A few days later after Tohdou's rescue, Hikaru makes her announcement to her friends in the NSX's mess hall while going over what happened recently. Feeling grim about her unexpected encounter with Suzaku Kururugi and the Lancelot, Hikaru took a deep breath before explaining on the situation at hand.

"So Hikaru, what happened during that night when you went in to rescue one of your fellow countrymen turned militia warriors?" Clef asked as he stood up beside the Fire Knight.

"I actually ran into someone that I didn't think I would see again other than from the Ashford Academy!" Hikaru said, nervously. "The one who was commandeering the Lancelot back in Cephiro turned out to be none other than Suzaku Kururugi. He was actually an Eleven too."

Upon hearing what Hikaru just said, everyone but Umi, Fuu, and Geo all gasped in shock thinking that one of Hikaru's fellow Elevens is actually a traitor to their former country.

"Wait a minute there!" Aska asked immediately. "What do you know about this Suzaku Kururugi?! I mean, what kind of Eleven would turn his back on his own country and serve the enemy at a time like this?! We didn't think that the Lancelot would actually belonged to a young man like him, we were expecting more!"

"He was my one-time rival during my days in the Kendo school, but now that he saw me, he's a full-time nemesis doing Britannia's dirty work!" Hikaru answered Aska's question. "At first, he served in the Empire's army as an Honorary Britannian. It's where non-Britannian members pledged their loyalty to the Holy Britannian Empire in the areas that the Empire has already conquered; as long as they're at it, they gain their Britannian citizenship, earn special privileges, and earn other rights."

"If that's true, why do you think that boy would do such a thing?!" Geo asked sternly. "We might need to put that kid down before he gets worse!"

"That will be up for Zero to decide!" Hikaru replied. "We might as well keep a close eye on him from afar. There's no telling what Suzaku is going to do next, regarding the orders he would receive from his Britannian superiors."

"Speaking of which, I heard that Ms. Euphemia has elected Mr. Suzaku to be her knight!" Fuu announced towards the group.

"If Suzaku really is a Knight of Britannia despite his nationality, then I'm afraid his fight against us will be just the beginning!" Umi said grimly. "We have all came a very long way to become Magic Knights of Cephiro just to unify all four countries outside of Area 11."

"Other than that Geo, Suzaku did say that he wanted to change our world from the inside!" Hikaru added in. "I never thought that him being Euphy's Knight is actually part of this path."

"If I didn't know any better, I would've thought that he would go down a different path towards a different knighthood apart from you three," Lafarga assumed, referring to Suzaku.

"Let me ask you something, Hikaru..." Clef said to the Magic Knight of Fire. "Did this Suzaku have any disdains as an Honorary Britannian?"

"Well, not every Britannian is taking Suzaku's path very seriously. They still despised him as much as the rest of us Elevens do!" Hikaru replied to the Master Mage.

Before Hikaru or any of her friends could say anymore, a loud beeping came from the broadcast monitor near the commander's seat. Shortly after Cephiro's allies arrived in Area 11, Zazu immediately setup a private broadcasting channel onboard the NSX, with Kirihara's help, to keep themselves informed of the upcoming events from the Holy Britannian Empire. As of right now, Zazu makes his announcement after checking the monitor.

"Guys, we're receiving our latest broadcast coming from the Britannian Government Bureau!"

As the Magic Knights, Cephiro's warriors, and their allies came up to the monitor, they see a huge room filled with nobles and aristocrats dressed in regal Britannian outfits and accessories. In between the two audiences of Britannian Noblemen and women, a long carpet with yellow and white lines stretched out from the entrance to all the way to Euphy's throne up a few stairs. At Euphy's throne, she is sitting down on her regal seat. In her surroundings, the Britannian Flag is hanging behind her and two plant vases are placed on her left and right near the small stairway. For the interior walls, they were decorated with white pillars and brown walls with small white streams following upward.


As several Britannian nobles were muttering to themselves about such an unusual knighting ceremony from an Honorary Britannian Eleven, Suzaku walks up to Euphy in a calm state. This time, Suzaku is wearing a white Britannian Knight outfit with small golden epaulets. On his left side up to his waist, Suzaku was carrying a long rapier holstered in its sheath. The moment Suzaku approached Euphy, she makes her statement as the Honorary Britannian presents the 3rd Princess his sword up front. As the Magic Knights and their friends watched closely at Suzaku's knighting from their monitor, they all felt a bit anxious of the twisted turn of events that'll affect all of Area 11.

"Suzaku Kururugi! Will you vow upon this day pledge thy fealty to Britannia and stand as a knight of the crown?"

"Yes, your highness!" Suzaku acknowledged as he kneeled his right foot forward with his left hand behind his back, yielding to his knighting brought by Euphemia li Britannia.

"Does thou wish to abandon thy self and bestow sword and shield for the greater good?!" Euphy continued with Suzaku's knighting vows.

"Yes, your highness!"

As Suzaku drew out his sword from his scabbard, he raised the sword's grip and offered it up to Euphemia before she approached her would-be knight. The moment Euphy took Suzaku's sword and raised it with the tip of the blade pointing up to the ceiling, holding it with both of her hands, she dubs thee the Honorary Britannian as he bows his head before the 3rd Princess of Britannia.

"I, Euphemia Li Britannia, due hereby dub thee Sir Suzaku Kururugi..."


While the Magic Knights continued to watch Suzaku's knighting ceremony from the NSX unnoticed, Lantis couldn't help but feel a bit worried of what will happen in the next fight between Suzaku and Hikaru. As the Magic Swordsman turned to face the Knight of Fire, Lantis noticed that Hikaru is trembling in anxiety. So without hesitation, Lantis walks up to Hikaru and placed his hand on her shoulders.

"Lantis?" Hikaru asked her boyfriend, as she felt his bare hand on her shoulder.

"You've still got nothing to worry about, Hikaru," Lantis told the red-haired knight with sympathy. "I'm sure Suzaku had his reasons for accepting all of this!"

"Well, I don't know if we're ever going to get through to Suzaku anymore!" Hikaru said, doubting over where Suzaku's true loyalties really lie. "He's likely going to be fighting us as much as he'll be fighting against the Black Knights and Cephiro's Alliance!"

"Maybe ya should still talk to him at school, sugar," Caldina suggested towards Hikaru, followed by a cheerful smile on her face. "He was yer friend during yer childhood days, ah?!"

"I still have yet to identify his true motives in the Britannian Empire, Hikaru!" Clef thought. "From what Caldina said, you and the other Magic Knights may need to settle in some negotiations with that Eleven turned knight."

After hearing what Clef told her, Hikaru and the rest of the crowd continued to watch Suzaku's knighting on broadcast.


After Euphy finished her vows when knighting Suzaku Kururugi, she reached both of her hands towards the Honorary Britannian. In response, Suzaku raised his hands up to take his sword back into his scabbard. Euphy stretched out her right arm towards her right side as Suzaku stood up on both of his feet before he turned around to face the audience. After a few minutes of giving Suzaku all sorts of stern looks, Lloyd, who is now dressed in a olive green Britannian Noble outfit, started clapping first before the rest of the crowd started clapping too, congratulating the Honorary Britannian for his official promotion in the Empire. At the same time, Suzaku is also promoted to Major amongst the army of the Holy Britannian Empire, much to the Magic Knights' and the Black Knights' dismay.

As soon as they're done watching the broadcast from the NSX, the Magic Knights all looked at each other nervously before they could say anymore.

"Even if we could, the Black Knights might try something that's totally rash first," Umi warned Clef. "They might even try to capture or kill him on sight! They probably haven't seen the fact that killing people doesn't always solve anything. We all learned this the hard way when facing Zagato and Princess Emeraude."

"Ms. Umi's right. Since the Black Knights are one of the few resistance members ever to wage wars against the Britannian Empire, it might cause a problem to send in an assassin to take care of Mr. Suzaku before we even had the chance to deal with him peacefully," Fuu added in.

"I'll accompany you all to your school to see if we can offer peaceful negotiations with Sir Kururugi, then," Clef suggested to the Magic Knights.

"Speaking of school, we all need to catch up on a lot of stuff at the Ashford Academy," Hikaru said in embarrassment. "Not too mention that President Ashford will be hosting a party for Suzaku's Knighthood there."

"Let's go guys, we haven't got all day!" Umi told her friends before they all left the NSX.


Meanwhile in Euphy's room, she sat down near her desk before making contact with Cornelia on the screen from her laptop. After going over what Euphy went through recently, Cornelia was not impressed the way her sister appointed Suzaku Kururugi as her personal knight. However, Euphy refuses to believe that Suzaku can't go far than being an Honorary Britannian.

"Even though appointing a knight by the order of Royalty, it is out my hands to do it on a Honorary Britannian!"

"But sister, Suzaku Kururugi is an Honorary Britannian that has already proved his worth more than he already has on the battlefield in his knighthood!" Euphy said, protesting against Cornelia's statement. "Viceroy, even you must understand! I believed in Suzaku more than I believed in just Britannia."

"Well, discrimination against the numbers is part of our national policy!" Cornelia retorted.

"So, it will be the time for me to change that!" Euphy said in defense.

"Maybe when you're Empress of Britannia, feel free to do so!" The Viceroy snorted, offensively.

After Cornelia's conversation with Euphy, the screen turned black as the sub-viceroy turned it off out of dismay with her elder sister. As Euphy stood up out of her seat, she turned around to look outside from the tall window while thinking to herself about her and Suzaku's confrontation with Hikaru Shidou on the battlefield, especially after what the Magic Knight of Fire said to her.

"Your people have killed thousands of Japanese! And Cornelia made all of this happen! Why do you even care about what is happening right now between Cephiro and Britannia? This is a war!"

As Euphy took a deep breath, she was hoping that she might find the best time to talk to Hikaru in order to have the Magic Knight come to her senses. When the doors opened behind Euphy, she sees Mr. Shidou, now dressed in a butler's outfit bring in a tray with a plate of small sandwiches, 2 containers of cream and sugar, a teapot, and two tea cups. Before Euphy could say anything, Mr. Shidou puts the tray on top of Euphy's desk. But before Mr. Shidou could leave the room, Euphy came up to him.

"Mr. Shidou wait!" Euphy ordered the butler softly. "There is something I wanted to tell you."

"What do you what, Princess?!" Mr. Shidou grunted in a offended tone. "First, your brothers and sisters were treating me and my wife like dirt when scrubbing their floors and their dishes and now you what to have a word with me like I'm in trouble? I have nothing to say anymore!"

"It's about your daughter, Hikaru!" Euphy continued, making Mr. Shidou snap as he came up to the Princess, while glaring at her with hate.

"What about it?!" Mr. Shidou said, feeling offended. "We had a deal that you'd let our daughter go in exchange for our services. Yet, you dare speak about the suffering that my daughter is going through?! I don't care if you're a Britannian Princess or not. If I were to have the strength to fight back and escape this place, me and my wife will have you held as hostage immediately!"

"It's not what you think, I actually met Hikaru on the battlefield and she was able to make a stand with another group of allied forces, fighting by her side!" Euphy said, making Mr. Shidou's eyes widened with shock and disbelief.

"Our daughter became a resistance fighter going against Britannia?!" Mr. Shidou gasped, feeling a bit relieved. "She's one of the Black Knights too, isn't she?!"

"Actually, it's even more stranger but even more deadlier!" Euphy clarified. "Do you remember about those strange warriors and their strange Knightmares seen in the New World on TV a couple of weeks ago?"

"Yes, I have," Mr. Shidou remembered, giving him a sudden revelation on what Euphy is elaborating about. "Wait, you don't mean that our daugther was..."

"She's actually one of the strange warriors fighting against the Britannian forces in the New World," Euphy said, answering Mr. Shidou's would-be question.

"Wow, I don't believe it!" Mr. Shidou smiled to himself as Ms. Shidou, who is now dressed in a ragged maid's outfit appeared in Euphy's room.

"Believe what, dearie?!" Mrs. Shidou asked her husband.

"Our daughter is actually one of the warriors in the New World fighting for both of us!" Mr. Shidou told his wife, as they both let out tears of happiness come out of their eyes.

"My dear sweet Hikaru!" Mrs. Shidou sobbed happily as she embraced her husband. "I'm so glad she's doing okay!"

"Fret not guys, I might have a plan for you both to see your sons and daughter again," Euphy smiled.

"What makes you think you can let us see our children again, after being enslaved for seven long years?" Mrs. Shidou asked as she wiped her tears from her eyes after her embrace with her husband.

"You just have to trust me, just this once!" Euphy added in before she started muttering something towards them in silence. "And please don't tell anyone about this!"


Back at the Ashford Academy, after hearing about Suzaku's knighting, the Student Council decided to host a grand celebration in the main dinning room for Suzaku Kururugi as they brought out a dozen boxes of pizza and orange soda on the tables.

"Okay guys!" Rivalz announced to the students of the Academy while holding a bottle of orange soda in his right hand. "Time to raise a glass hand to Suzaku Kururugi; valued Student Council and Knight of the Realm. Let's get this party started!"

As Rivalz poured the liquid into Suzaku's glass cup, the other students started cheering while trading conversations to each other all over the hall, congratulating Suzaku for his generous promotion by Euphemia li Britannia. For Nunnally, she planned the celebration for the Honorary Britannian, showing her kindness towards Suzaku. After Suzaku took a sip of soda from his cup, he heard a "Psst" coming from the entrance to another room, adjacent from the main hall. As Suzaku turned around, his eyes widened after seeing Hikaru peeking from the entrance to the other room. Just after he faced Hikaru in battle more than once, Suzaku started sweating underneath his breath, feeling nervous on what the Knight of Fire is going to do next as his enemy.

"Suzaku, over here!" Hikaru whispered as she disappeared from the doorway.

"Would you guys excuse me for a moment?" Suzaku told the Student Council and the party guests as he put his glass down on the table.

When he entered the room that Hikaru was in, Umi and Fuu appeared behind Suzaku as they both slowly closed the doors, not wanting to cause any suspicion around the school. As he looked around, Suzaku notices that a short man is standing right next to Hikaru dressed in a ragged cloak, hiding himself from plain sight. In front of him, two chairs are being stationed apart from a wide wooden table. The Knight of Britannia didn't understood what was going on, until Hikaru gave him a seat for him to sit down across the table from where the cloaked man is at. The moment Suzaku sat down on his seat, Umi and Fuu walked up to both of his sides, making sure that he doesn't try anything stupid in the room that they're all in.

"I know we may be enemies fighting each other for separate countries that are not of our own. However, just be grateful that we won't take our fight anywhere in this school, since it's obviously against the rules of the Campus' policy." Hikaru announced in a grim tone. "We just want to negotiate on peaceful terms before we continue with this senseless battle that Britannia has caused upon the New World."

"If you're asking for my allegiance, I'm not taking it for granted. Besides, my life as an Honorary Britannian is the only thing that kept me going after all those years of military service all the way to this very day," Suzaku said, giving Hikaru a stern look on his face before turning his face towards the cloaked man. "Anyway, who is that short man with you?"

"I am Master Mage Clef of Cephiro!" The Cloaked man said as he took off his hood, revealing himself to Suzaku up front next to Hikaru.

"Clef?!" Suzaku gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"I want to settle this peacefully without you resorting to anymore bloodshed upon my people in Cephiro!" The Master Mage continued. "I thought for sure that most of the Elevens were fighting against Britannia for the sake of their former homeland and for their freedom as well as protecting our homeland in the New World, just like Hikaru, Umi, Fuu and the Black Knights did. But when we found out that you were posing all of those threats in Cephiro and in Area 11 even as an Eleven and not a Britannian, you were making a bad example in front of your own people. So, may I ask why are you doing this to your fellow Elevens?!"

"I wanted to change the world from the inside!" Suzaku answered Clef's question. "I already made sins that went rather unpunished! Speaking of which, are Umi and Fuu..."

"Yes, they happened to be the Magic Knights of Water and Wind fighting for the New World, alongside Hikaru!" Clef said, summarizing on what the Magic Knight trio went through.

"I don't believe it, it was you three the entire time?!" Suzaku gasped as he face Umi and Fuu who are still standing next to both his right and his left.

"You heard what Mr. Clef said, Mr. Suzaku!" Fuu glared. "We all fight for what we believe in and we all became Magic Knights to protect everyone that we love deeply in our hearts. And it was our will that allow us to gain the honors that we all deserve from the people of Cephiro and to make things right for them."

"Yeah! You, however, just had to enter our beloved realm and displayed the complete opposite out of the lot of us. I mean just what are you trying to prove pulling all of those crazy Lancelot stunts like that?!" Umi glared as she scolded the Honorary Britannian. "Think, if you act like a freaking idiot, we're the ones who are going to hear about it. You weren't just a disgrace to us Elevens, you are a disgrace to your own family as well. I mean, if your father ever found out what you have become right now when was still alive, he might kill himself all over again!"

"The fact is guys, my father never committed suicide seven years ago!" Suzaku announced calmly. "I actually killed him!"

"What?!" Clef and the Magic Knights all gasped in unison.

"You heard me. I stabbed him in the heart with a knife back then!" Suzaku continued. "However, I never got blamed for it. It's as if nothing really happened!"

"So just like that, you let Britannia waltz right into Japan as their doorway unchallenged, turning our world into a living hell?!" Hikaru gasped in horror. "How could you?!"

"It was an accident, I swear!" Suzaku responded immediately in a panic tone of voice. "Anyway, enough of all that! What do you guys want with me?!"

"If you were to be a true Knight fighting for a country that isn't your own, just what are you trying to protect right now?" Clef glared at the Honorary Britannian. "If you stop this foolishness in Area 11, we won't pursue you on the battlefield any further."

"That will be a little hard to accomplish, Clef!" Suzaku said sternly. "I joined the Britannian Military to stop people from dying, I have no other way of satisfying my life other than this."

"Well, how do you explain your actions when you let Prince Clovis and Viletta get away from our grip back after for what they did in Cephiro twice?" Hikaru asked in anger.

"It was just the way things are. We follow orders just to display our loyalty towards the Empire than rather break the rules just for personal interests!" Suzaku snapped.

"Well, what do you know about the Imperial Family of the Britannian Empire?" Clef added in. "The Magic Knights already told us the whole story starting from seven years ago, the moment they arrived when Britannian began their invasion upon our land. Some things just cannot be ignored out there. It's not too late to stop what you're doing, Suzaku Kururugi. Besides, we Cephirians know that the Magic Knights needed help in fighting against Britannia to free their loved ones from the Empire's enslavement."

"Why did you and your natives came here? So, that you could take your war to Area 11?" Suzaku asked, feeling infuriated.

"When Britannia attacked our Cephirian villages, they also captured several hundreds of our people and imprisoned them near their Government Bureau. If you tell us the location on where they're being held up, we may order the Black Knights to stop their intention of coming after you." Clef said as he offered his terms to the Honorary Britannian. "Also, since we have Prince Clovis in our custody, you do this and we'll let him go unharmed!"

"You guys captured Prince Clovis?" Suzaku said, feeling offended by what the Master Mage just said.

"We're going to use him as our insurance if the Empire doesn't stand down from their war upon Cephiro," Clef added in. "We'll even try to capture Princess Cornelia just to get our attention as well."

"You wish. I won't hesitate to fight any of you just to protect Cornelia too." Suzaku protested fearlessly against the Magic Knights and the Master Mage. "Besides, I already gave Euphy her word. It was ever since I met her on the streets in Area 11. At first, I thought she was just some random reckless young lady that needs to be restrained. However, when she confronted the rebellious Purist members going against Jeremiah, that's when Euphy finally introduced herself as one of the Imperial Princesses of Britannia. I was grateful that Euphy let me move in to back up Viceroy Cornelia."

"Did Cornelia ever doubted you, even as an Honorary Britannian?" Hikaru asked, putting pressure on Suzaku further. "Because they said that Britannia is known to abuse their power when controlling most of the Areas around the entire world, such as instigating discrimination and physical torment. How much do you know about Princess Euphy anyway?"

"She's actually nothing like Cornelia to begin with, even as sub-viceroy of Area 11!" Suzaku said defending against the 3rd Britannian Princess. "If you guys don't believe me, why don't you go speak with her for yourself then?"

"Then, how about this?!" Clef asked, clarifying his offers towards the Honorary Britannian. "You let Princess Euphemia speak with us on a diplomatic solution to end the war between Britannia, the Black Knights, and Cephiro and free our people, and we may not have to fight anymore. How's that sound?!"

"Okay fine. But I can't keep any promises, Clef!" Suzaku acknowledged in a cautious tone. "The Britannian Army is still watching your every move and if I've been given the order to eliminate my enemies, whether it was done by Euphy or someone with a higher rank, don't expect me to show any mercy!"

Upon hearing this, Clef and Hikaru hurdled towards each other and made whisperings, in which Suzaku cannot hear. After a few minutes of discussing their options quietly, they disengaged with their private conversation before facing Suzaku again. As Hikaru took a deep breath, she makes her verdict in front of Euphy's personal knight.

"Very well, but if any of those Britannian scoundrels started attacking us first, the deal will be off!" Hikaru snorted as she reluctantly accepted Suzaku's terms.


After Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu let Suzaku leave the room, he went back to the party being held by his fellow students. However, as soon as Kallen entered the main hall and spotted Suzaku talking to a couple of students, she takes out a pink cellphone from her pocket and held it behind her back with her right hand. Unknown to most of the students and staff, Kallen's cellphone had a blade hidden in one of its edges. In her mind, Kallen insisted on assassinating Suzaku for the sake of Zero after learning that he was commandeering the Lancelot back at Narita and at the Shinjuku Getto. However, before Kallen got any closer, Hikaru stepped in and grabbed her wrist that had the blade in her hand, making the Britannian-Japanse student gasp in shock.

"Kallen, I think Shirley needs help with the pizzas!" Hikaru told the undercover Black Knight Ace.

"Sorry, Hikaru. But I was in the middle of something..." Kallen replied in a nervous tone.

"Well, maybe you could help out with the other students!" Lelouch said to Kallen as he appeared behind Hikaru.

As Suzaku turned around, he spotted Lelouch and Hikaru talking to Kallen.

"Lelouch, are you...?"

"Sorry, Suzaku I got held up!" Lelouch replied to his childhood friend.

"No problem, I'm just happy that you were able to show up." Suzaku said as he went up to the former Britannian Prince.

At the same time, Hikaru led Kallen away from the two 17-year old boys during their conversation. The moment Hikaru took Kallen outside of the main dinning room, she makes her private conversation with the Guren pilot, inside a nearby storage room.

"This may not be the best time to assassinate Suzaku, Kallen!" Hikaru said grimly. "Clef and I already had a talk with him earlier. We made a deal with him that if he brings in Euphy to us to go over a diplomatic solution to end Britannia's invasion over Cephiro, we'll call off their planned attack upon the Government Bureau later on."

"Well, what if that's not enough?" Kallen asked in denial. "Even if they gave up invading Cephiro, the Empire will still remain at large since they still have control over 1/3 of the entire world. They may not listen with your reasoning if you know what I mean."

"Since we have Clovis as our prisoner, we'll use him in exchange for the freedom of all the people that they have captured when they attacked Cephiro. As soon as Euphy shows up, I'm sure she'll definitely order her fellow Britannians to stand down and sign in a peace treaty before we let Clovis go." Hikaru said, planning her diplomatic negotiations.

"Did you really think that's going to work? What if they're planning to lead you and the Magic Knights into a trap? How would that affect Cephiro's Army Morale?" Kallen asked in a protesting tone. "Suzaku still needs to be punished for his betrayal in Area 11!"

"We still need to show our honor as knights fighting for justice because if we do in Suzaku right now, we might become just as bad as the Britannians!" Hikaru continued as she gave Kallen a stern look from her face. "It's just like when we faced the leaders of the three neighboring countries invading Cephiro three years ago. They may show their ruthlessness in battle but deep down, they all fight for the people they care about too, just like we Magic Knights do!"

"You maybe right! But I still don't know what is Suzaku really fighting for in Area 11!" Kallen said, feeling a bit defeated by Hikaru's speech. "Zero is contemplating in trying to capture Suzaku for some personal interrogation."

"Not yet! You may need to convince Zero and your fellow Black Knights to stand down. The last thing we need right now is for someone in both of our groups to violently intercept Cephiro's diplomatic mission with Princess Euphemia!" Hikaru replied in a serious tone.

"That won't be easy, but I'll see what I can do!" Kallen replied in an anxious tone of voice.

As soon as Kallen and Hikaru left the storage room, they ran into Nina and Lloyd. Before they could say anything, Lloyd gave Hikaru an arrogant look, followed by a sly smile on the Earl's face. Upon noticing the Earl's behavior, Hikaru is starting to suspect that Lloyd might be up to something.


Meanwhile at the party, Lloyd appeared at the doorway with Nina next to his right. Earlier, Nina was studying Uranium Isotopes, much to the Earl's curiosity. In Nina's mind, the shy Britannian student could not help but think about how Euphy intervened with the JLF while being held hostage from the other night, along with Shirley and Milly. After being saved by the Lancelot, Nina thought of Euphy as her Goddess for saving her from the JLF. However, Nina never had the chance to thank Euphy yet since the 3rd Princess had duties to attend to as a Royal and Sub-Viceroy of Area 11. In just a few minutes, Milly Ashford approached the Earl as she greeted Lloyd up front.

"Lloyd, I didn't think you'd show up here!" Milly said, while being surprised.

"You two know each other?" Nina asked softly.

"Milly and I were to be married!" Lloyd blurted out calmly before speaking to the School President. "Isn't that right honey bunch?!"

Upon hearing what the Earl just said, the entire crowd behind Milly gasped, while the female students started squealing with delight.

"There goes the neighborhood!" Suzaku muttered to himself as he remembered Lloyd's secret.

At the same time, Rivalz ran right up in-between Lloyd and Milly in trying to clarify on what is really going on here, starting with Milly Ashford.

"Whoa, seriously?! I'm mean who is this guy?"

"He's Earl Lloyd Asplund!" Milly replied.

"EARL? It's on honor your lordship!" Rivalz said as he bowed towards Lloyd. "And what's your relationship with him again?!"

"Milly and I are betrothed!" Lloyd answered, making Rivalz freak out.

Despite their relationship between the Earl and the School President, Suzaku changes the subject by asking Lloyd on what his next mission would be.

"So Lloyd, do I have another mission in the Military?"

"Princess Euphemia has requested to accompany you on a diplomatic mission with the Cephirian nobles at Shinkene Island!" Lloyd replied as he smiled.

"I see!" Suzaku thought to himself. "I hope Hikaru and Clef know what they're both doing!"


Meanwhile back onboard the NSX after school, the Magic Knights and Clef told the rest of Cephiro's leaders about the diplomatic mission taking place at Shinkene Island. After going over the paperwork and making their decisions, it has been decided that Hikaru, Umi, Fuu, Clef, Lantis, and Prince Ferio will be reaching their destination to meet up with Euphy to have her sign in the Peace Treaty. In addition, all six people went onboard Geo's NSX v.i.a Shinkene Island. As the NSX crew plotted a course to Shinkene Island, they also brought onboard three unique customized Cephirian Knightmares, thanks to Rakshata's development research and Autozam's technology: Archwizard, The Green Ranger, and the Black Crusader!

Clef's "Archwizard" is a white mechanical wizard-like Knightmare with white Tungsten Armor Platings, a tall-pointy wizard hat, and a white cape. It is armed with a tall white staff, with a large, blue diamond encased at its front end. On the Archwizard's shoulders, they were mounted with White Epualets with blue linings. For its cape, it is embroidered with a blue Cephirian Emblem. For its face, it has a white, long beard and light-blue eyes. In the Archwizard's right side of its cockpit, it has a blue-lighting MVS holstered in its sheath.

Ferio's "Green Ranger" is a Gloucester-customized Knightmare painted in Green Tungsten Armor Platings and pauldrons, with a green and tan cloak covering up its head all the way down to its knees. Just like Ferio's sword, the Green Ranger is armed with a huge-Scimitar like blade that is glowing in a light-green hue holstered on its back, not covered up by its cloak. In addition, the Green Ranger is carrying a huge Golden Bow gun mounted in its right arm, which is loaded with anti-Knightmare explosive arrows that shoots out from the Bow's muzzle. On both of the Ranger's waists, it also armed with arrowhead-like Harkens that shoot out 150 feet followed by retractable ropes. Underneath the cloak, the Ranger's face has a green scarf covering up it mouth and it has dark-green eyes coming out from its sockets.

Lantis' "Black Crusader" happens to be a Black armored Knightmare with grey-lining pauldrons, Crusader's Helmet, and a grey cape bearing the symbol of Rayearth. It's armed with a blue lightsaber that carries a shell-like guard that is drawn out from underneath its right arm; whenever it is drawn out, it shoots out a beam that stretches 15 meters from its guard. What's more impressive is that the Black Crusader's lightsaber has the capability to fire out a powerful beam of light at its enemies. It also has a built-in lighting shield that can be activated manually from the cockpit. When the shield is activated, it discharges out an electrical grey barrier that protects Lantis' Knightmare from incoming enemy fire. On the Black Knightmare's right pauldron, it's mounted with an X-2 Ion Cannon that was developed by Rakshata when she analyzed the blueprints printed out from the NSX's Mecha Armory, along with a few special improvements.

All three of Cephirian Knightmares are developed without the Float System in which has yet to be analyzed and designed by Rakshata herself. As Geo Metro stood at the bridge of the NSX, along with the Magic Knights and the three Cephirian Leaders, the Sub-Commander couldn't help but snicker at special Knightmare designs that Rakshata made for Cephiro's best warriors. While the Magic Knights looked at the three new Knightmares from the cameras leading down to the NSX's Hangar, Rakshata came up to Hikaru before making her statements.

"So, how do you like Rakshata's new creations?!"

"They look more advanced than our Rune Gods!" Hikaru said, feeling uneasy with Rakshata's creations.

"She said that they'll have to do for now!" Geo suggested. "After all, the only way to beat your enemies is by learning on how to adapt to their combat abilities and use it against them. Rakshata also said that she still needs to work on several more Knightmare designs for Caldina, Presea, and Lafarga just to improve their survivability in Knightmare Combat."

"I hope we don't need to use them in battle yet, since we're trying to go for a Peace Treaty with Euphemia!" Ferio told the group, much to Lantis' and Clef's agreeing with the Prince's statement.

"We just need to be prepared for the worst that is yet to come!" Lantis suggested to Ferio. "It's better than relying on those old Knightmare hand-me downs at least!"

"Say, Mr. Geo!" Fuu asked the Sub-Commander while he is still watching over her crew members below him. "Have we received word that the Black Knights are standing down?"

"Well, they still have plans for Suzaku later on, Fuu!" Geo answered, followed by a grunt. "So, we might as well keep them at bay until they say otherwise."


Somewhere at Sea, a Britannian Battleship is making its way towards Shinkene Island. From inside the bridge, Suzaku, Cecil, and Lloyd are all standing up as they see the clear blue ocean. As they looked forward, Suzaku couldn't help but question on what will they achieve during their diplomatic mission with Cephiro's Leaders.

"Are you sure we'll negotiate with the Cephirians at Shinkene Island than rather at the Tokyo Settlement?!"

"I'm curious at wondering why!" Cecil spoke to Suzaku.

"You mean you don't know why either?" Suzaku asked as his eyes widened with shock.

"Well, we rather do it in a quiet area so that neither side will attract the wrong kind of attention!" Lloyd said, answering for Suzaku. "If it's true that one of your friends is actually one of those Magic Knights that rallied the forces of the New World against us, we may need to settle this in a civilized manner than rather resort to aggressive savagery!"


Meanwhile underwater below Shinkene Island, a Black Knight submarine is lurking below the ocean depths. Inside the briefing room, Zero makes his appearance in front of the Black Knights and the Four Holy Swords in a single file line before making his announcement, with C.C standing behind them.

"Princess Euphemia is going to Shinkene Island to meet with the Representatives of Cephiro, escorted by the Magic Knights! Suzaku Kururgi will be accompanying Euphy during their diplomatic mission. While they keep them distracted, we are to infiltrate the airbase on that Island and neutralize the security there without raising the alarm. As soon as we have the airbase under our control, we'll have Hikaru take Suzaku and the Lancelot into custody!"

"What happens after we got him?!" Tamaki asked Zero."

"You guys leave that to me!" Zero explained further.

Inside the Submarine's armoury, Diethard was standing on the balcony while observing Rakshata and her co-workers going over their paperwork. In just a few minutes, Zero appeared behind him as he gets straight to the point from what Kallen tried to do at school.

"Diethard, what did you talked to Kallen on doing?!"

"I told her what she needed to dig up on Kururugi!" Diethard answered calmly with a small grin on his face. "Actually, maybe I implied her to do more than that."

"Don't overdo your bounds!" Zero told the journalist sternly. "I didn't give out any order in assassinating Suzaku! Luckily, Hikaru was able to deal with her at school before it got any worse!"

"What did Hikaru do instead of going after Suzaku like last time?!" Diethard asked, feeling a bit lost over where this is heading.

"She and her allied Cephirians request Suzaku to have Princess Euphy to sign the peace treaty to end the war in the New World, in exchange they'll give Prince Clovis back." Zero explained, from what the Knight of Fire told him earlier.

"We can't have people thinking of us as cold-blooded killers, I know!" Diethard thought. "Even the Magic Knights didn't want to spill blood unjustly. However, unlike them, we can't change the world without getting our hands dirty!"

"What are you really after?! You may have been demoted, but you're still a Britannian!" Zero said, clarifying Diethard's personal background. "You don't need to join the Black Knights to change the world, do you?!"

"Ever since I saw Lady Hikaru and the Magic Knights first displayed her true power on the battlefield as they saved the Cephirians, even before facing Suzaku in battle, it felt like that a glimmer of hope has appeared before the natives of the New World. It was like that a new group of Knights arose from the depths of the underworld, and without hesitation, they all fought to drive away the evil that threatens to descend upon the natives, much to their miraculous relief and joyfulness. Even as Elevens, the Cephirians never felt discouraged by the presence of the Magic Knights from the other world; they're just as honorable as the Black Knights are! With such a sudden display of events, it has trembled before me with such thrills way beyond comprehension. Since they're facing off the Empire just like the Black Knights are, I want to see how will their combined forces topple them off from their governing. Even now, I still want to document them the same way as I wanted document on you, Zero!" Diethard said, while summarizing everything that happened on the day that the Magic Knights appeared before Viletta's forces and laid waste to them.

"Documenting both the Magic Knights and the Black Knights?" Zero pondered as he turned around, facing away from Diethard. "I'd say that you're rather in the thick of it and that you're fabricating history!"

"Objectivity is a fairy tale! In the end, journalism is a product of the human mind just like everything else!" Diethard explained further.

"You are not to interfere with military matters!" Zero ordered as he spoke behind his back at the journalist.


In a few hours later, the NSX landed 25 feet above the ocean next to the docks, across from where the Britannian Battleship is stationed at. As Euphy and Suzaku came out of the ship, they were escorted by several Britannian Naval officers and agents, along with Lloyd and Cecil. As they all approached the NSX, stopping 25 yards away from it, the NSX's side hatch opened up, revealing the Magic Knights in person, along with Ferio, Clef, and Lantis! Upon realizing that the Magic Knights are all Elevens, most of the Naval officers couldn't help but sweat underneath their breaths. However, Euphy was able to look up at them without fear or anxiety, apart from what Suzaku is feeling.

The moment the Magic Knights and the Cephirians went down the ramp from the NSX, they were met with several officers aiming their handguns at them cautiously.

"So that young man must be Suzaku Kururugi!" Lantis thought to himself, noticing the 17-year old boy wearing an orange Britannian soldier's uniform.

"Welcome to Shinkene Island, Representatives of Cephiro!" Euphy greeted in a formal manner. "I am Euphemia Li Britannia, 3rd Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire!"

"Yeah, we already met!" Hikaru grunted anxiously.

"Watch it, young lady!" The Britannian Captain growled as he aimed his handgun at the Knight of Fire. "The members of the Britannian Royal Family deserves some respect!"

"It's alright Captain!" Euphy said, trying to calm the officers down. "We just want to talk to them peacefully!"

"Euphy, this is Lantis the Magic Swordsman and Commander of Cephiro's finest guards!" Hikaru said while introducing the black-haired man clad in black armor, before introducing the Master Mage and the green-haired swordsman.

"This is Master Mage Clef and Prince Ferio of Cephiro!"

"Ferio, huh?!" Suzaku muttered to himself, before Lloyd stepped in.

"This seems quite odd for a bunch of young female Elevens to rally people from the New World to fight by their side!" The Earl grinned sheepishly. "Anyway, I'm Lloyd Asplund, head of the Special Corps. And this is Cecil Croomy, my business partner."

"It's a please to meet you all." Cecil said, introducing herself to the Magic Knights and referring to the blue-haired girl and the blond-haired girl with the glasses. "I never thought that you strange warriors are also from Area 11 too. I see that you two must be Umi Ryuuzaki and Fuu Houoji, Hikaru's friends and comrades!"

"Trust me, Ms. Cecil, we go a long way back!" Fuu replied, followed by a small smile on her face.

"Let's get straight to the point. We're here to negotiate a peace treaty with Britannia before handing Prince Clovis back!" Clef said offering the terms. "If you leave our world alone and give back our people, I promise you all that Clovis will not be harmed onboard the NSX when turning him in."

"I'm pretty sure that this is all a big misunderstanding, Master Mage Clef!" Euphy said, trying to stay calm when dealing with the Master Mage. "My brother and my sister were only just doing their duties while taking charge in the expedition in your world, just like Suzaku and Cornelia."

"Is Cornelia here with you, Princess?!" Ferio asked sternly.

"Not right now!" Euphy said, answering the Cephirian Prince's question. "She had some stuff that needs to be taken care of outside of Area 11 temporarily! As Sub-Viceroy, it is my duty to maintain law and order during the Viceroy's absence. I'm sure that if I sign in your peace treaty, she won't lay a hand on any of your fellow Cephirians."

"Why didn't you step in and talked Clovis out of this?" Lantis asked the 3rd Princess of Britannia sternly.

"I didn't have enough responsibility to handle the same leadership that Clovis and Cornelia do!" Euphy said, feeling ashamed of herself. "But not that it matters, I'll make it up to all of you by all means.

"Since Cornelia isn't here right now, are you sure you can handle this on your own?" Hikaru asked, glaring at Euphy cautiously.

"Trust me, Hikaru!" Suzaku suggested to the Knight of Fire in a serious tone. "She can be reckless with her determination, just like you are!"

"Lantis, if you please?" Ferio asked the Magic Swordsman as he snapped his fingers. Not a moment too soon, Lantis brought out a scroll from underneath his grey cape and handed it over to the Prince. Just as Ferio took the scroll, he started reading it as he stretched it vertically with his left hand holding it from the top and his right hand holding it from the bottom.

"To any Royal Members of the Holy Britannian Empire, Cephiro has requested them to beg forgiveness to every citizen in their country that has suffered from genocide, kidnapping, looting, and enslavement. If you accept our terms, we also requested to release all the Cephirians that have been captured during the attacks upon every village in Cephiro, ensuring that no Britannian will ever lay a hand on any Cephirian native on sight at anytime and anywhere. Furthermore, we request all and any Britannians not to strike a hand against any allies of Cephiro, whether it is in Area 11 or in the New World of Cephiro, such as the Magic Knights and the people of Autozam, Chizeta, and Fahren. By signing in this peace treaty, you have accepted our terms that will soon be carried out to all citizens in both Area 11 and Cephiro. However, if any Britannian citizen, soldier, or Royal member violates any or all of following terms written above, this treaty will be terminated in three days unless notified in advance of any misunderstandings and to provide evidence in explaining it. If this isn't met at the end of the 3rd day, we will attack any Britannians on sight if entering Cephiro at anytime in the future."

"I understand!" Euphy acknowledged as she took out her pen before signing in the peace treaty.

"Sub-Viceroy, I don't know if we can accept their terms, they might be trying to trick us with sinister intentions!" The Naval Captain said, warning Euphy of what the Cephirians are really up to.

"If I can help Suzaku change his life to a better one, then I can also do the same for the Magic Knights and all of Cephiro!" Euphy said, in a determining tone of voice. "This might be my only chance to convince them to leave with their stolen goods."

However, before Euphy could write her signature on Ferio's Peace Treaty, Suzaku's intercom started buzzing in his right ear. As he excused himself from the private conference at Shinkene Island, Suzaku makes his response through his intercom.

"This is Major Kururugi reporting for duty!"

As the voice started speaking to Suzaku on the intercom, he immediately glared at the Magic Knights and drew his gun out at Hikaru without warning. Before anyone could react, Suzaku's gun fired at Hikaru, only to be intercepted by Fuu's Wings of Protection.

"SUZAKU, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Hikaru shrieked as she drew out her broadsword.

"Sorry Hikaru, but I've been given orders to have you all eliminated. So, you might as well forget your pathetic peace treaty!" Suzaku snarled.

At the same time, just like Suzaku, the Naval officers and the Britannian agents also listened to their intercoms and drew out their handguns before aiming them at the Magic Knights and the Cephirian Representatives. At the same time, Lloyd and Cecil felt surprised by an unexpected turn of events. Just as they opened fire, Clef raised his staff above and casted his spell to block the bullets heading straight for them.

"BARRIER SHIELD!"

"Everyone, get back onboard the NSX!" Ferio said, shouting out orders to the Magic Knights, Clef, and Lantis.

After the Magic Knights and the Cephirians ran back inside the Autozamian Battleship, along with Ferio's peace treaty in his hands, Euphy started to question herself on what went through Suzaku and the Britannians' heads just now.

"Guys, why are you shooting at them for?" Euphy asked, in anger. "I didn't recall giving out any order to do that!"

"Sorry, your highness. But we have just received word from our intercoms that their Black Knight allies just started attacking one of Britannia's airforce bases nearby at Shinkene Island, leaving the Magic Knights and the Cephirians to distract us!" Suzaku growled. "They ordered us to gun them down immediately for stalling! But no matter, they won't get very far, even while onboard that Autozamian Battleship!"


At the airforce base, several explosions erupted all over the area, destroying the aircraft carriers and VTOL gunships. It turns out that the Black Knights made too much noise when attempting to take over this area by force. As the VTOL gunship gets blown up by a Slash Harken coming from below, Tohdou's Gekka appears out of the forest, along with several Black Knight Burais!

"I can't believe that they spotted us and raised the alarm too soon!" Tohdou muttered to himself in embarrassment, as a Britannian Sutherland Sentry detected them in the forest a few minutes earlier. "That can only mean that the Magic Knights and the Cephirians have failed to reason with the Britannians at the docks."

As Tohdou activated his command channel from his Gekka, he issues out orders to the Black Knights.

"First Squad, Advance! Zero Squad, provide covering fire on their flanks!"

"FILTHY ELEVENS!" One of the Britannian pilots inside a Sutherland shouted as he opened fire at the Black Knights with his Assault Rifle.

The moment Kallen's Guren appeared and blasted an enemy Sutherland with her Radium Claw, she sees Rayearth appear right beside her, glaring at the Ace Pilot in anger and frustration.

"Kallen, what did you guys do? Geo bypassed the communication channel on Suzaku's intercom, only to discover that our Black Knight allies were caught causing chaos here, preventing Euphy from signing in Cephiro's Peace Treaty! As a result, Suzaku and the Britannians started opening fire upon us at the docks. I thought I told you to have the Black Knights stand down!"

"We got a little carried away when one of the Britannian Sentries caught us sneaking around this airforce base! I'll apologize for that!" Kallen replied in a embarrassed tone.

"Well, I'll deal with you and Zero later, young lady!" Clef hissed at Kallen as he appeared piloting his ArchWizard Knightmare, which was dropping in from above a few feet behind where Rayearth is standing.

As three Sutherlands steered towards the Archwizard, Clef activated the Knightmare's white staff and aimed it at the Britannian Knightmares on sight. In just mere seconds, the staff shoots out a 3-way Electrical Discharge and struck all three Sutherlands with one go. When the electricity struck at the Sutherlands, they all collapsed after getting jolted from the inside of their cockpits, putting all three of its pilots into cardiac arrest.

In the next minute, Clef sees a volley of missiles heading straight for him, in which was fired from an enemy Gloucester standing on top of a nearby building a several meters in front of the Master Mage. Without hesitation, Clef's Archwizard slammed its white staff into the ground with its flat end and spew out a large blue circle surrounding the white Knightmare. Just when the missiles got closer, the blue circle formed into a blue dome, protecting the Archwizard from getting hammered by its explosive damage. Feeling annoyed for not taking down the Archwizard, the Gloucester drew out its MVS and jumped off the building before charged towards the wizard-customized Knightmare. However, the Archwizard raised its left hand and shot out 4 finger-like Harkens at the charging Gloucester. As all 4 finger harkens pierced the Gloucester in both of its legs and arms, all of its limbs were zapped from within before they all exploded, making the Gloucester's remaining torso fall face flat on the ground before its hump back cockpit flew away from the battlefield. As the 4 fingers retracted themselves back to the Archwizard's left hand, Clef couldn't be more impressed that he was able to use a Knightmare of his own than rather use his magic against his enemies in Area 11.

"That Rakshata sure is quite a genius!" Clef thought as he pressed forward with his Archwizard, along with Hikaru after she took down 5 more enemy Sutherlands with her Fire and Lighting Magic.

On the other side of the Airbase, Ferio and Lantis deployed their Knightmares "Green Ranger" and "Black Crusader" in the middle of the raid. Those who weren't engaging the Black Knights opened fire at the two Cephirian Customized Knightmares with their Assault Rifles and their Giant Cannons. Despite their efforts, however, Lantis and Ferio were able to easily dodge their enemy fire with their steering, just like did when they took control of their customized Sutherland and Burai Kai.

Lantis charged forward with his Black Crusader as he drew out his blue lightsaber from underneath its right arm. With just one swift stroke of the saber, the Black Crusader steered towards the enemy and at the same time, he sliced 3 Sutherlands and dissected their torsos from their waists before they collapsed on their backs. When another Sutherland appeared at the Black Crusader's side and opened fire with its Staffen Missles and Assault Rifle, the Black Knightmare activated its electrical shield, zapping every missile that gets too close and shrugged off the enemy bullets. Before the Sutherland had a chance to fire again, the Black Crusader rotated its torso towards him and fired its Ion Cannon at the Knightmare's face, making it blow off from its torso before falling on its back. As the Black Crusader rotated its torso back to its normal position, its left pauldron opened up a hidden rocket pod. Just when a squad of 6 enemy Sutherlands appeared 10 meters from where Lantis' Knightmare is standing at, the Black Crusader started shooting out a volley of 20 small rockets. Upon impact, the rockets delivering multiple small cluster explosions that turned all 6 Sutherlands into a collapsed wreck, forcing all 6 pilots to eject from their wrecked Knightmares.

After Lantis moved on ahead to deal with the enemy garrison unit, Ferio's Green Ranger took out its Golden Bow gun and started shooting down the enemy Knightmares firing from above him. For every shot fired from the Ferio's Knightmares' Bow, it unleashed a powerful bolt filled with green energy. As the enemy Sutherlands got hit by the Ranger's Bow, it pierced its Tungsten Armor in the torso and sometimes through its face before they fell off the buildings that they're on top of. After shooting down three more enemy Sutherlands with his Bow gun, the Green Ranger drew out its huge scimitar from its scabbard and slashed at one Sutherland towards its left with one swift diagonal chop as Ferio's Knightmare steered right past him in a blink of an eye, cutting down the Britannian knightmare from its right shoulder down to its left waist and dissecting it in two before it exploded behind the Cephirian Prince. In a small distance, two VTOL gunships appeared in front of the Green Ranger and opened fire with their machine guns. Despite such efforts, however, both gunships are met with the Green Knightmare's Arrowhead Slash Harkens, obliterating them sky-high.

"OH YEAH! I'M ON FIRE!" Ferio shouted, excitedly as he made several more diagonal slashes with his Knightmare's Scimitar, along with a couple of hits with his Slash Harkens.

While the Magic Knights, Clef, Lantis, Ferio, and Kallen's group continued their fight against the Britannian Garrison Unit at the enemy airbase, Zero watches them from above while standing on top of a cliff with his Burai. As Zero sits inside the cockpit of his Burai, he couldn't help but imagine how impressive the warriors of Cephiro really are when defending their country.

"Impressive! It's no wonder that Cephiro's finest warriors were able to hold their ground against the Britannian Invaders back at their homeland without using any Knightmares before then. Now I have to wait until Euphy and Suzaku make their move here upon our visit!"


Back at port, a jeep carrying 4 Britannian Officers appeared in front of Suzaku, the Special Corps members, and Euphy. As the jeep stopped, one of the officers stood up from his seat as he makes his report in front of Sub-Viceroy Euphy.

"Headquarters appears to be under some sort of attack by the Black Knights!"

"We'll withdraw to the Tokyo Settlement!" Cecil suggested as she issues her orders towards the Britannian Officers. "Can you arrange an escort unit for Princess Euphemia?!"

"Negative! It's too risky to leave right now!" One of the Officers responded negatively. "They're jamming us with some wide-range interference!"

"You're going to be fine!" Suzaku told Euphy. "Don't worry your highness; I won't let any harm come to you!"

"No, Suzaku! You should go and help those men fend off the attack!" Euphy ordered her personal knight, referring to the garrison unit stationed at HQ.

"But Sub-Viceroy, he's an Honorary Britannian!" One of the officers protested, referring to Suzaku Kururugi. "We're certain that we are dealing with the Black Knights and Cephiro's Armies. What if he turns the Lancelot against us?!"

"You do realize that you're criticizing a member of royalty, right?!" Lloyd reminded the officer, noticing his defiant behavior towards Princess Euphy.

"Oh, uh! Forgive me, I didn't mean to!" The officer muttered in embarrassment.

"Kururugi, demonstrate your valor for us today, so that we'll silence all their threats and capture the Magic Knights on sight!" Euphy said, giving out her orders towards Suzaku up front.

"Right!" Suzaku acknowledged as he went back inside the Britannian Battleship to ready the Lancelot.


As Kallen fired her Guren's wrist cannon at one Sutherland, making him eject upon defeat, the red Knightmare jumped backwards, evading firings coming from the second enemy Sutherland, zeroed into it before returning fire.

"WORTHLESS GARRISON UNIT!" Kallen snarled as she unleashed her Radium Waves upon the second Sutherland, making him collapse in a wrecked state, than rather explode into a million pieces.

"I'll finish the job... WHAT?!" Tamaki grinned before being startled after his Burai gets attacked from behind.

As Tamaki ejected from his exploding Knightmare, the Lancelot appears as he retraced his slash harkens back into both of its arms. The next thing the white Knightmare did was activate its energy shield, blocking off incoming fire from the Green Ranger's Bow Gun. While inside the Lancelot, Suzaku noticed that the Cephirians are commandeering strange, medieval-like Knightmares, apart from the Magic Knights' Rune God Knightmares.

"It looks like the Cephirians are able to adapt to Knightmare combat, just like the Black Knights did," Suzaku thought to himself. "But no matter, I'll still take them on!"

When the Lancelot drew out his MVS, he charged straight at the Green Ranger and was met with a huge Scimitar Blade lashing out at him. After backing away from one attack by the Green Ranger's Scimitar, the Lancelot raised his MVS and slammed its blade onto the Green Knightmare's blade in close proximity. While struggling to maintain his guard against Suzaku's Lancelot, Ferio was able to raise his voice from inside the Green Ranger.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with, young man!" Ferio snarled in anger. "You have no honor when fighting against your own people!"

"If you hand over Zero now, I'll make this easy for you Prince Ferio!" Suzaku hissed as he shoved the GR's Scimitar away from the Lancelot's face.

"He's still watching us from above. So, if you want him so bad, you're going to have to come and get him personally!" Ferio smirked as his Green Ranger jumped backwards 25 feet away from the Lancelot.

As Suzaku looked further behind the Green Ranger, he spots Zero standing on top of his Burai from the Lancelot's main camera.

"Zero, there you are!"

"That's right Suzaku, come!" Zero glared at the Lancelot from the distance. "Hikaru, lure him in!"

"Understood!" Hikaru said as she and Rayearth appeared next to the Green Ranger. "Hey Suzaku! Over here!"

"Hikaru, you are mine!" Suzaku smirked as he sets his sights on the Magic Knight of Fire and Rayearth while piloting his Lancelot.

As Rayearth flew in a straight line, with the Lancelot chasing her down, the Black Knights and Cephiro's warriors scattered while Tohdou gives out his orders to the group.

"Confirming target! All units, assume formation and fall back. Let Lady Hikaru lure the Lancelot in. Do not fire on the target. I repeat. Do not Fire!"

At the same time, the Lancelot and Rayearth resumed their fierce sword fight from last time. The moment Rayearth landed on the ground, she drew out her Escudo Broadsword and clashed her blade against the Lancelot's MVS. In the next move, the Lancelot lifted the MVS up high and slammed a right kick at Rayearth's face only for it to get blocked by the Rune God's red shield. In retaliation, Rayearth attempted to slam his shield into the Lancelot's face, using its lion's claw from its lower end like a bayonet. However, the Lancelot dodged Rayearth's shield thrust and slid past the Rune God with its right foot above its left foot. In a split second, the Lancelot did a sweeping arc with its MVS at Rayearth's legs only for Hikaru to jump up high, missing the blade by a mere inch of her feet. Just when Hikaru and Rayearth are now in mid-air, she aimed her magic at the Lancelot.

"FLAME ARROW!"

As the flaming missile shot towards the white Knightmare, Suzaku steered the Lancelot to its side, dodging Hikaru's magic for he cannot risk blocking it with its shield and making the shield blow up from its overuse. After the Lancelot evading Hikaru's magic, Suzaku continued to chase after the Red Rune God all over the HQ, with their swords flashing and clanging against each other.


Meanwhile, inside the HQ, the commander in charge of the base is standing in front of his subordinates. The subordinates are seen at their work stations, working on their computers as they surveyed and analyzed the surroundings of their base, as well as making reports for any strange unusual activity in the area. Before the commander knew it, he has received a phone call from Prince Shinizel. As the commander listened closely to what his caller said to him, he makes his report to the Britannian Prince.

"Yes, thanks to the Special Corps! What?! But that would mean...! Yes, your highness!"

After several sword duels and hit and runs, Rayearth finally lured the Lancelot straight into a huge, circular sand ditch.

"She's not putting up a fight like last time. Is Hikaru trying to draw me into a trap, using herself as bait?!" Suzaku thought in his mind. "If that's true, then I'm going to take her down quickly before its too late! FINE THEN!"

As the Lancelot fired its right Slash Harken from its hand, striking into the sand a few inches from where Rayearth is moving towards, the Rune God stopped and turned around to face the white Knightmare while making a defensive posture with her Broadsword. The moment the Lancelot landed in front of Rayearth, he aimed his Varis at the Rune God, pointing the rifle straight at her face.

"Hikaru, I've got you..."

"Right where..."

"I want you!"

At the same time, the whole sentence was broken up into three pieces, spoke by Suzaku, Hikaru, and then Fuu. After Fuu finished her sentence, she unleashed a torrent of her wind magic from Windam's hand at the Lancelot while in mid-air, a few meters above Rayearth.

"WINGS OF ADMONISHMENT!"

As the spell struck at the Lancelot, it wrapped around the white Knightmare. As a result, the Lancelot is unable to move or break free, much to Suzaku's shock. While inside his cockpit, Suzaku sees red lights flashing as it started beeping in an alarming rate, with the screen turning black as the cameras turn off.

"What the? Did Fuu just restrain my Knightmare with her powers?! This isn't good!"

As Suzaku uselessly struggled with the controls inside the Lancelot's cockpit, he hears Zero from the communication channel as he came out of his Knightmare. The next thing Suzaku saw was that Zero's Burai appearing several feet across from where the Lancelot is standing. After Windam descended from her flight and landed next to the Burai and Rayearth, Zero makes his announcement towards Euphy's personal knight.

"We need to talk Kururugi! I suggest you come out! Your secondary systems should be functioning. You'll be treated as an prisoner under Cephirian Law! Of course, if you don't care to talk, we could just gun you down!"

Before Suzaku knew it, he finds himself surrounded by the Black knights' Knightmares, Selece, Archwizard, Green Ranger, and the Black Crusader all aiming their weapons and magic at Lancelot from above the Burai, Windam, and Rayearth.


Meanwhile back on board the Britannian Ship, Cecil is checking on the Lancelot's stats from a nearby computer only to find that white Knightmare is being disabled by one of the Magic Knights' supernatural powers, which is seen on the main screen.

"Suzaku in trouble, guys!" Cecil reported as she observed the malfunctions all over the Lancelot's interface. "I think Lady Fuu must've used something on the Lancelot that's making it stop abruptly in its tracks; something that is shutting down the Sakuradite System."

"I don't care!" Euphy said, taken back against what Cecil just reported from the computer. "Tell Suzaku to abandon the unit! What could possibly go wrong?!"

"It seems that the Knight of Wind was able to restrain the Lancelot with some sort of binding power!" Lloyd said, grimly.

"Wait, you mean...?!" Cecil asked Lloyd as she turned her face towards the Earl.

"Such cunning, these super warriors sure have!" Lloyd continued in a serious tone. "We really should've been more careful in dealing with the Magic Knights up close and person. What a fool I am! That Fuu sure has such interesting supernatural powers, similar to that of a jamming, restraining device."


Back at the area where they're holding up the Lancelot, Rakshata appears outside of the sand ditch while observing Windam unleash her spell at the white Knightmare.

"It seems that Fuu was able to restrain the Lancelot with some sort of tractor beam-like power!" Rakshata grinned while holding her pipe with her left hand.

"I know right?!" Geo spoke as he and the GTO landed on the ground softly behind Rakshata. "It's just like what Zazu mentioned earlier, Fuu's powers emphasis on defensive and support, as well as incapacitating her enemies up front."

"I guess, it's a bit more sufficient than those Gaffon Disturbers that I developed recently!" Rakshata thought.

As Suzaku came out of the Lancelot, he gets confronted by Zero while being held at gunpoint.

"I'll get straight to the point!" Zero announced as he approached Suzaku with his gun held up to his waist. "I want you to join me!"

"Is that a threat?!" Suzaku retorted. "Well, you can forget it. I already made up my mind! Results gained through contemptible means are worthless to me. Not to mention that you were using the Magic Knights as a distraction! You can't really think that they could intercept Britannia when joining forces with you; some peace treaty that was!"

"Really?! Well, do you think that the peace that the Cephirians and the Elevens are offering now is worthless?" Zero asked, feeling taken back by what Suzaku just said. "If Japan had resistance to its very last breath seven years ago, what do you think would happen? The Chinese Federation and the E.U would've stepped in and split Japan in three, they would be fighting even now. However, in the New World, if Britannia hadn't invaded and attacked Cephiro, the Magic Knights and Cephirians would've been at peace by now; In fact, they wouldn't bother coming here to settle the score with the Britannian Empire. Our current peace with Britannia would be the result of Japan's immediate and unconditional surrender."

"That's right and I've been fighting to preserve my father's peace ever since it began." Suzaku said as he looked down on himself.

"You're wrong!" Hikaru shouted as she came out of her Rune God and walked up next to Zero. "From what Zero said, Prime Minister Kururugi elected by the people of Japan didn't choose surrender. That decision was selfishly made by his killer son!"

"Uh Oh!" Suzaku gasped to himself.

"If you hadn't killed your father and delivered Japan to Britannia, our parents would've been able to live peacefully with us Magic Knights and that we wouldn't get caught up in resistance against the Empire seven years later!" Hikaru said while glaring at the Honorary Britannian. "Since our government was overthrown, we Japanese had no choice but to surrender without putting up a challenge. Our will to fight back was stolen by a lone criminal that was pursuing his own selfish agenda."

"If that's true, then how do you, Umi, and Fuu..." Suzaku asked before his question was immediately cut out by Hikaru's immediate answer.

"It was supposed to be a little secret between me and my two best friends from our separate Junior High Schools because before all this, our powers do not work here like it did in Cephiro! But now that Clef gave us the ability to have our powers to adapt to our own world, our journey to save our world has just begun. We can't hide our secret anymore; it'll be a matter of time before the whole world finds out who we are when we showed our hand of resistance. Our pride and our honor to protect the people we love is what kept us going for it is what we Magic Knights are all fighting for up until now!"

"You mean, you didn't try to deceive the Britannians with what Cephiro is offering?!" Suzaku said, feeling both shocked and confused.

"It may not be easy trying to have your enemies atone for what they had done, not even for me or the three countries that attempted to invade Cephiro before Britannia came in. But we did not give up hope for our friends." Hikaru continued. "Eventually, they were all able to come to their senses before we faced off Cephiro's true enemy. You can still atone for everything that you've done up to this point if you present our fellow Japanese with the choices that they weren't to make before then, the path that was robbed from them seven years ago when fighting Britannia."

"Fighting them?! That again?" Suzaku sneered in an umbrage tone.

"It's an option worth exploring or would you rather drive the masses of their future over your own egotism?" Zero added in while still pointing his gun at Suzaku. "Do you really call that peace?"

Before Suzaku could say anymore, despite his frustration in not make a decision, he started hearing a transmission coming from his intercom by another Britannian Commanding Officer back in the Shinkene Island HQ.

"Major Kururugi, please respond!"

"May I?" Suzaku asked Zero and Hikaru before making his response to his caller.

"As you wish," Zero acknowledged as Suzaku held his hand up to his intercom.

"This is Lt. Colonel Faire, the controller on Shinkene Island. We're launching surface-to-surface missiles against the terrorists! Your orders are to keep Zero and one of the Magic Knights there!"

Upon hearing what the Britannian Controller told Suzaku, Hikaru and Zero both gasped in horror that they're going to use Suzaku as live bait to destroy them all.

"What the?!" Hikaru shrieked. "It can't be!"

"They're getting him to die along with both of us!" Zero muttered in horror.

As Suzaku grabbed the gun from Zero, Hikaru drew out her sword in order to intercept Suzaku up close and person. However, by the time Suzaku held Zero as a meat shield, he opened fire at the Flame Knight before she had the chance to charge at him. In just less than a second, two bullets struck at Hikaru's legs, another one at her right shoulder blade, and one bullet grazed across her temple, making her bleed from Hikaru's head on her right side before collapsing on her back. At the same time, Hikaru dropped her sword on the ground, inches away from here she is at.

"UGH!" Hikaru gasped as she struggled on the ground, with blood coming out of her injuries and clutching them with both of her hands.

"MS. HIKARU!" Fuu shrieked as she unwillingly disengaged from her binding wind spell on the Lancelot upon seeing Hikaru badly injured on the ground below her.

Before Windam was about to use her healing magic on a fallen Hikaru Shidou, the Lancelot did something that was unexpected. As soon as the Lancelot is released from his bounds, Suzaku activated his remote key and ordered the white Knightmare to fire a shot at Windam with his VARIS. Upon impact, Fuu screamed as she got blasted away by the Varis' full power, knocking her out before she was sent flying up into the sky, much to Ferio's horror.

"FUUUUUUUUU!" Ferio cried in fear, as he steered Green Ranger away from the area to recover his Magic Knight girlfriend.

As the Green Ranger disappeared into the forest, Suzaku dragged Zero all the way back into the Lancelot.

"Kururugi? What are you...?" Zero gasped for air while being held against his own will by Suzaku.

"I can't approve of your methods, but the only thing I could do right now is this!" Suzaku snarled.

"N-No! S-Suzaku please d-don't d-do t-this!" Hikaru gasped weakly while raising her hand up towards Zero and Suzaku before going in and out of consciousness due to her injuries. Despite holding on, Hikaru's world went black as she close her eyes and lost consciousness. As Hikaru collapsed both injured, bleeding, and out cold, her hand hit the ground, no longer moving.

For Lantis, upon seeing his beloved lay on the sand badly injured, he made his attempt with his Black Crusader in rushing down towards the ditch to save Hikaru. However, the Lancelot immediately pointed his Varis at Lantis' Knightmare, while being controlled by Suzaku's remote.

"Stay back, Lantis!" Suzaku shouted as he glared at the Black Crusader. "Or you're next!"

Unable to pull off anymore stunts with his Knightmare, Lantis stood still as he feared for the safety of an injured Hikaru. As soon as Suzaku held Zero at gunpoint, Kallen snarled from outside of the area they're both in.

"Why you little...?!"

"Don't move, Suzaku might have the Lancelot shoot someone else next if you get too close!" Tohdou ordered Kallen as he spoke through her communication channel.

"But Zero and Hikaru are..." Kallen stammered in protest.

As for the rest of Cephiro's warriors and the Black Knights, they all stood there helplessly as they see Suzaku drag Zero back into the Lancelot.


Back at the docks, a Portman Knightmare approached the Britannian Officers and the Special Corps Trailer. As the Portman pilot disembarked from his Knightmare, the captain makes his report to his officers.

"We're assigning the Portman unit to escort them. The Sub-Viceroy should be taken out of...!"

"WAIT!" Euphy shouted as she appeared out of the head trailer, along with Cecil and Lloyd.

"Are you going to destroy the Lancelot?" Lloyd gasped.

"Kururugi is holding Zero there!" The Captain announced. "This will be our chance to kill him."

"And whose idea was this?!" Euphy retorted as she glared at the Captain sternly. "Major Kururugi is my personal knight!"

"It was a Parallel Level One order! It can only be counter-manned by the consensus of at least three ranking generals or the Viceroy herself I'm afraid!" The Captain explained towards the Sub-Viceroy.

"Then who exactly issued this order Captain?!" Euphy asked, feeling determined to save Suzaku from getting killed. "Get me a line to them immediately!"

"Parallel Level One Order, Princess Euphemia!" The Captain repeated, not wanting to listen to Euphy.

Feeling annoyed by such ignorance from the Captain, Euphy rushed forward, shoving the officer away from her as she makes her way to the Portman Knightmare without hesitation.

"OUT OF MY WAY!"

"Sub-Viceroy!"

"Contact the base!" Euphy ordered as she hoisted herself up to the Portman's cockpit. "Tell them that there's a chance that I'll be caught in the attack. See if they'll initiate their launch then!"

In Euphy's point of view, she insisted on doing something reckless in order to help Suzaku survive his counter-attack against the Black Knights. However, for the Captain and the officers, they find Euphy's reckless behavior unacceptable as they made their attempt to tell her to stand down.

"Please, stop this at once! Think about what you're doing!"

As for Cecil and Lloyd, they both still have doubts that the Britannians will stop their attack when Euphy is out there.


Upon seeing the radar interface from inside the Archwizard, Clef spotted a swarm of red dots heading in their direction. As his cockpit started beeping in alarm, it didn't take Clef long enough to figure out what is heading towards him.

"Everyone, we got incoming enemy fire heading in our way!"

Ignoring what Clef said, Kallen steered her Guren towards the Lancelot.

"Hikaru, hang on! I'm coming!"

Before Kallen could come any closer to the unconscious Magic Knight, the Guren gets shot at by the Lancelot's Varis in one of the legs, blowing it up and making her Knightmare collapse on its stomach.

"DAMMIT!" Kallen shrieked as she felt herself shaking after her Guren crashed into the ground.

Inside the cockpit, Suzaku shoved Zero in first while still aiming his gun at the masked leader.

"You and Hikaru are both going to die here as well!" Zero shouted at Suzaku in horror. "You don't have a problem with that?"

Before Suzaku could respond to Zero, he hears the Lt. Commander from the Shinkene Base speaking to him from the "Sound Only" Communication Channel.

"Your sacrifice isn't in vain, Major! We're about to put an end to the most dangerous criminals our homeland has ever known. They'll speak of your bravery for generations to come!"

"SHUT UP!" Zero roared at the communication channel as he slammed onto the controls with his left fist!

Outside of the Lancelot, the Cephirian Warriors and the Black Knights are able to see the enemy missiles approaching and without hesitation, Tohdou shouts out his orders to all of his comrades and allies.

"All Knightmares and Mechs, target on those missiles and throw a barrage! Empty all your guns if you have to!"

Upon hearing Tohdou's orders, the Black Knights' Knightmares opened fire with their assault rifles and hand-mounted guns. As for Selece and the Cephirian Knightmares, they unleashed their crossbow fire and magic at the incoming missiles as well.

"WATER DRAGON!" Umi shouted as she unleashed a blue dragon with red eyes at the missiles.

When Umi's spell flew up into the air, it swallowed a dozen of missiles as they flew off course and exploded into each other while the Black Knights' barrage shoot down the other missiles at the same time. For Clef, he had his Archwizard raise its staff up high above his head and shot out a chain-lighting attack that zapped the missiles and exploded upon impact while the electrical surges stretched both left and right, destroying the other missiles as well.

Lantis aimed his Crusader's Ion cannon at the incoming missiles. With every ion beam shooting out from the cannon, it blew up several missiles that got too close to it. He knew that saving Hikaru was his top priority. However, Lantis also wanted to make sure that the area is safe and out of harm's way first before he can get Hikaru to the sick bay onboard the NSX.

"Hang in there, Hikaru!" Lantis thought to himself. "I'm coming to save you!"

As for Kallen, she gets out of her cockpit and landed on her feet on the ground below her before hollering at Suzaku as she ran towards the Lancelot.

"Suzaku! Let Zero go! It's me Kallen Stadfeld from the Student Council. LOOK AT ME!"

A few miles away from the area, Euphy's Portman makes its way through the forest in hopes of trying to save Suzaku Kururugi from death.

"Suzaku, you can't die now!" Euphy spoke inside her head.

"A soldier must always sacrifice everything when following orders!" Suzaku hissed at Zero.

"Certainly easier than following your own heart!" Zero jeered as he snapped at Suzaku. "HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS? SHOOTING DOWN AND INJURING HIKARU AND ATTEMPTING TO KILL ME THROUGH A SUICIDE ATTACK?!"

"YOU'RE WRONG! I HAVE RULES THAT I MADE AND NEED TO LIVE BY! IF YOU AND HIKARU HADN'T CHOOSE TO REBEL AGAINST THE EMPIRE LIKE THIS, MAYBE I WOULD'VE SPARED BOTH OF YOU FROM GETTING KILLED RIGHT NOW!" Suzaku shouted back at Zero while still holding his gun at him.

As a huge shadow looms over the entire area, Suzaku looks up only to see the Avalon appear right above him. At the same time, Kallen stops running and sees the Avalon above her as well. For Rakshata, she takes her pipe out of her mouth out of seeing something unexpected from the Avalon.

"They completed a float system? Why I'm not surprise."

Outside of the ditch, Euphy's Portman stops at a nearby ledge before the Princess looks up to the sky. Upon seeing the Avalon approach, Euphy recognizes the ship. In her point of view, it happens to be the very same ship that appeared before rescuing her, Cornelia, and her men from getting taken down and capture of Cephiro's forces. It was Prince Schneizel.

"It's my brother's Avalon!" Euphy gasped.

As the shootout at the missiles continued, the shots coming from the Black Knights and Cephiro's troops were being deflected by the Avalon's Luminous Shield. The moment Prince Schneizel raised his right hand across to his side, he gives out the order to shoot Zero down along with Suzaku and the Lancelot. Upon heeding the Prince's orders, the bottom hatches open up, two ominous red-glowing circles appeared from the darkness as if some strange Knightmare inside the ship is getting ready to fire with it's shoulder cannons.

"NO! IT CAN'T BE!" Tohdou said in horror as he sees the unidentified Knightmare powering up both of it's shoulder cannons before taking aim at the Lancelot.

"What the?!" Lantis gasped after seeing a strange Knightmare preparing to fire from inside the Avalon from the interface inside his Black Crusader. "No way! It's that ship that got in our way back in Cephiro!"

At the same time, Umi started freaking out after seeing what's going on around her. As a result, the Blue Magic Knight turned towards Clef's Archwizard while in a total panic.

"CLEF, DO SOMETHING! THAT THING UP THERE IS GOING TO KILL HIKARU AND LANTIS!" Umi shrieked loudly n a high-pitched frantic tone of voice.

"I'm on it!" Clef acknowledged as he made his attempt to raise a barrier shield with the Archwizard's staff.

When Zero popped his head out of the cockpit and sees what Suzaku just saw, he realized that a knightmare from inside the darkness of the ship's interior is going to finish him and an unconscious Hikaru off.

"DO SOMETHING, YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!" Zero shouted at Suzaku.

"BETTER THAN BREAKING THE RULES!" Suzaku denied in a stubborn tone.

"YOU STUBBORN FOOL!" Zero shouted as his mask opens up, revealing his left eye.

In total horrified silence, Euphy gets out of the Portman before running towards the Lancelot, Hikaru is seen still out cold and bleeding, Clef powers up the Archwizard's Staff with a light blue circle appearing on the staff's tip, Lantis reaches out towards the downed flame knight with the Black Crusader's right hand in attempting to save Hikaru from getting blasted from above, Kallen started shouting at Zero and Suzaku with an inaudible tone, and C.C stares blankly on screen before the unknown Knightmare fired its shoulder cannons at the ditch where Hikaru, Kallen, Lantis, Suzaku, Euphy, and Zero are all at.

As the entire screen turned into a bright red sky and the trees turned from green to orange, the Knightmare's cannons shot out a heavy barrage of scattering fire that covered up the entire ditch, leaving behind the fate of all 6 people unknown, probably dead by the cannon's fatal effects.