A/N: Allow me to tell you a small story… I was going to do my AP gov. project, all ready to work when… my USB that my project was saved to was not to be found in my bag, my pencil case, my pockets; it was nowhere. Turns out I left it at school. I seriously just… The anger I felt towards myself is indescribable. So then, there was a huge chunk of unexpected free time, so I used that to finally edit this chapter! Hooray! But not I have to go to school at 7:30 tomorrow, which means I have to wake up at like 6 or something…. Eh. At least I finished!

Ch. 21

"Are you ready?"

"Yes. Are you?"

"I am. So are the Black Knights." Zero's presentation had finished with overwhelming approval from the Black Knights. Lelouch had left immediately afterwards to return to Wonderland, so as not to create any suspicion concerning his whereabouts. As a result, the Cat and the Hatter were dangerously near the border between Rose Nation and Wonderland. There had been a rumor that the Queen had made her soldiers stand sentry on the boundary line, even if it was on a mountain or a river, and it was apparently true, telling from the never-ending line of guards that stretched over the horizon.

Safely hiding in the forest near the pathway that led to their homeland, the two were preparing to return the prince to his rightful place. The masked man said, "I'm sorry for having you do this, love."

"I'll be fine. I trust you and the Knights to execute things perfectly. I'm just frustrated. I can't seem to "teleport" over boundaries like borders between countries…"

"It's because the dividing lines between the kingdoms have been set in stone and are sacred. Nothing can disturb or change them, unless you have immense power…. Unfortunately, the Queen knows of this little loophole, and her greed is urging her to make horrible decisions…"

The emerald-haired woman gave him a heartening peck on his mask knowing that he was frowning at the thought of Marianne and then tightened her belt. Smiling at him, the Cheshire said, "I'll see you in a few minutes then." before running out of the shadows and lightly jumping onto a farmer's cart. Lelouch followed from the shadows until they reached boundary between the two realms.

Stopping far away enough so as not to be revealed but close enough to hear what was going on, he began to change his clothes. Putting Zero's suit in a case that the Carpenter had invented, the bag shrunk until it was no bigger than his pinky finger. He placed the contraption into the pocket of his elegant swallowtail suit and prepared himself to cross the border the second the right circumstances were present.

Suddenly, yelling was heard, and all of the guards ran toward the commotion. Seizing the opportunity, he sprinted past the remaining soldiers silently while hiding himself with a cape that the Caterpillar had given him. She had said that it would allow him to blend in with his surroundings, thus eluding the severe border control. He only hoped she had done her job right, and to his relief, the prince crossed over safely.

The raven-haired man concealed himself until he found a black stallion, saddled and waiting in a clearing of the forest. Without hesitation, he mounted the horse and began to gallop away while stowing the cloak away inside of the case.

"Gawain." he said while taking the reins.

"Yes, your Highness?"

"How angry is the Queen?"

The gelding tossed its head and replied, "Not even his Heartness, the King, has been able to remain in the same room as her."

Lelouch gave a small smile; slowly, the conditions were coming together for the official debut of the Black Knights. As he turned onto the road for the Castle of Hearts, the Knight of White appeared while riding Lancelot. He asked, "Will you tell me now why you simply vanished during the party after becoming engaged to the princess? And why you left the country?"

"I will in due time. Right now, something incredibly important is about to happen."

"What?"

"I'll explain later. Have you prepared the alibi?"

"Yes. You left the party because you were feeling incredibly anxious and tired. You remained in your room for the remainder of the evening after explaining to Princess Nunnally, which she allowed you to retire. Then you asked me to accompany you on a journey far into the forest so that you could relieve some stress with the art of fencing. I've made sure the soldiers at the Damocles Tower will keep silent about your little visit to the prison, and Princess Nunnally said she would support your explanation, strangely enough. I've worn out your fencing suit and rapier, and Gawain and Lancelot have agreed to support you. Euphemia knows it as me leaving with you this morning to fence."

"Good work, Suzaku."

"And yet… You still won't tell me?"

"I'd like to, but… There's something incredibly urgent that I must tend to."

They slowed down and Lelouch fell behind slightly, so that court etiquette would kick in again. Once they reached the Castle, the prince dismounted and left his dark steed to the stable hands before entering the lion's den.

. . .

"I don't know who this fool named Zero is, but I want him captured immediately." pursing her lips, the Queen of Hearts stared at the other monarchs, daring them to challenge her.

"But he claims that he has agents scattered all throughout the royal guard and the servants. If we reject his offer, there is a large possibility that he will attempt to assassinate us." reasoned Euphemia.

"Then are you suggesting that we meet this… This savage?!"

"I don't believe that it's a terrible idea to hear him out. After all, he has 70% of our people under his control. Or rather, held hostage by him." said the Red King.

"Those aren't our people. Those are traitors!"

"Your Heartness, please. For the welfare of our kingdom, please at least let us hear what it is that they want." petitioned Kanon.

The Queen of Hearts didn't reply and only glared at the four men and women in front of her. Lelouch spoke up, "I propose a vote. All those in favor of receiving this…. Zero's offer, raise your hand."

6 hands went up.

"Charles!"

"Marianne dear, I think it would be better to listen to this man for now. We don't know anything about him, and the safest way to go about is to heed his request. Think of our agenda. If we were to die, then all of those years and effort would go to waste."

"… Very well. We'll go see this Zero and see what it is that he wants. But the second he crosses the line, he's to die."

"Yes, your Heartness."

She left in a flurry of red, black, and white fabric while the monarchs rose from their seats. When the door had closed behind the royal family of Hearts, the Red Queen questioned, "Your Redness, will we also be attending?"

"I think that would be best. We need to know what's going to unfold at this meeting, and the fastest, most efficient way would be to personally attend. Will you be going, Cornelia? Euphie?"

"Yes. This Zero could be a peril to the monarchy of Wonderland, and as the Chancellor of the Ministry of Defense, it's my duty to get rid of the threat. Euphie, I want you to stay behind." the King of White turned to her younger sister, who protested, "But-"

"We don't know anything about this man. I can't allow you to be in the same area with such a dangerous and mysterious man."

"That's a good idea. You must stay, Euphie. Think of your safety." urged Kanon. The woman with bubblegum-pink hair drew herself up and replied firmly,, "No. I am the Queen of White, and I will no longer hide in the shadows of my fellow sovereigns. I will attend, just as someone of my position should. The Knight of White will also be present, fulfilling his duties as protector of the Queen of White. And I will go, no matter what any of you say. I hope you will allow me to serve my purpose."

"…. If you insist, then so be it." answered Schneizel after some time. Offering his arm to his spouse, he said, "Come, Kanon. We must think of all of the possible events that could happen at tomorrow's meeting."

"Yes, your Redness."

"I wish you would call me Schneizel." the blonde sighed.

"My apologies, Schneizel."

"It's all very well. I know it's difficult for you to adjust so suddenly." he patted his queen's hand gently as they left the conference room.

Furrowing her eyebrows, Cornelia began, "Euphie. You must-"

"No, sister. Until when will I not be given a chance to prove myself? Do you not believe me to be an able ruler?"

"No. I just don't trust that Knight, Sir Kururugi."

"Cornelia, he's one of the finest and strongest chevaliers in Wonderland. You must put more faith in him."

"… He's done nothing to prove-"

"That's because there hasn't been a situation that he could demonstrate his skills. Because you've always placed me inside of the walls of the Chateau. Give myself a chance to prove myself, and give Suzaku a chance to prove himself. Please."

After debating for some time in her head, the King of White reluctantly gave in, "Send notice to Kururugi that we're heading out tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you so much, sister!"

"However, if you so as much get a scratch, it will be his fault and will be punished accordingly."

"Yes, of course! Don't worry! Suzaku is a very dependable guardian!" embracing her elder sibling tightly, she rushed out of the room, enraptured with excitement at her freedom.

. . .

"Suzaku!"

"Euphie!" nervously, the brunette quickly shut the small chest and pulled the blanket over it in a sorry attempt to hide whatever it was that was sitting on his bed.

"What's that?" she tried to peek over his shoulder, but he stepped in her way.

"N-nothing. What is it, Euphie?"

"Suzaku, tomorrow afternoon, you shall escort me as my Knight to a summit."

"Tomorrow afternoon?" his face fell and she frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Um… I can't, Euphie."

"Why? Are you sick?" she tried to feel his forehead, when he shook his head and replied, "No, it's not anything like that… It's just…"

"What is it?"

He sheepishly pulled out a scroll from behind inside of his coat and handed it to her. Opening it, she read the contents and then questioned, "His Highness wants you…"

"Wants me to go to the Northern border and tame the giants." the Knight confirmed.

"The giants!" her hands flew to her mouth; the giants north of their country were notorious for eating trees, and many men had lost their lives to these over-sized vegetarians.

"They've been coming closer to the border apparently and have been causing a ruckus. Destroying too closely to our forests."

"… Well… If it's an order from his Highness, the crown prince, then… I suppose there's nothing I can do about it."

"I'm sorry, Euphie. If I had known-"

"It's alright. There's nothing you can do about it but follow his Highness's order. Don't frown so, Suzaku."

"Will you be okay?"

"Of course! I had to finish some embroidery anyhow. I might as well finish it with the time I have tomorrow."

"I'm sorry, Euphie."

"It's okay. Don't apologize. Just be careful. I'd really like to get married to you with all of your limbs."

He smiled sadly and said, "Me too."

His fiancé gave him a kiss and inquired, "But are you busy now? I'd like to go to the lake and feed the swans."

"Of course. My purpose is to protect you. Let's go, Euphie."

"I'm glad. Arthur was missing you so much, and now he gets to see you!"

"Arthur…" he smiled weakly at the thought of the cat. The queen giggled and pulled him out of his room. Suzaku looked back at the covered mound on his bed nervously; hopefully, she hadn't seen what was in it. On his way out, he closed the door and locked it; he didn't want the Knight of Red to accidentally stumble upon his secret. After all, several people's lives depended on whether he could keep it or not.

. . .

"Good luck, Suzaku. Return to me safely."

"I will. I promise you." he gave her a quick peck and then mounted Lancelot. Tucking her hair behind her ear, the Knight said, "Be safe, Euphie."

"Don't worry about me. Come back quickly."

"I will as soon as I can."

Nodding to her, he clicked his tongue and the Knight began his journey. Euphemia him go until he turned the corner and then sighed. It was a pity that she couldn't go; when she had told Cornelia, she had been upset, but she could tell that her older sister was secretly relieved. Turning around to go back inside, she said to cheer herself up, "Maybe I'll go visit Albert. I bet he's lonely."

Smiling, she went off to visit her companion who was in the form of a white peacock.

. . .

"Lelouch."

"Yes mother?" the raven-haired man turned his attention to Marianne, who was sitting across from him in the private royal coach.

"This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn how to deal with… Vagrants of these sort. Watch closely, sweetheart, so that when you succeed me one day, you'll know what to do."

He nodded and turned back to the window. He was incredibly nervous; the Black Knights had sent a letter to the Queen of Hearts, requesting for a meeting with her in which they would only speak to each other. There would be no weapons, no soldiers, no threats to the other. It was to be a completely harmless and civil conference between two leaders.

And the Queen had agreed.

He thought of the Cheshire, and, knowing Marianne's disposition towards her, it was an understatement to say that he was anxious. Not to mention his many friends who were inexplicably involved in the organization.

The prince cleared his mind; it wouldn't do to mess up. If anything, his part to play was one of the most important; if his mind was clouded and he made a mistake… There would be hell to pay, and he didn't feel like paying such a heavy price. There was nothing he was willing to pay with.

. . .

The monarchs of Wonderland sat down proudly in their thrones on the temporary dais. They were at the edge of their kingdom, while, across the invisible boundary, the Black Knights were set up. The two chairs for the secret organization were empty, and the Queen tittered, "Of course they're late. They don't even know the most basic of manners. Why? Because-"

"Marianne vi Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts, crown monarch of Wonderland, and repressor of her people. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, and now it seems I finally have the pleasure of your company."

"What?!" the Wonderlandians looked around, trying to spot the source of the voice while the the King of White jumped up and reached for her sword; what was this person?! And where was he?

Aburptly, the two chairs across from them were clouded with a plume of grey smoke. When it cleared away, they could see that the seats were suddenly occupied; a masked man, dressed in various shades of indigo, black, and violet, was sitting with his legs crossed and his hands in a steeple, completely relaxed, as if he had always been there, while in the seat next to him was a woman with short green hair, golden eyes, and a face that made the Queen of Hearts want to scream in frustration.

Zero and the Black Knights had appeared.

The vigilante rose from his seat grandly and approached the edge of the platform he was on. Sweeping his cloak out so that it fanned out behind him theatrically, he dramatically declared, "I am Zero, champion of the allies of justice, the Black Knights."

The Queen merely glowered while the King of White spoke up.

"Why do you call the Black Knights allies of justice? They've kidnapped his Highness, the crown prince, amongst other acts of crime and treason."

"The King of Red, Schneizel el Wonderland… A man without desire and greed… I admire your neutrality. However, I also despise it; for it's because of this impartialness that you stand by silently while your people are dying! The Black Knights have not committed treason! If anything, they are the ones who are bringing about one of the most important and necessary developments for the sake of Wonderland!"

"What is this important and necessary development?" inquired the Red Queen.

"The removal of the source of corruption and injustice, who has sickeningly leeched onto the heart of your nation." he pointed towards the Queen of Hearts whose hands curled up into tightly balled fists as she attempted to control her rising temper.

"How dare you call her Heartness corrupt!" defended the woman with magenta hair.

"Cornelia li Wonderland." the masked man turned his head to look at her in the eye, "You would do anything for your younger sister, the Queen of White, would you not?"

"How did you-"

"Just as you would do anything for Euphemia li Wonderland, I would do anything to save the people of Wonderland from the oppression they have suffered through for years. I have stood by and watched, my heart aching, hoping that you would change your treacherous ways. But you have not, to my great disappointment and dismay! I have allowed this tyranny to run rampant long enough!"

The Cheshire rose from her seat at this point and joined the champion of the Knights at his position on the stage.

"Marianne vi Wonderland! The Black Knights challenge you to a high-stakes duel!"

"Duel? You think that I would-"

Making grand gestures, he declared, "A fencing match for the world to see! I recall you were quite the fencer in your younger years?"

"Fool! You're challenging Marianne the Flash to a fencing match? It is this folly that will bring you your demise!" she hissed. The Queen couldn't contain it anymore; her anger spun out of control as she rose from her seat and brandished her scepter at Zero.

"I take it that you accept?"

"Of course! There's no better way to humiliate and punish someone than to do so publicly!" she sneered at the two.

"However, on one condition."

"What? Don't tell me you're going to set it in some impossible location-"

"No. You may choose the venue."

"Then what is it?" nostrils flaring indignantly, the furious monarch crossed her arms and glared at them with fiery eyes.

"The Black Knights will send forth two champions to contend against you."

"Very well. For twice the humiliation and pain. Who will be falling by my blade?"

Wrapping his arm around the emerald-haired woman's waist, the vigilante pulled her closer to him while replying, "Myself, and the Cheshire Cat, the CEO and founder of the Black Knights."

"Fine. And the date?"

"I shall also relinquish that decision to you."

"Your Heartness, perhaps you should confer with us to-" began Schneizel, but he was cut off. The Red King suffocated the urge to sigh; the Queen was being too reckless. Obviously, this man named Zero had something up his sleeve, if he was challenging the sovereign of Wonderland to a fencing duel. Unless he was foolish, and Schneizel could tell that this person was anything but foolish.

"I'll be merciful and give you a week to prepare."

"There's no need. If you want, we're prepared to compete tomorrow."

"You're incredibly sure of yourself for someone who just dared Marianne the Flash in fencing."

"Why? Is it not enough time for you?" questioned the Cat. Glowering, the potentate replied, "Very well; tomorrow it is. At noon. But the stakes; what are they? You said that they would be high."

"Ah, so that was what caught your attention." Zero released the Cheshire and put his hand on his hip, "I am willing to wager the Black Knights."

"What do you mean?"

"If the Cheshire Cat and I are defeated by you, then you could very easily throw the Black Knights into the dungeon for your executioning delight."

"Why would you put in such a high-"

"Because I know, with your pride, you won't put in anything less than I do. Now, what are you willing to risk?"

"Your Heartness, please! Allow us to-" fearfully interfered the Red and White monarchs, but they were too late.

"I will step down from my throne."

"Oh?" everyone could hear the smile in the masked man's voice.

"Yes. I, Marianne vi Wonderland, will end the Reign of Hearts with my forfeit of the throne."

"Your Heartness!" clamored Cornelia.

"Marianne!" the King of Hearts rose from his seat in shock.

"What is it? Do you not think that I can defeat these two? They've not met Marianne the Flash, and it's a pity, because they've lost the battle the second they thought that they could defeat me."

Zero laughed and said, "Your prediction amuses me. But if it will come true, that is what intrigues me."

"It will. It is beyond question; you've chosen certain death with your decision."

The rebel ignored her last comment and only replied, "Until tomorrow afternoon then." before putting his hand on the Cheshire's shoulder. Giving the Queen one last cold, hard stare, the Cat and the champion vanished, leaving the rulers of Wonderland in chaos.

A/N: I honestly felt great pleasure when I wrote Zero's speech last chapter, because I thought that I did a pretty good job of nailing Zero's habits and speech-abilities, if I do say so myself. And after this chapter, you may go: … What the heck happened? Why is he so off? The only explanation that I can give you is that… School threw me off. Sadly, I am not thinking only of The Crazy Coup anymore. I also have thoughts of biology, French, geometry, AP gov., and a bunch of other academic stuff in my head… So I'm sorry if Zero's presentation this time wasn't as good as the last one. But we're finally gettin' a move on! I'm so excited! And I hope you are too! Don't forget to review and VOTE! Vote, vote, vote on the poll that I set up on my profile page, if you haven't already! Please! Thank you very much! Until Ch. 22 comes out then~