I was a long time Code Geass fan back in the day. Been years since I watched it or even thought about it until recently when I happened upon some videos of the game, Lost Colors. Interest renewed, I devoured every video I could find, and it gave me some ideas. While I loved the game, and especially loved the Black Knights/Kallen Route, I saw a lot of potential for expansion. That's where I come in. Hopefully this is the answer to the prayers you never knew you had.

I have zero experience as a writer, but I'm also extremely bored. So as a way to pass the time I started writing this. I'm giving Rai a little more personality and expanding on some interactions. No idea where I'm taking this yet - either into R2 somehow or some alternate story route. Who knows? But in the meantime, grab some popcorn, pull up a seat, and let me cook.

Lets begin.

...

Minutes drifted into hours as I lay on my unfamiliar new bed staring at the ceiling wondering about who I am and how I got here.

Don't get me wrong, despite being an amnesiac, I could've ended up in way worse places. Stumbling into a schoolyard and kindly being taken in by a group of eager and friendly students roughly my age was perhaps among the best possible fates I could've had.

"Eh. Could be worse, I suppose." I muttered to myself with a slight smirk. "At least I didn't forget how to use a toilet. That would've been an awkward conversation with my rescuers..."

Did I have a decent sense of humor? Or is this a side effect of being a newly made blank slate? Maybe I'm just the kind of guy who finds himself funny, but to everyone else I'm sort of a mood killer? I guess asking myself those sorts of questions will inevitably take me further down a series of rabbit holes, each of which branch off into more and more puzzles.

My heart started to race a bit. "Easy now. You'll figure this all out." I said as I closed my eyes and took in a few deep breaths.

"I just need to clear my mind and try to get some rest."

I managed to somewhat fade in and out of consciousness for what felt like a couple of hours until the sun began to poke its head over the horizon and hit my eyes. Still, I tried to persist in getting more shuteye.

...

...After a while, I realized it was no good. The sun was up now and so was I. Might as well get ready for the day.

It wasn't really all that hard for me to choose an outfit given that all I had for the time being were the ragged shirt and pants I wore yesterday.

"Eh. This works." I said with a shrug.

I went to reach for my doorknob when I heard a somewhat light knock.

"...Rai? Are you awake?" asked the frail voice from the other side of my door.

"Just getting my shoes on." I replied.

I quickly opened the door to not keep Soft Voice waiting. Yeah, that's what I was calling her for the time being since I couldn't match a face to the sound of her sullen vocal chords - not that I remembered anyone's name anyway.

"Good morning," said the frail-looking girl.

Oh right, the cute one with the red hair.

"G-goodmorning" I stuttered.

Smooth Rai, real smooth. Perhaps I wasn't much of a ladies man, or maybe I was just feeling less confident than my former self probably was because of the torn up, dirty outfit I presented myself with to the fair maiden. Well at least, that was the story I was going with anyway.

"Milly wanted to meet with you so she asked me to get you, but first she said to give you this."

The red-haired girl passed me a fancy bag containing a school uniform as I made a mental note of the name, "Milly."

"Must be the blonde one," I internally monologued.

"It might not be the right size, but Milly said if they don't fit then she'll bump you up to the next one."

I took the bag and said, "Thanks."

She gave me a small nod. I guess she's not the most expressive type in the world...

I decided not to keep her waiting too long so I said, "I'll be quick" as I shut my door.

Quickly throwing off my old rags, I took a few moments to notice myself in the mirror.

Based on the level of muscular definition I have, I definitely wasn't much of a slouch in my past life. While I wouldn't classify myself as 'jacked,' I appreciated the fact that I took care of myself physically. That's tally number two on my internal Good Luck/Bad Luck chart - tally number two for my good luck streak, that is.

"They're a tiny bit snug, but I think I'll manage for now." I said while buttoning my pants.

...No reply. Not much for conversation either it seems... Better get my shoes on quickly and get out of here.

I hastily opened the door and shut off the light and said, "Ready. Off to the school, I suppose?"

"No, actually we can just head downstairs to the main clubhouse for student council meetings."

Was this girl sickly? She seemed a little on the lethargic side. Or is she just monotone?

"Ok. Got it." I followed as she began to turn around to lead me down the hallway.

A few moments of awkward silence went by when Red Hair - yes, she graduated from 'Frail Voice' to 'Red Hair' for the time being - asked, "Did you sleep well? Were you able to remember anything?'

"Not really. And no." I said somewhat cut and dry. Damn. Maybe I was unintentionally responding with the same level of energy I had been receiving?

Jaded, and with a degree of pointedness, my monotone companion said, "I see. Give it time. Something will come back, I'm sure."

That was about as meaningful as someone asking "How're you doing?" Most people didn't really have a genuine interest in your well-being when asking that kind of question. It's just an informal, quasi greeting, if you will. But then again, those type of people at least have some measure of etiquette, however empty. What I'm dealing with here seems to be another thing entirely. I'm sensing a bit of a wall building up...

More awkward silence ensued. Since I seem to be batting a thousand with each exchange, I figured it'd be best to keep my mouth shut. Either I wasn't very likable, or this girl has somewhere else she'd rather be, and I was getting in the way of that.

We made it downstairs and headed toward the entrance of the meeting room where we were met with a friendly girl with Auburn hair. Shirley... I think. (Better listen in when they address each other so I can keep their names straight).

"Good morning Shirley."

Bullseye. I knew it.

"Hey Kallen! Hey Rai!" The disparity of energy between the two females was like night and day. Shirley gave off a sense of warmth and radiance, which made dealing with the clouds surrounding Kallen much easier.

I was met with the same questions Kallen asked me, but the sincerity and concern in Shirley's voice came across more genuine. My response was much more open as well.

"I didn't get a whole lot of sleep. It's not the environment. I just have a lot of questions about myself, and it kept me up most of the night. After all that thinking, I came up with nothing..." I said dejectedly.

I couldn't notice any change in body language, but I definitely detected a shift in energy from Kallen - not sure how I'd describe it but I sense that my more open response to Shirley irked Kallen who barely got a couple words out of me.

"Oh I see..." replied the friendly ginger with downcast eyes.

"I suppose it's unrealistic to expect everything to come back all at once in just one night. I'm sure the more you're able to adjust, the more you'll be able to remember."

She was too kind. I felt a little more at ease.

"Did Milly call you down here too?" Kallen asked.

"Oh you guys as well? I wonder what it's about?"

We decided to head on in and see what was going on.

The door just about cracked open when and excited "Good morning!" bellowed from the other side, followed by a noticeably quieter "good morning."

Two more women. That makes four... And I'm the only male. Not a bad deal and certainly not an unwelcome sight... I couldn't help but notice a couple members of the student council were missing - the males specifically - not that I was complaining, of course. My breathing got a little shorter. Maybe I wasn't very good in these situations after all...

As if having no concept of personal space, Milly closed the gap between us precipitously. With her hand on her chin she looked into my eyes, assessing me.

A nervous and confused "Can I help you?" escaped from my mouth.

"Son of a Nobleman?"

"Huh?"

"No. No. Wait. Don't tell me... A tourist from the Chinese Federation wanting to experience the Britannian way of life!"

I saw where this was going. Although my pride was a little hurt after starting out as a potential nobleman only to then be downgraded to a mere tourist. Has this women ever heard of listing things in ascending order?

Although with that, the tension started to ease. I relaxed my shoulders and decided not to interrupt my cross-examination.

"Ooh. Ooh. I know! You're a time traveler who came here in his flying car, needing to escape impending doom and warn us about changing our ways before it's too late!"

She was having a little too much fun with this.

Not so eager anymore to continue listening to this, I cut in, " Uh... no. None of those things... Well, more accurately, I'm not sure. Could be, but I've got nothing so far..."

"Oh... I see... Maybe I was a little too forward."

"No. It's ok" I said. "It's just a lot for me to process."

Milly bit her lip, trying to think of what to say, and then suddenly a sullen voice chimed in, "Why don't we try a change of pace? We could try to look around several places."

Kallen had a good idea. Maybe exploring the area might help me remember something, or even better, I'll run into someone who knows me and can give me some answers. It's better than collecting dust in my room like an old ornament, anyway.

Shirley instantly lit up. "That's right! Something out there might trigger something. It's better than sitting around, right?" She concluded with a smile.

"Then in that case, I'll leave guiding him to you, Kallen." Milly stated.

"Eh? Why me?"

"Didn't you know? The person who brings up a subject must be the first to act upon it. It's a universal law around the world!" Milly said with a look of deviousness.

Shirley followed up equally playful, "It's a law, so it really can't be helped."

Did these two often conspire together?

Objecting with a little more passion than usual "Wait! That's just for your own convenience!" But then returning to character, Kallen followed, "Ah... I mean, that sort of thing is just too much for me... And I don't really know the area that well..."

Eyes softening, Shirley replied, "Really? I figured with you coming to school more often that your rehab was going well."

I'll be damned. So she was sickly... Perhaps I've misread at least some of the vibes coming off of her...

Capitalizing on Shirley's observation, Milly emphatically declared, "As the student council president, I say we bring this to a vote. I hereby nominate Kallen as Rai's official helper! All those in favor say 'aye.'"

Milly, Shirley, and quiet girl - damn, I forgot she was even here - all said 'aye' simultaneously.

"Then by majority vote, this emergency resolution by the student council shall be implemented. This is the order of the student council president."

I could almost hear the sound of a metaphorical gavel smacking a surface as Milly gave her ruling. Damn, I'd hate to be on the receiving end on one of her sentences... Seems like the type to get her way one way or another.

Eyes shifting to the side, Kallen sighed, "That's just..."

Poor girl. Maybe she really is too sick, or maybe too busy? Or maybe there's something wrong with me? I'd hate to be an inconvenience, but then again-

"You're ok with this you too, right?" Milly's eyes shifted toward me.

Crap... Uhh... If Kallen really doesn't want to, she really shouldn't have to, but then again, I'm sensing this is more of a rhetorical question than anything else. Seems pretty final unless I make it into an issue. Unsure of what to do or say, I turned off my brain for a second and let my mouth speak before I could think much more about it.

"Sure. I don't mind." Well that was unexpected of me. But it's too late to take it back now.

"Then after school is concluded, you're both to meet at the public park to carry out the plan. Feel free to rest until then Rai because tomorrow, your classes start as well."

"Say what now?"

Did I sign up for that last night, or is this just a consequence of my staying here? Perhaps enrolling me as a student justifies my presence here? It makes sense I suppose. This isn't a shelter for the impaired, and if some random dude was just wandering the corridors during school hours, people would have some questions. Best to just play student until it all starts coming back to me.

Closing her eyes and grinning, the blonde student council president declared, "Dismissed!"

...

The school day started and I returned to my room. Not having much to do, I stared out into the distance and took the scenery of the schoolyard and the distant parts of the settlement in. It's really not a bad place to live. I wonder if the rest of Japan used to look like this before Britannia invaded? I tried picturing that kind of view but my mind came up blank. It's no surprise. My psyche was only limited to a basic knowledge of the world around me. I wasn't so hopeless as to forget about my surroundings or the historical context in which I found myself, but without any concrete references, I couldn't picture very many places off the top of my head.

I then proceeded to turn on my tv, channel surfing until I tuned into the news. This broadcast was about the assassination of Prince Clovis and the getaway of the mysterious Zero. No matter which news station I flipped to, the story was the same.

Each broadcast all asked the same things:

"Who is the mysterious Zero?"

"What is the relationship between him and Jeremiah Gottwald?"

"Will the new viceroy be able to restore stability to our once peaceful home?"

It sounded to me like they were all just trying to pad out their airtime. From what I could tell, this story was old news.

"Cool mask, I'll give him that." Not sure of how else to react.

Seems like the world I woke up in is in a state of turmoil, or at least, that turmoil came to the surface, rising out of the facade of peace invoked by the sword. I know that there was resistance to the empire's rule, but it seems this mysterious charismatic figure is re-kindling the flames of rebellion.

Feeling somewhat existential, I wondered if I would've sided with him had I not lost my memories? Alternatively, I probably could have been a future soldier. It makes sense given my physique. Were politics and patriotism important to me? Then again, I'm assuming this is where I was born. Sigh... Every time I make an observation, it's always followed with a question about myself. God, I hope I can learn at least a little something later today.

...

The school day was nearing its end, so I decided to head out to the park early, hoping to get a head start. Not sure if I was always the punctual type, but if I wasn't, then I might as well start the habit now.

As I neared the park, I noticed a demure woman with dark red hair in the distance.

"Whoa, she's here early." I observed while quickening my pace toward her.

Catching me in the corner of her eye, Kallen said, "Ah, you came."

"Ouch," I thought.

"That was the promise after all." I said while trying to ignore the subtle antagonism.

We stared at each other for a few moments, looking for something to say and then she broke the silence,

"This is a convenient place to meet, isn't it? Though it's crowded during the holidays."

"Yeah..."

Only a conversation about the weather could be less engaging, but I'll give my guide credit - she did break try to break the ice a little.

"..."

"..."

Finding nothing else to talk about, she asked, "Well then, shall we go?"

...

We proceeded to make our way through a nearby section of the Tokyo settlement where I got a basic tour of essential, need-to-know locations like the market, a shopping district, etc. It was relatively simple - certainly not exhaustive - but it was enough to get me familiar with a rough outline of the area.

Throughout our trek through the Tokyo settlement, I became a little disheartened that nothing was registering for me. I began to entertain the idea that maybe this all was a bad dream that I would wake up from eventually... Although, now that I think about it, what exactly would I be waking up to? If this is a dream, then is the reality I'm escaping from in my sleep really any better? My thoughts began to wander, each one more existentially depressing than the last.

"Um... hey, Rai?"

"Hm?" I mumbled, slowly drifting back to reality.

"What's on your mind?"

"Huh? No, it's nothing." I said dismissively, not wanting to bring the mood down any more than it already was.

Not buying it for a second, Kallen replied, "I didn't say anything at first because I thought you were just trying to familiarize yourself with the area, but you seem pretty deep in thought."

"..."

"Am I boring you with my guidance?"

There was a little snappiness in her tone with that last bit, but can I really blame her? I mean, she was basically coerced into dragging me around town, interrupting any and all plans she might've had - for me, a total stranger.

Taking a moment to think of what to say, all I could come up with was,

"I'm sorry."

Somewhat disarmed, Kallen said "Eh?"

Realizing it wasn't any good to keep holding it in and keeping up a straight face, I just decided to let it all out.

"It's just, I know I'm a complete stranger to you and it wasn't fair you drew the short stick in the lot when it came down to deciding who would babysit me. You have a life, and I got in the way of that. It's just, I don't really know what I'm supposed to do or where I'm supposed to be. I'm just about as displaced as this settlement - standing smack in the middle of a different land, surrounded by a different culture, but still existing anyway, totally out of place like a complete eyesore - not fully integrated and not truly belonging. So for that, I'm sorry... I really am."

She took a few moments to observe me, taking in everything I said. And then there it was for the first time since we met - her eyes and expression softened. She looked at me with a smile and said, "It's fine... Don't worry about it."

There was something about the look in her eyes that communicated with me in a way words could not. It was like she was telling me she understood how I felt, as if she related to me in some similar way, and because of that, even if it was just for a brief moment, I knew everything was going to be ok.

We made our way back to where we started, sun fully set and evening settled in, and we agreed to meet up at the same time and place tomorrow.

...

I returned to my room.

"Holy shit, I'm tired." I said while stripping down to my undergarments.

I groggily trudged across the room toward my balcony - yes, my room had one of those, and let me say, it was a pretty sweet deal - and opened the door. I stared up at the moon, a huge, full moon might I add, and just let my mind be.

No thoughts. No stress. Just existing. After several minutes of having a staring contest with the moon, I returned to my room and collapsed in bed a little more hopeful that I'd find out the truth about who I am.