The light of the Plasma Spark dimmed slightly, signaling that night had fallen on the Land of Light.
Arno connected to the access card, studying its data with intense concentration and occasionally jotting down notes on what needed to be modified.
With a soft click, the door to the room opened.
"Uncle," little Tregear poked his head in, looking timidly at Arno, who was hard at work.
"Hmm? What is it?" Arno put away his light screen and motioned for Tregear to come in, then scooped the little Ultra up and placed him on the bed.
"Uncle, am I really that useless?" Tregear asked nervously, clutching the edge of the blanket.
"Why would you think that?" Arno sat down on the edge of the bed and gently stroked Tregear's head.
"I want to join the Inter Galactic Defense Force with Taro, but my combat score is failing," Tregear looked up at Arno anxiously. Arno didn't speak, his gaze filled with both gentleness and encouragement.
"My classmates say that I'm a Blue Tribe Ultra and should join the Science Technology Bureau instead of the Defense Force. But I want to protect you, just like Mom and Dad did." As Tregear spoke, his eyes drifted toward the holographic family portrait on the bedside table.
An Ultra with silver and blue patterns intertwined and an Ultra with light and dark blue patterns stood hand in hand, smiling warmly down at a little silver-and-blue Ultra holding a cultivation capsule. The figures in the photo were Alsi, Tolka, Arno, and Tregear as a little ball of light.
Tregear knew those were his parents. His mother had been one of the Silver Cross's finest warriors, and his father an exceptional scientist. They had sacrificed their lives to protect him, and he didn't want Uncle Arno to sacrifice his life protecting him, too.
Arno picked up the projection sphere from the table and pressed it into Tregear's hands. Instead of answering Tregear's confusion directly, he asked, "Tregear, what do you think power is?"
"Power?" Tregear cradled the projection sphere, raising his head to look at Arno with a puzzled gaze.
"Yes, power!" Arno nodded affirmatively.
"Powerful beam attacks and invincible combat skills?" Tregear answered uncertainly.
"No, power is the heart to protect others. The moment you said you wanted to protect me, Tregear, you had already attained power." Arno shook his head and reached out to gently tap Tregear's small chest.
"The heart to protect others?" Tregear touched his own chest.
"Power is neither good nor bad, whether of the light or of the darkness—it all depends on the person who wields it. With a heart to protect others, both light and darkness can be powerful." Arno repeated to Tregear, word for word, what Tolka had once told him.
"Just like Zoffy, Ultraman, and Jack—they grew strong precisely because there were things they had to protect."
"Earth?"
"You little silly, I'm not talking about Earth."
"Then what is it?" Tregear asked with curiosity.
"It is the bonds between comrades. It is their unwavering trust in each other that has brought them to where they are today."
"Hmm, like how Uncle always believes in me?" Tregear said thoughtfully.
"Yes." Arno affectionately tapped Tregear's forehead. "But never lose your reason."
"Why?"
"A clear mind allows you to see the big picture." Arno explained.
"I understand, Uncle. I want to sleep with you tonight." Tregear put away the projection sphere, hugged Arno's arm, and acted spoiled.
"Come on, scoot a little further in." Arno gently nudged Tregear toward the inside of the bed.
"Oh yeah! Long live Uncle!" Tregear cheered happily and gave Arno a quick kiss on the cheek.
Arno smiled helplessly as he tucked the excited little scamp, who was bouncing around on the bed, safely under the covers.