Code Geass and its characters belong to Gorō Taniguchi and Ichirō Ōkouchi.
I only own my OC, Lynn 'Rin' Rossellini and her family.
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.-Nelson Mandela
Zero's Lady
Chapter 8: The Birth of the Black Knights
In Ashford Academy…
Lelouch was speaking to Rin inside his room.
"So that's how I became Zero, Rin."Lelouch exclaimed. "With the power that C.C gave me, we were able to save Suzaku and get to you in Saitama Ghetto."
Rin carefully was bringing in every single information that her boyfriend was telling her.
Lelouch was Zero.
He also told her about his Geass and how he got it from C.C, who was the strange green haired girl that she heard rumours to be going around Ashford Academy.
Absolute Obedience.
Lelouch said he needs direct eye-contact for it to work and it can only work on an individual once.
But Rin knew he would never used it to make her and the others follow him to join his cause.
They all joined him in their own free will.
And all the actions Lelouch took were steps to make a better world, so that Nunnally can find happiness in it.
"Lelouch. You have got every reason to hate Britannia as much as I do and I know you would never think anyone as pawns like your fath-I mean the Emperor or Schneizel."Rin commented and looked down. "But it's still shocking that you were able to kill Clovis."
Lelouch placed his hands on Rin's shoulders.
"Rin. Clovis ordered the slaughter of innocent Japanese people in Shinjuku. No matter if they were young or old."Lelouch exclaimed. "He had no remorse for having them killed. But if you no longer want to be part of the fight. I won't force."
Rin looked at Lelouch for a moment before a confident smile grew on her face.
"I've made my choice."Rin remarked. "I'll follow you to the very end."
Lelouch smiled. "I'm grateful, Rin."
The couple then closed their eyes and shared a kiss with each other.
A Few Days Later…
Milly, Shirley, Nina, Alice, Nunnally and Rai were all on a train that was heading outside the Tokyo settlement.
Nunnally was looking forward to the trip too and was surprised when Lelough agreed to let her go and was grateful that her best friend decided to come too.
Alice wore a bright pink t-shirt, a blue skirt, brown flats with white socks on them. Her lemon blonde hair were tied in their usual pigtails.
Nunnally wore a pastel yellow dress with white and gold lining and ribbon shoulder straps and white socks with orange shoes. Her long sandy brown hair were braided in two pigtails and decorated with small yellow ribbons.
Rai wore a dark blue shirt with grey trousers and black shoes.
"I've never left the Tokyo Settlement before; this is my first time!"Shirley admitted excitedly.
"It sounds like a nice place."Rai commented with a small smile. "Though I didn't remember going there before."
"That's alright, Rai. Hopefully being a relaxing place will cure your memory back."Milly chuckled and glanced at Shirley. "I'm sure you wish Lelouch could have come with us, don't you?"
Shirley blushed as Nunnally giggled at Milly's question.
"No, ah."Shirley said in a shy tone.
"Don't be so shy."Milly remarked. "Tonight, we can stay up all night talking."
"Then you'll probably have a lot to talk about, right Miss President?"Shirley asked with a frown.
Milly smirked. "Who can say?"
Alice looked at the view in the window and frowned seeing how badly damaged Japan became since Britannia took over.
As the train passed through a tunnel, Nina's xenophobia began to get the better of her, so Milly calms her down.
"Ah!"Nina whimpered in fear.
"Nina, it's all right."Milly assured as she placed her hand on Nina's. "There are lots of Britannian tourists at Lake Kawaguchi so security's fine. Don't be afraid, it's not the ghettos."
"Yes, but…"Nina started.
"Lake Kawaguchi sounds beautiful."Nunnally remarked gently before taking a sip of her orange juice.
"It is, Nunnally."Alice agreed with a small smile. "Your going to love being there. Lake Kawaguchi is a part of Britannia's redevelopment area, so it's not dangerous like the ghettos."
The train passed by Mt. Fuji, which had a huge portion of it cut open and replaced with a brown metal slate.
Alice smiled when she saw the train heading to Lake Kawaguchi, which had had a hotel built on it.
"Whoa, look guys!"Shirley admitted.
"Yay."Nina said quietly.
Rai, Alice and Nunnally smiled, learning that they arrived to their destination.
Meanwhile...
Naoto's resistance group arrived at a stowed away vehicle full of utter luxuries, where they find Zero inside waiting for them.
"What are you waiting for? Come in."Zero insisted. "As of now, this place will be our hideout."
Naoto, Kallen, Rin, Tamaki, Minami, Sugiyama, Yoshida and Inoue came inside the vehicle and were amazed of it.
"So, you think joining up with us is a good idea?"Naoto asked.
"Yes."Zero replied. "We're comrades, after all."
"Holy cow."Tamaki murmured. "So what is this, huh?"
Naoto smiled at the inside of the vehicle before looking at Zero.
"This is a very impressive vehicle."Naoto exclaimed. "Do you mind if I ask how you came by this?"
"I borrowed it from a rather libertine nobleman who indulges my requests."Zero responded. "Don't worry, no strings attached."
Rin smiled as she looked around the luxury vehicle with the others.
"It sure is huge."Rin complemented.
"Check it out, it's got a second story."Yoshida remarked.
"On the other hand, no one would expect us in something like this."Kallen commented.
Minami sat down on the sofa as he picked up the remote.
"It's even got a TV."Minami added.
Minami placed the TV on and the group discovered that another terrorist group, the Japan Liberation Front has taken hostages in a hotel.
However, it is actually defectors of the group led by Josui Kusakabe without the enraged Tohdoh's permission, attempting to gain hold of a vital resource, which stabilised practically all of the nations.
"How are things looking at the scene?"the News Anchor asked.
"I'm here in front of the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel."the Reporter declared. "The hotel-jackers have identified themselves as the Japan Liberation Front."
"Huh?"Tamaki said in confusion.
"What's happening?"Naoto questioned.
"Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting, most notably Chairman James, were taken hostage, as well as several tourists and hotel employees."the Reporter stated. "This footage was taken by the perpetrators. In it, you can clearly see Chairman James, including some students."
Footage of the hostages were released by the terrorists, where Milly, Nina, Shirley, Alice, Nunnally and Rai were shown among them.
"From the Student Council."Kallen whispered in fear.
Rin paled. "Oh no."
"Nunnally."Zero thought in shock.
In the JLF Base...
Tohdoh was also watching the news with his direct subordinates the Four Holy Sword, Senba, Asahina, Urabe and Chiba.
"The leader of the group claims to be Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe of the now defunct Japanese..."the Reporter started.
"That imbecile!"Tohdoh said angrily.
In Lake Kawaguchi...
The female reporter continued while Diethard watched while leaning on the side of the news van.
"Sakuradite, an essential component in the manufacture of high-temperature superconductors, is a vital strategic resource that directly affects world security."the Reporter explained. "Area 11 is the largest producer of this material, providing 70% of the world's total supply. Here at the yearly national meeting of sakuradite producers, it will be determined how this resource will be distributed among the world's nations. It's no exaggeration to say that the outcome determines the balance of global power between Britannia and other countries. It is believed that the terrorists are using world interest in the annual gathering to their advantage by carrying out this violent hotel takeover."
In a Storage Room in the Hotel...
Lieutenant Kusakabe along with three members of the Japan Liberation Front stood in front of the door staring down at the hostages.
"I'm Kusakabe of the Japan Liberation Front."Kusakabe declared. "This stand we're taking is for the freedom of Japan and our countrymen. Even though you are not soldiers, you are still Britannians. You are the ones who rule and oppress us. Sit still, be quiet and you'll be fine. If you don't…"
Nina shivered and drew closer to Milly while staring with fear at the Japanese soldiers that roamed the storage room into which she and the others had been placed.
Alice glared at Lieutenant Kusakabe as she embraced Nunnally tightly so that she doesn't get more scared.
The lemon blonde-haired girl comforted Nunnally when they were first thrown into the storage room with the others and the soldiers hadn't even been kind enough to let the blind girl stay in her wheelchair and hadn't let go of her since.
"Lelouch..."Nunnally whispered in fright.
Alice gently petted Nunnally's head.
"Shh."Alice whispered gently. "It's okay, Nunnally. Everything will be okay."
In Zero's Mobile Base...
Zero and his group watched the TV report.
"So they made their move."Sugiyama said.
"They're easily the biggest anti-Britannian force in Japan and now their pride's hurt."Naoto complemented.
"Because of us?"Inoue asked.
Naoto frowned. "It looks that way."
"I don't know whether to feel happy or sad about that, because they're all gonna end up dead."Tamaki sneered.
Rin glared at Tamaki.
"That's not funny."
Zero glared at Tamaki behind his mask before noticing Rivalz calling him on the phone.
"Rivalz?"Lelouch thought.
Lelouch looked at his phone, but didn't answer the call.
In a Bar...
Rivalz was trying to contact Lelouch but didn't get a contact from his friend.
"Ah, Lelouch, I've…"Rivalz started.
"This is Lelouch, please leave a message after the beep."Lelouch's voicemail instructed.
Rivalz angrily threw his phone on the bar table.
"What the hell's he doing at a time like this?"Rivalz demanded.
Under his mask, Lelouch gritted his teeth in frustration even though he didn't want to end the call of his friend.
"I know, but…"Lelouch thought.
In Cornelia's G-1 Mobile Base...
Cornelia was sitting on her throne while Guilford was standing at her side.
The 2nd Princess of Britannia was listening to the staff officers that were standing by the large console and discussing the situation happening in Lake Kawaguchi.
"All bridges connecting to the hotel with the exception of the main one have been destroyed. Our attempted approaches from the air and water have been unsuccessful."A staff officer explained and looked at Cornelia. "There's only one route left that will allow us to develop a possible hostage rescue plan. The main utilities tunnel running directly beneath the Convention Center Hotel."
The large console showed images of Britannian forces using different methods to enter the hotel, but neither of them were successful.
"Basically, we would go in through this route, destroy the foundation block, and submerge the hotel. Since the tunnel was also built to handle supply deliveries, it should be able to accommodate Sutherlands."the staff officer declared. "Even if the enemy has taken precautions it should be no problem. They've been using substandard weaponry, so we'll have no trouble evading them."
In the Tunnel...
Three Sutherlands headed into to the hotel via an underwater supply route, where they will destroy the hotel's foundation and submerge it in a lake.
However, the JLF were prepared for this and have modified a Glasgow into a giant shrapnel cannon to take them out.
"Enemy detected!"A JLF pilot warned. "As expected, they're moving through the underground tunnel."
"Roger that."the second JLF pilot answered. "Raikou secondary start up, both quad-linkage legs locked. Super Electro Magnetic Shrapnel Cannon voltage confirmed."
The three Sutherlands headed towards the Glascow as the JLF weapon prepared to fire at them.
"Super Electro Magnetic Shrapnel Cannon, Fire!"the first JLF pilot shouted.
The Glascow fired it's cannon destroy all the three Sutherlands.
In the Lake Kawaguchi Hotel...
The JLF members cheered that their Glascow took down the Sutherlands.
"One shot!"
"Yes! It works!"
"The Raikou is a complete success!"
"What do you think of that, Britannian pigs?"Lieutenant Kusakabe asked.
In Cornelia's G-1 Mobile Base...
Darlton was stunned at hearing Lieutenant Kusakabe's team wiped out their Sutherlands.
"Wiped out?"Darlton said in shock.
"It looks as though they've modified a Glasgow into a linear cannon."the staff officer explained.
"Then there's no way we can break through."the second staff officer admitted:
"What do we do now?"the third staff officer questioned. "If we release the political prisoners as they demand…"
Cornelia glared at her soldiers for their cowardly suggestions.
"We can't show weakness to terrorists!"Cornelia snapped.
Guilford lowered down to whisper in Cornelia's ear.
"But, Princess Euphemia, she's…"Guilford whispered.
"Yes, I know."Cornelia answered.
"Thus far it appears that none of them have discovered that fact."Darlton stated. "If they learn that Princess Euphemia is among the hostages, they'll undoubtedly use her as a bargaining chip. She went there just to observe, therefore she isn't registered along with the other guests."
In Ashford Academy...
C.C was by herself on the roof and watched the students going on their daily lives.
"Yes, yes, I know."C.C responded. "I'll do well this time. I'll try to look out for him, but I'm not his guardian."
A smile crept up on C.C's face.
"Besides the way things are going, he won't need my help at all."C.C declared. "He has Rin with him."
At Lake Kawaguchi...
Lloyd was sitting by the lake while Suzaku and Cecile stood next to him looking at the hotel.
"Can't the Special Core offer any assistance with the rescue operation?"Suzaku asked.
"I've already asked them, but we're in a regular unit and they don't acknowledge our chain of command."Lloyd said. "Besides…"
"It's too risky to entrust the operation to an Eleven, is that right?"Suzaku questioned with a frown.
"Yet I'm sure you're aware that Princess Cornelia is very discriminating about Britannians and Numbers."Lloyd remarked.
"So the Japanese still aren't being accepted enough into your structure."Suzaku commented.
"If that were true, then what point would there be in even having an Honorary Britannian system?"Cecile asked.
Suzaku didn't reply at Cecile's respond.
In Zero's Mobile Base...
Rin and Kallen helped Naoto and the others unload boxes and moving various things around the bas.
Zero was inside one room watching the news on a laptop, getting an update on the situation at Lake Kawaguchi.
Minami walked over to Naoto.
"Where do you want this, Naoto?"Minami asked.
"Over there, by the driver's seat."Naoto answered.
"She was only sightseeing. Shirley is still a student, but these criminals act indiscriminately!"Joseph Fenette said angrily."Savages! I want to be sure! I want to know if my daughter is alright! She hasn't done anything wrong!"
Zero became lost in his thoughts as he watched the TV report.
"We need to organise before we fight them again."Zero thought. "It's too soon though, we're not ready. But we can't just sit here and do nothing either when Nunnally and my friends are in danger. Knowing Cornelia, she'll sacrifice the hostages. But if she discovers Nunnally among them, our lives are in danger and both of us will become pawns to the Emperor again. Then why doesn't she make her move? Is it possible…"
Kallen walked up to Rin.
"Rin, what will happen to the hostages?"Kallen asked.
"Besides our friends, there are still innocent civilians among them."Rin reminded with a small frown. "We can't just ignore them and do nothing."
Zero muted the TV report into silence before a hidden smirk grew on his hidden face.
"You're right, Lady Rin."Zero agreed. "We can't ignore this. That's why we're going to help them."
Rin and Kallen smiled at Zero, both feeling grateful at his respond.
Then Naoto walked forward holding a box that contained black uniforms inside it.
"Hey Zero, I found these."Naoto declared. "Are they new uniforms for our resistance group?"
"Wrong!"Zero interrupted loudly. "We're not a resistance group, is that clear? What we are, what we're trying to be…are knights for justice!"
This caused Rin, Kallen and Naoto to become surprised.
In Lake Kawaguchi...
Night fell in the area as the Lancelot was being prepared by Suzaku and Cecile outside the hotel near the bridge.
"Attention all sniper teams, situation is hold, all team commanders confirm…"A soldier started.
"Those teenage hostages are friends of yours from school aren't they?"Cecile asked. "They're still negotiating so let's not give up hope."
"I have faith in the system."Suzaku responded. "I prefer the logic of systems to individualist emotions."
Cecile fell quiet and walked up to Suzaku to stand behind him.
Suzaku suddenly saw something on the screen causing him to become concerned.
"Ms. Cecile, look."Suzaku instructed.
"Huh?"Cecile said in confusion.
"Situation changing!"the soldier announced.
"Hotel roof, Alert 2, Status D. Urgent report…"Another soldier added.
The screen on the Lancelot pulled closer to the roof of the hotel three members of the JLF holding one of the hostages whose hands were tied up by rope and was about to be pushed off.
"That's..."Suzaku started.
"What are they going to do to him?"Cecile asked nervously.
"Oh no, don't do it."Suzaku begged.
Then the JLF members pushed the hostage off the roof, shocking everyone.
"Ah!"Suzaku gasped as his eyes widen in horror. "NOOOOOO!"
In the G-1 Mobile Base...
Lieutenant Kusakabe sent a message to Cornelia and her soldiers.
"Our demands have gone unanswered."Kusakabe declared. "Therefore, we will throw one hostage from the roof every thirty minutes until our terms are met. For the sake of the hostages, negotiations better be in good faith."
A few minutes later, Cornelia was walking down the G-1 hallway with Guilford and Darlton behind her.
"This is their warning?"Darlton retorted. "Barbarians."
"For now, we could negotiate just to get the women and children out."Guildford suggested.
"Forget it!"Cornelia snapped sharply. "If you give in to their conditions even once then you're simply legitimising terrorism!"
"Then do we use force?"Darlton asked.
"We would pursue that course of action after we secure the safety of Princess Euphemia."Guilford reminded.
In her mind, Cornelia became more worried for her younger sister.
"Euphie…I…."Cornelia thought in a desperate tone.
Suddenly a staff officer rushed up to Princess Cornelia.
"Viceroy, it's Zero!"the staff officer declared. "We just received a message from Zero!"
Outside...
Diethard was in the lake fishing until he was told that his third van was stolen by Zero.
"What? What do you mean Van 3 was stolen by Zero?"Diethard demanded. "What the hell was Gibson doing all this time?"
"He said that when he realized what was happening it was too late."the man stated nervously.
"Huh."Diethard scoffed. "Then where's Van 3 now?"
"Driving straight towards the military."the man answered.
In Van 3…
The vehicle that Zero stole was heading straight into Sutherland territory with Zero's entire group inside, questioning the actions of the JLF.
Unlike Kallen and the others members who were black uniforms, Rin's outfit was completely different.
Rin wore a short dark purple dress with two yellow linings, long purple gloves with matching boots. Her brown chestnut hair was loose and went up to her back while she wore a purple mask to cover her eyes.
"Hey, when Zero went off about justice earlier, what do you think he meant?"Inoue asked.
"Don't know."Kallen replied. "But all I know is our escape routes have been cut off."
"I'm just wondering, why didn't we use that other vehicle?"Yoshida asked.
"Oh, so you want the whole world to see where we hide out, huh?"Sugiyama scoffed.
"Point taken."Yoshida replied.
"Hey, guys."Naoto spoke up. "About the Japan Liberation Front. Wouldn't it best if we just talk to them and show them what they're doing is pointless?"
"I don't think those clowns will listen to us, Naoto."Sugiyama replied.
"But if anything goes wrong, I'll do something about it."Tamaki declared.
Rin looked at her companions.
"Then again, Zero did say he will give us the impossible, so we should at least give him our trust in return."Rin exclaimed. "Like how you guys saved Suzaku together."
"When you say it like that..."Kallen started.
At the Bridge…
The van pulled in front of the long stretch leading towards the hotel only to be stopped by Cornelia and her two knights in their Gloucesters that were beside her.
"Cornelia, much as I'd love to get you back right here and now, you're more useful to me alive."Zero thought. "If you do what I predict I won't need to use my Geass."
Cornelia stepped out of her Gloucester to look at her enemy.
"Well, well, we meet again, Zero."Cornelia stated. "Are you a member of the Japan Liberation Front? Or perhaps you intend to help us? Regardless, our concerns take priority over yours at the moment. And so, for the death of my half-brother Clovis, I shall take my revenge right here."
The warrior princess took out a one-handed rival gun and prepared to shoot Zero with it on the head.
"Cornelia, which would you choose: Clovis, who is dead, or Euphemia, who is alive?"Zero asked.
Cornelia's face turned to an anxious expression causing Lelouch to smirk behind his mask.
"My suspicions confirmed. The first task at hand is completed. You haven't changed, dear sister."Zero thought smugly. "You've always doted on sweet little Euphemia. That's why you won't take aggressive action, your emotions are getting in the way."
Cornelia continued glaring at Zero while her hand holding her rival began to tremble a little.
"It's within my power to save Euphemia for you!"Zero announced.
"What do you mean?"Cornelia lied. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I said that I'm able to rescue her."Zero declared.
At the Lake Kawaguchi Hotel...
The JLF reported to Lieutenant Kusakabe that Zero was coming to the hotel.
"Zero, you say?"Kusakabe asked.
"Yes, sir."A JLF soldier answered. "Word came from the Britannian Army."
With no other plan of saving Euphemia, Cornelia allowed Zero and his group to drive straight across a bridge and pass through the hotel gate.
"Attention all forces, let Zero pass!"Darlton ordered. "I repeat, let Zero pass!"
Zero secretly smirked as he passed Cornelia, who glared in anger and headed straight to the hotel.
"Either the Japan Liberation Front will accept me as their ally or they're going to treat me as nothing more than a nuisance."Zero thought. "In any event, I highly doubt that they can't resist the temptation of meeting the infamous Zero. We shall see."
Zero grinned seeing the gates to the hotel open, allowing his vehicle to get inside.
"Excellent."Zero sneered. "All the operation's preliminary conditions have been cleared."
Darlton looked at Cornelia.
"Viceroy, what are we doing?"Darlton asked.
"I believe that by letting Zero go in, we can buy some time before the next hostage is executed."Cornelia admitted. "So, this is our chance. We can hit them both at the same time."
In the ASEEC Trailer…
Lloyd smiled at the news he got from Cornelia.
"Wonderful! I want to thank you for that lovely order. Ha ha ha!"Lloyd laughed happily and looked at Suzaku. "They said you've got the green light, Lancelot. You've orders to charge right into that linear cannon in the tunnel."
Cecile looked at Lloyd with an unsure look.
"Wait a minute, you mean they're using him as a decoy to make an opening for them?"Cecile questioned.
"Yep, seems like they'll use the confusion to send in the royal guard."Lloyd remarked.
"Seems like? But Lloyd…"Cecile started.
"Miss Cecile, I'm ready."Suzaku assured firmly. "Please let me do it. If Lancelot and I are needed, and we're able to give the hostages an opportunity to be saved, then I'll do it. Even if it means being a decoy."
Suzaku went inside the Lancelot as a robotic voice showed a holo-screen view of the hotel.
"Warrant Officer Kururugi, here is a guideline for your mission. According to prime search the hostages are located on the hotel's middle floor and believed to be locked inside a food storage room."the robotic female voice said. "Advanced prototype weapon Z-01 Lancelot will use the utilities tunnel to move under the hotel. Once on site you will destroy the foundation block and submerge the building. The area with the hostages should hold out for 8 minutes. Hostage rescue and mop up of the terrorists will be handled by other units. You will be using the VARIS to destroy the foundation. Set the Impact Rail to Anti-Material Level 3."
"The only variable in this is that pesky linear cannon waiting for you in the tunnel."Lloyd declared. "Space is tight in there, the Lancelot will only have a 47.8% evasion rate."
"Are we really going through with this?"Cecile questioned.
"Yep, make sure you both pull out of there before it's too late."Lloyd answered with a nod. "Lancelot might be wrecked, that would be unacceptable."
"Before it's too late?"Suzaku questioned.
"No."Lloyd responded.
"Understood, sir."Suzaku answered.
The Lancelot was placed inside the tunnel and waited for the count down to finish.
"Twelve minutes to operation start."the female robotic voice announced. "Commencing countdown."
In the Storage Room of the Hotel...
Nina's xenophobia gets to her head to the point when she called one of the JLF members an Eleven.
"An…Eleven."Nina whimpered.
"Nina!"Rai scowled quietly.
"What did you say?!"the JLF soldier growled.
Nina held onto Milly in fear as the JLF soldier aimed his gun at her.
"Not Elevens!"the JLF soldier snapped. "We're Japanese! Damn it!"
"Yes, we're aware of that."Milly answered with a glare. "Just lay off of her!"
"Then correct her, we're not called Elevens!"the JLF soldier demanded.
"Fine, we'll correct her!"Shirley snapped.
"How dare you speak like that to me?"the JLF soldier retorted. "You three, come with me to the next room and I'll teach you a real lesson!"
Euphemia tried to stand up to help, but her bodyguard shook her head at her.
Rai gritted his anger at the soldiers before let out a bitter scoff from his mouth.
"You guys are so pathetic, you know that?"Rai retorted with a glare. "You say your doing this for Japan's freedom and yet your doing just what Britannia would do."
The JLF solider became angry at Rai's reply.
"How dare you compare us with those pigs!"the JLF soldier shouted, grabbing Rai by the shirt. "I guess I'll have to teach you a lesson to shut up!"
"Go ahead and do your worse, you britannian copycat."Rai insisted coldly.
"Why you-"the JLF soldier growled.
Alice's gaze hardened at the cruelty she was seeing as she held Nunnally in her arms.
"Stop it!"
The JLF member, Rai, Alice, Nina, Milly and Shirley turned toward the new voice while Nunnally titled her head in the direction of the voice.
It was the girl with pink long hair that flowed down her back and bluish violet eyes that was glaring at the JLF soldier.
"Who the hell are you?"the JLF soldier demanded.
The JLF soldier threw Rai on the floor.
"I demand you take me to your leader right now, understand?"Euphemia demanded.
"What?"the JLF soldier scoffed.
The female bodyguard held Euphemia's hand.
"No, Sub-Viceroy, please."the bodyguard whispered.
"You're addressing Euphemia Li Britannia."Euphemia declared as she took off her glasses. "The third princess of the Britannian Empire."
Everyone in the storage room were surprised at Princess Euphemia being among them.
Nunnally's fearful expression vanished hearing her half-sister's voice.
"Euphie?"Nunnally whispered in awe.
Euphemia turned her gaze to Rai.
"Are you all right, young man?"Euphemia asked gently. "You haven't been hurt?"
"No."Rai responded quietly with a surprised expression. "Thanks."
Alice watched with a surprised look as Euphemia was escorted out of the room by soldiers.
"I hope she will be okay."Nunnally responded worriedly.
"I'm sure she will be, Nunnally."Alice assured with a small smirk.
In Another Room of the Hotel...
Zero meets with Kusakabe with the latter asking him to remove his mask.
"You have no intention of joining me?"Zero questioned.
"Remove that mask and reveal your real face to us."Kusakabe ordered. "It's disrespectful not to."
"I understand, but before I do, I'd like to ask you something."Zero responded. "What exactly do you hope to accomplish by this action?"
"Gain attention."Kusakabe declared proudly. "I want this country and the world to know that the Japanese aren't dead yet."
"How stale."Zero sneered smugly, earning a glare from Kusakabe. "You people are obsolete, there's no saving you."
Kusakabe and his men became angry at Zero's respond.
"What?!"A JLF member snapped angrily. "Why you arrogant…"
"Explain what you mean by that, Zero."Kusakabe insisted.
Meanwhile...
Suzaku was now inside the Lancelot preparing to drive in the tunnel.
"Me boost."Suzaku stated.
"Lancelot, now launching!"Cecile stated.
The Lancelot launched towards the JLF Glasgow.
"Reaction confirmed, one enemy Knightmare."the first JLF pilot reported. "It moves twice as fast as the others."
"So what? It'll end up like the rest."the second JLF pilot said. "Super Electro Magnetic Shrapnel Cannon, fire!"
The Lancelot takes on the cannon, dodging its shrapnel with his impressive speed.
Cecile and Lloyd ducked their heads down as the ground shook beneath their feet.
"I warned you about this, Lloyd!"Cecile reminded.
"He doesn't wanna play decoy, he's going for the goal."Lloyd remarked.
In the Hotel...
Naoto, Kallen and the rest of the group plant small white bombs on fuel pipes.
Rin attacked and gunned down the JLF soldiers in the storage room where the hostages were.
"Everyone, follow me."Rin ordered. "Don't be afraid. If you guys want to live, then follow where I am going."
"But you're a..."Nina started.
"There is no time!"Rin argued. "We need to leave now!"
The civilians began to stand up to follow the masked girl as Rai picked up Nunnally since she couldn't walk.
As Euphemia was moved to another room, Kusakabe tried to kill Zero but was killed by Geass along with the other soldiers.
"There is no point taking talking anymore!"Kusakabe shouted and took out his sword.
"Die."Zero ordered.
The soldiers escorting Euphemia entered the room and discovered the carnage caused by Zero, who claimed it was suicide for the pointlessness of the ordeal.
"Colonel!"A JLF Member shouted and his arm got shot by Zero. "Ugh!"
"Calm yourselves."Zero instructed as he placed his gun away.
"Zero."Euphemia said with a frown.
"The Colonel and the others committed suicide when they realized how meaningless this operation was."Zero declared and looked at his favourite half-sister. "Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the commoners. You haven't changed."
"Eh?"Euphemia responded in confusion.
Cornelia looked at Darlton.
"What?"Cornelia questioned. "The AE6 Knightmare?"
"Yes."Darlton responded. "At the rate it's going it'll break through soon."
"Huh."Cornelia said and looked at the hotel. "Do we dare hold out hope?"
Inside the Tunnel...
"Yes."Suzaku said as he held the controls of the Lancelot. "It can take this level of destructive force."
"That thing broke through salvo number five."the first JLF pilot said in shock. "I can't believe it."
"Just don't panic. Deploy the quad-link free-fire armgun, batteries too."the second JLF pilot instructed. "We'll shield this final defense with our lives."
"Ms. Cecile, it's time for me to use the VARIS."Suzaku stated.
"No, you could get killed!"Cecile protested.
The Lancelot used his shield to block the cannon's shots before activating his gun to take out the weapon of the enemy.
"There's no room for me to evade, I'll risk getting blasted to take the first shot."Suzaku admitted.
In the Hotel...
Zero talked with Euphemia privately in the room.
"I heard that you're the Sub-Viceroy now your Highness, Princess Euphemia Li Britannia."Zero said gently.
"It's not an appointment I'm happy with."Euphemia retorted.
"No, it's because Clovis was murdered."Zero answered. "That was my handiwork. He begged pathetically for his life to the very end."
"Then why did you kill my brother?"Euphemia questioned.
"Because he issued the orders that caused many innocent civilians to die just to hide a secret that he believed might've gotten him disinherited."Zero exclaimed.
"What now?"Euphemia asked with a soft glare. "Are you going to kill me as well?"
"No, Princess Euphemia."Zero replied. "You are innocent and harming the innocent is not something that I am willing to do."
Outside...
"Use maximum output! I don't give a damn if it destroys the guns!"the second JLF pilot shouted. "Be prepared to die defending this spot! Smash him!"
Suzaku managed to destroy the cannon and proceeded to carry out the plan, destroying the foundation block.
The Lancelot emerged out from the tunnel, revealing himself to Cornelia and her soldiers.
"It's the Eleven."Cornelia said. "He really did it. Guilford!"
"Right."Guilford agreed.
The Lancelot shot a blast with his gun, destroying the foundation block of the hotel.
Suzaku was stunned to Zero inside the hotel where he was talking to Euphemia.
"Ah, no way."Suzaku said in disbelief.
"The white Knightmare from before."Zero thought with a hint of annoyance.
Zero then detonated the explosives to make the hotel explode and start to collapse on the ground.
"EUPHIE!"Cornelia yelled out.
"My friends!"Suzaku said in shock.
The Lancelot rushed in to try and save the survivors.
"Warrant Officer Kururugi, don't!"Lloyd protested.
Inside a Van...
"What about the cameras in Van 3?"Diethard asked.
"I told you, Zero took the Van…"A man said.
"Well then, let's hope we pick up a signal from them."Diethard commented and thought."What are you doing, Zero? Wasn't that part of your plan to show us something?"
The smoke cleared away as the Lancelot stood at the ruins of the hotel.
"He's all right!"Cecile remarked.
Lloyd sighed in relief to see the Lancelot alright and didn't have any damage on it.
Suzaku began to mourn for failing to rescue his friends.
"I couldn't rescue them."Suzaku said in shame. "They're dead, I failed. Not again."
Zero suddenly appeared on a boat with all of the hostages (including Rai, Nina, Shirley, Milly, Alice, Nunnally and Euphemia) perfectly safe, intending to return them.
"My dear Britannians, have no fear!"Zero announced. "All of the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound! I, Zero, return them to you unharmed!"
"They're fine!"Suzaku remarked in relief.
In the Bar...
Rivalz smiled seeing his friends all safe and sound while serving drinks to a few customers.
"Alright!"Rivalz chuckled joyfully.
Outside...
"Of all the brazen audacity, if we attack you those people will quickly become your hostages, won't they?"Cornelia scoffed with a glare.
Suddenly a spotlight shuns on Zero and his followers, declaring his group to be known as the Black Knights.
"People! Fear us, or rally behind us as you see fit!"Zero declared. "We, are the Black Knights!"
"Black Knights?"Cecile said in confusion.
"Ironic, isn't it?"Lloyd remarked. "The terrorists referring to themselves as knights."
Zero continued to explain of he and his followers were to the civilians.
"We of the Black Knights stand with all those who have no weapons to wield."Zero declared."Regardless of whether they be Japanese or Britannians. The Japan Liberation Front cowardly took innocent Britannian civilians hostage and they mercilessly executed them. It was a wanton and meaningless act, therefore they have been punished."
In a News Van...
Diethard was ordering the media members to focus their cameras on Zero.
"You heard me right, I said let it run."Diethard ordered and got a respond. "Liable? I'll be the one responsible for this."
Outside…
"Just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed Japanese people, we could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out, and so we made him pay for his actions."Zero announced. "I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak by the strong. The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed! Wherever oppressors abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again! No matter how mighty, how formidable our foe may be!"
Suzaku frowned at hearing Zero's announcement since he wasn't impressed at his next move.
Rin was quietly amazed what the masked man said they were to the people of the world.
"Knights…for justice?"Rin thought in surprise.
"Those of you with power, fear us. Those of you without it, rally behind us!"Zero declared as he held out his arms as he went on. "We, the Black Knights, shall be the ones who stand in judgment of this world!"