The Rise of the Second Black Prince.

Summary:As a young boy, Lelouch stumbles across a relic of the empire, and with it a story, the story of the Black Prince of Wales. The World shall now witness the Rise of the Second Black Prince.

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, except maybe the Custom Knightmare or a OC or two I might come up with.


The Holy Empire of Britannia, Pendragon, The Aries Imperial Villa.

"Mother? What's this?" asked a young Lelouch pulling out a Silver Eight-Pointed star with a shield bearing the Cross of St. George, and a blue velvet strap bearing the words Honi Soit Qui Y Pense in gold letters from a small chest he discovered in the parlour of the villa. Marianne smiled at her son taking the star and examining it.

"My Star, I haven't seen this in a long time!" She reminisced holding the star with a slight affection. Looking back a Lelouch Marianne took the strap, "and My Garter too! Well what a surprise."

"What are they for?" asked Lelouch looking a the items in his mother's hand.

"When I was made a Knight of the Round, your father made me a Lady of the Order of the Garter, I'm afraid it is just a relic nowadays though, I am the last living member." Marianne sighed.

"Why? What did the Order stand for?"

Marianne smiled at her son's curiosity and ruffled his hair, "Your quite curious today aren't you? It is because it stood for Chivalry, and Honour. Today such things are meaningless to the Empire, strength is the only currency that is recognized." Smiling one last time Marianne left her son holding the star.

A inquisitive look on his face, Lelouch looked down at the star in his hand and began to leave the room itself. "Honour and Chivalry, huh? That doesn't seem so bad." Lelouch said to no one in particular. 'Maybe the library has more on the Order.' thought the young Prince, placing the Garter in is pocket Lelouch unconsciously pinned the Star to the left side of his shirt as he ran down the hall to the Imperial Library.


Later that Night

Lelouch sat at his desk in the Aries Villa reading through a book on the subject of the House of Plantagenet particularly the Reign of Edward III around the establishment of the Order of the Garter as the Highest Level of Knighthood. 'Until the Establishment of the Knights of the Round.' concluded Lelouch as he closed the book. Turning to the last book on his desk Lelouch paused as he heard his bedroom door open and a sleepy Nunnally entered, "Big Brother?"

Turning to his little sister Lelouch smiled, "Yes Nunnally?"

"Mother says to go to bed." she answered rubbing her eyes.

"I will just go to bed yourself. We're going to visit Euphie tomorrow remember" smiled Lelouch. Ah how he loved his little sister, though some say it was too much.

Even in her half asleep state, Nunnally smiled, "Okay brother goodnight." closing the door behind her.

Chuckling, and struggling to prevent a yawn, Lelouch turned to his last book of the night. "Let's see, The Life of the Black Prince? He was one of the founding knights so I guess its worth a look." said Lelouch opening the tome and began to read. With every page, Lelouch became more and more fascinated by exploits of the Black Prince, From his victories at the Battle of Crécy to the Battle of Poitiers, from his cruelty during the Siege of Caen to the Mercy he rendered upon the King of France. So enamoured was the young prince with his ancestor that the next day he was found asleep, his head rested on the still open book.


The Next Day.

"Lady Marianne?" asked a young women watching a Knightmare Duel, between two newly built experimental Glasgow Frames. "Are you sure you never taught Lelouch how to pilot a knightmare?"

Marianne herself was surprised as she watched her son outpace, and outmanoeuvre his opponent. "No, Cornelia I did not," turning towards where Nunnally and Euphemia were seated, "Though those two seem to be enthusiastic, don't they?" Smiling as they cheered on their brother.

"Yes, they are." Cornelia allowed herself to smile always caring for those she loved, speaking of which, "Even Schneizel seems impressed." Looking towards the Emperor's seat where the Second Prince stood in his capacity a Prime Minister. Nodding Marianne turned to The Emperor and smiled, "It seems His Majesty is pleased as well."

Cornelia was confused, "How can you tell? He looks the same to me."

Marianne just winks a the Second Princess, "He may not show it often, but His Majesty has subtle tells for when he is impressed." Turning back to the match as Lelouch managed to relieve his opponent of his rifle, making them rely on their tonfa's and Slash Harken.

Cornelia's wonderment at the Fifth Empress's ability to read her husband were interrupted, when a small explosion erupted from the arena. It seems Lelouch's opponent managed to trip the young prince throwing clouds of dust in the air. The entire stadium held their breath, some-like Cornelia and Euphemia- worried, others-like Carine, and Guinevere- in triumph, all in suspense. Then two Slash Harkens pierced the cloud of dust restraining the Glasgow as Lelouch's Frame followed and aimed the Glasgow's rifle mere inches from his opponent.

Allowing the Cockpit to disengage Lelouch stood and addressed his opponent directly, "Do you surrender, Dame Enneagram?" addressing the Knight of Nine, Nonette Enneagram.

The Cockpit of Nonette's Glasgow disengaged allowing the Knight of Nine to speak directly with the young prince. "Of course your highness. Your skill humbles me." After giving a slightly exaggerated bow for formality's sake. For awhile the stadium was quiet, as many of the nobles steamed over the fact the Commoner's son, triumphed over a Knight of the Round. The awkward silence was broken when the sound of clapping echoed throughout the stadium. Every eye turned to the Emperor's Box, and no it was not Schneizel, though he joined in soon after. No it was the Emperor himself who applauded Lelouch's performance. The Applause was soon followed, enthusiastically, by Euphie, Nunnally, Marianne, Cornelia, Clovis,Odysseus and the Ashfords and many more friendly nobles. The rest of the Nobles and remaining members of the Imperial Family joined in albeit begrudgingly so not to somehow incur the Emperor's Wrath.

Lelouch was temporarily shocked by the applause, least not his normally stoic father leading it. Nevertheless he lifted his hand and waved at the crowd a innocent smile gracing his face, it certainly led the thoughts of many a young noblewomen fantasizing on how he would be when he was older.

Running up the Stadium seats to Marianne's private box Nonette found Cornelia. "Hey, Nelly! Did you teach Lulu to pilot a Knightmare? He's terrific!" The Hyperactive Knight asked swinging her arm around the the neck of a embarrassed Second Princess. All assembled in the box looked down a the smiling 10 year old prince. None present knew this would be the last time, peace could be found in the Imperial Family.


A/N: For those who expected a update for my other Fic, The Nightmare War I have a little case of Writer's Block right now and am using this as a break from it at least for a while.