The Black Knights (episode)

The Black Knights is the eighth episode of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.

Summary
Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe, a group from the Japan Liberation Front takes a hotel and its occupants hostage, including most of the Ashford Student council and a disguised Princess Euphemia. Princess Cornelia, who dotes on her little sister, refuses to make a move against the hostage takers for fear of endangering her, which Lelouch realizes and takes advantage of. He mounts a rescue operation with Ohgi's resistance cell. As he speaks with the hostage takers, Suzaku sinks the hotel using the Lancelot. However, Lelouch derails any rescue efforts by the army so he can take credit for the rescue. In a public broadcast, he announces the creation and purpose of his Black Knights, "allies of justice" who will judge the world and protect the weak from "those with power."

Quotes

 * "I'm here in front of the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel. The hotel jackers have identified themselves as the Japan Liberation Front. Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting, most notably, chairman James, were taken hostage as well as several tourists and hotel employees. This footage was taken by the perpetrators; in it, you can clearly see chairman James, including some students. The leader of the group claims to be Lieutenant-Colonel Kusakabe of the now defunct Japanese military. Sakuradite, an essential component in the manufacture of high-temperature super conductors, is a vital strategic resource that directly affects world security. Area 11 is the largest producer of this material, providing 70% of the world's total supply. Here at the yearly national meeting of Sakuradite producers, it will be determined how this resource will be distributed among the world's nations. It's no exaggeration to say that the outcome determines the balance of global power between Britannia and other countries. It is believed that the terrorists are using world interest in the annual gathering to their advantage by carrying out this violent hotel takeover." - Female News Reporter
 * "Wrong. We're not a resistance group, is that clear? What we are -- what we're trying to be, are knights for justice!" - Zero
 * "I prefer the logic of systems to individualist emotions." - Suzaku Kururugi
 * Conversation between Zero and Kusakabe
 * Zero: "I'd like to ask you something. What exactly do you hope to accomplish by this action?"
 * Kusakabe: "Gain attention. I want this country and the world to know the Japanese aren't dead yet."
 * Zero: "How stale. You people are obsolete. There's no saving you."
 * "Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the commoners. You haven't changed." - Zero
 * "What are you doing, Zero? Wasn't that part of your plan? To show us something?" - Diethard Reid
 * "My dear Britannians, have no fear. All of the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound. I, Zero, return them to you unharmed." - Zero
 * "Of all the brazen audacity! If we attack you, those people will quickly become your hostages, won't they?" - Cornelia li Britannia
 * "People! Fear us, or rally behind us as you see fit. We are the Black Knights. We of the Black Knights stand with those who have no weapons to wield; regardless of whether they be Elevens or Britannians. The Japan Liberation Front cowardly took innocent Britannian civilians hostage, and then mercilessly executed them. It was a wanton and meaningless act, therefore they have been punished. Just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed Elevens, we could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out, and so we made him pay for his actions. I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak by the strong. The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed! Wherever oppressors have abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again. No matter how mighty, or formidable our foe may be! Those of you with power, fear us! Those of you without it, rally behind us! We, the Black Knights, shall be the ones who stand in judgment of this world." - Zero
 * "I was lucky; Heaven must truly be on our side. I never expected that Cornelia's one weakness was among the hostages; a weakness named Euphemia. From now on, the Black Knights will become my counterattack. Against the world in which I was trapped, and against my own undecided heart." - Lelouch Lamperouge (Preview for the next episode)