Chereads / The Ultraman Mebius EPILOGUE: Ghost Rebirth / Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Descendant of Light

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Descendant of Light

As Grimdo's colossal form emerged from the depths of the void, its ominous presence filled the space with a dark, tangible aura. The beast's twisted, massive frame loomed over the battlefield, and from its central eye shone a menacing glow as it began to chant hauntingly in the alien tongue, "Vraek'tal shadur'kan..."Xenon's eyes widened in shock. "That phrase... It's the language of the Borges... it means 'Embrace the Darkness'..." Recognizing the phrase, he shouted, "It's speaking in the forbidden tongue... This is no ordinary kaiju—it's one of the ancient sealed beasts, Grimdo!"Grimdo's massive eye glowed, and with a simple gesture, Mebius' body was lifted into the air by an invisible force, helpless in the kaiju's grasp. Hikari, filled with horror, launched himself forward, trying to intercept."No... Let him go!" Hikari shouted as he rushed forward, but before he could get close, Grimdo's telekinetic grip flung him back through the air, sending him crashing into the other Ultra Warriors with staggering force.As the others helped Hikari to regain his footing, Grimdo's massive eye glowed once more, and a relentless rain of crimson projectiles from its jaggered back poured down upon them. "Take cover!" Hikari shouted, scrambling for cover behind jagged rocks.Blazar gathered his energy to unleash a powerful Howling Break, a powerful burst of sound after "opening" his mouth, which shattered the projectilesthat hit the sound waves. The onslaught, however, was relentless, and even his devastating attack was overwhelmed. Seeing the hopelessness of the situation, Neos and Seven 21 forcefully pulled Blazar away from the line of fire, dragging him to safety behind the same pillar of rock where they took cover.Grimdo, undeterred, unleashed a single, focused beam from its eye, striking the ground with a thunderous impact that split the ground open. The ground shook violently as the beam created a deep chasm, narrowly missing the Ultras. They knew they had to come up with a new strategy quickly if they were going to survive this relentless assault.After a brief moment, they realized that the scene had gone weirdly silent. The deafening sound of Grimdo's attack had ceased, leaving an eerie calm in its wake. Hikari cautiously peered out from behind a fragment of rock, his eyes narrowing as he noticed a long crack snaking through the ground where Grimdo's attack had struck."Hikari," Seven 21 whispered from behind him, "What are you seeing?"Before Hikari could respond, a subtle tremor shook the ground, and Grimdo's central eye pulsed with a sudden, knowing glow. Without warning, Grimdo fired another wave of crimson projectiles, faster and more furious than before. The blasts tore through their cover, shattering rocks and sending the Ultras scrambling."Scatter!" Neos shouted, his voice barely audible above the barrage.But the relentless hail of energy eventually led them to regroup in the open, exposed in the center of the battleground. It was then that they noticed that from the fissure, an eerie glow began to emanate, illuminating the darkness surrounding Grimdo. Slowly, shapes began to crawl out, twisted and disfigured, their movements unnatural and unsettling."Something's coming out!" Z exclaimed, his eyes widening in horror. The Ultras braced themselves for the unknown threat emerging from the fissure, ready to face whatever twisted creatures awaited them in the darkness. At first, the Ultras thought they were new monsters, but as the creatures drew closer, an icy dread settled over them.Their faces soon paled when the creatures came out of the fissure. "Those... those are the Ultra Soldiers that accompanied us," Seven 21 muttered, realization dawning on him. The Ultras were now faced with a horrifying sight - their own comrades, transformed into grotesque and malevolent beings by the dark magic of Grimdo."No way, they should be dead..." whispered Max, disbelief lacing his tone."They are. Look," Xenon pointed to the glowing dark yellow eyes of the once-familiar faces, were similar to the eyes of Grimdo itself."Telekinetic..." Seven 21 gasped, as the realization of the extent of Grimdo's power sank in.Suddenly, two of the reanimated Ultras lunged forward. Blazar didn't hesitate; with a fierce yell, he raised both hands and fired his Spiral Burrade finisher from both of his hands, bright spirals of energy streaking through the air and hitting the creatures directly."Did it work?" Orb asked, tension evident in his voice.The energy ripped through them, momentarily splitting their bodies apart. But as the smoke cleared, the fragments of the fallen reanimated Ultras began to knit themselves back together, reforming until they were whole once more. Blazar stared in disbelief as the creatures rose up again, as if nothing had happened."What... how is that even possible?" Taiga's voice was filled with confusion.Before Blazar could react, the reanimated Ultras lurched toward him, their hands stretching and wrapping around his wrists, pulling him closer."No!" Taiga shouted, reaching out to try and help Blazar, but it was too late. Blazar tried to pull away, but his hands were stuck, sinking deeper into their bodies as if they were made of a viscous, unbreakable tar."Hold on!" Z shouted, him and Taiga charging forward and delivering powerful kicks to the reanimated Ultras gripping Blazar. The blow sent the creatures stumbling back, wrenching them off Blazar. "You okay?"But when he turned to look, his heart sank. Blazar's normally fierce eyes had glazed over, replaced by a hollow, soulless stare. His body stiffened as the eerie, corrupting energy spread over him."Run away from there, you two!" Hikari warned, recognizing the danger of the situation.But Blazar—no longer himself—lunged forward, snarling with a low, guttural growl as he joined the ranks of the reanimated."He's... he's become one of them," Seven 21 murmured, his voice breaking.As Blazar rose to his feet, his movements now slow and jerky, the other reanimated Ultras mirrored him, their hollow, glowing eyes fixed on the remaining Ultras. The twisted, corrupted figures slowly began to break into a frenzied charge, arms outstretched as they ran toward the battle-worn warriors.Seeing Blazar among them, Z's eyes widened in shock, his initial horror giving way to pure panic as he stumbled backward, tripping over the broken rocks scattered around him. "No... this can't be happening," he muttered, his voice laced with fear.Before Z could fully gather himself, Blazar's reanimated form lurched forward, moving with an unnatural speed. In a panic, Z turned to run, desperate to put distance between himself and the corrupted form of his comrade."Z-san, hold on!" Taiga shouted, stepping in to intercept Blazar, his fists glowing as he prepared a strike. He threw a powerful punch, but Blazar deflected it with surprising strength, catching Taiga off guard. With a brutal swing, Blazar hurled Taiga through the air, sending him crashing into the jagged rocks nearby."Taiga-senpai!" Z cried out, only to realize that Blazar was now right in front of him, his hollow, empty eyes filled with a sinister glint. Before Z could react, Blazar lunged, sinking his teeth into Z's shoulder with a ferocity that sent a wave of dark energy pulsing through Z's body.A guttural scream escaped Z's lips as the corrupting energy coursed through him, his body convulsing. Slowly, his eyes glazed over, and the same ominous, hollow stare replaced his once-determined gaze. His body stiffened, and he began to move with the same corrupted, mindless rhythm as the other reanimated Ultras."Z-san...?" Taiga whispered, horror-struck as he crawled back, too shaken to stand. Both Blazar and the now-reanimated Z began to approach him, their vacant eyes fixed on their next target. At the same time, the second wave of reanimated Ultras emerged from the shadows, their twisted forms moving in unison towards the Ultras. The air grew heavy with the stench of decay as the once noble warriors closed in on their prey, their movements synchronized in a macabre dance of death.Just as Taiga was about to give in to despair, Hikari stepped in between Taiga and the reanimated Ultras despite his injury, his hand struggled to pull Taiga's trembling form to his feet while the other Ultras make cover for Hikari from the reanimated Ultras."Get up, Taiga!" he shouted, holding his ground against the corrupted Ultras."No, Z-san..." Taiga cried out, tears streaming down his face as he saw his friend lost to the darkness.Hikari's voice took on a tone of urgency. "We have to fall back. We can't fight them like this."Seeing Taiga's breathing grow rapid and panicked, Hikari firmly placed him behind a boulder, shielding him from the relentless onslaught of corrupted Ultras."Stay here. Don't move. We can't lose ourselves now," Hikari urged, his voice steady but strained with urgency. He could feel his own injuries flaring up, but there was no time to waste. Seeing Mebius was still trapped, and Grimdo's monstrous tentacles were coiling tighter around him, sapping his strength with every agonizing second."Hang in there, Mebius. I'm coming," Hikari thought, determination burning in his eyes as he charged towards the looming threat, ready to do whatever it takes to save his friend.Summoning what little energy he had left, Hikari sprinted forward, ignoring the oncoming horde of corrupted Ultras. His only objective was reaching Mebius, no matter the danger. In the midst of that, Xenon, noticed Hikari's reckless charge while he's busy fending off the corrupted Ultras."Hikari-san! Where are you going?!" Xenon shouted, but Hikari's focus remained unwavering as he pushed forward, determined to reach Mebius before it was too late. Xenon knew he had to follow Hikari and provide backup, despite the overwhelming odds.He looked to Max, who gave a nod of understanding. "Go! We'll hold them off," Max said, positioning himself defensively with the remaining Ultras, their stances firm as they readied themselves against the corrupted Ultras charging toward them. With a deep breath, Xenon sprinted after Hikari, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination as he raced to catch up and offer his support in the battle ahead.As Hikari neared Grimdo's towering form, one of the corrupted Ultras lunged at him from above, clawed hands reaching to drag him back into the fray. Hikari tried to dodge but was snatched mid-air, struggling against the unyielding grip of the corrupted Ultra. Just then, a brilliant flash slashed through the darkness—the Galaxy Sword, wielded by Xenon, cleaved through the corrupted figure with a swift, precise strike, temporarily dispersing the horde around them."Xenon!" Hikari gasped in relief, grateful for his comrade's timely intervention."Don't ever do that again!" Xenon warned, a stern expression on his face as he helped Hikari to his feet. They shared a brief, determined glance before pushing forward together, battling their way toward Mebius.After a few frantic minutes of fighting an apparently endless number of zombified Ultras, their path would come to an abrupt stop when Xenon suddenly staggered back from the fissure, due to a sudden, sharp pain on his skin. Hikari immediately pulled him away from the danger and examined the wound, discovering that his skin had been severely burned."Are you okay, Xenon?" Hikari asked, concern evident in his voice. Xenon winced in pain but managed a nod, determined to continue despite the injury."What was down there?" Hikari glanced back at the fissure, a look of concern crossing his face. Hikari bravely approached the pit before a blistering heat surged up from the inferno below, searing the air and burning his skin even from where he stood, causing him to fall back.Xenon shielded his face from the heat, his eyes darting to Hikari. "This is madness. How can we cross?"Hikari knew they had to find a way to get across the pit, no matter how dangerous it seemed.As Hikari and Xenon assessed their surroundings, they could hear the chaos intensifying behind them. The reanimated Blazar and Z cut through the heroes holding the line, relentless in their attacks, while their twisted energy pulsed with every move, spreading dread among the remaining defenders.Because of their low energy, the heroes were quickly overpowered by the reanimated Ultras. Every one of their attacks seemed futile against the relentless onslaught, as the zombified Ultras continued to resurrect despite the pinpoint and precise nature of the attacks. Adding insult to injury, the reanimated Ultras seemed to be growing stronger with each resurrection, as they seemingly absorbed the light energy that the heroes were using against them. They realized they were facing an uphill battle, as their energy was being drained faster than they could replenish it, leaving them vulnerable to the unyielding assault.At one point, the reanimated Ultras noticed Taiga hiding behind a nearby rock formation and immediately turned their attention towards him, sensing his fear and vulnerability. Neos, Seven 21, Max and Orb, on the other hand, were occupied with trying to fend off the relentless attacks of the reanimated Ultras, leaving Taiga to fend for himself.Eventually, Taiga would be surrounded and outnumbered, with his head still horrified from the traumatic moments earlier. Just when it seemed like Taiga would fall to the same fate as the reanimated comrades, Orb intervened, blocking them with a surge of strength."Stay back!" Orb shouted, his fists glowing as he faced down the corrupted Ultras. He fought valiantly, managing to knock them back temporarily. Despite his efforts, Blazar, unknowingly closed in on him, biting down viciously on Orb's shoulder. A dark energy rippled through Orb's body, beginning the terrible transformation."Orb-san! No!" Neos cried out, as he, Seven 21 and Max watched in horror when Orb's body began to contort and change, his eyes glowing with a malevolent light. Taiga, on the other hand, was frozen in shock, unable to move as he witnessed his friend's transformation.However, Orb still retained a sliver of his consciousness, desperately trying to fight against the dark power that threatened to consume him. As his last act, Orb used the remainder of his strength to drive his Orb Calibur into the ground, summoning a shimmering barrier that momentarily shielded them from the swarm of reanimated Ultras."Now's the chance to run away, Taiga!" Orb shouted, his voice strained with effort. "I can't hold them off for long."When Taiga realised how serious the situation was, he broke out of his shock and crawled slowly away from Orb, tears running down his cheeks. He ran to safety, determined to honour his friend's bravery, knowing with a heavy heart that Orb's sacrifice would not be in vain.Just as the barrier took shape, the darkness finally overcame him, and he stumbled forward, joining the ranks of the corrupted Ultras. His scream echoed through the battlefield, a haunting reminder of the price paid for their escape. The once shimmering barrier now flickered and faded, unable to withstand the relentless onslaught of their enemies.As Taiga sprinted away, his heart raced with the weight of responsibility and fear. The lingering echo of Orb's scream haunted him as he ran, the world around him a blur of smoke and shadows. But the battlefield didn't grant him much reprieve. Just as he found a brief moment to catch his breath, an unearthly roar erupted from behind him. He turned in horror to see the corrupted forms of Blazar, Z, and now Orb himself, surging toward him with renewed fury.From a distance, Max caught sight of Taiga, his heart sinking at the scene. "Senpai-tachi, cover me!" he shouted, motioning for his allies to hold the corrupted Ultras back. Neos and Seven 21 nodded, each one pushing through the haze to fend off the incoming horde.As Taiga stumbled, tripping out of sheer panic, Max sprinted over just in time. He summoned his Max Typhoon, creating a powerful whirlwind that temporarily interrupted the path of the zombified Ultras, slowing their relentless advance. Seizing the moment, Max pulled Taiga to his feet and out of immediate danger."Taiga, snap out of it!" Max said, gripping his friend's shoulders firmly. Taiga's breathing was ragged as he struggled to calm down, his eyes still wide with the shock of what had just happened to Orb. While he was calming the latter down, he noticed that two reanimated Ultras were making their way towards them, from the side that was unaffected by the whirlwind. Max quickly acted to prevent them from hurting Taiga.While his seniors was distracted by the chaos around them, Taiga, who was still shaken, suddenly heard an echoic, angelic voice in his head. "Taiga... Taiga..." The latter looked up, searching for the source of the voice, and saw a figure standing at a distance, surrounded by a soft glow."Mom...?", Taiga whispered in disbelief, as the figure turned out to be his deceased mother, Bella, who had passed away when he was just a baby. She smiled warmly at him before giving him a guidance in the midst of the chaos, by pointing to an object. When he observed the object, he realized it could be a key that would unlock the solution to the current situation."The Mebius Brace? Taiga recognised the item that belonged to his master; it appeared to be partially corroded, perhaps as a result of impact from the earlier Plasma Sun destruction."Grab it, my love. It holds the power to protect and guide you through this journey," Bella whispered softly, her voice filled with love and wisdom. Taiga, however, hesitated as the Mebius Brace was not that far from the swarm of the reanimated Ultras and he knew that retrieving it would be risky.Suddenly, Taiga noticed that his mother magically appeared beside him, as he felt the soothing touch of her hand holding his face. "Don't be scared. Have you forgotten about your dream?" Her words would transfer Taiga back to the memory of his childhood dream where he saw himself as a hero, fighting alongside the Ultras."Being an Ultraman..." Taiga muttered to himself, feeling a surge of determination and courage."That's right, my love." Bella whispered, her voice filled with pride and encouragement. "You were born to be a hero, just like in your dream." Despite that, he's still hesitated, due to the massive number of zombified Ultras that he would have to face. "Don't worry... Just remember, I'll always be by your side..." Bella reassured Taiga, her words wrapping around him like a warm embrace.However, her presence didn't stand for long as her glowing body slowly faded away, leaving Taiga to face the impending battle alone. But Bella's unwavering support gave him the strength he needed to push forward and fulfill his destiny as the hero he was meant to be. With newfound resolve, Taiga stood up on his feet and bravely charged towards the horde of zombified Ultras, reaching for the Mebius Brace."Taiga, where are you going?" Max called out, concern evident in his voice as he watched Taiga charge into battle. But Taiga didn't look back, his determination driving him forward as he prepared to face the ultimate challenge head-on. His sudden change in demeanor caught the attention of his seniors who watched in awe as Taiga fearlessly took on the enemy, embodying the courage and determination of a true warrior. "He's fighting on his own..." Max muttered to himself. The sight of their young comrade's transformation filled them with pride and hope for the future of the Ultra heroes."Max, leave this to us! Go and protect Taiga," Neos commanded, knowing that their combined strength was needed to ensure Taiga's success in battle. Max nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation, and raced to join Taiga in the fight against their formidable foe. Max's involvement would provide Taiga with much-needed backup as he was indeed struggling to hold his own against the powerful enemy.As Taiga was seen stumbling back as the corrupted Ultras charged at him, he heard Max's voice calling out to him from behind."Taiga!" Max's shout pierced the chaos as he surged into the fight, fending off the reanimated Ultras with a well-timed swing of the Maxium Sword. He shot Taiga a quick glance, worry evident in his eyes. "Are you okay? What's the plan?"Breathing heavily, Taiga steadied himself. "Max-san, we need to get the Mebius Brace right there!" Taiga soon pointed towards the direction where the Mebius Brace was lying on the ground, surrounded by enemies."Mebius Brace? It was here all the time. It must have been separated from Mebius from the impact earlier," His voice was laced with confusion and desperation, glancing at the brace amidst the chaos."Max-san, let's go!" Taiga urged, with Max nodding in agreement as they charged towards the said item. The two Ultras fought side-by-side, their synchronized strikes and blasts working to clear a path to the brace. They moved forward in a deadly dance of precision, with Max covering Taiga from one side and Taiga defending against oncoming attacks from the other. Each zombified Ultra they encountered lunged with relentless fury, their corrupted forms displaying shocking bursts of speed and strength that forced both Taiga and Max to fight harder with every step.As Max unleashed another barrage of Maxium Sword at the enemies, it pushed them back and gave Taiga a small opening. "Now, Taiga!" Max shouted, signaling for his partner to strike. Taiga seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful Storium Ray that obliterated the remaining zombified Ultras in their path.Just as Taiga reached out to grab the brace, Blazar, Z, and Orb all closed in on him, surging toward him with monstrous speed. Taiga braced himself, his grip tightening around the brace, but the three reanimated Ultras closed the gap with shocking swiftness. Taiga's eyes widened as he realized he was surrounded."Don't give in, Taiga!" Max's voice broke through the haze as he barreled into Orb, forcing him back with sheer determination. "Remember why you're fighting!"Steeling himself, Taiga took a deep breath and tapped into the courage his mother had inspired in him. His voice low but resolute, he murmured, "I'll save you... all of you."With renewed strength, Taiga blocked and redirected their attacks, avoiding fatal harm to the corrupted Ultras. Every strike he took drained him, but he moved with purpose, deflecting blows and staying focused, the Mebius Brace clutched tightly in his hand. It was as if his resolve alone shielded him, guiding his movements as he fended off Blazar, Orb, and Z.Max, noticing Taiga's fierce determination, took a defensive stance behind him. "Taiga, get behind me—now!" he commanded. With Taiga safely at his back, Max unleashed another of his Max Typhoon, a powerful whirlwind that tore through the battlefield, scattering the zombified Ultras momentarily and giving them both precious seconds to catch their breath.Together, they hurried back toward their allies, who were battling another horde nearby. As they regrouped with Neos and Seven 21, Neos immediately noticed the Mebius Brace in Taiga's grip, his eyes widening."Taiga... is that the Mebius Brace?" Neos asked, astonishment evident in his tone. Taiga managed a nod, but he was too drained to explain.Seven 21 quickly assessed the situation, his gaze shifting between the horde and their teammates. "Hikari and Xenon might know what to do with this. Let's regroup with them!"With a nod of agreement, all four Ultras combined their light ray powers to fire a powerful Grand Spark at the horde, temporarily incapacitating them. With the horde temporarily scattered by their combined efforts, the group seized the opportunity to retreat, moving swiftly to reach Xenon and Hikari on the other side of the battlefield.While the four Ultras were making their way out of the battlefield, Hikari and Xenon faced a daunting challenge of their own. They had been attempting to cross the same massive fiery pit from earlier, where the intense heat and bursts of inferno made each attempt even more dangerous and draining. As a result of these continuous attempts, their bodies suffered severe burns and their energy levels were rapidly depleting, indicated by their blinking Color Timers. In spite of this, they remain committed to saving Mebius by reaching over the pit."Xenon, are you still there?" Hikari called out, his voice strained from exhaustion. Xenon's response was barely audible over the roaring flames, but it was enough to give Hikari the strength to push forward.Xenon glanced over the pit, assessing the flames. "I won't leave here without Mebius!", he said with a hint of urgency. "We have to keep trying!"Nodding, Hikari steadied himself and prepared to leap once more. They both launched forward, but as they neared the edge, Grimdo seemed to sense their approach and intensified the flames, creating a wall of heat that send them back to where they came from.Gritting his teeth, Hikari prepared to jump again, only to hear Xenon screaming in pain as he was engulfed by the flames. He hobbled over to the latter right away to extinguish the fire. As Hikari tended to Xenon's injuries, they both realised that there was not much time left to save Mebius.Things got more tense when a chant from Grimdo began to resonate through the air, echoing with an ominous cadence: "Shadur'kan n'raek'tal'ren zail'ra.""Did you hear that?" Hikari asked Xenon, his voice filled with concern. "Isn't this the chant from earlier?"Xenon froze, his eyes widening. He recognized the ancient chant. "This isn't the same..." he murmured, glancing at Hikari with worry. "Consume the darkness, devour the light." Xenon added, his voice barely above a whisper.Ahead of them, Grimdo's massive tentacles lifted Mebius high into the air, his body hanging limp as streams of light poured from him, feeding into Grimdo itself. Mebius's weakened form began to convulse involuntarily, the energy drain visibly taking a toll on him.Hikari staggered forward, grimacing with pain but fueled by determination. Watching Mebius's light being siphoned away, he clenched his fist, and with a final surge of strength, launched a precise beam of energy at one of Grimdo's thick, pulsing tentacles holding Mebius aloft. The blast struck the dark tendril, sending ripples of energy up its length and momentarily disrupting the steady drain on Mebius. Grimdo's form convulsed slightly, pausing as though in irritation.The attack seemed to have no effect, and Grimdo only grew more enraged. With a roar, it launched a barrage of missile-like projectiles at Hikari and Xenon. Due to their injuries, they couldn't avoid the missiles which exploded upon impact, sending them both flying backwards in a shower of sparks and debris.Before they could recover, another wave of missiles came hurtling towards them. Fortunately for them, Taiga intervened in time, firing his Swallow Bullets as he moved towards them with Max, Neos, and Seven 21. The firepower managed to intercept the incoming missiles, providing a brief respite for Hikari and Xenon."Hikari-sensei! Xenon-san! Are you okay?", Taiga shouted as he reached their side, concern evident in his voice."Taiga, you came..." Hikari breathed out in relief, his voice strained from the impact.Taiga looked back at Hikari and the other Ultras with a determined expression. "Hikari-sensei, senpai-tachi, let me take the lead in this battle. I won't let Grimdo destroy everything we've worked for."Then, he handed over the Mebius Brace, which Hikari took with a surprised glance. "Why do you have this, Taiga?" he asked, but before Taiga could respond, another barrage of dark projectiles came their way.Taiga reacted quickly, firing Swallow Bullets to intercept the incoming missiles. However, Grimdo seized the moment to unleash its Grim Bolt—a surge of dark lightning that crackled from its horns, striking each Ultra with forceful precision. The sudden attack took them all by surprise, and one by one, the Ultras dropped to their knees, temporarily stunned.While they were momentarily incapacitated, Grimdo took advantage of the situation by launching a concentrated lightning beam of energy from its hands, aimed directly at them. Gritting his teeth, Taiga managed to retaliate with an uncharged Storium Ray. The two beams collided in a fierce explosion, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Taiga, though unsteady, rose back up and positioned himself in front of his allies, bracing for whatever Grimdo might throw at them next.Intrigued by Taiga's resilience, Grimdo began charging its energy to fire the Grim Ray. Taiga, undeterred, charged his power to fire the Storium Beam. Yet, despite his effort, the Grim Ray overpowered his Storium Beam in the beam struggle, knocking him back into the waiting arms of his comrades, the force of the impact leaving him visibly drained.As Taiga struggled to regain his footing, Grimdo fired a second Grim Ray right away, for the finishing blow. Taiga, who had been caught in the hands of his comrades, forced himself up and fired an uncharged Storium Ray once more, sensing the approaching threat. Seeing the previous outcome, the Ultras knew they had to come up with something to help Taiga to defeat Grimdo before it was too late.In the midst of the chaos, Hikari suddenly recalled something. "The Ultra Horn... That's it!" Hikari murmured to himself, realizing that the Ultra Horn had the ability to absorb light energy.With a newfound determination, Hikari swiftly fired a Power Beam from his Color Timer to the youngster's Ultra Horn. "Arghhh! What is this?!" Taiga cried in pain as the light energy was absorbed by the Ultra Horn, creating a powerful surge of energy within him. Like his father, Taiga, was overwhelmed by the sudden surge of power coursing through him. Nevertheless, the maneuver worked, as the Storium Ray immediately gained strength in the beam struggle."Taiga, focus! Channel that pain and turn it into strength," Hikari shouted, encouraging him to harness the energy within. Taiga gritted his teeth and concentrated, using the absorbed light energy to fuel his attack against the opponent. As a result, the Storium Ray grew even more powerful, pushing back the enemy with an intensity that surprised everyone watching. Seeing the positive outcome, the other senior Ultras would follow Hikari's lead and gave their energy to Taiga, further amplifying the strength of the Storium Ray.With their combined efforts, the Storium Ray managed to balance the scales of battle, giving Taiga a fighting chance against their formidable foe. Consequently, Grimdo became infuriated and began to intensify the dark energy within the Grim Ray, forcing Taiga to dig even deeper within himself to find the strength to continue the fight."Don't give up, Taiga! Use your full strength! We're all behind you!" Hikari shouted, rallying Taiga and encouraging him to push past his limits. The cheers of the Ultras resonated through the battlefield, creating a powerful wave of support that fueled Taiga's determination to emerge victorious. In an unexpected turn of events, while firing the Storium Ray, Taiga creatively converted it into the legendary Cosmo Miracle Ray, which quickly overpowered the Grim Ray.As the Cosmo Miracle Ray slowly reaching the enemy, Taiga decided to finish things once and for all. Using his creativity once more, he transitioned from the Cosmo Miracle Ray to the Cosmo Dynamite Ray, a rainbow-coloured beam fired from his entire body. In the end, the maneuver managed to overcome the Grim Ray, inevitably hitting the gigantic creature in the eye where the it was fired. At the same time, Mebius' lifeless body would be released from the creature's grasp, falling safely to the ground below. The impact caused the creature to let out a deafening roar before finally collapsing to the ground, defeated.At the same time, light particles would be emitted from the defeated creature, apparently signaling its demise. Hikari took advantage of the situation and lifted the Mebius Brace into the air before the light particles were absorbed by the item. As soon as they were completely absorbed, Hikari tossed it to Taiga."Taiga, take this to Mebius!" Hikari shouted to the latter. Taiga nodded in understanding before dashing off towards Mebius, determined to deliver the Mebius Brace to its rightful owner.Later, as soon as Taiga reached Mebius's fallen form, he quickly placed the Mebius Brace on his forearm, hoping it would spark a revival. "Please work," Taiga whispered, his heart pounding with anticipation. Unfortunately, to his dismay, nothing happened. He tried again, adjusting the Brace, his desperation evident as he whispered, "Sensei, come on... please." Even as he pleaded, Mebius remained motionless.In the distance, the other Ultras noticed a strange, sinister light emanating from the area where Grimdo had crash-landed. "Hey, what's that light?" Neos pointed towards the glowing spot, concern evident in his voice. The light was strange—almost like a pair of glowing eyes staring back at them through the haze and debris.Hikari, unsettled by the sight, kept his eyes trained on the light: "Could Grimdo really still be...?" The tension in the air was palpable as the Ultras exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to expect next.The strange light continued to pulse, and just as the Ultras began to process its eerie presence, a new, more intense glow emerged from the same direction. This time, it resembled the shape of a gaping mouth, its edges flickering ominously in the distance. The glow from the mouth grew steadily brighter, almost as if it were charging. Suddenly, a loud echoic voice was heard."Vraek'tal shadur'kan..."Hikari instantly felt cold as he listened, aware of the impending danger. "Taiga, take cover, now!" Hikari's voice broke the tension as he shouted, panic rising in his chest.Unfortunately, it was too late.Before Taiga could react, a massive, dark ray shot forth from the glowing mouth, its destructive force like a violent storm, crashing into Taiga with unimaginable power. The blast shattered the ground around him, sending shockwaves of debris spiraling outward, the force causing the other Ultras to stagger and shield themselves. The light from the explosion consumed everything for a moment before it began to fade, leaving nothing but a smoking crater.As the dust and rubble slowly cleared, the Ultras cautiously began to regain their footing. Neos was the first to speak, his voice hoarse from the blast: "Taiga...?"Hikari and the others scanned the area, their hearts sinking as they searched through the haze for any sign of their comrade.Through the swirling remnants of debris, a figure slowly rose to its feet. "Taiga, is that you?", Max called out, as he squinted through the dust to get a better look at the figure that resembled the latter. However, something about it was... wrong. The outline resembled Taiga's, but the figure was draped in dark, shadowy armor that seemed to absorb the light around it. Its eyes were a menacing red and yellow, and its energy felt strange—cold and ruthless.Xenon, noticed the imminent danger, quickly called Max to retreat. "Max, look out!" Without any warning, the figure open fired a beam of dark energy towards Max, sending him crashing into a pile of rubble. Before the others could act, the figure moved with terrifying speed, its movements a blur as it attacked relentlessly. The Ultras struggled to keep up, barely managing to avoid its devastating strikes. Neos and Seven 21 fired their Ultra Multi Ray projectiles, but they had no effect as the figure effortlessly dodged them, closing in before unleashing another blast that sent them crashing into a pile of rubble."Neos-san! Chief Seven 21!" Xenon shouted, but before he could react, the figure was already on the move again, striking hard and fast. One by one, the Ultras fell under the overwhelming onslaught, unable to defend themselves from the relentless, dark energy.The final blow came when the figure reached Hikari. In a flash of movement, it grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground as though he weighed nothing. Hikari's eyes widened in shock as he struggled against the cold, crushing grip, feeling the pressure in his chest. His vision blurred as he looked up at the face of the figure, a face that looked eerily familiar."The eyes... Don't tell me, you're Taiga?!" Hikari gasped, disbelief evident in his voice. The figure, however, didn't say anything but instead tightened its grip, causing Hikari to gasp for air. Despite that, Hikari still insisted on calling out the figure's name, hoping to break through whatever darkness had consumed the youngster despite the dark armor and the malicious aura that surrounded the figure, Hikari could see glimpses of Taiga beneath it—his features, his stance, his fighting spirit.. "You have to fight it! This isn't you!"But something was terribly wrong. He could feel the presence of a dark influence, corrupting his comrade's form. The resemblance was unmistakable; he was under the influence of Grimdo. Desperate to reach Taiga's heart, Hikari tried once more: "Fight the darkness, Taiga! Remember who you are!"However, the effort was in vain as it was as though Taiga had been swallowed whole by the darkness. There was no response. The figure's eyes glowed even brighter, and the air around them seemed to crackle with dark energy. In that moment, Hikari realized he was facing not just a corrupted version of Taiga, but something far worse—the monster Grimdo had made him into. Instead of words, the figure responded with a violent burst of energy. Without warning, it released a vicious energy ball from its hand, sending Hikari crashing into a nearby rock structure with bone-shattering force. His body crumpled upon impact, leaving him gasping for breath as pain shot through every nerve.As the dust settled and the Ultras lay incapacitated, the figure—Taiga, or what remained of him under Grimdo's influence—took a moment to survey his fallen comrades. His glowing red and yellow eyes flickered with cold, calculating malice. The presence of the Ultras, once a threat, now seemed insignificant to him. His gaze shifted, focusing on his next target—the one who had stood beside him, the one who had trained him: Mebius.Hikari's desperate cries still echoed in his mind, but they were drowned out by the relentless darkness that consumed him. No longer was he the Taiga they knew. He was a puppet, controlled by Grimdo's evil influence, and nothing else mattered. The shadowy armor that encased him seemed to pulse with dark energy, its edges shimmering ominously.Without hesitation, Taiga turned towards Mebius's lifeless form, a twisted sneer forming beneath the darkness of his helmet. His hand rose into the air, crackling with dark energy, and in a sudden, violent motion, he summoned a massive ray blade, forged from a swirling vortex of malevolent light. The blade surged with destructive power, and the air seemed to hum with the intensity of its energy. With a roar of pure fury, the possessed Taiga brought the enormous blade crashing down onto Mebius's motionless form. The impact was earth-shattering. A wave of dark energy erupted from the strike, shaking the very ground beneath them. The force of the blow caused a massive explosion of debris and energy, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.The Ultras, barely able to move, watched in horror as Taiga lifted the blade high above his head. Neos, Seven 21, and Xenon were still struggling to regain their strength, unable to act in time. The moment was too fast, too furious. They could only watch in stunned silence as the destructive light blade tore through the very earth. Taiga's figure stood over the wreckage, the glow in his eyes dimming slightly as the battle haze settled around him. He had done it—he had ended Mebius.As Taiga's roar of triumph echoed across the battlefield, the scene was grim. Neos, Seven 21, Xenon, and Hikari lay battered and broken, unable to summon the strength to stand. The realization hit them all—the feeling of deep despair, the hollow sensation of having failed to protect a comrade they had sworn to stand beside. For a moment, silence settled, broken only by the crackle of the malevolent energy still radiating from Taiga's shadowy form.But then, a faint glimmer began to rise from the epicenter of Taiga's devastating strike. It was subtle at first, just a distant shimmer, but it rapidly grew in intensity, transforming into a brilliant, blinding light that pierced through the dust and rubble. The radiance was so powerful, it forced the other Ultras to shield their eyes."What is this light?" Neos covered his eyes and whispered, his voice filled with awe and curiosity. Even Taiga, under Grimdo's influence, squinted against the overwhelming glow.From within the brilliance, a figure began to emerge, standing tall and unwavering. The light was unlike anything they had felt before. His entire form glowed with an intense aura, as though every cell of his being had become a conduit for pure, unstoppable light."Is that an Ultraman?", his voice tinged with both fear and wonder, Hikari sought answers. The sheer strength of his presence broke through the oppressive darkness, sending a warning flare of unease through the dark-influenced Taiga.Realizing his supposed victory was slipping away, Taiga let out a feral growl and launched himself toward the figure with fury. The corrupted Ultra's body flickered with dark energy as he charged forward, light blade in hand, ready to strike. But as he closed in, the figure dissolved, fading into pure light that left him swinging at empty space."It disappeared!" Max exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief as he and the other Ultras looked around in confusion, unsure of what had just transpired.Taiga staggered, disoriented by the vanishing target. His eyes darted around in confusion, searching for any sign of his opponent. Before he could react, a colossal blade of light, much larger than anything seen before, materialized high above, its radiance cutting through the floating continent like a sword of judgment. The blade sliced through everything in its path, sending a wave of light energy that illuminated the entire battlefield."What just happened?" Seven 21 shielded his head from the flying debris and light fragments and whispered in shock. Even, the Ultras couldn't believe the sheer power and destruction that had just occurred before their eyes.However, just barely, Taiga managed to twist out of the way, narrowly evading the massive slash as it cleaved through rock and earth, carving an enormous fissure across the landscape. Taiga stumbled back, finally understanding that this was no ordinary enemy standing before him—it was a power beyond anything his darkness could shroud.As he staggered back, he tried to steady himself, but before he could regain his footing, the mysterious figure was upon him. A surge of energy flooded the battlefield as the figure's form materialized behind Taiga, faster than any of the Ultras could track. In a blur of movement, the figure's fist, encased in a blazing aura, smashed into Taiga's armored back with unimaginable force. The impact was catastrophic—Taiga's dark form was hurled through the air, crashing into a nearby rock structure with a thunderous explosion that sent tremors across the shattered land.The very ground around the impact site fractured, and dust billowed up like a dark cloud. And then, amidst the fading dust, Hikari's eyes widened as he noticed a familiar gleam on the figure's forearm—a device similar to the Mebius Brace, although it looked more advanced-looking . His heart leapt. "It's... Mebius!" he shouted, his voice brimming with a mixture of astonishment and hope. Somehow, Mebius had returned, transformed, and infused with a light unlike anything they had seen before.Yet, even battered, the corrupted Taiga was relentless. Emerging from the rubble with a feral growl, his eyes glowed with wrathful determination. In a sudden, guttural shout, he roared;"Vraek'shal ta'rex Sirius!"His voice echoed across the battlefield, twisted and filled with malice, as if Grimdo's very essence was responding to this new threat. The Ultras, on the other hand, got confused as Xenon translated the meaning;"Curse you, Sirius?" The Ultras exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of the significance of the phrase. "Is he referring to Mebius?" This made the identity of the mysterious 'Sirius' even more enigmatic, leaving the Ultras with more questions than answers.Furious, Taiga raised his arm, summoning a torrent of dark energy. The corrupted light began to condense around him, forming a deadlier version of the Storium Ray. He unleashed it in a relentless blast, aiming to obliterate the figure he now called Sirius.With barely a gesture, Sirius raised a single hand, a shimmering shield of light forming effortlessly in his palm. The dark Storium Ray collided with the light shield, splintering into shards of dark energy that dissipated harmlessly. Taiga's rage intensified, and he unleashed another corrupted, but familiar attack—the Grim Ray, this time from his mouth, its vile energy laced with Grimdo's malevolent power.Sirius's gaze remained calm, almost as though he were calculating each move, his eyes reflecting both strength and sorrow. As the Grim Ray streaked towards him, he evaded it with minimal effort, his hand moving with fluid grace. His fingers stretched out, and with a deft motion, he redirected the beam back towards Taiga. The corrupted Ultra leaped back in time, narrowly avoiding the return of his own attack as it scorched the ground where he had just stood.The Ultras watched, awe-struck by Sirius's mastery over light, his ability to deflect and redirect the darkness without so much as breaking a stride. But within them stirred another feeling: a renewed hope, knowing that Mebius—now Sirius—had returned to lead the battle against Grimdo's dark influence, not only as a warrior but as a beacon to save their fallen friend.Then, Taiga and Sirius squared off, the air around them crackled with raw energy. Their movements blurred with sheer speed, leaving afterimages that flickered like lightning across the battlefield. Each clash reverberated through the shattered landscape as they darted from place to place in an unpredictable dance of strength and skill. In a split-second, Taiga launched himself toward Sirius with a barrage of furious punches, each one echoing with dark power. Sirius countered with fluidity and precision, blocking and deflecting each strike with a grace that seemed almost supernatural. In a sudden turn, Sirius sidestepped a powerful punch from Taiga, delivering a rapid strike to his side, sending shockwaves through the corrupted Ultra's armor. Taiga retaliated with a fierce roundhouse, forcing Sirius to leap back. But Sirius moved faster than Taiga could anticipate, his form blurring behind Taiga and delivering a thunderous kick to his back. The impact sent Taiga hurtling into the sky, spinning through the air as the ground below shook from the shockwave.Separated by miles now, Taiga steadied himself midair, his eyes blazing with wrath. Hovering high above, he snarled, summoning every ounce of darkness within him as his entire body began to glow with a dark red-like hue—a corrupted, darkened mirror of pure energy. A twisted smirk crossed his face as he charged his ultimate move, the Grim Dynamite, a powerful blast that seemed to consume even the light around it, gathering in vibrant colors. With a roar, Taiga unleashed the beam from every part of his body, similar to the Cosmo Dynamite Shoot he fired before, the enormous ray shooting forth with an intensity that split the very skies. It hurtled toward Sirius with destructive force, threatening to annihilate everything in its path. But Sirius remained calm, his gaze steady as he watched the incoming beam. Raising his hand, he summoned a radiant shield of light, but this was no ordinary defense. Instead of merely deflecting the attack, the shield began to shimmer with an intricate pattern, a portal forming within its luminous surface. The colossal beam collided with the shield, and instead of shattering, it was drawn into the portal's swirling vortex. The enormous ray funneled into the unknown, disappearing as if swallowed by the cosmos itself, leaving the battlefield in stunned silence. The portal closed with a soft shimmer, leaving no trace of the devastating attack.Then, Sirius reappeared above Taiga, his form blurring in a flash before he struck with a one-handed blast of light energy. The impact sent Taiga spiraling downwards, crashing through layers of rock and plunging him deep into the Valley of Fire's molten core. As he fell, Taiga, now seething with rage, gathered his dark energy, focusing it into a piercing Grim Ray from his very core—the corrupted Color Timer. The corrupted beam tore upwards through the valley, aimed directly at Sirius. But instead of dodging, Sirius gripped the crystal on his Brace, sliding it down. His entire body began to glow, radiating with an intensity that rivaled a star's light. Engulfed in this blinding brilliance, he launched himself headfirst into the path of the Grim Ray, accelerating with unstoppable force. His glowing form tore through the dark beam like a comet splitting the sky, obliterating the dark energy in his path until he collided with Taiga underground.The force of Sirius's impact created a shockwave that rippled through the molten depths. His hands gripped Taiga's corrupted Color Timer tightly as his radiance intensified, each pulse of light piercing through the armor, targeting the very essence of Grimdo within. Taiga convulsed, struggling under the searing touch of the light, and for the first time, a visible change flickered in his eyes—a glimpse of resistance, of the true Taiga fighting against Grimdo's grip. Taiga's body writhed, the dark aura surrounding him waning under Sirius's relentless glow. Grimdo's essence began to falter, its consciousness shaken by the blinding purity that encased it. In one last, desperate attempt, Grimdo's voice hissed out from within, its ancient language echoing with finality;"Xa'brul dar'ak Vraek'tal Shadur!"Hikari, still recovering aboveground with the others, heard the rumbling explosion from beneath and glanced at Xenon, his face etched with worry. "That...that was no ordinary blow."Max looked around anxiously, his heart pounding with fear of a disastrous outcome. "Will both of them make it out?"Before anyone could answer, a final surge of energy burst from beneath the valley as Sirius's physical form reshaped, elongating and refining itself into a radiant, spear-like entity, the very embodiment of light. With a final strike, he pierced through Taiga's body, releasing an explosion of dark energy that radiated upward, sending a shockwave rippling across the landscape. The eruption of light and shadow collided, and in the aftermath, a massive plume of dust and dark aura ascended toward the sky before dissipating.The Ultras shielded their faces, struggling to keep their balance as the ground shook one last time. As the dust settled, Neos broke the silence, his voice filled with hope and tension. "Is it over?"As the fog cleared, Neos's question was answered with a collective gasp from the Ultras: lying amidst the rubble, Taiga was found intact, his Color Timer restored to its original vibrant blue. The darkness had receded from his body, and when the seniors approached him, he stirred, blinking and regaining awareness. Relief flooded through them as Taiga slowly sat up, his voice shaky but clear."Wh...What happened?" Taiga murmured, looking around at his comrades. The memories of his battle, the control Grimdo had over him, began to surface, and he looked down, shamefaced. "Did I...hurt anyone?"Hikari rested a reassuring hand on Taiga's shoulder, his tone calm but firm. "You're safe now. Grimdo is gone."Things got better as they heard someone calling from the distance. "Hey, is someone there?They were so relieved when they realised that Z was the one who called, who was searching for them along with Orb and Blazar. They miraculously survived, and Grimdo's reanimation effects had faded."They survived... They survived!" Seven 21 exclaimed, relief washing over him. The group huddled together, grateful for their narrow escape and newfound freedom."Thank God, we made it out alive," Hikari said. "We owe it all to each other and our unwavering determination.""Now, let's go home, shall we?" Orb suggested. The group nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of camaraderie and unity that had strengthened during their ordeal.As they exchanged relieved glances, Xenon looked around, frowning as he counted heads. "Wait a minute...where's Mebius?"The question hung in the air, a chilling silence descending upon the group. Before anyone could respond, an agonized scream echoed through the valley, distant yet unnervingly close. They turned sharply, their gazes snapping to a nearby ridge where a figure stood, shrouded in a dark, pulsating aura."Hey, who's there? Are you okay?", Hikari asked as he approached the figure cautiously."Run away... NOW!" The figure screamed as he turned towards them. How shocked of them to learn that it was Mebius, but something was horribly wrong. His body glowed faintly with a dark energy, twisting and writhing as it clung to him, mutating his form with tendrils of black light. Yet, through the distortion, his voice broke through, filled with anguish and desperation."Mebius... why?" Hikari cried out, his heart heavy with sorrow and confusion."Don't go near me... RUN!" Mebius screamed in pain as he suddenly let loose a warning blast of evil energy that just missed Hikari and his companions. He managed to gasp, struggling against the darkness. His entire form seemed to shake as he grappled with the dark energy overwhelming him. His body continued to mutate into an unrecognizable mass of darkness, the tendrils of black light growing longer and more sinister with each passing moment. Hikari could only watch in horror as his friend was consumed by the unknown malevolent force.As Mebius' transformation progressed, his menacing power began to become apparent in the form of lighting that crackled and sparked with destructive energy, causing the ground to tremble violently, a deeper, more terrifying rumble than any they had felt before. The soil cracked beneath their feet, fissures spreading rapidly."What is happening?" Z asked, fear evident in his voice as he struggled to maintain his balance on the unstable ground.Soon, the ground itself collapsed, splitting apart in every direction. The landscape heaved, forcing the Ultras to stumble and struggle to keep their footing as the ground began to shift and separate, opening vast chasms between them.Max shouted, trying to reach Mebius across one of the widening fissures, his voice strained with fear. "Mebius! Hold on! We're coming to help!"But as they attempted to cross, massive tendrils of dark energy lashed out from Mebius, surging forward as if with a mind of their own, blocking their path and forcing them to retreat. The dark energy swirled in a chaotic frenzy around Mebius, whipping through the air and threatening anyone who tried to approach."Hikari, what do we do now? We can't come close to him!" Seven 21 asked, his voice tinged with concern. Hikari clenched his fists, his gaze intense as he watched Mebius struggle against his own power, heavy-hearted. As the destruction continued to unfold before them, Hikari made the difficult decision, abruptly. He summoned a large Travel Sphere, and teleported them out of the Monster Graveyard.Some of them confused, while the others protested. "What are you doing? Are you leaving him behind?" Xenon shouted, his eyes wide with disbelief. Hikari's jaw tightened, but he actually done it with a reason.While recovering from one of Mebius' attacks, he suddenly heard Mebius' voice, echoing in his head. "Leave me... Hikari..." Mebius pleaded weakly, his voice filled with pain and resignation."What are you talking about? We're not leaving without you!" Hikari replied telepathically, his heart torn between his duty and his loyalty to his friend.But Mebius's voice grew softer, more sorrowful, as he responded, "Hikari... I'm no longer myself. I'm a danger to everyone around me. You need to go, now." Hikari's heart sank deeper as he realized the gravity of the situation, but he knew he had to make a difficult decision for the greater good.The weight of the words sank in as Hikari felt Mebius's anguish, and he struggled to respond, his voice faltering. "Is there nothing that I could do?" Hikari asked, his voice filled with desperation and helplessness."The portal has appeared. Bring them out of here. This place is not safe for you." Mebius looked at Hikari with a mixture of sadness and resolve in his eyes, knowing that he had to protect his friend at all costs, although the darkness surrounding him made it clear that time was running out.Eventually, after a moment of consideration, Hikari made his decision. "I understand. I'll bring them out." Somehow, Hikari managed to find the strength within himself to take action, despite the overwhelming fear that threatened to consume him. "I'm sorry that I couldn't do more to help," Hikari whispered, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. Mebius nodded in understanding, grateful for Hikari's willingness to help despite the danger.With that, the telepathic connection began to fade, and Mebius's final words echoed, barely a whisper. "Tell the others... thank you... for everything. And that I'm proud to have fought beside them." With a solemn nod, Mebius watched as Hikari disappeared into the darkness, hoping that his friend would return safely.The scene shifted back to the Travel Sphere, where the other Ultras looked at Hikari with worry and confusion. Some were still protesting, unable to understand why they'd left Mebius behind. Hikari clenched his jaw, his mind replaying Mebius's words as he tried to block out their voices, knowing that, deep down, he had honored Mebius's wish.Suddenly, a deafening roar reverberated through the Travel Sphere, and the Ultras turned to see a flash of light behind them. They stared, wide-eyed, as the Monster Graveyard exploded in a massive burst of energy. Dark clouds billowed into the sky, punctuated by flashes of blinding light. An eerie silence followed, broken only by the soft, distant rumble of the explosion.Z's voice trembled as he spoke, a painful understanding dawning on him. "Did... did he...?""No, go back! Go back!" Taiga shouted and panicked, but it was too late. The Monster Graveyard was gone, along with any hope of ever finding Mebius again. The realization hit hm like a punch to the gut, leaving him feeling lost and defeated. The others tried to calm him down, despite themselves feeling the weight of the situation sinking in.Hikari, on the other hand, looked away, grief etched deeply into his face, the weight of Mebius's sacrifice settling heavily on his heart. He didn't respond; words wouldn't have sufficed. Instead, they all fell silent, each wrestling with their own heartbreak and the sense of emptiness left behind.As the Travel Sphere carried them further from the graveyard, the bright horizon lay ahead, but for the Ultras, the light seemed dimmer, tainted by the memory of a friend lost to the darkness.In a flash of dark energy, Mefilas and Grozam were forcefully expelled from the Graveyard's depths, landing on a hard, cold surface that echoed with emptiness. They scrambled to their feet, blinking as their surroundings came into view—a vast, pitch-black space, unlike anything they'd seen."Where the hell are we? Why is it so dark?" Grozam cast a wary glance around. He could feel a sense of foreboding creeping over him, as if they had stumbled into a place where even the light feared to tread. "Hey, where did you teleport us to, Mefilas?" he asked.Mefilas shook his head, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the darkness for any sign of life or movement. "I don't know, but I have a bad feeling about this," he replied."Idiot. If I knew this would happen, I'd left you there back then," Grozam muttered under his breath, regretting ever agreeing to Mefilas' reckless plan. Mefilas, however, shut his mouth to prevent any further arguments from escalating in the tense situation they found themselves in.As they slowly walked around, essentially 'blind', a rain of fiery projectiles lit up the darkness, crashing down upon them in a brutal barrage. Both aliens threw up defenses, narrowly avoiding the attacks. Grozam's eyes widened, recognizing the distinctive fiery signature."That's... that's Deathrem Inferno!" he shouted, glancing into the shadows. "Damn you, Deathrem! Come out here, you coward!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the darkness.Then, a figure emerged, half-shadowed yet unmistakable. "You... You're not Deathrem." Mefilas said, his voice filled with confusion and suspicion. The figure was another Alien Deathre, though this one looked twisted, evolved, and far more menacing than the ally they remembered.Mefilas scowled, his eyes narrowing as he addressed the new Deathre. "Funny... I thought the Deathre kind had went extinct."Just then, a chilling laugh echoed from the darkness. Grozam turned, tense, as another figure stepped into the dim light: an Alien Groza, his icy eyes fixed on Grozam with a sneer of barely concealed contempt."Granzer," Grozam muttered, fists clenched. "Of all places... you're here too?"Granzer chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery. "Surprised, Grozam? You shouldn't be. After all, you've always had a knack for showing up where you don't belong."Mefilas, ignoring their bitter reunion, finally demanded, "Where are we?"From behind them, a low, controlled voice cut through the darkness, smooth and unyielding. "In a realm far beyond your petty ambitions."The two aliens turned as a familiar figure stepped into view: another Alien Mefilas, robed in dark, ethereal fabric that shimmered like starlight. Mefilas's eyes widened in recognition, and he muttered, "Ambassador Mephisto..."Mephisto nodded, his eyes cold and assessing. "Welcome, Mefilas, Grozam... to the Supreme Emperor's Fortress."Mefilas took a breath, the ominous title sinking in. "Supreme Emperor? Who—what kind of power rules this place?"With a grim smile, Mephisto gestured ahead as the shadows parted to reveal a towering figure, surrounded by a corona of dark energy, clad in armor that seemed forged from galaxies and stars themselves. His face remained hidden behind an imposing helm, but his eyes gleamed with an unnatural, terrifying light. The air around him crackled, thick with a presence that felt both ancient and overwhelming.Mephisto's voice dropped to a reverent whisper, "You..You're the Supreme Emperor."Mefilas and Grozam could only stare, awe and fear warring within them as they took in the terrifying grandeur of the Supreme Emperor. They, the self-proclaimed tyrants, felt utterly insignificant beneath his gaze, realizing they were mere pawns in the presence of a force far more sinister than they could fathom.The screen faded to black, leaving only an eerie silence in its wake.