Dislaimer: I do not own Code Geass, which is propriety of Studio Sunrise, and neither do I own Exalted, which is property of White Wolf Publishing.

This fiction originally appeared as a quest-style story on the forum Sufficient Velocity. As such do not be confused by the strange structure.

Fiendish Advent - Act 4

{●}

After considering various possibilities Lelouch decided to approach this from two different angles. She was a terrorist, and he didn't know enough about her to expose any of his secrets; perhaps later, if she turned out to be trustworthy, but not before. Still, it was best to keep her close where he would be able to observe. Lelouch also needed to find out why an apparently Britannian student was working as a terrorist for an Eleven cell.

"Lelouch, what are you looking at? Perhaps you have a crush on her?" Rivalz, who hadn't forgotten the jab of before and was obviously intent on merciless revenge, playfully told Lelouch from behind his back.

"I just think that's unusual to see her." The raven-haired youth replied, unfazed. "If I am not mistaken, she hasn't been at school since the opening ceremony, has she?" He may not care much, but he did pay attention to who was in his class.

Lelouch's blue haired friend took out a notebook and began flipping through the pages until he found what he was looking for. "Kallen Stadtfeld. They say she's sick or something. She only showed up occasionally last year too. But her grades are top-notch. She's the only heir to the Stadtfeld family, which means she's well-bred and rolling in money. Man, you sure know how to pick 'em." He playfully elbowed the young Fiend.

Lelouch waved him off. "It's nothing like that."

"Denial, denial." Rivalz grinned. "A bit too sheltered though if you ask me."

Right. If all sheltered young girls were as good with Knightmares as her, then we was going to recruit them en-masse. But now Lelouch had a name and some details: acting as a meek and weak person, good grades, doing dangerous activities in her free time with a 180° turn in personality...

He blinked. Was he describing her, or himself? That was a pretty amazing coincidence. It needed investigating.

As the lesson began Lelouch opened his cellphone under the desk and wrote a message.

"Milly, do you know a girl called Kallen Stadtfeld?"

"Lulu! I have lesson right now. You bad boy, you! :o But you're forgiven! ;) Now tell me all about the girl that managed to impress our dear ice prince!"

He resisted the urge to facepalm.

"It's not like that. I recognized her as one of the terrorists I helped."

"Ah. Oh dear, I suppose it makes sense."

"What do you mean?"

"Grandfather told me about her. According to her middle school transcripts she is half-Japanese, born from Viscount Stadtfeld's previous marriage."

An half, uh? That explained a lot.

"Why did Ruben wanted to talk about her?"

"We talked about adding her to the Student Council. Officially because she can't join any other club due to her weak body (which I assume it's an act?). Unofficially, to help her keep her past hidden."

Ah Ruben, always thinking about the well-being of his students first. But that's also why Lelouch respected him.

"Let's do it. Adding her to the Council I mean. I will also need your help to set up an encounter with her group. Wait for me in the student council room."

"Okey dokey. Keep her safe Lelouch, even if a terrorist she's still a student her. Buh-bye :-* :-*"

Lelouch closed his phone, put it away and raised his hand. "I'm sorry professor, can I go to the bathroom?"

"Make it quick Lamperouge, we're about to reach an important topic."

"Yes sir." He left the classroom and entered the nearest bathroom. Once he was sure nobody else was there he raised two fingers. "I want two of you to follow the redheadgirl: gather information and ensure she doesn't harm any of the other students. If the latter happens attack to submit, not kill."

Then he raised one finger. "Another one will go in my room and open the third drawer to the right of my desk. Bring me the item inside."

{●}

'Are they really afraid of a single bee? The poor insect is probably more afraid than them.' Lelouch deadpaned in his own mind as he saw the girls Stadtfeld hung around with panic and flee.

By pure luck the redhead ran in his direction and hid behind the bushes, the bee following her. Once she thought nobody was looking she stood up calmly and looked at the bee buzzing around. "I don't get it, why is it following me? I wonder if there is a beehive around here?" She muttered before smacking the bee out of the air, faster than a supposedly sickly girl should be able to.

"Good movements, but she lacks finesse." Seyrun commented. "That, and killing prey without eating it? Wasteful."

'Insects are not among the most common Britannian types of food.' Lelouch informed him while slowly walking towards her. 'Though I suppose it counts as an exotic specialty.'

"Geez, I hate this! I am sick of acting like a freaking invalid!" Kallen Stadtfeld muttered before biting into a sandwich. Then she looked over to see Lelouch standing there, clearly having witnessed her deft killing of the bee and breaking the false character she played at school. Taking the sandwich from her mouth, she asked: "I-is there something you want from me?"

"Miss Stadtfeld, I'm Lelouch Lamperouge, the Student Council Vice-President. Could you please come with me? The President would like to speak with you." He put on his best smile, and she actually blushed for a moment. "Oh, and don't worry, I'll keep your secret."

Kallen tensed up, clearly worried. Still smiling, Lelouch put her at ease. "I'd do anything to get out of gym class, too."

The dumbfounded look on her face was priceless. "I-uh-what?" She coughed before smiling awkwardly. "Right, of course it's that! Oops? Could you...you know...please not tell anybody? It's embarrassing..."

"No problem. Now please come, the President doesn't like walking."

"O-Okay." She hesitated before starting to follow him. "What does the President want with me?"

"I don't know." He lied. "You will have to ask her yourself."

Milly was already there when the two reached the Council room. "Kallen Stadtfeld? I'm Milly, the Student Council President. Nice to meet you!" She greeted the redhead before shaking her hand vigorously.

"Nice to meet you too?" Kallen replied, evidently overwhelmed by Milly's personality.

"You aren't in any club, right?" Kallen shook her head. "Then do you want to join the Student Council?"

"Eh?!"

"That's a great idea." Lelouch smiled and nodded sagely. "We really need another pair of hands. Was it your idea?"

"No, it was grandfather's. Since all students must join a club in their second year." The blonde turned to the redhead with a smile. "What do you think?"

Kallen smiled weakly. "I really appreciate it, but I don't think..." She started before Milly interrupted her.

"No need to be so stiff." She walked behind her and put her hands on the redhead's shoulders. Lelouch was honestly expecting her to go lower. "Let me and Lelouch tells you all about how good of a job it is..."

The young Fiend wondered if it was because it was him and Milly, or just two Exalts against a mortal, but it didn't take long for Kallen to lose her reservations and agree. "Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to try it out."

"That's great!" The blonde hugged the redhead, eliciting a squeal from the latter. "Lelouch, gives Kallen a roundup of what she will needs to do. We will organize a proper welcoming party tomorrow at the clubhouse. Is that okay?"

"But of course Madam President." He replied before opening the door for her like a perfect gentleman.

When she walked past, Lelouch handed her the tape recorder out of Kallen's sight.

"Actually I am going to do a series of surprise inspections on the other clubs starting today, so I will not be present much for the rest of the week." He told Kallen as he took out the documents and arranged them neatly on the table. "I will cover as much as possible in the limited time we have. Please hold the fort until I'm back, okay?"

"Yes, thank you for the help. But surely it's not that hard?"

"It's not. The real hazard is Mi-" At that moment the phone ringed. "Excuse me." He walked to the phone and answered the call. "Hello? This is the Ashford Academy Student Council."

"This is sooo exciting!" Milly squealed. "I am in the boy's bathroom, and about to engage in a secret operation!"

...Nope, not touching that. "Oh?" Lelouch feigned surprise before handing the phone to Kallen. "It's for you."

"For me?" Kallen replied confused before taking it. "Hello?"

"Glad to see you're okay Q-1." Even if Lelouch couldn't hear it he knew exactly what Kallen was hearing, since he made the tape himself. "The day after tomorrow at 1600 hours, come to the viewing platform at Tokyo Tower. You can bring your friends: it's time you and me finally meet."

"Wait! Tell me, are you the one from Shinjuku?!" She yelled into the phone, but the registration has ended and so had the call.

"Shinjuku?" Lelouch asked her.

"Ah. Well you see-"

"Yesterday me and my friend passed near it. We didn't see anything, but it's better this way." He sit down and frowned a little while sorting the documents. "We were too busy calming down after a truck almost run us over. It even crashed into a building yard and then run away before we could call the rescuers. Can you believe it?"

Kallen's mouth clamped shut, pink spreading on her cheeks. "Yes, the type of people they give a license those days..." She laughed nervously.

{●}

"Is this it?" Lelouch wondered aloud before reading the plate above the door. "Survival Game Club? I know we had a club like that, but..." He took note again of the blocky, simplistic building with cracked tiles, used human targets scattered around and- "Are those grenades?"

All in all it looked less like a highschool club and more like an illegal shooting range.

Still, he couldn't back down: he needed the training. With that thought Lelouch walked to the door and knocked.

No response. He knocked again, and this time the door opened slowly. "Hello, I am here on the Co-"

The next few seconds were a confused blur. Lelouch remembered something obscuring his vision before being trapped in something that felt suspiciously like a sack, being manhandled roughly and made to sit on a chair before being tied to it.

So of course when there was a cutting sound and his head was freed Lelouch's reaction was perfectly natural. "What the fuck?!"

"Boss! Give the order to attack before they do Kimbery knows what to you!"

"Pretty bold for a spy." A girl with long purple hair walked into his field of vision, a group of other students standing nearby. "What manner of business do you have with our club?"

Lelouch's right eyebrow started twitching erratically. However, before he could respond another girl gasped and ran to whisper something into the violet haired girl's ear. The latter blinked. "You're the Student Council's Vice-President?"

"Lelouch Lamperouge. A pleasure to meet you." He smiled his best fake smile. His eyes widened minutely as he saw the Anuhles hanging from the ceiling, ready to jump down and commit a massacre. He slightly shook his head and they dematerialized. "Now, can you please tell just what is happening?"

"My name is Caitlin Tiffany Glass. I am the Survival Game Club's president." She presented herself stylishly. "We thought you were a spy, so we reacted accordingly."

He gaped. "I knocked at the door!"

"A clever spy."

"No, that is a stupid one."

After silently agreeing with Seyrun Lelouch glared at her. "Let's forget it. Now, can someone finally untie me?" It was less a request and more a demand.

Luckily they did it promptly, and soon he was free again. While he rubbed his sore wrists Glass addressed him again. "So, for what reason did the Student Council's Vice-President come here personally."

Lelouch conceded himself a few more seconds of irritation before switching to pure professionalism. "Surprise inspection."

Glass and the other members looked at him in confusion.

"It was decided that, in order to verify the budget we provide to Ashford's clubs is well used, a member of the Council will perform surprise inspections and temporarily join the club activities in order to gauge first-hand."

There was silence.

And then Glass put Lelouch in an one arm's chokehold that severely restricted his ability to breath. "YESSS!" She yelled victoriously. "Welcome to the Survival Game Club new member! We will have so much fun together!"

'It's only for today!' "Uh holly gudai!"

"Now!" She put a piece of paper and a pen under his nose. "Firm this document that relieve the club from any responsibility in case of injury, maiming, coma and other minutiae."

'You call those minutiae?!'

{●}

"Lord Lelouch? Are you alright?" Sayoko asked the moment the raven-haired youth returned home looking like shit.

"Due to Council's affairs I participate to the Survival Game Club activities." He stoically told her. "They're trigger happy."

Even if mostly it was the male members who seemed to have a fixation for him.

Sayoko mulled over his words for a bit before bowing. "I understand. If you like, I can take care of dinner by myself."

"Yes, that would be helpful. Sorry to burden you like this Sayoko." He grimaced, but she just smiled and asked him to take a seat.

Dinner was a simple affair. During it Nunnally talked excitedly how Sayoko was teaching her to make origami, so much that she ended spilling some of the soup on her chin.

"You don't have to talk so quickly." Lelouch said tenderly while cleaning her with a napkin. "I am not going anywhere."

"Thank you Big Brother." Nunnally smiled. "I glad. Last night, you were a bit scary."

"Oh?" He quickly hid his surprise. "I'm sorry, but like I said don't worry about it. It's partially my fault too, I had a lot on my mind recently."

That, of course, was a severe euphemism.

"Hey." Nunnally showed him a pink crane made of paper. "They said that if you fold a thousand of those cranes, your wishes will be granted."

"That sound like a ritual to ask a God for a boon." Seyrun commented in a very low voice. Just in case. "Even if I have my doubts about what the God of Origami can realistically do."

'A God...of Origami?'

"There is a God for everything Boss. Even the cutlery you are using each has a half aware least god, but those guys are mostly just energy who record the object's history. Higher ranked Gods are instead provided with a portfolio among those available from the Celestial Bureaucracy, but I heard that since the Great Contagion they are troubled by an overflow of jobless Gods and rampant corruption."

Lelouch resisted the urge to raise his eyes to the sky. 'For being Heaven, it has surprisingly human-like problems.'

"It's you humans who imitate them, not the contrary."

"Is there anything you wish for?" Nunnally asked him.

'A lot, but I don't want to ask a crappy god for that. I prefer to work for them myself.' "No, no really. What about you?"

Nunnally thought about it for a while before answering. "I wish for a kinder world."

Lelouch smiled. That was just like his sister. "I'm sure that by the time you can see again, the world will be like that."

"Really?"

He put his hands over hers. "I promise."

Even if he had to crack Hell open and bring down Heaven for that.

"The world is broken."

It was.

"The cycle of betrayal and usurpation must be stopped."

It must be.

"It is said even an Exaltation can only grants its bearer the capacity to make a single choice and achieve it, never two or more conflicting ones at the same time. Are you prepared to bear all obstacles and consequences?"

'Have you ever read Paradise Lost of John Milton? My favorite part is this:

Here we may reign secure; and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition, though in hell:
Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.'

"I didn't, but I like it. There is no power without ambition, that is one of the truths of Hell."

Then so be it.

Lelouch was put out of his internal monologue by Nunnally locking their pinky fingers. "I learned this recently. It's how Japanese people make promises." She began to sing.

"Cross my heart,
hope to die,
eat a thousand needles
if I lie.
Pinky promise!"

He blinked. For a moment he almost felt compelled to use his Anima power, but quickly suppressed it. "That's scary. I may have to eat a thousand needles someday."

"Yup. So you shouldn't lie."

"Don't worry, I won't lie."

'At least, not to you.'

{●}

After dinner Lelouch decided to retire to his room. After making sure the door was closed he sit down, took out paper and a pencil and began to draw. If the silk of the Anuhles was as strong as Seyrun said then he wanted not only a school uniform and casual clothes, but also an appropriate costume for when he would meet the terrorists. It was likely to become his trademark or icon, so it had to be adequate for the task.

'Tell me Seyrun.' He asked his mental advisor while scribbling. 'Does Malfeas have any common symbolism or color themes?'

"Green, Brass and Basalt." The spider replied immediately. "The first is Ligier, the other two are the main materials the Demon City offers. There are more, but whatever you do don't use azure."

'Why?'

"Azure is the color sacred to Cecelyne. Only her priests can use it. Doing otherwise is punishable by death."

A bit extreme if he can say so. 'Any other color under a similar taboo?'

"No. Certain colors or combinations of them can point to a specific profession or to whom a demon is vassal to, but only the Sacred Azure is inviolable, for it represents the laws that all demons must follow. Malefactors can use it since they are considered among the priests, but doing so outside official business is frowned upon."

'Got it. I wasn't planning to use it anyway. Other colors associated with Yozis that can be used instead?'

"Uhm...Well the Ebon Dragon favors black obviously, and Adorjan red. She Who Live in Her Name-"

As he keeps talking Lelouch's hand kept moving. Something impressive and fascinating, but not ridiculous. Evocative, but not obvious. Practical and efficient, but not minimalistic.

At one point he turned on his computer and copied what he made, followed by adding colors.

"Boss...this..."

Lelouch looked upon the finished product on the screen, the program's automatic functions correcting errors until all proportions were perfect.

And he knew, that what was staring back at him was his future.

"This will have a looot of success!" Seyrun finished jubilantly.

Lelouch smileed and agreed. "It will."

There was only a small detail left.

{●}

August 12th

"Here it is. Just as you have ordered Madam." The clerk handed over a box.

"Thank you sonny." The old woman took out the order and, after a quick examination, smiled to show everything was in order.

"I have to say, I've made many mask for many parties but never one made entirely of metal."

"I wanted an original gift for my grandson, something that will last." She smiled again and put the money on the counter. "Thanks again, and goodbye sonny."

"Goodbye Madam."

While the clerk was counting the money the old woman put the order inside the box and left the shop, limping on her cane.

Ten minutes later Lelouch was sitting on the train that would bring him back to the Tokyo Settlement, the box resting on his lap. 'It took a long time, but it was worth it.'

"You could have simply killed the maker."

'I could have. But he was not a soldier, so no. Letting Britannia wonder how a frail and weak old woman is connected to Zero would be entertaining however.'

"You're the Boss."

{●}

The party to welcome Kallen into the Student Council went as well as expected. Lelouch and Milly prepared the food, Shirley, Rivalz and Nina welcomed the newcomer and even Nunnally was there to enjoy it, though initially Lelouch was again her helping to bring the plates to the table.

"So! How about a toast to our new member?" And then Rivalz had to bring out a bottle of champagne.

Shirley was on him in the brink of an eye. "Rivalz we're underage! Where did you get that? Give it to me!"

He twisted and turned before tossing the bottle to the young Fiend. "Lelouch, pass!"

He caught it, but before Shirley could pounce on he raised a hand. "Stop!" She instantly obeyed, instinctively going straight like a soldier called to attention. With the mood having calmed down Lelouch read the label and confirmed it was indeed champagne. He walked to the table, put down the bottle and fixed his blue-haired friend with a disapproving gaze. "No one is drinking while Nunnally is present."

"Big Brother, I don't mind." Lelouch's little sister said, a glass of orange's juice given to her by Milly in her hands.

"But I do." He poured himself a glass of ginger ale and took a sip.

"Lelouch, that's not fair!" Rivalz whined. "There are limits to even being a siscon!"

Lelouch would have replied to that, were him not too busy coughing and spluttering.

Milly elbowed Kallen and leered while pointing a thumb at him. "He totally is one. Ice prince one second, a mother hen the next."

To Lelouch's horror both Shirley and Nina nodded, agreeing completely.

"Big Brother? What does 'siscon' mean?"

'NOOOOOOO!'

{●}

August 13th

Kallen suppressed a snicker as she recalled the party of yesterday, and Lamperouge's attempts to strangle Cardemonde. She had her doubts, but the members were a lot more entertaining that her supposed 'friends'. At least they didn't constantly talk about shallow topics or use derogatory slurs against Japanese people.

'Not like this stupid propaganda.' Her eyes narrowed in disgust at the exhibit of photos taken during the war, while the speakers spew lies that paint Britannia as enlightened and Japan as a country of savages that only profited from being enslaved. Ohgi and two others were standing nearby, keeping an eye on her while making sure to appear interested in the display. 'Did Zero pick this place on purpose?'

"Attention please. Miss Kallen Stadtfeld of Ashford Academy, your lost item has been delivered to the service counter." A voice suddenly blared through the speakers. "Please proceed to the service counter of the viewing platform to collect your lost item."

She looked up in surprise before understanding immediately: it had to be the mysterious Zero's method to contact them. She went to the counter, where they handed her a phone, one of those simple prepaid types you can use and discard without none the wiser. She just had time to walk to the observation platform that she received a call, the caller ID simply saying 'Zero'. "Hello?"

"Take the outbound line of the fifth Kanjo line. Get out on Shibuya."

"Eh?" But the voice had already hung up. 'What's up with him?' She frowned before taking a furtive glance at Ohgi. A minute movement of his eyes was all the acknowledging she needed.

Twenty minutes later she had taken the Kanjo line and reached the Shibuya ghetto, her friends trailing behind her.

"One hundred yards straight. Right. Left. Left. Fifty-two yards straight and then right. Enter the old building with the great 'X'."

She followed the instructions, idly noting that the area was unusually desert even for a ghetto, and reached the destination: a theatre with great fissures on its first and second floors that form a crude 'X' shape. By this point Ohgi and the others had given up subtlety and entered together with her.

("Lelouch. They've entered the building.")

("Perfect. Good job Milly.")

("Make sure to tape it! It's not everyday that I can see your acting skills in action.")

("...I will see what I can do.")

"O-ohgi." One of the group, a guy with blue hair, muttered while they walked deeper into the building. "What if is it a trap?"

"I assure you, it is no trap." A voice said suddenly.

They stopped, right in the middle of a cone of light entering from a crack in the wall. Forestalled by the rhythmic sound of steps they watched as a figure emerged from the darkness and approached them. "Are you Zero?"

"I am." With a final movement the figure stepped into the light, eliciting a small gasp from everyone, included Kallen. Zero was wearing a cape of the deepest black flowing behind him like the wings of a great bat, the insides being painted a thick vermilion, almost like blood, and edged with brilliant green. Under it he wore an equally black suit with brass-colored stripes. Around the neck there was a silver scarf. His face was concealed by an helmet-like mask, completely black save for a deep purple faceplate surrounded by a white circle, branching into seven spikes: three at the top and two on either side of the head.

Kallen had to admit it cut an awe-inspiring, if terrifying, figure.

Then Zero surprised everyone by offering a polite bow. "I thank you for being here today. I am sure you will not regret it." He straightened up and pointed an arm at them, fingers cupped and palm facing upward. "I also want to praise your performance at Shinjuku. I am sure none of you have had any real military training, and yet you performed marvelously. It takes courage - and bravery - to oppose Britannia."

Ohgi spoke. "Yes, we know. There is a difference between us and the Britannians, a very harsh one. That's why we resist them."

"Admirable. However, merely resisting will not give you Japan, and you know it." Zero lowered his hands before dramatically spreading both to either side, making his cape flap. "That is why my goal is the complete and total destruction of Britannia, and the liberation of all people who suffer under their rule!" At their collective gasp he stepped forward and held out a hand. "And I want you, all of you, to form the foundation of an army that will work towards that end."

"What? An army? Are you joking?"

"I assure you this is no joke." The mask turned to face Kallen. "Or maybe you doubt my ability to back up my claims? In that case you only have to think back to the battle of three days ago. Your group has no formal military training, and yet under my leadership you were able to inflict more casualties against Britannia in a single battle than any other Japanese group has since the miracle of Itsukushima. Am I wrong?" At their silence he continued. "If it had not been for the white Knightmare our victory would have been total, but even if we were forced to retreat you, Q-1, still had the skill to hold your own." Kallen felt pride swells up inside her at those words. "Working together you and I even managed to damage it."

"But we still lost..." One of Ohgi's friends commented.

"Maybe militarily, but we still won a strategic victory." Walking closer he took out from one sleeve a rolled newspaper and showed the front page to them, stopping a few yards from Kallen.

She read the title. "What? It's that bogus story about the capsule being stolen by-" Her eyes widened in realization. "That was you?!"

Zero laughed. "Did you think I ran with my tail between my legs? Using clandestine resources available to me I had Clovis convinced that your stealing the poison gas capsule was actually a plot hatched by the Purebloods by using the IFF data from the Knightmare I stole from a Pureblood as 'proof'." He rolled up the newspaper and tossed it at Ohgi, who fumbled a bit before properly catching it. "Because of this Clovis is going to tear his own government apart looking for 'traitors'. If everything goes as planned, the internal strife will make liberating Japan become much easier."

"And you...planned all of this?" One of them asked in awe.

Zero didn't say anything, but Kallen could almost picture him smirking knowingly under his mask. After ten seconds he broke the silence. "Knowing this, will you follow me? Or, maybe, you are satisfied with your current sponsor?" He tilted his head.

Ohgi scratchesd the back of his head. "It's not that. Sure the information about the poison gas was useful, but you saved us and even gave us Knightmares..."

The man's words confirmed to Lelouch one of his first suspicions: that their cell had, indeed, the backing of a greater organization. 'The most likely suspects are the Six Houses of Kyoto, through intermediaries since their cell is too small to warrant direct interaction.'

"Will you show us your face?" And here it was, the inevitable question. Unsurprisingly, it was Kallen that made it first, but Lelouch could see the growing curiosity in the others' eyes.

He knew they would ask to see behind the mask of Zero, but he was prepared for this. "I'm sorry, but I would prefer to remain anonymous." He held up an hand as they began to object. His inner Essence flared inside him as he spoke, twisting reality in his favor. "I admit, I have personal reasons for this, but there is another important reason. You must understand, Zero is not an individual. Zero is an idea, a symbol for the oppressed to rally behind. Zero is nothing, and nobody. And yet, at the same time he is every person who wishes for a better world, every individual oppressed by Britannia. Zero is enigmatic and unknowable, defying all odds to bring about the impossible." Zero put an hand over his chest. "If I were to die, anyone could take my place if they have the will to never give up and fight against injustice." Not that it would even work, but they didn't know that. He turned to face Kallen. "What about you? If necessary, would you take my mantle to ensure that faith in Zero never dies? To ensure those fighting for a better tomorrow would never lose hope and continue to fight against the oppressors?"

"W-What? Me?" At first she was like a deer caught in the headlights before she schooled her features and nodded fiercely. "Of course I would!"

"Then you understand. In time I may show you my face, but for now I ask that you trust me as you did in Shinjuku."

They looked at each other for a while before Ohgi nodded resolutely and offered Zero his hand. "I can't speak for those who aren't present, but I am sure that if you repeat your words to them they will accept you. As we do."

The young Fiend took the hand and shook it. "If they are open-minded people like you, I am sure of it." He put one hand over his chest and tilted his head forward. "I am Zero. I look forward to work with you."

"Ohgi Kaname." The man with the afro replieed.

"Kozuki Kallen." She sighed. "But at school I go by Kallen Stadtfeld."

"Sugiyama Kento." The one with blue hair told Zero.

"Yoshida Toru." The one with brown hair and a red bandanna replied.

"Marvelous." He released Ohgi's hand. "However, there is one last thing I must make clear." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Under me, there will not be terrorism."

Zero continued before they could open their mouths. "War against Britannia isn't just a military campaign, it's a war of ideas. Britannia uses every instance of terrorism to fuel their propaganda machine, turning the public against the perpetrators. They use this to justify the oppression of the Numbers, claiming themselves to be more civilized and morally superior, dressing up their heinous actions in a veil of false righteousness." He spread one arm. "As such, those working under me must become a force for justice. We must not only win on the battlefield, but show that our cause is right. We will protect the innocent and punish the wicked, no matter their race. By doing so, we will expose Britannia for the vile den of sins it is and gather people to our cause."

He pointed at them. "This is not negotiable. I do not fight to only kill, but also to protect. I refuse to discriminate by race, because Japanese are not the only ones suffering under Britannia's rule. And, most importantly..." You raises one hand and clench it. "I refuse to lower myself to Britannia's standards!"

"Wow. You make a good point." Ohgi scratched his chin. "I don't know if it will work, but then I wanted to become a teacher, not a resistance member." He shrugged. "Look at me now."

"I think it would be great." Kallen spoke up with a smile. "This way we can really help people!"

"I swear, tell them they can fly and they will believe you." Seyrun chuckled. "Will they ever realize you're using them?"

'Don't say that. I don't intend to go back on my promises.' Lelouch smiled. 'In exchange for services given, I'll make sure they obtain happiness.'

After all, happiness takes many forms.

Hours later Lelouch walked inside the Ashford's compound, suit and mask safely locked inside a suitcase. By his side Milly was watching the video made by the camera he hid before the meeting. "Not bad, but it's a bit dusky. Why don't you make the suit light purple?"

"I thought about it, but then I remembered I plan to make the uniforms black. Wearing similar colors will increase camaraderie." He squinted your eyes at her. "And, really, your first question is about my suit?"

"Of course!" Her eyes sparkled. "I want a dress made of silk too!"

He could understand that. It felt very, very good on his skin. "That can be arranged. What about-"

"Boss! Lady Friend of the Boss!" Both of them turned around, and saw one of the Anuhles calling to them from behind the bushes. Making sure no one was looking they reached it and crouched down, out of view.

"Nrihudub." Lelouch acknowledged his subordinate. "What happened?"

"Someone tried to sneak into your house Boss." The youth tensed up. "But we caught her."

"Her? A female then." An assassin? After years of silence? "Where is she?"

"We bound and brought her to your room."

"Good." He stood up. "Come with me Milly, I may need your help."

"Sure! A tied-up girl in your room? I'm not going to miss it!"

'Gods damn it Milly.'

Together they sneaked around the campus until they reach the Lamperouge house. They entered, closed the door and then Lelouch rushed to his room, Milly hot on his heels. When he slammed open the door the sight that greeted his eyes was that of a human-sized cocoon of spider's silk hanging down from the ceiling, completely covering the captive save for the head.

Said head, which was watching him upside-down with an expression that was a mix of annoyed and murderous, was that of the green haired girl that got shot in the head right in front of Lelouch's eyes that day at Shinjuku. The same girl that was inside the capsule.

Only, she seemed to have got better. Because she was glaring. Even if a stripe of silk around the mouth prevented her from speaking. That the Anuhles were forming a protective circle between him and her also helped. Or maybe it was the fact that staying upside-down was not a comfortable position.

At least it explained where the corpse went.

{●}

01:00, Shinjuku

The young woman panted as she pushed herself harder and harder, her legs burning from exhaustion and her breath labored. Yet she endured, holding tight the bundle in her arms.

"RAAAAAGH!"

For if she stopped, only death would await her.

Howling like a tortured beast a being who was once a man chased after her, restless in its pursuit. It had the appearance of a middle-aged man dressed in poor clothes, the front stained with blood and the holes left from an automatic firearm. Its skin was pale and sunken, and its eyes were glowing with an eerie gray light, fixed on the fleeing woman with hate...and hunger.

The woman kept running, but it was night and the streets were littered with rubble from the recent skirmish. Inevitably she stepped on one small rock, causing her to stumble and fall down with an yelp. The bundle came undone, and its contents of clocks and other house amenities scattered around.

The thing slowed down, gazing with nostalgia at the items before focusing back on the woman, hands stiffened into claws and jaws open, panting.

"No please! Please forgive me!" The woman pleaded, crying and crawling back. "I didn't want to disturb you...but I had no choice! Without things to sell I will not be able to feed my sons!"

The thing's answer was to howl and jump at the woman, teeth bare and hungry for life.

A flash of silver, and a knife buried itself into the thing's tongue, skewering through the lower jaw.

"Not so fast!"

Someone kicked the thing from the side, pushing it down on the ground. Still reeling from the pain it was powerless to stop the assailant from reaching to the knife, ripping it out and pushing it down again, slashing the thing's jugular open.

The woman stare widen-eyed at the one who saved her: a beautiful young woman with long, straight, platinum blond hair, wearing skimpy clothing consisting of high-heeled sandals, denim shorts, a tube top that exposes her abdomen and a blue jacket.

She swung the knife to get rid of the blood before putting it back in its sheath. "You shouldn't steal from the dead." She said without turning to face the other woman.

The thief winced in shame. But before she could defend her actions a stack of bills landed in front of her feet. "Use that instead. Now go, this place is dangerous."

"T-Thank you! Thank you so much!" The woman picked up the money and bowed before running away.

"Weelll." The blonde woman scratched her and looked down at the items and the corpse. "Should I give him a proper burial?"

"Just pour salt on the body and bury the items near it." A new voice said. Following it a black cat walked to the side of the woman and sit down. Tail twitching lazily it looked up at her with soulful green eyes. Then it spoke. "We don't have time to waste."

"Yes, yes. Whatever you say teacher." She replied with a roll of her eyes before she knelt down and began collecting the items. "What we are ever doing here in Japan?"

"Scouting of course." The cat simply said.

She stopped and turned around. "For what? This Shadowland is recent and the others are too small to be of any real threat. While the ones in Argentina are-"

"I know that very well." The cat interrupted sternly. It seemed to ponder for a few seconds before continuing. "However, many of the New Moon Elders seem to think something will soon happen here, in Japan."

"Something what?"

"Something important."

"Yeah? How very helpful." She snorted.

The cat glared at her, a silver-white disk glittering above its brows.

"Relax teacher. You know me, I will do my part. Or my name-" She winked and pointed at herself. "Is not Anja Silverclaws!"

Lexicon:

Hungry Ghost: the ghost of a person who died from violence and lost their sanity, becoming a beast hungering for the blood of the livings.

Shadowland: an area of the world that exists at the same time in the Underworld, connecting the two worlds.