With the end of this chapter, it will mark this story's 100k words milestone. Thank you to all that stood by this story and I hope you enjoy what's to come. As I'm writing this the weirdly timed winter storm so I hope all of you US readers are staying warm and safe, personally I've never experience so much snow before so it's strange to me to see the ground filled with snow that isn't already in a puddle. Now let us continue and see what comes next for everyone.

Government Bureau

Euphemia walked the halls with Suzaku, she held herself with a sense of authority he had not seen from her. The two of them were guided by one of the officers on-site to a meeting room filled with only a few people and a foreboding screen at the end of the room. He could only assume Prince Schneizel would not personally make it to this meeting.

"Thank you officer, you can leave us." The officer gave a quick bow before leaving the room.

Euphemia turned to the rest of the room to acknowledge them, to Suzaku they looked like very typical nobles he would see in Pendragon - the Britannian city that held the monarchy. "Thank you all for coming, I'm sure you've all heard of Officer Suzaku Kururugi?" Euphemia gestured to him.

"Your fame precedes you Mr. Kururugi, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Sir Reginal Braun." Reginald stood up and shook Suzaku's hand quickly.

"I'm sorry but I can't say I know who you are." Suzaku said.

"That's quite alright, I'm the head of a fairly large banking franchise, Britannia United. I'm sure you've heard of us." Suzaku had, it was a common bank in Area 11.

"I have." The man looked content with that and he sat back down. Charles was a plump man with a verbose voice and cheery mood to him. He looked relatively old, grey hair, beard and mustache, like any stereotypical grandfather.

"Thank you Reginald, always the first to shake hands." Sir Braun could only give a hearty laugh in response. Euphemia motioned to two other members in the room, the first was another younger man in a black suit and green tie.

"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Kururugi, I am Harry Osborn, I am the CEO of Oscorp, we make pharmaceutical supplies and technology. I met Euphemia at a fundraising event a few years ago, she's a wonderful person to have brought me on to her plans." Osborn...he's heard that name before.

"I can see the gears in your mind turning already so I might as well say it. Yes, my father was Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin." That's where he heard the name from.

"Sorry, I don't mean to judge." Mr. Osborn could only shake his head in response.

"It's fine, I've been dealing with the fallout for some time now. I've repositioned Oscorp to help the people, not to harm them. Princess Euphemia is the best way we can do that, I'm glad you see it that way Kururugi." He and Harry shook hands, with Euphemia glad the two could meet on the same ground.

"And lastly this is Mrs. Abigail Mulaney, she and her husband own the largest real estate agency in Area 11." The woman was well into her age, greying hair and wrinkles, but she held a bit of elegance with her and experience.

"I saw your fight on live television, for one so young you fight as if you've been in war more than people twice your age."

"Thank you, I had a great mentor." The same mentor he fought only a few days ago.

Like the last two, Suzaku shook her hand. "You have some interesting allies, Euphy." Suzaku said.

"Oh?"

"You've managed to bring together some heads of powerful industries. Pharmaceuticals, banking, and land...something Japan is lacking all of." Suzaku realized how smart it was to get these people as allies.

"You catch on quickly dear." Abigail was impressed.

"Dear Euphemia sees the needs of the Japanese people, with all of us combined we should be able to raise their quality of life and restructure the ghettos. But even with all our good will, we're lacking the most important key to our plan." Reginald told him.

"Trust." Euphemia said.

"I can see why, the Japanese people have a complete distrust of Britannians." Suzaku noted.

"Which is why you are the most important ally we have, Suzaku. You show that the Japanese can progress, that they don't have to be relegated to second class." Harry pointed out his part in the group.

"And when I become Viceroy we will push for better policies for Japanese, we can't be too forceful though. We don't have much sway, you all may be experts in your field but even your influence has limits. Which is why…" A beeping came from the television, and Euphemia could only smile.

"Right on time." She said as the television turned on to reveal the face of Prime Minister Schneizel.

"Ah, Euphemia, I apologize for being late business called. I see you've already brought along Mr. Kururugi." Suzaku did a slight bow for the recognition. He had heard of Schneizel from Lelouch long ago, from what he remembered Schneizel was the smartest of all the royal children. So smart that even Lelouch could never beat him.

"A pleasure, your highness." Suzaku greeted.

"Please, spare the pleasantries, we are partners...even though you do technically work for me. How goes Lloyd, he tends to focus on the results of your Knightmare operations rather than himself."

"The same as he's always been." Schneizel could only chuckle in response, Lloyd was always the eccentric type.

"So good to have you with us, brother." Euphemia beamed a bright smile.

"I believe in what you're doing Euphemia, and I plan to help where I can. So let's talk about acquisitions we can make to put our best step forward."

Everyone sat down and the meeting started, and for once Suzaku felt like they truly cared.

x-x

Paris, France

"Samples?" Reed asked as he turned to his computer monitors screen.

"Yeah, some blood and a broken tooth, think that'll be good enough?" The face of Spider-Man (or rather his mask) filled his screen.

"That should be enough, I'll run tests as soon as I receive it. When will that be, exactly?"

"I've sent it now, it'll be to you within the week. How fast do you think it will take?" Spider-Man asked.

"Hard to say, I have to run tests all day and night to learn how this Connors was able to splice lizard DNA into human DNA. If his original formula was still intact it would be significantly faster, but we'll just have to use what we have." Spider-Man only nodded, content to leave Reed to his work, it wasn't his field of expertise.

"Keep me updated Reed." Spider-Man said his farewell and the screen shut off.

Reed leaned back into his chair and imagined a double helix, a spiral of DNA. A thousand different ideas spun in his head, thinking up solutions and problems for each solution to solve the problem before him.

"Hmmm...maybe that would work." Reed now had some simulations to work up.

x-x

Area 11

Spider-Man swung through the city, he had already sent the samples to Reed so it'll take time to receive anything from him. Now he just had to wait.

"So, how is the new costume fitting?" Milly asked over his radio.

"Pretty good." He said as he performed a backflip in the middle of the air and kept swinging.

"You're showing off aren't you." It was less a question and more a statement.

"You know me." Spider-Man smiled as he patrolled the streets.

Spider-Man perched himself onto a building, overlooking the city. The night was darkening even more, and the streets were less crowded because of the curfew. It was already midnight, and he probably needed to go to bed soon.

"Nothing on the police monitor?" Spider-Man asked.

"Just patrols, all seems quiet tonight. By the way, thanks for saving my grandad." Milly told him.

"It'd be really bad if Ashford didn't have a Dean, and I'm sure you'd have given me an earful." Milly could only chuckle at the idea.

"It's not the only thing I'd give you an earful for."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Spider-Man asked.

"You still need to apologize to Rivalz."

"Oh right, Rivalz, yeah I should. I feel bad for snapping at him."

"The best you can do is be honest, Rivalz doesn't hold grudges, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it. Come on back I think it's time to hit the sack for tonight." Spider-Man nodded as he looked out to the city one last time.

Elsewhere, in the airport of the Area, Cornelia sat in her office in a call with her brother.

"I still think this is a risky and unnecessary idea Schneizel." Her brother could only chuckle.

"The Special Administrative Zone works for both of you, she gets to coddle the Elevens, you get to strike a blow against The Black Knights."

"I still don't see how it works, explain." Cornelia's stare could make anyone compel.

"If we give the Elevens a route that threatens the very existence of their reason we can cripple them in a way casualties and warfare could ever do. You men won't have to fight, the Elevens will destroy The Black Knights themselves." The explanation was satisfactory, but Cornelia still had some concerns.

"How can you be so sure the Elevens will do that?" She asked.

"Because humanity craves order, doesn't matter who is in charge. Whether it be Japan or Area 11, if the Elevens can live well enough they won't give Euphemia any hassle."

"Quite a lofty gamble Schneizel."

"Not a gamble, it's simply a fact of life. One that will guarantee us the destruction of The Black Knights for good."

x-x

Black Knights Hangar

Zero had just finished speaking with Rakshata and was given promising news, the Military District of India had agreed on gifting a submarine to The Black Knights. For now, he had a meeting to attend to. All the Black Knights were situated in the hangar that stored all the Knightmares, the size of the organization has greatly increased since he first arrived. He felt a small sense of pride in his work.

"With recent successes, it's time that we now reorganize. Here are the changes, Kyoshiro Tohdoh is now Chief head of Military Affairs." A wave of nodding heads followed his words, obviously from those that respected Tohdoh.

"Next, head of all intelligence, public relation, and espionage is Diethard Reid." Another wave of disdain followed, he knew this would happen.

"Um Zero, are you sure this is a good idea, I'm no racist but should we trust him with such delicate information?" Ohgi asked.

"You all know I am no Japanese, as well as Captain Rogers. In The Black Knights, race, religion, background, or creed does not determine your place, only results. Who you are and where you come from have little importance in this organization." Ohgi quieted down, the air had turned awkward to everyone. That being said, Kaname Ohgi, you are now Deputy Commander." Ohgi could only look up in shock.

"Me?" He said incredulously.

"Do you decline the position?" Zero asked.

"Um, n-no. I will graciously take it." Tamaki clapped Ohgi on the back in congratulations.

"Research and Development will be headed by none other than Rakshata Chawla." The Indian scientist could only smirk with confidence, who could even rival her?

"Captain of the Zero Squad goes to Kallen Kouzuki."

"Zero Squad?" She asked.

"My personal forces, you will be my elite group." Kallen beamed, satisfied with her position.

"Lastly, Captain Rogers will head as Special Forces and Operations, you will lead a small but strong group focused on the missions others would find impossible."

"Thank you Zero."

"Now for the rest of Squad leader..."

C.C. looked on in boredom, watching the little boy play war. She once tried to engage in it, back when she cared for more than death. It only brought pain and suffering, so she left it behind. In truth at one time or another, she engaged in all aspects of war, but time has eroded her compassion like everything else.

"You're so boring." The voice of Marianne chided in her mind.

"And you are too extravagant." C.C. spat back at her.

"Oh you know you liked those little parties I threw."

"Hardly," C.C. said with a straight face.

C.C. walked away, content to eat the left over pizza she had back at the academy.

Short chapter this time around but I hope the setup was intriguing enough. As always, thank you for reading, doubly so for the now 100k word milestone. It's been a good time writing this story and developing its characters, we still have a long ways to go so I hope you stick it out to the end.

For the Ao3 folk, I'm not too knowledgeable of the inner workings so the story may say it's completed but it's still being worked on. Sorry for the confusion. If anyone can point that out I'll gladly take the help.