"Lord Belial."
In a dark crimson void, Fukude Kei appeared before the massive head of Belial.
"Sturm alien…" Belial's eyes gleamed as he extended a blackened claw. "Have you secured the capsules?"
"Yes, Lord Belial. All eight Ultra Capsules have been obtained." Kei bowed low, producing the capsules with utmost reverence.
Belial let out a wicked laugh. "It seems my son has done well."
"Yes… he did excellently."
Kei trembled slightly at Belial's words, his heart a swirl of complicated emotions.
"By the way, Lord Belial," Kei spoke cautiously, "Ultraman Zero and Ultraman Tiga seem to have arrived here. Should we relocate before they find us?"
"No need." Belial waved his claw dismissively. "They will never find me."
Belial's gaze sharpened. "Sturm alien, there is still one more task I require of you. Are you prepared to give everything—your very life—for me?"
"I am ready." Kei dropped to one knee, voice loyal and steady.
"Then inject the Ultra Capsules into your body. Release their power." Belial's scarlet eyes glowed, bathing Kei in crimson light.
"Into my body… but—"
Kei froze. Sweat ran down his brow. The Ultra Capsules contained overwhelming power—forcing eight into his body at once would surely drive him out of control. It could even consume his life.
"You are a Sturm alien." Belial's voice was like a blade. "Your phase-reversal organ will corrupt that power into darkness."
"…As you command."
Kei's body shook violently. His mind screamed against it, but he turned and left the void, carrying Belial's order with him.
On the busy streets, Fukude Kei drifted like a soulless husk, shambling through the crowd.
If he injected the capsules into himself, the energy would tear him apart. He wouldn't last long. His life would end. And then… he could no longer follow Belial.
That was the one outcome he could not accept. He longed to serve Belial forever.
Yet if he refused… he would be disobeying Belial's command. And without those capsules, Belial's revival could never be completed.
Clutching the capsules in trembling hands, Kei finally shut his eyes and thrust them into his own body.
Black smoke erupted from his form as the capsules merged into him. Scarlet arcs of electricity crackled across his skin. His eyes burned crimson as he hunched over, growling through the unbearable pain.
Sweat poured down his face. His features twisted into something grotesque. He staggered, clutching his abdomen, fighting to keep himself together.
Bystanders screamed and scattered.
"Ughhhhhh—AAHHHHHH!"
At last, the energy erupted violently. Dark smoke and red mist engulfed Kei's body. Huge lumps of crimson flesh tore outward before morphing, under purple light, into the hulking shape of Pedanium Zetton.
"Monster!"
"Run!"
"There's a monster!"
Panic swept the streets as people screamed and fled.
Pedanium Zetton's body spasmed, its crimson antennae unleashing arcs of scarlet lightning. Buildings crumbled under the destructive waves. Explosions thundered across the city as civilians scattered in chaos.
In the Nebula House base, alarms blared. On-screen, Pedanium Zetton rampaged through the city, toppling towers as fire and smoke engulfed the skyline.
"Detection shows immense abnormal energy inside Pedanium Zetton," Lemo reported, yellow lights flashing. "The Ultra Capsules are within its body."
"What's happening in there…?" Pega muttered, eyes wide at the berserk monster.
"Unknown," Lemo answered.
"All eight Ultra Capsules were stolen… and with Yu Zhou and Zero still out in space, I can't do anything." Riku clenched his fists, voice thick with regret.
If not for losing the capsules, he wouldn't be powerless to stop this.
"Riku, you can fight!" Laiha pressed firmly.
"No… I'm just Belial's clone. Without two Ultra Capsules, I can't become Ultraman." Riku dropped his head, defeated.
"Riku. Look up."
Laiha extended her hand.
Two gleaming Ultra Capsules rested in her palm.
"Dyna… and Tiga?!" Pega gasped. "But weren't those with Yu Zhou?"
"Before leaving with Zero, Yu Zhou entrusted them to me," Laiha explained. "Just in case."
"A double safeguard!" Pega exclaimed. "Yu Zhou really is cautious—he even left a backup plan."
Hope surged in Riku's chest. He grabbed the capsules, determination blazing in his eyes. Taking the elevator, he launched toward the battlefield.
Pedanium Zetton roared, releasing more waves of scarlet lightning, demolishing blocks of buildings.
Riku raised the Fusion Riser high. "I will protect this world—no matter what!"
With a cry, he activated the Tiga Capsule. A phantom of Ultraman Tiga appeared on his right.
Then he triggered the Dyna Capsule. A phantom of Ultraman Dyna appeared on his left.
"Here we go!"
He slammed both capsules into the Riser. Power surged through him.
"Revive—Light!"
"Dyyyaaaahhhhh!"
Energy exploded as his body transformed.
Ultraman Geed—Aurora Form!
His eyes glowed a sharp, radiant blue. A crystal gleamed from his forehead. His body shone with streaks of red, purple, blue, silver, and black. Three golden bands spread like armor across his chest, connecting the Color Timer to both shoulders.
Aurora light cloaked his entire form, blazing brilliantly.
"Calm down!"
Geed fired a freezing beam at Pedanium Zetton's head. The blast detonated, wrapping the monster in icy mist. Its rampage slowed as frost crept across its body.
But scarlet lightning surged again, shattering the ice to pieces.
"Tch!"
Without hesitation, Geed leapt forward, tackling the berserk Pedanium Zetton to the ground.
BOOM!
The two titans crashed together, shaking the earth.