The formerly-imprisoned Black Knights celebrate their freedom as Lelouch, Kallen, and C.C. discuss the pilot of the Knightmare that saved him earlier. Lelouch assures them that he is an ally, but Kallen is cross with Lelouch for keeping him a secret. Afterwards, some of the Black Knights question why Zero left during the decisive battle at the Tokyo Settlement the previous year, but Todoh and Ohgi both vouch for Zero: without him, a rebellion against Britannia just wasn't possible.
The following day, to Lelouch's shock, Suzaku returns to Ashford Academy. Although tensions linger between the two due to the events of one year ago, they greet each other as old friends. Suzaku's return serves to aid in the OSI's surveillance of Lelouch, but he can't find anything to indicate his memories had returned. All the while, Rolo feels conflicted over whether he should trust Lelouch, but continues to play the role of his younger brother.
Zero's reappearance causes the resurgence of insurgent activity across Area 11, causing concern within the Area's government, particularly since acting Viceroy Guilford is missing. Things get hairy quickly with the appearance of a Knightmare penetrating the government bureau, revealed to be the Variable Knightmare Frame "Tristan", piloted by a member of the Knights of the Round: the Knight of Three, Gino Weinberg. After a brief skirmish, Suzaku, the Knight of Seven, stops the fight. They are joined afterwards by the "Mordred", a heavily-armored Knightmare piloted by the Knight of Six, Anya Alstreim. Their arrival is part of Suzaku's plan to determine definitively if Lelouch's memories have returned.
A festival is held at Ashford to celebrate Suzaku's return to school. As Lelouch continues his act as a doting elder brother to fool Suzaku, Rolo confides in him that his Geass has one weakness...
The festival becomes chaotic due to the appearance of C.C., whom Lelouch is desperate to hide, as well as Arthur, Suzaku's cat, stealing a quill given to him by the late Princess Euphemia; Kallen, in disguise, trying to retrieve C.C.; and Gino almost accidentally baking C.C. in a giant pizza. Lelouch is able to learn, however, that the one who gave the Emperor his Geass is also the one who kidnapped Nunnally: V.V. He also succeeded in turning Villetta to his side with Rolo's help, playing on the fact that she still carried a flame for Ohgi.
That night, Xingke escorts Kallen and C.C. back to the consulate, with Zero asking for an audience with the High Eunuchs. Afterwards, Suzaku meets with Lelouch on the roof of the school. Suzaku confides in Lelouch that he hopes to become the Knight of One, the highest-ranked member of the Knights of the Round. The Knight of One is given the privilege of ruling over one of the Areas, and Suzaku hopes to use that privilege to take Area 11, Japan, for himself. He has lost so much in the war that rages in Area 11, and wants power so that he never has to suffer loss again.
Suzaku suggests that Lelouch talk to the new Viceroy of Area 11 about this goal. He calls the Viceroy, and hands the phone to Lelouch, so he can talk to them.
The voice that comes from the other end of the phone line stuns Lelouch into silence: the new Viceroy of Area 11 is his sister, Nunnally!
