Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
When the Third Princess of the Britannian Empire finished her paper work she was excited to hear her sister was coming back and quickly had dinner prepared. She expected to hear Cornelia speaking of how she single handily took down another resistance group and probably captured Zero. However when dinner was served Euphie was understandably cautious as she noticed an aura of anger surrounding her older sister as she stabbed the meatloaf with her knife very aggressively while her left eye twitched. Euphie was a little worried as she tried to think of what could have angered her sister so much.
The room they were dining in was actually the dining room Clovis usually ate in, decorated with his preferred paintings, expansive furniture and carpets and curtains that were colored royal purple lined with gold. Euphie didn't make any changes to it, preferring to keep her brother's possessions where they were while Cornelia didn't give a damn. Euphie tried to list in her head what could have angered her sister so much without actually asking her but that list was actually a little long as it could have ranged from someone spilling wine on her to the battle being lost.
Finally Euphie couldn't help it. "Sister? Are you all right?"
Cornelia's shot up from her meal and Euphie almost instinctively hid under the table. When she saw much she was scaring her younger sister Cornelia softened her gaze, feeling awful for scaring Euphie like that.
"I heard you destroyed the terrorists in the Saitama Ghetto. Another battle won." Euphie cautiously said.
"The battle was won… but I didn't win." Cornelia answered as she glanced to the wall in a solemn tone.
"Huh?" Euphie asked, wondering how that was possible.
The only time Cornelia had ever lost was in a chess game with Schneizel or Lelouch but she never lost a battle before.
"But the news reports-" Euphie remembered the reports.
"They covered up everything that happened except for what happened to the terrorists. I predicted Zero would come to capture me and I was right. I planned to bait him but Zero somehow predicted I would do that, he saw right through me and played along until I fell into his trap." Cornelia narrowed her eyes in rage as she went over the battle and every mistake she made. "He captured several Sutherlands for the rebels like I predicted but instead of using them to attack my forces he baited me with one of his ace pilots, the green Knightmare that helped in Warrant Officer Kururugi's rescue and lured my Royal Guard to an area where he set up explosives on the support beams and caused my men to fall into a chasm below with Guilford being the only one to escape."
Cornelia tightened her grip on her glass of wine.
"Then he contacted me and showed me his blue Knightmare defeating and almost killing Guilford if he hadn't ejected in time. Then the bastard showed himself to me and when I thought I had him he tricked me again, setting off explosions all around the Ghetto, scattering my forces and leaving me wide open. His two aces easily made it to the mobile fortress and if not for Jeremiah and the Pure Bloods of all people I would have been dead or captured." A crack appeared in the glass as Cornelia began losing control. "If not for that one unexpected variable the battle would have ended in his victory!"
She slammed her fists down on the table as she released a gasp of air, working to calm herself down. She looked up and saw Euphie looking scared with her hand over her mouth. Cornelia quickly worked to calm herself down, knowing her little sister was concerned for her and not actually scared of her.
Cornelia would never forgive herself if she terrified her sister.
"I live by the creed that war is a struggle between life and pride and Zero effectively used my pride against me…" Cornelia sighed sadly as she leaned back against her chair.
"Sister." Euphie commented sadly.
"Never mind… Let's just get some ice cream." Cornelia shook her head. "I'll be having a meeting in the morning and I don't want to feel like this when I go to sleep."
"Perhaps you need a nice warm bath." Euphie suddenly smiled cheerfully as her eyes light. "We haven't bathed together since we were kids."
"Euphie…" Cornelia smiled, happy to see her sister trying to make her feel better. "Yes. Why not?"
"Excuse me?"
Ruben K. Ashford looked up see the student, Tsunade peeking her head through the open door. "Ah, Miss Senju. Can I help you?"
"Well sir," Tsunade walked in and closed the door. "There is something I important I need to ask you."
"And what is that?" Ruben asked with a smile.
Tsunade smiled. "I'd like to talk to you about your family's previous occupation."
"So this is the place." Naruto said as he followed C.C. into the large warehouse.
The moon shined down on them as they looked at the building they had been looking for. It was a former weapons factory designed to produce equipment for Knightmares owned by the Ashford family but they lost interest after the death of Marianne Vi Britannia and lack of support from the Britannian military. Inside they could see mechanical arms holding different tools lining the ceiling with assembly docks, conveyor belts, even Knightmare simulators to help trainee pilots gain the experience they would need.
But that was not the best thing they saw.
Over thirty Knightmares lined the interior of the room, looking entirely brand new. They resembled Sutherlands but were colored dark blue and the armor was more bulky. The eyes of each Knightmare were dark green, the head resembling a Roman Centurion's helmet with a Factsphere Sensor that was smaller than ones on the Sutherland model. The Knightmares had two chest mounted slash harkens and a single cannon attached to the right arms and a large shield on the left arms.
"Yep. This is where the Ashford family stored what was left the Knightmares and weapons they built before they lost their nobility." C.C. nodded. "And by the looks of it these are the latest Knightmare models that had been building before they lost their nobility. Principal Ashford explained this model was meant to keep compete against the Sutherland, equipped with thicker armor that could handle assault rifles and bazookas. Ruben called this model Knightmare the Oberon."
"And to think they lost their nobility just because the Empress they supported was killed." Naruto shook his head. "That jackass of an Emperor is a real piece of work."
"Despite his selfishness Charles most likely did it because of V.V. tracking down and killing anyone associated with Marianne."C.C. said as she made a few hand signs and instantly the factory was shrouded in a genjutsu to better hide the factory for when they start using it.
"A good place to set up shop. It can hold over a dozen Knightmares." Naruto smirked at how large the old factory was. "Lelouch won't complain when he sees what we found. Now the bosses can rest easily tonight."
"Yes… They can." The C.C. Shadow Clone grabbed the Naruto Shadow Clone and started making out with him.
When they vanished in a puff of smoke after an hour both Naruto and C.C. got their memories which made them up for another round.
"Viceroy, we've concluded that over forty percent of our forces were lost with fifty percent of our Sutherland and Gloucesters destroyed without casualties." The speaker said, looking through the report. "Per you instructions we made a full investigation and we've concluded that the demolition charges had been placed in various unstable structures throughout the Ghetto, including support beams leaning the area where Lord Guilford and his forces had pursued the green Knightmare. All pilots have reported to have serious injuries but they are all stable and are expected to make a full recovery however they will be out of commission for some time. It is currently unknown how the terrorists were able to place the charges or how they had been able to prepare. We've also discovered a series of tunnels leading out of the Ghetto that is likely how the missing civilian population managed to escape and how Zero's forces managed to sneak in and attack our infantry."
'So Zero had likely prepared these tunnels to evacuate the Elevens from the Ghetto, meaning he knew we were coming. Meaning,' Cornelia thought darkly. 'There is a spy in our midst.'
"Pardon me, but if Zero planned this why didn't he wait for Cornelia to enter the battlefield and then attack her?" A noble spoke up.
"Because he wanted to capture me alive, you fool." Cornelia sneered at the man for asking such a stupid question.
"Yes and that would leave Princess Euphemia as the Viceroy." Darlton spoke up, making Euphemia flinch uncomfortably. "Zero could use her majesty to attempt to make any demands."
"Yes. Our plan to capture Zero backfired which I accept full responsibility for. I underestimated Zero, labelling him as an overconfident terrorist who just got lucky but now I see he's capable for forming complex strategies and his two ace pilots are dangerous in their own right. Therefore I am ordering the manufacturing plants to replace our lost Knightmare Frames with a request for new pilots to be brought in at the earliest convenient time from any reserves from other Areas and that all information coming out of Saitama to be repressed. We cannot allow the Elevens to know of Zero's victory that will surely inspire them to join him in his rebellion which I will not tolerate." Cornelia glared darkly at everyone in the room except for Darlton, Guilford, and Euphemia. "Meeting adjourned."
She stood up from her room and stomped out with anyone who was smart quickly getting out of her way before suffering her wrath.
Jeremiah Gottwald had to fight the urge to gulp as he and Villetta waited outside Cornelia's office, having been summoned by the Princess herself. He wondered if this was it and he was being sent back to the Homeland with his military career finished.
"Try to calm down, sir. I'm sure it's nothing." Villetta offered as a form of comfort.
"If it was I wouldn't be summoned here." Jeremiah answered as the door opened.
"Gottwald, the Viceroy will see you now." Guilford stated.
Jeremiah quickly followed Guilford into the officer where Cornelia was waiting at her desk, looking through several documents before looking at him with her usual calm, regal look but always managed to invoke fear in most who were caught in her sight.
"Princess Cornelia." Jeremiah bowed.
"Lord Jeremiah." Cornelia greeted, her calm and regal face staring at the former leader of the Pure Blood faction. "It seems I owe you an apology."
"An… an apology?" Jeremiah was stunned.
Of all the things he expected her to say this was the last.
"During the battle Zero managed to outmaneuver and trick me and if it wasn't for your timely intervention I would likely have been captured or killed. It was my decision to hold the Purist faction back because of what happened during the rescue of Warrant Officer Kururugi and the recent rumors regarding Orange." Cornelia ignored Jeremiah flinching at the nickname he had been labelled by his humiliation. "However because I underestimated Zero my pride cost me the battle and almost the lives of myself and my subordinates." Cornelia leaned forward with a stern look on her features. "I'll make this simple and clear, Lord Jeremiah. I don't know exactly what happened at Warrant Officer Kururugi's trial or why you seem unable to remember helping Zero escape but I owe you for saving my life and I see your loyalty seems genuine for if you were traitor you wouldn't have stopped Zero's Knightmares from taking me."
"Thank you, My Lady." Jeremiah bowed his head again, truly grateful for Cornelia seemingly believing him.
"That being said it's clear to me now that Zero's more dangerous than we first thought and that it's possible he has spies in the government running Area Eleven." Cornelia continued as if Jeremiah had never spoken. "It's the only explanation of how he predicted what would happened at the Saitama Ghetto and how easily he outsmarted our forces. That being said if we are to make any headway into stopping him we need to identify who in the government is working for Zero immediately."
"What would you have me do, my lady?" Jeremiah asked.
"As the leader of the Purist faction you have had the highest amount of influence in Area Eleven, second only to my brother. I want you to start conducting investigations into who might be working for Zero and find out how he's been gaining vital information." Cornelia answered, sitting back against her chair and making sure Jeremiah understood his mission perfectly. "This mission is to be only shared with those you trust and no one else."
"Of course my lady." Jeremiah bowed again with a smile.
Perhaps he was not as finished as he thought.
"There is also something else I have discovered." Cornelia continued. "I looked into your records and discovered something."
"Yes, my Lady?" Jeremiah asked, wondering if he jinxed himself.
"I discovered that you were a guard at Aries Villa." Cornelia stated, her face looking calm but her eyes seemed to pierce his very being.
Jeremiah's blood froze at the mention of that place. "Y-Yes your Highness."
"According to your record you were a part of Empress Marianne Vi Britannia's Honor Guard." Cornelia continued as if she hadn't noticed the effect mentioning that place had on the man.
She herself had to suppress the feelings of anger, sadness, and remorse when she brought it up.
"I was, your Highness and I considered it a personal failure of mine for not being there to protect Lady Marianne and her children." Jeremiah bowed his head in shame.
'You're not the only one.' Cornelia thought but continued. "What do you make of what happened the night Lady Marianne was assassinated?"
"I… I'm not sure what to make of it, your Highness. It was said to be the work of terrorists but Lady Marianne for some strange reason dismissing her guard…" Jeremiah clenched his fist. "I don't understand why she would do such a thing."
Cornelia nodded grimly. "Why did you transfer to Area Eleven?"
Jeremiah straightened himself. "After Lady Marianne's death I couldn't… focus on my duties in the homeland and thus I transferred here, creating the Pure Bloods as a way to honor Lady Marianne as she was a commoner but she was honored as a member of the Knights of the Round and even became a consort to the Emperor. The other reason is…" Jeremiah looked to the ground for a second as he fought the sadness, anger and shame that threatened to reveal itself. "To punish the Elevens for killing her children."
"I see." Cornelia spoke, understanding this man. "Very well. I spoke to you myself to see what kind of man you are, Jeremiah Gottwald and I can see that despite what happened with officer Kururugi you appear to be loyal to the crown. Thus I leave it to you to find the people that Zero has working for him in the government."
"Yes, Your Highness." Jeremiah bowed again, his fists tightening themselves to the point he might break his hand.
He would not fail again.
"Oh this is so exciting." Shirley looked out the window with a big smile. "I can't believe we're going to spend the weekend at the Lake Kawaguchi Hotel. I've never left the Tokyo Settlement before. This is so exciting."
She along with Milly and Nina were sitting in a compartment of a train, taking a short vacation from the Academy.
"Where are Naruto and Tsunade?" Shirley sat back down in her seat.
"Oh, they had their own compartment which I think made them very happy so as long as no one interrupts them consummating their relation-" Milly started with a devious smile.
"MILLY!" Shirley shouted as she and Nina turned tomato red.
"Oh come on. It's not like no one was thinking it." Milly commented.
"That's private and we shouldn't gossip about it!" Shirley exclaimed.
"Oh, Shirley you are such a prude." Milly sat back on her seat. "It's too bad Kallen was feeling ill, Suzaku and Rivalz had to work and who knows what Lelouch is doing."
"You don't think Kallen and Lelouch are meeting in secret do you?" Shirley worriedly asked.
"Maybe. You did hear what Rivalz told Naruto and Tsunade." Milly grinned mischievously.
"Those were just rumors!" Shirley denied.
"Oh, I'm so sure." Milly giggled.
The train passed through a tunnel causing Nina to flinch.
"Nina, it's all right." Milly said soothingly as she knelt down in front of the girl. "There are a lot of Britannian tourists at Lake Kawaguchi so security is fine. Don't be afraid, it's not the ghettos. We will be with you the whole time; we won't leave your side for a second."
"Th-thanks." Nina answered with a small smile.
Across from the compartment Naruto and C.C. had been relaxing together. Naruto wore blue jeans, a white T-shirt with a black a red jacket while C.C. wore black jeans, a black shirt with a green jacket.
They had been relaxing until they looked at the hotel as Naruto sighed. "Great. I thought I was going on vacation."
"What is it?" C.C. asked, sensing something wrong.
"I sense a large amount of hostile emotions from the hotel. There are dangerous people there." Naruto answered.
"Hmm." C.C. frowned.
She wanted a vacation just as much as Naruto did and time away from Lelouch since he was busy gathering up his army. He didn't need them for that so he didn't put up a fuss when they told him they were joining Milly, Shirley, and Nina on the trip.
Ohgi, Kallen, and the rest of their group gasped as they walked into the mobile base in the garage where Zero said he would meet them.
"What are you waiting for? Come on in." Zero called from the couch. "As of now this place will be our new hideout."
The rebel group was in awe of the luxurious interior and wondered how Zero got his hands on it.
"So you think joining up with us is a good idea?" Ohgi asked as the group started bring their stuff in.
He wondered why someone like Zero who had two advanced Knightmares and who could afford something like this would work with a group like them.
"Of course. We are comrades now." Zero answered kindly.
"So where are those knights of yours? Seizan and Shinryoku?" Kallen asked.
"I gave them the day off. Even resistance fighters need a break and this day will be just setting up our base and working on resources." Zero answered.
Naruto and C.C. were in their room, making out on the one bed in the room when the door was busted down.
"You! You two Britannian dogs! Get up!" The two Japanese soldiers pointed their guns at them.
"Could you please leave? You're interrupting my special hour." C.C. drawled as she pulled away from Naruto.
"I said get up or we'll kill you both." The soldier growled.
"They are quite rude, aren't they dear?" Naruto asked with a foxy smirk as they stood up.
"Why yes, they are very rude, darling." C.C. answered as she showed her mischievous grin.
"Get your hands and follow us you Britannian dogs." The soldiers both removed the safety from their rifles.
"Certainly officers. But first…" As Naruto put his hands above his head he and C.C. dropped their henge to reveal their Rinnegan eyes.
"What the-"
" Bansho Ten'in ."
The soldiers were pulled towards them and C.C. grabbed them, putting a hand on each head.
"They've taken hostages and they plan to kill them and everyone here to make a point." C.C. said with a cold look on her face.
The soldiers had no chance as the power of the Human Path removed their souls from their bodies and from the world of the living.
"Holy cow, so what is this? Huh?"
"Hey, there's a second floor too."
"Do you mind if I asked how you came by this?" Ohgi asked.
"I burrowed it from a rather libertine nobleman who indulges my requests." Zero answered.
"You mean you used that power, your Geass?" Kallen asked, sounding uncertain.
The power Zero mentioned before still made her feel nervous even though he assured them that he could only control them through eye contact. Some of them were sickened by the idea of controlling someone against their will as it was just as bad as killing defenceless civilians. At the very least they were relieved that Zero only used his power for a good cause and he wore his mask so he wouldn't control any of his allies.
"I did and I made sure it couldn't be traced back to any of us." Zero nodded.
He could see that everyone was still wrapping their minds around the idea that Zero had a power that could allow him to make anyone do anything he wanted.
"You have to admit. No would ever expect us in something like this." Kallen conceded, thankfully changing the subject.
"There's even a TV here." Minami found the remote and turned the TV on.
"There's a TV too?!" Tamaki laughed eagerly.
Everyone stopped as a breaking new report appeared on screen.
" I'm here in front of the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel. The hotel-jackers have identified themselves as the Japanese Liberation Front. Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting, most notably, Chairman James, were taken hostage as well as several tourists and hotel employees. "
The TV showed an image of the hostages.
" This footage was sent by the perpetrators; in it, you can clearly see Chairman James, including some students."
When Kallen looked at the TV she saw several familiar people and gasped. "From the Student Council!"
"The leader of the group claims to be Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe of the now defunct Japanese Military.
At the Japanese Liberation Front headquarters Tohdoh slammed his hand onto his knee. "That imbecile!"
"Sakuradite, an essential component in the manufacture of high-temperature super conductors, is a vital strategic resource that directly affects world security. Area Eleven is the largest producer of this material, providing seventy percent of the world's total supply.
"I am Kusakabe of the Japanese Liberation Front." The commanding officer introduced himself to the hostages as he held his sword. "We are making this stand for Japan and our countryman. Even though you are not soldiers you are still Britannians and our oppressors."
Nina was shivering in fright as Milly held her close.
"Sit still, be quiet and you won't be harmed." Kusakabe left the room while the other soldiers kept a close eye on the hostages.
"Lulu." Shirley whispered fearfully.
Here at the yearly national meeting of Sakuradite producers, it will be determined how this resource will be distributed among the world's nations. It's no exaggeration to say the outcome determines the balance of global power between Britannia and out countries. It is believed that the terrorists are using world interest in the annual gathering to their advantage by carrying out this violent hotel takeover. "
"So they made their move."
"They're easily the biggest anti-Britannian group here in Japan and now their pride is hurt."
"Because of us?"
"Maybe."
"I don't whether to be happy or sad about that, because they're all going to end up dead."
Zero looked down his phone as it vibrated. 'Rivalz…'
Rivalz waited anxiously at the bar counter for Lelouch to answer, wondering if he's heard of the hostage situation. "Lelouch, I-"
" This is Lelouch. Please leave a message after the beep. "
BEEP!
"What the hell's he doing at a time like this?!" Rivalz threw his phone onto the floor.
"I know. But… Those two…" Lelouch muttered, knowing that Naruto and C.C. went there but they didn't appear to be captured with the rest of the hostages. 'If they haven't been captured they are no doubt already working on a way to rescue the other hostages.'
Unlike Lelouch, Naruto concentrated on rescuing the civilians first in any battle before going after the enemy while C.C. usually helped or agreed with him for reasons Lelouch suspected was part of their contract. Despite the fact that Naruto usually preferred action first he was capable of making surprisingly complex plans on the fly in the middle of battle that even Lelouch had to respect. He knew that both of them would be fine but that was not the same for the hostages.
'I have no way of contacting them at the moment so I can't coordinate with them on whatever they might be planning. I'll just have to leave them to their planning until I come up with something.'
Minami turned the TV off. "There's no point in watching any further. We all know how it's going to end."
"Come on, we better get everything unpacked." Ohgi said, eager to change the subject.
"I'll leave it to you." Zero stood up. "I have some things to check out."
Kallen watched him as he walked up the stairs.
"All bridges connecting to the hotel with the exception of the main have been destroyed. Our attempted approaches from the air and water have been unsuccessful. There is only one route left that will allow us to develop a possible hostage rescue plan. The main utilities tunnel running directly beneath the convention center hotel. Basically we should go in through this route, destroy the foundation block and submerge the hotel." A general explained to Cornelia and the rest of the war council. "Since the tunnel was built to handle supply delivery, it should be able to accompany Sutherlands. Even if the enemy had taken precautions it should be no problem. They have been using substandard weaponry, so they should have no trouble evading them."
Three Sutherlands traveled through the tunnel towards the end where the pilots could travel up to get into the hotel.
"Enemy detected. As expected they're moving through the underground tunnel." A JLF solider reported.
"Roger that. Raiko secondary start up, both quad linkage legs locked. Super electromagnetic shrapnel voltage confirmed." The commanding solider said as they aimed a giant cannon at the approaching Sutherlands.
" I think these guys have Knightmare rifles. Spread out and break their ranks. " The pilot in the lead Sutherland said.
"Super electromagnetic shrapnel cannon, fire!" The Commanding JLF soldier shouted.
The giant cannon released a single fast moving bullet that opened and released multiple smaller bullets that flew down the tunnel even faster.
" What?! " The Britannian pilots screamed as they obliterated.
"In one shot!" A soldier next to Kusakabe yelled in sheer jubilation.
"It worked!"
" The Raiko was a complete success. "
"What do you think of that Britannian pigs?" Kusakabe smirked.
"Wiped out?!" Darlton shouted.
"Yes. It seems as though they modified some Glasgows into a linear cannon." An advisor reported.
Cornelia gritted her teeth as she listened to the reports.
"What do we do now? If we release the political hostages they demanded-"
"We cannot show weakness to terrorists!" Cornelia shouted, glaring at the advisor for suggesting such a thing.
"But milady…" Guilford leaned and whispered in her ear. "Princess Euphemia."
"Yes I know. Believe me I know." Cornelia whispered back, struggling to keep her regal expression.
"Thus far it appears none of them have discovered her identity. If they did they would have used her as a bargaining chip." Darlton stated, hiding his fear behind a mask of professionalism. "She went there just to observe, therefore she's not registered along with the other guests."
"Can the Special Corp offer any assistance in the rescue?" Suzaku asked as he, Cecile, and Lloyd waited in front of the water.
"I've already asked them but we're an irregular unit and they don't acknowledge our chain of command." Lloyd threw a rock that skidded across the lake. "Besides…"
"It's too risky to trust the operation to an Eleven, right?" Suzaku cut Lloyd off.
"Actually I was going to say our support isn't that strong these days. The Lancelot's debut and defeat has not been forgotten and I'm sure you're aware Princess Cornelia is very discriminating about Britannians and Numbers." Lloyd frowned.
"So the Japanese are still not accepted in your structure." Suzaku said disappointingly.
"If that were true then what point would there be in a Britannian Honorary System?" Cecile rhetorically asked with a saddened look on her face.
Naruto watched as the Japanese terrorists captured Britannian tourists and ambassadors down the hall. "What is the point of this? They can't seriously expect to gain anything from having a few ambassadors and tourists captured."
"You're speaking of them as if they actually have a strategy, Naruto. They don't have any plan to walk away from this alive." C.C. replied.
The both of them were disguised as Japanese soldiers, using the Henge jutsu to the take the form of the soldiers they killed.
"Great. Go down killing people they hate." Naruto closed his eyes. "That's nothing but a waste of energy and life. I hate scum like that."
"Let's hurry. Knowing Lelouch he'll try and save his friends and make a big entrance." C.C. said.
" She was only sight-seeing! " A voice shouted from Zero's room as Kallen walked upstairs to check up on him.
She saw him watching the news from his laptop, showing a man pleading for the life of someone who had been taken hostage. Lelouch scowled as he saw the news, recognizing the man as Shirley's father and the man's pleas were getting to him. Shirley was a friend and Nunnally loved her, she would be devastated if Shirley was killed.
'We need to organize before we fight them again.' Lelouch thought, knowing that without Naruto and C.C. with him he didn't have any way of making it past Cornelia to get to the hostages unnoticed. 'It's too soon though, we're not ready. But we can't just sit here and do nothing either; knowing Cornelia she'll just sacrifice the hostages.'
He knew how his sister operated and knew that civilian hostages would not slow her down. The only thing that didn't make sense was why she hadn't done anything yet.
'So why doesn't she make her move? Could it be?'
"Zero?" Kallen's voice came from his door. "What will happen to the hostages?"
Lelouch turned to the computer. "Eventually there will be no reason to keep those Britannians alive."
It was the cold hard truth but it was the truth nonetheless. Lelouch knew better than anyone else that was how Britannia worked, eliminating anything they saw as weak and anyone who was a hostage was considered weak and not worth rescuing.
"Yeah, I'm sure you're right." Kallen said sadly.
Whatever Kallen was thinking of saying next was cut off as Ohgi walked in.
"Hey, Zero. I found these. Should I hand them out to everyone? I mean, as far as gear goes its pretty hip but we're just a resistance group-"
"Wrong." Lelouch stood up. "We're not a resistance group. Is that clear?"
"We aren't?" Ohgi asked, now confused. "Well, then what are we?"
"What we are, what we are trying to be, are knights for justice!" Lelouch thrust his hand out of his cape to emphasize his point.
"Some of those hostages are your friends from school, aren't they?" Cecile asked as she worked on the Lancelot's systems. "They're still negotiating, so don't worry."
"I have faith in the system." Suzaku replied, looking at the building through the Lancelot's sensors. "I prefer the logic of systems to individual emotions."
Cecile looked somewhat sad at his answer and would have said something if she hadn't been startled by the look of horror on his face.
"Oh god…" Suzaku gasped as his face paled.
On roof of the hotel several terrorists brought a bound hostage to the edge.
"Don't do it!" Suzaku pleaded but his words fell on deaf ears as the terrorists pushed the hostage over the edge and left him to fall to this death. "NO!"
The Britannian screamed as he fell to the ground but just as he almost hit the ground he suddenly stopped. He opened his eyes and saw himself hovering above the platform.
"Ego-driven maniacs." A male voice spat.
The man suddenly felt sleepy for some reason and lost consciousness. If he was awake he would have seen a pissed off blond haired boy with purple ringed eyes with a violet bird symbol flashing under the pupil.
But when he woke up he would be happy to be alive.
" Our demands have not been answered . Therefore we will throw one hostage from the roof every thirty minutes until our terms are met. For the sake of the hostages, the negotiations better be in good faith. "
"This is their warning? Barbarians." Darlton growled.
Cornelia rose from her chair and left the room, making her way to the hangar. Darlton and Guilford quickly followed after her.
"For now we could negotiate to get the woman and children out-"
"Forget it!" Cornelia harshly cut Guilford off. "If you give into their conditions, even once then you're legitimizing terrorism."
"Milady, should we use force?" Darlton asked, both him and Guilford worried about their lady.
"We should only assume that course of action after we've confirmed the safety of Princess Euphemia." Guilford answered.
Cornelia flinched at the name of her sister.
"Viceroy!" A soldier cried out as he ran up to them. "It's Zero! We've just received a message from Zero! He's advancing on the bridge as we speak."
"Zero?" Cornelia muttered as they stared at the soldier in shock. "Guilford, Darlton, come with me! We're going to see what Zero wants!"
"What?! What do you mean that van three was stolen by Zero? What the hell was Gibson doing at the time?" Diethard asked, looking up from his fishing rod.
"He said that when he realized what was happening it was too late." The intern answered.
"Then where is van three now?"
"Heading straight for the military now." The intern replied, shocking Diethard.
'Zero, what is your plan?' Diethard wondered, tuning out the man.
Zero had impressed him so far and this was obviously important if he was coming out like this.
Zero stood on top the van as it approached the bridge, showing no sign of concern as the Gloucesters blocked his path.
"Hey, when Zero went off about justice earlier what do you think he meant?" Ohgi asked as Kallen drove.
"Don't know. But we may die first before we find out." Kallen answered. "It seems all of our escape routes have been cut off."
"Unless Zero uses that Geass of his to make Cornelia let us pass." Ohgi commented which made Kallen slightly shudder.
'Geass, it really is a dangerous power.' Kallen thought as she remembered how Zero got them the van.
He ordered the original owner to give it to him and the owner had done it without a fuss. Kallen remembered with awe and disgust at the fact that Zero's power could command anyone by just looking at them, robbing them of their free will and making them nothing but mindless slaves.
"I'm just wondering why didn't we use that other vehicle."
"Oh so you want the whole world to see where we hide out."
"Point taken."
"I don't know about this Zero character. You sure we should trust him?"
"No. That's I said he looks shifty to me but it anything goes wrong I'll do something about it. Still he must be allied with Japanese since those two knights of his have Japanese code names and Japanese weapons."
'Cornelia, as much I'd like to finish what we started in the Saitama Ghetto I still need you.' Lelouch thought as the Royal Guard guarding the bridge came into view.
"Well, well, we meet again Zero" Cornelia called out from her Gloucester as it stopped in front of the van. "Why are you here? Are you siding with the Japanese Liberation Front? Or perhaps you intend to help us? Regardless, our concerns take priority over your at the moment. So for the death of my half-brother Clovis, I shall take my revenge right here and now!"
She pulled her gun out and pointed it exactly Zero's head, ready to pull the trigger.
"Cornelia, who would you choose? Clovis who is dead or Euphemia who is alive?" Zero asked, causing Cornelia's face to falter in shock.
'Perfect, my suspicions were correct.' Lelouch thought with a grin when he saw the look on her face. 'You haven't changed a bit, dear sister. You always doted on sweet little Euphemia, so you won't take aggressive action. Your emotions are getting in the way.'
Of course Lelouch was not any better as he doted on Nunnally even more than Cornelia did with Euphie and wouldn't be much better if it was Nunnally in Euphemia's position instead. Cornelia along with Guilford and Darlton were shocked that Zero knew that Euphemia was in the hotel with the other hostages, leading Cornelia to suspect someone might have been sending information to Zero.
"It is within my power to save Euphemia for you, Cornelia." Zero continued.
"What are you saying?" Cornelia asked shakily, sweat pouring down her forehead. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"I said I am able to rescue her." Zero stated clearly.
Cornelia had trouble keeping her professional military persona up as she gazed into the reflection of herself on Zero's visor.
'There's no way he can pull it off. Any attempt to extract the hostages would only put Euphie in danger!' Cornelia tried to rationalize.
But the part of her that was a soldier was falling against the part of her that was a terrified older sister that would do anything to save Euphie.
Even it means making a deal with the devil.
"Sir, we have reports of Zero coming towards the hotel!" A soldier said as he ran into Kusakabe room.
"Zero you say?" Kusakabe asked, sounding intrigued.
"Yes sir. He just came past the Britannian Military forces."
"Very well. Send him up here. I wish to speak to him." Kusakabe grinned.
" Attention all forces, let Zero pass. I repeat, let Zero pass. "
Without a word Cornelia moved her Gloucester aside with Darlton and Guilford following her example though they were confused why she would do that as the van drove past the blockade. Cornelia could only stare with a frustrated look as the van Lelouch was on drove past her.
'Either the Japan Liberation Front will accept me as an ally or they're going to treat me as nothing more than a nuisance.' Lelouch thought as the van approached the gate. 'In any event, I highly doubt they'll want to pass up the chance to meet the infamous Zero. We shall see.'
His suspicions were confirmed as the gate was opened.
'Excellent.' Lelouch smirked. 'All the operation's preliminary conditions have been cleared.'
"Viceroy, what are you doing?" Darlton asked.
"I believe that by letting Zero go in we can buy some time before the next hostage is executed. So this is our chance, we can hit both of them at the same time." Cornelia answered as she got back into the cockpit of her Gloucester.
"Wonderful! I want to thank you for such a lovely order." Lloyd said, giggling happily as he turned to face the Lancelot and its pilot. "They've said you've got the green light, Lancelot. You're orders to charge in right in the Linear Cannon in the tunnel."
"Wait a minute." Cecile spoke up. "They're using him as a decoy to make an opening for them?"
"Yep. Seems like they'll use the confusion to send in the Royal Guard." Lloyd answered.
"Seems like? But Lloyd-"
"Miss Cecile, I'm ready. Please let me do it." Suzaku stated with conviction in his voice. "If the Lancelot and I are needed and we're able to give the hostages an opportunity to be saved then I'll do it, even if means being a decoy."
The Lancelot was lowered into the service tunnel with Suzaku ready to rescue the hostages. A rifle was attached to its back by the waist.
" Warrant Officer Kururugi. Here is a guideline for your mission. According to prime search the hostages are located on the hotel's middle floor and believed to be locked inside the food storage room. Advanced prototype weapon Z-01 Lancelot will use the utilities tunnel to move under the hotel. " Cecile's voice came through the speakers. " Once on site you will destroy the foundation and submerge the building. The area with the hostages should hold out for eight minutes. Hostage rescue and mop of up the terrorists will be handled by other units. You will be using the VARIS to destroy the foundation. Set the Impact Rail to Anti-Material Level Three. "
" The only variable in this is that pesky Linear Cannon waiting for you in the tunnel. Space is tight in there; the Lancelot will only have a forty seven point eight percent evasion rate. " Lloyd added his own two cents.
Suzaku knew that the odds were against him but he cared little for that. All that he cared about was rescuing his friends on the Student Council. He readied himself for the all clear signal as he readied the Lancelot for launch.
"Is he serious?" Naruto watched as the van Lelouch was on approached the entrance. "Approaching with just a van with no protection from Cornelia's troops."
"Just like his parents, always a taste for the theatrical with no sense of self preservation." C.C. answered as they both watched from the window of the room they were in.
The sounds of shouting from down the hall caused them to look through the eyes of the Shadow Clones disguised as JLF soldiers guarding the hostages. Apparently Nina offended one of the soldiers by calling them an Eleven and they would have attacked her if someone else hadn't stepped in.
"Princess Euphemia?" Naruto asked.
"The Third Princess in line for the throne." C.C. explained. "No wonder Cornelia hasn't done anything yet. She wouldn't dare attack as long as her own sister is here."
"Sister?" Naruto glanced at C.C. "She doesn't seem anything like Cornelia."
"I don't know much about her myself. I do know she spent time playing with Lelouch and Nunnally as they were growing up." C.C. answered with a thoughtful look on her face. "I shouldn't be surprised that she's here with her sister. Cornelia is somewhat… overprotective of her."
"Ah." Naruto nodded in understanding.
He had seen it all before.
"I think we should lend a hand."
As Euphemia was led down the hall by the guards towards Kusakabe's room they were suddenly stopped by two cloaked figures that stepped around the corner. One wore a white and red fox mask while the other wore an avian mask.
"Halt! Who are you?" The soldiers quickly pointed their guns at the two cloaked strangers but they did not seem to care.
"You guys are a bunch of drama queens aren't you?" The fox masked stranger asked, the voice sounding male.
"I'm warning you! If you're Britannian pigs we'll kill you right here no-GAH!"
The avian masked stranger threw their arms out, tossing four kunai forward that cut through the hands holding the rifles, causing the soldiers to scream in pain. The fox masked man leapt forward, punching or kicking the soldiers with enough force to knock them out instantly.
"You should have just shot us instead of shouting at us." A female voice whispered through the avian mask.
"Who are you?" Euphemia asked, taking a step back.
"We are Zero's personal knights." The avian masked girl answered making Euphemia's eyes widen in shock.
'Zero?'
"You have no intention of joining me?" Zero asked as he stared down Kusakabe.
"Remove that mask and show your true face to us. It's disrespectful." Kusakabe stated, ignoring Zero's question.
"I understand but before I do I'd like to ask you something." Zero replied. "What exactly do you hope to accomplish with this action?"
"To gain attention." Kusakabe answered as if it was simple. "I want this country and the rest of the world that the Japanese aren't dead yet."
"How stale." Zero darkly commented.
"Hmm?" Kusakabe frowned.
"You people are obsolete. There's no saving you." Zero said condescendingly.
"What?! Why you arrogant-" A JFL bodyguard shouted.
"Explain what you mean by that, Zero." Kusakabe cut his guard off.
" Lancelot, launching now! "
The Lancelot blasted forward through the tunnels, surprising the Raiko pilots but they quickly recovered by preparing to fire again.
"So what if it is as twice as fast? It'll end up like the rest! Super Electro Magnetic Shrapnel Cannon, fire!" The pilot shouted.
The Lancelot however managed to avoid the barrage launched by the Raiko with its speed and the fact that its landspinners even allowed it to move along the tunnel's ceiling. As it moved in a crouch position the Lancelot took out VARIS rifle.
"Yes, it can take this level of destructive force." Suzaku muttered, focusing on the enemy up ahead with Blaze Luminous shields active.
"That thing broke through salvo number five! I can't believe it!" A JFL pilot said fearfully.
"Just don't panic! Deploy the quad-link free-fire arm gun, batteries too. We'll shield this final defense with our lives." The other pilot shouted. "Use maximum output! I don't give a damn if it destroys the guns! Be prepared to die defending this spot. Smash him!"
"Ms. Cecile, it's time to use the VARIS." Suzaku stated.
" No! You could get killed! " Cecile shouted in concern.
"There's no time for me to evade. I'll risk getting blasted to take the shot."
The Raiko fired but it was too late. The Lancelot fired the VARIS and energy blast obliterated the shell just after it came out of the Raiko's cannon and continued into the Raiko's cannon causing an explosion that left a hole in the ceiling. The Lancelot leapt through the hole, landing on the other side of the bridge and quickly fired at the foundation blocks.
"It's the Eleven." Cornelia muttered as she along with her advisors watched as the Lancelot completed its mission. "He really did it… Guilford!"
"Right." Guilford answered, knowing the next part of the plan.
"Princess Euphemia Li Britannia." The fox masked man said once they were alone in an empty room. "You risked your life when you revealed your identity to those terrorists. Why would you do such a thing?"
"Because if I didn't they would have harmed the hostages. I didn't want to see anyone hurt." Euphemia answered to the best of her ability.
"Even if they would have hurt or killed you?" The fox masked stranger asked.
"Even that. Violence is never the answer." Euphemia answered, trying to maintain her calm and regal image she learned to perfect from being around her sister.
The masked strangers seemed to just stare at her in silence which was unnerving her a bit. "You really are different from the rest of your family aren't you?" Suddenly the fox masked man twitched. "Zero's here. He's on his way to see Kusakabe."
"Zero?" Euphemia asked, surprised and wondering how the man would know something like that.
"Time to move." The bird masked woman agreed.
Euphemia had to struggle as she to keep herself calm as she followed the apparent 'Knight of Zero' named Seizan down the hall while the woman vanished in a puff of smoke. "Where are we going?"
"Kusakabe will no doubt have Zero brought to him when he hears that Zero made it past Cornelia's blockade." Seizan answered. "They are probably speaking right now."
"Why is Zero here?" Euphemia asked, wondering why this person was being so open with her.
"No doubt to rescue the hostages."
"But why?" Euphemia questioned. "Why would Zero rescue Britannians while declaring himself its enemy? He murdered my brother."
"And what about the murders Viceroy Clovis committed in Shinjuku or the Pure Bloods falsely accusing Suzaku Kururugi of the crime to further their own political agenda? And what about Viceroy Cornelia repeating Clovis's actions in Saitama, not caring if unharmed civilians or children were mercilessly gunned down for simply being suspected of collaborating with terrorists even though there was no proof?" Seizan asked rhetorically.
Euphemia flinched at the last question. "I… I…"
"You do not seem to condone these actions and you even endangered yourself for the sake of the hostages. If only more in the Royal Family had your integrity." Seizan stopped in front of the door. "This is where Kusakabe and Zero are."
When he opened the door Euphemia was greeted with the shock of see Zero standing in the middle of the room with Kusakabe's bodyguards dead with the general himself knocked out on the ground with Shinryoku standing over him.
"What happened?" Seizan asked, already knowing what happened.
"Zero." Kusakabe drew his katana. "There is no point talking anymore!"
A shadow moved out from behind Zero and threw several objects that sliced through the throats of Kusakabe's bodyguards.
"What?!" Kusakabe shouted as Shinryoku stepped out in front of Zero. "Who are you?!"
"Did you really think Zero would come here along?" The masked woman asked.
"So, you're one of his lackeys, huh? No matter, die!" Kusakabe swung his katana.
'Fool.' C.C. unsheathed her katana and easily blocked man's blade.
"What?! That's a Japanese sword! You're Japanese?! Why do you help Zero instead of your fellow Japanese?!" Kusakabe started wildly swinging like a mad man.
C.C. blocked each and every slash easily as she stepped back, ducking or stepping out of the general's sword without much effort. This fool's skill was mediocre at best and a complete joke at worst and she considered just killing him to end the misery. But of course it would go against the idea Naruto had come up with so she settled for knocking the sword out of idiot's hand and slamming the hilt of her blade at the man's jaw, knocking him down.
"You know that was not necessary. I could have easily killed him." Lelouch said as C.C. tied the man's hand behind his back.
"I know but wouldn't it be better for us to hand him over to Cornelia, showing that we could do what she couldn't? Sending him and Euphemia right to her all wrapped up would make people question Cornelia's effectiveness. It would also legitimize these idiots as terrorists and cause doubt amongst their supporters, leaving them to find someone else to look to for hope." C.C. explained.
Lelouch stopped and paused as he thought it over. It did make a lot of sense as Cornelia obviously hasn't let anyone know aside from her personal knights about how she let him deal with the situation.
Still, there was something to consider. "And when Cornelia interrogates him about the location of the JLF?"
"I'll die before I tell any Britannian pigs anything!" Kusakabe shouted.
That sparked an idea in Lelouch's mind. "Yes, you will." Kusakabe thought Zero would kill him but instead the visor on the man's mask slid up to reveal his left eye that glowed red with a bird like symbol. "Obey my commands!"
"The Colonel and the others just needed someone to show them how meaningless this operation was." Zero answered before turning his attention on the princess. "Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the commoners. You haven't changed."
"So you are Zero." Euphimia stated as she stepped and stared at the masked man carefully. "And who are your two companions? They say they are your knights."
"Indeed. I see you've met Seizan and Shinryoku." Zero nodded to the other masked figures in the room.
"Pleasure to meet you, your highness." Shinryoku bowed half heartedly. "I believe we have much to discuss."
"T-this is all my fault!" Nina sobbed into Milly's chest. "If I hadn't said anything… If I'd never come…"
"Don't talk like that." Milly softly whispered. "None of us knew this was going to happen."
"B-but…" Nina looked up with tear filled eyes. "B-because of me, Princess Euphemia…"
"She'd have been discovered eventually." Shirley assured her. "I mean, someone was going to notice her. And she's the Sub-Viceroy of Area Eleven; they wouldn't harm a valuable hostage."
"I wouldn't be so sure." A gruff voice cut in. They looked up to see the JFL soldier from before looking very smug. "Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe isn't the forgiving type and he despises Britannians more than anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if he roughed her up a bit, just to drive the nail home."
"You beast!" Nina shrieked, glaring at up at the guard, only to flinch when he pointed his rifle at her.
Milly and Shirley quickly covered her with their own bodies.
"Watch your tongue, bitch. Though, maybe we should thank you, you've given us a valuable hostage after all." The sinister grin lengthened as he cocked his rifle. "In fact, with a Princess of the Empire as ransom what do we need a riffraff like you for?"
The hostages all shivered as the guards looked at them with sinister grins as they pointed their rifles at them.
'Lulu!' Shirley thought in her mind as she thought she was about to die.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that."
The guards gasped as they spun around and spotted a cloaked woman, wearing black body armor, a cloak with a hood covering her head and a red and white avian mask covering her face.
"Who are you?!"
That was when the doors burst open and the guards were gunned down as figures in black jackets and visors came into the room.
'Those aren't military uniforms.' Milly realized as they check over the hostages. 'And those voices… Elevens?'
"Shinyroku?" The girl with spiky red hair asked. "When did you get here?"
"I came here on a mission to observe the conference. Seizan is here as well and we have already subdued the other terrorists." The avian masked woman answered.
"Who-who are you?" Shirley asked, flinching as they turned to her. "You aren't military so who are you with?"
"We are with Zero." The visor sporting man answered, causing the hostages to react in shock at the vigilante's name. "He sent us to get you people out."
"Zero?" Shirley repeated as everyone looked confused but slightly hopeful. "But why would he-"
"No time for talk." The man interrupted. "We have to get you out now."
"Wait!" Nina called out, leaning against Milly, fearful of Elevens and worried for Euphemia. "Princess Euphemia!"
"Do not worry about her." Shinryoku answered as she turned to the door. "She is safe and is on her way to speak with Zero."
The answer caused several hostages to gasp in shock and concern for the Princess.
"That's enough talk! Now move it!" The man gestured to the door where two more members were waiting.
Euphemia tried not to look nervous as she stared down Zero with his knight, Seizan standing next to her. The avian masked woman had left the room for reasons she did not know but that was not her problem at the moment.
"I hear that you are the Sub-Viceroy now, your Highness, Princess Euphemia li Britannia." Zero stated.
"It's not an appointment I'm happy with." Euphemia answered with a frown, pushing her fear down.
"No. It's because Clovis was murdered. That was my doing." Zero admitted with no regret or remorse in his voice. "He begged pathetically for his life to the very end. He pleaded with the same tongue that ordered the death of Elevens."
"So is that why you killed my brother?" Euphie asked, upset to hear Zero say such a thing.
"No."
Euphemia was surprised by the answer. "Then why?"
"Because Clovis was an offspring of the Britannian Emperor."
'Because he was father's son?' Euphemia wondered before Zero pulled a pistol out from his cloak and pointed it at her.
"That reminds me, you're one of his children too, aren't you?"
"That is enough." Suddenly Seizan was in front of Zero with his hand on the pistol. "I will not let you kill her."
"Seizan?" Zero asked, not expecting him to do anything. "What are you doing?"
"I agreed to help you, I didn't agree to stand by and let you kill someone who doesn't deserve to die." Seizan took the gun from Zero's hand. "Princess Euphemia put her life on the line for the hostages, thus proving to be a person of integrity. I won't allow her to die for being brave."
"… Very well." Zero relented, not wishing to fight his ally.
The door opened and Kallen stepped in. "Zero, all of the hostages have been accounted for. What should we do next?"
"Order a withdrawal, Q-1." Zero answered. "Have the hostages evacuated as I instructed. Extraction method Alpha."
"What about them?" Kallen looked at Euphemia and Kusakabe.
"I promised her sister that I would return her unharmed and I am a man of my word. The Colonel on the other hand will serve a different purpose." Zero stated.
"Very well." Seizan held up his hand to Euphemia. "It's time to go, Princess."
Euphemia blinked before taking the offered hand.
As the Lancelot landed on the ground Suzaku felt a rush of pride at completing his mission and showing his skills to the Britannian military. The Royal Guard would swarm the terrorists and rescue the hostages before anyone else died. He looked through the Lancelot's sensors and spotted something in one of the windows, staring at him.
'Zero?!' Suzaku thought with widened eyes.
He thrust the Lancelot forward towards the hotel, throwing away all forms of rational thinking. Zero had proven that he didn't care about endangering innocent lives or killing Britannian Royalty and Princess Euphemia was there.
'That White Knightmare from before.' Zero thought as he took out a detonator and pressed the button.
The second he did the explosives he had his team place around key areas of the hotel went off and Lake Kawaguchi Hotel exploded in a ball of flame with enough force to knock several soldiers off their feet.
"EUPHIE!" Cornelia screamed, not caring what people thought of her reaction.
"MY FRIENDS!" Suzaku's voice shouted through the Lancelot's speakers.
WARRANT OFFICER KURURUG, DON'T !"
Suzaku didn't hear Lloyd's voice as the Lancelot moved towards the falling remains of the hotel. The smoke and dust from the rubble quickly covered the Knightmare. Everyone was blinded and had to cover their eyes. A few seconds later and the dusk cleared.
Near where the former hotel stood, Lloyd and Cecile could see the Lancelot standing, without a scratch on it.
"He's alright!" Cecile exclaimed, happy and relieved that Suzaku wasn't hurt.
Lloyd sighed in relief as well, though he was happy that his precious Lancelot wasn't damaged. Of course, Suzaku was not harmed; at least he was not physically harmed.
"I couldn't rescue them." Tears formed in his eyes at the loss of his friends. "They're dead; I couldn't save them. Not again!"
In a news van a technician turned to his boss. "I'm telling you those cameras were all in van three that Zero took."
"Then let's hope we pick up a signal from them."
'What are you doing, Zero? Was this not part of your plan to show us something?' Diethard thought.
Suzaku slammed his fist on the control panel. Because of his tears, Suzaku didn't notice the dust clearing across the lake, and the yacht that was coming into view with life boats surrounding it. That was when all across Area Eleven, Zero's masked face appeared on every television screen.
"My dear Britannians, have no fear. All of the hostages are safe and sound. I, Zero, return them to you safe and sound." Zero spoke through the speakers that amplified his voice as he gestured to the life boats.
"Of all brazen audacity." Cornelia glared at Zero's image when she saw the hostages on the life boats. "If we attack you the people become your hostages, won't they?"
"Kill the video."
"I can't. It won't take my access code."
Lights suddenly came on, illuminating Zero and seven people dressed in black jackets with silver lining, black and silver hats, and visors standing behind him. The males wore black pants while the two females either wore shirt skirts or shorts that reached down mid-thigh matching their jackets. Between them was a bound and gagged Kusakabe while standing next to Zero was…
"Euphie!" Cornelia gasped, seeing her younger sister alive and standing next to Zero.
She looked unharmed and a slightly afraid to be so close to Zero but that was understandable.
"This is all possible through the cooperation of myself and Princess Euphemia Li Britannia herself." Zero gestured to Euphy who gasped in shock at the attention being drawn to her. "In an act of pure courage and selflessness she voluntarily gave up her identity, risking her life to negotiate with the terrorists for the release of the hostages. I, Zero and my own knights witnessed this act of bravery and so I offered my support to ensure that all hostages were saved, even the one hostage that the Japan Liberation Front tried to execute."
The camera zoomed in on the man the terrorists tried to execute; proving to everyone who had seen him fall was still alive and quite happy to be alive.
"People, fear us or rally behind us as you see fit. For we are the Black Knights!" Zero announced.
'Black Knights?' Euphie wondered, staring at Zero for calling his group 'Knights.'
"Black Knights?" Cecile asked, confused at the title.
"Ironic, isn't it?" Lloyd commented with his signature smile. "Terrorists calling themselves knights."
"You heard me, run the broadcast." Diethard said angrily into his earphone, watching from a news van. "Liable? I'll be the one held responsible."
"We of the Black Knights stand with all of those who have no weapons to wield. Regardless of whether they be Britannians or Japanese!"
Lelouch would have called them Elevens but when Naruto heard him rehearsing his speech he quickly pointed out he'd make more supporters if he referred to them as people instead of numbers and further spit in the face of Britannia's superior image.
"The Japanese Liberation Front cowardly took innocent civilians hostage and they mercilessly executed them. It was a wanton and meaningless act; therefore, they have been punished. Just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of unharmed Japanese. We could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out and so we made him pay for his actions. However, I also believe in the saying 'eye for an eye' so as gratitude for allowing me the chance to save the hostages I offer Viceroy Cornelia the leader of the terrorists, General Kusakabe." Zero declared, earning mixed reactions from his statement.
"He's handing the terrorist leader over? Why would he do that?" Guilford asked.
"I see." Cornelia narrowed her eyes as they flashed with rage. "He's sending me their leader as a so-called gift but in reality he's making a statement that I couldn't do anything and had to rely on a terrorist to save the hostages to undermine me in front of my subjects. He's even gone and stated Euphie helped him to make it seem she was a willing ally."
That was a major sting to her pride as Zero was basically rubbing the fact that she couldn't have done it without him in her face and using her sister as a political pawn left her burning on the inside.
"I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field but neither will I tolerate a one sided massacre of the innocent. The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed!"
Suzaku and Cornelia frowned as they mentally agreed with that statement albeit begrudgingly.
'Knights… of Justice?' Kallen thought as she stared Zero's back.
They now understand what Zero had meant, their doubts about him slowly vanishing as he continued his speech.
"Wherever oppressors abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again. No matter how formidable our foe may be. We shall continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves!"
Zero stopped his speech as the yacht and the life boats were rocked by two explosions of water behind the yacht, making the hostages and a few of the Black Knights cry out in shock. The water cleared away revealing two Knightmares, one dark green and black while the other was black and blue that positioned themselves on either side of the boat.
"It's them!" Suzaku's eyes widened when he saw the two Knightmares that he faced in Shinjuku. "So they are with Zero!"
His shock was amplified as he saw them standing on the water.
'What kind of Knightmares are these two?' Suzaku wondered.
"Those are the Knightmares from Shinjuku! They came out from under the water and they are floating on top of it!" Cecile gasped.
She knew the Knightmares were advanced but they kept on surprising everyone with each appearance. And the way they were standing, it was like they were literally standing on the water!
"Could Rakshata have figured how to make Knightmares fly?" Cecile wondered, remembering how she and Rakshata theorized on wings that would allow Knightmares to fly.
It had never been done before but Cecile believed it was possible.
"That's… that's not fair! Just what has Rakshata been doing?!" Lloyd complained childishly. "They can tunnel underground, move through water and fly?! How did she come up with all of this?!"
Rakshata smirked as she watched the broadcast and wondered how Lloyd reacted to seeing her children standing on the water. 'I feel for some reason that the Earl of Pudding just got himself a bit of a heart attack.'
Needless to say this brightened Rakshata's day up very much.
Two cloaked figures landed on the boat, next to Zero, having jumped off the shoulders of the Knightmares.
'Those Knightmares…' Euphie thought as she stared both Knightmares, seeing how advanced and powerful they looked.
"We shall be the ones who break the chain of never ending hatred and pain." The fox masked man proclaimed.
"And we shall guide this world into a new era of peace." The avian masked woman stated.
"Those of you in power fear us!" Zero continued, regaining his calmness that had been lost in the entrance of his knights, thrusting his left arm out from under his cape. "Those of you without it, rally behind us!" He thrust his right arm out like his left. "We, the Black Knights shall be the ones who stand in judgement of the world!"
Euphie couldn't help but shiver from Zero's speech. 'The way he speaks, even people who denounce him as a terrorist will be forced to acknowledge him.'
"Zero, what about her?" A man behind Zero asked, looking at Euphie.
"She is not to be harmed. I promised her sister she would be returned unharmed." Zero answered as his two knights stood next to Euphie like bodyguards.
"Time to go, Princess." Zero stated softly as he took Euphie's hand and slowly led her to a life boat.
Euphie watched as the boat she was on was lowered into the water, staring up at the masked man. The instant Euphie had touched the man's hand she was hit by a sudden sense of familiarity as if she somehow… knew the man behind the mask.
'This hand… Why does it seem so familiar?' Euphie wondered.
"And now we depart." Zero announced as he held up a switch with a red button.
A blast of smoke shrouded the yacht and the Knightmares that faded a moment later, taking the people on the boat and the Knightmares with it. All that was left was the flag of Japan and the symbol of the Black Knights on the boat with the still bound Kusakabe onboard.