Here you go! The next chapter in a reasonable (hopefully) timeframe!

I own 0% of Code Geass

Suzaku had been wearing a frown for the past half an hour, watching the scene unfold at the Lake Kawaguchi Hotel, unable to do anything about it. He had tried to call Lelouch, his primary attempt to ease his nervousness and panic.

After a short while of watching the sky darken around the building, his phone had begun to ring. Suzaku pulled out the small black flip phone from his military trousers and opened it, not even looking at the caller id, "My Lord." He said sarcastically.

-"Someone is quite jovial now aren't they?"- Lelouch's voice filtered through the private connection, -"I'm going to assume Euphemia is inside."-

"Yes," Suzaku grunted, his patience already at their limits, "How long till you arrive?"

Lelouch sighed through the line -"An hour at most, though I doubt the Viceroy will allow us to pass unless it were an emergency."-

Suzaku bite his lip, his mind running through the time table of last time, his brows furrowing slightly, "That'll put you right before the first hostage is thrown?" There was a hint of confusion to his voice. Last time, Kusakabe's throwing the hostage had pressed Cornelia between a rock and a hard place, forcing her to rely on Zero to free Euphie. Now, Zero had no tangible sense of urgency. "My Lord," Suzaku's voice was softer now, "You do understand the risk, right? Cornelia could very well blast you to kingdom come without batting an eyelash."

There was a pause, Lelouch's voice soft as he finally spoke -"Yes, I do."- Suzaku gasped slightly about to offer protest before Lelouch cut him off, -"Though that's a risk I am willing to take, if I can save them, save the Student Council, save Euphemia, even at the cost of myself, I would do it without a second thought. I refuse to let them suffer again."-

Suzaku was wide eyed at this. He had known Lelouch would be rebelling this time for different reasons, though he didn't know how much of an effect they had on him. He sighed knowingly, "Your impossible when your fired up, ya know that? Very well, I'll wish you a swift victory. Farwell, My Lord." And with that Suzaku clicked the device shut, his nerves sufficiently calmed as he looked over the hotel once more.

To say Cornelia was having a good day, was to say the sun was blue or that fish were excellent drivers. No, Cornelia was at her wits end and fresh out of patience all because of one person. Euphemia Li Britannia. While yes, she had been strong armed into this by the pinkette after she had the majority of the Viceroy's work dumped into her lap while she still had her own work as Sub-Viceroy. Cornelia had advised her that it would be extremely dangerous to let her go with a Regicide on the loose, only to be further pressured until she eventually gave in.

When Cornelia had been informed of the takeover, she had very nearly fainted. It wasn't until Guilford gently shook her shoulder that she had begun to process everything and react accordingly, deploying the majority of her army group.

"Your Highness," Guilford spoke up as they made their way through the G-1 towards the command deck. His voice was considerate, "If we at least begin neg-"

"Never," Cornelia interjected, "To even begin to negotiate with terrorist would only serve to legitimize them." Cornelia was furious, at her sister's captors and at herself, 'Euphie, I...'

Suddenly, a messenger burst from a interior corridor, "Viceroy, It's Zero!"

Lelouch stood atop the 'borrowed' production van, his voice calm and clear as ever, "Cornelia, as charming as ever I see." earning a snort of contempt from the general, "And I can see the welcoming committee is as eager as always." Zero's voice playful as he motioned towards the various infantry, guard, and the two Gloucester's that flanked her own.

"Enough, What is it you want, Zero?" Cornelia's eyes narrowing as she spoke, "To gloat? I'm sorry but our own problems come first."

"I'm aware, that's why I'm here actually" his voice now serious, to this Cornelia's eyebrow raised minutely, "I can save Princess Euphemia."

Cornelia's expression quickly went from confusion to surprise to anger, "Zero..." She hissed, "How dare you!" At this she drew her personal side arm aiming it the vigilante, "Give me a reason as to why I shouldn't gun you down right here, right now..."

There was a tense moment of silence as Zero stood there, a drop of sweat running from Cornelia's brow, "There isn't one. You could either trust me and let me do justice for the innocent inside that building, or you can end me right here right now and be through with dealing with me. Only you can make that call," Zero's voice was calm, composed as he spoke, every word though out and delibrate, sincere even.

Cornelia still hadn't lowered her weapon once, though her anger seemed to be placated if only momentarily, "If a single hair on her head is so much as out of place, I swear I will personally run you through, is that clear?"

Zero only flourished a bow before his vehicle began to move again, slowly passing the worried sister and making it's way towards the hotel.

"I would never allow it..." Barely a whisper as Cornelia's eyes flashed towards Zero, but he was already several dozen feet ahead of her position on the bridge.

Lieutenant-Colonel Josui Kusakabe was mildly surprised when he got a report that Zero was not only here, but that the Britannian's were the ones who had let him past. Curious as to who this individual was, he had ordered the gate guards to let him past and escort him up to him. It took only a few minutes, but Zero entered the room, Kusakabe had immediately noticed his posture, his stride as regal and powerful as the emporers of old, and even as he had finished walking, he still held that same aura.

"Zero, it is a great honor to meet you, I a-"

"Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe, I have heard of you in a few report I've read. Having served prior to the Invasion of Japan, you were quickly promoted due to your experience and discipline. Am I correct?" Zero said matter of factly, causing the soldier to laugh.

"Not a false word there, Zero. Though enough about myself, I would like to hear more about yourself Zero..." A wicked grin settled on Kusakabe's face, "for instance, what you look like under that mask? Take it off." Two guards aimed their guns at Zero while he remained still as a silence settled on the room.

Zero seemed to shuffle slightly before speaking, his voice quiet as a mouse yet deafening in the same room, "A horrible waste of equipment and manpower, but I suppose I could make use of you still..."

Kusakabe couldn't keep anger from his face, and as he was about to get up, a small slit opened on Zero's mask,
"All of you, obey my orders!"

Quickly, the room went silent, before they all came to attention, holstering whatever weapons they had, saluting, "Yes, your Majesty!"

"The blinds, can we be seen? And are they any surveillance devices within the room?" Zero asked, a pang of guilt going through him as he looked over the geassed men. While he had been insistent against bending people's will, it was his only choice. The immortal had argued with him about it for hours, and if nothing else, Cera was stubborn.

"No, Your Majesty, we had destroyed the private server room as to prevent anyone from hacking into it to determine our positions. The only video feed currently operational is the live feed of the hostages. As for the blinds, as long as the lights remain off, they shouldn't be able to see inside." Kusakabe finished monotoned. Lelouch sighed as he motioned for Kusakabe to get up, the large man moving quickly as Lelouch took his seat, his legs crossing as he made himself comfortable.

"Did you bring any explosives? Or any sort of ordinance?"

"No, Your Majesty, We had figured on making a getaway with a handful of hostages on one of the private boats."

Lelouch raised an eyebrow to this, though quickly dismissed it as unimportant, "Bring me Euphemia, she should be among the hostages, She is to be unharmed. I want you to do it personally, Kusakabe."

"Understood, your Majesty." Kusakabe saluted quickly before leaving to complete his objective.

Silently, Lelouch pulled out his phone dialing Suzaku. Once he had picked up, Lelouch began, "Have you been deployed yet?"

-"Negative, My Lord. they are still waiting for the situation before making a rash decision. Seems you had quite an impact on the princess to not send me to demolish you both."- Suzaku stated. He was right, Lelouch had hoped, even depended on his friend being deployed as soon as he had entered the building. He had planned to use this as a chance to improve his fame by having him be the one to personally rescue Euphemia.

-"My lord, If I may, I had noticed something strange, a figure observing you from the G-1 command deck while you made your approach, though I am unsure who he is, I plan to investigate it."-

"Affirmative, though do not blow your cover, I need you there as Euphie's knight, to protect her." Lelouch's voice was smooth, though there was a small pain of guilt as he spoke the last three words, his order to her still fresh on his mind, one of the constant regrets from his past. Suzaku rogered up before there was a knock at the door, Kusakabe entering with his query in tow.

"My Knight, I must go, Farewell." Zero said with a click, the device sliding back into his pocket, his attention now focused on the princess.

She was just as beautiful as he had remembered, perhaps more so as age worked it's magic on her features. Her hair had been done up in a small bun and had a pair of glasses on.

"Euphemia, a pleasure to see you once again! I had missed you dearly," Zero spoke, his voice warm even through the voice changer, even his posture had softened his still intimidating form as he dismissed everyone but Kusakabe, "Has Cornelia spoken of me much since we had last talked?"

Euphemia was shocked to say the least. She hadn't expected the conqueror of two of Britannia's royal family to be so relaxed! Even the way he spoke to her, his voice soft and caring despite the voice modulator.

She quickly snapped her jaw shut, she didn't want to disrespect him, not given his history, "Zero, I'd extend your pleasantries but I don't feel the same way since your the one to make me bury Clovis." Zero seemed to tense up at this, which only further confused the princess, "And only in contempt." This information only served to further distraught Zero, who made it obvious as he recrossed his legs.

"I-is that so? Well, I am happy to see you are in good health! I have heard you've been made Sub-Viceroy, congratulations," Zero spoke, though his air of grandeur from TV was nowhere to be seen.

Instead he seemed to be stepping cautiously around her, 'Curious' the pinkette thought, "Why?" she asked rather forcibly, "Why would someone like you be happy for me?"

Zero took a deep breath, "I see then, Cornelia hasn't told you then..." He paused for a moment, his hand moving to the bottom of his mask, seemingly lost in thought, "Interesting." He refocused his attention to the princess before him, "I will leave it for her to explain, as for now I will just confide in the fact you are safe."

This caused Euphemia's eyes to widen, 'Safe? Here?' It took a moment to swallow her surprise, "What do you mean by that Zero? What has the Viceroy kept from me?" She voiced forcefully.

"Hmm?" The Regicide barely seemed to register her question, a light chuckle in his next words, "Still trying to get out from under Cornelia's heel? You never change, Euphie.." He spoke that last word with an amount of compassion that had again surprised the Royal. What she had expected when she was being brought here was a fate similar to Clovis', however she has been nothing but surprised. Zero was relaxed around her, even with the JLF right here. In fact, he barely seemed to register the ex-solider as even being there.

With a deep breath she looked Zero straight into the expressionless mask, "Tell me, Zero, why haven't I been kill, or at least threatened?"

Zero seemed to pause for a second, as for why, Euphemia was unsure, "Because we are siblings." Zero stated plainly.

Suzaku couldn't help but bounce his leg as he waited for the deployment orders. While Zero had been inside, Cornelia had come up with the plans of having the Lancelot run diversion in the service tunnel. While yes he still had an objective, Cornelia doubted he would best the linear cannon. Though right now all Suzaku was waiting for was the see Euhpemia safe again.

-"Oh Suzaku!"- Earl Lloyd Asplund said, his image displayed inside the Lancelot's cockpit, -"We just received word from the Viceroy, you are clear to run straight into that cannon!"-

Suzaku smirked as he began his startup procedures. After a few moments, he slowly tightened his grip around the familiar joysticks, a sort of deja vu coming over him, "I'm ready, Miss Cecile, Lloyd, I won't be long."

-"Someone's confident,"- Lloyd said with a smirk, -"I like it! Show me some useful combat data, Warrant officer Kururugi"-

Suzaku nodded before shutting off the video connection, muting his end of the audio, 'Euphie, I'm coming!'

It took Suzaku exactly one minute and thirty-two seconds to destroy the Raiko and begin submerging the building, during which he had personally manage to rescue Euphemia from Kusakabe in the nick of time, as the former tried to attack her with his sword. He had lost track of Zero during the confusion.

After about four minutes of confusion, the Hi-TV production van had received a signal from the stolen van, and had run it in place of the live feed updates they had been broadcasting before. On screen, it had shown Zero, with seven people behind him, the two closest preforming a small bow, dressed in all black with the exception of one. She was wearing a form fitting red bodysuit with black markings on the abdomen and arms. On her hands, she had matching black combat gloves that provided protection to her hands. Though the most striking thing was while everyone else had been wearing a visor that obscured their identities amongst other things, she was wearing a full helmet. While it seemed to be a standard red motercycle helmet, it had a snarling wolf painted in white that covered the majority of the helmet.

"To anyone listening to this broadcast, as you probably know, I am Zero. To my dear Britannian's, know that those who were wrongfully captured by the rogue JLF members, are safe and sound and that I return them to you unharmed." The camera then paned to show the hostages, emphasizing the student council and Princess Euphemia, before cutting back to Zero.

"To those with strength, heed my words! Know that if you abuse your power, we, the Black Knights, will strike you down! Those without it, know that we will be there to protect you in your time of need! Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe of the Japanese Liberation Front had committed a great sin today! He had mercilessly taken prisoners of innocent civilians, and had even planned to begin to execute them!" Zero spoke clearly, "After I had arrived and been brought to him, he had disgusted me with the knowledge of the intent of such despicable acts!

If you live in fear because you are weak, rally behind us! If you live off of abusing your strength, fear us! I will not tolerate the one sided slaughter of the weak by the strong, though I will not repudiate battle on a fair and even field! We shall appear again, not matter how formidable or powerful our foe may be!"

with a dramatic flair of his cap, he threw his arms out from his sides in a sweeping motion, "We, The Black Knights will stand in judgement of this world!"

Alright, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

R&R appreciated!