It was November of the year 2016 and C.C. was right.

I found myself on the floor of my room back in the homeland, in my hands was a mirror that I now had pressed against my chest. Moonlight pierced through the drapes to give light to this room on the second floor. The shock of the situation I found myself in was still registering. C.C. was right, my Geass had run away which meant when I looked in the mirror my mind flooded with futures. So many that my memories became scrambled and I could no longer remember that I had Geassed myself. In the process, I developed attachments that were real to me but did not exist in the real world.

I didn't leave the floor and slept on it until morning came around, our maid Maggie woke me up asking what was wrong. I only told her that I wouldn't be having breakfast, and left for a flower field where I used to meet D.D. before we left for Area Eleven. Sitting on the ground, I watched the flowers drift in the morning wind. So many words were now made meaningless. Every action I took, promises made, and concern felt were now nothing but a fleeting part of a dream. A nightmare, in a way. I remember vividly, Euphy's death and her last words to me before everything began again.

Euphy: "(F/N), where's Suzaku?" She asked at death's door, laid down in a medical bed onboard the Avalon. "Did the ceremony go well?" I didn't have the heart to tell her that she shot Suzaku in front of everyone.

(F/N): "The... ceremony was attacked by the purist. Suzaku, he asked me to bring you here so he could fight knowing you were safe." Euphy reached her hand out and held my face.

Euphy: "It's alright, you don't need to cry."

(F/N): "I'm sorry Euphy..."

Euphy: "You always encouraged me, telling me to speak my mind without doubts... you shouldn't be sorry."

(F/N): "Then please don't go, I've already lost enough and seen enough people die. Please don't be one of them."

Euphy: "(F/N)... I want to say something... please, come closer. It's getting hard to see you." I leaned closer, my tears fell on her. "Thank you... for everything, my knight."

After using the last of her strength to smile, her line went flat. That Euphy, who I had met much like the last time around, the one who I snuck out to meet and explore the Tokyo Settlement, the one who helped me forget about the past with Kallen, was dead. I wish I knew what the price for happiness was because I could do for some of it right now. As the memories of dreams continued to turn in my head, I waited for the sound of her voice.

D.D.: "You're here early today." I didn't look at her and continued to watch the flowers. "What's wrong?"

(F/N): "You know that my Geass ran away last night." She sat beside me.

D.D.: "I was going to check on you if you weren't here this morning. But you didn't answer my question." She leaned on me.

(F/N): "I used my Geass on myself. I think it was eight cycles, roughly sixteen years but in reality, it was only five, maybe six hours."

D.D.: "(F/N), if I had known that, I would have been there." She held me as her tone read of guilt. "I didn't think that would happen."

(F/N): "It's all right. I don't blame you for what happened. Could you... listen to a story for me? It'll take a while."

D.D.: "I have all day to listen if that's what you need."

(F/N): "Thank you."

It took the entire day to recount everything that had happened. Through it all, D.D. listened intently to every word I said. The emotions I felt, the people I met, and the fates that fell them. From the person known as Zero to the plans of Emperor Charles. It was relieving to tell someone about it all. Granted, she's the only person I could tell all of this to without sounding like a mad man. As the sun was starting to set, I wrapped up my long story with a question.

(F/N): "Do you think... any of it mattered? That the promises I made actually meant something?"

D.D.: "I think that's up to you. They may not know it, but to you they're important, and in the future, they'll be important to the world."

(F/N): "Maybe I should go back to doing what I want."

D.D.: "What would that be?"

(F/N): "Well, I thought it was Kallen, now I'm not sure. Being with Euphy... I guess I don't know what I really wanted."

D.D.: "It sounded like you had a few girls on your mind. Maybe going after a few wouldn't be a bad idea."

(F/N): "Are you really suggesting I misuse my Geass?"

D.D.: "Whatever makes you feel more happy than guilty. Until the end, no matter what, I'll always be by your side."

(F/N): "Well, I have a lot of time now to think about what it is I want in this life."

D.D.: "Nine months before C.C. and Lelouch meet. That time can fly by quickly if you don't use it well. But for you, I think that's enough time before the world begins to go crazy."

(F/N): "Zero." I thought about that name, and the many memories attached to it before I stood and turned to D.D., reaching out a hand. "D.D., would you please come with me to Japan? You are the only person in this entire world that I can rely upon without question, and the person I need most right now."

D.D.: "(F/N), my identity here may be fake, but to leave everything so suddenly." She smiled with radiants as she reached out. "You're the only one I would such a thing for." She stood in front of me, still holding on.

(F/N): "D.D., not as part of our contract, but as a promise, I will make a world where you and I are happy."

D.D.: "And I take it your happiness is tied to the promises you made and people you cared about. How are you going to explain our relationship to your parents?"

(F/N): "That's simple, I'll tell them you're my lover." D.D. looked surprised. "You did say you'd always be by my side until the end. And given everything you put up with before, I'd say if you didn't love me, you really care deeply for me." D.D.'s surprised look turned back to a smile, then a peck on the check.

D.D.: "Now that's simply cheating, but since it's you I'm alright with that."

The two of us went back to my home, Maggie was relieved to see me alright and overjoyed to meet D.D., as would my mother. In the dining room, both my parents had already settled down to eat and were almost finished when we walked in. It was a rare week where they weren't as busy and were around more, oh how that changes whenever we move. Mother was the first to get out of her seat, worried about me, and interested in hearing about the girl I brought home.

(F/N): "Mother, allow me to introduce D.D., my girlfriend, and love who I want to come with us to Area Eleven."

Catherine: "Oh, how wonderful!" She ran over in heels extremely well and took D.D. into a hug. "I was always asking Maggie where it was you run off to, but to think it was to meet such a lovely young girl."

(F/N): "As it just so happens, she loves dressing up. You could even say she's a natural model." Taking the hint, that sent my mother into her hobby mode. "Why don't you two spend some time getting to know each other while father and I talk?"

Catherine: "I have the perfect outfit for you to try on my dear." D.D., without any choice, was dragged out of the room. Maggie followed them, leaving me with my father.

Conor: "You seem different from what Maggie said this morning." He gestured to my mother's seat. "Might as well sit and have the rest while we talk." I did as he suggested. "What happened?"

(F/N): "I really can't say a lot. Don't get me wrong there are things I want to say, things I have to say, and right now I'm not sure what I should say to convince you to give in to my selfish request-"

Conor: "No." He cut me off. "There's no need to convince me. Simply tell me what the matter is."

(F/N): "That's just it, I really can't. But I want you to know that, no matter what, I'm not going to think about the future like my uncle. I'll face it head-on and plan, yes, but I'll learn from the past and live in the present. That's why... when we move to Area Eleven, I would be grateful if you could comfort mom when I'm gone." Our eyes told each other that this was the last time we'd speak as father and son.

Conor: "Knowing too much can be a dangerous thing." I nodded. "I won't ask what you're planning to do, I only ask that you make sure to come home someday." I cracked a smile.

(F/N): "I will. I'm not going just yet, but when I do, know that I won't be alone no matter what battle I'm fighting." I got up. "For the record, if I wanted to I could be a Knight of Honor. I'm just saying." That got a laugh out of him.

Conor: "You? A Knight of Honor? Well, Sir Knight, you better prove yourself."

(F/N): "I will."

I went to go check on D.D. in my mother's studio and found her in a swimsuit. There were also, at minimum, twenty different outfits either on the racks that were out or thrown about the place. She didn't appear to mind my mother dressing her up like a toy, but I know better than to let it go on much longer. So I hinted to my mother that perhaps D.D. could use some rest from the long day out. Now, I'm pretty sure she didn't interpret what I was saying properly because she replied by hinting at grandkids in the future.

Ignoring my mother, I showed D.D. to the guestroom and bath before turning in for the night. Despite my mother's funny ideas nothing happened that night between D.D. and me. However, I did have a dream about everyone in Area Eleven. It was only the other day I was Knighted by Princess Euphemia and was speaking with C.C. about the looping problem. I wonder where and how I should meet her for the first time again. Bringing pizza is the fastest way to her heart, or her patience, while I explain the insanity I've been through without sounding insane. I could say her name and nothing else, but that would simply be for dramatic effect for me. She would be wondering how I knew her name and who I am.

D.D. could always explain things, assuming they don't start off on the wrong foot this time. Then there's Lelouch and his Geass, if I get hit with that there is no retry, it's game over. Now that I think about it, Clovis needs to be dealt with as well. Should I let Lelouch kill him like all other times before? If not things would turn uncertain. Cornelia and Euphy need to come to Area Eleven. The Black Knights need to form and, at some point, I'll need to deal with uncertain moments.

In a dream about the past, it was during the second assault on Tokyo Settlement. I was a part of Rolo's team to infiltrate the Central Government Building to rescue Kallen and take Viceroy Nunnally. Sayoko and I broke off from the main group to find Kallen, both aware that I couldn't make it to her alone. When we found her it wasn't the scene of a happy dream. I woke up from revisiting the memory but continued to recount it in my head. Kallen was on the floor of her cell, wounded and out of it. Breaking in, I took her in my arms and recognized that absent look in her eyes.

She was on Refrain. Kallen looked at me and called me by her brother's name, Naoto. Who died before I met her. She told me that she was alright, that it was a scratch and nothing to worry about. But I could tell it was more than that. Suzaku, from what I knew at the time, he wouldn't torture someone, definitely not someone he knew. Without Kallen, Sayoko suggested that I fly the Guren and assist in the battle. The Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. Eight Elements was a Frame I did not expect to fly, and couldn't predict how well I could fly it.

I wanted to bring Kallen to safety but second-guessed myself when deciding if I should risk her being in the Guren with her current state. Deciding she'd be safer with Sayoko, I was filled with an anger that needed to be released. Taking the key, I jumped in and readied the Frame. I was going to kill every Britannian I could. Breaking out of the Government Building, the Knightmare Frame flew faster than I would have possibly imagined. I tore through the sky and enemies. It was all going so well, I even killed the Vampire of Brittannia, Luciano Bradley. Now looking back on the event, it was likely him that made Kallen suffer.

(F/N): "Kallen... I shouldn't have left you there." I was in mild misery remembering my mistake. "But, maybe I was too quick to blame myself for your death." I got out of bed and went to the kitchen for some tea, in the middle of brewing it mother walked in.

Catherine: "Can't sleep?"

(F/N): "No, and so you know, D.D. has been in the guestroom all night."

Catherine: "I know, I was teasing you before." She came over to the counter I was leaning my back on. "When I asked him about your talk he said you were fine, but your father has a habit of holding his right wrist when he lies."

(F/N): "He didn't get a straight answer out of me when we talked about it. I don't want you to worry about it."

Catherine: "Then I'll stop as long as I know you're alright." She combed her hand through the top of my head. "Was it a nightmare?"

(F/N): "Yeah, a bad one." When whistling was heard, mother took care of the brewing. "Mom, I know dad plans to let Maggie retire, so would you be against an Eleven maid?" She looked at me oddly because of the change in topic.

Catherine: "I suppose not, why?"

(F/N): "It's nothing. I heard Ashford is a good school."

Catherine: "That's what it is." She waved her finger. "You really are my son because you remind me of how I was when I spoke to my father about anything important. Like my career, marriage, having you. It was always hard finding the right answer and sticking on topic."

(F/N): "How did you grow out of it?" She shook her head.

Catherine: "Oh, I didn't. Every day I think back to my choices, reevaluate them. And I always end up telling myself to stop that." She pointed her index at me. "Stop questioning yourself. The world isn't going to end just because you're wrong." That might have hit too close to home, involuntarily, tears started to swell in my eyes.

(F/N): "But what if it did?" For the first time in, not including the time I spent Geassed, years. My mother gave me a warm hug and held me close.

Catherine: "Then I would ask for help because it would be a mistake to try and fix the world on my own."

(F/N): "Thanks." She let go of me and took her cup of tea, allowing me to rub the tears away.

Catherine: "Are you going to be fine?"

(F/N): "Yeah, I need a moment to think. Thank you."

Catherine: "Do make sure you get some rest when you're done thinking."

(F/N): "I will." She left to return to her and father's room. "I hope you two will be fine once I'm gone."

Grabbing my own cup of tea, I thought to myself for a moment. Maybe I was wrong, maybe if I didn't keep thinking that they were my mistakes to bear, things would have changed more for the better. Maybe like last time, I needed to reach out to people to help me. With a more friendly approach next time. To take my mother's advice, I finished my tea and went to the guestroom. Knocking on it gently, the door opened. D.D., who was dressed for bed, hadn't gone to sleep yet from the looks of the sheets. I asked her if she had a minute, she gave me the night.

Laid down together we spoke of the future and the mistakes I made in the past once more. I listened to D.D. as she gave advice and suggested what caused some events from her perspective of what I said. In the morning, we woke up, I felt better. Both in my chest and in my head. Out of last night's talk, a plan was born between us. One that would change the world, for real this time.