Chapter 38
The Beginning Pt.2
It could feel it. A disturbance that could barely be felt, but still noticeable. Gorzul seemed to shift in its throne, as if tense about something. The hood slightly jostled as it felt the sensation of someone in the Cross Roads. Someone, whom he thought that he had dealt with. It smiled inwardly. "So, my old friend, you decided to reveal yourself." A blue swirl appeared before it, and the form of Xetulu appeared, the senior Cerinian vulpine looking at the entity, a blue aura emanating from him.
"Gorzul, the time is coming for the reckoning I promised so long ago." Gorzul let out a laugh, and replied.
"You may believe that you have the upper hand, because the little girl that you sheltered may be coming closer to the truth, but mark me; neither she, nor the boy will be able to stand against me. I have grown stronger than ever before, and not even Fox McCloud can stop me." Xetulu smirked when he heard this, and Gorzul seemed to be taken aback by what it had just said.
"So, I see that you are still suffering from the side-effects of the last-ditch effort to save yourself from destruction. When you make your other self known to your enemies, they will destroy you all the quicker." Xetulu's form disappeared into a wisp of blue vapor. Gorzul growled in anger when he left, and clenched its fists. It will not let a simple mistake like this continue to hinder its plans. It will take over the Lylat System, then the universe, along with countless others.
Another shift in the memories saw Krystal fast-forward a few years. Jim, now a toddler was sitting next to his parents, while another boy, a couple years older than him at the very least, ran with a group of friends in front of the parents. They were at a park, presumably in Japan, since Jim told her that he spent the first years that he can remember there. Krystal saw this, standing beside a tree as the scene unfolded. She felt herself smile a bit as she saw this. Then, she noticed something else; an older man was standing just a few yards away from her and the group. He was dressed in a jacket, pants, shirt, and loafers. He had his hands in his pockets, and a smile seemed to creep into his features. He was definitely Japanese, judging by his facial features, but she knew nothing else about him aside from that. However, young Jim seemed to tack a particular interest in him. The image went into fast-forward again, and the boy matured another year. This time, it was his third birthday, and he was holding up the same doll that Krystal remembers oh so well. The red and silver, six inch tall plastic doll of the famous super-hero Ultraman was happily being wielded by an ecstatic three year-old Jim. His laughing expression brought a smile to her own face. After all this time, he still kept it on him, not letting it go for any reason. Krystal smiled at the thought of the memento, and saw the scene fast forward again, this time even further. Jim was now either seven or eight years of age, and was in a white gi and belt, while an older man, middle-aged, was also wearing a gi, but with a black-belt. It was the same man who she saw when Jim was an infant while they were in the park. But, he hadn't aged a day. They were going over some practice drills, Jim striking the older male, or at least trying to, but the older man was able to effortlessly block his attempts. At this point, they had moved to Alaska, just as Jim had said. The building that they were in looked like to be some sort of dojo. Then, both combatants back off from eachother, and took a step back. They bowed to eachother, then stepped forward. The man wore a grin, while Jim smiled openly. "Good job, Jim-kun. You have indeed improved since last time. It's too bad that your brother could not attend like I had advised. But, at least you were able to come."
"Thank you, sensei. I am trying harder, but the other kids are older and bigger than me. It's hard for me to fight them."
"Do not lose heart, Jim-kun. You are progressing more than you think. Soon, you will be able to bring home that trophy." the older man placed his hands on the boy's shoulders, and smiled assuringly. Jim nodded, and the man returned it. The memory shifted, one to a scene that the vixen hardly expected. It was a jungle-like environment, one that seemed hauntingly familiar to the vixen. Then, she saw him. Jim was sitting alone on a log, holding the same six-inch doll that he had carried with him the past five years of his life. Then, he turned, and the vixen followed his gaze. What she saw, made her gasp out loud; standing not ten feet from them, was a blue-furred fox kit, roughly around the same age as Jim is now. She was speechless, wondering just how Jim could have memories like this. Then, the first thought that came to her mind was 'Why?' The fox kit, clearly female by the attire that she wore, made her way to the surprised human. 'Why? Why didn't he tell me?' The human, surprised, fell back as the vixen kit strode up to him. She stood over him, the frightened human boy seemingly at the mercy of the vixen. 'How could he have these memories?' The vixen leaned forward, and seemed to smell the human boy. Then, she stood up suddenly, her face lit up with delight as she embraced the young human in a crushing hug. 'Why can't I remember? Why don't I remember this?' The scene fast forwarded to scenes where the vixen brought h\her new friend to her village, met her father and Jim's sensei. She brought him to her home, introduced him to her mother and sister, and they bonded after that. "Jim, why didn't you tell me…" Krystal asked to no one as she saw herself asleep in a hammock with Jim asleep in a sleeping bag next to her. The scene shifted to the blue void that she had come to know.
"He couldn't tell you." the voice of the Krazoa sounded from behind the vixen. She turned, and saw the robed figure standing behind her, its emotionless face looking at her with glowing blue eyes. "How could he? He did not understand them himself, until recently. And even then, his own memory is incomplete."
"Was he there when Cerinia died?" she asked. The Krazoa hesitated before answering.
"Yes. But he does not remember that as of yet. However, you can."
"What do you mean? I can't even remember even meeting him on Cerinia. How can he have been there? His own power didn't form until after I met him on Earth."
"Your own memory was altered, along with his, to protect you from Gorzul's reach. You would be sent to Sauria, while he went back to Earth, your abilities suppressed until the time was right for you to fulfill your destiny. And now, the coming battle with Gorzul is nearly at hand. You must find the remaining memory, and become who you were meant to be."
"But, where can I find it? The memories were stored in the belongings of an Ultra named Sheja. Jim got them, and inherited his memories of his Ultra self."
"The answer, lies with one of the people that you trust the most."
"Trust the most?"
"One of the first people that you met after coming to the Lylat System. He was also the one who gave Jim his Brace."
Cornerian Army Command Central: General Pepper sat in his chair, looking out of the view that led to a sunset-stricken Corneria City. The sky was a mix of red and orange as Lylat and Solar both set behind the purple-hued mountains. However, the general's thoughts were not on the fantastic display, as evident on the faraway look on his wizened face. The bloodhound was focusing on other matters, more pressing was the current threat of Gorzul. He sighed heavily, thinking. 'How much longer, I wonder, until the wolf growling at my door finally comes crashing in?' He looked like one who has been carrying a heavy burden for a very long time. Behind him, in his desk, a light chiming sound was heard. General Pepper barely heard it, but it was enough for him to turn around. He saw a faint glow of light pulsing from the same drawer that held Jims Spacium Brace. He opened it, and took out the same case that held it. He opened it, and took out a small item. It was diamond shaped in appearance, and glowed faintly with a yellow light. He held it close to himself. 'Why did I not give this to them when I had the chance?' he wonders to himself. He looked at the diamond, and an image filled it, a face that he had hoped that he would never again see. "Damn you, Andross. Why do you still continue to torment me in this way?"
Sauria: Krystal stepped down from the open hand of the Warp Stone, and saw her former mentor standing just a few paces ahead of her. She wore a look of determination. As she strode forward. Xetulu looked like he might try to stop her, but made no indication of doing so as she walked by. He decided to speak when she was a few steps behind him. "Have you found what it is that you are looking for?" she stopped, then answered.
"Not yet, but I'm getting close. I have to head back to Corneria to find something."
"And then…him." Krystal turned when he said this, and her former teacher turned to face her, a tired smile on his face. "I knew who it was that was on your mind, even as you stepped foot on this world. After all, his likeness does reside on the Earth Walker's temple."
"I want to know, why he was keeping this a secret from me. He knows that he can tell me anything."
"How can he tell you, what he does not understand? He was afraid you might find him mad."
"Stranger things have happened recently." she replied. Xetulu nodded slightly in agreement.
"Yes. They certainly have, haven't they? Either way, this isn't really his memory that you are looking for."
"Then whose is it?" Krystal asked.
"Yours." Xetulu replied. Krystal stood there for a moment, then turned and continued down to her arwing. When she was out of sight, Xetulu's expression softened a bit. 'Take care, daughter…'
Unknown part of Space: Claire was nearing the Lylat System. In her ship, she can still recall the orders given to her by Gorzul. 'You are to go to Corneria, and eliminate the only one who has the girl's memory. He is the head of the Cornerian Military, and one of the system's leaders. Remember, above all else, you must get to him before either the girl, or the Ultra do. If any of them do, then my plan will develop…complications that I care not to indulge myself in.' With that in mind, Claire sped off to Corneria, and to General Pepper.
Corneria: Krystal touched down on the landing pad near the CACC. It was already early evening, with the final rays of the sun all but replaced by night, a slight area of red and purple in a sky of night and stars. She bypassed the Great Fox, hoping to avoid her sensors, and was now heading to General Pepper's office. The cerulean vixen checked in at the front desk, and steadily made her way to the general's office, her thoughts swirling about her head. 'Why does the general have my memory? How did he get a hold of it? This is all so overwhelming. I don't even remember much of my time on Cerinia. It was destroyed when I was just a young kit, and it all seems like a blur to me. I remember my parents, and a sister, but everything else is just…gibberish to me.' Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the general's door. She knocked, and was bidden to enter. The general was sitting behind his desk, facing the view overlooking the night-draped city, the many lights of Corneria City giving it a feel like it was alight with many, minuscule flames. Krystal made her way to the desk, the general not moving to face her.
"I have been waiting for this moment." The bloodhound turned the chair around to face the vixen. The general looked even more aged than he usually does. He had an exhausted expression about him, and had bags under his eyes, and his jowls seemed more slack than usual. "It has been a while since last you came here, Krystal. I still remember the day you came here the first time." the vixen smiled in nostalgia, and Pepper chuckled in response. "However, even then, I could not have given you what you have came for now. It was not yet your time, not until Jim had stepped into your life and made you realize your true destiny. I only wished that, it did not have to be in such a fashion."
"Please, general, can we get to business? We don't have much time left."
"I know, Krystal. Even now, Gorzul is planning to kill me, if he has not sent his first attempt yet."
"But, why you?"
"Because, I am the only one left alive in the Lylat System who knows who Gorzul really is. If anyone else were to know, there's not telling what he will do. If anyone else were to receive this, there would be no telling what kind of mayhem would ensue from it."
"But, just who or what is Gorzul?" Krystal asked.
"Someone that you know. Or rather, someone that you have heard about." Pepper pulled open the drawer, and pulled out the same case that held Jim's Spacium Brace. He opened it, and pulled out a gem that could fit in the palm of a hand. He handed it out to Krystal, who received it, uncertain. "Do you recognize it?" he asked. The puzzled look told Pepper that she did not. "I was told it was the one of the last things that you had, before leaving the planet Cerinia. As a child, you held it dear, almost as dear as you held your friend, Jim, in your childhood."
"Who? Who told you?"
"Your father did."
"My…father?"
"Look into it, and you will know the answer." Krystal took the crystal in hand, and looked into it. It glowed with a radiance all of its own, and became a blinding flash. Krystal had to shield her eyes for a moment, and when she lowered them again, she saw herself in another time, and another place.
Great Fox: Jim felt it, a malevolent presence was heading for the planet of Corneria. He couldn't see it, but he could sense it, almost as if it were tangible. And, it was a presence that he knows. Jim exited from his room, and headed for the hangar in a trot.
It was night, and her younger self was asleep in the hammock, with the young human in the sleeping mat beside her. Krystal crept to the sleeping kit, and looked down at her. She tried to place a hand on her sleeping self, but found that her hand had passed through her body. She pulled it away quickly, and looked to the sleeping form of the young human. She knelt next to him, and looked down. Jim's younger self looked almost exactly like him, save for a few obvious differences. She smiled at the sight. Then, his eyes shot open. Krystal was taken aback, and feared that he saw her. However, when he shot up, and literally ran through her body to the window, she remembered that this was merely a memory. The young human looked up at the sky, as if searching for something. Krystal walked next to him, seeing him poke his head out of the window, and did the same. She saw nothing, but saw by the way that the human was craning his neck upward, that she was looking in the wrong place; She looked up, but still saw nothing, just the star-specked night sky. However, she knew better than to trust her eye-sight, especially when Jim was around. The boy turned to face the sleeping vixen, his voice a harsh whisper.
"Dia, wake up!" The vixen didn't stir. The human went over, and shook her. Groggily, the kit roused.
"What is it?" she asked, half-asleep.
"There's something outside. Come on." She rubbed her eyes as the human went back to the window. The sleepy kit did the same, but didn't see anything. She followed his gaze but still saw nothing.
"Aaron, it was only a dream." the kit said.
'Aaron?' Krystal thought.
"No. There is definitely something out there. I can feel it." The kit looked up again, but still saw nothing. Sighing in exasperation, she tugged at the human.
"Come on, let's get back to bed. I'm tired, and there's something I wanna show you tomorrow." The young kit went to her hammock, and climbed in. The human remained rooted at the spot. However, as he continued to look up, his expression turned from a scowl to shock. Then, he went over to the young kit, and shook her again.
"Dia, look outside! You can see it now!" Irritated, the young kit got out of her hammock, and strode to the window.
"If this is a trick Aaron, I'm telling my father." However, her irritation disappeared when she looked up, and her visage was replaced with the same shock that the young human had. Krystal went to the window as well, and looked up. What she saw, made her heart skip a beat; several large lights were hovering in the sky. She couldn't tell what kind of ships they were, but had the distinct feeling of dread when she saw them. "What are they?" Dia asked, sounding a little afraid.
"I don't…" Before the human could finish, a great shuddering hit the house, almost like an earthquake. The room trembled, and the two fell to their knees. Dia let out a frightened yelp, and Aaron held onto her. Things on shelves clattered to the floor, and there was a great sound outside, like an explosion. Krystal looked out, and saw a red glare over the horizon. Then, the door swung open, and two larger figures entered the room, the light from the crystals hanging from the ceiling flashing to life. Krystal saw the two vulpines, and knew that they were her parents.
"Are you children alright?" her mother asked, a mix of anxiety and concern plainly evident in her voice. Dia ran to her mother's arms, the vixen holding her close to her body. Aaron was standing up, Dia's father helping him up.
"We're fine. But what was that?" Aaron asked.
"We don't know. Stay here while we go have a look." Dia's sister came in. "Rena, stay here, and look after these two. Make sure that they do not leave this room." The older kit nodded dutifully as the two parents left the room. Both kit and human looked out of the window as the pair left the house, and towards the village ahead of them. However, it wasn't the pair that they was looking at, it was the red glow in the village. In seconds, a new sound was heard, one that sent chills down the children's spine, and sounded hauntingly familiar to the vixen. As she looked out of the window, the vixen saw a sight that she wished never to see again; Doragon was standing in the village square. It turned its insect-like head this way and that, looking at the dwellings before it. The red glare didn't subside, and Doragon seemed to be bathed in it. With another hideous shriek, the mantid Kaiju swung one of its scythes down on one of the houses, shattering it to rubble. Dia and Aaron looked on in shock at the spectacle. To the human, it was like watching one of the monster movies that he was so fond of coming horribly to life, while for the kit, it was like waking up to a nightmare. Then, Dia bolted from the window and headed for the door, only to be intercepted by Rena.
"Let me go, I have to help mother and father!" she shouted. Rena held her fast, but didn't notice the human sneaking out as well, until it was too late. When she saw Aaron run out, she called his name too late for it to make much of a difference. Aaron raced down the steps, and ran out of the door. He didn't know how, but he knew that he had to find some way to stop that thing. Krystal looked out of the window, and saw herself get free from Rena's grasp, and follow Aaron. Rena was quickly gaining on her, but not before they reached the village, with Krystal close behind. It was chaos. Everything was a shambles as Doragon tore through the defenseless village. Aaron stopped when he entered the village, seeing the death and destruction around him as the dead littered the streets, bloodied with some of them staring sightlessly ahead of them. He felt a rage and sadness well up. Dia and Rena were close behind, and when the two kits saw this, they felt the strength leave their bodies. Rena fell to her knees, while Dia had a look of shock about her, her mind unable to comprehend what all is going on. Aaron's hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles going white, and tears of anger were burning his eyes. He felt so helpless in this situation, and that's when he bolted into the ruined village. "Aaron, wait!" Dia called out, snapping out of her trance when she saw human run. Aaron bolted this way and that, trying to find Dia's parents. What he saw was just more dead and dying people. He saw all of this, and felt it tug at his heart, Doragon's screech echoing in the night air. Then, he saw a recognizable shape. After speeding towards it, he saw that it was Dia's mother, lying face-down on the ground. After turning her over, Aaron saw the wound on her abdomen, and feared the worst. He shook her, hoping to get some sort of response from her. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing the dying emeralds within. Dia ran to her side, tears evident when she saw the state her mother was in. "Mama!" she shouted. She embraced her with all her might, trying to hold onto what was left.
"Dia…you must…leave this place…" Her voice was barely above that of a whisper, and was fading. "You must…fulfill your destiny…the prophecy…that your…father foretold." She turned to Aaron, a weakening smile on her muzzle. "Take care…of her…Aaron…" And with that, she passed on. Dia never tore herself away from her mother's body. Tears of his own in his eyes, Aaron gently removed his hands away from the body, with a still-sobbing Dia lying on top of her. Then, Aaron looked up, and saw the shadowed body of the monster that was responsible for this. Doragon let out an unholy shriek into the sky, as if to tell the heavens of what it had accomplished this night. He felt a burning rage tear at his heart, and stood up, his fists trembling.
"Dia! Aaron!" Dia's father ran towards them, and stopped when he saw his wife's body with a Dia sobbing on her. He knelt down, tears beginning to fall from his eyes. He placed his hands on his loved one's corpse, and hung his head in sadness. Aaron saw this, and could take it no more. He bolted at the Doragon, intent on stopping it. Randorn looked up just in time to see him run towards the thing. "Aaron, stop!" he shouted, but it was too late. Dia looked up, and felt the same fear as her father did for the human. Doragon looked down, seeing movement flash past in its peripheral vision. It saw the tasty little morsel heading towards it, and let out an amused chuckle. It knelt, and raised its scythe, intent on skewering the little thing, like it had done to so many of the other little things roaming around here. The scythe almost came crashing down on the boy, but got tackled out of the way, and the scythe came crashing down on an empty road. Aaron looked up, and saw Randorn looking up at Doragon. Then, he turned his gaze down at the boy. "What were you thinking! You could have gotten yourself killed!" he shouted. Aaron remained resolute.
"I can do something! I'm an Ultra, and…"
"No, you are not!" Randorn shouted back. "You are not an Ultra, and you never will be if you keep this up. We have to get out of here, right now!" With Aaron in tow, Randorn made his way to Rena and Dia, who was still by Neera's corpse. Dia looked up, tears staining her eyes still. "Dia, Rena, we must go now. The village is a shambles, and we must get out of here before that monster sees us." Both kits looked up, and nodded. As the four of them were reaching for the exit, Doragon took notice of them after it was done tearing about the remains of the village. After issuing a blood-curdling scream, it raised its scythe, intent on impaling them. Randorn saw this, and shoved Aaron away from him. The scythe came in between him, and the vulpine family. Aaron saw the scythe rise, and Doragon took a step forward, its leg nearly stepping on the human who rolled out of the way just in the nick of time. However, as he got up, he saw Doragon crouch down, and raise both of its scythes, saliva dripping from its maw as it neared them. Randorn tried to shield his daughters from the thing, but knew that it was hopeless. Acting on instinct, Aaron rushed at the monster, yelling at the top of his lungs. It got the creatures attention, but smiled evilly, as if in amusement. As Aaron got close enough, Doragon lightly swatted the boy away with the flat of its scythe. The action sent Aaron flying back, and he crashed to the ground, his body limp.
"AARON!" Dia shouted. She moved to go to him, but was restrained by her father. Doragon looked down at the boy, his compound eyes glowing maliciously. Then, he turned his attention back to the matter at hand; the vulpine family. As Doragon neared the trio, Dia did the only thing she could thing of. "HELP, ANYONE!" As if answering her call, there was a great flash of red from behind Doragon. The family looked behind the monster, and Doragon turned to see what the light was about. The glow was coming from Aaron. His eyes were glowing a bright red, as was his whole body, as he stood up, his fists clenched, and his teeth gritted. Then, he opened his mouth, and let out a fierce yell, one that made even Doragon take an involuntary step back. Aaron's body became luminescent, and amazingly, began to swell. In mere moments, it matched Doragon in height, while the Kaiju stood dumbfounded at the sudden turn of events. The giant of light threw a punch at the monster, and it was sent flying away, right over Randorn and the others, and into the woods beyond. Randorn shielded his daughters when Doragon was sent flying, but when they looked up, what they saw made their jaws drop; standing at the same height as Doragon, was a red and silver giant, with a glowing blue light on his chest, and cerulean-blue eyes. It sported red 'briefs', as well as red streaking across its silver body as it looked at the spot where Doragon had landed. Then, it looked down, and saw the family on the ground, apparently cringing from the giant. It slowly made its way to them, and knelt down to one knee. It lowered its hand, palm open, and set it next to the trio of vulpines. The family looked up, and the giant nodded at them. Dia smiled broadly, feeling Aaron's presence emanating from it. She took a step forward, and stepped onto the hand, followed by the rest of her family. The giant stood up, and walked away from village, away from where Doragon landed. After setting down the vulpines on the edge of the city, the giant looked up to see Doragon standing back up, yelling its displeasure at it. The giant took a combat stance, ready for the monster. Doragon made the first move, charging at the red and silver giant in a mad rage. The giant jumped over Doragon, and the monster went crashing to the ground. It got back up, and faced the red and silver giant once more. The Giant ran forward, and executed a jump-kick to its face, making it fall back. It quickly rose, and swung with its scythes, hoping to land a blow. However, the giant expertly evaded and parried the clumsy blows. Doragon went for an overhead attack, but the giant easily blocked it. It swung out with the other scythe, but the giant grabbed it, and shoved it back. Then, the giant threw a punch at its face. The attack landed successfully, and forced Doragon to take a step back. The giant then let loose an over-head chop, and a side chop, both attacks making it retreat a step. Finally, a spin-kick made it fall to the ground. When it stood back up, the giant placed its arms in a plus-shaped, and a crossed-shaped beam fired from his forearms, and impacted against Doragon. Sparks and energy danced about the impacted area, while Doragon let out a piercing wail of agony. Then, the beam died, and Doragon still stood. The giant held its pose for a moment longer, then dropped its arms, its hands clenched into fists. Then, after issuing a final screech, Doragon fell, and it exploded into millions of flaming fragments. The giant looked away, to the family of vulpines standing at the edge of the ruined village. As it walked, its footsteps echoed across the night sky, and tremors were felt from them. As it knelt down, Dia kept her broad smile glued to her muzzle. Then, a bright red glow came from the giant, and it shrunk in size. The giant shrunk to a ball of light, no bigger than a child. The light dissipated, and Aaron was standing before them. He took a step forward, and collapsed, but not before Dia embraced him as he fell. Both children fell to the ground, with Dia holding the human as close to her as possible. Randorn and Rena took tentative steps towards the pair, and knelt next to Dia and Aaron.
"He did it. He actually did it." Rena said, disbelieving what she had seen just moments ago. Randorn shared a similar expression as his daughter. Then, a bright light descended from the sky, and landed in front of them. Then, the light materialized into Yamato Takeshi, the Teacher of Light. The Ultra looked around him, then at the unconscious form of Aaron, who was still being held by Dia.
"What has happened here?" he asked. Randorn told him all that had happened within the past hour, and his face went grim as a result. "That means he's found you already…" he says almost to himself. Then he looked to Randorn, his voice stern. "the time that we had all been dreading has finally been thrust upon us. Randorn, you know what to do."
"Of course." Was all he said. Then, he pulled Rena away from the pair as Takeshi moved towards Aaron and Dia. The blue-furred kit looked up, tears staining her cerulean fur.
"Father, what's happening?" Rena asked.
"your sister and Aaron will be going away for awhile…" was all he said. Rena looked up at him, puzzled by what her father had said. Dia looked up at the Ultra in human guise. He knelt next to them, and pulled out his Bright Stick. The transformation item flashed once, and the next instant, Aaron's eyes shot open. He rose up with a start, that Dia fell off of him. She got back up, and saw Aaron standing in front of his mentor. Aaron looked up and around him.
"What happened? Where'd that monster go?" he asked, looking this way and that.
"It's gone, Aaron-kun. You defeated it." Takeshi said, smiling broadly. Aaron looked up at Takeshi, puzzled.
"I…did?" he asked. The Ultra nodded.
"You were able to transform on your own. Normally, it would have taken a few years for you to practice, but you wanted to protect your friends that badly…"
"When I heard Dia, I just…did what felt natural…"Aaron tried to explain. Takeshi chuckled, and patted Aaron on the head.
"Of course you did." He looked to Dia, and motioned for her to come over. She did so without hesitation. When she saw Aaron looking at her, she hugged him as tight as her small body would allow. Aaron returned the gesture in kind. "Aaron-kun, Dia-chan, the time for you to embark on your journey is about to begin. You two have been chosen for something great in your lives, that will change, not only the face of this galaxy, but the fate of the universe as you know it." Dia and Aaron looked at eachother, confused by what Takeshi is saying.
"Where are we going, Sensei?" Aaron asked.
"Far away, to another planet. Or rather, to two different planets."
"What planets?" Dia asked.
"You, Dia-chan, will go to the planet known as Sauria for your part. Aaron will return to Earth for his."
"You mean, this will be the last time that we will see eachother?" Aaron asked. Dia turned a worried glance to Aaron.
"No. For awhile, you must remain separate from eachother, for it will be dangerous for you to be with eachother. But, in time, you two will be together again. I promise." Dia looked to Aaron, then to Takeshi.
"What about my father, and Rena. What will they do?"
"We will remain here, and rebuild what has been lost. We will wait for your return to us, Dia." Randorn said, with Rena nodding in agreement. Dia returned it, but was still unsure. Then, a red light enveloped both of them, and were lifted into the air. Takeshi changed to his Ultra form, and Ultraman 80 rose up with the Travel Sphere. All the while, Krystal was standing back, taking in everything. Then, the scene shifted to that from a tropical environment, to that of shimmering red and gold. The two children looked around in bewilderment, and then saw Ultraman 80 kneeling over them.
"The first planet we will stop at will be Sauria, since it is closer to us at the moment." the red and silver giant said in an echoing voice. In moments, a part of the red and silver void opened, and revealed a blue and green planet. It looked like Earth and Cerinia, but the landmasses were different. "This will be the final time you two will see eachother for a long while. You may take this time to say farewell to eachother." 80 said. Dia looked to Aaron, and the human did likewise. The kit embraced him, like she had done so multiple times before. Only this time, when Dia pulled away slightly, Aaron saw tears forming in her emerald eyes.
"I guess…this is it." Aaron said.
"I suppose it is." the kit replied. After Aaron returned the embrace, he pulled away, and pulled something out of his pocket. It was the same Ultraman doll that he had kept since his childhood. He handed it to Dia.
"something to remember me by." he said. The kit accepted, albeit tearfully. "I promise, that no matter what, we will see eachother again. Maybe not soon, but it will happen, one way or another." he said. Dia nodded, and moved towards 80. The red and silver giant's glowing eyes flashed once, then the void vanished.
She was back in General Pepper's office. The wizened blood-hound looked at Krystal with a mix or concern and puzzlement. "Are you alright, Krystal?"
"Y-yes. Just, a little light headed." the vixen replied, holding her head. The room seemed to swim for a bit, then refocused.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" he asked.
"Yes, and no." she said.
"How do you mean?" he asked.
"I know who Jim really is now, now I have more questions than answers." she said. 'I don't understand. Why did Jim not tell me about the memories that he had. Or, were they memories to him? And another thing, just what really happened to Cerinia? I was told that it was destroyed. But, is that what really happened?' these thoughts and more were going through her mind at the speed of light, however, something else caught her attention; a scream echoed through the hallway behind the door, making the vixen turn towards it, and the general to stand up in a shot. Then, the door blew inwards, forcing Krystal to the ground, and the general to shield himself. When Krystal looked up, she was most surprised to see who it was that stepped through.
"Well, it looks like you finally know the truth, eh Krystal?" A familiar voice said, full of amusement.
"Claire?" Krystal asked, seeing the female lupine standing before her. Whether she knows it or not, things are going to get a lot worse for her.