Disclaimer:...Do I honestly need to explain in intimate detail just how much I don't own Code Geass? Really?

AN: Well, here goes my first shot at a Code Geass story. As with many of my stories, there will be pairings, but most of them will probably be in the background. Warning for those who don't like it: There will be at least one relatively minor yaoi pairing in the story. But the main pairing will be Lelouch and…Well, I guess that would be telling, wouldn't it?

"Talking"

Thought

Time Passage

Area Eleven – Viceroy's Palace, 2013 a.t.b.

This, Clovis decided as he took a small sip of one of the countless fine wines provided to his guests, was truly his area of expertise. Perhaps he wasn't an unmatched strategist like Schneizel or his late brother Lelouch. He certainly wasn't the brilliant pilot that Cornelia was. Nor was he the tight-fisted ruler who commanded respect with his mere presence as Charles zi Britannia, or the naïve but charismatic Odysseus. However, if he wanted to, he could probably convince anyone on the planet who didn't know him personally that he was any of those things. Because regardless of what he might not be, Clovis la Britannia was one hell of an actor.

Which, to be honest, was probably why he thrived in these arrangements when the majority of his still-living siblings tried their hardest to avoid such occasions at all costs. Charles was too busy ruling his empire. Schneizel found the entire idea pointless as a whole. Euphemia was young, and for the moment still didn't quite have a mastery of the proper etiquette for such events (Not that he minded youthful naiveté, as it was what made her one of his most beloved siblings). Guinevere was far too busy trying to buy half of the capital city to care, and Odysseus was too submissive to spend extended periods of times with the "blood-sucking pissants" as Cornelia had become so fond of referring to them in private. And Cornelia, oh Cornelia, only just managed to refrain from gutting each and every one of them for the sake of keeping up the Imperial Family's image.

But Clovis? Clovis was born for this. He blended, he mingled, he consistently maintained a good rapport with everyone, regardless of their views or beliefs, because he could somehow convince two people who were complete opposites that he fully agreed with each of their ideals…and he could do it while speaking to both of them at the same time.

And that's why a certain Duke by the name of Halmond felt comfortable enough to bring up one of his more recent troubles with the Third Prince of Britannia, even in front of his peers. An issue which was quickly noted as being highly accurate by a number of nobles in the room, all of whom had apparently fallen victim to the exact same scenario.

"So you see, Your Highness, I'm not the only one that this child has swindled out of a fair amount of money recently. Yet none of us can seem to find any information on him, and he's beaten every last one of us soundly. My only conclusion is that he must be cheating in some way."

"I see…That's quite interesting."

"I would hate to waste your time, Highness, but I've heard of your skill in the game, and I suppose, well, I was just hoping…"

"That perhaps I could test the boy's skill?" It made perfect sense as far as he was concerned. Schneizel he may not be, but he was still a fair strategist in his own right. He'd yet to encounter anyone outside of his own family that had been able to outmaneuver him in the game.

"Precisely, Lord Clovis. I believe that if anyone could defeat him, cheating or not, it would be you!" This brought about many nods and praises of agreement from the small group of nobles gathered around him, and he reached up to brush a stray lock of hair, the same shade of blonde that had won a number of awards for its beauty in both Britannia and Area Eleven (A fact he rarely allowed to go unmentioned at important social gatherings), from his eyes with a wide, smug smirk.

"Well, I suppose I could make the time." He did have an appointment with a Duke this week that, through a coincidental twist of fate, had been canceled when the man had come down with a particularly nasty virus. Having only just received word of the unfortunate turn just the previous afternoon, he had yet to set up any further arrangements, so this could very well be an opportunity to take some time off purely for his own entertainment. "I do believe I have a moment this coming Tuesday at three o' clock, so if you would not mind making the arrangements, I would like to meet this young swindler of yours."

"Oh, thank you Your Highness! Perhaps now that boy will finally be forced to admit to his underhanded actions!" After all, no one would attempt to cheat a Britannian Prince, especially one of Clovis's standing, right?

"Man, I love setting you up to play these nobles! I can't believe that this one actually wants a rematch. I guess he thought it was a fluke or something." Rivalz chattered from the seat of his motorcycle, as Lelouch gazed across the people passing by, uninterested as ever, from the sidecar.

"Probably." Or he assumed that I was cheating, and thought he could beat me this time around. Or he's contacted someone that he knows is a better player than himself to act as his substitute. Or-

"You're doing that thing again, aren't you?"

"Hm?" Thing?

"Yeah, you know, that thing where you space out and start thinking up a bunch of different possibilities? The one that you keep doing no matter how many times we all tell you you're just being paranoid?"

"…Maybe." Do they really? I suppose I didn't notice.

"Aaaand I'm guessing you haven't noticed it at all. That figures. Well either way, we're about to make some serious cash today, right Lelouch? I mean the guy's a Duke! I thought we'd have to wait a couple years before we could go for him again!" They pulled to a stop, just a block from the manor where they would be meeting his opponent, or "victim" as Shirley and Milly would occasionally put it, and began making their way through the lightly crowded streets.

"Assuming nothing goes wrong."

"Oh, please. As if anything could ever go wrong in a game of chess when you're the one playing. And don't start doing that thing again! I can't remember the last time somebody beat you. Heck, I can't remember the last time anyone even got close to beating you. You're like a chess wizard or something."

"Expect everything or expect nothing. Whichever you choose, you'll never be surprised by the results."

"Lemme guess, you always expect everything, right?"

"I try."

"You do."

"Perhaps."

They arrived, and a kind but clearly displeased butler was waiting at the door, obviously unhappy with something that the master of the home had been doing. However, there was a glint of amusement in his eyes as the elderly man greeted the two boys.

"Ah, so the young sirs have arrived."

"Hope we didn't keep ya." The butler barely resisted the urge to break protocol and smirk at the lighter-haired boy. It wasn't often that he had the pleasure of watch his employer fume and sputter after being completely overwhelmed in a game that he fancied himself a master of, and by a child no less!

"Of course not, young sirs. His Lordship only just returned from his afternoon meal, and is waiting in his study." And with that, he began to lead them through the large manor towards the room where Duke Halmond had met his humiliating defeat during their last visit.

"Alright! Ready to line our pockets again, Lulu?"

"Don't call me that, Rivalz."

"But you always let the Shirley and Miss President say it!"

"I don't 'let' Milly do anything. And Shirley…" Honestly, who could get mad at Shirley? She might be just as strange as all of the other girls at Ashford Academy, but she was just too sweet for him to stay angry at. Even if she did tend to use that horrid nickname that all of his friends somehow heard about.

"Ah, lady troubles I take it?"

"Lady troubles my foot! Lul-" He stopped at the glare. "I-I mean Lelouch! Lelouch doesn't have any 'girl troubles' at all. His only girl troubles are getting away from the hordes of fangirls that practically jump him in the halls! It's a load of bull! Here I am, working myself to the bones to get one girl, and this guy gets the whole darn school just for sitting around and skipping out on gym class!"

"I was referring to you, young sir."

"…Oh." He deflated at the revelation. He deflated a bit more when he realized that the slight shaking in Lelouch's shoulders was, more likely than not, the result of barely-restrained chuckling. He let out a sigh and held up a hand, waving dismissively as they entered the room to find the Duke standing next to the small, albeit clearly costly, table adorned with an equally expensive-looking chess set. But that wasn't what caught his eye. No, what drew Rivalz's attention was the other man standing in the room. The all-too-familiar Britannian Prince that consistently appeared on the news.

And suddenly, Rivalz had a very, very bad feeling in the depths of his gut as he realized that this was why the Duke had claimed to want a rematch. They weren't going to be playing him. They were going to be up against a Prince of Britannia. He expected Lelouch to play against someone who could probably have them executed with a snap of his fingers, no matter their rank or status. And they didn't exactly have a lot going for them in that department to begin with.

"Hey Lelouch, suddenly I'm not feeling too well. Maybe we should just go…Lelouch? Hey, Lelouch?" Looking over to his friend, he froze. He had never seen that look on his best friend's face. Ever. The closest he'd ever come to seeing such a combination of shock, fear, and absolute rage on the charcoal-haired boy's face had been when a particularly foolish student had made the mistake of insulting Nunnally in front of them, and Milly had quickly dealt with that situation before Lelouch could try anything.

His confusion, as well as that of the Duke and his butler, increased tenfold when they turned to see that the Third Prince held an expression that was almost identical to the student's, the only change being that his lacked the sheer loathing of the younger boy's.

None of the room's occupants could have been prepared for what followed.

"L-L-Lelouch! Is it really you!? Is it really you, little brother!?" And with that, Lelouch seemed to gain control of himself, the only remnants of his uncharacteristically open expression being the slight narrowing of his eyes.

"Clovis."

AN: Well, as always, I'd love to hear what any of my readers might think, so feel free to review, pm, or drop by my forums.

On a side note, since I've gotten several questions about it, yes, Rivalz is driving a motorcycle at age thirteen. And yes, the particular reason why he's still doing so will be addressed in a future chapter. A future chapter in which Rivalz, the unfortunate fall guy/sidekick, is having a really, really bad day. But that's for another time. Until then, hope you enjoy the story!