Do Something, Do It Stupid

by codegeassfan123

Everyone knows about the Britannian Imperial Family, even Lady Marianne's deceased children have their place in history. Yet everyone often forgets about the one prince that left Pendragon 7 and a 1/2 years ago, and that's the Dimwitted Prince, Joseph Du Britannia. Now that he's crossed paths with his brother on a highway in Area 11, there's no telling what adventures might ensue.

35. New Little Bro!

2011

A man and his bodyguards were leaving a building when they suddenly approached by a 9-year old Rolo.

"Huh, a child?" The man said in confusion.

Rolo activated his Geass, took out a gun, and shot the man through his throat, who just stood there frozen in time.

"That's right. I can't remember how many people I killed. Nobody counts the number of times they brush their teeth or eat a meal, same with this. My Geass is suited to assassination. That's what I was told. So I kill. There was no other place for me."

...

2017

Geass Order

Rolo sat inside a healing pod of sorts as he looked at a picture of Lelouch and he was communicating with someone.

"An undercover operation, I'll be playing someone's little brother? Are you sure this is the right assignment for me? I've never known any parents or family. So it doesn't seem…No, if that's the order I'm given, then my big brother shall be Lelouch Lamperouge." Rolo told the mysterious person on the other line.

What he didn't see was five small children around the corner, looking at him and listening to his conversation with curiosity.

...

2018

Chinese Consulate

"I came here to kill Zero." Rolo declared, only for his phone to ring. As he reaches into his pocket, the soldiers cocked their weapons. "It's my cell phone. Nothing else." Rolo reassured them as he answered his phone.

"Rolo, are you okay?" A voice asked on the phone, a voice that belonged to:

"Lelouch!?" Rolo asked in surprise.

"Thank heaven. I was getting really worried because I couldn't get ahold of you. You are not hurt, are you? You're somewhere safe, right?" Lelouch asked in concern.

"What's going on here? Is the Zero making the speech right now a different person?" Rolo thought to himself in confusion. "Big brother, where are you right now?" He asked.

...

Ashford Academy

Gym

"Me? What are you talking about? Especially since…" Lelouch asked in confusion before having his phone taken by Villetta.

"Hello, Rolo. It's me." Villetta said.

"Huh, Ms. Villetta?" Rolo asked.

"Lelouch came back to school. And he's making up all the classes that he missed. You should get back here soon, too." Villetta informed him.

...

Chinese Consulate

"...Yes, ma'am. I understand." Rolo conceded, ending the call.

"Well then, are you finished with your phone call?" Xingke asked.

"It seems all my business is finished here." Rolo said as he walked away, his phone and his birthday present from Lelouch in his hand.

...

That night...

Kallen was watching the news from their living quarters.

"The ragtag remnants of the Black Knights and the man claiming to be Zero are currently hiding in a section of the Chinese Federation consulate. However, there's no cause for alarm. Acting Viceroy Guilford has taken command of the army in the absence of wounded Viceroy Calares." A female reporter said.

She heard the door open and saw Zero and Joseph enter the room.

"You have the town jumping, Lelouch." Kallen said with a smirk.

"Naturally. A new nation has just been created in their own territory." Zero said as he took off his mask, revealing it to not be Lelouch, but instead C.C. "And not to mention of course, that it also just declared war on Britannia." She said as she put the mask down, and saw Kallen looking at her with surprise and confusion. "What's the matter?" She asked.

"When did you two switch places?" Kallen asked.

"Before the speech." C.C. told her.

"Little bro back in school. Gotta keep undercover." Joseph told her, last part with a whisper.

"His voice was rerecorded. The moment 'he' appeared, it was already me, just like in a magic show." C.C. explained.

"Or visual effects!" Joseph added.

"You planned it on your own. We don't like it when you keep secrets from us." Kallen said with annoyance.

"'We' don't like it? You mean 'you' don't like it, do you?" C.C. teased, making Kallen grunt.

"Now girls, no fighting. Only celebrating." Joseph mediated, before jumping onto the table. "'Cause, weeeeeeee...DID IIIIIIIIIITTT!" Joseph screamed happily at the top of his lungs. "We did it, we did it..." He chanted as he clapped his hands.

Then he took both Kallen and C.C. and engulfed them into a hug.

"Lelouch back, baby!" He said with glee as he swung them back and forth.

"Alright, Joe. Calm down a bit." Kallen couldn't help but chuckle, happy to see him so happy.

"Please, before we get air sick." C.C. complained.

"Now just gotta help new little sis and friends!" Joseph said.

"That'll be more difficult. I was only able to undo the Geass put on Lelouch because out of our contract." C.C told him.

"There be solution! Gonna find!" Joseph told her.

"I already tried once when you asked me to and it didn't work. At this point, the only person who can undo it is your father." C.C. told him.

Joseph looked down in disappointment, Kallen put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Joe. We'll get their memories back eventually." Kallen reassured him.

Joe smiled at her and grabbed her hand in gratitude. "Yeah we will!"

However, they didn't realize Urabe was listening in on their conversation on the other side of the door.

"Geass?" He asked himself.

...

The Next Day...

Ashford Academy

Student Council Building

The student council gang, minus Rolo, were in the kitchen, getting their celebratory lunch ready.

"Lelouch, open the oven!" Milly ordered.

"Yeah, yeah." Lelouch said, taking the cake out.

"Put the gelato on another plate. Oh, and add the rosemary to the sorbet. Then add the dill to the sauerkraut. The black forests cake needs-" Before Milly could spew more orders, Shirley swatted her on the back of the head.

"Madam Prez, stop making Lelouch do everything! He's not a miracle worker!" Shirley complained as she went to Lelouch's side to help him out.

"Yeah, Why do you only keep asking me to help with all of this?" Lelouch asked, though a bit surprised by Shirley's forwardness.

"Sorry. We didn't have a choice. Rivalz has no sense of taste." Milly told them as she rubbed the back of her head before getting awkward. "And Shirley, well, you're usually..." She started to say.

"...Not the most focused person in the world." Lelouch finished for her.

"Well, I decided to change that. After the scare you and Rolo gave us, it's clear I have to keep you two out of trouble!" Shirley lectured as she waved a frosting spreader at Lelouch's face.

"Uh, sorry for worrying you, Shirley." Lelouch said apologetically.

"My, my. Looks who's taking the reins in this relationship." Milly said teasingly.

"Prez..." Lelouch and Shirley muttered in annoyance.

They noticed they said this at the same time and blushed.

"President, can I ask something? Lelouch asked, wanting to get off the subject

"Certainly, although I may choose not to answer you." Milly told him with her devilish smirk.

"So today, we're celebrating Rolo and me coming back alive?" He asked.

"Of course! You two escaped that terror attack still intact." Milly said happily. "Shirley was practically out of her mind, poor girl." She teased. 'Oh, if my Lulu has been killed...' She started to imitate.

"I was not!" Shirley complained with a red blush.

"No, but you did run off to your room after Zero's comeback. Didn't come out for the rest of the day." Rivalz said, that was news to Lelouch.

"Is that true?" Lelouch asked.

"Uh, well...I couldn't help but imagine the worst. That you and Rolo would be gone, never to see you again." Shirley said sadly, Lelouch looked at her with regret.

"Shirley...you were the first person I told my identity to. Both as a prince and as Zero. You accepted me despite my flaws, despite the fact I almost killed your father and almost got you killed as well. You were my confidant, the shoulder I could lean on. I swear, I will make this right." Lelouch thought determinedly.

To which Lelouch took her in his arms, surprising her and the group.

"I'm sorry Shirley, I'm truly okay. Me and Rolo are going to be fine." Lelouch reassured her.

"You better!" Shirley said as she returned the hug tightly.

"I wish I could tell you everything, Shirley. Damn the consequences." Lelouch thought regretfully.

"Awwww, how cute. You two are so perfect for each other." Milly said with her signature grin.

"(Sighs) You're too much." Lelouch said tiredly.

"Hey, where is Rolo anyway?" Rivalz asked.

"I spoke with him but you know, the boy is a lot more sensitive than his older brother." Milly said.

"That's partly why he doesn't have any friends, isn't it?" Rivalz inquired.

"Well, I think he's just quiet." Shirley said, a small conflicted tone in her voice.

"And what about Joseph? Have you heard anything about him and his condition back in the homeland?" Lelouch asked.

"Unfortunately not, poor guy, been a whole year and we still don't know if he's awake. Or if he even knows what happened to his sister." Milly said sadly, Lelouch had to hold down a look of shame at that.

"Funny that you bring it up, I actually heard a rumor he was spotted back in Babel Tower." Rivalz said.

"Oh come on, Rivalz." Milly dismissed.

"I'm serious!" Rivalz argued.

"Well, wherever he is. I hope he's in good spirits." Shirley said sweetly.

"Strange. Nobody remembers anything about Nunnally but they remember Joseph just fine. Could it be Suzaku never mentioned he was here? Or maybe dearest father didn't think he was even worth erasing." He thought bitterly. "My little sister has been replaced by a pretend little brother. I wasn't the only one whose memory was rewritten. Entire student council has been manipulated with as well. How dare they…" He thought angrily.

...

While they were doing that, Rolo had other priorities.

He went down an elevator that went underneath the school, swept his key card that opened a door, which lead to the control room that had multiple cameras across the campus and where Villetta and OSI officers sat at a table, discussing the subject of Lelouch.

"Even after the Babel Tower incidence, Lelouch Lamperouge has shown no special changes." An OSI officer said.

"There are 180 cameras on campus, as well as 47 undercover observers." Another OSI officer said as he saw Rolo, who was now sitting down on the couch and saw him look at the present Lelouch gave him. "That's 48 observers" The officer said with a distrustful tone. "We found no clues or information that could connect Lelouch with the destruction of Carthage's unit." He continued.

"Surveillance is perfect. He has no opportunity to use his Geass. If he is Zero, it would be odd if he returned here to the school." Villetta said.

"And what's the status of C.C.? Where is she?" Rolo asked emotionlessly.

"If she is not in close proximity to Lelouch, then the odds are very slim that she would be in a consulate." Villetta said.

"You mean things are the same as they were before the incident. You have still no clue where C.C. is." Rolo said.

"Those of us in the Office of Secret Intelligence will carry on our mission to capture her. People, continue observing the bait as you have been." Villetta ordered.

"Yes, My Lord." The OSI soldiers said as they rose form their seats

What they didn't see was Joseph's spirit watching them with narrow eyes.

"Then nerve of these people, calling my brother 'bait'." Joseph's spirit muttered angrily. He then looked at Rolo with a curious eye as he watched him hold the heart-shaped locket given to him by Lelouch.

...

Lelouch walked the hallway, gathering his thoughts.

"The enemy's center is where their surveillance data is transmitted. I can just keep acting the way I have been but the problem is Nunnally. The fact that all memory of her has been erased from everyone's minds tells me she would never show up here at school. And knowing she's still in Pendragon doesn't make the situation any better. I'm dealing with the man who'd use his own children as pawns. If they learn that I've regained my memories and that I've reverted to being Zero, Nunnally would be in danger. I have to plan my movements carefully. First, I'll trick the people they have been spying on me." Lelouch calculated before a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Lelouch, make sure you come to class tomorrow. You hear?" Villetta instructed as she and Rolo approached him.

"Yes, I hear you. Coach Villetta, you really should have more faith in me." Lelouch said cheerfully. "Villetta Nu, a woman I once used my Geass on. I can use my Geass power on a person only once, which means it won't work on her anymore. That leaves my brother Rolo, who shouldn't even exist. Why don't I begin by gradually subduing him?"

...

Italy

Italian forces were taking down Sutherlands one by one when all of a sudden, the Lancelot flew in and landed right in the middle of the forces.

"Please surrender. You have no chance of winning. Anyone who throws his weapon down will not be shot." Suzaku told them through his speaker.

They responded by aiming their guns at him.

"Then so be it." Suzaku said as he went through the knightmares line they were nothing.

Meanwhile in the Naval ship by the shore.

"Allowing him to conduct solo operation, are you sure? Kururugi used to be your subordinate, your Highness." Kanon asked of his prince.

"He's now the Knight of Seven and reports directly to His Majesty. He has been elevated in rank. He's to be admired. The world today is overflowing with despair. That's why he uses his humility and sense of duty as a compass to guide him through these dark times." Schneizel told him.

...

Ashford Academy

Lelouch looked through old photos throughout the year. One was during a sports competition, one was during Halloween, and a couple were during Christmas.

"Nina's gone, too. I wonder if Suzaku took Arthur with him." Lelouch wondered.

Suddenly Rolo came into the room.

"What's up? How come you looking through the album? Hey, that's the student council marathon dance file isn't it?" Rolo asked.

"You know the Prez, she runs us ragged with all these events she likes to put on." Lelouch said tiredly.

As he clicked onto another photo.

"Oh, that's the broken heart contest." Rolo said, Lelouch couldn't help but laugh.

"Talk about sad irony. The Prez dumps on Rivalz's heart then presents him with the award for winning." Lelouch said, Rolo couldn't help but look at him suspiciously.

"Weird, how you happen to escape? You heard the news, didn't you? Our military had Babel tower completely surrounded. So how did you do it? How did you manage to get pass them?" Rolo asked, trying to trap him.

"What are you talking about, Rolo? Do you want to know how I got away from the military or did you mean to say terrorists? I took an emergency corridor. I tried to call you, but my cell won't work in that particular area." Lelouch told him, surprising Rolo.

"...I see." Rolo conceded, Lelouch saw the locket attached to his phone.

"Locket. That's right. I remember giving it to Rolo for his birthday. No, that's wrong. October 25th is not his birthday. It's Nunnally's birthday." Lelouch thought angrily. "Rolo, why don't you give me that locket?" Lelouch asked in a friendly tone.

"Huh?" Rolo asked in confusion.

"I don't know what I was thinking. That's not a good gift for a guy. I'll get you something el-" As Lelouch tried to take it, Rolo suddenly clung it to his chest.

"Don't take it. You gave it to me. It's mine. Please don't, don't take it back." Rolo pleaded, as if his life depended on it.

"Uh, sure fine. You keep it then, Rolo." Lelouch told him, surprised by the reaction.

All of these was observed by Joseph's spirit, who looked at Rolo with a thoughtful look on his face and a thumb on his chin.

"Hmmmm...lightbulb." Joseph's spirit said with a smirk.

...

Chinese Consulate

C.C. and Joseph we're both sitting on the couch talking with both Gao Hai and Xingke. Well, C.C. was, Joseph appeared to be taking a nap of sorts. Urabe was also there.

"I can drag out the extradition negotiations with Britannians. I think I might be able to buy us up to a week." Gao Hai told her.

"That's not nearly enough time as we need." Urabe muttered in distress.

"I'll report that to Zero. As for the Chinese Federation government…" Before C.C. could continue, Kallen came barging in.

"C.C, I was just thinking. Wouldn't it've made more sense for you to play the bunny girl?" Kallen complained as she walked up, not realizing they had company.

"Uh...Kallen." Urabe said awkwardly as he turned away due to her appearance.

She looked down and realized she was only in a towel, as she had just came from her shower. She screamed in embarrassment and quickly ran back behind the wall.

"Zero is a girl?" Gao Hai asked in shock.

"Correct." C.C. told them, making Urabe gape at her.

"I'm not Zero." Kallen said angrily.

"Oh, you let on too soon. You have no sense of humor, do you?" C.C. quirked.

"Now's not really the time for jokes, C.C." Urabe sighed.

"Don't play around with Zero." Kallen argued.

"We can see you." C.C. told Kallen as her towel was slipping, who screamed again and covered herself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Kallen Kozuki. You are the pilot of the Guren Mk-II, right?" Xingke asked, surprising Kallen.

"How did you…?" She asked.

"I'm someone who takes in avid interest in you people." Xingke told her.

"One more thing, is your friend here dead?" Gao Hai asked, referring to the "sleeping" Joseph. "He hasn't moved it at all since we got here."

To which then, Joseph's body let out a huge:

*FAAAAARRRRRRTTTTTTT*

Joseph then let a sigh of relief and smiled.

The people there had their own set of reactions.

Urabe looked at him with arched eyebrow.

Gao Hai covered his mouth and nose and muttered: "Oh my..."

Xingke stared at him with unamused eyes.

Kallen groaned tiredly.

And C.C. scooted away from the spot she was sitting and said with a deadpan: "Does that answer your question?"

...

Ashford Academy

"Ah, that felt so good to get out." Joseph's spirit said with a relaxed tone.

Suddenly a broadcast from the computer Lelouch was using came on.

"Can you hear me Zero? Listen closely, I am Lord Gilbert G.P. Guilford, knight of her Royal Highness, Cornelia li Britannia. Beginning tomorrow at fifteen hundred hours, these two and fifty six special class-A felons, who are guilty of treason against the empire will all be executed for their crimes. Zero, if you value the lives of your people, then you will face me, one on one in an honorable duel. If you'll not…" Guilford announced over the news as it showed the Black Knight members, including Ohgi, Tohdoh, Chiba, Asahina, Senba, Tamaki, Sugiyama, and Minami being lined up for execution, outside the consulate.

"Sensei!" Joseph's spirit said in worry.

"Guilford, you've really gone and done it now." Lelouch thought angrily.

"Damn it, if Lelouch doesn't show up, he'll surely kill them. But how on Earth can he get there without drawing suspicion from the people watching him?" Joseph's spirit wondered.

They then heard Shirley come in.

"Lulu, are you in here all by yourself?" Shirley asked.

"Shirley? Don't you have swim club now?" Lelouch asked.

"Yes I do, but you see, I have to go shopping because I have to buy a birthday gift for Ms. Villetta." Shirley told him.

"Coach?" Lelouch asked.

"Ugh, Vile-etta..." Joseph's spirit said bitterly.

"Problem is I'm incredibly impaired of picking out presents. She seems to enjoy liquor so I could buy her that, but I don't know a brand she likes." Shirley said quizzically, before turning her attention back to him. "Lulu, maybe you can go with me?" She asked.

"Huh?" Lelouch asked in surprise, not expecting that.

"You know about that stuff better than I do, you can help me select a present for her." Shirley suggested.

"Taking the initiative. Good work, new little sis." Joseph's spirit said with a smirk and thumbs up.

"I certainly didn't expect that from Shirley. Prior to Babel Tower, she was always afraid to ask me to do anything. Maybe the incident really did out that side I've come to know from her. Either way, this works out perfectly for me." Lelouch thought to himself, before smiling at Shirley. "Yeah, I can help out with that." He told her, now that actually surprised her.

"Y-You would? Seriously?" Shirley asked in shock.

"Sure, you ready to go?" Lelouch asked.

"Yeah." Shirley said excitedly.

"Alright! Little bro and new little sis out on a date!" Joseph's spirit cheered before realizing something. "But wait, what about Sensei and the others? He's got to a find a way to save them without those stupid spies letting on he remembers! But maybe he realizes that, I saw that look in his eyes, he was calculating the situation like he always does. And there's also Rolo to think about..." Joseph thought to himself, a hand on his chin as he did his own calculating. "I think this calls for some Mission Impossible-style cunning."

...

Omotesando Mall

Lelouch and Shirley entered a wine store inside the mall.

"Hum, I've learned about wines but never tried any." Lelouch said.

"How about this stuff?" Shirley asked, pointing to chardonnay.

"Maybe those are too sweet. How about a Sopron." Lelouch suggested as he picked up a bottle. He then looked in the reflection of a mirror and saw Milly, Rivalz, and Rolo spying on them from the bushes.

"Just as I planned, although I didn't think they bring Rolo, too. Typical of Milly." Lelouch thought in annoyance.

Meanwhile, from their perspective.

"What a great topic for a next meeting of the Society of Research on Male-Female dating." Milly said excitedly.

"Um…right." Rolo said, unsure of the situation.

"Yeah, but is it fair for him to follow his own brother?" Rivalz asked.

"You're as interested as we are, aren't you? She may end up being your family member." Milly told him happily.

"...Family…" Rolo said quietly. The word sounded so foreign to him, but so right as well.

As Lelouch and Shirley walked out of the store, and the student council group followed them, a female spy of the OSI observed them from afar.

"Target is taking assumed route 'Zebra'." The OSI spy said quietly.

...

Ashford Academy

OSI Surveillance Room

While they were at the mall, Villetta and her group of OSI spies were observing things from the mall cameras.

"Roger. Switch off with group 7. Group two, watch for contact with C.C." Villetta ordered over the her comms.

...

Omotesando Mall

"Yes, My Lord. Cleaning the perimeter." The woman said, getting up from seat.

Only to be hit with a piping hot cup of coffee due to someone crashing in her.

"AAH!" The woman yelled in pain from the hot coffee.

She looked to see who bumped into her. It appeared to be some janitor, wearing a grey long-sleeved buttoned shirt, black pants, a baseball cap, gloves, and some thick-rim glasses.

"Oh dear! Oh geez! So sorry, ma'am!" The janitor said apologetically. "Allow me!" He said quickly as he took a napkin from her table and started to roughly wipe her down. "Here, here, here, here..." He said as he wiped her chest, arms, and even face. And it was starting to get on her nerves.

"Enough already! Get off, you idiot!" The woman said angrily as she pushed him off and went on her way.

"Sorry!" The janitor said again.

"Omega-8, what's wrong? What happened?" Villetta asked over the comms.

"Apologies, My Lord. Some moron spelt his coffee on me." The woman said.

"Shake it off and focus. Don't lose sight of the target." Villetta ordered.

"Yes, My Lord." The woman complied.

While that was happening, the janitor turned a corner and took out the key card that he swept off the woman.

"Thank you Kal Pal for those tips about disguises." The janitor thought with a grin as he shook his booty back and forth in delight.

...

Lelouch was looking at some phones.

"They specifically set a trap at Babel Tower. Which means my enemy isn't the settlement's viceregal government. Well I can't tell for certain who's watching me. The system itself that they are using has flaws in it." Lelouch deduced.

...

OSI Surveillance Room

"If he is Zero, he won't ignore the execution of his people tomorrow. Maybe his memory truly hasn't returned." Villetta thought as she continued to observe.

...

Omotesando Mall

"Excuse me, how do I fill this part out?" Lelouch asked as he was filling out a form, getting the clerk's attention.

"Pardon?" The clerk asked as he looked up.

He saw Lelouch with a purple contact on his finger and red in his eye.

"Sorry, but could you do me a favor, please?" Lelouch asked.

...

(Flashback)

Babel Tower

"Since you are unable to control your Geass, this is for your protection." C.C. told Lelouch as she handed him a small container.

"It only has to block optical data, so a normal color contact lens would work fine." Lelouch deduced.

"Don't try to prove for information. As you've already guessed, you're holding a special lens. Although, should your Geass grow stronger than what you have now…" C.C. lead on.

"We'll just have to end this game before that happens." Lelouch told her.

(Flashback End)

...

Omotesando Mall

"Sure, what can I do for you?" The clerk asked, red around his irises.

"Well, it's like this." Lelouch said.

...

A few moments later, Lelouch came out of the shop and saw Shirley listening to some music.

"Oh you're back!" Shirley said happily as she took of the headphones and approached him.

Lelouch looked at another mirror and saw the trio still following him. A subtle rueful look on his face.

"It's my fault. My fault that Shirley's memories were wiped. Milly and Rivalz, too. Their memories rewritten without their consent. I just can't let things go the way they are. When this is all over, I swear, I'll give back what was taken!" Lelouch thought determinedly.

"Hey Lelouch, I was wondering..." Shirley started to say.

"The Prez and others are following us." Lelouch told her.

"What? Where?" Shirley asked in surprise as she looked around.

"Shirley, I thought of a terrific idea." Lelouch told her, confusing her.

...

Him and Shirley entered a clothing store.

"Target entering store, Alpha-14. It's a small shop. There's a risk I'll blow my cover if I follow." A male OSI spy said.

"Cover the front of the place. I'll send three people to cover the rear." Villetta said through the comms.

Inside the store, Lelouch and Shirley went to the fitting rooms.

"OK. All I want you to do is pretend I'm in here for a while." Lelouch instructed.

"What are you going to do?" Shirley asked in confusion.

"I'm going to sneak out of the store and surprise the Prez and others." Lelouch told her, showing a disguise from his briefcase.

However, Shirley just looked at him in further confusion.

"What's wrong?" Lelouch asked.

"N-Nothing! Sorry, I gotcha." Shirley said quickly, breaking out of her thoughts. She giggled nervously and closed the curtain.

Lelouch was perplexed, but decided to push it to back of his mind as he had to focus on his main objective.

"I don't normally shop here. I hope they don't have any surveillance cameras or microphones. Shirley thinks this is only a harmless prank. Even on the off-chances that something goes wrong, I won't cause any trouble for her. I used my Geass to make the preparations." Lelouch thought meticulously as he changed into his disguise. "Now all I have to do..." He thought as he conntected his phone to a jammer, and dialed a number.

"Hello, Omotesando Mall Security. May I help you?" A mall security guard asked on the other line.

"Yes, good afternoon. This is the Black Knights calling." Lelouch said.

"Huh? The Black Knights?" The mall security guard said in surprise.

"We have planted a bomb in the mall and we will detonate it if all our following demands are not met immediately." Lelouch said with a smirk.

...

Some time later...

OSI Surveillance Room

Rolo ran from the elevator, he came in a hurry after that terrorist alert at the mall and Lelouch was nowhere to be found.

"What's his location?" Rolo asked, only to see the room empty. "No one's here. Where are they?" He asked himself.

Only to hear the sound of a gun cocking behind his head.

"It seems they've gone looking for C.C." Lelouch said smugly from behind him.

"I see. You really have awakened." Rolo said in acknowledgement.

"I put the man who was following me under my absolute control and turned him into my slave. Just as I thought, your top priority was the capture of C.C. No matter how wrong the information is that you get. As of this moment, this gilded prison of a school will become my castle, my fortress of freedom. And as for you, dear brother, I'll make you my pawn to find Nunnally." Lelouch told him viciously as he removed his contact to use it on him, except something happened.

Rolo was no longer there and his gun was no longer in his hand. "What?" Lelouch asked in confusion, only to hear the sound of the gun cocking at his head instead, being pointed by Rolo. "Geass?! You stopped time?" He said in shock. "So he was the one in the Golden Knightmare."

"Lelouch, now you and your demonic eye will die." Rolo said without a hint of emotion, slowly pulling the trigger when suddenly...

They both heard the door open.

"Alright! Feet on ground, hands in air, wave around like just don't care!" Joseph shouted as he strutted his way into the room, and then he jumped onto the table. "For Super Coat Man, is here!" He proclaimed as he turned around and saw Lelouch and Rolo looking at him with very surprised expressions on their faces.

"Prince Joseph?!" Rolo thought in surprise.

Joseph on the other hand was just confused. "What I miss?" He asked simply.

"Joseph! He has a ge-" Lelouch tried to warn him, only for Rolo to activate his Geass and stop him mid-sentence.

Joseph was surprised at first, but then he smiled in excitement.

"Oh! That you in gold robot!" Joseph realized excitedly.

"(Grunts) How?!" Rolo said angrily as he pointed his gun at Joseph, not understanding why his Geass wasn't affecting him.

He fired but Joseph swiftly dodged the bullet, he jumped from the table and landed right in front of the shocked Rolo.

"Sorry, new little bro." Joseph said apologetically as he punched Rolo in the face. Hard enough to knock him out but not enough to send him flying into the wall.

"-ass!" Lelouch completed his warning as the Geass turned off, only to see the change of the situation. "Huh?" He said in confusion.

Joseph on the other hand, was just snickering. "You said 'ass'"

Lelouch couldn't help but sigh tiredly.

...

Chinese Consulate

Suddenly there was an explosion at the consulate.

"Zero! Emergency! The Chinese Federation just-" A Black Knight tried to warn, only for Xingke to subdue him and point his sword at him.

"Here and now, you accursed Black Knights will be vanquished." Xingke said angrily.

...

OSI Surveillance Room

After Lelouch got done tying Rolo up with his jacket, he turned his attention to Joseph.

"That was too close. How did you know I would be down here?" Lelouch asked.

"Oh, didn't. Coming here anyway." Joseph said casually with his dopey smile.

"...Beg pardon?" Lelouch asked, not sure if he heard that right.

"All part of plan! See, used ghost powers, saw 'thinking face' on you when Shirley invite to mall. Figured also plan to break chains from bad guys. So, meet half-way!" Joseph explained cheerfully as he took at the key card he got from the OSI spy. "Got key card from spy and came this way." He explained.

"And what exactly was your plan?" Lelouch asked, afraid to actually know.

"Sneak into school, use secret elevator, come in room, make self known, beat up bad guys, tie up, wait for you, surprise you with room, then Geass bad guys to leave alone and not spy on anymore!" Joseph explained proudly.

Lelouch looked at him flabbergasted, it wasn't too far from the plan he had.

Except for one flaw that is.

"So, out of these 'bad guys', I'm guessing Villetta was going to be one of them?" Lelouch asked.

"Right." Joseph said happily.

"And you know I already Geassed Villetta, don't you?" Lelouch asked.

"Right." Joseph repeated.

And you are aware I can only use my Geass on a person once, right?" Lelouch said, really trying to imply the scenario.

"Right." Joseph repeated, still not getting it.

Lelouch had to suck in his lips from aggravation as his eye twitched.

"So what were we going to do with her if I'm not able to use my Geass?" Lelouch asked through gritted teeth.

Joseph opened his mouth to answer, only to realize the problem. "Ooooh..." He said in realization.

"Yeah. And if you were planning on being here before I got back, why are you just showing up now?" Lelouch asked.

"Oh, number two." Joseph explained as he pointed his thumb to his back side. "Mom says, always wash hands after." He instructed as he showed off his clean hands, not stained with his "number two".

Lelouch sighed and shook his head. "Well, I suppose it worked out either way." He said in acceptance as he turned his attention to the still unconscious Rolo. "Now, when he wakes up, I can turn this imposter into my puppet." He said with a smirk.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back up pal! No mind controlling new little bro!" Joseph scolded him as he got in front of Rolo.

"Wha-'new little'...you have got to be kidding me?!" Lelouch asked, already not liking where Joseph was going with this.

"Part two of plan. Recruit Rolo on good side!" Joseph proclaimed, pointing his finger in the air.

"You can't be serious! He was selected to spy on me for a months!" Lelouch said angrily.

"Exactly." Joseph said with a knowing smile.

"...Yes, exactly." Lelouch said, not sure why Joseph thought that was a good thing.

"Exactly." Joseph repeated with the same smile.

"Yes, exactly!" Lelouch reaffirmed his case.

"Exactly." Joseph said again.

"YES! EXACT-" Before Lelouch could further blow his top, he covered his face, took a deep breath, and exhaled into a calm manner. "Okay...why is this a good thing? He asked.

"'Cause, pretend at first. But real later on. (Points at Lelouch) Loves for real-sies, bro!" Joseph explained happily.

"He was about to kill me when you showed, he's a trained assassin." Lelouch said in frustration.

"But didn't, right? Acting on instinct, trained since child, nothing else. You brought out new things, likes new things." Joseph insisted, remembering what C.C. told him about the workings of the Geass Order.

"Have you ever considered he's just a really good actor?" Lelouch countered.

"Watch you two in ghost form many times. Eyes don't lie. Not when with council, not when cooking, not when making bed, not when in bed, not when snuggling-"

"Joe, the words you're using right now are more creepy than wholesome." Lelouch deadpanned in mild irritation.

"Or creepily wholesome?" Joseph countered with a smug grin, making Lelouch groan in annoyance.

"I swear, if this rebellion doesn't kill me, it's going to be an aneurism caused by Joseph." Lelouch thought tiredly, rubbing his temple.

On Joseph's end, he could see the wall barriers were breaking down, but he needed more of a sludge-hammer to really tear it down.

"Also, Geass very handy. Time-stopping superpower. So badass!" Joseph reasoned, Lelouch quirked an eyebrow at that.

"It certainly would be beneficial." Lelouch said in a calculated manner. "But it would certainly be easier just to place the Geass on him." He said.

"But not human." Joseph told him with a raised eyebrow.

"Human..." Lelouch said with a small chuckle. "Do I even fit into that category anymore...?" He asked himself.

And then he thought about what Shirley told him, "Nobody really learns anything through force do they?"

Before they could argue about it further, Rolo started to wake up.

"Uhhh...wha..." Rolo said groggily As his eyes adjusted to the light, he realized Lelouch and Joseph were looking down at him.

"Welcome back." Lelouch said smugly.

"Lelouch? Prince Joseph?" Rolo asked in confusion until he realized his hands were tied behind his back. "Damn it." He said angrily as he struggled to undo his bindings, to no avail. "It was just like at Babel Tower! How does he do it?! How does my Geass have no affect on him?!" He asked himself.

"Joseph and I were just having an interesting conversation about you." Lelouch told him as he pointed his gun at Rolo. "Your Geass is the power to stop time, correct?" He asked.

"I have no reason to answer either of you. The orders given to me are as follows. If Lelouch Lamperouge's memories return, if Zero is awakened, then he is to die." He said emotionlessly as he sat himself into a sitting position.

"No think that way, dark side talking." Joseph told him as he bent down to his level.

Rolo closed his eyes, thinking this was the end for him. Only to feel his binds becoming undone, he opened his eyes and saw Joseph was the cause. Rolo was definitely confused.

Once he was done, Joseph looked at him with a blank look for a few moments before breaking out into a huge smile. "Get here, new brother!" He said with glee as he opened his arms wide.

"Wait, wha-" Rolo didn't get to finish voicing his confusion as he was suddenly engulfed into a bear hug.

"Always wanted little brother!" Joseph said happily as he continued to swing Rolo around, to which he saw Lelouch give him a raise eyebrow. "Another little brother!" He corrected himself as he finally let go of Rolo, who had to to suck in breath from the tight hug.

"What is this? What are you trying to gain here?" Rolo asked angrily.

"Just brotherly bond, new little bro!" Joseph said sweetly, confusing Rolo even more.

"The conversation Joseph and I were having, had to do with you coming to our side." Lelouch told him.

"And why on Earth would I do that?" Rolo scoffed.

"'Cause bro, brothers stick together." Joseph said as he wrung his arm around Rolo's shoulder, which he just pulled himself out of.

"I don't know who you think you're fooling, sir. There isn't any familial connection with us." Rolo told him emotionlessly.

"Not yet, but will! Plus, Lelouch my brother, you Lelouch's brother, thus all brothers!" Joseph said happily.

Rolo was perplexed by this man's behavior.

"Don't try to argue with him, you'll just give yourself a headache." Lelouch advised, still aiming his gun at Rolo just to be safe. "Before we get to that though, your Geass is definitely an interesting one." He said as he took a remote and rewound a video from one of the monitors.

"I'll make you my pawn to find Nunnally." Lelouch said.

Lelouch then stood there frozen, Rolo took the gun, walked over to Lelouch's side and aimed it at his head.

"Rolo, you can't stop time. No one can. You've just altered my sense of time." Lelouch told him.

"Oooooh, so pause people. Makes sense." Joseph calculated on his own end.

"So if you understand, why haven't you Geassed or killed me already? You had plenty of opportunity to do so, seeing how your brother is immune to Geass." Rolo said.

"We both know the reason why. It's the same reason you didn't pull the trigger when you had the opportunity to do so. Because we're brothers." Lelouch said with a smile.

"That the spirit!" Joseph said with glee.

Rolo blinked at him before chuckling and shaking his head.

"How stupid do you think I am? I only let you live because I still need to draw C.C. out in the open and capture her, that is my mission. Our time together was just an act I carried out, nothing more." Rolo said bluntly.

"Then why do you always carry around the locket I gave you?" Lelouch asked, that definitely shocked Rolo as his eyes widen. "You could have gotten rid of it and just said you lost it. Or you could have just let me take it back, but you didn't. I've seen it on your person everyday, why is that?" Lelouch asked, already knowing the answer.

For once, Rolo didn't know what to say. He quietly took out the heart-shaped locket attached to his phone.

"That day…I've never had a birthday before…and for the first time…" Rolo said quietly.

"Rolo...what's more important? The Geass Order and the OSI or your life?" Lelouch asked as he approached Rolo as he put down his gun.

"(Scoffs) Like I care about that." Rolo said emotionlessly. Before receiving a karate chop to head by Joseph. "OW! What the Hell was that for?!" He asked angrily as he rubbed his head in pain.

"For stupid thinking. Life matters! Life very important to us." Joseph said sternly as he also approached Rolo.

"Stop saying 'us'! We don't even know each other!" Rolo said angrily, no wanting to deal with this trickery anymore.

"No. But want to." Joseph said with a kind smile, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"But...why..." Rolo asked, his voice shaking, not understanding this at all.

"It's like he said Rolo, you're our little brother. The memories may have been planted in me, but the time that you and I spent together was real." Lelouch said gently as he put his hand on Rolo's, the one that was holding the locket.

"But...my mission..." Rolo said, still unsure.

"Ah, mission, schmission. Come to light side, new little bro. Much funner!" Joseph insisted as he put his arm over his shoulder again with a bright smile.

"Rolo, what is the future? The future is hope. Without hope, your life is on hold, empty, waiting. And you have no hope beyond your mission, Rolo. If you capture C.C., what sort of future will it open for you? Things will just go on as they are, and nothing will change." Lelouch told him.

Rolo thinks about it but then looks at Lelouch sternly. "And how do I know you're not just saying this to get me to let you go? You obviously can't kill me." He said.

"Then let me prove it tomorrow. Guilford offered me an invitation, and I don't plan on missing it. Let me you show that there is a future with us. And if you see betrayal, you can kill me and Joseph right then and there" Lelouch told him, Rolo was still conflicted though. "Don't worry. I would never lie to you. Not to you anyway." He said with a smile.

"Aw, sibling bonding!" Joseph said happily as he brought his brothers into a tight hug. Lelouch could only sigh tiredly.

"You should probably go now, Joe. Villetta and the other OSI soldiers could come back anytime, and give me that key card you acquired." Lelouch instructed.

"Roger, dodger!" Joseph said as he gave a backhand salute and fishing the keycard out of his coat pocket, giving it to Lelouch. Then he skipped his way out of the room.

"He is a very strange man." Rolo said with a raised eyebrow.

"You have no idea..." Lelouch said tiredly.

...

Chinese Consulate

"This reminds me of Aomori." Kallen said as she loaded her rifle.

"It isn't as bad as that was. At least everyone here is wearing their clothes." C.C. said, trying to put a gun together.

"I don't wanna know." Urabe said, a bit weirded out by her statement. "I don't understand, Zero was able to get the support of the Council General, so why are they doing this now?" Urabe asked, hand on the handle of his sword.

"Who knows? Still if they run us out of here, then we and Lelouch will be split up all over again." C.C. said as the gun she was putting together popped loose, she was never really good at assembling them. They then heard the door open and saw Xingke come in. "How unexpected. You came alone." C.C. said.

"I thought the United States of Japan have been recognized by the Chinese Federation Council General." Kallen said, keeping the rifle by her shoulder.

"He's going to be disposed of." Xingke said simply, surprising the group. "Or do the Black Knights choose to take the path of destruction right here?" He asked, making Kallen aim her rifle at him.

"Hold it. You can't just spring tha-"

"Kallen!" Urabe warned, not wanting to make the situation worse.

"I see. You can arrange it so it appears the council general is killed fighting us." C.C. stated.

"C.C.!" Kallen said in surprise.

"It seems Zero was pulling a trigger he never meant to pull. Will this be noble ambition or base treachery?" C.C. asked.

Xingke didn't respond and instead looked around. "And where's the prince?" He inquired.

"He went out for some errands." Kallen said blankly. Honestly, she wasn't sure what he was doing, all he said he was taking care of business before he jumped his way out of the consulate.

...

Ashford Academy

Lelouch looked at the news report on his computer.

"Convincing Rolo to wait bought me a little bit of time. I don't have any time to hesitate because tomorrow Tohdoh and the others are scheduled for execution. So what do I do? Rolo knows about my Geass now. Even if I managed to kill him somehow, the O.S.I. would know that I've regained my memories. If that happens, Nunnally will be…seems I'll have to keep playing student till I can rescue Nunnally. Damn it, Joseph, why couldn't you just let me Geass him? The obstacles have multiplied now. Fortunately, Guilford's men and the Office of Secret Intelligence don't seem to share information. That explains why they haven't found the Knightmare I hid. But that's all I have in my favor. So what should I do? How do I save the Black Knights and convince Rolo to join us at the same time?" Lelouch calculated.

He looked at the pictures of him and Rolo, them working on the garden, them making pies. His eyes coldn't help but soften a bit.

...

OSI Surveillance Room

"What is wrong with you?! How did you lose your key card?!" Villetta asked angrily at the female OSI spy.

"I swear, My Lord! I had it on me while I was at the mall, and the next thing I knew it was gone! It must have been that janitor who bumped into me!" The female OSI spy reasoned.

"Well either you're incompetent...or the other scenario is much worse." Villetta said in realization.

"Could it be that the bait..." Before an OSI agent could question it further, Rolo walked into the room.

"I believe you dropped this at the mall earlier." Rolo said as he dangled the female OSI spy's keycard in front of her. "You should teach your agents to be more discreet. You're lucky I found it before anyone else did." He said dismissively as he threw the key card at the woman, who caught it with a stern eye looking at him.

He then left the OSI agents to their own discussion.

"Unbelievable we still have to deal with this kid! He killed Bruno in cold blood." An OSI agent argued.

"And he was the fifth one." Another agent added.

"All Victor did was touch the kid's locket and the next thing…" The agent continued.

"Victor had his own personality problems." Villetta countered.

"You don't kill a man because of that!" The agent argued angrily.

"Now that there's this guy claiming to be Zero, we have to get our priority straight and pull the team together." The other agent said

"That's exactly right and I'm not teaming up with the freakin' angel of death!" The agent said.

Rolo heard all this from outside the room and then looked at the locket. "Rolo...what's more important? The Geass Order and the OSI or your life?"

...

Outside the Chinese Consulate

"Hey Ohgi, is this new Zero the same as our Zero?" Tamaki asked.

"I wish I knew." Ohgi said.

"Either way, don't get your hopes up. He'll probably abandon us again." Chiba said.

...

G1

"What was the source of the explosion in the consulate?" Guilford asked as he looked outside the window, looking over the prisoners and the consulate.

"They haven't issued a formal statement." Bart said.

"They've given their approval for the executions. That's all we heard." Claudio said.

"These executions are crude show to frighten the Elevens. What a vulgar approach this is." Guilford said arrogantly.

"Do you think Zero will dare to show himself?" Bart asked.

"Even if he doesn't, we still come out ahead. If this Zero can't pull off a miracle, he'll never gain the support of the people." Guilford said, surprising the brothers.

"You've thought it through that far, Lord Guilford?" Claudio asked, impressed.

"In any case, I want him to show up. Or rather, I pray deeply that he does for the sake of Her Highness wherever she is now." Guilford said, a bit sadly as he looked at a plate with Cornelia's picture engraved on it.

"We also wanted to ask about Prince Joseph." Alfred said, getting Guilford's attention.

"What about him?" Guilford asked, not sure why he was being brought up. As far as he was concerned, he was still back in Pendragon.

"Well, we heard certain rumors that he spotted back in Babel Tower. Some people even claim they saw him jumping out of the Chinese Consulate. Do we have to worry about him?" Edgar asked.

"I will not guide my actions by foolish rumors and neither should any of you." Guilford said sternly.

"If I may. We all know that Prince Joseph was the clown that helped with that prison escape last year, right?" David asked. "So technaically he's already a trait-"

"I will not have any of you besmirch the name of her Highness's brother! No matter what the rumors are. Understood?" Guilford said, a tad bit angry now.

"Yes sir!" All the brothers, realizing it was better not to bring it up.

...

Chinese Consulate Embassy

While that was going on, Xingke decided to confront Gao Hai with his own group of soldiers.

"Why did you recognize the U.S.J. on your own, without confirmation from the Vermilion Forbidden City? Even if you are one of the High Eunuchs, that was unforgivable. Just what were you planning to use Zero for?" Xingke asked.

"I've no intention to use Zero for anything. Zero must be pleased in every way." Gao Hai told him,

"And the Empress is feeling on this?" Xingke asked, now getting angry.

"That little wench doesn't matter. The absolute law is that Zero shall bring happiness to me." Gao Hai insisted

"Shivering traitor!" Xingke yelled as he launched a chain knife into the Eunuch's knife, killing him instantly, before slinging it back into his hand. "The crimson dynasty is dead." He said with finality.

...

Tokyo Settlement

On top of a high building, Joseph looked at the stars above him and enjoyed the cool breeze. His thoughts swirling in his head.

"Tomorrow Lelouch is going to save Sensei and the others, and I'm sure he'll convince new little bro to join us. Still what about me? What should I do?" He asked himself as he thought about what Suzaku once asked him.

"If Zero were to ask you to join the Black Knights, and you agreed, would you be able to fight against your sister in the battlefield? Against your own family?"

He turned his head to a news broadcast, and saw Tohdoh lined up with the others.

He tighten his fist and now knew what his answer was.

...

The Next Day

Ashford Academy

Shirley, Milly, and Rivalz looked at the TV screen with keen interest.

"It looks like the execution will be getting underway shortly. Once again, these are the rebel terrorists who formerly call themselves the Black Knights. Will Zero appear to stop the execution of his followers?" A female reporter asked.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

Many Japanese civilians looked on through the outside of a barrier. Many concerned about the situation.

"Oh Zero…please."

"General Tohdoh…"

"Don't kill them."

Guilford waited inside his knightmare, waiting for Zero.

The prisoners talked among themselves.

"Zero betrayed us when we needed him most. I doubt he'll show up to save us." Chiba said bitterly.

"He's gonna come. If he's the real one, if he's alive, then somehow someway he'll make a miracle happen." Tamaki insisted, though a bit scared.

"Miracle, huh?" Tohdoh said simply.

...

OSI Surveillance Room.

"Maintain tight surveillance. It's a long shot but it's possible that C.C. might show up." Villetta ordered.

She looked at the screen with an imprisoned Ohgi on it, and the memories of her time with him flashed through her head. "Kaname Ohgi…I'm sorry..."

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

David was in his knightmare, waiting for Zero to show up.

"Show yourself, Zero. My father, Andreas Darlton shall be avenged at last." David said vengefully.

Suddenly he heard a soldier address him from outside.

"I have top secret orders from headquarters. Communications are being intercepted, so I'm to deliver them to you face to face." The soldier said.

...

Military Base

"Right, I'll be borrowing your identity." Rolo said as he subdued a Britannian Soldier and took his ID.

...

Chinese Consulate

"Tell me. How are we supposed to interpret this?" Kallen asked as she suited up to go inside the Guren.

"If Zero appears, you're free to do whatever you wish." Xingke told her.

"So even if we start shooting at Britannians, you can pretend that you know nothing about it?" C.C. asked.

"That's not such a bad deal, is it?" Xingke asked rhetorically.

"You may be a military officer but you can play politics as well, I see." C.C. inquired.

"Hmm, indeed." Xingke said before turning his attention back to Kallen. "And I see your friend, the prince, hasn't come back yet. Perhaps he decided to cut his losses and leave-"

"Shut up! You don't know him! He would never abandon his friends!" Kallen said with a bit more rage then she meant to, surprising Xingke, and making C.C. grow a teasing smirk.

"I see, you must really care about him." Xingke inquired.

Kallen blinked at that and then hurriedly got inside her knightmare with a red blush on her face.

Urabe looked on from inside his Burai.

"I've never been in a relationship and even I can tell how obvious she is." Urabe said to himself with a smirk, he then looked over to the colonel and the rest of the Four Holy Swords. "Zero...I know you'll come through."

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"Sir Kimmel, any problems with the A.S.E.E.C. mass-pro unit? It may have some glitches left from when the O.S.I. was using it. It's a high-value apparatus. Report in if it malfunctions in any way." A Britannian soldier said.

"This is Kimmel. No problems with Vincent. Moving out." Rolo said, impersonating this Kimmel through a voice scrambler. "Lelouch, did you and Joseph really mean what you said? If not, you and him will..."

...

"Lord Guilford. It's about time." A soldier said over the comms.

"Indeed." Guilford said. "Elevens, the Zero who you believed in has not appeared. It has all been a deception. I challenged him to a fair and honest duel, and he has sculked away like a coward." He declared. "Take aim." He ordered, and the other Sutherlands did as such.

...

Chinese Consulate

"My friends." Kallen said worriedly inside the Guren.

"Don't move, if you go out now, you'll just die with them." C.C. warned.

"I know but…" Kallen said, not sure what to do.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"It's all right. We fought well. Now let's die well." Ohgi said, accepting his fate.

But suddenly:

*CLANK*

A shoe had hit Guilford's knightmare in the head, getting his attention.

"What the..." Guilford asked in confusion.

"YO CAPTAIN BUZZKILL!" A voice yelled from behind him in the distance.

"That...that voice...it can't be!" Guilford thought fearfully as he turned to see the source of the voice, and his fears were right.

The voice belonged to Joseph Du Britannia, shoe missing from his foot, who looked on with a determined look on his face.

The Japanese civilians and the imprisoned Black Knights saw this too.

"No way!" Tamaki said in surprise.

"You have got to be kidding me..." Chiba said, now very annoyed.

"Joseph..." Tohdoh said in mild shock.

...

Chinese Consulate

"Joe..." Kallen said inside her knightmare with a small smile.

"Of course he throws a shoe at a knightmare." C.C. said with an amused smirk.

However, Xingke was, once again, unamused.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

Many Japanese civilians chattered at this sudden development.

"It's Prince Joseph!"

"But I thought he was still in a coma?"

"The rumors were true!"

"Better wear fire hose...!" Joseph yelled at Guilford before jumping and doing a front flip, making the crowd shout in awe. He then landed on the block that had the Black Knights on it, turned around and proudly said:

"Because it's WET!"

The response was very quiet.

"...What?" Tamaki finally asked.

"Kami up above, why him of all people?" Chiba quietly asked, exasperated.

...

Ashford Academy

"What's this?! Ladies and Gentlemen, the Dimwitted Prince, Joseph Du Britannia, has just shown up at the execution out of nowhere!" The news reporter said in shock.

"Joseph!" Shirley said with shocked happiness.

"He's back! He's okay!" Rivalz said with excited relief.

"I don't believe it!" Milly said in surprise.

...

OSI Surveillance Room

"What the Hell is here doing here?!" Villetta asked incredulously.

...

Tokyo Settlement

Many Britannians watched these events on a huge television screen connected to a building. Nobles and commoners alike.

"What the Hell?! I thought that guy died?!"

"I only wish he did."

"I don't know, I kinda liked his personality."

"Yeah, he seems cool to me."

...

Chinese Federation

"Seems our favorite prince has returned." Rakshata said with a smirk, cigarette in hand.

"And the same lovable oaf from before." Kaguya added with a small smile.

"You know him, Lady Kaguya?" Naomi asked.

"I met him and his mother several years ago. He always mispronounced my name, but he was nice company." Kaguya said sweetly.

"Is he here to declare where he stands on this war?" Diethard asked with a calculated look.

"I guess we'll have to see." Sayoko said, also glad to see Joseph awake again.

...

Pendragon

Nunnally sat inside her garden, listening to the radio.

"Big brother Joe..." Nunnally quietly said, brother in relief that her brother was okay but also worry because of the situation he was now in.

...

Across the Ocean

Suzaku, Gino and Anya watched the news inside a private jet.

"Hey! So that's where the guy's been! I wondered what happened to him!" Gino said excitedly, as he was a big fan of both videos Joseph made headlines out of. Both "Eat That Horse" and the Clown Prison Escape.

"It seems he's finally awake." Anya said indifferently as she continued to look at her phone.

Suzaku looked on with a shocked expression. "Joseph, what are you doing?"

...

Area 20, formally known as Italy

Naval Ship

"It seems he has returned, your Highness." Kanon.

"Indeed. Where it all started." Schneizel said with a light smile

...

Laboratory

"My Prince! You've returned!" Nina thought joyfully with tear-glistening eyes.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"So he really is here." Edgar said from inside his knightmare.

"Does that mean..." Bart said from inside his knightmare.

...

"Interesting, I thought he went back to the consulate." Rolo said.

...

"Joseph..." Tohdoh said, getting Joseph's attention.

Joseph turned around and had a big smile on his face. "SENSEI!" He yelled gleefully as he hugged the Tohdoh tightly, who groaned a bit from the injuries he sustained from the guards.

"Well I certainly wasn't expecting this." Ohgi said in surprise.

"Well the guy is full of surprises." Sugiyama said.

"Og! My man!" Joseph said as he went over and hugged him.

"It's been awhile, Joseph. But how are you here?" Tohdoh asked.

"Explain laters. Right now, deal with mammoth in room." Joseph said as he pointed at Guilford's knightmare.

"P-Prince Joseph! When did you wake from your coma?! What are you doing here?!" Guilford asked, tone full of shock.

Joseph turned his attention back to Guilford happily. "Hey Captain Buzzkill! Long time!" Before turning stern. "Here for friends, that wazzup!" He proclaimed as he opened his arms wide, gesturing at the imprisoned Black Knights.

This surprised them, Guilford, the Japanese civilians, the student council, and everyone watching the whole event on their television screens.

"What are you talking about, your highness? These are nothing but terrorists!" Guilford told him.

"Wrong! They be superhero team! Team for justice and freedom!" Joseph said determinedly. "And no killing them on watch!" He said.

Guilford couldn't believe this, the first time he's seen the prince in months and its him defending the Black Knights?!

"Your highness, surely you can't be serious? If you support them, you're supporting Zero! The man who killed your sister, Euphemia" Guilford reasoned.

The imprisoned Black Knights looked at Joseph to see his response, and besides a deep breath, he stood firm.

"Sad that she gone. But more angry at Britannia! Dad like Darth Vader! Must be stopped! They not bad guys! YOU BE BAD GUYS!" Joseph said with a passion. "Once asked, 'If Admiral Zero asked to join, would I? Could I fight against family?' Not know then, but know now! Answer is yes! I now, official Black Knight!" He proclaimed as he pointed his finger in the air.

Now that definitely shocked everyone witnessing the events in front of them.

...

Ashford Academy

"Oh wow..." Milly said in disbelief.

"That's...not good, is it?" Rivalz said, his excitement deflated.

Shirley just looked on in concern.

...

Tokyo Settlement

"That damn traitor!" The Emperor should have executed him when he had the chance!" A noble said.

"At least now what don't have to pretend to like him anymore." Another noble said.

"At least he's standing up for what he believes is right." A commoner said.

"Yeah, that takes guts." Another commoner said.

...

Chinese Consulate

"Well that's a can of worms he's not going to be able to close." C.C. remarked.

"Joe..." Kallen thought worriedly.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"That bastard!" David said from inside his knightmare.

"Your highness, please! You've been in a coma for a long time, you must not be thinking clearly!" Guilford almost pleaded.

"Always thunk clearly, Captain Buzzkill! Clear then, clear now! On good guy side now! Can't do anything about!" Joseph said with finality. "Besides, helped Black Knights for while now! Since Sensei freed! Freed because me!" He said determinedly as he reached into his coat pocket and took out a rainbow-colored afro. "That's right! I! Am! Clowno! Funzo!" He said with pride as he put the wig on his head and then put his hands on his hips.

...

Tokyo Settlement

The crowd was quiet for a few moments.

"...Yeah, we already knew that, dumbass!"

...

Chinese Consulate

"Oh Joe..." Kallen said tiredly as she rubbed her eyes from inside the Guren.

"Incompetence..." Xingke muttered.

...

Chinese Federation

"(Giggles) He's still so funny!" Kaguya said happily.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"How on Earth are he and Lelouch related?" Rolo thought with a sweat-drop.

...

"I hate him so much..." Chiba thought with a twitching eye.

"Your highness, please don't do this. Zero and his Black Knights are a fool's dream. If you join them, you're basically asking 98% of Britannian might to fight and kill you." Guilford told him, now actually pleading.

"Hmmm. Well know what, still that 2%. And 2% always hardest to get! That why it all in milk!" Joseph argued.

"Oh my God! Can you ever say anything that makes sense!?" Tamaki said, getting really annoyed and just wishing Zero would show up.

"Point being, 2% is Admiral Zero, 2% is Black Knights. I like them odds!" Joseph said with a proud smile. "So want them! Get through me!" He said determinedly as he posed himself into a battle stance.

A battle stance Tohdoh recognized.

"The Zenkutsu dacha, the stance I taught him." Tohdoh thought in surprise, and a small sense of pride for his student.

"So come on! Show what got, Guilford!" Joseph said solemnly, dropping the nickname he made for Cornelia's knight. Which solidified what side he was on now.

The other Black Knights looked on in surprise, not expecting this, and a bit unsure as well considering what his sister did the year before.

The Japanese civilians however, were in awe.

"He cares! He really does care!"

"Of course he does, he saved Zero from a sniper, remember?"

"But the Massacre Princess..."

"He was in a coma at the time!"

"Still, it could just be another act."

"I think he's serious! Why go through all this trouble."

The chattered continued until someone started to chant: "Eat that horse!"

Soon another person joined the chanting, and then another, and then another, and then soon most of the Japanese civilians there were chanting:

"EAT THAT HORSE!"

"EAT THAT HORSE!"

"EAT THAT HORSE!"

"Noooooo..." Tamaki whined as he thought he would never have to listen to that again.

...

Ashford Academy

"You guys know I'm going to make an event out of this, right?" Milly asked.

"Yep." Shirley and Rivalz said without a beat.

...

Across the Ocean

"I think I'm gonna like this guy!" Gino said with an excited smile.

"I guess this makes him a traitor now." Anya said neutrally.

"Joseph...no..." Suzaku thought sadly.

...

Area 20

Naval Ship

"I guess we have to consider your brother an enemy now." Kanon said sadly.

"It would appear so." Schneizel said neutrally.

...

Chinese Federation

"I guess that's a royal we can officially add as an ally." Rakshata said.

"And I'm sure the media will eat it up." Sayoko said, a small tease at Diethard.

"Seems the prince had a trick up his sleeve after all." Diethard said, a bit annoyed he personally couldn't film this.

"Well he did always have his own way of doing things." Kaguya said quizzically.

"Joseph..." Naomi thought in concern.

...

Laboratory

"NO! Why are you doing this, my Prince! Is it Zero!? Is he making you do this?!" Nina said with crazed eyes and a voice filled with hate.

...

Pendragon

"But...what about Lelouch?" Nunnally asked herself sadly.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"Viceroy, what are your orders?" Alfred asked through the comms.

Right now, Guilford was shellshocked, not expecting to find himself in this position.

"What do I do? I have to make an example out these terrorists! But that would also mean I would have to probably kill Joseph, which I means I would be betraying her Highness!" Guilford thought to himself, conflicted.

"It seems Prince Joseph hasn't lost his touch! Still impulsive as ever! But should that be considered such a bad thing?!" A voice asked.

Everybody knew that voice. It was the voice of their savior, their ray of hope: ZERO!

And uproarious cheers came from the Japanese civilians.

...

Chinese Consulate

"He's here!" Kallen said with relief.

"Hold back, we can't jump into this. If he is by himself, what can he do?" C.C. said with slight concern.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"I see. You snuck up behind me, Zero." Guilford said angrily as he turned his knightmare around.

"Guilford, those aren't terrorists you are executing. They are the Black Knights, soldiers of the army of the United States of Japan." Zero told him.

"You expect me to recognize them as prisoners of war?" Guilford asked.

"Hey, Admiral Zero!" Joseph said excitedly as he waved and bounced on his feet a little.

"It's Zero!" Ohgi said in shock.

...

"So you did come as expected. But if you break your promise to me, I'll kill you Lelouch, and your brother." Rolo said quietly from inside his knightmare.

...

Ashford Academy

"It's Zero. Zero has appeared. What a reckless, foolhardy move." The news reporter said as Zero's knightmare passed through the Japanese crowd..

"He really came. Do you think it's the same Zero from last year?" Rivalz asked.

"I don't know." Milly said.

Shirley just looked on with a determined expression.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"Zero?" Asahina said.

"Yes but why?" Chiba questioned.

"To rescue you, duh!" Joseph said with an obvious tone, making Chiba roll her eyes.

"Is it the real Zero?" Ohgi asked.

"Of course. It's really him. Zero!" Tamaki cheered.

"He gets it!" Joseph also cheered.

...

Chinese Federation

"He's alone. Zero is all alone. He is riding atop a Knightmare Frame. So apparently he's not here to surrender. However, if he intends to fight alone." The news reporter continued.

"See? He came just like I said he would." Kaguya said happily.

"Then let's proceed with the operational plan that we started last year." Diethard said.

"Assuming that Zero can wiggle out of the tight squeeze he's got himself into." Rakshata said, to which Diethard chuckled.

"Sayoko, I would like you to begin making the arrangements for our future." Diethard told her, Sayoko silently nodded.

"Master Lelouch..." She thought worriedly as she looked on with a stoic expression.

...

OSI Surveillance Room

"Where's Lelouch?" Villetta asked.

"He's with Rolo at the theater. They've been in there for the last half hour." An agent told her.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"It's been quite a while, Lord Guilford. Why don't you come out? We can talk about the good old days." Zero said.

"You have a lot of nerve! First you manipulate his highness into joining you and now you try to taunt me!?" Guilford said angrily.

"Joseph made his own choice fully understanding the consequences. If he's able to see the tyranny this empire has forced on people all these years, I commend him all the more." Zero told him.

"So you say. In any case, I'll stay where I am. We'll just settle our past grudges from the insides of our Knightmares." Guilford told him.

...

Chinese Consulate

"If Guilford won't come out, Lelouch can't use his Geass." Kallen said worriedly.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"How predictable of you. Then let's set some rules." Zero said as he went inside his knightmare.

"Rules?" Guilford asked.

"The rules of our duel. We'll settle this one on one." Lelouch said as he took off his mask.

"Very well. No one else will interfere with our combat." Guilford said with a smirk from inside his knightmare., happy to finally get some justice for Cornelia and Euphemia.

"We will each have one weapon." Zero told him.

"Agreed." Guilford said as he threw away the knightmare's rifle and disarmed the backup swords. Instead he took a lance and held it in front of Zero's knightmare, ready for battle. "I choose this as my weapon." He proclaimed.

"And for mine, I shall borrow that shield." Zero said as he pointed to the riot shield a police knightmare was holding.

"What? But that's…" Guilford said in surprise, not sure what game hew as playing at.

"It will do." Zero told him simply.

...

"He is going into battle with the riot shield? Lelouch what are you planning? Rolo asked from inside knightmare.

...

"Guys gonna love this." Joseph said with a smug smile as his flung his arm around Tohdoh's shoulders.

"You know something we don't?" Tamaki asked

"Mmmm-hmmm." Joseph said with a high-pitch voice and quirking eyebrows.

...

Chinese Consulate

"You disappoint me, Zero." Xingke said.

"What shall we do?" A Chinese Federation soldier asked.

"I owe him a debt for giving me a perfect excuse to get rid of that parasite of a eunuch. However, this is hardly a pledge of enduring harmony. If Zero turns out to be incompetent, then we'll just use the Black Knights as our diplomatic tools." Xingke told him.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"I have a question for you, Lord Guilford. What do you do when there is an evil you cannot defeat by just means? Do you stain your hands with evil to destroy evil? Or do you remain steadfastly just in righteous even if it means surrendering to evil?" Lelouch asked from inside his knightmare.

...

Chinese Consulate

"In either case, evil remains." C.C. said.

...

"A paradox, is it merely word play?" Xingke said with a smirk.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

As the imprisoned Black Knights watched the scene with tension, Joseph started to whistle a tune.

A tune that went by "Pop Goes the Weasel".

"Joseph?" Tohdoh asked, wondering what was going on.

"In the name of Cornelia, I choose justice." Guilford said as he charged Zero.

"I understand. In my case, I commit evil to destroy the greater evil." Lelouch said from his knightmare as he took a dead man's switch and pushed the trigger.

And as Joseph finished whistling the tune, the platform gears exploded and it started to shake beneath them.

"What the!" Guilford said in shock as he stopped his knightmare. The platform started to tilt towards the consulate.

"An earthquake!?" Asahina asked.

"Even better!" Joseph said excitedly. "Hang on!"

"It's the same strategy from the Black Rebellion!" Rolo realized.

As the platform fell, many Sutherlands did as well.

"Level 4! What the hell's going on?!" Alfred asked from inside his knightmare.

...

Level 4

"We don't know! A trojan horse was activated from inside our computers!" A soldier said.

...

(Flashback)

"When you look at your email, you will open a file from Alan Spacer. Then immediately erase all of the data, forgetting it was ever there." Lelouch ordered.

"Yes, My Lord!" The soldier saluted, eyes red rimmed.

(Flashback End)

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"YEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAWW! HAHAHA!" Joseph cheered fanatically as he held on to the container holding the imprisoned Black Knights as they slid down the platform.

"You are out of your mind, you know that!" Tamaki shouted in despair from the falling.

...

"Kallen, charge in and take command." Lelouch ordered from inside his knightmare.

...

Chinese Consulate

"Right. Autonomous armored knights, follow me. Remember, rescuing Ohgi and the others is top priority!" Kallen ordered as she and the other Black Knights charged.

"Right behind you!" Urabe said determinedly from inside his Burai.

The platform crashed onto the area of the Chinese Consulate. Guilford's knightmare plunged its lance onto the platform so it would stop falling.

Zero's knightmare took the shield and slid down the platform like a snowboard.

"Disgraceful!" Guilford said angrily, only for Zero to slide over his knightmare and sending him into the air.

"Yeah, one on one, my ass!" Bart said angrily inside his knightmare as he tried to shoot Zero as he flew over him, only to hit the shield.

He looked back down and saw the G1 rolling right down towards him, before he could do anything, it crashed right into him, killing him instantly.

"No, Bart!" Guilford exclaimed.

"Black Knights, listen. The enemy around me has fallen into our territory. Wipe out the Britannian Forces and save your comrades." Zero declared as he ditched the shield and got on the Knightmare's wheels.

"Our comrades…" Ohgi said in relief.

...

"He used the very structure of their settlement against them?" Xingke asked in surprise.

...

"I got ya, Sensei!" Joseph said gladly as he undid Tohdoh's binds.

"Thank you, Joseph." Tohdoh said gratefully.

"Hurry up. Release everyone before the Britannian Forces can regroup!" A Black Knight advised.

...

OSI Surveillance

"They're going to escape right into the Chinese Federation!" An agent said angrily.

Villetta on the other hand, was just relieved Ohgi was still alive. "C.C. is our primary operational target. Leave the military issues to Lord Guilford." She ordered.

...

Chinese Consulate

"Britannia, you're on notice. This is Japanese territory now!" Kallen said as she charged a Sutherland, which contained Alfred.

"There is no Japan!" Alfred said, firing missiles at here.

"Oh really? That's why I hate most Britannians!" Kallen said as she reach the Guren's hand out.

It was blocked by the lance that Alfred's knightmare was holding.

"Good bye, Eleven ace!" Alfred said viciously as he tried to shoot her, only for it to be blocked by the Guren's other hand. "It's blocked at this close range?" He exclaimed.

To which the head of his knightmare was then grabbed by the Guren.

"This is the radiant wave surger. The moment you came in close, my victory was assured. So long!" Kallen declared.

Alfred's knightmare puffed up and exploded.

"Alfred! How dare you?" Edgar said angrily shooting at the Guren, only to be stopped by Claudio.

"Don't shoot. This is Chinese Federation's territory." Claudio warned.

"But..." Edgar tried to say from inside his knightmare.

"There are broadcast cameras all over." Claudio told him, Edgar could only grunt in frustration.

...

As Joseph got Tohdoh and the others to safety, he saw a particular golden knightmare going after Lelouch's knightmare.

"Rolo..." Joseph said quietly.

He then saw a Sutherland on a rooftop, pointing a rocket launcher right in Rolo's direction.

"Shit! Did he realize Rolo is on our side now?!" Joseph thought urgently.

"Be right back!" Joseph told the others as he ran in the same direction as the Rolo and Lelouch.

"Wait!" Tohdoh said in surprise.

"Joe! What the Hell are you doing!?" Kallen asked from inside her knightmare as she shield the escaping Black Knights from Sutherlands firing at them.

"So you're running after all. So much for your promise. Lelouch, you and your brother were lying to me from the start. All that talk about giving me a future." Rolo thought bitterly from inside his knightmare as he chased after Lelouch.

"Just a little further..." Lelouch said from inside his knightmare in determination.

"As long as I complete my mission, I'll open the way to my future." Rolo said, about to activate his Geass.

"ROLO! LOOK OUT!" Joseph tried to warn as he ran from behind them.

"Huh? Joseph?" Rolo said in surprise through the speakers, looking back and seeing the Sutherland firing in his direction. "Oh, no…I can't stop a physical object. It's gonna be a direct hit!" Rolo thought frantically.

To which Joseph then jumped onto his knightmare, surprising Rolo.

"Got you, little bro!" Joseph said determinedly, ready to smack that missile away if needed.

It was not though as Lelouch's knightmare blocked the missile, taking out its arm.

"Good save!" Joseph said happily as he climbed onto the Gold knightmare's shoulder.

Urabe came in with his Burai and said, "Taste the fury of Japan!" And threw his flaming sword at the Sutherland that contained David.

It was a direct hit to the chest, the knightmare sparked.

...

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"Forgive me father, I dishonored you..." David said from inside his knightmare with his dying breath as he coughed up blood and then his knightmare exploded.

...

Chinese Consulate

"David!" Claudio yelled for his fallen brother.

...

"You...you saved me." Rolo said to Lelouch from inside his knightmare and then turned his attention to Joseph. "And you tried to protected me!" He exclaimed in shock.

"Well, duh!" Joseph said happily.

"But why!? You barely know me! Why risk your life not even knowing you could have saved me!?" Rolo asked frantically.

"Your life important! No say otherwise!" Joseph told him sternly with a wagging finger.

Rolo's eyes widen at that as he could hear no false tone in his voice, he was completely serious. "He...he really does care about me. Even if he just met me, he was willing to die for..."

"It's like we told you yesterday, you're our little brother. Nothing changes that." Lelouch told him from inside his knightmare.

"So all the things we did up to now...they weren't lies?" Rolo asked like a scared little kid from inside his knightmare as he looked at his locket.

"I made a promise to you. I promised you a new future. Your future is one of hope, a future with us." Lelouch told him through the comms.

"Zero!" Guilford called from the fallen platform. "You turned Prince Joseph into a traitor and used cowardly methods to get what you want! Our grudges will be settled now with one resounding blow from this iron hammer!" He yelled as he threw his lance at the fallen knightmare.

Only to be caught by the gold knightmare.

"What?! Sir Kimmel, what's the meaning of this?!" Guilford asked incredulously.

"Nice catch!" Joseph exclaimed.

"Don't tell me. You're one of Zero's men." Guilford said angrily.

"Kiss our ass, Guilford!" Joseph exclaimed as he turned his butt around to Guilford and smacked it.

"Joseph...forgive me, my Princess...I have failed you..." Guilford said regretfully from inside his knightmare as he saw he truly lost Joseph to the Black Knights.

Rolo on the other hand was having a deep mental crisis from inside his knightmare.

"I...I...what am I..." Rolo said to himself, his mind conflicting all over the place. Suddenly his phone rang, he answered it. "Um, yes?" He answered meekly.

"Rolo, trouble. It's Ms. Villetta. I'll connect you on the conference." Lelouch told him over the phone.

"Rolo, where did you go?" Villetta asked

"Ms. Villetta, come on. We cannot at least go to the bathroom in peace, can we? So what are we calling about?" Lelouch asked, faking his schoolboy personality.

"About the Chinese Consulate, of course." Villetta said.

"Oh yeah. Looks like a real mess down there." Lelouch said.

"Oh no. If they find out what's happened, I'll be thrown out of the O.S.I. Even V.V. would…" Rolo thought fearfully until he heard someone knocking on his knightmare.

He looked up at his monitor and saw Joseph looking at him upside down and giving him a wide smile and a thumbs up.

And for some reason, it actually made Rolo feel a bit better.

...

"Britannians, this is your last warning. Any further action will be taken as armed intervention. Withdraw at once!" Xingke declared over the speakers.

...

Some time later...

After the Britannian army withdrew their troops, the Black Knights were finally able to reunite.

"He-hey!" Tamaki said in relief as he ran towards Kallen.

Only for her to run past him and go into Ohgi's arms instead.

Tamaki would have fell if it Joseph hadn't caught him and brought him into his own bear hug.

"Tom-Tom! Missed you!" Joseph said happily as he swung Tamaki around.

"I do not agree to that dumb nickname!" Tamaki said with an angry tight breath.

He let go of Tamaki, who plopped to the ground, and looked at Chiba, who was giving him a very distasteful look.

"Chibi! Miss me?" Joseph asked excitedly.

"No." Chiba said bluntly.

"Come on! Bring it in!" Joseph said as he approached Chiba, arms open for a hug.

"I don't think so." Chiba said dismissively.

"Reunion!" He said as he ran towards her.

"Get away from me you weirdo!" Chiba said angrily as she ran away from him.

"Thank goodness, Ohgi!" Kallen said with glee, tears sprouting into her eyes.

"Thanks Kallen from all of us." Ohgi said gratefully.

"I'm glad to see you're all alright." Urabe said as he bowed to Tohdoh and the other Holy Swords.

"You have our gratitude, Urabe." Tohdoh said with a small smile.

"Yes, thank you." Senba said.

"Tohdoh and the others. Thank goodness." Kallen said with relief.

"Sorry for being so much trouble." Tohdoh said to her.

"It must have been hard for you." Asahina added.

"And for you as well." Kallen said.

"And thank you too, Joseph. You really came through for us after all." Ohgi said gratefully to Joseph as he approached them with a struggling Chiba in his arms.

"Indeed." Tohdoh said with a respectful nod.

"Doesn't mean we won't be keeping an eye on you though! Make sure you don't try anything!" Tamaki warned.

Senba and Asahina were still apprehensive but they didn't say anything.

"No prob, Bob!" Joseph said happily as he let go of Chiba. "Black Knight now!"

"But you realize what that means right? You're officially an enemy of Britannia." Kallen told him with a concern tone.

"Which means they'll have no qualms about killing you." C.C. told him. "Probably won't be able to go back home if you wanted. Might even have to fight your family at some point."

Joseph thought about it before smiling widely at the group. "Don't care. Like my choice, no regrets." He told them with no doubt in his voice. "EVIL WILL SUCK BALLS!" He proclaimed loudly as he raised his fist into the air.

"Not if they suck my balls first!" Tamaki argued, fist also in the air.

"Oh brother..." Kallen said as she shook her head.

"Unbelievable..." Chiba muttered, not wanting to deal with this moron anymore.

"So anyway, who's in that Knightmare over there." Tamaki asked, gesturing to the gold knightmare.

"I don't know. It was an enemy unit, but I'm not sure who's piloting it now." Kallen said.

"Zero was protected. Whoever it is, it's not an adversary." C.C. pointed out.

"C.C. is right there, but now I can't take her in." Rolo said from inside his knightmare, arms still shaking from everything that has happened.

"Oh him? That new little bro!" Joseph told them with his dopey smile.

That definitely got everyone's attention, including Kallen and C.C.

"Your what now?" Tamaki asked, not sure if he heard that right.

"New little bro. Wanna meet?" Joseph asked excitedly, before Tamaki could answer, he started yelling for Rolo's attention. "HEY! NEW LITTLE BRO! COME OUT! MEET FRIENDS!"

"He can't be referring to Lelouch, can he? So who could he be..." Kallen wondered as she looked at C.C., hoping for an answer, but she just gave her a shrug of the shoulders.

"BRO COME ON!" Joseph continued to shout.

Rolo on his end, just sat in his knightmare awkwardly, not sure what to do.

"Sorry, he shy. One sec." Joseph reassured as he hopped onto the gold knightmare and knocked on the hatch. "New little bro?" He asked.

He continued to knock repeatedly until Rolo opened the hatch, he didn't show his face to the Black Knights but he did peek out to look at Joseph.

"Come on, meet new friends." Joseph gently told him.

"Um...I-I don't know...I've never..." Rolo stuttered, not sure if he liked the idea of getting acquainted with new people. It was hard enough with just the Student Council and the OSI.

"Nonsense! Will definitely like you!" Joseph told him optimistically as he yanked Rolo out of the knightmare.

"Ah! Joseph!" Rolo tried to rebuke, with no avail.

The two landed on the ground and Joseph and wrapped an arm around his new little brother.

"Everyone! Meet Rolo! My new little bro!" Joseph told them happily.

"Uh...hello..." Rolo said awkwardly as he gave a small bow, not liking this new attention at all.

Kallen and C.C. both looked in shock at him, as they knew exactly who this boy was.

"Wait a minute! You're-" Kallen tried to say, only to be interrupted by Joseph.

"In school uniform! That right, Kal Pal!" Joseph said quickly. "While fighter for good guys, also student! So can't be here all time, okay busy-bodies!" Joseph declared.

The group just looked at the two, wondering what the Hell was going on.

"Um...okay?" Ohgi said, not sure what to think about this. But not wanting to be hostile, he decided to approach Rolo. "Rolo, was it? It's nice to meet you. You can call me Ohgi." He said with a friendly tone.

"Uh, sure." Rolo said awkwardly with a nod.

"By his stature, he probably doesn't have a lot of friends." Ohgi thought sadly.

"Wait a minute, you said 'new little bro', does that mean he's not actually your blood-related brother?" Tamaki asked.

"Whoa! Tom-Tom! WTF! These labels, not good! See with heart, not with liver!" Joseph lectured.

"...What the Hell are you talking about?!" Tamaki asked in annoyance. Rolo also looked at Joseph questionably.

"Ugh! Fine! Technically 'adopted' But love with all heart!" Joseph said as he wrapped Rolo into a hug around his neck.

And Rolo actually believed him, his hug was filled with warmthand joy. "Maybe this future is the right one..." He thought with a sense of ease.

"So no one bully, or answer to this!" Joseph threatened with a fist.

"Uh, we'll be respectful." Ohgi reassured.

Kallen, C.C., and Urabe then looked at Lelouch's knightmare, wondering what the Hell was going on.

"Could he be the same person who was at Babel Tower? If so, then why..." Urabe thought to himself.

Then suddenly, Joseph brought Rolo up to both C.C. and Kallen.

"C.C., meet Rolo! This Kal Pal, my best bud, met awhile ago!" Joseph said excitedly.

"Uh...yeah..." Kallen said awkwardly and a bit apprehensively.

C.C. just looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"C.C. was it? I heard a lot about you." Rolo said neutrally.

"Indeed." C.C. said simply.

While Joseph introduced Rolo to the others, Lelouch stayed in his knightmare.

"So much for keeping him a secret from the others." Lelouch muttered with annoyance. "In any case, he's mine now. Only an amateur leaves data like this lying around the control room." He said as he looked at his screen with Rolo on it, his time at the Geass Order. "Apart from his Geass, he is nothing to me. Leaving me this guy's password was very convenient. And it worked like a charm."

...

(Flashback)

Outside of Chinese Consulate

"Pattern Delta…" A Geassed David said.

"Correct. When Zero's unit takes that course, aim carefully and shoot the pursuing Knightmare from behind. After that, if Zero escapes, destroy the opposing Knightmare completely. If he does not escape, go into stand-by mode and wait orders." Lelouch told him.

"Right. I've got it." David complied.

(Flashback End)

...

Chinese Consulate

"With Joseph around, I can't do anything to him. Very well, I'll play this game of family with this little phony for now. But when the time comes, I'll throw him away like the piece of trash he is." Lelouch said with a sneer.

To Be Continued...

And that's two more episodes down!

So this time around, The Black Knights are aware of Rolo's presence thanks to our lovable moron. And it looks like Urabe is catching on to the inner workings of C.C.'s, Kallen's, and Joseph's relationship with Lelouch, how much he'll find out will remain to be seen.

And will Joseph be able to get Rolo to come out of his shell and prevent him from doing any real damage? We'll see!

Until then, comment and let me know what you think!