A/N: Wow, this thing is doing surprisingly well, and not just with the three-four people who read just about everything I write. I sure hope I can keep this up. And if you didn't see it when I announced it, I sad with the last chapter I posted of my current Bleach fic that I'm trying to do a chapter a week of this thing for the summer. That's why it's already here.

Disclaimer: Astrid: "Mr. CrazyNinjaPenguin does not own Code Geass. He does own all the original characters in this story though… i-including A-Ava…"

Astrid had always been impressed by the mansion in which Ava lived. It was so different from the ultramodern manor her father had seen constructed for his family. The classic look, the age in the wood, the large windows, high ceilings, the expensive looking art and shimmering decorations, it all lead to a vaguely haunting feel, yet at the same time made the place beautiful.

It was rare for Astrid to even notice her surroundings when she was walking next to Ava. Usually her attention stayed squarely on the girl. Ever since the morning the previous day, when somehow, for some reason she had admitted her most painful confession to the girl's face, she had been filled with a vague sense of nervousness around Ava. This was especially true as they headed up the large central staircase to Ava's bedroom.

"Astrid," Ava started as they reached her door. The blonde stopped in her tracks.

"Y-yes, Ava…" Astrid replied uneasily.

"You told me yesterday, that you wished for me to tell you everything, to tell you the truth, and I wish to. Hiding the truth from those closest to you is the worst form of lie," the princess said in a low, deliberate voice. "But this truth is an unusual one. You must approach it openly, and not let your mind fall on doubt."

"Of course, Ava. I would never doubt you," Astrid stammered readily, not even thinking.

"Very well." Ava smirked as she opened the door. Astrid walked inside, Ava after her closing the door as she entered.

Astrid stared for a moment at what lie before her. Sprawled out atop Ava's bed was a woman of exceptional beauty. She was dressed in the outfit of one of the house maids but was no common servant. Her skin was fair, her hair was a radiant blonde that made Astrid's seem dull, and her body was sculpted like that of some ideal goddess. Astrid was at once confused and maybe a little jealous.

"A-Ava… who's…this…?" she started as the strange woman sat up and stared at her.

"This woman calls herself, D.D., Astrid," Ava said in a strong voice. "She is a witch."

It took a few seconds for her friend's words to register. When they did, Astrid didn't know what to think. She didn't believe in witches or things like that. How could she? There weren't any witches; D.D. couldn't be one then. But why would Ava say she was then?

"I can see you're filled with doubt, Astrid, as rightly anyone would be," Ava began to speak once more. "But you must believe what I say, for as I said, I will not lie to you. This woman you see before you is the one who has granted me my new power. She is an immortal. A witch."

"I-immortal?" Astrid stuttered in disbelief as she looked at the strange woman for a long while.

"D.D., this is the friend I spoke of to you last night," Ava said, nodding to the woman.

The apparent "witch" gave a short laugh at this and stood up. She walked toward Astrid and examined her while wearing a strange smile. She then gave another laugh. "I think you'd look cute together…."

Astrid was alarmed by the comment. She began to panic. "Y-you didn't tell her… that I…. About what I told you…. Did you, Ava…?"

"I'm sorry, Astrid, but I saw no reason to conceal it from her. This woman has no reason to reveal your secrets... and she has already helped me so much," Ava said, in a very earnest fashion. Astrid allowed herself to calm.

"O-okay…" Astrid choked. "But... it's still hard to believe… she's really immortal…"

"I told you the truth would be difficult to believe, Astrid. Even so you must try," Ava said in an even voice.

"Y-yeah… but…" Astrid began, glancing back and forth between the princess and the witch.

Ava gave a pronounced smirk as she quickly retrieved a long sword from the corner of her bedroom. She handed it to D.D. and said in an amused voice, "D.D., prove your immortality to my friend here."

D.D. immediately threw the sword to the ground. "Eh… I'd really rather not. I'm not immune to pain you know."

Ava laughed and wore a face that said she had been expecting such a reaction. "Then perhaps this will suffice," she said as she returned to the corner and removed something else, placing it in Astrid's hands.

It was an old painting of what appeared to be a couple. There were signs of mold and wear at the edges of the painting and the whole thing looked rather old and delicate. Astrid had seen similar old portraits in Ava's library. In fact the man in this particular painting was the same subject as most of those. The girl was the more unusual part; every detail of her the picture showed could be found most definitely in the identical blonde standing before her.

"That has always been in the library. I never thought anything of it until I discovered D.D. in a secret room down there a few days ago. As you can clearly see, it is the very same same woman, pictured with a man who died over 200 years ago," Ava said firmly as Astrid stared at the painting.

"Brighton sure was skilled at his brushwork. He got all my details right… though he always was a little generous when it came to his own image…" D.D. said with a nostalgic laugh.

A strange feeling swept over Astrid. She was a little haunted, but now at least she was convinced. "A-alright… I believe you... please tell me more…"

"D.D. bestowed upon me a power known as Geass. This power manifests differently in everyone, but in my case gives me the power to extract the truth from anyone into whose eyes I stare," Ava explained in a direct voice. Astrid's eyes widened.

"So that's how--?!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, Astrid. That is why you said what you said to me... And the same goes for Dr. Wilde," Ava said in a somewhat subdued fashion, looking down as if she still felt guilty.

"Ava, that's incredible… that powers like that are real... and that you would have one… it's…" Astrid started excitedly, trying her best to brighten her precious friends face.

"Yes, Astrid... I only wish I had understood my power sooner…" said the other.

"It's okay now…. You said things would be the same as always…. So it's okay, Ava," Astrid said, smiling brightly.

"You really are too kind to me, Astrid," Ava gave a short laugh as she took a seat in a nearby chair in front of a small table. Astrid followed suit, sitting down in a vacant chair as well.

"So what did you mean back there… when you told me you were going to use your power to set the world right…?" Astrid gulped as she progressed the conversation.

"I'm curious to have that bit clarified as well," D.D. said with a soft laugh as she joined the other two at the table. Ava began to smirk once more.

She began to speak in a very dark, low voice. "Twenty years ago, our Empire was at it's peak. In his long reign, Emperor Charles, through persistent force, saw Britannia expand well beyond what it was before he took the reigns. At his death, his successor, Emperor Lelouch pushed Britannia even further until it had a hold over the entirety of the world. Then his sister claimed power, and it all fell apart.

"In the twenty years since then, our Empire has fallen into decline. The Empress has done nothing as Areas rich in resources have withdrawn from the Empire to become independent nations. As a result we are a fraction of our former size and our economy is declining rapidly. On top of that, our standing military has all but disappeared, making Britannia a poor joke compared to the still militarized European Universe and the Chinese Federation with it's plentiful resources.

"Yet even as our economy falters and our position in the world falls, the people seldom complain. They have the right to. The new nobility, the upper class, they particularly suffer as the empire shrinks, but it's not like the rest of the populace is spared; as the lord's livelihood wanes so to does the number of peasant workers he can employ on his estate, and how well he can pay them, common sense tells us that. Yet even so, no one challenges the Empress and her rule. They are all too afraid.

"This peaceful world that she, with her frail body and gentle features, represents cannot be challenged. Zero's vanquishing of Emperor Lelouch made Britannia look to be in the wrong in the people's eyes. The idea of an aggressive Britannia thus harkens back to this evil. The people fear becoming evil, Astrid, even if it is for the sake of what they believe. I, however, have no such fear."

There was silence as Ava finished her speech. Astrid wasn't sure what to say. Something about it all scared her. Uneasily, she decided to finally speak, "s-so… what are you planning to do... A-Ava?"

"That's simple Astrid." Ava gave another cryptic smirk. "I plan to sit atop my Aunt Nunnally's throne."

D.D. gave a hard laugh. "Such an amusing woman you've turned out to be, princess!"

"But A-Ava--! You can't do that! You're sixth in line to the throne... to become Empress you'd have to…to..." Astrid trembled in fear. She couldn't handle it. That the one she loved would consider doing something so horrible.

"Ordinarily, the Empress, the Prime Minister, my aunt Arienette and her three children would all have to die for the title to fall into my lap by default. Alternatively, I could just kill the current ruler myself and claim the title as Lelouch did," Ava spoke, looking at the table. "but I could never do such a thing as orchestrate the death of my own family, Astrid. Cruelty of that caliber is far beyond my reach. As such, prior to now, I had no means of reaching that throne that I could manage…"

"And now…?" Astrid asked as Ava fell silent, leaving a tension in the air.

"I'm confident I have access to all the tools I need for a successful coup d'etat in which the taking of none of their lives will be necessary," Ava said, breaking into a full smile.

"You think your little truth-teller Geass will let you take over an Empire without disposing of it's Empress?" D.D. gave another amused laugh. "Tell me, what leads you to that forgone conclusion?"

"It's simple really. If the people decide the Imperial Ruler is unfit to rule they abandon her. If at the same time they are presented with a more promising candidate of Royal blood, isn't it reasonable that they would then flock to her en masse? That then, when this candidate claims the throne as her own, that no one will challenge it?" Ava seemed deeply excited now. Astrid was even more frightened.

"You really think the Empress is hiding so much, Ava?" Astrid asked, feeling horribly anxious about the whole thing.

"My Aunt Nunnally is not a horrible liar. She is a fair, gentle woman. Respectable and honest. However, she is deeply tied to men who are less praiseworthy. If I were to remove some masks, so to speak, of those who stand at her side then little is needed of the woman herself," Ava said, her tone calculated.

Astrid knew at once what this meant. What her beloved friend planned to do. It terrified her. "Y-you're going to show the world Zero's true identity, aren't you, Ava…?"

"Exactly. If I am to destroy the image of the hero of justice, Astrid, than stripping Empress Nunnally of her credibility becomes an easy task," Ava said in a bright voice. Astrid remained unconvinced and worried.

"B-but what if he's not hiding anything…?" Astrid meekly asked staring down at the table.

"People don't wear masks, Astrid, unless it would trouble them to have their face seen. Common sense should tell you that," Ava said with a light laugh. Astrid stayed unsure.

"But what if you're wrong… What if he's not anyone important? What if he isn't someone bad?" Astrid began to stammer with her eyes closed. "This just seems so dangerous…"

"There is a lot of uncertainty in this, Astrid. It's all based on presumption; hypothesis. At worst I'll look like a fool when this is done," the princess said, her voice taking a slightly tired inflection. "But even if I don't get the throne from it, even if all I get is the knowledge of who is under that mask, I still want to try. I still want to remove the lies that have been fed to the people for so very long now."

These words eased Astrid to a degree. She wanted to support her friend and they made that easier. D.D., however, still viewed the plan with skepticism it seemed. "From what I've been able to gather of this Zero fellow, he's a very prominent figure and not one easily pinned down. Tell me how does one little princess plan to ensnare such a man?"

"I'm going to need allies… knightmares…" Ava spoke in a slow, easy tone. She looked up at Astrid.

"I'll help you Ava… of course I will… but even if I'm Knight of Twelve… I can only do so much to help… I'm not even sure I'll be able to secure my knightmare for you…" Astrid had her answer to the silent question ready and presented it in a tentative question.

"Your support means more than you can imagine to me, Astrid," Ava smiled at the girl, causing a sudden surge of happiness within her. "And you needn't worry. I will find what I need, both knightmares and accomplished pilots to use them."

D.D. laughed yet again. "Tell me, princess, where does a seventeen year old girl go to recruit skilled men to a plan to overthrow a government by removing a mask?"

"Tell me, witch, where do you think one can find the most men who are hostile toward their government and gripped by a desperation that makes them easy to control?" Ava answered question with question.

"Hmm, just what do you have planned?" D.D. couldn't find an answer.

"You'll see. All I can say, is that, in two weeks time, I'm confident I'll be hailed as the new Empress of Britannia," Ava said as a dark enthusiasm.

Astrid could do nothing but have faith that her beloved was right, and of course, support her in any way she could.

---

The middle aged man gave a slight smile as his cell phone began to ring. It was enough to bring a stall to his steady walk down the long hall. Pulling the device out and examining the name on display that smile became not so slight. He answered in a hurry.

"Hello," he started beamingly.

"Hi dad!" the sound of a girl's voice called back through to him.

"It's been a while since you last called, Chiharu," the man, Kaname Ohgi said, pleased. "How have things been with the Black Knights?"

"Pretty cool. Hiromi just got placed in my platoon," Chiharu responded, as relaxed as ever.

"General Tohdoh's eldest?" Kaname responded after thinking over the name for a minute.

"Yeah," his daughter replied.

"Well that's good. It's always a good thing to have friends close," the man said, nodding firmly even though the other could not see him.

"Come now, dad, this is the Black Knights. It's serious stuff, there's no time for being friendly," Chiharu said; something told the father she was being facetious.

"It is a serious career you chose for yourself, Chiharu. Just because there's been no war for twenty years, doesn't mean it couldn't start right back up tomorrow," Kaname cautioned, offering a long sigh.

"I doubt that. The EU may have some power but I think they know better than to start something when the entire world would be against them. And the Empresses of Britannia and the Federation both have nothing but faith in Zero," Chiharu said, a sureness in her voice.

"I know, Chiharu, still you cannot count anything out. Believe me, things can happen sometimes in this world which we can't ever predict. Everything may seem at ease now, but being a Black Knight means being ready in case things are not so tomorrow," the man said, his voice steady.

"Yea, yeah, sure thing, dad…" Chiharu said flippantly. Giving a short sigh she then said, "So what's happening where your at?"

"I was just preparing to meet with the President," said Kaname, looking down at the stack of papers under his arm.

"You ever wish you could have her job for another term?" Chiharu asked with a slight laugh.

"No, I had my time. It's best to let other take the reigns now," Kaname said in a long voice, looking down. "I'm perfectly content just staying on as an advisor."

"Sure? President of the United States of Japan; it seems like a real cake job. I bet the country practically runs itself," the young girl said brightly.

"Just because our nation is among one of the strongest and wealthiest in the world today, doesn't mean there isn't a lot of hard work to be done in running it." The father gave his own short sigh.

"Then I guess I didn't make a mistake in not following you into politics," Chiharu said with a short giggle.

"You really need to start taking your job more seriously, Chiharu," Kaname's tone became stern.

"Gotcha. I'll try dad," Chiharu replied in a less than serious fashion. "Anyway, I think I gotta run. See ya."

"It's been nice talking to you, Chiharu," Kaname replied with a smile.

"Yeah. Bye," Chiharu said before hanging up.

Kaname quickly stowed his cellphone away and picked up his pace in traversing the halls. He smiled as he thought of his beloved daughter; he worried over her. She was too easy going, too childish. It bothered him. Eventually he found his way to the door at the end of the hall that housed the President's office. He knocked twice.

"Come in, Kaname…" a voice chimed immediately. Kaname opened the door.

"Sorry for the delay, Ms. President. I got a call on my way here," he apologized as he entered.

The president offered him the charming smile that had easily ensnared the nation in the previous election as she stood up. "Oh, was it that wife of yours?" she asked with an amused sparkle in her bright eyes.

"No, my daughter," Kaname answered, still smiling.

"Ah, so how's Chiharu? I haven't seen her in so long," the president said with a certain vibrance, "I heard she's already advanced to lieutenant."

"True, but the girl lacks motivation and initiative. She approaches every new task as if she's asleep," the man verbalized his frustration.

"She's only 19. I'm sure something will force her to mature eventually," the president assured; her incredible charisma almost had Kaname believing it. "she is your daughter after all."

The man gave a quick laugh. "One look at that girl reveals which parent she took after more."

"She does look like her mother… there's no getting around that fact..." the president sighed.

"I'm not sure her generation, and the ones following it understand the reality of war. I'm not sure they understand what we went through twenty years ago," the man said through gritted teeth as he stared downward. "I'm not sure my Chiharu understands what that uniform she wears truly means."

"Maybe so, but isn't it still better that way? Isn't it better they don't have to see the horror of war for themselves?" the woman replied, smirking softly.

"You are very right... There's no need for the children to ever come to know true war," Kaname said with a firm nod. "It is better my Chiharu's head stays in the clouds than her hands become doused in blood."

"Well, let's hope this peace can last longer still, Kaname," the president said pleasantly.

"Yes, let's, Ms. President," Kaname smiled.

"Please, I've told you many times it's unnecessary to address me so formally when we're alone," the woman said in a bit of a huff. "We've known each other over twenty years now and it's doubtful the people would have even elected an unmarried 35 year old woman were it not for your full endorsement."

"I apologize. I'll try my best to remember in the future, Kaguya."

"That's better," President Sumeragi said with a wide smile.

"But enough about all this, you called me here for political advice if I'm not mistaken," Kaname said, shaking his head.

"Right," Kaguya nodded as she retook her seat.

---

Ava smiled as she stepped out of the car and gave Padriac a time later that evening in which to return to that location. She continued to smile as she turned to the large building in front of her and walked toward it. It was a huge building standing in the far south of Vortigern. It had heavy concrete walls and was surrounded on all sides by barbed-wire fences. It was the Vortigern Imperial Prison. It was where Ava would find what she needed.

She wore a confident smile as she approached two guards standing with guns at the entrance.

"Halt! State your business here!" one of the guards commanded, pointing his gun squarely at Ava.

"It's an awful rude thing, pointing a weapon at a member of your royal family," Ava said with a short laugh.

"R-royal family--!" the man stammered as he lowered the gun immediately.

"Correct. I am Ava li Britannia, Fourth Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire," the young princess announced proudly.

"S-so w-why do you grace us with your presence today, milady…?" the other prison guard spoke nervously.

"I want nothing more than to speak privately with the man in charge of this prison," Ava replied in a direct manner.

"Well… uh… I'll go inform him of your arrival then…" the first prison guard said tentatively, unsure if he was doing the right thing. He bolted off to find the prison warden.

It wasn't five minutes before the man returned with another man. This man was in his late thirties, wore a cheap suit, and had a thin mustache. He seemed to be quite nervous as he approached the young girl.

"Good day… milady…. I'm Warden John Paris," the man said, out of breath. "What can I do for you today?"

"Ah, it's nothing to worry yourself over, sir. I'd just like a word with you in your office," Ava offered a pleasant smile.

"A-as you wish…." the man stammered as he lead the girl behind the fences and toward the giant structure. No words were exchanged until they had penetrated the prison gates and entered the warden's office. When the door was shut firmly behind them, Paris spoke again.

"We just had our royal inspection… and doesn't Prince Schneizel usually handle that anyway…?" the man started very tentative; Ava's presence was obviously cause for alarm.

"Oh, this little visit is nothing like that, Mr. Paris. I'm here entirely of my own accord," Ava said shaking her head. "I'm here to strike a small deal with you."

Paris was surprised, but looked attentive. Ava smiled, she could tell now this man was as corrupt as she was hoping. The man spoke, "so what does listening to you get me, princess?"

"Nothing but peace of mind," Ava replied with a devilish smirk.

"What are you getting at…? You don't have anything hanging over me, princess…." Paris said with confidence.

"Oh but my sir, how can you say that, when in fact I know all your most guarded, damaging secrets…." Ava said with a short snicker.

"What?! How?! You couldn't know that…" the man said fear and alarm in his face. Ava knew for sure this man was easy prey for her now.

"Of course I know… or I will shortly… for you are going to tell me them… and I am going to record them with this…." Ava said as she puled out a small handheld recording device.

"You're crazy if you think I'm going to say anything!" the warden shouted.

"Am I now?" Ava giggled mockingly. She stared John Paris straight in the eye and clicked the button on her device. "What damaging things are you hiding, sir?"

"I've been borrowing prisoners to act as free labor to help expand my estate, I've been pocketing government given funds intended for prison use, and I've been cheating on my wife for two and a half years," Paris admitted simply, almost in a single breath. Ava felt like laughing. She stopped the recording and unfocused her gaze.

"Thank you, sir. With this recording I could now get you fired, divorced, and thrown behind those prison bars yourself," Ava said coldly.

"You--! What sort of trick…?! I'll…" Paris was fuming with rage. He rolled up his sleeve.

Ava took several steps back, "I suppose you could always decide to assault your nation's princess and see what damages that route would incur… but it's doubtful the end would be very different…"

Paris came to a halt at the words. He flopped down into his chair and gave a sigh. "What exactly is it you want from me…?"

"It's simple really. All I want is one hour. During this hour, you will shut off all security cameras and remove all guards from the facility and give me the keys to the prison. When this hour is up, you will treat anything found missing as if it were never there in the first place," Ava stated her demands coldly.

"That's… Just what are you planning, princess…?" the man snarled.

"It's not for you to know, Mr. Paris," Ava said with a smile. "All you need to know, is that if you refuse these full demands, the truth will strip you of everything."

"I see… I have no choice…." the warden spoke in a weary, beaten voice. "I'll go call a guard meeting and work on the cameras. You'll find a set of keys over there…."

"Thank you, Mr. Paris." Ava said with a smile. "Oh, and one more thing…"

"Yes, princess…" the man turned to face her.

"What is the cell number of the Blood Queen?" Ava asked with a smirk as she looked in the man's eyes once more.

---

Prison life was a life of quiet darkness. Solitude. Even when they were let out of their cells and allowed time to interact, it was still a lone existence. That's what the woman felt anyway.

There had been times when it wasn't so lonely. Early in her stay, they had placed other women in her cell along with her. The harsh ringing cries of pleasure mixed with pain that would leave those women's lips soon after saw that they were always quickly reassigned and the woman was left alone once more. How she hated being alone. It reminded her so much of what had been ripped from her when she was thrown behind the bars she now faced.

Then, just as she pondered her solitude, as she had for the last twenty years, a girl appeared before her. This was strange. Seeing her there suddenly was almost surreal. She had never seen the girl; she certainly wasn't a guard and visitors were never allowed this far in. She was young and beautiful, and dressed in fancy, regal clothes. The woman didn't want to get her hopes up. Really she didn't.

"You! Are you--? You are--. You're not---" as the young girl took step after step toward her, the woman found she knew not how to ask the question she wanted answered, but the excitement at the possibility was quite clear.

"You are Callista Blackwell, correct?" the beautiful girl spoke to her in a pure, silky voice. The woman's voice pounded with want to know.

"I am. You are?" she said hurriedly, excitement having not ceased,

"Princess Ava li Britannnia," the girl announced with a smile. Callista's heart fell; this wasn't the princess she had hoped it was.

"'Li Britannia'? So you're that woman's daughter?" Callista said, looking down.

"I once heard my mother say that you were among the more capable knightmare pilots she had ever seen in action," the young princess said, wearing a smirk.

"Heavy praise from the Witch of Britannia," Callista let out a dark laugh. "But then again, she was the only one of them who ever did have any respect for me."

"Well you are the woman known as the Blood Queen, said to have took pleasure in the carnage she created in the war," the girl said, giving her own laugh.

"You know your history well, girl," Callista smirked darkly. "But for people like Guinevere, Clovis and Schneizel you should realize my deeds had nothing to do with their dislike of me."

"I suppose not…" the young girl smiled.

"No, those royal children couldn't accept a woman as young as I hanging on their father's arm." Callista spoke with nostalgia in her voice.

"I see."

"I was but another conquest for that man. He had grown distant from the world. He only kept me around as my skills bore similarity to Marianne the Flash and I was enthusiastic to serve him," Callista said in a languid voice. With more venom she added, "I never met that one who killed him, Lelouch, until he threw me into this hell out of disgust, and only once met that sister of his who keeps me in here, on account of so called 'war crimes'."

"It must make you bitter…" the princess said.

"I had no real love of that man. It was only his power I coveted," Callista sighed. "I would have happily taken Lelouch as my new lord had he allowed it." Sadness entered her eyes. "but then he had to toss me in here and rip my happiness from my arms."

A silence fell briefly before the young princess said in a direct tone, "I wish to set you free, Callista."

"Now why in the world would you wish for something like that, girl?" the former Imperial consort said, smirking.

"I am in a position where I have need of skilled knightmare pilots. From what I have heard, you would be a viable asset to me," the princess said, a smile showing on her face.

"Just what could you be planning, princess?" Callista laughed, intrigued by her young companion.

"My aim is the Imperial throne," the young girl announced boldly. Callista's eyes went wide.

"My, my, an ambitious young princess, aren't we?" she laughed. "I like that. Unfortunately, I know not what should give me confidence that your goal is a reasonable one and not the foolish dream of a little girl."

"Perhaps it is as you fear. Perhaps I will lead you to nothing but your death. Even so, would you honestly prefer to stay locked within these walls?" the girl asked, smirking callously. The answer left Callista impressed.

"Those caged are easily enslaved by the promise of freedom, I take it that's your reason in coming to this prison?" Callista smiled.

"Is it fallible?" the girl asked, her eyes sharp and piercing.

"Not particularly," Callista laughed. She smiled silently for a bit before saying. "I will follow you, Ava li Britannia, but not unconditionally. You must promise me one thing, else I would prefer to continue rotting in this prison."

"And that would be?" the girl asked, surprised.

Callista looked down. In a somber voice, she began. "I wish to be reunited with my daughter."

"Your daughter?" the princess now had surprise on her face.

"Lelouch vi Britannia had a heart. He ordered the death of all the other nobility, the ties to the old system, but me, he just threw in here. He couldn't kill me with her inside. He was a murderer, but that was too much. I would have been killed instantly had my daughter been born prior to his death." Callista said, spite apparent as tears began to flow. "But when Nunnally took the throne she change my death sentence to a life sentence and, once my daughter was birthed within these walls, ripped her away from me before I could ever know her."

The sounds of a lock clicking open brought Callista's attention back to what was in front of her. The young princess had opened her cell and walked inside.

"I will reunite you with her. That is no lie," Ava li Britannia whispered, looking her straight in the eye, face to face.

"Then I will gladly lay my life on the line to help realize your dream." Callista bowed to the woman she hoped to soon hail as her Empress.

"I am pleased to have you." Princess Ava said. She motioned for the other to stand. Callista complied. "Now, you wouldn't happen to know of any others of skill at piloting knightmares, would you?"

"Just one. A Lord Niles Moore over in the men's prison," the soon to be free woman said after some deliberation.

"Ah, yes, I remember that man's story from when it hit the news. I had forgotten of him," Princess Ava said with a steady nod. She turned to exit the cell. "Let us try and see if we may find him."

"As you wish, my princess," Callista said softly as she followed the girl out and to her freedom.

---

Niles Moore sat patiently in his cell as always. He was a condemned man waiting to die. Why shouldn't he die? He deserved it. There was no redemption for his crimes. Wasn't that he were put to death for the best then?

As he counted the seconds to his eventual execution per usual, he was startled to find people walking toward him, people he had never seen before, people who weren't the prison guards who brought meals down to his solitary cell daily. It was two women. One was dressed in fancy clothes and was quite young and beautiful. The other was dressed in prison garbs, and was older, but still somehow quite beautiful. Niles knew not what to think of them.

"You are Lord Niles Moore?" the young girl asked, a strength in her eyes.

"Indeed I am," the man replied, his voice somehow tired though it hadn't been used in weeks.

"I am Princess Ava li Britannia," the girl introduced herself. Niles didn't have the energy to be surprised.

"What does a princess want of a common murderer?" Niles said wearily.

The girl laughed, "You are no common murderer, Lord Moore. You were a soldier of exceptional prowess twenty years ago. You fought for your country proudly and as a result assumed a place in the new order of nobility that arose after the war's end."

"Yet after the war's end, I spent fourteen years failing to adapt. After my wife was found murdered while on visit to the southern reaches of the Empire, I went out in an old knightmare I had been keeping and saw fit to massacre two whole villages of innocents, just like the damn thing had never ended," Niles recounted soberly, teeth gritted.

"I always thought yours was a simple crime of passion. They were the actions of a passionate man, not a cold murderer," the youth said, with a light smile. Niles gave a hard laugh.

"You're wrong about me girl, those fourteen years, I was just waiting for an excuse to go insane and recreate the surge I felt during that war," Niles said in a languid tone. "And it's best you understand this now girl, that even if there's passion behind a crime, if the crime itself is big enough you'll end up burning in hell along side me for it some day."

"Very well, if that's the man you are, I care not. My offer will remain unchanged," the young princess stated callously.

"What offer are you trying to make of me, girl?" Niles said, humored.

"I have infiltrated this prison looking for men of skill to aid me in taking the throne," the girl forwardly announced.

"The throne? A coup d'etat. What makes you think you can do it?" the man said, still far from surprised.

"I have the truth on my side. It'd be hard for me to say more than that here, since I'd prefer to attain your trust without using my power, as I did with Callista here," the girl nodded to the woman standing silently next to her. Niles looked at her and at once remembered the face, even if it was twenty years older.

"It's been a long time, Blood Queen," he said, smirking slightly.

"The same, Niles," Callista replied with a short laugh.

"So you believe this girl's plan can be trusted?" Niles asked.

"I know not of her plan. My belief is in Princess Ava herself, and the fire within her eye," Callista said, blackly.

"I see…" Niles sighed. "But unfortunately I must decline. I am to die for my crimes. It is what I deserve."

"Then I must apologize, Lord Moore, as I am forced to use it on you now," the princess said, sighing as well. She looked Niles straight in the eye. "Do you really, honestly want to die, Lord Moore?"

"Of course not. I fear it. Each seconds that passes is one of crippling anxiety, that is only made bearable when I hide behind the excuse that it is what I want," Niles said blankly, somehow unable to stop himself, as if he was bound to say the truth.

"Do you not want a chance to see the outside again, a chance to fight proudly once more and atone for your sins?" The girl next asked, her gaze still focused in Niles' eye.

"Even if I doubt blood can be washed away in more blood, I still desire that chance more than any other. That I could have a chance to find redemption outside these walls as I grow old, it is my only wish," Niles again could not say anything but what he truly felt, and he was compelled to say all of it. The girl then looked away.

"Come with me, Lord Niles Moore, your services are needed, and when this new war has settled, you will be able to find the new life you desire," the girl said in a softer voice. Niles began to smile.

"That's a nasty trick you just played, princess, but an effective one," Niles said as he stood up. "It looks like I will be joining you after all."

"Good to hear it," the girl said as she inserted the key into the small hole on the prison bars. Entering and facing the man, she then asked, "Now you wouldn't know of any other Knightmare pilots of skill inhabiting this place, would you?"

"I'm afraid I do not. Prisoners of my grade aren't permitted time to interact with the others and obtain knowledge of the newcomers, and I recognized not a name on any list as I entered," Niles answered apologetically.

"I see…" the young girl sighed. "Well, I suppose two is all I could find today, but for this operation perhaps that will be enough."

---

Ulric sat in his cell, agitated as usual. His cellmate was sleeping. He wasn't about to go to sleep, not when he knew something strange was going on around him. Not twenty minutes ago he had seen two women parading themselves down the corridor in front of him. One of them looked rich and fancy and the other was wearing the uniform of the connected women's prison. When he considered that he hadn't seen a guard in forty-five minutes, it all became a little stranger.

But he knew they'd pass again. They had to. When those goddamn bastard threw Ulric in his goddamn cage they chose the one closest to the prison exits, as if to mock him. he saw everyone who exited the prison exit, and everyone who entered the prison enter. It was like they were saying, "look there's the exit Ulric, but your goddamn ass won't be using it for another five years."

Oh how he hated that. It had only been four days since they had thrown him this fucking prison, but it had seemed like a goddamn eternity. He was still pissed about it too. So what if he had accidentally killed a man during a fight. Stuff like that happened all the time. He hated those mother-fucking cops who had busted into his house and taken him while he was sleeping. If only he'd have been awake; he'd have shown them. Then he wouldn't be forced to endure this place any longer, and they all wouldn't be able to see too good right now.

It was about as Ulric contemplated this notion for the twentieth time that day that the two strange women reappeared, but-- goddamn it! Now there was some old dude going with them. He wasn't about to just sit by and watch that go by.

"Hey you! Lady! take me with you too!" he shouted from his cell. The woman ignored him.

He wasn't going to have that shit. He tried again "Hey, I'm talking to you! You better listen!"

This time he succeeded in getting the girl's attention. She looked him straight in the eye, she seemed angry.

"What use could some low-born, Godforsaken piece of trash like you possibly be to me?" she asked, spitefully, glaring at him.

"I'm plenty use. I'm Ulric Cross, the best underground prizefighter who ever lived!" Ulric boasted fiercely.

"My Geass should have been active. It's sad when they're delusional and think so highly of themselves," the girl sighed and shook her head.

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about, girl, but I ain't bullshitting you, if that's what you think! I've never been defeated at any sort of fighting," Ulric shouted, trying to regain the girl's attention.

"Truthfully? How many matches have you been in?" the girl asked, staring him in the eye.

"Hell yeah, it's the truth! And I've been in hundreds of matches. Hardly a day goes by I ain't pounding some unfortunate bastard's face in," Ulric said with a laugh.

"Either my Geass has no effect on this man, he is an idiot, or he is actually as strong as he claims," the young girl said to herself.

"Princess, please, don't waste your time with men like him. He is a vulgar, uncultured, brute, who finds his thrills only in creating violence," the old dude said in a snooty old dude way. Ulric felt like punching him in the jaw.

"Like you're any better old man. You're locked in this joint too!" Ulric shouted out.

"Please calm yourself, Mr. Cross," the young girl said. Making eye contact once more she then added. "And tell me, in terms of combat, you are just adept at hand-to-hand?"

"Fuck no!" Ulric declared. "I can do weapons too. Swords, knives, guns, anything people are willing to bet over."

"And have you ever piloted a knightmare frame?" the girl next asked, eye contact still preserved.

"'Course I have. Underground knightmare fights are a big sport for wealthy old men to bet on. And I'm one of the best at it there is," Ulric answered coolly. The girl smile.

"If I free you from this place will you pledge your unwavering loyalty to me?" the girl asked promptly.

"Fuck no! What do you think, I'm crazy? The second we hit the prison gates, I'm bolting the other way," Ulric answered. He had to ask himself shortly afterword, what the fuck was he thinking. A lie would have bought him freedom, but he had to say the mother-fucking truth like he was being forced.

"I see. What if I were to promise you amnesty, that no matter what act of violence you commit, you will never again end up in this prison or any prison so long as you are alive?" the girl proposed, still looking into Ulric's eyes.

"That's a damn sweet deal. I'd have to know what you'd be having me do though…" Ulric said, more subdued than before.

"I am Princess Ava li Britannia, the Imperial throne is my short term goal. In obtaining it I need men of skill who I can place confidence in," the girl announced powerfully, "Once I obtain, I will have need for your breed of violence in the following war."

"A princess--?" Ulric gulped, deeply surprised. "Well, I'll be… You'd be able to keep that promise of yours if you became Empress…"

"And I promise to you I will, Mr. Cross," the princess said, nodding,

"It's a deal then. You keep me out of these bars forever and I'll be your loyal dog," Ulric said, doing his best to bow like people did to royalty in some movie he had seen.

"You're making a mistake princess. Men like this aren't to be trusted," the old dude cautioned.

"Perhaps so, Lord Moore, but then again, perhaps I've made a valuable ally here in Mr. Cross," the girl said as she stepped forward and undid the lock on Ulric's cage.

"I won't disappoint you, Princess," Ulric spoke, unsure what to think. All he knew for sure, is that he was going to be using that exit that had been taunting him.

---

Rayner Wilde cursed his fate for the thousandth time as he drove his beat up old car through the night in the direction he had been instructed. He couldn't believe it, he the rising genius of the Imperial Colchester Institute, who had obtained a Ph.D. at the young age of 19, was now being blackmailed by an upstart 17 year old princess. Fate was laughing in his face yet again.

Of course he understood none of it. That princess had found some crazy new trick that got him to spill his guts about everything. She had quickly accrued knowledge that would put his crappy job at risk. He didn't really care about that even if he did need some source of income to buy his cigarettes and beer. He was mostly putting up with Ava, because she was interesting and he was bored.

Rayner took a sip of the cheap beer in a plastic cup he had in his cup holder and looked at the address the girl had given him once more. He was close now. He wondered what he would find there. The question was quickly answered after a short drive. There before his eyes was a small lot populated densely by knightmare frames.

Rayner WIlde parked his car at the side of the lot and exited it. He looked around expectantly.

"So you're here, Dr. WIlde," Ava li Britannia appeared out of the darkness from behind him.

"Just what are you planning, Princess?" Rayner said as he looked around the lot.

"These Vincent Wards were to be dismantled, Dr. Wilde, four of the original twenty were in fact, but I stepped in and paid off the men in charge of the transaction for the remaining 16," Ava said wearing a smirk.

Rayner considered this a moment before speaking. "Hold on a second… I know you're a princess… but undercutting the military… you can't expect me to believe that's just allowed…."

"You'd be surprised how willing to bend the rules men are when you know both their breaking price and their darkest secrets," Ava gave a dark laugh.

Rayner sighed. He asked, "what do you want me to do?"

"You should have already figured that much out, I'd think Dr. Wilde," Ava laughed politely. "I want you to use these 16 knightmares, Dr. Wilde, to do what you never got a chance to do. I want you to design and build something unique."

Dr. Wilde gave a short sigh and pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. He had known that much from the minute he had lain eyes on the knightmares. Something about the situation just seemed almost surreal to him.

Lighting his cigarette, he asked, "Should I ask why I would be doing this?"

"Because you want to, Dr. Wilde. Nothing beyond that should matter to you," the girl answered, smiling evilly. Rayner looked up at one of the Vincent Wards.

"Designing something's one thing, building requires tools and manpower," Wilde sighed.

"Finding you the tools you need should prove an easy task, just tell me what you need, and you will have it," Ava said coolly. She then turned to her let and made a motion with her hand. "As for manpower, these two will serve you as laborers."

Rayner watched as two men stepped forward out of the darkness. One was a man of class in his fifties who looked to have even more sorrow in his eyes than Rayner did. The other looked like your common, everyday twenty-something street thug.

"Don't look like the most promising staff I could hope for," Rayner said, looking down and enjoying his cigarette.

"Bear with it. I'm not asking the impossible. Just one or two knightmares that could stand with the best," Ava said still smirking childishly.

"I guess I have my work cut out for me then," Rayner said, with yet another heavy sigh. This was acting in truth, at that moment, he was very excited.

"I'm counting on you, Dr. Wilde," Ava said, as she began to walk off.

"Wait, Princess!" Rayner called back to the girl, not looking back. Ava turned to face him.

"Yes?" she asked.

"If the knightmares I make work for you, do you think maybe then you could have me make some more?" he asked, the reality of his situation swirling in his brain. Very soon he could be done with that damn school forever.

"Of course. You needn't even ask. Dr. Wilde. If what you make works for me, you will find yourself in a new position," the girl replied with a full smile. Rayner gave an amused laugh.

He continued to stare at the sixteen knightmares all around him. He really did have a lot to do. It was best he got started.

A/N: End chapter 3. This chapter seems like it took forever to write. It is a little longer than the last two. Even so it's mostly a progression chapter. We see Ava announcing her plan and gathering the tools for it. Some interesting character introductions in there I think. More character development. Still no action or anything, but I assume you can all see how that will change soon enough. Andof course this chapter had the first appearances of any established characters with Ohgi and Kaguya showing up. More of them will show up pretty soon though. Anyway, I hope you liked it. Please review.

Items to be added to the info page with the next update:

Warden John Paris

Callista Blackwell, "Blood Queen"

Lord Niles Moore

Ulric Cross

Vortigern Imperial Prison