The Dark Domain crackled with malevolent energy as the battle lines formed—two against three, with Tiga and Nexus facing Dark Faust and a pair of grotesque space beasts whose roars shattered the dimensional air.
Tiga immediately shifted into his Power Type, red and silver form bulging with raw physical might. His strategy was simple: overwhelm through sheer force and explosive bursts that could level mountains.
The engagement erupted with cosmic fury. Nexus engaged Dark Faust in a deadly ballet of light and shadow, while Tiga hurled himself at both space beasts with reckless courage that bordered on madness.
Despite facing two-to-one odds, Tiga's enhanced strength proved devastating against the lumbering creatures. These particular space beasts relied on brute force rather than agility—exactly the wrong matchup against his Power Type's overwhelming physical dominance. Claws met fists in thunderous impacts that sent shockwaves rippling through the Dark Domain's twisted reality.
But the real decisive factor was Jun's superior condition. While Nexus battled with the fluid precision of a master swordsman, Dark Faust's movements grew increasingly desperate. Riko's damaged body simply couldn't match Jun's peak physical state, no matter what dark energy coursed through her transformed frame.
A barrage of light bullets sent Dark Faust crashing to the dimensional ground, where she lay motionless among the shadows. Nexus immediately pivoted to support his embattled ally.
"Riko!"
The anguished cry tore from Komon's throat as he watched the woman he loved collapse. Despite knowing intellectually that Dark Faust was his enemy, seeing her fallen form broke something fundamental inside him. He dropped to his knees, hands pressed against the dark earth as sobs wracked his body.
This moment represented a crucial turning point in Komon's growth. Before Riko's revelation, he'd always felt like he was living under Jun's protective wing—a rookie who needed guidance and support. Her complete disappearance from his world would force him to find his own strength, to transform from a sheltered fledgling into someone who could soar independently.
People often mature suddenly, catalyzed by unforgettable trauma. Riko's loss would be the crucible that forged Komon into the warrior he was destined to become.
"Komon!" Gustave's voice cut through the young man's despair like a blade. Years of watching Ultraman series had taught him that sometimes the most effective medicine was a sharp shock to the system—what fans called the "Big Dipper Slap."
He hauled the kneeling man upright and delivered a stinging backhand across his cheek.
The impact snapped Komon's head sideways, his eyes widening with startled confusion as he stared at Gustave.
"That's not Riko," Gustave said firmly, his voice carrying absolute conviction. "Dark Faust is controlling her mind—she's a puppet, not the woman you love!"
Before Komon could process this revelation, laughter echoed from the shadows—cruel, mocking sound that carried the weight of orchestrated malice.
"In the end, this death game must conclude with my personal intervention."
Mizorogi Shinya stepped from concealment, his form radiating dark satisfaction as he surveyed the battlefield.
"Giants of Light, today this realm becomes your tomb! Use your dying moments to witness darkness consuming everything you've sworn to protect!"
The Dark Evolver materialized in his hands—a device that pulsed with hungry shadows. He pulled its sides apart with ceremonial precision, and black-red lightning immediately struck the dimensional ground like the wrath of fallen gods.
When the energy storm cleared, a new figure stood among them—Dark Mephisto, radiating malevolent power that dwarfed even Dark Faust's threatening presence.
"Hahaha! Giants of Light, I've been anticipating this moment for eternities!" Dark Mephisto's voice carried layers of mockery that made the air itself seem to recoil.
"Another dark giant!" Komon's voice cracked with dismay, Gustave's slap momentarily forgotten as he processed this catastrophic development.
Two-on-three had been manageable. Two-on-four against a clearly superior enemy was potential annihilation. Even worse, Dark Mephisto's emergence further corrupted the Dark Domain, making its oppressive atmosphere even more suffocating for the forces of light.
Dark Faust stirred, her injuries healing with unnatural speed as the enhanced darkness flowed through her damaged form like liquid shadow.
Tiga and Nexus immediately disengaged from their previous opponents, falling back to reassess this dramatically altered tactical situation.
"Daigo, that's our puppet master," Jun observed grimly, his hands clenched with barely contained fury.
"Anyone who treats human lives like toys is unforgivable!" Daigo's reply carried righteous anger that burned brighter than any flame. "I don't care how powerful he is!"
"Let's end this!" Jun's declaration rang with finality.
Despite being outnumbered four-to-two, both Ultramen charged forward without hesitation—heroes choosing action over calculation, hope over despair.
"How pathetic and futile!" Dark Mephisto's amusement was palpable as he gestured to his assembled forces. "Come! Show them the price of defying inevitable darkness!"
The convergence was brutal. Dark Faust and one space beast focused their assault on Tiga, while Dark Mephisto partnered with the remaining creature to overwhelm Nexus. Six titans clashed in the dimensional space, each impact sending shockwaves through reality itself.
The Dark Domain amplified every blow, turning what should have been contained combat into something that would have shattered continents if unleashed in the physical world.
"Mr. Gustave!" Komon called desperately, watching his heroes slowly lose ground against overwhelming odds. "I don't need protection—help them!"
"You're certain?" Gustave asked, though his eyes were already calculating attack vectors.
"Completely certain!" Komon's voice carried new steel that hadn't been there hours earlier. "I don't know what abilities you possess, but I believe you can make the difference!"
"Then stay alert."
Gustave launched himself skyward, electrical energy crackling around his form as he surveyed the battlefield. His hands wove patterns in the air, summoning thunderclouds within the Dark Domain itself.
Lightning erupted in cascading fury—bolts that could level city blocks striking all four enemies simultaneously. The space beasts howled in genuine pain, their forms writhing under the electrical assault. But when the same attacks struck the dark Ultramen, only sparks resulted.
"Merde, my damage output is pathetic against these monsters," Gustave muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
He channeled deeper power, electricity building until the very air screamed with potential energy. The resulting thunderstorm crashed down on Dark Mephisto like the wrath of Zeus himself.
"GAHHH!" Dark Mephisto's shriek carried real agony as the enhanced attack found its mark.
"Insignificant insect!" The dark giant's fury was immediate and volcanic. "You dare strike at your superiors?"
A dark grenade formed in his hands, crackling with destructive potential as it arced toward Gustave's position.
Komon watched in horror as the projectile struck, the resulting explosion sending shockwaves that knocked him flat against the dimensional ground.
"Mr. Gustave!" he cried out, fearing the worst.
"I'm fine," Gustave's voice replied calmly from the smoke and debris.
His figure emerged unscathed, having completed elemental transformation the instant before impact. The explosion he'd allowed to proceed had been a test of Dark Mephisto's destructive capability—impressive, but not insurmountable.
"Elemental transformation? You're a more troublesome pest than I assumed," Dark Mephisto snarled, his voice carrying grudging respect mixed with increased annoyance.
"Pest? Insect?" Gustave's accent thickened with indignation. "Do you think I'm made of mud, you pretentious salaud? I am a world-renowned chef, not some garden-variety nuisance!"
Another thunderstorm punctuated his protest, sending Dark Mephisto staggering backward amid cascading sparks.
"Accursed bug, I'll crush you first!" The dark giant abandoned his assault on Nexus, turning his full attention toward the hovering chef.
Perfect, Gustave thought with grim satisfaction. Tactical diversion was sometimes more valuable than raw firepower.
As Dark Mephisto charged toward him, Gustave raised both hands and channeled his Rumble-Rumble powers into their most advanced application—electromagnetic field manipulation.
"Jun!" he shouted, his voice carrying across the battlefield.
Dark Mephisto suddenly found himself moving through invisible molasses, his charge slowing to a crawl as magnetic forces fought his every motion.
"This damned Dark Mephisto is too powerful!" Gustave strained against the giant's immense strength, sweat beading on his forehead as he poured everything into maintaining the restraint. "I can't hold him long!"
On the opposite side of the battlefield, Nexus heard his ally's call. He used the nearest space beast as a springboard, launching himself skyward before tucking into a perfect aerial dive. Flames wreathed his legs as he descended like a meteor toward the trapped dark giant.
Gustave released the magnetic field at the precise moment of impact, and Nexus's flying kick connected with devastating precision. Dark Mephisto crashed to the dimensional ground, rolling in undignified fashion as his arrogance met the harsh reality of coordinated tactics.