Chapter Five: The Miracle of Light and Shadow
Under the deep night sky, when Yue Longze arrived at the grassland where he had agreed to meet Da Gu, he found that Da Gu had long been waiting for him, piloting Swallow No. 1.
"Da Gu!"
Yue Longze smiled. This was his childhood idol, and now they stood side by side as comrades in battle.
"You're here... I've been waiting for you for quite some time!"
It was clear that Da Gu cared about Yue Longze. Yue Longze had already arrived half an hour early, yet Da Gu was even earlier.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"No need for such formalities! We're teammates now!" Da Gu replied cheerfully, lightly tapping Yue Longze on the chest.
After some casual conversation, the two boarded Swallow No. 1 and swiftly returned to base.
...
Although Yue Longze had seen the TPC base countless times on television, only by standing inside it could he truly appreciate its grandeur. To build such a massive complex, combining military and scientific research, on the restless surface of the Pacific Ocean required immense manpower, resources, and advanced technology.
The staff curiously eyed the young man in civilian clothes. Even the usually thick-skinned Yue Longze felt a little uneasy under their scrutiny. Fortunately, Da Gu quickly led him through the process of receiving his uniform and equipment.
Once dressed in the team uniform, Yue Longze was given a general tour of the TPC base, with Da Gu enthusiastically explaining various points of interest and basic knowledge. Listening to Da Gu, Yue Longze could not help but marvel at the greatness of this base.
The next morning, Yue Longze woke early and shared breakfast with Da Gu. He mused that, if he were a woman, Lina would surely be jealous of how close he and Da Gu had become.
...
The Victory Team’s communicator suddenly chimed.
"Report to the command room immediately!"
On the screen, Captain Hiromi’s expression was grave. Da Gu and Yue Longze exchanged glances and hurried toward the command room.
As soon as he entered, Yue Longze saw the monster Zoga displayed on the large screen.
"So it jumps straight to Zoga... This really is a world that doesn't play by the rules," Yue Longze thought. He knew another opportunity to test his abilities had come, but the appearance of Zoga also made him wonder if the evil god Gatangea was about to awaken. Although this world did not follow the script, events were still moving forward. He had only been in the Tiga world for a few days, and already faced such a terrifying enemy. Yue Longze couldn't help but feel a trace of unease.
...
"Yue Long, are you ready for combat? I know it's abrupt to send you into battle so soon after joining," Captain Hiromi said, turning to him with sincere concern.
Yue Longze understood she was asking if he was prepared to transform into a giant and nodded.
"No problem! I'm ready!"
"Victory Team—move out!"
At her command, the entire team mobilized.
...
Yue Longze sat beside Da Gu in Swallow No. 1. Not knowing how to pilot the fighter, he simply fastened his seatbelt, gripping the Dark Giga Spark, ready to transform at a moment’s notice.
"So this is what it feels like to see a monster from inside a jet?" When Zoga's massive form appeared through the cockpit window, Yue Longze felt a jolt of amazement.
"Are you going in directly?" Da Gu asked.
"I still lack combat experience. I want to build it up," Yue Longze replied without hesitation.
Da Gu nodded thoughtfully, and in a flash of black light, Yue Longze transformed into Dark Tiga.
With a flying kick, Zoga’s massive body crashed to the ground. Yue Longze seemed to enjoy greeting monsters with a flying kick upon his entrance.
Da Gu, piloting Swallow No. 1, watched the figure of Dark Tiga with a sense of puzzlement. Why did this giant look so much like Tiga?
Unable to figure it out, Da Gu simply let it go. After all, an extra warrior meant greater security for the world.
...
Swallow No. 1 and No. 2 circled in the sky above, ready to support Yue Longze if needed. Yue Longze’s fighting technique grew more refined; Zoga, after all, was rather weak. With growing skill, Yue Longze finished it off with the Dark Zeperion Ray.
"That monster was really weak," said Xincheng from the second jet, unimpressed by Zoga’s strength.
Glancing at the remains scattered on the ground, Yue Longze reverted to human form and returned to the jet, heading back to base with the others.
...
In the days that followed, Yue Longze earned even greater recognition from the team. Several more monsters appeared, all aiming to destroy the Earth, and Yue Longze defeated them single-handedly.
He was growing stronger with each battle.
The title "Black Giant" became well-known among the people, and in their eyes, his stature was now equal to Tiga’s.
...
Time passed quickly; Yue Longze had been in this world for nearly a year and formed deep friendships with the Victory Team. Strangely, in almost a year, no new monsters had appeared. This only reinforced his sense that this was a chaotic, unpredictable world.
Yet Yue Longze sensed this was only the calm before the storm.
...
More importantly, his relationship with Xiaoxiang had progressed—they were now lovers. Over the year, Yue Longze spent his days at TPC, learning various disciplines, patrolling, and making time to be with Xiaoxiang.
They dined at the most expensive restaurants, watched the longest movies, rode the farthest buses—living the most romantic days. Though Yue Longze's time with her was limited, Xiaoxiang felt deeply content and happy.
During his time at TPC, Yue Longze learned to pilot all types of fighter jets with ease, drove all sorts of vehicles, and improved his marksmanship to a first-class level. He also mastered the basic operations of the computers in the command room.
He once tried to investigate Lulue Island, where he had first arrived in this world, but found that it had vanished from the Pacific. Baffled, he returned empty-handed.
...
One day, Yue Longze and Da Gu were on routine patrol in Swallow No. 1.
"End patrol and return to base immediately! Zoga is appearing all over the world!" Captain Hiromi’s anxious voice crackled over the radio.
"Impossible!" Da Gu exclaimed.
"We’ve had peace for too long... Is it finally here?" Even after a year in this world, Yue Longze remembered well: the mass appearance of Zoga signaled the awakening of the evil god Gatangea from the Pacific depths.
When the two returned, the black mist unleashed by the evil god already shrouded the sky. The base was invaded by this intangible darkness that ordinary attacks could not affect. Many personnel were killed by the black mist.
All over the world, people were struck down by the black mist; corpses littered the streets in no time. Cries and terror filled the air—darkness engulfed the world.
After nearly a year of peace, the world had plunged into utter despair. The end had come so suddenly that no one was prepared.
...
"All TPC personnel, evacuate to the Atlantis immediately!" Director Zejing’s voice thundered in the command room, strong and commanding.
"I want to stay! This base is my life's work!" Director Jikang, with his bristling beard, vowed to live and die with the base.
"Don’t be ridiculous! Survival is the foundation of everything!"
For the first time, Director Zejing showed anger.
"As Captain of the Victory Team, I order everyone to evacuate to Atlantis!" said Captain Hiromi, unwilling to waste another second as the black mist crept ever closer.
"Very well, since we’re in the command room, I’ll obey orders," Jikang conceded.
"Yue Long, come with us!" Captain Hiromi said gravely. "You have no obligation to face an unwinnable enemy."
Da Gu also gazed deeply at Yue Longze.
"Unwinnable..." Yue Longze smiled bitterly at the familiar scene. If not for his presence, it would have been Da Gu having this conversation with the captain.
"But you can’t just give up without trying!"
He had to admit, in other stories, the protagonist at least started out fighting minor monsters. But here, soon after arriving in this chaotic world, monsters stopped appearing, and now he was facing the ultimate boss with no preparation.
Should he simply rely on Da Gu transforming into Glitter Tiga? But in this timeline, who knew if Da Gu could even do that?
With a sigh, Yue Longze calmly drew the Dark Giga Spark before everyone, and in a flash of black light, transformed into Dark Tiga, soaring toward the Pacific.
...
"Captain! I must fight too!" In front of the stunned team, Da Gu took out his Spark and transformed into Ultraman Tiga, flying after Yue Longze to battle the evil ruler—Gatangea.
Everyone was momentarily stunned. In this world, neither the captain nor Lina had discovered Da Gu's identity.
"So... Da Gu is Tiga..." Director Ji Gang murmured. Like Director Zejing, he had always admired this capable young man.
No longer hesitating, the team evacuated the command room, rushing toward Atlantis.
With this, the identities of Da Gu and Yue Longze were fully revealed to the TPC leadership.
...
On the surface of the Pacific, the sea churned violently. Yue Longze and Da Gu stood side by side.
"Da Gu, listen to me: the evil god’s defenses are unbelievably strong. Even if we both use our ultimate beams together, it won’t work!" Yue Longze warned, not wanting Da Gu to lose his light and end up a statue as in the original story.
"There’s only one way to defeat it..."
"What is it?" Da Gu asked anxiously.
Yue Longze looked at him deeply. The only way was for Da Gu to become Glitter Tiga—but that would mean losing his Spark, and the ability to transform.
The loss of Da Gu’s Spark had always been a regret for Yue Longze when watching Ultraman Tiga; he didn’t want to see it happen again.
...
On the sea, Da Gu transformed into Power Type Tiga and rained heavy blows upon the evil god, which looked like a monstrous snail, sparks flying with every punch. With powerful chops, he severed tentacle after tentacle as they lashed out.
Yue Longze attacked from the side, but the evil god’s tentacles spread everywhere, making it hard for the two to keep up. The wicked tentacles struck from unexpected angles, ensnaring them so tightly they had to struggle long to break free.
People across the world watched breathlessly as humanity’s fate was decided.
"Go, Tiga!"
"Ultramen, defeat that fiend!"
Countless voices cheered at the screens broadcasting the battle. Their shouts seemed to reach the two warriors, whose attacks grew fiercer.
In the darkness, dazzling beams lit up the sky.
Zeperion Ray! Dark Zeperion Ray!
With an explosive crash, brilliant sparks erupted from Gatangea’s body.
"Did we win?" someone shouted.
As the smoke cleared, the evil god still stood unscathed upon the sea. Despair seeped through the black mist that blanketed the sky.
"So it’s useless after all..." Even Yue Longze was close to despair.
The warning lights on their chests flashed red—their energy was nearly depleted. Countless tentacles lashed at them, sending up showers of sparks as the two giants were hurled back into the sea, waves crashing over them.
Da Gu struggled to stand, and with his help, Yue Longze rose too.
"Are you afraid, Da Gu?" Yue Longze suddenly smiled. To die fighting alongside Da Gu—this journey was worth it.
"Are you the one who's scared, Yue Long?" Da Gu smiled back, facing death with calm resolve.
"Of course not! But... farewell, Xiaoxiang," Yue Longze thought, bidding his beloved goodbye, her lovely face vivid in his mind.
"Farewell... Lina," Da Gu, too, said goodbye to the one he loved most.
Suddenly, the diamond crystals on their foreheads shone with a strange light, a mysterious force pulling them together. Their giant forms twisted, merged, and in an instant, a new Ultraman emerged—born of the power of their bond.
His eyes were even sharper, still resembling Tiga, but his colors were now purple, black, and red.
"What..." Yue Longze realized he and Da Gu had truly fused—they were fighting as one at last.
The new Tiga raised his right leg and, with a kick, sent a sphere of purple-black light hurtling at the evil god. Gatangea, with its monstrous defense, was actually forced back.
Tiga charged in, fists pounding with even greater force, sparks flying.
The evil god summoned countless tentacles in retaliation, but against this overwhelming power, they were effortlessly severed.
Gatangea’s sinister eyes widened, its gaping maw unleashing beam after beam of petrifying energy. The fused Tiga dodged with agile grace, and even when struck, suffered no lasting harm.
"Take our final blow! Fusion Zeperion Ray!"
A dazzling beam burst from Tiga’s arms. The evil god fired petrification rays in vain defense, but it was like pouring water on a burning house.
The beam pierced Gatangea from head to tail. The evil god disintegrated into dust, vanishing from the world.
"Yes! Ultraman won! Ultraman won!"
"That’s Tiga for you!"
Children cheered, faces flushed with excitement, and even the adults celebrated. Onboard Atlantis, the Victory Team smiled—light had finally triumphed over darkness.
"We did it..."
Yue Longze and Da Gu echoed the sentiment. Thanks to their fusion, the battle was won with ease, and the tragedy of Tiga turning to stone had been averted. Yue Longze breathed a long sigh of relief.
The darkness dispersed, blue sky returning. The two reverted to human form.
Standing by the sea, the salty wind in their hair, they gazed at the rolling waves. Da Gu’s hair danced in the breeze.
"Da Gu, though the evil god is gone, there are still three evil Ultramen on Lulue Island. We must be careful."
With that, Yue Longze looked up at the receding mist, a trace of doubt in his eyes.
The way he and Da Gu had fused into a new Ultraman was baffling. Dark Tiga represented the power of darkness, Da Gu’s Tiga embodied pure light. It could only be called a miracle born of light and darkness united.
"Yes! With our combined strength, I doubt anyone can defeat us now!" Da Gu’s voice brimmed with confidence.
"I think we’re safe, but caution is always wise," Yue Longze replied.
Even as he spoke, an island slowly surfaced in the distance—Lulue Island.
Once again, the sky darkened, black mist rolling in. From the depths came a roar that tore at the soul—despair descended once more.
————————————————
PS: The previous chapters may have dragged a bit… But I truly hope everyone will keep reading!