"The hardest thing is to have something in your heart you can't say." James Earl Jones

The night was calm that night. The moon shone brightly as Lelouch and Zero ran through the docks that night. The Black Knights ran slowly behind them. They eventually ran behind a large steel door and waited behind them for Zero to give orders. While they waited for Lelouch's signal, the members checked their weapons. Zero pulled out his saber, but did not activate it. The light from the saber would reveal their location. Zero put his cybernetic ear to the wall.

"Even though they said it was for social security," A voice said. "It's such a waste to give this to the Elevens."

"That's why it ended up with you isn't it?" Another voice said.

Zero looked up towards the Black Knights and nodded his head. The Black Knights ran from the group.

"After all," Another voice said as Zero continued to listen. "It is better that the population of Elevens sinks."

"I'll have the money transferred to your wife's bank account." The first voice said.

Zero looked up to see the Black Knights in position. Zero sent a radar blimp to Phantom's built in HUD to begin the operation. Zero ignited the saber and prepared to go in.

"Princess Cornelia is a warrior." One of the men said. "She won't accept these kinds of acts."

Phantom pulled the power on the building. Zero could hear gasps and shocks of fear. The Black Knights moved in from the roofs. Machine gun rounds we're fired at the roof. Zero could hear the blood curling screams of roof guards. Zero cared not. He plugged his saber into the wall and began to carve through the warehouse. Once Zero had made a full circle, he pushed the section on the warehouse and dove in.

Zero looked through the mass of boxes and storage units at the men. Zero could still hear men from the outside being killed. Zero deactivated his saber and moved slowly towards the men. He made no large quick movements as he didn't wish to be seen. Zero could see Phantom on the ceiling. Zero gave a signal to Phantom to move on the left side of the men. Zero moved quickly and silently to the right; right before one of the men raised the circuit breaker, turning the lights back on. The men looked in fear as the Black Knights and several Reploids that followed them, Zero, and Phantom looked at them. Each one of the men looked at them with absolute fear.

"The…the…the..." One of the men said.

"THE ORDER OF THE BLACK KNIGHTS!" Kallen shouted in class.

Each one of Kallen's classmates looked up at her as Kallen emerged from her desk. She had been sleeping that whole day in class. Each one looked at her with confusion. After a few seconds, all the students began to laugh at her. Kallen looked around from her seat as she blushed. She looked at Zero's direction. He simply glared at her and simply shook his head in disappoint, but said nothing further on the subject.

"That's so unlike you." Shirley said minutes later after class. "Sleeping in class like that."

"I was a bit…" Kallen began.

"Why don't you become Lelouch's disciple?" Leval said. "He's a whiz at sleeping in class?"

Kallen looked towards Lelouch's direction. Lelouch was sitting in his desk with his hand on his head. He wasn't making any movements and his eyes we're closed. It was very unusual way of sleeping for he was sitting upright.

"That…that…that's him sleeping!?" Kallen said in surprise.

Zero went up from his desk and looked at Lelouch. Zero waved his arm in front of Lelouch. He then looked at Kallen and shrugged his shoulders before leaving the class.

"An impressive feat." Zero said. "He's probably conditioned himself to do this over years.

"I don't know what is with him…" Leval said. "But he slept through half the lesson."

Kallen continued to look at Lelouch. She had suspected him before as Zero. The day Zero made his public appearance; Lelouch had managed to cool her suspicion. Now he had reignited it. A little though.

Princess Cornelia had received a call from the home country and she was now forced to return back to the front lines on another country. She went to a military train station along with her sister to begin her return. Several large trains began to roll up into the complex as Cornelia began to bid her sister and X farewell.

"A battle has broken out at EU at the Almian front." Cornelia said. "That means we can't be held up here in Area Eleven. We need to return to our domestic affairs. That is why we must eliminate terrorist organizations. But the drug called refrain that is widespread among the Elevens is also a problem as well. Productivity has dropped because of it. We must eliminate the main transportation route to the Chinese federation. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Euphie said.

"You too." Cornelia said. "Stop going to the settlements."

"Sister…" Euphie said. "About the Order of the Black Knights…"

Cornelia made a small smile.

"I'll let them roam free for awhile since I owe them a favor for saving you." Cornelia said. "But when I return…"

Cornelia's face for a few seconds turned serious. She quickly however smiled again and put her arm on Euphie's face.

"I'll clean up this area before handing it to you." She said. "So don't do anything dangerous. Okay Euphie?"

Euphie looked at Cornelia and began to think back when she had first met Lelouch (Or Zero as she knew him). Lelouch earlier during the hostage crisis met up with her and had held a gun to her head. But then, before he pulled the trigger, he changed his mind and lowered it.

"The significance of Zero's words at that time…" She said to herself. "Does that mean he is going to continue? Suzaku…what do you feel about Zero's actions? And about me?"

X was high observant of the whole thing and noticed her lost in thought.

"Princess?" He asked.

"Ah…" She muttered as soon as X reminded her about where she was. "Sorry…I was lost in thought."

"X…" Cornelia said. "I am trusting you to protect my sister while I am away."

X looked at Cornelia and nodded, his chest now bearing both a silver star and legion of merit.

Kallen was tired throughout the whole day. She had barely been able to get to her classes with the amount of energy she had. Even though the battle of Reploid base was days ago, she had it still fresh in her mind. She had been losing a lot of sleep lately. And among other reasons. She stood outside the student council room.

"Living a double life is exhausting." She said.

"It's hard." Zero said as he walked up behind her.

"Zero…" She said.

"It's hard on me too." He said.

"Yeah well…" Kallen said. "You're a machine."

"Even so…" He said. "I've never tried sneaking around to this extreme. I'm already anxious to get back into battle. I'm a Maverick Hunter...built for war based purposes to destroy those when I am ordered to. Not some student in a lab to learn theories and concepts he already understands."

"Hey Suzaku!" Someone shouted in the room. "Over there! Over there!"

"Idiot!" Lelouch's voice was heard from the inside. "Don't do it Suzaku! Stop it! Stop it!"

"I'm sorry…" Suzaku said. "It's an order from the president…"

"You're smiling!" He shouted.

Zero and Kallen walked into the room and saw that everyone was wearing cat costumes. Suzaku and Leval had a full cat suit on. Shirley had on tight red shorts and a small tank top on. Her costume also had a cat tail and cat ears. Nina had on a cat mask. Millay wore a tight cat suit, and had makeup on. She also had on cat gloves and boots. They we're all busy forcing Lelouch into a cat suit.

"Huh?" Kallen asked.

All four council members turned around to see Kallen and Zero.

"Morning…nyaa." Millay said.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" Zero said.

"Didn't we tell you?" Leval said. "It's a welcoming party for Arthur."

Leval pointed to the left with his fingers (Or what he suspected his fingers because of the massive gloves). Zero saw the same cat that they had chased many days ago. It was sitting on a little desk in the room.

"This seems peaceful." Kallen said.

"This spells disaster." Zero said.

"We made a costume for you two too." Shirley said. "It's an apology for saying all those weird things to you the other day Kallen."

Kallen looked around as the entire council seemed to have a good time (except Lelouch).

"Kallen doesn't need a costume." Lelouch said.

Kallen glared at Lelouch.

"She's already as catty as they come." He continued.

"You should go on television." Kallen said. "You'd be a hit."

Irony.

"How was it Miss Television star?" Leval asked Shirley.

"Quit joking about it!" She shouted.

Zero remembered that Shirley was one of the few students who we're kidnapped at the hotel jacking. Obviously they had been hounding her still, even though the hotel incident was days ago. He had stopped one of the interviews, but they still kept coming.

"We are constantly hounded by people, and questions are still being asked; even if the bath." Shirley continued. "We can't even go outside the school."

"Media hounds." Zero said. "Don't they fell that they have acquired all the information that they need already? I would have expected them to do so already."

"So why aren't we allowed outside of school?" Leval said; referring to the people who we're not involved in the incident.

"It's a little thing called friendship." Millay said. "We may not be born on the same day, same month, or same year, but we hope to die on the same day, same month, and same year."

"What?" Leval asked.

"If one of us goes down," Zero said as he walked over by Leval. "We all go down together."

"Oh." Millay said. "You catch on quickly."

"That's cold Millay." Leval said.

"Meh." Zero muttered. "Doesn't matter to me. I could get out of here under all of your noses if I choose to."

"Well then...I suppose a little black mail is in order." Millay said, giggling as she did.

"Good luck." Zero said.

"She is really mean isn't she Suzaku?" Leval asked.

Leval looked at Suzaku with curiosity. Suzaku looked as if he was close to crying. Zero could see that Suzaku was breaking down.

"This is great…" Suzaku said, unable to keep himself together. "All of us together…this is really great…"

Lelouch smiled at this. He knew Suzaku had a bad past because of Britannia. And he knew he almost lost all of the people he now called friends. He was not surprised in the least.

"Hey now!" Leval said, jumping over the chair they had Lelouch tied down to. "We should be laughing now!"

Leval grabbed hold of Suzaku from the back of the neck, putting him in an arm-lock. Leval managed to use all of his strength and pulled Suzaku down to the ground. All of the people began to laugh and enjoyed the display.

"But that's the nice thing about Suzaku." Shirley said. "He always did say take atmosphere into account."

"I'm sorry." Suzaku said.

"Relax buddy…" Leval said as he still restrained him. "It's just a joke."

Everyone again resumed laughing.

"You guys are idiots." Zero said with a small smile on his face. "No wonder I can't get enough of all of you."

Kallen stood there and began to think back on all that had happened.

Ever since our grand appearance at the hotel jacking incident…the Order of the Black Knights was the first thing on everyone's mind. We, the Order of the Black Knights, based on Zero's proclamation, are allies of the weak. Terrorists who get civilians involved, tyrannical leaders, corrupt politicians, enterprises based on only making money, criminal organizations. We have eliminated all who cannot be punished by law.

Kallen held her thoughts there for a bit. She held them there until the evening where she walked home. When she saw three kids acting like Zero with capes, she once again continued to think back.

We quickly became heroes. Our supporters increased and we had Knightmares once again. Even the mighty machines called Reploids we're now ours.

Kallen stopped in the park she walked through as one of the children was apprehended by his mother.

"Don't say bad things about Britannia!" She said. "We're Elevens after all!"

Kallen looked at her with disappointment. She was saddened that even now things had not changed in the least.

Not everything goes our way though. Our leader, Zero, killed Clovis. There are a lot of people among our allies who wish to see his true face. I myself cannot deny this desire. We cannot however, force this action upon him. I fear he may vanish if he did. But Zero himself is not the only one who interests me. It is the Knight who stands in front of him; who is also named Zero. He appeared along with Zero, under the name of a man I knew as a friend: Zion Ishkowa. He is a Reploid himself as I know now. I spoke to many of the Reploids who we saved some time ago. They have given me many stories about Zero when he fought against a cruel régime similar to that of Britannia: Neo Arcadia as it was called. How Zero himself in a span of only two to three years crushed the whole city to the ground. But there's more to him than that. There has to be. Two Zeros, ruling the organization as one. One who fights with his mind, the other who fights with his blade. Everyone is assured they we already have victory. But even so, there are still questions that pop into my mind about this. But for now, we cannot do without both. Not while that machine fights for Britannia: Mega Man X.

Cerveau had made small lab table using some of the equipment that the Reploids we're able to bring along. Through the chaos of the battle at the base and in the confusion of the counter attack made by Zero, they managed to salvage tons of equipment. Cerveau's desk had much equipment, most of it too unusual to indentify accurately. There was a large laptop on the table, a printer and scanner. There was then many power tools, used for cutting metal and shaping metal. There were also many computer parts along the area and in boxes. Cerveau had his own little workstation to construct small arms for the troops. He also had another station which was the same as this one, but with bigger, more high grade equipment, which he used for larger weapon or part construction. The other Reploids had been doing work also, connecting the Black Knight HQ to their capsules they could find (which numbered only five), and setting up the transfer and radar device. Rouge and some of the other command Reploids we're setting up a server, while Ciel was preparing a database for the whole Black Knights squad.

Cerveau gripped the small hilt of a beam saber that he was constructing. Zero used his visor to look at the saber's internal components. Nothing was out of place. The lens and emitter we're all properly aligned into position. All he needed now was the Force Metal crystal. He reached into a box and pulled a small fragment of one out. Used a pair tweezers, he put the small fragment into small part of the hilt. He closed up the saber and pressed a button on the saber. The saber activated and emitted a bright white light. Phantom stood still behind Cerveau as he watched Cerveau do his work.

"It's done." Cerveau said as he looked at Phantom holding the saber.

"I see." He said.

"I know sabers are not your style, Phantom." Cerveau said. "But it'll serve you better than the steel of your katana."

"Did you fix it still?" Phantom said as he took the beam saber.

"Sure did." Cerveau said as he reached into his back and drew a Japanese style sword. Phantom promptly took the sword and put it in its sheathe. Phantom put the saber on his belt. Phantom then walked away from the area.

"A thank you would be nice!" Cerveau shouted.

Phantom ignored him as he walked away from the area. The other Reploids and Black Knights members continued their work. Ciel and Leviathan continued to work on the database as they spoke to each other.

"So I've decided to stay here now." Leviathan said.

"Really?" Ciel said.

"Yeah." Leviathan said. "Zero's cool and all to sleep next to, but Phantom is here now to talk to."

"Phantom huh?" Ciel asked as she attached a document to the database. "Seems so odd just to leave because he shows up?

"He was a guardian I didn't really know too much." Leviathan said. "Zero saw to that. So I'm going to use this opportunity to get to know him better. That way, me and him can coordinate better in a fight. So you get Zero all to yourself."

"Umm…thanks?" Ciel asked.

"Do you like Zero...in anyway Ciel?" Leviathan asked.

"Huh!?" She asked. "I hardly see how that is your business!"

"Ah-ha." Leviathan said, putting her finger on Ciel's lips. "I knew it. You overreacted to such a small statement."

Ciel turned away from Leviathan. Her face was beet red as she covered her face away from Leviathan. She stayed quiet for a small time before returning toward Leviathan again.

"It's true." She said. "I've always been infatuated with Zero. My mind has always been on him, every day in the resistance and every day here in Area 11. I really like him, but I can never get the words out. It's like I screw up each time."

"The hardest thing is to have something in your heart you can't say." Leviathan said. "I'm sure you'll find the courage one day."

"But he's a Reploid...and I'm...a human." She said. "Could...could such a thing even work?"

Lelouch walked out of the Ashford mansion early that next morning and began to head out. Leval was in front of the mansion, repairing his bike.

"Lately…" He began while he was fixing it. "You haven't been hanging out with us that much."

"Really?" Lelouch asked, his voice in a very lone tone.

"Yeah." Leval said. "Lately I have been seeing just you and Zion hanging out. You two have something your doing together?"

"Yeah...sort of like that." Lelouch said.

The Japanese Liberation front members we're again having a meeting to discuss about what had happened with the Black Knights and the rescuing of Euphie.

"Why are the masses supporting the one who rescued Princess Euphiema?" One of the members asked. "The Kyoto group is even planning to give the Guren MK II to the Black Knights."

"Why are we complaining?" Axl asked. "We know the Black Knights are against Britannia."

"That half-assed group?" One of the Four holy blades said. "They aren't even a resistance! The killing of Kusakuba proves that!"

"Hey that's all still in theory." Axl said. "Tohdoh marked him for death anyway. If Zero didn't kill him, I would have. Besides, they have a Reploid like me themselves. They don't need an army...well they do...but they could in theory end in the war if they wanted to."

"Are you sure?" One of the other four holy blades asked.

"Compared to him…" Axl said with a large smile on his face. "I'm Captain Dipshit."

"That's a bit embarrassing." Lelouch said to Suzaku as he, Zero, and Suzaku, cleaned up the Student Council room. All the cat decorations had been taken down and the long table had been returned to the room. "Crying over a situation like that."

"Well I don't know what you we're thinking Lelouch; but I was kind of scared about that whole ordeal." Zero said.

"Coward." Lelouch said.

"Eat me." Zero snapped.

"Just call me sentimental." Suzaku said.

Suzaku made a small gasp of pain as Arthur the cat was hiding in a box that Suzaku was putting stuff away in. The cat had this unusual desire to bite Suzaku as each time Suzaku tried to pick it up or go near it, it would break for his fingers. Suzaku pulled his finger out of the box and glared Arthur.

Why me?

"But regardless, that was still nice for those people to be rescued by the Order of the Black Knights." Lelouch said.

Suzaku got Arthur off his finger. He became deathly quiet for a little bit. Lelouch turned his eyes to Suzaku.

"If they wanted to do something," He said. "They should have waited for the police to go in. Why didn't they do that?"

"If that was the case," Zero said. "You'd be out a couple friends. The government wasn't doing anything, so they decided to step in...well...more or less they couldn't do anything."

"But even though they're bad now, that's all right as long as they change internally, right?" Suzaku asked.

"Maybe." Zero said. "Though I have yet to see this change you talk about it. If it's going to happen, it may not take place for years. Sometimes more radical steps are needed to achieve change."

"That's why they should have someone go on in the inside and change it from within." Suzaku said. "The Black Knights are just doing self-justification."

Suzaku couldn't see it, but Arthur was currently flicking around with his hair.

"Self-justification saved our friends lives." Zero said. "I wouldn't complain about what the Black Knights do. Not after that."

"What is this evil they speak of?" Suzaku asked. "It's just helping themselves."

"Maybe." Zero said. "Maybe not. Got to put yourself in your shoes before you go on accusing them. I'm not agreeing with them Suzaku...and yet at the same time I am agreeing. Perhaps they see something we cannot."

Zero got up from his chair that he sat in when Suzaku and him started talking and began to pick up the boxes that he was moving.

"Otherwise; you just simply form a bias. Look at things from all angles. And then among the kernels of deceit, a truth will arise somewhere."

"What are your views on it, Zion?" Suzaku asked.

"I'm indifferent." Zero said. "I'm not sure what to believe."

The door to the council room opened up. All three looked in its direction to see Shirley coming out.

"Oh." She said. "It's just you three."

Suzaku looked at Shirley and then looked at his watch. He nodded his head and got up from where he was.

"Well…" he said. "I have to get back to the army. Bye Shirley."

"Bye Suzaku." She said as the Eleven boy walked out.

Shirley waited until Suzaku was out of the room. She looked at Zero who got up from where he was and continued to pack up things and put them in certain sections of the room. Shirley took no notice of him. She was only in there for one reason. She went over to Lelouch. She took a deep breath before speaking to him.

"Hey Lelouch!" She started.

Shirley paused for a few seconds before continuing. She was obviously scared.

"How about…later…you know…me and you…"

"He said he needs to return to the army." Lelouch said.

Shirley stopped talking for a bit.

"Return to the army?" Lelouch asked. "Or return to where he belongs?"

That night, Ciel again slept at Zero's room in the Ashford manor. Both she and Zero we're watching a movie together. Zero stood in there wearing a small button up white shirt that he wore under his school uniform. He still had on the pants and stuff. Ciel simply wore a small white dress and she sat next to Zero. The straps of her bra could still be seen. Ciel and him we're currently watching a small horror movie together. Ciel was scared and clinging on to Zero. It was her fault entirely though. She was the one who wanted a rush tonight. The movie lasted a couple hours. Ciel the whole time clung to Zero's body. Zero stood still and held a blank look on his face. Nothing that he saw was something he hadn't seen before. Especially since he was the one who did it. When the movie was over, Zero went up and shut off his DVD player.

"Why do you humans like this?" He asked. "Exploring the complete insanity of another one of their species and watching them gut one another? Down right sick if you ask me."

"Some people regard it as a form of art." Ciel said. "I don't know why though. Psychology is not my field of expertise."

"It would have been more entertaining if the woman fought back." Zero said.

"Zero…" Ciel said. "Is fighting all you care about?"

"I'm a machine built to fight." Zero said. "It's hard coded into my data."

"Aren't there other ways to end conflict without bloodshed?" Ciel asked. "Haven't you thought about what comes after the fight?"

"You mean live a life?" Zero said. "I don't know how to. I've always lived a life of fighting. I wouldn't know how to. Even with the human simulation program, I find it difficult to adjust to such a life. If that were to happen, and total peace was achieved, I may as well return to the sleep I was put into."

"Why?" Ciel said. "Why does it have to be like that? Can't you be anything else? You hang out with those people you know at this school a lot."

"It's all clever acting really." Zero said. "I won't deny though that some of those people are my friends. But after this war, I plan on repairing myself and then rebuilding this country. After that, I'll simply wait for my services to be needed. I'm not a human. There's no way I can adjust to this life. It's very hard to do it now."

"But you have to try!" Ciel shouted. "You're capable of…"

Zero heard voices down the hallway. Zero remembered that Millay was having some sort of gathering and that people were there. They seemed startled at the fact and there was something going on. Zero listened to them down the hallway. They seemed to be heading to his room. They heard something going on the inside of Zero's room.

Damn it! She overreacted! That outburst she had was too loud.

"Zion!" Shirley's voice was heard. "Are you alright? Who's in there with you?"

Zero looked around his room. Ciel's clothing was all along the area. There was no way to put it all away. Zero needed to find a way out of the situation. He knew that he was nearby Shirley's dorm. Shirley and Leval knew just about everyone in the whole school. Ciel would be unrecognizable. Upon hearing them a bit more, he overheard them talking about checking on Zion's room. And Zero left the door slightly open.

Damn it…they're going to check on me. They're heard Ciel talking.

Zero looked around the area to find something. He already knew that Ciel and him would get in trouble from this. He needed a way to keep them from asking questions. He looked around the room and then looked at Ciel.

Without thinking as soon as the door began to turn open, Zero grabbed hold of Ciel in his arms. He lowered his head to hers.

His lips pressed against hers.

Ciel looked shocked beyond all belief. She didn't have any idea what was going on. She felt shocked, confused, surprised, and amazement. She had thousands of other feelings rush into her mind. Zero held his lips there. She stood there and continued to look shocked, before slowly closing her eyes. Shirley and Leval opened the door and became shocked at what they saw. Zero continued to keep his lips pressed on Ciel. Shirley and Leval gasped at this.

"Zion!" Shirley said. "We're so sorry! We'll come talk later!"

Shirley and Leval left the room. Zero stayed locked with Ciel's lips for two more minutes. Zero was at this time attempting to make sure that it was safe and that no questions would be asked, but for some reason, he couldn't think straight. His mind was racing around. He couldn't think at all. The more he tried, the more Ciel and him kissing reappeared. Feelings that he couldn't understand began to rupture into his mind.

He broke apart three minutes after Leval and Shirley left him alone. He and Ciel continued to stare at each other for about five minutes. Zero could not think at all.

"Well…" he said shaking. "We…we…should…probably get some…sleep."

"Y…y…yeah." Ciel said.

Both people departed then to their beds. Ciel fell asleep rather quickly, but Zero had his eyes opened wide. He couldn't believe on what he just did.

What the hell did I just do!? I didn't myself to do that! Something moved me forward! I know that something was me, but still! What the hell just happened! What's happening to me!? These feelings…I've felt them before…they're faint. But they're there.

Zero stayed up for two hours before going to sleep. Although he probably should have stayed up a bit longer. For when he went to sleep, his helmet that he left on his desk began to go wild. The jewel on the top glowed for a few seconds before emitting a screen. The screen at first was blank. Then out of the screen, a W appeared on the center. After which, the following prompts we're displayed:

Name: Omega Zero

Model: Version 1.0

Logon user: W

Omega boot up process initiated.

Progress: 0%

Checking required files:

Zero,sys…confirmed.

Weapyle,sys…confirmed.

Lesys,exe…confirmed

Dxdiag,exe…confirmed.

System128,exe…confirmed.

Omega,exe…confirmed

Zerosystem32,dll…confirmed.

Mavvir,dll…confirmed.

Mem,dat…confirmed.

All remaining start up files have been accounted for. Initiating POST test.

POST successful. No problems detected.

Progress: 7%

Users: Zero…disabled.

Omega…enabled.

W…enabled.

All users logged on.

Progress: 10%

System diagnostic beginning…

System diagnostic complete. No problems detected.

Progress: 15%

Checking for required file…

ERROR: Missing file is not found. Maverick,dat could not be located. Omega boot-up process canceled.

ERROR CODE: 23424

Canceling…

Awaiting action.

ACTION: LOGGING OUT USER: W

LOGGING OUT USER: OMEGA

No users logged in.

Enabling default user…"ZERO."

System Override shutdown…

The screen faded out of view and the helmet shut down completely. Zero took no notice to what had happened.