Ocean
Britannian Naval Ship
Suzaku looked at Naval Black Knights ship, they hadn't responded at all to his order and knew they weren't going to.
"It's time." A Britannian officer told him.
Suzaku closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of regret. "Forgive me..." He opened his eyes and gave the order.
"Commence firing."
...
Black Knights Submarine
Tohdoh saw the missiles fire from the screen.
"Here it comes. Blow the tanker. That'll scramble the sonar. 30 degrees downtrim. Engines, crash dive!" Tohdoh ordered before turning to Chiba. "Any contact with Zero yet?"
"Still no response, sir." Chiba told him.
...
As the missiles destroyed the Black Knights' Naval ship, they escaped underwater with their submarine.
...
Britannian Naval Ship
"We'll assume they're trying to escape underwater. Send out the Portmans." Suzaku ordered.
The underwater knightmares were sent out.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Confirming sonar. The engine noise sounds like submersibles!" A Black Knight said.
"Dive us down. If they discover us, we're done." Tohdoh told them.
...
Britannian Naval Ship
"Fire ASROCs!" Suzaku ordered.
...
Mini missiles launched into the ocean and sent small explosions around the submarine, creating shockwaves.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Do not panic! They're guessing where we are!" Tohdoh told them.
...
"Encircle the area centering on Point Theta. We'll smoke the enemy out." A Britannian Soldier said as the Portmans started to swim around the submarine.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"All sections report leaks!" Chiba told Tohdoh.
"Your orders?" Urabe asked.
"If we move then they'll find us. We hold out!" Tohdoh told them.
"Please Lelouch. Don't let me be wrong about you..." Urabe thought with gritted teeth.
...
"We're all gonna die!" Tamaki said in a panic as he, Ohgi, Kaguya, and C.C. felt the shaking.
"Colonel Tohdoh, do you read me? Tohdoh!"
"That voice…" Ohgi said in surprise.
...
"Zero!" Urabe said with relief in his voice.
...
On top of a cliff
Lelouch stood by the edge of the cliff looking at a map. Joseph, Kallen, and Rolo by his side.
"Your instructions. 50 degrees downtrim, head for point L14. Crash dive, full ahead!" Lelouch ordered.
...
"He made it!" Ohgi said with relief.
"Finally! Took him long enough!" Tamaki cheered.
Even C.C. smiled, though she quickly made it go away as she saw Kaguya look at with a knowing smile.
...
"Continue depth charge drop. Maintain encirclement." Suzaku ordered as he prepped to launch the Lancelot.
...
"Fire all torpedoes to detonate dead ahead. Set detonators for 40 seconds." Lelouch ordered.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Straight in front of us?" Tamaki asked in surprise.
"There's no enemy there." Ohgi said in confusion.
"Let's try firing them." Kaguya said simply, confusing the others. "What other choice do we have? We've got to trust him." Kaguya said determinedly.
...
"Lelouch?" Urabe thought in confusion.
"Set detonators, then launch all torpedoes straight-ahead!" Tohdoh ordered.
...
The submarine launched the torpedos, giving off their locations.
...
"Torpedo launch, confirmed. Enemy location, tracked!" A Britannian soldier told Suzaku through the comms.
"They're at point L14. Focus fire on that point. If they surface, I'll capture them myself." Suzaku ordered.
...
The Portmans went straight ahead, not realizing the torpedos going past them.
"Salamander to Blue Dolphin. Changing firing angle toward point. Dispatch to Portman expansion zone."
"Rodger that. Tightening up the dragnet. Make sure your target lock's good."
"Salamander, confirming target acquired. Rotating depth charge launch tubes. Ready to fire."
The torpedos struck below the Britannian Naval ships. The submarine then launched its anchors into the ground.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Once the anchors are secure, all hands brace for shock." Zero told them as the Black Knights braced themselves.
...
The torpedos exploded and holes of air launched out of the sea floor.
Black Knights Submarine
"It's air?" Ohgi said in surprise as he saw what was happening on the screen.
...
"Now I see. That's methane hydrate." Rakshata said with an impressed smile.
"Brilliant..." Urabe said quietly with a smirk.
...
Soon the whole ocean was engulfed in bubbles, disposing the Portmans, trapping the ships where they were and even tipping them over.
"How could…? They caused giant bubbles to rise from the sea floor?" Suzaku said in shock as he watched the ships go down from inside his Lancelot.
"Suzaku, look at this! It's beyond calling for reinforcements." Gino said in surprise, his Tristian and Anya's Modred to back him up. "Take remaining units and go after the Black Knights!" He ordered from inside his Tristian. But then he heard something come through to his comms.
Say my name
Maybe when the sun does down
Lately you're my sole surround
"What the...?" Gino asked in confusion.
"Oh no..." Suzaku said with regret from inside his Lancelot, as he knew exactly where that was coming from.
...
Black Knights Submarine
Say my name
Gonna put your head in the clouds
Never let you fall right now
"Is...is that music?" Ohgi asked in confusion.
"Well I think we all know who that is." C.C. said with a smirk of amusement.
...
"It's Zero! Zero's heading right for us!" A Britannian soldier said as Suzaku zoomed in on the incoming golden Knightmare, the Vincent.
And it was spectacle to behold
...
Say my name!
(La la la)
Say my name!
(La la la)
Say my name!
(La la la)
Say my name!
(La la la)
Say my name!
Joseph was dancing on top of the Vincent, spinning his arms around and nut-pumping.
Below him was Zero in the knightmare's hands.
...
Inside the knightmare, Rolo was at the controls while Kallen was above him.
"Sorry for the small space Kallen." Rolo told her, his voice all business right now.
"It's fine." Kallen muttered, a bit annoyed she had to even be in this situation.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Master Zero!" Kaguya said with glee.
C.C. surprised herself with her own happy smile.
...
"Dude's got some moves." Gino said with an impressed smile from inside his Tristan.
Anya just stared blankly ahead.
"Zero! This is your answer to me?!" Suzaku said with fury.
He so badly wanted to shoot him right now, but knew with Joseph on the knightmare, he could do no such thing. But he also knew he couldn't just let Zero get away with what he was doing.
"Damn it Joseph! Why did you have to make this so complicated?!" Suzaku thought with anger.
"I wouldn't shoot if I were you, unless you want to disobey your lady's orders." Zero told him.
"What?" Suzaku said in confusion.
...
"I hereby accept the offer extended by Viceroy Nunnally. Yes, I will join the Japan's Special Zone." Zero declared.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Zero's surrendering to them?" Ohgi said in surprise.
...
"But he can't!" Tohdoh said in shock.
"Lelouch, what are you planning?" Urabe wondered.
...
"Are you serious?" Suzaku said with a bit of relief in his voice from his Lancelot.
...
"Zero orders you! All members of the Black Knights, You shall participate willingly in the Special Zone!" Zero ordered.
Rolo then brought the Vincent down and let Zero onto the Black Knights' submarine. Joseph also jumped down, and Kallen was let out of the hatch, making sure he wasn't seen.
"Big brother..." Rolo said to him in concern.
"We'll being fine, Rolo. Go back to the school for now." Zero told him softly.
"We got him, bro." Joseph reassured him with a thumbs up.
Rolo nodded from inside his knightmare and left.
"So you've agreed to the special zone. That doesn't wash away the blood that's on your hands." Suzaku said angrily.
"Blow your nose, traitor!" Joseph yelled back angrily.
"Joe..." Zero said with a warning tone.
Suzaku looked at Joseph trepidation. "Damn it, Joseph. Why are you following him?!" He wondered to himself.
"Suzaku." Gino said over his comms.
"I know Gino. We've gotta pull back this time." Suzaku said with disappointment in his voice.
...
OSI Surveillance Room
"The Black Knights seem to be diving back under water. Shall we pursue the Vincent?" A OSI Soldier asked.
"Unnecessary. Suspend the search for C.C. until we receive further orders." Villetta told the soldier before signing out of the communications. She then breathed a sigh of exhaustion. "Be careful Rolo, if they get you, they'll catch me in the same net." Villetta thought warily.
...
Black Knights Submarine
The Black Knights consisting of Urabe, Tohdoh, Ohgi, Tamaki, Kaguya, Rakshata, Chiba, Asahina, and C.C. are gathered together.
"Join the Specially Administrated Zone? What is he thinking?" Asahina asked in disbelief
"Calm down Asahina, I'm sure Zero has something planned." Urabe said.
"I guess we'll see." Rakshata said.
"Ohgi, if Zero was making decisions that aren't in interests of the Japanese people then…" Tohdoh started to say.
"Are you meaning…?" Before Ohgi could question it further, the door opened revealing Zero, Joseph, and Kallen. He directed his attention towards his leader. "Zero, listen-"
"Master Zero! How could you keep your new wife waiting!" Kaguya cheered as she engulfed him into a hug.
"Lady Kaguya, I'm glad to see you well, and as lively as ever." Zero complimented.
Joseph chuckled at that and Kallen just sighed tiredly.
"And I see you're still surprising everyone like you always do. Offering to join the special zone, no one expected that at all!" Kaguya said that in surprise.
While that was being discussed, Joseph went over to C.C. with a big smile on his face, confusing her.
"...What?" C.C. asked.
To which he pulled her into a tight bear hug, squeezing the life out of her.
"Did it, Seaweed! DID IT! HAHA!" Joseph cheered as he spun her around in delight.
"D-Did w-what?" C.C. asked through her tight breath and all the spinning.
The others just watched in confusion and bewilderment. Minus Zero, Tohdoh, Rakshata, and Kallen(who smirked in amusement at the folly C.C. was experiencing).
"You Jedi Master!" Joseph cheered as he jumped up and down around the room, and soon enough he started rolling around on the floor with C.C. still his arms.
"Quit it!" C.C. said in annoyance to deaf ears as Joseph just continued to laugh as they rolled all over the place.
"...Should we even ask?" Chiba asked blankly.
"No." Zero muttered.
"What was that all about anyway? Are we really joining this new SAZ?" Ohgi asked, referring back to SAZ.
"Before we get to that. I have something I have to say to all of you." Zero started to tell them.
To which he then proceeded to bow towards the Black Knights and said, "I'm sorry..."
Shocking them immensely. Joseph heard this too as he got up and let go of C.C., who also gave him a surprised look.
"I've been rather cold to all of you since I've made my return, coldness none of you have deserved. Especially since you've remained loyal to me this whole time. Truthfully, I've been letting my regrets get the better of me lately and I took it out on all of you. I hope in time you can all forgive me." Zero continued
The Black Knights were shocked by this, not sure what to say. They never expected though stoic leader to display himself like this. Rakshata, however, had more of an intrigued eyebrow raised, same with C.C.
Kallen looked at him with a small smile while Joseph gave him a thumbs up.
"Uh, wow. Thanks for saying that Zero! The fact that you're apologizing shows just how awesome you are!" Tamaki said happily.
"Lelouch..." Urabe said with a relieved smile.
"I am curious what brought this on though. These regrets you speak of, would it be when you abandoned us during the Black Rebellion last year?" Chiba asked with a narrow eye.
"Chiba..." Kallen said with an edge to her voice.
"It's alright Kallen. Yes, I did abandon you. Not out of spite, but because I was ambushed and captured by the enemy after I had defeated Cornelia and I tried to interrogate her." Zero told them.
This surprised the Black Knights, Urabe and Kallen included.
"But...but everybody saw you leave the Area after your battle with the sphere-shaped knightmare! Suzaku even went after you." Asahina said apprehensively.
"Merely a decoy. It was all a show to get you guys to lose hope and have Kallen leave the battlefield." Zero explained.
"Suzaku had tried to capture me too. I was able to get away but the battle was already lost by the time." Kallen added, feeding into the story.
"When it was over, Suzaku had taken me to an underground prison located in Babel Tower where I was under surveillance by the OSI. It was only because of Kallen, Urabe, and Joseph that I was able to escape." Zero told him, sprinkling some truth into his reasoning.
"So that explains the raid that happened there." Tohdoh thought as he connected the dots.
"If that's the case, why didn't you just tell us that back the Chinese Consulate?" Ohgi asked.
"Cause, Og! Admiral Zero, ashamed! His pride, HURT!" Joseph said dramatically as he wrapped his arm around Zero's shoulders. "Thought not follow anymore if taken out like wimp!" He continued to explain. Making Lelouch glare at him underneath his mask, C.C. stifled a laugh, Kallen just sighed.
"We would never think that! Just goes to show you're human like us! You came back for us in our time of need Zero, you're still our leader!" Tamaki said proudly.
"Agreed, you are the one who will get Japan its freedom back. I still believe in you!" Ohgi said happily.
"We still stand with you Zero." Tohdoh said stoically.
Kaguya just looked at him with a bright smile.
Underneath his mask, Lelouch was touched. "Thank you, all of you." He said with a hidden smile. "And now I'm sure you're wondering what my plan is for the SAZ."
"I already know, you're just bluffing right? So we can lure the Britannians in and nail'em!" Tamaki said excitedly.
"I was thinking something more strategic." Zero said with a sly tone.
The group looked at him in confusion.
...
Chatter among Japanese civilians was all about the new Special Administrative Zone.
"Thus far no Elevens have signed up for the specially administrated zone of Japan commonly called the special zone. As there has been no contact from Zero, some official speculate that he may be facing dissension within his own organization, the Black Knights." A news reporter said.
"What do we do about the special zone?"
"Please don't lose your nerve about it at a time like this."
"Is this gonna be another massacre?"
"Zero said if we get behind it…"
"We'll be the slaves."
"Damn it, just gotta work permit as an honorary Britannian."
"Exactly. What's the point of being Japanese again?"
"So long with people without jobs should join in?"
"I wonder what Prince Joseph thinks about all this."
"Why good does that matter? It ultimately comes down to Zero."
...
Viceroy Palace
Nunnally felt the braille speech among her fingertips, she didn't like what she was reading.
"I'd like you to please stick to the prepared manuscript this time." Miss Lohmeyer told her.
"I was acting as Viceroy." Nunnally tried to reason.
"A Viceroy is not a king. The Viceroy acts an as official representatives of the emperor, ruling each area prudently on his behalf. We will support your attempt to revive the special zone this time, but hence forward please consult with me on such matters beforehand." Miss Lohmeyer
Nunnally's eyebrows arched in frustration at that.
"Forgive me if I sound ignorant, Miss Lohmeyer. But aren't just suppose to act as a guidance, not make decisions for me?" Nunnally asked with a bit of an edge to her voice.
"There's the right way of doing things, and the wrong way, Princess Nunnally! Unless you want to end down the path the former Prince Joseph has, I suggest you let the people with more experience in this field help you make said decisions." Miss Lohmeyer said with a strict tone.
"Makes me wonder why I was even given this position if all I was going to be treated as was like an invalid." Nunnally thought with annoyance.
...
Ashford Academy
The Student Council gang was currently working on their garden, putting in new plants and making more space.
"Leave of absence?" Rivalz asked.
"Yeah, it looks like I'm going to be a little busy." Suzaku said.
"With the special zone, huh?" Rivalz guessed.
"Oh and what about all our plans for the garden?" Milly asked in worry.
"Sorry Milly. I'll be sure to come back and help out if I get a break." Suzaku told her apologetically.
"That reminds me, Suzaku. What about Kallen?" Shirley asked, surprising the Lelouch and the council. "She's also with the Black Knights, alongside Joseph. Are you going to arrest her?" She asked in concern for her friend.
"Isn't there some way you can help her out? Like a plea bargain or something." Rivalz asked.
"Uh, well..." Suzaku said awkwardly, not sure what to say.
"We all know you are working for world peace and all. But family and friends are important too, right? Couldn't you discuss it with the Viceroy like when you had me talk to her on the phone the other night?" Lelouch innocently suggested.
That was definitely a shock for the Student Council.
"Huh?! Wait!? You talked to her, Lelouch?!" Shirley asked in genuine surprise as he didn't tell her about this before.
"With the young princess?!" Rivalz asked in disbelief.
"Well, it was on the night of the welcome party. She mistook me for someone else. So, everythings kind of a hazy call." Lelouch told them.
"You botched it up." Rivalz joked, making the council laugh. It was more awkward for Shirley though as she now wanted the full story from Lelouch.
Rolo kept an eye on Suzaku, who was just confused.
...
Military Base
Suzaku stood among the military grounds, contemplating things.
"Lelouch, have you really lost your memory? Or are you covering up? If you do remember, this is what I'd like to know. Why did you have to kill Euphie. Surely you could've found another way. And Joseph, did you Geass him to make him follow you?" Suzaku thought to himself.
"Suzaku Kururugi, you traitor, time to die!" A Britannian Soldier yelled out of nowhere as he came charging towards Suzaku, knife in his hand.
Before Suzaku could think, the Geass command screamed into his brain.
"LIVE!"
Red rims came into his eyes and he grabbed the soldier's wrist, flipping him over and disarming him.
"Sir Kururugi! Are you all right, sir?" A soldier asked as he came over to assist.
"You used your Geass to force me to live. Knowing that in my heart I sought the punishment of death. Someone like you…" Suzaku thought venomously.
...
OSI Surveillance Room
Shirley was currently punching Joseph's chest in frustration, muttering tiny curses here and there. Joseph was unfazed by it and had his dopey smile on his face. Rolo looked at them with confusion and concern, and Lelouch was currently sitting on a couch, talking on the phone with Diethard.
"Yes, that's right. I believe it will be. We've already sent Sayoko Sinozaki there, but you should know Kallen's mother also insisted she join her." Diethard told him.
"I see, it shouldn't be a problem. Well done, Diethard. You really are an expert at this. An outstanding job. You're truly irreplaceable." Lelouch praised, knowing a man like Diethard flourished with such words.
"Thank you for those words! I'm deeply honored! Are you sure your plan for the following stage would be consistent?" Diethard asked.
"Yes I am. Our tactics may have changed but out strategic objective remains the same. Take care of things on your end." Lelouch told him before he hung up.
"UGH! That! Utter! Jerk! First he takes you to the Emperor where he manipulates your memories! Then he does the same to us! And now he tried to bait you into revealing yourself through Nunnally!? I'm! So! MAD AT HIM!" Shirley said with fury as she continued to duke out on Joseph's chest.
"Yeah! That asshole!" Joseph agreed, still unfazed by the punching.
Finally, after one hard punch, or at least the hardest punch she could muster, Shirley sighed in frustration and dropped her head onto Joseph's chest.
"Thank you for letting me use you as a punching bag, big brother." Shirley muttered.
"No prob, new little sis!" Joseph said happily.
"I didn't hurt you, I hope." Shirley said in concern as she wrapped him around her arms.
"No even feel." Joseph reassured, returning the hug. Lelouch couldn't help but chuckle.
"Remind me not make you angry, Shirley." Lelouch said teasingly.
"I really wish you had told me sooner Lelouch." Shirley said with a pout as she sat down next to Lelouch.
"I know, but I didn't want to ruin the good mood the other day." Lelouch said apologetically as he took her hand into his, surprising her. "You really did help me when I needed it, Shirley. Thank you." Lelouch told with a small smile. Shirley gave one right back.
"Of course, Lulu." Shirley said kindly.
Both looked at each other, red on their cheeks. Rolo stood by awkwardly, not sure how to feel about it. But then Joseph wrapped his arm around him and pulled him in close and gave a reassuring nod and dopey smile. Rolo saw this and nodded back.
"(Sighs)Still, I hate the fact that Milly and Rivalz still have no memory of Nunnally. They talk about her without even realizing what good friends they are!" Shirley said sadly before turning back to Lelouch." We'll get back their memories, won't we Lelouch?" She asked with a hopeful tone.
"We will, if it can done for you, it can be done for them." Lelouch told her determinedly. "Still, we have to be patient. With Suzaku here, it only makes it trickier to plan things. Plus, there isn't a real guarantee C.C. can unlock their memories as they don't know about my identity as Zero, and even then it took months for your memories to come back after only being triggered by my appearance. I have no idea what can act as a trigger for them." Lelouch told her solemnly.
"But no worry! Will save friends! Admiral Zero and Super Coat Man make sure!" Joseph proclaimed heroically as he puffed out his chest. "Along with Man Freeze(Points to the confused Rolo)! and Orange Avenger(Points to the giggling Shirley)!" He exclaimed excitedly.
"Yay!" Shirley cheered.
Lelouch couldn't help but chuckle, a genuine chuckle. He wasn't sure the last time he did that.
Rolo saw this and couldn't help but smile, happy to see his brother happy. But then he remembered the other business at hand.
"There's also V.V. we have to consider. He'd kill me as a traitor without any hesitation." Rolo said with his neutral expression.
"And I'd be slain in the next moment. Anyone at this school could become a target as well, everything would be lost." Lelouch said with slight anger, having so much hate for this V.V. "I will protect this school. You and I live here now as brothers, it's our home. I won't let anything interfere with that." He said determinedly as he stood up.
But then he felt fingers pinch his ear, fingers belonging to Shirley. "Ah! Shirley!" He whined in pain.
"We won't let anyone interfere with that. Remember Lulu, you're not alone in this anymore. I'm the Orange Avenger now, got it?!" Shirley said with a strict tone.
"Yeah! Up top!" Joseph encouraged as he raised his hand up for a high-five. Which Shirley gladly gave, her determined demeanor not breaking.
Lelouch couldn't help but shake his head in amusement. "Of course, Shirley."
Suddenly, they heard the doors open and saw Villetta enter.
Both Shirley and Joseph looked at her with disdain while Rolo and Lelouch gave her a neutral look.
"Coach..." Shirley muttered with a monotone voice as she crossed her arms and looked away from her. Joseph copied her actions, his expression more snooty.
"Shirley..." Villetta said professionally to her.
Lelouch had told Villetta of Shirley's memories returning, which surprised her immensely. But what shocked her even more was the fact that even knowing he was Zero, she still had feelings for him and even wanted to help him! Villetta couldn't understand it and the only possible conclusion would be that Lelouch used his Geass on her. But if that was the case, why bring her into the fold with everything that's going on? What does he gain?
"Sorry I'm late. Club activities run over time. So Zero, what can I do?" Villetta asked awkwardly.
"Villetta, about Ohgi, do you miss him?" Lelouch asked out of nowhere. Confusing the group there.
...
Dallas Research Institute
Nina was currently working on her passion project when she heard the door open.
"I'm back, Nina." Kanon greeted warmly, Schneizel following behind him.
"Kanon!" Nina greeted happily.
"Hello, it's been a while." Schneizel also greeted warmly.
"Prince Schneizel as well!" One of the scientist working with Nina said in surprise.
"When did you get back from the EU?" Nina asked.
"A short time ago. We just completed peace negotiations with the French." Kanon told them.
"In that case you should keep pushing forward." Nina suggested.
"If you press victory too hard or too fast you are inviting defeat. In every corner of the world people look for hope. Our victories can trample that hope underfoot. That can be true of enemies and allies. Everyone has something they yearn for." Schneizel told her as he looked at a report concerning Nina's project.
...
Viceroy Palace
Anya was looking at her phone when she felt something lick her face.
"What?" Anya asked in confusion, she turned and saw it was Arthur. "You're Suzaku's cat, huh?" She said as she put her finger towards the cat, letting him lick it.
"He seems to like you, Anya." Suzaku said, coming up to her.
Anya looked at him and was intrigued by his attire.
"Japanese clothes?" Anya asked.
It was the type of clothes he wore when he trained with Tohdoh.
"Yes. I always wear them for any of my training sessions." Suzaku explained.
"Do you miss them? Japanese things?" Anya asked in her monotone voice.
"Yes...I wonder, I do have some good memories but I…" Before Suzaku can finish that thought, he saw Claudio walk up to them.
"Sir Kururugi, I've been looking for you." Claudio said.
"What is it?" Suzaku asked.
"I need your signature on this. It's the order to execute the Eleven who tried to assassinate you, sir. I need authorization from a Knight of the Round to carry out the sentence." Claudio said as he handed the document to Suzaku, who looked at it with trepidation.
...
Dallas Research Institute
Nina, Schneizel, and Kanon rode in a carriage together.
"The experiments are continuing. I won't squander the faith you've shown to me, Your Grace. I promise. I haven't forgotten. The prototype during the Black Rebellion was a failure. But if you give me a little more time I'm certain I can build one that works." Nina told him.
"You were thinking of Joseph. You did all of it for his sake." Schneizel told her.
"Why would he side with Zero, your highness? Do you think he was manipulated in some way?!" Nina practically begged that was answer.
I don't know Nina, but I still believe in my brother and I won't give up on him. So do Cornelia and Nunnally, as well as Kanon and Suzaku and many others who's life he's touched. And you, you believe in him. And that's why I believe in you.
"I'm grateful your highness." Nina said with a slight blush in her face.
...
Viceroy Palace
"Excuse me, is something wrong, sir?" Claudio asked as he noticed Suzaku was taking his time.
Suddenly, Anya grabbed the document from him and signed it
"I'm a Round. I'll sign it." Anya told Claudio.
"Yes, that's fine. Thank you ma'am." Claudio said as he left.
"Suzaku, are you some kind of masochist?" Anya asked out of nowhere. Making Suzaku do a double take. "You know you're disliked here yet you volunteered for Area 11. Hated as the hero of the Numbers as a traitor to Japan, as the man who killed Zero. You're always on trial here and out of envy and hatred they try to pull you down." Anya said.
"There's no point in trying to make people understand why I'm doing all these things. Because there was someone who did understand." Suzaku said with remembrance to Euphemia. "...Anyway, when you get down to it I am a sinner." He said solemnly.
"Sinner?" Anya asked.
Before they could go further into it, Gino came up to them.
"Hey there you two are. Looks like we gonna get that call we were waiting for. The one from Zero. Oh, and the Viceroy's going to be joining us." Gino told them.
"Princess Nunnally?" Suzaku asked in surprise.
"Yep. She insisted upon it." Gino told them.
...
Conference Lounge
Nunnally, along with Ms. Lohmeyer, Suzaku(who changed back into his Knight of the Round uniform), Gino, Anya(who went back to looking at her phone), Lloyd, and Cecile.
"Should I really be here for this?" Cecile asked awkwardly.
"You wanted to see Zero, didn't you?" Lloyd asked.
"Yes, but…" Cecile said unsurely.
"Sorry, all the other rooms are in use for special zone preparations." Suzaku explained.
"Oh I see. You have to keep this confidential too, I guess." Cecile said in understanding.
"Is there some diplomatic reason for that outfit?" Alice asked with scrutiny.
"Yes, ma'am. I apologize…" Cecile said apologetically.
"Don't listen to her, Lady Cecile. I'm sure you look beautiful." Nunnally told her warmly.
"Oh, um, thank you, your highness." Cecile said shyly with a blush.
"And I'm glad you're here. I'm sure you can add insight to this meeting. After all, my big brother Joseph told me you were a very smart lady." Nunnally said encouragingly.
"He did?" Cecile said with surprised happiness.
"Yep. And that you made delicious meals, I would love to try one later on." Nunnally said.
"Uh, but not tonight. We're all busy, I'm sure." Lloyd said quickly, wanting to prevent the Viceroy from getting food poisoning. Cecile was just beaming that another royal wanted to try her food.
"I am surprised you wanted to attend this meeting, Viceroy." Suzaku said.
"How could I not? The Special Administrative Zone is my project after all, and it only makes sense I'm apart of the politics that go along with it. It's as Miss Lohmeyer said, there's a right way and wrong way of doing things." Nunnally said in a professional manner.
Suzaku was surprised by Nunnally's attitude in the manner, but he also remembered that she was the leader of an Area now, and it was clear she was taking that role seriously. He couldn't help but be proud.
"We simply didn't want to bore you with such dull matters is all, your highness." Miss Lohmeyer said.
"I think I'll be my own judge for that." Nunnally told her firmly.
Gino had to stifle a bit of laughter while Miss Lohmeyer just sputtered her words.
Suddenly they heard static come from the television.
"Here it comes now." Lloyd said, their attention going to the television.
The screen's picture became clear and it was...
...not what they were expecting.
For it was not Zero.
At the very least, not the Zero they were expecting. The person on the screen had a Zero mask on...sort of.
It was a cardboard cut-out of a Zero mask drawn with marker and it was wrapped around the person's face.
That person being Joseph du Britannia.
"For the love of God..." Miss Lohmeyer muttered venomously.
"Greetings fellow enemies! I, Admiral Zero, welcome thee to conference!" Joseph exclaimed dramatically, striking a pose here and there.
Gino had to hold his hand over his mouth to contain his laughter, Cecile was perplexed by what she was witnessing, Lloyd had an amused smile on his face, Anya looked up from her phone in curiosity, Suzaku just sighed, and Nunnally's face lit up in both joy and surprise.
"Joseph?!" Nunnally asked.
"Joseph? Nay! New buddy, Joe, in other room! It's I, Admiral Zero, here to make deal, and 'miraclize' the SAZ!" He declared heroically. "But wait! Plot twist!" He said in faux shock as he ripped off his mask and showed his face. "Not Admiral Zero at all! Me, Joseph du Britannia!" He revealed dramatically.
"Okay seriously, if we weren't on opposite sides, I would totally hang out with your brother." Gino whispered to Nunnally, who giggled in response.
"Hey Nunne! Virtual hug!" Joseph said excitedly as he wrapped his arms around the camera.
...
Black Knights Submarine
While Joseph continued to hug the camera, Lelouch, Kallen, C.C., and Urabe were watching the meeting take place from another room. Lelouch had his mask off.
"Not that I don't trust your brother, but are you sure he was the right person to take this meeting?" Urabe questioned awkwardly.
"Definitely not." C.C. said bluntly, hugging her cheese-kun.
"Shut it witch. He wanted to do this meeting, he missed Nunnally. Besides, I owe him..." Lelouch explained.
...
(Flashback)
"I have to thank you for keeping my identity a secret, Urabe. Even though you had every reason to expose me." Lelouch said in a thankful tone as he took off his mask.
He and Urabe, along with Kallen, C.C., and Joseph were in a private room together.
"Well believe me, I was tempted for a moment or two. But you have shown you do indeed care about this revolution." Urabe admitted. "I don't have to start calling you, your highness, do I?" He asked.
"(Scoffs)Trust me, I care for my royal lineage as much as you do." Lelouch said dismissively.
"Well either way, I'm glad I kept my faith in you." Urabe said with a smile, which Lelouch returned.
"Yay! All buddies now!" Joseph cheered as he gave Urabe a tight hug, who just sighed.
"I'm still surprised you actually apologized to the Black Knights. I thought your ego was taking the driver's seat the whole time." C.C. teased.
"Hmm-hmm. Funny." Lelouch said with a thin smile. "But are you right, I've let my pride and guilt get the better of me the last few days, I thought it was finally time I owned up to mistakes. They deserved that." Lelouch explained solemnly.
"Do you plan on revealing your identity to them?" Urabe asked.
"Eventually. An apology only goes a long way and I need to earn their trust again." Lelouch told him.
"Now that we've gotten that out of the way, does one of you want to explain what happened during your time away? You seem different Lelouch." C.C. asked.
To which Joseph let go of Urabe and squished C.C.'s cheeks together, bringing her in closely to Joseph face, noses touching.
"New little Sis back, Seaweed!" Joseph said excitedly as C.C. tried to pull away.
"Shirley got her memories back. She remembers everything from last year." Lelouch explained.
That caught C.C. by surprise as she finally got out of Joseph's grip.
"She broke the Geass?" C.C. asked.
"Apparently that little trick you used on her actually worked. She just needed a trigger to have it all come flooding back. Turns she's had her original memories since Lelouch came back as Zero." Kallen told her.
"Could someone fill me in please?" Urabe asked, totally lost on what they were talking about.
"Shirley's one of our friends back at the school Lelouch attends." Kallen explained.
"And Lelouch's girlfriend." Joseph explained with a schmaltzy tone.
"Joe..." Lelouch grumbled.
"Girlfriend? Sounds like Lady Kaguya is in for some heartbreaking news." Urabe said with a teasing smile.
"Moving on." Lelouch said with a red blush on his face. "She along with two of my other friends had their memories replaced by the Emperor when I was placed back in the school so they wouldn't remember Nunnally." He explained.
"I see...knowing what I know now about your situation at the time, I'm sorry you had to go through such an ordeal, Lelouch." Urabe said sympathetically.
"Thank you, but no apologies needed. It was a situation I got myself and my friends into and I'm going to do what I can to get them out of it." Lelouch told him.
"Kallen mentioned you used a trick of sorts, C.C.? Would it be the same trick you used to give Lelouch his memories back?" Urabe asked her.
"Not exactly, I was able to break the Geass put on Lelouch because of our contract. Since Shirley and I made no such thing, the only thing I could do was send a bit of energy from my code into Shirley's mind." C.C. explained.
"Like what you did to Suzaku back in Narita?" Lelouch asked.
"At a much lesser degree, I pushed enough energy hoping to give her a sense of remembrance, but not enough to break her either. Still, there was no guarantee it would work, and until now, I didn't think it would." C.C. said.
"So why did it finally break when she saw Zero come back?" Lelouch asked.
"Love." Joseph said with a dreamily-like tone as he pulled Kallen into a hug, cheeks touching.
"J-Joe!" Kallen exclaimed with an embarrassed blush.
"I have heard stories that if one's will is strong enough, they can break the spell of a Geass by themselves. I guess seeing you return to your former self was enough for her to return as well." C.C. said.
"Love conquers all!" Joseph said proudly as he brought C.C. into the hug, making her grunt in annoyance, Lelouch couldn't help but chuckle.
"Indeed. I thank you C.C., Shirley sends her regards as well." Lelouch told her gratefully.
"Don't thank me. It was all due to the idiot here who wouldn't stop pestering me until I tried something." C.C. explained as Joseph let her go.
"(Chuckles)You really missed your new little sister, huh Joe?" Lelouch asked humorously.
"That! And, for you bro!" Joseph said happily as he wrapped his arm over Lelouch's shoulders.
"Me?" Lelouch asked in confusion.
"Need support! Need family! Friends! Love! Shirley the girl to do! Loves you! Love her! Go together like ice cream and barbecue sauce!" He exclaimed happily, the last statement making the group grimace in disgust. "Thought she help get better. Was right. Glad she back." Joseph told him as he ruffled Lelouch's hair, who looked at him in surprise. "Now! Talk with Sensei! Learn favorite show tunes!" He told them as he went on his way.
He left the perplexed Lelouch with an amused Urabe, Kallen, and C.C.
"You have a really good brother, you know that right?" Urabe asked rhetorically.
Lelouch looked at him and sighed.
(Flashback End)
...
"And I have him on comms just in case." Lelouch said, pointing to his earpiece.
...
Conference Lounge
"Missed you, little sis." Joseph told her with glee.
"I missed you too." Nunnally said sweetly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Joseph! Name's Gino Weinberg! Knight of Three!" Gino saluted to the screen and then gestured to Anya. "And that's Anya Alstreim! Knight of Six!" He said to him excitedly.
"Nice to meet!" Joseph said excitedly.
Joseph remembered them from the horse festival a few days ago when he was in his ghost form. Gino seemed like an awesome guy, Joseph would probably have a lot of fun hanging out with him, too bad they were on opposite sides. Anya was quiet a lot of times, probably socially awkward as she always looked at her phone. Clearly she just needed more friends, and when this war was over, Joseph would make sure to be right there to be one!
"Greetings, former Prince Joseph. I apologize if events force me to kill you." Anya said with a monotone.
The group looked at Anya aghast, except for Miss Lohmeyer, who had a small smirk on her face, hoping that is what happens.
"All good, Annie! Same here!" Joseph saluted with respect. Anya gently lifted her eyebrows in surprise by the sudden nickname.
"Well hopefully it won't come to that!" Gino tried to reassured. "Hey, can I just say that I watched the viral video of you chanting, 'Eat That Horse', so many times now! It gets a laugh out of me-"
"Gino." Suzaku cut in sternly, wanting to get back on topic. "It's been a while, Joseph." Suzaku said solemnly.
"...Hello, asshole." Joseph said simply with a blank expression, which hurt Nunnally to hear. As well as Suzaku, but he was more subtle about it.
"He must still be mad that Suzaku tried to have him arrested." Nunnally thought regretfully.
"Hey Lloyd, Cece!" He suddenly waved cheerfully at them.
"Uh, hello Joseph." Cecile said as she awkwardly waved at him, confused by the sudden change in demeanor.
"It's good to see you again, Prince Joseph. Glad to see your head wound has healed." Lloyd said cheerfully.
"Lloyd..." Cecile said with exasperation as she rubbed her temple.
"Yep! Hard noggin!" Joseph said happily as he knocked his fist against the bullet scar on his head.
"Joseph. Why isn't Zero participating in this meeting?" Suzaku asked.
"Yeah, the guy's not flaking on us is he?" Gino asked.
"Zero getting stuff ready! SAZ 2.0 very important, people need leader, so leading. Leaving boring stuff to moi." Joseph explained as he pointed his thumbs at himself with a smug smile.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Okay Joe, take it down a notch." Lelouch told him through the comms.
...
Conference Lounge
"And he trusted you to handle this meeting?" Miss Lohmeyer scoffed.
"Have you know. Very professional person." Joseph said with a snooty attitude as he took out a pair of thick-framed glasses and put them over his eyes, making himself look like a hipster.
Gino couldn't help but laugh this time while Miss Lohmeyer wasn't having it.
"Enough of this! If Zero can't bother to show up for a meeting he requested, then there's no point to these negotiations!" Miss Lohmeyer said angrily.
"It's alright, Miss Lohmeyer. If Zero trusts my brother to be the negotiator of this meeting, that's good enough for me." Nunnally insisted. "But I wanted to ask you, Joseph. Why are you following Zero?" She asked the question that's been on her mind awhile now.
"Because Nunne! Rather be on superhero's side than supervillain!" Joseph told her as he laid a stink-eye on Miss Lohmeyer, who just scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"But..." Nunnally started to say, feeling like there was more to the story.
"Excuse me, I just wanted to ask. Is this Zero the same from before or is he a brand new one?" Lloyd asked curiously.
"Hmmm..." Joseph said quizzically as he put his finger to his chin and put on his "thinking face".
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Tell them: 'Zero's truth is not based on who is within, it's the actions that measure the man." Lelouch into his comms.
...
Conference Lounge
"Zero's tooth based on measured hand, not who's skin!" Joseph proclaimed.
The group stared at him in perplexity at that.
...
Black Knights Submarine
Lelouch's group was also giving WTF looks.
"...What?" Kallen asked, wondering if she heard that right.
"Damn it. He's not hearing me properly through his earpiece." Lelouch said in annoyance.
"Well at least his gibberish will be nothing new to them." C.C. told them.
...
Conference Lounge
"Trying to be discreet about it, eh?" Lloyd in amusement.
"Zero said he'd stop fighting and join in the Special Zone. But does he have full consensus on that from all the Black Knights?" Gino asked, being serious now.
"More than that. Least one person mobilized!" Joseph declared.
The group did a double take at that.
"Just one?" Cecile asked quizzically.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Not one! One million, Joe!" Lelouch said louder into the comms.
...
Conference Lounge
"Just kidding! One trillion mobilized!" Joseph proclaimed.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"MILLION!" They all shouted to the comms, including C.C.
...
Conference Lounge
"One million it is!" Joseph proclaimed again.
The group stared at him, very much confused.
"...Are you sure?" Anya asked blankly.
"Yep-per-rooni!" Joseph said with pride.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"(Sighs)Thank God I already told him the rest of the plan beforehand." Lelouch said as he rubbed his eyebrows in stress.
...
Conference Lounge
"And they'll all participate?" Suzaku asked.
"Yep. One condition though! Must let Zero go!" Joseph told them, surprising Suzaku. "Need proper excuse, so gotta punish! Send thee to Exile!" Joseph proclaimed dramatically as he picked up the cardboard Zero mask and held it over his face.
"And the Black Knights?" Suzaku asked incredulously as he stood up from his chair.
"He doesn't care about them. He just wants to save his own skin." Gino said
"If word of this gets out, his own people will string him up." Lloyd commented.
"Well, duuuhhh! That why meeting secret." Joseph said as if it was obvious
"How boring." Anya said, going back to her phone.
"Area law section 12, paragraph 8. It is within the Viceroy's authority to apprehend subversive all rebellious elements and send them into exile." Miss Lohmeyer told the group.
"Miss Lohmeyer, are you suggesting we let Zero go?" Suzaku asked in disbelief.
"I'm simply stating the legal basis of action." Miss Lohmeyer said, honestly fine with not dealing with Zero or the moronic prince anymore.
"Coolio! Make known at ceremony!" Joseph cheered.
"Wait! Joseph, I know that you're a big supporter of Zero, but are you sure you're okay with this?" Nunnally asked, worried that her brother was somehow being manipulated by Zero.
"Abso-toda-lutely! Zero down now, but fight 'nother day! Won battle, but no win war! Take lives, but no freedom! Live on, survive, celebrate Indepen-"
"We get it." Suzaku interrupted, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"Besides, not worried. Nunne in charge. Will protect them." Joseph reassured, making Nunnally smile gratefully.
"That's some kinda sweet deal! If the big terrorist runs away the little terrorist will shake and quake and disappear." Gino said as he put his arm around Suzaku's shoulders.
"Perhaps, but where's the justice?" Suzaku asked.
Joseph couldn't help but frown meanly at that.
"Right, justice. Not revenge." Joseph said with a dark tone.
The group looked at Joseph in surprise, never hearing him sound like that before.
Suzaku stared at him, knowing this was a conversation they needed to have.
"Viceroy, I would like to speak your brother alone." Suzaku told Nunnally, surprising her.
...
Black Knights Submarine
Lelouch's group also looked in surprise.
"What's he planning?" Kallen asked with a scrutinizing eye.
...
Conference Lounge
"Whatever for?" Nunnally asked in confusion.
"There's some things I need to discuss with him. About the last time we saw each other." Suzaku told her.
Nunnally was unsure though, Suzaku already lied to her a few times now. What secrets could he be hiding?
"It okay, Nunne. Wanted convo with Suzaku too. Going through dude-vorce." Joseph reassured her. Suzaku couldn't help but sigh.
Nunnally thought about for a moment, until she nodded. "Okay. But before I go, I have to ask. Have you found Lelouch yet? Is he okay?" Nunnally asked with a hopeful tone.
Suzaku looked at Joseph, wondering what he would say to her.
...
Black Knights Submarine
Lelouch also looked in anticipation, wondering what his answer would be.
...
Conference Lounge
Joseph looked down, thinking about his answer. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he removed his hipster glasses.
"No. Not yet." Joseph said with a disappointed tone. "But wherever he be, misses you tons and tons." He reassured.
That surprised Suzaku. "Does he even know about what the Emperor did?" He wondered.
"You think so?" Nunnally asked, wanting it to be true as her older brother hasn't made contact with her at all since that strange phone call.
"Mmm-hmm! Be proud too! True leader!" Joseph told her encouragingly.
...
Black Knights Submarine
Lelouch looked in surprise in that statement and then realized something.
"That's right...Nunnally is starting to become her own person now..." Lelouch couldn't help but think solemnly as he was missing all of it.
...
Conference Lounge
Nunnally smiled at that. "Thank you, Joe." Nunnally said gratefully before having her wheeled away by Miss Lohmeyer.
"Hey Cecile, what's up with Suzaku and Joseph? I thought the two were friends." Gino whispered to Cecile as they left as well, Lloyd and Anya following behind.
"I honestly don't know." Cecile said, sad that the two were like this with each other now.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Should we put a stop to this?" Urabe asked.
"No, let's see where this go." Lelouch told him.
...
Conference Lounge
Once they were gone, Suzaku turned back to Joseph.
"Joseph..." Suzaku started to say, somewhat dreading this conversation.
"Yes, traitor?" Joseph asked nonchalantly.
"(Sighs)Joseph, come on." Suzaku said a bit annoyed.
"How's day? Betray more friends? Nunne? Arthur? Switch cat food with dog food?! Oh, also, TRAITOR!" Joseph angrily pointed at Suzaku.
"You know, it must be real easy for you to be bias towards family, when it's clear that Lelouch is the traitor in this matter!" Suzaku said angrily.
"No! YOU, traitor! Took little bro to dad, let dad change memories, then let dad change friend's memories! THREE evil things!" Joseph exclaimed as he held up three fingers, Suzaku looked at him in surprise.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Damn right..." Kallen muttered under her breath.
...
Conference Lounge
"I see, so you are aware of the situation with Lelouch." Suzaku said.
"Yes! Seaweed and Kal Pal told everything! Own brother not know my brother! Friends not know Nunne! All because YOU! Sold out! Let dark side take you! So cruel!" Joseph exclaimed bitterly.
Suzaku clenched his fist and snarled his teeth at that.
"You call me the cruel one?! If you know that Lelouch is Zero and about Geass, then you know exactly what he did to Euphie! He turned her into a killer! All to fuel his own ego and agenda!" Suzaku said angrily.
"WRONG! It be accident!" Joseph proclaimed. That shocked Suzaku.
"A-Accident?" Suzaku asked quietly.
"Yep! Saw with own eyes! He and Eup gonna work together! Superpower went cuckoo!" Joseph told him.
Suzaku frowned at that. "You saw it? While being in a coma as well?" He asked dully.
"Mmm-hmm! Ghost superpowers, bitch!" Joseph declared smugly as he waved his fingers over his face.
Suzaku just stared blankly at him.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"Oh, Joe..." Lelouch groaned as he rubbed his eyes in frustration.
...
Conference Lounge
"Joseph. I know he's your brother and you want to protect him but saying something you want to be true doesn't make it so!" Suzaku lectured.
"Take own advice!" Joseph lectured back.
"What's that suppose to mean?!" Suzaku asked incredulously.
"Told about Geass, yes? Told what Lelouch did, yes? Told on purpose, evil, yes?! Just believed it! No question! No investigate! Just believed! Wanted Zero be evil so feel better about self! Justify self! Convince self you good guy! So no prob betraying friends! Best friend!" Joseph told him angrily.
"YOU WANNA HATE ME, JOSEPH!? FINE! I'm hated by almost everyone anyway! But I will not apologize for what I did! If I didn't stop Lelouch, more people would have died, and I couldn't bare to let that happen! It's because of him your sister is dead and for some reason you're more willing to defend him then her honor!?" Suzaku exclaimed with rage before taking a deep breath and calming down. "She loved you, I saw the way you two always clicked with each other. So I don't understand how you can be over there, helping the person who derailed everything Euphie worked for! Why defend the man who took her away from us?!" Suzaku asked fiercely.
...
Black Knights Submarine
The group stared wide-eyed at what was happening, especially Lelouch.
"He really was in love with her..." Lelouch thought regretfully.
...
Conference Lounge
Joseph stared at Suzaku before looking down and sighing. Thinking about what Euphemia told him.
"Help Lelouch, Joseph. Help our brother!"
After a moment, he looked back up solemnly, narrowing his eyes at Suzaku. "Someone has to. Little bro locked in own head, no idea Nunne exists. Can't defend self so doing for. Saw what happened, Lelouch loved Eup, gonna make peace, it accident, hated self for it. Believe or not, it truth, NOTHING BUT TRUTH!" Joseph declared before his eyes soften. "Don't hate you. Hate what become. You loved Eup. Can see it. Let self be pulled into darkness when died. But know what? Not too late. Always chance for light. Seen with Nunne, you protect her, knew you would. That light side you! Don't distinguish, let burn, before too late! Eup saw it, believed it! Mad at you, but believe too! But until then, EX-training buddy!" Joseph declared as he formed and X over his face.
Suzaku looked at him in disbelief, not expecting to hear that.
"Joe..." Was all Suzaku could think to say.
"...Goodbye, Suzaku..." Joseph said solemnly before turning off the screen, leaving Suzaku to stand there, thinking about what he said.
...
Black Knights Submarine
The group stood there, thinking about what Joseph said. Was Joseph right? Was there hope for Suzaku?
"Lelouch...is Suzaku going to be a problem for you?" Urabe couldn't help but ask, because as Joseph said, they were best friends.
"...No, we made our beds. Now we have to lay in them." Lelouch said solemnly.
...
The Following Night
SAZ Memorial Center
Suzaku, Nunnally, and her staff stood before the lighted candles floating in the pond representing those who perished during the SAZ attacks of last year.
"Our legal counselors have confirmed that exiling Zero would be appropriate and within precedent." Suzaku told Nunnally
"I see. That might be for the best. Crimes have been committed, my own desire to forgive him is a personal matter." Nunnally said solemnly. "Would you mind doing this please? I wrote Euphie's name right, didn't I?" She asked as she handed him a candle with "EUPHIE" inscribed into it. He smiled at that.
"Euphie. We are going to make your dream a reality. A peaceful and gentle world for you." Suzaku said quietly as he pushed Euphemia's candle into the pond.
But then he gasped in surprise as he noticed something.
"Is something wrong?" Nunnally asked.
What he saw was two more candles floating in the pond. One was inscribed with "EUPHEMIA" and the other was "EUP".
"Joe. But who..." Suzaku wondered.
"No, it looks like there's others who are still grieving for Euphie's death." Suzaku told her.
"I wonder who they are. I'm glad there are others who loved her like we did." Nunnally said happily.
They were silent for a moment.
"...Suzaku. Whatever happens tomorrow...you'll protect Joseph won't you?" She asked as he put her hand on his. "I don't think I can take losing another sibling." She said worriedly.
Suzaku looked in surprise that she even had to ask, but he was quick to answer. "Of course Nunnally. We may be enemies now, but he is still my friend and your brother."
Nunnally couldn't help but smile, knowing he was being truthful.
...
Meanwhile, a distance away from the memorial. Lelouch walked up the steps to meet with Rolo, who had a duffel bag around his shoulder.
"Are you alright, big brother?" Rolo asked with concern.
"Yes. That was the last thing. We can go now." Lelouch told him solemnly.
"...Lelouch." Rolo spoke up after Lelouch walked past him, who stopped to hear what his new brother had to say. "I'm sorry about Euphemia...I...I wish I could have met her." Rolo told him softly.
Lelouch looked back at him with a sad smile.
"Me too."
...
Viceroy Palace
In Nunnally's private quarters, after she got back from the memorial, the Emperor contacted via video. Miss Lohmeyer tried to join but Nunnally insisted she speak to her father alone.
"Tell me Nunnally. Why would you request this? Why did you want to be Viceroy of Area 11 after learning Zero had returned." Charles asked.
"Because my entire life, I've lived under the protection of my big brother, Lelouch. I may not know where he is at this moment, but I'm sure that he is out there watching me at every turn. Therefore I don't want to make an embarrassing decision as Viceroy while he is looking over my shoulder. The same goes to Joseph, he believes I can do this and I'm determined to prove him right." Nunnally said professionally.
Charles stared at her for a moment before chuckling. "Yes. The dimwit is an interesting character, isn't he? One probably wonders how we have the same blood coursing through our veins." He said offhandedly.
Nunnally couldn't help shift her face in surprise, not sure how to respond to that.
...
The Next Day
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
The day had finally arrived for the new SAZ to open. Among the Japanese crowd was Kallen, C.C., Tohdoh, Urabe, Kaguya, Rakshata, Asahina, Chiba, Ohgi, Tamaki, Minami, Sugiyama, and of course Joseph, who was bouncing up and down in anticipation.
...
"This is the area of the Shizuoka ghetto that will soon become the special zone. A huge number of Elevens has already gathered for the opening ceremony. As there are over a million people here, verifying personal IDs will have to wait until after the event. The presence of this many Elevens is a clear testament to the enormous power and influence that Zero still commerce." A news reporter said from his aircraft.
...
Britannian Knightmare Hangar
"But what they don't know is that Zero has already betrayed them all." Gino said smugly as he waited for his Tristan to be ready.
"You think there'll be a riot?" A soldier asked.
"If there is, we'll have the perfect excuse for a full scale crack down. Ah, but remember, we don't move until they do, got it?" Gino told him.
"Yes, My Lord." The soldier said.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
While Ohgi was in the crowd, waiting for the signal, a Britannian soldier caught his eye.
"It can't be, Chigusa!?" Ohgi thought in surprise.
"Kaname Ohgi, are you out there somewhere?" Villetta wondered as she walked among the crowd.
...
Private Jet
While that was happening, Xingke and his assistant, Zhou Xianglin, were on private jet back to the Chinese Federation. They sat next to each other as he watched the event from his window.
"Thank you for coming and for taking me back home." Xingke said gratefully.
"Are you all right with this now?" Xianglin asked.
"Of course, I was just an acting consul. Once a new consul is chosen I simply have to return home. Besides this is an excellent opportunity." Xingke told her.
"But what about the Black Knights?" Xianglin asked.
"The request I made to Britannia yesterday should set us up for the future." Xingke said before coughing into his hand.
"Lord Xingke, are you all right?" Xianglin asked as she got up from her seat in concern.
"Don't be concerned. I just have to last a little longer." Xingke reassured her, blood leaking from his mouth.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
Nunnally sat in her wheelchair on the center of the stage, Miss Lohmeyer next to her alongside with Suzaku and Anya sitting close by.
"People of Japan, welcome to the Specially Administrated Zone. I'm overjoyed that so many of you have gathered here for this great event. Please lend me your help so we can make history together." Nunnally said joyfully.
...
Knightmare Hangar
"Lord Guilford, you are in no condition for this." Claudio told Guilford.
"The Japan Special Zone was Princess Euphemia's dream." Guilford told him.
"But there's still no sign of Zero anywhere." Edgar told him.
"That's because the man is a coward. He'll only show up when he thinks we can't get to him." Guilford said dismissively.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
"Now then before the ceremony officially begins there is a matter we wish to confirm regarding Zero. As imperial subjects all those participating in the Japan special zone will have criminal charges against them reduce and criminals that are class 3 or lower will have their sentences suspended. However the instigator of the murder of former viceroy Calares cannot be forgiven. Therefore under special Area law, section 12 paragraph 8, Zero alone shall be banished and sent into exile." Miss Lohmeyer announced.
...
Ashford Academy
Milly, Rivalz, Shirley, and Rolo sat together on the couch as they watched the event happen live.
"Only Zero?" Milly asked in surprise.
"So that means, he gets to run away all by himself?" Rivalz asked in disbelief.
Shirley and Rolo looked on with determined expression, waiting for the plan to unfold.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
Suddenly the big screen that was above the stage showed Zero's face/mask.
"Thank you! My Britannian friends. I am grateful for your lenient treatment." Zero told them.
"So he came here after all." Nunnally said with relief.
...
"Make your move, Zero. If there's a riot we have full license to wipe out all the radical elements. Duly authorized by Miss Lohmeyer." Guilford thought from inside his knightmare.
...
"Show yourself, Zero! I'll escort you safely out of the country myself, I guarantee it!" Suzaku told the crowd as he got up from his seat.
"I don't wish to be in your debt, Suzaku Kururugi. However I have a question. What does it mean to be Japanese? A nation. Is it language? Territory? Blood lines?" Zero asked.
"No! That's not it. It's in the heart." Suzaku told him.
"Then we're in agreement. A feeling within. A belonging. Dignity. Pride. The culture is carried in the heart. You're Japanese no matter where you are." Zero proclaimed.
And for the Black Knights, that was the signal.
"Then what does that have to do with you running away by yourself?" Suzaku asked in confusion.
Joseph smirked as he and every other Black Knight pushed their triggers.
White smoke came out of the duffel bags they had with them and submerged the entire crowd.
"I figured they'd try something." Lohmeyer said unsurprised.
"What is it? What's going on?" Nunnally asked in concern as her entourage came onto the stage to protect her.
"Viceroy. Let's go." Anya said as she pushed Nunnally's wheelchair off the stage.
"Wait!" Nunnally said, not wanting to leave. But Anya didn't listen.
...
"So be it. All forces, prepare to cut them down!" Guilford ordered from within his knightmare.
"Yes, My Lord." Soldiers said as they aimed their knightmares towards the crowd.
...
"Hold on! They haven't made any violent moves yet." Suzaku told them quickly.
...
"Zero may be the one who planned this, but does he have the guts to come out in the open and show himself?" Gino asked himself as he flew the Tristan among the crowd.
...
As the smoke cleared, Suzaku and Miss Lohmeyer could start to see Zero.
"Well, well, it looks like he was right here on the grounds all this time." Miss Lohmeyer said.
But then she noticed something.
As all the smoke dissipated, it was shown there was not one Zero, not two Zeros, but ONE MILLION ZEROS!
Everyone stared in shock.
"What the Hell?!" Suzaku thought in shock.
"All of them!?" Miss Lohmeyer said in shock.
...
"This is outrageous! Zero has appeared but not as expected!" The news reporter proclaimed from his aircraft.
...
Ashford Academy
"Holy shit!" Rivalz said in amazement.
"How on Earth did they get those costumes on so fast?!" Milly couldn't help but wonder.
While they were busy looking at the screen, Shirley grabbed Rolo's hand and nodded at him with a small smile. Rolo looked at her surprise before smiling and nodding back. Their attention went back to the screen to see what would happen.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
"So this was your plan! Despite our overwhelming fire power you figured a way to move a million people." Gino said both angrily and impressed.
...
"Viceroy Nunnally has ordered Zero into exile. Since we are all Zero we must all leave this country at once. No matter where we go we are Japan for we carry it in our hearts. Let us set out for a new land!" Zero declared.
"C'mon all you Zeros, let's go to a new world!" Kaguya said as she happily spun around in her Zero costume.
"Time to get exiled everybody. We're all Zero so we're all out of here!" Tamaki said excitedly.
"That's right! I'm Zero!"
"Let's get deported!"
"I'm Zero too!"
Suddenly another Zero jumped onto a Sutherland. Except this Zero only had the mask and cape on.
"YES! I, ADMIRAL ZERO, DECLARE THEE OTHER ADMIRAL ZEROS EXILED! PACK UP SHIT AND GET OUT!" This Zero declared as he put his hands behind his head and started to nut pump back and forth.
"Well we all know who that is..." Suzaku deadpanned.
...
Avalon
"Aha, he wanted the legal excuse to get them all out of Japan." Lloyd said with a smirk.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
"Damn it. We prepared for a riot but we might have they let them go." Guilford said angrily from his knightmare.
...
"Don't panic. It's a bluff. There's no way he can transport a million people." Miss Lohmeyer tried to tell the soldiers, but then an Britannian officer came up to her.
"We just got word from the port authority." The officer said.
"The port?" Miss Lohmeyer asked in confusion before realizing something. "They wouldn't!"
She looked out and saw the giant iceberg coming towards them.
"CAPTAIN! ICE BERG AHEAD! HAHAHAHA!" Joseph said crazily as he danced on top of the Sutherland's head.
...
"Please, for the love of God, let me shoot him." The Britannian soldier, who was inside the knightmare that Joseph was dancing on, muttered angrily.
...
"The Chinese Federation requested safe passage for…" Miss Lohmeyer started to say.
"Yes. The iceberg ship. But the applicant has already left the country." The officer told her.
...
Some Zeros looked on in worry.
"We're getting on that?"
"But it's ice!"
"Won't it melt?"
But soon enough, Rakshata in her own Zero costume came up to them, even holding her cigarette stick despite the fact she couldn't smoke it.
"We'll be fine. The iceberg ship isn't destructible. It has so much insulating polymers and super-peltierfilm that the ice will never melt." Rakshata reassured them.
...
On the iceberg ship was Sayoko, along with Naomi who looked on in concern.
"Kallen..." Naomi thought with worry.
"Worry not, Naomi. You'll see your daughter soon." Sayoko reassured her with a small smile.
Naomi looked at her and nodded.
...
Flying Britannian knightmares came in and canvassed the crowd.
"Target the leader! Take out the real Zero!"
"Right, but how do we know which one is him?"
...
Ashford Academy
"This is…" Milly said in disbelief.
"What's gonna happen?" Rivalz asked.
"It's that Zero's more than an idol now, he's a symbol." Shirley spoke up for the first time.
"More than that. He's made himself into a living avatar for everyone." Rolo said as well.
Milly and Rivalz looked at the two in surprise and confusion.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
"Elevens, take your masks off!" Villetta ordered as she pointed a gun at them with her badge out.
"Britannian witch!" Tamaki said angrily as he almost pulled his own gun out, only to be stopped by Ohgi.
"Don't shoot! Don't let them drag us into a fight! That's not why we are here!" Ohgi said fiercely as he shielded Villetta.
"Ohgi, it that you?" Villetta asked in a somewhat hopeful tone, recognizing his voice.
"Uh, n-no, I'm Zero." Ohgi stuttered.
...
From inside the stage, Nunnally rolled with Anya and her bodyguards.
"Please tell me what's going on." Nunnally asked.
"Miss Lohmeyer has stayed behind for operational oversight." One of her bodyguards to her.
"But I'm the Viceroy!" Nunnally argued.
"It'll be all right. Suzaku is there with her." Anya reassured her.
Nunnally thought about it, and while she did trust Suzaku, it wasn't good enough for her.
She stopped her wheelchair right in its tracks. She was a lion now! She had to roar!
...
"Sir Kururugi, we can't let a million laborers leave the country!" Miss Lohmeyer argued, her own gun out.
"Hold on, please!" Suzaku told her before looking back at the screen Zero was on. "Zero, order them to take off their masks. Do it now or there'll be another massacre!" Suzaku pleaded.
"Only if you order it, Suzaku. And even if we're all unmasked, no one would know who the real Zero is." Tohdoh thought.
"Sir Kururugi, this is an act of rebellion! Order us to fight!" Guilford said through his speaker.
"He's wrong. This is a way of resolving things without fighting." Ohgi told Villetta
"It's your call, Suzaku. You're in charge." Gino through the speakers of his Tristan.
"Zero, we could let you escape. But a million people, to let them all go with you…!" Suzaku thought to himself.
"If the Black Knights leave, peace will come to Area 11. And Nunnally's reign will no longer be threaten by our presence." Lelouch calculated.
"Even so this is a dirty way to do it." Suzaku thought angrily.
"Give the order to let Zero go!" Lelouch thought determinedly.
Suzaku stood there, his thoughts battling each other.
"I must...I have to..." His thoughts swirling in his head.
He didn't want to let Zero go, but he didn't want all these people to die. Especially when one of them was Joseph.
And then he thought about what was said to him:
"That light side you! Don't distinguish, let burn, before too late!"
Suddenly he heard Miss Lohmeyer speak up.
"I'll do it. Zero!" Miss Lohmeyer said arrogantly as she pointed her gun at the crowd.
And like that, it all flashed within his mind:
That day.
That moment.
The moment everything ended for Euphemia.
"Crimes have been committed, my own desire to forgive him is a personal matter." Nunnally told him.
And like that, Suzaku snapped into action and snatched the gun out of Miss Lohmeyer's hand.
"That's right! Euphie and Nunnally both wanted to forgive him." Suzaku told her.
"We're dealing with Zero!" Miss Lohmeyer argued angrily.
"Zero's to be exiled! That was our agreement. If we break it the people will never trust us again." Suzaku told her determinedly.
"The people? These are Elevens. Only you speak of them as people because you're are one of them." Miss Lohmeyer said dismissively.
"This has nothing to do with that! If they're all subversives why do you want them here? So you can massacre them!?" Suzaku questioned accusingly.
"They have challenged Britannian rules. So let them burn in Hell!" Miss Lohmeyer said with scrutiny.
"He's right, Miss Lohmeyer!" A voice spoke up.
They turned and saw it was Nunnally with a professional look on her face, Anya was beside her.
"N-Nunnally?" Suzaku said in shock.
Lelouch was also surprised to see her.
"Our deal was to exile Zero. And if there happens to be a million of them now, so be it!" Nunnally declared like the lion she was and turned towards the screen. "Zero, can you promise that you'll lead them to salvation?" She asked him.
"Nunnally...the woman you've grown into..." Lelouch thought bittersweetly.
"Of course, they will be in safe hands Viceroy. And you Suzaku Kururugi, can you promise the one's who stay behind will find salvation in your hands?" Zero asked.
"That's exactly why I became a Britannian soldier." Suzaku told him.
"I understand. I will trust in the promise you've made." Zero said before disappearing from the screen.
...
Iceberg Ship
"Did you hear that? All Zeros, Sir Kururugi has declared it. Rebels are hereby exiled. Nothing holds us back now. Forward, to the land of freedom!" Lelouch told the Zeros as he took off his mask, looking at Sayoko. Who smiled warmly at him.
"Master Lelouch..." Sayoko thought, so proud of her surrogate son.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
"Let's go while we have the chance." Tamaki said as he and other Zeros went on there way.
"Good bye then, lady Britannian." Ohgi said to Villetta, also making his leave.
Villetta looked at him with a wistful expression.
From the distance, Joseph saw this and raised an eyebrow.
Putting it aside for now, he turned over to the people on stage. "NUNNE!" He shouted to his sister.
He caught their attention and looked at him in confusion.
"Joseph?" Nunnally asked quietly.
"KEEP ROARING!" He said proudly.
Nunnally smiled pridefully at that. "I WILL!" She yelled back.
"SUZAKU! PROTECT HER OR ELSE!" Joseph yelled with a raised fist.
Suzaku nodded back firmly.
"For God's sake! He's not even wearing the full costume!" Miss Lohmeyer said with rage, really wanting an excuse to shoot him.
"He's Zero. He's gets to leave." Nunnally told her with a sweet smile, making her seethe even more.
"HEY MISS CRAPMEYER!" Joseph yelled, making Miss Lohmeyer look at him angrily.
To which, he turned his bottom to them and pulled down his pants, showing his bare buttocks.
"KISS MY ASS! HAHAHAHA!" Joseph declared manically before jumping off the knightmare and running towards the iceberg ship.
Suzaku sighed tiredly as he put his hand over his face, Anya stared on blankly, Nunnally was just confused by what just happened, and Miss Lohmeyer stood there shellshocked before fainting on the spot.
...
Ashford Academy
"I miss him so much." Milly said with an amused smile.
Rivalz was laughing his ass off.
And Shirley and Rolo looked at each other in relief as they thought about their conversation with Lelouch and Joseph.
...
(Flashback)
OSI Surveillance Room
Shirley, Lelouch, Rolo, and Joseph were gathered together as they just went over the plan.
"Are you sure this is the right move, Lelouch?" Shirley couldn't help but ask.
"Yes, Nunnally will be able to continue to govern the Area without interference and I can continue my rebellion. Japan is not the only country under the tyranny of the Emperor. I intend to change that." Lelouch told her determinedly.
"I should come with you. I want to do more." Shirley said insistently.
"I'm sorry Shirley, but with Suzaku still going to Ashford, we still have to be cautious. If you and Rolo were to leave, it might end up looking suspicious." Lelouch explained.
"And Sayoko knows the plan?" Rolo asked.
"Yes, she'll be coming on the ship provided by Xingke before making her way to the school." Lelouch explained.
"...I understand." Shirley said as she looked down dejectedly.
To which Lelouch gently took her chin and lifted it back up to look at her.
"I promise, I'll be back as soon as I can." Lelouch told her softly.
Shirley smiled and brought him into an embrace, which he gladly accepted.
"I know. Just be careful." She said warmly.
"And you'll be going with him, Joseph?" Rolo asked.
"Yep! Not leaving sight!" Joseph said determinedly as he stared intensely at Lelouch, making him and Shirley chuckle.
"And you'll keep Shirley and the council safe while I'm gone, Rolo?" Lelouch asked with a hopeful tone.
"Of course big brother, nothing will happen to our friends." Rolo told him with no hesitation.
Lelouch, Shirley, and Joseph smiled at that. Happy to see the growth Rolo has gone through.
"Alright, group hug!" Joseph cheered as he gathered his family into a tight hug.
(Flashback End)
...
Ice Berg Ship
"LIGHTNING SERVANT!" Joseph cheered as he rushed into Sayoko, giving her a tight hug.
"J-Joseph?" Sayoko asked under a tight breath.
"Yep-yep!" He said happily as he let her go and took of his mask. "Missed you!" He said with glee as he hugged her again, more gently this time.
Sayoko couldn't help but laugh. "It's good to see you again." She said as she returned the hug.
"Joseph?" A voice asked.
They let go and saw it was Naomi.
"NAO!" Joseph said excitedly as he grabbed Naomi into a bear hug as well. "Missed you too!" He said happily.
"F-Feelings m-mutual." Naomi said, barely able to breath.
Soon enough, Joseph let go of her and she was able to ask the one question on her mind.
"Joseph, if you're here, then does that mean-"
"Mom?" A girl's voice asked.
Naomi's eyes widen as she surely recognized that voice. She turned and saw a Zero staring at her.
"K...Kallen?" Naomi asked with a hopeful tone, tears starting to swell up in her eyes.
The Zero removed her mask, revealing her spiky red hair and her beautiful blue eyes that had tears coming out of them.
"Kaa-san..." Kallen said with joyful voice.
The two ran and hugged each other tightly, afraid if they let go, they lose each other again.
"My little girl...oh, how I missed you..." Naomi said with a sweet voice.
"I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you." Kallen said with regretful tone.
"Shhhhh...it's okay. What matters is that we're together again. I love you, Kallen." Naomi told her as she took her daughter's cheeks into her hands.
Kallen formed a tearful smile at that. "I love you too, Kaa-san."
Joseph and Sayoko watched from the distance, happy to see the two reunite.
Joseph then took out the photo of his mom and hugged it tightly.
...
Private Jet
"My Lord Xingke, it seems the Area 11 operation has succeeded." Xianglin told him after getting notice.
"I see. Looks like Zero's next performance would be on our stage." Xingke said with a sly smile.
...
Avalon
"So Suzaku managed to save a million lives and no one will ever thank him for it." Lloyd said.
"I think he knew that going in. He's used to it now." Cecile said sadly.
...
The New Special Adminstrative Zone
Suzaku stood on empty stage by himself as he looked upon the iceberg ship that sailed away.
"His whole plan was based on one prediction. That I would give the order to hold fire and let them go. You know me well, Zero." Suzaku thought to himself.
...
The Ice Berg Ship
The Black Knights stood among each other with their masks off, feeling proud of what they accomplished.
Kallen stood next to her mother, happy to be in each other's presence again.
Joseph stood on the railings of the ship, feeling the wind blow through his hair.
Lelouch, with his mask back on, looked towards the ocean, his future in his hands.
"You are my best friend and my worst enemy. I know you, Suzaku. And I also know Nunnally. I know her heart. That is why I can foresee the outcome. And for now I am grateful to you, Suzaku Kururugi. Don't ever forget the promise you've made to me." Lelouch thought to himself solemnly.
To Be Continued...
...
I quite enjoyed writing that chapter. Let me develop Nunnally's character when she became Viceroy and I got to make more Shirley/Joseph sibling bonding!
So Joseph finally got to tell Suzaku what was on his mind. Will it change how he looks at things before it's too late?
We'll have to wait and see!
For in the next chapter, Joseph gets to meet a certain Empress!
Until then, comment and tell me what you think!