After the events of the previous chapter, a medical transport quickly arrives at Squad 13's current position. Hiro and Zero Two are then loaded in the vehicle and and stabilized on their way back to Plantation 13. The ride back brings nothing but a reverberating silence. Some of them were thinking about Ultraman Orb, while others are worried about Hiro and Zero Two.

Command Center - Plantation 13

Nana: It looks like they're at the end of their ropes. *scrolling through the medical report*

Hachi: Their yellow blood cells count has gone far beyond what their bodies can handle, let alone Zero Two's. It's so high that their saurification could begin any moment now. They're minds are clearly hazy, too. Did they connect to Ultraman Orb's mind too deeply via his power and hallucinate? Either way, they're in a perilous condition.

Nana: *sighs* I thought the both of them might be able to handle it, but it's time to call this off. Oh my... anyway, where's Ryunai?

Hachi: Hmm... not a clue. He just left the here an hour ago.

Nana: Well, we better contact him about this. This day did not go as good as I thought.

XXXXXXX

You... are nothing... but a monster...

You are a disgrace to humanity!

You are the lowest form of life.

It's kinda sad she died because of you, you monster.

The darkness are your friend. Let them consume you.

Your life is meaningless, nothing more.

You and I aren't so different after all.

You are worse than a klaxosaur.

You are nothing but a disappointment.

No one will remember your name once you are dead.

You. Do. Not. EXIST.

--

Ryusuke slowly opens his eyes and they are met with the white snow of the field. He then slowly risen up from the ground looked around his surroundings. Then, the communicator in his pocket makes a beeping noise. He takes it out and takes the call.

Ryusuke: Code 024, who is this?

Hachi: Ryunai, it's me. Hachi.

Ryusuke: Oh, Hachi. What is it?

Hachi: Bad news. Your younger brother and Code 002 are in the infirmary.

With that said, his mind was clicked as he remembered he choked the literal life of Hiro and Zero Two, and almost killed them in the process.

Ryusuke: O-Okay, I'm coming there! *hungs up*

Ryusuke used his teleportation ability to teleport back to the plantation. As he teleported back to the bathroom and exits it, he then run towards the infirmary, where he saw the squad members waiting outside.

Ryusuke: Guys!

Goro: Ryunai!

He then run towards them.

Ryusuke: Where are they?

Goro: They're still being treated.

Ichigo: They said that it's gonna take awhile.

Ryusuke: Alright, if that's the case, you all can go change your outfits now.

Everyone nodded and headed their way back to the Mistiltein. Before following them, Ryusuke looked at the door of the infirmary for a brief moment, hoping Hiro and Zero Two are fine.

4 hours later

Everyone in the squad gets a message on their pages that Hiro and Zero Two have been transferred to a room in the sick bay and that they are able to visit both of them now. As the squad makes their way through the corridors to the sick bay, they see Tau ahead of them, leaning on the wall.

Tau: Well, it seems you all are paying them a visit, huh?

Ryusuke: Whatever you are trying to say to me, I do not have the time.

Tau: My my, calm yourself, Lambda. It's not like those two are dying anyway.

The rest of the squad are in shocked of what he said, as if he never really cared about the life of others.

Zorome: The heck?

Futoshi: Why is he saying like that?

Ichigo: I think is better for you to leave if you just want to insult us.

Tau: Oh my, it just reminded me of that girl one time. At least she's gone now.

Ryusuke almost lost his cool when he mentioned Maya, but manage to contain it.

Ryusuke: Come on, guys. Let him be. We got patients to visit.

The squad then proceeds walking the down the corridor, leaving Tau behind.

Tau: Oh my, Lambda. When will you become the monster you once were again? Oh well.

Tau then walks to the opposite direction of the corridor.

Hiro and Zero Two opens their eyes slowly, greeted by the white ceiling of the infirmary of the plantation with breathing masks on most of their faces. Goro noticed them.

Goro: Guys, they're waking up.

They hear Goro say as they begin to stir around in their beds.

Kokoro: Oh, thank goodness.

Goro: A triumphant return, huh?

They begin scanning their surroundings. Everyone on the squad is gathered around them.

Zorome: Man, I thought you guys were goners this time!

Futoshi: Good to see you guys are okay.

Hiro tries to sit himself in the bed along with Zero Two before being assisted by Goro and Ichigo.

Goro: Easy there.

Ichigo: You guys just need some rest, that's all.

They then helped taking off their masks.

Hiro: Thanks guys.

Zero Two: We appreciate it.

Everyone was pretty much happy for them as they weren't too injured. They later recall what happened before they went unconscious.

Zero Two: Oh yeah, what happened to- *remembers that Ryusuke is Ultraman Orb* I-I mean, what happened before we were knocked out?

Ichigo: Well, you guys were immediately transported to the infirmary. Why is that?

Zero Two: Oh, nothing. Just... want to know if anything big happened.

Everyone looked confused at first. However, only Ryusuke understands the situation because of the saurification that happened between them. Though, he doesn't know if they remember it at all.

Ryusuke: Maybe, I think you're trying to ask what happened to Orb, am I right?

Zero Two: O-Oh yeah. I was also asking that. Did he find out? *looks at Hiro*

Hiro: I don't know. *lifts his shoulders in confusion*

Ryusuke: *chuckles* It's alright. I assume Orb disappeared after he was knocked out by Delphinium.

Ichigo: Oh yeah. He did.

Zorome: Does that mean he's dead?

Ryusuke: Not really.

Mitsuru: Don't you remember when after Orb lost against that klaxosaur he fought, he came back again?

Zorome: Oh... okay...

Goro: *sighs*

Hiro: So... what happens after that?

Ryusuke: We don't know, yet. We're still finding some specifications about Orb's current status.

Hiro: Oh... okay.

Goro: Anyway, you two should get some rest for now. See you guys later.

Kokoro: Take care.

Zorome: Later.

Futoshi: Make sure you guys eat, okay?

Everyone left the room, leaving both of them chatting.

Zero Two: Does Ryusu- I mean Ryunai knows that we know that he's Ultraman Orb?

Hiro: Who knows? Maybe he did knew, but I think he thought that we don't remember it. So, let's keep it that way.

Zero Two: Yeah, you're right. I don't want to make things harder for him.

Hiro: Yeah. For the lost he suffered.

Then, her mind is clicked. The dream that she had was seen within Ryusuke's memories.

Zero Two: Say, I just saw the dream that I had when we were looking through his memories.

Hiro: What dream?

Zero Two: Him and the klaxosaur.

Hiro: You mean the klaxosaur he called Klaxo-Zetton?

Zero Two: Yeah. It was like... I'm the girl... Natasha...

Hiro: Not to mention, didn't she sung the same song as you did?

Zero Two: Yeah, she did. It's like... we're connected or something. Or...

Ryusuke along with Nana and Hachi are in the command center talking to Dr. FranXX on the monitor.

Ryusuke: So, what did they said about Ultraman Orb?

Dr. FranXX: *sighs* They now consider him an enemy, now.

Nana and Hachi are surprised by this except for Ryusuke, who knew it was going to happen.

Nana: For real?!

Hachi: No way.

Dr. FranXX: Yes. I'm also almost at disbelief, too. But, all these greezers only said that they are trying to do the best they can to protect our unit, which is the most ridiculous bullshit I've ever heard from them.

Hachi: Then, that means that...

Ryusuke: We have no choice but to attack Orb if he is sighted.

Dr. FranXX: *sighs* That's the disappointing part. I was interested in doing a research about him even more, but those old men decided to ruin it anyways.

Ryusuke: Is he still interested in doing that? *shakes head* Anyway, is there anything else?

Dr. FranXX: No. That's pretty much all of it. Well, time for me to go. *hungs up*

--

Nana and Hachi silently looked at Ryusuke, who looked frowned from the statement.

5 hours later

Ryusuke walks in the house and saw the squad sitting in the lounge area as they're dressed in their pajamas.

Goro: Ryunai!

Everyone, except Ichigo, walks up to him.

Goro: So, what did they said about Ultraman Orb?

A long but short silence is played until Ryusuke speaks up.

Ryusuke: Ultraman Orb... is now considered an enemy.

Everyone was shocked by the statement as their jaws were dropped.

Zorome: For real?!

Futoshi: It can't be...

Ichigo: Then, that's good.

They then looked back at Ichigo with disbelief.

Miku: What are you talking about? Don't tell me that you are also thinking him as a bad guy, too!

Ichigo: He attacked Hiro and Zero Two!

Miku: So what?! He had been helping us for the past few months, he even nearly died of fighting that giant klaxosaur for us!

Ichigo: He is manipulating us so that he can gain our trust.

Miku: You don't know that.

The situation began to heat up until Ryusuke tries to calm it down.

Ryusuke: Girls, girls. Calm down. Let's not start a fight here. We can just discuss this tomorrow.

Ichigo scoffs and walks off but stopped for a moment.

Ichigo: You know, I'm only doing this because I wanted to protect them. If he ever touches or get closer to them, he won't be seeing his next days.

Ichigo leaves the room, leaving everyone in a worried state with Ryusuke having a frowned look on his face because of it but knew that he can't argue of how she felt about his alter ego.

The next morning

Ryusuke is found walking to the area where the battle against Klaxo-Zetton took place, just a miles away from the plantation.

Ryusuke: It's been... 14 years now...

Flashback

Shortly after Klaxo-Zetton arrives, they took notice and Ryusuke pledged Natasha to leave.

Natasha: Ryusuke, you're hurt, badly. I don't want you to get-

Ryusuke: Please. I beg you.

She still hesitates and was still refusing to leave. Ryusuke then took out something from his pocket.

Ryusuke: Here, I want you to hold onto this.

There, he hands her his Orbnica.

Ryusuke: I promise... I'll come back.

She then begins accepting it.

Natasha: A-Alright. But, please don't get too far off.

Ryusuke: I promise. Now go, now!

Natasha runs off shortly after.

xxxxxxx

The klaxosaur then shoots out energy bullets, in which the giant summons an energy shield to defend himself. He then turns the shield into an energy bullet and fires it towards the monster, stunning it. Orb takes this chance by doing a flying kick again. However, the klaxosaur manage to smack him away. Natasha looked back, seeing the giant is losing ground.

Natasha: Ryusuke!

She proceeds to run back to the battlefield.

Natasha: Ryusuke! Stop! Now!

Orb: Natasha?! What are you still doing here?! Go back! It's too dangerous here!

The klaxosaur then charges after him, swinging its arms around. The Ultra dodges and blocks it and proceeds to hold onto the arm. The monster shrugs him off and grabs his neck and throws him away. Natasha then runs towards the giant.

Natasha: Ryusuke!

Orb: Natasha! Don't!

Irritated by the Ultra, the klaxosaur shoot out a bigger energy bullet towards him, hitting him. The explosion was apparently big enough just to hit Natasha who is near him.

Natasha: Ah! *screams*

Orb: *grunts*

After he fell on the ground, the giant stands up and searches her after hearing her screams. He then found her, but is hurt badly.

Orb: Natasha!

No response, the giant was fuming up as he clenches his fists.

Orb: HOW DARE YOU!!!!

Orb then takes out his holy sword, forms a ring above him with the ring regather to the blade as the symbols with different colors shines each time and fires a beam from the tip of the sword, hitting the klaxosaur, slowly killing it. However, due to the fact that he is using it at full power, it slowly disintegrates the weapon before breaking apart once it reaches the wheel. Shortly after the beam finished, the klaxosaur exploded. The blast is powerful enough to create a city-wide explosion. After the explosion, the Ultra return to his human form, tired from the fight. Realizing what happened, Ryusuke goes searching for Natasha. But, before that, he found his Orbnica on the ground, asumming Natasha is nearby. After running around for awhile, he founds Natasha lying on the ground. As he approaches her, he puts her head on his lap.

Natasha: Ryusuke...

Ryusuke: Natasha! Are you okay?

Natasha: Ryu... suke...

Ryusuke: Oh my, Natasha!

Natasha: It's alright... Ryusuke... please... *puts hand to his cheek* what's important is that... you... mustn't give up... no... matter... what...

With her last breath taken out from mouth, she died in his arms.

Ryusuke: Natasha? No... nononono. Please please... stay with me Natasha, stay with me! Natasha, please stay with me! Don't go!... *sobs* Natasha... please... don't go... NO!!!!

End of the flashback

???: I'd figured you'd be here.

The humanoid klaxosaur, who is behind Ryusuke, appeared out of nowhere.

???: Coming here won't bring back what you lost. You can never again be who you once were. Besides, Belial already brought about a new you. That's your true nature.

Ryusuke: It isn't.

???: Nothing to be ashamed of! Those with power... must test that power. They seek to destroy... and to subjugate others. *proceeds walking infront of him while talking* However, in your case, maybe you want to destroy the things you care about. *turns to him* You did then... and you still do.

Ryusuke: What?

Then, Ryusuke tries to give a punch towards him, but the humanoid klaxosaur dodges and tries kicking him, in which he dodges back. They then begin sending out a barrage of punches and kicks to each other. Shortly after, the humanoid klaxosaur shoots out energy bullets towards Ryusuke, in which he dodges and reflected some of them back to him. However, he shoots more of them, eventually hitting Ryusuke.

???: *takes out sword* Come with me and take a look at this.

He then thrust the sword up in the air, firing a beam from the tip of the blade, summoning a portal above them, sucking Ryusuke into the portal, following the humanoid klaxosaur jumping into it. Shortly after, Ryusuke landed on the ground along with the other one.

Ryusuke: Where are we?

???: Somewhere so that we won't get disturbed.

Another portal then appears from the sky, summon out what seems to be a tail of a certain klaxosaur.

Ryusuke: Wait...

???: Look familiar? It's Klaxo-Orochi's tail, which you tore off.

Ryusuke: That's impossible...

???: Now, let's get started, shall we?

The humanoid klaxosaur then pulls out the Blue Ring.

???: *Pulls out Zogu Second Form's Fusion Card* Zogu-san.

Blue Ring: *Scans card* Zogu Second Form!

Zogu: *grunts*

???: *Pulls out Chaos Darkness' Fusion Card* Chaos Header-san.

Blue Ring: *Scans card* Chaos Darkness!

Chaos Header: *grunts*

???: Your power is now mine! *Presses button*

Blue Ring: Fusion Up!

Light then begins to emit from the two monsters and merges with the humanoid klaxosaur. The blue light then merges with Klaxo-Orochi's tail and lands on the ground. As the dust is clearing out, it reveals the fusion of the monsters.

Blue Ring: Zogark!

Ryusuke had his eyes widen as he had never expected for the humanoid klaxosaur to actually transform.

???: Here's my grand combination, Zogark!

Ryusuke then takes out his Orb Ring.

Ryusuke: *Pulls out Ultraman's Fusion Card* Ultraman-san!

Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman!

Ultraman: SHAU!

Ryusuke: *Pulls out Ultraman Tiga's Fusion Card* Tiga-san!

Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Tiga!

Tiga: TAEH!

Ryusuke: I'm borrowing the power of your lights! *Presses button*

Orb Ring: Fusion Up!

Light then begins to emit from the two Ultras and merges with Orb.

Orb Ring: Ultraman Orb Specium Zeperion!

Then, the rising scene is performed.

Orb: My name is Orb! I light the darkness and strike at evil!

The two of them stand still before they started running into each other. Orb spins around and hits him with a chopping hand. He then kicks the head of the beast. He tries punching its hide many times, but Zogark's durability is too strong. The monster proceed to smack his face and kicks him away. Orb summons the Sperion Light Ring on his hand and throws it towards the beast. But, the beast simply smacks it away as if it was only a rock. It then fires energy bullets towards the giant, in which the giant dodges them. Orb performs the Sperion Ray's charge up where he raises his right arm upward and his left arm to the left side. A stick of energy is conjured forming a plus shape with an orb around it. He then fires it towards the monster. However, Zogark uses a barrier to defend from the attack.

???: *laughs* Is that all you got? Come on, now. Don't be pathetic.

Orb then begins changing his form as Ryusuke pulls out the Orb Ring.

Ryusuke: *Pulls out Ultraman Jack's Fusion Card* Jack-san!

Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Jack!

Jack: HUEAH!

Ryusuke: *Pulls out Ultraman Zero's Fusion Card* Zero-san!

Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Zero!

Zero: HYYYAAH!

Ryusuke: Give me something with an edge! *Presses button*

Orb Ring: Fusion Up!

Light then begins to emit from the two Ultras and merges with Orb.

Orb Ring: Ultraman Orb Hurricane Slash!

Then, a rising scene is performed. Orb immediately summons the Orb Slugger Lance shortly afterwards. Zogark cracks his knuckles and provokes him. The giant dashes towards the beast. But then, the beast teleports away from him. The Ultra tries attacking him but the same thing happens over and over. Orb tries to over come this by pulling the Gear Lever thrice to perform the Trident Slash, slashing the monster with the Orb Slugger Lance at a very quick pace. However, due to the durability, the beast grabs and snatches the lance from his grip and throws it away. Zogark then shoots the Vicious Light Bullet in a rapid succession towards Orb, damaging him. As the giant fell on one of his knees, his color timer flashes.

???: Use the darkness. Either you'll be destroyed... or fall into darkness. Those are your only options!

Ryusuke then looks at Belial Fusion Card in his hand, hesitating to use it as the card glows to get him into using it.

Ryusuke: No... I won't!

Orb changes his form again as Ryusuke pulls out the Orb Ring.

Ryusuke: *Pulls out Taro's Fusion Card* Taro-san!

Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Taro!

Taro: HWAH!

Ryusuke: *Pulls out Mebius' Fusion Card* Mebius-san!

Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Mebius!

Mebius: SIAA!

Ryusuke: Help me bring the heat! *Presses button*

Orb Ring: Fusion Up!

Light begins to emit from the two Ultras and merges with Orb.

Orb Ring: Ultraman Orb Burnmite!

Then, the rising scene is performed. Orb jumps into the air like Taro and does a flying kick towards Zogark. The giant punches the head and kicks the hide. The beast then attacks him by swinging his arm to him which the giant blocks it and tackles onto him. Orb uses the Stobium Counter by coating his fists in flames and punches against its hide and its head. The Ultra tries to hold him in place, but the monster uses its strength to shrug him off and proceeds to smack him down and kicks him to afar. Zogark then fires the Chaos Shockwave Ball towards the giant. Orb tries defending himself using the Stobium Defensor. However, the energy ball shatters the barrier and pushes Orb with tremendous force, pushing back to a stack of pillars behind him in a hundred yards. Then, the beast uses its Wave Bullet to telekinetically lift the Ultra up the air with his mind and throws him back on the ground with great force. The monster then uses it again, but this time, sending him up into the atmosphere, almost reaching space, and throws him to the ground at the speed of sound. Due to the injuries, Orb weakly tries to stand up as his color timer flashes to the fastest. Then, the monster fires a barrage of energy bullets towards the Ultra, damaging his body to the extent.

???: Done already, Ryusuke? Are you done yet?!

In a final act to defeat Zogark, Orb then charges up the Stobium Dynamite by closing his arms to his head and open it up, unleashing flames from his body and went towards the monster. A big explosion happens after coming into physical contact. A few seconds after the smoke clears out, Zogark is seen unaffected and is clearly not injured. However, Orb is nowhere to be found. Zogark looks around for moment before realizing Orb had disappeared.

???: Where'd you go, Ryusuke? Where are you?!

Ryusuke is seen walking through the wasteland, towards the plantation infront of him. However, before he can get in, he decided to take a short rest, leaning against the plantation wall due to his injures. While his eyes are closed, a hand of a girl appears and touches his cheek. Ryusuke opens his eyes and sees the girl he knows.

Ryusuke: Natasha...

He then tries to reach his hand out for her which Natasha quickly holds it. Then, she slowly let go, giving him something in his hand. There, appears a blank card.

Ryusuke: What is this?

???: It's you. You as you truly are.

Ryusuke was then confused as he hears Natasha's voice is more different then what she actually sounds like. He turns back, revealing the true face.

Ryusuke: Zero Two?

Zero Two: Come back... back to me. *grabs his hand with the blank card* I... can accept you as you truly are.

She then gives him a heart warming smile before standing up and walks away.

Zero Two?

Ryusuke then wakes up from his short nap, looking around if it was real. Then, he looked at his hand where the blank card was, and it was there. His eyes widen because of that. However, realizing there's something he can't do.

Ryusuke: I can't see anything... about my own heart... or about the future I should protect.