Hello all, I apologize for my lack of communication. I'm back to write the next chapter and oh boy has my time away gave me great ideas. Again, I apologize for not updating you all but for reconciliation I'll make this chapter a little longer than usual.

Tokyo Settlement

"Good morning, Area 11! Today we'll be experiencing a lightly-cloudy day with a cool refreshing breeze! No chances of rain showers, but as we're moving into autumn we'll be seeing decreasing temperatures and snow over the course of the next couple months."The gigantic screen over looking Shopping district read out the forecast.

"On other related news Viceroy Cornelia li Britannia has finished her sweep of the Saitama Ghetto, known for harboring terrorists and not alerting authorities. Reports say that none other than the man responsible for Prince Clovis' murder, Zero, was spotted in the ghetto. No more information is being given, but when we get anything we will broadcast it...next on today's topic, business man Tony Stark..."

Ashford Academy

"You okay Lelouch?"Miles asked as he lugged a box full of costumes from Milly's gender switch festival.

"What do you mean?"Lelouch asked innocently enough.

The room was empty, Milly, Nina, and Shirley had gone on a girls only weekend, Rivalz was out working, and Kallen left early because she didn't feel well. All of that left Lelouch and Miles alone in the club room doing work for the prom next month.

"Oh, please, I can tell when you're sleeping in class. You've been out at nights haven't you? Rivals told me you ditched your gambling matches. I also noticed you've been skipping classes lately."Miles had personal experience, his earliest days as Spider-Man consisted of multiple late nights, sleeping during class, and plenty of skipped classes.

"I hadn't pegged you as an admirer of mine."Lelouch gave a small chuckle.

"Oh yeah laugh it up, but seriously what are you doing?"Miles asked.

"If you must know, I'm actually Spider-Man in secret."Miles put down the box he was carrying. He looked across the ground and found a small glove from one of the boxes. He picked it up and tossed it at Lelouch. "Hey, Spider-Man, catch!"

Lelouch turned around in time just to have the glove hit his face. It didn't hurt, but it did shock him. Miles gave a laugh to Lelouch's shock who felt a little embarrassed.

"If you want to keep your secrets, fine. I just wonder what Shirley will think when she finds about whatever nightly business you're doing."Miles said as he went to organize the boxes in the closet.

Lelouch laughed with him, but on the inside, Lelouch hoped his friends would never have to learn of what he was doing...or what he planned to do.

Miles let the subject go, but not before side-eyeing Lelouch.

Outside the Tokyo Settlement

"General Kusakabe, we are ready to proceed with your plans."One of his Captains called to him.

Kusakabe stood up from his seat, around him stood 50 of his most loyal soldiers, those who were willing to do what was necessary for the restoration of Japan.

"Men, what we plan to do today will change how the Japanese Liberation Front deals with these invaders. Some of you are new, some of you I have fought alongside for years. Know that whatever happens after today, I am proud to call you all brothers. Let our victories be swift and our enemies fall beneath our blade in the hundreds!"

Kusakabe raised his sword, his soldiers raised their fists in solidarity; today they would become heroes.

Saitama Ghetto's

"Yes sir, the product is shipping out as we speak."

Inside an abandoned warehouse in the Saitama Ghetto, Lawrence Gilibrand sat in his comfortable leather chair watching the workers on the bottom floor.

"Good, by the end of the month, we should be seeing profit. Be sure to give some 'free samples' to our usual customers. No doubt they'll pay up for it when they ask for more. I have some meetings to attend to, call me if anything happens to the product."The phone hung up immediately.

Lawrence sighed; working for Mr. King came with high expectations. He certainly didn't want to disappoint him. With a quick glance at his computer, Lawrence oversaw the entire drug operation. For this one night he was his own king.

*THWIP*

With one flawless movement, Lawrence was flung out his chair and suspended in the air. Before he could scream a blob of tissue shot its way to his mouth and shut him up before he could alert anymore.

"So, Lawrence, tell me what I want to know."Above him, holding him by the collar of his shirt was none other than Spider-Man.

Spider-Man stuck his hand out and ripped the webbing off his mouth, the man was shaking.

"Please don't hurt me."He pleaded.

"Man, do I already have that kind of reputation? Lawrence, I'm going to be straight with you, I want to know where your boss is. 'Mr. King' seems to be the resident Kingpin, so would you mind telling me where he is?"

"I-I don't know, I just ship out the drugs I don't manufacture them, I swear!"He stuck his hands up and started to shake.

Spider-Mans eyes squinted and his fist clenched his collar harder, he didn't like that answer.

"Okay, okay! He delivers us the product through the docks. Every Saturday at 1a.m., same boat every week! You can't miss it; it's the only thing moving that late! That's all I know, please don't hurt me."

Spider-Mans grip loosened, and eventually Lawrence was dropped to the ground on his butt. With a sigh of relief, Lawrence started to stand before a force pushed him back down. He was webbed to the ground.

"You stay there, I'm going to bust down this operation. Don't worry, I'll be sure you'll be picked up by the cops."Spider-Man dropped to the floor and exited his office. For the next few hours, Lawrence could only sit and listen to the men downstairs fire their guns and get beat by Spider-Man.

Area 11 Police Dept.

Commissioner Stacey had a good day, no purist factions were telling him what to do, his daughter came by during lunch and dropped off his favorite sandwich from that mom & pop store he liked, and he didn't have to hear anything from Princess Cornelia. Today was going well.

"Sir!"And there it went.

George sat up straight and opened his eyes; making himself look busy he turned towards his printer.

"Yes, private?"George asked as his door burst open.

Yuri Watanabe, honorary Britannian, recruited last month, and personally sponsored by him. Today, ruiner of good naps.

"Dispatch just called, they said they just received a call from an anonymous tip calling in a shooting in the Saitama Ghetto's."She explained.

"There are always shootings in the ghettos, Watanabe. It's not a ghetto for nothing."George said.

"Well you might be excited to hear there are a bunch of drugs on sight, and a reported sighting of Spider-Man himself."Watanabe smirked as George quickly turned around.

"So you said there was a shooting? Well send some of our men; I want a report by tonight."Yuri saluted before quickly leaving his office.

George watched Yuri exit his office, like most she was almost running to get to her car and get to the scene. As he was left alone, George sat back at his desk and turned on his computer. One quick click landed him on his file of Spider-Man.

George leaned back in his chair; in all his years as a cop none would match this case. None would hold a candle to his magnum opus. He would be the one to unmask Spider-Man.

"Captain Stacey!"A shout from down the hall called to him.

George groaned, it seemed there was never a perfect day, "What is it this time?"

Outside Lake Kawaguchi

"We are reporting live from the Lake Kawaguchi hotel, where terrorists from the organization calling themselves the Japanese Liberation Front have ceased the hotel. Just 30 minutes ago, they sent a list of demands to our Princess, and current Vice Roy, Cornelia. So far she has not budged on her stance. She will not make deals with terrorists. The Area 11 Police have blocked all access to and from the Lake Kawaguchi hotel; it is only a matter of time before the terrorists lose. We will continue to broadcast as events unfold."

Suzaku watched from within the A.S.E.E.C. mobile transport as the events transpired. To say he was disappointed in Kusakabe was a minor way of putting it. He had met the man when he was but a boy, his father and Kusakabe would speak many times during the war. Now here he was, threatening innocents just to fulfill a means to an end. He hated it.

"Are you alright Suzaku?"Ms. Cecile asked, her voice worried.

Suzaku stood up from his seat, his plug-suit already on and his face stern, "It's nothing ma'am, I just…"

"Did you know that man?"Cecile asked, walking next to him.

"I did, but not today. He's a terrorist, nothing like the man I once knew. Is the Lancelot ready Ms. Cecile?"Suzaku asked.

"Lloyd just messaged me, we're waiting on approval from Viceroy Cornelia to move in but we have yet to hear from her. I believe she doesn't trust us."Cecile admitted.

"Because I'm an honorary Britannian?"Suzaku asked.

"Unfortunately yes, but also perhaps it is because we aren't a part of her personal army."

"She has a personal army?"Suzaku asked.

"Yes, she hand picks her own soldiers. Every infantry, even Knightmare pilot, even her staff are all handpicked. I hear it's because she demands loyalty from her men, some would claim she's amassing power but I personally find that a bit disingenuous."

"Well, if we can't be deployed, let's prepare for such a case."Suzaku and Cecile left the commons for the hangar. If they were needed, Suzaku would not disappoint.

Hours later

Diethard watched the building with mild amusement as he lazily fished, the hotel jacking was certainly still top of today's news but it has been quiet since the terrorists put out their demands. Any and all attempt Viceroy Cornelia made to stop the JLF have been thwarted, and so now it was a stalemate.

The situation wouldn't last for more than a day or two, but Cornelia's lack of brute force did make him suspect. Why didn't she destroy the building with the prisoners? It's been known that Cornelia was one to be looser with civilian casualties, so why be so hesitant now? Was it perhaps she thought the meetings members were too important to lose? Or perhaps it was a direct order from a superior?

It was mere speculation, but then again that was what all he had at the moment.

Behind him, Diethard started to hear commotion from the crowd at the police barricade; he looked back up to the Kawaguchi hotel just in time to see the terrorists throw a man off the roof. Now things were getting better.

"Anderson!"Diethard shouted to his assistant behind him, still shocked by the death that happened in front of him.

"U-ugh, yes sir?"The man asked, inwardly Diethard mocked at his meekness. If the man couldn't handle seeing death this far away he would be a terrible reporter.

"Make sure Van 3 got that shot; I want it sent to our editors on the double!"Anderson nodded his head and left him back to his fishing.

"Uh, sir, Van 3 was just stolen."Diethard swiveled his head back to his assistant.

"Stolen? By who?"Diethard said furiously.

"Zero, sir."Diethards wrath quelled and was replaced by confusion of all things.

"What? Zero stole Van 3? What was Gibson doing all the while?"Diethard asked.

"He said he didn't realize what was happening until it was too late."Diethard had to put his head together for this, why would Zero steal a news van!?

"Where's it heading now?"He asked.

"Straight towards the military."Anderson pointed to the blockade at the front of the hotel and sure enough there was Zero.

Sure enough there stood Zero, atop an inconspicuous van owned by Diethards Media Company.

As Zero came up to the bridge, he was stopped by Princess Cornelia and her soldiers.

"Well well, we meet again, Zero. Are you a member of the Japan Liberation Front? Or perhaps you intend to help us? Regardless, our concerns take priority over yours at the moment. And so for the death of my half-brother Clovis, I shall take my revenge right here!"Cornelia stood up from her Knightmare and drew her sword-gun.

Far away from them stood a shadow that watched them, unseen by either party he stalked even closer to the two towering figures.

"It's within my power to save Euphemia for you!"Zero yelled.

"What do you mean? I have no idea what you're talking about?"Cornelia's mask was fading, and Zero obviously called her bluff.

"I said that I'm able to rescue her!"Zero stood and waited, but even the shadow knew what Cornelia would choose.

"All soldiers, let Zero pass, I repeat let him through!"Cornelia and her men parted ways from the bridge to the hotel and let Zero go.

Miles stood up from his perch on top of a nearby building. He had his suspicions on Zero, the only thing he's done since his appearance was his actions at the Saitama ghetto. To say Miles was less than impressed would be adequate. Military genius, sure, savior of the innocent…that remained to be seen. There was also the real chance that he'd let the hostages die. Miles wouldn't knowingly leave the lives of his classmates in the hands of a man like Zero.

Miles backed up from the edge of the building and took a running start. He jumped and swung pass Cornelia and her Knightmares, his camouflage kept them oblivious. Swinging under the bridge kept any unwanted eyes off of him as he approached the hotel.

"Alright, what do you have here?"

Miles perched himself on a lamppost over –seeing the main courtyard of the Kawaguchi hotel. Guards were everywhere, five of them rotated around the edges of the courtyard while another six stood near the gate entrance and the front doors of the hotel.

In the middle of all that was a new van stolen by Zero. It stopped in front of the front doors, and Zero stepped down from the roof to meet with a JLF soldier. While Zero unknowingly drew the attention of the guards, Miles jumped on to the side of the building. With his camouflage Miles could run up the side of the building without being noticed.

Inside, Miles hoped that Nina, Shirley, and Milly were okay. He had to find the hostages quickly before they could do anything else.

As Miles reached the roof top he searched for a way in, "C'mon air vent." Doing a quick glimpse revealed no such thing. "Stairs it is."

Miles walked to the door to the roof and applied enough for to break it off its hinges. Miles did one last sweep of the roof making sure his presence was not spotted by anyone before walking in.

Activating his camouflage, Miles shot a web-line to the roof of the staircase and lowered himself down. Now he had to think, where would Kusakabe put a group of hostages. He wasn't dumb, he was a General (or something), so he'd put them near the middle of the hotel so as to not make it easy for the Britannian military to get. He'd put them near so if they tried to kill him they had to risk killing the hostages. There were 20 floors in the hotel; maybe Kusakabe put them in the 10th floor? He had no way to be certain.

"Find the soldiers, find the hostages."Miles silently said to himself.

He stopped repelling himself until he reached the 10th floor, already he could hear the sound of Japanese being spoken.

"Tell Kusakabe that we are bringing the princess now."Miles peaked outside the door; walking down the hall were two JLF soldiers-one on his radio-and a girl.

The girl stood defiant, her hands clenched, and back straightened. She looked like she was being led somewhere by the soldiers. Was she going to be the next person they'd kill?! Not on his watch.

Miles moved away from the door, the door partially ajar, he ran at it and burst out from the staircase. With his arms stuck out he aimed his two web shooters and hit both soldiers into the walls before they could pull up their guns. The girl screamed and raised her arms to block herself from what she probably thought were bullets.

"Hey hey, keep it quiet!"Miles said in a hush tone.

The girl looked up in amazement. To her left and right both of the soldiers were stuck on the wall, webbing had covered their mouth so not to make any noise. She looked back to her savior, Spider-Man.

"Y-Y-You're the Spider-Man, the one on the news."She said in amazement.

"Yeah, that's me. Look, do you know where the other hostages are?"

It took a second for her to respond, like she never heard anyone talk to her like that. "Oh yes, they're in a storage room protected by soldiers, about 5 hallways that way."She pointed behind here where the guards came.

"Okay, you stay here I'll get the rest of the hostages and guide you all to safety."Miles led her to the emergency staircase.

"But the army-"

"They don't know I'm here, they're still stuck outside. Just stay quiet here and don't move, I'll be back soon."

The girl looked like they wanted to protest but backed down, defeated. "I'll be here than, but please save them. They're all innocent people."

"Saving people is what I do."Miles ran off.

Euphemia watched as the vigilante ran to save the other hostages; it was all she could ever do to just watch.

"Naosuke, Kaemon, what's your status."Euphemia looked down to the radio on the terrorist, this was not good.

"Naosuke and Kaemon haven't responded, something is wrong, go check up on General Kusakabe and warn him of a possible attack."

Sitting on her knees Shirley looked on as the terrorists talked, both with stern faces. She didn't understand Japanese, but she understood that something wasn't right (at least for them).

BAM BAM BAM

"What the-?!"The terrorists stopped talking and ran to the door but before they could open it, the door burst off its hinges knocking them both down.

Guns clattering on the floor away from the terrorists, they pulled their knives out and charged at whoever opposed them.

All the hostages covered themselves, fearing the worst. But all that came was a quick joke. "Knives; oh no my only weakness!"

Shirley was the first to look up and see not the army, but the vigilante in black and red, Spider-Man. The soldiers tried to stab him but Spider-Man jumped and pushed both his legs to reach each soldiers face knocking them out and landing in one fluid motion. Like everyone else in the room, she was speechless.

"Okay people, time to get you out of here."Spider-Man said.

"You're the Spider-Man."One of the other hostages said.

"That's right, and right now you people need to get out of this building."Spider-Man motioned his hands to hurry the people along.

"But the princess!"The woman who sat next to Euphemia protested.

"Princess? What prin-oh shi…"

The entire building shook with a rumble, down below, the Z01 Lancelot had just broken the line the JLF had set up with their shrapnel canon. Up above the talks between Zero and General Kusakabe had just soured.

"Sir!"One of the JLF soldiers had moved to secure Kusakabe.

Zero as well had to resettle himself just to not fall off his seat. With a moment of stability Zero stood up and looked outside, no way Cornelia would attack this brazenly. But sure enough…

"The Britannians have gotten through, but that's impossible."Kusakabe astonished as another rumble shook the building. This time a white and gold Knightmare emerged from the smoke.

Zero looked on with fury. It was that damnable Knightmare, foiling his plans again!

"Kusakabe, we must leave."Behind him the general was being pulled back from the room.

"Until we meet again, Zero."Kusakabe said before he was ushered out of the room.

"Ohgi!"Zero said into his communicator.

"Charges are set, but we were on our way up when we ran into the hostages."Ohgi explained.

"The hostages, but how?"Zero ran out of the room too intended on reaching the evacuation point he had set up.

"They say it was Spider-Man, he went off to look for Euphemia!"

Euphemia wasn't with the hostages?!

Damn that princess!

BAM BAM BAM

"Protect the general!"The JLF soldiers said.

Miles jumped through the hail of bullets that the remaining soldiers fired at him. He purposely set her somewhere she wouldn't be caught, but of course the JLF would use the stairs too! Was it a lot to ask that she NOT get captured!?

"Look guys, as much as I like getting in an exercise-whoa!"A bullet grazed his side, looks like they weren't going to listen.

"Fine! I was gonna ask, but now we do it the hard way!"

Miles ran up a wall and jumped to the nearest soldier (of the three) and swung his leg. The soldier was pushed to the ground and webbed before he could get back up. The other two focused fired on Miles as he back flipped over the bullets and stuck webbing over the barrels of each gun preventing them from firing.

Miles ran at the next soldier and slid under him. The soldier stupefied didn't notice his hand had a web-line stuck to it and was promptly yanked with it. He too landed on his back and stuck to the ground as another glob of webbing prevented him from getting up.

The last soldier made to punch but Miles simply moved out of the way and punched him back. Knocked out cold, Miles was confident to give chase to Kusakabe and get Princess Euphemia.

Miles burst into the emergency stair case and spotted the general running up the stairs with Euphemia.

"Kusakabe stop!"Miles shouted but was replied with only bullets.

Miles was in a bind, the stairs weren't big enough for him to outmaneuver Kusakabe, not like the hallways at least. Plus he had the princess; she could get shot or killed if Kusakabe wanted to.

"Damn it."Miles muttered as he ran up the steps after the general.

On the rooftop, Kusakabe emerged with the struggling Euphemia, "Stop struggling you damn Britannian!"

Kusakabe ran to the ledge, he had nowhere else to go.

"Kusakabe, let the princess go!"Coming from the door, Spider-Man ran out.

Kusakabe turned around, his back towards the lake and his gun pointed at the head of Euphemia. Spider-Man stopped just as abruptly as he did. They were in a stalemate.

"Here we are, at the end of my rope. Damn you, and damn that Zero! Japan was better without men wearing masks!"Kusakabe yelled at him, the building rumbled again, still sinking from the blasts by that Knightmare.

"Give up the princess Kusakabe, it doesn't have to end this way!"Spider-Man motioned him to lower his gun.

"It must end with the revitalization of Japan to its former glory, through the blood, sweat, and tears of the Japanese people! Something you wouldn't know, you who lives under their empire, she who enforces it!"Kusakabe jutted the gun into the princess more.

"By killing an innocent girl?!"

"She is not innocent; she is guilty of the crimes of her family!"

"How is that just!?"

"You speak of justice?! Is justice conquering a land of people? Is justice subjecting its people to scrutiny? What about you who hide behind a mask and fights menial crime!? You have power but you do not use it to its full potential, is that justice?! I know what I do is just, history will show that! And I will die for it!"Kusakabe pulled the trigger.

"NO!"

BOOM

From across the bridge Cornelia watched with rapt attention, only to see the building crumble with Euphemia on top of it.

"Euphemia!"

Within seconds the Kawaguchi hotel had fallen, leaving a tower of smoke in its wake. Cornelia had failed; she had lost what was most important to her…Euphemia.

"Princess look! It's Euphemia!"

Cornelia swiveled her head side to side, to see what Darlton had spotted. And sure enough, swinging from the side of the bridge was none other than Spider-Man with Euphemia in his arms.

"Euphemia!"Cornelia shouted with relief and joy.

Cornelia jumped out of her Knightmare and ran to the bridge where Spider-Man landed. When she caught up Euphemia looked startled, her hair a mess, but she was okay.

"Y-You saved me…"Euphemia looked at Spider-Man with amazement.

"Yeah well, that's kinda what I do."He exasperated in between breaths.

Cornelia ran up to Euphemia and hugged her, "Are you okay?"Cornelia's voiced filed with concern.

"I'm okay."Euphemia hugged her back.

Cornelia let go and turned her attention back to the vigilante. Aside from a few bullet grazes, and the heavy amount of dirt from the building he looked no worse for wear.

"You saved her, and for that you have my eternal gratitude, thank you."Cornelia said.

"Well it's the least I could do."Spider-Man somberly spoke as he looked back at the building.

Miles had killed people, maybe not directly, but the men he had incapacitated in there were never coming out. He turned back towards Cornelia, "What about the other hostages, where are they?"

"My dear Britannians, have no fear. All of the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound. I, Zero, return them to you unharmed!"Out on the lake, the hostages sat on boats floating on the water while Zero and a few handful of his own stood on a ship.

"Of all the brazen audacity…"Cornelia tightened her fist. Spider-Man saw why; Zero may have saved them but they were his hostages now even if they didn't know it. He scanned the boats, and secured on one of them, Shirley, Nina, and Milly sat safe.

"People! Fear us, or rally behind us as you see fit. We are the Black Knights."The Black Knights?

"We of the Black Knights stand with all those who have no weapons to wield. Regardless of whether they be Elevens, or Britannians. The Japan Liberation Front cowardly took innocent Britannian civilians hostage, and they mercilessly executed them. It was a wanton and meaningless act, therefore they have been punished."

"Punished, so that must mean…"Zero killed them.

"Just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed Elevens, we could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out, and so we made him pay for his actions. I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak by the strong. The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed! Wherever oppressors abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again. No matter how mighty, how formidable our foe may be."

Miles looked back at the hotel, was that justice? Was crushing those men in that tower really just? You have power but you do not use it to its full potential, is that justice?! The words of Kusakabe rang in his ears.

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

Across the sea, Steve Rogers looked at the TV in a store. The news played it live so nothing was censored. Zero, that's what the news said his name was. Here he was after saving dozens of innocent people, proclaiming to the world he stood in judgment to those in power. Was he the real deal?

"I guess I have to find out myself."Steve told himself.

In the Britannian capital, the Kawaguchi hotel mattered little to his highness, but it wasn't Lelouch or even Euphemia that brought his attention.

"Sir, what should we do with the Spider?"One of his servants asked, this one working for the Geass Directorate.

"We should nip it at the bud before it becomes a problem."Charles said as the TV panned to the aforementioned Spider-Man standing beside Cornelia.

"I have a few ideas, your highness."The servant pulled out a tablet and presented it to Charles.

Charles took the tablet and inspected the screen. In a jar inside the Geass Directorate contained a black substance, "Venom."

"Yes, we are looking for candidates as we speak, we believe we found one."The screen changed to a profile of a soldier.

"I propose Flash Thompson for our new Agent Venom trials."Charles looked with a grin, this would do, this would certainly do.

I've been working on this one for quite a while now so excuse any errors. I hope this almost 5k chapter is a good enough apology.