-Onboard the IFS (Imperial Flag Ship) Eternity

The air was filled with rushing wind as a large knightmare landed on the deck of the Eternity. Cheers erupted immediately upon the opening of the pilot hatch. Out stepped the masked hero Zero.

Zero descended to the throng of military and civilians. All were gathered to hear the news of the latest rebellion in southern Italy.

"People of the EU!" Zero's voice resonated through the air for all present to hear. "The cowardly rebellion lead by Venezio Flore and his deluded aristocrats is no more! I and the Order of the Black Knights have crushed the morale of the so called 'patriots'. Know that all members are still alive and will face the UFN Omega Court. Their crimes will be for the people to decide."

Another roar of applause erupted from the audience. Zero continuously proved himself to be a hero of the people. Not only did he protect them from usurpers such as Flores, but he did not take it upon himself to deliver judgment.

"Long live Zero! Defender of Peace!" The call snowballed into a long chorus of people chanting "Zero Zero Zero" into the air. Everyone could only imagine the great satisfaction that Zero felt and the look of the delight he must have beneath the mask.

Everyone apart from Zero himself. Beneath the mask, the knight for justice scowled at the praise that was directed at him. Don't call me a hero. I don't deserve this. I haven't done anything worth praise.

After suffering the torment of the crowd for several minutes, Zero departed for his personal chamber within the airship. Entry to this room required several security checkpoints. The security was higher than any other area. When he reached the final checkpoint, only a retinal scanner stood before him. The visor around his left eye slid open and revealed a lone emerald eye.

The scanner accepted the image and allowed Zero entrance to his room. Once inside he removed his cape, placing sloppily on the back of a chair. The release latch in his helmet activated and he removed the violet visor from his face. Curly brown hair fell down and soaked in the air that now flooded his head.

Suzaku Kururugi looked at his reflection. He stood tall in the purple shirt that once belonged to his best friend. The same friend that he killed with his own hands. Yet another sin that he would never atone for. Why Lelouch? You always have some other plan in reserve. Why did you have to die?

Suzaku knew that the Zero Requiem was a success. The current state of the world was a testament to that. He also knew that it had to be done. But none of the reasons he could find would assure him that Lelouch would always be remembered as a vicious mass murderer rather than the selfless hero that he really was.

While he was lost in thought, a call rang through his television screen.

Almost apathetically he answered the voice only conference.

"Why hello there Zero!" The ever perky voice of Lloyd Asplund called out. "How was the new knightmare that I… Uh I mean we built for you?"

Suzaku grinned slightly. It felt good to hear the enthusiastic man's voice again. Although he would rather be addressed as his real name and not the one that Lelouch had left him, he knew that it was necessary to hide his continued existence.

He quickly activated the voice filter and proceeded to talk with Lloyd. "The Ganymede Rebirth worked excellently Lloyd.

Suzaku looked over a virtual overview of his new knightmare. After his defeat by Kallen on the Damocles, he could no longer use the Lancelot. The Shinkiro was found to have disappeared, presumably C.C. took it when she vanished.

It was then necessary to build a new knightmare for Zero to pilot. Lloyd suggested that they revive the Ganymede series, and with help from his past fiancée he was able to build a knightmare on par with the Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. His knightmare however was not an offensive based knightmare as the Lancelot had been. Instead, its primary function was to use the absolute defense field to protect environmental damage and civilian casualties.

"You know. I never pegged you as such a skilled knightmare pilot Zero. In fact, besides Ms. Kouzuki, I don't think I've ever met such a skilled pilot. That is except for the previous knight of zero."

The accusation did not surprise Suzaku in the slightest. Despite his overly eccentric manner, Lloyd was always perceptive and never forgot a valuable devicer.

"It is rather a shame then that I cannot meet Sir Kururugi in battle one day" Suzaku added quickly to reassure Lloyd that he was no longer lived as Suzaku.

"Yes very isn't it? Never mind my musings Zero. That is all I needed to discuss for now. Goodbye then."

Suzaku sighed. He wished that he could again work for Lloyd and Ms. Cecile but knew that it would ruin the world that he helped create.

He took out his cellphone and saw a message from Empress Nunally. I wonder how Nunna-chan is doing? He decided to give her a call later that night. She was one of the only two people he could be his real self with. But for now he only wanted to rest.


Knightmare specs:

Ganymede Rebirth

Height: 4.9 meters

Power Source: yggdrasil drive, energy filler, emergency solar panel energy restore function

Color: Black with white trim

Features: Absolute Defense Field

Integrated Air Glide Wing System

Landspinner propulsion

Weaponry: 2x Master Vibrating Swords

6x slash harkens (2 chest, 2 shoulder, 2 hip mounted)

Wrist machine gun

2x chaos mines

6x missiles (launched from right wrist)


This chapter goes into Suzaku's view of his part in the requiem and how he feels about being zero. Next chapter will either be Nunnally or Kallen. Not sure yet.