Schneizel's Guise (episode)

Schneizel's Guise is the twenty-third episode of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2.

Summary
Schneizel unveils his plan to position the Damocles in such a way as to strike every warring nation in the world, thus enforcing peace through threat of annihilation. Cornelia objects, but is gunned down. Lelouch declares Nunnally his enemy during their conversation, but in private has trouble with the thought of fighting her. With some harsh words from Suzaku and C.C.'s comfort, Lelouch comes to his senses and focuses on his original task. Frustrated that she cannot fight or protect anyone, Nunnally decides to shoulder the sin of launching F.L.E.I.J.A. herself. Schneizel, backed by the Black Knights and the remaining Knights of the Round, clashes with Lelouch in the skies above Mount Fuji. Though Lelouch is able to destroy a fair portion of the Black Knights by detonating the Sakuradite mines in Mount Fuji, the Damocles remains unassailable and its payload of F.L.E.I.J.A. warheads still looms over him.

Plot
Lelouch's Royal Guards worriedly talk about the destruction of Pendragon, and a wounded Sayoko appears before Jeremiah and begs to see Lelouch. On the Avalon, Lelouch is shocked that Nunnally is alive, and she says it's because of Schneizel. Suzaku asks her how she can support what Schneizel just did, but she in turn asks him if Geass is the right way. She says both Lelouch and Suzaku have been lying to her, but she knows the truth now. She asks Lelouch if he was Zero for her sake, but he laughs and says she's the kind of archaic nobility he denies. With his hands shaking, he says he didn't do it for anyone and wants the world for himself, so if she joins with Schneizel he'll show her no mercy. Lelouch cuts off the transmission, and Schneizel says he thought Lelouch would've surrendered if shown the power of FLEIJA. Nunnally asks Schneizel if the citizens of Pendragon are safe, and he says they were evacuated before detonation. Nunnally then says Schneizel will use FLEIJA on other people, so she asks for the detonation switch so she can shoulder the burden. Lelouch yells at C.C. for not knowing about Nunnally being alive, but she tells him she can't track anyone not linked to Geass. Tossing aside the pieces on his chessboard, Lelouch says Schneizel used Nunnally very effectively. Suzaku grabs Lelouch by the collar and says they can't change their objectives just because Nunnally is alive, urging him to remember his promise. C.C. chases after Suzaku when he leaves, and he asks her to become Lelouch's shield while he acts as Lelouch's sword. He remarks on Lelouch being C.C.'s accomplice, which she briefly seems to question. Cecile and Lloyd examine the explosion and conclude that the FLEIJA used on Pendragon had ten times the range of the one used on Tokyo. Shocked, Nina deduces that Schneizel must've removed the limiter.

Cornelia speaks privately to Schneizel, and he admits that he lied to Nunnally about Pendragon, saying death was a better fate than living as Lelouch's slaves. He says he lied so that Nunnally stands firm against Lelouch, and Cornelia asks him if manipulates everyone like that. Schneizel answers that even though people wish to rid the world of its problems, they're not even willing to understand each other. He says people's desires and lusts can't be denied, so they don't need emotions or principles to unite the world, but rather just organization and power. Schneizel displays a map showing his plan: within 10 days, Damocles will reach the airspace of the United States of China. Then, it will ascend to 300 kilometers above the surface and fire FLEIJAs at every country engaged in war. Cornelia asks him if he's going to subjugate the world through fear, and he answers that peace is an illusion; if he is going to make peace reality, he must instill discipline in people. Cornelia states that only a god would be able to pull off this endeavor, and Schneizel declares that he will become a god if necessary. Cornelia calls him a madman, and Diethard and Kanon enter the room, Diethard saying he was right to follow Schneizel as he has proven to be a more interesting story to follow than Zero. Kanon delivers a message that the Black Knights are willing to cooperate with Schneizel if he intends to kill Lelouch. Schneizel comments that those who've experienced Lelouch's atrocities will have no choice but to choose Schneizel's way, as the lesser of two evils. Cornelia deduces that this was why Schneizel permitted Lelouch free rein until now. Schneizel says that eternal peace is worth it even if 1 or 2 billion people must die, but Cornelia calls that no peace at all. She pulls out her sword and rushes toward Schneizel, but a machine gun turret opens in the wall and shoots her. Schneizel claims he's been saddened by Cornelia's actions.

Meanwhile, in an infirmary, a recovering Sayoko tells Jeremiah that Schneizel used a diversionary craft while evacuating Nunnally from Tokyo; the decoy was destroyed while Nunnally survived. Jeremiah then points how Sayoko is Japanese and briefly wonders why she came to Lelouch rather than the Black Knights. He then muses that, like himself, Sayoko follows a way of chivalry; she acts in Lelouch and Nunnally's name just as he acts in Marianne's and later Lelouch's name. Sayoko says that Jeremiah may be correct. C.C. tells Lelouch he did a good job putting on a mask with Nunnally. She gently asks him if he's done enough, but he says he can't stop anymore. He explains that he cannot allow Schneizel to subjugate the world using Damocles, but C.C. points out that Nunnally is inside Damocles. Lelouch explains that he can't give her special treatment anymore and must press on, for the sake of everyone who's died. Accepting his decision, C.C. comforts Lelouch and affirms that she will remain by his side. Over the next 10 days, the two sides then start preparing for the final battle. Cecile, Lloyd and Nina begin reviewing the FLEIJA data, and construct a new Lancelot, painted pink and named Lancelot Frontier, for C.C. Lelouch's forces spread across Japan, Xingke and Tamaki rally their people, Damocles advances further to its final destination, and Villetta tells Ohgi she's pregnant. Rakshata examines the newly upgraded Tristan Divider, and Kallen asks Gino if he's sure about fighting on their side. Gino says he understands her feelings now a bit.

After the 10 days, aboard the Ikaruga, Li declares that Britannia's internal structure has been paralyzed since the destruction of Pendragon. Tohdoh adds that Britannian forces are engaged in battles across all Areas, so they're only up against the troops Lelouch brought with him to Japan. Li believes that teaming up with Schneizel will even out their forces, even though he doesn't approve of Damocles and FLEIJA. Standing on the cockpit of the Shinkiro, Lelouch tells his forces that this is the decisive battle for the entire world. He says that by defeating Schneizel and the Black Knights, they'll destroy the world and recreate it, rallying them using a highly elaborate sword. Schneizel tells his forces that Lelouch must be defeated because he spreads evil across the world. He says people around the world are waiting for their triumph, and he hopes this is the final war that humanity ever needs to fight. Kanon asks about Schneizel's intention to restore Anya's memories, and Schneizel answers they need all the help they can get. Lelouch calls Schneizel on an open line, and Schneizel threatens to use FLEIJA if Lelouch doesn't surrender. Lelouch then announces that he's holding all the UFN representatives hostage, including Kaguya and Tianzi. Schneizel doesn't care if world peace comes at the cost of a few lives, but Li cuts into the conversation and tells Schneizel not to fire. Li says they're prepared for the worst, but it's no reason to sacrifice lives. Schneizel says his forces consist of just Damocles and the Mordred, so he asks for command of the Black Knights in exchange for not firing FLEIJA. Li reluctantly accepts and prepares to launch in the Shen Hu.

Schneizel orders his units to expand over a wide area, and Lelouch counters by moving his own forces. Schneizel tells Gino to go after the left flank, and Lelouch orders his forces to fall back. Schneizel tells Gino to fall back and not accept Lelouch's bait. The two continue to trade orders without firing a shot. Tamaki complains that they're not fighting, but Tohdoh and Li comment that as masters, they are conducting an invisible battle. Schneizel's forces begin to surround Lelouch's, so Lelouch orders a counterattack with the Lancelot Albion at the head. Schneizel comments that Lelouch hasn't changed and prefers to attack rather than defend, which is why Schneizel created an opening. As the fighting begins, Kallen attacks a Gareth and says everything will end if she takes down Lelouch. Schneizel's forces begin to break through, so Lelouch's fleet falls back. The Guren SEITEN pushes ahead and destroys a Vincent Ward, while Li sinks a Caerleon-class Floating Battleship. Tohdoh kills a Geassed Royal Guard, bitterly noting how Lelouch is controlling his men. The Ikaruga fires its Hadron Cannons, destroying a large amount of Lelouch's fleet. Lelouch then presses a trigger and ignites the Sakuradite inside Mt. Fuji, causing a massive eruption, bombarding the Ikaruga and much of the Black Knights, but also destroying Lelouch's ground troops. As the Ikaruga crashes, Ohgi thinks about how he asked Villetta to stay behind and not bring a new life into the conflict. Schneizel asks Nunnally to fire FLEIJA, and she pulls the trigger. A team of Vincent Commander Models tries to contain the FLEIJA, but it explodes anyway, Schneizel claiming it went critical right as it was released from Damocles. Kallen and Tamaki protect the crashed Ikaruga's bridge, saving their friends before taking off to fight. Lelouch thinks about how he's at a disadvantage now and will have to rely on Nina. Schneizel says that Lelouch will lose if all he can think about is how to defeat him, claiming that a man cannot win if he hasn't mastered how to use his mask.

Battles

 * 1) Battle of Mt. Fuji (Started)

Powers or Abilities used

 * N/A

Quotes

 * "I see my little sister is as presumptuous as ever. You think it's just natural for people to help you all the time out of sympathy and pity? It's so easy to criticize others while you keep your own hands unsullied. You are the quintessence of the privileged aristocrat that I've rejected." -Lelouch


 * "I am his sword. It's my job to rid him of his enemies and his own weakness. And you C.C., you must be his shield. Your job is to protect him." -Suzaku


 * "Cornelia, what is it that people really want? Starvation and poverty? Discrimination and corruption? War and terrorism? They want the problems that are flooding the world to go away forever. People can't understand each other under these situations at all." -Schneizel


 * "Contests fought between two masters are decided instantly. An invisible battle is now raging between the two of them." -Tohdoh and Li Xingke


 * "With this act, I will wipe away my brother's sin!" -Nunnally


 * Cornelia is discussing with Schneizel about the destruction of the Britannian capital city Pendragon
 * "Yes? What about it?" -Schneizel
 * "You mean the people of Pendragon were..." -Cornelia
 * "I made them vanish. It was better for them than a life swearing loyalty to Lelouch, wouldn't you say?" -Schneizel
 * "They're our own people! And you told Nunnally..." -Cornelia
 * "Lies are expedient. There's no need to tell Nunnally things that would get in the way of her opposition to Lelouch, is there? She'll never know the difference." -Schneizel
 * "You use everyone...even your own sister?" -Cornelia
 * "Cornelia, what is it that people truly want? Starvation and poverty? Discrimination and corruption? War and terrorism? They want the problems that are flooding the world to go away forever. People can't understand each other under these situations at all." -Schneizel
 * "Your theories don't justify butchering civilians!" -Cornelia
 * "Even civilians who have rejected war depend on the police, don't they? Everyone knows, don't they, that people are driven by their own desires. The lust that dwells within the soul of man cannot be denied. (Schneizel pushes three buttons on a panel to have a world map appear on the monitor.) So why win over hearts and minds or taut some shining ideology? Why not bring peace to the world with a system and power? In ten days, Damocles will enter the airspace of the United States of China and then switch over to a secondary acceleration. After that, we're scheduled to ascend three-hundred kilometers above the surface. From there, we will hit every enemy nation with F.L.E.I.J.A.s." -Schneizel
 * "Are you insane?! We only agreed to use them against Lelouch! This will destroy the world! You're trying to control people through fear!" -Cornelia
 * "Mankind's history is war. Peace is an illusion. To turn illusion into reality is a arduous task. It requires discipline." -Schneizel
 * "And you plan to discipline the entire human race all by yourself?! Only a god could pull that off!" -Cornelia
 * "Then I shall become a god. If that is what it takes to bring peace to the world." -Schneizel
 * "You're deranged! (Diethard and Kanon enter.)" -Cornelia
 * "Magnificent! I knew I was right to change sides and support you! Surpassing Zero's chaos with a state of perfect nothingness and a kaleidoscopic transformation!" -Diethard
 * "Prince Schneizel, we've made contact with the Black Knights. They say if you plan to kill Lelouch, they're willing to join you immediately." -Kanon
 * "Thank you, Kanon." (Looking at Cornelia) "Those who've experienced Lelouch's tyranny firsthand will have no alternative but to choose the lesser of evils." -Schneizel
 * "Is that why you stayed back and let Lelouch get away with this until now?!" - Cornelia
 * "It was a way to minimize the damage. But in the end, if we have to sacrifice one or two billion lives to achieve a state of permanent peace..." -Schneizel
 * "You're wrong! Peace attained by force is not peace! (Draws her sword and charges at Schneizel. Schneizel snaps his fingers which activate a hidden machine gun which guns down Cornelia.) -Cornelia
 * "This is so sad, Cornelia." -Schneizel