I don't own code geass or anything that is related to it.

"talking"

'thinking'

Chapter 1: A Phoenix Rises from the Ashes

Darkness was all that I could see. Blood was the only taste on my lips. The scent of burning flesh filled my nostrils, and all I was able to hear were the distant screams of the others in this place. Worst of all was the feeling of the flames as they slow consumed me again.

I had lost track of how long he had been in this place. Sometimes it felt like centuries and others only a few minutes. What I was sure of was the only one constant in this place, and that was that everyday he would come.

At the beginning of everyday, just before the torture would start, he would come and make me an offer. "I will spare you from torture today, if you agree to begin the tortures of the others here." He would make this same offer to me everyday, and everyday I would tell him the same thing," go to hell." And everyday he would laugh at my choice of words before he began to torture me again.

I knew that when I died that I would be sent here, that I had earned my own place in here with all of the pain that I had caused. It seems strange now that I chose to come here, as penance for the crimes that I committed when I was alive, even stranger was knowing that this was where I would be sent, I still wanted to die. No matter how painful it is to be here the pain that I lived with everyday of my life was even more unbearable.

At least that was how I felt. But I had been here so long that I did not even remember what my crimes were. All I could remember were faces, no names to go with these faces, just feelings that each one invoked within me. The hatred I felt when I thought of the man with white hair and regal clothing and the women with brown hair and a purple dress, the sadness a felt for the girl with the orange long hair and the wide innocent eyes. But these emotions paled in comparison to the love I felt for the young girl with the violet eyes and the kind smile. Nunnally, her name was Nunnally, I could no longer remember my own name but hers I could not forget, and I can't even remember why.

Everyday I would be stabbed burned, melted, and ground into dust and then I would magically become whole again so that this endless cycle could continue. As I slowly regained consciousness again I became aware of the fact that he was once more standing in front of me and as usual was about to make the same offer again.

However, this time was different. Before he could speak a word to me his eyes widened. He looked at the emptiness around us as if he was searching for something. Then his focus landed on something above and behind me. He began to shout, "no, no this one belongs to me you can't do this," but it did not matter as he was force to vanish before my eyes as a blinding light suddenly filled all that I could see.

Suddenly, I was in a different place. The light in my eyes, while painful after being in the dark for so long, was one of the most magnificent sights I had ever witnessed. For the first time in so long I did not feel pain, I could not taste the bitterness of my own blood, I did not hear the tortured screams of others, and the smell of fresh air was the most amazing thing that I had ever experienced. I drew in a deep almost impossibly huge breath just to enjoy it. I did not know why I was here and in honesty I didn't really care. As far as I was concerned I was in paradise.

As I looked around this place my memories began to come flooding back to me. The memories of my life as the prince of the Empire of Britannia, my exile for seeking my mother's murderer, my life as the terrorist mastermind named Zero, and my choice to give my life so that the world would be free of tyrannical rulers. I once again knew who I was, I was the 99th ruler of the Empire of Britannia, the leader of the black knights, and the wielder of the power of geass, and I was Lelouch vi Britannia.

I quickly realized that I was standing on the Sword of Akasha the platform my father Charles zi Britannia and my mother lady Marrianne tried to use to turn back time and destroy the gods of the world. Knowing that there plan would only lead to the destruction of the world I did all in my power to stop them.

As I stood I looked up and realized that I was in the in the presence twisted pillars that represented the gods of this world and they were looking at me, not with eyes there were no eyes but I know that all of there attention was focused on me. And to my great surprise, they began to speak to me.

"Zero, do you know why you have been brought here from the underworld?" one of the two asked. I was at a loss for words, all I could do for a response was to slowly shake my head no. "You have been brought here so that we may offer you a deal." The other answered. Finally finding my voice I ask, "What deal would you possibly offer me." The first of the gods began to speak again, "the chance to return to the time before you reclaimed your memories as Zero and attempt to save your world from total destruction."

It took a moment for the ramifications of those words to sink before I realized what they meant. "What do you mean the total destruction of my world, it was supposed to be peaceful, a place where my sister could be happy." I shouted at then. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could it all have gone so wrong? Nunnally, my sister who meant more to me than my own life was supposed to live a happy and peaceful life. I wanted answers, and thankfully the gods saw fit to grant me them.

"After your death your sister did assume the thrown and ushered the world into an era of peace, however, it did not last. The nobles of Britannia refused to relinquish the power they had been given and drew an army to them so that they could take the thrown from Nunnally. The black knights that you assembled to maintain the peace and stability of the world fought against them. However, this led to a massive world war that led to the eventual destruction of the planet earth."

I could not believe my ears; all of my plans to help the world and create a place where my sister could be happy had failed. All of the pain that I had suffered, all of the people that I lost it was all for nothing. I almost slipped into despair until I remembered why they had brought me here.

"I don't understand why would you bother to try to save the human race? Throughout our history all we have done is try to kill each other, as if this was the eventual outcome. So I ask you, why bother?"

Their response was not what I expected.

"We are required to save this world, as we have been commanded." they replied.

No, not what I expected at all. Who, or more importantly what, could possibly command the gods of this world.

As if sensing my question the answer was presented to me, "it was you who commanded this action."

I was stunned, when did I ever give these beings such an order, and more importantly, why were they even listening to it? Suddenly, as if by a bolt of lightning, the answer struck me. "It was when I used my geass to foil the emperor's plan. I ordered you not to stop the flow of time, and with the earth destroyed its time cannot continue."

"Correct, because of the orders given to us by you we must now take direct action in order to uphold to your command. And sense you are the one who issued the order it is fitting that you be the one to see that it is carried out." They said.

"I don't see how I could make a difference. I failed once already. Even with knowledge of events that have yet to happen, I don't see how I could possibly make a difference."

"You will make a difference. Because you will not only have all of the power of geass at your disposal, but many other great powers that come with being our archangel should you accept our deal."

I stared at them in wonder. If they would grant me the power I would need to change the course of history then I could only give them one answer.

With a look of determination on my face I ask them, "What powers are you granting me exactly?"

……………

They killed her.

They shot this poor women and they were about to shoot me as well. They had already burn the bodies of the people around us, even if they weren't dead. It was obvious from the looks on the soldier's faces that my fate would not be any different.

The commander told me how I was nothing but bait for this woman that I had never met. As I held her and stared down the barrels of their guns I again hear the words of the commanding officer.

"So, any last words before you die?" he sneered at me.

I didn't know what to say. In truth, there was nothing that I could say. As I waited for the order to fire I looked down at the dead girl cradled in my arms. I don't really understand why, perhaps out of some sense of misplaced affection and regret, or perhaps because in what I believed to be my last moments I sought some form of comfort I don't know. All I did know as I stared at her lifeless face was that I felt the need to touch her still warm tender skin.

I bring my right hand up to lay it on her cheek, and suddenly my world became bathed in light. Images, names, faces, and battles they all flashed before my eyes.

With the touch of her skin, the memories of my life flooded my mind. My memories of Nunnally, my parents, and my true identity as Zero all come rushing back. However, it did not end there. Memories of things that had yet to happen came to me. Nunnally as viceroy, Shirley's death, Rolo saving my life, C.C.'s desire for death, my own death at the hands of my friend Suzaku, my time in the fiery pit of hell, and most importantly my contract with the gods.

Now I did not feel afraid, I did not feel despair about my situation, and I felt no need to mourn C.C. knowing that she would revive in mere moments. I had finally remembered who I was. All I had to deal with right now was the soldiers pointing guns at me.

I rose to my feet, a look of indifference on my face. The soldiers were stunned to see that I was no longer afraid. I remembered this moment from my previous life. I asked the soldiers a question about power and justice. This time I had no childish need to indulge in such theatrics. Although, there was one thing that I wanted to say to them," you are all fools to follow the orders of an arrogant misguided man like the emperor. But if your loyalty to that tyrant is so great that you would die for him, then so be it."

I looked at C.C. to make sure that she was still out of it. With her connection to Marrianne and the knowledge that Charles could grant her wish and take her life it was too dangerous for her to know that I possess greater powers then even she knows. One of the conditions of the gods deal with me was that I would have the full power of geass under my control. That means I would have geass in both of my eyes and I could turn them off and on at will. If she learned that I could do that she would start asking questions that I wasn't ready to answer. Thankfully, that wasn't going to be a problem just yet.

I closed my eyes and slowly reopened them, the symbol of geass glowing in them both. "I, Zero, command all of you… die." With a shout of yes sir, the troops turned to one another and shot each other.

With that task completed I turn and look at C.C. as she rises to her feet.

"It is good to see you again Lelouch." She says to me. Knowing that C.C. rarely said what she means it was not difficult to guess the true meaning of that statement, 'thank you for not dieing.' After all, with me gone the only way for her to fulfill her death wish was if she went to Charles. But with V.V. always lurking around that would be difficult. So for now, she needs me.

She hands me the box with the special contact lens that I wore in my previous life to help hide my demon left eye. Obviously there was no point in wearing it now with my ability to turn my geass off and on, but if I wanted to keep this fact hidden from her then I had no reason not to except it.

At the sound of nightmare frames crashing through the ceiling, I turn and once again lay eyes on my black knights. The red nightmare frame known as Guren kneels in front of the others. I take a moment to enjoy the fact that I could once again make my own choices. In hell I had been at the mercy of the demons who were torturing me. Now I had the chance to make my own decisions. Again I was in control of my own destiny, and I planned on putting that fact to good use.

……………

As I sat in the main security room sending out orders to the few soldiers that I had at my disposal I attempted to decide what I was going to do about my most worrying situation so far. It is not the minor Britanian forces that my men were picking off one by one. It was not the anticipated arrival of my surrogate little brother Rolo and his nightmare frame the Vincent. It wasn't even the situation with the enemy forces at all.

No, my biggest concern at the moment was one gun carrying, Guren piloting, bunny suit wearing, pissed off red head by the name of Kallen Kouzuki. In my old life Kallen and I had become very comfortable around each other. I new that I had deep feelings for the Kallen that I used to know, and for all intents and purposes until I did something to significantly change the timeline then the Kallen who was going to walk in the door any moment was the Kallen I fell for. I knew that, had I not needed to ignore her declaration of feelings for me in order for my suicide plan Zero Requiem to succeed, I would have been happy to spend my life with her.

I know that this time Zero Requiem was not an option. What with its failure in my previous life. But did that mean that I had the freedom to act on these feelings in this life. An even more pressing problem was that as far as this Kallen was concerned, this was the first time that she and I would lay eyes on each other after the incident with Suzaku in the cave at Kaminejima Island. And if I remembered this meeting from the previous timeline correctly, she was going to walk in here point a gun at me and demand to know if I was simply use her and her friends to achieve my own ends. As I hear the door to the room close behind me I think to myself, 'I am in big trouble.'

……………

He is back. We finally have him, and now I can get the answers that I want. When I saw Suzaku shoot his mask off in that cave I still believed that he was the hero that would lead the Japanese to freedom. But when Suzaku asked me if I wanted to protect the man who used the Japanese people, I could not stand to be there any longer, so I ran. The hero that I thought I had been serving because I believed he could lead us to victory had been manipulating me the whole time.

I thought that our cause was lost. No one who deceives his soldiers could possibly be the king of justice that he had boasted about. But then I came to realize even if he deceived the Japanese people he was still the best chance we had at success. Also, I didn't know for sure if he wasn't actually going to help us get our freedom. In the end I didn't know what to believe. If Lelouch did simply use us, than he was no better then the emperor that we were trying to defeat. So we should have been better off finding some one different to lead us. the problem was that nobody else seemed up to the task.

I had seen Lelouch with his sister Nunnally a few times around Ashford Academy. I still found it hard to think that a boy who had done so much for his sister would toy with the lives of the people he called his allies.

Not sure what to think I turned to the only person who knew Lelouch almost as well as his sister. After all, he and C.C. had been together longer than the black knights had existed. But when ask, C.C. was less than helpful.

"It doesn't really matter to me if he chooses the path of the hero or the tyrant. All I care about is that he doesn't get killed. However, if you really want to know then you should ask him yourself." She had replied in that flat disinterested voice of hers.

She was right though, if I wanted to know if I was a soldier for justice or a slave to another tyrant then I would just have to get the answer strait from the horse's mouth.

That's why at this moment I was on my way to the security room to confront the lying bastard himself. A pistol held behind my back just in case. As I walk into the room I see that his back is turned to me. But at the sound of the door closing he turns to face me.

As he turns I look at his face, prepared for any sign that he may try something to get rid of me. If he was using the others then I, as the only person who was aware of his true identity, was a serious threat to his plans.

But something odd happened when he looked at me. His usual mask of indifference slipped and his face became a canvas painted with a rainbow of emotions. First, there was surprise almost fear, as if he was laying eyes on a ghost. Then a strange much warmer look crossed his features. The same look that I saw on his face every time he looked at Nunnally. It was a look of kindness and caring maybe even love, but that didn't make sense. Why would Lelouch look at me with love on his face? I abandoned him at Kaminejima Island leaving him to the mercy of Suzaku, he should have every reason to hate me. But his face was telling a different story.

It didn't matter. A moment later his face was once again indifferent. Again the reason for my confronting him came back to the front of my mind. I point the gun at him and prepare to ask the questions that had been burning in my mind for a year. And just to be sure I get my answers; I raise my pistol and point it right at his heart.

……………

I knew that she was coming. I knew what she was going to ask. Hell, I even knew that she was going to point a gun at me. I knew all of these things so I should have been more than ready for this conversation. But seeing her again, that I wasn't ready for.

I understood that by agreeing to this deal I would again be confronted with all of the people that I lost or had given up. I thought that I could take it. But standing here, and looking at her. All of my old feelings came rushing back.

For a moment I just stood there and took in her appearance. Her blood red hair,

blue gray eyes and that pink bunny suit that looks so good on her. Suddenly it didn't matter that we were in the middle of a battle or that Rolo was about to thoroughly outclass our forces. It didn't even matter that the current governor of area 11 and an entire army of nightmares were outside waiting for us. Standing here with this goddess before me I feel my heart warm, it begins to beat faster, and the look on my face softens. All I wanted to do at that moment was throw my arms around her and finish the kiss that she gave me when she confronted me after I became emperor in the previous timeline.

Then I see the gun in her left hand and realize that this is not the time or the place.

For now I would have to hide my feelings behind my best poker face and wait until she trusts me again.

"Is there something that you wanted to say to me Kallen?" I ask her.

"You lied to me." She responds

Remembering the role I have to play I ask," About who I was or about geass?"

"Both… answer me, did you use your geass power to control me?" she asks with anger in her voice.

Now I had a problem. The truth was I did use my geass on her once to erase her knowledge of me after the battle of Shinjuku. But even if I didn't use it to control her like she thought, I did use it to take away her memories. And if any one understood what a violation that felt like it was me. Once I regained my memories, after Charles used his geass to seal them in my previous life, I found myself hating him even more then I already had. I didn't want Kallen to hate me, but I couldn't lie to her face and still expect her to trust me again. So the question became, should I lie and give up any chance of her trusting me again or tell the truth and risk the wrath of the woman with the gun currently pointed at me? In the end, I knew if I wanted to regain her love and trust then honesty would have to be the better part of valor.

"Yes, I used geass on you, but not in the way that you think."

Her beautiful face twists with anger at my answer. But, in her eyes I can see a faint glow of curiosity. She wanted to know what I meant by that answer. Realizing that she hadn't shot me yet I took that as a sign to continue.

"I only used my powers to erase from your mind proof that I was the one giving orders at Shinjuku. But that is the extent to which I have used geass on you."

"What proof do I have that your telling the truth? You've lied about everything else for as long as I've known you. I should just kill you so you can never twist the hearts of any one else." She shouted at me.

"Kallen I have never twisted your heart. The choices you've made and the actions that you have taken have been made entirely with your own will." I look into her eyes as I step closer, pleading with her to see the honesty in my answer.

When I am close enough to her that the gun is pressed against my chest I ask her, "Do you truly want to kill me?"

Then the look on her face changed. The anger vanishes, her eyes widen, and for just a moment I can see on her face the heart break she would feel if I died. That look was enough to fill me with hope that we may someday be more than just allies.

"I don't want to kill you. But you should know my loyalty is to our cause not to you Lelouch." was her response.

Excepting that for now I was about to turn back to the monitors. Then I realize that she is standing in front of me in high heels and a skintight bunny suit that showed off a fair amount of her cleavage. Which I had to admit was very fair indeed. Knowing that she had forgotten her state of dress I push my raging teenage hormones aside and engaged in some light flirting.

"By the way Kallen, how long are you planning to wear that costume? Don't get me wrong you look simply stunning in it, but I don't think that is the proper attire for the battle field."

Looking down Kallen wraps her arms around her mostly exposed female assets trying to regain some form of modesty.

"D-Don't look at me you pervert." She says with a light blush on her cheeks. I had forgotten how adorable she looked when she was embarrassed.

Kallen was saved from further humiliation by C.C.'s voice over the radio.

"Britannia has called in reinforcements."

"They're coming in from above, too." says Kallen. As she turns to the monitors she leans on the computer staring at the screen and watching as the images of enemy forces appearing all around Babel Tower. While she wasn't looking I took off my coat and put it on her from behind. Knowing what was coming, I wasn't nearly as worried as she was.

"Governor Calares should be the one in command. Escaping will be nearly impossible. That's why we will win." I tell her with authority.

……………

As I take my seat in my nightmare frame I speak to my soldiers over the radio, "The enemy believes that they have us exactly where they want us. Which means everything is falling into place. All that is left is for C.C.'s team to complete their job."

C.C.'s flat response crackles over the microphone, "it will be ready in ten minutes."

Knowing Rolo was about to make his appearance, I give the order. "Good, in that case I want all nightmares to drop what you're doing and fall back to my position. With Diethard's system still in place all we have to do is get out of here."

"But Zero, if we're going to fight the enemy forces that are in the tower shouldn't we stay where we are?" came Urabe's confused response to my orders.

"No, the enemy is hunting for us. If they come in force I want the full power of the black knights to be waiting for them." My response was met with enthusiastic shout from others. However, Urabe, the sole remaining member of the Four Holy Swords at my disposal was correct. If I didn't know that the Vincent was on its way then the more logical option was to remain where they were. Urabe and Kallen both knew me well enough to see that I knew something that they didn't, but they kept their comments to themselves.

"Zero this is unit R5. I see a strange nightmare coming into the hall I'll deal with it and be with you shortly."

Knowing what the man was talking about I shout over the radio, "no, all forces avoid the enemy nightmare at all costs. Get back to my position. R5 do you here me?" static was my only response. I was too late, that man was dead and I knew how. My little brother Rolo and his Vincent had arrived.

Knowing the enemy was almost at our doorstep, all of the other nightmares crowded around me and Urabe's voice came over the radio, "Zero you should get out of here. We will act as a diversion so that the plan can succeed."

Disgusted at Urabe's plan I begin to set him strait, "You're wrong Urabe. Using yourselves as sacrificial pawns is a tactic that will never beat Britannia." Hoping that my words would inspire more self worth in the soldiers we continue to wait for the conformation that our escape is ready. Suddenly an explosion goes off at the far end of the room and the Vincent leaps out of the smoke. It lands, and finds itself in front of the bulk of the black knight's forces.

Staring at this ally from my past I instruct my forces "Do not harm the enemy. I want that nightmare captured." That was the best order that I could give at the moment. Rolo was a fare enough pilot to keep from getting captured. But unless I wanted him to decimate my forces then I would have to keep him from using his geass to freeze them. Meaning I was going to use the anti-geass power that the gods gave me and pray he didn't learn that I was the one doing it until I was ready to reveal everything.

As the first units charged at him the Vincent drew its swords. With my blue anti-geass eyes open I could see the field of energy that spread out from the Vincent. I sent out my own field to counteract Rolo's quick enough that nobody noticed his strange power. Rolo would be the only one who was aware that his geass wasn't working. The fact that his powers weren't working must be worrying him. The Vincent fired its hip cables at the first two units. It took the arm off one and destroyed the head on the other. He grabbed the one without its head and used it as a shield while he plowed through the other nightmares. He got about halfway before Urabe swung his sword hoping to cleave him in two and end this fight.

The Vincent leaped into the air over Urabe's sword. And the remaining forces between him and the nightmare frame that I was in. Rolo tried to use his geass a second time and again I canceled him out. I knew that Rolo must be close to having a panic attack by now. I opened fire on the Vincent trying to force him back. The Vincent countered by attaching the handles of his swords and spinning them so they deflected the bullets. The Vincent charged, preparing to attack me but was intercepted. Urabe's custom nightmare was crossing blades with Rolo's Vincent. Despite Kallen shouting Urabe's name I could still hear his words.

"Zero I don't care if you are a student. You said sacrificing ourselves wasn't the way to beat Britannia and I know that you weren't lying then. That is why I will do everything I can to help you save Japan." Urabe shouted with passion. The other nightmares began to close in on the Vincent and began firing at it. While they were careful not to hit Urabe they didn't manage to hit the Vincent. It once again leaped out of there range.

Further fighting was made unnecessary as the voice of C.C. was heard over the radio telling us that our escape plan was complete. "Good job, thanks. Urabe get everyone together, its time to leave." I announce over the radio. Then I raise the remote detonator in my right hand and press the button on the top. Immediately the sounds of distant explosions can be heard, and soon the floor that we're standing on collapses beneath us, leaving the Vincent to get out on its own.

……………

Watch my monitor of the building I begin to understand what Lelouch's plan was from the start. The set charges blew the building into two halves. The half that we were in remained stable. While the half that was inhabited by only the Britanian forces collapsed right on top of the enemy forces that were waiting for us out side. It also had the added bonus of creating a path for us to the Chinese consulate where we had allies waiting to grant us safety. Like all of Lelouch's plans, this one was pure brilliance.

From what I could determine from the information we had on enemy forces, Governor Calares had sealed his own fate by eliminating all of the possible exits. As I head to the consulate with others I can't help feeling that now that we have Lelouch back we were unstoppable. After getting out of my nightmare I search for him but am unable to locate him. I begin to wonder if he already left when I see him dressed in his long coat and the mask he wears as Zero appear on a nearby monitor.

……………

Dressed in my, once familiar, attire as Zero I move in front of the prepared camera. I had tried to save the world and sacrificed my own happiness to do it. I have risen from hell itself and I had the chance to once again save the world.

I had used my geass on a couple of E.M.T.s and an ambulance driver and ordered them to call Villetta Nu and create my alibi that I was under their care while I appeared on television. Now it was time to declare my existence to the world. As I receive the signal from the C.C., who was operating the camera, I begin my declaration.

"People of the world, I am Zero. A year ago I fought the Britanian Empire for the freedom of all Japan, but no more." I look at the faces in the room and see shock and confusion on many of them. If they thought I was going to abandon them then they were wrong. "I look at the world and find myself saddened by the state of its inhabitants, and disgusted by how the empire has placed the world under its boot, I say 'enough'. It is because of the atrocities committed by this plague that calls itself the 'holy empire' that I have returned.

That is why I no longer only fight for the nation of Japan, but for the freedom of the entire world. And I will begin by once again declaring the United States of Japan, which for the time being will consist of this room. It will be a nation that does not discriminate between blood, race, or religion. And the only requirement for membership is that you be willing to fight for justice." I finish with a flourish.

It was done, my path was set, and the war was about to begin. My next task was to get back to Ashford Academy and convince my watchers that I wasn't Zero until I could gain control of them. However, I first had to regain the faith of my little brother Rolo. Then all I had to do was free the captured black knights, convince them of my true identity as an mighty archangel sent back in time, evacuate the Japanese people out of the empires reach again, convince Xingke and the Chinese Empress to help us, assassinate V.V. and the geass users, foil Charles' plans to destroy the world, and make the world a safe place for Nunnally. As I climb into the ambulance of the men I control, I let the magnitude of my task finally rest on me, and I collapse onto a nearby bed.

……………

Well that's it. If anybody has any comments good or bad let me know. Depending on the reviews I may or may not continue this story, it up to you readers. If anybody is interested in being a Beta to this story let me know. This is my first fanfiction and I could use the help. Send me reviews. Until next time.