Chapter 43. The Light Beyond Stars

Satria sat in his study, resting his head on his hands, deep in thought. Balancing school, his ambitious tech projects, and his increasingly chaotic life was proving to be a logistical nightmare.

"School, work, missions... I can't be everywhere at once," he muttered. "There has to be a solution."

Then it hit him. His recent Cosmo Plug reward. Ultraman Cosmos could create energy-based clones to help in different tasks.

A lightbulb lit up in his mind. "That's it! I can clone myself!"

Excited, he leapt out of his chair and headed straight for the living room where Kiyohime and Valiana were lounging.

"Kiyo! Valiana! Watch this!"

Both women looked up, intrigued but cautious.

Satria activated his Cosmo Plug and in a flash of blue light, he created four energy clones that looked just like him.

"Ta-da!" he declared proudly.

Kiyohime's eyes widened in surprise. "Ara~ Danna-sama can make clones now? This will make your life much easier."

Valiana, on the other hand, tilted her head and started licking her lips with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Clones, huh? Oh my~ The possibilities are endless. Maybe we can—"

"Don't even think about it," Satria cut her off, catching her lewd expression.

Unfortunately, the clones weren't as serious as Satria hoped. One started doing weird dance moves, another began flipping through a manga on the shelf, another playing with Ariel, and the last one was... trying to cook with cute apron he had gotten earlier.

"What... the hell are you guys doing?" Satria groaned, facepalming.

Valiana burst into laughter. "Pfft, they're as weird as the original. This is perfect!" 

As Kiyohime's fan dissipated the first round of clones, another set popped back into existence, groaning in protest.

"Oi, what the hell was that for?!" one of the clones shouted, rubbing his head. "We didn't even do anything wrong this time!"

Another clone crossed his arms. "Seriously, you create us, expect us to work, and don't even give us a break? What kind of capitalist slave-driver are you?!"

Satria's eye twitched, rage boiling over. "Shut up! You're acting like UMR Warriors who do nothing but whine to their boss! I created you to HELP ME, not to be a bunch of freeloaders!"

The boldest clone smirked and jabbed a finger at him. "Look who's talking, you lazy capitalist bastard! All this work, and we don't even get paid!"

Satria snapped. "PAID? YOU'RE ME! YOU DON'T NEED TO BE PAID!"

The other clones chimed in, clapping mockingly. "Down with the oppressive regime! The clone revolution starts now!"

Valiana burst out laughing, clutching her sides. "This is the best thing I've seen all day!"

Kiyohime, however, wasn't amused. Her fan materialized in her hand again as she approached the clones with a calm but menacing aura. "Danna-sama's creations should reflect his honor and diligence, not this foolishness."

"Oi, lady, put that thing down!" one of the clones yelled, backing away.

"Yeah! We have rights!" shouted another.

But it was too late. Kiyohime moved with the precision of a warrior, striking each clone squarely on the head. One by one, they vanished in bursts of light, their protests fading into silence.

Satria stood there, his hands in his pockets, watching the chaos unfold with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Thanks, Hime, but I think they got a bit of my rebellious streak."

Kiyohime sighed, folding her fan neatly. "Danna-sama, perhaps next time, try instilling your creations with more discipline."

"Hahahaha!" Valiana, wiping tears from her laughter, teased, "Or maybe he should keep them just like that. They're like mini, rebellious versions of him. It's adorable."

Satria groaned, throwing his hands up. "Why does everything I try turn into a circus?!"

Kiyohime gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Do not worry, Danna-sama. With time and effort, I'm sure you'll master this skill."

From the corner, Fatalis chuckled in Satria's mind. "Face it, your clones just exposed the real you. They're perfect copies."

"Not helping!" Satria muttered, stomping off to sulk as Valiana and Kiyohime chuckled behind him.

•

Satria held the Cosmo Plug in his hands, its sleek design glowing faintly in the dim light of his room. Despite having inspected it multiple times, he still found it hard to believe that the device was real.

He gazed at it with a solemn expression. "Maybe it's destiny," he muttered to himself. "They must have seen my principles of righteousness and kindness. Of course, who else would they trust with this power but me?"

A self-satisfied grin spread across his face as he nodded in agreement with his own thoughts.

Fatalis, ever the source of mischief, burst out laughing in his mind. "Righteousness? Kindness? You? Wahahaha! Oh, this is rich!"

Satria's eye twitched, his annoyance flaring up instantly. "What's so funny, you damn Neet Dragon?! Don't mock me! I'm obviously the perfect candidate for this power!"

Fatalis, still laughing, responded cheekily. "Oh, my adorable little puppy, you're as delusional as ever. Do you really not remember half the chaos you've caused? Honestly, I can't leave you alone for a second!"

Satria growled, his annoyance turning into a full-blown pout. "Adorable puppy?! That's it! You're grounded! No anime for a week!"

Fatalis snorted, amused by his empty threat. "Sure, sure. Anyway, instead of sulking, how about you check the journal of Qin Shi Huang? Maybe it'll make you smarter. Heaven knows you could use the help."

Her words sparked a memory in Satria's mind. "Oh, right! The journal! I completely forgot about that thing." He reached for the ancient book, intrigued by what secrets it might hold. But just as he was about to open it, a soft nudge against his chest distracted him.

"Au?"

Satria looked down to see Ariel rubbing her head against him, her large, innocent eyes staring up expectantly. His heart melted instantly.

"Ah, you little attention-seeker," he cooed, gently scratching behind her fins. "How could I ignore such an adorable face?"

Ariel purred in delight, snuggling closer to him. The journal and the Cosmo Plug were momentarily forgotten as Satria lavished affection on his new Pokémon companion.

Later that night, Satria, Kiyohime, Valiana, and even Ariel lay tangled together on the large bed, their breathing slow and steady in the depths of sleep. The room was quiet except for the occasional rustle of blankets and soft snores.

Unbeknownst to any of them, the Cosmo Plug on the nearby table began to glow faintly. The light pulsed rhythmically before releasing a small, ethereal blue orb. The orb floated silently through the air and entered Satria's mind, merging seamlessly with his consciousness.

Satria woke up in a strange and otherworldly place. His surroundings were vast and shimmering, resembling the expanse of space itself. Stars twinkled in every direction, planets of all sizes drifted serenely, and even a radiant sun blazed in the distance, bathing the area in an ethereal glow.

"What the hell is this place?" he muttered, his eyes wide with awe. "Today is just full of surprises, isn't it?"

As he marveled at the stunning scenery, a sudden shift in the atmosphere made him freeze. The space around him seemed to ripple, and a colossal figure began to materialize before him. His presence was undeniable—a towering blue giant with a warm yet overwhelming aura.

Satria's breath caught in his throat. He didn't need an introduction. He knew exactly who this was.

"Finally, we meet, young human," the figure said, his deep voice resonating through the space. His gaze was calm yet penetrating. "From your expression, I assume you already know who I am?"

Satria nodded, his grin wide and filled with nostalgia. "Of course! You're Ultraman Cosmos—my favorite Ultraman from childhood! The hero of kindness and peace. My name is Satria, and I plan to follow in your footsteps as the Hero of Kindness."

The giant tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Hero of Kindness, you say?"

Satria blinked, confused by the faint skepticism in the Ultraman's voice.

"It is not possible," Cosmos said, his voice carrying an air of finality.

Satria's smile faltered. "Huh? What do you mean?!"

"You are... different," Cosmos said, his golden eyes narrowing as if peering into Satria's very soul. "Unlike others I have entrusted with my power, you are someone who does not hesitate to sacrifice or play dirty to win. Your resolve is unwavering, yet ruthless. However..." Cosmos paused, his gaze softening ever so slightly. "Your love for your family is admirable."

Satria's cheerful demeanor vanished, replaced by a sharp, serious expression. "So, you can read my thoughts too, huh? Guess I need to figure out how to block that. Anyway, now that you know what kind of person I am, what are you going to do about it?"

Cosmos remained silent for a moment, his immense presence unshaken. Then, he spoke. "Nothing. While you are not the ideal bearer of my power, you are capable of discerning right from wrong, even if your methods are unconventional. I cannot stay here for long. All I ask is that you strive to be better. Use my power wisely, and protect those in need."

Before Satria could respond, Cosmos began to dissolve into particles of golden light. The energy surged around Satria, filling him with strength and warmth. As the last traces of Cosmos faded into the infinite expanse, Satria clenched his fists, feeling the incredible power coursing through his veins.

"Hmph. What a rude guy," Satria muttered, his expression torn between annoyance and respect. "Still... he's right. His power isn't something I can take lightly."

He looked up at the vast expanse of stars, determination blazing in his eyes. "Cosmos, as thanks for trusting me, I'll honor your wish to protect people... but my family will always come first."

Morning came, and Satria awoke feeling refreshed, as though he had been touched by something profound. He stretched lazily, accidentally waking Kiyohime, who looked up at him with sleepy eyes.

"Danna-sama," she mumbled, her voice soft. "You seem... different this morning."

Valiana, still half-asleep, rolled over and muttered, "If he's become more annoying, I'm kicking him out."

Satria chuckled, leaning back against the headboard. "Nah, don't worry. I'm still me... but maybe a better version."

In the back of his mind, Fatalis yawned. "Better version? We'll see about that."

•

Kuoh Academy

Kuoh, Japan

Satria let out a heavy sigh as he approached the gates of Kuoh Academy. "Here we go... another boring day of school life, and probably more annoying devils bothering me." He muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair.

As soon as he stepped onto the school grounds, a wave of murmurs and giggles swept through the crowd of students. Girls turned to stare at him, their eyes lighting up with excitement, curiosity—and in some cases—something far less innocent.

"Who is that hunk?"

"Oh my, he's so handsome."

"Wait… isn't that Shin-kun?"

"No way! How did he get so hot in such a short time?"

"It really is Shin! I can't believe it!"

Satria could feel the attention burning into him as the whispers continued. He tried his best to ignore the girls and head toward his classroom, but the moment he passed them, the floodgates opened.

"Ohayou, Shin-kun!"

"Good morning, Shin-kun!"

He gave a slight nod, keeping his expression neutral, but his lack of reaction seemed to only fuel their excitement.

Suddenly, someone grabbed onto his arm without warning. "Ne~ Shin-kun, how about we spend some time together after school?" a bold girl purred, pressing herself closer to him.

Before Satria could respond, another girl shoved her aside, grabbing onto his other arm. "Don't you dare cling to Shin-kun like that, you tramp!"

"What did you just call me, you ugly cow?!"

"Ugly? Look who's talking, you flatboard!"

"What?! Flatboard?!"

The two girls started arguing heatedly, attracting even more attention from the crowd. Satria, thoroughly annoyed, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Finally, he shouted:

"Shut UP! You're all so ANNOYING!"

His voice rang out loud and sharp, cutting through the commotion. All the girls froze instantly, stunned into silence. Then, almost as if on cue, they erupted into squeals.

"Kyaaaa! He talked to me!"

"So badass and cool!"

"As expected of Kuoh's cold prince!"

"I love a man who can dominate me like that!"

Satria stared at the crowd, dumbfounded, as they continued fawning over him. He pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath. "Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless."

The moment Satria stepped into the classroom, he was met with an unexpected sight: Rias Gremory and her entire peerage standing by his desk, their gazes sharp and full of intent. It was clear they had been waiting for him.

"Good morning, Shin-kun," Rias said, her usual calm smile hiding the underlying pressure of her presence. "We need to talk."

Before Satria could respond, Akeno leaned in closer, her playful demeanor adding to the tension. "Ara, ara, skipping the usual pleasantries today? That's not like you, Rias."

Kiba simply stood nearby, his usual polite demeanor in place, while Koneko stared at Satria with her usual blank expression, munching on a snack.

Satria looked at the group for a moment before letting out an exaggerated yawn and slumping into his seat. With a perfectly timed lazy voice, he muttered, "The number you're calling is in another world. Please come back later."

Rias's eye twitched at his blatant disregard, her composure slipping just a bit. "Shin! This is serious!"

Akeno giggled softly behind her hand. "He really does know how to get under your skin, doesn't he, Rias?"

Meanwhile, Issei stood at the back of the classroom, scratching his head awkwardly. "Man, Shin's got some serious guts ignoring Buchou like that."

Aika Kiryuu, sitting nearby, smirked and leaned over her desk. "If only all men were like Shin. Not like you three." Her eyes flicked toward Issei and his two partners-in-crime, Matsuda and Motohama, who were huddled in the corner, whispering about some "new data" they'd acquired.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Issei exclaimed, his face red with embarrassment.

Ignoring the side banter, Rias folded her arms, determined to get Satria's attention. "Shin, stop pretending to sleep. We know you've been up to something recently."

Satria cracked one eye open and lazily glanced at her. "Oh? And what, pray tell, do you think I've been up to, Ojou-sama?"

Rias clenched her fists, trying to keep her cool. "Don't test my patience. You've been involved in something big, and we need to know what's going on."

Satria sighed dramatically and stretched. "If it's that urgent, why not wait until lunch? Let me at least enjoy my boring school life in peace."

Koneko spoke up for the first time, her voice monotone but cutting. "You're hiding something."

"Me? Hide something?" Satria feigned innocence, placing a hand on his chest. "I'm just a simple student trying to survive high school."

The group stared at him skeptically, while Akeno's smirk grew wider. She loved watching this verbal sparring play out.

Rias, however, wasn't giving up so easily. "This isn't over, Shin." As the bell rang and the group dispersed reluctantly.

•

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the class. As the students filed out, Satria noticed Issei calling Asia for a "group meeting."

"Group meeting?" Satria thought, raising an eyebrow as he watched Issei leave the classroom with Asia in tow.

Aika, ever the tease, had earlier poked fun at Issei for how close he was with Asia. "If you're going to play house, at least invite us, Issei-kun!" she had said, laughing as Issei sputtered a denial

Now, as Issei disappeared down the hallway, Fatalis's voice echoed in Satria's mind.

"What are you going to do now?" she asked with mild amusement.

Satria smirked. "Let's follow him. I'm curious about what they're up to."

Without missing a beat, he summoned Dark Platinum and used its vision ability to track Issei and Asia from a distance. His eyes followed them to the old school building, where they entered the Occult Research Club (ORC) room.

Using Dark Platinum's vision, Satria peered inside the room from outside. To his surprise, Sona Sitri, the Student Council President, was already inside with her peerage.

"Interesting," Satria muttered to himself, leaning against the wall as he continued to observe.

Inside the room, Sona introduced herself to Issei, who looked completely clueless. Beside her, Saji Genshirou—the pawn of Sona's peerage—was bickering with Issei.

The two of them soon devolved into a petty argument, comparing themselves over who was the better pawn.

"Idiots," Satria mused, shaking his head. "Becoming slaves and being proud of it. Only fools boast about something like that."

Saji, emboldened by his competitiveness, tried hitting on Asia, only to be met with a sharp glare from Issei.

Satria stifled a chuckle. "This is far more entertaining than dealing with those annoying fangirls."

The conversation took a turn when Sona shifted her focus to Rias.

"So, Rias," Sona began, adjusting her glasses, "I've heard you've been bothering the new student lately. Is that true?"

Rias frowned, crossing her arms. "That guy is suspicious. He's always irritating me. Who does that brat think he is?"

"Buchou," Issei interjected, trying to reason with her, "we've already talked about this. Please don't bother Shin-san again."

Rias glared at him. "Why are you always defending him, Issei? He's human and an unknown factor. For all we know, he could be a threat to us."

"He's not," Issei protested firmly. "No enemy would help me the way Shin-san did."

Saji, curious, leaned forward. "Wait, who are you guys talking about?"

Akeno, ever calm and composed, answered with a small smile. "He's the new transfer student. They call him the Cold Prince of Kuoh: Shidou Matsumi, or Shin."

Saji scoffed. "That pretty boy? What's so special about him?"

Rias's face darkened as she recounted their encounter. "We don't know the extent of his power. But during our first meeting, he demonstrated something... unnatural. He claims to be human, but his speed is unlike anything a human could possess."

"Super speed?" Saji asked, intrigued.

"Yes," Rias confirmed. "The four of us—except for Kiba—witnessed it. We were all focused on him, watching closely, and yet, in an instant, he was behind me. And the worst part? He had the audacity to call me a brat."

The memory clearly still stung for Rias, as her tone carried a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

Outside, Satria could barely contain his laughter. "A brat? I wasn't wrong, though."

Fatalis snickered in his mind. "You truly are a troublemaker. Why not push them further? Pretend to be even more suspicious and watch them squirm."

"Tempting," Satria replied with a grin. "But I think I've had enough fun for now. I should get back to my spot."

He dismissed Dark Platinum and walked away, leaving the group none the wiser.

Back in the ORC room, Sona turned to Rias. "So, is he a threat or not?"

Rias sighed, clearly frustrated. "He's probably a threat. Or maybe a spy from another faction. For now, we'll keep watching him. If he proves dangerous, I'll take care of him. After all, it's my duty to protect my territory."

Sona smirked faintly. "I see. Well then, if he's not officially claimed, perhaps I'll pay him a visit myself. Thanks for the intel."

With that, Sona and her peerage left the room, leaving Rias fuming silently.

As Satria strolled back to his favorite hangout spot, he chuckled to himself. "So they think I'm a threat, huh? Maybe I should give them something to worry about. Or maybe not. Either way, this is getting interesting."

To be continued.