04/08/2013

The Conquered
By Jade Tatsu
Chapter XXXII – Liberty

Lacking any other viable suggestion, the plan to 'Run' was enacted. There was absolutely nothing wrong with Aptom's plan. Each of them, Natsuki, Aptom, Tarnsi, Hayami and Shō took turns in teleporting the others around the galaxy to random places and every now and then they leapt out of somewhere quickly when they realised the Tekki's shadow troops were there.

That was the biggest, most glaring flaw in their plan. They had no information about the Tekki's actions. They didn't even know if he was looking for them yet which was dangerous but despite asking questions to their Units, there was no information forthcoming.

There was of course, always the chance that the Tekki would just attack Merrimu or even Earth or Kyheen or any other inhabited planet in an effort to call them out but Natsuki had been logical when Tarnsi had brought that up. "I don't think he'll do that," the yellow Guyver had said. "Not unless he has some way of telling us what he's doing or if we were on the planet. He won't attack unless he is sure we will appear and no matter how vicious he's been up to now, he hasn't really condoned the slaughter of innocents."

She told me later, she had been more than a little uncertain about that last bit and I do not blame her. While the statement was logical, the risk was also high. Shō had told her about the battle on Merrimu so she knew the Tekki was perfectly willing if necessary to kill innocents but hopefully not if they weren't there to see it.

And so they teleported, every moment they gained was another that they and we, needed.

Aptom looked to the side, his eyes narrowed and his face pensive. It felt like they had been jumping for weeks but it had only been two days. "He's coming," the Zoanoid Guyver announced and they all shivered. They knew what that meant.

Shō chuckled suddenly, which earned him several odd looks. "If he's tracking us, then I hope he's prepared for one of the most awesome tours of the galaxy anyone has ever done!"

Natsuki snorted before she brought herself under control. She'd never thought about it like that and it was somewhat funny to think of the Tekki having the ability to track them, jump after jump and the sheer amount of ground he would have to cover. They had been everywhere!

Aptom shook his head sadly. "I don't think he's tracking us."

"Neither do I," Shō said in complete agreement with his friend. "But I hope it takes him a while to find us."

"I think you'd better hope a bit harder, Fukamachi."

All five of them dodged at the familiar voice, simultaneously trying to run and teleport and the realisation came to all five Guyvers at the same time that they could not teleport.

"I am sorry, my friends," the black Guyver Lord known as the Tekki continued almost conversationally and the calm of his voice was out of place. "But I cannot let you run."

:Hayami, Aptom, Tarnsi,: Shō's mental voice snapped the names off in command. :Balance yourselves and shield!: He ordered and the reasoning flowed with his mental presence. They were the One's three direct Gigantic Servants. Guyvers were based on the number three and as the One's direct servants, their power both complimented and strengthened the others. The shield they raised would be stronger than one all five of them raised. Three white Gigantic Units appeared and a shield shimmered into existence around them. Natsuki looked grim but she remained silent for now, her mind assessing the situation and looking for options.

"Impressive," the Tekki Leader said as his own forces materialised. Heborae, Tallowa, Woorak and Iythry. All of them Guyver Warriors and all of them infused with the Tekki's power. "But not enough."

:Why can't we teleport?: Hayami asked the question silently ensuring that his communication was private.

:He's blocking,: Aptom replied. :But I don't know how.:

:It doesn't matter,: Natsuki interrupted.

"Oh but it does, Taga-kun." The Tekki seemed as amused as ever and while that was mostly for show, it enhanced the feel of his power. "I can block you because your precious Emperor does not seem to be supporting you right now. I wonder why that might be?"

"I don't care," Natsuki snapped at the black Guyver, the darker yellow of her Gigantic armour falling into place around her, leaving Shō as the only one without a Gigantic Unit. The back of her mind wondered why he didn't summon it but she had more important things to worry about. "What have you done with Tetsuro?" The question appeared to come out of nowhere but by the small start from the Guyver Lord, it was a question he didn't want to answer.

"Another lioness, I see," the Tekki murmured. "I should be pleased I suppose, to know that the future of my species is in such good hands, but right at the moment, such boldness does not serve. Will you come with me?"

Five sets of pearl plate eyes gazed back at him with an air of almost incredulous silence and the Tekki chuckled. "I thought that might be the answer." As he spoke his Guyver Warriors fanned out around him.

"Why do you hate the One so much?" Natsuki asked a different question as she instructed her Unit to seek out what information it could about Tetsuro. Something felt wrong there and the catch in the Tekki's voice at her question filled her with foreboding.

The black Guyver sighed. "And why do you Terrans ask the same questions? I do not hate but the amount of power the One represents is too stifling." He tried a slightly different explanation.

"Stifling?"

"The One is always there, always watching and because of that, we are children! Never taking responsibility for our own actions. That is what I wish to change. I wish to give back to the individual their right of responsibility."

Fukamachi frowned. That was a very different spiel than what he had heard previously from the Tekki. It contained the same core, the same desire to remove the One but the reason was fundamentally different. It sounded almost reasonable but then why hadn't the black Guyver Warrior always said that? If he had of explained this way in the first place there was a fair chance that they would have gone along with his plan. Brown eyes blinked beneath teal armour as he considered. "What did you want to do?" Shō heard himself ask.

"Fukamachi-kun?"

"What did you want to do?" Guyver I asked again, his voice more confident. "What did the One stand in your way for?"

The sharp looks from his friends faded as they considered his words and saw the logic. Natsuki turned once more towards the black Guyver, her eyes especially fierce. She had no doubt that the One was a good man, but the Tekki's little tale put a new spin on that, and she wasn't sure she liked it. There was something else here and her Unit was meeting blanks as it tried to find Tetsuro. Somehow, all sense of his presence had been blocked from the rest of them. Almost casually, she ordered her Unit to find the others and she felt a gathering sickness when it reported back almost immediately that they were fine, just being kept unconscious. Something was very wrong with Tetsuro. The certainty pooled in her stomach and suddenly she cared nothing for the tableau playing out before her. What did reasons matter if she couldn't feel Tetsuro? Natsuki was sure Shō would agree with her if the lack of feeling was pointed out but she didn't have the time to do that.

:Never mind anything he says,: Natsuki said, trying to keep the conversation private, though she didn't really care if the black Guyver Lord Warrior before them could hear. He obviously had some ability to listen in on the Guyver's private channels and there was some part of her that wanted him to hear what she had to say. :You four need to scatter.:

Natsuki got the distinct impression of Aptom rolling his eyes before his mental voice came to her. :We still can't teleport you know.:

:I'm aware of that,: she snapped back. :But are you telling me you can't get through Tallowa again?:

:Of course I can.:

:Then I want you four to scatter. Run in opposite directions and let them chase you. I don't know how he's blocking teleportation but you can beat there is a limit to his range. Run out of that range and get out of here.:

:What about you?: Tarnsi asked.

:Don't worry about me, there's something I need to investigate.:

:That's not going to work Natsuki-kun,: the Tekki's rich voice echoed through their minds.

:Oh...: Natsuki replied, spreading her hands as she moved to the front of the barrier the three white Gigantic Units had created. :I think it will,: she added as on her mental count the barrier was dropped and the four behind her burst into action, blasting away from each other as fast as they could. Natsuki was not still herself, instead she lunged towards the Tekki, arm raised as if to slash him with her medical vibroblade and just before his defenses intercepted her, she vanished, teleporting to safety.

That brought an instant feeling of shock to the Tekki and he stared at the place the burnt yellow Gigantic Guyver Healer had occupied for several moments, not moving. That should have been impossible. He was blocking teleportation, yet the woman had obviously done it. His eyes went to the other Guyvers, to the three white Gigantic Guyvers and the one teal Guyver who were still scattering. They were still blocked from teleporting so how had...?

:Master, help!: 'Nyataran's scream cut his thoughts off and the black Guyver Lord Warrior narrowed his eyes as a flood of information came from his Gigantic Guyver Healer. So that's where she had teleported. Black tendrils rose off his form and sped towards the Guyver Warriors who had accompanied him. The black forms wrapped around the other Warriors. Those little bits of his Unit carried his will, his strength and would ensure that the Terrans and one Kyheenan could not teleport.

:Follow them,: he snapped the order at the others before focusing his mind and honing in on 'Nyataran's call. Just before he disappeared he could see the way the others moved. It was a foregone conclusion that Heborae would follow Fukamachi while Tallowa pursued Aptom. Woorak and Iythry took off after Hayami and Tarnsi and then Tsuyosa was surrounded by the familiar sight of his stronghold.

He'd arrived mere moments after Natsuki but it was impressive how much damage one enemy Guyver could do when suitably motivated. He'd blocked their ability to teleport but subconsciously he'd left one place open for them and the black Guyver snorted. Natsuki had taken advantage of that fact and had teleported straight into his stronghold. Though maybe it was more than just a hunch that had drawn her here.

The burnt yellow Gigantic Guyver Healer had arrived in Xeo'm's section and had no doubt been less than impressed with the state of her boyfriend. Tetsuro was stubborn and despite the torture the Vad'm Guyver had put him through the man had still not called his Unit. If it hadn't been weighing so heavily on his consciousness, Tsuyosa would have been impressed. Most Units would have voluntarily interfered by now but Tetsuro had obviously been keeping his at bay and that bespoke an iron control. Xeo'm for her part had been increasingly frustrated that the man would not summon a Unit to heal the damage she had inflicted so that she could 'start again'. Her only hope of copying the Advent's secrets lay in the use of a Guyver, one who could reset their DNA every time she changed it until she had what she wanted but Tetsuro was not cooperating and she had become increasingly desperate.

Tsuyosa gagged slightly as he saw the mess. He hadn't realised it would be this bad and while he'd always known that Tetsuro would never forgive him, for the first time he truly understood why that would be. He forced his mind away from the other Guyver and assessed the damage to the room, reading what had happened easily.

Natsuki had obviously arrived in the middle of the ... lab and on seeing the extent of damage to her boyfriend, she had done what any self-respecting girlfriend, who wasn't just a simpering sap would do and had attacked Xeo'm. She'd driven the Vad'm Guyver Lord into the corner and Xeo'm was still bleeding from the wounds. Natsuki had a Guyver Healer Unit but she was not the true Healer Mizuki was so her attack was more physical but in some way that was complimenting the mental damage the Mizuki had done two days ago. Xeo'm was quivering, her eyes wide and unseeing and her Unit not there. Yisuvac, 'Nyataran and Gilroyd had clearly heard Xeo'm's mental scream and they had teleported to help her.

Gilroyd was noticeably at a loss. His entire species held women to be respected and so his ability to attack, even an intruder was nullified by the knowledge that Natsuki was female, even if she wasn't Kyheenan. 'Nyataran and Yisuvac were not so restrained but Tetsuro's girlfriend was human and was enraged and she'd let the Guyver Lord Engineer and his Gigantic Healer know that in no uncertain terms. Their Units were still healing the damage. But they had managed to separate her from Tetsuro and drive Natsuki back into another corner of the room, away from Xeo'm.

Though that was as far as they'd gotten and she was standing, braced against the corner, a shield in place around her, while her eyes darted everywhere.

"It seems I have underestimated the Terran women," Tsuyosa said with a small chuckle. "My own fault I suppose, given that those who created me, mated me with females for offspring, not for affection but no matter. It is touching to see that mating need not be emotionless but I am afraid Natsuki-kun that I cannot allow you to damage anyone or anything any further, yourself included."

She snarled at him her silver highlights lifting slightly from her armour in a threat display reminiscent of one from a Mangoran. "What about Tetsuro?"

Tsuyosa forced himself to show no discomfort over the state of her boyfriend. "He knows exactly what will make this stop," he said in a cold voice taking one step towards Natsuki. Tetsuro was in a pitiful state. Blood was all over him and parts of his body appeared almost melted. His right hand side sagged and his face bore a grimace of pain. He was suspended in a glowing tank but from his movement, you could tell his breathing was laboured and Tsuyosa had no idea if his constitution was even human still. Xeo'm had not held back and she had clearly been eager to try everything regardless of the consequences. But Tetsuro was still alive and he could still summon his Guyver Unit, and in the end, that was enough for Tsuyosa's plan to go forward. But only when he consciously summoned his Lord Unit.

She'd been unpredictable up until that point, so he really didn't know why he expected her to just stand down. Even so, Tsuyosa was a Guyver Lord Warrior and his defences were second to none. Natsuki managed to scratch him but that was all before he caught her, and the wound was gone by the time he had the yellow Gigantic Guyver Healer trussed up and ready to be put in a cell. 'Nyataran came forward quickly, his hands already moving to inject Natsuki with the same drug as the other humans. They were simply too dangerous to be allowed to retain consciousness and Tsuyosa focused his mind, pushing the feel of his Unit towards hers so that it would not attack when she lost consciousness.

For once something co-operated and her Unit retracted and the black Guyver Lord Warrior was left holding the unconscious form of Taga Natsuki. She looked almost peaceful asleep but he was not fooled by her innocent facade. She was just as dangerous as the others, and she would be kept drugged, just like the others until it was time.

"Gilroyd, please take her to a cell," the black Guyver Lord instructed, moving to pass the unconscious woman to his Gigantic Engineer. "'Nyataran, see what you…"

"Na…"

Tsuyosa spun at the unexpected voice, blades flashing to the ready and inky darkness rising. It was just as well he was almost always prepared for attack because the moment he turned something barrelled into him. It hit him low and he felt a stab of pain through one kidney before he managed to drag one knee between his body and his assailant and push them away.

They landed heavily and there was a scrambling of limbs. Silver flashed with the colour of electronic silica and the relatively small form hissed at him, before they leapt again, this time aiming for Gilroyd who held Natsuki.

"Tetsuro," Tsuyosa hissed, jumping to intercept the Guyver Lord, shaking his head slightly to remove the slight disorientation from the concussive force that had hit him. That noise had been Segawa summoning his Unit and the young Terran had not been shy in using its abilities. The Tekki Leader managed to grab one of Tetsuro's arms, pulling the almost feral Guyver Engineer away from Gilroyd who took the hint and ran from the room, taking the unconscious form of Natsuki with him.

That seemed to anger Segawa and the black Guyver Lord was careful to hold Tetsuro at arm's length as the other Guyver struggled. The pearl plates of his eyes were glowing red and his control medallion was letting out a solid white glow.

"Master!" 'Nyataran gasped.

"It's nothing," Tsuyosa dismissed his Healer. The silica coloured Guyver Lord had driven one blade through his body and already black Guyver's Unit was healing the damage, but blood was flowing profusely from the wound. With a move the Tekki Leader wasn't sure Tetsuro would be able to do if he was conscious the silica coloured Guyver Lord twisted up, almost bending in two as Tetsuro rammed his feet into Tsuyosa's arm, forcing the Guyver Lord to relinquish his hold. "Oh no, you don't!" He growled moving again to intercept the Guyver Engineer who jumped again towards the door.

"Get Xeo'm out of here," Tsuyosa ordered 'Nyataran as he fell into a combat posture. Tetsuro's Unit might be controlling most of the Terran's movements but there was still something of Segawa's will there with the way it wanted to follow after Natsuki. That will would realise soon enough if it couldn't follow Taga then hurting Xeo'm was just as good an option.

As if reading his thoughts, the silica coloured Guyver's sensors flashed back and forth and the black Guyver Lord Warrior could feel the Unit settling on a new target just as 'Nyataran vanished, taking the injured Vad'm with him.

Well, Tsuyosa thought, this was about what he had expected to happen when Tetsuro summoned his Unit. It was good to be on hand but now he had an enraged Guyver Lord Engineer to deal with. Despite the fact that its primary targets were gone, Segawa's armour quickly focused on him as its new enemy. He actually hadn't thought it was possible for the Host to be half aware and directing the Unit as it dictated the body's movements but perhaps Xeo'm had been too brutal and had somehow managed to disconnect Tetsuro's brain from its conscious control of his body. Tsuyosa shuddered.

That was… That was gross. A fully conscious and aware mind trapped in a helpless body? Torture didn't even begin to come close. The black Guyver Lord Warrior knew it could happen. Over the years he'd seen many illnesses and infirmities, he'd even seen the Advents deliberately create that effect once or twice when doing some experiment or such but then they had always reconnected the links. The Vad'm Guyver Lord Healer didn't know how and while it was almost a certainty that Tetsuro's Unit could, it would take time, time the silica coloured Guyver Lord did not have now.

The remains of Xeo'm lab was not a good place for a battle and beneath his armour Tsuyosa's brown eyes narrowed. He could feel his Unit trying to talk to the other Guyver Lord's but as expected, it did not appear that Tetsuro was interested in listening. It was with an ironic cast to his voice that the black Guyver Lord Warrior tried anyway. "I know you can hear me Tetsuro-kun and I have no wish to hurt you further. And I will not let you hurt yourself. You cannot defeat me, not in that state. You, of all the Terrans probably have a better idea of what I need you for, or you will if you think about it. Are you even still capable of thinking?"

He let the question hang in the air and was rewarded with the tiniest nod. Tsuyosa smiled, though the expression would not be seen and he continued to talk, making sure that the Guyver Lord Engineer could feel him and could feel his full power. It might mean nothing to Tetsuro, though he was sure the other Terran would know what it meant, but Segawa was not a warrior and so the same message would not be born in that sense. Agito was a warrior, he'd understand the challenge and the implied message that he was more powerful. Makishima wouldn't like the message and would fight against it, but in the feeling the other black Guyver Lord would have known he had already lost, though the Emperor of Terra was developing fast. For Tetsuro that intimidation factor could not be relied upon, but his Unit would also feel it, and his Unit would know that its Host was not as whole as he was and that would be that.

:I know what you want,: Tetsuro's mental voice was pained. :But I will not willing help you.:

:So you will allow the One to rule everything.:

:I don't see that as a bad thing.:

:Why?: Tsuyosa asked even though he was aware he did not have much time. He was sure the other Terran Guyvers could not escape, not while the others carried that little bit of him, but they could hurt his followers. Aptom would no doubt be more than eager to put Tallowa back in her place again and for all that Heborae still wanted vengeance on Fukamachi she was not strong enough to achieve it yet.

:Because I do not believe the One to be the Overlord you proclaim,: came Tetsuro's reply.

It was a simple answer but it was not one he could argue against. Some people found comfort in faith, others found it purely the grasping of their mind for eternity but faith and beliefs were individual concepts and what one considered unreasonable, another considered as contentment. He could not argue against Tetsuro's faith without going into specifics and while he had them in his memories of the future, the silica coloured Guyver did not. Tetsuro only had his faith in the Guyver's Mistake. The black Guyver Warrior could respect the strength of his fellow Guyver Lord's conviction, even as he riled against it.

Tsuyosa took the initiative, jumping towards the other Guyver Lord with his vibroblades extended. Tetsuro was injured but he was quick and the attack was blocked, as was the follow up low sweep. He moved the motion into an upper cut but was again blocked but Segawa wasn't quite fast enough to block the over arm punch into his guts, and the Tekki Leader took advantage of the situation to drive a crushing double fisted blow into the Guyver Engineers neck. Tetsuro stumbled but his silver highlights came into play. Tsuyosa's black ones were fast to intercept but the elder Segawa was using his for stability, and they pushed him back upright and away slightly from the Guyver Warrior. Beneath his mask the Tekki Leader's eyes narrowed. Tetsuro should not be engaging him in hand to hand combat. That was almost stupid for a Guyver Engineer to take him on. Sure, part of the skill of a warrior came from the Host's knowledge and on that the Rebel Leader had has basic instruction in hand to hand combat but against him...? Formal techniques hadn't existed when the Advents were creating him, but they had placed an emphasis on speed, agility, precision and power. Formal technique meant nothing against someone fast enough to avoid almost anything and Tetsuro, while he had some technique had nowhere near the level of training he would need to consider taking on a warrior of Tsuyosa's calibre. So why...

The answer came to Tsuyosa slowly as they continued to trade blows unevenly. The silica coloured Guyver Lord was not bad and he managed to hold off four out of every five hits, but the fifth hit was taking its toll and the black Guyver Lord was allowing no rest. As Tetsuro staggered around the room, his silver highlights providing stabilisation to his odd movements the Tekki Leader understood. Tetsuro was fighting physically because all his energy was being devoted to healing himself. As that realisation became clear, Tsuyosa shook his head sadly and acted, taking advantage of the knowledge but showing no mercy. A barrage of energy flew towards the Guyver Engineer and there was a pained cry his head beam pierced through the other Terran's body while the gravity globes drove Tetsuro to his knees. The Guyver Warrior followed it up with another barrage of energy and a round of attacks, not pulling his blows and with a mental scream of anguish that sounded like a cry for forgiveness, Tetsuro went down, his Unit retracting to leave him unconscious on the glass littered floor of Xeo'm's lab, gasping for breath.

"'Nyataran!"

:Master.:

:Leave Xeo'm. I need you to attend Tetsuro.:

There was a flash beside him as his Gigantic Guyver Healer appeared. "Master?" the Artarmon asked, looking around.

"Leave Xeo'm to deal with her own injuries. Heal Tetsuro as much as you can without waking him."

"I understand," 'Nyataran said, moving towards the prone human form. "I'm not sure I will be able to do much though."

"Do what you can. Give him as much energy as his Unit wants but keep him contained." The instructions were a repeat but looking at the human Tsuyosa felt no mercy for the Guyver Lord Healer who had inflicted such damage upon him. This was not what he wanted but it was what would be. "I better get back," Tsuyosa said almost pointlessly and his Healer nodded. "I'll do my best," the Artarmon promised as his Master vanished.

The instant Tsuyosa disappeared, Aptom and Shō turned towards each other as if they'd practiced the move a thousand times. They hadn't but in this situation they had fought together long enough that they knew what to do. Aptom sped towards Fukamachi and at the last instant the two of them jinxed, missing the other by an inch to slash at the enemy following. Both Tallowa and Heborae gained similar wounds and the two humans spun, coming back together to attack again. Hayami and Tarnsi were not as coordinated but they could see the plan.

Numbers might be equal but the humans could bring more brute force to bear on the situation, and if they were quick, they might be able to evade the black Guyver Lord these four were loyal to. Shō still hadn't summoned a Gigantic Unit and he could feel the questions rising in his friends minds but they had other things to focus on.

:How about I give Tallowa her lesson this time?: Shō suggested to Aptom.

The Zoanoid Guyver snorted. It hardly mattered to him. :Hayami, can you heal us while we fight?:

:I can.:

:Tarnsi, shield yourself and Hayami, and when you can shield us,: Fukamachi continued giving orders. The white Kyheenan Guyver nodded though her nerves could be felt.

:You'll be fine,: Hayami whispered to her, laying one hand on her forearm in comfort. The Kyheenan Empress flashed him a smile then raised her hands, gravity globes appearing and then flashing out to form the shields she had been instructed to raise. Next to her, Hayami similarly raised his hands, but instead of gravity globes his hands glowed slightly, the healing energy flowing through them as he waited for the chance to use it.

Woorak and Iythry hung back slightly as Aptom and Shō surged forward to attack Heborae and Tallowa and so they quickly saw that the battle was not even. For all that the dark green Guyver was a Lord, and had been in training since she had last encountered the Terrans, she lacked a certain quality they had. Heborae moved smoothly, her attack and defense flowing seamlessly together and the power behind her blows was not to be underestimated, but Aptom was dodging with a grace that defied definition. He seemed prescient and the two Gigantic Guyver Warriors watched as the Guyver Lord was pushed back.

Tallowa was experiencing similar issues, though hers had some basis in psychology. The teal coloured Guyver before her had haunted her dreams. This was the man who had so casually defeated her at the Interstellar meeting and while he had not summoned a Gigantic Unit, the sense of his presence was still strong. He was over bearing and she snarled, remembering how she had fought Aptom equally but somehow unable to summon that power again. Against Fukamachi, Tallowa just felt outclassed and it showed as she ducked and weaved, desperately dodging his attacks, but failing every now and then. :You two can help you know!: The Mangoran Guvyer Warrior sent to her companions and with a start Woorak and Iythry jumped forward.

For Woorak it was an educational experience. The Eryp Guyver had always thought that the Tekki was superior and he longed to serve that black Guyver directly. But as the Terrans kept fighting, the tan coloured Gigantic Guyver could feel doubts begin to form. He'd gone to Tallowa's aide, thinking that the Mangoran was merely weak in not being able to take out a human Guyver but the instant he had crossed vibroblades with Fukamachi he knew it was not as simple as that. The teal coloured Guyver was just good and no matter what trick Woorak tried, it was countered easily and he could feel his Unit healing the nicks and cuts that were the evidence of his failure in this battle.

Iythry didn't fare much better against Aptom but she at least had known what she was getting into. Before he had left, the Tekki Leader had given them all… or rather given their Units as much power as they could handle and she could feel that power at work now, forcing her body to move faster, move smoother she dodged the vicious blades of the white Gigantic Guyver Warrior. This was the Guyver Emperor's direct servant and his skills showed.

:We have to work together,: Woorak said after mere moments.

:Tell me something I don't know!: Tallowa snapped back at him, completely unimpressed by the obviousness of his statement.

:No, I mean we have to work together against one of them.:

:Because I'm sure one of them will just step back to let us attack.:

Beneath his armour Woorak rolled his eyes but he pressed on. :My Lady Heborae,: the Eryp began almost choking on the honourific. She was a weak Guyver Lord and to his mind she did not deserve the power she wielded, but he needed her co-operation so he said the words. :Can you keep Fukamachi occupied by yourself for a while?:

:I'd be more than happy too,: the dark green Guyver Lord replied, her voice showing an unholy glee at the prospect of fighting Shō.

:Then the three of us,: Woorak continued, his mental voice encompassing Tallowa and Iythry so that they could see his plan, :should concentrate on taking out Aptom.: While he knew the dangers of thinking about them as people, he had made sure to learn their names. These were the enemies that the Tekki respected above others, so these were people who he would also respect. Seeing their power, and the causal yet confident way they worked together, he knew they were worthy of that respect.

:All right,: Heborae said, unconsciously using her authority as a Guyver Lord to endorse the plan. :Let's do this.:

Without seeming to pause, the Tekki loyal Guyver's altered their trajectory, Heborae pulling away from Aptom as Iythry stepped up and both Tallowa and Woorak moving towards the Guyver Zoanoid.

:Just let them come,: Aptom laughed at Fukamachi when he saw their manoeuvres. He flexed his claws. As the Tekki had said, the One might not be backing them now, but he had more than enough power to deal with these little insects. The artistic part of him snorted at the picture they made. Three Gigantic Guyvers, coloured navy blue, purple and tan, all with black filigree highlights ranged themselves against him with his pristinely white armour and golden highlights. If they thought the colour was any indication of weakness then they'd be in for a very harsh lesson. With an almost joyful bounce Aptom moved forward. It was time to show them that white looked so much better when splashed with red.

There was no slow escalation of battle this time. Instead Aptom closed with the Tekki's followers, allowing his full thirst for violence to be unleashed. His golden highlights speared straight at Iythry, piercing the Oranmeira viciously and ripping long gashes through her body. His vibroblades clashed with Tallowa's, his white blades dancing with her purple as she managed to block him. Woorak was more physical, and the Eryp attempted to engage Aptom in combat but the Zoanoid Guyver blocked him, lashing out with his legs to block the blows as he concentrated on Tallowa. It didn't take long. The Mangoran Guyver Warrior was still off her game from the confrontation with Fukamachi and Aptom had no mercy for her. His blades lashed out, severing her hands and back spines, leaving Aptom free to deal with Woorak. He finished with a flourish, moving faster than the tan coloured Guyver could see to rip his claws through an upward motion, opening Woorak from crotch to neck, spinning so that the blood splattered evenly over him. It froze almost instantly on his armour and the Guyver Zoanoid looked back at the curled forms of his enemies. They were screaming in pain but mostly conscious and he shook his head at them. :What exactly did you think you were doing?: he voiced the mocking mental question leaving them where they were. He'd made sure to destroy the black tendrils that had been wrapped around them and picking out the right filigree highlight had been a challenge in the otherwise uneventful match up. Had the Tekki really not told them how powerful Terrans were?

Fukamachi was still fighting Heborae and Aptom was pleased to see that while Guyver I was not as vicious as he, the boy was not being merciful. He was aiming for the black tendril but the quadruped Guyver had managed to keep it safe. Though why hadn't the boy summoned a Gigantic Unit? Aptom frowned beneath his white armour, the question worrying through his mind as he moved to help.

He never even got close. Darkness wrapped around him, and the Zoanoid Guyver realised that the Tekki had returned, in full battle mode which had a viciousness which rivalled his own. His golden highlights lanced out, cutting through the inky darkness that was around him but more seemed to replace it. Hayami and Tarnsi were both watching and they felt hope vanish when the black Guyver Warrior returned. The Tekki Leader didn't even look around before he attacked but they could see that Aptom was fighting back and belatedly Tarnsi tried to help him with a shield. She wasn't sure how successful she was but there came the spark of energy that drove some of the black tendrils that were attacking the white Gigantic Guyver Warrior.

Shō realised what was happening as well, and despite the fact he didn't have a Gigantic Unit, he lashed out at Heborae, catching the quadruped's front limbs with his hands and once again kicking her deep in the guts. She grunted, and tried to retaliate, bringing her back legs up, tucking them in and trying to kick them out against Fukamachi's side but he was already moving, twisting out of her range to come around behind her, one vibroblade extending to cut a deep gash along her shoulder and flank. It was an odd cut, because it was made by his movement and when Shō was behind Heborae he raised his other hand, generating a gravity globe far faster than she could and punching it down into the base of her skull. The Ysae'n Guyver collapsed in space, her consciousness fleeing. Fukamachi ignored her, dashing now towards Aptom and his one-sided battle against the Tekki Leader.

Aptom was fighting well, and Shō realised that most of Hayami and Tarnsi's attention and extra energy were being directed to the Zoanoid Guyver. The flow was so smooth that Aptom probably wasn't even needing to assimilate the energy he was just using it and that was allowing him to fight with a cold callus skill that he could come close to possessing but never actually had. He had not restrained his vicious streak, nor had the black Guyver Lord Warrior and the two of them were fighting in a swirl of movement which would leave any observers dizzy.

But for all Aptom's viciousness, and for all his skill in desperate battles, he was being driven back. The white Gigantic showed absolutely no hesitation in attacking the superior form Guyver, but the Tekki Leader was simply stronger than the Zoanoid Guyver and the red staining Aptom's armour was no longer just the blood of his enemies. As Shō watched, Aptom pulled back from an attack and Fukamachi frowned. The Tekki Leader had made no move to block and his friend should have gotten the blow in. It happened again and Shō felt his eyes widened as he realised that Tsuyosa had surrounded himself with a sonic field. The frequency was modulated enough that the Guyver Lord Warrior could attack through it, but those openings moved once the attack was made, and they shifted so fast that Aptom could not cast a return attack through them. He was trying though, and that was why he was pulling back so many attacks. The frequency would hurt if his fist ran into it.

Shō couldn't hear the conversation that he knew was happening though he knew it would be as vicious as the battle. Tsuyosa was not one to fight silently and he knew the benefit of appearing superior, even with someone as experienced as Aptom. Guyver I tried to find an opening, but they were moving too fast and every time he twitched towards the battle he could see the way the Tekki Leader tensed. The man was expecting his interference and was ready to spin around so that it would be Aptom in the firing line. Frustrated, Fukamachi continued to circle them, keeping his distance but never so far that he could not take up any opportunity that presented itself.

There came a moment when the two combatants seemed to stop, when they seemed to part and Shō was about to launch an attack in that instant of time. His energy was gathered, it was focused but something stayed his hand and as he watched, Tsuyosa seemed to vanish, the dark of his Guyver form wrapping around him entirely. Despite the blood covering Aptom, the Zoanoid Guyver seemed to glisten in the dark of space but was only a moment and then something wrapped around him, smothering the white sheen of his armour. The Zoanoid Guyver struggled, the gold of his filigree highlights lashing out, and Shō could see the cuts they made but the darkness was almost like a blanket, and it kept wrapping around Aptom, leaving him cocooned and motionless. The former Hyper Zoanoid tried gravity globes, he tried lasers, he tried firing Vamores biolasers and Gaster's liquid missiles but nothing worked and he couldn't even claw at his throat when his breath became short.

Even after being cocooned Aptom struggled and Shō pushed caution to the wind to attack. The teal Guyver didn't even see the black of the brace of vibroblades that were arching in to attack him until Hayami and Tarnsi appeared beside him and the Guyver Lord's weapon splayed up against their shield.

:What are you doing Shō?: Hayami hissed. :Summon a Gigantic Unit now.:

Even concentrating on maintaining the shield, because Tsuyosa was not content to wait for Aptom to lose consciousness before he moved to a new target and his vibroblades had continued to pound on the shield, the Ice Zoanoid did not miss the start of shame from Fukamachi.

:I can't,: came the very soft reply.

Tarnsi waved Hayami to silence when it became clear the Zoanoid would have verbally attacked. :What do you mean, Shō?: she asked as gently as she could though there was still disbelief in her voice.

"I mean I can't," Shō replied aloud, his voice strained with emotion. He spoke because he knew that in space, the black Guyver Lord Warrior could not overhear. "After I killed Murakami, my Unit said it needed to rest and it disappeared."

"But you've been teleporting!" Tarnsi objected.

"Only when Aptom hasn't."

"What?" Hayami could not hold himself back. "You mean now of all times, you don't have a Gigantic?" The question was harsh but the ice Zoanoid did what he could to soften it, which wasn't much.

"I'm not even meant to have one," Shō cried out. "I'm not one of the powered Guyvers so when they came into existence, my Unit went to them. Aptom, in this case."

"I thought you said you gave it to him?"

Shō smiled somewhat ironically. "Gave, in that I had not much choice about it," he replied. "It would have eventually gone to him because the One would have made it go."

"So where did that leave you?"

"It left me borrowing Units. We already knew Gigantics could be summoned by those not their Master if the call was strong enough. I can't summon one now because he is locking them away," Shō explained the central point, indicating towards the black Guyver Warrior.

Nearby Aptom was almost still. He had struggled viciously as the darkness closed in around him, but even a Zoanoid Guyver needs to breath and with help pinned down by the attacks of the Tekki, his struggles had progressively become weaker until he fell into unconsciousness with lack of oxygen. Right up until that point though, the Zoanoid had kept a running torrent of curses towards the black Guyver Warrior and as Aptom lost consciousness and the Zoanoid's vitriol faded, Tsuyosa turned with a chuckle towards the last three Guyvers.

Behind the Tekki Leader, Aptom's body relaxed and his Unit retreated in the presence of a more powerful Guyver form before the inky black that had cocooned the Zoanoid Guyver vanished, taking him with it to Tsuyosa's stronghold. 'Nyataran would know what to do, and the Artarmon had two Gigantic Healer helpers in the forms of Unohan and Wanyar who were not like Xeo'm. She had one last role to play, the same role all of them had before he was finished with her.

Three sets of pearl plate eyes regarded the Tekki Leader and mockingly he gave them a bow. :And so it comes at last,: Tsuyosa announced theatrically.

:It doesn't have to be this way,: Hayami spoke.

:I'm afraid it does.:

:Why?:

:Because this is what I have chosen to do and you won't accede to my choice as others have.:

No one dared look away from the Guyver Lord so it was a mental glance that passed between Shō and Hayami. It spoke volumes. They had heard that argument before, twice. Once from Chronos and once from Agito and both times they had accepted it. Shō let out a bark of laughter which was his agreement with Tsuyosa's reasoning. They would indeed fight as they had in the past.

:I am sorry Fukamachi, you'll be able to summon a Gigantic Unit as soon as I'm done.:

:Oh, don't rush for my sake,: Shō returned with wide eyed innocence, earning his own laugh from the Tekki Leader.

Yet no matter how much they joked, the situation was not going away.

:I think I have proven by now that you will come with me. Willingly or unwillingly is your choice,: Tsuyosa said, waving the now conscious Heborae to stand down. The others he had returned to his stronghold. Aptom had been vicious with his attack and it showed and while they would have recovered by now, their Units healing the damage, these last three Guyvers were cornered, and Tsuyosa well knew how dangerous cornered prey was. Shō was not known for being particularly vicious but in this situation it was best not to take risks.

:If that is your sales pitch to entice us to voluntarily come, it falls rather flat,: Tarnsi hissed, her eyes narrowed. She was tired. The shield they had raised had been battered and she wasn't Terran. She was Kyheenan and proud of it, but she did not have the bio-energy that Fukamachi and Hayami did and already, with the attacks they had warded off, she was swaying tiredly. The One wasn't there to support her either. She felt no anger at that, no betrayal because while she had agreed to serve the One, and she had sworn her loyalty in her heart, she had never stood before that being and they had never shown that they accepted her. Right now, they owed her nothing, yet she was determined to prove that she was worthy.

:I am a warrior Empress, my words are of necessity concise.:

:I do not hold a warrior in contempt for being a warrior,: Tarsni said. :I hold them in contempt for having no honour.:

Tsuyosa laughed. Did she think her opinions mattered? To him? She might be the Gigantic Guyver Engineer who served the Guyver's Mistake but he was not interested in her beyond the power she represented. Perhaps she was just better at hiding her delusions that anyone actually cared about the Kyheenans better than her brother. :Honour, and lack thereof, is like morals and depends greatly on the social upbringing and expectations of the species. I would be dishonouring myself if I did not pursue my goals with as much force as necessary,: he gave the Kyheenan Empress a reply she would not doubt find convenient but it was the truth.

Shō murmured something to her and even with his sharp ears and Unit strained to hear, the black Guyver Lord could not make out the words though he fondly hoped they were the dictation to not bother arguing with him. It would be nice if someone recognised the truth. The teal coloured Guyver looked at him then and Tsuyosa imagined he could see Fukamachi's wry smile. :You aren't going to let me go, are you?:

The question was mildly unexpected and the Tekki Leader understood the abstract note in Fukamachi's voice now. :I would,: Tsuyosa said thoughtfully, :but your honour would demand that you at least attempt to interfere and I cannot risk that. So I am sorry Shō, you will come with the others.:

:I thought as much. It's the same if we decide to come willingly isn't it?:

Tsuyosa barked a laugh, mostly to himself but the motion carried. :You know me too well Fukamachi-kun,: he said. :I don't think I'd trust any of you if you came willingly,: the black Guyver Lord said matter of factly and was unsurprised to see Shō nod his agreement. :I've seen into your hearts. I know that on this, they do not lie with me. And given that two of you are the Guyver's Mistakes direct Servants, I think you've already chosen your fate.: The last two powered Guyvers shared a look and Hayami brought his hand down firmly on Fukamachi's armour covered shoulder.

"Don't even think about it!" The Ice Zoanoid hissed.

"Think about what?" Shō murmured back.

"Even if you attack him, we can't run far enough away to teleport."

"Then what do you want to do?" Shō demanded, the anger in his voice not directed at the Guyver Healer. "Wait for him to take down the barrier?"

Hayami took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm. They were not in a good situation and they all recognised it. There would be no blaze of glory as they went down and there would be no escape. Their enemy was implacable and powerful and had systematically cut off their lines of retreat and their options. The Tekki's plan was simple and all the more brutal for it. It created despair and that was now what the Ice Zoanoid was fighting against. This was Chronos at their best and while traditional victory was not an option, it was at times like this when one had to embrace the better concepts of man and to ensure that you did not violate your own honour and dignity. You could go down swinging, but you had to go down as yourself, or your enemy truly won. Hayami was a warrior but he was not one to fight hopeless battles. At that point, he had come from the stock that embraced passive resistance to the end, and that was the position he found himself in now and he would make sure he maintained his beliefs to the end. Odagiri had taught him that much at least. "If that's what it takes Shō then yes. I'll hold this shield as long as I can but I will go down with my beliefs intact."

Beneath his armour Shō blinked and outwardly he nodded. Hayami could calmly embrace the certainty of defeat but still find hope in the situation. He couldn't but he would allow the white Zoanoid to fight as he saw fit.

:Are you finished?: Tsuyosa asked.

:As much as we are going to,: Hayami replied to him after sharing a look with Tarnsi. He wasn't entirely sure what the Kyheenan Empress believed but she had so far taken her lead from them, so hopefully she would follow. If she wanted to fight, then she could when the barrier went down, if she was still able to.

:Then I think it's time this was finished,: the black Guyver Lord said almost gently, raising his hand and collecting energy there. Hayami braced himself grimly. While they tried to maintain their distance the black Guyver Lord was too fast and he jinxed forward to land the energy he had gathered point blank into the shield they had raised.

Tarnsi screamed as she felt the impact, the power draining out of her almost instantaneously and she collapsed, hanging in space with her tail twitching slightly. Hayami fared a little better. He poured his energy into the barrier and reached out but the Guyver Emperor was still not there though as the white Gigantic Guyver lost consciousness he could feel that the time it had wanted, the time they had sensed it needed was nearly up and he smiled.

Shō was not generating the barrier but he still felt the energy and he could feel it burn against him. He was casting his mind out, desperate to summon a Gigantic Unit because he could not fight Tsuyosa like this. He could but it would be like an unenhanced human attempting to fight Alkanphel. If it wasn't so sad it would be a joke but Shō was not laughing and as the barrier failed he grabbed Hayami and Tarnsi dodging up out of the way of the suddenly released energy that the Tekki Leader had used to overload the shield. Fukamachi kept his hands on them, guiding their two unconscious forms backwards as he tried to maintain his distance from the black Guyver Lord.

There has to be a Unit, Shō thought to himself, conscious that the only noise he could hear was his own harsh, heavy breathing. Tsuyosa's presence felt like Alkanphels and it was pressing down upon him. His Unit wasn't replying and even though it was wrapped around him the sense of it was absent. Fukamachi could feel his Unit, it was just paying absolutely no attention to him, and he imagined that this is what his Unit had felt like when he had unconsciously refused to summon it. It was not uncomfortable but it was not pleasant because it felt like a part of himself was missing.

:Come now, Shō-kun, you know you cannot run from me,: Tsuyosa said coming forward at the same pace that the teal Guyver was backing away.

Shō focused his mind, trying every Gigantic Unit he could think of or knew had to be in existence. They already knew that Gigantic Units could be summoned by someone other than their Master and he was counting on at least one of them attempting to rebel against the Tekki Leader. But every single one he tried, even the Healers were locked down and those loyal to the Tekki were not interested in hearing him.

Tsuyosa laughed at his silence and Shō could see him gathering for one last strike. It was that motion that reminded him that there was possibly one Unit that was not locked down but even as Shō thought that, he knew it would never hear his call. Brown eyes narrowed and mentally Guyver I snarled. He would make it hear his call. As the black Guyver Lord leapt forward, Shō spread his hands, reaching his mind out to forcibly grab at the one Unit that might possibly be free to answer his call. He didn't give it a choice, instead, while he did summon it, he pulled it to him and the sense of the Unit screamed the entire way as he dragged it between dimensions. "Guyver!"

There was no crack from the summon sphere as this Unit did not rush to attend the call but regardless the Unit materialised, wrapping around Shō in a protective layer. Tsuyosa pulled back, his eyes wide with disbelief as he saw the Gigantic Fukamachi had summoned.

And then he laughed. The Terrans always did surprise him.

Shō was wrapped in the same inky darkness that protected Tsuyosa but where that black armour responded to Tsuyosa's desires, it was fighting Shō. It wanted to go back but Fukamachi's mental control over it was firm and even as the Unit screamed into his mind, he did not let his grip release. Shō gritted his teeth, ignoring the way his breath was even heavier now as he fought with the Unit he had forced into being. As difficult as this was, and it would be difficult since he'd have to force the Unit do use even the most basic of its functions, this was the only way he had even a chance of fighting Tsuyosa and Shō had determined that no matter how hopeless it might be, he would not go down without a fight. Hayami could go down with quiet dignity, he'd go down in a screaming heap and would attempt not to lament that he was not stronger against a foe who had had centuries of experience.

:Heborae! No!: The voice cut sharply across Shō's senses and he saw that Tsuyosa had turned away from him slightly to berate the other Guyver Lord Warrior present. The quadruped had made a move for the unconscious forms of Hayami and Tarnsi.

:Master!:

Tsuyosa's voice was cold. :Leave them.:

:But Master,: Heborae objected again.

:But nothing!: The black Guyver Lord Warrior hissed and Heborae cringed. :Those two servants of the One are not yet defeated. Their defender stands and until he falls, they are protected. You will not go near them until Shō is defeated. And if he defeats me,: Tsuyosa's laugh was a short bark, :then you can fight him. This is about respect Heborae and I expect you to show it.:

:I do.:

:You do not. That is why you are so easily defeated. You and Tallowa both. You do not respect. Fukamachi here respects so I will grant him my respect and you will wait until this battle is over. Am I understood?:

The quadruped nodded, though the movement was not her own and after holding her gaze for a moment longer Tsuyosa let it drop before he turned back towards Shō. His Unit had not abandoned the other Terran and he resisted the urge to shake his head. Only the Terrans could keep fighting even when he thought he had covered everything. They always found a path and he almost felt bad for what he was about to do.

:So what makes you think you can defeat me, Fukamachi?:

:I don't,: Shō replied, :but I won't know until I try.:

:Ah… That is just like the Terrans. You always try. But I cannot let you win.:

:That's not for you to decide.:

:Why were you fighting the Emperor?:

:The Emperor?:

:Over Merrimu.:

:Oh,: Shō murmured the word as he blinked. Tsuyosa had obviously seen the battle and thought that Masaki was a Guyver. It was such an odd moment for him to remember but he did. It came to him with startling clarity, the memory of Tsuyosa's words when he'd described the future. He'd seen that battle, both times, now and in the future, he'd seen that battle and he'd described Shō in it. 'The first time I saw you Sho, you were fighting the One. I never did find out what it you were fighting over but you were pushing him.'

For anyone who hadn't seen the end of the battle that much was true. Except Shō now knew the truth. He'd never fought the One. As his Unit said, he was very loyal, Guyver I suspected he couldn't fight the One. But that is not what everyone else believed and now was not the time to enlighten Tsuyosa as to the truth. :We had a disagreement,: Fukamachi replied.

:I take it you won?: There was genuine curiosity there.

Shō laughed. :Of course I didn't win,: he said shaking his head. :But circumstances meant I had other concerns more pressing.:

:I do not believe the One would have allowed that.:

:It wasn't about what he would allow.:

It was Tsuyosa's turn to laugh. There was the ring of truth in Fukamachi's answers but there was also so much he could tell the other Guyver was not saying. No matter. It appeared that would be a story for another day. :You should come with me Shō. If your fight against the One was only postponed, then you already know my fight is just. Come with me.:

:I can't.:

Tsuyosa sighed. He knew that would be the answer and without further preamble he attacked.

Fukamachi was ready for him, despite the fact that the black Guyver Unit was fighting him, vibroblade hit crossed vibroblade in what would have been a deafening cacophony of sound in atmosphere. The sound merely travelled through their bodies and neither Guyver was affected. They pulled back and met again and then a third time. Shō used the ability to extend a Gigantic Unit's vibroblades well, countering the extra blades Tsuyosa seemed to have because of his filigree highlights. The two of them moved to kick the other and ended up blocking. Shō snorted, almost amused and tried angling in his other arm.

Tsuyosa expected it and blocked before pulling his other hand back and attempting an open handed strike to Shō's midriff. The black Gigantic Guyver coughed and flew back, firing his head beam. A gravity globe absorbed the energy and Tsuyosa sent it towards Shō who deflected it with his own gravity globe.

:You're good,: the Tekki Leader complimented Shō. :Especially with the Unit fighting you. It better be fighting you.:

:Oh it is,: Shō hissed, rolling his arm over as if throwing a ball. The blades went out and the Guyver Lord danced to the side using the opening to close again on Fukamachi.

There was a flurry of kicks and punches and Tsuyosa felt relaxed at the normality of it all. He moved easily flowing from one movement to the next and it calmed him. Shō wasn't a bad fighter. He didn't have the technical skill Aptom did or the formal training of Agito but he made up for that in the unique moves he pulled on the fly. There was nothing normal about this battle yet it made him feel that way.

But it couldn't last forever. He was stronger. Fukamachi put up a good fight and the black Guyver Lord found himself hoping that Shō would agree to spar with him in the future. It would be stimulating. But that was something he should consider later. Much later. Probably in a few years. Tsuyosa already knew that Shō could use multiples of the Guvyer's weaponry but he was also fairly sure that Fukamachi couldn't do it when he was fighting with the Unit. He directed two of his small silver orbs into his palm and unleashed a sonic blast even as his other hand generated a gravity globe and fired it.

As expected Shō blocked the gravity globe but he could not dodge the sonic blast and Tsuyosa hardened his heart when Fukamachi screamed. He could not give the other Guyver any mercy and attacked again, letting his head beam lance into Shō. The boy screamed again and lost his mental grip on the Tekki Leader's Gigantic Unit. It peeled back from him, revealing the teal coloured armour beneath and after it was gone Shō collapsed, doubling over, blood pouring through his breathing tubes. Three more gravity globes slammed into him and weakly Shō tried to slash at Tsuyosa. The Tekki Leader caught Fukamachi's arm, wrenching it back and twisting it behind his back as he shot his head beam through the teal Guyver. Two shots, both through the chest disabled the Guyver Warrior's Mega-smasher in the most brutal but effective way he could. To make sure he reached one hand under Shō's arm, using his sonic oscillations to cut through the energy leads that ran around his chest. The sound waves didn't stop there and more blood poured from Shō's breathing tubes. The human struggled a bit still and tried to kick him. If Tsuyosa had of been just a little less flexible, then it was entirely possible Fukamachi's foot would have solidly connected with his genitals. The protection of Guyver armour or not, that would have hurt and Tsuyosa released Shō's arm so that he could land several blows to the back of the Terrans head.

That was enough to finally knock him out and as the armoured teal form floated before him, Tsuyosa took a deep breath. He flicked one finger and his leaf like troops descended, wrapping around the still unconscious forms of Hayami and Tarnsi before they vanished. He was almost tempted to leave Shō here but soon enough his Unit would heal him and he'd recover. Then that left just one place for Fukamachi to go and Tsuyosa already knew that no matter what the odds, no matter how hopeless it seemed Shō would come and he would attack.

And an attack at just the right time might ruin everything. No. Shō had to come with him. He could watch as the Unit he had fought a few days before was destroyed. Tsuyosa wrapped one hand around Shō's wrist and vanished.

Heborae huffed and followed, leaving space empty save for frozen floating blood and the twinkling stars in the distance.

Silence fell.

Tsuyosa sat alone in the dark. He had everyone now and was just waiting for the finishing touches to be made. His forces were resting, as much as they were able to, then they would perform their most important duty for him. They all would, even those Guyvers loyal to the One.

This had been a long time coming and he was using this moment to gather his thoughts and calm his mind. It seemed to be racing everywhere. The past, the future, random thoughts on now, there was no logic to the way everything seemed to be spinning out of control. Savagely he tried to order himself, forcing his mind to go over the events that were to come commencing from the familiar point of his return to his stronghold.

Hayami had been restrained already and 'Nyataran was seeing to Tarnsi. He had anchored them much like he had the others and then turned to contemplate Fukamachi. The boy's Unit was still present but it was focusing on healing wounds and only then did the Tekki Leader realise how badly his sonic oscillators must have been tearing up Fukamachi's internal organs. From the amount of energy the boy had left, it was probable that his Unit would heal him and vanish but the black Guyver Lord Warrior wasn't one to take chances and Shō was drugged, just the same as the others. He was anchored as well, the black filigree tendrils pushed through his body before the teal Guyver was dumped in a cell with some of the others loyal to the One.

Tsuyosa had snorted when he'd checked up on them about an hour later. Those alien Guyvers, those he could hold easily were still in awe and had not gone near the boy. It was amusing and he was honest enough to admit it suited his purposes. He didn't need any alien helping Fukamachi to recover. Not that they could. They didn't have anywhere near the amount of bioenergy that would be needed and all they would do was exhaust themselves. He didn't really need Forrinimi or Olsynamantra doing that. They'd need all their energy for him, and that would come soon enough.

Yisuvac's creation was complete, despite him altering the time line on the dark green coloured Guyver Lord Engineer. All of the conduit lines were ready and had been tested and all the alcoves were done. It would not permanently damage any of the powered Guyvers placed into it, and all of them would be. Rather it would train their power, channelling it up firstly through their Guyver Lord, then into him. He was merely taking advantage of the triumvirates that existed within the Guyver hierarchy and this was theoretically something the One could do, but with himself as the focus.

Mizuki had done it on Merrimu. The triumvirate she formed with her Gigantic Units had given her power, the three of them resonated with each other, strengthening the whole. Each Guyver Lord formed three triumvirates. Four perhaps, but Tsuyosa wasn't in any position to test the third and the thought that maybe only the Terrans could tell him the answer for that. That fourth possibility did not interest him, except for the sake of complete knowledge. The first triumvirate and the easiest to use for all Guyver Lords was the Triumvirate they formed with their servants. It was easy because it was less about the balance of energy and more about support and resonance. The two Gigantics were almost bound to obey in that manner. The second triumvirate was with their fellow Lords. The three Guyver Lord Warriors, Healers and Engineers formed almost perfect, but highly specialised triumvirates with each other. And right at the moment, none of those three would ever be called upon. Heborae still lacked the power to stand equal to him and Agito would never agree to that, at least, not now. Similarly for the Healers, both Xeo'm and Alkanphel's clone were in no mental state to merge their thoughts somewhat with Mizuki's to draw upon the power all three of them could harness. For the engineers while Shizu and Yisuvac were capable, Tetsuro was still healing.

The Tekki Leader laughed softly to himself. This was all academic because he didn't want them forming those energy triumvirates. It would be too damaging at this point. For the future, they could know. And the final triumvirate each Lord formed was the balanced triumvirate, one where they merged thoughts and abilities with a Lord of another type. That was the most difficult one to form, since they didn't have the bonds of Gigantic to Lord or the shared abilities of the same type of Unit. It required a lot more work to balance the energy flows and to respect the others. Well, maybe not the respect, but the desire was not present. He believed he formed his best balanced triumvirate with the Segawa siblings but at the moment, neither was likely to want to try that. They'd probably form one with Agito just to spite him. In fact he hoped they did for the ceremony. That would make the flow of power that much smoother.

The fourth was a function of the fact that the Units came in three but Tsuyosa believed that only the Units themselves would know which other two Units had come into this plane of existence with them. They'd been in the Universe too long so no one could keep track. The Terrans would probably know for themselves but he already knew that Fukamachi had destroyed one of the Units that existed with his, and Aptom had as well by transmuting his form. That left the Healers, Mizuki, Hayami and Natsuki, and he didn't need them experimenting now.

No… they could all do that later. Later when they were free of the One.

Brown eyes opened and looked around in the dark. It was soothing and Tsuyosa breathed deep, enjoying the moment of solitude. He had been staring at it for a while before actually realising he was seeing something. In the dark of his chamber he shouldn't be able to see anything yet he could and that anomaly left him bemused until he realised it was not his imagination. Tsuyosa moved, going over to the small glimmer of white he could see in the dark. It was a soft shimmer, almost like looking at a pin prick of light through a peep hole but one that was blurred with distance and it didn't come into better focus when he reached out to pick it up.

A laugh escaped his lips when he looked down. There, resting in his palm, glowing gently as it reflected the light from his control medallion and pearl plate eyes was a Go stone. It must have lodged there when Fukamachi summoned his Unit that time. The stones had caused an awful mess and he thought he had picked them all up. Except for this one; this one white stone glowing in the dark.

"Oh Shō," the name was whispered with regret but before he could become maudlin he laughed again.

So resourceful. That boy really was almost unbelievable. He deserved the reputation and title he had in the future, that of the free power because truly, that's what Fukamachi was. The Free Power. He did what he wanted and anyone else had either better get out of the way or help him along. It was intimidating in a way but it showed Shō's convictions. He never gave up and never stopped, not if he truly believed. And that's really why Tsuyosa hoped that when the dust settled and everything was over, Shō would forgive him.

Who was he fooling? 'Nyataran had it right. Hope was not for him. Hope was for the him who had come to the past. Hope was for the him who had not walked on this path, who had not chosen this future. He did not need hope because he knew what the future would bring now. There would be pain and grief. He would be alone while the Terrans mourned. But they would see that he was right, that he had been right and that they were better off without the One. Though perhaps they would need to perform the One's function for some of the other races. Tsuyosa wasn't a fool, he knew how the One had kept some of the Guyvers in line, keeping their races contained. The Jyt'nr and Lyusa of the Planet Dunrossil especially. Their war kept threatening to engulf the galaxy and no matter what threats or treaties or assistance any of the advanced races had given them, the two continued to fight, taking out random innocents in their battles and never caring.

Right up until the point the One had stepped in. The black Guyver Lord Warrior hadn't actually seen it but he had heard what had happened. In a pitched battle, fleet against fleet, Guyver against Guyver the One had appeared, all shimmering with his white and gold armour wrapped tight around him. The fighting species of Dunrossil had ignored him until the point he'd frozen everything. Everything. Not just the ships and combatants but their missiles and bullets and energy beams as well. Everything had been brought to a halt.

At that point they had no choice but to focus on the Guyver Emperor who was choosing to interfere and he'd told them how their war would continue. They were not given a choice. What the Guyver Emperor dictated was a set of terms, terms they would obey or risk destruction. And then to prove to them that they would obey him, the pristinely white Guyver had dissipated their energy beams, disintegrated their physical weaponry, forced each Guyver Unit to retract and then transported every living creature in the battle field back to Dunrossil. He'd set them down in each other's parliaments so that both the Jyt'nr and the Lyusa were confronted with the fighting warriors of their opposing side. Not that that actually meant anything. The One did not allow any further attack but it was his way of saying that they had better find a way to co-exist or his interference next time would be more severe.

That hadn't been the first time the One had made his desires known but perhaps it had been the first time the white Guyver had been so public about it. The Universe had known exactly what the Guyver Emperor was then, though not who was beneath that armour and the Universe's species learned to obey. Not that they wanted to. Neither of Dunrossil's species wanted co-existence and they let the One know that in no uncertain terms, waiting two days before resuming their battle. When the One returned to stop that battle this time it wasn't just the weapons that were destroyed and the energy dissipated. This time the pristinely white Guyver disintegrated both battle fleets and a goodly portion of their support fleets once again returning the living creatures back to the planet.

At that point, most species would have buried their differences and worked out a way to co-exist. Or at least they would have agreed to a temporary peace while they worked out how to destroy the one interfering with their battles. Dunrossil's species didn't though. They waited a full week before attacking again and once again the One returned. Tsuyosa had seen pictures of the Guyver Emperor at that time and the power that was captured even in the still image was awesome. To his eye, the One had looked a bit darker, the glistening white armour dulled with the blood that was about to be shed.

There was no mercy and there was no escape. No guyver units had been participating in battle since the first warning. They couldn't disobey their ruler no matter how much their Host's wanted it so they were spared. Every other creature was not and it took the Emperor less than a second to obliterate both species battle fleets. And then the One continued. He executed their military leaders and civilian leaders, those who had authorised the continuation of battle. There had been a few new voices appearing in the Lyusa and Jyt'nr Governments calling for peace. Those voices were scrupulously left untouched even while everything around them burned.

At that point peace reigned on Dunrossil and the two species learned to live together. Some argued that the peace was by the sword but others argued that peace would not have been maintained if the two species truly did not want it. They argued that it was the Jyt'nr and Lyusa's Leaders who had maintained the war because they didn't know how to stop despite what their citizens wanted. No matter what the true reason was, they never raised a hand against the other again.

The Guyver Emperor had once been asked why he'd interfered and to his credit he had replied, though the answer was cryptic. "Dunrossil asked me to." It made no sense. No one on the planet had asked for interference but that was the answer given and some of the major powers, the Terran Republic, Kyheenan Empire and Corang Wesodin alliance had merely shrugged, as if they'd understood and the matter was let go. Those powers were cowed by the Guyver Emperor when they should have been fighting. In the case of the Kyheenans and the Corang-Wesodin, they had exchanged one tyrant, in the form of the Advents for another in the form of the Guyver Emperor, yet no one seemed to care.

That and other incidents fuelled Tsuyosa's rage and forcefully he brought his mind back to the present. He needed to be focused if he was to succeed because while his Unit would help him harness the energy, it could do nothing more than that. It would be a challenge for them both. But he was looking forward to it and again his mind wandered, this time to the room the Guyver Lord Engineer Yisuvac had created.

It was shaped like a pyramid and everything lead to the apex. Below that, there were three sides, and three alcoves that formed a triangle. Each of those alcoves had conduit lines leading up to the apex as well as lines between them and leading down the faces of the pyramid. Three Guyver Lords would go there, the most powerful Lords, one of each type. Mizuki, Agito, Tetsuro. Those three would be the final focus before the power was fed into him. Shizu or Aptom might have been able to handle the power flows but he could take no chances and a vicious grin formed on Tsuyosa's face when he realised what Xeo'm's reaction was likely to be. The Vad'm Guyver fancied herself the most powerful Healer… Well, she had, he did not yet know the extent of damage caused by Mizuki and Natsuki but he knew that the twisted Guyver Lord Healer was hale enough for this.

Below the three alcoves there were eight more, divided on the sides of the pyramid as three, three and two. The rest of the Guyver Lords would be situated there, as would the One's Gigantics. While Tetsuro was just as capable of handling the energy as the others, he would probably be the one who only had the two conduits. It could be called at attempt at mercy after Xeo'm's torture but it would still be balanced. Like the above layer, all the positions were interlinked with each other as well as having conduits leading down. The final layer of the pyramid had eighteen alcoves and the rest of the Gigantic Guyvers would be placed there. Those positions were interlinked but they did not directly like above them. Their links joined and merged before leading upwards.

While Yisuvac had built the device, Tsuyosa had designed much of it doing most of the conceptual work in the future. It was both simple and complicated and he smiled as he thought of the dark green Guyver Lord's reaction when he'd explained it. That had been what had brought Yisuvac to his side. Not the power he offered but the chance to work on something so unique, something so complicated and beautiful. The Tekki Leader already knew that the other Guyver Lord had poured his life into the machine and he knew that it would work. He had originally thought about putting in a fourth layer, dividing the Gigantics by power but that had just added unnecessary complexity to the entire device and it was complicated enough.

There was one final point, on the floor of the pyramid. Energy from the top that he could not handle spilled there and was meant to be fed back up again by the twenty one conduit lines that lead from that position, eighteen of them leading towards the Gigantics and the final three leading up the sides of the pyramid. Fukamachi was the only one who could be there. No one else would have the necessary resistance to be able to handle that power but he wasn't sure that the other Guyver would be ready.

As soon as 'Nyataran secured the Terrans for a few hours, all of his forces had been ordered to rest. Then they would begin. Which was why he needed to bring his mind into focus. Regret, doubt, all had to be swept aside so that he thought only about what he wanted, what he needed to do. Nothing else mattered and nothing else could matter until it was over.

The Guyver Emperor would fall and then he would most likely sleep for a very long time. The other Guvyers would be let free again and eventually they would come to see that his actions were right. It might take a while because they did not have the memories he did, the memories of the One's interference but they would know in their souls that they were free. And he would then share those memories with the whole so that they could see exactly what he had done. But not now, not yet. Now was the time for focus, to complete his plans and Tsuyosa felt a thrill pass through him.

He was so close and it would soon be at an end. He looked down at the small white stone still resting in his palm. It was an apt message and it shimmered prettily in the dark. While it might seem dark now, there was always light, and he was that light, though the others did not see it. They would. In time. All he had to do was wait. And patience had always been something he was good at.

Tsuyosa smiled and sat back down, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath and let his muscles relax. It would be a long day tomorrow.

They say it's always darkest before the dawn. I have no idea if the feeling was there this time because I, like the others, was unconscious. I know these events happened because others have told me, graciously sharing their memories so that our recall was complete.

It was Tsuyosa's intention to change the Universe, and truthfully he already had. In destroying the Advents he'd made changes large enough that his name would be remembered for all time. Such personal gratification was not what he desired but what he wanted did not come to pass. Instead he fixed the universe on the path he was hoping to avoid. He brought all the powered Guyvers together. He brought those who could wield that power and those who could not into close proximity to those they would serve and from there, the cascade happened. Alliances were forged and the shape of the future was made.

It's almost ironic that we Terrans were unconscious during that time, yet we Terrans came out at the top. Tsuyosa did not care for his species beyond the fact that we survived. He was like Aptom that way. If things had of gone differently I wonder where he would have stood. He would not have submitted, that much I know for certain. Perhaps he would have taken a few of his followers and just disappeared, living quietly in the Universe. Perhaps not. For all that he did not care about personal glorification, I never saw the Tekki Leader as being that self-effacing. It's a question I will never know the answer to and it's a question that truly does not matter. As I said in the beginning of this record, this is not a question of what might have been, this is a record of what was. And it is reality that Tsuyosa brought the powered Guyvers together, and from there they formed the path to the Universe he did not wish.

I don't see how any other path could have come from these events, though perhaps that is the inevitability of history I am seeing here. We can wonder on what might have been, but looking back, events always seem to lead to the next and it looks like they always will. There are four powers now, though two are beholden to one and the third would not oppose the others so long as logical reasons are provided. Many say that Guyvers have too much influence over events these days but the fact of the matter is that two of the powers today are not Guyvers so it is difficult for me to see the connection.

I am a Guyver this is true, so perhaps I am biased, but I am not a ruler. I may have the occasional influence but I have chosen to live the quiet life, tucked away. People know I exist, anyone who knows anything of history knows I am still alive, but they also know that I have withdrawn from society, which is why I think I can write this. I am not the only one who knows all the events but while I am not the only one who cares enough that the truth is set down somewhere, I am the only one with time. The current rulers have their eyes set on the future, which is where they must look. I have the luxury of time and I can recall the past to see how it shapes the future.

Then the future was shaped by Tsuyosa, by a being the universe remembers as the Tekki. His hand on the clay that are the Guyvers is still present and that, I think, is his true legacy. It's what I chose to make his legacy. Not the blood and the pain. Not the screams of the Units as they fought against him but a future where things are in balance. It's not complete harmony. That would dangerous. There are still skirmishes and wars between and within races, there's still murder and assault and all the other nasty elements of society spread through the universe. But the epic wars, where millions die on the say of one being, those have been ended and while the balance exists, those will never again come to pass.

That wasn't necessarily what Tsuyosa wanted but it is what he has given us and in my more charitable moments, I can thank him for that. There are others things though I will never thank him for and the effects of that day echo down through time to now.

But I think that is simply the weight of history and everyone bears that.

Not the events everyone was hoping for but next chapter... I promise! Things ran away with me this time.

Thanks to everyone for reading and feel free to leave a review on your way out... I'd REALLY love it.

Jade