I was close, it was a week and a half, that was the time we had to finish the device from the dreams. Calling it a high stakes gamble would be making light of it. Working throughout the nights, without the use of Geass, we aimed to complete the F.S.F. and finish its installation into the Ikaruga before then. The problem? It wasn't finished and we were already receiving reports of military movement on the Britannian side. As suspected, a number of member nations were in the pocket of Schneizel and voted against having the Black Knights take preempted measures against Britannia, claiming that it would only make relations worse.

This meant we couldn't make an open move against Britannia and we had to work with what we had in Japan. Thankfully, that included Lionel Night, the Guren, and the rest of our core forces. Tohdoh and Cornelia worked together in forming up strategies and mock battles for the troops. D.D. focused on allocating funds for the production of more Knightmares under a false name for us. The funny thing about illegal arms dealers is they are more than willing to work for both sides if they're paid enough.

Kallen, as well as the Knights and the other squad captains, were performing the mock battles mentioned while Kaguya was working with the nations more worried about Britannia. While their votes wouldn't be enough to allow us to take action, their unofficial support in preparing for the battle to come would be beneficial. With Villetta and Sayoko's help in countering Britannian spies, our moves were kept mostly unseen. And with Ohgi taking care of most of my work, I've had enough time to work with Rakshata.

Rakshata: "My, this child is really being troublesome." She stated as we were working into the later hours of the night.

(F/N): "You're downplaying the problem, this device isn't going to work." In my sleep-deprived state, I grumbled in my chair in front of the computer.

Rakshata: "You should really get some rest, you're no good to anyone with the way you are right now." I don't know what she said after that, because I fell asleep and started to have dreams, two things stuck.

Nina: "The Eliminator was designed to take advantage of the F.L.E.I.J.A.'s ever-changing composition, bombarding it with a reaction that counters it, preventing it from reaching criticality."

Lloyd: "But you're not using a counteracting composition this time but a wave, the question is what kind and what's the source?"

Kallen: "(F/N). (F/N)!" She shook me awake with one hand, holding a tray with the other. "C.C. said you missed dinner, here." She placed the dish down beside me.

(F/N): "I didn't think I had fallen asleep for that long, thanks."

Kallen: "No problem, I heard from Rakshata that you've both been having trouble with the F.S.F. system." She took a chair and sat next to me. "I'm sure you'll come up with an answer."

(F/N): "I don't think I'm the one with the answers, but I think I know two people who could help. Hopefully, Rakshata doesn't mind working with the Earl of Pudding." Kallen flicked the side of my head.

Kallen: "Before it gets any colder."

(F/N): "Right, thanks." Kallen still sat there as I ate. "Is something wrong?"

Kallen: "No, I just thought it would be nice for us to spend some time together."

(F/N): "Hm... Kallen, in case the F.S.F. system isn't complete-"

Kallen: "Even if it isn't, you aren't saying a single goodbye. So don't." I lightly tapped the fork on the plate while thinking.

(F/N): "Do you and the others think I'm being stupid, not accepting the easy solution?" Kallen leaned forward over the computer console, resting her head on her hands with her eyes closed.

Kallen: "No, they don't. The easiest solution isn't always the best, that's what Kaguya said and most agreed. I don't... I think you should take it if it means nothing more than surviving."

(F/N): "It may be an open secret with the core members of the Black Knights, but don't you think people will get suspicious about my age eventually?"

Kallen: "Then step down after the fight and put someone you trust in charge, that or tell the world the truth. It's your choice in the end."

(F/N): "If you're saying that, I might still be dreaming."

Kallen: "Want me to slap you and find out?"

(F/N): "No, I'd rather keep dreaming about being beside you than wake up and try convincing Rakshata to work with Lloyd."

Kallen: "That's what bothers me." She stopped leaning and turned to face me. "You're okay with living in dreams, but the moment reality is at its end, you're okay with dying." I leaned towards her.

(F/N): "Do you remember back when I saved you from Xingke? I was truly scared of losing you. And at that moment my heart threw away any hesitation about you. You were in danger, and my heart couldn't stand the thought of being responsible for your death. Just like when C.C. appeared and I was scared she was going to side with Charles, my heart had to speak, not my Geass, not my mind, but my heart. I don't know if it's out of fear or love, but my heart tells me that dying for all of you is sweeter than living forever without all of you." Kallen warmly smiled.

Kallen: "It sounds like you're having a hard time saying you love us."

(F/N): "Four hundred years makes you cautious about what you say."

Kallen: "It's easy to say this than to do it, but I think you should forget about those years. We didn't live those years. To us, all that matters is what actually happened. You helped a lot of people, including my mom, and me. I don't care if I died in some other world, or if you used your Geass to make things play out as they did. Because you were honest about it and led us well, as Zero and as (F/N). That's why I will always trust you and be there when you need me."

(F/N): "Maybe I am dreaming, because that sounded like the work up to a confession."

Kallen: "Don't dream too long then, there are people waiting."

She stood up and returned the chair to where it was. Those were her last words before leaving. Now that I thought about it, her flick barely registered as a tap. Looking at the fork and my hand, I did what most people wouldn't, and stabbed myself with it. There wasn't any pain. The moment I turned in the direction Kallen left, my body jerked awake and looked over towards it. Rakshata commented that if I was going to sleep I should do so in bed, but now I couldn't hope to rest. Kallen was right, people were waiting, and they were nervous, if not scared of the battle to come.

As their leader, I can't surrender, just as they did not give up on me and have been working hard to prepare. So why was it that I, while knowing this, kept thinking of surrendering myself? Why didn't I let go of those Geass dreams? Was it the promises I made? What's the point of removing the lens if I still see them as the same people from those fake worlds? My heart was conflicted and was speaking with emotion. My mind didn't help as it tried to give reason to things that didn't need logic. In no uncertain terms, I love them, and just like any other human being, I want to be with friends and family. The people I love.

Rakshata: "Had a bad dream?" She asked as she saw my expression.

(F/N): "Rakshata, we're getting Lloyd's help. Him, Cecile, and Nina will be the factors we need to continue."

Rakshata: "I suppose I can't argue if you're like this. I'll ask Villetta to get in contact with them." I stood up.

(F/N): "No, I will. Prepare to send them the data we have so far once we've made contact." I started marching towards the door.

Rakshata: "Seems that dream wasn't so bad."

Those were the words I caught before the door shut, and they were true. Marching through the Ikaruga, I went to Villetta's office with good timing. She had woke only a few moments ago and returned shortly after. I informed her that we needed a secure line between us and Lloyd once he and the other two were located. She seemed confused, as they were technically on the side of our enemy. But that meant nothing to me, I told her that once Lloyd hears Rakshata needs his help, he won't pass up on hearing us out and will choose our side. While I didn't actually know that, as I said it I convinced myself and her at the same time.

Leaving, I made my way to the hanger. Passing the few members that were awake, I kept my posture upright and my expression without any sign of despair or sadness. That way no Black Knight would be worried because of me. At the hanger, I gazed up at Lionel Night. Putting aside all the worlds made by Geass and discarding the memories in them made me look at it in a different light. It wasn't easy doing so, but I felt that if it wasn't my old partner, I still felt a sense of gratitude looking at it.

It may take time I don't have to truly put those memories aside further and live more in the real moment, but I have to start somewhere though. Returning to work, I saw Kallen walking down the hall, away from the lab. Rakshata didn't say why Kallen stopped by, only that she seemed to be looking for me. Likely, we had a shared dream, the same as when C.C. and I had spoken in the chapel. I continued to work through the rest of the night with that newfound sense of things being different.

Two days before that week and a half was up. The F.S.F. was still not finished. We had managed to get into contact with Lloyd, and I was right, he chose to help us and the work did start progressing more. However, as I said it wasn't completely finished, and time was up. Britannia made its move, a large force was heading for Japan, for us, the Black Knights. With Lionel Night on standby, I stood ready with the Eliminators. Once the Damocles was confirmed in the Britannian forces, I launched before it arrived at the coast. The Black Knights followed, with Zero Squad behind me.

There was no official declaration of war, but the action and intention were clear. One doesn't move an entire army into another country without plans of using it. Still, the Black Knights were ordered not to fire until fired upon. As our forces met, south of Tokyo, at the coast near Mount Fuji. It became clear that we were outnumbered, as if one were to look at the sky they would see it mostly filled with Britannian Knightmares. They had the Avalon, the remaining Knights of the Round, including Bismarck. Not to mention the other airships.

At the front of our forces, I didn't budge and ordered the troops to form tighter around the Ikaruga, out of the way of the Hadron Cannons. The Damocles was given one big target for the warheads, but it didn't bite. No, he wouldn't fall for that right off the bat, but he did make an unexpected move. He broadcasted a live message to everyone and asked if the Black Knights would surrender. If we do, we would be surrendering the world. As the leader, I had to speak up, but I wouldn't mindlessly object.

(F/N): "Emperor Schneizel, am I correct in assuming that you plan to put the Damocles into orbit?"

Schneizel: "You're well informed, yes, and with the F.L.E.I.J.A. warheads on board I will make it so the countries of the world will have no choice but to accept peace."

(F/N): "You're claiming the world isn't already at peace, a peace you are about to break should your forces attack."

Schneizel: "Surely you aren't so foolish to think that this peace would last forever? Several countries have already turned their backs on the U.F.N. when they accepted brides from Britannia. Are you going to trust these same countries to continue this peace?"

(F/N): "I'm no fool, I knew you would make such a move, which is why I can say you are truly evil."

Schneizel: "Evil?"

(F/N): "Yes, evil. You can't force peace, just as you can't force others to follow you. Unlike you, I've always given people the chance to choose. If they don't want a peaceful world, then so be it, but like them, I have my own choices. Anyone who threatens peace, who would have the world live in fear, is someone I see as evil and will fight."

Schneizel: "Perhaps you see me in that light, but you have to understand that we are aiming for the same thing. A world without needless bloodshed, which is why I am giving you the chance to surrender and avoid a senseless battle."

(F/N): "Huh, foolish, needless bloodshed, tell me, when is bloodshed needed? Is it not when you are trying to protect people? I will make this statement, no one man should control the world, for no one is without corruption. That includes the Emperor of Britannia and myself."

Schneizel: "So you claim to see yourself as evil then as well?"

(F/N): "Was I not technically evil when I was the terrorist Zero, the wedding crasher, the killer of your father? The man who did not care for those beneath him."

Schneizel: "It would seem that this matter cannot be talked through."

(F/N): "Allow me to confirm that. Black Knights, will you accept this offer and surrender, or will you fight?"

It was deafening how they yelled their resolve, like a lion refusing to die by another. The roar heard throughout the world, the shot from the Britannians that ignited the battle. He took the bite. Firing one of the warheads, the battle was on, the fated day had arrived. My task was the neutralization of the warheads, while the Zero Squad provided me cover as I threw the Eliminators. I couldn't focus on the state of the battle, so I put my trust in Cornelia and Tohdoh to command the majority of the Black Knights.

The battle slowly moved onto land, closer to Mount Fuji as I drew closer to the Damocles with each F.L.E.I.J.A. fired. The only way past its shields was the opening created when a warhead is fired, it was when the last of the Eliminators were used that I went for it and made it inside. I only had a moment to see Suzaku and Kallen fighting off the Knight of One, Bismarck. I wanted to help them, but there was a time limit and I couldn't turn back now.

Dealing with anything in my way, I tore through the Damocles on my way to the command room where the flight controls could be found, as well as the primary targeting controls. The Lionel Night wouldn't fit, so I had to go on my own for a portion of the run. Every second that went by gave me a sense of fear. A fear of losing them should I fail. Once in the room, I began work on canceling the target lock on the Ikaruga. It was too easy, which made me more fearful of what was to happen next.

I didn't want to die, but I could feel it. That sense of knowing everything ends here. I started to cry. I couldn't help it. As I began to set the warheads to go critical inside the Damocles, my tears fell onto the controls. Even with my vision blurred my hands knew what to do, and they did not stop even as my eyes shut. The Damocles would ascend above the battlefield and detonate, I wouldn't have enough time to escape and die with it, as always. But I suppose that is fate, and the F.S.F. was simply what it was, an idea of a dream.

Fate is rather cruel, but even as I stood there, the clock of death ticking in my head, I didn't attempt to say a single goodbye to any of them, even as my phone started to ring. As much as I wanted to answer it and say goodbye to whoever it was, and as much as I wanted to go back to normal life with all of them, I didn't answer or say a word. This was how I always saw it. My end, as it always has been.

As I opened my eyes, I looked back in confusion. With each second, I asked myself how it was my timing was this off? The warheads should have reached criticality by now, instead, I'm still standing and my phone ringing. Finally answering it, it was Lloyd, who yelled at me to get out of the Damocles before the F.S.F. system failed. Those words filled me with unimaginable hope. Dropping my phone, I ran after what that hope promised and didn't stop until I reached Lionel Night. Riding back through the Damocles, I saw the Lancelot and Guren holding the shield apart.

I'd have to ask because I didn't know how they turned the tide of battle within ten minutes. But there, on opposite sides of the Damocles were the Avalon and Ikaruga. All other units were safely away. The moment I flew out, I grabbed the two and pulled them out of the blast radius. The two airships began making their move away, and shortly after the warheads went off, and in the sky, above Mount Fuji, Damocles was devoured by the F.L.E.I.J.A.'s, and nothing else. Landing in an opening, I stood atop my Knightmare and continued to look at the sky above. And asked myself, was this all planned from the start, or was it a real miracle made by all of our actions?

Kallen: "(F/N)!" She yelled, landing the Guren near, and ran over. "You had us worried, you didn't answer your phone." I jumped down and hugged her. "(F/N), you're crying, what's wrong?"

(F/N): "I'm just happy..."

Suzaku: "Looks like things will be settling down." He claimed as he walked over. "Maybe we can even go back to Ashford." That's right, I promised that, didn't I?

Kallen: "Let's get back to the others first, I'm sure they're waiting." We did, landing in the hanger we were greeted by the others, including Lloyd, Cecile, and Nina.

Suzaku: "I'm glad to see you three are alright, it's been too long."

Lloyd: "That it has, I was just discussing with Rakshata about the Lancelot."

Rakshata: "All I could hear were complaints when I've taken better care of it than you ever had."

Cecile: "It's good to see you're doing well."

Kaguya: "You had us worried." She said walking over to me, pouting as she did. "You better pick up your phone the next time we call."

(F/N): "Sorry about that, I guess it was stupid of me to give up at the last second. It's hard to believe any of this is real to be honest." C.C. came over and slapped me hard across the face.

Euphy: "C.C.!"

C.C.: "What? That hurt, didn't it?" I felt my cheek which still stung from it.

(F/N): "Yes, yes it did."

The next day, the Holy Britannian Empire was handed over to Euphemia. As assumed, Schneizel had disposed of the other siblings, leaving no other heirs to protest her ascension to the throne. Which she declared she would dissolve along with the nobility, moving Britannia closer to a democracy. This did not please the nobility, but the Black Knights would be there in case of any rebellion. I learned later from Lelouch that he was sent to the homeland in order to use his Geass to turn the Britannian soldiers against Schneizel the moment I was aboard the Damocles. A move, he said, that he learned from a friend.

The only ones who knew of this were Villetta, Cornelia, and Ohgi, as to make sure that no one knew what Lelouch was doing. It's rather funny, Suzaku and Lelouch, the two I promised Nunnally that I would keep safe, with the help of Kallen and the others, saved me. I also learned that Lloyd and Rakshata had barely had enough time to finish the F.S.F. and install it before using it. As for Schneizel, he died when he tried to escape on his shuttle.

Things began to be peaceful. In the time that followed, it leaked out that Villetta was pregnant, and that she and Ohgi were planning a wedding. This caught Kaguya's attention, who made sure she and everyone had time to celebrate with them. I don't remember if I ever went to their wedding, so I made time to be there and offer my congratulations. When the day arrived, at the reception party after they tied the knot, I stood at the sidelines away from the others, taking in the moment. D.D. joined me, standing close by my side and looked out to them.

D.D.: "They're all very happy, especially the new married couple."

(F/N): "Yup."

D.D.: "No tears of sadness, not a single one."

(F/N): "Yeah."

D.D.: "I'm happy too, that everything turned out this way."

(F/N): "Is that so?"

D.D.: "Yes, and it's the happiest I've been in a long time." I faced her, taking her hand.

(F/N): "Then allow me to take this happy moment and say two things. Thank you, and I love you." D.D. smiled.

D.D.: "You say that to all the girls in your life."

(F/N): "Only the ones I love, that includes the one standing next to me that was there from the start, helping me all the way to this moment." I lowered my head and myself to one knee. "D.D., it's selfish of me, but I ask that in exchange for accepting my selfishness, that I will give you the love I have for you until it's time for us to part. In other words, please continue to stay by my side."

D.D.: "I take it that accepting your selfishness means accepting the love you have for the others."

(F/N): "Yes, because Kallen was right, I had to push those fake memories aside and love what is real. And there is nothing more real than what I feel when I think of losing any of you. You who have supported me, and, without a doubt, saved me. There is nothing else I can think to express my gratefulness, which understates what I truly feel, than to give my heart and the rest of my life to all of you." I looked up to see her tearful eyes.

D.D.: "(F/N)... you already gave enough of your life to us, but do allow me to be selfish as well and let me stay with you."

She pulled me up into a kiss, accepting the contract. I don't know if some things are actually, truly fated, or if our actions create the future we end up with. But in the present, none of that mattered now. The people I love, that I'm grateful to have met, are safe and sound. And with them, other people were happy, living their lives in peace, and the fighting was finally over. Not only the fighting around the world but the fighting in my heart. As it never felt another sting again and my promises were kept.