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The next morning, the Empress summoned everyone to the theater.

Nunnally coughed. "Everyone, I think we should watch an episode or two before we eat breakfast. There may come times when we may need to get up slightly earlier than usual to get through all 55 episodes planned."

"55?!" Tamaki shouts.

"Yes, Mr. Tamaki. A.A told me that there are 25 in R1 and R2 each as well as five in the second disk. We don't have a lot of time since we're only spending a week together, and in order to fully uncover the truth of big brother's life, we have to start really grinding through these, even if we have to sit all day. 55 episodes in seven days is an average of seven or eight episodes per day if we hope to finish on time."

"Sitting all day is so boring! I'd prefer to work on Mr. Lancelot," Lloyd complains, only for Cecile to pull his ear.

"Idiot! The Empress often sits all day doing paperwork, and you're gonna complain when we practically get what you would consider free entertainment?"

Tohdoh sighs. "Then we're all in agreement. From now on, when it comes to when we watch, that decision will be deferred to Her Highness Nunnally."

They all nod.

A.A announces that the episode is starting.

The episode begins with a new summary narration.

C.C: 'Lelouch, a Britannian youth, has been given a god-like power by the mysterious young woman, C.C. Geass, the absolute power to compel anyone to follow any order. For the sake of his younger sister, Nunnally, Lelouch plots to destroy the Holy Britannian Empire. Meanwhile, his best friend from childhood - Suzaku Kururugi - has established himself as an Honorary Britannian within the Empire. At this point, their lives are already intertwined and their destinies predetermined with inevitable outcomes.'

Nunnally frowns. "C.C, you knew Lelouch and Suzaku were slowly drifting apart?"

"Yes. I hope you don't hold it against me for not trying to convince Lelouch to do something about it."

Nunnally shakes her head. After all, how could anyone blame C.C after what they'd seen? It's obvious that she's the oldest of them all and has been through a lot.

STAGE 8

The Black Knights

"This must've been when you guys formed into an organized resistance, I take it?" Rivalz asks Kallen, who nods.

The episode begins showing Japanese civilians living in abject poverty, looking very demoralized as a train passes on the bridge right over their heads, the same train carrying three Ashford Student Council members, Milly, Shirley, and Nina, all while a baby loudly cries.

Nina winces. All this time, the "Elevens" she feared so much were really just human beings like her, and their suffering was quite literally under her nose.

On the train, Milly and Shirley excitedly talk about what they'll do on their little vacation trip they're going on as they speak, all while Nina tenses up about going into a "ghetto".

Cornelia rolls her eyes. "Einstein, even I know that just because a location isn't in a large metropolitan sprawl does not mean that it's a ghetto. Sure, the population of the place you were going to may have been mostly Ele- *ahem* Japanese..." She ignores the Chiba's glare at her slip up. "But it should've been an otherwise safe trip."

Zero adds, "Had the Black Knights existed before the Lake Kawaguchi Incident, then the chance that the ensuing hostage situation would've happened is much smaller."

Tohdoh shakes his head. "But that possibility still existed. Kusakabe was as brash as he was impatient."

Shirley: "Haaah!" She squeals in excitement at seeing Mt. Fuji.

Sayoko grins bittersweetly, missing Shirley very much. "Even Britannians can't deny our nations natural beauty."

Jeremiah hums.

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Meanwhile, Ohgi and his squad enter the luxurious bus the Black Knights first used as their original base as Zero claims it as their new hideout.

Ohgi: "So, you think joining up with us is a good idea?"

Zero: "Yes. We're comrades, after all."

Jeremiah raises an eyebrow. "When we were shown how Master Lelouch rescued Kururugi, your past-self praised him, but now, you doubt him again? Talk about flip-flopping."

Ohgi scratches his neck. "Actually, in that moment, I was seriously concerned about Zero's safety. Joining us would put a target on him."

Tohdoh furrows his eyebrows, frustrated with the Prime Minister's logic. "Shinjuku, making a show of himself while rescuing Kururugi, and Saitama had already painted targets on his back."

The Black Knights inspect the bus in astonishment, asking how Zero got it, and he replies that he borrowed it from a rather libertine nobleman who indulges his requests.

"So he used his Geass then," Nunnally states.

Minami sits down next to Zero and turns on the TV right as the news anchor announces that the JLF has jacked the hotel in Lake Kawaguchi.

Kallen worriedly remarks about the Student Council when she sees Milly, Shirley, and Nina among the hostages held at gunpoint.

Schneizel narrows his eyes. "The only reason you, Cornelia, didn't bomb that hotel to ashes is because you knew Euphemia was one of the hostages, but if she were not there, what would you have done? I ask because the Chairman of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting is also there, an important Britannian figurehead."

"Do you think me so heartless that I would kill my own countrymen?" She snarls at the subtle accusation, but she knows him to be right deep down.

"Yes, I do. I also would've killed them without hesitation just to destroy the enemy."

Nina pales. "Um, Prince Schneizel, you don't really mean that, right?"

"Of course I mean it. Nina, you and anyone else that thinks I am kind needs to get it through your heads that I can be even more ruthless than Cornelia, and examples of my actions will be seen, most likely in the disk titled R2, so you best get used to it."

The young scientist gulps and nods. She should've expected this. After all, the blond man provided her the funds to invent the FLEIJA.

Nunnally frowns at her past-self's foolishness to have believed in Schneizel over Lelouch, her only true sibling.

Reporter: "The leader of the group claims to be Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe of the now defunct Japanese-"

Tohdoh: "Argh! That imbecile!" He smacks his knee in anger as Chiba, Asahina, and Urabe watch the TV from behind him.

Gino chuckles. "It's funnily convenient how all of you are glued to your TV at the same time right as something so important happens."

Tohdoh shrugs. "Information is the most vital component in war. Without it, you're going in blind or doing nothing, and both suck."

Kusakabe is seen talking to the hostages at the hotel.

Kusakabe: "I'm Kusakabe of the Japan Liberation Front! This stand we're taking is for the freedom of Japan and our countrymen! Even though you are not soldiers, you are still Britannians. You are the ones who rule and oppress us. Sit still, be quiet, and you'll be fine. If you don't..."

Milly holds Nina close as the bespectacled girl is close to having a panic attack.

Shirley: "Lulu..." She mutters the name of the one she loves, hoping she can get out of this situation alive and see him again.

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Tamaki: "So they made their move."

Ohgi: "They're easily the biggest anti-Britannian force in Japan and now their pride's hurt."

Minami: "Because of us?"

Ohgi: "Maybe."

Kaguya scowls. "I'm sorry you had to go through this, General Tohdoh."

"Don't be. It's only natural that any organization's employees and their actions reflect on those they work for, just like any company or military."

Tamaki: "I don't know whether to feel happy or sad about that, because they're all gonna end up dead."

Zero's phone vibrates, a call. He checks the caller ID.

Lelouch: 'Rivalz?'

Rivalz is revealed to work part-time as a bartender.

Leila sweatdrops, not sure how she feels about a minor working at such a place. On one hand, it's immoral, but on the other, what if he needed money to provide for his family or something?

Rivalz's Phone: "This is Lelouch, please leave a message after the beep."

Rivalz: "What the hell's he doing at a time like this?!" He angrily spikes his phone.

Lelouch grits his teeth: 'I know, but...'

Rivalz grins with mixed feelings, sad that his friend from seemingly another life he actually lived is willing to sacrifice time with him and the other Ashford kids to be Zero, but happy that Lelouch really did seem to care.

A royal guard explains to Cornelia that their attempts to approach the hotel by land and air have failed, but they could send Sutherlands through an underground tunnel, which is exactly what they plan to do.

Japanese Liberation Front: "Super Electro Magnetic Shrapnel Cannon voltage confirmed." They begin heating up their defensive turret as a trio of Sutherlands approach them in the underground tunnel.

Lelouch cringes. 'Idiots! You've wasted valuable seconds when you could've just abbreviated the cannon's name.'

C.C softly giggles upon hearing his thoughts.

"They could just abbreviate it as SEMSC," Kaguya pouts.

"Is that a railgun?" Tamaki asks dumbly.

Anya gives him the look. "They clearly said the word 'Shrapnel' in its name. What do you think?"

"Well... Dunno!"

Nunnally sighs.

Sutherland Pilot: "I think these guys have knightmare rifles." He scans with his Factsphere. "Spread out and break their ranks."

JLF: "Super Electro Magnetic Shrapnel Cannon, fire!"

The cannon fires a single large shell that then splits into several dozen smaller cannon balls.

Sutherland Pilot: "What?!" They're taken by surprise, and with no time to react, are instantly annihilated.

JLF Member: "One shot!"

JLF Member: "Yes! It works!"

JLF Member: "The Raikou is a complete success!"

Kusakabe: "What do you think of that, Britannian pigs?"

"He's getting cocky," Chiba growls. She never once liked Kusakabe, because unlike Tohdoh, he doesn't respect his enemies or at least their capabilities.

Darlton: "Wiped out?!" He exclaims, shocked.

Royal Guard: "It looks as though they've modified a Glasgow into a linear cannon."

The cannon is shown in its entirety, the structure held up by two Glasgows that contain a circular piece attached to the crew's chamber where the heads of the knightmares would normally be.

Royal Guard: "Then there's no way we can break through."

Royal Guard: "What do we do now? If we release the political prisoners as they demand..."

Cornelia: "We can't show weakness to terrorists!"

Guilford leans down to her and whispers: "But Princess Euphemia, she's..."

Cornelia: "... Yes, I know." She scowls, obviously frustrated and torn in between her duty as Viceroy and her love for her little sister.

Darlton: "Thus far it appears that none of them have discovered that fact. If they learn that Princess Euphemia is among the hostages, they'll undoubtedly use her as a bargaining chip. She went there just to observe, therefore she isn't registered along with the other guests."

"I wonder what Princess Massacre will do this time," Tamaki remarks sarcastically. "It's too bad she wasn't killed early on."

Cornelia clenches her fists. 'They'll learn soon enough that Euphie was innocent! She would never!'

Back at Ashford, C.C leans against the school roof and watches the same girl Lelouch Geassed into making + symbol markings on the wall.

C.C: "Yes, yes, I understand. I'll do well this time."

"Okay, seriously Pizza Girl, who were you talking to?" Kallen is getting annoyed.

Her agitation increases a tad when she hears the greenette's response.

"Who knows."

"Quit dodging my question!"

"Your question or your demand, Kallen?"

"..." The redhead glares at her.

"Either way, you will get your answers on screen with a little attention and patience."

C.C: "I'll try to look out for him, but I'm not his guardian."

Lelouch smirks as he chooses to tease his wife. 'That's funny considering how desperate you were to keep me alive.'

C.C blushes and turns her face away from him. 'Who do you think you are to tease an older woman, boy?'

He leans close to her ear and whispers, "I'm your husband."

She gives him a small glare, to which he snickers silently.

'My C.C, I begrudgingly admit that you may be the dominant one in our relationship, but that doesn't mean that I can't have my fun. Call it revenge for all the times you tease me.'

The main trio of the ASEEC stands on the other side of Lake Kawaguchi, staring at the hotel.

Suzaku: "Can't the Special Core offer any assistance with the rescue operation?"

Lloyd: "I've already asked them, but we're in a regular unit and they don't acknowledge our chain of command. Besides..." He tosses a pebble, skipping it across the water.

Suzaku: "It's too risky to entrust the operation to an Eleven, is that right?"

Lloyd: "Yet I'm sure you're aware that Princess Cornelia is very discriminating about Britannians and Numbers."

"Eh? But I thought Cornelia loves Britannians..." Tianzi tilts her head innocently.

Kaguya shakes her head. "She does, but Lloyd means that she is very against Britannians and Numbers mixing together in her ranks."

"Ooooooh..."

Suzaku: "So the Japanese still aren't being accepted enough into your structure."

Cecile: "If that were true, then what point would there be in even having an Honorary Britannian system?" She tries to counter Suzaku's assumption.

How naive she is.

Lloyd sighs. "Back then, you didn't understand, Cecile. There is no point in having an Honorary Britannians system other than to deploy them like tools until they're no longer of use. Suzaku was the only exception because he was freakishly athletic and lucky to survive all the close calls he had with Lady Death."

Cecile looks down.

"Lady Death, you say? Fufufufufu..." A.A mumbles.

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Reporter: "Is there anything you want to say to the terrorists?"

Shirley's Dad, Joseph Fenette: "She was only sightseeing. Shirley is still a student, but these criminals act indiscriminately! Savages... I want to know if Shir- I want to know if my daughter is alright! She hasn't done anything wrong!"

Lelouch, again, feels guilt seeing the man he later killed, and so does Kallen. He may have been an unwanted collateral statistic, but Shirley didn't deserve to have her father taken from her.

As for Kallen, there's no denying that she once hated all Britannians, even though she made it a rule for herself to never target non-combatants. However, now she could only feel guilt for losing herself in such powerful emotions. Shirley was easily the kindest person she ever met, and both her and Lelouch had changed Kallen's views forever.

She just wishes that things went differently, but as Lelouch said, the past is dead.

Lelouch: 'We need to organize before we fight them again. It's too soon though, we're not ready... But we can't just sit here and do nothing either. Knowing Cornelia, she'll sacrifice the hostages. Ah, then why doesn't she make her move? Is it possible...'

"He predicted that Euphie would be there simply due to my inaction?" Cornelia quirks an eyebrow. At this point, she shouldn't be surprised, and right now, she isn't, but who knows what else Lelouch had up his sleeve.

Kallen: "Zero... what will happen to the hostages?"

Zero: "Eventually, there will be no reason to keep those Britannians alive."

Tianzi gasps in horror. What did the innocent loli think was gonna happen?

The audience also realizes that even though Lelouch was worried due to his thoughts they were shown, he is quick to snap back to his Zero facade, his voice cold and uncaring yet strong.

Slowly, a few may begin to realize how much of a burden the mask truly is and that despite having a new Zero, the original was irreplaceable.

Ohgi: "Hey Zero, I found these. Should I hand them out to everyone?"

He says, carrying a box full of black uniforms with silver linings.

"The Black Knights' uniform," Kallen remarks blankly. She should be filled with pride at the sight, but she's not sure if they truly stand for justice anymore considering how they betrayed Lelouch.

"Kallen... Don't tell me you're thinking about quitting?" Ohgi wonders in worry.

"No. The only time I should've quit is when you all pointed your guns at your own leader. Now, it's too late. I have to stay to make sure this organization doesn't become corrupt with people as rotten as you around."

Her words stung, but Ohgi said nothing back. Technically, he is no longer a member of the Black Knights since he became the Prime Minister of Japan, but it still hurt.

Ohgi: "I mean as far as gear goes, it looks pretty hip, but we're just a resistance group, so-"

Zero: "Wrong! We're not a resistance group, is that clear?"

Ohgi: "Well then, what are we?"

Zero: "What we are, what we're trying to be... are Knights for Justice!"

"Justice, huh. Some justice!" Kallen grits her teeth.

"Captain Kouzuki," Zero begins to say.

"Shut up! You have no right to call me that, imposter. Only he did! And you killed him!"

"Imposter? Amogus?!" Gino jokingly exclaims, trying to get Kallen to calm down to which she reluctantly does and gives him a weak grin.

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Cecile: "Those teenage hostages are friends of yours from school aren't they? They're still negotiating so let's not give up hope.

Suzaku: "I have faith in the system. I prefer the logic of systems to individualist emotions."

Suzaku is surprised by his past-self's idiotic words. He remembers how emotionless he was when he sold Lelouch out to the Emperor.

"What the ever livin' fuck does he mean? Fuckin' idiot," Tamaki snorts.

"Pragmatism was never Kururugi's strong suit," Rakshata remarks.

Boy, is that an understatement.

Suzaku: "Ms. Cecile, look." The Lancelot's Factsphere Sensor zooms in towards the top of the hotel.

Much to their horror, they see the terrorists forcing a hostage along by gunpoint.

Suzaku: "Oh no, don't do it. Nooooo!" He screams in horror when they push the hostage off the roof, the man falling to his death.

"Holy shit!" Gino curses, his demeanor turning serious for once.

"Holy shit, indeed," Jeremiah agrees. No one else knows what to say since there is nothing left to be said.

Having finally decided to put aside her nationalistic pride when she saw Lelouch's last interaction with their father, Cornelia feels ashamed. "This is what war does to people. No matter the perpetrator or victim, such acts are nothing but barbaric. What a bunch of animals!"

Kusakabe: "Our demands have gone unanswered. Therefore, we will throw one hostage from the roof every thirty minutes until our terms are met. For the sake of the hostages, negotiations better be in good faith."

Darlton: "This is their warning? Barbarians."

Guilford: "For now, we could negotiate just to get the women and children out-"

Cornelia: "Forget it! If you give in to their conditions even once, then you're simply legitimizing terrorism."

"Ah yes, the good old 'we do not ever negotiate with terrorists' play. You do realize that invading Japan and committing countless war-crimes was already enough to legitimize terrorism, right?" Jeremiah inquires.

Cornelia nods. "I realize that now."

The Black Knights are surprised by this. However, just because she sees the Japanese as no longer animals to be slaughtered and/or ruled over doesn't mean she sees them as anything more than sub-humans or apes, a racist view that she'll eventually need to change.

Darlton: "Then do we use force?"

"Britannia! Fuck yeah!" Tamaki air-guitars. "Comin' again to save the motherfuckin' day, yeah!"

"Quiet, Tamaki. We're trying to watch," Tohdoh scolds.

Guilford: "We would pursue that course of action after we secure the safety of Princess Euphemia."

Cornelia: 'Euphie... I...'

A soldier skids to a halt around a corner in the hallway behind his three superiors.

Subordinate: "Viceroy, it's Zero! We just received a message from Zero."

Zero is seen standing on top of a bus he stole from Diethard's crew as they drive towards the Britannian Lake Kawaguchi FOB. By now, the sun has set and evening has begun.

Sutherland Pilot: "We confirm, it's Zero. Should we open fire?"

Darlton: "No, just stand by. We'll capture him after he's surrounded."

Four spot lights shine towards the bus as several Sutherlands keep their guns aimed at the masked vigilante.

"What on Earth is he planning?" Xingke is baffled at the weight of Lelouch's balls of steel. To be out in the open like that takes tremendous bravery that no one else has ever had.

Ohgi: "Hey, when Zero went off about justice earlier, what do you think he meant?"

Rakshata gets high again. "He already explained this to you when he first met you as Zero on the train before rescuing Kururugi, Prime Minister. Honestly, you almost have the attention span of a goldfish."

Ohgi defends himself, "I get that, but it's just that I wanted to know what his definition of justice would be if he really intended to wage war against Britannia like he claimed, and as a former school teacher, I know how little justice is actually done in war."

Kallen: "Don't know, but we may die first before we find out. Seems all of our escape routes have been cut off," She responds calmly as she drives.

Yoshida: "I'm just wondering, why didn't we use that other vehicle?" He refers to the luxurious bus they were in earlier.

Sugiyama: "Oh, so you want the whole world to see where we hide out, huh?"

Minami: "Point taken."

Inoue: "I don't know about this Zero character, you think we should trust him?"

Tamaki: "No, that's why I said he looks shifty to me. But if anything goes wrong, I'll do something about it."

Jeremiah scoffs. "And what would you have done, Tamaki, other than get yourself killed?"

"What'cha talkin' about, Orange? Weren't you fighting against Zero at this point?"

"Yes, but if you tried to hurt Master Lelouch, Lady C.C might've ended you. Trust me when I say she'd know and that there would be hell to pay."

Tamaki glances at C.C, who gives him a bored but calculative glare. He gulps.

Out of nowhere, Cornelia and her two knights' Gloucesters pull their knightmares in front of the bus, blocking off Zero from the bridge that connects the hotel to their current location.

Lelouch: 'Cornelia, much as I'd love to get you back right here and now, you're more useful to me alive. If you do what I predict, I won't need to use my Geass.'

"He's so confident, it irks me!" Cornelia's eyebrows quiver in annoyance at being outsmarted at almost every turn by her brother other than the Saitama ghetto. "It's like I had beginner's luck against him, but then I fell into a never-ending loop of mediocrity."

Nunnally nods. "That's just what big brother was able to do. If you best him even once, which you did, he'd make sure that he wouldn't grow cocky and lose ever again."

L.L ponders this. Technically, there were only three battles he had ever lost: The Saitama Ghetto Incident, the First Battle of Tokyo Settlement, and his first meeting in the battlefield against Xingke, so Nunnally is correct.

As long as he wasn't being betrayed, getting cocky, or facing someone as intelligent as Xingke, he'd always win. Hell, even after losing to Xingke the first time, he didn't lose again when they fought in the Battle of Mt. Fuji.

Lelouch's ability to adapt or readjust is simply unmatchable.

Cornelia opens her cockpit and stands up to face him.

Cornelia: "Well well, we meet again, Zero. Are you a member of the Japan Liberation Front? Or perhaps you intend to help us? Regardless, our concerns take priority over yours at the moment. And so for the death of my half-brother Clovis, I shall take my revenge right here."

She unsheathes a small rifle with a bayonet attached to it, as if it were a sword since the weapon was attached to her hip, and points it at Zero.

Zero: "Cornelia, which would you choose: Clovis, who is dead, or Euphemia, who is alive?"

Cornelia's face morphs from hatred to shock, trembling with nothing more than the desire to unleash her wrath upon him, but a part of her whispers to her that she knows he's right.

If it came down to saving only of the two between Clovis and Euphemia, she would always choose her sister.

Akito sighs. "That's a low-blow, but whatever works. Lelouch has a way with words, to say the least."

Leila nods. "Regardless of whether any of us consider him evil or not, we could all certainly learn from his charisma."

Lelouch smirks underneath his mask: 'My suspicion's confirmed. The first task at hand is completed. You haven't changed, dear sister. You've always doted on sweet little Euphemia. That's why you won't take aggressive action. Your emotions are getting in the way.'

Zero: "It's within my power to save Euphemia for you."

Cornelia: "What do you mean?! I have no idea what you're talking about."

Zero: "I said that I'm able to rescue her."

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Kusakabe: "Zero, you say?"

Japan Liberation Front Member: "Yes, sir. Word came from the Britannian Army."

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Darlton: "Attention all forces, let Zero pass. I repeat, let Zero pass."

The stolen bus with Zero on it drives passed a conflicted and angry Viceroy that has all the power to end him then and there, and yet...

"Unbelievable," Akito rubs his eyes. "He actually managed to form a temporary truce with Britannia. I don't think anyone else can do that."

Lelouch: 'Either the Japan Liberation Front will accept me as their ally, or they're going to treat me as nothing more than a nuisance. In any event, I highly doubt that they can't resist the temptation of meeting the infamous Zero. We shall see.'

They pass the gates to officially enter the premise of the hotel.

Lelouch: 'Excellent. All the operation's preliminary conditions have been cleared.'

Darlton: "Viceroy, what are we doing?"

Cornelia: "I believe that by letting Zero go in, we can buy some time before the next hostage is executed. So, this is our chance. We can hit them both at the same time."

The purplette sighs. "And I really thought I could take him out alongside the terrorists, but like always, he manages to escape my grasp."

L.L smirks.

Suzaku is given the order to charge straight down the underground tunnel, a mission that Cecile is hesitant for him to go on, but he insists on doing it despite being used as a decoy.

Tohdoh shares a brief, solemn look with Kaguya, knowing that this is only further evidence that the new Zero was and still is suicidal.

As the Lancelot is being prepped for combat, Cecile briefs Suzaku.

Cecile: "Warrant Officer Kururugi, here is a guideline for your mission. According to prime search the hostages are located on the hotel's middle floor and believed to be locked inside a food storage room. Advanced prototype weapon Z-01 Lancelot will use the utilities tunnel to move under the hotel. Once on site, you will destroy the foundation block and submerge the building. The area with the hostages should hold out for 8 minutes. Hostage rescue and mop up of the terrorists will be handled by other units. You will be using the VARIS to destroy the foundation. Set the Impact Rail to Anti-Material Level 3."

Lloyd: "The only variable in this is that pesky linear cannon waiting for you in the tunnel. Space is tight in there. The Lancelot will only have a 47.8% evasion rate."

A flashback shows Shirley inviting Suzaku to the trip at Lake Kawaguchi that he declined since he has to work that day.

"I wonder if Suzaku was able to go and chose to, would he have been able to save the hostages without the Lancelot?" Schneizel wonders, smirking.

Kallen scowls. "I hate to compliment that guy, even after death, but yes, he would've been able to save them."

Kaguya shakes her head. "I don't know about that. Suzaku would probably try to subdue the JLF instead of killing them, a decision that could cost him his life and the lives of others."

A JLF soldier patrolling the hostages stops in front of Nina.

Nina: "An...Eleven." She blurts out, trembling in fear.

Nina buries her face into her knees. "Why did I have to open by mouth?!"

Milly pats her back. "It's okay, Nina. You've changed."

"I know, but still..."

JLF Member: "Grr! What did you say?!"

Nina: "Aah!"

He points his SMG at her.

JLF Member: "Not Elevens! We're Japanese, dammit!"

Milly: "Yes we're aware of that! Just lay off of her!"

JLF Member: "Then correct her! We're not called Elevens!"

Shirley: "Fine, we'll correct her!" She replies in annoyance and fear.

JLF Member: "How dare you speak like that to me? You three, come with me to the next room and I'll teach you a real lesson."

The guard forces a screaming Nina onto her feet, but Euphemia stops them and reveals her identity, demanding an audience with their leader.

While much of the audience gives Nina some questioning looks, wondering why she is so abnormally afraid of the Japanese, Cornelia gasps. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Euphie?!"

Kallen and Tamaki's eyes widen. Euphemia's behavior, at this point, just doesn't add up to the only Euphemia they are aware of, the Princess Massacre, so why is she being so selfless?

The redhead shudders. Something about this whole thing seems so off.

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.

Meanwhile, Lelouch is having a meeting with Kusakabe.

Zero: "You have no intention of joining me?"

Kusakabe: "Remove that mask and reveal your real face to us. It's disrespectful not to."

Kallen asks, "General Tohdoh, I assume Kusakabe would've tried to kill Lelouch if he'd taken his mask off and revealed his Britannian features, right?"

"Correct. Kusakabe was very racist towards Britannians as were his men."

Zero: "I understand, but before I do, I'd like to ask you something. What exactly do you hope to accomplish by this action?"

Schneizel chuckles. "Well done, Lelouch. He's stalling for time so that Cornelia and the Black Knights could make their moves."

Ohgi frowns. "I still don't like the idea that he chose to temporarily work alongside the Britannians."

Sayoko glares at him. "That's funny coming from you."

He squirms under her gaze.

Kusakabe: "Gain attention. I want this country and the world to know that the Japanese aren't dead yet."

Zero: "How stale. You people are obsolete. There's no saving you."

JLF Member: "What?! Why you arrogant..."

Kusakabe: "Explain what you mean by that, Zero."

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.

Meanwhile, Suzaku begins his mission, launching the Lancelot straight down the tunnel. The terrorists fire their cannon at him as he dodges, the resulting explosion producing a shockwave that escapes out of a circular hole on Britannia's end that forces Lloyd and Cecile to take cover.

As this happens, the Black Knights plant plastic explosive charges throughout weak points of the building.

Right as the JLF arrives with Euphemia outside the room Kusakabe and Zero are in, Kusakabe pulls out his katana and lunges towards Zero.

Kusakabe: "Zero! There's no point talking anymoooooore!"

"What the hell?!" Chiba shouts. One moment they were talking, then the next, the Colonel she loathed was willing to take things this far?

Tohdoh has similar thoughts. 'But how does this end?'

Lelouch simply activates his Geass.

Lelouch: "Die!"

Tohdoh is briefly surprised, but not shocked.

"Are you angry? He used his power on your comrade," Xingke asks.

"No. Kusakabe deserved it, and at this point, he wasn't what I'd even consider a soldier of Japan. Seppuku or not, it doesn't matter what kind of death he received because he was as dishonorable a soldier as it could get. His remains could've been desecrated for all I care."

Chiba nods in agreement, and so does Sayoko.

Cornelia sends Tohdoh a brief grateful look.

The SEMSC fires, and the Lancelot sidesteps and cartwheels high into the air to dodge, its advance unimpeded.

Three gunshots inside Kusakabe's room are heard, so a JLF guard enters, only to get capped by Zero.

Lelouch: "Calm yourselves."

"Bwahahahaha!" Tamaki bursts out laughing. "Imagine shooting your enemies while saying 'Calm yourselves.' What a badass! ALL HAIL LELOUCH!"

"ALL HAIL LELOUCH!" The Lelouch squad responds.

Euphemia: "Zero."

Lelouch: "The Colonel and the others committed suicide when they realized how meaningless this operation was. Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the commoners. You haven't changed."

Euphemia: "Eh?"

"What does he mean by that? Had she ever sacrificed herself for others before?" Kallen inquires.

Cornelia replies, "Yes, she has. Before all this, she attended a public school in mainland Britannia. There were some spoiled brat rich kids of some noblemen that were bullying a commoner girl, and Euphemia committed what the royal family called a 'social suicide' by standing up for someone she supposedly shouldn't have lowered herself for. Tch. I was so proud of her, and yet, so angry at how the rest of my family treated her."

Nunnally smiles. "That sounds just like Euphie."

.

.

.

Cornelia: "What? The ASEEC's Knightmare?"

Darlton: "Yes. At the rate it's going, it'll break through soon."

Cornelia: "Huh. Do we dare hold out hope?"

Villetta expresses her surprise, "Princess Cornelia, you were unaware of Kururugi's mission?"

She shakes her head. "No, I wasn't. I don't know who gave him the order, but it seems like it was Lloyd and Cecile." The purplette sends a glare at the two scientists. "And I don't like it when others interfere with my command without informing me."

Lloyd giggles.

Suzaku uses his shields to deflect an incoming SEMSC shell.

JLF: "That thing broke through salvo number five! I can't believe it!"

JLF: "Just don't panic. Deploy the quad-link free-fire armgun, batteries too. We'll shield this final defense with our lives."

Gino whistles. "Shot at five times by that monster? No big deal. Impressive as always, Suzaku. However, everyone should know that this is just par for the course for members of the Knights of the Round. He truly was meant to be one of us, at least in terms of his skills as a knightmare pilot."

Anya nods. "Humu. Suzaku was truly the most gifted pilot I have ever seen other than Kouzuki."

Kallen smiles. "Thank you."

Suzaku pulls out his VARIS rifle and aims it dead center at the cannon while not dodging himself, risking getting shot.

Light leaves Gino's eyes. "Nevermind, I take back what I said. He never should've joined the Knights of the Round if all he wanted was to die. I don't understand, if he really wanted to die, why stay in the knightmare corps? Why not just ask permission to become an infantryman?"

"He's contradicting himself," Zero responds. "Kururugi made half-assed attempts to change things from within, but he also felt the occasional selfish urge to just make it all end by letting the enemy kill him."

Zero: "I heard that you're the Sub-Viceroy now your Highness, Princess Euphemia Li Britannia."

Euphemia: "It's not an appointment I'm happy with."

"What? Why wouldn't she be happy with her position?" Kallen is starting to get a bad feeling about this.

Cornelia sighs. "I, as well as my mother, may have pressured Euphie into taking the position, but Euphie was never one for politics. She didn't hate it, but she certainly didn't like it either."

Zero: "No, it's because Clovis was murdered. That was my handiwork. He begged pathetically for his life to the very end. He pleaded with the same tongue that ordered the deaths of Elevens."

Rage rises up in Euphie's eyes, but she controls it.

Euphemia: "So is that the reason that you killed my brother?"

Zero: "No."

Euphemia: "Then why?"

Zero: "Because Clovis was an offspring of the Britannian Emperor."

His response completely takes her aback.

Zero: "That reminds me... you're one of his children too, aren't you?"

He pulls his pistol out and aims at her.

Pissed off, Cornelia stands up. "That is no justification to murder my sister for someone else's wrongdoings, Lelouch! Damn you!" She shouts.

"Calm down, Cornelia," Schneizel grabs her hand and sits her back down as she silently fumes.

Cornelia may understand Lelouch better now and may or may not hate him anymore, at least not to such a big degree, but that doesn't mean she holds much love for him either considering what he did to Euphemia.

The two JLF soldiers controlling the SEMSC fire one last volley at the Lancelot, something Suzaku was waiting for.

He fires the VARIS as the blue ball of death spreads out, disintegrates the incoming dispersing cannon balls, and hits the SEMSC, destroying it instantly.

Suzaku comes flying high into the air out of the tunnel.

Cornelia: "It's the Eleven," is all she can say in awe.

The Lancelot turns towards the hotel and fires its VARIS, destroying the support structure as the hotel begins sinking.

Cornelia: "He really did it. Guilford!"

Guilford: "Right."

"What happens now?!" Tianzi is hoping everyone that isn't dead made it out safe.

Xingke points out, "Now, as the hotel begins sinking into the water, the hostages will have to hop into lifeboats as the floor they're on reaches ground level."

High in the air, Suzaku's Factsphere zooms in as he spots Zero at the same time Lelouch sees him.

Then, Zero presses the button on a detonator, blowing up the charges his men set, causing a massive explosion that engulfs the area where the hostages seemingly were much to the shock of Suzaku and Cornelia.

Cornelia: "Euphie!"

"There's no way he killed them, right?" Rivalz asks hopefully.

"I don't think so, Mr. Cardemonde," Leila adds. "He does care tremendously about his friends. Those explosives seemed to be set in areas that might've put them in less danger."

Suzaku lunges towards the hotel without hesitation to search for his friends.

Diethard: "What about the cameras in Van 3?"

Cameraman: "I told you, Zero took the van-"

Diethard: "Well then! Let's hope we pick up a signal from them!"

Diethard: 'What are you doing, Zero? Wasn't that part of your plan? To show us something?'

Kallen shakes her head. "Diethard is such a weirdo. He was one of Zero's biggest fans, so I don't understand how he could've been convinced to betray him."

"People change, Kouzuki," Chiba shrugs.

As the smoke clears, the Lancelot is revealed unmoving.

Suzaku: "I couldn't rescue them. They're dead! I failed! Not again!" He slams his fist down sorrowfully.

"Wow, way to give up so soon," Milly pouts.

Suzaku sweatdrops.

Nunnally nods. "He had no trouble bearing the weight of other's troubles and protecting them, even if it meant he would get hurt, but if he thought those he loves got hurt, he'd get so easily discouraged."

Guilford also finds reason to criticize Suzaku. "Kururugi could've still at least searched through what's left of the hotel to find their remains if they were truly killed, but he didn't."

Then, Zero pops onto Diethard's camera feed.

Zero: "My dear Britannians, have no fear. All of the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound. I, Zero, return them to you unharmed."

The hostages are all on lifeboats in the water, unscathed.

Suzaku: "They're fine!"

Rivalz: "Ah, they're all right!" He is relieved while serving food to two men playing chess.

"You worked at one strange place, Rivalz," Nunnally chuckles.

"Heh, yeah. It is pretty high class."

Cornelia: "Of all the brazen audacity..." She fumes.

Nunnally smiles. "I see. Big brother truly is a genius. This was his plan, to swoop in, get rid of the threat, and take credit for saving the hostages, regardless of whether or not the Black Knights actually were the ones to save them."

Schneizel agrees. "Yes. It is a helluva way to make a first impression and recruit allies, although very reckless too considering he could've gotten those hostages killed."

Cornelia: "If we attack you, those people will quickly become your hostages, won't they?"

And then ensues one of Lelouch's most legendary moments and one of Zero's greatest speeches ever as the whole world tunes in again.

Spotlights turn on to reveal Zero's entourage behind him, all wearing glasses to disguise themselves.

Zero: "People! Fear us, or rally behind us as you see fit. We... are the Black Knights!"

Cecile: "Black Knights?"

Lloyd: "Ironic, isn't it? The terrorists referring to themselves as knights."

Zero: "We of the Black Knights stand with all those who have no weapons to wield. Regardless of whether they be Elevens, or Britannians. The Japan Liberation Front cowardly took innocent Britannian civilians hostage, and they mercilessly executed them! It was a wanton and meaningless act, therefore they have been punished."

Tohdoh has his eyes closed, Chiba scowls, Urabe is shocked, Asahina is the same as before, and Senba is unreadable because he is just off camera with only part of his white hair visible and not his face.

'Urabe...' Lelouch thought solemnly. He was the only member of the Four Holy Swords that Lelouch liked and still does for his shear loyalty towards Zero, one that none of the other four and their leader had.

Lelouch couldn't help but wonder what if Urabe wasn't killed by Rolo. Would he have defended him against the betrayal of the Black Knights and Schneizel's scheme? Yes, most likely. Would that have changed anything though? No, he's sure they would've still gone through with it.

But maybe if he were alive, then that good soldier that could see things as they truly are and fight for actual justice, unlike the rest of the Black Knights, would still be here with them.

Sayoko is impressed that all five of them are able to practice seiza, the Japanese sitting position, for however many hours they've been at it.

Diethard: "You heard me right, I said let it run. Liable? I'll be the one responsible for this."

Tamaki laughs. "Ahhh, I miss you, Diethard. Wish you were still alive."

Zero: "Just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed Elevens, we could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out, and so we made him pay for his actions. I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak by the strong. The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed! Wherever oppressors abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again. No matter how mighty, how formidable our foe may be."

Kallen: 'Knights...for justice?'

Lelouch: "Those of you with power, fear us. Those of you without it, rally behind us. We, the Black Knights, shall be the ones who stand in judgment of this world!"

As he speaks his last few words, a few rapid frames flash by showing young Nunnally on life support, an assassinated Marianne, and Emperor Charles on his throne.

-End of Episode 8-

"... Dude, I got the chills," Gino shakes.

Akito gulps and nods. "That speech was very inspirational."

Rakshata hums. "Hm. Understatement of the century! That speech is the reason I joined the Black Knights. At first, I wasn't sure what to make of Zero, but after hearing that, I just had to join. I knew I'd fit in with Zero as leader. As an Indian, my people were oppressed long ago by Britannia, and in my lifetime, were also put down by the Chinese Federation. I saw Zero as the only one who could liberate us, but of course, it had to begin where he started his organization, and that's Japan."

Gino closes his eyes. "I do have to say that it was very arrogant of him to say that the Black Knights will be the ones to judge the world, like he thinks it's okay to play god with others, but I'm not complaining."

Leila adds, "I do support Lelouch from what I've seen thus far, but as we all know, his definition of justice is warped and makes him a hypocrite. Not that Kururugi is better. As a matter of fact, Kururugi seems far worse."

Her fiancé agrees. "Kururugi vs Lelouch, Chaotic Evil with no goal vs Necessary Evil with goals."

Kallen huffs. "You got that right!"

Cecile frowns. "But what do you mean when you say that Suzaku had no goals? He did. He clearly said he wanted to change things from within."

Akito refutes, "Even if that's true, as it was said earlier, he was half-assing it because he actually wanted to die, as it is implied. Plus, he has no plans, so for him to be arrogant enough to think he can do this alone makes him an agent of evil. It doesn't matter how good your intentions are; if you hurt people on the way and haven't a clue what you're doing like Kururugi, then you are merely an annoyance in Lelouch's way. At least Lelouch knew what he was doing."

C.C solemnly sighs. "Yes. There's a fine line between optimism and stupidity. Lelouch was a realist, a much needed anomaly in Charles' way."

Next Episode Preview

Lelouch: 'I was lucky. Heaven must truly be on my side. I never expected that Cornelia's one weakness was among the hostages, a weakness named Euphemia. From now on, the Black Knights shall become my counterattack against the world in which I was trapped, and against my own undecided heart.'

"What does he mean? How could he use the Black Knights against his own heart? And what is he undecided about? Very peculiar," Leila ponders.

C.C glances at Lelouch out of the corner of her eye. 'Were you once considering revealing your identity to the Black Knights?'

'To Ohgi's group, yes. I don't think I was ready to reveal my royal blood, but I was considering showing them my face, the face of a Britannian.'

'It's a good thing you didn't, or else I fear that you wouldn't be here with me.'

To Be Continued