The rhythmic clicking of keys filled Lelouch's bedroom as his fingers danced across the keyboard with practiced precision.
Three monitors glowed in the darkness, bathing his face in a cold blue light that accentuated his focused expression.
On the left screen, a complex algorithm broke through encrypted files from Arkham Asylum. The center displayed prisoner records and psychological profiles.
The right monitor showed a real-time map of Gotham with crime statistics overlaid in vibrant colors.
It had been two days since the Scarecrow incident, and Lelouch hadn't wasted a moment. Sleep had become secondary to his newfound mission.
A soft knock on his door barely registered through his concentration.
"Come in," he called, eyes never leaving the screens.
The door opened to reveal Mark and Mikasa. Mark carried a plate with sandwiches while Mikasa held a tray with three steaming mugs.
"You missed dinner," Mikasa stated, setting the tray down on the corner of his desk. "Again."
Lelouch acknowledged them with a slight nod but continued typing. "I'm in the middle of something."
Mark placed the plate beside the tray and peered at the screens. "You've been 'in the middle of something' for two days straight. What exactly are you doing?"
"Research," Lelouch replied simply, finally pausing to take a sip from one of the mugs. The bitter taste of black coffee helped sharpen his focus.
"This looks like more than research," Mikasa observed, her eyes scanning the information displayed across the monitors. "These are classified GCPD files."
Lelouch's lips curved into a thin smile. "Commissioner Gordon's cybersecurity is... adequate. The FBI's was more challenging."
Mark's eyes widened. "You hacked the FBI? Are you insane?"
"I took precautions. Multiple proxies, ghost protocols, misdirection algorithms. They won't trace it back here." Lelouch's tone was dismissive, as if hacking federal agencies was a minor inconvenience rather than a serious federal crime.
Mikasa moved closer, studying the center screen. "Prisoner records from Arkham Asylum?"
"And Belle Reve, Blackgate, and Stryker's Island," Lelouch confirmed, scrolling through the files. "I've been analyzing the patterns of Gotham's most notorious criminals. Their psychological profiles, their histories, their escape records."
He clicked on a file, and the Joker's face appeared on screen – pale skin, green hair, and that disturbing, unnatural grin. Beside the image was a list of crimes so extensive it required a scroll bar.
"One hundred and sixty-seven direct confirmed kills," Lelouch said, his voice hardening. "Thousands injured. Chemical attacks on civilian populations. Torture. And yet..." He clicked to another screen showing court records.
"Not a single death sentence. Not even life without parole. Just repeated commitments to Arkham, which he escapes from with alarming regularity."
Mark shifted uncomfortably. "Batman doesn't kill. He believes in the justice system."
"What justice?" Lelouch's voice was suddenly sharp, cutting through the room like a blade. "Look at this." He pulled up another file – Jonathan Crane, the Scarecrow.
"Twenty-three escapes from Arkham in the past decade alone. Each time, more victims. More trauma. More deaths."
He continued clicking through files – Poison Ivy, Bane, Riddler, Mr. Freeze – each with similar patterns of capture, incarceration, escape, and repeated offenses.
"This isn't justice," Lelouch said, his voice cold with anger. "This is a revolving door. A game where the same players keep returning to the board, and ordinary citizens are the pawns being sacrificed."
Mark crossed his arms. "So what's your solution? What are you planning, Lelouch?"
Instead of answering directly, Lelouch pulled up a new window showing global property listings. "Did you know there are several unclaimed islands in international waters?
Territories that, with the right legal framework and sufficient resources, could be established as sovereign nations?"
The implications of his statement hung in the air for a moment before Mark's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief.
"You can't be serious," he said. "You're talking about creating your own country?"
"I'm talking about creating a sanctuary," Lelouch corrected, finally turning away from the screens to face them both.
"A place governed by true justice, not this broken system that allows monsters to prey on the innocent over and over again."
"If these criminals were in my world, they would have long since faced the guillotine," he continued, his voice taking on a harder edge.
"Old-fashioned, perhaps, but effective. The death penalty would be the only appropriate response for such repeated, heinous crimes against humanity."
Mark's expression darkened. "So you're talking about conquest? Creating your own nation so you can execute people?"
"What's wrong with conquest?" Lelouch challenged, rising from his chair to face Mark directly. "Conquest in and of itself is not inherently evil or good. It depends on the method and intentions."
He began pacing, his gestures becoming more animated as he continued. "Would you call a rebellion against a tyrannical government evil if it fought for the freedom of oppressed masses?
Or if a foreign nation intervened to save people suffering under a tyrant, would that intervention be wrong simply because it involved conquest?"
Mark's jaw tightened. "My father-" he began, then stopped himself.
"Your father conquered for the sake of an empire that viewed other species as inferior," Lelouch said, his voice softening slightly with understanding. "That's not what I'm proposing."
He turned to one of his screens, pulling up images of refugee camps, war zones, and poverty-stricken areas. "This world is filled with suffering. People displaced by war, persecution, and environmental disasters.
What if they had somewhere to go? A place built on principles of justice and equality, where they could live without fear?"
"And who would rule this utopia?" Mark asked skeptically. "You?"
"Someone has to establish the framework," Lelouch replied evenly. "I'm not speaking of forcing people under my rule or creating subjects. I'm talking about establishing a country where people choose to live, governed by laws they help create."
Mikasa, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke. "What kind of laws?"
The question seemed to please Lelouch, who turned to her with renewed energy. "Laws based on restorative justice where possible, but with clear consequences for those who cannot or will not be rehabilitated.
A system that protects the many from the few who would harm them."
He gestured to his screens. "Look at Gotham. A city where the same criminals terrorize citizens year after year.
Where a man like the Joker can murder hundreds and still be treated as mentally ill rather than held accountable.
Where children grow up in fear because the system fails to protect them."
"And your solution is what? To build an island and declare yourself emperor?" Mark's tone was challenging, but there was a hint of genuine curiosity beneath the skepticism.
"My solution is to create an alternative," Lelouch replied. "A proof of concept that justice can be swift, fair, and final when necessary.
A place where the protection of innocent lives takes precedence over the rehabilitation of those who repeatedly demonstrate they cannot be rehabilitated."
He pulled up another screen showing a detailed map of an island chain in the Pacific. "With the right resources, the right people, and the right vision, it could be done.
A new nation, built from scratch, free from the corrupted systems and entrenched interests that plague existing governments."
Mikasa moved closer to the screen, studying the islands with interest. "How would it be governed? What kind of society would it be?"
"Meritocratic, with elements of direct democracy," Lelouch replied, clearly having thought this through.
"Citizens would have direct input on major decisions, but day-to-day governance would be handled by those who demonstrate competence and integrity, regardless of background or wealth."
He continued, warming to the subject. "Education would be universal and free. Healthcare likewise. The economy would blend elements of capitalism and socialism – encouraging innovation and enterprise while ensuring basic needs are met for all citizens."
"And the criminal justice system?" Mikasa pressed.
"Rehabilitation first, for non-violent offenders and those who demonstrate genuine remorse," Lelouch said. "But for those who commit crimes against humanity – mass murder, terrorism, torture – there would be no endless appeals, no insanity pleas that lead to revolving-door asylum stays.
Justice would be swift and final."
Mark had been listening with growing interest despite his initial objections. "It sounds... idealistic," he said finally. "But how would you even begin to fund something like this? And wouldn't existing nations object to a new sovereign power emerging?"
"Funding requires resources," Lelouch acknowledged. "But in this world, there are many ways to acquire them legally.
As for international recognition, it's a complex process, but not impossible with the right approach and sufficient leverage."
He turned back to his computers, pulling up financial data from various global corporations. "Wayne Enterprises alone has enough liquid assets to purchase several island chains outright.
LexCorp's annual profits could fund infrastructure development for a small nation. These are just examples of the resources that exist in this world."
"You're talking about building a nation from scratch," Mark said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Do you have any idea how complicated that would be?"
"Of course I do," Lelouch replied, his voice taking on a strange, distant quality. "I've done it before."
The statement hung in the air, impossible to elaborate on fully due to the compulsion that still prevented them from directly discussing their past lives. But the implication was clear enough.
Mikasa's eyes widened slightly in understanding, while Mark looked between them, trying to piece together what Lelouch was suggesting.
"Even if this were possible," Mark said slowly, "it would take years, maybe decades."
"Every great endeavor begins with a single step," Lelouch replied. "For now, I'm gathering information, assessing resources, identifying potential allies and obstacles." He gestured to his screens.
"Knowledge is the foundation of strategy, and strategy is the foundation of success."
Mikasa picked up one of the sandwiches and handed it to Lelouch. "You should eat while you explain more about these laws you envision."
Lelouch accepted the sandwich with a small nod of thanks. As he took a bite, he noticed Mark still studying the screens, his expression thoughtful rather than dismissive now.
"I'm not saying I agree with all of this," Mark said carefully. "But... I understand the frustration. Seeing the same villains hurt people over and over while the system fails to stop them."
"That's all I ask," Lelouch replied. "Understanding. Consideration of alternatives to a status quo that clearly isn't working."
He turned back to his monitors, pulling up a new set of files – architectural designs, infrastructure plans, energy systems. "A nation isn't just laws and borders. It's systems that work together to create a functioning society.
Clean energy, sustainable agriculture, efficient transportation, accessible education and healthcare."
As he spoke, Mikasa and Mark moved closer, their interest visibly growing as Lelouch outlined his vision with increasing detail and passion.
"The world doesn't have to be the way it is," Lelouch continued, his voice gaining intensity. "The patterns of violence and injustice that define places like Gotham aren't inevitable.
They're the result of choices – choices to prioritize procedure over protection, rehabilitation over responsibility, the rights of the few who do harm over the many who suffer because of them."
Mark sat on the edge of the desk, his initial resistance softening as he considered Lelouch's words. "I still think execution is extreme," he said.
"But I can't deny that the current system is broken. Batman's been fighting the same villains for years, and nothing really changes."
"Exactly," Lelouch said, seizing on Mark's acknowledgment. "Even the most dedicated heroes in this world are trapped in a cycle they can't break because they're working within a broken system."
He pulled up crime statistics for Gotham over the past decade. "Despite Batman's efforts, violent crime rates remain among the highest in the nation.
The same applies to Metropolis, Central City, Star City – all places protected by powerful heroes who can't effect lasting change because they're treating symptoms, not causes."
Mikasa, who had been quietly contemplative, finally spoke again. "In my world, we faced an existential threat that required extreme measures," she said carefully, navigating around the compulsion.
"I didn't always agree with the methods, but I understood the necessity of decisive action when facing certain kinds of enemies."
She looked directly at Lelouch. "I would want to know more about how decisions would be made in this nation of yours. Who decides when someone is beyond rehabilitation? What checks would exist against abuse of power?"
"Valid concerns," Lelouch acknowledged. "No system is perfect so long as its maker is not perfect and I never claimed to be as such.
Any concentration of power requires robust accountability. I envision a council rather than a single ruler, with transparent processes and multiple levels of review for the most serious cases."
He leaned forward, his expression earnest. "The goal isn't to create a dictatorship or to impose my will. I
t's to build something better than what exists now – a place where justice actually means something, where people can live without fear that the monster who terrorized their city last year will escape again to do it all over again."
Mark was quiet for a long moment, clearly wrestling with his thoughts. "My father's people believed conquest was their right because they were stronger," he said finally.
"But what you're talking about is different. Creating something new rather than destroying what exists."
"Precisely," Lelouch said. "Not conquest for the sake of domination, but creation for the sake of protection. Building a sanctuary, not an empire."
The three fell into silence, the only sound the soft hum of the computers. Outside, night had fallen completely over Gotham, the city lights visible through Lelouch's window – beautiful from a distance, but hiding the darkness and suffering they all knew existed in its streets.
"Goku won't be back until tomorrow," Mikasa noted, breaking the silence. "He said he needed time to... process what happened."
Lelouch nodded, understanding the implication. Goku's display of power – and the earthquake it had caused – had clearly troubled him.
The news had reported minor injuries and property damage across the Eastern Seaboard, though miraculously no fatalities.
Lelouch doubted that it was because of the injured - Goku despite his kindness didn't strike him as the type to truly have a bleeding heart towards the masses otherwise he would've already become a hero with his abilities.
He reasoned it to be because of the danger he accidentally placed them in if his power went out of control in that moment.
"We should all get some rest," Mark suggested, standing up. "It's late, and we have school tomorrow."
"You two go ahead," Lelouch said, turning back to his screens. "I have a few more things to look into."
Mikasa frowned. "You need sleep too, Lelouch."
"I'll sleep when I'm finished," he promised, already typing again.
Mark and Mikasa exchanged a glance, recognizing the futility of arguing further. They moved toward the door, but before leaving, Mark paused.
"Lelouch," he said, " Again, I'm not saying I'm on board with all of this. But... I'm willing to listen more. To consider possibilities beyond what exists now."
Lelouch looked up from his screens, a genuine smile crossing his face. "That's all I ask, Mark. Consideration of possibilities." Lelouch repeated.
After they left, Lelouch returned to his work with renewed vigor. On one screen, he pulled up satellite images of several island chains.
On another, financial data from offshore accounts that could be leveraged for initial funding.
On the third, profiles of potential allies – brilliant minds, disillusioned idealists, and those with resources who might be sympathetic to his vision.
The path ahead was long and complex, but Lelouch vi Britannia had never shied away from complexity.
He had once remade a world through calculated sacrifice and manipulation. This time would be different – building rather than destroying, creating rather than conquering.
But the determination, the vision, the strategic brilliance – those remained the same.
The Demon Emperor might be dead, but his legacy lived on in the mind and will of the young man who now plotted a new kind of revolution in the darkness of a Gotham night.
A revolution not of blood and chaos, but of order and justice.
A sanctuary in a world of monsters.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter.
Do tell me how you found it. Yep, Lelouch wants to build his own country. I think it fits his character.
Also, I just wish to clarify something, Goku may be the - let's call it High Main character, and will be focused the most on in this story, but Lelouch, Mikasa and Mark are also Main Characters.
So yeah, do tell me how you found the chapter and Lelouch's plans and I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)