Disclaimer: I have nothing with Code Geass.
Rallying Cry
"Zero and Void," Euphie said with determination, "My request is to join you. I want to join the Black Knights."
Suzaku was wide eyed in shock with what Euphie just requested. Cornelia looked at her sister and was also surprised that her sister wanted to join Zero and Void.
"You really want to join us?" Zero asked.
"Yes I do," Euphie replied with a nod.
"Euphie, what are you saying?" Cornelia asked.
"I'm sorry Cornelia," Euphie said, "I know you won't approve of this but I feel the need that this is something that I need to do."
"Your Highness, you can't!" Suzaku said, "You can't join the Black Knights. It will not end well."
"Suzaku," Euphie said looking at her knight, "this is the decision that I have made."
"Princess," Suzaku said still surprised.
"I know that you have reserves," Euphie said, "but with everything that has happened, I believe this is something to consider."
"No Euphie," Cornelia said, "you shouldn't join the Black Knights. We discussed this earlier that you're going to be with me. We're going to leave this country and head back home."
"No that is something you decided," Euphie said, "but I feel that I can benefit by joining with Zero and Void."
"Euphie," Cornelia said upset.
"I know that you trying to protect me," Euphie said, "and I know that I am being selfish and maybe unreasonable, I'm sorry for that but…" Euphie looked at Zero and Void, "I want to join the Black Knights. I want to follow my own path," Euphie placed her hand over her heart and looked at her older sister, "the Black Knights led by Zero and Void have brought hope to people and they have been able to stand against those who would harm people just for their own whims. We have seen this over and over again."
"Euphie, you…" Cornelia said.
"Besides, considering what had occurred, I would feel a lot safer staying with the Black Knights," Euphie said.
"Safer with the Black Knights?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes, think about it," Euphie said with a sad tone, "Britannian soldiers and agents, they actually tried to kill me and frame me as the one who sparked a conflict that cost the lives of innocent people, not just Japanese, but fellow Britannians," Euphie looked at Cornelia, "you Sister was targeted as well despite the fact that you are the second princess and Viceroy and even Marry was attacked as well."
"That's…" Cornelia said with a sad tone and looked away.
"Your Highness," Suzaku spoke up, "again, that was done by Pluton and not Britannia as a whole."
"Suzaku, do you recall what the emperor himself said in his speech?" Euphie asked.
"Ah" Suzaku replied.
"Do you all recall what he implied in his last speech?" Euphie asked.
"Yes, I do recall," Cornelia said, "and I knew what he was implying. Frankly, I knew something bad was going to happen to you Euphie but even I didn't know that this was going to go this far. In fact, he might be behind this."
"Wait, I know it's bad," Suzaku said, "but we can't be sure that the emperor is behind this."
"Are you serious Kururugi?" Void replied annoyed.
"Even if he isn't responsible for this, there is no doubt he was aware of what was going on and just let it happen," Euphie interjected, "this is very typical of him. After all, this is the same man who abandon two of my and Cornelia's siblings, the two siblings that that were just tossed away eight years ago and only for a year later, they were declared dead."
"Euphie, you…" Cornelia said.
"That's…" Suzaku said, "You mean…"
"You know who I'm talking about Suzaku," Euphie said, "after all, they stayed with you and your father and you were friends with them," Euphie looked at her knight, "my siblings Lelouch and Nunnally vi Britannia."
Suzaku was surprised at what Euphie was saying while Cornelia was surprised and had a sad expression while Guilford and Darlton had downcast expressions. Jeremiah glanced to Zero and Void and the masked siblings closed their eyes behind their masks.
"Another thing is something that is important," Euphie continued, "I am no longer a princess therefore I have no standing."
"Euphie," Cornelia said with a sad expression.
"Euphie," Suzaku said.
"I'm sorry Sister," Euphie said, "but if I was to go back with you, back to the Homeland, there are high chances that I will be killed there."
"I won't let that happen," Cornelia said, "I will keep you safe. I wouldn't let anyone be near you."
"I'm sorry Cornelia," Euphie said.
Cornelia stepped back and knew that she was not going to change her mind.
"So what you're saying," Cornelia said with a sad tone, "you don't have confident that I will be able to protect you."
"That's…" Euphie said and then looked away with a sad expression, "No I'm not saying that but I'm sorry."
"No, I'm the one who is sorry," Cornelia said with a sad expression, "you just made valid points. You would not be safe back in the Homeland if the one who ordered the attack on the Special Zone is there and has connections and with the fact that you're no longer a princess and have no claim to the throne."
Cornelia thought about the night eight years ago when Marianne was killed within her own villa by what was deemed a terrorist attack and the chain reactions that followed. Cornelia had spent time investigating trying to find out what had occurred and who was behind it but no matter how hard she tried, she was not able to find out anything and not long afterwards, the emperor himself strongly ordered her to cease her investigation Cornelia blamed herself for what happened to Marianne even though Marianne herself ordered her to have all the guards and herself to withdraw.
"We will not turn you away," Zero said suddenly.
Cornelia looked at Zero as so did the others in the room.
"If you wish to join us Euphemia then we would be more than happy to," Zero continued, "we welcome you with open arms."
"Yes and we know that a lot of us in the Black Knights would be happy to have you," Void said.
"Thank you," Euphie said happily, "then as of today I, Euphemia li Britannia, hereby join the Black Knights. Zero and Void, I look forward in working with you."
"We look forward in having you with us Euphemia," Zero said.
"Happy to have you with us Euphemia," Void added.
"Wait, wait, stop please," Suzaku said, "Euphie, you're making a huge mistake."
"Suzaku," Euphie said turning to Suzaku.
"This is not the right call," Suzaku said, "It's a mistake to join the Black Knights. They—"
Euphie took Suzaku's hands which surprised the Japanese knight and he looked at Euphie who looked at him with a pleading expression.
"Suzaku, please come with me," Euphie pleaded.
"What…?" Suzaku responded.
"I don't have a place in Britannia right now," Euphie said, "that was made clear with the emperor's speech and the attack of the Special Zone."
"Milady…" Suzaku said.
"I was prepared for the consequences for the making the Special Administrative Zone," Euphie said, "I can take losing my standing for the throne, I can take losing my title and rank, and I can take people badmouthing me and call me all sorts of names. I can take all that… but then there is the fact of framing me and accuse me of being a terrorist and worse… innocent people being killed in the zone for their scheme. That is what happened. I didn't take in the account that they would go this far and what I know is they would try again. Even with the Black Knights backing off, they would still continue."
"But…" Suzaku spoke.
"Please won't you continue on as my knight and stay by my side?" Euphie asked with a pleading expression, "With you with us, there is nothing that we all can't do. We will be truly help the people and it may not be just here in Japan. We can be the light of hope for everyone in all other places… yes even in Britannia as well."
Suzaku looked at Euphie and then he had his head down and freed his hands from Euphie which surprised the former third princess.
"I can't," Suzaku said.
"Suzaku?" Euphie replied.
"I can't go along with it," Suzaku said and then he shook his head, "No, I refuse to go along with it."
"You refuse?" Euphie replied with a sad expression.
"Yes I can't in good conscience join the Black Knights with you," Suzaku said as he shook his head.
"Even with all that has happened and what you saw with your own eyes, do you still insist on staying on the side of the corruption that is Britannia?" Void asked.
"I don't want to hear that from you Void," Suzaku replied, "I don't understand why I must repeat myself but it will not end well for you and when you lose and you will lose, it will be the people of Japan who will suffer because of your own selfish actions and that is what's going to lead you."
"Kururugi, you…" Void spoke as she was getting angry.
"Void, let it go," Zero said as he placed a hand on his sister's shoulder.
Void looked at her brother.
"Right," Void spoke.
"Kururugi, it is such a shame that you are still insisting on something that obviously completely broken," Zero said.
"If it is broken then it just needs to be fixed from within," Suzaku said, "it can't be fixed if you attack it and destroy it, especially with those who can and will retaliate. Your way of doing things are wrong and I won't be a part of it."
"Suzaku, is there any way that I can convince you otherwise?" Euphie asked with a pleading expression.
"No there isn't," Suzaku replied with a frown, "and if you insist on joining with the Black Knights then I…" Suzaku paused as he was upset but faced Euphie, "I must request to be removed as your knight."
Euphie was shocked in what Suzaku had just said while Cornelia frowned and Jeremiah clenched his fists. Euphie had her head down in response.
"Are you sure that's what you want Suzaku?" Euphie asked.
"Yes," Suzaku said as took something out and handed to Euphie, "I'm sure. If you're joining the Black Knights, then I can no longer be your knight. I cannot support you in what you are doing."
Euphie looked and saw that Suzaku was handing out his badge that signified as Euphemia's knight. Guilford and Darlton went to Cornelia.
"Your Highness," Guilford spoke to Cornelia.
"This is…" Darlton spoke.
Cornelia raised her hand up signaling her knight and military advisor to stay quiet.
"What a shame though," Cornelia said in her head, "I had just said that I felt that Euphie made the right choice in having him but now he turning his back on her."
"I see," Euphie said as she took the badge, "I'm sad that it has come to this."
"So am I," Suzaku said, "I will leave now but before I go, I do wonder Zero and Void."
"About what?" Zero asked.
"Do Their Highnesses know that you have their siblings?" Suzaku asked, "That you have Lelouch and Nunnally?"
The others raised eyebrows when Suzaku mentioned the vi Britannia siblings was mentioned.
"Kururugi," Zero replied.
"You have Lelouch and Nunnally vi Britannia in your ranks," Suzaku said with a disapproval frown, "I don't know how it happened but I suspect that you got to them and convinced them to join you to help them get their revenge."
"And if we said we did?" Void asked.
"You have destroyed their futures and you will cause sadness," Suzaku said in anger, "just like you're doing to Kallen, to Rai, to Alice, and… to Euphemia."
"Suzaku, you're wrong," Euphie said.
"Goodbye Euphemia," Suzaku said, "I really hope that you will change your mind before it's too late."
"Suzaku, please don't go," Euphie pleaded, "Please…"
Suzaku bowed and then he turned around and opened the door and walked out and closed the door behind him and left. Euphie looked on and was on the verge of tears that she lost her knight. The others were not happy with the ways things turned out. Jeremiah couldn't believe that Suzaku willfully left Euphie's side while Cornelia was furious and regretted saying good things to Suzaku while Zero and Void were disappointed that Suzaku was still insist something hopeless that he actually willfully left their sister's side and to them, Suzaku had just betrayed Euphie. Guilford and Darlton shook their head in disappointment but both of them knew that there was always the high possibility with what they knew how Suzaku Kururugi was.
"I'm sorry Euphie," Zero said.
"So am I," Void said with sad tone.
"Euphie," Cornelia said with a sad tone.
"If you want to change your mind of joining us, we can understand," Zero said.
"No," Euphie said and then she turned to Zero and Void, "I really want to join you. I don't regret joining you. I know that this is the path that I want to walk. In fact, not joining you would be something that I would really regret. Please I still want to join you."
"Okay," Zero said with a nod.
"We're here for you," Void said.
"Thank you," Euphie said happily.
"Now then Cornelia," Zero said.
"Yes?" Cornelia replied.
Zero and Void faced Cornelia, Darlton, and Guilford. Outside of the building, Suzaku was walking and then he spoke in his small intercom and contacted Cecile and Lloyd. Meanwhile in the Special Zone, there were dead bodies lined up in an area and it was the victims of the people who were killed in the attack by Pluton. There were people crying and in despaired of the people who had lost their lives. The Black Knights were working and getting through. Keitaro along with his group were overseeing the deaths and they were all sad in what they were seeing.
"This is horrible," One of the Black Knights said.
"Those bastards," Another Black Knight said angrily, "they killed innocent people and tried to make it look like Euphemia was responsible."
"Not to mention what had happened to us at the island," Another Black Knight said bitterly.
"We need to continue," Keitaro said, "help those that need help."
"Yes Deputy Commander," The others with him said.
"Aoyama," Gen said.
"What is it Gen?" Keitaro asked.
"There's someone that wants to see you," Gen said.
"Huh, who?" Keitaro asked.
"Senpai," A female voice said.
Keitaro was surprised as he recognized the voice and he looked and saw a young woman that had long blue hair that went past her shoulders and she wore a light blue dress with white shoes.
"Shinobu," Keitaro said.
"Senpai, it really is you," The young girl named Shinobu said as she was tearing up.
"Sir, do you know her?" One of the Black Knights asked.
"Y-Yeah," Keitaro said and then turned to the others with him, "go on ahead. I'll catch up."
"Yes Deputy Commander," The Black Knights said.
"Gen, you're in charge until I meet with you," Keitaro said.
"Got it," Gen said.
Gen left and led the others while Keitaro turned to Shinobu who was tearing up.
"Senpai, Senpai," Shinobu said, "I'm so glad to see you again. Thank goodness that you're still alive. I was so scared when I heard stories of what was happening."
"Shinobu," Keitaro said.
Shinobu cried and Keitaro slowly comforted as Shinobu cried her heart out. Not long afterwards, Keitaro and Shinobu were at a place where they sat on a hill.
"I see," Keitaro said with a sad expression, "so you were here in the zone when it was attacked."
"Yes I took part in being in the Special Zone," Shinobu said, "of course so did my parents."
"Are your parents…?" Keitaro asked.
"Yes, they're alive as well," Shinobu said, "But some of my friends who were with me…" Shinobu clenched her teeth in sadness, "they didn't make it… they were gunned down by those Knightmares."
Keitaro was shocked and was sad to hear that Shinobu had friends that were killed in the attack.
"I'm sorry Shinobu," Keitaro said in sadness, "this never should have happened."
"It was horrible," Shinobu said as she was tearing up again, "I still see it in my mind… the Knightmares showing up and shooting everyone in their sights killing them. I was able to survive because some of my friends got me away but I…"
Shinobu was shook up and Keitaro looked at Shinobu and wondered what to say to her.
"I'm so sorry," Keitaro said again in sadness, "I'm so sorry."
"Can I ask you something Senpai?" Shinobu asked.
"Yes?" Keitaro replied.
"Are you going to leave again?" Shinobu asked.
"Huh?" Keitaro replied confused.
"After what you and the Black Knights are doing," Shinobu asked, "are you all going to leave again? Please don't abandon us again. Please don't leave us again and please Senpai, don't leave me alone."
Keitaro looked at Shinobu surprised, "S-Shinobu…"
Shinobu hugged Keitaro and cried her heart out. Keitaro was shocked and looked at Shinobu and knew that it was hard for her and imagined that other people who survived the attack felt the same way and felt the same despair. Keitaro was left with regret and wished he knew what to truly do for Shinobu who he had not seen in years as he recalled the time that he stayed in a inn that belong to his family it was turned to an all-girls dorm. Unbeknownst to Keitaro and Shinobu, they were watched by a young woman with long black hair that was tied to a ponytail that wore a white dress shirt with black undershirt, a black skirt, and black boots and she looked at Keitaro and narrowed her eyes.
"Big brother," The young black haired woman said.
"Kanako," A female voice said.
The young woman named Kanako turned around and left with another young woman. Meanwhile Suzaku arrived in the bridge of the Avalon and was met by Lloyd and Cecile.
"Suzaku, thank goodness you're okay," Cecile said with relief.
"Miss Cecile," Suzaku said.
"It's good to have you here," Lloyd said.
"Thanks," Suzaku said with a nod.
"But Suzaku is it true?" Cecile asked concerned, "Is it true that Princess Euphemia is joining the Black Knights?"
"Yes, unfortunately it is true," Suzaku said with a frown, "She's joining the Black Knights."
"So she's joining with Zero and Void," Lloyd said, "I'm amazed that you didn't go with her or convince her out of it."
"I did try to convince her out of it," Suzaku point out, "but she wouldn't budge. So now, I'm no longer her knight."
"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Cecile asked, "To just leave her like this."
"Princess…" Suzaku shook his head with a frown, "Euphemia made her choice and there's nothing to do about it."
"Suzaku, have you…?" Cecile asked.
"I'm sorry, I need to be alone for a while, if it's okay," Suzaku said.
"…Sure, we'll call you if you're needed," Cecile said.
"Understood," Suzaku said giving a respectful nod to Cecile and Lloyd.
Suzaku left with Lloyd and Cecile watched their Lancelot pilot leave.
"So our former princess has joined the Black Knights," Lloyd said, "well I suppose this was bound to happen."
"Bound to happen?" Cecile asked looking at Lloyd.
"Think about what happened with the massacre that was perpetrated by Pluton, Britannian agents," Lloyd said, "I say what happened drove the former third princess to the Black Knights."
"Yes, I suppose that you're right," Cecile said, "although I guess I am a bit surprised that Suzaku didn't follow her."
"Yes so even with everything that has happened, I suppose the boy is still insisting that he can change Britannia from within," Lloyd said, "I have a feeling it will not go well for him."
"Yes, I suppose that you're right," Cecile said with a sad expression, "although it is not as though we are in any position to say anything."
"Well for now, I suppose we can see how things go right now," Lloyd said with an amused smile, "I must admit that I am curious. What are Black Knights going to do right now?"
Back in the building, Lelouch and Nunnally were facing Cornelia, Guilford, and Darlton as they had revealed their faces to them.
"I see now," Cornelia said, "so it really is you… as I suspected."
"You knew it was us?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes but I didn't want to believe it," Cornelia said, "it clicked to me back when we fought in Saitama but I didn't want to believe it to be true so I pushed that thought out of my mind, I denied it, thought of it as it was untrue."
"I see," Euphie said, "so when you told Nonette that you had no clue about Zero…"
"Yes it was a lie," Cornelia said, "of course I confessed to Nonette the truth as she was set to leave. I didn't want to believe that Lelouch and Nunnally would turn against Britannia. I didn't want to believe that they would lead a rebellion against Britannia," Cornelia clenched her teeth, "I didn't want to believe that Lelouch in particular would be the one who killed Clovis," Cornelia looked at Lelouch, "but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling like my heart was screaming at me to accept the truth."
"I see now," Lelouch said, "so all this time, you knew it was me back in Saitama."
"Yes it was as Darlton said," Cornelia said, "Zero is someone who is fighting against everything Britannia stands for."
"Even I never would have guessed that it would be you Prince Lelouch," Darlton said.
"But it also explains Jeremiah's behavior at Shikine Island," Guilford said as he looked at Jeremiah.
"Yes I figured it out when Lady Enneagram was insistent to getting them to come back after Their Highnesses succeeded to rescuing Todoh," Jeremiah said, "it became obvious to me along with other factors."
"So it was true that you actually were set to help them at that time," Darlton said, "It means that Prince Castor and Prince Pollux were not off in their accusations against you."
"Speaking of Castor and Pollux," Cornelia said, "Do you still have them in custody?"
"…They're dead," Lelouch answered.
Cornelia, Darlton, Guilford, and even Euphie were surprised.
"You killed them, didn't you?" Cornelia said.
"Yes I killed them," Lelouch said.
"I see," Cornelia said as she closed her eyes, "so now not only you have killed Clovis, you've now have killed Castor and Pollux. You have ended the lives of three of our brothers."
"I did what needed to be done," Lelouch said, "letting them live after what they have done and what they would continue to do was not something that I could do. It was the same with Clovis when he ordered the deaths of innocent people in Shinjuku."
Cornelia clenched her fists and was upset and then she turned to Nunnally.
"Nunnally, where were you when Lelouch did the deed?" Cornelia asked.
"I was with him when he killed them," Nunnally said.
"Nunnally, you…" Cornelia spoke surprised.
"I made the choice to be a witness to it," Nunnally said, "I understand what has happened and what was done. I'm sad about it but Castor and Pollux, they were truly set in having Euphie killed in the scheme and they acted in glee in the suffering they were taking part of."
Euphie had a sad expression and placed her hand over her heart and Cornelia had her head down and bit her lower lip before she spoke.
"I can't disagree with what you said," Cornelia said, "I don't like it… but still…"
"Cornelia, there is one more thing that we want to talk to you about," Nunnally said, "and that is the night that Mother died eight years ago."
Cornelia flinched and felt sadness as it was about Marianne.
"Yes, of course you want know," Cornelia said in sadness, "and I am sorry," Cornelia looked at her younger half-siblings with shame, "what happened is my fault. I should have never gone along with what your mother asked."
"You can stop that Cornelia," Lelouch said, "we know. We know you tried to investigate what happened. Like what we said to Jeremiah, what happened was not your fault. Mother ordered you to withdraw the guards and we know Mother would not be pleased with you if you had refused her order."
Jeremiah looked away with sadness even though he knew that Lelouch and Nunnally never held it against him and Euphie went and placed her hand on Jeremiah comforting the former Aries Villa guardsman.
"It doesn't make it better," Cornelia said in sadness.
"Cornelia, we know what happened," Lelouch said.
"Huh, what do you mean?" Cornelia asked.
"We know what happened that night," Nunnally said, "we know who killed our mother."
Cornelia was surprised as was Guilford, Darlton, and Euphie. Jeremiah closed his eyes and nodded.
"Yes, we know who killed our mother," Lelouch said, "and is thanks to someone who was close to her and someone within our ranks."
"Please tell me," Cornelia pleaded, "who is it? Who is the cowardly scum that murder Lady Marianne?"
"Lelouch, Nunnally, please tell us," Euphie pleaded.
Lelouch and Nunnally nodded and proceed to tell them what they knew and how they found out. Meanwhile in the Avalon, Suzaku was leaning on one of the legs of the Lancelot and he held and looked at his father's pocket watch.
"Euphie, can't you see that you're making a mistake?" Suzaku asked, "Nothing good will come out of it and to think Princess Cornelia won't even stop the Black Knights from taking control of Japan. This is just wrong."
"Oh it is," A male voice said suddenly, "You wouldn't think that Cornelia would go for this foolish route."
Suzaku was surprised and he looked and saw someone and it was VV.
"A child?" Suzaku spoke, "W-What are you doing here? What's your name?"
"I'm someone that will give you answers that you deserve to know," VV said.
"Answers?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes although I have to say that it was quite shocking," VV said.
"What is?" Suzaku asked.
"What's shocking is after all this time, you still haven't figured the identities of Zero and Void," VV said, "there were obvious signs and not once did you ever pick up on any of them," VV raised an eyebrow, "Are you not embarrassed by this?"
"What…?" Suzaku replied taken aback.
"Oh well I suppose it can't be helped," VV said with a sigh, "anyway I'll tell you who they are and I will tell something that Zero possess."
"Who are you?" Suzaku asked, "I take it that you're not some normal kid."
"Of course not," VV said with a smile, "in fact, I'm actually the same as the one who was held in a capsule for the Code-R Project."
"Y-You mean the girl called Cera?" Suzaku replied surprised again.
"Cera, oh I suppose that who Nonette Enneagram still knows her as," VV said as he was amused.
In a building within the Special Zone, agents of Pluton were roughed up and beaten to the floor. Kinman stumbled back and was repeatedly punched. The one punching Kinman was Tamaki who was full of rage and anger. Inoue, Yoshida, Minami, Sugiyama, Ohgi, and Naoto were there as well and were full hate and anger towards the Pluton agents.
"You dare do this to me," Kinman defiantly said, "Do you who I am?"
"Shut the hell up!" Tamaki replied as he struck Kinman again.
Kinman screamed in pain in response and Tamaki grabbed the collar of Kinman's uniform.
"You bastards!" Tamaki said angrily, "You callously murdered scores of people and you tried to put the blame Euphemia and kill her as well. You assholes are going to pay with your lives!"
"You won't weasel your way out of this," Naoto said in anger, "you're done, all of you."
"Why you," Kinman said, "you think you can do this to me?!"
The door opened suddenly and it was Zero entered the room.
"Zero," Naoto said.
"You," Kinman said.
"Tamaki, let him go," Zero said.
"Hang on Leader," Tamaki said directing his hatred towards Kinman, "I'm not done beating the crap of out of this asshole."
Zero placed his hand on Tamaki's shoulder which made Tamaki look at him.
"This dirty rotten scumbag is not really worth your fist," Zero said, "and I made a promise to someone to deal with him."
"Huh, who?" Sugiyama asked.
"That would be me," Cornelia's voice said.
The others looked back and there they saw Cornelia
"Cornelia," Ohgi said.
"Princess," Kinman said surprised.
"It's not a pleasure being in this position," Cornelia said glaring at Kinman, "I vowed that you would pay and Zero has promised me that I would get what I wanted. You bastards tried to kill two of my sisters and me for that matter. You won't be getting out of this."
Kinman and the other agents were wide eyed in response in seeing Cornelia's intention. Back in the Knightmare Hanger within the Avalon, Suzaku was shocked in what VV just told him.
"Lelouch and Nunnally," Suzaku spoke, "they are Zero and Void?"
"That's right," VV said, "Lelouch is Zero and Nunnally is Void. That is who they are."
"No, no that's not true," Suzaku said shaking his head in disbelief, "that's a lie."
"It's no lie," VV said, "It is the absolute truth. The masked siblings, the leaders of the Black Knights who have been a thorn to Britannia here in Area 11 and block to what you desire are none other than the ones known as the Lamperouge siblings, the ones who you consider your friends."
Suzaku was still in shocked and had his head down as he couldn't believe in what he had just heard. He couldn't believe that Lelouch and Nunnally who he considered them to be his close friends were the masked rebels Zero and Void, fighting against their own country.
"It really is amazing that after all this time, you had no idea," VV said, "to be honest it's really embarrassing that you were this clueless."
Suzaku flinched and looked at VV, "What do you mean?"
"If you had really looked and really paid attention, it would have been obvious," VV said, "after all Euphemia was able to figure Zero's identity back in Kawaguchi."
Wait, Euphemia knew?" Suzaku replied surprised again.
"Yes and not just her," VV said, "Nonette Enneagram, the Knight of Nine was able to figure out their identities as well."
"Lady Enneagram knows as well?" Suzaku replied shocked.
"Of course," VV said, "after all, why do you think she was adamant to get them on her side? To come back as she said."
Suzaku was taken back and remembered what Nonette was doing back on Shikine Island and it became clear to him as why she was doing what she was doing.
"Even Cornelia herself realized it when she fought against Zero in Saitama," VV said, "of course she didn't want to acknowledge the fact that her own two siblings would lead a rebellion against Britannia."
Suzaku didn't know much more he could take but with everything that had happened it had made sense and remembered how Euphie acted when she was with Zero and Rai back on Kamine Island and then he remembered how she wanted really work with Zero and Void when it came to the Special Zone. Euphie knew who they were behind their masks and it explained why she had such faith in them in the first place as he remembered when Euphie talked about the time she spent with Lelouch and Nunnally back in the Aries Villa in Pendragon.
"I had no idea," Suzaku said, "I can't believe that it was them all along and yet…"
"You know what it may mean?" VV asked.
"What?" Suzaku asked looking at VV.
"The fact that you didn't know also might be that you don't really know them at all or maybe you never believe that there was a possibility and your mind just went along with it automatically," VV said in a mocking tone, "Euphemia knew, Nonette knew, Cornelia knew, hell even Jeremiah knew."
"Wait, even Lord Jeremiah as well?" Suzaku replied.
"Yes although to be fair," VV said, "it may have been because Nonette clued him when she was talking about getting them on their side."
"I see," Suzaku said as he clenched his fist.
"This is one more thing that you should know," VV said, "and this one you can't be faulted for not knowing as this is one that Zero keeps close to his chest."
"And that would be…?" Suzaku replied.
"Zero possesses a power," VV said and then he smiled, "this power is called Geass."
In the Special Zone, the people gathered and on the stage were the Six Leaders of Kyoto. Two more people showed and it was Zero and Void. The people cheered seeing Zero and Void. People were happy seeing the masked leaders of the Black Knights. Zero held up his hand.
"People of Japan," Zero started, "all of you here and everyone who happens to be listening and watching. I feel your pain. I feel your anger, I feel your sadness. We, the Black Knights, and the leaders here," Zero motioned the Clan Leaders, "we all feel the sadness, pain, and anger as well. We the Black Knights left in good faith. We left that with the Special Zone that there would be understanding and no conflict with its existence. But that was not to be and that because of the hatred and resentment as well as the scum, villainous reactions, and schemes that was planned and shown by those in power which led to the attacks of innocent people with lives lost. Not only to the Japanese but to Britannians as well and worse, Euphemia who brought forth of the Special Zone was framed as a terrorist and the Japanese people here and were killed being framed as terrorists as well. We had hoped for things would be different but it was not meant to be and that is why it was necessary for us, the Black Knights to come back and right the wrong that was inflicted on everyone including Euphemia!"
The people cheered in response in the things that Zero said. There were people saying that Euphemia was the good Britannian that actually tried to do right for the Japanese. There were those saying that they saw that even Cornelia was being attacked as well as she tried to stop the attacks and those were grateful that the Glinda Knights who helped them out and protected and shielded them.
"We can no longer just sit back," Zero continued, "the time has come for us to take action and that is to end Britannia's reign over Japan. The time has come to declare Japan's independence. It is time to free this country from Britannia for good!"
The people cheered loudly in response and chanted Zero's name.
"There is one more person who is willing to aid us for this endeavor," Zero said.
Zero signaled for someone and someone came out and to the surprise of the people there except for those on the stage, it was Euphie who showed up and faced the people as the people were chatting among themselves.
"It's Euphemia," A man said.
"So she's okay," A woman said.
"So she was really framed," Another man said, "she never desired for our deaths."
"So even Britannians are willing to attack their own," A young woman said.
Euphie stood and looked around and she faced the people.
"Everyone," Euphie started, "I stand before you all and I ask for your mercy and I stand before you to offer you my sincerest apologies."
People were chatting in response in what Euphie had just said.
"I had brought forth the Special Administrative Zone where the Japanese could live as Japanese and not Elevens who are oppressed by Britannia," Euphie said and then had a sad expression, "but I was naïve. I didn't take in the account of how strong the resentment would be and I never considered the possibility the heinous plan of not only to destroy the Special Zone but to add of killing innocent people and frame me for the heinous crime and being the one who started the conflict," Euphie looked on with tears in her eyes, "with this I say to you all that I apologize. This should have never happened. I imagine there are many of you who lost loved one and friends by the attack perpetrated by Pluton. I vow to do what I can to make sure this tragedy never occurs again and this events has set me a path that I want to walk and so with that in mind," Euphie placed her hand over her heart and showed her determined expression, "I, Euphemia li Britannia, the former Third Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire hereby support the plan to retake Japan from Britannia. In fact, I have made the decision to actually join the Black Knights."
The people were surprised and impressed in what Euphie had just declared.
"I will do whatever it takes make sure Japan regains it freedom and I intent to move forward as a member of the Black Knights!" Euphie declared.
"And we the Black Knights accept Euphemia as a new member of the Black Knights!" Void declared standing next to Euphie.
"In the end, we are going by with what Euphemia originally wanted," Zero said as he stood next to Euphie, "and we shall move forward together. The time has come! The objective of the Black Knights is clear and with Euphemia with us, it begins right now! The independence of Japan begins and sparks the hope to many others in the world!"
The people cheered loudly in response and they also cheered for Euphemia and shouted support for her. Euphie looked around and was impressed and touched if the support she was getting. Zero and Void nodded at Euphie with support. Euphie looked at the Six Leaders of Kyoto who smiled at the three siblings and nodded in supports especially Kirihara who was pleased thinking about how the flowers were about the bloom and they may become full gardens. Meanwhile in the Avalon, Suzaku was in a room and he watched the event that was happening in the Special Zone on a small television with Zero and Euphie giving their speeches. Suzaku clenched his teeth in anger and he directed his anger and resentment towards Zero.
"Zero, I will stop you and prevent your schemes from ever becoming fruition," Suzaku said in a dark tone, "and once I do, Euphie will see for what you really are. I just hope I'll be able to do so before he uses it on her," Suzaku frowned and had his head down, "but it may also be too late. I never should have just left her. If I had known…"
Meanwhile in the Black Knights' Mobile Base, Rai and Alice were inside and they were shocked. They were shocked because there was someone there and it was VV.
"VV," Rai said surprised.
"Why are you here?" Alice said surprise and with anger.
"It's been a while Alice," VV said with a smirk and he turned to Rai, "It's been a long time Raius."
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: The liberation of Japan begins.