"In order to please others, we loose our hold on our life's purpose." Epictetus

After the Reploids had been disposed of, Zero, Suzaku, Ciel, and Lelouch continued to move down the pathway, until they came to the water access. It seemed to be a huge dull green room with water coming down the walls into pools below. Nunally was on a seat, tied up. A large black object hovered above her. Zero, Suzaku (with their sabers drawn), and Lelouch continued to run forward towards her.

"NUNALLY!" Lelouch shouted.

Lelouch and Suzaku kept running forward, but Zero grabbed both of them and stopped them. Ciel walked up to his side.

"Look." He said stoically, pointing up.

Lelouch and Suzaku looked up and then actually acknowledged there was a large rectangular object above Nunally. Zero grabbed Lelouch's head and pointed to key areas on the object.

"A bomb." Lelouch said.

"That's right Lulu." Mao's cruel voice was heard over the line. The line killed before Zero could trace it back. "I'll allow Kururugi since he came on his own accord. You two best get to work then."

Lelouch grunted in anger. The thoughts about Mao raged into his mind like a flame thrower.

"Don't worry." Suzaku said. "We'll get you out of here Nunally. There is nothing me and Lelouch can't do."

Nunally stopped trying to escape and smiled.

"Yeah." She muttered.

Lelouch began to walk around the floating pendulum. He and Zero began taking every variable and every aspect about the bomb. Lelouch may not have had the processing power that Zero had in his brain, but he could think fairly close to the same level, which if Zero knew that, would have as a fair shock. Zero and Lelouch discussed it amongst themselves using Douglas's invention in their mind…in order to be sure their math was correct. When Zero and Lelouch had finished their initial observation, they returned to Suzaku.

"It's a pendulum bomb." Lelouch said. "There's a solenoid attached to it, so there's a constant flow of kinetic energy to it."

"If any more or less energy is applied to it…" Ciel began.

"The bomb goes off." Zero finished.

"Which means we have to assume moving Nunally would set it off as well." Zero said. "Based on the material…of which I can at least see…the blast radius would be…400-500 meters."

"500 meters about." Lelouch said.

Which means Mao is outside his effective Geass range.

Of course Zero knew how much damage the bomb would cause. But Suzaku was nearby him. Zero wanted to give an estimate in order to try concealing the fact he was a machine. And Lelouch was perceptive. He knew why Zero asked that.

"Do you know how to disarm it?" Suzaku asked.

"In theory." Lelouch said. "We have to disarm the wire that runs onto the detonator. He's an expert though so we have to assume several of them are dummies. We need another way."

While Suzaku was thinking, Lelouch began projecting more thoughts at Zero.

"Which wire do you think it is?" Lelouch asked.

"I could be that red one in the batch." Zero said. "It has the most electrical currents running through it than the rest…though I need to get closer to make an accurate guess…and with Kururugi here…"

"What's the chances of you being right from here?" Lelouch asked.

"Without touching it and getting close…I think I'm only 61.23% correct." Zero said. "…I'll look for a way to move in a little closer without your friend seeing."

"Do that." Lelouch said.

Lelouch in his mind knew that if Zero was able to use his full abilities without having Suzaku see him in his armor, he would have every peace of mind to know Zero could do it. Now Zero's chances were put into theoreticals and possibilities. And Lelouch knew Zero was not done calculating yet. He was sure Zero's chances of pulling this off while being limited we're lower than he wanted.

"The only way to do it would be to cut the wires without making the slightest vibration." Lelouch said. "No one could do that."

At least I or Suzaku cant. Idiot. Why did you have to tag along? If you weren't here…Zero could…

"I'll do it." Suzaku said.

"It's not that simple!" Lelouch shouted.

"It's good to be cautious…" Suzaku began. "But we have a time limit right? I have enough information on me to make a decision. I'm a soldier you know. Can you use this information?"

Lelouch stared at him blankly. He looked to Zero for recommendation.

Zero nodded.

This is what Lelouch told the three students: He informed them that he would go and distract Mao, while Zero, Ciel, and Suzaku disarmed the bomb. He had hoped to find a way to drive Suzaku away from the plan, but his persistence prevented him from doing so. Lelouch told them to wait several minutes before going through with the plan in order to be sure he wasn't watching them. Since Lelouch had no guarantee on time or how this person would act, they would have to use their intuition before moving out. After they disarmed the bomb, Lelouch told them to find him as soon as she was safe.

And the last part of the plan occurred after he left the room.

This left the three with a few minutes to observe, plan, and execute.

"The best way to cut the wires would be to get over to that side of the wall or ceiling and leap off." Zero said. "The problem is that we can't disrupt the flow of the pendulum…at all."

"First thing first is to hone in on which wire is the correct one." Ciel said. "I could tell which one is which…BUT…I…"

Ciel stopped. She was kind of embarrassed to admit she had no athletic talent.

"It's alright…" Zero said. "So you're a little short…one of us can give you a boost."

"Umm…okay." Ciel said…a little embarrassed.

Now I wish I didn't wear a skirt.

"How are we going to cut the wires?" Zero asked.

"What about the beam sabers?" Suzaku asked. "Couldn't we do just a straight cut through the wires and be done with it?"

"We'd cut the thing that keeps it from squishing Nunally." Zero said. "And the width of the beam is too large to use safely on the wires…we'll have to use a simple wire cutter or sharp knife."

Zero pulled out of his pocket a small pocket knife…although Suzaku noted that the Knife was much sharper than a regular knife.

"We could use this." Zero said. "But the person up there will need a lot of force to cut it in one swift blow."

Zero put his hand on his chin, trying to think of other solutions for this plan. He knew this had to be done within the next few hours, or this would be all for naught. As Zero pondered what to do, he detected an energy residue from behind them. A residue of plasma. It was heading straight for Suzaku. Without thinking, Zero dove to where Suzaku was and pushed him down. The burst of plasma collided into the wall, doing minor damage. Nunally and Ciel screamed in fear. Zero and Suzaku looked at the door in anger.

To see Dynamo standing there.

"So…" Dynamo said. "A few rats decided to stay and play. A pity I didn't get here before sir Lelouch left."

Lelouch of course, had departed to the cathedral in the back of the school. Mao had been waiting there because it was the furthest away from the school…and where people thought at. He did not care about this fact, and seemed to take little interest. He did know that he had little time left on the clock…and no time to disarm the bomb from there. He had to face Mao here and now.

Though his fate was already determined…simply by Mao's power.

He walked into the church. Mao was there on the middle…waiting for him.

I knew Mao was outside the range, but I never thought he would return to the school. Crazy bastard. I told Suzaku not to move, but I really have no options.

"Welcome my thieving friend!" Mao said. "No weapons, no plan, and the bomb Is still in place."

"Shut it!" Lelouch shouted. "I don't need to replay our last conversation. Do you have our last game ready?"

"Yep." Mao said. "But…before we begin…there is something I have to show you…"

Mao grabbed hold of the screen that held the image of Nunally. Lelouch was horrifed to see the Reploid Dynamo walking towards the group. His eyes widened with fear as the Reploid's double saber was activated.

"Do you not think…" Mao began. "That I would Suzaku off so easily?...For what you did to me at the Carnival…I will repay you back seven times more!"

Lelouch's anger burned against Mao.

"MMMMAAAAOOOO!" He shouted.

Suzaku and Zero got their feet. Ciel ran away from the two, trying to avoid being caught in between them. Zero and Suzaku got up and activated the beam sabers. While Suzaku had little skill with it, at least he could defend himself.

"Well…" Dynamo said. "A bunch of students with some spunk…I like where this is going."

Now Zero himself knew full well who Dynamo was, but Suzaku didn't. Luckily for Zero, Dynamo was told to wait until Nunally died before revealing Lelouch's existence to Suzaku…and that of Zero's. Mao wanted to toy with them, rather than actually kill them. This of course gave Zero a good opportunity to fight and destroy him, before he did. Zero kept his saber in a position, ready to pounce at any moment.

"Who are you?" Suzaku shouted.

"Who am I?" He asked. "Why…I'm Dynamo. Reploid mercenary."

"Reploid?" Suzaku shouted in surprise.

"You seem shocked." Dynamo said. "I guess it should come as no surprise."

"What do you want?" Zero shouted.

"My…" Dynamo said. "Already touchy. Well…if you want to know so bad…I've come here to kill you all…nothing personal."

"Like Hell." Zero shouted.

"Leave now." Suzaku said. "If you surrender now…we will let you live."

"Me surrender?" Dynamo asked. "Man…you humans overestimate your chances…even with your…above average talents Warrant Officer Kururugi…defeating a Reploid is out of your range of skills."

Dynamo then turned towards Zero.

"…Don't die on me too quick." He said.

Dynamo launched his attack first. He threw one of his beam sabers at Suzaku and Zero. Both students dove out of the way. The saber flew very close to the pendulum bomb. Zero bit his teeth as it barely passed away from it.

"If we fight here…" Zero began. "We'll surely distort the pendulum…I'll try to get him to the door and duel him there."

"But Zion…" Suzaku shouted. "He's a Reploid. He overmatches you entirely. If anyone has a chance, it's me."

"No!" Zero shouted. "You worry about disarming the bomb. I can handle a mere single Reploid."

Suzaku rolled backwards, dodging a D-Buster as it hit the ground. Dynamo leapt towards Suzaku, attempting to slice him in half. Suzaku quickly held up his saber and blocked the attack. However, Dynamo forced a large amount of strength on him, trying to push the saber to his chest. Dynamo succeeded in bringing the saber inches away to his heart.

But then Zero leapt back in. He used his saber and placed it directly under Suzaku and Dynamo's saber. Zero managed to pull the beam away from Suzaku and lift it off of him. Zero then counter attacked by swing his saber forward. Dynamo leapt away easily. Zero stood in front of Suzaku as the soldier got up.

"He's quick." Suzaku said.

"Stay on your feet; its your best bet to survive." Zero shouted.

Zero and Suzaku moved towards Dynamo. They serpentined as they approached the Reploid, trying to confuse him in some way or manner. Dynamo read Suzaku easily, and Zero could not use his full strength to fight. Dynamo spread into a different fighting stance, and used both ends of his saber to block the attacks. Zero and Suzaku's plan was foiled. Suzaku ducked under the saber as Zero broke away. Suzaku used his saber to try and fight Dynamo, but the Reploid was much too powerful. He easily deflected his strokes and kicked him away. Suzaku landed nearby, but got back on his feet to charge at Dynamo again.

Zero wasn't having much more luck either. He couldn't get any of his more damaging attacks in without alerting Suzaku to what he was. And he couldn't force any of his super strength or speed either.

Why did you have to get yourself involved…I got to push Dynamo out of here ASAP.

Lelouch looked in horror as both of his friends we're being easily overpowered by the Reploid.

"Because you defeated me twice…" Mao continued. "I decided to up the ante a bit. You see…if you lose here…not only will I have Dynamo kill Suzaku and Ciel…but I'll even have him reveal your identity to your sister. Can you imagine the horror on her face…to know that right before she dies…her brother is a mass murder!"

"SHUT UP!" Lelouch shouted.

"Ah ah ah." Mao said. "For you have a lot to win too. If you win and disarm the bomb…most certainly your Reploid friend you will send over here and have him kill me…so you have a lot to lose…but a lot to gain."

"You bastard!" Lelouch shouted. "These are people's lives you're playing with. Forcing me into a game you know I cannot win…for the sake of enjoyment! That's fucked up!"

"What other choice do you have?" Mao said.

Lelouch sighed. Mao had backed him into a corner. He had no choice but to step up to the chessboard…which Mao had laid out for the occasion.

"The scale that you see before you is both the detonator to the bomb…and it's disarming mechanism." Mao began to explain. "As we capture pieces, we put them into our respective plates. If it tips completely towards my side, the bomb explodes. If it tips to yours, the bomb is disarmed. Your sister's fate is then decided completely on your game."

"You have poor taste." Lelouch said. "No wonder C.C. left you."

"I won't rise to provocation this time." Mao said. "Your mind is an open book to me."

As Zero was kicked away from the door by Dynamo, he began to realize the dire situation he was in. He couldn't fight at his full power, and he had lives to protect. And the fight was moving dangerously close to Nunally.

He managed to get a break by kicking Dynamo in the face. With the opportunity, Suzaku charged him and stabbed him in the side with the saber.

Dynamo however responded by slashing Kururugi in the side. The burning sensation was unlike he had ever felt before. Suzaku was grounded.

"Damn it!" Zero shouted. "Hold on Suzaku!"

Zero grinded his saber on the ground as he charged towards Dynamo. He decided to unleash a bit of his strength and kicked Dynamo forward. Dynamo fell backwards, but got to his feet.

"Your mine!" Zero shouted.

Zero charged at Dynamo and bull rushed him. Dynamo tried to block, but he still fell backwards. Zero continued to use his strength and pushed him forward, until he made it to the door. He then kicked Dynamo with all his muscle, making him fly to the very end. Ciel was already tending to Suzaku. Suzaku looked up at Zero.

"I'll keep him back here." Zero said. "You disarm the bomb."

"Zion!" Suzaku shouted.

"Do as I say!" Zero shouted.

Dynamo leapt at Zero. Zero pressed a button on the side and sealed the door. Dynamo's pink saber could be seen drilling into the wall, but it quickly vanished. What happened to Zero to Suzaku's perspective after that was a mystery. As soon as Ciel managed to soothe and heal the burn, Suzaku wasted no time and began scaling the wall towards the wires.

Lelouch was already losing mere minutes into the game. Two pawns, a rook, and a knight had already been captured. The scales and weight we're already tipping towards Mao.

"You're not the kind of person that can empty his mind." Mao said. "You criticize your moves so carefully, and you criticize those criticisms too. That's the kind of man you are. No matter what kind of move you make, my victory is assured.

Mao took another piece, lowering the scale even further. Tension rose up in Lelouch's mind.

Zero managed to lure Dynamo far away from the actual bomb site. As soon as he got far enough in the hallway, he sprung towards Dynamo. Upon grabbing him, Zero activated his teleport, warping him and Dynamo far away from the Ashford school site. They ended up appearing somewhere in the ghettos. The Elevens, seeing these people appear in mysteriously, screamed in horror and ran in all directions. Zero and Dynamo we're now alone in the middle of a complex of ruined buildings.

"Well now…" Dynamo said. "I see that you have found such an amusing way to hide yourself…Zero."

Zero looked at him stoically. He deactivated simulation mode and returned to his Reploid armor.

"And you still talk too much." Zero said.

Zero pointed his saber at Dynamo.

"I know you have a busy schedule with your boss." Zero said. "So if you don't mind…let's finish this!"

Dynamo grabbed his beam saber and whirled at Zero. Zero leapt over, activated his resistance armor, and charged.

"If you want to fight so badly, you can die." Zero shouted.

But…Dynamo managed to dodge Zero. Zero looked in surprise as Dynamo stood there, holding another saber in his hand.

"I got some upgrades from a special source my boss found." Dynamo said. "I can keep up with your little…armor system now."

"That's impossible; Britannia just started to begin building their own Reploids." Zero said. "How on earth did you acquire any upgrades!"

"Why spoil it now?" Dynamo asked. "It makes it more interesting when you discover who done it. And now…back to the fight."

Dynamo surged forward at an incredible speed, although Zero was able to comprehend it. He held his saber up, blocking the attack from Dynamo. And with that, the two resumed combat once again.

"Amazing!" Mao shouted as he slowly gained advantage in the game. "You are trying to think of several things at once to confuse me."

Lelouch was. He spread out his mind so far to think of as many different things as he could. He even decided to raise several perverted thoughts, hoping they would either shock or disturb Mao to ruin his concentration.

"But if I focus my Geass on you alone, its easy to determine truth for subterfuge."

Mao took another piece. Lelouch became shocked when he saw his Queen be removed fromn the field.

"And now your last plan has failed miserably." Mao said.

Mao threw the queen on the scale. The arrow was hovering only a centimeter away from the red. Lelouch felt as if every orifice in his body was exhuming sweat. He couldn't do anything either. Zero was out of communication range. Suzaku to his knowledge was being killed by Dynamo. And god knows what happened to Ciel. Would his actions of underestimating Mao cost not one, but three lives?

"What shall I do?" Mao mocked. "There's no one left to help me…and now that Nunally has been taken hostage…"

To play around with Lelouch a bit, Mao took a coin from his pocket and dropped onto the floor. The clanking of metal caused Lelouch to jump out of place, thinking it fell in the scale.

"Opps." Mao said. "Dropped it."

Lelouch breathed a sigh of relief.

The two sabers continued to clash against each other. Zero and Dynamo fought with unending fury, Dynamo smirking as Zero grinned. Zero was annoyed that the merc Reploid was now able to keep up with him…though it seems the upgrades did not affect his combat powers. Just made him able to keep up with Zero's speed. Zero jumped onto a building, and began to wall kick off of it, towards the top. When Dynamo jumped after him, Zero activated his thrusters and began to run up the wall.

Dynamo followed.

"Geez…" Zero said. "You're really pulling out your punches this time."

"I ain't losing to you this time." Dynamo said.

"Hmph!" Zero grunted. "We'll see!"

Zero leapt off the wall and began to fall towards Dynamo. Dynamo was surprised at this and leapt off after him. Zero and Dynamo fell face first towards the ground, looking at each other. Zero and Dynamo both grabbed their sabers and began to clash at each other in the air. The sparks flew in all directions, singing both Reploids. Neither one seemed to be able to land a hit. When they we're about to crash into the ground, Zero and Dynamo adjusted their bodies so they would land on their feet.

Then they leapt away from the other and then charged again.

"Your turn." Mao said.

Lelouch looked at the Chessboard…trying to think of any move that could turn this game around. It did him no good. For in chess…if your opponent already knows what you're going to do, long in advance, there is no hope of winning the game. Lelouch already had come to terms with that. He sighed.

"Please…" He begged. "Stop this…"

"Huh?" Mao asked.

"STOP IT MAO!" He shouted.

"Oh?" Mao said.

Lelouch knew what he was going at. Swallowing the remainder of his pride, he whimpered…"I lose." Mao began a small chuckle, before breaking into a hideous laughter, clapping his hands widely in the air.

"WONDERFUL!" He shouted. "You admitted it. And this truly came from your heart. Oh how long I have wanted to hear that."

Lelouch mopped. He hated losing…but…to save his sister…

"But…" Mao said. "I'm afraid not."

Lelouch gasped in horror.

"That's…" Mao said as he grabbed the checkmated king.

Lelouch's eyes widened.

"Check…" Mao said, throwing the piece in.

Lelouch saw the piece fly through the air in slow motion. He tried to stop it…but couldn't.

"NUNNNAALLLYYY!" He shouted, falling to the floor.

There was a moment of silence…where Lelouch felt all was lost.

"Well…" Mao began. "Let's see how she splattered."

Mao pulled out his portable screen, hoping to see blood and gore.

But instead…saw a perfectly fine Nunally.

"Huh?" Mao began. "What? How?"

Lelouch looked up in confusion. As Mao looked at the screen, Ciel's face appeared on it. Mao looked extremely confused as he saw her. Actually…he was more angry than confused too. Ciel waved high in the screen.

Then she pressed something in her hand, making the screen static.

"WHAT!" Mao shouted. "Who is that whore!"

Before Mao could continue speaking, the glass to the window broke. Suzaku and X flew into the building.

"WHAT!" Mao shouted. "Oh shit, I concentrated too hard!"

Mao pulled out a pistol in an attempt to shoot Suzaku, but X ran in front of his comrade, activating Guard Shell. The bullets bounced off the barrier, not even coming close to Suzaku. Suzaku proceeded to move forward, knocking the gun out of Mao's hand. Mao was then kicked into the ground by both X and Suzaku. Suzaku grabbed the beam saber he obtained from the basement and pointed it at Mao.

"My name is Warrant Office Kurururgi." Suzaku said. "I am placing you under arrest with attempted kidnapping…and stealing Britannian weapon technology."

"You disarmed the bomb?" Mao asked.

Mao then began to read his thoughts.

"No…you timed your attack according to the speed of the pendulum?" Mao asked again.

"Lelouch told me which line to cut." Suzaku said.

"I did?" Lelouch asked in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" Suzaku said. "You are the one who told me I should come in here if you scream."

Lelouch looked confused. He didn't remember telling Suzaku that.

"I did?" He asked.

Suddenly it hit him. Lelouch grabbed a clear reflective surface out of his pocket. It was the back of his phone. He remembered he Geassed himself way in advance to make him forget the orders.

"Of course." Lelouch said.

"What?" Mao shouted.

Mao read his mind for a bit.

"You did?" He asked.

So it would seem. I used the influence of the Geass to make me forget the order I gave Suzaku. You lost because you assumed my thoughts we're the absolute truth. And you neglected to consider the fact I was out of your power's range.

"There's no way though!" Mao shouted. "Dynamo should have easily executed the brat long before he even cut the wire."

I think from that I owe Zero much gratitude. I can only assume since he is not there that he managed to remove Dynamo from the scene long enough for Suzaku to finish his job here. Perhaps Mao, we have both underestimated the power of Zero…he seems to know how to accommodate for any circumstance that occurs.

"But…" Mao shouted. "What would you have done if he failed without that machine!"

I wonder…this could not have been done without Suzaku's help.

Lelouch grunted in victory.

"You think you have won?" Mao shouted.

"Don't move." X shouted, holding down Mao.

Suzaku restrained Mao by pointing the beam saber further by his neck.

"You think you can stop me father killer!" Mao shouted.

Everyone in the room stopped speaking. Suzaku froze up in an instant. Even X who was very trusting of Suzaku hesitated with his arm cannon. With Suzaku no longer having a grab on Mao, Mao was able to move freely again.

"You killed your father seven years ago." Mao began. "You thought that by killing your father, who advocated all out resistance, the war would stop. That's just childish. You're just a murder."

"NO!" Suzaku shouted. "Your wrong!"

"Thank God all the adults around you lied on your behalf." Mao said.

"They made it look like Prime Minister Kurururgi killed himself." Lelouch said, coming to realization.

"I HAD TO!" Suzaku begged. "If I didn't…Japan would have…"

"Trying to reason it out now?" Mao asked. "You already have a death wish. You want to save souls? It's your own soul that wants to be saved. You want to die as a penance. That's why you always put yourself in harm's way."

Suzaku's eyes widened. He screamed so loud it shook the building's foundation. X, who realized his friend was going through symptoms of PDSD, released Mao and went to his friend.

"Suzaku!" X shouted.

"His own self-righteous is just thinly lined masturbation." Mao shouted.

"Mao!" Lelouch shouted in the loudest voice he could muster. "NEVER SPEAK AGAIN!"

Lelouch activated his Geass and applied the order directly to Mao. Mao tried to put his glasses, but he was too late. The effect appeared on Mao. He tried to form words, but nothing came out. Lelouch walked slowly towards Mao, picking up the saber that his friend dropped. Since X was trying to calm Suzaku down, X took no notice.

"Now you will never break the spirits of men again." Lelouch said, activating the purple saber. "But you won't be coming out of here alive!"

Mao, realizing Lelouch planned to kill him, began to run. Mao ran, but moved too late. He watched as the purple saber cut through his left arm, searing it straight off. Mao screamed in pain, but continued to flee faster than Lelouch.

"GET BACK HERE!" Lelouch shouted, grabbing the saber and hurling it at Mao.

The saber whirled towards Mao, singing his left side. The saber fell nearby some pews, deactivating as it hit the floor. Mao continued to run outside the church.

As he did, C.C. stood directly in front of him. Almost as if she was waiting for him.

"I loved you Mao." C.C.

Mao's expression of pain turned to joy. He waddled over to where C.C. was. She should stood there, no longer afraid of what she must do.

"Wait for me in the next life." She said, putting a silenced pistol to his neck.

Mao didn't even have time to react before the bullet pierced his jugular. Lelouch watched as Mao fell to the floor, dead. He turned to Suzaku, who had collapsed from the whole ordeal. X had his hand on Suzaku's shoulder, hoping to calm him down.

"Is he alright?" Lelouch asked.

"Hard to say." X said, as he picked up his friend. "He is probably having a flashback. Either way…I think we should get him to a doctor. In his current state, there is no telling what he might do."

"I agree." Lelouch said. "By the way…who are you?"

"Me?" X asked. "I am Suzaku's friend and colleague: Mega Man X…Don't worry: I'll get him to a doctor."

Lelouch's eyes perked up. This was the famous Mega Man X. Lelouch drew an unholy smirk. But unfortunately his friend's well being interrupted any plans right now; as before he could cast a Geass order on X, X pressed a button on his side, teleporting him and Suzaku away from the area. Lelouch swore under his breath, but because Mao had been killed, he decided to cut his losses. He walked outside.

Picking up Suzaku's beam saber as he walked by.

As Zero and Dynamo fought, Dynamo suddenly stopped fighting. Zero looked at his opponent confused. Dynamo looked off to the side.

"Oh dear." He said. "It seems my client has been killed."

Zero deactivated his saber.

"Mao's dead?" Zero asked.

"So it would seem." Dynamo said, deactivating his saber. "Well…it has been fun. As much as I would like to continue this duel, it serves me no purpose now; whether I kill you or not, I gain no profit from it now."

Dynamo turned around and began to walk away. Zero shook his head in disbelief.

"Why do you do this?" Zero asked.

"Hmm?" Dynamo muttered.

"Your no Maverick..." Zero began. "And neither are you an enemy of the people? So why your soul!"

Dynamo laughed manically. He then turned around and looked at Zero.

"Simple." Dynamo said. "In order to please others, we loose our hold on our life's purpose."

Zero stood there, bewildered.

"Adjena!" Dynamo said, teleporting away.

And thus, Zero was left in the ghetto…his only company the rocks and stone ruins of the city.

Mao's body was still left in front of the church. C.C. stood over him still, unable to comprehend that she still did it. A single tear from her face. Why did it have to end like this? Could it have proceeded any other way? Why?

She couldn't think long though. A shadow passed over her. She turned around, only to have a beam saber thrust into her heart. She gasped suddenly, but soon lost all voice as she passed out from the strike. Though she was still alive, it made no difference to her opponent.

Who was Bass as he walked over the corpse of Mao.

"Well done Wily." Bass said. "It seems Mao performed as we had anticipated."

"Yes." Wily said over the radio. "Now…cauterize the bullet wound, and shock the heart with small amount of electricity to keep it pumping. Then…bring his battered body back to base. Once he is stable enough, we will begin the cyberization program. Mao is a very useful being. It is foolhardy to throw away such an effective tool."

Bass nodded. He grabbed the body and teleported away, leaving an already recovering C.C. on the ground.

So, during the reviews, I would like to you all to say whether or not you are surprised at this turn I applied for the story.

Suzaku and Zero fighting Dynamo…so much easier if Zero could actually fight at his full level. But hey…he's Zero…you all knew he was going to find his way out of that situation.

Mao is actually even more of a dick in this series by using Dynamo to kill Suzaku…and Nunally…after telling them all Lelouch was Zero.

Well…don't count him out yet. Mao WILL return for this series…BUT…not until R2.