- Chapter 0 -

o-0-o

I stand at the edge of the building, looking out over what's left of Brockton Bay. The city that once thrived with life now lay desolate, a battleground for heroes and villains grappling against a looming golden menace. The evacuation was supposed to clear the streets, but figures in capes and masks still clash desperately beneath the wrathful gaze of the golden abomination in the sky.

It's clear to me that the golden man is just a pawn, a puppet controlled by a greater force. We can defeat the puppet a hundred times over, but unless we deal with the puppeteer, it's all in vain.

Yet, despite the chaos and destruction, I refuse to be disheartened. The path leading to this moment was fraught with challenges, lives lost, and countless obstacles. But amidst the darkness, I've seen the flicker of humanity's best and worst.

Humanity can be cowardly and depraved, but it can also be brave, kind, and ingenious. All it takes is a guiding hand, someone to point them toward the light, to remind them that they can be better. I've seen it happen—I've seen people change, become more than they ever thought they could.

And I get it. I used to see myself as less, a coward, and to be honest, I still do. The tremors wracking my body are proof of the fear coursing through me as I witness the horror unfolding below. But I know that in this fear, there's strength. Strength to stand up, face the puppeteer, and make a difference.

The journey has been a rollercoaster, but amidst the despair, hope thrives within me. Hope that humanity can stand tall against this otherworldly invader.

Besides, we might have drawn the short straw, encountering hostile beings first, but we're not alone.

There are friends out there, allies who answered our desperate call. One such peculiar friend fights alongside us, asking for nothing in return, committed to safeguarding our lives and future.

He's an odd one, no doubt.

I glance down at the Evoltruster in my hand, a small device symbolizing my profound connection with this otherworldly ally. Weightless in my grip, it carries the weight of countless memories since that fateful day when our paths intertwined.

I direct my attention to the creature manipulating the golden man, and the Evoltruster pulsates gently, reassuring me that everything will be alright.

It's time to bring this to an end.

I—no, we won't let tragedy write the final chapter. There's been sorrow and regret in our journey, but that doesn't dictate our ending. We're determined to make this a story where everyone comes home, where laughter echoes when we recount the events of today.

My name is Taylor Hebert.

I'm not a hero, nor am I a villain.

I am...

"Shall we go, Taylor?" a voice echoes in my mind.

"Yes. Let's finish this, Nexus," I respond.

A warm light emanates from the Evoltruster, bathing me in its familiar glow. I take a deep breath, then shout, "Nexuuuuus!"

A radiant burst of light envelops me as we soar towards the abomination.

I am Taylor Hebert.

He is Nexus.

Together, we are Ultraman.

O-0-o

A/N: I decided to rewrite most of my old stories, starting from the ones which save files I still have, while I still have time.