Rebel Against the Night
by
CrossoverManiac
Code Geass is owned by Sunrise, Inc. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is owned by Hasbro and created by Lauren Faust. This is a fan-based work not intended for commercial purposes. Character thoughts are italics.
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Chapter 15 Hostage to the Night
Night Fire strolled around the crippled filly that was dropped off by the palace guards after being carried into the grungy interrogation room. Without a wheelchair, Nunnally had only her forelegs supporting her upper body as her back legs, shriveled from nearly a decade of atrophy, was sprawled across the floor. Night Fire looked over Nunnally’s paralyzed legs before walking back around.
“You’re a pitiful sight,” said Night Fire.
“Where’s Sayoko?” Nunnally asked.
“Sayoko?” Night Fire gave his lieutenant Barnstormer, the captain of the Shadowbolts, a bewildered look.
“She hasn’t stopped asking for her since we picked her up at Mount Takao.”
“And who is Sayoko?”
“She’s been taking care of me while my brother is gone,” said Nunnally.
“She makes it sound so innocent,” Barnstormer scoffed. “Her so-called babysitter killed four of my best ponies before I lit her up.” Barnstormer did a back-kick hinting at the lightning strike that stopped her. “The princess’s bodyguard was barely alive when we left her.” Nunnally’s front legs gave way and she felt to the floor crying.
“No! Why? Why would do such a terrible thing!” Nunnally cried out. Sayoko was like a surrogate mother to Nunnally. Sayoko was always there to take care of her needs when Lelouch wasn’t around, give her a shoulder to cry on whenever she felt homesick for Ares Villa. It was like Nunnally lost her mother all over again.
“Barnstormer, you’re upsetting her.” Night Fire said in an annoyed tone.
“Who cares?”
“I’m the one that has to interrogate her. Besides, why in Tartarus did you leave somepony who killed four of your own without finishing the job or taking her into custody.”
“I left her to pass on the message to Zero if she survived.”
“And now you can haul flank back AND SEE IF SHE DID!”
“I’ll get right on it,” Barnstormer said in a panicked voice before galloping away.
“Of all the sloppy, amateurish moves...” Night Fire griped. He then turned his attention to Nunnally and patted her gently on top of her head. “Did you hear what I said? I sent Barnstormer to check on your Sayoko. There’s no need to cry.” Night Fire stroked her mane.
Nunnally wiped away her tears. “Okay,” she sniffed.
“Would you like something to drink?” Nunnally nodded her head. “Brawny Hooves,” Night Fire called out, “get a glass of water.” As Brawny Hooves trotted out of the interrogation room, Diethard stepped in and stood beside Night Fire.
“I passed Barnstormer along the way. He said you had a message for Zero.”
“Don’t you have other pressing matters to tend to, Newsie News?”
“That’s what I came here to tell you-the Omega Line has been purged from the system.”
Night Fire glared suspiciously at Diethard. “Are you sure? Shouldn’t you double check and make sure?”
“Circuit Breaker ran four complete diagnostic checks.” Diethard then turned his attention to Night Fire’s prisoner. “So, is this Nunnally vi Britannia?” Immediately, Nunnally turned her head in Diethard’s direction.
“Going by that reaction,” said Night Fire, “I’m going to say ‘yes’. Now be a good filly and tell the truth.”
Nunnally nodded her head. “It is.” Just then, Brawny Hooves came back with a cup of water. Its handle was clutched between his teeth.
“Your water’s here,” said Night Fire. “Do you need any help drinking?”
“No sir. Just put it close enough that I can reach it.”
Night Fire nodded to Brawny Hooves who set the cup next to the blind filly. Nunnally’s horn produced a faint glow. The cup vibrated slightly causing a few drops to slush out of the cup and spill on the floor. Nunnally then bent down took a sip.
“That trick,” Diethard whispered. “Young lady,” he said to Nunnally, “what that your idea?”
“What was?”
“Feeling your surroundings with telekinesis,” said Diethard.
Nunnally shook her head. “My big brother Lelouch taught me.”
Diethard gestured to Night Fire pointing at the door. “Can’t it wait? I’m in the middle of something important.”
“It’s related.”
“It better be.” Night Fire and Diethard stepped out of the interrogation room and into the hallway. “Whadda want?”
“I’ve seen this before.”
“Seen what?”
“Under cover of darkness, Zero used telekine...unicorn magic as a form of echolocation to break Lieutenant Colonel Tohdoh Kyoshiro out of prison under cover of darkness.”
Night Fire placed a hoof under his chin. “Both Moonlight Blossom and that Fenette filly said Zero’s real name is Lelouch and now not only have our prisoner admits being a Britannian princess, she’s using a trick that Zero invented.”
“Yes, too many coincidences.”
The two stallions went back into the interrogation room. The cup Nunnally drunk from was gone and so was Brawny Hooves.
“Where’s your cup of water?” Night Fire asked.
“I drunk it all, but that nice man is going to bring me some more.”
“That’s not a man. That’s a stallion,” Night Fire said in an annoyed tone.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Just don’t make the same mistake twice. Now, back to the subject at hoof. Your brother taught you how to feel around with your magic. And your brother is...”
“His name is Lelouch but someone...”
“...somepony...”
“...somepony said my brother was Zero, but that’s not true.”
“And how would you know?”
“Zero killed Clovis and Cornelia. Lelouch would never kill his own brother and sister.” Just then, Brawny Hooves trotted in with another cup of water. He placed it next to Nunnally who, as before, used unicorn magic to feel the location of the cup before gulping it down.
“And what makes you think your brother is so saintly.”
“He’s taken care of me ever since Father abandoned us in Japan even though I’m blind and crippled.”
“But he wasn’t there when we picked you up.”
“Sayoko said Lelouch got hurt really bad when Nightmare Moon took over and that she would tell him where we were hiding once he recovered.”
“And just who were you hiding from?”
“Sayoko said we were hiding from you and after what you did to her, I see why,” Nunnally said in a more somber tone.
“But you didn’t know why before?”
“No,” Nunnally paused, “she wouldn’t tell me.”
“I think I’ve heard enough. Thank you. Guards,” Night Fire called out. “Take her back to the holding cell for now.” A pair of earth pony guards hastened inside the cell. One of them was pulling a miniscule hay cart small enough to fit inside the dungeon corridors. The earth pony that wasn’t hitched to the cart pointed to the back of the hay cart with its gate lowered. “Climb inside.” The guard ordered sternly.
“Yes sir,” Nunnally nodded. She dragged her hind legs along the ground.
The guard stared down at Nunnally tapping his front right hoof impatiently. His nostrils widened; teeth clenched tighter and tighter with each tap. Suddenly, he yanked Nunnally by the mane and slung her in the cart. The unicorn filly yelped in pain and fright as tuffs her hair ripped from her scalp. “I don’t have time to waste on a crippled wild pony that should have been put down,” the guard yelled as he closed the gate.
“I liked the way the interrogation went,” Night Fire said as the guards carted Nunnally off.
“You call that an interrogation. Let somepony who’s a professional take over.”
“Nonsense. I have enough to precede with the plan.”
“What plan?”
“Zero’s little sister is bait. We’ll broadcast an ultimatum: surrender or your sister will be executed.”
“That’s your plan-threatening a crippled blind filly on national television. Are you trying to incite hatred against the Empress?”
“It won’t come to that. From everything I’ve seen and heard so far, this Lelouch reeks of doting brother. He’ll coming galloping to the rescue for sure.”
“You haven’t a clue what Zero is like. Zero used the JLF as bait to capture Viceroy Cornelia. When the Black Knights were supposed to be helping them escape, Zero sabotaged their ship and rigged it to explode taking out most of the Viceroy’s forces with them. Zero’s a ruthless bastard. He won’t think twice about leaving her to die. And when you do execute her, the Empress and the Imperial Church will look like complete monsters in the eyes of the public.”
“Then what would you suggest?”
“Continue interrogating her. I know some highly skilled detectives from the Britannian occupation.”
“Ha!” Night Fire scornfully laughed. “The same ones that failed to capture Zero in the first place?!? Don’t make me laugh.”
“But there’s a lead that wasn’t there before. And now that Zero’s identity is known, it’s only a matter of tracking him down.”
“And give Zero more time to wreak havoc? No way in Tartarus I’d let that happen. We have the means to end him right now.”
“And if he doesn’t show?”
Just then, a dark cloud speckled by points of light descended from the ceiling. “Aren’t you two overstepping your bounds by not consulting me?” The cloud spoke.
Both Diethard and Night Fire nearly tripped over their own hooves bowing to their goddess.
“Our apologies, your majesty,” said Diethard.
“I meant no disrespect,” said Night Fire.
The cloud descended from the ceiling and took the form of Nightmare Moon. “I’ve been watching the interrogation. The filly certainly places much faith in *her precious big brother*,” Nightmare Moon said placing emphasis on ‘her precious big brother’ in a voice dripping with contempt.
“And it will be Zero’s downfall, my empress,” said Night Fire.
“Though Newsie News has a point- I do not wish to appear heartless to my subjects.”
“If Zero doesn’t show, you can come in with a last-minute reprieve and tell the world that it was my idea to put the filly to death.”
“Still, it would be better to avoid this ugliness altogether.”
“So, the prisoner should be properly interrogated by professionals,” Diethard blurted out.
The nerve of that bastard! Night Fire fumed. Even now, he’s trying to upstage me.
“Before we go through with your plan Night Fire, I wish to interrogate the filly myself and the wild pony that ratted out the mangy outlaw too. Move those two to our nicest rooms, under guard of course, and make sure they have a comfortable bed.”
Diethard looked perplexed. “Are you trying to win them over?”
“You don’t have a clue, do you,” Night Fire gloated. He was glad the Empress didn’t grace Newsie News with the special gift of her nightly presence guiding them in their dreams offering them a pleasant night’s sleep. Many of her first worshipers were drawn to the Empress when she chased away their...nightmar...bad dreams and quieted their anxieties and filled their dreams with hope, peace, and most of all, her love. Night Fire could take solace that Nightmare Moon wouldn’t offer such grace to this opportunistic, fair-weather servant.
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“No, no,” cried out a little girl dressed in a pink pair of girl’s pajamas. She had shoulder length, dirty blonde hair, and her eyes were violet and full of life. She was being chased around the bedroom by an older child, a boy a bit older than her with black hair, dressed in blue pajamas.
“Nunnally stop!” The little boy cried out “If you don’t go to sleep now, you won’t be able to wake up in the morning.”
“I’m not sleepy!” Nunnally protested. “I never get to stay in Euphie’s room. It’s so fun here. I want to play more.” She laughed mischievously.
“I don’t mind if she stays up a while longer,” said another girl that was lying on the bed reading a book. She had long, waist-length pink hair and wore a pair of yellow pajamas.
“I promised mother I’d take care of you. You hear me.” The boy cried out. He then grasped little girl he was chasing in his arms and picked her up.
The scene suddenly changed from the bedroom to a field of dark indigo fog. There was no floor, ceiling, sky yet the toddler Nunnally was walking on something solid. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I require your undivided attention.” A feminine voice, mature and with the tone of someone familiar with authority, came from the surrounding darkness. “Tell me, child. What that a dream of your past?” A black horse with a long spiral horn coming out of its forehead and a pair of wings along its sides stepped out of fog. Its mane was the very night itself.
“A horse.”
“A horse?!?” The creature repeated with a scowl on its face. “Have you seen a horse as regal as I? Do you even recognize my voice?” Toddler Nunnally shook her head. “Of course, you wouldn’t. You would have had it not be for that mangy outlaw!” Nunnally backed away quaking in fear. “Be still your anxious heart, child. I am not here to harm you.” Toddler Nunnally inched back to the creature. “I am Nightmare Moon, your empress.”
“You’re not quite how I would have imagined you,” said Nunnally.
“Child, tell me-am I correct to assume the one you called Euphie is Princess Euphemia.”
Toddler Nunnally nodded her head. “It is.”
“And it is the one with the pink man...hair...the one with the pink hair.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“That’s empress to you.” Nightmare Moon said sternly.
“Yes, my empress.”
“And the one who was chasing you? Who was that?”
“That was my big brother Lelouch.”
“Oh, so that’s Lelouch. And you claim that Lelouch and Zero are not one in the same.”
Toddler Nunnally vigorously shook her head. “No, my empress. Lelouch isn’t Zero at all.”
“And what proof do you have.”
“Your majesty, Zero killed my brother Clovis and my sister Cornelia. Lelouch would never hurt them.”
“You don’t have anything better than that.”
“Well...”
“A memory that would exonerate your big brother.”
Two figures materialized before Nightmare Moon and Nunnally. The first figure was identical to the Toddler Nunnally but now in a wheelchair. Her hair was longer, and her eyes closed. She wore a dress resembling the Ashford Academy uniform for junior high-school girls except everything was white-white tie, white vest, white shirt, white blouse. Beside her was the young Lelouch dressed in the Ashford Academy uniform for the male high school students except it was completely white.
“Hello Nunnally,” said the preteen Lelouch, but in a much deeper, more mature voice. Just then, both the young Lelouch and the wheelchair-bound Dream Nunnally froze in place.
“I take it you lost your sight at a young age,” said Nightmare Moon.
“I was four when it happened, your majesty,” said the Nunnally that wasn’t in the vision of that past memory.
“And the clothes? You seem to know what they look like.”
“I could feel the clothes in my hands...when I had hands, your majesty.” Now that Nightmare Moon thought about, it would explain why they were plain white in appearance. She could only touch them but never actually see them.
Time moved forward once again.
The Nunnally in the dream began crying. “Big Brother! Is it really you?” The young Dream Lelouch ran to his younger sister and embraced her. “I missed you so much. Where have you been all this time?”
“I was visiting the ghettos when everyone was transformed. By the time I made it back, the Settlement entrances were sealed off.” Dream Lelouch pulled away from Dream Nunnally and wiped away the tears.
“It’s okay now,” said Dream Nunnally. “All that matters is that you’re safe and that you’ve come back to us.”
“‘To us’?!?” The Dream Lelouch repeated the last two words Dream Nunnally uttered.
“Lelouch, you won’t believe this, but Euphie came to see me about a month ago. She figured out where we were hiding. We spend the whole day talking about what we’ve been doing since we were sent to Japan, and she told me all about her job as sub-viceroy. Lelouch, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy about seeing Euphie again?”
“Of course, I am,” Dream Lelouch said with a wide grin across his face. But then, the grin disappeared behind a more somber face. “Umm, Nunnally, did you get hurt during the transformation?”
“Well...um...”
“Don’t be afraid to tell your big brother the truth. I can handle it.”
“It was like my whole body was on fire, but you shouldn’t worry. I’m fine now.”
“Nunnally, I have to tell you something that is hard for me to say to you.”
“What do you mean, Big Brother?”
“When I was in the ghettos, I was captured by the Black Knights. They’re forcing me to stay with them. I was permitted to visit with you but for only a short while.”
“But why? What do they want from you?”
“He wants to speak to you.”
“Who?”
“Zero,” said Dream Lelouch as he backed away from Dream Nunnally.
“Big Brother, don’t go!” Dream Nunnally’s wheelchair seemed to move on its own. Nightmare Moon could sense a bit of unicorn magic from the memory as though some bit of reality was slipping into what was a product of Nunnally’s limited perspective. Both Dream Nunnally began crying for her big brother, who had now disappeared into dark fog of the dreamscape. “Please don’t take Lelouch away from me! Please I beg of you! Why are you taking away my big brother?” The other Toddler Nunnally who was standing beside Nightmare Moon shed a few discrete tears as well.
“Nunnally Lamperouge, I presume,” said all too familiar distorted voice. The voice had no form to go with it and seem to envelop the surrounding area.
“Zero, is that you?” Dream Nunnally’s voice cracked in absolute terror. She took a deep breath and built back up her nerves. “What do you want with my brother Lelouch?”
“He is indebted to me. I found him wandering the ghettos and gave him sanctuary. In exchanged for my protection, he must make himself useful to me. I promise that no harm will befall him.”
“Just like no harm came to Shirley’s father,” said Dream Nunnally. “Her father was killed in Narita in the landslide you created. Well?”
“As a show of good faith, I will tell you a secret. I know your real name, Nunnally vi Britannia, as well your brother’s, Lelouch vi Britannia. Both of you are children of the Britannian Emperor and his royal consort, the late Lady Marianne.”
Dream Nunnally gasped in shock. “But how? How did you know?”
“I have my ways.”
“Will you kill us just like you killed my half-brother Clovis?”
“I will do no such thing,” said the electronically distorted voice. “You were used as political pawns for your father’s imperialistic ambitions. You and your brother are as much of a victim of Britannia as the Japanese people. I hold no grudge against you, but because others may not see it that way, you must continue keeping your identity a secret. I cannot protect you if word got out that you and your brother are part of the royal family. You must also keep silent concerning your brother’s involvement in the Black Knights, as well. Do not even discuss this with your friends or ask the Black Knights about his well-being. Only a handful of my Black Knights knows of his existence and the few that do only knows him as a collaborator. If you ask too many questions, it will rouse suspicion. Your brother’s life is in your hands, Nunnally vi Britannia.”
“For my brother’s sake, I’ll keep it a secret.”
“Good, and do not worry. He will come back to you. I, Zero, make this contract with you, Nunnally vi Britannia.”
“I’ve seen more than enough of this farce.” Nightmare Moon’s horn glowed bright white. A beam of white shot from the horn and struck Dream Nunnally causing her to dissolve into the dark fog.
“What’s wrong, your majesty?”
“Have it ever occurred to you your precious big brother is playing you for a foal. That mangy outlaw disguises his voice. This Lelouch of yours could have shut off the device distorting his voice and then switched it back on to speak to you as Zero.”
Toddler Nunnally shook her head. “No! Lelouch would never…”
“OF COURSE, HE COULD!” Nightmare Moon said in the royal Canterlot voice. Toddler Nunnally flinched at the deafening sound but would not budge or cower before Nightmare Moon.
“Please your majesty, please don’t jump to conclusion,” Toddler Nunnally said in a calm, diplomatic voice. “I know I’m not the most reliable of witnesses but believe me, Zero is no friend to the Britannian royal family.”
“After that touching speech about how you and your big brother are victims like the Japanese, I can tell there are at least two members of the royal family he likes-and he may be one of them.”
“Your majesty, Zero was only saying that so that my brother would keep serving him.” By now, tears were running down Nunnally’s eyes. “You have to believe me. You have to. You can’t hurt my big brother.” Toddler Nunnally fell to her knees weeping.
“You are useless to me except as bait to capture the mangy outlaw.”
Toddler Nunnally hastened to her feet, ran to Nightmare Moon, and took her shoulder. “No, you can’t.” Nightmare Moon batted her away with her power knocking Toddler Nunnally on her rear. The human child crawled on her knees stopping just a few feet from Nightmare Moon and bowed before the alicorn empress pleading to her. “Please, whatever Zero has done, punish me in his place. But spare my brother.”
“Is your faith in your big brother’s innocence shaken?” Nightmare Moon mocked. “No, your big brother will pay for his own crimes, barring the highly unlikely possibility you’re right.” Nightmare Moon turned away and was about to leave before she stopped for a moment. “Oh, here’s a little advice from your empress to you-elder siblings aren’t what they’re cracked up to be. Take it from somepony with experience on that subject. Get a good night’s rest, Nunnally vi Britannia, you and that other wild pony have a *long* night ahead of you.” Nightmare Moon then trotted off into the dark fog of the dreamscape.
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Shirley was caught in a nightmare of her making. Shirley Fenette, in her true pony form, was surrounded by figures partially obscured by the same mist that was in Nunnally’s dreams.
“Betraying Lelouch? How could you?” A pegasus stallion with a pear-colored coat and blue mane asked.
“But it’s his fault that you’re dead Rivalz,” Shirley replied to the phantom.
“Lulu didn’t mean it,” said a unicorn mare with a sky-blue coat and blonde mane.
“He didn’t mean to stop it either,” said Shirley, “And you got raped because he abandoned us, Milly.”
“Your friends are right, sweetie.” This ghost was human – an older gentleman, a bit overweight wearing a beige business suit.
“Daddy, no.”
“You should have listened to your mother.”
“No!” Shirley shook her head. “She’s wrong daddy.
“She knows what’s best for you.”
“No, Lelouch killed you.” Shirley held her head down in shame. Some part of her felt guilt for revealing Zero’s identity. “He buried you alive. You’d still be here if it wasn’t for him-if it wasn’t for that selfish bastard!”
“I believe you.”
“Who said that.” After wiping the tears from her eyes, Shirley looked up and saw only one other figure in the dreamscape besides her. “Nightmare Moon?”
“Finally, somepony recognizes me.”
“Of course, I’d recognize Nightmare Moon. Her picture is everywhere. I just never dreamt of her before.”
This foal thinks I’m just a part of dream. It may be easier to get her cooperation if she doesn’t know that I’m real. “Who were those ponies and that one...human?” Nightmare Moon cringed upon mentioning the word ‘human’.
“The ponies were my classmates, and the human was my father, and Lelouch hurt all of them.”
“Explain.”
“My father was buried in a landslide Zero caused, and he abandoned his friends in the interment camp on Shikoku Island. It was his fault Milly got raped and Rivalz was beaten to death.”
“And you feel guilty for outing the scoundrel?!?”
“It’s just that Milly said he didn’t meant it and my mother said he could save the world from Nightmare Moon.”
Nightmare clenched her teeth in a moment of anger.
“Is there something wrong?” Shirley asked.
Nightmare Moon then remembered that she had a charade to keep to up. She regained her composure. “I’m sorry but I’m quite skeptical of your mother’s judgment,” Nightmare Moon said in a calm voice. She lowered her neck till she was eye-to-eye with the earth pony mare. “You don’t really believe your mother, do you? Let’s face it. Nightmare Moon defeated both Britannia and the Black Knights in mere minutes. What could the mangy outlaw do to stop her?”
“I guess you’re right.” Shirley chuckled at the thought and feeling a bit relieved. “He’s crazy if he thinks he can win. He’s only going to get more innocent people hurt.”
“Would you mind humoring me a bit?”
“What do you mean?” Shirley gave Nightmare Moon a perplexed look.
“I know I’m only a part of your dream, but I am a tad curious about how you uncovered Zero’s identity.”
“It was after Zero took over the Tokyo Settlement.” Suddenly, the scene changed from the dreary haze of the dreamscape to the dorms of Ashford Academy.
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“It’s...my old room.”
“Don’t act so surprised my dear,” said Nightmare Moon. This is just merely a dream.”
Shirley, Milly, and Rivalz materialized in the dorm room. It was the day they packed up and left Ashford Academy for the long walk to the camps on Shikoku Island, and Milly and Rivalz was helping her pack up.
Dream Milly telekinetically wrapped cord around Dream Shirley’s waist and tried in vain to tie the cord in a knot only to have it come apart on her.
“Dammit!” Dream Milly snapped. “Whoever said telekinesis is better than using hands was an idiot.”
“Let me try,” said Dream Rivalz who somehow managed to finish the knot Milly started with just his lips and teeth.
“How did you...” Dream Milly asked in utter bewilderment.
Dream Rivalz held his muzzle up. “It’s because I’m awesome.”
“Beginners luck.”
“Don’t you think it’s kinda weird that Zero is letting Nunnally stay with him?” Dream Shirley asked.
“No, it isn’t,” said Dream Milly in a solemn voice. “It makes perfect sense.”
“So, you know about Lelouch, too?”
Dream Rivalz looked back and forth between Dream Shirley and Dream Milly. “What are you two talking about?”
Dream Milly took a deep breath and said, “I think Zero pressured Nunnally into denouncing her citizenship. Zero has Princess Euphemia under his thumb and I think he’s also keeping Lelouch as a prisoner in order to force Nunnally to stay in Tokyo.”
“Hold it!” Dream Shirley interrupted. “Let me get this straight: Zero is keeping Lelouch imprisoned?”
Dream Milly nodded. “The truth is-Lelouch and Nunnally’s last name isn’t Lamperouge. It’s Britannia. Lelouch and Nunnally are the children of the Emperor and the late Lady Marianne, and Zero’s keeping them as hostages.”
Dream Rivalz shook his head in disbelief. “You gotta be kidding?!?”
“That’s not possible!” Dream Shirley objected.
“Hush!” Dream Milly hissed. “I waited for your roommate to pack up and leave before I told you for a reason. Please, I know it’s hard to believe Lulu is royalty but it’s true. After the invasion, Lelouch and Nunnally came to my family and we took them in the hopes that someday they’ll be reinstated back into the royal family and, as a result, the Ashford family would regain its noble status.”
“No, you don’t understand Milly.” Dream Shirley trotted over to her nightstand while dragging her luggage along with her. She took out a piece of paper and laid it in front of Dream Milly and Dream Rivalz.
“What’s this?” Dream Milly asked.
“I found it behind the dresser. I think I wrote it.”
Dream Rivalz raised an eyebrow. “‘You think you wrote it’?!? How did you manage to write a letter and not remember it?”
“I don’t know, but it’s in my handwriting.”
“You couldn’t have written this,” Dream Milly objected.
“I did write that.”
“Without hands?!?”
“What’s in the letter?”
“Read it yourself, Rivalz.”
“LELOUCH IS ZERO!”
Dream Milly press a hoof against Dream Rivalz’ muzzle. “I told you to keep it down.”
“Now, what’s this about Lelouch being Zero?” Dream Rivalz asked. “The royalty thing is hard enough to swallow.”
“All I know is that I have a note in my handwriting telling me that Lelouch is Zero and that,” Dream Shirley then held her head down, “he’s responsible for my father’s death.”
“Shirley, you’ve known Lelouch for years. He wouldn’t get involved with the Black Knights.”
“Just like Kallen?” Dream Shirley retorted.
The vision of the past stopped and the dream versions of Milly, Shirley, and Rivalz froze in place.
“Who’s Kallen?” Nightmare Moon asked.
“Kallen Stadtfeld was a classmate of ours,” Shirley said remorsefully, “and part of the student council. We found out later she was half Japanese and her actual name was Kozuki Kallen and she was fighting alongside Zero as a Knightmare pilot.”
“My, so many ‘interesting’ ponies around somepony as common as you. It seems hard to believe.”
Shirley looked away and sighed remorsefully. “Yeah, I wish it wasn’t.”
Time resumed in the dream.
“Kallen is half-Japanese,” said Dream Rivalz. “That sort of makes sense that she would be a Black Knight, but not Lelouch, and it makes even less sense that Lelouch is their leader.”
“And another thing-I don’t remember Lelouch. You were asking me why I was playing strangers with him. Well, I wasn’t. I really don’t remember anything about him. Even my memories of Nunnally don’t have Lelouch in it, and he lives with her. I think he did something to me to make me forget and I wrote that note before it happened.”
“And how would Lelouch do that?” Dream Milly asked. “It would have make more sense if he erased your memories *after* the transformation when he became a horned-type. Plus, you still haven’t learned how to write with your mouth, Shirley.”
“So, this has to be written before the transformation.”
“Which begs the question-how Lelouch erased your memories of him?”
“Oh none of this makes sense,” Dream Rivalz grumbled.
“Actually, now that I think about it, Lelouch being Zero does. The few times we spoke about his father, he never had a kind word to say about him. No, that’s an understatement. Lelouch always hated his father. At least his motives make sense.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door. “It’s me, Kallen. Can I come in?”
“Why not,” said Dream Milly with a disgusted look on her face. “It’s not like we have any choice.”
Dream Kallen, a pegasus mare with a green coat of fur and spikey red hair, trotted into the room at the same time Dream Shirley hastedly picked up the note and discarded it in the waste basket. Like all of the other Black Knights, she had that tacky leg band with their symbol engraved on it.
Dream Kallen glared at Dream Milly and said in a spiteful voice, “so that’s how it’s going to be-treating me like the bad guy?!? Well, I won’t apologize for being a Black Knight.”
“Don’t mind Milly. She’s just upset over Nunnally, that’s all. We’re glad you came over to check on us,” said Dream Shirley who then winked at Dream Rivalz.
“Oh absolutely; glad you drop by.”
“You need help packing?” Dream Kallen asked.
“I packed everything I’m taking with me to Shikoku. Maybe Milly and Rivalz could use some help.”
“So, where’s Nina?” Dream Kallen said while scanning the room.
“So, that’s why you’re here,” said Dream Milly.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” Dream Kallen asked.
“We heard the rumors about the Knightmare Frame that you Black Knights fought against and that it used some new power source that a high school student came up with. I doubt it’s a coincidence that our little Nina was ordered to the Viceroy’s palace about that time.”
“Are you saying I’m only here because...”
“As a matter of fact, yes, I am. You only care about your friends when they’re of use to Zero?”
“I knew it was a mistake coming back here,” Dream Kallen grumbled as she stormed out of the dorm room.
“Good riddance! We don’t want you around anyway!”
“Milly, why?” Dream Shirley asked in a confused tone of voice. “Why would you say such a thing?”
Tears rolled down Dream Milly’s eyes. “Lelouch, he doesn’t care about us. He was using us for cover until he took over and now he’s tossing us to the side.”
“I hope you’re happy, Shirley.”
“Me?!? What did I do?”
“That note can’t be for real. You fell for someone’s prank and now you got Milly...”
“It’s not a prank. I know for a fact I don’t remember Lelouch. He had to have done something to me.”
“Rivalz, don’t be stupid.” Dream Milly said while wiping away her tears. “Shirley has to be telling the truth, just like I was when I told you Lelouch is a part of the royal family. It doesn’t matter one way or another who Zero really is and if Lulu has anything to do with him or is Zero. Let’s just put it behind us now and move on.”
The vision then faded back into nothingness.
“You know, your stallion friend may have a point,” said Nightmare Moon. “Somepony else could have written that note. I need something more...substantial.”
“But I can’t,” Shirley said in a stressful tone.
“‘I can’t’ what?”
“It’s too painful to think about.” Shirley averted her eyes from Nightmare Moon.
“No! You can’t stop now. You must finish it. You have to see it all the way through.”
“Please don’t,” Shirley begged.
“You won’t know any peace until it is finished.”
Shirley shook her head. “No, I won’t!”
“EVOKE THE MEMORY!” Nightmare Moon ordered in the royal Canterlot voice.
The mist of the dreamscape swirled around and changed color. While most of the whirlpools changed to a dull white, one took a on distinct apple-green pattern with orange-red swirls standing out from the rest of the whirlpool. The green and red whirlpool took the form of Shirley.
As Dream Shirley trotted through hallways, the much hated and despised insurrectionist Zero stepped through one of the numerous doorways lining the sides of the hall. Nightmare Moon let out something that was a cross between a grunt and a hiss showing her disdain for the doppelganger of the loathsome outlaw.
“Zero, what were you doing in that room?” Dream Shirley asked.
“This young lady was harmed by rogue elements within the Black Knights,” Dream Zero answered. “I came to check on her.”
“Is this what it takes for you to check on your closest friends?” Dream Shirley rhetorical asked in a voice dripping with venom. Dream Shirley contemptuously turned her back to Dream Zero and walked away.
“Wait!” Dream Zero cried out.
Dream Shirley stopped and glanced back. “I know it’s you Lelouch.” Dream Zero hastened down the hallway and shoved Dream Shirley into a room. He then shut and locked the door behind him.
“How? How did you...”
“...remember who you really are? I don’t remember, but I did write a note to myself before you brainwashed me. I found it while packing my belongings.”
Dream Zero slipped off his mask and took a deep breath. He revealed himself to be a young stallion about the same age as the six mares who so violently torn her from her ‘weaker’ half. “Shirley,” Dream Lelouch pleaded, “I can explain...”
You don’t have to.” Dream Shirley pointed a hoof at Dream Lelouch. “Milly told me everything about your past-that you and your sister are members of the royal family. Tell me, is all of this to get back at your father, the Emperor, or is this some plot to take over Britannia for yourself?”
“I’m doing this to avenge my mother and to make a gentle world for Nunnally.”
“You call this a ‘gentle world’!” Dream Shirley yelled. “What was so gentle about Rivalz being kicked to death? Where was your gentle world when Milly was being raped? Well?”
Dream Lelouch hung his head down. “I thought they would safe here with the other Britannians.”
“And yet you let Nunnally stay with you in the Settlement? If it was so dangerous for us, why didn’t you leave Nunnally here?”
“I...I...”
“...‘don’t care what happens to my friends so long as my precious little sister is safe’, right Lelouch?”
“That’s not true, Shirley.”
“As if I’d believe your lies.”
“Are you going to tell?”
“That was the first thing I did. I went to Princess Euphemia, but she’s covering for you.”
“Oh, so that so-called princess was in on it too,” Nightmare Moon interjected.
“She warned me that if the Japanese found out who you were they would turn on you and then we would have no one protecting us from them. So, your little secret is safe. I’m done talking with you, Lelouch.” As Dream Shirley was leaving, she looked back at Dream Lelouch who’s head hung low. “Milly also told me I was in love with you. Thanks for erasing that from my memories. I don’t know how I could have fallen in love with a selfish bastard like you.” Dream Shirley then slammed the door behind her. The image faded back into the dreamscape.
“So, not only have I confirmed the mangy outlaw’s identity and that he’ll do anything for his blind, crippled sister,” Nightmare Moon sneered, “but now Euphemia’s treachery has been exposed. Oh, she’ll pay along with her brother.” She then bent her neck down to Shirley’s level. “Oh and by the way, I’m the real Nightmare Moon.”
“Uh...what?!?” A puzzled Shirley asked.
“You think I’m just a part of your dream. Well, you’ll find out when you and the mangy outlaw’s little sister take a trip to your old school and you better hope he shows up for both your sakes.” Nightmare Moon faded away leaving Shirley alone with her dreams.
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Shirley felt a hoof roughly nudging her from her comfortable rest. “Wait up!” A guard jabbed her on the shoulder with his hoof.
“What’s going...” Shirley yawned, “...on?” Shirley held up her right foreleg over eyes shielding her from the harsh glare of the spotlight shining in her face.
“The Empress commands your presence?” The unicorn guard said sternly.
Not wishing to anger her jailers, Shirley hastily stumbled out of bed and was on her hooves.
“Follow me,” said the guard. As they left Shirley’s luxurious ‘jail cell’, another guard trotted behind the two. After a ten-minute trot through the palace grounds, the unicorn guard stopped beside a carriage that seem to come out of some twisted version of Cinderella. It was painted dark blue with an indigo trim highlighted the jagged edges protruding outward until the carriage appeared as a giant mouth with shark teeth against the dark background of Nightmare Moon’s eternal night. The team of pegasi pulling the carriage wore armor that matched the color scheme of the carriage and their batlike wings also matched the carriage’s menacing profile. The unicorn opened the carriage door and pointed inside.
“Well, what you’re waiting for?” The guard asked Shirley.
Shirley took a deep breath and stepped inside. When her hoof cleared the threshold, the carriage door slammed shut causing Shirley to leap up and bang her head on the carriage’s top.
“Well, my little pony,” Nightmare Moon greeted Shirley. “I am quite please you could join us.” Sitting on the other side of Shirley and Nightmare Moon on a seat facing the back of the carriage was Nunnally and Night Fire. “You have been most useful to us despite being a wild pony.” Shirley stumbled backwards as the carriage was pulled upward by the team of bat-winged pegasi. “Why do you act so surprised? Did I not inform you that we were going to your old school, what was it called again Night Fire?”
“Ashford Academy, your highness.”
“Ah yes, Ashford Academy.”
“Bu...bu...t that can’t be possible?!?” Shirley shook her head.
“Oh but it is. I am the Empress of the night and all things of the night are under my jurisdiction and that includes *your* dreams.”
“You were there...in my dreams.”
“And you were so helpful to us, both in and out of the dream world. Thanks to you, the mangy outlaw’s days are numbered.” Nightmare Moon chuckled. “Night Fire, give this wild pony her reward.”
Night Fire batted a clear plastic bag over to Shirley. Shirley bent down and looked over the bag. It contained a gray powdery substance. “As we agreed, your father’s ashes-in exchanged for revealing Zero’s true identity.”
“So, what is worth it Shirley?” Nunnally asked in a tone dripped with bitterness. “Was your father’s remains worth telling those lies about my big brother?”
“Those weren’t lies!” Shirley yelled.
“You really expect me to believe my big brother is Zero.”
Shirley leaned over and pointed her hoof at Nunnally. “It’s the truth.”
“Lelouch would never do those things. He isn’t Zero. He’d never hurt your father.”
“Have it ever occurred to you that maybe you don’t really know your brother.”
“I certainly didn’t know the real you. Did you really stop being in love with Lelouch or were you pretending to love him the whole time?”
“PIPE DOWN!” Night Fire screamed. “I heard enough manure from both of you.”
“Now now, Night Fire,” said Nightmare Moon, “there’s no need to yell. I was enjoying their little drama.” Nightmare Moon then glanced at both Shirley and Nunnally. “You two, please continue your little discourse.”
Both Shirley and Nunnally glanced at each other and, nervously, looked away.
“Oh now you two stopped bickering just when it was getting interesting. For a moment, you were entertaining.”
“I apologize your majesty, had I known, I would have never interrupted.
The carriage landed in front of Ashford Academy. An earth pony in royal armor opened the carriage door and bowed. “Your majesty, as you ordered, I hoof-picked my best stallions and stationed them all around the academy. All points of entry have been secured.”
“And the Shadowbolts?”
“They’re patrolling the area for any suspicious ponies, your majesty.”
“General Silver Hoof,” Nightmare Moon said pointing to Nunnally and Shirley, “these are the prisoners I told you about.”
“Ah yes, the bait to capture Zero. If he attempts a rescue, he’ll have Tartarus to pay, your majesty. You two,” General Silver Hoof said to Nunnally and Shirley, out of the carriage. You’re coming with me.” Beside General Silver Hoof were more royal guards with one of them pushing a wheelchair.
“Your majesty, I’ll check on Circuit Breaker and see if he’s ready for the broadcast.”
“Sorry but Circuit Breaker isn’t here,” said a voice all too familiar to Night Fire.
That voice! That arrogant flank hole pretending to be one of us. Night Fire looked over his shoulder and saw, much to his chagrin, Newsie News landing beside the royal guards.
“Your majesty,” Diethard bowed to his empress, “the Hi-TV news crew is ready to broadcast your ultimatum to Zero.”
Night Fire leaped out the carriage and galloped up to Diethard. “What the hay happened to Circuit Breaker, Newsie?” Night Fire’s face almost touched Diethard’s as he stared him down.
“Circuit Breaker was being swamped by the added responsibility of handling the broadcasts in addition to being responsible for maintenance. He was falling behind so I had to intervene. As the Empress’ high priest, it’s your responsibility to keep her affairs in order and that including managing our workforce.”
“Don’t tell me how to do my job!”
“Night Fire!” Nightmare Moon yelled. “That’s enough from you and Newsie News. Keep your attention on Zero.” Nightmare Moon towered over Night Fire and stared him in the eyes. “Newsie News isn’t here just for the broadcast. He was the mangy outlaw’s former third-in-command. I need somepony familiar with his devious ways. Now, if you excuse me, I have an ultimatum to issue.” Nightmare Moon was about to leave when she stopped and looked over her shoulder at Diethard. “Oh and Newsie, come up with a new name for this place. I can’t have my subjects thinking we’re keeping any remnant of this world’s ape past.”
“I already have one picked out: Ashfoal Academy. If it’s too much like the original, there’s also Pastern Ac...”
“Ashfoal Academy will do. Though I am impressed you already has two names picked on such short notice.”
“Actually, I had four. I anticipated your orders, your majesty.”
“I like that. Thank you, Newsie.”
As Nightmare Moon trotted off to the atoll of cameras and spotlights circling the center of the Ashford Academy courtyard, Night Fire circled around Diethard blocking his path. “Third in command,” he spat. His tone betraying the disgust and suspicion he felt for Deithard. “Funny, I could have sworn Zero gave that position to Tohdoh Kyoshiro.”
“The command structure was a bit more...complicated that a simple line of succession,” Diethard lied. “Now if you excuse me, I must attend to her majesty.”
“Damn him,” Night Fire whispered a curse at the backstabbing opportunist for upstaging him once again.
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The newly christened headquarters was a bomb shelter beneath the Hachioji Middle School. Hachioji was built along the Chuo Expressway that ran across all of Tokyo and beside Komiya Park, which has been so overrun with vegetation that it was hard to distinguish the Park from the rest of the area, which had served the Black Knights well in concealing their one functional Knightmare, the Gurren Mark II. Because Diethard defected to the other side, the usual safehouses set up by the Black Knights were no longer safe.
Lelouch, dressed as Zero, Tamaki, and Minami trotted just outside the bomb shelter to a cart and next to it was a pile of hay covered in a tarp protecting it from the elements. Lelouch’s preferred means of travel as his Zero persona was by hay-covered cart. And while he preferred to go in disguise with his dyed-over coat and cutie mark, Lelouch had to routinely visit Nina and check on her progress in making an atomic bomb. Before filling the cart with straw, Zero would lie underneath a blanket laying on the bottom of the cart, which would take the blunt of the straw that would otherwise cover his suit and giveaway his method of travel.
Lelouch was about to climb into the wagon when Ohgi galloped across the obstacle maze of rubble so fast it left a dust trail that would have been seen if it wasn’t for the eternal night. He slid to a stop beside Lelouch.
“Ohgi, what the hell are you doing!” Lelouch scolded. “Running around like that could draw unwanted attention. Didn’t I tell you to be discrete when leaving or coming to HQ?”
“I’m...sor...sorry but...this is...an emergency,” said Ohgi between breaths.
Take a moment to catch your breath.” Now Lelouch was a bit worried. Ohgi was usually too cautious to make such a blunder. Whatever it was, it had to be important.
When Ohgi’s breathing stopped being so labored, he then said, “Nightmare Moon got Hi-TV back running and they announced she was going to reveal your true identity.”
“Everyone, back inside HQ,” Lelouch ordered. The four stallions piled back inside running pass Kallen who was sharpening her knife blade with a whetstone held in place between her forehooves. She spat out her knife handle and followed Lelouch to an old cathode ray tube television. The back of the antiquated set stuck out from behind the screen
“Tamaki-the generator,” said Lelouch.
“Right,” Tamaki nodded. Tamaki concentrated on the generator crank and turning it with his unicorn telekinesis.
“When does the broadcast start Ohgi?”
“It may have already started.”
Lelouch switched the television on. It was already set to the official channel of the imperial cult, since it was the only one on the air. A chorus of around 100 colts and fillies was singing in a foreign tongue unknown to any of the Black Knights though it did bear a resemblance the song by that group of children Lelouch and Kallen ran across just after he fully recovered from his coma. Not only that, but Lelouch recognize one of the children as the young filly that was brainwashed by the Nightmare Moon cultists running her school into ratting out her parents who were holding illegal contraband. The eyes of the children glowed white as the reflected the light of their goddess’s fake moonlight. When the broadcast switched camera angles, the cat-like eyes of the Nightmare Moon cult were evident. Ohgi felt a shiver down his spine.
“I wasn’t planning on going to bed anytime soon,” he mumbled.
When the chorus finished, the subject of their hymn floated down, wings extended, and landing just behind a podium.
“All ponies, both tamed and untamed, loyalists and wild, welcome, but especially those who still cling to their old ways, and even those who shake their hooves at me in defiance, heed my words. As everypony knows, the mangy outlaw known as Zero insulted the crown by vandalizing a portion of the canopy that I erected myself and even threaten my very life. While you pose no threat to me, Zero, I can not have you sowing the seed of disloyalty among my subjects. And now there’s a price to be paid.”
“Don’t tell me she’s going to freeze over another part of Japan again,” said Minami.
“Do you not recognize this place, Zero?” The camera panned out showing Ashford Academy in the background.
Kallen clutched her mouth with her hoof. “She knows,” Kallen whispered.
“This is Ashfoal Academy. But you know it by its old name: Ashford Academy. You used to attend classes here.”
“What’s going on? Inoue asked as she, Sugiyama, and Yoshitaka gathered around the television.
“Nightmare Moon said she knows Zero’s true identity,” Ohgi answered, “and that he was a student at Kozuki’s old school.”
“Ashford Academy?!?” Inoue blurted out.
“Brings back memories, doesn’t it Lelouch Lamperouge,” Nightmare Moon mocked.
“I knew Zero wasn’t Japanese, but a Britannian student?!? That’s kinda stretching it,” said Yoshitaka.
“Oh but ‘Lamperouge’ isn’t your real surname, is it? That would be...‘Britannia’ as in Prince Lelouch vi Britannia, 17th heir to the throne of the former Holy Britannian Empire.”
“Zero’s a Brit prince!” Tamaki blurted out. He lost he concentration causing the television to go out.
“Keep turning the generator,” the others said in unison.
“Oh right.” Tamaki went back to the task of powering the television.
Lelouch switched back on the television. Nightmare Moon remained silent glancing back and forth with an arrogant smirk on her face. The microphones caught the murmuring from the crowds.
“It can’t be true.”
“She’s lying.”
“Then why does Zero hide his face from us?”
“It has to be true, that’s why he wore the mask even when the Britannians were defeated.”
Nightmare Moon tapped on the microphone. “I think everypony had enough time for it to sink in. You can take it from here Night Fire. I’m already late for a very important meeting.” Nightmare Moon unfurled her wings and flew away. Night Fire trotted up to the podium, stood up on his hind legs, and lowered the mic to his height.
“As Nightmare Moon’s high priest it is my duty to punish all those that raises a hoof against our goddess. Lelouch vi Britannia, you are a wicked stallion-using the Japanese ponies for your own ambition and with no concern for their well-being. All you ever cared about was becoming Emperor...well, almost. There maybe one or more ponies you *do* care about.” Night Fire nodded to some pony off camera. The royal guards escorted Shirley Fenette across the Ashford Academy courtyard. Behind them was one royal guard pushing Nunnally in a wheelchair.
“Lelouch, you know who these two are don’t you?” Night Fire asked rhetorically. “This is your younger sister Nunnally vi Britannia. She’s next in line for the thrown after you.” Night Fire then pointed to Shirley. “And this one, is your ex-lover Shirley Fenette. You have her to thank for revealing your true identity.” Shirley looked away from the camera in shame.
“Don’t be so bashful. Tell everypony what you told us.”
“Lelouch is Zero.”
“Louder, so that everypony can hear it.”
“LELOUCH IS ZERO OKAY!!!” Shirley began breaking down in tear.
Kallen pressed her hoof against her chest staring in utter horror at the television screen. Kallen’s anguish didn’t go unnoticed.
“Kallen,” Ohgi asked, “are those your classmates?”
“Shirley and Nunnally’s brother were on the student council with me.”
“So, you know this Lelouch guy?” Sugiyama asked.
Ohgi made a ‘shhhhh’ sound directing it at Sugiyama.
“Listen carefully Lelouch vi Britannia. A timer should be on screen right now.” It was then a “06:00:00.0” appeared on the screen the screen. “You have six hours to turn yourself in. When the clock reaches...” Night Fire chuckled, “...zero, if you’re not here by then your sister will be punished in your place.” The timer began counting down just as Tamaki stopped turning the generator.
“Well, Zero, is any of that true?” Ohgi asked the question that on the minds of the Black Knights.
“BHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!” Lelouch laughed.
“Zero, take this seriously.”
“How am I supposed to take such a sophomoric effort seriously. Nightmare Moon is trying too hard. She’s trying to pit both Britannians and Japanese against me. As a long lost Britannian prince, I would be considered a threat by the Japanese and a traitor by the Britannians in one, fell swoop, but the claim strains believability so much only those who are totally opposed to us would fall for Nightmare Moon’s lies.”
“What about rescuing them?” Kallen asked.
“No way!” Tamaki cried out. “I’m not risking my life to save some lying bitch.”
Kallen sped cross the room and stared eye-to-eye at Tamaki. “What did you say!” Steam came out of Kallen’s nostrils. “Don’t wanna save them because they’re Britannians. Is that it?”
Tamaki took a step back to put some space between him and Kallen only to have the angry mare step forward still staring him down. “Don’t get me wrong, Kozuki. I hate Nightmare Moon is goin’ to kill the cripple girl even if she is a Brit, but we can’t risk the Black Knights to save her and I sure as hell won’t stick my neck out for that other one.”
“Tamaki is right,” said Lelouch. “There is too much at stake to risk it all to save two Britannians, especially when one of them is helping them deceive the masses. We have more pressing matters to attend to, and for that we’ll need Tohdoh and the remaining Holy Swords. Ohgi, do we not know of their whereabouts?”
Ohgi nodded. “There’s coordinating with resistance cells in Kyoto.”
“I need them here right now.”
“They’ll be in Tokyo by the end of nex...”
“I said NOW!” Lelouch legs were trembling. “This is important.”
“So, which one of us is going,” Minami asked.
“All of you.”
“But who will stay with you.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m capable of taking care of myself.” The others stared dumbfounded at Lelouch. “Am I not the leader of the Black Knights?”
“Oh course, you are,” said Ohgi. “You heard Zero. We’re going to Kyoto.”
The other Black Knights followed Ohgi’s lead and left except for Kallen.
“Whacha waiting for,” Tamaki said to Kallen. “Quit dragging your feet and come with us.”
“Oh right,” said Kallen.
As the last Black Knight to leave HQ, Kallen heard something that the others missed: the entrance to HQ was locked.
Kallen hopped in the wagon along with Ohgi, Inoue, and Yoshitaka.
“I don’t know why I have to pull the cart,” said Tamaki.
“It’s our turn to pull it,” said Sugiyama.
“Oh right.” Tamaki levitated a pair of harnesses and slipped them over his and Sugiyama’s head. Once everything was secured, the Black Knights headed to the Chuo Expressway.
“Ohgi,” said Kallen, “I left behind my knife. I need to go back and get it.”
“You want us to wait on you?”
Kallen shook her head. “I’ll catch back up with you.”
“Just hurry up,” said Ohgi. Inoue caught sight of Kallen leaving out of the corner of her eye and saw what looked like Kallen’s blade still in its hoister.
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Kallen landed in front of the entrance to the base. The door was designed in such a way as to appear as part of a solid wall. Kallen tried to open it but it wouldn’t budge. This doesn’t look good. Lelouch locked the door right after getting us all to leave, and I doubt he’s just be cautious. Kallen tried to slide open a secret panel where the key hole was located but it wouldn’t budge either. Desperate, Kallen jabbed her knife in the seams and mule-kicked the blade using it as a makeshift pry bar. The blade was bent in the process and the handle cracked, but that didn’t matter. Kallen was able to get the panel opened. She unlocked the secret door and made her way inside. She saw Lelouch, with his Zero mask tossed haphazardly on the floor. His head hung low. His face was covered in tears.
“How could I have let this happen?” Lelouch cried. “I should have never let her out of my sight.”
“Lelouch?” Kallen called out.
“What the hell are you doing back here!” Lelouch was trembling even more so than when was yelling at Ohgi.
“You were holding it in the whole time weren’t you?”
“Don’t you have a mission to do?”
“Why did you send us away if Nunnally being captured upset you so mu...You’re turning yourself over, aren’t you?”
“It’s none of your damn business what I do.”
“It must certainly is. The whole world is counting on you.”
“I won’t say anything pertaining to the Black Knight to Nightmare Moon.”
“So, you *were* planning on turning yourself over.”
“Tohdoh can take my place. He can be Zero.”
“No, he can’t. Only you can be Zero.”
“I don’t care.”
“What did you say?”
“Everything I’ve done has been for Nunnally’s sake. If Nunnally is killed, then I have no reason to live or care about this world.”
Kallen then slapped Lelouch not unlike that time in the park in the Tokyo Settlement back when they were humans. A gang of Britannian teenagers were bullying an Honorary citizen who was working in the park. Lelouch discretely used his Geass to dissuade the teenagers from assaulting the poor man but Kallen didn’t know it at the time. From her perspective, Lelouch merely shrugged off his suffering as the price he had to pay for being an Honorary Britannian. He also came off as indifferent as he did before only this time, he meant it.
“Selfish bastard!” Kallen said with disgust in her voice. “You’d let the whole world burn for her.
“And what of it?”
“Well, I won’t let you.”
“What makes you think you could stop me?” Lelouch used his unicorn powers on Kallen pinning her against the floor. “Even if I die, even if there is no one left to lead the Black Knights, I won’t let them take Nunnally’s life.”
“Lelouch, listen to me please,” Kallen said in a strained voice as she struggled against Lelouch’s power. “Nightmare Moon can’t be trusted. That bitch will probably kill Nunnally anyway just to spite you.”
“You’re just saying that to keep me from going.”
“And you’re lying to yourself for thinking she wouldn’t. You once told me a leader makes decisions based on what would be the best chance of victory and with a minimum cost to life. I’d rather trust your plans than Nightmare Moon’s promises. Please, don’t do this Lelouch...”
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Ashfoal Academy
Everypony at Ashfoal Academy went silent as a long unicorn stallion slowly walked across the courtyard. He held his head down low. His demeanor was that of a beaten dog’s after being completely broken by an abusive master. Nightmare Moon didn’t recognize the coat color but she did remember that face. It was the very pony she encountered at Mt. Fuji; the one leading the Black Knights when she revealed herself to the world. It was Zero.
“Nightmare Moon,” said Lelouch, “here I am. Now where is my sister?”
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Has Lelouch truly given up? Will Nightmare Moon be victorious? Tune in for the next chapter of Rebel Against the Night
As a special note, I apologize for not posting the matching Equestria-centric chapter along with the one set in the Code Geass Earth. I had an easier time writing this one and having been a year since I posted the last two chapters, I thought the story was way overdue to wait to post both. But don’t worry, you won’t have to wait another year for the next chapter and I will be wrapping up the story soon. So take care.