Astra's Death,Memphis's Promise
Even after Leo had returned from his mission as the Guardian of Earth and arrived at nebula M78, his life is destined to be filled with sorrow. During his absence,Baron Blood, a powerful lieutenant of the Dark Lord Alphadelos, had rose from his prison in the depths of Tartarus. He threatened Astra, Leo's younger brother, that if he doesn't use his life to exchange for Leo's (since that Blood sensed power vesting inside the Ultra, he wanted to turn Astra into his servant.), he will unleash the forces of Alphadelos from their prison and destroy everything he cared about, including M78 and nebula A66.
With no other choice, Astra chose to sacrifice himself and save Leo. Blood,being evil, posed a condition that he must fullfill or else that he will not accept the sacrifice; he must commit suicide before Leo.
Leo landed on the Land of Light with a soft THUMP, smiling from the feeling of sucess, little did he know that soon his smile will change to a frown. "Home, sweet home"Leo looked around at the buildings glowing with green light, searching for someone. Astra appeared before him"Welcome back". Alas, Leo is far too happy to sense the obvious trembling in his younger brother's voice"Miss me, Astra?". Astra stroked a hand down the metal ring on his thigh, causing a long, thin dagger to appear in his hand.
"There is someone that I cannot leave"he croaked"soon, I will have to join him. Before I leave, there's something I have to return to you". He stabbed the dagger deep into his chest and pulled hard to the side, creating a long gash. Reaching into the wound, Astra removed his still beating heart and gave it to Leo and collapsed into his arms. For a split second, Leo was stunned. When he regained his senses, panic and fear pierced his heart like a javelin. "Astra,why did you do that?"he whispered, now he feared that he might lose him forever. Astra opened his mouth in a febble attempt to speak, only to have more blood to be spilled.
Death doesn't wait for you to get ready, and as swift as light, Thanatos whisked Astra's soul down to the Underworld. As the corpse of his younger brother slowly turned cold, agony swept into Leo's heart. Zero, the son of Ultra Seven and the student to him, was never very found of the young Ultra, said"Is he dead? Good, then I'ill feed it to my pet dragon". That struck a nerve, because Leo jerked up, his eyes tinged with red from weeping for the death of his lover, "No one dishonors him!". He unsheathed Horbenir and swung it in a wide threatening arc"Back off!".
Once Zero is out of the way, Leo looked up to the sky and started to sing, long and sad, "Opening the window out did I gaze, but I can't see my starry home...". When he is done,Leo cried out, "Θεοί του Ολύμπου! Γιατί να είναι τόσο σκληρός;! Δεν μου παίρνει την οικογένεια και τους φίλους μου που έχουν ήδη αρκετά; Γιατί θα έπρεπε να πάρετε από μένα είναι τώρα ένα μου και μόνο Asterion αγάπη?*". A bolt of lightning sliced across the sky, nearly slicing it open, and struck the ground, creating a huge crater.
The Golden Knight stepped from the hole"Leo, calm down and tell me what happened, I shall do my best to help you if it is within the power of the gods. "Astra had commited suicide"Leo whispered, but he knew that bringing a dead back to life is not possible. It can only be done when the Fates are extra happy and says that they could. "You-you are joking, right?"Memphis wanted to believe that Astra is not dead, but his godly powers and Leo's red tinged eyes told him the undeniable truth.
Memphios glanced behind Leo and growled"Who are you?". He whirled around and couldn't believe what he is seeing; staggering toward him is no other than Ankhalla, whom everyone thought to be dead. Astra came stiffly, walking like a zombie. He looked just the same, except for the fact that the skin of his body is black and his colored timer is purple colored instead of blue. "Muahahaha!"Baron Blood appeared from the shadows"how do you like my newest creation, eh, Golden Knight?". Arcs of white-blue lightning danced on Memphis's finger tips, "Who are you and what had you done to Ultraman Astra?". Baron Blood laughed"I thought that you knew me already, but since you asked, I will answer it. I am Baron Blood, black robe mage, lieutenant of the glorious king Alphadelos!".
Leo and the Golden God both recognized the name in an instant"You are the servant of that goddamned Dark Lord?". The Lord of the New Olympians had a sudden itch in his hands: he wanted to send that impudent warm of a baron down to the eternal darkness of Tartarus, and he could do that quite easily. But Memphis is restrained by the Ancient Laws, he is not allowed to intervene unless Baron Blood or Dark Astra challenged him. That is when he can unleash his full power on them.
Apparently the Baron had forgotten about the Ancient Laws, since he commanded, "Dark Astra,get them!". At his master's command, Dark lurched forward and lunged at the god with his lightsword. The Golden Knight sidestepped his attack and sent out a bolt of lightning to fight back, "Baron Blood, you just made an immortal enemy!". Aegis the terrible shield flashed into shape on the god's arm. He created another bolt, but only a short burst that would have stunted Dark Astra if he had not jumped out of the way. The lieutenant of the Dark Lord sent a signal light up and into the sky, "Come to me my loyal servants!".
Memphios cursed in Ancient Greek and parried another attack from Dark Astra with his shield. Oh sure, he can just BOOM and change back to his actual godly form, instantly vaporizing everyone who dared to look at him. But, there's a problem: two of his friends are around, so if he did, he would have vaporized them too (and that is something that he doesn't want to happen). He whacked Dark Astra on the head with Aegis, sending him crumpling to the ground.
To his surprise, the Dark Ultra quickly recovered and jumped back up. Ultraman Max, the comrade of Ultraman Xeno, arrived, but he did not come to help the Golden Knight, he had came to help Blood fight them, "My lord,do you need any help?". "Max, you traitor!"Leo cried, "how could you betray lord Memphios?". It pained the Golden Knight to see how many are willing to abandoned justice in pursue of wealth and power, "Leo, go and teach that traitor a lesson!". Obeying his lord's command, Leo jumped at Max with his weapon, nearly slicing his head off before the traitor intercepted it in midair with his Maximus Breath.
Dark Astra clearly had seen a gap in Memphis's defense, since he is able to get inside his shield and send his sword deep into the god's side. Golden ichor, the blood of the immortals, seeped from the wound on his side. The blade went in deep, but it served to only annoy the god like a mosquitoe bite. Raising Aegis high in the air, Memphis broke Dark Astra's blade, leaving a section of it embedded in his abdomen. Pulling the tiny splintered part of the blade out, he threw it like a dart toward the evil Baron, who deflected the projectile with his blood fog force field.
Other Ultras like Ace, Taro, Legend, and Noa arrived. "I will not let you fall to darkness!"Ace yelled. He took Dark Astra in a vise-like grip and forced light energy into him, thinking to drive the negative energy out by force. For a short whil Astra's positive side had the controll, but not for long,"Ace nisang?", Dark Astra seems to have remembered something, but Baron Blood pulled him back into the abyss of evilness. The Dark Ultra gasped like he couldn't breathe, then his face changed to a cruel scowl"Must. Kill. Ace...". Memphis diverted his attention by tackling Blood and forcing him to engage in a duel. In a short time, the fight became a war: on the Golden Knight's side is the forces of good and justice, which included all Ultras who are not tempted by the Baron, Ultras like Seven, Zero, Taro, Legend, Xeno, Noa, Agul, Gaia, Faust, and of course Leo.
On the other hand,on Blood's side is Dark Astra, Max, Zagi, and all the others of the Underworld Dynasty Corporation(except for Faust, who deflected to Memphis's side).
Leo jumped between Dark Astra and the duel between Blood and Memphis, "Kill me if you really are evil!". Dark raised his blood red lightsword and stabbed downward toward Leo's heart, but he stopped in midair, his weapon arm trembling"How come I don't have the courage to kill you? WHO ARE YOU?". "Because I am Leo! "Leo cried"I am your brother Ultraman Leo!". That seems to have some effect: Dark Astra gasped like he had choked. When Leo looked him in the eyes again, they are the color of gold, their original color."L-Leo nisang (Japanese;Brother)?"the Dark Ultraman's ice cold tune had been replaced by Astra's usual tune when he spoke to Leo, but this, just like how Ace had tried, didn't last long.
Dark gasped again, his eyes returning to the color of ruby and his face expressionless, Ankhalla had fell down to the abyss of evil once more. "Dark Astra,what are you waiting for?Kill him!"Blood yelled as he grappled with the Golden Knight. A drop of blood colored tear formed at the corner of the Dark Ultra's eyes, "Lord Blood, I cannot do it, how come I feel as if I know him,who am I?". Somehow, he felt pain, agonizing pain, in his hallow chest where his heart used to be. A small part of him, perhaps emblazoned into his animus (Ancient Greek;soul), still remembered that he used to love this Ultraman, Leo.
As the battle continued,Baron Blood realized that Dark Astra will refuse to fight for him unless he get ride of Ultraman Leo."Max!"the Baron yelled"destroy Urutoraman Reo, then you shall have all the wealth you would ever want!". The traitor of the Ultramans grinned evilly and unleashed a lightsword from his Maximus Breath"Always happy to help you Lord Blood." Leo attempted to deflect his blade with Horbenir, but when it comes to swordfighting, he is definitly not a match for Ultraman Max. He is able to parry the blade, but it cut into his thigh really deep, causing him to fall down. Barrowing this moment, Max stabbed his sword deep into Leo's heart, "Die Ultraman Leo,may you rot in the depths of Tartarus".
Seeing that his last evil goal for today is done, Baron Blood vanished with his army of minions, Max, and Ankhalla. Memphis rushed over to Leo, who is laying in a pool of scarlet blood, "My friend,who in the name of Mount Olympus had done that to you?". The wounded Ultra could barely speak above a whisper that the Golden Knight has to lean in close to hear what he is speaking, "Baron Blood had killed me (cough!)and robbed me of my Astra. Help me get revenge on that cursed lieutenant of the Dark Lord! ". The Golden Knight nodded"I here swear on River Styx and on my throne as the king of the Olympians that I will grant you revenge, Ultraman Leo! ".
Comforted by his friend's words, Leo closed his eyes, his soul flying down to the Kingdom of Caridimius. Memphis slowly stood up, the fire of anger burning bright in his heart. A plan started to form in his mind, a plan for revenge.
A/N: I revised chapter 1 and here is the better version. And BTW all of Memphis's follower's can speak in Ancient Greek in my story since he is a Greek god. I have inserted a glossary to help you know who's who in this fic.
Translation*: O gods of Mount Olympus, why do you have to be so cruel? Isn't taking from me my friends and family enough? Why do you have to take from me now my one and only love Astra?
Abbrieviations/Others:
Acrisius-The Emperor of the Empire of Scorpio, the god of wine and father of the Triosecous. Husband to Queen Atollia.
Agul-The comrade of Ultraman Gaia and the lieutenant of Dikarus the Silver Samurai
Atollia-Mother of the Triosecous, she died giving birth to Dikarus.
Alphadelos-The Dark Lord and a servant to lord Kronos. Archenemy of the Olympian gods. He is also the master of Baron Blood.
Ankhalla-Another name for Astra.
Belia-Evil Ultraman who wanted to wipe out the Land Of Light, but is defeated by Zero.
Caridimius-God of Death and the Underworld, the second brother of the Triosecous.
Chrysaor-'Man with the golden sword',ancient Greek name for Memphis the Golden Knight.
Croetius-The son of Memphis and the new God of War.
Deminous steel-A type of magical metal that is commonly found on the planet Sanalus, where Memphis and his brothers came from. It can be used to harm immortals and mortals once made into a weapon, but only two swords are know to be made from them.
Dikarus-God of the sea and the youngest of the three brothers.
Fallen Warrior-Memphis's name for Dark Astra, referring to his true identity.
GKM-Short name for Memphis the Golden Knight.
Horbenir-The magical sword of is originally a pair with Horbenus,the sword of Memphis,but the Golden Knight gave it to Leo as a gift. One of the few weapons that can kill a god.
Kronos-The Titan god of time and the yougest child of Gaia the Earth and Ouranos the Sky. Enemy of the Olympians.
Memphis the Golden Knight-Leo's best friend and the prince of the Empire of Scorpio. He is the one who replaced Zeus as the King of Olympians and the god of weather, goodness, and justice. Most powerful being in existence. Also a demiTitan because he obsurbed Kronos's powers after he defeated him in Titanomachy Two.
Nebula A66-The home of the Three Brothers Memphis, Caridimius, and Dikarus. Also known as the constellation of Scorpio,or the Empire of Scorpio.
Pharos-Half brother of Croetius and the Messenger of the Olympians.
Triosecous-Meaning the "Mighty Three"
Ultra Seven-The father of Ultraman Zero, an experienced Ultra warrior and Leo's teacher.