Code Geass - Bonds of Rebellion Chapter 22: The Rescue Mission, a code geass fanfic

Here's the next chapter. Anyway, the usual. I don't own Code Geass or any of the characters just the OC.

22. The Rescue Mission.

Euphie, Zero, and Soul stopped shaking hands and looked back at the audience. Euphie was extremely pleased that things were able to work themselves out. Euphie then turned to Zero.

"Now then if you don't mind," Euphie said. "We can draw up an official arrangement in the G-1, would you mind coming with me?"

"Very well," Zero replied. "I don't see a problem with that. Soul, would you mind waiting for me here?"

"Of course," Soul said. "Take your time."

"And you, Darlton and Suzaku," Euphie said turning to them. "Could you please wait for me here?"

"Very well then, Your Highness," Darlton said.

"Understood, Princess Euphemia," Suzaku said with a bow.

"Thank you both," Euphie said gratefully.

Euphie and Zero then began to make their way into the G-1 Mobile Base. Suzaku watched them enter, normally he would feel concerned about letting Euphie go in alone with Zero, but after what had happened here today he decided that it was better to trust them since they agreed to work with Euphie, which he was grateful for.

(A-Lab Somewhere In Area 11)

Back in the lab, Bartley and the researchers were all looking at Jeremiah nervously, and they had soldiers holding guns at Jeremiah ready to shot at a moments notice, Jeremiah stood up and saw the research data for Code-R along with pictures of C.C and smiled.

"Code-R… I see." Jeremiah said. "You've given me an abnormally high active electrical potential and boosted my neurofilaments. Oh, how understanding is such a happiness!" Jeremiah said happily and excited. "You on me experimented in order to recreate it, didn't you? This affliction of hers…"

"Stop it," Bartley said in a frightened tone as he approached Jeremiah. "Code-R isn't an invalid! Regardless, won't you please just calm down? Your brain cells were destroyed past the Circle of Willis, so—"

"Spare me excuses!" Jeremiah yelled interrupting Bartley and his cybernetic eye was twitching and making static. "You're the one who gave me like this because you hated me for sending you back to the homeland!"

"Look, I promise I'll hear anything you have to say, but first let's return to the homeland!" Bartley said still trying to calm Jeremiah down. "We can't carry on a proper conversation in this situation."

Suddenly they heard static and the radio played a feed of news on the Special Zone.

"It seems that Zero and Princess Euphemia are entering the G-1," Lesley said over the radio.

"Zero?!" Jeremiah spoke.

After hearing Zero's name, Jeremiah started to lose control of himself, he was shaking and was feeling pain, he then fell to his knees and gripped his head, Bartley and the others were surprised by what they were hearing.

"Could there still be some official business that needs to be taken care of?" Lesley continued.

"ZEROOOOOO!" Jeremiah screamed loudly as he had completely lost control of himself.

"Can't you calm him down?!" Bartley asked as the researchers were looking for a way to stop him.

"I can't! His resistance is just too strong!" A researcher replied.

"We've mounted the radiator fins!" Another researcher said as he attached someone on the machine parts on Jeremiah's back.

(G-1 Mobile Base)

Lelouch and Euphie were in the bridge of the G-1 and Lelouch turned off all power in then G-1.

"Even though the cameras are off, you're still being extremely careful, aren't you?" Euphie asked.

"I've been in hiding for a long time due to a certain empire, I'm afraid," Lelouch said as he removed his mask.

Euphie smiled at seeing Lelouch's face.

"Lelouch, thank you," Euphie said.

"There's no need for thanks Euphie," Lelouch assured. "After all we agreed to help with the Special Zone to..."

"No that," Euphie interjected. "I mean for telling me everything wrong with the zone." Euphie's words were a surprise to Lelouch. "If you hadn't I would have made so many problems for the Japanese, and without realizing, but thanks to you I now know that there's still much I need to do, and with your help, I can."

Lelouch looked at her and smiled with amusement.

"Euphie, you are a fool, an amazing fool," Lelouch said cheerfully.

"I know I'm not as smart as you, Lelouch," Euphie said still happy. "I've never been able to beat you at games or studies, however—"

"However… and in your usual rash Euphie fashion, you've managed to end up winning all of it," Lelouch said finishing the sentence. "When I think of you, I don't visualize the sub-viceroy or a princess; I only see the plain little Euphie who you used to be."

"Then will you join plain little Euphie and help her?" Euphie asked.

"You are… you are the worst opponent I have ever faced. And I already gave you an answer." Lelouch said walking up to stand beside her. "However, you shouldn't give me all the credit."

"Huh?" Euphie replied.

"In truth, I was only able to pull this off thanks to Soul." Lelouch proudly admitted. "Had it not been for him, I might have done something drastic and things would have ended much worse."

"Soul," Euphie said. "Then I'll have to thank him as well if I remember he was the one you told me about on Kamina Island, the one named Logan? he's yours and Suzaku's close friend?"

"That's right," Lelouch said with a smile. "He's an amazing pilot, and a true friend, not to mention the greatest ally I could have hoped for, him being Soul has allowed me to achieve things I couldn't have had I been Zero alone."

"I see, then I hope after this I can meet him properly," Euphie replied.

Meanwhile, in the hallway of the G-1, a group consisting of several men who were wearing the same robes like the ones who were with Charles in C's world were matching their way to the bridge. Soon they had arrived and outside the door that led to the same room as the one, Lelouch and Euphie were in.

"Okay, remember Director V.V orders." One of the robed men whispered.

The others nodded and they all waited a few seconds, then the one in front took a small round object out from his sleeve and then they opened the door, both Lelouch and Euphie were surprised by the door opening and before they had time to think, something was thrown at them and landed a few inches away from them, a second after it hit the floor it exploded and released a big flash of light revealing itself to be a Flash Bang, being so close to the flash made both Lelouch and Euphie stun and unable to see or hear, Lelouch realized they were in danger and with no time to think he dropped his mask, then both just collapsed on the floor, then cloaked men then rushed in and the one in front was holding a small spray of knock out gas and sprayed them both as they were still stun, thus knocking them unconscious.

"Alright, we've secured both the targets," One of the cloaked men said. "Now let's get out of here quickly and rendezvous with Director V.V."

They all nodded then grabbed Lelouch and Euphie and ran away. Zero's mask was left behind.

(Stadium Near Mt. Fuji, A Few Minutes Earlier)

It had been just a few minutes after Zero and Euphemia had entered the G-1 and everyone else was either waiting for them to return or having conversations with each other about different subjects, however, they were all happy that the two of them were able to reach an agreement. Suzaku saw Soul standing around by himself in front of the Gawain and decide to approach him. Suzaku then stops in front of him and Soul notices him.

"Suzaku Kururugi," Soul said. "Did you need something?"

"I wanted to ask something of you," Suzaku replied. "What did you and Zero come here for?"

"Did we not already give our answer just a few minutes ago?" Soul asked.

"That's not what I meant," Suzaku said. "I mean what was your initial purpose? when you first showed up you said you weren't here to take part in the ceremony, and you even listed everything wrong with the Special Zone, but in the end, you agreed to help, why was that?"

"Well, honestly because of a miscalculation," Soul admitted.

"A miscalculation?" Suzaku asked confused.

"The truth is, originally we thought that after everything we said we could make the public lose faith in the zone and in Euphemia, and after that, we hoped that would create a shift of opinions from the Britannian supporters here and make them put their faith in us," Soul explained. "And with the increase in numbers and morale, we would start a final battle to take this country."

"So that was your reason for coming here, to start more fighting," Suzaku said upset.

"I don't deny it." Soul said unfazed. "Besides you can't deny that it was in the interest of the people after all the Special Zone was something that neither you nor Euphemia thought about clearly if you did you would have seen it's flawed as well."

Suzaku stopped then looked upset, he didn't want to admit that Soul made a good point but at the same time he couldn't deny it.

"Then there's something I don't understand," Suzaku said. "If that is why you came here, then why didn't you? Why did you both just change your minds and agree to help at the end?"

"That was the miscalculation." Soul simply replied.

"What, what are you talking about?" Suzaku asked confused.

"Even if we didn't intend to do so, after hearing the reason Euphemia made this zone we realized two things," Soul said holding up two fingers. "The first, if we refused it would have made us lose support since people saw how far she was willing to go for the sake of the Japanese, going against her would turn them against us." Soul then held up one finger and smiled within his mask. "The second, despite what you might think, neither we nor any of the Black Knights desire battle."

Suzaku looked surprised at that.

"What are you saying?" Suzaku asked shocked. "The Black Knights have been battling against Britannia since you first formed, that all you ever talked about, why would you fight and prepare to fight all the time if you had no desire."

"You seem to be forgetting something." Soul rebuked. "We act in the will of the people."

"The will of the people?" Suzaku replied.

"That's right." Soul continued. "We fight because up until now there wasn't another option for us or many of the Japanese, there were many who couldn't accept what Japan had become and the fact that their only way of life was either being a slave or living in a ruined country, so they fought against the system that ruled them or at least they wished they could."

"But even so, there were others who didn't want to fight," Suzaku argued.

"Those people had you," Soul said. "The ones who didn't want to rebel looked to you as the one they should follow, but those who wanted to take a stand needed someone to look as well, and we were that someone. Even if the goal was to fight at least we listened to their despair and turned it to hope, rather than just looking the other way and pretending we could hear them."

Suzaku was taken aback by those words and looked down upset.

"It's not like I intend to do that," Suzaku said still upset. "I just didn't know what else I could do, I couldn't see any other option."

"And it was the same for us," Soul said. "Regardless of who's choice was right or not. we all did what we believed was for the best, and we all had the same goal of making this country a better place... For everyone."

"Yes, that's true isn't it," Suzaku said with a small smile.

"And besides now we might have another option," Soul said. "Like I said before this was a miscalculation, it wasn't just the people who were surprised by Euphemia but us too, honestly we underestimated her but in truth, she was far more impressive than we believed."

"Yeah, she really is amazing isn't she," Suzaku said happily. "Even I didn't think she would do or say all that, and yet it seems just like her."

Suzaku happily thought of Euphie. Soul then extended his hand offering Suzaku a handshake. Suzaku looked at him unsure of the reason why.

"I was just remembering the day we first met," Soul said. "Both myself and Zero wanted you to join us so that we could work together, back then you said no but now since we're lending aid to Euphemia that means we're no longer enemies, so I ask again let us join forces for the sake of Japan and it's people."

Suzaku looked at him and smiled and then reach forward to shake his hand.

"Of course, I don't mind this time," Suzaku said with a smile. "After all you—"

Right before Suzaku could shake his hand. They both heard a small booming sound that could only be an explosion and they both turned to the G-1 which is where they heard the sound coming from, at the same time they both realized that the two people inside there were potentially in danger and they and that realization filled them with dread.

"ZERO!/EUPHIE!"

Soul and Suzaku yelled as rushed towards the G-1, concerned for their respective confidants, Darlton who was nearby heard them and followed them wondering what was happening, R.R and C.C who were inside the Gawain's cockpit also heard them and then got out of the Gawain to follow them inside the G-1 along with Darlton. Soul and Suzaku ran at a much faster pace than the others and entered the G-1 together then rushed to the main bridge where they knew Zero and Euphie were supposed to be. Once they entered they saw the bridge was empty, the lights were off, and Zero and Euphie nowhere to be seen, all that was there was Zero's mask on the floor. Soul and Suzaku looked around and Soul picked up Zero's mask, after a few seconds Darlton, C.C, and R.R entered the bridge as well.

"Major Kururugi, what happened," Darlton asked before he and C.C and R.R saw that Zero and Euphie were gone.

"Princess Euphemia?" Darlton spoke. "She's gone, what's going on here?"

"Zero's gone too, Soul what happened?" R.R asked.

"...I'm not sure." Soul replied. "But look." Soul showed them Zero's mask which was left behind, surprising everyone present.

"This make's no sense," Suzaku said frustrated. "Why have they both suddenly disappeared and why was only Zero's mask left behind, and what was the explosion we heard."

They all thought, trying to figure out this mysterious turn of events, and being unable to find out C.C walks in front of them and speaks her thoughts.

"I think it's obvious," C.C said getting their attention. "Both Zero and Euphemia were captured and taken."

"What?" Darlton asked confused. "But that's absurd, who would do that and why?"

"Good question." C.C casually replied. "It couldn't have been a Britannian group, nor could have been a Japanese group because either way there would be no merit in doing something like this."

Suzaku just looked at C.C after finally noticing her and realizing she was the same girl from Shinjuku.

"This girl," Suzaku said in his head. "She's the girl from the capsule, but why is she here?" Suzaku then remembered the words Zero and Soul told him after saving him.

(Flashback, Old Theatre In Old Tokyo)

"Wait how do you know about that girl?" Suzaku asked.

"We happened to come across her back at Shinjuku, and before he died Clovis told us why he wanted her so badly. Right now she's in our custody." Zero explained.

"Was... Was there anyone with her when you found her?" Suzaku asked.

"No there was no one with her at the time, why do you ask?" Soul said.

"No reason," Suzaku said looking down upset.

(Flashback End)

"They said she was in their custody," Suzaku said in his head. "But I didn't think she would become a member of the Black Knights afterwards."

"Then who could have..." R.R said.

"No wait," Soul interjected. "She's right, no matter how you look at things this doesn't make sense, this couldn't have was the work of a Japanese group because right now Euphemia is considered a savour to all the Japanese here, and even if there were those among the Japanese who were against the Zone then it wouldn't make sense to take Zero as well, and if couldn't have been a Britannian group either, because if it was then why would they capture Zero when they had the perfect opportunity to kill him, and not to mention since his mask is still here that means they saw his face, you'd think they would show his face to everyone here, but instead they took him and left before anyone could see."

"That's true, meaning whoever did this wasn't Japanese or Britannian," Darlton said. "But that still begs the question, who did this and why?"

"It could be that it was some third party that didn't want the Zone to succeed," R.R suggested. "And they took both of them believing it would cause the Zone to fail."

"But then why capture them?" Suzaku asked. "And why just those two?"

"It could be whoever did this was planning this since shortly after the Zone was announced," Soul said. "That would explain how they pulled this off without anyone noticing, and it means whoever the culprit is they intended to this regardless of the outcome of the Zone," Soul answered. "And they probably didn't kill them because the culprit didn't come himself, rather he sent his subordinates to bring them to him which means he might not be in the Tokyo Settlement, the worst-case scenario is that he's not in the nation at all."

"But that still doesn't explain why it was just them." Suzaku pointed out. "They left you, Lord Kirihara, and all the other important officials outside."

"I think I can answer that one," C.C said. "It could be because they just need the ones they thought were most important and that was those two, they may have wanted Soul as well but when the two of them entered the G-1 alone they thought this was their best and only chance, so they took what they could get."

Everyone thought about C.C's words and agreed that what she said could be the case.

"That does make sense," Darlton said. "If Zero and Princess Euphemia left the G-1 capturing them would have been impossible."

"But also," C.C continued. "Another reason is that they could be used as bait since they have Zero and Euphemia they could use them to have you two follow after them," C.C said looking at Suzaku and Soul. "Since it's obvious you would, they could lead the two of you into a trap."

"You saying going after them could be a trap?" R.R asked surprised.

"I'm saying it's a possibility," C.C responded.

"There's still one question," Suzaku said. "Why was Zero's mask left behind?"

"I know that one." Soul replied. "Zero left a clue for us."

"A clue?" Suzaku asked confused.

"Before they were taken Zero must have seen that they were going to be captured and intentionally left his mask behind, he hoped that if he did we could figure out someone took them by force and figure out what to do next."

"So then what do we do?" C.C asked.

"There's only one option," Soul said. "We go after them."

"But how?" R.R asked. "We don't know where they were taken."

"Yes we do," Soul said as he pushed a small button on the back of Zero's mask. "Me and Zero thought we'd be in a situation where one of us was lost somewhere so we both have a location transmitter with us, look here's mine." Soul then showed them his location transmitter that was in his glove. "We can activate them by pushing a button on our masks then we use this radar the shows us the other's location." Soul then takes out a radar from his pocket.

"That's great," R.R said. "All we have to do is follow the radar and we can save Zero and Euphemia."

"Right, we can't waste any more time," Soul said. "We leave immediately."

"Wait," Suzaku said getting their attention and standing in front of them. "I'm going too."

"Let's me guess." Soul replied. "You want to come because you don't trust us and feel it isn't safe to leave Euphemia in our hands."

"That's not it at all," Suzaku said surprising them. "The truth is, I do trust you and I know you want to save Zero as much as I want to save Princess Euphemia, and after talking to you before I know those words you said to me weren't a lie," Suzaku said before having a determined look. "It's just that, I am her Knight and as such it is my duty to be at her side, I can't do anything and leave saving her to someone else!"

Soul used his Geass through his mask to see any trace of lying in Suzaku words but found none. "He's telling the truth, then there's no problem," Soul said in his head.

"Very well then, I don't mind." Soul said before turning to C.C and R.R. "C.C we need to make haste, we'll take the Gawain, R.R go back to the Mobile Base, inform Ohgi, Diethard, and Todoh but no one else this has to kept secret at all cost."

"Right understood," R.R said.

"That goes for everyone here," Soul said addressing everyone in the room. "There would be a public uproar if this gets out, this has to stay between us no matter what."

"Yes, that is for the best," Darlton said. "If anyone especially the Viceroy discovers what happened here the Specially Administrated Zone would fall apart, the people outside would riot, and the Japanese and Britannians would just blame each other."

"General Darlton, please stay here," Suzaku said. "While we're gone, we need you to finish up with the ceremony."

"I understand," Darlton replied and then turned to face the Black Knights. "As for the rest of you, we may not see eye to eye and we have been sworn enemies until just a few days ago, but right now all I will say is good luck and godspeed to you all, I pray for your success."

"We'll remember those words," Soul said.

They all then proceed to leave the G-1 and once they were outside, Suaku and R.R left the stadium, through the back entrance as to not be seen, R.R headed in the direction of the Black Knights Mobile Base, and Suzaku left in the direction of were the Avalon was to reach the Lancelot, Soul and C.C entered the Gawain and left the stadium via ground travel until they were far enough the not be seen leaving, and Darlton continued with the ceremony informing the audience that all was well and that the Special Zone could now begin, the people were happy about that although there were a few who wondered why Zero and Euphemia hadn't returned to the stage.

(A Plane Flying Over The Pacific Ocean)

There was a plane flying away from Area 11 and inside were the cloaked men who had captured Zero and Euphemia, there were two of them in the cockpit, one of was flying the plane while the other who holding a communicator and on the other line was V.V.

"Director V.V we've apprehended the targets as you ordered, we're now making our way to the Island." One of them said.

"Good, make sure you bring them to Charles," V.V said on the other line. "I'll be there myself soon as well, I've already taken Nunnally to."

"Understood, over and out." He said before hanging up.

In the back of the plane, there is a holding room for cargo and inside is a still unconscious Euphie and Lelouch.

(Black Knights Mobile Base)

Inside the private room within the Black Knights Mobile Base, R.R had just finished explaining to Todoh, Ohgi, and Diethard what had happened at the stadium.

"Damn it!" Diethard said angrily. "Of all the times for something like this to happen."

"Zero," Ohgi said in his head worried.

Todoh thought for a moment before speaking.

"What was Soul's decision oh how we should act on this matter?" Todoh asked.

"He said we what happened should be kept a secret no matter the cost," R.R replied.

"That's definitely for the best," Diethard said. "If this were to get out then damage control would be impossible."

"Wait," Ohgi said. "Do you think we the Black Knights should try and save Zero as well?"

"That's out of the question I'm afraid," Diethard said. "Doing that would require telling the Black Knights what happened. There's no telling how they'll react it'll be safer not to tell them, that why Soul ordered this information to be told only to us."

"There's also the problem of the timing of this kidnapping," Todoh added. "The Special Zone just took place, if we move quietly now without revealing why we would just make people suspicious of us. Our only option is to leave this matter to Soul."

"I agree," Diethard said. "We have to look at the big picture, what can't let anyone learn of this no matter what."

Outside the room on the other side of the door, Kallen was listening in to their conversation without their knowledge and heard about Zero's capture.

"Zero," Kallen whispered worried before leaving.

(Sky's Above The Tokyo Settlement)

In the sky, after the Gawain was far away enough from the stadium Soul activated the Float Unit and it was now flying towards the shore. Inside the Gawain's cockpit, Logan was sitting in the top seat with his mask off and C.C was in the seat beneath him. He then looked at the radar and saw the signal showing they were crossing the ocean.

"Accord to the radar, they've left Japan already," Logan said. "Where could they be going?"

"Kamine Island." C.C said.

"What? how do you know that?" Logan asked.

"I just do," C.C replied.

"Does this have something to do with Geass? Or do you know who is behind this?"

"I might," C.C whispered.

"Huh?" Logan spoke.

"Don't worry, as long as we're bound by our contract you can trust that I'm on your side."

"That may be true, but there are still things you haven't told us, like for example what are the terms of the contract in the first place."

"Listen," C.C said turning to face him. "I'll tell you all you need to know when this is over, but right now focus on saving Lelouch, that's your main concern right now isn't it."

Logan was surprised by her words then just sighed.

"Yeah, that right," Logan said. "Before anything else we need to get them back."

Logan then saw the Lancelot in the air thanks to its Float Unit and it flew next to the Gawain, Suzaku in the cockpit of the Lancelot then contacted the Gawain.

"Soul, I'm here," Suzaku said via communication.

"Suzaku Kururugi were you seen on the way here," Logan asked changing his tone to sound like Soul.

"No, I left the Avalon with the Lancelot unseen," Suzaku replied. "Only my superiors Lloyd and Cecile know that I left."

"That's good," Soul said. "Now then according to the radar our culprit has just left Area 11 and is heading to Kamine Island."

"What, Kamine Island?" Suzaku replied. "but why there?"

"I'm not sure but whatever it is it can't be good we need to hurry, follow me."

"Right, let's go."

The Gawain began to speed up and the Lancelot followed also flying faster. Both the Knightmares were now flying over the pacific ocean. As they flew Suzaku then took out his cell phone and dialled Lelouch's phone number trying to call him. After a few rings, it went to voice mail, Suzaku was confused then he tried dialling Logan's phone number hoping to call him. In the cockpit of the Gawain Logan heard his phone ringing and took it out to see, he then saw the Caller ID show Suzaku's name.

"Suzaku?" Logan spoke in his head before answering.

"Hello," Logan said.

"Logan I'm glad you picked up," Suzaku said on the other line.

"Hey Suzaku, I didn't expect you to call me. What's up."

"Before I tell you can I ask, are you at the school? And is Lelouch there too?"

"I'm here but Lelouch went out for a bit." Logan lied. "But he'll be back soon."

"I see, then can you pass on what I say when you see him?"

"Sure, so what'd you want to talk about."

"Well, did you guys see the news on the Special Zone?"

"Yeah we did and aren't you happy, this means the fighting in Area 11 stop for a while just like you wanted."

"...Yeah I know," Suzaku said upset. "But the thing is, right now I can't be happy yet."

"Huh, why not?" Logan asked.

"Because at this moment, there's something I have to do, something important."

"What? is something wrong?" Logan asked pretending to be worried. "You are okay right?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Suzaku assured. "It's just well... Have you ever felt there was something you had to do no matter what?"

Logan thought before answering.

"Yes, there is, I've felt that way for years."

"Then you should understand, this is that feeling, I have something I need to do," Suzaku said determinedly.

"I get it," Logan said. "Do what you must, just make sure you get back alright."

"Don't worry I will," Suzaku said with a smile. "Hey when this is over let's all of us have dinner together like we promised Nunnally."

"Yeah you, me, Lelouch, Rolo, and Nunnally," Logan said happily. "I bet she'll be happy about that."

"Heh yeah, I bet she would, Later."

"Right," Logan said and Suzaku hung up.

Logan then put his phone away and looked down upset.

"Are you upset?" C.C asked.

"Hmm?" Logan replied.

"Having to lie to your friend, even now does it sadden you?" C.C asked.

"I don't have a choice. Besides it won't matter soon after we save Lelouch and Euphemia we'll be closer to our goal, I just need to focus on that."

"I suppose you're right."

Suddenly the monitor on the Gawain started beeping and the signal of an enemy appeared.

"Huh, wait a minute. I'm picking up an enemy signal." C.C said.

"What? but where there's no one in front of us." Logan said.

"I know but the signal's there." C.C pointed out.

"This could be bad," Logan said before contacting Suzaku. "Kururugi, enemy approaching!"

"What?" Suzaku replied surprised and then looked around seeing only the ocean. "Where are they?"

"I don't know yet, but check your monitor," Logan said.

In the cockpit of the Lancelot, Suzaku looked at his monitor and saw the signal of a single enemy appear, and the signal was getting closer to them.

"They should be right in front of use but I can't see them, what's going on?" Suzaku asked.

"I'm not sure but keep your guard up," Logan replied.

Suddenly out of nowhere something burst out from the ocean and hovers up in the air stopping in front of the Gawain and Lancelot a short distance away. It was a machine that resembled a Knightmare but was in the shape of a large sphere. It also had the Float System seen on the Avalon and a number of verniers (thrusters) all over its body, the machine looks designed to be excellent mobility despite its size. Its armament consists of a set of Slash Harkens, which consist of the five conical structures on its frame that are shaped as large spikes and two ordinary versions mounted on the front, and generators that can electrify the hull to keep enemies at bay. The colour scheme of this machine was orange while the Slash Harkens were green. This machine is called the Siegfried. On the top of the Siegfried was a small opened hatch with Jeremiah sticking out.

"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!" Jeremiah yelled loudly before seeing the Gawain. "Mr Zero? and Mr Soul too? Can it really be? What?! Oh, what luck! What fate! What evil fortune!" Jeremiah said sounding almost insane.

"Lord Jeremiah?" Suzaku said shocked.

"It was Orange that was the signal?" Logan said also shocked.

Jeremiah heard them and reacted when he heard himself be called Orange.

"Oh! Oooohhh! I beseech you!" Jeremiah said loudly before finishing in a dark tone. "I'm begging you, please die."

Jeremiah then fires on the Slash Harkens at the Gawain. Reacting quickly Logan and C.C dodge it and fly further back, Suzaku follows then. Jeremiah then fires again and this time the Lancelot is in his line of fire.

"Dodge it!" Logan yelled warning Suzaku.

Suzaku hears his warning and dodges the attack. Both Knightmares then stop a fair distance away from the Siegfried and wonder what's going on.

"What's wrong with him?" Suzaku asked.

"I don't know but look at those metal parts sticking out of him," Logan replied. "My guess is this is an experiment gone wrong."

"But's why's he attacking us?"

"He probably thinks that Zero's in here too and wants to kill us, and he's attacking you because his minds all messed up and he'll fire at anything that moves."

"Then what do we do?"

"There's only one choice, we destroy that thing and keep going. We can't let this stop us."

"Fine, I may not like it but we can't waste time here."

"Zero! Soul! I… must rid the world of the empire's enemies!" Jeremiah yelled as he entered the cockpit of the Siegfried and the hatch closed. "Yes! And so… ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!"

(A-Lab Somewhere In Area 11)

It is revealed that Jeremiah also killed or injured the scientists before running off, to Bartley's dismay.

"It's a damned disgrace!" Bartley said on his knees. "If we report to the prince what happened here…"

"It's only his emotions running wild." One of the scientists said. "His behaviour's too hard to predict right now."

"I wish we could communicate with him, get through to him somehow!" Bartley said."

(Sky's Above The Ocean)

"Out of the way!" Logan said as the Gawan and Lancelot charged at the Siegfried.

"ZEROOOO!" Jeremiah screamed.

(C's World, Sword Of Akasha)

Within C's world, laying on the stair to the top of the shrine was an unconscious Lelouch and Euphie, after a few minutes they started to move and then they both opened their eyes and regained consciousness, after which they both sat up and noticed each other.

"Lelouch?" Euphie spoke confused.

"Euphie, it looks like we're awake now," Lelouch said.

They both looked around and neither of them recognized where they were.

"Where are we?" Euphie asked.

"I'm not sure," Lelouch replied. "I've never been to a place like this before.

"I don't understand it, how did we get here? we were just in the G-1 before."

"I afraid we were captured, after being stun and knocked out we were taken here."

"Captured? by whom?"

"I don't know that either."

They both stood up and tried to figure out where they were. They started to walk up the stairs.

"I don't get, who would capture us?" Euphie wondered.

"The better question is why capture us in the first place?" Lelouch wondered.

"That's simple!" A male voice called out surprising both of them. "It's because there are more useful ways to deal with you than death!"

Both Lelouch and Euphie were shocked as they looked in front of them and saw that at the top of the stairs was none other than Charles Zi Britannia, their father.

"Father?!" Euphie said in disbelieve.

"YOU!" Lelouch roared in outrage.

"The former 17th heir to the Imperial throne, Lelouch Vi Britannia," Charles said in an arrogant tone. "It's been a long time, hasn't it… My errant son?"

"I should have known you'd do something like this," Lelouch said with hatred.

"Father I don't understand," Euphie said as she stepped forward. "Why are you here?"

"As naive as always Euphie," Charles said. "It seems you still don't understand your situation."

"Of course he'd be here Euphie," Lelouch said. "Since he's the one who had us captured."

"What?" Euphie said taken aback. "Is that true?"

"It is." Charles said unfazed."

"But why? how could you?" Euphie asked upset.

"It's because you chose to join hands with Zero, or rather my unworthy son who raise the battle of rebellion although he was a prince."

"What?" Lelouch said surprised.

"Did you really think you could fool me?" Charles said amused. "I knew from the beginning that you were Zero."

Both Euphie and Lelouch were shocked by this revelation.

"You knew..." Lelouch spoke still shocked. "Then why—"

"Because I had other priorities," Charles interjected. "But now I've decided to end this farce of yours as you will soon see!"

Charles's eyes then changed and both his pupils had Geass activated in them. Charles then looked directly at Euphie's eyes and the red light of Geass was sent to her the same way they would from Lelouch's Geass, after being hit by Charles's Geass Euphie stood frozen for a second and then her body went limp and fell to the floor.

"Euphie!" Lelouch said worried as he caught her.

Lelouch then looked to Charles in anger.

"What did you do to Euphie!?" Lelouch asked loudly.

Charles simply smirked and activated his Geass again.

"The same thing I'm about to do to you," Charles said.

(Sky's Above The Ocean)

Back with the fight against Jeremiah, both the Gawain and Lancelot were on the defensive as Jeremiah kept firing the Siegfried's large spiked Slash Harkens.

"Damn it, what kind of machine is that anyway?" Logan asked.

"Soul." Suzaku contacted. "Any idea on how to beat that fight?"

"I might, but we need to be quick," Logan said. "He's mainly after me, I'll act as a decoy and draw away his fire, you move to his side and shot at him with the VARIS."

"Alright let's try it," Suzaku replied.

Suzaku then cut off their communications and drew the VARIS Rifle. Logan and C.C then fired the Gawain's Hadron Cannon at the Siegfried but Jeremiah used the thrusters to swiftly move out of the way.

"Now, come and follow me Orange," Logan said in his head.

The Gawain then started to fly back and away from the Siegfried and Jeremiah followed after the Gawain.

"You can't escape from me!" Jeremiah yelled.

Suzaku had moved the Lancelot into position and was prepared to fire the VARIS, he was just waiting for Soul to give him the signal. Logan then stopped the Gawain and turned around to face the Siegfried.

"NOW!" Logan yelled out over the Gawain's loudspeaker.

Suzaku heard him and knew that was the signal, he then opened fire and shot multiple rounds from the VARIS Rifle at the Siegfried. Jeremiah turned to his right and saw the attack coming and realized they baited him into a trap, but quickly claims down and sends his thoughts through the Siegfried.

"I see them… (voice echoing) I see them…" Jeremiah said in his head.

The Siegfried then starts spin into a spiked spiralling ball, when like this it acts like a shield that can block attacks and tear apart the enemy, with this spinning shield he easily blocks the rounds from the VARIS Rifle much to the shock of Suzaku and Logan.

"Blocked?" Suzaku spoke.

"What kind of system is that?" Logan spoke.

The Siegfried then stopped spinning and tried to close in on the Gawain, Logan and C.C then quickly flew away from him again.

"SOUL! ZERO!" Jeremiah yelled out trying to reach them.

"Come on!" Logan said irritated. "What does it take to end this mad man!"

Logan then fired the Hadron Cannon again at the Siegfried, but Jeremiah dodged again and it hit the ocean which caused a large explosive smoke screen.

"You missed!" Jeremiah said confidently. "You can't hit me, Jeremiah Gottwald!"

(Sky's Above The Tokyo Settlement)

Meanwhile back at the Tokyo Settlement, Kallen inside the Guren was using a VLOT to travel through the air and was heading in the direction Suzaku and Soul left in, hoping to help save Zero.

(Sky's Above The Pacific Ocean)

Back with the fight, Suzaku kept trying to shoot at the Siegfried, but it was completely ineffective against his spinning shield. Logan tried using the Hadron Cannon but the Gawain wasn't as fast or as mobile as the Siegfried and thus Jeremiah was easily able to dodge it, in contrast, because of the Gawain's large size it had a harder time dodging than the Lancelot.

"Tch, we aren't making any progress," Logan said annoyed.

"Then how about this!" Suzaku said loudly.

Suzaku charged in with the Lancelot speeding up and drew his MVS blades, Jeremiah saw him and fired a Slash Harken spike at him, but the Lancelot swiftly dodged by a small margin and used his MVS to cut the wire connecting the Slash Harken with the Siegfried, both Logan and Jeremiah were surprised by Suzaku's idea and while Logan was pleased Jeremiah was angry. The Lancelot then got in close range of the Siegfried and hit him with a spinning kick that caused mild damage.

"Curse you!" Jeremiah said angrily. "Take this!"

Jeremiah then activates a device mounted on the front of the Siegfried that brings out two generators that electrifies the hull and trap the Lancelot in place while electrifying it and Suzaku in the cockpit. Logan sees this and rushes in to help free Suzaku.

"Suzaku!" Logan calls out.

Logan then rams the Gawain into the Siegfried and knocked it back, and thus freeing Suzaku, Logan then quickly fired the Gawain's Slash Harkens that were placed on it fingers and aimed them at the electrify generators, he then retracted the Slash Harkens and flew over to the Lancelot.

"Kururugi," Soul contacted. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah thanks for the help," Suzaku replied. "But still this is crazy, nothing we've done has worked."

"Actually, I have one more idea." Logan pointed out.

"Really?" Suzaku asked. "Well, it's worth a shot then, what is it?"

After explaining his plan to Suzaku they both fly their Knightmare Frames in different directions, then the Gawain fires its Hadron Cannon at the ocean beneath the Siegfried causing another smoke screen thus blocking Jeremiah's vision. While the smokescreen was up, Logan flew the Gawain inside the smokescreen and fired another blast from the Hadron Cannon at the Siegfried, but Jeremiah reacted in time and used the spinning shield which blocks the blast.

"Hah Fool, you can't break my shield!" Jeremiah boasted.

"True, but we can get past it," Logan said.

Then suddenly to the bottom of the Siegfried is hit, Jeremiah looks down and see the Lancelot was also in the smokescreen and shot at the bottom of the Siegfried with the VARIS Rifle, Suzaku then fired more shots.

"So it's true," Suzaku said.

"The one place your shield can't defend is the bottom of that machine," Logan said.

After all, taking all those shots the Siegfried becomes damaged and the shield stops spinning. Jeremiah becomes outraged and with now more options he charges at the Gawain.

"ZERO!" Jeremiah roars.

"Are you prepared to repent," Logan said.

Logan then fires the Hadron Cannon at the Siegfried one more time and without its shield, the Siegfried is hit, after taking so much damaged the Siegfried loses its balance and falls from the sky. The Siegfried then crashes into the ocean and begins to sink, Suzaku and Logan both sigh in relief now knowing that the fight is finally over. They both continue to fly their Knightmare Frames to Kamine Island.

(Kamine Island)

After a few minutes, they reach the Island and land in front of the cave that held the entrance to the Thought Elevator.

"In there?" Suzaku asked.

"Yeah, the signal says they are in that cave," Logan replied.

Logan puts his Soul mask back on and he and C.C exit the Gawain's cockpit, while Suzaku exits Lancelot's cockpit then they both stand next to each other.

"By the way," Suzaku said. "That machine Lord Jeremiah had, where do you think it came from?"

"I couldn't even begin to guess." Soul replied. "But it's already sunk so we can't find out."

"True, I'm just glad we stopped it," Suzaku said.

"Yeah but still, first Kyushu and now this, turns out the two of us make a pretty good team," Soul said with a smile beneath his mask.

"Heh yeah, I suppose so," Suzaku said also with a smile.

They both begin to walk towards the cave when suddenly strange energy like substance appears on the ground beneath them and they get caught by it.

"No, wait!" C.C said loudly while running to them, but she gets caught in it as well.

(Inner World)

Suddenly both Soul and Suzaku are now trapped in a psychic booby trap and see a flash of different images, all beset by an illusion of Jupiter, Suzaku is then suddenly in a blank world where everything is pure white and in front of him is his father Genbu Kururugi who is standing next to a clock and then turns around to face him.

"Father?" Suzaku spoke shocked. "You're dead, that's impossible."

Genbu then starts walking towards him which causes Suzaku to tremble in fear.

"No, I didn't mean to…" Suzaku said in a scared tone. "No, I, I just…" Suzaku then places his hands on his head and clenches it, and Suzaku drops to his knees in despair. "I HAD TO DO IT!" Suzaku yells in despair.

With Logan, he also sees a flash of different images, all beset by an illusion of Jupiter, but then he sees experiencing visions of C.C. getting "killed" throughout history, including World War I, the Hundred Years' War, and the French Revolution, these images horrify Logan.

"What is this…?" Logan asked while trembling. "The past…? C.C! No… But…"

He then sees others visions of C.C being gunned down, a vision of her begin cut apart by blades during torture, and visions of her being burned a the stake.

"Stop it… STOP IT!" Logan yelled out, before trying to calm himself. "C.C, these visions... are these of your…"

C.C then appears in front of Logan and the world turns into a blank world like the one that Suzaku was in. The visions continued to play at their side.

"All I have left are my memories from when I was a witch," C.C said. "Other than that, I don't even know if I was ever human, to begin with. Every person who has ever hated me and each and everyone that has shown me any kindness is gone forever, they've vanished into the current of time. Always existing with the endless flow of eternity, I am utterly alone."

C.C looked down at those words.

"You are not alone!" Logan rebuked.

"Huh?!" C.C replied surprised.

"We're each other's accomplice." Logan reminded her. "Therefore, if you're supposed to be a witch, then perhaps I should be a demon."

"Odd thing to say at a time like this," C.C said amused.

"You think?" Logan asked. "I tried saying what Lelouch would say if he were here."

"Your right," C.C said. "Lelouch would definitely say something like that."

"Regardless C.C, let me tell you the truth," Logan said approaching her. "You need to stop thinking like that, we've already come this far remember, and besides we still have our contract something like that make us connected right? Of course, it does, and even if you are called a witch that doesn't change anything, even a witch is allowed to feel happiness and express feeling." C.C was surprised by what he was saying and Logan stopped right in front of her. "So trust me when I say you're not alone anymore, and you'll never be alone again, after all, we still have our contracts, yours and mine."

C.C stood there taking in all he said and then had a warm smile on her face.

"Well then if you don't mind, could you say it?" C.C asked. "My name."

"Hmm? You mean like before?" Logan asked.

"No, this time with tenderness like you treasure it in your heart," C.C said.

"Well okay," Logan said before closing his eyes and saying her name. "Catherine... Was that okay?"

"Yes, that was perfect," C.C said happily.

Logan then had a serious look on his face.

"C.C, where is Suzaku?" Logan asked.

"Do you want to reach him?" C.C asked.

"Could I?" Logan asked.

"It's not like you can't," C.C replied. "But are you sure?"

"I am," Logan said with a nod. "If he's here too, then he needs my help."

"I understand, fine then." C.C leaned in closer. "I send you there just hold still," C.C then holds his hand. "Go to your friend."

C.C then kissed Logan on the lips and Logan was sent away through a field of vision before he stopped and in front of him was Suzaku who was on his knees and had eyes filled with shock and despair, Logan then walked up to him and stopped when he was right in front of him.

"Suzaku," Logan said.

Suzaku was surprised to hear a familiar voice and looked up to see Logan.

"Logan?" Suzaku said surprised to see him here. "How are you here?"

"How isn't important, I'm here to help you out of here," Logan said.

"But Logan, I can't," Suzaku said with his head down. "I... I killed my—"

"I know," Logan said.

Suzaku was shocked again by what he heard and looked up.

"You do?" Suzaku asked.

"Yes, and I know you never meant to," Logan said. "And yet you're still carrying that burden."

"If even if didn't want to, it was still my fault," Suzaku said upset. "No matter what anyone says that's the truth."

"Maybe that's true, but even if you can't wipe the blood off your hands, at least your still trying to," Logan said.

"What?" Suzaku replied.

"Suzaku, did you join the military to atone for what you did, or to try and make Japan a better nation?" Logan asked.

"I suppose both," Suzaku replied.

"Then understand, even if what you did can't be taken back it can still be forgiven," Logan said. "That's why you need to forgive yourself."

"Forgive myself?" Suzaku spoke.

"You spent the past ten years doing what you could for others," Logan said. "And you never let go of your morals, and you still have friends that care for you, so stop trying to carry everything on your shoulders only, instead let us help you, after all, we are friends."

Suzaku was shocked by what Logan was saying then thought back to the times he spent with Lelouch, Nunnally, Rolo, Shirley, Milly, Rivalz, Euphie, Lloyd, Cecile, and Arthur, afterwards he then stood up and his face was calm.

"Come on," Logan said extending his hand. "There's still someone waiting for you to save her."

"I know," Suzaku said as he shook Logan's hand.

After they shook hands there was a bright flash of light and when the light faded the three of them were back inside the cave. Soul and Suzaku looked around and realized they had returned and then they looked at each other.

"Are you alright?" Soul asked.

"Logan," Suzaku spoke.

Soul was surprised by what Suzaku said.

"It's you isn't it?" Suzaku continued. "I'm sure of it, show me your face."

Soul decided there was no longer a point in trying to hide it and therefore placed his hand on his mask and removed it. With his mask removed his face was revealed and standing in front of Suzaku was his best friend Logan Raymond now revealed to be the identity of Soul.

"Logan," Suzaku spoke. "I was right all along, it really was you."

"You knew it was me?" Logan asked.

"Well at first I only suspected it," Suzaku said. "The things you said were so much like Soul's, and the things that Zero said were like Lelouch, but I was hoping that I was wrong so I didn't say anything."

"I see," Logan said. "I thought we'd hid it well, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you noticed."

"Tell me it's true," Suzaku said. "Tell me that Lelouch is Zero."

"...You're right, Lelouch and Zero are one and the same," Logan admitted.

"Logan," Suzaku said upset. "Why? why did the two of you do all of this?"

"Do you really need to ask?" Logan asked. "You of all people should know why Lelouch would do this."

"That's not what I meant," Suzaku said. "I'm asking why you would do this, what would drive you to take this path?"

"I wanted to help Lelouch," Logan answered.

"I know you well enough to know there's more to it than that," Suzaku said. "Tell me the reason you would rebel against Britannia."

"Suzaku," Logan spoke as he clenched his fists. "Haven't you ever thought there was something wrong with the world? Haven't you have once felt that the world needed to be changed?!"

"Wh-what?" Suzaku asked surprised having never seen Logan like this.

"I suppose if there one specific reason it would be easier to explain." Logan continued. "But there's too many to count, ever since I was a child all I ever saw was the worst in people, people who were filled with greed, who were self-centred, and entitled, they all wore the face of someone who cared about what was right but in truth, it was always just an act, the law enforcement, the government, the politicians and even my father."

"Your father. That's right your father was a member of the EU Supreme Council." Suzaku said.

"That's only half true," Logan said. "The truth that I never told you is that man wasn't my true father."

"What? Your true father?" Suzaku said shocked.

"That right, I was the child that was born from a mistress of his," Logan said upset. "He kept me around because he was worried that my existence would cause a scandal. So instead I was kept to be used as a tool, he raised me hoping that I would grow up to be a high ranking member of the government and that way he could use me to increase his influence, but at the same time, he made sure most didn't know our connection so he never treated me as a son. He and everyone else were all the same, they forced their own nonsense about fake righteousness on everyone and growing up I was forced to watch it almost every day, it was so fake and manipulative that I could never accept it, and they always justified their actions by saying, that's the manner of how politics work."

Suzaku was shocked by all that he heard.

"I-I never knew any of that," Suzaku said.

"You're the first I've told," Logan said. "Even Lelouch and Rolo don't know this."

"Then when you went to Japan," Suaku said.

"Back then I believed that there was no place for me in that life, and all I had was a learned hatred," Logan said. "But when I meet you and Lelouch I thought things could be different."

"When you meet us?" Suzaku asked.

"I was in a different part of the world where no one knew me, and I could finally see people who were truthful with me and whose intention were genuine," Logan said happily. "And I believed things could have been better." Logan then looked down. "But then before long, Britannia invaded and I was left dead to the world in a conquered nation, and I realized it wasn't just where I came from, the kind of people I hated was all over the world and what's worse they were the ones who ruled, that's why when Lelouch said he would destroy Britannia I wanted to help him because I felt the same way."

"So then all this was fighting was to satisfy your hatred?" Suzaku asked with a frown.

"In the beginning yes," Logan said. "But that changed after I meet Rolo."

"Rolo?" Suzaku asked.

"After I found him, and we became brothers I was happy and for the first time I had someone I could call my family," Logan said thinking back to a warm memory. "But then I realized, if all I did was destroy everything, what would become of the world afterwards? There would be nothing but death left behind and so many other people including children like Rolo would be left in a ruined world, and I'd be no better than the people that I claimed to hate. So I and Lelouch swore we would destroy this world and in its place make a better one. One where the weak weren't needlessly killed on the whims of the strong."

"So you became Zero and Soul to fix the world you believed was flawed," Suzaku said.

"We couldn't just do nothing and pretend it didn't involve us," Logan said. "If we didn't who would."

Suzaku just looked down and processed all that Logan told him, he then thought back to his choices and ideals.

(Flashback: An Old Theatre In Old Tokyo)

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

"Changed?" Zero said surprised.

"Do you truly think that's possible?" Soul said having trouble believing him.

"Yes, I do," Suzaku told them. "And any ends gained through contemptible means aren't worth anything."

"That's not possible Suzaku Kururugi, Britannia can't be changed," Soul said.

"You're wrong it can, I know it can and the right way," Suzaku said.

"The right way... Do you even hear yourself, are you forgetting you were just used as a tool for personal gain. Isn't that a contemptible mean?" Zero reminded him.

"You may be right, but even so that doesn't mean it's right to oppose them, things can be better with a peaceful approach," Suzaku said firmly.

"You don't seem to understand, The problems between Japan and Britannia that have been born for the past 10 years are too big for a peaceful approach, and it's far too big to be changed by one person," Soul told him.

"Britannia has always been this way, for the past 98 generations." Zero explained. "You can't change a system that was made to resist change, that is their nature, always."

(Flashback: Ashford Academy, Student Council Room)

"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.

(Flashback: Narita)

"They are knights for justice, haven't you heard?" Lloyd replied nonchalantly.

"Is this..." Suzaku started but then thought back.

"I can't start thinking that way, otherwise, I'd be self-righteous just like they said," Suzaku thought upset. "I mean we killed just as many people to, both here, in Shinjuku, and in Saitama, I have to try to be more open-minded."

"Hmm, well what is it?" Lloyd asked, "didn't you have something to say?"

"No, it's nothing forget it," Suzaku replied.

(Flashback: Shikine Island)

"I'll get straight to the point," Zero said. "Suzaku Kururugi I want you to join us."

"Is that a threat?" Suzaku asked unhappily. "Well, you can forget it! I already told you. Results gained through contemptible means are worthless to me!"

"Amazing how you can still say that," Soul said. "Do you truly believe you can deny all that we have done and not call it virtuous, despite the will of the people?"

"I can admit that you do help people, but the way you go about it is not the way I would choose to," Suzaku said back.

"So, you wouldn't describe the peace we have now as worthless?" Zero asked. "If Japan had resisted to its very last breath seven years ago, what do you think would've happened?"

Suzaku was taken aback and paused.

"The Chinese and the E.U. would've stepped in and split Japan in three. They'd be fighting even now." Soul answered. "Our current peace is the result of Japan's immediate and unconditional surrender."

"That's right," Suzaku said. "And I've been fighting to preserve my father's peace ever since it began!"

"You're wrong." Zero rebuked. "Prime Minister Kururugi, elected by the people, didn't choose surrender. That decision was selfishly made by his killer."

Suzaku was shocked and surprised by what he heard.

"With the government thrown into chaos, surrender became the only logical choice." Soul continued. "The will of the people was stolen from them… by a lone criminal pursuing his own selfish agenda!"

Suzaku was shocked and took a step back.

"How on Earth do you know that…?" Suzaku asked still in shock.

"There's only one way for you to atone now," Zero said leaning in the whisper in his ear. "Present the Japanese people with the choice they weren't able to make then. The path they were robbed of seven years ago! Fighting Britannia!"

"Fighting them?" Suzaku said upset. "That again?"

"It's an option worth exploring." Zero pointed out. "Or would you rather drag the masses towards a future dictated by your own egotism? You call that peace?"

"After all, Justice is decided by the thoughts of the majority, if it's in the will of the people to fight can you truly call it wrong?" Soul asked.

Suzaku thought about that question,

(Flashback: Kamine Island)

"And what about your future then?!" Kallen rebuked loudly. "To just live the life of a conqueror's subjugated lapdog, an honorary Britannian? Or to be the knight of the third princess? Hah! The name of Genbu Kururugi, the Last Samurai, weeps! I'm not you! This world is wrong, and I'm trying to change it! If I don't… If I don't, my brother's death will have been for nothing. That's my reason for fighting… and I'll do whatever it takes to win!"

Suzaku took in all of Kallen's words unable to think of what he should say and then after thinking for a moment he decided.

"Kallen, the truth is… I killed my father." Suzaku admitted which shocked Kallen. "My father didn't commit suicide. I took his life… with this hand…"

"Zero and Soul are a lot like my father," Suzaku said with disdain. "They firmly believe that the entire world revolves around them. That's why he's able to justify spilling the blood of so many people."

"That's why you accept the way things are now?!" Kallen asked. "You call that peace?! Some things are more important than your life, you know!"

"It isn't that I want you to give up," Suzaku said. "I just want you to ask yourself. When you gain results the wrong way, what are you left with in the end? Only dark regret and a deep emptiness that has nowhere to go."

"Then explain something…" Kallen said as she laid down and asked. "What higher purpose did the death of my brother serve? Who gets to sit in judgment? Who decides whether it's right or wrong?" Kallen asked with sadness in her eyes.

(Flashback: Ashford Academy Roof)

On the roof Suzaku stood there waiting for Lelouch and Logan, then after a few minutes, the two of them arrived.

"Good you two are here," Suzaku said.

"Yeah, now what did you want to talk about?" Lelouch asked.

"Well, remember what we talked about, back when we were in the Council room the other day," Suzaku said. "When talked about the Black Knights,"

"Yeah, what about that time?" Logan asked.

"Well first I have to know, what do you think of the Black Knights?" Suzaku asked.

The both of them looked at each other and thought for a moment before answering.

"Well, honestly I agree with what Shirley and Milly said," Lelouch said. "I mean I can't answer it better than that,"

"True, if you remove yourself from a biased point of view and just answer from the outlook of an ordinary person, then that's the best possible answer," Logan said.

"Yeah, I guess that's a fair assessment," Suzaku said looking down.

"Besides, if you recall, we were almost killed by the Britannian military back at Shinjuku, and they even shoot you in the back for no good reason," Lelouch reminded.

"Yeah, and they even framed you for the murder of Clovis, knowing you were innocent, it's pretty hard to support Britannia, after all, that's happened," Logan added.

Suzaku then closed his eyes and clenched his fists.

"Suzaku, what's wrong?" Lelouch asked.

"Yeah, what did you want to talk to us about?" Logan asked.

"Listen the truth is," Suzaku then opened his eyes and continued. "I realized you two were right, I was being self-righteous before."

Suzaku's words surprised them but he wasn't done.

"I realized that, despite how I feel about their methods, I can't deny that the Black Knights have done good things and helped a lot of people," Suzaku admitted, "and the truth is, I also discovered some things about the police and the military that unsettled me, you see turns out just like in Shinjuku, the Viceroy ordered the slaughter of the people at the Saitama ghetto."

"But I thought she went there to wipe out a resistance group, that's what it said on the news," Logan said pretending not to know the truth.

"Well, the truth is she actually wanted to lure out Zero and Soul," Suzaku said. "And in doing so, she killed everyone there, even women and children,"

Lelouch clenched his teeth trying to convince Suzaku he didn't already know. "That's horrible."

"And not just that," Suzaku continued. "A few days after we talked, I learned that there was a Refrain deal going on in the Tokyo Settlement, the Black Knights stopped it, but it turns out that members of the police force were part of it, in exchange for a cut of the profits."

"The police were part of a drug deal?" Logan asked.

"That's right," Suzaku said looking down again. "I want to change things for the better and from within, but I'm having trouble in finding a way how, and the fact that even some Britannians are starting to show support for the Black Knights, the truth is I really don't know what to do,"

Lelouch and Logan were glad that Suzaku was starting to see the big picture but also upset that he's feeling so low because of it.

"Suzaku, in the end, you must realize that this was always a problem too big to be solved by one person," Lelouch said. "After all, no matter how gifted, you alone can not change the world."

"I know, but still I'm not alone," Suzaku said thinking of Euphie.

"What do you mean?" Logan asked.

"Well, I made a promise, on the day after my trial," Suzaku said.

"A promise?" Lelouch asked. "With who?"

"I can't say, but it was someone who I know I can believe in to help make things better," Suzaku said with a smile. "And I know that, if Zero and Soul can get the results they desired their way, then I can do the same my way,"

"And how do you intend to do that?" Lelouch asked.

"I may not have an answer right now, but that doesn't mean I'll give up, I know soon the right answer will come to me," Suzaku then looked at them. "I wanted to tell you this because, I wanted you two to know the truth, and truthfully I thought I'd feel better if I talked about this to someone."

"We understand, it's better to let these things out than keep them in," Lelouch said with a smile.

"Yeah, thanks both of you," Suzaku said.

"No worries, after all, we're friends," Logan said.

Suzaku nodded happily and started walking away.

(Flashback: Stadium Near Mt. Fuji)

"The second, despite what you might think, neither we nor any of the Black Knights desire battle."

Suzaku looked surprised at that.

"You seem to be forgetting something." Soul rebuked. "We act in the will of the people."

"The will of the people?" Suzaku replied.

"But even so, there were others who didn't want to fight," Suzaku argued.

Suzaku was taken aback by those words and looked down upset.

"It's not like I intend to do that," Suzaku said still upset. "I just didn't know what else I could do, I couldn't see any other option."

"Yes, that's true isn't it," Suzaku said with a small smile.

(Flashback End)

Suzaku thought back to all the times his ideals were put into questions and was upset by the choices he made that lead here.

"What have I been doing all this time?" Suzaku asked himself in his head. "Was I just running away from having to answer for myself? Did I just convince myself that it was better to leave things in the hands of someone else?"

Suzaku clenched his teeth, being upset with himself, and Logan looked at him for a moment before turning around and looking at the entrance to the cave.

"And what do you think of all this?" Logan asked. "Kallen."

Suzaku was confused by his words and turned around as well and he was surprised as they both saw Kallen appear before them after she walks out from the shadows, Kallen has a sad look on her face as she stands before them.

"How'd you know I was there?" Kallen asked.

"I could feel your presence," Logan replied. "It wasn't hard to tell it was you."

"Kallen how long how you been here?" Suzaku asked concerned. "How much did you hear?"

"I arrived by the time you asked if Lelouch was Zero, and heard everything from there," Kallen replied.

"And why are you here in the first place?" Logan asked.

"I overheard R.R tell Ohgi, Diethard, and Todoh that Zero was captured," Kallen said.

"And so you got worried and came to try and save Zero right," Logan said.

Kallen nodded then looked at him teary-eyed.

"Logan tell me did you two use us? use me?" Kallen asked with sadness.

"Of course not." Logan immediately answered. "Kallen you made your choice to follow us because you believed in our words, and how could we have others believe us if we didn't believe it ourselves?" Logan then began to approach her. "Kallen I meant every word, and I know Lelouch would say the same."

Kallen was surprised and looked torn, she wanted to believe him but wasn't sure if she could and that fact upset her.

"Alright, I'm done," C.C called out in front of the door getting their attention. "I've gotten the system running, now you just have is place your hand on the door and you'll be there."

"I see," Logan said as he turned to Suzaku and Kallen. "Listen, both of you, Lelouch and Euphemia are on the other side of that door before we decide anything else let's save them."

Both Suzaku and Kallen looked troubled and thought for a moment and then decided.

"I want to save Euphie no matter what," Suzaku said. "Also, I didn't tell you this back at the stadium, but I'm grateful to you and Zero for agreeing to help Euphie, so I'll believe in Lelouch as my friend."

"I still don't know what to think right now?" Kallen said. "But I'll wait to hear what Lelouch has to say before anything else until then I'll continue my duty as the captain of Zero's elite guard."

"Very well, if that's what you've decided," Logan said.

The three of them then began to make their way to the door to the Thought Elevator, when they arrived they looked at each other and nodded and each placed their hand on the door. C.C's Geass mark on her forehead began to glow and the three of them could feel themselves begin pulled into C's world.

"Euphie." Suzaku thought.

"Zero." Kallen thought.

"Lelouch." Logan thought.

"I'll save you." They all thought in unison.

To Be Continued

And that's the chapter. And finally, I glad was to get this done. Sorry it took so long, a little while ago I've was almost done when my file crashed and I had to start over. Anyway, that was how I dealt with the SAZ since I wanted a different outcome there was a different problem as you saw, I decided to add Jeremiah because there needed to be some conflict on the way. And now Suzaku and Kallen know the truth though it's different from the cannon and thus it will change the future and it will change season 2. And so this is the end of season 1, next chapter will be the start of season 2 and I decided to end it on a cliffhanger because that's Code Geass, but don't worry I'll explain what happens in C's world in season 2. And just a heads up but I've decided that now that I've finished the first season I'll try writing different stories in the meantime, look it up if you're interested.

So see you next season, hope you enjoyed, if you want more follow or favourite me it's not that hard, and as always have an awesome day.