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Aboard the Yatagarasu, 7:42 p.m. Alistair was looking through the wardrobe that he had in his closet, when Nunnally entered his room.

Nunnally: Are you going out, Alistair?
Alistair: Yeah. I got a call from Zero. He said that I need to head to this party that's going on, since he'll be there, himself.
Nunnally: Oh, a party sounds nice! But, why would he want you to be there?
Alistair: Well, Schmexy Schneizel's gonna be there. And, if that's the case, Sigma's not too far behind.
Nunnally: Find a way to rescue Suzaku, Alistair. He means a lot to me.
Alistair: Same goes for Euphy. Which is why I'm taking her along.
Nunnally: So, that explains why she's wearing a tuxedo. And, a wig. And...looking nice, with pants.
Alistair: Right? It ain't formal, but it'll have to do.

Luoyang palace, 7:50 p.m. Odysseus and Tianzi were sitting on thrones at the end of the room, while people were participating in the party. Cecile was wandering around as Sigma leaned against a pillar, alone.

Cecile: What's he thinking, over there? He's been nothing but irritated, ever since we got here.
Gino: Hey, Cecile! I found this sculpture, and it smells great! How do I eat it?
Cecile: I think that's just a decoration, Gino.
Gino: Ah, man... Wait, didn't I see you eat something similar to this? Looked kinda like a phoenix.
Cecile: That was more of a stress thing, to be honest.
Gino: Oh, yeah. Sigma.
Anya: (takes picture with phone)
Gino: That guy may be an AI, but he's still a prick...
Cecile: Um, Anya... Are you reading your e-mail, right now?
Anya: No. Memorizing, actually.
Cecile: It's a diary? Never seen anything like that.
Anya: For some reason, I remember what Alistair said. I don't know why.
Lloyd: The man has a strong impact with people.

Lloyd walked past Cecile and the two Knights of the Round and met up with Milly.

Milly: Lloyd, I've been meaning to ask you something.
Lloyd: What is it?
Milly: Are we...still engaged as fiancées?
Lloyd: Well, we never exactly called that off, right?
Kanon: (approaches Lloyd) Well, this is surprising. I never figured you for being social, at a time like this.
Lloyd: Oh, you know... Just keeping an eye on ambitious sociopathy, incarnate.
Kanon: Ah, that's a good enough reason, to me. And, your date?
Milly: I'm Milly Ashford.
Kanon: Nice to meet you, Milly. Kanon Maldini, Schneizel's assistant.
Milly: Huh? No "Prince"?
Kanon: I've put up with his job much longer than anyone else, since I'm considered his best friend. ...Still hasn't fixed my feminine looks, though. I swear, there's something up with our generation, in terms of height and looks.
Lloyd: Oh, you've noticed that, too?
Announcer: Now announcing the arrival of the prime minister of the Britannian Empire, second prince Schneizel!
Lloyd: Speak of the heroic devil.

Schneizel walked up the stairs to the reception hall, alongside Nina, who wasn't wearing her glasses and wearing a dress that was similar to Euphemia's, but red.

Odysseus eu Britannia: Well, now. He's only got one girl with him.

Schneizel approached the Knights of the Round, ignoring their comments about Nina, who had a stoic expression.

Gino: It's been a while, sir. (starts bowing) The Emperor has commanded us-
Schneizel: Ah-ah! No bowing.
Gino: Huh?
Schneizel: We're friends, Gino. Nobody's beneath or above anybody. We're all equal, in this life.
Gino: Uh... (stands up straight) Alright, then.
Nina: (smiles) Hello, Suzaku.
Sigma: You may be my ally, but you're below my notice, human.
Schneizel: Ever the cynic, are you, Sigma?
Sigma: It doesn't matter to you, does it?
Schneizel: Precisely. Especially since cynicism doesn't mean shit.
Sigma: Your hypocrisy is astounding and abominable, at the same time.
Schneizel: How am I a hypocrite, exactly?
Sigma: You were born in a family of evil, yet you do good.
Schneizel: That's not even remotely close to hypocrisy. It's common sense.
Sigma: (looks away and scoffs)
Milly: Hi, Nina!
Nina: ...Milly?

As Milly and Nina walked to another part of the palace, Kaguya walked up the steps, alongside Zero and Kallen.

Announcer: Announcing the arrival of Kaguya Sumeragi, representative of the Sumeragi Conglomerate!

Tianzi's expression changed to joy at the sound of Kaguya's name, and everyone attending the party saw Zero with her.

Kanon: Huh. Everything feels better, all of a sudden. I like this.
Gino: That redhead's the Guren's pilot, huh? Yeah, I can see her and Alistair being a couple. She's damn cute, that's for sure.

Immediately, guards began surrounding Kaguya, Zero and Kallen, pointing their spears at them.

Schneizel: Who told you to treat these guests as if they were criminals? Back to your posts!
Guard: We cannot, sir!
Schneizel: Then, I guess I'll have to negotiate, with bullets. (begins reaching into coat)
Guard: Very well!

The guards went back to their posts, Schneizel returning his hand to his side and smirking.

Schneizel: Pretty on edge, aren't they? Apologies for the misunderstanding, Kaguya. Welcome to the party. Enjoy it while you can, since the purpose of the party will be stomped out, soon enough.
Kaguya: Thank you. (looks at Sigma) Sigma. May I speak to my cousin, Suzaku?
Sigma: Is that how you speak to your god, wretch?
Kallen: That would be a "no".
Zero: Neutral Evil can't be bargained with, I'm afraid.
Sigma: And, you refuse to die out and let me rule this shitstain of an existence you call life.
Zero: Absolutes don't resolve anything.
Sigma: Says the mongrel made of flesh, instead of metal and silicon. You're just like him. Heroic attitude, refusal to accept reality, determination. You're the worst kind of human. You will either die or become my slave, Zero. It's only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, Alistair walked toward the stairs, and the announcer saw him, slightly scared.

Announcer: N-Now announcing...Alistair Wake!

Alistair walked up the stairs, in his courier duster, revealing his prosthetic left arm, gaining the attention of everyone in the room.

Alistair: Hey, Zero!
Zero: Hey. You picked a bad time to show up.
Alistair: I figured.
Sigma: (enraged) WAAAAAAAAKE!

Sigma tried to charge at Alistair, but Schneizel held him back, pulling out a syringe and injecting something into Suzaku's body.

Sigma: DIIIIIIE! (growls) This...damn body...! Why can't I move!?
Schneizel: I numbed Suzaku's body. You won't be moving, until tomorrow morning.
Sigma: NO!

Schneizel let go of Sigma and Sigma stood still, trying to move Suzaku's body.

Sigma: (roars) KILL! MURDER! EXTERMINATE!
Schneizel: Get this sociopath out of here. Detain him on the Avalon.
Sigma: Wake! When I see you, again, I'll massacre you with my own two hands!

Guards arrived and carried Sigma out of the palace.

Schneizel: Hateful sack of garbage, that one.
Alistair: Tell me about it.
Zero: He's here because I invited him.
Schneizel: That's good. This party needed some livening up.
Alistair: If you're getting bored...how about a game of chess?
Schneizel: I'm sorry?
Alistair: You heard me. Chess. I heard that it's your favorite game.
Schneizel: Are we putting stakes on this?
Alistair: We'll get to that.

Meanwhile, Nina and Milly were on a balcony, looking out at the night sky.

Nina: So, you're on the road to graduation, huh?
Milly: Yeah. Nina, I've been so worried about you. Everybody's been worried about you.
Nina: Worried, you say? Was it worry that made you hold me back, like a mental patient? Was it worry that let you just sit by and do nothing, while Zero killed Princess Euphemia?
Milly: What are you talking about? Nina-
Nina: Don't act stupid, traitor! You were supposed to have my back, no matter what, and you betrayed me, the entire student council, all of Area 11 betrayed me! You believed all those lies spun by Zero and Alistair! You let everything fall apart, Area 11 is in anarchy! I won't let it stand! Chaos will be culled! Zero will pay for his crimes, especially the murder of Princess Euphemia!

Nina stormed off, leaving Milly in shock at what Nina said.

Milly: Nina... What happened to you?