Disclaimer: I do NOT own Code Geass. If I did, then instead of reading this fanfic, you would be watching a spinoff.

A/N: To all my imperial subjects. It's Winter Break! Whoo! Free time, oh how I have missed you! Let me count the ways… We have officially reached over 200 favs, 300 follows, and 100 reviews! Therefore, I feel it is only prudent to thank you all for reading and reviewing. So: Thank You.

This chapter took longer than usual for multiple reasons. One: I found a bunch of new animes I am currently obsessed with. Two: It turns out writing something original is much more difficult than just making a transcript of a Code Geass episode. Who knew? Three: I had this perfect vision of the chapter in my head, and simply could not bear to not do it justice. How did I do? Four: Kind of connected to the last one, but I have decided to go with quality over quantity, so to publish better chapters it will have to be less frequently. And last but not least: Writer's Block reared its ugly head yet again. I will probably find myself starting up another fic to at least get my excess writing out in something productive. It will likely be a Fate/Stay Night fic, so fans of the series should keep an eye out. The first chapter will probably be out before the end of break.

All of you Nunnally lovers should enjoy this chapter as she will appear more frequently than usual. There is also a William James quote in here. At last we come to the Saitama Ghetto Ambush. But who will be ambushing who?

Teloch - Although none of my plans for this story are set in stone, it is unlikely that that will happen. Despite the fact that I could see Lelouch with hundreds of girls in his harem (his father did, after all), the fact remains that there are only so many I could write about. Therefore, I am limiting that to the girls I could see this interpretation of Lelouch getting with. I think Rakshata and Lelouch don't interact enough to have veritable chemistry, and since there isn't a pressing need for new love interests for him, it's unlikely they'll get paired together in this fic. As for Cornelia, I just can't see the interpretations of her and Lelouch I've put in this fic ever having anything beyond grudging respect for one another. Sorry, but it's very unlikely anymore girls will be added, unless it's in a different fic.

animecollecter - Actually, I'm trying to incorporate elements from all of the universes (manga, anime, video game, etc.), but it is made a little hard by the fact that the Code Geass Wikia doesn't have too much information for some things. But primarily it will be a 'Lelouch of the Rebellion' fic taking on different elements here and there from 'Akito the Exiled', 'Lost Colors', and 'Nightmare of Nunnally'.

"Dialogue" - "SHOUTING AT TOP OF LUNGS"

Thoughts/Flashback/Exaggeration

Knightmare Model

"Radio Dialogue"

"Geass Commands"

Attack Cornelia

Fool me Once…

"Beginning of Entry. Date: November 11th, 2017 atb. Time: 0646 hours. Special Agent 4: Alice Haliburton of the Irregular unit of the Geass Directorate. Currently on undercover assignment at Ashford Academy searching for the Ashford secret files and monitoring Millicent Ashford. My lead as to the files' whereabouts is a bust and I am back to square one. The subject still shows no overly suspicious activity. I will report in again when I have my next lead or piece of information."

Kallen groaned into her pillow as the incessant ringing began. She clumsily reached out an arm, slamming her hand down over the alarm clock, but the ringing continued. She blearily looked at the time, only to release another groan when she realised how early it was. As she clamped her hand over her phone, she wondered, Who the hell is calling at 7:00 in the morning? "Hello?" she said groggily.

"Good morning, Q-1. I hope I didn't wake you."

"Z-Zero!" She sat up in her bed, furiously rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She lied, "N-no, I was just getting ready for school." Wait, he doesn't know I'm still in school.

"Ah yes, your Kallen Stadtfeld persona. I was sorry to hear about your chronic illness."

"How do you know about that?"

"I make it a point to do my homework, unlike you in History class. How is that paper on the 'Conquest of Japan' coming along?"

She blushed, partly from embarrassment and partly from frustration. "I was trying to come up with an alternative conclusion that those in charge wouldn't expect."

Zero chuckled. "Quite. Well I'm afraid you'll have to call in sick today. Again. You and the rest of your group are needed elsewhere."

Her voice took on a tone of seriousness. "What do you need us to do?"

"Tomorrow afternoon, Princess Cornelia li Britannia will launch an attack on the Saitama ghetto."

"What? How do you know this?"

"I have my sources. She is planning to announce it over the news as well. They want to recreate the conditions of Shinjuku."

Shinjuku? But why would they intentionally do something like that when they know what happened the last time, even going so far as to announce it? Unless… "It's a trap," she realized.

"Very good, Q-1. I see there's more to you than just a pretty face and talents in a Knightmare. We'll make a tactician out of you yet." She blushed at the praise. "Yes, they intend to draw me out. They want me to come to them so they can stop searching through all of the terrorist cells."

"And will you?"

"But of course."

"I'll tell Ohgi and the others to gear up for combat."

"Don't. I will next call the Yamato Alliance, the cell currently based in Saitama. Those that wish to fight will serve as my soldiers in the battle, while those that don't will assist you in evacuating the citizens of Saitama. Work today and through tonight to clear out as many people as you can. I want as little innocent blood shed as possible."

"Yes, sir."

Jeremiah looked down at the envelope on his desk, his hands trembling. He poured himself a glass of scotch, quickly downing it. The shaking in his hands somewhat eased, he grasped a letter opener and pried open the envelope. Inside was the battle plan for the purging of Saitama. While he was grateful Princess Cornelia apparently trusted him enough to give him sensitive information on a battle, she'd already told him what was going to take place, and thanks to his newfound conscience, it turned his stomach.

He could already hear Zero mocking him for committing the same sin twice, "Well I suppose you can't teach an old dog new tricks after all."

In an effort to forestall the inevitable horrors he would no doubt see in the battle plan, he recalled his 'conversation' with Princess Cornelia the day before.

Jeremiah nervously stood in full uniform before Princess Cornelia. Her Knight of Honor, Sir Guilford, stood behind her, making no effort to hide the distrustful glare he was sending Jeremiah's way. Cornelia was sitting at her desk, her expression completely unreadable. She finally spoke, "Guilford, leave us. I would like to speak with Gottwald in private."

Guilford's scowl deepened. He said reluctantly, "Yes, your highness." Jeremiah could feel his piercing gaze even after the door closed behind him.

For what seemed like an eternity, Cornelia merely observed him, her eyes giving no hint as to her inner thoughts. She finally spoke, "In the few days that I have been here, I have taken part in battles that have eradicated an eighth of Area 11's terrorists. The rest of my forces have defeated another fourth. And we have frightened many more into disbanding in an effort to save their own hides. Nearly half of this Area's terrorists vanquished. So, Gottwald, tell me why I still find myself disappointed in our results."

He faintly noticed the sweat beginning to bead up on his forehead. "If I were to guess, your highness, I would say it was to do with Zero." He felt enormously proud that he'd managed to keep his voice straight. He'd served under Cornelia as a member of Marianne's royal guard, and he vividly remembered what happened to those who she found lacking. By the time she was done, most hardened war veterans were reduced to tears. She took the term tongue lashing entirely too seriously. To this day, all foods tasted bland.

"And? What about Zero?"

He swallowed, trying to ignore the pain in his dry throat. "He has so far refused to show himself." He didn't bother telling her how he was sure they'd catch him eventually, it would only lower him in her eyes; she was notorious for despising kiss-ups.

"Precisely. In less than two days we have all but halved the resistance effort, yet the greatest threat still lingers. I was sent here to eliminate all threats, beginning with those like Zero. He was responsible for the death of a member of the Royal Family, my brother, and yet we have come no closer to apprehending him." She muttered, "This land has taken too much. Three of my siblings dead by the hands of Elevens." She silently regarded him. "What is Orange?"

Jeremiah visibly cringed at the word. "I have no idea, your highness."

"Then care to tell me why you assisted Zero in the escape of a subject of interest in my brother's murder?"

He gulped. "With all due respect, your highness, Private Kururugi returned to us of his own free will and was cleared of those charges soon after."

"Yes, he was. And it's Warrant Officer now." Jeremiah flinched. He'd been demoted three ranks, while in turn Kururugi had been promoted the same amount. The meaning behind these actions was all too obvious. "I'm curious, why do you think he returned?"

"Your highness?"

"Any intelligent person in his position would have gone into hiding. So why did he return?"

"I don't… I… I don't know, your highness."

"Then stop dodging my previous question. Why did you assist Zero?"

"I don't remember, your highness."

"Then what possible excuse do you have to explain your actions?"

"I… don't have an excuse, your highness. I cannot explain my actions, nor even recall them. But, if I may be so bold, I would like to point out as you did with Kururugi that anyone still working with Zero would have long since gone into hiding in my position."

Again, she went back to gazing at him in silence. "Quite right. So tell me, what do you think he is waiting for?"

"Waiting for?"

"You yourself said he has so far refused to show himself. So when will he show himself?"

"If… If I were to guess…" When would Zero show himself? "Well… he's only made two appearances thus far. After Prince Clovis'… his…" He trailed off, trying to find the kindest way of describing the atrocity. "Zero did not make his debut in Shinjuku until after the prince's purge order was given. That is when the terrorists began to gain the upper hand. With the Kururugi incident, he appeared at a time when everyone was watching and made a show of it."

"Yes, he is clearly prideful and arrogant. I figured as much."

His confidence bolstered, Jeremiah continued, "Well, your highness, if both accounts are taken separately then the time of his arrival can be judged as mere coincidence. But if judged side by side it could be said his moves have all been reactionary. He also made a few remarks against what he considered unjust. It could be that he figures himself a hero against injustice."

She nodded. "Well done, Gottwald. I've had many of our top psychologists on this and even they haven't come as far." She leaned back in her chair. "So far we have only attacked terrorist groups. Most cells don't like each other, or they would be united under one banner. Even if you don't take that fact into account, we likely won't get a rise out of Zero unless we attack civilians or someone close to him." Her grin reminded him of a shark's, and he felt a shiver run up his spine. "Which is why our next move is so perfect." She opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out a file, gazing upon its contents. "In just a few days we will launch another purge on the ghetto of Saitama." And there was the blood in the water.

"Your highness!" he gasped. This is wrong, he thought.

"Citizens will be given time to evacuate, but anyone left inside will be exterminated. Most of them have been colluding with the ghetto's Terrorist group, the Yamato Alliance, anyway." She looked up at him. "I will be putting you in an advisory role. You will watch as we unmask Zero."

Jeremiah gazed at the letter, eyes scanning over the paper. His hands clenched into fists, crumpling the paper. He took another long draft of scotch. The plan was far worse than he'd imagined.

Shirley gazed down at a picture of her long-time crush. She sighed wistfully, "Oh, Lulu. Why can't I just ask you out already?" And now with recent circumstances, she couldn't help but wonder if she might have found a rival for the boy's affections in Kallen.

She started as a soft voice said, "Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action."

Shirley turned. "Oh, Nunnally," she breathed. She paused. "What do you mean by that?"

Nunnally thought, I know Lelouch is for some reason hung up over CC, but she seems to be the only girl who knows him who doesn't have a crush on him. Surely it wouldn't hurt him to realize he has other options? "Confessing your feelings to Lelouch might not get the response you want, but even then, isn't it better than never having done anything at all, and just mooning over him while he remains oblivious?"

Shirley smiled. "You're right, Nunnally. Thanks."

Nunnally grinned. "Happy to help."

"The Saitama Ghetto is now completely surrounded," Darlton briefed. "The Yamato Alliance's hideout is located somewhere in here; half of the people in this neighborhood are cooperating with them. So if we proceed now…"

Cornelia interjected, "What will be the effect on production?"

"Primary Sector Output should decrease by 0.2%," he answered.

"Within expectations, you mean. Alright." She turned to face Jeremiah and three other men in dark gray uniforms standing to the side. "All of you participated in the Shinjuku Disaster, is that correct?"

One of the men replied, "Yes, and we are indebted to you, Princess Cornelia, for your mercy."

"That's not what I'm asking!" Oh, how she hated incompetent kiss-ups. Regrettably, that description fit most of the people around her. "Do you think the conditions are similar?"

"Huh?" the man asked.

The corners of Cornelia's purple lips quirked upwards. She elaborated, "To those in Shinjuku."

"Military authorities report that they have surrounded the Saitama Ghetto, a known hiding place for terrorists. Viceroy Cornelia is also on the scene, and entry to that area is restricted."

CC happily placed a Pizza Hut sticker on the pizzeria's coupon card. Only four more, and then at long last the Cheesy plush doll she so coveted would finally be hers. She mused to herself, Hmm, maybe I should wait to have Lelouch fulfill the contract until I have collected all the Cheesy merchandise Pizza Hut has to offer.

As if summoned by her thoughts, the door slid open to admit Lelouch, a devilish grin on his face.

CC asked, "Oh? Well what has you looking so excited?"

Cornelia explained, "Zero is a criminal with a flair for the theatrical. I've recreated the same conditions that existed in Shinjuku in order to draw him out. If he's the overconfident type, I predict he'll come here to try and kill me."

"Viceroy," one of the gray-clad advisers from Shinjuku began. "You'd really risk your own life like this?"

Cornelia admonished him, "What you fail to understand is war is a struggle between pride and life."

Jeremiah thought bitterly, This is nothing to take pride in.

CC watched as Lelouch packed a suit of Britannian infantry armor into a suitcase. She asked, "You're not falling for the enemy's provocation?"

"As I said, last time I lost because I was overconfident. Now, however, I know exactly how this battle will play out, and can adjust my own strategy accordingly."

"That sounds a lot like overconfidence to me."

Lelouch smirked. "Quite right. Once I get back, I'll begin working on that. After all, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…" He found himself cut off at the sound of a gun being cocked. He turned his head to see CC, once more pointing a pistol at him. Sighing as he stood, he said resignedly, "So we're doing this again, eh?"

"I take it an event similar to this occurred previously?"

He turned his body to fully face her, the soft smile never leaving him. "You could say that. You thought I was going to die if I confronted Cornelia, and would therefore be unable to fulfill our contract. To prevent that, you threatened to shoot me in the leg."

"You should have listened."

"Perhaps."

"So then how is it you still went? Did you try to bribe me with pizza?" She licked her lips, beginning to weigh just how many pies Lelouch was worth to her.

Lelouch frowned, obviously never having considered that. "No, but I'll keep that in mind if the need ever arises. Instead, I did this…" He pulled out his own pistol, pushing the barrel against his own temple. CC grimaced. "I then proceeded to explain something that holds true to this day, which is that until I met you I was dead. I was trapped in the never ending cycle of humdrum everyday life; a life in which I did nothing real. Day to day, I merely went through the motions of living as if I were a zombie. And I always had the feeling that I was gradually dying. I will never go back to that." His finger tightened on the trigger, and he found himself wondering if he would survive a bullet to the head. It wasn't like he could safely experiment.

"Stop it!" CC lowered her gun. "You've made your point." Lelouch lowered his own weapon, tucking it into back into his Ashford Academy uniform. "I see now; it's life without meaning, and a life like that…" she trailed off.

As Lelouch turned to leave, he said, "I'll buy us a pizza to celebrate my victory."

After the door shut behind him, CC snorted. The fool. As if she'd ever actually share a pizza!

Darlton reported, "We're done sweeping away those in charge, but we found less people than anticipated. It would appear that quite a few of the Elevens took your invitation to evacuate."

Cornelia said, "No matter, it's nearly time to set our plan into motion." She asked Guilford, "And our last resort?"

Unbeknownst to her, Jeremiah winced. Guilford said, "Fully prepared."

"Excellent. So shall we begin?"

Darlton said, "Right!" He instructed over the comms, "All forces, commence eradication of the Saitama Ghetto!" As Knightmares and infantry troops began to deploy, he continued, "All forces, assume Level 1 battle stations!"

Lelouch, decked out in infantry armor, knelt on a piece of rubble overlooking the destruction of the Saitama ghetto. Any moment now…

Right on cue, a slash harken struck the building to his right, and a Sutherland landed beside him atop the rubble. "What unit are you from? Your unit name and ID, soldier!" the pilot demanded.

Is it just me, or do all of these Knightmare pilots seem a little quick to order people around? Could they be compensating for something? "Private Dario Torres, sir, with 3rd Reconnaissance Company," Lelouch replied. He pulled a sealed disc from his back pocket. "I obtained this item from one of the terrorists. Could I ask you to please transmit it to headquarters for me, sir?"

The cockpit opening, the pilot stood and said, "A disc, huh? Well, I still need to identify your ID first."

"Right, understood." He lifted the helmet from his head, revealing his burning red eyes. "But first I have another favor to ask."

Two rockets launched into a Sutherland each, decimating the Knightmares.

Yoshida, leader of the Yamato Alliance, said in amazement, "They came, they really came!"

"Just like Zero said they would!"

"R-1, R-2 maintain distance. Draw them back to the area where N-2 is. B-7 open fire towards 2 o'clock." A tank was impacted with a KMF round. "P-5's team will commence its barrage." A group of Sutherlands opened fire on another squad.

"Gester Team, contact lost!" A commander reported.

"Enemy spotted in District G-4-7," another said.

"Kizinski team engaging, they were ambushed."

"The enemy appears to be using Sutherlands, captured from our own forces."

A gray-clad Shinjuku adviser observed, "Exactly the same as Shinjuku."

"Has there been any sign of Zero yet?" Jeremiah asked. If the terrorist was captured, then perhaps this would all be worth it, and no more blood would be shed.

Cornelia merely watched.

"N-2 continue towards the upper right." A Slash Harken downed a helicopter. "R-4 fire." Another tank destroyed by a KMF round. "N-1 take the man on the left." A Sutherland crashed to the ground. "Right. P-3 take out the bridge and close down the route, now." Explosions sounded in the distance. Support ropes snapped. The bridge collapsed into the water, taking the Sutherlands and tanks perched atop with it.

"Point 1-7 has fallen. Howlee Team, contact lost!" Knightmare indicators were all replaced by the word 'LOST'.

"That's enough," Cornelia said. She ordered, "Order all troops to fall back. Further damage and casualties serve no point."

The Shinjuku advisers, sans Jeremiah, began to object. "Fall back?"

Another protested, "With all due respect, we can still fight them!"

Cornelia said, "We can't fight them like this."

"All forces, fall back behind ghetto perimeter at once! Formation doesn't matter; fall back behind ghetto perimeter at once!"

"At last," Lelouch said. "The true game can begin."

Nunnally touched the butterfly necklace at her throat. You're in trouble again, aren't you Lelouch? she thought. She didn't know how to explain it, but whenever her big brother was in danger or about to be, this dreadful feeling came over her. He'd always protected her, even though there was no one to protect him.

He'd often told her his greatest wish was a gentle world where she could be happy, and she knew he meant it. She knew that he'd watch the world burn just to see her smile. And she knew that she'd do the same for him. But she couldn't. She was blind, crippled, frail, helpless, sweet little Nunnally. She couldn't even eat soup or get into bed without assistance.

She murmured, "I just wish I could protect Lelouch for a change."

Cornelia declared, "Zero is no match, I'll win." Many of her advisers seemed surprised at the brazen statement.

"Of course," Darlton agreed. "That's why they call Princess Cornelia the Goddess of Victory."

Cornelia asked Guilford, "Shall we go then, Guilford, my knight?"

Guilford saluted, bowing his head in respect. "It is my pleasure to serve, and obey you, my lady."

They waited while Guilford deployed in his Gloucester. Minutes later, Darlton reported, "Six individual groups of four to six Knightmares each transmitting IFF signals within the city area."

"Can't you contact them?" a commander asked.

"Scramble rescue teams," another ordered.

"No, destroy it," Cornelia commanded.

"You can't!" one of the Shinjuku advisers objected.

"He might be a captive of the enemy!" another said.

Cornelia replied, "I ordered all troops to fall back. I have no use for soldiers who can't follow my orders."

Darlton said, "You heard the princess."

"But…" a man protested weakly.

Cornelia said, "Do your duty even if it costs your life. My subordinates follow that code without question."

Guilford said, "At your command, your highness. We are coming up on the targets now. There are five of them." He stayed silent for a moment, before exclaiming, "They're opening fire on us!"

Darlton reported, "Sir Finch lost."

A moment later, Guilford said, "We managed to defeat them, but they focused their fire on Finch." Cornelia frowned. It quickly grew into a scowl when Guilford said, "My lady… the enemy pilots were our own troops."

All was silent in the command station, the tension and disbelief so thick it was suffocating. Finally, Cornelia ordered, "Move on to the nearest group."

"Yes, your highness." He soon reported, "They've opened fire on us as well! The four of them are focusing on Rhodes!"

Darlton reported, "Sir Rhodes lost."

Moments later, a panting Guilford reported, "I beat them… But they were… more of ours."

Cornelia quickly ordered, "Fall back until reinforcements are sent in!" Guilford was her Knight of Honor, and so skilled he rivalled the lower-ranks of the Knights of the Round. But despite all that skill, even he would fall to superior numbers. She could not, and would not lose him.

"Understood, your highness."

Cornelia directed, "Send in five teams to assist Guilford immediately…"

"Your highness!" Guilford interrupted."They set an ambush! I'm surrounded! They're closing in! I've been captured!"

"No," Cornelia whispered.

A new, electronically disguised voice said, "Pawn takes Knight."

Cornelia's eyes narrowed. "Zero." She glared as the masked man's image appeared on the monitor. For his part, Zero was calmly sitting down, legs crossed, a chessboard laying in front of him, apparently in the middle of a game.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cornelia," the masked man said. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jeremiah clenching his fists. "My sincerest apologies for being unable to personally welcome you to Japan when you arrived."

Cornelia said, "Japan died seven years ago. This is Area 11."

"Really? That's odd. I could have sworn this was the Saitama Ghetto. I must admit, I'm curious. Why change the name of a country yet never once alter the name of its cities?" He moved a black piece on the chessboard.

"Where is Guilford?"

"Oh? Is that Orange boy?" Zero asked, ignoring her. Jeremiah flinched at the derogatory nickname. "I never expected to see you here. Although, I suppose Cornelia was wise in not trusting you enough to put you in the battle." Jeremiah's glare intensified.

"Gottwald is not your concern. I am." She repeated, "Where is Guilford?"

"Safe and sound. But I will pass on your concern." Another piece moved, this time white.

She gritted her teeth. "Why are you calling?"

"What would you do for Euphemia?" A black piece moved.

"What?"

"Euphemia. They say that you are the loyalest of the loyal, that your allegiance belongs to the Emperor and the Emperor alone." A white piece moved. "But I think we both know that's not true. Everything you do, you do for Euphemia." A black piece moved.

"What of it?"

"I'll take that as a yes. So, how do you think Euphemia would react to the revelation of what you've done today?" White piece.

Cornelia thought, She'd likely be horrified.

"It must be hard to have such a delicate sister to look after in this dog eat dog world of ours. After all, in a world where might is right, such a gentle soul would be crushed in an instant. In fact, I'm surprised it hasn't already, considering what happened the last time a member of the Imperial Family tried to protect their gentle younger sister." Black piece.

"Allow me to tell you a story, one I think you will enjoy. It has so many parallels to your own. One might even call it a possible outcome for your story." He continued to move the chess pieces. "Once upon a time there was a little butterfly."

Cornelia's breath hitched. A little butterfly? Could he mean…

"The butterfly was the most gentle of all the animals in the kingdom. None could match her kindness. She lived with her older brother, the crane, and their mother, the duck. The crane would do anything for the butterfly, even though he himself was a mere child. Then one day a hunter came into their home, and murdered the duck. In doing so, he clipped the little butterfly's wings. She could never fly again.

"When the crane confronted their father, the lion, king of all animals, he asked for the hunter to pay for his crime. But instead the crane, who wished only to protect his crippled sister and avenge his dead mother, was exiled. The crane and butterfly were sent to a faraway land called Japan, where they found a new home. That is until the lion attacked it. They were left for dead, the crane and the butterfly all alone. Until I found them, that is."

Cornelia stayed still, frozen in place. No, she thought. It couldn't be. He must be lying.

"Princess…" one of the advisers began. "Should we send a team to apprehend…"

"No!" she snapped. She breathed deeply. "We will let him speak." She turned her attention back to Zero. "What do I care for a few animals?" she asked. She needed to know if he meant what she thought he did.

"Nothing. Unless they happen to be of the Britannian Imperial Family. Namely Eleventh Prince Lelouch vi Britannia and his younger sister, Fourth Princess Nunnally vi Britannia."

Silence. Absolute, utter silence. Cornelia was still as a statue, her hands clenching the armrests of her chair. Could it be? she began to hope. If he's telling the truth, then… could Lelouch and Nunnally really be alive? Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gottwald likewise rendered immobile, the same indecisiveness she felt apparent on his face.

The click of marble on marble, a chess piece being moved, drew her attention back to the masked man. By now, half of the white pieces had been taken off the board, while black had barely lost a pawn. She finally spoke, "While I dearly miss my little brother and sister, the fact remains that they are deceased." She could not show weakness. She needed answers. And the only way to get answers is to be strong.

"And yet no bodies were ever recovered. Quite suspicious, considering they were royalty and all, even if Lelouch had given up his claim to the throne." Cornelia did not miss the importance of the fact that he knew of that event. The information was kept solely among the Imperial family, along with any nobles present at the time. "The records are mistaken, Cornelia. Lelouch and Nunnally are very much alive."

Kallen grinned proudly as she spread her gaze over the citizens they'd managed to evacuate. This was what Naoto had fought and fallen for: saving the lives of the Japanese.

They were now in an abandoned warehouse a little beyond the borders of Saitama, waiting for the right moment to sneak back in after the battle fully died down. She couldn't wait until she got home and would be able to finally get some sleep. She sniffed, then scowled. After a shower.

All but the most stubborn had agreed to escape, and even some of the hold-outs had been swayed once it was revealed that these orders were from Zero, and the masked man himself would be stepping in. With just a clever speech and some admittedly damning evidence, he had somehow managed to become something akin to a living miracle in these people's eyes.

Who is he? she wondered. And why did he show up here and now, of all places and times? A man with as many connections and as much power as he clearly has could have bided his time and formed his own group, or maybe even been given a high position in the JLF.

She was broken from her thoughts as six Sutherlands escorted a deep violet Gloucester into the area they were hiding out in. Her breath was taken away. It was the most beautiful sight she'd ever witnessed. She'd never seen such an advanced Knightmare before. Now if only she could somehow get a chance to pilot it…

Her attention was diverted yet again as she saw the group trailing behind the Knightmares. It was Yoshida and others from the Yamato Alliance, leading a shackled Britannian pilot. "Is that…?" she began, her face breaking into a savage grin.

Yoshida nodded, sending the captured pilot sprawling with a kick to the behind. The Britannian grunted, glaring fiercely at his tormentors. Yoshida said, "Meet Gilbert GP Guilford, Knight of Honor to Princess Cornelia li Britannia."

Six monotone voices rang out in unison from the Sutherlands, "Courtesy of Zero."

Lelouch and Nunnally are alive. Cornelia could scarcely believe it. Her little brother and sister were still alive.

She nearly jumped out of her chair as Jeremiah surged forward, his face twisted in a strange mix of anger, disbelief, but above all childlike glee. "My masters yet live?" he said somewhat deliriously. "Where?!" he demanded of Zero. "Where are they?! What have you done with them?! Tell me, Zero!"

"Gottwald, control yourself!" Darlton snapped.

But Jeremiah didn't seem to even hear him. He merely continued yelling, "Where are they?! I must serve them! TELL ME!"

"Really, Cornelia, is this proper behavior for one of your soldiers?"

Jeremiah's shouts grew more frantic, "Tell me where they are! Tell me where my lord and lady are!"

"To so rudely interrupt negotiations between a royal princess and the enemy?"

Cornelia, schooling her features once more, said, "You are nothing but a terrorist, Zero."

"I prefer the term 'vigilante'."

"TELL ME!" Gottwald screamed. "I MUST SERVE THEM! TELL ME WHERE THEY ARE! ZERO!"

"What possible use could the vi Britannia's have for a failure and oath-breaker like you, Orange boy?"

Jeremiah stopped, each word a dagger through his heart. "But I…"

"Rest assured, Lelouch and Nunnally are safe and sound. I have done nothing untowards to them, nor do I intend to. After I found them, I only provided them shelter for a short while. They have since found happiness in a life of obscurity, and I am perfectly content to allow them to remain that way."

"Zero," Cornelia began. "If what you say is true, then why have they not returned home?"

"Home? What home? Their home was bombarded with bullets the night the hunter chose to murder their mother. Their father cared for them the most out of any of his children, which is to say: nothing. He banished them, in case you'd forgotten. Meanwhile, they have dozens of siblings who would love nothing more than the chance to finish what the hunter started, and end the vi Britannia line for good. That's not even considering the fact that the hunter remains on the prowl, having gotten no punishment worse than a stern talking-to. Or that if they did return, Nunnally would be at best married off and used as a bargaining chip. Lelouch, meanwhile, would be at best forced into joining the military, and if he ever showed even a hint of rebellion, it would not be he that pays the price. No, a far more likely outcome would be for them to be killed on the spot, if not by the Emperor's hand then by one of the countless others who would see them dead. So, Cornelia li Britannia, I ask you once more: what home do they have to return to?"

The silence was deafening, everyone shocked at the multiple revelations they bore witness to. All of them trying to process something which they inherently knew to be true.

"I would…" Cornelia began, almost pleadingly. "I would protect them."

"Yes," Zero said, his voice cold as ice. "Because you did so well the last time."

Cornelia flinched, and all was again silent.

The clink of marble on marble rang out through the command center. They all looked back up to the screen as Zero said softly, "Checkmate." With a single flick, he toppled the white king. "I think you will find that during our conversation my forces have launched an attack on the remainders of yours, and without proper direction, your pilots have seen fit to retaliate. Over ninety percent of your forces have been eliminated. If you do not concede and admit your defeat, then I will order my forces to not cease until all of yours are dead. What is your answer, Cornelia?"

"Very well," Cornelia capitulated, her entire tone and stance giving off an air of weariness. "You won this round, Zero. I will get more answers from you when next we meet."

"Then I will take my leave. Farewell, Cornelia." His image blinked out from the monitor.

"Your highness," a technician began hesitantly. "We've traced the source of the call to a position just outside the ghetto."

"Good," she said tiredly. "Darlton, deploy the last resort."

Jeremiah seemed to blink back into awareness as Darlton said quietly, "At once, your highness."

Booming sounds roared throughout the Saitama Ghetto. Infantry soldiers screamed as they were consumed by the all-devouring heat. Britannian pilots Lelouch had Geassed woke up in their Knightmares only to realize that they were being burned alive.

Jeremiah stared in uncomprehending horror as the explosion took place. A few strategically placed bombs meant to destroy anything left of the Saitama Ghetto. He'd sinned yet again. Worse. My lady, I have failed you yet again. I swear, my prince and princess, I shall atone. He would rescue his prince and princess. He would serve them until the end of days. And then… "You'll pay, Zero."

Kallen glowered as the flames began to lick at the ghetto, smoke rising in the air. She whispered, her voice full of hate, "Those damn Britannians."

From the deserted building just beyond the Saitama boundary, Lelouch scowled. He'd never expected Cornelia to have these sorts of countermeasures. For her to go through with something like this just to get the last word… His lips twisted into a resigned smile. "Shame on me."

"So you want to protect your big brother?"

"CC?" Nunnally asked. "I was just…"

"Do you, or do you not wish to protect your brother? If I offered you the power to fulfill his greatest wish, would you accept?" The witch's voice brooked no argument.

"I swear… I swear, Suzaku, so help me. I will one day obliterate Britannia!"

Lelouch still didn't know she'd heard him that day. The day he swore to be Britannia's end. Was that his true wish? Did he want to see their homeland burn? And if so, could she really do the same?

"Yes," Nunnally decided. If it meant Lelouch would smile, then the world would burn.

CC smirked. The witch took the young girl's hand, and images flashed through their minds. Nunnally heard CC's voice in her head, "I propose a deal. In exchange for this power you must agree to help make my one wish come true. Accept this contract and you accept its conditions, while living in the world of humans, you will live unlike any other. A different providence, a different time, a different life. The power of the king will condemn you to a life of solitude. Are you prepared for this?"

"Yes," Nunnally thought back. "I accept the terms of your contract." She felt energy flow through her veins, and for the first time in years she felt alive. Her eyes opened, one lilac, and the other a burning red.

CC mused to herself, I wonder how pissed Lelouch will be when he learns I've 'tainted' his sister?

"Where and how can I find troops? Who will serve in my army? If only I could ask Suzaku to join me… No, that ship has sailed; he's a Britannian soldier now. Even if he doesn't enter into the fray, he's still my enemy. Well then, I'll just have to choose."

- Lelouch vi Britannia

A/N: 108 ways. I missed free time in 108 ways. Well, if I do say so myself, I think I made the right decision in choosing quality over quantity. I think I just might have done my vision for this chapter justice. I know it was very fun to write, what with so much action and suspense towards the end. What do you think?

Alright, now that I am done praising my own name, here is a little recap of this chapter's events. Alice is still searching for the secret files. Jeremiah is gaining a conscience and becoming a bit of an alcoholic. Cornelia is willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve her goals. Shirley is getting bolder, thanks in no small part to the meddling miss Nunnally. The Cheesy plush toy, AKA 'CC's precious', shall soon be in the arms of its rightful owner. Meanwhile, CC is developing a goal other than her own death. And with glorious pizza, how could she not find something to live for? Lelouch is anticipating his opponent's actions, but how long can he keep up? Nunnally wants to help out her big bro in his nefarious schemes. Guilford has been captured, and Cornelia is having doubts for once in her life. Zero knows a lot more than he should. Jeremiah has yet again sworn to serve Lelouch and Nunnally. Kallen is very pissed at Britannia. And Nunnally has a Geass. Not bad for one chapter.

Now before I get to this chapter's goodbyes, I would like to acknowledge a pattern I have noticed in reviews, and would like to say that Lelouch will not go Geass-trigger-happy. He is going to be a lot smarter with it this time, as evidenced by first ordering the loyalty of his victims whenever he can, and also does not want to Geass everyone. Ohgi will not be Geassed because that sort of thing tends to make people mindless zombies, which is not a good attribute in a leader. Furthermore, he will refrain from using his Geass on any of the Black Knights, and anyone he does Geass will work for him while being separate from the BK. He also does not want to Geass who he considers his friends, hence why he is reluctant to use it on Nina, even if it does prevent the FLEIJA.

I probably won't update this fic for a little while so I can get the one I mentioned earlier off the ground (about 2 chapters in), redo the plot I have planned for this fic, and read 'Nightmare of Nunnally'. After that, this fic's next update will be my top priority. And finally this long Author's Note comes to an end. At last!

As always, a big 'ol thanks to Tahkaullus01 for being the beta of this story.

Happy Hanukkah, read, merry Christmas, review, happy New Year's, and ALL HAIL LELOUCH!