Ultraman Tiga had never actually fought against Dark Lugiel — every true Ultraman fan knew that much.
But the representatives from other countries didn't understand these details.
"So, what do you think? Can Tiga defeat Dark Lugiel?"
The representative from Japan asked Kazuo curiously.
After all, Dark Lugiel had appeared in Japan itself, and whether it could be defeated was a matter of great concern to the nation.
"I'm not sure," Kazuo replied, shaking his head. He looked helplessly at the colleagues beside him — he was still in the middle of writing a script, and with so many people questioning him, it was impossible to focus.
"Then please, write it!"
"Write a story where Tiga completely defeats Dark Lugiel — make it a total victory!"
The Japanese representative looked pleadingly at the other members of Tsuburaya Productions.
The representatives of other countries nodded in agreement. If Dark Lugiel wasn't resolved, it could easily become a serious threat.
"In that case, leave it to me."
At that moment, another representative from Tsuburaya Productions — Hasegawa — stood up and spoke confidently.
Hasegawa was one of the main scriptwriters for Ultraman Tiga, and it was he who had written Final Odyssey, one of the most famous movie instalments.
Most importantly, the character Dark Lugiel — the very being they were discussing — was originally his creation.
"Then we're counting on you, Mr. Hasegawa!"
The Japanese representative bowed respectfully.
"I'll do my best," Hasegawa replied as he picked up a pen and paper, beginning to write right there at the table.
And thus, the battle between Ultraman Tiga and Dark Lugiel began—
Yu Zhou landed heavily on the ground, facing the dark figure before him — a shadowy being wielding a long black spear.
Dark Lugiel.
The city around them was gripped by fear. The very presence of Dark Lugiel caused waves of dark emotion to ripple through the air, seeping into people's hearts — fear, despair, and violence.
The darkness spread like poison, infecting the hearts of humans everywhere.
But from Yu Zhou's body, radiant light burst forth — his luminous energy driving away the invisible darkness in the air, purifying the corruption from people's hearts.
People looked up, their eyes filling with hope as they saw the shining Ultraman Tiga illuminating the sky.
"Tiga!"
"Shining Tiga!"
"You can do it!"
"Defeat Dark Lugiel!"
Their voices echoed from every corner, reigniting Yu Zhou's determination.
After all, his opponent was no ordinary foe — the real Dark Lugiel, somehow transmitted here from another dimension.
In the shows, this being had almost been destroyed by Ultraman Taro's Strium Ray. If it hadn't been for Ultraman Ginga's intervention on his home turf… well, best not to mention that.
Yu Zhou clenched his fists and took a battle stance.
Dark Lugiel noticed him too, lowering his black spear — the Dark Spark — and pointing it straight at Tiga.
"Haven't had a weapon in a while," Yu Zhou muttered, eyeing the spear. "My hands are starting to itch."
For a brief moment, he missed his old weapons — the Ultimate Light Kettle, and before that, the Light Blade.
But Dark Lugiel wasn't going to wait for him to reminisce. The dark being charged forward with terrifying speed, his spear thrusting straight toward Yu Zhou.
Yu Zhou had no intention of taking that blow head-on. This guy was a full-blown final boss — a direct hit might be fatal.
He sidestepped the strike, grabbed the rear of the Dark Spark, and tried to wrench it from Lugiel's hands.
But Lugiel wasn't that easy to handle. Black lightning crackled along the spear, forcing Yu Zhou to let go instantly.
"Ultraman Tiga," Lugiel's deep, distorted voice echoed. "Why is it you, and not Ginga?"
Yu Zhou blinked in surprise — he hadn't expected Lugiel to speak. The monster's blood-red eyes glowed like twin scars as it stared him down.
"Ginga, you owe me for this one," Yu Zhou muttered. "Your problem just became mine."
He threw a lightning-charged punch at Lugiel, deciding not to waste words. No matter what, this creature wouldn't stop — its evil nature would only drive it to consume humanity.
They clashed — Yu Zhou's Thunder Punch against Lugiel's Dark Spark. The radiant energy wrapped around Tiga's fist, preventing it from being pierced by the weapon's sharp edge.
Yu Zhou was forced a step back, but in the next instant, he darted forward again at lightning speed.
Lugiel raised his dark arm, sending a wave of purple-black energy straight at Yu Zhou.
Yu Zhou's Shining Barrier flared to life, the ring of light around him deflecting the wave. He then slammed bodily into Lugiel, sending the dark being crashing backward.
"Not bad for a Shining Barrier," Yu Zhou said, glancing at the radiant light still surrounding him. He nodded in satisfaction.
Lugiel's dark shockwaves were powerful enough to turn monsters and Ultramen into Spark Dolls, after all.
"This is impossible!" Lugiel roared, climbing back to his feet. He spread his arms wide, summoning energy from his core — dark crimson spheres of power forming at his chest before being launched toward Tiga.
Yu Zhou frowned. Keeping the barrier up consumed too much energy. He couldn't rely on it forever.
And those energy blasts — he remembered them well. In the Ginga series, they'd shattered Ginga's shield and even defeated him once.
"Let's see how mine holds up," Yu Zhou muttered, forming an Ultra Barrier in front of him.
But—
BOOM!
The dark energy detonated against the barrier, exploding violently. Even though the shield held, the blast sent debris and smoke flying everywhere.
When the dust cleared, Lugiel was already upon him — his Dark Spark lunging forward.
Clang!
Sparks flew. The spear's edge tore across Yu Zhou's chest, leaving a burst of light and pain in its wake. Yu Zhou stumbled backward.
"You sneaky bastard!" Yu Zhou cursed, clutching his chest. The Shining Barrier flickered and faded.
This was the first time he'd actually been ambushed mid-battle.
As expected of Dark Lugiel.
"In that case…" Yu Zhou growled, cracking his knuckles. "Don't blame me for fighting dirty too."
If it came to underhanded tricks, Yu Zhou wasn't about to lose.
He stomped down hard, the ground cracking beneath him as he dashed forward. As he ran, he fired a barrage of mini light arrows at Lugiel.
Lugiel blocked every one with his spear — but that was fine. Yu Zhou had already closed the distance.
"Boom!"
Yu Zhou roared, kicking upward with full force — landing the blow squarely between Lugiel's legs — and followed up with a massive punch that smashed into the Dark Spark.
BANG!!!
The impact echoed like thunder. Lugiel managed to block the punch, but not the kick.
The dark overlord howled and went flying backward, crashing violently into the ruins behind him.