Author: Vincent Rodger & Brendan Sheehan | Banner: Vincent Rodger
Space.
The inky black stretched endlessly, encompassing all one could see. The few lights that broke through it only illuminated the sheer width of the void, like a lantern simply showing the greater detail of the faces hidden within. Even as one came to a planet, they would only see it swallowed by the sheer emptiness that surrounded it until they arrived on its surface. In this far corner, the dark surrounded a strange, dark, and dead planet.
And something traveled to this forgotten world with a soul even darker than the all encompassing oblivion he traveled in.
Those who traveled the void knew there were ones who lightened it: the Ultras. Godly beings, gifted by their artificial sun with incredible power, which they used to protect the innocent from the terrors who lurked the eternal night. But long ago, one of their greatest grew jealous and vain, knowing there was more he could do then simple protection. He attempted to steal their power source and was banished. A terrible mistake, as he found other sources to grow his power. Now, those who trusted the Ultras knew there was a shadow stretching from their light. The greatest evil in the galaxy they attempted to contain… now freed.
Ultraman Belial’s twisted maw sneered as he flew towards the graveyard. One hand held the artificial star that granted his people unimaginable power, while the other gripped his prize, the Giga Battlenizer. This ancient artifact, created by the dreaded Alien Reiblood whose ichor strengthened his power, would give him an army. But first, he had to secure it from where they rested. Blazing, angular eyes of blood red looked upon the Monster Graveyard with joy.
The universe would bow before him. And it would be beautiful.
As the fallen hero began to enter the stratosphere of the dread planet, he spotted something hovering over the graveyard, making him stop. Alien crafts hovered above the planets, not enough to be a full fleet but enough to be visible from here. Belial snarled in frustration. He did not need these distractions, especially with the hurry he had. He had razed his home world, but he knew there were no doubt more Ultras stationed away from home rushing to him. He needed his army to make sure all would be under his claw.
“Bastards, out of my way!”
He threw his prize from the Land of Light towards the surface below the warships like a javelin, rushing past them without grazing a single one. The Plasma Spark’s holder forced itself into the earth with an instantaneous halt, the artificial sun undamaged. Now he could get to work.
Aboard the ship, the aliens of the Crisis Empire had a moment to stare in horror at the demigod before them, before he swung his staffed weapon and they met oblivion. A curved arc of energy slashed through the nearest ship, splitting it into two before both halves exploded into infernos. The explosion rocked Belial from where he stood, as he leaned to watch violent dominoes of flame. Ship after ship was overtaken, the bright orange glow growing seemingly infinitely. It danced in the orange crescents that made the Reionic’s eyes, as he observed the death of thousands with a single attack. A light rumble in his chest increased into a gruff chuckle, then into a mad cackle as he watched the chaos.
Such beauty, and he had only just gotten started.
Among the chaos, a ship took off. Inside, a golden warrior rushed around watching as his minions made the controls work. He struggled to contain his fear. The ships… so many soldiers… gone in an instant. General Jark shut his eyes and settled his mind, trying to not lose himself to anxiety. He turned to a Chap soldier and pointed.
“Keep moving! Our only chance is reach the graveyard. The revival of the warrior will aid us. The Crisis Empire will not fall! This fool shall die from the might of Shadow M-”
The world shifted around him as the dark Ultra lunged forward, snatching the ship in his hands. The alien warlord stumbled as the ship shook. Falling to his knees, he managed to look up through their display, seeing the corrupted giant of light sneer down at him. Panic filled his mind as the angry eyes glared down at him. Terror filled his evil heart as he looked upon a being who made his works look like child’s play. He turned and desperately called.
“Fire all weapons! Please!”
The order was never completed. The fallen hero crushed his fist, ending Jark and his men in an explosion of sparks and fire. Flexing his talons to rid them of the shrapnel, Belial nodded as he flew off. He paid no heed to the mission the invaders came to this world for. As far as he was concerned, it died with them. His goal was all that mattered.
Slamming a fist into the ground as he landed, the crimson shadow surveyed the dead landscape as he looked around, the souls of those vanquished by his “brothers” hanging with an ethereal glow of various color hues. Their souls were unmoving, until one by one eyes which were believed to be at rest turned their gaze towards the new arrival. Here would be where his dominion of the galaxy would begin! Slamming the staff into the ground, Belial called out to the dead world.
“100 Mons Load! Come to me, my army!”
An insidious laugh left the fallen knight’s maw as the souls descended into the underworld, their forms reacting to his command like a feather to a windless day. One by one they were devoured by the molten rock beneath his feet, only for the various monster souls to be reborn in crimson fire as lava erupted, their forms returned to the land of the living. Their eyes glowing, roars echoed into the night as they returned with a vengeance against the universe, seijin and kaiju alike rising from the depths of the afterlife.
The fallen knight from the Land of Light cackled into the stars as his army had properly returned to him, claws flexing with anticipation as the first steps of his plan had been accomplished. The fools that had sealed him away had been dealt with, his army had returned to his side, there was simply no force in the universe that would stop his reign of terror from occurring.
Bump bump…
The various souls turned to a bright raging red as they quickly returned towards the Giga Battlenizer, those that wished to wreak havoc on the worlds they were previously on when they were slain by the accursed Ultramen across the universe.
Bump bump…
But a strange feeling arose as Belial wrapped his clawed hand around his prized weapon once more, what should have been a moment of clear victory had him feeling off when he met a realization. While most of the souls that comprised his resurrected army joined without resistance, and he had met the required one hundred “men” for his conquest of the cosmos… something resisted his will during the process.
Bump bump…
The hillside above him burst open. While it certainly earned his attention, he didn’t move a muscle away from where he was standing. Simply putting his staff upon his shoulder, he stared towards the origin of the explosion, the smoke not allowing him to get a clear picture, but it was humanoid in nature. Metal clanks were heard as it stepped forward, robotically approaching closer towards the cliff below to get a better view of its surroundings.
He reached into the earth beneath him, carefully and quickly removing the soil and rock from his trusted crimson blade. While he didn’t exactly know what was occurring here, he did know that holding this weapon in his hand made him feel more comfortable than without it. It was as if it was always meant to be held by him, an extension of his will. Twin emerald lights turned towards Belial as the figure stood still, the smoke clearing its way for a proper picture to be made for the both of them.
He stood tall in his chrome colored form, cybernetics covering every inch of his body. It would be incredibly easy for someone to mistake the figure as just an automaton due to the various machines beeping on his body. But, the mysterious entity was much, much more than just some soulless machine. His face resembled an insect, twin antennae pointed towards the stars above. His belt glowed the same emerald as his eyes, spikes pointing outward from his elbows giving him the appearance of a demon.
Rust covered his armor, some of it being brushed off with his free hand along with the dust and rock from his tomb. He observed the area he now stood in, gazing past the horizon into the infinite sea of stars which surrounded them upon his barren rock. He then turned back to Belial, this time acknowledging his presence. “What is this place? Speak before I run out of patience.”
“What?” Belial questioned as he tilted his head, curiosity and fury equally keeping his attention towards the humanoid entity. It would appear that he wouldn’t have to find the soul that resisted his control via hunting it down, it was at least fortunate that the being was right before him as he awakened.
“I remember,” the figure spoke as he reached his hand out to the stars, as if he was attempting to grasp the memory itself while images quickly rushed into his mind. A great battle had occurred between the forces of Gorgom wishing to subjugate humanity under mutantkind and his rival… his… brother. “Facing a mirror. One of incredible might and valor.” He laughed a bit as everything quickly returned to him, palm being planted against his face as the chuckle echoed down towards the Ultra. “It would seem that he had proven his might over my own. Damn that cur!”
He had died in the last stand against Kamen Rider Black to protect the previous Creation King, the entity even granting him its power. And still, he had failed to destroy Kotaro, like some emotional child. “I was slain, is that it?”
Belial then turned his entire body to give the cyborg his full attention, their eyes meeting even so far away. “You are unlike the Seijin I have now enslaved. I have resurrected you, along with a hundred monsters to control you and yet… You are not only free-willed, but beyond some mere Baltan. Just who the hell are you?”
The entity laughed once more, this time having to put his hand on his stomach as he attempted to keep his footing over the cliff to not fall over. “You believed that you could simply take control of my very soul? Fool! I am the chosen new leader of Gorgom! I am the shadow which will engulf the Earth! I am the answer to humanity’s prayers for something to be done to save their world! I am the demon of mutantkind! I! am!” He launched himself into the air with a powerful leap, the cyborg descending towards Belial at alarming speeds. The fallen Ultra quickly blocked the crimson blade with his own weapon, feet sinking into the earth below. “Shadow Moon! And I am a Creation King, you peasant!”
Belial cackled loudly, striking his claws against the Battle Nizer in a shower of sparks. “Peasant? Did I hear you right, kaijin? Do you not know of my tale? Of my exploits? I am Ultraman Belial! The greatest warrior in the galaxy!”
The dark messiah of Gorgom did not react. This cur was nothing more than another haughty bastard, boasting his own superiority. He would enjoy breaking his will like many others. Though the name he spoke did make him pause. He remembered the stories of the Ultraman who fought against the beasts from deep beneath the Earth and then returned to the stars. If this dark being was seriously among their ranks, he could prove a challenge to his godly power.
Belial cackled all while he carefully observed this rebel in his ranks. Despite his aggressive path forward against his foes, he wasn’t stupid. This creature being able to resist made it more powerful. And the fallen angel was nothing if not unquenchable. He was constantly searching for a power which would aid him in becoming even greater than he already was. If this “Creation King” had this type of power, he would either break him so he could send it out against his foes, or, the option he preferred much more.
Rip it out for himself.
The dark Ultra raised his staff-like weapon and roared as he slammed it into the ground, the stone splitting and cracking as he pointed.
“If you really are this king, let me see what you have! Face your brothers! Go, my army!”
And go they did. From within the ground, kaiju who terrorized hundreds of planets, and seijin who conquered just as many, appeared and rushed toward the armored warrior. The chosen one did not hesitate as with a single leap, he cleared the head of the charging Arston, his fanged jaws clamping shut as his eyes widened. A parrot-faced Alien Guts raised his arms to fire a beam at the silver figure as he crashed back down, only to choke as a punch to his abdomen silenced him. An Alien Hipporito, the terrifying alien mercenary, charged forward. His eyes glowed before he aimed his red trunk and fired, a burst of flame shooting out.
Shadow Moon dodged the inferno, kicking out a leg to trip the gangly alien. Falling to his knees, the trunked assassin had a moment to look up before another punch struck, right to his widening yellow eyes. The charging Arston, joined by a sprinting Alien Metron, skidded to a stop as the blood of their compatriot splattered their faces. Blinking out the gore and wiping it off with tendrils respectively, the duo looked at the green lenses staring back at them. Cracking his shoulder, the Creation King aimed his hands and let loose, a bright flash of lightning firing. Quickly flipping, the Metron landed at the back of the ranks to avoid the onslaught. His saurian brother wasn’t as lucky, screeching as the blast fried him.
On it went, the enhanced mutant fighting against the army. A judo chop to the neck of an Aribunta, to then leap over a Kemular and kick deeply into the chest of an Alien Borg, crumbling it to the ground so he could send a blast of energy through the head of the nearest Bemstar and then turn to grapple with the snapping jaws of Mukadender.
Watching from behind, Belial stalled as he watched his ranks thin more and more. This was a powerful fool!
Still, the monsters came, trying desperately to fell him even as it became more and more dangerous. And frustration built in the head of the grasshopper warrior as he watched their master, observing closely. Eventually, breaking free from the grip of the Metron and knocking it aside with a roundhouse kick, he raised his hands and yelled.
“Enough!”
The Creation King raised his hand, and with a brilliant flashing of lights, it was done. All the raging beasts, the bodies of their fallen comrades, and even the flames from their attacks.
They were all gone.
“What!?” Belial screamed, looking around baffled. He raised his Battlenizer in disbelief, shaking it, before aiming at the Gorgom general in rage. “What did you do!?”
The being once known as Nobuhiko did not react, coldly regarding his “master” as he stretched his mechanical knuckles.
“Those simple beasts are beneath me. Distractions to a Creation King.”
A silver finger raised to point at the black and red warrior seething on the dead planet.
“You are the being who resurrected me, to hold control of my body and mind, but I will always remain as your enemy. Now, face the results of your pride.”
The demon messiah of Gorgom thrust his crimson blade into the earth beside him, slowly walking forward before taunting the fallen Ultra. Raising his hand, he beckoned the other overlord to bring it on, to which the Reionic snarled before letting out a cry of rage.
The two charged at each other with violent intent, a shockwave rolling by due to the sheer velocity of the pair. The Battlenizer slammed into Shadow Moon’s arm as he blocked it, another shockwave radiating out before Belial was sent flying. A quick strike to the chest from the mutant’s open palm sent him soaring into rock, dust kicking up as he quickly recovered, only for green eyes to illuminate the haze once more as his opponent was already on top of him. Belial swung his weapon at the demon’s feet in an attempt to have the challenger land on his back, only for the savior of mutantkind to leap into the air before it could make contact.
The Reionic quickly pulled his legs back before launching them forth, slamming them into the armored Rider’s stomach, earning a groan of pain as he was thrown into the air. As Shadow Moon spun rapidly into the starry night sky, Ultraman Belial launched himself into the air, thrusting the Battlenizer forward in an attempt to land a devastating blow. Instead, the cyborg stood tall upon the staff, looking down at his opponent before speaking.
“Is this all you can muster, greatest warrior in the universe?”
Rage snapped like a twig as Belial quickly switched tactics, throwing the mutant off of his weapon before going in with furious strikes. Eventually, there would be an opening, and when that occurred he would finish the traitor to his army. Sparks flew as the staff slammed into metal, Shadow Moon constantly on the defensive as he parried the rapid blows. The two descended towards the ground as the fight continued onward, arms moving like blurs.
Finally! A blow struck true, the Giga Battlenizer landing upon the cyborg’s shoulder blade, and while there was a slight grunt… It was followed by a sigh as the cyborg rolled his head back. “Disappointing,” The mutant then pressed his fists against his belt, the middle starting to glow for a moment before flashing alarmingly. “Shadow Flash!”
Ultraman Belial let out a cry as he was blinded, only to then feel cold metallic hands wrap around his throat before the opponent’s skull slammed into his own. He was sent down with a sonic boom, before crashing into the rocky terrain below. Earth launched into the air as Shadow Moon descended towards the dusty crash site, landing his feet upon the soil with grace as he slowly walked over to his crimson blade.
Sparks flew as talons slashed across his back. The dark Ultra laughed as his opponent buckled for a moment before turning to swing his elbow, only for clawed hands to catch the attack.
“I will make you regret not falling under my control, my liege.” He mockingly intoned. “For there are fates worse than death.”
A strong kick to the back forced Shadow Moon to crash across the earth for a moment, skipping like a rock on water before he had managed to halt the momentum. Before Gorgom’s prophesied ruler could make a move, he was met with the fallen knight’s talons wrapping around his leg, raising him above his head before slamming him into the rock below.
The fallen general of the Land of Light then tossed Shadow Moon into the air, timing it perfectly for when his weapon would strike, slamming the Giga Battlenizer into the cyborg’s form and sending him soaring once again.
Only for him to disappear from his vision without explanation, standing baffled by what had occurred before turning to a strike to the chin. Belial was pushed back for a moment, being caught off guard once again as light began to surround Shadow Moon’s hand. While it didn’t register for a moment what it was, when he felt the cyborg’s cold grasp once again wrap around his throat to send out bolts of electrical energy… All the demonic betrayer could do was let out a laugh of pure bliss, watching as Shadow Moon stood confused by the action.
“Seems that you didn’t do your homework,” the blight spoke before backhanding Gorgom’s leader and sending him flying. “Your elemental attack will have no effect on me, slave. In fact, you had only managed to return some strength to me as I absorbed the blow. Pathetic child.”
Quickly, the entity once known as Nobuhiko shook off the attack as he returned to his feet. The dark cyborg put a hand to his chin for a moment, pondering his next move. Then, he pulled his arms back as light gathered in his hands, forming a brilliant orb.
“Ah, I see…” The fallen angel replied. He would meet his foe’s challenge.
Ultraman Belial slammed his weapon into the earth beside him before leaping into the air as high as he could. Energy crackled as crimson and pitch black lightning surrounded the Ultra’s arms, all while he let loose a hideous laugh.
“Take everything I have, and die a fruitless death!”
The former general placed his arms into the shape of a cross before unleashing a beam of pure energy directly at the cyborg, the Deathcium Ray rapidly approaching the target at rapid speeds. But Shadow Moon did not move an inch as the blast seemed to make contact. A gigantic explosion erupted from the blast zone, the Monster Graveyard shaking violently as the cloud reached towards Belial’s form.
The demonic knight chuckled a bit, before letting loose a cry of pain when something suddenly impaled him. Looking down, he saw the crimson blade that the cyborg had left in the soil minutes prior sticking through his stomach. Turning his gaze behind him, there was a ball of light only inches away from his skull, Shadow Moon floating alongside him.
“Fruitless, huh?”
The beam quickly engulfed Belial’s form as it forced him towards the earth below, letting loose a hellish scream as he carved through the soil. Somehow managing to turn around as the energy blast was pushing him, he forced both hands onto the surface of the projectile in an attempt to halt his movement, only seeming to drag his feet into the rock below.
This duel was growing tiresome. With a wicked smile, Belial concocted a devilish scheme. With all of his might, the future emperor of the cosmos threw the energy blast into the vastness of the void which hung above him, taking a moment to catch his breath. Looking towards the direction from which he came, he managed to spot his prized weapon, only to once again be completely thrown off guard as Shadow Moon suddenly appeared before him. Energy surrounded the Century King’s fist as he swung forward with all of his strength.
“Shadow Punch!”
Multiple layers of a nearby mountain were shattered as the warrior’s form crashed through completely, the natural structure of the vast graveyard coming to a crumble which once again shook the resting place of Kaiju and Seijin. As the shockwaves sent an incredible amount of dust towards him, all Shadow Moon did was stand still. Allowing the moment to sink in, only the green lights of his eyes punctured through the thick layer of dust which surrounded him. As the winds finally calmed down, the demonic cyborg simply brushed the dust off of his shoulder before walking towards wherever his target had landed. The teleportation ability had been a great advantage against the Ultra, even if he had greater experience and even, perhaps, pure raw power, the mutant had just the right tools to deal with him.
He wondered how much power that this Ultraman had left, seeing as the records across the decades told that the extraterrestrials had very little time on Earth for an unknown reason. Perhaps if he simply wore Belial down, making him use his energy in full, he would win in the end. While such a tactic was not beneath him, it would be a shame for the game to end so soon. Especially since the alien had spoken so much tough talk, perhaps it was just an illusion…
From the other side of the ruined mountain, a beam cut through rock like butter at light speeds. Shadow Moon only had a moment to act, but he did so with swift precision, blocking the oncoming blast with the Satansaber. The Deathcium Ray forced him backwards, his feet dragging into the earth as he stood with all of his strength to not be consumed by the light, grunting as it was quickly becoming more than a chore. He was left with very little option, either being consumed by the beam and possibly falling back into the depths of the underworld, or taking a risk and allowing it to pay off.
Managing to shift his body so that the attack would only cut through his shoulder blade, Shadow Moon let out a cry of pain as the beam made contact. Sparks flew as armor blackened, what little flesh sizzled and metal bubbled for a moment before the beam struck another nearby structure, destroying it in an instant as a pure display of power. Ashes fell towards the battlefield as Shadow Moon looked back up to see a figure through the smoke walking towards him, each step having an echo as Belial’s form approached.
If the static mouth his species was “blessed” with could move, Belial would be grimacing as bad as the kaiju. This pathetic upstart! He gave him back his life! Whatever he boasted about his glory as a “King”, something had taken this bastard out before he had come along. And now that he saved him and tried to use that slain potential for his own need, he dared to strike back?! To act as if he was on his level?!
This was why he had rejected the Land of Light. To share power with another, to work for a better future, it was a lie.
The powerful deserved to conquer the weak.
And despite his flashy tricks, he was going to teach the kaijin that he was not the strongest here.
With a roar, the Reionic charged. He swung his clawed right hand to slam into the antennaed helmet of the cyborg, only for the martial artist to dodge quickly and throw a punch. Using years of regimented training, the alien dodged the attack and tried to slash again, only for the talon to be grabbed for a flip. Recovering quickly, the Dark Ultra raised his Battlenizer and swung, an arc of energy that coursed through the air in front of him. To the berserker’s growing rage, the Creation King raised his arm and braced, skidding back against the attack almost unharmed. The tyrant slammed a fist into the ground before he leapt, swinging his club as the silver warrior fired blasts of energy at him, knocking them back.
He was simply too fast for him to land a hit, always finding some way to block! There must be another way for him to nail this whelp. Seconds passed as he entered the atmosphere, his mind skimming ideas.
There!
The fallen angel chuckled at his sinister plan before he prepared. Hovering in the air with his natural abilities as Shadow Moon glared from below, he cracked his shoulder before chucking the Battlenizer to the ground. Like a deadly javelin, it crashed to the ground, causing the world to tremble from the impact, all as the grasshopper mutant stumbled for a moment. He turned his green lenses just in time to the crackling energy of the Deathcium Ray, piercing the air to hit him. With a flash, he teleported out of the way again, and again, as the deadly beam tore a line through the dead stone. The beam ceased and the Gogrom general stopped, his breath hitching as he stood…
Not even turning as he raised his armored hand to catch the fist heading for the back of his head.
“Sloppy, Belia-”
The rest of the reprimand was cut off by a scream as the Land of Light’s devil gouged his other hand into the abdomen of the child born under the eclipse. A chuckle echoed as he narrowed his eyes.
“Sloppy, but effective, bug.”
The dark god kicked out, using the glimmering exoskeleton as a launchboard to fling himself off of his foe. The mutant monarch did not move to reach him at first, his stoic snarl looking down at the wound. Flesh and tendons writhed as organic tissue were reconstituted by his enhanced biology, the cold warrior turning back and ignoring it. A single finger raised to the gleeful sadist.
“You are going to regret that.”
Belial did not respond verbally. He simply reached for his Battlenizer, the unholy weapon ripping from the earth to reach his waiting palm, skidding it against his free hand in a shower of sparks.
The two warriors stood ready.
Then they leapt for each other. The ultimate evil moved like lightning, the Battlenizer darting frantically to catch every precise blow from the leader of the new world order. The Ultra swung the weapon in a wide arc, aiming a sphere of energy, only for the mutant to disappear in a flash once more. Before the fallen angel could react, mechanical arms locked around his throat in a chokehold, causing him to hiss in anger as he twisted and beat back with his elbow. The kaijin let go, allowing his foe to turn his orange crescent shaped eyes to glare… only for the Star Saber to slash upwards, sending him spinning.
Landing on the ground, Shadow Moon leapt up and leaned forward as he screamed.
“Shadow Kick!”
The devastating move landed as the dark Rider leapt, slamming into the hybrid evil’s stomach and sending both combatants flying into a mountain. Centuries of well worn erosion and the sand-swept peak simply ceased to be in a second as Belial crashed into it, caving the entire mountain face into a crater. The intergalactic warlord, dazed and wounded, coughed as he lay pinned under his foe’s boot and moved to attack, but the Gorgom savior was done playing. Disappearing in a flash, he appeared on the dark being’s side, sending him flying with another punch.
Flying over the wasteland, the crimson striped villain flew, crashing into the dirt until his Battlenizer eventually found purchase. Sliding to a stop with the gouge it made in the earth, the dark Ultra looked up in time to see the twin of Black Sun leaping forward. The sinister being raised his weapon to fire, only for the mutant to appear beside him once again, kicking out to throw it off kilter. The evil god twisted around to attack, only for the kaijin to block each attack with quick kicks and held punches. Just as the mad tyrant was ready to just start whacking randomly, the Rider raised his arms and fired his lightning.
The elemental attack still did not affect this type of Ultraman, but winded from the kick, he was sent flying back. Unsheathing his crimson blade, the mutant lunged further on his endless offensive. Satansaber met Battlenizer in showers of sparks, the two matching each other blow for blow.
But the smaller of the two was starting to catch up more. Twirling after blocking another blast, the mutant monarch raised his hand, a blast of energy shooting out to slam the dark being in his stomach. Ultraman Belial cried out as it hit, a clawed hand instinctively going to cradle it. It was the opening he needed. Lunging forward, the Gorgom savior disappeared and then reappeared, slicing into his foe’s ridged back. Then again, on his chest. Then again, his leg!
A flurry of motion filled the air, each one heralding another hit against the evil alien. It soon seemed to be too much; with a yell of agony, Belial fell to his knees. Before he could move to do anything, the dark Rider leapt in a kick once more, slamming it into his purple Color Timer. The devil from the Land of Light was sent flying, crashing into the edge of the same mountain. He lay numb and seemingly unresponsive, holding onto his chest and panting.
The silver bioweapon walked forward, no care in the world. He raised his blade at the wounded villain and commanded, the Satansaber leveled at him.
“You have fought well, Belial. But this ends now. So says the Creat-”
Shadow Moon writhed as his mind was flooded with pain. The kaijin stumbled back, hand in his head as his emerald green lenses flashed with a sickening red. As his foe fell to his knees, Belial chuckled as he stood up straight, his wounded feint gone in a minute as he rolled his shoulder. The dark Ultra gestured.
“Well done, ‘King’. So busy pushing the attack… let it really flood through your veins.”
Now clutching his chest as he knelt on the ground, the Gorgom champion struggled to look up as he choked, eyes flickering.
“Wh-what have y-you…”
“The Belial Virus,” the fallen hero stated, lifting his talons to reveal the red tips they gained on their very end as he walked around the suffering super soldier. “Energy coursed through me, and into you. Makes you subservient to the true power…”
He leaned in, his static face practically sneering with joy.
“Me.”
The anti-hero looked away, his lenses still struggling to decide between red and green as he laid numb on the ground. The mad overlord continued to monologue, not noticing as the one chosen under a Black Sun gripped a fist tightly as he looked down.
“It was the least I could do. Kill you? After you almost put up a fight with your little magic tricks and ‘studying’? What a waste! No, much better to have you spending your existence as the general to my hundred monster army. It’d be perfect. You and I, slaughtering worlds and proving the mighty have the right to rule. Now then, what do you say?”
Belial leaned down with his head tilted, “eagerly” awaiting his newest slave’s answer. Shadow Moon, still looking to the ground, stood up robotically and still. The monstrous alien cackled as he eagerly looked to his new slave.
The haymaker came out of nowhere and hit like a tank. The evil Ultra was sent flying into a nearby cliff, crashing with a crack that caused earthquakes. As he slid to the ground, his mind burning with rage and pain, Ultraman Belial looked at his foe. Standing proud and ready, any signs of his forced control gone. A silver armored hand pointed a finger at him from where he stood.
“You conceited fool. I am Shadow Moon…”
There was the sound of steel as a blood red sword was summoned into the Creation King’s hand. He let the blade spark against the flat of his one hand before turning to point it at the mad god.
“…and I will never bow to another again.”
Blood boiling, the mad mastermind screamed in rage as he leapt up, charging forward with a taloned fist. The opposite to the Kamen Rider nodded and leapt as well, saber ready.
The Rider marched forward, slowly approaching his foe as the metal echoed from each step he took. The fallen Ultraman aimed the Battlenizer directly at his foe, unleashing purple balls of energy from the staff in an attempt to send the mutant flying. But his attempt was casually tossed aside as Shadow Moon barely moved the Satansaber into the direction of the blast, knocking them away to detonate across the battlefield, the marching continuing as they locked eyes for a moment.
“Surely, you can do better, Ultraman.”
A snarl exited Belial as he reared his weapon backward before sending a crescent wave of energy directly at the insectoid cyborg, the Belial Deathscythe cutting through the air at rapid speeds in an attempt to cut the mutant’s life short.
With a mere twist of his hand, Shadow Moon not only cut through the energy blast, but managed to send a shockwave through the barren soil beneath his feet. Emerald eyes stared into the Reionic’s very soul through the dust, the sound of metal clanking starting to sound like nails on a chalkboard as his ego was reaching a climax.
“Enough games!” Yelled Belial as energy once again was shot forth from the staff, turning into a whip which wrapped around a silver leg.
Shadow Moon stared down in surprise before being thrown into the air, his form soaring as Belial guided the energy whip towards the earth below and slammed the former human into it. Repeating the process to send maximum pain through the kaijin’s form, rocks were sent flying into the air as metal dented upon his body. Dust covered the battlefield as laughter echoed into the warzone, each strike bringing pride to the Ultra.
Shadow Moon continued to hold on, not even attempting to free himself, waiting and observing. Still, even with him so high in the air and constantly moving, his eyes never left Belial’s form as long as he was in direct sight. A slight chuckle exited from the mutant before he felt himself being thrown into the air, halting his movement for a mere moment before being pulled towards the dark knight. Belial leapt into the air as he spun, kicking him directly in the chest as the energy whip pulled him closer at incredible speeds.
Cracks formed upon the mutant’s armor and a sonic boom was emitted from the blow, the former human being sent flying towards a nearby mountain formation. Ultraman Belial quickly followed his path, leaping into the air instead of taking flight to catch up in a display of pure power. His eyes glowed with radiant hate as time seemed to slow down for a moment, his form being nothing but a shadow and crimson streaks as he came down onto the Gorgom Monarch’s body. Talons wrapped around his neck as Belial landed beside him, a gigantic explosion sending earth flying into the air. Shadow Moon’s head was slammed into the soil below as the demonic warrior of light continued forward, his metallic form being dragged at mach speeds through the earth itself.
The Reionic continued to let out a hellish laugh of glee as the action continued, the monster graveyard being literally carved through by his enemy’s body. He granted the bug the tiniest form of mercy by slamming his skull into the earth below him, another large boom making the graveyard shake violently. Belial tossed the Giga Battlenizer away from his free hand before simply slamming his fist into Gorgom’s savior, viciously striking the head further into the dirt.
The very earth beneath them roared as each strike cracked the battlefield, large booms being heard with each powerful strike.
“Is your crown worth your life, cyborg? Fine! I will grant you what you seek and rid this universe of another false idol! Creation itself is now mine to command-”
A cold metallic hand wrapped around Belial’s own as the one who was once Nobuhiko rose from the rock, dust flying as he emerged so easily. Strength rose as he held his foe with one hand, emerald eyes once again penetrating the soul of the fallen general.
“Are you finished with the charade?”
Shadow Moon, with all of his might, threw Belial away as if he was nothing. The Ultraman skidded across the ground like a rock on water before slamming into a boulder, halting his movement as it split in two, his body soaring for a moment from the sheer momentum before crashing to the ground below.
Taking heavy breaths, the dark warrior rose to his feet, standing tall even while wounded as Shadow Moon stood before him. Brushing off the dust from his metallic body, his eyes did not leave his target as he did so.
The fallen Rider calmly tossed aside the Satansaber, standing with no ill intent as Belial examined his every movement. “Do your worst, Ultraman, I have everything I need in order to destroy you.”
“FOOL!” the demonic knight roared before leaping, swinging the Giga Battlenizer directly at the mutant. This was dodged, before a strike to his ribs was made, pushing Belial back before a simple smack to the back of the head with his palm sent him to the ground face first, a loud thud echoing as the earth flew into the air.
Ultraman Belial quickly returned to his feet, only to be swept back down to the earth when a strong kick sent him flying. Shadow Moon simply taunted him with his pointer finger wiggling back and forth, a sense of shame being placed upon the demon. The dark Rider leapt to follow the enemy’s trajectory, reaching out with a cold hand as Belial attempted to deflect the grab, only for it to fall short as the cyborg simply pushed his arm back and wrapped his grasp around his neck. The earth erupted as the last member of Gorgom slammed him into rock below. Belial quickly went to defend himself in various attempts to parry the metal strikes, only to be met with cruel reality as Shadow Moon continued to land blows.
His clairvoyance allowed him to reach the last piece of the puzzle, his enemy’s movements being read moments before he could attempt them. Making the brutal beatdown all the more satisfying was the cracks forming upon the Ultraman’s body, purple light escaping from the demon with each blow.
Fingers dug deep into his chest, earning a scream from the veteran. The dark reflection of mankind’s savior looked down at where Shadow Moon had struck, hatred rising as each digit was punctured around the color timer. With quick thinking, he managed to flip the Gorgom leader away from his form, managing to create some distance as he returned to his feet. Panting and with very little strength remaining, rage and adrenaline made him still approach the duel. He quickly charged at the recovering Rider, only for him to catch the blow from the Giga Battlenizer and pulled the dark Ultraman closer. Rearing his head back, he slammed it into Belial’s to force his grasp to falter. The weapon was tossed away like nothing before energy surrounded the dark messiah’s fist.
“Shadow Punch!” The attack landed a direct hit, striking Belial in his core, and before he could even attempt to recover, he was met with a strike to each side of his head. Ringing echoed in Belial’s ears as he dropped to the ground, looking up to see Shadow Moon standing tall above him. He swung upward, attempting to land a strike upon his smug face, only for the cold reflection of what was once humanity to catch the attack. He curled the fist backwards before striking him down. Belial managed to catch himself before being disgraced, but he was still left wide open for another strike. A kick to the chest made the corrupted light roll across the earth, letting out coughs as his movement halted.
Before he knew it, Shadow Moon was once again on top of him. Staring down at him like a predator would to prey, his cold metallic hand wrapped around the enemy’s throat as he lifted him into the air before carrying him away. Belial seemed powerless, but still he attempted to free himself, throwing out a kick, only to be met with nothing but air. Another series of punches were thrown, but each of them were dodged, the Gorgom leader simply continuing to carry him towards the cliffside beside them.
The mutant sent a headbutt once again, a shockwave rocketing out from the strike as Belial’s form went limp, clinging to life and hate as his hand struggled to reach out in an attempt to strangle Shadow Moon.
How truly pathetic of the vermin.
Without a word uttered, the former human dropped his opponent into the void below. He watched as Belial’s form was quickly engulfed by the surrounding darkness, simply shrugging and giving a singular nod at the outcome of the battle. Turning away from the source of the battle, his breath hitched as the strain of facing the demigod hit him. He turned, preparing to figure out a way back to Earth, to his people, to-
Something struck the Gorgom master’s telepathic mind. A feeling of pure rage. He had only a moment to turn to where he had flung the Battlenizer…
Before a massive claw smacked him aside, sending him flying! The silver cyborg felt himself slide on the ground before eventually sliding to stop. Shaking his lensed head, Moon looked up… and felt his eyes widen.
A massive titan grew from the ground, nearly reaching the stratosphere as it leaned back and released a sound like every soul in Hell was screaming at once. Like some great demon he would have heard of growing up, with great wings, taloned hands, multiple burning eyes, and a snarling fanged face. But it was the details of this monstrosity that stopped his heart. Pieces of the various awoken monsters he had waved away stuck out at wrong angles. Torsos with screeching heads poked out of the chest, limbs hung limply together to form the wings, entire beings had their bodies twisted into teeth, all of these horrific details as the hundred monster army was forced into the devil. And from atop its head, Shadow Moon’s foe looked down, implanted in the devil like a puppet master and roaring as he lunged forward.
The Creation King leapt, but the towering amalgam of the Reionic moved faster. With a shuddering breath, a hellfire inferno burst from the beast’s maw. The being once known as Nobuhiko screamed as the torrent hit him, feeling as if he was engulfed in lava. As he struggled through the fire and flames, the claw of Belyudra snatched him. It flung the noble villain across the Graveyard, smashing through a long eroded mountain.
Stumbling up, Shadow Moon panted before he teleported in a flash. Hovering above the beast, the kaijin leapt forward, a punch aimed for the head of the towering beast to try and take down the “brain” of the monster. Just as he leapt forward, emerald eyes glinting in the light, the burning eyes of the Ultra met him. One massive claw snatched him by his waist, the fallen angel snatching the other arm as he sneered. He glowered at the struggling cyborg, enjoying his struggling as he leaned forward until their faces were but inches away from them.
“Insolent. Little. BASTARD!”
With a wet crunch and a scream, Belial yanked, snapping the shoulder of Shadow Moon. The Gorgom leader held back his pain, unable to move as the giant claws released him. He plummeted to the ground, only for the claws to snatch him up once more. The balled fist held him tightly, all as the dark Ultra looked down and cackled at his captor.
“You really thought you would accomplish something? You really thought you could accomplish ANYTHING!? I AM ULTRAMAN BELIAL!”
The gigantic arm of Belyudra reared back before it slammed its captor to the ground, cracking the rocky plain.
“The greatest of all of those who fought back the forces of Empera!”
Another earthquake-inducing slam.
“The heir to Alien Reiblood and his hundred monster army!”
Another… and another. If the Creation King’s blessing hadn’t been given, Shadow Moon knew his blood would be splattering out of his helmet by now, a thought that barely broke though the absolute agony.
“The undisputed ruler of the galaxy, who all will tremble and bow before, as they should have done from the moment I declared my sovereignty in the Land of Light!”
The hand rose up, with the kaijin’s head spinning as the hand shifted. The two claws of both hands met, linking around each talon to leave the twin of Kamen Rider Black cradled in between their palms. The being was barely able to move as he looked up at the mad conqueror who held him trapped, struggling to hide his pain as he shifted.
“And you!?
“You are nothing but a little soldier, who thinks he’s important because he can sting. You are nothing, Shadow Moon! As little as the insect you resemble!
“And so, you deserve an insect’s death.
“Sayonara!”
The hands withdrew and Moon spun in the air before they crashed back together with a crunching slam. Belial cackled as he squeezed his amalgamated palms together. His bruised ego wasn’t satisfied with the squish, no, no, NO! He would not be satisfied until every bit of gore this little welp had in him dripped from between the palms.
As Belyudora squeezed, the leader of Gorgom screamed. His holy armor was the only thing keeping him alive. He had to do something… but what? There was no way he could attack Belial when he had this power. Even a teleport or a showing of his true power wasn’t a guaranteed win. The brilliant fighter tried to strategize, even in this torture. Something his tormentor said stuck with him.
“The heir to Reiblood… and his monster army?”
That was it. The Creation King shut his eyes and held up a hand. Deep within the molten kaiju skin that formed the titan’s claws, something struck true. Despite himself, the fallen Ultra squealed, jerking his hand back. Stumbling as he shifted the Saber in his non-dominant hand, Shadow Moon leapt with a snarl. He raised the sword and swung, but not as an attack, as a diversion. Crackling bolts of emerald leapt from him, the dark power bestowed upon him. The galactic emperor snarled and went to unleash an inferno… before the strange power hit him. He let out a yell as he felt great pain.
For a moment, both foes were one. Shadow Moon saw the mind of the Dark Ultra, and Belial saw the monster who was once a man. The mutant master flexed his hand, nodding as he watched the distorted claw of Belyudora raise. The possession had worked. Now it was time for his plan to be enacted.
An armored hand raised and focused as an overwhelming amount of cosmic energy gathered.
A flash of light lit the graveyard.
The fusion was gone with an explosion of force and two shapes falling to the ground.
The henshin crusader landed to his knees, sheathing his saber to cradle his broken arm.
Ultraman Belial crashed to the ground. But not Belyudra, the amalgam giant. Or even as the black and crimson devil that had caused so much trouble.
No, as he stumbled up and looked in horror, the true Ultraman Belial stood there. Silver and red markings crossing his body, his purple color timer now flashing red, and his angled yellow eyes looking in horror at what had happened.
“No… no… noooo! H-how did you-?”
Hovering above, the Creation King held his hand out. Dangling in his hand, wheezing and spitting, was a strange alien creature. Its head curved with horns as it quietly wheezed, the off white and purple skin on its body shaking as its oblong eyes stared in horror. Its form was transparent, spectral due to having been long dead before this point.
The alien being known as Reiblood. The very being Belial had fused with to gain his power, severed into its own being and now helpless.
“It’s like you said, ruler of the galaxy.”
A wrist twisted with a sick crunch, and Reiblood’s form went limp. Shadow Moon’s emerald gaze never broke from the dark overlord, even as he tossed the “body” into the distance.
“Enough games.”
Shadow Moon lunged, a fist swinging for the Ultra’s head. Even thrown off by the loss of his power, the trained warrior’s instincts did not fail him. He raised a hand to block, before flipping back and raising his hands into the signature plus pose to fire a beam. The blue energy that coursed out failed to hit armored flesh though, as the kaijin disappeared in a second. Panic filling his body, Belial turned to dodge, only to find his foe already waiting.
The Shadow Punch swung with precision and force. Belial went flying back, landing against the nearest cliff face in an implosion of cracked stone. A shaky breath came out as he pulled himself free, his finned head numbly turning. The former overlord did not move, did not go to attack or defend. He was all too aware of the consequences.
A shard tinked to the ground.
Then another.
And more.
More and more pieces like dark glass fell to the dusty sands of the damned planet as the remains of the Color Timer, the very thing holding Belial’s life force, scattered. The once noble defender’s breath hitched as he looked up, mind already fading. His ever present rage burned at his heart once more, and with the slow movements he could only barely accomplish, he tried to move forward.
It was no noble charge, or berserker sprint, or beastly rage. It was a sluggish march, limbs numbly swinging as he tried to reach his foe, still standing there with an impassive look upon his etched face. The Ultra raised a fist to strike, only to find the effort too much as he crashed to the sand on his knees. With what felt like a Herculean feat of strength, Belial pulled himself up, his oblong glowing eyes looking up helplessly and for the first time, with fear.
“No…
“Not like this. Please. Not like this.”
The plea went unanswered, by either the aggressor or the universe itself. It was too much to hold himself up, and the giant of light slumped back, landing limply. His arms, moving by instinct to still desperately do any of the careful moves he learned to save himself, raised but failed to find the energy. He helplessly cupped at air, reaching for an invisible force to pick him up, but soon, even that was too much.
His arms crashed down above his chest, somewhere between guarding the abdomen and lying in a casket, and after a moment, the glowing orbs that were eyes dulled into a pitch black lifelessness. After a moment of peace, an unnatural force took over. Be it some form of justice or part of the curse, unholy flames appeared and slowly overtook the body. The sentinel in steel stood over the pyre, until it too burned out and exposed an ashen land with nothing else remaining.
Ultraman Belial was dead.
The leader of Gorgom placed the Satansaber on his belt, holding the weapon in place as he marched towards the fallen Giga Battlenizer. Dust covering its form was quickly removed as the mutant wrapped his hand around his prize. If he could still smile, he would be doing so, but a decent laugh into the void would have to suffice.
Shadow Moon let loose a hellish declaration to the universe as he held the staff above his head. Even if he was not capable of reviving his fellow mutants or summoning the army of monsters, his return only guaranteed one thing.
The death of Kotaro Minami, Kamen Rider Black.
His brother had escaped conversion completely from the Gorgom experimentation that would make them Century Kings, he resisted their forces and managed to destroy them despite all the odds. Even his own power was nothing when he was granted the might of the Creation King, but he had still been made a fool in the very end. Even during their final clash, Kotaro begged for him to return.
And so, returned he had, and he would kill his rival, his brother, the second Century King, if it was the last thing he was to do. He stared upwards into the vast sea of stars, it was somewhat impossible to tell what the right direction was, but after traveling from planet to planet, he might get lucky and steal an extraterrestrial’s spacecraft to make the journey.
Wait… He turned his head around, tilting it just a little as he sensed something approaching. Multiple energy signatures were converging onto his location, all of them similar to Belial. It would seem that those from the Land of Light had come to apprehend the fallen knight, but they had arrived far too late, and with a worse fate awaiting them.
His gaze slightly turned towards the ball of light far away from his reach, the unimaginable source of might was what they sought. It was the only logical thing after the death of Belial to attempt to retrieve, alongside the weapon he now laid claim to. From the gate above the planetoid, lights emerged at incredible speeds before landing in the distance. As the dust cleared from their arrival, their forms were revealed to the mutant cyborg.
Three giants of light stood alongside a pair of Kaiju from Earth’s past, all staring in confusion at the scene before them. “Where is your master?” One of the giants spoke with authority, quickly removing the blade atop his skull before getting into an aggressive stance. “Where is Belial?”
“I believe you are mistaken, emissary of light,” Shadow Moon stated as he placed the Giga Battlenizer onto his shoulder, his other hand resting upon the hilt of the Satansaber. Standing with confidence, his eyes locked onto the new arrivals. “I am who you are dealing with now, for I have slain him.”
The group didn’t know whether to believe him or not, standing shocked for a moment before taking in a deep breath to take the threat seriously. If his claim was true, then they would need to deal with him quickly, the damage across the cyborg’s form granting them hope that victory was possible.
The rematch with Kotaro would have to wait, the tie breaker would be all the more satisfying after drenching his metallic hands in the blood of the guardians from the stars. A laugh of excitement slightly left his metallic maw, staring at the new arrivals as he slowly approached them, metal clangs echoing into the mass graveyard.
This was going to be a blast.
Winner: Shadow Moon (Universal)
