Chapter XVIII: Celebrations and Closures


December 31, 2039. Nearly seven days removed from the Ward 24 Siege and the collapse of GHQ, the heroes that liberated Japan from a 10-year dictatorship went to New York City for their New Years' vacation. The group, all garbed in their winter clothes, were enthralled from the sightseeing of visiting a city outside their birth country. For Funeral Parlor, they saw how much society has progressed without despots in charge. Japan was one of the last nations to escape the clutches of a tyrannical government.

As they scoured the New York streets, Shu, Heath, Akiko, Ayase, and Walter headed toward a gathering standing in front of Times Square. It was an hour before the big ball dropped to signify the beginning of a new decade.

"Japan already had their new year. Now, the United States and the rest of the western world are about to witness theirs," Walter pointed out.

"New York reminds me of Tokyo so much. It's crowded, but American people are a lot crazier and rowdier. Heh, I can't wait to party like an American!" Akiko yelled out enthusiastically.

"Sis, don't even think about drinking alcohol. Most of us here are still minors," Heath reminded her.

"C'mon, we just ended GHQ and brought freedom to Japan! Not even just a teeny ounce?"

"No."

"Meh, party pooper."

Ayase chuckled. "He's right, Akiko. I know we just earned the biggest victory in our lives and we deserve to celebrate, but let's be responsible."

"Honestly, I just wish I could see New York with my own eyes," Shu said as Souta, Yahiro, and Kanon guided him along. Prodding his surroundings with his sight cane, the former Void user had to adjust to his new handicap.

"Oh, Shu. I'm sorry," Ayase apologetically said.

"It's fine. I'll deal with it," Shu humbly replied.

"Don't worry, Shu. We're all going to be your eyes," Heath reassured him.

"I can still hear, you know."

"We have less than an hour before the ball drops so let's get some group selfies while we still can before it gets nuts out here," Walter suggested.

"Good idea! C'mon, Walt! Let's take pictures together in Times Square!" Akiko said, quickly snatching Walter's arm.

"Well, Heath?" Ayase winked at her boyfriend, who took a selfie picture with her. Heath glanced over their selfie picture, which showed him in a red dress collared shirt with a dull purple scarf, black pants, and ash gray dress shoes. "I think those clothes make you look distinguished. I like them." She complimented his attire and held his hand.

"Thanks, Ayase," Heath genuinely replied with a smile. "Why don't we look around here for a bit?"

"Ok," Ayase eagerly nodded as she followed Heath while passing through the crowds.

After thanking a passerby for taking their picture, Walter looked at his and Akiko's picture. He smiled at himself wearing an unbuttoned light gray jacket, revealing his white and black-striped shirt, dark blue jeans, and light brown shoes. His eyes then moved over to Akiko in the same picture. She was seen wearing a baby blue shirt with a pale pink jacket over it, an orange winter cap with two embroidered yellow stars on the front side, a red scarf, khaki pants, and brown shoes.

"Hey, bro! Let's get a pic together!" Akiko called out to Heath and dragged him away. "Don't worry. I'll bring him back, Ayase!"

"Sure, I'll be right here," Ayase smirked as she watched the Jones siblings asking Walter to take their picture. "Hey, Shu."

Quickly hearing his name even among the rowdy New York crowd, Shu answered. "Yeah?"

"Can you really see Inori inside your head?"

"Well, I can't see her but I can feel her presence within me. She's in me and watching all over us."

"That's great. I was going to say that I'm sad she's not with us in person."

"I know," Shu, despite speaking in a sad tone, had a smile on his face and put his hand out to the sky. "Can you feel it, Inori? We're really in Times Square."

"Oh, Shu," Ayase muttered, sadly smiling for her friend.

"Excuse me, sir," Tsugumi approached a passerby who appeared in his 50s but still looked relatively healthy for his age. The sides of his face have small wrinkles. He has long shoulder-length dark hair with areas of light gray tied into a small ponytail, a long-sleeved gray dress shirt with a dull red shirt, dark brown pants, and tennis shoes.

The older gentleman kindly smiled and replied. "Yes, miss?"

"Could you take a pic of me and my friends? I want to make sure we're all in," Tsugumi handed her phone to the man, who waited for her to get in a big group picture with all of Funeral Parlor and the Phantom Remnants. After giving a thumbs up and taking a picture-perfect shot of Funeral Parlor and the Remnants, he gave Tsugumi back her phone.

"Oh wow, you took a great shot of us! Thank you, sir," Tsugumi said, bowing politely to the kind man.

"We appreciate the picture you took of us," Heath addressed him.

"Yeah, the picture angle is so good. It's almost as if you've had experience with photography," Ayase keenly noted the photo.

"You could say I've done this many times before," he replied.

"How so? Then, that must mean you were a photographer," Ren pointed out.

"I was, but lately I take location and nature shots. I do miss taking group pictures during the days of my youth. Are you all enjoying New York?"

"We are, sir. Thanks for asking!" Akiko replied.

"Do you live in New York?" Walter queried.

"No, but I can tell you're not from around here either. Japanese, correct? That's nice. I'm happy that your country found its freedom."

"Yes, it was a long time coming for us," Argo said.

"That's good. Your country has inspired others to finally take a stand against their despots. Speaking of other countries, everyone from around the world comes to New York for events such as tonight. Let's all enjoy the fireworks together, my friends."

"We will, mister. Thank you," Shu nodded, unable to see what the man looked like, but based on the man's tone, Shu could sense his kind demeanor.

"Likewise, enjoy the fireworks," Ren said as the older man shook his and Shu's hands.

As the man walked away, he found a solitary spot and took out his phone. Having interacted with Funeral Parlor and the Phantom Remnants, he was reminded of his youthful days when he used to actively take part in events and take pictures. Scanning through his photos, he opened an archived file website and pulled up a photo from New York Comic Con 2021 of himself dressed as Goliath from Gargoyles. "Oh, Tabaga, Max, Simms, Otto, Russell, and Jean, I wish you were here now with me. We'd tell them about us having fun and taking pictures at conventions." Behind him are his friends cosplaying as other characters from Gargoyles: a woman named Tabaga as Elisa, Max as Brooklyn, Simms as Hudson, Otto as Broadway, Russell as Lexington, Jean as Angela, and the man's pet Shiba Inu as Bronx. Next to the group are two unnamed cosplayers who joined and dressed as Demona and Xanatos.

The man also found various old cosplay photos from the same NYCC 2021 event. He scanned through another group picture consisting of cosplayers dressed as Shiranui Mai from Fatal Fury/The King of Fighters, Taokaka from BlazBlue facing against Imperfect Cell from Dragon Ball. He then played a video featuring the aforementioned cosplayers, encapsulating an outtake skit fight with the Imperfect Cell cosplayer snarling and swinging his tail at the Mai and Taokaka cosplayers. All three cosplayers laughed and the crowd cheered during the comical skit.

Other old NYCC 2021 photos showed others including:

A Batman-themed group photo of Batman (1989 film), Batman and Batman Beyond of the DC Animated Universe, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman: Arkham, Batman of the DC Extended Universe, and The Batman (2022 Film).

A Spider-Man-themed group photo of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Raimi Spider-Man Trilogy, the Amazing Spider-Man Duology, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Venom (2018 film), and Insomniac Games.

An X-Men: The Animated Series-themed group photo.

Deadpool.

A Looney Tunes, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, and Freakazoid! themed group photo.

South Park. Megas XLR. Kill la Kill. Space Dandy. God of War. Horizon Zero Dawn.

The Dragonborn from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Cobra Kai.

Neo from The Matrix.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 and 2012 TV series).

Kuroyukihime from Accel World.

Final Fantasy XIV. Super Sentai. Zatch Bell! Invader Zim. Young Justice. Green Lantern: The Animated Series. RWBY. Hellboy. Spawn. Star Wars. Pacific Rim.

Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Robotnik from Sonic the Hedgehog (Paramount Movie Series) and Shadow the Hedgehog.

Godzilla, King Kong, King Ghidorah, and MechaGodzilla from Godzilla (Legendaryverse).

Loid, Yor, Anya, and Bond from Spy x Family.

Chainsaw Man. Kimetsu no Yaiba: Demon Slayer. Jujutsu Kaisen. My Hero Academia. Attack on Titan. Madoka Magica.

Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Krillin, Bulma, Chi-Chi, Master Roshi, Yamcha w/Puar plush, Oolong, Launch, Grandpa Gohan, Spike the Devil Man, Arale Norimaki, Tien Shinhan w/Chiaotzu plush, Yajirobe, Piccolo, Mr. Popo, King Kai w/Bubbles & Gregory plushs, Dende, Future Trunks, Future Mai, Pikkon, Goten, Trunks, Gotenks, Vegito, Gogeta, Mr. Satan, Fat Buu, Videl, Uub, Pan (GT) w/Giru, Broly (Super), Supreme Kai, Kibito, Old Kai, Beerus, Whis, Hit, Cabba, Caulifla, Kale, Bardock, Gine, Raditz, Nappa, Cui, Dodoria, Zarbon, the Ginyu Force, Freeza, Dr. Gero, Android 19, Android 17, Android 18, Android 16, Perfect Cell w/Kermit plush, Babidi, Dabura, Super Buu (Gohan Absorbed), Kid Buu, Cooler, Broly (Original), Zangya, Janemba, Android 21, Mira, Towa, Frost, Goku Black, Future Zamasu, Jiren, Emperor Pilaf w/Mai & Shu plushs, General Blue, Tao Pai Pai, King Piccolo, Baby (Super Baby 2), Omega Shenron, Beat (Heroes), Note (Heroes) from Dragon Ball.

The Sailor Guardians from Sailor Moon.

Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho.

A JoJo's Bizarre Adventure-themed group photo of Jonathan, Joseph, Jotaro, Josuke, Giorno, Jolyne, Johnny, Josuke (Part 8), the JOJOLANDS protagonist, and DIO cosplayers.

Kamen Rider.

Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Pinhead, Leatherface, Chucky, Pennywise (It, 2017 film), and Stephen King for a horror-themed group shot.

NieR.

Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, Agent Coulson, Ant-Man, Wasp, Black Panther, Dr. Strange, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Falcon, Winter Soldier, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Daredevil, Shang-Chi, She-Hulk, Loki, Ultron, Ego, Killmonger, Hela, Thanos, and the Black Order from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

After finishing scanning the photos, the man reflected on the old days when he used to frequent the events. Nowadays, he occasionally appears to show off and sell art at the Artist Gallery and sell his successful novels.

"You kids would've loved being where my friends and I were those years ago," the man smiled as he shut off his phone and headed out to await the fireworks display.

After finishing getting their group photo taken, the Phantom Remnants rejoined Hifumi, Skyler, Otoboshi, and Miki. As they quietly observed Funeral Parlor and their friends celebrating the coming of a new decade, the Remnants reflected on the tragedies that changed their lives forever from the prior decade. Together with Funeral Parlor, they were finally able to usurp GHQ's corrupt stranglehold over the Japanese nation. Despite their victory, it came with the cost of Niijima Makoto's sacrifice.

"I still can't believe she's gone," Futaba muttered sadly.

"But, she's finally at peace. Makoto has been reunited with Haru, Leonard, and their kids," Sumire added.

"Don't forget about Ryuji, Mona, Yusuke, Sojiro, Sae, Shiho, and everyone else who's no longer with us," Ann stated.

"They're all celebrating the New Year where they're at," Ren said. "And we did exactly what Makoto wanted from her will. She wanted us to cremate her and spread her ashes across the sea.

"Let's all remember her honorable sacrifice," Akechi nodded.

"She wasn't just Queen. She was our Queen," Ren stated as the other Remnants nodded in unison.

"Makoto, I'm just glad we were able to resolve our differences before you…" Hifumi said as she shed tears for her now-late friend. She felt the loving embrace of her husband Skyler as he pulled her close to him.

"She'll always be in our memories," Skyler consoled his wife.

"Akechi, you said you're staying here in America, right?" Ann asked him.

"Yeah, even with GHQ no longer in power, I'm still a classified fugitive of the law. They have all of my records from as far back as my affiliation with Shido. That's why I lived here in exile and I plan to continue living here anew. That said, the government has acknowledged my contributions to helping Funeral Parlor dissolve GHQ, but I've accepted the reality that I'll never step foot on Japanese soil. Oh well, it can't be helped," Akechi verified his criminal status.

"That's too bad, but I hope you'll stay in touch with us?" Sumire offered.

"Sadly, this might be the last time you and the others will hear from me," Akechi affirmed. "After our victory and tonight, I'm going off the radar." He then faced Ren and walked by him while patting his shoulder. "May you, Ann, and your kid enjoy this peacetime, Amamiya Ren. Farewell, Joker." With that, Akechi walked away from the group, heading off to begin his new American life.

"In the end, you'll never have a happy ending, Akechi Goro," Ren muttered, keenly watching the former junior detective disappear amid the crowd.

"He's just going to live the rest of his life as a wanderer then?" Ann asked.

"It's the path he's chosen and I can respect it," Ren said, lovingly folding an arm over his wife. "But, we have a better life ahead for us, Ann."

"What do you make of this, Skyler?" Hifumi asked her husband.

"What can I say? He decided this."

"Mom, dad! The ball is about to drop! Let's get a picture together before the new year!" Akiko called out to her parents. As she got her parents, Heath, Shu, Ayase, Walter, and Tsugumi, Akiko asked a New York local to take their picture. "Be sure and smile!"

After getting their group picture together, Akiko looked over the pictures on her phone and smiled. "Perfect. I wanted to make sure we got a picture together. Besides, who even knows if we'll get another chance to be together like this?"

"That's right. After this school year ends, Akiko and I are finished with our exchange program and we have to go back to our previous school to finish our third year," Heath reminded them of the impending end of the current school year.

"That's right. I just remembered you're only with us for a year," Shu said.

"That's too bad," Ayase sighed sadly until Heath gently held her hand.

"It's ok though. We'll be keeping in touch."

"Yeah, I know."

"And you won't see the last of us. I promise," Heath said as he and Heath grasped each other's hands and headed over to get a closer view of the New Year's Eve celebration.

"I know we'll see each other again," Akiko said while holding Walter's hand and leading him toward the crowd.

"Same here, but let's make the best out of the remaining school year," Shu added.

"Heck we will!" Souta boasted.

"Why won't we throw a party for Heath and Akiko before they leave?" Yahiro suggested.

"Oh, I'm in!" Kanon said. "I'm going to miss those two."

"Well, we have enough time. It'll be three months until then," Shu said.

Elsewhere, Kurachi approached Argo, Tsugumi, and Shibungi and reported to them about Arisa's current situation.

"So, Arisa's been rehabilitating in prison?" Argo asked.

"That's what Haruka informed me. Arisa is still facing prison time for collaborating with GHQ and for the murder of her grandfather. Furthermore, she's been placed into a rehabilitation program and has been given a drug that makes her 'feel regret' for her actions before she's eventually released," Kurachi entailed her friends.

"I take it the drug wasn't given to her willfully?" Argo queried.

"Correct."

"Serves her right. Prison's too good for that witch," Tsugumi furrowed her brows.

"Honestly, I doubt the student body is going to welcome her back with open arms," Argo said. "Shu said he and the others will monitor her closely."

"That's not a bad idea, but I doubt Arisa will give us trouble anymore," Shibungi added.

"Hey, the ball is about to drop!" Tsugumi cried out. "Hey, Aya! Wait for me!" She hurried over to where Heath and Ayase were. "I'm glad I could make it!"

"The countdown is on!" Heath and Ayase shouted together along with their friends.

"5! 4! 3! 2! 1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The crowd in Times Square screamed together as a massive 2040 flashed across the big screen, ringing in both a new year and ushering in a new decade.

As midnight struck, January 1, 2040 marked a fresh new decade. Fireworks shot off and covered the sky with colored blasts. Funeral Parlor and the Phantom Remnants watched the fireworks display in awe while the New York crowd sang together carelessly and joyously. Although he couldn't see the fireworks, he could hear and feel them. He knew inside his mind that Inori was enjoying the fireworks.

"Isn't it great, Walter?!" Akiko asked her boyfriend, who shook his head.

"What?!"

"I said, aren't the fireworks great, Walter?!"

"I can barely hear ya, Walt!"

As Walter spun Akiko around, they locked eyes and kissed.

They weren't the only couple to kiss during the fireworks. With their lips locked, Heath and Ayase opened their eyes, but they didn't stop kissing. Heath knelt in front of Ayase and she had both arms over his neck.

"Woo-hoo, way to go, Aya! You, too, Heath!" Tsugumi cheered them on.

"Heath, we managed to get through that ordeal and I'm just glad we're alive to see a new year," Ayase whispered in his ear.

"But, we did and let's celebrate to our heart's content."

"I love you, Heath."

"Likewise, Ayase." The couple embraced and lovingly shared a passionate kiss amid the fireworks still going off above them in another unforgettable experience in their lives.


A few days after graduation, Heath and Akiko were set for their departure back home. Shu, Ayase, Tsugumi, Argo, Yahiro, Souta, Kanon, and Walter stood together as they watched the Jones siblings about to enter a travel bus. Before getting inside, Heath and Akiko turned around and walked out to give their farewells.

"Oh gosh, I know I shouldn't cry because we'll keep in touch and definitely see each other again… but… oh, my stupid allergies!" Akiko said, making an excuse while sniffling and rubbing her watery eyes.

"Sure, come here," Walter chuckled as he and Akiko hugged. "I'll be leaving here soon, too, but I wanted to see you off."

"Thanks for staying behind to see me, Walt," Akiko said as they kissed again.

"You better send us an email as soon as you get home!" Kanon cried out.

"Seriously, just because we're gonna be far apart, doesn't mean we should stop communicating! And you know I can easily find you two," Tsugumi winked and blew a raspberry at them. "Especially you, Heath. You and Aya better stay in touch!"

"Haha, we can't doubt your tracking abilities, Tsugumi," Heath said as he turned over toward Ayase. "Listen."

"I know we'll keep communicating. Be sure to email me soon. Tell your parents I said hi," Ayase replied with an affectionate smile.

"I will and I wish you luck with that treatment. You're going to do great."

"Thanks, Heath. I hope it goes well for me."

"I know it will!" Heath said as he knelt in front of Ayase. As they held each other's hands, they quietly exchanged glances. "I won't forget everything we've been through. One day, we will be together."

"You can count on that," Heath nodded as they kissed each other while holding and caressing each other's hands. After kissing, their lips pulled away and they shared loving smirks.

"Take care," both said as Heath approached Shu. "I'm sorry, Shu."

"Don't be. Inori is with me in spirit and I'll find a way to manage while living with my condition. You and Akiko have a safe trip."

"Bye, Shu," Akiko said as she hugged him. "Please take care of yourself."

"Likewise, Akiko."

As Heath and Shu patted each other's backs, they exchanged friendly smiles.

"Hang in there, Shu. Life is going to get better for us," Heath reassured him.

"I know. Take care of yourself and your sister, Heath."

With that, Heath and Akiko walked onto the bus. As the siblings found their seats, they opened their windows and waved to Shu, Shu's classmates, Ayase, and Walter. Heath and Ayase made final eye contact and waved to one another. As the bus drove away, the Jones siblings made a safe trip back to Sakai.

Though it was a sad departure, it would not be a final goodbye.


Five years later, it is 2045. Peace has already returned to a renewed Japan with Tokyo and its cities being rebuilt following GHQ's stranglehold over the country.

In a hospital, Shu walked in and met with his rehab therapist. He came dressed in a white long-sleeved dress shirt with a coffee brown vest, long dark brown dress pants, and black dress shoes. Assisted by a nurse, Shu also used his blind cane to guide him forward.

It had been several years since his high school graduation. Although he looked the same, he was mentally a different young man. He became a more reserved individual and became accepting of his blindness. His therapist helped him cope with his disability and see Inori in his mind.

Standing up, Shu came to his session to tell another one of his experiences with Inori. The therapist sat listening and enjoying another one of Shu's passionate stories about his late girlfriend and told him Inori's 'spirit' was what kept Shu's well-being at peace.

After GHQ's downfall, health care costs were restored to normal, making Shu's treatment and Ayase's surgery costs more reasonable and both finally had better access to the cutting edge treatments that GHQ held back. Those restrictions no longer applied to hospitals and any disabled person that needed these advanced medical technologies.


Following GHQ's downfall, Kurachi took over the Kuhouin Group with Arisa incapable of taking over after Okina. Argo and Shibungi also worked with her.

After graduation from their high schools in 2041, Heath, Akiko, and Walter attended the University of Tokyo. Heath sought to major in literature as he wanted to write stories based on his personal experiences. Walter looked into forensic science. Akiko studied kinesiology and wanted to learn about sports medicine, which she hoped could help with Ayase's recovery.

As for Ayase, after she graduated from Tora High, Ayase chose not to go to college. Instead, she wanted to enter professional running and compete in sports-related events once her legs are restored. Even though she lacked financial support with her parents gone, she still had her caretaker to help support her for a little while longer.

As for Ayase's best friend, Tsugumi took a teacher's licensure exam and eventually reconnected with a redeemed Daryl. In between the five years, Daryl escaped from Tokyo law and went on the run. Completely cutting his ties from GHQ, Daryl became a vigilante that hunted down and killed surviving Da'ath members on his path to redemption. The JSDF later found and apprehended him. After a trial for his war crimes, they instead gave Daryl community service and rehab to help him improve into a normal person again. During that time, Daryl performed community service at a school where Tsugumi worked. They reconnected. After seeing Daryl's self-improvement, she and Daryl became a couple.


Sometime during her recovery, Ayase often knitted while in bed. Aside from her caretaker and Tsugumi coming to visit her, Heath would show up and peel apples for her.

"I had no idea you were into knitting," Heath observed, taking a break from peeling and cutting an apple into slices.

"Hehe, surprised?" Ayase replied, showing him a half-finished pair of red-and-black striped socks. "I've been knitting these for you."

"Me? Wow, I'm flattered. You didn't need to."

"But, I wanted to and it saves me from boredom here if I'm not sleeping."

"I'm glad your recovery is going well, Ayase. Are you looking forward to competing again?"

Setting her knitting tools down, Ayase's face filled with elation. "Yeah, but I'm going to have to work harder with competition being fiercer than when I was running."

"But, the extra push will do you good, won't it?"

"I hope so, but I am excited. They'll push me to get better and stronger."

"That's great and we'll be there at the front rows cheering you on," Heath soothed her with his loving tone.

"Thanks, Heath," she said as they kissed.

After her surgery and rehab, Ayase's spine was healed. With her leg mobility restored, she was finally able to walk again. Although the rehab helped with her recovery, her friends' moral support gave Ayase the incentive to push through her rehab and walk on her own again. Even better for Ayase, her medical bills were waived due to her involvement in the final Ward 24 battle.

After her successful recovery, she made her comeback as an athletic runner. Even just finishing a lap on her own brought Ayase to tears, who couldn't be any happier to run again. After some training, she entered local running competitions. She even delved into other athletic venues beyond track and field. Ayase tried her luck with karate competitions. By 2045, Ayase won athletic competitions and became a famous figure, even inspiring handicapped children to overcome their disabilities to realize their athletic dreams.

Five years before, Ayase never would've dreamed this as a possibility. With the support of her friends, finally crushing GHQ, and getting her surgery, she made a miraculous comeback and earned her happy ending.

After finishing her track practice, Ayase looked to the sky and smiled genuinely. "I hope you're watching me proudly, mom and dad. I did it."


Elsewhere, a former GHQ conspirator was not only shunned by her peers after graduation, but without financial support, she became homeless and forced herself into prostitution to make ends meet. For many who grew to pity her, they saw this as a fitting punishment.

One evening, Arisa went out to meet with a client, who conspicuously arrived in a broken down vehicle. After finishing her facial makeup, Arisa walked over as the backseat door opened. Upon entering, she closed the door.

"Ok, so how are we doing this?" She asked her client.

"However long you think you can handle me."

"I charge per hour."

"That's fine. I've got enough on me."

Gulping, Arisa felt something off about the man's deep and calm tone. He sounded too calm for her liking.

"Ok, well, why don't you come back here?"

"Gladly." With that, the man behind the wheel locked the doors, alarming Arisa, who frantically tried prying them open.

"Hey, this isn't funny! This isn't part of our agreement!"

"Who's laughing? I have you where I want you," the man turned, revealing his face to Arisa, who immediately recognized him from a glance. "Dead to rights."

"Kazama?! It was you?!"

"I've been waiting a long time for this, Arisa. Don't think some of us forgot what you made us do. You manipulated us. Turned us against the other students all so you could fuck some guy and ruin Shu's reputation."

"Please, you don't understand! Shu… he was becoming tyrannical…"

"And you were any better? What about all the students who died for you? And those who died indirectly from your actions by joining GHQ? Hare! Do you remember her?"

"Hare…?"

"Do you remember her?" Kazama deeply and coldly asked her again, eliciting fear from her.

"I do."

"Can you bring her back?"

"I can't. No one of us has the power to bring back the dead."

Kazama gave a low and creepy chuckle. "Hehe, you want to know something, whore? After GHQ fell and during graduation, I met with Shu. He and I resolved our differences after he told me what Hare did for him. I was blinded by my anger toward him. You know what he told me?"

With an apprehensive look etched on her face, Arisa fearfully nodded.

"He told me, 'Hare will be in our hearts forever.' And he also said not to take my revenge on you. Shu, what a guy. You betrayed his trust and you used my feelings for Hare just to try to kill him. Since then, all of us have resented you. We all wished misery on your pathetic life. Despite hating what you did to him, Shu never wished death on you. I can respect Shu for that. He won't sink low to kill another person for no reason."

Cowering toward the back of her seat, Arisa desperately reached for the door handle. Then, Kazama whipped out a silencer and aimed for her head.

"Oh my god, please no! OH FUCK! ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY?!"

"But, do I look like Ouma Shu?"

"WAIT…!"

One shot from his silencer and Arisa dropped dead with a bullet hole in her forehead. Laying the silencer in his passenger's seat, Kazama got out of his vehicle and stared at the nightly sky where he saw a shooting star soaring across.

"I hope you saw that, Hare. That was for you."

Shortly after killing Arisa, Kazama voluntarily admitted to his crime and turned himself over to the police. Charged with murder, Kazama spent the rest of his life in prison without regret. As for Arisa, when her death was announced, some were shocked but mostly by who ended her life. None of her graduating class came to her wake and funeral.

Through her selfish desire to be with Gai, Arisa needlessly threw away her family inheritance and friendships. This in turn led Arisa to live and die in solitude.


Outside of their career pursuits, Heath, Ayase, Akiko, and Walter volunteered and took part in a special task force. Their captain, an American who's been stationed and lived in Japan for several years, took the four in as part of his unit. They were tasked to help him train the second set of tamed Ouryu Kyōchō. Unlike their predecessors, these four had their DNA altered to make them less violent. They were created to be akin to guard dogs and as transports to ride on.

Upon meeting the second Ouryu Kyōchō and remembering their horrifying encounters with the original ones, Heath, Ayase, Akiko, and Walter cautiously approached the tall avian-like animals. After earning the trust of their new handlers, the Ouryu Kyōchō allowed the four to feed and ride them. Heath connected with the new Byakko. Ayase bonded with the new Suzaku. Akiko connected with the new Seiryu. Walter paired up with the new Genbu.

As the four got on the tamed aviaries' backs, they rode off into an open track field where they raced. In the end, Ayase and Suzaku won the race.

"Oh yeah! Who's not surprised that we won?!" Ayase boasted, laughing as Suzaku screeched.

"Yeah, yeah, that was just one race," Akiko scoffed.

"There'll be many more to come," Heath added.

"Want to go again?" Ayase asked them.

"We were supposed to take these four back to their compounds soon. The captain wants us in a meeting in an hour," Walter reminded them.

As Suzaku screeched again, Ayase chuckled. "Suzaku is raring to race again. So, how about it?"

"Sure, why not?" Heath shrugged.

"I guess one more wouldn't hurt," Walter said.

"Alright, Seiryu! Let's kick their butts in the second round!" Akiko rallied her avian partner.

"Get ready to eat our dust again, slowpokes!" Ayase chuckled as they went ahead with another race.


Despite peace being restored and Japan free from GHQ's control, there was one resolved conflict that came back to haunt Shu, Ayase, Heath, Akiko, and the others. The remnants of Da'ath left were still active in secrecy and prepared for their final strike.

This time, the Da'ath remnants ventured into and infiltrated Shu's mind in a last attempt to convert Shu and Inori into Adam and Eve inside their mindscape. In doing so, Da'ath looked to create that same prophetic realm of Da'ath's utopia. This would happen once the apocalypse instantaneously burst out of Shu to create their utopia and a new human race. This was Da'ath's gambit all along. Inori's spirit now inside Shu's mind was the final essential catalyst for Da'ath's final goal concerning the guilty crown. The guilt inside Shu's mind was going to be unlocked for his cursed monarchy to come true.

In response to Da'ath's last desperate action, the special forces, led by Ayase, Heath, Akiko, Walter, and their captain, attacked Da'ath's remnants. Tsugumi, Daryl, Argo, and Shibungi returned to help the group fend off Da'ath's forces.

Ayase utilized her Karmesin armor, but now wore her Karmesin armored boots and not her Void to fend off and decimate Da'ath members and Endlaves.

Without their Voids, Heath, Akiko, and Walter relied on conventional weapons to fend off Da'ath's forces.

The Da'ath remnants controlled three customized Endlave groups based on the Aragami. Some are shaped like white thin-bodied Shiki-Oji named Iblis. Some are shaped like one-tailed arctic foxes named Djibril. Others are shaped like tall humanoid magatsu demons with two arms wielding twin katanas and another face on the back of their heads named Azrael.

As these external battles were taking place, the most important clash took place inside Shu's mind. Shu and Inori confronted the infiltrator, Yuu, inside their shared mindscape.

In response to the internal threat, Shu's powers increased greatly while inside his mind and manifested two Void Genomes - his own and Gai's. Using the two Voids' powers, Shu sent Inori's soul out of his mind and transferred it into a new body for her, which was created by the same scientists that originally made Inori. Having been revived, Inori awoke in her new body and sensed Shu's life in danger. She quickly saved Shu from his mind and reawakened him in the real world.

Once Inori reunited with Shu in the physical world, they bonded and invoked new powered-up states using the power of the Void Genomes. Now wearing a crystal king's crown and crystallized king's robe, Shu ascended into his strongest form, which was a culmination of his character, leadership, and bonds with his friends. This power-up also heightened his senses, including briefly restoring his vision.

Inori's new transformed state was akin to Mana's transformed appearance. However, instead of Mana's gold and pink look, streaks of pale blue complimented her pink hair.

In response to Shu and Inori's new transformed states, Yuu went all out and turned into a 25-foot tall faceless wraith-like entity with a white cloak similar to Yuu's. Embellished on the cloak chest is Yuu's Void Genome sun hand symbol. Having released his full potential. Yuu's power surpassed Gai and Mana, leaving only Shu and Inori being the only ones capable of defeating the envoy of Da'ath.

Standing united, Shu and Inori fiercely fought Yuu in the final battle to determine the fate of the world and humanity. Having invoked their transformed states, Shu and Inori had become the true Adam and Eve after all, but instead, they intended to use their powers to defeat Da'ath once and for all.

The final battle was a fierce and destructive one. While Yuu used his size as a weapon to defend himself from their attacks, Shu and Inori used their nimble speed and powers to tear into Yuu's body. Swinging his Void Genome, Shu chopped off one of Yuu's arms. As Shu invoked his crystal bending abilities, he shot Yuu's body with endless crystal shards. Inori unleashed a barrage of blue crystallized shards that dealt greater damage to Yuu than Mana could ever hope to accomplish. After a hard-fought battle, Shu and Inori defeated Yuu. In his final moments, Yuu commended Shu and Inori for being reunited and reflected on his well-intentioned reasons for bringing evolution to a new world.

As Yuu's body crystallized and dissolved into dust, Shu and Inori embraced once more. Denying their roles as Adam & Eve and realizing Yuu's vision of a new world, the couple purged their roles and powers related to Adam and Eve. Having removed these and the last of the Void Genomes, Shu and Inori became normal. Not only was Inori's powers removed, but Shu's sight became fully restored.

Once reunited with their friends, Inori was welcomed with open arms by Ayase, Heath, Akiko, Walter, Tsugumi, and the others. When asked if she was back for good, Inori nodded and reassured that Da'ath was no more. As the couple faced each other again, Shu and Inori kissed each other passionately. It took five years but Tsugumi's wish for a happy ending came true.

At last, Da'ath was purged and Shu's friends could truly move on with their lives.


A/N: That's right. Shu and his friends get their happy endings. Ayase gets her treatment and can walk again. Ayase makes a strong recovery and returns to athletics. Heath and Ayase remain an item. Inori's been revived. Shu has Inori and his sight back. Da'ath is officially no more. They get a good fairy tale book ending, except for Arisa because karma caught up to her.

Japan indeed had universal health care before GHQ took over. Once they gained a stronghold over the country, GHQ placed high paywalls for cutting-edge medical treatments and technology, denying most citizens who can't afford the high costs. This enables GHQ to hoard the medical treatments for their GHQ employees and individuals with deep pockets. This prevented Ayase from getting her surgery. Now with GHQ gone, the old health care plans and costs were restored, granting Ayase and other such citizens access and getting their treatments.

And thanks to the advanced medical tech and treatments, Ayase's surgery went well and thanks to rehab she can walk again. Likewise, Shu was able to afford rehab for his blindness.

The New York scene gave our heroes a deserved celebration and experience of being in another country. GHQ's collapse has given hope to other countries that once had or are still being oppressed by a totalitarian authority. The older man that the group meets is a semi-retired author and photographer who still takes photos as a side job and for fun, and at one point once attended a lot of comic book conventions. You can learn more about him when you scroll down.

Yes, Arisa is the only one who didn't get a happy ending. Whether you agree or not she should've died here, that's up to you. Just remember, she willingly joined GHQ, betrayed Shu, murdered her grandfather, had the original Ouryu Kyōchō kill innocent civilians, and indirectly got Hare killed. Also if not for her turning bad, Makoto would still be alive. And since Shu wants to be the better man and has moved on with his life, Kazama, who still hadn't gotten over Hare's death, was unhinged enough to exact his revenge. Yeah, Arisa had a ton of bad will weighed heavily against her, leading her to live and die without support.

The chapter also showed some Heath/Ayase love. So those wanting their continued relationship, you got it. Tsugumi officially hooks up with Daryl, who has turned over a new leaf. And the big one: Shu reunites with a revived Inori.

Speaking of Ouryu Kyōchō, a new set has been recreated without the dangerous defects. This means that the 'extinct zoo' that Haruka alluded to is going forward, and the final chapter will show the completed exhibits.

Ok, so was Inori's revival an idea created out of thin air? Not necessarily, it's loosely based on the GC manga ending, which adapts up to episode 12. In this ending, Yuu is defeated (including getting his arm chopped off) and Inori remains alive. So, what we did was adapt a concept inspired by a canon source material instead of a fan-created AU.

Of course, Yuu had to be the proper final opponent. Honestly, we chose to summarize this battle because it was going to be hard to top the battles against Gai and Mana. Overall, Yuu just isn't as popular and important as Shu, Inori, Gai, and Mana. Unlike the original GC anime, Yuu gets properly defeated and Da'ath is dissolved for good.

Having gone back and caught up with the latest reviews, I'm humbled and pleased with the feedback that this story has received. I know early on there were a few critiques and I have for the most part addressed and corrected issues. Even those who dropped off and/or are waiting for this story to finish, I still want to thank you for giving this story a chance. For anyone still waiting for the story to finish, the wait won't be much longer.

All There In the Manual - Chapter XVIII

-The man seen in New York City and looking at his past convention experience is SSJ4Takeru-Cage. Unlike other appearances where he's a Spawn-like character, this time he is supposed to symbolize me, who has been writing stories for over 20 years and been actively involved with various fandoms. His appearance is supposed to be how I'd envision myself in my 50s since I'll be near that range by 2040. By connecting with Funeral Parlor and the Phantom Remnants, it's me connecting with the latest fandoms I've been writing for, and thanks to Allfather-Ford for introducing me to them. This also relates to Akane no Guilty Crown being a series fauxnale of the new Triad (Shin-YYGDM/Akane no Mai/Akane no Guilty Crown) with AnGC being a finale before Akane no Mai serves as a proper ending. It's also me having grown older and passing the torch to the new generation of fanfic writers while I move on to write novels and pursue other creative interests.
-In another respect, this story was also about the Phantom Thieves/Remnants passing the torch over to Shu and Funeral Parlor. One legacy steps down and another succeeds them.
-The identity of the Vegeta cosplayer is named npbringerhill.
-Iblis represents Arima's legacy, Djibril represents Ryōko's legacy, and Azrael represents Sasaki's legacy.
-Yuu's transformed state is named the Monad of Da'ath.
-Shu's transformed state is named the Monark's Unity. Inori's transformed state is named the Will of the Muses.

Just one more chapter left. This story has been a refreshing experience from other fanfics and I'll be sad when it's all over. That said, please look forward to the finale!