To Guest: Rachel will be here, and almost all the following chapters too, but nothing major (at least not yet) until we reach the part two of the story. She will be a BIG part in the middle of the story to the end... and there'll be FABERRY too.

So, this is written a bit differently than the previus chapter. I guess it is easier to understand this part if the format is the same as the previous post, so I hope you understand. italics are flashbacks. This whole chapter is written in third person. if you have questions, just ask! :)

Also, you'll encounter the word Elevens here more often. So let me just get it straight. When Ohio was colonized by Britannia, it became Area 11, and their people called Elevens. They lost their identity. So Everyone called Elevens are people originally from Ohio.

Chapter 4

BITS OF ASHFORD ACADEMY

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ROYALE COURT, AREA 11

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"I don't have time for this childish games! Send the next one in!" The Emperor shouted and his audience blasted into whispers. It was the crowned princess who stood before the Emperor, and the first time she did it in front of an audience.

"I want to go to a commoner's school, Father." Quinn said more sternly this time. She was serious. She didn't mind His Highness Court Advisers comparing her to her sister, Frannie or Alison. Today, she will stand for her own.

"What more do you want? You are being taught by the finest—" The Emperor sounded tired, his hand rubbing his temples. His daughter's request seems sensless to him. It was a waste of his precious time.

"I have nothing against Count Gilbert." Quinn explained as she sent an apologetic smile at Count Gilbert, her tutor, seating by the other Court Advisers.

"So what it is that you want?" The Emperor questioned his daughter's motives. Has her daughter started entering the rebellious stage his son Jason has been?

Quinn considered her next words. She bit her lip for a while then decided to speak. "As you know, Spencer has been a great help to my studies." The Emperor just stared at her, reading her movements. "alongside with that, she had been sharing stories about—"

She was immediately cut off by her father, "I didn't expect the Knight of Two to put such an incredulous idea in your head!" at the mention of her name, Spencer tensed a bit. She hasn't been into a direct conversation with the Emperor. Usually, Jeremiah dissiminates the orders to the knight.

"This wasn't her idea! I wanted this. I thought of this. And I'm standing here in front of you, for myself." Quinn said with such conviction. Determination seen in her eyes.

PRESENT DAY

ASHFORD ACADEMY, AREA 11

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"Hi. I'm Lucy Quinn Fabray. But please do call me Quinn. I hope we all get together well during my stay here…" Quinn smiles at her classmates as she continues her introduction.

She can see everyone whispering confusion etched on their eyes. She still put on a her princess smile and followed her teacher's instruction as to where she would sit. She was happy to see Emily on her class. She sighed in relief. At least there is someone on the class except Santana that she's familiar with.

As Santana took her turn in her introduction, Quinn had noticed she didn't have that hard expression in her face. She also noticed that she's acquaintance with some of the students here in Ashford Academy. Santana explained that she's here whenever she's free because she visits Marley. She then wonders if she'll be competing with these people for Santana's attention. Surely it is not needed right? Santana is here for her anyway.

So as soon as they've went outside the classrooms, she had made sure her right hand was interlaced with her knight's left. She wouldn't let her knight wander off without her again.

ROYALE COURT, AREA 11

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"I deny this request of yours." The Emperor said dismissively but Quinn wasn't having any of it.

"You've let Ali do what she wants!" Quinn didn't know if bringing up Ali will do her good but she had to take chances.

The Emperor looked aghast at the accusation and put both his hands to the armrest of his throne. "And look at where it got her!" The Emperor said and Quinn flinched. She gulped but she stood straighter and had made up her mind she would get what she wants. This is how Alison and Frances got what they wanted. And this is how she'll get hers too.

"Alison had a life." Quinn started. She glanced at Spencer. She didn't want her to be in trouble because of her. "She had friends."

"You are welcome to invite your friends—" Is he kidding? The only real friends she had are the Knights of Rounds, and they aren't always available because they have missions He assigns to them. She talks to her chambermaids whenever she's alone. And every time there are nobilities coming to the palace, talking to her, they were all making up random topics just to keep the conversation going. She has NO friends.

"She had—no, she has connections with them. I can feel it. Whenever they speak of Alison, you can feel their love for her. Whenever they tell you stories about her, you can see that they interacted, they shared a moment together, that they lived together. I want that too. I want to be part of someone's life, not a page on some History books." Quinn said as she sees Spencer nods her head. She looks at her knight and sees her nodding in confirmation. Santana seems proud. She can do this.

ASHFORD ACADEMY, AREA 11

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"What is she doing here? Are they taking over the Ashford Academy too?" A boy in the wheelchair said as he lowered his voice while looking at the princess.

"Kitty has been stuffing her nose to the princess ever since she arrived. Look at her. I'm sure she's trying hard to be on her good graces." A blonde guy said as he watches Kitty, the Ashford heiress, student body president, entertains the princess with her little minions.

"Do you think we'll be kicked out?" A guy with the camera hanging around his neck asked as he stares at the princess now talking to a certain blonde he has set his eyes on.

"Why would you think that, Lucas?" Marley asked as he stared in her friends in disbelief.

Elevens. Yes, they were considered Elevens.

The school they were attending used to be called William McKinley High School. But after the war, after Britannia has taken over Ohio, they had named its citizen Elevens. The old Ohio is now known as Area 11.

As Britannians seek opportunities to their new land, they bought establishments and claim as its own. The Ashfords, Kitty's family had bought the said school and renamed it Ashford Academy. It is one of the few schools in Area 11 that admits both Elevens and Britannians.

With the crowned princess attending the school though, the Elevens wonder if this is their way of slowly eliminating all Elevens.

"Well, just in case you forgot, we are not a Britannian citizen, Marley! They will cleanse this school for her Highness" a pale boy said as he looked into the princess's clothing. He had some comments on to how she should've matched her clothes but her clothes looked perfect on her so he approved.

"You're lucky. You'd probably still be here, 'cause you're legally a Brittanian. Maybe you could ask the Lopezes if they could adopt me too?" A boy in the wheelchair asked hopefully as he grabbed his fork. And resumed eating. Few seconds, he couldn't resist but glance back at the princess.

"The princess isn't like that! She's nice… she would never—"

"You're just saying that, 'cause you have a clear future. We have some dreams too. But for some Elevens. Our opportunities are limited!" A black woman said as she pop some totes on her mouth.

"Damn those Britannians!" A tan boy hissed and he made sure no one hears them. He knew he was on a delicate territory. Seeing as there are three- three Knights of Rounds in the vicinity. He could easily be arrested and put behind teh bars if he is not careful.

"Bro, chill. Maybe he'd hook up with me, I'll change her mind to some—" A mohawk-guy said as he licked his lips looking up and down to the princess.

ROYALE COURT, AREA 11

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"Is this what you really want?" The Empress asked as she met her step-daughter's gaze.

"Yes, Lady Jessica." Quinn looked at the woman sitting beside her father. The seat the was rightfully reserved for her mother. She likes Lady Jessica. ever since she moved to the palace, she had welcomed her with open arms and has considered her as her own daughter. Especially after Alison disappeared. Lady Jessica had turned all her attention towards Quinn. Something Quinn wouldn't complain about-it somehow fills the void, her mother left within her.

"Then I give you my blessing." The Emperor looked at the Empress but the Empress didn't look at his direction.

"Santana Lopez, I summon thee."

Santana walked towards Quinn. When she was side by side with her, she knelt with one knee, put her hand on her chest and bowed down as a sign of respect.

"You shall accompany the princess to the school of her choice. Arrange everything that you shall be with her at all times."

Santana waits a few seconds before answering, "Yes, your Highness."

Before the Empress could dismiss her, the Emperor stood up from his throne and addressed Santana.

"This is an order from the Emperor himself." The Emperor said with all his might.

Everyone stood in silence waiting for their ruler's command. Quinn knew the Emperor didn't like his wife's decision. And to go against the Emperor's wishes in front of the Royale Court is a big deal.

Only Alison, all throughout history, had managed to attend a commoner's school. And everyone knew what happened to her. Quinn readied herself to defend her knight against all odds.

"Failure of compliance meant being exiled and you shall be treated as the enemy of the Empire."

Santana knelt in silence. She can't even dare to look at the Emperor. Not when this is at stake.

"I command you… To keep her safe. assist her until she gets the life that she wanted."

Everyone was silent. They had never heard him order anyone with such tone—almost pleading, as if the control wasn't in his hand. As if he can't see the future and the consequences of this action.

Santana looked up the silver-eyed man and said, "Yes, your Highness!"

ASHFORD ACADEMY, AREA 11

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"I'm sorry, but I can't help but hear your conversation. And as a Knight of the Holy Empire of Britannia, I shall not allow such disrespect to her Highness—" Rachel says as she walks in front of the mohawked-guy. She could not believe he had just objectified her Highness like that!

"Great. Another puppet of the empire." wheelchaired-boy said as he examined the honorary Britannian.

"And with a big mouth too. Do you think she talks as much as Santana does?" the pale boy asked as he glanced at his friends.

"Well at least Santana has some wits. This girl is a total di-va." The black woman said as she rolled her eyes at Rachel and the knight gasped at their reaction.

"I shall demand for your names and—" Rachel stomped her foot and pointed to the black woman.

"You point that finger on me again, I'll break it!" the offended woman said as she stood up and was held back by the pale beret-wearing guy.

"Do you even know who you're-" Rachel raiased her voice without caring that the whole student body are looking at them.

"Stop it. Leave them alone." a voice was heard and everyone looked at the source. Marley mouthed a silent thank you at their savior.

"But you didn't hear them! As the knight of Her Highness, I think it's just right that you decide their punishment. For an Elev—" Rachel tried to defend her actions as she turned to her superior.

"Don't tell me what to do." Santana said coldly. And Rachel Berry knew better than to argue.

"This is a private institution. They value equality. They can say whatever they want." Santana said preventing a fight. Rachel should've never mentioned it. She could feel the tension coming from the group. They hated being called Elevens, especially by honorary Britannians. Santana knew what their status are. There are times that they are experiencing massive bullying because of their status.

"But they have insulted—"

"How about you shut up, Treasure-trail!" the guy with the Mohawk said as he stood up and he got caught some audience.

Santana cursed under her breathe. When she noticed Spencer and Quinn looking at their direction, she knew she had to fix it soon.

"By the decree—" Rachel started again.

"I said leave it!" Santana hissed at Rachel. Can't this girl get a hint?

"We have rules, Santana. They deserve—" Rachel tried to argue. She didn't care if everyone was looking, actually, she liked it. There will always be a part of her who loves attention. And as a rookie, this will be good for her reputation, putting the Elevens at their place that is.

"You want to talk about rules? Oh, let me start. Art. IV Sec 2a of your Student Handbook. I'm sure you've read it, since you seem prepared in everything you do. It clearly says that they don't tolerate bullying." Santana said as she put her hand on her hips. "You're enrolled in here, honorary Britannian or not, you shall follow. This is your first day so this would just be a warning." Santana said trying to even her tone. She doesn't want to create a scene. She wants to end this and move on with their lives.

"San? What's going on?" Santana turned to the princess as she sees her approaching them.

"Nothing. She was just introducing herself to everyone." Santana spoke for Rachel for the girl was still stunned by her superior's actions.

"Oh. Great! I want to meet them, too." As Quinn turned to the group of people glaring at Rachel, she looked for a familiar face. She recognize one of them and walked towards her.

"You must be Marley! We haven't really met officially but Santana has told me about you! I saw a picture of you in her cellphone one time and...-" Quinn happily chatted with Marley.

She had managed to sneak on Santana's phone one time(most of the time) and she had browsed into her knight's picture gallery. She was curious as to why her knight kept on texting when she was accompanying Quinn for a stroll on her mother's garden. She saw the picture of the girl with her mom and Santana's dad. It was dated back last Christmas. So Quinn knew that the girl was close to her knight so she wanted to know her.

And Santana might have scolded her for 'accidentally' deleting the inappropriate texts of the non-so-important people(in Quinn's opinion) in Santana's contact list.

Santana noticed that the crowd had started whispering again. The Britanian princess is talking to an Eleven.

The school might have zero tolerance of bullying, that never stopped the Honorary Britannian students to gossip and talk lowly about them. There has always been a thick line that separates them. Their uniform might have hidden their races, but the thick tension and the classification in the social hierarchy is evident.

Santana wondered what the Empress would think if she heard about this. It wasn't against the law, but what would it do to the princess's image?

"I… uh…" Marley glanced at Santana silently asking if it's okay to continue. Santana smiled and nodded in her direction.

Marley cleared her throat and said, "Oh. I… I've heard a lot about you too, your Highness!"

Quinn was glad Marley was cheerful to her, "Please, call me Quinn."

"Uhh… yeah. Quinn. Nice to meet you, too." Marley stuttered a bit. It feels weird addressing her Highness with just her first name. Will she be in trouble after this? She hopes not. Her education is really important to her. She blushed under the princess's gaze. It was really overwhelming, not to mention everyone's attention was set on her.

Marley cleared her throat again and started introducing everyone.

Meanwhile, Spencer pulled Santana at the side.

"I think you should keep Rachel out of their vicinity." Spencer reminded Santana

"Was that an order?" Santana grunted. She has so much in her hands right now.

Everyone is trying to get nearer the princess. And she was surprised the students were acting civil about this. Aside from the mob they experienced when the princess got out of the car, they hadn't encounter any unexpected public distractions.

"I'm all for equality, but you know Noah Puckerman is really hard to handle." Spencer said as she watch the guy with Mohawk ogle the princess.

"Do… do you think A is one of them?" Santana asked hesitantly while looking around them if anyone was listening. She quickly disregarded the comment about Puckerman. She knew that guy was harmless.

ROUNDS MANOR, AREA 11

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"How did Santana knew about A?" Hanna exclaimed as she paced back in forth in front of Spencer's bed

"I slipped! And you know Santana. She's observant as a hawk! I was getting paranoid! You know with HGH and everything! I'm so lucky I've talked to the Viceroy! He was understanding enough not to blame Emily's ulcer to me. But her mother! Do you know what Lady Pamela said? That I wasn't doing my job well and has threatened to report it His Highness! I mean I get that it was my fault... and that I should've just brought Emily to the hospital other than letting her take that creams and-"

Emily Fields is one of the swimming varsity of Ashford Academy. She was admitted in the hospital, and HGH was traced in her body. HGH is used t stimulate growth and regeneration. And once her swimming coach knows about her situation, she will be kicked out of the swimming team for good. It was A who had slipped the HGH with her creaming lotion. And A has been blackmailing Emily for somethign she didn't do.

Hanna softened her expression. She knew Emily's mom, and she's damn too scary. She's too protective of Emily so they hired a knight of rounds to protect her. They've invested on the Knight of TWO to protect their only daughter. She pity Spencer sometimes. "Hey, stop!" Hanna said as she held on to Spencer. "It's not your fault. You can't control everything."

"But I'm her knight! It's my job!"

"Well it's hard to fight someone you can't see." Hanna countered referring to A. She went back again to her original concern.

"so A hasn't threatened her of anything? Did you got a text from A? saying anything about Santana? Do you think we should tell her?"

"Jesus, stop it! I'm freaking out too, Hanna!" Spencer exclaimed

"Well you're a Hastings! Shouldn't you have some backplan already?" Hanna retorted. She didn't want to put all the pressure on Spencer but she couldn't stop herself before it left her mouth.

"If we tell Santana, that meant an automatic participation in A's game. And I'll never forgive myself if I include someone into this suspense-game we're playing." Hanna said as she turned to Spencer.

"So we don't tell her anything?" Spencer clarified.

"I think we should. Two knights are better than one…" Spencer added. she really think they needed help.

"Are you seriously giving me that?" Hanna asked as if the Spencer she knew has lost her mind.

"This A killed Alison… the princess of the Empire. And the Empire, I believed the greatest force in the world right now, doesn't have a single clue on who this A is!" Hanna exclaimed.

They were interviewed by general Wilden who is specifically hired by the Emperor himself to lead the intelligence group who handles Ali's case. But Hanna knew Wildon was accusing the four of them of the murder.

"Exactly! Because every time we try to give them what we have, A has some sick trick up in his/her/its sleeve that manipulates the military and turning them against us!" Spencer matched Hanna's voice.

"We need help. And as Aria said… it… it lessens the weight we carry if we talk someone about this." Spencer said as she tries to convince Hanna.

"And look where it got Dr. Sullivan!" Hanna tried to argue.

"The manor is safe..." Spencer countered

"Really? Do you really believe that? I honestly think no where is safe right now." Hanna said her voice turned to whisper.

"Well I'm not lying to her anymore. I'm not gonna let A use that against me." Spencer said with finality in her voice.

When Hanna stood up and hugged Spencer, they had decided there was no turning back.

ASHFORD ACADEMY, AREA 11

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"You mean the Elevens?" Spencer asked as she looked around too.

"They had killed Frances too, you know."

"But we're not sure A killed Frances! It was the Black Knights!" Spencer said as she turned to Santana

"And you didn't think A was the masked leader of the Black Knights?" Santana retorted as she opened the idea to Spencer but Spencer has crossed off that possibility.

She laughs a little, "Santana, the Black Knights speaks of their justice. We've told you what A has made us do… Do you think he/she/it speaks of justice?"

"I… Maybe it's just a show… Maybe this A team you say, wants to have an army. Maybe A has a grudge on the royal family?" Santana asked and it sounds like she wasn't sure herself.

"Okay. you're telling me you think A is an eleven, yet here you are letting Quinn, the only legitimate successor the royals have, socialize with them. That's some messed up logic you have there, Lopez." Spencer teased as she ignored the scoff from Santana.

"Well I trust those people!" Santana said firmly as she glance back at the table. Quinn seems to be having fun. And it's not like Rachel would leave her highness like that. Santana had noticed Rachel had developed some infatuation to the princess. She never stops talking about her that Santana's ears feels like exploding. Santana hasn't decided to make a move on that, she knew the short brunette was harmless too. And when she told Quinn about it, her Highness just brushed it off.

"Well we trusted Garrett too!" Spencer countered. She knew trust can be given freely. You just have to earn it. No one is safe. Garrett is one of Wilden's men. They were tasked to specifically work on Alison's murder case by the Emperor himself. Spencer and her friends had given information to Garrett but it turns out that Garrett can not be trusted to. "Well he might be A! You can't say he's innocent. He's actually at the top of our A-list." Spencer said proudly as if saying there was some slight progress in their little research team.

"Oh yeah? So in what number is your dearest sister in?" Santana asked as she was met with Spencer's glare. Melissa, Spencer older sister is suspicious too. She hated Alison to the extreme.

"Shut up." Spencer hissed at Santana.

"Ooh, out of comebacks now, are we? Touchy subject?"

"Melissa's not part of the A-team!" Spencer hissed as she noticed Emily looking at their direction. She waved and smiled.

"How's Emily holding up?" Santana changed the subject as she noticed Emily wave at her too.

"What do you think? She was kicked out of the team. Not to mention A had find a way to break her up with Samara." Spencer wanted to kill A for that. Swimming is Emily's life. Water's like air to her. And A just easily took it out of her reach. And just when she was moving on from Maya and the Psycho girl with a name(PAige), A had crushed that fantasy too.

"The blonde hottie? Oooh. do you think she'll be interested in me?" Santana said as she loked for the said blonde. Then she remembered the blonde doesn't go to Ashford. Spencer nudged her saying that it wasn't a good joke and Santana just laughed it off.

"How about… the… uhmm… results." Santana asked hesitantly. She was vivid at that. Who is A exactly and what grudge do they have against the four?

"Wren took care of it." Yes. Spencer asked Dr. Wren Kingston to take care of the HGH results so no one would know. Emily couldn't be blamed for something she didn't do.

"Oooh… Dr. Kingston, huh? Are you involved in his cooperation?" And Spencer took a chance to punch Santana on the arm. She ignored the fake 'ouch' from Santana and continued looking straight ahead.

"Please. You have that guy wrapped around your little finger." Santana teased again as she trailed off. "Or better yet… is he… wild in…" As Sanatana wiggled her eyebrows, she took a step outside Spencer's reach, she knew she would be caught dead if Spencer took a hold of her. "Knightly duties." Santana waved at Spencer as she walked towards Quinn.

"I'm getting you back for that!" Spencer mouthed as she walks towards Emily who is looking down her phone.

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Okay. So now there are a lot of characters introduced. But don't worry. Some of them are just extras. Haha. Anyways, I hope you understand this chapter!

Next chapter is a big one! Something will happen to the PLL side (something that will keep Santana away from Quinn), there'll be added scene that will show FABERRY-just a bit though. And it is where you'll first encounter Geass and Red Coat!

Haha. Don't worry! Base on the previous readers, they have said that they understood the chapter, so I think I'll pull it through. Haha.

Thanks guys!

Next chapter...

GEASS