msmithbooks Chapter 95: The Prelude to Destruction – "Flying Higher"
Chapter 95: The Prelude to Destruction – "Flying Higher"
The online buzz surrounding "Ultraman Planet" and its retrospective of the Showa era is gradually fading.
However, a more oppressive atmosphere began to spread on the internet in both China and Japan.
The official account of Light Chaser Animation posted a black and white poster the day after episode 49 aired.
The poster features only a gigantic, barbed, terrifying pincer emerging from the deep sea, and black clouds churning in the sky like ink.
The sky, now stained black, shimmered with countless crimson eyes that flickered in and out of the clouds.
One headline reads: "[Thirty Million Years of Darkness Descend Now]"
Although the Showa era elder Oku did not have this tradition, after seeing this trailer, everyone guessed that these last three episodes, namely episodes 50, 51, and 52, should be the true grand finale trilogy.
Friday night at 8 PM, the day everyone's watching.
Neon, Mana Nekomiya's live stream room.
Today, Mana didn't act cute or silly as usual; she even changed into a dark-colored virtual outfit that looked rather serious.
"Good evening, everyone. Although I really wanted to start today's live stream with a smile,... the trailer that Director Gu Nan released really made me unable to laugh."
Although Mana Nekomiya's voice is sweet, the content does make it difficult to laugh.
"That sense of oppression, that feeling of the end of the world... I have a feeling that today's episode might be very 'depressing'."
【Don't be afraid, Mana-chan! We have Ultraman Tiga!】
Yes, Ultraman Tiga is invincible!
Look at this title, "Fly Higher," it sounds so inspiring, but why does it have a chilling undertone to it?
But that black fog in the trailer...it really makes me uneasy.
[I heard the special effects budget for this episode was pushed to the limit; Gu Nan poured all his earnings into it?]
[It's here! It's started!]
As the opening theme ended, instead of heartwarming everyday moments, the screen was filled with deathly darkness.
In the video, Daigo is sleeping.
But he didn't sleep well; he was covered in sweat and his brow was furrowed.
There is no backstory, no heartwarming daily routine.
It's hell from the very beginning.
The scene unfolds in a chaotic darkness.
It wasn't ordinary darkness, but a viscous, inky blackness that seemed to devour light.
In the dream, there was a destroyed ancient city, a burning earth, and countless fallen giant stone statues.
[Holy crap, this is a bombshell opening!]
What is that dark figure? Is it the evil god from the trailer?
"Da Gu... Da Gu..."
Lina's voice woke him up.
"What's wrong with you?"
Lina looked at Daigo, who was covered in sweat, with concern. "Did you have a nightmare?"
Daigo was panting heavily, with a trace of fear still lingering in his eyes.
"It's nothing...it's nothing..."
He walked to the window, looked at the dark night sky outside, and murmured to himself, "I was thinking... I..."
He hesitated.
How so?
I dreamt of the destruction of the world?
You're saying I'm Ultraman Tiga?
The heavy silence made the air feel thick and sticky.
Daigo remained silent about the darkness he dreamt of.
Because he didn't know why either...
Could the events in a dream really become reality?
At this moment, Lina's expression began to wander, and she seemed to want to say something to Daigo.
But after stammering for a long time, he still couldn't bring himself to say it...
He simply placed the warmed tea quietly on the table...
The cinematography is extremely oppressive.
Gu Nan used a lot of cool-toned filters here, rendering the originally bright and technological feel of the TPC base into a cold and alienating feeling.
Viewers watching the live stream couldn't help but feel a tightness in their chests.
Something's off about this atmosphere.
[I have a feeling something big is about to happen.]
Did Daigo sense something? He's the Successor of Light, after all.
The plot unfolds rapidly.
In the TPC command room, the alarm suddenly went off.
"Ocean Patrol calling Victory! An unusual bulge has occurred on the seabed off the coast of New Zealand!"
On the screen, the deep-sea probe transmitted images back.
On the huge main screen, a chilling underwater sonar image was displayed.
A huge, terrifying hill has suddenly risen from the once flat seabed!
It is a huge ruin that lies dormant at the bottom of the sea.
Magnificent and ancient, yet it exudes a nauseatingly evil aura.
Horii stared at the screen, then exclaimed in shock, "This is an ancient city..."
Xincheng, standing nearby, swallowed hard: "Was this built by humans?"
Horii shook his head, his tone heavy.
"Hmm, no. This isn't the Dragon Palace... it's more like hell."
The word "hell," coupled with the dark green light and shadow in the deep-sea scene and the low rumbling sounds, sent chills down the spines of the viewers in front of the screen.
Holy crap, the modeling of this underwater ruin is incredibly detailed!
Wow, the quality is amazing, it's like a Hollywood blockbuster.
What's in there? I feel something moving...
Then, the scene changes.
While the team members were still wondering who would build this thing on the seabed 3000 million years ago,
A monster has awakened from this underwater ruin!
Then the monster burst out of the sea and quickly moved in a certain direction.
Ye Rui stared at the data on the screen, his face pale: "Damn it, that thing is about to make landfall in Australia!"
The Vanguard Monster, Zoga.
Although the full picture has not yet been revealed, the mere sight of that huge, fast-moving red dot on the underwater radar is enough to instill fear.
And Zoga's debut did not disappoint the audience!
Almost in the blink of an eye, the giant beast streaked across the sky like lightning!
Wherever it passed, streets crumbled, buildings collapsed, and everything was reduced to dust in its supersonic flight.
Even more terrifying, the sonic boom it generated during its supersonic flight directly shattered the skyscrapers along its path amidst a deafening roar, turning glass curtain walls into flying debris, twisting and collapsing steel frames, and instantly engulfing half the city in smoke and fire.
Such devastating power is an unprecedented visual shock.
This entire sequence was filmed using real footage.
The specially made miniature model collapsed layer by layer under the precise control of the explosive device. High-speed cameras captured the trajectory of each flying fragment. Combined with the moment when the real street set was overturned by the shock wave, the disaster appeared shockingly real.
When the images appeared on the screen, the overwhelming sense of oppression and shock made countless viewers clench their fists, hold their breath, and then burst into heartfelt praise, exclaiming that they had thoroughly enjoyed the film.
[Wow, that really exploded!]
My goodness, they can demonstrate this level of destructive power even with a leather suit!
[The concept and execution match; Monster Chaser Animation really went all out for this movie.]
To be honest, if domestic film crews could hire the props team from Light Chaser Animation Studios, they might not need to use so many cheap special effects!
……
Lina made a decisive decision: "Unit One will be deployed first!"
After saying that, she walked straight outside.
Daigo paused for a second, then followed her away.
As the fighter jets took off, Zongfang gave orders to the Victory Flying Swallow No. 1, which had already departed.
"Deal with him before we get there! Don't try to win by speed! Daigo, go around him!"
"clear!"
As the rousing battle background music began, accompanied by a rapid and tense drumbeat, Daigo and Rena launched their attack in the Flying Swallow No. 1.
In the next five minutes, Gu Nan showed the audience of this world what it meant to be the "ceiling of special effects aerial combat".
For this scene, Light Chaser Studio spent a total of three million yuan.
Instead of using cheap CG textures, they adopted a cutting-edge technique that combined live-action models with digital effects.
In the scene, Daigo and Rena are piloting the Victory Flying Swallow No. 1 through the clouds.
Zoga's screams were sharp and piercing. Unlike the previous monsters that clumsily wreaked havoc on the ground, it moved like a living supersonic fighter jet, performing physics-defying maneuvers in the air.
"Whoosh—!"
A red beam of light shot out from Zoga's mouth, grazed the wing of the Flying Swallow No. 1, and exploded into a water column a hundred meters high on the sea below.
However, Lina's condition was very strange today.
"Lina! It's starting!"
Daigo shouted.
"Okay! We're almost up there!" Lina's voice carried a strange mix of anxiety and determination.
She piloted the fighter jet, frantically climbing to a speed that even surprised Daigo.
As Lina frantically pulled the control stick, the fighter jet's engine roared under the strain.
The camera shakes violently inside the cockpit, creating a realistic sense of dizziness that makes the viewer feel as if they are on a battlefield.
"Lina! No! It's too fast!"
"Lina! Really! Um... come back! Lina!"
Daigo called out anxiously, but Rena seemed not to hear him, piloting her fighter jet straight into the sky, as if trying to break through the darkness that shrouded the world.
This unusual behavior left the audience bewildered and deeply concerned.
What's wrong with Lina?
[It seems like Lina knows something...]
[Ah! The monster is about to shoot Daigo down!]
On the screen, the monster Zoga looks like a demonic bird from hell, and its speed is astonishing!
Compared to it, the Flying Swallow-1 was as slow as a toy.
"Whoosh—!"
Zoga dove, and a massive sonic boom cloud exploded in the air.
Then, a fireball was launched at the two Victory Swallows, one in front and one behind!
Lina dodged quickly, but Daigo's plane wasn't so lucky!
With its tail section damaged, Daigo's fighter jet instantly went out of control.
"Ugh! Ugh... Damn it!"
Daigo pulled the control lever with all his might.
Seeing that the plane was completely out of control, Daigo instinctively grabbed the Spark Lens hidden in his clothes.
But Lina's shout made Daigo hesitate.
"Daigo! Are you alright?!"
Lina's anxious voice came through.
At this moment, Daigo's fighter jet was severely damaged and plummeted to the ground, billowing black smoke.
Left with no other option, he had to choose to parachute.
At that moment, the monster also quickly flew away from the sea of fire.
The victorious team's first battle ended in failure...
"Daigo's skydive was a success! But that Rena was really reckless!"
Everyone looked at the radar, feeling both worried and angry.
The comments section couldn't help but criticize.
[Ha, Daigo took a bullet for Rena!]
Lina is clearly not in the right state of mind!
……
The scene shifts to a corridor at the TPC base.
Captain Megumi was walking hurriedly when suddenly a white figure appeared in front of her.
"Who are you? Stop right there!"
Megumi chased after him.
In a deserted corner, the white figure stopped and turned around.
That figure looked exactly like her, but her temperament was completely different.
That was Yu Lian, the leader of the ancient Earth Guard Corps.
The special effects for this scene were handled with a divine quality.
Yu Lian emanated a faint light, which contrasted sharply with the cold metal walls around her.
Her eyes were filled with compassion and ethereal light as she slowly spoke, uttering that famous "doomsday prophecy."
"Zoga has recovered."
"The evil bird that burns the earth."
"He brings an endless darkness that will completely engulf this land."
As Yuzare narrates, the scenes are interspersed with images of Zoga wreaking havoc around the world.
Australia, America, Europe...
It flew over Australia, across the Pacific Ocean, like a seed planter spreading death.
Wherever it passed, cities were turned into seas of fire, and skyscrapers collapsed like building blocks.
Gu Nan used a large number of macro-level special effects shots here. This is a grand scale that he has never shown in previous episodes.
This is no longer a localized destruction confined to a single street or quarry. This time, it's a global collapse.
The audience witnessed it—the Statue of Liberty in New York City broke and collapsed under the bombardment of Zoga's red balls.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris was twisted and deformed in the flames.
Tokyo Tower was cut in half, and burning debris fell into the street.
And then there's Jinghai City... that familiar TV tower, which was instantly reduced to ruins as Zoga swept past.
The sky was no longer blue, but had been dyed a nauseating dark red.
Black smoke obscured the sun, and the whole world seemed to have truly become hell. The background music turned somber and oppressive; it was the Requiem played on the organ…
The city is burning, and people are screaming and running away.
"An endless expanse of darkness."
"Bringing terror, destruction, and sorrow..."
"And the messenger who turns everything to nothing."
This dialogue, combined with the apocalyptic montage editing, instantly lowered the atmosphere of the entire series to an all-time low.
On 2ch, Japan's largest forum, the discussion threads in the tokusatsu (special effects) section are refreshed at an astonishing speed.
[Oh my god...this feels like a disaster movie]
Horror, devastation, sorrow... the end of the world is coming.
Is what Yuzare said true? Is the Earth really going to end?
[That Zoga was just the vanguard? Is there something even more terrifying coming?]
[To reduce everything to nothing... Could it be that the final boss is about to appear?]
Megumi looked at Yuzare, her voice trembling, and asked, "Is this something from the distant past? Or a prophecy of the future?"
Yu Lian's figure began to flicker, like a holographic projection with a poor signal: "Commander of the Earth Defense Force, I am just a program, I have no way to predict the future."
"But didn't you perish along with your race?"
Youlian's voice became even more ethereal, as if it came from a distant shore of time and space:
"The darkness of destruction is about to return."
These words struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.
If even the ancient civilization that possessed giants of light perished, then what makes modern humanity think it can win?
……
Meanwhile, in the Bilibili live stream room.
Old Tang's hands were trembling, and he could barely hold the cigarette.
"Guys... this is no joke."
Old Tang's eyes widened in shock. "Gu Nan is serious?"
"And did everyone notice? This time, there isn't just one Zoga monster."
Old Tang pointed to a corner of the screen and pressed pause.
Within that dark red cloud, one could vaguely see countless black dots hovering besides Zoga, which was destroying the city.
"That's all Zoga."
"This is an army."
【All of them are Zoga?! How are we supposed to fight this?】
What if he were to trigger the first season finale's Flashy Hatchling?
[Even if Ultraman Tiga is powerful, there's only one! He could fight them all, even if he worked himself to death!]
[This is it, this sense of despair is a million times stronger than the one in the Zigela episode.]
I got goosebumps; the sky was an eerie red.
……
The story returns to the hangar.
Lina found Dr. Bawe—the developer of the Max Dynamics system.
She stood in front of the "Snow White" aircraft, which was not yet fully commissioned, her eyes filled with a resolute determination that was heartbreaking.
"This Snow White is unable to carry attack aircraft equipment because it is equipped with components of the Max propulsion system. It is not suitable for combat," Dr. Tomoe advised.
Lina stroked the fuselage and said softly, "It's okay even so."
She looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, yet also filled with an overwhelming longing:
"I just hope it can fly faster and higher."
"Otherwise... we won't be able to beat that monster."
Lina in this scene is breathtakingly beautiful.
Xia Youwei delivered an award-winning performance here.
That look, so gentle yet strong, searching for hope in despair, instantly broke through the defenses of countless viewers.
This episode will not only showcase Ultraman's battles, but also humanity's struggles and wisdom in dire situations.
When the snow-white, streamlined "Snow White," a design of unparalleled beauty, was pushed onto the catapult runway, a poignant industrial aesthetic was palpable.
It has no missiles, no laser cannons.
It only has an engine.
It is the most exquisite wing that mankind created in pursuit of light.
[Lina... Waaaaah...]
[Was she trying to keep up with Tiga's speed?]
[Fly Higher... The meaning behind this episode's title is revealed here!]
Even without weapons, should I fly to his side?
[Lina... has she already realized it...?]
……
The scene shifts to a corridor.
Daigo called out to Rena.
"Lina, what's wrong? Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?"
Daigo looked bewildered and helpless.
Lina stopped and turned her back to Daigo.
She simply couldn't face Daigo calmly...
Her shoulders trembled slightly, as if she was trying her best to endure something.
She didn't answer; she remained silent.
That silence is more painful than an argument...
……
At this moment, in the command room, Horii put forward a new idea.
"I think the reason the monster appeared here is that this place is very likely its lair."
"This monster has a homing instinct, meaning it has the natural instinct to return to its nest. I don't know if it's related to this, but I think it's necessary to thoroughly investigate this place."
Director Sawai nodded: "I completely agree with Horii's opinion. Perhaps we can still find out the reason for the demise of the ancient civilization. Let's set sail in the Dolphin."
"Dealing with a monster is no problem for the Dolphin."
Ji Gang was also full of confidence.
……
Lina did not return to her room afterwards.
Instead, a person was sitting on the Snow White, which was equipped with the Magnum power system...
In the other lounge, Daigo closed his eyes, sat in an armchair, and his mind was filled with images of the darkness of thirty million years ago...
"That can't happen... Is destruction inevitable?"
Within the space of consciousness, Daigo frantically shouted towards Yuzare!
"Why did I have to see this happen! Is our destruction inevitable?!"
"You Lian!!!"
Just then, Yuzare's voice rang in Daigo's mind once again.
"Daigo is both light and humanity; the answer lies within your own heart."
……
The plot has progressed into its second half.
The investigation of the underwater ruins was handed over to Horii and Shinjo.
The monster Zoga has reappeared, and this time, its target is more specific: it rushes directly towards densely populated cities.
The commander and Lina are preparing to depart.
"The super-powerful spike missile can only be fired five times; any more and it will be ineffective. Don't pursue it relentlessly!"
Dr. Tomoe gave his instructions.
"clear!"
"Please grant clearance for the Snow White to depart!"
Lina suddenly said.
Before the commander could react, she had already jumped onto the pure white fighter jet, designed for speed.
"Wait a minute!"
Daigo rushed over.
He looked at Lina sitting in the cockpit, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Sorry to bother you."
Daigo jumped into the back seat. "Lina, you focus on driving, I'll take care of the shooting!"
Lina hesitated for a moment, but did not refuse.
"Ah... let's go!"
The Snow White shot out a blue plume of flame as it streaked out of the base like a meteor.
At this moment, the whole world is watching this battle.
Television news continuously reported on the destruction caused by Zoga.
"The monster Zoga is approaching the city!"
"The air forces of all countries have suffered a complete rout!"
Is this the end of humanity?
Depression, despair.
Gu Nan uses a lot of indirect description here.
For example, a little girl crying in the ruins, clutching a Tiga doll tightly in her hands.
For example, in the shelter, people watched in horror as a huge black shadow swept overhead.
Ten thousand meters above the ground, the Snow White is engaged in a life-or-death race with the Zoga.
On one side, there was the Victory Flying Swallow piloted by Nozue and Munakata.
"Here it comes! Its trajectory is exactly as I calculated! Launch!"
Ye Rui pressed the attack button.
The lightning bolt struck Zoga, but the monster's defenses were ridiculously high, and it only caused a few sparks.
"hateful!"
Zoga seemed to be enraged, its speed increased again, and it instantly rushed into the stratosphere.
Moreover, Zoga's instantaneous surge was something Victory Flying Swallow couldn't catch up with!
"Ugh! He's too fast! I can't aim!"
At that moment, Munakata saw the Snow White behind him!
"They're here!"
As if to prove his point, the Snow White accelerated and overtook the Victory Swallow.
"Megatronic power system activated!" Lina slammed the accelerator lever down.
The Snow White emitted a piercing roar, and its entire fuselage trembled violently.
The numbers on the speedometer were jumping wildly, far exceeding the limits that the human body could withstand.
"Danger! Launch!"
"Good! Success!"
Although it hit the target, Zoga did not fall; instead, it flew higher and higher, heading straight for the outer atmosphere.
"Ah...he went upstairs!"
At this moment, the alarms on the Snow White went off loudly.
"Lina! The Snow White doesn't have the equipment to fly out of the atmosphere! Lina!"
Daigo shouted at Rena.
"This is too dangerous! Call him back!"
Ji Gang quickly gave the order.
In the command center, Megumi Kijima anxiously said, "Team Leader Lina, come back immediately! Any higher... and it'll disintegrate!"
But Lina ignored her.
All she could see was that black dot in front of her, and... the clumsy man behind her trying to protect everything.
At that moment, the entire world held its breath.
Whether on Bilibili in China or in front of a screen in Japan.
Everyone sensed that the moment, the moment that had been building up and hinting at, was finally coming.
This is more than just an air battle.
This is the moment when Daigo and Rena, two young people who have been testing and protecting each other for most of the series, are about to break through that barrier.
At this point, the number of comments on the screen had begun to thin out.
It wasn't that no one was watching; it was that everyone was so nervous that they forgot to send comments.
In the cockpit, tens of thousands of meters in the air, there was only the sound of heavy breathing and the constantly flashing red warning lights.
The prelude to destruction has begun.
In this despairing darkness, the most dazzling light is about to bloom.