Halloween terrorist

"...and those who abuse power will fall under the blows of our sword of justice!" Lelouch threw up his hand. His reflection in the mirror repeated after him. The flaps of his cloak flew up into the air. But, unfortunately, not perfectly enough. The rehearsal had to be continued. Lelouch drank some water, set the glass on the table next to Zero's helmet. He cleared his throat and was about to recite his monologue to the Order of the Black Knights. But then the door rattled open. The lamp under the ceiling swayed menacingly. "Lelouch! There's work for you!" Milly called from the threshold. Lelouch turned around in horror. The flaps of the cursed cloak flew up pompously around him again. They just stared at each other. A silence fell into the air. In that agonizingly long moment, Lelouch had time to experience the full range of emotions, from shock to anger at Milly and at himself. Didn't this woman know how to knock when she broke into someone else's room? And why did he forget to lock the damn door in the first place? In a second equally agonizing moment, Lelouch calculated twenty-three possible outcomes. Many of them included the use of the geass, something he would very much like to avoid. But the fact that he's a fan of Zero is hardly enough of an explanation for having the perfect replica of his costume. Milly, however, did not look shocked. On the contrary, a sly smile appeared on her face. "Oh, Lelouch, I'm so glad you decided to join in after all!” "In a..." muttered Lelouch. Milly's tone, full of almost sizzling enthusiasm, certainly did not bode well. "Your costume is gorgeous! Where did you get it?” Milly dumped the stack of papers she'd brought with her on the table, jumped up to him, pulled at the edge of his cloak, groped the fabric. Then tugged at his collar, and his neckerchief. She unceremoniously undid the cloak's clasp, peering at it with interest. Lelouch felt his eye begin to twitch. No one dared touch his precious costume! But he had to endure it. "It looks expensive. I see you've taken our event seriously this time. Do you want to make up for lost time from years past?” Lelouch spent a few seconds trying to figure out why Milly was reacting this way. Then he realized. He glanced quickly at the calendar hanging on the wall. Right, it was the end of October. Halloween was marked the day of tomorrow. Every year on that day, everyone at the Academy wore costumes. In the evening there was a competition for the best outfit. Lelouch had forgotten all about it when he was too busy with his revolutionary work. A wave of relief came over him. The perfect explanation found itself! "I bought it on the Internet, then made a few changes. I wanted it to be a surprise," Lelouch said, explaining his earlier shock at Milly's arrival. Then he put on a concerned expression on his face. "But it doesn't seem like a good idea now. Zero's figure is... rather ambiguous.” Lelouch certainly didn't have time for silly costume parties. "Ow, relax," Milly brushed him off. "You're not the only one who's a fan of Zero. Which I'm not surprised, by the way. Rivalz was talking about how cool he was the other day. "Anyway, I'd rather drop this idea," Lelouch shook his head. "Don't you dare!" Milly jabbed her finger at him. "I want you to wear this costume tomorrow. That's an order from your president!” "If I am terrorist Zero, no one can give me orders. I'm the one giving the orders." Lelouch attempted to joke it off. Milly shot him a murderous glare. "I warned you," she smiled wickedly. Then she took the papers, slipped them into Lelouch's hands, and left through the door. Lelouch wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. No matter what Milly said, it was too dangerous to show up in a Zero’s outfit at the Academy.

***

  The morning chill was creeping under his clothes. The sun was pouring colors into the pale sky. The clock showed six in the morning. At that early hour, no one would be able to open their eyes, Lelouch reasoned. In his mind, he was already sitting in a chair at his base, behind a locked door, planning the next operation. Absolutely behind a locked door! If someone like Tamaki broke in on him again... At the very moment when sweet freedom was at hand, someone grabbed Lelouch by the arms. He started wriggling, trying to break free, but the strength of his untrained body was not enough. "You're not going to sneak away, are you?" Milly laughed wickedly in his ear. "Dude, are you really determined to throw away your costume? I haven't had a chance to try on the Zero mask yet!" Rivalz said over the other ear. "Let go of me!" Lelouch groaned. Shirley appeared in front of him and snatched the bag with the costume from his hands. "Lulu, how much longer can you avoid us? Can't you at least make time for your friends for the holiday?" she said. Milly and Rivalz dragged Lelouch with his back to the Academy. The heels of his shoes left two furrows in the gravel path. "I warned you there would be consequences if you tried to escape!" Milly exclaimed excitedly. "You know, the real terrorists are you. You're the very embodiment of universal evil," exhaled Lelouch to their amused laughter. "Well done, you're doin' terrific. I see you're getting into character! Keep it up," Rivalz encouraged him. Lelouch stared longingly at the retreating gates of the Academy.

***

  "How does it wear on?" Shirley asked puzzled. She was looking at the zippers on Zero's outfit. "Shirley, it's a jumpsuit, don't you see?" Milly explained. The two of them tried to put his own costume on Lelouch. Lelouch quickly realized that resistance was futile. But he still sabotaged the violence against him in every way possible. In response to questions about how Zero's costume was worn, he was silent and smugly smirked. Rivalz, meanwhile, put on the mask and threw his cloak over his shoulders. "I am justice! I am the spirit of vengeance!" he waved his arms joyfully in every direction and jumped around the student council room like a monkey. Lelouch tried to keep a stony expression on his face. It was hard to imagine a worse disgrace for Zero. "Rivalz, are you going to help us?" Shirley said incredulously. Rivalz pulled the mask off, grabbing it right by the glass and smudging it with his fingerprints. ‘This is... Monstrous…’ Lelouch thought with despair. Rivalz picked up his neckerchief and tied it tightly in a bow around his neck. Lelouch wheezed, his eyes bulging. "Something's not right, Rivalz," Shirley muttered thoughtfully. She opened the image of Zero on her laptop. With a concentrated look she stared back and forth between the picture and the real Zero in front of her. The difference was enormous. That picture of Diethard had turned out very well... Milly had just finished putting the boots on Lelouch's feet. She adjusted the ends of the jumpsuit pants so that the gold lines matched each other. "What high heels you have," she giggled. Shirley pushed Rivalz away and tried again to tie the handkerchief. From the feel of it, it came out even worse. "Let me do it myself," Lelouch couldn't stand it. He jumped up, stood in front of the mirror, and started tying the handkerchief around his neck for the third time. Milly came up behind him and threw his cloak over him. "Perfect," she purred. "Only the gloves and the helmet remained.” The helmet was immediately on his head. The glass blurred with greasy fingerprints. Lelouch sighed. It seemed he would have to accept his fate.

***

  Shirley and Rivalz walked down the corridor at Zero's sides, like bodyguards. They were determined to prevent his escape. Lelouch was torn between the desire to slump his shoulders and show him how much he disliked what was happening, and the desire to prevent further disgrace for Zero. "Zero! What are you doing here?!" There was a startled cry from Kallen. Lelouch turned around. That damned cape made the movement misplacedly pathosy again. "Even infamous terrorist wants a break, dosen't he, Zero?" Rivalz nudged him in the side with his elbow. Kallen threw a strange look at him. Rivalz didn't have a costume yet, so he'd just put on a wig and was now impersonating something that was supposed to be a stunning blonde. Maybe it was a pathetic impersonation of Milly. "It's just me," Lelouch sighed and took off his helmet. Kallen made a noise that sounded like a sigh of relief or a snort. "Why don't you have any costume?" Shirley asked. She wore a dress that looked like an octopus herself. The members of the swim club chose a nautical theme. "Ah, um... isn't it Halloween?" Kallen muttered puzzledly. It seems that Lelouch isn't the only one who's lost in time because of revolutionary things. "It's not a problem, we'll find one!" exclaimed Milly, who had just caught up with them. She had finally got over her overly revealing witch costume. "Run," Lelouch whispered through his lips, glaring at Kallen. "Run while you can!”

***

  Shirley and Rivalz continued to guard Lelouch in class. They followed him closely, making escape absolutely impossible. The other students didn't help with their extra attention, either. Every minute someone came up and praised him for his excellent costume. Even a few people who were also impersonating Zero came up. But their costumes were nowhere near as good as the original. Lelouch felt both relieved that he wasn't the only Zero and smug that he was the best. He even found his own benefit in portraying Zero on Halloween. Now no pathetic cat can compromise him! No one is surprised anymore by his having a Zero costume and mask. Meanwhile, evening was drawing near. Giant pumpkins placed throughout the park flooded the alleys with an ominous orange light. Garlands of bats cast flying shadows. The hour of the costume contest was approaching, and Lelouch realized: it was now or never. He finally managed to sneak away from Shirley and Rivalz by mingling with the other Zeros. "If Zero is everyone, then no one is Zero," a strange thought occurred to him. Hmm, could this be used later? On the edge of the fourth of nine circles of holiday cheer - the candy stall area - Lelouch met C.C. Her head was sticking out instead of a sausage circle in a huge slice of pizza. Of course, what else could she be wearing? "How many times do I have to tell you that you're not allowed to show your face at the Academy like that?" Lelouch sighed wearily. "Not for you to say," she snorted. "Is that your real costume? You could have at least made a cheaper copy.” Before he could think of anything witty to say in response, he shuddered in horror. "Lulu-u-u-u, where are you-u-u-u-u?" Shirley shouted nearby. Lelouch would have preferred to hear a banshee scream right now, not this. "Lelouch!" Rivalz appeared at the other end of the alley. He wore a cowboy hat over the blonde's wig and a pirate's belt with a sword on it. He pulled out the sword and, gyrating, ran at Lelouch like an armored train without brakes. Everyone around him darted away. Lelouch, however, had prepared a path of retreat. He got hold of the remote control for the smoke machine, which was supposed to create a mystical atmosphere. In an instant the alley was covered in a thick mist. In the swirl of the cloak, Zero vanished epically. At least, that's what it looked like from the outside. In reality, Lelouch tripped over a trash can after a few steps in the fog. In the confusion, he hurriedly crawled under the stall table. He sat down there, tucking his cloak under him so it wouldn't get trampled. Rivalz dashed by, judging by the wild shouts of those knocked down by his sword. The fog kept rising, swelling up into a cloudy pile over people' heads. And everything in it was jumbled: sexy cats, witches and warlocks, knights of the Round Table, sea monsters and horses. The latter were the very real ones: the neighboring tent had just been torn down by someone from the equestrian club. Lelouch began to climb out from under the table. He bumped his head on the tabletop, spilled the pumpkin juice with the glasses on it. Good thing it wasn't on himself: it was his only clean costume at the moment, the spare ones were spinning in the washing machine drum. On his way to his long-awaited freedom, Lelouch shadowed between awnings, scrambled through veils of artificial cobwebs, kicked enormous spiders, fought off the bony arms of skeletons hanging from trees. It was only when the familiar wig of the emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire appeared in the darkness that Lelouch became truly frightened. "Aha! Zero! This is the end of your terror!" thundered the emperor. "The end of your despotic rule! Fall to your knees before me!" the inflamed Zero exclaimed and kicked the emperor in the knee with the heel of his boot. "Ah-ah-ah, why!?" He howled and rolled on the ground in agony. But Zero had already run on. At last he reached one of the festival warehouses. He climbed to the flat roof, on a stepladder that someone had left by the wall. In the distance, spotlights were shining, sniffing out the murky silhouette of the stage. From there, the shuddering bass of the music was streaming across the ground. The exit Lelouch was looking for had to be on the opposite side. Down below, in the darkness of the mist, the multicolored spots of garland lights glittered. In the abyss of terror, people who had lost their classmates screamed. Some monstrous shapes floated among the twisted trees and stole pumpkin cookies and candy. Zero laughed evilly, enjoying the chaos he had wrought. Did they tell him to play the part? Great! So let them get some real terror from a professional! The wind blew the clouds away from their settled place beneath the moon. It swept Zero's cloak, lighting a moment of triumph. Suddenly a voice came over the loudspeakers throughout the Academy: "Everyone, a reward is being offered for the capture of the infamous terrorist Zero. The smoke machine that went berserk was his doing! One more time! Find me Zero, the most realistic one! Zero was unrivaled in the cause of revolution and resistance to tyranny. Except he forgot that the Academy was Milly Ashford's field of play. Here only she was the goddess, the master of chaos and order. She alone ruled over all, and she would not allow her power to be split. And so, the hunt for her rebellious vice-president was on. Lelouch staggered back, almost falling off the roof of the warehouse. He realized, somehow at the wrong time, that the wind was not his friend. The fog was beginning to clear. Lelouch scrambled down the stairs and took off running. He should have gotten rid of Zero's appearance. But he couldn't just throw away his only clean, ironed costume. Not to mention the mask. He wouldn't be reading his speech in front of the Knights tomorrow, wrapped in a sheet! Lelouch realized that he would have to make a little detour to get his usual clothes from home. With these thoughts in mind, he turned onto the lawn, viciously trampling the grass. Unfortunately, Lelouch didn't have enough time for a long run. So, at speed, he was already waddling, gasping for air and bent over, holding his right side with his hand. "Phew," he exhaled, leaning back against a tree. Nearby, a skeleton hung in a loop and grinned mockingly. Someone had painted him lush, scarlet lips with lipstick. "Zero-o!" sang someone behind. They ran their hand with ridiculously long red fingernails over the glass of the mask. Lelouch froze in horror, terrified that this clawed paw would leave deep furrows. "Don't you want to come with us? We are very fond of bad guys…” Lelouch recoiled away. In front of him stood two girls dressed in revealing siren costumes. Their skin sparkled with glitter in the moonlight. They seemed to be from a seduction club. Trying to use their skills to win the hunt. "Ladies, my bed is already taken," he blurted out, remembering C.C., who had kicked him out of his own bed. The sirens' faces became very offended in a moment. But one of them found herself: "So it's not us coming to you, it's you coming to us!” Lelouch was genuinely glad to have his face hidden by a mask. This unsung conversation was making him blush. He backed up, turned around, and began to walk away in a hurry. He was no longer fit to run. The house where he and Nunnally's apartment was finally showed up ahead. Lelouch let the flame of hope flicker inside. But then a shiver passed over the ground. An otherworldly rumbling sounded in the cool night air. Like four horsemen of the apocalypse, the road was blocked by riders. "Zero, the realistic one! You're under arrest for disturbing the smoke machine," they announced. "For kicking the emperor in the knee. And for stealing two and a half pounds of pumpkin cookies!” “It wasn't me who stole the cookies!" Zero barked. "Your justice system is rotten to the core!” The horsemen surrounded him. They hovered like menacing shadows of doom. Lelouch hesitated, trying to think his way out of the situation. And then he noticed her. Sayoko was floating along the moonlit gravel path. She was dressed in her usual maid outfit, but now for some reason it looked unnaturally otherworldly. The keys in her hands tinkled softly with each step, the only sign of her being in the real world. "Sayoko!" Lelouch called out. "I need to get home!” "As you command, Zero-sama," she replied strangely. With a silent figure she soared through the air. And then the chastening specter descended upon the riders to torment their anguished souls. Lelouch had no time to consider why Sayoko had addressed Zero in such a respectful manner. He simply waddled away from the chilling screams. "Ow! My heel!” "Leave me alone, witch! Leave me alo-o-o-o-!” "You destroyed my ha-a-at!” The windows of the Lamperouge house shone with scarlet lights. The eerie stares of the empty pumpkin eyes greeted Zero. He quickly grabbed his clothes and hurried back outside. Those who knew that Lelouch was hiding behind Zero's mask would surely think of ambushing him outside his house. Unfortunately, he was right. Twenty meters later, a whirlwind came out of the bushes. Lelouch fell to the ground. On his chest appeared a blue cat's paw. "In brightest day, in blackest night, you will never escape my sight! Zero, tonight you will pay the price for your mean tactics!" A familiar voice proclaimed. "Ha! Of the two of us he is the meanest, the one who dares to lock the bird of freedom in a cage! Who bows his head to the tyranny of the president!" Zero laughed hysterically. Salvation was so near! "You have disturbed the order. Because of your terrorist act several stalls with sweets died!" The cat cut him off. Another figure loomed over Zero, with rabbit ears on his head. He could make out an expression on her face... as if she saw before her not a dramatic scene, but two idiots suffering from an overdose of pathos. "Suzaku, calm down. It's only Lelouch," Kallen grumbled. "Traitor," Lelouch snorted. Kallen raised her eyebrows in amazement. Lelouch realized he'd screwed up, and quickly added, "You didn't want to be in this masquerade, as neither did I!” "Milly said the prize for the capture would be forgiveness of October's school debts.” "Yeah," Suzaku scratched the back of his head. "I have a lot of absences, too... So sorry, Lelouch.” "You'd sell me out for good grades?" Lelouch asked tiredly. That question sounded rhetorical, though. Suzaku smiled embarrassedly. Took off Zero's helmet. The fresh night air touched Lelouche's heated face. "Honestly, you in that mask scare me. You look too much like him.” "Okay, I give up," Lelouch sighed. There was no other choice anyway.

***

  Already standing at the stage, heads bowed, were the other Zeroes. They, too, had been dragged here in the excitement of the chase. The crowd of students erupted in cheers as the real culprit was brought in. "The vice-president of the Ashford Academy Student Council! You will be executed for treason!" Milly shouted into the microphone. "In what way?" Lelouch clarified in a dull voice. "By cleaning up all the garbage alone!” Lelouch shuddered. One could really die of exhaustion after that. "But I'll give you an amnesty! Because today you won the contest for best costume!" Milly handed Lelouch a huge chocolate medal. He smiled nervously, trying not to show his relief. For the first time he could rejoice in injustice and nepotism... Milly and Lelouch walked down from the stage, where the rest of the student council were already waiting for them. Suzaku was standing next to Nina, casting frightened glances at her as she wore a dress similar to the one Euphemia usually wore, and a pink wig. Kallen pretended to be completely uninterested in what was going on, hiding behind the guise of her ill persona. "Congratulations on your victory, big brother!" Nunnally smiled cheerfully. Her wheelchair was decorated with bats and garlands. "You made us work up a sweat," Rivalz patted Lelouch on the shoulder. "But it was fun," grinned Milly. "I don't know, president," Shirley sighed. "I was worried Lulu would break his leg in that fog. Are you all right?” "Yeah," Lelouch smiled weakly. He could feel the warmth inside him. He might have wanted to run away, but... "Yeah, the fog was cool! You're just like the real Zero! Well, when he saved Suzaku," Rivalz exclaimed enthusiastically, interrupting Lelouch's musings. Nina went pale, and Suzaku frowned. An awkward pause hung from something. At least, it seemed so to the panicked Lelouch. He was frantically going over options in his head as to how to put it all together as a joke... The silence was broken by Kallen's loud laughter. "What, am I such a bad Zero? I'm hurt like a true fan," Lelouch pretended to be offended. And out of the corner of his eye he glanced at Suzaku. His reaction was what troubled him the most. But luckily he smiled understandingly. And so did Milly. "You are Zero? You're too lazy," Kallen snorted. "No, he's just... not motivated!" Shirley interjected. "I bet he wouldn't even pick up a gun!” That's not true! He could have picked up a whole machine gun! But Lelouch decided to just keep quiet. It was safer that way... After all, today was the odd day when he had to impersonate Zero, but in a way that wasn't very believable.

***

  The festivities lasted late, so Lelouch arrived at the OBK base the next day very sleepy. In his temples pulsed with pain the remaining scraps of music. "Hey, Zero, buddy! Happy Halloween!" Tamaki yelled right over his ear. A cheap replica of Zero's cape was hanging behind him, and in his hands he held an empty bottle of sake. It didn't seem to bother him that Halloween was a Britannian holiday. All that mattered was an excuse to drink. ‘Not again…’ mentally groaned Lelouch. "Uh, Zero? Why do you have glitter on your mask?” Looks like today is going to be a fun day, too...