Welcome one and all to the aftermath of Code Geass! I am Fearel and although this account bears my name I am not a alone here for my coauthor is Artemiskey! Now read on and discover what befell one year after the Zero Requiem!

This Turn
Kallen-Fearel
Suzaku-Artemiskey

Disclamer: We do not own Code Geass...yet

Strike 1: The Dark Underground

The Zero Requiem worked perfectly. Lelouch Vi Britannia, the demon Emperor has fallen, killed by the blade of Zero. The world is now united and at peace.

However, there was one minor flaw in the Zero Requiem, proving that not even Lelouch can foresee everything... this minor miscalculation: He survived.

A year after the Requiem succeeded, life in the world is peaceful and happy...

On the surface.

Beneath the peace, there is organized crime. The former nobles of Britannia seek to regain their lost power and wealth and ofcorse to take there revenge . They hide in their headquarters, Japan, running illegal operations.

But for now there is still peace. There's still hope in the morning and time to plan for the future...

Little dose the world know:

That time

Is running out.

Ugg, they were at it again, Tamaki just had to bring up budget priorities didn't he. After that all it took was Lloyd pouting that he barely had enough money to afford scrap metal and he and Rakshata were off again, debating whose engineering core was more underfunded and who had the better research equipment and which test flight simulator was more accurate and a hundred other things that Kallen didn't care about in the slightest.

She leaned back in her chair at the round counsel table and as she let her eyes glaze over, noticed riley that the rest of the council was doing the same. Even though she was no longer focusing on the argument in front of her Kallen knew better than to let her mind wander because there were certain things she had determined not to think about. Yet in reverie those forbidden topics were ever at the forefront of her mind. She cast around for something, anything, to distract herself with.

The first topic that came to mind was the maneuvers she was planning to run through with the squadron of Knightmare pilots she was currently training but she had used that topic as a distraction the previous night and now she had considered it so much that it no longer help her interest. Her next thought was of school and mentally she rattled off the different subjects and the dates of any upcoming exams. Math– no they had just had a quiz the previous day. Science–hardly, for they had just begun the unit on the basics of the Knightmare Frame and so consequently any upcoming exams were ones that Kallen could ace in her sleep. History–ah yes there was an upcoming test wasn't there. Kallen relaxed deeper into her chair and began running through history material in her mind. The topic was failed invasions of Japan and the reasons why they had failed. There was one involving the Mongols wasn't there, Kallen thought. They launched a fleet from Korea but they failed um… They failed because of a hurricane that destroyed the majority of their ships I think but I can't remember the details. Oh well moving on. There was the one 2 years ago where the Chinese Federation masked their attack by using one of the members of the Japanese Prime ministers cabinet. It was stopped by… Kallen's heart sunk, she knew exactly who had stopped that attack.

The attack had been stopped by only 2 Knightmare pilots, piloting what had been at the time the only 2 Knightmare's ever fitted with wings. One of the pilots had been Sir Suzaku Kururugi, son of the late Japanese Prime Minister Genbu Kururugi, also one time knight to the Princess Euphemia, and one time 7th Knight of the Round, who had died one year previously wile bearing the title Knight of Zero.

The same Suzaku Kururugi who if she was not very much mistaken now sat opposite her at the counsel table, and despite the mask that covered his face appeared to be as bored as she was.

The other pilot had been Him, Lelouch…

Just thinking the name sent Kallen diving deep into an inescapable flood of memories. It wasn't that she didn't want to remember; it was just that with the weight of all those memories pressing on her it was impossible to move forward with her life. Sometimes she thought that it was pointless to move forward and that she should simply stop where she was and remain there buried under the weight of painful memories that were all she had left.

But that was not what He had wanted, for she could still hear echoing in her head as powerful as any geass command the words "Kallen, you have to live." Then she would remind herself that it was her task now to protect the peace he had given his life to obtain, and so she would try to move forward.

Yet it was hard, so incredibly hard, when she thought of all the times she had betrayed him and all the times she failed to understand what sort of man he really was.

Even now nearly two years later she could still remember as though it had been yesterday the way she had felt when she had first realized who was behind the mask.

She could still see the cracks appearing in the mask where Suzaku's bullet had struck it, see it splinter in half and fall away to reveal his face, see the blood that dripped from his forehead, and feel the look of shock and revulsion creep over her own face. She could still feel the confused mixture of anguish and rage that washed over her then as she abandoned him to the mercy of his greatest foe. Even now pain still radiated off of the memory like heat off desert sand, scorching through all defenses in nauseating waves, but it was not the same pain as she had felt back then. This was the pain of self recrimination and the realization that had she made a different choice that day, as at so many later times, he might still be alive.

The metallic creak of the doors opening brought a welcome distraction to the dark musings of Kallen's thoughts. She sat up quickly and along with the rest of the Black Knight's Council, with the exception of Lloyd and Rakshata who were in the middle of debating flight systems vs energy wings, turned to see what was going on.

A Black Knight Kallen recognized as a relatively new recruit entered the room and walked quickly over to where Oghi sat and began to murmur something into his ear. From where Kallen sat 2 chairs to the left of Oggi she could make out snatches of what the new recruits said. She heard the words "apology for interrupting" and "mistake in UFN accounting network" and "Lady kaguya otherwise engaged" something that sounded awfully like "Princess Cornelia." She saw Oghi nod vigorously, clearly glad to have even the most mundane of excuses for escaping the tortuous meeting, and after giving a brief nod to General Todo and to Zero rise and hurry from room.

Kallen watched him leave wondering vaguely what the trouble could be now. Oghi had spent the last weeks fussing over every detail of the UFN meeting that Japan would be hosting in two days time. This would be the 1st meeting to take place in the recently completed official UFN meeting hall in the newly reconstructed Tokyo settlement. It was imperative that this 1st meeting went off without a hitch and so Oghi and Kaguya and Zero had spent the last several weeks checking and double checking every aspect of the set up for the meeting. If something had gone wrong and Princess Cornelia was complaining about it Kallen could well understand why Oghi had, apart from the obvious reasons, been so eager to leave the meeting in favor of going remedy whatever it was that appeared to be going wrong.

Not that the meeting was unrelated. The entire purpose of the present meeting was after all to discuss what topics the Black Knights needed to bring up before the UFN as well as what measures needed to be taken to ensure the safety of the UFN representatives. Or at least, Kallen amended to herself, that had been the intended purpose of the meeting.

Now however it seemed to have become yet another of the all too frequent disputes between the 2 technology departments and of course it was all Tamaki's fault for starting it.

At this point, Kallen wagered, I bet Tamaki regrets that he ever opened his big mouth as much as the rest of us usually do.

Kallen stared at the closed door longingly, unwilling to return to her thoughts but equally unwilling to try and assist Cecile in quieting the 2 mad (in more ways than one) scientists. She tried to divert herself by attempting to figure out what had gone wrong with the set up for the UFN meeting but she didn't have any information to base her ideas on and was left doing little more than guesswork. Well it could have something to do with finances being that he did mention an accounting network then again network could also refer to some sort of communication line for members who can't attend in person. Although Princess Cornelia's coming in person so I doubt that's it. Now that I think about it if Cornelia's involved then maybe it's something to do with the military aspects but if that's the case then why talk to Oghi, wouldn't that be Todo's or Zero's job. Then again Oghi and Kaguya are in charge of setting up the meeting so I guess it makes sense to talk to one of them 1st… I know if it is something military then maybe I could help… And it would give me an excuse to get out of this damn meeting.

Kallen turned to Todo who sat on her right and murmured "I'm going to go see if I can help Oghi." He blinked a couple of times as though wrenching himself out of a daydream then he nodded and turned away. Although it looked as though he was turning his attention back toward the scientists Kallen guessed that he was actually giving his attention to the clock that hung on the wall above Lloyd's head.

Kallen got quietly to her feet casting a look in Zero's direction as she did so, she guessed that he was as lost in thought as everyone else in the room but behind that mask she could never quite tell. As he didn't react however she guessed that he either hadn't noticed or was okay with her leaving, not that she cared. Although she followed his orders and upheld his decisions Kallen was far from feeling any of the personal loyalty to this Zero that she had to his predecessor, so if he disapproved of her leaving the meeting early that was fine by her.

As soon as the automatic doors slid closed behind her Kallen looked around trying to figure out which way Oghi had gone. She stood at a crossroads of two corridors on the 3rd floor of the large office building in the Tokyo Settlement that served as the Black Knights headquarters.

One led in the direction of the docking bay, the other, depending on the direction taken, lead either to the communications center or to a suite of private offices assigned to the majority of the Black Knight's administrative staff. After a moment's thought she decided that he would probably be in the communications center rather than his office and headed in that direction.

She had not gone far when she heard Oghi's voice sounding both alarmed and angry.

"Wait, what do you think you're doing?!"

As Kallen took off in the direction of his voice she could hear a quieter voice answering.

"You call yourself Prime Minister of Japan but in truth you are no more than a filthy 11 born amidst the mock and sewer scum of the ghetto, and yet you have the gall to raise yourself above those of noble birth. Well, your stupidity ends now."

Kallen barreled full speed around the corner and in a split second took in the scene before her.

Oghi backed up against a wall where the quarterly dead-ended just past 2 doorways, the new recruit standing directly between the 2 doorways his gun trained on Oghi and about fire. Kallen didn't have time to draw her own gun; her momentum sent her slamming right into him. The man stumbled forward lowering his gun as he did so. Kallen grabbed trying to wrap one arm around the man's neck wile reaching for his gun with the other. He jerked backward trying to throw her off of him and get his gun up at the same time. He managed to dig one elbow into her ribs and during the split second in which she gasped for air he managed to fire a single shot in Oghis general direction.

The bullet was poorly aimed but still managed to bury itself in Oghi's arm and he cried out in pain. Then Kallen had a hold on the man and with one arm around his neck forced him to the floor. "Now" she hissed at him, her nails digging into his wrist until he dropped the gun in pain as she did so "you're going to tell me exactly who you are and what the hell you think you're doing!"

The New Zero sat at the round table. To his left, sat Tamaki, who at this point was so bored of the meeting and the argument that he started between Lloyd and Rakshada, that he had fallen asleep in his chair. On his right was the currently unoccupied space for Nunnally Vi Britannia, who was currently out escorting her sister along with Lady Kaguya around the newly rebuilt Tokyo settlement.

At this moment, tired of hearing the bickering between the two highly skilled mechanics, Suzaku, the New Zero, began to let his mind wander into his deep thoughts.

This mask took a toll on who he was.

No longer could he walk about with the sun on his face, or feel the cool breeze, for the mask now occupied that space, containing the identity of a supposedly dead man.

He laughed to himself,

A pauper dressed in the prince's old rags

For he now wore his dead friend's clothes, and held the identity that the Demon Emperor shaped.

He had killed many, and finally, he had gotten the chance to kill the one responsible for Euphy's murder.

He had stolen her life, as well as those murdered by Euphy's geassed state.

Not only had he stolen her life, but her reputation. No longer was the sweet, beautiful and kind Princess Euphemia remembered by people, and only that infamous title: Princess Massacre.

He was pleased with himself that he finally avenge his love, his princess.

But he was also tortured.

He killed his best friend.

The one that lasted the take over with him, both of them caring for Nunally.

Despite it being on his own orders, He was just trying to make a better world, so he said.

But it weighed on Suzaku's shoulders like the weight of the world.

He broke from his thoughts to see Kallen leaving... it was then when he realized that Oggi too was missing... it was probably just an issue with the planning.

He tried to shrug off the dark feelings, as he leaned back into his chair.

His mind began to wander. He released the horrible, dark thoughts that restrained him, and then He just sat there leaning back in his chair.

He thought of the good old days at Ashford.

Milly, the student body president, always thinking up a new obscure festival idea. Sherley, being lovestruck with Lelouch, attempting to come out a bit whenever the opportunity showed itself. Rivalz, being cluelessly innocent, following the "Prez" around, trying to show his affection.

Nina, the quiet girl, always bashful and intelligent. (however that did get her into trouble, especially after the F.L.E.J.A...) Nunally, the sweetest of the council members, still not old enough yet to be in the council, yet just as important as the rest. Kallen, she wore two very different faces, yet fighting for what she believed in all the way.

And Lelouch.

The Schemer.

Although he seemed harmless, always following Milly's orders, no one would have ever suspected the madness and anger behind the mask of serenity and sanity.

That man wore so many masks, yet Suzaku knew the boy he once knew was lost forever.

And now I'm the one behind the mask. Doomed to hide who I am until eternity's end.

He was wrenched from his thoughts as the mechanical doors flew open as Kallen dashed through them.

He sat up in his chair.
Looking upon Kallen, she looked disheveled. Her hair had a few loose ends flying free from her headband. Her uniform was no longer starched and unwrinkled, and there was an unmistakable smear of blood on her arms and especially on her hands.

Rakshada and Lloyd had stopped mid-sentence and now stood with their eyes trained on her.

She stopped in front of the table, everyone had their eyes trained on her... all except Tamaki, who at this moment, was still snoring.

"What happened?" someone asked from somewhere that Suzaku couldn't see.

"There. Was. An. Assassination attempt." she breathed panting between every word.

"Who?!" Todo demanded.

Kallen took a deep breath.

"Oghi. Some Britannian noble... I was trying to question him, but he pulled a knife on me so Oggi shot him before I could get anything out of him."

"What?"

"This must be a mistake!"

"But why?!"

Were questions now that now exploded as the room burst into chaos. Everyone at the table was in panic.

"Zero! What should we do?"

"Yeah Zero! What should we do!"

Everyone's eyes trained on him, asking him what he should do.

Suzaku might wear the mask, but he was no Zero.

He could pilot a Knightmare like it was nothing. Matching Kallen, protecting people, but this?

He was no Lelouch.

Lelouch was the plan maker.

He was the one with the backup plan.

And he was dead.

The room began to get warmer.

"Um... Um... Give me a little while!" He exclaimed as he stood up, then he quickly turned on his heel and back to his quarters.

He had to think of something.

There was no other option.

Next time: Turn 2: The Weight Of The Mask

This story has begun with the voices of Kallen and Suzaku and although there voices will be herd throughout they will not be alone for this tale is the tale of many and as such each voice must play its part...for so the Demon has decreed.

Now search on the link below and watch the last few seconds of Code Geass in Japanese! If the link isn't working just google it. It doesn't mater if you hate subs for you needn't read them just watch and trust us ITS WORTH IT!

/watch?v=AeHmVBf0NJ8Now

So now we wish to know, any thoughts?