances of that were…

"There are no pictures indicating we will wind up in any sort of accident. Letting Gino drive would not be hazardous to our health." Anya stated.

Cecile was unsurprisingly confused. Suzaku was not only alarmed, but also became slightly hostile upon realizing what was going on. "Cecile could you take Anya to the Viceroy's office by herself. I want to speak with Gino alone for a moment."

"Suzaku are you feeling ok?" Cecile asked her.

"I'm fine." Suzaku was speaking in a professional tone Cecile had never heard him take with her.

"Hey what's the matter Captain why are you all tense?" Gino asked with a smile.

"You, come with me." Suzaku grabbed Gino by the back of his collar. He was in no mood for games.

"Um, I guess I'll see you all later then." Gino shrugged, still smiling.

"But Suzaku if we take Anya how are you and Gino getting to the Viceroy?" Cecile wanted to know.

"Tell either Darlton or Euphie to come get us. I'll turn my tracker on so I can be located." Suzaku answered.

"Um…ok." Cecile was still confused, but did as Suzaku asked nonetheless. Lloyd wasn't complaining, he was just happy to be going back to the lab to work on the Beowulf finally.

Suzaku dragged Gino around the side of the airport and pushed him towards a wall. "How much do you know?"

"Hey captain what's the deal?" Gino was rather bothered by Suzaku's attitude. "I didn't realize the chain of command was in reverse."

"This has nothing to do with the military." Suzaku said. "How much do you know about Anya's phone?"

"About her phone?" Gino was confused.

"Does she even know the danger she's in?" Suzaku asked.

"Danger?" Gino was still not getting the picture.

"Want me to come out and be straight? I can. What do the words Future Diary mean to you?" Suzaku asked, hostile.

"Ohhh, so you're in this game too?" Gino asked. "Well why didn't you say so?"

"What do you mean why? This isn't just some fun little ARG Gino. People like you and me are screwing with powers beyond our imagination. I'm warning you so that you can get out of this before it's too late."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Gino asked.

"You really don't know anything?" Suzaku was confused.

"Look all I know is that all of a sudden Anya's phone could suddenly show her pictures she would be taking. She said it was 'a gift from god' about some game. She doesn't remember much when the rules were explained." She said.

Doesn't remember? I'll have to talk to Lelouch about this. "Ok, listen to me Gino, you and Anya are in grave danger if you tell everyone you know that she is a diary holder."

"Why? What's the harm?" Gino asked.

"Listen to me carefully and listen to me silently." Suzaku told him.

One Explanation Later…

"Oh come on. You really expect me to believe this?" Gino asked.

"I don't have a diary myself, but I'm working for a holder." Suzaku told him.

"Who?" Gino asked.

"I'm not at liberty to say." Suzaku answered. "I can't take a risk that you'll always be this carefree about it. This isn't like assassin Gino, people actually have to die. Two of the players are already dead and I know the identity of six of the ones that are still alive. Seven now counting Anya. One of them took hostage of all of Ashford Academy in order to kill another holder."

"So…so this is real?" Gino asked.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you." Suzaku told him. "This isn't some online game or an ARG, this is a real life or death situation Gino and both of us are caught in the middle."

"Well, at least we can survive the whole thing if we're careful." Gino joked.

"Will you take this seriously?" Suzaku asked.

Gino dropped the nice guy attitude to meet Suzaku on the same level of professionalism. "Fine, but if you're working for a holder can I make a request?"

"What's that?" Suzaku asked.

"Unless the person you're helping and Anya are the last one left, don't kill her. She's only fifteen." Gino told him.

"Gino four of the other holders I know are teenagers." Suzaku told him.

"You can't be serious." Gino said bluntly.

"I wish I were." Suzaku sighed. Gino's heart sank. "Listen though, I won't harm Anya. She's a Britannian and more importantly a very important member of the Knights of the Round. Until this matter with Zero is taken care of you don't have to worry about me or the holder I'm working with harming her. After which you and she will probably be sent back to Britannia where you'll be safe. If everything works out she'll fly completely under the radar, possibly win. However, I don't intend to let it, and I know a couple of diary holders will try to find, locate, and eliminate her while she's here."

Gino was not pleased by all this in the least. "So what are you and I supposed to do during all this?"

"We just duck our heads and hope they don't get blown off our shoulders while trying to assist the holder we're partnered to." Suzaku told him.

"Can't you even the playing field a bit?" Gino pleaded. "I feel like Anya and I are coming into the game late and you've got a leg up on us."

"Just as I don't intend to share the identity of others with you, I won't share your identity with others." Suzaku promised. "You both are here to carry out an important mission for Britannia so revealing Anya's identity would only complicate things. Until the terrorist Zero has fallen," Suzaku stuck out his hand, "you can trust me."

"I suppose that's better than nothing." Gino shook Suzaku's hand.

"Suzaku!" Suzaku turned to see Euphie poking out of the sun roof in a limousine and waving to him.

"That's our ride." Suzaku said with a smile.

"Isn't that…"

"Yes, Sub-Viceroy Euphimia Li Britannia." Suzaku told Gino.

Gino and Suzaku scrambled into Euphie's limo and Suzaku carried out the introductions between the pair.

Upon arrival at headquarters, Suzaku stayed true to his word to Gino about keeping Anya's identity a secret from Euphie. Upon arrival in Schneizel's office, Anya was already waiting for them.

"Ah, perfect I was starting to think you two weren't coming." Schneizel said with a smug grin.

"Good day, Viceroy." Suzaku said as he and Gino stood at attention on either side of Anya.

"It's an honor to meet you Prince Schneizel." Gino told Schneizel.

"Thank you for the compliment Gino." Schneizel responded. "It's my understanding that you're relatively new to the Knights of the Round."

"Yes, I haven't even been with them for a month, but I'm a very skilled pilot sir." Gino saluted.

"You wouldn't be in my father's elite otherwise." Schneizel remarked. "I understand from Anya that your Knightmare frames will be arriving by delivery chopper four days from now."

"Yes sir." Gino said. "I apologize for the inconvenience, but his lordship was unable to get our flight in sync with the delivery of our Knightmares. The emperor is a busy man after all."

"Yes, yes I know." Schneizel sighed. He seemed merely disappointed by the setback, but in reality he was rather furious. Father did this on purpose. I know he did. He tells me he'll help with bringing down Zero and then he goes and pulls something like this. I'll show him though. Once Zero is dealt with I'll concentrate my efforts into bringing him down. I'll rally Area 11 and promise them independence if they help me eliminate father. I'll take command of Britannia and double cross Japan and set myself up as a tyrant and then allow Prime Minister Kururugi's son to slay me. If Lelouch will cooperate I can set him upon the throne and Euphie will gain the power of god. It is the perfect plan to let the world be ruled by two people who will do what's right for this world and bring it peace by allowing me to become the most hated man in history. "Captain Kururugi, I'd like to talk with you for a few minutes. Anya, Gino please make yourselves at home and meet with Darlton and Kanon to get more of a feel for the situation."

"Yes sir." All three soldiers saluted. Gino and Anya left and Suzaku stood in front of the 2nd prince.

"What did you want to talk about sir?" Suzaku asked.

"Not I, but I believe you have something you wish to share with me, don't you?" Schneizel asked.

Suzaku knew exactly what he was talking about.

Yesterday

"Ok what's the plan Lelouch?" The former noble asked.

"Tell Schneizel I am willing to come out of hiding. If my brother is willing to see me tell him I'll oblige." Lelouch said.

"And? What will you do once you and the Viceroy meet face to face?" Suzaku asked him.

"Leave the details to me. I have a whole plan laid out, but this is your role. During my meeting with Schneizel the emergency alarm is going to go off. Schneizel will bolt from his office to address the situation. While he does you'll come to the office and you'll escort me back to Ashford. Your driving may suck, but it'll have to suffice."

"Hey, I've gotten better." Suzaku said, offended. After saying so he added, "Why am I taking you back?"

"When Schneizel comes back to his office to continue to speak with me you will tell him that you didn't want me caught up in whatever was going on so you vacated me from the premises. You will also tell Schneizel what I think of his proposal which I will tell you in the car ride to Ashford."

"You don't know what Schneizel is going to propose to you?" Suzaku asked.

"My diary is fickle. The amount of detail it shows on any one person or event is relevant to how crucial that event or person is. In this case all it tells me is that Schneizel will have a proposal for me and when the emergency alarm is set to go off." Lelouch told Suzaku. In reality Lelouch was planning for the alarms to go off all on his own. He had a plan prepared as to why that would happen.

"So you're not going to kill Schneizel?" Suzaku asked.

"I kill him and there's a good chance I get arrested by Kanon and executed." Lelouch stated. "I am the only one with opportunity, plus I'd be caught on camera."

"All right. I trust you Lelouch. Don't let me down." Suzaku said to him.

"I'd never do that." Lelouch said with a not-so-innocent smile.

Present

"Lelouch Vi Britannia, your half-brother, is willing to meet with you your majesty. When should I have him brought here?" Suzaku asked.

"Have him brought before me the day after Gino and Anya's Knightmares arrive." Schneizel instructed.

"Yes sir!" It was the first time Suzaku was so eager to carry out an order of Schneizel's. Once Lelouch got involved he felt that all his problems with the 2nd prince would be solved.

Shinjiku Ruins

"Are you sure about this Lelouch?" Rivalz said as he drove his motor bike towards the ruins. "I mean isn't Yuno supposed to be like a dangerous criminal or something?"

"And what possible reason would she have to attack us. We're old friends of hers. If you don't want to show yourself you can wait here. I for one refuse to show fear." Lelouch told his companion.

"I don't know about this Lelouch." Rivalz said.

"Look if you hear gunfire or screaming call an ambulance, but I'm confident I can handle myself." Lelouch told Rivalz.

The blue haired student parked the motorcycle and stopped it. "All right, fine. I'll wait here. Just don't get yourself killed all right. We have an appointment to keep."

"I know, I know, keep your shirt on." Lelouch said as he got out of his seat. He put the helmet on Rivalz's handlebars and walked in his chosen direction. He was completely unarmed, confident that he could talk Yuno and Yukiteru into listening to him. He knew that calling them would no longer prove effective. He wanted to extend a sign of trust, trust that could only be shown by showing his face. He expected them to be hostile at first, but he knew he'd be able to cool them off.

Yuno was the first to take notice of him. If it wasn't for Yukiteru she would've struck down Lelouch on sight.

"You have a lot of nerve showing your face around here." She scowled at Lelouch as he stood above them at the top of a half destroyed building.

"Here to turn us into Britannia? Why not? You've already forced us into a corner." Yukiteru scowled.

"I'm here to request assistance." Lelouch said.

"From us? The last time we helped you we got…"

"I don't ever recall asking for your help at any time other than when Minnene Uryu attacked Ashford Academy. And other than that I've been nothing but benevolent to you both. I never suggested attacking the Britannian capital. You did that on your own." Lelouch said, standing with his hands behind his back.

"You set us up!" Yuno shouted. "I know you did!"

"Yuno calm down. Lelouch has a point." Yukiteru said.

"But Yuki…" Yuno whined.

"Yuno, you don't have to like cooperating with me, but the deal I am here to propose benefits all parties involved." Lelouch said to her.

"What are you plotting?" Yukiteru asked.

"I am working on a plan to eliminate the 11th: Schneizel El Britannia." Lelouch declared.

"You what?" Yukiteru was blown away.

"I know you heard what I said. You just have troubling believing it. You two have proven to be effective in being able to storm the Area Eleven capital and escaping with your lives. You do not need to know the whole plan just your portion. Yukiteru, if you don't want to participate in this ordeal you don't have to. Yuno may actually prove more effective if she goes alone." Lelouch stated.

"Yuki…doesn't need to be in danger?" Yuno was now confused.

"Yuno Gasai, I need you to cause a ruckus in the lower reaches of the building. It will trigger the alarm and send Britannia's soldiers after you. When they reach you, escape and retreat back here, make sure you are not followed. If you are followed leave no witnesses. Do this, and I can assure the elimination of Schneizel El Britannia from the Survival Game given time." Lelouch told her.

"So…let me get this straight. You want me to attack Britannia and I'm allowed to kill as many people as I want in order to further your plan?" Yuno asked in confirmation.

"It's a sort of win-win scenario if you think about it." Lelouch smiled.

"And Yuki doesn't need to come with me?" Yuno asked.

"Would he want to for something like this? I need the help of an expert killer, and if you want to protect Yukiteru, surely you'd want to assist someone who has a plan to eliminate the competition." Lelouch stated.

"I will do it then." Yuno said with an assertive tone. "If those are your only conditions I will not object."

"Yuno, are you sure?" Yukiteru asked her.

"Yuki can trust me. I'm doing this for Yuki." She smiled brightly.

"Then it's settled then. I still have your number so I will contact you the day I need your assistance. Do not let me down Yuno Gasai." Lelouch said and proceeded to walk away.

"Wait! Lelouch!" Yukiteru called out. Lelouch looked at the middle-school student from over his shoulder. "What…do you have any connection to the Black Knights?"

"Why would I be? I'm Britannian." Lelouch told Yukiteru. "Zero's goal is to shut down Britannia. Ask yourself before you make foolish questions like that: 'why would I seek Britannia's destruction?'"

"Then how about this then: why are you so adamant about winning the survival game? What is your motivation?" Yuno asked.

"My motivation? That's simple. It stems from two reasons. Reason number one: I'm simply bored and this survival game is rather entertaining. Reason number two: I must keep living for Nunnally's sake." Lelouch then disappeared. He had not lied. Lelouch's reasoning for the survival game was different for each persona he had. The reasons he gave to Yukiteru and Yuno were the reasons Lelouch Lamperouge wanted to win. Lelouch Vi Britannia's aim was to create a peaceful world for him and Nunally and to crush Britannia. And for Zero, it was a side-gimmick that made his rebellion easier and more entertaining.

Lelouch arrived at Rivalz's motorbike and put his helmet on. "Let's head back."

"You're done?" Rivalz asked.

"I did what I had to do. I said what I had to say. And remember, this never happened." Lelouch told Rivalz.

"Right this never happened." Rivalz started up the motorbike. As he drove he asked Lelouch. "I don't get it. If you know where they are why not tell the Britannian Army?"

"And score myself a pretty sum for alerting them to the location of terrorists? Ask yourself why I would even need or want that. Besides all it would accomplish is the death of Britannian soldiers, of this I'm sure. So don't get any funny ideas Rivalz. It's not worth it, even if it would clear your debts." Lelouch told him. Rivalz remained silent and complied. He trusted Lelouch enough to make that judgment, but the temptation still existed.

Upon arrival back at the academy Rivalz and Lelouch arrived a few minutes before the start of the Student Council meeting.

"Oh Lelouch, Rivalz you guys made it back." Suzaku was already there.

"Of course they are," Tsubaki said, "Lelouch would never miss a meeting. He's the Vice President."

Lelouch noticed the absence of a certain blonde president. "Has anyone seen Milly?"

"A student came up to her today asking to join the Student Council so she's been in the other room for a half an hour interviewing him and checking his qualifications. He only transferred to Ashford the other day so she wants to make sure he's comfortable." Shirley said. "Also there's a blemish on his background. He had a part-time position in the Detective division in the Britannian Police and was fired on grounds of suspicious activity. No charges were filed, but that's what's written in his records about his reason for leaving."

Sounds like my kind of guy. Lelouch thought.

The adjoining door opened and Milly came out. "Well, looks like we got ourselves a new member." She gestured to the door as a white haired teen, dressed in a school uniform walked out next to her. "Everyone say hello to the newest member of the student council Aru Akise."

"Hello everyone." he greeted kindly.

"Nice to meet you Aru," Rivalz stuck out his hand, "Rivalz Cardemonde, Student Council Treasurer." Aru shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you too Rivalz." Aru responded with a smile.

"So let me introduce you to everyone else." Milly insisted. She gestured to Nina. "This is Nina Einstein our Student Council Secretariat."

"H-hello." Nina said shyly.

"Lelouch Lamperouge our Vice President." Milly gestured to Lelouch.

"Good to have you as part of the group." Lelouch stated.

"And here we have Kallen Stadtfeld."

"A pleasure to meet you." Kallen bowed.

"Shirley Fennette."

"Hiya!" Shirley waved.

"Nunnally Lamperouge, Lelouch's younger sister."

"Hello Aru." Nunnally greeted with a smile.

"Be kind to her unless you want Lelouch to inflict bodily harm upon you." Milly whispered to Akise.

"Madam President I can hear everything you're saying." Lelouch said, scowling slightly.

"Oh lighten up Lelouch." Suzaku rubbed his shoulder.

"Tsubaki Kasaguno, our newest member." She extended her arm to Tsubaki who was sitting in a chair.

"Oh Tsubaki you're here?" Lelouch looked at Tsubaki, he hadn't even seen her here.

"Nunnally called me to tell me we were getting a new member of the council so I had Ai drive me over. She's waiting for me to call her to pick me up." Tsubaki said.

"Well don't let me forget to give you your homework before you leave ok." Lelouch told her.

"Oh you don't have to worry about that Big Brother I took care of it." Nunnally told him.

"You guys can play house later." Milly said, ticked off that people kept getting off topic.

"House?" Lelouch was offended.

"No it's ok, let them talk." Aru said.

"No, no, no. It's unprofessional." Milly told him. "Anyway now that I have your attention, let me introduce to you at last, but not least Suzaku Kururugi."

"Good to meet you Aru." Suzaku said to him.

"Same here. It's not every day you find out that a local hero goes to your school." Aru smiled.

"Hero? Me? Come on." Suzaku said humbly.

"You're the captain of the Glaston Knights and despite the fact that he survived you shot down Zero. For anyone loyal to Britannia you should be considered a hero. I mean you were cleared of killing Clovis." Aru stated.

"Yes, yes we all know Suzaku's excellent and wonderful." Lelouch said, perturbed.

"So Aru what made you decide to join the student council?" Shirley asked him.

"Well even though I got fired from the detective division I'm still interested in detective work and I was chasing down a case before I got fired. I transferred because I thought Ashford would have answers. My parents were accommodating." Aru said cheerfully.

"Well hey if you need any help don't hesitate to call on me. I work for the Britannian military I'll put in a good word for you." Suzaku offered. "Maybe I could get you your position back if you crack your case."

"That's very kind of you Suzaku, thanks." Aru smiled.

"Well now that that's settled. Let's break out the Pizza, and soda and have ourselves a good time!" Milly declared.

Wait, pizza? Lelouch thought, and sighed. "Madam President, you did remember to order an extra box with 4 cheese and extra sauce right?"

"Sure did. I don't know where you put it all though Lelouch, but all that cheese will go right to your thighs with your exercise rate." Milly wagged her finger.

"I have an extremely superior metabolism level." Lelouch lied defensively on C.C's behalf.

"You still have trouble with physical exercise?" Suzaku asked in disbelief.

"Yeah? So?" Lelouch asked.

"If you want I can teach you proper cardiac respiration to help improve your stamina." Suzaku offered.

"Hell no! The last time I spent an afternoon with you during one of your training sessions it nearly killed me you exercise freak!" Lelouch shouted.

So Lelouch has a bad stamina level does he? That completely scratches the possibility of him being Zero. There's no way he could pull the kind of stunt Zero did the other evening. Still you don't need poor stamina to pilot a Knightmare, but before I confront Lelouch about that, Aru looked at Suzaku, as long as he's offering his assistance I might as well take advantage of that.

By the time Aru had finished his train of thought everyone was already spread out, eating and having a good time. Lelouch approached Aru with a slice of pizza. "Say Aru do you play chess?" Lelouch asked him.

"Yeah, do you?" Aru asked him.

"Hahaha," Rivalz laughed almost grabbing Lelouch from behind, "You're looking at Ashford Academy's undefeated Chess Champion."

"Undefeated hmm," Aru put the side of his finger to his lips, intrigued.

"That's right. Why? Have you never met your match?" Lelouch asked.

"As a matter of fact no. I've never lost a game of chess either." Aru stated.

"Oh dear." Suzaku realized what this was going to boil down into.

"What do you say to a little friendly game then? I've been looking for a potential rival." Lelouch told Aru.

"Don't mind if I do." Aru said and sat down at the table. Lelouch sat down at the opposite end.

"Rivalz." Lelouch snapped his fingers.

"You got it." Rivalz went and got the chessboard from the bookshelf and put it on the table.

"I'm black." Lelouch declared.

"Fine by me, I'm used to playing as white anyway. Having the ability to take the first move reminds me of how a detective must take the initiative during his investigations." Aru said as he set up the pieces.

"Interesting mantra." Lelouch complimented.

The board was set up and Lelouch set down the clock next to the board.

"Hey hold on, I can't let a chess match start in the middle of the party. Not without making it interesting." Milly declared.

"And just how do you propose to do that?" Lelouch asked.

"Simple, a wager. Both of you have to wager that if you lose you have to reveal an embarrassing secret about yourself."

"All right." Aru said as if it was no big deal.

Lelouch sat still and silently, steaming. "Come on Lelouch. Your 'rival' doesn't seem to have any problem with it." Milly chimed.

Lelouch did not respond.

"You know Lelouch if you don't accept the terms it means you have something to hide or that you're afraid to lose." Suzaku teased.

"I am not!" Lelouch answered vigorously. "I'll prove that I am superior. Milly, I accept your terms. Aru, make your first move!" Lelouch declared, pointing at his opponent from across the table.

"All right then. Let's play chess." Aru said nonchalantly. He picked up the pawn in front of his rook and moved it forward one square.

To be continued…

(A/N: Yes I would leave you all on a cliffhanger with the notion that Chess Is Serious Business. Next time on Ultimate Paradox: Lelouch Vs Aru: The Ultimate Chess Game. Also to come will be the long awaited Narita arc and also the confrontation between Schneizel and Lelouch. What is Lelouch exactly planning by having Yuno as a distraction? Will Aru uncover the truth about both Lelouch and Suzaku? Who will win the Chess game? Will Schneizel ever realize the connection between Lelouch and Zero or will he only come to the horrible truth when it's too late? Well anyway I gotta get my clothes out of the dryer. See you all later)