"Everything you mentioned, every last bit of it, served a single plan: the Human Instrumentality Project."
"The Human Instrumentality Project?!"
Zero shuddered when he heard those words.
The name alone sounded like nothing good.
Yui Ikari began explaining the origins of the plan and everything that had followed.
"The humans of this world were not the product of natural evolution."
"Before humanity was born, this world belonged to another group of outsiders: the Angels, and the god who created them-Adam."
"Adam arrived on Earth in an egg beyond human understanding, which humans call the White Moon. He gave birth to fifteen Angels on Earth and possessed a Fruit of Life."
"So the Angels came to Earth first."
"Later, another egg carrying another god-Lilith-struck Earth for unknown reasons. That egg was the Black Moon, and its impact sent Adam and the Angels into a deep sleep. Lilith possessed the Fruit of Knowledge."
"That was also how the moon was born."
"So Lilith settled on Earth. Bodily fluid flowed from Lilith's body. That fluid is LCL fluid, the same liquid found in Unit-01's Entry Plug."
"After those bodily fluids mixed with Earth's oceans, they gave rise to the life that now exists on Earth, including humanity."
Zero recalled what he had learned in Ultraman Classroom about the origins of humanity on the Earth of his own world. He still remembered because the subject had interested him.
"Four and a half billion years ago, no life had yet appeared on the Earth we protect."
The Earth of that era collided with a planet called Theia. The debris thrown off by the collision gradually came together, forming Earth's satellite-the moon.
That collision also gave Earth its oceans, a fundamental condition for life to arise.
"Life on our world's Earth began through a similar process."
"But what struck our Earth was a planet, much bigger than the Black Moon you mentioned."
Yui continued, "Returning to the last century, an organization called SEELE obtained the Dead Sea Scrolls from some unknown source."
"SEELE is a religious organization that gradually began taking control of the world in the Middle Ages."
The Dead Sea Scrolls recorded the origins of humanity and the Angels, and even foretold the Angels' invasion and humanity's future.
"SEELE had already lost hope in humanity. They believed humans would only repeat their mistakes without making any progress, ultimately destroying themselves through endless infighting."
"With the Dead Sea Scrolls, they became even more convinced that humans were incomplete beings incapable of further evolution, able to live only on Earth. They believed humanity would remain trapped here until it died out."
"So they decided to sacrifice all life on Earth to create a new life-form and escape that doomed fate."
"Sacrifice?! How?!" The word struck Zero like a thunderbolt.
"And another thing! What gives them the right to call humanity an incomplete race incapable of evolving? Who said that?!" Zero roared in fury. Shinji tried to calm him down, but it was no use.
Like his father, Zero loved humanity. Naturally, he could not accept such an insult against them.
Yui said solemnly, "Let me finish before we discuss that."
"In 1999, the United Nations discovered the White Moon in Antarctica, along with Adam and a weapon capable of restraining a god-the Lance of Longinus."
"Humanity decided to awaken Adam, then seal him with the Lance of Longinus."
"However, the Lance of Longinus failed to seal Adam. After awakening, he came into contact with humans, causing the Second Impact. I imagine you've heard at least something about its consequences outside."
"So that meteorite impact story really was a load of lies."
In 2000, humanity discovered the Black Moon and Lilith within it. They brought Lilith under their control and built NERV's base and Tokyo-3 inside it.
"So Lilith is beneath this base?"
"Correct. The Angels mistakenly believe the one inside is Adam, and want to evolve by merging with him."
"What happened after that? Does this have anything directly to do with the Human Instrumentality Project?"
"Yes. That incident directly caused the Angels to begin awakening."
"Then where is Adam now?"
"During the Second Impact, Adam was also affected and reduced to an embryo."
"Now, after eliminating every Angel, SEELE intends to sacrifice Lilith with the Lance of Longinus, reduce all life on Earth to LCL fluid, and merge it with the substance that makes up the Angels. In other words, they will unite the Fruit of Life and the Fruit of Knowledge to create a new, powerful, single life-form."
"Without question, everyone will ultimately lose their physical form and merge completely, becoming that new life-form."
"..." Zero fell silent after hearing the plan. Both Shinji and Yui could feel the murderous intent he could barely hold back.
"So, in plain terms, they want all of humanity to die along with those bastards!"
"I will never let this plan succeed... never! Aaaaah!"
"Zero, calm down!"
After forcing himself to calm down, Zero asked, "How do you know so much? And is the reason you won't come out that you have some plan of your own?"
"I'm the daughter of a SEELE member. Naturally, I know about this plan."
"And I oppose it, too."
"That's why I chose to merge with Unit-01 and had my husband devise a new plan."
"Another plan?!"
"He hopes to use the Human Instrumentality Project and Adam's embryo to become a god, then reunite with me, even if all life must be sacrificed in the process."
"He really is an old bastard!"
"My plan, meanwhile, is to use my husband's plan to ultimately place every choice in Shinji's hands."
"Give me the choice?" Shinji could not understand.
"Only by putting my soul into Unit-01 could Shinji become its pilot."
"And ultimately decide the course of the world."
"Under my husband's plan, SEELE will eventually have no choice but to sacrifice Unit-01 in Lilith's place."
"When that time comes, I will give Shinji the choice, letting him decide whether humanity continues to live or becomes one."
"Whatever the outcome, I will ultimately take Unit-01 into space as proof that humanity once existed."
In truth, Yui had been the driving force behind all the original plans: give her son the choice, allow him to survive, and wander the universe eternally herself as proof of humanity's existence.
Shinji could not take in so much information. He simply could not make sense of it all, while Zero was also deep in thought.
The old Shinji would have been lost after learning of this plan. He would have failed to understand, run away, or even broken down.
But now, he made his decision.
"None of these plans have anything to do with me!"
"I just want my mother to come out!"
"As for Father and SEELE, I'll crush their plans together with Zero!"
"I've already decided to protect the Lights of Every Home!"
Yui stared at Shinji in shock.
Her son's personality was nothing like what she had imagined.
Zero also said firmly, "Whatever happens, I'll protect Shinji while destroying those plans. You can rest assured of that."
"Right now, I just want you to return to Shinji's side."
Yui admired their courage.
With that in mind, Yui warned Zero, "Sir, my husband should be planning to obtain Adam's embryo right now. That day isn't far off!"
"It will emit an Angel's signal. He's certain to have Shinji escort it, so I'm sorry for the trouble, but you should be able to detect it then."
At that moment, Zero faced Yui and drew a deep breath.
"Actually, there are some things I have to say to you now, for Shinji's sake."
"Your intentions in protecting Shinji and humanity may be good, but that doesn't change the fact that you're an unfit mother!"
Yui froze.
"You knew exactly what that bastard of a husband would do to Shinji, yet you still chose to leave him and let his childhood be so miserable!"
"And did you ever consider Shinji's feelings in any of these plans? Does he want to do this?! To have a fourteen-year-old child fight monsters as terrifying as the Angels?!"
"You forced everything onto Shinji, made him bear burdens that were never his to carry, and you still think you're so great?"
"Zero..."
"Don't say a word!"
In a rare outburst, Zero snapped at Shinji.
"Do you know how miserable Shinji's life has been all these years? Do you know how that bastard of a husband berates him?"
"Answer me! Did you see all this coming from the start?!"
"Shinji is just a child!"
"Your only chance to make amends now is to let my people get you out, then stay by Shinji's side and be there for him. That bastard father of his is truly hopeless."
"That's all I have to say. Whether you want to come out or not, I'm getting you out."
Zero felt so sorry for Shinji that Yui's actions, which were as good as abandonment even if she did not call them that, infuriated him.
With that, Zero pulled Shinji over. "Let's go."
Yui remained silent.
Zero did not want to say any more. Creating a mental space consumed energy, too.
Reluctantly, Shinji said, "See you again, Mom."
The human and the Ultra left the mental space.
Before you continue