Ultraman Zenith, the Cerinian Days
Ascension
The Land of Light, the capital city of M78, was even more splendid up close than it was from the air. The buildings looked to be made of delicate glass, some having more intricate details in the surface than others, while some of them looked like they were carved from ice. All around them, people that looked just like Zenith, his father and their escorts stopped to look at the newcomers, or more specifically, a certain blue-furred Cerinian. Krystal couldn't help but look around in wonder. The vixen's eyes darted from one thing to the next, trying to take in everything at once, but there was just too much to see. The people seemed to stare at her, not sure what to make of this new visitor to their own world. Krystal noticed, and asked Hayata why they were staring at her. "We don't usually receive visitors that often. Even though we frequent other worlds, it's rare for us to have visitors of our own."
"Why is that?"
"Because they're afraid," Dan replied.
"Afraid of what?"
"Of the Plasma Spark," Go replied. "Even though it made us into what we are now, we have no idea what effects it would have on other beings. That's the reason why you're wearing that ring." Krystal looked down at the ring that Dan had given her, then back at Hayata.
"But, just how exactly did you get like…this?" she asked. Hayata smiled knowingly, and told her.
Seventy five thousand years ago, M78 was a world that was much like Cerinia, or any other planet capable of supporting life. Then, one day, their sun was about to turn into a black hole. Their scientists and scholars proposed an idea that no other race has ever done; create their own sun. Within days of their sun turning into a black hole, the artificial sun was almost completed. In the tallest structure, the Plasma Spark was ignited. The star that was about to turn into a black hole was dissipated by the energies of the Plasma Spark. However, there were other…side effects that none of them could have imagined. Almost immediately, most of them, especially those who were trained in combat, began to change. Their bodies turned into a radiant energy, and took on a new form. Soon, the whole race became this way; living beings of pure energy. Some, frightened by what had happened, reverted back to their normal selves by sheer force of will, but the power to transform remained within them. It was discovered that all of them could revert back to their old selves, but their world, their once blue and green world, was forever changed. It looked like the entire surface had turned to crystal or diamond, nothing growing or running on its shining surface. Over the course of thousands of years, the newly-born Ultra race manipulated their planet until familiar life could once more grow and flourish here, tended by the new celestial wards. Thus, the population was split. One side remained in their old bodies, still able to use their power, and do on some occasions, while the others embraced their new selves, exploring their new-found power. Drawing sustenance from light and heat, they no longer knew the taste of food nor drink, but found that to be a small sacrifice for the power that they held. And, they found they did have need of it, for in the short few thousand years, other, more malevolent and cruel beings, had eyed the new planet with envy. The star-planet was coveted like a jewel by these beings, and all the malevolence in the universe gathered to take the planet and the light for their own. However, they had no idea of the force they would have to contend with. The planet was guarded by its new race, and they fought against the darkness with their power to the bitter end. In the end, it was the Ultra race who had won out, each one of them worth at least a hundred of the enemy. Broken and defeated, the malevolent races sought easier pickings elsewhere in the universe. Seeing this, the race made a choice. So as to preserve the balance of good and order in the universe, they sent several of their number to act as protectors to those who could not protect themselves. These new crusaders were sent to the farthest reaches of the cosmos, fighting and protecting against their sworn enemies. And so, for over seventy five thousand years, it has been to this day.
"So basically, you became gods by your own hands," Krystal replied when Hayata was done explaining. The Ultra looked back at her with a surprised expression, then laughed to himself.
"Well, that's one way of putting it," he replied. "I guess you could call us gods, but we are not without our own shortcomings."
"Like what?" Krystal asked.
"Certain planets are deadly to us, particularly those whose atmospheres completely blot out the solar radiation that we need," Hokuto explained. "And unfortunately, our energy is finite. We need to recharge regularly to survive." Krystal replied with a soft "Oh," as they were led to a grand structure.
"We're here," Dan said. Krystal looked up, and had to crane her neck back to see all of it. It was made of the same crystalline-like material that the rest of the structures are made of, and was box-shaped with spires poking up at the corners, while a grand gate at least a hundred times her size blocked their entrance. Indeed, it looked like only a giant could move those doors. Dan turned to face the group. "This is where we must leave you, old friend. We have to go report back to Commander Zoffy about your return."
"Of course," Hayata replied. With that, the three escorts headed for the doors, with Dan pushing against one of them, and actually opening it with little trouble, much to Krystal's surprise. As they went in, Hayata turned to the rest of the group. "Well, we'd better head off,"
"To where?" Zenith asked.
"To visit an old friend of mine." With that, he strode off in the opposite direction, with the Ultra being and Cerinian in tow.
In a garden, a figure in a flowing white robe stood in a clearing with trees all around him. His back was turned to them, but what could be seen was snow-white hair flowing down the back, and a cane in his left hand. "I knew that you would return to us," came a soft voice. Hayata, Zenith, and Krystal walked through the clearing up to the figure. He turned, revealing his face to them. The face looked aged, yet as hard as stone, his wrinkles set in a face that could be as stern as it was soft. His beard was the same as his hair and nearly reached his chest as his sky-blue eyes looked upon them. He had a soft smile as he saw the newcomers. "And I see you've brought company."
"Mentor," Hayata said, as if in introduction.
"Ah, Shodai, or is it Hayata now?" he asked in an amused tone. The other Ultra smiled in response. Mentor looked at the Cerinian, looking her up and down as if examining her. "I've heard of your kind. Cerinian, is it not?" Krystal tried to reply, but couldn't find the words. Mentor smiled in a disarming way. "You've just stepped outside of your own star system, and yet you have seen things that the rest of your kind could only imagine. I realize all this must be shocking to you."
"It is, sir," she replied. Mentor chuckled.
"That is alright. You'll find that life is full of surprises." His gaze finally rested on Zenith. "And finally, the man of the hour," he walked towards him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It is good to finally see you, Zenith. I know why you are here, and it is ready for you,"
"It is?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. The Plasma Spark is waiting for you in the tower," he pointed to the spire that was taller than the rest of the structures. "As one of the keepers of the sacred light, it is my duty to judge whether or not one is worthy of becoming a true Ultra being. And from what I have heard, you have proven your worth. Now, let us depart." As Mentor and Zenith started to walk away, the oldster looked over his shoulder. "I meant all of us." With a smile, Krystal followed the two with Hayata not far behind.
The tower looked even more immense up close, looking as if it pierced the sky itself. The way in was barred by large crystalline doors, like before. Mentor placed a hand on one of them, and pushed with little effort. Inside the great structure was a large shaft that lead what appeared to be the very top of the spire, where a bright glow resided. Mentor stepped on a platform, followed by the rest of the group. Then, the platform started to rise. Krystal nearly fell to all fours when she felt it move, taken by surprise by the sudden rise. However, Zenith held her up as she looked around in surprise as the shaft raced downwards around them. All the while, Mentor and Hayata stood side by side, watching the shaft go down. The platform slowed, and the glow got ever brighter. Then, the platform stopped when it rested against a ledge. The group departed off of the platform, and that was when Zenith and Krystal got their first look at the Plasma Spark. Resting atop an altar several hundred meters away, it looked like a star was shining. Windows all around let its light shine through to the rest of the world as the artificial sun shined. "Behold, the Plasma Spark." Krystal looked upon the sun with wonder. So this is what an artificial sun looked like, she thought. Mentor looked back at the pair, and gestured for them to walk forward with his hand. Zenith and Krystal walked forward, but as the vixen walked past, she felt a hand on her arm. She looked back and saw Mentor holding her back. "From this point on, only Zenith may go forward," he said softly. She nodded and looked back at Zenith. He looked back, and saw Krystal was holding back. She smiled softly.
'Keep going. I'll wait here for you.' Zenith nodded, and headed for the Plasma Spark. After several minutes of walking, he reached the base of the altar. He looked up, and raised his hand to it, hoping that this is what he was supposed to do. Suddenly, he felt a warm sensation touch his palm, and looking up he saw that a kind of vapor made of light had touched his hand, and started to envelope him. He felt a sensation like a furnace all over his body, and yet he felt no pain. He was lifted off of his feet and headed towards the heart of the Plasma Spark. He stopped just in front of it, and felt the heat had increased as he noticed another odd sensation. He could feel something…changing within him. Krystal watched what was happening with the others. Zenith being lifted up towards the Plasma Spark, and his body turning to light. Then, his figure started to swell. The glow grew and grew, and then a brilliant flash filled the chamber that Krystal had to shield her eyes from it. Her ring glowed a bright red, and a crimson aura surrounded her as light washed over her body. A moment later, the light subsided, and a new being floated in place of Zenith. When it touched the ground, the altar was the same height as its chest! When it turned around, Krystal saw perfectly what it was that Zenith had turned into; It looked a lot like what Hayata had turned into, except that it wore briefs, like the other one, 'Jack' she thinks its name was, and the red patterns on its body was slightly different, and sported a slight pair of blade-like protrusions on its forearms. It's eyes were a shining yellow, but there was no blue light on its chest. It looked down at the group, and Krystal felt apprehensive at first, but Hayata and Mentor just smiled at the newly transformed Zenith. The giant being walked toward them, its footsteps sending slight tremors through the floor that they stood on. Its body flashed a bright red, and it shrunk to about their height. Even when it was barely taller than her, it still looked…strange. The oval-shaped eyes set in a mask-like face, the small mouthpiece where the mouth should be, the red and silver body that had muscles that looked like they were chiseled from stone, all of it was strange. When it reached a hand out to Krystal, she retreated a step.
"D-don't be afraid," Zenith's voice replied, having a noticeable echo in it. "It's just me." Hesitantly, Krystal reached for the hand that was offered to her. When she felt it, it felt warm, like the sun on her face. As she stepped closer, her hands went up to the silvery face, the smoothness made her think that it was made of metal, while still retaining the sun-warm feeling. As she looked into the eyes of the alien being, she saw a face in them, Zenith's smiling face. This made her smile as well, even embrace the Ultra. Her head rested against his chest as the Ultra held her. She pulled away to look up at the new being.
"You've gotten taller," she replied.
"Either that or you've gotten shorter," Zenith replied. Krystal laughed slightly at the remark, and lightly embraced him once more. Mentor stepped forward, placing a hand on Krystal's shoulder. She backed away as Mentor spoke to Zenith.
"Now that you have become a true Ultra being, one more thing remains."
"What's that?" Zenith asked.
"If you wish to be an Ultra Brother, you must have this one item to join. Your warning light."
"Warning light?" Mentor nodded.
"In addition to gauging your power, it will act as your badge, so all who see you wearing it will know that you are a member of the Space Patrol's finest."
"How do I get one?" he asked. Mentor gestured for Zenith to follow him. Aside from the path leading to the altar, there was another arch-like bridge that lead to another room. Inside, Zenith saw another altar. It had a glowing light, like the Plasma Spark, but was much smaller.
"This is a fragment of the Plasma Spark. Its light will forge your warning light for you."
"What do I have to do?" Zenith asked.
"Just reach into it with your hand, and imagine your warning light in it. That is all you have to do," Mentor said. Zenith looked at his silvery hand, and placed it in the glowing, flame-like phenomena. The Plasma Spark fragment flared for a moment, then returned to normal. When Zenith pulled his hand back, he could see the object resting in his palm; It was a jewel in the shape of a diamond, in a silver casing. When he turned to Mentor, the oldster walked up to him and took the object from the Ultra and placed it on his chest. It flashed once, and started to glow a steady blue. "Interesting design," Mentor commented.
"I just…imagined it that way." Zenith replied.
"It is fine." Zenith turned so his father and Krystal could look. Hayata smiled approvingly while Krystal walked up to him, placing a hand on his chest. Like the rest of his body, it felt warm to the touch. She looked up at the glowing eyes, and stepped back to take in his whole form. "Now you look more like an Ultra Brother. However, there is still one more thing."
"What's that?" Zenith asked.
"You must prove yourself worthy to be an Ultra Brother. Tomorrow, you will take the test to prove your worth."
"I thought I already had,"
"That was just the initiation. Next, is the real challenge." Mentor headed towards the platform, with Hayata following him. "I suggest you rest for tomorrow. The ordeal you'll be put through will be strenuous in more ways than one." Krystal looked up at Zenith, who still kept his gaze on the retreating figures before following them with the Cerinian just behind.
As Krystal looked out over the balcony, Zenith, still in his Ultra form, examined himself in the mirror. His hands went over his body, feeling every texture of his new form like he discovered himself for the first time. The room that they stayed in looked much like one of the inn rooms that they often visited in one of the neighboring villages when Xetulu took them with him when his duties as chieftain of the province called. He often took them with him when they were younger, and stayed at the best inns that they could offer while they explored and wondered around the towns while Xetulu conducted business. As Krystal looked out from the balcony, her thoughts went back to home, and to her family. When she looked back, she saw Zenith still looking himself in the mirror, examining himself. With a slight smile, she walked to him as he felt along his arms. "I'm sure that everything is not all that different," she commented. Zenith turned around, then back at the mirror.
"It's different enough," he replied. "Everything feels…different. I have this feeling of…power coursing through me." He clenched a fist, hearing the knuckles pop as he did so.
"Well, whatever form you take, you'll still be the same to me," Krystal replied, wrapping her arms around his body.
"You mean dashing, good-looking and irresistible?" he asked. Krystal scoffed.
"More like annoying, full of yourself, and possibly nerve-wracking," she replied with a slight laugh.
"You wound me."
"Oh hush up. But still, have you figured out how to…turn back?" she asked with hesitation, not sure how to word her question.
"I think so. My father said that it's a matter of will. Just imagine myself as I once was, and…" A soft red glow emanated from Zenith's body, making Krystal let go of the Ultra being. When the glow died, Zenith, in his non-Ultra form, was standing before her, albeit slightly different. Krystal looked at him, and she was trying to hold back her laughter while a broad smile played on her face. Zenith wondered what she found amusing, and when he turned to look in the mirror he yelped; he was completely nude. Krystal burst out laughing, nearly doubling over as she sat on one of the beds as Zenith went red in the face and tried to cover himself with his hands, which made Krystal laugh even harder, tears coming down her face as her sides hurt. "Oh shut up!" Zenith shouted as he tried to focus and transform again, but Krystal couldn't stop laughing. She fell back on the bed, eventually calming down till her laughs were reduced to giggles. The same red glow covered him, and when it dissipated, his usual attire covered him. With a sigh of relief, he looked back over at Krystal, who was still getting over her laughing fit when she sat back up.
"You know that image will never go away now," she had a wide grin on as she spoke. Zenith was still red, and Krystal didn't have to feel his thoughts to know what he was thinking.
"I could just wipe your memory," Zenith replied.
"Oh really? How?" Krystal asked with a smirk.
"…I'll get back to you on that," he replied after trying to come up with a rebuttal. Krystal laughed again and playfully punched his shoulder. Zenith walked out onto the balcony, looking over Illuminada and the Land of Light. Krystal joined him, standing right next to him as Zenith felt her thoughts. "Miss your family?" he asked. Krystal didn't answer. Nor did she need to.
"I know what that feels like," he replied. "In a new environment, where everyone around you is a stranger in a strange land."
"Only this time, I have someone with me who isn't a stranger," Krystal replied, looking at Zenith. The Ultra smiled at that and placed a hand on her waist, holding her closer to him as the sun, or what looked like a sun, started to descend behind the horizon. "Is that an actual sunset?" Krystal asked.
"Not exactly. Since M78 is, in itself, a star, we had to replicate a substitute to simulate night and day. It's not a real sun, just a facsimile."
"Another product of the artificial sun, no doubt." Krystal replied. Zenith chuckled at that.
"Close enough."
At the dawn of the next day, Krystal stirred in her bed. The day's first light rested upon her face and she awoke gradually. Sitting up in the nightgown she was able to find in the closet, she looked over at the other bed and saw that it was empty. Swinging her legs over the side, the Cerinian stood up and walked to the curtains concealing the balcony. Opening them slightly to get a peak outside, she saw Zenith standing on the balcony. "You're up early," Zenith said softly. Krystal paused, then walked up beside the young Ultra.
"So are you," she replied. The Ultra smiled at that. "When do you have to take your trial?"
"Soon enough. Right now, I want to see a sunrise on my home planet." Krystal saw the sun rise from where it set when she saw it last night.
"It sets and rises in the same place?" she asked.
"Well, it's not a real sun, after all."
"No…I suppose not," Krystal replied unsurely.
"Glad you two are up with the sun," a voice said from behind. They turned and saw Mentor standing at the doorway. "I was told that you're notorious for sleeping in, Zenith." The other Ultra blushed in embarrassment from the comment while Krystal giggled behind her hands. "Anyway, your trial awaits you, Zenith." The Ultra nodded and followed Mentor out of the door. The Cerinian looked concerned as the door closed behind them.
"You're not worried, are you?" a voice asked. Krystal turned around, and saw something that made her nearly jump in surprise. Standing in front of her was a red and silver being with glowing eyes and a blue light on its chest. She heard Shin's voice coming from it. "You shouldn't, you know. Zenith is tougher than you realize."
"He's just found his power. But does he know how to use it?"
"The trial will force him to improvise. He may find himself capable of feats he never knew possible." Krystal looked away from Hayata and back at the door. "You want to be there for him, like he was there for you." Krystal thought back to when the Ultra had waited for her outside the temple. Hayata held out his hand to her. "Come on. I can take you to him." The Cerinian looked at the hand, then back at the silver, mask-like face. Her hand slipped into it, and the world around her was encompassed in a bright red light.
The structure Mentor led him to was outside Illuminada. It looked to be made of stone, rather than crystal like the rest of the city. It looked like the temple back in the village on Cerinia, only not as elegant. In fact, it looked like a twisted version of that temple. "What you see is not actually as you see it."
"What do you mean?" Zenith asked Mentor.
"It's a place that tests potentially powerful beings like yourself. It takes the form of something that you remember, but twists it, turning it into a perverted form. Inside, you'll face things that are bred from your inner fears that you may not have known to exist. You will have to use more than just your new-found power to survive."
"Survive?"
"Just because your father and the Ultra Brothers survived the trial, doesn't mean that others before and after them have." Zenith felt his eyes widen as he heard this. "Many a brave soul have tried, and very few have ever survived." Zenith stiffened as he heard this. "However, your father's blood does flow through you. I'm sure you can conquer your fears." Zenith tried to steel himself in front of the oldster, and moved forward into the twisted temple. "Hold on!" Zenith turned around. Mentor held something in his hand. "You'll need these!" He tossed a couple of familiar-looking knife-like items, and Zenith caught his Eye-Sluggers in his hands. He looked up at Mentor, confusion on his face. "Just remember what you felt when you transformed with the Plasma Spark flowing into your body, and you'll be alright." Zenith nodded and headed into the temple. Just behind him, a red orb appeared, and when it dissipated, two forms stood in its place. A Cerinian vixen in a loincloth and brazier with a red and silver Ultra walked towards Mentor. "My, my. It's certainly busy this time of day, isn't it?" he asked without turning around. "Then again, it isn't every day that an Ultra becomes an Ultra Brother after all."
"You mean, Zenith's…in there?" Krystal asked. She saw the temple, and was reminded of the temple back home on Cerinia. Only this was different. It looked…evil was the word she came up with.
It was dark inside. The sunlight from outside could not pierce the layer of shadow that surrounded him as the doors behind him shut themselves. Whispering was heard, near silent voices that spoke to themselves as Zenith made his way down the dark corridor. His eyes adjusted to the gloom and he saw the rows of pews leading to an altar, and behind the altar was a figurehead. Unlike the stone head of the Krazoa Spirit that he had seen on Cerinia, this one was demonic. It looked like a Cerinian vulpine, but had horns coming from the sides of its head, and a forked tongue in a fanged mouth. The face looked to be contorted in rage as the tongue dipped out of the snarling maw and the blank, stone eyes set in a scowling visage. Zenith moved closer to the stone head, but when he heard something move behind him and whirled, it changed. When he looked back at the figurehead after seeing that nothing was behind, him, the face had changed. Instead of rage, it looked like the face was now smiling at him. He felt his hair stand up when he saw this, and the whispers intensified. Then, a new voice dominated over them.
"Well, well, the little boy thinks he can be a great warrior like his father?" Zenith turned around and saw a shape standing behind him. It had feminine curves and looked like it had folded its arms across its chest.
"Delusions of grandeur are more like it," came another voice. Zenith turned to the source, and saw a new figure walking towards him from behind the statue. "He doesn't even know what he's afraid of."
"All that time spent on that planet far from home. He was starting to think he was one of them. Too bad he couldn't face the glaringly obvious." A new voice, a new form had taken shape not far from him. This one looked and sounded like the first, feminine.
"Maybe he should have realized the truth, instead of not facing reality," a fourth voice said directly behind him. He turned to it, and saw that it was much shorter than the others, and the voice was a different pitch. All in all, four figures surrounded him from four different directions, keeping him in the center of the box-shape between them.
"Who are you?" Zenith asked.
"The question is who are you?" the first form asked. "You were raised on Cerinia, yet you are not Cerinian."
"He looks lonely, even among his own kind, just like he was back on that other planet." the third added.
"I'm not alone," Zenith replied confidently. "Why don't you show yourself, so I can end this quickly!" Zenith pulled out his Eye-Sluggers from his belt, holding them in a threatening manner at the forms. They laughed mockingly.
"Is this your answer to everything? Violence?" The second form asked. "Very well. We'll play along!" The second lunged at him, though Zenith was able to twist his body to the side to avoid the attack and sliced at the form. His Eye-Slugger passed through its body like vapor, with no apparent damage done to it. Zenith looked at his weapon, then at the shadowy form as it chuckled at his confusion. The first and third forms snarled and lunged at him as well, making Zenith bob and weave as they dove at him. However, they started to attack him, assaulting like trained martial artists. Zenith blocked and evaded the attacks, but he was starting to tire. He tried to transform, but didn't know how. All he knew was the sensation he felt when the Plasma Spark's light flowed into his body. In this situation, he could hardly focus on that. The smaller one spun in front of him and landed a kick on his body, making him stumble back. He felt a blow to his back that made him stumble forward and a fist collided with a fist. He fell to the floor, the taste of blood filling his mouth. He looked up, seeing the shadows looming over him.
"Who the hell…are you?" Zenith winced. The shadows laughed.
"You want to know? Very well." Light filled the hall, driving the shadows away from the figures. What he saw made his hair stand on end. "We are your deepest fears, given form," Xetulu said. He looked over and saw Neera standing over him, along with Krystal and Saber. They had wicked smiles on their faces, their eyes had blood red irises.
"But…why? Why you?" Neera chuckled.
"Maybe you should ask yourself that," she replied. Zenith got his feet under him, only to get kicked in his side. He fell to his left, wincing as Krystal, or the thing that looked like Krystal, loomed over him. The rest of the family disappeared into shadow, leaving just them.
"Maybe this will help." Zenith looked up at her, and she gestured to the wall behind her, where a familiar person stood. Krystal walked to where Rahall was waiting. "I know that you have feelings for me, Zenith." Her hands went to behind her brazier, unhooking it. "Feelings that you wanted to tell me about, but was too embarrassed to tell me." The brazier fell to the floor as a stunned Zenith watched the topless Cerinian walk into Rahall's waiting arms. The other Cerinian placed his lips on hers, kissing her on the lips, then her neck and upper chest while Krystal threw her head back in apparent bliss. All the while, Zenith looked on, unable to process what he was seeing. Krystal looked back, her red eyes flashing as she smiled. "The thought nagging in the back of your head was you losing me to someone else." Zenith tried to rise, but his legs wouldn't respond. "And maybe, just maybe, we just weren't meant to be." Rahall had his snout in between her breasts as Krystal sighed in delight, holding the other Cerinian's head to her chest. She had a leg raised, pressing against Rahall's body as she pressed herself against him. Her eyes had a look of lust as her mouth was open and slight moans escaped her throat. Zenith tried to stand, but to see her like this, see the person he had been raised side by side with and had grown fond of, even got close to, give herself to the same one who tried to kill her. But it wasn't just that. The sight of her with someone else, seeing her enjoying it, felt like a stab to his chest. His fists clenched as he tried to rise. "Maybe it just wasn't meant to be," Krystal said. She looked back as Rahall ravished her. "But you can't handle it. You can't accept it and believe that you and I can be together. And because of that, you can't let me go. Even as I stand here, letting someone else take me, you refuse to believe that something like this could happen. But in reality it's a possibility that is all too real. Your inability to face that has given birth to this inner fear." Krystal turned back, and brought Rahall's face from between her breasts to hers, kissing him deeply. She pulled away as the other Cerinian kissed her body once more. "You think that I'll accept you because we've known eachother almost all our lives, but the reality is that I can just as easily choose the same person who just tried to kill me, as well as you." Zenith was able to push himself to his knees, looking up at the two Cerinians.
"You're right," he replied. Krystal looked back. "You do have the right to choose. You have the choice, just as I do." He got his feet under him, and stood back up. "But I still made my choice. I still chose you." His face hardened as Krystal snarled at him.
"You still don't know anything!" She lunged at Zenith, her claws extended as her eyes flashed in fury. Zenith grabbed her by the throat, holding her at bay as she tried to slash at him. Her red eyes glowed as she tried to reach him. From the corner of his eye, Zenith saw Rahall starting to bear down on him. Zenith kicked Krystal in the side, knocking her away and rolling to the other side, avoiding Rahall's charge. Rolling onto his feet, he saw the two of them standing side by side. However, he had gotten his shock. He was ready for them now. And what's more, he now remembered what it felt like when he transformed for the first time. He had a smile on as he realized something. "What's so funny?" Krystal asked, not understanding.
"I just thought of something. You may be given form by my fears, but your not real." Krystal looked surprised, as did Rahall. "The ones who died before me didn't realize one crucial fact. It's all suggestion. They thought they were being killed, so it happened. However, like any dream, I can take control." His fist tightened its grip, and he raised it. It glowed a bright red. Taking a deep breath, Zenith grunted with effort as he remembered the sensation he felt back then, and let it flow from him. His body was engulfed in red light, the brilliant luminescence filled the interior of the temple as he turned to his Ultra self. The light died, and the new red and silver Ultra being stood before the two surprised Cerinians. "I'm going to turn this nightmare, into yours." Krystal looked back at Rahall, and the Cerinian ran at the Ultra. Both locked hands, neither giving the other an inch of ground as they seemed to be on equal terms of strength. However, Zenith took a step forward, forcing Rahall back. He took another step,and another, until he was running with Rahall in his grip until they hit the wall on the other side of the temple. The wall crumbled as it was smashed. Zenith, in his new form, walked out of the dust towards Krystal. "At first you overwhelmed me because I was caught off guard. But now I'm gonna show you what hell is really like." Krystal chuckled in response.
"Just because you transformed you think you're invincible. How typical." From behind her, her parents and younger brother materialized from the shadows. "But can you take down the same people who have been like family to you?" By some unspoken command, the trio attacked. Xetulu swung at Zenith, but the Ultra dodged to the right and sent an uppercut to his jaw, knocking him to the ground. Neera went in with a roundhouse kick, but Zenith caught the limb in his hand, and swung her into a row of pews, smashing the wood to splinters. Saber jumped up at Zenith, but the Ultra grabbed him by the throat, his grip nearly crushing his windpipe as the kit snarled and tried to claw at his face, foam coming from his mouth. Zenith tossed him into the air, and with a spin kick sent him into a wall, leaving an imprint as the kit slumped down to the floor. The trio vanished into shadow, leaving just Krystal. The Cerinian had a scowl on her face as she faced the Ultra. "So you were able to fight them. But all this means is that you've gotten over your fear, or you're just a heartless bastard." Her arms were lowered as she walked towards him. "Now, you have to face the person who you hold so dear. Think you can do it?" Her body started to ripple as muscles impossibly. "I'm the sum of everything you've been afraid of in life. You think you can easily defeat me?" Krystal asked. When her metomorphosis was complete, her muscles had gotten more than triple their size, as well as her gotten taller. From behind, she grabbed a black pole, a polar opposite from Krystal's Krazoa staff. From behind him, Zenith's Eye-sluggers flew into his hands and he wielded them in an aggressive manner. "Now, prepare yourself!" Krystal lunged with her staff, trying to swing his head off of his shoulders. The Ultra blocked with his Eye-Sluggers, but the copy Cerinian was relentless. Blade rang against rod as both combatants fought back and forth, each unable to gain the advantage against the other. Krystal jumped back, and pointed the round end of her staff at Zenith. Ebony balls of energy were launched one by one at him. Zenith swatted them away with his Eye-Sluggers. It was then that another thought formed in his mind. He needed something more powerful than the weapons he had now. He brought the two blades together, and they became a glowing ball of power. The ball of light attached itself to Zenith's right forearm. When the light died, the two blades had merged, becoming somethig else entirely; It was a brace-like object, with the Eye-Sluggers lining the horizontal edges of the brace. Krystal was taken aback by the transformation. The blades along the edges opened, and the interior between the Eye-Sluggers and the edges of the brace glowed orange, like fire. Zenith clenched his fist, and a beam of orange light grew from the brace. It grew to more than a meter in length, and ended in a blade-like tip. With a metallic sound, Zenith wielded the new blade with deadly intent. He swung down with the blade, while Krystal tried to block with the staff, the blade slicing through the staff like it was Styrofoam. Krystal backed away as Zenith raisd his arm to the ceiling, the blade retracting back into the brace. The Eye-Sluggers were still extended, but flipped themselves around until they faced Zenith. The Ultra held his arm in front of him and the blades glowed once more, becoming a new form. An orange blade on either side of the brace extended almost a meter length on each side while a thin line went from one end of the blade to the other, forming a kind of energy bow. Zenith pulled back on the ethereal bow string, an arrow of light forming along his hand as his finger pointed at the copy-Cerinian. Zenith let the arrow fly from the bow, striking Krystal in the chest. She went screaming into the wall, the arrow pinning her to it. She looked up, a sad smile on her face as the bow dissipated into nothingness. "I see, so that's what…it feels like." Her face softened as her smile grew, and she glowed a golden light and vanished into thin air. Zenith reverted back to his normal self, the brace on his arm reverted back to the Eye-Sluggers in his hands. Suddenly, the lights went out, save for a light leading to the exit. Looking around, he headed towards the doorway, unsure. He reached the door and opened it to the clear blue sky and shining sun outside. He stepped out, and heard a noise behind him. He turned and saw the twisted temple crumble to the ground.
"Zenith!" He turned and saw a blue form rushing at him. As soon as he saw Krystal running towards him, he reacted with pulling his Eye-Sluggers at her as she opened her arms in an embrace. She stopped short when he lunged at her, the blade a mere inch from her throat. Her smile was gone, her face went from joy to shock. He was breathing heavily as he looked at her, his eyes confused and furious. "Zenith…it's me," the vixen said, putting a hand to his face. "It's Krystal."
"How do I know you're the real one?" he asked.
"Real?" she asked, not comprehending.
"Zenith!" came another voice. Mentor walked up to them, his face stern yet soft. "It's over. You passed the trial." Zenith looked from Mentor to Krystal. She looked afraid, even after he lowered his hand from her neck. He backed away from her, looking away as he tried to piece everything together "It's alright Krystal," Mentor said softly. "He's just getting over the effects of the trial."
"What did he face in there?" she asked.
"It differes for each person," was all he said. She looked back at Zenith. She walked towards him, unsure.
"Zenith?" she asked. The Ultra looked up, seeing Krystal what looked like the first time. "It's me," she said softly. "It's Krystal." Zenith looked into her eyes, saw that they were the same emeralds he had seen for most of his life, the same emerald eyes he had grown to know and love. He reached out, placing a hand on her cheek softly. He nearly collapsed on her, falling to his knees in front of her as the strength seemed to have left his legs. Krystal fell with him, embracing him as his body shuddered against hers. She held his head as he held her tightly, feeling the impression of both relief, and even joy that the trial was finally over.
"You sure you can't come back?" Zenith asked. Hayata shook his head slowly with a smile.
"My place has always been here, son. Yours is back there, on Cerinia. After all, time here flows differently than on Cerinia."
"What's that mean?" Krystal asked.
"Time here works differently than where you are from. A day here, could either be longer or shorter than on Cerinia," he explained. "Aren't you curious about what happened since you've been away?" Hayata asked Zenith. Zenith nodded as Krystal stood next to him. Hayata and Mentor stood side by side as they saw them off. Now that Zenith was an Warrior of Light, he was ordered to Cerinia until further instruction. Both he and Krystal were saying their farewells to them when they stepped away from them. Zenith's body started to glow, and a red orb, much like Hayata's Travel Sphere, encompassed them. From inside, Zenith waved good bye to his father, with Hayata doing the same. Then, the orb took off into the sky.
In space, a green rift opened and a red orb flew from the portal. As it closed, the orb made its way to a blue and green planet a couple of light years away. It entered the atmosphere and headed for the place that was familiar to its occupants. Only, what they hoped to find was completely gone. Instead of the village and surrounding forests, only desolation remained. The structures were destroyed and torn apart while the forests and woods were razed for miles around. The orb settled in the middle of the ruined village. When it dissipated, Krystal ran from Zenith. Fear gripped her heart as she ran frantically. "No, no!" she cried as she ran. Zenith followed her as Krystal tried to find any survivors, only to find corpses littering the streets. The temple was ruined, destroyed as if by a storm of unimaginable strength, while the structures surrounding it looked as though a hurricane ravaged them. She found the gates, twisted and mangled from their original shape, and saw her home, at the top of the hill. Running in a full sprint, she reached the top of the hill and met a horrifying sight; Her home had been blown apart as if by a large gale wind. Debris littered the hill as the grass was burnt to ash around her. She fell to her knees sobbing. Zenith reached her, and what he saw also brought a tear to his eyes. "What happened here?" she sobbed. "Where is everyone?" Zenith held Krystal, embracing her frm behind.
"I don't know, Krystal. But I promise, we will find out." The sun was setting just behind them, on the desolate village that once held happy people, that was now filled with ghosts.