Zijerala's main body lay before them, and despite knowing the whole world was ensnared in Zijerala's blissful illusion, the Victory Team members felt... Zijerala shouldn't be destroyed.
Seduced by Zijerala's pollen, they had all tasted bliss and weren't eager to return to reality. Yet, a sliver of rationality told them humanity was doomed if Zijerala wasn't eradicated.
"What do you think... Zijerala's purpose is in leading us into this paradise world?" Shinkyo, with a lazy expression, slouched in his chair and spoke weakly.
"If there is a purpose, I think Zijerala wants us to die without pain," Kurei exhaled and said. "If given the choice between a painful death and dying in bliss, which would you choose?"
The team fell into deep thought upon hearing Kurei's words.
Indeed, if humanity was to perish, perhaps it was better to go without pain...
...
Da Gu, carrying Xu Ming, arrived at Zijerala's location, setting Xu Ming down on the grass.
A group of humans already stood near Zijerala's main body, yearning for the pollen that promised paradise.
Their surprise at seeing Ultraman Tiga land before Zijerala was palpable.
"Ultraman Tiga!"
"It's Tiga!"
"Don't do it, Tiga!"
"Don't destroy Zijerala!"
"That's our Zijerala!"
"Please, Tiga..."
Voices like these called out, chilling Da Gu's heart.
Had humanity truly lost hope?
Indeed, standing against Zijerala meant standing against all of humanity.
Da Gu was reminded of a phrase once told to him by a soul warrior, Jida Koshirou Jiryu – heroes are often lonely.
With a heavy heart, Da Gu stepped closer to the slumbering Zijerala.
The crowd gasped, pleading with Tiga not to destroy Zijerala.
Facing Zijerala's bud, still emitting snores, Da Gu knew his next actions would grant Zijerala a chance to live.
Directly unleashing his finishing move could easily destroy it in its dormant state.
Yet, Da Gu chose a direct confrontation, waiting for humanity to reconsider.
To find that glimmer of light in a world gone mad.
Da Gu's gaze locked on Zijerala's bud, his hand slashing down with force.
Sparks flew with a crackle.
Da Gu hadn't expected to sever the bud with one strike, nor was he capable of such.
With the first strike failing, he raised his hand for a second attempt.
However, Zijerala awakened at the first blow, its tentacles formed from roots striking Da Gu's arm harshly.
Several more tentacles swung out, pushing Da Gu back.
Relief sounded among the humans below, glad for Zijerala's awakening.
Da Gu's feelings were complex as he charged at Zijerala again for close combat.
Even as Zijerala stood its ground without moving, Da Gu did not switch to his powerful form, opting instead for a composite form in his struggle.
Not only humans watched this battle; a tall and a short blue figure, the super ancient human father-daughter duo, Luke and Dina, observed from afar.
Luke, frowning deeply, watched the fight and softly said, "A Giant of Light intervening in human choices, Tiga, you're the first."
In the super ancient era 30 million years ago, Ultraman did not interfere with human choices, letting humanity perish in Zijerala's induced paradise.
For people had willingly chosen to die happily under Zijerala's seduction.
And it was the resurrection of the evil deity Gatanothor that truly doomed the super ancient civilization.
As the battle wore on, Da Gu found himself at a disadvantage.
Zijerala opened its bud, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth that bit into Da Gu's arm, causing him immense pain.
Then, spraying pollen to blur Da Gu's vision, Zijerala seized the opportunity to bind him.
The people on the ground smiled, cheering Zijerala on.
Truth be told, Chen Yu was quite angered by this sight.
Without hesitation, he approached the loudest cheerer and delivered two resounding slaps.
The slaps stunned the man.
"How could you cheer for that?" Chen Yu glared at the people coldly. "Can those broken flowers really bring you into any paradise?"
"Didn't you smell Zijerala's pollen?" the slapped man asked, puzzled.
"Why would I smell that? To me, this pollen is no different from poison," Chen Yu replied, seemingly awakening some sense in the man.
"Why don't you smell it? Since you haven't experienced it, hitting me is understandable."
The man offered Zijerala to Chen Yu.
Chen Yu wondered if the man had lost his senses, getting slapped and still thinking it was normal.
Disdainfully taking Zijerala, Chen Yu sniffed it hard after a glance.
Knowing one's enemy is crucial to victory.
The next moment, Chen Yu's expression went blank.
"How is it, feeling the bliss?" the man happily took back Zijerala.
Chen Yu snapped out of it, cursing himself for being foolish, then looked again at Zijerala in the man's hands.
Although he had smelled the flower before without effect, this close, intense sniff truly hit him.
Feeling an urge rising within, Chen Yu suppressed it.
The path to bliss was comfortable, but it required one's life to enjoy.
"I can't suppress the desire Zijerala's pollen brings; it's too potent!"
Holding his head, Chen Yu looked towards Zijerala, who was now suspending Da Gu for a beating, and began to hypnotize himself...
"To want Zijerala is the greatest good; to take it for myself!!!"
Reverse hypnotizing himself, Chen Yu's gaze towards Zijerala became spirited.
Moving to a secluded spot, Chen Yu took out his Light Stick, eyeing Zijerala's bud, and pressed the transformation button.