"He's fine. Don't worry." Dan Moroboshi and Gen Ohtori rubbed their hands together as they emerged from behind the rubble, with Hokuto close behind.
But Shinji and Asuka were nowhere to be seen.
"Where are those two kids?" Hokuto asked.
"They're waiting for the sunrise." Hayata Shin pointed east.
"The Sun is about to rise."
A streak of light at the horizon had already shot into space. It was Ultraman Geed.
Riku had received a message from the other New Generation Ultramen and had to leave first.
Outside the church, the Morning Star shone alone in the eastern sky.
The first pale light of dawn had appeared in the east.
Under Asuka's gaze, Shinji silently took out Zero's Ultra Glasses.
"We have to part ways now, Shinji," Zero said softly.
"..." Though he had thought about this day, now that it had actually come, Shinji still couldn't find the words.
Shinji watched Zero's spectral form drift out of his body.
Then the Ultra Glasses in his hand and the Palaj Bracelet on his wrist rose on their own, merging with Zero's body.
A flash of light passed, and the tall figure of Shin Moroboshi appeared before Shinji.
"Cough, cough... I really haven't fully recovered yet..." Shin Moroboshi clutched his chest.
He gazed tenderly at the boy and girl before him.
"Thank you for everything."
Shin Moroboshi bent at the waist and bowed deeply to them.
"We should be thanking you, Zero..." Shinji and Asuka's eyes brimmed with tears.
Zero's arrival had transformed their lives, and the tragic ending that had once awaited them had been utterly shattered by that light.
He had even given them each other.
But in the end, neither Shinji nor Asuka let their tears fall. They had grown.
Shin Moroboshi looked into the distance and said