Chapter 8: Secret Agent from Kyoto

As Tamaki and Ohgi headed down to their escape points, one of them was showing concern over the overall from their recent battle with Cornelia's forces, with a crippled Guren accompanying their Burais.

"I'm a little disappointed with retreating!" Tamaki complained.

"At least we did some damage to them directly!" Ohgi summarized.

"Let's face it, Ohgi! We let the JLF deal with Britannia as their bait, giving us some time to make a run for it!" Tamaki smiled out of relief.

"Even so..." Kallen said before Ohgi finished her sentence for her.

"Yeah well, people are treated as if they're in a game of chess! I'm sure Zero wouldn't do that to us, would he? I don't want to believe that he's just using us and the Magic Knights as pawns, just to get Britannia's attention, right?! Due to his rage, Zero hates Britannia just as much as we do!"


Meanwhile on the other side of the forest near Narita, Zero's Burai was being pursued by the Lancelot from behind despite making his attempt of retreating. As the chase continues, Zero opened fire with his Assault Rifle at the Lancelot only to have both the Burai's arms get decapitated by the Lancelot's Slash Harkens. In return, the Lancelot fired a green projectile at one of the Burai's Landspinners with his VARIS, making it collapse onto its torso. As soon as Zero grabbed his mask, he activated the ejector seat, making his cockpit fly from the exploding Knightmare, plummeting to the ground, and skidded all the way up to a dirt mound. Just when Zero got out of the cockpit, he was met with the Lancelot standing right in front of him, pointing the VARIS directly at the masked figure.

"Special Corps Head Trailer! Going in for capture!" Suzaku announced through his intercom from inside the Lancelot's cockpit. "Zero, even though you saved many people and that they were supporting you from the shadows of Area 11, I still don't believe you're doing the right thing!"

Before either Suzaku or Zero could do anything, they both saw something appear between the two; something that was not expected to show up on the battlefield. It was C.C! As C.C approached the Lancelot, she makes her orders loud and clear in front of the white Knightmare.

"STOP NOW! Don't even think of hurting Zero!"

The moment C.C touched the Lancelot's leg with her left hand and her Geass mark on her head started lighting up, Suzaku started hallucinating through his sub-consciousness. The next thing he saw is that Suzaku sees the ghost of his father right in front of him. Feeling terrified, Suzaku started to panic not knowing what to do anymore. Before he knew it, Suzaku started to feeling scared, confused, and shocked as he sees his father approach him while glaring at Suzaku in anger.

"Father?! No! It can't be; you're already dead! I-I didn't mean to... I just!"


After Hikaru's friends finished covering her friends' retreat, she started to get a strange feeling after seeing the Lancelot on the battlefield more than once. When she got out of her Rune God to take a breather, in her mind, Hikaru could not help but suspect that whoever is piloting the Lancelot might be from someone very close at school. Before she could do anything, Lantis came by out of his Sutherland and walked up to Hikaru, as he started to express his concerns over the girl he loves.

"Hikaru, are you okay?!" Lantis asked, making the flame-haired knight snap out of her own thoughts.

"Lantis, I...uh..." Hikaru shivered anxiously as she turned to face her Magic Swordsman. "Well, I'm getting a weird feeling about that Lancelot showing up every time we tried to go after the Britannian forces."

"It's alright my dear," Lantis said, trying to calm the Knight of Fire down. "Whoever is piloting the Lancelot, we'll find a way to bring it down together. I'm sure Zero will figure it out; we just have to be patient!"

"Well, I don't understand why would Zero be so late in regrouping with us!" Hikaru continued before she started hearing random firings coming from the trees north of their position. "What's is going on over there?!"

"It may be that Zero is in trouble!" Lantis assumed.

"I'll go get him, then!" Hikaru suggested to herself as she went back inside her Rune God.

"Please be careful, Hikaru!" Lantis said in a worried tone. "The Lancelot might be there as well!"

"I understand!" Hikaru replied as she took off into the air and headed to the source of the firings.


Suzaku started freaking out after hearing all sorts of screaming and scary imagines flooding in his mind. The next thing that happened is that the Lancelot started shooting randomly all over the place that Zero and C.C are in. Unknown to them, it got Hikaru's attention from a couple of miles south of her position. As Hikaru took off to investigate the noise, she also heard explosions of dirt echoing somewhere in the forest.

For Zero and C.C...

"C.C, what's happening?" Zero asked in shock.

"Get out now...!" C.C shouted before she was met with a sharp rock piercing her chest. "UGH! GET OUT! HURRY!"

Upon getting struck by the explosion, C.C collapsed as she started bleeding from her chest due to wounds way beyond normal. As Zero carried the green-haired girl on her back, they immediately fled from the out-of-control Lancelot. After they disappeared in the forest, the Lancelot continued to keep firing blindly before Rayearth showed up. Upon seeing this, Hikaru felt confused on what is going on with the Lancelot. Not wanting to stand around, Hikaru's hand started emitting a yellow magical orb from her palm and with it, she casted a spell on the White Knightmare, unleashed a yellow ray of light. As a result, the Lancelot started getting zapped from the inside, making the Knightmare collapse onto its knees and then on its torso. For Suzaku, his eyes widened with terror and his teeth clenched in fear as he still held onto his controls with both of his hands but not doing anything. Overall, Hikaru casted a random stun spell on the Lancelot and Suzaku before she moved on.

"I don't know what just happened here, but I still have to find Zero before Cornelia and her men do!" Hikaru said to herself before taking off into the sky again.


After disengaging with Tohdoh and the Four Holy Swords, Guilford still couldn't stop thinking about Princess Cornelia's safety even after she was saved by Suzaku and the Lancelot. As Guilford fled the battlefield to help the Viceroy, Cornelia makes her announcement from her channel to have him relay her message to all remaining Britannian Forces.

"All units, prepare to retreat! There's no reason to waste the lives of anymore men here. Stay in formation and fall back cautiously! We all have to face the fact; for the first time in my campaign, we have been defeated!"


As the sunsets above the Black Knights and Cephiro's warriors, they all started cheering due to their victory against Cornelia and her forces.

"Since Britannia has its hands full with the JLF and the Magic Knights, they sure had it all coming, didn't they?!" Tamaki said as he congratulating Umi and Fuu.

"Thanks to them, we all had the chance to escape!" Ohgi smiled.

"Say, where's Hikaru and Zero?" Kallen said showing concern over the Fire Knight and the Black Knight leader. "I can't contact his Burai or her Rune God. You don't think they've been captured, do you?"

"Ms. Kallen, I'm afraid Ms. Hikaru went back to the area to find Mr. Zero!" Fuu said informing Kallen up front.

"Are you sure she can handle this?!" Kallen asked, concerning over Hikaru's safety.

"We know Hikaru, she can be reckless with her fights sometimes, but her devotion is very unquestionable!" Umi added. "She'll met up with us back at base as soon as she finds Zero!"

"I understand!" Kallen said as she looked down before taking a breather.


Back at the G-1 Base, Cornelia and Guilford disembarked their Knightmares inside the hanger and walked down with Prince Clovis in the hallways while discussing the results of their defeat.

"So Zero escaped again!" Cornelia summarized with what Guilford told her.

"When the JLF fought back and shattered our defenses, Zero slipped away during the confusion while the Magic Knights and the Elevens covered his retreat."

"How despicable. To think that he'll use the JLF and the Magic Knight Elevens to cover up his movements," Cornelia thought. "What happened to Warrant Officer Kururugi?!"

"When I went to secure Suzaku, he went berserk with his Lancelot until that red Rune God casted some sort of stun ability on him and collapsed on the ground before she fled back into the forest," Guilford added. "He's safe, for now!"

"Such a failure unworthy of being part of our forces!" Clovis said in disgust. "I still don't understand why would our sister even cared about that Honorary Britannian, he's still an Eleven anyway."

"But hey, you should be thankful that Suzaku saved my life back there when those two Eleven pilots almost finished me off from both my front and my rear." Cornelia said, referring to Suzaku's positive actions.

"What do you mean by two Elevens?" Guilford asked, confused.

"I heard that the Magic Knight inside Rayearth said that she was actually an Eleven too, just like the Black Knights are," Cornelia assumed.

"Does that mean those Magic Knights might all be female Elevens trying to rebel against us?!" Clovis asked with his eyes widened with surprise.

"It's possible, yes. But we still don't know their names yet!" Cornelia said, acknowledging Clovis theory. "We'll sent Viletta Nu to investigate this matter further before we will go in and capture those Magic Knights."


Meanwhile, at the other side of a town near Narita, which was undamaged by the recent landslide, a truck was making its way down the road when all of a sudden, a wounded Britannian Purist Member was trudging across while holding his injured right eye with his right hand while clutching on a 15ft tall stick. It was Jeremiah Gottwald who is barely alive after his previous defeat by Kallen and her Guren. As the truck stopped in front of Jeremiah, the driver started honking on his horn, telling the Purist member to move his ass off the street.

"I-I swear, I'm not orange!" Jeremiah wheezed as he turned toward the truck before he collapsed in front of it. "ZERO!"


Back at Narita, Zero fled into a dark cave to treat C.C of her injuries after dealing with the Lancelot. As soon as she wakes up, Zero was surprised that due to C.C's immortal state, she cannot die from wounds that are beyond normal, whether it is getting shot in the head or impaled by a sharp object. She still gets up after a few minutes of being unconscious. In Zero's point of view, there is some thing about C.C that are inhuman because she can actually recover from wounds that no one else could. To make matters even more stranger, the green-haired girl doesn't always go by the name of C.C. However, Zero never mentioned anyone else her real name, as he decided to keep it all a secret.

After a few hours from recovery, Zero fired a flare gun outside of the cave. From a couple of miles away, Hikaru spotted the flare coming from a medium distance somewhere at Narita. As soon as she landed her Rune God at the source of the signal, Hikaru spotted Zero appear before her, along with the mysterious girl that was accompanying him for a while back. Hikaru disembarked from her Rune God before checking up on Zero.

"Zero, are you okay?! The others went on ahead and..."

When Hikaru took a good look at C.C, she started feeling puzzled on what that mysterious girl is up to.

"Uh Zero, is that the girl who..." Hikaru asked before Zero answered her question.

"Yes, she's an important friend of mine! Not too worry, she also informed me about what you and your Eleven friends are usually up to in Cephiro." Zero responded before facing C.C. "I don't know why snow is white, but I think it is beautiful."

"I see." C.C responded peacefully.

"Let's go guys, we have to make our way back to base without attracting any attention." Hikaru told Zero.

Upon hearing Hikaru's suggestions, Zero accompanied her back to her Rune God. As soon as Hikaru embarked inside Rayearth, Zero and C.C went up to Rayearth's hand and stood on top his shoulder before flying away before disappearing into the night sky.


Several days after the battle at Narita, the Britannians confirmed that most of the JLF were wiped out and that they're concentration on going after the survivors from the battlefield. However, because of Britannia's losses over Cornelia's army, she could not help but show concern over the death of so many of her soldiers at Narita. To make matters worse, the officials at the Britannian Government Bureau also claim that the Black Knights' actions at Narita also gave most of the Elevens more confidence in fighting back; not to mention that the Black Knights and their supporters took over the subways in Area 11, due to Clovis' lack of control at Shinjuku Getto and for his failure of capturing Zero and the Magic Knights, much to the 3rd Prince's fear and anguish.

"As the rebellions spreads unchallenged, we lost control in most of the areas at Shinjuku and all-around that city!" One of the representatives informed.

"If only we were able to get close to those wretched Magic Knights..." Clovis muttered in annoyance.

"I'd say we try to send in Cornelia's forces to block all subway systems and flush out those wretched traitors all at once!" Another Representative suggested.

"However, we don't have the budget to carry out such decisions as this!" The 3rd Representative protested.

"Are you kidding me?!" The 4th representative snapped in denial. "The terrorists are using the subways as their strike bases and escape points. We can't let them get away with this."

"Well, if we keep pushing them like that, they'll eventually start fighting back like there's no tomorrow!" Clovis added in. "It will also encourage the Chinese Federation and Cephiro's Alliance to gain another chance to attack us! Did you guys get the data that we sent you about the Magic Knights defending Cephiro against us?!"

"Yes, well we still don't know their strengths and weaknesses yet!" The 3rd Representative said in disappointment. "If the armies of Cephiro enter in our world, there will be chaos when the Black Knights pave way to them before fighting against us in this 3-way uprising!"

"They already had their excuse. Since the Magic Knights still remain at large, Zero and the Black Knights get stronger everyday as part of their allegiance!" Cornelia informed the Britannian Representatives.

"Viceroy, I received intel from Narita that a group of Elevens were self-governing Area 11; they're known as the NAC!" Darlton explained to Cornelia and the representatives. "Unfortunately, most of the documents and evidence revolving around the NAC are buried underneath the landslide."

Upon hearing what Darlton said, Cornelia felt puzzled about where to go at. Until the Britannian Minister protested that their is no evidence for the rumors that the General is elaborating. He also states that if the NAC is taken down, it may cost the Elevens their economy as well as losing their tax revenue being sent to the Britannian Homeland.

"Did any of you find any intel on where can we find the Black Knights and the Magic Knights?!" Cornelia asked intensely.

"After unearthing the area at Narita, we believed that Zero is behind the incident at Narita. Though, we can't find any information from our dead soldiers." Minister explained, much to Cornelia's and Clovis' disappointment over his incompetence.


After making their way back to their underground HQ, Hikaru, Umi, Fuu, and Kallen stored their battle gear and their mechs in a safe, hidden place before heading back to the Ashford Academy to start another day in studying. As for Shirley, she could not stop thinking about what has ever become of Lelouch when Kallen first attended the school. In the student council office, President Milly is starting to show concern over Shirley while looking at her envelope.

"Hey Shirley, is something wrong?!" Milly asked as she looked over her laptop to face Shirley. "Are you constipated over something else?!"

"Well uh, no I-I," Shirley protested in embarrassment.

"Oh I get it, you're lonely because Lelouch keeps disappearing isn't he?!" Milly assumed, making the orange-haired girl blush.

"I don't understand why Kallen and Hikaru are both absent on the same day he is!" Shirley said in a depressing tone of voice.

"Well, Suzaku is also out for two days because of what happened at Narita!" Milly added. "The Magic Knights also struck again, this time they fought Cornelia's forces without holding back; it's as if they're fight with such relentless, unpredictable methods!"

"I know, but with those two women and LuLu gone on the same day? That's ridiculous. It's as if he doesn't care about me anymore and just started flirting with more women out there, leaving me all alone without a care in the world!" Shirley complained, while Milly said giggling out of amusement.

As Milly got out of the table, she started to embarrass Shirley even more by spouting out all more romantic, flirtious speeches in front of her face, making Shirley blush out of annoyance. The next thing that happen is when Milly started laughing out loud while Shirley stood there unable to do anything else but stare at the ground.

"Even at school, we should prepare for our future as well because nothing will stay the same for long you know!" Milly suggested. "Well, just don't take any of it too seriously. If it's still bothering you, why don't you go talk to Lelouch or Hikaru for once to see what they're both really up to?!"

As Shirley looked up to face Milly again, the Madam President turned to face her right. When the door slid open, Lelouch appears right in between Milly and Shirley, much to Shirley's surprise.

"Lulu! I thought you were absent. And where's Hikaru?!" Shirely said, shockingly.

"She has some more things to take care of outside of the school and wants me to go on ahead!" Lelouch explained nonchalantly as he approached the table. "Nunnally is running a fever and Sayako was busy so I stayed home to help."

In the student Council, Lelouch is proclaimed as the vice-president working alongside Milly Ashford during his School years in the Ashford Academy. As Milly carried out task for Lelouch to do, he accidentally took Shirley's envelope which is on top of the papers that he made off with before leaving the Council Office. The moment Lulu left the office, Shirley noticed that her tickets are missing. Without sitting around, Shirely left the office to get her tickets back from the vice-president.

"LULU WAIT!" Shirley shouted in a panic while running down the halls to catch up Lelouch at the school's main entrance. "Stop Lulu, don't leave me behind! LULU!"

"What is it Shirley?" Lelouch asked, being dumbfounded.

"Is my tabs mixed up with your papers?!" Shirley said, exhaustedly.

"Oh, I had no idea! Sorry about that!" Lelouch said as he handed Shirely's tickets back to her.


Inside the school library at night after school hours, Zazu invited Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu to a private computer room that they have reserved a few days ago by the approval of the librarian. As soon as they went inside, Hikaru locked the door behind them while Umi and Fuu closed all the windows and drapes around them. After the room is secured, Zazu turns on the computer and inserts his jump drive to look at the files that he has uncovered from the Britannian Empire. In just one minute, the main screen reveals a smaller screen that displays the overview of a large complex that shows Britannian flags posted in the courtyard, with one huge Britannian Emblem shown on the floor. Up ahead of the flags and the floor emblem, there is another building made out of blue, silhouette walls. It is known as the Britannian Government Bureau. Before any of the Magic Knights undercover as Ashford students could say anything, Zazu starts explaining what he also learned from the Holy Britannian Empire.

"Okay guys, what you all see before you is the Britannian Government Bureau of Area 11, located in the Tokyo Settlement! From all the sources and data I've gathered, the Britannians are using the Sakuradite that they have harvested from Mount Fuji, to harness electronic energy to power up a huge gateway that is leading back to Cephiro. It is shown on the left side of the Bureau's main building!"

"I know what you're thinking, Hikaru!" Umi said sternly at the knight of Fire. "But we need to carefully plan this out with Zero first before we could strike at them."

"You've got a point there, Umi!" Zazu said before continuing with his personal speech. "That place will be crawling with not just Britannian soldiers, but also another special task force called the Glaston Knights. They'll be lead by General Darlton if their situation becomes critical because of us and the Black Knights."

"So if the time comes, we'll strike down from the skies while the Black Knights keep them all at bay?" Fuu asked.

"Why of course, Fuu. However, we still have yet to wait for reinforcements from the NSX and from the rest of Cephiro's Unified army!" Zazu acknowledged. "I've received word that Geo and Rakshata are developing some C4 explosives on board the NSX. As soon as our battleship arrives above the skies in Area 11, one of us needs to plant the explosive charges on the gateway during the final battle against Britannia. We'll set off the charges with our detonator onboard the NSX once we evacuated Area 11 through Cephiro, along with as many Black Knights and our forces as much as possible."

"Do you think Mr. Zero will get all of this down when the time comes?" Fuu asked with determination.

"Well, one of us needs to distract the Lancelot and Viceroy Cornelia first before setting up the charges at the gateway!" Zazu suggested. "Their defenses will activate if we get too close to them while going on foot. Our only option is to fly above the Bureau during the confusion."

"But what about those who weren't able to reach our escape point in time?" Umi asked in a worried tone. "Even if we did manage to secure the Bureau, Cornelia may request reinforcements from the other areas outside of Area 11."

"We may have two hours to do this before then," Zazu said to Umi.

Before anyone could say anymore, Hikaru's cellphone started beeping from the inside of her pocket. As soon as she picked it up, Hikaru notices that the caller is none other than Zero. Just when she held it up to her ear, Zero started speaking to her while Umi, Fuu, and Zazu listened very closely to what the masked hero has to say.

"Hikaru, we received an invitation from the Kyoto group, requesting a direct meeting with you, me and the rest of the command staff of the Black Knights. They promised us power to cover up all finances when recruiting people to join the Black Knights, as well as giving with intel about Britannia from within. Meet us next morning at out base. We'll be waiting for you there!"

"Understood, Zero," Hikaru said, complying with Zero's request.

"Are you sure he doesn't want the rest of us to meet up with the Kyoto group as well, Ms. Hikaru?" Fuu asked, concerning over one of her best friends.

"We don't want to get anyone our attention, Fuu. So, by going with them, it may bring less heat from the public. I'll just use my pillar magic to hide myself and Rayearth while going around Area 11," Hikaru said in a confident tone.

"Just try to be careful out there!" Zazu told Hikaru. "There's no telling what this Kyoto group is planning for us!"

When Hikaru went outside and summoned her Rune God outside of the School Library during nightfall, Rayearth appeared in silence as Hikaru casted an invisibility spell over him before embarking. As soon as she went inside her Rune God, Hikaru flew off into the night sky unable to see herself during her flight.


Earlier in the morning, Zero hitched a ride in a black limousine along with Kallen, Tamaki, and Ohgi. As they headed for Mt. Fuji, they were accompanied by an invisible Rayearth. Despite Hikaru flying above them undetected, she was able to quietly announce her presence in front of Zero before they moved on ahead. Unfortunately, Tamaki is getting restless while inside the vehicle.

"Man, this is taking too long. How much further?"

"Stop your whining, Tamaki! You're embarrassing," Kallen said in annoyance.

"W-What the hell?!" Tamaki startled as he felt a bit of rumble coming from outside of the limousine.

The next thing that happened is when their limousine started going up the elevator. After it stopped, the driver came out and opened the door to let Zero and his commanders out of the vehicle.

"Sorry it took so long." The driver apologized. "The Master is waiting for you."

As soon as Zero, Tamaki, Kallen, and Ohgi came out of the vehicle, they also heard another thump right behind them, startling a drive a bit. The sound came from none other than Rayearth, who finally came out of his invisibility spell and stood in a calm posture. When the three Black Knights turned to face the window, Tamaki came up to it only to see a large, wide view of the Fuji mines down below, much to his shock.

"Is this the Fuji mines?!" Ohgi exclaimed in surprise.

"This is not possible!" Tamaki said in denial. "How could we even be here?!"

"It has to be Mount Fuji!" Kallen said trying to confirm the place that they're in. "There's only one mountain ever to exist in all of Japan."

"You mean the Sakuradite is actually below us, the very same resources that made Britannia declare war here?" Tamaki asked in shock. "They'll execute all intruders here!"

"The Kyoto Group must be amazing to hide in a place like this, as well as keeping their power all the way to here!" Ohgi thought before the room turned into dark-red, prevent anyone from seeing outside of the building.

"It's repulsive!" The mysterious man spoke behind Ohgi, Tamaki, Kallen, and Zero.

As all four people and the Rune God turned around, they see a man sitting in a criss-cross position while hiding behind a curtain that is covering up his face. In both of his hands, the unknown man is carrying a wooden staff. Two guards dressed in tuxedos and black glasses stood in-between the man. The mysterious man continued to speak through the curtains.

"Mount Fuji is a sacred mountain that used to be known for its clear water and beautiful serenity. But now it is bent to the Britannian Empire's will, where they turned that place into a hideous violation. It hurts me to the core of my very soul. I apologize for not showing my face, but I see that your face is hidden as well, along with the unidentified knight from the New World. You will both show me your true identities because therefore, I want to see if I can trust you both to bring down the evil Empire.!"

When the mysterious man pointing his staff at the Rune God and Zero, four of Kyoto's Knightmares appeared from both sides of the room that they're in, all armed to the teeth with their assault rifles. Without hesitation, Kallen steps in front of Zero, trying to defend him against the mysterious man's doubts.

"Please wait, everyone! Zero and the Magic Knights gave power to achieve victory over Britannia and..."

"SILENCE!" The man snarled. "Which one of you is Ohgi?!"

"Here!" Ohgi spoke, announcing his presence to the man behind the curtain.

"You remove Zero's mask and have the pilot come out of that strange Knightmare!" The man ordered.

As Ohgi removed Zero's mask, it reveals to be none other than Lantis, the magic swordsman of Cephiro but this time without his black armor and cape. Upon seeing this, the four Black Knights were all shocked that he isn't Japan or Britannian.

"Lantis?!" Tamaki exclaimed. "Why are you...?"

"It's not Zero at all, guys!" Kallen explained. "This man is a native warrior from Cephiro: Sir Lantis the Magic Swordsman. Several Cephirian natives are helping the Magic Knights and our people in saving Japan from Britannia. He's also the one who is aiding Lady Hikaru on the battlefield at Narita back then."

"Is this true, Sir Lantis?" The man asked. "If so, then what do you speak of this Lady Hikaru of the Magic Knights?!"

"It is! Hikaru happens to be a very important friend of mine!" Lantis spoke in calm voice. "We have both came a long way and have been given a great honor, she and I. Since she helped save my homeland from destruction, I'll do whatever it takes to save hers in return. I'm sure you're also risking everything to achieve such a dream. Isn't that right, Taizo Kirihara?"

Upon hearing the identity of the man behind the curtain, both of his guards were startled as they attempted to draw out their guns.

"Anyone who can identify the man's name must die, regardless of what country or world they're from!" One of the guards snarled.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Tamaki shrieked, along with the shocked Black Knights. "I've got nothing to do with this, honest!"

Before any of Taizo's guards or their Knightmares could fire any shots at the Black Knights or Rayearth, the Rune God summoned a magical light screen that temporarily blinded the guards. At the same time, one of the Knightmares fired its Slash Harkens at the other two on sight, disabling them both simultaneously and knocked the last one that was right next to him with a Stun Tonfa. Just as the guards regained their eye sight , the rogue Knightmare went up to the front with its Assault Rifle pointing at them. As soon as the cockpit opened up, the real Zero came out.

"You're soft and your methods and thinking are outdated, that's why you'll never win!" Zero spoke in a stern voice.

The moment they saw Zero appear, Lantis smirked while the Black Knights were all standing there completely stunned. For Taizo, he clenched onto his staff while grunting underneath his breath after hearing Zero's speech.

"When did he? How did that Knightmare?" The guard asked, while under confusion not knowing what to do anymore.

Just when one of the guards pointed his gun at Zero, the second guard ordered him not to make any sudden movements because he noticed that Zero could still fire the Knightmare's weapons with a separate remote. As Zero landed on his two feet, he approached Taizo and announced his background fearlessly, with both the hijacked Knightmare and Rayearth blocking the Black Knight's line of sight.

"Taizo Kirihara, founder of the Kirihara Industries that is known for Monpolizing Sakuradite Mines and Former Key Member and Supporter of the Kururugi Regime until Japan fell. When Japan was taken over by Britannia, you evaded their presence by collaborating with Japan's Colonial Rulers. Now is known as Kirihara the traitor. In truth, you were one of the leaders of the six Kyoto Houses, the resistance groups in Japan and a double agent."

"ENOUGH!" One of the Guards shouted in anger for letting Zero defile his leader out in the open. "SHOW SOME RESPECT TO THE BOSS, YOU SCUMBAG!"

"Stop! All of you!" Kirihara ordered his guards.

"As for me, Kirihara, I'm not actually Japanese!" Zero said, clarifying his ethnicity.

"What?!" The Black Knights muttered in unison. "Does that mean he's actually a Britannian, seriously?"

"Well, that is one reason why Zero will not show his face!" Hikaru explained to the Black Knights while still inside her Rune God.

"If you're not Japanese, then why do you fight for them as the leader of the Black Knights?! And why did you recruited Lady Hikaru and the Magic Knights to fight for your cause?!" Kirihara asked in a serious grunt.

"I wish to see the destruction of Britannia!" Zero answered.

"And to free Cephiro from suffering from any further wars!" Hikaru announced as she finally came out of her Rune God, followed by a red light shinning from Rayearth's center orb.

The moment Hikaru Shidou appeared before Kirihara and his associates, they couldn't believe that one of the Magic Knights is actually a young girl in her mid-teens. This time, she had her red cape covering herself, with her right arm and shoulder plate being exposed. Upon seeing them in person, Hikaru stood there undaunted and fierce beyond all emotions. Before anyone could say anything, Kirihara is able to refer Hikaru back all the way to her childhood before she became who she is right now.

"I know you! You used to be one of the top students at the Shidou Kendo school rivaling against Tohdoh's students 10 years ago."

"Yeah that's right, Lord Kirihara!" Hikaru spoke calm as she acknowledged the Kyoto agent's revelations.

"You've grown quite into an elegant young woman, Hikaru!" Kirihara added. "Though, I never thought you'd actually do more than just display an attraction through such a lovely appearance, even through your sparring with Suzaku Kururugi!"

"It was nothing," Hikaru smiled as her face made a small blush on her cheeks. "I was grateful that after the invasion, you were able to let me and my brothers live with you to help rebuild our Kendo School after Britannia took away my mother and father to serve under them as their slaves in exchange for our lives. And now, this may be my only chance to repay you."

"I see," Kirihara said in relief. "So, what path do you wish to take as a Knight serving under a country that's not your own?!"

"I choose to go down a path where I can fight for what I believe in and to serve and protect my family and all the people that supported us and my fellow Magic Knights!" Hikaru answered with full determination. "By doing so, I was able to grant myself powers that are way beyond Britannia's comprehension and a living weapon that is similar to that of a Knightmare Frame."

"Then, it seems that you have finally grown up before anyone in Japan even knew it," Kirihara grinned. "I can't say that I'm disappointed. HAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm sure that your brothers and your parents will be very proud of you for what you have become."

"Yes, but I don't want them to know about what I've been through yet; Not until when the time comes!" Hikaru suggested to herself, despite being flattered by Kirihara's speech.

"That's fine with me, Lady Hikaru!" Kirihara said. "Now then, I must speak with Zero next, if you please?!"

"Yes, my lord!" Hikaru acknowledged as she took a bow before making way between Kirihara and Zero.

"Now Zero, do you believe that you can put an end the Britannia Empire with the aid of Lady Hikaru of the Magic Knights?!"

"I can because I have reasons that compel me without any doubt!" Zero said with full confidence as he took off his helmet with both of his hands. "I'm actually glad that I'm dealing with you. It's been a long time, Lord Kirihara!"

"No way, is that really you?!" Kirihara said as his eyes widened when seeing Zero's true face behind his curtain. "It's been eight years since you and your sister were brought before the Kururugi Family, with both received as hostages."

"Yes, I was grateful that you were taking care of me, Hikaru, and her brothers during that time too," Lelouch spoke with satisfaction.

"If I wasn't able to meet you and Lady Hikaru tonight, will you both be planning to take the messengers of Kyoto as hostages?!"

"Of course not, we came for a request to aid us in the battles that lie ahead in Cephiro and in Area 11!" Hikaru answered.

"So, the flower planted years ago has finally started blooming!" Kirihara laughed. "Hikaru! Ohgi! I believe that this man known as Zero is really a true enemy of Britannia. I urge you both to keep his face hidden at all times. In return, I'll deliver you two intelligence and strategic support on the battlefield against the Britannian Empire."

"Yes, my Lord!" Ohgi and Hikaru both responded in positive unison.

"Thank you, Lord Kirihara!" Zero said, accepting Kirihara's complements before putting his mask back on.

"One more thing, Zero!" Kirihara said before asking Zero one last question while raising his curtain to see him. "By obliterating Britannia, are you heading towards the path of blood?!"