History FanFic / CodeGeassMaoOfTheDeliverance

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6040679/1/Code_Geass_Mao_of_the_Deliverance Code Geass: Mao of the Deliverance]]'' is a CodeGeass fanfic by [[http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1955982/kleptographer_of_alternates Kleptographer of Alternates]], which [[PerspectiveFlip details the history of]] [[EnsembleDarkHorse M]][[OneSceneWonder a]][[BaseBreaker o]] , beginning with his abandonment by [[DracoInLeatherPants C.C.]]. It primarily focuses on his desperate search for her as he first [[WalkingTheEarth wanders around]][[strike: China]] 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.

** 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.]]
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Nunally reveals that Mao’s Geass ultimately stems from his desire to understand people.
* BerserkButton: Mao’s apparently include Code-R. Prositutes. Zero.

** 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.*

** [[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.]]

* 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.

* TheDeterminator: Mao gambles, blackmails, steals, does drugs, flies through ''a frickin hurricane'', takes on soldiers and terrorists and gets shot repeatedly all in his quest to save C.C. and be with her forever. What’s incredible is that, for many of them, it’s ''his first time attempting to do so!''

* [[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.

* GambitPileup: In Chapter 23, Mao and Lelouch's [[spoiler: AND C.C.’s]] schemes come to light, and are shown to have become so intertwined at one point as to have actually [[spoiler: canceled each other out]]. Which makes Lelouch’s [[spoiler: on the fly victory]] in Chapter 21 all the more remarkable. WorthyOpponent indeed!
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Though the story is rated “T”, after losing C.C. to Kallen, Mao [[ForeignLanguageTirade screams in Chinese]] (while he mutilates a corpse in frustration), “Cào nǐ māde! Cào! Cào! CAO!!! Wángbādàn! Sǐ pì yǎn! Gǔnkāi! Gǔnkāi!” Translation: “Fuck your mother’s cunt! Fuck! Fuck! FUCK!!! You bastard! You damned asshole! Go to hell! Go to hell!” Also counts as a ClusterFBomb with an AtomicFBomb thrown in.

** 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]].]]

* 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…

* 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.
* LivingLieDetector: Mao's Geass enables him to do this. [[spoiler: Nunnally is also revealed to be able to tell when someone is lying and view their memories just by holding their hand. She does this to Mao, but he has a FreakOut instead from the ensuing MindRape.]]
* 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!).
* ALoveToDismember: Mao attempts to make C.C. ''more compact'' for a cramped flight to Australia. In the preceding chapter, we get to see Mao actually do this to a ''willing'' C.C. And then C.C.'s severed head talks to him and ''blows him kisses'' afterward! Thankfully, it was [[spoiler: AllJustADream]] though.
* ManChild: Mao is still very childlike, despite physically being an adult.
** Becomes a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming when he excitedly rides a carousel for the first time.
* ManipulativeBastard: Do we even have to tell you who?
** Also Lelouch attempts to be one in a desperate bid to win the already [[BrainwashedAndCrazy confused AND murderous]] Shirley over to his side in the midst of Mao's BatmanGambit. It doesn't work too well.
* [[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.
** Mao also accuses Shirley of being this, although he’s really just reading her mind and playing it back to her.
* TheMessiah: Nunnally is kind to everyone, even the person holding her hostage. At gunpoint. In the sewer.
* MindRape: In a bizarre twist, [[spoiler: Nunally does this to Mao!]].
* 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.
* MyHeroZero: Inverted in that the daring terrorist [[YouShouldKnowThisAlready Zero is really Lelouch]], a [[SmugSnake calculating bastard]] who becomes Mao's EvilCounterpart.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Doctor Huai. “Huai” means evil in Chinese.
* 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]]''!
* 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.]]
* NoPlaceForMeThere: Notably, C.C. says this to Mao at one point ''of him''. He, predictably, disagrees.
* 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.
* TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou: Rather than just exposing Lelouch's identity as Zero to the military and letting them take care of him, Mao is determined to personally be the one to bring him down. [[spoiler: Twice!]]
** Mao pursues this course out of fear that exposing Lelouch to the authorities [[ProperlyParanoid will place C.C. in danger of being recaptured]], since she’s with him.
*** 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]]
* OrganizationWithUnlimitedFunding: The Geass Directorate and its associated research projects and secret institutes.
* ParentalAbandonment: Mao was orphaned as a young child, no older than six. [[FromBadToWorse Then]] C.C.--the one who effectively raised him--abandoned him years later.
* PayEvilUntoEvil: When he infiltrates Code-R, Mao's original plan is to eliminate the guards and escape with C.C. After he sees videos of the experiments performed upon her, however, he decides that "these people are monsters" and proceeds to mercilessly kill every unarmed scientist he comes across.
** 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!
* ThePlan: Mao’s LastDance [[spoiler: is a mixture of BatmanGambit, XanatosGambit and ThanatosGambit, involving four different goals, some of which directly conflict with each other, in an odd case of self-made GambitPileup]].
** Since Mao suffers from increasing insanity, it’s actually a case of FridgeBrilliance that this is reflected [[spoiler: in his ThanatosGambit]].
* PrecisionFStrike: When Lelouch boasts how easy it was to deceive Mao with the monitor trick while [[BatmanGambit he was distracted by C.C.]], Mao retorts in disbelief, “Don’t fuck with me brat!”, the only (English) use of the word so far. Justified as it’s a direct quote from the show's subtitle script.
* ProperlyParanoid: Mao {{lampshades}} plenty of schemes that he could perform to secure his goal along the way, but fears that many of them will expose C.C. to danger, especially when he finds her in the company of the highly-sought after terrorists, [[BadassArmy the Black Knights]]. Given the Code-R affair, he's got a point.
* 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.
** C.C. also seems to have this for...um...[[TheUnfettered herself]].
* {{Protectorate}}: Mao views protecting C.C. as his sole responsibility and is [[TheDeterminator determined]] to do so, [[DeathSeeker even from herself]].
* 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.
* RaisedByWolves: Mao spent his early childhood as an orphan, scavenging to get by. Later, however, C.C. became ''something'' [[WifeHusbandry resembling a parent for him]]. And you wonder why he's so screwed up.
* 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.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Played straight when Mao goes on one after watching several recorded experiments carried out by [[GovernmentConspiracy Code-R]] on [[AndIMustScream C.C.]], accomplished by [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge obliterating]] several roomfuls of scientists and culminating in the [[UnstoppableRage mutilation]] of a corpse with the handle of a pistol (he already used up all the bullets!)
* SadisticChoice: Mao presents several. Sometimes his victims manage to TakeAThirdOption.
* SanitySlippage: Mao's experiences in the insane asylum, locked in a straitjacket and almost constantly being injected with experimental drugs.
* 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]] [[YouFailPhysicsForever 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 ''Film/TheMatrix'', ''Film/TheTrumanShow'', ''TheTerminator'', ''ComicBook/{{X-Men}}'', ''ThePatriot'', ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''{{Scanners}}'', ''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.
* SmugSnake: Mao's opinion of Lelouch.
* 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 [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming 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 ''CodeGeass'', the ''Film/TheBourneSeries'', ''GundamSEED'', ''Manga/DeathNote'', ''Series/DoctorWho'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''MaiHIME'', ''XxxHolic'', and ''AdventChildren''.
* TheSoulless: Rolo is portrayed this way, interrupted by flashes of StepfordSmiler, which genuinely [[TooSpicyForYogSothoth creeps Mao out]]!
* 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".
* StepfordSmiler: Mao is a combination of Type A and C. When he confronts his enemies, he acts extremely cool, confident, and self-satisfied, even though he's really [[TroubledButCute severely messed up]] and miserable without C.C. See also HiddenDepths.
** Rolo appears to be a [[TheSoulless Type B]].
** 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 all a XanatosGambit 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.
* 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!
** 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.
* TraumaCongaLine: The story. And it progressively gets worse for Mao.
* TVTropesWillRuinYourLife: In a display of their savvy familiarity with the site, the author gives a humorous warning about specific tropes to be encountered in the work as part of the introduction.
* TheUnfettered: Mao, C.C. and Lelouch ''all'' consider themselves this way. Problem is...they're not.
* UnhappyMedium: Mao. Very, ''very'' unhappy. And became one when he was only about six years old.
* UnwittingPawn: Lelouch to C.C. [[spoiler: Mao]] as well [[BatmanGambit up to a point]].
* VillainousBSOD: Mao inflicts one upon Lelouch in their last encounter. Also gives one to Suzaku.
* 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.
* WhiteHairedPrettyBoy: Mao, though actually he’s described as "platinum" haired.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Most of C.C.’s actions result from weariness of her immortality.
* WideEyedIdealist: Nunnally, who fervently declares that "everyone can be redeemed”, despite the fact that Mao has imprisoned her in the Ashford sewer and threatened her if she doesn’t comply with his scheme.
* 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 [[ShesAllGrownUp 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 even always believe his own [[HannibalLecture Hannibal Lectures]].
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Technically, yes; though not in the usual way.
* WorldOfHam: Chapter 20.
* WorthyOpponent: When Mao first takes note of Lelouch, he remarks on this.
* YouthIsWastedOnTheDumb: Nalani provides a good example of this.

* ShoutOut: Contains several, including to ''Film/TheMatrix'', ''Film/TheTrumanShow'', ''TheTerminator'', ''{{X-Men}}'', ''ThePatriot'', ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''{{Scanners}}'', ''KingdomHearts''.

* ParentalAbandonment: Mao was orphaned as a young child, no older than six. [[ItGotWorse Then]] C.C.--the one who effectively raised him--abandoned him years later.

* TraumaCongaLine: The story. And it progressively [[ItGotWorse gets worse]] for Mao.

* AdultChild: Mao is still very childlike, despite physically being an adult.
** Becomes a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming when he excitedly rides a carousel for the first time.

* 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 WhiteAndBlackMorality. It becomes muddled near the middle, however, as Mao seems to acknowledge that his recent actions ''are'' evil (at least [[AdultChild 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.

* HeroicSacrifice: Although his [[AdultChild Adult Childish]] BlueAndOrangeMorality makes his judgements questionable to begin with, Mao comes to consider his JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope as this, pledging to do [[NecessarilyEvil whatever it takes]] to [[LoveMakesYouEvil save C.C.]]

* JerkassFacade: Mao puts on one of these to intimidate his enemies, even though he's really a TroubledButCute AdultChild on the inside...''mostly''

** Of course, 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]]

** 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, of course, Lelouch himself with Shirley.

* DespairEventHorizon: ''Finally'' crossed by Mao in Chapter 22 after an entire 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.

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

* HannibalLecture: 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]], respectvely, of course. 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.]]

** Of course, 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.]]

* KickThemWhileTheyAreDown: With [[NaiveEverygirl Shirley]], of course. He also receives this from Lelouch.

* LivingLieDetector: Mao's Geass enables him to do this. [[spoiler: Nunnally is also revealed to be able to tell when someone is lying and even view their memories just by holding their hand. She does this to Mao in order to prove to him he's not a CompleteMonster, but he has a FreakOut instead from the ensuing MindRape.]]

* [[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 even pitting them against each other.

*** 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, of course]]

* PayEvilUntoEvil: When he infiltrates Code-R, Mao's original plan is to eliminate the guards and escape with C.C. After he sees videos of the experiments performed upon her, however, he decides that [[CompleteMonster "these people are monsters"]] and proceeds to mercilessly kill every unarmed scientist he comes across.

* 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 pretty much useless when [[TheDragon Suzaku]] [[YouFailPhysicsForever defies gravity]] and [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower outruns it]], delivering a HurricaneKick to disable it. Cue [[ForeignCussWord Chinese Swearing]] by Mao.

** Finally, the author has the audacity to recommend that certain instrumental pieces be played while reading, from as varied sources as ''CodeGeass'' (of course), the ''Film/TheBourneSeries'', ''GundamSEED'', ''Manga/DeathNote'', ''Series/DoctorWho'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''MaiHIME'', ''XxxHolic'', and ''AdventChildren''.

* 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. Of course, his Geass helps.

* TheseHandsHaveKilled: Mao stares at his hands in horror after slaughtering ''almost'' an entire laboratory of scientists.

* 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 an entire guardhouse of Britannian [[{{mook}} soldiers]] with an arsenal of automatic weapons--and kill them all!

* TraumaCongaLine: Pretty much the entire story. And it progressively [[ItGotWorse gets worse]] for Mao.

** And don't forget 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.

* IllGirl: Lelouch's sister Nunnally is blind and cripple. When he abducts her, Mao purposefully binds ''her legs'' just to infuriate Lelouch.

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

** Finally, the author has the audacity to recommend that certain instrumental pieces be played while reading, from as varied sources as ''CodeGeass'' (of course), the ''TheBourneSeries'', ''GundamSEED'', ''Manga/DeathNote'', ''Series/DoctorWho'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''MaiHIME'', ''XxxHolic'', and ''AdventChildren''.

''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6040679/1/Code_Geass_Mao_of_the_Deliverance Code Geass: Mao of the Deliverance]]'' is a CodeGeass fanfic by [[http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1955982/kleptographer_of_alternates Kleptographer of Alternates]], which [[PerspectiveFlip details the history of]] [[EnsembleDarkHorse M]][[OneSceneWonder a]][[BaseBreaker o]] , beginning with his abandonment by [[DracoInLeatherPants C.C.]]. It primarily focuses on his desperate search for her as he first [[WalkingTheEarth wanders around]][[strike: China]] 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.

** He gives the same reason for avoiding Sayoko, who is also a martial artist.

* [[AntiVillain Anti]] [[VillainProtagonist Villain Protagonist]]: Mao is either this or the AntiHero.

* BigBrotherInstinct: Lelouch became a terrorist and started a war for his handicapped sister Nunnally.

** [[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]]

* 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.

** 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, of course, Lelouch himself with Shirley.

** [[spoiler: Mao also learns that Suzaku is secretly one of these, due to guilt over murdering his own father as a child.]]

* 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.]]

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

* EvilCounterpart: Mao comes to consider Lelouch this way.

* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: Mao's name appears in all the chapter titles, preceded by a present tense verb, apparently based on Turn 15 of the show, translated "Cheering Mao".

* ImpossiblyCoolClothes: See BadassLongcoat and CoolShades above.

* ImTakingHerHomeWithMe: Mao reserves a ''single-bed'' cottage in deep Australia so he can take C.C. there.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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''.

* ShoutOut: Contains several, including to ''TheMatrix'', ''Film/TheTrumanShow'', ''TheTerminator'', ''{{X-Men}}'', ''ThePatriot'', ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''{{Scanners}}'', ''KingdomHearts''.

* 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.

** Finally, the author has the audacity to recommend that certain instrumental pieces be played while reading, from as varied sources as ''CodeGeass'' (of course), the ''TheBourneSeries'', ''GundamSEED'', ''Manga/DeathNote'', ''Series/DoctorWho'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''MaiHIME'', ''{{xxxHolic}}'', and ''AdventChildren''.

* 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. Of course, his Geass helps.

* TooIncompetentToOperateABlanket: Mao has to ask a hotel reception desk how to use a computer.

* ADayAtTheBizarro: Chapter 20.

** 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 XanatosGambit of his own.]]

* [[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 all a XanatosGambit 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. The whole scheme also counts as a ThanatosGambit.]]

* XanatosGambit: Mao’s LastDance [[spoiler: is a mixture of BatmanGambit, XanatosGambit and ThanatosGambit, involving four different goals, some of which directly conflict with each other, in an odd case of self-made GambitPileup]].
** Since Mao suffers from increasing insanity, it’s actually a case of FridgeBrilliance that this is reflected [[spoiler: in his XanatosGambit]].

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

* WasItAllALie: Mao begins contemplating this possibility after his reunion with C.C. in Chapter 21 fails to be as umm...'[[YourMileageMayVary wonderful]]' as he imagined.

* ShoutOut: Contains several, including to ''TheMatrix'', ''Film/TheTrumanShow'', ''TheTerminator'', ''{{X-Men}}'', ''ThePatriot'', ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', ''{{Pokemon}}'', ''{{Scanners}}'', ''KingdomHearts''.

* ShoutOut: Contains several, including to ''TheMatrix'', ''TheTrumanShow'', ''TheTerminator'', ''{{X-Men}}'', ''ThePatriot'', ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', ''{{Pokemon}}'', ''{{Scanners}}'', ''KingdomHearts''.

* [=~Chekhov's Armoury~=]: Mao accumulates one of these as the story progresses.
* [=~Chekhov's Boomerang~=]: The ring Mao forged for C.C. in the first chapter turns out to come in handy in surprising ways on multiple occasions later.
* [=~Chekhov's Skill~=]: 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.

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

* ProperlyParanoid: Mao {{lampshades}} plenty of schemes that he could perform to secure his goal along the way, but fears that many of them will expose C.C. to danger, especially when he finds her in the company of the highly-sought after terrorists, [[BadassArmy the Black Knights]]. Given the Code-R [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel affair]], he's got a point.

* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Played straight when Mao goes on one after watching several recorded experiments carried out by [[GovernmentConspiracy Code-R]] [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel on]] [[AndIMustScream C.C.]], accomplished by [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge obliterating]] several roomfuls of scientists and culminating in the [[UnstoppableRage mutilation]] of a corpse with the handle of a pistol (he already used up all the bullets!)

* BadassAngster: Mao, oh so much!
* BadassLongcoat: Mao again.

* [[spoiler: TheBigDamnKiss: Mao and C.C., in C's World near the end. Subverted though when Mao kisses her [[{{Spiderman}} upside down]] in the first chapter though.]]

* 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.]]
** Well, it never mentions [[spoiler: any actual incest, though Nunnally is implied to think in that direction, fearing that Milly, Shirley, Kallen or C.C. would take her place as Lelouch's favourite.]]

** Finally, the author has the audacity to recommend that certain instrumental pieces be played while reading, from as varied sources as ''CodeGeass'' (of course), the ''TheBourneSeries'', ''GundamSEED'', ''DeathNote'', ''Series/DoctorWho'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''MaiHIME'', ''{{xxxHolic}}'', and ''AdventChildren''.

* DrivenToSuicide: Mao strongly contemplates this option, complete with [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness a hallucinatory conversation]] with ''the bullets'' of his pistol, 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.]]

* AllThereInTheManual: The separate one-shots [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5852197/1/Mistakes_of_the_Past "Mistakes of the Past"]] 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, quite a few of details of his backstory are actually supported by CodeGeass supplementary materials, making them OlderThanYouThink.

Now has an ongoing media-enhanced DramaticReading at [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3_89d756_Q&feature=BFa&list=PL824C2F064354C658&index=1 here]].

* [[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 all a XanatosGambit 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. The whole scheme also counts as a XanatosFuneral.]]

* ShoutOut: Contains several, including to ''TheMatrix'', ''TheTrumanShow'', ''TheTerminator'', ''{{X-Men}}'', ''ThePatriot'', ''{{Firefly}}'', ''FruitsBasket'', ''{{Labyrinth}}'', ''{{Pokemon}}'', ''{{Scanners}}'', ''KingdomHearts''.

** [[spoiler: Mao actually [[ChainsawGood kills]] [[spoiler: Lelouch and escapes to Australia with C.C.]]]]

* BannedFromArgo: 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!

* ButtMonkey: Let's just say Mao is [[{{Understatement}} 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: 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 [[{{Understatement}} NOT satisfied]] and [[SequelHook determined to return]].]]

* 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. Of course, his Geass [[{{Understatement}} helps]].

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