Toa Solaric: Welcome back to another one-shot in my Realm of Dreams. This is a Code Geass crossover idea that crossed my mind, and I decided to share it here. I do not own Code Geass or Fate/Grand Order.

Zero – The Roadless Warlock

The United States of Japan stands as a symbol of the impossible, a reminder of Britannia's first defeat at the hands of Zero and his Black Knights. Specifically, Zero, the Black Warlock, and his younger sister, Void, rain down giant blue magical spears from the sky, decimating Britannia's reinforcements. These spears are unique, impossible to replicate, and mark the beginning of Britannia's downfall.

The conflict begins when a mysterious, hooded figure known as Zero appears during the Shinjuku Massacre. He not only stops the massacre but also executes Clovis, who is responsible for covering up inhumane experiments. Clovis had hoped to avoid disinheritance by silencing his crimes, but Zero thwarts that plan.

Zero makes his second appearance during the false arrest of Suzaku Kururugi. This time, he hijacks the news and radio broadcasts, playing Clovis's confession of his corrupt deeds and illegal experiments right behind the JLF headquarters in Narita. This public humiliation doesn't just disgrace Britannia's forces but also embarrasses the JLF for failing to detect the atrocities happening in their own backyard.

When Cornelia attempts to flush Zero out in Shinjuku using similar tactics, Zero manipulates her forces, making them think they have caught him. Instead, they are trapped by an illusion, gathered in one place, and Zero detonates a magical landmine, taking control of the battlefield. Cornelia and her forces try to escape, but Zero prevents Cornelia from ejecting from her Knightmare. He tears apart her Knightmare Frame, looks down at her, and deliberately misses a shot of magic—a warning, not an execution.

Zero and Void establish the Black Knights, with Void as the co-leader of the organization, standing firm against the Britannian Empire. The Black Knights don't just resist; they salvage and repurpose Britannian military technology, turning it against them. Even Suzaku Kururugi isn't safe; whenever the Black Knights encounter his Lancelot Knightmare Frame, they aim to strip it for parts, especially Lloyd's Luminous Blaze technologies.

When Princess Euphemia proposes establishing the Special Administrative Zone (SAZ) and invites the Black Knights to coexist, both Emperor Charles and Schneizel believe this will trap Zero and the Black Knights. However, they are shocked when Zero and Void send a video, politely declining what they see as a hollow victory. Rather than become enemies of the SAZ, Zero and his followers leave Area 11, taking with them those who oppose the SAZ and vanishing without revealing their destination.

This leaves Euphemia and her supporters in disbelief. They were so certain that the Black Knights, especially Zero and Void, would join them to build a better SAZ. A few weeks later, discontented Britannian factions initiate a riot, leading to Euphemia's death, witnessed by the entire world. Britannia's ego receives a brutal awakening.


Lelouch stirs from his sleep, lying beside Nunnally, who has stayed with him all night to ensure his dreams don't affect him. But he isn't dreaming about Euphemia's demise; he and Nunnally have accepted her choice, even knowing it could cost her life. His dreams revolve around a far stranger concept—magic—something he never believed possible.

However, there is a price for this power: the memories of tragic events. He is plagued by visions of a young, golden-haired fairy named Tonelico. Tonelico is unlike anyone Lelouch has ever met, whether in his world or his dreams. Her beauty is ethereal—her long, golden hair flows like sunlight, her eyes as deep and blue as the ocean. But what captivates Lelouch isn't her beauty—it's her suffering.

Tonelico has been a beacon of hope in a world overrun by calamities, fighting desperately to unite her people and save her land. Yet, betrayal awaits her at every turn. Her own people, those she had fought so hard to protect, abandon her, leaving her to face the darkness alone.

Each time Lelouch dreams of Tonelico, he feels her pain as if it were his own. Her suffering makes his seem trivial. He sees in her the reflection of his own life—once surrounded by love, only to have everything taken from him in a single, brutal moment. The destruction of her homeland reminds him of Aries Villa, where he and Nunnally once lived in peace before their world was torn apart.

But these dreams are not merely visions. They are lessons. Each time Lelouch wakes, he feels a strange power growing within him, mirroring Tonelico's abilities. He begins experimenting with magic, hoping to heal Nunnally, to restore her sight and mobility. Yet, with each spell, the memories of Tonelico haunt him. He watches as she, despite her best efforts, is betrayed over and over again. He grows wary, learning not to trust too easily, especially those who seem too good to be true.

As the dreams intensify, Lelouch witnesses Tonelico's hope crushed under the weight of her betrayals. Eventually, she succumbs to despair, becoming Morgan Le Fay, a name familiar to Lelouch from the legends of King Arthur. But this Morgan is not like the one in his world's tales. She is a tragic figure—a queen who had tried to save her world but had become a tyrant, the only way she could keep her people in line.

Lelouch sympathizes with Morgan, recognizing her descent into madness and the danger that he could follow a similar path if he isn't careful. Despite becoming a tyrant for 2,000 years, Morgan tries to protect her people, even attempting to sacrifice her life for her stepdaughter, Baobhan Sith. But it is all in vain. Her kingdom falls, and with it, the last remnants of the hopeful girl, Tonelico.

"Brother… did you sleep well?" Nunnally's soft voice breaks through the silence as she stirs awake beside Lelouch.

"Yes, I managed to keep the memories in check," Lelouch replies truthfully. "How about you? Did you have trouble sleeping after what happened to Euphemia?"

"It still hurts," Nunnally admits. "But we made our decision to let Euphie follow her own path, remember? It's not as if we could have stopped her." Her tone grows colder as she adds, "After all, we wouldn't be any better than Father, who used his Geass on me and made me believe I was blind after that incident."

"Indeed," Lelouch agrees. "That's why we have to ensure that what Euphemia tried to protect wasn't in vain."


(Later)

Lelouch finds himself sitting in his office, yawning after yet another meeting with people harboring grievances, particularly those who had chosen the SAZ over the Black Knights. They have come to apologize, but Lelouch hasn't accepted their words. He knows they haven't learned anything from the consequences of their decisions. Grimly, he reminds them they are only alive because they have to face those consequences.

"This is for you." A familiar voice interrupts his thoughts. Lelouch looks up to see a cup of tea placed in front of him by Clarice Garfield.

Clarice is the guardian of Maya Disel, one of Lelouch's confidants, and one of the few Britannians who chose to stay in the United States of Japan rather than return to their homeland. Lelouch first met her while investigating Maya's frequent absences and the origami cranes she left behind—an unusual practice among Britannians. He had been curious and started looking into it before it became an issue for the Student Council to address. Clarice had stood her ground when questioned, and her bravery had caught Lelouch's attention. She reminded him of Nunnally—mature and independent—so he decided not to pry further.

"You know, you don't have to visit me like this," Lelouch says, his tone calm and professional. They have had this conversation several times before.

"I choose to be here of my own accord," Clarice replies, her voice firm but grateful. "Especially after all the times you helped Maya when I couldn't… particularly when it came to Carly Disel."

Lelouch maintains a composed expression, though he isn't surprised. He once delved into Maya's mind to witness the gruesome scene of Carly mercilessly devouring the hearts of Maya's mother and sister. Lelouch had done his best to support Maya, even when she confronted Clarice about her possible involvement with Carly. Initially wary, Lelouch looked into Clarice's mind as well and grudgingly acknowledged that she had no connection to the murder of Maya's family.

"It wasn't your fault," Lelouch says gently. "You did everything you could to protect Maya and gave her the love she needed—like any true parent would. You couldn't have known Carly was responsible for her family's death."

His words seem to comfort Clarice, who looks thoughtful for a moment before chuckling softly. "I just wish you didn't have to face so many challenges that put both you and your sister at risk," she says, her voice carrying a hint of regret.

"I won't deny that things have been difficult," Lelouch admits. "But the responsibilities we have now make it all worth it."

They both resume drinking their tea in quiet companionship.


(Later)

Lelouch is on one of his usual patrols around Japan, keeping watch for any possible threats from Britannia's military. Even though Schneizel has declared a temporary peace, Lelouch knows that Charles could easily override his orders. At the same time, Lelouch keeps a close eye on any internal conflicts between the Japanese and Britannians. Although the Black Knights have promised to prevent further clashes after reclaiming Japan, Lelouch prefers to remain vigilant.

However, Lelouch has to make a detour when Cornelia challenges him to another Knightmare sparring session. This is part of an agreement between the two after Cornelia and her forces joined the Black Knights, driven by her desire for revenge against the Empire for Euphemia's murder.

In the abandoned stadium where the SAZ once was, Cornelia sits atop her modified Gloucester, waiting for Lelouch to arrive.

"You're a few minutes late, Lelouch," Cornelia snorts, arms crossed.

"It's hard to be punctual when you always arrive earlier than expected," Lelouch retorts, tracing runes in the air with his fingers.

A magic circle appears before him, summoning a menacing Knightmare Frame. Its black and red armor is accented by dark purple, and it lacks handheld weapons. Instead, Slash Harkens are embedded in its shoulders, chest, and hips, giving it an ominous, predatory appearance. This is Lelouch's personal Knightmare Frame: Arteus.

Lelouch climbs into Arteus, activating the machine as its blue eyes glow menacingly. He prepares to face Cornelia's modified Gloucester in their mock battle.

Both Arteus and the Gloucester charge at each other, their metallic fists clashing with the force of the first blow. Cornelia smirks, knowing that Lelouch's Knightmare is designed to steal weapons from its opponents and turn them against them.

The two Knightmares exchange a flurry of blows in close-quarters combat. Cornelia attempts to reel in Lelouch's Knightmare with her Slash Harkens, but Arteus dodges swiftly, counterattacking with its own Harkens.

Cornelia moves her Gloucester to the left, deflecting Lelouch's attacks with her own Slash Harkens. Both machines skid back from each other, poised to continue the fight—until their communication systems crackle to life with urgent news.

The Britannian Empire has sent the Knights of the Round to attack the United States of Japan. Among the invaders is none other than Suzaku Kururugi.

"To think Kururugi would still side with them after what they did to Euphemia…" Cornelia growls. She is furious that Suzaku has remained loyal to Britannia, especially after failing in his duty as Euphemia's Honor Knight.

Lelouch's thoughts drift back to his previous battle with Suzaku during the Black Rebellion. Suzaku has grown increasingly disillusioned, blaming Lelouch for Euphemia's death, despite her having made her own choices. On that day, Lelouch realized he could no longer see Suzaku as a friend. Suzaku's delusions have blinded him, making reason impossible.

"I'll go ahead and prepare for the invasion," Lelouch says, moving Arteus swiftly through the streets to face the imminent threat.


Author's Note: That concludes this one-shot. I don't plan to write more Code Geass one-shots for now; otherwise, they may become repetitive in my Realm of Dreams. This idea was inspired by jetslinger333's Zero the Knightmare Slayer, but I decided to put my own twist on it, incorporating Lostbelt Morgan and Lelouch witnessing her memories in exchange for power. It also explores the theme of suffering greater than Lelouch's own. Additionally, I drew some elements from Lost Stories. In this story, Lelouch's Knightmare Frame resembles Zi-Apollo from Roze of Recapture, but here, it is called Arteus.