Well, it could be that Lelouch disappears and then REAPPEARS as Zero after a year - because he did run away as Zero at the very last battle to go save Nunnally.
I'm thinking along those lines too. My assumption remains that Suzaku got promoted for 'killing' Zero, as in leaving him for dead, while he somehow survived and went into hiding to find more clues about his mother's death while CC (I would assume) takes his place.
Re: spoilery response, but this is a post about second season
I'm thinking along those lines too. My assumption remains that Suzaku got promoted for 'killing' Zero, as in leaving him for dead, while he somehow survived and went into hiding to find more clues about his mother's death while CC (I would assume) takes his place.