Author's Note: I reserve the right to cease production of this story's chapters at any point, for any reason. You are free to nag me to churn out more, but such requests are likely to be met with empty promises that will ultimately go unfulfilled. Should I choose to forego completion of this project, I do hope you enjoy the portion I manage to compose.
--
"People of Japan!" came Euphemia li Britannia's voice over the loudspeakers within the massive open stadium. Idle chatter that could have been heard amongst those in attendance died down almost immediately. "We have finally reached an agreement!"
The declaration caused a stir within the full-capacity crowd. Did she really just address them as Japan? An agreement? Was Britannia actually going to go through with this Special Administrative Zone? The concept seemed almost too good to be true, after the years of discrimination and torment that the Empire had rained down upon them. The crowd looked on in surprise as their idol, their symbol of freedom, their beacon of hope, Zero, stood on the stage amongst Britannian royalty and high-ranking officers and diplomats. They knew, by his stillness, that he had no intention to disrupt what was about to take place.
Back at the Black Knights' headquarters, the spectacle was displayed on every television screen that was available. Every piece of furniture that could support human weight was occupied, the event drawing the attention of virtually every member present. The Japanese majority gazed in awe at their dream finally approaching realization, having gotten word from their leader about their long-awaited triumph.
"After discussing this matter with Zero, leader of the Black Knights, we have agreed to carry out the establishment of the Special Administrative Zone," Euphemia announced gleefully, drawing immediate cheers from her audience. "It is here that all Japanese will be treated as equals to Britannians, and shall be free from control of the Empire."
At that moment, the pink-haired princess was handed a rolled-up parchment, which she unraveled on the podium before her. As the crowd continued to noisily cheer and chant her name, Euphie presented the document to the public, for all eyes to see.
"I hold here," she continued, "an official ceasefire treaty between Britannia and Japan. With our signatures, we hereby vow to lay down arms and end the conflict that has taken many innocent lives, both Britannian and Japanese. With the beginning of the SAZ comes the end of our differences, and the end of all of this unnecessary violence! I ask that Zero add his own signature to this document, so that it can finally be put into effect!"
'Can I really go along with this?' Lelouch, beneath the Zero mask, thought to himself. 'Euphie's plan... it's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction. All these people... I can't deny them their freedom, not now... but after this, the Black Knights... what will become of them?"
His quick mind was not going to be quick enough this time, he realized. The packed stadium watched eagerly for their Zero to make his mark on the treaty Euphemia held out to him, for him to engrave their independence in stone. Zero approached center stage as the Britannian princess beamed at him in anticipation. Taking the parchment into his gloved hands, the enigmatic leaders of the Black Knights rested the document onto the podium, signing it with the fountain pen he was provided while those watching live and via television observed in absolute silence. His signature was brief, his alias of Zero, of course – he could not give away his identity to the Britannian parliament now, at such a crucial juncture. Upon completion, Zero spoke just three simple words, heard by everyone.
"It is done."
The crowd erupted into blissful cheering, chants of "Euphie" and "Zero" filling the air with joyous celebration. The Black Knights at headquarters embraced each other, their long struggle at last producing results. Prince Schneizel smiled warmly while watching the ceremony from his chambers, while Princess Cornelia seemed... indifferent at the very least. Upon completing his task, Zero addressed his faithful as the world watched.
"My people!" he called out to the masses. "On this fateful day, our hard work, and your pleas for freedom, have at last been answered! You have been granted a sanctuary, a place where you will be free from oppression and discrimination, and able to live normal, peaceful lives! But I'm afraid many speculators are sorely mistaken."
An onset of confusion swept over the sea of spectators, only to be quashed by the elation that followed Zero's next words.
"This will not be the end of the Black Knights!"
From her viewpoint, Cornelia reacted instantly. "But he signed a ceasefire...!!"
"We shall remain, as a special force protecting those who require it most," Zero continued in his booming voice. "As long as the Black Knights exist, we shall be the shield for those who cannot defend themselves!"
"Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero!"
The chanting continued, strong and proud, as Japan's icon bid his farewells to the diplomats on stage as well as Princess Euphemia, and made his departure. The cheers echoed in Zero's mind well after the ceremony, but he was unaware that the celebrations had not yet concluded.
--
It was less than a second after he had reentered headquarters when a certain redheaded pilot crashed into him with the force of a locomotive. With tears in her eyes, Kallen Kozuki squeezed her leader to a state of breathlessness as the rest of the resistance group sprayed champagne everywhere, rejoicing over the fruits of their labors.
"You did it, Zero!" she cried out happily. "You promised you would liberate the Japanese, and it's happening! Our dreams are coming true!"
Despite himself, Zero found himself returning Kallen's embrace, reminding himself to reprimand Shinichiro Tamaki for making a mess of the place with his supply of alcohol.
"This is just the first step," he responded sternly. "Britannia's grip on Japan is weakening. It's only a matter of time before the entire country will be able to break free, completely, from those that threaten them."
"Heeeey, Zero!" Tamaki called, grasping the neck of an open champagne bottle. The slur in his voice and his awkward way of walking was a testament to the amount of drink he had indulged in. "I dunno how you did it, buddy! Those Britannian snobs actually gave in!"
He would have said more, but as he lunged to wrap an arm around Zero, Tamaki managed to trip over his own feet in his drunken stupor. He found the carpet comfortable, evidently, as snoring was heard seconds later.
"Went a little heavy on the celebrating, I see," Zero noted, as Kallen stifled her laughter at Tamaki's antics.
"We're all very impressed with how you handled things down there," came the praise of Diethard Reid, who was careful not to step on the snoozing body on the floor. "The speech was magnificent, you roused the crowd into a euphoria! You've truly become a god among men to them, Zero."
"My thanks, Diethard," was the response, as he shook his media manager's hand. "However, we still have work that has to be done. The Black Knights will continue to operate under my direction."
"So... where DO we go from here, Zero?" asked Kallen, edging back into the conversation. "How do we make sure Britannia keeps their word on the ceasefire agreement?"
Under the mask of Zero, Lelouch smiled. "We are the guardians of the weak, and Britannia knows our power. If they try anything suspicious, they know they will have to answer to us."
--
Japan was ecstatic. Britannia was relieved. But there was another viewpoint altogether.
In a pure white chamber in an unknown location, a young golden-eyed girl switched off the television as the news shifted to a topic that did not involve the newly-developed Special Administrative Zone. She fingered her shoulder-length black hair as she tilted her head toward the regal figure in white seated behind her.
"So what do you think? About the new Special Administrative Zone? It must be wonderful for the Japanese to get their freedom back."
Brown eyes never lifted from the novel being read by the ivory-haired man in magnificent white robes. His right hand, propping the book up in front of him, flipped to the next page, as his head rested lazily against his left.
"I don't think about it," he responded indifferently. "What goes on between Britannia and Japan is a matter that does not concern my people. My efforts are focused elsewhere."
"Right," the raven-haired girl responded as she rose to her feet. She appeared to be not a day older than 16, while the man she addressed could have easily been in his mid-20's. "Your wild goose chase. You expect 'your people' are united under your little stories of make-believe?"
"My people will believe what I tell them," the man in white countered. "And when the time comes, I shall reap their praise."
The girl plucked a stray thread from her equally fancy wardrobe and strolled silently toward the gold and ivory double doors. She got a glance of the book her associate was captivated by: "The Legend of the Fountain of Youth".
"Whatever you say," she chided sardonically as she took her leave, shaking her head.
--
Author's Note 2: As you may have noticed, this story deviates at the point the SAZ is created. Lelouch does not lose control of his Geass, and the Euphinator does not get gunned down. Any issues with continuity, technology, and other such matters may be brought to my attention in a polite matter. I'm bound to make mistakes, especially since my mecha knowledge is about as ironclad as a water balloon. (Short version: Story is AU. Flamers suck.)
