A/N: Hey everyone! Here is the next chapter. This will mostly be in Euphemia's point of view. (I thought I would change up the story a bit). Some parts will be in Rei and Lelouch's point of view too. Anyway, I hope you'll all like it.

p.s.: I also had to make up a name for Eupie's bodyguard since I don't know her name. If anyone of you out there know please tell me so I can fix it later.

Disclaimer: None of the characters, places, or quotes are mine.

Chapter 21

The Black Knights

Euphemia P.O.V.

"This is wrong. I can't just sit here."

Watching my people be subjected to torture by these terrorists was almost more than I could stand. At this very moment, three teenage girls are being harassed by them. One girl, who was crying, had curly, dark hair pulled up two low pig-tails. She wore a red checkered shirt, a brown vest over it, jeans, and a tan hat on top of her head. The girl holding her was a blond. She wore a light blue knee-length dress with long sleeves. The last girl, the one sitting next to them, was a strawberry blonde. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail and she was wore a light green short-sleeved shirt with brown shorts.

The girl with the pigtail hairstyle had called one of the terrorists an eleven. It wasn't a good move on her part and because of that he was threatening her and her two friends. They all looked terrified but the poor pig-tail haired girl looked absolutely traumatized by the whole thing.

"We're not elevens," the terrorist screamed. "We're Japanese!" With a growl he pointed his handgun straight at her head. She cried out in terror immediately, more tears rolling down her face simultaneously. More than ever I wanted to do something to help. I have the power to do something, don't I?

"We're aware of that," the blonde sated, looking the most defiant out of the three as she held the younger girl a bit more tightly. "Just lay off of her."

"Then correct her!" he snarled angrily.

"Fine, we'll correct her!" the strawberry blonde fired back.

"How dare you speak that way to me," he screamed, "you three, come with me to the next room and I'll teach you a real lesson!"

I couldn't stand it anymore. I was about to stand and put an end to this, but my bodyguard, Anna, stopped me by grabbing my arm.

"Let me go," I thought when I looked down at her, but she just shook her head at me. I turned my attention back to what was going on, knowing that she was right. The terrorists can't know that I'm here, but…

"I said get up now!"

The terrorist pulled the girl with the pigtails to her feat forcefully. She tried pulling away and screamed at him to let go.

Hearing her scream was more than enough motivation to snatch myself out of Anna's grip. Leaping to my feet I shouted, "Stop it!"

The terrorist turned to me, having no idea of who he was speaking to.

"Who the heck are you?" he asked, allowing the other girl to escape his grip. Falling to the floor she fell into the arms of the blonde girl again.

"I demand that you take me to your leader right now, understand!" I snarled, preparing myself mentally for what I'd say next.

Anna gasped quietly as she gripped the edge of my skirt. "No, Sub-viceroy please."

Without paying Anna any mind I answered his question.

"You are addressing Euphemia Li Britannia, the third princess of the Britannian empire," I stated, removing the glasses I had worn to help keep my identity a secret.

Everyone in the room gasped in response, including the terrorists, but my only concern was the girl laying on the floor. "Are you all right young lady? You haven't been hurt?"

She shook her head, staring at me in awe. "No."

"Good." Perhaps by revealing who I am, I've bought some time for the other hostages until Cornelia's forces can find a way to break through.

One of the terrorists began to speak into a radio communicator while another came to my side, grasping the my arms and leading me toward the doorway. "Lieutenant we have the Britannian princess as a hostage. She wants to see Kusakabe."

I'm not sure what will happen now, but it was worth the risk of my life to save someone in need.

"Isn't that what you would do, Julianna?"

Meanwhile

Lelouch P.O.V.

My plan is going moderately smooth. Cornelia has allowed me to pass by her forces and now Kusakabe is falling right into my trap. He doesn't stand a chance against me or my Geass.

"So, you have no intention of joining me?" I questioned, having no care for Kusakabe's answer. He's an incompetent fool taking up space. Such a man is of absolutely no use to me. His impending death will serve far more purpose than his life ever could.

"Remove that mask and reveal your real face to us," he answered. "It's disrespectful not to." So he doesn't want to answer my questions, yet expects me to fall in line when he asks his. What a petty moron.

"I understand, but before I do," I began, smirking from beneath my mask, "I'd like to ask you something."

He gave me an odd look but I went ahead with my question.

"What exactly do you hope to accomplish by this action?"

"Gain attention," he replied, a laugh slipping from his lips, "I want this country and the world to know that the Japanese aren't dead yet."

With a sigh I answered, "How stale, you people are obsolete." My next words were stated as a fact and not as an opinion, much to the surprise of everyone in the room.

"There's no saving you."

Kasukabe narrowed his gaze, his hand drifting toward the sheathed sword latched to his hip. "Explain what you mean by that Zero?"

"Gladly."

At the same time

Euphemia P.O.V.

I can feel myself sweating as two of the terrorists lead me down the hall. This predicament I'm in definitely doesn't feel good. These men are pointing guns at my back, so it's only natural to feel a bit nervous, but if I plan to get out of here I'm going to have to keep my composure. Hopefully I'll be able to negotiate with Kusakabe and get all the hostages away from here too.

After a moment we reached a door that was guarded by two more terrorists. The first one behind me explained my appearance.

"I brought the hostage that I radioed about earlier for the Colonel to see, Princess Euphemia," he told the terrorist in front of the door.

Suddenly, gunshots echo from inside the room the two other men were guarding. One of the guards quickly opens the dor only to be shot in the knee by none other than Zero. Around him lay the other terrorists covered in their own blood.

They were dead.

"Calm yourselves," the mask man ordered, lowering his gun, "The Colonel and the others committed suicide when they realized how meaningless this operation was."

At this point, I can't begin to understand why he'd be here. He killed my brother, yet now he's saving me and the other hostages, or at least that's what I'm hoping for. However, I still need some answers for why he killed him...if he doesn't kill me first.

"Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the commoners," Zero stated. "You haven't changed."

"He says that like he knows me," I thought, narrowing my gaze suspiciously. "Could he know me?"

After a moment, Zero addressed the guards again. "I want to speak to her alone."

The other terrorists reluctantly left and I stayed behind, (reluctantly of course). Still, this will probably be my one and only opportunity to gain some understanding on why my brother had to die by this man's hand.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I walked toward Zero until I stood only a few feet away from him, the man who took my brother away from our family.

"I heard that you're the Sub-viceroy now your highness," Zero stated steadily.

Anger rose up within me, but I kept my tone neutral. "It's not an appointment I'm happy with."

"No, that's because Clovis was murdered," he stated boldly. I'm sure there's a smirk on his face underneath that mask. "That was my handiwork."

I could feel myself becoming angrier, but I had to stay calm. I wanted these answers so I should have known the emotions that would follow it. If nothing else I have to keep myself calm. I can't let Zero get a reaction out of me. That's what he wants.

"He begged pathetically for his life to the very end," he continued, "he pleaded with the same tongue that ordered the deaths of elevens."

"So is that why you killed my brother?" I asked, clenching my fists by my side

"No."

"Then why?" I asked again. "Why would you do something so cruel and heartless?"

His response was cold as he took a dramatic step towards me. "Because Clovis was an offspring of the Britannian emperor."

"Does that mean..."

The click of his gun as he positioned it toward my head silenced the thought. "That reminds me, you're one of his children too, aren't you?"

Could this be the end? Could I die right here and now at the hands of Zero without being able to see my sister, Suzaku, or Julianna again?

Around the same time

Rei P.O.V.

"I think I've finally lost them," I muttered, breathing heavily as I collapsed to the floor. Those stupid terrorists have been chasing me for over an hour. At least now I can try to find Euphemia and the others without getting killed, but now I don't even know where I am in this massive hotel.

"Dang it," I whispered, feeling utterly useless. My breathing was erratic, the constant running had really worn me out. If only I'd had the forethought to bring that magic mirror, I could have found the hostages and gotten them all to safety by now...

"Oh good grief! Duh, Rei!" With a groan I unlatched the thing from my waist. I completely forgot about tying it around my waist earlier. I could have used this thing a long time ago.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!"

You know, I've said that to myself a lot lately. Oh well, at least now I could save Euphemia and my friends that are still trapped here.

I untied the purple belt I used to tie the mirror to my waist. It had been hidden under my cape so no one else could see it, hence why I forgot about it. I'll have to revamp my strategy for next week's fiasco, but at least now I can do something productive. Looking into the mirror, I instantly see Euphemia reflected in the glass. She's in a dark room with a panicked expression on her face.

"Okay this will work I guess," I say, staggering to my feet. My friends should be where she is. "Take me to Euphemia," I order, closing my eyes and hoping the next sight I behold is the sight of my friends.

Moments later, a familiar bright light encircles me, taking me by surprise when I feel myself falling. My eyes snap open as I continue to fall, wondering what had just happened, but trying not to make much of it. Still, this doesn't normally happen and I do not like the feeling at all.

That ominous feeling increases tenfold when I start falling through the swirling void beneath me at speeds that should be outlawed. This trip was taking a lot longer than usual. When I started using this thing, it only took an instant to get where I wanted to go, but now it was taking forever.

A few minutes later, (it seemed like hours later), I fall flat on my butt on a carpeted floor. It was dark and I couldn't see all that great at first. After my eyes adjusted, I immediately caught sight of Euphemia and Zero standing directly in front of me.

The sight of Zero ignited a surge of anger within me. With a loud intake of breath, I stood and pointed my index finger accusingly at him.

"So you're the one behind all this," I announced, making my way towards Euphemia before gently forcing her to stand behind me.

"Well if it isn't Sailor Mars," he proclaimed, sounding amused. That reminded me of someone, but I was too preoccupied at the moment to care about who he may have reminded me of.

"Listen you masked caped creep!" I snarled, still pointing my finger at him, ready to slam his head into a wall at any given moment. "Taking people hostage and then using Princess Euphemia as a bargaining tool is completely and utterly despicable! You will not get away with it! In the name of Mars I will make you pay!"

"Sailor Mars," Euphemia whispered, trying to keep her voice low so Zero couldn't hear, but I'm certain he heard every word as well as noted the deadpanned expression on her face. "He didn't take me and the others hostage."

"The princess is correct," he replied instantly. "It was not I that took the Britannians hostage."

"Oh, really?" I questioned, sarcasm lacing the words, "Then tell me who did."

"He's right there," Zero stated, motioning with his hand toward my right.

Turning my head, I gasped upon seeing a man whose sword had been thrust into his chest. It looked like he had killed himself, but I knew better than to believe that. No, this Zero guy did something and he's the one behind this whole fiasco.

"I don't believe you," I stated, poising myself for an attack. "It wouldn't be the first time you lied."

"Sailor Mars don't…"

Before Euphemia could finish her sentence the lights started flickering on and off. The ground started to shake as well.

"What's happening," I wondered, looking out the nearby window. A white knightmare caught my sight; the Lancelot!

"We have to get out of here!" I shouted turning to retrieve the mirror I'd left on the floor.

"Too late," Zero answered, just as I grabbed the mirror.

After grabbing Euphemia I screamed, "Get us out of here!"

The next thing I see is the bright light and then we're suddenly in the sky, falling towards the ground just outside the hotel

"Aaaaaaaah!"

"Calm down, I can fly," I screamed, hoping to reassure her even though I wasn't entirely sure if I could pull off the flight maneuver like I had earlier tonight.

"Well then," Euphemia shouted, squeezing her eyes shut, "I command you to start flying now!"

"I'm on it," I told her, willing for the wings to come, but they weren't appearing. Talk about a bad case of irony.

"WELL!" she shouted, not daring to open her eyes.

Swallowing the lump in my throat I shouted, "I'm still working on it!" These wings needed to appear now or we're going to be a big blob on the ground.

"Well, please hurry," Euphemia screeched, opening her eyes a tiny bit before shutting them again. "We don't have much time!"

"Come on," I screamed inwardly. "This has to work now!"

Not only was it not working but we were falling closer and closer to our deaths. It wouldn't be much longer now.

"SAILOR MARS!" she screamed.

"IT'S NOT WORKING!" I shouted, panicking.

We were drawing nearer to the ground and without any hope left I started to shut my eyes. Thankfully, the Lancelot appeared in my line of sight just before I could close them. The machine was hurdling straight toward us.

"SUZAKU!" I exclaimed moments before he caught us in the giant metal hand of the Lancelot. Euphemia and I both gasped upon impact, but other than the initial shock there was no damage done to our bodies.

"Are you two all right?" he asked from within the machine.

"I think so," Euphemia replied, really calm all of a sudden. "How about you Sailor Mars?"

Covering my mouth as nausea filled me I answered, "I think I'm going to be sick."

"My dear Britannians, have no fear," called a loud voice. A groan fell from my lips. "That could be no one else but Zero." Good grief, can't this guy just take a hike and leave already? He is really starting to annoy me and more recently he's making me sick to my stomach. Literally.

"All of the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound," he began, "I, Zero, return them to you unharmed."

Looking around I wondered where this idiot had gone off to. I couldn't see him anywhere.

"People, fear us or rally behind us as you see fit, we are the Black Knights!"

"Is he really referring to himself as a knight?" Shaking my head I kept looking for signs of where he might be.

"We of the Black Knights stand with all those who have no weapons to wield. Regardless of whether they be elevens or Britannians," he proclaimed, his voice filled with a certain conviction that grabbed my attention, stopping me in my search for him. "The Japan liberation front cowardly took innocent Britannian civilians hostage and then mercilessly executed them. It was a wanton and meaningless act; therefore, they have been punished."

I'm in awe of all the things coming out of his mouth. I couldn't deny that I agreed with him, but he's my enemy and I don't want to accept that.

"Just as the former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed elevens, we could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out, and so, we made him pay for his actions," he continued bitterly.

I could understand what he was feeling. I had felt the same way about Clovis, but just to kill him like that…

"I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak against the strong," Zero shouted, his voice now filled with rage.

"Zero I understand now, but why resort to things like this," I thought as I listened to his voice, "you should only kill if you're prepared to be killed."

"The only one's who should kill are those prepared to be killed," he shouted, speaking the very words I had just thought.

"Zero," I whispered. Euphemia turned to look at me then, but I didn't respond. There was nothing I could say.

"Wherever oppressors abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again. No matter how mighty, how formidable our foe may be," he screamed out with such a passion that it made my skin heat up.

"Those of you with power fear us, those of you without it rally behind us. We the Black Knights shall be the ones who stand in judgment of this world."

I'm not sure how I recognized his voice again, or even why, but in that instant I was almost certain who Zero was. I honestly didn't want to believe that, but from him saying the same things that I've been thinking and the way he expresses himself, it could only be one person.

It's Lelouch!

A/N: I bet you didn't see that coming. Anyway that is the end of the 21st chapter. What will be next for Rei, and the others. Find out in the next chapter. Until then, ta ta.

(Edited as of 7/17/13)