"Absolutely not!" Lelouch reprimanded, walking circles in the living room. The rest of their council was still seated, sending each other varying looks. C.C. smirked at the exiled prince's reaction.
"Suzaku makes a good point, Lelouch." she remarked, earning her a stubborn glare from the boy in question. "We need all the help we can get if we're going to change your father's empire without using the fleija."
Lelouch grimaced upon mention of the very word, a sentiment shared by the others in the room.
"We could always wake Nina." Kallen pointed out.
Suzaku shook his head, his arms crossed. "She hated Lelouch almost as much as I did. She would never help us."
Jeremiah cupped his chin, his posture as regal as ever. "While you are quite right about that, Sir Kururugi, I believe that could be amended."
"How so?" Suzaku inquired, scowling.
"We must simply prevent Lady Euphemia's death this time." the cyan haired knight answered.
"I plan to do so regardless." Lelouch muttered. "In order to do so we will need access to the geass canceller Code R is working on."
Jeremiah stroked his chin. "I will work on locating the device from within the Empire, my Lord. With Lady C.C.'s help, I should be able to ensure that Code R is still at Narita within the month."
"Is there any guarantee that they've finished it by now?" Kallen asked.
Lelouch shook his head, his unwavering gaze resting on a nearby wall. "No, but according to Jeremiah they took Mao off the streets during the fighting at Shinjuku. Apparently he had been searching fo C.C. there, and was captured by the Britannian Military."
Jeremiah nodded his head. "There were reports that someone matching his description was picked up by the military shortly before Shinjuku. It is likely that he has been transferred to Narita."
C.C. took notice of that little tidbit. "So we caused changes already… we need to know more."
Suzaku spoke up at that. "I won't have access to any information if I don't get promoted again, Lelouch."
C.C. nodded, gazing at the table. "That's true. As a Knight of the Rounds you had access to everything. You might even be able to find Rollo."
Lelouch flinched, something that did not go unnoticed by those in the room. "I am already working on plans to find Rollo." he said, rubbing his forehead. "To get back to the matter at hand, I am entirely opposed to waking Cornelia and Euphemia." he exclaimed, drawing a scowl from both Suzaku and C.C., while Jeremiah and Kallen looked thoughtful.
C.C. was the first to speak up. "Having Cornelia on our side would put us a step closer to defeating your father and your brother, Lelouch." she sighed. "Isn't that what you want?"
Really, Lelouch could be so stubborn some times! "If you really want Euphemia to take the throne after your father she will need all the help she can get. Having Cornelia's support would go a long way towards convincing the military to back her."
Suzaku nodded emphatically. "I know you were focused on other things last time, Lelouch, but Euphemia never gave up on you. She wanted to make a better world just as you do." he growled. "Besides, I thought you wanted more people on the inside? What better source of information could there be?" za
Lelouch sighed. They had him cornered. "I will… consider… your suggestions. Moving on, how is Suzaku supposed to get promoted to a Knight of Rounds without capturing me?" he inquired, shooting a look at Suzaku and Jeremiah.
Suzaku leaned back in his chair. "I did have to impress the emperor by capturing you last time." he said, shooting Lelouch a smug look.
Kallen scowled in clear and evident displeasure. "We are not doing that!" she nearly shouted, causing C.C. to smirk.
Jeremiah nodded, "No, of course not. And yet there may be another way to impress His Majesty."
"How?" Suzaku asked, turning to face Jeremiah.
"A knight that defeats up to fifty enemy knightmares in direct combat may receive commendation by the reigning emperor. We would need to get Lady Cornelia on our side, in order to get you a recommendation under her station, as a Knight of Rounds. Only the Chief General of the Britannian Military or the Prime Minister may make such a recommendation." Jeremiah answered thoughtfully.
Lelouch rolled his eyes. Yet another farfetched reason to wake his sister. "May I remind you that Cornelia has tried to kill me a multitudinous number of times?!" he retorted, exasperated.
Kallen rolled her eyes. "So did the Black Knights, Lelouch. From the sound of it, we might need her help." she pointed out with a shrug of her shoulders.
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The Witch of Britannia. Goddess of Victory. Second Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire. Chief General of the Military.
None of those titles mattered to Cornelia Li Britannia. They were tools meant to be wielded as needed, nothing more. Being a General allowed her to better command her troops. Being a Princess gave her even more authority. And being the Goddess of Victory struck fear into the hearts of her enemies.
All the beautiful, violet haired woman cared about was her sister, Euphemia. Not being a princess, and definitely not some collection of titles.
Flawed as they were, Cornelia cared deeply for her family. She loved her siblings dearly. And this island, this accursed land had taken three of them from her. THREE.
Needless to say, Cornelia was not very happy as she exited the plane.
Soldiers. Rows of them, lined up before her in salute.
They disgusted her. Why were they here? Some outdated imperial tradition that demanded she be celebrated on arrival? They should have been searching for that man! They should have been hunting for Zero!
"Sister, nothing will change by glaring at them."
Cornelia turned towards the source of the voice, which had come from behind her. "While we are in public you are to address me as Viceroy, Sub-Viceroy Euphemia." she responded firmly, though not unkindly.
Euphemia curtsied. "Yes, Viceroy" she said, her voice laced with amusement. Cornelia had to fight off a smile.
Despite being the only full blooded siblings in the Imperial Family, Euphemia and Cornelia couldn't have been more different if they tried. Cornelia was tall and imposing while Euphemia was dainty and elegant. Cornelia's purple hair wasn't short, but was about mid length, falling to her shoulders. Euphemia's pink hair, on the other hand, cascaded down her back in beautiful waves. Euphemia's demeanor was quiet, warm and kind, while Cornelia was forthright and cold and cunning. The difference between the two sisters could be compared to that of a silk glove and a steel gauntlet.
"Excuse me, your highness. Lord Jeremiah sent me to escort you to the administration building." said a dark skinned woman with silver hair. She walked up to the two princesses and saluted them in the traditional greeting.
Cornelia nodded at her, and she dropped the salute, turning and signaling with her hand to the solders around her. As the three women began walking to the caravan of armored cars waiting nearby, the soldiers formed up around them, obscuring and protecting them.
Euphemia's eyebrows scrunched together. "Is this really necessary?" she asked. The silver haired woman didn't even turn around.
"I am afraid so, your highness." she said in response. "With the death of Prince Clovis, Lord Jeremiah has increased security around Area Eleven. We've been tracking several rebel cells throughout the island in the meantime."
Cornelia scowled as they entered a vehicle. "These rebel cells should have been rooted out long ago. Why has nothing been done?"
The knight winced briefly. "Prince Clovis did not feel the need to engage in such matters, your highness. I'm sure Lord Jeremiah can tell you more."
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"What's an eleven doing here?"
"He was a suspect in Prince Clovis' murder!"
"The teachers say the charges were dropped."
"He was suspicious enough to arrest though, right?"
"You don't really think he's a terrorist, do you?"
"Of course he isn't. The school wouldn't allow something like that!"
The mummers were deafening. Everyone was looking at Suzaku with anxiety, including the student council. Lelouch, Suzaku, and Kallen had all expected this, but their memories just didn't do it justice.
Lelouch glowered. This was one of the reasons he wanted, no needed, to change things. It wasn't these kids' fault that they were like this. They had been indoctrinated into a life of hate, a sense of superiority thanks only to their bloodlines. They had no achievements of their own. They weren't particularly smart or strong. Hell, Suzaku was a better pilot that all of them, sans Kallen. Nothing in their blood made them superior, but they still viewed someone different with disdain. It was sickening.
"He doesn't look all that scary to me! Why don't we just talk to him?" came a voice from the back of the room. Lelouch turned with a small smile. Shirley.
She had always been different. Kinder. More open.
Rivalz grabbed Shirley's arm, stopping her in her tracks. He shook his head, saying "The guy just got here. Let's give him some space."
Lelouch stood up and walked out of the room.
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Kallen and Suzaku opened the doors to the rooftop together. They found Lelouch
leaning against the railing, staring out into the horizon.
Suzaku walked up to him first, but Lelouch didn't turn around. "Tell me again why it's necessary for me to be here? Not that I minded my time at Ashford, but isn't there something else I could be doing?"
Lelouch shook his head. "We won't always be able to meet outside of school. This way, you can pass off information without appearing suspicious." he said, turning at the sound of a second pair of footsteps.
"And me?" Kallen asked, folding her arms and glaring at Lelouch.
"Same thing, really." Lelouch shrugged.
Kallen rolled her eyes. "How is your shoulder?" she asked, more gently than her usual tone.
Lelouch smiled at her bashful look. "Healing just fine." he replied, his tone warm and comforting.
"So what's our next move, Lelouch?" Suzaku asked, tired of their current conversation.
"Jeremiah courtmartialled Kewell." Lelouch responded. "His allies in the purebloods will try to break him out today. Jeremiah will pursue and request your deployment as backup. I need you to convince the head of Camelot to allow the deployment." He responded.
"And Princess Euphemia?" Suzaku asked.
Lelouch shook his head. "Jeremiah arranged things in order to eliminate that possibility. She won't be in harms way this time."
Suzaku let out a sigh of relief. "Good."
He turned around and began walking back to the door before stopping halfway and slightly turning his head. "Keep your promise, Lelouch, and I promise I'll help you."
Kallen turned to Lelouch after Suzaku had left. "What's that about?" she asked.
Lelouch chuckled. "Suzaku felt… something, for Euphemia. I don't know if it was love, or merely the result of his duty to her, but he was very attached."
"So as long as Euphemia is unharmed-" Kallen began.
"Suzaku will be our ally, yes." Lelouch said, finishing the statement.
Kallen didn't say anything in response. Lelouch turned to look at her, discreetly looking her up and down as he did so.
"I saw that." she said, looking up at him.
Lelouch didn't acknowledge what she said, nor the look she was giving him. "Have you been practicing?" he inquired, desperate to change the subject.
Kallen rolled her eyes yet again, nodding. "It's getting a little easier." she relented, drawing another chuckle from the teen.
"What?!" Kallen protested, causing him to laugh harder. Lelouch didn't answer her inquiry, so she punched his shoulder and turned around, walking back to homeroom.
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Footsteps echoed as a man walked past two rows of pillars. At the far end was another man atop a platform, only he had gray hair and a beard and was dressed like a king. Beyond him was nothing but clouds.
"Your majesty, the remains have arrived." the first man said, coming to a stop.
Charles Zi Brittania smiled slightly, barely a twitch of his lips. "I was just conversing with Clovis, actually. The project must proceed without a moment's delay."
The other man saluted. "Yes, your majesty!" He about faced and began to walk back the way he came.
Charles Zi Brittania kept his eyes on the clouds but smiled fully, a cruel, sinister sneer. "So, then, Lelouch. You've finally made your move."
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"So what's the plan for today, Lelouch?" C.C. asked, lounging about in her prisoner uniform. Why she hadn't changed yet, Lelouch could only guess. "I need to find somewhere else to hide my uniform this time around. I haven't heard anything about Arthur from Milly or the rest of the student council, but I don't want to risk it. Aside from that, Suzaku and Kallen are coming over for another meeting today."
C.C. tilted her head, batting her eyelashes at her partner in crime. "What about your sister?"
Lelouch breathed in for an extended second before sighing. "Sayako has taken Nunnally on her annual check up with the doctors tonight. I had them move it up this time."
"While that's nice to know, I was talking about Euphemia. You can't fool me, Lelouch." C.C. countered.
Knock, knock, knock.
Lelouch rose from his squatting position in one smooth movement and strode towards the door. Kallen and Suzaku came in, both dressed in their Ashford uniforms.
"You kept us waiting." Lelouch pointed out, looking at Suzaku as he closed the door behind him.
"I had to clean my gym uniform again." Suzaku said, shrugging.
Mrow!
Three sets of eyes glanced down at Arthur, the cat the student council had adopted in their previous lives.
"How did he…?" Suzaku began.
Kallen shrugged. "He must have sneaked in when Lelouch opened the door. Wait, what's today?" she asked, shooting Lelouch a look.
"Monday. Why?" Lelouch answered.
Kallen rolled her eyes and glared at the boy. "The date, dumbass."
"Today's the sixth, Kallen." Suzaku answered, leaning down and picking Arthur up. And getting scratched for his efforts. Lelouch chuckled and handed him a band aid from his first aid kit in the bathroom.
"Today is the cat chase!" Kallen exclaimed, her eyes flashing in understanding. "If he gets out-"
"That was today?" Suzaku asked. "Was Aurthur here last time?"
Lelouch paused. He wasn't sure how to answer that question. Sure, they knew he was Zero already, but he didn't want a repeat of the cat debacle. Then again, he wasn't sure what would happen today if the cat chase didn't take place.
"Yes, he was." the exiled prince responded as he closed his first aid kit and put it away.
Kallen's mouth fell open, surprise written all over her face. "So it was you!" she exclaimed, pointing at Lelouch and drawing a confused look from Suzaku.
"What was?" the confused boy asked, rubbing his face. Those claws were sharp!
Kallen didn't even look at Suzaku, her eyes piercing through Lelouch's soul. "Milly wouldn't have ordered that cat hunt without a good reason, and she got Nunnally involved, too."
"Ok, I'm following so far." Suzaku said, looking from Lelouch to Kallen and back again.
"So if Arthur was here and had something Milly wanted, then it must have been something Lelouch didn't want anyone else to see."
Suzaku's eyebrows shot up high, and he turned to look at Lelouch, who suddenly found the furniture very interesting. "It was the helmet, wasn't it?"
Lelouch shrugged, walking into the other room without looking back. Kallen and Suzaku took the silent invitation and followed him, expectant. "I had no where else to keep it at the time."
Kallen shook her head. "And now?"
Lelouch turned to look at the redhead with an aggravated expression. "In my closet, where the damn cat can't get it."
Suzaku and Kallen burst out laughing, and C.C. chose that moment to walk in the room, pizza in hand. "Having a party without me? How mean, Lelouch." she said, pouting at him. Kallen stopped laughing instantly, shooting a look at Lelouch. One that he didn't quite understand. What was it with these two?
"I wouldn't have invited you anyway, Witch." Lelouch shot back, though there was no animosity in his voice.
"Aw poo. Anyway" the verdette replied, fiddling with her lustrous hair, an action that, as she noted, caught the boy's eye. He thinks he's sooo discreet. She thought gleefully. Take that, Kallen! "Sayoko called."
Lelouch frowned and sat down at the head of the table, with Kallen, Suzaku, and C.C. following his lead. "And you answered.?"
C.C. didn't even look up from her meal. "Well I do live here." she said around a mouthful of cheese.
Lelouch sighed at her lack of decorum."And she said?" he inquired, trailing off.
"They'll be back soon." the immortal answered frivolously.
"You could care about this a little more, C.C." Lelouch retorted, aggravated by her apparent lack of interest.
Kallen and Suzaku watched the two of them like it was a tennis match, their heads swinging from one player to the other in rapid succession.
"Why, of course Lelouch." C.C. drawled sarcastically, whipping her mouth. She stood up and stretched her arms, groaning slightly. "I'll just be in the other room if you need me" she said, walking away.
Lelouch sighed and Kallen rolled her eyes. C.C. could be difficult to deal with some times.
"So what should we do with the cat?" Kallen asked, irked by C.C. Where does she get off- ya know what, I don't care! It doesn't matter. It's not like I want Lelouch to look at me like that!
"Well, we obviously can't let him get out with the helmet again. If the students see the helmet this time it would be a disaster." Suzaku said, steepling his hands.
Lelouch sighed. "Yes, but it there's no cat hunt today, what will happen? We need to be careful how we change events."
Kallen rested her head upon her arms, which were, in turn, resting on the table. "So what, we let him go with your helmet, 'Zero'?"
Lelouch looked thoughtful for a second. "Here's what we'll do."
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Millicent Ashford was, for a lack of a better word, mischievous. She loved playing pranks on her friends, especially Lelouch. Anything that could break through that ice prince persona he had built up around him made the buxom blonde almost giddy with excitement. Lelouch often pointed out just how chaotic she was, and he was right, but so what? Anarchy was fun. And she was the class president, not him!
Which is why she was so very happy when Nunnally, Lelouch's cute little sister, came to her, Nina, and Rivalz. Apparently a cat had snuck into their dorm and made off with something Lelouch valued, if Nunnally's word could be trusted. And the best part? Lelouch had been in a 'meeting' with Kallen Stadfeld at the time! It was just perfect! Oh how she would tease Lelouch when she found out what the cat had! But first she would need to get her hands on it.
"Something important?" she asked.
"I'm not sure what exactly, but I'm positive it was something important to them. Because, I've never heard my brother sound like that. They were completely hysterical." Nunnally said, all but confirming Milly's suspicions.
The grin on Milly's face couldn't have been bigger.
"That's weird. What could be so important to them?" Rivalz asked no one in particular.
Nina turned to the bluenette. "A love letter to Kallen?"
Milly acted thoughtful as she hid her shit eating grin. "A picture?"
Rivalz shook his head. "Poetry he wrote for her?"
"Poetry?" Nunnally asked, unconvinced.
Rivalz and Milly laughed in tandem, grins breaking out on their faces as they shared a look.
"Leave it to us! We'll get our hands on this thing before Kallen and Lelouch have a chance to blink!" Milly exclaimed with glee. "Just you wait!"
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"So why are we doing this again?" Kallen asked as she jogged along with Lelouch in search of Arthur.
Lelouch huffed as they ran. Honestly it was a surprise that Lelouch could run considering his build.
"Because- huff- Milly will still offer a kiss to whoever finds him." Lelouch explained between breaths.
"Why again did we do this!?" Kallen demanded, frustrated that she couldn't run at full speed thanks to her sickly persona. Like Hell would she be kissing anyone!
"Because we have to! We can't keep changing everything, not yet!" Lelouch retorted as the rounded a corner and passed two britannian students.
"What's up with that cat?"
"Is it's leg hurt?"
Ding Ding Ding Dong!
Kallen and Lelouch stopped and looked up, listening as Milly spoke over the loud speaker.
"This is the Student Body President. Cat hunt, everybody! There's a cat loose on campus that needs to be rounded up! Put everything on hold, people! Participating clubs will get priority! And whoever catches our feline friend will get an extra special prize. A big ole kiss from a member of the student council! Ahhahahahah! Ahaha!"
Kallen sweatdropped, and Lelouch sighed as he realized that, since they had starting in different places, it was likely that someone else might just end up cornering Arthur. There was no risk of him being exposed, of course. They had been sure to remove that possibility from the start. Still, he didn't like the looks he was getting from the female students in the hallway, nor the lustful looks the boys around were sending Kallen's way.
Back off!he snarled internally, before stopping to consider why he had. Yeah he was close to her, but they weren't dating. What right did he have to be possessive. And since when had he become possessive?!
Shaking his head, he grabbed Kallen's arm, forcing her to stop and look at him expectantly. "We'll never catch him at this rate. We need to split up."
The redhead nodded, desperately trying to fight down a blush, and took off running down another halfway while Lelouch continued on ahead. They were going to catch this cat no matter what it took.
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All around Ashford Academy students paused to listen to the announcement made by their student council president. Shirley, who had been teeing up for a dive from the diving board, fell into the water below. The gardening club, who were gathered outside, whispered loudly amongst themselves.
"Kallen Stadfeld has been hanging around the student council a lot lately, hasn't she?"
"I wouldn't mind tasting those lips!"
"It won't be like a lame peck on the cheek though, will it?"
"A kiss on the cheek would be fine with me!"
"Wait, could we choose where she plants it?!"
The gathered boys glanced at each other in barely contained excitement before shouting with unfettered enthusiasm. "ALL RIGHT!"
Meanwhile, a large group of girls had gathered near the main entrance and stopped when they heard the announcement. They glanced at each other in confused excitement.
"What!? From a member of the student council? Does that include Lelouch?!"
All but one of the girls squealed with glee, but one girl spoke up shyly. "Actually I would prefer Milly."
The others paused and turned to her, incredulous. "Could you get back in the closet, please?"
On the other side of campus, the football team huddled up, working themselves into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, the equestrian club rode out in force. "We have the advantage in mobility!"
"And when you do catch that cat, bring what it's carrying to me, to me, TO ME! AHAHAHAHAHA cough cough."
Kallen ran through the hallways, her sickly persona long since abandoned. Offering people up as prizes! This is why I hated britannians!
She wasn't looking as she ran and ended up running smack into Shirley, who didn't have time to change out of her swimsuit.
"Oh jeez, I'm sorry- Shirely! Why are you dressed like that?" she stammered.
"I didn't have time to change; they're gonna make us kiss somebody!" Shirley exclaimed. "We've gotta hurry!"
Kallen nodded. "I'm right behind you!"
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Thoroughly satisfied with the chaos she had wrought, Milly ran outside, jumping into Rivalz's rig. She leapt into the sidecar and clipped on her belt, swiftly doing the same with the helmet he kept there.
Rivalz turned his head to look at Milly with a thoughtful look. "What happens if a student council member catches the cat. We don't get a prize, do we?"
Milly shot an almost seductive look at the blue haired boy. "Do we get a kiss? But of course!"
Spurred on by the look she'd given him, Rivalz turned his focus to the pathway in front of them. "Is that so? Well what are we waiting around for, then? This is my day to shine!"
The two of them sped off, seen off only by the angered complaints of a nearby teacher.
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Meanwhile Shirley and Kallen managed to corner the offending cat in a stairway.
"Okay, we do this right and our lips are safe. Shirly, you cover the rear." Kallen said, her eyes staying on Arthur the whole time. Shirley, likewise, never took her eyes off the cat until a thought popped into her head.
"Wait a sec!" she spouted. Kallen stopped and turned back to t he other girl.
"What is it?" She asked.
Shirley's green eyes widened in concern. "Who would you want to get a kiss from? Is there someone in particular?" she demanded.
Kallen's eyes widened in surprise, completely blindsided. "What?"
Shirley pressed on "It wouldn't be Lulu, would it?"
Kallen recoiled with a fierce blush, her face turning so red that it nearly matched her hair. "What makes you say that?"
Wait, this happened last time! She thought, turning to find Arthur attempting to make a dart for it. Making use of her lighting fast reflexes, the half britannia scooped up the cat in one swift motion, turning and bolting down the stairs in order to escape Shirley's inquisition. She just couldn't bear to think about kissing Lelouch right now!
Unbeknownst to Kallen, most of the student body engaged in the cathunt, including the rest of the student council, had zeroed in one that particular building and were just outside the door when she burst out. Lelouch looked relieved, but everyone else, including Milly and Rivalz, appeared to be crestfallen.
"Well it looks like we have our winner!" Milly shouted, causing the students to groan. Obviously unhappy with all the noise, Arthur wiggled out of Kallen's arms and fell to the ground with a soft plop. "Too bad we won't get to see what you and Lelouch were hiding." Milly sang just as Shirley walked out behind Kallen. Kallen's blush blazed back to life in an instant, and Lelouch wore a matching set of red as well. Shirley sputtered quietly, trying and failing to convince herself that there was nothing happening between Lelouch and Kallen.
"We weren't hiding anything, Milly." Lelouch denied, trying to divert attending from Kallen, who was making a very convincing impression of a red fish.
"I guess we'll never know!" the blonde troublemaker retorted. "Oh well. Well, Kallen. Who are you going to kiss?" Milly asked, thoroughly enjoying the shades of red on Kallen and Lelouch's faces.
"Kiss?" Kallen squeaked. To everyone else it looked like she was staring at Lelouch, but in reality she was remembering the kiss that they had shared on the steps of the student council building. She had been in a bad place at the time, unsure of her feelings for Lelouch and Zero, and Lelouch hadn't returned the kiss at all, but then… it had been something magical. She had loved him, or so she thought she had. What would it be like to kiss him now? Would he- "Kallen?"
"What?!" Kallen shouted, jumping in shock. It took her a second, but once she realized that she had been daydreaming about kissing Lelouch in front of the entire student body her blush went atomic. Milly, who had apparently moved to stand behind her, put her hands on Kallen's shoulders. "So who is it going to be, Kallen?" she whispered directly in her ear, her grin obvious even to Kallen.
Lelouch stepped forward, desperate to alleviate the situation. "Milly-"
"Now, now, Lelouch! Rules are rules." Milly interrupted, shooting the raven haired boy a mischievous look.
"No one." Kallen responded, finally gathering her wits but noticeably not turning to face Milly, instead looking at the ground between Lelouch's feet.
Milly pouted. "Nope. Gotta choose someone!"
Unseen by both Kallen and Lelouch, Rivalz moved into position just behind Lelouch, just as Milly was behind Kallen.
Kallen stammered, her eyes darting around and looking at everyone and everything other than Lelouch, causing a couple of the boys in the student body to get their hopes up. It didn't last long.
Milly and Rivalz pushed at the exact same time, but Milly must have pushed a little harder, because Kallen went careening into Lelouch's arms. Both of them had their mouths open when their friends had pushed, and now they ended up locked at the lips, eyes wide in surprise and arms rigged at their sides.
Milly smirked, her hands on her hips as the two of them accidentally kissed. There was a thud behind her and she sighed; she knew it had to be Shirley. The poor girl was going to be very torn up about this when she woke up, but Milly was confident that this would be the push she needed to finally confess to Lelouch.
It would have to be; it had been a little bit and neither Lelouch nor Kallen had moved. Neither had pulled away, merely staring into the other's eyes. Awkward? Sure. But the fact that they hadn't pulled back or recoiled told Milly that her hunch had been right on the mark. Even if Shirley hadn't had competition in Kallen before, she did now. Milly giggled quietly. This was going to be fun.
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Not much later, the entire student body was once again gathered in one place, only everyone was much more rigged. They were in the auditorium, standing in rows as the Britannian National Anthem played. A projector casted the state mandated broadcast memorating Prince Clovis' funeral back in the mainland. There was a podium, currently empty, in front of the casket, and a huge portrait of the late royal butcher hung above it. Behind the podium sat a line of royals and high ranking aristocrats, all sitting in a posh but attentive manner.
"And now, the ninety eighth emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire!"
Emperor Charles Zi Britannia glided up to the podium, grasping the sides almost violently. His posture was regal and commanding, and his presence was arrogant and assuming, as befit an emperor of the greatest single nation in the world. Lelouch narrowed his eyes in poorly hid disgust.
"All men are not created equal!" the emperor began. "Some are born swifter of foot! Some with greater beauty! Some are born into poverty! Still others are born sick and feeble, both in birth and upbringing. In sheer scope of ability every human is inherently different! Yes, that is why people discriminate against one another! It is why there is struggle, competition, and the unfaltering march of progress! Inequality is not wrong! Equality is! What of the E.U. that made equality a right? Rabble; politics by a popularity contest! The Chinese Federation with it's equal distribution of wealth? A nation of lazy dullards! NOT our Beloved Brittania! We fight! We compete! Evolution is continuous!
In the Lancelot's hangar, Lloyd Asplund scoffed softly. "Evolution." he mused. "Such a pretty little word.
"Britannia alone moves forward, advancing swiftly into the future! Even the death of my son, Clovis, demonstrates our commitment to progress! We will fight on! We shall struggle, compete, plunder, dominate! And in the end, the future shall be ours! All hail Britannia!"
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"