2008-12-30 05:00![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
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code_geass
inulovinkit.livejournal.com in code_geassAn unfitting happy icon for a not-so-happy Chapter
Rating: R in this chapter for Suzaku's angry!potty mouth. :3
Pairings: LelouchxC.C., SuzaEuphie, (implied) Suzalulu
Summary: So, what would have happened if Suzaku had received the Geass in Stage 1 instead of Lelouch? We'd have one messed up story on our hands.
Chapter 1 here.
A while ago while writing this fic, I cut a scene with Suzaku that's sorta relevent to the story. I wrote it anyway and posted it here, it takes place between chapters 7 and chapter 8: here
It's got a half-assed title, but its short, if anyone cares to read it, anyway^^
Little bit of LuluxCC, a bit of a focus on Kallen, setting up for the R2 arc and Suzaku Geass subplot, and lots of Ragezaku beating up on Lulu. :) Enjoy!
“Hear me, Black Knights! The final stage of our rebellion is at hand! Tokyo is ours for the capturing! Follow your orders, obey my command, and in one night, we will have successfully liberated our country of Japan! Now, to your Knightmares—a new age in history has begun!”
“The battle has started.”
“But Suzaku-kun , you’re not supposed to move yet—your wounds haven’t—”
“I don’t care!” Suzaku roared, pushing Cecile aside.
“Now, Suzaku, is that any way to behave towards your boss?” Lloyd asked, stepping between Suzaku and the Lancelot. “Really, Suzaku-kun, you shouldn’t be moving around this much—I hear you even sneaked out of your hospital room to come here. Now while I congratulate you on a successful escape attempt, you can go no further.” Lloyd smirked, holding up the key to the Lancelot.
“Are you attempting to use your authority on me, Lloyd-san?” Suzaku asked, eyes narrowing.
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“I guess you haven’t heard then. Let me make it clear for you; the Knight of Seven, Lord Kururugi, orders you to get out of my way!”
“Knight of Seven?” gasped Cecile. “When did this—?”
“Oh-ho, you mean that little note the princess wrote up before the chaos?” Lloyd smirked. “However, it has yet to be ratified by the Emperor. As of right now, that appointment is invalid.”
“Lloyd-san,” Suzaku’s fists clenched. “This is one last chance to get out of my way before I make you.” If he had to, he would use his geass. Nothing mattered but getting out of here and getting to Lelouch before he dropped chaos on all of Japan!
“Suzaku,” Lloyd said, voice changing from a mocking tone to deadly serious. “I’ve been ordered by Her Highness Cornelia that you are to remain in the hospital until your leg is fully healed. Now,” Lloyd smirked and held up another needle. “I don’t want to have to sedate you again—”
That did it. Suzaku hardly knew what he was doing, only he knew that rage filled him up and then the next second, he had punched Lloyd to the ground. “Suzaku-kun!” Cecile gasped, as Suzaku emotionlessly retrieved the Lancelot’s key from the ground.
“This is something I must do, Lloyd-san,” Suzaku said glaring back at him. “I won’t let anyone get in my way.”
Neither Lloyd nor Cecile moved to stop him as Suzaku walked past them for the Lancelot. As Cecile helped Lloyd to his feet she asked, “Don’t you think it’s strange?”
“Hmm?”
“Suzaku…how he was able to leave his hospital room and get all the way over here. His leg should still be healing—he shouldn’t be able to walk yet.”
“Well, with the strength of his determination, maybe—”
“I don’t think so,” she looked back as the Lancelot started up, worried. “It’s almost as if it healed too quickly—far quicker than any normal wound should have.”
“We have this school surrounded!” Zero announced as the Black Knights stormed Ashford. “Take the school, but remember, do not harm the students!”
Yes, this was the perfect plan, Lelouch reminded himself, as he marched into his new command base. This way the Black Knights would protect Ashford—protecting everyone including Nunnally. It was the only way to guarantee her safety now.
Don’t worry, Nunnally, I know it’s scary right now, but your big brother is looking after you.
“Freeze!” Kallen shouted as they barged into the Student Council room. “This school now belongs to the Black Knights!”
The students shrieked, and suddenly, a woman both Lelouch and Kallen had never seen before stepped between them, eyes narrowed. She had dark skin and light hair, and despite the situation, she appeared completely calm.
Hmm…looks like our new student council advisor has arrived…yes, by her reaction, she must have been sent by the Britannian Army after all.
“There is no need to fear for your students, Miss—”
“Viletta,” she shot back. “But it matters nothing to you, Zero. These are my students and you will not harm them!”
Either she really did care about the students after knowing them only a day or so—he doubted it—or it was strictly protocol. Well, at least Britannia cared for its future, he mused.
“The students will not be harmed,” Kallen said, keeping her eyes lowered under her visor, hoping she wouldn’t be recognized. “Zero does not wish to harm the innocent. Our enemy is the Britannia military, not you.”
It was Millay’s turn to step in front of Ms. Viletta and say something. “Still, even though you won’t harm the students, you’ll harm anyone in the military or government, be it our parents, our brothers, our cousins—Most of them have done nothing wrong either, and yet you’d harm them!”
Kallen said nothing, but instead, Lelouch took over. “In this war on Britannia, there will be lives lost, I accept that. However, I do not like killing. This is the most effective method, in order to reduce the number of lives lost. That is why we are offering our protection to you.”
“Will you keep your promise, Zero?” Millay demanded.
Ah, Kaichou, I knew there was a reason I respected you.
“Of course. Zero never lies.”
There was a small gasp heard, off to the side. From where he stood, Lelouch could see Nunnally sitting there, looking slightly shocked. Yes she had heard a phrase similar before. But there was nothing—no proof. It was better she was kept in the dark forever. But still…Nunnally…I wish I could come over and hold your hand and tell you everything will be all right. But for now, this is enough. I will make sure you are protected.
“Very well,” Viletta stepped forward. “Then do I have permission to inform the students to stay in a safe place?”
“Of course. As long as you don’t intend to leave the school grounds.”
Viletta nodded, and then moved to leave the room. However, someone else was coming in just as she was going out. “Wha—Viletta?”
Startled, she glanced back up at the man in front of her. “Ougi?”
“Huh?” Tamaki asked as he came walking up as well. “Ougi, you know her?”
“Hmph,” Viletta instead gave a sassy smirk and replied in perfect Japanese, “Oh, Ougi, it’s been a while hasn’t it, my old social studies professor? I can’t remember—the last time we met, was it at your place or mine?”
Ougi’s face was as red as a beet, and Tamaki, glancing between the two stuttered, “Wait…you…and her…? All right, Ougi!” he grinned nudging him with his elbow.
“Shut up Tamaki,” Ougi muttered. “But, er…Viletta, what are you doing here? I thought you went back to Britannia?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? I accepted a post as an academic advisor at this school. Such an odd place to meet again, don’t you think? Oh well…” She kept on smirking, clearly enjoying this. “Now, if you excuse me, Ougi-sensei, I have to go make sure my students are safe, like Zero promised.”
And then she left the room, leaving a stunned Ougi and a laughing Tamaki behind. Just around a corner after she left, her smirk faded. There. Done. That is the last happy conversation I will ever have with you, Ougi Kaname. From now on, we are on opposite sides in this war.
“So, what’s our next move, Zero?” Kallen asked, as soon as the students were out of the student council room.
“Now that we have captured Ashford and the main troops are fighting Cornelia’s force the next move is to capture the Area 11 Government Building. Once done, Area 11 will have fallen into our hands.”
“But with Cornelia—”
“Don’t worry about Cornelia, I will handle her—”
“Still, do you think this is a wise move? I’m your best pilot, surely—”
“No, Kallen,” Lelouch turned back to her. “You did your part in the first half, but now I need you here—as our base of operations, we need a well trained pilot to protect Ashford in the event that things get out of hand—”
“But isn’t that a waste of my talents?” she snapped. “I could be out there winning your war! Instead you’re sticking me here! Was this your plan all along? Was this why you revealed yourself to me? So you could make sure I protected everyone? Even Nunnally?”
Lelouch stopped himself from saying anything. She was right—that was why he needed her. Kallen would be the perfect protection for Nunnally should anything unexpected occur. But if he let her know that…then he was nothing more than a hypocrite.
Zero did say that some sacrifices had to be made to win this war, didn’t he?
But no…other sacrifices would have to be made, because Nunnally…she was different…He could never lose her and expect to keep his sanity!
He couldn’t lose anything again…not after Euphie…
“Zero!”
Both Lelouch and Kallen gasped, and whipped around as a trembling figure had barged into the room—gun pointed directly at Zero. Kallen had whirled around and raised her gun to protect Zero, but even she had to lower it slightly.
The figure was none other than Shirley, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Zero…you…you killed my father!”
Lelouch took a step back in disbelief. What? I didn’t—
“My father was at Narita the day you caused the landslide, Zero.” Her fingers holding that gun—an object so unfamiliar in her hands—continued to shake, unable to get a firm grip. “We thought maybe he was trapped in the city because of the rescue effort and the phone lines down but…we just found out that on that day, he was killed! You killed him, Zero!”
Kallen too, stared in disbelief, mouth slightly agape and eyes wide underneath her visor. “I…” It was her that had caused the landslide.
Lelouch’s fingers clenched. “I…I did kill him,” he admitted sadly, knowing it would offer her no comfort. “But…I didn’t intend…it was a battle strategy that went too far…I’m sorry.”
“Sorry isn’t good enough!” Shirley screamed. “Zero you…you killed my father! I don’t want to hear your excuses—” There was a bang as her fingers accidentally pulled the trigger.
In that moment, Ms. Viletta ran in the room, gun drawn, attempting to grab hold of Shirley, but it was too late.
Kallen had been running towards Shirley, but she hadn’t been able to stop her.
And Lelouch did nothing to move out of the way.
Thankfully, the bullet missed—almost. It richocheted off the top of Zero’s helmet. It looked like he was safe—until a cracking sound was heard. And to everyone’s horror, a second later, the helmet split apart—revealing none other than Lelouch Lamperouge beneath.
“That student…” Viletta gasped. That was the one that had been proposed as a connection to Zero, but no…instead, he was Zero!
“Lulu…” was all Shirley could say, before she fainted dead away.
“Lelouch!” Kallen said, snapping him out of it. “Get out of here, go back to your knightmare and get to the government building! I can handle things here!”
“R-Right…” some part of him wanted to stay behind, wanted to see if Shirley was all right but…no, he was Zero, she would hate him now…and he had other things to do tonight. He couldn’t afford to stay unmasked here.
“Ougi, we’ve got trouble!” Kallen called on her communicator, as Lelouch swept out of the room, knowing that no matter the outcome of this night, he had just lost one more thing important to him as well.
“Is Shirley going to be all right?” Millay asked, when Viletta got back from taking Shirley back up to her room.
“She just had a scare,” she replied. “I gave her some medicine to make her sleep through the rest of the night—it’s probably for the best.”
“But what happened? What did That Monster do to her—”
“That’s enough, Nina,” Millay quieted her. “Whatever happened after she ran off on us, she was unhurt. That’s all that matters.”
Kallen listened outside as she guarded the door, unable to keep the somber expression off her face.
Guys…
“Hey,” Rivalz asked, “Do you think Lelouch and Kallen are all right? We haven’t seen them all day.”
“Onii-sama,” Nunnally piped up. “He…he said he had something to do two days ago…and he never came back. He never even called me…”
“I’m sure Lelouch is fine, Nunnally,” Millay told her in a soothing voice. “He’s smart enough to duck and cover when he’s in danger. I’m sure he’s all right.”
“But as for Kallen—”
“The district she lives in hasn’t been attacked,” Nina spoke at once, probably looking up the articles on the computer.
“Oh, that’s good.” Rivalz sighed. “I guess she’s okay, too. I mean, we haven’t seen much of her, and she seems like a nice girl—”
“Yes, she is nice,” Millay sighed. “I hope that once this is over, we could see more of her…we haven’t seen much of her since she joined, and I’d like to get to know her better—she’s a lot more interesting than either of you.”
“Hey!”
So…they really do…they really do consider me their friend, even though I never… And somewhere, deep down, this thought made her happy.
Perhaps, even for a moment, she had a wild thought about revealing herself to them, letting them know she was protecting them and they were going to be safe—but then she heard herself called on the radio,
“Karen! We’ve got trouble!”
“Ougi, what is it?”
“The Britannians are fighting back harder than we thought. I sent some more troops out, but without you, we don’t stand much of a chance! Did Zero give you strict orders to stay, or can you head out and fight?”
Kallen couldn’t answer. On one hand, she wanted to stay here…to protect them. To make sure all of them would live through this night. But on the other hand…
I am our best pilot…any old soldier can do this…but if I am out there, I might be able to help us!
“No, I’ll go.”
Without a second thought, she walked away from that door to do her duty.
Perhaps if Zero was still that mysterious figure she admired, and would have done anything for, she would have obeyed his order to the letter. But Zero was Lelouch—while he was brilliant, he was just a boy fighting to settle a score. He did not understand what they did. Though he had given them miracles—he could never understand the sacrifices that the Japanese would have to make.
He would never understand her.
“Guys, I heard from Viletta-sensei that they’re handing out some food for us in the auditorium.”
“Really, Kaichou? Then let’s go! I’m hungry—”
“You’re always hungry, Rivalz.”
“I…I don’t want to go.”
“Hmm?” All three looked back at Nunnally, who looked upset. “You okay, Nunnally?”
“I’m…I’m worried about Onii-sama,” she admitted. “Until I know he’s all right, I can’t…I just want to wait here until he returns.”
Millay and Rivalz exchanged glances. “Are you sure, Nunnally?”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “I don’t want to leave in case he comes by.”
“If you’re sure, then,” Rivalz nodded. “We’ll bring you back some food, then.”
“Thank you, guys.”
The door was shut, leaving Nunnally alone in the room.
Actually, she hated to be alone—not when she had been with her brother for so long. But now, Lelouch was missing, and Sayoko was gone, and never more did Nunnally feel worse…abandoned by the world.
If only her brother would call, or give her some sign that he was all right, she would feel better, but until then, until she knew Lelouch was safe—
She heard the door slide open. “Huh? Who’s there?”
Two sets of footsteps—one long stride, and a smaller, shorter one. She heard the two figures stop at once, and…kneel.
“Are you Nunnally?” A male voice asked—a voice she had never heard before.
“Y—Yes.” Who had sent them? Was it Lelouch? Could it be—
“Good, nice to meet you then, Miss. Gino Weinburg, Knight of Three—”
A low female voice piped up, “And Anya Alstriem, Knight of Six—”
“At your service,” Gino continued. “We we sent by His Majesty, to ensure your safety, Princess Nunnally vi Britannia.”
“Lelouch…so it was you all along…” Cornelia gasped, as Lelouch descended from his knightmare—a new flying prototype that the Black Knights had developed. “Why? For Nunnally?”
“In order to achieve my goal, Zero was necessary,” he told her.
“Was it really necessary? What about Clovis? What about Euphie! Was that necessary as well?”
“Every action is necessary for the sake of my goal, as is this,” Lelouch released the geass upon her. “Now then, tell me, who was it that killed my mother?”
Cornelia replied in a monotone voice. “I don’t know…”
“You don’t?” Lelouch demanded. “Are you sure you don’t know?! Not a thing?”
“No one witnessed her murder, save Nunnally…” Cornelia continued. “And the night before her murder, she returned from a trip to Japan. I asked her about it, but she didn’t tell me why.”
“Wha—?” Here? What was she doing here? Japan didn’t get important until Nunnally and I were sent there before the Sakuradite conflict! Why did she go and not tell anyone the reason why?
“When did she leave? How long was she there? Did she say anything else? Anything at all about this trip that she took—”
Lelouch didn’t get to finish since at that moment something was fired his way. After shielding himself from the blast, he looked up—and it was the Lancelot hovering before him.
“Suzaku!” He was already released from the hospital? But he heard his injuries should have kept him out of this battle! Damn that fast healing bastard!
“Lelouch,” Suzaku announced emotionlessly. “You will not harm Her Highness Cornelia like you harmed Euphie.”
It was hard to argue when the Lancelot was standing there, pointing the VARIS right in his face. Lelouch had no choice. “Hmph. Fine Kururugi, we will settle this with Knightmares!”
Upon entering the cockpit of his knightmare, C.C. asked, “You will really end it here? Are you really willing to kill Suzaku?”
“I’ll just disable his knightmare and render him unable to fight,” Lelouch answered. “If I injure him, he can be taken prisoner and that will be the end of that.”
“Hmm, that softness towards your former friends will get you killed someday—” She had just put her hands on the flying controls when the unexpected happened—she felt something flow through that telepathic link that connected all Geass givers to another.
“Got you. Now bring him to me.” A voice she recognized rang in her ears.
“V.V…?” she gasped, until she fell under his control.
C.C.’s head flopped forward, as her hands moved on its own, sending Lelouch’s knightmare speeding away.
“Hey, C.C.—C.C.!” he yelled, after being thrown back in his seat. “What happened? Where are you—”
Her hands could not be removed from those controls, as now she piloted them out over the ocean. And though Lelouch tried to free her, there was nothing he could do but wait for her to be freed from V.V.’s control.
“Hmph, you won’t escape that easily, Lelouch,” Suzaku muttered, allowing the Lancelot’s float pack to extend and following him towards that mysterious island, Kaminejima…
Slowly, finally, her eyes opened. “Ah, C.C.!” Lelouch gasped. “You’re all right!”
“I guess…” the first thing she noticed was that he was holding her. That was odd. The second was that it seemed the sun had started rising.
It was then that she remembered. “Ah! Lelouch! We have to get away from here! It was V.V.! He drew us here—I think he’s trying to get to you!”
“V.V.? That thing that made me—!” Lelouch cursed profoundly—C.C. didn’t even know he knew that word. “What does he want from me? Didn’t he already get what he wanted with Euphie—”
“No,” she admitted to him, unable to look him in the eye. “I don’t know what that thing with Euphemia is about, but I do know his eventual goal is to get a hold of you.”
“But me? What do I have to do with any of this?!”
“It has everything to do with you! Lelouch, don’t you understand? You’re the reason why I was—”
But she never got to finish. At that moment, another shot was fired at their knightmare. Lelouch cursed again. Suzaku had followed them.
Suzaku wanted to fight…but there was also that V.V….he didn’t want to fight Suzaku, but maybe…if he could talk to him, and if Suzaku saw V.V., everything could come to light! Euphie was still his fault, yes, but…he didn’t want Suzaku hating him.
Even still, Suzaku was his best friend from childhood.
“C.C….get out of here.”
“What?”
“Get out of here. Leave this place. Let me deal with Suzaku.”
“I can’t leave both of you here.” C.C. told him flatly. “I gave both of you the Geass—you are both my responsibility now.”
“That doesn’t matter now!” he shouted back at her, with more desperation than she had ever heard in his voice. “It is my fault that Suzaku hates me…I have to be the one to try to fix this. I will have to stay here. And he might come after you too, so that is why you have to leave.”
C.C. was slightly amused. “Are you…protecting me? Still, you’re not much protection—”
Lelouch grabbed his gun and prepared to exit the cockpit. “C.C., just go! We are accomplices, aren’t we? You have to leave so someday, we can meet again!” He turned back to her, more desperate than she had ever seen, “I’ve lost enough tonight…I don’t want to lose anything else!”
For a moment, she stared, shocked, Lelouch…This was not the little boy she once knew. With a sigh, she answered, “It’s true…we are accomplices, aren’t we? Still…it’s kind of nice…I never had anyone care about my well being before, so…” I’m glad…
“C.C…”
Smiling slightly, she leaned towards him, “Still, if worst comes to worst, it might be some time before we see each other again…and this is all the protection I can give you…”
Without another word, she kissed him. Lelouch was too stunned to move. He though he felt something was transferred in that kiss, but perhaps it was just his imagination…perhaps this was all just his imagination…
When she pulled away she answered emotionlessly, “Now, go, Lelouch...I hope that protection I gave you was in vain.”
Still stunned, he nodded, and then turned away, cloak fluttering in his wake as he turned away to an unknown fate. But C.C., even then, had a feeling as to how it would turn out.
It would be a year before she would see him again, and by then, everything would be changed…
Yes, finally, Lelouch vi Britannia had come…Heh, it was a good thing C.C. had left her mind so vulnerable…it was so easy to take control…so easy to complete his goal.
Once Lelouch was in their hands, everything—his goal and Charles’s would be complete.
Yes, and here he was—Lelouch was willingly walking towards where he was hidden, willingly giving himself up—
“Lelouch!”
What?
Kururugi Suzaku. Kururugi Suzaku had followed him, gun pointed directly at Lelouch.
No, No, if Suzaku was here, he couldn’t take Lelouch! He couldn’t hope to overpower both of them—and if Suzaku saw, everything would be ruined!
V.V. turned back to his hiding place, a snarl on his lips. Damn you, Kururugi Suzaku, always you were getting in our way, from the very beginning!
Lelouch stared back at Suzaku, with blank eyes. “Going to kill me, Suzaku?”
“Give me a reason not to. You’re a liar, a murderer, and a deceiver—and a hypocrite if I’ve ever seen one.”
“Have you forgotten, Suzaku,” Lelouch glared. “You were in on it once, too.”
“Shut up! I’m not like you, Lelouch!”
“Really? You accepted the Geass, same as I—You wanted power, as I did. Aren’t we the same?”
“The geass…” So Lelouch was openly admitting it! “Hmph. That may be, Lelouch, but I won’t let myself become you. If I am a monster, then you Lelouch, are the firey demon at the gates of Hell!”
Heh, a beautiful analogy, Suzaku.
“You’ve done the unthinkable—you killed Euphie; you killed your own sister!”
“I did.”
Tears now formed in Suzaku’s eyes—tears of hate. “Damnit, then why did you do it? Why make me a Knight of Rounds and make yourself Euphie’s knight only to kill her afterwards? What was it in your sick mind that made you think you could do that? What was it—were you just toying with her for your own twisted amusement? Well, Lelouch?!”
Again, Lelouch could say nothing.
“I won’t accept this. As Zero, its high treason, but as her knight, as her own brother, it’s inhuman!”
“Then kill me, then,” Now, Lelouch spoke with an amused tone—a fake one, perhaps, but what did Suzaku know? “Kill me, but you would be destroying Euphie’s dream in the very act of it.”
“What the Hell do you know about her dream! Euphie’s dream was already destroyed—you destroyed it!”
“Suzaku—”
Suzaku could not be stopped, “No, you’re no longer the friend I once had! You’re not Lelouch—you’re the demon Zero! Maybe you didn’t even kill Euphie just because it was useful—you killed her because you were jealous, weren’t you? You were jealous of my relationship with her!”
“Suzaku—!” This was too much, Lelouch’s fingers began to clench—
“Our friendship was always a sham, it was worth nothing to you, was it? Are you just a lowly parasite that latches on to someone when they’re useful and then sucks them dry? You used me and cast me aside, you used Euphie, and you’re still using Nunnally—”
“I am not!”
“Nunnally’s your excuse, isn’t it? By saying that, you’re claiming all of this was in her name! This was really about you and your perverted issues, but now you’re tying her into this and making her your reason for all the sins you do! How do you think she would feel if she knew? If she knew you lied and cheat and killed and even destroyed her own sister all for her sake—”
Lelouch could take it no longer. “Suzaku!” he roared, drawing his gun, pointing it directly at Suzaku’s head—
The rage was overflowing, it would all be better if Suzaku, that traitor to his own country was dead—he wanted to, after that, oh god he wanted to, so badly, but…
His aim was still dead on, but…he paused…his finger never pulled the trigger.
And that was his mistake.
“That softness towards your former friends will get you killed someday…” she had said.
A shot rang out, and Lelouch fell back, screaming in pain. No…no…
But there was blood…and the pain…and Suzaku standing triumphantly before him, gun in hand.
Suzaku had shot him in the shoulder.
Violet eyes stared wide in disbelief.
“That’s payback for my leg,” Suzaku glared with cold, hate-filled eyes. “And now, for you, Zero, it’s over.”
All of it…all that hate was for him…Suzaku, his best friend from childhood hated him more than anything…
And that hate-filled monster standing before him…it was his fault that Suzaku, caring Suzaku, had been warped into this.
“This is Kururugi,” Suzaku called on the communicator. “Zero has been captured.”
“Euphemia made an unusual request,” The Emperor spoke, reviewing Euphie’s last note as he sat on his dark throne. “Promoting you to the Knight of Rounds.”
“Is there a problem with this promotion, Your Majesty?” asked Suzaku as he knelt before his emperor.
“None at all. It is legit. You shall be made Knight of Seven, Kururugi Suzaku.”
“I thank you, Your Majesty,” Suzaku spoke, standing up.
“Now then, I suppose you want a reward for capturing Zero—”
“There is only one thing I desire, Your Majesty,” His green eyes were never more serious. “I wish to be made Knight of One.”
Laughter resonated throughout the audience chamber. “I like that ambition. However, I already have a satisfactory Knight of One in place.”
“I will wait as long as I have to, Your Majesty. But remember—without me, Zero would still be causing havoc in Area 11.”
“That is true,” the Emperor thought a moment. “But your spirit for the job far surpasses his. Very well, you shall have your title, in time. Bismark is loyal, but that doesn’t mean something can’t be done to remove him. Though you will have to stay a Knight of Seven for some time to avoid suspicions, of course.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Suzaku continued to stare expressionlessly. Yes, this is the only way…the only way I can achieve Euphie’s dream…
“Now, then, about Zero—”
“He was flown to Britannia for a trial, wasn’t he, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor smirked, “Don’t you even care what happens to your friend?”
Suzaku’s eyes grew cold. “That ‘friend’ betrayed any friendship I gave him. He is worthless to me now.”
“Very well. I have something in mind for Zero. But, before that, would you like to see him?”
The door to the prison cell slid open, casting a thin line of light upon the cell floor. Suzaku, now dressed in the garb of a Knight of Rounds, stepped inside, eyes narrowing when he looked on his former best friend.
Lelouch, still dressed in his Zero outfit, was shackled to the wall, eyes unable to be seen under his bangs. His right shoulder was bare—it looked like the bullet had been removed, though there was no bandage—his arm had been left to bleed and ache.
Why should any of the medical staff care? Zero had to be well enough to stand interrogation, but everyone assumed he was a dead man anyway.
Yes…execution was the only fate suitable for a monster such as him.
“Hmm…you visited sooner than I expected, Kururugi,” Lelouch looked up, violet eye glaring—his other eye had an eyepatch strapped over it, for the safety of the guards.
“I thought I’d visit the prisoner before he was taken off to his trial,” Suzaku spoke tonelessly. “Before you are revealed to the rest of the world as the traitor you are.”
“A traitor, eh? Britannia is not my country. Britannia threw me away. The only country to ever recognize me was your own great country of Japan—”
“I don’t mean a traitor to your country. But a traitor to your friends, your family, and even to the Japanese—you heard, didn’t you? Your Black Rebellion has failed. By now, Britannia’s best knights are mopping up the rest of your own army. Justice has been served.”
“Justice, huh? But who has right to decide justice but the winners, while the losers are forced to deal with the tyranny under the false name ‘justice’—”
“It is only justice for people stupid enough to follow you.”
“Ah, maybe so, but,” Lelouch glared. “But don’t underestimate them. I gave the Japanese people a hope, a dream. And someday, Kururugi, they will rise again. They will be triumphant. They will rise up and overthrow Britannia and you, a traitor to your own nation!”
“You did no such thing!” Suzaku shouted back, grabbing Lelouch by the shirt and pulling him forward. “All you did was spread lies to their people, and get them to work for you so you could have your own personal army for your twisted revenge. Admit it, Lelouch! There was no nobility in your motives! It was just a war so you could settle the score with Britannia! Thousands of lives were lost because of your petty motives!”
“Maybe so, but there is one thing I haven’t done—At least I never sold out my friends for a shameless promotion!”
“Oh, and what about you? You betrayed our friendship and killed Euphie! You sold out your own sister and killed her just for a chance to move against Britannia!”
Lelouch sighed, “Fine then, I am a monster. But, at least I admit it, Kururugi. Our motives are the same, and you know it!”
“No they aren’t! I fight for the side of justice!”
“Justice is what you decide it is! You didn’t need to do all of this—shoot me, sell me out for a promotion, leave me to die—just because of justice! You’re doing it for revenge, revenge for your Precious Euphie!”
Suzaku couldn’t take it, his fist flew, catching Lelouch under the chin. And even after his head fell back and he recovered from the pain—a dribble of blood trickling down his lip—Lelouch continued to smirk in that knowing way. We are the same…
Even if they were the same, Suzaku was not him! He’d never do those things—Willing to fight and kill was different from—
And Euphie…Euphie—!
“Oh, so this was what it was about all along, huh? Euphie—You did all this because you were jealous of me and Euphie!”
Lelouch sighed, “Think what you want, it won’t matter. I’ll die anyways.”
“Was that it all along? It was never a political move—you killed her because of your sick jealousy through all of this? You couldn’t stand it because of my relationship with her, was that it?!”
“I told you, Suzaku, it doesn’t—”
“Tell me, damnit!” Suzaku grabbed Lelouch by the shirt again, dragging him up. “Tell me! Was it because of Euphie that you killed her! Tell me!”
Lelouch continued to carry no emotion, but instead answered, “Fine, if you wish. Yes, it was. Satisfied?”
Suzaku dropped him roughly, trying to contain his rage, but not very successful. “You…you bastard…You’re inhuman…No, death isn’t worthy of someone like you…you deserve much worse,” He grabbed Lelouch roughly by the hair, enjoying that moan of pain. “Someone like you only deserves—”
The geass in Suzaku’s left eye lit up.
Lelouch waited…he waited for that single command that would take away all of his free will. In fact, he welcomed it. But…nothing happened.
Though the geass was there…no command was given.
And then Suzaku turned away. “No…I won’t do it…I won’t become you!”
“Hmph,” Lelouch smirked. “I knew you didn’t have the guts to do it, Kururugi. Maybe I was wrong—maybe you’re too soft after all—”
“Shut the fuck up, damnit!” Suzaku lost it, throwing Lelouch against the wall, making him gasp loudly when his injured shoulder collided with it.
And yet, Lelouch continued to laugh in that horrid, mocking way, he had to be shut up, just shut him up—
Suzaku kicked him across the stomach, making Lelouch cry out in pain once more. Finally. Finally he was shut up. And Suzaku didn’t give a damn.
Though even as the Knight of Seven turned on his heel, marching out of the room trying his hardest not to care, Zero kept on smirking, knowing the truth even if Suzaku would never come to admit it.
Never had they been more the same then in that moment.
“Though we have captured Zero, we need to capture C.C. as well, to make sure there will be no more Zero’s made in this world.”
“That makes sense, Your Majesty.”
“So, I’ve decided to delay Zero’s judgment, and instead, use Lelouch as bait.”
“Bait?”
“C.C. will surely come for Lelouch—she has a contract with him, after all. So, we will keep an eye on him, and then wait until conditions are set to capture C.C. as well.”
“That sounds fine. There are a few questions I want to ask that witch as well.”
“Oh, about your Geass?” the Emperor smirked.
Suzaku then stopped as they walked the Pendragon palace hall. “About my Geass…and other things as well. I have to know it all, from her.”
“Then we both can work together to achieve this goal. Lelouch’s memories will be erased, and he will be placed back at Ashford.”
“That’s fine, as long as he can never remember about being Zero.”
“Well now, that’s interesting,” the Emperor smirked again. “Perhaps you do care a bit for your former friend?”
“I envy him,” Suzaku glared. “He did all those horrible things, and now he gets a second chance, without any punishment for it!”
“Don’t worry, erasing his memories shall be punishment enough, I think—after all, it was his memories that gave him a reason for Zero, and Zero was a purpose in life. Yes…without either of them, I think he shall be quite miserable. Now, does that satisfy you, Kururugi?”
“It’s good enough.” As long as Lelouch was miserable as a punishment, it was enough…
“Now then,” the Emperor changed the subject. “About your appointment, I have two aides for you.”
“Aides?” Suzaku stared, as the Emperor gestured for two people to come forward.
One was a very tall man with blond hair, and an annoying grin, the other was a shorter girl who seemed more interested in the little device in her hand rather than anything around her. “The Knight of Three and Knight of Six will be sent to Japan to assist you, Kururugi.”
“Assist me? In what?”
“Oh, you don’t think you’ll need them,” The Emperor grinned, “Governor General of Japan?”
Chapter 9 here.
The Suzalulu scen I promised will take place during that prison scene (while writing the dialogue, I thought, "this is fucking hot!" and kept up with that theme. XD) where it will be...extended in a way. XD It'll be out in a few days.
It's probably wrong to have Ragezaku beating up on Lulu as a kink, but damn it, its fucking hot. XD
Next chapter kicking off the R2 arc will be out around the middle of January, so see you all then!
Rating: R in this chapter for Suzaku's angry!potty mouth. :3
Pairings: LelouchxC.C., SuzaEuphie, (implied) Suzalulu
Summary: So, what would have happened if Suzaku had received the Geass in Stage 1 instead of Lelouch? We'd have one messed up story on our hands.
Chapter 1 here.
A while ago while writing this fic, I cut a scene with Suzaku that's sorta relevent to the story. I wrote it anyway and posted it here, it takes place between chapters 7 and chapter 8: here
It's got a half-assed title, but its short, if anyone cares to read it, anyway^^
Little bit of LuluxCC, a bit of a focus on Kallen, setting up for the R2 arc and Suzaku Geass subplot, and lots of Ragezaku beating up on Lulu. :) Enjoy!
“Hear me, Black Knights! The final stage of our rebellion is at hand! Tokyo is ours for the capturing! Follow your orders, obey my command, and in one night, we will have successfully liberated our country of Japan! Now, to your Knightmares—a new age in history has begun!”
“The battle has started.”
“But Suzaku-kun , you’re not supposed to move yet—your wounds haven’t—”
“I don’t care!” Suzaku roared, pushing Cecile aside.
“Now, Suzaku, is that any way to behave towards your boss?” Lloyd asked, stepping between Suzaku and the Lancelot. “Really, Suzaku-kun, you shouldn’t be moving around this much—I hear you even sneaked out of your hospital room to come here. Now while I congratulate you on a successful escape attempt, you can go no further.” Lloyd smirked, holding up the key to the Lancelot.
“Are you attempting to use your authority on me, Lloyd-san?” Suzaku asked, eyes narrowing.
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“I guess you haven’t heard then. Let me make it clear for you; the Knight of Seven, Lord Kururugi, orders you to get out of my way!”
“Knight of Seven?” gasped Cecile. “When did this—?”
“Oh-ho, you mean that little note the princess wrote up before the chaos?” Lloyd smirked. “However, it has yet to be ratified by the Emperor. As of right now, that appointment is invalid.”
“Lloyd-san,” Suzaku’s fists clenched. “This is one last chance to get out of my way before I make you.” If he had to, he would use his geass. Nothing mattered but getting out of here and getting to Lelouch before he dropped chaos on all of Japan!
“Suzaku,” Lloyd said, voice changing from a mocking tone to deadly serious. “I’ve been ordered by Her Highness Cornelia that you are to remain in the hospital until your leg is fully healed. Now,” Lloyd smirked and held up another needle. “I don’t want to have to sedate you again—”
That did it. Suzaku hardly knew what he was doing, only he knew that rage filled him up and then the next second, he had punched Lloyd to the ground. “Suzaku-kun!” Cecile gasped, as Suzaku emotionlessly retrieved the Lancelot’s key from the ground.
“This is something I must do, Lloyd-san,” Suzaku said glaring back at him. “I won’t let anyone get in my way.”
Neither Lloyd nor Cecile moved to stop him as Suzaku walked past them for the Lancelot. As Cecile helped Lloyd to his feet she asked, “Don’t you think it’s strange?”
“Hmm?”
“Suzaku…how he was able to leave his hospital room and get all the way over here. His leg should still be healing—he shouldn’t be able to walk yet.”
“Well, with the strength of his determination, maybe—”
“I don’t think so,” she looked back as the Lancelot started up, worried. “It’s almost as if it healed too quickly—far quicker than any normal wound should have.”
“We have this school surrounded!” Zero announced as the Black Knights stormed Ashford. “Take the school, but remember, do not harm the students!”
Yes, this was the perfect plan, Lelouch reminded himself, as he marched into his new command base. This way the Black Knights would protect Ashford—protecting everyone including Nunnally. It was the only way to guarantee her safety now.
Don’t worry, Nunnally, I know it’s scary right now, but your big brother is looking after you.
“Freeze!” Kallen shouted as they barged into the Student Council room. “This school now belongs to the Black Knights!”
The students shrieked, and suddenly, a woman both Lelouch and Kallen had never seen before stepped between them, eyes narrowed. She had dark skin and light hair, and despite the situation, she appeared completely calm.
Hmm…looks like our new student council advisor has arrived…yes, by her reaction, she must have been sent by the Britannian Army after all.
“There is no need to fear for your students, Miss—”
“Viletta,” she shot back. “But it matters nothing to you, Zero. These are my students and you will not harm them!”
Either she really did care about the students after knowing them only a day or so—he doubted it—or it was strictly protocol. Well, at least Britannia cared for its future, he mused.
“The students will not be harmed,” Kallen said, keeping her eyes lowered under her visor, hoping she wouldn’t be recognized. “Zero does not wish to harm the innocent. Our enemy is the Britannia military, not you.”
It was Millay’s turn to step in front of Ms. Viletta and say something. “Still, even though you won’t harm the students, you’ll harm anyone in the military or government, be it our parents, our brothers, our cousins—Most of them have done nothing wrong either, and yet you’d harm them!”
Kallen said nothing, but instead, Lelouch took over. “In this war on Britannia, there will be lives lost, I accept that. However, I do not like killing. This is the most effective method, in order to reduce the number of lives lost. That is why we are offering our protection to you.”
“Will you keep your promise, Zero?” Millay demanded.
Ah, Kaichou, I knew there was a reason I respected you.
“Of course. Zero never lies.”
There was a small gasp heard, off to the side. From where he stood, Lelouch could see Nunnally sitting there, looking slightly shocked. Yes she had heard a phrase similar before. But there was nothing—no proof. It was better she was kept in the dark forever. But still…Nunnally…I wish I could come over and hold your hand and tell you everything will be all right. But for now, this is enough. I will make sure you are protected.
“Very well,” Viletta stepped forward. “Then do I have permission to inform the students to stay in a safe place?”
“Of course. As long as you don’t intend to leave the school grounds.”
Viletta nodded, and then moved to leave the room. However, someone else was coming in just as she was going out. “Wha—Viletta?”
Startled, she glanced back up at the man in front of her. “Ougi?”
“Huh?” Tamaki asked as he came walking up as well. “Ougi, you know her?”
“Hmph,” Viletta instead gave a sassy smirk and replied in perfect Japanese, “Oh, Ougi, it’s been a while hasn’t it, my old social studies professor? I can’t remember—the last time we met, was it at your place or mine?”
Ougi’s face was as red as a beet, and Tamaki, glancing between the two stuttered, “Wait…you…and her…? All right, Ougi!” he grinned nudging him with his elbow.
“Shut up Tamaki,” Ougi muttered. “But, er…Viletta, what are you doing here? I thought you went back to Britannia?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? I accepted a post as an academic advisor at this school. Such an odd place to meet again, don’t you think? Oh well…” She kept on smirking, clearly enjoying this. “Now, if you excuse me, Ougi-sensei, I have to go make sure my students are safe, like Zero promised.”
And then she left the room, leaving a stunned Ougi and a laughing Tamaki behind. Just around a corner after she left, her smirk faded. There. Done. That is the last happy conversation I will ever have with you, Ougi Kaname. From now on, we are on opposite sides in this war.
“So, what’s our next move, Zero?” Kallen asked, as soon as the students were out of the student council room.
“Now that we have captured Ashford and the main troops are fighting Cornelia’s force the next move is to capture the Area 11 Government Building. Once done, Area 11 will have fallen into our hands.”
“But with Cornelia—”
“Don’t worry about Cornelia, I will handle her—”
“Still, do you think this is a wise move? I’m your best pilot, surely—”
“No, Kallen,” Lelouch turned back to her. “You did your part in the first half, but now I need you here—as our base of operations, we need a well trained pilot to protect Ashford in the event that things get out of hand—”
“But isn’t that a waste of my talents?” she snapped. “I could be out there winning your war! Instead you’re sticking me here! Was this your plan all along? Was this why you revealed yourself to me? So you could make sure I protected everyone? Even Nunnally?”
Lelouch stopped himself from saying anything. She was right—that was why he needed her. Kallen would be the perfect protection for Nunnally should anything unexpected occur. But if he let her know that…then he was nothing more than a hypocrite.
Zero did say that some sacrifices had to be made to win this war, didn’t he?
But no…other sacrifices would have to be made, because Nunnally…she was different…He could never lose her and expect to keep his sanity!
He couldn’t lose anything again…not after Euphie…
“Zero!”
Both Lelouch and Kallen gasped, and whipped around as a trembling figure had barged into the room—gun pointed directly at Zero. Kallen had whirled around and raised her gun to protect Zero, but even she had to lower it slightly.
The figure was none other than Shirley, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Zero…you…you killed my father!”
Lelouch took a step back in disbelief. What? I didn’t—
“My father was at Narita the day you caused the landslide, Zero.” Her fingers holding that gun—an object so unfamiliar in her hands—continued to shake, unable to get a firm grip. “We thought maybe he was trapped in the city because of the rescue effort and the phone lines down but…we just found out that on that day, he was killed! You killed him, Zero!”
Kallen too, stared in disbelief, mouth slightly agape and eyes wide underneath her visor. “I…” It was her that had caused the landslide.
Lelouch’s fingers clenched. “I…I did kill him,” he admitted sadly, knowing it would offer her no comfort. “But…I didn’t intend…it was a battle strategy that went too far…I’m sorry.”
“Sorry isn’t good enough!” Shirley screamed. “Zero you…you killed my father! I don’t want to hear your excuses—” There was a bang as her fingers accidentally pulled the trigger.
In that moment, Ms. Viletta ran in the room, gun drawn, attempting to grab hold of Shirley, but it was too late.
Kallen had been running towards Shirley, but she hadn’t been able to stop her.
And Lelouch did nothing to move out of the way.
Thankfully, the bullet missed—almost. It richocheted off the top of Zero’s helmet. It looked like he was safe—until a cracking sound was heard. And to everyone’s horror, a second later, the helmet split apart—revealing none other than Lelouch Lamperouge beneath.
“That student…” Viletta gasped. That was the one that had been proposed as a connection to Zero, but no…instead, he was Zero!
“Lulu…” was all Shirley could say, before she fainted dead away.
“Lelouch!” Kallen said, snapping him out of it. “Get out of here, go back to your knightmare and get to the government building! I can handle things here!”
“R-Right…” some part of him wanted to stay behind, wanted to see if Shirley was all right but…no, he was Zero, she would hate him now…and he had other things to do tonight. He couldn’t afford to stay unmasked here.
“Ougi, we’ve got trouble!” Kallen called on her communicator, as Lelouch swept out of the room, knowing that no matter the outcome of this night, he had just lost one more thing important to him as well.
“Is Shirley going to be all right?” Millay asked, when Viletta got back from taking Shirley back up to her room.
“She just had a scare,” she replied. “I gave her some medicine to make her sleep through the rest of the night—it’s probably for the best.”
“But what happened? What did That Monster do to her—”
“That’s enough, Nina,” Millay quieted her. “Whatever happened after she ran off on us, she was unhurt. That’s all that matters.”
Kallen listened outside as she guarded the door, unable to keep the somber expression off her face.
Guys…
“Hey,” Rivalz asked, “Do you think Lelouch and Kallen are all right? We haven’t seen them all day.”
“Onii-sama,” Nunnally piped up. “He…he said he had something to do two days ago…and he never came back. He never even called me…”
“I’m sure Lelouch is fine, Nunnally,” Millay told her in a soothing voice. “He’s smart enough to duck and cover when he’s in danger. I’m sure he’s all right.”
“But as for Kallen—”
“The district she lives in hasn’t been attacked,” Nina spoke at once, probably looking up the articles on the computer.
“Oh, that’s good.” Rivalz sighed. “I guess she’s okay, too. I mean, we haven’t seen much of her, and she seems like a nice girl—”
“Yes, she is nice,” Millay sighed. “I hope that once this is over, we could see more of her…we haven’t seen much of her since she joined, and I’d like to get to know her better—she’s a lot more interesting than either of you.”
“Hey!”
So…they really do…they really do consider me their friend, even though I never… And somewhere, deep down, this thought made her happy.
Perhaps, even for a moment, she had a wild thought about revealing herself to them, letting them know she was protecting them and they were going to be safe—but then she heard herself called on the radio,
“Karen! We’ve got trouble!”
“Ougi, what is it?”
“The Britannians are fighting back harder than we thought. I sent some more troops out, but without you, we don’t stand much of a chance! Did Zero give you strict orders to stay, or can you head out and fight?”
Kallen couldn’t answer. On one hand, she wanted to stay here…to protect them. To make sure all of them would live through this night. But on the other hand…
I am our best pilot…any old soldier can do this…but if I am out there, I might be able to help us!
“No, I’ll go.”
Without a second thought, she walked away from that door to do her duty.
Perhaps if Zero was still that mysterious figure she admired, and would have done anything for, she would have obeyed his order to the letter. But Zero was Lelouch—while he was brilliant, he was just a boy fighting to settle a score. He did not understand what they did. Though he had given them miracles—he could never understand the sacrifices that the Japanese would have to make.
He would never understand her.
“Guys, I heard from Viletta-sensei that they’re handing out some food for us in the auditorium.”
“Really, Kaichou? Then let’s go! I’m hungry—”
“You’re always hungry, Rivalz.”
“I…I don’t want to go.”
“Hmm?” All three looked back at Nunnally, who looked upset. “You okay, Nunnally?”
“I’m…I’m worried about Onii-sama,” she admitted. “Until I know he’s all right, I can’t…I just want to wait here until he returns.”
Millay and Rivalz exchanged glances. “Are you sure, Nunnally?”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “I don’t want to leave in case he comes by.”
“If you’re sure, then,” Rivalz nodded. “We’ll bring you back some food, then.”
“Thank you, guys.”
The door was shut, leaving Nunnally alone in the room.
Actually, she hated to be alone—not when she had been with her brother for so long. But now, Lelouch was missing, and Sayoko was gone, and never more did Nunnally feel worse…abandoned by the world.
If only her brother would call, or give her some sign that he was all right, she would feel better, but until then, until she knew Lelouch was safe—
She heard the door slide open. “Huh? Who’s there?”
Two sets of footsteps—one long stride, and a smaller, shorter one. She heard the two figures stop at once, and…kneel.
“Are you Nunnally?” A male voice asked—a voice she had never heard before.
“Y—Yes.” Who had sent them? Was it Lelouch? Could it be—
“Good, nice to meet you then, Miss. Gino Weinburg, Knight of Three—”
A low female voice piped up, “And Anya Alstriem, Knight of Six—”
“At your service,” Gino continued. “We we sent by His Majesty, to ensure your safety, Princess Nunnally vi Britannia.”
“Lelouch…so it was you all along…” Cornelia gasped, as Lelouch descended from his knightmare—a new flying prototype that the Black Knights had developed. “Why? For Nunnally?”
“In order to achieve my goal, Zero was necessary,” he told her.
“Was it really necessary? What about Clovis? What about Euphie! Was that necessary as well?”
“Every action is necessary for the sake of my goal, as is this,” Lelouch released the geass upon her. “Now then, tell me, who was it that killed my mother?”
Cornelia replied in a monotone voice. “I don’t know…”
“You don’t?” Lelouch demanded. “Are you sure you don’t know?! Not a thing?”
“No one witnessed her murder, save Nunnally…” Cornelia continued. “And the night before her murder, she returned from a trip to Japan. I asked her about it, but she didn’t tell me why.”
“Wha—?” Here? What was she doing here? Japan didn’t get important until Nunnally and I were sent there before the Sakuradite conflict! Why did she go and not tell anyone the reason why?
“When did she leave? How long was she there? Did she say anything else? Anything at all about this trip that she took—”
Lelouch didn’t get to finish since at that moment something was fired his way. After shielding himself from the blast, he looked up—and it was the Lancelot hovering before him.
“Suzaku!” He was already released from the hospital? But he heard his injuries should have kept him out of this battle! Damn that fast healing bastard!
“Lelouch,” Suzaku announced emotionlessly. “You will not harm Her Highness Cornelia like you harmed Euphie.”
It was hard to argue when the Lancelot was standing there, pointing the VARIS right in his face. Lelouch had no choice. “Hmph. Fine Kururugi, we will settle this with Knightmares!”
Upon entering the cockpit of his knightmare, C.C. asked, “You will really end it here? Are you really willing to kill Suzaku?”
“I’ll just disable his knightmare and render him unable to fight,” Lelouch answered. “If I injure him, he can be taken prisoner and that will be the end of that.”
“Hmm, that softness towards your former friends will get you killed someday—” She had just put her hands on the flying controls when the unexpected happened—she felt something flow through that telepathic link that connected all Geass givers to another.
“Got you. Now bring him to me.” A voice she recognized rang in her ears.
“V.V…?” she gasped, until she fell under his control.
C.C.’s head flopped forward, as her hands moved on its own, sending Lelouch’s knightmare speeding away.
“Hey, C.C.—C.C.!” he yelled, after being thrown back in his seat. “What happened? Where are you—”
Her hands could not be removed from those controls, as now she piloted them out over the ocean. And though Lelouch tried to free her, there was nothing he could do but wait for her to be freed from V.V.’s control.
“Hmph, you won’t escape that easily, Lelouch,” Suzaku muttered, allowing the Lancelot’s float pack to extend and following him towards that mysterious island, Kaminejima…
Slowly, finally, her eyes opened. “Ah, C.C.!” Lelouch gasped. “You’re all right!”
“I guess…” the first thing she noticed was that he was holding her. That was odd. The second was that it seemed the sun had started rising.
It was then that she remembered. “Ah! Lelouch! We have to get away from here! It was V.V.! He drew us here—I think he’s trying to get to you!”
“V.V.? That thing that made me—!” Lelouch cursed profoundly—C.C. didn’t even know he knew that word. “What does he want from me? Didn’t he already get what he wanted with Euphie—”
“No,” she admitted to him, unable to look him in the eye. “I don’t know what that thing with Euphemia is about, but I do know his eventual goal is to get a hold of you.”
“But me? What do I have to do with any of this?!”
“It has everything to do with you! Lelouch, don’t you understand? You’re the reason why I was—”
But she never got to finish. At that moment, another shot was fired at their knightmare. Lelouch cursed again. Suzaku had followed them.
Suzaku wanted to fight…but there was also that V.V….he didn’t want to fight Suzaku, but maybe…if he could talk to him, and if Suzaku saw V.V., everything could come to light! Euphie was still his fault, yes, but…he didn’t want Suzaku hating him.
Even still, Suzaku was his best friend from childhood.
“C.C….get out of here.”
“What?”
“Get out of here. Leave this place. Let me deal with Suzaku.”
“I can’t leave both of you here.” C.C. told him flatly. “I gave both of you the Geass—you are both my responsibility now.”
“That doesn’t matter now!” he shouted back at her, with more desperation than she had ever heard in his voice. “It is my fault that Suzaku hates me…I have to be the one to try to fix this. I will have to stay here. And he might come after you too, so that is why you have to leave.”
C.C. was slightly amused. “Are you…protecting me? Still, you’re not much protection—”
Lelouch grabbed his gun and prepared to exit the cockpit. “C.C., just go! We are accomplices, aren’t we? You have to leave so someday, we can meet again!” He turned back to her, more desperate than she had ever seen, “I’ve lost enough tonight…I don’t want to lose anything else!”
For a moment, she stared, shocked, Lelouch…This was not the little boy she once knew. With a sigh, she answered, “It’s true…we are accomplices, aren’t we? Still…it’s kind of nice…I never had anyone care about my well being before, so…” I’m glad…
“C.C…”
Smiling slightly, she leaned towards him, “Still, if worst comes to worst, it might be some time before we see each other again…and this is all the protection I can give you…”
Without another word, she kissed him. Lelouch was too stunned to move. He though he felt something was transferred in that kiss, but perhaps it was just his imagination…perhaps this was all just his imagination…
When she pulled away she answered emotionlessly, “Now, go, Lelouch...I hope that protection I gave you was in vain.”
Still stunned, he nodded, and then turned away, cloak fluttering in his wake as he turned away to an unknown fate. But C.C., even then, had a feeling as to how it would turn out.
It would be a year before she would see him again, and by then, everything would be changed…
Yes, finally, Lelouch vi Britannia had come…Heh, it was a good thing C.C. had left her mind so vulnerable…it was so easy to take control…so easy to complete his goal.
Once Lelouch was in their hands, everything—his goal and Charles’s would be complete.
Yes, and here he was—Lelouch was willingly walking towards where he was hidden, willingly giving himself up—
“Lelouch!”
What?
Kururugi Suzaku. Kururugi Suzaku had followed him, gun pointed directly at Lelouch.
No, No, if Suzaku was here, he couldn’t take Lelouch! He couldn’t hope to overpower both of them—and if Suzaku saw, everything would be ruined!
V.V. turned back to his hiding place, a snarl on his lips. Damn you, Kururugi Suzaku, always you were getting in our way, from the very beginning!
Lelouch stared back at Suzaku, with blank eyes. “Going to kill me, Suzaku?”
“Give me a reason not to. You’re a liar, a murderer, and a deceiver—and a hypocrite if I’ve ever seen one.”
“Have you forgotten, Suzaku,” Lelouch glared. “You were in on it once, too.”
“Shut up! I’m not like you, Lelouch!”
“Really? You accepted the Geass, same as I—You wanted power, as I did. Aren’t we the same?”
“The geass…” So Lelouch was openly admitting it! “Hmph. That may be, Lelouch, but I won’t let myself become you. If I am a monster, then you Lelouch, are the firey demon at the gates of Hell!”
Heh, a beautiful analogy, Suzaku.
“You’ve done the unthinkable—you killed Euphie; you killed your own sister!”
“I did.”
Tears now formed in Suzaku’s eyes—tears of hate. “Damnit, then why did you do it? Why make me a Knight of Rounds and make yourself Euphie’s knight only to kill her afterwards? What was it in your sick mind that made you think you could do that? What was it—were you just toying with her for your own twisted amusement? Well, Lelouch?!”
Again, Lelouch could say nothing.
“I won’t accept this. As Zero, its high treason, but as her knight, as her own brother, it’s inhuman!”
“Then kill me, then,” Now, Lelouch spoke with an amused tone—a fake one, perhaps, but what did Suzaku know? “Kill me, but you would be destroying Euphie’s dream in the very act of it.”
“What the Hell do you know about her dream! Euphie’s dream was already destroyed—you destroyed it!”
“Suzaku—”
Suzaku could not be stopped, “No, you’re no longer the friend I once had! You’re not Lelouch—you’re the demon Zero! Maybe you didn’t even kill Euphie just because it was useful—you killed her because you were jealous, weren’t you? You were jealous of my relationship with her!”
“Suzaku—!” This was too much, Lelouch’s fingers began to clench—
“Our friendship was always a sham, it was worth nothing to you, was it? Are you just a lowly parasite that latches on to someone when they’re useful and then sucks them dry? You used me and cast me aside, you used Euphie, and you’re still using Nunnally—”
“I am not!”
“Nunnally’s your excuse, isn’t it? By saying that, you’re claiming all of this was in her name! This was really about you and your perverted issues, but now you’re tying her into this and making her your reason for all the sins you do! How do you think she would feel if she knew? If she knew you lied and cheat and killed and even destroyed her own sister all for her sake—”
Lelouch could take it no longer. “Suzaku!” he roared, drawing his gun, pointing it directly at Suzaku’s head—
The rage was overflowing, it would all be better if Suzaku, that traitor to his own country was dead—he wanted to, after that, oh god he wanted to, so badly, but…
His aim was still dead on, but…he paused…his finger never pulled the trigger.
And that was his mistake.
“That softness towards your former friends will get you killed someday…” she had said.
A shot rang out, and Lelouch fell back, screaming in pain. No…no…
But there was blood…and the pain…and Suzaku standing triumphantly before him, gun in hand.
Suzaku had shot him in the shoulder.
Violet eyes stared wide in disbelief.
“That’s payback for my leg,” Suzaku glared with cold, hate-filled eyes. “And now, for you, Zero, it’s over.”
All of it…all that hate was for him…Suzaku, his best friend from childhood hated him more than anything…
And that hate-filled monster standing before him…it was his fault that Suzaku, caring Suzaku, had been warped into this.
“This is Kururugi,” Suzaku called on the communicator. “Zero has been captured.”
“Euphemia made an unusual request,” The Emperor spoke, reviewing Euphie’s last note as he sat on his dark throne. “Promoting you to the Knight of Rounds.”
“Is there a problem with this promotion, Your Majesty?” asked Suzaku as he knelt before his emperor.
“None at all. It is legit. You shall be made Knight of Seven, Kururugi Suzaku.”
“I thank you, Your Majesty,” Suzaku spoke, standing up.
“Now then, I suppose you want a reward for capturing Zero—”
“There is only one thing I desire, Your Majesty,” His green eyes were never more serious. “I wish to be made Knight of One.”
Laughter resonated throughout the audience chamber. “I like that ambition. However, I already have a satisfactory Knight of One in place.”
“I will wait as long as I have to, Your Majesty. But remember—without me, Zero would still be causing havoc in Area 11.”
“That is true,” the Emperor thought a moment. “But your spirit for the job far surpasses his. Very well, you shall have your title, in time. Bismark is loyal, but that doesn’t mean something can’t be done to remove him. Though you will have to stay a Knight of Seven for some time to avoid suspicions, of course.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Suzaku continued to stare expressionlessly. Yes, this is the only way…the only way I can achieve Euphie’s dream…
“Now, then, about Zero—”
“He was flown to Britannia for a trial, wasn’t he, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor smirked, “Don’t you even care what happens to your friend?”
Suzaku’s eyes grew cold. “That ‘friend’ betrayed any friendship I gave him. He is worthless to me now.”
“Very well. I have something in mind for Zero. But, before that, would you like to see him?”
The door to the prison cell slid open, casting a thin line of light upon the cell floor. Suzaku, now dressed in the garb of a Knight of Rounds, stepped inside, eyes narrowing when he looked on his former best friend.
Lelouch, still dressed in his Zero outfit, was shackled to the wall, eyes unable to be seen under his bangs. His right shoulder was bare—it looked like the bullet had been removed, though there was no bandage—his arm had been left to bleed and ache.
Why should any of the medical staff care? Zero had to be well enough to stand interrogation, but everyone assumed he was a dead man anyway.
Yes…execution was the only fate suitable for a monster such as him.
“Hmm…you visited sooner than I expected, Kururugi,” Lelouch looked up, violet eye glaring—his other eye had an eyepatch strapped over it, for the safety of the guards.
“I thought I’d visit the prisoner before he was taken off to his trial,” Suzaku spoke tonelessly. “Before you are revealed to the rest of the world as the traitor you are.”
“A traitor, eh? Britannia is not my country. Britannia threw me away. The only country to ever recognize me was your own great country of Japan—”
“I don’t mean a traitor to your country. But a traitor to your friends, your family, and even to the Japanese—you heard, didn’t you? Your Black Rebellion has failed. By now, Britannia’s best knights are mopping up the rest of your own army. Justice has been served.”
“Justice, huh? But who has right to decide justice but the winners, while the losers are forced to deal with the tyranny under the false name ‘justice’—”
“It is only justice for people stupid enough to follow you.”
“Ah, maybe so, but,” Lelouch glared. “But don’t underestimate them. I gave the Japanese people a hope, a dream. And someday, Kururugi, they will rise again. They will be triumphant. They will rise up and overthrow Britannia and you, a traitor to your own nation!”
“You did no such thing!” Suzaku shouted back, grabbing Lelouch by the shirt and pulling him forward. “All you did was spread lies to their people, and get them to work for you so you could have your own personal army for your twisted revenge. Admit it, Lelouch! There was no nobility in your motives! It was just a war so you could settle the score with Britannia! Thousands of lives were lost because of your petty motives!”
“Maybe so, but there is one thing I haven’t done—At least I never sold out my friends for a shameless promotion!”
“Oh, and what about you? You betrayed our friendship and killed Euphie! You sold out your own sister and killed her just for a chance to move against Britannia!”
Lelouch sighed, “Fine then, I am a monster. But, at least I admit it, Kururugi. Our motives are the same, and you know it!”
“No they aren’t! I fight for the side of justice!”
“Justice is what you decide it is! You didn’t need to do all of this—shoot me, sell me out for a promotion, leave me to die—just because of justice! You’re doing it for revenge, revenge for your Precious Euphie!”
Suzaku couldn’t take it, his fist flew, catching Lelouch under the chin. And even after his head fell back and he recovered from the pain—a dribble of blood trickling down his lip—Lelouch continued to smirk in that knowing way. We are the same…
Even if they were the same, Suzaku was not him! He’d never do those things—Willing to fight and kill was different from—
And Euphie…Euphie—!
“Oh, so this was what it was about all along, huh? Euphie—You did all this because you were jealous of me and Euphie!”
Lelouch sighed, “Think what you want, it won’t matter. I’ll die anyways.”
“Was that it all along? It was never a political move—you killed her because of your sick jealousy through all of this? You couldn’t stand it because of my relationship with her, was that it?!”
“I told you, Suzaku, it doesn’t—”
“Tell me, damnit!” Suzaku grabbed Lelouch by the shirt again, dragging him up. “Tell me! Was it because of Euphie that you killed her! Tell me!”
Lelouch continued to carry no emotion, but instead answered, “Fine, if you wish. Yes, it was. Satisfied?”
Suzaku dropped him roughly, trying to contain his rage, but not very successful. “You…you bastard…You’re inhuman…No, death isn’t worthy of someone like you…you deserve much worse,” He grabbed Lelouch roughly by the hair, enjoying that moan of pain. “Someone like you only deserves—”
The geass in Suzaku’s left eye lit up.
Lelouch waited…he waited for that single command that would take away all of his free will. In fact, he welcomed it. But…nothing happened.
Though the geass was there…no command was given.
And then Suzaku turned away. “No…I won’t do it…I won’t become you!”
“Hmph,” Lelouch smirked. “I knew you didn’t have the guts to do it, Kururugi. Maybe I was wrong—maybe you’re too soft after all—”
“Shut the fuck up, damnit!” Suzaku lost it, throwing Lelouch against the wall, making him gasp loudly when his injured shoulder collided with it.
And yet, Lelouch continued to laugh in that horrid, mocking way, he had to be shut up, just shut him up—
Suzaku kicked him across the stomach, making Lelouch cry out in pain once more. Finally. Finally he was shut up. And Suzaku didn’t give a damn.
Though even as the Knight of Seven turned on his heel, marching out of the room trying his hardest not to care, Zero kept on smirking, knowing the truth even if Suzaku would never come to admit it.
Never had they been more the same then in that moment.
“Though we have captured Zero, we need to capture C.C. as well, to make sure there will be no more Zero’s made in this world.”
“That makes sense, Your Majesty.”
“So, I’ve decided to delay Zero’s judgment, and instead, use Lelouch as bait.”
“Bait?”
“C.C. will surely come for Lelouch—she has a contract with him, after all. So, we will keep an eye on him, and then wait until conditions are set to capture C.C. as well.”
“That sounds fine. There are a few questions I want to ask that witch as well.”
“Oh, about your Geass?” the Emperor smirked.
Suzaku then stopped as they walked the Pendragon palace hall. “About my Geass…and other things as well. I have to know it all, from her.”
“Then we both can work together to achieve this goal. Lelouch’s memories will be erased, and he will be placed back at Ashford.”
“That’s fine, as long as he can never remember about being Zero.”
“Well now, that’s interesting,” the Emperor smirked again. “Perhaps you do care a bit for your former friend?”
“I envy him,” Suzaku glared. “He did all those horrible things, and now he gets a second chance, without any punishment for it!”
“Don’t worry, erasing his memories shall be punishment enough, I think—after all, it was his memories that gave him a reason for Zero, and Zero was a purpose in life. Yes…without either of them, I think he shall be quite miserable. Now, does that satisfy you, Kururugi?”
“It’s good enough.” As long as Lelouch was miserable as a punishment, it was enough…
“Now then,” the Emperor changed the subject. “About your appointment, I have two aides for you.”
“Aides?” Suzaku stared, as the Emperor gestured for two people to come forward.
One was a very tall man with blond hair, and an annoying grin, the other was a shorter girl who seemed more interested in the little device in her hand rather than anything around her. “The Knight of Three and Knight of Six will be sent to Japan to assist you, Kururugi.”
“Assist me? In what?”
“Oh, you don’t think you’ll need them,” The Emperor grinned, “Governor General of Japan?”
Chapter 9 here.
The Suzalulu scen I promised will take place during that prison scene (while writing the dialogue, I thought, "this is fucking hot!" and kept up with that theme. XD) where it will be...extended in a way. XD It'll be out in a few days.
It's probably wrong to have Ragezaku beating up on Lulu as a kink, but damn it, its fucking hot. XD
Next chapter kicking off the R2 arc will be out around the middle of January, so see you all then!
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which is a lie, no, not patiently.OMG so intense. I love this chapter! With those twists and... I don't know, it's just that Euphie was there all along and makes it more intense. Oh, and Suzalulu is the best~~! I love how Suzaku thought of "--your were jealous of me and Euphie!?" because he thought of him first, hehehe...
And the intense quote that "Never had they been more the same than in that moment" captures me so. X)
Am looking forward to the next ones! XD
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Not a good enough excuse IMO. Making it personal is better.
And dude, they are totally the same when they get all ragey/angry. And I love it. <3
Don't worry, I won't forget!
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http://community.livejournal.com/code_geass/1236388.html
I've been forgetting to post the links at the bottom of the new chapters. ;;