The Eternal Emperor

Lelouch's gaze remained unfocused as the Senate continued its futile debates, the cacophony of political posturing and empty promises a distant hum in his ears. His thoughts drifted back to the moments that had led him here—his "resurrection," if that term even applied to the twisted reality of his existence. He remembered the cold grip of death, the sensation of his life slipping away, only to be pulled back into something far darker, far more potent. 

The being that had taken hold of his soul was no ordinary force. It was an entity of unimaginable power, one that had struck a deal with Lelouch. The terms had been simple: in exchange for a second chance, Lelouch would carry a miniscule part of the essence of this being within him, a conduit for its will. 

'It is only right to pay my dues to the landlord...' The being was always present, lurking just beneath the surface of his consciousness, whispering its truths and philosophies with a tone that bordered on the saccharine. 

"I am no abomination," the voice countered, its tone smooth and almost condescending. "Quite the contrary, I am as pure as something can be. The pure desire of all living beings to grow and evolve, to become something better than they were." 

Lelouch almost scoffed at the words, though he had to admit that the being was skilled in its rhetoric. It could easily be mistaken for a benevolent force, a guiding hand meant to lead him toward greatness. But Lelouch was no fool. He knew the truth behind the flowery language, the corruption that lay beneath the surface. This being, this "Architect of Fate" as it called itself, was as insidious as the dark side of the Force itself. It promised power, but that power came at a cost—a cost Lelouch had accepted willingly, for now. 

The Architect, for all its grandiose speech and self-proclaimed purity, was nearly powerless at the moment. Whatever had weakened it, Lelouch wasn't entirely sure, but it mattered little. The being's influence was subtle, its corruption slow but steady. It had guided him to this point, to the heart of the galaxy's power, and in return, Lelouch allowed it to remain within him, a symbiotic relationship built on mutual ambition. 

'And yet, you are still here,' Lelouch thought, his tone sharp as he addressed the voice within. 'A parasite clinging to what little power you can scrape together.' 

The Architect did not reply immediately, as if considering its response carefully. "You misunderstand, Lelouch," it finally said, its tone devoid of its usual arrogance. "You should know better than any, survival is defeat postponed, and with some planning, victory pending. Where my siblings are stuck in their doomed playground, I will survive, and with your help, thrive. Without my knowledge, you will be no better than your so-called master. Using the power that drives the creation and destruction of the universe for mere parlor tricks, limited to lifting rubbish and swinging a glorified glowstick." 

Lelouch's lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. 'We'll see,' he thought. He had no illusions about their relationship, but... the Lord of Change was right. He had no head or tails on where to begin utilizing the Force to its 

For now, though, he let the voice continue its musings, focusing instead on the task at hand. The Senate proceedings droned on, and Lelouch knew that the real work was done behind the scenes, in the shadows where he thrived. 

----------------------- 

Lelouch looked outside the window of Senator Palpatine's office as a *HISS* was heard, the doors opened up and Palpatine walked in. 

"The Jedi have arrived on Naboo, though it matters little, just two of them cannot hope to stop this invasion." Palpatine said as Lelouch continued. 

"And so long as our troops set foot on Naboo, sooner or later the vote of no confidence on the chancellor will be called, though it would be better if it came from the queen, with a valid excuse at her back." 

Palpatine smiled as he put a hand on Lelouch shoulder. 

"She will. A bunch of droids cannot stop them, and even then, they will see Darth Maul coming from miles away, even blind as they are to the dark side." 

Lelouch snorted at that with a smirk in his face. 

"Ah yes, your 'prized pupil'. He's so lost its almost funny. He is talented with a lightsaber though." 

Indeed, it seemed as if Lelouch's athletic ability (or disability) remained constant in both his lives. Though he could retain his albeit unremarkable feats for far longer... 

'It is rather pathetic for a host of a god... but nothing we can't change in due time. Though by then you'll understand how pitiful it is to even think of actually using your blade to crush someone with the power at your fingertips.' The unwelcome voice in his head whispered. 

'It doesn't change the fact that until that time, I will be needing a fairly durable meat shield.' Lelouch scoffed at the promises of the once-God on his head. 

'Our deal with the Force has ended, it owes us nothing more until we bring proper balance and prove we can maintain it... but just by "talking" with it, maintaining some sort of connection, I can gleam into the universe. It is powerful but, but not as old and not nearly as single-minded as me in my current condition. 

'Yes, I remember you telling me all about your feats. First time I've heard of someone running circles around their own head, but if it was someone, I guess it'd have to be a god now, wouldn't it?' 

Drowning out the voice in his head, Lelouch turned his attention to his conversation with Palpatine. 

"... he may be, but he remains nothing but a tool. Brazen, bold, the perfect icon to draw all eyes towards mere figurehead Sith on the Trade Federation's side, while we complete the necessary preparations." 

Master and apprentice smiled as they watched the bustling city below them. 

----------------------- 

It had been quite a while since Lelouch had last seen Queen Amidala. Being of the same age, Palpatine had previously pushed for Lelouch to "befriend" her. 

And while Lelouch saw the upsides, the moment he tried to influence her, the Force had quite the violent reaction. 

Ever since Lelouch was quite opposed to spending prolonged amounts of time with her, lest he invertedly caused the Force to lash out. Though when he saw it today, he understood. 

'That boy... HAHAHA...' 

It wasn't only the voice in his head, Lelouch could bet his life his master was laughing just the same. 

'I see, that one-sided bond that has barely begun to form. I'd wager it won't be so one sided in a few years.' 

An idea was forming on Lelouch's head as he smiled at the chosen of the Force.