Code Geass and its characters belong to Gorō Taniguchi and Ichirō Ōkouchi.
I only own my OC, Lynn 'Rin' Rossellini and her family.
Zero's Lady
Chapter 3: A Man Named Zero
Suzaku was being interrogated by Jeremiah and his men over the death of Prince Clovis.
The son of the last Prime Minister of Japan wore prison clothes while his face was bruised and his body was beaten up from their interrogation reasons.
"Do you know anything about this weapon, Suzaku Kururugi?"Jeremiah asked.
Suzaku just stared at the gun in the plastic bag and didn't say anything.
"Suzaku Kururugi, it was the one used to rob Prince Clovis of his life."Jeremiah admitted. "The barrel striations leave no doubt, and we've done a little homework on you as well. You're the eldest child of Japan's last acting prime minister, are you not? Your motive here is clear."
"You're making a mistake!"Suzaku protested. "I have never even laid eyes on that gun!"
Suzaku hit the ground when his chair got kicked over.
"We've found your fingerprints all over this weapon."Jeremiah commented. "You're also suspected of murdering members of the Royal Guard. Come clean now, and you'll be judged as though you were born a Britannian, not some worthless Eleven."
"You're wrong!"Suzaku argued. "I've done nothing!"
Suzaku winced as he got kicked in the face by one of Jeremiah's men.
After Rin finished her day in school, she returned to the Sumeragi Residence to meet up with Kaguya.
The brunette first went to the kitchen to prepare lunch for them to eat.
She made buckwheat noodles with toppings of spring onions, agetama tempura flakes and kamaboko fish cakes.
Rin later sat down with Kaguya to discuss what they both heard in the news.
"Rin, have you heard?"Kaguya asked worriedly. "Suzaku has been arrested for murdering Prince Clovis."
"I know. I heard the news at school."Rin commented. "But I don't believe a single thing they say."
A scoff escaped Rin's mouth.
"What is it, Rin?"Kaguya asked.
"I did tell Suzaku joining the Britannian Military would be dangerous especially if you're Japanese, but he wouldn't listen."Rin retorted. "And now his going to pay for the consequences."
"Suzaku maybe an honorary Britannian, but his is still my cousin."Kaguya admitted. "We can't just let him be executed for a crime he didn't commit."
Rin used her chopsticks to eat a slice of her fish cake as Kaguya spoke.
"I know. But can we do, Kaguya?"Rin asked. "Neither of us have the power to stop the Purebloods."
In Ashford Academy...
Lelouch was tucking Nunnally to bed.
"That was Suzaku they mentioned on the news, wasn't it?"Nunnally asked.
"Yep, it looks like he's still alive."Lelouch said. Nunnally:
"Yeah, it's been ages."Nunnally remarked. "We haven't seen him since the war ended. Even we…"
Nunnally paused for a moment to look at Lelouch.
"And Lelouch?"Nunnally spoke up.
"What is it?"Lelouch asked.
"It wasn't true what the news said, was it?"Nunnally questioned.
"Of course not."Lelouch responded. "Suzaku would never do anything like that. They've just made a mistake."
"Yeah…must be."Nunnally said.
Nunnally fell asleep as Lelouch held her hand.
"Well…Good night, Nunnally."Lelouch declared.
Meanwhile…
Naoto was listening to the news of Suzaku being accused over the death of Prince Clovis.
The red-haired boy was also listening to Kallen on the phone of the mysterious voice calling her.
"He said to come at Tokyo Tower the day after tomorrow at 16:00."Kallen exclaimed."Do you think it's a trap?"
Naoto shook his head.
"I doubt it is, Kallen."Naoto replied."Since his the one who saved our lives during the Shinjuku incident, we might as well see who he is and what his goals are."
"Right."Kallen answered."See you later, Naoto."
Naoto nodded. "Bye, Kallen."
Naoto hung up his cell phone and glanced at the photo which showed him, Kallen and his late best friend, Ohgi in it.
The Next Morning…
The entire student body of Ashford Academy is assembled for the funeral and tribute to Prince Clovis.
"Truely this is bitterly painful incident for all, the viceroy of Area 11, our beloved Prince Clovis has been lost to us forever."Principal Ruben declared. "However, we can and will bear the weight of this tragedy, and from this darkest of hours draw strength."
Rin frowned at Principal Ashford's words of Prince Clovis since she was one of the few people that knew what the late 3rd Prince of Britannia was really like.
"I wonder how Lady Gabrielle and Lila are dealing with this?"Rin thought with a sad frown.
When the assembly for the eulogy of Clovis ended, all the students left the gymnasium.
Rin walked over to Lelouch.
"So, what do you think of all this, Lelouch?"Rin asked."I mean one of your half-brother's getting killed all the sudden. Shocking, huh?"
"Y-Yeah, it is."Lelouch commented with a slight smile.
Rivalz then walked up to Lelouch and Rin.
"Hey, Lelouch and Rin!"Rivalz greeted.
"Hey, Rivalz."Lelouch replied.
"Hi."Rin responded.
"You got anything going on later?"Rivalz asked."After all classes have been cancelled for the day, hawks have been asking for a rematch."
Shirley who was listening turned around at hearing Lelouch planning to gamble again.
"You are not gambling, you guys!"Shirley argued.
"Come on."Rivalz remarked."Don't be such a stick in the mud."
"Ugh."Rin scowled with a frown."Couldn't you find something better to do than just gambling? I really don't see any benefits of it."
"She's right though."Lelouch stated."Maybe it's time to quit."
"Huh?"Rivalz said in surprise.
"I found a better opponent actually."Lelouch admitted.
"A better opponent?"Rin repeated.
"You did?"Shirley commented."I don't get it."
"You'll cut me in on the action too, right?"Rivalz assumed.
"A-Hahaha. Better not."Lelouch chuckled."It's not really up your alley."
Kallen was walking through the museum within the old Tokyo Tower and Naoto was walking with her. On the other side was Yoshida, Sugiyama, Minami, Inoue and Tamaki.
"Britannia's resounding victory over Japan opened the unenlightened nation's eyes to it's true place in today's world order."the guide voice exclaimed."Since then the Empire and Area 11 had walked hand in hand down the road to revival."
Naoto scowled in annoyance at the record of the 'grand' and utterly fake history of Britannia taking over Japan.
Yoshida, Sugiyama, Minami, Inoue and Tamaki stood together, talking about the person they were going to meet.
"I wonder what the guy is like."Sugiyama complemented."The guy we are going to meet."
"I'm thinking the same thing."Inoue said."He obviously can't be Kururugi since he was arrested."
"Attention please. Paging Miss Kallen Stadtfeld, Ashford Academy."A voice in the intercom informed."One of your personal effects has been turned in at the kiosk on the observation deck. I repeat. Kallen Stadtfeld, your lost item has been delivered to the service desk."
Naoto and his group were surprised as they listened to the person over the intercom.
Kallen went the service desk with Naoto following her.
Naoto and Kallen got to the service desk and the female receptionist handed Kallen a black cell phone with a smile.
"Hi."the receptionist greeted. "I'm assuming that this phone is yours, ma'am."
"Ah, yeah."Kallen answered. "Thank you so much."
Naoto and Kallen looked at the cell phone and it was vibrating.
The two siblings looked at the Caller ID and it read Zero.
"Zero?"Kallen said.
"Is that him?"Naoto questioned.
"I think so."Kallen suggested and answered the call. "Uhm…Hello?"
"I want you to board the outbound train on loop line five."Zero informed. "Bring your brother and the others with you."
At the Area 11 Government Bureau…
Jeremiah was sitting in the desk with Villetta standing next to him on his left and Kewell Soresi standing next to him on his right side.
The three members of the Pure Bloods were meeting with Diethard Reid.
"You handled His Highness's memorial program very well, but a little too weepy from my taste."Jeremiah commented.
"Yes, well the masses tend to like tear-jerker, your excellency."Diethard said.
"Spoken like a true TV-man. Still, I have to acknowledge the finesse you've shown."Jeremiah commented. "You did well in the short time you had. One would almost think you were expecting His Highness to meet his untimely end."
"It's quite common from memorial program to be set in advance for important people."Diethard responded.
"Does that including me as well?"Jeremiah asked.
"Recent event may have bumped you up the list a bit your excellency."Diethard stated.
"I wasn't deemed important enough till now is that it?"Jeremiah scowled. "How forthright of you!"
"I'm afraid so, sir."Diethard said.
"Ever thought of enlisting?"Jeremiah questioned. "The army could use more men like you."
"I don't think it would be a very good fit."Diethard admitted. "Not really my cup of tea."
"You prefer the civil sector I take it."Jeremiah assumed. "No matter, I have another favor to ask of you. Tomorrow night Suzaku Kururugi will be transferred to his court-martial."
"We should line the road with good patriotic Britannians."Diethard complemented.
"Excellent."Jeremiah replied and smirked. "You catch on quickly, don't you? Be sure the rabble can see his face."
"Lord Jeremiah, there are those among the Elevens who see private Kururugi as a hero."Viletta informed. "Some might very well make an attempt to free him."
Jeremiah became serious at Viletta's declaration.
"I'll be there personally aboard my Sutherland."Jeremiah commented. "If anyone even thinks of causing trouble, they will be executed on the spot."
Naoto, Kallen, and their group members were riding in the train as instructed by their mysterious comrade.
Kallen and the others noticed and wondered what was going to be going on next.
"What now?"Kallen asked.
"Face forward and look to your right."Zero instructed. "What do you see?"
"The Britannian city."Kallen responded. "It was stolen away from us and built on our sacrifice."
"And on the left?"Zero asked.
Kallen turned her gaze to the left.
"I see our city."Kallen admitted. "Remnants of the desiccated city after the Britannian sucked it dry."
"Good answer."Zero said. "Now make your way to the front of the train."
The mysterious voice hung up as Kallen looked at the phone and Naoto signalled the others to follow him.
The group all glanced at each other as they reached the last door.
Naoto was surprised none of the passengers were bothering them since they were Japanese.
Everyone else paused behind, entering as the door hissed open and eyes widening at what they saw.
It was a person, he was turned away, but he was wearing something regal.
A dark black cape with gold lining and a high standing collar.
Naoto stared at the figure in as he walked forward a bit to ask the unknown figure.
"Hey, are you the guy? The one in Shinjuku?"Naoto questioned. "Was that cease fire your doing?"
"I am."Zero answered.
"This better not be some sort of trap."Tamaki retorted.
"This is no trap, so there is no need to be alarmed."Zero said.
The mysterious figure turned around revealing himself to Naoto and his group.
Zero wore a tight dark purple suit with golden stripes, long wrapped sleeves, and a frilled white cravat. The outfit combined Victorian fashion with that of a sleek bodysuit; worn over it is a black and gold cloak with crimson spandex lining the inside and an enormous black cape encircling the head. His face was covered by a a spiky black and indigo mask.
"Um, excuse me, who are you exactly?"Yoshida asked.
"For now, you can refer to me as Zero."Zero answered.
"Zero huh?"Naoto said with a hint of curiosity."So that's the alias you're going by."
"Correct."Zero replied."What do you think of my tour at the settlement?"
"Your tour?"Kallen said.
"I wanted you to fully grasp the two, the settlement and the ghetto."Zero complemented, extending his hands out from each side of the train.
"Yeah, we know."Inoue said. "There is a difference between us and them. A very harsh one. And that's why we resist them."
"You are wrong."Zero informed. "Britannia will not fall to terrorism. It's a little bit better than childish nuisance."
Naoto remained calm while his teammates felt insulted.
"What was that?!"Tamaki scowled.
"You call us a bunch of kids?"Yoshida questioned.
"You should know your enemy. It is not people, but Britannia itself. It is a war you must wage, but not on the innocent."Zero admitted and looked at Naoto. "Fighting for justice is what you want, isn't?"
"Yes. It is."Naoto replied.
"Then let's work together."Zero insisted. "Walk the path that will take Britannia down. That way we can show not only Japan, the world that Britannia is not invincible as it claims itself to be."
Kallen frowned. "Just what are you saying?"
"There other places in the world that got trampled to ruins by Britannia."Zero exclaimed. "They are suffering as much as Japan is. Freeing Japan won't defeat Britannia entirely."
Naoto, Kallen and their companions were utterly surprised by Zero's declaration.
"When you put it like that."Kallen murmured.
"I never thought of that."Sugiyama said.
"Are you serious about this?"Yoshida questioned.
"I am."Zero replied. "And this path I'm willing to take starts with saving the life of Suzaku Kururugi."
At the Japan Liberation Front…
Members of the Japan Liberation Front were discussing things in meeting regarding Suzaku and Lieutenant Colonel Kyoshiro Tohdoh was keeping quiet most of the time.
Tohdoh had his katana in front of him as he sat with his legs crossed.
"He killed the Prince of Britannia."A JLF soldier commented. "Suzaku Kururugi should be treated as a hero."
"Yeah, but he's an Honorary Britannian."A second soldier pointed out.
"Prime Minister Kururugi was his father."A third soldier said.
"So what?"A fourth JLF soldier scowled. "The brat gave up Japan, and people don't know that about him."
"The whole Shinjuku business was the work of Kozuki's group, wasn't it?"General Katase asked.
"Yes, sir."Lieutenant Kusakabe answered. "They're being led by young Kozuki at present."
"Has Kururugi's family said anything?"General Katase questioned.
"No, sir."the first JLF responded. "They broke contact with him once he joined the military."
"Tohdoh, what are your thoughts?"General Katase asked. "Young Kururugi was one of your students like Lady Rin was."
"We should not become involved in this public execution."Tohdoh declared.
Lieutenant Kusakabe frowned at Tohdoh's respond.
"That's cowardly!"Lieutenant Kusakabe scowled."You are Tohdoh, the miracle worker right?"
"There is difference between miracles and foolhardiness."Tohdoh informed.
The Next Morning…
At the Tokyo Settlement, Suzaku was being transported to his execution place, chained around his arms and a collar device strapped to his neck, guarded by two Britannian soldiers.
Acting Viceroy Jeremiah Gottwald and four other Sutherland knightmares were escorting him to ensure his impossible escape or attempted escape from the Japanese.
"Any moment. Any moment now. It's a sight to see. The throngs' lining the route."An Announcer reported. "All of them waiting on bated breath. Waiting for the accused murderer of Prince Clovis to pass by. An honorary Britanian and a former Eleven Suzaku Kururugi."
There were many civilians gathered around the settlement to watch Suzaku get executed.
At the Sumeragi Residence…
Rin and Kaguya sat down together in their private chambers, watching the news.
"I can see them!"the Announcer stated. "They have the suspect! Suzaku Kururugi is headed this way!"
Kaguya stared at the sight of seeing her other cousin to be executed for a crime he didn't even commit in fear and was struggling to watch.
Rin embraced Kaguya to comfort her while glaring at the news in front of them.
At Ashford Academy…
Milly, Shirley, Rivalz, Nina, Nunnally and Alice were in the Student Council Room watching the live news of the Suzaku being transferred.
"Voices of scorn growing ever louder."the Announcer reported. "Voices bearing testament to a people's love of their prince. Raining their judgement down on a terrorist."
Nunnally became worried at hearing Suzaku getting executed.
"Suzaku!"Nunnally called out.
Jeremiah was riding his Sutherland in the streets of the Tokyo Settlement.
"Margrave Jeremiah, integral in settling this case, will be presiding over the trial as acting consul."the Announcer stated.
Minami, Yoshida, Sugiyama, Inoue, and Tamaki were watching the news.
"No way that they'll be able to pull this off on their own."Tamaki retorted.
"We'll just have to see."Minami complemented.
Naoto was waiting inside a vehicle and watching what was happening from their monitor.
"He told us. He said he'd make the impossible possible."Naoto thought."He gave us his word to save Suzaku Kururugi."
Lelouch fixed his gloves before he placed on his mask.
"Right. No need to turn back."Lelouch murmured. "The die is cast."
At the Tokyo Settlement…
Jeremiah received a call from a scout.
"Acting consule Jeremiah."A scout spoke up.
"What is it?"Jeremiah asked.
"Vehicle approaching the main highway from third."A scout reported. "We just let it through as you instructed, but…"
"Do you believe the target could be a terrorist's vehicle?"Jeremiah asked.
"Well sir, it's Prince Clovis' car."the scout admitted.
"The prince's car?"Jeremiah said in surprise and then smirked. "Well, looks like we've got a comedian. Don't worry about it. Just let them through to us. All forces hold here!"
All the transports and knightmares halted their advance at Jeremiah's command causing Suzaku to become confused.
Jeremiah and the others looked ahead to see that from the opposite side of the bridge, a small royal designed vehicle rolls on the highway without escorts.
"This is not a scheduled stop. Could there have been some sort of accident? This is site 5. There is a vehicle approaching them."the Announcer reported. "It's Prince Clovis' personal transport! And it's heading straight for the cavalcade!"
Kallen was dressed as a chauffeur with a visor over her eyes.
The red haired girl was driving the car that was identified as belonging to Prince Clovis, but it was actually fake.
"Hope they can't tell it's fake."Kallen thought worriedly.
Kallen stopped the vehicle just as Zero instructed.
"You dare desecrate His Highness's transport?!"Jeremiah shouted. "Come out of there."
Kallen clicked a button on the screen, causing the Britannian flag on the van to go up in flames to reveal Zero, standing atop, apparently calm.
"I am Zero!"Zero declared.
Everyone's eyes widen and gasped emerged at seeing the mysterious masked man before him.
At the Sumeragi Residence…
Rin and Kaguya became also surprised at seeing Zero.
"Zero as in nothing?"Rin questioned.
"His cute."Kaguya remarked in delight.
Rin sweat dropped at Kaguya's sudden admiration for the mysterious masked man that just appeared.
At Ashford Academy…
"Who is this person?"the Announcer questioned. "This man calling himself Zero, standing before a full military convoy."
"What is all this?"Rivalz asked.
A scoff of amusement escaped Alice's mouth.
"This is getting interesting."Alice sneered quietly.
At the Tokyo Settlement...
The crowd murmured at seeing Zero standing before the Purebloods.
"Who is this man calling himself Zero?"the Announcer asked. "Are we gazing on a terrorist? Certainly not the wisest if such is the case."
Suzaku looked at Zero.
"Is he an Eleven?"Suzaku thought.
From behind his mask, Lelouch stared at his childhood friend.
"Now to return the favour, Suzaku."Zero thought.
"I've seen enough, Zero."Jeremiah said, holding his gun."This little show of yours is over. First things first. Why don't you lose that mask?"
At this motion, Kallen pressed a button that caused the walls of the van to break, revealing a gas chamber, contents unknown to anyone.
The civilians became nervous at seeing the device.
"What in the!?"Jeremiah shouted.
"Jeremiah, be careful!"Viletta warned."He's got the…"
"Yes, Jeremiah."Zero thought smugly."You never saw inside this thing. So, you assume it holds poison gas."
"Wait!"Suzaku protested. "You don't understand…"
Suzaku winced when the collar around his neck stopped him from talking.
"Can all of you watching at home see this? It's some sort of device, although its purpose is unclear."the Announcer reported. "Stay with us and we'll see if this so-called terrorist has anything to say."
"You, fiend!"Jeremiah scowled. "He's taken every Britannian here hostage, and he's done it without them even knowing it."
"You intend to shoot?"Zero asked. "I think you know full well what will happen if you do."
"Fine, what are your demands?"Jeremiah questioned.
"An exchange."Zero declared. "This, for Kururugi."
"Like hell."Jeremiah retorted. "He's charged with high treason for murdering a prince. I can't hand him over."
"No. You're mistaken, Jeremiah. He's no murderer."Zero stated. "The man who killed Clovis…"
Zero glanced at the camera that Diethard held in his hands.
"…was myself!"Zero stated.
The audience gasped at what they were seeing was the real assassin of their former Viceroy.
"What? What does this mean?"the Announcer asked. "This masked man called Zero – no, we can't be sure who he is – but in any case, he claims to be the real assassin? So where does this leave the current suspect, Private Kururugi?"
Naoto narrowed his eyes from inside the truck he was as Kallen became more nervous.
"We are so screwed."Kallen murmured in fear.
"For a single Japanese, you'll save scores of precious Britannians."Zero commented. "I find that to be a bargain."
Diethard grinned as he held the camera to video Zero.
"This is all one big performance to him."Diethard thought in amazement.
"He is mad, I tell you!"Jeremiah snapped. "Disguising this truck as His Highness'! He'll pay the price for mocking the crown!"
"Careful."Zero warned. "You don't wish the public to learn of Orange, do you?"
Everyone was confused what Zero meant by 'orange'.
Zero then tapped his foot on the car twice, giving the cue for Kallen to move the car steadily.
"Orange?"A soldier said. "What's he talking about?"
"I don't know."the second soldier answered.
"If I die, it'll all go public."Zero complemented."If you don't want that to happen…"
"What are you talking about?"Jeremiah questioned."What is this?"
"You'll do everything in your power to let us go, your prisoner as well!"Zero ordered.
Unnoticed by anyone, Zero's mask slid open his left eye hole to use and exposed his Geass.
The Geass command went into Jeremiah's eyes and he fell under its influence.
"Right, understood."Jeremiah answered and looked at the soldiers. "You there, release the prisoner."
Jeremiah's sudden command made everyone except Zero utterly surprised.
"What on earth are you doing, My Lord?"Viletta asked.
"Get that man over here."Jeremiah ordered.
The soldiers looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
"Hand him over."Jeremiah demanded. "Nobody gets in his way."
"No. What are you thinking?"Kewell retorted. "You can't do this!"
"Lord Kewell, this is an order!"Jeremiah snapped.
"It's hard to tell what's happening from here, but it seems that Kururugi's release has been brokered!"the Announcer informed.
Kallen climbed out of the van as she followed Zero as an escorting guard.
Suzaku walked forward to meet his rescuer with a small frown on his face.
"So, who the hell are you?"Suzaku asked.
Suzaku was once again electrocuted by the collar that his hand moved to his throat.
"As I thought, they didn't allow you to speak."Zero commented.
Viletta went inside her Sutherland to stop the group from escaping.
"If they get away, we'll lose everything."Viletta said.
Kallen glanced at Zero.
"It's time to go, Zero."Kallen informed.
"Well then, tell next time."Zero announced.
Zero pushed the remote to initiate the smoke bomb.
Pink smoke filled the area causing everyone present begins to panic and retreat from the bridge.
"You cowardly Eleven!"Viletta growled.
Viletta attempt to fire at the group with the gun of her Sutherland. But before she can get the shot, Jeremiah's knightmare suddenly knocked the gun up when it bursts in fire.
"Lord Jeremiah, what are you?!"Viletta shouted.
"You heard me!"Jeremiah shouted."Stand down now!"
Zero pulled Suzaku into him and Kallen held her hat on as they leapt into action.
The trio turned over to the ledge and jumped right off of the bridge.
"They are not alone at all!"Kewell growled."They jumped right off!"
It was Naoto's cue to shoot a net wrap to capture them from their fall.
The MR-1 fired it's slash harkens the stretched the net on the exact spot that they were suppose to land.
The group make one hard landing on the net as they slide down to an opened cargo train truck to slow down their fall.
"Ha! It worked!"Naoto remarked in relief."Now we can…"
Naoto winced and ejected when he was being shot at by Kewell's Sutherland, hanging on to the edge of the bridge using its slabs harkens to easily hold on while shooting.
"You imbecile!?"Kewell shouted."There's no where for you to run!"
"Lord Kewell!"Jeremiah growled.
Kewell turned to find the gun barrel of the Sutherland from Jeremiah, who was holding on to his slash haken on the end of the bridge.
"Are you going to follow orders or not? And believe me, there will be repercussions!"Jeremiah yelled."All units, do I make myself clear? Do everything in your power to help them get away!"
Zero returned to the ghettos with Naoto, Kallen and Suzaku.
While the masked man spoke with Suzaku in an abandoned opera house, the Kozuki siblings spoke with Yoshida, Sugiyama, Minami, Inoue and Tamaki.
"Man, he actually did it."Sugiyama complemented. "And I didn't think he could do it."
"Yeah, who is this guy?"Minami asked.
"That's crap!"Tamaki retorted. "How many times can a bluff like that work, anyway?"
Naoto smiled. "You'll need to give the guy some credit though."
"Huh?"Naoto said in confusion.
"I got to admit it nobody else could've pulled that off. Not the Japanese Liberation Front. Certainly not me."Naoto exclaimed. "We've always thought that a full-on war with Britannian wasn't a possibility at all. But maybe with Zero, it is."
"Are you saying we should follow Zero, Naoto?"Inoue asked.
"I actually want to."Naoto stated. "But I won't force any of you to follow, if you don't feel like doing so."
Kallen looked at her brother in surprise before glancing at the area, where Zero spoke to Suzaku.
"It looks like they treated you rather roughly. Now you know what they're really like, Private Kururugi."Zero exclaimed. "Britannia is rotten. If you wish to bring change to this world, then join me."
"So, is it true?"Suzaku questioned. "Are you really the one who killed Prince Clovis?"
"Prince Clovis massacred countless Japanese people just to keep his dirty secret. And besides, this is war."Zero reminded. "Why wouldn't I kill an enemy commander?"
"And the gas in the canister?"Suzaku asked. "Those were civilians out there."
"You mean the people, who wanted to see you executed? They're all fine."Zero assured. "The gas was just coloured mist to help things along. The result, not a single death."
Suzaku scoffed lightly as he looked at the ground.
"The result? That's all that matters to you, I suppose."Suzaku said with a small smile. "Huh…"
"Come join me."Zero insisted, offering his hand out. "The Britannia you serve is a worthless dominion."
Suzaku looked up to stare at Zero.
"Maybe that's true, but…but this nation, it can be changed for the better, and from within."Suzaku admitted.
"Changed?"Zero said in confusion.
"And any ends gained through contemptible means aren't worth anything."Suzaku stated.
Zero notice Suzaku was beginning to leave the ruined opera house.
"Wait."Zero instructed. "Where are you going?"
"My court-martial begins in an hour."Suzaku declared.
Zero clenched his fist in anger, upon realising Suzaku was acting self-righteous.
"Damn, are you mad?!"Zero shouted. "The only reason they're giving you a trial is to find you guilty! The judge, the prosecution and defence!"
"Rules are rules."Suzaku replied. "And if I don't go, they'll start cracking down on Elevens and honorary Britannians."
"But you'll die."Zero warned.
"I don't mind."Suzaku answered.
"Don't be an idiot!"Zero snapped.
"Two old friends of mine always used to tell me that. They said I was a fool. Well, only one said I was actually that and utterly naive."Suzaku declared. "It's my weakness, I guess. I'd try to bring you in, but you'd just end up killing me. And If I'm going to die, it'll be in the service of the people. Even so, I thank you…for saving me."
Suzaku walked away and left to go to his court martial as Zero just looked on.
"You fool."Zero retorted in anger.
In the Sumeragi Residence…
Rin and Kaguya placed on their pyjamas to go to bed.
Kaguya wore a vanilla yellow coloured pyjama long-sleeved shirt and pants with small pink heart shape patterns on them.
"Hey, Rin?"Kaguya asked. "Do you remember the stories that Uncle Istvan and Aunt Mira used to tell us about a saviour of Japan?"
Rin's smile shrunk a bit at the mention of her parents.
"Yeah."Rin responded.
Kaguya let out a small yawn as she began to drift to sleep.
"I think Zero is the one, who is the saviour of Japan."Kaguya remarked.
Kaguya then drifted to sleep as Rin kissed her forehead before lifting the bed sheet on them.
"Good night, Kaguya."Rin stated.
The brunette placed the lantern next to them off, thinking about her younger cousin's words before falling asleep as well.