Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.

A/N: Please review, because it keeps me motivated to continue working! The reason I had put this fic on hiatus before was because the last chapter didn't get alot of reviews, and I figured it was because I wrote it badly so I felt kind of disheartened.

Anyway, this chapter skips ahead from where the story last left off, so as to leave some ambiguity on what had exactly happened after Luciano's defeat...and about what happens to C.C. as well.

'We're finally here...'

As soon as he stepped out of his car, Kaname's sense of smell was momentarily overwhelmed by the scent of the salty sea air of the local docks. There was a slight breeze, and his curly hair shook gently in the wind. A group of seagulls circled overhead, cawing out for at least the smallest morsel of food. The other car doors swung open, and Tohdoh, Shirley and Rolo climbed out, all of them with grave expressions on their faces. The sky was tinted orange now, as the sun had begun to vanish behind the waves, night quickly approaching. No one said a word.

"So...this is it, huh? Zero's hidden 'base'..." Tohdoh finally muttered aloud, glaring hatefully up at the large warehouse that stood before them. He held a pistol in his right hand, and a scabbard in his left. Black circles were evident underneath his eyes, and he looked almost like he had aged about ten years in the past three hours. His body shivered slightly with every breath.

Kaname gave a small nod in response. "If everything that C.C. had told Rolo was true, then this is the place..."

Rolo grimaced, recalling what had taken place earlier that day concerning him and the mysterious green-haired vixen. He still couldn't believe that woman had actually taken him out of the hospital, and even provided him with firearms, as well! Rolo then clutched the large M82A2 rifle tightly to his chest, and let out a few heavy breaths, to keep his emotions under control. He wasn't trying to calm himself out of fear, but out of rage; if anything, he wanted to rush in there at that very moment, and kill Zero without hesitation. An inhumane monster like Zero did not deserve even a fair trial...only death awaited him. Just thinking of all of those poor victims who had suffered at this insane bastard's hands made Rolo's blood boil. He had even attempted to have him and Shirley killed, too!

However, Rolo remembered that C.C. had told him not to let his emotions gain control when confronting Zero or his remaining two followers, or the entire city would most surely meet its end. He wasn't sure why, but Rolo felt like he was able to put his complete trust in the woman's words, despite her connection to this case. Rolo personally wished that C.C. had chosen to go with them, to aid them in this final confrontation, but she had vanished during the commotion after the hostages were saved, because she knew that staying around any longer would result in her capture. After all, she WAS a death-row criminal, and a prime suspect in the murders of Officer Jeremiah and Gino Weinberg.

"Rolo..."

Rolo snapped back to reality, and looked up at Shirley, who seemed very concerning about his well-being. "Are you...are you sure you want to do this? I mean...you really should still be in the hospital...it'd be bad if you got hurt again..."

Rolo shook his head, replying, "No. I have to be here...I NEED TO BE HERE, Shirley. I'll be okay...so don't worry...just watch out for yourself, alright?"

"...O-Okay..." Shirley still didn't feel too convinced by Rolo's words, but she wasn't going to pursue the argument any further, because she was going to respect her boyfriend's decision with all of her heart. Luckily for her, Rolo was more than skilled to fend for himself, what with his top-notch sniping skills and all. Shirley gripped the handle of her gun tightly; she didn't plan on dying here either.

Kaname, meanwhile, was deep in thought on pondering Zero's true motives. 'He had requested the 4 of us to arrive here at the location of his headquarters...and only us. If we had brought an entire squadron behind us...what would happen? Just what does he want from our city, from our police force? Why is he doing all of this? We can't risk anything against an enemy with no morals, who is willing to do whatever it takes to get his way...so if anyone is going to stop him, it's us...no one else...'

Kaname thought of all his family and friends, hoping for their safety. He thought of his wife, Villetta, and prayed to God that she was alright. He thought of his child, yet to be born, and wished that he will grow up in a peaceful world. The responsibility to bring upon that protection was all on his shoulders now.

Taking in a deep breath, he took a single step forward. The seagulls, which had finally landed nearby, quickly scattered off in an instant. Kaname was afraid to die, and he knew that the others were just the same; none of them wanted to die. However, for the sake of bringing justice and peace for the innocents of the city, they had to throw their lives on the line. Kaname had understood this ever since he first joined the force.

He switched off the safety lock on his gun, knowing there was no point for it now; each shot was now going to be aimed to kill. He glanced at Tohdoh; the older man had his hand clasped tightly onto the handle of his blade. Kaname was going to ask about the sword, but decided against it. The more weaponry they had the better, after all.

Kaname coughed. "...Ready?"

A moment of silence. "...Yeah...let's do this..." A seagull squawked loudly.

"Alright, then..." Kaname clenched his fists.

Then...they entered the warehouse, not looking away even once...for it was too late to go back now...

...and waiting for them was a tall man of Chinese descent with long inky-black hair, a sword at his waist...