Finally! I never thought I'd finish this. My last chapter wasn't as good as I had expected. But then again, one must learn from one's experience. So I hope this chapter will be much better. I changed the category from Drama to Mystery because I didn't see it earlier. Ok back to the story. So the titled character finally appears but is he really Lelouch or some original character I created? Lol. Who knows? Read and find out! Merry Christmas, my friends and Happy New Year!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN CODE GEASS OR LELOUCH WOULD HAVE LIVED!

Rocky Mountains

Order of Afron Headquarters

"We have a problem." Anduin muttered as he entered the room, taking off his dusty helmet.

"What is it?" Harry asked who revealed to be a young dark skinned man of possibly Hawaiian or Asian descendent with bright brown eyes, dark hair and a small moustache. They were back in the Order Headquarters at the Knights' Lodging with the other knights.

"While we were getting out of Richmond, Arthur was spotted. I managed to convince the Knight of Nine that he was badly wounded. Thankfully Arthur was covered in blood so she bought it. But that's not the problem, now that she saw that it was Arthur who led the attack, she's going to report it to Zero and the Empress."

Harry looked at his fellow knight in alarm.

"Does Arthur know of this?" He asked.

"Probably but he hasn't said anything about it. What do you think we are going to do? We can't simply say that he just look like the Demon Emperor. Not after what happened."

"True. I was worried about that when he suddenly took off alone for at New England. But it has past beyond that now. I guess we'll just have to deal with it."

"Deal with it? Lelouch made himself an enemy out of the world! The moment they see his face, they won't listen to any reason! They'd come at him with torches and pick forks and tear him apart."

"Well if that really happens, he'll one doing the tearing," Harry mused as stood up and walked to the window to stare at the Rocky Mountains that filled the landscape. "But yes, I agree with in that regard. I guess we'll just have to leave that to Lord Bedford."

"But you know, Harry. I think there's something about Arthur that they haven't told us about."

"Well, he's full of secrets." He turned back and lean against the wall. "I think it's not just his face that he shares with Emperor Lelouch."

"He's a good man." Anduin said with defensive loyalty.

"I don't doubt that." Harry assured him. "I'm just saying that there are some things that they're not telling us. But then again, some secrets are better off remaining hidden until the proper moment."

"True. Speaking of secrets, have they found anything on that disk?" Anduin went over to the fridge and brought out a bottle of sparkling.

"Not much. Most of it is encrypted. Lloyd and his crew are still working on it."

"It must be really encrypted if it's taking the Pudding Earl that long. But that aside, do you think this disk will give us an advantage over the Cult? Sparkling?"

"Thanks." He held out his glass. "I hope so. Just because Lelouch destroyed the entire facility doesn't mean they're not out there. My guess is they're involved with the Purists. It's the only explanation for their ability to gain such a force."

Two days later in New Pendragon

"Miss Kallen?" The half-Japanese woman startled and turned to see young Calia whom Kallen brought to the palace. She had just finished with the Guren's repairs and was taking a small break. Being one of the high ranking leaders of an expedition was not an easy job and Kallen had time and time again had to read reports and give orders to both Black knight and Britannian units. She was beginning wonder how Suzaku must have felt as both CEO of the Black Knights AND commander of the Imperial army.

Calia was dressed in a white blouse. Her long blue hair was combed and had ribbons on it.

"Yes?" Kallen knelt to look at the young Britannian girl.

The girl took out a blue pedalled flower from her back and handed into Kallen's hand. To her surprise, it was made of paper.

"It is for you." She said and added. "My brother taught me how to make it."

Kallen gave her the best smile she could make and took the flower. It was like the Japanese origami though in a different way.

"Thank you." The Black knight ace answered. "Your brother taught you well." She said as she examined the work. It was an honest compliment.

"My brother taught me a lot of things." Calia smiled happily.

"That is indeed, a well made flower." A cheery voice commented behind Kallen. They love to startle me don't they? Kallen thought irritably as she turned to face the new comer. To her surprise, it turned out to be Nonette Enneagram, the former Knight of Nine, now Knight of Four, wearing a grey cloak. She was a tall woman, tall as Cornelia with a slim curved yet muscular body, dirty green-blond hair and a cheery face.

"Auntie Nonette!" Calia cried and jumped into the Knight's hands and hugged her tightly. Nonette smiled as she embraced her. Kallen looked at them both in surprise.

"You have grown Calia." Nonette said as she let go of the young girl. "Auntie and Kallen now need to talk so could you run along to your room?" She said softly. The girl nodded and turned jumped into Kallen's arms, surprising the red head. Kallen slowly hugged back and watched Calia as she skipped down the hallway.

"I haven't seen you since you arrived, Kally." Nonette said with a playful tone.

"You too. And please stop calling me that!" Kallen said, embarrassed.

"Oh lighten up, girl." The older woman said as she put an arm around Kallen leading her down the corridor.

"Thank you…" Kallen said hesitantly.

"Hmm?"

"I mean, thank you for taking Calia in. She had no where to go."

Nonette laughed at the teenager's hesitant tone much to Kallen's annoyance. "It's not a problem. In fact, I should be thanking you."

"What do you mean?" Kallen asked, confused.

"You see," Nonette began, becoming sombre. "I once had a daughter. Her name was Maria. His father was killed in battle months ago and I was left to raise him. And as you can imagine, as a Knight my duty often kept me from my child but I would always hold her in my arms whenever I am back home."

The Knight of Four suddenly stopped and looked over. "During one mission, she was taken away from me by Charles' brother, a man name V.V. He's the leader of the Geass Cult. Yes, I know the truth about Lelouch." She added seeing Kallen's expression at the mention of Geass.

"They…used her as an experiment because she had a "gift" and they used her like a lab rat. I was on my way there when your Black knights attacked their hideout."

"You mean the massacre of the women and children in the Chinese Federation?"

At that Nonette gave a bitter laugh. "At a first glance, I guess it would seem that way." She said after a moment. "There were many innocents among the dead," Nonette agreed. "But they were better off being dead than killing machines under V.V. They were creating a powerful army made up of Geass users taken from many nations."

Kallen suddenly remember that boy who called himself Lelouch's brother. Rolo. That's his name. The one they fought against in Babel Tower. She never truly interacted with him but she knew how dangerous he was despite his appearance. The way he assassinated numerous Britannian officers proved it.

"I used the chaos to try and save her," Nonette continued. "But she was already dead when I got there. I…wanted revenge. I hated everything I had ever fought for: the Empire, the Emperor, everything! But my chances were very slim so I took myself into the frontlines where I could unleash my anger."

Then Kallen realised why she had not seen this knight in the war. "So that's why you didn't join the coup against Lelouch."

"Yes. He avenged my baby's death…and many others. Who knows how many deaths V.V. and Charles was responsible for! But still I had failed as a mother to Maria. I hope to make it up with Calia. So thank you, lass."

"I'm just glad to have helped." Kallen answered with a smile. Once again, she wondered how she might have reacted to this conversation two years ago when she was still a resistance fighter.

"I guess it must be really hard for you." Nornette said suddenly. Kallen looked up at the senior knight. "Lelouch's death I mean."

Kallen nodded sombrely. "It's hard to take it especially since he died a hero's death yet remembered as a tyrant in history."

"Yes. I find it hard to accept that. But it is what he wanted. Come, Her Highness will be meeting our Scarlet Saviour in two days time. We must be prepared."

***

Vancouver, Canada

Northern Britannia

Purist 3rd Fleet

"Your grace, our agents have found a survivor of Baron Morbis' personal guard which was massacred in Richmond." An elder guard captain with a deep green cape announced.

"Thank you, Edward." The Duke of Oxbridge was discussing with his generals about their new assault of the Imperial garrison on the Province of British Columbia. They had lost contact with the capital a few days back before the relief force announced that the Keep had fallen though not really by a frontal siege. He found it strange that such a defence had fallen so quickly to the Imperial Home Guard and their allies so he ordered to pick up any survivors from the battle and be sent to his quarters.

Edward led the noble and his ever present retinue of officers down to the sickbay where various wounded and others were kept. The captain led them to a soldier who was wounded in many places with bandages and bruises covering all over his body. His uniform the old blue Britannian army uniform was in part ripped from his body and bloody scars still cover the unbandaged flesh. His skin was pale, utterly white as if he was a corpse. Only the constant motion of his chest showed any indication of life.

The highbourne officers looked at the man in both horror and disgust preferring to stay behind Oxbridge, their fine sensibilities disturbed by the hellish sight but the noble ignored them focusing on the soldier instead.

"Lieutenant?" He called. The man slowly opened his eyes to look at the newcomer. "I am Lord Hamilton, Grand Duke of Oxbridge."

The soldier nodded in recognition so Oxbridge continued. "Now what exactly happened in that fort?"

"It waz…likehell…." He muttered quickly, his eyes wide with fear. "…liewalking in the halls of bloody hell…"

"Calm down, boy." The Duke assured him as the man's started to tremble, hoping the man still had some sanity left in him. "The Keep's garrison was in complete rout and the entire, the city's defences turned on our own forces with every man on the 7th Level is dead including, two platoons and the Baron's entire Guard. How is this possible? Were they local loyalists? Were they Knights of the Round?"

The man thought for a moment. "I…I can't remember…they suddenly attacked…out of no where…some from the sewer lines…"

Oxbridge nodded. It made sense. They must have found an underground path. But that meant the attacking force would be small.

"Continue."

"There were only a few of them…but they slaughtered us like animals…"

The story flowed from the messenger like a wound beyond sealing. The Imperial attack force appeared out of nowhere firing and destroying anything in their paths. For each one Knightmare the rebels brought down, they'd lose five. At first, the Purists were not truly alarmed as they were so few of them to take the Keep.

"We thought we couldn't be stopped by this little rubble but…well…they put up a good fight."

Then the attackers had suddenly divided and with one force engaging the defenders while the other stormed the Keep.

"They cut through the Household troops like you'd cut a cake! We could hardly believe it, my lord."

Many nobles seemed to be disturbed by this. The Household Guard was the unofficial royal guard to every noble, the best of their troops. Oxbridge nodded as he digested the tale. "But if so few, how is it that they could take the keep?"

"I don't understand much either, sir. Their leader, a red Vincent -"

"Red Vincent?!" Oxbridge interrupted, suddenly alarmed. "They were led by a red colour Vincent?"

"Aye, my lord. That…that red monstrosity smashed anything in its path…."

The Britannian noble considered the possibility of the Vincent being the same knight he met at New England.

"What happened then?"

"Then I don't know, my lord." And so on, the soldier explained how he and his squad engage the interlopers when strange incidents took place all over the keep: elevators stopping, video cameras malfunctioning, gun-turrets turning on their own troops, lights turning on and off, gun fire from unseen locations.

"Then suddenly…" His face twisted in horror. "A demon! A demon from the halls of bloody hell! It appeared out of no where! Cutting! Slashing! Stabbing!" His words were becoming less articulate and finally fainted.

But Oxbridge had heard enough. It was the same Knightmare that spoiled what would have been a complete victory for the Purists. Had it been anyone else, he would not have believed it. This knight was becoming quite a nuisance.

"Tell our spies in Pendragon and gather as much information on this knight as possible." He told his subordinates. "And contact Lunamaria Bradley and see if she is ready with her toys. We'll see if she's as good as she says."

The Duke of Oxbridge returned to his own quarters to rest. Looking at the bigger picture, he wasn't particularly worried about the fall of Richmond or this knight's association with the Imperial family that had interrupted his plans on the capital. True, it did slow their war efforts. What was there to worry? More than half of Britannia was under their command and to gain support all they need to do was just to grant lands, money to the local leaders. The support from their allies in Europe and Asia certainly helped deal with that. Only those truly loyal to the Imperial Government resisted and they were easily dealt with. Plus they took more than 70% of the Britannian military in their cause.

When Emperor Lelouch abolished the nobility, Oxbridge and many like him rebelled against the man who took their rights. However, the Emperor had anticipated it since he ascended the throne and his Royal Guard stormed their strongholds and routed whatever troops they could field. It was brutal and quick. After his own defeat, the Duke realised that Lelouch was a master tactician rivalling Prince Schneizel himself. Knowing he was utterly outmatched, Oxbridge decided to hide and lay low until the right moment.

The Duke smiled as he took a sip of his wine, letting the gentle liquid flow over his tongue and down his throat. And that moment was when the demon was finally killed by Zero. Oxbridge knew that his time was coming so he spent the time to plan on taking control of the Britannian army. The former Duke knew that when the Empress decided to join the UFN, the entire Britannian military would have to be dismantled or join the Black knights with the exception of the Knights of the Round and the Imperial Guard. So he convinced the other Houses to use their connections in the remaining army and used them to control the army before the Britannian army could be dismantled. It took little coaxing as many were quite unhappy with the New Britannia which took all their God-given rights.

And now he, Lord Frederick Hamilton, 12th Grand Duke of Oxbridge and Overlord of Canada was now the unofficial leader of the Remnants of TRUE Holy Britannian Empire.

"I was wondering when you would show up," The Britannian noble suddenly said out loud.

"I have come, in the name of my master." A male voice that did not sound very human replied. A pair of glowing ruby orbs appeared from a nearby corner. It was framed by a large heavily cloaked figure stepped forward, the crimson eyes darting here and there.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm still living in the times of old England. You nobles haven't changed a single bit." The figure started, brushing off something on his shoulder.

"Do you mind?" The Duke asked, disgusted by the gesture. "I just had this room cleaned."

"No, I don't." The cloaked figure said nonchalantly. "I'm only here in the name of my masters. Don't expect anything more or less."

"Indeed." Oxbridge replied sarcastically, pouring some more wine into his glass. "And I'm sure you didn't come here just to exchange insults."

"I have come here to make sure you held your end of the bargain. And from the looks of this, your progress is going really well."

"It will be done. But right now, I need time. As commander, I need to make sure that the situation is in our favour before we attack."

The man scoffed. "You would not even be alive without our help never mind being commander. The Primus grows impatient with your constant setbacks. So he sent a gift. Warriors, unmatched in stealth and deception, the wielders of the blades that had sent countless men into the deepest pits of hell, the deadliest assassins to have ever existed in this pathetic world: Shadow Striders..." Scores of crimson orbs appeared behind the man at the mention of the name.

So Nunnally wants to meet the Scarlet knight…how would they all react when they see his face!? Or will Arthur's companions put him in some disguise? And what is his past anyway?

Author's Notes: Honestly, I don't know what to make of this chapter so I'll let you guys tell me. Please tell me your honest opinion. I'm not really sure of the name Shadow Striders is good for an evil organisation. If you can think of a darker and evil name, sent it along your review. Appreciate it a lot. Every review inspires me to write better. And Merry Christmas, my friends and Happy New Year! Man! I wish it would snow in Singapore!!! I miss the cold season.