"What the hell?! Did someone swap the script on me?"
Yu Zhou froze in shock as Eleking's massive foot came stomping down.
This wasn't how the original plot went at all! Weren't things supposed to play out with Eleking squatting down, lulled into drowsiness by the flower's pollen?
Instead, the monster's foot was about to crush them flat.
Inside the car, everyone panicked. They bolted out in all directions to avoid being stepped on. But in the commotion, Moa's hands shook, and the flowerpot spilled. Its pollen burst out like smoke from a bomb, instantly filling the air.
The escaping group inhaled it and collapsed to the ground, dazed and unconscious.
Only Yu Zhou remained standing, pinching his nose with one hand and holding up the Shining Stick with the other. As Eleking's colossal shadow loomed over him, he pressed the trigger.
A crisp silver chime rang out, followed by a burst of dazzling light.
The beam erupted from the ground, smashing into Eleking and knocking the monster backward.
When the glow cleared, Ultraman Tiga stood before Geed.
"Tiga?!" Riku (as Geed) gasped, both stunned and overjoyed.
He had already learned from Yu Zhou and Laiha that Tiga wasn't of this world—an ancient warrior from another Earth in another universe. More importantly, Tiga had once beaten his own father, Belial, into the dirt.
Yu Zhou, transformed as Tiga, gave Geed a curt nod before immediately kicking the recovering Eleking, sending it flying into the ground.
But Geed, in his Original Form, didn't switch to Solid Burning. Instead, he leapt onto Eleking, pinning the monster down, clawing and pummeling at its body.
Crackling arcs of electricity surged across Eleking's skin and into Geed.
BZZZT!
Geed screamed as he was blasted away, sparks bursting from his body. His chest color timer flickered in warning.
Yu Zhou sighed and shook his head. This kid really doesn't learn. Gets zapped once, then jumps right back on the electric eel. Way too green.
Eleking rose again, roaring, and fired a crescent-shaped energy blast from its mouth.
Yu Zhou didn't take it head-on. He spread his arms wide, forming a shimmering Ultra Barrier that blocked the strike. When the shield dissipated, he retaliated—firing several energy blades from his palms straight into Eleking's mouth. Sparks exploded as the monster reeled in pain.
Then Yu Zhou gathered his power. He drew his hands back, spread them outward, and light converged around him in torrents. In an instant, he formed the iconic L-shaped stance and unleashed the Zeperion Ray.
Geed, pulling himself up, refused to sit idle. He crossed his arms, charging his own finisher—the Wrecking Burst—and hurled it alongside Tiga's beam.
BOOOOM!
The twin attacks slammed into Eleking, engulfing the monster in a blazing explosion. Flames consumed its body before it disintegrated completely.
"D–Tiga-senpai?" Geed asked hesitantly, his tone respectful but uncertain.
In truth, Riku's heart was conflicted. Tiga had fought Belial before… and he was Belial's son. Would Tiga see him as an enemy?
But Yu Zhou simply nodded at him in calm acknowledgment.
Relieved, Geed smiled faintly and then whooshed into the sky, vanishing into the horizon.
Yu Zhou didn't leave. He scanned the surroundings carefully.
According to the original story, after Eleking's destruction, Kei Fukude should appear to collect the monster's residual particles into a capsule.
Sure enough, Yu Zhou spotted a figure nearby—a man in a black leather jacket, raising his hand as faint energy swirled into it.
"That's him… Kei Fukude."
Yu Zhou immediately fired a searing energy arrow from his palm.
BOOM!
The spot erupted in smoke. But when it cleared, Kei was already gone.
"…Escaped?" Yu Zhou muttered, shaking his head. He launched into the sky, vanishing into the clouds.
Elsewhere, Kei emerged from the shadows, his figure flickering into view. His hand was singed black, his breath heavy.
"So… Tiga's already noticed me."
He looked at the capsule in his other hand. Inside, Eleking's ghostly image flickered faintly.
"I'll have to report this to Lord Belial."
Kei closed his eyes. His mind raced faster than light itself, plunging into a distant crimson void across the galaxy.
From the darkness, two massive scarlet eyes blazed open.
"This time… what news do you bring?" Belial's monstrous voice rumbled.
"Lord Belial," Kei bowed deeply. "Geed has obtained another Ultra Capsule."
"Continue." Belial's tone was dismissive, as if unimpressed.
"And… there is news of Tiga."
At once, Belial roared, his beast-like bellow shaking the void.
"During the battle, Tiga appeared… and seemed to notice me." Kei lowered his head.
"Then Tiga's presence is confirmed. Where is he?" Belial's crimson gaze bore into him.
"…That, I have not yet discovered."
Belial's eyes narrowed. "Streumian… you disappoint me."
"Please, Lord Belial!" Kei begged. "Give me another chance. I will track him down!"
"…Fine." Belial finally relented with a wave of his massive claw. "But do not forget—the Ultra Capsules take priority. Handle this well."
"Yes, my lord!" Kei bowed once more, before pulling back from the crimson space and returning to his body.
Days later, AIB agents arrived at Yu Zhou's home—Zena and Moa.
"Who are you really?" Zena asked bluntly, his voice rumbling without moving his lips, as he sat on the sofa.
Yu Zhou politely served tea, smiling. "I'm just me. Yu Zhou. An ordinary guy."
"Thank you." Moa accepted the cup with a nod of gratitude. She knew a bit of Huaxia tea culture and appreciated the gesture.
Then she leaned closer, whispering nervously, "Yu Zhou, you're Riku's friend, right? Please don't expose my identity. AIB agents aren't supposed to be discovered by Earthlings."
"Relax," Yu Zhou replied with a small smile. "I'm not a gossip."
Hearing that, Moa finally breathed easier.
But Zena wasn't convinced. "After we were knocked out, Ultraman Tiga appeared and saved us, correct?"
Yu Zhou nodded. "That's right. Tiga saved us."
"No," Zena said firmly, staring him down. "In the last moment, before I blacked out… I saw you turn into light."
Yu Zhou: "…"
Seriously? You could've just said it straight! Why dance around like this?
Still, it was clear—his identity had been exposed.
Moa's eyes widened in shock. "You… you're Ultraman Tiga?!"
Her childhood friend's friend, someone she had only just reunited with, turned out to be the legendary giant of light?
Yu Zhou sighed. "Fine. I admit it. It's me."
Zena gave a single nod. "I knew it. In truth… I actually fainted immediately. Didn't see a thing."
Yu Zhou: "???"
"…Where's my pot?"
He glanced around in confusion, then casually walked into the kitchen.