I have been looking for a high-quality Code Geass soundtrack for years, and ironically it was under my nose for years. On Spotify. I feel so stupid for not checking it, but that doesn't matter now. If only I can find Mozaiku Kakera, then everything would be great. Sorry for not updating sooner, I've had a hell of a writer's block. Anyway, let's get back to it.

Ashford Academy

The school was abuzz with talk. Everyone was talking about the events of yesterday. Superheroes came together to prevent the destruction and death of hundreds of people. Both Elevens and Britannians were ecstatic about it.

"And then Iron Man flew in 'FWOOOSH' and then Spider-Man was like 'BAM' and Captain America was barking orders 'You go over here; you get those civilians over there!' it was crazy!" Rivalz reenacted the events at Babel Tower.

"The bar you worked at was near it, right?" Miles asked.

"Yeah, one second I'm serving drinks and the next 'BOOOM'! This huge explosion rattles everything, and everyone runs outside. It didn't take long for the military to get there; it was a white Knightmare that came. Really cool looking too, like nothing I'd ever seen! It threw Spider-Man in the air!" Rivalz was already standing on the table, acting like the White Knight throwing Spider-Man, sound effects included.

The entire student council was gathered in the usual place, even Kallen and Nunnally were present. Today was the day of the student council trip to Clovis Land, finally a good day of rest from the excitement of yesterday. At least, that's why Miles hoped it would be.

"We're all glad you got out okay Rivalz, but next time try to run away from the action instead of towards it." Lelouch said, as he flipped through the tickets in his hand.

"Miles, you're from the homeland. What do you know about Spider-Man?" Rivalz approached Miles who looked up from his phone. Milly, who had been content to let the conversation go on, had stopped what she was doing and looked at Miles.

"Oh, Spidey…um yeah I guess I know a bit about him. Well not this is one, I guess. This guy is a mystery." Miles tried to wave off the conversation.

"This one?" Nunnally asked, keen on picking apart his words. Miles inwardly cringed at letting that slip.

"You mean there was another?" Shirley asked as she packed the cooler with drinks, suddenly getting interested in the topic at hand.

"I'm curious as well, I've been doing some light reading. Surely someone who's lived there can give a better account." Lelouch said, putting down a magazine.

"Er, yeah I guess I can," Miles said sheepishly, not liking the sudden attention. "Well, there was another Spider-Man before the current one. He was a guy from Queens, his name was Peter. Peter Parker."

"Was he also a superhero like this one?!" Rivalz asked excitedly.

"Uh, yeah. He fought super villains and saved the city a lot, though he didn't only save the city. He looked out for the small guys. I remember when I was younger a kid in my class bragged about meeting Spider-Man. Peter was just that kinda guy." A small smile grew on his face.

"Where do they take these super villains? I can't imagine leaving them with the general population is safe." Lelouch asked, Miles looked back to Lelouch – smile now gone.

"They have a special prison, off the cost of New York, they call it the Raft. Huge prison that's extra high security. Each cell is made with the prisoner in mind. I remember once they tried to make Electro power the city grid…we didn't have electricity for a week."

"And what, they just leave them there?" Kallen asked.

"Well, yeah. They're villains, not like they'll enlist in the army. And most of them are plain people with super suits. Only a couple handful are really superhuman." Miles had to thank what otherworldly beings that there weren't many superhumans like Electro. He's a pain as is.

"I think we should stop grilling Miles with questions and focus on our plan today. It's already noon and we'll be expecting a crowd. Lelouch is everything packed?" Milly asked, saving Miles from the barrage of questions. Miles inwardly thanked her.

"Everything is ready. Oh, the car is still in the parking lot. Sayako is still getting all the towels from the laundry room so she's busy at the moment."

"Miles, can you go and get it? We'll meet you outside in a few minutes." Miles agreed and left the council room.

The sky was bright and the sun high, a perfect day.

"Damn it!" A loud slam reverberated across the walls; Miles turned towards the sound to see the source.

"Jacob?" The guy rolled away from the deans' office, steaming mad by the looks of it.

Miles followed him out the door, he didn't even bother to look behind him.

"Hey, Jacob, you good?" Miles walked up to him and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Miles? Oh, haven't seen you in a while. Been busy?" He asked.

"You could say that. So, what was that back there?" Miles pointed back inside.

"Dean Ashford, he-he dismissed my entire paper. He refused to fund my entire work!" Jacob threw his hands in the air, surely filled with anger.

"Your work? You mean DNA splicing?" Miles wasn't entirely familiar with the science behind it, but he heard enough to understand the basics.

"Years of research just casually tossed aside. That bastard doesn't understand how much time and effort I poured into it." Jacob rolled down the ramp, defeated.

"It's not the end, maybe you just need to tweak it or- "

"NO, it's perfect as is. Sorry Miles, but I'm outta here. I'll see you in class next week." Jacob rolled away, not looking back. All Miles could do was feel bad for him.

Yesterday, The Black Knights HQ

The news was raving about the events at Babel Tower, and with it were three prominent figures. It was a golden moment.

"Heroes take down local crime boss responsible for Black Knights rip-off. Huh, the media are really eating this up." Kallen read the banner on the television the Black Knights surrounded.

Everyone, bar Rogers, was watching the media cover Babel Tower.

"Diethard, I'd like you to post that video I had you make with Captain Rogers. Make sure you send it out on the net anonymously, use extra precaution." Diethard turned to Zero, awe in his eyes.

"Amazing." Diethard muttered as he understood everything.

"Amazing? What's so amazing about posting a vid?" Tamaki asked.

"You knew sending in Rogers would put him in the spotlight, and you're using this occasion as an opportunity to prop him up in the media. They wouldn't be able to resist." Kallen pieced together the puzzle Zero had set up.

"Wow, that's…that actually is amazing." Ohgi said watching Zero stare at the television.

"Free exposure is always good exposure, as the old saying goes." Diethard said as he left the room.

Present, Clovis Land

"It's perfect!" Milly threw her hands in the air as everyone had finally gathered inside the waterpark.

"Can't help but agree Milly." Lelouch strolled up with Nunnally, a smile on her face.

"There's so many people." Nina said, looking around as more people poured into the waterpark.

"That's not gonna stop us! We're here to relax and have fun, so go forth with my blessing!" Milly pointed to the park with a grand gesture fitting of her position. All it really did was cause a few eyes to turn in confusion.

"Perhaps we can ease down the shouting, prez. Sayako, and I will find us a table to put our stuff at, the rest of you can go change in the dressing rooms. Milly, do you mind helping Nunnally into her swimsuit?" Lelouch asked.

"Of course, just be sure to find seating fast. I'm actually hankering for something to eat." Milly grabbed Nunnally's wheelchair and the group went their separate ways.

Elsewhere in the park, Suzaku sat up awkwardly in his swim trunks with Cecile casually lounging on one of the beach chairs.

"You sure it's fine to act so casually Miss Cecile?" Suzaku asked, trying to keep a modicum of professionalism.

"Oh, it's fine Suzaku, no one knows the princesses will be here today. Just relax for once, consider it your reward for the other day. People have been raving about the 'White Knight' on the news. Looks like you're a hit with the public." Cecile commented, keen on relaxing in the sun.

"They only think that way because they don't know it's me in the pilot's seat." Suzaku said.

"Oh, right." That brought the mood down a little in an otherwise happy place.

"Suzaku?" Behind him, a familiar voice called out. Suzaku turned to see none other than Lelouch and his maid standing behind them.

"Lelouch, what are you doing here?" Suzaku asked.

"I could ask you the same, aren't you supposed to be working?" Lelouch found it odd to see his old friend in his swim trunks alongside his boss.

"Oh, me and Miss Cecile are on break." It has a half-truth; they were technically on break from their usual work, but only to be a part of the security detail for Cornelia and Euphemia.

"Hello again." Cecile waved at Lelouch from her beach chair.

"I have a party with me, I hope I'm not intruding if I set up at this table." Suzaku shook his head so Lelouch and Sayako set their things down.

"So, what are you doing here Lelouch? I can't remember the last time you ever took in interest in water parks." Suzaku watched as the two relieved the bags off their shoulders.

"School trip, exclusive to the student council. We raised more than enough money for our prom, so we convinced the Dean to let us use the extra money." With all the bags set on the table, Lelouch and Sayako sat down to enjoy the area.

"Hey Lelouch, you got a spot!" Behind them the rest of the student council arrived, with Milly being the loudest.

"We've got good seats, and good company." Lelouch motioned to Suzaku, who simply waved.

Suzaku looked at the rather large group of people, he recognized Milly and Miles, but the rest were unknown to him. The one that stood out the most, or tried not to, was the meek girl behind Miles. She wasn't like Nunnally, more like she was…scared?

"Oh, Suzaku, good to see you. Ms. Croomy, how are you doing?" Milly and Cecile exchanged pleasantries leaving Miles to Suzaku.

"Wassup man?" Miles nodded his head to Suzaku, the others said hello as well, except the meek girl.

"Sayako and I will be right back after we change, you good holding the fort Miles?" Lelouch asked as he and Sayako picked up their respective bags.

"Sure, I'll watch the bag while you're gone. I've been meaning to work on my suntan." Miles sarcastically remarked.

"Thanks for staying Morales-san." Sayako did a small bow and left with Lelouch.

"That means Mister…right?" Miles asked.

"It does, are you studying Japanese?"

"Yeah, I had some language-barrier problems the other day, if I'm gonna live in Area 11 for the next few years…may as well learn the language." Miles reasoned, leaving out the fact that he was under the guise of Spider-Man at the time.

"It'll definitely be helpful; Japanese is a beautiful language. Though I may be biased." Miles chucked.

"You two are getting along quite well." Lelouch came back in a loose jacket and speedo, honestly Miles didn't expect that from Lelouch.

"You have good friends Lelouch, um…you mind if we talk for a sec? In private? It's something personal." Lelouch turned silent and nodded. The two of them walked away outside of hearing range.

"You seem to be getting along quite well with Suzaku." Cecile remarked as she lies on her beach chair, content with soaking in the sun.

"What can I say, he seems like a good guy." Miles shrugged.

"Truth be told, Suzaku doesn't have many friends for a growing boy. When he and Lelouch met I was relieved, and now you and he are growing a budding friendship. Suzaku is a good kid, and I'm glad more people are realizing it."

"You really care for him." A small smile grew on Cecile's face.

"I guess it's just my motherly instincts." The two of them were content with leaving the conversation there.

Behind them, Suzaku and Lelouch had a quiet conversation. "Your sisters are here, you should be okay here, it's pretty far." Suzaku pointed to the mainstage, it was empty now but Lelouch was still worried.

"Thank you Suzaku, I'll let Sayako and Nunnally know." The two of them nodded and walked back.

x-x

"Euphemia, I indulged your swimsuits, now hurry up and get out of the dressing room!" Cornelia shouted from the other side of the door.

"One moment!" Euphemia called back.

"Busy at the moment princess?" Tony asked over the phone.

"It's nothing you need to worry about, so what have you learned about the ring?" Euphemia asked, curious about what Stark had learned from the magic ring.

"Well, it's super old. Like old-old, before the pyramids old. It's made of some really rare space-metals, some I don't think have even been named. By the way, how does Starkium sound? Tonyium maybe?" Euphemia sighed; Stark's ego never wavered.

"Can we get back on subject? Any ideas where it came from?"

"Well that's a considerably harder task. You said you got the ring from your Great-Grandmother, so I've been going over the history books…well JARVIS has, but the result is zilch. I got no clue where this ring came from or what it is. What I did find was a painting of her, the only painting of her with the ring on. It's dated around 7 decades ago, about the time when you're Great-Grandmother would be around 30. So, I did some cross-referencing and found out she went to Asia around the time of the painting. So that's where my research is going next."

"Good, I'll want updates as soon as something changes."

"Euphemia!" Cornelia called from outside.

"Coming! Keep me updated Stark." Euphemia closed the phone and put it in her bag as she left the room, for now it was time to keep up appearances.

x-x

"This water park is in honor of our late brother Clovis, who dedicated his life to the homelands wealth and arts. It is a testament to Britannian strength…" Cornelia's speech went on as Miles floated in the wave pool, Milly to his side and Rivalz to hers.

"Jeez, I thought your dad gave boring speeches. This is even worse." Miles told Milly, she could only chuckle.

"If it was my choice, I'd liven it up a bit with some theatrics, I think the royal family could use some good P.R." Milly's face looked like she already had plans.

"Getting mixed up with the Royal family is a quick ticket to a headache, don't bother Milly." Rivalz shook his head disapprovingly.

"I think you mean romantic and exciting, the kinds of scandals that I can get up to is tempting." Milly swooned.

"Your scandals would probably bankrupt the entire country Milly." Miles joked; Milly only jabbed him with her elbow.

At the stage, Cornelia had finished her speech, and the audience clapped.

"By the way, where is everyone?" Miles looked left and right, searching for the rest of the council.

"Lelouch and Nunnally are with Suzaku, they decided to give some time for herself. Kallen decided to swim down the lazy river, and Shirley took Nina to one of the slides." Rivalz counted each person on his hand.

"Well I hope Nina is having fun, that girl is shier than a turtle." Milly shook her head.

x-x

Black Knights Hangar

Ohgi opened his lunch box, and it was the most delicious thing he'd seen that day. "That woman…" He smiled as he silently thanked her and dug in.

"Hey boy, you're needed at…" Inoue stopped as she stumbled upon Ohgi eating. "I'll let you finish." He slurped up his food and stood up.

"What is it?" Ohgi asked.

"Well…" Inoue was stopped as more footsteps approached them.

"Are you Kaname Ohgi?" Behind her was the Four Holy Swords from the J.L.F.

"The Four Holy Swords, what are…?" Ohgi did a quick bow as the one he recognized as Nagisa Chiba cut him off.

"Our leader, Kyoshiro Tohdoh, has been captured. We've come to request the aid of The Black Knights." Ohgi was stunned, the great Tohdoh was captured? This was bad if he died than it would surely be a blow to Japan.

"Stay right here, I'll call Zero." Ohgi took his phone from his pocket and walked away.

"Your leader isn't here?" Ryōga Senba, the oldest of the Holy Swords, asked.

"Zero works in mysterious ways, bringing in Britannian's, working in the shadows…he doesn't tell us much, even when we're supposed to trust him. But he gets results, so we continue to follow orders. Sorry, I'm venting feel free to sit down while we get in touch with Zero." Inoue escorted them to a pile of boxes, the Holy Swords humbly accepted it.

Across the room, Ohgi dialed the number Zero gave him and called. It rang only once before the call was picked up.

"Ohgi." His name was the only confirmation of the call.

"Sorry for calling Zero, but we have some developments." Ohgi said.

"What kind?"

"The Four Holy Swords have come to us for help, apparently their leader Kyoshiro Tohdoh, has been captured. They request help to free him." Ohgi informed him.

"His capture and death would be harmful to the Japanese spirit. If the man behind the miracle of Istukushima were to die, it would be a considerable victory for Britannia. Tell the Holy Swords we accept their request." Ohgi smiled and turned to the Holy Sword with an okay.

"Thank you Zero."

"I still have business to take care of it'll be a couple of days before I return, be sure to acquaint the Holy Swords with the Black Knights. In the meantime, I will create a plan to free the colonel."

"Lulu!" The sound of a girl shouted in the background of the call, Ohgi raised his brow in confusion.

"I'll call you later." The call abruptly ended, leaving Ohgi alone.

x-x

Clovisland

Lelouch quickly closed his phone and turned back to Shirley. The sky was growing more orange than blue, and everyone was gathering at their table. He hoped Ohgi didn't hear Shirley.

"Sorry Shirley, I was taking a call." Lelouch and Shirley walked back to the group plus Suzaku and Cecile.

"So, what exactly is a prom?" Suzaku asked in between bites of his funnel cake.

"Prom is the highlight of your school career!" Milly threw her hands up in a flourish.

"It's really just a high school thing, but Milly never really let go of it, so she petitioned the Dean to make one for the college. It's like a big dance, with food and drinks." Miles finished his ice cream with a large bite.

"Petitioned? More like she forced Rueben to accept it. Along with the cross-dressing day, the valentine's festival…" Rivalz counted on his hand.

"So many festivals, so little time." Milly swooned.

"Have you never been to a prom before, Suzaku?" Rivalz asked.

"Well, no not really. I didn't really do much in high school. Just got my degree and went into the military." Suzaku finished up the last of his funnel cake.

"What a tragedy. I cannot let this stand!" Milly stood up and pointed at Suzaku, causing him to sit up straight. "As student council president, I order you to come to our prom!"

"Uhm-?"

"He'll be happy to, right Suzaku?" Cecile spoke up immediately before Suzaku had any time to neglect.

"So, it's settled! We'll see you tomorrow night!" Milly sat back down, content with herself, Suzaku looked like he wanted to say no but the words did not come out of his mouth.

"Don't bother trying to argue, when Milly has her mind set it's impossible to say no." Miles looked to Milly smirking to herself, like it was a victory.

"I'll be sure he's ready." Cecile said, by this point Suzaku had failed to voice his objections.

Soon the day came close to the afternoon at it was time to go, Miles couldn't help but smile as he enjoyed the day off.

"Come now, honey, it's time to go." A mother pulled her soon away from one of the pool swings, the boy resisted.

"But I wanna play Spider-Man again!" He whined as he was pulled away, Miles smile grew a little larger.

"Hey, we're all packed up. You ready?" Milly came from behind him, pointing to the exit.

"Did you see that, Milly? I can't help but think Peter would be proud." Miles said wistfully.

"Well, I know I am. You're doing some real good Miles, don't forget it." Miles turned to the exit and left with Milly.

x-x

Connors Residence

Jacob sat in his makeshift-lab in the basement, staring at the screen. The dose would take a day to complete, but if his calculations were correct. He'd finally prove his work to all the doubters, and what better way to show it off than at the prom?

"It's all coming together." Jacob said as he watched his machines shake and stir.

Next chapter….Prom Night.