Chereads / The Ultraman Mebius EPILOGUE: Ghost Rebirth / Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: The Last Light

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: The Last Light

Previously on Ultraman Mebius THE EPILOGUE: Ghost Rebirth...After discovering the statues of his comrades, Mebius was confronted by the Darkness Five—Mefilas, Deathrem, Hipporit, Temperor, and Grozam—who revealed themselves as the masterminds behind a sinister plot. To Mebius' shock, his former ally, Hikari, appeared, now under the control of the enemy.Forced to comply to prevent the destruction of the floating continent and the statues of Max, Xenon, Neos, and Seven 21, Mebius had no choice but to obey. Filis, the true orchestrator behind the scenes, revealed a long-forgotten legend of the Valley of Fire. The villain ordered Mebius to retrieve something from its fiery depths, a task only he could accomplish in his Burning Brave form.Now, Mebius enters the scorching underground, with dangers lurking in every corner...(Title card)Taiga and Z stood on high alert at their assigned post. The vast expanse of space stretched out before them, filled with debris from ancient battles and the remnants of long-forgotten civilizations. It had been a relatively quiet day, and both Ultras exchanged small talk to pass the time."Why is it Ultra-boring today? I want to go home..." Z joked, earning a chuckle from Taiga."Relax, Z-san. We still got a few hours of work," Taiga added, while continuing to scan the area for any signs of potential threats.Suddenly, a series of shockwaves rippled through the area, disturbing the peace. Taiga's eyes narrowed as their radar picked up something strange."Z-san, look at this!" Taiga asked, scanning the horizon.Z's visor glowed faintly. "Yeah, something's coming... Grab your Lance." Z ordered the young Ultra, before unleashing their respective Ultra Lances.As they scanned the horizon, they felt the ground beneath them tremble, and a chill ran up their spines. When they investigated further, they discovered that the shaking was caused by a massive ice capsule."A capsule...? It's Ultra-big!" Z exclaimed, as they cautiously approached the mysterious object. Taiga nodded in agreement, readying themselves for whatever might emerge from the icy shell."Z-san, call the headquarters. We need to report this," Taiga as the senior, instructed Z. The latter was about to comply when suddenly, they heard loud roars coming from above them. Looking up, they saw a group of kaijus descending towards them, their eyes glowing with malice. Taiga and Z braced themselves for battle, knowing that their brief experience of battle would be put to the ultimate test against these formidable foes."Isn't that Hellberus on the left? Looks like we're in for a tough fight," Z remarked, tightening their grip on their weapon."Looks like Alien Seger are involved in this attack as well," Taiga replied, referring to the kaiju, Segmeger, who was standing besides Hellberus.As the kaijus closed in on them, both Ultras dashed forward as well, using their Ultra Lances to delivering a high-powered hit to the kaiju. However, instead of the kaijus slowing down, they were the ones who got slowed down as their Ultra Lances broke in half upon impact. The two exchanged a quick glance, realizing they needed to come up with a new strategy quickly if they were going to survive this battle. At the same time, Hellberus shot its spikes on the back as projectiles that rain down on them, while Segmeger unleashed purple poisonous flames from its mouth. Having no concrete plan, the two young Ultras idiotically scattered away from the attacks, each of them zigzagging in their own direction in a panicked flurry."Why is everything going wrong all at once?!" Z shouted, barely dodging a barrage of spikes that exploded on the ground behind him."This is way beyond my shift!" Taiga yelled, hopping over a pool of purple flames that almost singed his feet.The battle wasn't just chaotic—it was downright comedic. The two young Ultras, despite their heroic nature, had an almost rookie-like clumsiness about them. They kept narrowly avoiding the attacks, but it was clear that the situation was quickly getting out of hand. Just as they were about to regroup for a counterattack, three more kaijus appeared from above, landing right in front of them with a deafening thud. The odds were definitely not in their favor."We're dead," Taiga muttered under his breath, exchanging a worried glance with his fellow Ultra before running back to the way they came, hoping to find a way out of the chaotic situation. The kaijus seemed to be closing in on them, their monstrous roars echoing through the battlefield as they gave chase."There's too many of them!" Z muttered, his breathing growing heavy from the constant onslaught. As they were running, both of them would tripped over a jagged rock, tumbling down onto the ground in an awkward heap."Ow! Who put that rock there?!" Taiga groaned, rubbing his head as he struggled to get back on his feet.Before they could regain their composure, the kaijus closed in on them. The monstrous beasts loomed large, their eyes glowing with ferocity, ready to finish the two young Ultras off. Just then, a brilliant beam of light streaked across the battlefield, cutting through the chaos. Taiga and Z looked up, their eyes widening in surprise. A figure stood tall amidst the fading remnants of the destroyed kaiju—Ultraman Orb. His calm yet powerful presence brought an immediate sense of relief."Looks like I made it just in time," Orb said, his voice calm but filled with confidence."No way... You're the legendary warrior of O-60, Ultraman Orb-san! Ultra-awesome!" Z exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. Taiga nodded in agreement, grateful for the unexpected but much-needed assistance from the legendary Ultraman."Sorry for involving you guys in this mess. I was chasing those three just now," Orb replied, his gaze shifting toward the kaijus that recently arrived; Basser, Majappa and Genegarg.As the five kaijus regrouped, Orb's eyes glowed with determination as he prepared to face them head-on. "Both of you, let me borrow the power of the future!" he declared, his aura of strength inspiring Taiga and Z to stand by his side without hesitation. As the battle raged on, Orb faced the combined might of Basser and Majappa. Majappa wasted no time, unleashing a concentrated beam of water toward Orb. With a swift motion, Orb summoned his Orbcalibur, countering the attack with the Fire Calibur maneuver. Flames erupted from the blade, evaporating the water beam midair. Just as the two elements collided, Basser flapped its wings, generating a massive shockwave. Orb spun his Orbcalibur again, switching to the Wind Calibur, and released a gust of wind to neutralize the shockwave.However, Majappa launched a surprise attack, releasing its disorienting aroma. The pungent gas clouded Orb's senses, causing him to stagger back. Seeing its chance, Basser soared into the air, flying in circles to create a black cloud that rapidly transformed into a tornado.Through the haze of the aroma, Orb managed to hold onto his Orbcalibur, an idea sparking in his mind. He quickly switched back to the Wind Calibur, summoning a gust that swept the disorienting gas toward Basser. The tornado, infused with the Aroma, began to spiral out of control, and Basser, disoriented, plummeted from the sky, crashing to the ground with a thud.With Basser temporarily out of the fight, Orb focused on Majappa. Using his Ground Calibur, he summoned rock formations that encased Majappa's body, immobilizing the kaiju. Then, in one fluid motion, he called upon the Water Calibur, summoning a massive wave. As the wave grew larger, Orb switched to the Fire Calibur once more, transforming the wave into a blazing torrent of flames. The fire wave crashed into Majappa, destroying the aquatic kaiju in one powerful blow.Meanwhile, Taiga was busy dodging the lightning bolts fired from Hellberus' horns and the pale fire beam shot by Segmeger."Seriously? Give a guy a break!" Taiga grumbled, barely avoiding a bolt.Segmeger lunged at Taiga with its sharp fangs. "Ah...yabai!" Taiga shouted, leaping to the side. Segmeger, unable to stop its momentum, clamped its jaws down onto Hellberus by mistake.Hellberus howled in anger, yanking itself free and lashing out with its tail, striking Segmeger across its side. Poisonous blood sprayed from Segmeger's body, splattering onto Hellberus. The crimson beast stumbled, disoriented by the poison."Now's my chance!" Taiga shouted. He soared into the air, gathering energy in his leg for the signature move his father taught him. His foot ignited with fiery energy as he rocketed downward, smashing into Hellberus' head with devastating force, shattering it in one blow.Across the battlefield, Z faced off against the missile-launching menace, Genegarg. The red missiles flew from the indents in its body."Time for some fancy footwork!" Z said with a grin, ducking and diving out of the way. At one point, he lay flat on the ground, letting the missiles soar overhead. Z even grabbed a nearby rock, using it as a makeshift shield. "Huh... I'm alive!" He laughed as the missiles exploded harmlessly against the rock.Genegarg, growing more furious, regurgitated its stomach contents, hurling asteroids toward Z."Did it just vomit asteroids? Are you kidding me!" Z shouted, leaping into the air to avoid the asteroid barrage. He landed in front of Genegarg. With a flurry of empowered punches and kicks, Z battered Genegarg's body, weakening the kaiju. Genegarg tried to retaliate with more missiles, but Z quickly fired beams from his crest to intercept the attack. When the kaiju suddenly lost its firepower, Z kept firing until Genegarg collapsed to the ground. The three Ultras regrouped, their opponents battered and weakened. Orb, Taiga, and Z exchanged nods, ready to finish the fight. "Taiga! Z! Time to end this!"Orb raised his arms, summoning the Origium Ray. "Origium Kousen!" A powerful beam of energy shot forth, engulfing Basser."Let's go! Storium Kousen!" Taiga called out, gathering energy for the inherited finisher, Storium Ray. He fired the blazing beam, striking Segmeger in a brilliant flash.Z, still brimming with energy, shouted, "Zestium Kousen!" as he unleashed the Zestium Ray while Genegarg fired a beam of its own from its mouth, he extended the beam into its Z-shaped form, sending it crashing into Genegarg with a final, victorious "Chesto!"The battlefield erupted in explosions as all the kaiju were destroyed in one final, decisive moment. As the smoke cleared, the three Ultras stood tall, victorious. Orb let out a sigh of relief. "As expected from the sons of the great Ultra Brothers. It was impressive.""A praise from Orb-san? Ultra-awesome!" Z exclaimed, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment."Thank you, Orb-san, for helping us back then. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be standing, right now." Taiga expressed his gratitude, with both him and Z bowing respectfully to Orb. As Orb, Taiga, and Z stood among the remains of their defeated kaiju foes, the battlefield suddenly grew quiet. Out of nowhere, a figure emerged—a masked warrior, shrouded in an aura of mystery, approached silently. He was heading toward an ice capsule-like object that lay hidden in the shadows of the battlefield."Who's that?" Taiga asked, his stance shifting into a defensive posture. Z instinctively raised his arms, ready for another fight. "Enemy?" Z added.Orb held out his hand, stopping the younger Ultras. "Wait," he said, eyes narrowing. "Look at the armor... That's the Cosmotechtor." The full-body armor of the Cosmotechtor was something Orb recognized."The Cosmo... what?" Z enquired naively."From what I know, Cosmotechtor is an armor possessed by warriors who came from a neighboring galaxy." Orb explained. "They are also known for their advanced technology and formidable combat skills."While Orb explained, the masked warrior approached the crystalized ice structure and placed his hands on its surface. Before their eyes, heat radiated from the warrior's body, and the thick layers of ice began to melt away, revealing a figure inside. The ice slowly cracked and dissipated, exposing Filis—a friend Taiga and Z immediately recognized."Filis-san!" Taiga called out, running forward. Z followed closely behind, worry flashing across his face.Filis, weakened but conscious, stumbled forward, barely able to stand on his own two feet. "T-Taiga... Z..." he muttered weakly, grasping his head as he tried to recollect what had happened.Z knelt beside him. "Filis-san, what happened?" he asked with concern.Filis took a deep breath, gathering the strength to speak. "I was... accompanying Chief Hikari on Planet Arb," he began. "Everything was fine, until we were ambushed.""Attacked?" Z asked, alarmed. "Do you remember who it is?""It all happened so fast. Chief Hikari was the first to notice something was wrong. He sensed an abnormal distortion in the atmosphere." Filis clenched his fists, recalling the chaotic moment. "He... he fell. Into what looked like a black, cloud-like portal, as if he were drowning in water. It swallowed him whole."Taiga's fists tightened. "A portal?""But that wasn't all," Filis continued, his voice shaky. "Just as I tried to pull him out, a gray-colored alien attacked me from behind." He winced, his hand instinctively going to his side. "I don't know what kind of alien it was, but it trapped me in this ice capsule. I've been unconscious ever since.""It's an Alien Groza. Most probably, Grozam, the last one." Orb added, his expression grim.Filis continued. "But before I blacked out, I saw something... A glimpse of the place Chief Hikari fell into. I pulled his hand, and for a brief moment, I saw... kaiju souls floating in the air, like ghosts." His voice dropped lower, haunted by the memory. "I heard faint roars, echoing all around."Orb's eyes widened in realization. "The Monster Graveyard..." he whispered.Taiga coincidentally looked up, pointing toward the sky. "Isn't that the way to get there?" High above, an Ultra Zone appeared, which is the gateway to the Monster Graveyard.Filis nodded weakly. "That's where Chief Hikari must be. You have to go. Save him," he urged. "I'll return to the Land of Light and get help."Taiga and Z exchanged a glance, hesitant. "But... we're just trainees," Z said nervously, shifting from one foot to the other. "The lowest-ranked members of the Inter Galactic Defense Force..."Taiga nodded in agreement. "Yeah, this is way out of our league, Filis-san. We're not ready."The masked warrior, suddenly stepped forward. In a silent but powerful gesture, the warrior handed Taiga and Z a circular pod-like items. The moment it touched their hands, a surge of energy flowed through them before a full-body armor emerged and enveloped their bodies."Aren't this the Cosmotechtors?" Taiga asked, eyeing the device.Filis-san simply nodded, a glint of determination in their eyes. "Taiga, Z. You should be honored to be trusted with the Cosmotechtors. Rumors suggests that only the wisest and bravest warriors are chosen to wield them. Therefore, it means that he's confident with your strengths," Orb said firmly."But still, Filis-san..." Z muttered, as he looked at the unwell Filis concern evident in his eyes. Filis smiled faintly, holding up a small capsule filled with glowing energy. "What are you still thinking about? I'm not a kid like you guys anymore. I will take care of myself this time. Also, I came prepared." Filis explained as he revealed an Energy Antidote capsule in his hand, which can replenish an Ultra's internal energy level.Finally, Z and Taiga n odded in understanding, reassured by Filis's preparedness.As Filis prepared to leave, he turned to them one last time. "Be careful. Make sure I'll see you boys back."With that, Filis took off, returning to the Land of Light, leaving the four Ultras behind. The masked warrior stepped ahead, leading the way toward the ominous portal in the sky. As the gateway to the Monster Graveyard opened before them, the Ultras felt an eerie chill settle over the battlefield.Unseen by the group, as the sky closed behind them, the battlefield fell quiet once more. In the distance, something stirred in the shadows—a faint, steady sound. It wasn't quite a growl, nor a roar, but something more restrained, like measured breathing.The sound was subtle, almost like the faint rhythm of air moving through lungs, quiet yet deliberate. Though no figure revealed itself, the air seemed to ripple with an unseen presence. It lingered briefly, watching... waiting.Then, just as quickly as it appeared, the breathing faded into the distance, leaving behind an eerie silence, as if the very land had been holding its breath.Meanwhile, deep in the Valley of Fire, Mebius barely managed to dodge the fiery blasts of the giant kaiju, his movements becoming more desperate as the onslaught of attacks intensified. The ground crumbled beneath him as fireballs obliterated the rocky pathway, sending him crashing down onto the molten surface. His feet seared with pain, and his color timer began blinking—a clear sign that his energy was dangerously low.Just as the beast of Rashuwa prepared to finish him off, a shadowy figure appeared. It was the masked warrior who saved him before. The warrior, without hesitation, blocked the kaiju's flamethrower-like attack with a sword, the fiery breath splitting against the blade. The force pushed him back, but he gritted his teeth and, with his free hand, reached out to Mebius, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him out of the burning ground.When Mebius landed at the other side of the path, the warrior glanced back at Mebius, giving a clear gesture to continue on his mission.Mebius hesitated, torn by the decision. Before he could make a choice, the kaiju unleashed a devastating blow on the warrior. The warrior's armor cracked, revealing a glimpse of red skin beneath."A red skin..." Mebius thought to himself, realizing the warrior was not an ordinary alien. With each step the beast took, it stomped on the warrior, crushing him deeper into the ground. Sparks flew as his visor shattered slightly, revealing a shining eye beneath the damaged mask."No way... an Ultraman?!" Mebius gasped, the realization hitting him hard. The warrior was not just an enigmatic ally but one of his own kind.The beast roared, its massive foot coming down again and again, forcing the warrior deeper into the molten ground. Each stomp seemed to bring the warrior closer to defeat. Seeing this, Mebius struggled with his decision, torn between continuing his mission and saving the warrior. Suddenly, with a force that shook the very earth beneath them, a voice boomed through the chaos, resonating with an almost supernatural intensity."GO! DON'T GO BACK FOR ME!" the warrior's command echoed like a thunderclap, reverberating through the landscape and cutting through the roaring flames and the beast's menacing growls. The sheer power of his voice, amplified by desperation and determination, left no room for doubt or hesitation. Mebius's resolve hardened, his heart steeled by the overwhelming urgency in the warrior's words.Ignoring the burning pain in his feet and the searing heat all around him, Mebius made his choice. "No... Not while I breathe." Despite the blistering heat, Mebius gritted his teeth and charged back across the lava-like surface, screaming in pain as his feet burned with each step. He knew the warrior couldn't last much longer.Suddenly, Mebius's body glowed brighter than before, a surge of power coursing through him as he pushed himself to his limits. His body changed as he tapped into a newfound power. His brave heart ignited, transforming him into a more powerful version of himself. His once fiery determination became something more—his eyes shone brilliantly, and a sense of unshakable resolve overtook him."What's that form?" the warrior gasped, realizing he was facing a force beyond his comprehension. With a roar, Mebius leapt onto the kaiju, unleashing a devastating Ultra Dynamite-esque attack. The beast reeled, struggling under the weight of the explosive power.Seizing the opportunity, the warrior broke free from the beast's crushing foot. The shoulder pads of his armor crackled with energy before he fired a mighty lightning ray, striking the kaiju dead-on. The combined force of Mebius's new maneuver and the lightning ray was too much for the Beast of Rashuwa to withstand. It let out one final, earth-shattering roar before exploding in a spectacular display of fire and debris.As the smoke cleared, Mebius was standing on the far side of the battlefield, seemingly unharmed, his new form still glowing faintly. Ironically, it was now Mebius who reached out his hand to the warrior, offering help. The warrior hesitated, then accepted, rising to his feet with a nod of gratitude. "You shouldn't have come back for me." Mebius simply smiled, his eyes filled with determination.Together, they walked side by side, crossing the ruined battlefield until they finally reached the other end of the rocky pathway. There was still much ahead of them, but for the moment, they had won.In the shadowy recesses of the Monster Graveyard, the Darkness Five remained oblivious to the recent events that had unfolded. Their dark figures loomed ominously, barely illuminated by the dim, flickering light of the distant lava. The air was thick with tension as their voices echoed through the cavernous space.The impatient Temperor, with his fiery eyes blazing, turned to Deathrem and Grozam. His voice was sharp and irritable, "Hey, Filis, is Mebius truly the right choice for our plan? We've put a lot on the line here."Deathrem, with a scowl etched on his face, added, "Yes, Filis. The stakes are high. Why should we trust that boy?"Filis, maintaining his composure, nodded solemnly. "Mebius is the perfect choice. His strength, his resolve—he's precisely what we need to bring about the change we desire. He may not realize it yet, but he will be instrumental in our plans.""Besides, can you go down there yourself? I bet you'll turn into dust within seconds of entering." Mefilas interjected, his voice dripping with sarcasm.Meanwhile, behind a large, jagged rock, Orb, Taiga, and Z remained hidden, their breathing steady but their eyes sharp with anticipation. They had been instructed by the masked Ultra to stay behind and wait for the signal. The three Ultras were on high alert, ready to act at a moment's notice."I'm still curious. Why can't we go down there with him?" Z whispered, breaking the tense silence.Orb shook his head, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the underground. "It's scorching here. And we're sitting far from the opening. Who are you, Fireman?!" he replied, his tone resolute.Taiga, on the other hand, ever observant, squinted towards the gathering of figures in the distance. His eyes widened in shock as he recognized two of them. "Hey, look at them. Look at the ones on the hills... isn't that Filis-san? Why is he here? Is that a doppelganger? Or, the guy with us before?"Orb's gaze followed Taiga's, and he too saw the familiar figure of Filis among the shadows of the Darkness Five. "I'm pretty sure the guy we've seen earlier is the real one. I can feel it. That guy's aura is different."Z, on the other hand, seems to be focused on the other figure. "Hey, the other guy looks an Ultra, don't you think?"Taiga narrowed his eyes, taking a closer look at the second figure standing next to Filis. His breath caught as he spotted the Star Marks on the figure's chest, a signature feature unmistakable to any Ultra who knew him."Wait... No way," Taiga whispered, a sense of disbelief creeping into his voice. "Those Star Marks... That's Hikari-sensei!"Orb and Z leaned forward, studying the figure more intently. "You're right! That's definitely Hikari-san. But something's wrong..." Orb replied, as the familiar shape of the head and the distinctive crests only confirmed Taiga's observation."Look at his face," Z added, his gaze fixed on the unusual eye-mask-like device covering Hikari's eyes. "What's that thing on his face? Why would Hikari-sensei wear something like that?"The three Ultras exchanged uneasy glances, their confusion growing. "I don't remember the Armor of Vengeance looking like that..." Orb muttered, his voice tinged with suspicion. "It looks like some kind of control device. Could he be... brainwashed?"Taiga clenched his fists, a mix of anger and concern welling up inside him. "If he's under some kind of mind control, we need to free him. Hikari-sensei would never fight for the Darkness Five of his own will."Z nodded, determination filling his eyes. "But we need to play this smart. If Filis and the Darkness Five are controlling him, rushing in might put him in more danger."Orb kept his focus on the group, trying to gauge their next move. "We need to wait for the his signal. If we act now, it could blow our cover. Let's trust the plan for now."But as they watched, the tension between them grew. Seeing Hikari in such a compromised state sent a chill through the trio. The revelation of Filis' presence had already shaken them, but the sight of their ally and friend under the sway of the enemy was something they hadn't prepared for.As the Ultras continued to observe, the tension among the Darkness Five was palpable. Their plans were shrouded in secrecy, and the presence of Filis and Hikari added a layer of intrigue and concern. The heroes remained hidden, their thoughts racing as they prepared for whatever came next.In the meantime, Mebius and the warrior struggled as they emerged from the second Lava Gate, their bodies weakened by the intense heat and searing flames that had tested their endurance. Every step was a battle, but they supported each other, pushing forward with unwavering determination.Inside the chamber beyond the gate, a space filled with mysterious and ancient artifacts greeted them. Relics of unknown origin lay scattered, their purpose long forgotten."What is this place? Are these some kind of forbidden items?" Mebius whispered, his eyes wide with curiosity and caution. At the center of this space, bathed in an eerie glow, stood a crystal-like structure with something dark sealed inside.Without a word, the warrior unsheathed his sword, eyeing the crystal with focused intent. He swung with great force, his strikes echoing in the chamber. Despite his efforts, the crystal refused to yield. Frustration flickered briefly in his eyes as the blade met the unbroken surface once more.Mebius, still recovering from the ordeal, approached cautiously. "Let me try."The warrior stepped back, his breathing heavy but his gaze steady. Mebius raised his Mebium Blade, channeling his remaining energy. With one swift, deliberate strike, the blade cut through the crystal. To their surprise, it shattered instantly, revealing a dark, diamond-like object that pulsed faintly.The warrior glanced at the object, then at Mebius. "You did it," he said, his voice low but firm.Mebius nodded. "Thanks for the help, anyway," he said, slightly breathless but grateful.As Mebius reached for the glowing core, his hand trembling from the growing pressure in the room, he called out to the warrior, "Let's go. There's still time."He took a few steps forward, but before he could move any further, a sudden force yanked him back. Light ropes materialized around him, restraining his movement. The next moment, a brutal kick landed squarely on his back, sending him crashing to the ground face-first. The core slipped from his grasp and rolled across the floor, picked up by none other than the warrior himself."What are you doing? Give it back!" Mebius' voice was thick with confusion and desperation, but the warrior stayed silent, coldly observing him. Then, a surge of electricity coursed through the light bindings, causing Mebius to writhe in pain as his energy drained from the wounds sustained in their earlier battle. The core began to glow faintly, reacting to the siphoned energy."Was this your plan all along?!" Mebius growled, struggling back to his feet. But his efforts were met with another sharp jolt, the intensity of the electrocution rising."You'll understand it later, Mebius. This is for your own good," the warrior replied, holding the item as it pulsed with growing light."Stop it! I need this to free my brothers!" Mebius' voice cracked, the desperation clear as he fought against the restraints. "Why... Why are you doing this? I saw your face beneath that mask. Where's your heart as an Ultraman?!"The warrior's gaze darkened, his expression hardening. "My heart? It died a long time ago, Mebius!" He stepped closer, his voice rising with anger. "I'm doing this so you won't live with the same regret!" His eyes blazed, emotions that had been buried deep now rising to the surface. "I've seen the future, Mebius. I lost everything! That's why I can't let you make the same mistakes I did."Mebius faltered, the warrior's words striking a chord. "Regret?" he whispered, uncertainty seeping into his heart. "What kind of future...?"Taking advantage of the momentary hesitation, the warrior increased the drain on Mebius' light energy, his own power feeding into the core. The room hummed with energy as the core's light intensified. With a grim determination, the warrior raised his hand, summoning his weapon back. The boomerang-like weapon transformed, reshaping itself into a brace-like device that fitted into the palm of his hand."What... what is that?" Mebius asked, staring at the device."A key... for a better future," the warrior answered cryptically. The core in his hand shone brightly, fully activated. A blinding burst of light surged from it.The warrior prepared to insert the core into the palm brace, but before he could act, Mebius' body began to shudder violently. His silver and red form shifted, his skin darkening into a more dominant red hue, as if his very essence was devolving. The warrior paused, eyes wide with shock and concern."That form..." the warrior whispered, his voice betraying a rare moment of pity.But before the warrior could act, a sharp pain exploded through his back. He gasped in agony as Filis emerged from the shadows, his blade driven deep into the warrior's back."You've meddled enough," Filis sneered, his voice cold and devoid of mercy.Gripping the warrior's face with one hand, Filis summoned a sphere of crackling energy in the other. "Let me go!" the warrior cried, struggling in vain. Filis only tightened his grip, his expression one of cruel satisfaction."You really thought I didn't know who you are?" Filis mocked. "How naive." Without hesitation, he shoved the energy sphere directly into the stab wound, unleashing a devastating shockwave that sent the warrior crumpling to the ground. The impact also caused an electrical surge to rip through the warrior's mask, cracking it open with a deafening snap.The warrior's body convulsed violently before collapsing, lifeless. Filis, with a smirk of triumph, snatched the glowing core from the fallen warrior's grasp and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Mebius behind.Weak and barely able to move, Mebius crawled towards the lifeless warrior, his heart pounding with dread. Trembling, he turned the body over, his breath catching in his throat. As the shattered mask fell away, Mebius' eyes widened in horror.The warrior's true identity was none other than...Far from the heart of the valley, hidden behind the jagged rocks, Orb, Z, and Taiga crouched low, their eyes fixed on the valley's exit. Tension hung thick in the air as they waited impatiently for the warrior to emerge."He's taking too long," Taiga muttered under his breath, glancing at his companions. "Something's wrong."Z, his usual calm demeanor starting to crack, nodded. "We should've heard something by now. Maybe—"Before he could finish, a shadow appeared at the mouth of the valley. The three Ultras straightened up, expecting the warrior. But instead, it was Filis who stepped out, clutching the glowing core in his hand."Wait... is that Filis?" Orb's voice was laced with disbelief. "What is that in his hands?"The three Ultras exchanged worried glances, their hearts sinking as Filis walked confidently toward the gathering point. Something had gone terribly wrong.On the other side, at the same location where Filis appeared, the Darkness Five and the brainwashed Hikari had been watching the valley entrance as well. They had anticipated the warrior to succeed, but now their eyes widened in shock as Filis approached with the item in hand. Their confusion quickly turned to horror."Took you long enough, Filis!" Temperor rejoiced as he saw the item in Filis's hands."I thought you wanted Mebius to bring the item to you," Deathrem asked, confused."I got a bit too impatient. But, nonetheless, he had finished his part. Now, it's time for mine." Filis smiled confidently as he held the item up for all to see, knowing that his role in the plan was about to unfold. "Behold!" Filis screamed as he raised the item, firing a blinding light ray to the red skies of the subspace.His fellow villains, scattered around him, exchanged concerned whispers. At the same time, the ground beneath them began to tremble, a low rumble that steadily grew into a violent quake. Filis raised the core higher, and the place itself seemed to answer his call.Above them, massive chunks of debris from the surrounding cliffs and the distant skies began to converge, swirling together like a gravitational vortex. The core glowed brighter, its energy reaching out and pulling the fragments together, piece by piece."What is he doing?" one of the Darkness Five gasped, staring in disbelief at the sky.As the debris continued to swirl, it coalesced into a gigantic sphere, hovering ominously in the air. Its size grew rapidly, eclipsing the horizon, its energy crackling like unstable lightning.Mefilas' face paled as realization dawned upon him. He watched in horror as the sphere grew larger, dwarfing everything around it, its surface glowing with an unholy energy. His voice trembled as he whispered the terrifying truth aloud."Is that... the Plasma Sun?"The planet-sized sphere hovered above them, pulsating with unimaginable power, casting a shadow over the entire landscape as the episode ended with the looming threat of annihilation.