//------------------------------// // Prologue: Lelouch Vi Britannia's 'Happy' Ending // Story: Viva la Vida // by Arkhamwolf2012 //------------------------------// Lelouch Lamperouge. Emperor Lelouch Vi Britannia. Zero. All masks surrounding the young boy, Lelouch Vi Britannia, in his quest to tear down the world his father, Charles Zi Britannia, was going to create, and the one his brother, Schneizel El Britannia created. To him, there had hardly been a person who truly knew the Lelouch behind his calculated lies and masks, and those who got too close, were wounded, or pushed away by his pursuit of his ambitions. In the end, his ambition to recreate the world was answered by his own death, after giving directing all the world’s hatred at himself, and then having his knight, Suzaku Kururugi, assume his old mask of Zero, and kill him. The world his death created, was one of peace and prosperity. And, in the end, he was left to his fate. - - - Unknown Location, Unknown Time... “That’s what I remember...” Lelouch spoke, lying on his back in a black location, “Is this Hell, then? A suitable place for me to end up...” he turned his head from side to side, but there was truly nothing in the location, “After all I’ve done, solitude seems like something ‘God’ would do to a soul as tainted as I...” looking out into the sky, his slight smile deepened into a frown, “Wonder how Nunnally is doing... I hope she is leading the world-No... She can do it. I believe in her. She’s got Suzaku to guide her, after all.” his hand felt the singular chess piece. The king. The power vested into his eyes. He would never shy away from a fight, but his Geass rendered the practice next to useless. The only purpose it served was ensuring things got done right, and that the people saw that he led by example... Is what he told himself, at least. Sometime masks were so finely created, even the creator cannot see underneath them. “Creature of the night,” tore him from his daze, and, before him, appeared a creature. It appeared equine in nature, and he would know-he’s ridden quite a few in his time-but was unlike any steed he’s ever seen. It bore the wings of a mythological pegasus, and the singular horn of the similarly mythological unicorn, and an almost gaseous, starry mane. She was adorned with royal bearings, a crown, chest piece, and horseshoes being the notable features. Strangest thing was-she had a marking embedded upon her flanks. A crescent moon. Strange thing to mark your horse with, but... “Never would’ve guessed ‘God’ used creatures like that for angels...” Lelouch sighed, lying back down, this time with his hands cradling his head. He himself did not believe in God, and by extension, angels. However, seeing how he was in a sort of ‘limbo’-esque state, he felt like humoring the apparition. “I beg your pardon?” she asked, sounding surprised. “It’s obvious you work for a higher power. And, seeing how I distinctly remember dying, yet somehow woke up in some... black canvas...” he trailed off. “I... don’t know how to respond to that. Was it an insult or a compliment, good sir?” she asked. “Take it as you will, I’m enjoying my tormented limbo, if that’s what you’re here to check.” He sighed. “What’s your name, you strange little man?” the apparition asked, its hooves clicking across the... invisible floor? “Let’s go with that...” Lelouch mumbled, “Lelouch Vi Britannia. Ex 99th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire.” “An emperor? Whatever are you doing here, I wonder?” she asked, sincerely, before clearing her throat, “Seeing how you were so kind, I shall follow suit. I am Luna el Equestria, Co-Ruler of the Holy Equestrian Empire. I hate to force this upon you, but I... need...” the last part was muffled. She continued to try to say something, and it was painfully obvious as to what, but Lelouch was nothing if not a playful man when dealing with people freely. “What? I don’t speak schoolgirl.” he joked, reminiscing Ashford Academy, and all the shy schoolgirls. Well, at least Nunnally and... Rolo liked chocolate. “My people require... assistance.” she managed out, “The capital city, and most of my military, has been captured by a hideous army, and I sought out the assistance of a great tactician. As time as short, I picked the one on the top. That happened to be you.” Wasn’t what Lelouch was expecting from an apparition of his imagination. He had thought it was going someplace.. dark, but, maybe... just maybe... this was real. He still had his doubts, but he’d play along. For now, at least. Give him something to do in the afterlife. “Very well. You came to the right man, Princess. Lelouch Vi Britannia, the Knight of Justice, shall assist you.” He got up, and dusted himself off. However, he questioned whether or not he was actually dusting himself off, being in limbo and all that. The pegasus unicorn thing began focusing energy into her horn, and, in a bright flash of light, they were gone. Removed from the place where he was a few moments prior. However, as they left, Lelouch noticed something in the corner of his eye. Standing there, with a satisfied smile on his(?) face, stood a slender framed man, not unlike himself. He had black, long hair, which he styled over his face, covering most of his facial features. Lelouch, in that span of mere seconds, could only make out a finely pressed black suit, black tie, a black fedora, and a pair of glasses. The man’s black eyes were in a way that relied delight, and the man appeared to be applauding, softly. Before Lelouch could react, however, both living beings were gone, leaving the strange man in the realm. “I had never expected this outcome, Lelouch...” his voice was shaky, as he clapped somewhat louder now, before coming to a complete stop. Leaning down, the man picked up a black briefcase. Opening it up, he took out a notepad, and quickly jotted down a few things. “Priority three has entered the safe zone...” he muttered, before closing the notepad, and neatly placing both the pen and notepad back into the briefcase, and closing it. “Project Viva la Vida shall proceed as planned...” Despite his busy schedule, he was a patient man, one who always did things the way they were supposed to be done, and took his time doing them. Locking his briefcase, he picked it up, and checked his watch. “Priority Alpha... where are you, my dearest lily...?” he muttered, before disappearing in a snap. No bright flash. No smoke cloud. No sound. Nothing to imply he was there to begin with. He simply... vanished.