Chapter 8
The Laws of Equivalence
Part 1
(Ashford Academy, 11:10)
Kallen walked alone in the hallways, the Saitama incident replaying again and again in her head. She kept herself as the sickly schoolgirl on the outside, but was confused and bewildered on the inside. Lelouch, you've shown them your genius before, but what you did yesterday was nerve-racking, even for me.
*flashback*
The Black Knights felt their hearts rise above their chests, a sense of dread filling their minds with scenes of blood. Kallen looked at their power supply, seeing that it would last for up to 3 hours. Long enough for the Glasgow to get away, along with these Ronins. But Lelouch...How do we... she couldn't think straight anymore, her vision tinting red. The blood was rushing to her head.
"This is Zero!" Lelouch proclaimed on the radio. He shouted his orders in a hurry, knowing that he didn't have enough time to explain all the details. "When we reach about 50 meters from the enemy, put your Landspinners at full throttle. Once they return to their proper positions, wait until 7.2 seconds have passed, retract your slash harkens from the walls. Once you get out of the building, fire your slash harkens to it. Do this, and you will not die!"
She couldn't see it for herself, but she knew that they were all shocked at this, Tamaki especially. She looked at her monitor, checking there location above the ground. 70 meters. 67 meters. 64 meters. She revved her Landspinners, prepared to do as she was told.
Ohgi was stunned at what Zero had told them. Charging out of a falling building at full speed? ohgi's eyes narrowed further, his determination to fight, and his will to live, reached a point that suppressed even the most overwhelming doubt he had about Zero.
"50 meters! NOW!" Ohgi commanded, the Ronins now speeding in place. The Black Knights were still unmoving, but they had expected that. Kallen tried to keep her mind set, but the overwhelming odds of them coming out were flooding her body. Lelouch, you were...no, you are Zero the Miracle worker. Now's the time to prove it!
Ohgi ignored the overwhelming pressure, even the fact that his life was flashing before him. Carefully, he counted the seconds, a heart attack threatening his inner being with every number. 4, 5, 6….7 "Release it now!"
Suddenly, the Ronins were free from their securements, now free falling into a murky, ash grey sky. "Steady…." Ohgi told them, waiting for the right moment. "Fire!" In a flash of thunderous steel, the slash harkens from the Ronins arms fired off into the building, with them slowly following it. The were still in freefall, however.
"Hey! What's the big idea?! I thought we were supposed to live, not die faster." Tamaki barked with a vengeance. The others remained silent.
Kallen didn't wonder why she was pissed off at him. Ever since the mission began, all Tamaki had really done was run his mouth off at the only real man she had ever loved. Except for Naoto of course. She reminded herself.
"Tamaki, I'm getting sick of your constant bitching! We got out of Shinjuku because of Zero. Now shut your lazy ass trap and do what he says!" Kallen told him.
"Well said, Q-1." Lelouch told them through the radio. "Now reel yourselves back to the building. Ohgi, do you remember each floor that I told you to label?"
Ohgi stuttered, but answered the demon emperor. "Y..Yeah. But they didn't match with the locations you told us to launch from."
"Good answer. Now, R-1 and R-2, reel yourselves in and get to position 3. Use the landspinners to propel yourselves along the walls. P-1, P-2, and P-3, do the same then move to position 2. N-1, N-2, you will accompany Q-1 to alpha position. Once I give the command 'Final', all of you press of the building. I'll be waiting for you once you're on the ground. Look for a Sutherland." The radio went silent.
The Black Knights all knew what they had to do. One by one, step by step, they made it to their ordered positions. When Kallen looked down towards Cornelia, she was startled by what felt like an earthquake, one that was immediately followed with an explosive thunder. She saw a change in direction, and her eyes widened in amazement and terror as she saw the others separate from her group, along with the rest of the...The building?!
The building trembled at the hands of another explosion. Kallen stared at Ohgi's group as they passed by her, the building pieces now forming a triangle. Kallen looked at the ground, now less than 7 meters away, and figured out his plan.
"FINAL!" Lelouch screamed at the top of his lungs. Kallen immediately pressed off the building, the others following her after 3 seconds of hesitation. The building made contact with the ground, and a hurricane of debris surged them upwards. Kallen's Glasgow had pressed off forward as well as upwards from the building, causing her to land on the inside of the circle of debris. The Ronin units had all landed outside the encirclement, surrounding Cornelia and her forces within firing distance of their slash harkens, while protecting the Ronin units at the same time.
Lelouch, you've done it again. You made a miracle happen. Kallen told him in her mind. She looked around, seeing that she was all alone inside the circle, with only Cornelia's forces to keep her company.
She looked at the stats of her Glasgow, realizing that she'd taken a lot of damage during landing. Damn it! If it weren't for the gun and Landspinners, I'd be a sitting duck right…
Her train of thought was severed with a booming crash. She turned to her monitors, and saw a Sutherland land right in front of her. Lelouch, you've risked everyone's lives in this stunt, including your own. She smiled. That proves it. You are no demon.
The microphone on the Sutherland flashed on, and she heard a familiar voice roar from it. "Princess Cornelia! We meet at last." He lied, acting like a kid in a candy store.
*flashback end*
He surprised everyone with his plan, even me, his… Kallen stopped herself right there. After everything they had been through, she didn't dare call herself his queen. She had thought about it before, but things were different this time.
Besides, She told herself, pushing away the old fantasies she had about Lelouch. Shirley's the one that deserves him the most. After all, she died protecting his secret. She died right in his arms, and he couldn't do a thing about it.
Kallen struggled to keep her cool, the tears yearning to streak down her face. She...she's been through too much to be denied this time. Kallen managed to keep herself from making a scene, and she kept telling herself not to think about Lelouch too much, her being urging her not to think like that, but she forced herself not to interfere with it. But still...I knew him better than anyone.
She walked into the Student council room, and saw something else that managed to surprise her. Everyone struggling to keep something… No, they were struggling to hold someone down, the one person who always tried to resist Milly's shenanigans... Lelouch. She walked in with a half smile, curious about what they were doing.
Milly stood to the side, while everyone else was forcing him down into a chair. The scene looked familiar...too familiar. Kallen mentally gasped, realizing what they were doing. No, it's too early for that.
"Come on, quit struggling. Suzaku, hold him down!" Milly ordered. Kallen stood there, frozen by what she was seeing. They holding him down, dressing him up for Arthur's Induction.
Lelouch couldn't believe the position he was in. Rivalz had lured him into the meeting about Arthur, and then got blindsided by the rest of the council. The only ones that weren't there were Kallen, C.C., and Nunnally. Damn it! Why didn't I see this coming?!
"Damn it Suzaku, cut it out! Stop it! I'm not kidding!" He demanded. The first time was bad enough, but why now of all times? Suzaku hardened his grip, forcing Lelouch down into the chair.
Suzaku smiled slightly, but acted like he wanted to hide it. "Sorry, Lelouch. But it's the president's orders." He said, holding Lelouch down. Lelouch couldn't help remembering the last time Suzaku held Lelouch down against his will. This is just like when he betrayed me at the Kugurugi shrine. Only this time, I have nothing to apologize for.
Lelouch shook it off, regaining his grip on the present. "Yeah, like you're not enjoying this at all!" And the worst part of it all, no one else here is dressing up like a cat. "And what the hell is this all about? I thought Cat Day was next Friday." He would've finished his ranting, but Shirley's brush had blocked off his mouth during his struggle.
"Will you hold still!" Shirley scolded him. Her job would be going smoothly if it weren't for the fact that Lelouch squirmed too much. Honestly Lulu, sometimes I swear… Her train of thought was cut off by her own irritation. When he paused for a second, she quickly slashed 3 whiskers across his face with her paintbrush
Milly walked over to the would-be terrorist, and whispered in her ear. "Well, does this correlate to the plan alright?" Kallen looked at her puzzled, but a thought struck her like lightning, and she instantly remembered exactly what was going on. It's been 6 days since we conceived of the plan to get to Lelouch, and now it's being put into action. Kallen looked at her commander in a sheer sense of enjoyment.
It's been so long since we all enjoyed times like this… Kallen promised herself that it wasn't her fault, but in truth, she felt it was. All of the misery she and Lelouch brought to the lives of everyone in the room, Shirley especially.
Without a doubt in her mind, Kallen felt the guilt wash over her like a tsunami. No! She screamed in her head, commanding herself to stop before she made a scene. It won't happen this time. I won't let it! She forced the sickly girl mask back on to herself, willing herself to continue the plan.
Kallen smirked. "It's better than I thought." She quickly took a hold of her leader, forcing him down into the chair. Well, I did swear to get back at you. Heck, I even said I'd do this exact thing.
Milly closed her eyes, smiling at Lelouch's sheer discomfort. On the other hand. She had a devilish thought, one that would put him between a rock and a hard place. "Well, I suppose we could let Lelouch off the hook."
Shirley and Rivalz gasped, then turned to look at her, the president of gossip, giving Lelouch a freeby. They spoke in complete unison. "Huh? What do you mean let him off the hook?"
"But only on one condition: You tell us how you feel about Shirley." Milly had him backed to a corner. But I've still got to get him to answer. "But then again...if you don't spill, you have to stay dressed like a cat until the end of Arthur's initiation."
Lelouch looked tense on the outside, but sighed with relief on the inside. He knew how easy it was to lie to the Student Council when he needed to. Well, despite everything, you still haven't changed Madam Pres. You want to know how I feel so badly. Too bad for you that you can't really tell. "Alright, the truth is…"
Milly held her hand out, as if to silence him. "Stop right there!" She commanded, cutting Lelouch off. She turned towards the curtains, waving her finger in a forward motion. "Your on, Nana." she said, Nunnally coming into full view.
Nunnally? He gasped inside. He shuddered as Milly grabbed his hand, stretching it out so Nunnally could take it. His sister didn't even hesitate to do any of it. "Big brother, I told you not to lie, remember? I want to believe you, but…" Nunnally said with a slight frown, her closed eyes both sad and shocked. "Milly wants to be sure that you don't."
C.C. walked into the room, wearing a set of fluffy, snow white cat ears. The witch was smiling, looking at the Demon Emperor squirm. I have to admit it, Milly really came up with a decent plan to push his buttons. Didn't think she had it in her.
Lelouch's eyes narrowed at her, his mind in a frenzy. So that's where all this is coming from. Milly isn't clever enough to come up with this kind of trap on her own. He looked at his would-be cousin with vengeance in his eyes, while C.C looked at him with a smile, looking quite pleased with herself, looking at her handiwork like it was the best thing ever made.
"Take your pick, Vice-President." The witch simply said, enjoying the sight of the mighty Zero squirm like a worm, desperate to get out of a hopeless situation. This is what you get for making me play baby-sitter, Lelouch.
Shirley's blush reached a feverish level, her embarrassment transforming into irritation. "Madam Pres, I told you last time not to do this!" She raged, unable to bottle it up any longer. "I don't need to know anything! We aren't like that."
Milly's eyes turned towards the ginger, and her smile faded into a disappointed frown. "I was afraid of this." She looked over to C.C, acting like they had already planned on it happening. "You know what this means, right?"
"I understand." C.C. quickly ran behind Shirley, putting a white cloth as a gag around her mouth. Shirley squirmed just like Lelouch, but also like him, it was all in vain. C.C once held down some of the strongest people to survive, and Shirley was nowhere near that level.
The president looked at Shirley with sad eyes, acting like she didn't want to do this. "I'm sorry Shirley, but enough is enough. This is for your own good." She said, looking back at Lelouch.
Kallen looked at the Student Council President with an annoyed stare across her face, a fire starting in her eyes. "That wasn't part of the plan!" She raged. She wanted to get Lelouch to confess, but gaging Shirley and forcing her into submission was going too far.
"Not the part you came up with. I came up with the setting, you came up with having Nunnally confirm that he's telling the truth, and Cecilia came up with the fail-safe part of the plan." She replied, now staring at Lelouch.
"We needed to make sure that she didn't bail him out again." C.C. explained. "Last time we tried this, she let him off the hook. Can't have that happening again, now can we?"
Suzaku looked at Milly with a startled look on his face, Rivalz doing the same soon after. "Madam Pres, this is nuts." The blue-haired boy proclaimed. He wanted to see them together, but not like this. he lowered his head slightly, then sighed out "It's just wrong."
Milly smiled, knowing what Lelouch would do. "He can still choose to refuse…" She made an O shape with her lips. "Oh that's right. If he doesn't say anything, that means there is something he's hiding. And he'd have to stay a cat cause he kept his mouth shut."
Lelouch quivered in his chair, completely trapped by his own emotions. His mind had only felt this hopeless once before. But he also had a building rage inside of him. He absolutely hated it when people used Nunnally against him. First Suzaku, then Schneizel , and now Milly. Dammit, there is no way out this time.
He clenched his fists, looking over the possibilities. If Rolo were here, he could use his geass to get me out of here. No, even then, it would draw suspicion. I could use my geass, but that could accelerate the performance process, and I don't know how they would react once the effects wore off. Damn it Milly. Damn it Kallen. And Damn it to hell, witch!
"Lelouch..." Nunnally said, looking at her brother with a look of utter despair. He knew where he saw that look before, because he had only seen it once. It was when he had died, during the final stage of the Zero Requiem. What's happening. I know I haven't lost control of my geass. And even if I had, I'd need eye contact for it to work.
Nunnally felt the pain go through her like a sword. I can't let them know though. Not yet at least. She put on a decent face, being sure that her tears were not visible. "Milly, can I speak to my brother alone please?" She said in her sweet as honey tone, but acting like something serious. "I think I might convince him better if you would leave for a few minutes." She lied. Funny, I don't like lying, but here I am doing so, and to my friends too.
Milly looked over at the poor blind girl, seeing the discontent across her face. She let out a sigh, then answered the little girl. "Alright Nunnally. You have 20 minutes to talk to him, but no more." She waved her hand, motioning for the council to follow her.
Lelouch knew that Nunnally wasn't going to try and convince him to spill about his feelings, but there was something wrong with her. But why can't I think of it? He turned towards his sister, Nunnally. He knew that after he died, she had taken his place as Empress of Britannia, and had started making up for his crimes against humanity.
"Lelouch…" she hesitated, mentally scanning the room for anyone who might hear them. "I don't want you to do this." She whimpered out, looking as if she was on the verge of a breakdown.
Lelouch stared at his sister with a horrible realization, but he refused to believe it. So instead, he pretended to be clueless. "Nunnally, I don't have any choice in the matter."
"Don't lie to me! You always have a choice!" She screamed at him. Lelouch was breathless. Nunnally wasn't just upset, she was traumatized by something. But he refused to believe it was the thing he feared most of all.
"You heard Madam President. If I don't spill, she'll try harder to find out why, and I'd have to spend the rest of the week dressed like a cat." He told her, trying to calm her down. She wouldn't be upset by me lying to the others, not like this anyway. He tried to piece together the mystery behind his sister's sudden pain. However, his train of thought was shattered by the one thing he dared not hope for again.
"Lelouch, I don't care if you tell them how you feel about Shirley right now." Her eyes began to twitch, and she moaned within her mind, forcing what she knew she had to do. "What I don't want is to lose you again, Big brother." Tears began to escape her ...NO. It can't be! Lelouch cried out in his mind, his greatest fear becoming reality.
The very next moment, Lelouch was staring at very big, very pretty, sky blue eyes. He sat there, paralyzed with the sheer scope of reality that hit him. Nunnally had forcefully opened her eyes, shattering their father's geass. "Big brother, I want you to stop this rebellion before it begins. I just wanna be with you. So please, don't be Zero again." She sobbed, true tears of despair flooding out of her eyes.
In his mind, there was no more doubt. Somehow, Nunnally had gotten her memory back. He tried to hold it in, but he soon found himself with tears flowing down his cheeks. "Nunnally, I…" He could no longer speak, sadness had put him into a choke hold, for he could no longer breath as well.
Nunnally couldn't hold it back any more. She forced her wheelchair to crash into his chair, and she collapsed into his arms. He was startled, but not surprised by her actions. He pulled her closer, embracing the person who had despised him the most, but also loved him the most during his previous life. "Nunnally, I… I'm sorry." He finally said to her. "It was necessary though. The world needed someone to hate, and who better than me?"
"But Suzaku could've.." She froze as Lelouch wiped the tears from her face.
"I wouldn't have been able to kill Suzaku, or wear the mask of Zero again. I was the only candidate for the job. I needed to die anyways…" He tilted his head downwards, the guilt in his heart rising to the surface of his being. "For all the sins I committed."
Nunnally didn't know what to say, but she looked down at where she was crying, and saw how wet her tears made his clothes. "Lelouch….I'm sorry. For betraying you, for the FLEIJA'S, everything!"
"Don't say that. You have nothing to be sorry for." He dried his eyes, trying to recompose himself. "Nunnally, we can talk about this later. But for now, we need to make it seem like a miracle just happened. You've got your sight back. We need to act happy." he instructed. This feels strange. I've ordered people before, with or without my geass. But with Nunnally, it just feels wrong.
She nodded in agreement, putting on a smile. However, what Lelouch didn't know was that it was real. The reason wasn't her sight though, like Lelouch had expected. Her smile was from the fact that she had her brother again.
(Student Council Room, 15:58)
It had been 4 hours after Nunnally somehow awakened. They managed to say that Nunnally and him cried because of Nunnally regaining her eyesight. Milly was skeptical at first, but being a weakling around peer pressure, she was eventually convinced that was the case.
Sayoko helped calm her down with some herbal tea, and Jeremiah came to give his report on Cornelia after Euphemia returned. Kallen sat next to Lelouch, C.C sitting across from them, diligently eating a slice of pizza.
"Jeremiah, what is your report?" Lelouch asked, trying not to upset Nunnally too much. He knew that hearing about Cornelia and how he had used Suzaku and Euphie to his advantage would hurt her more.
"Yes my lord." he stated, briefly clearing his throat. "As you anticipated, Euphemia arrived minutes after the broadcast was played. When Euphemia arrived, she immediately demanded to see Cornelia, who greeted her with a hug and sigh of relief." He paused for a moment, allowing his master and the others a moment to absorb the information.
Kallen looked at Jeremiah with curious eyes. She had wondered why he would serve Lelouch/Zero at all, let alone to this degree. But that's a question for another time. Then turned to Nunnally, who had insisted on being at the meeting. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell us, Orange?"
"Thank you for asking Miss Kozuki. It was reported that Euphemia had informed Cornelia that she had not been abducted by Zero, but she refused to explain where she was during the incident. We can assume from this that she doesn't want anyone to know that she made contact with Kugurugi. And from the report Sayoko had given me, it is apparent that Suzaku is unaware of who she is, other than his new 'girlfriend' as she put it."
Sayoko looked at Jeremiah with half open eyes. "I would assume that is how he would put it after I confirmed that they had an exchange of telephone numbers, and after I saw them kiss."
"Wait, they kissed?" Nunnally asked, surprised at the action. Suzaku had always told her how impulsive she could be, but she never expected her to take such a risky action for love.
Even Kallen was a bit shocked that she let it get that far so quickly, but Lelouch nodded as if he had already expected it. As I thought, Suzaku is not aware of his current situation quite yet. And it's not unlike Euphie to be so impulsive. Lelouch deduced, attempting to figure out how to prevent any further problems that could occur from their relationship.
However, once he is made aware of it, he will most likely try to apologize for not recognizing her as a princess. She will then attempt to convince him that is not his fault, it was hers. But, Suzaku will then stubbornly ask her for forgiveness, which will only cause complications between them.
"Jeremiah, I have taken your report into consideration of my plans, and I now know what must be done. Unless I instruct otherwise, you are not to report of Suzaku and Euphemia's relationship." Lelouch had given him his orders, but then had a terrifying thought of what would happen if they were discovered.
If Cornelia found out about this, it would jeopardize my plans. And as for Suzaku, she would probably… His eyes widened in fear of what could happen to Suzaku if she found out. "In fact, attempt to conceal it as much as you can, as well as take precautions in case they are discovered. Plead on his behalf if you have to, but make sure that Suzaku does not get punished for this."
Jeremiah bowed in the traditional Britannian way. "As you command my lord." He simply stated. He then rose to his feet. "Now on to the matter at hand: The Lake Kawaguchi hotel take over. Princess Euphemia will most definitely be there, as well as Suzaku Kururugi. If he sees her there as Euphemia li Britannia, it will most definitely create problems for Project Orange."
Nunnally turned to Lelouch, a fire of determination in her eyes. "Then I need to go. I could present myself as Nunnally vi Britannia. At least then I would…"
"Absolutely not!" Lelouch raged. She hadn't seen him this mad before, but in a way, she felt kinda touched by her brother's reaction. "Losing you to Britannia the first time was hard enough Nunnally. And what would happen if the others knew you were a princess?" He asked rhetorically. "They would immediately figure out that I'm a prince. That would cause nothing but problems for both of us."
"But Lelouch, I..." Nunnally tried to speak up, but she then remembered all of the things that happened while she was viceroy of Area 11. He attempted to rescue her, only to hear her reject him. And when she initiated the Special Zone of Japan, he would've gone insane if Kallen hadn't been there to stop him. And she didn't want to think about what happened to him after Damocles. "You're right, big brother." she said reluctantly, feeling utterly useless in all of this.
"You really shouldn't put that much stress on yourself, Nunnally." C.C told her. "If one attempts to bear the weight of the entire world on their shoulders, all one will manage to do is get crushed under it's weight."
Lelouch and Kallen nodded. Lelouch turned back to Jeremiah, and began to speak. "It would be best not to interfere that much in the Hotel hijacking from your end, Jeremiah. With your new instructions in mind, continue to play lapdog to Britannia. You may take your leave now."
Jeremiah bowed once again, and exited the building. Kallen turned to Lelouch, looking like she wanted to know something. "What about on our end Lelouch? Do you want everything to go the same as it did before?"
"For the most part, yes. But as for my part, I think I know what could solve a lot of future problems. Kallen, when Kusakabe dies, the Black Knights will immediately know I used my geass to kill him. I want you to convince them that I made the right call."
"That won't be easy Lelouch. It might be better not to kill him." She told him, knowing how the others would react to it.
"I will attempt to refrain from killing him. But in the event that I do end up doing so..." He began, but was interrupted by Nunnally. She came closer to them, wanting to look Lelouch in the eye as she spoke.
"I guess I can't convince you not to do this, can I big brother?" She asked him, giving him the sad eyes she had given him when he died. It's selfish of me to want to keep him for myself, I know. But still, he died after all of this. I don't want this, but I guess I don't have any right to stop him.
"I'm afraid not, little sister. But don't worry, I won't let Euphie die this time, or anyone else that's important to us." He held out his hand, gesturing to her for a pinky promise. She smiled at this, knowing that he would keep his promises, regardless of the circumstances.
She folded her hand into the proper pinky promise position, and began the magic chant. "Cross my heart. Hope to die. Eat a thousand needles if I lie." she sung as she jolted their hands up and down. "Pinky promise song." She said, finally pulling away from her brother's hand.
He smiled at his little sister. Even with her memories back, she is still a very gentle, kind, and loving girl. His expression darkened a bit. I'm going to make sure it stays that way.
(Southside walkway, Ashford Academy, 16:07)
Shirley had to look high and low for everyone, including Lelouch. But finally, she had found the last person on her list. She approached him casually, trying to be as friendly as possible. "Hey Suzaku. The president, Nina, CC, and I are going to Lake Kawaguchi on Sunday. Care to join us?" She asked with tenderness in her voice.
Suzaku gave her a clueless look with his emerald eyes. "Uhh…" He stuttered out, acting like he just saw a ghost. Deja vu? He didn't know why, but he was feeling some serious deja vu. But why can't I remember why?
"Please? Both Lelouch and Kallen said they had already made plans, Rivalz has to work, and Nunnally won't go unless Lelouch goes." She persuaded him. She knew that if it were just girls, the pres. would just try to come up with ways to get Lelouch, or try talk about the boys they liked, or she would tease her every second they were on the tram.
Suzaku gave her a disappointed face, but also a faint half smile. "Well that's too bad then. I also have work that day." He told her, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.
Shirley looked a bit disappointed, but nothing too serious. "You do?" Oh no, my fears have come true. Great, just great. She put on her smile, trying to convince him that she was okay with it. "Too bad, but I guess that can't be helped then." She said.
Suzaku knew she was lying right through her teeth. But still, I need to make it seem like it's no big deal. "But thank you for inviting me anyway. I really appreciate it. I hope all of you have a great time."
And with that, Suzaku and Shirley parted ways, unaware of the events the were about to befall them.
( 2 days later, on a train, 10:00)
Shirley sat still in her seat, gazing out of the sun filled window. "I've never left the Tokyo Settlement before, this is my first time!" She said ecstatically. She looked at the girls that had agreed to come with. C.C. had a bored expression on her face, but was clinging tightly to that Cheese-kun she had gotten a few days ago.
Milly gazed over at the happy little red head, and decided to have some fun. "I'm sure you wish Lelouch came with us, don't you?"
Shirley felt a flush of heat trail across her face, knowing that Milly would be relentless from now on. About that matter at least. She snapped back to reality in a flash, quickly trying to answer the president. "No. I mean yes! I mean...I." She stammered out, unable to form a complete thought, much less a sentence.
Milly giggled at this, seeing that her ploy had worked perfectly. "Don't be so serious. I was only teasing." The gossip queen reassured her. "Anyways, tonight we can stay up all night talking. Let's tell each other which boys we like from school."
C.C looked up at Milly with her bored expression. Lelouch had asked her to play hostage so that she could make sure that the JLF didn't harm them until the Black Knights arrived. "Then I suppose you'll probably have a lot to talk about then..?" Lelouch, I told you that you were being paranoid. Why am I even hear? She mused, completely losing interest in the President and the others.
Milly smiled at the comment Lelouch's would be cousin gave her. She was tempted to say that she was not really his cousin. But I promised not to tell. Oh well. She said to herself. She opened her mouth slightly, and answered her cryptically. "Who can say?"
Nina tensed up at the change in the light. "Ah!" She squealed, slightly embarrassed by her own reaction. She didn't want to admit it, but she was truly afraid of numbers, especially Elevens. She heard how violent they could get around Britannians. She was supposed to be superior to them anyways, so there was no real reason for her to be threatened by them. But even so… She felt the sensation of a hand on her own, and nearly jumped out of her seat. But when she looked down to see who had done it, she relaxed a smidge when she saw that it was Milly.
"Nina, it's all right." She assured her, trying her best to comfort the poor girl. "There are lots of Britannian tourists at Lake Kawaguchi, so security's fine. Don't worry about the Elevens; it's not the ghettos."
Nina wanted to believe her, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something really bad was about to happen. "Yes, but…"
C.C. looked at her with a reassuring smile. I better get a thank you for this, Lelouch. "We'll be with you the whole time. We won't leave your side for a second."
Nina relaxed, knowing that the honest girl in their group was comforting her. She didn't want to admit it, but she was jealous of her, but at the same time she looked up to Cecilia. "Thanks." was the only thing that she could say to the green haired witch.
She turned to the window with Shirley, gazing out at the sun reflecting off the settlement. "Don't mention it."
(Black Knights HQ, 11:31)
Lelouch marveled at the sheer number of soldiers the Black Knights had already recruited. Last time, at this point, Ohgi and his group were the only members. But now, after he defeated Cornelia, the rebels flocked to them like moths to a flame.
With all of the new recruits, it will be hard to organize at this stage. Lelouch told himself. He heard a knocking at the door, and Kallen came right in. She leaned on the wall next to Lelouch, and began to speak. "It's begun."
Instantly, Lelouch put his mask on, and followed Kallen out of the door to address his Black Knights. As he came into the dimly lit commons area, he turned towards the television, even though he already knew what was going on. He grabbed the remote, and turned up the volume.
The news anchor was getting a bit irritated at the whole situation, probably because it was a slow news day before this happened. "How are things looking at the scene?" The scene immediately shifted to the view outside the hotel. Just like before, Cornelia and her forces had the only exitway surrounded.
"I'm here in front of the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel. The hotel-jackers have identified themselves as the Japan Liberation Front.
Tamaki entered the room with Ohgi, and as they noticed the situation on television, they're eyes burst open. "The hell?" Tamaki barked out.
Ohgi looked at Kallen with a concerned face. He knew she had a little more damage than the rest of them after the Saitama incident, and he felt a tad bit guilty for it. "What's happening?"
Kallen pointed towards the TV, and the reporter continued to cover the hijacking. "Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting, most notably Chairman James, were taken hostage, as well as several tourists and hotel employees. This footage was taken by the perpetrators. In it, you can clearly see Chairman James, including some students. The leader of the group claims to be…"
The signal went haywire, and the scene changed to the interior of the hotel, showing the members of the JLF in front of the hostages.
Kusakabe stood in front of his hostages, two of his men standing behind him. "I am Kusakabe of the Japan Liberation Front. This stand we're taking is for the freedom of Japan and our countrymen. Even though they are not soldiers, every last hostage here is still Britannian. You are the ones who rule and oppress us. To you hostages, sit still, be quiet, and you'll be fine. If you don't…" One member took up his rifle, and fired it at the ceiling. After that, the scene turned back to the main news reporter, who had continued on with her report, despite the interruption of Kusakabe's forces.
"Sakuradite, an essential component in the manufacture of high-temperature superconductors, is a vital strategic resource that directly affects world security. Area 11 is the largest producer of this material, providing 70% of the world's total supply." She continued, now showing a view of the area from a helicopter.
"Here at the yearly national meeting of sakuradite producers, it will be determined how this resource will be distributed among the world's nations. It's no exaggeration to say that the outcome determines the balance of global power between Britannia and other countries. It is believed that the terrorists are using world interest in the annual gathering to their advantage by carrying out this violent hotel takeover."
The Black Knights began to chat among themselves. But it was Inoue who spoke out loud first. "So they made their move." She stated, starting a minor discussion.
Ohgi followed her example, and began to speak freely. "They're easily the biggest anti-Britannian force in Japan, and now their pride's hurt." He said, considering that Zero had killed Clovis at Shinjuku and humiliated Cornelia in Saitama.
Izumi looked startled at his comment, having a great respect for the JLF. "Because of us?" He asked, concern filling his tiny pupils.
"Maybe." He simply stated. That's lie Ohgi. You know that it's the truth. With Zero leading us, we'll probably overshadow even Tohdoh's miracle during the war at this rate. He told himself, trying to stay in reality. With his geass power, we can do more than anyone else could though.
Tamaki closed his eyes, and began to muse to himself. "I don't know whether to feel happy or sad about that. Because one way or another, they're all gonna end up dead."
Kallen looked at Tamaki with an annoyed expression. "Don't count on that." She told him, already aware of Lelouch's intentions. "Zero, as the Black Knights for justice, is it not our sworn duty to protect the weak against the strong?"
Tamaki looked at Kallen with acre wide eyes, which quickly narrowed in an angry expression. "Say what?! Kallen, have you lost your mind?! They're Britannians! We'd never dream of helping them, right Zero?" He asked with a furious vengeance in his voice.
Zero turned to her, smiling behind his mask. You've let them know that you trust me Kallen "Wrong Tamaki. Kallen is correct in that regard."
"But why the hell would we help those Britannians? You said we would defend the weak against the strong. Britannia is strong, and we, the Japanese, are what they call 'the weak' So why the hell would we give a rat's ass." Tamaki raged.
"Because we are the Black Knights. We will not stand idly by while innocent lives are put at gunpoint. And further more, sooner or later, Britannians will begin to ask to join our ranks. I do not plan to discriminate against them, and neither will you. Is that understood?"
The members of the Black Knights looked around, looking for anyone who disagreed with their leader Zero. After about 4 minutes of staring around the room, each member of the Black Knights turned towards Lelouch, and bowed their heads as the simultaneously saying the same thing. "Agreed. We will respect your wishes, Master Zero."
Lelouch was pleased. He had forgotten how much he loved to be obeyed without having to use his geass. I am back. Once again, I have the complete support of the Black Knights. Now, let the game continue. "Good. Now that that's been settled, we are going to rescue the hostages ourselves."
Ohgi looked up at him with disbelief in his eyes. "But how are you going manage that?" He asked, concerned for the lives of everyone in the room. "If Cornelia is there, she will most definitely try to kill us, you especially."
Lelouch sat down at the main table, looking like he was thinking about it right then and there. Of course, he had already decided on a course of action way in advance. "Then I suppose I'll just have to give her a reason not to."
(The Special Corps' van, 14:46)
Suzaku stood by the edge of the lake, feeling completely powerless to stop what was going on inside the hotel. Lloyd and Cecile were sitting by the lake, skipping rocks to pass the time. Lloyd had the Lancelot all ready to go right into action, but the higher ups had told them to remain vigilant, but stay out of it unless called forth.
I can't take it any longer. He stated to himself. It's time to ask. "Can't the Special Corps offer any assistance with the rescue operation?" He asked. If Euphie were here, she would risk her life and livelihood to rescue the hostages, if she were in my position that is.
Lloyd looked up at Suzaku, but instantly returned his view to the reflection of the hotel in the lake. He sighed. "I've already asked them, but we're in a regular unit and they don't acknowledge our chain of command. Besides…" he started, but his attention was called away and caught in the ripples in the lake.
Suzaku clenched his fists tightly as he finished Lloyd's sentence. "It's too risky to entrust the operation to an Eleven, is that right?" Lloyd nodded, which pissed Suzaku off on the inside. He could feel his heart burn with rage, and yet, he knew he had to deal with it. He didn't want to be treated as anything less than a human, but he had to tolerate the discrimination towards him for his plans to work.
Lloyd stood up, ready to go back inside the van. the sun was getting hotter, and he wanted to be sure that the cooling cylinders on the Lancelot were calibrated for the mission. That is, if we can arrange it. He looked at Suzaku with a half open eyes, and sighed as he said. "I already know that your a tad bit upset about that. Yet, I'm sure you're quite aware that Princess Cornelia is very discriminating about Britannians and Numbers."
Suzaku felt his knuckles pop. He couldn't see them under his uniform, but he could tell they were white. "So... the Japanese still aren't being accepted enough into your structure. How disappointing." He mused.
Cecile looked at them both with a sense of sadness and confusion. "If that's true, then what's the point in even having an Honorary Britannian system?" She asked herself, her heart uncertain if it was in the right place.
(The Black Knights HQ, 14:55)
The Black Knights had been preparing the explosives they had been told to for the last hour. Lelouch had also seen them work on the Ronins and Glasgow as well. It's a shame that they spent so much energy fixing what we don't need just yet. He told himself as he continued to watch the incident unfold.
Lelouch's heart suddenly sank to his knees. On the screen, there he was. The man that had caused him and his friends so much pain, even if he had no intention of doing so. Joseph Fenette.
The man began to speak, deep concern shrouding his voice completely. "She was only sightseeing. She's still just a student, but these criminals act indiscriminately. Savages... I just want to know if Shir- I want to know if my daughter is alright. She hasn't done anything wrong!" He insisted, his voice becoming more demanding. He turned off the television, unable to keep the pain out of his heart.
The screen went through a static filled transition as it went black. He's the man that I accidently killed, who caused Shirley so much pain. His death allowed Mao to get to her. And then, I had to… He cut off his own train of thought, reminding himself that it wouldn't happen this time. I won't let it happen! It will not happen!
"How long until we deploy, Zero?" Kallen asked, suddenly appearing behind him. He hadn't heard her come in, but he couldn't care less about that right now. They both knew what had happened last time. It was the debut for the Black Knights then, but now… Kallen shook off her uncomfortable sensation.
She hated being helpless, and she hated doing nothing. She knew Lelouch wanted to keep the Student Council safe as much as she did. And that's the main reason he told them that speech earlier. I just know it
"As soon as the Glasgow is finished with it's repairs." Lelouch replied. "We are giving it the Ronin's slash harken treatment from the last Sutherland we acquired from Saitama.
Ohgi entered the room, and gave Lelouch his status update. "Zero, Yoshido says that the repairs you asked for on the Glasgow are nearly ready. The Ronins were practically unharmed, but the Glasgow nearly collapsed in on itself when it landed. If we hadn't jumped when we did, Kallen would be…
Zero put his hand up, gesturing for Ohgi to stop right there. He backed away from his leader, allowing him to explain. "The reason I had Kallen use a Glasgow instead of a Ronin is because of that. She was the only one among us, all of us, who could've pulled that off and survived." He told them both.
"Now then, ready our supplies. We move out as soon as the repairs are finished."
Ohgi nodded, then left the room, leaving Kallen and Lelouch alone. They both knew what needed to happen, but she knew that Lelouch didn't want to do it.
(Lake Kawaguchi, 17:54)
Cecile put on her headset with any uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Those teenage hostages are friends of yours from school aren't they?" She waited for an answer, but Suzaku didn't say anything.
Instead he stared at the now visible moon, a glimmering rock floating around in space. To Cecile, the moonlight had always meant hope. Sometimes you couldn't see it, but you always knew it was there. "They're still negotiating the terms, so let's not give up hope."
Suzaku looked up higher at the building, not even giving her the sideways glance. "I have faith in the system. I prefer the logic of systems over individualist emotions." Because I know that emotions alone will make you do the wrong thing. I've seen it, and done it as well. Guilt washed over Suzaku, drowning him in angst. But that's why I'm here. To change the system from within, and make it better.
Cecile sighed. At this rate, he'll be dead by the end of the month. He shouldn't even be in the military. He's still just a boy, no matter how you look at it. Maybe that's why Princess Euphemia told us to… Her train of thought was shattered when she saw that Suzaku's expression had become grim.
Suzaku stared at the horrific sight with a blizzard blasting down his spine. "Ms. Cecile, look." was all he could say before the fear tied up his tongue. He shuddered, his eyes began to twitch, and his legs became lead. And all he could do in that situation was watch in terror.
The news reporter reactivated her camera, and began to broadcast the events. "Situation changing!" was all she could say as horror swept through the bodies of everyone around.
Suzaku's eyes widened to their greatest extent as he saw them hold a women against the edge of the roof. "Oh no, don't do it." He cried, though he knew they couldn't hear him, nor would they care if they could. His heart sank deeply as they threw her off the roof, eventually landing dead. "Ah! Nooooo!" He couldn't stand it.
Kusakabe's voice began to be heard over the airwaves, with Cecile listening in closely. "Our demands have gone unanswered. Therefore, we will throw one hostage from the roof every thirty minutes until our terms are met. For the sake of the hostages, negotiations better be in good faith."
(Inside Cornelia's AG-1)
Darlton slammed his hand against the wall, completely enraged at what the terrorists were doing. "This is their warning? Barbarians!" He roared. Damn it. If only Princess Euphemia wasn't in there right now. Then we could just destroy the place, call the hostages martyrs compensations to their families. He told himself without a second thought.
But with her inside… he slammed his hand against the desk once again, pissed beyond hell at the terrorists who call themselves Japanese.
Guilford leaned over to his Princess, and began to advise her about the situation. "Milady, for now, we could negotiate just to get the women and children out." He told her, even though he already knew how she would respond.
Cornelia stood up, making sure all attention was on her. "Forget it! If you give in to their conditions even once then you're simply legitimizing terrorism." She proclaimed, even in spite of Euphemia's presence
Darlton immediately turned around, looking at the Viceroy with uncertainty in his eyes. He knew that Cornelia has always had a strong affection for Euphemia, but he had always hoped that she would be able to shove it aside and do what was right for Britannia. "Then do we use force?"
Guilford shot his eyes like daggers, all fired straight at Darlton in an instant. "We would pursue that course of action after we secure the safety of Princess Euphemia." He informed him.
Cornelia could barely stand, her heart in complete chaos. She neede to get to Euphie, but if she made a move, they'd most likely kill her and Cornelia. Damn Elevens! Her eyes began to sting. She hadn't felt this way since Saitama. Euphie... I won't let them take you away from me. Not again! She promised.
Guilford's eyes averted to the outside monitors, and his eyes widened extremely. "Viceroy, it's Zero!" Instantly, she gaze shot up, her eyes full of rage and hate. She stance became stable, and she proceeded to exit the vehicle. "Get the Knightmares ready!" She ordered. "I'm killing Zero myself."
(Inside the station's van)
As they approached what could've been there final moments, Ohgi looked at Kallen, and even though it was hard to see with his visor on, he could tell she was struggling. He looked back at the road in front of him, seeing the Gloucesters and Sutherlands ahead of him.
"Hey Kallen, when Zero went off about you being more capable than the rest of us, I believed him. But how about you?" He asked her directly, his eyes in that pathetic puppy dog routine he had when he faced certain death.
Kallen froze, her heart feeling like cement. But she concentrated, then willed herself to speak, even if it was a whisper. "I don't know." After everything that happened, I still can't decide how I feel about him. After all the victories, the tragedies, all the lies and deaths he caused, I still can't decide if I hate him or if I love him.
Meanwhile, in the back of the van, the other Black Knights began to talk among themselves. Kallen had to keep her eyes forward to drive, so she could only guess who was talking back there.
"I'm just wondering, why didn't we use the other vehicle?" One voice stupidly asked.
"Oh so you want the whole world to see where we hide out, huh?" Another voice, probably Yoshido, responded angrily.
"Point taken." She said, finding the mistake in asking a stupid question.
A third voice, most definitely Inoue, began to speak rather boldly. "I don't know about this Zero character, you think we should trust him?"
"No, that's why I said he looks shifty to me." Izumi said, with a clear frustration in his voice. "But if anything goes wrong I'll do something about it."
Kallen knew how they felt. When the whole thing began last time, she was about as pissed as any of them. But after everything that Lelouch and her had been through, she trusted him completely. If only we had the chance to… She snapped back to reality, and hit the brakes enough to stop them
"ZERO!" A voice called out. Kallen knew that voice quite well. Out of the corner of her eye, Cornelia and her royal guard came in front of them. "Come to assist the JLF, or have you come here to mock me again? Regardless, I will kill you where you stand. For my brother Clovis, and for insulting the name of Britannia!"
Zero stood there, glancing over the only person who would let him pass. He took in a deep breath, and began his performance "You intend to shoot me? We both know what happens if you do. Besides, why kill the only person who could rescue Euphemia?"
Cornelia felt her mind snap, and she went ballistic. "You dare speak her name after that stunt you pulled! I'll kill you right here and..."
"It is within my power to rescue her. And if I wanted her dead, I would've done so when she was in my custody." Zero lied, knowing full well of her awareness of that situation.
"You never had her in your custody, you filthy swine!"
"And yet she returned to the Bureau at the designated time, didn't she?" Lelouch implied, knowing that Cornelia wasn't wanting to listen. Or rather, she doesn't want to be fooled again. "It's within my power to save Euphemia for you."
Cornelia gritted her teeth, her rage now out of control. "You will not lay a hand on her!" Her finger was now urging Cornelia to fire the gun, and take her vengeance.
"If I do not save her, who among you can?" Zero told her, knowing full well that the JLF had already located her.
Cornelia wanted to shoot him until his body was nothing more than a pool of blood and torn skin. Her finger lingered on the trigger, every ounce of her being screaming at her to fire. But she was struggling to do so. For some damned reason, his words pierced Cornelia like a sword.
"Damn you Zero!" She screamed, cooling off instantly. "You win." She turned towards her guards, raising her hand, and gave them her orders. "Let them pass."
In that instant, the Gloucesters moved aside, allowing Zero to pass. Lelouch smiled, knowing that his bluff had worked not once, but twice now on the Witch of Britannia. He was indeed a master of deception.
Kallen let out a faint sigh of relief. She knew what was going to happen, but that knowledge didn't seem relative anymore. Ever since Saitama, I've been wondering: Is my knowledge of the future going to change anything? It was useless in Saitama, and in Zero's debut. She pondered, but shook those thought out of her head, and the Black Knights entered the hotel, ready to perform their first act as heroes.
(In the Special Corps' command center, 18:09)
Lloyd's eye's fired up with a bang as he answered the phone. "Wonderful! I want to thank you for that lovely order." He pressed the end call button, the twirled with absolute glee. "Ha ha ha! They said you've got the green light, Lancelot. You've orders to charge right into that linear cannon in the tunnel."
Cecile's also lit up, but with a sense of dread instead of excitement. "Wait a minute, you mean they're using him as a decoy to make an opening for them?"
"Yep, seems like they'll use the confusion to send in the royal guard." He answered, looking ready to say goodbye to Suzaku, but unwilling to let his poor Lancelot die.
Cecile put her hands to her hips, quite annoyed by the orders. "Seems like?! But Lloyd…" She froze, then noticed that Suzaku had put his hand on her shoulder. She then knew that he didn't mind.
As he removed his hand from her shoulder, he turned towards the Lancelot, and Suzaku felt his heart surge with courage. "Miss Cecile, I'm ready. Please let me do it." He begged, climbing into the cockpit. "If Lancelot and I are needed, and we're able to give the hostages an opportunity to be saved, then I'll do it. Even if it means being a decoy." He closed the hatch, and Lancelot hummed to life. I just realized something; I haven't piloted the Lancelot since the Shinjuku incident.
General Darlton came onto his frequency, and began to speak with his rustic voice, treating Suzaku like little more than an animal, forcing him to do what he was told. "Warrant Officer Kururugi, here is a guideline for your mission. According to the information we've gathered thus far, the hostages are located on the hotel's middle floor and believed to be locked inside a food storage room. The advanced prototype weapon, Z-01 Lancelot, will use the utilities tunnel to move under the hotel." He told them as Suzaku was lowered into the tunnel.
"Once in sight, you will destroy the foundation block and submerge the building. The area with the hostages should hold out for 8 minutes. Hostage rescue and mop up of the terrorists will be handled by other units. You will be using the VARIS to destroy the foundation. Set the Impact Rail to Anti-Material Level 3."
"Understood sir" Suzaku said as he nodded, preparing to save his friends, and himself, from the terrorists. Any ends gained through contemptible means are worthless. Therefore, I'm going to stop this senseless violence. He proclaimed, ready to use Lancelot to end the terrorists campaign of death.
Lloyd looked at Suzaku with his charismatic smile, showing just how insane he really was. "Well then, the only variable left to deal with is that pesky linear cannon waiting for you in the tunnel. Space is tight in there, the Lancelot will only have a 47.8% evasion rate."
Cecile looked at Suzaku with concern in her eyes. She knew that he only had a 12% chance of survival. "Are we really going through with this?" She asked, but knew what the answer was.
Lloyd merely smirked before he gave the obvious answer. "Yes" He turned back towards the monitors, and gave Suzaku his instructions. "Now Kugurugi, make sure you both pull out of there before it's too late. Lancelot might get wrecked otherwise, and that would be unacceptable."
Suzaku pressed his communication button, and responded to Lloyd. "Affirmative." Shirley, Milly, Nina, I promise I'll get you guys out. He promised them as he looked over at the picture he had taken. It was the one thing he made sure he put inside the Lancelot's cockpit the day before. It was a picture he took of with Euphie. And Euphie, I promise I'll live to see you again. He proclaimed to her silently, the fire of courage roaring in his heart and the Lancelot began it's launch procedure.
(Inside the penthouse suite)
Lelouch stood by the window, gazing at the colonel, just like he did before. "I see then. You have no intention of joining me?" He had known the answer to that before hand, but he had to state it to keep the original timeline, or whatever was left of it, intact. I can't just claim they committed suicide this time. Now that they are aware of my power, I won't be able to kill them just like that.
Kusakabe gave him a disgusted look, beginning to lose his patience with the masked man of mystery. "You honestly thought I would join you just because of that little stunt you pulled on Cornelia. Don't make me laugh. Now remove that mask and reveal your real face. It's disrespectful not to." He demanded.
Lelouch sighed at his incompetence, knowing that he would have to use his geass. He reached for his mask, but pulled it away, teasing them with it. "I understand Kusakabe, but before I do, I'd like to ask you something: What exactly do you hope to accomplish through terrorism?
Kusakabe grunted, annoyed by his nosey audacity. "You should know the answer to that. We want to gain attention. I want this world to know that the Japanese aren't dead yet." He told him, trying to resist the urge to run his sword through Zero.
Lelouch chuckled at this, seeing that he was nothing more than an empty shell on the inside. "How stale. You are obsolete and foolish to think that way. There's no saving you. Not even worth the effort."
A guard pointed his gun at Zero, but Kusakabe raised his hand, silently ordering him to hold his fire. "Explain what you mean by that, Zero." He demanded, gripping the handle even tighter.
Zero stood up, wanting to make his point quite clear. "I will only this once: Japan IS dead. To gain freedom, you cannot simply kill a few innocent people and expect to get a lost country back."
Everyone in the room gasped at what he had said, while Kusakabe growled at him, seeing Lelouch as a hypocrite. "And just what the hell are you doing then?! Answer me that, Zero!"
"I am looking to create a new country entirely. From the ashes of Japan, I will create the United States of Japan. But before I can do that, Britannia must fall. In order for that to happen, the terrorism must end. Take up thy sword, and fight for justice!"
The JLF members looked at each other with confused stares, while Kusakabe's gears began to grind. "That's ridiculous...no, it's preposterous!" He raged, seeing what he thought to be a true madman. "You really think we could stand up to Britannia like that? We'd be slaughtered!"
Suddenly, a knock was heard at the door. A guard checked who it was, then opened the door slightly. Immediately, the JLF member began to bark his report. "Colonel, I brought the hostage that I radioed about earlier. She claims that she's Princess Euphemia."
Kusakabe gave Lelouch a smug smile, feeling superior once again. "Well well well. What do you say to that, Zero?"
Upon hearing euphie's name, Lelouch's heart suddenly felt everything drop all at once. Everything that happened during the Special Zone of Japan flashed before his eyes. To see her again...Lelouch struggled, absolutely refusing to let himself cry. "Kusakabe, I wonder how should one destroy the world?"
"What are you, some kind of radical? Or perhaps an unusually lucky madman?" Kusakabe asked smugly. He glanced over at his sword, knowing that provoking him would make him draw that sword.
"I know how to destroy the world, for I have done it in the past. And now, I will do so again."
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
Lelouch activated his geass, opening up his mask simultaneously. "Now, I , Zero the miracle worker, command you. Now... all of you, die!"
Kusakabe eyes lite up red, completely under the influence of geass. "I understand. Troops, do your duty." He drew out his sword, preparing to commit seppuku as the soldiers put their guns to their necks. He raised his head, taking one last look at Lelouch. "Fire!" He ordered.
The guards stormed inside the room, and they were instantly horrified by what they saw. In puddles of blood, there was their Colonel Kusakabe and his bodyguards lying dead at their feet.
They began to panic, saying things like:
"The hell?"
"Colonel!"
"Ugh!"
Lelouch turned to the Japanese terrorists, lifting his voice in a mild yet confident manner. "Calm yourselves." He told them, trying to think of something to say to his Black Knights once the time came.
Euphie looked at her brother with a curious yet fearful stare. "Zero." was all she could say in the face of the man who had killed her brother Clovis, the man that had bested her sister Cornelia, and the man that used her to defeat Cornelia.
Lelouch knew what he had done, even knowing that the Black Knights would reprimand him for it. But even so, this was the only way to show the world that we mean real business. He turned to the JLF members, seeing that they had Euphie with him. His heart became like lead, hazardous and heavy. However, he refused to acknowledge his feelings, and kept his composure.
"The Colonel and the others committed suicide when they realized how meaningless this operation was." He turned towards his sister, who was looking more and more anxious. "Princess Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the commoners. Clovis nor Cornelia wouldn't have done the same."
Euphie looked at him with vengeful eyes. "So is that what this is all about? You lied about kidnapping me to spite my sister, used my absence at the Bureau to blackmail her just so you could get a message out, and now your going to kill me. Does that sum it up?"
Lelouch looked into Euphemia's eyes, seeing discontent and anxiety flowing through her. He was happy to see her, but at the same time, an invisible blade pierced his heart, and his mind went into complete sadness. He stood right in front of the only person who ever truly beat him after he took the persona of Zero. He was in the presence of the one girl who had given him a chance at heaven, but he was forced to send her to hell instead.
NO! He forced upon himself. My heart will not betray me again! Euphie I promise you, this time… He opened his mouth, and let his thoughts become words. "I will not harm you, dear sister."
"What?!" She gasped out, true horror filling her eyes.. But why would he… She caught a hold of an impossible probability. She couldn't decide what else to think, so she opened her mouth.
"Lelouch, is that you under there?"
He reached for his mask, already knowing that no one was watching them, and he was already certain that the security cameras were not functional, let alone turned on. He pressed the hidden buttons on his mask, and the panels began to retract. He pulled off the mask that carried the world's weight, and revealed his face to his long lost sister.
"It's been a long time, Euphie." He said with a smile.