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Description
Conference platform, China, 10:00 a.m. Many people were gathering on the artificial island, for the ratification ceremony of the United Federation of Nations. Lelouch was in his room aboard the Ikaruga, talking with Diethard.

Lelouch: Are the preparations nearly finished?
Diethard: (over phone) Yes. Tohdoh and Xingke are in their respective waiting rooms.
Lelouch: Excellent. After I meet with India and Guinea, I'll be at the assembly. (closes phone) C.C., please don't leave this room. I'll come back. Okay?
C.C.: Of course! See you, later!
Lelouch: (smiles) Naturally. (puts on Zero mask)

Meanwhile, in the Black Knights' waiting room, Tohdoh was being prepared for the ceremony, by Chiba, while the others were celebrating.

Tohdoh: Honestly, having to wear makeup feels disgraceful.
Chiba: Don't worry, it's the masculine kind. The kind that makes sure sweat doesn't show up.
Tohdoh: Fair enough.
Chiba: So, sir... Um... There's something that I'd request of you...
Tohdoh: Hm? What is it?
Tamaki: About damn time you showed up, Ohgi!
Ohgi: Sorry, I accidentally got some stains on my outfit, and didn't know I had a spare.
Tohdoh: (stands up) To be fair, it is a good outfit.
Chiba: (quietly) Dammit...
Tohdoh: You're late, because of the time you had to spend with Villetta, right?
Ohgi: Yeah...
Tohdoh: You don't know how lucky you are.
Tamaki: Seriously, it's been hard to find love, in situations, like this.
Sugiyama: Wait, don't you already have a girlfriend?
Kallen: What?!
Ohgi: Who?!
Tamaki: ...Kanda.
Kallen: As in...Chizuru Kanda, of the Mavericks?! How'd you hook up, with her?!
Tamaki: The same way I got my second job!
Sugiyama: Up top! (high-fives Tamaki)

Meanwhile, at Tokyo, Guilford and Darlton were mobilizing forces for Japan's defense, alongside Darlton's sons.

Darlton: Seems the ceremony is about to start. Boys!
Alfred: Glaston Rangers, reporting for duty!
Darlton: Rangers is such a better word, let me tell you...
Alfred: Everyone is accounted for, as well as our Knightmares!
Darlton: Good. Just so you know, Guilford is also your boss. And, I'm gonna be his best man.
Guilford: Not the time, Darlton.
Edgar: So, you'll be marrying Cornelia, then?
Bart: You saw it, too!?
Claudio: It was wholeheartedly obvious.
David: No wonder he looked so stiff, next to her...
Guilford: Can we talk about this, after this shitstorm is through!?
Darlton: Sure, sure. Hey, it's begun.

Back at China, Kaguya was announcing the charter of the U.F.N.

Kaguya: Article 17: All nations ratified shall declare to abandon native military power, for the time being. Until the world's freedom is assured, the Black Knights and Tokyo Mavericks will fight, on their behalf, as they are not motivated by patriotism.
Zero: A contract is not necessary.

Zero and the rest of the Black Knights stood atop the Ikaruga.

Zero: As we accept this task, we shall be involved in U.F.N. funding and personnel. We will become the sword and shield to protect every nation involved and suffering, and to deal with all evil, personally!
Tianzi: Disturbances in this world are caused by criminal and military powers. The U.F.N. shall only take action with full approval of the council.
Kaguya: Our first task shall be the defense of Japan. For too long, the country had been under control of a criminal nation, whose people have suffered and died. Britannia has allied itself with a powerful criminal organization, further cementing their tyranny, and must be stopped. I request that the Black Knights aid the Tokyo Mavericks in the defense of the country sought by Britannia. All those in favor, stand, now.

The people seated in front of Kaguya and Tianzi stood up, altogether.

Kaguya: The motion is carried, unanimously. Zero, if you would?
Zero: Of course. The U.F.N.'s first resolution...is the defense of Japan!

The audience cheered loudly upon the decision, showing their support for the action.

Tohdoh: We've worked hard to free Japan, and we won't give it up.
Kallen: How's my Guren coming along, Rakshata?
Rakshata: Almost done. Just give Lloyd a bit more time.
Ohgi: Now, we've got the world on our side.

Suddenly, the screen above Kaguya, Tianzi and the rest of the council showed static, then changed to footage of Charles, panting in pain.

Zero: What the-?!
Tohdoh: It's him! The Emperor of Ego!
Charles: (over screen) Is it on...? Don't nod! Say it!
Cameraman: (over screen) Y-Yes, sir!
Zero: (thinking) There's only one way to tell, if that's him...
Tohdoh: Wait, didn't you say Alistair handed him his ass, when you hunted down Civility? He should be in the hospital, so he might as well be a fake- No, wait, that's him, alright.

Before Tohdoh finished his first thought, Charles angrily pulled the knife that Alistair plunged into his fist out, and dropped it to the floor.

Charles: People of the world, do not panic. This "United Federation of Nations" is no threat to our beloved country. They shall be snuffed out, in due time. To those that dare to defy me...Zero, Black Knights, Tokyo Mavericks, Alistair Wake. Your actions have no merit, in this world. The charter of your so-called federation is nothing, compared to the rule of Britannia. The European Union, what was once a third of the world, has been reduced to nothing. Yet, you still think to stand up for yourselves, to fight against the status quo, itself? You spout nothing but tripe, with foolish ideas like change and freedom. Your pitiful little revolution is seen as a blight, to the world. And, so we shall fight. To the unending army of Britannia. I ask that you give your all, to the cause of Britannia. Show the foolish terrorists that dare to fight back what happens when law and order is fought against! If the scum of society wants war, we shall give it to them! Give no quarter! Give death to the chaos! Give death to the rebels and the revolutionaries! GIVE THEM...WORLD...WAR...III!

Over the screen, the cheers of the Britannian army could be heard, chanting "All Hail Britannia". In Japan, the Britannian forces of the Mavericks looked angrily at the screens, and gave Charles a thumbs down, in unison. Back in China, the members of the United Federation of Nations gave a somewhat similar response, wholeheartedly disagreeing with Charles and his actions.

Zero: (out loud) Long live Japan!
Tohdoh: And, payback, for America!

The Black Knights cheered in agreement, and began preparing to return to Japan. A couple minutes later, Lelouch entered his room, mentally exhausted.

C.C.: Welcome back.
Lelouch: Hey... You, uh... You didn't happen to see the news, did you?
C.C.: You mean, the evil man's speech? He's not a good person. At all.
Lelouch: That's an understatement. The entire world hangs in the balance, with this fight, not just Japan. If worst comes to worst, we're royally screwed.
C.C.: Well... I don't think worst can come to worst. Sort of like how Alistair thinks. He's a really nice guy, the opposite of that bad man.
Lelouch: He's fighting alongside me, after all. That man killed his parents.
C.C.: Then, karma's on your side. Bad people don't get away with the things they've done, forever.
Lelouch: (pauses) You know what, C.C.? You remind me of my childhood, in a sense. The sense that you've got something I've never had. Innocence. This intellect of mine...it sucks, at times. Deep down, I wanted friends that could understand me. Now...I have exactly that. For the most part. I honestly don't know if I should tell the others my identity, but I believe I should. And, whatever happens, afterwards...just happens.
C.C.: Wow... (hands Lelouch plate) I saved this, for you. In case you were hungry.
Lelouch: (pauses, smiles) Thanks. I am. But, first...I need to bury the biggest hatchet that could ever be buried.

Lelouch brought out his cell phone and dialed a number, waiting for the other person to pick up.

Suzaku: (over phone) Hello?
Lelouch: Hey...
Suzaku: Oh... Hey, Lelouch...
Lelouch: You, uh...saw the news?
Suzaku: Yep. We've got a big fight, ahead of us.
Lelouch: You... You wanna talk?
Suzaku: In person? Yeah.
Lelouch: Where at?
Suzaku: Where all this shit began.