History FanFic / CodeGeassMaoOfTheDeliverance

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6040679/1/Code_Geass_Mao_of_the_Deliverance Code Geass: Mao of the Deliverance]]'' is a Anime/CodeGeass fanfic by [[http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1955982/kleptographer_of_alternates Kleptographer of Alternates]], which [[PerspectiveFlip details the history of]] Mao , beginning with his abandonment by C.C. It primarily focuses on his desperate search for her as he first [[WalkingTheEarth wanders around]] Beijing, supporting his operation through gambling and blackmail, though [[CoincidentalBroadcast clues]] [[{{Telepathy}} uncovered]] during his travels eventually bring him to Japan where his relation to early events in the series is revealed in an attempt to shed new insight on his subsequent actions.

* UnwittingPawn: Lelouch to C.C. [[spoiler: Mao]] as well [[BatmanGambit up to a point]].
* VillainousBSOD: Mao inflicts one upon Lelouch and Suzaku in their last encounter.

* WifeHusbandry: GenderFlipped. Because Mao and C.C. lived together in the wild for several years while he grew up, sleeping and bathing together without impunity, Mao becomes [[PrecociousCrush so attached to her]] that, as he matures, he comes to treat her as his lover. [[spoiler: The story seems to take the stance that she had sex with him at some point ''too early'', only fueling his obsessive attachment to her]].

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Technically, yes; though not in the usual way.
* WorldOfHam: Chapter 20.
* WorthyOpponent: When Mao first identifies Lelouch and reads his mind, he remarks on this.
* YouthIsWastedOnTheDumb: Nalani provides a good example of this.

** Later when Mao witnesses Suzaku outrun and disable his sentry gun he remarks in disbelief, "Cào nǐ zǔzōng shíbā dài!". Translation: "Fuck your ancestors to the eighteenth generation!", a ''particularly'' insulting Chinese curse.*

* NotGoodWithPeople: Mao. It makes sense, though, in that, owing to his Geass, he can't interact with them normally at all and that for years was raised away from them by C.C., who never cared what his relations to them were.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* {{Gorn}}: Chapter 12 has a lot of this. And Chapter 20 takes it [[ExaggeratedTrope UpToEleven]].

* IllGirl: Lelouch's sister Nunnally is blind and crippled. When he abducts her, Mao purposefully binds ''her legs'' for no other reason than to infuriate Lelouch.

* MyHeroZero: Inverted in that the daring terrorist [[YouShouldKnowThisAlready Zero is really Lelouch]], a [[SmugSnake calculating bastard]] who becomes Mao's EvilCounterpart.

* SingleTargetSexuality: Mao for C.C. but he has no other options outside of her. Illustrated when an enterprising prostitute attempts to seduce Mao...and gets punched in the face.

** A couple chapters also contain the lyrics to songs that C.C. apparently sang to Mao when he was young to soothe the effects of his Geass when they still lived in the city, such as one from Manga/Fruit'sBasket and Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED.

* ShutUpHannibal: [[spoiler: Lelouch uses his Geass to make Mao mute when he's distracted by Suzaku in a vivid case of AFateWorseThanDeath.]] [[spoiler: After he awakens in C's World with C.C., however, she [[DeusExMachine uses her powers to break Lelouch's Geass on him]], just as she did in the show for Lelouch at the start of R2]].]]

* EarnYourHappyEnding: [[spoiler:Despite everything bad that happened to Mao, he is finally reunited with C.C. in [[SpiritWorld C's World]] at the end.
** Could also count as a DownerEnding depending on your interpretation of the last chapter, however, since Mao is now trapped in C.C.'s memories forever with a simulacrum of herself who doesn't even know who he is at first.]]

* EarnYourHappyEnding: [[spoiler: Despite everything bad that happened to Mao, he is finally reunited with C.C. in [[SpiritWorld C's World]] at the end.

* EarnYourHappyEnding: [[spoiler: Despite everything bad that happened to Mao, he is finally reunited with C.C. in [[SpiritWorld C's World]] at the end.]]

* [[spoiler: EarnYourHappyEnding: Despite everything bad that happened to Mao, he is finally reunited with C.C. in [[SpiritWorld C's World]] at the end.

* [[spoiler: NoOneShouldSurviveThat: Just like in the show, he comes back after being ''riddled with bullets'' in the previous chapter. [[LiteralGenie The writer attempts to explain]] it though.]]

* [[spoiler: ThanatosGambit: Mao secretly approaches C.C. asking her to kill him. After she reluctantly agrees, he attacks Lelouch while she's away by abducting Nunnally and holding her hostage with a FakeTrap. Unexpectedly, however, Lelouch gets a chance to use his Geass on him and, as Mao flees, C.C. appears, ''seemingly'' to fulfill her earlier promise. Afterwards, he wakes up in C's World, however, and she reveals that she merely injected him with a chemical to deceive Lelouch into thinking he was dead because she [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther really does love him too]] and wants him to be safe and happy. Mao then reveals the entire thing was his own [[ThePlan plan]] to prove to C.C. that she really did love him, take his revenge on Lelouch, ''and'' finally be free of his Geass.]]

** He also [[MoralEventHorizon deliberately]] does this to Shirley [[NaiveEveryGirl Shirley]] and tries to do it to Nunally but she's portrayed as too pure.

* TakeThat: [[WordOfGod According to the author]], the infamous Chapter 20 was written to tease or mock reviewers who asked that the story diverge into AU territory where Mao gets a happy ending rather than what happened in the show.

* AllThereInTheManual: The separate one-shots [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5852197/1/Mistakes_of_the_Past "Mistakes of the Past"]], [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7468486/1/Memories "Memories"]] and [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6129393/1/Kisses_and_Wishes "Kisses and Wishes"]] provide additional details about Mao and C.C.'s past, such as C.C.'s perception of their parting. Also, there are a few specific details of his backstory which are actually supported by ''Code Geass'' supplementary materials, making them OlderThanYouThink.
** Others are much exaggerated. [[spoiler: Nunnally, for example, does seem to read Lelouch's mind at the end of the series, but the novels from which the author is getting this make it so that it's not a normal power. She is said to be able to tell if someone is telling the truth, but not outright read minds]]

* TheAtoner: By the [[spoiler: last chapter]], Mao seems to have come to consider himself this, even Having SympathyForTheDevil over Lelouch and feeling genuine regret for his actions, although because of his BlueAndOrangeMorality and the [[ShrugOfGod Author's vagueness]] on the matter, it's not very clear whether or not he still thinks that because [[NecessarilyEvil it was for C.C.]], the sacrifice was worth it.

* AntiHero: Mao definitely qualifies. His stated goal sounds noble, but to accomplish it, however, he employs [[MoralEventHorizon increasingly]] violent and twisted methods.
** As the story is told from Mao's [[PerspectiveFlip perspective]], he starts off with the view that he is C.C.'s KnightInShiningArmor and Zero is RonTheDeathEater, though he later seems to admit he's become too far gone.

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Mao's moral compass begins and ends with C.C. He starts his journey perfectly willing to do ''anything'' for her and his actions often seem inexplicably insane in the sheer [[PsychopathicManChild innocence of their brutality]], all the while [[UnreliableNarrator seeing himself]] as a paragon example of a KnightInShiningArmor engaged in a struggle of BlackAndWhiteMorality. It becomes muddled near the middle, however, as Mao seems to acknowledge that his recent actions ''are'' evil (at least [[ManChild as far as he can grasp the concept]]) ''but'' [[NecessarilyEvil necessary]], revealing the GreyAndGrayMorality underlying the story. Regardless, his status as a CloudCuckooLander often causes him to do things normal people would balk at [[RefugeInAudacity without impunity]], such as his [[MemeticMutation famous]] attempt to [[ALoveToDismember chainsaw]] his [[HealingFactor immortal]] beloved in order to make her ''more compact'' for a cramped flight.

** He also [[MoralEventHorizon deliberately]] inflicts plenty of BreakTheCutie to [[NaiveEveryGirl Shirley]].

* ButtMonkey: Let's just say Mao is prone to misfortune. All three of Mao's major schemes [[spoiler: end up failing]], the last of which has [[FateWorseThanDeath horrible consequences]]. Though events like getting kicked around by police officers, locked in an insane asylum for being at the wrong place ''at the wrong time'', and especially C.C.'s preliminary abandonment do make him TheWoobie. PlayedForLaughs when he tries to fly to Area 11...and narrowly misses crashing into a building, gets caught in a ''frickin hurricane'', and almost wrecks in the landing.
** [[spoiler: To avoid a DownerEnding, Mao's main goal, however, is actually realized, though not in the way he expected, well…not ''quite'' in the way he expected. Played like less of a case of ThrowTheDogABone and more of ThePowerofLove though.]]
* CannotSpitItOut: Despite the fact that she professed to love Mao many times while he was growing up, as shown in several [[{{flashback}} flashbacks]], and the fact that she included it as a line in the(intended) posthumous recording she made for him, C.C. refuses to say it to him when he finds her again, instead claiming she was only using him all the way [[spoiler: till a tender moment near the end, where she finally admits the truth, though it's still debatable whether she is supposed to be speaking from her heart or just trying to LetThemDieHappy]].
* ChainsawGood: Mao's chainsaw isn't just any ordinary chainsaw, but one powered by liquid Sakuradite!

* DespairEventHorizon: ''Finally'' crossed by Mao in Chapter 22 after a TraumaCongaLine that would have made normal people give up a long, long LONG time ago. Comes with a TearJerker moment of DrivenToSuicide, only barely avoided by a dark [[HeelFaceTurn Heel Face]] DoNotGoGentle.

* DoppelgangerReplacementLoveInterest: [[spoiler: C.C. takes Mao to [[SpiritWorld C's World]] while he is unconscious and leaves him there with the mental version of herself so he can be happy and safe within her memories. Mao's reaction, however, is a [[SubvertedTrope subversion]] as he, while grateful for the gesture and company, isn't satisfied and ultimately misses the real thing too much to be truly happy.]]

** Suzaku later becomes this to help Lelouch save Nunnally though.

* [[spoiler: EarnYourHappyEnding: Despite all Mao's failures and the GreyandGrayMorality conflict, he is finally reunited with C.C. in [[SpiritWorld C's World]].

* EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory: At one point when he's imprisoned in a psychiatric ward, Mao sweats blood, with the doctor in charge even comparing his ordeal to Christ.

* ExactEavesdropping: Justified because Mao not only hears every thought within 500 meters of him but can focus in on those that interest him. Subverted by the fact that much of what he overhears is at best completely random and at worst {{squick}}. Humorously averted when gaps sometimes appear in his awareness, which Mao attributes to people speaking without thinking about what they're saying.

* {{Fanon}}: The author seems to indulge in this quite a bit, including dropping hints about Mao's noble or royal origins, revealing that Lelouch and his sister Nunally are literally in love with each other and explicitly going with the interpretation that Nunally has the supernatural ability see into a person's memories by touching them.

* {{Gorn}}: Chapter 12 is just full of it. And Chapter 20 will make you ''cringe''. Or [[NightmareRetardant laugh]].

* MindScrew: Chapter 20! Signs inexplicably change, HamAndCheese goes UpToEleven, a dismembered head carries on conversation, carousel horses ride ''off'' their carousel, people talk ''after their already ''[[NooneCouldSurviveThat beyond dead]]''...and Mao becomes an InvincibleHero with CharlesAtlasSuperpower. All without warning. Cue [[PrecisionFStrike WTF]]!

* MoreThanMindControl: Mao excels at this, sometimes so much that he seems like a MagnificentBastard.

* NecessarilyEvil: When Mao ponders his [[MoralEventHorizon morally questionable]] actions, such as [[BreakTheCutie Breaking The Cutie]] Shirley or [[ChainSawGood deciding to chainsaw]] C.C. to fit her on his plane and escape to Australia, he concludes that their necessary for the [[ProtagonistCenteredMorality greater good]]--protecting C.C. from her own [[DeathSeeker Death Wish]] and [[RonTheDeathEater Lelouch]] so they can continue their [[MayflyDecemberRomance romance]].
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: C.C. abandoned Mao with the hope that he would hate her and blame her for all his problems. Needless to say, [[WhatAnIdiot it didn't work]] ''[[{{Yandere}} at all]]''! Through giving him a player filled with recordings of her voice, she also inadvertently enabled him to cope with his telepathy in order to follow her trail in the first place.

** Since Mao is losing his mind, it could be a case of FridgeBrilliance that this is reflected [[spoiler: in his ThanatosGambit]].

* PurpleProse: Some descriptions of C.C. Justified since the work is from Mao's perspective, who has SingelTargetSexuality for her and sees her like a DracoInLeatherPants.

** A couple chapters also contain the lyrics to songs that C.C. apparently sang to Mao when he was young to soothe the effects of his Geass when they still lived in the city, such as one from Series/Fruit'sBasket and Series/MobileSuitGundamSEED.

* CoolShades: Mao wears these or, at least, *he* thinks they're cool. Though later he has to keep wearing when dealing with Lelouch, since he will be vulnerable to his Geass if he doesn't.

* Fanon: The author seems to indulge in this quite a bit, including dropping hints about Mao's noble or royal origins, revealing that Lelouch and his sister Nunally are literally in love with each other and explicitly going with the interpretation that Nunally has the supernatural ability see into a person's memories by touching them.

* OutOfCharacter: The story interprets certain characters somewhat liberally. Some of this is justified in that it's [[UnreliableNarrator seen through the eyes of]] Mao. Others, though, such as how Lelouch is assumed, by both Mao and C.C. to [[spoiler: have been using a FreakOut to convince her to kill Mao, rather than being merely obsessive and viewing C.C. as a sort of Freudian fill-in for his mother, which is the arguably a more canon interpretation]] are more original.
** Mao's unusual mercy towards [[spoiler: Nunnally, by not actually putting her under a real bomb,]] too. Mao simply isn't that nice of a person.
*** There are actually several small moments scattered throughout the story, however, where Mao takes the time to at least attempt to do something unusually kind, such as scaring away an overbearing Britannian jerk from that Japanese girl or scrawling the words 'thank you' in soap on his hospital mirror, serving as a reminder that deep beneath the insanity and [[LoveMakesYouEvil self-adopted evil]], is a sweet kid.
*** Neither. Mao's use of a [[spoiler: fake bomb whose radius Suzaku deduced to be over 500 meters]] was a careful trick to deceive Lelouch into thinking Mao was outside of his Geass' range, [[spoiler: when in fact, he was not]].
** Lelouch and C.C.'s final talk in the story is pretty standard at the start: [[spoiler: Lelouch is worried that C.C. might have spared Mao, and that he may come after Nunnally again.]] But then, [[spoiler: Lelouch takes the opportunity to threaten C.C. out of some head trip, even after Suzaku's break down has knocked him out of it.]] And worst of all... C.C. [[spoiler: gives him the finger.]] What!? What sort of crazy alternate world is this where C.C. shows emotion!?
*** Well, C.C. in the original show ''did'' have her moments BeneathTheMask where she displays curious and unexpected emotions at memorable times, although admittedly anger isn't often one of them.

** Actually, he not only kills those he comes across, he goes searching for them in order to kill them.
*** Not only that, but he plans to find and murder the ones that escape later.
* PersonaNonGrata: After winning particularly large sums of money all night, Mao is kicked out from a luxury casino--and the order is enforced by submachine guns to boot!

** Since Mao suffers from increasing insanity, it's actually a case of FridgeBrilliance that this is reflected [[spoiler: in his ThanatosGambit]].

* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: Despite the increasingly violent and exploitative acts Mao engages in as his quest becomes more desperate, he continues to excuse them by considering C.C. to be the only person that ''really'' matters.
** Lelouch is revealed to operate with the same basic outlook in regards to Nunnally though. He's a little more compassionate towards others, as pointed out by Nunnally - he puts himself at great risk to rescue Suzaku and the Student Council, though it also furthers his plans.

* PsychoticSmirk: He adopts one of these quite a bit when dealing with opponents he's trying to unnerve. He wears it ''[[EvilIsSexy very]]'' well.
* PurpleProse: Some descriptions of C.C. Justified since the work is from Mao's perspective, who sees her like a DracoInLeatherPants.

* RapunzelHair: C.C. has long green hair that Mao just ''loves'' running his fingers through!
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: C.C. Well, she's at least 717 according to the intro.
* RefugeInAudacity: The airplane Mao swindled is a bit too small to fit both him, his beloved C.C., his BriefcaseFullOfMoney, WallOfWeapons, and GunAccessories. After seriously pondering the issue, Mao comes up with the [[SarcasmMode ingenious]] plan to use a friggin chainsaw to make said [[HealingFactor immortal]] love interest ''more compact''.
* TheReveal: Not surprising, given the nature of Mao's power and his personality. Most especially, he reveals that [[spoiler: Lelouch and Nunnally are [[BrotherSisterIncest in love]] and Suzaku is a DeathSeeker who murdered his own father]], something that was only very subtly hinted at in the show.

* SarcasticClapping: Subverted in that he tends to clap when he gets really happy or excited, but played straight when he wants to deliberately annoy his opponents.
* ScaryShinyGlasses: Well, Shirley seems to think this of Mao's visor, and Lelouch spends quite a bit of time [[PowerNullifier wishing it wasn't there]].
* SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan: To a degree, Lelouch and Mao.
* SentryGun: Mao hooks up one of these to guard the hallway leading to the underground level where he has Nunnally trapped. Apparently, he forced the military to give it to him. Rendered useless when [[TheDragon Suzaku]] [[ArtisticLicensePhysics defies gravity]] and [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower outruns it]], delivering a HurricaneKick to disable it. Cue [[ForeignCussWord Chinese Swearing]] by Mao.
* SequelHook: The author includes one at the end.
* ShoutOut: Contains several, including to ''Franchise/TheMatrix'', ''Film/TheTrumanShow'', ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}'', ''ComicBook/XMen'', ''Film/ThePatriot'', ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', ''Manga/FruitsBasket'', ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''Film/{{Scanners}}'', ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''.
* ShutUpHannibal: [[spoiler: Lelouch uses his Geass to make Mao mute when he's distracted by Suzaku in a vivid case of AFateWorseThanDeath.]] [[spoiler: When he awakes in C's World with C.C., however, he's [[AppliedPhlebotinum conveniently able to overcome it by sheer indomitable willpower]].]]
*** Actually, C.C. [[spoiler: used her vague assortment of abilities to break Lelouch's Geass]].
** [[spoiler: C.C. also gives a playful one to Mao in C's World.]]
* SingleTargetSexuality: Mao for C.C. Justified in that he has no other options outside of her. Aptly illustrated when an over-eager prostitute attempts to seduce Mao...and gets punched in the face.
** [[spoiler: Also apparently true of Lelouch for Nunnally, and ''almost'' as [[BigBrotherInstinct severe]]]]. Canonically, it never comes up, but it's not hard to accept that Lelouch wouldn't be able to say no if asked.

* SongFic: Several chapters have scenes in which a related song is playing in the background, usually on the radio, including the ''Rolling Stones'', ''Karen O'', ''Hoobastank'', and ''The Police''. ''Mostly'' done in a sensible, selective way.
** The first few chapters also contain the lyrics to songs that C.C. apparently sang to Mao when he was young to soothe the effects of his Geass when they still lived in the city.
** Several [[EitherOrTitle alternate chapter titles]] are allusions to various songs as well.
** Finally, the author has the audacity to recommend that certain instrumental pieces be played while reading, from as varied sources as ''Anime/CodeGeass'', the ''Film/TheBourneSeries'', ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'', ''Manga/DeathNote'', ''Series/DoctorWho'', ''Manga/FruitsBasket'', ''Anime/MyHime'', ''Manga/XxxHolic'', and ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren''.
* TheSoulless: Rolo is portrayed this way, interrupted by flashes of StepfordSmiler, which genuinely [[TooSpicyForYogSothoth creeps Mao out]]!
* SoundtrackDissonance: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrL6Oyd7iKM This]] plays in the background while Mao is cutting C.C. up into manageable portions with a chainsaw during the [[spoiler: IndulgentFantasySegue]].
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: C.C.'s name is accurately rendered "C.C." throughout but a ShoutOut to the dub version "C2" occurs with Mao's luxury hotel suite: "Floor C, Suite 002".
* StalkingIsLove: Mao travels hundreds of miles to find C.C. again while listening to her voice constantly on his headphones. Although he ''is'' really just trying to save her life (albeit against her wishes).
** [[spoiler: And C.C. ends up agreeing with him!]].

** Mao also wears the nicest clothes and stays in the nicest lodgings he can afford, so people don't look down on him.
*** Actually, it's so the authorities don't treat him with suspicion.
* SympatheticPOV: Mao's, obviously, although it goes to great lengths to explore his moral decay.
* TakeThat: [[WordOfGod According to the author]], the infamous Chapter 20 was born as this.
* TeenGenius: Mao not only has a natural aptitude for [[GadgeteerGenius engineering]] and building, from repairing broken machinery to devising elaborate [[DeathTrap Death Traps]], but demonstrates excellent deductive reasoning skills as he traces C.C.'s movements, evaluates geopolitical changes within Japan, and investigates Zero's identity. His Geass helps.
* {{Telepathy}}: His Geass power. In this interpretation, it [[strike: allows]] forces him to penetrate the mind of anyone within 500 meters, including thoughts, sights, sounds, memories and presumably tastes, feels and smells as well, all the way down to the subconscious.
* [[spoiler: ThanatosGambit: Mao secretly approaches C.C. asking her to help him commit suicide. After she finally agrees, he attacks Lelouch unbeknownst to her by abducting Nunnally and holding her hostage with a FakeTrap. Unexpectedly, however, Lelouch gets a chance to use his Geass on him and, as Mao flees, C.C. appears, ''seemingly'' to fulfill her earlier promise. But he wakes up in C's World, however, and she reveals that she merely injected him with a chemical to deceive Lelouch into thinking he was dead because she [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther really does love him too]]. Mao then reveals the entire thing was his [[ThePlan plan]] to prove to C.C. that she loved him, take revenge on Lelouch, ''and'' be free of his Geass, with the understanding that [[SadisticChoice either outcome]]—(1) losing to Lelouch and thus in all likelihood being killed, perhaps by C.C. which would mean she really didn't love him after all but would free him from his Geass, (2) defeating Lelouch but getting killed by C.C. anyway, thus sparing C.C. from being killed by Lelouch later by their contract ''and'' still being freed from Geass, (3) losing to Lelouch but being spared by C.C., proving her love for him and thus giving them a chance to be honest with each other about their relationship, or (4) defeating Lelouch and being spared by C.C.’s love, ensuring safety for the both of them and the ability to resume their [[MayflyDecemberRomance relationship]] without a rival contract. The second is what actually occurs, though to Mao it initially appears that the first has.]]
* TheseHandsHaveKilled: Mao stares at his hands in horror after slaughtering ''almost'' a laboratory of scientists.
* ThinkingOutLoud: Mao does this to differentiate his own thoughts from the others he has to hear. Played for laughs when several side characters question his sanity or he accidentally reveals information he didn't intend to.
* TooIncompetentToOperateABlanket: Mao has to ask a hotel reception desk how to use a computer.
** Justified since he lived most of his life in the wild without one.

** Justified somewhat because Mao's Geass allows him to know exactly what obstacles his enemies are hiding behind, when they have to reload, where they are aiming, and what their tactical strategies are.

** Although his opinion of others is based off of whatever he learns about them by reading their minds, his interpretation of the information he learns this way is often skewed.

* VillainousBSOD: Mao inflicts one upon Lelouch in their last encounter. Also gives one to Suzaku.
* WasItAllALie: Mao begins contemplating this possibility after his reunion with C.C. in Chapter 21 fails to go the umm...'wonderful' way he had imagined it.
* WhatTheHellHero: Mao tries to give one to C.C. in Chapter 23, confronting her on slowly doing to Lelouch the very same thing she did to him.

* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Most of C.C.’s actions result from weariness of her own immortality.

* WillNotTellALie: Seems to have a childish hang-up about telling lies, despite the occasional hindrance it poses. His reliance on {{Telepathy}} also tends to render deception pointless anyway. Slightly subverted when he muses that pretend isn't the same as lying when the situation calls for it. He also willfully sows confusion in order to manipulate people (up to and including their own ruination) toward his own ends. Mostly by repeating what they ''really'' think back to them and [[AccentuateTheNegative emphasizing the negative]]. It's even explicitly stated that he doesn't always believe his own {{Breaking Speech}}es.

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6040679/1/Code_Geass_Mao_of_the_Deliverance Code Geass: Mao of the Deliverance]]'' is a Anime/CodeGeass fanfic by [[http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1955982/kleptographer_of_alternates Kleptographer of Alternates]], which [[PerspectiveFlip details the history of]] Mao , beginning with his abandonment by C.C.. {{Prequel It primarily focuses on his desperate search for her}} as he first [[WalkingTheEarth wanders around]] Beijing, supporting his operation through gambling and blackmail, though [[CoincidentalBroadcast clues]] [[{{Telepathy}} uncovered]] during his travels eventually bring him to Japan where his relation to early events in the series is revealed in an attempt to shed new insight on his subsequent actions.

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6040679/1/Code_Geass_Mao_of_the_Deliverance Code Geass: Mao of the Deliverance]]'' is a Anime/CodeGeass fanfic by [[http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1955982/kleptographer_of_alternates Kleptographer of Alternates]], which [[PerspectiveFlip details the history of]] Mao , beginning with his abandonment by C.C.. [[Prequel It primarily focuses on his desperate search for her]] as he first [[WalkingTheEarth wanders around]] Beijing, supporting his operation through gambling and blackmail, though [[CoincidentalBroadcast clues]] [[{{Telepathy}} uncovered]] during his travels eventually bring him to Japan where his relation to early events in the series is revealed in an attempt to shed new insight on his subsequent actions.

* TookALevelInBadass: When Mao first purchases his guns, he has to be shown the basics of operating them. A chapter later, however, he manages to take on a guardhouse of Britannian [[{{mook}} soldiers]] with an arsenal of automatic weapons--and kill them all!

* UnreliableNarrator: The story is told from a third person rendering of Mao's perspective. Thus, Mao's personal bias ends up, depending on your point of view, coloring descriptions of other characters, i.e. He = KnightInShiningArmor, C.C. = NotSoStoic PuritySue [[DracoInLeatherPants In Leather Pants]], Lelouch = RonTheDeathEater, Suzaku = [[{{Hypocrite}} Hypocritical]] DeathSeeker, Shirley = [[FatalAttraction Fatally Attracted]] [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bitch]], V.V. = WickedCultured [[CreepyChild Creepy]] PowerNullifier, Rolo = TheSoulless StepfordSmiler TykeBomb, Kallen = [[FantasticRacism Racist]] [[YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters Genocidal Terrorist]], and Nunnally = [[spoiler: [[BrotherSisterIncest Incestuous]]]] [[ClingyJealousGirl Clingy Jealous]] SpoiledBrat.
** It should be noted that his evaluation of others is often justified by the fact that he can read their minds, although his interpretation of the information he learns this way is sometimes skewed.

* WalkingTheEarth: Mao's chief mode of transportation, only subverted once when he flies an airplane
* WasItAllALie: Mao begins contemplating this possibility after his reunion with C.C. in Chapter 21 fails to be as umm...'wonderful' as he imagined.
* WhatTheHellHero: Mao gives a scathing one to C.C. in Chapter 23, confronting her on slowly doing to Lelouch the very same thing she did to him.
** Lelouch gives Mao one of these when he abducts Nunnally.
* WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer: Subverted. While Mao uses his Geass for a lot of ExactEavesdropping, MoreThanMindcontrol and [[BatmanGambit Batman Gambits]], he also relies on his [[TeenGenius Teen]] GadgeteerGenius and [[TookALevelInBadass acquired]] [[CombatPragmatist Combat Pragmatism]] to solve his problems.
** His BriefcaseFullOfMoney (he carries around eight ''hundred thousand'' in cash at one point!), WallOfWeapons (alright it's a closet but still), GunAccessories and CoolPlane, which is actually a light craft that he modified for transpacific travel.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Most of C.C.’s actions result from weariness of her immortality.

* WifeHusbandry: GenderFlipped. Because Mao and C.C. lived together in the wild for several years while he grew up, sleeping and bathing together without impunity, Mao becomes [[PrecociousCrush so attached to her]] that, as his love matures, he comes to treat her as his lover. [[spoiler: Strongly implied that she had sex with him at some point ''too early'', fueling his obsessive attachment to her]].
* WillNotTellALie: Remains staunchly honest, despite the occasional hindrance it poses. Also, he's used to relying on his {{Telepathy}}, which tends to render deception pointless anyway. Slightly subverted when he childishly muses that pretend isn't the same as lying when the situation calls for it. He also systematically and willfully uses confusion in order to manipulate people (up to and including their own ruination) toward his own ends. However, he isn't lying ''per se'' so much as repeating what they ''really'' think back to them and [[AccentuateTheNegative emphasizing the negative]]. It's explicitly stated that he doesn't always believe his own {{Breaking Speech}}es.

* WorthyOpponent: When Mao first takes note of Lelouch, he remarks on this.

Its portrayal suggests Mao to be a [[TeenGenius brilliant]] AntiHero whose [[LoveMakesYouCrazy love drives him to sacrifice everything (and anyone) in order to save his beloved]] C.C. [[spoiler: from her [[DeathSeeker Death Wish]]]] so they can be together again. Forever. Given the outcome seen in the show, however, the outcome is a ForegoneConclusion with a few original twists.

* [[spoiler: FakeTrap: In an convoluted solution to the instance in the show where Suzaku [[ArtisticLicensePhysics deactivates a motion sensitive bomb by simply jumping and cutting the correct wire in midair]], the author gives the explanation that it was really a [[ForWantOfANail malfunctioning]] smoke bomb designed to deceive Lelouch by tricking him into thinking he had gone outside his Geass' radius, when he actually hadn't, and draw him into Mao's ''real'' trap. It was supposed to go off so that Mao could show it to Lelouch on his video screen to make him think he had caused the death of his sister Nunally by losing to Mao in their game. Being a homemade explosive that Mao cooked up in the kitchen, it turns out to be a dud, much to his chagrin.]]

* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: For awhile, Mao only seems to use his Geass to attack those who threaten him. Later, however, he shoots up soldiers and unarmed researchers and extorts innocents without a care. He even goes so far as to come up with two separate twisted schemes just to humiliate and break Lelouch for nothing more than his own personal resentment.

* KilledToUpholdTheMasquerade: Mao follows a kind of mental hit list of people who know about C.C.'s true nature to eliminate them to keep her immortality a secret so the Britannian government [[ProperlyParanoid won't come after her again]].

* MoralMyopia: Mao often berates others for doing (or thinking, or remembering doing or thinking) things that he sees as evil. While it's affirmed that he begins the story thinking his actions are a irreproachable demonstration of BlackAndWhiteMorality, he later acknowledges his slip into GreyAndGrayMorality, remarking that he really doesn't care what the world does to itself, so long as he can find a quiet place to be with C.C. away from it all. To the reader, however, it is a stark case of BlueAndOrangeMorality. Yeah...it's complicated.

* NotGoodWithPeople: Mao. It makes sense, though, in that owing to his Geass he can't interact with them normally at all; and that for years was raised away from them by C.C., who never cared what his relations to them were.

*** When he realizes he's probably about to die, though, he does shout it out to the police to no avail. [[spoiler: Except he doesn't die]]

* CombatPragmatist: In the shootout from Chapter 12. [[{{Mook}} Mooks]] with [[BulletProofVest Bullet Proof Vests]]? No problem. Just shoot them in the neck.
** However, he also seems to flirt with [[CombatSadomasochist Combat Sadism]] when dealing with a few particularly loathed opponents, most notably with [[AssholeVictim Doctor Huai]] and [[NoHoldsBarredBeatDown Rupert Deneuvre]].

* ElaborateUndergroundBase: Just like in the show, the Geass Directorate is a city hidden underground beneath the Chinese Federation.

* GreyAndGrayMorality: The true moral conflict underlying the story, although since everything is told from Mao's perspective, it often comes across as BlueAndOrangeMorality while Mao [[UnreliableNarrator continually affirms to the reader]] that its actually BlackAndWhiteMorality.

* GunsAkimbo: During his assault on Code-R, he opts for dual pistols as his weapon of choice when he can get away with it. Also case of RuleOfCool.
* HamToHamCombat: The battle between Lelouch and Mao in Chapter 20.
* HarmfulToMinors: Directly stated that Mao's Geass forced him to learn about obscenity, sexuality, graphic violence, and other mature subjects as a child.
* HeadphonesEqualIsolation: Thinking that Mao would fulfill her contract, C.C. made him a recording filled with words of gratitude and encouragement to ease his loneliness. When she abandons him after he doesn't though, Mao uses it to drown out some of the thoughts that would otherwise debilitate him, allowing him a measure of mobility.
* HealingFactor: C.C. can quickly revive from ''any'' injury no matter how severe. Demonstrated poignantly in [[AndIMustScream Code-R's experiments]], which included everything from [[ManOnFire immolation]] up to [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill disintegration]], as well as Mao's plan to ''[[RefugeInAudacity make her more compact]]'' for a cramped plane ride, certain she would survive.
* HeelRealization: Manages to have one at the ''very'' end.

** A dark example during Mao's latest confrontation with Lelouch over Nunnaly, in which it has been revealed that Mao is [[spoiler: playing along to MaintainTheLie with Lelouch's MemoryGambit and is, in fact, running a complex {{plan}} of his own.]]
*** [[spoiler: Ultimately averted in that, through a ForWantOfANail flaw in Mao's plan and Suzaku's timely intervention, Lelouch [[ForegoneConclusion still overcomes Mao]].]]
* HumansAreBastards: Mao's basic outlook. Subverted in his view of C.C. Justified somewhat by the fact that the thoughts he tends to hear are usually depraved and bitter.

* IHaveAFamily: Invoked by a guard named Alex when Mao [[DissonantSerenity calmly explains]] that he needs to kill him in order to steal his I.D. Brilliantly rebuffed by Mao when he reminds him of all the [[DarkAndTroubledPast families he killed]] (including children) during the invasion of Japan.
* IllGirl: Lelouch's sister Nunnally is blind and crippled. When he abducts her, Mao purposefully binds ''her legs'' just to infuriate Lelouch.

** He does shed those when [[spoiler: they get shot full of holes, after which he becomes something of a RummageSaleReject thanks to the quick thinking of a kind nurse.]]

* IndulgentFantasySegue: Turns out that [[spoiler: Chapter 20]] is this. [[PrecisionFStrike Fucking]] [[HilarityEnsues HILARIOUS!]]
* IndyPloy: Mao travels to Shinjuku in order to liberate C.C. from the Britannian military. About the only thing he plans for, however, is a shoot out and when he gets there he just happens to find a guard on break. So he decides to shoot him and take his I.D. and uniform in order to get into the lab, leaving us wondering what he would have done if he had arrived just a little bit later…
** A really boring wait for the next shift to end.
* InstantExpert: At poker. A mostly JustifiedTrope, in that he defeats his opponents simply by reading their minds. Later demonstrates the same ability when he easily defeats {{Chessmaster}} Lelouch at chess.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Mao acts like a jerk to intimidate his enemies, even though he's really a TroubledButCute ManChild on the inside...''mostly''.
* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: For awhile, Mao only seems to use his Geass to attack those who threaten him. Later, however, he shoots up soldiers and researchers and plays to the fears of innocents without a care.
* KarmicDeath: Mao tells Shirley that her and Lelouch's death would be this, though he himself muses over the fact he doesn't ''really'' care what she did and is just using her to take down Lelouch so C.C. will be spared from their contract.

* KilledToUpholdTheMasquerade: Mao creates (and summarily follows) a mental hit list for people who know about C.C. to eliminate them in order to keep her immortality a secret so that the government [[ProperlyParanoid won't come after her again]].

* LetThemDieHappy: Inverted. Mao's favored method seems to be to MindRape them, give them a BreakingSpeech about [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech The Reason They Suck]] and then either kill them himself or [[MoreThanMindControl get them to do it for him]].
* LiteralGenie: Lelouch's Geass. [[spoiler: Mao survives Lelouch's plan because of his poorly phrased command to the {{brainwashed}} police officers to "shoot" rather than "kill"]].
* LivingEmotionalCrutch: C.C. for Mao and a somewhat dark example at that, considering [[StalkerWithACrush the lengths]] he is willing to [[ALoveToDismember go to]] in order to retain her. Just her voice apparently soothes him like nothing else.

* LoveAtFirstSight: Averted as a {{flashback}} reveals that Mao shouted that he hated the world and everyone in it, including C.C. (whom he had never met till then!).
* LoveMartyr: Mao admits to himself that C.C. lied to him by breaking her promise to be with him forever, but decides he doesn't care and loves her anyway.

* [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bitch]]: Since leaving Mao, C.C. has been running a BatmanGambit in a bid to coerce either Lelouch or Mao to [[spoiler: [[WhoWantsToLiveForever take her immortality]]]] through lies, manipulation and pitting them against each other.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: C.C. abandoned Mao with the hope that he would hate her and blame her for all his problems. Needless to say, [[WhatAnIdiot it didn't work]] ''[[{{Yandere}} at all]]''!
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: When the terrorists escape the containment facility with C.C., Mao delivers one of these to the head conspirator Rupert Deneuvre ''after'' shooting him.
* NonActionGuy: Lelouch is easily physically inferior to Mao, whose rugged life in the wild has apparently made him quite fit.
* [[spoiler: NoOneShouldSurviveThat: Just like in the show, he comes back after being ''riddled with bullets'' in the previous chapter. [[LiteralGenie It's explained]] ''much better'' than it was in the show though.]]

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6040679/1/Code_Geass_Mao_of_the_Deliverance Code Geass: Mao of the Deliverance]]'' is a Anime/CodeGeass fanfic by [[http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1955982/kleptographer_of_alternates Kleptographer of Alternates]], which [[PerspectiveFlip details the history of]] Mao , beginning with his abandonment by C.C.. It primarily focuses on his desperate search for her as he first [[WalkingTheEarth wanders around]] Beijing, supporting his operation through gambling and blackmail, though [[ExactEavesdropping clues]] [[{{Telepathy}} uncovered]] during his travels eventually bring him to Japan where his relation to early events in the series is revealed, shedding new insight on his subsequent actions.

Its portrayal suggests Mao to be a [[TeenGenius brilliant]] AntiHero whose [[LoveMakesYouCrazy love drives him to sacrifice everything (and anyone) in order to save his beloved]] C.C. [[spoiler: from her [[DeathSeeker Death Wish]]]] so they can be together again. Forever. Whether or not he will succeed...

Notable for several original ideas that [[{{Fanon}} have begun to appear]] in later related works. Similar to ''Fanfic/TheDracoTrilogy'', except that it has a lot more justification for its [[DracoInLeatherPants sympathetic portrayal]] of a {{canon}} villain.

* AllThereInTheManual: The separate one-shots [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5852197/1/Mistakes_of_the_Past "Mistakes of the Past"]], [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7468486/1/Memories "Memories"]] and [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6129393/1/Kisses_and_Wishes "Kisses and Wishes"]] provide additional details about Mao and C.C.'s past, such as C.C.'s perception of their parting. Also, there are a few specific details of his backstory are actually supported by ''Code Geass'' supplementary materials, making them OlderThanYouThink.
** Others are much exaggerated. [[spoiler: Nunnally, for example, does seem to read Lelouch's mind at the end of the series, but the novels from which the author is getting this make it so that's not a normal power. She is said to be able to tell if someone is telling the truth, but not outright read minds]]

* AndThisIsFor: Mao whispers C.C.'s name when he shoots someone dead for the first time. He later shouts her name repeatedly as he massacres [[SquishyWizard a roomful of scientists]] with an [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill assault rifle]].

* AntiHero: Mao definitely qualifies. His stated goal is cursorily noble, but to accomplish it, however, he employs [[MoralEventHorizon increasingly]] violent and exploitative methods.
** Complicated by the fact that the author undeniably takes the position that, ''in the show'', Mao is an AntiVillain. In the work, told from Mao's [[PerspectiveFlip perspective]], however, Mao starts off with the view that he is C.C.'s KnightInShiningArmor, though later seems to admit he's become an something of an AntiHero, viewing Zero as RonTheDeathEater.

* BatmanGambit: Because his {{Telepathy}} enables him to acquire intimate knowledge of anyone he wants, Mao often comes up with schemes that are dependent on people acting the way he predicts they will. He is ''very'' good at this. Unfortunately for him, his first attempt against [[RonTheDeathEater Lelouch]] ends up failing, though just barely. Then later, Lelouch uses an even better one against him [[spoiler: though it actually fails as well]].
** After Mao gives her an AnguishedDeclarationOfLove, C.C. [[spoiler: reveals that [[ManipulativeBastard she's been running a rather cruel one for some time, pitting Mao and Lelouch against each other in an attempt to pressure one of them enough to fulfill her contract]]]]. Ultimately, however, Mao ''still'' [[LoveMartyr doesn't care]].
*** Also, Mao and C.C. come to realize that a WhatTheHellHero speech Lelouch gave to C.C. earlier [[spoiler: was really an [[MoreThanMindControl attempt to manipulate her]] into killing Mao for him. Its FatalFlaw is exposed when C.C. makes him think she's deserting him, leading him to resort to another BatmanGambit, [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown using her presence to distract Mao]], in order to [[NoOneCouldSurviveThat make sure he's dead]]. It ultimately [[BackFromTheDead fails]] as well, however.]]

* BerserkButton: Mao's apparently include Code-R. Prostitutes. Zero.
* BigBlackout: Mao engineers one of these in his escape from the Geass Directorate.

* BleedEmAndWeep: Shirley has this reaction [[spoiler: after shooting a Britannian spy about to expose Lelouch's identity as Zero. [[TheseHandsHaveKilled Because of this]] she becomes [[DrivenToSuicide suicidal]] later and Mao uses her guilt to manipulate her into attacking Lelouch.]]

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Mao's moral compass begins and ends with C.C. He starts his journey perfectly willing to do ''anything'' for her and his actions often seem inexplicably insane in the sheer [[PsychopathicManChild innocence of their brutality]], all the while [[UnreliableNarrator seeing himself]] as a paragon example of a KnightInShiningArmor engaged in a struggle of BlackAndWhiteMorality. It becomes muddled near the middle, however, as Mao seems to acknowledge that his recent actions ''are'' evil (at least [[ManChild as far as he can grasp the concept]]) ''but'' [[NecessarilyEvil necessary]], revealing the GreyAndGrayMorality underlying the story. Regardless, his status as a CloudCuckooLander often causes him to do things normal people would balk at [[RefugeInAudacity without impunity]], such as his [[MemeticMutation famous]] attempt to [[ALoveToDismember chainsaw]] his [[HealingFactor immortal]] beloved in order to make her ''more compact'' for a cramped plane escape.

* BreakTheHaughty: Mao terrifies Lelouch after a single chess match and later brings him to his knees in [[spoiler: apparent]] defeat. Also inflicts this on [[TheDragon Suzaku]].
* BreakingSpeech: Mao gives out several of these. One played straight to the doctor of a psychiatric ward, one to a Britannian soldier with a guilty conscience, and one to [[ManipulativeBastard Shirley]] and [[DeathSeeker Suzaku]], respectively. Subverted, when he actually gives a positive one to Doragoniki to gain sympathy and convince him to sell him weapons, by comparing his quest to save C.C. with the seller's frustration over the loss of his wife. [[spoiler: Inverted twice. Once when he unsuccessfully attempts this on Rolo but is prevented because of the fact that he had already accepted what Mao said is true. And again it fails with Nunnally (possibly due to her cognitive dissonance), however, and she instead ''gives him'' a rather jarring one.]]

* BrotherSisterIncest: [[spoiler: When Mao first uses his Geass on Lelouch, he learns, among other things, that he ''really'' loves his sister. When he kidnaps Nunnally later, he discovers that the feeling is ''intensely'' mutual. Luckily, no actual sex seems to have been involved]].

* BulletSparks: Mao's shotgun has this effect when he turns it on [[ActionGirl Kallen's]] [[HumongousMecha Knightmare Frame]]. Justified as it's mentioned to be loaded with steel core ammunition, which would generate a spark.

** [[spoiler: To avoid a DownerEnding, Mao's main goal, however, is actually realized, though not in the way he expected, well…not ''quite'' in the way he expected. Less of a case of ThrowTheDogABone and more of ThePowerofLove though.]]
* CannotSpitItOut: Despite the fact that she professed to love Mao many times while he was growing up, as shown in several [[{{flashback}} flashbacks]], and the fact that she included it as a line in the(intended) posthumous recording she made for him, C.C. refuses to say it to him when he finds her again, instead claiming she was only using him all the way [[spoiler: till a tender moment near the end, where she finally drops it and admits the truth]]
* ChainsawGood: Has to be seen to be believed.

* ChekhovsSkill: The training Mao received during his time with the Geass Directorate, such as learning how to alternate his focus between different groups of people, which he later uses to spy on Prince Clovis and General Bartley from outside the Viceroy's Palace to learn where they're holding C.C.
* TheChessmaster: Mao becomes this. Though Lelouch turns out to be even better, except when it comes to, you know, actually playing chess.

** Also C.C.'s (intended) posthumous recording. Fragments that play often seem to relate somehow to Mao's present circumstances.
* CombatPragmatist: In the epic shootout from Chapter 12, Mao displays a fast and brutal attack style, a poignant illustration of his single-minded focus. [[{{Mook}} Mooks]] with [[BulletProofVest Bullet Proof Vests]]? No problem. Just shoot them in the neck.
** However, he also seems to flirt with [[CombatSadomasochist Combat Sadism]] when dealing with a few particularly loathed opponents, most notably with [[AssholeVictim Doctor Huai]], [[NoHoldsBarredBeatDown Rupert Deneuvre]] and Lelouch himself with Shirley.
* CoolShades: Mao wears these.
* CowTools: There are quite a few details scattered throughout that appear to be nothing more than this, seemingly added for atmosphere or flavor.

* CrucifiedHeroShot: [[spoiler: When he gets shot by a {{brainwashed}} police firing squad, Mao falls with his arms out and his legs together, reminiscent of the [[RuleOfSymbolism Christian cross]].]]
** And earlier when he's imprisoned in a psychiatric ward, he sweats blood, with Doctor Huai even comparing him to Christ.
* DeathGlare: Recipient's of Mao's include [[DrJerk Doctor Huai]], [[TheDragon Rolo]], dozens of [[TooDumbToLive researchers]] at [[GovernmentConspiracy Code-R]], Rupert Deneuvre, and [[RonTheDeathEater Lelouch himself]]. Usually given just before he kills them in a [[RainOfBlood particularly brutal way]], although in Denveuvre's case, he's already [[ExtremeMeleeRevenge beyond dead]], and in Lelouch's, the best Mao can do is SceneryGorn since Lelouch is communicating through a video screen at the moment. This is subverted in his treatment of Rolo, however, as he takes him down wearing a friendly smile.
* DeathSeeker: C.C. reveals that [[spoiler: the contract she made with Mao is dependent upon him killing her so he can relieve her of her immortality.]] Mao refuses, arguing that he's in love with her and needs her, which is why she abandons him. See WhoWantsToLiveForever. Mao later seeks to kill Lelouch, C.C.’s new ally, in order to prevent him from fulfilling the same contract.
** [[spoiler: Mao also learns that Suzaku is secretly one of these, due to guilt over murdering his own father as a child.]]
** [[spoiler: Mao also becomes one of these when he approaches C.C. and asks her to [[ThanatosGambit help him commit suicide]].]]
* DeathTrap: Mao engineers a few of these against Lelouch using his TeenGenius skills.

* DemotedToExtra: Mao is the ONLY character actively present for all chapters ([[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin obviously]]). C.C. is mentioned at least once in every chapter but only present for 7 of them. Lelouch himself, though treated as the main antagonist, is only present for 9 of them, though also in 2 earlier chapters as "Zero". Shirley and Nunnally are present for 3 chapters, respectively. V.V. and Rolo are present for 3 chapters. Suzaku is in 2 chapters. Kallen is only in 1 chapter, giving her the same amount as Diethard of all people, who also gets 1 chapter. Prince Clovis, General Bartley, Jeremiah and Viletta also appear in 1 chapter (although Viletta gets a later {{flashback}} cameo). Numerous other characters from the show are mentioned but not present as well.

* DisappearedDad: Shirley's father is killed as a consequence of Lelouch's terrorist activities. Also Mao was orphaned at an early age, [[spoiler: though it's been hinted a few times that he was of noble, [[WildMassGuessing possibly even royal]], birth]].

* [[spoiler: DoppelgangerReplacementLoveInterest: C.C. takes Mao to [[SpiritWorld C's World]] while he is unconscious and leaves him there with the mental version of herself so he can be happy. Mao's reaction, however, is a [[SubvertedTrope subversion]] as he, while grateful for the gesture, is ultimately NOT satisfied and [[SequelHook determined to return]].]]
* TheDragon: Rolo to V.V. Mao also determines [[ActionGirl Kallen]] to be this for Zero.

* DrivenToSuicide: Mao strongly contemplates this option, before deciding he'd rather have revenge first. Also an example of SpurnedIntoSuicide, as he is beginning to fear that C.C. might not really love him. [[spoiler: He later meets with C.C. and ends up [[ThanatosGambit asking her to do it]] for him.]]

* DrunkOnTheDarkSide: Both Mao AND Lelouch suffer moments like this.
* [[spoiler: EarnYourHappyEnding: Despite Mao's several failures and the GreyandGrayMorality conflict, he is finally reunited with C.C. in [[SpiritWorld C's World]].]]

* ElaborateUndergroundBase: The Geass Directorate is a city hidden underground beneath the Chinese Federation.

* [[EvenEvilHasStandards Even Crazy Has Standards]]: On one of Code-R's recorded video sessions, a scientist condescendingly berates a fellow for asserting that C.C. could be an alien, despite the fact that moments before he suggested that she had ''psychic powers''. Also counts as ArbitrarySkepticism.
* EvenTheGuysWantHim: Side characters, both male and female, frequently ruminate on how sexy he is (or how awesome his clothes are). Like, for example, a hotel employee who teaches him how to use the computer and Prince Clovis' own security guards!
* EvilCounterpart: Mao comes to consider Lelouch this way.
** In fact the already noted similarities become even more striking in the story--both are [[TeenGenius geniuses]], both consider the [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy well being of a single individual]] their entire purpose in life, both [[DealWithTheDevil are given a Geass]] by C.C., both are extremely proficient in manipulating people, [[TheseHandsHaveKilled both express revulsion after shooting]] their first victim, both gamble to support themselves, and both excitedly revel when they realize they actually have the power to accomplish their goals. [[spoiler: And both make their exit with a ThanatosGambit!]]
*** Their differences are complementary as well, however--Mao is physically superior while Lelouch is slightly mentally superior, Mao's intelligence is expressed through his skills in building, engineering, manipulating machines, and [[MoreThanMindControl almost hypnotic persuasion]] whereas Lelouch's is expressed through his prowess in strategy, tactics, and philosophy.

* FacingTheBulletsOneLiner: When faced with Lelouch's {{brainwashed}} police execution squad, Mao attempts to [[TheReveal shout]] that Lelouch is the terrorist Zero. Unfortunately, his words get [[IncrediblyLamePun cut short]].
* [[spoiler: FakeTrap: In an interesting solution to the agonizing instance in the show where Suzaku [[ArtisticLicensePhysics deactivates a motion sensitive bomb by simply jumping and cutting it]] with a knife, the author gives the explanation that it was really a [[ForWantOfANail malfunctioning]] fake designed to deceive Lelouch by tricking him into thinking he had gone outside his Geass' radius, when he actually hadn't, and draw him into Mao's ''real'' trap. Turns out, it was actually a homemade smoke bomb hidden inside a larger hollow weight. While it should've gone off when any attempt was made to disable it, allowing Mao to show it to Lelouch on his video screen and thus make him think his sister Nunnally was obliterated so he could give Lelouch a decent BreakingSpeech and shoot him dead, unfortunately the thing ended up malfunctioning to his surprise.]]

* FlawExploitation: Mao uses this against others, including Lelouch, and ends up [[LaserGuidedKarma taking it]] from Lelouch.
* ForeignMoneyIsProofOfGuilt: While not actually guilty of a crime, Mao is treated with suspicion when he tenders Chinese yuan inside Britannian Area 11, and one dealer even refuses to sell to him (until that is, Mao makes AnOfferYouCantRefuse). Finally, Mao skirts the issue by playing to a clerk's racism and drawing attention to the fact that he won it ''gambling against'' a Chinese man.
* ForegoneConclusion: [[spoiler: Mao is going to lose C.C. to Lelouch and die.]]
** [[spoiler: Zigzagged across the story. Mao actually [[ChainsawGood kills]] Lelouch and escapes to Australia with C.C., but as Chapter 20 revealed, it was AllJustADream. Then Mao ''actually'' loses to Lelouch and is executed, but in reality C.C. [[BackFromTheDead takes Mao to C's World]] to live with a mental version of herself. He's not exactly thrilled by this gesture (though respects it), and plots to escape.]]
* FreakOut: Mao does this several times. Notably when his recorder runs out of batteries; and then again when he loses C.C. to Kallen's terrorists.
* FreudianExcuse: Dr. Huai was [[RapeAsBackstory sexually abused by his mother since he was little]]. And essentially, this whole story is Mao's FreudianExcuse, laid out in detail!

** [[spoiler: Also, the Britannian Rosenberg Institute paid for illegal experiments on asylum inmates to produce the drug Refrain and addict colonial populations with armed resistance movements, turning right around and making it illegal so as to reap huge profits.]]