We are Zero & Skywalker
Matrix Troopers were guarding a building where Suzaku himself is being interrogated.
Suzaku Kururugi was bound in a straightjacket as Jeremiah and some Pureblood troopers were interrogating him.
"Suzaku Kururugi," With complete disgust in his voice the margrave then pulled a duffle bag on the desk before he unzipped it. "Tell us this is yours isn't it." He pulled out what looked to be a sharp metal pole, and a miniature lighter. "Even as an Honorary Britannian soldier, you aren't granted access to firearms. No doubt you improvised with whatever scraps you had to rob His Highness's life like the barbaric your people are!"
Suzaku's eyes widened at that. "And we've done our homework on you. 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 seen that bag before! Nor any of the contents inside!"
In response, a pureblood kicked the youth's chair, sending him to the floor.
"Don't lie! Your fingerprints are all over this bag. Furthermore, you are suspected of murdering members of the Royal Guard!" Jeremiah looked down at the youth. "Come clean now, and you'll be judged as though you were born a Britannian, and not some worthless Eleven."
"You're wrong! I've done nothing! I swear I'm innocent!" Suzaku denied again, only to earn a kick to the face.
Lamperouge residence
"That was Suzaku they mentioned on the news, wasn't it?" Nunnally asked as Lelouch lifted her from her wheelchair and into her bed.
"Yeah... it looks like he's still alive," Lelouch said, though proud his long-lost friend had survived, his current situation did little to ease his mind a bit.
"Yeah, it must be..." Nunnally starts to look saddened "Nunnally?"
"I'm sorry, Lelouch, it's just... I can stop feeling...Sad...About Clovis." That caused Lelouch to look a bit ashamed. "We haven't seen him since... We left home. And now..."
"I know Nunnally," Lelouch said. "It sounds... very sad." He was glad she couldn't see the look of shame on his face.
After closing the door to Nunnally's room, Lelouch felt the commlink beep and he opened it.
"Let me guess," Lelouch said. "You saw the news?"
"Yeah, and I think you should get over here right now." Luke answered. "Han here...Is being Han as usual."
"I'm on my way." Lelouch said as he was ready to head out of the house.
"That's why we should have issued a freaking statement sooner!" Tamaki exclaimed to Ohgi. "We could have taken credit for it!" He stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind them.
Ohgi couldn't help but sigh as he looked at a framed picture of himself, Kallen, and her late brother. "Naoto, I'm not cut out for this. I'm no leader."
F looked at Oghi who was still not over Naoto's death at the hands of Karre she then sighed and hoped for something to change the very predicament she and her allies were in knowing Naoto was with Karre back then and had no idea what to do.
Back in the Falcon Artoo paused the image of Suzaku as Han said. "So that's Suzaku huh?" Luke nodded. "That's right Han! He was the one who disobeyed his superior rather than execute us on the spot."
"And from what the news said...He is the son of the last prime minister of Japan." Leia turned to Lelouch. "And he is your friend?" Lelouch nodded and said. "Correct Suzaku was the only son of Genbu Kururugi."
Luke then said. "As I recall you said Emperor Charles...Sent you and your sister to Japan...You were sent to the Prime Minister's family. So, that means..."
"Yes, that's how Nunnally and I met Suzaku for the first time," Lelouch said. "He and I were the same age." "And that is how you became fast friends, I suppose," Threepio said.
"Well..." Lelouch said, remembering. "Not fast though... we started... rough at first... but over time... he became my first real friend."
"First?" Han asked. "It was not easy to find a true friend amongst the Britannian royal court. Where no doubt sons and daughters of nobles would see the son of the emperor as someone to fear or to be used for political gain. As a hostage to Japan, it was different."
Lelouch narrowed his eyes a bit seriously. "In the early stages of the invasion, the Japanese were ready to stage full-on war to defend their homeland...That is until Genbu Kururugi surrendered Japan to Britannia."
"Surrender?" Everyone said. "Yes, I was shocked as well," Lelouch said. "I had expected the possibility that Genbu would use Nunnally and I as leverage, since we were political tools. And in surrendering...He committed seppuku, a form of suicide. All while keeping your honour intact according to Japanese culture!"
Han then said "How cowardly!" Lelouch nodded and said "Yeah it was Suzaku, Nunnally, and I all managed to survive the invasion. And Suzaku..." He looked down a bit. "He went his own way."
"So, you hadn't seen your friend since the invasion?" Luke said to him as Lelouch nodded as Han spoke up "For over Seven years huh?"
Lelouch almost smiled. "I never thought I would see him again... until that day in the ghetto." "As a Britannian soldier." Luke added.
"Yes. And for that he has become an Honorary Britannian." Lelouch nodded
"Honorary Britannian?" Leia wondered what that meant as Lelouch explained. "It's a form of citizenship in the Number's system if anyone wants to bear the title of being a citizen of Britannia. But truth be told...You're only living at the lowest of the Britannian pyramid."
"That's utterly disgusting," Leia said, as everyone else felt the same. "So basically, the title barely means anything?" Han said, as he crossed his arms. Chewie made a roar of anger.
"Makes no difference for the Britannians to toy with his life as a scapegoat." Luke said with anger. Lelouch nodded and said
"On that we can agree! And the ones who wouldn't mind the most if all Elevens were placed down into fodder... would be the Purebloods." Lelouch said. "Purebloods?" Threepio said. "The ones that were on TV?" Leia said.
Lelouch folded his arms, nodding, "The Purebloods are a faction in the Britannian Military who believe that those who are not Britannia or even those who have relation to foreigners are considered inferior."
"Oh, great," Han rolled his eyes. "So, it's a racial superiority organisation."
Lelouch nodded "Those guys absolutely despise all foreigners and are dead set against the Honorary system and the allowance of foreigners into the military. Their crusade is based on the belief that only their own can be considered trustworthy and loyal."
Chewie roared angrily at that. "Ugh, where have I last heard this kind of nerf fodder..." Han said not liking these guys one bit.
"And by arresting Suzaku, an Honorary Britannian as the murderer of their prince..." Leia said. "It will prove their propaganda in the eyes of the public," Luke said. "Correct and it will be there Suzaku will be executed in public!" Oh my! How dreadful!" Threepio gasped.
"I guess this is the part where we are not going to let that happen, right?" Han said. "Of course," Lelouch said to the smuggler.
"I don't know Suzaku that well, but I do know he was willing to die rather than execute us," Luke smiled. "So, I think it's proper we return the favour for the kind he did for us."
Lelouch grinned at that, while Chewie roared with approval. "Alright. Still... I don't think it's going to be a simple task." Leia said.
Han nodded as Artoo showed an image of the Matrix Troopers which almost reminded them of the Stormtroopers who they were all too familiar with. "Yeah and there's the problem of these guys they almost look like Stormtroopers but in some way they don't they could be even worse!"
Luke nodded and said. "Agreed we don't know anything about those troopers but it's a good thing they're not Stormtroopers and if we get past them what about Suzaku it's gonna be hard to rescue him..."
Lelouch then said. "Then let's give them the truth! We show the whole world who Clovis's true killer is...And thus Suzaku's name will be cleared!"
"Wha Hold on!" Luke said almost shocked to hear this. "Are you...You want to tell literally everyone that you did it?!" Exclaimed Leia to him.
"Leia's right, what happened to wanting to stay hiding for you and your sister's sake?" Han asked. "Which is why I brought this,"
Lelouch declared as he pulled up the backpack he brought. He unzipped it to reveal a macbook pro and placed it on a table. He opened and turned it on. He then took out from his pocket a flash drive and plugged it, soon a file popped open to reveal what Lelouch had been working on. Everyone looked closely at the screen.
Leia looked in complete confusion and said. "Lelouch what the heck is all this?!" "It's a costume..." Han said "And a mask!" Luke looked at the mask as Lelouch said.
"Oh come on you guys really thought I was gonna show my face to the entire world, that would mean my crusade would end before it even began." Lelouch said. Leia then explained. "I'm not sure Lelouch..." As the mask reminded Luke, Leia and Han of another wearing a similar outfit.
"Besides looking too...Classy..." Han said. "The mask on the other hand makes sense...Although, I can tell from experience...We don't have good luck when we're around guys with masks." Lelouch then said.
"Well I want this outfit to have a Batman vibe to it to give you that mystery vibe! I mean Batman strikes fear into the hearts of criminals!" Han then said, confused. "Who's Batman?"
Artoo on the other hand beeped in joy. "What?! Artoo Detoo are you saying you approve of this?"Threepio said in shock as Artoo beeped in agreement
"Please tell me you're not seriously going to wear that?" Leia said, looking at the outfit on the computer and then at Lelouch.
"I can show you the wardrobe," Han offered the former prince. "I mean...We have some robes and capes... but we use them only for espionage."
"Han you can't be serious?" Leia said to the smuggler who shrugged. "Oh come on! I mean it would be better to get one here..." Lelouch then said holding a hand while having a small smile on how generous it was.
"Very generous of you Han but I know a guy whose name is Mr. Marquand," Lelouch said. "I'm sure I can ask a favour of him...And to make sure it is secret..." He narrowed his left eye.
"Well..." Luke said. "If this will both keep your identity safe and it can be something that can intimidate the empire... then it's your choice. But also..." "Hmm?" Lelouch said having a confused look on Luke had to say.
"If the public needs to know Suzaku was not responsible for killing Clovis, then they should know how he died... and what really killed him." Luke said with a knowing look in his eyes.
The Next Day
It was a day of mourning for the people of Britannia in Area 11. Their national flags were lowered half-way as classes across the nation were cancelled for the day, among them was the prestigious Ashford Academy as all the students were assembled in the auditorium as the principal gave something of an eulogy for the late Prince Clovis.
"Truly this has been a painful incident for all. The viceroy of Area 11, our beloved Prince Clovis, has been lost to us forever. However, we can and will bear the weight of this tragedy, and from this darkest of hours, draw strength."
The only ones not really paying any attention were Kallen and Lelouch, as they had no sympathy to offer for they each knew just who Clovis really was; a mass murderer with no sense of redemption whatsoever.
Argos then said while walking with Am and Karre though the Regime's headquarters. "I see and you're sure you won't change your mind on joining us for the execution?" As he was talking to the hologram of Julius who then said while shaking his head as he was walking only somewhere else as he held out his own Holo projector.
"Not really master. I have other plans in my schedule such as seeing my little assassin have been doing well in their training!"
Argos shrugged and said with a nod. "Very well then we will see you when we return!" Julius nodded as the hologram vanished as Argos and the twins get on board the shuttle.
Then they see a man they see troopers that wear dark blue and white armour similar to that of an executor as their helmets and design were similar to Purge trooper that serve the Galactic Empire one of them wearing a yellow shoulder pad on the left shoulder.
"Commander Noah, nice of you and your squadron to be onboard the same ship as us!" Noah chuckles as he folded his arms. "Pleasure's all mine my lord!" Then the ship flies out the hanger bay and off to Brittania.
Camelot Division
"And so, we have lost the most crucial part of the equation," Lloyd said with a regretful sigh, as he and Cecile looked at the engineers looking over the Lancelot.
"Can we do it without him?" Cecile asked.
"I wish we could. The other units never let go of a good pilot. And even if we got one, they'd never match his readings. His operational efficiency clocked at 94 percent. Then you want to replace him?" Lloyd said.
"It's not just about replacing him, Suzaku's is facing life and death right now." Cecile almost exclaimed. "We both know...He couldn't have been the one...To kill Prince Clovis. We were monitoring him the whole time. If we can bring them again with this testimony and his efficiency with the Lancelot..."
"He's an Honorary Britannian, they'd never listen." Lloyd shook his head. "Ever since General Bartley's disgrace, the Purebloods have had the military in a grip. Their view is one of their own can never be a criminal. But if the criminal is an Eleven, it paves the way for Margrave Jeremiah to shut down the practice of granting natives honorary status."
"And what about Suzaku?" Cecile said, concerned. "His fate's all but decided." Lloyd said, a bit regretful in his voice.
Ashford Academy
The assembly ended, and Lelouch was making his way outside along with the other students with Maya heading on her way after Lelouch gave her a phone and communicator to contact him and Luke whenever she needed either of their aid in which she accepted making sure to keep silent about anything.
"Hey Lelouch!" Rivalz said as he patted his shoulder. "You got anything going later. Classes have been cancelled today, and folks have been asking for a rematch!"
"Oh, no, no!" Shirley protested. "You are not gambling again!" "Oh, c'mon," Rivalz said. "Don't be such a stick in the mud."
"She's right, though," Lelouch said. "Maybe it is time to quit."
"Huh?" Both Rivalz and Shirley said. "I've found a better opponent actually." Lelouch said as if casually "You did?" Shirley said. "I don't get it? You're cutting me in on the action too, right?" Rivalz asked.
Lelouch laughed. "Better not, it's really not up your alley." Lelouch then saw Kallen walking away, and he knew exactly where she was going.
okyo Tower
At the tower... well it was much of a tower when half of it's top was gone, broken during the Second Pacific War. The tower had become a museum in testament of Britannia's conquest of Japan, with displayed items, photos, and videos detailing Britannia's occupation and the willing cooperation of the Eleven population. It was enough not only to make Kallen puke but also made her want to find a new Glasgow and rip everything to bits. She was not the only one having the same feelings as she looked around, as not far from her, trying to mingle with the other tourists, were Ohgi, Tamaki, Inoue, Minami, Sugiyama, and Yoshida.
Kallen looked at her watch, and it was about past 4 o'clock. 1600 hundred hours. That was what he told her on the phone. Unless he double-crossed them...Or maybe he had been compromised. That would support Minami's theory that the voice was Suzaku Kururugi, that it was he who led their forces against Britannia at Shinjuku, allowing him to assassinate Prince Clovis. If so and he had contacted before he was arrested, then...
"Psst..." She turned to her left and noticed someone standing next to her, pretending to observe the display she had pretended to watch as well. She noticed he was wearing a jacket with a hood over his head. He didn't turn to face her, so she couldn't see his face. "You and your friends are on time."
Kallen gasped but kept her composure rather than making a scene. Who is this guy?
He pulled from his pocket what looked to be a phone and he extended towards her. She knew what he meant and quickly took the phone. She opened it and the caller ID said one word: ZERO.
"Is... Is that..." Kallen turned to the hooded man, who started to walk away. "You and your friends please follow me."
Lop and F see the train moving as the two saw Kallen and the others on it with a hooded man but what surprised them they could feel the force from even where they stood knowing they had to get on the train to see if that person was strong in the force as they began wall jumping and making a large jump before jumping onto the train.
F then brought out her lightsaber and made a hole in the train so they could get there without being spotted by Luke or anyone aboard the train.
"You handled His Highness's memorial program very well," Jeremiah said while sitting at the consul's desk, with Kewell and Villetta on both sides, as he looked at Diethard Reed. "A little too weepy from my taste but..."
"Yes, well the masses tend to like a tearjerker, your excellency," Diethard replied.
"Heh, spoken like a true TV man," Jeremiah smiled. "Still, I have to acknowledge the finesse you've shown. 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 for memorial programs to be set in advance for VIP's."
"Does that include me as well?" Jeremiah raised an eyebrow. "Recent events may have bumped you up the list a bit, your excellency."
"I wasn't deemed important enough till now, is that it?" The margrave looked amused. "How forthright of you!" "I'm afraid so, sir."
"Ever thought of enlisting?" Margrave suggested. "The army could use more men like you."
"I don't think I would be very good at it." Diethard shook his head. "Not really my cup of tea." "Do you prefer the civil sector? No matter, I have another favour to ask of you. Tomorrow night, Suzaku Kururugi will be transferred to his court-martial."
"Then we should line the road with good patriotic Britannians." "Excellent!" Jeremiah smiled. "You catch on quickly, don't you? Be sure the rabble can see his face."
"Lord Jeremiah," Villetta said. "There are those among the Elevens who see Private Kururugi as a hero. Some might very well attempt to free him."
"I'll be there personally abroad my Sutherland." Jeremiah assured. "If anyone even thinks of causing trouble they'll be executed on the spot." Just then Jeremiah spies the Royal Regime's shuttle flying in range.
"And speaking of executors, our special allies are here..." Jeremiah said as he got off his seat so he could greet the Royal Regime's members in person right as the shuttle had just landed.
The hooded man had led Kallen, with Ohgi and the others following them onto a train. Soon, they were all mingled with citizens. Kallen looked away and saw the hooded man not far from her. She wanted to talk to him. It had to be him. The voice who called himself... Zero. Unless that was a trick codename.
As the train started moving a while, the phone Kallen was given started to ring. She opened it and put it to her ear.
"Glad you followed instructions very well, Q-1," Kallen gasped, and looked back at the hooded man. So that meant whoever this hooded man was he was not the voice he was just a messenger?
"I got this phone from your... Friend here." Kallen answered quietly. "Why are you..." "What do you see on your right"
Kallen looked through the window at the shining, prosperous area of the Tokyo Settlement. "The Britannian City." She almost growled. "It was stolen from us. And built on our sacrifices."
"And on the left?" She looked at the opposite window, to see the exact opposite of the area: the side displaying ghettos of ruined broken buildings. "I see our city." She reddened. "Remnants of the desiccated city after the Britannians sucked it dry."
"Good answer. Now when the train makes the next stop...Please follow my friend and he will lead you to me."
After the train made a stop, Kallen continued following the hooded man as he got off the train with her friends not far behind. Minutes later, they followed him into a secluded, dark area of the ghetto. The hooded figure then said as he stopped walking "Well here's our stop!"
"Why did you bring us here?" Kallen said. "Yeah, cut to the chase, man!" Tamaki said. "Start off with taking off that hood!" "Tamaki, please!" Ohgi said, holding the hot head back. The person simply grins as he uncovered his hood as Kallen gasped "A Britannian?!" "WHAT THE HELL!?" Tamaki shouted
Lukew then said "I know my appearance makes me look like one of them but I assure I'm not the reason we are gathered so that we could all meet face to face!"
"So that means..." Kallen said. "You're with..." She held up the phone. "The voice?" Luke nodded "You got that right, kid," Han Solo said as he and Leia walked out of the shadows.
"What?" Sugiyama said. "More Britannians?" Tamaki exclaimed. "We're not Britannians!" Han said annoyed being called that
Leia has a small smile on her face as she looks at Kallen "Your Kallen right? It's a pleasure to meet you."
"How do you know her name?" Inoue asked. "Did..." Kallen spoke. "Did he tell you? The voice?"
"Oh, come on!" Tamaki exclaimed with disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Why would it be these people? They're Britannians!" "Tamaki!" Ohgi chastised him for losing his patience with Tamaki.
"We understand if you distrust us because of our appearance," Leia said. "But that doesn't mean we are with Britannia."
"Oh, why don't you just look in the mirror?" Tamaki sarcastically said. "This must be a trap so that you can turn us—"
Then came an inhuman growl that caught everyone off-guard. "What was that?" Kallen said.
Then came heavier footsteps, before long Chewbacca appeared from the darkness, and his appearance caused the group to gasp and shudder.
"What the hell is that?!" Yoshida questioned.
"Oh, what's this now?" Tamaki said, as he sceptical walked towards Chewie. "Is this supposed to scare us? This some sort of costume?" The hothead went to grab on to Chewie's furs hoping to rip the mask, but instead—that made the Wookie angry.
Chewie made a full roar in Tamaki's face, and the hothead screamed high-pitch and baulked back towards his friends at the sight of Chewie's sharp teeth and large mouth.
"It... It... It..." Tamaki stuttered with unbelievable horror mounting up on him. "IT'S REAL!" "I think he would appreciate if you stopped calling him 'it.'" Han said with a glare. "Who is he then? Bigfoot?!" Yoshida said.
Just then Kallen and her allies heard a beeping noise as they saw Artoo who zapped Tamaki. "YEOW!" The hothead squealed and he fell on his bum. "What the?!"
"What is that?!" Kallen baulked at the sight of the astromech, and even more did when it turned head at her and beeped.
"Is that..." Minami said. "A robot?" Ohgi said with widened eyes. "I think that is enough confusion," There it was. The voice... from Shinjuku. Kallen and her friends looked to see that appearing from the darkness on top of an elevated floor was a new figure... in a mask. His appearance almost startled them. His appearance looked classic... and intimidating... at the same time. His mask was smoothly shaped and round, almost curved with black spikes at the top. His black cape was lined with golden lines that were styled like a vampire's cape. "We didn't lead you here to quarrel with ourselves."
"You..." Kallen's eyes glued on the masked man. "Are you... you were the one on the phone. The one from Shinjuku." "Yes," He answered. "I am... Zero." "What? For real?" Ohgi said.
Oh, please!" Tamaki once more exclaimed. "Are you saying that the guy we've been looking for is this?! The guy who was leading us in Shinjuku?! And what about them?!" He referred to the rebels. "It looks more like we stumbled onto a circus troupe."
Chewie made a growl at that. Han shook his head meaning no "Nah Chewie's not like that but he could rip your arms off! And he's a Wookie, call him Chewie, that is if he sees you as friends or not!"
"And you are?" Inoue said. "I'm Captain Han Solo," Han said with a mocking bow. "Solo?" Yoshida questioned.
"I'm Luke Skywalker," Luke said. "This is Leia Organa." He referred to Leia. "And this fellow here is R2. R2-D2." He referred to the astromech, who beeped. "R2?" Ohgi bent his head at the same level of the droid. "D2?"
"Skywalker?" Kallen said, surprised at the name. "That sounds like a comic book name," Sugiyama said. "Just who are you people?" Ohgi said.
"We are members of the Rebel Alliance," Leia said, surprising everyone. As Leia then said "We are an Alliance of Rebellion." Leia said. "To restore the free will of all. To restore the Republic."
"Republic?" Kallen said. "You mean restoring the Republic of Japan?" Ohgi questioned.
"The Galactic Republic," Leia said. "We are rebels who fight against the Galactic Empire that usurped it and replaced it with tyranny."
"Galactic?" "Empire? You mean Britannia, right?" Minami said. "No..." Luke said, knowing they would have to explain first. "Just hear us out and allow us to properly explain."
Japan Liberation Front Headquarters
"He killed a Prince of Britannia!" Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe cried out. "Suzaku Kururugi should be treated as a hero!"
"But he's an Honorary Britannian!" "Prime Minister Kururugi was his father!" "So what?! The bastard gave up Japan! Our 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," Kusakabe answered. "They are being led by a man named Kaname Ohgi after Naoto Kozuki's execution at the hands of Britannia." He said that last part with both anger and disgust. "Has Kururugi's family said anything?" Katase asked.
"No, sir. They broke contact with him once he joined the military." Another member said. Katase then turned to the man who stood far from the group. A man who was his best and the one who all the Japanese look up to. Tohdoh, the Miracle Worker. "Tohdoh, what are your thoughts?"
Tohdoh opened his eyes. "We should not become involved in this public execution."
"What?! That's cowardly!" Kusakabe exclaimed. "Kururugi was once your student, and you're going to let him die?! You are Tohdoh, the Miracle Worker, right?"
"There is a difference between miracles and foolhardiness," Tohdoh said. "It's not that I haven't lost care for my former student... but to act without thinking to save his life... it could cost us everything."
The Falcon crew-mates had finished their tale similar how they told it to Lelouch each speechless.
"So... that was you?" Ohgi questioned. "You were that identified aircraft that appeared and disappeared days ago?" "I was the one flying it, if you want to know," Han said.
"And you used this... this... hyper-drive thing?" Kallen said. "You were trying to escape from this... Empire... By using some rare fuel from a bygone era you ended up leaving your galaxy and into ours, and you found yourselves making way to our planet... into our settlement."
"I know it sounds hard to believe," Luke said. "But practically yes." Ohgi then sees two figures behind the falcon as the Resistance group mutters among themselves as Ohgi says. "Everyone quiet!" As they all piped down he then said "Why do you want to help us? We're just a small freedom fighter group.."
"The boundaries between the ghettos and the settlement are proof of that," Luke said with narrowed eyes. "And for Britannia to have the power to order genocide and get away with it is something that we can't stand."
"Your determination and will to resist Britannia are impressive, but it's not enough," Zero said. "To Britannia and the public, they look down on you as only terrorists. And such a thing can be only seen as a childish nuisance."
That made everyone baulk. "Childish?" Inoue said. "THE HELL!? Are you calling us kids?!" Tamaki exclaimed. "Don't you know how much crap we have been through?!"
"Why should we trust any of you?" Sugiyama said. "Especially since one of you is wearing a mask?" "Yeah, why not lose the mask?" Yoshida said. "How about a better idea?" Han said. "What if we proved to you we were on your side?"
"Huh?" The Kozuki rebels said. "As you already know," Zero said. "Suzaku Kururugi is about to be held responsible for the death of Prince Clovis for a crime he did not commit." That made the rebels gasp.
"What?" Kallen said. "Because the ones who are responsible for the deed..." Luke said. "Was us." Zero said, finishing his sentence, motioning to himself and Luke, causing Kallen and her friends to widen their eyes.
Luke then said with his hand going to the metal cylinder at his belt.
"You may think it's crazy or insane but however it's hard to fake evidence because Clovis was killed by a weapon not of this world. He was killed by the weapon that belonged to my father. The weapon of a Jedi Knight. This lightsaber!" He announced as he turned the lightsaber on to emit the glowing blue blade that shot out of its emitter and held up for the rebels to see.
The rebels of the Kozuki resistance baulked and froze at the sight of the glowing blue blade. To put emphasis, Luke slashed at a piece of rubble like it was paper, causing some of the rebels to shriek, before he went to stab through a wall, and then pulled it out.
"What the..." Kallen said, now frozen.
Oghi then said, knowing where this went knowing he has seen those weapons before. "It's as I thought it's just like them!" Luke and Zero were confused by those words as Ohgi then said to them. "You see you're not the only one who showed us a lightsaber! Someone else has." While behind Zero and Luke's group F and Lop entered the scene from the other train.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, we had to take the scenic route to the train!" F said to the group as Lop nodded as Luke and his friends turned around and could feel the force flowing inside them as they did vice versa. It was crazy. "I thought I was the Last Jedi in the galaxy!" Luke said in shock and amazement to see two Jedi here on this planet as he was amazed that the Jedi had not gone extinct. "You're like me!" Lop then said with a smile to the Jedi in training. "A pleasure to meet you!"
Zero then said wanting to have cool heads about the plan. "Moving back to the matter of hand, this is a fraction of what we can do! We will demonstrate our power when we rescue Suzaku Kururugi without having a single life lost."
"Congratulations!" Lloyd said ecstatically as he talked to Suzaku in his prison cell which was guarded by Martiax troopers. "Those three you asked me about weren't on the list of casualties."
Suzaku's weary face lit up a bit. "Good. So that means Lelouch, as well as that other guy and girl they made it out safe." He then said, "That's good to hear..."
"Not much luck on your end though," Lloyd said, almost a bit regretfully. "You may be getting a trial, but no one is pulling for you, certainly."
"But the courts are where the truth comes to light. I mean there has to be evidence that I didn't..."
"Miss Cecile thought the same thing. Though, with the Purebloods taking control, they'll make sure the odds aren't in your favour." Lloyd sighed. "I expect there'll be more smoke and mirrors than anything. The truth is I'm scared of late."
Suzaku almost shook his head in disbelief. Despite Lloyd and Cecile's witness and account of monitoring the Lancelot, there had to be a degree to show Suzaku couldn't have been nowhere near Clovis's location. Not when he was dealing with the terrorists and rogue Knightmare... that managed to do... Well, that was if the authorities would believe a rogue Knightmare could freeze people in the air and call the videotape of it a glitch. Suzaku had seen it. Now with Lloyd telling him that the odds weren't good this may be it. One thing for sure though at least Lelouch had managed to escape. That was all that mattered.
"If that's how the world works, then so be it." Suzaku said, now resigned to his fate. "I have no regrets."
Argos then said. "So how's your chair feeling lord Jeremiah?" Jeremiah smirks and said "Very well mannered Argus..." Argos went by the identity of Argus to avoid anyone hearing his real name Jeremiah then said.
"With the dawn of the Pureblood Supremacy, I'll see that you are granted the title of Baroness."
"Baroness?" Villetta widened her eyes at that.
"Knight of Honor is a single generation sham title. You will be a true noble woman and that will be passed on to your descendants." "Yes, sir!"
"Once Suzaku Kururugi is found guilty of His Highnesses' murder, he will be executed. I want you to take care of the procession."
"Sir..." Villetta said with concern. "I know what we are doing is for the greater good of our empire... though we both know Kururugi is not the real culprit. The real killer is still out there. We still have to go over the analysis that we found at the scene..."
"We will take the time to find His Highness's real killer once Kururugi's judgement is over. We need to secure the trust of the public first. They need to have faith in the Purebloods. I can't take anymore disgrace," Jeremiah frowned. "Since I've been involved here I have failed twice to save a member of the royal family from being slain."
"The Aries villa?" Villetta said, speaking up "Wasn't Lady Marianne killed there? Eight years ago?"
"Yes..." Jeremiah said bitterly. "That night...We received orders to reduce the guard force to a bare minimum. That's why we couldn't stop the attackers from breaking in." He shuddered... almost hearing the sound of the gunfire on that night. "It was my first encounter with failure. Since the days of my childhood, I had never failed at anything!" Villetta then noticed her subordinate losing composure. "I was transferred to Area 11... Lady Marianne's orphans, Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally both died here and now Prince Clovis has been slain as well!" With that the margrave started weeping.
"Lord Jeremiah..." Villetta looked sympathetically at her friend. It was strange though, she rarely saw him lose his composure like this, less shedding tears.
"Prince Clovis...Lady Marianne!" Jeremiah hung his head in despair. "Please laugh at my worthlessness!"
Am however wasn't seeing to buy it as it looked like as if Jeremiah was hiding something from everyone in the room a small smirk hiding on his face only noticed by her "Enough grieving time for the Executioner Troopers to get to work!" Shouted Argus wanting to move this along.
"Camera Five is running a little slow." Diethard instructed while in the van with the other crew members overseeing the event. "Talk to me, has your team been deployed yet? What? The studio? Let them wait. Nothing has been pushed back. Everything is going according to plan."
"RGGAM coming to you live and it looks like they're bringing out the person who murdered Prince Clovis in blood at this moment!" Soon, the image of Suzaku wearing both a straitjacket and collar, on his knees and escorted by Sutherlands piloted by the Purebloods along with Executioner troopers on the ground.
"Like clockwork. Huh, what a circus this is..." Diethard looked down a bit, almost shamefully. "And I'm as corrupt as any of them."
The Executioner Troopers marched over with Suzaku as one of their hammers began to glow as people were taking pictures of this very moment. "This is insane!" Cecile protested as she and Lloyd watched the broadcast. "We know that Suzaku is innocent!" "The court deemed our testimony admissible," Lloyd said regretfully. "There's nothing we can do."
"Yes, but..." "Is that altruism or humanitarianism?" Lloyd turned to his assistant curiously.
"This isn't a time for a game of semantics!" Cecile snapped.
"Not much else to do?" Lloyd shrugged. "We both know where this case is headed, don't we? We couldn't reach the summit. All we can do is cut our losses, really."
Ashford Academy
The student council minus Lelouch and Kallen watched the broadcast from their meeting room.
Lamperouge Residence
Nunnally sat in her room alone while listening to the radio in her hands, looking very concerned.
"Voices of scorn growing louder. Voices bearing testament to a people's love for their prince. Raining their judgement down on a terrorist!"
"Suzaku!" Nunnally cried out. First her half-brother Clovis is killed, and now the boy she had grown to care for many years ago was going to be executed. Why does the world have to be so cruel?
Ohgi, Tamaki, Minami, Yoshida, Sugiyama, Inoue, and other members of the resistance watched the event on a small tv.
"Margrave Jeremiah, integral in settling this case, will be presiding over the trial as acting console!"
"No way those jokers can pull this off!" Tamaki voiced scepticism. "But they gave us their word." Ohgi said. Though just how? Suzaku was guarded by several Sutherlands, Matrix Troopers and even Executioner Troopers.
and all eyes were making sure he would make it to his doom. Just how will this Zero and his... alien rebels will do this? And how would F and Lop aid the cause?
Matrix Troopers stood strong and their backs stiff as the Executioner troopers were ready to get the execution of Suzaku underway as Argos, Commander Noah, Am and Karre watched how things would turn out from within the small group just then Jeremiah heard a voice on his com. "Sir we have an emergency!" Jeremiah then answered, "What is it?" "A vehicle approaching the main highway from Third. We just let it through as you instructed, but..."
"Do you believe the target could be a terrorist's vehicle?" "Well, sir... it's Prince Clovis's car." Jeremiah looked shocked until he said "Well, looks like we've got a comedian. Don't worry about it. Just let them through to us. All forces hold here!" Executioner troopers, Matrix troopers, Sutherlands and even the transport all came to a stop.
"Why did it just stop?" Karre asked confused Argos then said. "Not sure.." Am then said as she placed on her head. "I can feel something!" "Lady Am?" Noah asked in confusion. "A presence I haven't felt since..." Am said.
"This is not a scheduled stop!" RGGAM said. "Could there have been some sort of accident?"
"This is site five! There is another vehicle approaching them!" Another reporter said. Soon, coming in the direction of Suzaku, The Executioner troopers and the Purebloods...Everyone minus Argos, Am, Karre and Noah all looked baffled and stunned to see what appeared to be Prince Clovis's car.
"It's... It's...It's Prince Clovis's personal transport! And it's heading straight for the cavalcade!"
"You dare desecrate His Highness's transport?!" Jeremiah growled. "Come out of there!"
The vehicle stopped in response to that. Then all of a sudden, the Britannian Flag at the top of the vehicle was burned away...To reveal a lone figure wearing both a mask and cape. The burning of the symbol and the sight of the man caused everyone to gasp in shock or in horror.
"I am... Zero!" Noah then said confused "This guys named after a number what gives?"
It wasn't just them but all of Area 11 had their heads spinning the moment they saw this Zero standing direct defiance to the Pureblood faction of Britannia such as the JPF even Tohdoh gave some attention towards it.
What is all this?" Rivalz exclaimed, as he, Milly, Shirley and Nina listened closely.
Nunnally on the other hand shifted at the sound of Zero's voice. As if it felt familiar as if she heard it somewhere before.
Matrix and Executioner Troopers had their blasters locked onto Zero in case he tried anything funny while Suzkau wondered if Zero was an Eleven. "I've seen enough!" Jeremiah yelled. "This show is over!" He lifted up his gun. "First things first. Why don't you lose that mask?"
Zero looked as though he was going to comply with Margrave's demand, but he stretched his hand in the air to click his fingers. Suddenly, popping from the top of the transport a flash of three hooded figures one wore white robes other wore brown and the last one wore light green.
"WHAT THE!?" Jeremiah shouted in shock Argos then said to Am "Your right it's coming from them but who are they?"
"This is it." Leia said, as she and Han were in an unspecified location. "No turning back."
"Of all the nerve..." Han sighed angrily. When they went over the plan, Lelouch brought up a picture of Clovis's car. It took some work to make a hunk of junk look like a vehicle for royalty, but it was with having mechanics like Chewie and Artoo's help in making it work.
Now all they need to do is wait and hope this whole thing will work with the aid of the two Jedi discovered on this planet.
"Time to return the favour, Suzaku." Lelouch smiled behind his mask and nodded to the white-hooded figure, who nodded back. The white hood stood and turned in the direction of the Purebloods. With a motion of his hand, he removed the hood to reveal his face.
As did the other two as they revealed their faces to the crowd they all gasped as did RGGAM and Diethard. "Well I'll be damned it's Lop and F finally stepping out of the shadows and into the light as the Jedi would do!" Argos said with a smile on his face.
Am however growled and said as her hands became a fist as it nearly became white gritting her teeth as she was glaring at Lop "Ocho's mistake!" Villetta gasped at the sight of the blonde-haired youth. She couldn't explain... but why was it so familiar, and yet she couldn't recall it. "That's..."
"It's the two Jedi who have been giving us trouble!" Noah said as he ran as he grabbed his electro-staff as he entered the fray. "Lop and F enemies of Britannia and to the Royal Regime you finally emerge from your hiding spot!"
F then said as she glared at the Executioner commander. "Commander Noah it's been awhile since our last showdown!" All the captain did was growl at the woman Suzaku's eyes widened as he instantly recognized Luke. "Wait, that looks like..." Then the collar on his neck zapped, preventing him from talking.
"What?! A boy?!" Jeremiah exclaimed. "What the hell is this? Who are you?! Are you allies of Lop and F?!"
"As I said..." Lelouch said. "I am Zero." "And I am Luke Skywalker!" Luke said with pride in his voice. "And we are of the Rebellion! Rebels of the Alliance to Restore the Republic!"
"Rebels?" Shirley said, as she and her friends looked in shock.
Nunnally in her room, stirred at what Luke said.
"He really has guts..." Kallen said, as she, Ohgi, and everyone kept watching
"Oh my... well this is more than I had expected," Lloyd adjusted his glasses as he and Cecile watched the broadcast.
RGGAM and his crew ran in to get the action as this was gonna make him rich! Diethard grabbed the nearest camera and gave chase knowing he couldn't let his archival get all the glory.
"Republic?" Kusakabe questioned. "Is this boy talking about restoring the Republic of Japan?"
"What if he's talking about the EU Republic?" Katase said. "He doesn't look Japanese..."
Tohdoh looked closely at the image of Zero and Skywalker. Could there be more to these mysterious men than meets the eye? Sure he knew what Lop and F could do but what would Luke and this Zero bring to the table?
"Rebels?" Jeremiah questioned. "Yes," Luke said. "And as of this night for all the world to witness! The Rebel Alliance stands against the Holy Empire of Britannia!"
"Britannia..." Zero said. "Is a warmongering beast that oppresses the weak and helpless all in the name of their own glory! But no longer till now their days are numbered!"
"You dare..." Jeremiah gritted his teeth. "What the hell do you want?! Are you here to start a fight?"
"A fight is really unnecessary," Luke said. "We will not endanger innocent citizens. No blood has to be shed tonight." "We only ask for one thing only," Lop nodded and said, before she stretched her hand. "That you hand over Suzaku Kururugi into our custody!"
Suzaku's eyes widened and Noah scoffed and said as he had a strong grip on his electro staff. "You wish the only thing you're getting is a swift execution by the Executioners!"
"HOORAH!" The Executioner troopers shouted as they held out their electro-hammers and electro staff in the air Jeremiah then shouted. "Indeed over my dead body! There is no way whether heaven or hell will compel us to that! Kururugi is to face justice for the murder of His Highness!"
"And that is just the first lie," Luke said, causing Jeremiah to gasp. "You know full well that Suzaku Kururugi is innocent of the crime you are accusing him of."
Everyone gasped at that. Even RGGAM and Diethard on the other hand, having managed to get a good spot, almost closed the scene, turned his camera on and pointed it at Luke and Zero.
"For the real culprits look no further!" Zero announced. "Because the ones who killed Clovis la Britannia were none other than us."
And with that a wave of shock waves across the whole crowd, even at Suzaku, The Matrix and Executioner troopers and lastly the Purebloods.
"You... You..." Jeremiah said, still as ice. "You came up with a pathetic excuse of evidence as to what killed Clovis." Lop said. Pointing to the man Zero nodded and said. "Indeed Clovis was not killed by gun, sword, or even metal. He was killed by a weapon unlike anything in this world."
"He was killed..." Luke said as he unclipped his father's lightsaber from his belt. "By the weapon that once belonged to my father! The weapon of a Jedi Knight! This lightsaber!" The Skywalker clicked the metal cylinder on and thus emitted the glowing blue blade that was a lightsaber.
The crowd gasped in shock at the sight of the weapon. Even the Purebloods and Suzaku widened their eyes in shock. Both Diethard's eyes and smile widened at the unbelievable sight. While Argos simply smirked as did Am from underneath her helmet while Karre was surprised.
"WHOA! What is that?!" Rivalz almost fell off the table.
"Maybe... it's special effects?" Milly said, though felt unsure about that.
"Oh! If only I can just get a closer look!" Lloyd said as he eyed the lightsaber on the screen with extreme curiosity.
"
Yes!" Luke said. "This here is the blade used to take Prince Clovis's life!" He swung the lightsaber and used to cut off the top of the car behind him. Everyone looked in shock at how the blue blade cut through the metal like butter.
"What kind of material is that thing made of?!" Villetta exclaimed. "It's got to be some kind of trick!" Kewell said in disbelief.
"That weapon was used to rob His Highness's life..." Jeremiah said, before his eyes turned with fury. "How dare they!" Luke, using his lightsaber, cuts the top of the car, only to reveal the sight of a mechanical sphere that caused everyone to gasp in horror.
"Is that..." Villetta paled. "The poison gas!" Kewell cried out, almost lifting his Knightmare gun on instinct.
"What the hell are they doing?!" Kallen exclaimed. "Is that the poison gas you and Nagata stole?" Inoue asked.
"Dah! I should have known!" Tamaki cried out. "They were the ones who stole the poison gas for themselves even Lop and F were in on it!"
"You don't think..." Minami started to pale. "They are going to unleash it?" "Then the whole scene will become a bloodbath!" Ohgi said, though it didn't, he wasn't nervous. "What are they trying to pull?"
Both Matrix and Executioner troopers in the area pointed their blasters at the three Jedi and to Zero as Jeremiah panicking shouted. "NO! Don't shoot! If one bullet hits that thing all hell will be unleashed on the hundreds gathered here! I can't believe it! They have managed to take every citizen here hostage!"
"There is no need to fret, Margrave," Zero said. "We came here with no intention to spill any blood. Besides, the truth is there is no poison gas."
"Huh?" Jeremiah said. And that same wave of confusion spread to everyone, and everyone else watching and listening to the broadcast. Lop nodded seeing that Luke and Zero told her and F what happened she slashed the mechanism in half with her green lightsaber. The crowds cried out, ready to panic except when the mechanism collapsed... not a spec of chemicals leaked out.
"What?" Villetta said, now confused. "Nothing? A placebo?" "So, it was just a piece of junk?" Kewell said.
Suzaku looked in confusion as well. "I don't understand..." Jeremiah questioned. "What are you playing at?! What happened to the poison gas?!"
Commander Noah then said almost holding back any anger for the Purebloods. "So the gas never existed, it was nothing but a lie that the prince made up!" That caused everyone minus the Jedi and Zero to gasp as Zero nodded to the commander.
"Correct! Clovis realised that if anyone knew the truth about his agenda, he would face grave consequences! He claimed poison gas had been spilled in Shinjuku and had the place off-limits to everyone. In reality, it was to keep the public from knowing what truly happened in Shinjuku! When Prince Clovis ordered the death of every man, woman, and child in the ghetto!"
At that the crowds gasped in shock and horror. "What?!" Jeremiah yelled. "You dare accuse His Highness of such atrocity-" But Luke quick on the draw shouted
"DON'T be such a braggart! Not when we witnessed you and your Purebloods being a part of that massacre!" That caught the Purebloods cold. "You had no qualms against the Japanese. The ones you branded as numbers. The natives of the land you invaded and claimed for yourselves. You see them as vermin and treat them worse than animals! That is why you framed Suzaku Kururugi as your scapegoat!" That caused Jeremiah to freeze completely in place.
While some of the Regime's troopers shot dirty glares at the purebloods even the Executioner Troopers.
"Exactly!" Zero said. "Since Britannia's occupation of Japan, the crusade of the Purebloods was to abolish the system that would grant natives the title of Britannians. It was based on your belief that full-blooded Britannians, and they alone are worthy to live as human beings! And with the honorary system abolished, you would have no qualms to drive Elevens further and further into the dirt as you always have!"
"What... how... how?!" Jeremiah thought. "How did they manage... to figure out our plan?! So quickly?!" "We have not come to shed blood tonight!" F said as Lop nodded and said
"Yes we are here to stop you from shedding the blood of one innocent of a crime he did not commit. So, we ask you..."
Luke turned off his lightsaber as he shouted. "Let Suzaku Kururugi go!" Diethard's face curled more into an excited smile as the man kept broadcasting. "This is all one big performance for them!"
"You're mad...YOU'RE INSANE, I TELL YOU!" Jeremiah yelled. "First you desecrate the image of His Highness's transport. You burn the flag of our Holy Empire. And now you ally yourself with two Jedi scum and denounce our late beloved prince as a murderer! YOU DARE! No one insults the crown with such blasphemy and lives!"
"Careful there, margrave..." Zero stepped closer. "You don't want the Emperor to know about Orange, do you?" "Orange?" Karre looked confused at that on what it meant on the sidelines.
Julius watching the whole thing from far away on a tv then said as he paused his training with his assassins as they both watched what was happening. "Using rumours and false codenames to get what you want you were always clever even as kids! I'm almost proud of you little brother." Julius nearly smiled at the performance Zero was pulling off.
"Lord Jeremiah, what is he talking about?" Villetta asked. Zero made a tap, and Luke tapped his foot to have the car move closer towards Jeremiah's Sutherland.
"If one person is even harmed here, not only will it be on you..." Luke said. "But the data will be out for everyone to know what you are truly planning."
"And if you don't want that to happen..." Zero said. "What? What are you babbling about?!" Jeremiah demanded.
F, Lop and Luke nodded as Zero stepped back to let the Jedi work their magic as F closed her eyes and moved her hand over Jeremiah's face saying. "You'll do everything in your power to let us go, along with your prisoner as well."
Jeremiah grunts and says. "I can't!" Lop then said, closing her eyes and waving her hand around. "You'll do everything in your power to let us go, along with your prisoner as well." Jeremiah then held his head in pain as those on his side wondered what was happening to him.
Luke then said waving his hand around while closing his eyes. "You'll do everything in your power to let us go, along with your prisoner as well." Jeremiah felt his body betraying him as it was shaking. "No I won't!"
Luke, Lop and F said in perfect unison. "You'll do everything in your power to let us go, along with your prisoner as well." Jeremiah shouted as sweat was falling from his face as he held his head in pain. "I will release the-No out of my head!"
F then said with fury. "And you will do it NOW!" Her last words echoed as Jeremiah screamed as he flew off his Sutherland and onto the stage where Suzaku was.
"Lord Jeremiah!" Some of the Purebloods shouted in worry Noah then exclaimed as the Regime's troopers targeted the Jedi and Zero "All Matrix and Executioner Troopers get ready to fire on my mark don't give the Jedi a chance to counterattack!"
"WAIT!" Jeremiah shouted as everyone looked at him and said to the Executioner troopers guarding Suzaku. "Release the prisoner!" The troopers looked in confusion, but after a moment they complied knowing they could not disobey. Suzaku was already confused.
"Lord Jeremiah! What on earth are you doing?!" Villetta cried. "I SAID to hand him over!" Jeremiah yelled. "I ORDER YOU!"
No!" Kewell started to roll his Knightmare. "I refuse to—" Jeremiah jumped back into his Sutherland and stopped him. "That's an order, Kewell!"
Luke, Lop, F and Zero all walked closer to Suzaku, who looked to recognize Luke immediately. "It's you—" He stopped when his collar zapped.
"A shock collar?" Luke said, appalled. "Just as I thought, they wouldn't allow you to speak." Lelouch said with disgust. The Purebloods wouldn't even give Suzaku his voice to defend himself.
"If they get away, we'll lose everything!" Villetta screamed as she zoomed her Sutherland towards them. "Time to go!"
Luke said, as he and Zero got Suzaku up and run.
Am yelled to the Regime's troopers. "DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY!" Noah nodded knowing that he couldn't defy his masters commands as he and the troopers began shooting at them F, Lop and Luke brought out their lightsabers and began blocking every blaster bolt before charging at the troopers.
Lop was blocking an attack from a Executioner Trooper armed with an electro hammer before the Lepi girl kicked the trooper back breaking his guard and slashed his head clean off before Lop dashed avoiding deadly blaster fire from Matrix troopers Luke was blocking every blaster bolt coming his way from the Matrix troopers and then he used the force to rip the blasters from outta their hands
"WHAT THE-!" Villetta said flabbergasted to see that happen.
The entire JLF, and even Todoh, froze cold..
"That... That... That can't be..." Cecile stuttered as she and Lloyd froze at what they saw on the screen.
"It did..." Lloyd said, then a curl of a smile formed on his lips. "So could it be...?"
Argos noted by watching the boy's actions. "He used the force!"
The scene shifts back to the Matrix trooper who are shocked to see they are now disarmed as Luke then charged and slashed each one before the troopers fell to the ground dead.
F was battling Noah as his electro-staff clashed with her yellow lightsaber a few times as Noah kicked F in the stomach but however she did some acrobatic jumps to get back on her feet as Noah gave chase as the two's weapons clashed as sparks flew.
"This is the last time F I'm bringing you in or die trying!" Noah shouted F then said "Then you'll go down disappointed!" F yelled as she breaks Noah's electro-staff in two if he had his helmet off Noah's eyes would be shaking fear.
F then did a spin as her lightsaber cuts through Noah's body as the Commander gave a blood curdling scream as his body lower was separated from his body before succumbing finally dying F then said as she turned off her lightsaber "After all a wise master of the Jedi always says there's do or do not but there is no try!"
"What..." Villetta almost froze, but then regained composure after watching the three Jedi make mincemeat out of the Matrix and Executioner troopers. "What kind of trick was that?!" Luke then made a quick run and ducked an incoming attack from Villetta's Sutherland and then Luke's lightsaber slashed right through the metal leg. Within seconds, Villetta's Sutherland toppled to the ground. "WHAT THE HELL?!" Both Villetta and Kewell both yelled in shock.
The crowd baulked back in both shock and horror.
Diethard's face turned into one of shock turning into awe and joy. "Amazing! He... his lightsaber... it can cut cleanly through Knightmare Frame metal like it is nothing!" He turned his camera on Luke and Zero leading Suzaku to the side of the bridge. "Skywalker... Zero... just who are you?!"
The five then stopped at the edge of the bridge. "Get ready!" Zero said.
"What?!" Suzaku exclaimed. "You're not serious!"
"Unfortunately, we are...Now hold on!" F said and with that they jumped over the bridge as Zero cried out "Now Luke!"
Luke nodded as he pulled from his belt rope chords with a hook, quickly, he swung the rope where it caught to a pole under the bridge. With the rope attached his belt, Luke grabbed Zero, hugging him close as they swung through the air
F and Lop brought out grappling guns and fired onto a pole under the bridge similar to Luke as F grabbed Suzaku as they all swung onto a platform where Han and Chewbacca were waiting for them.
"We can't let them get away!" Kewell yelled as he was ready to have his Sutherland jump after them. "All units-!"
He then felt his Sutherland stop, and he looked in shock to see Jeremiah holding him. "Lord Kewell, are you going to follow orders or not?! And believe me, there will be repercussions! All units, do I make myself clear?! Do everything in your power to help them get away!"
Argos however was most impressed by his enemy's work and said as smirk was on his face. "Most impressive!" Am nodded and said. "Yes indeed even if it has cost the life of Commander Noah who got himself killed by the Jedi F it would appear the Executioner Troopers will need a new commanding officer!"
Argos nodded and said. "Indeed for now let's make our leave!" "Yes sir!" Am and Karre said at the same time as they followed Argos as they headed off back to the shuttle they came from.
"They did it!" Kallen smiled. "They got away!"
"Thank goodness!" Ohgi sighed with relief, and all the other members of the Kozuki Cell cheered.
"Haha!" Tamaki laughed. "See! I knew they would do it! They're the best!" He stopped laughing when he noticed everyone staring at him with lowered eyes. "What? What did I say?"
"You have to admit though..." Ohgi started to smile. "With those odds... nobody else could have pulled that off. Not the Japanese Liberation Front. Certainly not me and that was before F and Lop joined our case." He looked at all of his friends. "We've always thought a full-on war with Britannia wasn't a possibility at all, but maybe with this Zero this Skywalker and this Rebel Alliance it is."
"Did you see that, Lloyd?!" Cecile pointed at the screen.
"Every bit, my dear assistant," Lloyd adjusted his glasses. "It seems... we have found our fellow rogue Sutherland from Shinjuku."
"The one who fought Suzaku and saved those civilians?"
"Whatever he just did, he forced the gun from the Matrix troopers's like a telekinetic force!" Lloyd became excited. "And plus that weapon of his. That astonishing, remarkable laser sword! A lightsaber, he called it. To think of something so small and yet powerful enough to cut through the Knightmare Frame like pudding! OH MY! I wonder if our two Jedi friends F and Lop have one as well If fate would be so kind again I just have to have one of those regardless which one!"
Somewhere else in an old theatre that looked runned down, Luke, Artoo, Chewie Han, and Leia helped Suzaku out of the shock collar and out of his binds.
"Thank you," Suzaku said as he rubbed his neck where the collar was. "I don't believe it," Leia said, holding the collar appalled in her hands. "They would have prevented you from speaking." "Like collaring an animal, how disgusting!" Han said with disgust.
Suzaku gasped seeing Luke's face as he remembered him "Hey I know you! From Shinjuku! You were with Lelouch! Does that mean-" Luke said interrupting him. "Be at peace Suzaku your friend is okay I was able to help him get out of the ghetto despite having a small wound in his stomach it was no place for a student like him..."
Suzaku then smiles as he shakes Luke's hand. "Thank you so much from the bottom of my kind heart. He's my best friend. When I was just a kid I was really worried for him. At least this puts my mind at ease..." He then said acting serious. "Is it true though? Did you really kill Prince Clovis?"
"Prince Clovis had ordered the genocide of every man, woman, and child in Shinjuku," Zero stated. "And he did so all in order to capture the girl." "You were there, Suzaku," Luke said. "You know that they lied about the poison gas."
"Then why did you kill Prince Clovis," Suzaku questioned. "Why not have him face trial for what he had done?" "I would have preferred that than what really happened," Luke said. "Clovis was about to capture and most likely kill us if he would have his way, even said something about capturing Lelouch's sister.."
Suzaku gasped in shock that Prince Clovis wanted to capture Nunally and then said. "So this weapon it was called a lightsaber right?" Luke nodded as he showed his weapon to Suzaku.
"It belonged to my father, who was a Jedi Knight." "A Jedi Knight?" Suzaku said. "They were guardians of peace and justice," Luke said. "Peace and Justice?" Suzaku questioned. "Then why choose to be a rebel?"
"Because Britannia is the reason why." Zero stated. "It is a rotten nest filled with corruption and greed." "You almost got sucked up into every system. So, what do you think of that?" Han said.
"You know what they had done to your home country, Suzaku," Leia said. "You know what it has done to the people here. Do you deny it?" "No... I don't," Suzaku said, feeling ashamed of it.
"Then come and join us," Zero said, extending a hand of offering. "The Britannia you serve is a worthless dominion we can offer you salvation and a place far far away from their eyes."
"Maybe that's true..." Suzaku said, before turning to them with eyes of determination. "But this nation can change for the better. From within." And that caught Luke, Zero and Leia by surprise.
"Are you nuts, haven't you listened to a single thing at all!?" Han said to the boy who shook his head.
"Well any ends gained through contemptible ends are worth anything." With that Suzaku started walking away.
"Where are you going?" Luke asked. "My court martial begins in an hour," Suzaku said.
"What?!" Leia said. "Have you lost your mind!?" Han shouted. "The only reason they're giving you a trial is to find you guilty!" Zero exclaimed. "The Purebloods orchestrated this whole event so they can use you as an excuse to chow down on the Japanese population!" Luke exclaimed as well.
"You may be right," Suzaku stopped. "But if I don't go, I might as well be branded a culprit on the run, and what will that mean for Elevens and Honorary Britannians?"
That caught a point with Luke, Leia, and Han. That was a good point. "But you'll die!" Zero roared. "I won't-" Luke placed a hand on his shoulder to hold him back.
"Are you going to force me not to?" Suzaku looked at them. "I'm outnumbered, and one of you no three of you... have blades that cut through pretty much steel and maybe brainwash me into obeying seeing what you just did with the margave with just a wave of your hand."
"Of course not..." Leia said as she looked at Suzkau. "If we held you against your will, we'd be no different than Britannia." "What?!" Zero stood there shocked at what Leia was saying.
Luke sighed and then said. "I totally understand what you are getting at though Suzaku and you believe if you don't show up, they'll take you as a terrorist like what they assume us to be. Otherwise you might be going to your own funeral..." Suzaku however shrugged "I really don't care but if I am to die I'd do it in service to the people!"
"You truly believe that Britannia..." Leia asked. "Is it capable of changing for the better? Is that what you believe?" "Yes," Suzaku said. "I do."
"Well, that sounds nice kid," Han said, purposefully sounding sarcastic. "If that's true... why hasn't it already happened yet?" That made Suzaku pause for a second.
"Suzaku..." Leia said. "I know what you envision is idealistic... and I wish it were that easy. But I have seen this before. I have seen Britannia's kind before. And there are those in the system... who would not let the dream you have come to pass. They would do everything in their power to destroy you first... just like they tried to do to you not long ago."
Suzaku looked down at that for a moment. "Whoever said it was gonna be easy. If that is true... what good is there to hope for?"
Han shook his head. Was this kid all kinds of stubborn so he just gave up...
"I guess you may not know until you see it first," Leia said with a sigh. "If this is the path you choose then... So be it, Suzaku Kururugi. You are a human being who has a right to his own path. I only hope that you are sure of this path. But what will happen when you continue this path... you won't like what you find?"
Suzaku paused at that, and almost pondered a bit, before looking at all of them. "As a soldier I would take you in but what you just did for me..." He looked to Luke. "And what you did for my best friend so let me say it again I thank you very much." Very soon, Suzaku Kururugi left them. Once he had left Lelouch instantly took off his helmet and threw it to the ground shouting.
"Why did you just let him go!?" Luke then folded his arms "And what could you have done Lelouch force him to stay.." Lelouch was quiet until he said "I only wanted him–" Leia then said understanding a bit.
"You wished after we saved him, he would have joined us. I understand with all my heart Lelouch but however that's not your call!" Chewie roars in agreement as if understanding it.
Leia then said "This is up for Suzaku to decide how he lives out his life so give it time and he'll understand.." Lelouch sighed and nodded until a familiar voice.
"Lelouch huh?" Everyone turns their attention to Lop and F who walk over to the small group. "Lop & F!" Luke Lop then said with a small frown on her face. "We kinda heard everything sorry for eavesdropping on you!"
F then looked at Lelouch and said. "So you're a prince of Britannia I can assume?" "Former prince!" Lelouch corrected the jedi who said "I see well there is good news for this Kallen and the others will hear of this we will plot our next move!"
Everyone nodded as Lop then said "If it's alright can we see your ship?" Han then said "You wanna see the falcon?" Lop nodded as a small camera like droid emerged from the Lepti girls hair making a beeping noise.
"Who's that?" Lelouch said, looking at the droid as it flew over to the lepi girl Lop giggled at her droid companion and said. "My droid TD-4!"
TD-4 chirped as if saying hello to the group as Artoo rolled over it as beeps at it while TD-4 beeps back with joy.
"I guess that means we found new allies, maybe you can help me become a Jedi like my father did Miss F!" Luke smiled at that idea F however then said putting a hold out saying.
"F is just my codename, young Skywalker call me Asami Fukhara.." THe Now Asami then smiled at Luke as she and Lop were both happy to be apart of the falcon's crew.
Elsewhere with Suzaku who was halfway to the courthouse, he realised something. How Luke threw the blasters away from Matrix troopers like it was some other force. It was just like that could mean "It was him," Suzaku's eyes widened as he said it. "From Shinjuku. Now it all makes sense but he saved their lives. He stops fighting me to save that mother and child? Just like he and Zero saved me. Just as he said he saved Lelouch." Did he also know that he was the one piloting the Lancelot? Suzaku didn't know. "Why do you have to fight? It only leads to more bloodshed. Perhaps if you do hope to change the world for the better I really hope you realise that." As he continued to walk, he wondered when the next time will be when he would cross paths with Zero and Skywalker again.
"Yes, apparently," The announcer said on the radio Nunnally listened to. "Suzaku Kururugi has made contact with the authorities. It seems Zero and Luke Skywalker had released him. However, with the original charges thrown into question, it's very possible Kururugi will be found innocent and acquitted."
"Thank goodness!" Nunnally smiled at that, feeling so relieved. She had been so worried after hearing what had transpired when the ones called Zero and Luke Skywalker showed and almost caused a scuffle. But it seems thanks to them, Suzaku was found innocent. Although, she felt disturbed after hearing what they said about Clovis committing genocide. It disturbed her to think of the doting older half-brother she remembered would be capable of such atrocities. Were Zero and Skywalker telling the truth? What would Lelouch think of it?
She then heard the door to her room open. "Miss Sayoko?" She assumed, but however it wasn't.
Standing in the dark, looking at the young girl in the wheelchair was the same green-haired girl who had been thought to have been killed at Shinjuku.