~000~

Chapter One: Crown Prince

~000~

"Let it be known in every colony! To everyone everywhere, from across the seas, and from every stretch of the empire and beyond! From this day until the end of time, my son, Lelouch VI Britannia shall be my one and only successor. Anyone to oppose this will be an enemy of our Holy Britannian Empire!"

Charles' voice kept booming across the hall. "Britannia needs strength to lead it into tomorrow! Only can strength ensure the survival and growth of the Empire! All hail your new Prince! Crown Prince Lelouch! All hail Britannia!"

"All hail Britannia! All hail Lelouch!" the court said in unison.

Suzaku Kururugui watched as he knelt from in the rows of other soldiers. His childhood friend was kneeling gracefully above the high steps. A court attendant placed a crown studded with jewels upon Lelouch's head.

He hid how angry this made him feel.

'And the oppression of my people continues. Words can barely describe this pain. The facade. The mask I must place on my face.'

Memories of the massacres that followed after the invasion, the bloodshed, made him nearly wince.

~000~

"My prince." a Knight of the Round bowed his head as the court had broken out to take refreshments from the ceremony.

Lelouch bowed his head in return. "Ser Weinberg."

"Your pet Eleven," Gino said as Anya stood quietly next to him. "Er. Kururugui? He's doing remarkably well in training. Rumors have been going around to put him on a new test program."

"First I'm hearing about it. Has Lord Lloyd already made a decision?"

Gino shook his head. "I'm afraid not. This would be the first time ever where an Eleven would be chosen to pilot anything other than a third or fourth-generation model. Congratulations on the ceremony my Prince."

As the two knights departed with a bow of their heads, Lady Marriane appeared behind the newly crowned Prince. "Enjoying rubbing elbows with the Knights? I never took you for that much of a soldier Lelouch."

"Mother?" Lelouch turned around. "Oh erm, they seemed respectful. Like any of the others I suppose."

"It's their duty," Marriane said. "I have also heard about this appointment your friend has earned."

"Earned?" asked Lelouch. "But no one's made a decision yet. Suzaku's way too young to pilot anything strange, and he's an Eleven. And he's-"

"Your friend," said Marriane. "Don't forget that Lelouch. Your friends help make you who you are."

Nunnally ignored her guards, running right up to her older brother from almost across the entire court. "What a ceremony eh Lelouch?"

"P-Princess! Wait!"

Euphemia watched from afar, enjoying the scene.

"It's nothing Nunna. Just a ceremony."

"Just a ceremony? The most important Knights and Nobles in the whole kingdom came! You can't say it's just a ceremony."

Lelouch would've enjoyed his sisters' eccentric antics, but he noticed Suzaku step outside of the court.

"Mother, Nunna. Just one moment please," asked Lelouch before he left.

Suzaku turned with a bow the moment he saw Lelouch walk up to him. "My prince!"

"Please Suzaku. There's no need for any of that with me."

"You can't be seen talking to an Eleven your Highness! What will everyone think?"

Lelouch smiled. "Let them think what they want. You're my friend."

"You have an entire courtroom full of people waiting to congratulate you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I heard Lloyd hasn't reached a decision yet. Has the Test High Command reached out to yet?"

Suzaku shook his head. "I've only heard I was the only common foot soldier to make the cut."

"I can talk to my brother and sisters. We can make sure this appointment goes through. Regardless if you're an Eleven or not."

"Thank you, Lelouch, but I want to earn this chance myself. As a man in the army, I must do my best to test whatever is needed of me based solely on my own merits."

Lelouch smiled again. "You're very honorable Suzaku. I expect you'll make an extraordinary Knight someday."

"Thank you again. I- Prince Schneizel!" Suzaku bowed his head again.

"Private Kururugui. Can you give me a moment with my brother?" asked Schneizel.

Suzaku bowed his head, quickly departing. "Yes, your Highness."

Schneizel turned to Lelouch, his younger brother speaking first. "Is it true what they're saying? This new project will use him as the first test pilot?"

"It is. Which is why I commissioned Project Camelot myself."

Lelouch's eyes widened. "It was you? Father would have your head if he found out."

Schneizel chuckled. "He didn't. He's been too busy with your coronation and making this treaty with the Federation to worry about how I run the military. But that's not why I came over here."

"All right. And why was that?"

"Walk with me, Lelouch. The gardens are beautiful this time of year."

"But, the ceremony." Lelouch waved a hand back towards the court.

Schneizel spoke. "Do you really need an entire room full of people to smile and pat you on the back? That's not like you at all Lelouch."

"Right."

~000~

"Father has reached a decision. In exchange for making you his successor, you must marry a noblewoman. He's already made the match with one of the richest families in the country. You are to wed Milly Ashford."

"Milly Ashford?" asked Lelouch. "And when was I to be consulted on this?"

"You weren't." Schneizel plucked a rose from among the rows of flowers in the Royal Gardens. "Do you know what power is dear brother?"

"Of course I do. But I don't see-"

"Well if you have power. You have to do things to maintain and grow it. It's a lesson both father and I are trying to teach you. To appease the masses you must take our pet Elevens like Kururugui and make them seem special. To appease the nobility you must smile and bow and marry their daughters."

Lelouch raised an eyebrow in thought. 'Never would've guessed my own family would interrupt me so much on the day I was crowned to be the next Emperor.'

"Father also said it's time you became a proper Britannian citizen. He's already arranged for you to meet this Milly Ashford on the first day of school next week."

"School? I already have the best tutors around." Lelouch said. "What do I need to go to school for?"

"If you're to marry this girl the least you can do is get to know her. The Ashfords were more than happy to accommodate you."

"I'm wearing the sacred crown of the Holy Britannian Empire, and you and father think you can whip me around like some sort of dog?"

Schneizel threw away the rose he was smelling. "You're still young Lelouch. Royalty or not, you have an obligation to this country."

"This is ridiculous." Schneizel watched his younger brother frown and cross his arms like a child. "Sending me off to marry some rich girl all because of a deal. How can a Prince still be a Prince if he still takes orders?"

"It could be much worse."

Schneizel began to walk away in thought.

'He still chose this whiny brat over me? I honestly didn't believe it until this morning. What kind of strong inheritor to the throne does nothing but complain when he has a duty to fulfill?'

Lelouch sighed, looking at the rose Schneizel threw on the ground.

'Forced to join an academy like any other nobleman. What a disgrace. What a way to treat such a so-called respected successor. Some coronation this was.'

~000~

Euphemia, Nunnally, and Marriane were all in the limousine taking them away. Lelouch was staring out the window, watching the city passed.

"What a ceremony. I still can't believe how elegant everyone looked!" said Nunnally.

Euphemia spoke seeing Lelouch stare out the window. "You don't seem too happy considering today."

"Why should I be? Father and Schneizel arranged for me to marry into the Ashfords. Shouldn't I marry royalty from another kingdom? The least he could've done was ask me about it." said Lelouch.

"The Ashfords are one of the most honorable and loyal houses we know," Euphemia said.

Lelouch scoffed. "The richest you mean."

Marriane placed a hand on Lelouch's. "What's really bothering you?"

Lelouch sighed. "How can I ever be this strong King Father wants me to be when I'm going off like any other student? How can I call myself an Emperor one day when I only married someone because of their wealth? Where's the strength in that?"

"You can make great friends at this school Lelouch."

Lelouch couldn't meet his mother's eyes. "A good King doesn't need friends."

"He does. You're kind Lelouch. Friendship is the best way to connect yourself to your subjects if you are to rule one day."

Nunnally spoke. "Mama's right! You're going to be a great Emperor! The best there ever was! Friends make everything better."

Lelouch said nothing.

'How can a King be considered strong if he needs to rely on other people? Father doesn't have any friends, and some people call him one of the best Emperors ever known.'

~000~

A rebel, Kaname Ohgi, clicked his earpiece. "Understood. Kallen, they've just passed the first checkpoint. We're in position."

Kallen spoke confidently raising her binoculars, watching the limousine pass the highway guarded by eight Sutherlands.

"Air support'll show up the moment we strike." Kallen put her binoculars away. "Let's go."

"Hell yeah!" Tamaki said cheerfully. "I love it when you take charge!"

Kallen took a deep breath, entering her Red Glasgow.

Ohgi's Glasgow was the first to fire a charge, detonating a bomb directly in front of the Royal limousine.

The driver swerved to avoid being caught in the blast but it was still close enough for him to lose control of the car. The limousine flipped over several times, crashing very loudly.

The Sutherlands turned to exchange fire, but it became clear they were outnumbered two to one and surrounded on all sides.

"Rebels spotted!" the Sargeant said shielding the limousine from further fire with his arm. "All units! Protect the Prince! I repeat, protect the Prince at all costs!"

~000~

Lelouch's eyes opened groggily. "Mother? Euphie? Nunna?"

"Mother!?" he looked around the crashed limousine. "Mother!?"

Marriane was strewn bloodily in her seatbelt.

Lelouch looked at Euphemia and Nunnally, unbuckling his seatbelt, Lelouch reached forward weakly. Gasping in relief, Lelouch was glad to see both his sisters were alive. But he was still to weak to check on his mother.

A soldier opened the door of the upside-down limo. "Prince Lelouch! Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. My mother is she-" Lelouch asked before blacking out.

"Prince Lelouch!?" the trooper activated his com-link. "We need medical teams here now! The prince is wounded! The Queen and both Princesses are wounded!"

~000~

"Death to Britannia!" shouted Kallen when blasting two Sutherlands with wire-guided Harkens.

Ohgi saved her life, blocking a Stun Sword that would've certainly pierced her Glasgow's pilot case before kicking the Sutherland back and covering it in rifle fire. "Britannian reinforcements will be here any second! We have to go!"

"Not until we've killed the Prince!"

"We missed our chance! We have to go now!"

Yelling in anger, Kallen flew away with the rest of her team, making sure to fire on as many Sutherlands as she could while dodging return fire.

~000~

When Lelouch awoke, he was in a hospital surrounded by guards.

His sister was standing guard as well in full uniform.

"Cornelia?" Lelouch asked weakly. "Where's Euphie? And Nunnally?"

"Euphemia's floating ribs were shattered. Nunnally is recovering as well."

"And mother?"

Cornelia said nothing, Lelouch tearing up in response.

"I'm. I'm so sorry." Cornelia said. "The doctor confirmed it an hour ago. Queen Marriane has passed."

Lelouch noticed his arm was in a sling, but still ignored it when trying to get out of bed to talk to Cornelia. His sister caught him. "Careful Lelouch, you-"

"Who attacked us!? Did you catch them!?" Lelouch asked through his tears.

"A local resistance group. This was the first major attack in months they've pulled off, our intel nearly confirmed their disbandment. They got away before we could reach them in time."

"Cornelia! We have to get them! We have to-"

"Save your breath!" Cornelia said pushing her brother back into his hospital bed. "We're doing the best we can. Right now your safety is all that matters. We believe the rebels were targeting you."

Lelouch's eyes widened. "You mean mother died because of me?"

"We had no idea they were there. There was nothing anyone could've done."

Lelouch grunted. "Of course there was! We could've just-"

"Just what!?" Cornelia said. "Just what could we have done!?"

"Is that any way to speak to your Prince?"

"This wasn't supposed to happen. I agree with you, but yes. You are my Prince after all little brother." Cornelia bowed her head.

Lelouch spoke. "Then as your Prince I order you to find who did this and bring them to me!"

"We're trying. But I promise you Lelouch, we will punish those rebels."

"No I promise you," Lelouch said. "Whoever did this is as good as dead! My first act as Prince will be to kill the people who did this!"

~000~

Tamaki smoked a cigarette inside his convenience store. He gasped in silence, seeing the brown-haired young man who walked through the door.

'Shit! It's an Imperial soldier! Have I been found out!'

Tamaki still played it cool watching Suzaku appear in his uniform. "Welcome to Tamaki's convenience store! Where everything is um. Convenient."

Suzaku looked around the store. "Is this place safe to talk?"

"Talk? Look kid, I just run this place with my old man. Nothing worth talking about here."

"Really? Then how come I know that this place is actually a secret way to recruit people into the resistance?"

Tamaki acted shocked. "Resistance? What's an upstanding soldier like yourself trying to act all interested in rebellion?"

"You killed the Queen. Nearly killed the Prince too." Suzaku said. "And I want in."

"Want in? What're you talking about? You've got me stumped kid!"

"It's all over the news," said Suzaku before handing Tamaki a slip of paper. "Here, in case you change your mind."

Tamaki grunted, watching Suzaku begin to leave. "Don't worry. Us Elevens have to stick together, I know the way things are."

"You do realize what you're doing is suicide right? Aren't you supposed to be a soldier or something?"

Suzaku spoke over his shoulder. "My father committed suicide the moment Britannia invaded our homeland. You don't need to talk to me about suicide."

Suzaku stepped out of the convenience store.

'Seeing my people beaten into the mud until they bled and then bled some more is the ultimate shame as a soldier. As a proud Japanese. I'm sick of being called Lelouch's pet. I'm sick of Britannia. I'll be a double agent as long as I need to, I will destroy Britannia. Your death will not be in vain father.'

~000~

Lelouch watched Marriane's corpse laid on a table from behind glass.

Grunting, Lelouch balled his fists.

'I don't know who did this. But they'll pay for taking my mother away from me! Family is the most important thing anyone needs! And it's been taken from me!'

He returned to his hospital room wiping his tears away.

'I will find who did this! I will have my revenge! As Crown Prince Lelouch VI Britannia, as a member of the Royal Family! I will destroy those who killed mother!'

Then, Lelouch opened his eyes to a very strange sight.

[Welcome to the Game!]