The episode begins with a new summary from C.C.

C.C: 'Lelouch, a youth of Britannia, had been granted special abilities by a mysterious girl. Geass, the power to command others to do absolutely anything. And Lelouch is determined to use that power to bring the Britannian Empire to its knees. To avenge his mother, and create a world where his younger sister Nunnally can find happiness. All the while knowing at the end of his quest, the Britannian Emperor, his father, awaits. Or at least, that was the hope Lelouch carried in his heart back then...'

"Back then?" Kaguya looks towards the Witch. "Lady C.C, what do you mean by that? You make it sound like this was you speaking from way in the future of the on-screen's present."

"Hm... I don't know how it acquires my thoughts or narration, but that was definitely my thoughts near the end of the third disc."

Anya frowns, being the only one to know that at least one of Lelouch's goals changed when he discovered the true nature of his mother. The very thought of her made the pinkette feel her heart darken with the desire of revenge for what she did to her.

After the opening song is the traditional episode name.

STAGE 4

His Name Is Zero

"Here we go," Kallen mutters in excitement.

In an interrogation room, the gun that killed Clovis is being shown to the accused, sealed away in a transparent plastic bag.

Jeremiah: "Do you know anything about this weapon? Suzaku Kururugi, it was the one used to rob Prince Clovis of his life. The barrel striations leave no doubt, and we've done a little homework on you, as well. You're the eldest child of Japan's last acting Prime Minister, are you not? Your motive here is clear."

Suzaku: "You're making a mistake. I have never even laid eyes on that gun."

Upon trying to defend himself, a guard his chairs and breaks it, making him fall over with his hands still cuffed behind his being.

Jeremiah: "We've found your fingerprints all over this weapon. You're also suspected of murdering members of the Royal Guard. Come clean now, and you'll be judged as though you were born a Britannian, not some worthless Eleven."

Suzaku: "You're wrong! I've done nothing!" He yelps in pain as a guard kicks him across his face.

Cecile clenches her fists and glares at Jeremiah. "Haven't you ever heard of innocent until proven guilty?!"

"That concept was introduced a couple decades ago, but it wasn't truly cemented in law and in practice until after Master Lelouch's death. Not that that justifies my actions, though. I admit I was wrong. Hell, I even knew he wasn't the murderer, but in order to maintain my reputation as the leader of the Purist Faction, I needed a scapegoat to remain in power."

Lelouch helps Nunnally out of her wheelchair and into her bed, tucking her in.

His little sister fusses over what the news said about Suzaku murdering Clovis was true or not, to which he assures her it isn't.

Meanwhile, in Ohgi's hideout, a pissed Tamaki shouts at Ohgi while stomping away.

Tamaki: "That's why we should've issued freakin' statement sooner! We coulda taken credit for it!"

"That would be stupid of us if we did," Kallen scolds.

"Huh? How so?"

Ohgi answers, "Taking credit for the murder of a Britannian royal would've drawn a lot of unnecessary attention to us. Doing so would've certainly resulted in our deaths."

Kaname sighs stressfully and turns towards a picture of him, Kallen, and Naoto. The three of them were going camping by the looks of it, and with Naoto in the center of the picture, he was obviously the life of the party as well as the organizer of, well, everything.

With him dead, things are looking grim. Without him around anymore...

Ohgi: "Naoto. I'm not cut out for this. I'm no leader."

Kallen winces and looks down in shame before she turns towards Ohgi. "Ohgi, I know you and I don't agree on the matter of Lelouch's intentions, but I'm sorry. I never realized that Naoto's death affected you just as much as it did me."

He smiles. "It's fine."

Lelouch is seen using his Geass on an elderly businessman to order something.

"That was one of the men on Schneizel's dossier of those we suspected to have Geass used on them," Tohdoh remarks. "What was he ordering exactly? Sounded like a special order, something expensive that would take much time to arrive."

The school Principal, Ruben Ashford, is seen giving a speech about Clovis' death. It's apparent to the New Pendragon audience that he doesn't believe his own words but is doing this to not draw attention towards himself in fear of being labeled a traitor should they discover the vi Britannia children in his care.

Lloyd: "We've lost the most crucial part of the equation."

Cecile: "Can we do it without him?"

Lloyd: "Don't I wish. The other units never let go of a good pilot. And even if we got one, they never match his readings. His operational efficiency clocked at 94 percent, and you wanna replace him?!"

Cecile: "You should tell them that, perhaps they'll let Suzaku go."

Lloyd: "He's an Honorary Britannian. They'd never listen. Ever since General Bartley's disgrace, the purebloods have the military in an iron grip."

Suzaku casts his gaze towards Cecile and nods at her gratefully, to which she gives him a sad smile.

The students exit the assembly hall after Ruben's speech.

Shirley: "The pureblood's what?"

Lelouch: "Well, from what I understand, they're saying that only pureblood Britannians should be allowed to serve in the military."

"That would be a mistake," Cornelia scoffs. "Even I can admit that the Honorary Britannians, while not full-Britannian, are just as good at their job as purebloods, if not more so."

Lloyd: "Their view is one of their own can never be a criminal. But if the criminal is an Eleven, it paves the way for Margrave Jeremiah to shut down the practice of granting natives honorary status."

Cecile: "And what about Suzaku?"

Lloyd: "His fate is all but decided."

Cecile is growing more worried for her son-figure in Suzaku.

.

.

.

Rivalz stops by as he interrupts Lelouch and Shirley's conversation.

Rivalz: "Hey Lelouch! You got anything going on later? After all, classes have been cancelled for the day. Folks have been asking for a rematch."

Shirley: "You are not gambling, you guys!"

'I miss you, Shirley. At school, you were always looking after everyone. You didn't deserve to die because of me!' L.L balls his fists in anger at the memory of his fake little brother. 'Rolo... You may have saved my life, but I hate you and I will never forgive you for what you did to Shirley.'

Rivalz: "Come on. Don't be such a stick in the mud."

Lelouch: "She's right, though. Maybe it's time to quit."

Rivalz: "Huh?"

Lelouch: "I found a better opponent, actually."

He subtly glances in Kallen's direction as she walks in the courtyard.

"So that's how it is, Lelouch. You were willing to gamble, but not in the traditional sense. You staked your life in your fight against Britannia. Do you really hate us that much?" Cornelia wonders sadly.

"Sister," Schneizel says, "I'm sure he never truly hated us, at least not you and me. There were plenty of times where he could've killed both of us, but he chose not to."

"... Maybe... Maybe you're right. I don't know anymore."

"Britannia, on the other hand..."

Shirley: "You did? I don't get it."

Rivalz: "You'll cut me in on the action too, right?"

Lelouch: "Hahaha. Better not. It's not really up your alley."

"Not up my alley? But we're gambling buds!"

Tokyo Tower is shown to be almost completely destroyed with only its base still standing as well as only a few stories above.

The building has been turned into a museum, and in it, the voice of a Britannian woman is played on repeat to act as a tour guide.

Tour Guide: "Britannia's resounding victory over Japan opened the unenlightened nation's eyes to it's true place in today's world order. Since then, the empire and Area 11 have walked hand in hand down the road to revival."

In the museum are some iconic images of the war.

"Hey! We saw those pictures in the first episode as well as the opening song!" Kaguya chirps.

Kallen: "16:00 hours at Tokyo tower. Why here of all places?"

Sugiyama: "It was Kururugi who contacted us, wasn't it?"

Ohgi: "Hard to say."

Yoshida: "Yeah, but he might have been arrested after his communication with Kallen."

Sugiyama: Then we are in danger here. We should go."

Then an announcement is made over the intercom that Kallen has a missing item the front desk is holding on to for her. The three men look on in fear that it may be a trap.

Kallen, meanwhile, retrieves the item, a phone that doesn't match hers. Quickly, she realizes it's a burner phone, but she doesn't comment on it, not sure who gave it to her, although she has an idea that it might be the voice from Shinjuku.

Meanwhile, Ohgi and the others walk over to one of Tokyo Tower's windows that has telescopes placed near it as he talks in as normal a voice he can muster.

Ohgi: "Oh yeah, there's no debating it. Life is better here thanks to Prince Clovis. I mean, it's all due to Britannia that we can rebuild as quickly as we did. I'm happy about that..."

"Another Black Knight who is an awful liar," Gino chuckles.

Ohgi blushes. "I suppose I was too obvious."

Cornelia snorts. "Of course you were. You were trying too hard to blend in. No person of your race would ever say those kind of things."

"Unless they're as gullible as Suzaku..." Kallen growls.

As they talk, Kallen's mysterious burner phone receives a call from a soon-to-be-famous/infamous caller ID.

It was Zero.

"Zero?!" Tianzi shouts excitedly and shrinks when she receives looks. "S-Sorry. I guess I'm just really looking forward to seeing his first appearance."

Xingke sighs. "Your majesty, while I'm still conflicted about Zero, don't forget that he once held a gun to your head."

"I know, but he didn't hurt me, so it's fine! Besides, he did that to get you to join the Black Knights, right?"

"I suppose so, but that doesn't make everything he did okay."

Kallen picks up the phone.

Lelouch: "I want you to board the outbound train on loop line five and bring your friends."

He hangs up before she can demand an explanation.

"Wait... If the caller ID was Zero, and if Lelouch was the one calling her, then that would mean..." Milly begins trying to connect the dots, but her memory has left her addled.

The scene changes to Jeremiah talking to Diethard as they talk in what seems to be Area 11's Purist Faction HQ.

Jeremiah: "You handled His Highness's memorial program very well, a little too weepy for my taste, but..."

Diethard: "Yes, well, the masses tend to like tear-jerkers, your excellency."

Jeremiah: "Spoken like a true TV-man. Still, I have to acknowledge the finesse you've shown. You did well in the short time you had. One would almost think you were expecting His Highness to meet his untimely end."

Diethard: "It's quite common for memorial programs to be set in advance for important people."

"So if your father would've died before Lelouch claimed responsibility for his murder, Diethard or someone else would've also had some bologna speech prepared for him in advance? Seems pretty fake and even disrespectful to the deceased, no matter who they are," Tohdoh criticizes.

Schneizel nods. "Yes. That's just how fake Britannian society became, mainly the upper class."

Tianzi giggles. "I don't mean to be rude to Mr. Ried since he's dead, but I just noticed he has a reverse ponytail."

Tamaki cackles. "He sure does! Diethard sure was a weirdo, but in a good way."

"That's not a reverse ponytail, though," C.C tilts her head, oblivious of the otaku joke, having rocked many hairstyles herself.

Anya studies Diethard's appearance and nods in approval. "He is worthy of the JoJo hairstyle."

Jeremiah: "Does that include me, as well?"

Diethard: "Recent event may have bumped you up the list a bit, your excellency."

Jeremiah: "I wasn't deemed important enough till now, is that it? How forthright of you."

Diethard: "I'm afraid so sir."

Jeremiah: "Ever thought of enlisting? The army could use more men like you."

Diethard: "I don't think it would be a very good fit. Not really my cup of tea."

Jeremiah: "You prefer the civil sector, I take it? No matter, I have another favor to ask of you. Tomorrow night, Suzaku Kururugi will be transferred to his court-martial."

Beside him stand Villetta and Kewell. Kewell looks over at his boss with a look of hidden annoyance.

Diethard: "We should line the road with good, patriotic Britannians."

"Good and patriotic? Britannians may have changed a little since then, but at that time, I don't think it's possible to be both. You'd have to choose one over the other," Chiba says.

"For once, I agree with you. Those two were mutually exclusive." Sayoko nods.

Jeremiah: "Excellent. You catch on quickly, don't you? Be sure the rabble can see his face."

"Orange Boy, what you just said shows how people in positions of political power are usually two-faced snakes," Rakshata states.

"Perhaps," He smirks.

Viletta: "Lord Jeremiah, there are those among the Elevens who see Private Kururugi as a hero. Some might very well make an attempt to free him."

Jeremiah: "I'll be there personally aboard my Sutherland. If anyone even thinks of causing trouble, they'll be executed on the spot!"

"We shouldn't have saved him. We should've let him die." Kallen grits her teeth. "If it weren't for him, Lelouch may not have chosen the path that led to his death!"

Cecile frowns. She loves Suzaku like a son, and she also came to love Lelouch when he became Emperor and revealed his true goal, and now, she's expected to listen to people talk poorly of both of them?

For now, all she can do is grin and bare it.

Ohgi, Yoshida, Sugiyama, and Kallen are now aboard the train.

Right as the train enters a view of a destroyed ghetto, Zero calls her again, so she immediately picks up.

Kallen: "What now?"

Zero: "Face forward and look to your right. What do you see?"

Kallen: "The Britannian city. It was stolen away from us and built on our sacrifice."

Zero: "And on the left?"

Kallen: "I see our city. Remnants of a desiccated city after the Britannians sucked it dry."

Zero: "Good answer. Now make your way to the front of the train."

He hangs up.

"What was that about? The bastard was insulting you by telling you where you belong!" Chiba complains.

Kallen shakes her head. "You're an idiot. He was reminding us what we're fighting for."

"What did you say?!"

"You heard me, bitch!"

"Enough!" Tohdoh raises his voice. "Stop picking fights over nothing, Chiba. We can't change what's done. We can only try to move on."

Cornelia crosses her arms. "Lelouch knew how to play with people's emotions and nudge them in the direction he intended."

Kallen slowly moves up to the front of the train as Ohgi's group follows her while keeping their distance to not seem too suspicious.

As they shuffle through a crowd and arrive in the front car of the train, which happens to be empty, they never notice the red irises of the passengers in the car behind them.

"So that's how he got us alone. He used his Geass to move those people," Ohgi gulps nervously.

And standing in wait for them is a familiar masked figure, facing towards the front of the train and away from the camera.

"It's Zero! So Lelouch was Zero this entire time!" Rivalz and Milly are astounded.

She glances back at the vigilante standing behind Nunnally. "If he was the first Zero, then who are you?"

"I'm Zero. I can be anyone. I can be everyone and everything, but I am also nothing, for Zero can be anybody. Thus, Zero is but a symbol."

Kallen: "Was it you? On the phone?"

Yoshida: "Whoa... Do you think it's a trap?"

For a while, the figure remains unmoving and unresponsive.

Kallen: "Well?! Was that you in Shinjuku?! Was that cease-fire your doing?!"

Yoshida: "Hey! We're talking to you!"

Finally, right as the train enters a tunnel and blocks out most of the sunlight, as if he planned this moment, the figure turns around, surprising the group that he's masked.

Zero: "What do you think of my tour at the settlement?"

Ohgi: "Your tour?"

Sugiyama: "Ah, come on. There's no way it was this joker."

Zero: "I wanted you to fully grasp the two: the settlement and the ghetto."

Ohgi: "Yeah, we know. There is a difference between us and them. A very harsh one. And that's why we resist them."

Zero: "You're wrong. Britannia will not fall to terrorism."

Ohgi: "Fall?"

Zero: "It's little bit better than childish nuisance."

"How ironic considering how Lelouch ended up becoming the biggest terrorist of them all, both as Zero and as the Demon Emperor," Cornelia huffs.

Zero: "You should know your enemy. It is not people, but Britannia itself! It is a war you must wage, but not on the innocent!"

Lelouch: "Take up your sword! Fight for justice!"

Kallen: "Oh please! That's all easy enough to say, isn't it?! Hiding behind that mask, why should we even trust you?!"

Yoshida: "She's right!"

Sugiyama: "Lose the mask!"

Ohgi: "Right. Are you going to show us your face or not?"

"Of course he's not," Chiba crosses her arms. "He's a coward!"

"Actually, he isn't, Ms. Chiba," Nunnally's voice grows icy. "He made himself a moniker and donned a mask to protect me. If Britannia found out Lelouch vi Britannia was still alive, they would follow him home, which would lead to me. We already know this from the previous episode."

Zero: "Very well, I'll show you. But rather than my face, bear witness to my power."

Confusion runs through the audience until Cornelia's eyes widen. "Don't tell me... This is where he uses his Geass!"

Rakshata facepalms. "We already established that he has already used it on Kouzuki once and cannot use it on the same person again. There would be no point in doing so on the others since they're less valuable soldiers."

Lelouch: "If I deliver to you the impossible, then I might have earned your trust."

The scene changes to a house somewhere in Narita showing senior officers of the JLF arguing about what to do with the situation regarding Suzaku. Some want to rescue him. Others do not and consider him a traitor.

As they argue, Tohdoh is shown calmly meditating on the floor.

"How are you able to stay focused through their incessant bickering?" Guilford is impressed.

"I was born and raised in the Bushido code, living and breathing the Samurai way throughout my life."

General Tatewaki Katase: "The whole Shinjuku business was the work of Kouzuki's group, wasn't it?"

Katase is seated on the floor in front of Kusakabe, who is kneeling for him on a knee.

Lieutenant Colonel Josui Kusakabe: "Yes, sir. They're being led by a man named Ohgi at the present."

Cornelia glares at Kusakabe. "It's that bastard! The one who held Euphie hostage!"

Nina joins in to glare at him in yandere fashion.

"How the hell did the JLF know about us?" Ohgi asks. "You'd think they would be in hiding like the rest of the resistance groups."

Tohdoh answers, "We had spies infiltrate the area near your gang's hideout around the time Kouzuki Naoto was in charge. They got a good grasp at your command structure and went around to see if any of the groups could make worthy allies like the actual resistance groups or potential enemies in the terrorists."

Katase: "Hmmmm... Has Kururugi's family said anything?"

Kusakabe: "No, sir. They broke contact with him once he joined the military."

"Is that true?" Cecile looks towards Kaguya, Suzaku's cousin.

"Yes. Most of the Kururugi family hated him for joining the Britannian military. They never forgave him."

Katase turns towards the one man positioned away from the others.

Katase: "Tohdoh, what are your thoughts?"

Lieutenant Colonel Kyoshiro Tohdoh: "We should not become involved in this public execution."

Kusakabe: "That's cowardly! You are Tohdoh the Miracle Worker, right?"

Tohdoh: "There is a difference between miracles and foolhardiness."

Tohdoh stands up.

Tohdoh: "Besides, I was just doing my job that day. It was hardly a miracle attributed to one soldier so much as it was a team effort," He says, referring to Itsukushima (1).

"General Tohdoh," Schneizel says. "May I ask what you meant by that?"

"What I meant is that trying to rescue Suzaku would be like a mouse walking right into a mouse trap. Many of those of us in the JLF would've very likely gotten killed, and before I met Zero, that would mean that the chance of liberating Japan would go down significantly. The JLF was one of the few resistance groups that had knightmares, and even fewer had the right leaders to guide such organized movements. Losing them would be a catastrophe. Suzaku was only one soldier, and we only had a handful to spare. Not worth it."

His words are cold, calculative, and logical. Even Zero couldn't bring himself to disagree at all.

The two heads of ASEEC are paying Suzaku a visit in his jailcell.

Lloyd: "Congratulations! Those two you asked me about weren't on the list of casualties."

He's referring to Lelouch and C.C.

Suzaku: "That's good to hear."

"I'm a little surprised he even bothered worrying over me, much less Lelouch. It's strange how he's the one that grew apart from Lelouch, his childhood friend, but still seems to worry about him, even if his later actions contradict that. Did he truly think he was doing Lelouch any service when he joined the Britannian military, their mutual sworn enemy?" C.C wondered out loud.

Zero's heart feels heavy at the possibility that he may have made Lelouch feel betrayed by leaving him and Nunnally when they were kids, but he dismisses the feeling when he reminds himself that Lelouch killed Euphie.

Lloyd: "Not much luck on your end, though you may be getting a trial, but no one is pulling for you certainly."

Suzaku: "But the courts are where truth comes to light!"

Kallen whips her head towards the Black Knights' CEO and glares at him. "What are YOUR thoughts on the matter, Zero?"

"I think that Kururugi was far too naïve for this world. He was a walking set of contradictions that Lelouch should've killed a long time ago."

Tohdoh's eyes widen. As one of the few who figured out Zero's identity, he wasn't expecting his student to say such a thing.

Nunnally is also shocked. For the first time since he dawned the mask, she feels pity for him.

Both of them shared a thought horrific to them.

Is Suzaku suicidal?

Now that they think about it, he may have been, as some of his actions now make more sense considering they fit that theory, but what reason would he have to want to die?

Lloyd: "I expect there'll be more smoke and mirrors than anything. The truth is scarce of late."

Suzaku: "If that's how the world works, then so be it. I've no regret!"

C.C frowns at Zero. "He claims he was willing to fall on his sword before anyone else, but why did Lelouch have to die? Do you know, Zero? Was it revenge?"

"I..."

"Hang on! You're acting like you know who the new Zero is," Cornelia glares suspiciously at C.C.

"Who knows."

.

.

.

A couple weeks later, the scheduled execution of Suzaku Kururugi is about to take place. Everyone, even the Ashford Academy students, watch with anticipation, most of the viewers wanting to see him swing.

Nunnally is listening to the events over a radio.

At the scene of where the accused is going to be executed, a team of cameramen who are airing the events live are being led by Diethard.

The TV and radio even have an announcer, as if this life and death situation were nothing more than a sporting event.

Announcer: "I-I can see them! They have the suspect! Suzaku Kururugi is headed this way!"

Diethard: "Like clockwork. What a circus this is. And I'm as corrupt as any of them."

"At least Diethard was more honest than the rest, even if he loved to embellish the truth," Jeremiah nods.

The mob begins shouting incoherently at Suzaku, likely calling him racial slurs.

A brief shot of a girl with black hair and her eyes closed is shown, clearly Japanese as background sound effects give that away as evident by the sound of water filling a shishi-odoshi, making it tip over and hit a rock.

"Kaguya's debut!" Tianzi claps.

But Kaguya pouts. "I only get two seconds of screen-time?"

Cecile: "This is insane. We know that Suzaku is innocent."

Lloyd: "The court deemed our testimony inadmissible. There is nothing we can do."

Cecile: "Yes, but..."

Lloyd: "Is that altruism or humanitarianism?"

"Definitely altruism," C.C remarks. "Cecile clearly cares a great deal for Suzaku. Humanitarianism is the promotion of the well-being of others, usually a collective whole. This deals with an individual she is personally close to."

Cecile: "This isn't the time for a game of semantics!"

The mad scientist shrugs.

Lloyd: "Not much else to do? We both know where this case is headed, don't we? We couldn't reach him at the summit. All we can do is cut our losses, really."

Announcer: "Voices of scorn growing ever louder. Voices bearing testament to a people's love of their Prince. Raining their judgement down on a terrorist!"

Nunnally: "Suzaku!" She cries out in worry.

A shot of Lelouch dramatically swinging the cape Zero wears around onto himself and pulling his arms through its sleeves is shown, the background pitch black.

"Uh oh. Guess who's about to kick Britannia's ass again?!" Tamaki grins toothily and smugly.

Cornelia stifles a groan.

Announcer: "Margrave Jeremiah, integral in settling this case, will be presiding over the trial as acting consul."

Lelouch puts on Zero's black gloves and secures the cape in place as the music slowly grows more suspenseful.

"If I remember correctly, this is around the time the Orange scandal started," Guilford says as he and others cast a look towards Jeremiah.

Orange Boy smiles fondly. "Indeed."

"He must've used his Geass on you, especially to gain your loyalty!" Cornelia scowls.

Sayoko is tempted to fling a shuriken her way, but Jeremiah stops her by responding with an amused cackle.

"I guess we shall see."

In Ohgi's hideout, Yoshida, Sugiyama, Inoue, and Tamaki are watching the TV illuminating the darkness.

Tamaki: "No way the three of them can pull this off on their own."

Ohgi is sitting in the cockpit of a knightmare, waiting to do what he was told as the knightmare appears to be hanging off the side of some train tracks next to an immobile train.

Ohgi: 'He told us. He said he'd make the impossible possible. He gave us his word to save Suzaku Kururugi.'

A pair of hands hold the Zero mask up and stare at its visor. The side of Lelouch's face can be shown as he smirks despite a bead of sweat rolling down his face.

Lelouch: 'Right. No need to turn back! The die is cast.'

He puts on the mask, now wearing the entirety of Zero's outfit.

"Lelouch was clearly nervous, but was he having second thoughts?" Xingke ponders.

"I don't think so," Tohdoh says. "Lelouch was a man of action. He must've been anxious about the different possible outcomes of his operation, whether they managed to save Suzaku cleanly, save him but suffer casualties, or fail."

Suzaku trembles. 'But... That can't be! He... That bastard only cared about his own agenda! What other reason would there be for him to save me other than what he told me?!'

A radio crackles.

Soldier: "Acting consul Jeremiah!"

Jeremiah: "What is it?"

Soldier: "Vehicle approaching the main highway from third. We just let it through as you instructed, but..."

Jeremiah: "Do you believe the target could be a terrorist's vehicle?"

Soldier: "Well, sir... It's Prince Clovis' car."

Jeremiah: "The Prince's car? Well, looks like we've got a comedian. Don't worry about it. Just let them through to us. All forces hold here!"

The convoy halts directly adjacent to the middle of the mob, surprising Ohgi's gang that it's going as per Zero's plan. This is right where Zero wants Suzaku to be, and he got him there.

Sugiyama: "Hey, they stopped. They really did!"

Tamaki: "Heh! It's just a coincidence."

Yoshida: "Yeah, but he said Jeremiah would try to hog all the limelight and make some sort of stand about it."

Tamaki: "COINCIDENCE!"

"The fact that he used my brother's car to make his first public appearance as Zero and then claim responsibility for Clovis' murder is what really pissed me off when I saw the broadcast," Cornelia sighs. "Unfortunately, I was in the Middle East at the time, fighting to turn the land there into Area 18. I wanted nothing more than to hurry up, finish my operations, and then immediately go deal with Zero."

Tamaki feels embarrassed by how little faith he held in Zero in the beginning.

"I'm seeing two different people. It's weird to see how you went from a skeptic or disbeliever to his biggest fan," Gino chuckles at the janitor.

Announcer: "This is not a scheduled stop. Could there have been some sort of accident? This is site 5. There is a vehicle approaching them."

Jeremiah: "Humph." He smirks.

Announcer: "It's Prince Clovis' personal transport! And it's heading straight for the cavalcade!"

Ohgi: "What the... He's coming straight at 'em! What's he planning?"

The driver is revealed to be a very nervous Kallen.

Kallen: 'Hope they can't tell it's fake.'

Several pieces of tape are seen holding certain parts of the vehicle's inside together. It's missing almost all of its gauges on the dashboard, such as RPM's, a speedometer, and fuel level.

"Were you talking about the car?" Nunnally asks, confused.

Kallen shakes her head. "No. The transport wasn't actually Clovis' car since we just had to make it look like it, but that wasn't the most worrying part... You'll see in a few moments."

Rivalz is surprised. "Huh? Then when you used the car, how did no Britannian forces check if the real car was still wherever it was last?"

"They probably didn't have enough time once we made ours known."

A flashback shows a meeting between Zero, Kallen, and Ohgi taking place in a ghetto near sunset.

Lelouch: "I see. Just you two then."

Ohgi: "I'm sorry. We just need a little more time. If more people understood what we-!"

Lelouch: "No, the two of you will do just fine."

Kallen: "Come on! That's ridiculous! There will be too many of them!"

"Ha! Numbers have never been a problem for Master Lelouch," Jeremiah boasts.

Lelouch: "With your help, clearing the task at hand will be child's play. I'll need this by tomorrow. All that matters is the exterior."

He holds out a picture as the flashback ends.

Jeremiah: "You dare desecrate His Highness's transport?! Come out of there!"

Then, on Kallen's car that has the Britannian flag facing Jeremiah's direction, a fire burns the flag away from the bottom up, revealing a disguised Lelouch as the crowd gasps in awe at his appearance.

Zero: "I am... Zero!"

"And there it is, ladies and gentlemen, the second most iconic introduction in history," Jeremiah is proud.

"Who's number one?" Guilford asks, having a feeling he's not going to like the answer.

"Why, it would be when Emperor Lelouch crowned himself, of course."

"You-" Guilford starts, about to complain, but is interrupted by Leila.

"Am I the only one who saw that Lelouch's entrance as Zero foreshadowed his intentions? The burning of the Britannian flag to reveal himself while standing on top of a deceased Britannian Prince's vehicle, the same Prince whose life he took and is about to claim the responsibility for... Those few seconds, and those three words, are all enough to display his hidden yet not so hidden hatred for Britannia."

Even Tohdoh and Xingke are shocked.

Xingke nods. "I chalked it up to nothing more than Lelouch's grandiose theatrics as Zero, but it seems he may have left hidden messages in his actions and maybe even his words."

"Indeed. Who knows how many and what kind of mysteries he left behind for us to uncover in these discs."

L.L chuckles softly. 'General Malcal is the third most intelligent person in this room after Schneizel and me, even Xingke and Tohdoh are a little bullheaded. Compared to them, it seems you have a lot of room to improve, Suzaku, that I'm beginning to have doubts it if you're mentally capable enough to be Zero and not just a soldier, an insane acrobat, and the Lancelot's pilot. Zero is supposed to be invaluable, a being that embodies the closest thing to perfection.'

Announcer: "Who is this person?! This man calling himself Zero, standing before a FULL MILITARY CONVOY!"

Tamaki: "What the hell does he think he's doin'?"

At this point, Kallen's teeth are chattering involuntarily out of fear since she's sitting in a convertible car with the top down and could get shot any second.

Announcer: "Who is this man calling himself Zero?"

Diethard: "Zero? What do you mean, like 'nothing'?"

"I think that was the point of Zero," Sayoko elaborates. "The point of the mask and the name Zero, it was all an insult to Britannia's racist policies. The idea was that anyone could be Zero, a grave threat to a supposedly vastly superior nation, even if they themselves weren't Britannian, but their identity didn't matter nonetheless."

"I see," Tianzi nods. "It was a jab at the Area Numbers system. A short, yet memorable name, like that of a superhero."

The JLF CO's are all watching their own TV with great interest as Tohdoh leans against a wall facing perpendicular from the TV, his hands resting on his bokken, but clearly listening.

Announcer: "Are we gazing on a terrorist? Certainly not the wisest if such is the case."

Even Cornelia chuckles. "Oh, how little did we all know. He was certainly intelligent."

Suzaku: Is he... an Eleven?"

"Oh! Great! Would ya look at that?! The prick using racial slurs against his own kind!" Tamaki exclaims. "No wonder he was so into Britannians that he wanted to fit in with them so badly! He must've hated being one of us so much, he even tried banging that Euphemia chick!"

Cornelia slams her armrest and stands up. "Say that about my sister again, and I will castrate you!"

"Fuck you! I wish I coulda killed her myself!"

The purplette is just about ready to charge the enraged Head Janitor of the Black Knights, but she suddenly feels an invisible force pull her back into her seat as does Tamaki.

"No fighting," A.A commands.

Guilford tries to get up to fight on his liege's behalf, but he can't, to which all three of them scowl.

Lelouch: 'Now to return the favor, Suzaku.'

Zero is shocked. 'What?! But he said he saved me to make the Japanese trust him!'

The revelation that Lelouch saved him to repay him could only mean one thing.

Lelouch still cared about him.

A huge pang of guilt hits Suzaku, who begins trembling even more. 'Lelouch, why did you lie to me?' He thinks back to their meeting at the Kururugi Shrine, how he immediately dehumanized and physically abused Lelouch.

The worst part is that their meeting at the shrine wasn't the first time Suzaku physically abused Lelouch.

In the darkest recesses of his mind, in a place where he tried to banish the memory, he remembers dragging his friend before the emperor, then struggling against Charles' Geass for several weeks, and begging for water, only to be denied again and again, even strangled.

Closing his eyes before reopening them with great sadness, grief, and self-hate, he steels himself to see the past.

'What else did you lie to me about, Lelouch?'

Jeremiah: "I've seen enough, Zero. This little show of yours is over."

He fires his gun into the air, signaling four Sutherlands to air-drop and surround the vehicle.

However, much to everyone's complete shock, Zero remains standing there with an air of confidence.

Jeremiah: "First things first. Why don't you lose that mask?"

Zero reaches a hand up to his mask, as if he were about to take it off.

Instead, his hand goes above his head as he snaps his fingers, signaling for Kallen to press a button off-screen that tears off a massive white box behind him.

Inside that box is a canister of what seems to be poison gas.

"Oh my god!" Nina is scared. "Did he use that on all those people, Kallen?"

"Yes."

"How could he?!"

"No one died, so calm your little nuclear weapon-making head." C.C casually eats a slice of pizza.

"Where did you even get that?!" Kallen shouts.

Villetta: "Jeremiah, be careful, he's got the..."

Lelouch smirks behind his mask.

Lelouch: 'Yes, Jeremiah. You never saw inside this thing, so you assume it holds poison gas.'

Suzaku: "Wait. You don't understand-" He tries to tell Jeremiah but is shocked by the shock collar around his neck.

"Tch! He seriously tried to tell on his would-be-rescuer! Expect nothing less from a backstabbing rat!" Kallen spits hatefully.

Kaguya sighs. "What was Suzaku thinking? I know he wasn't always the brightest, but did he want to die or something? If he did, he was willing to throw away the lives of anyone who stood in between him and his death, even his childhood friend. I'm starting to think that he never truly cared about Japan, but rather, only about himself, or at least his own self-gratification."

Jeremiah: "You bastard!" He trembles in rage. "He's taken every Britannian here hostage, and he's done it without them even knowing it!"

He raises a pistol and aims at Zero.

Lelouch: "You intend to shoot? I think you know full well what will happen if you do."

"His bluff is impressive," Schneizel is amused. "The only downside is that many people would end up distrusting him for being such a trickster in front of the world, even his own future allies."

Diethard demands his employees bring cameras closer, but they refuse out of fear of being caught in the crossfire, so he rushes out there with a camera himself.

"Think what you will, but we have to respect Diethard's commitment to his job," Lloyd says.

Jeremiah: "Fine! What are your demands?!"

Lelouch: "An exchange. This for Kururugi."

"Poison gas for the one blamed of murdering a Prince," Schneizel chuckles. "No one in their right mind would agree to that."

Jeremiah: "Like hell! He's charged with high treason for murdering a Prince! I can't hand him over!"

Lelouch: "No! You're mistaken, Jeremiah. He's no murderer. The man who killed Clovis..."

He turns his head to Diethard's camera, which zooms in at the exact moment he takes responsibility, almost as if this were an episode of The Office.

Zero: "was myself!"

Gino keels over laughing. "W-What the hell was that zoom in?!" Guilford is about to scold him, so he apologizes. "I'm sorry, but it's just that the over-the-top drama is too hilarious!"

It takes him several more seconds to reign in his giggling fit.

Diethard smiles behind the camera, mentally salivating at the opportunity to milk this story, not for better viewership and TV ratings, but for the excitement of being there for the story itself, to be the one that writes history.

He knows that this Zero is telling the truth, having seen how Suzaku was treated. He has studied body language and knows that Kururugi's pleas for not guilty were, in fact, not lies. He had been set up as a scapegoat.

For the Japanese, Suzaku would've been a martyr, a true martyr, unlike Clovis.

For the Britannians, Suzaku was the most convenient one to take the fall.

Cecile: "Unbelievable!"

Lloyd: "The real culprit, eh?"

As the TV announcer goes off, Tohdoh is no longer leaning against the wall and is now facing the TV. That's when you know that shit just got real.

Lelouch: "For a single Eleven, you'll save scores of precious Britannians. I find that to be a bargain."

Diethard: 'This is all one big performance to him,' The journalist holding the camera is enamored.

"This Diethard person immediately discerned that much while most of the people in this audience couldn't," Akito sighs. "It goes to show how much some of us don't know about body language and acting."

Jeremiah: "He is mad, I tell you! Disguising this truck as His Highness'?! He'll pay the price for mocking the crown!"

The Sutherlands raise their guns and aim at Zero.

Lelouch: "Careful. You don't wish the public to learn of Orange, do you?"

Everyone glances at Jeremiah to see his reaction, but he simply sits there with a grin.

The two soldiers guarding Suzaku look at each other with confusion, so seeing his words providing a useful distraction, Zero taps his foot twice to signal for Kallen to drive, so she slowly accelerates towards Suzaku.

Zero: "If I die, it'll all go public. If you don't want that to happen..."

Jeremiah: "What are you talking about? What is this?!"

"What?" Guilford and Cornelia say, surprised that Jeremiah seems confused.

The section of Zero's mask covering Lelouch's left eye disappears.

"I knew it! He used his Geass on you to make you a slave!" Chiba points at Jeremiah, hoping for some kind of desperate denial from him, that his Master Lelouch would never do such a thing.

Much to her shock, his grin simply grows bigger.

Lelouch activates his Geass.

Zero: "You'll do everything in your power to let us go. Your prisoner, as well."

"What were you saying about me, Lord Guilford? Princess Cornelia? I believe you both owe me an apology!"

"And a dose of shut the fuck up!" Tamaki adds.

Ignoring Tamaki, Guilford apologizes.

Cornelia, however, is too prideful to do such a thing.

Orange Boy: "Right, understood. You there, release the prisoner."

Kallen: "Eh!?"

Villetta: "What on Earth are you doing, my lord?!"

Orange Boy: "Get that man over here!"

Villetta: "Huh?"

Soldiers guarding Suzaku: "Should we? But..."

Orange Boy: "Hand him over! Nobody gets in his way!"

Kewell: "No! What are you thinking?! You can't do this!"

Orange Boy: "Lord Kewell, this is an order!" He glares over his shoulder at his subordinates.

Anya giggles. "Just a moment ago, several people were taunting you, Jerry. Even that interracial couple over there were giving you doubtful looks. Now, look how quiet it's gotten."

"Ha! Indeed, young one," Orange Boy gives his daughter-figure a smirk.

Ohgi sighs. "Okay, I'll admit that we were wrong about you, but that doesn't excuse all the other terrible things Lelouch did!"

"Such as?"

The Prime Minister of Japan stays quiet, coming up empty-handed.

"That's what I thought. My loyalty to Master Lelouch is now proven to be true!" Jeremiah stands up and screams, "ALL HAIL LELOUCH!"

L.L can't help but smirk.

C.C, on the other hand, frowns a tad. That chant gives her bad memories of a time in which she didn't want to see her contracted partner die, but he was already on the quest for the Zero Requiem, and with Suzaku by his side, it was impossible to convince him to not die.

Much to everyone's surprise, Suzaku is released.

Zero and Suzaku approach one another on foot.

Suzaku: "So who the hell are you?" He tries to speak, only for his collar to shock him again.

Zero: "As I thought, they didn't allow you to speak."

"And yet, that idiot Suzaku, despite having his freedoms completely taken away, still believed in a broken justice system," C.C finishes an entire box of pizza.

Cecile frowns. "He was just trying to do the right thing! Besides, Lelouch and Suzaku were friends."

"So was I. I, too, was something to Lelouch, but you already knew that, right? Someone very precious was taken from me by Suzaku. The path of most resistance isn't always right. What Suzaku is doing here is wrong, plain and simple. Not that the other option, joining the Japanese resistance forces, is that much better, but here, Suzaku was trying to make an example of himself for other Japanese, telling them that it's okay to be treated the way he was."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Well, let me answer your question with a question. Would you sacrifice your security and choose to fight for freedom? Or would you throw away your freedom for security?"

"I..."

"If you fall into the latter, you deserve neither freedom nor security. Suzaku did that, and look where it got him."

The theater falls silent.

Kallen breaks the silence. "Since when were you so smart, pizza girl?"

"I always was. I just hate the attention my intelligence draws when I try because I know people will then try to use me against my will. I want to be lazy and eat pizza forever."

"You damn pizza lunatic!"

Villetta: "If they get away, we'll lose everything!"

"By everything, you mean your ability to sell a very important enemy of the empire out in order to gain a title amongst the nobility," Sayoko states.

Villetta stiffens.

Exiting the vehicle, Kallen, with her hat and sunglasses on, goes to stand next to Zero.

Kallen: "It's time to go, Zero."

Zero: "Well then, 'till next time."

He presses a detonator, which causes the nozzles of the canister to spray out purple mist, making the crowd panic and flee as they think it's poison gas.

A Geassed Jeremiah uses his knightmare to stop Villetta from killing Zero when she opens fire.

Kallen jumps off the bridge with Zero, who is holding Suzaku.

"How are they gonna survive that fall?!" Rivalz shouts.

Ohgi's knightmare, which is revealed to be waiting below the bridge, fires his slash harkens onto the pillar underneath the trio, releasing a large black tarp attached to the slash harkens that then acts as a trampoline to cushion their fall as they end up inside the same type of truck that Nagata was driving in Shinjuku.

"Unbelievable!" Tohdoh is astounded. "Such a simple getaway. You'd think they would get caught, but with Gottwald under the influence of Geass, they may be able to get away."

Ohgi begins celebrating, but Kewell's Sutherland suddenly opens fire on his knightmare, so he's forced to eject.

Luckily, before Kewell can finish him, Jeremiah's Sutherland holds its gun to Kewell's cockpit, both knightmares using their slash harkens to support their weight onto the bridge's side, suspended in the air.

Orange Boy: "Lord Kewell! Are you going to follow orders or not?! And believe me, there will be repercussions! All units, do I make myself clear?! Do everything in your power to help them get away!"

Meanwhile, Ohgi's group is discussing what happened now that the three have returned with Suzaku Kururugi.

Sugiyama: "Man, I didn't really think he could do it."

Yoshida: "Yeah! Who is this guy?"

Tamaki: "That's crap! How many times can a bluff like that work, anyway?"

Ohgi: "You gotta give the guy some credit though."

Tamaki: "Huh?"

Ohgi: "Gotta admit it, nobody else could've pulled that off. Not the Japanese Liberation Front, certainly not me. We've always thought that a full-on war with Britannia wasn't a possibility at all, but maybe with him, it is."

Hearing his words, Kallen realizes the full weight of the situation, of how important Zero is as she glances over to the room he's in right now.

"I have to say, Prime Minister Ohgi, you certainly seemed like you would end up being one of Zero's most loyal followers. It's disappointing that you betrayed him, and all for a woman. Japan's freedom could've been lost all over again due to your backstabbing treachery," Sayoko says, enjoying seeing the man squirm.

Zero: "It looks like they treated you rather roughly. Now you know what they're really like, Private Kururugi. Britannia is rotten. If you wish to bring change to this world, then join me."

Suzaku: "So is it true? Are you really the one who killed Prince Clovis?"

"The very first thing he cares about is if Zero is the one who got rid of one of the biggest figureheads oppressing us!" Chiba scowls.

C.C frowns. "Cecile, you and Lloyd are partially to blame for the boy's naivete."

"Huh? How so?"

"Back in Shinjuku, you told him that terrorists were the ones that unleashed the poison gas, but you yourself knew that to be untrue. You knew that Clovis ordered all residents of Shinjuku to be killed, and yet, you kept Suzaku in the dark about that. I know he shouldn't have been so stupid to believe every word from his superiors. I know he should've realized the truth himself. But still, you could've opened the boy's eyes. You did nothing. You are partially to blame for the future events that would pit Suzaku and Lelouch against one another, causing the deaths of tens of millions through many battles and through FLEIJA."

Lloyd shrugs. "For the sake of science, all I-"

A glare from C.C shuts him down. "I myself am not blameless, but is that all you care about? The Lancelot's combat data? At least I will acknowledge my wrongs if anyone points them out."

L.L glares at Lloyd, who shivers in fear, not knowing that a malicious gaze is bearing into his soul.

Cecile and Lloyd know that what C.C said is right. Maybe Schneizel would've ended up researching the FLEIJA and acquiring it anyway, but without Nina, who only joined Schneizel because of the events between Suzaku and Lelouch, the weapon's development would've been significantly delayed by several months, if not years.

Suzaku, on the other hand, sighed. The only way he can ease the hurt he feels from C.C's words is to remind himself that every single person in the room has some skeletons in their closet except for Tianzi, Leila, and Akito.

Well, those last two seem acquainted with Geass, but at least they were always fighting on the right side as seemingly righteously as possible.

And as for that L.L boy, he doesn't know him, but something in his instincts scream out to distrust him.

Still, he can't help but feel like he was let down by Cecile and Lloyd.

Zero: "This is war. Why wouldn't I kill an enemy commander?"

Suzaku: "And the gas?! Those were civilians out there-!"

Zero: "A bluff to help things along! The result? Not a single death."

Suzaku: "The result? That's all that matters to you, I suppose."

"I have failed him," Tohdoh admits. "In his time in the military, all he cared about was the methods he used to achieve his goals. He absolutely refused to kill when he needed to, and he fought for the enemy. I am disappointed in you, Suzaku, but I am also disappointed in myself. I should've taught you better than to let you think the opinion of a child would matter in the adult world. Too few would've followed him for him to make even a small difference, even if he were Britannian. He would've still been too young. The only exceptions to that are the Knights of the Round, but most of them hold too little political power to change anything, and the Knight of One would've never peacefully given up his title to Suzaku, and even if he did, the Emperor would simply get rid of Suzaku."

Zero: "Come join me. The Britannia you serve is a worthless dominion."

Suzaku: "Maybe that's true, but... but this nation, it can be changed for the better, and from within."

Lelouch: "Changed?"

Lelouch can't believe what he's hearing. How could the same boy, who saw so many of the same atrocities as him, atrocities committed against the Japanese, be so stupid?

Suzaku: "And any ends gained through contemptible means aren't worth anything," He says as he walks away, as if he magically summoned the confidence to sway over crowds of Britannians to his side, something that won't ever happen.

"And it's because of that retarded mentality of yours, Suzaku, that so many people suffered, you selfish prick!" Kallen screams.

Zero: "Wait. Where are you going?!"

Suzaku: "My court-martial begins in an hour."

Zero: "Are you mad?! The only reason they're giving you a trial is to find you guilty! The judge, the prosecution, and defense!"

Suzaku: "Rules are rules. And if I don't go, they'll start cracking down on Elevens and Honorary Britannians."

"Rules are rules, he says," C.C casts a brief glare at Zero. "'Rules for thee, but not for me.' That's what the people he served lived by. Before I met Suzaku, I thought it would be impossible for anyone to be as stupid as him, but then, I was brought back down to reality."

Zero: "But you'll die!"

Suzaku: "I don't mind."

Tohdoh is deeply disturbed by the lack of willpower his former student is displaying, willpower to live.

He shudders at the thought of Suzaku wanting to kill himself, so for now, again, he banishes the thought.

Zero: "Don't be an idiot!"

Suzaku: "An old friend of mine always used to tell me that. He'd say I was a fool. It's my weakness, I guess. I'd try to bring you in, but you'd just end up killing me. And If I'm going to die, it'll be in the service of the people. Even so, I thank you... for saving me."

He leaves.

Lelouch: 'You... fool!'

"And now, he's acting like anyone would ever thank him for fighting for them! What service?! What has he done?!" Kallen feels like she wants to yank her own hair out.

Nunnally is listening to the news broadcast on TV, which leaves her relieved that Suzaku is reported to be alive.

The door opens, and she calls out, "Miss Sayoko?"

However, she receives no response.

Instead, out of the darkness emerges a familiar greenette.

"... Okay, so C.C wasn't resurrected, right? She must be immortal," Nina states.

Unsure, Kallen glances back at C.C

C.C smirks at Kallen. "You seem so worried about me."

Kallen huffs and turns her face away. "Hmph! As if I would worry... about you..." She trails off, her voice unconfident.

Nunnally gives C.C a small grin. "Thank you for spending time with me while my brother was out being Zero, C.C."

"You don't need to thank me. Besides, I barely stayed with you for long before I joined him in the battlefield."

"Still, I appreciated your company then, and I still do."

C.C's ice-cold heart warms, so she simply nods, unsure of what to say.

-End of Episode 4-

Next Episode Preview

Lelouch: 'So naïve! I was sure Suzaku would understand! 'Change the system from within?' Ridiculous! The system will just swallow him up! It'll eat him alive! I can't beg for their charity to live my life! I just can't! I won't live by their rules anymore!'

Cornelia sighs. She thought back to what C.C said to Cecile earlier, about how Lelouch sacrificed his own security to fight for freedom. 'Was it really all for Nunnally? But if that's the case, I don't understand how you could turn on Euphie. You monster. Geass must've consumed you.'

A tear slid down her face, which Guildford noticed, so he was about to reach out to comfort her, but she motioned for him to stop as she quickly wipes it away.

'I will allow myself this little moment to grieve the brother you once were, Lelouch.'

Seeing the time, Nunnally turns her wheelchair towards where the projector's light is coming from. "A.A, it's almost afternoon. Let's take a break and come back after lunch. There are a few things some of us need to discuss, so everyone can go choose what it is they want to eat and who they wish to spend their time with."

"Okay. Be back within no later than an hour and a half," A.A says.

"What happens if one or more of us is late?" Tamaki chuckles, wanting to test that theory.

"Don't be, or else you'll throw up when I teleport you back."

The projector turns off.

To Be Continued

(1) On-screen dialogue added by me #1. This one is one I came up with because Tohdoh seems like the kind of person to say/think this since he's quite modest.

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STAGE 4 Bloopers

Zero: "I am... Zero! I am the one who killed Clovis."

Villetta: "He's just standing there... MENACINGLY!"

Jeremiah: "So you want me to let Kururugi go?"

Zero: "Yes."

Jeremiah: "... You do realize this could backfire on you spectacularly, right?"

Zero stays quiet.

Jeremiah: "... Alright. Here you are."

Zero leaves with Suzaku.

Kewell: "Lord Jeremiah, wtf you doin' bro?"

Jeremiah: "I think him taking Kururugi will backfire on him in the future."