Chapter 1: Return of the Black prince

Kamine Island

Standing outside the Thought Elevator upon Kamine Island, Lelouch's emotions were in turmoil. He should be celebrating, finally destroying his father, his mother, and ending their twisted attempt at salvation, the Ragnarok Connection. But the price paid... Shirley, Euphemia, Rolo, even his own sister Nunnally. He now sat alone, shunned, hated and exiled from the very organization he founded, his 'Black Knights.'

"Lelouch."

Speaking of betrayal, the voice of his first true friend Suzaku Kururugi pulled him back from his mourning. The very bane of his existence, the modern image of Judas and the man responsible for not only the death of almost the entire Tokyo Settlement, but also the true reason for his rebellion, his existence, Nunnally.

"What will you do now?" He asked, traces of tension on his tone.

The question also brought the third person in their little group to a halt. His green haired immortal witch C.C, took notice of Suzaku's stiff posture and immediately readied herself to act should anything happen between the so called 'White Knight' and her Warlock. She already lost her contractor once because of him and over her immortal body it she wouldn't lose him again.

As for the Warlock himself, he remained quiet. Slowly, he turned to face his oldest friend, his purple eyes flared with malice, his infamous crimson Geass burning with spite. With one glance into his eyes, the fearless knight of Britannia felt chills down spine. It was like the Demon himself was peering into his very soul, judging, mocking. Though for all his eyes conveyed, the prince's face was a blank canvas, hiding the flurry of emotions threatening to tear themselves free from their confines, and strike the cursed knight down where he stood.

Maybe he should call Sir Gottwald, just to remove his damning 'live' command, the only thing that stood between Suzaku and suicide, and watch him take his own life. But said knight didn't even know he was still, alive, and if he did, he would be too busy avoiding capture from the traitorous Black Knights. Meaning revenge wasn't an option, yet.

So he did the only thing he could, and shrugged. "What I do now doesn't concern you, Sir Kururugi." he spat over his shoulder as he made his way to C.C and the exit, before being stopped once again, only this time by the tip of the knight's sword.

"And here I thought you would finally show some regret for all the things that you've done, but it seems that you can't. You're still the 'Enemy of the World,' Lelouch, and the one who killed Euphie!"

"And?" Lelouch simply asked, apathy masking the shame he still felt for that colossal, costly failure. "If that's all you had to say, I'm leaving"

Lelouch detached response only served to enrage the knight further. "Do you really think I'll allow that?! I loved her! She was my light, my hope for a better and gentler world but you, you monster, killed her. You took her from me! I should've done this the very first time we met on this accursed Island, but now, your life end's here, Lelouch!" And without another word the traitorous Knight lunged forward, his sword seeing only the prince before him.

Such focus caused him to forget the other occupant of the cave, who decided she had had quite enough with the 'naive child.' In the blink of an eye, C.C made her move and flashed behind the Knight of Seven, before landing a crushing strike on the back of his neck. The blow caused him to lose consciousness and drop his sword, which bounced off the cave floor with a resonating clang, shocking her contractor into silence. With that she turned on her heels and took the hand of the still stunned Lelouch, and dragged the former prince out of the cave, while he stumbled numbly, deep in thought. His first true friend had tried to kill him again, and he was in turn saved once again by the only woman who, he realised, had stood with him from the beginning.

This strange girl, who would pick him up from his lowest moments, yet could once again ground him should he fly too high. The only one who had never betrayed him, even regardless of their contract. And though she may put up an air of indifference, Lelouch was coming to see that under that hardened shell, was a girl so much kinder than anyone would ever believe. And with that, he finally realised that she was so much more to him than just as an accomplice in his rebellion.

And glancing over his shoulder he saw the other side of the coin. Suzaku, who had once been the greatest friend, but their relationship had only worsened after Shinjuku. The man who vouched to change the corrupt Britannia from within and despised contemptible means. Yet he was the man who killed his own father, betrayed his country and even used people he called his friends as stepping stones for his own success. At long last, Lelouch was forced to see the ugly truth: the Suzaku Kururugi he'd once known died long ago, and this shell was all that remained.

Therefore, with one last look back at the cave, he finally let their past go and with it, all the regrets he carried concerning the man he once called a friend.

The world outside was considerably quieter than when Lelouch had gone inside. It wasn't hard to see that his little rebellion of Geass slave soldiers had been wiped out by Bismarck and his Allies. Overhead, Emperor Charles' Flagship The Great Britannia cruises alongside the Black Knight's flagship, Ikaruga.

'If I needed any further proof that my soldiers are now the puppets of my snake of a brother.' Lelouch was cut on his thought when she was called by his witch. "So what do we do now that Charles and your Mother are gone. Don't tell me that because you got what you want, you'll discard our contract?"

Her question brought forth a strange feeling in the young man. Where to go? What could they do? For the first time in over seven years, Lelouch was without direction. His immediate goal had finally been achieved, and much sooner than he ever anticipated. And even if he did have a plan he was without supporters, as the Black Knights wanted him dead and had likely reported Zero dead as well, cutting that avenue off. All he had was a single knightmare frame, an immortal witch and his Geass...

Suddenly, Lelouch's mind started to work and he felt the beginnings of a grand idea take hold. As it moulded itself and twisted its way into a full blown scenario, Lelouch noted that it featured C.C. quite prominently. His confidant that had stayed by his side this entire time, now that he truly considered it, was someone that he truly desired and was prepared to fight for to , for once he answered with his actions, and abandoned his precious logic.

Reaching out, he wrapped his witch in his arms and pulled her close. He felt a twitch of satisfaction seeing the ever unflappable C.C. suddenly let out a little squeak of shock causing her to blush and him to laugh. But he wasn't done yet as he parted the lime green bangs that hid her Code mark, and placed a gentle kiss right on top of it, hoping to make his intentions clear.

"My Witch," he began, affectionately with a touch of mockin, "Do you think so little of me? I promised you a life worth smiling for, and I fully intend to fulfil that." To prove his point he tightened the embrace, and was gratified when he felt her relax slightly and loosely wrap her arms around his waist. The feelings she aroused in him him confirmed his earlier hypothesis was correct: He wanted her, not just as an advisor but as a woman...his woman.

That said, he still needed to hear it from her. "And you, C.C.? Will you stay with me? Not just for my newest schemes but after that... Will you stay with me today, tomorrow, and all days after that until the very end of time itself?"

He was fully aware of how that sounded, what it implied, but it had to be said. After a moment, without raising her head, she sighed. "Lelouch...you really are a stupid boy." For a moment he felt dread begin to set in, a dark fear that she was about to abandon him took hold and he unconsciously tightened his grip around her, for all the good it would do him. At last she lifted her face to look him in the eye, revealing a smile full of mischief and eyes filled with...he dared to hope... affection. "You're a fool to think I wouldn't." She admonished him. "I told you, I'll follow you through hell if necessary. And about staying with you forever, how's this for an adequate response?"

Before he knew what she was doing, C.C. had taken his face in her hands and brought it down so his lips could meet hers. The kiss was chaste and innocent, but for them it was as precious as anything. This was the first time a kiss between them had been initiated because of mutual desire - not an act of encouragement, or the breaking of a mystical seal - and in it lay a promise. Their new contract.

They parted slowly, but now there was a pulsating desire between them, and a certainty that there would be more to come, so much more. With that silent want between them now spoken, the witch and warlock just stood there together wrapped in each other's arms, until Lelouch reluctantly broke the embrace, though he kept an arm possessively wrapped around her waist.

"Very well then, in that case we should make all speed up to Pendragon."

"The capital?" C.C blinked at him, curious. "Why would you like to go there?"

A very familiar grin suddenly appear on Lelouch's face as they resumed their leisurely walk. "Well as far as I know, it's bad for the Emperor and the Empress to miss their coronation..."

One Month Later. Pendragon

The great throne room of the most powerful person on the entire planet was filled to its capacity. Almost every royal, noble and scion of the realm had been called into attendance by command of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor after over a month of silence. Why he'd been so quiet for so long no one could fathom, but today he was to give a statement to the whole empire once more. The contents of his statement, however, remained a mystery. There were rumors from the attending nobles concerning a new Empress, since next to the throne of the Emperor, sat a second throne just to it's right. It was almost 9 years since the last Empress died in the assassination, though that was not common knowledge. And should the rumours be true, it carried some worrying implications for those attending.

Looking around the vast hall, it was clear to some of the more astute nobles that several key members of court were missing. For starters, Sir Bismarck Waldstein, the Knight of One and the emperor's personal bodyguard, was nowhere to be found. The last time anyone had heard from him was over a month ago when he'd announced the emperor had gone missing. But if he'd returned then why was Bismarck still not present?

Possibly even more important and therefore worrying was the lack of attendance of 2nd Prince Schneizel. As the presumptive heir, not to mention Prime Minister of Britannia, things didn't look good if he was missing. Even more worryingly was the fact that he'd been missing almost as long as the emperor, leading many in the nobility to suspect his involvement in his father's sudden disappearance.

Princesses Cornelia and Marrybell were also absent, though this was far less concerning for those in attendance. Both of them were soldiers and therefore much more easily explained. After all, Cornelia had thrown away any claim to the throne when she went off on a fool's errand to prove her sister Euphemia's innocence for the massacre of the Special Administrated Zone of Japan.

All speculation fell silent however when a royal guard stepped forward and announced, "Presenting Their Majesties, The Emperor and Empress of Britannia!"

Everyone froze to attention, awaiting the ominous arrival of the most powerful couple in the world. Though when the couple emerged, they were in for quite a shock.

Inside the Bridge of the Ikaruga

The entire command cadre of the Black Knights stared at the large monitor before them, shock and terror running through their systems as the Emperor and his Empress sat himself down.

"How..." Kallen was the only one who was able to say a phrase, and even then was an effort. "How did they manage...?"

Pendragon

The man taking his seat in the Emperor's throne was not the tall imposing figure of the 98th Emperor Charles Zi Britannia, nor was it the charming, silver-tongued 'White King,' Schneizel el Britannia. Instead a ghost himself sat before them, dressed in the garb of Zero, the 'Greatest Enemy' of Britannia second only to Napoleon Bonaparte himself. But the surprise didn't stop there as they heard a sound akin to a lock being released, and Zero removed his infamous mask in front of the entire royal court. The face of the long believed dead Prince of Britannia, and the son of late 5th Consort Empress Marianne vi Britannia; Lelouch vi Britannia.

"Impossible." Carine voiced the thought of the many who staring at this unexpected return. "Lelouch, is that really you?" asked 1st Princess Guinevere de Britannia. The Black Prince glanced over at her, allowing an arrogant smirk to crawl across his face, "Yes, indeed it is me, sister. I have returned from the depths of hell intact, now prepared to begin my duties as 99th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire."

His announcement was met with the beginnings of low muttering that threatened to turn into outcries of incredulity, however, before the voices could crescendo, the measured Odysseus quickly stepped forward. "Lelouch, it gladdens me to see you alive and well. When Nunnally was found, we began to hope that you would be discovered to. But now, don't you think this little joke's gone on far enough? That's the seat of the emperor, our fath-"

"Charles Zi Britannia, 98th Emperor, is dead." Lelouch cut in, silencing the entire hall - and indeed the rest of the world as well - at once. "And I am the one who took his life. Therefore, by the rites of conquest, that makes me the new Emperor of Britannia!"

The mood of the assembled aristocracy suddenly changed again, going from shock and disbelief to outright fury. How dare this little upstart try to worm his way into power?!

"Guards!" Guinevere called, "Seize this murderer at once!"

A detachment immediately rushed to carry out her commands, their loyalty to Emperor Charles even now burning with a righteous fire. However they never got anywhere near the upstart emperor. Before they could even set foot on the first step leading up to dias, something descended from above, striking down on the halberds wielded by the guards, sending their blades flying off and embedding themselves in between them and this new assailant.

"HOW DARE YOU RAISE YOUR HANDS IN DEFIANCE TO HIS MAJESTY?!" barked the madly loyal cyborg as he landed, standing straight and glaring down on upon them. However, if one looked closely they would notice he was glaring directly into the lens of the camera that was broadcasting this drama worldwide. "I advise you all to hide yourselves away and pray for mercy, for none are safe from the might and loyalty of Jeremiah Gottwald!"

Such a display had the nobility freeze up again as the man himself took up a defensive position on Lelouch's right. The prince himself just chuckled before waving his hand at his servant. "I suppose introductions are unnecessary now, but for the sake of principle allow me to introduce you all to Jeremiah Gottwald, captain of my royal guard." Gesturing his left hand to the person silently sitting beside him he continued. "And to my beautiful wife, 99th Empress Cera ce Britannia! " the green haired witch only blushed at the way his warlock introduced her.

His words seemed to carry some unspoken command, as suddenly behind him ten additional figures descended. Dressed in scarlet robes and wearing pointed helmets they were a foreboding visage to behold, made even more so by the fact that their faces were completely masked by imposing black visors. They too moved in front of their master to defend him, now outnumbering the guards who had tried to assault their master.

For even the slowest of individuals now it was clear what was going on; this was a usurpation of the throne, and Lelouch had done it without even trying.

"Lelouch, please," Odysseus tried again, hoping to end this foolishness before it got out of hand. "This simply won't do. Pulling a stunt like this on an international broadcast-"

"Is that so?" Lelouch asked, once again cutting his brother off, before standing up and walking forward so that he was in front of his faceless guards. "Then let me make this simple enough for you all to understand." And then he reached up and pulled away the purple contact lenses that kept his Geass at bay. "Now, acknowledge me and my wife as Emperor and Empress!"

"Lelouch," the crown prince tried one last time to reason with his little brother, "I must insist that you stop joking around and-" but it was too late. Lelouch had set his gaze upon the entire hall, taking the minds of every one of the nobility. A moment later, Odysseus snapped to attention with a frantically loyal grin. "We hear and obey, Your Majesty!"

"All Hail The Emperor and The Empress!" His sisters uttered, hands on their hearts.

"All Hail Lelouch! All Hail Cera!" The rows behind them chanted.

"ALL HAIL LELOUCH! ALL HAIL CERA!" The 99th Emperor grinned evilly at his new subjects' unquestioning loyalty to both of them and their unending vision.

A/N: Revised Edition. Thank you for my Beta Reader Aenarion the White for correcting my grammar mistakes and other Errors