Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Code Geass.
Short End
In one of the rooms within the submarine that was headed to the island that was currently inhabited by the organization Peace Mark, Rai sat down on a chair and sighed.
"I had set things up after I had done the deed," Rai said, "I made it look like Garrick had gone crazy and killed both Croix and Patrick before taking his own life. Their mothers were devastated that their sons were dead. They got along with each as they had a common enemy and that was my mother and making my mother as well as me and Shina miserable however with what had happened to their sons, they had immediately turned on each other. Garrick's mother refused to believe that Garrick had actually did the deed and actually accused that it was had been either Croix or Patrick that was at fault. Of course naturally, Patrick's mother and Croix's mother was livid that Garrick's mother would make such a claim and they blamed each other which led to huge fights with the three imperial consorts and as a result, they ended up killing each other. It would have been over for me since I finally got my revenge on the people that had tormented and were ready to kill me and my family however I was not done as I felt that there was one more person who had to pay and it was someone who I felt was allowing the terrible things that my mother and sister faced were happening and who chose to do nothing."
"And I'm guessing that it would be your father," Lelouch said.
"Yes," Rai said, "I felt it was time that my father paid for allowing the torment and high chance of my mother, my sister and myself to be killed."
"So you decided to confront your father," Jinta said.
"That I did," Rai said.
Pendragon 1978atb
In the throne room, Roland was wide eyed as he was shocked to see Rai stand before him and then he was annoyed.
"Raius, what is the meaning of this?" Roland asked as he put up airs of authority, "I gave you no permission to disturb me. Leave now."
"Father, I'm here to put an end to you and your reign as Emperor," Rai declared.
"I beg your pardon," Roland responded with an arched eyebrow.
"You heard what I said," Rai responded.
"I see," Roland said, "so you're now bold enough to actually defy me. Hmph, a lot of strange events have happened recently. Your brothers are dead as well as their mothers and all those that stood behind them are all dead," Roland glared at Rai, "Raius, would you happened to know anything about this?"
"Father," Rai said.
"Well it doesn't really matter," Roland said as he stood up from the throne, "so what do you want? You want answers, isn't that right?"
Rai clenched his teeth in anger and glared at his father.
"Why?" Rai asked.
"Why what?" Roland responded, "Speak up boy."
"Why would allow these things to go on?" Rai asked, "Why would you be okay of my mother, my sister and I to be harassed? Why would you be okay for us to be physically threatened? I know that you know for the fact that we were shot at and I know that you know who was involved and the fact that there have been attempts to actually murder us so why would allow these things to go on?"
"Hmph, and why not?" Roland replied, "Why not allow them to occur?"
"What?" Rai replied back shocked.
"Why not let these things on?" Roland asked, "After all, it's all part of the way things are in Britannia."
"What do you mean?" Rai asked upset.
Roland sighed as he was actually disappointed, "You mean after all this time, you still do not understand? You disappoint me Raius."
Roland walked a bit and put his hands behind his back.
"I don't get it," Rai said.
"When it comes down to it," Roland said, "who is it that is truly worthy of ruling Britannia? That's what I mean. It's the mantra of survival of the fittest. Conflicts within the Imperial Family is just to see who is fit to be the last one standing and if they can knock out the others in their way for the throne. That is how it was for me when I took the throne and I took out all the others in my way for the throne. The weak lose and are cast out and if they die than it just means that they were never to continue on. All in all, it builds character."
Rai was shaking in anger hearing what his father was saying.
"That's your reasoning?" Rai replied, "That's your excuse for condoning such things to occur?"
"Stop your pathetic whining," Roland said and then he sighed, "Considering the circumstances with your brothers dead, you are the only one left to succeed me to the throne. However," Roland shook his head, "I do not feel that you are fit to rule Britannia. You're too soft and naïve and not to mention a pathetic whining little brat. Even with everything that I have told you, I know that you refuse to accept that truth of Britannia," Roland sighed again, "Miyabi is such a failure."
Rai flinched when he mention his father mentioned his mother.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Rai asked upset.
"Exactly as I said it," Roland said, "your mother is a failure. In fact, I believe it would be best to deal with her and your sister as well, just so that you can finally understand."
Rai was wide eyed and then he clenched his teeth and glared at his father.
"I won't let you do whatever it is you intend to do to my mother and sister," Rai declared.
Rai was surprised when he saw that his father brought out a handgun and pointed at him.
"And you believe that you can stop me," Roland said, "I'll let you know that I have no problem ending those that defy me and you my son are no exception. I may need to produce more heirs and maybe they won't be as weak-willed as you and Shina, do you understand what I'm telling you?"
"…Yes I understand," Rai said.
"Good," Roland said with a smile.
"Yes I understand Father," Rai said, "I understand that you really are a callous human being and that you have no qualms to kill even your own consorts and children if you see fit to do so."
"Say what you want," Roland said with a frown, "you're a disgrace but I guess it can't be helped with you not being fully Britannia… I should have known so with that, Raius, you are no longer useful to me and I won't allow you succeed me to the throne."
"That is not up to you Father," Rai said as he activated his Geass, "Give me your gun."
Roland was confused and berated Rai for daring to try to tell him what to do before actually being controlled by his son's Geass.
"Sure, here you go," The Geass controlled Roland said.
Roland handed the handgun to Rai and then Rai glared at his father before pointing and fatally shot his own father. Roland fell on the floor dead as his blood seeped through and spread on the floor.
"And right then and there," Rai said, "I killed my own father because to me it was clear that he was ready to do harm to my mother and sister and I wasn't allow that to happen."
"So now it's done," A male voice said.
Rai looked as someone made their appearance and it was VV.
"VV," Rai said.
"You got your revenge Raius," VV said, "you must be satisfied."
"Satisfied…" Rai said, "Maybe… I guess that this would be over… but it's not because I know what to do."
"Oh?" VV replied as he was curious.
The Next Morning
There was a gathering within the throne room in the imperial palace. Many high ranking nobles and other members of the Imperial Family were attendance in the throne room. Miyabi and Shina were also among the attendance and they both wondered where Rai was as neither could get in touch of him. An imperial guardsman stood attention.
"Presenting His Imperial Majesty!" The Guardsman announced.
There were footsteps that headed for the throne and people waited in anticipation however they were all surprised in who they were seeing. It was not Roland ke Britannia that they had all expected to see but instead that it was actually Rai who was walking and then he sat on the throne. There was confusing and people were wondering what was going on and of course people asked where was the 95th Emperor. Miyabi and Shina were surprised to see Rai and wondered what happened. Rai sat on the throne gave his attention to all those in the throne room.
"Good morning everyone," Rai started, "I am Raius yo Britannia, the 96th Emperor of Britannia."
The people in the throne room were shocked in what Rai had just said.
"What in the world?" A male noble spoke.
"96th Emperor?" A female noble asked.
"What is the meaning of this?" An elderly noble man asked, "Where is Emperor Roland?"
"Raius," Miyabi spoke.
"Big Brother," Shina said.
Rai looked at his mother and sister and smiled.
"Hello Mother," Rai said, "hello Shina. Don't worry I'm fine. I'm sorry I didn't inform you about this earlier."
"I don't care about that," Miyabi said, "Raius, how are you emperor? Where's your father?"
"Yes, that is a good question," A middle aged nobleman said as he stepped up and faced Rai, "Prince Raius, what is the meaning of this?"
"I'm no longer a prince," Rai said, "I prefer it that you refer to me as Emperor."
"What nonsense are you speaking of?" Another nobleman asked, "This is not appropriate for you to be making terrible jokes. That throne belongs to His Majesty, Emperor Roland. Now you should remove yourself from it because I'm sure His Majesty would not find it amusing in what you are doing."
"Of course he wouldn't," Rai said, "but that does not matter, it is irrelevant."
"What are you talking about?" The elderly nobleman asked.
"My father, the 95th Emperor Roland ke Britannia no longer lives," Rai said and then glared, "he's dead."
This shocked everyone in the throne room in what Rai said.
"It is the truth," Rai continued, "because I'm the one who took his life."
Everyone in the throne room was shocked again and Miyabi was shocked to hear that her own son admitted of murdering his own father and Shina was wide eyed to hear her brother confessed of killing their father.
"Therefore in this manner that is accepted and encouraged, I'm the rightful ruler of Britannia!" Rai declared.
"Raius," Miyabi said surprised.
"You impudent fool!" Another nobleman said.
"Do you think that you would be able to get away with this?" The elderly nobleman asked.
"It does not matter," Rai said, "I am the Emperor of Britannia."
Rai snapped his fingers and then the doors opened and soldiers flooded in and stood in front of the walls of the throne room saluting and pledging their allegiance to Rai.
"All hail Emperor Raius!" The loyal soldiers said in unison.
"This is the truth," Rai said as he stood up from the throne, "from now on, I rule Britannia and it will no longer be ruled by fear and tyranny as it was with my father, the previous emperor."
"And with that, I began my rule as Emperor of Britannia," Rai said.
Rai looked over to the side and saw VV who nodded and smiled at him and then he left.
Present
Rai sighed and Lelouch and Nunnally as well as Alice were amazed and CC and Jinta were amazed as well.
"It must have been a shock to your mother and sister," CC said.
"Yeah it was," Rai said, "needless to say that my mother… well didn't approve of me killing my father."
"Even though you did it to protect them?" Lelouch asked.
"Yeah," Rai said, "even though I explained to her and Shina that my father had intended to end their lives for as he said, being too weak. But I can understand… even though I did what I had to do, I actually don't feel right that I killed my father… or my brothers for that matter, but I felt the need to do so because I know what they would have kept going and what would have been the endgame for them."
"It's understandable," Lelouch said, "you and I are in the same boat in that regard."
The other understood what Lelouch was saying as to them it was a reference to the fact that Lelouch had killed Clovis in retaliation for the deaths of all the people living in Shinjuku.
"Yeah, that's true," Nunnally said.
"But still this is quite surprise," CC said, "that you became Emperor of Britannia."
"Yeah and I will admit that VV helped me in that regard," Rai said.
"Again surprise that Vincent would go out of his way to do so," Jinta said.
"When I was retaliating against those that threatened me and my sister and my mother, I actually learned from groups of people of how they felt things were with Britannia ruled by my father," Rai said, "there were problems, various problems in Britannia and the way my father was doing things was making those problems worse and it was not just the common people but even some of the nobility were suffering under my father's rule."
"And of course, it not like they could speak out about it and or talk to just anyone about it," CC said.
"Yes as it was a sure way for them to be executed or maybe even worse," Rai said, "it is as I said, my father ruled Britannia with fear and tyranny. As I had continued, I had also took time to study the look in the situations that had been going on in Britannia and the policies that had been enacted during my father's reign and I decided to do something and either change or abolish the policies that my father enacted. Those were the first things I did when I became Emperor. As a result, people started to praise me and life in Britannia was gradually getting better for majority of the citizens. Of course they were those who were against me and against the changes that I made so I had to deal with rebellious elements going against but with the supports that I had and my strategies placed in the Britannian forces, I was able to quell all the rebellions and stomp them out and then eventually people saw me the Guardian Emperor, the one who protect his own subjects," Rai smiled, "it was amazing because I started out in just wanted to protect my mother and sister and then eventually it went on to me gradually protecting the citizens, whether they were commoners or nobles against those that would do harm. That was my rule over Britannia and I was content… but then…" Rai had a sad expression, "One day, everything went crashing down and it was me who caused it all."
"Rai…" Lelouch said.
Rai closed his eyes with a sad expression and then he opened his eyes again.
1978atb, Pendragon Imperial Palace
Rai was sitting on his throne wearing his imperial garb as Emperor of Britannia.
"It had been five months since I claimed the throne and became Emperor," Rai said, "and I had received some disturbing news."
"Your Majesty," A tall Britannian soldier spoke as he stood and faced Rai.
"General Durgan," Rai spoke, "what's the situation?"
"I'm afraid the situation had gotten worse Sire," Durgan said, "There have been multiple conflicts that have occurred on our borders. According to our reports, they are preparing to invade our country."
"I see," Rai said, "I guess there's no way around it."
"Unfortunately not Sire," Durgan said as he shook his head, "we're going to have a war on our hands."
Rai was upset and he clenched his fists and teeth in anger and frustration.
"Damn it," Rai said, "trying so hard to avoid it through negotiations."
"There was nothing that could have been done Your Majesty," Durgan said, "unfortunately it is also the result of the events and decisions that had been made by the previous emperor."
"Yes," Rai said bitterly, "the mess that my father left behind," Rai sighed, "we have no choice," Rai stood up from the throne, "Durgan, prepare to mobilize out forces. We're going to stand our ground. We not allow them to threaten and invade our country and terrorize the civilians."
"Yes Your Majesty," Durgan said with a salute.
Durgan left to relay the order and Rai sighed and he sat back on the throne.
"So it seems that war is going to occur," VV said as he appeared the moment that Durgan was out of the room.
"VV," Rai said.
"How unfortunate that it has come to this," VV said.
Rai sighed, "It is."
"Well either way, just remember this," VV said.
"Huh, what is it?" Rai asked.
"You're not allowed to die," VV said.
"Huh?" Rai replied, "Because of our contract? You don't need to remind me VV. I know that."
"…Of course," VV said with a smile, "just wanted to make sure."
VV left and Rai sighed and then stood up from his throne again and made his way to where he needed to be.
"It was the Northern Republic," Rai said, "the country that was obvious up north from Britannia. There have been problems and tensions from Britannia and the Northern Republic for some time and when my father was emperor, he made those tensions worse. As a result of it, when they learned that my father died and that I took his place as emperor, they saw it as an opportunity to invade Britannia. They surely saw me as some weak child emperor and started conflicts on our borders."
Rai was then met up by his mother and sister.
"Raius," Shina said with worry.
"It seems that things have gotten bad," Miyabi said.
"Yes I'm afraid it has," Rai said.
"Raius," Miyabi said,
"Please don't worry," Rai assured, "I promise I won't let the Northern Republic have their way. I will protect this country and everyone with it."
"Raius," Shina said as she hugged her brother.
"Raius," Miyabi said with a smile.
Rai smiled back at his mother and sister. Later on, Rai was in Pendragon's plaza and stood behind a podium with microphones and speakers and was ready to give his live address as people gathered in the plaza to listen their emperor speak. There were a few high ranking soldiers that were behind him and Miyabi and Shina were sitting in their chairs on Rai's right side.
"My dear citizens of Britannia, all who listen far and wide all over the empire," Rai began, "I am Raius yo Britannia, your 96th Emperor of Britannia. I stand before you today to make you aware of the situation that has been brought before us. As you all know by now that the situation is our neighboring country, the Northern Republic as they decided to act aggressively and start conflicts on our borders and now they intend for a full on invasion on this country. This outrage cannot be tolerated."
Rai was getting cheers and applause in response.
"I gave my public address and rallied all of Britannia and boosted morale to stand against Northern Republic," Rai said, "but that's when things went wrong."
The cheers and chants for Rai erupted as Rai raised his right fists in the air.
"The country up in the north thinks that we would tolerate it and just allow it," Rai continued, "but they don't know Britannia very well. They don't know us as the citizens very well."
Rai's Geass suddenly activated and Rai didn't realize as he continued with his speech.
"After all, if need to be," Rai said unaware that his Geass activated, "we would fight against the Northern Republic and to the very death if needed to be to stand against them!"
The glowing large sphere activated as everyone in the proximity and everyone who heard were affected by Rai's Geass.
"Yes, let's do this!" A Geass affected citizen said.
"Let's go fight to the death!" Another Geass affected person said.
"Onward against to the invaders!" A female person said affected by Geass.
"Wait, hold on," Rai said as he felt something was wrong.
"Let's go and fight and give our lives!" Miyabi said suddenly,
Rai was shocked and looked at his mother and then he noticed that his mother was affected and then he saw Shina was the same way as he had the rings glowing on her eyes and then Rai looked again and realized in horror in what just happened as saw that his Geass had activated and gave command to everyone who heard him.
"No wait!" Rai said in a panic, "I didn't mean it literally! Ignore what I just said."
"Let's us go and fight to the death!" A soldier said affected by Geass.
"No wait!" Rai said as he tried to stop it.
It was too late as everyone who heard Rai was affected by Geass and set out to confront the forces of the Northern Republic. Rai tried to stop and tried to snap people out of it but it was not to be and then the conflict began as the war ensued between Britannia and Northern and people were losing lives on both sides much to Rai's horror. The war was fought and then he ended within a day and Britannia emerged victorious as all the forces of Northern fell with only two survivors and they retreated by to their country. Britannia emerge victorious however they were massive casualties on the Britannia side and it wasn't just soldiers but also civilians that had lost their lives as well. The Britannian soldiers that survived recovered from the Geass and didn't remember what had happened and they wondered why they had civilian casualties and wondered what the emperor said. Meanwhile Rai walked and looked on in horror in what he was seeing and it was the people that were all dead as his Geass was still active.
"No," Rai said, "what have I done?"
Rai fell on his knees and tears started to form from his eyes and then he looked and saw two people among the dead and it was his mother Miyabi and his sister Shina and Rai slowly walked over to them. Rai then fell on his knees and was heartbroken.
"Mother," Rai said sadly, "Shina."
Rai clenched his teeth as his eyes widened and then he screamed from the top of his lungs. Rai cried his heart seeing his mother, his sister, and all the people he swore to protect.
"Do you really think that you have the luxury to just cry?" VV's voice said suddenly.
Rai flinched and he turned to find VV.
"VV," Rai said.
"Well it finally occurred that your Geass would go beyond your control," VV said and then he shrugged, "well it was bound to happen and oh boy, even I didn't expect this to be the result."
Rai's eyes were widened and he stared at VV.
"VV, d-did you know this was going to happen?" Rai asked in horror.
"Oh," VV said and then he grinned, "of course I did. After all you were using your Geass a lot to get back at your enemies. Add to the fact that the more you use your Geass, the more potent it gets and it gets stronger in which is happened with your Geass. I have to say I'm impressed, you never been able to cause your Geass to have that much range before."
"Why, why didn't tell me?" Rai asked upset, "Why didn't you warn me about this beforehand? If you had told me…"
"Raius, didn't you felt something was going on with your Geass as you felt that it was activating without you making it happen?" VV asked.
Rai flinched and then he recalled that it did occur a few time.
"I see from your expression that it had happened," VV said.
"How was I supposed to know?" Rai replied, "You didn't tell me anything and you kept saying that I was fine with how I was doing things," Rai looked around with tears streaming from his eyes, "this isn't what I wanted," Raius turned to see the dead bodies and he was wracked with guilt of what he had done and he shook his head, "No, I don't deserve to live after what I have done," Rai pulled out a handgun from his breast pocket and pointed at himself, "I failed as Emperor, I don't have the right to live."
VV suddenly knocked the gun out of Rai's hand and Rai was surprised and he looked at VV.
"Raius, did you forget what we talked about before?" VV asked, "You're not allowed to die. You still have a contract to fulfil with me."
"The contract?" Rai replied, "The hell with the contract! You didn't really tell me anything about what was going on with my Geass. You stood by and said nothing."
"What's your point?" VV said in a cold tone.
Rai was taken aback with VV's cold and uncaring tone.
"I thought…" Rai said breaking down again, "I thought we were allies. I thought you were my friend."
"See and that's your own mistake," VV said, "we have a contract with the fact that I gave you Geass but I never once considered you a friend. We're not allies, just accomplices. Besides, I'm only allying myself to one person and one person only. He's the only that I care about. Everyone else means nothing to me and that includes you."
Rai was livid and as tears continued to stream from his eyes, he lashed out and tried to attack VV but the child immortal saw Rai's attack and dodged and countered by striking Rai in the face and then kicked him in the stomach. The wind got knocked out of Rai and he fell on the ground. Rai started to lose consciousness and VV just stared at Rai with a child-like grin.
"You still can still be useful," VV said.
Rai was unconscious and then some time later, Rai opened his eyes and found himself at a place that he was not familiar.
"So you finally woke up," A male voice said.
Rai looked and saw VV and he also saw a very tall man who had long sandy brown hair and violet eyes who wore what appeared to be an imperial jacket with white slacks, black boots, and wore white gloves.
"What is this?" Rai asked, "Where am I and who are you?"
"This is someone that I was talking about," VV said, "my true ally."
"I still don't understand why you felt the need to bring him here Big Brother," The tall man said.
"Wait, Big Brother?" Rai asked confused.
"Yes," VV said with a smile, "this is my younger brother, Charles."
"Charles?" Rai asked.
Charles sighed and shook his head, "Is this really necessary?"
"He can be useful to us Charles," VV said, "in our plans to change the world."
"Bastard!" Rai roared angrily.
Rai charged towards VV again and VV countered and struck Rai again. Rai got up and this time, Charles grabbed Rai and slammed him on the ground.
"You are just a weak brat who lied to yourself and Britannia," Charles said, "and your lies are why so many lives were lost. It really was true that you were not truly fit to rule Britannia."
Rai looked and saw something and it what seemed to be a huge mark of Geass on what seemed to be a door.
"Ah, that is a Thought Elevator," VV said, "it part of our plan to create a world without lies."
"Create a world without lies?" Rai asked depressed, "What a sick joke."
"Don't insult our dream," VV said, "you understand nothing."
"I understand that you won't let me die, will you?" Rai asked, "And you plan to use me to help with whatever it that you're doing."
"I see that you now understand," VV said.
"Yes, I understand," Rai said, "And if that's how it's going to be…" Rai looked on wide eyed, "then it would be better to forget!"
"What?" VV replied shocked.
Rai went to the Thought Elevator and placed his hands on them and then used his Geass.
Present
Rai had his eyes closed and then he opened and faced Lelouch, Nunnally, CC, Alice, and Jinta.
"I placed my hands on the Thought Elevator and used my Geass to make myself forget and wipe out my memory," Rai explained, "I ended up in the Thought Elevator and sealed myself in there until I got out by you two and Milly and her grandfather."
"I see," Lelouch said, "so that's what happened."
"Yeah," Rai said.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Nunnally said with sadness.
"What a terrible thing to happened to you," Alice said with a sad tone.
"Vincent…" Jinta said with a frown, "and Charles."
"So VV used you for his own ends," Alice said upset.
"To be fair," Rai said, "I made the assumptions of things and I didn't bother to really check."
"That doesn't excuse what VV did to you," Lelouch said, "he tricked you and lied to you and he got a sick pleasure of seeing you suffer."
"VV was always known to play sick pranks," CC said.
"Rai," Lelouch said, "thank you for telling us. I know it must have been hard for you."
"Thank you for listening," Rai said.
"Rai, I just want you to know that we're here for you," Nunnally assured, "know that we'll never turn our backs on you. You're our precious friend."
"Thank you," Rai said with smile as he felt touched, "thank you so much."
"Rai, I promise you this as well," Lelouch said determined.
"Lelouch?" Rai asked.
"Know that we will make VV pay for what's he's done," Lelouch said, "what he did just added to his list of things that we'll make him answer for."
"That's right," Nunnally said determined, "this just added of the offenses that VV has done… him and Father."
"Yes, Father must have known as well," Lelouch said with a dark expression.
Alice went and hugged Rai and Rai was touched by Alice's gesture.
"We're with you Rai," Alice said, "know that."
"I do," Rai said happily and had bits of tears stream from his eyes, "thank you."
Jinta and CC looked on and Jinta smiled while CC smiled but also had a sad expression as she thought about her own past and it had to do with a nun who had the Code on her forehead.
"Being betrayed like that is a horrible feeling," CC said in her head, "although I have no room to talk."
Lelouch looked over and noticed CC's expression.
"CC?" Lelouch spoke in his head.
Area 11
In the hall that led to the Knightmare Hanger for the ASEEC, Suzaku was walking and then with a frown thinking about what he had concluded back in Ashford Academy. The door opened and Suzaku entered the Knightmare Hanger and he saw Lloyd and Cecile speaking to Nonette.
"So you're all set to head back to the Homeland," Cecile said.
"Yes," Nonette said, "with the Black Knights no longer being in Area 11, my time here is concluded so I'll be heading back to Pendragon and report to His Majesty."
Lloyd and Cecile noticed Suzaku.
"Ah Suzaku," Lloyd said with a smile, "you've arrived."
"Hello Suzaku," Cecile said.
Nonette turned and saw Suzaku as well.
"Ah Kururugi," Nonette said.
Suzaku nodded, "Hello," Suzaku looked at Nonette, "Lady Enneagram, so you'll be heading back to the mainland?"
"Yes, my time here has concluded," Nonette said, "Although if I'm honest, things didn't go the way that I hoped."
"I take it that you're referring to the Black Knights leaving Area 11," Lloyd said.
"I am," Nonette said with a frown.
"But I wonder," Cecile said, "is it really a bad thing?"
Nonette sighed, "Maybe not as they can't cause trouble here and I guess that they are supporting the Special Zone but still it doesn't really sit right with me."
Suzaku glanced away remembering that Nonette actually tried to recruit Zero back in Shikine Island and how she tried to force Zero and Void to do what she wants as she even threatened the life of Kallen's older brother to get them in line. Suzaku shook his head and then looked at the three individuals.
"Actually speaking of the Black Knights, there's something I want to talk about," Suzaku said.
Lloyd, Cecile, and Nonette were curious and wondered what Suzaku wanted to talk about.
"Oh, what is it?" Lloyd said.
"…I know this is going to be weird for me to say this after what happened with ceremony and especially what I said," Suzaku said, "but… I wonder if we can go after the Black Knights."
"Go after them?" Nonette replied, "Wait, as in pursue them and capture?"
"Yes," Suzaku said with a nod.
"This is quite a switch Suzaku," Lloyd said, "I recall that you were quite approval of the Black Knights leaving and saying that eventually that the people here won't need the Black Knights."
"Suzaku, what's going on?" Cecile asked with concern, "Why would ask about going after the Black Knights?"
Suzaku frowned as he closed his eyes and then he looked at the others.
"I have reason to believe that Black Knights have kidnapped two people," Suzaku said, "two people who are just civilians."
Cecile and Lloyd were surprised and Nonette raised an eyebrow as she had an idea who Suzaku was referring you.
"Kidnapping you say?" Lloyd replied as he was curious.
"Suzaku, are you absolutely sure about this?" Cecile asked with concern.
"Yes I'm absolutely sure about this," Suzaku said.
"Suzaku, this isn't your attempt to frame the Black Knights to get back at Zero and Void for exposing the fact that you killed your father, is it?" Lloyd asked with a grin.
Suzaku flinched and frowned and was actually insulted of that implication and he was amazed that Lloyd was grinning on the accusation he just made.
"No of course not!" Suzaku responded a bit heated.
"Lloyd, please don't make such assumptions," Cecile berated.
"Oh come now," Lloyd said with shrug, "I was only joking… well sort of."
"Lloyd," Cecile said not amused with Lloyd at the moment.
"Lloyd this is serious," Suzaku said, "in fact, I can give you the names of three people that are actually members of the Black Knights and the thing is though…" Suzaku frowned again, "I know them from school."
"From your school?" Cecile replied surprised.
"Oh, now that is interesting," Lloyd said with a smile.
"Hold on for a moment," Nonette said, "Kururugi, there's no need to be so in a rush or in this case, being obsessed with the Black Knights and besides, you still have your own duty and that is being Princess Euphemia's knight. So I don't think that it's appropriate for you to concentrating in going after the Black Knights when you should be concentrating in serving Princess Euphemia."
"She does have a point," Lloyd said.
"But I…" Suzaku spoke and then had a sad expression.
"Unless there's some reason for this," Lloyd said, "perhaps you know the two that you say that the Black Knights have kidnapped personally… maybe from your school as well."
Nonette frowned looking at Suzaku.
"Damn it Kururugi," Nonette said in her head.
Black Knights' Submarine
Zero and Void had just entered the bridge.
"Zero, Void," One the Black Knights said, "We have visual of the island."
"Excellent," Zero said.
Orpheus came in the bridge as well and he looked at the signature and the visual and he nodded.
"This is it, right Orpheus?" Void asked.
"Yes, that's the island," Orpheus said.
Zero gave the order to continue on to go straight to the island while went to get and gather the core members of the Black Knights.
The Uncharted Island
The huge submarine that belonged to the Black Knights arrived to the island and got to the island's dock. Orpheus got on the dock and directed the submarine to go to the area where the submarine could be accommodated. The submarine went underwater again and Orpheus rushed to go to the place. Somewhere within the island, the there was a huge dock and the submarine emerged. The hatched opened up and Zero and Void popped up to see.
"There we go," Orpheus said.
Orpheus appeared and nodded and then as Zero and Void disembarked from the submarine, the Black Knights started to pop up and disembarked from the submarine. They all gathered on the dock and a huge platform.
"Welcome Black Knights," A male voice said.
The Black Knights looked and saw a man. The man had brown hair and wore glasses and the man smiled warmly.
"Welcome to the island that is the base of Peace Mark," The young man said, "we've been waiting for you."
"Thank you for the welcome," Zero said.
The man approached Zero and Void and did a small bow to them.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person," The man said with a smile, "I am Ze Dien."
"Ze Dien," Zero said and then nodded, "a pleasure to meet you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ze Dien," Void said.
Orpheus stood next to Ze Dien.
"There are a few buildings that you all can use for the time being," Orpheus said.
"Excellent," Zero said.
"If you all follow us," Ze Dien said with a smile.
Ze Dien and Orpheus led the Black Knights within the island and they looked and saw various building and small huts and members of the Black Knights introduced themselves to Ze Dien. The Black Knights looked around surveying the island that they were on and most of them had questions. They were also seeing other members of Peace Mark as they went by. Some were hanging out and conversing with each as they looked and saw the Black Knights and some spoke about them as they went by and some were working on various things. As they went on a hill, the Black Knights noticed that there were Peace Mark members doing tests with Knightmare Frame. They soon arrived a huge building and Orpheus and Ze Dien looked on and then turned to the Black Knights.
"This is a conference hall," Orpheus said.
"So this will be the place for us," Zero said.
"Yes," Ze Dien said with a nod.
"Thank you so much," Void said, "We appreciate it."
"Think nothing of it," Ze Dien said, "after all, we're all on the same side really so it's only natural that we help we each other out."
'Right," Zero said and then he turned to the Black Knights, "Okay, let's get back to set up and then we make preparations for our next operation."
The others in the Black Knights nodded as they knew and were set to prepare.
"Our next operation," Todoh said, "it will be in the Chinese Federation."
"That's correct," Void said.
"So we're finally going to aid Li Xingke and his group," Sayoko said.
"Yes but there's something else as well," Zero said.
The others in the Black Knights were taken aback but Void, Alice, Rai, CC, Jinta, and Sayoko knew what Zero was talking about.
"Something else Zero?" Diethard asked.
"Yes, there is… something that we should let you know," Zero said.
"Wait Zero," CC said.
"CC," Zero replied looking at CC.
"Are you sure that it's a good idea?" CC asked, "I still feel that it's unwise."
Zero looked at CC and then looked at the Black Knights and then thought about everything they went through and then thought about what they learned of Charles and VV.
"Yes I believe we let them know," Zero said, "and this way, it's better they hear it from us… from me."
"Zero, what's going on?" Kallen asked.
"Yeah, are you okay?" Tamaki asked.
"I'm fine," Zero assured.
"I see," Orpheus said, "you really are going to tell them," Orpheus then looked at CC and Jinta, "can I ask that you two back them up?"
"There's no need to ask," CC said, "I intend to do so anyway."
"Same with me," Jinta said.
"Thank you," Zero said.
The others in the Black Knights were confused as was Ze Dien.
Area 11
A national address was about to start live and people within Area 11 as well people in the Special Zone were all watching. In the upper floor within the building, Euphie, Marrybell, and Jeremiah were watching the live address that was going start and Euphie clenched her teeth as she had a good idea what her father, the emperor was going to say and she knew it was not going to be pleasant.
Pendragon, Holy Britannian Empire
In a great hall, there was a stage with a podium and behind that podium was the huge Britannian flag that was hanging. People in the great hall stood as they all waited for the emperor to make his appearance.
"Ladies and gentlemen," The announcer said, "His Imperial Majesty, the 98th Britannian Emperor, Charles zi Britannia."
There was thunderous applause in the great hall as Charles walked over and stood behind the podium and gripped his gloved hands on the sides of the podium. Charles looked on being as intimidating as ever.
"All men are not created equal," Charles started, "and the world is full of lies. That is the reality. It is as I said before that some are born swifter afoot, some with greater beauty, some are born into poverty and others born sick and feeble. Both in birth and upbringing, in sheer scope of ability every human is inherently different; Yes that is why people discriminate against one another, which is why there is struggle, competition and the unfaltering march of progress and that is what Britannia stands for as we are the only nation that truly moves forward to the future. But with that, there are those that would bring disgrace to themselves and create lies and make their pathetic attempts to bring down strong will of Britannia and would go against the truth that all men are not created equal and would give lies that equality is not wrong. The sham that I'm referring to is the Special Zone in Area 11 brought forth by Euphemia," Charles spoke of the zone with a venomous tone, "The Special Zone is nothing more than a lie giving false sense that the Elevens there in that zone are now equals but that is just another lie created and it was perpetrated by one of my own daughters. The zone there may have been given approval by those who just did it on their own but it is nothing more than a sham and it should be looked at with disdain and resentment as the Special Zone does not represent Britannia and those who endorse it has no place for Britannia and Euphemia although she is my daughter is no exception therefore it is why as of now Euphemia li Britannia is no longer a Britannia Princess and therefore is no longer an heir to the throne in which it also means that she is no longer has the right to be the Sub-Viceroy of Area 11. And with that in mind, Euphemia and the Special Zone will be on their own and anything arises against the Special Zone, then so be it as I said, that zone is not a representative of Britannia and those that support it shall be branded as whatever true loyal Britannian citizens see fit and what action they may take. So if Euphemia and her supporters still insist that this Special Zone will truly work then they are welcome to prove but something created in such falsehood can never truly succeed!"
Uncharted Island
The core members of the Black Knights gathered in the conference hall and Lelouch holding his mask faced his followers and Nunnally sat on the side looking at her brother.
"Now I'm going to tell you about something that I possess," Lelouch said, "and what I possess is sort of power that I've obtained."
The others were confused expected the ones who were already in the know about what Lelouch was referring to.
"What I have," Lelouch continued, "is the power of Geass."
"Geass?" Kallen asked.
"Yes," Lelouch said.
Lelouch began to talk about Geass.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Tensions start to gradually build in Area 11 with the focus of the tension on the Special Zone.