"What else do you know?" Fukude Kei's eyes gleamed with interest as he questioned Riku.
"I know that your goal is to collect Ultra Capsules after they've been activated," Riku answered steadily. "But the Little Star, which is required to trigger them, can only be entrusted to an Ultra Warrior."
"And so," Riku continued, glaring at him, "you created someone who could push forward this activation plan, didn't you? You used Belial's genes… to manufacture me."
Fukude Kei clapped his hands slowly, smiling with eerie satisfaction.
"Impressive. You really know everything."
"But listen well, Fukude Kei!" Riku's voice grew firm, his eyes filled with determination. "I am who I am! I chose to become an Ultra Warrior on my own terms!"
"I became Ultraman Geed to protect the people I want to protect!"
"Hmph. Fine. Whatever you say. In the end, I came here today for one purpose—" Fukude Kei's tone was light, as if mocking Riku's resolve. "—to take the Ultra Capsules from your hands."
He tilted his head and smirked. "Eight capsules should already be gathered, yes? With them, Lord Belial will be fully resurrected."
Riku tensed, bracing himself, ready to use the Fusion Rise at any moment.
"Hand them over," Kei ordered, extending his hand. "Otherwise, I'll have Toba Laiha shot on the spot."
Meanwhile, Pega had stealthily climbed onto the rooftop of a tall building. There, a strange alien with a pointed, cleft-like head was aiming a sniper rifle at Laiha.
Pega crouched low, picked up a loose brick, crept behind the alien, and smashed it down on the back of its head.
"Argh! You bastard! Who are you?!" the alien cried out, dropping the rifle. It whirled around and began wrestling with Pega.
Seeing the sniper's aim diverted, Laiha immediately drew her blade and rushed to the rooftop. She knew Pega's combat power was limited—if something happened to him, it would be disastrous.
"Such a shame," Riku sneered at Kei.
"Hahaha… yes, what a shame," Kei chuckled darkly as he stood up from the bench. "If only you had obediently given me the Ultra Capsules, this peaceful city wouldn't have to turn into a wasteland."
He drew out the Fusion Riser.
"Stop!" Riku shouted, lunging forward—but Kei's fist struck him like a hammer, sending him crashing back.
"The moment I stole the Riser and Capsules from the Land of Light, it was destined that you and I would clash," Kei said coldly. His eyes closed for a moment in reverence.
"Lord Belial, grant me your strength!"
Dark violet mist erupted from his body as a capsule materialized in his hand.
"Gomora!"
The capsule lit up as he activated it.
"Zetton!"
Another capsule was launched. Kei slotted both into the Riser.
"Fusion Rise!"
His body twisted, morphing into Belial's silhouette. Two phantom figures—Gomora and Zetton—appeared at his sides, then merged into him.
"Pedanium Zetton!"
With a thunderous crash, a gigantic monster materialized in the heart of the city, its massive feet shattering the streets below.
Screams rang out as panicked civilians scattered in every direction.
"This city… I will protect it!"
Riku clenched the Fusion Riser and triggered a capsule.
"Yugo!"
Ultraman Zero's image appeared to his right.
"Igo!"
The Father of Ultra's image appeared to his left.
"Here we go!"
"GEED!!"
Energy surged through him, transforming his body. Before Pedanium Zetton stood a new form of Ultraman Geed.
His body gleamed with steel-like armor, accented in red, silver, blue, and black. Two massive horns rose from his head, crackling with energy.
Ultraman Geed—Magnificient Form!
This was Yu Zhou's instruction to Riku: start with maximum power. This battle was too critical—there could be no mistakes. If they lost here, Fukude Kei would seize every capsule.
Too often, Riku charged in with his Primitive Form only to be beaten down before changing. This time, he had to begin at full force.
"So this is… the Father of Ultra's power?"
Inside Pedanium Zetton, Kei frowned at Geed's new form. This wasn't how Riku usually fought—he would have expected the boy to start weak, easy prey. But now, things were different.
Dark red energy crackled across Pedanium Zetton's body. With a roar, it unleashed a devastating beam at Geed Brave Form.
Geed raised both arms, summoning a barrier that held against the blast. The explosion lit the sky, flattening buildings around them in fire and smoke.
Zetton fired another volley of crimson orbs. Geed swatted them aside like sparks, scattering them harmlessly.
Then a beam lanced out between Zetton's glowing red horns—Geed caught it with one hand, the energy searing but unable to push him back.
"This power… it's incredible," Riku whispered in awe at his own strength.
"No way!" Kei gasped inside Zetton's body. "He blocked them all? With his bare hands?!"
Geed wasn't finished. He formed a glowing energy wheel, hurling it at Zetton's chest. The monster convulsed, arcs of blue lightning racing across its armor.
Geed leapt, shoulder armor flaring with light, and slashed across Zetton in a shower of sparks. He followed with a crushing punch, then whipped his head forward—the massive horns cracking with lightning as they whipped across Zetton's skull.
The beast staggered back, crashing to the ground, but quickly rose again. Dark red currents surged from its horns, blasting the city around them to rubble.
Geed spread his arms, braced himself, and charged head-on.
They collided in a brutal close-quarters brawl, exchanging punches and blows. This time, however, Geed's Brave Form gave him the upper hand.
"Ultraman Geed…" Fukude Kei's voice growled from within Pedanium Zetton. "You wear Belial's face, yet you fight against me? You're nothing but a counterfeit!"
His devotion to Belial was absolute. To clash with Geed—a clone of his master—was unbearable. Every strike made it feel as though he were battling Belial himself.
And that, to Kei, was intolerable.