Shirley went to the changing room and got on her swimming uniform. Shirley stood on the diving board in silence. She took a deep breath and prepared to make a graceful jump into the pool.

Kallen walked by and said, "Hey, Shirley! There's something I want to ask you about!" Shirley started losing her balance. She fell off the diving board and splashed into the pool. She sighed, while Kallen nervously smiled. Kallen said, "I'm sorry, Shirley."

Shirley replied, "It's okay. What's going on?"

Kallen said, "There's something I'm wondering about Lelouch."

Shirley responded, "I also have plenty of questions for him, too."

Kallen said, "Well, I have one, that I'm hoping you can answer."

Shirley replied, "I don't know that much about Lelouch, but you're welcome to ask."

Kallen asked, "Did Lelouch attend class, today?"

Shirley explained, "No he didn't. He had a cold."

Kallen (talking in her head): "A cold? I'm not buying that." Kallen asked, "Did he mention if he's coming to class, tomorrow?"

Shirley answered, "He said he'll think about it. It depends on how much sleep he gets."

Kallen (talking in her head): "Lelouch probably said that, because he doesn't know how long tonight's battle is going to go on for." She said, "Thank you, Shirley."

Shirley looked confused, while saying, "Um, you're welcome."

Lelouch paced around the back of Ashford Academy, while getting out his cellphone and calling C. C.

C. C. asked, "How soon will my pizza be ready?"

Lelouch looked annoyed, while saying, "This is Lelouch, not a pizza delivery guy."

C. C. smirked, while saying, "After all this Zero stuff is done, you should consider getting a job at the local pizza place. You'd win over my heart, if you did that."

Lelouch sternly said, "Don't say stuff like that. Look, I need your advice."

C. C. replied, "And I need pizza."

Lelouch said, "Look, I'm being serious. I'm having some confused emotions."

C. C. replied, "That seems to be a regular thing with you. What's going on?"

Lelouch sighed and said, "It's about Shirley."

C. C. replied, "I saw that coming."

Lelouch raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are you talking about?"

C. C. explained, "You talk about her, all the time. You even mention her, during times you should be focusing on your military missions. Speaking of that, you know you have a battle against the Britannian military, tonight."

Lelouch responded, "I know, but for now, I just need some advice. Shirley keeps avoiding me, which is an affect from my geass. However, I keep feeling the need to check on her. I want to know that my geass hasn't caused her any damage."

C. C. asked, "Where is Shirley, right now?"

Lelouch answered, "At her swimming practice."

C. C. said, "Then pay her a quick visit. Ask if she's okay and if she says yes, then say you're glad and move on."

Lelouch replied, "Okay then. I'll check up on her."

C. C. said, "Lelouch, since we're bringing about relationships, I have a question of my own, that I'd like to ask you."

Lelouch replied, "Um, okay. What is it?"

C. C. put Lelouch on the spot, by asking, "Who do you like more: Me or Shirley?"

Lelouch's eyebrows rose in fear. He looked embarrassed, while saying, "C. C., you're not supposed to ask that type of stuff!"

C. C. chuckled, while saying, "Judging by your panicked vocal tone, I'm guessing you haven't decided."

Lelouch replied, "C. C., that's not an appropriate thing to ask me, especially at this time. I already have too much on my mind."

C. C. said, "Then go workout things with Shirley."

Lelouch replied, "I will."

C. C. said, "And get me a fresh pizza. I'm tired of the microwaved leftovers. If I'm going to stay up and participate in a battle, at eleven in the evening, I'm expecting a tasty reward."

Lelouch angrily sighed and said, "I'll go to the pizza place, after I talk to Shirley."

C. C. grinned, while responding, "Thank you. You're the best."

A few minutes later, Shirley was on the diving board. She prepared to jump into the pool.

Lelouch walked by and said, "Shirley, there's something I want to ask you."

Once again, Shirley lost her balance. She fell into the pool and made a big splash. A bunch of water landed on Lelouch. He chuckled, while Shirley stared up at him. Shirley (talking in her head): "Oh, no. It's that Lelouch guy, once again. He's so close by, that I feel I have to get out of here." Shirley stepped out of the pool and grabbed her towel.

Lelouch said, "Listen, Shirley. I'm sorry to bother you. I just want to know if you're okay."

Shirley nervously started stepping away from Lelouch, while saying, "Look, you don't need to worry about me, Lelouch. I'm totally fine. Please, excuse me." She started running away.

Lelouch (talking in his head): "Poor Shirley. I thought I was keeping her out of harm's way, by using my geass on her and making her lose interest in me. The geass is more powerful and dangerous, than I thought it would be. The geass should be in the eye of someone older and more experienced, like General Tohdoh. I'm probably too emotional and reckless, that have this geass. However, I can't give it up. I need to use it to help me crush Britannia."

Lelouch went into his personal room of the hideout and gave C. C. a fresh pizza from the pizza place. She smiled and quickly grabbed the pizza. She opened the box and started drooling. Lelouch looked amused, while saying, "Well, you sure seem to be happy with your dinner."

C. C. replied, "That's for sure. Thank you, for getting it for me."

Lelouch responded, "You're welcome."

C. C. saw that Lelouch's clothes and hair looked wet, so she asked, "What happened?"

Lelouch explained, "I checked on Shirley, at the swimming pool. She accidentally splashed some water at me."

C. C. started eating her first slice of pizza, before asking, "How did things go with her?"

Lelouch said, "She ran away, when I tried to walk up to her and ask her how she's doing. It appears the power of the geass is stronger, than I could of ever predicated. It makes her feel the need to get away from me, as soon as I come by."

C. C. replied, "You only have yourself to blame. You used your geass on her, to make her stay away from you."

Lelouch looked gloomy, while saying, "Yes, this is my fault. I wanted to protect Shirley. At least, she'll be out of harm's way, since she's staying away from me."

C. C. replied, "In that case, you really are picking favorites."

Lelouch raised an eyebrow, while saying, "Excuse me?"

C. C. replied, "Shirley's the girl, that you make sure stays away from the bad guys. As for me, you have no problem with me joining you on the battlefield."

Lelouch said, "You're older, wiser, and more capable or protecting yourself. Besides, I'd be lost, without you by my side."

C. C. asked, "Really? What do you mean?"

Lelouch explained, "To be honest, I don't really know. I've felt so alone, for about a decade. I've had friends and have hung around other people. Despite that, I still felt alone. However, when you came along, things started changing. For the first time, I felt like I had somebody that cared about me and that I could confide in."

C. C. said, "I felt the same type of loneliness, until you came into my life."

Lelouch looked surprised, while asking, "Really?"

C. C. nodded and explained, "I've spent living longer than well over the average lifespan. During that time, person after person has come and gone out of my life. I hadn't met anybody, who I truly connect with and cared for, in the way I've bonded with you."

Lelouch looked shocked, while saying, "I wasn't expecting to hear this. I must say I'm flattered." Lelouch and C. C. held hands, while smiling at each other. He said, "C. C., you know how to throw out brutal honesty, don't you?"

C. C. replied, "You better believe I can. You look like a mess, in those wet clothes."

Lelouch said, "That wasn't what I wanted to ask you. Do you think I'm going to win this war?"

C. C. replied, "As long as you have me around, you're good to go."

Lelouch looked amused, while saying, "Wow, you think highly of yourself, don't you? I can't really complain, since I'm guilty of the same thing."

C. C. smirked, while replying, "Hey, we're both awesome, aren't we? It's not something we can help."

Lelouch said, "Shirley isn't the only close friend of mine, who I'm struggling to keep in my life. I'm afraid Suzaku is a problem, as well."

C. C. responded, "He's the pilot of the Lancelot, isn't he?" Lelouch nodded. C. C. replied, "He's your friend, at school, but your enemy on the battlefield."

Lelouch responded, "I'm afraid that's the case. I wish I could of gotten Suzaku to side with me. He could of been one of the most valuable and helpful members of the Black Knights. Instead of joining our case, he's working with Princess Cornelia, in the Britannian military."

C. C. asked, "Why is he doing that? Does he favor Britannia, instead of Japan?"

Lelouch looked angry, while saying, "No. Despite everything Suzaku's done, I know that's not the case. Suzaku loves Japan and he wants to save it."

C. C. replied, "If that's the case, why is he working with the Britannians?"

Lelouch explained, "I guess he thinks he can change things, from the inside. I would call that overly-ambitious, but I'm guilty of the same thing. I'm a Britannian, yet I work with the Japanese. Suzaku and I are both confounding mysterious, that nobody truly understands. I used to think Suzaku and I could at least understand each other and that we'd always be there for each other. I never really got along with Clovis, Schneizel, or my other brothers. Suzaku was the closest thing I had to a brother and he was certainly the closest thing I had to a best friend. Since Suzaku hates Zero and wants to bring him down, I fear we'll no longer be the best of friends."

C. C. put her pizza down, stood up, and put her hand on Lelouch's shoulder. She said, "I'm afraid you may have to sacrifice your friendships, with both Shirley and Suzaku, for their safety and in order to win this war. However, for what it's worth, you're the best friend I've ever had."

Lelouch smiled, while saying, "Thank you, C. C. That means a lot to me." C. C. hugged Lelouch.

Meanwhile, Suzaku and Cecile were at Lloyd's old lab and were sitting down. Cecile gently held Suzaku's hand, while he told her about his upcoming mission. Cecile looked concerned, while saying, "Suzaku, Zero and the Black Knights are planning on breaking into Princess Cornelia's palace?"

Suzaku answered, "Yes. Zero wanted to give Cornelia a surprise attack. Thankfully, we got a warning from a snitch. I'm going to be joining Cornelia and her team."

Cecile said, "I want to warn you not to go, but I can't baby you forever, can I?"

Suzaku smiled, while responding, "I appreciate your concern, but I'm on the winning side. Zero failed to win today's battle and during tonight's battle, he's going to lose, harder than ever."

Cecile smiled back, while replying, "I wish you the best of luck."

Suzaku said, "Thank you." He looked at the top of Cecile's head, while saying, "Your hair looks a bit different. Have you been doing something to it?"

Cecile said, "Oh, I've just been combing it a little, here and there."

Suzaku replied, "It looks nice."

Cecile lightly blushed, while saying, "Thank you. I'm really glad you still visit me."

Suzaku replied, "It's no problem. You're much better company, than the other people I work with."

Suzaku and Cecile hug each other, before Lloyd enters the lab, while having a grin on his face. Suzaku and Cecile looked surprised to see him. Suzaku said, "Lloyd, what are you doing here?"

Lloyd asked, "What's the matter? Can't I stroll around my old lab, for nostalgic purposes?"

Suzaku frowned at Lloyd, while saying, "You're supposed to be in prison."

Lloyd replied, "I got an early release, for crazy behavior." Lloyd laughed.

Suzaku looked at Cecile, while saying, "I think we better escort this maniac out of here. I don't know whether or not he was released from prison, on legal terms, but he certainly isn't allowed in here."

Lloyd grinned, while putting his hand in front of Suzaku's face. He said, "I'm afraid you're wrong, you grouch. You see, Princess Cornelia had me released from prison, because my delightfully-eccentric scientific skills were of use to her."

Suzaku whispered, "I can't believe that Princess Cornelia would release Lloyd. She seems like such a smart leader. Why would she make such a risky and foolish choice?"

Cecile said, "Lloyd, what is your new job?"

Lloyd explained, "I'm Britannia's top Earl and mad scientist, as usual. This time, I'm working directly for Britannia's top princess. She's having do all sorts of wild experiments. Cornelia may seem like the hard-edged, serious type, but deep down, she's on the eccentric side of things and that's why I love working for her. Today, she had me make some adjustments to my robot, Jeremiah."

Suzaku and Cecile raised their eyebrows, while Suzaku asked, "What the heck are you talking about? Jeremiah died in a fight with Zero."

Lloyd replied, "I expected you to be cynical enough to doubt that Jeremiah could have gotten out of that. Jeremiah's alive, and thanks to what I added to him, he's livelier than ever."

Cecile responded, "You made him less human and more robotic, didn't you?"

Lloyd had a wicked grin on his face, while saying, "I sure did. People often let their emotions get the better of them. It stops them from making true progress. Robots don't have that problem. Suzaku, Jeremiah's going to be joining you, in your pursuit against Zero."

Suzaku asked, "Is Jeremiah going to be useful in battle?"

Lloyd replied, "Oh, you better believe it. He's stronger and more dangerous, than ever before."

Suzaku responded, "Then I suppose it's okay or him to be in tonight's fight."

Cecile looked at Lloyd, while saying, "Lloyd, you ought to be careful, with all this robotics stuff. If you keep focusing on machines and mechanical parts, you might lose the human side of your test subjects and yourself."

Lloyd thought about C. C., while replying, "I've experienced human emotions and they brought me down. Humans make the world weaker, while machines make the world stronger."

Both Zero's team and Cornelia's army were ready to have the ultimate war.

While in the Black Knights' discussion room, Zero, C. C., and the other members of the Black Knights stood around, while having weapons in their arms. Zero said, "This is going to be the biggest mission, that we've ever gone on. We must break into Cornelia's palace and give her and her team a surprise attack."

Ohgi replied, "But Zero, the guards are likely to see us. If just one of two of us were storming in there, we might not get caught. However, we're an entire team."

Zero said, "That's true, but that doesn't mean we can't give Cornelia and the others a surprise attack, if we move quickly. The Princess is likely to be at sleep or at the very least, feeling out of it, at this time. I suspect Guilford and Darlton will also be tired, as well."

Tamaki yawned and replied, "I feel like I could take a couple of naps."

Zero said, "Considering that you fell asleep during today's mission, you should be lively and energetic, at this point."

Tamaki replied, "Come on, Zero. Having us do a battle, at eleven p.m., is crazy, especially since we had a mission this morning."

Kallen gave Tamaki a disapproving look, while saying, "These missions aren't about following a comfortable schedule. They're about doing what's right."

General Tohdoh said, "Zero, I do have one question."

Zero looked at him, while asking, "What is it?"

Tohdoh asked, "If one of us were to catch Cornelia, what should we do with her?"

Nagisa asked, "Should we destroy her?"

Zero answered, "No. If one of you manages to catch Cornelia, bring her to me. I know how to take care of her."

Shogo asked, "What would you do to her?"

Zero answered, "That's for me to know, not you."

Senba responded, "We understand, Zero."

Zero and the Black Knights drove their mechs to Cornelia's palace. Diethard hid behind some bushes, while recording the heroes with his camera. Diethard, who was talking quietly, said, "This is going to be the biggest broadcast, of my career. I do feel bad about having to double-cross Zero, but it was a necessary evil."

Zero looked around and saw over a dozen of guards standing in front of the palace. Guilford and General Darlton were among the guards. Zero nervously said, "Oh, crap."

C. C. looked at him, while asking, "What's wrong?"

Zero replied, "There's a lot more guards here than I was expecting."

Zero took a closer look and saw Suzaku. He nervously whispered, "Oh, no. Suzaku's here. I didn't want him to be here. I didn't want to jeopardize our friendship, but if he gets in the way, then I'm afraid we'll have to go from friends to rivals."

The guards started firing at the mechs. The Black Knights start using their own mechs to blast the rival mechs. Zero and the Black Knights looked up and saw a giant purple mech that was being driven by Princess Cornelia. Cornelia had an evil-looking smile on her face, while flying her mech down and blasting pieces of the other mech's away. Cornelia had a smile on her face, while saying, "Greetings, Zero. I would say it's a lovely surprise to see you, but I knew you were coming."

Zero felt confused, while asking, "You knew we were coming? How could that be possible?"

Cornelia smirked, while replying, "You pride yourself, in being a mastermind. You think you can outsmart anybody and everybody, but you're wrong. You might have been able to stop Clovis, but you will not defeat Britannia. We are the most powerful country of them all. We will crush your precious Area 11 if you keep getting in our way."

Zero asked, "You still think you're in the right?"

Cornelia answered, "Of course I do. We Britannians are superior to all others."

Zero replied, "That's what Emperor Charles claims, but he's wrong. He's a grumpy old man, with no sense of what things are really like. Besides, I have a bombshell to drop on you. I'm not Japanese. In fact, I'm Britannian."

The Britannian military looked shocked, while Cornelia looked angry. She said, "You, Zero, are Britannian?"

Zero answered, "Yes I am."

Cornelia asked, "Why haven't you mentioned this before?"

Zero explained, "Because it's not something I'm proud of you. Also, I thought it'd be fun for you to realize that the person you're trying to stop from defeating Britannia is a Britannian."

Cornelia replied, "If you're not just making crap up and if you really are Britannian, why are you fighting against me and my army. If you had any pride or self-respect, you'd be fighting with us and defeating those nasty teammates of yours."

Zero said, "I don't have pride or respect for my country. Britannia's a cruel, negative, hateful nation, that has brought evil and turmoil to the well-intentioned and noble country of Japan. I fight against what your country has become, despite me being a part of it."

Cornelia replied, "A person, who tries to bring down their own country? That's nothing short of heartless and pathetic. Military, Zero has proven his disloyalty. Despite being a Britannian, he's not one of us. He's an enemy of our country and he must be destroyed."

General Darlton responded, "Zero, you might as well give up."

Zero asked, "Give up? Why would I do that?"

Darlton said, "We knew you were coming, so we made sure we were prepared for your so-called surprise attack."

Cornelia grinned, while saying, "You thought you'd be able to get the advantage in the fight, by not letting me know you were coming. However, in this situation, you're the one who was unprepared. Because of that, you're going to face a harsher finale, than anything you could of ever seen coming." Cornelia laughed.

Zero said, "Black Knights, it's time to win to this battle."

The Black Knights started charging towards Cornelia's army. Some of them used their mechs to blast members of Cornelia's military team, while others ran up to their enemies and started using their fists and weapons to attack them.