The night before Deadbeat's arrival was a tense one.
After their Celestic Blast training for the last days, Sheila gathered Tim and Rei for a crucial strategy meeting. The family room, once filled with the innocent laughter of Darren and Maria, now buzzed with grim determination.
Jeromy, Aron, and Sheila formed a semi-circle around a holographic map of the Resistance base, its defenses, and the surrounding territory.
Sheila spoke first. "Deadbeat won't just waltz in like last time. Now that he knows Tim is a threat, he'll come prepared - more vicious, more calculated."
Tim clenched his fists. "Let him. I'm ready."
Rei shot him a sharp look. "Don't be reckless."
Jeromy leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "She's right. Confidence means nothing if you rush in like an idiot."
Tim opened his mouth to retort but shut it just as quickly.
Aron adjusted his glasses. "Deadbeat will try to isolate Tim - his obsession with fighting the White Solar Warrior means he sees Tim as both a threat and... entertainment."
Sheila's gaze hardened. "And Rei - you're a target too. If he figures out your bond with Tim powers the Celestic Blast, he might try to sever it... permanently."
Rei's expression darkened.
Tim's jaw tightened. "He won't get near her."
Sheila ignored the tension, pointing at the map. "We'll use that to our advantage. If he's focused on you two, it means the rest of us can observe and act if things go south. Aron, you'll treat the injured if any. Jeromy - you'll be there backup."
"And I will manage the defense."
Jeromy smirked. "Wouldn't miss it."
Tim and Rei exchanged a look.
Sheila crossed her arms. "Your job is simple - stay together, no matter what. The Celestic Blast is your trump card. Use it only when the timing is perfect."
Tim nodded. "Got it."
Rei, more stoic, simply said, "Understood."
Sheila studied their faces. "We move at dawn."
The meeting ended, but the weight of the coming battle hung in the air like a storm.
That Night
The Resistance base's artificial sky projection shimmered above - a simulated night sky speckled with fake stars, offering a sense of calm in the underground fortress.
Tim sat alone, his back resting against a cold metal beam, staring at the glowing ceiling. His mind spun with thoughts - the Celestic Blast, Deadbeat, Rei...
He heard footsteps.
Rei.
She stopped a few feet away, arms crossed as usual. "You should rest."
Tim grinned, his usual cocky spark returning. "You sound like Aron."
Rei didn't react at first, then let out a small sigh and sat beside him, though keeping a slight distance.
They sat in silence for a moment.
Rei finally spoke. "This... feels strange."
Tim tilted his head. "What does?"
Rei's gaze remained fixed on the stars. "Fighting alongside others. Depending on someone else. I never imagined myself like this."
Tim studied her - the walls Rei had carefully built around herself, the battle-hardened warrior who still struggled to let anyone in.
Gently, he said, "You're not alone anymore, Rei."
Her fingers twitched ever so slightly at his words.
She didn't respond right away, but then - ever so subtly - she nodded.
As the silence stretched on, Rei's hand, resting lightly on her knee, shifted unconsciously closer to Tim's.
For a fleeting moment, their hands were inches apart - not touching, but close enough that the space between them felt electric. Neither of them moved.
The stillness was soft, almost... comforting.
And somewhere in the artificial sky above, a star blinked out.
Meanwhile...
Far away - in a rotting, forgotten chamber deep within the Dark Void's baseship - something stirred.
A deep, guttural growl echoed through the darkness.
Deadbeat's monstrous eyes snapped open - a sickly, glowing red - and a twisted grin spread across his face.
"Heh... it's been a while since someone made me feel something."
He flexed his fingers - his claws, jagged and razor-sharp, gleamed in the faint light.
His body convulsed, absorbing the lingering essence of his past victims - bones cracked, muscles bulged, and his already towering frame seemed to grow even more grotesque.
"White Solar Warrior..." he murmured, the words rolling off his tongue like a dark promise. "You truly are different."
A flickering hologram illuminated the room.
Dark Void.
His shadowed figure, surrounded by swirling darkness, smirked.
"Are you done playing around?" the villain's voice was smooth but cold.
Deadbeat chuckled, his teeth bared. "Heh. Next time... I'll make sure his screams don't stop."
Dark Void's grin deepened. "Good."
But Deadbeat wasn't finished. He lifted his clawed hand, his nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air - a predatory gesture.
"I remember her scent too..." His voice grew even lower, more sinister. "That woman... the Black Lunar Warrior. Rei."
A shiver of excitement rippled through him.
"I've already memorized it."
Dark Void watched, silent and calculating, as Deadbeat began tracking his prey - not by sight or sound... but by scent.
He grinned, dragging his bloodied machete behind him, leaving a trail of crimson on the rotting floor.
The Next Morning
Dawn broke over the Resistance base. The once-quiet halls now buzzed with urgent energy.
Then - a sudden blaring alarm pierced the air.
Jeromy sprinted to the control panel. His eyes widened at the holographic display.
"...Damn it."
On the screen - standing just outside the hidden entrance to the Resistance base - was Deadbeat.
His massive form cast a long shadow across the metal doors. His bloodied machete scraped lazily against the ground, the sound echoing like nails on a chalkboard.
A sick grin split his face.
"I know you're in there, Solar Warrior..." His voice oozed with anticipation. "Come out and play."
Tim's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tight.
Rei stood beside him, her body shivering slightly.
Tim's voice was steady. "We end this. Now."
Rei who was trembling now looked at Tim and got the courage to say. "Together."
Sheila gave them both a sharp nod. "Time to see if you two are ready."
As Deadbeat's claws were almost scraping against the entrance-
Tim and Rei went outside the Medical center just in time, standing face to face with Deadbeat.