Even with their energy nearly depleted, the Ultramen once again raised their guard and faced Gatanothor.
Though it hadn't been destroyed, the combined light attack of four giants had left their foe wounded. Its evil heart boiled over, and in rage it grew even more violent.
"If only this world's Daigo could pull a mouth-talk power-up like in the Ultra Eight Brothers world…" Yuzhou muttered, recalling that version of Tiga who managed to 'talk-no-jutsu' himself and everyone else straight into Shining form.
He shook his head. "Forget it. That's wishful thinking." Then he looked toward the original Ultraman.
"Ultraman… I'm sorry. Dragging you into this."
The first Ultraman gave no reply, only shook his head and charged forward, his actions speaking for him.
Yuzhou gritted his teeth and followed. Daigo's Tiga and Cain also gathered the last of their strength and rushed in.
Seeing them come, Gatanothor bellowed. Tentacles burst out from the surf, lashing toward the giants.
First Ultraman and Cain were immediately snared, while the two Power-Type Tigas hacked their way free, slicing tentacles with desperate strength.
Yuzhou's Tiga closed in. Seizing a huge boulder from the ruins, he jammed it into the monster's open maw.
"Shut your damn mouth already!"
The stone silenced the roar—briefly. With a crunch, Gatanothor bit down and ground it to rubble.
"I've got more where that came from!"
Daigo's Tiga leapt in, shoving another boulder into its jaws, but the monster pulverized that too, thrashing in the surf and sending waves crashing outward.
Then two tentacles coiled around Yuzhou's Tiga and hurled him into the depths. With a splash, he vanished beneath the sea.
Another tendril dragged Cain before the beast. Gatanothor's body convulsed—Daigo realized what was coming. He threw himself in front of his comrade and raised a barrier in haste.
The next instant, a torrent of violet-black energy lanced outward. It struck the barrier—
"Blocked it…!" Daigo exhaled in relief—
Until Cain shouted: "Daigo, look out!"
The barrier cracked, then shattered like glass. The beam ripped through Daigo's body, leaving him no time to react. He froze in place—turned once more into lifeless stone.
"Daigo!"
The battlefield fell silent. Underground, watching civilians collapsed into despair.
First Ultraman, furious, tore free of his bonds and hurled an Ultra Sign into the sky, calling for help from the Land of Light. But Gatanothor caught the motion. It tilted its body and fired another black beam upward, obliterating the sign before it could take form.
With a roar, the monster towered over the battlefield. Tiga had fallen, hope seemed gone.
But then—
A child's voice cried out. And from that cry, a golden light burst forth.
One by one, more children joined, their bodies shining like beacons. The glow spread, blooming across cities, continents, the whole world. Humanity itself was answering.
"Finally… the light of humanity." Yuzhou dragged himself up from the depths, staring at the radiance pouring over the ruins.
The golden brilliance gathered above R'lyeh's remains, then split into four streams, pouring into First Ultraman, Cain, Yuzhou's Tiga, and Daigo's petrified form.
Stone cracked and fell away. Daigo was free again—and as he grew to his full height, his entire body gleamed with divine radiance.
Even the usually stoic First Ultraman could not hide his awe.
"These lights…!"
Masaki, watching as Cain too was engulfed, whispered, "This is humanity's light."
Yuzhou clenched his fists. He'd felt this once before, back in the Ultra Eight Brothers' world. But this time—this was real.
"Let's go!"
Four giants, burning with golden brilliance, stood side by side. Together they drew upon their timer-gems, then swung a glowing punch through the air.
Invisible shockwaves became golden fists that slammed into Gatanothor's chest, hurling the dark ruler off its feet. It crashed across the ruins, trumpeting in disbelief.
The Shining warriors pressed their advantage. Their kicks unleashed rings of light that tore into the beast, sending it flying again.
"This power… Gatanothor's nothing before us now," Yuzhou realized, exhilarated.
"Finish it!"
He dropped into a stance, charging the Zeperion Beam. But this time he layered the charge threefold, compressing immense power before releasing.
Daigo did the same. Cain inverted the energy, his beam turning golden. First Ultraman bent low, summoning a golden Specium Ray.
Four beams roared as one, converging on Gatanothor. The monster shrieked, swallowed by a storm of brilliance.
Yuzhou and Daigo raised their hands overhead, sweeping them down in a circle before locking fists at their chests. Their timer-gems flashed—unleashing one last eruption of Timer Flash.
BOOOOM.
The heavens themselves split. Clouds dissolved as sunlight pierced through, washing the earth in warmth once more.
The four Ultramen gazed upward. At last—it was over.
First Ultraman's glow faded. He returned to his usual size, nodded once to his allies, and took flight back into the stars.
The others lingered a moment longer before dispersing into particles of light.
On the Artdesis' deck, Yuzhou, Daigo, and Masaki reappeared as the radiance lifted.
The Victory Team rushed out to greet them. Relief and joy filled their faces.
"Daigo!" Rena ran straight into his arms, hugging him tight.
"Rena…" His heart swelled with warmth.
"Tsujimoto!" Yuzhou, seeing this, grabbed the nearest teammate and hugged him hard.
"Wha—hey! Yuzhou, what are you doing!?" the man sputtered, bewildered.
"I didn't have anyone else to hug," Yuzhou said with a grin, finally releasing him.