Stellar Ranger Black
That day on, Lugh tried to find her own answer, but with little to show for it.
Hoping to lift her spirits, I suggested we visit the New Year's festival...
There's a huge crowd here.
That's to be expected. It's the biggest event of the year.
People from all over the continent gather here, and incidents are constant.
...And here I am, on leave. I'm not sure if I should be taking it easy.
Just then, before I could wonder if this might be having the opposite effect...
To celebrate the New Year's festival, we have a surprise guerrilla performance! Stellar Rangers: Toward a Shining Future!
For the first time ever! Stellar Ranger Black will be making an appearance! Come meet the newest Ranger!
Stellar Ranger Black...?
That's the new character they teased last time.
I did hear they'd reveal her during a surprise event, but for it to be today...
Perfect timing. Let's go watch!
...My apologies. There are too many eyes out here.
If word gets out in Polaris that I came to see Stellar Rangers...
...You want me to say I was here because of you? But...
Don't worry about it.
...Thank you, Captain.
Still, we should have our story straight, just in case.
For example, we could say I spotted a security gap, or that I just happened to get a ticket—
You're thorough, aren't you...
Hehe! I can't wait! It's so exciting, isn't it?
Yeah! I wonder what Stellar Ranger Black looks like!
Everyone seems so excited.
I'd even kept track of Stellar Ranger merch release schedules...
But for them to reveal at an unexpected stage event like this...!
It's a complete ambush...! I never saw it coming...!
...So you were looking forward to this too, Lugh?
...Just a little interested, that's all.
I can do this...
I'll show them I can...!
Excuse me.
E-eek! A-a P-P-Polaris Observer?!
W-w-w-why—!? I mean, huh?! Yes? Were you talking to me...?
Are you looking for your seat? This is Section B, Row 12.
N-no! I mean, yes! That's right! Haha! Thank you!
......
...That was a little suspicious.
Yes. Perhaps...
No, never mind. If that were the case, the observation logs would've shown it.
...Ah. Even if they did, they wouldn't inform me while I'm on leave—
Stellar Rangers: Toward a Shining Future will begin shortly!
Woohoo!
......
I'll make them never forget...!
We'll bring the ideals of Shokas to NOA... and the whole Lavistar—
Identification, please.
What?! When did you—gah!
Do not move. You might break a bone.
Now. What were you planning to do here? The backstage is off-limits to non-staff.
Like I'd tell y—gyaaaagh!
Hmm?
What's this you dropped...? This is...!
A bomb?!
Requesting support... Hmm?
...The communication spell... isn't working?
Keke... Kekeke—argh!
What's so funny?
Kgh... Kekeke...! You won't be able to use your communication spell.
We set up jamming devices all over the area—argh!
As I thought. You're with the NOA Plaza Faction that caused that plaza incident.
When did you develop this level of organization?
Stop calling us that lame NOA Plaza Faction!!! Our name is...!
Shokas!
Sho...
Shokas?!
...Shokas?
That's the name... of the villain organization in Stellar Rangers.
What?!
Answer me.
Owowowow!!
What is this Shokas organization?
Why use that name—
I-I don't know!! Our boss just... saw a movie and picked it!!
And some Observer just slapped on NOA Plaza Faction on us!
We can't spread our cause with such a pathetic name...!
We needed something cool that's catchy and—
Gah...?! Krghh...!
He's unconscious...?
...My apologies. I let my grip tighten.
Still, even if it's the name of a villain organization, for a real-world gang to use one from Stellar Rangers...
It doesn't sit right with me.
In any case, what were they planning—
...Gun shots?!
Hey there! Havin' a good time?
Well, you won't be now. And no, you don't have a choice!
Was this in Stellar Rangers?
It's original story!
Stellar Ranger Black's in it! That means the story's original too!
Stellar Ranger Black? You still think this is a play?
Hey! Did ya forget what you have in your hand?
Huh?!
I-it's a real gun...?
Haha! Now you're catching on!
You're now all hostages. Got it? Show of hands if you're confused!
...At this rate, the Stellar Rangers event will be canceled.
It will turn into a trauma for the audience and damage the series' future.
That's something...
That's something I can't allow—no!
I won't allow it!
Fans of Stellar Rangers! Having the thing they love tainted...!
By some random incident...
I refuse to let that happen!
I don't care if my bones break or if I cough up blood!
No matter the cost! I will stop this!
The audience still can't tell if this is part of the show or not.
You're right. If we respond too aggressively, they could panic and make controlling the situation impossible.
What should we...
...There's a way.
A way?
Lugh, it's you.
You're going to become a Stellar Ranger.
...
What?
I pointed toward a glass display case in the corner.
That's...!
Hey! I told you to keep your heads down!
Once that witch grants our demands, we'll set you free! So let's try to get along!
*Sob* *Sniffle* WAAAAAAAH!
Help us, Stellar Rangers...!
Terrorists—I mean, Shokas have appeared. It's a desperate crisis...!
A broadcast...? What the—? Was this in the plan?
Huh? Not that I heard—pfft?! Blegh! What is this?!
A charm?
*Cough Cough!* Huh?! I can't see...!
Who did this... Agh?!
Huh?! What's going on?!
A true fighter who bears pain in her heart...!
That mask...! I was right! This is it!
This...?
It's an original story! She must be...!
A true fighter who understands the pain of the heart...! Stellar Ranger Black, is here!
St—
...Stellar Ranger Black.
Has arrived.
W-who're you?
I'm Stellar Ranger Black.
...What? This is nonsense—!
It's not nonsense. It's the truth.
Today, I am not a Polaris Observer. I am Stellar Ranger Black.
This is amazing...! It's the real Stellar Ranger Black!
They said she was big and imposing! Guess they were right!
...
(She's blushing...)
Surrender quietly. If you resist, I will designate you as evil.
And carry out justice.
Why you...! Talking nonsense...!
Don't move! This venue's wired with bombs—
Useless.
...What?
Everyone, cheer loud for Black!
Go, Stellar Ranger Black!
Take down the bad guys!
"Useless"...? What do you mean by that?!
Your friends were in the basement. But I already took care of them.
Including the bombs.
No way...! That fast...?!
There were four bombs total.
Disarming them would've taken too long, so I froze them.
They can't be detonated anymore.
That's... That's...!
All together! Stellar Ranger...!
PUNCH!
Stellar Punch.
Gaaagh!
KICK!
Ranger Kick.
Oof!
Justice served.
Great work, Stellar Ranger Black!
Now you're just teasing me, Captain.
Still, you were right. Everyone seemed to think it was part of the show.
The original character's been altered, but at least we avoided the worst outcome.
—ake me laugh!
Don't make me laugh! It's not over yet!
There's one more bomb?!
I'll show you... I'll make sure you never forget...!
That if we strip away this world's lies, there's still a future for people like u—gah?!
That is a subdual charm. Breathing will be difficult for you now.
As for the bomb...
As Lugh inspected the device, she suddenly shoved me away with full force.
Ngh?! Why...?!
It's set to detonate automatically. Get back.
At this range, even you won't be safe, Captain.
The trigger's been activated, but...
I will do my utmost until the very end.
As Lugh pressed a charm onto the bomb and pulled it into her arms, light spilled from within and the device exploded.
What? It blew up? Was that a real bomb?
It's... all part of the show, right?
Lugh...? LUGH! Are you all right?!
...Yes, Captain. And my apologies.
I swore I wouldn't get hurt again...
But my body moved on its own again.
Lugh, your arm...!
The injury isn't as bad as it looks. Don't worry.
I minimized the blast with the charm, but the force was still considerable...
And because I can't feel pain...
It's—
...Ha.
...
...Creepy.
...Ngh.
...
...I'll be heading back now—
Thank you, Stellar Ranger Black!
...Mm?
You blocked the bomb for us, didn't you?! I almost cried!
That hits me right in the heart! This is the true spirit of Stellar Rangers!
I'd come back to see this again... It was amazing...!
Stellar Rangers! Stellar Rangers!
...
...You can really be mean sometimes, Captain.
But if it's for those who love Stellar Rangers, I can manage this much...
Woooohooo! Stella Rangers!
Stellar Rangers is a famous tokusatsu series in Lavistar.
It's known for its modest special effects and high-difficulty stunt work.
The tense battles fought wearing nothing but a mask...
Stories where they rise again and again to protect others, no matter how many times they fall...
The reason I'm drawn to Stellar Rangers... the reason I joined the Journey...
The same reason...
...I see.
What I truly wished for...
was this.
In the midst of the crowd's cheers, Lugh looked up toward the audience.
Soon after, the Orbital Search Team arrived, and together with Lugh, took the self-proclaimed Shokas members into custody, bringing the incident to a close.
In later years, debates raged among enthusiasts over whether Stellar Ranger Black—the towering and imposing hero who threw herself into action at that one external event—had ever truly existed.