I'm so sorry for not updating for so long. My O level are next week so I have been studying for weeks. I had finished more than half of this chapter weeks ago but didn't have time to update it. I managed to finish it while I was practicing my English essay. I can't say much now. I'll be out for a while. Thanks for all your reviews.

***

Three weeks later in Southern Britannia, Venezuelan Coastal Range

An entire squadron of Vincents exploded as Storm Hawk Anti-Knightmare missiles struck them. They were replaced by another squadron which barely managed to move any further as more missiles flew and exploded a few metres before the Knightmares, bombarding rocks and dirt on them.

The rebels were deeply entrenched in the Andes with heavy artillery and missile turrets covering their entire lines. Much of the forested areas were cut down to make trenches and bunkers for Knightmares and infantry. It was easy to defend and easy to counter-attack.

Cornelia li Britannia gritted her teeth as she used her machine gun to shoot down several rebel anti-Knightmare missiles that were descending on her personal unit. Taking this stronghold was extremely vital in this war as it was a large obstacle between the rebels in the rest of Britannia and the Imperial forces. Her Royal Guard was already moving protectively around her, while adding their fire power against the missile barrage.

"All units pull back!" She shouted through all channels. "Bring the 74th Armoured Division forward!" Cornelia told one of her knights. "All tanks are to concentrate their fire on the left flank. Bring along our Gareths as well. They're to take down any of those missiles."

"Yes, Your highness!" The knight replied and switched to another channel to relay the orders

Cornelia led her Royal Guard to the rear as their A-12 Malory Battle Tanks and RPI-V4L Gareths took their place. As the 125 mm calibre guns did their work on the enemy lines, the rebels launched another volley of missiles aiming at the tanks. The Malroys had not defence against the missiles but volleys of crimson beams and sabot rounds from the Gareths destroyed the rockets in a line of explosions mid-air.

Satisfied, Cornelia ordered her remaining forces to pull back to the rear behind the tanks along with her Royal guard in their customised silver and maroon Vincent Commander Models.

Just as the Britannian Princess was about to give another order, a transmission from her their Headquarters arrived.

"Your highness, we have received word from Pendragon that New York has fallen and a rebel strike force invaded New England and-"

"What!?" Cornelia pulled her violet Vincent in a sudden halt and literally shouted at the officer in the screen causing the soldier to jump. "How the hell did they get to Pendragon at the same time they took New York!? Where were our forces in New Wales doing?! What was the Imperial Guard doing?!"

"Well we don't know…" The unfortunate soldier admitted, half stunned by the Princess's anger. "But the Imperial Guard and the Black knights managed to fight them off but now we have no idea where they went. They just disappeared."

Cornelia bit her lips. She was worried that something like this would have happened to Nunnally. While Cornelia took some comfort knowing that the attack was repulsed, it only proved that these rebels were much more dangerous. Without Schneizel and the Knights of the Rounds spread out, their forces were under the sole leadership of Zero. She hoped that this Zero had the ability as his predecessor had. She shook her head of the distasteful memory. Even after everything that had happened, Lelouch had been fighting for what he thought was right even if it was against them.

Right now Cornelia was glad to leave Guilford behind with her sister. While she missed his presence, the Princess could not risk losing her sibling and Empress. Cornelia wanted to go back to New Pendragon and lend a hand but she must first take care of these rebellious nobles in the south. She left her hopes in the hands of her knight.

***

At the same time in the Imperial Palace…

Nunnally vi Britannia, 100th Empress of Britannia knew it was time she personally show herself in front of her troops and the refugees that had escaped to the capital. While her subordinates and friends including Zero and Kallen protested lest she be attack by a sniper, she was not worried. Nunnally knew that her brother would always be there to protect her. Besides the soldiers must see their leader with their own eyes if they were to have the courage to face the enemy. A king must lead the way or otherwise why would his men follow him. It is he who must always be the first and last to leave the battle.

She briefly saw her brother, leading his Knightmares into a battle. Nunnally felt a pang of pain in her heart remembering the memory. How she wished that everything would be as it was when she and Lelouch were younger back in the Imperial Villa in Aries with sister Euphie. She really wished it was all that simple.

The 16 year old Empress returned to reality when she saw Kallen looking at the Imperial Gardens and mountains surrounding the capital. She had her shoulder length pink-red hair down like when she was back in Ashford and was dressed in the white uniform of the Rounds though without the pink-red cloak.

"We used to live there." The young half Japanese woman turned to see Nunnally coming towards her in her mobile wheelchair. Behind her Zero followed quietly.

"It's beautiful." The Black knight ace replied. "Somehow I feel all my stress going away just by looking at it." It was true. While Japan then Area 11 did contain some beautiful scenery as well, Britannia was beautiful in its own ways.

"When we were young, big brother, me and sister Euphie would just lie on the grass and stare at the skies at night." Nunnally explained to Zero and Kallen.

"Lelouch told me about it before." Zero confirmed.

"We were so happy. Sometimes we would stay up so late until Cornelia finds us and we would run off and hide in the palace."

"I didn't know the Witch of Britannia was a mother-hen." Kallen snickered. Zero chuckled as well under his mask.

"She's really nice at heart. Cornelia's just acts mean because she hates showing her emotions. Elder Sister once said she despises men in general and she keeps on scaring away every suitor chosen for her until Father had finally decided to put her in the military instead."

Kallen laughed, imagining Cornelia chasing a Britannian noble out of a church in a wedding dress.

The trio continued watching the scene in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally it was Suzaku who broke the silence.

"I have been trying to track down that Vincent who appeared at New England. It's not part of the Britannian military." He said the last part slowly.

"So you're saying it could be an irregular?" Nunnally asked the masked knight.

"Possibly. It's hard to see whose side he's really on. With the war on, he could be one of those money grubbing mercenaries."

Kallen grimaced. After a war ends, there would always be people who turned their talents for money. Not that she could truly blame them though since many of them were victims of the fighting. In Japan, there were many who deserted the Black knights and offered their katanas for money and worst some even become terrorists. But that knight who saved them could not have been a mercenary as he had risked his own life to save her, something which no soldier of fortune would do unless it was his objective.

"He did save us and everyone here in the city. Whoever he is, he's seen as a hero by the people." Kallen told them, remembering people asking her and the returning troops of his identity over and over as they cheer them. "They even dubbed him as the 'Scarlet Saviour'." He somehow reminded her of Lelouch when he was acting as Zero.

"That could be exactly what he wants…" Suzaku countered. "He could be a rebel trying to turn the people against us."

"Don't be so quick to judge him, Zero. Let's just wait and see. 'If you cannot find the way, wait, and the way will find you'." Nunnally recited an old saying. "That's how everything's been happening isn't it?"

"Of course, your Majesty." Suzaku replied formally when an Imperial officer appeared asking for Zero's presence. Unable to back away from duty, the Japanese knight followed the soldier out leaving the two girls alone.

Nunnally smiled encouragingly at the former Knight of the Round when she suddenly remembered what she wanted to talk to Kallen about. "Oh I almost forgot! Milly and Rivalz are in Britannia!"

"Really? I heard she became a free lance reporter?" Kallen asked slightly surprised. She remember their old Student President whose crazy festivals and events would drive Lelouch crazy and her friendly but not very bright friend.

Their two friends from Ashford were in Japan before the Civil War had broken out and Kallen had often seen them when she was staying with her mother. Rivalz had become the President while Kallen became the Vice-President then but when she heard the war, she quickly rejoined the Black knights to go back to Britannia. It brought many painful memories as well as good ones but she managed to hide it like she did during the old days as a resistance fighter.

Nunnally nodded. "I would like to meet them but since Zero is busy I need one of my Knights to be by my side when going out." She said, slyly hinting which knight it would be. "You're not needed in action yet since the Guren is still recharging itself right?" Kallen smiled in appreciation and went down on one knee.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Good." The Empress replied formally. "I have made arrangements for them to stay until we could meet them though it will have to be after meeting with the refugees." Nunnally's innocent eyes hardened. "I want to see the condition our people are in."

"Of course, your highness."

Kallen was amazed at the drastic changed in Nunnally in such a short period of time. The Black knight ace had been by her side since the war began and saw how Nunnally changed from a kind caring ruler into a strong-willed Empress who would do anything to protect her people. The blood that flowed through Lelouch as a capable leader seemed to run through his sister as well.

***

Imperial Capital of New Pendragon, Southern District

Anduin Landers was very happy to be finally able to walk out of the base. He and his fellow knights have been stuck in the military base for far too long with only a few actions. It felt like it has been a life time since he was able to walk in the streets. New Pendragon was almost exactly like the old one, though everything was now much more advance. The 21 year old Britannian briefly wonder what his fellow knights were doing.

His father was the Duke of Camberia and had ruled the people with peace and justices, treating them like his own family. Thus Anduin was close to the commoners and did not have the arrogance of his counter-parts. In fact, he was more comfortable with the commoners than amongst the nobility, which led him to join the military as a private rather than an officer. Many of his family members were outrageous with his act but his father approved, which all Anduin cared about.

"To be a good leader, one must be a good follower." was what his father told him and he kept those words to his heart and served in the army reaching the rank of Captain in a short period of time. As captain, he served in the African wars against the E.U. and was soon put into the Royal Special Forces as a knight to fight in Europe which was a relief as he feared of being sent to the Areas to slaughter the "Numbers" as the Britannia put it. Among everything he considered himself to be, being an executioner was not one of them.

When Emperor Lelouch took power from the nobles, his father didn't mind losing his status and power and lived alongside his subjects who eventually elected him back to being their leader again. For that reason alone, Anduin decided not to fight Lelouch despite not liking what he did. He was however, afraid that he would have to choose a side soon.

Fortunately the war ended later and Anduin continued to serve Empress Nunnally. He had met Arthur sometime after the Emperor's death and became fast friends. Anduin wished he was here with him right now. It was quite boring to be alone without his friend.

His thoughts were interrupted by a cell phone ring.

"Landers, here."

"Anduin. It's Arthur." Speaking of the devil.

"Hey, Artie! Finally bored sitting in the dark all alone?" Anduin teased.

"Ha Ha, yeah I'm really bored." He replied sarcastically, annoyed for calling him by his nickname. "Anyway, the Grand Master wants you along with the next mission."

"Really? Finally some action! When am I to report?"

"In two days time at noon. He wanted me to inform you earlier so you'll have time to prepare. It's doesn't sound easy. Be at the usual place."

"Understood. Oh, do you want anything? I'm about to go do a little shopping." The blond soldier halted near a mall.

"Anduin this is no time for…" Before he could finish, a loud crashing sound came from the phone. "Why you…On second thought, a new bottle of soda would be good. That's all. I'll see you back at base" He heard Arthur murmuring "stupid cat…" as he hung up.

Anduin smiled as he pocketed his phone. It had been a while since Arthur had returned to life. He seemed to be quite dead since the Battle of New England and Anduin hadn't seen him in days except during dinner. He had to thank Stephanie for bringing her cat later. The knight chuckled to himself as he entered the building.

"Oof!" A blue haired teenager carrying a large bag suddenly bumped into him. The impact caused the bag to fall and emptying its load.

"Oh sorry. I didn't see you." Anduin kneeled to help pick up what look like the groceries.

"It's alright. I couldn't see either with this bag." The boy casually shrugged it off, allowing Anduin to help gather his goods.

"Thanks." The teenager replied as Anduin returned the last item. "I'm kind of new here. I was trying to find exit B but got lost in the building and ended up here. This is my first time in Pendragon."

"Well, not many people are able to come here with the war going on." Anduin said, pleasantly. "If you find yourself lost, just go to the nearest bus stop and check the map. Pendragon may be the Capital but it's still a city after all."

"Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm actually from California but I spent most of my time in Are-I mean Japan."

"Oh, really? How is it like now?" Anduin had never actually been to the island nation but he heard it was an interesting place after the war.

"Well, it's pretty much like here now that the ghettos have merged with the rest of the settlements," said the boy. "There are more Japanese things now. You should try their sushi first if you go there."

"Rivalz! Where are you?" A young female voice called and a young blond woman near his age appeared from the mall.

"Hey, Milly. I got lost again and...Uh…sorry I never got your name." Rivalz smiled weakly.

"Anduin. Anduin Landers."

"Anduin helped me out. I'm Rivalz Cardemonde by the way."

"I'm Milly Ashford. Forgive my friend, he's new here." The blond girl gave him a smile while poking Rivalz in the back.

"Ow! Milly that hurts!" Rivalz complained.

Anduin smiled at what seemed to be an ongoing shuffle. "Where are you heading?"

Rivalz said, "We're heading to the Imper-" but was cut off by Milly who pinched him with the hand holding her bag so the blond man wouldn't see it.

"Just to visit a friend's place. We're just visiting an old friend. She lives near the Imperial Palace." Milly quickly assured him with a smile while half glaring at Rivalz who was flinching from the pain.

"Well, it's in the Royal District, north of here. It used to be St. Darwin Street before the Capital was destroyed so you won't have trouble finding it. Be sure to tell your names and identification to the guards. I've got to go now. Take care!" Anduin waved his farewell to the two teenagers.

---

"What was that for?! That hurts." Rivalz complained after Landers reached out of ear shot, rubbing his arm.

"You idiot! You can't just tell a stranger that we're going to see the Empress!" Milly scolded him. "What would happen if he was an undercover agent?!"

"Good point." He looked around the city. "Then how are we going to see her highness?"

At that Milly looked insulted. "I am an Ashford remember? My family had helped out with the reconstruction. Come on." The former noblewoman ran off leaving a confused Rivalz to follow his old President with their bags.

***

Later somewhere in the British Isles

A hooded man clad in black robes sat in a dark corner. The only luminous object in the entire place was a single torch on the wall. The figure sat reading a large tome written in some strange language.

"Brother." A second figure formed from the darkness though it hid any distinguishing features. "Our guest has arrived."

The robed man closed his tome and nodded. "Good. Sent him in."

The figure nodded and retreated back to the shadows.

"Hail, master." A strong young voice called out. A new figure formed in the shadows, this one much taller. He wore the same garments as the others.

"Hail, brother." The man rose from his desk. "How goes your task?"

The new-comer's facial features twisted into a smile. "Perfectly, Primus. With the army under our command, it will only be a matter of time before we find the artefacts again."

"Excellent!" The robed man clapped his hands. His hood fell back slightly revealing a narrow pale face with red glowing eyes. "All is as it should be."

"But Primus, what about those who would oppose us?"

The Primus waved the comment nonchalantly. "They are of no concern to us. The old order is but a relic of the past and the rest of the world only care about themselves." He gave a grin showing rows of purely white teeth. "There is no one who can stop us."

The man nodded then hesitated before asking his next question. "There is still the Scion of Pendragon."

"That old legend again?" The Primus was pouring some wine into a silver goblet. "The line of Uther Pendragon has died centuries ago."

"Yes, Primus. You see the latest assault on the Capital had failed. The Empress is alive."

The elder man shook his head. "Oxbridge and his nobles are losing their touch."

"It's not just that. There was an interloper: a lone knightmare in the colour of blood and sky with the speed and skill of a Round and leadership matching that of the late Emperor. He could be…"

The Primus laughed as if he was hearing a joke. "Hahaha! Come now, Meadus. You think that he would come back grave just like that?"

Meadus looked embarrassed but then straightened. "But still…"

The robed figure took a sip of his wine. "You think he is a threat?"

"The Purists do outnumber the Empress's forces but her troops are fierce and stubborn as those Arthurian knights especially since she had appeared in public around her troops and this knight's sole appearance had already made the loyalists even more determined defend their queen. If more of characters like this one appear, their moral will boast tenfold."

The Primus frowned as he started into empty space. An enemy with a stout heart does not go down easily not without some struggle.

"And without Britannia's resources," His subordinate continued. "It will take another decade to achieve our goal."

"And the day is already nearing."

"Exactly, my lord. With the purists' latest failure, it will only drag the war on. If we do not get the artefacts by on the day itself, we will be forced to wait for another five centuries which…"

"Which we can't afford!" The elder man finished for him. "I know. You are right of course." He drained the rest of his wine down. "Do what you must. This Empress must die. A girl she maybe, she has the strength and will of a queen. She must die if the six are to return…"

***

As I said earlier. As I'm rushing there may be some errors. Let me know what I did and I'll try to correct them later. Don't really have much to say except Read and Review! Wish me luck. Cheerio! And good luck to those who are having exams as well! Long live Lelouch! Long live Britannia!