2 Chapter Two: The Queen and the Kingslayer.

Following the battle of Shinjuku, a fight that should have ended in the slaughter of her and her friends, Kallen Kozuki found herself returning to her forced 'real' life as Kallen Stadfeld.

She hatred being forced to learn alongside Britannians, even if she knew they were chaffing under V.V.'s rule as well. But that still didn't excuse their oppression of her people. Though indeed she was only half-Japanese, she considered herself fully Japanese in heart. As did her friends Kaname Ohgi, Tamaki, and the rest of her late brother Naoto's resistance movement.

Kaname Ohgi had been an effective leader, he had managed to keep them alive as they struck out against the Britannians, but they were nothing more than an annoyance at best. It wasn't until they had the bold ambition to try and steal a chemical weapon from them that Kallen felt they were able to even hope to make a considerable effort against them. However it all ended in disaster at least until a mysterious voice came in over the radio. The voice offered strategy and advice to her and the rest of their crew, even though they were all hesitant to trust him.

Then upon her arriving at Ashford Academy, adopting her cover as the sickly Kallen Stadfeld, she heard the voice of one of her classmates, Lelouch Lamperouge, and found the voice very similar. He came to her attention after an incident in which she took her frustrations with her 'classmates' on a bee that had been buzzing nearby, and his voice was so similar. Then there had been a moment in which she seemed to lose track of her mind for a bit, but she heard him mention Shinjuku. Some time later he introduced her to the Student Council, Milly Ashford, Rivalz Cardemonde, Shirley Fennette, and Nina Einstein.

As well as his god-father, a gentleman named Jeremiah Gottwald and his maid Sayoko Shinozaki, and Lelouch's little sister Nunnally. Despite Kallen's hate to Britannians she admitted they were all fairly charming if not odd.

Nunnally herself seemed incredibly kind and sweet and had the grace of a ballerina. Kallen's real surprise was how much of a gentleman Jeremiah was to the Japanese maid Sayoko. Studying his body language Kallen believed that there was more going on between them than what they presented.

He even took a bottle of champagne off of Sayoko's hands, offering her to drink with him while he opened it to celebrate Kallen's initiation to the Student Council. Although a bit of recklessness on his part resulted in Kallen getting soaked in the liquor.

"Damn, I still smell like booze," swore Kallen. "All this decadence...this is why I hate Britannians."

A knock on the door drew Kallen's attention away from her bitter thoughts.

"Kallen?" asked Lelouch from the other side. "It's me, I brought you a change of clothes."

"Come on in," said Kallen. "I have the curtain drawn."

As Lelouch walked in Kallen quickly formed her plan to get answers out of him.

"I hope you didn't have to go all the way to the boy's dorms for them," said Kallen.

"No, I actually live here," said Lelouch. "My godfather works as a teacher and the Ashford family allow us all to live here. These are my clothes, I hope you don't mind."

"It's no trouble," said Kallen. "Hey, could you hand me that pouch on the sink?"

"Sure," said Lelouch.

As he grabbed the pouch and put his hand around the curtain Kallen grabbed his wrist and took the pouch, revealing a hidden blade which she pressed against his wrist.

"Not so sickly as you appear eh?" said Lelouch coyly.

"Why did you mention Shinjuku before?" asked Kallen.

"Because I was in Shinjuku," said Lelouch.

"Where you the voice on the radio?" asked Kallen.

"I was," said Lelouch.

"Why would a Britannian want to help us? Aren't we all just a bunch of worthless Elevens to you people?" swore Kallen, anger bright in her blue eyes.

"Because we are kindred spirits the Japanese and I," said Lelouch.

"What are you talking about?" yelled Kallen. "Don't mock me with riddles."

"I'm telling the truth," said Lelouch. "Much like the Japanese my freedom, dignity, and honor were stolen from me. As it was for Nunnally and our mother, Marianne, when that bastard of an uncle of mine came into the picture."

"What are you talking about?" asked Kallen.

"I am Lelouch Vi Britannia, the 11th Prince of Britannia, son of Emperor Charles Zi Britannia," said Lelouch.

Kallen gasped in surprise, even in Japan the death of Emperor Charles and the persecution of the Vi Britannia branch was known. All the troubles of the Japanese could even be traced back to the death of Charles when V.V. killed him.

"So you've been hiding in Japan for all these years," said Kallen. "Are you the reason Britannia invaded Japan? Perhaps I should kill you now for all the lives lost because of you."

"What good would that do?" asked Lelouch. "After all the Japanese and I share a common enemy. The usurper Vincent, the murderer of my father, and the conqueror of your country as well as mine."

"From my perspective Britannia seems just fine," said Kallen.

"Do you truly believe that even as Britannian news is censored only to sing of V.V's glory?" asked Lelouch. "All disagreements with V.V are silenced. All of Britannia trembles beneath him and his Eden Elite. The suffering of the Japanese is the offspring of the suffering of Britannia. Oppression breeding oppression and I intend to stop it. I've spent my years patiently waiting, learning and training and waiting for the opportune time to strike. That time is now and I intend to build an army that will surpass that of my uncle. And I've decided to start with your group."

"Why?" asked Kallen. "We're a small resistance group. If we were up against Eden Elite we'd be slaughtered. Why not seek out professional soldiers from the former Japanese military? Like Kyoshiro Tohdoh of the Japanese Liberation Front?"

"Because I want something more than an army," said Lelouch. "I want a symbol of justice that will stand for all the world to behold and draw inspiration from. Because the war I fight is not only against my uncle but the fear and evil he has struck into the heart of Britannia. More than just a struggle of arms this is a struggle of ideals, hope standing against his despair."

Kallen listened to Lelouch's words with special interest. She could tell that he had a deep seated hatred for his uncle, understandable given how he had murdered his father, but there was something else in his voice. A sincerity to destroy not only his uncle but everything he represented in the world.

"Do you...really mean that?" asked Kallen.

"If you are willing I would like the chance to prove it," said Lelouch. "Can you set up a meeting between myself and the rest of your group?"

"How do I know that this isn't some trap?" asked Kallen, pressing the blade against his wrist.

"If I wanted you dead I wouldn't have saved your lives in Shinjuku," said Lelouch. "Also, you should know Jeremiah is outside the door and ready to shoot you dead here and now if I didn't come out in at least ten minutes. You've got five minutes left."

Deciding not to risk if he was bluffing or not, Kallen let go of Lelouch's wrist.

"Also, I saw everything," said Lelouch.

Confused for a second, Kallen realized that the curtain had been pulled back fully and she was now standing completely naked in front of him. Gasping in horror Kallen crouched down and turned in an attempt to cover herself as he fixed the curtain.

"Let's meet at the Shinjuku train station," said Lelouch.

"Asshole," Kallen hissed.

Leaving the bathroom Lelouch was greeted by Jeremiah, who stood at attention.

"Successful your majesty?" asked Jeremiah.

"Hopefully," said Lelouch.

"I must ask my lord, why did you choose this course of action?" asked Jeremiah. "Wouldn't it have been easier if you had found a way to conceal your identity to this girl? She may use the knowledge of your identity against you."

Lelouch understood Jeremiah's practical answer, in a logical sense it was the right move. However Lelouch couldn't forget the image of her in his mind and how she spoke to him.

"A feeling Jeremiah," said Lelouch.

"Forgive me your majesty, but I still find this...Geass uncomfortable," said Jeremiah.

"It is an unorthodox I will admit that," said Lelouch. "But so far it has proven useful. Unlike some other things."

Earlier

"Who are you?" asked Lelouch.

The green haired girl sat in a chair at the table of the dining room with Jeremiah pointing a gun to her head. She didn't seem interested in the fact she was being held at gunpoint and looked at Lelouch with relative disinterest.

"You may call me C.C," she said. "And you and I are under contract Lelouch."

"So you were the one who gave me this power," said Lelouch.

"Yes, Geass," said C.C. "The Power of the King. By now I imagine you know what it can do?"

"Yes, I can control the minds of whoever I want," said Lelouch. "However, it seems to weaken me slightly. I also noticed it seems to give me a degree of enhanced strength."

"A king must have strength of body as well as strength of mind," said C.C. "It does allow you go beyond many of your natural limits. Of course however your greatest power is the former mentioned. The power of Absolute Obedience. To force your will on others. Have you figured out how it works?"

"I feel I'm going to learn a lot more," said Lelouch.

Willing this strange power he had to activate, the symbol shining brightly in his eye, Lelouch focused his desire for this girl to explain everything to him burned in his mind as intensely as it was for his desire for the woman soldier to surrender her Knightmare.

"Stop before you tear your brain apart boy," said C.C. "A Geass cannot be used against the Code Bearer who bestowed it."

Lelouch cursed inwardly and deactivated his power. He felt a slight headache and drain afterwards but it wasn't as bad as it was before.

"You seem to have got the jest of it," said C.C. "By focusing your desire upon an individual you can override their will with your own. However it requires such an intense focus and so much energy from your body the greater the focus the more you'll feel drained."

"You seem to know a great deal about how this power works," said Lelouch. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised you gave it to me."

"Indeed I do Lelouch," said C.C. "You know you're not as think as your mother made you out to be."

That caught Lelouch and Jeremiah's attention.

"My mother?" gasped Lelouch. "What are you talking about? Do you know where she is? Is she alright?"

"Calm down boy," snapped C.C in a commanding voice. "Honestly, that girl can be so difficult."

"You will respect Lady Marianne wench," growled Jeremiah.

"I will speak of my student as I like," said C.C. "I'm even old enough to be her grandmother past several generations."

Moving the green bangs over her forehead C.C revealed a large red bird shaped tattoo.

"This is the Code of Immortality," said C.C.

"Code of Immortality? Then Clovis was right," said Lelouch.

"You like interrupting other people a lot don't you?" said C.C. "Marianne did say you liked to be the center of attention."

Jeremiah couldn't help but snot in laughter at the memory of how a young Lelouch would often attempt to gain his mother's attention in flamboyant and dramatic ways. They always managed to make her laugh, although for an infant Nunnally she disliked the competition and made it a habit to throw her rattle at her older brother's head.

"Is my mother alright?" growled Lelouch, more irritated than anything else.

"Your mother is fine," said C.C. "You need not be concerned about her safety. She came back to the Order, although ideally she would have brought both you and your sister. Then I wouldn't have to trudge through having to teach you as you are now. You're still young enough to adapt to the demands of the Geass. But too told to be a good student and listen to me without question."

"What the hell are you talking about?" hissed Lelouch, holding back a yell for fear of disturbing Nunnally.

"You don't know much about your mother's past do you?" asked C.C with an amused smile.

Lelouch bit his lip and recalled how his mother had never mentioned much about her past before she became a Knight of Britannia and met his father. She would say that she was an orphan, her parents dying in a fire when she was a girl.

"What do you know about my mother's past?" asked Lelouch.

"As I said I was her teacher," said C.C. "For now I'll leave it at that. I'll tell you more when I'm good and ready. I'm tired now, I'll take your bed. You can have the floor."

Before Jeremiah could raise his gun or protest Lelouch raised his hand. It would only make a long night even longer.

"Do you believe this C.C woman truly has relevant information regarding Lady Marianne?" asked Jeremiah.

"I'm not sure," said Lelouch. "All I know is that she can't be killed and she gave me this power. Has she been any trouble lately?"

"She's begun ordering large amounts of pizza," said Jeremiah.

"Good thing she's immortal," said Lelouch.

The bathroom door opened and Kallen walked out, now dressed in Lelouch's clothing. She cast an angry glare at both Lelouch and Jeremiah, the latter of whom merely bowed.

"I'll call my friends," said Kallen.

"Thank you," said Lelouch.

"A wise choice miss Kallen," said Jeremiah. "If what his majesty says of your skill as a pilot is to be believed the Usurper's dogs will beg for mercy. Offer them none."

Jeremiah's intensity somewhat shook Kallen.

"Thank you Jeremiah," said Lelouch, sweating a bit. He led Kallen away and to the living room where everyone in the Student Council was still gathered. News of the death of Prince Clovis had broken and a suspect had been named. An honorary Britannian by the name of Suzaku Kururugi.

Kallen had called Ohgi and the rest of her cell. They met at the train station Lelouch picked out and boarded. Kallen didn't know how Lelouch planned to convince the others of joining him, she herself was on the fence. All that she knew was that he was already stationed and ready to speak.

Kallen led Ohgi, Tamaki, and the others to the car where she found Lelouch standing in an outfit befitting a prince. Purple with gold trim and a high collar, in his hand was a mask for what purpose she could not determine. She was surprised that Jeremiah wasn't with him. Was he really going to meet confirmed terrorists without his bodyguard?

"Are you the leader?" Lelouch asked, pointing to Ohgi.

"In a way I am," said Ohgi. "And you must be the one who helped us in Shinjuku. Prince Lelouch?"

"I see Kallen already told you," said Lelouch, an amused grin on his face. "I assume she also told you how my dear uncle, the Usurper, would love nothing more than my death."

"Damn right," said Tamaki. "Come on guys, we hand him over we could get Japan back for ourselves. Let's rush him."

"I welcome you to try," said Lelouch in a mocking tone.

Growling, Tamaki charged out, ignoring Ohgi's pleas for him to stop. But by the time he got near Lelouch, the prince kicked him so hard in the stomach it sent him flying back to the group.

"I suppose you're not the brains of the operation," said Lelouch.

Several of the others drew weapons trained on Lelouch but Ohgi held up his hands to get them to calm down.

"That's enough, that's enough," said Ohgi. "What do you want?"

"I want to destroy V.V and liberate both our nations," said Lelouch.

"What the hell does Britannia need liberating from, they're the ones who stole our nation from us," yelled a member from behind.

"And who was it who stole their nation from them?" said Lelouch. "Under the reign of my father Emperor Charles Zi Britannia, the deal worked out between Japan and the Empire over the mining rights to Sakuradite brought a rise in economic prosperity the likes of which this nation has never seen. He promoted the idea of a Union of Nations to monitor political conflicts between the superpowers and other nations. All of that ended when the Usurper ended my father's life and seized Britannia for himself. Thanks to him my people will be looked at as oppressors and monsters by people like yours throughout the world. Who were your targets for your planned gas attack? The late Viceroy Clovis? The military? Or was it the people you sought to kill? Tell me how does any of this allow the liberation of Japan when the tyrant who rules over you lives half a world a way and would not bat an eyelash to the suffering of his own people?"

"We can't hope to liberate Japan," said Ohgi. "We're only a resistance group the best we can do is show people that Japan isn't dead. That some of her people haven't lost their courage?"

"And so you attack people who have lost their courage?" said Lelouch. "It appears my people aren't the only ones turned monsters by V.V's reign."

"What are we supposed to do?" yelled Ohgi.

"Stand for Justice," said Lelouch. "Stand as a pillar for both Japanese and Britannian people against V.V's reign of terror."

"Are you kidding?" yelled Ohgi. "We couldn't possibly stand a chance against the Eden Elite. Not to mention V.V., he's just unnatural."

"He's not the only one," said Lelouch with a dark smile, a strange light coming from his left eye.

Lelouch had managed to convince Kallen and Ohgi to join him upon a daring mission to rescue Suzaku from his staged execution. He did so under the mask of a figure called Zero. Using Clovis's old vehicle as well as the empty canister C.C had been trapped in and the careful control of lead military personal thanks to his Geass, he left with Suzaku and made quite an impression on the crowd and revealing that he was in fact the one who had killed Prince Clovis. He spoke and acted with such drama and charisma it earned the attention of all, especially a Britannian newsman under the name Diethard Reid.

Once they were away from all prying eyes, in a ruined stadium in the ghettos, Zero and Suzaku spoke alone.

"So you're the one who killed Prince Clovis?" asked Suzaku.

"I did, what Clovis had done was an injustice and I was forced to correct it," said Zero.

"Understandable," said Suzaku. "Thanks by the way."

"You're welcome," said Zero. "Now that you've seen how your Britannian masters truly care about you will you join me in toppling this great injustice?"

Suzaku stayed silent for a while before standing until he was face to 'face' with Zero.

"I agree that Britannia's corruption needs to end," said Suzaku. "But I have not intention of becoming a terrorist. I have my own plan. Now if you'll excuse me I don't want to be late for my court martial."

"What?" asked Zero. "Why would you want to go back to Britannia? Do you not want freedom for the Japanese?"

"In a way I do," said Suzaku. "Although I no longer believe I consider myself Japanese. But that doesn't mean I'm loyal to Britannia. But I intend to use them for my purpose."

Beneath his mask Lelouch raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"What purpose is that?" asked Zero, intrigued.

"I want to rise through the ranks of the Britannian military until I gain the attention of V.V and hopefully gain a position in the Eden Elite," said Suzaku. "From there I'll continue to work until I have proven myself the greatest of the Elite and am assigned to his personal guard. Then I'll run my sword through V.V's back."

Lelouch couldn't help but smirk beneath his mask.

'So that's why you joined the military,' thought Lelouch.

"So you have no desire to be a terrorist but you will be an assassin," said Zero.

"And along the way I'll be called a traitor by the Japanese and an oathbreaker by Britannians," said Suzaku. "But I don't care about that. I don't care if I'm considered a monster by the entire world. I will get into V.V's graces and then kill him. And even then that's only a small part of my ambition."

Now Lelouch was getting intrigued. He had never known Suzaku to have some grand ambition before.

"And what ambition is that?" asked Zero.

"In a way Zero it's not too different from yours," said Suzaku. "You wanted those who have power to be afraid of you and for those who were without power to join you. However, I'm not willing to risk any life but my own as I go on my own mission."

"That still doesn't answer my question," said Zero.

Suzaku sighed as the memory came back to him from all those years ago.

"How much do you know about the death of Genbu Kururugi?" asked Suzaku.

"He committed suicide," said Zero.

"No, he didn't," said Suzaku. "I killed him."

Lelouch gasped beneath the mask.

"I killed him because his plan for an all or nothing final push against the Britannian invasion would have cost thousands of civilians their lives," said Suzaku. "But he only cared about the pride of his office. But even worse, he was going to order the death of two friends of mine. Friends I had come to love like they were my family. I couldn't allow any of that and taking up our family's ceremonial dagger I ran it through his stomach."

Lelouch had no idea that his host Genbu Kururugi was planning his and Nunnally's deaths. Suzaku had saved them from that and all these years he had never known.

"After that, and seeing how V.V rules Britannia I came to a realization about the rules of this world," said Suzaku. "That those who are granted power over people will become corrupted by it and use the power they were entrusted to as a means to satisfy their own pride and selfishness as innocent people suffer. No matter if they're Japanese or Britannian or of whatever other nation. It's all because they have no one to fear, just as you said. What I want, after rising to V.V's bodyguard and killing him and having acquired new skills and abilities from my experience, is to strike down all heads of government that don't act in accordance to the people's best interests."

Suzaku spoke with a conviction Lelouch hadn't expected, his eyes had changed to those of a man determined to fulfill his goal. So very much like his own eyes when he looked in the mirror.

'He's right, our ideals are fairly similar,' thought Lelouch. 'Only he's willing to do this all alone.'

"Indeed an ideal I can understand," said Zero. "So you would have killed Clovis if you had the chance?"

"Not so much," said Suzaku. "Because of my plan I can't afford to make myself such an easy target for Britannian purists. Unfortunately that seemed to backfire for me today. Besides, I have a friend who was close to Clovis when they were young. A friend I think you'd get along with. He hates V.V more than anyone in the world. He's a partial reason I'm doing this. V.V did something terrible to him and his family and I want to make sure he gets the justice he deserves."

Lelouch smiled beneath his mask and felt a warm sensation in his chest. It felt good to know that his friend wanted to do such a thing for him even if it cost him his own life and perhaps his reputation.

"I understand," said Zero. "But your methods could take years. As our goals are alike wouldn't it make more sense to join forces now and end V.V's reign sooner rather than later?"

"I would but this way it's only my life that's at risk," said Suzaku. "I don't think I'd have it in me to lead others. I don't even think the world will really change. However I will do everything in my power to become the symbol of fear the corrupt will cower under and they will use their power in the proper way where it benefits the people of the world or they will have my blade come down on their heads. Even if it costs me my soul and I am no longer welcome in either Britannia or Japan."

"You realize that if you do this you and I may very well be forced to face each other on the battlefield don't you?" asked Zero.

"I suppose that's true," said Suzaku. "And for the sake of my quest I cannot risk my loyalty coming into question. I'm sorry Zero, but if that comes to it I will have no choice but to sacrifice you to achieve my goals. I can imagine you'd do the same."

Lelouch couldn't deny that he was willing to make sacrifices to achieve his goal. And he understood how Suzaku was essentially playing the long game perhaps with more risks than the one he was playing.

"Wait," said Zero, before Suzaku walked away completely. "Perhaps there is a way we can help one another."

"What do you mean?" asked Suzaku.

"We both desire the death of V.V and the liberation of this world," said Zero. "Together we could make it a two pronged attack. I will batter down the walls of the Empire while you rot their forces from within."

"You mean act as your spy and a saboteur?" asked Suzaku.

"Indeed," said Zero, "but you need not fear for exposure. I can ensure that you can be given great deniability. If you can merely gather information on certain individuals whom you believe can be useful if tampered with and I will handle the rest."

"Aside from you saving my life why is it I should place my trust in you Zero?" asked Suzaku. "Your plan sounds functionally sound but it can easily be used against me. If you were ever cornered by Britannian forces giving up information of a spy can be a useful means to secure an escape from yourself. And as I said I believe you'd be willing to sacrifice a pawn."

Lelouch knew he couldn't really deny Suzaku's accusation, but it still hurt somewhat. As such it only felt to him that there was one answer that could earn Suzaku's trust and partnership. Hitting a switch on his mask the back retracted forward and he removed the mask, as well as a black cloth covering his mouth.

"Lelouch?" said Suzaku.

Suddenly embarrassed over how he said he would sacrifice Zero in order to achieve his goals, Suzaku suddenly felt a little awkward.

"Well don't you feel foolish right now?" asked Lelouch, picking up on Suzaku's embarrassment.

"Shut up," said Suzaku.

"You should see your face," said Lelouch.

"Alright, alright," said Suzaku.

Lelouch still couldn't help but laugh at Suzaku, who upon recalling their childhood, responded to this by giving his friend a rightful smack across the face.

"Damn it," said Lelouch.

"Seven years and that ego of yours hasn't lessened any at all," said Suzaku.

"Up yours," said Lelouch. "Anyway, do we have an agreement."

"Fine," said Suzaku. "Of course we'll have to figure some means to communicate without getting spotted."

"I'll figure out something," said Lelouch. "Anyway you had better head to that court martial if you're serious about being my spy."

"Alright, I'll look for you if things go well," said Suzaku.

"It's a deal then," said Lelouch.

The two old friends shook hands and Suzaku left to return to his post, now operating as a spy for the newly emerged enemy of Britannia.

In another part of the world a woman of great beauty and ferocity stood adopt her ornate purple Knightmare Frame, armed with a regal lance and cape, looking over the remains of today's battle.

Cornelia Li Britannia had established Area 18 in the name of her uncle Emperor Vincent.

'I hope that little demon is satisfied,' she thought, a sneer crossing her face upon thinking of her uncle.

The memory of her struggles against the Eden Elite so early in her career as a soldier, the utter pathetic display she gave in her hopes of defending her father and siblings, and her ultimate failure sickened her to no end. She'd have gladly continued the fight if not for V.V threatening the life of her beloved little sister Euphemia.

Both she and Cornelia despised their uncle but could do nothing. Their titles as princesses being more honorary than anything as V.V stole the throne. What disgusted her even more was how many of her siblings like Guenevere and Carine seemed to favor their uncle, as did many of the nobility.

Under V.V the Britannian Empire became a hotbed of racism and elitism, the nobles being bought and pampered under V.V and their support of him gave him control of key points of industry in the Empire. He had almost all control of Britannia's economy and infrastructure.

Wealth and greed became the soul of the Empire, taxes raised only among the commoners, and police forces trained by the Eden Elite and reared under their doctrine. That foul private army of her uncle's also seemed to pick some of her flock, a few of her loyal general Andreas Dalton's adopted sons, for their number. And because the secrets of the Eden Elite were so well kept, some very unsettling rumors would fly around, and Cornelia despised them all and the thought of her soldiers being put through whatever hell made those demon soldiers the way they were.

"My lady Cornelia," the voice of Cornelia's loyal knight Sir Gilbert G.P. Guilford called out.

"Yes Guilford," said Cornelia, her face softening.

"Everything's prepared for our departure to Area 11," said Guilford.

"Yes, my brother's killer this...Zero," said Cornelia.

'Between V.V and those Eleven animals it's a miracle I have any family left,' the princess thought.

"Very well," said Cornelia. "Let us bring justice for my fallen brother."

In Britannia, V.V. sat upon his throne overlooking the news footage from Area 11.

"Dear nephew, you seem to have thrived," he said.

He noticed the mask he wore and saw a familiar symbol, on he wore on his hand, the symbol of Geass.

"This will make things interesting," said V.V. "Play your games nephew, I welcome them. Let my pet nobles come to you, I care not for them. Do what you will to your half siblings, they mean nothing to me. Come to me, come to me nephew, bring your armies to my door with your followers at your side. Bring your whore mother and sister, bring the traitorous witch. You're full of pride and confidence now but that can break so easily when you realize the truth. Then we'll see if you want to play my game after all. Mao, Rolo, to me."

Two figures walked up and took knee before their emperor. They both held the mark of Geass in their eyes.

"My nephew requires playmates," said V.V. "Play nice."

Lelouch met back with Kallen and Ohgi and told them of the discussion he had with Suzaku and the agreement they had made.

"So now we've got a spy in the Britannian military, I can't believe it," said Ohgi.

"Believe it," said Lelouch. "Information is one of the greatest weapons of war. And after today the name of Zero will spread like wildfire throughout Japan. Perhaps your friend Tamaki will reconsider following my lead then."

"Let's get something straight Lelouch," said Ohgi. "You have skills I admit that. But by no means am I going to allow my friends to be commanded like pawns on a chess board."

"That's right, just because your enemy is our enemy doesn't makes us friends," yelled Kallen, still miffed over him seeing her naked.

"Understandable," said Lelouch. "However, don't expect this to be a cake walk. We are inviting full scale war to the shores and streets of Japan. Sacrifices will have to be made on both sides. Don't expect all the Japanese to join us or even approve of us. We're not doing this for the sake of one people but for the good of all people, Japanese and Britannian alike. I'll have no patience for bigots or fanatics. So you should prepare to take Japanese lives if the situation calls for it."

Ohgi clenched his teeth tightly and stared down the young rebel leader. He had a point, there were those in several Japanese resistance groups that acted with the viciousness of wolves upon sheep. Some who would not weep over any Britannian lives in their claim that it was all for the good of Japan, as if their national pride had robbed them of all rationality, as if it were a Holy War.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," said Ohgi. "Right now I think it's been a long enough night. Unless you had other ideas I suggest we all turn in for the night."

"Agreed," said Lelouch.

Ohgi turned and left and Kallen went to do the same. Lelouch walked her as she left, thinking about the vision he had the other night. He still had no idea why Kallen would feature in it or the context behind it. The way she looked at him in that vision was vastly different from the way she looked at him today. It was almost as if she was in love with him in the vision. And the feelings he had when he had the vision were damning for his emotional state in that moment as well. But after to day he had to wonder if he was just gong insane. She had all the charm of a loose cannon. She let her emotions rule her judgement and if he weren't careful she could prove to be a liability.

'But still she is rather attractive,' thought Lelouch.

Shaking his head Lelouch brought himself back to his senses and continued to walk away where Jeremiah would pick him up. Indeed it had been a long day and he needed a rest from using his Geass on Suzaku's guards. Hopefully he could get dreams without a foul tempered red head showing up to confuse his emotions more.

At her home Nunnally practiced her dace routine late, something she often liked to do to get ready for bed. In the years since she and Lelouch had been forced to separate from their mother, after their father died, Nunnally had never lost her inner light. She had a goodness in her that seemed impossible to resist or to crush. Whereas her brother could often be aloof and moody, Nunnally was a social butterfly, and had taken a shine to ballet and Japanese ribbon dancing which Sayoko taught her on occasion. It served as her outlet for the stresses of the world ruled under her uncle.

Although of course she could never forgive V.V for ruining their family she sought only to live in peace.

"You dance wonderfully," said a voice Nunnally was not familiar with.

Stopping in the middle of her routine Nunnally spotted her visitor, a woman with long green hair.

"While your brother favors some of your mother's looks you do have her eyes," said the woman.

"Who are you?" asked Nunnally.

"I am C.C, a friend to your mother," said the woman.

When people discussed Lelouch and Nunnally they always praised Lelouch's brilliance and her gentility, but most would often not realize that Nunnally held an intellect equal to her brother. As well as an intuition to things even Lelouch was blind to. An intuition that told her that while this woman wasn't there to harm her, and that indeed there was some truth to her words, there was still something that Nunnally found unsettling about the woman.

"What...what can I do for you Miss C.C," said Nunnally, still somewhat unsure of this stranger entering her bedroom.

"I'd like to be your friend as I was your mother's," said C.C. "To teach you what I taught her. And perhaps you can fulfill promises she could not."

"I don't understand," said Nunnally.

"You will," said C.C as she closed the door behind her.