Vice-Minster Meeting Room
"No connection — the viceroy wasn't the only one asking what was going on." The Vice-Minister said, disproving any connection that Cornelia might be a traitor.
"But in any case, our connections with them need to be..." A member said.
"Hmm, right, we'll have to sever ties with them at once." The Vice-Minister said, but suddenly the doors opened, revealing Darlton and Bartley.
"I'm afraid it's too late." Darlton said as the Vice-Minister and his members looked in surprise. "All the evidence has already been gathered, Vice-Minister — namely that N.A.C. profit-sharing bribe." Darlton said with a smirk.
"I appreciate this, Gen. Darlton." Bartley complimented. "With this...with this, we can finally sweep away the parasites who were sucking Prince Clovis dry. There are more rats than expected… And all of them are confused by Princess Euphemia's proposed special zone, aren't they?" Bartley said to himself.
...
SAZ
Many Japanese were lining up, registering to be part of the Special Administrative Zone of Japan, Euphemia and Suzaku watched from above.
"Over two hundred thousand people have applied to join the Japan Special Zone. The way things look, that number's only going to grow." Suzaku said with a smile.
"Thanks to you, Suzaku." Euphemia told him kindly, surprising him. "Because of what you represent to the Japanese people, everyone is rallying. They believe in what we're doing here." She told him.
"No, you're giving me too much credit. It must be due to your proclamation, Princess. I'm truly thankful for this. I really am." Suzaku said happily.
"Just as I'm thankful to you. And I hope you're going to help me with everything that's still to come." Euphemia said.
"Yes, Your–" Suzaku was about to give a knight salute before Euphemia interrupted.
"Not like that." Euphemia lightly scolded.
"Oh. Yes." Suzaku said with a kind smile, putting down the salute. Euphemia returned the smile.
...
Viceroy Palace
"Euphie really is amazing, isn't she? Now the terrorist groups in Area 11 will lose their popular support and fall apart. Public order will be stabilized." Schneizel said over the communicator
"I personally oppose this." Cornelia dejected.
"But since you understand the situation, you've sent Darlton to advise her, have you not?" Schneizel asked.
"To ensure public policy stays on track — it's a measure that a Viceroy would obviously take." Cornelia told him.
"Hmm…Did you approve her future plans as the Viceroy or as her older sister?" Schneizel asked, surprising Cornelia. "Onto another subject, how's Joseph condition?" He asked.
"Still the same, but the doctor says his wound is healing at a surprising steady pace, so we have hope." Cornelia told encouragingly.
"Well he has always been a fighter, ever since he was born." Schneizel complimented, though internally he was quite intrigued.
The MRI results the doctor showed him were fascinating to say the least and it just poked his curiosity even more.
"I wonder if the cave back on Kamine Island has a connection to all of this..." Schneizel thought to himself.
...
Mt. Fuji
The members of Kyoto argued amongst each other about this development.
"The Japan Special Zone doesn't sound that bad."
"A shadow of Japan that's given to us out of pity is worthless!"
"We were granted this concession by the Britannians as a result of our resistance efforts; it's nothing to be ashamed of." Kirihara told them calmly.
"Lord Kirihara! I heard a rumor that you'll be given a favored position in the Special Zone in exchange for the Sakuradite mining rights!" Osakabe accused.
"Don't be suspicious; it's merely a request to join the ceremony." Kirihara said calmly but not liking the accusation.
"That's a clever excuse." Munakata said.
"How dare you…" Kirihara said, starting to get angry.
While they were bickering a 15-year old long-black-haired girl named Kaguya observed from behind the blinds, waiting to give her input.
"Zero…what about him and all the Black Knights?" She finally asked.
They didn't answer, as they just sat there and contemplated.
...
The Black Knights Base
"The situation's serious; it's not only supporters. Some of the members within our own ranks have already applied to join the Special Zone." Tohdoh said cautiously.
"Unlike the Black Knights, there's no risk involved in signing up for the Japan Special Zone." Diethard said warily.
"Besides, when you compare the pedigreed princess with the mysterious, unknown man behind the mask, it's obvious which one exudes more appeal." Rakshata said.
"Yeah, but we have a prince on our side too! Kallen, go get your boyfriend to wake up and make a statement for us." Tamaki said.
To which, Kallen smacked him in the back of the head with an angry red blush.
"He's not my boyfriend!" Kallen said scoldingly.
"Who also happens to be the black sheep of his family. No matter how popular he is now. So it might not change much." Tohdoh said.
"There's a rumor that Kyoto's cooperating with them too." Minami mentioned.
"What's up with that?!" Tamaki asked angrily.
"They're offering equality — that's why." Sugiyama said.
"Equality my ass! Don't just take their word for it." Kallen argued.
"I agree. But unless we decide how to respond to this quickly…" Asahina commented.
While they debated about the whole thing, Ohgi had his own thoughts circulating at the moment from last night.
...
(Flashback)
"You want to apply to the Special Zone?" Ohgi asked, surprised.
"Yes. Because there it won't make any difference who's a Britannian and who's an Eleven." Chigusa told him.
(Flashback End)
...
"Listen, if it works like Euphemia's proposal, then it wouldn't be wrong for the Black Knights to support this, right?" Ohgi asked hypothetically.
"Yeah, sure, like Britannians will ever honor a promise!" Tamaki countered.
"Prince Joseph has done plenty for us before hasn't he? He helped rescue Col. Tohdoh and saved Zero's life after all. If anything, he's proof that there are Britannians who care, and they've been multiplying ever since. I think we should support the Zone. It doesn't contradict what Zero's said, does it?" Ohgi told them.
"That may be, but Joseph doesn't speak for the entire country itself, and neither does Princess Euphemia for that matter." Tohdoh said.
"Ohgi, while I do believe Princess Euphemia truly wants to help. I doubt Britannia itself is for this! We have to expect some sort of retaliation!" Kallen said.
"Agreed, if we accept peace on their terms we'll be forced to disarm. Who's to say they won't confront us like a cornered mouse." Chiba said.
"That is a problem, isn't it?" Rakshata said.
"We will also get swallowed up in their regime and lose our independence." Tohdoh said.
"On the other hand, if we don't support it, then we're against equality and freedom." Diethard said.
"Then let's support it!" Ohgi insisted.
"What, without any guarantees in place?" Diethard asked incredulously.
"But we can't ignore it, either!" Ohgi said.
...
Tokyo Settlement
Meanwhile, Lelouch and Shirley got dropped off by Rivalz. Joseph's spirit followed closely behind.
"Sorry about having you drop us off like this." Shirley said.
"It was sort of last second on our part." Lelouch added.
"Hey, you helped me go shopping after all. Besides, I got to have a pretty girl hold onto me." Rivalz said with a smirk, making Shirley sigh in annoyance.
"Flirting behind the President's back, Rivalz? I'll have to make sure she hears about this." Lelouch teased, making Shirley giggle, Joseph's spirit laugh hysterically and Rivalz gawk.
"Ah! No Lelouch, please don't!" Rivalz begged.
"We'll catch you later, you better start thinking up an apology for her." Lelouch said casually as he and Shirley walked off, Shirley giving a playful wave goodbye.
"Lelouch!" Rivalz exclaimed before wallowing in his misery.
"Oh my, you certainly have grown a sense of humor, Lelouch." Shirley said as continued to laugh.
"What can I say, it's fun to see Rivalz panic." Lelouch said with a smirk.
"Even better when it comes to Milly." Joseph's spirit added, more to himself than anything.
It was then Shirley took Lelouch's hand into hers, surprising him.
"Is this okay?" Shirley asked, a bit nervously as this was the first time they held hands like this affectionally since Joseph woke up from his first coma and the first time to do so in public.
Lelouch hesitated for a second before a small smile grew on his face.
"Yes, it's just fine." Lelouch said kindly, Shirley returned his smile. Joseph looked on in amusement.
"Lelouch and Shirley sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Joseph's spirit sang gleefully.
"Should this be considered our second date?" Shirley asked playfully.
Before Lelouch could answer, they heard a news report come on.
"With the announcement of the The Special Administrative Zone, many elevens have already sighed up to be part of it. The N.A.C., led by Kirihara Industries, gives its wholehearted support to the plan..." A News Reporter said.
Lelouch and Shirley both look at the screen with concern.
"Your sister certainly started something." Shirley commented.
"A tiger fight inside of a hurricane is what it is." Lelouch muttered.
"Huh. That feels like something Joseph would say." Shirley noticed.
"And it something I would have liked to have said." Joseph's spirit said with his dopey smile.
"Don't give him any ideas." Lelouch said with a smirk before turning serious again. "In all seriousness though, I don't know what's going to happen with this. I don't know why Euphie would think this would work." He said with aggravation in his voice.
"Geez dude, you're acting like she beat you at chess or something. Which I already did, twice, thank you very much!" Joseph's spirit commented.
"It's not a bad thing though, is it? I mean, it's a means of giving peace to the Japanese people and for everyone to leave happily here. They deserve that don't they?" Shirley said, concerned for Lelouch's mindset.
"Exactly!" Joseph's spirit agreed.
"It sounds nice on paper, Shirley. But I doubt Britannia will be backing this project, especially not him." Lelouch said that last part with and a tightened fist, Shirley knew who he was referring to.
"Lelouch..." Before Shirley could say anything else, they started to hear yelling not too far ahead of them.
It was nobleman, beating a young Japanese boy with his cane.
"I don't care about your 'Special Zone!' I don't care about 'support!' I'd sooner die than sign that!" The nobleman said, not happy that an "Eleven" was trying to get him to sign up for the SAZ.
"Hey! Leave him alone you jerk!" Joseph's spirit said angrily as he flew by the nobleman. However, he got no response. "Hey! I'm talking to you! Don't ignore me just because you can't see or hear me!" He continued.
"You think you're equal to us now?! The lower classes should simply obey their betters without any back-talk!" The nobleman continued.
"Stop it! What is the matter with you!? If you're not interested, just walk away! You don't have to be so cruel!" Shirley said as she ran over to protect the Japanese boy.
"What the-stay out of this, girl!" The nobleman said angrily.
"There it is, that's the true nature of the Sub-Viceroy's 'benevolence.'" Lelouch said with a sneer as he approached the nobleman.
"What do you want?" The nobleman asked.
"Does it feel good to look down from above? It is rather like being a God, isn't it?" Lelouch asked with sarcasm.
"Hold it, schoolboy. Just back off." A Britannian Citizen said, trying to intervene in the situation.
"I think you should go home right now." Lelouch ordered the citizen with his Geass, and soon enough red appeared around his irises.
"Yeah, okay, I will. Well, I'd better get going." The citizen said with monotone in his voice as he went on his way.
"Huh?! What did you say to him?! Come back here at once!" The nobleman tried to order angrily.
"What's wrong, Sir Nobleman? Confusing borrowed power with your own ability is a big mistake, you know." Lelouch said with a smug grin as he activated his Geass again. "Perhaps you should donate whatever money you have and learn some humbleness in the process." He 'suggested', this got a surprised look from Shirley and gut-busting laughter from Joseph's spirit.
"Uh...yes, quite right. I'll do just that." The nobleman said emotionlessly as he went on his way.
"Are you alright?" Shirley asked in concern as she helped the Japanese boy up.
"Um, I'm okay…thank you both very much." The young Japanese fellow said nervously to Lelouch and Shirley.
"It was nothing." Lelouch told him.
After he went on his way, Shirley just gave Lelouch a stern look.
"Lelouch, I wish you wouldn't use that thing so frivolous, especially in public where people might ask questions." Shirley lectured him with a pointing finger, making Lelouch chuckle.
"Apologies, I couldn't resist." Lelouch said as he held hands up in surrender.
"Yeah, that guy totally had it coming." Joseph's spirit said with smug grin.
"I will admit, it was nice to see that jerk put in his place." Shirley admitted guiltily. "But nobody really learns anything through force do they?" Shirley asked with a cocked eyebrow.
"Yeah, you're right." Lelouch said with an embarrassed sigh, before his cheeks were suddenly pulled by her. "Agh! Shirley!" He shouted in pain.
"Good thing you have me to guide you down the light side, huh?" Shirley asked cheerfully, Lelouch looks at her in surprise before chuckling.
"Indeed." Lelouch said with a small smile.
"Aw, I'm so glad you're my new sis!" Joseph's spirit said excitedly.
"Which is why I think you should give the Special Administrative Zone more thought." Shirley told him.
"Huh? But Shirley-" Lelouch tried to get a word in but Shirley wasn't having it.
"I understand it's a risky move, but do you really think it's better to let your sister hang in the wind?" She asked incredulously, surprising Lelouch. "She's trying to do a good thing for Japan, and that's what Zero is all about right? Helping Japan?" She continued.
"Facts!" Joseph's spirit agreed.
"And after all, Zero is suppose to be the Man of Miracles. I'm sure he would find a way to make it work, he always has." Shirley concluded optimistically.
Lelouch looked at her with awe, once again he was reminded just what a brilliant person Shirley was.
"You certainly know how to put your foot down." Lelouch said as he shook his head in amusement.
"Well someone has to in this relationship." Shirley said with a satifsfied grin.
Lelouch suddenly wrapped his arms around Shirley's waist and pulled her closer to him, getting a surprised squeak from her.
"You've given me a lot to think about, Shirley. Thank you." Lelouch said with a grateful smile. "I honestly don't know where I'd be right now without you." He said solemnly, Shirley smiled in return.
"I'm just glad I can help is all. You've gone through so much, Lulu. I don't want you to suffer anymore." She said as she cupped his cheek.
"I think you managed to do that." Lelouch said with half-closed eyes as he leaned closer.
Shirley did the same, they close their eyes, lips about to touch, Joseph watching in giddy excitement.
And then Lelouch's phone rang, snapping them out of it.
"Oh come on!" Joseph's spirit whined as he threw his arms in the air in annoyance.
"Uh, that ringtone belongs to Nunnally." Lelouch said awkwardly as he blushed in full red.
"Y-you should probably get it then. Don't want to keep her waiting." Shirley said in equal awkwardness and equal full red blushing.
"Dang it, Nunne! You just cock-blocked little bro and new little sis!" Joseph's spirit complained.
"Hey Nunnally, is everything alright? ...Oh, of course, it shouldn't be a problem...don't worry, I'm bringing her back to our place later, you'll be able to chat with her then...alright, we'll see you later, love you too." Lelouch communicated through his phone, before hanging up. "Nunnally wanted to make sure I bought some peaches to make some pies later." Lelouch said with an awkward head scratch.
"Oooo! I love peach pie, I want some!" Joseph said excitedly before realizing something "...Oh wait, I can't eat any because of my ghost mouth, damn coma!" Joseph's spirit complained.
Lelouch and Shirley looked at each other for a few moments before bursting into laughter, confusing Joseph's spirit.
"What happened? Did someone fart?" Joseph's spirit asked in confusion.
"Well I suppose we shouldn't keep her waiting." Shirley said with a bright smile as she interlocked her arm with his.
"I suppose not." Lelouch said with his own smile as they went on their to a supermarket.
...
Ashford Academy
Kallen's Room
"You don't want to sign us up for the Special Administrative Zone?" Naomi asked in a confused manner.
She and Kallen were currently discussing the whole thing.
"I'm saying hold off until we learn more about it. It would be reckless just to take Britannia's word for something." Kallen told her cautiously, wanting to see how this would play out before letting her mother join.
"But Princess Euphemia seems genuine about it, and if she's anything like Prince Joseph, I'm sure she'll stand by her word." Naomi told her.
"I'm not worried about her, Kaa-san. I'm worried about the system she was raised by." Kallen said as she had a determined look in her eyes, Naomi just looked at her in concern.
"Dear, does any of this have to do with what the Student Council told me?" Naomi asked.
"Huh, the student council?" Kallen asked, not sure where this was going.
"Rivalz mentioned about you being in the hospital the days you were missing at school. Which Ii found strange considering you told me that you were out of town with some friends around the same time." Naomi said with a suspicious tone in her voice.
Kallen looked gobsmacked at her and mentally facepalmed herself. She was so conflicted about Suzaku finding out she was a Black Knight and Lelouch's identity as a Prince, that she didn't even realized she used two different excuses about why she was absent from school!
"Shit! Kallen you stupid idiot!" Kallen thought to herself in fury. "Well-you see-the thing is..." She stuttered, trying to come up with some excuse.
"You're not taking refrain are you? Or dealing it?!" Naomi asked frantically.
"Wha-NO! God no! Mom, it's nothing like that! I swear!" Kallen said quickly, Naomi quickly sighed in relief.
"I was scared that my past actions may have spiraled into you. That drug has already done enough damage." Naomi said sadly.
"Trust me, I know. Don't worry mom, it's nothing like that. It's just...volunteer relief work I'm doing. To help Japanese citizens who had it bad in the ghettos." Kallen explained.
"That's all? Oh dear, why didn't you just say so?" Naomi said happily.
"Well the areas we go to aren't exactly safe, I was afraid you'd object." Kallen said awkwardly, not liking she added another lie to her mountain of lies.
"Well you came back in one piece from before, so I have assume you have good enough protection with the group you're in." Naomi said.
"...Yes, I suppose I do." Kallen said with a smile as she thought about Lelouch, Ohgi, Tohdoh, and the others.
"Then that's all that matters to me. I'm glad you're finding ways to help out Kallen." Naomi said happily, before developing a teasing look on her face. "And hey, I bet Prince Joseph loves a capable woman." She said in a teasing tone.
"(Sighs) Oh mother..." Kallen said tiredly.
...
Mt. Fuji
Darlton and Kirihara looked out at the Sakuradite mines below.
"The N.A.C., or rather, Kyoto, as it's known among the terrorists. Tomorrow, after the ceremony, why don't you dissolve your group and leave Mt. Fuji? We can talk about a legal agreement If you hand over the mining operation to us peacefully." Darlton told Kirihara, getting a glare from him. "Of course, that will mean the end of your support to the Black Knights. Whether Zero comes tomorrow or not doesn't matter. With this, that man's downfall is assured." He continued with a smug grin.
...
Ashford Academy
Student Council Building
Lelouch and Shirley entered the living room area of the student council building, both Nunnally and Sayoko were both waiting for him. Joseph's spirit floated in too.
"We're back." Lelouch said kindly
"Hey Nunna." Shirley said happily as she gave Nunnally a kiss on the cheek, making her giggle.
"Hey, little sis!" Joseph's spirit said excitedly as he pretended to pat Nunnally on the head.
"Hello, Lelouch. Hello, Shirley. Welcome home." Nunnally said with a warm smile. "Did you get the peaches?" She asked.
"Plenty. Sayoko, could you get these ready to make a pie later?" Lelouch asked as he handed them to Sayoko.
"Yes, as you wish, My Lord." Sayoko said with a smile.
"Oh, let me help you Sayoko." Shirley happily offered.
"Why thank you, Lady Shirley." Sayoko said.
"Wait for me! I love making pies!" Joseph's spirit said as he followed them.
As they went on their way to the kitchen, Nunnally couldn't help but giggle.
"Shirley has come around more often since you two started dating, I'm glad you have her in your life now." Nunnally said gratefully.
"Yeah, she's one of a kind." Lelouch said in a grateful tone himself, but Nunnally can hear him sounding conflicted too.
"I get the feeling you're worried about something, Lelouch. Does it involve Euphie? It'd be selfish to say that I want to see her again. I'd like to, I admit it, but that would simply cause trouble for you both." Nunnally said sadly.
"You like Euphie, don't you?" Lelouch asked as he hung up his jacket.
"Yes, very much — the same way you like her." Nunnally said happily.
"...Yeah, I guess I do." Lelouch said with a determined look in his eye, knowing now the choice he had to make.
...
The Next Day
SAZ
Crowds gathered around the screens as they watched the news report concerning the opening of the Special Administrative Zone.
"We're bringing you live coverage from the stadium where the inaugural ceremony will be held for the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan. The place is already packed full with Elevens– sorry, I mean with Japanese. And those unable to get in are gathered outside the stadium." A female news reporter said.
"Lesley, you think Zero will show up here?" A male news reporter asked.
"No, and we've heard nothing about it at this time." Lesley said.
Inside, the crowds were even bigger. On the stage, was Princess Euphemia, Darlton, Kirihara, and many members of nobility, while Suzaku stood among the crowd. They waited in bated breath of whether or not Zero would show up.
...
Chinese Federation
Executive Conference Chamber
"Will Zero even show up? I seriously doubt it. What do you think?" A Chinese Federation Member asked with a laugh.
...
E.U.
Central Council Chamber
"If the data we have on the man is accurate, then I don't believe he will, either." An E.U. member said.
...
Unknown
Charles stood with cloaked men lined to his left and right.
"Let's see how this plays out..." Charles thought with his stone expression
...
SAZ
"Princess Euphemia, it's time." Darlton told her, knowing they couldn't delay the opening any longer.
"...Right." Euphemia said, disappointed that Zero wasn't here. She looked at the empty chair next to her, hoping he would be in it. "Lelouch..." She thought in sadness. But then she heard surprised gasps from the crowd. "Huh?" She looked up to see what was going on.
And she, along with many others, saw the Gawain steadily flying towards the stage. With a certain known figure standing on its left shoulder.
"Zero." Suzaku whispered in surprise from the crowd, many murmured or exclaimed in surprise as well.
"Oh, he came after all!" Euphemia said with glee.
Joseph's spirit was also with Zero, floating by him with an excited grin on his face.
"(Intimidates blowing a horn)Dun-Dah-Dun-Dah-DUUUNNN! Presenting Captain Zero!" Joseph's spirit said with prestige in his voice.
"You accept that you've lost?" Darlton said quietly with a smug grin.
"What are you doing…? I thought I would have to carry your identity with me to the grave. If people discover that Zero is a Britannian prince, it's all over. They'll mistake this for a farce planned by the empire. That will even cause the Specially Administrated Zone to fall apart." Kirihara thought gravely.
"Zero, welcome to the Specially Administrated Zone!" Euphemia said happily.
"Greetings, Euphemia li Britannia! I wish to request an audience with you." Zero told her.
"Just with me?" Euphemia asked, surprised.
"Yes, with you alone." Zero confirmed.
...
Ashford Academy
Student Council Building
Shirley, Milly, and Rivalz watched the event from Rivalz's computer screen.
"Something major has happened here, ladies and gentlemen! Zero has just appeared in the open! Under Princess Euphemia's direction, he is moving toward the G1." Lesley said.
"Wow. I honestly didn't think the guy wasn't going to show up." Rivalz said with surprise.
"Does this mean the fighting is going to stop?" Milly asked openly.
Shirley didn't say anything and just thought about the conversation she had with Lelouch on the phone prior.
...
(Flashback)
Shirley's Room
"You're going to join?" Shirley asked in surprise.
"Yes. I'll have a lot of work to do, but this way I can make sure Euphemia is out of danger from both sides of the spectrum." Lelouch said over the phone, he hesitated for a moment. Shirley could tell he was going to tell her something serious. "And it's not the only that. When the ceremony is over, I'm going to tell the Black Knights who I am." He told her.
"Huh?! Really?!" Shirley asked in shock.
"Joseph once told me I needed to give trust if I wanted to earn trust, and it's about time I've done so. We've done so much now, they deserve to know the truth." Lelouch told her. "And if the SAZ does go in full swing, I'll probably have to tell Nunnally as well, including my geass power." He said solemnly.
"Oh Lelouch..." Shirley said in concern, knowing he was worried how Nunnally was going to react.
"...Shirley, can you be there with me when I tell her? I just...I would feel..." Lelouch said awkwardly, trying to get the words out.
"Of course Lulu. I'll be there every step of the way. And hey, I think what you're doing is very brave and signs of a good leader." Shirley said encouragingly.
"...Thank you Shirley." Lelouch said with gratitude.
(Flashback End)
...
"Lelouch...I'm so proud of you..." Shirley thought with a small smile.
...
Ganymede Hangar
Nina was working hard on her project in the Ganymede. Sweat and oil on her forehead.
"I could care less about this Zone Princess Euphemia is doing. Once I'm done with this, it won't matter, I will have justice for my Prince!" Nina thought, anger driving her mind.
...
Avalon
"I'm afraid something is going to happen. We should've gone there like I thought." Cecile said with worry.
"What for? It's not as if we had a choice in the matter; everyone said that if Lancelot was there waiting, Zero wouldn't show." Lloyd told her.
...
SAZ
"It appears to be safe, Your Highness." One of Euphemia's bodyguards said after he scanned Zero with a metal detector.
"Then this way, please." Euphemia gestured.
"Princess Euphemia, it's too dangerous to be alone with this man. As your knight, I request you allow me to accompany you to safety." Suzaku requested.
"No, it's all right. Please, just trust me, Suzaku." Euphemia reassured.
"Yeah, chillax training buddy." Joseph's spirit said in relaxed tone.
Suzaku still looked with worry though as Zero, Euphemia, and Joseph's spirit went to the G1 to talk privately.
...
Outskirts of Area 11
While that was going on, the Black Knights waited patiently inside their knightmares for Zero's orders.
"C'mon, how long are we supposed to hang around here?" Tamaki asked with a bored tone inside his knightmare.
"What, it's not enough for you that Zero instructed us to wait here?" Kallen asked with annoyance.
"Yeah, whatever…" Tamaki said.
"Well first of all, we have to confirm the empire's true intentions." Ohgi said.
"That right, Deputy Commander. Though Zero said so himself that we open to negotiations, he made it clear that Britannia might try something. He's even got Diethard and Rakshata standing by." Tohdoh said.
...
SAZ
G1
"Even though the cameras are off, you're still being extremely careful, aren't you?" Euphemia asked.
"I've been in hiding from an tyrannic empire for the past seven years, Euphie. Paranoia is not to be taken lightly in my case." Lelouch lectured as he took off his mask.
"Point well taken." Euphemia said with an awkward smile.
"Euphie, before we begin our discussion, I must ask. Why did you do this?" Lelouch asked, surprising Euphemia. "Knowing full well Britannia's policy and what the Emperor could do in this situation. Why would you call for something that could put you and so many other lives at risk?" He asked solemnly. Euphemia looked at him nervously.
...
Outside the G1, Suzaku and Euphemia's bodyguards stand outside waiting anxiously for them to come back out.
"Is this really all right, leaving her alone with Zero?" The female bodyguard asked in concern.
"But she ordered us to." The male bodyguard said.
"Well, she can always press the emergency call button." The other male bodyguard told them.
Suddenly Suzaku felt something, a remembrance in his brain. He turned around and looked up at the Gawain and started to see C.C.'s figure inside, shocking him. The bodyguards saw this.
"Is there something wrong?" The male bodyguard asked.
"Why are you here? What are you doing with Zero?" Suzaku asked.
C.C. saw this from inside the Gawain.
"It looks like he can see me. Is that because of our indirect contact and what occurred at Kamine Island?" C.C. asked herself before realizing something. "Or is it because he...but if that's the case, then…"
She opened the Gawain's cockpit.
...
Back in the G1, Joseph's spirit scratched the back of his head.
"Hmm, weird. Felt a strange tick all of sudden." Joseph's spirit said to himself before steering back to the conversation between his siblings.
"Lelouch, I've renounced my name." Euphemia said suddenly, surprising Lelouch and Joseph's spirit.
"You what..." Lelouch quietly muttered.
"Renounced?" Joseph's spirit asked, not entirely sure what that meant.
"There'll probably be a formal announcement issued by the homeland about it any day now, but I've given up my claim to the throne." Euphemia continued.
"Wait, so little sis is no longer a princess?! Oh man, does that mean we're not siblings anymore?!" Joseph's spirit whined in surprise.
"But why…? It isn't because you accepted Zero, is it?" Lelouch asked, still stunned by her proclamation.
"Well of course, I have to pay the price for doing something so selfish; those are the consequences." Euphemia told him with an obvious tone.
"This sounds like something Joseph would get himself into." Lelouch told her nervously.
"Again, it's something I wouldn't mind getting into." Joseph's spirit said with an annoyed tone, Euphemia just giggled.
"Joe might not always use his brain, but he always follows his heart. That's what I'm doing." Euphemia told him proudly.
"But it wasn't difficult for you to give that up? You didn't do it for my sake, did you?" Lelouch asked in concern.
"As conceited as you ever were, but not just for you, I did it for Nunnally too." Euphemia said, surprising Lelouch. "She told me herself: 'All I want is to be with my brother, and that's all that matters. I want nothing more.'" She said happily.
"Nunnally's too selfless for her own good." Lelouch said with a small sigh.
"But that's why we love her." Joseph's spirit said happily.
"That's right, Lelouch! That's how I made up my mind. It made me stop and seriously reflect on what was truly important to me in life. Do you understand now? I'm not giving up anything that has significant meaning or real worth to me. And you don't need to worry. I won't tell anyone about you." Euphemia reassured him.
"And Cornelia? Joseph?" Lelouch asked.
Well, it's not like we'll never see each other again. As for Joseph, I plan on having him transferred here." Euphemia told him, surprising Lelouch and Joseph's spirit. "After all, he'll be anxious to reunite with the friends he's made once he wakes up." She said cheerfully.
"Thanks for thinking of me, Eup." Joseph's spirit said, pointing his finger at her in a appreciative manner.
"Euphie, you really are an amazing fool." Lelouch said as he shook his head in amusement.
"I know I'm not as smart as you, Lelouch; I've never been able to beat you at games or studies." Euphemia said.
"However, in your usual rash Euphie fashion, you've managed to end up winning all of it. When I think of you, it's hard to visualize the Sub-Viceroy or a princess; I only see the plain little Euphie who you used to be." Lelouch said with nostalgia in his voice.
"Then will you join plain little Euphie and help her?" Euphemia asked as she stuck out her hand for her to shake.
Lelouch looked at her and thought about it.
"Come on, bro. You know you want to. Come oooon, come oooooooonnnnnn." Joseph's spirit egged him on as he pretended to elbow Lelouch, who in turn took in a deep sigh.
"You are…the worst opponent I have ever faced." Lelouch said with a defeated tone as he took Euphemia's hand in his, surprising her. "You win. Zero and the Black Knights will help out your Special Zone. But not as your subordinate, as your partner, all right?" Lelouch told her, who gave him a big hug in return, shocking him.
"Deal!" Euphemia said excited, Lelouch returned the hug with a smile.
"All right! If I had my walkman, I would totally be playing some celebratory music right now!" Joseph's spirit said with glee as he pretend hugged his siblings.
"You were going to join this whole time weren't you?" Euphemia asked.
"I had to test you after all." Lelouch said cheekily.
"Oh, Lelouch!" Euphemia said with a pout as she slapped his shoulder in annoyance, then they shared a laugh.
When they released the hug, Lelouch's demeanor changed into a serious one.
"However, before we go back out there. There's something I need to tell you, it concerns how I was able to come this far as Zero." Lelouch told her solemnly, if he was going to go along with this, he felt she needed to know.
Euphemia looked at him in surprise and confusion. Joseph's spirit gasped in excitement and started shaking in excitement.
...
C.C. exits the Gawain and approaches Suzaku.
"I thought so!" Suzaku said in surprise.
"I need to know one thing. Are you the–" C.C. stopped mid-sentence as she felt a pulse in her left eye and her forehead started to glow. "No… he's reached that point…?" C.C. struggled to say.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Suzaku asked in concern as he went and grabbed her shoulders.
Only to be given a surge of visions, one of planets aligning, the planet Jupiter, and even Lady Marianne.
It sent his brain on overlord and he fainted. The bodyguards saw this and went over to his side.
"Maj. Kururugi!" The female bodyguard said in concern.
"Why, you! What have you done to him?!" The male bodyguard asked angrily as he pointed his gun at C.C. and touched his shoulders.
Which was NOT a good idea as he and the other two bodyguards were fed shock images and the mushroom cloud of skulls.
...
"Euphie, what if I were to tell you I acquired a power? A power called Geass?" Lelouch asked.
"Geass?" Euphemia asked him in a confused manner.
"It's a power that can be given to many with only a few that could use it to rule the world if they wanted to." Lelouch told her.
"Lelouch, are you being serious?" Euphemia asked him astounded.
"As a heartbeat. The Geass I have allows me to give any order I want to an individual and they shall obey it without hesitation." Lelouch told her.
"He's basically Professor X. It's super cool!" Joseph said excitedly.
"Oh, Lelouch. Now I know you're joking. I know you have a way with words but there's no need to be boastful about it." Euphemia said with a head shake.
"I'm serious, I could make you do anything if I really wanted to. I could make you hop on one leg or croak like a frog and you wouldn't question it. If told you to kill all the Japanese, it wouldn't matter how you felt about it." Lelouch told her solemnly.
"Damn bro, that's dark. But hey, good thing it's just a-" Joseph's spirit said before hearing:
*GASP*
Lelouch and Joseph's spirit looked at Euphemia, who froze in place. A look of fear on her face.
"No…don't make me do it, please! I'm not–" Euphemia said like a scared child as she stepped back.
"Eup? What's wrong?" Joseph's spirit said with confusion and concern in his voice.
"I'm not going to do it, please…!" Euphemia said in a panic as she held herself, as if trying to resist something. She groaned out in pain and fell to her knees. "I don't wanna kill them! No…" She begged.
"Whoa! Eup! What is it?!" Joseph's spirit said as he floated near her. "Lelouch, are you-" He looked up and saw what the problem was.
Lelouch's eye...
It was glowing RED.
"Did I–?!" Lelouch said as he also came to realization.
"Oh my God..." Joseph's spirit said as he looked back and saw Euphemia looking at Lelouch with red rims in her eyes.
"You're right. I have to kill all the Japanese." Euphemia said in a monotone voice.
Joseph's pupils shrank.
"No...NO!"
"I've become like Mao! — I can't control my Geass power!" Lelouch out loud.
"YOU THINK!" Joseph's spirit said in fury.
"Forget the order I just-AAAH!" Lelouch screamed as he tried to fix the mess he just made, only to feel a surge on pain in his left eye as it grew brighter than before.
"Lelouch, what the-AAAGGHH! Joseph's spirit screamed as he felt his own surge of electrical pain in his head.
He saw the visions again, his saw his father standing at some clouds, he saw Lady Marianne, the planets getting closer, the mushroom cloud of skulls. And the pain of it all was worst than before.
...
Viceroy Palace
Medical Facility
A nurse was changing Joseph's IV bag when his body suddenly started shaking uncontrollably. She quickly seized into action.
"I need a doctor in here! Prince Joseph is having a seizure!" The nurse said as she tried to restraint Joseph's body from hurting itself.
It didn't help he started to bleed from his nose either.
...
"AAAH! Make this stop I need to help Eup!" Joseph's spirit said as he tried to overcome this attack on his head, Lelouch wasn't fairing any better with his eye.
However, Joseph's spirit noticed something in the shadows of the G1. It was blurry, but he could see the shape of a young child.
A young child with blonde hair, and a cruel smile on his lips.
Before Joseph's spirit could question it, he saw Euphemia run out of the G1.
"Wait, Euphie, don't!" Lelouch said as he struggled to get up, putting his mask on.
"Eup, NO!" Joseph's spirit said as he tried to float to her, regaining his strength. "AGH! SCREW THIS BRAIN FREEZE!" He yelled as he charged out to rescue his sister from making the biggest blunder in all of history.
He floated past her and got in front of her running path.
"Eup! Stop right now!" Joseph's spirit said in authoritative tone, only for her to run right through him.
He flew past her again and got in her way.
"Eup, come on! You're being mind-controlled, fight it!" Joseph's spirit begged, with Euphemia once again running through him.
And once again, he flew past her.
"HALT!" He ordered as he put his hand out in a stopping gesture, to no avail. "STUPID GHOST BODY!" He yelled in angry frustration as he beat his chest before flying after Euphemia.
...
Schneizel's Office
"Right, I've reached an agreement with the Chinese Federation, therefore I should be returning to the homeland today." Schneizel told Bartley.
"Should we keep the experimental subject here then, Your Highness?" Bartley asked via communicator, an large orange test tube in the background. A figure looked to be inside.
"Yes. How intelligent is he?" Schneizel asked.
"Our resources are rather limited in Area 11." Bartley told him.
"I see. We should ask the Rosenberg Institute about that. Very well, I'll arrange with them for you to send over the experimental subject." Schneizel said.
"Understood. Then what do we do with the ruins on Kamine Island?" Bartley asked.
"We have to wait to do anything until the security situation in Area 11 has been stabilized. We can thank the Specially Administrated Zone for that. Owing to Euphemia, everything is going to work out perfectly." Schneizel said with a grin.
...
SAZ
Euphemia came out to the stage of the SAZ and faced all the Japanese citizens there. Joseph's spirit quickly flying after her.
"Sub-Viceroy, where's Zero?!" Darlton asked, confused by Euphemia's sudden appearance.
"Darlton! Good! You have to restrain Eup, quickly! Oh damn it, he can't hear me! Shitshitshitshitshit!" Joseph's spirit said at a fast pace, trying to come up with a strategy.
"Those of you who call yourselves Japanese, I have a favor to ask. Could you all die, please?" Euphemia politely asked, murmurs spoke out, shocked by this question.
"Aw, how polite of her to ask..." Joseph's spirit said with a smile, before realizing... "Wait no! Focus, Joe! We have to stop this! Come on Lelouch, where are you?!" Joseph's spirit asked frantically.
As on cue, Lelouch came out of the G1, running to get to the stage. But then he noticed Suzaku lying on the ground next to Euphemia's bodyguards.
"Suzaku! He's only unconscious. But why?" Lelouch asked himself.
"Umm… I was hoping you'd all just commit suicide, but you can't, can you? Okay, soldiers, please kill the Japanese! Kill them all!" Euphemia ordered kindly.
"She's kidding! Just a joke! April fools! HAHA!" Joseph's spirit said with frantic nervousness, even though knowing they couldn't hear him.
"The woman's mad!" Kirihara said, standing up in disbelief.
"Cut the mics and cameras now!" Darlton ordered before making his way over to Euphemia. "Princess Euphemia! What on Earth's come over you?!" He asked astounded by her behavior.
Euphemia looked at him, and noticed the gun in his holster.
"Euphie, no!" Zero yelled, running to stop her.
"Lelouch! There he is!" Joseph said in relief, only to get worried again when a couple of guards stopped him, before remembering his Geass power. "It's okay, he'll use his superpower to get those guards out of the way and he'll get Eup out of here. And I know Eup, she has enough willpower to not-
*BANG!*
What followed was a ringing in his ears, he floated there for a second, not completely registering what just happened.
He looked back at Eup, she had a gun in her hand. And it was pointed at an elderly Japanese man, who had dropped dead just a moment ago.
She shot him, with a smile on her face.
Then there was a scream.
"Go on, soldiers. Do your duty! Hurry up!" Euphemia cheerfully ordered.
"Please stop this at once, Your Highness, this is–" Darlton tried to stop her, only to receive a bullet to his side, he collapsed to the ground, holding his wound and breathing heavily.
"Forgive me, General, but I mustn't let anyone stand in my way. I have to kill all the Japanese. Now Britannians, kill the Japanese!" Euphemia ordered.
The Britannian soldiers started firing.
Meanwhile, Suzaku slowly started to wake up and heard the sounds of gunfire and people screaming.
Joseph floated there in shock, his breathing became heavy, his vision blurring.
"This can't be happening, it can't be, it can't-" Joseph thought to himself as his mind started to spiral, before remembering something. "Body. I have to get back to my body. I HAVE TO STOP EUP AND RESCUE HER!" Joseph said determinedly and frantically as he flew back to the medical facility as fast as he could.
Nothing else mattered in the moment, not Lelouch, not Suzaku, not the Black Knights. He HAD to get in his body and stop Euphemia at all costs!
...
Back outside Area 11
"Tamaki, what's happening inside the stadium?!" Kallen asked frantically as she could the gunshots and explosions in the distant.
"We're trying to figure that out!" Tamaki said in a panic.
...
SAZ
"EUPHIE, STOP!" Zero yelled out as he tried ran through the seats of the auditorium. Witnessing his sister gun down many Japanese civilians without hesitation. The bodies grew second by second. "This thing…my Geass did this?!" He thought to himself in shock.
Suddenly he felt someone tug his cape, it was an elderly Japanese woman.
"Z–Zero…Please help us…You must help…You're Japan's savior…" The woman struggled to say as she slowly died.
"Stop it…Don't call me your savior…because I'm not the Messiah of Japan!" Lelouch thought to himself.
"Zero, you're–you're our only hope…" She said with her last dying breath.
"Stop it…Don't–don't force me…" Lelouch said to himself quietly as he knew what he would have to do if this continued any further. "Must I atone for this sin? Is this a cross I have to bear?!" He asked himself in fury as he walked through the hallways filled with more dead bodies.
Soon enough he was confronted by Darlton, still bleeding.
"Zero…you son of a bitch! What did you do to Princess Euphemia? Tell me!" Darlton demanded as he struggled to stand on his own two feet.
"Andreas Darlton…the closest of Cornelia's inner circle advisors." Zero said quietly, the left eye panel of his mask opening.
...
Joseph's spirit flew as fast as he could back to the medical facility.
"Back to my body, back to my body..." Joseph's spirit chanted over and over again.
Soon enough he found the building and quickly went in, he charged into his room and dived headfirst into his body.
*SMACK*
Only to receive the invisible barrier from before.
"DAMN IT! NOT NOW!" Joseph's spirit yelled in fury as he slammed into the barrier again and again and again.
The force field didn't even budge. His body, which now had a breathing tube attached, flailed around though, making it look like he was having another seizure.
"Damn it, he's having another seizure!" A doctor said.
"I'M NOT HAVING A SEIZURE! I'M TRYING TO GET BACK IN MY BODY AND SAVE EUP! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?! LET ME IN! FUCK!"" Joseph yelled as he banged on the force field with his fists with all his might!
Seeing as it was no use, he finally gave up and took deep breaths.
"Got to get a hold of yourself Joe. Lelouch is out there, he's going to find a way to fix this, he always does. He's the smartest guy in our family!" Joseph's spirit tried to reassure himself, but then he realized something. "But what Eup is doing, the order she was given, she won't stop. She won't stop until every Japanese person is dead, and it will only be prevented if Corn or Suzaku or Lelouch find her and lock her up." He said to himself.
But then his eyes widen in further realization. "Wait, what if that's not enough? What if the Geass never turns off? Lelouch probably knows that...which means..."
"Okay Joe, think! Thinkthinkthink! Use that half-brain of yours and THINK!" Joseph's spirit said to himself in determination as he punched his skull repeatedly.
"What the Hell? His brainwave is becoming erratic!" A nurse exclaimed as she looked at the monitor.
"Will you shut up! I'm trying to think!" Joseph's spirit told her. "Come on, Joe. What can you to do to get out of this? Where can you go? Ashford Academy? No, when has a textbook ever helped me? The Black Knights' base? No, Rakshata doesn't even know about Geass, or Lloyd or Cecile for that matter so they're out. There has to be something, a lab, a base, a cave-"
And that's when it hit him!
The cave, the cave back on Kamine Island! The one with the Geass symbol on it, the one where he heard his mom crying!
"That's it!" Joseph's spirit exclaimed as he flew out of the medical facility and made his way towards the island. "Don't worry Eup, I'll save you!" He said in determination.
...
The Black Knights Base
"They will cut off the broadcast any minute now. Let's upload the data to the Net." Diethard told the technicians after they hacked the News to show footage of people getting shot.
"You heard him." A technician complied.
"Sir! C.C. has made contact with the Supreme Commander." A Black Knight told Diethard.
"Perfect. That clears up our problem then." Diethard said with a grin. "I have no idea how you arranged this situation, but your scheme is gone well beyond what I had expected." Diethard thought with glee.
...
SAZ
Lelouch got into the Gawain and took his mask off
"I'm shocked. I didn't think you'd go this far." C.C. said
"It wasn't me…" Lelouch said quietly.
"What?" C.C. said in surprise as she turned around to look at him.
"I-I didn't mean to use my Geass…it just turned on..." Lelouch said as it looked like he was about to be sick while clinging his Geass eye.
"I see. Then what I felt before was..." C.C. thought to herself.
"I knew there were risks when we made our contract. You told me how dangerous this power could be…! But...I didn't think...I never thought..." Lelouch couldn't even finish the sentence.
...
Unknown
Charles laughed maniacally towards the sky in front of him.
"Yes, you're worthy of being called my child now!" Charles exclaimed as he continued to laugh.
...
Viceroy Office
Schneizel looked at the news cast in front of him and witnessed many innocent people get slaughtered.
"Wh–what madness is this…?!" Schneizel asked in shock as his pupils shrank.
...
Ashford Academy
Student Council Building
"Oh my god..." Shirley said as she watched the footage in shock, hand covering her mouth.
Milly and Rivalz looked in equal shock.
"What the Hell is going on?!" Rivalz said, terrified of what he was seeing.
"Lulu...did you do this?" Shirley asked herself, fearing what the answer was.
...
Area 11 Military Base
Cornelia flung her cape to the side and walk in determination towards her knightmare.
"Princess Cornelia, wait!" Guilford said, going after her.
"Don't follow me, unless you want to come along!" Cornelia said, focused and ready to get her sister out of this mess.
...
SAZ
The gunfire was still going strong, and Suzaku was in the midst of it.
"Euphie!" Suzaku called out, trying to find his Princess. He reached his hand to his communicator on his ear. "Have you located her yet?! Where is she?!" He asked Cecile frantically.
"I don't know! We haven't been able to contact Gen. Darlton, either!" Cecile said hurriedly as the Avalon approached the ground near Suzaku.
...
Mt. Fuji
Kaguya and three members of Kyoto rode down an elevator.
"Something's dreadfully wrong. Euphemia would never do such a thing." Munakata said.
"I wish there was room to negotiate here. We can't be connected to Kirihara now!" Osakabe said.
"We need to save ourselves first." Kubouin added.
"Yes, and the 'souvenir'— is it ready?" Munakata asked.
"How pathetic…" Kaguya started, surprising the members. "Your survival is all that counts in all of this?" She asked in quiet anger.
"My Lady, you really shouldn't speak like that." Kubouin said.
"We need to survive for the sake of Japan as well." Munakata said.
"But then what's the point if we're all that's left?!" Kaguya asked angrily.
"Watch your tongue, Kaguya! You just go with family rank!" Osakabe exclaimed with a bark.
"What purpose is having Kyoto if we don't act now?!" Kaguya insisted.
...
Avalon
"I can't believe Euphie would order the slaughter of all those innocent people! I've got to find her, no matter what!" Suzaku thought in determination as he flew the Lancelot out into the settlement.
...
Gawain
"Hey, the Britannian forces have begun moving out of the stadium!" C.C. told Lelouch as she saw the sutherlands ram through the stadium and started to shoot more Japanese civilians.
"Right. Then at this point, there's only one thing we can do...Euphie, what have I done..." Lelouch said, no emotion in his voice whatsoever.
C.C. looked at him in concern, she didn't like hearing him like that.
The fact the was dead inside.
Soon enough, Britannian helicopters started to approach the Gawain.
"Attention, Zero! Return that unit! It's property of our military–" A Britannian soldier tried to order before he and multiple other helicopters were taken out by the Gawain's Hadron Cannon.
"This is my order to all Black Knights! Euphemia has become our enemy! The Specially Administrated Zone of Japan was a cowardly trap designed to lure us in!
All armored autonomous battle knight units, advance on the ceremony grounds and wage an attack! Wipe out all Britannian forces! Save the Japanese! Hurry! Find her and kill her!" Lelouch declared, tears running down his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Euphie...I'm so sorry..."
...
Joseph's spirit flew over the ocean and made his way to Kamine Island.
"This has to work. It HAS to work!" Joseph's spirit thought in determination.
Because if it didn't, he didn't know what else to do.
After what felt like hours, he finally caught an island in the distance. He felt that vibration in his head again, which meant he was heading in the right direction.
"Hang on, Eup! Big brother is going to save the day!" Joseph said hurriedly.
The vibrations grew inside his head as he flew through the island.
He saw the cave, sucked in his breath, and charged.
...
As soon as he made contact, it felt like he was hit with a flash grenade. Loud, disorienting, a constant humming in his ears, and white everywhere.
He opened his eyes, not realizing they were closed. He saw he was back in the black, endless void from before.
"What the...! No! Nononono! I don't want to be here, I wanna wake up! WAKE ME UP!" He shouted to the space before him.
Suddenly the vibration he felt in his head was happening all around him, like he was experiencing an earthquake!
The black void broke away like shards of glass and a blue tunnel light took over, different colored string-lights aligned along its path. An unseeable force pushed Joseph through it, he couldn't stop.
"What is this? What's happening!?" Joseph asked in awe from what he was witnessing.
Suddenly, a white light appeared in front of him. It took on the form of a human.
A human that happened to be Euphemia, in a white silk dress of sorts.
"Joseph!" She called out to him.
"Eup!? But how...where...are you...?" Joseph stuttered, as it was for the first time in his life, he had no idea what was going on
"Joseph, listen to me! You have to protect Lelouch!" She begged as she floated towards him.
"Lelouch? No, no, Lelouch is fine. I gotta save you from going full on Terminator!" Joseph told her. "If that still is what's happening at this moment and we're just pulling an Inception right now." He said in an afterthought.
"It's too late for me, Joseph. You have to go back to Lelouch, he needs you. Now more than ever." Euphemia insisted sadly as she took Joseph's hands into hers.
"'Too late?' Eup, what are you-"
"I always thought of humans as a defective form of life. That's why they shouldn't be allowed to touch or possess Geass."
That came from a mysterious female voice the echoed around them.
Before Joseph could voice his confusion, Euphemia stepped in.
"Help Lelouch, Joseph. Help our brother! Remember Ragnarok!" Euphemia told him frantically.
"Eup!?" Joseph said as held Euphemia tightly.
"It be better if they became extinct. But maybe you will be the one to disprove my opinion." The voice spoke again.
A moment later, Joseph was slingshotted away from Euphemia like a rocket.
"EUP!" Joseph called out as he saw her light disappear into the vortex.
All of a sudden it felt like he was falling. What followed were visions happening around him. Like monitors highlighting moments in life.
"The new Japan we go on to build shall be one broad enough to accept all peoples, histories, and ideologies where the strong shall not reign over the weak! And it shall be called…THE UNITED STATES OF JAPAN!" Zero proclaimed to an audience of Japanese, who looked ready for a fight.
"Captain Zero?" Joseph said in confusion.
Next the long blonde-haired child who Joseph had seen before was talking to Suzaku.
"Geass?" Suzaku asked.
"That's correct. Zero possesses a supernatural power." The long blonde-haired child asked.
"Impossible." Suzaku said.
"Then how do you explain Princess Euphemia's sudden and drastic change? What about you — the one who always follows the rules? How do you account for your actions on Shikine Island?" The blonde-haired child told him.
"How the Hell does he know about that?! Who the Hell are you?!" Joseph asked in anger, before realizing something. "Wait...is he the one..."
Next appeared to be Suzaku talking to Lelouch on the phone in a Knightmare hangar.
"Lelouch… I'm fighting to kill someone. I'm going to become a murderer in the skies of Tokyo." Suzaku told him in a monotone voice.
Lelouch was on the other side, in the Gawain
"Embrace your hate. Just think of Euphie. I made my own mind up long ago — I've no intention of turning back." Lelouch told him.
"Wha-NO! Don't tell him that, what are you doing?!" Joseph yelled, wanting to smack some sense into his brother and training-buddy.
"Your coming to face me now doesn't matter at all — hell, I welcome it even. I mean, of course, you and I are friends…" Lelouch ended as he soon started laughing, he laughed a horrible laugh.
A maniacal laugh.
An evil laugh.
This was intersected with the destruction of the Tokyo Settlement, caused by Lelouch.
"Oh God, Lelouch...what have you done?" Joseph said, speechless by the things being shown to him.
Next came a confrontation between Lelouch and Suzaku, with Lelouch not wearing his Zero mask.
"I'll take care of Nunnally!" Suzaku exclaimed, pissing off Lelouch to a degree.
"SUZAKU!" Lelouch said in fury as he aimed his gun at Suzaku.
"No..." Joseph uttered, tears starting to fall from his eyes.
"LELOUCH!" Suzaku said in fury as he aimed his gun at Lelouch.
"No!" Joseph yelled, wanting this to stop, he started to sob.
The last vision that was shown to him, the one that upset him the most, was Zero shooting Euphemia right through the heart.
He took his hands to his head, his clenched his eyes shut, and he wailed.
He wailed out to the vortex, to the Gods that were willing to listen, and to his mother who he wished was here right now.
"STOOOOOOPPPPP!"
And as he wailed, he saw something.
Even though his eyes were shut, he saw something, and it was a Phoenix.
It looked to be 30 feet tall, dark purple feathers with red, piercing, glowing red eyes. It was staring at him, waiting for him.
And then it all went black.
...
Joseph slowly opened his eyes.
His vision was blurry at first and there was ringing in his eyes, but it slowly adjusted to what was in front of him.
It was white at first, making him think he was still stuck wherever he was.
But then he realized it was just the ceiling fan.
And then he realized, he was looking at a ceiling fan, on a ceiling, in a room.
He was awake!
He shot up himself up into a sitting position and looked at his surroundings. That is before realizing he still had a breathing tube in his mouth, which he pulled out immediately, coughing a bit. He looked down and saw he still had some boxer on, but no shirt or pants.
He then noticed something about the room he was in, it looked different. It was smaller, the walls had a different wallpaper, and there was even some light music playing, like something you'd hear from a dentist office.
"This isn't the medical facility." Joseph realized.
Joseph looked to his left and saw his coat on a coat hanger, his Walkman was on a desk and the picture of his mother next to it, along with a vase with flowers in it. He pulled the covers off of him, along with the needle that was in his joystick for some reason, and quickly hugged the photo tightly.
"Mom..." Joseph said with relief in his voice, before realizing something. "Didn't I put this up next to Clovis' paintings?" He thought to himself.
Suddenly, the door to his room opened. It was a female nurse who entered, she gasped in shock when she saw him.
"Y-your...your Highness!?" The nurse said in shock.
"Uh...S'up?" Was all Joseph could think to say as she waved to her.
She responded by leaving his room in a hurry, which confused Joseph but not bother. Instead of thinking on it, he grabbed his coat and put it on. He then kissed the picture of his mother he was still holding and folded it back into the inner pocket of his coat. He then took his Walkman, pressed the play button to make sure it was working, which it was, and stuffed it into another pocket.
He went through the door the nurse went through as he also made sure to button up his coat as he mother taught him about protecting his privacy. When he exited his room, he saw a large window. He went towards it and looked outside. He recognized the buildings, but they weren't the Tokyo Settlement buildings, they were buildings he hadn't seen in a long time.
"I'm in Pendragon?" Joseph thought, really confused now.
Suddenly he heard a clatter of footsteps, and the sound of a wheelchair.
He turned and saw it was the nurse from before. Along with Suzaku, pushing Nunnally, they stopped a few get away from Joseph.
"J-Joe..." Suzaku said in shock.
"Is he...are you..." Nunnally slowly said, wondering what was going on.
"Nunne? Suzaku?" Joseph asked, still confused about what was going on.
Nunnally gasped at hearing his voice, then tears started to sprout from her eyes and she smiled.
"Joseph..." Nunnally said quietly, before pushing her wheelchair towards him and throwing herself off, making Joseph catch her. "You're awake! You're awake!" Nunnally cheered as she sobbed with joy and tightly hugged him.
And that's when it hit Joseph too.
"Uh, yeah? Yeah. Awake. AWAKE! HAHA!" Joseph said as it finally registered in his mind as he tightly returned the hug. "Get here, training buddy!" He gestured to Suzaku, who looked he was about to cry as well.
"It's good to see you back, Joseph." Suzaku said quietly with a smile as he joined in on the hug.
They all laughed together as Joseph had them hop up and down. After they settled down, Joseph got to questioning.
"In Pendragon?" Joseph asked as he pointed outside.
"Yeah, Princess Cornelia had you transferred back here. We came later." Suzaku told him solemnly.
"We? Wait, does that mean the vision were wrong? I'm not too late?!" Joseph thought excitedly. "So Lelouch, Eup, and Corn! Here too?!" Joseph asked excitedly.
Nunnally and Suzaku responded with sad expressions on their faces, looking like they needed to tell Joseph something, and he could see that.
"...What?" Joseph asked, not liking their silence.
Nunnally rolled up to him and took his hand in hers.
"Joseph...you've been in a coma for four months." She told him finally.
A second passed...
Then two...
Then three...
"...WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!" Joseph shrieked.
...
To Be Continued.
I'M SO SOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYY! T_T
I really didn't want to go down this route, I REALLY REALLY didn't want to.
I love Euphemia, it broke my heart with what happened to her in the show. But every time I tried to think of an alternate route to take her on, I got stuck! I didn't know how to finish the story, and I didn't want to make a fanfiction that starts and doesn't even end.
At least with this path, I know where it going to end, and I know where Joseph's story is going to end.
And let me tell you right now, R2 WILL NOT END THE SAME WAY AS THE SHOW DID!
There is still hope for our characters, and I'm going to make it so!
There will still be twists and turns, and plenty of laughs as long as our lovable Dimwitted Prince is around.
All I ask is you continue reading and give it a chance. Please don't give up on this story now!
For those who are angered and frustrated by this and feel they can't read the story anymore, I understand. Thank you for reading as far along as you did, thank you for your comments, your followings, and your favorites. I appreciate all of it.
However, you can consider this the conclusion of R1.
The last three episodes of R1 will be told through flashbacks in upcoming chapters as I wanted to get straight into R2.
Originally I was going to have Joseph not even head into the cave until he saw Lelouch laugh maniacally at the end of episode 23, but I then considered the fact he wouldn't wait that long to get back in his body. He would make sure he would try everything to get back and save his siblings, and not hesitate for a second.
What happened to who will be answered in the later chapters.
And I can reassure you all right now, Joseph WILL NOT be falling into anymore comas!
Hope to see you all for the next chapter. Until next time, comment and tell me what you think.