A/N
So before this chapter gets underway I would simply like to apologize for the way I absolutely butcher IRL chess rules during this chapter. You'll see it when you get there and I promise it has to do entirely with thematics and isn't MEANT to be realistic but I would simply like to get that out of the way before anyone points it out. I was very, VERY aware of what I was doing.

Stage 2: Promise Between Brothers

To say Sena's miraculous recovery came as a surprise to the doctors once they'd taken a good look at him would have been an understatement. They'd thrown around all kinds of phrases the young boy barely understood much less could actually comprehend. "A medical marvel", "miracle", and other phrases were uttered by the doctors and nurses who spent the following days he had to remain checking on him and ensuring his health had stabilized.

But even with that, Sena was paying attention to what other news came in.

Talk was rife about the news of Lady Marianne's death and talk was already spreading even through the hospital of what was to come of it. It was while Sena was going through one final physical checkup the news had come through: That the son of Marianne and his half-brother, Lelouch vi Britannia, had demanded an audience with their father the Emperor, and it had gone poorly for the boy.

"Lelouch and Nunnally are being sent away?" Sena gave the official who had arrived to deliver the news to him and his mother a surprised look. The man nodded to the boy as he glanced to a tablet computer he had on hand.

"Yes. Once Princess Nunnally has recovered to safely travel, she and Prince Lelouch are to be sent to Japan as envoys to establish a Britannian presence within the nation," Sena looked to his mother as the hand she'd placed on his tightened its hold. "They both have also been stripped of their succession rights by order of his Majesty the Emperor. To the public, this news will be delivered as the Prince and Princess being sent to study abroad while living under the care of the Prime Minister, Genbu Kururugi."

"So, in other words, the children are to be made political hostages?" Reina's tone was frosty. "I doubt my uncle will be so welcoming to them."

"This news is being delivered to the other members of the Royal family who had ties to Lady Marianne and her children," The official continued, unphased by Reina's cold stare. "If you have business remaining with the Prince and Princess, it would be best for you to conclude it before their departure. And seeing as you yourself are Japanese, Lady Reina, I would perhaps advise the children on how to behave in your homeland."

"Thank you very much, good sir. You may go," Reina got a nod from the man, who stood and saluted before leaving the room. Reina sighed and tented her hands, leaning her forehead on them. "This is such a disaster. Those two will hardly find Japan a friendly place. Especially living under Genbu's roof. I can only hope his son warms up to them."

"You never talk about Japan much, Mother. You've told me plenty about how it looks, but nothing about your family."

"I find talking about my family in Japan as tiresome as the squabbling in the courts here," Reina chuckled, ruffling her son's hair. "They're the ones who sent me here for their own political schemes after all. They hope to avoid a war thanks to the rising tensions regarding resources. But I believe that's too much for a boy your age. Instead, how about we go to the Ares Villa and visit Lelouch? Perhaps knowing you're better will lift his spirits a bit."

"Yeah, I'd like that. Then can we visit Euphie and Marry?"

"Of course. I'm sure they'll be overjoyed to see how well you're doing now."

The Ares Villa was one of the crown jewels of the various royal Palaces that adorned Pendragon, the grand capital city of the Britannian Empire. A massive metropolitan area located on the eastern cost of Central North America, the total ground the city covered was so immense Pendragon itself seemed a territory of the Empire within its very existence.

The members of the Royal Family all lived within the various Imperial Villas spread across a district known as Saint Darwin Street, where each grand palace had its own lavish grounds and estates designated to the Imperial Consorts. This was, mostly, because none dared attempt to have the Consorts and their children, all of varying age and position, under one roof. So it had been deemed best to separate them and allow the mothers to raise their children in the Villas, which the Emperor would occasionally deem to visit.

The Ares Villa had as such been the designated home of Marianne vi Britannia, who despite being of common birth had held the distinguished position of Empress after rising to Knighthood, which to those close to her such as Reina had always brought a feeling of worry as it put quite the mark on the woman's back. So, it came to little surprise to Reina to consider the assassination could have come from within, but as she had been cautioned, she would not ever air these thoughts publicly.

Sena had very fond memories of the Villa, seeing it was a second home. One he visited so often to meet with Lelouch and Nunnally and their other siblings close to their age. But as he and his mother arrived at the villa, there was a very different mood about the palace as they entered the main hall. It was quiet to an unsettling degree, and any evidence of what had occurred just days prior had long since been removed, leaving the main entrance as pristine as Sena recalled it as always being, despite being where the incident was reported to have occurred.

"Where are the servants?" Sena wondered, glancing around the stairways, and taking in the sight of it all. Did someone really die here just two days ago?

"Likely busy attending to the estate," Reina's grip on Sena's hand tightened a bit, a tense air around the woman. As they approached the top of the stairs, a man in a servant's uniform came down the side steps, bowing to the woman and boy as they came to his level.

"Greetings, Lady Reina, Prince Sena," The man rose, adjusting the small glasses he wore. "On behalf of this estate's former mistress, I welcome you to the Ares Villa. I presume you are here to visit Prince Lelouch?"

"Yes. I want to see how he's doing and let him and Sena have some time together," Reina said.

"Of course, milady. The Prince is in the study as of now. There is much to be done before he and Princess Nunnally are sent to Japan, so do forgive the quiescence for now. Though, I feel it will be much quieter once the children are sent away."

"I do understand. If you would."

The man nodded and gestured off, the lady and prince following him further into the palace and too a large pair of doors. Sena knew the path to the study well enough. He'd spent plenty of time holed up in it reading books with Lelouch and Nunnally since his health had often prevented him from playing outside. Or playing chess with Schneizel and Clovis… usually after Lelouch though. The boy let a slight smile grace his face as he and his mother entered the cozy space of the study. The walls were lined with massive shelves filled edged to edge in volumes covering every subject one could expect to find in a royal estate.

And nestled in front of the unlit fireplace was Lelouch. The boy's black hair stayed low as the he thumbed his way through one of many books stacked near him. His violet eyes looked up, seeming to barely register Reina and Sena as they approached. There was an anger in the boy's eyes that visibly unnerved Reina. Lelouch hardly looked like a boy as he sat up in the plush chair, and Sena could feel a sense of unease about his brother.

"Lady Reina, Sena," Lelouch greeted, placing a marker into his book and setting it aside. Sena caught the title, The Prince by Machiavelli. Schneizel always said Lelouch and I should give it a good read… something about how whether we understood it or not. Sena thought. "What brings you here to the Ares Villa?"

There was a degree of coldness in Lelouch's voice that didn't sit right with Reina or Sena. It felt like he was eying both with suspicion, as if he thought perhaps, they had a hand in his mother's death.

"We've heard the news… all of it," Reina knelt before Lelouch to be at eye level with him. "I can't express enough how I feel about the loss of your mother. Marianne was a dear friend, and you and Nunnally almost like my own children. I am truly, deeply sorry this is something you two have to go through. No child should experience this."

Lelouch seemed to soften a bit as Reina gently took one of his hands, but the fire in his eyes didn't quite vanish.

"I don't believe them when they say it was terrorists," Lelouch muttered. "And Father… the Emperor…" there was poison in Lelouch's tone as he switched his manner of referral. "Acted as if it meant nothing! And now Nunnally and I… to hell with royal titles. If he wants to strip them from us, then fine."

"If it's any help, since you and Nunnally are being sent to my homeland, much less to live with one of my family members, perhaps I can at least help you two to learn to adjust there," Reina stated, maintaining a warm tone to try and reassure Lelouch. "I know it's unfavorable, and being political pawns is nothing I wish on you two. But… you know well I lack the proper authority to go against the Emperor. All I can do is lend my aid in preparing you two for what's coming. Can I do that, Lelouch? I feel I at least owe it to Marianne to help her children."

"Do as you wish. I appreciate the offer," Yet again Sena observed Lelouch's air soften. It seemed the earnest desire to help from Reina had dissuaded the boy's suspicions of her potential involvement in Marianne's death.

Sena felt that could only be a good thing.

"Thank you. I'll leave you and Sena to speak for now. I'm going to talk with the servants about what can be done with the Villa. Have fun you two."

Sena nodded to his mother as she stood and departed. Lelouch went back to his book as the door shut, and Sena took a quiet moment to look his brother over. He looked to be bearing a weight on his shoulders, a concern over something. Sena hummed in thought, then an idea struck him. Going to a nearby cabinet, he found what he was looking for: A chess set.

"Hey… how about you and I play chess?" Sena suggested, pulling out the lavish wooden box containing the set. Lelouch glanced back to his brother as Sena brought the set over to the table between the fireplace's seats, opening it and extracting what he needed. "You'll want to play black, right? You always play it when you go against Schneizel."

"Are you sure?" Lelouch asked. "You're good but I've always beaten you. And I'll play white, it might work out better for you. Let's play under Britannian rules instead of International, it'll be more interesting that way."

"Alright, if that's what you prefer this time. I haven't been watching you lose all the time against Schneizel for nothing though. I've learned a lot. Besides, we haven't played each other in a month," Sena let himself be a bit smug at seeing Lelouch flinch. If there was one thing he knew about his brother, it was that he was a sore loser. And bringing up his ever-growing losing streak against their older brother was quite the sore point at times. Once the board was completely set up, Sena hopped into his chair and leaned forward on the table. "So?"

"You're being a lot more energetic than you usually are," Lelouch noted. "Everyone was saying you were near death not two days ago."

"Well… maybe I just got lucky this time?" Sena suggested. "All the doctors were saying it's some kind of miracle. The nurse freaked out when she came to check in on me the day I woke up."

"Really? Must be quite the time," Lelouch shook his head, then grabbing his first piece. "King's Pawn to E4."

"Yeah… and… what about Nunnally? I heard she was injured. Pawn to E5."

"Nunnally… Nunnally is never going to walk again," Lelouch learned forward as he let the bitter taste of those words sit on his tongue for a moment. "I went to see her the other day and she can't see either. The doctor said that it was… mental. She may be able to see again, but that will take time."

"I see… that's horrible. Why Nunnally? She doesn't deserve something like that," Sena eyed the still simple board as he stewed in his thoughts. Compared to his sudden recovery knowing one of his sisters was now a cripple felt horrible on his conscious. Fate really is cruel sometimes… he thought.

"Like I know." Lelouch growled. "The Emperor even called her weak. Said she… no, I'm sorry. I must deal with this myself. Pawn to F4, King's Gambit."

"Accepted, Pawn takes Pawn," Sena was sure to be careful about accepting the gambit. It seemed even in this state Lelouch was planning to be tricky. "So, what do you think about being sent to Japan?"

"I certainly don't like the idea me and Nunnally are being used as political tools," Lelouch bit, his hand hovering along his pieces as he looked for his next move. "Bishop to C4."

"Alright, that's pretty aggressive of you," Sena muttered as he put a hand to his chin, Lelouch giving his brother a careful eye. "Queen to H4. Check."

"Pot meet kettle," Lelouch scoffed. "Learn that move from Schneizel, I'm guessing? King to F1. So, what have you heard about us going to Japan?"

"The official who told me and Mother said it's supposed to be so you and Nunnally can lay grounds for Britannian presence there," Sena replied. "Pawn to B5."

"So the Emperor said… but I doubt it will help at all. Bishop takes Pawn." My pawn is still guarding my King, but I need to watch out for the Bishop. Sena observed. "I'm not sure what it will be like under the Prime Minister. All I know about him is his reputation as "The Last Samurai" and the fact he's Lady Reina's uncle. I'm sure he had a hand in her being sent here for his own reasons."

"That's about all I know about him too. Knight to F6" Sena said. No use opening up my King like that. Should move in, but Lelouch has never been afraid to lose pieces.

"Getting a Knight out there? Not a bad move," Lelouch mused. "Knight to F3. Also, what do you think? About me and Nunnally going to Japan?"

"I think it's horrible," Sena replied. "I mean, what will Britannia get out of sending you two there as political tools? Queen to H6," Much as I want to move in, I still need to watch that Bishop... Sena glanced up as Lelouch scanned the board. As he was hoping, Lelouch was eying it clearly trying to decide which move would be best for him to make next.

"I can bet it has to do with Japan's Sakuradite supply," Lelouch replied. "The nation does control over seventy percent of what the world has access too. They have a place in global economics… and countries far bigger than them who'd love to sweep it up. Maybe they hope having a Prince and Princess of Britannia there will their hides from a war with us. And maybe get us to help them. Pawn to D3."

Sena's being pretty bold with his moves. Lelouch observed. Usually, he plays a bit more defensively. He really has been paying attention to Schneizel. He's clearly looking to make sure I don't get smart with my Bishop, for now.

"Just how important do you think Sakuradite is going to become in the next few years?" Sena wondered, eying the board to take his own potential move into account. "You think it's going be used in those Knightmare Frames that are being developed? You know, like the one that Lady Marianne used. Knight to H5."

"Who knows? I heard they're making a new type, but it's all testing right now. Knight to H4."

"You think it'll be deployed in the next place we go to make an Area once they're usable? Queen to H5."

Sena's suggestion brought a pause to the game as Lelouch thought on it. If there was anything Britannia was known for, it was the nations nature as a conqueror. At this point in time aside from the homeland the territory of the Empire also consisted of regions called Areas, former nations that had been conquered by Britannia throughout its history, in the modern day controlling over a third of the world's landmass, consisting at the current time as the Americas and much of the lands spanning the Pacific Ocean.

"It's possible. I just know I want no part in it anymore. It's all laughable. And how much of it will turn into our siblings squabbling over the throne?" Lelouch let out a bitter chuckle as Sena could only nod in agreement. "Knight to F5."

"Well… I guess it's not like either of us have a place in it. I mean, I'm below Marry in the succession line after all. Pawn to C6."

"And I don't even have a spot in succession anymore. Pawn to G4. Might want to watch your Knight," Lelouch's somewhat amused tone said that, perhaps in some form, he found being taken out of the succession game perhaps a bit liberating. Sena couldn't be sure of that.

"Speaking of being careful, that Bishop you sent out early is all on his own. Knight to F6. Also, I guess there's a certain welcoming to not having to worry about things like a race for succession."

"I believe that's the only good thing about this. Hmmm… Rook to G1," Lelouch looked up to eye Sena's expression again. The thoughtful look his brother had was at least reassuring to the boy. The game was interesting in how it was going back and forth so far, even if Lelouch knew he had the continued edge in it.

"I know Euphie is going to dislike it. I wouldn't be surprised if she's crying her eyes out over the news. Though… Cornelia is probably going to make sure she takes it well. Pawn takes Bishop… that's one threat taken care of."

"Cornelia, huh?" Lelouch's expression dropped at the mention of their elder sister. Sena would say she was certainly one of the Royal children the two of them were close too. She had even been the head of Marianne's personal guard. Sena saw that perhaps that was exactly why Lelouch's eyes had darkened at her mention. "Pawn to H4"

"Queen to G6," Sena paused after making the move, rolling the bishop he'd taken in his fingers. "Mother had the idea that maybe someone in the court wanted Lady Marianne dead. Do you… do you think that's what happened?"

"What else could it be? Pawn to H5," Lelouch's eyes shifted to a glare as he gripped one of his claimed pieces, gripping it tightly in his small fingers. "I refuse to believe it was just terrorists who did it. Someone wanted Mother dead… and I'll find out who."

"But if you're being sent to Japan, will that even be possible?" Sena pondered on his next move for a moment. I can't Castle, so… "Queen to G5."

"Queen to F3. Don't think I'm missing a move like this. And I'll find a way. Somehow."

"Then… why don't I help? Knight to G8," Lelouch looked up to Sena as he reinforced the defense around his king, the boy giving his brother a slight smile. "I'll be here after all. And it's not like anybody cares what I do. Perhaps I can… talk to someone, see if I can't learn anything? Father is out of the question but at least some of our siblings may know. Right?"

"If they weren't involved themselves. Bishop takes pawn, threatens Queen."

The conversation stopped there as they continued to play. Pieces moved and were taken repeatedly, the only words the boys exchanged being the declarations of their moves as the board lost more and more pieces. Sena's plays were aggressive enough, Lelouch playing more carefully even as his brother took more and more pieces and pushed deeper in.

By the time Sena had moved his Queen and a Bishop to Lelouch's backlines, it seemed he was the one in the advantaged position, Lelouch's King stuck without any defense from Rooks and only the Queen to guard it with more Pawns, the Knights, and the sole remaining Bishop out of reach.

"If I wasn't so used to being beaten in turnarounds, I'd be confident I've got this one set," Sena hummed. "So, what move will you do now?"

"Don't go underestimating me," Lelouch cautioned. "You never know what someone can pull from behind. Pawn to E5."

"It is just a game after all. Still, moving a Pawn now? What are you planning?" Sena mused, Lelouch glancing up from his side of the match. "Knight to A6."

"Just wait and see. Being too aggressive might come back to bite you. Knight takes Pawn in G7, Check," Lelouch stared at the board as he set his Knight down, Sena narrowing his eyes. His gaze moved between the Knight and the all too close Bishop that was only luckily in the black lanes.

"King to D8," Sena then felt another question come to mind as he shifted the King out of the way. "What will happen to the Ashfords? They were close associates to Lady Marianne."

"Queen to F6, Check," Lelouch sighed after setting his piece. "I heard they're losing their noble title and land. Likely going to be sent into exile somewhere else. Maybe I'll be lucky and they'll wind up in Japan with me."

"That would be something," Sena said. "Knight takes Queen."

"Should've watched out," Lelouch chuckled. "Take a moment and look at the board again."

"You… oh that's sneaky!" Sena let out an annoyed grumble as Lelouch smirked at him. "You son of a… that Pawn is right in the way!"

"Exactly. Bishop to E7. Check. Think you can counter? I'm right in position to take the King. If not with my Bishop, then with my Knight."

"The game doesn't end until you do take it, and I've got a chance here," Sena smirked back. "We're not done yet. We can thank another Britannian ruling," Lelouch flinched as Sena picked up his Rook. "Risk Castle. King retreats to H8."

"Son of a… I almost forgot your Rooks didn't budge at all. Tch… King to E3."

"Knight to E4," Sena was able to take the lead again, Lelouch wincing as the trap started to form up.

"Don't get smart on me. King takes Knight."

"Queen to E1. Check."

"Kh… Knight to E3," Lelouch's brow knit as he realized the trap he'd just fallen into. Dammit… Sena can take the Knight with his Queen or Bishop. Sure, I can have my King counter and take that piece, but then I'm just open to the remaining one! Damn this Britannian ruling… I'd have won if not for that! How did Sena turn this around into his favor so quickly?!

"You gave up too many pieces, while I kept my backline ready. If this were under international rules, I'd have been dead to rights," Sena was the one who got to smirk this time. "But this isn't under international rules."

"Son of a…" Lelouch growled as he put a hand under his chin. "No… dammit I really am trapped! At this rate we'll just get into a loop of me running away, you moving in, and me taking something with the King only for the cycle to repeat."

"So, what's it gonna be?" Sena chuckled. "Whichever way I look at it, unless you can break past my Rook, you're stuck in all kinds of spots that get you caught by one of my Pieces back there. Not that I'm not trapped either. My King can't budge. If I take your Knight, it leaves me open to your pawns too. So, either we end this in a stalemate, orrrr…."

"Ugh… fine, fine!" Lelouch threw his hands up, Sena's smirk widening as he snickered. "I surrender! The win is yours. I don't want to drag this out for longer than it's gone already by just playing keep away. You're just lucky that Britannian ruling saved your hide!" Sena snickered at Lelouch's petty attempt to save face. "I'll beat you next time for sure. Just don't go bragging about it to Schneizel and Clovis alright?"

"I mean I'm going to tell them, that's for sure," Sena stuck his tongue out as he snickered, Lelouch sighing. "So, how about we make a promise? Even if it takes years, we'll see each other again. And when we do, let's change Britannia."

"You want to change the Empire?" Lelouch questioned, Sena nodding. "It doesn't sound like a bad idea… but what could we do? Regaining my royal title may not happen, and your title is pretty much only for show. What will anyone think the boy whose 99th in line for the throne can do?"

"Then I'll just have to prove that I can do something," Sena replied. "Prove even a child like me can become strong. I'm not sure how yet, but I'll figure something out. So how about it? As brothers, will you change Britannia with me?"

"Heh… fine. I accept," Lelouch said. "Next time we see each other, let's both have gained power of our own. Enough power we can change this rotten Empire, even if we have to destroy it."

The boys reached across the table and clapped their hands together. Over a chessboard hailing the first victory of one of them, time could only tell if the promise between brothers could be kept with their paths about to diverge. The pendulum of fate swings one way, and when it swings the other, only time could tell the two where they would be next they met.

Whether it would be as allies, they could only hope.