Do Something, Do It Stupid

by codegeassfan123

Everyone knows about the Britannian Imperial Family, even Lady Marianne's deceased children have their place in history. Yet everyone often forgets about the one prince that left Pendragon 7 and a 1/2 years ago, and that's the Dimwitted Prince, Joseph Du Britannia. Now that he's crossed paths with his brother on a highway in Area 11, there's no telling what adventures might ensue.

36. To Villain or Not To Villain!

Silence...

What could be said for something like this?

The Special Administrative Zone was a failure, thousands of Japanese were killed, and it was all done by the hand of Euphemia.

And she did it with a bloody cheek and a smile on her face.

And now she was laying in a medical chamber, skin pale as snow, fighting for her for life.

Suzaku sat next to her bed, clutching the pin she gave him for his knighthood.

"Why...why did this happen!?" He thought in despair.

"Suzaku…" He heard a small voice say to him.

It was Euphemia with tired eyes, looking at him.

"Euphie!" Suzaku said with shock and relief.

Cecile pushed a button that made the breathing mask come off and opened the medical chamber. She and Lloyd left for them to talk, as they both knew it would be the last time they would ever do so.

"Euphie...I have to know...why did you issue that order at the stadium?" Suzaku asked, afraid to even bring it up.

"Order? ...What are you talking about?" Euphemia asked weakly.

Suzaku looked at her in surprise. "She...she doesn't remember?" He thought in confusion.

"Never mind that…Suzaku…you're Japanese, aren't you?" Euphemia asked, Suzaku not seeing the red surround her irises.

"Yeah?" Suzaku said, not understanding.

"No! I mustn't–I–I can't even think such a thing! No, please…!" Euphemia said with struggling breaths, as if she was fighting something.

"Euphie!" Suzaku said in concern.

"Suzaku?" She said.

"Yes, Euphie?" Suzaku said gently.

"The ceremony…did it go all right? Is Japan okay…?" Euphemia asked innocently.

"Euphie..." Suzaku said, not sure how to tell her.

"How about everyone that was there? Are the Japanese happy? How was the ceremony…? Do you think I did…okay?" Euphemia asked with weak breaths, almost as if she was pleading.

"Euphie…the Special Zone is…" Suzaku started to say, tears sprouting from his eyes.

He couldn't do it, he couldn't hurt her, not like this.

"...A great success! The Japanese people were given back their home, you did it!" Suzaku told her happily.

"Oh, thank God…" Euphemia said in relief. She then looked at him and noticed something. "How strange…I can't see…your face anymore…" She said, her voice getting weaker by the second. She reached out her shaking hand towards Suzaku, who took it into his. "Suzaku...w-watch over Joseph...when he wakes up...make sure he doesn't get into...too much trouble." Euphemia said with a smile.

"We'll do that together Euphie, he always listens to you." Suzaku told her.

"And please...be there for L-Lelouch..." Euphemia told him, shocking Suzaku. "He can be...quite stubborn sometimes..." She said.

"She knows about Lelouch?" Suzaku thought in confusion.

"Keep going…to school…I had to stop…before I–before I had the chance to finish…" She told him quietly.

"Euphie, you can still go yourself! I know! Why don't we go to Ashford Academy together? The student council is so much fun! Euphie!" Suzaku insisted, tears running down his cheeks.

"You have to do it…for me…okay?" Euphemia told him.

"Please, Euphie! No, don't go!" Suzaku pleaded frantically to her. They couldn't say goodbye like this, not like this!

"Suzaku…" Euphemia said, her voice growing quieter. "I'm so happy…" She continued, her words becoming slower. "...that we…"

And that was it.

She didn't get to finish.

She flatlined right then and there.

Suzaku screamed out her name, tried to shake her awake before the medics dragged him away to revive her.

But she didn't wake up.

She was Dead.

Princess Euphemia Li Britannia was dead.

...

After the medics left, Suzaku stood over Euphemia's body.

"Euphie…I just don't understand. Why did you give that order?" Suzaku asked himself.

"Shall I tell you?" A voice suddenly spoke up, surprising him.

He turned around, and saw a child with long blonde hair that reached to the ground. He looked to be 10-years old.

"Huh? A child? How did you get on board?" Suzaku asked the boy gently.

"How do you do, Suzaku Kururugi. You may call me V.V." V.V. said in a casual manner.

"V.V.?" Suzaku asked, not sure what was going on.

It was then this V.V. told him about a power called Geass. It was one that Zero possessed and it was what he used time and time again to make people do his bidding, including what caused the massacre at the SAZ.

"Geass?" Suzaku said shock.

"That's correct. Zero possesses a supernatural power." V.V. told him.

"Impossible." Suzaku said, not wanting to believe it.

"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?" V.V. asked hypothetically.

Suzaku froze at that. Could it be true, could it really be true?

...

"If you have any last words, say them now." Suzaku told Kallen.

He currently had his VARIS gun pointed at the Guren.

He was done being merciful.

He was done playing nice.

All he wanted now was to get Zero, by any means necessary.

He was about to fire when suddenly.

"Wait!" A voice called out.

It was the voice he wanted to hear, the voice of the man he was going to kill with his very bare hands if he had too!

He turned and saw it was the Gawain, and knew Zero was inside.

"Suzaku Kururugi, my belief that you and I could be allies was incorrect. I'm no longer gullible about our would-be partnership. Let's resolve this one-on-one." Zero offered him.

"Works for me, let's do it!" Suzaku said in agreement, not caring where they went for him to kill Zero.

...

Suzaku sat in the immobile Lancelot, wondering how he was going to get out of this. Zero had tricked into coming to Ashford Academy and setting off a Gefjun Disturber during their battle. Right now, the Black Knights were trying to get his hatch open, presumably to take him prisoner.

Suddenly he heard some voices talking.

"Tamaki, what do you want us to do with them? Should we lock them in the dorms or the gym with the other students?" A Black Knight asked.

"Students?" Suzaku muttered.

Then he heard a frantic voice.

"Call Zero! I guarantee you that Zero wants us to be safe! He doesn't want anymore civilian casualties! He's trying to guard us!"

Suzaku recognized that voice. "Shirley!" He thought in a panic.

"Aw, shut up! Zero and me are tight — I know the man better than anybody!" The loud mouth who Suzaku assumed was Tamaki shouted. "And he's not gonna hesitate to shoot anyone at a time like this!" He said arrogantly.

"The student council! I can't let anymore innocent people die!" Suzaku thought determinedly. "Stop!" He shouted as he opened his hatch willingly.

"Oh, what's this? The Japanese knight comes out to help the Brits, huh?" Tamaki asked sarcastically.

"Suzaku…" Shirley said quietly.

"That white Knightmare is all we came here to get! A dirty traitor like you can die right there!" Tamaki threatened, about to shoot Suzaku.

When suddenly:

"MEOW!"

Arthur leaped onto Tamaki's gun, making him miss his shot.

"Arthur!" Suzaku said in surprise.

Arthur hissed at Tamaki.

"Stupid-ass cat! Screw this, just kill all of 'em!" Tamaki said angrily.

Suddenly, bright lights shined from above them.

It was the Avalon!

"Good evening, everyone!" Lloyd said through the speakers.

"Lloyd!?" Suzaku said in surprise.

Then a knightmare flew in from the Avalon and fired upon the Black Knights.

"Retreat! Let's pull out!" A Black Knight said as he and another Black Knight ran.

"C'mon!" Milly told her friends as they ran away to safety.

"Hey, you!" Tamaki tried to stop them, only for the knightmare to get in his way.

"Well, Miss Cecile, how are the test parts working out?" Suzaku could hear Lloyd ask through the comms. "Cecile's in that knightmare?" Suzaku asked himself in surprise.

"They're ready to be practically applied." Cecile told him as she shot the devices surrounding the Lancelot, deactivating the Gefjun Disturber.

"It's back on!" Suzaku acknowledged as he saw the Lancelot power up again.

"Unlock your fuel hatch — we'll replace your energy filler." Cecile told him on the screen.

"Right! But why did you come out here, too, Miss Cecile?" Suzaku asked.

"Good question. Why did we, Lloyd?" Cecile asked in a neutral tone as she replaced his energy filler.

"Why else — to recover the Lancelot, and do a few other things as well." Lloyd said in his casual tone.

After that, Cecile inserted a Sutherland arm into the slot that had its arm blown off by Kallen's Radiant Wave Surger.

"It's a Sutherland arm, is it showing contact?" Cecile asked.

The Lancelot cleared it.

"It cleared the compatibility check." Suzaku told her.

"Good, now leave this place to us. You go after Zero." Cecile told him.

"Thanks to you, I will. Please protect Ashford Academy and everyone here!" Suzaku asked them as he saw Milly and others get to safety.

"Yes. After all, my fiancée is here too." Lloyd said nonchalantly.

The Lancelot rose up and Suzaku could see Arthur on the roof staring at him.

"Arthur...thank you." Suzaku thought gratefully.

Suddenly, he heard his comms come on.

"Hmm? Royal private channel?" Suzaku said in wondered.

"K–Kururugi…?" A voice sturggled to say.

"Viceroy Cornelia?!"

...

Suzaku threw Lelouch off him. He could hear the ship that Kallen came on flying away.

He slammed his foot on top of Lelouch's chest, making him grunt in pain.

"Zero…this is the end of you." Suzaku said as he clutched his wounded shoulder.

He wouldn't dare call him Lelouch. Because that's not who he was looking at.

He was looking at Zero.

Not his friend.

Not his classmate.

His enemy.

And he realized killing him would be a mercy.

No, he deserved far worse.

Far. Worse.

...

"The Student Council!?" Suzaku asked in shock.

"Yes, after all, if we want him to be bait, his classmates will have to play their respectable roles as well." Charles told him as they walked through the hallways.

"But your Majesty, surely there has to be another way! Perhaps another identity..." Suzaku tried to reason.

"We tried with him as Julius Kingsley, he broke through the Geass. Since he's so used to being a student, we might as well make him one again." Charles said with a smirk.

"But...the Student Council...they're innocent in all of this." Suzaku said quietly as he stopped walking.

Charles stopped walking too and looked Suzaku hard in the eye.

"I'm surprised at you, Knight of Seven. Didn't you just betray Lelouch not too long ago?" Charles asked, shocking Suzaku.

"Wha-there's no comparison! He betrayed Princess Euphemia!" Suzaku told him.

"Then you want vengeance for her, correct? The sooner we get C.C. out of hiding, the sooner you'll be allowed to kill him." Charles said with a sneer.

Suzaku stayed quiet for a moment before bowing his head at the Emperor.

"Yes, your highness. Forgive me for speaking out of turn." Suzaku said quietly.

"Hmmm. Indeed." Charles said simply before turning and walking away from him. "We leave tomorrow, I suggest you come along to make sure your friends cooperate. No need for any unnecessary violence." He told him.

"...Guys...forgive me..." Suzaku thought miserably as he shut his eyes tightly.

...

Chinese Consulate

"So do either of you want to explain why the kid who's been pretending to be your brother is suddenly helping us?" Kallen asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"Don't look at me, it was all Joe's idea." Lelouch said tiredly.

"Yep-per-rooni! Got new little bro on good guy side!" Joseph said proudly as he did a little celebratory dance.

Kallen just gave him a bewildered look from the fact he kept referring the spy as "new little bro".

"You didn't use your Geass on him, did you?" C.C. asked.

"That was my first idea. But obviously he had an alternative." Lelouch said as he pointed at Joe, who nodded his head excitedly.

"You do realize he's a spy, right? A spy probably sent out by the same guy who caused Lelouch's Geass to go haywire and then told Suzaku about it." Kallen said incredulously.

"And whose mission was to draw me out in the open." C.C. added.

"And who apparently has a Geass that has the ability to freeze people's perception of time! As evidenced by what happened at Babel tower!" Kallen added.

"You see spy, Kal Pal. I see? ...A boy...a boy, scared, alone, just wants...connection...like us all." Joseph said dramatically as he moved his hands in different poses, making Kallen roll her eyes. "That boy want love, so gonna give!" Joseph said determinedly.

"Are you sure he's not just acting?" C.C. asked with a bored tone.

"Acting? HA! If he acting, then I Elton John!" Joseph proclaimed, confusing the others to a certain amount. "Maybe mission first, but real later! Those feelings, can't fake." He said sincerely as he tapped his chest where his heart was, and then pointed at Kallen and C.C. "That where you's come in!" He said excitedly.

"Huh?" Kallen said, not sure if she heard that right.

"Needs friends! Can do that!" Joseph told them happily.

"He is a trained assassin, you know. Probably has more kills on his belt than a person his age should." C.C. told him.

"Rough around edges." Joseph waved off. "Inside, good kid!" He reasoned before taking Kallen's hand into both of his. "Please Kal Pal. Help get out of shell?" Joseph asked innocently.

Kallen thought about for it a moment. She didn't like it as it came off too risky, but the kid didn't look like he harbored any ill-intentions when they met, and it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to keep tabs on him whenever he was around.

"(Sighs) Alright. I'll do what I can. But if he tries anything, he's gonna get my foot so far up his ass." Kallen told him.

"Thanks, best bud!" Joseph said with glee as he hugged Kallen tightly. "Seaweed?" He asked, turning his direction to her.

"I'll be civil with him, but that's all." C.C. said, not willing to trust the boy.

"All good. Start somewhere!" Joseph said with a thumbs up.

"Where is he anyway? His knightmare's gone too." Kallen asked.

"He used a route Xingke gave us." C.C. explained.

"Xingke? The bodyguard to the Empress?" Lelouch asked.

"The same. So don't be surprised if he's not 100% loyal to our cause." C.C. told him.

"Duly noted. An issue I'll confront later. Right now, I want to talk about V.V." Lelouch said.

"We'll talk about Geass later. There are more pressing matters." C.C. said

"Very well. I catch your drift." Lelouch said as he put his mask on.

...

"Long live the Black Knights! Hip-hip-hooray!" Tamaki yelled happily as he threw his prison clothes in the air, feeling better than he had in months.

The other, now freed, Black Knights shouted in celebration as well as they put on their uniforms.

"Here it is. Man, I 've missed my old uniform." Sugiyama said happily.

"Rock'n'roll!" Tamaki said excitedly as he put his headband on.

Tohdoh and the Four Holy Knights were also talking amongst themselves.

"He saved your life?" Tohdoh asked in surprised.

"Yes Colonel, I can honestly say I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for Joseph." Urabe told him sincerely.

"Hmm...it seems I owe Joseph another debt of gratitude." Tohdoh said with a small smile.

"Perhaps the boy really isn't so bad." Senba said.

While Chiba was able to hide it, she couldn't help but feel anger and jealously towards the prince. Once again, her Colonel showed actual emotion for that dimwit, but not her!?

"You should just confess already." Asahina whispered to her with a teasing smile.

"Ah! What do you mean by 'confess'?" Chiba whispered harshly.

Suddenly, the doors that lead to inside the consulate were kicked open, startling everyone!

The one who kicked them was, of course, Joseph Du Britannia.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...!" Joseph started off like a WWE announcer before pulling his walkman from his pants and pressing the play button.

What came out was a rap beat, followed by:

Guess who's back!

Back again!

Joseph lipsynced to the lyrics as Zero walked up from behind him, Kallen also in tow. The Black Knights couldn't help but gasp in surprise and awe.

Shady's back!

Tell a friend!

Joseph pointed to Zero as he continued lipsync.

Guess who's back, guess who's back?
Guess who's back, guess who's back?...

Joseph then proceeded to dance around Zero and continuously point at him.

Most of the Black Knights, such as Ohgi and Sugiyama were perplexed by the situation while others, particularly Tamaki and Chiba, were getting annoyed. Kallen just put a hand to her face.

"Joseph." Zero finally said, also having enough.

Joseph heard this and gladly pushed the stop button before giving him a thumbs up and giving him center stage.

The chatter about Zero began again, before Chiba stepped in.

"Hold it, hold it. While we appreciate you rescuing us, Zero, we wouldn't have been captured in the first place, if you hadn't betrayed us the way you did." Chiba said.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! No betrayal, Chibi! That false, very false!" Joseph said defensively.

"If that's not the case, then what happened?" Chiba asked with an accusing tone.

"Don't you owe us an explanation?" Asahina asked.

"What happened? We deserve to know." Ohgi said.

Joseph was about to speak again when Zero gestured for him to stay silence.

"That's right! You tell them Lelouch! Tell them how you were captured as well!" Joseph thought with a smirk.

"Everything is for victory over Britannia." Zero said.

Joseph and all the Black Knights waited for him to continue.

"...Okay. Go on." Tamaki offered.

"That's all." Zero said simply.

"...Say again?" Joseph thought as he did a double take.

Kallen and the rest of the Black Knights were shocked as well.

C.C., who was watching from inside the building, looked on with curiosity as well.

"Huh? Nothing more to say? No apologies? No excuses?" Asahina asked in disbelief.

"Stop it!" Tohdoh suddenly yelled as he approached Zero. "Zero, were your actions intended to give us a chance of winning?" He asked.

"I'm always focused on getting results." Zero told him.

"Bro, what the Hell are you doing?" Joseph thought, confused by this demeanor.

"I understand. At times, our operations must be kept secret. Right now, we need to rely on his power. I can think of no one more capable than Zero to be our leader." Tohdoh as he approached Zero's side.

"I agree. We should all trust Zero." Ohgi said, suddenly stepping up next to Zero as well, surprising some.

"But Zero treated you as if you were nothing more than a pawn." Minami told him.

"Who other than Zero could have pulled this off. Even the Chinese Federation isn't strong enough to wage war on Britannia. And the E.U. continues to lose to Prince Schneizel, doesn't it. We are the last hope out of all the areas Britannia has colonized. Zero is the only one who can lead us to victory in our war of independence." Ohgi told them.

"Ohgi is right! Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero!" Tamaki started to chant.

"Zero! Zero! Zero!" The other Black Knights started to chant as well.

While Joseph was thankful that both Ohgi and his Sensei gave their support to Lelouch, he was wondering just what on Earth was going through his head to say that stuff.

Clearly this had to be discussed privately.

So, Joseph got behind Lelouch and started to:

*COUGH* *COUGH*

This caught everyone's attention.

"Whoa, Admiral Zero! Pretty bad cough there!" Joseph proclaimed, followed by more fake coughing, or hacking from what people were hearing, behind his back. "Come! Better get medicine! Can't rebel if sick!" Joseph said as he started to pull Zero towards the building. "Come Kal Pal! Shall assist!" He gestured at Kallen, who looked at him in surprise and confusion, before catching his drift.

"Uh, right. Of course." Kallen said simply as she followed Joseph and Zero.

The rest of the Black Knights just stood there in confusion.

"The Hell was that about?" Tamaki asked.

Urabe on his end, looked on with a intrigued eye.

...

"What is it, Joe?" Lelouch asked as he took off his mask, annoyed he was pulled away from the crowd like that.

"'That's all'?! W! T! F!, bro?!" Joseph asked incredulously.

"Yeah! What the Hell kind of answer was that!?" Kallen asked, equally pissed off at her friend and leader.

"What did you want me to say? 'Yes, I did abandon you so I could save my sister, which resulted in my capture.'?" Lelouch asked sarcastically.

"Better than no excuse!" Joseph said angrily. "Said last year gonna reveal identity! Just do that!" He told him.

That was a surprise for Kallen, she didn't know he was willing to put more trust in her friends.

"That was before my Geass went off and made my sister commit a massacre! I doubt they'll like knowing a Britannian prince is leading them!" Lelouch said angrily.

"They like me!" Joseph reasoned with a smile.

"Besides Tohdoh, Urabe, and Ohgi, I would say everyone else tolerates you." Lelouch told him, surprising Joseph.

"That's not fair, Lelouch! We both know Joseph has done plenty to earn the trust of the others here!" Kallen told him, angry she had to defend his own brother against him.

"Which is more than what you're doing right now." C.C. said, who was currently lounging on the couch with her Cheese-Kun in her arms.

"I don't need them to trust me or even like me. As long as they do what I say, the rest doesn't matter." Lelouch told them bluntly, shocking Kallen and Joseph.

"You can't be serious?!" Kallen asked.

Joseph couldn't believe his ears, this wasn't the warm-hearted, cheerful Lelouch he left off a year ago. This was the mean, cold Lelouch he met back in Shinjuku.

"Bro...why talking like this? This villain talk. You not villain." Joseph said softly as he put his hand on Lelouch's shoulder.

"But I am willing to be one if it means saving Nunnally. I already killed Euphemia so there's no going back now. That's why I formed the Black Knights. I became Zero for Nunnally's sake." Lelouch said as he pushed Joseph's hand off his shoulder.

"I'm well aware that your sister is your entire reason for living. However..." C.C. started to say.

"I am going to create a world where Nunnally can live happily. To do that I will obliterate Britannia! And if it means being seen as evil by some and hated by others, even by my own subordinates, I don't care in the slightest." Lelouch told them with a vengeful eyes.

The rest just stayed silent, taking in what he said.

"Lelouch..." Joseph started to say.

"Joseph, you and Kallen go back to the Black Knights, make sure they don't get too rowdy. I need to discuss some things with C.C." Lelouch told them, wanting to get off the subject.

Kallen sucked in a breath, peeved she was being waved away like this.

"Lelouch, do you still want me to be the captain of Zero's personal forces as I have been?" Kallen asked in a calm manner.

"I do." Lelouch said simply.

"Understood. I'll consider that. Roger and out." Kallen said professionally. "Come on, Joe." She said, pulling him along. Though it did look like he wanted to discuss things further, he didn't argue.

"You mentioned V.V. Is he in the Britannian homeland?" Lelouch asked C.C. after they left.

"I don't know that much about him. However I know that he is your father's first ally. Emperor Charles of Britannia's chief confederate." C.C. told him.

"Confederate?" Lelouch asked, wondering what she meant by that.

"Long ago. They made a pact." C.C. started to tell him.

...

"Argh! That damn jerk! Who the Hell does he think he is!?" Kallen asked in aggravation.

"Thought whole doing evil thing be for bad guys, not own comrades!" Joseph said disbelief. "This not good, Kal Pal! Worse than thought! Eup's death messing with head!" He said urgently.

"Why would he be affected by Princess Euphemia's death?" An unannounced voice asked, surprising Kallen and Joseph.

That voice belonged to Urabe, who had his arms crossed and a narrow look in his eyes.

"Crap! How much did he hear?!" Joseph and Kallen both thought to themselves.

"Uru! Uh...well, both liked Froot Loops!" Joseph said quickly.

Urabe, of course, didn't buy it.

"Would this have anything to do with the word 'Geass' I heard you guys talking about the other night?" Urabe asked suspiciously.

"...That music brand?" Joseph asked, playing coy.

"Joe!" Kallen hissed, before turning back to Urabe. "We don't know what you're talking about Urabe." She told him, really not liking where this conversation was going.

Urabe stared at them for a moment before sighing. He dropped his arms and approached them, Kallen was ready to be on the offensive.

"Look, I understand there are things going on in this rebellion that are bigger than me. And I understand that we need Zero, now more than ever. But I've seen his face as well, I have to hold onto this secret just like the the three of you do. So haven't I earned the right to know what's going on? Have I not earned that trust?" Urabe asked solemnly.

Joseph and Kallen looked each other with mixed emotions as there was a lot of truth in his statement. He has seen Lelouch's face, just like them. It's a secret that he's willing to keep, just like them.

In Joseph's book, that was more than enough to trust with him with even more secrets.

...

The Next Day

Ashford Academy

Before Lelouch and Rolo went to class, they were currently watching the news. The news banner under the news reporter made Lelouch's eye start to twitch.

Dimwit Prince Saves the Black Knights!

"...What?" Lelouch thought as he reread the headline with a growing temper.

"The Tokyo Settlement is still in a gossip by the news of the Dimwit Prince saving the Black Knights with the assistance of Zero." The news reporter said.

"'Assistance of'-IT WAS MY IDEA!" Lelouch thought furiously as it took all his willpower to keep a straight face as the OSI was probably still watching.

Rolo couldn't help but cringe a bit, as he could see this was a hit on Lelouch's pride.

"Many have now branded the Prince as a traitor, but some have come to admire his courage for sticking to his beliefs. How this will change the rebellion will remain to be seen." The news reporter concluded.

"This day possibly couldn't get any worse..." Lelouch thought to himself.

...

"And it seems I jinxed myself..." Lelouch thought bitterly.

Standing in front of Lelouch's classroom was the one person he despised just a little bit less than his father and was shocked to see.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Suzaku Kururugi and I'll be returning to classes here at Ashford Academy starting today. I look forward to studying here." Suzaku introduced himself.

"Suzaku Kururugi?"

"The guy who caught Zero?"

"The White Death is coming to school here?"

"He is the Knight of Seven."

As the students chattered among themselves. Lelouch clenched his fist in hatred and rage.

"Okay, quiet down. Sir Kururugi has been reassigned to Area 11 and that's why he's coming back to school here. Why don't you take the desk next to Lelouch for now." Villetta said.

"Yes, ma'am." Suzaku said as he went towards the students.

"Suzaku. You…you were my first real friend." Lelouch started to think.

"But the war tore us apart." Suzaku started to think.

"The Second Pacific War, the conflict in which Britannia took control of Japan." Lelouch thought.

"After its defeat, Japan became an area colony of Britannia." Suzaku thought.

"I, who was abandoned by my homeland."

"I, who was forced to abandon my homeland."

"When we reunited, we were at once enemies and allies."

"Although I was Japanese, I was also a Britannian soldier."

"I was Zero. We both hid our true identities."

"We fought each other."

"However, those are memories of what really happened."

"The Emperor rewrote three things in Lelouch's memory."

"Nunnally."

"Anything about Zero."

"And that I was a prince of the royal family of Britannia."

"And so, the two of us now…"

Suzaku ended up next to Lelouch.

"Hey, welcome back. It's been some time." Lelouch said in a friendly tone.

"I missed everyone a lot." Suzaku said in a equally friendly tone.

"Suzaku, feels like forever." Shirley said kindly but keeping a few feet away.

"You've really come up in the world, haven't you?" Rivalz said as he jumped Suzaku from behind.

"Suzaku's back?! Where is he?!" Milly asked excitedly as she entered the classroom.

"Madam President, class is in progress, you mind?" Lelouch teased.

"Oh what's with you, Lelouch?" Milly asked, annoyed.

Unknown to all of them, Joseph's spirit was watching all this go down.

"Errg! The nerve of him! Lets their memories be manipulated and still acts like their friends. Suzaku, you asshole!" Joseph's spirit said angrily.

"You screwed up Suzaku. When you heard the name,'Lelouch', you just walked right to my side. In other words, you acted as if you knew me. Now to make sure Rolo doesn't do anything stupid…" Lelouch calculated.

...

The old gang sat together and had lunch while catching up.

"And so everybody up and left except us. They all went back home. Even the teachers." Rivalz said.

"Back to the homeland?" Suzaku asked.

"Yeah and that's the reason why we're the only ones here at school who know you, right Rolo?" Lelouch said.

"R-Right." Rolo agreed quietly.

"That explains why I don't recognize anyone here." Suzaku said.

"Hey you saw Zero's face, didn't you? So what did he look like?" Rivalz asked.

"Is he really a girl?" Milly asked.

"It's really Prince Clovis, right?" Rivalz theorized.

"Um…well…" Suzaku said nervously.

"Can't you share that with us?" Lelouch asked innocently.

"No, it's a military secret. I'm sorry…" Suzaku said apologetically.

"Suzaku...you've seen the news about Joseph, right?" Shirley asked, first time she's spoken since they started eating.

The mood turned more sullen at that, knowing that their friend was now a wanted fugitive.

"Yes...I have..." Suzaku said solemnly.

"I tell ya, that guy has always done a lot of unexpected things, but officially joining the Black Knights. Man, he never ceases to surprise me." Rivalz said in a complimentary way.

"What are you going to do, Suzaku? I mean, I know he's technically a criminal now, but..." Milly said awkwardly, wanting to defend her friend.

"Um, well..." Suzaku started to say.

"You're not going to kill him, are you?!" Shirley suddenly asked.

This shocked the Student Council, including Rolo.

"Wha-No! Shirley, I would never!" Suzaku told her quickly.

"Easy, Shirley. He wouldn't do that." Rivalz intervened.

"Well, Suzaku did garner the nickname 'White Death'." Rolo said simply, also wondering if he would have to defend his new brother against Suzaku.

"He's our friend, Suzaku! He saved my father! Doesn't that mean anything!?" Shirley asked frantically.

"Of course it does! I just-Agh!" Suzaku winced in pain as he saw a particular cat biting his hand.

"Arthur?!" Milly said in surprise.

"Oh, you brought him with you?" Rivalz asked.

"Well, Suzaku, you really have a thing for cats, don't you." Lelouch said with a teasing smile, finding a bit of pleasure seeing Suzaku in pain.

"I figured he missed you guys too." Suzaku said with a smile as he got Arthur to let him go. "Look, the situation with Joseph is complicated. I can't guarantee he won't be jailed if captured. But I swear, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he doesn't get hurt." He swore solemnly.

Shirley just looked down sadly, before packing her lunch and getting up.

"I have to do some practice laps in the pool. I'll see you guys later." Shirley said quietly as she left.

"Ah man. She's really taking it hard." Rivalz said.

"Makes sense, the two were really close." Milly said.

"Especially after he saved her father." Lelouch added.

Suzaku just looked down with regret on his face.

...

OSI Surveillance Room

"Did anything leap out at you during your contact with him?" Villetta asked.

"No, not especially." Suzaku said.

"Then we can conclude that the subject's memories haven't returned." Villetta concluded.

"Wait just a minute. Please, I feel we have to investigate this further." Suzaku told her and Rolo, who was also present.

"Do you mean you don't trust our surveillance?" Rolo asked accusingly.

"There's also the matter of C.C., continue playing his little brother just the way you have been." Suzaku ordered.

"All right, my lord." Rolo said.

"It seems the student council is planning to throw you a welcoming party. Please reconfirm his state then." Villetta said.

"Yes, understood." Suzaku said as he stood up. "One more thing. Has Joseph been spotted near the Academy at all?" He asked, surprising the both of them.

"No, not that we've seen." Villetta said.

"I feel like if he did, he would have made his appearance known." Rolo reasoned, knowing Joseph has indeed been to the school already.

"Very well. Contact me if you do. Now that I know he's here in Japan, I'm afraid he might try something. If he's found, make sure your agents don't kill him. I just want him detained." Suzaku ordered, making his way out.

"Yes, My Lord." Villetta and Rolo said.

...

Chinese Consulate

"You want me to forgive Princess Euphemia?!" Tohdoh asked incredulously.

Him and Joseph were currently in their own private room, with Joseph giving him a formal Japanese bow, the same as he did with Kallen when they first reunited.

"It wasn't her! Sis not in right mind! Eup kind! Not evil!" Joseph told him determinedly, his head to the ground.

"Then why did she commit those atrocities to our people?!" Tohdoh asked angrily.

Joseph wanted nothing more than to tell him, but unlike with Urabe, Tohdoh hadn't entered the circle of secrets yet.

"Don't know! But not her! Please! So sorry! Will do 10000 pushups, 20000 laps around Consulate! Do anything! Please! Just no hate Eup! Please Sensei!" Joseph pleaded with all his heart.

Tohdoh observed his former student with narrowed eyes, he could see that Joseph was sincere. He knew he couldn't take back what happened, but he still wanted to protect what little honor his sister had.

He couldn't help but be reminded about what happened with Suzaku and his father and what he did to protect him

Therefore, he took a deep breath and sighed.

"Very well. I won't forgive her, but all animosity I have will cease at this moment." Tohdoh told him solemnly, Joseph looked up in surprise before a big smile adorned his face.

"BEST SENSEI EVER!" Joseph said with glee as he pulled Tohdoh into a big hug. "Missed you, by the by." He said happily.

"And I you. Honestly, after what happened back in Fukuoka, I wasn't sure you'd ever wake up." Tohdoh said, keeping his stoic face.

"You kidding? Hard noggin! Nothing get through!" Joseph said proudly as he knocked on his head with his fist.

"Indeed." Tohdoh said with a small chuckle.

Unbeknownst to them, Chiba was watching their interaction with steam coming out her ears.

...

Ashford Academy

"Teacher, could you please overlook all the campus infractions that Rolo and I are involved in?" Lelouch asked as he Geassed the spy disguised as a teacher.

'Very well. I can do that. Just don't wander off school ground so often, you two." The spy said.

"Yes, sir." Both Lelouch and Rolo said.

"The only member left now is Miss Villetta, right?" Lelouch asked.

"Correct. But Suzaku Kururugi is here now. Shall I kill him?" Rolo asked casually.

"You shouldn't behave like that. Oh, and something else. Can you quit speaking to me in such a formal manner? After all, we are supposed to be brothers." Lelouch told him kindly, surprising Rolo.

"That's right!" Joseph yelled, appearing out of nowhere next to Rolo.

"AHH!" Rolo yelled, jumping back a couple of feet after being almost startled to death. Even taking out his knife when his defenses kicked in. "Joseph?!" He asked, taking deep breaths while he recovered from the shock.

"Joe?! What the Hell are you doing here!?" Lelouch asked angrily. "If people see you-"

"Relax bro! Classes in session so students, Suzaku and Villetta occu-podo! And everyone else under mind control!" Joseph reassured.

"You still haven't answered my question!" Lelouch said angrily as he felt his headache increasing in pain from this day. Rolo was looking around to make sure there weren't any observers around, and to neutralize them if needed.

"Bro, after talk last night, realize need extra eye on you. Therefore, gonna come more often!" Joseph proclaimed excitedly.

"Joseph! You're a wanted criminal now! Do I really have to tell you how stupid this is?!" Lelouch exclaimed in disbelief.

"Be extra careful! No worry bro! Be good for all!" Joseph reassured. "Rolo! You De Niro to his Stiller! Keep eye on!" He said to Rolo as he got in close to his face with intense eyes, their noses touching, and making "I'm watching you" gestures with his fingers.

"Uh, of course, Joseph. It shall be done." Rolo said nervously.

"Cool. And remember, no formal stuff. Brothers now!" Joseph said happily as he hugged Rolo tightly.

And honestly, Rolo couldn't help but welcome it, these genuine feelings he never had never experienced before. "Okay, big brother." He said softly.

"Joe, I'm sorry, but this cannot happen-" Before Lelouch could continue, he suddenly had his mouth cover by Joseph and was brought in close.

"Shhhhhhh...already happening bro. Can't stop. Just accept. It be fine." Joseph said with a whisper.

"...Why are you whispering?" Lelouch said after Joseph uncovered his mouth.

"'Cause...it stealthy." Joseph said in a very serious manner before taking his walkman and pressing the play button.

What came out was the theme song from The Pink Panther.

Joseph started to dancing to the beat in a sneaky-like fashion, even rolling on the ground at one point. He made the "I'm watching you" gesture to Lelouch before letting himself fall off the bridge they were on.

Rolo looked on with a bewildered expression while Lelouch just pinched his nose in frustration.

"Is...is he always like that?" Rolo asked, not sure what he just saw.

"Every. Single. Day." Lelouch said, just wanting the day to be over now.

...

Joseph made his way to an alleyway between the school buildings, hidden from cameras. Keeping an eye on his brothers.

"No worry bro. Won't let become Anakin." Joseph said quietly.

"Joseph?" A voice called out to him.

Joseph's eyes widen in shock as he recognized the voice.

"Crap!"

...

Viceroy Palace

"Iwate… Wakayama… Tokushima…" Edgar said as he looked over the reported uprising that had been happening in Area 11.

"There are reports from Yamaguchi, too." Claudio added.

"Hmpf! Zero makes an appearance again, then the Dimwit Prince officially turns traitor, and now we get this." Edgar said bitterly.

"It may be an effect of Lord Guilford's absence, too." Claudio said.

"If this keeps up, our Sakuradite supply will also be…" Before Edgar could continue, they heard explosion erupt.

"Emergency! Unknown M.R.F. within the perimeter." A soldier announced.

"What is it?" Claudio asked in shock.

"No way. This government bureau controls all of Area 11." Edgar said angrily.

...

A jet of sorts flew into the hangar of the Viceroy Palace.

"Hahaha. Getting in here couldn't have been easier. These guys are almost annoyingly sloppy. Is this the best line of defense that Area 11's got to offer?" Gino asked smugly from inside. A group of knightmares came and aimed at him. "Ah-ha, perhaps I was being a bit hasty." He said cheerfully as they tried to shoot at him but he swiftly dodged them without breaking a sweat and took them all out with slash harkens.

Suddenly two Sutherlands confronted him.

"I don't know who you are. But this ends right here." Claudio told him.

"Pitiful. That armament shows you care more about protecting the building. Oh well, too bad." Gino said from inside his jet, a bit disappointed.

Suddenly, Gino's jet started to transform. It turned into a knightmare of its own!

"That Knightmare?! Could it be the one…" Edgar said in surprise from inside his knightmare.

"I see. That's what we are dealing with. The variable Knightmare Frame Tristan. Which makes you Lord Gino Weinberg, the Knight of Three. Am I correct?" Claudio asked from inside his knightmare.

"You are. I'm putting you guys to the test. All right. Try and stop me." Gino challenged.

"Very well we accept your challenge. We can't allow this insult to go unanswered." Claudio said.

"Don't hold back. Gimme your best shot." Gino said with anticipation from inside his knightmare.

"As you wish!" Edgar yelled as he and brother charged at the Tristan.

"Thank you." Gino said delightfully as swiftly blocked their attacks and cut their knightmare's heads off with quick pace.

"Stop it!" Suzaku shouted before the battle could continue. "That's enough. The battle's been decided." Suzaku said with finality.

"Then Sir Kururugi, is that the final decision of the Knight of Seven?" Claudio asked from inside his knightmare.

"It is." Suzaku said simply.

"Hey, Suzaku." Gino greeted happily as he opened his knightmare.

"Gino, I thought I asked you to bring the Lancelot here for me." Suzaku said.

"Yeah, but Earl Asplund is coming with it this week. Not to change the subject, but what's with the outfit?" Gino asked as he approached Suzaku and looked at his uniform.

"I came straight here from school. It's required." Suzaku told him.

"Very fashionable." Gino said in a flamboyant manner as he hugged Suzaku from behind.

"Gino, I know you are from a great noble family, but can't you act more normal?" Suzaku asked tiredly. "He's just like Joseph." He couldn't help but think nostalgically. "By the way, you are amazingly heavy."

"Is it over?" A voice asked as her large, pink, purple-ish knightmare came floating down next to Suzaku and Gino.

"The Mordred? Anya came along, too?" Suzaku asked in surprise.

"Is it over?" Anya asked again from inside her knightmare.

"Yep, Suzaku made me end it." Gino told her.

"How dull..." Anya said with a tired whine as she looked at her phone, hoping to add more memories.

"We should have more than enough fire power assembled by now. Lelouch, tomorrow, with the welcome party, everything will be made clear." Suzaku thought solemnly.

...

Ashford Academy

The next day, Lelouch's troubles just seemed to continue.

To start things off, the festival for Suzaku was horse-themed!

Why? Because of all the talk Joseph generated due to his return and his proclamation of joining the Black Knights. So of course, horse masks were sold, shirts that said "EAT THAT HORSE!" on them were given, and so...many...damn...horse puns thrown around.

It didn't make things better that two Knights of the Round decided to come and visit the school their colleague went to, so Lelouch had to keep on his toes from not only Suzaku but them as well.

And to top it all off! C.C. decided it was a good time to come out of hiding and try to get her hands on the giant pizza they were trying to make, AGAIN!

Lelouch had a close call when he shoved her into the tomato container when Shirley wanted to talk to him for some reason. Though he never found out about what due to the blonde-haired Knight named Gino took the container to put it on the dough! Kallen tried to help by wearing a horse mascot costume in disguise but didn't really do much.

Thankfully, Lelouch was able to Geass one of the students to activate the bubbles they had installed to go off later and was able to get C.C. out of there, unseen.

The only saving grace about this was Joseph kept himself surprisingly hidden. Thank God for small mercies in Lelouch's case.

But then he got a bombshell dropped by the three of them on top of the building where there garden was.

"You told Urabe?!" Lelouch asked angrily.

"We were kind of stuck in a corner considering he's already seen your face!" Kallen said in annoyance.

"Maybe you should have found a more secure place first before talking about Geass!" Lelouch said angrily before turning to C.C. "And why didn't you say anything earlier?!"

"I'm telling you now aren't I? It's not my fault you left before you could talk to him." C.C. said nonchalantly as she recalled Kallen and Joseph brought her into the conversation so Urabe could get the full scope of things.

Lelouch could only sigh tiredly.

"Mellow, bro. Uru cool. Gonna keep secret." Joseph reassured with a thumbs up.

"And you're positive about that?" Lelouch asked bitterly.

"Talk to him yourself if you don't believe us. Unless of course you just Geass him to keep his mouth shut." C.C. said with a bored tone.

"C.C.!" Kallen yelled, appalled at the suggestion.

"I'm just saying, it's an option." C.C. said.

"Uru friend, Seaweed. No control friends!" Joseph lectured with a wagging finger.

Lelouch thought about it for a moment.

"I'll talk to him later. Right now, we should deal with the matter at hand. The person who saw you was from the swim club?" Lelouch asked.

"Yeah. I think it may have been the teacher." Kallen told him.

"Villetta?" Lelouch asked in surprise.

"I didn't get her name. But the weird thing is that I think I remember seeing her at the festival last year with Ohgi." Kallen said.

"Oh yeah, those two dating!" Joseph remembered. Lelouch turned to him at that, Kallen also looking at him in surprise.

"...What?" Lelouch asked, wanting him to say that again.

"Yeah! Them holding hands and all! Totally clicking! But think she trick to get to you! That jerk!" Joseph said with a pout.

"Ohgi...you and her..." Kallen thought in shock.

"Joseph...why didn't you tell me this before?" Lelouch asked with a calm voice.

"Didn't ask." Joseph said simply as he shrugged his shoulders.

And then Lelouch slammed his head against the railing.

...

OSI Surveillance Room

Villetta stood there in shock. Rolo, who she had been working with for the past several months, was now pointing a gun at her with the same neutral expression he had whenever he killed an agent.

"That's it, Rolo? You've turned traitor?" Villetta asked, stunned by this betrayal.

"Traitor? Or patriot?" A voice asked, surprising her.

It came from a chair to her right. It turned the chair to face her, revealing to be Joseph. He had his fingers together and his left foot resting on his right knee with a smug smile on his face.

"P-Prince Joseph?" Villetta stuttered in shock. To which he gave a smug chuckle.

"Seems shoe on other foot. Table, turned. Uno, reversal card. Four leaf clover be-"

"Joe. I think she gets it." Lelouch said as he entered the room, something in his hand.

"He does remember!" Villetta thought with wide eyes.

"Villetta Nu. The woman who was awarded the rank of Baron for ascertaining Zero's real identity. But unknown to most, you are connected to the Black Knights." Lelouch told her.

"Not true!" Villetta balked. "I never betrayed-"

"Kaname Ohgi." Was all Lelouch had to say to make her wither. "If word of your relationship with him ever got out, you'd have to relinquish that title you worked so hard to earn. Why not be reborn as someone new? Oh, yes. Shirley gave me this to give to you. So the timing works out nicely." Lelouch said with a smile as he put the gift down, unwrapping it. Revealing it to be the wine bottle they got back at the mall. "Happy birthday, Coach Villetta." He said smugly.

Villetta could only stand there in shock as everything unraveled before her.

"One more thing!" Joseph suddenly shouted as he stood up, startling the others. "Rolo." He said simply as he pointed to his new little brother.

"Oh, uh, right." Rolo said simply as he activated his Geass, freezing Lelouch and Villetta.

Joseph then jumped onto the table, turned his bottom towards Villetta's face and let out a loud:

*FART*

Rolo couldn't help but grimace as Joseph sighed in relief, muttering how he held that in for awhile, before standing back up and jumping down the table.

"Go ahead." Joseph told him.

Rolo turned off his Geass and Villetta started to gag and cough, Lelouch looked in bewilderment, wondering what just happened.

"Beans for lunch!" Joseph said smugly. "Man, two great surprises in just a couple of days!" He thought excitedly.

...

Later that night, Milly held a ball for all the students. Lelouch stuck on top of the student council building as he had to make a private call to Xingke, who was able to retrieve Kallen and C.C, to get in contact with the High Eunuchs.

Joseph was hanging by in his spirit form.

"The only one left to defeat is Suzaku." Lelouch thought after he ended his call.

"Now all we have to worry about now is Suzaku!" Joseph's spirit said happily.

"Lelouch." Suzaku called out.

"Oh, shouldn't the guest of honor be at the main stage?" Lelouch asked.

"Hmm, no. Everyone seems to be having a fine time without me. Besides, I wanna discuss something with you." Suzaku told him.

"What is it?" Lelouch asked.

"Well you see, I'm aspiring to become the Knight of One." Suzaku said.

"Whoa, that's the greatest knight in entire empire-"

"The Knight of One is bestowed the privilege of choosing one of the Britannian areas for his own. I intend to have Japan. I'll take this area for myself." Suzaku told him.

"Geez, Suzaku. I know you're mad at the guy, but there is no need to be rude. Thank you very much." Joseph's spirit lectured. Lelouch just looked at him in surprise.

"Lelouch, I've lost too much. Precious friends and a woman who no one can ever replace. By acquiring power, I will never again lose anyone else I care about. And then, the Japanese people won't need Zero anymore." Suzaku explained.

Joseph's spirit looked at him sadly, seeing that he still wanted to do right in his own way. Even if that way was techincally bad.

"Hmm, indirect rule, eh? You wanna make it a protectorate?" Lelouch asked.

"You can ask this person. They'll know. The new Viceroy who's coming to take charge of Area 11 this week." Suzaku told him as he took out his phone and dialed a number.

"New Viceroy huh? New villain to fight then?" Joseph's spirit wondered.

"You think a student should speak to the Viceroy?" Lelouch asked in surprise.

"It's Kururugi. Yes, he's standing right here in front of me. Yes." Suzaku said to person on the phone before offering it to Lelouch.

"What do I say. How awkward. This is such an important person." Lelouch said as he took the phone.

"Oooh! I wonder if they got Corn to come back! Be nice to see her again!" Joseph's spirit said excitedly as he floated next to phone.

The voice on the phone, was not Cornelia.

"Hello, big brother? Lelouch, is that you?" Nunnally said through the phone.

Lelouch and Joseph's spirit froze.

"N-Nunne?!" Joseph's spirit thought in shock.

"It's me, Nunnally. Can you hear me? I'm coming there to be the viceroy." Nunnally said through the phone.

"If your memory hasn't returned, you won't know who she is. Go on Lelouch. Let's hear your answer." Suzaku thought to himself, not realizing a fist fazed right through his face.

"SUZAKU! YOU MOTHERFUCKER! HOW DARE YOU PULL A DIRTY TRICK ON MY SIBLINGS LIKE THAT!" Joseph's spirit yelled in rage as he swung his ghost fists at Suzaku, which of course did nothing.

Lelouch was dealing with his own thoughts at the moment.

"Suzaku, you've got me trapped." Lelouch thought furiously.

"Um, this is my brother, isn't it?" Nunnally asked over the phone.

After Joseph got done with his tantrum, he looked back and saw the turmoil on Lelouch's face.

"Damn it! He doesn't want to outright lie to her! And I can't interfere without revealing he remembers! What to do?! What to do?!" Joseph's spirit thought anxiously.

But then they both saw Rolo appear by the door and he activated his Geass, freezing Suzaku in place.

"ROLO! You beautiful little brother you!" Joseph's spirit said with glee and huge relief by Rolo's rescue.

"Good work. Keep him like that." Lelouch told him.

"You have to hurry. Don't forget the time limit." Rolo reminded him as he raised his hand and started to countdown.

"Oh, right. Your heart." Joseph said in remembrance from Rolo telling him that his heart stops every time he uses his Geass.

While he hated that such a risk came to his new little brother's health, he was thankful for his brother's sacrifice. He would give him one big kiss on the head later.

"Nunnally, listen to me." Lelouch said to Nunnally.

"Lelouch, it is you!" Nunnally said in relief. "Are you okay?! What happened?! Did Joseph find you?!" She asked rapidly.

"I did indeed, little sis!" Joseph's spirit said happily.

"I don't have time to explain. Right now, we have to act like we're strangers." Lelouch told her.

"Lelouch?" Nunnally asked, not understanding.

"It's necessary. Just follow my lead. I'm going to come for you. I swear it." Lelouch said, he could see he was running out of time. "So until then…until then…I love you, Nunnally!" He told her before Rolo deactivated his Geass, unfreezing Suzaku.

Joseph could only look on sadly that his two siblings had to be forced apart like this.

"You're confusing me with someone else. That's right. I'm just a student at the school here." Lelouch said to his sister with an unknowing tone.

"Lelouch, your memory really hasn't come back?" Suzaku thought with frustrated confusion.

"Yeah, screw you Suzaku!" Joseph said smugly as he flipped the bird to his face.

"Yes, I beg your pardon." Lelouch said.

"Forgive me. When I heard you are a good friend of Suzaku's, I guess I just jumped to conclusions. It's just...I…" Nunnally said in an unknowing tone as well.

"No, please, it's an honor for me to speak with a royal princess." Lelouch said.

"Um…could you please put Suzaku back on?" She asked.

"Yes, Your Highness." Lelouch complied, giving the phone back to Suzaku. Rolo also took his leave.

"Forgive me Nunnally. I didn't mean to cause a misunderstanding." Suzaku told her apologetically.

"Bullshit you didn't! You are SO OUT of the friend-zone, you ass!" Joseph's spirit said angrily before putting a hand to his chin. "Still, Nunne's going to be new Viceroy huh? ...Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" He wondered quizzically.

...

Aircraft

"No, it's all right. He just seemed so similar that it surprised me. Well…um…I'll see you when I get to Area 11." Nunnally said as she said goodbye to Suzaku. She was currently on an aircraft, on her way to Japan. "Did Suzaku lie to me? But...my own brother. I don't understand. Has something happened between them?" Nunnally wondered, and then she wondered about something else.

"Does it have anything to do with that dream?"

...

(Flashback)

Nunnally opened her eyes, realizing she could see again. She saw she was surrounded by the same black void from last year.

"It's this place..." She said in realization. "But why...?" She wondered.

"YES! Progress!" A voice shouted, startling her. She recognized the voice.

"Joseph?" She said in surprise as she turned her head in the direction the shout came from and saw her brother floating the distance. "He's okay." She quietly said in relief as she floated in his direction.

But like before, a barrier stopped her before she could get too close. "Darn it!" She said in frustration.

She then saw Joseph sigh a breath of sadness.

"...Eup...I don't know if you can hear me, for all I know you already passed on to the great beyond and you're with mom, who's chatting your ear off about The Beach Boys." He said with a chuckle.

Nunnally couldn't help but chuckle too "Aunt Becky alway did say they were her favorite band." She happily reminiscence.

"But if you can, please know...I'm sorry...I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you, I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect Lelouch when he needed it, and I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help Suzaku stay away from the dark side." He said sadly.

While she wasn't sure what he meant by not helping Suzaku stay away from the dark side, she couldn't help but gasp in shocked sadness. "No, Joe! Please don't blame yourself! None of this was your fault!" She pleaded as she put her hands on the barrier, wishing he could hear her.

"But I've been thinking about it, and with the help of some great friends, I realized that I can't let it burden me anymore, because I know now it was something out of my control, and the only thing I can do now is try and make things better." He said with determination.

Nunnally sighed in relief, happy to hear that.

"And I know if Lelouch was here, he would be feeling double the amount of pain and guilt I'm feeling, and he would want to make it right as much as I do." Joseph said with further determination.

Now that got Nunnally's attention.

"Wh...Why would Lelouch feel more guilty? What's happen-"

And before she could question it more, she woke up.

(Flashback End)

...

Aircraft

"What is going on with those three?" Nunnally wondered.

...

Chinese Federation

Forbidden City

"Can you tell me anything about the outside world? I've never gone beyond the walls of this palace." The 13-year old white-haired Empress whose name was Tianzi said, formerly known as Jiang Lihua.

Her and Kaguya were currently having tea together, with a few High Eunuchs watching them.

"That's because this Forbidden City in the Luo Yang capital is the very center of the world, Empress." A High Eunuch told her.

"But..." Tianzi said shyly.

"I'm going to go outside and see what's happening." Kaguya said, referring to what was going on with the new Viceroy and the matters inside the Chinese Consulate.

"Huh?" Tianzi asked in surprise.

"The truth is, I came today to say goodbye to you." Kaguya told her.

"Oh no, not now, when I finally made a real friend." Tianzi said sadly, tears forming in her eyes.

"I'm very sorry. But you know my husband is waiting for me." Kaguya told her sadly.

...

Sword of Akasha

"I shall slay the god." Charles proclaimed.

"Yes, that is our binding contract. Tell me Charles, why didn't you tell Nunnally about Zero's true identify and about Geass." V.V. asked curiously.

"It wasn't necessary for her to know." Charles simply told him.

"You know Charles, you really are still a child." V.V. said teasingly

"Perhaps I am, big brother." Charles said with a smirk.

"But now more people than before are beginning to uprise. And I have a feeling that dimwit had a hand in it. You should have just cut him off life support when you had the chance." V.V. chided.

"Once again, you worry too much. He didn't change anything then, he's not going to change anything now." Charles waved off.

...

The Next Day

Chinese Consulate

"The Black Knights? They're not here?" Suzaku asked in surprise, Gino and Anya were with him as well.

"Right. We only just confirmed it ourselves. I'll give you all the information I have. That way, it should be crystal clear that my country has no hostile intentions toward Britannia." Xingke told them.

"Did Zero go with them?" Suzaku asked.

"It appears so. They took their Knightmares with them and they vanished. We are guessing they left through an underground level." Xingke said.

"To where?" Suzaku asked.

"No idea. That's all I have." Xingke said.

"They wouldn't...attack Nunnally?!" Suzaku said in realization.

"We've been had." Gino said.

"Should we strike back?" Anya asked neutrally.

...

Ashford Academy

Joseph took Rolo's head and gave him a big kiss in the center of it.

"Uh...what was that for?" Rolo asked, very surprised by the action.

"For helping Lelouch during phone call. Helped big time!" Joseph told him gratefully with a thumbs up. They were hanging out together in his room. Thankfully it was a weekend and no one was there besides the spies and Villetta, who they had under their belt.

"Oh, it...it was nothing really." Rolo said shyly.

"Sorry about heart. Now on, use only in emergency. Got it?!" Joseph lectured in a sudden strict tone.

"Uh, yes sir!" Rolo said, a bit startled.

"Cool. Oh man! Can't wait for Nunne! Gonna love meeting! Sweet, kind, lion ready for roaring!" Joseph said excitedly.

"How come you didn't go with Lelouch and the others to get her?" Rolo asked.

"Wanted to, but Lelouch all stingy! Said 'too dangerous'!" Joseph complained.

Truthfully, Lelouch just really didn't want him around right now. As he felt like he dealt with enough headaches caused by him and, and due to his ego, he didn't want Joseph to steal his spotlight like before.

"...Seems Lelouch just wants his real family back." Rolo said quietly as he looked at his locket.

Joseph was surprised at that statement and could tell something was up.

"What happen, little bro?" He asked in concern.

Rolo looked at him sadly.

"This morning...Lelouch..."

...

(Flashback)

Rolo always woke up earlier than Lelouch, at first he did this to observe his actions to see if he got his memories back. Now, he did it to make sure his brother was kept safe.

And this particular day, Lelouch was murmuring, his face strained. Almost like he was having a nightmare.

Rolo was about to wake him up, but then he heard his brother say something.

"N-Nunnally..." Lelouch said in his sleep.

Rolo looked at him in shock.

(Flashback End)

...

"Oh bro...so sorry..." Joseph said quietly as he brought his new little brother into a gentle hug. He made a mental note to slap the back of Lelouch's head when he saw him again.

"I just don't get it. We're here aren't we? Why does he need Nunnally? Aren't we enough?" Rolo asked in a childlike manner.

"Gotta understand bro, known Nunne whole life. Only known you since last year. Stronger bond with sis." Joseph explained.

"But what about his promise? He said would make a future with me there. Did he even mean it?" Rolo asked in a scared tone.

"Course he did! Make sure of it!" Joseph assured. "Not realize it, but Lelouch hurting. Hurting deep. We gotta help not hurt! Us and friends." He said in determination.

"Friends?" Rolo asked.

"Yep-yep! People like Kal Pal, Seaweed, and Student Council. They your friends too!" Joseph told him happily.

"I...I don't know about that. I already have you and Lelouch, I don't think I really need to associate myself with them unless required." Rolo told him dismissively.

To which he received another karate chop to the head.

"OW! Why?!" He asked as he rubbed his head in pain.

"Thinking stupid again, bro." Joseph said in a lecturing tone. "Friends important! Friends make self whole! Friends help through life! Friends there when needed! Without friends, there be no family!" He told Rolo proudly as he stood up on the bed, hands on his hips.

"Friends...can be family?" Rolo asked, never hearing of such a thing before.

"Can be. If let them." Joseph told him softly as he came down the bed. "Just gotta open heart."

"But what about Suzaku? He was Lelouch's friend and he ended up betraying him!" Rolo told him worriedly.

"Argh! So mad at! So gonna slap when see again!" Joseph said angrily before calming down. "But like Lelouch, hurting deeply. Used hurt to sought dark side and became Kylo Ren." He said dramatically.

"I have no idea who that is." Rolo said.

"So until sees error of ways and says sorry, no count as friend!" Joseph continued. "Can't let little bro go dark side either!"

"Then wouldn't it be easier just to do this by ourselves than letting others in?" Rolo asked.

"Maybe. But lonely. Not like being lonely right?" Joseph asked.

"...No..." Rolo said quietly.

"So worth risk. May not always work, but more friends means more family, more family means more happiness." Joseph told him gently. "Our task to be Lelouch's family, find his happiness, not turn Anakin Skywalker!" He told him in determination.

"And we won't!" Rolo told him in equal determination.

"And we have help!" Joseph said in excitement, confusing Rolo.

"Help?" Rolo asked.

That was when the door open and someone walked in. Rolo stood up in shock.

"You?!"

...

Aircraft

After Geassing the soldiers to make sure they weren't disturbed, Lelouch was finally reunited with his little sister.

"Nunnally…we're together again. At last…" Lelouch thought in relief.

"Right now, Zero is standing in front of me." Nunnally thought nervously, wondering how she should handle the situation. But then she thought about what Joseph told her last year: "You gonna mope? Or roar?" Joseph asked in anticipation.

"I'll roar. Just like you taught me, big brother Joe. And Lelouch, give me the courage I need." Nunnally thought in determination.

"You're Zero, aren't you? The terrorist." Nunnally asked bravely. "Before we get begin whatever this is. I just have to ask, is my brother, Joseph okay? Did you threaten him to join you?" Nunnally asked.

"Just like Euphemia, always putting her concern for others before hers." Lelouch thought sadly. "Joseph's decisions are his own. He simply wishes to help make the world a better place. He's even spoken very highly of you." Zero told her.

"I see. Then you're not here to kill me then? Like you killed my brother Clovis and my sister Euphie?" Nunnally asked. "Even so, I think that what you're doing is wrong." Nunnally told him.

"It's Britannia that is wrong. The Emperor believes that might is always right. Do you approve of that?" Zero asked her.

"Well…" Was all Nunnally could say, knowing she didn't.

"Viceroy Nunnally, you're just being used." Zero told her.

"You're saying they sent a blind, crippled girl to win everyone's sympathy?" Nunnally asked, a bit offended. "Then you're wrong. I asked them to send me. That's why I'm here." She told him, surprising Lelouch.

"You requested it?" Zero asked.

"I've heard enough about you to know you don't do anything without a reason, Zero. You were hoping to play to my emotions and get me to see that fighting was the only way." Nunnally said angrily, surprising Lelouch by her tone. "But I truly think with a peaceful approach, I can make the world a gentler place. That's why I want to carry out Euphie's plan to create the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan." Nunnally told him, shocking Lelouch even more.

"You'd have that return?" Zero asked.

"Zero, won't you please try to help me rebuild it?" Nunnally asked as she held his hand out to him. Similar to how Euphemia reached out to him.

"Nu-Nunnally..." Lelouch thought fearfully, the scenario of the SAZ happening all over again.

"People can start over. People like my brother, Joseph and my friend, Kallen won't have to suffer the consequences of this war. Please." Nunnally pleaded.

"Damn it! What do I do? I can't reveal Zero's identity to her. But I can't take her by force either. She seems different, gentle but more fierce than before. I can see now that she would just lessen her opinion of me than it already has." Lelouch calculated, trying to come up with a solution.

Suddenly, they heard a explosion come from the ceiling. The Lancelot had come flying through.

"Suzaku!" Zero said angrily. "Escape with me!" He said to Nunnally as he ran towards her.

"Nunnally!" Suzaku said over his speakers.

"Suzaku!" Nunnally shouted in relief.

Zero tried to grab her but the strong winds from the falling aircraft pushed him away.

"No, not after he sold me out to the Emperor!" Lelouch thought in anger.

The Lancelot was able to secure Nunnally and put on its shield to protect her from the winds.

"Were you frightened? Forgive me. It's all right now." Suzaku told her.

"Nunnally…With Suzaku..!" Lelouch thought in horror as he saw the smile adorn his sister's face as the Lancelot whisked her away from him.

"Zero, not this time." Suzaku thought vengefully.

As the Lancelot flew away, Nunnally could have swore she heard Zero scream her name.

"But...but why?" Nunnally thought, more confused than she ever been.

...

Later that night...

Port of Yokosuka

The Black Knights settled into the ship that Zero had secured for them.

"Well I guess that mission was a bust!" Tamaki said as he relaxed into a chair.

"We'll definitely need to install more float systems in our knightmares if we'll want to give the Britannians the edge." Ohgi said, remembering how their knightmares not being able to fly proved to be a hinderance.

"And we lost Senba too..." Urabe said sadly.

"His death will not be in vain. When we free Japan, he'll be avenged." Tohdoh told the rest of his Holy Swords.

"Yes, Colonel!" The rest of the Holy Swords said together.

"Shame we couldn't get Nunnally though, I would have liked to have seen her again." Kaguya said a bit disappointed.

"And I can only imagine how disappointed the older brother is going to be." Rakshata said with her relaxed tone.

"Don't remind me, I'm the one who has to tell him." Kallen whined.

"I have the distinct feeling that's going to be soon." C.C. said as she relaxed in a chair, squeezing her cheese-kun.

*BAM*

"OH YEEEEAAAAHHHHH!" Joseph yelled as he burst through the wall behind Kallen. Making her and several of the Black Knights minus Rakshata, C.C., and Tohdoh scream in terror and taking out their weapons to begin firing. "Where little sis!?" He cheered as he looked around for Nunnally, Rolo came through the hole after him, an embarrassed look on his face.

"JOSEPH! What is the matter with you?!" Kallen asked angrily.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELF SHOT, DUMBASS?!" Tamaki asked angrily.

"Certainly gives me an excuse!" Chiba thought in annoyance as she was this close to pulling the trigger the moment he came bursting through the wall.

"Sorry! Wanted to surprise sis!" Joseph said excitedly.

"Well, if you wanted to stop her heart. You certainly would have done so." Kaguya said in a slight joking manner as she approached Joseph.

Joseph looked at her curiously and squinted his eyes, knowing he seen this girl before. "Hmmm...black hair...green eyes...spunky attitude...KAGU-YA!" He shouted happily as he was reunited with Suzaku's cousin, to which he brought her into a tight bear hug and swung her around. "So big now!"

"I-It's Ka-guya, Joseph. And it's g-good t-to see you t-too." Kaguya struggled to say with a tight breath as she could barely breathe. When he finally set her down, she smiled up at him. "You certainly had a growth spurt yourself, even grew facial hair. I must say, it suits you well." She said kindly.

"Thank you!" Joseph said happily before looking over at C.C. and pointing his thumb at Kaguya. "She gets it." Joseph said smugly, making C.C. sigh and roll her eyes.

"I think I actually missed that quirky personality of yours." Rakshata said with a smile.

"Rocky! Missed too!" Joseph said with glee as he brought her into a hug but not as tight as Kaguya's.

"Oh, and before I forget." Kaguya said sweetly before proceeding to approach Joseph, bending him down by the shoulder, and kissing him on the cheek.

That surprised him and some of the Black Knights. But it definitely shocked Kallen, who started to blush an envious red, and Rolo, who had to refrain himself from activating his Geass and killing this girl from then and there.

"What that for?" Joseph asked curiously.

"For saving Master Zero's life back Fukuoka of course! Your near-sacrifice allowed him to continue his fight today! And for that I thank you." Kaguya said gratefully with a small bow.

"That? Psssh! No biggie! Would do again!" Joseph waved off happily. "Oh! Gotta introduce! Meet new little bro, Rolo! Rolo, Kagu-ya and Rocky!" He said gladly as he grabbed Rolo's hand and pulled him up to Kaguya and Rakshata.

"Um, hello..." Rolo said awkwardly.

"Oh yes, I believe Kallen mentioned you. How interesting, didn't think the royal family adopted." Rakshata said simply with an intrigued smirk. Rolo didn't think he was going to get along with this woman, but he made no comment.

"It's lovely to meet you. I hope we can be good friends." Kaguya said in a friendly tone, taking his hands into hers. "Wow, you actually look a lot like Nunnally. So cute." She said sweetly.

"Uh...thank you?" Rolo said, not sure if that was suppose to be a compliment. He wasn't sure how to feel about this girl, but his brother Joseph knew her and she seemed nice enough, so he was willing to get to know her.

"Speaking of Nunne, where she be?!" Joseph asked excitedly before looking around the room. "Hello!? Little sis?! Come out!" He yelled out for her.

It was then he felt the gentle touch of Kallen's hand on his shoulder, he turned around and saw a sad look on her face.

"Joseph...we weren't able to get her. Our mission failed." Kallen told him gently. The smile disappeared from Joseph's face.

"And we lost Senba too, you idiot!" Chiba scolded him.

"Chiba, enough!" Tohdoh said angrily, making Chiba wince.

"...Oh...well..." Was Joseph could say at first, shocked that Lelouch actually failed, especially knowing how much Nunnally means to him. But then he remembered. "Suzaku..." He thought with venom. Not only that, his Sensei lost one of his friends. He was sad for a moment before turning optimistic. "It okay! Coming here anyway! Just try again later!" He said with determination, surprising Kallen and Rolo and perplexing the rest there. "Where Zero at?" Joseph asked, knowing his brother would need a pick-me-up.

"He's not here. Guy said he needed to take care of some 'affairs', whatever that means." Tamaki told him.

Joseph was confused at that and looked at Kallen for answers, who just shrugged her shoulders, also not sure what was going on either.

"Hmm...right back!" Joseph told them as he went somewhere private.

But then he stopped himself and quickly turned direction towards Tohdoh, who he brought into a gentle hug.

"Sorry about Senba." Joseph said softly.

Tohdoh wasn't sure how to react except pat his shoulder and quietly say: "Thank you."

After that, Joseph took his leave.

"Well that was nice of him." Urabe said.

"Too bad he's rarely that calm. Ugh! It was bad enough we had to deal with his insanity for a couple of hours, now its every single day with this guy!" Tamaki complained.

"Come on, he's not that bad." Ohgi said.

"I'm sure Kallen is happy to see him again." Kaguya said brightly

"Huh?! What do you mean?!" Kallen said, going red in the face. Rolo also took an interest in this.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure you said Joseph's name as the Guren fell off the ship earlier today." Rakshata teased.

"N-No! You must have misheard me!" Kallen said with an embarrassed tone, the blush not leaving her face.

"No, you definitely said his name when you thought you were going to die." C.C. said simply.

"A rebel and a prince! So daring, but so romantic!" Kaguya said in a dreamily-like tone as she put her hands together.

"Oh man! I hope Kaguya didn't make you jealous with that kiss on his cheek earlier!" Tamaki added, getting in on the teasing.

"SHUT UP! Come on, Rolo! Let's check on Joseph!" Kallen said as she pulled the confused Rolo's hand, not wanting to get into this discussion.

...

When Joseph got into a room that no one else was in, he took out his phone and dialed the number that Lelouch gave him.

It ran a few times, he didn't pick up.

He tried calling again, still didn't pick up.

So he tried again, and again, and again, and-

"WHAT DO YOU WANT, JOSEPH?!" Lelouch said furiously over the phone.

"Whoa, bro! Easy! Wanted to check on." Joseph said in concern.

"I'm fine! I'm trying to get some sleep so STOP calling me!" Lelouch complained and before Joseph could say he was coming over there, Lelouch beat him to it. "And please do not come over! In fact, do me a favor and just stay away from Ashford for awhile! I need space from all of this right now!" He said angrily.

"But bro!" Joseph tried to reason, only to meet a dial-tone, he could only sigh in sadness.

"Is everything alright?" Rolo asked as he appeared with Kallen.

"Bro not taking well. Go be with, help find happiness." Joseph told Rolo as it was clear Lelouch didn't want to see him at the moment.

"I will." Rolo said with a nod and a smile before turning to Kallen. "And, I hope we can talk more next time, Miss Kallen. Learn about our...favorite foods and such." Rolo said in an awkward but friendly tone.

"Um...sure?" Kallen said, not sure how to respond to that.

Rolo bowed to her and then went on his way before turning back to face her. "Oh and please, make sure not to hurt my brother. He's a good man and we don't need any unfortunate accidents." Rolo said with a neutral tone before taking his leave.

"Did...did he just threaten me?" Kallen wondered, not sure whether to be offended or impressed.

Joseph couldn't help but smile proudly at his new little brother.

"Opening up. So proud." Joseph said happily.

"That's one way of putting it." Kallen muttered with a raised eyebrow before turning her attention to Joseph. "You sure you shouldn't go with him?" She asked.

"Just make Lelouch mad, will check on tomorrow. No worry! Dark side no touch little bro!" Joseph said with reassurance.

Hopefully, the "surprise" will snap him out of his funk.

...

The Next Day

Ashford Academy

Student Council Room

Lelouch observed the live footage of Nunnally arriving in Japan, talking to Suzaku.

"I see. The world Nunnally desires, the future Nunnally has chosen, that leaves me, leaves Zero standing in the way. My sister's safety has been guaranteed. She has the Britannian military forces to protect her, and Suzaku, too. He may be my worst enemy. But I trust him to do at least that. Yes, as I'd once hoped he would, and even after I can no longer safeguard Nunnally." Lelouch thought.

"Look at this. It says this temple was built a thousand years ago." Shirley said as she looked at the pamphlet for the trip her and the rest of the school were taking.

"That's great. Have you seen the water pistols? I got one for everyone but I can't find them." Rivalz asked as they continued to pack.

"Hey, what's all the stuff, Prez?" Rolo asked.

"Some nets, candles, wigs, fireworks and a tambourine." Milly told him excitedly.

"Uh...are those for the class trip?" Rolo asked in confusion.

"Just leave it to me. This will be my second time, you know?" Milly told him.

"Right. I'm sure it'll be fun." Rolo said with an awkward smile, still getting use to opening up to others.

"Glad to see you looking forward to it!" Milly said happily.

Shirley then noticed Lelouch, he hadn't taken his eyes off the computer since their meeting started.

"What's wrong, Lulu? You just seem sort of down." Shirley said in concern.

"No, I'm fine." Lelouch reassured.

"Can't sleep 'cause you're thinking about how much fun the trip'll be?" Rivalz guessed.

"You're correct. Yeah, I'm excited about it." Lelouch said in fake cheerfulness.

"Lulu, you are just like a little boy." Milly teased.

Shirley, however, wasn't buying it. She got up from his seat and approached Lelouch.

"Lelouch, can we talk?" Shirley asked.

"Huh? What is it Shirley?" Lelouch asked, surprised by the approach.

Before she could answer, the announcement came on.

"Attention all students. The inauguration speech of the new viceroy of Area 11 is about to begin. Please assemble in the auditorium." The announcer said.

Lelouch's mood grew worse at that.

...

Viceroy Palace

"How do you do, everyone. I am Nunnally vi Britannia of the royal family, 87th in line to the imperial throne. Due to the unfortunate, untimely loss of Duke Clalares recently, I shall be assuming the viceroyship of Area 11 in his place." Nunnally began to say, Suzaku on her right and Alice Lohmeyer on her left.

...

Ashford Academy

Everyone was lined up in the auditorium as Nunnally began her speech.

"I am physically challenged in that I am unable to see or walk. Therefore I shall be depending on all of you for help in various things." Nunnally continued.

"But she's so young. How could that girl be a viceroy?" Rivalz asked.

"She's a royal princess." Milly told him.

"Damn it! You guys know her!" Joseph's spirit whined. He looked at Lelouch and saw the conflicted look on his face. "Lelouch..." He thought in concern.

...

Port of Yokosuka

"Please, help me to help you." Nunnally said, bowing to the camera.

"She wants some help, huh?" Tamaki asked sarcastically.

"This screws up things." Sugiyama said.

Kallen looked at the screen in worry, Urabe looked conflicted, and Joseph looked like he was taking a nap in the distance on a chair.

...

Viceroy Palace

"I realize that this is unexpected but I'd like each one of you to cooperate with me on this. As your new viceroy, I wish to again create the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan." Nunnally proclaimed, shocking Suzaku and the nobles in attendance.

"That's absurd!"

"I can't believe she would even mention the name!"

Lloyd, who was also there, was just intrigued.

...

The chatter among the Japanese was not positive.

"In the Special Zone Britannians and Numbers would have equal status. Elevens would be allowed to safely call themselves Japanese once again." Nunnally continued.

"She just said Japanese."

"Are they trying to trick us?"

"She has Suzaku Kururugi."

"He's Japanese so he should be on our side."

"Princess Massacre's knight!"

"He's the traitor who shot Zero."

"Maybe she's sincere? After all, her brother publicly joined The Black Knights."

"One dimwit prince doesn't make a whole basket!"

...

Port of Yokosuka

"Although a tragic misunderstanding occurred in the Special Zone, I do not believe that attempt to establish the Zone was a mistake. We need a gentler world. And those of you in the Black Knights, I ask you to please participate in the Special Zone." Nunnally offered.

"What?" Kallen said in surprise.

"Not again!" Tamaki said angrily.

"Never again." Ohgi said in subtle disgust.

...

Ashford Academy

"Man, certainly weren't expecting that were we, Lelouch?" Joseph's spirit asked as he turned to Lelouch. Who he saw was not there anymore. "Lelouch?" He then saw him leaving. "Lelouch, where you going?" He asked as she went after him.

Rolo could see Lelouch leave too and went after him.

Neither realizing that Shirley saw them leave as well.

...

"Big brother!" Rolo called after Lelouch.

"Not now, Rolo." Lelouch said quietly as he continued walking.

"But where are you going?" Rolo asked.

"I don't know and I don't care." Lelouch told him.

"Bro, but I appreciate you taking on my legacy but this not the time to be going on a trip around the world!" Joseph's spirit complained.

"But-" Rolo tried to say.

"Enough Rolo! I don't want to deal with any of this! Don't follow me, understand!" Lelouch told him, leaving the building.

Rolo and Joseph stood there(floated in Joseph's case) in confusion.

"No worry, little bro. Go after him!" Joseph' spirit told the unknowing Rolo.

...

Viceroy Palace

"You surprised me, Nunnally. Trying to create the Japan's Special Zone again." Suzaku said as he wheeled her away from the audience.

"Suzaku, what Euphie tried to do, I mean before the disaster happened, wasn't wrong, was it?" Nunnally asked as he touched Suzaku's hand.

"No. I can assure you it wasn't Euphie who was wrong." Suzaku told her.

"...Why do you think big brother Joseph chose to side with Zero? After what happened with Euphie?" Nunnally couldn't help but ask.

Suzaku himself was conflicted about that. He wanted to believe that he was Geassed into following him, but this was also Joseph they were talking about.

"I...I don't know Nunnally, I really don't know..." Suzaku told her honestly.

"...You don't think he'll be killed do you?" She asked worriedly.

"I hope not. If I get him back, I'll make sure of it." Suzaku told her.

"...And by the way, that student you had me talk to, who was he?" Nunnally asked.

Suzaku staggered a bit there but was able to keep calm.

"Just a student I met at Ashford. He looked similar to Lelouch so I thought maybe it was him." Suzaku told her falsely.

"...That's a lie. Suzaku, why are you lying?" Nunnally couldn't help but wonder, a bit hurt by the lie.

...

Subway

Lelouch sat quietly in the subway. Joseph's spirit floating next to him.

"What's going through your head right now, bro?" Joseph's spirit asked solemnly.

"They're not needed anymore, neither Zero nor my battle." Lelouch thought to himself, suddenly he heard his phone ring.

He took it out and saw "Q1" on it.

"Oh good, maybe Kal Pal can talk some sense into you." Joseph's spirit said in relief.

But then he saw Lelouch hang up and break the phone in half.

"Wha-what are you doing?!" Joseph's spirit said in shock.

Lelouch then threw it out the window and left the subway on the next stop.

"Hey! Lelouch! Get back here! I'm talking to you, young man!" Joseph's spirit scolded as he followed him.

...

Port of Yokosuka

"That kid Viceroy just wants to repeat what Princess Massacre Euphemia did." Tamaki said angrily.

"No Japanese person would ever take part in it." Ohgi commented.

"After luring them in with sugary words and slaughtering them? Not a chance!" Tamaki said.

"Tamaki, enough!" Kallen said angrily as she smacked him in the back of the head.

"Ow! What! You know it's true!" Tamaki told her.

She then angrily gestured to the still "sleeping" Joseph.

"Oh relax, he's asleep anyway, not like he can hear me." Tamaki told her in annoyance.

"That's still his sisters you're insulting! His family!" Kallen scolded.

"Why are you even defending them? You know what the Massacre Princess did!" Tamaki said incredulously.

"Guys, stop it! We shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves." Ohgi mediated. "Let's just think about how we're going to handle this situation" He said, changing the subject.

"Have a showdown with the Britannians!" Tamaki suggested, making Kallen sigh tiredly.

"How do we do that when the only Knightmare we have left is one Guren." Ohgi said.

"We'll just go to Zero of course…" Tamaki said.

"That's right!" Kaguya said, entering the room. Surprising the others. "I'm in agreement with Tamaki. However, why isn't Master Zero here? Considering his new wife awaits him eagerly, In fact, he failed to write even once while I was waiting him in the Chinese Federation." She said worriedly.

"Maybe he dumped you for someone else." Tamaki teased.

"Ah! What's wrong with you?!" Ohgi scolded as he tried to shut Tamaki up.

"Don't be ridiculous. It's not true. seriously, it's not! I mean...he..." Kallen tried to reassured frantically. Wondering how she would explain Lelouch technically already has a girlfriend.

"That doesn't matter at all to me. The greatest men succumb to feminine charm. Grown-up men have basic physical needs." Kaguya said simply, shocking Kallen.

"Lady Kaguya, what are you saying?!" Kallen asked, not believing she was hearing this from a 15-year old. And she was sure Shirley wouldn't like it one bit if she heard it herself.

"Thank goodness. You are a lot more generous than you seem." C.C. said simply.

"I so appreciate you keeping him company while I was away. Thank you." Kaguya said kindly as she held out her hand for C.C. to shake.

C.C. looked at with surprise and curiosity, not expecting that.

"No need to thank me." C.C. said simply as she took the hand.

"Here, you as well, Kallen." Kaguya said cheerfully as she took Kallen's hand as well, surprising her, and then putting them together. "We three who support Master Zero…oh, that make us three ladies of his court, doesn't it?" Kaguya asked quizzically.

"His court?" C.C. and Kallen both said in surprised confusion.

"Of course, it'll have to unofficially for you Kallen since you have eyes set on Joseph." Kaguya said, making Kallen blush madly.

...

Viceroy Palace

Medical Facility

As Cecile and Guilford, who was injured during the attempt to take Nunnally, watched the news, Lloyd entered.

"Salutations and greetings…" Lloyd greeted before realizing someone was missing from the room. "Where's Suzaku?" He asked.

"He refused to stay here. He went after the Black Knights. We were right in the middle of his complete physical, too." Cecile told him.

"Well, that's typical of our boy. I'm not surprised. We have to perfect Conquista, right?" Lloyd asked as he took a sandwich and bit into it.

And as he did, he realized Cecile had made it.

"So, how is it? I mixed peanut butter with turmeric, sugar and wasabi paste and spread it on rye bread." Cecile said happily, Guilford could only grimace.

"That's typical of you…" Lloyd said as he put his hands over his mouth and ran out of the room, looking he was about to throw up.

"Hmph! Well at least Prince Joseph liked my food." Cecile huffed.

...

Area 11 Seas

Suzaku was currently in a battleship, looking for the Black Knights.

"Nunnally may have realized that I lied to her. Even so, she said she wants to carry on Euphie's wishes. And for that, I'll…" Suzaku thought to himself

...

Area 11 Ghettos

"We told you money first, didn't we?"

"Cough it up, you stinking deadbeat!"

"Loser."

A bunch of Japanese thugs said as they beat up another Japanese fellow.

"Stop it, please! Why are you doing this? Aren't guys Elevens like me?" The Japanese fellow pleaded.

"Bring the cash next time if you want the stuff." A Britannian Noble said as he approached the beaten Japanese civilian.

In his hand was a Refrain injector, a vial inside it.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps approach them. It was Lelouch, and Joseph's spirit to the unknowing eye.

"A Britannian student?" A Japanese thug said in surprise.

"Japanese feeding on other Japanese. What a picture. But even worse than that, they commit petty crimes for a Britannian Noble." Lelouch said in disgust.

"Did you call them Japanese?" The Britannian Noble asked in surprise as he snapped his fingers, signaling the Japanese thugs to surround him.

"We don't need sympathy from any Britannians!"

"We call ourselves Elevens."

"And a school boy shouldn't complain about the work we did."

"Well these guys are obviously douchebags." Joseph's spirit commented.

"Yes, I use these gentlemen to do my bidding but only with their consent, my dear student." The Britannian Noble told Lelouch as he gently caressed his chin.

"Don't touch me, you scum!" Lelouch said angrily.

"Why you!" The Britannian Noble said, offended.

"Yeah, bad touch, you weirdo!" Joseph's spirit, not liking this guy at all.

"Now get on the ground and do push-ups." Lelouch ordered him, his eye flaring with Geass.

"As you like." The Britannian Noble complied as he got down and started doing push ups.

"Haha! Yeah! Doesn't feel so good does it!" Joseph's spirit said smugly.

"Huh? Sir, what are you doing?" A Japanese thug asked.

"And why don't you do some dancing?" Lelouch ordered a Japanese thug.

"Wow, yeah, baby!" A Japanese thug said as he started dancing.

"Uh, Lelouch. I love dancing, but maybe don't use that thing so excess-" Joseph's spirit tried to say.

"Do squats!" Lelouch ordered again.

"Lelouch!" Joseph's spirit yelled.

"Start howling!".

"Stop!"

"Applaud!"

"ENOUGH!"

But it didn't matter, for now all the Japanese thugs were carrying out Lelouch's crazy orders.

And Lelouch just laugh maniacally at the madness he created.

"Lelouch...what are you doing?" Joseph's spirit asked in shock. "This is crazy! You're turning yourself into Darth Vader Jr!" He yelled in despair. "Damn it, if only I could physically communica-" He stopped himself, realizing something. "Oh yeeeeaaahhh..."

...

Port of Yokosuka

At this moment, Tamaki was snapping his fingers in front of the "sleeping" Joseph. Trying to wake him up. Tohdoh and the Four Holy Swords were also in the room, as was Rakshata, Kallen, Kaguya, and Ohgi.

Tamaki turned to his friends. "Okay, what is with this guy? He's been sleeping like that for the last few-"

"THAT'S IT!" Joseph shouted angrily, jumping to a standing position and startling the others.

"God! Every single time!" Tamaki said angrily as he caught his breath.

"Joe? What's going on?" Kallen said in worry as she approached him.

"Intervention time, Kal Pal! Let's go!" Joseph said as he grabbed Kallen's hand.

"W-Wait! Where are we going?!" Kallen asked as he tugged her away.

"What's going on, guys?" Ohgi asked, confused by the situation.

"Therapy!" Joseph said as he left with Kallen, perplexing the others.

"...What the Hell just happened?!" Tamaki asked incredulously.

"Must be something important to get him riled up like that." Rakshata said simply.

"Well at least now that they're both gone, we can talk about the elephant in the room." Chiba said, getting everyone's attention.

"What are you talking about Chiba?" Ohgi asked.

"How about the fact that we're just letting a Britannian Prince roam around here like it's nothing?!" Chiba said angrily.

"Again with this? Come on Chiba, he hasn't done anything to provoke our suspicions. Have you thought that maybe he actually wants to help us?" Asahina asked in annoyance.

"Like how the Massacre Princess just wanted to help us? I think we're being too trustworthy of that Britannian!" Chiba told them determinedly.

"While I can't say anything about Princess Euphemia, I met Joseph back when I was a child. I can assure you he's a good, delightful person. Not one hateful bone in his body. And he hasn't changed at all since the last time I met him." Kaguya said in his defense.

"Besides, he is called the Dimwit Prince for a reason, I seriously doubt that moron has ulterior schemes going on inside his head, if anything at all." Tamaki added.

"I can attest to that." Rakshata said with a smirk.

"And why exactly did you also need Kallen to be away for this?" Ohgi asked, not liking where this was going.

"You've seen her with him! She would probably be too close-minded to see him betraying us. Sure he may not be the one coming up with the plans, but he could easily be taking them from someone else, someone like Suzaku Kururugi." Chiba stated.

"Chiba, that's enough." Tohdoh said, starting to get angry.

"Colonel, I know he was your student and you care about him, but so was Kururugi! Do I have to remind you all that the two of them are friends?! Who's to say that he's not playing some sort of long game with us?!" Chiba asked angrily.

"Then why did he take that bullet for Zero?" Urabe asked, speaking up for the first time, catching everyone's attention. "Why did he help rescue the Colonel? Why did he risk his life to save me? Why go through all the trouble of publicly joining us if he was just going to betray us, huh?" He asked tensely.

"Urabe..." Tohdoh said in surprise.

Urabe thought about what Joseph, C.C., and Kallen told him a few days ago.

...

(Flashback)

Urabe stood there in shocked silence.

He heard of some crazy things before, but this definitely took the cake.

Not only was Zero a Britannian student, he also happened to be the deceased Prince Lelouch vi Britannia, who was exiled with his sister, Nunnally to Japan over 8 years ago.

Not only that, but he acquired a power from the mysterious C.C. known as Geass.

Geass can apparently come in different forms depending on the person and what they desire most. The Geass that Lelouch has just happened to be mind control of all things! And it was what he used to make many of his "miracles" happen .

Honestly, when Urabe thought about it, it all made sense!

How else could he have saved Suzaku from his execution?

How else would the buildings in the Tokyo Settlement suddenly collapse during the Black Rebellion and again when they saved the imprisoned Black Knights.

And most of all, it explained why Princess Euphemia gave that order.

They also explained how his sister was kidnapped during their rebellion and he went to go save her. Only for him to be captured by Suzaku and taken to the Emperor, who used his own Geass to make him forget he was Zero! Which explained the complex rescue operation they had to pull to get him back.

Suffice to say, it was a lot to take in.

"...Dear God..." Was Urabe could say after a while.

Joseph stood by, shifting around uncomfortably. Kallen was next to him, looking down in shame. And C.C. simply laid down on the couch, cheese-kun in her arms, and a bored expression on her face.

"...So, everything that Zero's said in the past...was any of it true?" Urabe asked. "Did he even care?" He asked bitterly.

"Course he care! Care from beginning!" Joseph told him.

"Look, he can be a stubborn jerk but he's gotten us this far. I don't think he would have if he didn't care." Kallen told him.

"And what the SAZ massacre?! He turned his sister into a killing machine and got her to murder all those people!" Urabe said angrily.

"That accident! Bad use of words!" Joseph reasoned.

"And I did warn him he shouldn't use that thing so excessively." C.C. said in a casual tone.

"You're not helping." Kallen muttered in annoyance.

"And you." Urabe said, his attention on C.C. now. "Did you give the Emperor his Geass?" He asked with a low voice.

"No." C.C. said simply. "I've only given out contracts to very few people in my life. Lelouch is the only one left alive." She said with her bored tone.

"Urgh! Now I understand why they say 'ignorance is bliss'..." Urabe muttered as he pinched his nose, really wishing they he never saw Zero's face in the first place.

"Urabe, I know this is a lot took take in-" Kallen tried to say.

"'A lot to take in'?! I just found out my leader has a power that can control a person's will and inadvertently caused a massacre!" Urabe said angrily.

"I know the JLF's history, Urabe! You're telling me you've never done anything you've horribly regret?!" Kallen asked.

Urabe froze at that. Truthfully, there have been times when he was in the JLF where he had truly regretted missions that have gone awry and civilians were killed because of it, both Japanese and Britannian. Still...

"I didn't use those regrets to further my own agenda. How do I know he hasn't used his Geass on me to follow him? Or on you guys for that matter?" He asked.

Before Kallen or Joseph could say anything, it was C.C. who spoke up first.

"Because he already used his Geass on Kallen, Geass doesn't affect me because I'm the one who gives it, and Geass doesn't affect Joseph for reasons I don't know." C.C. said, a bit annoyed having to explain this.

Urabe looked at Kallen in shock, who sighed.

"It's true. He used it to find out if I was one of the rebels in Shinjuku and why I was fighting in the first place. But I swear, that's all he used it for." Kallen told him.

"How can you be sure?" Urabe asked.

"Because I asked myself these questions too when he told me about Geass. If he had Geassed us to follow him, do you really think we would be having those questions." Kallen asked solemnly.

She had Urabe there. Can't exactly have a mind-controlled soldier if he's always questioning stuff.

"Also, he tried to use his Geass again to make sure I didn't talk about Shinjuku with anyone else but it didn't work, so I know for a fact he can only use it on a person once." Kallen explained.

"Hmmm...and what about you Joseph? How can you be sure you're not affected?" Urabe asked.

"You saw it yourself. Rolo's Geass freezes people's perception of time and he moved along with his knightmare at the same speed, didn't he?" C.C. asked.

"Rolo?" Urabe said in surprise. "So that was him in that knightmare." He said to himself before realizing something. "Wait a minute, if he attacked us, why is he helping all of a sudden?"

"Brotherly love!" Joseph said sweetly as he hugged himself, making Kallen and C.C. sigh tiredly.

Urabe thought about it, but still wasn't sure.

"How do I know he won't abandon us like he did before? Or try to use us for that matter? How do I know he won't end up like his father?" Urabe asked.

"Cause won't allow it!" Joseph proclaimed in determination. "Knows he screwed up. Knows he failed. Hates self for it and thinks deserves hate. Trying to make up but all weighing him down, good punishment he think-eth Therefore, up to us to help! Won't turn villain in these eyes!" Joseph told him determinedly as pointed to his own eyes intensely. "Take full responsibility. Any complaints, worried or suspicious, will whip into shape." He told him before bowing down to him. "I swear it!"

Urabe couldn't help but be surprised by Joseph's willingness to take this on his shoulders.

Kallen took that moment to approach him as well.

"You followed him this far, Urabe. Please let him show you why he's worth it. Please give him a chance to make it right." Kallen pleaded as she also bowed to him.

C.C. just looked at Urabe with a shrug.

"Do you really think anybody else can lead you to victory the way he can?" C.C. asked nonchalantly.

Urabe stood there in silence, thinking about everything they told him. A part of him wanted to reject this proposal and just tell the Black Knights that they were used and betrayed.

But then he thought about what happened at Babel Tower. What Lelouch said to him: "If you consider yourselves disposable, you'll never beat the Britannians."

"Why did he say that if it didn't matter to him? Why did he save Tohdoh and the others if they were just pawns." Urabe thought to himself.

He looked at Joseph, still bowing to him.

"Even after his sister was killed, after everything that's happened here. He still follows Zero." He thought quietly.

So with that, he took a deep breath and sighed tiredly.

"Very well, I'll trust you three on this. But I do want to discuss this with him later. And it's as you said, I'll be holding you responsible if he turns." Urabe said.

"Abso-toda-lutely!" Joseph said gladly as he bent back up and gave him a thumbs up.

"Thank you, Urabe." Kallen said with a grateful smile.

He started to take his leave when Joseph put his hand on his shoulder, he turned around and saw he had a serious look on his face.

"Listen Uru. You trusting us as we trusting you. Make clear though, you hurt Lelouch, you answer to me." Joseph told him solemnly.

This surprised Kallen and made C.C. raise an eyebrow.

Urabe didn't say anything but knew what Joseph was getting at.

"You really do care for him, don't you?" Urabe asked, a tone of respect in his voice.

"My little brother, will always protect." Joseph said with a smirk.

(Flashback End)

...

Urabe looked at Chiba with a fierce expression.

"You say you're not a racist, Chiba. But you're judging that boy solely on the fact that he's a Britannian and of his sister's mistakes. When all he's done is support us from the beginning!" Urabe said angrily.

"I will admit, the guy has basically been our cheerleader since we met him." Tamaki teased, making Ohgi sighed.

"Urabe's right, Chiba. If we judge him just because of what other Britannians have done, we are no better than them. He has done nothing to earn this detestation from you." Tohdoh told her in a strict manner.

"C-Colonel..." Chiba said in shock.

"Joseph may be a moron at times, but he's done more than enough to earn both my respect and my trust." Urabe said with finality in his tone.

"He saved Master Zero's life. That's good enough for me." Kaguya said brightly.

"Besides being spontaneous, I do think he's a good guy. If he wanted to hurt us, I think he would have already. And if Kallen trusts him, I do too." Ohgi said.

"I as well." Tohdoh said. "And you would be wise to stop this bigotry, Chiba. You never know, he may save your life one day." Tohdoh told her.

Chiba looked at Tohdoh and Urabe in shock, and just hung her head low in anger and shame. Kaguya looked on with a smile, as did Ohgi, and Rakshata had a smirk on her face.

...

Meanwhile in her own private room, C.C. was throwing Zero's mask up and down.

"It really makes no difference at all if he doesn't come back here. The one single thing that's important to me is that he remains alive. Oh please, the simplest solution would be for him to stop being Zero. I know, not a very romantic story, is it? Still, at this rate, the Black Knights are over, they're history. Yes, Zero exists for Nunnally's sake. That's what Lelouch said, Marianne." C.C. said.

...

Ghettos

"He did what?!" Kallen asked in disbelief as Joseph told her about Lelouch Geassing those guys from earlier.

"Yeah! I mean guys total jerks but still!" Joseph in annoyance. "Gotta find and help, Kal Pal! Dark side taking over!" He said frantically.

"...I think I know where he is." Kallen said after thinking about it for a moment.

"Good! Let's go! Calling back up!" Joseph said determinedly as he took out his phone and dialed a number. "Rolo! Come quick! Bro in trouble! And tell 'surprise' too!" Joseph told him over the phone quickly, making Kallen look at him in confusion.

"Surprise? What surprise?" Kallen asked.

"No time! Where this place?!" Joseph asked as he took her hand and they started moving again.

...

Shinjuku

Lelouch was finished.

That's all he knew.

He didn't care anymore.

He didn't care about Japan, the Black Knights, not even himself.

He just sat there on the planks of wood with his sleeve up.

He took the refrain injector, brought it up to his arm and-

"NOOO!" Joseph yelled at the top, tackling Lelouch to the ground.

"Joseph!" Kallen yelled, surprised by his actions.

"Joe?!" Lelouch said in surprise after Joseph got off of him.

"What this!? WHAT THIS?!" Joseph yelled angrily as he grabbed the injector from the ground, flashing it in Lelouch's face.

Kallen saw it too and looked at it in shock.

"Lelouch! Is that…?!" Kallen started to ask, already knowing the answer.

"Refrain…You're familiar with it, aren't you? Brings back memories of the good old days." Lelouch said quietly as he got back up.

To which he received a hard slap to the face by Joseph, the force sending him to the ground again.

"WHAT WRONG WITH YOU?!" Joseph said in an angry panic before throwing the injector into the wall, leaving a small hole that you could see out of.

"What if Nunnally saw you like this, huh?!" Kallen asked him, voice filled with rage.

"Nunnally is better off without me! I'm nothing more than a nuisance, a blockage on her road to a gentler road!" Lelouch said angrily.

"Don't give me that crap! If that was true, then why did you come here?! Where Zero was born! You started it here!" Kallen told him angrily.

"It makes sense for the animal to die where he was born." Lelouch said in depressed tone.

"No say that bro! Don't deserve to die!" Joseph told him pleaded.

"Don't I?! I killed Euphie! I turned her into a monster! The punishment should fit the crime!" Lelouch said with angry-sadness.

"It ACCIDENT! Already punished! No deserve suffer!" Joseph told him, tears starting to sprout from his eyes.

"He's right! So what if you failed this time! Just come up with another plan and get her back? You're Zero for God's sakes! The Man of Miracles!" Kallen said, tears starting to sprout from her eyes as well.

"Not anymore, with Nunnally here, she can just do what I never could. I'll only get in her way." Lelouch said defeatedly.

"And what about our friends from the Student Council? The Black Knights? Rolo?" Kallen asked solemnly.

"Tell the Black Knights to run for all I care, they'll find their way. As for Rolo and the others back at Ashford, they're better off without me, I'll only cause them misery as I have everyone else." Lelouch said as he closed his eyes, unwilling to listen to any other reason.

"Does that include me?"

Lelouch's eyes opened wide, recognizing that voice.

Kallen looked to her right in shock.

Joseph looked in glee and relief. "Yes! Both here!"

Lelouch turned his head to his left and saw what they were looking at.

It was Rolo, who had a worried look on his face. And next to him was the person who that voice belong to, who had a sad but angry and determined look on her face.

Lelouch could only utter one word in shock:

"S...Shirley...?"

To Be Continued...

...

BOOM!

Weren't expecting THAT twist, were you?! HAHAHA!

...Well then again, maybe you were.

I did leave some hints here and there in the last couple of chapters that Shirley was acting different so I don't know.

First off, the reasons I decided I skipped the majority of episode 5 of R2 was:

1. I found the festival section completely useless, I know it's suppose to be a moment of fluff and a break from all the serious stuff happening but I just didn't care for it.

2. The canon for that section wouldn't have changed much and I didn't want to write all the stuff down. Just getting to the main points of that episode instead.

As for why I skipped the majority of episode 6 of R2:

1. I was originally going to have Joseph confront Suzaku during the whole kidnapping operation, I realized that be rather hard to do, considering Suzaku's on a different ship entirely for the majority of that episode. Instead, the confrontation will come later.

2. I wanted Joseph and Rolo to spend more time together, and have Joseph teach him a valuable lesson in friendship and NOT closing himself off to just him and his brothers, which in turn will NOT make him as creepily-possessive as before.

3. I figured at this point, Lelouch has had enough of Joseph's antics and just wanted a day off from his headaches.

Now when it comes Shirley:

I WAS originally going to wait until episode 12 of R2, like in canon, to bring her memories back by Jeremiah.

But then I realized something, I loved the romance I created for her and Lelouch. And I love how I made her his confidant, someone who he can talk to, no secrets being had.

And I want to make more of it sooner rather than later!

So I decided to bring her memories back much earlier in the show than before.

How? I guess you'll have to wait and see.

For now though, you're going to have to wait a bit for the next chapter as I'm going to be writing Chapter 2 of Code Squarepants! Sorry!

Anyway, hope you liked this chapter and the twist I've written. Comment and tell me what you think!

Until next time!