06/06/2013

The Conquered
By Jade Tatsu
Chapter XXX – Betrayal

The choice to run had been removed for us. Or at least we considered the cost in lives to be too high and so we fought on Merrimu. The Zoanoids helped. Never let it be said that they weren't courageous in the defence of the planet. They were even effective and it was something Chronos would have been proud to see. Zoanoids are cut to ribbons by human Guyvers but alien Guyvers don't have the same overwhelming strength. The battle was more even and the Zoanoids of Merrimu knew what they were fighting for.

Still, it was a good thing the Tekki Leader never attacked. He is human and it would have been pure butchery to pit Zoanoids against him. I think he knew that which is why he only attacked the Guyvers. I never really saw it but it seemed he had at least a small sense of fair play. It only went so far because the black Guyver Lord Warrior had his goals and he would do anything to achieve them.

There is purity with that but there is also arrogance. It speaks well for the Tekki Leader that he could walk that thin line for so long and not fall to the unfeeling coldness that accompanies such power. Of course it could be argued that he had already fallen but that doesn't matter. It was his goals, his purpose, which drove the battle on Merrimu and he saw everything through to the end. I can respect him for that at least, though not for many of his actions.

"Move those with lesser injuries to the settlements further away." The shouted order was one of the few clear voices in the chaos. The Tallahassee victims were being evacuated first to Ust-Ilimsk, where the worst of them were being treated. Those with less serious burns or other injuries were being given what first aide was available then shipped out further. Ust-Ilimsk simply could not handle the volume alone. That was one good thing about the settlements on Merrimu. They were all designed to be independent, but when called for they worked together almost seamlessly. They all helped each other.

"I'll take the most wounded," the voice was quiet in the noise but it attracted attention.

"Mizuki!" There was a cry of gladness from one of the doctors who had been wrapping burns with specially treated bandages.

The Guyver Lord Healer nodded and pointed towards a stretcher, her hands glowing. "Just bring them here. I know I usually heal with more conventional means, but I'll make an exception this time," Mizuki said, making sure her voice was steeped in a jovial tone. The situation was serious, even she could see that, but there was no need to believe it hopeless. Shō and Aptom were here and Agito would soon be teleporting from wherever he was. The Zoalords that had been attacking would very soon be taken care of. She felt safe enough to come to take care of the injured. Even if it wasn't, this was still her job. She had taken care of patients in combat situations during both the Rebellion and Resistance, she would not cower now.

Merrimu was meant to be a safe planet. She would see that the memory was kept that way. It would not be known as a planet that failed in its task.

Methodically she healed burns and lacerations, healing the flesh and dulling the pain for the victims. One after the other, the line was almost unending. She didn't heal bones, not unless it was a young child, that cost too much energy but she made sure they were set correctly and at least beginning to healed before moving on to the next victim.

She heard the words though, whispered around her. 'Miracle' was one but this was not a miracle. With her Unit, it was not even skilful but she was too engrossed in the task to object. She could feel the battles as well and she could feel the Tekki. He was not here to help them this time and without thought Mizuki stretched her senses out, raising a shield. She thought about helping the others fight, but she was better here, healing everyone.

Alkard she ordered to fight, to defend. That was his first priority, defence of the innocent and she was happy when she felt him obey. He was careful with his battle, though he was also nervous. Wesodin apparently did not fight Mangorans and win but with her backing, he was doing okay. Of course, the purple and black Gigantic Guyver Warrior had her Lord's backing but beneath her armour Mizuki smirked slightly. She was the stronger Lord.

Iythra had been ordered to defend also but had ended up in a skirmish with her sister. The two of them were circling the other and while Mizuki was confident Iythra could win, she did not want to hurt her sister, so the Oranmeira was dodging.

Mizuki could feel the humans around her helping as best they could. They didn't understand exactly what she was doing but they could see the results. Some of them spoke to her but she barely heard. What shield? Did it matter? There was nothing that could bring down her shield so Mizuki vaguely shook her head at them and continued working. As a result she missed the shocked silence and the feeling of awe being directed at her. Whispers broke out again but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered but the never ending stream of patients. Tallahassee, like all the Merrimu settlements, was large and regrettably Zektoll was skilled at inflicting damage. Aptom would take care of him. She didn't even question the blood lust she felt at that thought.

Outside their delaying pattern against the attacking Tekki forces was working for now but it could not hold forever. Mizuki did not like it but she was tactician enough to realise that in this case the attackers had the advantage. Her brother suggested they run, but she never got to point out the fallacy in Tetsuro's plan. Running only worked if you were sure they would not attack what you left behind or you did not care. She knew the Tekki wanted Guyvers, wanted them to be specific but he was also ruthless. The times they had met he had been cordial but Mizuki had not missed the diamond hard core in him, the ice warrior who would sacrifice anything. It reminded her of Agito in many ways but Makishima had other priorities in the love he bore for Shizu. It was one of the few things that kept him human. The black Guyver Warrior that was known to the universe as the Tekki had never shown anything but a perfect drive towards his goals and because of that, while she would run in an instant, she had no faith that the enemy Guyver Lord would order his forces to follow. He was just as likely to order his forces to continue attacking Merrimu.

And that would bring them straight back. A feeling of hopelessness coiled through her but Mizuki shook her head, healing another few patients. Shō was still there, so was Aptom. And even if they were all captured, she could only feel Hayami and Natsuki vaguely. They had escaped. They would not come back. The Tekki's forces would have no choice but to follow them. With a bit of luck, her brother's suggestion could become reality in that time. Makishima might have been captured but while Mizuki had spent much of her adult life fighting Agito, she respected his abilities. He would be doing everything in his power to ensure that he was not captured for long. No matter the strength of the Tekki's forces, it appeared only the Tekki Leader was on a par with them. Escape was not the best plan but it was more than a remote possibility.

"Mizuki!" The sharp voice broke into her thoughts and blinking she turned towards it.

"You can stop now. That's everyone," the other Healer said kindly, moving one hand to touch her arm and guide her to a seat.

Mizuki shook her head, refusing the offered seat. She knew she should take it, but she also knew how much a Guyver Unit weighed. The smooth apricot Lord form of her armour might look streamlined but it did nothing for her weight. It was a good thing she was not vain.

It must have seemed like she was asking a question because the doctor continued to talk. "Your shield is holding but I'm sorry, his Majesty was taken, so was your brother."

She didn't particularly care for the title of 'His Majesty' for Agito but she supposed that's how most humans knew him. "I know." Her shield was holding because she was willing it to hold but she could sense that the Tekki was getting ready to strike. He was not a patient man but she would show him she was a patient woman.

"Ah," the Healer continued, a bit confused. There were splashes of blood on the man's white coat but he didn't even seem to see them. Mizuki smiled. There were two types of people who didn't worry about blood; psychopaths and professionals. This man was the later and she was re-assured that her patients would now be in his hands.

"Do you know anything else? What about Aptom or Shō?"

"Shō?"

Mizuki shook her head, reminding herself that her husband's name would not be familiar to many. He had appeared so close to the end of the conflict with the Emperor that not many would have recalled him being present with what had happened. Most would just remember the Advent's coming. While Shō had been pivotal in many of the alliances they had forged, he had kept his name out of the limelight. She loved him all the more for it. But some things could not be hidden and she needed to know. "My husband," she explained. "Is there news about him?"

"Commander Rodriguez says he's in the upper atmosphere fighting there," the rough, almost animalistic voice of a Zoanoid said unexpectedly and Mizuki turned towards them.

She didn't recognise the type but that wasn't surprising. There had been so many new designs developed that she couldn't keep up with them all. It didn't matter to a healer anyway. They were all human in the end and that's what she repaired. Wings, gills, claws were all just additions and time in a processing tank could fix them. Her priority was life. So Shō was still fighting who? No one had really said.

"We think it's Imakarum," the Zoanoid continued, answering her unspoken question before they frowned. Mizuki recognised the expression as one Zoanoids got when mentally talking to another. "Aptom appears to have killed Zektoll and that black Guyver is above Ust-Ilimsk."

There was a probe sent against her barrier just then and Mizuki nodded. Of course the Tekki was there. She was the most powerful Guyver left, though she did not discount Shō's power, it appeared the Tekki was content to leave him until last, letting him fight Imakarum, which would hopefully keep Merrimu safe in the long run. It was a small mercy she could not feel thankful for. The Tekki should not be here and suddenly Mizuki felt a stab of rage.

Why was he here? He had helped them before! What did he want? And why couldn't he leave them alone? They had not asked for help this time. All their mental communications about Natsuki had been private. Was the One truly that bad that he could justify this level of aggression?

Logically Mizuki knew that he must have been collecting Guyver's across the galaxy and that since they had done nothing to stop him, they should not be surprised that he was coming for them now with the same bull in a china shop attitude the black Guyver Lord Warrior had no doubt been displaying all the time. But they had had other priorities then and they were new to the Universe. They did not wish to become its guardians or the parents of all the races. The races of the galaxy had solved their problems before Terrans appeared, they would solve them after they were gone. There was no need to interfere. She knew that logically but somehow she felt shame for not at least speaking out, for not suggesting that there might be another way. They had accepted his help! If that was not tantamount to accepting his actions she did not know what was.

But they had needed his help. They could not have contained Ishiikawa Toki without him.

Her mind betrayed her and her anger burned unexpectedly. Why couldn't things ever be simple? :Come to me!: she shouted the order mentally, not quite knowing why she was calling out to Alkard and Iythra but knowing that she needed them by her side. They were her Gigantics, they would not let her down and she would need their help against the Tekki. Theoretically as a Guyver Lord Healer, her barrier could hold against a Guyver Lord Warrior's blast but that was a Healer versus a Warrior. If she merged her energy with an Engineer and another Warrior, that should provide her with the greater strength. It was almost like two sticks trying to stand. By themselves they would fall but if you added support then it could stand tall.

She needed their support and she felt their reply to her call but then she felt Alkard's panic. He could not get to her. Tallowa was sticking too close and while the Corang could dodge there was every possibility he would dodge straight into the Tekki's clutches.

:I'll get it,: Aptom's voice intruded and mentally Mizuki sent her thanks to the Zoanoid. She didn't care how strong Tallowa thought she was, or how much backing she was getting from her Lord, for Aptom, that battle was already won. She moved out of the infirmary, into the snow covered street. There were people and Zoanoids everywhere, some soot covered, tired but triumphant. Most of the fires in Tallahassee had been put out and as soon as the attacking Guyvers were dealt with, life could go back to normal.

Mizuki smiled. That was the attitude she wanted humans to have. Indomitable. It had taken invasion, displacement and who knew what else to get them there, but they were there now and she felt a stirring of pride in her species.

Aptom plummeted through the atmosphere, his armour growing hot before he'd created a barrier but there was still residual heat. He barely noticed. He didn't want another battle against someone who couldn't defeat him, but it appeared he was going to be given one. With a snarl and a shock wave that echoed over the land he came to a precipitous halt in front of the Guyver who was pursuing Alkard.

"Tallowa." He recognised her. He remembered her from their last battle. She was skilled. She had been trained as a warrior but he knew her moves. She did not have the power to match him.

:Careful,: Mizuki warned. :She has Yisuvac backing her.:

The Zoanoid resisted the urge to roll his eyes. :Worry about yourself,: he said, looking over towards Fukamachi's wife's position. The Tekki was hovering just outside of Mizuki's shield. There was another Guyver Lord with him and Aptom's unit identified them as Xeo'm. Iythra was already with Mizuki and as he watched another two Guyvers appeared beside the Tekki. He didn't know them, though one did seem to be Kyheenan. Mizuki saw them all and he felt her snort a response to some unspoken challenge. When she summoned her Guyver Lord Unit she definitely took on a more forceful personality.

:I'll show them what shielding is really about.: The words were confident but Aptom could feel that Mizuki was fatigued. She had no doubt healed anyone that came before her and that could not have been easy but he did not feel that he should tell her to be careful. She already knew that. They were fighting a delaying action here.

Tallowa snarled and swung at him. Aptom ducked, slamming one fist into her side as he danced back to avoid the flick of her spines. :Master Yisuvac!: He heard her call and there was a shimmer of energy that settled into her. With a hiss the Mangoran struck at him again.

Aptom blocked but was surprised by the strength she now possessed. He was faster though and dodged out of her follow up kick, bring a chop down on her leg. Tallowa grunted but was not distracted by pain and struck at him again. She'd been training since they last fought. Well, so had he. The Zoanoid Guyver let his fingers morph into claws and he slashed at her, inflicting quite a few small gashes on her armour.

The Mangoran countered by backing away, and the highlights on her armour raised to attack him. Aptom raised one eye brow. This was new. His red swirls rose to fight hers and he was happy when they quickly seemed to dominate. The Zoanoid wondered what the response would be if he tried to absorb her but at a pulse from his Unit he realised it probably wasn't worth it.

Below the battle between Gigantic Guyver Warriors, Mizuki was standing in Ust-Ilimsk looking up at the Guyvers who were gathering just beyond the boundaries of her energy. Iythra was behind her and Alkard had slipped through her shield as if it wasn't there, because for him, it wasn't and was now taking his place at her left side.

"My Lady," the Tekki Leader greeted her and Mizuki felt almost a like this was a genteel talk, not one that was likely to be ruthless negotiation with only one ending.

"My Lord," she returned the greeting.

"You know what I want."

"I do."

The black Guyver Lord Warrior cocked his head at her. "Will you come with me?"

At last he asked politely. Mizuki resisted the urge to growl the sarcastic comment back to him. She wasn't too impressed with the question. "To stand against the One?"

"That is my desire."

Mizuki closed her eyes. Shō had told her what the Tekki wanted but she'd never really thought about it. What did it mean really? She didn't know. That was the problem. She knew nothing about the One save that they existed. "Why?" the question slipped out

For a moment the black Guyver seemed taken aback before he seemed to sigh. "Why?" he echoed the question. "Because such power should not exist."

"What power?" Mizuki asked her voice genuinely curious and it was that curiosity that stayed the Tekki's hand for the moment.

"The power to stop the universe with a thought, to have the Emperor Sundragon bow to you... To know that whatever you want will be granted simply because that is your wish. No one should have that sort of power. The Guyver's made a mistake when they created it." The Tekki Leader explained patiently.

"Yet they created the power," Mizuku objected. "If it was not needed, why did they created it?"

She could almost see the headache forming in the black Guyver's mind and internally Mizuki grinned. She had the oddest feeling that more time was needed but she had no idea what it was for. Still, the questions she was asking was information she was curious about. The Tekki had never explained why he was against the One or why he thought they would support this mysterious Guyver.

"That I do not know, my Lady."

"Did the One do anything in the future?" She changed tact slightly with her reasoning.

"Does it matter? You won't condemn someone who hasn't done anything yet," came the retaliation.

"True," Mizuki conceded, blinking as she tilted her head slightly. "I have served in enough conflicts in my life to know that I cannot condemn someone for something they might not do."

The Tekki Leader paused and she could see in the way he took a deep breath that as understanding of her questions as he had been, he was reaching the end of his patience. "I respect you, my Lady, I truly do. You are the first of all of us and you will, in the future, be a beacon of hope, of guidance but I cannot agree with you on this. I ask you again, my Lady, will you come with me?"

She looked up, pearl plate eyes meeting pearl plate eyes squarely, black separated from apricot by only the thinnest of energy shields. "I cannot," Mizuki replied, her voice soft, almost regretful.

"Then I am sorry, my Lady but I cannot let you go."

"I understand." And she did. She really did. She had been in enough situations where she was pursued, was deemed the enemy, simply because her beliefs were different but not once had she abandoned a belief. If Chronos or the Emperor Agito failed to make her change, to make her fit in with the society they wanted, there was no way one Guyver Lord Warrior would make her change her mind. No matter how powerful he was. No matter what he threatened.

Mizuki backed away, landing lightly on the packed snow so that Alkard and Iythra were at her back. Mentally she reached out for them, drawing strength and there was an undefinable hum that passed through the three of them when their mental presences opened to each other. She was the Guyver Lord Healer Fukamachi Mizuki and the red and navy Gigantic Guyvers behind her were her direct servants. Alone they were powerful, combined, they were unstoppable so long as they freely supported the other. Alkard felt he owed her a life debt, his support was unwavering. Iythra owed her husband but had come to see her power for what it was. Her support would not falter. There was a gentle smile on Mizuki's face beneath her apricot armour as she looked up to face the Tekki, her eyes glowing with challenge. The black Guyver Lord Warrior might have more Guyvers gathered around him, but he had only one of his direct servants, so he could not form that triumvirate. Shizu had taken out Heborae and it would be a cold day in hell before Makishima supported him at the moment, so Warrior Lord triumvirate was also destroyed and while the Tekki Leader could form a Lord triumvirate with Xeo'm and the Guyver Lord Engineer Mizuki knew was backing Tallowa, she knew that their energy flows, while high, would just not mesh correctly. Tallowa's Lord would be too submissive and Xeo'm too independent. Mizuki didn't know how she knew, but she knew that she formed part of the Tekki's Lord triumvirate and on this she could not back him.

There was calculation in the gaze that met hers and Mizuki knew that the same assessment was being conducted because she saw the way he sighed as he reached many of the same conclusions. This would have been a far different situation if Alkard or Iythra had already been captured and the Tekki Leader recognised his mistake. He'd focused on capturing the Terrans discounting the power that was inherent in the alliance that was now facing him.

They were stalemated for long moments and when the Tekki Leader turned to look at Aptom and Shō Mizuki flared her barrier. She would not use the distraction her husband and Aptom offered to escape. The Tekki would deal with her first! She could almost see the amused smile on the black Guyver Lord's face when he turned back to her. :You are right to chastise me, my Lady. It would be impolite for me to shift my attention to another,: he said easily and she could almost hear him laughing. :Though, I apologise because while I am sure I can break your barrier, my Lady, that would cost me quite a bit of effort and resources, resources better spent elsewhere. I know that Taga-san is your tactician, but I have never doubted your ability, so I hope you will forgive me when I refuse to fight that ability head on.:

Mizuki blinked, not really understanding what he was saying until the black Guyver Lord issued orders to his servants in a low voice. "Go back to attacking the settlements," the Tekki Leader ordered, though the apricot Guyver Lord Healer did not hear the addendum he added mentally. :Try not to kill the humans.: "If my Lady Fukamachi wishes to value life, let her extend her shield to cover them all," he added aloud. Her shield was potent now, because it was small. By itself, extending would not weaken it, but the energy drain of maintaining it would weaken her. Beneath her apricot armour Mizuki's eyes narrowed.

What could she do? She resisted the urge to reach out to Natsuki. That was probably why the Guyver Warrior had named Tetsuro's girlfriend earlier, because she was not here and he wanted a lead to track. Even if she had called Natsuki, Mizuki wasn't sure that the other woman would have a viable solution. She was trapped, and there were attacking forces everywhere. Running was really her only option but she already knew the consequences of that.

"Don't worry about us, Segawa," one of the Zoanoids behind her rasped. "We'll fight them," he added, jerking his transformed head up towards the Guyvers who were now scattering.

"Yes, but how many will die for something that you should not have to?"

The apricot Guyver could almost feel Rodriguez beside her. "How many died on Earth for freedom against Chronos, against the Emperor? The alternative is to lie down and accept it and you know we don't accept that."

"This is not a battle for Earth or for freedom," Mizuki countered. "This is a battle between Guyvers. It should not involve you."

"It's on Merrimu, we are involved," the retort was instantaneous and Mizuki could not find fault with the logic.

"Just be careful."

Somehow the Zoanoid smiled in much the way Rodriguez did and Mizuki almost laughed when she heard the words, "I'm always careful." It was so much like the Rebel Commander.

In the Communications Control Room, Rodriguez's lips quirked and he released the mental link with the Zoanoid. He was only meant to be a Hyper Zoanoid but as things had progressed, he had accepted a small upgrade which he only used for communications. It made situations like this easier once the links were established and it was worth it to see Mizuki smile. "Keep working on getting the Guyver defence back up," he gave the instructions. "Don't worry about warning Mizuki and if it gets taken down again, put it back up again. And again. And again. As many times as we can. If we can, ambush one of the others in a little barrier. Do everything we can to interfere with them," he ordered. "I'm going out."

"Sir!" While the syllable was agreement it carried an implied question.

"Wise or not, I'm going out," Rodriguez said. "I will not hide any longer."

Ksogi saw respect light the eyes of the others in the command room and he could not help but feel it himself. Perhaps there was something to the way the Rebel's thought. He saluted as the other man left and then turned back to his post. Until the foreign Guyvers were off Merrimu, he still had a job to do.

Mizuki watched, anguished as the Guyvers above her scattered. Too many of the Tekki forces remained and she knew this was not all of them. These were the ones considered the strongest warriors. Heborae had been taken out, Tallowa was occupied, but that still left Iythry and Woorak as well as the Tekki Leader himself who were warriors. Xeo'm and Gilroyd were there as well, and while neither were warriors, one was a Lord like herself and Gilroyd had the Tekki Leader's personal backing. She could defend, almost forever, but she couldn't defend enough territory.

"I already told you, my Lady," Alkard said from behind her. "My life is yours. Do whatever you need to," he gave her the encouragement. Mizuki felt Iythra's agreement.

"Please don't," she said, looking up at the Tekki Leader.

Xeo'm had remained with him but the other three had disappeared. "Then come with me," his voice was gentle and Mizuki hated that tone. It implied she was being unreasonable, that she was in the wrong.

"No." She bowed her head, not needing to look to know that the settlements adjoining Ust-Ilimsk were under attack. It was a small mercy to know that at least they had probably been warned.

"Then I will continue until you come with me."

"And the resentment will grow."

The black Guyver Lord waved one hand dismissively and Mizuki knew there was no point in talking further. She frowned, gathering her strength as she prepared. She was not going to go down without a fight.

Shō watched, almost bemused as the white and gold form came towards him. He felt no fear and no worries and was content to stand and bask in the controlled power he could feel radiating from the being in front of him. It felt right. It felt good and the feeling was one he had been missing these past years and one he enjoyed thoroughly.

He watched as his body moved of its own accord, moving out of the way of the white being, dancing backwards. After a moment Fukamachi frowned slightly. Why was he avoiding the white being? Why didn't he accept their embrace? He was even more shocked when his silver highlights rose and writhed, tangling with the golden highlights of the white being. Anger coiled through Shō and he reached out to his Unit. The sense of its presence within him was distant.

:Fight.: The word was less than a whisper.

Shō felt his body continue to dodge and with more than a little anger, he reached again towards his Unit. Why was it disobeying him? He did not want to hurt this white being; they were too beautiful, too perfect. They were everything a Guyver should be.

:Master, fight!: The words were clearer and Shō frowned. Oh he'd fight! He'd fight his Unit for control because of this disobedience. He thought he'd made it very clear and forcibly, Shō reached out, grabbing the presence of his Unit that was in his mind and stripping from it the feel of his body.

:Master no! Fight!: The scream was bestial. For a moment Shō saw red. How dare his Unit fight him? How dare it not listen to him? He had lived without it before, he would do so again if that was the price of obedience. And it knew it! His Unit was more than aware of the consequences of disobedience.

:How dar…: Pain flashed across Fukamachi's senses and almost stupidly he looked down to his arm. His hand was gone… Why was his hand gone?

:Master, please! Fight him!: This time his Unit's desire rang though his mind and Shō blinked his eyes as he released the mental choke hold he had on the parasite. He didn't even fight when his Unit sent the prompt to his body to dodge again and almost hesitantly Shō looked up. The white and gold creature was still there. They were still beautiful but he could see his blood on their claws, and Shō could feel the pain coming from his arm even as his Unit began reforming the flesh.

:What is he?: The question was the only one which sprang to mind. Shō knew who it was. This was what Masaki had become, but why did this form have such an effect on him. Beneath his armour Shō closed his eyes doing his best to block out the feel Murakami was radiating. He focused on his Unit, feeling the way the parasite interacted with his body, surrounding him, entering him through his pores, being one with him. He did not want to become mesmerised again.

Around him his Unit purred and Fukamachi felt the parasite's forgiveness of his earlier brutality. It loved the fact that he instantaneously trusted it enough to keep him safe. :That is Murakami.:

:It can't be,: Shō objected.

:It is Murakami.: His Unit repeated. It seemed important to it that Shō acknowledge exactly who was in front of him, even if he knew it already.

:But… why does he look like that?: Shō could feel the motion of his body up and down, as his Unit moved him, the senses of the Gigantic armour flicking back and forth as they tracked the white Zoalord. To anyone watching, they would have seen gold and silver streamers writhing against each other with the two combatants standing, one each side of the knot of ribbon, occasionally moving as one lanced out.

:Because those loyal to the One respect his form,: Shō's Unit said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. :And you are… very loyal.:

:So Tsuyosa wouldn't be affected?:

:Not as much.:

Shō sighed and in years after he would never be able to explain what happened. Something in his mind opened, something relaxed and the sense of his Unit expanded into places where before only he had been. The teal coloured Guyver felt almost lethargic at it because after the initial rush of being there was warm comfort and the feeling Shō got as he lay replete with Mizuki beside him. It wasn't just the rush of sexual release it was a feeling of absolute love and while that could change or alter, it never quite went away. It was the utter surety that everything was as it should be.

:Master, now we really are one.:

Aptom hissed. He'd forgotten how tenacious the Tekki's followers could be. The Zoanoid had watched Shō in the same position once. He'd watched the teal coloured Guyver beat the Guyver Lord Heborae into a pulp but the quadruped had not backed off. It was only because she was a Guyver that she had been able to continue.

He felt that now with Tallowa. He had beaten the Mangoran like a red haired step child but the woman would not give up. Rasping breath, no doubt accompanied by internal bleeding and she still came at him. She was proving far more of a fighter than Zektoll because even with her injuries, she did her best to cover for them but he was the stronger warrior and she knew it. So why wasn't she backing away? Was Yisuvac pushing her that much?

He had to be because there was no way that a Mangoran should still have energy left to heal herself. "I had no idea you were such a masochist," Aptom said.

"I will not lose to you!" Tallowa replied and Aptom rolled his eyes. When she closed with him, he did not hold back, hitting her at points he knew would be fatal for a Mangoran. As a Guyver, she would not die, but it should have inflicted more than enough pain to break through whatever mental barriers she had erected to continue to fight.

"You've already lost to me," the Zoanoid Guyver added for good measure.

"I will not lose to you," she repeated and Aptom knew the cause was lost. But what was he meant to do? If she had just been a Mangoran she would have gone down ages ago, but her Unit and her Lord's backing kept her coming back for more. He could not kill her because the One was not going to allow that but there had to be some way of keeping the masochistic bitch down. But how?

Why did she not bow to him as the superior? Did she think somehow that they were equal because they were both Gigantics? Surely she knew that even though she was being backed by her Guyver Lord's not inconsiderable power, she was still no match for him. And he hadn't called upon whichever Lord thought they could call upon him.

Maybe he should? Maybe he should show her exactly how much power he still had in reserve… Or maybe he should just risk the wrath that had flashed across his senses earlier when Natsuki was attacked and just rip out Tallowa's control medallion. Natsuki had survived. The Mangoran would as well. No… he knew without even needing to feel the spike from his Unit that such an action would not be allowed and while usually Aptom reviled being controlled, this time he accepted it. Still… there had to be something he could do and it was fast looking like that calling upon his supposed Lord was the only option.

As he delivered a savage chop to the back of Tallowa's neck he simultaneously drove one knee into her abdomen Aptom shook his head and realised he had no choice. Whoever his Lord was, they would learn very quickly that this was not submission. He'd always had difficulty in talking to his Unit but Aptom could sense that it was listening to him now and it knew what he wanted. He reached out calling for more power.

The response was immediate but distant. :Call me and I will come,: Aptom seemed to hear a voice. :Serve me and I will…:

:I'll never serve you!: the Guyver Zoanoid snarled without thinking. His Unit might have been listening, but whoever that Guyver Lord was, they had not been paying attention.

:You already do,: there was amusement in the bodiless voice. :But I know better than to order you,: came the addition and Aptom felt his ire cool a little. Whoever it was, perhaps they did know him. :Serve me, and I will support you always.:

The black and red Gigantic Guyver Warrior rolled his eyes. Why was everything so complicated? :If I already serve you, then give me your support,: he growled from between clenched teeth.

:All you need to do is call.:

Somehow he knew what that meant and without thought Aptom called, summoning power. It came with a crack and Tallowa was thrown back by the summon sphere. Aptom felt nothing but power flooding into him and lazily he brought one hand up, flexing his fingers in front of his eyes as he admired the play of light on his armour. The black plates had been replaced with blindingly white armour. His red lining had become gold, almost lamé with the way it glittered. A similar change had occurred to the red swirls that had decorated his armour. They were now gold, hard though and they almost seemed to radiate their own power. He let his claws retract and watched his new armour react before he formed them again. The white armour's response was seamless and if he could have Aptom would have licked his lips. This was everything he could have hoped for and all the power he could ever need.

The sense of his Unit was closer and it laughed. :You always do like to confirm your loyalty at the oddest of times,: it muttered at him.

:Loyalty?: Aptom questioned, absently dodging out of the way as Tallowa recovered and slashed at him. :This merely affirms that he is my kill,: he said, his voice firm before he turned his attention to the black and purple Gigantic Guyver Warrior before him. He caught Tallowa's limbs in golden tendrils and kicked her without mercy in the guts. Blood poured through her breathing tubes but Aptom felt nothing and smoothly turned her over, his golden tendrils altering their grip without his conscious thought. He then sliced through her back spines and vaporised the pieces of armour before they could mutate. The Guyver Zoanoid let the energy pour into her back. If he had of been a Mangoran, such an act was the ultimate dominance but he was not about to take any chances and pulled the bleeding Guyver Warrior close to him, golden tendrils lancing through her hands and feet to stretch her limbs uncomfortably so there could be no question who was superior.

:I win Tallowa. I will always win against you,: Aptom whispered in her ear. :And by the power of the one I represent, I command you to leave.:

:You can't…: she seemed to choke.

His tendrils pulled her limbs breaking off the sentence before it was even formed. :I can't what?: he could not resist the taunt.

:You can't command me.:

Aptom allowed her to spit the words out before his golden highlights responded, once again pulling her limbs open painfully. :I just did,: he replied, driving two tendrils straight through her body. There was very little mercy in this but he was beyond mercy for her. She should have run, she stayed and that was not courage. That was stupidity. He could not abide stupidity.

Tallowa screamed, and the word was choked. :Please!:

The Zoanoid Guyver wasn't sure who she was crying out to but he hoped it was her master. If the man allowed this to continue, then he was more of a sadist than most of Chronos. :Leave,: he commanded again, pulling back his two tendrils and plunging them through her abdomen again.

:Master, please!: Tallowa sobbed and beneath his armour Aptom smiled. Now he was getting somewhere.

:I'm forbidden to kill you Tallowa,: he purred at her, knowing that even though she was against the One, she would know the Guyver Emperor's will on this matter. :So this will go on and on until you take matters into your own hands.:

The Mangoran Guyver gasped, blood again coming from her breathing tubes and futilely she struggled against him. The tendrils pierced through her hands and feet did not move and Aptom felt her flesh tear. He simply re-enforced his grip, driving new tendrils though the muscles in her lower arms and legs. :You cannot be free of me that easily,: he muttered.

:Master!:

:He cannot help you,: Aptom said coldly, running her through again. :I will do this until you make a decision. It's your decision Tallowa, not your Master's.:

He could tell she was near the limits of her endurance. She'd been at them for most of the battle but the way she tilted her head back, her breath rasping in her throat told him she was nearly ready to make the decision herself. Aptom grinned, though he wasn't sure why he was happy but there was something there, some intense joy that came from the knowledge he was breaking the trust between Guyver Lord and Gigantic, a trust that he would never see risked in his case. He pulled the tendrils that had impaled her back, and traced them over her armour, knowing that she'd feel their almost gentle touch. As expected Tallowa shivered and tensed when she felt the two tendrils lift off her body. She knew they'd be driven through her then.

She couldn't hold back the scream when they were though.

:Your choice?: He asked.

:I…:

Aptom let his blood stained tendrils rise so that they were visible to her.

:I surrender,: the Mangoran gasped the words finally, choking on her blood that was no longer where it should be.

Aptom did nothing. He continued holding her impaled on his tendrils. :And?: He asked.

Tallowa gave him no answer, but her energy spiked and he did nothing to prevent her disappearing. His tendrils flicked themselves clean of her blood before settling back into his armour and the Guyver Zoanoid savoured the feeling of power. It was a good thing Mizuki was occupied or he'd never hear the end of this. He hadn't wanted to torture her, but what choice did he have when the Mangoran would not acknowledge her defeat?

"Will you acknowledge yours?"

Aptom spun, instinctively pulling back as he was confronted by the black on black form of the Tekki Leader. :I'm not defeated,: the Zoanoid replied, though his mouth was dry and the words were pure bravado. Many thought he was fearless but Aptom had always possessed a healthy amount of fear. He was just more aware of his abilities than others, and aware of how much he surpassed most beings. He did not surpass the Guyver Lord Warrior before him and he knew it. It was almost like the first time he had seen Alkanphel, though this time he was wise enough to recognise the contained power.

:Oh, you will be.: Black tendrils rose to meet his gold and Aptom growled as he tried to lunge inwards to slash at the smaller form of the Guyver Lord. The Tekki Leader didn't even move and Aptom felt himself slam into a wall of black that protected the other Guyver. His golden highlights were slapped aside as if they weren't even there and the former Hyper Zoanoid suppressed a scream as he felt the black pieces of Guyver armour impale him. They went through his hands and feet and he could feel the small bones grind against the others. It made him feel nauseous and he could feel bile rising in the back of his throat. The wounds were the same ones he had given to Tallowa.

:I'm not defeated,: Aptom ground the words out before he did the only thing he could and ran. There was a flicker and he vanished, leaving the Tekki's tendrils waving gently holding nothing before they returned to their Master.

"I think you are," Tsuyosa said but before he could gather himself to chase down the One's Gigantic Guyver Warrior there was a scream from below and he knew that the Lady Fukamachi had taken advantage of his momentary distraction. While the white Guyvers held power similar to a Guyver Lord, he knew that if he did not capture every Terran Guyver Lord now, they would escape. With the threat of his forces on Merrimu, he didn't think Mizuki would run, but he could not take that chance.

Aptom would wait.

She had planned on trying to attack him, but just as she was ready, the Tekki Leader moved and Mizuki looked up, remembering that Aptom was still there. The Mangoran Guyver he had been fighting was nowhere to be seen and she barely recognised the Guyver Zoanoid with his white and gold armour. Her Unit sang its happiness at seeing that colour on him and Mizuki knew that something must have happened with the former Hyper Zoanoid. Whatever it was, it would wait.

Xeo'm had not moved with the black Guyver Lord Warrior and the apricot Guyver Lord Healer's eyes narrowed as she considered her counterpart. Xeo'm's armour was rust coloured with a black lining. Her highlights were green but they were a sickly shade that was not pleasing at all. Mizuki shook her head. Appearance was not the point, the feeling she got from the other Guyver Lord Healer was far more important. She felt her gorge rise and choked it back forcefully.

This was not a Healer before her, this was a Doctor and Mizuki growled as every implication became clear and warnings flashed across her senses, for now, for the future… for her brother? She could not think about that and the energy she had gathered to try to fight the black Guyver Warrior focused on a new target.

The Vad'm Guyver never even knew what hit her. Mizuki didn't hold back. The warning that had flashed across her senses left her no room for doubt. She drove into the other Guyver Lord Healer both physically and mentally. Xeo'm screamed but with a viciousness that would have done Aptom proud Mizuki continued. She let her healing aura flare attempting to push the unbalanced sickness she could feel out of the rust coloured Guyver.

She didn't know how much it worked because the other Guyver Lord did not hold still and Mizuki's mind expunged what she could before chasing the rest of the imbalance. Her navy blue tendrils rose but did not penetrate her shield. Instead the energy seemed to twist, grasping the Guyver Lord ripping away pieces of armour. Every piece of armour flicked away seemed to expose more of Xeo'm's mind and Mizuki growled driving herself in deeper.

Before she could reach the core, the Vad'm screamed and vanished. Mizuki blinked, feeling herself exposed but she quickly pulled back. She hadn't gotten everything and she felt a sense of foreboding. She knew where the Guyver Lord had retreated to and Mizuki couldn't follow. She would not voluntarily go to the Tekki's stronghold, not even to complete what she had been doing. Hopefully one of the other Guyver Healers could see to Xeo'm but Mizuki didn't have faith. The Tekki's healers had been around the Vad'm and had done nothing. They would most likely continue to pretend that they were blind but no true healer could be blind to the imbalance in the other Guyver. It must suit the Tekki to have her like that and Mizuki shuddered as her barrier settled back into place just as the black Guyver Lord swung back to face her.

"My Lady," she heard the chiding note in the Warrior's voice.

She tilted her head, almost tempted to open her eyes wide with innocence. Not that he would see it but he'd feel it. She knew that.

"Oh my Lady," the Tekki Leader chuckled. "I really should have expected that. You aren't one to be taken lightly. I take one of yours but you take one of mine. The only thing my Lady, you don't have any more left to take, except those with you and thus I will take you."

Mizuki just looked up at him, feeling the support of her two Gigantics and she grimly felt her resolve harden.

"I can no longer wait so you must choose."

She didn't bother to ask what he meant as the black Guyver Lord Warrior rose, keeping one eye upon her. She felt more than heard his order to his Gigantics who had been locked in combat with the Zoanoids and Mizuki felt her eyes widen with fear as she saw his plan. Her stomach clenched and where Xeo'm had made her feel ill, this made her choke as she was sick.

"No. Don't."

She'd never begged Chronos or Agito and Mizuki was almost surprised the words left her mouth but then Chronos and Agito had never done this. They wanted subjects to rule. The Tekki Leader just wanted her submission.

"You know what you have to do," he said before falling silent.

Mizuki swallowed hard watching as the energy gathered. A Guyver Lord didn't have a mega-smasher in the same way as a Gigantic or Guyver Unit did but that did not mean they were not capable of releasing such blasts of energy. They were. The way they focused the energy was different. Black tendrils formed the focusing point and they glowed white hot as the energy gathered.

"No."

The Tekki Leader didn't even reply and Mizuki watched, almost disbelieving as he rose higher and released the blast. It streaked across the sky and there was a flash from the distance, followed by a few seconds of silence before there was the unmistakable roar of destruction. Brown eyes closed and Mizuki imagined she could feel the heat of the flames against her skin. She couldn't but she heard the screams in her soul.

"What the hell was that?" the Zoanoids behind her shrieked. "Control?"

There was quite a bit of confused shouting but eventually the radio communication sorted itself out. "Dhaka is gone," the report finally came from someone whose voice was shocked beyond endurance.

Mizuki said nothing. There was nothing she could say. Above the black Guyver Lord began gather energy again. She watched, her eyes seeing but her mind not believing and she listened. No one quite seemed ready for the report about Dhaka. Yet no one was denying it. Everyone was trying to work out how it might have happened though. That was easy. Had they really forgotten the destructive power of a Guyver?

Most probably had, being Children of the Empire. Agito had never denied the destruction he was capable of causing, he had just been careful to make sure he was never blamed for that destruction. That was what the Rebellion was for, and those who remembered the battle against Chronos, troops and soldiers, thought nothing of such potential. Zoalords could do that, so why shouldn't their enemies?

"It was the Tekki," she reported, knowing that the Zoanoid who had remained behind her would hear and tell Merrimu.

"Mizuki?" She recognised Rodriguez's prompt even if the Commander was miles away but she didn't really hear as the power gathered again in front of the black Guyver.

No! She was not about to let this happen again. Not from someone they should have worked with. Not from someone they should have been able to trust. Not from another human. A thousand little things came together and she knew that was right and her wrath flared. Mizuki didn't hear her scream as her power struck.

The Tekki Leader didn't either.

The power that had been forming the barrier she had been holding reconfigured instantly, lashing up like extendible hands and slapping away the Gigantic Guyvers who had remained. They plummeted from the sky but the Tekki Leader's dark tendrils, those he had loosed earlier on the planet caught them and vanished even as Mizuki's power slammed into their master. He was buffeted as the invisible force hit him, destroying the focusing ring he had formed to fire his Megasmasher letting the energy dissipate with a blinding shower of sparks. But Mizuki wasn't finished and as fast as she could, she continued to assault the black Guyver Lord, all her anger, all her grief pouring from her.

To say Tsuyosa was surprised would be an understatement. He was shocked, but he was not defenceless. He had been expecting Mizuki to explode, just not the depth of her feeling. It seemed forever before he could respond and in that time he could feel his Unit healing the damage she was doing. Whatever power she was using was cutting through his armour like it wasn't there and in the depths of his mind, the eldest Guyver Lord berated himself. Mizuki was a Guyver Healer, her vibroblades could form scalpels with cutting edges that were honed to electron sharpness, of course she could cut his armour! He cast a glance down at her and was surprised to see the way her eyes were burning.

Her armour was still the apricot colour it always had been, but perhaps it was a darker shade and extended from her, seeming to waft in the breeze were her tendrils, but Tsuyosa recognised that they weren't merely extended. They were controlling the power that was being driven into him. Her pearl plate eyes did not glow a gentle white. There was definitely a red tinge to them and when he gathered himself enough to attempt to reach his mind to hers he found an impenetrable barrier, one his Unit recognised as being formed by her Unit. She was not in the mood to talk.

He twisted to defend himself but she seemed to anticipate that and despite the long years of knowledge he possessed from his future self, Tsuyosa wasn't quite sure how to react. He'd known of course that Mizuki was powerful, but he had never seen this side of her. The Senelzar of the future had, so had Xeo'm but the Senelzar had been extinct and he had never spoken to Xeo'm then to discover what had happened. He'd never been sure something had happened until he had seen how the Vad'm was in the present.

He gasped as he felt the first Lord injure him. No matter what he tried to do, Mizuki managed to slip around it and the defences he usually relied upon were being ripped away. His usual power reduced to nothing. It wasn't a pleasant feeling but just before the Tekki Leader gathered himself to truly fight back, because he would not be Mizuki's rag doll, she stopped, holding him aloft as she rose to stand beside him. Tsuyosa knew she knew he wasn't defeated, so there had to be something else she wished to do.

Her energy rose again and on the planet the two Gigantics who were Mizuki's had collapsed. They had given her everything they could but they could not hope to match the power of a human Guyver and they knew it.

"No more death," were the words she uttered as the world of Merrimu felt a blanket fall upon it.

There was a soft warmth to Mizuki's energy now. It had been harsh and cold attacking the Tekki Leader but extended as it was, it formed a living cocoon for the planet, seeping inwards, and those who had been previously healed by her were comforted while others were bemused. It was not uncomfortable, rather it was gentle and all the little aches and pains and fears fell away as if they weren't even there.

In the remains of Dhaka, the fires went out, and the few who had survived, shielded mostly by distance felt every wound on them vanish, their muscles knitting together and their skin stretching over to perfectly cover the wounds. Those who had been on the verge of death were filled with energy, those who had been shocked were soothed, those who had been crying pitifully in pain felt their pain vanish. They were still bloody but the injuries were gone and they were lulled to sleep by a gentle caress of their mothers' touch. They would await the rescue that was already being marshalled for them.

In the air above Merrimu, Tsuyosa was amazed as he saw the Guyver Lord Healer's energy flow. He'd known that all Guyver types were equal but he, like most warriors, had always felt that they were superior. Even his future self had felt that. And he had always felt superior because of his knowledge and strength. The other Guyver Lord Warriors could not hurt him, the Engineers could defend but not attack or served him and the Healers did nothing but call for his help. But this was not the action of some ineffectual, quivering Healer who needed to be rescued. This was not someone who was inferior and any belief he had in his superiority, the belief that the Warriors were the better Unit was falling away, disappearing in the wind like ash as he watched. There was nothing inferior about the Guyver Lord Healer Fukamachi Mizuki.

He wasn't affected by her healing. It appeared her desire only extended so far and healing the wounds she had inflicted upon him was beyond that. It was logical and in an odd way he was comforted to know that Mizuki had this brutal streak. But she could not continue forever and after the wave passed, the restraints she had upon him disappeared as she collapsed, her Unit retracting.

No matter the damage to him, there wasn't even a moment when he was tempted to let her drop.

Tsuyosa hurt but the pain was already fading as he scooped Mizuki's unconscious form from the air. He held her gently as the last of his shadow troops picked up and teleported her Gigantic followers to his stronghold. He looked down at her flexing his back as he tried to work out the kinks but he felt a twinge that he knew he'd need 'Nyataran's services on and that caused him to chuckle. "Oh my Lady…" the words were reverent and he felt no shame in his reaction.

Below the Tekki Leader could see Zoanoids scrambling and he knew that they'd try to attack him, no matter how futile. He rose, automatically extending a gravity globe around them to cushion the effects of gravity on the unconscious woman in his arms. Much like her husband, like all the Terran Guyvers, no matter how casual he might seem when he fought Agito, she had his respect.

As the Tekki Leader entered the outer atmosphere of Merrimu he looked around. There had been one Terran Guyver conspicuous with their absence and that could not be a good sign. Tsuyosa almost dropped Mizuki when he finally saw Shō. He had known what the future held. He had known the centuries of history of battles but with all the changes he had made, he never thought that this battle would still occur in the time he'd allowed it. In the future, he knew Fukamachi survived, but then, as now, he had no idea what caused this battle but it was magnificent to see the teal Gigantic Guyver going all out against the white and gold form of the One.

Tsuyosa paused. He had thought about this. Perhaps he should interfere? He could help Shō. Together they had a much better chance of defeating the One but when Mizuki trembled an ironic smirk twitched his features. Oh yeah he berated himself with no small amount of sarcasm blistering his internal voice, Shō would be so willing to accept his help after he had attacked Merrimu and was currently incarcerating most of his friends and holding his unconscious wife, after having put her in that state.

Yesterday they could have fought this together, today was another matter entirely.

He also had to consider the prisoners he had. 'Nyataran would know what to do, but he was now trying to hold several human Guyver Lords and two Gigantics. No matter how much power he lent his Gigantic Healer, the Artarmon would be strained, and Tsuyosa still didn't know what had been done to Xeo'm. The Guyver Lord Healer had been damaged by Mizuki but the extent of that damage was not known. Plus… his back twinged as a reminder. Mizuki had not gone down easily. He still needed 'Nyataran's attention himself. He'd been prepared for Agito, had used his force against the other black Guyver Warrior to drive them into a fast submission, but he had not been prepared for Mizuki's fire and he was paying the price now.

This was one battle that Fukamachi would have to fight alone, but he would have Tsuyosa's moral support. The future said that the Terran Guyver would walk away but the black Guyver Lord Warrior fondly hoped the teal Gigantic Guyver injured the One. The odds were slight and he had no idea if history supported his hope, but it was nice to imagine.

With a nod of salute towards Fukamachi, Tsuyosa disappeared with an inrush of air.

As his Unit confirmed that they had truly merged, Shō knew it was safe to open his eyes and he did, looking back towards the white simulacrum of the One that Masaki had become. The form was most definitely beautiful but it was no longer mesmerising. Shō drank in the lines that were the ultimate expression of the Guyver Unit. Armour was just non-existent and it was almost as if the Zoalord had transformed into his human form. He was white all over though, and it was not the white of skin, but the gleaming white of fresh snow but Fukamachi could see every muscle and tendon working there. The armour of a Guyver Unit had been reduced to lycra thinness… At least that's what it looked like but Shō realised that it was not that the armour was external, as it was partially for him, the armour and the host had become one. You did not need relatively thick plates in that case, just the covering would be sufficient.

Traced over his body, almost regally were swirls and highlights. They started at his feet and worked their way upwards and looked almost ornate. They didn't trace the bones or muscles exactly but did form an elegant scroll work which complimented him, almost like tasteful filigree tattoos. They were all over Murakami's body and ended on his throat but there were points of focus at his belly button, where a small silver orb resided and on the back of his wrists and elbows. Across his chest, the golden highlights were more pronounced, thicker, and they tracked under and over his arms to meet in a complicated knot between his shoulder blades.

Masaki's head was the part least changed from a regular Guyver. The armour there seemed thicker there, more traditional. Pearl plate eyes glowed gently under a shiny silver control medallion. That medallion was the original but Shō could see further rings around it and he realised that the extra rings originally formed for him from the navigational orbs of the Advent ship where still there but they were recessed, smaller, as if their function had been incorporated into the one medallion. The Guyver's crest was also still there, arching majestically over the back of Masaki's head. Laser focusing orbs resided there as did breathing tubes. The sensors of the Guyver Unit clicked back and forth and it was there that the lining of the armour showed, a gentle, soft gold that complimented the more solid brighter colour of the scroll work exquisitely.

Murakami Masaki did not have the armour of the One. But he looked like it, and he radiated such power that it was easy to become confused. Shō couldn't see his Zoacrystal but he knew that it was that which was powering that sense. Fukamachi had seen it happen, all the zoacrystals merging into one. That was the only thing that would have enough power to give this feel and now that he was awakened to it, not just mesmerised, the teal coloured Guyver fought not to pull back from it. Tsuyosa had always said that the Guyver's had made the mistake with the creation of the One and there was no way the collective consciousness of the Units would have picked a Zoalord to be their master. And Murakami had said it himself. He would kill those humans who could wield the power, not that he possessed it. Shō shook his head, berating himself for being deceived. He'd seen the transformation, he knew what Zoanoids were capable of. He should have known that this was Masaki's plan. No, not Masaki… Imakarum's plan.

:He's not the One Master, and he never will be,: Shō's Unit was surprisingly adamant about that statement.

:I know,: Fukamachi agreed. :And I thank you for the courage and conviction to stand against me when you knew you were right, even when I disagreed,:

Combined as they were, it was impossible not to feel when his Unit flushed with pleasure at his words. :You commanded me, that I should not disobey your will, and I knew that was not your true will,: his Unit said depreciatingly, passing off the entire event as routine.

Shō smiled and tactfully let the matter drop. His Unit knew he thanked it for this, that was sufficient and right at the moment, they had a too powerful Zoalord to deal with.

"You've always been stronger than you let on Fukamachi," the fake Guyver Emperor said. "But that won't help you this time."

"I think it already has," Shō replied mildly, manoeuvring slightly so that he was not trapped.

"You've never noticed it, have you? The way a Guyver routinely bows to the superior forms. It's not the genetic loyalty of Zoanoids, but it is close enough. Even now, you hesitate to fight me."

He saw the trap, he really did but now was not the time to be playing word games and Shō was damned if he agreed, and damned if he didn't. He looked over at his friend sadly. "There is no hesitation."

The words were a spur for both of them, and the battle was again joined. This time, both sides moved with graceful fluid motions, the silver highlights of the Gigantic Guyver whipping with blinding quickness against the molten gold highlights of the fake One. But there was more to the battle this time. Burst of energy flickered and their very physical being did not seem solid as the two combatant's teleported around the other in a continual bid to seek dominance. Sometimes they teleported meters, sometimes they teleported across the galaxy but their fight was centred on Merrimu and that's where they kept coming back.

Neither teleported to Earth. That place held too many memories.

Anyone watching would have found the motion dizzying, assuming they could even follow the lightningly fast strikes. Shō relaxed with his armour, moving with it and he felt power flowing through him as they moved together. It was intoxicating and the sheer purity of the movement sang to him. For the first time in his life, Fukamachi lost himself in the battle, and all unknowing he surpassed his human limits because the strength he possessed with his Unit just felt right.

The first clue that the battle was no longer even came when cuts began appearing on the white form of the altered Zoalord. A fine mist of red formed around him, seeping into the air and leaving a faintly visible trail where he was teleporting. Shō didn't really consciously notice that but he kept striking, using all of his abilities in an effort to trap his opponent. It was working but the teal coloured Guyver was getting the impression that the last of Alkanphel's Circle would die before he surrendered and while he had faith in his friends, even he felt a little doubt. He wasn't sure he could extract Masaki from the shell of Mirabilis before he killed him.

'If something isn't done, the whole world will be overrun by those creatures.'

Shō faltered for an instant as he remembered the words, and pain lanced through his shoulder when Imakarum took advantage of the millisecond lapse in concentration driving one golden highlight like a spear into the teal Guyver's shoulder. One crystal tear formed in Fukamachi's eye. "I'm sorry," he whispered the words.

"You're sorry?" The Zoalord seemed confused.

"I'm so sorry Masaki," Shō said, almost sobbing, "I failed you."

If the words were meant to catch the last of Alkanphel's Circle off guard, they didn't work. The white Zoalord was more wary than ever and it showed in the deliberate way that he moved his golden highlights, flicking the ribbon like appendages carefully as he tried to make sense of Shō's words.

"You gave your life for your belief and I just slept through the destruction of the world."

"You did," Imakarum agreed as he finally worked out the context for Shō's words. He had vague memories of the sort of twaddle he would have spouted as a Proto-Lord and could only guess that Guyver I was referring to something he'd said before X-day. Whatever it was, it couldn't have been that important, and if it made the teal Guyver hold still, then the words would have served a purpose far more useful than whatever he originally hoped for. "Perhaps you should atone for your failure?" Mirabilis suggested with an odd smirk in his voice.

"Perhaps I should." There was something dangerous in the way Shō agreed with the Zoalord and mentally Imakarum braced for the torrent of drivel that would follow. He was surprised when nothing further was said and the silver highlights on Shō's armour lifted, rising above the Gigantic form to detach themselves from the teal coloured amour as more formed.

Now that was a troublesome ability, one the Zoalord had thought was limited to Guyver Lords. Not the highlights, he'd seem them often enough on those Gigantics who were beholden to a Lord to know that they could act in concert to attack or defend but what he had never seen was the highlights acting independently. Imakarum had seen the Tekki form inky black troops from his highlights, but he'd never seen any Guyver form less than a Lord manage that same trick. Still just because the Guyver had a trick he couldn't quite copy, he would not go down.

"I'll free you, Masaki."

It was the tone that sent a sense of warning howling across Imakarum's senses and while it was inelegant he let himself plunge straight down. It was the right move as an instant later a silver spear pierced the air he had been occupying and the Zoalord looked back up at Fukamachi. There was something different about him. It was not in the way he looked. The teal Gigantic Guyver was as well presented as always with his blue armour, purple lining and rather regal silver highlights but it was in the way he felt. It was an intangible difference but it was there. Mirabilis was experienced in combat. He could glance at a battlefield and assess the threat level of opponents there. Just looking at Shō told him that the Guyver was the highest possible threat. He'd almost have preferred the wimpy boy who had proclaimed his soul had not changed.

"So you will kill me to free me?"

"I would kill Imakarum to free Masaki. He would have wanted that."

While the Zoalord could pick holes in the logic, there was no argument he could mount which would convince the Guyver before him. The weakling Masaki probably would have wanted such a futile dramatic gesture. The current Murakami realised that is all it would be, a dramatic gesture with no substance. "Then I will show you my true desire," he replied, bracing himself to fight a newly determined Fukamachi.

More silver highlights lifted from Shō's body and Mirabilis was being hard pressed to track them all. They were moving, weaving around each other just beyond his reach and he knew exactly what Fukamachi planned to do with them. If he was honest with himself, and Imakarum was, they would tip the balance. He probably wouldn't be able to take out Agito or Aptom but at least he would get Shō and that was the most important thing. That would honour his Lord Alkanphel's Orders and keep his one friend safe. The white Zoalord flexed his claws, pulling more energy from the Zoacrystal within him, pushing out the aura of the One.

Shō sighed, his eyes half narrowed with melancholy as he looked at the being who had once been his friend. There was no easy way to do this but it had to be done. The only mercy he could give Murakami would be to make it quick but he wasn't quite certain Mirabilis would allow him that. But for the sake of the man who had taught him so much about combat, about Chronos, he would try.

They heard the clash on Merrimu, though Rodriguez had been scrupulous in ordering that no Zoanoid go near them. The Rebel Commander recognised that no matter how much they may want to help, none of them would have survived. It left him feeling impotent and he vaguely understood how Zektoll might have felt. He had no sympathy for the now dead Zoalord, but he better understood. All Rodriguez could do for Fukamachi was watch and be ready to treat his injuries when the battle was over. He could see it now, all of Merrimu could see. Those who knew what was happening and who remembered their history, could see why the Rebellion had pinned their hopes on this Guyver. He was like the embodiment of the Rebellion. He tried to protect his friends, to defend the weak but when push came to shove, and there were lives on the line, including his own, Fukamachi gave no quarter. At that point, sentimentality did not enter into his actions and Rodriguez could see how the Emperor would have been defeated.

It was almost ironic that the Rebel Commander was now wishing for their warrior to defeat one of the Emperor's Officers so that he could go mount a mission to rescue the Emperor. Their cameras had caught that much at least and they knew that the impossibly sleek Guyver form was merely the transformed form of Imakarum. The Universe really did like to turn everything around.

The other clashes between the white Guyver form and the teal Gigantic Guyver had been even, or skewed towards the white Guyver. This one was most definitely in Fukamachi's favour. It was subtle but his silver highlights seemed to slip under the golden ones more frequently, leaving bleeding lines on white armour that healed. Shō wasn't uninjured himself. They both had little lines of blood criss-crossing their bodies but Fukamachi was brutal and did not allow any pause in this clash. As the white Guyver backed up, he moved with them, keeping the same intensity that had marked the beginning of the conflict and at some unseen signal, the almost sheer pieces of silver highlight that had been skirting the edges of the battle arched inwards. They lanced into the white Guyver lodging in his body brutally.

Distance meant that the Communications team could not properly see, but Rodriguez knew those silver highlights were more than just spears. Once inside they did something else and the pain must have been incredible. The small white Guyver though was controlled, was contained and compensated for his reduced movement skilfully. This time Fukamachi did back up a little, but only so that he could use some of the more exotic functions of his armour. Brilliant colour lights flashed and Rodriguez recognised the head beam and gravity globes fired from close distance into the white form. The energy weapons destroyed some of the silver highlights impaling the white Guyver but others replaced them. And all along, silver and gold kept tangling with each other. One lanced golden highlight struck Fukamachi every now and then but he didn't even seem to feel it and the blood from those wounds quickly stopped flowing as his Unit healed them.

The Hyper Zoanoid Rebel Commander did not even want to think about the amount of energy both combatants were burning. However much it was, it was worth it, because only one of them would be walking away. Fukamachi continued to drive forward, never letting Imakarum gain a moment of peace. The teal Guyver's strikes were precise, each blast from his head beam calculated and every gravity globe he sent into the white Zoalord hit the mark. Rodriguez was willing to bet that Shō was using his sonic oscillators and Tetsuro had explained how damaging those where. The internal injuries would be massive.

The white Guyver form made several desperate swings but Fukamachi was all over them matching the transformed Zoalord blow for blow. Each time they crossed, more silver highlights slipped passed the tangle of gold and more blood splashed on the white. It flowed down the silver highlights and dripped. Mirabilis had stopped being able to defend himself but Shō was not forgiving. When the white Guyver form looked like something like a porcupine, Fukamachi drew back.

"I'm sorry Masaki," Shō murmured, drawing one hand back to strike.

"Stop." The voice was wet.

The teal Guyver's eyes hardened.

"Stop, Shō-kun, that's enough."

"Murakami?" The question was tentative.

There was a raspy bubbling in the white Zoalord's voice but it was clear enough when he replied, repeating his previous sentiment. "You've done enough."

"Masaki."

"Yes Shō?"

"Masaki, I'm so sorry!"

"Don't be Shō. You did what is necessary."

"But was it right?"

Imakarum coughed, and thick red blood dribbled down his chin. "It was right." How odd… To comfort ones murderer but he did it without hesitation because it too was the right thing to do. "You… you have to…" Masaki grimaced, his form shifting slightly as he reverted back to something which resembled the Zoalord he was. "To… to finish it," he choked out the words.

For a second Shō didn't understand, then when he looked at the bloody body of his friend, he understood. It was not in its usual place but it was bigger than any other Zoacrystal he had seen. Peeking out from Masaki's chest was the hard form of a Zoacrystal. It sparkled and was somehow clean of all the blood. The implication was obvious. He had to remove it, because only then would the power keeping Murakami alive let his damaged body die. At that moment, that would be the greatest mercy Fukamachi could grant his friend.

Very gently Shō reached out, touching one finger to the Zoacrystal. It was warm and to his Unit's senses it pulsed with life. It did not seem right that removing it would remove life. One bloody white hand, some fingers with the claws of a Zoalord, others with the rounded pads of a human Guyver reached out to gently touch Fukamachi's wrist. "It's okay Shō. I'm ready." The words were breathed out, whispered so low that Shō wasn't sure he heard them but he could see the peace in Masaki's eyes and he knew this was what his friend wanted. With a determined shake of his head, Shō clasped the Zoacrystal, getting as firm a grip on it as he could without actually reaching into Murakami's chest. That would hurt his friend and at the end, Shō would not do that. There was something in his Unit though, that was yearning towards the crystal but Shō dismissed the feeling. What did a Guyver Unit need with a Zoalord crystal? One that was many fused together to form a very beautiful sparkling whole?

As lightly as he could Shō drew his hand back, ignoring the tug of Masaki's body on the zoacrystal as the pulled it free. A tension that had been present in Murakami vanished when the crystal was removed. His eyes changed back to human, altering from the pearl plates that formed both a Guyver and his Zoalord form's eyes and Shō looked into the warm brown orbs. The pupils were no longer slitted like a cat and while his friend could not see, a sad smile jerked at his lips.

"This was the only way, Shō."

The teal Gigantic Guyver did not reply but you could sense his half-hearted denial. It might have been the only way, but it was a method that was not liked. The Zoacrystal pulsed in his hand, and Fukamachi could sense the energy flows to his friend fading.

"Shō…" Impossibly Masaki smiled. "Thank you."

The entire colony felt more than heard the keen of grief that emanated when the white Zoalord died. He reverted back to human with his passing and Shō supported his body, not bothering to hide his tears. In the past he'd have felt anger, would have desired revenge, but how did one seek vengeance upon oneself and how could one feel anger, when they were thanked for their deed.

It wasn't fair but Shō knew life wasn't fair. He'd more than learnt that lesson fighting Chronos and he waited for his anger to rise against the Supreme Zoalord, but nothing came. There was no point in bearing anger for a man he had killed. It left him feeling hollow and for a moment Fukamachi didn't know what to do. All he could do is cry but tears did not bring back the dead and Masaki was content. Shō allowed himself to drop back to the surface of the planet, never noticing as his silver highlights wrapped around the pulsing zoacrystal drawing it back into his armour.

He lay Murakami out as if in rest, crossing human arms over the hole in his chest because even though the crystal had come easily, reversion could not cover that. A myriad of other cuts and lacerations were on his body and Shō could see for the first time the brutality of their battle. He had known it, he had felt it, but looking at the evidence, the wounds that Masaki's energy had not healed, he only now began to appreciate it. He did not deserve Masaki's forgiveness though he knew he had it.

"You will be remembered, Masaki," he said aloud, the sentence all the eulogy he could afford at the moment. Murakami had been brutal in the past, but he had been correct. They had to care for the living over the dead, which meant Shō had to find out where the others were gone.

The battle was over. He had felt it end and while he knew the outcome, Tsuyosa had taken them, the teal coloured Gigantic Guyver could feel that there were some who had escaped. Tarnsi for example was waiting for him and after closing his eyes to give one last prayer to Masaki, Shō vanished.

He had other things to attend to.

The wind whispered on Merrimu as the sun set, staining the sky brilliant orange that modulated to pink then fiery red. It was a beautiful day and it had gone unappreciated by all. The night was upon them now and as stars appeared in the firmament, sparkling white against the dark encompassing blue of the sky Rodriguez sighed.

It was going to be a long night.

Alkanphel's last strike was defeated and we never did learn why or how it was that Murakami turned to Imakarum. Oh, we can speculate but it is only that, speculation. No one learned from him the reasons. Agito might know but Agito has remained silent on that.

It doesn't matter. He died as Murakami Masaki, the man who took up arms against Chronos. I think he was happy that way but I also believe that he did not find servitude to Alkanphel to be that onerous. Masaki was my friend but I am not blind. If all it took to turn him back was pure force, and my husband can possess that in liberal quantities when it suits him, then I have to question the truth behind Imakarum's turning. Maybe he was still Mirabilis at the end and gave Shō what comfort he could, maybe he really had turned back. I will say that is what happened because that is what it appeared to have happened, but without knowing the past, without more knowledge this is one instance when the truth will be lost to time. Perhaps it's better that way though this was prelude to the larger battle.

Every Terran Guyver Lord had been captured and despite what I might think of the Tekki Leader, he was intelligent. He knew the kind of force we could bring to bear to escape and so he kept us unconscious and in human form. We had no chance to escape until it was over. I can't remember that time. Or rather I remember blackness and the occasional odd sound but that is all. I know what happened because those loyal to the Tekki have explained. And those who were still free at the time remember it completely.

Hayami, Natsuki, Tarnsi, Aptom and Shō were free. Five Gigantic Guyvers against a man who had taken out three Guyver Lords. All I can do is take comfort in the fact that we had taken out many of his forces. Tallowa, Xeo'm, Iythry, Heborae all required healing, though I will forever regret the fact I did not do more damage to Xeo'm. God knows I was trying but her Unit protected her. I don't know if it regrets what happened. I regret enough for us both. The cost of that was too great, and while I was unconscious when it happened, I still feel I should have been able to do something.

It's the same feeling Shō has over his Father. You know there is nothing you could have done, but your heart does not listen to your head and you are left with the lingering feeling of regret. There is no point in crying over what could have been though I will forever wonder how history might have been.

Regret is useless. It blows away on the wind. What happened after the battle of Merrimu, whether we regret them or not, whether we understand or are still confused, those were the events which really changed time. It could be argued that until that point, the Tekki had not altered much in history. A few things had happened faster, there had been a few changes, but the flow of time was not altered. With what happened now the flow was not just altered, it was akin to turning back time because nothing would ever be the same.

Okay, I can see the question – how could Mizuki beat up Tsuyosa when Agito couldn't? Simple. They, Mizuki and Agito, have different beliefs. Agito tried to avenge Shizu and he got in some hits, but he also knew that Tsuyosa wasn't going to kill him so he couldn't really summon what I will call desperation energy. Because he knew he wasn't going to die, he couldn't fight at his full strength. However, Mizuki's focus was not about her own life, but the lives of others and she was fighting to protect them so she could call upon more energy. It's not that Agito is weaker than Mizuki or anything just that the situation and their values are different, which allows them to react in different ways to different situations. That's all. If Tsuyosa was going to kill Agito or Shizu then that battle would have been different.

Tekki managed to capture almost everyone! What are his plans? Can he capture the last few powered Guyvers? Find out next chapter!

Lovely e-cookies await those who review so please :D

Cheers,

Jade