"Society is a masked ball, where everyone hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding." Ralph Waldo

Zero knew what he had done. All those humans. Everyone single one of them were dead. There was no denying that he had spilled the blood of humans today, and he knew it.

I killed them! I killed all of them! I didn't even care who they were or what they were doing! I slaughtered them all without thinking! What have I done! What I have done! What am I fighting for!

The question continued to pop in his mind, and swirled around him. He tried to rationalize that he might have been deluded or that what he was feeling was a form of data corruption; and that he was lying in a ditch somewhere. But he soon discarded that theory. It was apparent from the small stinging sensations from bullet wounds that he was very much awake.

Why did I do it! A hundred years ago, I would never have dreamed of doing this. But now…

Things had changed. Zero could feel it in his mind. He was thinking and operating differently than before. And he did not know why.

Was it because I destroyed Weil? Did by destroying him, I crossed over into some form of enlightenment? Or have I just finally gone Maverick…no that can't be. The virus doesn't anymore…right?

He knew he couldn't get the answers by himself; but sadly he knew no one on the situation. Everything seemed to be so new to him. In fact it was. As he skipped on the sides of buildings, far from the public below, he could not deny the differences between this world and Neo Arcadia. What did that woman do? How many years had passed? Did he go back in time?...No that didn't make sense either. The world didn't look like this at all even two hundred years back? What was happening?

Zero knew that to stay hidden, he would no longer be able to rely on his appearance. He noticed not a single Reploid around as he leapt from building to building. As he finally found a spot to rest at, he opened up a holographic screen on his arm. As he sat down and created a holographic keyboard, he looked at an particular unfinished program Ciel and Cerveau started. He had the prototype downloaded, but It never worked properly. Realizing that it would be necessary to finish, he sat down at the top of a large business suite. And as he broke into a Wireless network, he began to work.

"Hey Lelouch!" Millay said as she proceeded to hit him with a rolled up piece of paper. "You were sleeping! I saw you stop working!"

Lelouch groaned slightly as he woke up from Millay's sudden attack. He had reasons though. He didn't get much sleep last night. In fact, he didn't sleep at all. He had already done so much within the past twenty-four hours that his mind was still occupied. Lelouch had hoped to use the student council meeting as a way to get some sleep, but it looked like that wasn't going to be the case. He was really enjoying the nice seat he had.

"Even so, you don't need to hit me." He replied.

"It's punishment for leaving me behind." Leval added to the subject.

Lelouch did leave him behind though. Earlier that day, Lelouch and Leval had just come back from winning a chess game against a noble. Lelouch loved to make Nobles squeal with sheer terror after they realize that they lost to a student. Leval just loved watching it. He knew for a fact that Lelouch was the master at chess so anyone he played would always lose. Leval himself, sucked at chess. Of course it wasn't Lelouch's fault for leaving him behind. It was sort of…accidental. It was the reason he ended up in the Shinjuku ghetto and found Zero in the first place.

Speaking of Zero, Lelouch hadn't heard from him in over a day. He expected a loyal bodyguard to always keep an eye on his master. Yet Lelouch could not find him, nor did Zero reply to any and all calls Lelouch made to him.

"Speaking of which," Shirley began. "Where were you that day anyway?"

"Nowhere of importance." Lelouch responded in his usual monotone voice.

"All right, all right," Millay interrupted. "Don't change the subject! We need to finish the club's budget inspection or else we won't have any money to put anywhere."

"If that happens," Nina began.

"The horseback riding club would get totally pissed off!" Leval shouted. "They might even bust in here again!"

Lelouch prayed that Leval's words never come true. Oh how he remembered that day.

Millay looked at Leval with a sarcastic face.

"Leval your part of the student council!" She shouted.

"It would have been better if you had reminded us a day in advance." Shirley said, even though she Millay would never ever do that. She had a habit of doing things only her way.

"The correct answer would be "remembered it a day later"." Leval joked.

"GUTS!" Millay shouted.

Everyone jumped back; even Lelouch who was far more dazed out than usual. Millay had often done this to keep everyone back on track. Lelouch found it a minor nuisance and never really took notice. But Millay had a habit of doing it without prior notice so it drove Lelouch insane whenever she used it.

"That Guts thing again?" Lelouch asked.

"Yes, it gives you the desire to work hard!" Millay explained.

Lelouch agreed. He'd take losing a chess game than hearing Millay repeat Guts over and over.

"Cheap magic like that won't work." He responded, trying to maintain whatever cool he had left.

"Well it's working for me!" Shirley said proudly.

"Good to see an honest person in the flesh." Millay said.

"Let's just say I'm well trained for this!" She responded.

There's no hope for that girl.

"That's not what I meant!" Millay said back.

"What?" Shirley asked.

"Nice rack." Millay said.

Lelouch almost broke his pen when he heard that. The student council president had a history of talking about the absolute most absurd stuff ever; even in front of Lelouch and Leval. He knew that today she was about to do the same thing.

"I checked you out today in the girl's bathroom. You got good balance on top to bottom."

Lelouch looked away as he was immune when it came to girls and any form of sexual innuendo. Leval on the other hand couldn't help but stare. Lelouch now knew any aspect for a normal day was now thrown out the window.

"What are you saying you pervert!" Shirley said.

It took them at least twenty more minutes to finish up the rest of the budget. Now that they were done with it, they began to head to the rest of their classes. After three hours, the whole group was on break and heading down to the computer lab to continue some of their homework.

"I swear our student council president is a middle aged man on the inside." Shirley complained.

"And that wasn't nearly as weird the last few times she said stuff like that." Lelouch added.

"Millay has always been like that." Nina said in her usual quiet voice.

"Well we got the budget done so I guess we shouldn't complain." Leval said.

"They said it was a poison gas terrorist attack!" A student said.

Leval, Nina, and Shirley all looked in a direction where the voice came from. One of the students had been watching some news feed from a computer on there. Several other students, male and female were also watching it as well. The news must have been made recently, according to Lelouch's observation. But something wasn't right.

Lelouch walked over to Shirley.

"That's why I asked you about Shinjuku." Lelouch said. "A friend told me something was going on in there."

"I see." Shirley said.

Lelouch knew he was now off the hook with her. He then began to ponder why they were not showing any information about Clovis.

"Why aren't they showing that information?" He asked himself.

"What information?" A voice behind him said.

"Hmm?" Lelouch asked.

Behind Lelouch, he saw a male student. He was big, much bigger than Lelouch and he looked in great shape. He wore a standard Britannian school uniform for Ashford Academy and his eyes were green. His hair was long and blonde and he wore fingerless gloves.

"You mean before or after the battle?" He asked.

"Zero?" Lelouch asked.

The student nodded his head.

Zero and Lelouch both met on top of the school roof.

"How did you find me here?" He asked.

"You told me to do something." Zero responded. "Seeing as I remember none of this, I decided to figure out what the hell was going on."

"May I ask how?" He asked.

"Broke into some government records." Zero said. "I hacked them using a couple programs from my time. I tell you the security here is terrible…or maybe our technology is just a higher tier. If we were in my time, your computers systems would have been infected with virus's years ago."

"That's an off-ly impressive feat." Lelouch said.

Remember; I'm a machine." Zero said. "So I know how machines work."

"So how did you find me?" He asked.

"I just so happened to spot you walking towards the school." Zero said. "Using my teleporter, I was able to get some uniforms to fit to my body size, and then decided to take a little tour while no one was looking. I figured however since I am supposed to work for you, as someone told me, that we should stay within close contact. And I figure if I can find a way to attend the school here, that would work out better. Besides, there's a lot of peculiar things about this place that...puzzles me."

"I see." Lelouch said. "This works out into both of our favors. I'll be able to keep an eye on you and issue orders without having to look for you. But how are you...human?"

"Well..." Zero began. "Back in my place (wherever it may be) a Reploid such as myself would have killed to be a human. Sort of like a dream every one of us had...to experience being a human. Well...except me...I really didn't care one way or the other. But...the situation calls for this right now. In the year 22xx of my time, Doctor Ciel, Reploid weapons expert Cerveau, and me began a project called "Human Simulator." The Ultimate goal was to create a simulation program by altering the genetic makeup of both the bio-metal and Titanium-X alloys to allow the creation of a temporary body. Basically what you see before you."

"What kind of science is this?" Lelouch asked. "None of this seems possible."

"Probably not here it is." Zero said. "But back where I was from, it is. People in my world were already developing matter converters...you know...create metal and items out of the blue."

"What are you going to do about money?" Lelouch asked. "There is a very expensive school."

"Haven't figured it out." Zero said.

"Hmm..." Lelouch said. He stood there puzzled on the situation, but then snapped his fingers a few seconds later. "No problem. I can pay for you. You see...I have gambling problem...and I tend to rob nobles out of oodles of money as people would say. My bank account is large enough to support up to three people's schooling here. I can also supply you a place to sleep...if you want."

"Well...that solves most of the problems right now." Zero said. "Out of honesty, I didn't want it to work this way; but I have no choice. I have no knowledge of anywhere around here; and I don't have any damn idea where I am or where to go. Call me Zion when were at school. Zion Ishkowa."

"Zion huh?" Lelouch said. "It's a good name, but it's also a bit unusual."

"Well I can't say I'm the most creative person around town." Zion said. "I'll give you the data you need so you can put me on a plan. If you need me, call me at any time. I'll keep my com-link open at all times."

"Zero..." Lelouch said quietly.

"Hmm?" Zero asked.

"There's something about that name that I like." Lelouch said as he turned to go back downstairs. Before he did however, he then had the courage to ask Zero about how he came here.

"Zero." He said.

"What?" He replied.

"Who sent you to be my bodyguard?" Lelouch asked.

"I wish you could tell me that." Zero said. "In fact...I wish she was here to enlighten me on some things right now."

"Kallen! You're okay! Is your body alright?" A student asked a girl.

Lelouch and Zion had got back downstairs into his next classroom. He looked at a table and saw a pink haired girl surrounded by several other girls. The girl was extremely beautiful, taller than most girls. She seemed however, weak and fragile. Her skin was pale and her eyes were only half open.

"Sophie was so worried. Are you alright?" Another girl asked.

"Yes." Kallen said. "I can't push myself too hard."

Lelouch all of a sudden remembered something. He remembered seeing a pink hair girl in the truck that he got caught in, with the similar features of the one sitting down in that chair. Her hair was a little different; spikier. But it was her.

"I see. So that's what's been bothering me." He said.

"What?" Zero said.

"I saw that girl earlier before the battle of Shinjuku. She was piloting a pink Glasgow." Lelouch responded.

"Her huh?" Zern said. "She doesn't look much…then again appearances are deceiving. Society is a masked ball, where everyone hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding."

"Exactly." Lelouch said. "Even if she is though, I still need to know."

"What exactly do you gain by finding out?" Zero asked.

"We'll see with time to come." Lelouch said.

Over the next few days (after all the bureaucratic procedures) Zero easily adjusted to the life as a school kid when he started. The class soon found the student "Zion Ishkowa" to be an extremely brilliant student. Zero turned in most of his homework ahead of the class and was very knowledgeable on most subjects, despite his stoic nature. He had found it however rather difficult adjusting to a normal person. He was a machine for war, not this. He also had trouble keeping his new simulation program under control, as he became open to a world of biological needs. He also seemed to value each person equal...which most Britannians did not. Because of that, Zero ended up in a few fights at school. However, being an already skilled fighter as it was, Zero easily defeated his aggressor with a passion. Eventually because of his looks, Zion became popular; though to the dismay of Zero. He was hoping to blend in. Lelouch ignored Zero for the time being and continued to monitor the girl. Kallen didn't really do much. She was extremely intelligent in mathematics, history, literature, and or otherwise. She didn't play ball because according to Leval she was weak.

"A lie." Lelouch said to himself. "You have to be in good physical condition to pilot a Knightmare. It was really straining for me."

He followed her until lunch time a couple days later when he saw Kallen running away (or in her case, pretending to weakly run away) until she was out of sight with the rest of her fellow classmates. Lelouch decided the best bet was to use the Geass on her and find out who she was and confirm her identity. He had plans to destroy Britannia, but he first needed to make sure he had everything right before hand. He stood slowly up behind her, quiet enough for him not to be heard. He watched as Karen quickly swatted a bee with such force that the bee was dead on the ground and she suffered no sting on her arm.

"Ahh this is stupid!" She shouted. "I shouldn't have chosen a weak persona while at this school!"

No doubt about it. This is her. Lelouch thought.

Kallen turned around and saw Lelouch standing right next to her.

Damn. Did he see me?

Kallen decided the best bet was to try to small talk her way out of this.

"Is there something you need?" She asked

Lelouch activated his Geass and put it on Kallen.

"Answer my question." Lelouch commanded.

The spell of the Geass came upon Karen. Her eyes glowed red as she suddenly fell under its power.

"You were piloting a Glasgow in Shinjuku yesterday?" Lelouch asked her.

"Yes." She answered.

"Why?" Lelouch asked back.

"Because I am Japanese and half my blood is Britannian." She responded back.

A half breed. Lelouch thought. "But why go that far?"

Kallen didn't answer. She just stood there motionless. The power of the Geass was wearing off.

Eventually it did and Kallen suddenly forgot what had happened. She resumed talking back to Lelouch unknowing that Lelouch already got all the information he needed.

"Umm…was there something you wanted to talk to me about?" She asked.

"No." He said as he began to walk away. "But just in case…"

Lelouch reactivated the power of his Geass and looked right at her.

"Say nothing of Shinjuku."

To Lelouch's surprise however, Karen just stood there. The Geass seemed to have no effect on here.

"Shinjuku?" She asked.

Lelouch was shocked. This was the first time the Geass failed.

"Why would you say something like that?" She continued.

Lelouch tried a different order.

"Go back to the classroom." He ordered.

"I will after you answer my question!" Karen asked with a much higher tone.

Lelouch was stomped. The Geass had not failed him yet. But this time was different. Now Lelouch had talked to this girl and had acted suspicious. If something didn't stop them soon, Lelouch would have to tell her everything.

"Lelouch! Kallen! If you two don't hurry, we'll be late for our science exams!" She called out.

Perfect. Lelouch thought.

"Oh gezz I need to head down there and get the equipment out for the experiment!" Lelouch shouted and began to charge away from Kallen.

"I screwed up." He said. "Why didn't it work for me?"

"Well X, do you have anything?" A soldier asked.

"I'm detecting no toxins in the area." X said. "If there was poisonous gas, it must have dissipated by now. Even so…I doubt gas is here."

"Why do you say that?" Another soldier asked.

"Even subdued poisons still emit some level of toxicity." X replied. "There's no way poison would decay from the Earth that quickly. I'll search a little deeper, but I can already tell that this is going to be a wild goose chase."

X knew for a fact it wasn't poison gas. Not because he knew exactly what was it, but because he knew science. Poisons always emit a toxicity element of some kind that can last for days. If X couldn't detect any, and being the most advanced piece of equipment Britannia ever found, he already knew the end result of the search.

Which meant something else was in the capsule. But what?

He didn't have to take part in this. X volunteered to work with the team in order to speed up the research. His scanners were far more powerful than that of the Britannian handheld detectors, so they welcomed his aid without a second doubt. Yet for once, X was quite annoyed with it.

"All right." He said. "This area is secure. There's no trace of any foreign substance here. Area is clean."

"All right then." A soldier said. "We should get going."

X and the soldiers proceeded to walk away. They had done a long day's work and got nothing out of it. He knew something was up, but didn't feel it was necessary to ask.

One of the soldiers approached X. It was Jeremiah; one of the elite Knightmare commanders who was at the battle of Shinjuku. He approached X along with several other Knightmare pilots and surrounded him.

"Mega Man X is it?" He asked.

"Please…"X asked. "Call me X. It'll save you the trouble of spelling my whole name."

"Heh." Jeremiah chuckled. "Demanding an officer a request. Bold. All right then, X."

"What do you need, commander Jeremiah?" X asked.

"I saw what you did to those Knightmares captured from the Elevens." Jeremiah said. "You're the kind person who knows how to get something done. Would you like to be given another assignment and increase your reputation around here higher?"

"I would." X said. "But please, keep the reputation for yourself. You're the commanding officer and I'm the soldier."

"Bold and respectful." Jeremiah commented. "All right then. You remember General Bradley right?"

"Yes sir!" X said. "He was part of the original crew who got me out of my capsule."

"Well…" Jeremiah began. "There's been a little issue with him."

Lelouch was finally able to get some decent sleep last night. The few nights were murder on him so the fact he got eight hours of sleep really helped his mind re-stabilize. He believed that his talk with his sister probably was the thing that did it. Of course he always turned to his sister for comfort as she always seemed to know how to cheer people up.

They say if you fold a thousand of these, your wishes will be granted. What do you wish for brother?

What do you wish for Nunally?

I want the world to be a gentler place.

Those words gave Lelouch the motive to fight. He made a personal promise to himself that he would create a kind world for her to live in. From then on out, Lelouch began to make his plans for war. Truth be told, Lelouch had this planned for a while now, but now that he had Geass, he decided to accelerate the schedule just a bit.

He stood out there that morning, pondering how to use his Geass. It had failed him yesterday, but now he wanted to see why. He didn't use it on anyone after that day. Now today, he wanted to find out why It didn't work.

"If I'm going to use this weapon, I need to know how to use it." Lelouch said to himself. "I know how to use Zero, but he isn't going to be enough. The fact that a machine of similar size and energy did damage along with that White Knight means that Britannia might have found something simialar."

"Lelouch." A person called out.

Lelouch looked up to see his history teacher coming towards him.

"It's almost time for class."

"Oh right!" Lelouch said.

A perfect test dummy.

"Sensei, please tell me the questions that will be on the test today."

"The battle of Edinburgh and the new continent. It's about civil war." He replied, under the influence of the Geass.

So the power hasn't disappeared.

"Sensei, please tell me the questions that will be on the test today."

"Stop joking around Lelouch." He said. "Study some more. You can do it."

"Right!" He said.

As I suspected. It can only work on a person once.

"Are you sure you don't need me up there?" Kallen asked Ohgi on her phone.

"The military's being hard on our asses right now." He responded back. "Stay there until things cool down. Besides, Naoto would like you to continue as a student anyway. Forget about Shinjuku for now. I'll call back soon."

Kallen put the phone away. She was disappointed. Shinjuku was where they could have made a stand and did some real damage to Britannia. They were in a secure position. And in one mere hour, they're stand that they held vanished right there. The man who helped them also…

Suddenly, Kallen remembered about the man and the student who had talked to her yesterday. He acted very suspicious to begin with and his voice did sound very similar. She then began to wonder about her fellow classmate.

Lelouch entered his classroom and walked to his seat. Zero was in the room as well, writing down several notes. Lelouch looked as none of notes detailed in the least. He could tell that Zero was not enjoying a class of which he had studied and mastered within a day. But even if he wasn't, he showed no expression change from before. Zero continued to take simple notes as Lelouch walked to his seat. Lelouch kept a strong eye on Karen, even as he read part of the school lesson. Karen did the same by using her mirror to keep a constant eye on his movements. None of the two noticed any strange activity in the least, but they still kept their eyes on each other.

"What I did was just inform her of Shinjuku, but if she/he knows my identity, I'll have to deal with her/him." Both people thought.

The bell rang forth as their classes ended for the day.