Shirley was walking to the park while talking to her father on the phone.

Shirley: Father, don't get me so worried. I am capable of handling my own. I grow up now so there's nothing you can do. Please, just try to understand that I will graduate soon. I love you, bye.

She turns off the phone as she has reached the destination. She looking around and check on her phone that has text on it. She was confusing about who receives her a message all of sudden.

Shirley: I wondering who sent here for? I really don't understand.

???: Perhaps you do.

She shrieked as she turns around to see a white-haired Chinese man wearing some odd clothes.

He walked towards her as he said with a generous voice.

Mao: You know, it is a pleasure to meet you, Shirley Fenette.

Shirley: How- What are you want from me?

Mao: What I want from you? Oh... something I need for you to be useful.

Shirley: Huh? What do you mean?

Then suddenly, two Heretic shadows pop out from behind and grab on her. Mao watched as Shirley is trying to break free but no avail. Then, they put a handkerchief on her mouth until she feels unconscious. Mao just clapping his hands for no reason and he said to two shadow troopers.

Mao: Alright boys, you know what to do.

The shadow troopers taking Shirley somewhere for his plan.

Mao: let's see Lelouch will save her in time. Hahahaha!!!

...

Suzaku was sent to Ashford Academy by Henry and Euphemia to see any suspicious that tries to harm Lelouch or Nunnally. His friends came to see him and felt excited to see him again.

Rivalz: Hey Suzaku, where have you been? It's been two days and you haven't shown up.

Suzaku: Hehehe... Sorry. You know how my job works.

Rivalz: Well... Okay then.

Milly: Anyway, Nunnally feels worried about you in her room. I suggest going to see her.

Suzaku: Right. But where's Lelouch.

Milly: He's in his room, probably still sleeping, I guess.

Suzaku went up to Nunnally room to see her having a chat with Sayoko.

Suzaku: Hey, Nunnally.

Nunnally: Suzaku! I'm glad to see you here.

Suzaku: Yeah. Sorry for missing the class.

Nunnally: Oh, it's fine. Sayoko, will you leave us?

Sayoko: Of course.

She leaves the room and Suzaku kneels down on her and said.

Suzaku: So how are you been while I was gone?

Nunnally: Eh, not much. We just doing some class, that's all.

Suzaku: Heh. As I said, I'm sorry for not seeing you here.

Nunnally: It's fine. You have a lot of work, right? So there's no need to apologize.

Suzaku: Yeah. So, is that true your brother still sleeping?

Nunnally: Yeah. Maybe because he's work too hard for something important.

Suzaku: I see... Well, I'll be headed to the class. See you there.

Nunnally: Bye.

Suzaku leaves Nunnally's room and headed to the class. Unknown to him, Milly was at the corridor spying on him and went to hide from Suzaku just as he looks back and continues headed to the class. Milly contacts to GDI agents and said.

Milly: Excuse me, tell me you're not serious about... Lelouch being Zero.

GDI agent (on comms): I'm afraid so. Commander Jefferson has proof that Lelouch was Zero when he is in MT. Fuji for the Kyoto group meeting.

Milly: Okay. But I shouldn't involve in this! It takes too much for me to handle the truth. I mean, I know Lelouch wanted to know about the behind of his mother's assassination, but he might be caught. I'm just...

GDI agent (on comms): I know it's hard for hearing the truth from our commander. But you must remain calm and keep an eye for Lelouch. He might be leaving soon for the next operation.

Milly let out of sight and nod it. After that, she walked away to go back to work for a school activity.

...

Elder: So... This Mao tells us about Geass, am I right?

Jade: Yes. According to Lady Death that contacts Mao, Geass is a supernatural ability that certain people can bestow upon others. Geass has any ability that possesses only to be given those who have the ability to give powers to anyone who is part of this construct. I don't know about you but it is beyond for my scientific explanation.

Elder: Hmm... That seems interesting to possess such a kind of power. However, it will be a threat to us.

Jade: Huh? What do you mean, grandmaster?

Elder: The Geass they possess will destroy us and we, Heretic of Nod, must fight to destroy them. But I would like to look forward to more about Geass. What else do you know about this Mao?

Jade: He would like us to assist him to find a girl named C.C or C2.

Elder: C2. What an odd name for not human.

Jade: He said she is the only person that can give geass to anyone who is worthy and the one that has taken care of him ever since he was a boy.

Elder: I want to find this C2 and take a photo of it. I want to know her face.

Jade: Yes, grandmaster.

Afterward, she bows down and leaves the room. The elder stands up from his chair and looks at through the window to see the nuclear launch site has been established and it will be ready soon.

Elder: This world will see the first nuclear missile they never invented before.

...

Lelouch wakes up as he gets his dress on. He was going head out when his phone rang and look up to see it's from Shirley.

Lelouch: Hm? It's from Shirley. I wonder why is he calling me for?

He turns on the phone and said.

Lelouch: Shirley, what is it?

???: It's not Shirley you're talking to.

His eyes wide open shocking for someone is speaking him using Shirley's phone. He grinned his teeth as he said.

Lelouch: Who is this! And what have you done to Shirley!

???: Now, now, there's no need to be hasty. She is safe with me. You better ask nicely or she will get it.

Lelouch: What do you want?

???: Meet me at Narita city in the afternoon. Don't be late.

And so, a mysterious person calls off the phone call making Lelouch angry as he shouted.

Lelouch: Hey wait-- Goddamn it! That son of a bitch!

CC: Maybe you should keep your voice down before anyone can hear you.

Lelouch turns around to see C.C have appeared on the bed. She wears casual clothes for disguise from the britannian military forces. She said to him.

CC: I wonder, who is the man calling you?

Lelouch: I-- I don't know! He's using Shirley's phone and I felt that something would happen to her.

CC: How crybaby you are, Lelouch. But anyway, I will help you to find her only because you care for her so much.

Lelouch wanted to say more to her but he doesn't have time for that as he needed to save Shirley as soon as possible. Lelouch and CC went out of the academy and headed to Narita.

...

On the rooftop, two GDI agents are looking at Ashford Academy when they spotted two people walking out of the academy so they radio contact to GDI headquarter.

GDI agent: This is Agent 1, both Zero and the green lady is heading out. I want all available units to know his location.

...

Lelouch reaches to Narita as things have changed since the battle that took place here. The GDI riflemen patrol around the city for any britannian spies have infiltrated. The defenses were standby to defend the territory from the enemy. The civilians are allowed to enter and leave the city only to have identification papers to reason to be here. Lelouch watched as things are normal here, however, he felt like some GDI soldiers are watching them before focusing their task. can feel his skin shaking like the wind just caught on him. As he walking around, his phone rang so he picks it up and said.

Lelouch: Alright, I'm here. So where are you?

???: I'm right here.

Lelouch turns around to see a person was none other than Mao as he holding Shirley's phone. He throws the phone on the ground near him. Lelouch said to him.

Lelouch: You son of- What have you done to Shirley.

Mao: Oh! I like it! A scary face. The fact that a man hid behind the mask and go by Zero.

Lelouch is shocked a lot as he knows his identity. He doesn't know how he knows his identity but he has a feeling that it will be happening if he tells the police about Zero identity. But he remains calm as he focuses on saving Shirley so he asked.

Lelouch: What the hell is Shirley!

Mao: You want to know then you have to challenge me first. I suppose you specialize in this, don't you?

He held on a white horse chess piece as a sign of a challenge. Lelouch nodded at him. Mao taking him to the mountain railcar as it going up to the higher point. While they get there, they are playing chess games in the railcar. His thoughts run wildly as he is challenging a man who kidnaps Shirley.

Lelouch (thoughts): Is he the one? Or another eyewitness? I'm sure this chess game is just a ploy. His real goal is to lure me to an isolated place.

Mao: You know I've never actually played this game before, don't you?

Lelouch (thoughts): Calling on my mobile... was he just being theatrical? No, he didn't know what I look like. That means he didn't see me that night. And he didn't have time to find a photo of me. He hasn't planned this out, he's winging it. Which means...

Mao: There's an opening you can use? Shouldn't you be thinking about the game a bit more? You could lose.

Mao moves back his chess piece to avoid being eaten by Lelouch chess pieces.

Lelouch: You liar, you have played this game before!

He moves his chess piece back but it was only a matter of time before he gets beaten the game.

...

On the rooftop, the GDI sniper team is in position when they receive order to put surveillance on Lelouch who is being led by a man to the railcar and headed to the top of the mountain. GDI sniper looks on the scope at the railcar but he couldn't get a good look at it so he radios contact his superior.

GDI sniper: This Sniper team-1, I can't see two targets clearly. Waiting for them to come out of the railcar.

GDI operator (on comms): Roger that.

Then, he notices someone is riding on the mountain using a motorcycle so he looks up and sees CC is riding through the mountain.

GDI sniper: Hold on. I got a visual on my sight. Request to sent a recon team to investigate.

...

Lelouch is feeling shaking as he is losing the chess game as Mao is moving his chess piece forward to have him cornered.

Lelouch (thoughts): Impossible... He's got me trapped?!

Mao: So, can we just call it my game, hmm?

As the railcar stopped, the chessboard went into flying and the pieces are fell on the floor.

Lelouch (thoughts): How could he predict every move I made? Who is this guy?!

Mao: Didn't C.C. tell you about me? Well done! In one lightning moment, you came up with 14 possible identities for me. And one of them is precisely correct.

He removes his shades to reveal him to be geass on both eyes.

Lelouch: He has Geass, too!

He activates his Geass on him but it didn't work. Mao explains to him.

Mao: Let's see now. For your Geass, you have to look directly into someone's eyes. Oh, I know all the rules for your little gift.

Lelouch: You can read minds!

Mao: You could call my Geass mind-reading.

Lelouch stands up at him and shouted.

Lelouch: What the hell did you do to Shirley?! Tell me! What did you do, kill her?!

Mao: Course not! I'll show you.

They both exit the railcar and then Lelouch was shocked to saw Shirley being blindfolded, gagged on her mouth prevent to speak, she is being tied u on the chair, and there's the bomb on her chest. Lelouch grabbed on Mao's shirt and shouted.

Lelouch: What the hell is this for!?

Mao: Well, you see, certain people know about you. But I'll never tell you because I promise them to never reveal their identity except you. So if you want to save her, you should let go of me before we both died by a bomb. Or I can shoot you right now.

He said as he pulled out a gun and point at him. Lelouch hesitates before he can let go of him. He needs to come up with a plan before the bomb will blow her up.

...

Somewhere in the dock, Ohgi is watching on the sunset to take some time to think about something on Zero.

Ohgi: Zero, you seem to act serious about GDI. I don't know who they are, but I might don't want to fight them if it comes with that.

Then, he saw something in the distance. He takes a look closer to see a girl who is bleeding and unconscious so he headed there to see if she is alive.

Ohgi: Hey! Are you all alright? C'mon.

He checks on her pulse and he can hear breathing.

Ohgi: You're alive. Thank god. I have to get to you somewhere safe.

...

Russell and his small squad of GDI spec-ops run to the mountain where Lelouch was there. He makes sure he can get there in no time.

...

Mao: So, Lelouch, here's how it works; all you have to do is cut three wires to disarm the bomb. But if you choose it wrong, it goes... kaboom!

Lelouch: You're insane.

Mao: You could say that, Lelouch. But let's not go waste time. There's a knife on the table there so you can use it to cut the wire, or better yet, you can stab her into a heart and the bomb will be disarmed too.

Lelouch growls at him as he grabbed a knife from the table and went to Shirley. He feels sweating for he needs to be careful not to cut the wrong wire.

Lelouch (thoughts): This is not good. If I am not able to find which wire I have to cut, I might put Shirley in danger. It is all because of me.

Mao: My, my, don't you need so dramatic, Lelouch. Keep doing it and your girl will be blown into pieces.

Lelouch: Shut it! Shirley doesn't do anything bad!

Mao: And I don't care. I love to see her suffer like that.

Lelouch: You bastard!

Mao: You should go back to saving the girl or I have to shoot you and your girl myself.

He glares at him before looking back at the bomb. His hand shaking held on the knife that was about to cut the wire but he doesn't know which one is correct. He feels losing hope to save Shirley from Mao the psychopath man. Then suddenly, a bullet shoot of Mao's gun as Mao got hit and feel so painful. Lelouch shrieked as he looks around to see Russell have arrived in time.

Russell: If you think trying to get your gun back, I suggest you won't, pal.

The GDI spec-ops arrive and pointing the guns at Mao.

Mao: Well, it seems like you guys just arrive. But I can't stick around longer so I'll be on my way.

Mao said as he ran through the railcar before Russell and GDI spec-ops open fire at him. Mao takes over and took a shotgun to defend himself then the door just close all of sudden and the railcar is moving down.

Mao: What the? How I didn't see that coming!? Who's operate the railcar?

He looks at the right side of the window surprisingly to see C.C who turns on the machine to move down the railcar while pointing her gun at him. Mao doesn't care about the gunpoint as he drops the guns and goes to the window saying to her.

Mao: It couldn't be! C.C! Is that you? I just knew it! We finally meet again! It's you! It's really you!

CC walks out while pointing a gun at him.

Mao: You look beautiful, C.C.! I love that new look! C.C., I'll come to see you as soon as I can! I promise! I promise!

Afterward, he went out of the distance as he reaches to the lower level. Meanwhile, the GDI-spec-ops know how to disarm the bomb from Shirley it went successful. They untie her as Shirley finally breaks free. She looks around to see soldiers surround her then she saw Lelouch standing there.

Shirley: Lelouch? Is that you?

Before she gets a chance, a GDI spec-op just put her to sleep. After that, they take her to the aircraft to get her back to academy safety. Russell look at her before he went to Lelouch as he said.

Russell: Alright, can you explain what's going on here?

Lelouch: I- I was being called someone that I recognized when I heard a man calling me using her phone. He wanted me to be here to challenge for chess game then he forces me to which wire I should cut to disarm the bomb. I might make a wrong move and she will-

Russell: Hey, hey, don't be act like that. She's fine now. She will be taking back to Ashford Academy in no time. By the way, I want to know who is that guy on the railcar.

C.C: His name is Mao.

They both turned around to see C.C approaching them.

Russell: And you know him?

C.C: A long time. But he went crazy so I have to leave him.

Russell: Hmm... I'll report it to my commander. In the meantime, we'll get you two back to the academy.

Lelouch: Oh, yes sir.

...

Mao is in the alley as he was able to escape from GDI. He takes a few breaths before he meets Lady Death again.

Lady Death: You just failed to do one job. How is it you failed a simple job.

Mao: I have forgotten that I can't read her mind since she is the only one that can immune it. It also includes her immortality.

Lady Death: Immortality? So she is like a god?

Mao: If you can say that, yes. But she can feel the pain once you shoot her. It makes more pain is chopping off her pieces.

Lady Death: Hmm... Alright then, change the plans. We're pulling back for now.

Mao: But! What about C.C?

Lady Death: You'll get her next time...

A shadow trooper came out from the shadow and give her a picture of C.C at the railcar station.

Lady Death: Besides, my grandmaster wanted a picture of her.

Mao: Ohh... May I have it?

Lady Death: You can after I sent this to my grandmaster. You want our help then you must follow our lead.

Mao: Fine. Just to get C.C for caring me for few years ago. I want her to brought to Australia.

Lady Death: You're so obsessive about that girl.

Mao: She is the only person I like the most in the world. No one will take her from me. Not even Lelouch.

Lady Death: And you will. Now let's go. We wait until the right time to come.

They went into the alley and disappeared from the darkness.