Code Geass: Cornelia of the Defection

by draconichero21

A "what if" type of tale as in "What if Lelouch had been captured at Saitama? Would he really have been in as much danger and trouble as he believed? Or would his greatest enemy instead becoming his greatest ally?" Rated M for safety.

7. The End of the Beginning

(A/N: You know what? I got nothing this time. Just a big thanks Greatkingrat88 for all the work you do on this fic for me. Although, this fic now has a fanfic rec and a tvtropes page, so kudos to whoever helped start that. Please contribute if you can).

Disclaimer: Code Geass is not mine

---

Stadfeld Manor

As the members of parliament, Schneizel, Kallen's parents, and other nobles were dragged away in handcuffs, chains, blindfolds and gags- because that was completely necessary- Kallen stood at the front of her house, side-by-side with Zero and Cornelia.

"I cannot believe we pulled that off," she said, still in shock that she watched the Britannian Prime Minister treated like a criminal right before her very eyes. "We…we won."

"Not even close," Zero said. "This is only the beginning, Kallen." He turned to face her. "Now we must work towards Japan's independence and the destruction of Britannia as a nation."

"Can we really do it?" Kallen asked him. "I-I mean, don't get me wrong, you've done a lot, but can you really get back Japan for us?"

"We're scheduling a meeting with the Japanese Liberation Front and the Kyoto Group as soon as possible," Cornelia told her. "Once that's over it, you will have your country, but only if you're willing to fight for it."

"Indeed, Britannia will not take Japan's secession or Cornelia's treason lightly. We will have rebelled against them with fully half their army, stolen one of their best strategic assets, taken hostage their best tactician, and made them look like fools to the entire world. The emperor will spare no effort whatsoever in subduing us, brutally and swiftly with every asset available to them, and if we fail here, then Japan will be far worse off than ever before. Everything hangs in the balance; we will have forced their hand and gambled, and Japan is our stake. No matter what, Britannia will never be the same. Therefore, we must be ready with nothing but the best battle strategies and war plans. However, before any of that can happen- Cornelia, would you give me a moment with my subordinate?"

Cornelia nodded. "I'll be getting work on setting up a quarantine for the manor."

"Quarantine?" Kallen asked.

"The Viceroy intends to use chemical warfare as a cover story. It'll buy just enough time before the real truth is revealed."

"I…I see. Where does that…"

"It's up to you. I know you're a student, so if you need getting set up on campus, I'm sure Cornelia and Sub-Viceroy Euphemia could arrange for accommodations. Of course, you could be "quarantined" along with your parents."

"So you're saying I could drop school?"

"Well, not exactly, but—"

"Done!"

So much for higher education. "Right, then. In that case, let's discuss the main reason I wanted to talk to you."

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing is the matter per se. I've decided I need bodyguards from here on out, starting with the diplomatic meeting at Mount Fuji. If you'll accept, I want you to—"

"You can count on me!" Kallen saluted. "You've had my loyalty and protection since the day you showed up."

"Glad to hear it. In public then, make sure to stay on my left-hand side at all times."

"Left-hand? Who's on your right?"

"That would be warrant officer Suzaku Kururugi," Lelouch stated. "He and I have a… history of sorts, shall we say?"

There it was again, more secrets, more of the truth hidden from her. Why, Kallen wondered, couldn't she know more about Zero herself? It felt... a bit unfair. She would give her life for his if necessary, yet she couldn't know anything about her savior?

"I need to see to some things, Kallen. I will see you later."

"Yeah, later." She wanted to put her foot down, demand things from him, who he was, why he went this far, why she was kept in the dark- but she couldn't find the courage. And, at least, she'd be working more closely with the figurehead she admired. Still, awkward didn't even begin to describe the idea of sharing a job with a classmate who didn't even know she was a terrorist. No, not a terrorist, not anymore. From now on Kallen was a soldier against injustice. She would fight for Japan, and for the liberation of the world against Britannia, because that was what Zero wanted. For that end, for Zero, there was nothing she wouldn't do.

---

In the military prison of the highest security, Cornelia shoved Schneizel into a jail cell, still bound by ankle and handcuffs.

"Aren't you being a little rough, sister?" Schneizel asked. "I might be your enemy, but aren't I still your brother?" Cornelia said nothing, only tapping a few keys into the nearby keypad to arm the alarm/security system inside the cell. "So Cornelia, tell me, what has driven you to such ends to betray your countrymen? Help me, for I am quite confused."

"I don't think you could possibly understand," Cornelia replied. "I know what you're like, Schneizel. You're everything Britannia currently encompasses: its deception, its power and its ego. When I encountered Zero at Saitama, I decided that serving an empire which covers up the truth is no longer the kind of nation I wish to serve."

"So this is about justice for Lady Marianne, then? You're doing what Clovis wanted, and failed, to do for Lelouch so that his soul can rest in peace." Schneizel had yet to connect the dots that Zero was Lelouch, the reports of his death having been false. Why would he? It seemed just as likely that Cornelia had used Zero as an opportunity to further her own agenda.

"Justice," Cornelia scoffed. "I suppose you could call it that. I just got tired of being in charge of the greatest bullying squad in the world."

"What great irony it is to be lectured about Britannia's failings by the woman who has slain more foreigners, by command or even personally, than any knight or commander in the entire nation," Schneizel said sardonically. He was perfectly calm, she noted; as usual there was almost nothing that fazed him.

"Yes," Cornelia said solemnly, "I know the weight of my sins, and I intend to atone for them in the fullest."

He smiled lightly. "Oh, Cornelia, you truly are the optimist, the hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams. I look forward to seeing your face when his majesty's armies come barreling down on you. You look beautiful in purple. I wonder how you'll look in flames."

Cornelia scowled at him. "We shall see who will be in flames by the end of this!"

"I do believe witches are the ones burned at the stake, sister."

With a quick spin of her heel, Cornelia walked away from Schneizel's cell before she let him get under her skin any more than she already had. The fact that Schneizel wasn't acting worried bothered her. She knew he had to be fretting up a storm over her and Zero's capture of him. However, if he wasn't showing it, it meant he was confident he had the long term high ground. Or perhaps, he was just powerless in his cell, using what little advantage he had- he was too valuable to be killed, and dangerous enough that he would know that no matter what, he would be a thorn in her side. And she had let him rile her up...

Still, Cornelia could not afford to waste any more time on Schneizel. She had work to do setting up the meeting between herself, Zero, Katase, the JLF, the Kyoto Group and Empress Kaguya. This was going to be hairy. She was finally going to come out to the JLF as a traitor to her own nation. Lelouch had at least managed to placate the Black Knights as best as he had with Cornelia having done little more than get down on one knee. However, she was unconvinced that such measures would work with her former enemies.

Katase was a man of honor, that much she could trust in—he was not unlike the samurai of old, as far as she could tell—but even men with honor could be treasonous too, as Cornelia could attest to. She had seen plenty on her climb through the military ladder. She wasn't sure how much of a blow her pride could take. But, maybe she was overthinking it. She would have her own guards after all, Guilford and Darlton. She had very little reason to be worried. So then, why was she feeling so unsettled about all of this?

---

The news of the chemical attack on Stadfeld Manor was not lost on anyone. Ashford Academy was in uproar, or at least the student council was…and Kallen's fan club. Some people lost faith in Zero, considering his chemical warfare attack to go against some parts of his speech at Lake Kawaguchi. Cornelia, however, suffered the most with regards to her inability to protect the Prime Minister.

In a dictatorial monarchy like Britannia, the press didn't have extreme freedom to print whatever they wanted. However, they didn't have control over free thought. Saying that Cornelia failed to Schneizel was a fact that those not in-the-know about her rebellion could not deny. She had to let a story like that go through if she didn't want to blow her cover.

That said, to keep people from thinking she was bad at her job, Cornelia tightened security in particularly worrisome districts. She did her best to speak to her people that Area 11 was still safe without sounding preachy or desperate. For all intents and purposes, it got the job done.

Suzaku was amongst the crowd who purported Cornelia's effectiveness, if only to protect his own hide about what he was doing. A few days after the speech though, he had Lelouch meet him on the roof to discuss matters and to unload.

"Ugh," he said when they were both on the roof. "I can't believe I actually branded myself with the word traitor the other day." He began pacing back and forth, staring at the ground.

"You're a traitor to a nation you weren't even born into. Besides "traitor to Britannia" isn't the worst thing to be," Lelouch reminded him as he stood there with his arms folded. "Besides, you belong on my side."

Suzaku stopped pacing. "I…I know."

"That said, now that we're working together, would you reconsider my proposal from when I saved you from execution." Lelouch extended his hand towards his best friend. "Will you join me Suzaku and stand directly at my side?"

"You want me to what?" Suzaku asked, taken aback.

"I'm asking you to act as my right-hand," Lelouch stated. "I'll be requiring your loyalty and assistance throughout this endeavor."

"Lelouch, I'm a warrant officer. I can't just drop my title to act as your second-in-command."

"Suzaku, the order of the Black Knights is going to expand once Japan has declared its independence. I'm good with a guerrilla unit, and someone is going to have to watch over the volunteers and the drafted. The people respect me, despite the recent hit to my popularity. Once the truth is revealed, the public will be in uproar. They'll see the magnificence of my skill, and will cast their hopes and dreams onto my endeavors.

"That said, Zero is not a man, he is a symbol of freedom and for justice. However, heroes are necessary for the people to look up to. The Britannians who want change will have their hero. They have my sister. Others will throw their lot in with Kyoshiro Tohdoh. However, supporters of Zero and the Black Knights, especially those I will be in charge of, will require a face and a name they can look up to. If you want to redeem yourself in the eyes of your people, this would be the best way to do it."

"I don't know, Lelouch. I'm not exactly—"

"Don't say you're not qualified to be a hero," Lelouch said sternly with a slight scowl. "Suzaku, of all the people I know, you most resemble an age old knight, a chivalrous soldier that serves the people and the interest of his king. Knights were looked up to by their people because of their ability. The people of Japan will need a hero they can look up to. Kallen will only be able to take so much reverence by the masses. I need you at my side as well, my best friend, and the only person who made life worth living during my exile. Besides, isn't heroism something you're very fit for, Suzaku? Be strong for everybody's sake. You're not the hero they want, but you're the hero they need."

"You really believe in me that much?"

"It's more like I'll require someone I can trust near the head of my forces. Of course, I'm sure you'll have to get used to piloting a Knightmare. Even so—"

"Actually I am a Knightmare pilot."

Lelouch's brow furrowed in extreme confusion. "When was this?"

"Oh, did I not tell you?"

"This is the first I'm hearing of it."

"Oh, well, uh…better late than never I suppose," Suzaku said and laughed nervously. "So, you know how I'm in engineering right?"

"I'm well aware, yes."

"Well, the thing is, my boss, Lloyd, he created a prototype Knightmare Frame, a seventh generation with amazing specs. He calls it the Lancelot. It's his," Suzaku shuddered a little, "well let's just say he's rather enthusiastic about his work, and leave it at that."

"And you can pilot this?"

"With relative ease," Suzaku answered. "I've only used it twice, once in Shinjuku and once at—"

"Wait, wait. That was you? You tried to kill me!"

"Wait, what?"

"Suzaku, this seventh generation you're talking about. Is it white?"

"Yeah, actually, how did you—"

Lelouch let out a deep sigh and massaged the brim of his nose. "I… really wish you had mentioned this information a lot sooner." Lelouch regained his composure. "Suzaku, you have to fight for me now, I won't take no for an answer."

"Wait, where's this coming from?"

"The Kyoto group has another Knightmare Frame in stock, a Japanese built prototype. It's also seventh generation. Originally I was planning to give it to you, but if you already have that white knightmare, I'll give it to Kallen. Suzaku, think about it for a minute. You'll stand next to me, you and Kallen, with the only two seventh generation prototypes. Think about how much that will inspire people. Think of how much that will symbolize the power we wield against Britannia. Suzaku, you stand to gain everything by standing at my side than being just a warrant officer under Cornelia's command."

"But I don't agree with your combat methods!" Suzaku exclaimed. Lelouch folded his arms. "Lelouch, I'll fight this war for you, but I refuse to dirty my own hands in underhanded, pragmatic tactics. I'll fight on the front lines, thank you very much."

"Wars are not won by honorable combat. Clean wars haven't been fought since Washington's Rebellion. They hid behind the rocks and trees. We bribed one of their officials and executed their lead general. And then we were kicked out of our own nation by the French. War is an endless cycle of treachery and deceit. You're a fool to think otherwise. Sure, I get it, bushido and the way of the samurai and all that, but that's ancient history. You've read too many novels or the like to really understand true war. Or perhaps you've read about too many decorative heroes."

"Suzaku, to win a war, everyone is going to dirty their hands at some point. Britannia outnumbers our standing forces several times over if we include the navy, the air force and the Special Forces. Numbers can be overcome, but only by strategy. However, don't think Cornelia isn't going to ask you not to be a shining paladin if you work under her direct command." Suzaku frowned, grinding his teeth. "Suzaku, you might be a soldier, but you know nothing of real war. If you don't want to be looked at as anything other than a war hero, you have to make your own reputation. Imagine, though, if you were a knight in shining white armor amidst a sea of underhanded rogues. You would give us a good name. That's exactly the kind of reputation we need. Like I said, I am merely a symbol. You are the face."

"I'll… give it some thought."

"Can I at least count on you to stand by me at the meeting at Mount Fuji?"

"Now that, I can do," Suzaku said with a smile.

---

To meet at Mount Fuji was a decision that was wholeheartedly agreed upon to be an ideal location to discuss matters of liberation. It was difficult to both surmount and escape from, so any dispute would have to be settled within the confines of the mountain peak and the base located upon it. Furthermore, Mount Fuji was under the command of the Kyoto Group.

The meeting itself was a gathering of only 16 people. Representing the Kyoto group was its leader Taizo Kirihara, Empress Kaguya Sumeragi and Taizo's four most trusted colleagues. Representing the Japanese Liberation Front—and the Japanese military on the whole—were General Tatewaki Katase, Colonel Kyoshiro Tohdoh, and Lieutenant Colonels Nagisa Chiba, Shogo Asahina, Ryoga Senba and Kosetsu Urabe. Representing the Black Knights were Zero himself, his direct two bodyguards, Kallen Kozuki and Suzaku Kururugi.

Supposedly the Britannian military was to be in attendance too—Zero's so-called ally and his/her direct subordinates—but Taizo remained skeptical. This was in stark contrast to Katase and Tohdoh. Both of them firmly believed that Zero had to have a really good inside contact to be able to bring Japan's liberation to this stage.

Zero's party was the third to arrive, with Kallen and Suzaku standing directly behind him. They were both carrying an assault rifle each, and a pistol on the side. If things went south fast, it would be necessary to have rapid fire weapons at the ready in order to clear the room, save the empress of course.

Speaking of the empress, Kaguya, upon seeing her cousin after so many years, leapt from her seat to greet him with immense cheer. "Suzaku!" she cried, and ran over to him, giving him a big hug. "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed as she shook both his hands, "It's so good to see you. What are you doing here?"

"I'm acting as Zero's bodyguard," he said. "Since we're all joining forces anyway, I decided it would be a good gesture to the alliance."

"Smart boy."

Suzaku turned his attention to Tohdoh as the man stood up. The young boy immediately bowed low. "Tohdoh-sensei."

"It's good to see you back on the right side, Suzaku. Japan has missed you."

"I—" Suzaku was going to protest, but Zero cut him off two-fold. He stuck his arm in front of Suzaku to deter him from speaking. And then he spoke in order to defuse the situation, knowing Suzaku's ideals.

"Let's not get into that right now. This is a diplomatic meeting, and debating ideology would do us no good. We all want the same thing: the liberation of Japan. Let us not quarrel over Suzaku's choice to become an Honorary Britannian. He simply did what he thought was right, just as he is doing now." Zero then put his arm down.

"It's very nice to meet you, Zero," Kaguya said, bowing.

"Ah, Empress Sumeragi," Zero bowed to her as well. "I am honored to be in your presence."

"The honor is entirely mine. It's not every day you get to meet a real life superhero."

"Superhero?"

"The empress has been reading far too many silly comics as of late. You'll have to pardon her choice of words," Taizo said only for Kaguya to stick her tongue out at him.

"It's no trouble," Zero responded.

"By the way, Zero, where is your ally?" Taizo asked.

"They'll be here. We specifically arranged it that we arrive separately. It would look less suspicious if we were not traveling here together, given our respective identities."

"Speaking of your identities," Taizo snapped his fingers as a bunch of guns then took aim at Zero from every corner of the room. "I would ask that you show us yours."

In response, Kallen and Suzaku put their backs to opposite sides of Zero. Kallen raised her rifle. Suzaku raised his pistol. "Try it and we'll drop you where you stand!" Kallen shouted. Kallen could not deny her own curiosity to Zero's identity, but at the same time she would not let someone bully his identity out of him.

"Everyone calm down," Zero said. "Kirihara-san, I would gladly take off my helmet for you, but not in a crowd. Might we arrange something?"

"I hardly think you're in a position to debate with me at this point, Zero. You will remove your helmet."

"And I think you're being a bit of a bully for someone who wants independence."

The door opened to allow three people to enter the room. They were dressed in the uniforms of the black knights, but with the helmets of Britannian soldiers. Their faces were completely obscured by their helmets, but considering the voice that spoke, at least one of them was a woman.

"More secrecy?" Taizo said, exasperated.

"Until we're all on the same page, I think it necessary, don't you, Kirihara-san?" Zero asked. "These people are going out on a limb to help get Japan its independence. I should note that there's more Britannian military and my forces on the grounds. Now, unless you want me to pull out of here and assault this building from above, you might want to be a little more lenient in your treatment of me."

"You talk as if you have Britannia gripped by its balls," Katase scoffed at Zero's brashness.

"Perhaps I do. You won't know unless you cooperate, now will you?"

"Taizo, perhaps we should do what Zero says," Kaguya encouraged.

"But…"

Kaguya puffed up her cheeks. "I command that you lower your weapons and take Zero's compromise."

Taizo sighed. "Very well, Empress." He gestured for his men to lower their weapons. He then snapped his fingers for one of his soldiers to bring a large veil—big enough for three people to stand under—as Zero commanded that the Britannians he had brought with them stand with their backs to him so that only Taizo could see his face as they stood in a corner of the room.

Zero then slowly removed his helmet and then pulled down the cloth around his nose, revealing his face. Taizo immediately began laughing. "I see now!" He laughed again. "Now it all makes sense!"

"What makes sense, Taizo?" Kaguya asked.

"And why are you laughing?" Katase asked.

"General, I can say with absolutely certainty that we are in good hands with whatever Zero has cooked up. This revolution has been seven years in the making, of that I can assure you. Zero, I am sorry for doubting you."

"Hold on just a minute. You know Zero?" Kallen shouted.

"We are... acquainted," Taizo answered. "And even back then I could tell his distaste for the empire." He laughed again. "This is fantastic! Please, let us sit down and talk about this country's liberation, shall we?"

Zero put his helmet back onto his head and said, "It would be my pleasure."

In under two minutes, everyone was seated at the large table in the conference room. Two of the Britannians stood at the door while Kallen sat to Zero's left, the female Britannian to Zero's right and Suzaku to her right.

"So, Zero, might we finally see the face of your ally?"

"I think the time is appropriate." He and his ally nodded to each other as she stood up and removed her helmet, letting purple hair cascade downward behind her. Eventually it was clear to everyone in the room that in attendance to discuss Japan's liberation was one Cornelia li Britannia.

"Treachery!" Nagisa shouted, rising to her feet, her gun drawn and aimed directly at Cornelia. In the ensuing chaos, the shock following Cornelia's reveal, Taizo's colleagues, all armed men and women in the room all aimed their weapons at Zero and Cornelia.

From the door, the Britannian soldiers aimed back in defense of Cornelia. Kallen and Suzaku also sprang to their feet. Suzaku pulled out his own pistol, in defense of Cornelia, and Kallen held her assault rifle at the ready.

"Order!" Katase cried. "Nobody fires a single bullet until I say so!" Turning to Zero, with an indignant look on his face, he continued, "What is the meaning of this? You claim to have an ally, and you bring their leader here?"

Zero stood up slowly. "Yes, that's right. Cornelia li Britannia is my confidant and ally. She captured me once already, and then I convinced her to join my side."

"I don't buy it! Bastard, you sold us all out!" Nagisa shouted.

"I'm inclined to agree," Tohdoh said, but remained seated, not raising a weapon, because Cornelia was unarmed. However, he too was quite alarmed, but he had a cool enough head not to do anything rash.

"I believe him."

Everyone looked at Taizo.

"Taizo, you can't be serious," one of his colleagues said.

Taizo lifted his arm and gestured for everyone to sit down. "Based on what I just saw of Zero's face, it makes sense for the Viceroy to be standing there. And... consider the health care benefits, and everything else that's happened under the Viceroy's nose over the last month or so."

"But…she's the most loyal out of every soldier in the nation. She's the general in chief! She's a goddamn princess!" Nagisa shouted.

"Looks can be deceiving, if Taizo is to be believed," Asahina said, adjusting his glasses.

"Why not let the Viceroy speak in her defense?" Zero asked. "Cornelia, speak," he commanded.

Cornelia nodded. "My name is Cornelia li Britannia, Viceroy of Area Eleven, formerly known as Japan, and Chief General of Britannia's army. By standing here, I denounce every shred of that previous statement in favor of rebuilding my homeland, and I intend to start by liberating Japan. Those are the facts. Whether or not you choose to believe them is your business."

"I don't buy it! I can't believe this!" Nagisa shouted. "I lost my brother at Saitama! He was just a rebel trying to follow in my footsteps after the war was over, and you butchered him just like all your other enemies! And now I am expected to fight alongside you, Britannian dog?! You killed hundreds of innocent civilians, for no good reason!"

"Nagisa, you're becoming too emotional. Calm down!" Tohdoh ordered her.

"I can understand your anger and your pain," Cornelia said to her. "I have a younger sibling of my own, a fact that's very well known by everyone in this room. I cannot take back the lives I have ended, but I intend to make up for them. I will not ask for forgiveness. I do not deserve it. If you want to shoot me, so be it. However, if you pull that trigger, you will doom your chances of ever getting your country back. Is taking the head of the commander of your brother's killer worth that?"

Nagisa gnashed her teeth and her gun and eyes trembled with frustration. "I… hate… you…" she growled, trying not to break down.

"Go ahead then, hate me if it will help. But know that from here on out, I am only here to help."

Nagisa slumped into her seat, gripping her gun tightly. She then looked at Tohdoh as she put her gun away. "Please, excuse me, Colonel. I am…emotionally compromised." Tohdoh nodded, and Nagisa exited via the back of the room.

"So, what brings the second princess of the royal family to our doorstep?" Katase asked her. "You have... so much to lose by turning traitor."

"There is nothing of value I stand to lose by turning against my fair nation and anything I do lose I, intend to gain back with this revolution. I am an elder sister before I am a soldier and a princess. It's always been my vision to tear Britannia to the ground and rebuild it; I was just waiting for the right time. In order to be convincing, I had to fool both ally and enemy alike."

"Britannia currently does not suspect a thing," Zero said. "I too, when I was captured, could not believe she was waiting for such an opportunity. I found it unbelievable that a woman of her stature was plotting against her own father and nation. And yet, here she stands. Here I stand."

This caused a stir at the table. "You're Britannian?" Urabe asked, quite alarmed.

"I am."

He is? Kallen thought, eyes wide. She had no idea.

"I am Britannian not by choice, gentlemen. I am a Britannian, fed up with the way the country acts, the way it steps on the rest of the world. If you are not part of them, you are considered inferior, a target for conquest. I resent that. I resent discrimination across all mediums. Like I said at Lake Kawaguchi, I despise seeing the weak devoured by the strong."

"It takes a while for inborn prejudice to disappear," Cornelia spoke up, "However, I am also a soldier. In war, a man or a woman's worth is determined by the skill they possess, not their nationality or their heritage. When I was trained, I disliked the special treatment I was given. I made every attempt to go above and beyond what was required of me to show that I didn't intend to just skate by. I made something of myself. I fight for what is right and that's why I stand here."

There was a long silence after that sentence. Everyone just took a while to let Cornelia's words sink in, unsure what to say really. Eventually Nagisa rejoined them and proceedings finally began as Cornelia had Guilford and Darlton, her disguised escorts/bodyguards, bring her a stack of papers. "I've begun drafting up a declaration of Japan's independence in my spare time. I have copies for everyone in attendance. Kururugi, Kozuki, please distribute them." Both Kallen and Suzaku did as they were told. "If there's anything that you find out of order, I can have them edited posthaste. I intend to reveal our alliance on national television as a declaration of war towards the rest of Britannia."

"You are prepared to fight your own people? I didn't think the Witch of Britannia was that cold-hearted," Taizo said.

"Whatever it takes to take down my father and his tyranny, I am prepared to carry it out. War brings victims on both sides. Thankfully, I managed to get the majority of my loyal troops to Area Eleven before today. Those that couldn't reasonably be established here are already in Areas Nine and Ten in preparation for the war. I also took the liberty of putting relatively incompetent siblings of mine in charge of those areas. It will be beneficial when we start telling Britannia to go fuck itself."

"That is rather inelegant speech for a royal woman," Asahina stated.

"Hmph," Cornelia smirked. "I've forfeited all of my rights to call myself royalty the moment I came here today. I am naught but a rebellious soldier in command of a large number of other soldiers. I am Britannian by blood alone."

"We intend to call our army the Confederacy of Britannia. We will stand for a changed Britannia, a Britannia that does not believe in the tyrannical dictatorship of Emperor Charles and his forefathers. We intend to bring the country to the days of Arthur Pendragon and Japan will be the first step in paving the way for the changes to come," Zero added.

"I hope you realize we stand to be crushed like maggots in an instant if we're not careful."

"General Katase," Zero replied. "You stand before two of Britannia's greatest tacticians, including myself. We also have Tohdoh the miracle worker, the only Japanese commander to win a battle against Britannian forces. What we lack in numbers, we shall make up for in strategy. To that end, preparations are already underway to discuss a non-aggression treaty with China. We need only convince them to prevent Britannia from using their ports, and we only have to fight war on one front, given that the EU will take any opportunity they can to exploit Britannian weakness. Now then, might we discuss the matter at hand- Japan's Independence- before we get ahead of ourselves discussing war strategies?"

"Zero," Taizo said as he read over the document, "Unless I'm mistaken, you intend to give Japan back its full sovereignty."

"I am. To prevent complications, parts of the document itself aren't to take effect until after our victory over Britannia. However, so that the Confederacy and Japan might remain on equal footing, some parts will take effect immediately, such as land grants to the Japanese, the re-establishment of the Japanese government and the right to enforce that government on Japanese soil as shown on the map provided in the document. We will also need this country to have land set aside for Britannian civilians that couldn't make it out of Japan to go home. Such land will be exempt from Japanese laws and rule."

"What a quaint idea," Taizo scoffed, "For years the Britannians have trampled on our pride, enslaved us and spit on our honor. And now we are expected to accept them as brothers? I doubt there will be very many Japanese who will be accepting of this."

"Taizo," Zero said, "You speak of soldiers who are willing to betray everything they once stood for in the name of liberty and justice for all. They make a sacrifice greater than most could dream of. Are they not worthy to be called your brothers-in-arms?"

"We're gaining an army, valuable resources. It's a fair trade, however temporary," Katase said.

"Indeed, it is only a temporary measure until such a time that Britannia is able to deport itself from the island," Zero agreed.

"Is there no compromise? Should we not allow Britannians to immigrate to Japan should they choose?" Kaguya asked.

"If the Britannians immigrated to Japan, they would be the minority. Given their previous rule over the country, there would be no way to stop prejudice going the reverse way it is now."

Suzaku smacked his fist onto the table. "Then we start by breaking the cycle. If they're willing to immigrate and renounce their homeland, why shouldn't they be treated as equals? We'll need to establish anti-discrimination laws for certain, but still…"

"Speaking of laws," Taizo said, "our system has always had a democratic process with her majesty, the Empress, acting in conjunction with her advisors and the country's prime minister. When we first established this process back in the 1940s, we elected our officials. However, given the situation I doubt we have time to run a proper election now."

"Maybe we should elect someone in this room, perhaps amongst ourselves?" Kallen suggested, though unsure if it had any merit.

"That's…not a bad idea actually," Tohdoh said.

"I agree," Kaguya said. "I'll start taking candidates now."

"I recommend myself," Taizo spoke up.

"Bah, you'd set this country back a hundred years if we let you run things," Katase said, "Better if I had a say in our country's decision-making process."

"This coming from a man whose decisions led to our defeat in under a month," Taizo responded. "You have no spine for the tough decisions, Katase."

"I lost the war, but I never gave up. For years I kept on fighting, and I never gave up hope, because I am a patriot!" Katase snapped. "And what did you do, Taizo? You hid, like the big, bald coward you are. And when it was over, you bowed your head to the Britannians, to protect your precious status!"

"I will not make my lack of hair follicles a subject of this debate!" Taizo sneered.

"Enough!" Cornelia slammed her fist into the table, "Look at the two of you! Are you grown men, or are you children arguing in the school yard? The fate of your nation is at stake. Is this how you want to look in front of your countrymen?"

"Oh yes lets be lectured by our enemy," Katase continued. "This is a Japanese matter, Britannian."

"It's a matter of all nations," Suzaku said, getting involved. "Cornelia has just as much the right to speak as anyone else.

"Silence on matters that do not involve you, boy," Taizo snapped. "You're barely old enough to even be sitting at this table."

It wasn't long before practically the entire table was arguing and getting significantly off track. Zero sighed and was prepared to let it die down on its own, but fate had other ideas in mind.

"QUIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!" Kaguya suddenly shouted. Everyone looked at her. "Everyone stop arguing and sit down. I'm the youngest here and you're all acting like you're half my age. Now sit down and let's discuss politics."

The entire table, save Kallen, Zero and Kaguya were currently standing and then they all sheepishly sat down, embarrassed to have to be lectured by a 14-year-old.

Kaguya cleared her throat and then said. "So now that we have our candidates, let's take a vote. All those in favor of Taizo, raise your hands now."

Taizo and his four colleagues raised their hands.

"All those in favor of Katase?"

Katase, the four holy swords and Suzaku raised their hands.

"This voting process is rigged!" Taizo exclaimed. "Of course the holy swords are going to take Katase's side!"

"Katase will be popular with the people," Zero said. "He's a resistance fighter who never stopped, and a senior member of the army. He would make an excellent public figure."

"Public image is not the most important thing regarding politics. What about when the tough decisions have to be made? Need I remind this table that it was the army who persuaded the former Prime Minister to surrender to the Britannians so quickly to avoid unnecessary casualties?"

"That was the tough decision being made, Taizo," Zero told him. "It was the right call to make. In the long run, it paid off did it not. Now, we still have an army." Taizo adjusted his seat, a clear indication he had dropped his argument. "I fail to see how being the head of Empress' advisory panel is so undesirable a position."

"Oh, Taizo is just mad because I make ridiculous requests at times," Kaguya said, brimming with cheer. "He feels like he acts more like a caretaker than an actual advisor." Taizo massaged his bald forehead with his fingertips, and it was obvious Kaguya hadn't been exaggerating.

"What can we expect from Britannia, assuming we succeed?" Tohdoh asked. "I assume her highness has a plan?"

"I do, and what becomes of Britannia after the war will be a task Japan is not required to get involved in."

And after that point, the more tedious issues regarding Japan's Independence began to be discussed. Zero was reminded that liberating a nation for justice had its downsides: specifically, administration. Bureaucracy was the inevitable plague of running a nation. This was going to be a long, boring day.

---

With the conclusion of the meeting at Mount Fuji- sometime after the sun went down- real progress had been made. The next step was to go to the Chinese Embassy and discuss things with its ambassador, Gao Hai, and get word to the Empress Tianzi, Jiang Lihua, about the signing a non-aggression treaty Zero mentioned at the diplomatic meeting. After that, Lelouch would aid Katase and his command with crafting a plan for mobilizing the Japanese army, and drafting battle strategies alongside Tohdoh and Darlton while Cornelia focused on writing and presenting her declaration of war to the Britannian public.

All of this was an extreme headache to the man behind the mask, Lelouch, and he needed to blow off some steam. After a long, boring day at Mount Fuji, he had one final stop to make before he went home. Namely, the high security prison inside the Viceroy Palace. He had matters to discuss with a certain prisoner. After all, Clovis had told him there were two of his siblings who knew details about his mother's murder.

Schneizel himself seemed oddly comfortable in his cell, having accepted his incarceration with the stoic grace of a prince, still every bit the best of Britannian royalty.

"Ah, and here he is, the man of the hour," Schneizel said as Zero stopped in front of his cell. "Well, Zero, what can I help you with?"

"You can start by answering some questions," Zero stated.

"I suppose this is where you ask me for information on Britannia's defenses, and make thinly veiled threats- if you care to veil them at all. Well, what are you waiting for?" Schneizel asked calmly. "Bring on the thumb screws and iron maidens, we'll make a whole evening of it. It would be just you, me and my loud girly screams. People will think you're torturing a cat."

"Oh, really, Schneizel?" Zero said in mock disbelief, "You would say such a thing... to your own brother?" Slowly, Zero removed his helmet for his dramatic reveal as Lelouch in front of Britannia's Prime Minister. Much as he did with Clovis, he wanted Schneizel to see the face of the man who would bring Britannia to its knees. Furthermore, if Schneizel understood his motivations, perhaps he'd be less resistant to give aid.

Lelouch, of course, also understood that if Schneizel ever got out he'd know his identity. However, it was his belief that Schneizel wouldn't bother making his identity public. Information like that was too good not to hold onto until he need to give Lelouch and ultimatum and Lelouch was confident Schneizel would never get in such a position, not now that he was behind bars and could be dealt with at the drop of a hat.

If Schneizel was surprised, he didn't show it; not so much as a raised eyebrow crossed his face. Instead, Schneizel simply smiled. "Ah, and now it all makes sense. Well, well... Lelouch, look at you now: all grown up, and with bloodless revolution too. You have made yourself into quite the hero."

"I'll have none of your sarcastic flattery, Schneizel. I want answers."

"Answers to what, exactly?" Schneizel shot back quickly. "Oh, I suppose you want to know about your mother's murder, of course. How silly of me. How very like you to rebel- literally so- against the entire world because you felt lonely without your mother."

Lelouch gritted his teeth. Schneizel really knew how to get under his skin. I could kill him right now and nothing could stop me, he thought, but I need him alive.

"Well, Lelouch, I'm not sure what you want me to say. Your mother died. It was very sad. So did you and Nunnally, although to quote a certain author, the rumors of your death seem severely overstated. We all missed you, you know. Although by my calculation, you and Cornelia wouldn't be working together if you didn't know that."

"You politicians are all the same. You can speak six sentences and say nothing of value."

Schneizel chuckled. "What are you going to do, Lelouch? I'm your prisoner, and this is my way of, as the commoner's might put it- "sticking it to the man". What reason do I possibly have, robbed of my liberty as I am, to give in to any of your demands? There is nothing you can do, I am afraid."

Lelouch began to laugh, lightly at first, but slowly going into a strong, long, maniacal cackle. He even relapsed twice. Of all the things Schneizel could have said, he said the one thing that perfectly described his geass power. When Lelouch was finished laughing he gave Schneizel a most amused grin. "You know, Schneizel, in all my years of knowing you, you've always held all the cards. But now, for this one time in my life, I am your superior." He stood up straight. "And so, Schneizel, I command you," he activated his Geass, "You will answer every question I have for you."

Immediately falling under the influence of his geass, he said, "I hear and obey."

"You were there the day of my mother's murder, were you not?"

"I was."

"What do you know about the details surrounding her death? Tell me everything."

"I originally had not intended to be on the scene. His majesty called me away, asked me to remove Marianne's body from the scene."

"What?" Lelouch was shocked. Why would his father have ordered Schneizel do something like that? "To what end?" He said sharply. Schneizel was silent. "No! I've come too far to hit a dead end! Who killed my mother? Who killed her, damn you?!" Schneizel said nothing, and Lelouch cried out with frustration. "Damn it! So you said you removed my mother's body from the scene. Where did you take her?"

"I put her into a body bag as instructed. His majesty then had Bismarck take her away with some elite guardsmen."

A cover up job? "What was in the coffin I saw? If you removed my mother's body, then what was the purpose of that coffin?"

"Your mother."

"What? That doesn't make any sense!" Lelouch shouted. "You said you removed her body from the scene, so why was she inside the coffin as well?" Schneizel was silent. Dammit! Every time I think I'm getting somewhere I just get more mysteries. Do I really have to confront him to get to the bottom of this? "Was there anything unnatural you noticed at the scene?"

"Cornelia arrived after me."

"She was laid off. I learned that from her myself," Lelouch said. "Anything else. Tell me everything about my mother's death that seemed off to you."

Schneizel was silent at first, but then, for some reason, his mouth dropped open. It was strange, different from the glassy-eyed stare that Lelouch would see from anybody under the effect of his geass usually, as if he was remembering something long forgotten. "I-I remember! I… I heard a scream, a familiar one. It…it sounded like Nunnally's!"

"Nunnally was there, though. Why is that strange?"

"She was screaming for you, calling your name, but I…" Schneizel then suddenly went silent.

Nunnally was calling my name? I don't understand. And what was with that reaction just now? It is as if Schneizel was fighting some other influence, besides my own Geass. "Schneizel, what is influencing you besides my geass?" Schneizel was silent. Alright, so much for the easy way, then. "Going back to my previous question- is there anything else you remember?"

"There was… a little boy, he seemed strange."

"A boy? Describe him."

"He had long blond hair, and reddish eyes. He looked to be your age at the time. He was inside the house, but he didn't look to be a servant."

And only personal relatives were allowed inside the manor during the incident. But…a ten-year-old…and why didn't Cornelia say anything about this? Maybe I should ask her when I have the chance.

"Schneizel, do you believe the emperor murdered my mother?"

Schneizel was silent.

So he's uncertain then. "Do you suspect it?" Still silence. He's uncertain if he suspects it? That man is appalling. "Schneizel, who else might know more about my mother's murder?"

"Nunnally, your sister."

Lelouch ground his teeth. He had already asked Nunnally about it years ago, and she never saw the attacker's face. According to her, bullets came flying in through the window. Marianne had been holding her when she'd been shot and then fallen on top of her when she used her body to shield her.

"Anyone else? I've already talked to Clovis and Cornelia."

"…that little blond boy."

"Do you know his name?"

"No."

"Then that doesn't help me any. Who else?" Dammit, I'm starting to get a headache. I've never had my geass active for this long at a time. Lelouch however, did make a note to keep an eye out for little blond boys—teenagers at this point—with long hair and reddish eyes.

"Knight of Six, Anya Alstriem."

Lelouch blinked rapidly and then crinkled his brow. "Anya? Why would she know anything?"

"Anya is…was…an apprentice at the villa at the time of your mother's death."

The Knight of Six, huh? One more reason this war has to go on then. Capturing her will be made a priority. "Did you investigate the murder at all?"

"I did a little digging on things that seemed suspicious, but they were all dead ends. Cornelia investigated everything more thoroughly. I did my best to help."

"I see. Is there anything else of value you can tell me, anything at all?" Schneizel was silent. Too vague then. "What else was suspicious at the scene? Was there anything that seemed out of place, not just people?"

"No."

He seemed awfully sure of that. Wait! I have an idea. "Schneizel, did you get a chance to examine my mother's body at all?"

"Yes."

I thought so! "What was suspicious about my mother's body, if anything?"

"I didn't get to do a thorough examination, but I read the autopsy reports and examined the scene. I…" Schneizel seemed to grunt.

There it is again, something's interfering with my geass.

"I noticed…I noticed…the…entry wounds…"

"The entry wounds, what about them?"

"Your mother was found with her stomach on top of Nunnally's suggesting that she was…shot from behind, but all the wounds were…from the front."

"WHAT?!" Lelouch shouted in alarm. That doesn't make any sense. If my mother was shot from the front…then where was Nunnally at the time? Nunnally said she remembered my mother holding her and she never saw anyone, but if mother was shot from the front, then Nunnally had to have seen what was going on.

Lelouch concentrated, and let his mind flow freely, without any outside distraction. He did his best to piece the murder scene together. Okay, let's recap. There was my mother and Nunnally standing on the stairs at the foyer. The shots came from the window. Lelouch imagined the sound and sight of glass shattering and a hail of bullets entering the foyer. Nunnally said mother was holding her and then turned to protect her. But, that goes against solid evidence. Mother's body was shot from the front. As Lelouch thought this he imagined the bullets hitting a silhouette of his mother's body. If that's the case, Nunnally should've been shot too. Lelouch imagined this like a 3D diagram, Nunnally represented by the silhouette of a small child. I can then only attest that Nunnally was behind my mother the whole time. Nunnally's silhouette flashed behind Marianne and out of her arms. Lelouch's imagine of Marianne was now standing tall, facing the foyer. The safest place for her would've been behind mother where she was obstructed from view. But then…how did she end up underneath mother and why did mother fall that way on top of her?

Lelouch did some mental thought process. I think I know. In his mental recreation of the scene, Lelouch added a silhouette at the bottom of the staircase, facing his mother. So you're the one. Lelouch could only picture an axe murdering grin from a faceless killer as he signaled many men outside to kill his mother.

It was someone she knew. That much I know from what Cornelia told me. But…would the emperor have really killed my mother? For what purpose? Is that why he banished me? To erase all traces of the vi Britannia name?

"Schneizel, you were well into adulthood when my mother died. You were also in well with most nobles, is that fair to say?"

"That's a fair assumption, yes."

"Then tell me: who, amongst close to my mother, would want her dead?"

"No one that I know."

Lelouch closed his eyes. I see, then it appears I have some chasing to do. Anya Alstriem, Knight of Six. If I can get to her I might be able to shed some light on this endeavor. I'll have to tell Cornelia what I've found when I have the time. She might be able to offer a suggestion or two. She'd also want to know all of this. The blond haired boy Schneizel mentioned also flashed in Lelouch's mind. And how do you fit in to the puzzle? What's your purpose? If Schneizel thinks you're suspicious, then it's obvious you weren't there coincidentally. Your identity holds a lot of meaning to me, it seems. This is no longer a chase. This is a manhunt.

Lelouch relinquished his hold on Schneizel. He had all the information he was likely to get out of Schneizel. All he had to do would be to compare notes with Cornelia and he'd be much, much closer to solving this case. His father covered up the murder. There was a young, blond boy that Schneizel didn't know at the scene. There was a Knight of the Round at the scene. And most importantly, Marianne's wounds didn't match up with his sister's testimony. This puzzle was mostly filled in. Lelouch only needed a few more pieces.

Of course, rather than leave and go straight to Cornelia, Lelouch felt the need to talk to Schneizel a little more. He had done a fine job convincing Cornelia to join him. If he could get Schneizel on his side, sincerely, Britannia would stand no chance. The idea didn't seem likely, but it didn't hurt to try. Lelouch realized he could've just geassed Schneizel to permanently obey him, but Lelouch wasn't too keen on robbing his enemies permanently of their free will. He was a manipulator, not a mind breaker. Even he had his standards for the kind of lows he was willing to go. Some might call that naively childish, but Lelouch wanted to have some semblance of pride and morality when he was finished. After all, a man who just forced people to obey him was the type of cruel dictatorship he was trying to avoid. Some might suggest he make an exception for a dangerous enemy like Schneizel, but as far as Lelouch was currently concerned, Schneizel was no longer a threat. Because of his youth and lack of prolonged contact with Schneizel, Lelouch didn't take Schneizel's lack of obvious terror and panic to be as unsettling as Cornelia did. He was thoroughly convinced that Schneizel was just doing his best to act calm to throw Lelouch off-balance. He let Schneizel speak first.

"Well, Lelouch," Schneizel said, picking up right where the previous conversation wore off, "I hope you realize the chain reaction you've set off. Britannia will not take Japan's secession lying down- in fact, no efforts will be spared to brutally destroy you all to the last man. You will have started a war, and it will shed more blood than any other has in centuries. I wonder, will the mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughter of every nation involved thank you when their fathers, brothers and sons lie dead in their graves?"

Lelouch scowled. "For the sake of justice I would bury a million fathers! I'd bury ten million! As many as needed! With revolution comes sacrifice. Any man fit enough to call himself a soldier is prepared to die for what he believes in. You paint me as though I am some sort of messiah. I am but one part of the puzzle. In reality, every dead soldier, nay, every participant in this war who fights for my justice is a hero."

Schneizel's shoulders twitched, as if he was about to burst into laughter, but he restrained himself. It was so entertaining to see Lelouch was the same perfectly roasted ham he could be as a child. Furthermore, he considered Lelouch to be just as naïve as his ten-year-old self. His smirk widened as he spoke, "I wonder when reality will catch up to you, "hero", because in the end you might achieve freedom for Japan- but it will come at the price of millions of lives; Britannians, Japanese and many others. All that blood will be on your hands, for you were the one who started this farce. Now I see why Cornelia betrayed her country. Only you could persuade her to feel the need to embrace the childish ideals she left behind long ago."

"They are not childish! There's nothing childish about wanting a nation with liberty, equality and justice for all! What's childish is to believe that such a world will come without sacrifice! To have a new kingdom, the king must be overthrown. To overthrow a king, there must be peasants to start an uprising. For peasants to start an uprising, they must have a leader." Lelouch pointed to himself. "I am that leader."

"Quite," Schneizel chuckled briefly. "Tell me, Lelouch, when Bismarck brings down his hammer upon the cities of Japan, and civilians die by the million, will it be worth it then? When you and Cornelia are brought in chains before father, will it be worth it then? When Nunnally is killed simply for being related to you, will it be worth it then?"

Lelouch threw his arm out at his side, his cape flapping briefly before dropping down in line with gravity. "When the hammer of Bismarck comes down, I will shatter it! When the armies of Britannia come marching upon our soil, I will obliterate it! And when this war is finished, I will have Japan, and I will have Britannia. And you, Schneizel," Lelouch said as he cupped his palm towards the ceiling, "you will be the witness to my grandest checkmate ever!"

"Did you ever ask Nunnally if this is what she wanted?"

There was nothing but silence, complete and total silence. The only thing that could be heard in the corridor was the whirring the air conditioning system, and the low hum of the fluorescent lights. It was a simple, basic question, and yet it slammed into Lelouch's chest like a javelin. He was pretty sure Nunnally would want the world he was envisioning, but he hadn't asked her at all. He had never thought to. It was the whole reason he didn't tell her. Oh, good god- he suddenly felt like an idiot. What if this was all for naught? He did not want to admit it, but Schneizel's words had struck doubt into his heart.

Schneizel looked at him curiously. "You never did, did you? You went so far that you would start a world war for your misguided vision of justice, but the one person who matters more to you than anybody else was never consulted. Imagine poor, blind, crippled Nunnally, naively believing her brother to be the kindest, sweetest man on earth..."

Lelouch scowled, and glared at Schneizel. He had absolutely no comeback to Schneizel's remark whatsoever. What if Nunnally was against this? She did abhor violence. Lelouch could preach on all day about why this was the right thing to do, but at the end of the day if his sister didn't accept it, it was all for naught. He had long since passed the point of no return. Was he about to fight in a war that his sister didn't even want him starting? Worst of all, he hated the fact that Schneizel had done it yet again. He managed to turn the tables on Lelouch just as Lelouch was certain victory was at hand.

"It's a bit soon to call checkmate, don't you think, Lelouch?"

Lelouch put his helmet back on. "I don't recall saying I called checkmate. And if you think you can shatter my resolve so easily, then it's high time you open your eyes to how these seven years have affected me beneath the gaze of the entire world."

"Well, I look forward to seeing it. Will I get a front row seat?"

"Up close and personal," Lelouch said resentfully and walked out.

---

By the time he got home, he was a complete and total wreck . He was fraught with worry and cold sweat had plagued him the last fourth of the ride back to Ashford Academy. He was getting nervous in a way he never felt before. Stare down the jaws of a lion, face down an artillery barrage, even facing Cornelia's wrath would feel better than this.

He at least managed to hold his nerves until after dinner. Then, he had Sayoko excuse herself so he could talk to Nunnally privately. The living room was quiet, with no sound other than the ticking of the grandfather clock between the potted plant and the bookcase. Nunnally sat nervously in her wheelchair with how quiet the world had become. She was blind, with no sound to hear, so the quiet unnerved her.. Lelouch was quite a distance from her, she knew that when he sat down in the chair. He hadn't made any movements to approach her, and he wasn't saying anything. Something was wrong and she wanted to know what it was. Her brother was the most important person to her in the whole wide world, after all.

The reason Lelouch was keeping such a distance is because if Nunnally could sense distress just from his silence, she'd be fraught with worry if she could feel his pulse. He was sweating up a storm, and the tension was unbearable. He didn't want her to ask him what was wrong. He wanted to be the first to say something. Unfortunately his throat was drier than a potato chip covered in sand. He didn't know where to begin. What was he supposed to say, and how could he get Nunnally to accept the idea of what he was doing, if her initial reaction was against his actions? Lelouch could easily order millions of soldiers to their deaths. He could attempt to talk a woman into bed with him—not that he actually would; he was a gentleman and sex sort of unnerved him anyway. He would go inside a haunted house, holding a black cat, while stepping on mirrors on Friday the 13th. But, displeasing Nunnally utterly terrified him on a larger scale than anything his mind could think of.

Can I really tell her this? He thought. What will she think of me? Lelouch took a deep breath. No, I've done it all for her sake. I have to convince her! I have to get her to see it. He sighed. But I need to be delicate. I can't just charge in. But... I can't manipulate my own sister if this isn't what she wants. Damn it! How am I supposed to do this? His mind flashed a memory to him about when Cornelia captured him and how well that terrifying situation had worked out. Things weren't quite the same here, but if he went with the mentality that things could turn out all right, that was all he needed to try and see if they would be. He swallowed. Okay, I can do this. Slowly and delicately. Lelouch opened his mouth. His voice was unsteady. "Nunnally, do you love me?"

Nunnally answered with a big smile and without hesitation. "Of course, big brother."

Lelouch took a deep breath. "Would you love me if I had done something really bad? Would you still love me, even after that?"

Nunnally was silent for a moment, causing Lelouch's heart rate to increase. However, it lessened when her answer was. "Yes, of course I'd still love you."

Lelouch swallowed and was hesitant. Once he started on this road there was no going back or ending the conversation prematurely. "Nunnally, Britannia is about to erupt into civil war."

"It is? I didn't hear anything about it on the news."

Lelouch's chin trembled as he spoke. "Nunnally, Japan is about to get its independence, and when it does, Britannia and our father will come down upon it fearsomely. Somebody has to stand up to him or everything will be much worse than it was before."

"I don't understand. Have things returned to how they were seven years ago?

"They have, Nunnally. Only this time if Japan fails, things will be even worse than they are now for the Japanese."

"Oh…" she didn't know what else to say. "Does that mean we have to leave Ashford for our own safety?"

"Well…actually that's mostly what I wanted to talk about."

"What do you mean?" Nunnally sounded concerned, almost scared; he could tell by the slightest shift in her voice.

"Nunnally, I'm... I'm one of the commanding officers in Cornelia's army."

"You…huh?" Nunnally was confused.

"Cornelia asked if I would lend her my strategic mind tempered over the last seven years. I concurred."

"But you can't!" Nunnally exclaimed. She gave no follow up.

Lelouch looked confused. "I have, though."

"Is this what you meant by you doing something bad? You're leaving my side? You won't be next to me when the fighting starts?"

"Well that's part of it, but—"

"But what?" Nunnally sounded like she might cry. "You're going off to war after reuniting with Cornelia? What happened to my big brother who said that nothing else mattered, as long as we were together?"

"He's still here, but…"

"I don't want to hear, 'but'!" Nunnally exclaimed. "I want answers. Lelouch," she sniffed, "I'm able to go on as I am…because I know I have you to take care of me. What am I supposed to do if I'm alone and without you? I can't do it! I can't sit next to a radio or a TV wondering if Sayoko or someone else is going to suddenly hug me and tell me you're dead! I can't do that! I can't live without you! I love you too much to see you disappear!"

"I know that, Nunnally. I know that more than anyone, but—"

"Stop saying 'but'!" Nunnally shouted, becoming hysterical. "Why did you agree to this without telling me about it first? Why didn't you even consult me at all? Don't I matter?"

"You're the one who matters most dammit!" Lelouch shouted. He was overcome with emotion, his heart trembling. Unsettled to his core, completely unsure of what he could possibly say, or do, he stood up. For a moment, he covered his mouth, wavering back and forth, trying to say something right, anything at all- but when he could think of nothing in the next few moments, he simply ran out of the room, slamming the door to his room and doing his best not to break down and cry. He couldn't do it. He wasn't able to outright tell Nunnally that he was Zero. She was scared, terrified to lose him just from the idea that he was going to war. How was he supposed to tell her then, that he started it all? How was he supposed to explain that he was Zero, when she was so terrified of him just being a soldier?

"Dammit!" Lelouch yelled, slamming his fist against the wall, not even caring that it hurt. Schneizel had been right- completely right. Oh, how he hated him, that smug bastard... and he hated himself, too. I didn't consider her feelings at all and now I don't have the ability to turn back while I still can. I charged forward…and now it's come back to haunt me.

"Your love for your sister or your ideology, you never thought they'd come into conflict, did you?"

Lelouch hadn't noticed CC was in his house, let alone in his room sitting on his bed. He would've asked what she was doing here, but right now he didn't care. Her presence was convenient.

"No," Lelouch said, getting to his feet. "I didn't."

"What will you do? You can't just ignore it. This problem isn't going to just go away."

"Dammit! I know!"

"What's so hard about telling her the truth?"

Lelouch sighed. "She's terrified. She doesn't want me away from her and I can understand why. We both only managed to live until we came here because we had each other. If I leave her all alone she won't have anyone she can lean on. And, as she said, there's no guarantee I'm going to make it out of this alive."

"Then I'll make sure you do."

Lelouch looked at CC curiously.

"I'll drag you back from Hades itself if I have to in order to guarantee you get through this alive. Sometimes it pays to have an indestructible body."

"Are you joking around with me right now or are you being serious?"

CC stared at him without a word.

Lelouch sighed, still unsure what to do.

"Do you want me to go out there with you? It might help if you have some assistance."

"You'd…do that…for me?"

"Oh I'm not going to say anything, just help you get your sentences out. This is your argument to present and your sister's love at stake. Even you must realize you've already made a choice. The only thing you can do is make your sister accept it."

Lelouch would've preferred CC run him through with the ceremonial sword he had up on the wall. It definitely would've been less painful than bluntly telling him he'd picked his ideals over his sister, no matter how much it was true. He had pursued his ideals hoping Nunnally would just accept them. By trying not to let her find out, he felt that perhaps he always knew that she wouldn't go for it and that she'd love any world where he'd be right at her side.

But that wasn't good enough for Lelouch. A world where Nunnally was happy, well she already had that. Perhaps he should build a world where she could be safe, where he wouldn't have to worry if they would see each other the next morning, he'd automatically know.

"Stand at the edge of the room and don't make a sound. Only give me a gesture if I look in your direction."

"Fine," CC answered and the two headed out into the living room again where Lelouch immediately heard Nunnally crying. He went over to her, picked her up out of her wheelchair and sat her down next to him on the couch. He then gave her a hug.

Nunnally sniffed. "Big brother?"

"Nunnally, I'm sorry if what I said…terrified you, but this is something I have to do, for both of us."

"But why? I don't understand. Why do you have to fight?"

"Because, Nunnally, I don't want to live in a world where I have to wonder if I'm going to see you every morning. I want us to live in a world where we can take seeing each other every morning for granted. That's not the kind of world we currently live in. If you remember all those perilous nights, then you know that that world hasn't disappeared. We're just not living directly in it anymore. However, there are people out there who lived in it much longer than we did and will continue to do so. Nunnally, would you condemn those people to our fate."

"Of course not! That's cruel!"

"Then you understand my predicament."

Nunnally frowned. Lelouch was finally starting to make sense, but it wasn't something she wanted to hear regardless.

"Nunnally, I love you. Everything I'm doing, I'm doing so that I don't have to worry about our future together, little sister. I wouldn't have started on this path if I didn't think it was the best result for us."

"But…do you have to fight? Can't we let Cornelia and Zero handle it?"

"Because that's just it, Nunnally," Lelouch said, tilting his head down. "I…am Zero."

Nunnally gasped. Her heart beat rapidly. So many emotions, not one of them anything positive, rushed through her at once. "You're…Zero…?" she barely managed to get out. "But…why?" She really didn't know what else to say.

Lelouch cradled his sister in his arms. "For our mother," he said with the utmost seriousness. "Nunnally, the country we used to live in is a corrupt, tyrannical nation that would cover up the death of its empress, banish her children and leave them for dead. Such a nation, if I can be blunt, deserves to be burned to the ground."

"How can you say such a horrible thing?"

"Because it's how I feel," Lelouch said abrasively.

"You're terrible! Big brother…what's gotten into you?" Nunnally was decisively confused. This wasn't like Lelouch she knew at all.

Lelouch cradled Nunnally a little closer. "Nunnally, I did my best not to let you see this side of me. I didn't want you to worry. However, I can't keep the curtain closed any longer. I'm really sorry if this makes you hate me, little sister, and I will devote the rest of my life making it up to you after the war, but I can't sit idly by and let people suffer while we hide in the shadows. I can't let the people who crippled you and robbed you of your sight get away with what they've done to us and our family. I was lucky that Cornelia was happy to see me alive and well. Nunnally, I was so full of hatred and anger and I never let you see it. I am so sorry. Nunnally…I admire how you can have such a cheerful outlook on our current circumstances, but…I cannot feel the same. I would like nothing better than for us to disappear together into the shadows, but I will not let that be in a world full of treachery. I will not let our life be one where we live on the streets, vying for a piece of bread we traded a blanket for.

"When this war is over, I promise you I will never leave you alone again, little sister. And it won't be just me you have at your side. We might have a lot of our siblings back too, including Euphemia and Cornelia. You can see them whenever you want, Suzaku too. Doesn't that…sound nice?"

Nunnally thought about what Lelouch was saying. It was true she had once talked about a world where kindness and compassion was extended to everyone, even strangers. The world Lelouch was talking about did sound nice, but she had said it as a hope to let her get by. She hadn't actually believed that Lelouch would risk his life to make it a reality. She was scared, scared that he would fail or at the very least make that world, but that he wouldn't be around to share it with her.

"Cornelia needs you?"

"She does."

"What exactly are you two doing?"

"She's betraying Britannia. I'm taking a stand against it as a faceless symbol of justice. It's a Civil War, like I told you. Cornelia believes in the same fair and just world we do. She was simply biding her time until she could pursue it, just like I was."

"Really?"

"Really and truly."

Nunnally was silent for a minute before saying, "Big brother."

"Yes, Nunnally."

Nunnally put a hand on Lelouch's heart. "I really wish you wouldn't go. I don't want to be alone."

"I'll arrange it for Euphemia to be with you, then," Lelouch told her. "And I promise Nunnally, I'll come back safely. CC, Cornelia, and Suzaku won't allow me to die."

Nunnally gave Lelouch the tightest hug her frail body could muster. Lelouch hugged her back. "I'm going to make a charm for you with Sayoko. I'm going to make one of those good luck charms so that…" Nunnally looked up at Lelouch's face, "so that even when you and I aren't next to each other…we'll always be with each other."

Lelouch smiled. "You do that. I'll wear it wherever I go."

Nunnally giggled reflexively.

Lelouch then set his sister back in her wheelchair. "I have several long days ahead of me, little sister," he told her. "But any time I'm not busy, since we won't see each other for a while…I'll be sure to spend the rest of my time with you."

Nunnally smiled. "I would say "you don't have to", but I really would like that, Lelouch. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Nunnally." Lelouch stood there for a moment before heading back to his room. Now that he had resolved the conflict between him and his sister, he wondered if he might try geassing Nunnally to get at the heart of their mother's murder. He'd have to lift her eye up to see if his Geass would even work. There was nothing to suggest his geass wouldn't work on someone blind as long as they had their eyes open. He wondered if the same strange sensation that had happened to Schneizel would happen to Nunnally if he asked her a few questions.

However, after some consideration, he shot down the idea and then burned it. He wouldn't subject his little sister to that, no matter how much it might help. Nunnally and Suzaku were two people Lelouch swore he would never use his geass on no matter how much it might be worth doing so. He kicked himself mentally for even considering the idea.

That night, as Lelouch was winding down, he noticed CC in his bed, yet again. As he prepared to gather a blanket from the closet so he could sleep on the couch again, he stopped. He had had the resolve to face Nunnally and so he was feeling pretty confident at the moment.

Let's see just how confident she really is, Lelouch thought, as he approached the bed. CC was still staring at the ceiling, arms behind her head and under the pillow.

"What?" CC asked.

"Move over," Lelouch said demandingly.

"Pardon?" CC asked, acting as if she wasn't sure she heard Lelouch properly.

"You heard me. Make room."

CC smirked widely as she sat up. "Oh my, look at you Mr. Confident. What makes you think I want to let you sleep in the same bed as me?"

"Funny, you seemed very open to the idea at Lake Kawaguchi."

"That was a king-sized bed. This is a full-size. There's much less room for two."

Lelouch sat down. "Oh? Making excuses now are we? Or were you waiting for the day I called your bluff?"

CC lay back on the bed, "Fine, if you're that adamant about it. Jump in."

"Don't mind if I do," Lelouch said, removing his shirt and stripping down to his boxers as he then switched into more comfortable bed attire. He swallowed then as he approached his bed again.

"What's the matter? All talk?"

"Not in the slightest. I just…give me a moment." Lelouch took a deep breath and rallied his confidence. He then pulled up the sheets and got in underneath the covers next to CC.

"Well, fancy meeting you here," she said, looking him in the eye as he lay down.

Lelouch turned over. "Yeah, uh huh, good night."

"What? That's it? Not going to make a move."

"No," Lelouch said, feeling that any further commentary would just be fuel to the fire for CC and her endless supply of snarky remarks.

"Fine then, good night, Lelouch."

"Yeah, good night."

---

Meeting with Gao Hai a few days later at the Chinese Embassy was a simple task, but definitely not an easy one. It could not be known that Cornelia was betraying her country, which meant that things had to be handled with extreme delicacy. Therefore, Zero met with Gao Hai with Kallen and Suzaku guarding him, as they had done at Mount Fuji. Making the arrangement was, at least, easy enough with Empress Kaguya now backing Zero up.

"I must say, I was surprised the Empress asked that I meet with you, Zero. I was under the impression the Kyoto Group thought you were a small fry with delusions of grandeur."

"Times have changed, Ambassador Hai," Zero responded. "In less than a fortnight, Japan will be declaring its independence from Britannia. When that time comes, my forces will have to avoid fighting a two-pronged front so that Britannia does not crush us in one fell swoop. It would benefit us greatly if China would sign a non-aggression treaty with us, barring the gates of their ports from Britannian warships."

"And how would acting against Britannia, even in the slightest, benefit us?"

"The combined might of China and the EU only begins to match Britannia, but they have the larger technological force. If Britannia lost a significant part of its current military power, think of how that would benefit the Chinese Federation."

"Indeed," Gao Hai responded. "Very well, you'll have your closed ports. Shall we also set up an embargo?"

"Preventing trade completely between nations would ruin China's own relations with Britannia. However, I would recommend limiting certain exports so that they can't get foreign supplies. It would be enough just to keep warships out of Chinese ports. I also would ask any trade ships be checked for hidden soldiers. Britannia might get crafty."

"We can do that," Gao Hai said.

"I appreciate it, ambassador," Zero said. "By the way, her majesty, the empress, sends her regards to the Empress Tianzi. She'd come in person, but she is supposed to be in hiding."

"Oh, but of course," Gao Hai said, "I'm sure our empress would love to hear that she is in the mind of her Japanese companion."

"Zero," Li Xingke, Gao Hai's bodyguard, a Chinese general, and servant to the Empress, spoke up. "Do you really think you can crush Britannia?"

"I can and I will! Your aid in this conflict will simply limit how much blood will be spilled."

"Then we shall see what we can do, right ambassador?"

"Indeed. Is that everything you wanted to discuss, Zero?"

"Yes, I believe our business here is concluded," Zero said, rising from his seat. "I bid you farewell, gentlemen," he then looked at Gao Hai's other bodyguard, Zhou Xianglin, "and lady."

Zero walked out and into a mobile military base parked just outside the embassy's territory. Cornelia had given it to him pre-emptively so he could get used to travelling in it before the war started.

"Do you really think they'll hold up their end of the bargain, Zero?" Kallen asked as the trio reached the bridge. "That Gao Hai character seemed like a real slime ball."

"Which is all the more reason he'll do whatever he can to give Britannia a headache," Zero answered. "The Chinese gain nothing by trying to crush us alongside Britannia."

"I agree with Zero. Just because someone seems unfriendly doesn't mean they are," Suzaku added.

"Just because?" Kallen scoffed. "It's thinking like that what had you ran off to kiss Britannia's ass when the country fell."

"And fighting as a rebel was any better?"

"At least I didn't sell out my pride. But then again someone born with a silver spoon in their mouth never has to worry about that, do they?"

"Stop it, both of you!" Zero chastised. He walked over to the computer console at the front of the bridge to send the signal to engineering to take the trio to the Viceroy Palace. He then sat in the commander's chair. Kallen and Suzaku stood at their respective sides on either side of Zero.

"So what's our next move?" Kallen asked.

"Now we mark the end of the beginning. We move towards Japan's independence." Zero glanced towards Suzaku. "Have you finally made your decision?"

"Yes sir! I'm going to join you on the front lines, Zero. You can count on me to be the hero the people deserve!"

"Good, glad to hear it."

Kallen's heart began to jackhammer in her chest. In only a few short hours, Zero would be making a declaration of war by declaring Japan's independence from Britannia. In only a few short hours, Kallen could kiss the name 'Eleven' goodbye. She wanted to be there during the declaration, to jam her gun into the camera and tell the Britannians of the world the kind of justice they'd be eating for taking her country. But she understood this was Zero's moment.

Zero. Even after all of this time, she still knew so little about her hero. In only a couple of months, Zero had taken a very bleak situation, and turned it into something spectacular. And yet, Kallen knew nothing about him. His identity, his history, his likes, his dislikes, where he was from, and so forth. They were all a mystery to Kallen. And there was also the wonder of why did these things need to be hidden? Who was Zero? Kallen really wanted to know, and in the face of her independence, her desire to know the truth- especially since she was now guarding Zero with her very life- was slowly overtaking her agreement to let Zero have his privacy.

---

At Ashford Academy, Milly sat in the student council room twirling her pencil, bored out of her mind. Lelouch had been ditching school a lot recently, and Kallen was in a military hospital for quarantine. If she didn't know any better, she'd start writing a smutty gossip story about the two of them in the school paper, if only to get Lelouch's attention so she could ask him what the hell was going on...

Ever since the Lake Kawaguchi incident, Milly had been a bit on edge. No, it wasn't the constant paparazzi that kept hounding them- since the three of them had been caught on news broadcast- it was the fact that Lelouch was in open contact with his family. She might have played the fool, even walked dangerously close to exposing the truth all in the name of good fun, but Milly Ashford was no dummy. If something was going on with the royal family, why hadn't Lelouch bothered to consult her about it? Wasn't she his friend? Didn't she deserve at least a heads up if he was leaving Ashford Academy?

When Euphie had tried to cover up her connection to Lelouch, that she had lied to him about being a princess in order to be friends with a commoner, Milly had backed off without any further questioning. If Lelouch was not only in open contact with his family, but they were also willing to lie for him, it meant something was happening, something juicy, and she wanted in on the scoop.

And then there was that mysterious green-haired girl that had been with Lelouch. Euphie had said she was her friend, but Milly suspected otherwise. Just what was that good-looking jackass planning, she wondered?

And then, as if to take her mind off things, Zero appeared on the television, alerting her, Rivalz, Nina and Shirley.

"Inhabitants of Area Eleven, hear my voice!" Zero proclaimed as he held his arms up, as if though he was holding the world as his marionettes in them. "Britannia! Your day of reckoning is upon you! In secret I have moved, so secret that you only caught a glimpse of my brilliance in the intervening time! And now I, Zero, declare to the world: Japan's Independence from its sovereign nation. No longer will Area Eleven be governed as a nation of Britannia!"

"Is he serious?" Rivalz wondered aloud, inching closer to the television.

"Britannia! If you want this island back you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingertips! However, in order to do that, you'll have to fight your own people!" He paused, letting the words sink in. "That's right- I no longer stand as only Japan's hope! I am a symbol for injustice everywhere, and one of your own has decided that she no longer wishes to stand for a country intent on conquering the world and ruling it with an iron fist! People of Japan! People of Britannia! I give to you," Zero grabbed the edges of his cape with both hands, flapped it dramatically and stepped aside, "the leader of the Confederacy of Britannia: former Viceroy and Princess Cornelia!"

"EHHHH?" Shirley and Milly exclaimed simultaneously, though Shirley a bit louder.

"Those of you watching this are probably very confused right now," Cornelia spoke calmly. "However, I can assure you that this is no hoax, no lie, no intricate deception by your enemies. I am Cornelia Heurassein, formerly known to all of you as Second Princess Cornelia li Britannia. During these last few months, you will have noticed how much I have coddled the Japanese. That is because I have, in fact, as you see, allied with them. I have done so in order to stop the oppressive, corrupt nature of Britannia, this bloated, conquering nation of tyrants, thieves of freedom, taker of lives and defiler of rights. The country has become sloppy, senile and corrupt amongst its politicians and its corporations; it has been callous, cruel and cold since its inception. For more than a decade, I've perpetuated the façade of a loyal dog of the empire, but now I make my stand against it, ready to rip it asunder. For those of you in the country that feared me, be afraid! For those of you wishing I had done more for my country, your wish has been granted.

"Father! If you're hearing this, I want you to know that you will not stop me from overthrowing you! I have more than half of the Britannian army under my command. I also have what remains of the Japanese army. If you think you can stop me with just an air force and navy, you're welcome to try, though you will be doing it without your best tactician. Schneizel el Britannia, prime minister and second prince, is my prisoner and my prisoner he will stay unless you'd like to barter for his life- but then again you never gave into terrorism, now did you?

"I'm not just anticipating the war to come, I welcome it. You are welcome to throw your finest men at me by the thousand, and watch them fall like wheat before the reaper! "All men are not created equal"- you do so love repeating those words. If that is what you believe, then you certainly won't complain when a woman superior to you puts a bullet through your skull, and puts your head on a pike."Zero then stood next to Cornelia. "Emperor Charles zi Britannia, if you wish to avoid the bloodshed of your people, you must step down from the throne and dissolve the empire of Britannia. But you won't do that, will you? You'd sooner try to put little flies in their place then let them bug you. But, enough! I waste my breath on you! People of Japan, if you wish to fight for you independence, sign your name for the Black Knights at Mount Fuji. I will be overseeing any and all volunteers. You can trust me, for I have your best interests in mind!"

"Any Britannians still in the country unwilling to be caught in the crossfire, I am catering safe passage from Japan to the Chinese Federation. Proper accommodations will be provided."

"You will also soon have the option to sail forth to Areas Nine and Ten, which will soon be under control of the Confederacy," Zero added.

"You are also welcome to add your lives in servitude towards this cause," Cornelia threw in.

"Call us traitors!" Zero exclaimed.

"Call us rebels!" Cornelia shouted.

"But we only consider ourselves one thing. We are knights!"

"OF JUSTICE!"

After that the feed was cut.

"Milly?" Shirley called out to her only to see Milly in complete shock. She knew Lelouch had to be involved in this somehow. She just couldn't connect the dots that Lelouch was Zero. Her confusion left her speechless, not that anyone could blame her. How could any student at Ashford pretend everything was normal after a broadcast like that?

"S-say, d-don't you have a fallout shelter in case they start dropping bombs?" Rivalz asked.

"Y-yeah," Milly responded, completely out of it.

"Prez…are you all right?" Shirley asked her.

"I don't know, Shirley. I really don't know."

---

Meanwhile, at the Viceroy Palace, Lelouch and Cornelia were off set and standing in the palace garden overlooking the prefecture as the sun began to set in the horizon.

"Can you believe we've come this far?" Cornelia asked.

"I can't believe we actually are still aligned sometimes," Lelouch said with a smirk.

Cornelia chuckled. "It is hard to believe this serene scenery is going to become a war zone before long, hmm?"

"When it does, we'll be ready for it."

"Indeed. Though I have to say, when you make a speech you really go all out."

"I think that's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black," Lelouch said and then quoted Cornelia, "For those of you in the country that feared me, be afraid! For those of you wishing I'd done more to fix the nation, your wish has been granted. I should sue for copyright infringement."

Both of them laughed.

"How long before the Britannians begin dropping in on Japanese soil?"

"I'd say less than seventy-two hours, plus minus three."

"Doesn't give us a lot of time to finish preparations."

"Which is why we had them readied in advance. At any rate, I'll be leaving for the Philippines tomorrow night. I leave the homeland front in your capable hands."

Lelouch and Cornelia gave each other a hug. "Be safe," Lelouch told her. "I don't want to lose you in the process of all of this."

"That goes double for you," Cornelia told him, "No dying like some tragic storybook hero, understand?"

The two let go of each other and Lelouch saluted to her. "Godspeed, sister."

"Godspeed."

Cornelia and Lelouch parted ways and Lelouch went down to the hangar, guised as Zero, to begin inspection on the construction of his own Knightmare Frame. What he found instead Lloyd throwing crumpled up pieces of paper at an Indian woman. She was also throwing pieces of paper back at Lloyd. Suzaku was caught in the middle of it, along with Cecile Croomy who was holding a fresh plate of cookies if the oven mitts and baking tray in her hands were any indication.

Lelouch recognized the woman. "Ah, Rakshata Chawla, I presume."

"Oh, Zero, how nice of you to drop by," Rakshata said, only turning her head towards him as she chucked a piece of paper at Lloyd. "I'm afraid you caught me in the middle of something."

"Zero! I demand you get this wench out of my department!" Lloyd exclaimed. "She has no reason to be here!"

"On the contrary, she is the new head of my research and development bureau as appointed by the EU and legitimized by the Kyoto Group itself. From here on out you two are working together."

"NOOO!" Lloyd shouted as he scratched furiously at his hair and twisted his body all sorts of ways. "Don't you understand? That leech will steal all of my precious blueprints! She can't be trusted!"

"Oh Lloyd, Lloyd, Lloyd," Rakshata said, shaking her head side to side, "Why would anyone be interested in those toy models you call knightmares? My work is superior enough to yours in almost every way."

"I didn't hire you to fight with Lloyd, Rakshata," Zero said to her. "Do you have an update for me?"

"I'm afraid I've only just arrived, Zero and Lloyd is being ever so stingy with sharing information."

"Lloyd, do I have to get a direct order from Lady Heurassein?" Zero asked. Since Cornelia held no rank and title any longer, being a traitor, and the Confederacy was just an amalgamation with no set figurehead—one that wasn't superficial anyway—he had to settle for referring to Cornelia respectively.

"Er… no… no, that won't be strictly necessary," Lloyd said, terrified of invoking Cornelia's wrath.

"It had better not be." He then looked at Rakshata. "Do you have the keys to the Guren? I was intending to finally show it to its pilot."

"Of course," Rakshata said, spinning the key on her finger. "Here you go!" she sent the key sailing through the air towards Zero. He caught it without too much trouble with his right hand.

"Right then," he said, "Keep up the good work."

---

Kallen had been waiting for Zero on the bridge of his military base inside of the Confederacy HQ- formerly known as the Viceroy Palace now- inside the hangar. She was still struggling with the desire to see his face, to know the man behind the mask. She had gone inside the base to have some solace since no one was currently using it.

She was currently sitting in Zero's chair. Is this how you see the world, Zero? She wondered. What can I do…to understand you more?

"Kallen."

The red-head nearly jumped out of her seat upon hearing Zero's voice as he stepped onto the bridge.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I wasn't…" she then noticed he hadn't noticed she had been in his chair.

"Hmm?"

"Never mind. It's nothing."

"Right then," Zero said. "Would you follow me? There's something I want to show you."

"Yes sir."

As Kallen followed Zero down the corridor towards the hangar of the base, she realized this was the perfect opportunity. She and Zero were alone inside a base with no other people on board it, aside from the two of them. As the duo rounded a corner, Kallen stopped walking. Zero, noticing that he was the only one making footsteps, turned around to face her. Kallen appeared troubled.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Zero, I…" Kallen began only to swallow. She took a deep breath and looked Zero in the eye…in a manner of speaking. "Zero, I… I want to thank you, for everything you've done. Ever since you appeared things have been getting better every day. I never thought this moment would come. Japan… Japan is free. Sure, we're going to be fighting for our freedom just like seven years ago, but this time I know we'll win. Because we have you."

"You don't have to thank me, Kallen. All I did was stand up and do what was right in the eyes of justice."

"No, I have to thank you. No one else has both the conviction and the skill to do what you did."

"Very well. You're welcome, then. But, if all you wanted to do was thank me, then why the troubled look?"

"Because even after all we've been through, I still know nothing about you. You just… appeared out of nowhere, changed the status quo tremendously… and yet I don't even know the face of the person I look up to. I don't know your name, either. I know absolutely nothing about you. And so, Zero," Kallen stepped forward, "I… I want to see the face of my hero."

"I'm sorry, Kallen, but I cannot. I am not a man. I am a symbol. I am an abstract idea given form. My identity is void. It is unimportant."

"If it's so unimportant, then why did Taizo lower his guard once he saw it?" Kallen asked sternly. "And what about the former Viceroy, why does she get to know? And what about Suzaku? Am I not close enough to you to deserve the same trust with your identity?" Kallen stared at the ground and put her hands on her chest, cupping them together. "Zero… I want to get closer to you. I want to do more than just protect you. I want to stand at the side of the man you are, not the symbol your acting as. Because…because that's how much you mean to me."

Zero stood still, unsure how to react. Reveal his identity to Kallen? Could he? Should he? With Japan's independence now declared, he could afford to be a little more lenient with secrecy, but should he be? And while it was true Kallen may have earned his trust, he wasn't sure if she understood exactly what he was asking. He needed time to think about this, time he certainly didn't have.

CORNELIA OF THE DEFECTION

ARC 1

END

---

(A/N: So this is going to be the end of the "first arc" as it were. Like I said, this is everything leading up to and including the start of the Britannian Civil War. The second arc will be just that: the entire civil war. And following that, there will be the third and final arc and it's possible the arc could get broken up too, but it is my hope that I will be able to rapid fire the entire second arc once I finally get around to planning it out. At present, the Britannian Civil War doesn't even have any planning behind it. I just know the outcome and getting there is going to be a hassle. I estimate that it'll probably take until AT LEAST One year from now before I'm ready to continue this arc. I am sorry, but that's how it is. In the meantime, I hope you will continue to support me as an author in the coming year. Not only am I moving forward with the novel I've been coddling for years—gotta finish the sucker and push for publication—but I also will be returning to Fairy Without Wings shortly thereafter. Those of you who have been looking forward to that should keep an eye out sometime around the Holiday Season for a new chapter. I also will be continuing the Who Would Win one-shot series so if you enjoy watching me have characters fight each other, keep an eye out.

Now then, let's get down to another important matter, as you can tell from the obviously phoned-in cliffhanger, I haven't decided if I want Lelouch to reveal himself to Kallen. THAT, my dear readers, is up to YOU. The poll on my profile—which previously had you all voting on what pairings you want to see in this fic—has now been switched for a poll of whether or not Lelouch SHOULD reveal himself to Kallen. Be forewarned that I will ONLY count the votes on the poll itself. It doesn't count if you simply leave a review stating your opinion.

The story of CotD is in a state that the results of this poll will only affect the romance sub-plot. That's not to say that if the feedback I get is "no don't reveal Zero's identity to Kallen" that she's automatically out of the runnings for the love interest, but it will lessen her chances. The reverse also holds true—Kallen reveals, her chances go up. And that, folks, is where we currently stand. When I eventually return to Cornelia of the Defection we will pick up right where we left off and then dive head first into the Britannian Civil War.

And because I need to open this can of worms: for all of you asking for a Lelouch/Cornelia pairing, can I get your reasoning as to why exactly? I know the series fandom is rife with Incest Yay, but since I know the results of my pairing poll, I need to wonder what's going through your heads regarding half-sibling incest. That said I'm not…totally against it XD.

And finally, before I go, my beta, Greatkingrat88, has written a short little omake for the series. It's completely non-canon and is only meant as a parody to the fact that these last seven chapters have been filled with so much sap that you could easily rename the fic Code Geass: Lelouch of the Sappiness. And I'll leave it to him to make his own introductions)

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Well, hello, fanfiction readers! This is Greatkingrat88, the beta reader, AKA the dedicated grammar, spelling, and fuckup control. Ah, the things I've prevented from seeing the light of day... truly, you will never know the extent of my heroism. :D

Anyways, nice to see you all! I'm your average nerd, friends with Draconichero, and... there's not much else to say without advertising myself, really goreadmyfanficsgoreadmyfanfics so I'll just leave you with this completely non-canon omake I wrote for this fanfic. Have fun with me taking the piss out of Cornelia of the Defection, guys!

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Code Emotion: Lelouch of the sappiness

In Cornelia's strong arms again, Lelouch was weeping freely, emotion overcoming him totally. Cornelia herself had tears in her eyes, but she didn't cry very much on account of being a Strong, Independent Woman Who Don't Need No Man, and secretly rather enjoyed the gender role reversal they were in.

But that's beside the point.

Which, as it happens, was Lelouch opening up emotionally, letting himself be vulnerable, becoming a freedom fighter/terrorist/murderer/chess master/potential megalomaniacal villain who was in touch with his feelings, and that was more important than anything else.

"Oh, dear, dear sister," Lelouch sniffed, "dear, dear sister of dearness, who I so quickly connected to because deep down all I wanted was a family! Finally, I am starting to feel happy again!"

"I know, dear brother!" Cornelia said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I know nothing could come between us now! Not even me having murdered civilians en masse to draw you out! We're family now, and that's all that matters!"

"Who cares about a few faceless redshirts, anyway?" Lelouch cried. "Family is more important than that!"

Cornelia hugged him tighter, and, being a little taller than Lelouch, pushed him right into her ample chest. Which he totally wasn't enjoying because they shared too much DNA for that. Totally.

"Oh, sister," Lelouch wept, "together, we will make Britannia the most family friendly place on earth!"

Hugging close, the two of them stayed that way for way longer than was socially appropriate, but socially appropriate means nothing compared to FAMILY.

They might have gone on for hours, in the most gratuitous and overly cheesy, sappy scenes of emotion, but luckily- or not- Kallen rushed into their luxurious room, interrupting their emotional emotion-ness.

"Lelouch!" She cried loudly, "Britannia is attacking in full force! If we do not act soon, all of Japan may be lost!"

"Shush!" Cornelia said harshly. "Can't you see we're having an emotional moment here? Anyone who reads this fic is bound to know that is way more important than a plot, or action, or clever strategies!"

"Yeah!" Lelouch said, burying his face in Cornelia's chest in a totally non-creepy way, "we're having a moment!"

"...Schneizel is leading them. You know, your ultimate rival who you could never beat?"

"Oh, that does sound appealing," Lelouch said, "but not as appealing as having all these feels. Sorry, you'll have to deal with this on your own."

Kallen's palm met her face. "Oh, for crying out loud..." she grumbled. She bit back a curse, took a deep breath, and thought for a moment.

"Actually..." She said, putting on a shy voice, "all of that was actually just an excuse. There is another, more important reason I am here..."

"Oh?" Lelouch said, momentarily tearing himself from Cornelia's embrace.

"Yes... I've been too shy to say it, but I am totally overflowing with emotions about it. In fact..." Kallen said dramatically, striking her best shy school girl pose, "I may or may not be in love with you! And I feel so deeply conflicted about it, as I feel torn between my ambiguous emotions for you, and my duty to my country! When the time comes, will I have to choose between you, or the nation I belong to? Oh, the emotion is just tearing me apart!" Kallen put her hand at her forehead, in a totally non-fake way seeming torn and ravaged by conflicting emotions.

"Really?!" Lelouch said excitedly. "Because I may or may not have feelings for you too! And though I may care for you, I fear I may one day have to push you away... for your own safety!"

"Yes!" Kallen shouted excitedly. "Oh Lelouch, I just have to have a discussion about this right now!"

"Of course, Kallen!" Lelouch said happily. "I am so deeply emotional, I feel like I have enough emotion for the whole world!"

"But, do you know what would make it more dramatic?"

"What, Kallen? Pray tell!"

"If we had this conversation while we were driving our knightmares into battle!"

Cornelia scowled. How dared that hussy try and steal her Lelouch? That is, her little brother Lelouch who she loved in a completely platonic way, and also happened to have a nice, firm posterior.

"Of course!" Lelouch cried. "Transition time!"

With the fanfic equivalent of a sixties batman transition, Lelouch and Kallen found themselves in a knightmare each, emotionally talking about their possible relationship.

"I have had these feelings for so long!" Kallen exclaimed angrily, her knightmare smashing a Britannian one with ease, taking one enemy out after another.

"Me too. I knew you were special from the first moment I saw you..." Lelouch said, casually directing his troops towards a plot-powered victory.

"And I am just here to remind people that there is another shipping option!" Came CC's voice over the radio. "Let the flame wars commence!" Humming the tune to "Baby got back", so as to remind everyone what her real assets were, she supported Lelouch, her one true accomplice.

"And I'm just here for the yaoi option!" Suzaku said cheerily, his Lancelot tearing through enemy lines with ease.

And in his knightmare, Lelouch twiddled his fingers. This emotion strategy was working perfectly... soon, he'd have his very own harem. Kallen, CC and Suzaku (hey, he had always wanted to experiment anyhow) was just the start... when he was finished, he was going to be married to every attractive person of appropriate age on the whole planet!