Northernlion – Well, try not to miss out on this one! Special things are going down.

Demons – Geass will gain prevalence soon, especially once a certain someone enters the arena.

Tsun – And you felt the need to express this in review because…? Could have just kept this to yourself. But I understand – Time Baron simply isn't for everyone. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it, but I assure you – you will be missing out!

[*****]

The more Lelouch thought about it, the more Time Baron's ideas worked for him (from a brutally pragmatic perspective). Balancing his two lives as Zero and Lelouch Lamperouge was a constant source of stress, strain, and anxiety for the young man. He'd started losing sleep because of the long, long hours he'd clocked as Zero in the afternoons, because being Zero during the day was basically an impossibility unless it was absolutely important. Even when he was at school, Lelouch would be constantly planning and scheming, making preparations, using his Geass to achieve something; gathering the materials and intel needed to rescue Suzaku was a nightmare, and figuring out where the Refrain dealers were stationed wasn't a walk in the park, either.

It became very hard to go to school, living in fear of persecution from the law.

So, on one hand, this takes a lot of pressure off of me.

But Lelouch was still heartbroken by the prospect of leaving Ashford Academy. He'd always been something of a loner, unable to get close to other people because of his natural instinct to keep secrets, his natural inability to trust others; it'd taken him years to open up to Milly Ashford, the only girl at school who really knew all of his secrets (except his being Zero). But she'd been incredibly accepting of him, as had Rivalz, Shirley, Nina. Lelouch felt welcome around them.

Lonely and homesick as he was, Lelouch knew this was for the best.

Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Lelouch span in his chair, gazing into the mirror in front of him. So this is the last time I'm going to have this head of hair, huh? Pity. I'm used to it.

He glanced at C.C., who was lounging around in the corner, as if waiting for something to happen.

"Something on your mind?" C.C. asked, with a tone that implied she didn't care that much.

"I like this haircut. It feels good. Sometimes it gets hot on my face, especially if I have Zero's helmet on, but that doesn't matter. Sweat keeps me from overheating."

"Mm."

"Did you always have green hair?"

"Born with it."

"You never thought of dying it?"

C.C. shrugged. "It reminds me of spring."

Lelouch wasn't sure what to take away from that. "You might want to consider it, with your being hunted down and all."

"Unless it's a necessity, I don't think I will."

"Stubborn."

"Aren't you?"

Lelouch smiled. "Can't argue with that. Is it possible to Geass myself?"

"Considering the specifics of your Geass, I don't doubt it… but truth be told I've never seen it happen. That's probably because your Geass is unique."

"I thought you said everyone's was unique."

"Yours is particularly unique. You can turn it on and off, but it only works if you talk. Why are you asking?"

"I don't want to Geass myself by accident."

C.C. huffed what sounded like a small, sardonic laugh. "That would be entertaining."

"Mind telling me what our contract is yet?"

"No. Not yet."

This is going to take forever. "If you insist. It makes no difference to me."

"Then why do you keep asking?"

"Curiosity. And don't you dare say anything about cats." Lelouch activated his Geass, examining it in the mirror. "I don't think I've used this enough."

"I thought you didn't want to abuse your power."

"I'm not."

"What about those guards you Geass'd at the Palace? They sabotaged their own commanders under your orders – probably getting court martialed as we speak. All because you asked them to do so."

"They're on the enemy's side."

"I thought you liked free will."

"I didn't take control of their entire life, C.C. I asked them to do a simple task."

"One seemingly small action can change the course of someone's entire life."

Lelouch scowled. "Like you care about that. You're a distributor of Geass. That can corrupt someone."

"I gave you the choice of saying no."

Lelouch blinked. She's got a point.

"Choice is tricky," Lelouch said, looking at his Zero helmet. "Sometimes we make choices because we feel like we need to…"

"We can and will rescue Kururugi."

"Sometimes we make choices… against our good will."

"Everything that happened today has to be kept a secret."

"Sometimes we make choices in the heat of the moment that we wind up regretting later."

"Fire."

"Mother's dead and it's all your fault!"

"Freedom is the opportunity to choose… but sometimes someone has to relinquish choice so that others – the majority – have options."

"That's a very fine line to walk on," C.C. drawled.

Lelouch rubbed his eyes. "We already had this discussion. Please don't bring it up again."

C.C. shrugged. "Just making conversation."

"Whatever."

Finally, Sayoko returned, wearing a large apron – she wore a belt across her midsection, full of all kinds of makeup tools, cans, gels, sprays.

Lelouch took one last look at his rakish, neatly-fringed hair.

"Simple. You accept it and move on."

"Alright, Sayoko. Let's do this."

[*****]

SHIBUYA RED CROSS

Jeremiah hated hospitals. He hated lying on a bed, prone to the advice and decisions of a doctor. Jeremiah knew his own body better than anybody else; it was his, after all, it belonged to nobody else. He hated feeling submissive, having his needs constantly tended to by people who clearly pitied him more than anything else. Most of all, he hated waiting around and doing nothing; hospitals, frankly, were boring as all hell.

I suppose I'd rather be bored than dead… on some occasions, anyway.

When Jeremiah rose to power, he was prepared for the amount of work involved. He was able to push all of the political jargon and paperwork lobbying and maneuvering into the back of his head – with some effort – and just roll with it, use his God-given silver tongue and inherent stubbornness to get what he wanted. What he wasn't prepared for was the amount of increasingly outspoken criticism and backlash he received – the public simply wasn't ready for Jeremiah's stricter, military-minded philosophies, his emphasis on crime control, his desire to change, add to, or supplement the Provisional Constitution, Area 11's long-standing codex. Clovis was very by-the-book when he was in charge; Jeremiah was a tad different.

Of course, Clovis lost his mind. I don't think I have, at least not yet. Still, his purging was necessary.

Jeremiah refused to let a little criticism stop him. He'd weathered far worse.

The door to his right opened, and Jeremiah sat up, his gaze falling on a Britannian nurse – young, brunette, in her mid-to-late twenties.

"Um… hello, Viceroy Gottwald. How are you feeling?" she asked, as nervy and mousey as he'd expected.

"Sore, but fine. I'd like to be released as soon as possible."

"I'm sorry. Doctor Moriya's orders."

"I don't c—wait. Moriya?"

"Yes?"

"I'm confused. This isn't Doctor Lasky's office?"

"No, Your Excellency. This is Doctor Moriya's office. Lasky was simply checking on you while Moriya busied himself with Baron Soresi's injuries."

That's an Eleven name. Jeremiah smacked his forehead, chastising himself for not asking earlier. He was brought into the hospital unconscious, and after waking up, he was greeted by Doctor Lasky, a sharp-looking, purebred Britannian. Naturally, Jeremiah assumed that the patient room he was in was Lasky's.

"Why the hell do I have two doctors periodically checking on me?"

"Doctor Moriya is an orthopedist. Both you and Baron Soresi had bone injuries, Your Excellency; Soresi's were far worse, however. Miss Moriya will be back to check on you, Your Excellency, I can assure you."

"Bones? A Chaos Mine caused this?"

"The blast waves of a Chaos Mine explosion could potentially break bones and amputate parts, Your Excellency."

You learn something new every day. So that's why I'm being kept in here even though I'm perfectly fine, joint pain notwithstanding – that damn Eleven Doctor wants me cooped up in here.

"Tell this Moriya woman to let me go. I don't appreciate the fact that her political opinions is influencing my stay here."

The nurse's eyes widened. "No, no, Your Excellency! No respect intended, but I can assure you that is not the case! We – everyone here – wants you to be as healthy as possible. We take in Britannians and Elevens equally."

Jeremiah slid back onto his bed, still peeved. "Alright, fine."

"Do you need anything at the moment, Your Excellency?" she said, her cheeks still flushed with the considerable passion of her argument.

"What is your name?"

"Nikki, sir."

"Nothing at the moment. I would like to be released, but since that's not happening any time in the future, I suppose I would just like something to eat."

"What would you like?"

"It doesn't matter. Surprise me."

"As you wish." Nikki turned to walk out, before stopping herself and whipping back around. "Oh! My apologies, Your Excellency, I forgot to say. You have a visitor."

That peaked Jeremiah's interest. "Whom?"

"A…" She looked through her clipboard. "Bartley Asprius. He's a General."

Jeremiah's face immediately fell even as his eyes widened in shock.

What. He's supposed to be in prison.

"Fine. Bring him in. Now," Jeremiah ordered, unable to process this.

She left for a moment, and soon Jeremiah was looking at Bartley Asprius himself. He'd gotten changed out of his prisoner uniform and was in his well-pressed General's uniform, with his golden epaulets, blue overcoat, the Homeland insignia stitched onto the chest pocket. The burly man's expression was indecipherable, although Jeremiah had the tiniest feeling that Bartley wasn't pleased to see him.

"Asprius."

"Gottwald," he responded, taking a seat at the foot of Jeremiah's bed.

And then it hit Jeremiah.

"You were the one that called in for reinforcements, weren't you?"

Bartley simply nodded.

Jeremiah felt an odd mixture of relief and confusion fill his mind.

"Why?" Jeremiah asked.

"Gottwald, I'm a soldier," Bartley said, gesturing to his coat. "If I let something petty like a grudge get in the way of serving my country, then what kind of soldier am I? I couldn't let you perish, not without a reason. Even if some of your actions have been… questionable, we've cooperated and worked together more often than not."

"…Thank you," Jeremiah said, with some difficulty. "How is Soresi?"

"Improving, but not terrific. He isn't near-death, but he's going to be out of commission for a while."

At least he's not dead. "Thank you for letting me know."

"The more I think about it, the more I wish I hadn't gotten involved in Prince Clovis' shenanigans."

"Ah?"

"Look where it got me. Look where it got him. I'm not even sure where he is anymore. Some say he's disappeared. Some say he's dead. That worries me – he was a fine Britannian, and a good leader… at least until he decided to wrap himself up in all that supernatural voodoo business."

"So you agree with my theory."

"The more I consider it, the more weight your theory has. His temperament got worse… he started getting more and more paranoid as the project continued on."

"I see."

"I still haven't forgiven you for that unnecessary takedown of the Palace," Bartley snapped, folding his hands. "You could have settled things politically. Violence only works when all else fails."

Jeremiah sighed. "I apologize for my rash actions, but it had to be done."

"You keep telling yourself that."

"I'm in your debt, Asprius. Thank you. Is there anything I could do to repay you?"

Bartley shook his head. "Let me mull over it. As it is, I'll be preoccupied. Prince Schneizel is going to pay a visit to Area 11 along with Princess Euphemia li Britannia – I'll be accompanying him, making sure his security detail is in shape, ready to battle any terrorists at a moment's notice."

Jeremiah nodded, his tactical side kicking in. "We had a team of three soldiers cut our comm lines before the battle the other day. Villetta's having them interrogated as we speak, but… Bartley. If Zero managed to corrupt them, to influence them…"

"Then he probably knows about Prince Schneizel and Lady Euphemia's coming," Bartley concluded.

"Precisely. I also want you to use this opportunity to find out about the Lancelot, about who pilots it, how it functions. That interested me." And it gave us a moment to breathe.

Bartley stared at Jeremiah imperiously. "I'm not under your command, Gottwald. I don't necessarily need to do as your order."

"…You're ri—"

"But I can answer of those questions. The pilot is Suzaku Kururugi."

Jeremiah stared at Bartley, naked shock written on his face. "Kururugi. Lloyd allowed an Eleven to be the devicer of his secret project?"

"Aye."

"And he ordered this Eleven to save us?"

"From what I heard from Lloyd and Cecile, Kururugi came on his own accord."

That just didn't compute. Jeremiah angled his gaze at the ceiling. "He's an Eleven."

"And an Honorary Britannian." Bartley rose out of his seat, preparing to walk out. "If there's anything this experience has taught me, it's that some people aren't always what they appear to be at first glance."

"Bartley, hold on."

He did just so.

"Thank you for aiding us. Keep in contact with me, please."

"Don't forget your debt, Gottwald. And remember to know your enemy. Don't wind up like Clovis."

And with that, Bartley Asprius was gone.

[*****]

SETAGAYA DISTRICT

The hotel Setannia was the perfect strategic spot for Rolo; it was right in between Setagaya and Shinjuku. Sanctuary and hellhole, twenty minutes apart at most; one night, Rolo heard distant bursts of gunfire, and he just stayed up listening to the shots drone on for a while. It was like a lullaby.

I ought to contact V.V., tell him what's going on.

Rolo pulled out his well-used cellphone, dialing in the familiar number and gazing around his high-rise hotel room as his phone rang. Marble floors, hot showers, clean beds, television in the corner; it was 100% Britannian-manufactured, and it stuck out like a sore thumb amidst all the Japanese culture.

At least the Chinese Federation is more-or-less 100% China. This "Area 11" looks like… an incomplete painting.

"It looks like the end of the world."

Rolo still had no idea how to interpret that statement.

"Hello?" answered V.V. on the other line.

"I've located a terrorist group, sir."

"Impressive. That was fast. How much do you presently know?"

"I took a trip through Shinjuku, came across a battle of sorts. I used my Geass to place a tracking device on a terrorist's Knightmare Frame—"

Nearly died in the process, too. I could feel my heart withering away.

"—And I'm going to track it down tonight."

"Good. Find a way to round them up, then go deliver them all to this Zero character."

"As you wish."

"Keep me updated. Goodbye."

V.V. disconnected and Rolo rose as he patted himself down, making sure he had all of his weapons on him. He would feel naked without a gun or a knife on him.

[*****]

PENDRAGON IMPERIAL PALACE

By the time Schneizel's jet touched down, Time Baron knew exactly what he was going to say to everybody. He wanted to make the best possible impression; after all, this would be the first time that Lelouch vi Britannia would get to see everyone in over "seven years". Of course, Time Baron had dealt with basically all of his brothers and sisters multiple times over the course of the many, many timelines he'd experienced and participated in, but this time was a little bit different. For once, Time Baron wasn't going to be fighting anyone on the battlefield.

Well. Maybe.

Schneizel rose out of his seat, reaching into his pocket. He handed Time Baron a Britannian emblem.

"Wear this. It'll get you in their favor, trust me," Schneizel advised, a cool customer as always.

"Nah."

Schneizel chuckled. "Come now, Lelouch, you and I both know how convenient it is to have friends in high places."

Time Baron did a once-over of Schneizel. One thing that constantly amazed Time Baron was how similar everyone looked in each of the timelines, regardless of the environment and circumstances, and Schneizel looked exactly the same as he did in the Prime Timeline all those years ago. That well-groomed, thick mass of blonde hair, his elegant, blue-red Russian Prime Minister's outfit, that perpetual smirk Time Baron had come to know, love, and hate. He was exactly as charismatic and handsome as his Prime Timeline counterpart.

And probably just as cunning.

"I'd like to be high right now, honestly."

Schneizel gave a hearty, well-timed laugh. "Glad to see your sense of humor hasn't died. I'm afraid your flight has ended, though – I really ought to get back to Moscow. I'm going to be expecting Euphy after tonight, so sorry to say, she can't stay long."

Time Baron shrugged, started walking off. "So long as I get to see her, then I'll be good."

"Try not to break too many hearts, Lelouch."

Time Baron died a little inside; he had an incredibly witty comment about the F.L.E.I.J.A. he wanted to sic on Schneizel, but it was a little premature, and it would only be funny to Time Baron (and Kaguya, if she was around). Plus, he didn't want to give Schneizel any ideas.

"Uh-huh. See you on the flip side."

Schneizel, you glorious, manipulative bastard. Even after all this time, Time Baron had no idea whether to love or hate the man. What he did know, though, is that there was a special spot in hell reserved for the both of them. Time Baron came onto the landing pad, and immediately an entire detail of guards walked up, spouting some nonsense Time Baron had absolutely no interest in. Time Baron let his eyes drift across the landscape – it was exactly as beautiful as he remembered it. Some distance away was the Imperial Palace – it was exactly as dire-looking as he remembered.

Some things never change, I guess.

"Your Highness?"

Time Baron turned to a particular guard, and nearly burst out laughing in surprise.

MULLET MAN.

"…Do I know you from somewhere?" Time Baron challenged, even though he already knew he was talking to Gino Weinberg. He was a tall, well-built young man, with big, dumb, turquoise eyes, a grin permanently welded to his face, armed with a can-do attitude that Time Baron had come to simultaneously adore and despise.

He may look like a fool, and act like a fool, but don't let that fool you! He is a fool! FUCK, I wish Kaguya was here to laugh at my jokes.

"Afraid not, Your Highness. The name's Gino Weinberg, The Knight of Three. It's a pleasure to finally see you alive! The amount of uproar you caused is hellish," he said, smiling all the while. He bowed in front of Time Baron.

"I've ruled enough worlds that I've grown kinda numb to it."

"Huh?" he said, laughing.

"I'm used to being in the limelight. So, where are you taking me?"

"The Royal Court, Your Highness. Your Family's waiting."

"The Imperial Cucks? Oh, what a pleasure it'll be to see them again. Let's make haste!"

"At once, Your Highness." Gino turned around and began walking down the staircase, Time Baron in tow. They walked through a series of nondescript hallways and rooms that Time Baron vaguely recalled belonging to the Armed Guards.

"Tell me, Gino, anything interesting happening over here?"

"Where to start, Your Highness?" Gino said, never stopping his quick pace. "I'm sure you already know about Prince Schneizel and Prince Clovis, but there's a whole lot else going on. Princess Cornelia's in the European Union right now, but the E.U. is way stronger than we thought they were at first. Prince Odysseus has been working together with Prince Schneizel on ways to deal with the Chinese Federation problem. Princess Marrybell joined the military last year, and from what I hear she's made some elite unit in the military called the Glinda Knights; I dunno what that's all about, but it sounds cool. Not as cool as the Knights of the Round, you understand, but still cool. Oh, and her sister, Euriya, joined her as part of that group."

During their conversation, they'd managed to go all the way into the Jupiter Gardens. Time Baron remembered many a happy day playing in these gardens with Euphy.

And Nunnally. Although she's dead to me.

Just entering the gardens made Time Baron step back in time. He didn't even care about the Imperial Palace, in all of its splendor and grandeur – drinking in the sights and smells of the playground of his childhood was enough. Time Baron stood in the basking glow of the setting sun for a moment, breathing in deep the early winter smells, letting the cool air run over him, meditating to the music of nature.

"This place is exactly as retarded as I remember," Time Baron killed the mood.

"Uh… good!" Gino said, giving a thumbs-up. "Shall we go inside the Court?"

"Sure, why not. I have nothing to lose, except maybe my balls."

Gino winked. "I'll be watching over you, Your Majesty, don't worry."

Time Baron shrugged. Being an immortal kind of makes you indifferent towards death.

"Nervous?" Gino asked.

On the contrary. Time Baron was eager, and he couldn't wait to roast everyone.

The interior of the Royal Court was exactly how Time Baron remembered it. A spacious, handsome-looking room with a red rug running down the middle, stop at the threshold of the Emperor's throne. Time Baron couldn't help but note, with some amusement, that there was no Emperor in sight. There were, however, quite a lot of people inside the Royal Court. Everyone froze the moment Gino and the Baron entered the Court; then, one by one, everyone turned to gaze at Time Baron. One person began talking, then another, then everyone was talking in a storm of excitement. Time Baron had the feeling of being swallowed up by his brothers and sisters. Almost everyone was there, save for the ones that Gino mentioned weren't going to be there. Carine and Guinevere, the two of them looking as pale and sheltered as Time Baron remembered (although Guinevere's hair was becoming purpler by the day; she reminded Time Baron vaguely of Cornelia). Odysseus, looking stupidly content, with a big, dumb smile on a face. The resident identical twin brothers, Castor and Pollux, expressions indecipherable; the beaming Laila, who looked quite a bit different at fourteen in comparison to the seven-year-old Time Baron remembered her being.

There were others, many others, but Time Baron's eyes focused on the only one he truly loved. Euphemia looked exactly as young and beautiful as her Prime Timeline counterpart was. Her cotton-candy curls looked particularly poofy; she was wearing her iconic outfit, a light coat atop a pink, fur-trim dress that made her look taller than she actually was.

The way she looked at him made Time Baron want to cry. She looked so happy, so joyous, so much different from "Princess Murderer".

He felt a hand clap on his shoulder; Time Baron snapped out of his daydreaming the moment Odysseus hugged him.

"Lelouch. It's been ages. I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm so glad to see you alive again!"

Right. Right. Ahold of yourself, Baron. Time Baron cleared his throat. "It's great to be back in Hell, Odysseus. It really, really is."

"Are you suffering from jetlag?" Guinevere asked, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

"I dunno. Are you? You look kind of sickly. Too much time in the sun, vampire?"

She forced a laugh. "As humorous as ever, Lelouch."

"Don't drink my blood."

"How does it feel to be away from Area 11, brother? Must have been a horrifying place," Pollux proclaimed, evidently still a little peeved from being called a homosexual.

"Oh, Pollux, you have no idea how good it was to get away from all the complaining! 'My friends were slaughtered by soldiers!' 'I got beaten by five Noblemen today!' 'My entire family is addicted to Refrain!' What a terrible bunch."

A heavy silence filled the room for a moment, and Time Baron was glad. All he wanted to do was talk to fucking Euphemia, but they weren't going to let him go.

"Um, yes, that does sound bad. How did you survive?" Pollux continued.

"Lots and lots of sexual favors. My ass is still sore."

"Are you serious?" Carine asked, her mouth wide open. Time Baron vaguely remembered a timeline where everyone in the Imperial Family became students at Ashford Academy, and he intervened for the sole purpose of Geass'ing Carine, giving her the very specific order of "I want you to repeatedly slam your head on a desk until I tell you to stop". Which he never did.

I should totally do it right now. Little loli bitch.

"What do you think?" Time Baron responded. Gino and Euphemia were sort of sinking into the corner, looking equally embarrassed, even though they were both smiling. Time Baron mouthed the words "Save me" in Euphemia's general direction, but she just waited patiently.

"Did you bring something cool home?" Laila asked, bouncing as she said that.

"You bet! Soul-crushing cynicism and an overwhelming desire to die!"

"…Huh?"

"Such an intelligent answer. You remind me of this one Japanese kid I befriended."

"You made friends with an Eleven?" Guinevere asked, wincing as she said the last word.

"Yeahhhh, turns out they're actually really cool people and that maybe they aren't as ignorant and savage as our propaganda makes them about to be. Crazy, right?"

"Is there a problem?" Castor asked, seemingly recognizing the danger in Time Baron's tone.

Yeah. He's 5'9, blue-haired, annoying, and his name is Castor. "Not a one, brother!" Time Baron proclaimed, holding off on his verbal smackdown.

"I detect just a hint of sarcasm, if you don't mind my saying," Guinevere said.

I'm going to douse you in garlic, you fucking vampire. "As perceptive as ever, sister."

Odysseus raised his hands, clearing his throat. "Now, now. Maybe we should let Lelouch relax, hm? After all, he's had a long flight, and we really should let him get some rest, or something to eat. We can play twenty questions later!"

"Good ol' Odysseus," Time Baron said, patting him on the epaulets. "Always there to have my back. But you're right! Gino, let's blow this popsicle stand. I'll be more than happy to catch up with all of you later." Time Baron gave a none-too-subtle gesture towards Euphemia as he walked outside; she responded in time with a thumbs-up.

Time Baron quickly left the Royal Court after sparing one more glance towards the empty throne, and walked into the Gardens, leaning against a tree and letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in.

Some things really never change. I still hate ninety percent of those leech-like assclowns.

Gino approached Time Baron, looking concerned. "Your Majesty? Where would you like to go next?"

Back to Japan would be awesome. "I'm just waiting. There's one more sister I'd like to talk to."

"Ahhhh," Gino said, clicking his tongue. "I getcha."

"I like the informal attitude, by the way. Keep it up."

Euphemia walked out the door, approaching the Baron with an amused-looking smile.

"You've changed a little bit," Euphemia proclaimed, her voice like music itself.

"Heyyyy, Euphy. Let's go this way, away from the Imperial Fools," Time Baron said, grabbing Euphemia's wrist and heading west.

"They're not that bad," Euphemia said, failing to hold back a laugh.

"Yeahhhh, you're right, they're worse than they seem."

Gino, wisely, kept his distance even though it was obvious he was shadowing the two of them. Time Baron finally reached his destination, the Flora, a large fountain named and honored after one of the Emperor's consorts who fell prone to maternal death. As a child, the Baron would toss coins into the fountain, in the hopes having some of his wishes come true; he learned this trick from Clovis and Euphemia.

"It's so peaceful here," Euphemia said, looking content.

"Yep."

Euphemia and the Baron embraced each other, reaching for one another in unison. Save for the hug he received from Odysseus, Time Baron had not been touched for quite a while, save for all the firm handshakes exchanged between him and Schneizel. Getting hugged by Euphemia made the Baron feel a little human again; she showed no signs of letting go.

"I missed you so much," Euphemia muttered, shaking lightly.

"Feeling's mutual."

"God, I thought you were dead."

"Thought I was, too. But it turns out you can't kill Lelouch vi Britannia." Literally.

"After Cornelia was shipped off to war, I felt so alone, and then I felt so selfish because I thought that… should you be alive, your loneliness would be worse than mine."

"I'll tell you all about it later, but… I made more than a few friends in Japan. Not just Britannians."

"Good… that's good…" Euphemia whispered, resting her head on Time Baron's shoulder. "I was a mess when I heard you alive. Like, I was a complete wreck."

"Most women are once a month."

Euphemia laughed again, pulling apart from Time Baron. "I don't ever remember you being so funny."

"Well, Area 11 made clowns out of all of us."

Euphemia frowned, deep in thought. "Were you ever in any danger?"

"Nah. Beyond having to hide my identity for years in a war-torn country? Safest place on Earth."

Euphemia stared into the fountain. Time Baron could see the outline of the sunset reflected on the water's rippling surface. It felt like an omen.

"This is strictly between you and me, but… I hate the direction Britannia's taken."

This sounds important. "You don't say."

"I've always opposed our Father's policies on world domination, but… at the time, I didn't think much of it. Now I do."

The flames of idealism are thus rekindled. History is doomed to repeat itself over and fucking over again.

"Your exile started it," Euphemia said, running a hand through her hair. "Made me start thinking differently. That maybe our system is flawed… and the older I get, the worst the reality of the situation becomes. I feel like… the only way to change Britannia's views is to change the world around it."

Wouldn't work. The only way to fix a problem is to cut off the head of a problem.

"You know I'm heading to Area 11 soon, right? With Schneizel?"

"Leaving so soon, huh?" Time Baron asked, stretching and tossing a coin into the fountain.

"I'll be back, silly. What did you just wish for?"

"Your safety."

Euphemia smiled bright. "Glad to hear it. But yes, I'm going to Area 11. Schneizel is heading there to check out some project he's been funding for the past few months – when I asked, he accepted. I know you probably know all about Japan better than I do… but I want to see what it's really like. See what life there is really like, because according to the news here, Japan is at peace."

Time Baron snorted. "Nice. I love the media."

"They act like they're so smooth about it, but everyone knows the truth, even if they won't say it out loud."

"Could be dangerous."

Euphemia shrugged. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous… or scared. But I can't stay cooped up in the Homeland anymore. Cornelia, Clovis, Marry, so many others… they all went off to war. Risked their lives. Why not me?"

"So idealistic. Some things never change." I feel like I've been using that statement a lot.

Euphemia looked up at the darkening sky; some stars had come out to greet them. Time Baron looked up at Gino, who was leaning against a tree somewhere in the distance, silently watching over the two of them. Time Baron was exhausted, and he felt so, so old, but he knew that if he was with someone like Euphemia, then he would feel young again. Feel like Lelouch again.

So they sat there, watching the gyring stars, Time Baron hoping that it wouldn't be the last time.