Lelouch's strategies give the Black Knights and their allies the upper hand in their battle against the Britannian Army. As riots break out through the country, the Black Knights take over the Ashford Academy as their headquarters, and the students are spared on Lelouch's orders. An enraged Suzaku, now informed of Zero's identity by a mysterious young boy named V.V., pursues Lelouch for revenge, which Cornelia also covets.

After managing to capture Cornelia, Lelouch forces her to reveal what little information she knows of Marianne's murder, but the answers do not please him one bit. V.V. takes Nunnally to Kaminejima, and Lelouch abandons the Black Knights to rescue his sister. Without Lelouch, the Black Knights begin to lose ground to the Britannian Army. Suzaku follows Lelouch, leading to a final confrontation between the former friends.