CGR2: Puck will have his background story in the next chapter. I know I sort of ruined him in the previous chapter, and I don't think his background story will redeem him, but he's there for more drama with 'Zero'. Also, I have a feeling that you'll dislike Rachel as we go on. Haha.

Guest: I don't 'ship' Brittana too. And I don't like some of the things she has done, but for what it's worth, she understands Santana the way no one else can in canon, so I think that she's suited for the role I have in mind in here.

Again, thank you to all of your reviews!

I just want to clear that every time Quinn kisses Santana, it isn't romantically (at least not yet). It's her own way of claiming Santana as her knight, it's their own pact.

Also, to all CG fans, just so we're clear, Black Knights already exists and they already have 'Zero' even before Quinn gets her Geass. :)

And this chapter is sort of rushed and I personally think that this chapter sucked the most so... you have been warned.

And I've decided to do everything in third person so as not to confuse everyone.

Contains scenes from: Glee S03E11 (Michael episode), S04E14 (thanksgiving episode) x PLL S02E14, S02E15 (follows the previous episode) and a bits of CODE GEASS R1 turn 08 (hotel hostage taking)

In the PLL universe. The girls had this crazy idea of luring A out, using Emily as bait. So theyt succeeded into meeting A into a greenhouse in the woods. And they had a little chase that ends up with Emily having glasses on her hair and other things. (haha) but in here, she had a cut in her leg, because there was a glass in the fight which went to her leg, so she's injured. When A was about to leave, Hanna run A over with the car accidentally causing A to drop the phone.

CHAPTER 6

Zero

.

ROUNDS MANOR

.

"What's going on?" Santana grumbled as she rubbed her eyes off of sleep. She was woken up by Spencer's call, her captain telling her she needs to be out of the manor. She had forgotten to bring a jacket and the chill of the night definitely got into her.

Spencer had pulled her into her SUV and squeezed her inside. Once Santana and Spencer were settled, Aria put the SUV into drive.

"Whoa! What happened?" Santana asked as her eyes widen at Emily's cut on her leg. "What are you doing?" Spencer heard Santana asked as she browses through Santana's phone, which was snatched by Spencer when she dragged Santana a while ago.

"I'm calling your dad, we're going straight to your house." Spencer informed as she taps into Santana's phone and put it to her ear.

"Wait, what?" Santana's eyes widen as she held into Emily's hand trying to comfort her. Well at least she is hoping it helps. She decided that she needs to put pressure on Emily's leg until she noticed there was glass on it, and some on Emily's hair. She carefully removed one as she addressed her next question, "Are these glasses in your hair?"

Emily nods, and her face twists in pain when Aria drove the SUV t a curb and Santana suddenly leaned on Emily's bad leg. "Sorry." Santana glares at Spencer, "You're saying I'd show up at our house at the middle of the night to bring the Viceroy's daughter with a cut on her leg? What happened?" Santana repeated her question as she looks into the other passengers. Aria wasn't taking her eyes off the road, Emily was putting pressure into her leg and Spencer is already talking to her dad.

"Hi. This is Spencer, Hugo. I'm sorry to bother you at this hour… But we have some emergency… No, Santana's fine—" Spencer ignored Santana's questions and focused on her conversation with Dr. Lopez, Santana's father.

"And where is Hanna?" Santana tried, still making sense of the things happening.

"She's picking up Caleb. They're gonna meet us at your place too." Aria answered. Santana raised her eyebrow at this. Given that these four are her only friends outside the Knights of Rounds, they seem really comfortable at making themselves at home at Santana's place-making plans like that without Santana knowing. She shrugs, she knows this is an emergency.

"Caleb? I thought they broke up?" Santana asked in confusion. They did the shopping treatment for Hanna's break-up, and if they're gonna make (hook) up at her place, she's not having any of it.

"We got A's phone." Spencer finally answered when she got off of the phone with Santana's dad, as she looks back to the two tan girls at the back seat.

"A's phone. You got A's phone." Santana repeated and Spencer could see understanding in her eyes.

"So you had some hand-in-hand combat with A for his/her phone?" Santana turned to Emily voicing out her concern. "I think Lady Pamela would definitely skin Spencer alive once she sees that." Santana pointed Emily's cut earning a glare from Spencer.

Even at Spencer's protest, they had thought there's a better chance that A would buy their little act if Emily played the bait. Even though the little chase was not part of the plan, they had managed to get something out of it. A's phone was a total jackpot.

"Long story" Emily answered as she calms her mind from all the possibility of A coming after them. "And I'm sorry for disturbing you… But Spencer said you have some concealer at your place." Emily apologized and Spencer can't help but be amused at her friend. She has a cut on her leg, she had thought of a way to corner A, and they now got A's phone. She's proud of her.

the next day

ASHFORD ACADEMY, AREA 11

.

"So what song are you gonna do on the audition, San?" Marley asked Santana as she lean onto the locker next to the knight's.

Santana can't help but roll her eyes. Marley has been talking non-stop about the glee club's play for the school festival and she could totally not deal with this.

Ashford Academy celebrates an annual school festival where it opens to all citizens, Britannian or not. And Kitty had promised a budget increase for any club that will gain highest number of customers for the said event.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not auditioning!" Santana exasperated. This is not the first time she had been invited to join a club's fair.

With the Spencer, Santana, Rachel, and especially Quinn enrolled at this school, it has been a competition for each club to recruit the three. With those three present in their club affair, people will be swarming on their steps to see them. It's the perfect marketing strategy.

Spencer, the student council vice-president had forced her to join the student council and help in organizing the annual fair. Spencer had busied herself with extra-curricular activities to make up for the time she was absent due to community-service cause by the accusation of Ali's murder on her. She doesn't how exactly it happened but the news on the said case wasn't released to the public. She guessed it was Quinn's doings. After their little heart-to-heart talk. Quinn had insisted she will take care of Spencer's case, so for the mean time, Santana should focus on her job as a knight, and as Brittany's adviser.

"Why not? I really think that you'd be great and honestly, when I've read the script, I can perfectly see you as—" Marley continued on as she adds dramatics to her monologue. Santana sighed as she close her locker. It is one thing to be forced to attend school, and it is another thing to be force to join this kind of events.

"I told you. I already said yes to Emily." Santana groaned. Emily had gone to her first. It was last night, while Santana's father is stitching her up as she looks into Santana with those 'It-hurts-so-bad-I-have-a-glass on-my-leg' sad eyes that she invited her for their swimming team's café. Apparently, the swmming team had decided t host a cupcake sale this year for the annual fest, and the swimming team will be on their uniforms, (or on special days, in one-piece), and serve as their waitresses. Santana looked aghast at the stunt Emily was pulling. Santana would never be caught in a bikini (or even in one piece) for public display. Nope. Not even for Sweet Emily. Then, Emily had insisted that if Santana went along with her, there's a good chance the team will welcome Emily back with open arms. So that's where Santana just had to give in.

Even though it is for Marley, she can't help her club anymore. She is still thinking of a way to get out of Emily's trap on her, and she has to make sure Quinn enjoys the annual fest while being safe.

Not to mention, she is now part of A's game.

A.

They have A's phone. And Caleb's got something for them. Oh Caleb. The technology-geek. What would they do without him?

She is still sticking to her theory that A has something against the royal family so she has decided to spy on Jason. And so far, she got more questions than answers.

She was brought to reality when someone tapped her shoulders. When she turned her face to her intruder, her cheek was poked by the princess's waiting finger.

"Wow. I didn't know it will work on you." Quinn giggled.

"Quinn! Please help me convince Santana into auditioning!" Marley suggested and Santana glared at her. "There's still time…"

"Stay Quinn out of this, Marley."

"You mean the play?" Quinn curiously asked. "I've heard it through Rachel. She said she'd be auditioning for a part too."

Santana wasn't surprised at that. She has been hearing the knight of Six sing every morning, and Quinn may have mentioned Rachel is amazing (which Santana rolled her eyes at). It seems that she has a song choice for everything that they do—showering, cooking, combat training, pilot practice, and literally anything.

"So one Rounds is on your club, great!" Santana smiled fakely to Marley, then as quickly as she flashes her smile, her expression changed to a serious one. "Now stop bothering me."

"Santana, don't be rude." Quinn chastised her knight. "Actually, I'm planning on auditioning too!" Quinn cheerfully informed the brunette.

"Really?" Both brunettes are surprised by the new found information. And if Quinn wasn't in the mood, she'd be offended. She glares at her knight for not acting supportive on her.

"Yes! But not on the major roles, maybe on smaller parts only." Quinn explained as she pouts while pondering at the thought.

"You do know, that there are dancing involve, right?" Santana reminded the princess. She knew Quinn took voice lessons before. They used to sing together when they were little. (Take note, they were little) But dancing? Nah.

"Well I had opened that discussion to Mike when he returned from Washington last night! And he said he's willing to teach me some lessons." Quinn had a habit of calling the colonies by their names. It was something she got from Kurt when he was fixing her dress for Brittany's debut. He had mentioned that his people would appreciate it if she wouldn't refer to them as numbers.

Mike Chang was known with the most flexible body among the knights, thus he excels on hand-to-hand combat. He had tried dancing when he was little and he immediately got hooked to it so he continued learning different dances.

"So even the princess will be on our club? This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to my life!" Marley bounced on her feet. She can't help but blush as she imagines the consequences of this. Their club won't be downgraded anymore! People will actually pay attention into what they do. She then quickly added, "Oh, well, aside from meeting the Lopezes!"

'Either way, I'd still be spending time into helping that club.' Santana thought as she sighed in defeat. She knew her appointments to the spa would just have to wait. She really missed her masseuse.

BLACK KNIGHTS HEADQUARTERS

RED COAT

.

"I can feel you burning a hole in my head. It sucks that you can't read my mind, isn't it?" Red coat mocked the black-hooded figure sitting across the table.

"Yeah, it does, but what can I do? You're the source of the code." Black hoodie replied twisting the pen she had picked on. "Why did you give her Geass?" she pushed.

"You'll know why." Red coat answered. "Prepare the Sutherlands... We have some place to re-claim."

Black hoodie nodded and started tapping on her phone.

They need to move forward.

It's time to bring Britannia down. and they could do it with some fun.

later that afternoon

ASHFORD THEATER

.

They were seated in the auditorium as they waited for their names to be called. All of them were done auditioning for the parts they wanted. Mr. Fitz, the adviser of the club was standing at the stage looking at his students. When it was Quinn's turn to be called, Santana smiled at her and gently patted her shoulder, and on her right, Hanna gave her a thumbs up.

"Quinn, why were you auditioning for a small part? I think you're suited for a bigger role. You've done great at your audition." Ezra commented at Quinn's performance.

"There are other people better than me at this. I think I should start off with a smaller role." Quinn politely declined the offer. She blushed at the compliment. She knew Mr. Fitz judged her performance fairly but she thinks she'll enjoy the annual fest if she isn;t too busy with the play.

"Actually, we're thinking of giving you a supporting role." Aria informed as she took a glance to the panel.

Quinn smiled and on a blink of an eye, she looked at Ezra. "Mr. Fitz, you would give me a smaller role, right?" A green-bird like flashed through her eyes and went straight to Ezra's.

"Uhh… yeah. I will give you a smaller role." Ezra answered. After a second, he shook his head and blinked a few times.

Everyone was surprised by his answer. A minute ago he was insisting the princess a bigger role, but now he's opposing himself.

"Are… are you sure? I thought we've thought about this." Aria clarified, confused by her lover's decision.

"Yeah. This will be for the better of the production." Ezra answered and for a second Aria thought she saw a green light shining on the teacher's eye.

Quinn smiled. She knew her Geass would be handy even for smaller things. She nodded her head and leaned it to her chair.

"You were great, Quinn! It sucks that you weren't given a bigger role!" Hanna whispered to Quinn and Quinn just smiled at her. She had gotten along with the blond well in her stay in this school. She turns her head back to their teacher as Mr. Fitz called for Mercedes and Rachel.

"It's fine. I think I would've understood more of the commoner's life if I started off at the bottom, don't you think?" Quinn reasoned out and Santana who sat by her side nodded in her direction. Also, she wanted to spend more time with Santana.

"Please don't tell us that we have tryouts again." Mercedes said. They both had auditioned for the lead role in West Side Story. Yes, they were doing a West Side story. A story about races, how appropriate.

"No. We have come to a decision." Artie replied as he wheeled himself at the center of the room.

"It has been the hardest decision of our lives." Ezra, the teacher in charge of the play tried to lighten the mood.

"So uhm… in the grand tradition of Olympics… everybody wins! We have decided to double-cast Maria." Aria cheered the both of them but she didn't get the reaction she was expecting.

"What the hell is double-casting?" Mercedes asked as she raises her eyebrow.

"It means that we'll both get to play Maria." Rachel answered. "Mercedes, it is a pleasure to share the spotlight with you."

Ezra released a breath he didn't knew he was holding.

"Are you double-casting any other roles?" Mercedes asked completely ignoring Rachel. And the panel shook their heads, saying no.

"Thank you for your time." Mercedes stood and headed towards the door.

"Wait… Where are you going?" Ezra stopped Mercedes.

Mercedes looked straight to Rachel, "Tell me, you were better than me." Mercedes challenged Rachel. And Rachel avoided Mercedes's gaze. "Tell me!" and everyone in the room was quiet, feeling up the thick tension in the room. They knew Mercedes never really warmed up to the knight.

"Why was everyone doesn't want to hurt her feelings?" Mercedes turned to everyone. Everyone just stared at her in silent. Mercedes just got a 'slushee facial' that morning and she didn't need this to end her day. She starts walking back to where Rachel is. "You know every time I wear this uniform, I've always felt like this school really values equality. Like this would give me a damn chance to have equal rights and opportunity with a Britannian. Even just inside this theater!" Mercedes exclaimed as she gestures her yellow uniform and as she points to the Britannian emblem on her necktie.

"Mercedes, don't make this about a stupid pride." Ryder tried to ease the tension but it worsens it.

"Oh this is a pride thing, but it is not stupid." Mercedes countered. Quinn had noticed Mercedes values her Eleven pride more than the others. Mercedes turned her attention back to Rachel, "Congratulations, you've got the part. I don't want it."

With that, Mercedes left everyone speechless.

two days later

AREA 21

.

"Before we go into this deeper, do you really think this line is safe?" Santana asked. They had been assigned on a mission into Area 21 to help suppress a civil war. Black Knights had encouraged different colonies to go against the Empire and the Knights of Rounds were being assigned to help out.

"Well yeah. Unless you know the Knight of Round's code, and the source code of their knightmares line, you can't connect to our knightmares' private lines. Haven't you read your Manual?" Spencer replied quickly.

"Because A doesn't have a way to hack this. Yeah sure. We could totally trust this." Santana said sarcastically to Spencer.

"This is the greatest technology ever built. Not even the Black Knights have this!" Spencer insisted.

"Okay. fine." Santana surrendered as she impatiently goes back to the topic. "So you think Jason killed Alison?" Santana repeated, disbelief still evident on her tone.

"I told you, my dad was protecting Jason for a reason before. Remember the hockey stick?" Spencer insisted while sending out the coordinates of the enemies to her team. According to Spencer, Toby, her boyfriend, had found a hockey stick buried in their backyard when he was helping Spencer's family in landscaping. The said hockey stick, as she remembered was used by Jason before when he and Alison seems to have an argument.

"Did you hit your head or something? I think we pretty much established that the murder weapon is a shovel, not a hockey stick. Remember, you became a person of interest, because you were caught with the murder weapon." Santana mocked Spencer and Spencer scoffed at her. Jeremiah had assigned Spencer to more missions now to put her into the Emperor's good graces. Though they found a loop hole to General Wilden's case, and Quinn might have pulled some strings to clear Spencer's name, she still needs to take double shifts.

"Can we just focus on my dad part?" Spencer pushed her point.

"Okay fine. So what's the deal with your dad? And wow. Is this your way of saying that your family is pretty much involved at Ali's murder? I mean your sister hates Ali. Should we investigate your mom too?" Santana playfully asks as she maneuvers her knightmare to the opposite side, Spencer's Lancelot is positioned.

"Enough with the sarcasm!" Spencer ordered as she positions herself to the battle field. "There's something going on between Lady Jessica and my dad."

"Shut up." Santana said, and when Spencer didn't answer, "Shut up! The Emperor will murder your dad!" Santana added. She knew the Emperor's not faithful himself, everyone in the royal family is not, but that doesn't mean he's into sharing. What the Emperor had claimed, the Emperor had kept. It basically applies to everything... and everyone.

"Not like that! Well at least I hope it's not!" Spencer argued as she hears a loud explosion nearby. The enemies had started moving. "I just…" A knightmare appeared at her right and she blocked it with her knightmare's sword. She immediately activated four of her Slash Harkens that eliminated those who ambushed her. Spencer has great reflexes, thus she is able to use most of Lancelot's features at the same time. She is usually sent to the front lines, and has been into Britannia's advantage ever since she's become a Rounds. She maneuvers her knightmare frame to fly upward to survey the battlefield. Satisfied with her work, she continues her call with Santana, "I saw him and Lady Jessica arguing about something a while ago."

This morning was the opening day of the Annual Festival. After hearing from Quinn that she is part of a school play, the Empress has decided to show up in their first day, to give some opening remarks to the ceremony held in the morning and has accepted Kitty's offer of cutting the ribbon. It was a surprise for Spencer though, to see his dad, Peter Hastings in the school grounds. Before she could question him though, Kitty had pulled her aside and had asked her to do her job as the Vice President of the student council.

"About?" Santana asked as she uses her Radiant Wave Surger, stored in her knightmares palm. It is a powerful microwave radiation emitter. By grabbing onto an enemy Knightmare and activating the emitter, the Guren can fry the enemy's electronics and warp the frame itself, not only rendering the unfortunate machine completely unsalvageable, but often damaging the pilot's ejection system, usually ensuring that the pilot will perish with his craft. She used that to pulverize the enemies' bullets towards her knightmare.

Their enemies would be wowed as to how this two can continue this kind of conversation in between an ambush.

"I saw them, San. I didn't hear them." Santana rolled her eyes at Spencer.

"Okay, really. You're giving me more things to think of. I am craving for answers!" Santana exasperated as she grabs the head of her opponent's knightmare and activates her Radiant Wave Surger.

"Welcome to my life.-" A loud explosion was heard and a shake on the ground was felt.

"What was that?" Santana asked. Her knightmare has a float system but she was assigned to head the ground units.

"Damn it. One of the Four Holy Blades." Spencer answered as she pilots her knightmare up to the air dodging the two Black Knights knightmare which then caused the two to explode.

Santana zoomed in the knightmare and nodded in agreement, "the Black Knights again? Do you need help?"

"No. I think I could handle this one. Stick to the original plan." Spencer ordered.

"Aye, aye, captain!" Santana saluted her captain as she went back to fighting the nearby knightmares. "You still don't know who the pilots are?"

"We don't even know a single member of the Black Knights, San." Spencer replied as she nears the so called Gawain a sixth generation knightmare. It is said to match up with Spencer's Lancelot, one of Britannia's finest knightmare. Santana noticed the knightmare and got alarmed. "Gawain? For this mission? Don't you think, they're pushing it too far?" Santana has heard from Holly that Gawain has the ability to plot the enemy's possible movements.

Spencer chuckles a little, "And that's coming from Britannia who assigned two Knights of Rounds for this mission." She nears the black knightmare gauging up the opponent's next moves. Every knightmare has ejection seat, therefore, each pilot can safely evacuate the knightamre if it neared destruction. Gawain however, from their intelligence group, has no ejection seat. Spencer smirks. If she is able to defeat Gawain, she can capture the pilot and bring it to the Emperor. That will sure put her to his good graces.

"But I do have something, take a look at this." Santana viewed the file Spencer had sent her. She realized it was an ID of some 'Vivian Darkbloom', she raised her eyebrows at Spencer through the video call. "Who exactly am I looking at?"

"It's Alison. She got into some disguise before and she used that. Caleb got it from the video he recovered last night" Spencer would admit that the knightmare she was going against at is really strong.

"Where did she use this?" Santana asked as she relays a message to her team to move to the second phase. They were winning the ground area. She doesn't know about the aerial ones. She wonders if she should back Spencer up. Surely, with her Guren, they would have the advantage over Gawain.

"Good question!" Spencer smiled sarcastically at Santana. Of course she had thought of that. "I still have something. We need to accompany Lady Brittany and Quinn in Midas Hotel."

"Oh, for the opening at the capital? Yeah, I got the memo." Santana nodded in Spencer's direction. She's getting busy and she knows it. She is getting a hinge that after Brittany, they would give Quinn a proper debut to the public.

"Is it just the two of us?" Santana asked her captain.

"Yeah. Aside from Lady Brittany's royal guards, it's just us. They didn't announce that Quinn would be there so they thought there would be less risk." Spencer shrugged and when she was about to grasp Gawain's arm, it retreated.

"What's going on? They're retreating, Spence. How's the situation up there?" Santana asked as she receives reports of the enemies' retreat.

"It seems that Zero knows a difference between a battle you can't win."

Santana wasn't convinced. They had brought Gawain, one of the Four Holy Blades of the Black Knights, only for them to retreat? In all honesty, she knew Spencer's Lancelot would have a hard time with Gawain alone. Then why did they retreat?

ASHFORD THEATER

.

Santana had to run faster than her legs could carry her so she wouldn't miss the Glee Club's first show. She's wearing a black jacket, and a one-piece inside. The moment she had arrived the school, Emily had cornered her and had asked her to change in their costume. Santana glared at Spencer to lookf or help, but the knight just looked away pretending to be busy.

After changing, she got a call from Rachel that they were about to start so she sprinted from the gymnasium to the theater which is at least a kilometer away from each other.

Once she reached the front door though, she's confused as to why it is opened and people inside were talking about something.

It was Lady Sue Sylvester, Lady Jessica's personal knight who had greeted her with a smirk. She regained her composure and slowly went towards the older knight. When she was in front of her, she bowed in respect. When she looked up though, the smirk was already gone and it was replaced by a... was that concern in her face? Impossible.

"Lady Sylvester?"

"Lopez, I've heard from Berry that you were on a mission." Of course.

"Black Knights. They retreated though, which-"

"I would love to hear all about your failure later. But have you checked on Little Lopez?" Sue Sylvester dismissed immediately and Santana looked at her in confusion. Little Lopez?

Sylvester had rolled her eyes at the knight's lack of response. "The Eleven your father had adopted! She fainted and-"

"WHAT?" Santana shouted. Marley? Something had happened to Marley?

She big farewell to her senior then immediately went towards the backstage. She fastened her pace, and when she reached for the double doors, she heard screaming and arguing.

"Why not? We get judged all the time because we're Elevens." Mercedes piped in as she rolled her eyes. Santana surveyed the room and see Puck holding his brother who is about to hit Noel Kahn? What?

"Look, Mr. Fitz had talked to the school's board and they were opening some investigation." Aria explained as she waited for her crew to settle down. "So guys, please let the system handle this one."

"No. Ashford's won't turn their backs from their own. We need paybacks." Artie said and he could see Finn nodding his head in agreement. What is going on?

"Okay, how are we sure that Kitty had done this?" Quinn asked. She had been fond of the Ashford heiress and she doesn't see how the girl would have done something that bad. Majority of the members however, had insisted that Marley would never be bulimic. She knew Marley was kind but still, it wasn't right to point the blame on Kitty.

"What is going on?" Santana finally decided to speak up. Everyone turned to her and she noticed that the boys' eyes are raking all over her body. It wasn't until she felt Quinn stood by her and kept her jacket close. "What are you wearing?" Quinn hissed and Santana noticed that the princess is blushing.

"I was supposed to meet up with Emily remember?" Santana responded in a whisper glaring at the guys who looked at her with those eyes. She rolled her eyes. Boys these days. Where did the chivalry go?

Santana buttoned her jacket once again, making sure it is secured as she looked around the room and noticed that her favorite brunette is missing. "Where is Marley?"

No one spoke. And Santana was tapping her foot as she put her hand by her hip.

It was Hanna who decided to speak up in behalf of the group. She told her that in the middle of the performance, Marley had fainted and has been brought to the hospital.

"Marley doesn't have an eating disorder! Her mom's our chef!" Santana said in disbelief. Well given that she had found laxatives in one of the girl's things, she wouldn't think she'll be bulimic. She's thinner than the knight.

"We think it's Kitty's fault. Kitty had always given our club a hard time." Mercedes adds as she crossed her arms clearly blaming the girl who is oddly at Quinn's side.

"Stop attacking her! Why would she think she would do this? This is her club too!" Quinn defended Kitty. Santana never understood what the princess had seen in that girl. Even Spencer said that Kitty is hard to deal with. She keeps in mind to put Quinn away from the blonde heiress from then on. If she is indeed the one responsible for Marley's situation, then Santana might never forgive her.

"Well this is an Eleven's club, my lady." Jake Puckerman, Noah's half brother mocked the princess which earned a glare from the Knights of Rounds.

"That's not true. Mr. Fitz is a Britannian, an honorary at that." Aria countered.

"Well that's because there's no Eleven in the faculty! But look around you! We're all Elevens here!" Kurt turned his hands around, gesturing his friends.

"I say, we take revenge." Puck suggested.

"I know Kitty's schedule! I work on Vice-president's office—"

"How about we give her a taste of her own medicine—"

"Everyone, we shouldn't talk like this! Ashford has zero tolerance policy of violence. Of any kind!" Rachel insisted. She got almost humiliated in front of the school body on her first day. And she dedicated herself in following the rules. "I thought that's how you do things!"

"We sing. That's all we ever do!" Artie countered, anger evident on his voice.

"Do you want to get suspended? We've been preparing for the annual fest presentation for days!" Quinn asked as she tries to cool the club's atmosphere. She saw how hard these people worked on everything. Their dances, their costumes, their props and their song numbers. She would hate to see this turned to waste. Though she knows they couldn't perform without Marley. Marley got an important role, and it'll be hard to look for a replacement at thispoint in time. Now she may have realized they wouldn't really be able to perform.

"I don't give a damn about graduating anymore!" Artie shouted, shocking everyone in the room. "My mom always reminds me that graduating from a Britannian school will give me better future! But at the end of the day, one thing remains, we are slaves of this Empire!"

"What do you expect from us? We're people!" Artie wheeled himself near Quinn. "I know the world may not see us that way but when they tease us, and throw stuff at us, and toss us to the dumpsters, and tell us we're nothing but numbers with stupid dreams, it freaking hurts!" Quinn flinched at his words. She doesn't know they were being treated like that. "And you're telling us that we should turn the other cheek and be the bigger man by telling ourselves that we have dreams and how hard we work will make us better than them. But it's pretty damn hard to feel that way when they always win!"

"I get that you're upset—" Santana tried to cut off turning to Quinn's defense. She had always tried to cool the tension between the two groups. It is something she learned from Mike with his Britannia-Chinese Fed situation.

"No! You don't!" Artie cuts Santana off. "You're an Honorary Brittanian, Santana! You all are!" Artie points to Spencer and Rachel. "When you're inside those glorious knightmares of yours. Do you think of equality? Do you think of the Elevens?" Artie countered.

"We are protecting our people from the Black Knights—" Rachel started but was immediately cut off by Puck.

"Maybe we don't need protection from them! Maybe we need help from them!" Before Puck could stop himself, he had said those words.

"You can't say things like that!" Rachel gasped at the words of Puck. "They are rebels—"

"Well that's the point, we are not part of your people!" Puck added. He can't contain his anger too. And the knights look into each other. They couldn't say things like that in front of them. That technically was an act of rebellion, and as soldiers of the Empire, they should arrest them.

"You are, Area 11 is a colony of the Empire. That technically means you are part of—" Even Quinn was cut off by the group.

"This is OHIO!" Blaine bursts. Quinn took a step back and if Santana's hand wasn't on her back, she might have stumbled back. "Open your eyes, princess!" Jake hissed. "You can never understand that because you've always lived inside those pretty walls!"

Quinn was about to protest but Artie cut her into it. "And don't give me that "it gets better crap"! Because I'm not interested in getting better. I want to be better! Like right now!" Artie turned to Santana, "You had offered me a free treatment to cure my legs! But do you know why I had always turned down your offer? Because I refused to be bought!" Artie shouted, and Santana can really feel him flaring up from seat. She could imagine him standing up from his wheel chair punching her in the face.

"I'm not trying to buy you." Santana reasoned. When she had met Marley's friends, she had also offered a free medical treatment to Artie but the boy had always refused. Artie is a victim of war himself. During the war, their place was bombed out by the Britannian army thus he had lost his legs. Now she feels a pang in her chest. She hopes Marley doesn't feel like Santana had bought her. She really cares for Marley and her mom and they were really grateful for udnerstanding Mike's situation back then.

"This is a constant reminder of what this Holy Empire you spoke of, did to us!" Artie took a glance at Quinn. He knew he shouldn't be mad at the princess. This wasn't her fault. But he's being carried away by his feelings. This feelings he needed to vent out.

"I had lost my father." Finn spoke quietly. Finn's father is one of Ohio Liberal Front's generals. He head died during the war against Britannia. Quinn wanted to reach out to him but Santana gripped on her hand shaking his head.

"I can't fulfill my dreams. An Eleven doesn't have that privilege." And everyone can feel the disappointment in her voice. Rachel wanted to say something but Santana's hold into her hand tightened too..

Everyone was silent until Artie spoke up again, "I want to hurt them. The way they hurt us! No worse, I want them to feel my pain." And Santana could only see fury in his eyes. "Because, frankly, that's all I have left to give!" And Artie willed himself out of the room

"I've lost my sisters too!" Quinn countered but her voice is broken. Broken but firm nonetheless.

"Well they deserve it!" Mona snapped. and Hanna's jaw had dropped.

"What did you just say?" Quinn narrowed her eyes at the petite girl who dared spoke up.

"The only reason everyone made a big deal about Alison's death is because she had been missing for a whole year. There was mystery in her death. Do you really think a terrorist had killed her? Of course not! I'm betting someone who had a grudge on her, took her life! She had been cruel!-" and before she could continue, her face was met by the hand of a certain blonde.

"You're my friend, and I may have let go of what you did before, but I'm not gonna stand here listen you disrespect her like that!" Hanna turned her voice icy on her friend.

"You experienced firsthand what Alison could do, Hanna." Mona reminded Hanna. Mona looked dangerously at the princess, not caring if her knight was standing close by. Hanna stiffened. "We knew Marley. And she would never be that irresponsible. But why was she in the hospital right now? Same thing happened to Hefty Hanna, princess." Mona spoke for the first time as she sides with the rest of the team. She may not be caught outside the room hanging out with these gleeks, but she shared the same 'feelings' against the late princess. "What you had in mind, wasn't Ali. It's your ideal sister. It's your ideal princess. You wanted to have someone you could look up to so make this figure of Alison in your mind."

MIDAS HOTEL, OUTSIDE (later thay evening)

SPENCER.

.

"My lady. they have been killing to make a point. Should we answer to them?"

During the opening, Spencer had been assigned to head the security outside and control the people entering the hotel. It was then a shock when Ohio Liberal Front had declared a hostage taking during Brittany's public debut as the new Vice-Governor of Area 11. It turns out that the former local military knows the hotel much more than the britannian army does. They had secured it from basement to all around vicinity.

"No! Responding to them even once will mean that we're rewarding their terrorism!" Spencer shouted. She has been controlling the paparazzi trying to get her opinion on the matter and she's getting annoyed. The more chaos there is, the more people gets interested and pushing their way in.

"Should we try to attack? The Lancelot and Guren are ready to use, my Lady." the officer suggested.

"That should wait until we ensure Lady Brittany's and Princess Quinn's safety. Besides, Sir Samuel and Santana are in there." Spencer answered as she thinks of a way to deal with this.

"Lady Hastings!" an officer called Spencer. "It's Zero! Zero had sent us a message!"

Spencer had run towards the Lancelot. She cursed under her breathe. Zero is the Black Knight's leader... The masked leader. No one knows who the members of the Black Knights are and it's getting under Spencer's skin. Once she launched, she had met with Zero who is standing on top of a trailer truck which is probably stolen by the Black Knights.

"Zero! I shall revenge for Lady Frances's death!" Spencer announced as she opens her knightmare's trunk and pointed a gun at Zero who was standing on a trailer.

"Knight of Two, would you choose a dead princess, or a living heir?" Zero challenged and Spencer froze on her spot as her eyes widen.

"Good. I was right. The Princess is insidethe hotel with the Vice-governor." Zero declared. The fact that the princess was there wasn't released to the public yet. Only the ones inside knew about it. How did Zero know about that?

"I will save Her Highness and the Vice-Governor." Zero offered once again, even extending his hand towards Spencer to indicate the help he is offering.

Spencer looked at him in disbelief. He thinks that the Britannian army will entrust the lives of their to Zero who had caused the death of their men? "I don't know what you're talking about, Zero!" Spencer denies. She will not give in easily.

"I will save her!" Zero insisted.

INSIDE MIDAS HOTEL.

QUINN.

.

"Everyone, hands on your heads and kneel down!" a masked man ordered the hostages.

As Quinn sees the terrorist kicks the man who dared spoke up, she stood up. "Let me speak to your leader!" Santana stood up immediately and put her arm to protect the princess as the men point their gun at her.

"And who do you think you are?" the man laughs

"Lucy Quinn Fabray, 86th successor to the throne!" Quinn announces as everyone gasps and bursts into whispers. She knew if she doesn't show up, they would take Brittany.

"The Vice-governor and the Princess themselves? Huh… It seems that the fate is on our side." The man chuckles as he orders one of his men to go to their leader.

Brittany tried to tug Quinn down but Quinn wasn't sitting down. Few minutes later and the man ordered to relay the message returns and whisper something to the officer in charge.

"Our leader wants to talk to the princess alone."

"No!" Santana protests.

"Knight of three, we could pull the trigger right now, and kill all of you. I think it's clear that we are the ones who call the shots here." The officer smirked as he sees the knight grits her teeth.

"I'd be fine." Quinn assures Santana as she took a step towards the officer. "Make sure they are all safe."

Quinn follows the officers as she notices that there are two other men walking behind her. She decided against using the Geass on the three of them. She hasn't practiced it yet well and it's a big risk in using it with an audience. When she entered the room, she saw Zero standing there among the dead colonels.

"WHAT HAPPENED?!" the officer exclaimed as he points the gun to Zero.

"They had realized what uselessness they were doing." Zero answered and Quinn took this chance to activate her Geass on the other officers.

"All of you! Free the hostages!" A green bird-like bursts through her eyes and shoots to the officer's eyes.

they stood straight and saluted the princess, "Yes, your Highness!"

"We meet again, princess." Quinn looked back to the source of the voice. And her heart beats faster.

"Zero?" With his black cloak around him/her, the leader of the Black Knights stood in front of Quinn.

"You had shown yourself to save them. That's so you." Zero said.

To Quinn's surprise, Zero had removed the mask and tossed it to Quinn. Quinn had caught it in her hands and as she looks back to the rebel's leader, she feels herself turned cold and paled.

"No… it can't be." Quinn shook her head. She didn't know if she should take a step back or a step forward.

Zero is the Empire's number one masked leader of the rebels.

But.

Zero is Red coat. So that meant, Zero gave her the Geass. Zero saved her from Puck.

It just can't be…

"Ali?"

Zero smiled, "Honey, I can be whoever you want."

Quinn froze on her spot. 'Honey'. Ali used to call her that, referring to her blonde locks.

"No... you're supposed to be dead. I saw your body!" Quinn insisted still refusing to believe Ali is Red Coat, that Ali is Zero. She activated her Geass and ordered, "Reveal yourself!"

Zero just smiled and twirled her blonde curls. "Didn't I tell you? Geass doesn't work on me. I'm the Code bearer."

"What do you want?" Quinn finally asked. There has to be a reason. She took a step back when Zero came closer.

"Relax. I am your ally. I will never leave your side." Zero started as she took a step closer. "And unlike Santana, I'd be true to my words." Zero stopped in front of Quinn.

"I can't be your ally! I'm the Empire's princess! You're the number one enemy!" Quinn insisted as she grips Zero's mask on her hand.

"Quinn, you've been living in lies. Do you still stand for the Empire after what they did to your friends?" And Quinn stood frozen. She reminisces the day at the choir room. Her friends suffer because of the Empire. "Admit it, you've felt like you belong in that circle of friends than your family." Quinn never felt so happy during the practices. They might have some arguments but they always end up laughing.

"You killed my sister." Quinn countered. She is sure a member the Black Knight killed Frannie. And a Black Knight answers to Zero.

"Do you know that she begged for her life with her mouth? The same mouth she used to order to the deaths of the Elevens." Zero circled Quinn. Quinn knew Frances, as the Vice-Governor of Area 11 had been leading operations to some parts of Area 11. And the massacre at the Red Zone was her orders. The Elevens hated her.

"Is it really you, Ali?" Quinn asked. She knew Ali hated Frances too. But, she wouldn't go that far right?

"Do you even know how Ali died?" Zero asked as she stopped behind Quinn. She leaned into her ears and whispers, "She was buried alive."

"What? No! She was hit so hard and-"

Zero then clicked into her remote, Quinn didn't know she was holding and played a video which projected on a nearby wall.

It is a video of Spencer and Aria in what seems like a mortuary, wearing white-pink stripes uniform.

"Ali was buried alive." Spencer said as she looks into Aria.

"I know Spencer and Aria didn't kill Alison." Quinn said as she looks back into Zero.

"Frances ordered for an assassination." Zero revealed and Quinn can't help but gasp.

"Assassination?" Quinn questioned.

"Yeah. Alison's. She wanted the throne so bad she wanted to take matters at her own hand. Too bad, someone interfered."

"You?"

"Maybe." Zero answered as she started walking again. She stopped when she was in front of Quinn.

"I can tell you a lot more." Zero started. "Join me." Zero offered her hand to Quinn. Quinn looked down and she noticed she still has Zero's mask.

Realization dawned on her. "You want me to be Zero." Quinn whispers.

Santana barged in and saw Quinn standing alone.

"Quinn! Are you okay?" Santana run towards Quinn.

"Yeah. I'm fine. What happened?" Quinn asked as she saw blood dripping from Santana's arm.

"Uhmmm... I was worried they might have done something to you and-"

"They shot you? Santana! I told you I'll be fine alone!" Quinn scolded Santana as she puts her hand on her knight's wound.

"And I'd be fired if you're alone! Look, I don't even care what it'll do to my rank, but if something happens to you again, I'll kill myself." Santana said as she inspects Quinn for any bruise.

"Don't you ever say that!" Quinn said sternly. "Is Brittany okay? how about the Elevens?"

"Yeah. They're fin-"

"Lady Lopez, we need to go!" Sir Evans came rushing in. Santana took Quinn's hand and run towards the entrance of the building...

at the entrance... they saw Zero standing in his might, a footage of him shown in the hotel's big screen outside.

"The only ones who can shoot are those who are prepared to be shot by others. When the powerful attack the powerless, we shall appear again. no matter how powerful our enemy may be. you with power, fear me. you without power, seek me. we, the black knights, will judge the world."

AN.

confusing? I know.

at the last part, Zero was regarded as a 'he' as a generalization. People thinks Zero is a 'he' anyway.