Lelouch of the Wings of Rebellion

by MagusZero

In an alternate world without Geass, Lelouch awakens to another power from the Collective Unconscious - Persona. Leading a band of phantom thieves through the Metaverse, he seeks to topple the Britannian regime, stealing one corrupt heart at a time. Featuring the cast and setting of Code Geass, put into Persona 5's overarching scenario.

76. Dreams, Plans, and Nightmares

The Black Knights, Irregulars, and Glinda Knights each used the sigil in the Acropolis's courtyard to return to the lower levels of the Palace. They managed to slip out without further entanglements with Shadows, which was a good thing, considering how tired they all were from the lengthy infiltration and hard-fought battles. Plus, there was the fact that the longer that they lingered there, the greater the chance was that Shadow Cornelia, or one of her minions, would notice that someone had defeated Asterius and raise the Palace's security level.

It was already nighttime when they returned to reality, emerging on the outskirts of the Government Bureau. The monotony of the Labyrinth had clearly made it more difficult for them to accurately gauge the passage of time. While the ambience of a location the Metaverse usually changed roughly in parallel with the day-night cycle of the real world, and Mementos was known to reflect outside weather conditions due to the public's mass Cognition, none of that was ever perfectly reliable inside a Palace. After all, Palaces responded to the desires of their Rulers, distorting everything else around them.

Thankfully, the alleyway that they had emerged in prevented them being seen by passerby, but as before it would be inadvisable for them to leave as a large group; that would just draw unwanted attention to themselves as they made their way back through the Settlement.

As Marrybell prepared to depart with Oldrin, Lelouch noticed that her gaze lingered upon Eurydice for a moment. Once again, it looked as though she was going to say something, but Marrybell then evidently decided against doing so, and turned to leave. This was met by an unmistakeable flash of disapproval on Oldrin's face, though she was too loyal to her Lady to give voice to those thoughts in front of everyone else.

Lelouch wondered if he should have said anything himself, but he found that he was mentally too exhausted to muster the effort to do. It was probably something that would be better handled later anyway, when they'd... had the chance to... think things over. Now, they all just needed to... rest.

Involuntarily, Lelouch found himself letting out a yawn, and he slumped forward slightly as he raised a hand to cover his mouth.

"This is the first time I've seen you this tired. Are you really alright?" Shirley said, looking concerned. "You look like you're about to crash at any moment now." She shook her head. "I guess it makes sense. You pushed yourself so hard, and now the adrenaline of fighting in the Metaverse that was keeping you going has worn off."

"Something... like that," Lelouch said wearily. "But I'll... manage. We just need..." He yawned again. "To get back to Ashford."

"I can't let you head back on your own like that!" Shirley said. "I'll go with you! That way I know you'll make it back. Otherwise, you might fall asleep and miss your stop on the train. Or... you could lose your balance, fall, and hurt yourself badly! It's just not safe right now, if you don't have someone to keep an eye on you!"

He had to admit... Shirley... had a point. Injuring himself... because he was tired... was not... something he needed.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Shirley!" Nunnally said, warmly smiling. "I'll be heading back with Alice myself, but I know I can count on you to see that my big brother returns safely."

"I concur," Leila said. She turned to Kallen. "Both of us need to return to our own homes. My motorcycle is secured not far from here. If you would like, I could give you a lift back to your place."

"My stepmother's place," Kallen corrected. "I'll never be able to think of it as my own."

"I'm sorry," Leila replied, frowning. "That was careless of me."

"Don't worry about it," Kallen reassured her. She cast her eyes down. "It's pretty lonely there," she said softly, "with Mom in prison... but at least she's in a better one now, and getting the best care that she can, under the circumstances." Kallen sighed. "I still don't talk much to my stepmother, but she called in some favors there, so I'm grateful for that, and she's not silently wishing me dead every time I leave anymore." She raised her eyes once more, and her tone changed to one of disbelief. "But it's just weird knowing that she's going to be worried about me coming back so late. I didn't think her heart was going to change that much!"

Leila couldn't help but smile a little at that last part. "Then I'll just have to make sure that I get you over there in as timely a manner as possible."

Kallen seemed slightly hesitant, but Lelouch managed to give her a small nod.

"Perhaps I should mention that my bike draws inspiration from the design of Knightmare Frames to achieve high performance," Leila added.

"You should have said that before," Kallen said to Leila. "Now I have to see it." She smirked slightly. "Though I'll be the judge if it lives up to the hype." She turned back to Lelouch. "So that's Nunnally and Alice, Leila and I, and you and Shirley so far... you'll be in good hands with her."

Leila nodded in agreement.

"I'll be heading back to the Government Bureau with Suzaku now," Euphemia said. "But thank you, Shirley. And make sure you get your rest, Lelouch."

"Well, that leaves me with Arthur," Milly said. "I'll bring him back to school while you take care of our Vice President, Shirley."

"I won't let you down, Madam President!" Shirley cheerfully replied, as if she was accepting an assignment for the Student Council, rather than one for a supernatural outlaw vigilante group.

"That's what I like to hear!" Milly grinned. "Now have fun, you two!"

That was classic Milly.

"Madam President!" Shirley gasped. "Get your mind out of the gutter!"

"I know, I know, Shirley. I'm only teasing you."

"Geez..." Shirley sighed. Shaking her head again, she walked over to Lelouch, putting an arm supportively around his back.

"Come on. Let's head's back, Lulu. It's been a long day for all of us."

It was a simple gesture, but Lelouch deeply appreciated it nonetheless.

"Thank you... Shirley," he said, mustering what energy he could to faintly smile at her, before it turned into another yawn.

xXx

The journey to the station was uneventful. Lelouch felt like he was half-awake for most of it, but Shirley helped him keep going.

The station itself wasn't nearly as busy as it would have been during the Settlement's rush hour, and as just two among the millions living there, as long as there weren't any other Ashford students making a late return, few would be likely to pay them any more notice than they would to other random passerby.

Lelouch felt his eyelids drooping as he took his seat on the train, and his body began to slowly and inexorably lean to a side.

"It's okay, Lulu," he heard Shirley's voice say besides him. Gently, she guided him downward, until his head came to rest on her lap. "You can sleep now. I'll wake you when we near our destination."

Lelouch wanted to thank her again, but before he could, he was out like a light.

xXx

Lelouch woke, between dream and reality, to the blaring of an alarm and a pulsating red glow. Unexpectedly, dust fell from the ceiling and items on the Prison Master's vacant desk began vibrating, while chains clattered against the cell doors, as some sort of tremor rumbled ominously through the Velvet Room. It passed quickly, but that was hardly reassuring.

"The Metaverse is becoming even more unstable," Lelouch murmured to himself.

"But that gives us a chance to keep meeting like this," he heard Nemo's voice say, "while the Nose is away. Can you feel it? It's like the whole room is a bit out of phase with its surroundings... for the moment."

"It... does feel off, yes," Lelouch replied after a moment. "It's like a region in a Palace with particularly strong Distortion."

He stood up, facing Nemo in her cell. An aftershock passed through the Velvet Room as he did so, but he was able to grasp onto one of the bars of his cell door, preventing him from losing his balance.

"It's good to see you again, big brother," Nemo said as the Velvet Room stopped shaking. "It feels like it's been forever since we last talked in here... though it hasn't really been that long. We were even fighting alongside each other in Cornelia's Palace only at most an hour ago." She grinned wickedly as she paced in her cell. "You saw when I came out and took over in battle for a bit. What a thrill that was!" She uncharacteristically stopped pacing. "Though Asterius made a mistake in pissing me off, when he went after Marrybell and her sister. Nobody hurts anyone that I care about and gets away with it unscathed!"

There was quite a bit to unpack there, but a question came to Lelouch's mind, and he found that he couldn't help but ask it first, if only to satisfy his curiosity.

"Your other self can't already be asleep yet, can she?" he asked. "The last I remember, I was falling asleep on the train with Shirley."

"As her Shadow, I'm always active in her subconscious," Nemo replied. "And it's not like either of us can ever truly leave the Velvet Room, as long as we're its inmates. Oh yes, our conscious minds can, and I can directly experience the outside world by assuming control of my real body for a time, though it's not something I can do for long around the Settlement, lest I blow my cover as sweet, innocent Nunnally. The rest of the time, I'm stuck as a spectator here in the Velvet Room." She scowled at the thought. "I can still project an image of myself into the real world, but only she can see and hear it, as I'm not really there to begin with."

"If you've really been here in the Velvet Room for the whole time, then why hasn't Igor ever noticed?"

"I pretend to be sleeping... it's not hard, since I'm camouflaged by my original self's ego, even as I remain awake, just underneath it. You're sleeping in here too, you know, when your conscious mind is away and awake in reality. Though in your case, it's not an act." She scowled. "Though I suppose it's better that way for you. I can't do anything when I'm stuck in here if that damnable Nose is around. But when he's gone..." she smiled devilishly. "That's my opportunity to talk to you, big brother, without being filtered by my goody two-shoes other self. And so I always look forward to these chats of ours."

Lelouch could all too readily empathize with Nemo's frustration and resentment of Igor.

"I notice that you mentioned Marrybell 'and her sister' earlier," he said after a moment. "You really do believe Lyra is Marrybell's sister, at all levels of your being."

"Well, DUH!" Nemo said. "I mean, how freaking obvious could it be? And Marrybell thinks so too, even if she won't admit it. She wouldn't have risked herself like that if she didn't truly believe that Lyra was Julia mel Britannia. Don't you see that, brother?"

"It makes sense, as an emotional response," Lelouch said. "And with everything we've seen of the Eden Vital Order's capabilities, it's certainly possible that Lyra is truly Julia, alive but with her memories tampered with. But we still don't have any hard evidence backing that up."

"Big brother, did you forget?" Nemo asked, a growl entering her voice. "I'm not the rational part of Nunnally. I'm the part of her that relies on instinct. But there's more to that than just inflicting violence, no matter how much I excel at it. I don't like it at all when people try to suppress what they're really feeling, especially when they invent 'logical' arguments to fool themselves. And that's something you're far worse with than my other self ever has been!"

Lelouch was taken aback. It was no surprise to him by now that his sister's Shadow was prone to anger, but what was startling to him was that this particular bout was directed at himself.

"You... have a point there," Lelouch said as he recovered his composure. To deny her assertion outright, when it was clearly true, would be the quickest possible way to antagonize Nemo. And when pushed too far, Shadows had the tendency to go berserk. He had seen her futilely lash out against the bars that confined her before, but there was no way of telling what she was truly capable of when pressed. Nemo was always full of surprises, and her trick of transforming Jack Frost into the far more powerful Black Frost was only the most recent example of that.

"But I've still made a great deal of progress over the last few months," he continued. "I went from not letting myself truly get close to others so that they wouldn't get involved with my past, to cynically approaching them so strengthen my own Persona abilities, to seeing the facade that I presented to my friends increasingly become the truth. Shirley wouldn't be part of the Black Knights right now, if I had let 'logic' dictate things back then in her Palace, rather than my feelings for her."

Lelouch paused. "Lyra being Julia does seem like the simplest explanation at this point. Certainly, it requires a lot less setup than the Director finding a suitable body double, one capable of fooling the late Julia's sister, for reasons that don't really hold up under closer inspection. And it's wonderful if it's really her. But I suppose I'm hesitant to let my feelings have too much sway because something still seems all too convenient about her appearing on the scene when she did." He shook his head. "No... that's not right. I just said myself that I've found the competing explanations illogical. So it isn't 'logic' at all at this point... it's fear... fear of what could happen to you, to Marrybell, and to all of my friends and those I care for if I'm wrong."

"Good. You're being honest with yourself now," Nemo said, smirking with satisfaction. "You're lucky that you weren't intentionally lying to me.. even though you were until just a moment ago. I wouldn't have settled just for pricking your pinky if you knowingly lied to me after we renewed our promise. You understand that, don't you, big brother?"

Lelouch swallowed, as a very graphic image of Nemo force-feeding him a thousand needles flashed through his mind. That punishment may not have technically been part of their blood oath to each other, but in any case, such an outcome was to be to be avoided at any cost.

"I understand, Nunnally," he said.

"Still, I know that even if it's totally obvious that Lyra is Julia, that stubborn part of your mind would still prefer to put any doubts on the matter to rest," Nemo continued. "My other self knows that too. So she's already on the matter."

"Are you saying that you're trying to obtain a DNA sample from Lyra in the real world right now?"

Nemo let out a giggle. "Trying to obtain, big brother? I've already obtained it."

"Her injuries in the fight," Lelouch said, suddenly understanding. "They may have been healed, but any blood shed would still contain her DNA. Marrybell was injured too, so you probably got hers as well. And even if you weren't able to get a sample of Marrybell's DNA, you could just take a sample of your own. You'd still reliably be able to prove that she's a half-sister to you." His lips curled. "Through our father, that is."

"Yes..." Nemo said, also scowling. "Our father. You always did look up to him, until he didn't do anything about mother's death, and exiled us to a foreign land. Then that admiration of yours turned to hatred. I, of course, hate Father too. But I've always admired - and long hated - Mother more." Nemo's expression contorted further, and voice grew even more embittered. "I'll never forget what she did, even if my other self was made to."

"What... did mother do, Nunnally?" Lelouch asked softly. A part of him didn't want to know the answer, but he had to ask all the same.

"I don't want to talk about it right now," Nemo said tersely, crossing her arms and turning her body away from him, though her glowing golden eyes never left him. "And you wouldn't get any more sleep tonight if I did."

"Nunnally, you know that I'll be up all night worrying about what it could have been now," Lelouch countered. "So that doesn't do any good."

"Oh, fine," his sister's Shadow replied. "If you must know more about our dear mother's true nature right now, then I'll at least state the obvious, in case your mind has refused to connect the dots out of a lingering desire to continue seeing her as the mother you thought that you knew." Nemo paused, as if for dramatic effect. "She was one of them. I didn't know what it was called back then, but she was definitely part of the Eden Vital Order, and in on our father's plans."

"Are you sure?!" Lelouch asked. "How do you know? Did she outlive her usefulness to the Order? Was that why he allowed her to be killed?" The questions were flowing from his mouth before he could restrain himself.

"See? I was right," Nemo said, looking rather displeased. "That's a knee-jerk reaction of yours, whenever it comes to learning about the sort of person she really was. Old habits die hard." She shook her head. "I don't know why Mother was killed. But if you think back to our childhood, she dropped plenty of hints about what she was doing in the Eden Vital Order, and what they were trying to accomplish. It wouldn't have meant much to you at the time, but there was something she once said while we were in the gardens at the Aries Villa together..."

Lelouch listened patiently as Nemo recounted her story to him, continuing to remorselessly deconstruct their mother's already-cracked saintly facade. Yet a small part of him quietly pointed out that while Nemo would never lie to him, she was still a being that operated on instinct and repressed emotions, which could color her perception of events. And while Nemo had perfect recall, she was limited to Nunnally's own experiences; there could be important extenuating circumstances that she was completely unaware of.

But maybe he was just trying to fool himself again.

Much of the evidence that Nemo offered was circumstantial, but there were too many little things supporting the idea that Marianne vi Britannia had been a member of the Eden Vital Order, or at least familiar with it, for it to seem coincidental.

Lelouch frowned, feeling increasingly resigned to the unwelcome conclusion. "I'll be the first to admit, I don't remember all of that myself .. but I do remember some of it. Even some of our mother's favorite sayings, or the stories she told us when she was little... they match up with what we know of Eden Vital's ideology. And Mother was instrumental to our father's rise to power as the Knight of Six. She was known for being loyal to him above all others... even though he discarded her in the end. Given that context, I shouldn't have been surprised by the idea that she might have been in on his plan from the start. And if she truly believed in the Order's delusions of opening Heaven's Door, whatever that really is, to create a world without suffering... that would have been all the more motivation for her to eliminate anyone in Father's way to the throne with extreme prejudice... which she did."

Nemo nodded. "Exactly. That's how she could justify her atrocities."

"I can see that now," Lelouch said, massaging his temples. But then, he let out a satisfied chuckle.

"What's so funny, big brother?" Nemo demanded.

"I'm sorry, Nunnally. I didn't mean any offense. But our conversation, and one I had earlier with Leila, helped me realize something. And it's so obvious, it should have been my conclusion from the start."

"What's that?" Nemo asked impatiently.

"I think I know what the last keyword for Father's Palace is now."

xXx

Eventually, Lelouch's conversation with Nemo had to end. This time, it was not cut short by Igor making an intrusion, but rather by his own body waking up, returning him to the real world.

"Are you okay, Lulu?" a gentle and soothingly familiar voice asked from above him. A soft hand came to rest on his forehead. "You seemed restless."

Lelouch blinked, his eyelids still feeling heavy, but slowly, the sight of Shirley's angelic face came into focus. The lights of the city, rapidly passing by beneath the elevated monorail, sparkled back at him in her eyes and cast dancing shadows behind and above her on the ceiling of the ceiling of the train car. He was so taken by how beautiful she looked that he forgot to respond for a moment.

"Lulu?" Shirley asked again.

"I... I was dreaming," Lelouch replied awkwardly.

"So you were having a bad dream then?"

"It... wasn't exactly pleasant," Lelouch said. "But I..." A yawn interrupted his words. "I think it was... meaningful."

"I think that's a good way to look at it," Shirley said. "In our dreams, we see both our dearest hopes and darkest fears. But they're always trying to tell us something. And no matter how much the bad ones may frighten us, the good ones give us something to strive for."

Of course, his dream had hardly been an ordinary one, but he wasn't going to correct Shirley's misconception when there was always the possibility that Igor could be observing him in the waking world at any given moment. Still, he appreciated her sentiments. It was just like Shirley to always look for the good in things.

There were several moments of silence, save for the sound of the train itself. Lifting his head from Shirley's lap slightly, Lelouch saw that their car was unusually empty. It was well past rush hour, but normally there would be at least a few more passengers on the train at this time of the night. He saw why as they passed one of the large screens that Britannia had placed around the Settlement to efficiently deliver their propaganda to the public. Apparently while they were in the Metaverse, Cornelia had begun to impose curfews on her Britannian subjects as well, meaning people had been forced to head home earlier than they otherwise would have. Their train would be one of the last running through the Settlement that night, though they fortunately would still have enough time for both of them to return to Ashford Academy without getting in trouble.

Problematic as Cornelia's curfew might be in the future, he wasn't going to complain about it leaving their car almost empty at the moment. And nor was he going to let Igor ruin a precious moment with Shirley, whether the Prison Master was watching or not. Besides, as the screen at the top of their car listing upcoming stations indicated, they were close enough to their destination now that there was little point in getting more sleep on the train. That could wait until his was back in his room at Ashford Academy.

"Speaking of things to strive for," Lelouch said, "what do you see yourself doing when this is all over, Shirley?"

Shirley immediately flushed. "Well... I'd... umm... want to eventually start a family. You know, Lulu...Get...m-m-marri-" Her face turned an even deeper shade of red as she realized what she was saying. "B-but that's still a ways off!" She quickly said. "There's loads of other things I'd be doing before any of that!"

"Like what, Shirley?" Lelouch asked gently, hoping that hearing his voice like that would help to calm her.

"Well.. I want to keep swimming competitively. I've been training hard in Swim Club for our meets, trying to make up for the time I lost when I was skipping practice... because I couldn't bring myself to face Coach Nu." Shirley frowned. "I still feel guilty about it, Lulu."

"You were being singled out for abuse, Shirley. And with the leverage that she held over the school at the time, there's not much that you could have done on your own. No one blames you for removing yourself from a horrific situation."

"But I left the rest of the Swim Club to suffer in silence. And the fact is, some of my teammates do blame me. I can't even say they're wrong either; I didn't even try to speak out, with how afraid I was of Coach Nu at the time."

Lelouch felt himself bristle. "If they would pick on you, Shirley, when they didn't do anything about Coach Nu themselves, they're not worth your time."

"Don't get me wrong, Lulu. Most of the other girls in the club are nothing but supportive. And while I'll admit part of it is me wanting to show my teammates that I'm not going to let them down again, it's just as much for me, to show myself that I've still got it, and can come back even stronger than before." She smiled at him. "And I know I can do it with you watching out for me, Lulu... just as I'll keep watching out for you."

"And... what about after you graduate from Ashford Academy?" Lelouch asked. "I can't say I've ever had a clear idea of what I'd do with myself after school... outside of continuing our... 'extracurricular activities'. I just could never really see myself fitting in at any normal job... or at least not any that would have me as just a cog in the machine."

"Well... I've actually been giving this some thought lately, Lulu," Shirley replied. "And I think... I want to be a teacher."

"That... actually suits you pretty well, Shirley. Your grades are among the top few in our class, and I'm sure that you'd be able to make your students feel welcome, no matter who they are. What level are you thinking of teaching?"

"I was thinking primary school. A kind word, or even just having a caring adult there to listen to you, could make all the difference for a child! And..." Shirley looked at him earnestly. "In my own small way... if I could teach them to understand others, and to be kind to them, in the same way I showed them kindness, no matter who they were or where they came from... I think it would help make the world a better place"

Through the bond of the Lovers Arcana that he shared with Shirley, he could feel her heartfelt wish becoming a new source of strength.

"It will," he told her. "I know that you'll make your wish a reality. And I'll be there to support you at every step of the way."

"Lulu..."

Shirley smiled, and leaning in, they shared a kiss. It was warm and tender, and for a moment, he didn't have to think about anything else. It was just the two of them, sharing feelings and an unconditional understanding with each other that didn't need any words.

Alas, their kiss was short-lived, as it was interrupted by a sudden chime over the train's loudspeaker, followed by an announcement that they had reached their destination.

"Well, I guess we need to get going, Lulu," Shirley said, helping him up from his seat. "Though when we get back to school, we can say good night to each other properly. Though... nothing too much." Her cheeks reddened slightly. "You do need your rest, after all."

He couldn't help but smile back at her.

"That sounds like a plan, Shirley."

Do You Support the Black Knights?

Yes: 37.5%.

xXx

Upon finally returning to his bedroom at Ashford Academy, Lelouch fell fast asleep almost as soon as his body made contact with the covers of his bed. If he had not set an alarm, he might have easily overslept in the morning.

As it was, he felt groggy, as his brain still wanted a few more hours of sleep despite his body getting enough rest already, at least in theory, but he still needed to get started with his day so that he could keep up appearances around school. He would have to get himself more coffee from Rivalz when he had the opportunity. Though perhaps in the meantime he could make some tea to help wake himself up more fully. He could also prepare something for Nunnally while he was at it.

His mind slowly became increasingly active as he busied himself, and as he began to sip his tea, a certain thought worked its way to the fore.

He was running out of time.

Defeating Asterius had opened the way to the Acropolis of Cornelia's Palace. The next time they infiltrated it, they would scope out the Acropolis, locate its four shrines, face whatever trials there might be within, and ideally secure a route to Cornelia's Treasure. Then, all that would remain would be to return to the real world, send a calling card, and head back into the Palace one last time to confront Shadow Cornelia. Unlike other Palace Rulers, she hadn't shown herself to them so far, but now that they were so close to her Treasure, they were sure to encounter her sooner rather than later

Besting Cornelia's Shadow would create a window of opportunity to strike at Kamine Island and his father's Palace, as one way or the other, her change of heart would leave Britannian forces throughout the area confused and off-balance. It was then a matter of swiftly covering the slightly more than 160 kilometers from Tokyo to Kamine Island before Britannian forces could regroup, preferably doing so while remaining undetected for as long as possible.

But the opportunity would not last for long. As soon as the Emperor received word that Cornelia was compromised, he would undoubtedly send orders to have her replaced as Viceroy, and he would tighten defenses around Kamine Island, recognizing its vulnerability.

In other words, once they went after Cornelia's Treasure at the top of the Temple, they would be fully committed to their course of action. In all probability, none of them would be able to return to Ashford Academy until they had conquered his father's Palace and put a stop to Ragnarok.

Over the last several months, Lelouch had strengthened his bonds with his classmates and acquaintances around the school, and forged several new ones with those who had once been strangers to him, but whom he could now safely call trusted confidants. But now, he was back to the same problem that he had found himself faced with at the start of his journey - deciding whom he would spend the scarce time that remained with as he prepared to face Cornelia and his father. Loathe as he was to admit it, realizing the full potential of every Arcana before then would be practically impossible.

The part of his mind that was constantly analyzing and self-critiquing his plans could have worked itself into endlessly agonizing if there was a way in which he could have managed his time better, when any advantage, no matter how small, could potentially make the difference between victory and defeat. But it was a waste of time and energy to worry about the paths not taken now. He could only continue to walk the path that he had chosen, knowing that he would always treasure his friends, and the lessons that he had learned from them.

Keeping that in mind, it was clear to him that there were certain confidants of his that he should prioritize. Shirley was a given. His bond with Kaguya was one of, if not the strongest outside the members of the Student Council or his own family. Kirihara's Tower Arcana was another one that he could likely awaken to its full power in the time that remained. In all probability he had been reintroduced to Tohdoh too late to do the same for the Strength Arcana, but he would still honor his promise to train with the Lieutenant Colonel if the opportunity arose while meeting with Kaguya and Kirihara.

He also felt that he should meet with Jeremiah at least one more time before infiltrating Cornelia's Palace, if possible. The man was nothing if not loyal to him. Not only should that devotion be rewarded, but as a double agent who would remain nearby the Government Bureau while they were in the Metaverse, it was important to convey final orders to him before the heist in a way that wouldn't leave any records that could be intercepted.

In contrast, he saw Sayoko on a daily basis. He had continued to train with her in between meetings with his other confidants, but it felt as if the power of the Hierophant Arcana had plateaued. Something else was needed if it was to grow further, but what exactly that was, he couldn't say.

He really wanted to have a proper conversation one-on-one with Euphy outside of the Metaverse, but Cornelia's damnable security measures meant that it was difficult to do so without having Suzaku accompanying her as well. But it wouldn't do for him to push Suzaku away either. As much of a hypocrite as Suzaku had become, Lelouch was certain that his first real friend would prove key to the Black Knights' ultimate success or failure.

Lastly, there were his other friends and acquaintances from around Ashford Academy. Among those he had not already considered, Rivalz and his Temperance Arcana appeared to be his most promising option, if viewed from the standpoint of maximizing his power before facing Cornelia and the Emperor, as it was already fairly developed. But largely, Rivalz had been the one to confide in him, as his friend tried to balance the pressures of studying, a part-time job, the shadow of an abusive father, and of nursing a likely hopeless crush on Milly. Rivalz had been a long-time friend at Ashford Academy, yes, but taking Rivalz more closely into his confidence would inevitably risk him discovering their activities as Black Knights. And while he didn't think that Rivalz would knowingly betray them, Rivalz had befriended a Knight of the Round, who worked directly for his father, and saw Rolo as his friend as well, rather than the threat that the detective's presence posed to the Student Council.

Yet when it came down to it, there was a reason why, besides Shirley, he had thought of Kaguya and the other members of Kyoto first. Their help was non-negotiable to his plan; all the necessary preparations had to be in place before they went after Cornelia's Shadow. And so, he discreetly contacted Kaguya, and made arrangements to head over to Kirihara Industries that afternoon.

But before he went, he entered the suspected keywords for his father's Palace into the Metaverse Navigator.

"Match found. Target out of navigation range."

Lelouch stared at his phone and the confirmation that his father's Cognition was far more Distorted than he had once imagined possible.

xXx

Hours later, Lelouch felt Kaguya reaching up behind him to remove his blindfold. It seemed silly that he still had to be blindfolded whenever he came to meet with Kyoto. He was confident that he had already memorized the route that they used take him to Kirihara's inner sanctum by now, just from the turns they took, and how long they spent driving or walking, so it was an exercise in futility to try to conceal it from him. Then again, knowing Kaguya, she probably secretly enjoyed it. And there was no question that she enjoyed being the one to take it off of him, with how that required close contact between them, to say nothing of how all she got to guide him by the hand all the way through Kirihara Industries.

As usual, Kirihara was seated on his dais. Tohdoh had joined them as well, and stood to the older man's side. All of Kirihara and Kaguya's other guards had been dismissed, allowing them to talk in privacy.

"Welcome back, Zero," Kirihara said warmly. "I believe you will be pleased to know that negotiations are proceeding smoothly between my companies and the Breisgau Corporation. We should have a solid foundation for a fruitful partnership going forward."

That was good news. Leila hadn't mentioned it to him earlier, but that was understandable. The two of them had been preoccupied with other matters when they had last had a proper conversation with each other outside of the Metaverse, in Ashford Academy's library. He made a mental note to ask Leila about it, when a suitable opportunity presented itself.

"I'm glad to hear it, Lord Kirihara."

"Of course, that is not why you have come, Zero," Kirihara continued. "Kaguya said that you had something important that you wished to discuss."

"I do," Lelouch replied. "The Black Knights have managed to infiltrate past the outer defenses that stand between us and changing Viceroy Cornelia's heart." He purposefully did not go into the details of the Metaverse, as it would only make things needlessly complicated. "In a few days time, we should be able to start probing her inner defenses, and once our route is secured, we will be able to strike decisively at a time of our choosing."

"If you are successful, and the effects of a change of heart upon Cornelia are the same as those we've witnessed before," Tohdoh started, "it would pose an ideal opportunity for the JLF to strike as well. After hearing of the overthrow of the High Eunuchs in the Chinese Federation, there is greater belief among the Japanese people than ever that an uprising can succeed here as well. Cornelia's troops would also be thrown off-balance by her change of heart, and with proper timing and coordination, we might even be able to dislodge them from Tokyo."

"That is a logical course of action on your part," Lelouch replied. "One that, I admit, I was counting on."

"What do you mean?" Tohdoh asked sharply.

"The more time that passes, the more your forces are ground down by Britannia, so any counterattack on your part would have to be sooner rather than later, lest the JLF becomes depleted and broken. You simply cannot afford to let the opportunity that we will create pass by. And as it happens, the Black Knights require a diversion... one that your attack will happen to provide, in an alignment of our interests."

"A diversion?" Tohdoh said, looking at him incredulously. "What other objective could you be after, if changing Cornelia's heart just sets up a diversion for you?"

"A more important target," murmured Kirihara. "Prime Minister Schneizel? Or perhaps-" Kirihara shook his head. "No, I see it now. You would gamble everything to bring that man down, wouldn't you Zero?"

"If you mean Charles zi Britannia, my hated father and the 98th Emperor of Britannia, then you are correct, Lord Kirihara. Changing his heart would be the ideal outcome, completely undermining the faith that ordinary Britannians had in him as a strong leader and infecting their entire body politic with doubt and uncertainty. That would make it far easier for you to not only consolidate the gains made in your assault on the Settlement, but push further. Though even if we were only able to induce a mental shutdown in him, that would be more than sufficient in this case."

"You haven't caused a mental shutdown before, have you?" Kaguya asked, looking slightly worried.

"We haven't, Kaguya," Lelouch replied, "but I'm more than willing to carve out an exception for my father, should it come down to it. He certainly deserves it enough, for all the countless lives he's destroyed. Of course, the Britannian public would be incensed by the murder of their Emperor, and Odysseus would take the throne, though Schneizel would likely become the true power behind it. But if we're lucky, others might choose to contest the throne, which could buy us some time." He paused for effect. "But either way is an acceptable outcome, since the fact is my father NEEDS to be stopped, one way or the other. We've uncovered evidence of a plan that he's been working on, and if it is allowed to come to fruition, nothing else would matter. His victory would be absolute, and it would spell doom for all that we care for."

"Tell us what you know, Zero," Kirihara said softly.

xXx

"In summary, Kanimejima is the key," Lelouch concluded. "Just as Genbu Kururugi became obsessed with the island and the ruins there before his death, to the point of trying to conceal its location from the public, they are a place of tremendous importance to my father and the Cognitive Psience research that he has pursued. Individual changes of heart or mental shutdowns will be the least of anyone's problems if that research is allowed to continue further. My father will soon be able to apply those principles on a grand scale, allowing him to utterly wipe out any opposition. But the island is also his Achilles' Heel. The Black Knights can only change the hearts of powerful individuals, such as my father, if we can gain physical access to a location which that person is deeply connected to. That is true of my father and Kaminejima. A mental shutdown could be forced upon him from there as well. And if we can do either... we win."

"Although I did not bring it up at our earlier meetings," Kirihara finally spoke up after patiently listening, "there was another reason for Prime Minister Kururugi's interest in Kaminejima, besides whatever power he thought he could harness there... power that the Emperor now seems to have discovered."

"What was that?" Lelouch asked curiously.

"The Kururugi family is a distinguished one, but few appreciate just how far back their lineage really goes," Kirihara replied. "While the Sumeragi family has been one of Kyoto's most prominent since its founding, with ties of blood to the former Imperial House of Japan, the Kururugi family may be older still, though they lived in relative obscurity until the Edo period. Before that, they lived on Shikinejima, and served as the caretakers of Kaminejima. Even back then, it was seen as a sacred place. Upon moving to the mainland, the Kururugi family quickly gained influence, and enough wealth to construct the shrine that you stayed at during your childhood, with their family tree eventually entwining with that of the Sumeragi line. Knowing what you have told me now, I wonder if it was more than just political acumen and skill with the blade that enabled their rise."

The Kururugi family's connection to Kaminejima went that far back?! That was an... unsettling revelation, to say the least. He could easily imagine one of Suzaku's ancestors, possessed of a temperament similar to Genbu's, using secrets gleaned from the ruins to further their own ambitions, catapulting them from a small and remote island to the heart of Japanese society, joining the ranks of its highest elites. Or had it been an ancestor more like Suzaku, who began by telling himself he would use his family's secrets to do good, but had prospered only by inevitably propping up a tyrant? How much did Suzaku know? Or had Genbu kept that knowledge to himself, and taken it to the grave with him?

In any case, it pointed to another political dynasty built atop the study of a Thought Elevator, just as the Britannian Imperial Family had constructed Pendragon over one, and and prior to the Humiliation of Edinburgh, the old capital of London had been on the site of yet another Thought Elevator.

"That may be true," Lelouch replied, not letting himself show any unease in front of Kirihara, "but we must remain focused on the here and now if we are to put a stop to my father's plans."

"You speak well, Zero, but actually reaching Kaminejima to do so will be a tall order," Kirihara said. "Even then, you must realize that there is a significant chance that you will not return from this mission."

"I am prepared to kill him, if that is what it takes to put a stop to his madness," Lelouch replied without flinching. "And so I must be prepared to be killed. Besides, everyone in the Black Knights risks their lives whenever we attempt to change the heart of a target. If I'm not willing to put my life on the line beside all of theirs, then why should they follow me?"

"But you're not going to die, are you?" Kaguya asked in a way that did not brook disagreeing with her, crossing her arms as she did so. "You've beaten the odds time and again, accomplishing what no one else thought possible! Not only did you bring down Clovis, which none our efforts here in the Six Houses or the JLF managed to do, even after years of trying, but you then toppled the High Eunuchs and broke their hold over the Chinese Federation. If anyone can take down Cornelia and the Emperor, and come back to tell the tale, it's you!"

Lelouch clearly felt Kaguya's earnest passion and belief in him shining through the bond of the Sun Arcana that they shared.

"Thank you, Kaguya," he told her, and he couldn't help but smile a little. "Don't worry. While I must be prepared for any outcome, I have no intention of letting myself, or anyone I care for, be killed."

"I'd expect nothing less from you," she replied, returning his smile.

Lelouch had been sure for a moment that she was going to say 'from my future husband' instead, as she rarely missed a chance to do so. Likely, she had thought it, but its absence was still conspicuous to him. Yet in other ways, Kaguya would probably never change... but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. More than a little optimism would be needed for the task of rebuilding Japan after the downfall of Britannia, and that was something that Kaguya had in abundance.

"Let's get back to the logistics of our operations, Zero," Tohdoh said. "When we launch our attack, Britannia will be obligated to defend the Tokyo Settlement. They will likely draw off air units from their base on Shikinejima. With the element of surprise, we should be able to secure cover within the Settlement before they can arrive, and then use hit-and-run tactics with what surface-to-air weapons that we have to thin out their numbers. Some elements of Britannia's navy may be redeployed to Tokyo Bay as well, though they would take longer to arrive. In either case, you would use their lowered defenses as an opening to approach Kaminejima."

"Correct," Lelouch said, nodding. "I believe that it's a safe assumption that the garrison at Shikinejima is not aware of how important Kaminejima is to the Emperor, given the degree to which he has concealed his true intentions from the Britannian public, most of the military, and even the rest of the Imperial family for so many years." He paused for a moment and scowled. "Unfortunately, my father is not an idiot, and there will undoubtedly be a small, and most likely elite unit stationed on Kaminejima, with strict orders not to respond to calls for help from the mainland. But if we can get that far to begin with, then our first objective will be clear, and we'll find a way around whatever forces he has on the island ourselves."

There would, of course, also be powerful Shadows in the Distorted region surrounding his father's Palace in the Metaverse, as they had seen during their trip to Kamine Island earlier that summer. But that was not a complication that Tohdoh, Kirihara, or Kaguya needed to know about.

"Indeed, we will be unable to aid you further, once you reach Kaminejima," Kirihara said. "But I shall provide you with whatever material support you may require in the meantime. Do you already have a transport secured?"

"We do," Lelouch replied, thinking of the Grandberry. "Though I have been looking for contingencies, should we be unable to board our planned transport for any reason."

Kirihara nodded. "I will see what my contacts can provide then."

"And in the meantime, I'll be working on the diplomatic front, doing my part to see you to victory," Kaguya spoke up. "When I meet with Empress Tianzi, I'm sure that I'll be able to secure her support!"

"That could quickly escalate to a war between Britannia and the Chinese Federation, with Japan in the middle," Tohdoh cautioned. "And I imagine that her advisors have their hands full trying to hold their Federation together as it is."

"That ongoing internal strife may limit what assistance they can provide us," Kirihara said. He turned his gaze to Kaguya. "You are remarkably talented, especially for your age, but you should be prepared to temper your expectations."

"With all due respect, Lord Kirihara, why should she temper her expectations?" Lelouch asked, stepping forward as he did so. "As we stand here, history continues to be made, as the Chinese Federation begins to chart a new path forward. People are watching, thinking that if the High Eununch's regime can fall, practically overnight, then why can't the same happen here? But history doesn't happen on its own, and fortune favors the bold. Those who worry so much about risks or falling short that they let real opportunities slip through their fingers will never change things for the better. The time for action could not be more critical!" He felt himself growing angry. "Frankly, you should look in a mirror and contemplate what you've even been doing for the last seven years if you're so ready to resign yourself to disappointment, and set Kaguya up for failure before she's even had a chance to work!"

"That's right!" Kaguya said, taking her own step forward, so that she stood by Lelouch's side. "My mission to the Chinese Federation will only be the beginning! Besides the possibility of military aid, recognition of Japan's right to independence from Britannia by a great power would serve to legitimize us on the world stage, and encourage those in other Areas to seek their independence as well. The next step would be to make common cause with those nations. Any that successfully manage to free themselves from Britannia will need to be able to deter other, more powerful nations if their independence is to last." The conviction in her voice grew as she saw no immediate rebuttals to her words. "Thus, we should seek to establishment a mutual defensive federation of nations. Ideally, we should form strong economic ties with them as well, so that we can rebuild our countries together, while avoiding dependence on powers that are unfriendly to us, and that would seek to exploit us. It will hard, yes, but with Zero's help, I will make it a reality!"

Lelouch had seen Kaguya disagree with Kirihara before, but never quite like this. In the past, it had usually been the old industrialist calling Kaguya out on her childish antics. Now, Kaguya was arguing forcefully, cogently, and demonstrating a multifaceted understanding of international relations. The plan that she had just articulated was even remarkably similar to one that he might have devised himself for the post-Britannia world, had he not been preoccupied with stopping Ragnarok recently.

Kirihara had been silent on his dais since Lelouch had stepped forward, and had kept listening as Kaguya spoke. He waited for several seconds after she finished, and then said slowly, "Lelouch has chastened me before... though I didn't think I would be finding myself lectured by you so soon, Kaguya."

Kaguya's expression faltered for a moment, and then changed to one of confusion as Kirihara began laughing heartily.

"He has rubbed off on you, Kaguya! And in a most pleasing way! Since your encounter with him back on Tanabata, I had been worried that you were relapsing into behaviors unbefitting of your position as a member of the Six Houses. But now, I see you blooming into the leader you were raised to be."

"Twice, actually," Kaguya said softly. "Once, in the woods outside the Kururugi Shrine, where he frightened me out of being the selfish bully that I used to be. And again, over these past few weeks. I can't say how honored I've been to not only make his acquaintance again, but to become someone that he can confide in. Though, in all honesty, I've been the one confiding more in him."

"That is true," Kirihara replied, nodding. "He is a remarkable young man." He turned his gaze to Lelouch. "And all the while, you remain fully committed to your path, Zero, even if the blood shed at the end of it includes your own." Kirihara sighed. "I am getting old. I have enjoyed good health for many years, but constantly having to play 'Kirihara the Traitor' and outwardly collaborate with Britannia's vile depredations of this country, has slowly but surely taken its toll on my body. Every day ages me more than the last, and I expect that I will be called to Yomi in no more than a few years' time."

A look of concern appeared on Kaguya's face, and she started to say something, but her old mentor held up his hand.

"Perhaps it will be even sooner than that" Kirihara continued. "Cornelia continues to tighten her noose. I know that she suspects me, as she should, and I have little doubt that she will soon move to have me and the other leaders of the Six Houses arrested, whether she has hard proof of our treachery or not. I myself cannot leave the country at this point, as it would surely be taken as an admission of guilt. That would only push up Cornelia's purge, bringing it immediately upon us." He turned back to Kaguya. "But because of your age, you are wrongly perceived as less of a threat to Britannia."

"Is that why you chose me to go to the Chinese Federation?" Kaguya asked, frowning. "So that I would be the one among our number to survive and rebuild?"

"That was part of it, yes," Kirihara admitted. "But I am certain now that you will accomplish far more than that. With little more than words, a pen, and the proper spark provided by Zero, you will drive a sword into Britannia's presumed domination." He let out a wry laugh. "You are far more dangerous to the Empire than I ever could be, Kaguya."

"And so you achieve multiple objectives with one action," Lelouch said. "That's one strength you've always had, Lord Kirihara. Though you couldn't have held influence throughout so many administrations, Japanese and Britannian, without being a chessmaster in your own right."

"But in that respect both you and Kaguya are greater still, Zero," Kirihara replied with a worn yet proud smile. "One way or the other, my days are numbered. I have seen the ruin or violation of almost everything that I once cared for. I also expect that, even should I one day be able to publicly affirm my true loyalty to Japan again, my reputation will never fully recover among the people. And nor should it, after the many crimes I was obliged to commit against them in order to maintain my cover. No matter what amends I may make, they will never fully repay the many innocent lives that I allowed to be destroyed, so that Japan might endure."

There was a heavy silence. Tohdoh, deferential as ever to Kirihara, shifted slightly, but waited for the leader of the Six Houses to resume speaking.

"I believe, at our last meeting, you used the metaphor comparing the fall of Japan to a tower collapsing after being smote by lightning, Zero. It was one that I found quite apt. In my folly, I did not take the danger seriously enough until it was too late, and so I was cast from the heights of my hubris. I thought myself humbled and wiser from the experience... but I clung to my old ways, no matter how fruitless my efforts were. But now it is plain to me; my role was to guide Kaguya and support you, but, most importantly, for both of you to see and reach beyond my failings."

The tiredness faded from Kirihara's smile, replaced with grandfatherly warmth. "Yet that is as it should be; the future belongs to the younger generations. And after you sunder Britannia's edifice of oppression from above, like a bolt of divine retribution, your task will be to build a new world from the ruins of the old. It will challenge you, as it is far easier to destroy than it is to create. But you will not carry that burden alone, Zero; Kaguya, Tohdoh, Lady Breisgau, and all of those whose lives you have touched for the better will play important parts of their own. And thus, I know that the world will be in good hands... and I will see you bring it into being."

I am thou… thou art I

Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion

And break the yoke of thy heart.

Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret

of the Tower, granting thee infinite power…

So soon?! Coming into the meeting, Lelouch hadn't expected that yet. But the surge of power in the sea of his soul was undeniable, once again giving rise to a new possibility with him: Yoshitsune, the Betrayed Warrior. How oddly fitting it was to serve as the realization of his bond with the man the public called 'the Traitor'.

"Thank you, Lord Kirihara," Lelouch said, bowing deeply. "I'm aware that what I'm saying now won't quite make sense without a full knowledge of how the Black Knights do their work, but the trust that you've just shown in me will make taking down my father that much easier."

"Whatever your methods, I am pleased to hear that, Zero."

"And while I'm on the topic of the Black Knights..." Lelouch turned to Kaguya. "When you visit Tianzi, make sure you speak to Li Xingke as well. As her bodyguard, you should find him at her side. He worked with us when we took down Gao Hai. He'll be able to understand firsthand the significance of us being able to change my father's heart at Kaminejima - and why only those like us can stop him there."

"I'll see that I do!"

xXx

The meeting with Kirihara and Kaguya concluded, but Lelouch still had the deal that he had made with Tohdoh to honor.

In retrospect, why had he thought it would be a good idea to ask for this sort of training?

There was the obvious time aspect; he could meet with Tohdoh far less regularly than he could with someone like Sayoko, who he saw every day at Ashford Academy. And with the necessity of reaching Kaminejima as soon as possible, he could hardly offer the sort of long-term commitment that truly benefitted from Tohdoh's instruction.

Well, that wasn't necessarily true. Depending on how quickly Britannia fell, and the state of the world afterward, the Black Knights might remain in the hearts-changing business for some time, in which case he would have more opportunities to practice with Tohdoh afterwards, and put any skills learned to practical use.

No, it wasn't a matter of 'depending'. His mind wandered to the hypothesized Treasure of the Public. Even as far back as Izu, he had reasoned that it logically had to exist as the core of Mementos, assuming it followed the same fundamental rules as other Palaces. While Mementos had a number of peculiarities due to being shaped by the Cognition of countless individuals rather than just one powerful Shadow, he saw little reason to doubt that underlying assumption.

It was all too easy to let Mementos slip to the back of his mind when faced with the far more immediate threat of Ragnarok, but the very existence of a Treasure of the Public, if it indeed did exist, had ominous implications. After all, Charles zi Britannia, while publicly one of the most vocal proponents of Social Darwinism, had not created those attitudes in Britannia, nor the kleptocracy of the Chinese Federation under the High Eunuchs, or the spineless plutocrats of the E.U. and the racism that it showed to its own colonies and Numbers living there in exile, which was just a slightly lighter shade of Britannia's own oppression. And the old Japan had strongly valued conformity, repressing those who stood out through the ostracism of their peers, and robbing them of the agency to make meaningful change. Pointing out the corruption that had taken root in their midst would all too often be perceived as an attack on social harmony and stability, turning victims into villains in the public's collective mind. The brutality of the Britannian occupation had only heightened the xenophobia felt by much of the Japanese public, but it had long been part of the fabric of their society, an extension of the distrust felt toward anyone who did not fit into its narrow mold.

Distorted desires powerful enough to form Palaces tended to fester with time. Left unchecked, would a Treasure in Mementos mean that any real attempt at reform would ultimately be-?

"You're distracted! Focus!" Tohdoh reprimanded him. Before Lelouch had a chance to respond, Tohdoh swung a wooden training sword to deal a heavy blow that left him momentarily dazed and on the ground.

That brought Lelouch to the more fundamental reason why his training with Tohdoh had been poorly conceived: their preferred fighting styles were incompatible with each other's.

For starters, the weapon was all wrong for him. The practice sword was much longer than the dagger that he was accustomed to using, and while it was made of wood rather than metal, its size made it heavier as well. The resulting awkwardness, compounded with Tohdoh's far superior physical strength in the real world, and the lieutenant colonel's insistence on honorable means of fighting, meant that it hadn't taken long for Lelouch to be repeatedly knocked flat against the floor.

"I'll admit, that one was on me. But if this was a real battle, I wouldn't meet a superior opponent head-on either," Lelouch grumbled, raising himself to meet Tohdoh in the eye. "To do so would be suicidal. You clearly understand this, Tohdoh. I've studied the tactics you used at Itsukushima. You didn't achieve your miracle there by playing nice. It took some work piecing it all together, as Britannia has heavily censored reports of the battle, preferring to blame the incompetence of lower-ranking officers for their defeat, in spite of what should have been an overwhelming numerical advantage on their part. But the Miracle of Itsukushima should be rightfully attributed to your effective use of battlefield fortifications to impede Britannia's Knightmares long enough to pin them down with an artillery barrage. Carefully laid mines and expertly coordinated hit-and-run attacks further sapped the enemy's strength and morale."

Where another man might have been flattered by the praise, Tohdoh was unmoved, only giving Lelouch a stern look.

"Even goading them to attack Itsukushima in the first place was brilliant on your part," Lelouch continued. "It drew them away from the far more strategically important cities of Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. I'm guessing the enemy thought that if they could defeat you and raze its famous shrine and temples, it would help break Japan's spirit. But they were wrong. And even in the present day, you've conserved your forces by letting Britannia come to you in the countryside, where you can easily wreak havoc with their logistics, and fall back to defensible mountain fortifications as needed, never staying at any one place for long, so that you can keep the enemy guessing. So why shouldn't we use more creative approaches here as well?"

"You are impatient," Tohdoh said, "Much of what you said earlier to Lord Kirihara and Lady Sumeragi was true. But to act as you are now, when you asked for this training yourself, is petulant, and shows that you do not understand the purpose of the exercise. Discipline, honor, and mental fortitude are essential for the wise warrior."

"What good is honor when Britannia has none itself?" Lelouch asked incredulously. "Only underhanded means, like the traps you set for Britannia at Itsukushima, or us changing the hearts of our targets, have a chance of prevailing against such a powerful and ruthlessly implacable foe." But of course Tohdoh would be locked in such hypocritical thinking; he had been Suzaku's teacher, after all.

"There is a time and place for such means," Tohdoh said. "But to be known as one without honor is damning if you seek to build a lasting peace after the war is won. You must recognize the lie on your own lips. Even Lady Kaguya would abhor you if you were to cast your honor aside entirely, and you would likewise be abandoned by your allies."

Lelouch grimaced because he knew that, at least on some level, Tohdoh was right, and being forced to admit that he was wrong, even if only to himself, was something that his pride ever chafed against. He had allowed himself to be constrained from using certain methods that he would have once considered fair game in his vendetta against his father and Britannia, out of the need to maintain his friends' support in the Metaverse, putting forward the image of being a 'knight for justice'. Now, it wasn't so much a concession to them, but a gradual internalization of their values that kept him from truly becoming a demon, though a certain ruthlessness would always remain within him.

Lelouch didn't say any of that out loud, but judging from Tohdoh's expression, the lieutenant colonel saw through him all the same.

Thankfully, Tohdoh decided that further sword practice for the day would be pointless, giving Lelouch a much-needed respite. He instead directed Lelouch to meditate as a way of further developing mental discipline, reflecting on the lesson, and calming himself, which was something that Tohdoh said he made a habit of doing before battle, if given the opportunity.

But quickly, Lelouch found that meditation was somehow even more difficult for him than the physical training had been. He knew that he was supposed to clear his mind, yet that was almost impossible for him. There was a part of him that was always planning and calculating, critiquing his every move as it ran through and evaluated possible scenarios for any situation, while another part of him was constantly critiquing the critic. Cornelia's Palace and Ragnarok continued to intrude into his thoughts, and on top of that, there were the voices of his Personas within him, individually quiet but combining into a seeming cacophony of noise, as his attempts to momentarily shut them out had only served to make him hyper-aware of them.

Changing tactics, he searched for a silent place within his heart, a place of calm where he would be able to properly focus. For a moment, he succeeded. But the surrounding din encroached on all sides, and as soon as he tried to fend it off, the calm was shattered.

"How does a mind more active than most quiet itself?" he finally asked Tohdoh, opening his eyes. "No matter how I try, I can't seem to empty my mind."

"It's a common misconception that your mind needs to be empty during meditation," Tohdoh replied. "The key is attention. When you seek to forcibly drive out unwanted thoughts, you not only divert that attention, but you commit violence against yourself. Note them, but let them pass by without unduly dwelling upon them, and then return your awareness to a mantra, your breathing, or anything else that will help maintain your focus."

Committing violence against himself? That sounded just like how people rejected and repressed their Shadows, allowing them to eventually grow out of control. Tohdoh didn't know about Personas or Shadows of course, but his words resonated with Lelouch all the same.

Lelouch found he had somewhat more success after heeding Tohdoh's advice, though obviously he was still far from perfect with his meditation technique. But as he continued to practice, an idea occurred him - by being more focused on what mattered, and letting go of superfluous trains of thought, might he be able to better conserve his mental resources, so that he would not feel the strain of summoning his Personas as soon as before?

Noting the thought and putting it aside for further consideration at a later time, Lelouch directed his attention to the rhythm of his breathing once more. At first, he had found that he was getting unusually self-conscious. He felt his breath passing in and out of his airways with far greater sensitivity than he usually did, as it was something that he usually didn't pay much attention to at all. It just felt weird.

But as Lelouch continued to focus on his breathing, the exercise began to feel strangely familiar. He had experienced the attenuation of his senses before, so that what remained was preternaturally clear to him.

It was remarkably similar to using the Third Eye that Igor had bestowed upon him.

Maintaining his focus was much easier once he realized that. Part of him was tempted to 'cheat' by using the Third Eye outright instead of meditating without any sort of supernatural aid, but he made sure that this time he actually listened to the advice of the Persona Valkyrie of the Strength Arcana, and refrained from doing so. He had already made several missteps with Tohdoh because of his pride, and that was counterproductive to the goal of strengthening their bond and subsequently his Persona abilities.

"You still need a bit of work, but I'll admit that I'm surprised that you improved so quickly over a single session," Tohdoh said as they finished. "Meditation is not a skill that comes easily to many people, especially in this day and age. There are so many distractions that maintaining deep attention on any one thing feels unnatural to them. And that was before Britannia invaded. Now, when the Japanese people must struggle each day just to survive, it's even more difficult. But in such times, it's even more important to remain strong in both body and mind."

Lelouch felt the power of the Strength Arcana grow within him.

"Thank you," he said to Tohdoh with a polite bow.

xXx

Lelouch returned to the Ashford Academy Clubhouse, later than he usually did after meetings with Kyoto, due to the extra time he had spent with Tohdoh, though not so late as to draw suspicion or break Cornelia's curfew. He then had dinner with Nunnally, and updated her on what he had discussed with Kirihara, Kaguya, and Tohdoh. He was careful not to mention his encounter with Nemo in the Velvet Room the night before, as he could not do so without both breaking his promise to her Shadow and giving the game away to Igor.

"I'm glad to hear that it went well, big brother," Nunnally said after he finished. "Not only did you get a new Persona, but you sound so proud of Lady Kaguya!"

"Indeed," Lelouch replied, "Her proposal was quite pleasing to me, and I think it will be an important step forward for us."

"But what will Kallen, Shirley, and Leila say?" Nunnally asked, with a mischievous look in her eyes.

Belatedly, Lelouch realized that 'proposal' had more than one meaning.

"Not that sort of proposal, Nunnally!" Lelouch said. Really, that sounded just like something Milly would have said, and that was not an influence he needed rubbing off on his little sister. "I was talking about her diplomatic proposal, for a federation of nations!" He shook his head. "Kaguya's never actually made the other sort of proposal, as she always seemed to take it for granted that I would be her 'future husband', without asking if I wanted that or not. Though at least she didn't bring it up today, so it's a sign that she's becoming more mature about such things."

"Oh, I know you were, big brother," Nunnally said sweetly. "Nemo just wanted to see what your reaction would be, so I obliged her."

Wonderful. Nemo was planting ideas like that directly into Nunnally's conscious mind. Milly's influence couldn't hope to compete with that.

But now that Nunnally had brought up Nemo herself...

"You mean that you wanted to see what my reaction would be, Nunnally. As your Shadow, Nemo is part of you after all."

"Oh, I know that. But she still seems so different from me at times." Nunnally glanced to the side, as if looking at someone who wasn't there, and grimaced. "I'm sorry, Nemo. I know you don't like hearing that. And there is a lot of you that I recognize in myself, deep down. I know the frustration and resentment that you've felt for so long, because it's my own. But there's so much hatred in you as well. I want to understand why you feel that way, but no matter how I try... it always feel like there's something very important that I'm missing."

"It's more evidence that someone used Cognitive Psience to tamper with our memories back when we were young," Lelouch scowled, "just like with Oldrin and Marrybell. And there's no way to tell how many times they did it either." His expression darkened. "With as much care as our father showed us, it's a wonder he didn't just arrange for us to 'disappear' after an assassin broke into the Aries Villa. No one would think it odd if we also died in the attack that claimed our mother's life. He could have even had one or both of us turned into test subjects for his twisted Cognitive research. That certainly would line up with the Order's known modus operandi. He even could have..."

Lelouch froze with dawning horror.

He didn't have solid proof for his hypothesis... but it would explain all too much about why there were so many gaps in Nunnally's memories, how she came to have such unstable Persona abilities, the unique nature of her Shadow, and said Shadow's antipathy toward their mother.

Shadows were created from repressed thoughts, emotions, and desires. The more that had to be repressed, or the stronger those feelings were, the more powerful the Shadow became. Nunnally already had enough childhood psychological trauma from her mother's murder to last a lifetime. Even though her conscious memories of the event were false ones, as Nemo had revealed to him, her subsequent crippling by being repeatedly shot in the legs was very real. But those weren't things that Nemo could really blame their mother for, and the memories that had been erased seemed like they had to extend back before Marianne's assassination.

But what crime would both damage Nunnally's psyche enough to birth a Shadow as vengeful as Nemo and require that any memories relating to it be erased, so that Nunnally would never be able to ask anyone for help, as she wouldn't consciously remember anything being wrong?

Lelouch felt himself on the verge of becoming violently sick.

Since her early childhood, Nunnally had most likely been one of the Eden Vital Order's test subjects for Cognitive Psience research, much as the Irregulars that Nunnally now led had once been to Prince Clovis. It was a realization that had immediately brought graphic memories of the gruesome, inhumane experiments that he had seen in the late Viceroy's Palace to the surface of his mind. But it wasn't something he could turn away from.

Nemo behaved so differently from normal Shadows, seemingly breaking several of the basic rules that governed Shadows and Personas alike, because she was probably, at least in part, an artificial creation, her development hastened by the experiments that had deeply scarred Nunnally's psyche. The Order's Cognitive Psience researchers demonstrably had few qualms about violating their victim's minds in the most fundamental ways, so that they could be put back together in forms of the Order's choosing. To them, Nunnally might have been seen as a failed attempt to artificially induce a Persona nearly a decade before Clovis successfully did so with Mao and the Irregulars, only for her to unlock that power years later, when she had already been discarded as useless to their plans, save for lulling Japan into a false sense of security as a hostage.

Or perhaps the production of an unusually powerful and independent Shadow had been their goal all along. He recalled the Irregulars' report of the Lost, people whose Shadows had been forcibly extracted from them by the Order and set loose as roving monsters guarding the Metaverse version of their underground city. But a particularly strong Shadow that retained much of the personality and hidden desires of its host had far more in common with a Palace Ruler. Had they been trying to give Nunnally a Palace so that they could study it in detail? It was impossible to say for sure.

It was entirely possible that he had been experimented on by the Order too, only to have his memories of it wiped as well. But if that was the case, the damage that Nunnally's mind had suffered had to run far deeper than whatever had been done to him. He had been able to fully sublimate his own Shadow into Arsene. Nunnally had never truly achieved the same. She was left with too much fear, anger, and hatred that she had never been given the chance to consciously work through. And without that, she wasn't able to fully accept Nemo.

If at least the basic hypothesis, that Nunnally was a victim of Cognitive Psience research, was true, then it followed that Nemo held their mother as being responsible for it in some way. But how far did Marianne vi Britannia's guilt extend? Was she a fully willing participant in Nunnally's torment? Nemo acted like that was the case, but Lelouch recoiled from that thought. Nemo had exposed that their mother was far more vicious than he had allowed himself to see in their childhood, and a sadist toward her enemies, but their mother had also always been the first to protect them whenever anyone had tried to pick on them. Marianne would have butchered anyone who was so cruel to Nunnally.

Could their mother have known about the research, but not realized the true extent of its depravity, at least at first? If she believed that the Order's Cognitive Psientists were helping to protect her beloved children from possible threats lurking in the Metaverse, what reason would she have to refuse? Their mother could have given her consent out of love and the very best of intentions, only to be kept in the dark about the ugly details, and Nemo would still absolutely blame her for that.

But if that was true, Lelouch couldn't say that Nemo was entirely wrong to feel that way either. As the saying went, the road to hell was paved with good intentions. It was just a matter of how much blame truly rested with their mother versus the Order's researchers.

Another possibility was that Marianne was innocent of involvement in any of the experiments that the Order might have performed on Nunnally, with them being done without her knowledge. But that wasn't a good look for their mother either. It would speak to the worst sort of ignorance, and Marianne hadn't survived for as long as she had, nor protected her children from Pendragon's scheming court, by being ignorant of the dangers around them.

Where did the truth lie? He desperately needed answers, but Nemo was frustratingly reticent wherever their mother was concerned, only revealing small portions of what she knew at a time because she claimed he wouldn't be able to handle it all at once.

Yet in fairness to Nemo, if he had just stumbled on part of the truth, and this was his reaction to it, she had been correct. He couldn't contain his nausea much longer, and he didn't know how he was going to sleep that night. Not knowing exactly what had been done to Nunnally, and possibly himself, meant that his imagination readily supplied all manners of horrific imagery, whether he wanted it to or not.

But one thing was clear to him. Anything that the Order had done to his sister or himself had to have been approved by their father, and if their mother had tried to put an end to it, that would have made her a liability to their plans. And both the Order and his father were known to eliminate those they saw as liabilities.

All of that transpired in just a few seconds, as his mind worked in overdrive.

"Big brother, are you okay?!" Nunnally said as her eyes widened, picking up on his distress.

Without replying, Lelouch ran to their bathroom as quickly as he could, and threw up.

Days Until the Six Houses are Purged: ?

Do You Support the Black Knights?

Yes: 39.2%.

(A/N):

To my chagrin, real life once again kept me busy for some time, often leaving me without time or energy to write. So I am very glad to finally be able to share this chapter with you, which I have been slowly chipping away at over the last several months. It was also important that I take the time to get things right, especially as the story nears its final arcs.

While I'm sure that many people wanted Lelouch to have a Max Confidants run, I believe my approach, as shown in this chapter, is both better for the pacing of the story at this point, given the narrative constraints that have been established, and truer to Lelouch as a character, as well as to the typical Persona 5 experience. While Persona 5 is far more forgiving than entries such as Persona 3 FES when it comes to maximizing all Confidants/Social Links, doing so on a first playthrough remains difficult if playing through blind or not using a guide to select the best responses during Confidant events. And since Lelouch is essentially on a 'blind' playthrough, and still doesn't have the best social skills (even though he has greatly improved since the start of the story), him doing perfectly would be be very unrealistic. Now, if somehow Lelouch was to somehow get back on track for Max Confidants naturally within the story, then that's fine, but I'm not going to FORCE him to max all Confidants at this point.

The scene with Kyoto was originally part of the first draft of Chapter 74, albeit in a significantly different form. The original version involved contacting both Tianzi and Xingke, who were involved in the conversation. But upon receiving feedback from one of my betas, I decided that including them on a direct line to Kyoto was a bit too contrived, and that the pacing of the scene was majorly wrong, with far too much unnecessary repetition of plot points that the audience already knows.

Mada is the ultimate Persona of the Tower Arcana in Persona 5. However, thematically, I felt that Yoshitsune fit Kirihara's Confidant better. Yoshitsune is also an immensely powerful Persona in his own right, and is the second-highest level Tower Persona in the original game. Therefore, I will just assume that Mada and Yoshitsune's relative places in the Tower Arcana are swapped in this story.

The scene with Tohdoh was also originally part of Chapter 74's draft, and one that my betas liked better. I wanted to work in meditation to the scene because not only is Tohdoh shown to practice it in the show, but because it is thematically relevant to the Strength Arcana, which has more to do with mental fortitude, discipline, and gentleness, than it does with brute physical prowess. While working it back into this chapter, I saw a parallel between how meditation serves to focus one's attention, and the Third Eye as it has been previously depicted in this story, so I added that as well.

The point about the Kururugi family's connection to Kaminejima was brought to my attention by one of my betas, who let me know that, according to interviews with the authors of Code Geass, this was part of their originally intended backstory for Suzaku, but due to the show's production difficulties, it was never explored.

As for Lelouch's realization about Nunnally's probable past at the end of the chapter, I took inspiration from certain details from Code Geass light novels, though I will refrain from further elaborating on them at this time, due to their nature as spoilers. Lelouch of course, compressed a very large amount of thought into an unrealistically short time while analyzing what likely happened to Nunnally, but that is in keeping with his characterization in the show.

Lastly, I know it has been a difficult several months for many of us. Britannia and its evils may be fictional, but war, genocide, racism, all manners of bigotry, authoritarianism, and disinformation/propaganda are unfortunately very real and a part of our world, as are strongmen and Social Darwinists, whether in the mold of Emperor Charles or Persona 5's Shido. It can be disheartening when these forces appear to be on rise, and rapidly gaining strength, and for many of us, all too close to home. Many seem to losing faith in or actively attempting subvert democratic processes. In times of uncertainty, many may be tempted to willingly surrender freedoms to a strongman, and with it, their own agency to make real change.

But if there is a lesson we can learn from both Code Geass and Persona 5, it is not to be part of the apathetic masses who are silent as they let their freedoms slip away, or look the other way as the powerful prey upon the vulnerable or anyone who they can demonize and cast as being different from themselves. Individually, our voices can seem weak and insignificant agains the tide of intolerance, ignorance, and hate. We may not be able to reform the corrupt by stealing their hearts like the Phantom Thieves, or use Geass like Lelouch's canonical self to topple an Empire, but we can make our voices heard, and stand up for rights that are under attack, and against those who would create a Britannia - or worse - in our midst. It may never be easy, but you are not alone, and together we can work to bring about a kinder and gentler world.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and thank you for reading!