Zoalords 34
The Aftermath
A Year Later
The Ouranos' Guyver Units had fallen into CHRONOS' hands, but Czyvek and Vorsted were doubtful that they had gotten all of them. There had been much debate about what should be done with the captured Units, but in the end some had been kept for study while selected members of The Council had been bonded with them, namely Waferdanos, Amniculus, Caerleon, de Galenos, Barcus and Lord Imakarum Mirabilis. The last had been the main source of contention, for who knew if his Murakami Masaki personality might gain control and seek vengeance upon CHRONOS. The Unit Remover Zoanoids were found to be effective, but flawed. Each could only use his power once, after which he became a Bio-Blaster type Zoanoid. Dr. Nighthawk had purposely done this so that they would not be summarily destroyed once Archanfel and The Council had gained control of a Guyver. It seemed that The Japan Branch had kept many secrets from The Council, not the least of which being that their Zoanoids had been bred to be immune to Ouranos, or Zoalord, control. While this deception had surely aided them against The Creators, it was still a dangerous move on Lord Czyvek's part. He himself had long railed against Barcus' inability to control Aptom. If any of his Zoanoids decided to go rogue . . . Future batches of Zoanoids were to be processed properly, The Council would make certain of that.
Guyver III had escaped after the battle, neither expecting nor receiving much in the way of gratitude.
Lord Archanfel was traumatized, everything he had known, everything he had lived for, had been ripped away by his creators. And he had slain them in retribution, the ultimate patricide. He had not left his temple on Silha for nearly a year now, tended by the ever faithful Barcus.
CHRONOS had been a failure.
Lord Shin Rubeo Amniculus was left in charge of The Divine Twelve in the absence of both Archanfel and Barcus, though Lord Imakarum Mirabilis held control over the military wing. It had been decided that CHRONOS should become what most of its members had believed that it had been from the beginning.
A New World Order.
An Earth united and at relative peace.
The Quetzalcoatli had left Earth shortly after the battle, both jubilant at such a decisive victory over The Federation and frightened of the Guyver's powers. This alliance had proven most beneficial. They were eager to press their advantage, and hopefully win the war once and for all.
Lord Ali Bin Jamar had been reprocessed with a new Zoacrystal, and once again taken his seat upon The Council of Twelve.
There was no sign of Apollon.
Fukamachi Residence
With more Guyver Units than they knew what to do with and grateful for Sho's help, CHRONOS had finally and truly decided to leave them alone. Lord Czyvek had asked Sho to stay on at Cloud Gate, as a sort of Liaison, but he had turned him down. He just wanted a quiet life with the woman he loved. They had also offered to remove his Guyver Unit, but Sho again declined. He'd never wanted the thing, it had ruined his life, but it had also enabled him to save the world from The Ouranos and protect those who he loved. Czyvek's offer, as usual, was well-meaning, but naive. He still hated CHRONOS, at least that cold, malevolent force represented by the likes of Barcus and Makishima Genzo, but he also understood that billions had now been processed into Zoanoids. To destroy CHRONOS would cause the world to fall apart. Besides, there were good people there, too.
Sho stood at the window, watching the sun set. Mizuki joined him at his side, wrapped her warmth around him.
"It's beautiful, isn't it. You never appreciate these things, until they are taken away."
"No, you don't. But I treasure them now. All of them."
He turned and walked over to the crib, lifting baby Fumio into his arms. The baby smiled at him.
Guyot's Base
Richard Guyot had great plans and the means to achieve them. With the aid of a surviving, fugitive Ouranos he had grown greatly in knowledge and power. Now, if he could only convince the thing to allow him access to the Guyver armor . . .
Elsewhere
Apollon was almost himself again. His body was finally purging itself of the last of Nguyen's genetic material, and he had been able to defend himself against the consequences of the destruction of his Control Medallion by that ridiculous Rocies using his two Zoacrystals. His masters had all either died or fled. He was free, but without purpose. . .
Cloud Gate
Ishi had proven a capable leader, remarkable for a man so young. He had successfully navigated both political and military waters and ran Cloud Gate, and Japan, in a highly efficient and secure manner. Rumor was, he was being considered for a position as a Zoalord.
A small Vietnamese restaurant in Shibuya District, Tokyo
As good as Japanese cuisine was, sometimes one wanted something different. Indian, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese. The restaurant was small and quiet, tucked away amidst a sea of fancy, high-priced fare. It was one of both Angela and Mikhail's favorites. Both had ordered 'Clay Pot Chicken', so-called because it was slowly cooked in traditional clay pots. The owners and staff knew who they were serving, of course, which made it rather awkward at times.
"It's nice to get away, if only for a little while," Czyvek observed, "It's a strange life we lead."
"Yes, it is." Both had come so far. He had been born in Romania and 'raised' in the streets of L.A., she had grown up in poverty on a Reservation in New Mexico, "The whole world has changed."
"Not everything," He replied, "We're all still people. We still feel kindness, joy, grief, despair. . . Love."
Mikhail and Angela Czyvek ate slowly, savoring the meal and the peaceful atmosphere.
The End