The state senator from California squints against the bright lights, listens to the low din around him as reporters ask neighbors if they got this quote right or that interpretation was legit. Those with cameras now turned them to their live reporters to speak to the audiences watching at home.

"Mister McCoy...what you allege today is totally unfounded! The 'problem', as you put it, is with a few of the ultras, but in no way all ultras. What about heroes like Hardcase and the Squad? What were they?" current Governor Kevin Pike questions.

"They were lucky. They were also vigilantes, they should have let the police do their jobs!"

"They helped the police, who welcomed the assistance of the Squad..."

"They destroyed millions of dollars worth of property, may I remind you Mr. Governor! Who knows what agenda they really held!" shouts Candidate Ray McCoy.

The arguments continue to pass back and forth, but the little boy whose attention was initial grabbed by the word "ultra" doesn't hear it.

His name is Billy Stephens. Recently, he accidently brought a cartoon character to life. Rather than acting heroic, it proceeded to tear apart a park, battling another Ultra, Prime, to a standstill before finally being defeated. The damage that had resulted took weeks to clean up and repair. Remembering this, he slowly lets his mind drift back to the live broadcast of a debate.

"...round them up and incarcerate them for crimes against the people of the great state of California!"

"And who would you propose we 'round up' first, Mr. McCoy?" Pike asks sarcastically.

"We should begin with that Prime character that tore up the downtown right her in Canoga Park most recently. Then track down that ultra posing as the cartoon character Maxi-Man!"

The two remained silent for a few seconds. "Why, Mr. McCoy, would you bunch them in with all other ultras. Are not all ultras different than eachother. We don’t really know anything about ultras to begin bunching them together into one pot, do we Mr. McCoy?"

"We must have Aladdin go public with what information it has regarding ultras. In fact, didn't an Ultra-vampire break in and destroy much of their equipment recently?"

"Yes...many believe it was an ultra, but then again, there is no proof it was an ultra... or even a vampire."

"Now come on Mr. Governor, we all know what threat these ultras pose toward our society."

Young seven year old, Billy, watches, standing at his mother’s side, holding his teddy bear beside him, slowly growing angry at the bad accusations of the ultras. Especially Maxi-Man and Prime. Prime hurt Maxi-Man, but was only doing what any hero would do if someone was destroying a park and threatening people.

What if Maxi-Man came back and showed them that a vampire is not the same thing? Maybe then they will know that ultras are not bad!

"I don't like that look, Billy....what are you up to...?"

"I'm going to make things right, Teddy. I'm going to help my heroes. That bad man wants to do mean things to them. But Maxi-Man will show him the truth when he captures a vampire!"

****

The man with the gold skin senses a disturbance. Something powerful.

Can it be? he thinks.

Yes...someone...something...the Shu-Ji...I sense another using it here on earth...

Reluctantly leaving the deserted island he's made his home, the man prepares, and flies towards the source of the disturbance.

****

The first warning is a series of screams and shrieks from the corner drug-store. People begin milling about in the street, running away, some not sure what to do or why. Then IT walks forth.

Six feet tall. Dark grey skin, large wings flared open as if about to fly away. Glowing red eyes. Long, bone-white talons on its hands and feet. Long fangs protrude from the mouth, dripping blood from a victim who died not two minutes before, screaming. Perhaps most horrifying is the almost blank stare from the red eyes, as if it doesn't see, doesn't care what it's doing.

"Vampire!" someone shouts.

As the crowd panicks more and attempts to escape, the vampire strides forward silently.

Just as it reaches out to grab yet another victim, there's a swoosh of air, and a figure rockets at the vampire, slamming an iron club against its back.

"Stop right there, Vampire! Maxi-Man will put an end to your rampage!"

The vampire hisses, and takes a swipe at the costumed buffoon that dares assault it. The talons slash deep, leaving deep cuts in Maxi-Man's side.

"H...how?!?" the costumed super-hero stammers.

Pondering this, Maxi-Man swings his club in a deadly arc.

****

"Ultras' battles are constantly causing millions of dollars in damage every year! Who's supposed to pay for repairs? So far the government of California has carried most of the bill, yet there has been no punishment to these ultras, and all under your leadership, Mr. Pike. But taxpayers will not stand for this much longer!"

****

The club punches into the vampire, sending it across the street and through a glass display window. As the creature shrieks in pain, Maxi-Man advances. The creature stills, and as he gets closer, the hero sees a knife sticking up through the vampire's chest. He looks at the sign over the store. Sam's Guns 'n Knives Survival Shoppe.

"Once more, good triumphs over good!" he says, before the mob sees him.

"What happened?" someone asks.

"It's that ultra, Maxi-Man! He killed the vampire, now he's going to kill us! Run!" someone else cries in terror.

"Isn't Maxi-Man a kids' cartoon?"

The voices mingle, and Maxi-Man looks around, his heightened senses allowing him to here this.

"I...I'm not a menace. I'm a hero! I do good! This vampire...would have killed anyone it caught!"

Despite his pleas, Maxi-Man begins to fade some. As he does, the vampire's body fades as well, and within a minute, both are no-where to be found. Still, the effects of the short-lived battle remain. Panicked people falling to mild looting, glass shattered across the street. Seven lie dead.

****

"This is my fault, isn't it, Teddy?" Billy quietly asks his bear.

"No, Billy. Not exactly. But you have to be more careful what you think and wish for..."

****

The debate concludes.

Carol Phade, a reporter for a local news station, reports.

"That certainly was an interesting debate, wasn't it folks? What do you feel about ultra-humans? Is there really a 'growing ultra-human menace'? Only time will tell."

The image fades to black, as the station prepares for a commercial. Then the station's logo is shown, and the anchor woman at the news station is seen sitting down again behind the news desk.

"This just in...yet another Ultra-battle has been reported. This time, it is reported that Maxi-Man has battled a vampire, possibly the one rumored to have appeared at Aladdin headquarters. Both disappeared after the conflict. Damage estimates exceed seven million dollars... Meanwhile, early polling shows Ray McCoy is gaining ground quickly, as early numbers show people are more in favor of new ultra-regulations. Popular Governor Kevin Pike, is now leading his race for reelection by only four points, down from an eleven point lead just two weeks ago."

The screen fades out.

Ray McCoy turns his TV off.