Disclaimer: I don't own and have nothing to do with Code Geass.
Reason for Commitment
CC was watching people in a park and she was in thought about what to do next since she left Lelouch.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Marianne asked in CC's mind.
"Yes, I'm sure," CC said, "I see no point continuing with Lelouch. He has no intention to fulfill our contract and I can't stand his cruelty any longer."
"Cruelty?" Marianne replied, "Don't you think you're being a bit harsh on my son?"
CC frowned and looked at the side, "Then what do you call it?"
"Someone being a bit…um, passionate," Marianne said.
"You can't be serious," CC said, "You must be joking."
"Not on this," Marianne said with a serious tone.
"Regardless I can't stay with him," CC said, "There's no point if he's not going to fulfill his contract."
"Well CC, if that's the case then you might as well come back," Marianne said.
"Back to you…and Charles?" CC replied.
"Yes, our progress is going well," Marianne said, "It won't be long before we use the Sword of Akasha to slay God and unlike my precious son, we'll grant your wish to die."
"Are you sure?" CC asked, "You and I had a contract Marianne and you didn't fulfill it. In fact, I also have reason to believe that it was Charles who had me captured and handed me over to Clovis."
Marianne was silent and CC frowned at the silence.
"Why are you silent all of the sudden Marianne?" CC asked.
"CC…" Marianne said.
CC suddenly noticed something and saw that police officers were walking holding flyers. CC hid and watched one of the officers hung up one of the flyers on a pole and then they went on elsewhere. As soon as CC saw that it was clear, she walked and inspected the flyer. What CC saw was a picture of herself, the picture that was taken when she got in between the Lionel and the Morgause in Narita. It was a wanted flyer, wanting information of CC with a reward for any information about her and/or capture.
"Oh that's just great," CC said annoyed, "Nonette is really going through this and it looks like I can't stick around here."
"CC," Marianne said.
"With the way things are going right now, I can't stay in the Tokyo Settlement," CC said and then she sighed, "Oh who am I kidding. I don't think it's safe for me to be in Japan."
"So what are you going to do CC?" Marianne asked, "You don't really have much and if wanted flyers of you are going around, it will be hard for you to actually leave Area 11 without being seen."
CC frowned and wondered what she was going to do.
"You may not like to hear this but you have two choices," Marianne said.
"What are they?" CC asked with a frown.
"First choice, you go back to Ashford Academy and hide out with my children," Marianne said, "second choice, you agree to come back to me and Charles and we'll guarantee that you make it to Pendragon without getting caught. So, what do you say CC?"
CC thought about it and she sighed as she crossed her arms with worry.
Viceroy's Palace of Area 11
Cornelia was looking out of the window in her office and Guilford and Darlton were standing. Darlton mentioned something that surprised Cornelia and Guilford.
"A leak Darlton?" Cornelia asked.
"Yes," Darlton replied, "only those of us in the military would have the knowledge of the operation in Narita and the time we would start. Even with Zero figuring it out on his own that we would be in Narita, we had the entire place surrounded so they should not been able to get in without us knowing about it and yet they did."
"Yes, I always did find it strange," Guilford said, "they most likely were able to get to the summit of Narita before we even arrived."
"Yes," Cornelia said, "the only way that could have happened if…"
"If someone told Zero about it," Darlton said, "or someone who then leaked the information to Zero and the Black Knights."
"So we have someone within our ranks feeding Zero information," Cornelia deduced, "or someone who was told and leaked the information to Zero. If it's the latter, then someone was careless."
"Any idea who it is?" Guilford asked as he looked at Darlton.
"No clue, not yet at least but I'm working on it," Darlton said.
"Okay, I'll leave it to you Darlton," Cornelia said, "Euphie and Nonette will be coming back from Narita later on. I just hope they got some useful information from that man."
"Sounds like they finished questioning him," Guilford said.
"Yes," Cornelia said looking as though she was in thought.
"Your Highness?" Guilford said.
"Euphie is really taking charge of things," Cornelia commented.
"I agree," Darlton said.
"I really will be able to leave this area to her when the time comes," Cornelia said, "although I can't really say that with complete confidence with how Euphie thinks on certain…issues."
"I'm sure she'll eventually understand what needs to be done," Guilford said.
"I hope so," Cornelia said, "in fact, I'm going to make a request to the Emperor."
"A request?" Darlton spoke, "What kind of request?"
"Nonette," Cornelia said, "I'm going to ask him if he'll allow Nonette to be stationed here indefinitely even after she finishes her investigation of Zero."
"Oh…" Guilford said.
"Nonette has done a lot for me and Euphie," Cornelia added, "even though she is here for a mission regarding Zero and because my father isn't exactly pleased with me, Nonette has helped us out and I trust her. We need to step up and continue with haste to stabilize this area and that means eliminating any last remaining members of the Japan Liberation Front and getting rid of the Black Knights with the capture or execution of Zero."
"Yes, you're right Viceroy," Darlton said.
"We'll step up and get things done," Guilford said.
"I'm counting on you two," Cornelia said, "I know I can trust you two as well."
"Our place is with you Milady," Guilford said.
"We're happy to serve you Princess," Darlton added.
"Thank you," Cornelia said with a nod, "both of you."
Toyoma
In the secret base of Code-R Research Team, Madd was watching the scientists continue their work and Madd was pleased with it. However Madd wasn't pleased with the fact that Joseph Fenette was still alive. Madd planned to make sure that Joseph would be dead before he left Area 11 and anyone else who he may have spoken to about what was going on. Sancia, Lucretia, and Dalque arrived and stood in attention.
"All right girls," Madd said as he turned to his female subordinates, "you will go to the Tokyo Settlement and there you will enter Ashford Academy," Madd pointed at them, "you are to capture Alice," Madd grinned, "we're not under any obligation to do anything regarding Lelouch and Nunnally vi Britannia but should they intervene, give them the option to stay back and we'll pretend to not know much of them or should they insist in getting involved, have them dealt with."
"Understood Colonel," Sancia said, "Are you sure that's what you want? What about Master VV and the His Majesty?"
"Their issue with those two is a…family matter," Madd said, "a matter that I really don't care for. Master VV wanted to know about the Ashford Family and the two former royals, not me. I could care less about it. My real concern is Alice and having her back here and the research, that is all."
"Very well then," Sancia said.
"By the way Colonel," Lucretia said, "you might want to look at something."
"What is it?" Madd asked.
"Dalque," Sancia said.
"Yes," Dalque said as she handed Madd a flyer.
Madd looked at the wanted flyer of CC.
"Oh, I see, so they started" Madd said with a grin, "okay then…find her, capture her, and bring her to me. I can use her as a bargaining chip with the emperor and Master VV."
"Understood sir," The girls said in unison.
"Colonel, is that the girl?" One of the researchers asked as he and two others walked towards Madd.
Madd looked at them and nodded, "Yes, it seems that the police and military are searching for her."
"What do you mean?" Watts asked.
"We did some digging," Sancia said.
"It seems that she made an appearance in Narita," Lucretia said, "getting in between Zero and the Knight of Nine, Nonette Enneagram."
"Wait, she was in Narita?" One of the researchers asked shocked.
"Damn it," Watts said, "if we had known we could have captured her and continue with the experiment."
"With Cornelia's forces and the Black Knights around?" Another researcher asked, "Have you forgotten that Black Knights were actually searching for us?"
"Oh right…" Watts said with a frown.
"Well there's no use complaining about it now," Madd said, "besides, I think we can still get her."
Within Mt. Fuji
"Nunnally and I were actually born in Pendragon," Lelouch said, "the capitol of Britannia. Our mother…was Marianne vi Britannia, formerly Marianne Lamperouge who was known as Marianne the Flash who was once a Knight of the Round and our father is Charles zi Britannia, the current Emperor of Britannia."
The other Black Knights except for Sayoko, Alice, Rai, and Jinta were shocked at the revelation and they were wide eyed.
"W-Wait a minute," Ohgi said, "does that mean that…?"
"Y-You two are…" Tamaki said.
"That's right," Nunnally said with a nod, "We're actually Lelouch and Nunnally vi Britannia, the former prince and princess of the Britannian Empire."
Naoto and his group as well as Keitaro and Gen were shocked at the revelation as it was definitely the last thing that they ever would have expected.
"The two of you are…prince and princess of Britannia?" Tamaki asked.
"No," Lelouch said, "former prince and princess of Britannia."
"Eight years ago, these two were sent here in Japan to be hostages," Kirihara said, "they lived in the Kururugi household where they were looked after."
"Kururugi household?" Ohgi asked, "Wait, so you two stayed with the late Prime Minister Kururugi and his family?"
"That we did," Lelouch said, "Genbu Kururugi sheltered us and looked after us. Lord Kirihara looked after us as well and helped us out and for that my sister and I are eternally grateful to him."
"Oh I get it," Kallen said, "so that's how you became friends with Suzaku then."
"Yeah…although at first Suzaku and I didn't get along," Lelouch recalled, "in fact, we were always at each other's throats."
"Hmph, I can imagine," Naoto said.
"Hmph, staying with our country's last Prime Minister is one thing," Tamaki said, "but having interactions with his son who's now a traitor to Japan."
"It's sad to think about it," Lelouch said, "Suzaku was quite a patriot to Japan, very passionate about Japan not bowing down to anyone, especially Britannia," Lelouch chuckled, "went out of his way to remind of that."
"So why the hell is Suzaku Kururugi a willing lapdog for Britannia now?" Minami asked, "Do you two know?"
"Unfortunately we don't know exactly," Nunnally said, "but we're certain it may be about when his father died. It changed him for sure."
"The fact that Prime Minister Kururugi committed suicide," Yoshida commented.
"I still can't believe he did that," Sugiyama said, "it's doesn't make sense to me."
"Yes, I agree," Lelouch said, "it didn't seem like he would be the kind of man who would do that, especially his standing firm for Japan as well."
Kirihara clenched his cane and looked down feeling ashamed as he knew the truth of what really happened seven years ago.
"But back to you two," Inoue said, "you two are prin—" Inoue cut herself off and shook her head, "no, former prince and princess of Britannia, what are you really trying to gain?"
"Pretty sure we made that clear from the beginning," Lelouch said.
"Yes but why?" Inoue asked, "Why are you two willing to fight against Britannia even though you two are Britannians yourselves, born from the Imperial Family."
"We've seen things first hand," Lelouch said, "and couldn't ignore the cruelty that our country does."
"What do you mean?" Sugiyama asked.
"Eight years ago, our mother was murdered," Lelouch said, "it was reported that it was the work of terrorists but that is not true. Terrorists would not be able to get near the Aries Villa. No, our mother was killed as a result of a scheme, a scheme that was carried out by someone or some ones who resented our mother."
"But why would they resent your mom?" Tamaki asked.
"Our mother was a commoner," Nunnally said, "she worked her way up in the military, eventually becoming one of the Knights of the Round and married our father, the Britannian Emperor, becoming the 5th Imperial Consort."
"That of course drew jealously and resentment by the other imperial consorts as well as other high ranking nobles."
"Wow, I guess they couldn't stand the idea of a commoner being married into the royal family or in any of the nobility for that matter," Keitaro said.
"That's right and that resentment went towards to me and Nunnally just because we're her children," Lelouch said.
"It's always the same no matter where," Kallen commented upset as she felt terrible for Lelouch and Nunnally.
Lelouch continued, "Anyway, the next day I had an audience with the emperor and wanted to know why he would allow such a thing to just pass in one of his territories and why nothing was to be done of finding out who did it."
"Okay, did you give you an answer?" Naoto asked.
"Yeah, he did all right," Lelouch said with a frown, "first he referred the news of my mother's death as old news."
"Okay, that's cold," Minami said.
"Cold and heartless," Yoshida said.
"Yeah, then he complained that I was wasting his time informing something that he already knew, calling it a trivial matter."
"T-Trivial matter?" Ohgi said shocked, "Seriously?"
"Your mother was murdered and he called it trivial and referred to it as a waste of time?" Naoto asked shocked.
"He did," Nunnally said clearly upset, "but when you think about and remember all the speeches that the emperor gives, it shouldn't be a surprise. It shouldn't have been a surprise to us."
"Yeah, also…" Lelouch spoke.
Flashback: July 2009atb, Throne Room, Pendragon Imperial Palace
"How can you sit there and refer to my mother's assassination as trivial?" Lelouch asked angrily, "Especially in the nature that was committed. It was deemed a terrorist attack but it's an obvious lie and you just callously call it trivial and childish games when my mother was murdered in what I'm sure it's a plot set by people who held my mother in contempt and Nunnally is suffering over what happened!"
"So what?" Charles responded coldly, "I have no use for that weakling."
Lelouch was shocked again, "That weakling…? Did you just refer to my sister, your daughter as a weakling?"
"Are you hard of hearing now?" Charles asked annoyed, "That's exactly what I said. It's what it means to be royalty."
Lelouch clenched his teeth and his fists in anger.
"So that's it," Lelouch said, "if that how you desire it then I don't want to be your heir," Lelouch looked at his father with hatred, "I give up my claim to the throne!"
Lelouch's declaration shocked and stunned the people in the throne room.
"I despise the fighting and scheming of who will succeed you Father and the fact that you're in actuality making us fight! Well I want no part of it, I've had enough!"
"You are dead," Charles replied harshly.
"What?" Lelouch responded with a glare.
"You have always been dead to me, dead from the moment you were born. Who gave you the fine clothes you wear and comfortable home? The food you eat and your very life? In fact, who was it that really allowed you to be trained by two of my Knights of the Round? It was me, not your mother but me. All of those, I have given to you. In short Lelouch, you are nothing to me because you have never existed. Yet you have the gall, the audacity to question me and dare to speak such foolishness to me?!"
Charles stood up from his throne with authority. Lelouch step back and but still didn't give in to fear towards his father and continued to glare at his own father who was very intimidating and while he was shaking and Charles continued to look at Lelouch with a death glare; it was as if the glare was piercing Lelouch's very soul.
Charles continued, "Lelouch, you are dead, therefore you are not entitled to any rights. I am sending you and Nunnally to Japan, as prince and princess; you two will serve well as bargaining tools."
Flashback End
The others were shocked after hearing it and couldn't believe that coldness and callous of Charles zi Britannia.
"What the hell?" Sugiyama spoke, "What the hell is wrong with that man?"
"What kind of person says that shit to their own kids?" Tamaki asked disgusted what he had just learned.
"So he's just as cold hearted even towards his own children," Kallen said upset.
"Frankly, I've always known that the Britannian emperor was like this and how he would respond even towards his own children," Lelouch said, "what had happened that day for me was actually seeing it firsthand," Lelouch cleared his throat, "anyway as a result of me daring to speak out against my father, my sister and I were sent to Japan where we stayed with the Kururugi family."
"Hold on a minute," Yoshida said, "is your reasoning for fighting against Britannia to just avenge your mother?"
"Yeah, is that your only reason?" Gen asked.
"It's not the only reason and I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't part of it," Lelouch said, "it is motivation for our fight against Britannia but like I just said it's not the only reason. We've seen the devastation that Britannia caused when the war occurred."
"What do you mean?" Kallen asked.
"A year after first arriving here in Japan, the war began and one of the things that happened when the war began was that the Kururugi home and its surrounding property being bombed. We would have been killed had we not had the foresight to get away."
The other founding members of the Black Knights were shocked again at what they heard and couldn't believe that it would happen to them.
"Wait, are you saying that even knowing full well that you and Nunnally were there, they still bombed the Kururugi place?" Ohgi asked shocked.
"Yes, that's exactly right," Nunnally said sadly.
"Damn, so they really were set to kill you but why?" Minami asked.
"I'm sure they did it to make us martyrs," Lelouch said, "justify themselves to the war they started and the occupation of Japan. It's clear to us that our father intentionally sent us to die and that he had every intention to invade and conquered Japan from the start."
"It also led to the…" Nunnally sighed, "…extreme prejudice on the Japanese people by some of our siblings."
The others were taking in what they were told and couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"Anyway, after the war and seeing the deaths they caused not only towards Japanese soldiers, but to the civilians which…" Lelouch had a sad expression, "seeing the deaths of men, women and even children, some who were even younger than Nunnally at the time, it got me angry and I realized that kind of country that Britannia is and I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand what they have done so I've decided to go against Britannia and plan things out and wait for the right moment to fight against them."
"So, that's how it is," Ohgi said.
"Damn, so that's what happened," Naoto said.
"It's a lot to take in understandably," Lelouch said, "but we just wanted you all to know where we stand, to know who we are and why we're doing what we're doing."
"We need to know something though," Inoue said, "we pull this off and we win against Britannia, what do you intend to do afterwards? Do you intend to maybe take the throne of Britannia?"
"No, absolutely not," Lelouch said shaking his head.
"Seriously?" Yoshida asked.
"Yes, I renounced my claim to the throne eight years ago," Lelouch said, "it wouldn't be right for me to go for the throne when I willfully renounced my claim."
"And I have no intention in taking the throne either," Nunnally said, "
"I see…" Inoue said.
"It is like I said," Kirihara said, "these two are indeed true enemies of Britannia and their conviction is genuine in going against their homeland."
"We wanted you all to know so that you really decide for sure if you really want to stick with us," Nunnally said.
Alice, Rai, Sayoko, and Jinta walked over and stood next to the siblings.
"We've known about them already and decided to follow them," Rai said.
"I had already decided to follow them," Jinta said, "I have…a bit of history with their family and I intend to aid these two to the very end."
The other founding members of the Black Knights looked at each other and thought about everything they were told and they looked at the siblings.
Tokyo Train Station
The train had just arrived in the station and people were getting out of the train and the Fenette family was among them who were getting out of the train. Joseph was smiling happily talking to his wife and daughter and Shirley was thinking about what she had learned. It made her and her mother upset when they learned that members of the Purist Faction were going to use her father in a scheme just get back in good graces and it amazed Shirley that it was Zero who protected her father and the fact that Zero produced genuine evidence of the Purist Faction's scheme. They had spent some time talking to Euphemia and after satisfied with the answers that Joseph gave to the 3rd Princess of Britannia, Euphemia allowed Joseph to go home with his family. Shirley was grateful to have her father with her and she knew who the reason was for her father being around again.
On the highway on route to Tokyo Settlement
Three vehicles, a limousine and two trailers were on the road heading back to the Tokyo Settlement. Cecile was driving the ASSEC trailer and Lloyd was sitting in the passenger seat. In the back of the ASSEC trailer, Suzaku was sitting with his thoughts and he had his hands together. Suzaku then looked at the Lancelot that was still needed to be repaired and he had a sad expression and it wasn't just the Lancelot and the fact that he was defeated by Zero. It was something that he had just learned about back in Narita. He learned about what had happened with Shirley's father and the Purist Faction. It was very discouraging for Suzaku to hear that a civilian was being used for the sake of scheme by members of the military and he couldn't understand why they would do these things.
"The military is supposed to protect citizens," Suzaku said to himself, "How can they do such things?"
Flashback: Ashford Academy
"They're out there Suzaku," Lelouch said, "people so bad, they just go on victimizing people that are less fortunate than they are or because they believe themselves to be untouchable. Don't force your own beliefs onto others Suzaku and seriously, you need to open your eyes to see everything because really, you're blinding yourself."
Second Flashback in Ashford Academy
"I could explain and go on about why what you're trying to do will never work…but I know it will fall on deaf ears with you," Lelouch said, "Britannia is riddled with corruption and if you're not careful, you'll either die trying for your ideals or become twisted and warped for your ideals. It'll be sad if you fall to either or even both," Lelouch looked over to Suzaku, "you still don't see big picture of things and you have no intention of ever doing so," Lelouch sighed sadly, "I really pity my friend."
Flashback End
"I have to make things works," Suzaku said, "just to show that one who works within the system can truly benefit…and I have to prove Lelouch wrong because I know that if I don't, he'll just end joining Zero."
Suzaku thought about everything that had happened recently.
"It seems that every time, I keep hearing something disturbing and unpleasant," Suzaku said sadly, "the massacre of the people in Shinjuku that was ordered by Prince Clovis because of his illegal activity, Princess Cornelia attempting to recreate the massacre in Saitama, members of the police force participating in the Refrain distribution, and now that group with the military attempting to kill innocent civilian and who happens to be Shirley's father and they did it just to get in good graces and frame Zero for the deed," Suzaku sighed sadly, "it's true that corruption is rampant and it shouldn't continue. I can only move forward and do whatever it takes to rise up and then I can surely help put an end to the corruption that goes on while continue to work on through the right means," Suzaku paused a bit, "but how am I going to do that?" Suzaku looked at the Lancelot, "Even when the Lancelot gets repaired, it's likely that I won't be allowed to participate in future operations," Suzaku clenched his hands, "all because of Zero. If only he didn't continue to mess up what I'm trying to do. As long as Zero continues, I'll have no chance of ever really be able change things from within. I understand why Zero is doing what he's doing but he's sacrificing lives and he and the Black Knights are going about things the wrong way," Suzaku frowned as he felt anger towards Zero, "He killed a lot of people in Narita and in Saitama yet he thinks his way will change things for the better?" Suzaku shook his head strongly, "They won't and they never will and all Zero and the Black Knights will do is bring the feeling of emptiness and sadness to others. His methods won't change anything overall, they never will. If Zero and the Black Knights would just use the system…work with the police, things would be better," Suzaku shook his head again and frowned as he felt disgusted with Zero, "but no, they chose to be vigilantes instead. They're no better than the terrorist groups. I just wish Lelouch would understand because I can tell that he actually supports Zero."
Flashback: Ashford Academy
"If they wanted to catch criminals, they could have joined the police force. So I can't understand why they wouldn't," Suzaku said.
"They probably figured that the police are really an incompetent bunch," Lelouch answered, "It's understandable why they would think that way, in fact, I tend to agree."
"The police may not be that effective right now," Suzaku said turning his attention to Lelouch, "but they could have invoke change from within."
"Oh yeah, I'm sure," Lelouch responded sarcastically, "and in the process, they would get all tangled up in red tape of bureaucracy and getting pinned down by numerous hindrances."
Flashback End
Suzaku couldn't help but be reminded what Lelouch said about the police and it got him thinking about members of their own forces participating in the Refrain Distribution. Suzaku sighed and just looked at the Lancelot and hoped to do any mission to get close to his goals. Meanwhile, in the limousine, Euphie was looking outside with Nonette sitting next to her. Nonette looked back and saw the second trailer and that second trailer contained her Morgause. Nonette looked back in the front and then looked at Euphie.
"Euphie?" Nonette spoke.
"Yes?" Euphie replied.
"How are you holding up?" Nonette asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine," Euphie said, "it's just a lot has been going on and I have lot to do when we get back. Nonette, may I ask you something?"
"Sure, what's on your mind?" Nonette replied.
"This woman you're after," Euphie said, "Cera, right?"
"Yes?" Nonette said.
"What are you going to when you find her?" Euphie asked.
Nonette looked away with a frown, "Actually Euphie, you're better off not knowing. You won't like what I'll do to her. I'm sure as hell not going to let that bitch get away with what she did to me and butted in my fight that I was going to have with Zero."
Euphie just looked at Nonette. Meanwhile, Jeremiah and Villetta were riding in the trailer that had the Morgause.
"Our Purist Faction is now disbanded," Jeremiah said.
"Yes it is," Villetta said.
"It's shameful," Jeremiah said with a frown, "it was bad enough that Kewell and the others tried to kill me, but for them to make that attempt on a civilian, on Joseph Fenette…it's disgraceful."
"Yes," Villetta said, "but don't forget Lord Jeremiah. You and I are not exactly in the clear either."
Jeremiah sighed and looked away, "Yeah I know."
Villetta looked away with her own thoughts and it was about trying to find connection of Zero and one of the students of Ashford Academy.
A Few Hours Later, Tokyo Settlement
It was a raining night in the Tokyo Settlement and Lelouch was rushing holding an umbrella over his head as he looked around. Lelouch was wearing a light red dress shirt with a dark blue tie and wearing a white blazer over it and he had brown dress pants with a black belt and dark brown dress shoes. Lelouch kept looking and then he saw Shirley standing with her own umbrella in hand. Lelouch calls for Shirley and Shirley response by waving to Lelouch as Lelouch rushes over to Shirley.
"Sorry I'm late," Lelouch said, "had to take care of things."
"I'm just glad you're here," Shirley said, "although I have to admit, I was a bit worried that you might not make it."
"I understand and I'm sorry," Lelouch said and then he smiled, "but hey, I'm here."
Shirley smiled, "Yes, you are."
Shirley and Lelouch walked together and make their way to the theater and Lelouch noticed the expression on Shirley's face and he got concerned.
"Shirley," Lelouch said.
"Hmm?" Shirley responded looking at Lelouch.
"Are you okay?" Lelouch asked.
"I…" Shirley paused a bit and then she stopped.
Lelouch stopped as well and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Shirley, is something bothering you?" Lelouch asked, "If there is and you feel lost, you can talk to me about it. I don't know if I'll be able to have a solution to whatever it is but maybe talking about it can help and I'm willing to listen."
"Really?" Shirley said looking at Lelouch.
"Absolutely," Lelouch said with a nod.
"Lulu…" Shirley said feeling grateful and then she had her head down, "you really are a kind person."
"Shirley…" Lelouch said.
"In that case, can I ask you something?" Shirley asked.
"Sure, what's on your mind?" Lelouch asked.
"Lulu, what do you think of Zero?" Shirley asked.
"Zero?" Lelouch replied, "What do you mean?"
"I know it might seem weird to ask this…especially since he's considered as an enemy of Britannia but I wonder…is he really as bad as they say he is?"
"Well, depends on who you're asking," Lelouch said.
"Yeah, that's true," Shirley said, "Zero declares that he protects the weak and fights against those with power who intend to harm innocent people."
"Yeah, that what he says," Lelouch said.
"Yeah…do you believe him Lulu?" Shirley asked.
"If I'm being honest…yeah, I do," Lelouch said.
"I see…so do I," Shirley said, "I know that he's considered an enemy and a threat…but I really can't bring myself to see him that way," Shirley shook her head, "in fact, I'm actually grateful to him."
"Oh," Lelouch said and then he deduced why that was the case, "I get it. It's about what had happened in Lake Kawaguchi, right? I agree, it's a good thing Zero and the Black Knights did what they did. They protected you and the others and for that…I'm really glad."
"It's not just Lake Kawaguchi," Shirley said.
"Huh?" Lelouch replied, "Not just Lake Kawaguchi?"
"Zero can't be a bad person," Shirley said, "How can he be bad…when he protected my father?"
"Wait, your father?" Lelouch responded surprised.
"My father was in Narita and Zero protected him," Shirley said, "Zero protected my father from members of the military who were actually going to kill him."
Lelouch was surprised as he realized that the man he saved and protected from the Purist Faction in Narita was actually Shirley's father. Lelouch just looks at Shirley and placed his hand on Shirley's shoulder again and had Shirley look at Lelouch.
"It's good that your father is all right," Lelouch said.
"Yeah, I'm so glad that he's okay," Shirley said with a nod, "I don't want to even imagine what would have happened otherwise."
"Well fortunately, you don't need to," Lelouch said with a smile, "anyway, let's go. We have a concert to see."
Shirley nodded at Lelouch with a smile, "Yeah, my father is kind and gentle. He never hurt me or my mother. He's a good man," Shirley got upset, "it makes me angry that soldiers would do this."
"Sadly Shirley, it's not the first time," Lelouch said.
"Yeah, it's like what happened with you Lulu," Shirley said.
"Yeah…" Lelouch said, "but anyway, your father safe, that's what matters."
Shirley smiled at Lelouch and nodded. Lelouch and Shirley continued on their way and they soon arrived and entered the theater where the concert would take place.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: The Black Knights get a new member and General Katase contacts Zero.