Interlude 1: The Emboldened Princess

Location Unknown

Charles Zi Britannia

'Who ARE those two?' Charles Zi Britannia thought as he stared at a sun-filled horizon. He had just gotten done with a conversation with Clovis's spirit, and what he found troubled him. Before his death, there was a gap in memory. Normally, his Geass would allow him to get through that problem, but not this time. Which meant only one thing.

'One of them has a Geass. This Zero and Celaeno.'

He had come to the Sword of Akasha after the two's introduction so that he could confirm who they were. However, since the two were masked even when they killed him, the number of suspects was immense. But he could narrow it down.

'There are four factors that narrow it down: First, the escape of the Kururugi boy. They showed that they have technical experts, and a brilliant mind to command them; Second, they have a flair for the dramatics; Third, that one of them, most likely Zero, has a Geass. This means that a Code Bearer has formed a Contract with one of them. C.C., maybe, since Clovis had her captive, and the two most certainly freed her. And, finally, just before Clovis's death, the woman, Celaeno, spoke.

It sounded like Cornelia. Could my errant son Lelouch have started a rebellion against me? He would have the motives to do so, but Cornelia would've kept him in check. What did I miss? Could Euphemia's defiance been the cause of this.'

"Your Majesty," a man from behind him exclaimed, "The remains have arrived."

'No matter.'

"Ah, I was just conversing with Clovis."

"Huh?"

"The project must not be delayed a moment more."

Ashford Academy, The Nest

Cornelia

"DUDE, THIS IS CRAZY!" Cornelia heard Tamaki scream out. After Ohgi's group joined them, they spent the next hour finding the remaining six Sutherlands that were hidden from the Battle of Shinjuku. Of the six, one was crushed under a building that, and two were founded by Britannian soldiers. They then escorted the others down into the Hive, and made a beeline for the Nest. Needless to say, they were surprised such a network existed under Tokyo, and none of them knew about it.

"This is the Nest," Zero exclaimed, gesturing to the entire area, "Where we, The Black Knights, will gather in strength against Britannia."

"This is," Ohgi dumbfounded tried to reply, "How long have you been building this?"

"Coming close to five years," Cornelia replied, "And still building. We are only crewed by 52 people, none of them actually soldiers. Now, before we get any further, I want to lay down some ground rules."

"What!?" Tamaki roared.

"This facility is separated into five sections: Staging here; Operations to the East; R&D to the West; Factory to the South; and a Central Station connecting all four. For the time being, you will have restricted access to all five. There are some parts of each area you will not be allowed."

"I thought you said you trusted us," Inoue exclaimed.

"We never said that," Lelouch retorted, "We only said that you will be allowed into our base. This is for our sake as well as yours. Each member of the Nest has been carefully selected, and have been sworn to secrecy. In time, you will learn our secrets, but, until then, you must be kept in the dark. The people here almost never leave the Nest, with only 13 here required to leave due to having families."

"As such," Cornelia continued, "The likelihood of them being captured and revealing us is insurmountably smaller than you, who will be fighting on the front lines of this war."

"Okay," Kallen exclaimed, "We get it. Anything else?"

"For now, no. While we are here, familiarize yourself with the Nest. The people here have been informed to give you the same treatment as they would themselves." With that, the two then departed, leaving the others to get settled in.

At this moment, a message appeared inside Cornelia's helmet.

"Ruben here, had Mr. Namara and his crew work overtime in the Entrance. As you know, the elevator was placed on the side last year to make moving Knightmares easier. Boy, that was a hassle. Now, instead of it simply opening to Central, it exits to a room with one-way glass. You can change in and out of your outfits from there without arousing suspicions."

'Thank you, Ruben. Would've been weird to have to quickly change while in an elevator.' She then informed Lelouch of the changes.

'Now, time to get some answers.' "I'm gonna have a chat with the girl, you should get some rest."

"If you say so, sister."

The two then changed and returned to Ashford. When they entered the manor library, Cornelia went towards Ruben's manor, where the girl was being kept.

'I don't know how, but I've seen here from somewhere. I just don't know when!'

Lelouch

Lelouch was making his way to his room when Sayoko informed him that Nunnally was safely in bed. Thanking her, he entered his room… only to see a very angry red-haired woman sitting on his bed.

'Aw, this won't end well.'

"Brother," Euphie exclaimed, almost venously, "We need to talk." Lelouch let out a short chuckle.

"Getting a lot of those latel~"

"DOn't you try to pass this off as some joke, Lelouch," Euphie nearly roared at him, but kept her voice down, "Do you think I'm blind? Did you you think that I wouldn't recognize that you and Cornelia are Zero and Celaeno. Not only does Celaeno reference her promise to you, but those are my designs!"

'Knew she'd recognize them.'

"Before the invasion, I made drawings for super hero outfits at Nunnally's request. A slight alteration or two, but those are the exact same outfits."

"And?"

"AND! You promised that you wouldn't begin until after Nunnally graduated. You have stonewalled me at every step of the way ever since you first thought of Kingsglaive, and I've had enough."

"Euphie."

"WHY...why are you so adamant on keeping me out. You know how much I'm willing to help. Especially after af~"

"After you confronted father," Lelouch dryly replied, "All those years ago."

(8 Years Ago)

Pendragon, Capital of the Holy Britannian Empire

Cornelia

'Where is she?' Cornelia thought as she searched her mother's manor. Lelouch and Nunnally have been sent to Japan for Lelouch's defiance to be used as 'Political Leverage' as some of the nobles have called it.

'Banishment is what it is.' Cornelia knew that Euphie would be devastated, so she decided to go to comfort her. But, despite her best efforts, she was nowhere to be found. She was starting to get severely worried. Cornelia began walking much faster down her manor's halls.

"Princess!" A voice exclaimed from behind her. She turned to face the voice.

"Lord Guilford."

Gilbert G.P. Guilford, an up and coming knightmare pilot, Cornelia meet him while she was at the Military Academy.

'And he developed something of a crush on me during that time, it seemed.' Cornelia thought. Though she wasn't opposed to the man, she couldn't show weakness, and, unfortunate, love was a form a weakness in her father's eyes.

'Unless Guilford proves himself in the following years, father would only find a way to manipulate either me or him.'

"What do you need, Lord Guilford? I am very busy at the moment." Guilford saluted to her, but she noticed the panicked look on his face.

"I've come to warn you that your sister, Princess Euphemia has demanded an audience with The Emperor, and he's obliged. I fear what she will say, and, in turn, wha~" He didn't even get another word out as Cornelia pushed past him, and bolted towards the throne room.

'Euphie, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!'

Euphemia li Britannia

"Announcing, Third Princess of Britannia, Euphemia li Britannia!" Euphemia entered the throne room, fury and determination ablaze in her face.

'This is crazy, but I'm not about to let Lelouch and Nunnally be abandoned now.' She marched forward through the room, not paying attention to the whispers of the nobles. She intended to make some form of insult to her father, enough to make him banish her as well. But, now that she was actually marching to him,

'What do I say? What would Lelouch say?' She neared the steps to the throne, and saw her father, Charles Zi Britannia. She knew the consequences would be severe if she got this right, near fatal if she got this wrong. But, there was no turning back now.

"I am inquiring about the matter involving my siblings, Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally vi Britannia."

'Did I use the word right?'

"And what about it," Charles exclaimed, a bored look on his face, "It is old news."

'No even a day after you decided to cast them out, and it's old news!'

"Why are you sending my siblings to a foreign land, when Consort Marianne vi Britannia's killers have not yet been brought to justice?"

"If they could not defend themselves, then they are weak. And only the strong should be able to lead. Here, 'Might makes Right', and only the strongest can have a chance to rule this country." Even though the seconds after were brief, it felt like an eternity to Euphemia.

'THINK! What could I say to get him to banish me as well. What would Lelouch say? What. WHAT! Wait...Might. Makes. Right. Father, you've fumbled up.'

"Very well. Then I give up my claim to the throne." Euphemia could almost taste the silenced conversations that enveloped the room. She could barely hear one of them mumble something about 'another one'.

'Good. Lelouch must have done the same thing.'

"Oh," Charles dryly replied, "Then I will tell you what I told the boy. Euphemia, you ar~"

"I will not allow myself to be the daughter of a weak man."

That… made the entire throne room deathly silent. Even Charles himself broke his neutral look by raising an eyebrow.

"... What?"

"You heard me, Charles Zi Britannia. You are too weak to rule. Not only have you allowed people to sneak into your Consort's palace and kill your people, showing you do not have the strength to keep your own home safe, but, by ending the investigation, you have failed to punish the attacks, showing you do not have the will to punish those that have wronged you. This will show your weakness, and make others think they can attack you and other members of the family without punishment. As such, you do not have the might to impose your right to rule. So I refuse to be your child!"

"..."

"..."

The entire court was dumbstruck at what Euphemia had just proclaimed. But, the most shocking thing of all, was that the Emperor was showing a rare emotion on his face...rage.

"You claim that I have no might. Have you forgotten who I AM." Charles stood up from his throne.

'SHOW NO FEAR!'

"I am Charles Zi Britannia, last survivor of the Age of Blood, where the Imperial Family, and many others, killed each other for the throne! Of all my siblings and family members, I REMAIN!"

'Show no fear!'

"I showed my might by clawing my way to the throne," Charles then began to walk down the steps, towards Euphemia, "Showing my right to claim what is mine!"

'Show no fear.'

"When my siblings, my father, my mother, and many others perished, I stayed firm, showing my resolve to never waver!" He was now almost infront of her.

"And I have built the greatest Empire in history through conquest alone," Charles nearly roared as he raised his arm across his chest to backhand her.

'sHoW No fEaR.'

"Which proves my strength." Euphemia closed her eyes, bracing for the hit.

WHOOSH~THUD

The hit never came. Euphemia opened her eyes, and saw her sister Cornelia blocking Charles's arm with her own.

"Princess Cornelia li Britannia," Charles inquired, his rage still evident. Cornelia then, using the arm blocking Charles, shoved him back. It didn't push him to the ground, but he had to backpedal a few steps.

'Time to nail it down.' Euphemia thought, having regained her composure.

"You do not even have the strength to push away a woman."

At that moment, it felt like a thousand needles just hit the floor. However, the look Charles had frightened Euphemia. It wasn't rage, it was his normal neutral self.

'Did I do something wrong.'

"Do you think I don't realize what you're doing. If you are so insistent, then I will oblige you. Euphemia li Britannia and Cornelia li Britannia, I hereby strip you of your titles, and you will join you degenerate siblings when they leave for Japan. Now leave."

'WHAT? No! Big Sis wasn't supposed to get exiled WITH ME!' Before she could make heads or tails of it, Cornelia had gripped her wrist, and she escorted her out of the court.

"I'm sorry, Big Sis Nelly," Euphemia told Cornelia when they left, after the doors had closed.

"Forget about it, Euphie. We'll talk about this later. But I'm not gonna abandon you. Not now."

With that, after a few days, the Li Britannians were escorted onto a plane with the Vi Britannians, and banished alongside them.

(Present Day)

Euphie Levett

"When I told you what happened in the throne room," Euphie exclaimed, "You should've known how much I'm willing to fight back against father, that I'm not afraid to take my gloves off and get dirty. So WHY are you trying so HARD to keep me in the dark!" At this point, Euphie began to tear up.

"Do you see me as some kind of burden. That, just because I don't have any form of training, that I'm NOTHING but a hindrance. Am I ju~"

"Your the only innocence we have left," Lelouch interjected, having moved up and hugged her distraught sister.

'What!'

"W~What?"

"What me and Nelly are doing… We're gonna get a lot of blood on our hands. Not just soldiers, but innocent people, as well as our own family will stain our hands. You and Nunnally our the most innocent part of our lives. Something pure that is WORTH all the blood we will spill. We don't want to lose that." At her brother's statement, the tears flowed freely.

"But, I can't sit back anymore, Lulu. I just can't!"

"Cornelia." Euphie noticed the dried tone to his voice.

'Huh.'

"Wha~"

"If you can convince her to allow you into Kingsglaive," Lelouch then released her, and she could see the dead look in his eyes, "Then, you will see what you're getting yourself into. After that, if you still want the gloves off.

They're off."