Author's Notes - Hello, I'm Sherby, and this is my first Code Geass fanfic! (Well, on here, it's my first fanfic in general, but... xDD)

Yes, this is another one of those stupid "HOMFG LULU'S ALIVE!1one!" fanfics. But this is my personal take on how everything would've happened if Lelouch did get a Code. I have combined intelligent theories, speculations, and suggestions from friends into what I believe would be the most reasonable chain of events to come after the Zero Requiem.

This is only a three-part story. However, if people love it enough and insist on me keeping it going, I will. But I doubt it, since I don't have many ideas on what would happen if the story continued!

I hope that you guys enjoy this! And feel free to comment and criticize! (But please don't make it too harsh, lol!)

EDIT (6/24/10): Looking back on this, I feel like my writing has significantly improved from when I first wrote this. So, I've taken the liberty of editing a few parts to sound better, flow better, and to make more sense. I hope this sucks less! xD

Blood began oozing onto the floor and into his royal white clothing, forever tainting them both with a sickly red. His sister Nunnally, wearing clothing befitting of a slave, was right beside him, holding his cold hand and beginning to cry. Millions of people around the world watched the scene unfold in silence, in person or on a television screen. His face was ashen and pale, but it held a sad smile. He knew that Nunnally was worried about him, and this saddened him somewhat. He knew that she was asking herself, 'why is this all happening?'

This was because the 99th emperor of Britannia, Lelouch vi Britannia, was dying.

But his death was what was needed to create the better world that he had desired for so long. A huge price to pay for the rest of the world. As his now lifeless eyes began to close, he could feel Nunnally gripping his hand tighter. "Oh big brother, I love you!" she cried. And at this moment, Lelouch began to muster up what little strength he had left to say his final words to his darling sister. "Yes, I…I destroyed…the world…and created…a new…"

And he slipped away.

As Nunnally's bawling grew fainter, Lelouch could feel himself being lifted upward. Well, he supposed that "feel" wouldn't be the right word to describe this sensation. After all, he was now dead, right? Either way, he knew that he was leaving his body and this world, and entering a new, peaceful place.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in C's World.

He noticed that it looked almost the same as it did when it did when C.C. had transported him there. Except that this time, there were no picture frames with images of C.C.'s memories inside. In their place were what appeared to be images of various places around the world. Lelouch wondered if they were there so the deceased could watch over their loved ones.

"Lelouch!"

Lelouch's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a familiar voice call his name, a feminine voice he hadn't heard since that infamous massacre a year ago. He quickly turned towards the direction of the sound. He saw Princess Euphemia li Britannia, whom he'd shot and killed. However, she didn't seem the least bit upset when she saw him. In fact, her voice was cheerful and her pink lips were curved upwards into a smile.

Surrounding Euphemia were two other familiar figures who were also deceased. One of them was Shirley Fenette, who upon seeing Lelouch again, smiled brightly. The other was Rolo Lamperouge, who seemed delighted to see his "big brother" also.

Lelouch smiled back at the three. There was another bright side about his death after all; He got to see the loved ones whom he'd lost once again. But before Lelouch could give the trio a proper greeting, Shirley ran over to him and happily shouted, "Lulu!" before hugging him tightly. Lelouch let out a small chuckle as he hugged Shirley back.

"It's great to see you again, Lelouch!" Euphemia said to him gladly as she walked up to him with Rolo next to her. "Yeah! I…erm, we missed you so much!" Shirley added, quickly correcting her statement. Rolo nodded his head. "We've been watching the Zero Requiem, big brother," he told Lelouch, "and we think your sacrifice was pretty amazing!"

As Lelouch listened to his friends' joyful words, he couldn't help but wonder something. Why wasn't Euphie disappointed at him for shooting her? And why did Shirley and Rolo seem like good friends when Rolo had killed Shirley? I suppose that in this peaceful world, he figured, the only thing you can really do is forgive.

"Yeah," Lelouch replied with a smile, "it's great to be here with you all again!" Now, he knew that his being dead would be better than he had originally thought.

Closed eyes. Pale face. Blood seeping through his clothes.

Jeremiah Gottwald didn't enjoy seeing Lelouch, the son of Marianne, lifeless and dead, especially in such a gory manner. But, he remembered that Lelouch's bloodshed had actually brought peace and happiness to the world. He smiled down at the corpse. You did all of this for a good reason, Your Majesty… he thought.

Since everyone had left the scene a while ago, it was Jeremiah's duty as a part of Lelouch's trusted personnel to bring Lelouch's corpse to a Britannian funeral home. He supposed that it was only traditional for a deceased Britannian monarch to have a proper funeral, just as Clovis and the others had. Even if no one would want to attend the funeral of a tyrannical emperor (but would be required to nonetheless), Jeremiah thought that it was what Lelouch probably would have wanted.

Shoving those thoughts aside, he carried Lelouch's body in his arms as he walked towards his vehicle. He carefully lay the bloody emperor onto the back seat before heading towards the driver's seat.

Once inside the car, Jeremiah took a moment to look at his arms and hands. They were now stained with blood. Lelouch's blood. Jeremiah sighed. His feelings about Lelouch's death were mixed at the moment. He was saddened that Marianne's son was dead now, but at the same time, he was happy that her son had made such a noble sacrifice.

He didn't want to think about the problem too much, since he knew he couldn't let his feelings get in the way of his duties. With that thought in mind, he then turned the vehicle's ignition on and quickly drove away from the area.

But, as Jeremiah was driving, he could have sworn that he saw a bright light out of the corner of his eye. And it was coming from the back of the car.

"…and I thought that this place wasn't anything like I thought it'd be, but I still felt happy and calm!"

"Is that so?"

Lelouch let out a small chuckle as he listened to Shirley's story about when she first came into C's World. He was walking down one of the hallways surrounded by picture frames, alongside Euphemia, Shirley, and Rolo. He didn't necessarily get a chance to actually walk around C's World and observe it the first time he'd been there. But, now that he was, he was beginning to love it more and more. Who knew that the afterlife could be so pleasant?

"This place really is wonderful, Lelouch," Euphemia added cheerfully. "We don't have to go through the agony of war or any other world issue that we had to face. None of that exists here! We can finally be carefree and happy!"

Lelouch smiled at his half-sister. "You're right, I really do love it h - !"

He suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing Euphie, Shirley, and Rolo to glance back at him and ask what was wrong. Lelouch suddenly felt…strange. He couldn't describe the sensation, but he knew that something was wrong. But, what?

Suddenly, before he could delve into the problem further, Lelouch felt himself sinking. Shocked, he looked down. To his surprise, he could see his legs descending through the floors of C's World.

"W-What the hell!" he shouted as he continued to sink. What's going on here? he asked himself in a panic. And why isn't any of this happening to the others!

Euphemia let out a startled gasp at the sight. "What's happening?" she asked nervously.

"Is he being sent back to Earth or something?" Rolo wondered out loud, obviously concerned as well.

"L-Lulu!" Shirley cried out. Her feelings about the situation appeared to be the strongest.

At this point, the lower half of Lelouch's body, as well as half of his torso, were completely submerged. As he sank, Lelouch struggled to get back up, but he just couldn't stop whatever mysterious force was trying to drag him down. He didn't want to leave C's World! He had just gotten there!

Immediately, Shirley grabbed Lelouch's hand and began to pull. Euphie and Rolo quickly joined her, trying their hardest to keep Lelouch from being submerged any further.

Unfortunately, their efforts were futile. Their hands slipped, and Lelouch let out a loud scream before disappearing through the floor completely.

"Lelouch!" He could hear his friends call out for him one more time, their voices ringing in his ears. He felt himself falling. Fast. Thoughts of confusion and panic whirled through his head as he made futile efforts to try and reach his deceased companions in C's World.

And suddenly, he opened his eyes.

Lelouch quickly sat up, gasping for the air that he hadn't breathed for a brief moment.

Wait…breathing…he was breathing?

Lelouch quickly looked around. He was in the backseat of someone's car. Jeremiah, who had whirled his head around towards him, was apparently the driver. As the car came to an abrupt stop, Lelouch frantically felt around his bloodstained robe for his heart. Much to his dismay, he could feel a quick heartbeat through the fabric.

I'm alive? Lelouch thought, utterly confused. He had just gotten killed a while ago, and now, suddenly, he had a pulse. This was impossible!

With that thought, he felt around on his torso, expecting to feel an open wound. But, he didn't feel anything other than his now warm body. Just how could it have possibly healed so quickly?

At this point, Lelouch was certain that he was alive. He didn't know how, but he was definitely alive. Lelouch let out a loud, angry grunt as he rested his elbows on his knees, holding his head. How the hell am I alive? he asked himself, violet eyes wide open in panic. I should be dead right now! Otherwise, the Zero Requiem will have been for nothing! My sacrifice would be meaningless!

"Master Lelouch? Impossible!" he heard Jeremiah exclaim in utter shock. Lelouch looked back up at the driver, anger and alarm clearly seen on his face. "Jeremiah, I - !" he started. But he was interrupted when he caught his reflection in Jeremiah's rear view mirror.

And right on his forehead was a Geass sigil.

Lelouch's eyes widened in horror. That sigil hadn't been on his forehead before!

He then remembered seeing the same sigil on C.C.'s forehead, as well as on the palm of his father's hand. And the common trait that the two had shared before was that they were both immortals who had a Code.

Realizing this fact, Lelouch began to tremble with rage and panic. "I'm…I'm immortal?" he yelled. "This can't be! I'm supposed to be dead!"

Jeremiah's eyes widened. "Your Majesty…" Lelouch heard him murmur.

C.C.! Lelouch thought angrily as his hands clenched into tight fists. That witch gave this Code to me, didn't she? He wanted to confront C.C. about the situation immediately. Unfortunately for him, he didn't know where the witch was.

But suddenly, as if on cue, Lelouch knew where C.C. was. She was in a church that wasn't too far from where Lelouch and Jeremiah were. Was this one of the abilities that Code-bearers had? Sensing others?

Immediately, Lelouch looked over at the stunned Jeremiah. "Jeremiah, drive me to the local Catholic church!" he ordered.

Jeremiah seemed to be even more confused. "May I ask why?" he asked with some hesitation in his voice.

"Just do it!" shouted Lelouch. Jeremiah paused, his face clearly expressing concern for the young man. But he soon turned forward and started the car again as he said, "As you wish, Your Majesty. But please, stay down. Someone might see you…"

C.C. wiped the last of her tears away as she left the church. She had been praying in that building, praying for Lelouch, for his Zero Requiem had happened earlier that day. As she began walking forward, she mulled over her deceased partner. She knew that Lelouch had died for the sake of the entire world. But she had to admit, she was going to miss being his comrade.

C.C. stopped herself. She remembered what Kallen had asked her during their battle.

'Do you love Lelouch?'

She sighed. Even two months after Kallen had asked her that question, she still didn't quite know the answer yet. Although, she had been crying for Lelouch back in the church. "…Am I starting to truly care about him?" she asked herself.

C.C.'s thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a vehicle drove up to the church. She watched as Jeremiah Gottwald, the commander of the Britannian army, stepped out of it and walked towards her. C.C. was slightly confused. Why was Jeremiah picking her up, and how did he even know where she was? Judging from his facial expression, Jeremiah appeared to be hesitant and nervous. She wondered why.

Once Jeremiah got close enough to C.C., he simply said to her, "Master Lelouch requests your presence in the car, Miss C.C."

C.C. perked up, her eyes slightly widening. "Lelouch? How…?" she asked, surprised. She knew that Lelouch's death had taken place only moments before. If he truly was dead, then what was Jeremiah talking about?

She followed Jeremiah to the car. As the cyborg stepped into the driver's seat, C.C. carefully opened the door to the back seat, preparing herself for what could be inside.

Inside was Lelouch. His robe was bloodstained, but he didn't look dead. In fact, he looked very much alive. C.C. was shocked. Lelouch? she thought, staring at Lelouch. But…why isn't he dead?

C.C. carefully stepped into the car, continuing to stare in astonishment at Lelouch, and closed the door behind her. But before she could do anything else, she felt someone grab at her sleeve tightly and pull. It was Lelouch, and he was looking at her with sheer anger.

"C.C.!" he yelled. "What did you do to me? Why am I alive? Explain yourself!"

C.C. paused, her mouth slightly open. She diverted her attention away from Lelouch's furious violet eyes and spotted something peculiar on his forehead. Strangely enough, it looked like a Geass sigil. The same one Code-bearers had.

C.C.'s face shifted to a calmer expression. So, he was immortal now. She didn't know how, but now, he was destined to live eternally as she was. Well, that does answer one question… she thought to herself as the car started to move.

"I don't know, Lelouch," C.C. answered calmly. But her answer didn't sit too well with the young man grabbing her sleeve.

"Then how do explain this thing?" Lelouch asked her furiously, pointing to the Geass sigil on his forehead.

C.C. then moved her arm away from Lelouch's grasp, shifting towards the window. "I'm telling you, I don't know." she told him, still remaining calm. "I have absolutely no idea how you could've gotten a Code."

C.C. noticed that Lelouch was tightening his hands into fists. "Dammit, C.C.!" he yelled, "If I'm not dead, then what point does the Zero Requiem have anymore? I needed to make a true sacrifice to change the world, and the world can't change if I can't die!" Lelouch let out an irritated grunt before leaning over, putting his elbows on his knees and holding his head.

C.C. sighed. Clearly, the boy was blowing the situation out of proportion. He's so dramatic… she thought to herself.

"People already believe that you're dead, isn't that enough?" she asked him calmly, looking out the window.

"But I'm supposed to be dead! It isn't enough for the world to believe an absolute lie!" Lelouch told her, rage still clearly in his voice.

He then leaned towards his window, his fists still balled up tightly. However, despite his anger, he seemed careful enough to shift his position so no one could see him through the window.

C.C. took a moment to glance at Lelouch. His attention had clearly shifted to somewhere else. Either that, or he was just too stubborn to want to listen to her anymore. She sighed quietly before looking out her window again.

After a few minutes of silence, an idea eventually formed in C.C.'s head. She turned her attention towards Lelouch, who was still ominously brooding.

"I think I might have an idea as to how you got your Code, Lelouch." she told him.

"….What is it?" Lelouch replied, venom still in his voice.

"Do you remember when we defeated Charles and Marianne in the Sword of Akasha?" C.C. asked. "And as the gods were dissolving the two from existence, Charles tried to strangle you?"

"Yeah. What about it?"

"I noticed that Charles was trying to choke you with his right hand, the hand that had the Geass sigil on it. Maybe that had something to do with your Code."

"You're suggesting that my father gave it to me somehow?"

"Yes. Perhaps Charles gave it to you on purpose so that you could feel the pain of immortality, or maybe his Code was 'alive' and needed a new host."

"I don't believe you."

"Why not?"

"Those are the most ridiculous theories I've ever heard!" Lelouch growled out.

C.C. glanced back out the window. "Do you honestly expect me to fully know every little thing about Codes, Lelouch?"

"You've been alive long enough to find out." Lelouch said bitterly.

C.C. paused. "Do you think you can come up with a better theory?" she asked him, glimpsing at him briefly.

Lelouch didn't say a word. Instead, he simply continued staring out the window, his eyebrows sharply slanted downward. With taciturnity as his only reply, C.C. stared out the window once again, filling the vehicle with even more uncomfortable silence as it continued driving to Lelouch's palace.