Watching the giant screen in the shelter, the citizens sank into despair. A reporter was still dutifully delivering his coverage.
"Ultraman Zero seems to have been cornered by the monster and the alien!"
"Let's interview some of the citizens in the shelter!"
The reporter held his microphone up to a bespectacled, heavily bearded man with a roguish air.
Recognizing him, the reporter exclaimed, "Oh! Aren't you Mr. Hideaki An*, president of the up-and-coming animation studio GAINAX?!" Watching Zero face imminent execution, the president anxiously waved at the camera and shouted into the microphone:
"Ultraman Zero really isn't performing well this time!"
The president adjusted his glasses, then abruptly changed tack. "Oh, right, I'd like to take this opportunity to tell everyone something. I'm preparing to make a live-action Ultraman movie, so you can all..."
Bang! A red light bullet shot from Knuckle's gun toward Zero's timer.
Everyone's heart leaped into their throat.
Yui Ikari and Rei Ayanami, who was preparing to deploy in Unit-00 to provide support, even shut their eyes in fear.
Just then, a streak of light flashed across the sky. Boom! The light bullet exploded in midair.
"What happened?!" Knuckle had no idea why.
As the smoke cleared, he saw what had blocked his shot.
It was an enormous silver shield inlaid with red stripes and a golden diamond pattern at its center.
In an instant, a name he had heard from an elderly Knuckle flashed through his mind.
Suddenly, the shield transformed into a spark and slammed Knuckle to the ground before he could react. Without stopping, the spark flew straight to EX Black King and struck his left arm. EX Black King released Zero in pain. Having recovered a little, Zero managed to roll out of attack range.
"Don't give up, Zero!"
Shinji and Zero