While Shinji and the others were defeating the Angel of Music, the Universe Technology Bureau in the Land of Light was conducting a special experiment.
The experiment took place on a barren satellite, one the Land of Light had specially created for various dangerous experiments.
At that moment, the Adam Embryo lay quietly inside a container.
"Are we sure its soul is really gone, rather than just dormant?"
A handsome Blue Tribe Ultraman looked worried.
"Don't worry, Limings. Zero and Hikari both checked, and they've confirmed that the soul inside is completely gone," another Blue Tribe scientist said.
"I know that, but I'm still worried something might go wrong. Aren't the Eva combat robots built from this in Zero's current world capable of going berserk?" Limings remained uneasy.
"Look above us. The Guard sent people to ensure our safety, and Chief Hikari even put on his armor."
Overhead, several warriors from the Space Garrison were ready for battle.
Leading them were the caped original Ultraman, Ultraman Taro, and Hikari in his Arb Armor.
"According to Zero's report, even its self-destruction failed to blow up the entire Earth. Look at the Guard members overhead. Which of them couldn't destroy a planet in under a minute?" He dismissed Limings's concerns.
"Why does having them here make me even more worried?" Scientist Two, a Blue Tribe scientist standing beside them, quipped.
"All right, let's get the experiment ready." Limings stopped questioning it and flew to a safe distance.
"Activate the defense system!" Hikari ordered.
Limings switched on his device and entered a few commands. A massive laser net enclosed the testing grounds.
"Whoa! So this is your new invention, Limings!" Scientist Two, a Blue Tribe scientist, sounded surprised.
"It's the result of everyone's hard work." Limings was very modest, even though this invention was his second-greatest source of pride.
"Begin energy transfer."
The purpose of this experiment was to restore Adam to his original form, collect data, and finally return him to his embryonic state.
Several beams shot from drones flying overhead into the Adam Embryo, feeding it energy.
The Adam Embryo's shape began to change.
The original Ultraman and Taro flew in front of Limings and took their opening stances to fire their beams.
The Guard warriors also took their stances. One had even formed an Ultra Slash in his hand.
Hikari also readied himself to fire his Knight Beam.
Under the energy beams, the Adam Embryo slowly became a ball of light, then began to expand.
"Any soul or life readings?" Hikari asked Limings.
"None." Limings watched the device in his hands.
The mass of light stopped growing after reaching several dozen meters in height.
It had become a glowing giant.
"So this is Adam? Could he be a life-form similar to us?" Limings sounded surprised.
"No wonder they said Eva was designed based on him. Their outward forms are remarkably similar," Hikari analyzed solemnly.
"A creator who fell dormant because of Lilith, the mother of humanity in Zero's world? How did he create beings like the Angels?" murmured the original Ultraman, who also served as a professor at the Land of Light's university.
"Without the Adam Embryo, that damned Human Instrumentality Project is already halfway to failure." Taro's focus was on destroying the Human Instrumentality Project.
"Begin data collection."
The drones began scanning Adam's body.
"Data collection at sixty percent."
Just then, Adam suddenly moved, reaching a hand toward the sky.
"What's happening?!" Every warrior present tensed. An anxious Taro had already begun charging his Strium Beam.
"Don't worry. It should just be a remnant of his soul," Hikari assessed calmly.
"Yes. The life readings aren't strong, and the soul readings are barely detectable," Limings said, watching the device before him.
The drones stopped collecting data and fired gentle beams at Adam.
At that moment, a voice reached the minds of the Ultramen present.
"You dare~~ treat~~~ a god~~~ like this..."
"Another self-proclaimed god..." Taro was a little speechless.
"How many does that make?"
"I've lost count..."
After the gentle beams washed over him, Adam stopped moving.
Once data collection was complete, the drones began absorbing the energy they had previously transferred to Adam.
Adam regressed from a Giant of Light into an embryo once more, and Hikari flew down to retrieve it.
"Once we're back, make sure it's stored somewhere with the highest security clearance. We'll be in trouble if some ill-intentioned alien steals it," the original Ultraman specifically reminded Hikari.
"I'll watch over it personally. Please rest assured," Hikari promised him.
"Let's head back, everyone."
Scientist One, a Blue Tribe scientist, approached Limings. "Want to grab a meal at the human embassy's cafeteria after work?"
The second said, "I'd rather soak in their bathhouse."
Limings shook his head. "You two go ahead... Chief Hikari asked me to see him after the experiment..."
After the two Blue Tribe scientists headed back on their own, Limings and Hikari remained behind.
The original Ultraman and Taro secretly watched them.
"What did you need, Director?" Limings asked Hikari, puzzled.
"Why did you ask me not to tell Zero that you led the development of the Zero Riser and the enhanced Capsules?" Hikari asked kindly.
Limings was a close friend of Zero's. They had been friends since childhood. Later, Zero joined the Space Garrison while Limings joined the Universe Technology Bureau, but whenever Zero returned, he would seek out Limings to catch up. Both treasured their friendship.
While the Z Riser was being developed, Limings had also proposed plans for a new Riser and enhanced Capsules. After the Z Riser was stolen, Limings hurried to combine the Z Riser with the Geed Riser, while using Medals technology to enhance the Capsules Zero had used.
Yet Limings had asked Hikari not to tell Zero that he had invented this technology.
After what happened with Tregear, Hikari had begun paying close attention to his subordinates' mental health.
Limings fell silent for a while before slowly speaking. "Zero is too impulsive. I'm afraid that if he knows I made these things, he'll feel he can't let my work go to waste and throw himself into battles without regard for anything else."
"I don't want to put pressure on him."
Every time Limings saw Zero injured, it hurt him deeply.
Hikari smiled and patted his shoulder.
"That care you have for him is precious, but Zero has grown a great deal. He won't act as impulsively as he used to," Hikari said earnestly. "And if he knows you did all this for him, he'll certainly be happy."
Limings still hesitated. "But..."
Hikari interrupted him. "I know Zero. Finding out won't put any pressure on him. Knowing you developed it will make him happy instead."
"Listen to me. Tell him yourself when he comes back."
Limings thought it over, then finally nodded. "All right, Director."
Hearing this, Taro thought about the friendship between Limings and Zero, and mixed emotions welled up inside him.
For a moment, he seemed to see a somewhat gloomy young Blue Tribe Ultraman...
"Tregear..." Taro murmured.
Noticing Taro's sadness, the original Ultraman patted his shoulder and comforted him.
"It's all in the past..."
"I know, Second Brother... I just can't quite let go..."
After speaking with Hikari, Limings gazed out into the boundless universe and prayed silently.
"Come back safely this time, too... Zero."
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