AN: Holy crap after what feels like forever I have managed to finish something. Sorry this took so long, been busy with life and was honestly just feeling burnt out from things but I'm here, I'm back and now in the groove again. I'm gonna keep this brief, enjoy the chapter!
Ultraman Gallant
Chapter 3: The Beauty of the Sky
5 AM, Sunday Morning
A loud noise began blasting into his ears as Tsubasa Ide turned over in his bed, as much as he wished his alarm would stop it wouldn't as he knew it was time to begin the morning. He yawned and stretched his arms as he got out of bed, walking towards his bathroom before stopping in front of the mirror. He fixed his hair and smiled at the mirror, "Time to go to work."
This was how he began his day every day, he had a routine and he didn't dare interrupt it. Every morning he got up at 5 AM, went to the gym in his apartment building and spent an hour working out. After that he showered before having a simple breakfast, usually a piece of toast or a bowl of cereal. As he got ready to go to work he picked up his phone, he never touched it until after breakfast, usually he'd have a text from a girl he'd gone on a date with but today he just found a missed call.
The caller had left a message and he quickly hit play, "Hey Tsubasa, I figured you didn't answer cause you're busy with the JSDF but I wanted to let you know I'll be in town next week so I'll see you then." Tsubasa smiled as he sent a quick text response, "Makito is coming to town, better get ready." He grabbed his keys and went on his way, his commute to headquarters wasn't long and he had something else on his mind, a date with a certain VTOL.
He liked to start his day with maintenance on the FireHawk, it was relaxing and he liked doing it before anyone else came in during the mornings. As he cleaned it's exterior he couldn't help but frown at a smudge that was on it, wiping it quickly he frowned, "There you go baby, all nice and shiny." He heard a slight snicker behind him as he turned around, "Did you just call the ship baby?" Tsubasa frowned as he put down the rag he was holding, "Good morning Takato, don't question it, you'll understand one day when you find something you love."
The rookie nodded slowly, 'Right well Captain asked me to come get you, he said he would have called you but he said your maintenance on the FireHawk is an intimate affair and you turn your comms off." Tsubasa nodded, "Well lucky for him I finished up so let's go see what he wants." Takato nodded and began to follow Tsubasa out, hopefully the Captain wouldn't have anything too crazy to say.
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Tsubasa walked into the command center flanked by Takato, everyone had already arrived as the two saluted Captain Kakuhiro, "Captain you wanted to see me?" Captain Kakuhiro took a sip from his coffee mug and nodded, "The higher ups within the JSDF have brought it to my attention that if something were to happen to you we'd have no one trained to fly the FireHawk."
Tsubasa nodded slowly, "That's not wrong Captain but I don't exactly plan to have anything happen to me, you and I both know I'm a skilled enough pilot to get out of a situation." Captain Kakuhiro sighed, "Tsubasa I'm going to be blunt with you, with things heating up and more Kaiju appearing I don't think it's wrong to have another pilot just in case you do something reckless." Tsubasa nodded slowly, the Captain's logic wasn't wrong and he supposed he wouldn't mind showing someone how to fly like he was taught to, "Alright fine but who'd you have in mind?"
Asuna giggled at his question, "Well it can't obviously be me, and I'm pretty sure Reika would kill you in the air with her temper." Reika nodded in agreement, sending a glare his way, "Oh I'd send us into a mountain the minute he tried flirting with me." Captain Kakuhiro cleared his throat before she could go further, "Which is why, seeing as we have a new recruit I figured it would be Takato who you'd train. Besides you two get along well enough anyway."
Takato bowed to Tsubasa, "Senpai I promise I'll learn the best I can!" Tsubasa scratched the back of his head, well he supposed the Takato wasn't too bad. He liked the rookie and the kid showed him the respect he deserved, "Alright I'm down for this, get ready Takato because I'm gonna teach you everything I know about flying." He smiled before putting an arm around him, dragging him out of the command center as Kakuhiro let out a breath of relief, "Well that was easier than I expected, I was expecting him to complain more."
Asuna nodded in agreement before turning towards Reika, "Reika, are you sure you aren't going to miss Takato? You two are so cute patrolling together." Reika sat back in her chair and shook her head, "Nope gives me a chance to relax." Captain Kakuhiro frowned, hopefully the higher ups would be wrong and they wouldn't need a second pilot.
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Gallant Opening
Polaris by Blue Encount
ano hi "mamoru" to kimeta, yakusoku wa kono mune ni
A large hand is shown reaching for the earth as the song begins, it's revealed to be Ultraman Gallant who closes his fist around it, signifying he'll protect it before flying down to earth. A guitar solo starts as it shows each character, Takato Shinkishi, Reika, Tsubasa, Asuna, Captain Kakuhiro and two people silhouetted. Finally the logo is shown.
subete wo ushinau koto de, ima sukueru inochi ga aru no nara
The entire Japan Special Defense Force is shown together before flashing to each of them individually, Takato is shown drawing with Gallant's image behind him, Reika is shown chasing after an alien, Tsubasa is flying in the firehawk, Asuna is working on something in the headquarters and Captain Kakuhiro is shown gazing out a window with his glasses off.
yorokonde zenbu wo ageyou, kono kimochi ga hajimete no ikigai da
Ultraman Gallant is shown with the rest of the royal knights as Ultraman King appears behind them all, it then suddenly flashes to Takato alone on earth appearing sad before a man shrouded in darkness appears behind him.
kizuato wa kakusanaide, zetsubou mo buki ni shite, ikiru to kimetan da yo
Takato, gaining a determined face runs into a portal of light and is shown summoning the Gallant Spark and transforms into Gallant as he rises into battle.
seiippai kono namida kakiwakete, kimi ni subete wo ageru kara
Ultraman Gallant arrives in the city fighting several monsters as he switches between his three forms, Lightning Justice, Medieval Justice and Xalted Justice before he settles on Lightning Justice to perform his finisher.
onegai dou ka kienaide kure, ano hi "mamoru" to kimeta
The Firehawk is shown firing at some monsters as a dark force appears within the city, the shadow of Ultraman Ranbu appears as Gallant charges at him, the two locking hands as they fight.
yakusoku wa kono mune ni, kiesou na hikari da to shitemo ike
Takato is shown struggling to stand as Ultraman Gallant's head lines up with his, flashes of his royal knight comrades and the JSDF appear before Takato lets out a scream, the opening finishing with the cast assembled, posing as Ultraman Gallant in his three forms appear behind him along with Ranbu in the shadows and another Ultra silhouetted before the logo appears
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Tsubasa sat in the copilot seat of the Firehawk as Takato nervously fiddled in the pilot's seat. His hands were gripped tight on the steering wheel and they flew high above the air. Tsubasa had explained everything to him before they flew up and he wasn't that bad at flying, he just didn't have any confidence.
He turned to Takato and flashed him a smile, "Relax man, you're doing fine. I told you it was easy to fly the Firehawk and it gets even easier when you stop stressing over every little thing." Takato nodded slowly and relaxed his shoulders, "It's just that, the sky looks so beautiful from up here. How do you not get distracted while flying?" Tsubasa shrugged and let out a small chuckle, "Who says I don't? Look, just trust me, relax and let yourself ease into it." Takato nodded and leaned back in his chair, letting himself enjoy the view of the sky.
However he failed to notice the Firehawk was suddenly going down, fast as Tsubasa suddenly jumped up in his seat. "Ok I think you got too relaxed, alright listen to me carefully, pull up on the wheel and don't turn it at all. With all the wind coming at us the wheel is going to try to resist it but just keep it steady and don't stop."
Takato nodded quickly and began to do as he was told, and after a near collision with the ground the Firehawk managed to pull back up into the air and got a safe distance off the ground. Takato looked at Tsubasa in awe, "Wow Senpai, that was super cool, you went all serious and knew exactly what to do." Tsubasa smiled at the praise, "There's a reason I'm the pilot of this thing Takato, now why don't we switch. As good of practice as that was, I think it's best to let me pilot back to base."
The two switched controls as Takato looked at Tsubasa, "Senpai I have to ask, how did you get so good at piloting anyway?" Tsubasa frowned slightly before gazing into the clouds in front of him, "Back to its founding, my family has always been apart of the Japanese airforce, my dad is a high ranking official in it and one of the best pilots of his generation, so of course I learned to fly at a young age." Tsubasa continued to gaze at the clouds, finding himself lost in a memory of his childhood.
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18 Years Ago
A 7 year old Tsubasa Ide walked through the door of his home, he'd gotten in trouble at school again and he knew his father would be waiting for him. As he tiptoed through the living room, hoping he wouldn't be seen he heard a stern voice come from the kitchen, "Tsubasa come in here."
Tsubasa hung his head in shame and walked into the kitchen, his father sitting at the table while his mother silently prepared dinner at the counter. Tsubasa struggled to meet his father's gaze, "Yes Sir?" His father shook his head in shame, "Why is it that I got a call from your teacher again that you were fighting with the other boys again, or that you were being disruptive in class?"
Tsubasa frowned, "They started it, it's not my fault that I won the fights and they went crying to the teacher." His father glared at him in annoyance, "How many times have we told you though to stop giving them what they want? We've told you that you need to keep your emotions in check. Why can't you be more like your other siblings?" Tsubasa said nothing as his father continued on, "Another thing, your teacher said you're at the bottom of the class.
I thought your mother and I told you to study harder? Honestly I wonder why we even try with you at all. You can get out of my sight now, and no dinner tonight." Tsubasa nodded slowly and looked towards his mother, she didn't even bother looking at him as he walked by. As he got near the stairs he bumped into someone and looked up to see his older brother Makito. Makito was the eldest at 14 and was everything he wasn't, strong, smart, disciplined.
Makito never got into fights at school and their parents loved him, well their parents loved all of his siblings except him. Makito smiled at him, "Come with me, I figure you could use some cheering up." Tsubasa followed his brother out of the house, after a short car ride later they had arrived at an empty field.
Tsubasa followed Makito up a grassy hill until they reached the top where Makito motioned for him to sit down, "Dad took me here when I was your age and started to get interested in planes, he's pretty much taken all of us here." Tsubasa frowned and sat down, gazing into the sky, "Dad will probably never take me here, I'm his least favorite kid." Makito smiled and put a hand on his head, "Even if you are, you're my favorite sibling so I'll take you here whenever you want."
A small smile appeared on Tsubasa's face as he looked up into the sky, he could see planes flying out in the sky, some doing tricks, some racing, and some leaving trails through the clouds as they flew. He couldn't help but be entranced by the sights as he turned to his brother, "You know it must be pretty cool, to fly in the sky." Makito said nothing as both turned back to continue watching, but he nodded his head in agreement. Perhaps one day both of them could fly in that sky as well.
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Present Day
The rest of the practice was uneventful, Tsubasa had piloted them back to base and Takato had sat in the copilot's chair drawing on a notepad he kept on him. As they exited the Firehawk Takato turned and bowed towards them, "Please Senpai! Teach me how to live like you!" Tsubasa raised an eyebrow to the question, "What are you on about?"
Takato smiled nervously, "You're just so cool, and you seem to know what you're doing all the time. So I want you to teach me how to live on Earth like you do." Tsubasa frowned at him, "Live on earth? Do you mean how to live in the city?" Takato quickly nodded, "Yes! Sorry I meant the city, where I'm from is so much different than here it's confusing."
Tsubasa chuckled and put an arm around him, "Don't worry about it my new Kouhai, I'll teach you how to live in the big city, and who knows I might've found my new wingman." Takato smiled, "That's great Senpai, but what does wingman mean?" Tsubasa sighed and smacked his forehead, "You got a lot to learn." Takato continued to look at him confused, still not sure what Tsubasa was saying.
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The following day the two had the day off, meaning Tsubasa had introduced Takato to his daily routine of going to the gym and exercising at an early time, all being ready to go out and explore the city. Tsubasa took him all over the city, showing him major landmarks, some great places to eat and some of the best places people went to relax and unwind.
All the while he tried teaching Takato how to act cool, trying to teach him how things in the city worked and how transportation worked. As it entered nighttime, Tsubasa had decided it was time to take Takato to a club, deciding to show him how to drink, have fun and maybe flirt with girls. Takato sat at a table amidst the loud music within the club, the lights and sounds excited him but it wasn't his scene.
He preferred the quietness of being by himself but he was happy to try and blend in on earth. Tsubasa had gone off to flirt with a girl and he had told Takato to observe him but the young Ultra had simply ended up staring into space. He sipped the alcohol Tsubasa had bought him and made a face, he really didn't like the taste of that as Tsubasa finally returned, a piece of paper in his hand and triumphant look on his face, "Still not a fan of alcohol huh? Well that's alright Taka, I think I started you on too strong of a drink." Takato raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Taka?" Tsubasa nodded, "Yeah it's a nickname, good Senpai always give their Kouhai nicknames.
Didn't any of your friends from your village give you a nickname?" Takato shook his head, "I only really had one friend, he's my best friend but we never really used nicknames." Tsubasa took a sip from his drink and smiled, "First time I've ever heard you mention someone from your village, what's he like?" Takato smiled, "He's loud, impatient and has a tendency to speak his mind, people were often surprised we were friends as I'm the complete opposite."
Tsubasa laughed, "You're definitely on the quieter side but you have spirit and are willing to help everyone out." Takato frowned, "Senpai I was wondering, what do you think of Ultraman? Unlike Reika you've never really given a straight opinion on him." Tsubasa set down his drink and shrugged, "Ultraman is alright I guess, I don't give a straight opinion on him because I don't really have one. I'm happy he's here since there's more Kaiju arriving in the city, but I also can't help but resent him because before he came along the JSDF relied on me in the Firehawk if anything happened and now I just feel useless with him around."
Takato looked down at his drink, clearly deep in thought, "Senpai, just because Ultraman is here doesn't make you useless. After all, you never know there could come a day where Ultraman could need your help!" Tsubasa waved his hand at him, "Maybe who knows, I'd rather not think about it right now. Now finish that drink and come with me, we're gonna teach you how to flirt." Takato reluctantly finished his drink and followed him, the conversation and Tsubasa's feelings on his mind.
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1000 Years Ago
He fell hard to the ground as pain spread to his body, he let out a sigh as he could hear the cheers from his comrades as the sparring session came to an end. Across from him, his opponent Ultraman Dynas crossed his arms and chuckled to himself, "I'll admit you had guts Gallant to challenge me to a spar but you were foolish in thinking you could actually beat me."
Gallant saw a hand reach out from above him and he took it, being pulled up by the hand, "That wasn't too bad Gallant, you're getting better." Gallant laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head, "Thanks Jes but honestly I feel useless, I can't win any battles and I can't even seem to win a sparring match against anyone. What use am I if I can't even do that?"
Jes shrugged and turned to look at Dynas who was receiving praise from their comrades, "Look, they're all older and experienced than us, so of course they're going to win. You've gotten stronger so don't beat yourself up too hard, besides you usually beat me and the so-called knight of speed in a sparring match." Gallant shook his head, "He doesn't go that hard against me, and Sir Ganko usually has me spar you when you're tired from whatever training he's put you through.
I just feel useless and I can't change that." Before Jes could respond he stopped as he saw a silver and pink colored Ultra approaching the two, he bowed slightly at their comrades arrival, "Ultrawoman Crusader, how nice it is to see you." Crusader was one of the more aloof members of the Royal Knights, preferring to keep to herself and training on her own.
She was cold and distant and the younger members of the Royal Knights were usually afraid to go up to her. She pointed to Gallant, "You, come with me, we're going to talk." Gallant nodded weakly as he gave a pleading look to Jes who said nothing as Crusader beckoned Gallant to follow her. Gallant slowly began to follow her, unsure what it was the knight of peace wanted from him.
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Present Day
The alarms began to go off as Tsubasa and Takato came running into the room, Tsubasa looking annoyed as he turned to the captain, "What's going on Captain? We were just about to go up for another flying lesson." Captain Kakuhiro frowned "Unfortunately that'll have to wait, the flying monster Terochilus just appeared and we'll need you up in the Firehawk to keep it occupied so it doesn't destroy the city."
Tsubasa nodded and ran off to get the Firehawk ready for take off, Takato looked at the Captain, "Captain what do you need me to do?" Kakuhiro rubbed his chin in thought, "Go support him from the ground, Reika has the day off so it'll only be you and Tsubasa out there so be careful." Takato ran out of the room as Asuna frowned from her desk, "It's a shame that the monster had to show up the one day Reika takes a day off." Kakuhiro gave a slight chuckle, "We're never going to hear the end of it when she gets back tomorrow."
Meanwhile with Takato he had run outside the building, he couldn't help but wonder, why did the Captain send him out? It was almost like the Captain wanted to give him an excuse so he could transform into Gallant. He couldn't worry about that right now as he needed to help Tsubasa. Removing the white Royal Card from his pocket he held it up, running through the red portal it created.
The Gallant Spark appeared on his wrist as he took out the red Royal Card, "ROYAL CARD SET!" The Gallant Spark lit up as the card began to glow, "ROYAL CARD ACCEPTED!"
Takato threw the glowing card up as it began to grow into another white portal, putting a hand on the Gallant Spark, "Knight of loyalty: Justice like lightning!" He released his hand from it, causing it to glow brighter as he held it above his head, "GALLANT!"
The portal enveloped as he began to grow, "ULTRAMAN GALLANT: LIGHTNING JUSTICE!" Ultraman Gallant rose from the red and white swirl, meeting the bird monster Terochilus in the sky who simply roared at him. Gallant summoned his shield and lance as he pointed it at the monster, "I am Ultraman Gallant, the knight of loyalty and protector of this planet. Leave now or I'll be forced to destroy you."
Terochilus roared again as it spit out web from it's beak at Gallant who raised his lance against it, "LIGHTNING ROYALIUM!" His lance glowed with lightning as he slashed at the web causing it to be destroyed as he charged the monster. As he pushed back Terochilus who was suddenly hit by a few lasers from its side.
Gallant turned to see the Firehawk flying onto the scene, "Its Senpai'' Tsubasa smirked in the pilot's seat, "This monster doesn't seem too tough Captain, we might not even need Ultraman to take this thing out." Kakuhiro sighed over the radio, "Tsubasa stay back for now, Terochilus isn't a pushover and I don't want anything happening to you or the Firehawk because a battle between Ultraman and Kaiju got too intense."
Tsubasa frowned before nodding, "Alright fine Captain but if things get dicey I'm jumping in." He flew back farther as Gallant charged into Terochilus, slashing at him a few times before the kaiju slapped him to the side with his wings creating a hurricane that blew the young Ultra back further. Gallant sighed and stood up, "It's skin is too thick for my lance to cut it, good thing I got something different."
Gallant put one hand on his brace and said, "Knight of Loyalty: Protecting the innocent with my Strength!" Gallant began to glow red as Terochilus got closer to him, confused at what was happening before an axe emerged from the light, nearly hitting the bird kaiju. Gallant Medieval Justice emerged from the light and pulled his axe from the ground, "Alright now that I got the right tool to fight you let's see if I can hit you."
Gallant charged at Terochilus, slashing at him the bird multiple times but the Kaiju dodged every swing as it pecked at him with every missed hit. Gallant grunted as he began to twirl his axe around, "He's too fast, guess I gotta try to attack him with everything I got. CRESTIUM SLASH!" The attack launched at Terochilus who began to flap its wings, sending hurricane level winds at Gallant, blowing him back and resulting in the energy from the attack exploding on him.
His color timer began to beep as Terochilus began to approach him, knocking him down again and digging its beak into his arm resulting in the Ultra crying out in pain. Watching all of this, Tsubasa frowned as he began to turn the firehawk around, "Sorry Captain but Ultraman can't finish the job, so I'll do it myself." He charged at the kaiju, firing everything he had at it as it turned towards him.
It spit web from its beak and began to flap its wings again, the combination of the two attacks hitting the Firehawk like a wrecking ball. Warning sounds began to go off as everything was flashing red, there was smoke everywhere as Tsubasa tried to regain altitude after the attacks, "Dammit, one more attack and I'm done for."
More winds began to hit the Firehawk and an explosion at console knocked Tsubasa from his seat, as he struggled to get up he saw Gallant in front of the winds, taking the attack as the Firehawk began to go to the ground. As he blacked out from his injuries from the console exploding on him he could barely make out the hand that was trying to grab the Firehawk. As his vision slowly left him he swore he could hear the faint sounds of someone screaming his name as the Firehawks door was pried open.
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12 Years Ago
A 13 year old Tsubasa exited a flight simulator with a smile, he'd finally become old enough in his fathers eyes to start flight training and not only did he take to it rather quickly, he'd beaten Makito in his scores.
As he stood next to his brother, his father for what felt like the first time in his life smiled at him, "Well Tsubasa seems you're a natural pilot, even showed Makito a thing or two." Tsubasa bowed, trying to hide his smile, "Thank you sir." His father shook his head and laughed slightly, "Looks like you're finally useful for something, keep it up and you'll make it into the JSDF before Makito does."
Tsubasa watched as his father turned to walk away, he felt his cheeks get hot as he barely sensed his brother patting him on the shoulder. His entire life he'd been told he was useless, and here his father was finally telling him he was good for something. This was it, this was what he was going to do with his life.
He was going to be the best pilot his family ever saw so his father would finally recognize him. Because after all, if he couldn't fly he'd be useless to his father again and he didn't want that. No he didn't want that at all.
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Present Day
Tsubasa sat in a chair within the command center, he was only slightly hurt and the only thing really wounded was his pride. Besides him Takato sat with his head bandaged and his arm in a cast, the recruit had saved his life.
Rushing to the scene of the crash and pulling him out of the damaged Firehawk but unfortunately being injured in the process of prying the doors open. Asuna gave him a sympathetic look across from him, "Maybe the captain isn't too angry, afterall the Firehawk isn't destroyed and you're alive that's all that matters."
The door opened to the command center and Captain Kakuhiro walked in, flanked by Reika who had run in when she saw the fight on TV. Kakuhiro was stone faced as he faced Tsubasa, "Well the good news is the Firehawk will be fixed in a few days and Terochilus seems to have vanished for the moment after Ultraman went down." Tsubasa sat up in his chair, "Captain listen I…" Captain Kakuhiro gave him a stern look, "Tsubasa you disobeyed a direct order, I told you to leave it to Ultraman Gallant and to stay back. Now not only are you injured but Takato got even more injured pulling you out of the crash, quite frankly you're lucky to be alive."
Takato stood up weakly, "Captain, Senpai was only trying to help, you can't fault him for that." Captain Kakuhiro shook his head, "It was bravery bordering on stupidity and it was practically suicide, I can't ignore that. Tsubasa has to be punished, it's either I do it or the higher ups do it." Reika and Asuna said nothing as Takato frowned, "Captain please, this isn't fair." Before he could speak further Tsubasa spoke in an emotionless voice, "It's fine Taka, I'll accept whatever punishment is thrown my way."
Captain Kakuhiro removed his glasses and frowned, "Because of your recklessness the Firehawk was nearly destroyed, you're suspended." Tsubasa nodded slowly and stood up, "I understand Captain, just call when you need me." He walked out of the command center as Takato tried to follow him out but the Captain just put a hand on his shoulder, "Let him go, he needs to figure things out on his own. For now, rest up, we need you at 100%."
Takato nodded and frowned, he needed to be ready for when Terochilus came back and he couldn't do that while injured. He could only hope that Tsubasa figured out whatever he needed to.
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It had been a week and thankfully Terochilus hadn't returned. Tsubasa hadn't left his apartment though. Liquor bottles were scattered around his apartment as he slept on the couch, hungover from the previous night of drinking his sorrows away. He hadn't done anything since being suspended, he hadn't done any of his daily routines, nor taken care of himself really.
He only drank and slept, he ignored every call on his phone, even though he knew Makito was going to be in town in a day he ignored it all. A knocking at the door awoke him as he sat up, headache starting to form as the knocking at the door grew louder. He frowned as he got up, walking towards the door as he yelled, "This better be important!"
He opened the door to find a startled Takato on the other end, healed of his injuries, "Senpai you're here?" Tsubasa raised an eyebrow, "Why wouldn't I be? I have nowhere else to be." Takato frowned, "You haven't been answering your phone." Tsubasa nodded, "I have no reason to, I just want to be left alone."
Takato looked around his apartment as Tsubasa settled himself back down on the couch, "Senpai this place is really dirty, have you only been drinking?' Tsubasa nodded as he raised an empty bottle, "What else would I be doing with my time? I'm suspended." Takato sighed, "Senpai why have you lost yourself? You didn't get fired, you just need to clean up and you'll be unsuspended."
Tsubasa dropped the bottle and glared at him, "I lost myself because I lost the one thing I'm useful for. Without flying I'm nothing, without flying my father regrets me being born." Takato frowned, "Senpai, you and your father have issues?" Tsubasa nodded, "He never liked me, I wasn't smart, I acted out in school and only caused problems for my family. But the day he found out I was a natural pilot was the first time he smiled at me and I didn't feel useless in life. I don't know how your relationship with your Dad is but mine depends on flying and now I can't even do that."
Takato shook his head, "I don't have a Father, but Senpai I have to ask, is your Father really the only reason you pilot?" Tsubasa's head hung low and he shook his head, "No, no it's not the only reason." His mind started to drift as he sighed, ready to tell the young JSDF recruit a story from his past.
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6 Years Ago
Tsubasa smiled as he got off the phone with someone, he had done it, he had been accepted into the JSDF as a pilot. He was going to join his brother Makito in defending Japan and the world and they both were able to do it while flying the super cool attack vehicles the organization had created.
As he texted his brother again he frowned, Makito never ignored his texts and as far as he knew his brother wasn't busy today. Suddenly his phone rang, "Hey Dad what's up?"
He heard his Fathers heavy breathing on the other end. It sounded rather annoyed, "Tsubasa, I need you to come to the hospital. Your brother had an accident." Tsubasa was going to question his Father when the line went dead and he had hung up. He frowned and rushed out the door, worried for his older, and favorite brother.
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It had only taken him 15 minutes to get to the hospital, he had ran there as fast as he could and was breathing heavily when he had arrived. When he had asked the nurse where his brother was she directed him to his room but Tsubasa was met outside by an older doctor, "Ah are you related to Makito Ide?"
Tsubasa nodded quickly, "Am I the first one to get here? Is my brother alright?" The doctor frowned and shook his head, "There was an accident during a training exercise where your brother was piloting, he managed to get his copilot out unharmed but he wasn't so lucky. Your brother is a good man but he's lucky to be alive."
Tsubasa fetl relief wash over him as the Doctor continued, "He'll live but unfortunately he's paralyzed from the waist down. I'm sorry son but your brother is never going to walk again." Tsubasa nodded, "I see, has anyone else in my family arrived yet?" The Doctor put a hand on his shoulder, "Your Father was here, but upon seeing your brother's condition he left and said that was no son of his."
The Doctor walked away to leave Tsubasa to enter Makito's room, his brother was asleep, hooked up to multiple machines and a breathing mask on his face. It was almost terrifying to see, his invincible brother, the favorite of his parents in a hospital bed hurt and practically disowned by their father. Tsubasa wasn't sure what would happen further but he knew he'd be there for his brother no matter what.
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Tsubasa let out a breath as he pushed his brother's wheelchair up the hill. His brother had been released from the hospital and the first place he had asked to go was the hill they had gone to as kids.
Their father had stopped talking to Makito, he wasn't able to process what had happened to his favorite son and had chosen to forget he existed. As the two brothers looked up at the sky Makito broke the silence, "So you're going to the Tokyo branch of the JSDF huh?"
Tsubasa nodded, "They need a pilot and apparently the Captain there saw my training videos and was really impressed, practically fought to get me in his branch." Makito nodded, "Good, you'll do good work there, and it'll be good for you to finally get away from Dad."
Tsubasa frowned, "But I'd be leaving you here with him." Makito smiled softly, "I'll be fine, we have 4 other siblings, you don't need to stay here for me. Besides, Mom is waiting to spoil me like I'm a kid." Tsubasa made a pained expression, "I just feel like I'd be abandoning you." Makito chuckled, "You won't be, Tsubasa listen you're destined for more than just being an abused child of a man stuck in the 1960's where pushing your child was ok. You need to spread your wings and fly, just do me a favor."
Tsubasa nodded, "Anything for you." Makito raised his hand and pointed at the sky, "Fight, fight for me and that beautiful blue sky that I love. Fight in my place and protect its beauty." Tsubasa nodded, "I can do that." Makito laughed again and the two settled back into their silence, observing a flock of birds passing in front of them.
Maktio turned to his brother again, "Hey you know what would be cool? Flying up the clouds, no plane, just your body against the wind, free as a bird." Tsubasa felt tears in his eyes as he silently nodded, he would fight for his brother, and the beauty of the sky.
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Present Day
Takato was silent as Tsubasa finished his story, taking in his words as the older man looked at him, "You know you just staring at me is kind of creepy." Takato narrowed his eyes at him, "You can't just give up, you'd only be proving your father right and letting your brother down." Tsubasa glared at him, "The hell did you just say?"
Takato approached him, a serious look on his face, "If you quit and claim you're useless then you're just proving your Father right and failing to do what your brother asked of you. He knew you were destined for more important things, Senpai, do you really want to let him down after one setback?"
Tsubasa shook his head, "No I don't" Takato offered him his hand as Tsubasa remained on the couch, "Then get up Senpai, clean yourself up and keep going, because the minute you give up is the minute your Father becomes right about you being useless. Besides I followed you for a week, I know you aren't just good at flying. You showed me how to live in the city and a lot of other things." Tsubasa took his hand and stood up, "You're right, I can't let my brother down just because of this. I'm gonna waltz right into the JSDF and get unsuspended."
Takato's com began to ring as Tsubasa began to walk away, determined to pick himself up, "Well good news Senpai you'll be able to try again cause Terochilus is back." Tsubasa nodded, "Then no time to lose!" Takato frowned, "But Senpai there's no way the Captain is gonna let you back in that quickly to fly the Firehawk."
Tsubasa smiled at him, "Then I guess we're gonna have to steal it!" Takato looked at him with a worried look on his face, "This isn't gonna end well is it?" Tsubasa waved off his concerns, "It'll be fine, now come on we got a Kaiju to fight." He ran out of the apartment with Takato following, really hoping he didn't just convince Tsubasa to get himself killed.
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1000 Years Ago
Gallant followed Ultrawomen Crusader to a secluded part of the planet, a large cliff overlooking much of the Royal Knight's base of operations along with the rest of the planet. Gallant couldn't help but take in the beauty of the view before turning to his senior, "Why did you bring me here?" The pink and silver Ultra sighed, "What do you fight for Gallant?"
Gallant shook his head and looked at the horizon, "I want to protect the universe and everyone in it. I want to be the difference between a planet being peaceful and falling into chaos." Crusader nodded, "A noble goal, you're a loyal being Gallant, a bit naive but loyal."
Gallant looked at her slightly, "If I may ask, what do you fight for?" Crusader pointed outwards, "This, all of it. The universe is a beautiful place full of beautiful creatures. But it always has it's darkness, I want to fight that darkness to preserve its beauty. Without you and I, without the Royal Knights, and without the other Ultra's that beauty would all be lost."
Gallant nodded slowly, he never would've guessed one of the quieter of his comrades would've thought like this, "If I may ask again, why did you bring me here?" Crusader chuckled softly, "Because I wanted to give you some advice Ultraman King himself once gave me when I was a fledgling fighter like yourself, It does not matter if you win or lose. All that matters is what you fight for, for as long as you hold that reason close to your heart then you'll never be useless."
Gallant listened to her words and nodded to himself, "I think I understand what you mean, thank you." Crusader turned around and began to walk away but stopped to put a hand on his shoulder, "I'm glad, oh and Gallant, tell anyone about the advice I gave you and I will hurt you. I need to keep my reputation after all."
Gallant let out a small yelp of fear as she walked away, she may have been a bit intimidating but it was a good reminder that all of his comrades cared about their fight, of course in their own ways. Still he'd always remember her advice and keep his reason for fighting within his heart.
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Present Day
Takato frowned and turned off his communicator as the voice of an angry Reika faded from it, "Senpai I really don't think this was a good idea." He felt himself hurled back slightly towards the back of the Firehawk as Tsubasa dodged another one of Terochilus's blasts of wind, "Nonsense we're fine."
Takato struggled to get to his seat as Tsubasa continued to evade the angry Kaiju, "I wholeheartedly disagree." Terochilus's attack finally connected with them forcing them to have a rough landing, the Firehawk was fine they were just temporarily stalled. Tsubasa felt a pit in his stomach, he was going to fail again, he was going to get them killed. He began to breathe heavily and clutched the wheel as Takato looked at him.
Takato, seeing he was breaking down, did the best thing he could, and slapped him, "Get a grip Senpai!" Tsubasa calmed down and looked out the window at the approaching Kaiju, "I can't, I rushed into this again and now I've doomed us both."
Takato frowned at him, "Senpai calm down, the Firehawk can still fly, we just need to get back in the air." Tsubasa shook his head, "You should escape now, I'll distract the bird and you run for it." Takato slapped him again and gripped his shoulders, Senpai, WHY DO YOU FIGHT?!" Tsubasa blinked slightly but saw the serious look on his face, "I told you already, I fight for the beauty of the sky, and for my brother."
Takato smiled at him, "Then as long as you hold that reason in your heart you'll never be useless, and you'll always be able to fight." Tsubasa remembered his brother, all the good times they'd had, the memories and his promise to him. Makito believed in him, he knew he was destined for greater, he couldn't die here.
Tsubasa began to power up the Firehawk as it suddenly shot back into the sky, Tsubasa narrowly avoiding Terochilus as he fired a laser at it, slightly hurting it. He gave a thumbs up to Takato and smiled, "Thanks I guess I needed the pep talk, though I'm starting to question who the Senpai is here." Takato smiled at him, "You still are, now let's beat this thing!" Tsubasa nodded but couldn't help but question why Takato began to walk towards the door of the ship, "What are you doing?"
Takato raised his arm as a brace appeared on it, "Senpai, I'm trusting you so please back me up." Tsubasa watched as Takato disappeared into a white portal, a confused look on his face as a red and white glow appeared beside the Firehawk, slowly getting bigger before Ultraman Gallant appeared next to him giving him a thumbs up. Tsubasa couldn't believe his eyes, "Takato is Ultraman Gallant? Wait, Ultraman can turn human? TAKATO YOU GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!"
Gallant nodded as Terochilus roared at him, charging at him as Gallant charged back, the two meeting in the sky. As he watched the two fight he gripped the wheel and smiled, "Well I can't let my kouhai show me up now can I? Get ready Taka I'm coming to help."
He charged in, occasionally firing a laser at Terochilus to allow Gallant to get a hit in, the two working in tandem to keep the monster confused. Terochilus let out an angry roar, knocking Gallant to the side and began to flap its wings, creating a large hurricane. Tsubasa's hands began to shake, he couldn't do this again, he couldn't fail. He let out a breath and relaxed, it was like he told Takato, he needed to relax and ease into it.
Deciding the time was right, Tsubasa hit a button on the wheel, activating the Firehawk's full speed and flying through the wind, managing to land a massive blow to Terochilus and sending the monster flying. From where he was watching Gallant gave a thumbs up.
From within Gallant, Takato smiled, "Senpai isn't giving up so neither can I, I will protect this universe and this bird isn't going to stop me!" Suddenly a silver light appeared and a new Royal card appeared before him, "A new power? Alright let's do this."
He took the card and scanned it against the Gallant Spark, "ROYAL CARD SET!" The spark began to glow, "Royal card accepted!" Takato threw the card in the air as he placed his hand on the spark, "KNIGHT OF LOYALTY: ENERGY FLOWING AROUND ME LIKE THE WIND!"
He took his hand off the spark and raised it up, "GALLANT!" Gallant began to glow as Tsubasa and Terochilus watched, "ULTRAMAN GALLANT: XALTED JUSTICE!" Gallant emerged in a new form, his armor now being spikier and having more red streaks on his body, his red sluggers now larger, and his body now sleeker.
His lance was now entirely made of energy as he held it up towards Terochilus, "I am Ultraman Gallant and you will pay for harming this planet." He charged Terochilus who tried flying away but Gallant was much faster now, able to keep up with the bird kaiju as it tried out flying him. He slashed it several times, his lance now being made of energy being enough to pierce its hide.
Terochilus stopped and shot a web at Gallant who began to channel his energy into his lance, "ELYSION SLASH" His lance grew bigger as it cut through the webs and hit Terochilus, cutting off one of its wings. Takato took out a card, "Time to finish this, Knight of Peace: Comrade hear my call!"
The Spark glowed as an image of Ultrawoman Crusader appeared, "ULTRAWOMAN CRUSADER!" Gallant's sluggers glowed as two energy tendrils appeared from them as he launched himself at Terochilus, "SPIRALIUM DRIVE!" The tendrils began to move at the speed of light, delivering thousands of slashs in seconds before one final hit sent Terochilus spiraling to the ground and exploding into darkness.
Gallant gave a thumbs up to Tsubasa before turning around and flying away, the Firehawk flying after him. Watching from afar though was the mysterious man who held out his hand for Terochilus's monster card to return to him.
He let out a small laugh, "Ultraman Gallant, you remind me of Paladin. After all you're the only Royal Knight besides him who could change his form, not to mention that attack looked like one of his. Oh Gallant, this is getting fun, pretty soon I might actually have to join in." He began to cackle as he walked away, certainly off to devise more ways to bring some chaos to the world.
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The two had arrived back safely, though they had been yelled at by Reika as they now sat in the command center waiting for the Captain to speak. Captain Kakuhiro put his hand up to signal Reika to stop, "So you two thought it was a good idea to steal the Firehawk, fly into impending danger and try and fight a dangerous Kaiju even Ultraman had trouble with?"
Tsubasa stood up and nodded, "Yes sir! It was all my idea so don't blame Takato, he was just trying to help me get my confidence back." Kakuhiro nodded, "I see and how are you doing then Tsubasa?" Tsubasa smiled, "I'm better than ever Captain, Takato helped me realize that flying wasn't the only reason I was useful and I remembered the reason I fight in the first place."
Kakuhiro fixed his glasses and smiled, "Good, your suspension is lifted, welcome back." Tsubasa raised an eyebrow at him, "Sir?" Kakuhiro sat down at his desk, "I knew you'd come to your senses Tsubasa, I knew you'd have it in you to beat that thing." Tsubasa smiled and nodded, "Thank you for having faith in my Captain, I'm very grateful." Kakuhiro smiled at him, "Good, now get out of here, I heard your older brother is coming to visit."
Tsubasa turned around and began to walk out of the command center, Takato chasing after him. Tsubasa stopped and turned to him, "If you're worried then don't, I won't tell anyone your secret. Besides, it explains a lot about you." Takato bowed to him, grateful, "Thank you Senpai, I promise I'll answer any question you have."
Tsubasa put an arm around his shoulder, "Good you better, cause I never expected the guy claiming to be from out of town to actually be from another planet. You just gotta do me one favor." Takato nodded, "Anything." Tsubasa smiled as the two walked out of the base, filling in the young Ultra with what he wanted."
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Tsubasa pushed his brother's wheelchair up a hill as Mikato squirmed in his chair, "So what's this big surprise you've been talking about." Tsubasa smiled as they reached the top of the hill, "Don't worry about it." Makito frowned, "Come on I know you didn't just take me to a random hill outside of Tokyo, a hill that isn't as good as our normal hill just to be coy about it, it's not who you are."
Tsubasa laughed, "Alright look, your little brother has become a bit of a big deal at the JSDF, and because of this he gets to meet all kinds of people and some are pretty cool."
Makito raised an eyebrow, "Where are you going with this?" Tsubasa smiled as Gallant landed right behind them, "Makito meet my close personal friend Ultraman Gallant, he's here to take us on a flight."
Makito said nothing as Gallant lowered his hand for the two brother's to get on. The two couldn't help but scream at the top of their lungs as Gallant took them high above the clouds, their dreams of finally flying up in the beautiful sky without being in a plane finally realized.
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Meanwhile across town a massive cargo ship docked into the harbor, two workers walking up to one of the containers, "I'm telling you cap there's something in there." The Captain shook his head, "I'm telling you you're crazy, nothing could survive in one of these containers, they get way too hot."
As they opened the container they were met by a young man with maroon hair and wearing a blue hoodie casually sitting in the container, "Hey guys is this Japan?" One of the sailors fainted from shock as the man casually exited the container and walked past them, simply jumping off the ship and into the water.
As he got onto dry land he found himself greeted by a TV playing a news broadcast about Gallant's latest victory against Terochilus. He smiled brightly and let out a scream of joy, "FINALLY! I finally got to the right place, and it seems he's picked up some new tricks. Just you wait buddy I'm coming to find you." The man began to walk off, still not sure where he was going but at least he'd reached the right country finally.
TO BE CONTINUED!
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Takato's Ultra Navi
Takato: It's time to look at some of my comrades!
Tsubasa: Oh cool, there's more Ultramen?
Takato: Today we have!
Gallant Spark: Ultrawoman Crusader
Tsubasa: Wait, there's Ultrawoman too?
Takato: That's right! Crusader is only a few thousand years older than me, she's a bit aloof and keeps to herself but she's actually pretty nice when you talk to her. She cares deeply about peace and will fight any evil to maintain it, it's kind of cool.
Crusaders Stats
Height: 50 m
Weight: 30,000 t
Age: 7,200
Place of Origin: Nebula M78 Land of light
Flying Speed: Mach 7
Running Speed: Mach 4
Vertical Jump: Height 1000 m
Moving Speed in The Water: Mach 1
Moving Speed in The Ground: Mach 2
Forearm Strength: 60,000 t
Grip Strength: 30,000 t
Main Special Move: Spiralium Drive
Tsubasa: Wow from the way you talk sounds like you have a crush on her.
Takato: And that's it for today, see you next time!
Next time on Ultraman Gallant!
The young man is introducing himself to someone
"Name's Daisuke, I'm looking for a friend of mine"
The woman is showing Daisuke around a building
"My uncle who's a Captain for the JSDF helped me set up this camp for kids"
Finally a new blue and silver Ultraman appears
"Name's Ultraman Vee, The Knight of Speed!"
THE END!