Toa Solaric: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another chapter of Code Geass: Lelouch of Divine Providence. I am glad that everyone like the previous chapter and brought you another chapter as this one will slowly divert from the canon.

Code Geass: Lelouch of Divine Providence

Ch21: Unveiled of Truth

In a café, people are reading a surprising post which show by one of their friends on one table.

"Is this true?" One guy asked, looking intrigued by the information from the internet.

"Yeah. It been post by Zangetsu of the Black Knights. This is some serious dirt on Princess Euphemia's personal Knight." Another person chuckled, looking at his phone. The revelation about Suzaku Kururugi happens a day after he been choose by the pink haired princess.

"Who would thought Japan lost because he killed his own father before becoming Euphemia's personal knight?" Another one joked. "Then again, this is why Britannia is superior and… thanks to Suzaku Kururugi."

This conversation soon sparked into ideas that goes onto many Britannians in Japan and elsewhere.

"That is true. We're going to win from the start against those elevens at the beginning."

"He is certain ideal of what an honorary Britannian should been." The other guy chuckled. "I don't get why those pathetic eleven cannot be like him?"

"Then how about we help him by showing the entire Area that he is role model for all Honorary Britannian should be." Another added with a grin, making his fellow men look interested.

(Play GET MY FUTURE!)

(Instrument) The song begins with a full view of ruin building in Japan before the scene started with a ruined building with Zangetsu standing watching over the Tokyo settlement when the sun is set before the entire scene was replaced with the title.

Kodoku ni yureteru Emotion

The scene began with Lelouch yawning as he lying on the school yard as he thought about his past before Ayano appeared behind him which caused a scene of him being chased by Ayano around.

Itsu demo jidai no hadō ni nomikomarete

Unknown to them, Orpheus was chuckled at the scene with amusing before he and Akito spotted each other. The two stares at each other before they went on their separated paths with their Lockseeds in their hands.

Samayotteta setsunai kokoro

In his room, Rai holds tightly on the Orange Lockseed tightly as a memories of young girl flash in his mind. Soon the screen turns toward Gaim and he holds tightly on his Daidaimaru while looking at the viewers.

Just One Nation kizanderu I.D.

The scene changes to Helheim forest and shows Jam with dark aura.

Doko e mo ikenai jibun ga

Suddenly the scene changes to Japan starts being covered by Helheim forest and Inves began their invasion. This cause many civilian began to start run for their life, though Britannian soldiers try to fight against Inves, but they soon got overwhelm by the number of the creatures of in the forest.

Modokashikute kuyashikatta

Soon the scene changes to the Black Knight headquarter as the operative members monitor event going on.

Sore demo yume ni miteta

As the Inves got closed to them, Lelouch and his fellow Riders got out their Drivers. They soon locked their Lockseeds into their Drivers before they transformed and charge into battle.

Haruka tōku taiyō no shizumu oto ga suru

The Lancelot Club is seen race across the field while taking out large Inves and Britannia Knightframes at the same. Soon the scene focused on Zangetsu running at incredible speed slashing through Britannian soldiers and Inves alike while explosions occur around him.

Ano basho e yukō Sekai no hate made

Suddenly he becomes Zangetsu-Shin before getting out his Sonic Arrow and deliver a powerful slash to destroy an unknown Knightframe.

Dare yori tsuyoku naritai Jibun rashiku aru tame Dare ni mo yuzurenai Passion Ashita wo ikiru tame

Habakiri did a spin slash with her dual katanas; Ryugen firing several shots with his gun; Baron spins her Banaspear and thrust it forward; Kurokage spins his weapon; Knuckle pounced his Kurumi Bombers together.

GET MY FUTURE shinjitai michi wo Hitasura hashireba ii Mirai wo kirihiraku Action Tatakau yūki wo Kono mune ni daite

Soon a Britannia airship dropped bombs on the city and caused the Riders to struggle in pain until Zangetsu-Shin shows up and destroyed it with his Finisher. The scene changes when Zangetsu-Shin and Jam spotted each other before they clashed with each other as sparks flying everywhere.

To Be Free

The scene changes to Lelouch and Ayano were walking together, then they turned around facing the screen, then it zooms out revealing Rai, Kallen, Nunnally, Orpheus and Akito along with several members of Black Knights.

"Are you alright, Mister Fennette?" The bartender asked to the man who seem having too much to drink after coming into the bar.

The man himself seem to trying adjust himself despite drinking too much for his own good.

"Don't worry about me... This is nothing after the shit going into my work lately…" Joseph Fennette said, getting himself up from his seat and move slight dizzy.

"Do you need me to call a cab for you?" The bartender asked with concerned expression.

"No need... I will be fine …I will just walk home now." Joseph said before paying with cash then leaving the bar.

After leaving the mall, Joseph continued walking to his car and hopefully get to sleep without any problems.

However, things aren't going as he would have planning when a white blur coming at him from behind and snatch him. He soon finds himself in a dark and secluded warehouse.

But he wasn't alone in there as a certain white Rider is presenced.

"AAAAHHHH! Zangetsu!?" Joseph exclaimed in shock despite being drunk, he still recognized the one who leads the Black Knights.

"Joseph Fennette…" Zangetsu said in a cold tone. "It a lovely night to drink, but it not a safe time to wander out on your own."

Joseph immediately got out his gun and fired at him, but the bullets doesn't bother Zangetsu and the white Rider stay where he was until the bullets were run out.

"…" Zangetsu didn't say anything as he get out his Musou Saber.

Joseph realized the danger he was in and turns around before start to running to the exit. However, Zangetsu wasn't the only one in the warehouse as Habakiri revealed herself from the shadow and pinned him straight to the wall with a grip on his neck.

"You aren't leaving here alive." Zangetsu said, placing one hand on his visor.

"W…what do you want from me!?" Joseph questioned, looking fearful at being in the presence of the two Riders. "I-Is it money, then I-"

"Be quiet or I will slice your head off." Habakiri warned. Though her threat is empty since she and Zangetsu are here to get some answers from Shirley's father.

"Now you will answers my questions." Zangetsu said, activating his Geass on Shirley's father.

Soon Joseph stop struggled after the Geass compel him.

"What do you want to know…?" Joseph Fennette asked emotionlessly.

Habakiri starting to check on him for any hidden devices on him and then looks back at Zangetsu.

"He is clear." Habakiri said.

"Your daughter got a hand on something… A buckle and lock with image of apple. Were those yours originally?" Zangetsu asked.

"Yes. They were mine until my daughter got them." Joseph said.

"Did you intended used your daughter for an experiment?" Zangetsu asked cold.

"Yes…" This made Zangetsu gripping his Musou Saber hard. "But it for the sake of better future."

"What kind of future you intend to risk your daughter with experiment?!" Zangetsu growl angrily at the man.

"Because that forest invaded our world." This answer surprised both of them since they just learn Joseph aware of Helheim invasion. How is this even possible?

"When did you learn about the forest?" Habakiri asked surprised.

"During my work in my lab in Narita, but it was destroyed by the Black Knights. Force to relocate to a different place." Joseph answered.

'A lab in Narita!? Right under the noses of the JLF!?' Zangetsu thought incredulously, although he had to give credit to whoever chose that location; no one would think of looking in the JLF's own backyard.

Habakiri cannot believe that there is a lab in JLF's land… she know the JLF is disappointed, but she cannot believed that they weren't aware someone using their land for research?

"You got to be fucking kidding me… How could they not know this?" Habakiri muttered distasteful.

"What were you working in that lab?" Zangetsu asked, got a feeling that he might find something related to Clovis's late project.

"We work mostly on late Clovis's project Code-R and several mutated experiments on Elevens. But our supporter hope of using Code-R to prevent humanity from the diseases of the forest by granting them immortality." Joseph explains.

Habakiri cannot help but growl at his words. She is upset to finding out that her kinsmen being used as experiments like if they're lab rats but Zangetsu keep his composition.

He is think about the idea that Code-R that Clovis started and that someone believed that they can used it to save humanity from Helheim. C.C. did show sights of immunity against Inves and even bluffing when she eat Helheim fruits.

The idea could work… but everyone will eventually fight over the chance of become immortal to escape from being infected and there is not enough to provide to everyone.

But Zangetsu cannot believed that this man… Shirley's father is willing to do cruel experiments than being do against his own free will.

"Why did you chose your daughter?" He questioned venomously at the man. "Don't you cared about what happened to your daughter!?"

"Because my supporter insure that those who work close to the project that their families will be spared from the Scalar plan and provide Ringo Lockseeds that insure them of immortality. I wants the best for Shirley." Joseph answered.

You really believed that Ringo Lockseed will protect your daughter from Helheim infection by granting immortality… what a fool. If you are a scientist like you claimed, then you should know that you were played for a naïve fool… The white samurai thought darkly.

"Who is this supporter of yours?" Zangetsu asked serious.

"We never seen his appearance, but we also hear him through voice message or his messenger General Bartley." Joseph explains calmly.

"Do you know anything else about the benefactor of yours? Like what organization he led or apart?" Zangetsu asked.

"He is part of Geass Order, a group working in shadow of Britannia." Joseph said as this made the white Rider mentally shocked.

'No! Someone in Britannia known about the forest…then the Emperor will know about them too!' Zangetsu mentally screaming in shocked. But he soon stop when he felt a hand on his shoulder and looks at Habakiri.

"Please calm down, Zangetsu." Habakiri said, noticing that the white Rider's mentally panic about Britannia. "I know you're scared…"

"OF COURSE I AM! But that mean that bastard knows about the forest and will endanger everything!" Zangetsu exclaimed hysterical at the possibility which scared him a lot.

"But he doesn't!" Habakiri shouted in the loudest voice, "You and I know what Britannia is like. If Britannia know about the forest, they will show their power already, bragging, and conquered the entire world already!"

"She brings up an point. If the emperor know you guys are alive, then they would come visit through a Crack before a blink of an eye." The Club said.

It take a few minute before Zangetsu realized they brought a point. It mean that he still have a chance to keep things hidden beside the Geass Order know about the forest.

"You're right… I thought that bastard know, but I cannot help overreact too much. But knowing Geass Order that Orpheus ran from must changing a lot than he will remember. Also the emperor doesn't know what is going on is strange." Zangetsu said before looking at the man. This is also something they need to look into later. "Tell me what else the Geass Order prepared against invasion."

"I heard they're secretly establishing factories to manufacture Genesis Drivers and Energy Lockseeds in other Areas to keep the attention from Britannia. Not to mention building a device to allow them to open crack on their free will. But the amount of materials to make them are costly." Joseph explains.

"That bastard who kidnap Ryo and Yukiya are in the same group." Habakiri growl.

"That make sense…" Zangetsu muttered. "Do you know any of the Riders in the Order?"

But Joseph didn't answer as this made them realized that he doesn't know the details and that he is just only a researcher. Then Habakiri thought up something and ask something to him.

"Do you think that you can save humanity by turning them into immortal?" Habakiri questioned quietly.

"It impossible to provide everyone in the world with Sengoku Driver or Genesis Driver, but with Code-R research… we can save the chosen ones with immortality and the immune to the forest. Although many lives will still be lost in the process when Scalar plan comes. It like what the emperor says 'The strong will prevail and weak perished'." Joseph explains, making Zangetsu growl in irks of the quote.

"Do you believed what you're doing is right?" Habakiri questioned serious to Joseph. She wants to know if he is aware of the consequences. After all, this person happens to be Shirley's father.

"I can understand from others view that this is wrong but what choices we have if everything and everyone you loved will be endanger? There is no way the Black Knights or anyone else can fend them off forever. My daughter might not forgive me for what I did. But we need to prepare for the worse to come when the Overlords show themselves." Joseph said.

"Overlords? What are they?" Zangetsu questioned warily. Even Habakiri looks confused.

"It is believe that the civilization that been lost due to the forest, but there are evidences suggest there are some of them survived by adaptive to the forest and can control the forest's flora." Joseph explains as this cause the two Riders to have a flashback.

(Flashback)

Suddenly there was a large explosion across the wall as a large crimson mist with sinister yellow eyes appears.

"What the hell?" Bravo asked.

"What the?" Zangetsu-Shin asked, confused before looking back from blown up another one.

"Impossible… a Wild One?" Gridon asked, but Habakiri looks at him confused.

"Wild One?" Habakiri thought confused.

Soon the glowing crimson mist with yellow eyes let out a roar before come charging directly at Habakiri, Bravo, and Gridon before sending them flying across the ground.

"Oww… that hurt," Habakiri groan.

"You bastard!" Zangetsu-Shin growl before firing more energy arrows at the crimson mist.

(Present)

"Impossible… the thing attacked us back then is an Overlord?" Habakiri thought in disbelief.

"Survivors… but that is impossible since Helheim fruits will turned them into mindless animals. That cannot be true, right!?" Zangetsu demands, knowing from experiences about what happen when human eating the fruits of Helheim.

"Yes, it is possible for them to exist as few seen for themselves… I heard troops in Knightmares gone after them, but they never return alive." Joseph respond emotionless.

"How many of them are there and where they are hiding?" Habakiri asked, wanting to know how many of them are there.

"I don't know. But they keep their presence hidden and we suspect that they know when someone enter the forest." Joseph answered as this lead to another dead end for finding them.

"What does the benefactor want with these Overlords?" Zangetsu asked curious.

"To located and retrieve the Golden Fruit... A fruit based on many myths such as golden apples of Norse and Greek myths." Joseph explains as this made the two look shocked.

"What the hell? He started all of this just for a stupid fruit?!" Habakiri growl in rage. "Why?"

Joseph continued, "It has the power to remake the world into your own imagine and control the forest. Most of all-"

"Grant you godhood. So it true about something lies in the forest." Zangetsu finished. He remember that Tyrant once say something about gain godhood and Sagara's words, they're referring to this Golden fruit.

"If it can control the forest… will it save the world?" Habakiri asked.

"At long as the one attained the forest." Joseph answered.

So the Golden fruit is the chance of saving the world from Helheim invasion… but is it really worth to obtain it? Since you will lost your humanity in the process and becoming god… Zangetsu thought concern about what he learned.

He can see the fruit will certainly cause conflict as he know what happens to the previous civilization and possibility… this world. The power of becoming god is something that will make people greed and resort to any methods to attain it even if means to betraying others. Once you obtain the power and do everything which you believe is good. But you will eventually become insane due to everyone who you know or love will perished before you. That is one thing he learned from the ruined civilization in Helheim dimension, but the former prince still cannot believe that there are survivors.

However, the thought of a fruit with ominous and dangerous power might cause conflict with Zangetsu's own goal.

Zangetsu wants the world be free from corruption of Britannia and the strong helps those who are weaker… He wants to get back at the man who let them to die. But most of all, he wants the world he can spend peaceful time with his younger sister Nunnally to make up for the times he hide from her.

Even since the day he met Sagara and obtain his Sengoku Driver… he always know something odd about the man. But he kept the thoughts to himself back then since he focus on curing Nunnally's legs. After seeing the ruins and learn about Golden fruit, he knows what Sagara's agenda will be involved with one who wins the Golden fruit.

Will the infamous white Rider seek the Golden Fruit and becoming the god of this world to make his dreams come true? The answer is not as you expected.

For Zangetsu refused to accept that the Golden fruit is the only option to save the world. Fighting over something with ominous power willing lead to potential consequences. He doesn't want something that can result what happened to the previous civilization who fought over. If that power driven others mad, then it will drive someone like him crazy as well.

I won't relied on something that too dangerous in making the world I destroy and create for Nunnally… Zangetsu thought serious to himself. But he will do something to prevent others from get their hand on the fruit as whoever obtain the fruit will interfering with his goal of crushing Britannia. Even if it himself! He will not allow that to happen.

Before he canceled the Geass on him, Zangetsu decide to get some key information from him and something else important. He won't let him get Scott-free for endanger Shirley in the first place and being one responsible for start up the conflict in the first place.

"Tell me. Are there any facilities in Japan, projects and financial information related to your work?" Zangetsu asked before Joseph respond to his questions.

(Few hours later)

Joseph soon found himself waking up in his car with a heavy headache. He try to remember what happens, but the only thing he recall is leaving the bar after drinking and nothing else.

Damn… I must having too much to drink, Joseph thought to himself before driving.

Unknown to him, Zangetsu and Habakiri watching him leaving in his car.

"There he goes, it hard to believe Shirley's father is…" Habakiri said.

"I know and that he is willing to be part of cruel experiments." Zangetsu said. "But we come for what we get for and let leave him be. He will face the consequences of his action soon enough." He added chilly.

Habakiri nodded before she followed him from behind.

(Next day)

Cornelia, Daltron, Guilford, and Nonette are in present for Lloyd's presentation regard to something he investigating.

"Are you saying that their weapons can one-shot Knightmares?!" Cornelia asked disbelief. She come back after hearing from Daltron about what happened and that she is baffled not by her sister choice in knight, but Zangetsu has another power in his dispose.

That is what the meeting regard to the power that Zangetsu and the peach theme Rider Marika possessed. As Lloyd is going over what he gather about their significant weapon: Sonic Arrow.

"Yes. After witness the fight at the prison and looking over the damage that Lancelot endured." Lloyd said before looking at the screen which show the weapon Sonic Arrow. Inwardly, he giggled in excitement that he will have his own completed soon. He personally thank the situation for him to allow personal seat to see how the power is like. "I can concurred that if either Zangetsu or the Riders with bow can easily annihilated Knightmares below six generation as well."

Cornelia gritting her teeths when hearing about this and that also means Zangetsu would become more dangerous if Knightmare cannot stop him.

"Calm down, Nelly." Nonette said to her old friend, "Beside we do learn something new about Zangetsu from watching him fight on that day."

"And that he has more arsenal up his sleeve?" Cornelia rebuked angrily.

"No, I am talking more about his skill in archery." Said Nonette before looking at Guilford. "Don't you think so, Guilford?" she asked.

The Knight of Cornelia nodded. "I have to agree, Lady Enneagram. Archery is quite uncommon weapon of choice used at the age of this era and more for sports. I practiced archery at my younger age, I can tell Zangetsu is a mastery of bow and that he won't missed his targets." Guilford said, adjusting his glasses. "Although I don't understand why he won't use rifles? They would certain work well if he is this good with bows."

But unknown to Guilford, his thoughts about Zangetsu is partially true. The white Rider is certain a mastery of bow. But they don't know about Zangetsu's bad luck which they will never know.

"Is that so?" Daltron asked to his fellow knight.

"Can't you developed anything to defend us against the arrows?" Cornelia asked to Lloyd.

"It will be impossible since we don't have an actual thing so we can used to reengineer." Lloyd said, getting on Cornelia's nerves.

"Then it means the only option is being nimble and quick." Nonette said to others.

Jeremiah is seeing talking with someone who is currently behind the cell bars with a few guards watching nearby. This person happens to be the younger sister of his former comrade Kewell Soresi, Marika Soresi.

"You have to believe me… Jeremiah, I wasn't involved with what happens at the prison break-in." The brown haired girl pleaded desperation.

She is the prime suspect in the mystery pink Genesis Rider who shared the same name as her. Marika Soresi protests that she wasn't a Rider, but no one listens to her as she was arrested immediately by the police and all of her belongings were taken from her.

"I can tell that you weren't involved." The teal haired man said calmed. He did investigate her room and finds no evidence that she is the Genesis Rider that fought his master. "After all, who it was used your name and make you a prime suspect." He added his two cents.

This seems to make Marika S. feel a bit better that Jeremiah believes her, but the girl is still depressed about the false accusation from others.

"But why doesn't anyone else believe me…" Marika S. muttered sadly. She cannot believe that everyone who she once knows, turned on her immediately after the accusation was thrown upon her.

It unfortunately that others don't see the same as Jeremiah is aware that those who want to get hand on the Genesis Driver and Peach Energy Lockseed for their greedy hands. Not to mention Marika S. told him that Lloyd did come visit her before him and want information too.

"But I will make sure what happens, that you will get out when clear your name. Kewell won't want you to be in cell for something you never do." Jeremiah said to the young girl who nodded slowly.

It wasn't long until Jeremiah left the prison and spotted Nonette, the Knight of Nine on the way to the door.

"Hey Jeremy!" Nonette said with an eager look.

"Is there something I can do for you, Lady Enneagram?" Jeremiah asked mild politely. He also resist the urge to facepalm due to the nickname 'Jeremy' from her.

"I came here when I hearing you were check on the prisoner." Nonette said. "How your interrogated goes?" she asked.

"After hearing how are other treated her. I don't believe she is a Rider and concluded there is a mistake with treating her as a suspect." Jeremiah stated calm.

"I see. So what is your thoughts about the news regard to Suzaku Kururugi, Jeremy?" Nonette asked. "I thought you were having more shots at becoming Euphie's knight as Nelly think you should've been picked." She added.

"I only question if he has the capability of following through Princess Euphemia's orders." Jeremiah said.

"I think he truly deserved after holding out this long. I hear people making Kururugi as poster boy for Honorary Britannian." Nonette said. "What a surprised."

That is one thing I disapproved consider how Lady Nunnally is upset… Jeremiah thought.

"There is something I want to ask you, Lady Enneagram. If you don't mind I ask." Jeremiah inquired.

"Oh? Go ahead and ask." Nonette said.

"Back when Kururugi got send to deal against the Black Knights, where were you at the time?" Jeremiah questioned. He finds it strange that Nonette wasn't in the fight… knowing her personality and that she supposed to get her own Knightframe from Camelot. Though he know she is someone you cannot underestimate, but it strange that she didn't show up.

"I was about to joining Kururugi when I saw someone suspicious in the hallway and tailed against them until I realized it was that peach theme girl everyone talking about and got knocked unconscious." Nonette explains as this seem to intrigue him.

So Nonette has an encounter with the mystery peach theme Rider… and tries to interrogate her. But it hard to believe she was got ambushed that easily. Does this mean someone beside him in the military force is a hidden spy?

"Does the Viceroy know about this information?" Jeremiah asked with trepidation. It will also mean that Cornelia might be searching for the culprit.

"Yeah, but Nelly still scolded me… for being tardy." Nonette said sarcastic. "Also I heard from Euphie about the… Orange Operation. Is this true?"

Jeremiah wasn't surprised if Euphie told to someone like Nonette as she is also a close friend of Marianne, but she is also a member who close to the emperor.

"That is one reason why he came to Area 11. Clovis believed that Master Lelouch is too smart to let himself and Lady Nunnally get caught in the crossfire." Jeremiah said. "Furthermore he cannot get over their death and assigned me who knows the Vi Britannia with the task to find them and protect them."

"That is true… Nelly told me that Clovis did become Viceroy and for the reason of finding them." Nonette said, seeing some similar to what Cornelia says. "Did you have any luck by asking the Ashford family for help? After all, Ashford has been support of Marianne." She pointed out.

"Unfortunately, Reuben Ashford doesn't know anything about them, I then ask the rest of his family and servants. But they don't know anything." Jeremiah said. That is partial of the truth as he did meet with Reuben before and agreed to keep the location of Marianne's children secret. Reuben already aware of Nonette and they talk about plans if she does come by his academy.

"What would you do if you find them? Would you bring them back to capital?" Nonette asked.

"Clovis doubt that the palace be a safe place where they're treated as outcasts by others to their common blood." Jeremiah answered, this made Nonette frown.

"Doesn't Clovis remember there are those who cared about Marianne and do what it take to keep their children safe? I know there are those who cared about Marianne despite being commoner. Like Nelly, Euphie, Marry, or even Schneizel." Nonette said.

"You should remember that everyone was shaken up by the murder and Clovis told me that he suspects someone inside who is still responsible. They could still wait for the Vi Britannia lines to return." Jeremiah reasoned grim. There is no doubt that is still true with the murderer of Marianne still in there.

Nonette stares at Jeremiah careful before letting out a sighed.

"I see… If you're adamant about this, then I won't get in your way." The Knight of Nine said. "Sorry for taking up your time." She said before leaving now.

Jeremiah watching her before he moved on his own way.

In the government building, Daltron is tearing down another poster from the board with unpleased expression before tossed to the trashcan.

"It hard to believe that there those enjoying this." Guilford said, picked up the torn up posters that Daltron left on the floor and throws them to the trashcan.

The poster talk about becoming Honorary Britannian by following what Suzaku Kururugi did and that is killing his father.

Cornelia doesn't seem to be bother by what she hear and cannot believed the Eleven still cling to the past. But Daltron has an indifference rage about Kururugi despite not showing in front of the Viceroy.

"Kururugi never should be knighted…" Daltron muttered.

Rai wasn't amused by the posters that other Britannians made about Suzaku and torned them off the wall. The silver haired teen cannot believe something like this show up at the academy.

He and others did expect that Suzaku would get hate by Japanese for his actions, but Rai wasn't sure who started the mess but Britannia started praised Suzaku as he is the ideal representation to what all Honorary Britannians and Britannians want those who join the Honorary system by doing what Suzaku did. He finds the news to be very disgust and it remind him of what Britannia like.

The silver hair teen is about to reach for another one, but another hand grabbed it and he turns around to see Kallen who torn it apart.

"It hard to believe that he will become a propaganda for Honorary Britannia." Kallen scoffed before throwing it down to the trashcan.

"So do you think that worth it?" asked Rai, wanting to know Kallen's opinions about the truth being post to the world.

"Consider that we saved him when he was falsely charged and attack us. He is blinded by saving his own soul to see the corrupt. He deserved it." Kallen said. Though she is surprised that Lelouch is able to go through with it.

"How are Ohgi and others doing anyway?" Rai asked curious. After the prison break mission, everyone were told to lay low and Rai hadn't time to visit headquarter due to school.

"Ohgi and others are also were bother by Britannia who told them to join the Honorary system by doing what Suzaku did..." Kallen said with darken expression. "Tamaki almost have fit with one guy who stalked him about joining the system before kicked him in ball and leave. But this show that Britannia's true color by preaching strength."

"I see." Rai said before the two students are walking together in the hallway.

"So did you recall anything else from your past yet?" Asked Kallen.

"Not that much…" Rai said slight hesitated. But he wasn't ready to reveal who he was to Kallen or others. Not to mention Lelouch himself.

"Is that so?" Kallen said. But she cannot help feeling that there is something else bother Rai beside his own past. She decide to leave it for later and she has another thought on her mind after witness the fight between Genesis Riders when she and others escaped.

Kallen cannot help but wonder if she should have stay and help Lelouch against Marika. After all, she want to get back at that pink bitch (She doesn't mean a certain pink princess of Britannia!) after interrupted their mission. But she isn't sure if she can do anything at her current level and that Lelouch happens to be the only match against those Genesis Riders.

Lelouch in his cloak disguise along with Ayano accompany to meet up with Kirihara and Todoh and his Four Holy Sword within in the Kyoto hideout.

"So you came, Zangetsu." Todoh said, glance at the revolutionist and his associated. There is something familiar about the girl, but he cannot place it where exactly.

"I apologized for the meeting with you being a bit overdue." Lelouch said.

They were still surprised by what happen back then as they all saw Zangetsu fought against the other Genesis Rider before causing quite a powerful explosion that surprised everyone. The white samurai soon give the order for everyone to lay low. Todoh and the Four Swords stay with Kirihara before they can even speak with Zangetsu again.

While staying with Kirihara, they also find out that Zangetsu know the truth about Prime Minister Genbu Kururugi's death and revealed the truth across the internet after Suzaku is granted knighthood by Princess Euphemia.

"Who are you?" Todoh asked.

"I came to the war in making their dream a reality. Or you don't remember?" Said Zangetsu.

"But why would you pushed yourself so far in doing something for us Japanese? Why would a Britannian go that far for us?" Chiba pressed for answer.

"Because I made the promise on that day I saw Britannia invade Japan and left the country in ruin. You think that all Britannians are the same? Unlike them, I do what it take to make sure the sacrifices of those who give their lives to defend their home won't be in vain." Zangetsu said serious as this flicker recognition in Todoh himself.

"It cannot be…" Todoh utter in disbelief. "Is it really you, Lelouch?"

"So you know?"

"Of course, you told me that you will make sure those who give their life to protect you and your sister to get away." Todoh said, looking back at him. "Though it hard to believe after seven years…"

Lelouch soon removes his hood and smirks at the older man's recognition. The Four Swords are shocked of finding out who is behind the hood.

"It been a long time indeed." Lelouch said.

"Hello Todoh-sensei." Ayano greeted.

"You're Ayano Kosaka, right?" Todoh asked to the girl who nodded, "I should have known there was something familiar about you. After all, you used to come play with Lelouch, Nunnally, Kaguya, and Suzaku at the Kururugi resident."

"Is he the exiled prince you once talk about?" Urabe asked to Todoh.

Todoh nodded. "That is correct. He always focus on taking care of his younger sister and rejected my offer of trainings. It hard to believe you lead the Black Knights and able to fight now."

"I thought Zangetsu would be Suzaku… consider he is more trained." Senba admit.

"I recommend that you watch your mouth…" Lelouch said, holding his Melon Energy Lockseed threatened at Senba.

"He is still feel offend whenever someone say that." Ayano mused.

"You have got to be kidding me." Chiba muttered.

"How did you feel about the truth exposed?" Lelouch asked to Todoh who has grim expression.

"I am surprised that you know and that he piloted the white knightmare." Todoh said.

"I didn't intend on finding out that he is a pilot… but Suzaku babbling about it after I rescued him from falsely accused for Clovis's murdered." Lelouch answered. "Though I didn't wish it would for it to be like this. But I wants him to join after what Britannia put him before finding out that he kills his father," he continued before his eyes narrow in anger. "however, I won't let him continued putting Japan at a choker any longer and I won't give an damn about his changing the system within when he has a death wish."

"We won't let him get away after he joins the same country that kills my parents." Ayano said.

"I see… but what about your sister, Lelouch? Did you consider how she react of learning about what happen?" Todoh asked to Lelouch.

"I am already aware of that even though I am not better than Suzaku by keep hiding my identity from her." Lelouch admit. "But for her sake… I am going to make Japan a place where she can live comfortable and protected it."

"And he isn't doing that alone." Ayano added, holding his shoulder with a conform hand.

"I see…" Todoh said. There is one thing he can tell that Lelouch still the same and that is protecting his sister even if it means to wore a mask.

"Kururugi still willing to serve of the country that oppresses Japan." Asahina said. "But thanks to you… that he lost all support from Japanese."

"But Britannia now used him to make as poster boy for Honorary Britannian... it cannot get more disguised than before." Ayano added bitter.

"Yeah, I heard about that." Todoh said with bitter expression.

"Even after seeing my face, do you still want to fight beside me?" Asked Lelouch to Todoh.

"Of course. I cannot ignore a debt for saving General Katase." Todoh said.

"There is another thing. An associated of mine was in China and met up with Katase who passed on a message to me." Lelouch giving the summarized about Sawasaki and Chinese Federation.

This left Kirihara, Todoh, and Four Swords look surprised by the information that Katase passed from China.

"That is something we are not aware of," Kirihara said amazed. He didn't think that Sawasaki is even in the Chinese Federation in the first place. "But Sawasaki doesn't know what he is doing… when making deal with Chinese Federation."

"It a relief that Katase didn't join him." Senba said to Todoh.

"I agree…" Todoh said.

But Lelouch wasn't done there with the information as he revealed about discovered Clovis leftover human experiments and that there was a hidden lab in Narita where JLF used as their base. Ayano brought out the photos and documents that she taken when she and Lelouch were explored the ruin lab that Joseph say where it be.

This surprised Kirihara, but Todoh and the Four Swords become furious at the news. They have a reason to be furious. Britannia were using their land for illegal human experiments!

Urabe glares at the pictures of dead Britannian soldiers and Japanese that were used in the experiments. "Damn it!"

"Human experiments in our own land!" Senba growl angrily.

"This cannot be… a lab at Narita, where our base was…" Asahina growl furious, looking at the pictures.

"Those cowards!" Chiba growl, gritting her teeths. This make her wish that she know this early and kill those bastards!

"All of this experiments... happens all in where we were holding our ground." Todoh said, gritting his teeths in angry. "And that we didn't do anything about them…"

"To be fair, I doubt that you guys knew anything about it." Lelouch stated, "Your watch posts were likely never very attentive to any activity towards the mountainous side which is where we find it."

"And it was abandoned after the avalanches. It take us some time to figure out how to get in." Ayano added.

"But it still no excuse that we weren't aware of this!" Senba grumbled in irritation at their neglecting of this inhumane madness close to their base.

"I suspect that Clovis keep the JLF base's location so he could hide his project's backup base in the shadow. Who would even think of looking a Britannian science facility was hidden next to the main base of the JLF?" Lelouch reasoned.

"This is surprised… intelligent for someone like Clovis." Kirihara admit, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

Soon Todoh and the Four Swords look down in shamed after raging about the new information that were hit on them. They thought that they did everything to protect the JLF that led by Katase, but they cannot help feel shame and regret that they led this inhumane experiment by Britannian occur under Katase's leadership. This means that they led down Katase even more.

"Lelouch, do you think we can send a message to Katase later? We need to apologize to him about the human experiments." Todoh requested calm.

Lelouch nodded.

In the Knightframe hanger within the Camelot building, Suzaku was sitting near where Lancelot was standing and looks down at the stopwatch that belonged to his father with a sad expression.

(Flashback)

In Euphie's office, Suzaku in his uniform and looks sadly at the pink haired princess.

"I am so sorry, Euphie." Suzaku said. "For not being honest with you."

"It's about… you killing your father and that Zangetsu exposed the truth," Euphie said, "now the whole world know."

Just when they thought things will look up after Euphie made Suzaku her knight. But the news that Zangetsu post on the internet about the truth behind Genbu's death. Not only that but Zangetsu revealed that Suzaku being involved with the massacred in Shinjuku.

"Yes," Suzaku said. "honestly, I've should have seen this coming. I've should know that Zangetsu know that…"

He still cannot believed that Zangetsu know the truth… about what he did and decide to dropped the information after he being knighted by Euphie.

"Suzaku…" Euphie said with sadness.

"I was never punished for what I did," Suzaku said sadly, "I just went on like it was nothing. I was a fool. A fool to think that the truth of what I did would stay hidden even though all the adults around me protect me for it and now…" Suzaku was started to shaking in sadness, "I'm hated, I'm hated by my own people. I heard that they says that I kill my father… to be in good grace of Britannia."

Not to mention that some Britannia praising him as their poster boy for ideal Honorary Britannian, causing further scar to those who don't want to join Honorary system.

"I wonder if I should even go on living even with my shame," Suzaku said. "I don't deserve to be your knight."

"Suzaku," Euphie said feeling the sadness from Suzaku. "It probably not that easy. It's obvious what happened still haunts you and you're filled with regret. But I don't think you should just quit on the first day as my knight."

"But Euphie…" Suzaku said.

"Suzaku, I chose you to be my knight because I know that you have a strong sense of justice, even if you have your own sins account for. It is not as if my nation's hands are also clean of sin. I guess in that way we are similar. The only thing we can do is to make up for our sins by continuing to live as long as we could." Euphie said.

This answer surprised Suzaku and never thought Euphie would know how to say it.

"Living long…" Suzaku said.

"To make up for what happen and that is living until we can find a way to change Britannia." Euphie said. "Would you do that by being by my side?" she asked.

"I don't know… Is it alright if I have time to think on it?" Suzaku requested calmly.

"Take as long you need." Euphie said.

(Present)

Euphie forgive me regardless of not me telling her… Suzaku thought to himself.

Though Euphie is forgiven to him, but there is another person who doesn't seem pleased after learning about it. And that person happens to be Nunnally. Lelouch's younger sister.

(Flashback)

Suzaku cannot think his day going to be worse after seeing how most people react to his presence after the day he ascend to Knighthood. But it doesn't prepared him for what is going to happen next with a certain someone he known.

He is currently in the garden to get some air from the stares by the classmates. Suzaku about to leave when he hears a familiar voice.

"Suzaku," A quiet voice said.

This made the Honorary Britannian flinched and turns around to see Nunnally in her wheelchair and the maid Sayoko is with her.

"Umm… Hi Nunnally," Suzaku said. "I didn't see you there…"

"Suzaku, we need to talk." Nunnally said.

"I-I don't know… I am about to return soon and-"

"No, I insist." Nunnally said in a cold tone that remind him of Lelouch. "We got a lot to talk regard to what I heard from others. Sayoko can you leave me a bit so I can talk with Suzaku?"

The maid nodded before giving Suzaku a warning look which made him complied with resignation. Nunnally is the last person who he want to know about his action.

Sayoko soon leave the two friends alone in the garden, but she didn't went too far.

"Yes, it all true." Suzaku said sadly. "I did kill my father back then. I know you would be upset, but… if I didn't do, then everyone would die as he ordered a do-or-die resistance."

"Suzaku, what you did back then… wasn't right." Nunnally stated as this made Suzaku look shocked. He thought that she will feel bad for him like Euphie, but she wasn't.

"Nunnally… how could you say that?" Suzaku asked, looking shocked. "Are you really okay with that everyone else get killed?"

"Because what you doing is no better than my other half-siblings back in Britannia. You'll be just like them with all of the killing." Nunnally answered with hint of bitterness that he don't know she possessed. "You should never kill your father in the first place."

"But he is just like Zangetsu!" Suzaku pointed out. "He is a madman who fought for his selfishness and going to destroyed Japan. I on the other hand, fighting to make sure that I can get Britannia to trust me and have the power to return Japan back to normal."

"Suzaku, I may agree with you that Zangetsu be bad." Nunnally said. "But he saved you and Milly and others. If he didn't do told the truth, I won't had known that you changed to someone I'm not sure that I can recognized."

This made Suzaku frozen immediately by her words.

"You says that Zangetsu may be bad… but your justification for your actions is same as the white samurai you despise." Said Nunnally. "The same as your father."

"I am not like either of them…" Suzaku refute immediately. "I fought to protect lives and he started a war to oppression others! What is wrong with that?"

Nunnally give a sighed at Suzaku's refute.

"Suzaku, there is one thing I know about human and Zangetsu show it with his rebellion." Nunnally said with calm tone. "You can only push a human down for so long before they push back. Britannia pushed many people down by forcing their ways and killing them indifferently but eventually the people that they pushed down will get back up and pushed them down. But most importantly you can never force them to change their beliefs, Suzaku."

This made Suzaku flinched as it remind him of what Lelouch once says to him. But how is it possible that Nunnally know this when she never been outside there or see? Lelouch says that he kept her far from the conflicts.

"Nunnally… how can you know when you never been there?" Suzaku asked disbelief. There is no way that Lelouch being irresponsible of letting Nunnally get caught in conflicts of terrorist.

"I may be blind, but I am not ignorant to the truth around me." The blinded princess answered. "Suzaku… you believed that served Britannia so you can change the system. But I am afraid that you won't make it far." She spoke more sharply and colder than before.

"But why, Nunnally?" Suzaku questioned, cannot help feeling more hurt. "Why do you think that way? Why cannot you believed that I cannot fixed up everything?"

"Suzaku, I used to live in Britannia and I know what they're like." Nunnally said. "Those who try to change Britannia's way of life will be charged with treason and die. You want to know how I known this? My half siblings often bragged about them when they thought I am not presence before. That is why I resent most of them." She explains.

Suzaku would never imagined of hearing this from younger sister of Lelouch. Though he did remember Lelouch often say that he resent his other half siblings.

"Most of all, how can you protect anyone or change anything… if you have a death wish for killing your father? How can you protect when you will put them in danger?" Nunnally asked, feeling that Suzaku looking away from her despite her being physical blind.

Suzaku, on the other hand, he doesn't know how to answer her question.

(Present)

It hard for Suzaku to comprehend on how Nunnally who always kind and ignorant of the truth… but different than she appeared.

He didn't know that Nunnally possessed that side. Is the innocent and naïve Nunnally that he and others know just an act the whole time?

But her words rang in his head once again.

"But how can you protect anyone or change anything… if you have a death wish for killing your father? How can you protect when you will put them in danger?"

Suzaku cannot help but feeling conflicts from two princesses that he cared about and what they thought on his actions. Euphie accept him and want him to fight beside her. Nunnally disapprove his actions and want him to stop. After a few minutes of ponder about what he choose, but Suzaku made his own decision about thing.

Even if you look down upon me… I still have to do it, Nunnally. I need to make sure that Britannia trust me and work with Euphie… is the only way I can reached that, Suzaku thought.

Deep in the ocean, a large submarine was seen moving in a distant. The submarine belongs to none other than Black Knights themselves. In the submarine, the core members of the Black Knights are gathered in the meeting hall that has a huge screen. Lelouch is still wore his hooded and looking out at everyone who is already present.

"Everyone is here," Lelouch said, "now then with our organization reorganized, it's time to assign positions with myself being the leader of Black Knights."

The other members looked and nodded in agreement with their leader.

"First off, our Chief of Military Affairs will be Kyoshiro Todoh," Lelouch said.

There were murmurs of agreement and Todoh nodded with a smile.

"I shall make sure to meet your expectation," Todoh said.

Lelouch continued, "Head of Intelligence as well as Espionage and Public Relation. That position goes to Diethard Reid."

Diethard smiled and nodded.

"Understood." Diethard said.

"Diethard huh," Tamaki said.

"That guy who works in the media." Urabe commented.

More people spoke as they were okay with it but Chiba was concern.

"Zangetsu, if I may," Chiba spoke up.

"Yes, what is it?" Lelouch asked.

"I'm not a racist but what is reasoning for placing someone like him, one of them in such a sensitive position?" Chiba asked.

"Hmph, that's the talk of someone who is very racist to me." Lelouch replied.

"You claim that you aren't racist, but your question seem out of line." Rai added, raised an eyebrow at her question.

Chiba was taken aback, "No, that wasn't—"

"The point is that your actions are what matters and the abilities to produce results," Lelouch interjected serious, "It doesn't matter who you are and where you come from. Diethard Reid has proven himself time and time again and for that, he has earned his position. This is not like the JLF or any of the typical resistance cells from the past. Beside he is just as deep in this as the rest of us and heaven forbid if he ever get caught, the only thing he'll get is execution."

"Thank you, sir." Diethard said happily.

"Despite his Britannia background, he has his usefulness in intelligent gathering." Ayano replied.

"He did help us." Ohgi said.

"That is true." Tamaki said.

"Like with Narita, after all if it wasn't for him. We wouldn't have known what would have gone down in Narita." Yoshida said.

The other members agreed and Todoh and his Four Swords realized that it was Diethard who provide the Black Knights information of Cornelia and her forces attacking in Narita.

"Anything else you want to add?" Lelouch asked.

"No. Nothing at all," Chiba said, "my apologies," Chiba looked at Diethard, "pardon my offense."

"Don't worry about it," Diethard said with a shrug, "I'm not offended. I believe that it's understandable."

"Now we continued with the position," Lelouch said, "In regards for our Deputy Commanders…"

"There will be two Deputy Commanders… Rai and Ohgi Kaname." Lelouch said.

This made both of them look surprised while the core members agreed.

"Are you sure about this…?" Rai asked slight awe to cloaked revolutionist. Even Ohgi who is surprised and didn't know what he supposed to say.

"Yes, you two did your best with looking after others with your abilities when I was absence for a matter. Rai, despite your amnesia, you proved your skills and intelligent to the organization. Ohgi, you did your best for the Kozuki cell after your previous leader Naoto Kozuki." Lelouch explained.

"I… I don't know what to say…" Ohgi said nervous before looking at his old friends for their opinions.

"What's up? Naoto would be proud of you." Minami said.

"Come on, Kaname. You deserved it." Naomi said.

"Are you scared or something?" Yoshida asked to his old friend.

"Come on, Ohgi!" Tamaki said.

Ohgi then looks at Kallen for her opinion.

"Onii-chan would want you to accept it." Kallen said.

"Okay… if you guys are alright with it," Ohgi said, "I accept the job."

"What about you Rai?" Lelouch asked to the silver hair teen.

"I had no choice, but I accept the position if no one else going to take it." Rai respond before a smile formed upon his face. "Ohgi. If you have troubles, I will do what I can to help."

Ohgi smiled. "Of course."

"Now as for the Head of Research and Development," Lelouch said, "Rakshata Chawla."

"Naturally," Rakshata said with a smile, "Who else?"

"Now for the captain of the special Division." Lelouch said. "The Zangetsu squad's captain will be Kallen Kozuki."

"Zangetsu Squad?" Kallen asked.

"You can say that my personal guards." Lelouch explains.

Kallen is surprised, but she notices that Ayano doesn't seem to bother by it. She did remember that she once told her that she has friends need to be save. She must be like Orpheus and Akito with being Riders for their own goals.

"I see… I accept." She said.

"Now then…" Lelouch said as he switched the screen showing the hierarchy for the Black Knights, "Captain of the First Squad…"

C.C. leaned on the wall and looked on as she twirled a strand of her hair.

Orpheus soon come into a building with his business composite look. Though he was searching for clues about any Riders in Chinese Federation, but it seem the civilian don't know any or they hiding something from outsiders like him. He soon encounter a man with a mask sitting on the opposite table. Orpheus know this man as someone who work close to Peace Mark. Orpheus soon sat down on the opposite side of the table.

"So what is the job?" Orpheus asked calmed to him.

"My master Wizard wants you to infiltrated and extract data that Camelot build on Kamine Island." The man said with a voice scrambling before showing the map of Kamine.

"What sort of data are we talking about?" Orpheus asked, wanting more information about what he is targeting. Not to mention that Kamine Island is close to Japan.

"It believed that the creator of seventh generation of Knightmare have developed new system that allowed Knightmare to fly." The man explains as this seem caught Orpheus's interested.

"With that island being far from civilization, it will be a great way to get data and perfect the flying system." Orpheus said. Not to mention that Britannian will soon have the fight to take into the sky which will be a problem for those opposite them soon.

"That is correct. We need you to go there and steal their data. You will be paid as promised." The masked man said.

Though he still cannot find any clues for Riders in China… but he can do something to earn some cash by extracting data.

"I will make sure the job is done." Orpheus said, taking the map.

Back in the submarine of the Black Knights, Lelouch finally finished with the assigning positions within the Black Knights.

"And that is all…" Lelouch finished.

"I have something else to say," Todoh said, gathering others attention. "I think it important and getting it out of the way before we have any interferences."

"Are you referring to Suzaku Kururugi?" Diethard asked.

"No, he is talking about me." Lelouch said as this seem to catch the attention of core members within the meeting room. "Since the core members of the Black Knights finally been established… I think there is something you should know about myself." He said, reaching his hand to his hood.

This made Kallen and her friends reacted when seeing him pulled out his hood. The hood was removed for everyone to see his real face. Lelouch looking back at them.

"For those in the original Kozuki cell, know that my name is Lelouch Lamperouge. But my original name is Lelouch Vi Britannia, the ex- eleven prince of Britannia." Lelouch said.

H-He is revealing himself!? Rai thought in shocked. This is something the silver hair teen didn't see it coming at all.

It make sense! There is no way a simple Japanese can do this… Diethard thought in realization.

Rakshata didn't look surprised for a bit, in fact she doesn't seem to care. Todoh and Four Holy Swords doesn't bother by it. But Kallen and the former Kozuki cell were shocked and disbelief. They all know that their leader and one behind helmet of white samurai is Britannian. But they never expected that he is the former Prince of Britannia!

"WHAT THE HELL!?" Kallen exclaimed before Tamaki can even allowed to curse. "Y-You… were Britannia royalty the whole time. No way…" She exclaimed disbelief at the information.

"I say Ex." Lelouch corrected. "I was exiled along with my sister by our 'father' for questioning his ability to protected my mother who was assassinated. We then send to Japan as bargain chips. Unaware that we would be martyrs for starting a war with Japan."

"That is right." Todoh said. "They stay at the Kururugi resident as guests while I was martial teacher for Suzaku Kururugi at that time. They been staying there for least a year until the war start. The attack started when the bomb struck the resident from an airship."

"Wait… the Kirihara guy told us that he give us Kyoto support… does that mean he knows you?" Rai asked, want to confirm it. Ohgi and others remember how Kirihara react when seeing Lelouch's real face and concluded that they do know each other.

"That is correct." Lelouch said.

"I do remember that…" Tamaki noticed. His friends nodded.

"I see. So that means those news made by Emperor about you and your sister being killed by Japanese is a lie." Diethard deduced.

"You think the dropping bombs is his only attempt to kill us? No. He send the OSI after us and we were able to get away thanks to the sacrifices of Japanese soldiers who make sure we get away before me and my sister split up from Suzaku." Lelouch continued darkly. This surprised the Kozuki cell before Tamaki ask one question which he was confused by.

"Who're these OSI guys anyway?" Tamaki asked loudly.

"The OSI is short for Office of Secret Intelligence and it is an intelligence agency answerable only to the Emperor." Lelouch answered. "You can say that their opposite of Knights of Rounds, they're rouges and assassins by nights. Blackmail, murder, massacres, assassinations… there is very little that they will not do in order to complete their assignments."

"So he sent them after you guys!?" Ohgi exclaimed in shock. It wasn't just him, but others look surprised by what OSI does.

Lelouch soon noticed a flick of angry and turned around to looks at Kallen who looks angry. He got a feeling that she will be the one who be affect by the news so far.

"So what are your real end goals? Revenge for the person who abandoned you? Replacing him as emperor?" Kallen asked serious.

"It partly revenge and I had no interest in the throne or being an emperor." Lelouch answered as this confused her and others. "I bet most of you here won't want anyone person with his blood to rule. I cannot trust other of his children to take the throne for the same reason. The throne is nothing more than a curse for those who are related to him by blood. After seeing how much corrupt Britannia become by his hands. That is why I am going to destroyed Britannia and it monarch system before replacing it with democratic system. You should know how corrupt the upper crust, Kallen. After all, you're daughter of a noble." He pointed out.

That is true… Kallen won't deny he says about upper class of Britannia or counter his argument. It still hard for her to believe that Lelouch is former royalty as she did have some doubt about him originally before count on him and fought when Black Knights was growing.

"Then what about Japan?" Kallen asked. Everything that he been telling them so far shared similar to what he originally told her personally except that he revealed he is ex-prince. But she wants to confirm about what he intend for Japan.

"After Japan is free, I will help protect it. It the place for where my sister and others who don't have a place to belong without being oppressed by Britannia." Lelouch answered.

"Man, this is a lot to take in… I still cannot believed that you don't want to be Emperor with third part of the world within your grasp." Tamaki scoffed.

"Well, what if I told you that I want to be normal?" Lelouch asked.

"I don't believe that bullshit!"

Unknown to him, Lelouch soon let out a chuckle.

"Shinichiro Tamaki, for the next 15 minutes, you will not speak a word."

Tamaki looked startled, about to retort…

Only to find that he couldn't form a single word. All he could bring out of his throat was groans and grunts, along with unintelligible sounds. The former Kozuki cell looked startled and amazed by what had just happened, knowing that Tamaki would never agree to such a thing unless bribed or blackmailed.

"H-How'd you do that!?"

"You gotta teach me that trick!"

"Finally, somebody shuts him up!"

Tamaki tried to reply to their words, only to scream in frustration that he couldn't say anything. He glared back at Lelouch, who Ayano was sure that he was trying his best not to laugh. But Ayano knows this is also a real test for everyone to trust Lelouch.

"This another thing I kept hidden and only used in emergency. But my power, Geass, allows me to control anyone of my choosing and will follow any orders I gave them. An example was the order I just gave Shinichiro Tamaki just now. Until fifteen minutes has passed, he will not be able to utter a single word."

The core members looked unsettled by this. Todoh's Four Swords, Yoshida, and Sugiyama looked a bit skeptical about it. A supernatural power that allows you to control anyone without doing anything? That was completely unheard of. Ohgi seemed to believe it, however, but he looked vastly disturbed.

"Lelouch, that power… Don't get me wrong, it sound like it can come in handy, but…"

Lelouch sighed, hanging his head low.

"You don't need to say it, Kaname Ohgi. It robs a person of their free will and would even force them to do things that they couldn't bring themselves to do. Even I find this power to be dangerous. I more preferred of using my armor and my skills before I got it."

"Before you got it…?" Kallen asked. "You mean you didn't have it before?"

Lelouch know what he going to say might affect his relationship with others and there might be no turning back from this point. Although he didn't want to, but there is a chance someone might use the information about Geass against his comrades and destroyed everything they build so far.

"Kallen, do you remember when I ask you not to talk about Shinjuku?" Kallen soon have a grim feeling that she find out something that will change everything. "I used my Geass on you," he said.

"You bastard!" Kallen lunged forward and ready to punch Lelouch. Lelouch didn't do anything, but got himself up and get punch in the face by her.

"Did you made me followed you like a fucking puppet!?" Kallen demands angrily. Even Ohgi and his friends want to know about this.

"You Britannia are the same." Chiba said with distain. But Todoh didn't say anything.

Before the former Kozuki cell go charged at Lelouch, Rai intervened in their way along with Ayano who hold her gun as she pointed at them.

"Don't move!" Ayano barked cold.

"Guys, we should let Lelouch explains!" Rai intervened before the former Kozuki cell going to attempt to kill Lelouch. "Lelouch say that he is going to explain and we shouldn't interrupted him." he reminded them.

"Wait until he finished or else." Ayano insist with cold exterior. There is also one possibility that things will turned out worse.

"But Rai, he could have made us followed him!" Yoshida argued angry.

"You shouldn't attack until he fully explains." Todoh explains calmly.

Ohgi holding on his Kurumi Lockseed with caution. Tamaki want to get at him with his own Lockseed.

"No, I only ask if you were the same Glasglow pilot back in Shinjuku. Your reason to be involved with your cell and your brother being murdered by Clovis." Lelouch said, not bother by the sore of his cheek. He know this is coming eventually from Kallen herself.

"Lelouch… how do we known that we aren't under your control?" Ohgi asked, warily. He doesn't want to believe that the one who helped them is manipulated them as pawns against their own free will.

"If I am really controlling you all with my Geass from the start… then how were you able to raise your weapons against me in the first place?" Lelouch asked to them. This soon led to dead silence as they stop. "After I used my Geass, the person will experienced amnesia and no recollection of what I ask of them."

This seem to make everyone even though in former Kozuki cell look surprised by the information and stop immediately to think.

"Huh?" Tamaki low his Lockseed before looking at others. "Did you guys experienced any amnesia?" he asked.

"Nope." Yoshida said before looking at his old friends, "what about you guys? Did you experienced any amnesia?" he asked.

"I don't have any recalls of amnesia." Naomi said.

"Yeah, neither then I." Minami said.

"Me neither." Sugiyama said.

Ohgi don't recall any time with Lelouch and others about having amnesia. The angry he hold soon slowly faded as he find himself think of the conclusion. Does this mean that Lelouch is telling the truth? If that is true, then...

"So that mean none of you except Kallen only experienced the effect of Geass." Rakshata concluded for them.

"He never used it to make any of you loyal to him." Ayano said. "If he did, then you won't be able to fight to your true capability."

"Neither me or Ayano are affect by Geass or we have case of amnesia." Rai said. Although he still have holes in his own memory, but he is certain that Lelouch never do anything to his own memories.

"That means we can trust him." Diethard said, smiling.

"Colonel, do you believe this?" Chiba asked serious.

"I trust him as he is the one who free Katase and I had no recollections of amnesia upon met him." Todoh pointed firm. This made Chiba look surprise before looking at other Swords.

"If the Colonel say so, then I believe him." Senba said.

"If Todoh say so, then I am fine with it." Urabe said.

Asahina nodded.

"I cannot used it again on the same person. That goes the same for those with shade like the visor for your black knight outfit and those with Rider armor." Lelouch explains calmly. "But most importantly… it doesn't work on Inves."

"It doesn't work on those guys?" Tamaki asked, surprised.

"I tried it before and it doesn't work." Lelouch said before noticed others calm down.

"What are you doing with this Geass?" Ohgi asked.

"Geass will be just another tool for me to destroyed Britannia, but I will only use it when it need. Even without Geass or my armor… my goal is still the same. Destroying Britannia!" Lelouch said serious.

"Well, there is no turning back… count me in!" Tamaki said with a smile formed upon his face.

"Tamaki…" Ohgi said, looking surprised at his friend.

"If it wasn't for him, we won't be alive today!" Tamaki pointed out. "We made it this far if it wasn't for him! Beside Old man Kirihara say that he will continued support us by following him."

This made the former Kozuki cell look surprised at the smartest thing that Tamaki say and they didn't know he is capable of that.

"If Tamaki say it fine, then I am in." Yoshida said.

"Same here."

"Me too."

"Same for me."

"I guess that I will continued follow you." Ohgi said after firming with his decision. It a relief to him that none of them were geassed by Lelouch, but he still feel bad that Kallen is still being geassed.

Lelouch then looks at Kallen who is silent the whole time before she noticed him stares at her.

"I only following Zangetsu… not Lelouch Vi Britannia." Kallen said cold. After finding out that she was geassed by Lelouch, she don't know if he is still lying or not.

Lelouch doesn't let it faze even after being punched by Kallen herself. He know that one way or another he is going to get it from her. But he is relief that Rai and Ayano make sure they won't gone too far.

"I don't mind it any other way." Lelouch said.

After the meeting between the core members of Black Knights, Kallen is in the hanger and sat alone in the Guren's pilot seat. To her, this is the only place she felt like she can be herself.

This is the only place she felt that she can be herself. But she still feel confused and bitter that she keep feeling inside herself.

Bitter that Lelouch kept this from her until revealed the information now. The respect that she once hold for Lelouch seem to drops immediately after learning he geassed her. It made her question when he take her into the forest and the comradery that they somehow form for saving the world is nothing but a shame.

Confused of whether or not she is still herself. Confused whether or not she is Kallen Kozuki or a puppet by Lelouch. Just because Lelouch says that he only ask about them, but she cannot help wonder if Lelouch bind someone like her against her own free will with the power of his Geass.

Even if Lelouch claimed that he didn't geassed any of her friends, but she cannot hold doubt that Lelouch is somehow lying to them like before. That is one thing he been good at.

She then looks at her Driver which lies on left side. Kallen take the Driver and hold it careful in her hands.

"Onii-chan… what do I do?" Kallen asked quietly.

Just then she heard voice that she don't want to hear now.

"Kallen." A familiar voice said as this made her blue eyes widen.

Kallen looking out from her Guren and seeing Lelouch standing up there by himself with a suitcase.

"What the hell do you want, Lelouch?!" Kallen growl angrily through the radio. She almost want to smash him with Guren's claw personal since he is close.

"You still upset with me, aren't you…?" Lelouch replied. It not a surprised that Kallen still have doubts that she is still under his control via Geass.

"What else, you bastard?!" Kallen continued angrily. "You used me for your twist experiment!"

"The Black Knights used my resources and my strategies to win. But I like seeing that we're fighting together against common foe and fight for those who cannot protect themselves." Lelouch said calm. "I won't deny that I used Geass on you, but I never forced you to do anything beyond your moral. I never treated any of my comrades as toys. I only ask you questions and nothing else!"

"Lelouch…"

"If I still have you under my Geass and you still suspect me. Then it shows that you really aren't under it anymore." Lelouch reasoned.

"Then why the hell do you revealed your heritage and Geass to everyone!? Answer me!" Kallen barked, still skeptical.

"Because Kallen, if I had to hide my identity from you and the rest of my Knights, of whom all of you are supposed to be my Lieutenants, then that would mean I would have to tip toe on egg shells just to keep everything hidden. You know why I hate my nation, of all the Royal members you will likely meet, I am the one with the most to lose out of all of you." Lelouch explains calmly. "I have the most to gain against seeing Britannia fall. And you know exactly how there are monsters in the dark that makes Geass look positively humane in comparison. Furthermore...Trust, honesty, and Truth are rare currencies and most be spent well in this world. If I had not revealed who I am to you, then the more and more I try to keep you further away from my true identity, the easier it will be for you to turn against me if something particularly bad happens. Consider this a gamble if you will. Now I know who you people are and now you people know who I am now. An organization is only as strong as its foundation and trust is the most important piece of that foundation." Lelouch finished before walk toward the Guren.

"D-D-Don't come closer, Lelouch!" Kallen barked, her arms lung onto the controls for Guren despite the knightmare not operation now.

"I won't ask you for your forgiveness when I used my Geass on you. I know that one day I will eventually have to face this. But I want you have this… used it when you think you have no other options." Lelouch said before place the case near Guren.

He didn't hear anything from the Guren and wonder if Kallen is deeply in thought about what he says.

Lelouch then looks at the Guren before he soon walked out of the hanger. After he left, Kallen soon got out of the Guren and went to see what inside the case.

Though she still hold doubt about Lelouch, but she cannot help being curious about what inside the case and opened it. Her eyes wide in surprised to see a Genesis Driver and Cherry Energy Lockseed inside the case.

Why would he give me these? Kallen thought shock.

"They are made for you." A voice said. She looks up and seeing Ayano in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" Kallen questioned.

"I just want to see how it goes." Ayano answered nonchalant. "It seem that you still have linger of doubt. It make logical sense after what happen." She said.

"Of course, I do." Kallen answer vigorous. "He is—"

"A manipulated bastard?" Ayano guessed. "Lelouch is always good with words and he always gambled the situation."

"How could you be used to that fact? The fact that he is a fuck prince of Britannia?" Kallen asked.

"I was same boat as you were before knowing. Whether they are former royalty or not. Whether Lelouch is Zangetsu or not. He and Nunna-chan are my closest friends. I want to make sure they survived and accept them for who they are." Ayano replied. "Beside if Lelouch wasn't going to trust you, he would choose someone else as Baron without caring for your feeling. Do you want that?"

Soon Kallen has a downcast expression at this. "If he did that, I cannot accept it. I wasn't the one who kill Clovis…" she said.

The half Japanese may still have doubt about Lelouch, but she don't want anyone else wore the armor that kills her brother. The only thing she can do is free Japan for her mother after realized how much she give up to stay by her side. But she don't know if it possible to trust Lelouch after learning about him. "I am not sure that I will be able to trust him easily now… he still could be lying to me about not making me his slave." She continued quietly.

Ayano resist the urge to sock the half Japanese as Lelouch already pointed out, but she realized that it won't do a thing to her shaking view on Lelouch now. This is something Kallen Kozuki need to come term with on her own volition. 'Not to mention this is Lelouch's gamble on building trust after revealed himself…' she added.

"Just hold onto it. Who knows when you would need it?" Ayano replied as the redhead nodded without a word.

A Britannian naval ship was sailing on the ocean and was on its way to Shikine Island. In the bridge, Suzaku, Cecile, Lloyd, and Nonette were there along with the crew operating the ship.

"Why Shikine Island?" Suzaku asked, "The Tokyo Settlement would have been a lot safer."

"Yes, I'm curious about that myself." Cecile said.

"Same here." Nonette said.

"What? You're saying neither of you don't know?" Suzaku replied surprised.

"Ditto on that," Lloyd said with a smile.

Suzaku was surprised that all three people don't know the reason.

"You still shouldn't have said anything Lloyd," Cecile said, "after all your loose lips got our plans leaked onto the net."

"Oh but that girl was so charming," Lloyd said pleased, "I just couldn't resist."

Lloyd responded by shrugging indifference.

The Black Knight are in the meeting room within the submarine as Zangetsu standing to face them.

"Euphemia is going on Shikine Island to meet with a noble from the Britannian homeland," Zangetsu said, "her knight Suzaku Kururugi will be accompany her of course. However, I also heard that the Knight of Nine Nonette Enneagram will be there with her Knightmare Bedivere. The first part of the mission is capture Nonette Enneagram and her Knightframe. After that placing her in custody."

"What happens after that?" Tamaki asked.

"I want to ask her questions especially why she is here." Zangetsu explains.

Unknown to him, Kallen is stared at him hard and it means that he will used his Geass again. But like others she is a bit curious what he get out of Nonette.

"Not to mention it strange that she didn't get involve when we break Todoh out." Rai added as this got agreements from others.

"She must chickened out when she saw us coming." Tamaki boasted loudly. Suddenly he and others feel chill down upon their spine as they turned to see Zangetsu emitting cold aura from him.

"I assured you, Tamaki. Nonette is never a coward from a fight." Zangetsu said cold, making Tamaki flinch. "She is one of the Knights of Round and that mean she is one of the best Knightmare pilots in Britannia. Which is a level I doubt that everyone here can compete yet. She is the second experience pilot beside the Knight of One, Bismarck Waldstein. She is also friend of our Viceroy Cornelia. If you think Cornelia does anything better, then I will tell you Nonette can do same thing but much better than her. She has less patient when it comes to cloak and dagger activities and will ignored Cornelia's orders. Outside of her pilot skill, Nonette is a mastery of marksman, fencing, and French version of martial arts."

"Do you have any information on her Knightmare?" Todoh asked as he and others never encounter her in Knightmare fight.

"I didn't get much of spec on her knightmare. But I can tell that we're deal with bulkier version of Lancelot and Nonette's skills. That is why speed is the advantage here." Zangetsu said.

"So what about Suzaku?" Rai asked.

"The plan will be the same by capturing him along with Nonette." Said Zangetsu. "Onto the second part of the mission." He continued.

"What is the second part?" Ohgi asked.

"An associated of mine inform something I need to confirm on Kamine Island which is few miles from Shikine Island." Zangetsu explains. "Apparently, on that island. Camelot there secretly and building a Knightmare that fly."

"A knightmare that can fly? Seriously?" Tamaki baffled by the information.

"Yes. Although the information been keep tightly secret in Camelot. The only things I learn that it still incomplete and that it has a prototype Float device that enable flight." Zangetsu said. "I'm sure that you will be interested in seeing and play around with it, Rakshata."

"That sound interesting indeed, Zangetsu." Rakshata said appreciatively. The idea of new toy to experiment seem to excite the female scientist. "May I know how you get such high connects to place?"

"Sorry, but that is a trade secret. However, I won't ignored the chance of allow Britannia continued with advancing their weaponry." Zangetsu explains. "If the information turns out to be true, then I can see we will have more benefits to reap before Britannia does."

"Okay. Who will be involved of the mission?" Ohgi asked curious.

"I want Rai, Urabe, and Chiba to go there. Three people will be sufficient enough without causing attention." Zangetsu said, surprised the people. "You three will be send to the island and extract the data and sabotage their research."

"I can see it work… but what about security there?" Senba want to know if they will encounter troubles on Kamine Island.

"That is why part one of the mission is vital." Zangetsu replied. "When news about the Black Knights are on the Shikine Island reach their ears, the military will dropped and aid to ensure the Princess and Knight of Nine's safety. It will stirring up chaos as they will be too distract and lessen the security for you guys to sneak in without a problem." He explains as this made them look surprised.

"This is certainly a complex plan. We will be capturing our targets while served to distract long enough for others to infiltration the other island." Todoh summarized Zangetsu's plan. So far, he don't see anything wrong with the plan.

"I see…" Rai understanding the plan that Zangetsu put up. It does have some risks involved, but he can see it work.

"Do you think that you three can handle it?" Zangetsu asked to them.

"Of course." Replied Rai serious.

"If it help us get upper hand against Britannia, then I accept the job." Chiba respond resolved.

"Of course, those bastards won't see it from miles away." Urabe said grin.

To be continued…

AN: That is the end of the chapter. This is the aftermath of the previous chapter especially involved with Marika. After all, I think there is consequence about sharing the same name which everyone would knowXD I also thanks RedRat for his help in this chapter. Anyway, be sure to review or message me for any questions, comments, or concern. And don't be afraid to look at my other stories.