Disclaimer: I do not own or have anything to do with Code Geass.
Back in Pendragon
In the throne room of the Pendragon Imperial Palace, two lines formed that were consist of members of the imperial family and high ranking nobles. There Schneizel and Cornelia stood before their father the emperor who sat on his throne. They then respectfully kneeled before their father.
"We are here Your Majesty as you have requested," Schneizel said, "we come before you ready to—"
"Spare me," Charles interrupted, "I have no interest in your empty words. I summoned you here just hear your excuses of your pathetic failure over in what's supposed to be Area 11. Cornelia, you abandoned your duties as Viceroy and allowed Euphemia to stand with the rabble called the Black Knights and dare come back here in such disgrace. Schneizel, you lost to the Black Knights and gave in to their demands allowing them to take control of Area 11. I will have you explain yourselves to me and hear if and/or how you will make up for your horrendous defeat and abandonment. So go on, let me hear your sad pathetic excuses."
Schneizel and Cornelia looked up and looked at their father who was giving them a death glare. Schneizel and Cornelia then stood up and faced their father showing they were not intimidated.
"Surely you jest Your Majesty," Schneizel said, "neither Cornelia or I would even think doing such a shameful act. We know we both failed to do what we had set out to do and returned in disgrace. We know we did not live up to your expectations. We both take full responsibilities for our failures."
"Oh, is that so?" Charles replied still showing that he was not impressed with his second born son and daughter, "Do you think such words would soften the blows of the ire and annoyance I feel for this nonsense? But you are right, the failures are on you and you are to blame for this because of the choices you have made. Now first Cornelia," Charles turned to Cornelia, "Not only did you allowed Euphemia to join to the Black Knights, you have abandoned your duties as Viceroy and left that territory allowing the rabble to take over. You have a lot to answer for."
"I have no excuse for what has happened," Cornelia responded, "What you just said is true."
"That is obvious so then answer Cornelia," Charles demanded, "Why have you allowed these things to happen? Have you taken your leave on senses?"
"No I have not," Cornelia responded, "I did not agree for my sister to join the Black Knights. In fact, I did everything I could to convince her not to do so bringing up the consequences in doing so. However, circumstances compelled me to allow her to make and deal with the choice she made. I was not happy about it but I believe my younger sister is capable to make and live with the choices she made even though by doing so, she is going against her own country and opposing us. That is the price she is willing to pay and that is her stance not as Euphemia li Britannia but as simply Euphemia who is now a member of the Black Knights. Now as for why I deserted my position and left the former Area 11 allowing the Black Knights to take over, well the events that had occurred was absolutely rotten and of course I am talking about Pluton."
Charles just glared Cornelia while the second princess just looked at her father's glare.
"We all know that about the massacre that happened in the Special Zone and my sister Euphemia being targeted to be killed as a terrorist while the Special Zone was labeled to be a terrorist haven," Cornelia continued, "but we also know that it was a lie set up by Pluton agents with the help of Castor and Pollux who was the ones that actually caused the problem."
"You're bringing up something that is old news," Charles interrupted as he was annoyed, "I am not in the mood nor do I want to entertain on things that are already known."
"The reason I bring it up is to point out the fact that Pluton, one of the agencies of our empire had the audacity, the gall to actually to even attempt to kill me and Marrybell for that matter," Cornelia said, "and why? All because I demanded for them to cease their activities and demanded answers as the Viceroy of the former Area 11, answers that they blatantly refuse to give and instead responded by ambushing me and Marrybell and were set to kill us and the commander of that operation gleefully talking about how they were going to frame it as terrorists had killed us just to justify their massacre and the attempted murder of my sister Euphemia."
"I still fail to see the point," Charles said, "and from what I have understood, you yourself executed the Pluton agents in retaliation so what is your point?"
"As much of disdain that we all have towards the Black Knights, we cannot ignore the fact that it was them who brought the truth to light, the same way that one of the leaders, Zero brought out the truth of what Clovis was actually doing involving himself in the illegal Code-R Project," Cornelia said, "part of the reason as to why I abandoned my duties as Viceroy is learn to truth. Who was it that was ultimately behind the entire fiasco?"
"Are you standing here before me and telling me that the reason that you have abandoned your duties and returned here is such a disgraceful manner is just to simply learn the truth?" Charles asked, "Are you saying that you somehow could not do that over there as Viceroy?"
"I learned all I could find out in the former Area 11," Cornelia replied, "however, after going through reliable sources with the help of Marrybell, we both concluded that whoever ultimately orchestrated the whole thing most likely resides here in Pendragon or at least has strong ties here," Cornelia closed her eyes and opened them as she stared at her father, "to be more precise with all the things I looked into from the files Marrybell recovered with her Glinda Knights, it is also highly likely that the one who was behind this is the same person who orchestrated the deaths of Lady Marianne vi Britannia and Marrybell's mother and sister Lady Flora mel Britannia and Julia mel Britannia years ago."
The caused everyone in the throne room to gasp as they were surprised and Schneizel looked at Cornelia surprised. Charles on the other hand just looked at Cornelia and narrowed his eyes at his daughter.
"So let me see if I got this right Cornelia," Charles said, "in your so-called small investigation, you have concluded that the one who ultimately ordered the attack on the Special Zone in Japan and got Castor and Pollux involved is the same person who had Marianne, Flora, and Julia killed in their respective villas."
"That is exactly what I am saying," Cornelia said, "my reason of coming back here is to uncover the vile scum and drag them out for the everyone to see for the truth to be unveiled. I have concluded that I can't do that if I am still in the former Area 11 as Viceroy as I would be limited for my extensive investigation so I came back here because I know whoever it is resides here and… that person is most likely closely connected with someone or even people here in the throne room."
There were whispers as people were shocked in what Cornelia was saying.
"Cornelia," Schneizel spoke.
In one of the rows of lines in the throne room, Marrybell had her eyes closed and she nodded at everything Cornelia was saying although internally, she had already knew who it was while other siblings were shocked and wondered who was it that Cornelia may be referring to and wondered if she was going to start accusing them of treachery.
"With that in mind," Cornelia said, "I intend to thoroughly investigate into the matter and find out the truth. Who was ultimately the mastermind of the massacre in Japan and framing my sister Euphemia and involved the departed Castor and Pollux and to finally find out why the same person killed Lady Marianne, Lady Flora and Julia."
"So you have come to the conclusion that you want to waste time finding out who is the mastermind as you said?" Charles asked.
"You may say it's a waste a time," Schneizel spoke up, "but I agree wholeheartedly in what Cornelia has said. This incident was a spit to the face of everything we worked on. Had the Special Zone succeeded as we planned, stability would have finally set in the former Area 11 and yet we had fools who have destroyed what would have been a long term solution and we wouldn't have the issues that are occurring right now. The people in that land would have finally stood in line of obedience and with the stability brought back in the territory; the rebellion and any resistance left would have truly ended for good. After all, the Black Knights had to leave and in the long term, rebellion elements would have finally died but that did not happened because we had fools and I sadly include our brothers Castor and Pollux who not only destroyed the long term victory we would have had but gave the Black Knights the justification and advantage to opening their stance against us."
"Hmph, regardless I still say it is pointless," Charles said, "but Cornelia, if you want to waste your time and energy doing any sort of investigation and expose who this 'mastermind', that you speak of then go ahead, I have no faith that you will actually learn anything but you may do as you wish."
"I appreciate it Your Majesty," Cornelia responded respectfully.
"Now Schneizel, about your disgraceful loss and giving in to the Black Knights," Charles said.
"I understand that my loss is unacceptable," Schneizel responded, "but with how the battle was going, I concluded that if I had continued, it would have been worse on my end and for our citizens as well so I decided to end things and to make sure that our citizens made it through safely in which they honored my request. Now we have rebellions that are occurring in all the other Areas of the Britannian Empire as the well as the EU countering against us. I understand it may not mean much coming from me but I believe we need to end the rebellions that are occurring and strike back against the EU. In fact, I already have planned out the strategies to take on the EU."
"Oh, so you already have solutions for our conflict with the EU," Charles said.
"It may not make up for my failure of Area 11," Schneizel said, "but I can guarantee leading us to succeed as I have already made many preparations that will lead us to victory long before the situation with the Special Zone."
"Hmph, I see," Charles said, "then I will allow you to proceed with your preparations against the EU. Do not have a repeat of your shameful display of what you did in Japan."
"That I can promise you," Schneizel said.
"So be it," Charles said as he stood up from his throne, "So in this case, that matters in which was discussed concludes. I am satisfied with what I have heard and have no need to go discuss things any further."
Meanwhile in the stockade within a military base, Nonette was leaving but stopped for a moment and looked back to Suzaku who was sitting in his cell.
"Remember what I said Kururugi," Nonette said.
Nonette turned forward and left and Suzaku had his head down and clenched his teeth as he was frustrated.
"This isn't right," Suzaku said softly, "This isn't right at all."
Nonette was leaving the military base and there was someone who was waiting for her and it was Jarvis.
"Oh Jarvis," Nonette said.
"Finish with your talk with the insubordinate fool?" Jarvis asked.
"Yes, I said what I needed to say," Nonette said.
"Think he understood?" Jarvis asked.
"He doesn't like it but I believe he understands," Nonette said, "Not that I can blame him. I resent this whole thing myself."
"Well suck it up," Jarvis replied, "this is what His Majesty wants."
Nonette frowned at Jarvis's response and then sighed
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Nonette said.
Jarvis and Nonette walked together and went to a military vehicle. The two got in the military vehicle with Nonette sitting in the passenger side and Jarvis sitting in the driver seat and drove the vehicle.
"So what's the situation back in the palace?" Nonette asked.
"The emperor is actually going to allow Princess Cornelia to do her 'investigation' of the finding and exposing the mastermind," Jarvis said.
"Who we know is VV," Nonette said with a frown, "Honestly I wish His Majesty would let Nelly know the truth."
"His Majesty has his way of doing things," Jarvis replied sharply, "It won't do good to question and criticize him for not letting Her Highness know. Besides VV's existence is not supposed to be known outside the Geass Order and those of us in the circle but VV himself messed up meeting with Suzaku Kururugi and then going overboard with the mess he caused in Japan."
"And what is going to happen if Nelly really gets close?" Nonette asked, "The emperor could order Nelly to cease her investigation again like he did last time but that will invite suspicion towards him."
"Which is why he will use his Geass to alter her memories and anyone else in the know if it gets to that point where it is not the right time for it," Jarvis said.
"Not the right time?" Nonette asked confused, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Don't worry about that for now," Jarvis said.
"So you're still not telling me everything," Nonette said with a glare.
"You know as much as you need to know," Jarvis said, "if I was you, I wouldn't push it."
"Whatever," Nonette said looking away, "So anyway, I understand that we're actually going to get a new person to join us as a Knight of the Round."
"Yes, we're finally going to have a new Knight of Seven meaning we have almost have all twelve members as Knights of the Rounds so we just need to have a new Knight of Six and our ranks will be complete," Jarvis said, "We're also going to be having a meeting in regards of dealing with the EU and the rebellions that are happening in other Areas. Prince Schneizel will be mostly taking command against the EU."
"So His Majesty is giving him a chance to redeem himself," Nonette said.
"Correct," Jarvis said.
"With the way things are right now, we can't go and reclaim Japan for a while," Nonette said.
"Well actually, there seems to be some people who are planning to do just that right now," Jarvis said, "to succeed in what Prince Schneizel failed to do."
"Huh, do you know who?" Nonette asked.
"From what I gathered, it seems that Prince Cassius wants to take crack at it," Jarvis said sounding amused.
"Huh, but Prince Cassius is not much of a military commander," Nonette replied.
"Well don't tell him that," Jarvis replied smiling and amused, "He gets rather defensive when that is pointed out to him."
Nonette just looked at Jarvis and sighed as she shook her head. The vehicle was getting close to the Pendragon Imperial Palace. Later on, Jarvis and Nonette were walking through the palace hallway. They arrived to a door and Nonette opened the door. The door led to a meeting room specifically reserved to the Knights of Round and other Knights of Round were sitting in their seats around a long table.
"Ah you two are back," Bismarck said.
"We're back," Nonette said.
Nonette and Jarvis sat in their respective seats.
"So shall we get started in the meeting?" Dorothea Ernst the Knight of Four asked.
"We will before that, we have one more person joining us," Bismarck said.
"That's right, we have new person joining us," Luciano Bradley the Knight of Ten said and then he turned his attention to the door, "Oh, here she comes."
The door opened and Natalie arrived wearing her own Knight of Round uniform as she closed the door behind her. Luciano grinned and quickly threw one of his throwing knives at Natalie who easily dodged it and the knife ended up planted on the door. Most of the other Knights of the Round did not like Luciano's actions.
"Hey Luciano, what the hell man?" Jason asked angrily.
"What do you think you doing?" Monica asked upset, "Are you crazy?"
"Your pranks are not funny," Sarah said as she went and grabbed Luciano's collar.
"Whoa, whoa, relax," Luciano replied waving his hands smiling, "it's was just my way of saying hello. Besides, I know about her. I would be shocked if she actually didn't dodge it."
"Regardless, that doesn't mean you should do that," Sarah said.
"It's fine really," Natalie said.
The others looked at Natalie who nonchalantly plucked Luciano's throwing knife and looked at the craftsmanship.
"Hmm, it is impressive," Natalie said and looked at Luciano, "Hey, you don't mind if I keep this, do you?"
Luciano just blinked at her as Sarah let him go and went back to her seat.
"Uh sure, you go ahead," Luciano said with a shrug.
"Thanks," Natalie said.
"Well now, you're certainly interesting," Gino said as he was impressed.
"Oh right," Natalie said and stood in attention, "My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I am Natalie Einstein and I am the new Knight of Seven."
"It's nice to meet you Natalie," Gino said with a smile, "I'm Gino Weinberg, the Knight of Three."
"It's nice to meet you Gino," Natalie replied and then turned to Carter, Jason, and Sarah, "Carter Gregan, the Knight of Five, Jason Mardock, the Knight of Eight, and Sarah Allerston, the Knight of Eleven, it's good to see you three again. I now join with you three as well."
"Oh, you already know each other?" Monica said.
"She's actually a friend of ours," Carter said, "we went to the same military academy together."
Jason and Sarah smiled and nodded.
"I see," Monica said and then she turned to Natalie, "anyway I am Monica Krushevsky, the Knight of Twelve."
"A pleasure to meet you Monica," Natalie said.
"Well as for me," Luciano said with a sadistic smirk, "Luciano Bradley, the Knight of Ten and I'm known as a homicidal genius so let me ask you something our new Knight of Seven, what do people value the most?"
"Huh, I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you are getting at," Natalie replied.
"It's their lives," Luciano said with glee, "no matter who they are, people always value their lives and it's my job to take what they value most which again, their lives. In fact, it's our jobs as soldiers to take our enemies' lives."
"Alright enough Luciano," Bismarck said, "we don't have time to spare to listening to you ramble on."
"Oh fine," Luciano said, "so be it my lord, we'll talk later."
"Annoying bastard," Nonette said in her head and then she spoke, "It's nice to meet you Natalie. I am Nonette Enneagram, the Knight of Nine."
"A pleasure," Natalie said.
"I'm Dorothea Ernst," Dorothea said with her arms crossed, "the Knight of Four. You're here because the emperor himself deemed you worthy to stand among us as one of his personal knights so you will do well as to not do anything to disgrace yourself and the position you now hold."
"Understood," Natalie said, "thank you ma'am. I will make sure not to fall short in my position."
"It's fine," Jarvis said, "it won't be problem," Jarvis turned to Natalie, "we met and spoke to each other before but again let me reintroduce myself. Jarvis Trenton and I am the Knight of Two," Jarvis then turned to Bismarck, "and of course, you know who this is. He is Bismarck Waldstein, the Knight of One himself as well as our leader."
"Yes of course," Natalie said, "the strongest knight of the Holy Britannian Empire. In fact, I would go as far as to say that he is the strongest who has held the position as Knight of One."
"Thanks for that Jarvis and you flatter me Lady Einstein," Bismarck said, "anyway go ahead and take a seat."
"Sir," Natalie responded.
Natalie sat in the available seat that was between Sarah and Jason.
"Now then with the introductions out of the way, we can get to the pressing matter," Bismarck said, "As we all know now, we have rebellions that are occurring in all of the Areas of the Britannian Empire."
"Yes, rebellions that were most likely orchestrated by Zero and the Black Knights," Monica said.
"This is just shameful," Dorothea said with a frown, "How in the world was this allowed the happen? Just what are the Viceroys of those Areas doing? And as things weren't bad enough with the loss of Area 11."
"Hmph, none of that matters," Luciano said, "if there are rebellions that need to be squash, then there is no reason for us to not participate. I relish on being able to take what these rebels value the most."
"So, how are we going to do this?" Gino asked, "I take it that each of us will be leading forces against the rebellions in the Areas."
"Exactly," Bismarck replied, "That is how we are going to do this. His Majesty had already assigned each of us which Areas we will lead forces to put down the rebellions. Now we to discuss the situation of the EU…"
Meanwhile in back at the military base, Schneizel and Kanon arrived along with some soldiers. Kanon and Schneizel were escorted in the military base. Meanwhile Suzaku was still sitting on the floor within his cell. He suddenly heard footsteps and he looked and saw two soldiers. One of them unlocked the cell while the other pointed his assault rifle at Suzaku.
"Suzaku Kururugi, get up," The soldier that unlock the cell said.
"I take it that Prince Schneizel wants to see me," Suzaku said.
"You don't get to talk," The soldier holding his rifle said.
"Hurry up," The other soldier said.
Suzaku didn't respond and just got up and got out of his cell. The soldiers then escorted Suzaku as they were walking through the hall. Not long, they arrived to a door that led to the room. One of the soldiers opened the door and Suzaku saw Schneizel sitting in a table with Kanon standing next to him along with three soldiers that were loyal to Schneizel. The soldiers signaled Suzaku to get in and sit down and Suzaku sat across from Schneizel and Kanon. Afterwards, the two soldiers that escorted Suzaku took their leave and waited outside as they guarded the room.
"Now then Suzaku Kururugi," Schneizel said, "Here's your chance. Now I am in the mood to hear your reasoning for your actions."
Suzaku had a sad expression and had his head down as he held his hands together.
Japan
In the area that was once the site of the Special Administrative Zone, Euphie, Rai, and Orpheus looked on seeing the grave markers of the people who were killed in the plot to frame the people as well as Euphie. They closed their eyes and prayed for the people who lost their lives in the massacre that was perpetrated by Pluton. Meanwhile in the Stadtfeld Manor, Naoto, Kallen, Sena, and James were spending time with each other talking like a typical loving family. Meanwhile in Ashford Academy, Jeremiah and Sayoko were speaking with Reuben in his office while Lelouch and Nunnally were hanging out with Milly, Shirley, and Rivalz on the roof of one of the buildings.
"We have fulfilled the first phase," Lelouch said in his head, "now the next thing is aiding other nations. We will have to spread out and operate in other countries while Japan rebuilds. But we know that eventually, they will be back with the intent to conquer Japan again. Things are going to get tough going forward but we will be ready."
Lelouch looked up in the sky and was ready for whatever it was that he and rest of the Black Knights would face and then he continued to talk to his sister and friends while CC looked on from the ground watching Lelouch and Nunnally and thought about the choices she made.
Sometime in the future, Kamine Island
At the entrance of the cave that lead to the Thought Elevator, a cloaked member of the Geass Order was just fatally cut down and Charles was standing alone surrounded by the dead bodies of members of the Geass Order and glaring at the person who just cut down his Geass Order entourage. The one who committed the act was Suzaku who was wearing a Britannian military uniform and holding a sword in both of his hands.
"Was it Schneizel who put you up to this foolish?" Charles asked.
"It was my own decision," Suzaku replied and then he stood in a relaxed stance, "Charles zi Britannia, I stand before you as your executioner as you no longer have the right to be Emperor of Britannia. The reason for my statement and my intent is that you have committed three crimes."
"Oh?" Charles responded as he was slightly amused at Suzaku's words, "And what would they be exactly?"
"First allowing the empire to be so corrupt while abandoning your duties as emperor," Suzaku said and then got in a fighting stance holding his sword, "second… using the power of Geass for your own selfish ends tainting not only your hands on it but the hands of those around you and adding to it to your corruption."
"Is that a capital crime?" Charles asked.
"When first learning about the existence of Geass, I felt that it was an evil power that would turn good people to evil and destroy the lives of the innocence but power itself is neither good nor evil. It is always the person who wields the power they possess and Geass is no different even though Geass has been used more than often for evil purposes. You know this… in fact you could have used your own Geass in any sort of way to help Euphie. You knew the danger she was in but instead you abandoned her. But then again who am I kidding? You intentionally put her in that situation simply because she wanted people to coexist in peace. You're just as much to blame if not more than VV for the horrible massacre of the Special Zone. You were willing to let your own daughter die in your brother's schemes and do nothing about it."
"Hmph, so what?" Charles responded in cold uncaring tone.
Suzaku was shocked at Charles's cold and uncaring response and then he gradually got angry as he held his sword up in the air.
"And it leads me to mention the third crime you committed and that is that you abandoned Lelouch and Nunnally and drove them away," Suzaku said, "you drove them on the path they have taken now. In fact, your actions actually drove Euphie away along with them as well. You're the reason why Lelouch and Nunnally have led the fight against Britannia in bloodshed because as a father, you betrayed them just like you did to Euphie and worse, it seems more and more that you knew full well on how they were going to respond with the actions you have taken. The way I see it, as long as you live, the conflict and hardship they have to deal with will never end and that is why I decided for their sake, I will end this by taking your life."
"How foolish," Charles said sounding though he was bored, "someone like you has no right to judge me much less even attempt to take my life. It's almost amusing and at the same time just plain annoying how arrogant you are Kururugi. You're just as ignorant and naïve as you have always been failing to understand how the world works and how things truly are. I would almost feel pity for my three wayward children for ever associating themselves with you in the past."
"I don't give a damn what you think," Suzaku responded harshly, "Lelouch and Nunnally have been right about the things they have said all this time and I will take it upon myself make sure they along with Euphie don't stain their hands by killing you. That burden shall be placed on me and me alone. Now die!"
Suzaku charged towards Charles who was not even concern or even moving with the intent to fatally strike him down with his sword but his blade was suddenly blocked by another sword with lightning speed and it was the sword that was wielded by Bismarck. Suzaku was shocked by the sudden interference of Britannia's strongest knight.
"Lord Bismarck Waldstein, why are you here?" Suzaku spoke shocked.
"Did you really think that you would be able to assassinate His Majesty so easily?" Bismarck asked as he was shown that he was not impressed, "It's pathetic that you actually believed that you would be able to kill the emperor at all. We figured that you eventually would try something like this. Anyone who has known and interacted with you would be able see this coming a mile away and it shows that you are just too predictable."
"Damn you!" Suzaku responded angrily.
"Bismarck, I leave this mundane matter to you," Charles said as he turned around walked towards the cave.
"Yes Your Majesty, so be it," Bismarck replied.
"Hold on!" Suzaku called out.
Bismarck smirked and pushed Suzaku back. Suzaku clenched his teeth in frustration as he looked seeing the Knight of One standing in his way and the 98th Britannian Emperor heading into the cave that led to the Thought Elevator.
Somewhere in the sky
Knightmare Frames were flying in the sky and two of them were leading the rest and it was the Lionel and the Lucan. In the cockpit of the Lionel, Lelouch looked on with determination. He then pushed a button.
"Nunnally, Euphie," Lelouch said.
Nunnally and Euphie appeared on his screen.
"Lelouch," Euphie said.
"Yes Brother," Nunnally said.
"This is it," Lelouch said, "are you ready?"
"Ready as I will ever be," Euphie said with a nod.
"I've waited a long time for this," Nunnally said.
Lelouch nodded, "Then let us begin. It is time to face our father again. It is time to face Charles zi Britannia and put an end to this once and for all."
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Discussions happening within Pendragon.