Disclaimer: Code Geass does not, in any way, shape or form, belong to me.

Author's Note the First:

*This will have romance, probably C.C. x Lelouch, and who knows what else. Yeah, so if anyone's into that...

**Also, I don't mind divulging, and if you haven't already deduced from the summary, this story will contain the effects of amnesia. If anyone has read the really terrible first version of this story, you already know that. I dunno if this is a cliché kind of plot. I feel it definitely would be in other fandoms, but I genuinely haven't found any stories in this one, hence this. Well, obviously aside from the brief stints in the actual canon anime...

(important) Author's Note the Second: So, I have decided to revamp this story. It's existence is shameful but I don't want to delete it completely, so I'm doing the next best thing. I cannot guarantee it will go any further than it has in terms of plot, but I will do my best with the limited time I have. I would like to think that after almost four years (happy new year, by the way), my writing has improved marginally. At least, I hope my style has matured, if only slightly. But, alas, that will be for you to judge and me to cry over.

Even glancing over what I had written before was excruciatingly painful, so expect big changes (if they come ^^).

And to get out of the way, I am not satisfied with the title, either, so that may change. If anyone has any suggestions...?

Anyway, onwards...and please don't hesitate to point out any mistakes, which I would be more than happy to correct. [dated: Jan. 02, 2014]

Prologue

The whole world held its breath as the masked hero's sword descended upon its target, ready to deal out a final punishment in the name of justice and freedom. The Demon Emperor stood before his executioner, a serene smile gracing his lips.

Down below, there was uproar.

Amidst the cries and shouts of the crowd, Kallen Kozuki could barely hear herself think. She'd felt the initial confusion as Zero appeared, then the dawning realization as everything fell into place. Of course. This was his grand finale. You never do things halfway, huh?

When Kallen first joined the resistance, she fought for her people and for her family but when Zero took the reins, he led them onto the world stage as the Black Knights, fighting for a greater cause. She followed him without regrets; Zero was the one she would willingly give her life for. She'd thought about the person behind the mask but time and again, she would come to the conclusion that it didn't matter. He was a symbol of justice and he performed miracles for them; he was a worthy leader in Kallen's eyes. Oh, how easily those illusions fell away when the mask fell away to reveal a youthful Britannian face. But Zero returned and the Black Knights reunited, until the final betrayal.

Who are you really, Lelouch? Emperor of Britannia, Zero of the Black Knights, banished prince? Ashford Academy's student council vice-president and resident prince charming? Nunnally's big brother?

One thing Kallen knew for sure, though. When Tohdoh tried to voice the true identity of the second Zero, she cut him off.

"It's Zero." Lelouch's Zero, without a doubt. The black-clad figure stood tall and proud, the ceremonial sword still wet with the emperor's blood. At his feet, Nunnally screamed out her anguish, a horrible sound that made Kallen's heart ache.

The tyrant who suppressed the world had finally fallen. Kallen thought about the people he was leaving behind as the tears started to flow. She thought about the boy she had met at the Academy, quiet and refined. She thought about the masked man, bold and charismatic. She thought of the young man, his gaze desperately lost as he watched his fake little brother, and of his lonely eyes as a syringe hung between loose fingers. She thought of long sweeping robes as he walked past, regal and detached – she remembered the feel of his lips, unmoving, beneath hers.

In the end, she cried for Lelouch Lamperouge, the friend they had all lost.

Hidden by the symbolic mask, Suzaku Kururugi wished for the day to end.

Somewhere quiet, a witch's tears fell to the ground and Lelouch vi Britannia closed his eyes.