"What should we do Spica?"
Their thoughts were interrupted as a fire ball was thrown their way. Flying upwards, the two saw the pyronite struggling. It was moving erratically as purple sparks were coming off the device.
Like veins, purple lines expanded out of the device and the walking volcano screamed in pain.
"Let's focus on him first." The alien was resisting and the device was making its displeasure known.
They would deal with the space police later. I did not trust the stranger. Especially when they have superpowers like this but Spica was giving him the benefit of doubt. She would too.
For now.
Energy gathered around them forming a thin layer of protective light around themselves. Angling low they bent their knees and kicked off the air.
The alien screamed louder and a blast of fire erupted. She received Spica's intentions and they held their hands out.
A square barrier of light formed and they pushed through the fire.
Crashing into the alien torso with their barrier they held him down. Pressing down upon him the pavement melted sinking him deeper. Their target, the device became damaged but it was still functional.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Bee-
The noises from that device increased in volume and speed. Red electric shocks arched outwards from it.
For a moment time slowed to a crawl and Spica shared his memories.
He did not recognize the device exactly but it was similar enough to some versions he's seen in his school's archives. Mostly used to force obedience on wild creatures created by a frog-like race called the Incursions.
If tampered with or if the captured creature kept resisting. The devices were either set to increase the amount of pain to force the beast into submission or explode.
They needed a new plan of attack.
Taking a step back and attacking from a distance was Spica's first plan. His fear and worry about Ai coming to harm came through their bond.
It touched Ai but she knew that he wanted to end the alien's suffering quickly. So, she suggested a better plan.
Attack. Spica hesitated at her plan, causing more cracks to appear on the barrier.
"Getting hurt is part of being a hero."
"But-"
"Spica. Let's shine together."
The barrier faltered as Spica alone kept it steady while Ai stopped focusing on it and instead increased the intensity of the blue aura around them.
A primal scream left a molten mouth and a near unbearable amount of heat erupted outwards. Powerful orange and white flames nearly blinded them and filled their vision.
Cracks started to form but Spica held the barrier firm till she was ready.
"Ready."
Abandoning the barrier completely, blue light and flames clashed.
Grasping the device, they flew upwards into the air. It was embedded deeply in their unwilling passenger who was thrashing violently.
Punching it did not work and trying to kick their passenger down only resulted in an explosion of fire and electricity that sent them back.
As the pyronite screamed his way down, the alien struck the device on his chest weakening it further.
"A beam might work."
"But it would be too strong -"
"Just overload it and blow it up!"
Startled star shaped purple eyes turned to the space officer's dull black eyes. Throughout the short fight the man had not moved an inch.
"Don't worry about roughing him up too much. Pyronites can take a beating and my subordinates can patch him up when they arrive."
As if proving his point, the alien was undamaged when he created a smoking crater on landing. The only visible damage was his chest where the cracking device kept beeping louder.
More memories of Spica's time at school surfaced confirming Itto's words. The natural enemy of the walking magma men was a crustacean like creature immune to fire. So Pyronites evolved to be sturdier so they can withstand crippling and life-threatening injuries.
"Why is he just standing there and not helping?" Suspicion leaked out of Ai. "Spica he's just-"
"I cannot move." Itto spoke as if sensing their thoughts.
Waving his hand, the barrier wobbled like a balloon that was about to burst.
"Barrier's a rush job and Edward over there is going to wake up to the fact that he was partially responsible for the death of over a hundred people if I do."
A decision was quickly made and the two turned their bodies to face the newly identified Edward.
Flying towards Edward who was on his knees. Their arms moved, forming a cross and blue light gathering along his wrist to the tip of his fingers.
"Starlight beam!"
Beam the size of their first launched forth. Striking the device and pushing Edward off the street. Powering the beam till the device exploded in an explosion of red and blue sparks.
Increasing their speed, they caught Edward before he hit the ground. His torso had a notable chunk missing but they could sense the alien was still alive. Just unconscious from the ordeal.
Laying the alien to rest near on a bench. The two turned back to the officer who had a smirk on his face.
"Can't let this barrier down yet. My people are tending to all the wounded and cleaning up the mess.
Tensing the two started a back-and-forth conversation. Should they escape, should they leave Edward. Should they just come out and explain things?
"Don't try to break out, you do that. My men or the patients get spooked from the breaking of the spell. At worst someone dies or people find out about this side of the war and it's WW3 threats again."
They involuntarily twitched at the accusation and implications. War? Isn't that too much?
"Yes, I know the last part's an overreaction but pencil pushing people in suits want war to inflate their ego and make some money. I'm tempted to just get it over with so I can bash their head in."
"I like this guy."
"Ai!"
"So, I've introduced myself and I've been through a lot cleaning up after your crash landing on my planet."
Guilt leaked out from Spica. The news never stopped covering the fallen star as they liked to call it and the results of it. Being the most interesting piece of news, the media could cover for years. News outlets would not stop sensualizing it, vilifying it and doing anything to make it a big deal even though it had been a month.
To them the star was not a person, it was a natural disaster. Something they could make any kind of news they wanted getting any backlash from it.
How it damaged the ozone layer, caused the relocation of local wildlife, changed the weather patterns causing planes and ships to be thrown off their course. The destruction of one satellite hit along Spica's way to Earth set humanity back. How it scared people, making them paranoid driving them mad.
Alarming news about various cults using the fallen star as a sign to gather members and confirmed reports about them making sacrifices to summon dark gods. News of the comet used in debates among various religions. How it was a sign from the heavens.
There was positive news too but they were buried under everything else.
"So would you mind having the decency to give me your name and kindly accompany me to headquarters."
"Let's go." There was a grim resolve in Ai.
"But-"
"I hate it." Spica was quickly cut off. "You are always going to feel sad about it. No matter how much fun we have and what we do. The guilt always lingers in Spica."
Playing video games, she could only watch others play.
Buying clothes and items she wanted but never dared talk about buying because it earned her a scolding at best.
Eating mouth watering food, she could only fantasize about and actually use powers that only existed in her wildest dreams.
All those happy memories she experienced because of Spica but she could never fully share the joy with him. After every good moment, Spica would always find himself in despair one way or another because of that crash.
"Spica. No matter what happens we will always be together right?"
"Yes. I promise."
A vow was made and silver feet touched the ground. Walking towards the officer they spoke.
"My name is Ultraman Spica."
(SCENE BREAK)
Within a spacious room. Spica sat on a chair made from liquid metal. The chair changed its shape into a reclining chair. You would find in a mafia movie; the Ultra changed his pose to sit in more comfortably.
In front of him was a table of the same material and across from him was a red bald alien. A muscular humanoid one with four sets of arms and four yellow eyes.
Aside from one, each arm was busy pressing various buttons on a hologram console. Spica could not see what was being written from his side of the room.
"So, following protocol. I am summarizingg everything you told me." The officer spoke with a kind and soft voice.
The name of the intimidating alien was Terrance or Terry as he asked to be called. Another alien with an Earth name, Ai was starting to wonder if all the yokai from her country were aliens. Because Terry looked like an oni, only a set of horns were missing. Terry's species were called Tetramands.
"You are a resident of the land of light. A civilian with no military training at all."
"Yes."
"Your side of the multiverse is dangerously identical to the fictional series Ultraman. How much do you know of the other series?"
"I've heard reports of Dyna along with the legends of Ultraman Legend and Noa."
Ultraman Dyna the wandering hero from another dimension. It has prompted some of Spica's own kind to visit that universe.
"The latter two have entire religions and cults dedicated to them."
Aside from Ultraman King there were only a hand full of Godlike Ultraman, Spica could remember. The two beings born from Legend splitting apart had made waves.
Ultraman Cosmos lived on a planet full of monsters that lived in harmony proving that violence was not always the answer. On the other hand of the spectrum, Ultraman Justice was constantly on the move crushing evil. Amassing believers who launch crusades, following their god to spread their brand of justice. The crusaders had caused some problems but what exactly they did Spica could not remember.
"Cosmos and Justice are active in their goals to promote their ideals and Noa has verified recordings of his power."
Planets and entire solar systems being revived from destruction were some of the godlike feats Spica had remembered about Noa.
"Right moving on to the main point. Your planet, The land of light, was attacked by robotic replicas of Ultraman Zero. A weaker and mass-produced version of something called Darkclops Zero that he fought. You know of this because you overheard the space garrison members talking about it as you evacuated."
"Yes, thankfully they were successful in fighting them off. That was the last memory I have till I was somehow pulled into the black hole."
"Which leads to your crash landing on our planet. Suffering grave injuries along with amnesia. The Ultra series helped jog your memory and you have been keeping a low profile till this incident."
Spica nodded and the officer pushed away his console. As it faded away the officer looked straight at him.
"All right then. So would you mind undoing the transformation. I do not think a prolonged period of you taking over is good for your host."
At the reveal, a tense atmosphere filled the room.
"Ai is a minor."
Spica's eyes glowed ominously for a fraction of a second and Terry tensed.
He clasped his hands and pressed on. "An hour and 12 minutes is a lot of time, we are not sure what effects she can suffer from being fused extended periods of time. You can trust us to keep her identity safe."
The Ultra did not move. He shined for a moment and in his place was a purple haired 10-year girl. Her cheeks were red and puffy, tears gathering in purple eyes.
"You're a meanie, picking on children."
Terry was prepared for a lot of things. A crying child was something he was not prepared for.
"Wait, I understand I was a bit hard on your friend Spica but it was important-"
"Spica's my age. We just look like an adult when we transform."
"WHAT!"
(SCENE BREAK)
Author notes : Not happy with the fight scene. Wanted to write more but the bomb was a thing so I just went and dealt with it quickly.