Here's chapter Nine. Anyway, I don't own Code Geass or any of the characters just the OC.
9. Facing Hardships
The incident in Lake Kawaguchi ended with the hostages returned safely, Kusakabe and his men dead, and Zero and Soul debuting their organization the Black Knights to the world. As soon as the hostages were brought to safety, Cornelia ordered her troops to capture Zero, Soul, and the Black Knights. However, they all swiftly got away using the escape plan they set up allowing them to be out of Cornelia's sights. Cornelia was angered that they got away from her again but decided she would capture them next time they meet for now she would deal with finishing things up in Lake Kawaguchi and went to meet up with her sister Euphie.
When Cornelia saw Euphie she went up to her relieved that she was safe. "Thank goodness you're safe Euphie," Cornelia said happily.
"Yes, I'm sorry I worried you," Euphie said.
"I'm the one who should apologize. If I knew something like this would happen then..."
"It's not your fault," Euphie assured her. "No one could have known this would happen at the time."
"Even so I'm glad it's over, come now it's time we go," Cornelia and Euphie head to the G-1.
(Zero's Mobile Base)
The Black Knights had just returned and they gathered around the inside while Zero and Soul stood at the centre and R.R stood behind them.
"Congratulations everyone," Zero announced. "Our mission was a success.
All of them smiled feeling proud and happy that they achieved what they set out to do.
"I have to admit, I was a little nervous back there, but now I'm amazed you really pulled it off," Ohgi said.
"Wrong Ohgi," Soul interjected. "It's not the two of us who pulled it off, all of you played roles that were just as important.
"He's right Ohgi," Zero said agreeing with Soul. "This wouldn't have been possible without all of you, you should be proud of yourselves."
"Hell yeah!" Tamaki said excitedly.
"It does feel pretty that we won back there," Sugiyama said happily.
"Zero, Soul, back at the hotel you said this was just the beginning," Kallen said. "So what comes next?"
"That's simple Kallen, in due time we'll expand the Black Knights," Soul said surprising the others except for R.R.
"Expand?" Ohgi said.
"That's right," Zero began to elaborate. "Right now it's just us, but soon that'll change, first we'll complete more missions to show our justice, then we'll gain support from the people and have more recruits that want to join us, and finally we gain more weapons, resources and even Knightmares allowing us to face the Britannians!"
Kallen was both surprised and amazed by that plan and so were the others. "You've thought ahead that far? But will that really work?"
"It will," Soul assured. "Now after the incident at the hotel the focus of the world is on us, we just have to make sure we play this right."
"Oh so that's why we saved those Britannians," Tamaki said.
"We saved them because if we didn't they would have been killed," Zero clarified. "This was for our justice, everything else is an added bonus."
Everyone nodded, and soon parted ways, waiting for their next mission.
(Two Weeks Later, Ashford Academy, Kallen's Room)
It was morning and Kallen was in her bedroom lying in her bed and had her eyes closed. While to TV was on and the news was talking about the Black Knights.
Clearing the last of the debris from around the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Centre Hotel.
It's been two weeks since Zero and Soul unveiled their Black Knights. But there's still little insight into the men behind the masks." The news anchor said.
"They weren't able to track his escape route?" His co-anchor asked.
"They let the hostages go and somehow made it to the other shore." The news anchor said.
Suddenly Kallen heard a crash outside her room and got out of bed to see what it was. She saw the sound came from a broken chandelier and a broken wooden step ladder, next to them was a Japanese maid with long brown hair tied in a ponytail and light blue eyes and she was kneeling beside the step ladder upset with what had happened. The maid then turned and noticed Kallen.
"Kallen. I mean, miss. Forgive me." The maid said with a sad smile. "I didn't wish to wake you."
"Again?" Kallen asked.
"I'm sorry." The maid said sadly looking at the broken objects. "It was the step ladder this time, it broke."
"Well, just get it cleaned up. And be quick about it. I have to leave for school."
The maid was happy to hear Kallen say that and smiled at Kallen.
"Mistress, you've been attending school quite a bit lately." The maid commented happily. "Making any friends there?"
Kallen flinched and sent her a glare.
"I don't see how that's any of your business!" Kallen angrily said before slamming the door shut. The maid just continued to smile.
Kallen inside the room was standing by the door trembling.
"….Just go, will you." Kallen silently pleaded.
(Ashford Academy, Lelouch's Room)
Lelouch, Logan, and Rolo were in Lelouch's room looking over a map of the Tokyo Settlement with different location marked down. They looked it over and nodded.
"Okay that should be enough for now," Lelouch said. "We'll target these locations."
"So right now the Black Knights' targets are other terrorist groups, drug dealers, criminal syndicates and politicians who are corrupt," Rolo summarized.
"That's right," Logan answered. "For the most part the Black Knights operations will consist of these, if we want to show people we're Knights for Justice then we'll prove it with our actions."
"That's correct, we'll start tonight," Lelouch told them while folding the map. "Both of you be prepared and contact Ohgi and the others,"
They both nodded and the three of them got up and began to leave for class.
(Later That Night, A Warehouse By A Port)
Night had fallen and at a warehouse by a port, Zero, Soul, and R.R were leading the Black Knights to the warehouse, they moved quietly so they wouldn't be seen. Inside the warehouse, people were working at moving around a bunch of crates and placing certain products inside them, making them ready for shipping. Two Britannian men in business suits were making sure things went smoothly. One was a tall man with light brown hair and the other one was a short man with dark brown hair.
"I know it's for welfare, but why waste it on the Elevens? That's why I'm selling it to you, my friend." The short man said.
"The Eleven population could use a little thinning out if you ask me." The tall man said.
"Your payment will be transferred to your wife's account."
"Princess Cornelia is a soldier. She won't be happy with this."
"True but this sort of thing doesn't interest her all that much."
Suddenly the light's off and people ran inside the warehouse.
"Hit the lights! Turn 'em on!" The tall man ordered.
When the lights turned on they saw above them were Zero, Soul, R.R, and the Black Knights.
"You're…" The tall man said shocked. "you're the…!"
(Ashford Academy)
"The Black Knights!" Kallen said suddenly standing up from her seat.
The teacher and students in class looked at Kallen surprised and confused, Kallen realized what she had just done and sat back down hoping that no one would question her about it. Later after class, some of the students were still in the classroom talking and hanging out.
"That's not like you, dozing off in class like that," Shirley said.
"Well, I…" Kallen spoke not sure what to say.
"You could learn a thing or two from Lelouch. He's an expert at sleeping in class." Rivalz suggested with a smile.
Kallen and Shirley looked over to Lelouch who was sitting in his seat and had his two fingers on his temple and had his eyes closed.
"He's not sleeping now, is he?" Kallen asked.
"I don't know what he's up to, night after night," Rivalz said. "But he sleeps through about half of them these days. In fact, the same can be said for Logan,"
"Logan?" Shirley said.
"Yeah," Rivalz said pointing to Logan. "See."
Kallen and Shirley now looked over to see Logan in his seat laying his head on his desk.
"I don't know what's up with them," Rivalz said. "But those two are definitely doing something."
"Wonder what it is," Shirley said.
(Elsewhere In The Tokyo Settlement)
Cornelia and Euphie were near some train tracks and warehouses.
"The EU is starting an offensive along the El Alamein front." Cornelia informed, "We can't go on dragging our feet around here. I want to solidify domestic affairs. It's high time Area 11 was made a satellite nation. For that to happen we need to stamp out terrorism, of course. But another major problem is the rampant abuse of Refrain amongst the Eleven. Productivity is plummeting. It's coming in on the Chinese Federation's Kyushu route. We have to put an end to it.
"Yes," Euphie said. "But be careful."
"You as well. I don't want you leaving the settlement." Cornelia said.
"Cornelia, what about Black Knights and Zero?" Euphie asked.
"I'll let them roam free a bit longer," Cornelia said. "I owe them that for saving your life. However, upon my return…"
Cornelia then walked over to Euphie then gently placed her hand on Euphie cheek.
"Once I've cleaned up this Area, I'm entrusting it to you. Try to stay out of harm's way from now on. All right, Euphie?" Cornelia said in a warm tone.
Euphie then thought back to meeting Zero and Soul at the hotel in Lake Kawaguchi.
"When they spoke to me that night, what did they mean for now? why didn't they just kill me right there? Suzaku, what would you make of all this? About what Zero and Soul are doing. And of me." Euphie thought.
(Ashford Academy)
Kallen was outside the Student Council room and yawned.
"Man, this double life sure is a killer," Kallen said.
"Damn it, We said no!" Logan complained loudly.
Kallen was surprised and went into the Student Council room and saw most of the members of the Student Council wearing different kinds of cat costumes except Lelouch and Logan.
"Come on, you two, just go along with!" Shirley said.
"Yeah seriously," Rivalz added.
"Forget it!" Lelouch told them.
Milly turns and sees Kallen.
"Goodmiaoning." Milly greeted in a cat wave including waving her paw.
"Good morning, I guess," Kallen said unsure of what's going on. "What is all this?"
"What do you mean?" Rivalz replied, "Didn't we tell you? It's our welcome party for Arthur."
Kallen looked over to see the cat resting in his high place.
"Sounds like fun…?" Kallen spoke still feeling lost.
"Maybe but there's still no way we're dressing up like cat's," Logan said.
"Oh come on will you," Shirley said feeling impatient. "It has to be everyone, that means you and Lulu as well."
"Even if you say that we still refuse," Lelouch said not convinced.
"Yeah we tried to pin Lelouch down to get him in a costume but Logan stopped us," Rivalz admitted with a laugh.
"Well anyway, classes are postponed, we might as well have some fun, right?" Milly said.
"I set some stuff aside for you, over here." Shirley showed her more costumes. "To make up for all my getting so upset before. Take your pick."
"What?" Kallen said surprised, "For me?"
"She doesn't need a costume," Lelouch said with a grin. "You're already wearing a mask, right?"
"True, she is good at playing her part," Logan added also with a grin.
Kallen glared not happy about what they were implying. "You really are a riot, you know that? You ought to be on television."
"What do you think, Miss TV Star?" Rivalz said looking at Shirley.
"Oh, I thought that she meant Lelouch," Suzaku said.
"Would you quit joking about that?" Shirley complained about how much attention she, Milly and Nina were getting after Lake Kawaguchi, The whole thing's a huge pain in the butt. We've been hounded with questions day and night. Even in the bath!"
Milly sighed. "We haven't been able to leave school grounds in a week."
"Not that I don't feel for you, but I don't see why we can't leave either," Rivalz asked.
"Hmm, that's the price of friendship." Milly said with a smile, "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms 'It matters not that we were born apart, upon this day we die as one'."
"Is that your idea of a love quote?" Rivalz asked.
Milly faced Rivalz with a devious grin and waved her paw. "If I go down, then we all do."
"That's a little dark," Rivalz said.
"More like stupid," Logan commented.
"What do you think, Suzaku?" Rivalz said and turned to Suzaku.
Suzaku was getting emotional with tears in his eyes with a smile.
"I'm glad… that we could all be together again," Suzaku said.
"Come on!" Rivalz asked a hopped onto Suzaku's shoulder. "Hey, we're supposed to be unwinding in here!"
"That's what's so refreshing about Suzaku, though," Shirley said happily.
"Yeah, but once in a while you just want him to get a clue, you know?" Milly said happily.
"Oh, sorry about that," Suzaku said.
Kallen looked at them all enjoying themselves and thought.
"It's so funny to think I helped save their lives," Kallen spoke in her head.
"Yeah well even if you say that, I've left campus plenty of times," Logan said surprising Milly.
"What, but Logan how could you? What about the price of friendship?" Milly asked him.
"I know not of what you speak," Logan said.
(Elsewhere In The Tokyo Settlement)
Kallen was walking around the Tokyo Settlement thinking about everything that had happened since the Black Knights were formed.
"Ever since we made our big splash at the hotel jacking, the Black Knights have taken the world by storm." Kallen then walked past a wanted poster for the Black Knights.
"We've become a friend to the weak, just as Zero and Soul proclaimed we would. Terrorists who involve civilians, an overbearing military, criminal syndicates, corrupt politicians and profiteers, if the law would not punish them, then we would." As Kallen thinks of those things we see images of the Black Knights or various missions against different groups.
"In the blink of an eye, we'd become heroes. Support for us has swelled. And we've even gotten our hands on some Knightmares again."Somewhere in the Tokyo Settlement, we see a group of Japanese people at an old construction site, two of them are trying to act like Zero and Soul and everyone watching them claps. Elsewhere in the Tokyo Settlement, three kids run past Kallen in a park wearing black capes and pretending to be Black Knights, Kallen smiles seeing that.
"Of course, no one could show that in public, because…" The Mother of one of those kids stopped him and told him not to pretend to be a Black Knight, telling that they could never say anything bad about Britannia because they were Elevens.
"Because our leaders had killed Prince Clovis. There are many in our ranks who wish to know their true identities, myself included. But if we push too hard, I suspect that they would vanish. And without them, I'm fairly certain we'd be finished." Kallen thinks of Zero and Soul.
(Ashford Academy)
Back at the campus walked out of the Council room building and see Rivalz working on his motorbike.
"Hey, there, Pal," Rivalz said while still working on his bike. "Haven't seen you much lately."
"Really?" Lelouch said.
"Yeah. Really. And not just you, Logan and Rolo and around much either, where are you guys always going off to?" Rivalz asked.
Lelouch started walking away, "Sorry but that's personal, I can't really talk about," Lelouch said before leaving.
(Base Of The Japan Liberation Front)
Todoh was meeting with the Four Holy Swords and the main topic was the issue with Zero, Soul, and the Black Knights.
"Why would the masses flock around those who saved Euphemia?" Urabe said.
"Even Kyoto has said that they would send the Black Knights the Guren MK II," Senba said.
"To those would-be Robin Hoods?" Asahina asked a little annoyed.
"They're not part of the resistance. Killing Kusakabe was proof of that." Chiba said.
"The colonel was in the wrong in what he did and he went without orders, but still that didn't give them the right to kill him," Urabe said.
"Lieutenant colonel Todo, we can't let this stand. What do you suggest be done?" Senba asked.
Todoh just sat there with his eyes closed in deep thought.
(Stadtfled Manor)
"Mistress Kallen," The maid called. "Mistress Kallen."
Kallen came downstairs and saw Milly at the door.
"Madam President?" Kallen said.
"I just dropped by to give you something." Milly greeted.
"Huh?"
"Where would you like me to show her to?" The maid asked, "The parlour perhaps. or maybe…"
"We'll be in my room," Kallen said strongly while glaring at the maid.
"As you wish." The maid said not bothered by Kallen's glare.
"Oh," The voice of a woman spoke.
The three of them looked up the stairs to see a middle-aged woman who wore a purple long dress and had blonde hair and blue eyes.
"I heard you had a friend down here, I was sure it would be a boy." The woman said to Kallen. "Out all night and missing school. Not to mention all your visits to the ghetto. You're lucky your father's back in the homeland. No fighting one's blood, is there?"
Kallen just glared at her.
"You're the one who enjoying dad not being around here, aren't you?" Kallen responded.
Before they could go any further there was a sudden crash and they both turn to see a vase broken with the maid standing next to it.
"Oh dear," The maid said. "What have I done."
"What's wrong with you!" The woman said angrily.
"Forgive me, milady, forgive me." The maid said while picking up the broken pieces.
"Can't you do anything right?" The woman complained. "Besides selling your body, that is."
Milly and Kallen sat at a table in Kallen's room.
"Quite the complicated home life you have. isn't it." Milly commented.
"So what was it you wanted to give me?" Kallen asked.
"Grandfather asked me to pass this on." Milly placed an envelope on the table.
"You mean the principal?" Kallen asked.
"Your transcript since middle school," Milly explained. "I thought I'd better give them to you off of school grounds."
"So my secret's out then, isn't it?" Kallen said with a sigh. "That I'm actually an Eleven and Britanian half-breed. That was my stepmother down there. My real mother was that clod of a maid who knocked over the vase."
"And your father... Is he the head of the Statfeld family?" Milly replied.
Kallen frowned. "My mother is such a fool. In the end, she wound up a servant. She doesn't have any real skills. And no matter who's ridiculing her, all she can do is laugh like it's nothing. She didn't have to choose to stay in this house, you know? She's just clinging to some old lover who jilted her."
"You really hate your mother, don't you?" Milly said with sympathy.
Kallen sighed sadly. "I just find her depressing."
"Well, this is getting a little heavy," Milly said. "Imagine, the wife and the daughter and the other woman, all living together."
Kallen poured some tea into the teacup for Milly and placed it in front of her.
"Ah, it could be worse," Kallen commented. "Three square meals and a roof, right? I mean, it's not unbearable. Most of the time, anyway."
"That's good." Milly said with a smile, "Still, some things in life we can bear on our own, but when you add them all up, they eventually break you. Oh, don't worry. I won't lie, I'm always hungry for secrets, but I'd never talk about this." Milly assured her.
Meanwhile, the Japanese maid was in her small room with writing on the walls which say insults about her and she opens a draw filled with vials and a special injector. The maid was panting and took one of the vials and the injector.
(Ashford Academy)
In the Student Council room, Lelouch was sitting in a chair reading a magazine, and Logan was checking his phone, while Suzaku was getting things out of boxes.
"I can't believe you teared up," Lelouch said. "That's so embarrassing."
"It's called honesty," Suzaku replied.
"Yeah well there's also something called overdoing it," Logan added.
Suzaku was then bitten yet again by Arthur who was in one of the boxes.
"Well, good thing's the Black Knights were there to save them," Lelouch commented. "That's all I can say."
"Yeah, I agree," Logan said.
Suzaku freed his bitten hand and then spoke.
"If they wanted to catch criminals, they could have joined the police force, you know?" Suzaku said. "Why don't they, I wonder."
Lelouch and Logan looked at him.
"They probably don't think the cops are up to the job. I tend to agree." Lelouch said.
"The police may not be that effective right now," Suzaku said looking at them. "But they could evoke change from within."
"Even if they could how long would that take?" Logan asked. "How many years, besides in the end they still wouldn't be acknowledged, they would just be distrusted and everyone around them would try to push them down."
Suzaku was a bit taken back at what Logan said but still tried to argue.
"If they had done everything in their power to change things, that might hold water. As long as they don't, then all of its just self-righteous posturing."
Lelouch and Logan looked at him and narrowed their eyes.
"Self-righteous?" Lelouch said.
"And what constitutes evil in their eyes? What standards are they using? It's nothing but self-satisfying gratification." Suzaku continued.
"You know for someone who seems to hate self-righteousness you sound pretty self-righteous yourself," Lelouch said.
Suzaku was surprised at what Lelouch said.
"Suzaku, this envoke change from within may work for you, but not everyone is allowed into the system, some people can't be Honorary Britannians," Logan said.
"And besides, for others resisting is the only option available to them, they're doing this because they can't do anything else," Lelouch said.
"But even so that doesn't mean it's right." Suzaku countered.
"Then what makes it right?" Logan questioned him. "Is something wrong just because it against the law, that's a one-sided point of view that not everyone can agree with, you alone can't decide if it's right or wrong"
"Exactly, and did you ever stop to think about others feel about this, how is it fair to condemn others for not adhering to your morals and principles when you won't look at things for their point of view," Lelouch said.
Suzaku was surprised at what they said and then upset that he couldn't think of an argument.
"They do have a point, but..." Suzaku thought.
The door suddenly opened and Shirley entered the room
"Oh, it's just you three?" Shirley asked.
Suzaku then stood up. "Anyway, I guess I gotta go back to the base pretty soon. See you around, Shirley."
"See you later," Shirley said with a smile.
Before Suzaku walked out the door, he looked back at Lelouch and Logan and had a downcast expression, he then left.
"So Lulu… I was, um… I was thinking if you had some time, you and I…" Shirley said stuttering.
"Back to base…" Lelouch interrupted her. "Now that was an interesting choice of words," Lelouch said with a glare.
"Yeah, surprised he would say that," Logan said in the same tone.
"Go back, implying that's where he thinks he belongs." Lelouch angrily thought.
(Tokyo Settlement Shopping Area)
Kallen was in the shopping area and talking on the phone with Ohgi.
"Refrain?" Kallen asked.
"It's a psychotropic, makes you think you've gone back to the past," Ohgi explained.
"Must be all the rage here in Japan," Kallen replied.
"Yeah, well… Who doesn't long for the days before the occupation, right?" Ohgi said.
Kallen thought about it.
"This stuff was specifically targeted at the Japanese. Can't very well ignore it. Soon as the Burais are stocked, we move." Ohgi said.
"Supplies keep rolling in. And I hear lots of people are ready to join us. Black Knights sure are popular, huh." Kallen commented.
"Well, we are the heroic knights for justice." Ohgi agreed. "I'll call you when the ammo gets here."
Kallen hangs up the phone and then heard a voice.
"Come on Eleven, say something." A male voice said.
Kallen looked over and saw where the voice was coming from, what she saw was five Britannian men ganging up on one Japanese vendor who was on the ground and had bruises.
"You are sorry, aren't ya?" Another male said now stomping on the vendor.
"Bowing your heads is what you Elevens do best, right?" A third male said.
The people around them saw what was going on and just looked away not wanting to get involved.
"Eleven…" Kallen said disgustedly at what she was seeing.
"Eatin' bad food really makes us wanna off somebody, you know?" A fourth male said.
Kallen walked over to try to stop them but before she could someone grabs her hand and she turns to see it's Lelouch.
"Lelouch?" Kallen said surprised.
"No, there's five of them," Lelouch said trying to stop her. "You wouldn't stand a chance at all."
"So you think I should just ignore it?" Kallen asked.
"Go on, take a good look at that Eleven," Lelouch said pointing to the vendor's hotdog cart.
"Come on, what's the matter?" One of the males said.
"Aren't you gonna cry?" A second male said.
"Buddy, just say you're sorry." A third male said.
"If we intervene and help him win, he wouldn't be able to sell a thing tomorrow. It was his choice to become a Britannian slave. That's just the price you pay for working in the settlement." Lelouch tells her.
"Well even so…" Kallen wants to say something but then the five men notice Lelouch and Kallen and walk over to them.
"You got a problem over there?" One of them asked.
"Not feeling sorry for this Eleven, are ya?" A second one asked.
"Nah, they feel the same way we do, don't you guys?" A third one asked.
"Not quite," Lelouch said as they stopped in front of them. "But you're tired of beating up Elevens now, aren't you?" Lelouch said activating his Geass.
"Yeah. This is boring."
"You guys wanna hit the arcade?"
"I got no cash."
The five of them left under the control of Lelouch's Geass. Lelouch smirked while Kallen looks surprised.
"Well, they got bored pretty quick, huh?" Lelouch said
Kallen then ran up to the vendor. "Hey, are you all right?"
The vendor looks up and sees Kallen.
"Huh? A Britannian student! What can I get for you?" the vendor asked as if nothing went wrong. "How about a nice California hot dog, miss? Is this your boyfriend? I can get him something too. I have ice cream if you like?"
Kallen was shocked by his behaviour. Later on, Kallen and Lelouch were sitting on a bench by the water fountain.
"In some ways, Area 11 is better off now than the old Japan ever was," Lelouch said. "Being made a colony of the Empire has stabilized its military and economic position in the world. Elevens can even attain full citizenship through the legal process. It's easy to become an honorary Britannian. Just a question of pride, really. Though I can certainly understand why they'd resist."
"And?" Kallen said.
Lelouch looked at her wondering what she meant.
"Knowing all that, what does Lelouch Lamperouge think about it at all? What do you wanna do?" Kallen asked.
"Nothing," Lelouch replied.
Kallen was upset by that answer.
"You know, you've got a lot of brains but you don't seem to be doing much with them. It's all Shirley talks about, saying how intelligent you are but how you barely ever apply yourself."
"That's why I don't do anything. That Eleven we saw back there could tell you. He could lead a better life as long as he bows his head to Britannia."
Kallen then stands up and slaps him. "You must think you're pretty cool, huh? Just playing the critic and judging the world from the sidelines. Guess I was a fool to expect anything more from you. You know, I really thought you were a better man than this." Kallen yelled at him before leaving.
As Kallen left Lelouch just smirked.
"You probably could have handled that better," Logan said walking up beside Lelouch.
"So you heard all that?" Lelouch asked.
"Yeah but still, you only give her Lelouch Lamperouge's answer, wonder how she would react to Lelouch vi Britannia's or Zero's answer?" Logan said.
"Kallen wouldn't be able to comprehend their answers, she far too simplistic for that," Lelouch said.
"Still though, Kallen's ideal is the exact opposite of Suzaku's," Logan commented.
"Kallen and Suzaku are both the perfect example of the two different sides to the Eleven population," Lelouch explained. "Kallen represents the resistance, they believe that Japan still can be saved and that they can be more than slaves to Britannia that's why they fight because they know even if they join the system they'll still be at the bottom of society and their ideals will never be reached, Suzaku, however, represents the Britannian supporters, they believe that Japan is already dead and that there's no point in fighting, that's why they accept slavery to Britannia, to them it's at least better they dying and it offers a kind of peace, besides regardless about what others say they think that with enough time and work their ideals could be reached."
"So it's a clash of ideals, in those cases no one side is truly right or wrong," Logan commented.
"Yes but they don't see things that way," Lelouch replied.
"Yeah, both sides, just like Kallen and Suzaku only see themselves as right, and see everyone on the other side as wrong, because they won't remove themselves from a biased outlook and try to see things from a different point of view," Logan deduced. "Still though ideals themselves are just words, if you want others to believe them you need to prove them with your actions."
"That's why we'll prove our ideals true with our actions," Lelouch said standing up. "Once we are victorious there won't be a single person who can deny our justice."
(Stadtfled Manor)
In her small room, Kallen's mother, the Japanese maid opened her draw and saw all her vials were now empty and she was going through withdrawal.
(In A Bar)
Jeremiah and Villeta sat on their barstools and had their drinks.
"So, about this Orange thing…" Villeta said.
Jeremiah glared at her.
"Sorry to bring it up." Villeta continued. "Is this whole thing true, though? That you can't remember anything about when Private Suzaku Kururugi was taken."
"I don't expect you to believe me," Jeremiah said.
"No, it's just that… during the whole Shinjuku incident, I suffered some sort of memory lapse also."
"You did?" Jeremiah asked.
"By the time I regained my senses, my Sutherland had been stolen. But right before that entire gap in my memory, I remember running into some high school kid." Villeta recalled.
"So you think it was that student?"
"I can't remember his face, but there may still be a way to get to the bottom of this."
(Nightfall, Factory Warehouse Area In The Tokyo Settlement)
The Black Knights were preparing for another raid on one of the factories that were said the be supplying Refrain. Kallen was in her repaired red Glasgow, R.R was in his black Sutherland, and Soul was in his Agravaine. They were waiting for the signal from Zero.
"What the hell are Zero and Soul thinking?" Tamaki asked. "After all their talk about bringing down Britannia, they've just got us running around helping the police."
"Still feels pretty good to have the will of the people behind us, though," Ohgi said.
"Yeah, he's right. We're totally heroes on the Net." Sugiyama said.
Kallen sat in her Knightmare and thought. "Are we in the right? I don't know any more." Kallen said in a quiet tone.
"Kallen…" Ohgi said getting her attention.
They all looked and saw the signal from Zero.
"There's the signal from Zero," Ohgi said.
"I can't believe he got in there," Yoshida said.
"How many tricks does this guy have up his sleeve, anyway?" Tamaki asked.
"Okay get ready everyone, the missions starts here," Soul said and everyone headed for the factory. Meanwhile, inside the factory, Japanese men were packing up Refrain and putting them out while Britannian men were overseeing them
"Is the shipment for Nagoya ready?" One of the men asked.
"Nice and safe here in the settlement, huh?" Another one said.
Suddenly bullets shot through and penetrated the shipment door. The door fell and the Black Knight entered with their guns.
"The Black Knights have arrived!" Tamaki declared and they open fire.
"Intruders!" The Refrain dealers tried shooting back with their guns, but soon the three Knightmares entered.
"Knightmares!" One of them said afraid.
"Screw this!" Another one said as they all dropped their guns and ran away.
"These Knightmares really are amazing," Kallen commented inside her Knightmare. "Each one is an army unto itself."
"That's true," Soul said in his Knightmare. "But still keep your eyes open Kallen,"
"Yes, understood Soul. Okay, I'll go check another shipping area."
"Very well," Soul said. "R.R go with her,"
"Copy that," R.R obliged and followed Kallen Glasgow with his Sutherland.
Kallen piloted her Knightmare Frame and broke through another shipping door. Kallen used her Knightmares, infrared monitor when she enters the area and saw something that shocked her. She saw people who were using Refrain and was seeing its effect on them. Somewhere on the floor motionless and others were having hallucinations of the past and looked happy. Kallen even saw the hotdog vendor from this morning there, Kallen saw its effects and realized why so many people wanted to use it.
"Refrain…" Kallen said.
"Correct, all of them are junkies now hooked on Refrain, it's a sad sight," R.R said.
(Flashback, Kallen's Room, Stadtfled Manor)
"When you add them all up, they eventually break you," Milly said.
(Flashback End)
Kallen had a determined expression. "That's right, which is why I'm here."
"Careful, it's dangerous to run like that." A female voice said.
Kallen was surprised and looked at who said that and saw that her mother was there too.
"Mother!?" Kallen said shocked.
"Really, Naoto. Please, I need you to keep an eye on your little sister." Kallen's mother said under the effects of Refrain.
"My God, how weak a woman are you, Mother…" Kallen spoke upset. "First, you give in to Britannia, then to a man, and now this… My brother is gone forever. Let him go!"
"Kallen! look out!" R.R tried to warn but Kallen's Knightmare was then hit by bullets destroying one of its arms.
They looked and saw a Police Knightmare Frame was responsible.
"The Knight Police?!" Kallen said and the police unit began chasing her as she tried to escape.
Zero and the other Black Knights entered past the broken shipping door and saw what was going on.
"Isn't that a police unit?" Sugiyama said.
"They're in on this deal?" Ohgi asked before looking at Tamaki. "Tamaki!"
"Don't look at me! When I checked it out, there weren't any cops involved!" Tamaki said defending himself.
"Corrupted filth…" Zero said before turning to R.R's Knightmare. "R.R!"
"Right, I'm on it!" R.R said before driving off after them.
Kallen was piloting her Glasgow to get away from the police unit that was chasing her and shooting her while holding her mother in the Glasgow's arm.
"You're in the way!" Kallen said raising the Glasgows arm. "Damn it! I don't need you! I don't want you!"
"Kallen… Naoto…" Kallen's mother said in a trance
The Glasgow got shot in the back causing it to lose its balance and fall over.
Zero and the others run around the corner and see Kallen being cornered. "It won't work on a Knightmare," Zero said unable to save Kallen with his Geass.
Kallen saw her mother still near her Knightmare.
"Go on, run. Get moving, you idiot!" Kallen yelled.
Kallen's mother just stood up and smiled at the Knightmare.
"I'm here for you. I'm here for you, Kallen. I'm here, as I always have been." Kallen's mother said shocking Kallen.
Kallen was shocked and started to realize, "Then that's… that's why you stayed in his house? You stayed there for me? You fool!" Kallen screamed. At that moment R.R appeared behind the police unit and used his Stun Tonfas to knock it off Kallen and into the wall.
"Kallen, you alright," R.R asked.
"Or maybe… I'm the fool." Kallen said to herself in a lone tone.
The police unit tried to get back up but the Agravaine appeared and used its sword to stab to unit's cockpit and killed the pilot inside.
"Is everyone alright?" Soul asked.
"Yeah, you came at the right time," Ohgi said.
"I'm so happy for you… You can finally become a Britannian now, Kallen." Kallen's mother said still under the effects of Refrain. "Nobody will ever be able to hurt you now, darling. And you're free to travel and use the phone anytime you want."
"So this… is her mother?" Zero said watching her actions.
C.C was also there looking down at them from a high place in the shipping area.
"False tears bring pain to those around you. A false smile brings pain to one's self." C.C said.
(The Next Day, Tokyo's General Hospital)
"It's an after-effect of Refrain." The nurse informed. "She's unable to talk much. She'll recover eventually, but it will take time."
"Mother, your sentence… you got 20 years." Kallen said upset, "But you wait! I'm working to change things when you get out, I swear to you! I'll make a world where you and I can live a normal life again. So please, Mother…"
Kallen's mother placed her hand on Kallen's hand which surprised her. "Hang in there…" Kallen's mother said. "Hang in there, Kallen… My little girl…"
"Don't you worry… I will. I promise you." Kallen said determinedly.
To Be Continued
And that's the chapter, Now not much action in this chapter but it was more out the after-effects of the Black Knights, And the clash of different ideals on what others think is best for Japan, Kallen and Suzaku shows the different side about how others feel on the matter. The next chapter will start the battle of Narita and that is going to be important especially the ending.
So see you next time, hope you enjoyed, and have an awesome day.