Author: Vincent Rodger | Banner: Connor Clennell | Narration: Matthew Reeds
The Land of Light, Three Days Ago
The bright purple skies illuminated the glowing white crystal formations across the planet’s surface, resembling Earth’s Aurora Borealis.
A giant of light with gigantic twin horns stood amongst the crystallized forest, his red cape flowing with the wind. His arms were crossed and his eyes gazed upon the sky while he awaited his most trusted generals to answer his call.
The Ultra Signal was luminous even against the stars.
The Father of Ultra had sensed a disturbance amongst the cosmos, something worse than anything they could have ever imagined. Even Belial’s reign of terror across their home would look like a child’s temper tantrum. The leader of the Land of Light turned his gaze as he sensed his generals had finally arrived, one by one the small group landed on the planet’s surface.
The first had appeared many times across Earth’s history, a silver and red guardian of light that would rise against alien invaders and kaiju alike. Known by many names; Lipiah, Noa, but most simply knew him as Ultraman.
The second agent of order had a mohawk-like blade on his head, metal covering his neck, shoulders, and chest. A V like pattern of silver laid across his being, golden eyes filled with wisdom looked to the one who called them all here, only to see the Father of Ultra standing there. Ultraseven of the Ultra Garrison knew right away that this was a true emergency.
The third resembled Ultraman quite a bit, but with a few noticeable differences in their appearance. A bracelet was wrapped around his right wrist and outlines of a thin red line laid outside of the almost identical patterns to his brother. So much so that when he was on Earth many years ago, humanity had falsely identified him as Ultraman, but Jack did not mind this.
The fourth had a crest just as Seven did, but this one has holes punched into it. His chest looked as if it was adorned with the straps of a backpack, a blue color timer between them. A blue dot laid on his forehead, and his red patterns were much more sporadic than his fellow Ultra Brothers. The “Master of Beams,” Ultraman Ace, had arrived on the scene.
The last Ultra that arrived resembled Lipiah and Jack, but had one noticeable difference. The star markings across his chest indicated his higher rank compared to the others. If a foe were to meet Zoffy on the battlefield and confuse him for one of his brothers, they would only find an agonizing demise.
“Uncle,” Seven said, “It seems that we are missing one of our brothers, where is Taro?”
The Father of Ultra walked over to them, cape flowing in the wind as the giant took his steps forward before coming to a stop. “He is still training the boy on Planet Boris. A shame, as this is a task that requires everyone present, but we must make due.”
The older Ultra turned to the stars above them before pointing to the celestial bodies. “There are ripples across this universe, time and space are seeming to collapse. Our strongest has already made the ultimate sacrifice to make sure that these ripples do not destroy reality as we know it.”
“You mean?” Jack spoke up to which the Father of Ultra nodded in response.
“Yes I am afraid so, but Ultraman King’s sacrifice has given us a fighting chance against what managed to escape these ripples, but what concerns me most is the origin of this. Earth.”
The brothers all looked to each other, they had all been on the small world before and while they knew of humanity’s many errors they could not believe what they had heard. The power to destroy the entire space-time continuum in the palm of their hand?
“I don’t quite know why this has occurred, but one thing’s for certain, humanity is involved in some manner. While the rest of you deal with ripples across the galaxy, one of you will need to investigate the planet.”
“I will go,” Lipiah said as he stepped forward. “I was the first of our people to arrive on the planet, I can even merge with Shin Hayata again if needed.”
Seven stepped forward, placing his hand on Lipiah’s shoulder. “You should not have to face this threat alone, if this is as dangerous as we are being told, would it not be better to face this together?”
The Father of Ultra returned his attention to his highest ranking officers, looking at Seven before speaking. “While your heart and logic are in the right place, there are planets that need our aid. Even with the likes of other planets with our people coming to help us in this time of crisis, we need all the hands we can get.”
Seven nodded before stepping back, accepting his role in this whole event.
“Where will the targets be?” Ace said, breaking the slight tension in the air.
“Energy signatures will be significant amongst the cosmos, but to even find those and not go in circles,” Ken pointed towards the stars behind the group, causing them to all turn in unison. “You will have a sign.”
Ultra Signs appeared before them, all light years apart and across the galaxy, some even seeming like galaxies away to them. “You must all go and aid your fellow warriors before one of these anomalies manages to cause more destruction.”
“Ken,” Zoffy spoke, “Did any of this have an effect on him? Has he escaped?”
The area grew silent as they awaited Ken’s answer, the older warrior taking in a deep breath before speaking his mind. “Belial is still in his prison, though just like us he did sense the anomalies and he has become more talkative than usual. However, he is still confined, we have nothing to worry about on that front.”
The Ultra Brothers all let out a sigh of relief, these anomalies would be dangerous enough to deal with, they did not need the Judas of their world to escape. The group all looked at each other before nodding, they knew what they needed to do.
One by one they flew into the stars, charging into distant space to make sure order was preserved within the universe.
Seven was the only one to look back as Lipiah began his journey, a sense of dread filling his mind.
“Good luck brother, and come back safe.”
***
Distant Space, Mere hours into Skull Island’s siege
The vast emptiness of the void was silent.
Among an asteroid field, a being of crimson red laid asleep, having just had his latest meal with the remnants of a flying saucer floating amongst the rock formation. The crew of the Kilaak ship was devoured without much resistance, the beast quickly destroying them with swift action.
Then the ears of the beast began to twitch… Screams… the sound of battle… the bat’s eyes snapped open, his emerald pupils dilating as they rose to their feet. The Korghan Beast looked towards the direction of the sound, cracking his neck before taking flight.
Heading into the direction of the source of the sound, a distant world that he would devour all on.
***
Now, our Solar System
The dark void.
Though Ultraseven was very familiar with space, the warrior felt a sense of nostalgia rush through him as he approached this particular solar system. Twenty-four years ago, the Ultra had defended against many threats of extraterrestrial origin.
He was the second of his race to visit this tiny blue world; it made sense why he would be chosen to find Lipiah’s remains and return him home.
Though he cursed at himself that he was not present in the battle that took his friend’s life, together they could have taken the copy of “The One Who is Many” with ease, his blood boiled that another one of his comrades was taken by the scourge of the universe. The gigantic humanoid began to pick up speed, sensing that they were present in the world the closer he got. He needed to retrieve answers from the “human” his brothers had spoken of.
The hero of humanity then stopped in his tracks near the blue world, spotting something in the atmosphere. It was gigantic and very much alive, the red beast clearly being seen devouring something, the corpse frozen as it floated in the planet’s orbit.
Ultraseven had seen many horrors across the universe in his time serving in the Ultra Garrison, but he had only heard stories of the beast before him, the Korghan Beast was almost as legendary as King Ghidorah themself.
The beast’s flesh was a crimson red, twin wings carried him through the void, a long tail swinging behind him. The creature resembled a grotesque bat, twin ears perking up as Seven arrived at the scene.
The mammalian extraterrestrial took another bite of the frozen corpse he found in orbit, the chilled blood floating off into the void. The infant kaiju had made a great appetizer before he descended towards the planet.
Green eyes pierced into the Ultra’s as the bat turned his attention from Daigoro’s corpse to the threat. He had heard the screams of all of those that had been slain in war, those that were silenced by them. Bagorah unleashed a cry at the humanoid before him, claiming that he would kill them, and then descend to the world below to devour the fallen.
Perhaps he would even have the strength and courage to kill the Apex of Wishes. Drool dripped from his maw into the void as he smiled at the very thought of the spoils of war.
Without another moment’s notice, Ultraseven charged forward, determination fueling him as he approached the extraterrestrial bat. Energy surrounded his hands before he threw multiple Shuriken Rays at his target, the projectiles missing as the mammalian kaiju dodged the attacks before slamming into Agent 340’s stomach. The hero was sent backwards before the demon unleashed a sonic roar, forcing him to cover his ears in pain as they ringed. Oxygen did not reside here, yet sound still traveled, such was the paranormal nature of the wretched one.
The Korghan Beast launched forward, raising his legs and sweeping at the Ultra, sparks flying from the slash as the bat’s talons scraped across Seven’s body. The Ultra Garrison member let out a grunt as he reached out to his attacker, grabbing the crimson destroyer by the leg before raising his knee and forcing it into his stomach repeatedly. Bagorah snarled in anger before unleashing another sonic roar directly at the enemy’s face, causing him to release his grip before biting into the humanoid’s shoulder.
Ultraseven cried out in pain as he wrapped his hands around Bagorah’s neck, applying pressure while he raised his leg in an attempt to kick the Korghan Beast off of him, only for the bat to shake his head back and forth in an attempt to make the hero bleed. The heroic giant released his hold with his right hand, reaching for the Eye Slugger on top of his head with his free hand while holding back the rabid beast.
Green eyes stared into his own with an intent to kill when he finally managed to wrap his hand around the weapon and with a powerful downward thrust, forced the blade through Bagorah’s side. The destroyer screamed in anguish, only getting worse as he was kicked away.
Blood flowed through the vacuum of space as the monster of legend spun in circles before coming to a full stop, managing to catch his balance by spreading his wings in the dark void.
Rage entered the mammalian kaiju’s mind as he stared at Ultraseven, the giant of light stood in the way of feasting on this world, and for that he would pay with his life.
The Korghan Beast once again charged forth, building up another sonic roar only for the hero to put both of his hands on his head and fire his Emerium Ray at the approaching target. The powerful beam struck Bagorah across the chest, earning another scream of pain, but to Seven’s surprise, the beast pressed onward. Blood floated still in the void as it left the wound, swiftly freezing and sealing the gash across his form.
The Ultra Warrior quickly ducked under the approaching beast and reared his hand back before swinging upward, landing an uppercut by striking Bagorah on the chin, sending him spinning as teeth and ichor flew from his maw.
As Bagorah tried to catch himself once again, Ultraseven teleported behind the beast before kicking the bat with all his might in the spine, forcing a yelp of pain from the beast’s jaws as he began to descend.
The gigantic humanoid charged forth as he reared the blade back before swinging downward, cutting into the flesh of the invader with swift action. Bagorah roared with rage as he attempted to turn, only for Seven to latch himself to his back and stab him repeatedly.
“I do not have the time nor the patience for this!”
The hero continued to stab into the monster’s back, causing the bat to shake with fury to rid himself of the pest, eventually throwing the giant off of him before firing Sonic Beams from his maw, striking him across the chest and sending him flying further backwards as sparks flew.
Bagorah charged forth with ferocity, opening his maw to sink his jaws into the giant of light’s skull. His attack almost landed, but was stopped by a strike to his temple, pushing him back before being quickly followed by a series of slashes from the Eye Slugger. The predator was engulfed in rage before reaching down and sinking his fangs into the hero’s flesh, pulling downward. The Ultra yelped before throwing the Eye Slugger upward, the blade flying before slashing into flesh once more, blood flying before being frozen as the weapon flew off in the distance.
The Korghan Beast roared with rage before attempting to bite his prey once more, only for Seven to reach out to his blade with his telekinesis and send it flying back to his hand, cutting through the other shoulder of the beast with quick action.
The mammalian alien wrapped his talons around Ultraseven’s arm, applying pressure as the hero attempted to escape his grasp. He shook violently to thrash himself away from the bat, energy surrounding the fanged maw before unleashing his Sonic Beams at the heroic giant.
As Ultraseven spun in circles from the attack, the crimson predator prepared to unleash another sonic roar…
His target vanished before his eyes, fear and confusion running through the alien’s mind as he observed his surroundings, before a foot crashed into his back. A series of small explosions engulfed his form. Bagorah roared with fury as he turned to see his attacker slam into him at full speed, the mammalian invader was caught in Earth’s gravity well, flames quickly covering Bagorah’s flesh as they descended at rapid speeds.
Ultraseven raised his blade above his head before stabbing into the chest of the alien with no remorse, blood flying before burning away, each strike having more force behind it.
Before the two knew it, they had entered the planet’s atmosphere, oxygen entering their lungs as they rushed past the clouds at rapid speeds before slamming into the ocean. The two combatants submerged under the waves in a matter of seconds as the water splashed upward, the element quickly shining green before Bagorah burst out of the sea. The bat took flight to escape his attacker, only for Ultraseven to appear before him without a sound.
“You won’t escape me!”
With all of his might, the Ultra warrior slammed his fist into his foe’s stomach, the attack landing a direct hit and sending him flying from the uppercut.
Seven quickly threw his Eye Slugger through his enemy’s flesh before teleporting above the Korghan Beast and once again repeating the process, moving at such a high speed that the destroyer could not track his prey’s movements, afterimages being left in his wake.
Bagorah opened his maw, puffing in his chest and preparing to unleash his Sonic Roar in one last attempt to defend himself from the teleporting hero, wind pushing past him fast and everything going dark…
The mammalian Titan has been vanquished with quick precision, the decapitated body falling into the waters below, sinking into the abyss as the oceans were dyed a bright green.
Ultraseven swiped the blade in the air, tossing the ichor into the sea below him before placing the weapon back on the top of his head. His attention then turned towards where he felt a strong energy pool, so many powerful kaiju in one place. That had to be his destination.
The hero once again took to the sky, heading towards where he sensed the others, hoping that whatever he would face with the others he could survive. For he needed answers from the human that fought alongside Ultraman against the artificial Ghidorah.
***
The East Sea
He could hear her scream.
The very Earth crying out to all that would answer the call as her form was plunged into chaos, her defenders had been slain and those that could hear her were now at the breaking point. Though few may have been lucky enough to be able to listen to her song, one felt only he was worthy to answer her call.
Beneath the sea lay an ancient being, a dark guardian of vengeance and destruction that when needed would awaken to defend his world. For the first time in eons, his eyes glowed harshly within the dark waters. The divine moth’s heart filled with rage as he felt the planet’s suffering, quickly moving out of his “tomb” at the bottom of the sea, causing rock formations to crumble into the abyss.
The dark half of the guardian of Infant Island began to travel through his environment, the sea parting before the colossi as he started his journey. He sensed life signs not of this world leaving an island in the distance. and now they were moving to another landmass, one brewing with energies of guardians like himself.
He was certain that this was their destination, that this would be where they make a final stand against the intruders.
The heart of Japan.
Winner: Ultraseven
A very special thanks to LDN-RDNT for some of the assets used in this banner for the K.W.C. Be sure to follow him on DeviantART, Facebook, ArtStation, and Instagram.
