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[TRANSLATED] CODE GEASS: Miraculous Anniversary (Untitled Picture Drama)
What It Is: The Picture Drama included with the Miraculous Anniversary bluray special. I've fansubbed it and uploaded it repeatedly, but Bandai Entertainment keeps claiming it and getting it taken down again, so. Here's just my translation for it, with an attempt to describe what's going on.
Timeline: This fits... somewhat uneasily within R1. By necessity, it takes place before Stage 17 ("Knight"), but also... somehow... instead of it? (Rivalz reacts to Milly's engagement in both as if he's never heard of it before.)Frankly, a lot of the post-series Picture Dramas (allegedly taking place during R1, but scripted long after it) have problems like this.
CODE GEASS
Lelouch of the Rebellion
Miraculous Anniversary Picture Drama
[ FADE IN on seven figures, late at night, in a grassy area. The camera pans in over a face that separates them from what looks to be a main street, lit by street lamps. In the background, a large building is faintly visible. It looks like part of Ashford's campus.
The figures are KALLEN, MILLY, RIVALZ, SUZAKU, LELOUCH, SHIRLEY, and NUNNALLY. They seem to have unearthed a large box after a lengthy dig. There are many grunts and sounds of exertion, then— ]
SUZAKU
There! (hopeful) Is this it, Lelouch?
LELOUCH
That's it. (rather officiously) All right, set it down over here.
RIVALZ
What's with that tone? All you did was boss us around, Lelouch. Me an' Suzaku are the only ones who did any digging!
[ More sounds of effort, then the box is shown close-up. It looks like a heavy toolbox and is clearly locked. ]
RIVALZ
Okay... There!
KALLEN
(leaning in) Hmm? So, this is the time capsule you all made, Miss Milly?
MILLY
That's right! Well, with Lelouch and Nunnally — the three of us made it together. Of course, back then I had no idea they'd construct a new school building here... I just wasn't thinking.
SHIRLEY
(leaning in) So, what'd you put in it?
MILLY
What? (giggle) Well, we were kids, so... only what we wanted to!
LELOUCH
I'm sure it'll be things like a newspaper from back then, or toys that were popular at the time...
NUNNALLY
(piping up) There's also the letters to the future, Brother...
KALLEN
Letters... to the future...?
MILLY
(excitedly) Right, right! We did that, too! We wrote to our future selves, stuff like... (dramatic voice) "How are you doing now?" (even more dramatic sigh) What simple, childish dreams we had back then...
[ Shirley audibly begins to struggle with the lock. ]
SHIRLEY
Sorry, I'm having a little trouble with this...
[ Suddenly, there's a loud snapping noise, and the box is forced open. ]
SUZAKU
There. Sorry for the delay, everyone! It's open now.
MILLY
Let's see, let's see...! Whatever could be inside...!
[ She starts rifling through the contents, then the camera pans out to reveal C.C., watching the group from behind a tree with a smirk on her face. ]
C.C.
Lelouch, you loser1. I wondered what you were up to when you snuck out in the middle of the night, but who'd have thought you were digging up a time capsule... You might be the one I chose, but you're still a child.
[ Meanwhile, Rivalz is holding up some of the contents of the time capsule, with everyone huddled around him. Suzaku is still holding the tool he probably used to break into the box, Shirley and Milly are both leaning over to get a better look at the contents, and Kallen seems reluctantly interested, too, while Lelouch holds himself back slightly from the others. ]
SUZAKU
Huh... It's just like Lelouch said, old newspapers and toys... The only other thing in here are these letters.
RIVALZ
These're the "letters to the future"?
MILLY
That's them! Oh, this takes me back...! Ooh, "Nunnally's Message"... And this is Lelouch's handwriting! She dictated it to you, right? Whoa! This vocab's a little...2 (dramatically) Back then, we were children, writing to our future selves~...
LELOUCH
(amused) Is that praise?
MILLY
(just as amused) Hmm? Couldn't be...!
SHIRLEY
So, what did Nunna write about?
NUNNALLY
M, Miss Milly, please don't read it, it's going to be embarrassing...
MILLY
What? I'm sure it's fine! Let's see... (clears her throat, then begins in an impression of Nunnally) "When I'm a grown-up, I want to be a teacher for babies!" it says.
SUZAKU
How very like Nunnally.
NUNNALLY
J, just like I thought... embarrassing...
SHIRLEY
President, what about Lulu's? What's it say?
MILLY
Hmm? Gimme just a sec... Ah! Here it is, here it is! Let's see... "My most important—"
[ Lelouch audibly snatches it out of her hands. ]
MILLY
Hey! Lelouch! Give it back!
LELOUCH
What are you saying, President? You're being insensitive.
MILLY
Excuse me?! I don't want to hear that from you...
RIVALZ
The president's right. We hardly know the first thing about you, Lelouch... Whaddya say, Suzaku?
KALLEN
That's no use, Rivalz. They're two of a kind, after all.
SUZAKU
Wha— Two of a kind?!
[ Everyone laughs. ]
C.C.
Tsk, what are they doing? Messing around3, I guess... So this is adolescence, huh?
[ Shifting in place, C.C. steps on a twig. ]
KALLEN
Huh? Just now, was there a noise...?
SUZAKU
Yeah... It was just for a second, but I could've sworn I sensed some sort of malevolent — or jealous? — presence.
C.C.
Hmph. Perceptive jerks.
NUNNALLY
Umm, everyone, how about this? What if we all leave messages for our future selves?
SHIRLEY
(brightening) Our own letters to the future?
SUZAKU
You mean, fill the time capsule back up again?
NUNNALLY
Yes!
SHIRLEY
(giggle) Sounds like fun!
RIVALZ
But after they've finished construction here, digging it back up again's gonna be tough...
LELOUCH
We need to find somewhere better to leave it.
MILLY
Hmm... Oh! In that case, I know just the place!
[ FADE BACK IN somewhere in a forest, on the bank of a stream. Unlike the previous location, the sounds of the night clearly indicate that they're somewhat further from civilization. The camera pans very slowly down to eventually reveal Milly, Suzaku, Lelouch, Shirley, Nunnally, Kallen, and Rivalz all standing around the time capsule in a loose circle. Suzaku's holding the shovel again, while Milly has a flashlight.
As it keeps panning down, C.C. is finally visible, now sitting in a tree above them. ]
MILLY
Well...? What about this forest? Isn't it just perfect?
LELOUCH
It is, isn't it. (rapidfire) And the trees growing around here will be our landmark.
SHIRLEY
Okay, let's all write our messages to the future!
RIVALZ
(thoughtfully) To the future, huh...?
SUZAKU
When should we come back to dig it up, everyone?
MILLY
Hmm... good question...
NUNNALLY
Um... what about in ten years or so?
MILLY
Ten years, huh...? (giggle) Yeah, I think that'll be a good amount of time to forget what we put in there.
SHIRLEY
And we'll all be adults by then, won't we?
RIVALZ
Then it's settled! We're gonna write messages for ourselves to read in ten years!
KALLEN
Who's going first?
MILLY
Well, that's obvious. It was your idea, right, Nunnally? So it's only fair that you go first.
RIVALZ
You wanna be a kindergarten teacher, right, Nunnally?
NUNNALLY
Actually, I've changed my mind. Ten years from now, if I could just... be with my brother, that would be more than good enough.
[ The others all make strangled, emotional noises. ]
LELOUCH
Nunnally...
C.C.
Lelouch in ten years, huh...?
[ She imagines a scene in the future: Lelouch, wearing his father's clothes, beside Nunnally, dressed in pink. Sayoko is visible in the background and they appear to be in a fancier house. ]
C.C.
That'd be about the right time for the power of Charles's genes to manifest... Maybe like that...?
[ The camera zooms in until only Future Lelouch's face is visible and red, blinking arrows point to the large, ridiculous curls C.C. has given him in her imagination.
Back in reality: ]
SUZAKU
I'm sure you'll get that wish, Nunnally.
NUNNALLY
Thank you, Suzaku!
[ Meanwhile, Lelouch has begun to shiver, and he looks ill. ]
SHIRLEY
What's wrong, Lulu?
LELOUCH
I don't know. I took a sudden chill, my head hurts, and I have this terrible feeling...
RIVALZ
(cutting in) So, who should go next?
MILLY
Right... Who would be good...! Let's hear from Kallen!
KALLEN
Huh? M, me? I... Right, well... Once my mother recovers, well... Maybe... a tour of all the world's hot springs together...?
[ As she speaks, energetic music starts to play, and an image begins to come into focus behind her. Future Kallen, with much longer hair, is somewhere in a hot spring. Her mother has her back to the camera. ]
KALLEN
And this is ten years in the future, right? So, we'll float decanters of local alcohol in the water, brewing them right in the hot spring!
[ The camera keeps pulling out, revealing that Future Kallen has a small sake cup in one hand and a bottle in the other, and is visibly flushed from the drink, the spring, or both. ]
KALLEN
(sounding less and less meek or fragile) One cup to start with!
[ Now, a new image of Future Kallen in a yukata with a giant mug of beer in one hand and several traditional snacks (including octopus) in the other. (There is a small 'Zero' helmet emblem on her mug.) ]
KALLEN
Then, after the bath, we'll gulp down steins of ice-cold draft beer in chilled glasses! One, two, three glasses, whee!
[ Abruptly, cut to black. ]
MILLY
You can't do that, Kallen. I mean, drinking alcohol while you bathe is dangerous!
RIVALZ
Plus, that future-you sounded like an old man.
KALLEN
(back in her meek-and-fragile persona) Huh?! Was it really that strange? But everyone around me seems to like that sort of thing...
SHIRLEY
(bewildered) You mean... your blueblood family...?
KALLEN
Is it really that strange, drinking in a hot spring?
C.C.
No, no, no, that's a great plan! Please save a sip for me!
KALLEN
Huh? Did anyone else just hear something?
LELOUCH
(rapidfire) I'm sure you misheard, all right who's next?
SHIRLEY
Oh, yes, okay! I'll go! I want to—
RIVALZ
—become Lelouch's bride, more or less.
[ Shirley promptly collapses. ]
LELOUCH
(puzzled) Shirley, what's wrong?
SHIRLEY
Huh?! Err, well... It's nothing!! (sotto voice) I can't say I want to be his bride, so...!
LELOUCH
Huh?
SHIRLEY
W, well... what I want... is... um... well... All right! I'll go all the way to the world championships and win a prize for diving distance!
[ In her imagination, Future Shirley has on her school swimsuit and a gold medal around her neck. ]
LELOUCH
Mmhmm.
SHIRLEY
And then, on my triumphant return, I'll make my showbiz debut as a top celebrity!
[ Now Future Shirley has a cute white 'idol' costume on... over her swimsuit. ]
SUZAKU
Th, that'd be amazing...
SHIRLEY
And then, in a shocking twist at the height of my popularity, I'll marry one of my old classmates!
[ Future Shirley now has an abbreviated wedding dress on... still over her swimsuit. Future Lelouch is wearing a white 'prince' costume, rather than a traditional tuxedo. ]
RIVALZ
(laughter) After all that, it's just like I said...
SHIRLEY
As a rising star, my next triumph will be to take the world of showbiz by storm as a pregnant celeb!
[ A small child who looks exactly like Lelouch appears between the couple. Then another and another and another until there are nine altogether. ]
KALLEN
That escalated quickly4...
[ Shirley pants from the exertion of all of that, then Nunnally cuts in serenely. ]
NUNNALLY
That makes it your turn, Miss Milly. Go ahead.
MILLY
Me? What will I be...
SHIRLEY
(excitedly) You're already engaged, right, President?
RIVALZ
Whaaaat?!
SHIRLEY
And since this Lloyd guy's a noble as well as being in the Britannian military, you'll wind up a countess for sure!
RIVALZ
A fiance?! Is it serious?!?
MILLY
Uh-huh. We'll have made our engagement official by then, of course, but...
[ A sepia-toned photograph in an ornate frame shows Lloyd and Milly together, dressed like Britannian nobility. ]
MILLY
I'll also establish myself as a career woman!
[ Smash-cut to: Future Milly in a sexy buisness suit, all pink with matching heels. ]
MILLY
Ensuring that Ashford's education is the finest! Or something like that.
RIVALZ
Thank goodness...
KALLEN
That's definitely something Madame President could pull off.
MILLY
By the same token, I'll see Ashford Academy take over the world! I'll make the education industry see reason!
[ Now, behind Future Milly, there a large building with a woman's blocky, somewhat abstract head on top of it. Below 'her' chin, "ASHFORD ACADEMY" is spelled out. ]
LELOUCH
(chuckle) A bit idealistic.
MILLY
Hmm? Don't say that like it's someone else's problem~
LELOUCH
Huh?
MILLY
Because of course you'll be helping me, Lelouch!
[ Future Lelouch and Future Nina both fade into view behind Future Milly. Future Nina is dressed business-casual (somewhat more modestly than Milly, in green and white), while Future Lelouch is wearing an all-purple suit with a pink shirt and tie. ]
SHIRLEY
Huh? What was that last part?
RIVALZ
Wait just a second! This is my turf!5
MILLY
Really, Rivalz? But you've always been a guy who prefers stability, not the unpredictable business world.
RIVALZ
It'll be fine! I swear I've got an adventurer's soul!
SUZAKU
An adventurer... like this?
[ In Suzaku's imagination, Future Rivalz appears to be riding a Mad Max-style motorcycle with spikes everywhere and wearing some sort of armor (with spikes all over it). Future Milly is standing up in his sidecar, wearing distressed jeans and a somewhat tiny top, her knees and wrists also spiked. ]
MILLY
W, what am I doing there?
KALLEN
Probably not.
LELOUCH
Nope.
NUNNALLY
I don't think so.
SHIRLEY
Not at all.
C.C.
That's a no.
RIVALZ Whaaaaat?! (cutting himself off) ...Huh? Just now, there was totally an extra voice...
LELOUCH
(rapidfire) You're-half-asleep-aren't-you, so next!
SUZAKU
Huh? Me? Mine is... yeah.
[ Future Suzaku is dressed like a Britannian nobleman, but also has a single lond braid and is wearing black-rimmed glasses. ]
SUZAKU
Well, I want to do many meritous deeds, and prove my loyalty as an Honorary Britannian.
MILLY
Ohh, that's surprisingly solid.
LELOUCH
He's always like this.
SUZAKU
My first goal is to join the Knights of the Round. From there, to become the Knight of One.
SHIRLEY
..."Solid"?
LELOUCH
Sorry. I withdraw my endorsement.
KALLEN
Hmph, and you call yourself Japanese...!
C.C.
Oho? What an interesting girl.
RIVALZ
So you become Knight of One, then what?
[ By this point, the camera has pulled out to reveal the full picture. Future Cecile is istting in the seat next to Suzaku, and they appear to be at a table somewhere in Britannia. A much older Arthur is asleep, paws dangling, on one of Suzaku's thighs. ]
SUZAKU
Well, after that, I intend to go into politics, so that I can create a world where Lelouch and Nunnally will be happy.
LELOUCH
(moved) Suzaku...
NUNNALLY
What a lovely dream, Suzaku! But if you could make it so that not just the two of us, but everyone — all across the world — could be happy... Wouldn't that be even more wonderful?
SUZAKU
(inspired) You're right! That's much better, Nunnally!
SHIRLEY
That was amazing, Nunna!
MILLY
You might have the makings of a politician!
C.C.
When she speaks from her heart, Nunnally's quite formidable.
KALLEN
Huh? Come on, I can't be the only one who thinks there's somebody else out there, can I?
RIVALZ
Maybe there's a cat or something around here?
C.C.
(hastily) Meow...! Meow...!
LELOUCH
(nervous laughter) Wouldn't it be a civit?
C.C.
(spluttering) Wha— a civit?!
SUZAKU
(smoothly) Civits are all well and good, Lelouch, but you're the last one. What sort of message do you want to send to the future Lelouch Lamperouge?
LELOUCH
To the future me?
SHIRLEY
Is there anything you want, Lulu?
LELOUCH
What I want...
MILLY
What sort of adult do you want to grow up to be?
LELOUCH
Hmm...
KALLEN
What do you want to do?
LELOUCH
Well...
RIVALZ
We'll still all be friends, right?
LELOUCH
I'll...
NUNNALLY
You'll...?
LELOUCH
That's right. In ten years... I'll...
[ FADE TO: the Ashford Club House. Lekouch and C.C. stand side-by-side on the upper level, looking out a window. Their voices echo very noticeably in the empty hall. ]
C.C.
So Nunnally's already asleep?
LELOUCH
Yeah.
C.C.
When did you realize I was there?
LELOUCH
As soon as I caught the scent of pizza on the breeze.
C.C.
Heh. A time capsule, huh?
LELOUCH
Childish, I know. If you want to laugh, feel free.
C.C.
You've got it wrong. I was just a little... envious.
LELOUCH
Envious?
C.C.
Who you'll be in ten years. I'm curious, okay? Not just as a student, but as Zero... What sort of future do you envision for yourself?
LELOUCH
That's a foregone conclusion. It has been ever since I received the power of Absolute Obedience from you. To tear down the world and rebuild it. That's my dream.
C.C.
No hesitation? Nothing you'll regret? There's no guarantee you'll live to see this world you're going to create.
LELOUCH
A trivial detail.
C.C.
Don't try to sound cool.
LELOUCH
Well, what about you? What will you be doing in ten years?
C.C.
Hah. Ten years, a hundred years, it's all the same for me. If the passage of time is like the flow of a river, then... I stand motionless in the middle of that river. Everything rushing past me until I'm left utterly alone. Concepts like the future mean nothing to me. The present, this moment... that's all I have.
LELOUCH
A moment, huh...? That wouldn't be terrible either. (dramatic) But, no. You're wrong, C.C.!
C.C.
No...? What do I have to look forward to, then? A witch like me?
LELOUCH
Time is but an accumulation of individual moments. The future comes to each of us, inevitably. Even to cursed witches.
C.C.
(surprised) Lelouch...
LELOUCH
I'll make you a promise. I'm going to show you a moment you won't be able to forget — one bright enough to outshine an entire lifetime, even if it only lasts an instant.
C.C.
Big talk. (lightly) Well, whatever. I'll be looking forward to it anyway.
LELOUCH
I thought you'd say that. If I destroy the world and remake it, it'll be because of my accomplice, C.C. — because of you.
[ C.C.'s only response is a chuckle. Then the two of them begin to speak retrospectively, their faces overlaying the scene. ]
C.C.
Yes. Back then, we didn't know yet...
LELOUCH
...what sort of future would come to us.
[ Gunfire, explosision, and voice clips from the final moments of Stage 25 play— ]
LELOUCH
Suzaku!
SUZAKU
Lelouch!
NUNNALLY
Brother!
C.C.
But for a brief moment, I think we were both wishing in our hearts...
LELOUCH
...that that instant...
C.C. / LELOUCH
...could have lasted forever.
CAST
LELOUCH: Jun Fukuyama
C.C.: Yukana
SUZAKU: Takahiro Sakurai
NUNNALLY: Kaori Nazuka
KALLEN: Ami Koshimizu
MILLY: Sayaka Ohara
SHIRLEY: Fumiko Orikasa
RIVALZ: Noriaki Sugiyama
DIRECTOR / STORYBOARD
Gorou Taniguchi
SCREENPLAY
Shigeru Morita
ART
Kimura Takahiro
EDITING
Minoru Yamauchi / Yuuki Honda
BACKGROUNDS / COLORING
RICCA
FINISHING TOUCHES / SPECIAL EFFECTS
Yoshiki Itou / Akiko Inoue
PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT
Ai Sakamoto
PRODUCED BY
Sunrise
MUSIC
Koutarou Nakagawa
SOUND SUPERVISOR
Yasuyuki Urakami / Keiko Urakami
SOUND PRODUCTION
Audio Planning U
MIXER
Hiroaki Uchiyama
ASST. MIXER
Taiyou Hasegawa
SOUND PRODUCTION DESC.
Eriko Oota
SOUND EFFECTS
Masahiro Shouji (Fizzsound Creation)
1 -me is a derogatory suffix that can be attached to people's names.↩
2 LIT. 'kindergarten's written with kanji,' which would have been advanced for his grade level at the time.↩
3 zuibun can mean both very and contemptible.↩
4 Lit., 'powered up'.↩
5 Lit. 'I'm going to kick that ball!'↩
Timeline: This fits... somewhat uneasily within R1. By necessity, it takes place before Stage 17 ("Knight"), but also... somehow... instead of it? (Rivalz reacts to Milly's engagement in both as if he's never heard of it before.)
CODE GEASS
Lelouch of the Rebellion
Miraculous Anniversary Picture Drama
[ FADE IN on seven figures, late at night, in a grassy area. The camera pans in over a face that separates them from what looks to be a main street, lit by street lamps. In the background, a large building is faintly visible. It looks like part of Ashford's campus.
The figures are KALLEN, MILLY, RIVALZ, SUZAKU, LELOUCH, SHIRLEY, and NUNNALLY. They seem to have unearthed a large box after a lengthy dig. There are many grunts and sounds of exertion, then— ]
SUZAKU
There! (hopeful) Is this it, Lelouch?
LELOUCH
That's it. (rather officiously) All right, set it down over here.
RIVALZ
What's with that tone? All you did was boss us around, Lelouch. Me an' Suzaku are the only ones who did any digging!
[ More sounds of effort, then the box is shown close-up. It looks like a heavy toolbox and is clearly locked. ]
RIVALZ
Okay... There!
KALLEN
(leaning in) Hmm? So, this is the time capsule you all made, Miss Milly?
MILLY
That's right! Well, with Lelouch and Nunnally — the three of us made it together. Of course, back then I had no idea they'd construct a new school building here... I just wasn't thinking.
SHIRLEY
(leaning in) So, what'd you put in it?
MILLY
What? (giggle) Well, we were kids, so... only what we wanted to!
LELOUCH
I'm sure it'll be things like a newspaper from back then, or toys that were popular at the time...
NUNNALLY
(piping up) There's also the letters to the future, Brother...
KALLEN
Letters... to the future...?
MILLY
(excitedly) Right, right! We did that, too! We wrote to our future selves, stuff like... (dramatic voice) "How are you doing now?" (even more dramatic sigh) What simple, childish dreams we had back then...
[ Shirley audibly begins to struggle with the lock. ]
SHIRLEY
Sorry, I'm having a little trouble with this...
[ Suddenly, there's a loud snapping noise, and the box is forced open. ]
SUZAKU
There. Sorry for the delay, everyone! It's open now.
MILLY
Let's see, let's see...! Whatever could be inside...!
[ She starts rifling through the contents, then the camera pans out to reveal C.C., watching the group from behind a tree with a smirk on her face. ]
C.C.
Lelouch, you loser1. I wondered what you were up to when you snuck out in the middle of the night, but who'd have thought you were digging up a time capsule... You might be the one I chose, but you're still a child.
[ Meanwhile, Rivalz is holding up some of the contents of the time capsule, with everyone huddled around him. Suzaku is still holding the tool he probably used to break into the box, Shirley and Milly are both leaning over to get a better look at the contents, and Kallen seems reluctantly interested, too, while Lelouch holds himself back slightly from the others. ]
SUZAKU
Huh... It's just like Lelouch said, old newspapers and toys... The only other thing in here are these letters.
RIVALZ
These're the "letters to the future"?
MILLY
That's them! Oh, this takes me back...! Ooh, "Nunnally's Message"... And this is Lelouch's handwriting! She dictated it to you, right? Whoa! This vocab's a little...2 (dramatically) Back then, we were children, writing to our future selves~...
LELOUCH
(amused) Is that praise?
MILLY
(just as amused) Hmm? Couldn't be...!
SHIRLEY
So, what did Nunna write about?
NUNNALLY
M, Miss Milly, please don't read it, it's going to be embarrassing...
MILLY
What? I'm sure it's fine! Let's see... (clears her throat, then begins in an impression of Nunnally) "When I'm a grown-up, I want to be a teacher for babies!" it says.
SUZAKU
How very like Nunnally.
NUNNALLY
J, just like I thought... embarrassing...
SHIRLEY
President, what about Lulu's? What's it say?
MILLY
Hmm? Gimme just a sec... Ah! Here it is, here it is! Let's see... "My most important—"
[ Lelouch audibly snatches it out of her hands. ]
MILLY
Hey! Lelouch! Give it back!
LELOUCH
What are you saying, President? You're being insensitive.
MILLY
Excuse me?! I don't want to hear that from you...
RIVALZ
The president's right. We hardly know the first thing about you, Lelouch... Whaddya say, Suzaku?
KALLEN
That's no use, Rivalz. They're two of a kind, after all.
SUZAKU
Wha— Two of a kind?!
[ Everyone laughs. ]
C.C.
Tsk, what are they doing? Messing around3, I guess... So this is adolescence, huh?
[ Shifting in place, C.C. steps on a twig. ]
KALLEN
Huh? Just now, was there a noise...?
SUZAKU
Yeah... It was just for a second, but I could've sworn I sensed some sort of malevolent — or jealous? — presence.
C.C.
Hmph. Perceptive jerks.
NUNNALLY
Umm, everyone, how about this? What if we all leave messages for our future selves?
SHIRLEY
(brightening) Our own letters to the future?
SUZAKU
You mean, fill the time capsule back up again?
NUNNALLY
Yes!
SHIRLEY
(giggle) Sounds like fun!
RIVALZ
But after they've finished construction here, digging it back up again's gonna be tough...
LELOUCH
We need to find somewhere better to leave it.
MILLY
Hmm... Oh! In that case, I know just the place!
[ FADE BACK IN somewhere in a forest, on the bank of a stream. Unlike the previous location, the sounds of the night clearly indicate that they're somewhat further from civilization. The camera pans very slowly down to eventually reveal Milly, Suzaku, Lelouch, Shirley, Nunnally, Kallen, and Rivalz all standing around the time capsule in a loose circle. Suzaku's holding the shovel again, while Milly has a flashlight.
As it keeps panning down, C.C. is finally visible, now sitting in a tree above them. ]
MILLY
Well...? What about this forest? Isn't it just perfect?
LELOUCH
It is, isn't it. (rapidfire) And the trees growing around here will be our landmark.
SHIRLEY
Okay, let's all write our messages to the future!
RIVALZ
(thoughtfully) To the future, huh...?
SUZAKU
When should we come back to dig it up, everyone?
MILLY
Hmm... good question...
NUNNALLY
Um... what about in ten years or so?
MILLY
Ten years, huh...? (giggle) Yeah, I think that'll be a good amount of time to forget what we put in there.
SHIRLEY
And we'll all be adults by then, won't we?
RIVALZ
Then it's settled! We're gonna write messages for ourselves to read in ten years!
KALLEN
Who's going first?
MILLY
Well, that's obvious. It was your idea, right, Nunnally? So it's only fair that you go first.
RIVALZ
You wanna be a kindergarten teacher, right, Nunnally?
NUNNALLY
Actually, I've changed my mind. Ten years from now, if I could just... be with my brother, that would be more than good enough.
[ The others all make strangled, emotional noises. ]
LELOUCH
Nunnally...
C.C.
Lelouch in ten years, huh...?
[ She imagines a scene in the future: Lelouch, wearing his father's clothes, beside Nunnally, dressed in pink. Sayoko is visible in the background and they appear to be in a fancier house. ]
C.C.
That'd be about the right time for the power of Charles's genes to manifest... Maybe like that...?
[ The camera zooms in until only Future Lelouch's face is visible and red, blinking arrows point to the large, ridiculous curls C.C. has given him in her imagination.
Back in reality: ]
SUZAKU
I'm sure you'll get that wish, Nunnally.
NUNNALLY
Thank you, Suzaku!
[ Meanwhile, Lelouch has begun to shiver, and he looks ill. ]
SHIRLEY
What's wrong, Lulu?
LELOUCH
I don't know. I took a sudden chill, my head hurts, and I have this terrible feeling...
RIVALZ
(cutting in) So, who should go next?
MILLY
Right... Who would be good...! Let's hear from Kallen!
KALLEN
Huh? M, me? I... Right, well... Once my mother recovers, well... Maybe... a tour of all the world's hot springs together...?
[ As she speaks, energetic music starts to play, and an image begins to come into focus behind her. Future Kallen, with much longer hair, is somewhere in a hot spring. Her mother has her back to the camera. ]
KALLEN
And this is ten years in the future, right? So, we'll float decanters of local alcohol in the water, brewing them right in the hot spring!
[ The camera keeps pulling out, revealing that Future Kallen has a small sake cup in one hand and a bottle in the other, and is visibly flushed from the drink, the spring, or both. ]
KALLEN
(sounding less and less meek or fragile) One cup to start with!
[ Now, a new image of Future Kallen in a yukata with a giant mug of beer in one hand and several traditional snacks (including octopus) in the other. (There is a small 'Zero' helmet emblem on her mug.) ]
KALLEN
Then, after the bath, we'll gulp down steins of ice-cold draft beer in chilled glasses! One, two, three glasses, whee!
[ Abruptly, cut to black. ]
MILLY
You can't do that, Kallen. I mean, drinking alcohol while you bathe is dangerous!
RIVALZ
Plus, that future-you sounded like an old man.
KALLEN
(back in her meek-and-fragile persona) Huh?! Was it really that strange? But everyone around me seems to like that sort of thing...
SHIRLEY
(bewildered) You mean... your blueblood family...?
KALLEN
Is it really that strange, drinking in a hot spring?
C.C.
No, no, no, that's a great plan! Please save a sip for me!
KALLEN
Huh? Did anyone else just hear something?
LELOUCH
(rapidfire) I'm sure you misheard, all right who's next?
SHIRLEY
Oh, yes, okay! I'll go! I want to—
RIVALZ
—become Lelouch's bride, more or less.
[ Shirley promptly collapses. ]
LELOUCH
(puzzled) Shirley, what's wrong?
SHIRLEY
Huh?! Err, well... It's nothing!! (sotto voice) I can't say I want to be his bride, so...!
LELOUCH
Huh?
SHIRLEY
W, well... what I want... is... um... well... All right! I'll go all the way to the world championships and win a prize for diving distance!
[ In her imagination, Future Shirley has on her school swimsuit and a gold medal around her neck. ]
LELOUCH
Mmhmm.
SHIRLEY
And then, on my triumphant return, I'll make my showbiz debut as a top celebrity!
[ Now Future Shirley has a cute white 'idol' costume on... over her swimsuit. ]
SUZAKU
Th, that'd be amazing...
SHIRLEY
And then, in a shocking twist at the height of my popularity, I'll marry one of my old classmates!
[ Future Shirley now has an abbreviated wedding dress on... still over her swimsuit. Future Lelouch is wearing a white 'prince' costume, rather than a traditional tuxedo. ]
RIVALZ
(laughter) After all that, it's just like I said...
SHIRLEY
As a rising star, my next triumph will be to take the world of showbiz by storm as a pregnant celeb!
[ A small child who looks exactly like Lelouch appears between the couple. Then another and another and another until there are nine altogether. ]
KALLEN
That escalated quickly4...
[ Shirley pants from the exertion of all of that, then Nunnally cuts in serenely. ]
NUNNALLY
That makes it your turn, Miss Milly. Go ahead.
MILLY
Me? What will I be...
SHIRLEY
(excitedly) You're already engaged, right, President?
RIVALZ
Whaaaat?!
SHIRLEY
And since this Lloyd guy's a noble as well as being in the Britannian military, you'll wind up a countess for sure!
RIVALZ
A fiance?! Is it serious?!?
MILLY
Uh-huh. We'll have made our engagement official by then, of course, but...
[ A sepia-toned photograph in an ornate frame shows Lloyd and Milly together, dressed like Britannian nobility. ]
MILLY
I'll also establish myself as a career woman!
[ Smash-cut to: Future Milly in a sexy buisness suit, all pink with matching heels. ]
MILLY
Ensuring that Ashford's education is the finest! Or something like that.
RIVALZ
Thank goodness...
KALLEN
That's definitely something Madame President could pull off.
MILLY
By the same token, I'll see Ashford Academy take over the world! I'll make the education industry see reason!
[ Now, behind Future Milly, there a large building with a woman's blocky, somewhat abstract head on top of it. Below 'her' chin, "ASHFORD ACADEMY" is spelled out. ]
LELOUCH
(chuckle) A bit idealistic.
MILLY
Hmm? Don't say that like it's someone else's problem~
LELOUCH
Huh?
MILLY
Because of course you'll be helping me, Lelouch!
[ Future Lelouch and Future Nina both fade into view behind Future Milly. Future Nina is dressed business-casual (somewhat more modestly than Milly, in green and white), while Future Lelouch is wearing an all-purple suit with a pink shirt and tie. ]
SHIRLEY
Huh? What was that last part?
RIVALZ
Wait just a second! This is my turf!5
MILLY
Really, Rivalz? But you've always been a guy who prefers stability, not the unpredictable business world.
RIVALZ
It'll be fine! I swear I've got an adventurer's soul!
SUZAKU
An adventurer... like this?
[ In Suzaku's imagination, Future Rivalz appears to be riding a Mad Max-style motorcycle with spikes everywhere and wearing some sort of armor (with spikes all over it). Future Milly is standing up in his sidecar, wearing distressed jeans and a somewhat tiny top, her knees and wrists also spiked. ]
MILLY
W, what am I doing there?
KALLEN
Probably not.
LELOUCH
Nope.
NUNNALLY
I don't think so.
SHIRLEY
Not at all.
C.C.
That's a no.
RIVALZ Whaaaaat?! (cutting himself off) ...Huh? Just now, there was totally an extra voice...
LELOUCH
(rapidfire) You're-half-asleep-aren't-you, so next!
SUZAKU
Huh? Me? Mine is... yeah.
[ Future Suzaku is dressed like a Britannian nobleman, but also has a single lond braid and is wearing black-rimmed glasses. ]
SUZAKU
Well, I want to do many meritous deeds, and prove my loyalty as an Honorary Britannian.
MILLY
Ohh, that's surprisingly solid.
LELOUCH
He's always like this.
SUZAKU
My first goal is to join the Knights of the Round. From there, to become the Knight of One.
SHIRLEY
..."Solid"?
LELOUCH
Sorry. I withdraw my endorsement.
KALLEN
Hmph, and you call yourself Japanese...!
C.C.
Oho? What an interesting girl.
RIVALZ
So you become Knight of One, then what?
[ By this point, the camera has pulled out to reveal the full picture. Future Cecile is istting in the seat next to Suzaku, and they appear to be at a table somewhere in Britannia. A much older Arthur is asleep, paws dangling, on one of Suzaku's thighs. ]
SUZAKU
Well, after that, I intend to go into politics, so that I can create a world where Lelouch and Nunnally will be happy.
LELOUCH
(moved) Suzaku...
NUNNALLY
What a lovely dream, Suzaku! But if you could make it so that not just the two of us, but everyone — all across the world — could be happy... Wouldn't that be even more wonderful?
SUZAKU
(inspired) You're right! That's much better, Nunnally!
SHIRLEY
That was amazing, Nunna!
MILLY
You might have the makings of a politician!
C.C.
When she speaks from her heart, Nunnally's quite formidable.
KALLEN
Huh? Come on, I can't be the only one who thinks there's somebody else out there, can I?
RIVALZ
Maybe there's a cat or something around here?
C.C.
(hastily) Meow...! Meow...!
LELOUCH
(nervous laughter) Wouldn't it be a civit?
C.C.
(spluttering) Wha— a civit?!
SUZAKU
(smoothly) Civits are all well and good, Lelouch, but you're the last one. What sort of message do you want to send to the future Lelouch Lamperouge?
LELOUCH
To the future me?
SHIRLEY
Is there anything you want, Lulu?
LELOUCH
What I want...
MILLY
What sort of adult do you want to grow up to be?
LELOUCH
Hmm...
KALLEN
What do you want to do?
LELOUCH
Well...
RIVALZ
We'll still all be friends, right?
LELOUCH
I'll...
NUNNALLY
You'll...?
LELOUCH
That's right. In ten years... I'll...
[ FADE TO: the Ashford Club House. Lekouch and C.C. stand side-by-side on the upper level, looking out a window. Their voices echo very noticeably in the empty hall. ]
C.C.
So Nunnally's already asleep?
LELOUCH
Yeah.
C.C.
When did you realize I was there?
LELOUCH
As soon as I caught the scent of pizza on the breeze.
C.C.
Heh. A time capsule, huh?
LELOUCH
Childish, I know. If you want to laugh, feel free.
C.C.
You've got it wrong. I was just a little... envious.
LELOUCH
Envious?
C.C.
Who you'll be in ten years. I'm curious, okay? Not just as a student, but as Zero... What sort of future do you envision for yourself?
LELOUCH
That's a foregone conclusion. It has been ever since I received the power of Absolute Obedience from you. To tear down the world and rebuild it. That's my dream.
C.C.
No hesitation? Nothing you'll regret? There's no guarantee you'll live to see this world you're going to create.
LELOUCH
A trivial detail.
C.C.
Don't try to sound cool.
LELOUCH
Well, what about you? What will you be doing in ten years?
C.C.
Hah. Ten years, a hundred years, it's all the same for me. If the passage of time is like the flow of a river, then... I stand motionless in the middle of that river. Everything rushing past me until I'm left utterly alone. Concepts like the future mean nothing to me. The present, this moment... that's all I have.
LELOUCH
A moment, huh...? That wouldn't be terrible either. (dramatic) But, no. You're wrong, C.C.!
C.C.
No...? What do I have to look forward to, then? A witch like me?
LELOUCH
Time is but an accumulation of individual moments. The future comes to each of us, inevitably. Even to cursed witches.
C.C.
(surprised) Lelouch...
LELOUCH
I'll make you a promise. I'm going to show you a moment you won't be able to forget — one bright enough to outshine an entire lifetime, even if it only lasts an instant.
C.C.
Big talk. (lightly) Well, whatever. I'll be looking forward to it anyway.
LELOUCH
I thought you'd say that. If I destroy the world and remake it, it'll be because of my accomplice, C.C. — because of you.
[ C.C.'s only response is a chuckle. Then the two of them begin to speak retrospectively, their faces overlaying the scene. ]
C.C.
Yes. Back then, we didn't know yet...
LELOUCH
...what sort of future would come to us.
[ Gunfire, explosision, and voice clips from the final moments of Stage 25 play— ]
LELOUCH
Suzaku!
SUZAKU
Lelouch!
NUNNALLY
Brother!
C.C.
But for a brief moment, I think we were both wishing in our hearts...
LELOUCH
...that that instant...
C.C. / LELOUCH
...could have lasted forever.
LELOUCH: Jun Fukuyama
C.C.: Yukana
SUZAKU: Takahiro Sakurai
NUNNALLY: Kaori Nazuka
KALLEN: Ami Koshimizu
MILLY: Sayaka Ohara
SHIRLEY: Fumiko Orikasa
RIVALZ: Noriaki Sugiyama
DIRECTOR / STORYBOARD
Gorou Taniguchi
SCREENPLAY
Shigeru Morita
ART
Kimura Takahiro
EDITING
Minoru Yamauchi / Yuuki Honda
BACKGROUNDS / COLORING
RICCA
FINISHING TOUCHES / SPECIAL EFFECTS
Yoshiki Itou / Akiko Inoue
PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT
Ai Sakamoto
PRODUCED BY
Sunrise
MUSIC
Koutarou Nakagawa
SOUND SUPERVISOR
Yasuyuki Urakami / Keiko Urakami
SOUND PRODUCTION
Audio Planning U
MIXER
Hiroaki Uchiyama
ASST. MIXER
Taiyou Hasegawa
SOUND PRODUCTION DESC.
Eriko Oota
SOUND EFFECTS
Masahiro Shouji (Fizzsound Creation)
1 -me is a derogatory suffix that can be attached to people's names.↩
2 LIT. 'kindergarten's written with kanji,' which would have been advanced for his grade level at the time.↩
3 zuibun can mean both very and contemptible.↩
4 Lit., 'powered up'.↩
5 Lit. 'I'm going to kick that ball!'↩