Seven years later, Brittanian settlement

Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. That was the creed that Lelouch Lamperouge lived by. Each who followed the creed found different meaning behind those six simple words. To the lost prince it meant that the world was full of ironies and wrongs but those who saw past them could go beyond what was otherwise limited by only belief. When he was rescued by Conner all those years ago, he learned the truth about his mother's family, for generations they were members of the Brotherhood of Assassins. The silent blades in the shadows of history, fighting to keep humanity free and secretly directing them towards a better tomorrow. The training he went through to live up to his families' legacy was hard, and their were times that he wanted to quit, but in the end, he saw it through. He knew the arts of walking unseen, parkour, and combat. Unsurprisingly actually exercising rather than hiding whenever he had do something physical had done wonders for his body, which was now a weapon built for speed and precision. However one thing that hadn't changes was his love of chess which Lelouch was currently partaking in.

"You lose," Lelouch said with a grin. Beating the pants off Brittanian nobility in a game that they placed a lot of status in was always a joy to the young assassin.

The nobleman who was Lelouch's opponent looked at the student in shock and Lelouch just gave a warm smile. The nobleman had his head down against the table that they were playing in defeat, the impact knocking over a few pieces, cursing how he was defeated by a mere schoolboy. Soon afterwards with a good amount of winning between them, Lelouch and Rivalz, his partner in scamming nobility that more money than brains were leaving the building.

"It's always fun playing against the nobility," Rivalz stated with a smile, "Their pride ensures that they'll pay what they owe you and besides that, 8 minutes and 32 seconds, that's a new record."

"Although, he didn't have enough time, another thing with nobles like him, they make tepid opponents, it almost makes me sad," Lelouch said with a small smile before his features changed into one of distain, "but then again, they're nothing but parasites, maggots grown too fat on the backs of others."

"Man, that deep buddy," Rivalz said although he was a bit concern. This wasn't the first time that his friend had made comments like this.

"It's a fact Rivalz, that's all there is." Lelouch stated. And for many people it was, the rich got richer with no care for those they stepped on to get there.

"Uh, right…say why don't you play against one of the Elevens, they're not like us Britannians." Rivals asked nonchalantly. To that comment Lelouch stopped and glared at Rivalz, before taking a deep breath to calm himself. The sudden change in his friends actions surprised Rivalz.

"Uh, what?" Rivalz asked, "Something wrong?"

Lelouch closed his eyes. He new that his friend meant nothing by the comment, to him it was a fact that the original inhabitants of Japan or has it was now known as Area Eleven, were called Elevens. Rivalz meant nothing by the degrading term. Quickly answering as he walked past Lelouch stated "No, it's nothing."

"Lelouch," Rivalz called.

"What is it?" Lelouch asked.

"Well—" Rivalz started. However he stopped himself when he and Lelouch suddenly heard people talking about the news of the terrorist bombing that killed many people, Comments were made about how vile and horrible the perpetrators of the attack had been, and how the Elevens should know their place. Before ether of the students could comment the screen changed showing the flag of Britannia as an announcer stated, "It's time for an address by His Royal Highness Prince Clovis, the third prince of the Holy Britannian Empire."

The screen changed again showing Clovis and Lelouch narrowed his eyes seeing one of his siblings. In his opinion Clovis was nothing more than a self-centered brat who cared more about his name and image than the people under him, Brittanian or otherwise. The third prince spent large amounts of money on vanity projects to his name, one of the best examples would be the now defunct amusement park which was stupidly and vainly named Clovis land.

"To my imperial subjects," Clovis started, his hand clenched on the spot where his heart would be for the camera "and of course, to many Elevens that cooperate with us."

"Do you not see?" Clovis continued acting sad and torn, "My heart is torn in half! Into the heart filled with sadness, into the heart filled with rage!" Clovis gave an expression of determination and a strong resolve for people to see, "However as Viceroy of Area 11, I will not allow terrorism of any kind! The reason being that the battle we fight is a righteous one, a righteous battle that will protect the happiness of all! Now everyone…won't you join me in grieving for the eight who died in the line of duty of justice?"

"Now, let us have a moment of silence," The announcer said again as the screen displayed the flag of Britannia once more.

"Say, you're not going to join in?" Rivalz asked as he saw his friend turn and walk away.

"Are you?" Lelouch countered not stopping.

"Naw, I'd be embarrassed." Rivalz said as he ran up to catch his friend.

Lelouch sighed and looked back at the screen showing his half brother Clovis once more. Lelouch narrowed his eyes.

"He's just putting on an act," Lelouch said in a low tone, "it makes me sick."

"Lelouch?" Rivalz said wondered what was going on in the mind of his friend. To talk about royalty like that was borderline treason. But before Rivalz could voice his concern the pair arrived at his motorbike. Lelouch hopped on the passage seat of his friend's vehicle putting on his goggles and helmet for protection.

"Let's go Rivalz," Lelouch said, "staying here in any longer will just give me a headache."

"Uh, s-sure buddy," Rivalz said as he got on his bike and started the engine.

Lelouch looked at the screen again with Clovis talking again though he was to far to hear wat was said as they drove off, "I wouldn't be surprised if he was in fact actually attending a party enjoying himself." With that the pair drove off in silence.

"That first move you made," Rivalz asked breaking the quiet that the pair shared, "why did you start with the king Lelouch?"

"If the king doesn't lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?" Lelouch replied as he was reading a book. If their was one thing that Lelouch always believed in it was that a leader should lead by example.

"Hmm…. say Lelouch, do you want to run a corporation?" Rivals asked, before adding on "I bet you could since you're so smart."

"No thanks, I don't see that as something positive for my future." Lelouch commented.

"You sure?" Rivalz asked.

"I'm absolutely sure," Lelouch said with a shake of his head. His duties to the brotherhood, Nunnally and hopefully the downfall of his Father would take up a considerable amount of his time for the rest of his life.

Lelouch's thoughts were interrupted when there was a sudden honk on the horn. Lelouch and Rivalz looked behind them and saw the truck was in way too close to their space.

"What the hell?!" Lelouch yelled out in surprise.

"Oh geez!" Rivalz shouted at the same time. Quickly taking action the young driver swerved his motor cycle out of the way narrowly avoiding getting flattened.

A long-haired man who was driving the vehicle ranted about the two people he saw in front of him and his partner. His passenger one Kallen Kozuki clenched her teeth and then when she glanced at Lelouch, she was surprised as her eyes widened.

"Is that…?" The red-haired girl asked in her head as she saw her fellow schoolmate. Then realizing that she was going the wrong way shouted "No, not the way!"

However it was was too late, the driver had already made the turn into an area that was closed off The truck crashed into an abandoned construction site with a loud crash of metal hitting metal. Rivalz stopped his bike and he and Lelouch just looked on at what had just happened not saying a word.

"Um, was this our fault?" Rivalz asked.

"No, but—" Lelouch stopped himself when he noticed something in the wreckage that was caused by the truck that crashed. Rivalz quickly informed Lelouch that their energy line had been cut which was dangerous as Sakuradite, the power source of most technology was highly explosive. Lelouch looked over to the side. He saw that their were people looking over the damage as well some taking pictures of the crash or stating they should call for help but not actually doing so. Lelouch shook his head as he was disgusted with what he was seeing good people doing nothing. This was why so many problems existed in the world.

"These damn fools…"Lelouch said in his head. He then turned to his friend and stated "Rivalz, I'm going to try to help, if I don't make it back, go on without me."

"Huh, what do you mean?" Rivalz asked in surprise. He then saw Lelouch drop his helmet and goggles, before grabbing his custom black jacket and went off somewhere, "Wait Lelouch, where are you going?" Rivalz yelled but got no answer.

Lelouch quickly put on his jacket, which in reality was a substitute for his assassin's robes, thus was armored and had a hidden pocket for his throwing knives and hidden blades, which he he quickly attached to his wrists. Within a few moments he got to the truck and quickly began to looked around. The people above him were just watching noticed his actions but otherwise did nothing. Lelouch tried to remove the rubble that was blocking the side door however it was to heavy and despite the Assassin's best efforts he couldn't life the wreckage out of the way of the door.

"Hey, are you all, right?" Lelouch asked, "Please answer, " Lelouch did not get a response to his yelling quickly muttered, "damn."

Lelouch looked around and spotted a ladder that lead to the top of the truck and decided to climb up. Lelouch called for the people in the truck, asking if anyone could hear him s he tried to help. Lelouch suddenly paused as he felt a strange presence that was both different yet somehow familiar, it strangely reminded him of Conor. Suddenly a thought came to mind as he said to himself "Just my luck, these guys stumbled on a first civilization artifact. Hopefully I can contact Hiroshi, he's the expert on these things."

Suddenly the engine of truck started and the vehicle began to move again despite the damage done to it. Lelouch quickly realizing what was happening as he quickly hopped in the opened hatch at the top of the truck and jumped in landing in a crouch. He was doing what he could to keep his balance when the truck was swirling. Lelouch looked around again and was a bit agitated. While hopefully he was wrong, Lelouch couldn't risk something of the first one's falling into the hands of people who didn't know what they were dealing with, or worse Templars and decided to stay inside.

"Attention!" A voice from the outside spoke, getting Lelouch's attention, "Surrender now and you will have a chance to defend yourself in court!"

From the outside of the truck, pursuers in military helicopters were chasing down the damaged truck as it was speeding along. The pilot of the helicopter demanded "Surrender at once!" his voice echoing in a speaker. When the truck didn't stop moving, bullets began to fly as the pilot started shooting at the truck, yelling "The next round will hit you! Surrender!"

In the truck, Nagata clenched his teeth, "They've called out the army, now what?"

"Did you forget, that's why I'm here," The Kallen said with a cocky grin as she took off her hat.

As the truck kept moving, Lelouch was trying to figure out his next move as he heard gunshots outside. He knew that just going out was too risky. He suddenly saw that the doors were opening and quickly hid in the shadows of the truck. Lelouch was ready as he narrowed his eyes and flexed his wrists, hidden blades at the ready. He saw someone walking by and was surprised when he saw a familiar red headed young woman.

Meanwhile, three helicopters were still pursuing the truck and one of them was about to fire at the truck again but was struck by a Slash Harken which knocked the vehicle out of the sky. The back of the truck opened and from the back of the truck was a red Glasgow knightmare frame jumped out. Kallen was in the cockpit piloting the red knightmare as she shot another Slash Harken at another helicopter again taking the bird down.

"Stand down men," A voice commanded, "I'll handle this!"

A VTOL appeared carrying a Sutherland knightmare frame. The VTOL released the Sutherland knightmare frame that it housed and the frame that was launched landed on the highway. The pilot inside was a tall man with turquoise hair and orange eyes and he was in glee to perform his duties.

"It's amazing that you could get your hands on an outdated junky Glasgow," The blue haired pilot of the Sutherland said, "but that scrap heap is not a threat, much less a pathetic Eleven that can't appreciate the Empire's lenient and kind affection!" The pilot of the Sutherland started shooting at the Glasgow causing damage to Kallen's Glasgow, this resulted in Kallen being knocked off balance.

"Lenient and kind affection my ass!" Kallen cursed angrily as she was under fire.

"Kallen, we need to split!" Nagata said on the other line, "We both can't get killed so make a run for it!"

Kallen was surprised, "But Nagata…"

"Just do it," Nagata insisted.

Meanwhile as Nagata was driving the truck, another Sutherland appeared and caught Nagata completely by surprise as the Sutherland shot at Nagata and the truck with it's massive gun, making Nagata make a turn off the highway. In the second Sutherland, a female pilot that was dark-skinned and had long blueish teal hair and golden eyes smiled as she was seeing what was happening.

"How simple minded," The dark-skinned woman said with a hint of distain.

Meanwhile, Kallen attempted to fire her Slash Harken at the Sutherland she was facing but the controls were not working for her and she was frustrated. Thinking quickly she launched one of the arms off of her Glasgow at the Sutherland as a distraction that she used to get away from the superior knightmare frame.

Meanwhile Lelouch was looking at his cell phone and found that he had no reception. Frustrated he shook his head. Of all the times that he couldn't get backup it was now. their may have been less than a dozen Assassins in Japan at the moment but any help would have been appreciated, expecialy with something possibly as important as this

"Just as I thought," Lelouch mused to himself as he closed his phone and put it back in his pocket and then looked from his side, "from the way the truck is moving and the darkness in here, we must be heading in the old subway lines," Lelouch sighed, "heading to the ghettos no doubt...exiting out would be dangerous," Lelouch narrowed his eyes, "still though, I can't just stay here, the others need to know what is going on."

Lelouch stood up and looked over and picked up the radio that was left here, it might be useful to know what his kidnapers were doing.

In front of the Area 11 Government Bureau

A large dark skinned man known as General Bartley, Prince Clovis's right hand man was shocked as he faced a tall thin man who was wearing a white lab coat and had lavender hair, grayish blue eyes and wore glasses who man smiled.

"What are you looking at?" Bartley asked in surprise.

"I am looking at a man who blundered," The bespectacled man replied cheerfully.

Bartley was shaking with anger at the comment and with rage started, "Why you…"

"You really overdid it General. Terrorists stole something that you and Prince Clovis were secretly working on. Retrieving it would be a simple matter but you want to sweep up their compatriots as well and should you let the terrorists go, you'll be able to track down their hideouts," The bespectacled man turned and faced his assistant a young woman in uniform that had dark blue hair and light blue eyes, "Congratulations Cecile, your reasoning was right on the mark!"

Cecile was surprised at the complement stated, "Oh n-no, I just thought that it was strange, that's all Lloyd."

"Enough!" Bartley demanded, already having had enough of the annoyance before him "So what does the members of the Special Envoy Engineering Corps want?"

"We're willing to help you out," Lloyd said as he turned to face Bartley with a smile.

Bartley was surprised, "Help?"

"Yes, I want data." Lloyd said as if he didn't hear what was just said to him.

"So what exactly did they steal?" Cecile asked.

"…Chemical weapons," Bartley answered reluctantly, "in other words, poison gas."

Shinjuku Ghetto

Masked Britannian soldiers ran all across the the poorly kept ghetto searching for the truck that carried what was known to be poison gas. The Japanese people living in the ghettos were terrified for their lives as they saw soldiers running all over the place looking for the object in question. Meanwhile in the tunnel, Nagata was bleeding from a gaping wound that he sustained during his many daring maneuvers. The wound was making it hard for him to steer as he lost energy and blood, this caused him to end up driving right into a huge pothole. Lelouch barely held on to something when it happened and he wondered what was going on outside. A masked Britannian soldier was at the scene and he noticed the truck that was stuck in the huge pothole The masked soldier asked himself. "Could that be it?"

In the truck, Nagata was slamming his foot on the gas pedal hard however he was unable to get the truck to move. At that moment he decided to flip the switch causing the side door of the truck to be opened. Lelouch was surprised of what was happening but got himself ready to move anyways. The masked Britannian soldier saw what had happened. he moved in to take a closer look, and upon confirming that he had found his target notified his superiors. Afterward, the soldier saw Lelouch in his hooded jacket and not knowing who it was ran towards him in an attempt to subdue this threat. Lelouch wondered what was with the container and then he suddenly he heard foot falls and his instincts kicked in as he able to quickly block a kick of the soldier with his arm and spun around to face his opponent. Lelouch jumped back and clenched his teeth. The soldier attempted to subdue Lelouch again this time with a powerful tackle but Lelouch countered the attack by side stepping out of the way and using his leg tripped his attacker. The solder fell to the ground with a tumble and his mouth guard came off but otherwise his body armor protected him from damage. However before he could get up fully Lelouch grabbed him to the ground with his arms behind his back and held the solder in a half nelson. Not wanting to lose any information he started to ask a question but was quickly interrupted.

"You, enough with the killing!" The soldier demanded as he struggled to free himself from the hold.

"What?" Lelouch replied surprised. Poison gas was illegal all around the world, why would their be some in Japan and who made it. At least it wasn't something from the first civilization, however this was a different can of worms.

The soldier who was still trying to free himself from Lelouch's hold, "I can't believe you people would use poison gas!"

"What are you talking about?" Lelouch replied annoyed.

"Don't play dumb!" The soldier shot back as he did a quick head butt, slamming the back of his head into Lelouch's face

The quick attack forced Lelouch let go momentarily stunned and the solder was able to free himself and quickly spun around to face his foe.

"If there's any poison gas here as you say, then it was Britannia that made it, right?" Lelouch responded ready for round two.

When the soldier took a good look at Lelouch, he was shocked.

"Y-You…" The soldier spoke recognition in his voice.

"You want to avoid more deaths, then shooting and sending trigger happy solders around is not the way to do it," Lelouch said with a glare.

"Lelouch?" The soldier uttered.

Lelouch was surprised as his eyes widened, "What? How do you know my name? Who the hell are you?" Lelouch said as he got in a fighting stance this time ready to use his hidden blades. How did this man know who he was? The soldier smiled and took off his helmet and Lelouch was surprised to see someone he had not seen in seven years who said. "That stance and they way you blocked and countered my moves, I should have known it was you Lelouch it's me, Suzaku."

"It really is you," Lelouch uttered surprised as he dropped his stance, "but…you actually became a Britannian soldier? But why?"

"What about you? Don't tell me you—" Suzaku started

Suzaku was interrupted as the container was suddenly opened. There was a bright light and both Lelouch and Suzaku away from the container as quickly as possible. Suzaku covered Lelouch's mouth with his own mouth guard which could filter out toxins for a short time as it opened up. They both feared the poison gas that was about to spew out. However instead pf deadly poison, what was revealed to be inside the container was actually a young woman with long green hair and golden eyes who was tied in a straight jacket with her mouth covered. Lelouch and Suzaku were surprised and didn't know what to make of it. And for Lelouch he felt that same feeling as before again thinking of Conor. The pair helped the woman out of the truck and untied her.

"Answer me Suzaku," Lelouch asked, "how could this girl be poison gas?" He wanted answers.

"But it was what we were told in the briefing," Suzaku said.

A light suddenly flashed on them. The two of them looked towards the light to see what was going on as Suzaku stood up. Members of the Royal Guard appeared with their guns pointing at them and the leader who had dark blue short hair and a scar on the right side of his face next to his eye stepped forward.

"Damn monkey," The royal guard leader said coldly, "even an Honorary Britannian doesn't have the authority of you've just done."

"But I was told it was poison gas," Suzaku said as he ran and faced his superior officer.

"You have no right to protest!" The Royal Guard leader countered.

"However in face of your great achievements, I'll be merciful," The Royal Guard leader said with a smug look and then brought out a gun to give to Suzaku, "Private Kuruguri, take this gun and execute the terrorist."

Lelouch clenched his teeth and glared at the leader, silently pulling out a smoke bomb he hid in jacket for emergencies just like this

Suzaku was surprised and then looked back at Lelouch, "But he's not a terrorist. He's a civilian who got dragged into this."

The Royal Guard leader didn't like what he heard, "Why you…that's an order! Didn't you swear your loyalty to Britannia?"

"Yes, I did but I still can't, I can't follow that order sir." Suzaku stated boldly.

"What was that?" the scared man asked.

"I won't do it sir," Suzaku turned to Lelouch with a smile, "I won't kill a civilian, not him especially."

"I see…then die!" He yelled as he fired his pistol

Suzaku was surprised and then he was shot in the back.

"No, Suzaku!" Lelouch shouted. Lelouch's eyes widened as he saw his childhood friend's corpse lying on the ground and he felt shattered. Lelouch didn't know why ore agree with the fact that Suzaku became a Britannian soldier, but why he died was just wrong, no man deserved death for doing the right thing. Lelouch was shaking and had his anger toward the men before him grew more. It was an aspect of Britannia that he despised. He just needed the right moment to use his smoke bomb and he could avenge Suzaku and escape

"You seem to be a Britannian student," The Royal Guard leader said, "too bad you chose the wrong day to skip school, it's just not your day."

"You bastard!" Lelouch said with hatred.

"After you retake the girl, kill the student." The leader of the solders said,

"Yes, my lord," The members said in unison.

Meanwhile in the truck, Nagata was bleeding out and he knew that he was not going to live much longer. He took a glance at the picture of himself with his wife and child. It was so long since he last saw them, lost in the original invasion.

"Death…to Britannia," Nagata uttered, "long live…Japan."

Nagata pushed the red button and it caused the truck to explode, surprising Lelouch and the members of the royal guard. Lelouch threw his smoke bomb to the ground and grabbed the young girl that was in the container with him, he needed answers and the guards were to far away to use his blades, Lelouch decided at that moment it was better to live and fight another day.

G-1 Base

In the bridge of the G-1 Base, Bartley was being informed by the leader of the Royal Guard of what occurred and he was not pleased.

"They got away?" Bartley asked angrily, "And you call yourselves the Royal Guard?"

"Forgive me my lord," The Royal Guard leader replied on the other line, "the blast was mainly directed upward—"

"You fool, why the hell do you think I only told you people about this?" Bartley interrupted.

"We-we'll continue the investigation," The Royal Guard leader assured.

"The plan has moved forward to the next phase," Clovis said suddenly.

Bartley was surprised and turned to face Clovis, "B-But Your Highness…"

"If knowledge of her gets out, I'll be disinherited," Clovis pointed out, "tell them back home that we're carrying out a plan of urban renewal here," Clovis stood up from his throne, "as Clovis la Britannia, third prince of the Empire I command you, destroy Shinjuku ghetto, leave no one alive!"

The knightmare frames and armed soldiers were deployed and they were ready to carry out the massacre in the Shinjuku ghetto.