September 8, 2017 a.t.b.

Area 11, Ashford Academy, 4:08 pm

In one of the spare Ashford dorms, Kallen, as she sat beside Euphemia on one of the dorm beds, was ready to hand out the truth.

"Cornelia never told you anything about it, didn't she?" Kallen asked.

"No," said Euphemia. "All she told me was that she was fighting terrorist cells. She never told me anything about a massacre at Saitama."

"I see," said Kallen.

"Is it really true, Kallen?" Euphemia asked sceptically. "Did Cornelia really kill all those people?"

"Yes," said Kallen. "I've seen it as it happened. The other Black Knights, at least the founding members of our group, will tell you the same thing. There was a terrorist group yes, but she did not stop with them. The princess ordered a massacre of the innocent Japanese people living in Saitama, the people who were unable to protect themselves. Innocent men, women, and children were gunned down brutally and mercilessly, with no regret, no remorse whatsoever."

"That's…that's just horrible. Why would Cornelia do such a thing?" Euphemia asked. "For what reason?"

"To draw Zero and us out," said Kallen.

"And…that's all? Is that the only reason for that bloodshed?" Euphemia asked.

"Yes," said Kallen. "That's really all to it."

4:31 pm

The Black Knights have succeeded in setting up communications, both using the G1's systems and equipment set up within Ashford, and sent their message to various resistance groups within Japan.

In the light of the internationally broadcasted extraterrestrial attacks, unity was more important than ever. Many of the resistance factions saw Zero as their ideal leader against the invaders, and contact with them have turned out fruitful.

"Everyone in Toyama Squad is at your disposal," replied a voice over the radio.

"Roger that. And your weapons?" asked one of the Black Knight communication officers.

"Some explosives from Gokayama, as well as a few improvised assault vehicles," said the squad leader.

Several high-ranking members of the Black Knights were gathered in a classroom used as the Black Knights' main command room within the school, as they reported to Zero about their results.

"Zero, the groups at Yamanashi have joined with us," said Ohgi.

"So did the remnants of the Blood of the Samurai," said Naomi. "And many more from across Japan. Our numbers are growing steadily."

"Good. I'm going to need you to organise our forces as they come," said Zero. "Direct them to the designated encampments at Saitama."

"Yes, Zero!" Ohgi and Naomi affirmed.

Ashford Dorms

Zero walked in to Euphemia's room, having been requested by her. Kallen lay down on the bed as Euphemia sat on the side, the pinkette evidently still trying to process her thoughts.

"Zero!" Kallen stood up as she turned towards him.

"Kallen, I need you to leave this room for a moment," said Zero.

"Got it." Kallen nodded and left.

Zero closed and locked the door. He then took off his mask and sat on the bed beside Euphemia.

"Euphemia, what is it that you want to talk to me about?" asked Lelouch.

"Saitama. Kallen told me that Cornelia orchestrated a massacre there. Is it true?" asked Euphemia.

"What Kallen told you is the truth," said Lelouch. "Cornelia staged a repeat of Clovis' massacre at Shinjuku to draw me out. I assure you, I wouldn't lie to you about it."

"I see…" Euphemia breathed out as she turned down her gaze.

Ashford Rooftop

Euphemia and Kallen had gone to the rooftop to get some fresh air and time to themselves. The former in particular was running through a mix of different emotions - sadness, guilt, regret, and anger.

The day had been a much greater shock to her than to Kallen, for as the latter already had experienced so much of the horrors of the world around her, Euphemia's sheltered upbringing and former naïve mindset had done little to prepare her.

She had been through so much for so little time, and not enough time to fully process it all.

"It's all so much to take in for one day," Euphemia mused as she gazed into the distance as she leaned on the edge wall. "The invaders, the massacre, and now I found out Cornelia's slaughtered hundreds of innocent people behind my back and lied to me about it…"

"Well, that's the Britannian Royal Family for you," said Kallen, who also leaned on the edge by Euphemia's side. "They think everyone is so beneath them and that they can do whatever the hell they want without a care for all the people they step on for it. I really, really hate people like that. Not you of course, though I suppose you no longer qualify as one of them."

"I know. It made me feel terrible, I felt like I was complicit because of my status as a princess," said Euphemia. "I really don't regret giving that up."

"Do you still want to face Cornelia and take them up with her?" asked Kallen.

"Absolutely," said Euphemia. "I'm done, I'm just so done with taking so much shit from her. I'm done holding back what I really feel just so she can have her stupid fairytale princess fantasy out of me. I'm going to give her a piece of my mind when I meet her, consequences be damned."

Avalon

Cecile had an expression of worry as she gazed upon her computer screen.

"Princess Cornelia has yet to give an official announcement on the aliens," said Cecile. "The people are afraid after the recent events. If this continues on, mass panic would take place in the settlements."

"For a long time people felt secure under the strength of our forces," said Mariel as she went through the recent reports on her laptop. "With our defeat at the hands of the invaders, people are losing this feeling of security, especially without the Viceroy herself to reassure them."

"To make things worse, Princess Euphemia has not returned to us," said Cecile. "From what Suzaku told me, she decided to go with Zero and his Black Knights."

"And we still don't know why," said Mariel. "What are we going to tell Princess Cornelia if she comes to question us? It's all so worrisome…I hope her highness doesn't take it out on us."

Suzaku was deep in thought as he leaned against the wall in the Lancelot's hangar.

"Zero…just who exactly are you?"

He was brought out of his rumination as an announcement over the speakers called for all officers present on the vessel.

"The Black Knights have taken up camp in Ashford Academy. We are going to arrive at around 6:00 pm to meet up with their high command to negotiate a truce," said Schniezel through a video transmission with Cornelia, Guilford, and Darlton. Around him sat the officers summoned from throughout the Avalon, including Suzaku.

"With all due respect your highness, I still stand by Princess Cornelia's objections," said Guilford.

"I understand your concerns. However we cannot afford to divert our resources to fight both this extraterrestrial threat and the Black Knights," said Schniezel.

"I still don't understand why Zero and his terrorists choose Ashford Academy as their encampment," said Cornelia.

"Zero…he must have done it to take those students hostage!" thought Suzaku.

"It does give us an advantage should things go south," said Schniezel. "We could easily surround them and cut them off if diplomacy fails. Furthermore, the Black Knights could not fight the alien forces on their own - Zero would have to be a fool not to accept our proposal."

Ashford Academy, 5:50 pm

"Zero, we have a Britannian airship inbound," reported Naomi from the G1 bridge through a sound channel.

"Zero, we have visuals on the ship!" reported another Black Knight officer as they opened up another channel. They relayed the visual feed from their cameras to Zero.

The Avalon had come into view as it closed in on Ashford.

"Attention! This is a Britannian special envoy on a diplomatic mission! We have no hostile intentions!" said a voice via loudspeaker as the ship approached. "I repeat, we have no hostile intentions!"

"So the Britannians are reaching out to us," said Kaguya. "They're willing to settle our differences in this crisis."

"Cornelia wouldn't negotiate with anyone she considers a terrorist," said Zero, "This is Schneizel's move. We have to take care in any case, perhaps even more so than with Cornelia."

"Give them the clear," commanded Zero. "But keep a close watch. Do not initiate an engagement without my order."

"Yes, Zero!" the command staff affirmed.

A VTOL emerged from the Avalon and landed on Ashford's grounds as it was surrounded by Black Knight personnel.

Out of it came Prince Schniezel, escorted by Kanon and a squad of soldiers. They were followed by Princess Cornelia, escorted by Guilford, and then Cecile, Lloyd, Mariel, and Suzaku.

General Darlton was notably absent from his usual place alongside his princess, as he had been assigned to manage matters back at the administrative building in her absence.

The Britannians made their way to the academy building while kept under close watch by the Black Knights.

"Ugh, do we really have to do it?" asked Tamaki as he watched from one of the upper floor windows, leaning against the wall beside it. "This entire truce thing?"

"Look, Tamaki, I get that you don't like the Britannians due to everything they did to the Japanese," said Rai, who leaned to the opposite side of the window. "But this is not the time. We need to focus on a single enemy, not two."

Tamaki grumbled. "I'm just going to get a soda." He got up and began walking away towards the school cafeteria. "Ugh, why don't they serve some beer in this place…"

Nunnally sat in her wheelchair in her home as she folded a paper crane in her hands, her blindness seemingly being little of an obstacle as her hands skilfully handled the origami. In spite of what took place, and in spite of her longtime disabilities, she remained hopeful and optimistic as she always had been.

Zero had promised her that he and his Black Knights would protect her from the fighting. Nunnally placed her trust on him, she had faith that Zero would keep to his word. Nunnally always saw the good, the best, in people.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she also felt something about Zero's voice, about his words, that…felt strangely familiar to her.

A feminine voice from her door caught her attention.

"Nunnally, may I come in?"

Nunnally immediately recognised the voice. "Big sister Euphemia! Please, come in!"

Euphemia entered the room and walked up to Nunnally, taking the crippled princess' hand in a warm hold as the younger girl placed the paper crane aside.

"Big brother didn't want us meeting again after the school festival, but I wanted to see you one last time," said Nunnally.

"Let's just say that things have changed," said Euphemia. "We'll be together more often now."

"I'm glad you're okay after what happened out there," said Nunnally. "I heard it was awful."

"It was," said Euphemia, her expression turned downcast. "I've seen people die by the hundreds before my own eyes."

"I'm sorry," said Nunnally. She couldn't imagine what it would have been like to see it herself, to have been in Euphemia's shoes just several hours ago. The crippled princess didn't bother to go further on that line of thought.

"Is big brother alright?" asked Nunnally. "He hasn't come back or talked to me since he left this morning."

"Lelouch is fine," said Euphemia. "Don't you worry, Nunna. He's just fine."

As Nunnally continued to hold Euphemia's hand, in spite of the pinkette's outward reassuring tone she felt the negative emotion her older sister held. "Euphemia? What's the matter?"

"It's nothing Nunna," said Euphemia.

"It's not," said Nunnally, the girl effortlessly seeing through it despite her blindness. "I can feel you're lying. I know you're holding back how you're really feeling."

Nunnally gripped Euphemia's hand more snugly. "You're sad, you're angry at someone, and I don't mean the aliens nor our father. Please, just tell me."

6:15 pm

Around the table of the school's conference room the high-ranking members of the Black Knights and the Britannians have gathered.

Zero, Ohgi, Tohdoh, and the Six Houses of Kyoto sat on one side. Schneizel, Cornelia, and Guilford on the other. Cecile, Lloyd, Mariel, and Suzaku stood around the Britannian side, while Rai and Nagisa stood around the Black Knight side.

This was it. The necessary meeting to settle their differences. Just a few days before, none would have imagined this to come, and yet it is here now.

Years of bad blood between the two sides still stirred within as they were face to face with one another. But they knew they had to repress such in the face of the new threat.

Cornelia in particular absolutely did not want to be here, she would rather not negotiate. It was only due to the insistence of Schneizel that she come as the representative of the Area 11 administration as Viceroy.

Neither did she fully approve of bringing Suzaku here with them. The reason he was here, really, was that he was still officially Euphemia's knight of honour, and that the pinkette in question had allegedly gone with Zero according to his testimony. She hoped that, if the truce goes well, they could then search the academy campus for her.

If nothing else, she could use him as a meatshield if things went awry.

"I never thought this day would come," thought Zero. "To make a deal with Schniezel of all people."

"We have come to form a truce between us," said Schniezel. "I will make you aware that should you or the Black Knights begin any hostilities, we have your station here surrounded on all sides. Quite a peculiar move for you to choose an establishment within the Settlement as your command centre."

"I have no such intentions," said Zero. "I recognise that we of the Black Knights could not fight the invaders on our own."

"Wise for you Zero, we are in agreement then," said Schniezel. "Now, I believe it's time for our presentation."

Kanon placed a briefcase on the table, and opened it to reveal a laptop inside. Cecile took out a USB stick from her pocket and handed it to Kanon.

Mariel placed a projector on the table as Kanon booted up the laptop, inserted the USB stick, and opened the data folder within. The projector was connected, powered on, and a large holographic screen appeared, displaying the laptop's screen scaled up for everyone in the meeting to clearly see.

"We have been gathering all available data on the invaders," said Schneizel. "Once you get a better understanding of what we are now dealing with, I hope you will be much more willing to set aside our previous feuds. This goes for you too, Cornelia."

Cornelia huffed.

Tohdoh looked at the Britannians with a narrowed stare. "And how do we know you're not going to stab us in the back? How do we know you're not simply going to feed us to the invaders? You view us as subhumans, as vermin, as slaves, you think nothing about desecrating our sacred lands, and you slaughtered our people countless times without remorse. Especially you, Princess Cornelia."

The purple-haired princess glared at Tohdoh.

"You present yourself as an honourable warrior to your subordinates," said Tohdoh. "While you are anything but."

"Watch your tongue, Eleven!" Guilford shouted in his princess' defence.

"How dare you!" Cornelia shot back at Tohdoh with fury. "A lowly terrorist who time has left behind, you try to lecture me!"

"This is not the time to fight amongst ourselves!" Zero intervened before the tension can further escalate. Schneizel in turn held up his hand to stop Cornelia.

"The new threat is much bigger than either of us," said Kaguya. "General Tohdoh, while I understand your concerns, what would the Britannians have to gain? The invaders have made absolutely no distinction between Britannians and Japanese."

Kaguya's point would soon be made much clearer in the next moments.

"Now, let's begin," said Schneizel.

The screen changed to a world map with the known invasion areas marked with red spots.

"The extraterrestrials had struck around a total of eight locations around the world so far, as marked here," said Schniezel. "The destruction of the Special Administrative Zone, and the regions around it, was but one."

Images of the destruction that occurred in those sites popped up next to their respective spots.

"Even our homeland wasn't safe," Schneizel continued on. "The invasion on Anchorage had a confirmed death toll of over 7000. The aliens are as much of a threat to us as they are to you. This is a global crisis that knows no concept of nations. I assure you that this is all true. If you would not trust me, the international media from all around the globe are reporting on these all over every news outlet as we speak, and they will tell very much the same story."

Tohdoh, and even Nagisa for all her hatred of Britannians, had to concede as Schniezel's presentation continued on.

What, indeed, would the Britannians had to gain by backstabbing them in the face of this?

Kallen sat down with a can of soda in her hand in the school cafeteria. Tamaki stopped by and sat on the other side of the table.

"Hey Kallen, why aren't you at the meeting?" asked Tamaki.

"Diplomacy and politics aren't exactly my thing," said Kallen.

"Zero gave orders for me to stay out of it," said Tamaki. "I don't get it. I'm one of the big shots here. I should be there! Why would Zero keep his own best bud out of the business?"

"You'll only mess it up," said Kallen.

A few kilometres from southwest edge of Tokyo Settlement

Massive traffic from the refugees had slowed them greatly during the last fourth of the way there, but they were close. The skyline of the Tokyo Settlement now clearly illuminated the darkening sky over the horizon ahead of Shirley, Sophie, Rivalz, and Charmelle.

"We're nearly there Shirley," said Sophie. "It's going to be better now."

"Shit," Rivalz cursed as he watched the news reports from his phone. "They already hit our homeland!"

Sophie might have spoken a bit too soon to comfort her roommate…

"His Majesty should issue a public statement on this sooner or later," said Charmelle.

Ashford Academy

"So, Zero, do you accept?" asked Schneizel.

The members on the Black Knight/Japanese side discussed the proposal amongst themselves for a few moments.

"We don't have any other choice, do we?" said Zero. "I accept your truce."

"However, we demand the condition that systematic discrimination against the Japanese be put to an end," said Kaguya.

"Very well," said Schneizel. "It shall be done. All Elevens shall be granted Honorary Britannian status, effective at the conclusion of this meeting."

"The entire Japanese people as Honorary Britannians?" Ohgi questioned. "I suppose that's acceptable."

"Acceptable!?" questioned Nagisa incredulously at Ohgi. "After we've fought for so long to reclaim Japan!? How can you even think that's acceptable?"

"Do we really have any other options?" asked Ohgi. "We can worry about our independence another time. We have an alien invasion to worry about."

"We must also consider that declaring full independence to an Area might not be within the power of the Prime Minister," added Kaguya. "And it's very doubtful that the Emperor would be very willing to do so. This arrangement might be less than ideal but it may be the best we can get."

"Schniezel, you can't!" Cornelia protested.

"It is necessary," said Schniezel. "As long as we perpetuate the discrimination against the Elevens, they will either refuse to fight with us, or they will fight poorly. We need the focus of both our efforts against our common foe."

"Fine," said Cornelia. "We have a demand of our own. I know you have Euphemia with you. I don't doubt you have her hostage!" She stood up from her seat. "Where is she!"

"I'm right here," replied a feminine voice, laced with seething anger.

Before the doorway stood none other than Euphemia, her gaze narrowed in a glare towards the second princess.

"I know what you did Cornelia," said Euphemia as she walked closer. "What you did in Saitama."

"What?" said Cornelia, surprised that she would bring this up. "I was clearing out terroris—"

"I don't want to hear any more of your lies!" Euphemia shot back. "The Black Knights told me exactly what happened!"

Cornelia was taken aback. The very prospect of her younger sister speaking to her directly in such a manner, to confront her like this and call her out, she hadn't quite imagined it. Has she been too preoccupied by wrapping her in cotton wool for too long?

"How could you?" asked Euphemia accusingly. "You murdered hundreds of innocent people!"

"I did what I had to do to draw Zero out," said Cornelia.

"You couldn't have found another way?!" questioned Euphemia.

Everyone else in the room watched the two sisters as they went on in their heated exchange. Suzaku and Guilford wanted to go and back their respective princesses, but felt that it wasn't their business to intervene.

Schneizel sat back for now to let the siblings try to sort it out between themselves.

"This is war," said Cornelia sternly. "People die in war, innocent or not."

"Do you take me for a fool, Cornelia!?" Euphemia shot back, undeterred. "That wasn't collateral damage! You went out of your way to murder innocent civilians!"

"They are Elevens!" Cornelia exclaimed. "How can you care so much about some lowly Elevens!"

The eyebrows of the Japanese Black Knights and Kyoto leaders in the room twitched as their blood simmered at Cornelia's reply. They wanted to launch a harsh retort at the princess, but held themselves back to avoid escalating the situation further.

Nagisa in particular found it the hardest to restrain herself, only being able to do so with Tohdoh's help.

"What do you see in the Elevens so much?" Cornelia went on. "Even to give up your own royal title for them! How can you disgrace yourself and lower yourself for mere Numbers!?"

"They were people too!" Euphemia retorted. "People just like us!"

"As I already told you once Euphemia," said Cornelia. "Discrimi—"

"I don't want to hear any more of that!" Euphemia shot back, not even giving Cornelia time to finish. "I know what you're going to say. It's the national policy. But it doesn't make it right!"

"What?" Cornelia snarled.

"Why do we have to discriminate?" asked Euphemia. "Why do we even have to bear such unfair prejudice? You've must have heard what I said back at the SAZ. Is it to make ourselves feel better? Is it because we seek validation of our own strengths? Is it because we want to feel strong? What makes being Britannian inherently superior to who you call Numbers?"

"Because we won the war!" Cornelia exclaimed.

"And why is that? Is it because we are born superior?" asked Euphemia. "Not because of our technological advantage, resources, and greater manpower? If it had been the Japanese who had the better weapons, resources, and had bigger armies, could you still say Britannia would win because we're somehow an inherently superior people!?"

Cornelia grit her teeth and said nothing.

Euphemia's logic was entirely sound – what exactly made being Britannian supposedly superior? Cornelia couldn't find any rebuttal that didn't sound like some obvious excuse, especially as she herself had always been a strong believer in one's merits over the idea of birthright. However, Cornelia's own pride both as the Second Princess and as a Britannian stood in the way of a concession.

Euphemia took her silence as a concession anyway.

"I thought so," said Euphemia. "There's nothing that makes being Britannian superior to all others. And as for my royal title, what good did it do for me? All it was for me was a name and a gilded prison in disguise. I thought that I would be able to change this terrible system with it, but I was wrong. It gave me no real power. I was just supposed to be there to look pretty like some decoration in front of the people. My status as a princess was but window dressing. Nothing more. When I had the chance to spark change at the cost of my royal name and title, the choice was easy for me."

"Y-you think the t-title of princess was…just…w-worthless to you!?" questioned Cornelia incredulously.

"It was," said Euphemia.

Cornelia couldn't take it any longer. Her blood boiled even further as she moved on impulse.

"Princess Cornelia!" Guilford gasped as Cornelia raised her arm with the intent to deliver a sharp slap to her defiant sister's face. Euphemia braced herself and continued to stand undeterred, refusing to fold to Cornelia's temper.

"That is enough, Cornelia," Schneizel cut in, interrupting the princess before she could do so. "We do not need any more infighting."

Cornelia lowered her arm and, still fuming, walked back and stood next to her knight.

"I hope that this does not affect our arrangement," said Schniezel.

"It doesn't," said Zero. "We of the Black Knights continue to accept our truce."

"Good," said Schniezel. "This meeting is thus concluded. We shall be taking our leave."

The Britannian side stood from their seats and began packing up their assets to depart.

"I'm glad you're safe, Princess," said Suzaku as he walked towards Euphemia. "Let's go."

"I'm not a princess anymore, Suzaku," said Euphemia. "And I can't go with you."

"Why?" asked Suzaku.

"I'm not going back under Cornelia's control and her lies," said Euphemia, having already made up her mind. "I'm staying here with Zero and the Black Knights."

"What? Please, Your H- Euphemia, you can't stay with Zero of all people," Suzaku pleaded.

"Suzaku Kururugi," said Zero. "Euphemia has made her decision. As her former knight, you would do to respect it, wouldn't you?"

"Leave it be, Warrant Officer Kururugi," said Schneizel.

"I'm sorry, Suzaku," said Euphemia as Suzaku departed from the room with the Britannians.

Administrative Building

In an undisclosed room located below the administrative building a large cylindrical tank stood. Orange fluid filled the interior, and several wires connected it to nearby equipment. Within was a teal-haired man in stasis.

Portions of his body, including the left side of his face, the base of his neck, his left arm and torso, the base of his neck, and the lower portion of his left leg were mechanical, as if he had been fused with a knightmare frame. He was hooked up to several wires leading to the top and bottom of the tank.

General Bartley managed the secret research laboratory, the large general barking out orders to pack up the experimental subject and any assets they could access for transport to the homeland. However, the situation complicated itself more as it went on.

"The internal pressure is rising!" cried one of the operators. "It's rising fast! A breach is imminent!"

"The subject's showing signs of consciousness!" another operator exclaimed.

The cyborg man opened his eyes, a natural orange on the right and a green bionic one as the left. The tank exploded as the pressure went beyond its capacity, leaving the cyborg to drop down to the floor below, detaching from the wires, as the fluid spilled out.

"Damn it!" cursed Bartley. "Now of all times!"

The cyborg recovered himself as he fell and stood up.

"Good morning to you all," said Jeremiah Gottwald, the presumed dead former leader of the Purist Faction.

Ashford Academy

Laura was anxious as she walked across the dorms on her way back to her room.

"This entire day worries me so much…we're being attacked by aliens, Sophie's still not back, and some of those Black Knight members aren't very friendly with us," thought the bluenette.

She heard the sound of swift, light footsteps.

"Huh? Who was that?" she thought as she looked around to find the source, only to find nobody else around.

A feminine voice shot out all of a sudden.

"Laura Forrest!"

The voice seemed to carry a strange energy with it. Laura stiffened and felt something suddenly take hold of her mind as red glowing rims appeared around her blue irises.

She could not resist.

Her expression slackened as her previous thoughts quickly gave way to thoughts of obedience, to submit herself to the mysterious lass' will.

Out of the corner behind came a girl with long pink hair and a large brown hat. A glint of red could be briefly seen in her left eye before it quickly faded to its usual light blue.

"Hi Laura. We're going to be great friends," said the hat-wearing pinkette. "You're the newest member of the student council, aren't you?"

"Yes," Laura answered in a dull monotone.

"I need you to do a little something for me," said the pinkette. "I need you to get me the student council president."

Notes: Sorry for the hiatus, but it's finally here.

Cornelia should really have thought better than to think she could really leave Euphemia in the dark forever.

I've decided to make Laura a member of the Student Council – I already named the canonically-unnamed character and went into her POV a few times, might as well do more stuff with her. And someone's got to fill in for Kallen's continued absences after all, especially as the Black Knights became bigger and more active.