Viva la Vida

by Arkhamwolf2012

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Adventure, Tragedy, Gore, Crossover, Human, Main 6, Princess Luna
Length: 4239

(another one, so original) Lelouch of the Rebellion crossover. Where have these been hiding, is what I wanna know.

Lelouch is called upon to help liberate Canterlot from the Changeling invasion. Post R2, so once he finds out it's not his mind being delusional... But, by that time, will he feel comfortable leaving his new life? Or will he remain in his new life, built on the illusion that he was delusional?(make sense of that, why don't you?
- - -
I haven't uploaded anything in awhile. Been busy. Finished Lelouch of the Rebellion. Here's something I wanted to do for awhile.
There will be other people coming in later, depending on whether or not I continue this. I get into swings, so... I'll update the description with the other guys as I choose them.

Published 2013-08-08 02:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-09 15:38:05 UTC

Prologue: Lelouch Vi Britannia's 'Happy' Ending

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.

Author's Note

Well, G-Man... He isn't G-Man. He's more or less me interacting with the plot directly. Inspired by G-Man, no doubt. But, not G-Man himself. Also, he's wearing a black suit, with long black hair, with black eyes, with a black tie... He's essentially the man in black, but has the palest skin in the world. Doesn't wear gloves, though... strange guy, my persona...

Anyway, Lelouch isn't the only one who's going to turn up. Think of my dimensional jumper as the guy who hunts down the people/things required for crossover shenanigans...
At some point, I'm thinking of poking fun at Another Century's Episode:R, but I think that's a bit too obscure for this crowd...

Now might be a good time to mention-I'm using the translation for Viva La Vida(Long Live Life), not the actual song, for the basis of this...
Though, it does seem to be Lelouch's freakin' theme. Most of the guys showing up are 'dethroned', depending on your viewpoint, so I thought it was a clever little bridge...
Then I saw how many freakin' fics there are that use the song. It's ridiculous. It's a good song, but...

Chapter 1: Lelouch vi Britannia: Preparation for Rebirth

The room which Lelouch and ‘Luna’ appeared in appeared to be some sort of War Room, from the days before mobile command centers. It was nostalgic, in some way or another. After all, he was world renowned(or at least Zero was) for his intelligent tactics and unrivaled mind.

Some called him a miracle worker, which was pretty funny.

Around the table were several armored guards, all resembling Western Knights, if they were horses. They were armed with swords, and were eyeing Lelouch, who merely smiled, understanding the unspoken hostility. But, if they were desperate enough to call him...

“There I go, thinking this is real...” he muttered to himself, under a sigh, “So, what’s the situation?”

“Our capital city of Canterlot has been completely overrun. They put up a powerful shield around it, and the only way through without flying is by train. Our enemies are masters of disguise, and being empowered by their queen, who is stationed in the castle. We’ve tried assaulting it from above, but it proved futile.”

“What is the enemy capable of?” Lelouch asked, looking over the city itself, before fixing his eyes on the castle. If they were held together by concrete, he could easily use siege weapons...

“They were able to quickly take over Canterlot, despite the added security for the wedding.” a knight replied. He seemed out of place among the gold plated knights, for he had more of a... black knight look to his armor, “I don’t think our ‘traditions’ will be able to win this battle.”

“Traditions?” Lelouch’s brow became arched. What tradition could get in the way of warfare?

“Most of the guards are too soft. We haven’t fought anything in... forever, really. Hardly any guards, unless they were positioned on the border, have combat experience. As such, they think the philosophy that kindness, love, and friendship can save us. Thankfully, we have a handful of guards who know how to fight, and more importantly, take another life.” This news brought a frown to Lelouch’s face. Luna seemed surprised, and added,

“Most of my Lunar Guards have combat experience, but it would take some time to deploy them...”

“Very well. What am I looking at in terms of weaponry?” Lelouch asked, holding his head in one hand, frowning.

“As far as siege weapons, we have enough ammo for our trebuchets, and three siege towers. Our initial supplies were wasted on a hasty counterattack, which was a diversion to get the civilians out.” Luna replied, nodding to herself.

“We already made sure none of them are Changeling, and are in the process of triple checking them.”

“What about our actual troops? What offensive capabilities do they have?” Lelouch was looking at a chess board, and smiling.

“In technological terms, we are equal to the changelings. In terms of horsepower, they outnumber us, five to one.” Lelouch cracked a smile. ‘Horsepower...’

“We have machines ready to uncloak the Changelings, and they’ve proved effective in our initial assault. All that’s left is to have them activated. They have a maximum effective range of 1 KM, and we have them positioned within range of each other. Once the attack begins, you’ll have to activate them yourself.” the ‘night’ pony handed me a switch. A simple device, not unlike the many he’s handled before.

“Now then, I require absolute control over all men who are going to attack, even the siege weapons. I’m taking it you don’t have wireless communications?” Lelouch asked.

“Sadly, no. However, Princess Luna could relay your messages, via telepathy.” the knight motioned a forehoof over to the navy winged unicorn, who nodded in confirmation.

“Alright. you just leave the Changeling Queen for later, understood? Our objective is capturing the city, the castle we’ll assault from all sides once we have complete control over the whole city, and regroup. Got it?” Lelouch asked, placing the pieces onto the chess board. However, he kept the Queen and King off, having a hunch they wouldn’t interfere.

When he looked back up, he was dumbstruck to see the man in black sitting across from him, with a shit eating grin on his face.

“It’s been a gloriously well ride thus far, has it not, Emperor Lelouch?” he spoke in a broken pattern, some syllables having more emphasis on them than others. Now Lelouch got a good look at the strange man, who sat cross legged across from him.

He wore a finely pressed tuxedo, as he guessed, but the shirt beneath it was snow white, making the black tie stand out. His deathly pale skin also stuck out, but his long hair(not unlike Li Xingke) was made more vibrant as a result. Had he not this... otherworldly feel to him, Lelouch would have attempted to use his Geass, to find out more about who he was. Sadly, Geass’ track record with people who had long hair wasn’t a good one. Sitting next to his seat, was a black suitcase. Lelouch risked a look away, only to find the room had been frozen. Everyone and everything in it was frozen. Lelouch tried to move, but found he was only able to move his head.

“Geass?” Lelouch asked, looking at the man, who shook his head.

“Call it... an effect of me being here. But, I’m not here to talk about that, I’m here to talk about your... plan.” Lelouch looked surprised. How had he known what he was thinking? If it wasn’t Geass... what kind of power did this guy have?! “You plan on taking out the Changeling Queen while the big fight happens in the city, giving Luna instructions from within the palace. But, why take that risk?” The man picked up the suitcase, placed it on his folded leg, and opened it. Try as he might, Lelouch couldn’t move. But, that might have been because he was never as athletic as he should have been. maybe it was because he was a prince?

“I can give you a gift, Lelouch. All you have to do is accept it, and you can pilot the Shinkirou once more. What do you say to that, Lelouch vi Britannia? There’s only... one catch. My... employer paying tribute to... his heroes. All you need to do, is live your life. Live it long, Lelouch, away from the eyes and filth of humanity.” the man smiled, as he handed Lelouch some sort of black whistle, that looked suspiciously like Suzaku’s Knight badge.

“And why would you give me this, if you wanted me to live peacefully?”

“Why do you leave a ball of yarn with a cat?” he asked, “You want to see what the cat does with it. I’m not saying you’re going to use it. I’m not going to punish you for destroying the whistle. Simply... do with it what you will.” he slid the whistle into Lelouch’s front pocket, and patted it. Giving a deep breath next to his ear, Lelouch shuddered, “Long live life, after all. And, as you said, what’s a life without change? Why not make the change something for this world to remember?”

“This fake world?” Lelouch chuckled, shaking his head.

“If that’s what you want to call it, yes. This ‘fake’ world.” the man got up, and neatly closed his briefcase, before checking his watch, “I hate to leave you like this, Lelouch, but I simply must be going... Lily has a habit of evading me, and I am running out of time before the hawk and the weasle are due.” the man snapped a rather irregular snap, and vanished. Motion and life returned to the small room, and Lelouch stood awkwardly, looking at the place where the human once was.

“Was that real...? Or, just my mind playing tricks on me further...?” he muttered, under his breath.

“Lelouch? Are you alright?” Luna asked, looking at the man in question. He turned to her, and gave a fake, warm smile.

“Very. Just... spaced out for a bit, if you’ll forgive me.” he smiled. ‘Even if it’s fake, I have a match to win...’ he told himself, ‘I’ll poke around after that...’

Author's Note

Slightly stalling, but...

Behold, my mary sue interdimensional traveler, in all his glory! Once again, I didn't exactly have a set way of bringing those I wanted to add that hadn't been done before in offical crossovers(like explosions or black holes), so I thought 'The G-Man can influence Time/Space. Why not get him to do it?'
He's not the G-Man, rather my take on the omniscient suited man...
Originally, he was going to be slightly more 'human' here, but I thought it would be too soon. I'll have him break character at one point, and I even know how he'd do it. Just need the right person...

Oh, and if anyone can guess who the 'hawk', 'weasle', and/or 'lily' is, you get a prize. I mean, it's obvious to me, but then again, I know pointless trivia, like how(in English) Lelouch was voiced by the same gal who did Rukia and Euphie when he was a wee lad, and how he was voiced by the same guy as Ichigo when he was all grown up. In some people's head cannons, I can now detect Lelouch being the unofficial love child of Ichigo and Rukia...

Debating on whether or not to have Lelouch break down the throne room wall, and just f*** s*** up, if only to amuse myself, and because Lelouch can blow up bugs while giving orders to others to stomp on bugs...
Oh, Lelouch, you devious bastard, you.

Chapter 2: Retaking of Canterlot

Canterlot Castle, Throne Room. Ten minutes after the Lunar Assault began...

“Such a pity, Celestia...” the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis, sighed with amusement, “You once rode atop the world, feared by many, and beloved by all. And yet, who has taken you down? The bugs you exiled to wriggle, writhe and die in the dirt. And it’s all because you didn’t listen to your faithful student...” she looked up at the white alicorn, who had regained consciousness, and was glaring down at the bug, who looked smugly back up at her. She then redirected her gaze at the seven-odd ponies she put in a similar prison to their leader. Of them, she kept the ‘faithful student’ separate.

She may feed off love, but she just loved the taste of pure despair and hatred towards others. It was enjoyable, and laughable how much the unicorn’s feelings mimicked her own, at a time. She was older now, and wouldn’t allow her feelings to get in the way of helping her kind.

Suddenly, a single changeling came stumbling in, eyes wide, an arrow through one eye, and getting blood all over her new carpet.

“My lady! We have a problem!” the changeling shouted. Chrysalis recognized him as Ross. Ross was a good kid.

“What is it? That stupid Luna? We beat her last time, just drive them from the city, and assassinate her. That’ll quiet those stupid ponies up quickly.” Chrysalis brushed it off, but Ross shook his head.

“They’re more organized than before! They’re pushing us back, we don’t have a lot of options left! We need your assistance, m’lady!” Chrysalis heard the Princess of the Sun chuckle, weakly. The Changeling Queen gave an annoyed grunt, but before she could remove herself from her throne, it... exploded. The wall, I mean, killing Ross, much to her dismay. There was a silhouette of a colossal biped, that was equipped with straight wings, that somehow kept it afloat.

“So, you’re Luna’s new toy, are you?” Chrysalis asked, keeping calm. She could easily take care of this, thanks to her ‘husband’, who was lying, on his side, in his own little jello prison.

“Toy? I think you have misjudged me, based on the news your little messenger just delivered. If anyone is the other’s ‘toy’ in my grand plan, it’s Luna, who is relying my orders across the battlefield.” the smoke cleared, and sunlight filled the shadow, making it more holy now. It was easily bigger than the throne room, possibly larger than the entire castle. It also had an... alien look to it, even under the rays of the Solar Sovereign's sun. But, Chrysalis could tell it had sentience. And, if it felt, she could twist it to her will. Putting a plan in motion, she prepared to ‘surrender’ to this thing.

“Well, I never would have imagined Luna bringing help from another world. Suppose there’s nothing left to do but negotiate the terms of our defeat.”

Here's some ambience music. Click it, don't click it, whatever.

A loud, hissing sound was heard from the large being, and down descended a smaller one. Stepping out of the light, everypony that was awake got a good look at their enemy/savior. A tall, slender, bipedal creature, with purple eyes and a smug smile on his face. He was wearing a tattered, imperial cloak, nearly mimicking the one Celestia used to wear on important diplomatic meetings, except... there was a large bloodstain in the middle, where the creature’s heart should be.
“Immortal? No... Resurrected? Getting desperate, are we, Luna?” Chrysalis thought, charging up her spell to take over the creature’s mind, “Too bad no one can ignore the allure of my mind control spell!” she released a chuckle as she cast it on the unwitting creature, who remained unmoving.

Melded POV(asinweknoweverythingnow,don’tgetconfused.)

“That’s.... Nunnally!” Lelouch inwardly reacted. “So, this thing really can transform into the one the subject loves the most... Too bad I already...” Lelouch chuckled, before giving an amused laugh, bemusing those gathered. For a moment, the Changeling Queen thought her spell hadn’t worked on the creature for whatever reason.

“Is that all you can do against me, you pompous little bug?” when she gave no outward reaction, Lelouch raised his hand, “Then allow me to show you what absolute obedience looks like! Lelouch vi Britannia commands you...” he removed both of his contacts as his hand drifted across his face, revealing his dual Geass eyes.

To everyone who was watching, it was as if birds had emerged into his eyes, but no... it was his Geass, the ‘magic’ that granted the subject the tool with which they could acquire what they desire most.

In his case, it was absolute obedience.

“Die!” he shouted, and the Chrysalis went stiff for a few seconds, before her horn began to glow. Everybody but Lelouch suspected she was going to kill him, but he stood still, a smug smile on his face as he awaited her to off herself. Just when everypony turned away to be spared the horrors of this strange creature being plastered over the walls, she went up in flames. She didn’t scream. Didn’t give any final speeches. Didn’t even whimper at the pain.

She just incinerated herself, all the while looking this ‘Lelouch vi Britannia’ in the eyes. He didn’t even flinch, just stood there, unamused, as if disappointed in the way she chose to end her life.

However, in his eyes, he just watched the one he cared for the most, Nunnally, go up in flames, her blue eyes staring straight into his amethyst ones, as she gave him the only look he received from her after she broke his father’s Geass. That cold, hateful stare was burned into his mind, but paled in comparison to what she said to him when he found out she was alive.

“No time to dwell on the past...” he thought turning his back on the prisoners and getting into the Shinkirou, much to their protest. However, as it hummed to life, he used the Shinkirou’s main weapon(the Diffusion Structure Phase Transition Cannon) to undo their binding. Before any of them could go to thank him, he was gone.

Celestia, unlike the others, knew a lie when she heard it, no matter who tells it. And, if she read this ‘Lelouch vi Britannia’ correctly, he had no intention of using Luna for his personal gain. Still, she worried for the consequences of Luna bringing someone like that here. He could have easily taken the throne, then and there, so he didn’t have ‘gaining power’ on the agenda...

Questions, she knew, would have to wait until later. For now, she needed to assist her ponies in driving back the remnants of the Changeling Horde, then in reconstructing the city. She looked to the back of the throne room, and saw him. She knew of him, but never brought him up. He sat there, just like every time before, with a shit eating grin on his face, as if amused of the outcome. He always appeared to her in the most awkward of times, never showing up when he could be questioned, as nopony else seemed to be able to see him.

“Good job, Emperor... Not what I would have done, but that’s what makes you so... interesting...” he spoke, getting up. And, in a cloud of smoke, he was gone.

Author's Note

So, remember how at the end of Bleach's first big plot(the Aizen one) Aizen said something about having to be on the same plane of power to detect them or something?(Been awhile, but it went like that)
Think of the final scene of this chapter as something like that, except the more power the character has, the more they can 'see' of him.