Ultraman the First Regenerate
The Ultraseven Saga
Part Two
Disclaimer: I don't own Ultraman
Previously:
Ultraman stood and walked towards Se'ban. He extended a hand in gratitude. Thanks Se'ban. Usagi said telepathically. I really…
Usagi! Get away from him!
Huh?
Se'ban gripped Ultraman's arm and pulled him into a face punch. The hero staggered as the red Ultra laid down more punches, knocking him off his feet. Safe to say everyone was shocked by this.
Se'ban stood over the knocked down hero. Ultora Ma'un, by the laws of Ultora and the allied Ul system, I hereby place you under arrest.
The Patrollers in the Thor watched in total shock as the red Ultraman attacked the first Ultraman. They were absolutely amazed that the being who had helped defeat that monster was now attacking their hero.
"Why?" asked Janson. "Why attack one of his own?"
Hayata looked down at Ultraman. He read the uneasiness in his position. "Looks like he doesn't know either," he observed out loud.
Usagi lifted himself off the ground in pain. He still couldn't believe what he had just heard. He looked up at Se'ban. Why? He asked. Why is Ma'un under arrest?!
Se'ban flinched a bit. He realized the thoughts he was sensing weren't that of Ultora Ma'un. A human host? He said. How unexpected. Regardless we have to return to the Ul system. Human, I offer you the chance to walk away from all this. It is none of your concern.
Like hell its… Usagi tried to stand, but stumbled. He looked down. His timer was flashing even faster.
You can't keep fighting Usagi, said Ma'un.
Yeah, I figured. Ultraman crossed his arms and fired a quick Specium burst in front of him.
Se'ban covered his face fast as dust and asphalt were kicked up by the beam. The dust cleared and Ultraman was gone. Se'ban looked around in confusion. Damn it Ma'un! he thought. You're making this harder than it has to be!
Se'ban reached to his face. His form was consumed in red light. When the flash vanished, the red giant was gone. He returned to his human form and removed the red mask from his face.
"This is far from over…" he said as he walked off.
Usagi walked down a sidewalk. He leaned on the wall of the building next to him and groaned in pain. The burning in his chest was intense. He had cut it very close this time, closer than any other.
"Damn it Ma'un!" he shouted angrily. "What have you gotten me into?!"
I am so sorry Usagi-kun…
"All VICTORY members, report in!" came a voice on his comm. "Repeat, all members call in!"
Several members called in, including Reilly. Usagi lifted his arm and spoke into his comm. "Shudou… reporting."
"All survivors prepare for transport to base. Remain in your present location while you await transport."
Usagi slid down the wall. He pulled off his pilot helmet and ran a hand through his hair. He pulled out his cell phone. He dialed a well known number for him. He listened to the ringing.
"Hello?" came a female voice on the other end.
"Erica-chan."
"Usagi-kun?" she replied in concern. "I saw what happened! Are you alright?!"
"I'm fine," he replied. "Please, can you come get me?" He gave her his location.
"Sure," she said. "But, shouldn't you go to your base?"
Usagi shook his head. "Right now, VICTORY is the last place I want to be…"
They said their good-byes. Usagi put away his phone, then pulled off his comm watch and tossed it down the street. He walked further down the street.
A short time later, a VICTORY Jeep would come by. All they would find would be Usagi's comm.
Heaven, The Capital Building
"YOU IDIOTS!"
Everyone in the laboratory turned to see the Vice Minister enter in a rage. The man was certainly not pleased.
"YOU PROMISED THAT ULTRAMAN WOULD BE DEFEATED!" He shouted. "You all failed!!!"
"Only because of the second Ultraman," said one of them casually as he continued his work. "It was an unforeseen detail we hadn't anticipated."
Graham turned towards the man. "And who the hell are you?!" He demanded.
The scientist turned casually. "Dr. Corbin. I'm the one who designed Z-10."
"Then it's your fault," said Graham.
The scientist sighed. "Science, my good sir, is about learning from one's mistakes. As the saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
Graham's expression grew more frustrated. "In case you failed to notice, it was killed!"
The man shook his head in amusement. He typed commands into a computer consul. A digital image of Z-10 appeared on the main monitor. It spun around to its back. The shell of the simulation opened and a large spike protruded out. As the body began to vanish, the spike shot itself from the back.
"Z-10 has a very unique attribute among our creations," said Corbin. "It has the power to self replicate. Upon death this spore is ejected from its body. The spore contains all the data gathered from the main body, like a black box."
The spike began growing. It became a multi-legged, insect-like creature and began burying itself in the ground. Tendrils extend from it like roots. Graham watched this simulation with great interest.
"The spore will go underground and seek out whatever materials it needs. Slowly it will reconstruct the main body."
The spore on the screen grew bigger and bigger until becoming a new Z-10.
"The new Z-10 will not only know everything the previous one knew, but will also have improved on any weaknesses that hindered the previous Z-10. So this time, no number of Ultramen will be able to stop it."
Graham stepped forward. "Will VICTORY be able to detect this?" he asked more calmly.
The scientist smiled sinisterly. "I believe they will be far more occupied with the issue of the second Ultraman. By the time they do notice it, it will most likely be too late."
Graham smiled with new confidence. "This should prove interesting."
The Science Patrol sat in their command room. Occasionally, they glanced at the seat that was usually occupied by Usagi. They had still received no word about his whereabouts. Pygmon stood near the seat and growled sadly at Usagi's absence. Everyone perked up as Colonel stepped in.
"Any word on Usagi?" asked Reilly.
The Colonel shook his head. "Not one. We called everyone on his contact list, no one knows where he is. I just spent the last ten minutes trying to calm down his mother. Poor woman is frantic."
Reilly shook his head. "I should've kept a better eye on him," he said sullenly.
Donahue put a hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault mate," he said. "You had to eject. I'm sure Shundou is okay."
Pygmon walked up and joined in by putting a claw on Reilly's other shoulder.
He smiled at the small monster. "Thanks Pyg," he said. "I know you must really worry about him."
Pygmon growled sadly, as if in agreement.
Hayata stood up. "Colonel," he said. "Please keep looking."
"Of course," Xander said with a nod. He left the room.
Hayata turned to his troops. "In the mean time," he said, "I think we should address what is most definitely on all of our minds." He turned on the main monitor. "The analysis department sent us this footage."
On the screen appeared the red Ultraman. This image was just after he had appeared on the battlefield. Everyone looked at the image with unsure faces. Pygmon growled angrily at it.
"This second Ultraman is certainly a mystery," said Hayata. "He helped the first Ultraman destroy the monster, then turned on him. No one is entirely sure of what to make of him."
"He is amazing," said Donahue. "He was able to beat Zetton so easily, where our weapons and even Ultraman failed."
"Zetton?" said Janson in confusion.
"Yeah," said Donahue. "That's the sound the monster made. 'Ze-ton, Ze-ton.' Makes for a good name."
"Regardless," said Hayata, "that only the second Ultraman could beat it shows that he is a very strong and capable warrior. He could be a greater threat than all the monsters combined."
"Sir!" said Reilly.
"Yes?"
"I've been thinking," Reilly said with a pause. "We shouldn't keep calling him the second Ultraman."
"We shouldn't?" the captain replied.
Reilly nodded. "He attacked Ultraman. The way Ultraman reacted, it seems like it was for no good reason. It doesn't seem right to talk about them like they're the same."
"What do you suggest, mate?" asked Donahue.
"I was thinking… Ultraseven."
"Ultraseven?" said both Donahue and Janson.
"Yeah," said Reilly. "He's the seventh enemy Ultraman's fought, right? He looks like Ultraman. Ultraseven."
Donahue nodded. "Doesn't make much sense, but it's easier to keep track of than saying 'the second Ultraman' all the time I suppose."
The captain cleared his throat. "Can we move on to the more practical aspects here?" He shifted to another image, this one of Ultraseven throwing his fin. "This is the first weapon we saw 'Ultraseven' use. Thoughts?"
"It seems to have the same function as Ultraman's disks," said Donahue. "In this case however, the weapon is solid matter, very different from any of Ultraman's weapons."
"I can't figure how it's propelled through the air," said Janson. "There's no sign of any manner of propulsion mechanism on the weapon. It's possible that it is manipulated telekinetically."
"It must be pretty damn durable," said Reilly. "Not even the Mjolnir could cut through Zetton's shield. Yet this little boomerang broke past it easily."
"It's not that surprising," said Donahue. "The shield most likely was meant to deflect beam and explosive weapons, not impact weapons."
Hayata brought up the next image. This was of Seven firing a beam from his forehead. "This is Ultraseven's second main weapon. A head mounted beam weapon. The analysts say that it's equal in intensity to Ultraman's cross-arm beam."
Donahue gasped a bit in surprise. "That much power in such a narrow beam. It could've destroyed the monster just as easily as anything. What power!"
The next image came up, this of Ultraseven's full-arm blast. "This is the weapon Ultraseven used to destroy Zetton. The analysts say it is far more intense than Ultraman's cross-arm beam."
Everyone looked at the image grimly. Aside from the worried growls of Pygmon, the room was silent. They all knew that that fact alone made any upcoming encounter even more uneasy.
The image shifted to a neutral image of Ultraseven.
"There's one thing I noticed about Ultraseven," said Reilly. "He doesn't have that timer thing on his chest."
"I noticed that too," said Donahue. "His chest-plate is far different from Ultraman's. It's possible that it gives him the ability to last longer than Ultraman."
Hayata turned off the screen. "As of right now, we're all on high alert. The Thor is still undergoing repairs from the last battle and there are only a few wings still active. Let's just hope that our giant friends can sort this out without getting the city involved."
Usagi leaned against Erica as she lead him into her house. Her parents were out right now checking on her uncle, whose house was near ground-zero of the monster attack. She lead him to the couch, where he sat down and sighed, still in pain.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked. "You seem pretty bad off."
"I'll be okay," said Usagi. "I'm a member of the Science Patrol after all."
Erica smiled softly. "I'll get you something to drink," she said. "You rest up."
Usagi nodded. As she left the room, Usagi's face grew very serious. He laid down on the couch and closed his eyes. He breathed slowly.
In his mind, he saw Ultora Ma'un in his alien form. They floated in darkness.
Why? He asked the alien. Why is Se'ban after you? Tell me the truth!
Ma'un sighed in frustration. Usagi-kun, this is something I should have told you long ago. My home world has a very specific rule for all of its explorers. That rule is that beyond study, we are to never directly interact with the natives of the planets, and we are most definitely never to interfere in the affairs of other worlds, unless they are equally as advanced as ours.
Usagi took this all in surprise. You mean…
Ma'un nodded. Because I interfered, because I took sides in your conflict, I will likely spend at least a century in incarceration. Such is the punishment for my crime.
But you helped us! Usagi replied. Without you, Valhalla would have been wiped out by now. I would have died all those years ago if you hadn't saved me! Doesn't that count for anything?!
Ma'un shook his head. The reasons are irrelevant. The fact is I broke the law and must endure the penalty for it. He looked straight at the young man before him. Usagi, your life-force is now self sustaining. If you wish, I can now undo our merger. I do not want you to be drawn into this.
Usagi shook his head. Forget it Ma'un! I'm with you till the end! We aren't giving up without a fight! The people of Valhalla need us! They need Ultraman! Regardless of the rules, we won't let anything stop us!
Se'ban is strong. A stronger warrior than myself. I don't know if I can defeat him.
But you aren't alone Ma'un! We'll fight him together! Usagi extended a hand. Like always.
Ma'un looked down at the hand extended before him. A light chuckle of pride escaped him. You are very brave Usagi-kun. I am proud to fight beside you. He took the hand and shook it. Together, we might not win. But we'll go down fighting!
Usagi awoke and sat up. He smiled with pride. "Together."
The blond-haired human form of Se'ban stood on the roof of a tall building. He pulled out the mask again and placed it on his face. In a flash, he was a human-sized version of his alien form. He looked into the sky. Placing his index and middle fingers by his forehead mounted beam-lamp, he began firing a blast into the sky. The beam began to write symbols in the air.
In the Science Patrol's meeting room, the team was watching a live feed of the words as they were being writen.
"What do you think it means?" asked Janson in fear.
"It mean someone's being called out," replied Reilly.
Usagi looked out the window. He saw the symbols in the night sky and watched with a nervous feeling in his gut. What's it say Ma'un? Can you read it?
It's Ul basic. It says 'Ma'un, surrender yourself to me in one terran hour. If not, I will seek you out and I will not show mercy to any humans who get in my way.'"
"Would he really do that?" Usagi asked aloud.
No. But it doesn't matter, even if he did. I have every intention of facing him.
"Then let's get ready."
"Ready for what?"
Usagi turned and saw Erica standing behind him.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"We have to go," he said. "We have to face him."
She shook her head. "No!" she said. "It's too dangerous! You could get killed!"
"We can't run from him," Usagi replied. "If Ultraman's going to continue to defend this city, we need to make a stand."
"But why do you have to get involved?!" she demanded. "This is their fight, not yours!"
"I'm already involved," he said. "I have to stand by Ma'un. Otherwise all we've done for Valhalla will have been meaningless."
Erica ran up to him. She shook with light sobs. "I don't want to lose you," she said. "I separated from you because I was afraid of it. I was afraid of the worry and fear. I thought being away from you would make me forget. But it only made me feel worse because I couldn't be with you. I don't want to lose you… I… I love you."
"I love you too Erica-chan," he said as he embraced her. "But I can't get out of this. This is my destiny."
Erica pulled away. "Just promise me you'll come back."
Usagi leaned in and gave her a brief kiss on the lips. "I promise. I promise I'll come back."
Usagi walked down the streets at night. He drew closer to where he sensed Se'ban's presence. In the middle of the empty street stood Se'ban in human form. Usagi recognized him briefly as the man he had seen earlier in the alley. It wasn't important now. All that mattered was what was to come.
"You came Ma'un," said Se'ban. "I'm glad. I assume you're not here to surrender."
No.
Usagi shook his head in agreement.
Se'ban took notice of Ma'un's human form. "I was listening in on your friends earlier human," he said casually. "They've given me a very interesting codename; Ultraseven. They seemed concerned about you. You should return to them. You do not belong in this struggle."
"You're wrong," said Usagi. "I'm exactly where I need to be. We need Ultraman."
"That's not for me to decide," said Se'ban. "If you will not give in, then it is time for us to end this."
Agreed.
Usagi drew the Beta Capsule. Se'ban took out the mask. Usagi raised the device over his head.
"Dua!" Se'ban masked himself.
A brilliant flash of light filled the street.
Ultraman and Ultraseven appeared in the city in giant form. The two giants assumed battle stances. The giants moved into a more open area and circled one another defensively. Then they charged.
Punches thrown and blocked, kicks colliding. They grappled and tried to get an edge. They sparred again, in some cases mirroring moves. The two Ultras clashed violently.
From her house, Erica sat and watched the distant battle, hands wringing in nervousness.
"Usagi…"
Ultraman grabbed Seven and pulled him into a roll and with a kick to the gut, flung him over his head. Seven recovered and grabbed Ultraman, tossing him to the ground. He was about to hit again, when small laser blasts ran along his spine.
Ultraman looked up. There was what remained of VICTORY's fighter squadron.
In one of the fighters, Reilly and Donahue were ready for battle.
"Take that you bastard!" shouted Reilly.
Ultraman shook his head a bit. He leaped over Ultraseven and created a shield, blocking the next round of shots.
Reilly looked at Ultraman in confusion for a bit. Then it hit him. "Tell everyone to pull back!" he cried.
"Why?!" asked Donahue in confusion.
"This is a battle of honor," he replied sullenly. "He has to fight it on his own."
Seven pulled himself to his feet. He looked at Ultraman as his field vanished. You protected me?
This is our fight. No one else's, replied Ma'un.
Seven laughed once in his throat. It's good to see you've kept your sense of honor. He looked towards the fighters. These humans are brave, if a bit overconfident. I see why you admire them. He reached up to his head and grabbed his fin. He held it in his hand as a weapon. But it changes nothing.
Ultraman generated an energy disk and hovered it in his hand.
They circled each other again. Then they charged again. The fin-blade sparked against the disk. The two weapons clashed like swords, sparks flaring. The Ultras dueled passionately, weapons clashing. At one point they pulled away and tossed the weapons at each other.
The weapons spun against one another until the disk burst and knocked the fin weapon back at Seven, who placed it back on his head. Before Ultrman could attack again. Seven brought his hands to his head and fired a head beam. The beam hit Ultraman in the shoulder.
The giant hero cried out in pain and fell to his knees. He groaned in pain as his color timer began to flash.
"Usagi!!!" Shouted Erica as she watched Ultraman's fall.
In the fighter, Donahue and Reilly watched in horror as the hero fell.
"Should we attack now?!" Donahue demanded.
Reilly watched as Ultraman, having sensed the question, shook his head violently.
"Not yet," he replied. "Not yet."
Groaning in pain, timer flashing. Ultraman pulled himself to his feet. He breathed heavily and focused his strength.
Seven watched this, surprised he had the strength to go on after a direct hit.
Ultraman growled I anger. He thrust his arms to the left…
Seven crossed his arms, then spread them, light shining from his fingers…
… he raised them over his head, gathering light…
… he made fists, charging his arms with light…
…Specium Slayer…
…Specium Slayer…
… he brought them down in a plus, his hand further down his arm than usual…
… he brought them together in an L position…
… Light Stream!
… Wide Shot!
The beams collided. Ultraman strained to maintain a wider stream against Seven's. The blasts remained relatively even. Ultraman's timer flashed faster and faster. Seven strained to overcome his enemy. This went on longer than anyone could have anticipated.
The beams continued to clash. Slowly, the beams lost intensity. The giants grew exhausted as the blasts finally died down.
The beam emitter on Ultraseven's head began to flash. He had reached his limit.
Ultraman stumbled to his knees. His timer flashed faster and faster. He reached out a hand.
Erica…
The timer went black. Ultraman's shining eyes went dark. His body went limp.
"Ultraman!"
came a cry from all who watched. Reilly, Donahue, Janson, Hayata, Xander."USAGI!!!" called Erica.
Ultraman fell flat on the ground. He didn't move. He made no sound.
Ultraseven, slowly and weakly, walked up to the inanimate Ultraman. He lifted him above his head. With a powerful leap, he flew away, carrying Ultraman into the heavens.
Erica ran out of her house. She looked to the sky and watched as the giant flew away with the body of her alien-form boyfriend. She fell to her knees on sorrow and cried into her hands.
Deep below the city, a tiny creature was digging its way into the ground. A red light shone from its front as it dug deeper and deeper.
"zeh-tawn…"
To Be Concluded…
AN: One more part to go. What comes next will rock.
Dear god… I may finish something I started. Holy crap!!!
Next Chapter: What shall be Ultraman's fate? How will Valhalla defeat Zetton without its hero? How does it end?
Kaiju in this chapter:
Zetton Spore (briefly)