"Charija, that's where you're mistaken." Yu Zhou turned to him with a knowing look. "Light energy is not actually the main source of an Ultraman's ultimate power."
"What?!" Charija blinked, dumbfounded. "But aren't Ultramen 'Giants of Light'? If not light energy, then what are they using?"
"Charija," Yu Zhou said slowly, "an Ultraman's power is… idealistic."
"Idealistic?" Charija stared blankly. "What kind of nonsense is that supposed to be?"
"It means this: the deeper the will, the stronger the emotion, the more boundless an Ultraman's power becomes."
Yu Zhou wasn't joking. Looking back across the countless battles of different Ultramen, there were too many examples where sheer determination, anger, sorrow, or hope pushed them past their limits to unleash miracles.
Charija's eyes widened. "So that's why Ultramen always manage a comeback from desperate situations… It wasn't just energy reserves—it was this… idealism!"
He paused, then frowned. "But wait… if Ultraman's power is idealistic, then if I believe he's weak, wouldn't that make him weaker?"
"You're welcome to try." Yu Zhou gave him a look that screamed are you serious?
"…Forget it." Charija waved it off, deciding it wasn't worth getting into a direct confrontation with an Ultraman just to test a theory.
Meanwhile, Tiga—his colour timer flashing red—watched as the monster that had evolved from the Alien Muzan staggered forward, its neck stretched out like a grotesque giraffe, charging at him with reckless fury.
Tiga tried to create distance, but the beast's claws seized his leg, locking him down. Energy gathered at the antenna atop its head, ready to fire.
With a surge of effort, Tiga tore himself free and leapt aside. The blue beam lanced forward—but struck the monster's own body instead. A huge explosion and clouds of smoke erupted as it roared in pain.
Seizing the chance, Tiga wrestled its elongated neck under his arm and delivered a flurry of blows to its throat. But the monster thrashed wildly, forcing him to shift tactics. With a motion across his forehead, Tiga's form shifted into the silver-and-red Power Type.
"Now that's the brawler form," Yu Zhou muttered, crunching on sunflower seeds.
Strength surged through Tiga. He heaved the monster up by its neck and, with a mighty roar, spun it around in a dizzying 360-degree Armstrong Thomas Tornado Throw, flinging it across the battlefield.
Before the beast could rise again, Tiga crossed his arms, sweeping them apart to gather intense light into his chest. A brilliant stream of energy burst forth—his signature Delacium Light Stream.
The beam struck the monster squarely. In an instant, its body erupted into fragments and was no more.
"Why didn't he just use that earlier?" Charija asked, puzzled.
Yu Zhou shrugged, smirking. "Like I told you, an Ultraman's power is idealistic. If he hasn't decided to finish the fight, the move won't manifest. But once that resolve is set—the finisher always comes."
"…That sounds like you're making it up." Charija raised a brow.
"Believe me or don't. I've given you an explanation," Yu Zhou said casually, brushing off the complaint. "Anyway, since the monster's down, let's slip away before the Victory Team notices us. Otherwise, they'll want answers we can't exactly give."
"Fine, let's go." Charija nodded. The Alien Muzan had been avenged, the children rescued—there was no reason to stay.
Placing his suitcase on the ground, Charija adjusted its settings. Rings of light spiralled into the air, forming a wormhole.
"I'm leaving now!" he called, signalling the old man to bring Rucia and Zara. In the blink of an eye, the group was pulled into the vortex.
Moments later, Rena glanced around and gasped. "Huh? They're gone!"
"Strange… I didn't even notice them leave." Horii scratched his head.
"Search the area," Munakata ordered calmly. "If we can't find them, return to headquarters."
"Understood!" the team responded.
The wormhole deposited Yu Zhou and the others back into the familiar palace. Charija landed lightly while the rest stumbled after him.
"Alright, old man," Charija said, tucking the case away, "time to hand over King Guesra."
The old man nodded solemnly. "Very well. I'll summon him now."
He whistled, and the palace trembled as the enormous creature approached.
"Father, what is this place? What's happening?" Zara finally asked, her confusion overflowing.
"Where are we? Why are you here on Earth? And who are these two?"
"This," the old man said gravely, "is an Earth-like planet… twelve years in the future."
"What?!" Zara and Rucia gasped together.
"Yes. With Charija's time machine, I returned twelve years into the past… to save you."
The two daughters stared in shock. To think their father had crossed time itself to rescue them!
"This was a transaction," Yu Zhou reminded them. He tapped his chest badge, returning it to its normal form before stowing it away in his space bracelet.
As he spoke, the massive King Guesra lumbered into view. The old man stroked its head sadly. "From now on, you'll follow Mr. Charija."
The great beast whimpered, tears streaming from its huge eyes.
"I'm sorry, King Guesra…" The old man's heart ached, but he had made his promise.
Charija, too, felt his chest tighten. Though he loved monsters, he understood their emotions deeply. Seeing King Guesra cry made his own eyes sting.
"Why are you crying?" Yu Zhou nudged him. "If you can't bear it, then don't take him."
"No… I want him." Charija wiped at his eyes stubbornly.
"Then why are you crying like an idiot?" Yu Zhou rolled his eyes. "Come on, pack him up and let's go."
Charija straightened and addressed the beast. "Don't worry. I'm a monster expert. I'll take good care of you. King Guesra, will you come with me? I can lead you to a wider world—one far beyond these oceans!"
Yu Zhou scratched his head. Somehow, Charija's line sounded awfully familiar, like something from a heroic speech he'd heard before.
(To be continued…)