What the Demon Died For

This story takes place roughly thirty years after the ending of Code Geass.

It will (probably) be five chapters long, and I hope you like the idea.

Chapter 1: the passing of an era

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It was cold. The snippy fall breeze blew through the crowds like a restless spirit passing by. And the rain. It was as if heaven itself mourned with the rest of them. And as miserable as it was, not one person even had the thought of missing this somber event. For today was November fifteenth 2049 A.T.B. the day Nunnally Vi Britannia, the one hundredth empress of Britannia, was to be buried.

She died young, hardly 46 years old. And yet she left behind so much. As the centennial ruler, or the empress of peace, she ushered in the age of her title. And with her death, the world seemed to witness that glorious era pass as well.

They say she died of a broken heart. Despite her feelings toward him, she never got over the death of her brother thirty years ago. Combined with an already frail and sick body, she had a limited time left to begin with. But nobody would say she deserved such a short life, Nunnally was the last to ever deserve that. Only the good die young. That was especially true for the Vi Britannia line, though few knew that.

Liliana didn't know what to feel at her mother's death. She was a thirty year old woman, and she didn't expect her mothers death coming so soon. That meant she would be the next empress; Liliana was the only child of Empress Nunnally, and soon, the nobles and advisors would pressure her to marry. Particularly, the royal advisor and master general Jeremiah Gottwald, who had served the Vi Britannia family for over forty years, since even Marianne Vi Britannia. He was a stern old man, but didn't look the part. Thanks to his half robotic body, he wasn't as susceptible to aging, and looked the same as he did all those years ago.

Liliana looked out over the masses of solemn faces. Thousands of people had come to see, and billions more watched at home to see the funeral processions take place. Nunnally truly was the worlds hero. She sat atop the massive stage set up for the event, many nobles and distant relatives of the Britannian royal family sat with her, along with many of Nunnally's close friend. Kaguya, the first chairwoman of the UFN, Tianze empress of the Chinese Federation, prime minister Oghi and Viletta, with there son Naoto, General Todoh, princess Cornellia, Sayuko, Liliana's nanny since birth, Jeremiah of course, sir Weinberg, the knight of one, and his wife, Anya Weinberg, the knight of two, and Zero. He was always there, in the shadows, silent and watching.

The funeral services would soon begin, and Liliana was nervous. She ruffled the hem of her dress multiple times in anticipation. Her long black hair blew into her face, and she quickly pushed it aside to avoid embarrassment.

Black hair, purple eyes, she looked nothing like Nunnally, people told her she looked like her grandmother, Marianne Vi Britannia. And seeing pictures, she could agree with them. But her mother looked far more beautiful, and she wished she had inherited her hair, rather then her father's; a man she never knew. In fact, little to no one knew who her father was, Nunnally would never say. She only said he was dead, gone years ago. Liliana had never met the man.

Thinking back, she remembered much of her childhood. It was always her and her mother, Nunnally took her wherever she went, she would sit in her mother's lap as she was confined to a wheelchair all her life, much to Jeremiah's objection. But as Liliana got older, and began understand more of what was around her, she was soon able to glean much of politics and debate from the many councils she went to.

Being the only child of the empress, the spotlight constantly fell on her, and she would always go to her mother for help or protection when she was little. Of course, she has Sayuko to look after her, and Jeremiah was like her father figure, she thought she had been raised well. She could remember the extravagant halls of the new Airies Villa, the many empty halls that were seldom filled with guests or people at all. Liliana could run around to her hearts content, as long as she wasn't caught by Jeremiah, now that she thought of it, he was like her father to her. Often times, Naoto would come to play, as he was close to her age. Whenever Prime minister Oghi came to visit Nunnally, whether for business or simply to reminisce, she would play with him in the gardens for hours on end. They were old friends, even now, he was courting her. But the pressure to marry put quiet the strain on her relationship.

Liliana glanced over at Naoto far to her right. He was sitting with both his parents. He had his mother's blue hair, but his father's grey eyes and stern narrow face. She thought him to be a handsome young man. And a knowledgable one at that, just as she would be empress, he would be prime minister. Should they marry, the tensions between Britannia and Japan would finally dissolve, further adding to the pressure. Naoto looked back at her, his eyes full of sorrow, he had loved Nunnally quiete a lot.

Turning her attention back to the funeral, the music had ended, and all eyes turned to the empty podium in the center of the stage. Jeremiah stood from Liliana's direct left, and slowly approached the stand. He straightened his collar, and cleared his throat.

"Across all the world, we witness a truly tragic event today. For today is the day that we bury our beloved empress Nunnally Vi Britannia." He stopped a moment, letting the crowd mourn a moment. "It pains me to see the greatest leader this world has ever seen leave us so soon. For there was none so kind and loving as our empress. I am only glad that I was able to teach and serve her for as long as I did. I am truly grateful for the time we had with her. In the years since her rule, our world and it's nations have grown to be more free then they have in millennia. We have empress Nunnally to thank for such a glorious world to live in, and we must not waste it on anything. It was her greatest wish to see a world where people could be happy, I do believe she has seen such a world."

Stepping down, Jeremiah nodded to Liliana as he approached his seat. She stood, flattening out the wrinkles in her dress and walked to the podium.

She had prepared a speech yesterday, taking most of the day to do so, but in front of all these people, the words escaped her mind rather quickly. The steady rain continued to drizzle on the stand, the podium itself was sheltered, but Liliana felt cold and numb. Seconds passed, and she finally began to speak.

"My mother once told me, that if you fold a thousand of these paper cranes, your wish would come true." Liliana produced a small paper bird. A simple red creation that held no real significance. "I must have lost track, my wish hasn't come true." A single tear ran down her pale cheek.

"I wanted to live with my mother forever. There was no one in my life whom I held with more respect or care. She was the best parent I could have ever asked for. She did just fine on her own. I wish that she could still be here; to teach me and to guide me. I don't feel ready to take on the role she filled so perfectly. She never scolded me, never got angry or frustrated, she was always kind and gentle to me, and I feel that was the way she governed the nation: with kindness no one could have ever possessed. She knew what it was like to live without something all her life, and yet she could always find something to give to others. she gave me everything I have, and I owe her my life." Now Liliana was really starting to cry, amethyst eyes welling up with tears. She decided to go off script, and began to tell of the past.

"Once, long ago, I was told a story, of when my mother was young. It was of two boys, whom my mother held dearest to her heart. They were once friends, but over time, they grew distant, and ultimately hated each other for something that could never be rectified. It was my mother who brought the two together. Without truly doing anything, she healed the deepest wound ever imaginable between them. My mother could always do that, she was the beacon in people's lives that kept them pure. Everyone who met her was a better person for it. All she wanted was a happier world, I hope we can give her that world, in respect to the greatest leader this nation was ever given the privilege to have. Let us create a peaceful world or the sake of Nunnally Vi Britannia." Liliana finished her speech on what could be called a high note, but little could be done to lighten the mood. She stared at all the bleak faces, a sea of black clad mourners whose dreams might as well have died with Nunnally. But, the rain had started to let up, and a small ray of sunlight burst through the canopy of clouds, offering a glimpse of happiness before fading away.

Liliana bowed her head, letting tears fall to the wooden podium unseen. "I thank you all for coming. We will soon begin the burial ceremony." She stole a glance at the casket in front of the stand, her mother lay peacefully inside the ornate coffin, white wood golden trim, surrounded by multitudes of flowers. She started to cry again.

Blinking away the tears, Liliana hurriedly walked back to her seat. Jeremiah lay a comforting hand on her knee, and nodded to her. She took a deep ragged breath, the worst was yet to come.

"You did great Liliana." Jeremiah assured her. She nodded in response.

The congregation rose, and began to sing the Britannian national anthem, a tradition exercised during such events. The words came to her easily, Liliana had sung it many times before, although, her mother had never been one to care for it. Oddly, she preferred Japanese lullabies over Britannian hymns. It was the nobleman and advisors who insisted she memorized the anthem.

Once the song had come to an end, four royal guardsmen whose sole duty was to perform this task, solemnly approached the open casket, they would stand guard as those who were allowed to view the body did so. It was mostly those who sat with Liliana on the stand, but a few others who held special privileges would be allowed the honor.

One by one, a group of at least fifty people came to say their final goodbyes to the beloved empress. Liliana was allowed the first spot for obvious reasons. She approached her mother's body, and upon seeing her pale face, could not help but breakdown, in front of thousands she wept, for the crippled empress who the world adored, she wept. Naoto hugged her, he could feel her trembling in his arms. And everyone remained silent as one woman cried over her mother.

Eventually, she turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer. Liliana and Naoto made their way to the tomb where Nunnally was to be buried. One at a time, others joined her. This part was to be private, and only those who had been able to see the body would stay, the rest of the assembly would be leaving now.

"Liliana." Naoto started, she glanced up at him. He was looking at her, his grey eyes full of the same deep sorrow she herself felt. "It's going to be okay." He said to her, hugging her tighter. She did the same, resting her head in the nook of his shoulder, she was almost as tall as him. Tall and thin was in fact an accurate bodily description of herself. Once more, she shivered at the relentless wind. It blew at her hair, flowing freely in the cold gust. They stood there a moment, comforting each other, as the rest of the people around them stood silently, heads down.

"Now what do I do?" Liliana sobbed, to herself more then to Naoto, but he listened regardless. "I'm not ready to run a nation. I'm not ready." She wavered. It was true though, Nunnally had become empress at fifteen, and Lelouch at eighteen before her, though none spoke of him. She still knew, the Vi Britannia line was remarkable at leading, at least, the previous generation, one who had dealt with hardships of the world. What right did Liliana have to rule, she was simply the daughter of the empress. She was nothing special, she didn't seize power and grasp it in an iron grip, it was handed to her. Despite his actions, Lelouch Vi Britannia had been remarkable that way. Seventeenth in line, becoming the emperor.

"Why do I have to be the empress?" She wondered, still pressed against Naoto. "Why do I have to bear that burden? One that has killed my family?" It was more then Nunnally, Lelouch as well. Anyone from the Vi Britannia line to become emperor has died because of it. And there was in fact more than one example, most lines can't sympathize with that fact.

"Mother shouldn't have died! She wasn't supposed to die! I don't want to be the heir! A calling to die and nothing more!" She screamed the last sentence, and Naoto put a hand to her head, letting her cry even harder then she had before, her body convulsing with the tears.

"Nobody could fill the hole better Liliana." He whispered to her. "No one is more capable then you are. Your mother raised you to be strong. You need to be strong." He encouraged her, and somehow, she did find courage. The strength to stem the tears, if only for a moment. She sniffed, and hung on a moment before raising her head.

"I loved Nunnally. Whenever I came to Britannia I longed to see her as much as I did you. She had this air around her that seemed to put others to ease. I can still remember, making paper cranes with her, it took me so long to finally get it right, and it's a Japanese art!" He smiled, a gentle, but still sad smile. Liliana tried to smile too, she looked him in the eye, she could still see a deep sadness, but he was genuinely happy, if memories were all she had left of her mother, they should be cherished. Remembered. Shared.

"And I got mad at you." She remembered. "I tried to show you how to do it."

Naoto smiled at the memory, a real smile. "I still didn't understand it."

Those were happier times. And Liliana often wished she could relive them. Even before her mother died. By now that she was dead, it became that much more important to remember them, and treasure them because they were all she had left, the memories of the past. They kept her mother alive.

Liliana looked out to see the four Britannian royal pallbearers carrying the pristine casket. Their gloved hands grasping the golden handles on the sides. They marched slowly, toward the tomb the others had gathered around. They set it front of the tomb, it would be dedicated, and sent off with a few words before properly buried. Behind the casket, the tomb read:

The final resting place of Nunnally Vi Britannia, one hundredth empress of Britannia. The centennial ruler, the empress of peace. The greatest woman in all of Britannia.

October 25, 2003-November 12, 2049 A.T.B.

The words were chiseled with care, each letter hand carved by only the best Britannia had to offer. It still didn't fell enough. Words could not describe the incredible reign of Nunnally Vi Britannia.

Liliana finally let go of Naoto, and she calmly stepped up to the casket. Small hushed conversation ceased as all eyes went to her. She recalled the words from memory, and recited the speech. "The passing of an emperor is the passing of an era. Though the past may have ended, the future has yet to arrive. And we have a new era to look forward to. One that has been brought about by this passing. The death of a leader signifies the end of the past, the passing of the present. And the dawn of the future. Yes, humanity will always look to the future. And no matter how bleak it may seem, the future will always be brighter, because we as human beings seek out happiness, and we will always find it. No matter what the future holds, it will always bring happiness. Happiness is something that we cannot see, but feel. If it were to have a physical form, it would be like glass, as we cannot see it. But it is there. And if, we turn it ever so slightly, then it reflects the light. And shines more eloquently then anything that has ever existed." This was quoted from a book Liliana had found buried in her mother's possessions; a journal. Those were the last words written on the pages. She did not know who the author was. But those words-and the book as a whole-was profound.

"My mother was like happiness in that way. No one seemed to notice her, but she was more beautiful then anything."

The last part she added herself. Tying up her final words and concluding the funeral.

The pallbearers each took a corner, two of them closing the lid of the coffin, sealing it shut. They then placed an intricate cloth over the casket. More tears found their way down Liliana's cheek.

The suited men lifted the casket, and carried it into the tomb, setting it on the pedestal inside, where it would remain for eternity. Liliana followed inside, and she produced a small paper bird. She placed the red crane atop the closed casket, the single ornament adorning the white wood.

Laying a hand on the cover just a moment longer, one last tear fell on the coffin, staining the ornate covering.

"Goodbye mother. I promise I will make you proud of me. I won't forget you." She took her hand off the casket, closed her eyes a moment. Recalling the last thing her mother had said to her.

"Never forget, Liliana, you are my little girl, you will always be my little girl. No matter what happens, don't forget, you are born of the greatest man to have ever lived. You will be a great woman. I wish I could see it myself. My only wish, was to be with you. I suppose this was good enough." Her mother smiled, eyes distant. She held to Liliana's hand, small, fragile fingers clung like steel. "I love you Liliana."

"I love you too mother."

Liliana smiled, a faint, distant smile, the past, as she said herself, was gone. She had a future to look toward, one where she would guide the world. That was her calling she supposed. What her mother had asked of her, to lead, despite the pain of loss. Something Nunnally knew she would face, having dealt with it herself.

A little more confident, and a little more resolute; Liliana stepped from the darkness of the tomb, and into the cold world. There was nothing better about this cold then the darkness, but it was her world, cold or not. The darkness was for those who slept, and they should be undisturbed. They deserve that much.

Behind her, the pallbearers slid closed the heavy stone door, sealing the tomb forever. Her mother would rest, no longer would she worry about the past. It was the future Liliana looked toward. Those words, written by one who had seen too much, and held a heavy heart, were true to the core. It was the passing of an era, and a new age would begin. Liliana would guide that new era. And it would be better then the last. The future would always be better. Yes, always.

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"She will do well." The old, battle hardened general said. His companions, the prime minister Oghi, and the ever silent Zero, listened. Agreeing. Todoh looked out at Liliana, she was with Naoto. Surrounded by her friends and family.

"I hope the two stay together." He note to her and Naoto. "It would prove well for the benefit of both Japan and Britannia." Oghi nodded, Zero unmoved.

Todoh sighed. This was not as it was to turn out. Lelouch gave them this world, and this was not they way it was supposed to be. "Things never turn out the way you expect."

"But isn't it that unexpected event that brings about the greatest of changes?" Oghi returned the comment.

Todoh chuckled. "I suppose." He thought back. Yes, the most rewarding change was that of Lelouch Vi Britannia, who had changed the world itself. Giving it the future his sister so safely guarded. Now her daughter would do the same.

It's a shame your name couldn't be remembered, or even passed on. He thought, it was an absurd thought. Who would even acknowledge the name of Lelouch any more? No one of common sense. It was almost a shame. The greatest of men were remembered for their triumphs, their great deeds. But the truest of heroes were remembered for their mistakes, and their great failures. No would would ever see. To Todoh, the once famous miracle worker; the greatest hero was an eighteen year old student, who died thirty years ago.

While the group huddled together to talk about the past, stories of Nunnally shared between those who knew her the best; one particular man slid away from them. A mask covering his face, and obscuring what his emotions might have shown, he still felt them. He looked onward. There was one who hasn't heard the news, it was his duty to inform him.

Quietly, Zero snuck away from the crowds. He strode up a nearby hill, passing by graves dedicated to high-ranking officers, and decorated soliders. He passed by a particular grave though, one he always found funny.

Suzaku Kururugi. Knight of Zero

2000-2018 A.T.B.

Yes. Suzaku Kururgi was dead.

Another wind whipped up, fluttering through Zero's cape, although the winds persisted, the rain had stopped, offering a small glimpse of sunlight on occasion.

Zero reached the top of the hill, stopping at a black gravestone. No different from th others, but separate, there were no other graves near it. This one read:

Lelouch Vi Britannia. Ninety-ninth emperor of Britannia. The man who changed the world.

2000-2018 A.T.B.

It was simple and plain. Not even a tomb, but a grave among the rest. It wouldn't be found that way. Zero reached into his cape, and pulled out an object, he set it down on the gravestone. Drawing in a breath, he began to speak.

"Well Lelouch, Nunnally is dead. I'm sure you know that. You're probably with her now." He believed that, no one deserved heaven, or whatever it's equivalence, more then Lelouch and Nunnally.

"But, I'm still here. I swore I would watch her until the day I died. And yet, you never planned, for the event that she would die first." Choking on his breath, Zero stopped, but breathed in again and continued. "What do I do now Lelouch? Tell me what to do." Behind the mask, he started to cry, if only a little.

"How do I respond? What should I do? Should I watch over Liliana the same way? I'm sure you'd want that. She's the same as Nunnally, if you were still alive, I'm sure you would love her. Oh, I wish you could see her." He closed his eyes behind the mask, stopping the tears. "Nunnally Raised her well, I'm sure you would be proud. Though I can't say I'm too fond of her more erratic traits. That she has quite a few of, her parents are to blame." He smiled at the thought. Both of them.

He rose, and looked over toward the others, to his surprise, someone had come to join him.

"Liliana." He regarded the guest, turning back to the grave.

She stoodn beside him, and looked at the grave. "I guess even you think about the past." She said to Zero.

A few seconds passed, but he spoke. "I knew him." He said, not looking at Liliana, but at the gravestone, reading the words again. "Not as the demon emperor, but as Lelouch. Long before fate swept us up in a whirlwind of hatred and desolation."

Liliana blinked. That was the most she had ever heard him say, and so personal at that.

"Of course, I knew both the good and the bad. And I understand, more then anyone, who Lelouch was. That is why it was me who killed him, rather a nameless assassin seeking empty vengeance."

He was speaking mostly to himself. Liliana just happened to be there.

"But there's always an end to good things, as well as bad things. His end was just sooner them most. Same as Nunnally. I suppose the good die young as they say."

Zero stood there a moment longer, another breeze brushing past. The two stood in silence, both in thought, though completely different. Ultimately, Zero descended the hill, leaving Liliana alone atop the grassy hill, in front of the grave belonging to the most evil man to have ever lived. It was a memorial that should have ever existed, much less be revered by the man who emulated justice and good. The very same man who killed the tyrant in the first place.

Why did zero regard him with such reverence?

It was almost the same way, yes, it was the same. The way her mother would treat Lelouch's memory. Liliana had always thought it to be out of love for her brother, but there was something more, a deeper connection she had missed. Was it the same? The same reason Zero had held reverence?

Liliana glanced at the Grave again.

"Lelouch Vi Britannia." She murmured. "The man who changed the world." That seemed oddly glorifying. as if to honor him. A tyrant? a murderer? That made no sense.

But then she stopped. She hadn't noticed it before, there were always things set on grave stones, it didn't attract attention at first.

It was a pin. A knights pin.

Liliana picked it up, it looked similar to the one her knight, Juno Weinburg, possessed. Except the colors and shape were off. She turned it around, looking carefully, she noticed small scratches on the back.

For my knight, Suzaku Kururugi.

She frowned, the pin belonged to Sir Kururugi, the knight of Zero? He had died in the battle of the Damocles before even Lelouch. Had someone found this, and gave it to Lelouch? But who would do that? Anyone with common sense would have thrown it out. Neither Suzaku nor Lelouch deserved respect or simpathy.

So who would show them both?

Liliana set the pin back on the black granite, and looked up. The sky had cleared, and the sun was starting to break through the clouds more frequently. These were questions that did not have answers. No one looked at the life of Lelouch Vi Britannia and recalled happy memories. He was, by every definition, evil.

Bit she found herself asking again, why?

Why did Zero, why did her own mother, care for the demon emperor? The cruelest man to have ever lived.

She looked back at the gravestone. 2000-2018. They say its the dash in the middle that counts. That sums up a whole persons life. Eighteen years. That was the life of the demon.

The good die young.

The phrase that Zero mentioned before he left, another allusion to the truth. A truth she knew was there. Somehow she knew. There was a bigger story.

What did you live for?

The dash. The dash was the life in between.

Her uncle, the demon emperor who slaughtered innocent lives for personal gain. Had died young.

Only the good die young.

Her mother loved her brother, she never spoke Ill of him, she cared deeply for him, perhaps tried to emulate him even.

And Zero, who killed the demon himself. Thought Lelouch to be a tragedy, not an abomination.

The dash.

What did that dash mean? Who were you, Lelouch Vi Britannia? Why does the world hate you so much? When your sister, and your own murderer revered you?

She would find out. She would find the truth. Liliana Vi Britannia would discover what the dash meant. And what the demon died for.

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This concludes the first chapter. It won't be very long. I think it will be five chapters. I hope that you enjoy it nonetheless. Please review to leave feedback!