Code Geass: Timeless Journey

Key:

" " - Regular Speech

' ' - Unheard Thoughts

" " - Radio Communication / Emphasis

" " - Amplified Speech / External Speakers / Public Address System (PA System)

Disclaimer - Code Geass is owned by Sunrise Inc.

Chapter II: Codes, Geass & Memories

Uncomfortable. Such a word was best to describe how Lelouch felt as he first began to regain consciousness, his most recent memories having been that of his head being slammed into a chessboard and a small prick to the side of his neck, only to be followed by darkness.

"Those sedatives V.V. was talking about must have had a greater kick than I thought." He muttered, though he quickly came to the conclusion that it was worth it as long as he'd been able to get the midget uncle of his to flinch, a rare sight indeed. He would have been put under most likely in any case, even if he hadn't provoked the everlasting immortal, either for convenience or, at the very least, security. The Geass Directorate's soldiers had seemed tense during his and C.C.'s game after all, so they'd probably had encountered trouble with other Code Bearers in the past, not that such details were important right now.

Slowing cracking his eyes open, lids heavy from what he could only describe as fatigue, the 'green' haired Demon observed both himself and his surroundings. To begin with, Lelouch realized he was no longer in the clothes he'd worn back at the inn, instead having the luxury of being bound in a black straightjacket, an I.D. tag dangling around his neck. Despite restraining him, he realized that the material from which the device had been woven was remarkably comfortable, though he still would have preferred his white kimono.

"I wonder if this is why C.C. seemed to have walked around in these things for so long, it's pretty soft all things considered."

His upper body shackled, arms restrained at the front, Lelouch struggled to get onto his feet, his center of gravity swerving around dangerously more than once, almost causing him to fall over before he'd finally gained his balance, standing upright in order to get a better view.

The cell he was in was remarkably simple, the only thing separating him from his neighbor's being a couple of rusted steel bars. There was no bed or nun of any kind, the only amenity in his cage being a hole in the center, a grid acting as its cover.

'Something tells me thats not for our personal needs.' He thought, unconsciously shuddering at what implications could be deduced from that singular detail.

The room was well lit, at least, powerful L.E.D. lights illuminating the chamber housing what he could only guess as a prison block.

Eyes focused and at the ready, Lelouch calmly scanned the area around him once more, nothing of what he'd not already filed away being visible from his position. What he did notice, however, was a series of somewhat incredulous and curious stares he was receiving from the other prisoner's, gawking at him as if they'd seen a ghost.

'Though I guess I could be one in technical terms, I did die after all.' The humorous thought causing him an inner chuckle.

Suddenly, a shrill beeping noise echoed across the concert gray chamber, bringing him out of his recent musing. He noticed how his fellow inmates rapidly moved towards the darkest corner's of their cells, balling themselves up in such a manner as if attempting to blend in with their surroundings. Realizing the reason behind the prisoners' behaviors upon receiving a glimpse of an unblemished lab coat, Lelouch imitated their actions, keeping both his head and eyes bowed down towards the floor, avoiding any form of visible emotion from reaching whoever's footsteps were slowly approaching.

To his misfortune, however, the rather brisk cadence of movement came to a halt the moment it reached his cell, the sound of scraping leather indicating the person, or persons, had rotated in such a manner that they were most likely facing him.

A slight metallic jingle indicated a set of keys being manipulated, followed closely by a soft click of an opening lock. The large metal door then gave out a high pitched creak, proof of the prison's lack of maintenance. Most of the hinges would have been grateful for at least a bit of oil at this point, especially with all the rust that caked the vast majority of them from top to bottom. Lack of oversight he guessed.

Before he could react, Lelouch's ball up form was heaved up, two of the Order's guards having pulled him up form the sides, their heads reaching maybe an inch greater in height above his own. One of them then made a move for the front of his collar, brining the jacket's built in gag up to his mouth, forcing it in despite its uncomfortable nature. There was, at this point, no use fighting it really, it wasn't if he could do anything just yet.

He brought up his head, slowly so as to avoid looking too confident, and eyed the cluster of researchers whom had been watching him instantly for the past few seconds. He noticed they were both a mix of both race and gender, testimony to the Geass Order's international nature, recognizing no boundaries but those of the planet as a whole. All long as they carried out their work in the most practical and efficient, neither their backgrounds nor beliefs mattered. It was all about the data.

"I see you've come back to your senses." Came a childlike voice, its pitch high and mired with amusement, "It appears as if the dosage Colonel Swanson gave you had been rather large, considering how it's been just over a day since he put you out. No matter though, I've come here with a team of…experts…in order to bring you towards the interrogation wing, would you please accompany us?" The small form of V.V.'s frame appeared form behind the adult researchers' legs, looking up at his face with a smug - like smile, no doubt enjoying his current predicament.

Unable to form any form of verbal response, Lelouch simply eyed the blonde with an air of nonchalance, as if he could care less with his request. This elicited as small frown from the boy, no doubt having expected a glare or unhappy gaze of some kind.

'It's hard to play mind games with someone like me.' He thought, amused at the director's frustration.

Waving his hand towards the cell block's main doors, Lelouch was half - carried, half - dragged across the floor, having been forcibly removed from his cage and moved 'outside', his escorts moving towards a small white building several meters away, no doubt the interrogation room. The small company of scientists, along with V.V., followed closely behind, keeping pace with the guards.

Upon entering their destination, Lelouch was promptly sat down upon a rigid metallic chair, his legs and upper torso restrained by locking clamps, rendering all movement, save for his head and neck, impossible.

The small clique of his then came into the room, having silently watched him as he'd been strapped into place, taking their seats at a long, rectangular table in front of him, with all of their gazes meeting head on with is own, watching for any sort of reaction from witch they may be able to discern something from him, as if he was nothing but a slide under a microscope.

V.V., motioning with his hand once again, directed one of Lelouch's escorts to unbind the facial restraint he'd had on only for a few minutes. The boy then slowly approached his immobilized body, speaking for the second time since he'd first awoken.

"So," he started, flipping through what appear to be a rather large packet of papers he held in hand, "you are L.L., is that correct?" The tone of voice was one devoid of emotion, lest the slight curiosity which managed to seep itself in.

"I'm not really sure I'm inclined to answer than Vincent," Lelouch responded, pure venom leaking from his remark, laden and thick, "it's not as if you can hold anything against me to force me to cooperate." A smirk appeared across the Demon Emperor's face, his confidence unmistakable.

Naturally V.V.'s expression darkened, his eyes squinting at the vitriol with witch his name had been pronounced. He was not amused, that was certain, but the fact that this unknown Code Bearer somehow knew his real name did nothing to warm the cold atmosphere already prevalent within the room.

"You seem to know a lot about me." He began, his voice flat and to the point, "Coupled with your apparent knowledge of C.C. and this place, that makes you a rather dangerous entity, one I simply cannot overlook. Because of this, you will answers our questions, whether you want to or not." The statement had a tone of finality behind it, signaling how there would be no negotiations on the subject.

Lelouch simply chuckled at his uncle's declaration, amused at how the elder man trapped within a ten year old's body believed he could frighten him. He'd conquered the world and forced God to 'bend the metaphysical knee' all singlehandedly, so what could the fool possibly bring into play that could force him to revel what he knew.

"As if words alone could scare me, I've lived through things far worse than you could possibly imagine, drugs and torture will have no effect on me."

V.V. scowled at the ever defiant immortal's attitude, annoyed at how he seemed to be immune to his threats.

"Are you telling me you're not afraid of pain? I'm sure our scientists can arrange something." He said, using the same threat that had so easily worked against C.C.

His only answered was a burst of mocking laughter, the violet eyed teenager shacking in his bonds as he gasped for air in between laugh's, acting as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.

"Weren't' you listening," Lelouch drawled, "If you honestly think these racks of yours can get me to talk, be my guest. There's nothing they can do that can possibly match the pain I've endured."

The statement was a true one. Although he had no doubt that the scientists present could conger up a great number of horrifyingly painful and inhumane experiments, nothing in the physical sense could ever match the suffering he'd endured in his mind, memories of a dying Shirley or bleeding Euphemia acting as primary examples. The sheer amount of guilt and remorse he'd experienced at such points in time, along with an uncountable number of other sins, could easily drown out any forms of physical harm. At the end of the day, it was always his emotions which could truly strike at the heart, and he had the scars to prove it.

His patience reaching it's limit once again in since only the other day, V.V. decided to change tactics.

"Alright then, I guess I'm going to have to take care of you myself." He stated, a mischievous smile now adorning his lips, teeth slightly bared.

The tables flipped, Lelouch, for the first time since he'd arrived, began to feel angry, despite his best attempts to keep calm. He hadn't expected a scenario such a this.

As the blonde haired boy slowly approached him, Lelouch asked, his voice demanding, "And what is it you think you're doing exactly?"

V.V. flashed him a grin, malicious in intent.

"Why Im going to look into your mind, dear boy. As a fellow Code Bearer, we share a connection, meaning I can search your memories."

And before he could retort, V.V.'s hand grabbed his forehead, Geass sigil glowing.

When V.V. had grabbed hold of his target's mind, it was expected that he'd land in some form of memory hall, akin to that in C's world, an vast array of memories and secrets openly visible at his disposal. What he hadn't expected was appearing in what seems to be an otherwise dark chamber, the only light source coming from a short, black candle, its flame weak and soft.

Suddenly, the blonde immortal heard well paced footsteps from within the dark, echoing in the silence that bathed the area. Squinting his 'eyes', or their mental equivalent, considering how they were but projection's from his consciousness, the blonde immortal made out a rather lean figure, clad in pitch black clothes and cape, frills at its neck. A hawk - like visor, masking the being's face, should it have one to begin with, looked straight down upon his person. It spoke.

"Who are you?" It asked, tone dripping with both malice and rage, still starring straight on towards him.

"I am V.V.," he replied, slightly unnerved at the situation, though schooling his features as years of experience had taught him.

"You are not welcome here." The figure deadpanned, taking two more steps towards him, killing intent quite clear.

"I don't care whether I am or not, you cannot prevent me from reaching what I seek." V.V. responded, annoyed at the fact that he was being interrogated by an unknown entity in another's mind. This had never happened to him before, not even with C.C.

Suddenly the room burst into flames, yellow, red and blue hues roaring around them, illuminating the vast chamber that resembled the throne room in Pendragon's Imperial Palace. The black figure then drew a gilded and blood soaked blade from somewhere in his cape, advancing ever more closely towards V.V.'s conscious manifestation.

"DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN DO AWAY WITH ME VERMIN!" It roared, rage bursting from behind its mask, the flames light's reflecting off of its deep purple colored visor. "YOU ARE IN MY REALM, MY REALM BOY, AND YOU SHALL NOT REMAIN HERE ANY LONGER THAN I CHOOSE!"

V.V. shook in fear, caught off guard by both his surrounding's and opponent's sudden change, dread engulfing his entire being as the demon before him continued to approach. "I AM THE GUARDIAN, MASTER OF THIS HALL, NOW BEGONE WITH YOU!" And with a savage blow, the black clad figure thrusts the blade into the his lower abdomen, spearing his body as if but a chunk of megaton a spite, and heaving it into the flames, the visions of hellfire engulfing him.

It had only been but a minute since Director V.V. had initiated contact with the newly captured CodeBearer, his goal focused upon the discovery of his prey's memories. All steps had been followed as usual, meaning the child immortal had nothing but to begin physical contact, enter the target's mind, then separate himself from said person, memories in hand. Except something occurred. The Director physically recoiled, his eyes widened in fear, mouth agape in shock, taking slow yet frantic steps as he backpedaled from violet eyed figure whom remained immobile in his seat. To see the ever calm leader of the Geass Order in such a state of mind elicited a slight gasp from both the scientists and guards postponed within the room, the event they'd just witnessed being one of a kind.

V.V., having shaken himself from his temporary fright, angered at his prisoner's ability to publicize his weakness, glared towards one of the room's two armed personal.

"Swanson," His voice seethed, obviously displeased with whatever had just occurred, "we have come at an impasse, carry out the contingency measure immediately." So dark was his tone that Swanson banished any thoughts of disobedience within him, instead opting to walk out of the room and its subsequent building at a near jogging pace, making his way towards the underground city's main headquarters.

His focus now solely upon the unmoving form of the insufferable immortal, V.V. glared daggers right into his eyes. Unfortunately, and to his growing ire, Lelouch simply smirked, stating in a condescending tone, "You shouldn't play around with what you do not understand Vincent, especially when it involves my mind.", though despite the outward facade Lelouch had genuinely been worried, his mental barriers having only been created at the last second, sheer willpower coming into play as he forcibly ejected his uncle's consciousness from his mind, a feat that left him drained and irritable.

Yet despite his temporary victory, the exiled prince inwardly winced as a an unmistakable grin appeared plastered across his face, his aura oozing both confidence and loathing as he address his prey.

"I commend you for your efforts, it's quite impressive that you were able to defend yourself from me young one," He commenced, his grin transforming into a seemingly demonic smile at the spreading of his lips, "however, he continued, there is someone here whom I doubt you will be able to resist, no matter how determined you may be.

And as if on cue, a rather annoyed looking C.C., pizza in hand, entered the interrogation room, Colonel Swanson brining up the rear.

Upon recognizing C.C.'s unmistakable shape, Lelouch entered an almost hysterical state of panic, his mind racing. True, he had been able to resist V.V.'s encroachment upon his subconscious, though only just, his willpower having had to combine with is feelings of both hatred and disgust for the immortal in order to present a strong enough mental barrier. However, should C.C. attempt the same thing, he simply knew that their would be no way he could protect himself, leaving his memories and emotions, from both this life and the last, wide open and vulnerable to the green haired witch. Nothing, not even the most retrenched of his secrets or emotions, would be safe from her soft golden eyes. And it terrified him.

V.V. unconsciously smiled upon seeing the young man suddenly begin to squirm, fear evident in his eyes. He hadn't anticipated the need for C.C.'s years or experience on her manipulation of her Code, having never once yet needed her assistance for such matters, though this one particular nut had proven hard to crack.

Lelouch spoke, his tone pleading, "No, please, don't do this…", his voice weak and only above a whisper, his fate sealed.

C.C., while unhappy of her usage as a mere tool, along with here mental raiding an unarmed man, CodeBearer or not, slowly advanced toward's Lelouch's restrained form. He'd begun to thrash around, desperately attempting, against all logical reason, both his straightjacket and cuffs, terror apparent as he spoke, a mad glint in his eyes. Unfortunately for him, while C.C. was no monster, she had become all but numbed at the sight of suffering, having seen to much of it to no longer be truly affected.

"C.C., if you would be so kind." V.V.'s 'request' edging her on.

She didn't want to do it, truth be told, the boy having seemed to be so kind towards her, acting as what she could describe as a friend. It brought her no pleasure to do this, though, in the end, it was either this or be shipped off towards the experimentation' sector, an area she did not wish to visit. Therefore, suppressing her emotions and bowing down to V.V.'s threats, C.C. kissed Lelouch's forehead and entered his mind.

Upon lifting her eyelids, the first thing C.C. noticed was the towering oaken gate that faced her, an entrance to what she could describe only as a fortress. Rings upon rings of walls, guard towers and drawbridges surrounded an imposing, cubic shaped keep. More interestingly however, was the fact that the entire structure seemed to be floating upon a platform win the world of C, eternal sunset shinning upon the cloud covered horizon. Having taken in the impressive complex, most likely representing the Lelouch's frame of mind, C.C. took the first tentative steps towards the gate, halting as a lone, black figure came into view. Standing but a few meters from herself, it spoke, "Who seeks entrance to this realm?", it asked, its tone erring on the side of suspicion.

Pondering over the unknown entities question, C.C. eventually formulated her own response, answering with, "The immortal witch."

The figure remained still for several moments, as if unsure how to proceed, the hawk - like mask seemingly starring into her eyes, as if it sought signs of deception or ill intent.

Eventually, however, the figure moved, spinning around so that its back faced towards her and retrieving a single, black key from within the confines of its cape. Inserting the metallic object into an opening upon the oak gate's surface, it twisted it one, two, three times, when a loud groan echoed throughout the realm.

"Enter." Was the dark figures sole word to her.

Proceeding deeper into the complex, C.C. reached a large, central courtyard hidden within the castle walls, memories upon memories lined up in neatly organized rows all along the rectangular path. Approaching the nearest painting, C.C. stood in momentary shock, clearly recognizing the figure of her past contractor, Lady Marianne., a newborn child held tightly within her arms, raven black hair and piercing violet eyes acting as the infant's most striking features. It only took a brief passerby of the most nearby collection of memories for her to identify whom V.V. had captured: Lelouch.

The witch had met the boy only on one or two occasions, often by accident, and had only briefly interacted with him before being whisked away by an annoyed Marianne, wanting the green haired immortal to have nothing to do with her chid.

The revelation somewhat baffled her. 700 Years of existence may make for many unique and interesting experiences, but the fact that the boy, whom should only be ten years old and exiled in Japan, had somehow transformed into a 17 years old adolescent, while carrying a code no less, left her mind muddle and confused. It was simply not possible.

'Then again,' She thought, 'considering all the things I've seen, could it not be?', the question stuck in her mind as she attempted to understand the situation in which she was in.

Out of nowhere, a white figure, identical in all manners but color to the first she had seen, appeared in front of her face, head tilted down as it 'looked' at her face.

"May I help you?" It asked, its tone inquisitive and friendly, a complete opposite to the former's aggressive and bloodthirsty demeanor.

Eyeing the new entity she'd just met, C.C. asked, "Who might you be?", her voice showing intrigue and interest.

"I am the Archiver." It responded, "It is my duty to both store and protect memories, as well as guide any whom wish to explore this construct.", an aura of positive charisma and charm surrounding it.

"I am C.C. I wish to understand what these memories represent, and how they seem to have arrived here."

"Ahh," The white Zero replied, understanding apparent, "I see what you have come looking for.", head bobbing up and down in a light fashion.

"This realm," Hands pointing towards the castle walls, "is an isolated construct within the world of C, much like your own hall of memories.", it explained. "The person whom I am part of is one of an extremely paranoid and defensive nature, having experienced many honors in the world. In an attempt to protect what little he had, his mind, he created these walls and conjured the Guardian so as to protect what he deemed most important to him, the memories of the keep."

"And what are these memories you speak off?" C.C. questioned, her curiosity rising.

"It would be easier if I would show you." Extending his hand so that she may take hold, ready to lead her towards the source of her answers.

Accepting the hand, C.C. proceeded to follow the figure, letting herself be dragged along towards the inner courtyard's center, an elaborate maze having had to be traversed before arriving.

The Archiver, retiring a key similar to that which she saw handle by his counterpart, opened the single door allowing access into the fortresses largest tower, stone blocks encasing the cool interior.

Upon entering the tower, C.C. focused on three massive safe - like objects postponed at the back of the room. Two stood in height similar that too a two story building, one pure white and the other black, while a smaller, man sized safe stood in the center, dwarfed in comparison. It was the lone figure standing in front of the latest safe that shocked C.C. to her very core: herself.

There, dawned in a black straightjacket, stood her own subconscious form, apparently standing guard.

"Why is she here?" C.C. asked, a quite forced in her demand, jolted by her doppelganger's presence in another's mind.

"I cannot truly say," The Archiver replied, "I am unaware of how she had arrived in this place, thought she materialized long before the Guardian appeared."

Moving away from the white clothed form, C.C. converged on herself, eyes narrowed slightly. "Who are you?" She demanded.

"I am you." The girl replied.

"Why do you reside here and not in my mind?" C.C. inquired.

"I am forever connected her, bound by contract across the realms of time." Came the wistful reply, her face calm and betraying no emotion.

"Impossible," C.C. stated, "I have made no contract with this boy.", tough her tone was growing unsure.

"Then you are mistaken, for I am part of you as you are part of me. He who with I reside is forever bound to us, his vows forged under the terms of Geass. I exist as part of him, connecting his fate to our own. Why I cannot say, but the nature of the bond remains valid."

Her counterpart's words confused the immortal witch, unable to comprehend how she could be bound to a boy she had no recollection of contracting. It left her mind in disarray, the implications to complicated to properly identify or analyze in her state.

"This here vault contains my memories from a time that has yet come to pass. Upon its opening, I may restore the memories I have stood watch over for some time. Do you wish to retrieve them?"

Her doppelganger's statement drew an inquisitive look from the witch, how stood in deep thought for several moments, at which time she finally spoke. "Yes."

Her counterpart smiled, retrieving a golden key from her sleeve an unlocking the safe. A golden light engulfed the room and C.C. saw no more.

When C.C. came to herself, she found herself standing once again in one of the Geass Directorate's may interrogation rooms. Looking down, she observed a broken Lelouch, tears flowing down his face as he muttered a single word under his breath, the tone gentle and caring, yet anguished and regretful all the same.

"Ceceniah…"

To say he was confused was an understatement, V.V. having failed to understand the actions that had occurred following L.L.'s interrogation causing the rise of more questions than answers. C.C., upon having awoken from her trance, had refused to divulge anything of what she had found within the boys mind, stalking off back towards her personal quarter's, despite his rented threats against her. These, however, had only been mate by a ferocious glare, the witch grabbing her pizza and leaving the room, Swanson at her heel.

He did not know what had occurred in the hour long session, his scientist having no more clue than he did. Despite the machine's and analyzer's they had installed during the two immortal's trance like state, the collected data provided no conclusive evidence, rendering the mystery all the greater. The only sure piece of information he knew ,having observed the interaction in its entire length, was that, somehow, C.C. knew who L.L. was, despite early evidence and attitude pointing all to the contrary. Her refusal to divulge his memories had only cemented that idea, his suspicions on the witch mounting.

'I will have to dispose of her as soon as I can once we find out what it is we want to know.' He thought, 'She has become to much of a liability to be allowed her current level of freedom. I will have to speak with Charles about this.'

And with such parting thoughts, V.V. made his way towards his office, wary of the certain mountains of paperwork awaiting his approval from only a day's activities.

Nunnally vi Britannia, 13th Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire and 87th in line for the Imperial Throne, was crying.

It had been little over a month since her beloved older brother, Lelouch, had simply vanished, leaving both her and the Kururugi household baffled. In the short amount of time both the exiled prince and princess had arrived as political hostages within Japan, most of the staff and family had realized the immensely deep bond shared between the two siblings, forged from the loss of everything they had once known. It was, therefore, incomprehensible when the ten year old prince mysteriously vanished, an escape attempt completely out of the question due to his sheer devotion towards his sister and almost perfect surveillance of the ruling family's compound. A kidnapping or, worse off, assassination, were the only logical explanation's left.

However, despite both the police and military's best efforts, no progress had been made on the investigation, kept under tight wraps from the fear of repercussions from Britannia. After all, the Empire took it's royals very seriously, and while Japan was both proud and strong, its leaders were not so conceited as too become suicidal.

And so, it was, much to the crippled girl's chagrin, that her brother had yet to be found, grief and sadness weighing down her heart.

"Lelouch…", She cried tearfully, "please come back…"