Zzzzzzzt…
Sparks burst through the underground base.
Because of the Colossal Super Power Giant's earlier rampage, several systems were now malfunctioning, sending showers of electricity across the walls.
Under the flickering lights, Asuka stood holding the Shining Sword high—
but nothing happened. No light, no transformation.
"Asuka…"
By now, Ryō finally understood everything.
Asuka—he was Ultraman Dyna.
And because of Counsellor Gondo's recklessness, he had lost the ability to transform.
"It's fine, Ryō."
Asuka gently pushed away Ryō's supporting hand,
then, using every ounce of strength he had left, sprinted toward the hangar bay's open roof—the exit through which the Colossal Super Power Giant had flown earlier.
Yu Zhou and Daigo didn't stop him.
They simply watched in silence.
"He'll never make it," muttered Counsellor Gondo, still groaning from pain.
Before he could say another word—
BAM!
Yu Zhou's boot connected squarely with his side, sending him flying across the room.
"That's for running your mouth."
Everyone froze.
But no one stepped in to defend Gondo.
The soldiers who had once pointed their guns at Yu Zhou had long since fled for safety after the base began shaking from the giant's attacks.
"Every person," Daigo said calmly as he stepped forward, "has the power to become light through their own strength."
"Ridiculous," Gondo spat, still defiant even while curled on the floor.
Especially after being kicked, his pride refused to yield.
"Stubborn fatso," Yu Zhou muttered, about to walk over and give him a few more kicks—
only for Daigo to stop him.
"Yu Zhou, that's enough."
Thud!
But Ryō wasn't as merciful.
He stepped up and kicked Gondo himself, leaving the man curled up, groaning even louder.
Daigo sighed helplessly, unsure what to say anymore.
Just then—
A radiant glow erupted from Asuka's body.
The Shining Sword flew from his hands, and brilliant light flooded the entire underground base.
He had transformed.
He had become Ultraman Dyna once again.
"How… how is that possible?!" Gondo gasped, clutching his stomach.
"His light was completely drained!"
"Not worth explaining to you," Yu Zhou said flatly, not even looking at him.
High above Mars, a surge of energy burst from the surface,
slamming into the Sphere-corrupted Colossal Super Power Giant and sending it crashing backward into the red dust.
And there—standing tall amidst the storm—was Ultraman Dyna.
But the enemy had changed too.
Now fused with countless Sphere orbs, the Colossal Super Power Giant no longer moved mechanically.
It acted with purpose—perhaps with the Spheres' collective will.
The towering figure rose, spreading its arms into a fighting stance.
Dyna mirrored the gesture and charged forward—
only to be met by a sudden, devastating uppercut to the gut.
The impact sent him staggering backward, his vision spinning.
Asuka gritted his teeth.
He could feel it—his stamina was far lower than before.
Without the full light energy inside him, his power was barely holding up.
The corrupted giant advanced relentlessly, striking again and again.
Dyna struggled to defend himself, retreating under the flurry of blows.
From the control room, Ryō stared anxiously at the live feed.
"Asuka… is he going to be okay?"
"His transformation succeeded," Yu Zhou said, studying the monitor with narrowed eyes,
"but his body's still weak. He can't keep up physically."
In the original timeline, Gondo had sacrificed himself—
transferring his life force to Dyna, giving him the energy to rise again.
But this time…
Yu Zhou glanced down at the unconscious Gondo, sprawled on the floor.
He sighed.
"Guess I hit him a bit too hard."
Then again, the man had it coming. And honestly, Yu Zhou didn't regret it.
"I'll go help," Yu Zhou said quietly, stepping forward.
If he didn't intervene, Asuka would lose.
This was supposed to be Asuka's trial, yes—but now wasn't the right time to let him fall.
And besides, it wasn't Daigo's place to step in.
Yu Zhou was already preparing to leave this world soon.
If his identity was exposed, it no longer mattered.
Daigo, however, still had to live here.
His secret couldn't be revealed again.
"You'll go, senpai?" Ryō blinked. "Are you going to pilot a spaceship?"
"No," Yu Zhou said, shaking his head with a faint smile.
He glanced around.
Most of the staff had already evacuated.
Only Daigo, Ryō, and the unconscious Gondo remained.
Ryō's eyes widened as a thought struck him.
"Wait… don't tell me…"
Yu Zhou raised his hand.
A slender crystal rod appeared, glowing softly—its tip etched with two golden lines.
A sound like the chime of silver bells filled the air.
The light spread outward, dazzling and pure—
and in the next instant, Yu Zhou was gone.
On the Martian battlefield, another giant appeared.
His armour shimmered in silver, purple, and crimson,
his chest marked with golden streaks resembling divine plates.
Ultraman Tiga.
Ryō's breath caught.
"Yu Zhou-senpai… is Tiga…"
The revelation left him stunned.
The information he'd learned today was already beyond comprehension.
First, Asuka had been kidnapped by Counsellor Gondo.
Then Gondo's goal—to manufacture a Giant of Light—had led to disaster.
Afterward, Asuka transformed into Ultraman Dyna.
And now… Yu Zhou himself was Ultraman Tiga.
"Daigo-senpai," Ryō said softly.
"Hm? What is it?" Daigo asked, puzzled.
"You don't seem surprised at all."
Ryō smiled knowingly.
"Ahaha… really?" Daigo scratched his head awkwardly.
"I guess I'm just… good at hiding it."
"Sure you are," Ryō chuckled, turning his eyes back to the screen.
Meanwhile, Gondo, who had barely regained a sliver of consciousness before,
was once again blinded by the brilliant light of Tiga's transformation—
and fainted all over again.
But just before losing consciousness, one thought flickered through his mind:
So Yu Zhou… was Tiga all along.
"Are you alright, Asuka?"
On Mars, Tiga caught the staggering Dyna and helped him back to his feet.
"I'm fine, Yu Zhou-senpai!" Dyna nodded firmly, recognizing the familiar voice.
"Good."
Tiga placed a hand over Dyna's head.
"Now… come, let me recharge you."
From the crystal on Tiga's forehead, waves of radiant light poured out—
flowing directly into Dyna's colour timer, reigniting the light of the hero who refused to fall.