""We are free to choose our paths, but we can't choose the consequences that come with them."

- Sean Covey

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or anything from other series, just the OC's for my story.

July 2009 a.t.b

"In response Woody asks, 'Oh, now, Buzz. What can Andy possibly get that is worse than you?' Then as if on cue, Woody and Buzz hears a puppy barking, resulting in nervous smiles, both clearly remembering the time they spent with Scud. The End."

"Aww. Is it really the end?" Anya asked with crestfallen expression. "I want to know what happens with the toys and the puppy."

"Yes it really is the end but don't worry I already have a second adventure Woody, Buzz, and the others for next time."

"Can't you tell the story now, Pleeease?" Anya pleaded with the puppy dog eyes.

"It's getting late so I'll have to tell you some other next time." I answered, making a point not to look her in the eye.

I was currently staying in Aries Villa telling a bed time story to Anya Alstreim, in the end after much contemplation I just couldn't in good conscious let Anya and her family suffer just because I wanted events to stay completely on script.

I managed to persuade mother and Schneizel to let me stay with in Aries Villa under the pretense of receiving lessons in combat and knightmare piloting from Marianne and Cornelia. Darlton was supportive of my plans to to train at Aries Villa and convincing Marianne to instruct me was quite simple, all I had to do was take advantage of my knowledge of her motivations and love for the emperor and making myself look like a viable pawn for the Ragnarok Connection, I really do have Schneizel to thank for my ability in persuasion, if I didn't learn from him I probably would have had a harder time moving my plans forward.

While Darlton's training was harsh, Marianne's was pure hell. While Darlton's training focused more on the theoretical aspects, Marianne's training was almost entirely hands on. As expected of the former Knight of Six who killed the previous Knight of One in a sword duel during the Throne of Blood incident, I never once landed a hit on her. I was a better marksman than a swordsman but still, it's astounding how much improvement I made in swordsmanship in a short period of time, it's honestly unfortunate that she has to die before I can learn all I can from her.

The first time I was allowed to pilot the Ganymede was a magical experience, as a person formerly from a world where mechas were nothing more than a sci-fi dream, this was a dream come true. Of course, the more I got used to the Ganymede the more annoyed I was of its impractical nature but it was still more preferable to combat sparring with a future members of the Knights of the Rounds.

Marianne introduced me to Nonette Enneagram and Beatrice Franks whom I vaguely remembered from summaries of the novels, the former who introduced herself by suffocating me with her chest much to the latter's along with Cornelia's exaspertion. Marianne being the harsh taskmaster she is had me spar with both of the future Knights of the Round. Though I managed to put up a far better fight than either of the two expected I never once managed to win since they trained under Marianne much longer than I have. One day during a spar with Beatrice, a familiar flash and sound went through my mind and I managed to parry an incoming attack from behind. It would seem I awakened what I could only consider a newtype flash or spidey sense in Marvel terms. It was a shock for all who witnessed this event, when questioned about this, I simply responded that I sensed her. In hindsight I should have just said it was a fluke since Marianne, Nonette, and Beatrice decided to intensify my training to test the limits of my new ability.

My time in the Aries Villa didn't consist of only agonizing training, I also trial tested games and entertainment from my previous world. I introduced Twister, Jenga, Blokus, Uno, Battleship with Rob Lockhart's enigma expansion, Rummikub, Risk, Othello/Reversi, Monopoly, Scrabble etc.

I even tested a prototype super soaker by having Nunnally chase Lelouch with it by claiming that it was a way for Lelouch to exercise. Marianne, Nonette, and I found this hysterical while the more serious witnesses such as Beatrice and Cornelia was left exasperated.

During bedtime I would tell stories to Anya and Nunnally. These stories consisted of numerous works directed towards children from my world such as Toy story.

It's strange that Pizza Hut somehow exists in this world but not other things such as these games but I'm glad since that means I can take advantage of their absence to make money for the sake of my goals.

More relevantly, the games and stories did wonders in distracting Anya. Combine that with socializing with her frequently and this will all but ensure that she will not be present for the meeting between V.V. and Marianne. We would often discuss how we were doing, how she finds the etiquette lessons, help her practice etiquette, our family, etc.

Speaking of family, I received phone calls from Aila every single day because of, what else, Anya. Being the sis-con she is, I would be asked on how Anya was doing, if she was having any problems with her lessons, how she was being treated, if she was eating properly, if she brushed her teeth and so on. No matter how many times I reassured her she never seemed to be satisfied and bemoan the fact the she wasn't there to spend time with Anya.

I dreaded her reaction to Anya's proximity to Marianne's assassination.

Besides Anya's family, Schniezel came to visit and he's currently beating Lelouch in a chess match.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG

The sound of gunshots and glass shattering ringed throughout the Villa, my first instinct is to turn towards Anya whose eyes widened in frightened shock.

"Wha-what"

Before she can finish, I hugged her, "Don't worry, you're safe with me."

My reassurance had the intended effect as Anya calmed her considerably.

I then heard a piercing scream of agony and despair.

It was a bright and sunny day which contrasted sharply with the atmosphere of Marianne's funeral with depressed looks and dark somber outfits reflecting it. Typically, a death of an empress would be a grand affair with massive crowds but the guest list for the funeral only consisted of those who knew Marianne personally and a few members of the royal family including myself, Schniezel, and my mother. Aside from a public announcement, not much attention was given to Marianne's death and funeral.

Lelouch's and Nunnally's presence was a given. Nunnally, bound in a wheelchair was currently clutching Lelouch's arm tightly and sniffling, still in shock over Marianne's death while Lelouch was silent and cold, a praiseworthy display politically, especially in the Britannian political world.

Looking around I see Odysseus, Cornelia, Euphemia, Clovis, Laila, Marrybell, and Julia; as for the royal consorts only three including my mother bothered to show up: Demetria la Brittania and Flora mel Britania.

The emperor predictably wasn't present instead choosing to make a public speech from the palace.

As for the non royals there was Darlton, Beatrice, Nonette, and lord Ashford but no Milly for some odd reason, does this mean that Milly and Lelouch never met one another until after the Ashfords moved to Japan? No that's not relevant right now.

I managed to spot Jeremiah doing all he can not to bawl his eyes out, the belief that he had failed in his duty certainly hurt him and the emperor ordering to cease all investigation into Marianne's assassination could not have helped.

The procession was led by the Knight of One, Bismarck Waldstein, with the casket draped in the Britannian flag being carried by four solemn guards in ceremonial military dress. Lelouch was eerily quiet and merely stared listlessly at the coffin.

The priest responsible for the funeral gives a eulogy that contained pro-Britannian propaganda scattered throughout which made it obvious that it had been prepared by some government officials.

I don't really pay attention as the priest drones on and on, while most in attendance mourn her untimely passing, I most certainly am not.

I was just glad that it wasn't raining. If it did rain not only would I have gotten wet, I'm sure to those present it would seem as if the heavens themselves were mourning the loss of Marianne, now that would have been a bad joke.

Even to those who detested her, the death of Marianne vi Britannia came as quite a surprise to almost everyone. An Imperial consort assassinated in an Imperial Villa without anyone noticing and the emperor calling off the investigation on her death...even the dullest aristocrat would find it hard to believe for this to be the work of mere terrorists.

Oh if they only knew, for the truth is far stranger than fiction. A commoner soldier who worked her way up to the Knights of the Round as the Knight of Six via her incredible fighting skills, slaying the previous Knight of One and preserving Charles zi Britannia's rule as Emperor only to be shot to death by a blonde midget while her back was turned, in a way your death can be considered rather anti-climatic considering your history as a warrior and soldier wouldn't you agree Marianne?

Your presence was compared to that of a flash of light that sears into people's hearts, that was how you earned your nickname 'The flash' but that flash of light also served to blind others to your true nature didn't it?

Ironic considering your involvement in initiating the Ragnarök Connection in order to create a world without lies.

Admired for your beauty, kind heart, bravery and known as a sweet and gentle mother; almost everyone who wasn't a arrogant mean spirited noble considered you a saint didn't they? I would have scoffed at the notion if not for the fact that had it not been for my knowledge of Code Geass, I too would have been fallen under your charm, as loath as I am to admit it.

Yes it's all too easy to forget that as a soldier, former Knight of Six, the emperor's favorite wife and willing co-conspirator, you were complicit in spreading Britannia's rigid social hierarchy and the Numbers system. Then there's your treatment of Lelouch and Nunnally.

Those two viewed you as the ideal mother but your love for them was only skin deep, it was akin to that of a child joyfully playing with a toy only to discard it in favor of whatever else caught their attention. In the original timeline, you along with the emperor abandoned them in a warzone without any concern for their well-being, you never once tried to reach out to Lelouch even though you had the ability to do so through C.C., when you were finally reunited with your son you tried emotionally manipulate him into joining you, and when he openly refused you attempted to discipline him and had the utter galls to call him a foolish ungrateful child.

Goodbye Marianne. Know that you did not die in vain. I truly am grateful for the instruction you provided, one that I will be sure to make full use of. You played your part in changing the world for the better by training me. While it is a shame that you didn't live to see the Ragnarok Connection foiled right before your very eyes but in the end you had to go, there could be no other way, you were doomed the moment I decided on your fate.

If it's of any condolences, you will live on in the hearts and memories of those you fooled as undeserving as it is, even as I as well as the rest of the world will carry on with their lives. In fact, considering your original fate you should be grateful that I intervened, at least you will still exist as a spirit in C's world and who knows maybe your husband and brother in law will join and keep you company someday.

When at long last Marianne's funeral service concludes I leave what's left of her in the empty plot of land purposely separated from the other graves as a reminder of your commoner birth.