Code Per;sona - Chapter 13 - DigiAndromeda (2024)

Chapter Text

As the real Suzaku walked out of the room he looked at them with confusion and anger but before anyone could say anything C.C. moved.

“No…” She croaked out, voice drenched in fear and worry. “YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE!” her cry startled everyone as she actually pushed passed Cognitive Tohdoh. “IF HE FINDS YOU THEN-”

“Too late.” a child’s voice chuckled and in the blink of an eye the real Suzaku’s shadow exploded outward and upward. With horrifying quickness it snaked its way up his body binding his legs together and pinning his arms to his sides.

“Wha-!” his mouth was covered by shadowy tendrail and he began to sink into the black puddle beneath him.

“Suzaku!” Lelouch and C.C. Cried out and, with a surprising burst of strength, Lelouch bolted towards his friend.

“I don’t think so!” The young voice shouted angrily and as Lelouch reached Suzaku, sharp black spikes exploded out from underneath the Japanese teen.

A strong hand grabbed Lelouch and pulled him backwards, the large spikes barely missing him as he fell back into Cognitive Suzaku’s arms.

“What are you doing?!” The Cognitive teen cried out. “You could have hurt him!”

“He's going to get in the way!” The Voice raged back. “This is the perfect opportunity for my wish to come true and I won’t let him interfere!”

“By hurting him?!” Cognitive Suzaku’s grip on Lelouch was strong but shaky.

C.C. Kneeled at Their side watching helplessly as Suzaku continued to sink into his own shadow.

“Warden.” The voice spoke coldly. “I created you to help grant my wish.” Suzaku was now thigh deep into his shadow. “I left you in charge so you could make my wish come true.”

“I know that but-”

Suzaku struggled against his bindings and something slipped out of his pocket.

“Lelouch won’t let my wish come true.” The young voice explained with frustration. “If we leave him be or just throw him out, he’ll keep coming back, keep interfering.” As the voice spoke, familiar blue flames consumed Lelouch and C.C., transforming their clothing and placing their masks firmly on their faces.

C.C. Let out a curse as the flames dissipated.

“But Lelouch and I made a deal!” Cognitive Suzaku pleaded, “We promised to protect each other!”

“That’s why my wish has to come true!” The voice explained.

“I know! But you can’t hurt Lelouch!” The Cognition demanded.

“You can’t protect Lelouch and make my wish come true…” came the seething reply, followed by an ultimatum. “Which is more important to you?”

“Lelouch.” There was no hesitation in Cognitive Suzaku’s response.

“Then so be it.” The young voice lost all emotion, causing a panicked feeling of deja vu in Lelouch.

Suzaku’s head was now nose deep and Lelouch finally managed to break free from Cognitive Suzaku. He practically threw himself forward and reached out towards his friend, ignoring the large spikes.

“Lelouch!” Both C.C and Cognitive Suzaku cried out.

The Britannian teen ignored them but just as he reached Suzaku, the brunette’s head slipped fully into the darkness and in the blink of an eye the shadow shrunk and disappeared.

Lelouch’s hand smacked against the empty floor and he froze there in shock.

“Suzaku…?” He called in disbelief. “Suzaku!” He began searching and pounding the floor but the only thing he found was an outdated and cracked smartphone.

“Lelouch we can’t stay here!” C.C. Exclaimed as she pulled on the boy’s arm.

“She’s right! We’re surrounded!” Cognitive Suzaku clarified.

“Suzaku…” but Lelouch couldn’t hear them.

“Guards, Captor them all.” The voice commanded.

C.C heaved Lelouch to his feet but the boy was still in shock and his full body weight pulled her down.

“Help me!” She shouted at Cognitive Suzaku as he kicked a Guard in the face and sent it flying into the group behind it.

Quicker than humanly possible Cognitive Suzaku was by C.C.’s side and lifting Lelouch over his shoulder.

“Strike them!” As soon as Lelouch left her arms C.C. Summoned her persona, who flapped her wings, unleashing a gust of wind towards the enemy.

The attack wasn’t strong enough to send the guards flying but it pushed one back, causing it to stumble.

C.C. Bolted forward, jumping up and kicking the off balance guard out of her way.

Cognitive Suzaku was at her side and by the time her feet touched the ground he had already knocked another guard down.

With a path open to them, C.C. Grabbed Cognitive Suzaku by the arm and bolted to the Safe Room.

It was a gamble but the Shadows and Cognitions shouldn’t follow them in.

However, she wasn’t sure if Cognitive Suzaku could go in...

She slammed open the door and yanked the Cognitive teen inside.

“What?!” He exclaimed in shock and instinctively closed his eyes.

The young lady quickly closed the door and held it closed.

The Cognition stumbled in, bumping into the bed frame. Squinting his eyes open he stared around in confusion before setting Lelouch down.

“But… the wall?” He looked at C.C in bewilderment.

“You couldn’t see the door?” She answered with another question.

“What,” the Cognitive teen paused as he swayed a bit, “what door?” His form seemed to fade a bit, almost as if he was a ghost.

“Come stand by the door.” C.C. Said as she stepped away.

Cognitive Suzaku did as instructed and once by the door his body returned to normal.

heaving a sigh of relief he looked over C.C. And Lelouch.

“What is this?” He demanded.

“We’re the ones who should be asking you questions.” Lelouch suddenly seethed, anger dripping from his tone.

“Lelou-”

“What’s going on here?!” The Britannian teen stood up and grabbed Cognitive Suzaku by his collar. “Who’s the criminal!? Why are you hiding things from me?!”

“Me?!” The cognition spat and easily pried Lelouch’s hands off. “Like your one to talk! You were supposed to keep me updated on anything you learned about that weird museum!” His grip on Lelouch’s wrists tightened as the Britannian opened his mouth to retort.

“Yo-”

“But instead,” Cognitive Suzaku steamrolled ahead. “you kept quiet about reuniting with C.C.,” he shoved Lelouch away, “came into my Base, let my other self follow you, and woke Him up!”

“Who is Him?!” Lelouch shouted angrily.

“The criminal!” The Cognition shouted back.

“Who’s the criminal!?” The former prince demanded

“Suzaku…” C.C.’s voice was quiet but steady, soft but hard. “Suzaku is the criminal…”

Silence stretched for a moment as Lelouch’s confusion blossomed into horror and Cognitive Suzaku’s anger to fear.

“What?” Lelouch asked, already knowing the answer.

“The Criminal escaped when we entered the Palace…when Suzaku entered the palace. That more than likely means the Criminal is Suzaku’s Shadow Self…” C.C. Deduced.

“…” silence lingered for a moment as Lelouch tried to take in this information.

But his panic was building.

His head was swimming.

(Everything was going out of control)

What did she mean?

Suzaku was the criminal?

(He couldn’t think.)

But… the criminal was slated to be executed…

(He didn’t understand-)

That ment Suzaku hated the criminal…

(He couldn’t think)

(His chest and head were hurting)

Suzaku hates the criminal enough… to…

(He couldn’t think)

(He couldn’t think)

He couldn’t breath-

“Lelouch!” Both C.C. And Cognitive Suzaku called out to him, the first holding his hand, the other a trembling hand on his shoulder.

“Breath!” C.C. Instructed sharply then continued more softly. “Focus on me, breathe with me. In, hold, two, three, four and out, slowly.”

Lelouch tried to pull away but Cognitive Suzaku’s hold on his shoulder was strong… was grounding.

“I’m sorry…” the Cognitive teen whispered, his voice filled with pain. “But Please, breathe…”

Lelouch didn’t like that… Suzaku was always the first to apologize and it seemed his Cognition wasn’t any different…

But…

He was grounding Lelouch.

His presence, a trembling but strong rock.

Lelouch took a deep breath and held it.

Two

Three

Four

And slowly out.

(He hated this.)

He repeated the technique again.

(Feeling this out of control)

And again.

(Being this weak)

His breathing synchronized with C.C.’s.

(Being seen like this)

“Why?” Lelouch finally asked, his voice trembling with some remaining anger. “Why is Suzaku the criminal? Why… is he…”

He couldn’t finish the question.

“I’m sorry, Lelouch…” Cognitive Suzaku withdrew his hand and nervously rubbed his arms. “I don’t know…”

“How do you n-” Lelouch began to seeth again.

“I DON’T REMEMBER!!!” The Cognitive boy shouted out. “He created me to take his place, to be the perfect soldier, to help grant his wish but I don’t remember anything about why!”

The other two teens were taken aback at his outburst.

“My memory of our last few months together is so spotty…” The Cognitive teen let out a small sob before rubbing the tears from his eyes. “I just know I have to protect you and Nunnally, no matter what!”

For a brief moment the Cognition’s eyes seemed to shift color but Lelouch was more taken back by the teen’s declaration.

“Even though you’re keeping secrets from me?” The Britannian halfheartedly shot.

“Despite you lying to me.” The Japanese shot back.

The glares they gave each other were halfhearted but steady.

Neither boy was willing to back down or move forward.

“Seriously?” C.C. Heaved a heavy sigh to herself before signing again more dramatically and grabbing the boys attention.

“We all have a lot of questions but none of that is important right now.”

Both boys opened their mouths to argue but she shot them a piercing glare.

“If we don’t move quickly, we could lose Suzaku forever.” She cut them off, her words making Lelouch pale even further and Cognitive Suzaku to look away in guilt.

“What do you mean?” Lelouch (weakly) demanded.

“When a person enters their own Palace, their Shadow Self will confront them. Typically bringing them to the heart of their Palace and holding them there until they wake up.”

“Wake up?” Lelouch questioned.

“Being inside the Metaverse without a Persona or strong enough will is incredibly draining. I’m sure the real Suzaku has passed out by now.” C.C. Explained.

“Will he be okay?” Lelouch asked.

“If we can rescue him before he wakes up, then yes.” C.C. Pinched the bridge of her nose, as she seemed to be developing a headache.

“Why before?” Lelouch frowned at her answer.

“Because there’s only one thing a Shadow Self wants more than anything else in the world.” She paused, wether for effect or worry, and took a deep breath before continuing. “A Shadow Self is your truest self. The thoughts, emotions, and desires you keep buried and hidden deep inside your heart.” She emphasized.

“All they want is to be accepted by their other self… but not many people are mentally prepared or capable of accepting the nastiest part of themselves…” the worry… the fear in C.C. Eyes were sending alarm bells off in Lelouch’s head.

“What happens if the Shadow Self is rejected?” Lelouch asked, already knowing he wasn’t going to like the answer.

“If Suzaku rejects his Shadow, the Shadow will try to replace him by killing him… and if he succeeds… Both of them will die.”

Code Per;sona - Chapter 13 - DigiAndromeda (2024)

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