Chapter 11 - Hunted

The chamber was filled with a greenish glow, coming from holagraphic monitors projecting images of targets and missions. In the center, the imposing figure of Psyphon stared at a group of five aline bounty hunters lined up in front of him. His presence filled the place with a aura of menace.

"You are here cause you're the best avaiable," Psyphon began, his voice sharp like a blade. "But that doesn't mean I trust any of you."

He passed his eyes over each of them.

The first three were clearly from the same species. Their armors were heavy, with metallic details in shades of purple and dark blue, and helmets with vertical lines that highlighted the outlines of their faces. They were known as SixSix, SevenSeven and EightEight, members of the Sotoraggian species.

The fourth member was a bulky, mechanic figure. Kraab, a cyberneticly-modified Pisccis Premann, had a shiny golden shell, a giant claw with a blaster inside it, and legs that looked like sharp blades. He stood silent, his metal claws clicking slightly.

Finally, the fifth figure, diferent from all the others, stood out at the end of the line. Wore a polished black armor, no ornaments or uneeded details. The helmet was smooth, with just a green triangular visor glowing in a menaceing way. The being stood still, radiating a disturbingly calm aura.

Psyphon stopped in front of them, staring for a few seconds before speaking.

He pointed at the hunters. One by one, the holovizors projected their records and identities.

"Kraab, the mecanical crab from Vort. Famous for smashing his prey with no mercy." Psyphon paused, glaring at the hunter before moving on.

"SixSix, SevenSeven, EightEight, your records show you are efficient... Armed to the teath, but are your weapons really enough?"

His eyes locked on the last hunter, dressed in that shiny black armor.

"And you… Judas. A Techadon 11 cyborg. I hope your reputaion is well deserved."

Judas remained motionless, the green light of his visor shining like a fixed, chalenging gaze.

With a sharp move, Psyphon activated a panel beside him. Armed drones emerged from the walls, their guns ready.

"Now, prove you deserve to be here. Survive, or become just a footnote in history."

The drones advanced, firing energy bursts. Kraab instantly spun on the floor, his claws smashing the machines into bits. He fired a sticky liquid that corroded the armor of the remaining drones.

SixSix activated his weapons, launching missiles and projectiles in a coordinated atack, taking down multiple drones at once.

SevenSeven and EightEight moved together, showing a deadly choreography of hand-to-hand combat and precise weapons. They were a fast unit, destroying the drones with fluid moves and brutality.

Last, Judas moved forward silently. With calculated motions, he used hidden blades and precise shots to deactivate the drones. His atacks were merciless, like he knew exactly where to hit.

When the last drone hit the ground in pieces, the room was filled with smoking debris. Psyphon watched it all with no emmotion.

"Decent," he said, breaking the silence. "But that was just warm-up." He turned around, his metallic cloak dragging on the floor.

"The mission is clear: recover the Omnitrix. Whoever suceeds will be rewarded beyond dreams. But hear me well… if you fail, if you disapoint me, you won't be lucky enough to only face death. You'll face Psyphon."

The bounty hunters exchanged quick looks, understanding the warning. Without another word, Psyphon left the room and headed to the lower corridors.

Psyphon entered a dark, cold chamber. In the center, a healing capsule glowed green. Inside, the figure of his master lay, part of his body already regenerated, but still covered in deep wounds.

"Master," Psyphon said, kneeling before the capsule. "The hunters passed the initial test. They will depart soon. But trust me, any failure will be fixed by my own hands."

The figure inside opened one eye, a threatning glow reflected in the pale light of the room. "Excellent, Psyphon. Keep watching them. The Omnitrix will be mine, and the galaxy... will learn the true meaning of terror."

Psyphon stood up, a cold smile crossing his face. "As you wish, master."

In the vastness of the desert, under the scorching sun, Max Tennyson was finishing the last parts of a improvised training circuit. Empty soda cans, tires hanging on ropes and even some rocks arranged carefully formed the path. Gwen watched from a distance, protecting herself from the sun with a hat and putting on sunscreen.

"All set, Ben?" Max asked as he adjusted one of the levers.

"I was born ready!" Ben shouted, full of confidence. He turned the Omnitrix dial, stopping at a familiar alien, and pressed the device's face. A green light surrounded him, transforming his body into a shiny cristaline form.

"Diamondhead, ready to roll!" he said, pumped up for the chalenge.

Max adjusted his hat, watching with a slight smile. "Remember, Ben. Think before acting. Brute force ain't always the answer."

"I know, but it's way more fun!" Diamondhead replied with a cheeky grin.

The circuit began. Max pulled the first lever, launching a series of soda cans in the air. Diamondhead, with impressive reflexes, shot crystal shards that pierced every can before they hit the ground.

Max raised the level, activating moving targets and other obstacles. But Diamondhead moved with grace and precision, dodging swinging tires and shattering targets with his cristals. When a big rock was launched, he shattered it in smaller pieces with one fast strike.

"Nice job, Ben," Max said, seeing his grandson finish the circuit with no problem. "Now, next part. Gwen, come here. We're going to try something new."

Gwen walked over, wiping her hands on her shorts. "What do you have in mind, grandpa?"

"I want you to channel your magical energy and shoot it at Diamondhead. But instead of letting it ground itself, Ben, I want you to absorb it through your cristals. This might charge your powers in a diferent way."

Gwen looked at Diamondhead with a encouraging smile. "Ready for this, Mr. Crystal?"

"Always ready," answered Diamondhead, confident.

She raised her hands and focused, shooting a stream of shiny energy toward Diamondhead. Ben hesitated for a sec, but then closed his eyes and tried to channel the power into his cristals. He felt the energy pulsing through him, diferent from before, when he just let it flow into the ground without noticing how it moved inside him.

"This is amazing," said Diamondhead, surprised by the sensation. He raised one arm and fired a charged crystal. To his surprise, he managed to control it in the air, moving it side to side before exploding it on a target.

"Yes! I did it!" he shouted, excited.

"Amazing!" Gwen smiled, impressed.

"Good job, Ben," Max added. "Let's go again until it becomes natural."

Diamondhead tried again, but this time he focused too much energy, causing a bigger explosion in the crystal he launched. The fragments flew in all directions, but Max quickly pulled Gwen down and ducked to avoid them.

"Sorry! Still learning!" said Diamondhead, embarrassed.

Max smiled, shaking his head. "That's what training is for, Ben. You two are doing great. We'll work more on this combo soon. For now, great work, both of you."

Ben and Gwen exchanged a look and laughed. "Not bad for a day of training, huh?" said Gwen.

"Not bad at all," Ben agreed.

"Alright, let's head to town before it gets dark," Max said.

While they disassembled the training field, Ben turned back to normal and helped tidy things up.

The sun burned fiercely over the desolate terrain, scattered with piles of rubble, old wood, and worn-out tires. It was a place long left behind, but now came back to life with the arrival of dark, imposing figures.

A faint humming filled the air as a hoverboard glided smoothly and landed on the sandy ground. The rider, dressed in black armor that seemed to absorb light instead of reflecting it, deactivated a wrist device that blinked intermitently.

"This is the place where the Omnitrix was last activated," he said, his voice modulated and cold like steel.

SixSix snorted something in his native tounge, moving next to Kraab, whose metal claws dug slightly into the ground as he walked.

"You can say that again," replied Kraab, mocking. "A pile of rocks like this is better off as space dust."

SixSix turned suddenly to the black-armored hunter, his visor glowing in a threatning tone. He began growling something in his language, gesturing with one of his cables that unwrapped to emphasize the point.

The armored hunter crossed his arms, unfazed. "I won't back off for people like you."

The tension rose. Kraab stepped back, laughing. "Whoa! Big words from a tin can."

"Get in my way again," the armored one snapped at SixSix, "and I'll teach you the definition of 'disassembled.'"

Before things escalated further, a scanner sound cut through the standoff. SevenSeven, handling a device that analyzed the field, interrupted, "Enough games. Our target's on the move. If you wanna fight, save it for later."

The three hunters dispersed.

At the abandoned obstacle course...

The Sotoraggian siblings were in action. SevenSeven scanned the area with his device, while SixSix inspected a wooden structure, and EightEight, the eldest sister, carefully studied the ground.

SixSix muttered something in his language.

"I agree, brother," SevenSeven replied sarcastically. "This place is nothing but junk, but we've got a job to do."

As he spoke, SevenSeven spotted a punctured soda can and reached to grab it—when suddenly a cable shot out and snatched the can before he could. It belonged to SixSix, who began analyzing the object.

"That's mine!" shouted SevenSeven, yanking the cable from his brother's shoulder.

Both activated their weapons: blade-tipped cables and blasters sprang from SixSix, while SevenSeven readied his cannons. The fight was about to erupt when a laser shot between them, hitting a wooden post and collapsing part of the obstacle course.

The brothers stopped immediately, dodging the falling debris. When the dust settled, they turned toward the source of the shot and found EightEight, her laser pistol still smoking.

"If you two are done playing 'who's stronger,' take a look at this," she said, pointing to the ground.

Grudgingly, the two walked over to her. There were tire marks and small metal fragments scattered about.

"These are fresh," EightEight continued. "And with this fluid mixed in the sand, we can assume their vehicle's damaged. They haven't gone far. Heading north."

SixSix jumped and activated his jetpack, lifting off.

"Not if I get there first!" shouted SevenSeven, launching right after him.

EightEight stayed behind, watching as the two vanished into the horizon. She looked down at the can still in her hand and noticed a strange silicon shard embedded in the metal. Without ceremony, she crushed the can and the shard in her hand, reducing them to powder. The wind carried the remains away as she muttered to herself:

"Idiots. This is going to be interesting."

With that, she followed, vanishing into the shadows of the training field—heading north, where the real objective awaited.

The RustBucket was parked on a desolate road outside Sparkville. Max, kneeling beside the vehicle, examined the engine carefully, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

"Aha! There's the problem," he announced, pulling out a hose with a small hole in it. A shard of Diamondhead's crystal was still embedded in it, glistening in the sunlight.

Ben, standing nearby, let out a nervous chuckle, hands in his pockets. "Ehehe... was that me?"

Max raised an eyebrow but couldn't hide a smile. "No doubt about it, Ben. This has Diamondhead's signature written all over it."

"Sorry, Grandpa. Let me help. Maybe Upgrade can fuse it back. Or FourArms could lift the RustBucket," Ben said, reaching for the Omnitrix, ready to transform.

"No way," Max replied firmly, pointing the hose at him. "This is simple. Some duct tape and a little ingenuity will fix it. Go explore the town, kid. Try not to cause more trouble."

Ben sighed and shrugged. "Fine, fine." He turned to Gwen, who was watching with a laptop in hand.

"So, Gwen, wanna check out a ghost town up close? Beats standing around here."

Gwen looked at Max, who just nodded. "Alright. But no shenanigans, Ben."

They walked through the deserted streets of Sparkville, with rundown houses and rusted signs painting a bleak picture.

"Wow, even the ghosts seem to have given up on this place," Ben said, kicking a rock that rolled down the dusty road.

"Sparkville was founded in 1870 when they discovered silver here," Gwen began. "It was a thriving town, but once the mines dried up, it was abandoned. Now it's just another ghost town."

"You could turn a haunted ruin into a boring textbook chapter," Ben teased, rolling his eyes.

"Maybe if you read once in a while, you'd get what I'm talking about," Gwen snapped.

Ben stopped, looking around with a mischievous grin. "Y'know, Gwen… this town's too quiet, don't you think?"

"It's a ghost town, Ben. What did you expect, a parade?"

Ignoring the sarcasm, Ben dashed behind one of the abandoned buildings—a green glow quickly flashing from his direction. Gwen sighed and folded her arms.

"Ben, what are you doing now?!"

Suddenly, a howl echoed down the street, followed by fast, heavy steps. Before Gwen could react, a huge lupine creature, with glowing eyes and sharp claws, emerged from behind the building, charging at her with a fierce growl. She screamed, backing away until she tripped over a stone.

"What the— A mutant wolf?!" she shouted, scrambling to grab something to defend herself.

The "wolf" stopped just inches from her, letting out a low growl before beginning to melt into a green, gooey substance. The creature shifted into a more gelatinous, amorphous form, some of its organs visible as its blinking eyes turned to Gwen.

Ben burst out laughing. "You should've seen your face, Gwen! That was hilarious!"

Gwen caught her breath, brushing her face as she shot Ben a furious glare. "You're such an idiot! That wasn't even funny!"

Ben ignored the scolding and gestured at himself. "So, what do you think of this alien? I need a name."

Gwen narrowed her eyes, studying the gooey form. "Wait… that's a Limax! You scanned one of them into the Omnitrix like you did with the Megawatt?"

Ben nodded proudly. "Yep! Another alien added to the roster. But he needs a worthy name."

"Hmm… how about 'Goop'? He looks like a walking blob," Gwen suggested.

"Goop? Seriously? That's so... basic," Ben said, shaking his head. "This alien's more… sophisticated. He reminds me of Aunt Vera's pork gelatin—you know, that weird wobbly stuff that jiggles on the plate?"

"Ugh, Ben, no one wants an alien called Pork Gelatin. That's disgusting," Gwen shot back, arms crossed.

"Oh, and 'Goop' isn't gross?" Ben laughed. "Wait—what about something like... 'Gelatinax'? No, I got it—'SwineJelly.' It fits him way better!"

"Ugh, you'll never get over that name," Gwen groaned, arms still crossed.

"Maybe not, but you gotta admit… it's memorable!" SwineJelly replied with a wide grin.

Gwen huffed, but before she could retort, a metallic clang echoed from afar, followed by the thud of something heavy falling. They both turned toward the noise.

"Oh great, more trouble," Gwen muttered.

From within the dust emerged an imposing figure: Kraab, the bounty hunter. His glowing yellow eyes gleamed menacingly as his giant metallic claw clicked ominously. He raised the claw, pointing it directly at SwineJelly.

"In the form of a Limax, huh? How disappointing," Kraab sneered. "I expected something more worthy to wield the Omnitrix. But this just makes my job easier. Hand over the watch."

SwineJelly stepped forward, his translucent chest puffing out with a green glow at his core. "Sorry, but the Omnitrix isn't for sale. Wanna try your luck?"

Kraab didn't hesitate—he fired a high-pressure jet of liquid from his claw. SwineJelly twisted his form, dodging the blast just in time.

"Close one!" SwineJelly quipped as he darted forward to engage in close combat.

Without missing a beat, Kraab lunged with his metallic legs moving at high speed, trying to strike with his massive claw. The impact was strong—but when it hit SwineJelly's gooey body, the claw passed right through, like slicing through water.

"Ha! Didn't even feel that!" SwineJelly laughed as he reshaped his body, quickly returning to his normal form. "Looks like it'll take more than brute force to take me down!"

Annoyed, Kraab tried another strike, this time swinging his claw from top to bottom. SwineJelly, however, charged forward fearlessly, letting the claw pass right through him without causing any real damage. Taking advantage of the opening, SwineJelly morphed his gelatinous arm into a massive hammer and struck Kraab directly in the metallic chest, forcing him to stagger back a few steps.

"Bet that hurts, huh? Half machine, half trash can!" SwineJelly taunted as he kept advancing.

Frustrated, Kraab raised his claw again. He took advantage of the close distance and fired another stream of watery liquid directly at SwineJelly. This time, the shot hit its mark.

"Argh!" SwineJelly stumbled backward as the liquid began to dissolve his gelatinous body, dripping onto the ground like some inert substance.

"You think I'm stupid enough to fight a Limax in close combat?" Kraab mocked, stepping forward again. "Your body might be nearly immune to physical attacks, but it's vulnerable to liquids. I let you get close so you wouldn't be able to run."

"Ben!" Gwen shouted, running to help. But before she could get near, Kraab swung his giant claw in her direction, forcing her to stop.

"You should've stayed out of this, girl," he said with a cruel grin.

"You should learn never to underestimate a Tennyson," Gwen shot back, raising her hands and muttering words in Latin.

"Ventus spirare!"

A powerful gust of wind burst from Gwen's hands, sweeping up dust and slamming into Kraab, pushing him forcefully backward. The impact threw him against the structure of a nearby elevator with a loud crash.

Gwen dropped to her knees for a moment, gasping, sweat dripping down her forehead. "I think I'm getting the hang of this… At least this time I didn't almost pass out."

Still recovering, SwineJelly tried to stabilize his form. He saw Kraab momentarily immobilized, pinned against the elevator. With effort, SwineJelly shaped one of his gelatinous arms and pulled the platform lever.

"Bon voyage, old tin can!" SwineJelly shouted as the platform shot upward at full speed, crushing Kraab against the elevator's ceiling.

For a moment, everything went still. SwineJelly dropped to his knees, his body still dripping but slowly beginning to regenerate.

"That should hold him for a while," he said, his voice ragged.

Gwen ran to him, touching the Omnitrix symbol on his chest. A light flashed, and Ben returned to his human form, kneeling on the ground.

"Let's get out of here before he recovers," Gwen suggested, helping Ben up.

Without arguing, they ran out of the warehouse together, the sound of twisting metal behind them signaling that Kraab wouldn't stay trapped for long.

When they reached the Rust Bucket, Max was waiting for them, tightening the last bolt on the wheel.

"Ben, Gwen, perfect timing! I just fixed the tires," he said cheerfully.

"Grandpa, we need to get out of here, now!" Ben exclaimed, still glancing over his shoulder.

"Why? What happened?" Max asked, concerned.

"We'll explain on the way. Just hit the gas!" Gwen insisted, pulling Ben into the vehicle.

Though still confused, Max quickly started the engine. The Rust Bucket sped down the road.

"Can someone tell me what the rush is about?" Max asked, eyes on the road.

"Another robot showed up, hunting the Omnitrix," Gwen replied quickly. "This one looked like a crab and seemed way smarter than the others."

"Big claws, and a worse attitude," Ben added, arms crossed.

"Don't worry, we'll head away from Slaterville," Max announced, prompting both cousins to nod firmly.

As the RV drove through the desert, one of the bounty hunters flew above them, firing at the Rust Bucket.

Max swerved left and right, barely regaining control when the hunter flew ahead and opened fire again, forcing him to dodge even more aggressively.

Max accelerated the Rust Bucket, skillfully dodging the energy blasts exploding around them. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and melted metal. The vehicle rocked dangerously, tires screeching with each sharp turn.

"This is starting to feel like a bad action movie!" Max grumbled, yanking the wheel hard to avoid a massive boulder in the road.

Meanwhile, on the roof of the RV, SixSix drove his spinning blades deep into the metal, tearing through it like paper. The deafening noise echoed inside the Rust Bucket.

"Ben, do something!" Gwen shouted, shielding her head from the sparks raining down from the ceiling.

"I'm on it!" Ben replied, turning the Omnitrix dial. He slammed it down, and with a flash of green light, transformed into FourArms.

Without wasting a second, FourArms smashed open the back door of the Rust Bucket and climbed along the side of the moving vehicle. Once on the roof, he faced off with SixSix, who now brandished two high-speed spinning energy blades.

"You want a fight? Then come get it!" FourArms roared, lunging forward with a powerful punch. The impact pushed SixSix back a few steps, but the alien quickly countered, spinning his blades.

SixSix swung with a horizontal strike, forcing FourArms to duck. The four-armed alien took the opening to land an uppercut to SixSix's chest, hard enough to make him stagger.

"That's for scratching the Rust Bucket's roof!" Ben, as FourArms, taunted, raising one of his arms for another strike. But SixSix recovered quickly, activating a thruster in his boots and leaping out of FourArms' range.

Before Ben could react, SixSix fired an energy cable that wrapped around one of FourArms' arms, trying to throw him off balance. The speeding vehicle only made the battle more dangerous. With a fierce yank, SixSix attempted to pull FourArms off the roof.

"You think that's gonna stop me?" FourArms shouted, planting his feet firmly on the Rust Bucket's roof to hold his ground. He grabbed the cable with two arms and, with the other two, pulled hard—reeling SixSix back into range. As soon as the hunter landed, FourArms delivered a crushing punch to his helmet, sending sparks flying.

Before FourArms could celebrate, a metallic roar echoed through the sky. Gwen looked out the window and screamed, "Ben, there's another one coming! Flying low!"

The bounty hunter EightEight appeared, flying with a jetpack, and began firing energy blasts at the roof. FourArms had to move quickly, leaping to avoid the explosions as chunks of the Rust Bucket's roof were blown off.

"You guys ever heard of a fair fight?" FourArms grumbled, hurling a chunk of the torn roof at EightEight. The hunter skillfully dodged in midair, but the attack gave FourArms a chance to charge at SixSix again.

Realizing he couldn't win in a direct clash, SixSix activated another spinning blade on his left arm, now glowing with blue energy. He launched a flurry of quick attacks, forcing FourArms to back off.

"That's a new one!" FourArms admitted, dodging with difficulty. But with an unexpected move, he used one of his free arms to grab the blade, ignoring the heat and pain radiating from it. With impressive strength, he snapped SixSix's weapon in half.

"Hope you've got more tricks—'cause that one's toast!" FourArms mocked, then grabbed SixSix with two arms and hurled him straight at EightEight, who was flying low to fire another shot. The two bounty hunters collided mid-air and tumbled awkwardly down the road, sparks trailing from their battered bodies.

As the rooftop fight raged on, a high-pitched whine sliced through the air. Gwen looked out the window and saw a new hunter approaching—SevenSeven, landing right in front of the RV.

"Grandpa, we've got company!" Gwen warned, trying to keep her balance as the Rust Bucket rocked.

Max activated the autopilot and opened a secret compartment next to the steering wheel. From it, he pulled out a laser pistol and a pen that, with a click, extended into an energy sword.

"Get down and hold on!" Max ordered, jumping out the side door as the vehicle kept moving.

With pinpoint accuracy, Max shot at SevenSeven, hitting one of the wings on his jetpack. The hunter lost balance and crashed clumsily to the ground, rolling across the asphalt before getting back up, furious. But before he could retaliate, Max was already charging, energy sword in hand.

SevenSeven fired several plasma bursts, but Max dodged with reflexes surprisingly sharp for someone his age. He lunged forward with a precise slash, destroying the rifle in an explosion of sparks.

"You'll need more than that to stop me!" Max shouted, swinging the sword in a threatening arc.

Meanwhile, inside the Rust Bucket, Gwen noticed something blinking on the rear bumper through the mirror. Her expression turned tense. "Grandpa! Ben! There's a bomb on the back bumper!" she cried, trying to suppress the panic.

Before Max or Ben could respond, Gwen opened the trailer door and rushed out. Her hands began to glow with a radiant blue light as she muttered words in Latin, summoning her magic. With a flick of her hands, magical energy surrounded the bumper and, in an instant, tore it clean off the Rust Bucket with a loud metallic clang.

"That wasn't supposed to happen!" Gwen exclaimed, surprised by the spell's strength.

She quickly redirected the floating bumper and launched it at full force toward SevenSeven. The bounty hunter barely had time to grunt in surprise before he was engulfed in an explosion. The shockwave hurled him deep into the dunes.

At that moment, FourArms leapt down from the roof of the Rust Bucket, landing beside Gwen. "Whoa, that was awesome, Gwen!" he said, a proud grin on his face. "I knew you had talent, but that was incredible!"

"Well, it wasn't exactly what I planned… but hey, it worked, right?" Gwen replied, crossing her arms and letting out a tired sigh—just as a shrill metallic screech pulled her out of the moment.

Suddenly, EightEight and SixSix returned, recovered and determined. Max, without hesitation, rushed toward SixSix, while EightEight, still hovering, opened fire on FourArms with frightening precision. The blasts scorched the asphalt and zipped dangerously close to the four-armed alien, who barely managed to dodge while shielding Gwen, who ran back toward the Rust Bucket.

"You wanna play tag, huh?" Ben teased, leaping high with impressive force. He grabbed EightEight's leg, who desperately tried to stabilize mid-air.

"Come down here, birdie!" FourArms roared, yanking her down so hard she crashed to the ground like a comet. Before she could recover, FourArms grabbed her with all four arms and began slamming her into the ground repeatedly.

"Hope your health plan covers dents!" he joked, laughing as he tossed her straight at SixSix.

Still locked in combat with Max, SixSix barely had time to react before EightEight's body slammed into him. The two crashed in a clumsy heap of metal and smoke.

Max took the chance to move beside FourArms. "Nice work, Ben! But I think we should finish this before they bounce back."

FourArms nodded and leapt with a massive jump, landing between the two with such force it cracked the asphalt beneath him. The shockwave pinned the hunters to the ground.

"Time to say goodnight!" FourArms said, lifting a huge slab of broken concrete from the road and slamming it down on top of SixSix and EightEight.

Before the dust could settle, the ground began to rumble. A metallic drilling sound echoed as Kraab emerged from beneath the asphalt, his massive claws glowing with cutting energy. He charged with surprising speed, striking FourArms with an electric blast that knocked him to the ground.

"This guy's worse than a nightmare!" FourArms groaned.

As he struggled to rise, still stunned from Kraab's electric strike, SevenSeven seized the opportunity, running and leaping onto the four-armed alien. He wrapped a reinforced, electrified cable around FourArms' upper arms to restrain him.

"Gonna take more than muscles to get outta this one, freak!" SevenSeven growled, tightening the restraints. FourArms tried to resist, but the bindings held firm, and the two bounty hunters gave him no room to fight back. The restraints tightened further, surging with powerful currents that left him vulnerable.

"Ben!" Gwen screamed from inside the Rust Bucket, seeing the dire situation. Max, realizing the battle was tipping in the bounty hunters' favor, sprinted toward Ben—but before he could reach him, a figure clad in black armor got there first.

Out of nowhere, an imposing figure clad in black armor landed silently. With calculated movements, he advanced, grabbing Kraab by his metallic neck and, with brutal force, ripped off his robotic head, tossing it to the ground. Without missing a beat, he turned to SevenSeven, who tried to react but was quickly overpowered. The man in black armor struck the bounty hunter repeatedly, tearing off his helmet and revealing a grotesque face with sharp teeth beneath it, hitting him until SevenSeven passed out.

"You traitor!" Kraab shouted with his fragmented mechanical voice. "Judas! You're nothing but a disgraceful deserter!"

FourArms, slowly getting back up, looked at the armored man. "And who are you, anyway? Another one here to mess with me? Just so you know, you're going down if you try," he said ironically, trying to mask his exhaustion.

Max placed a hand on FourArms' shoulder, holding him back. "Wait, Ben. Not so fast."

The man in black armor spoke. "Is that how you repay gratitude?"

FourArms looked at the man, confused and a bit hesitant. "Hey, look, I… if I came off rude or aggressive… sorry, okay?"

The armored man let out a low chuckle, crossing his arms. "Apologies? Don't worry, kid. Being cautious is a good thing—especially in the situation you're in right now." He paused, as if choosing his words, before pressing a button on the side of his helmet.

With a soft hum, the helmet began to slowly retract, revealing a glowing face made of cyan crystal. A well-groomed beard completed the look, while his eyes shone with a calm and confident intensity.

FourArms hesitated, confused. "Judas...? Wait a sec… you're… a DiamondHead?"

The man chuckled again. "Not exactly. My name is Tetrax, and the name of the species is Petrosapien. You'd do well to remember that."

Tetrax paused for a moment as he noticed Max behind Ben, discreetly making a silencing gesture with his hands. He gave a small nod, not alerting Gwen or Ben, just as Kraab interrupted with insults.

"You son of a bitch!" Kraab yelled.

"I'm not a bounty hunter, Kraab," Tetrax said coldly. "I'm an agent of the Galactic Enforce, sent to inspect the Omnitrix." He pulled four oval metal devices from his armor. "And you're officially out of business."

Tetrax hurled the devices at Kraab, SixSix, SevenSeven, and EightEight. The gadgets expanded mid-air, surrounding the targets in glowing force fields before shrinking again. In seconds, the hunters were sealed inside capsules that glowed with a yellow light, immobilizing them completely.

Ben, still in FourArms form, looked at Tetrax, surprised. "Inspect the Omnitrix? What do you mean by that?"

Tetrax looked at FourArms, who was still struggling to break free from the restraints left by the bounty hunters. He sighed heavily, arms crossed. "You were moments away from losing your life… and the Omnitrix. The victory should've been quick and effortless—if this device were in the right hands."

As he spoke, the Omnitrix on FourArms' wrist started blinking red and emitted a high-pitched whine. Before FourArms could react, the intense glow enveloped his body, reverting him back to human form. The boy dropped to his knees, exhausted, staring at the alien watch in confusion.

"Hey!" Ben exclaimed, panting. "I was handling it! And who says you get to decide whose hands are the right ones?"

Tetrax stepped forward, pointing at the Omnitrix with a crystalline finger. "The Omnitrix isn't a toy for your amusement, kid. It's not a child's gadget. It's the most powerful device in the galaxy—the key to an epic battle between good and evil. And you use it like it's a plaything."

Ben stood up with effort, rubbing the wrist where the Omnitrix was attached. "So whose side are you on, huh?"

Tetrax remained serious. "You're still alive, aren't you?"

"So what? That makes you the good guy?" Ben snapped, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Tetrax said firmly, his voice calm but unwavering. "My mission is to ensure the Omnitrix doesn't fall into the wrong hands. To keep it away from tyrants who'd use it for evil. And since it's bonded to you… I was sent to see if it's in good hands."

Ben stepped back slightly, eyeing him with suspicion. "And if you decide it's not? You gonna rip it off me?"

"That's not your choice," Tetrax replied, blunt.

Ben crossed his arms, defiant. "It is now." He stepped forward, but before he could make a move, Tetrax raised a hand and shoved him effortlessly, making Ben stumble backward.

"It's disturbing how little you understand about the strengths and weaknesses of the aliens you turn into," Tetrax remarked. "You've barely scratched the surface of the Omnitrix's potential."

Ben scoffed, frustrated. "Okay, genius. How do you know so much about the Omnitrix anyway?"

Tetrax tilted his head slightly, as if deciding how much to reveal. "A long time ago, I was contacted by the creator of the Omnitrix. He needed Petrosapien DNA for his project. I provided mine, though I never met the creator in person. All I know is his name: Azmuth."

Ben's eyes widened. "Whoa, that's… amazing. So, do you know anything about the controls? I can't switch back to normal by myself, and there's this time limit thing? It's kind of annoying, you know?"

Tetrax gave a low chuckle. "I believe that's a safety feature. It might require a specific code or command to unlock all its functions. But for now, what matters is that the Omnitrix is in trusted hands… at least until I return."

"Wait, and this?" Ben pointed at the watch, but Tetrax was already turning away.

The air around them grew heavy for a moment as Tetrax pressed a button on his wrist device, and a ship began to reveal itself. Sleek, glowing lines appeared out of nowhere as the camouflage vanished. A ramp lowered gently, but what drew the most attention was a pink blob of goo slithering out of the ship, moving with surprising agility.

The gelatinous creature, dressed in gray and black, had three glowing yellow eyes, two antenna-like protrusions on its forehead, and a Universal Translator embedded in its chest. It looked at Tetrax with one eye while adjusting its stance with its short, four-toed feet.

"Gluto," Tetrax began, handing over the containment pods with the captured hunters inside. "Handle this and make sure they're taken to maximum security detention."

Gluto let out a bubbling sound, translated by the device on its chest. "Understood, boss. I'll dispatch these and catch up with you shortly."

As Gluto headed back into the ship with the pods, Tetrax turned his attention back to the Tennysons. "While I'm here, I've decided I'm not leaving right away." He looked directly at Ben. "You've got a lot to learn about your alien forms and how to use them properly. I'm going to train you and give you a few tips while I'm around."

Ben nodded eagerly. "Training? Awesome. You know the species of the other aliens in the watch? Can you at least give me a tip as DiamondHead?"

"Easy, kid. All in due time," Tetrax replied with a slightly teasing smile. "If you want to survive with the Omnitrix and keep it out of the wrong hands, you'll have to learn how to use it efficiently. By the way," he pointed toward the RustBucket 2, "that thing needs urgent repairs."

He raised his voice, calling out to Gluto, who had just exited the ship after storing the prisoners. "Gluto, take a look at that RV and see what can be done."

Gluto made a bubbling sound of agreement as he looked at the RustBucket. "Looks like a fun project. I've got this."

"Hey!" Max interrupted, almost offended as he rushed after Gluto. "No one touches my vehicles without me present."

Gluto tilted his head, one antenna twitching. "All right, you can help. We'll get it running as smooth as my ship, don't worry."

Max muttered something under his breath but ended up agreeing as Gluto approached the vehicle.

Tetrax turned to Ben again. "Get ready. What I'm going to teach you could save your life."

"Oh, great…" Ben smiled with excitement. Gwen, on the other hand, crossed her arms and gave him a mocking look. "Finally, someone to teach you how not to screw everything up."

Ben rolled his eyes and responded sarcastically, "Yeah, thanks for the support, Gwen."

Meanwhile, Gluto was already working on the RustBucket, making bubbling noises and adjusting components with his shapeshifting body. Max watched with crossed arms, trying not to look too suspicious.

The rest of the afternoon went by with Tetrax focusing his attention on Ben, guiding him through a series of lessons that combined theory and practice. Gwen, initially distant and skeptical, eventually got involved in some of the discussions—especially when he brought up magic.

"It's important to know that many species across the galaxy practice magic," Tetrax explained while manipulating a portable hologram that displayed images of different aliens. "However, that's outside my area of expertise. What I do know is that my species can absorb mana and other forms of energy, but there are limits—especially when it comes to light that reflects directly off our crystals. As for other species, some have specific types of magic, but that varies widely."

He paused before continuing. "With magic or technology, individuals can go beyond their species' basic limitations," Tetrax explained, as the portable hologram projected images of aliens performing extraordinary feats. "That means we should never underestimate anyone. Always be ready for surprises. What seems impossible for one species might be easily achieved by someone with the right resources."

Ben shrugged with a confident smile. "Surprises don't scare me. Thinking on my feet is what I do best."

Tetrax raised a crystalline eyebrow, looking slightly skeptical. "Improvisation is useful… up to the point where it becomes a risk. Impulsive decisions can either save you or doom you, depending on the situation."

"And that's why he's always in trouble," Gwen added with a half-smile as she glanced at Ben.

Tetrax ignored the jab and continued, "The point is, on the battlefield—or in any dangerous situation—you need to balance instinct with strategy. Always stay alert, because the unexpected might be what decides who wins and who loses."

Ben crossed his arms, still trying to defend his style. "Yeah, but sometimes thinking fast is the only way out of a jam. Planning everything doesn't always work, you know?"

Gwen rolled her eyes, but Tetrax stepped in before the discussion escalated. "Improvisation has its value," he admitted. "But the more you know, the faster you can make decisions—and those decisions can make all the difference."

He then adjusted the hologram to display the Omnitrix's alien forms. "That's why knowing your alien forms, their abilities and weaknesses, is so important. Never rely only on what you think you know. This galactic compendium should help fill in those gaps."

Tetrax handed the device to Ben, who took it with a mix of curiosity and determination in his eyes. "Alright, I'll take a look... but don't be surprised if I still need to improvise once in a while."

Tetrax gave a faint smile, knowing deep down that Ben had potential—even if it was hard to admit it out loud.

Ben looked impressed as he flipped through the digital pages. But when he searched for information about Ghostfreak, he stopped.

"Hey, wait a sec... There's nothing here about Ghostfreak's species," he said, frowning.

Tetrax glanced at the hologram with a serious expression. "That's strange. I know a lot about the cataloged species of the galaxy, but I've never come across the one you nicknamed Ghostfreak. But it should be in the compendium... it's updated with the latest from the Primus Database—best in the known universe. There shouldn't be anything missing."

"Well that's not creepy at all," Gwen commented sarcastically, crossing her arms. "Nope, not creepy."

"If you don't have the info, Ben," Tetrax said, "then be careful using that form. Don't take risks with something you don't fully understand."

Ben, now transformed into Diamondhead, stood in front of Tetrax, who was holding one of the crystals Ben had just formed on his arm.

"The crystals you create vary in strength, sharpness, and durability, depending on the effort and focus you put into forming them," Tetrax explained, examining the crystal carefully.

"Yeah, but they seem pretty solid to me," Diamondhead replied, glancing down at his gleaming arms.

"That's how they seem," Tetrax replied, before raising the crystal and effortlessly breaking it with his hand. The shattering sound echoed around them, leaving Ben visibly surprised.

"Hey! How'd you do that?!"

Tetrax didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pulled out one of his own crystals and handed it to Ben. "Try breaking this one."

Diamondhead took the crystal and tried to crush it with his hands, but couldn't even crack it. "You've gotta be kidding me. This thing's indestructible!"

"It's not indestructible," Tetrax corrected. "But the formation is flawless. The key is patience and control. Keep trying. Focus."

"Patience and control," Diamondhead muttered, continuing to try breaking the crystal.

Tetrax gave a faint smile before turning away. "I'm going to check on the trailer repairs. Keep training."

Gwen, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward and put a hand to her chin thoughtfully. "You know, Ben... understanding how real diamonds work might help you."

Diamondhead stopped trying to break the crystal and looked at her curiously. "Okay, and how do they work? I'm not exactly a science whiz, you know?"

She gave a small smile. "Diamonds are super tough because of how the carbon atoms are bonded. They form a very tight and organized structure. If the structure isn't perfect, like Tetrax said, they're much easier to break."

"Alright, but what does that have to do with my crystals?" Diamondhead asked, tilting his head.

"Think of it like this," Gwen continued, excited to finally teach something useful. "If you form your crystals carefully—like you're arranging the atoms just right—you might make them a lot stronger. Maybe it's about how you focus your energy when creating them."

Diamondhead stared at her for a moment, processing the explanation. "So, you're saying I need to… think like a jeweler or something?"

"Exactly," Gwen said with an encouraging smile. "Or like a scientist. Just try visualizing the crystal being as compact and organized as possible while you're forming it."

Diamondhead shrugged, but began testing Gwen's suggestion, clenching his fists and attempting to form a new crystal with more care. As he did, Tetrax glanced back over his shoulder while walking away, noticing the interaction between the two and letting a small smile slip before continuing off.

Tetrax approached the Rustbucket, where Gluto was working non-stop, adjusting parts and making bubbly noises. Max was focused, using a tool Tetrax had loaned him to fix part of the damaged electrical system.

"So," Max began without looking up from the panel. "Sorry we couldn't have a better reunion, Tetrax, but I have to ask—why are you here?"

Tetrax responded while handing Max another tool. "Don't worry about it, Max. I was sent by high command to check on Earth after communication was lost. On the way, I intercepted a strange mercenary job listing. Decided to investigate—and that's how I found out about the Omnitrix."

"I see," Max replied, taking the tool. "These past few weeks have been chaos. First day of vacation, I take my grandkids on a trip, and then I get a notice the station's been destroyed. Then I find my grandson with the Omnitrix. Azmuth… He's the one who sent the watch, isn't he?"

Tetrax shrugged. "I assume so. Besides contributing my genetic code, I've never met him personally. You have. What was he like?"

Max chuckled lightly, shaking his head as he recalled. "Brilliant and paranoid. Azmuth only saw the world through the lens of his inventions. He could build things that would save galaxies—but he didn't trust anyone to use them."

Tetrax gave a slight smirk. "Sounds like the kind of person who'd build something like the Omnitrix. And the kids? Are you going to tell them about your line of work?"

Max hesitated for a moment, adjusting a tool. "One day. When they're ready to understand. Right now, I'm focused on protecting Ben. And, if all goes well, getting him free of that burden."

Tetrax narrowed his eyes, curious. "Free him? How do you plan to do that?"

Max set the tool down and took a deep breath before answering. "My science team is finalizing a machine that can safely remove the Omnitrix. Once it's ready, I'm taking him to Mount Rushmore. In a controlled environment, we'll run the procedure and get that thing off him once and for all."

Tetrax remained silent for a moment, reflecting on Max's words. Then he leaned down and retrieved a small disc-shaped device from his belt. He handed it to Max.

"It's a tracker," Tetrax said. "I managed to plant a tracking signal on the ship belonging to the one who hired the bounty hunters to steal the Omnitrix. Use it to monitor his location."

Max took the tracker and examined it. "This will help a lot. I'll send a team to strike… But what do we know about him?"

"The one after the Omnitrix isn't just anyone, Max," Tetrax explained gravely. "It's Psyphon."

Max frowned. "Psyphon? I've heard of him… but I thought he only operated on the outer edges of the galaxy."

"He's here now," Tetrax confirmed with a serious tone. "Gluto managed to recover the black box from one of the ships in his fleet. Apparently, the entire fleet was destroyed either on Primus or while attempting to enter Earth's atmosphere in search of the Omnitrix. Only one ship remains, but that makes him even more dangerous. He won't stop until he gets what he wants."

Max took a deep breath, absorbing the information. "And Azmuth? Does he know about this? He could help us."

"The First Thinker is missing," Tetrax replied, his tone growing heavier. "No one knows where he is."

Max stayed quiet for a moment, the weight of the situation sinking in. He turned his attention back to the RustBucket panel, his expression clouded with concern. "So we're on our own?"

"Not exactly," Tetrax said, nodding slightly. "After this, I'll return and report the situation to the High Magisterium, and they'll recognize the threat. Agents from other planets will be sent to help defend Earth. But that might take some time—and until then, you'll be on your own."

Max paused what he was doing, lifting his gaze to Tetrax. He nodded, a look of relief and gratitude on his face. "That's a big relief. Thanks, Tetrax. Knowing we're not completely alone makes all the difference."

Tetrax placed a hand on Max's shoulder in a supportive gesture. "I'm just doing my part."

Max sighed and returned to working on the RustBucket 2. "Well, in that case, we'd better make sure this thing's in top shape. Looks like we're gonna need everything we've got."

The sun was setting on the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and purple. The RustBucket 2 was fully operational again, its engines humming softly as a sign of readiness. Tetrax and Gluto were prepared to leave.

While Max and Gwen checked the last details on the trailer, Ben stood beside Tetrax, looking a bit hesitant.

"So… this is it? You're leaving already?" Ben asked, trying not to sound disappointed.

Tetrax crossed his arms, watching the boy for a moment before replying. "Yes, but this doesn't mean it's over for you, Ben. On the contrary—your journey is just beginning."

He stepped forward and extended a device shaped like a metallic board with glowing accents—his hoverboard. "Take this. It'll come in handy while the watch is recharging. I expect great things from you, Ben. You have more potential than you realize—but you'll need to learn how to use it. Don't rely solely on the Omnitrix. Trust yourself."

Ben took the hoverboard, eyes wide with surprise. "Seriously? This is awesome! Thanks, Tetrax. I promise I won't let you down."

Tetrax smiled slightly, placing a hand on Ben's shoulder. "Believe me, kid—you won't."

Gluto, already inside the ship, let out some bubbling sounds, clearly impatient.

"He's in good hands, Max," Tetrax said, looking to the old Plumber. "Take care of yourselves."

Max nodded. "You too, Tetrax. Thanks for everything."

With that, Tetrax walked up the ship's ramp, giving a brief wave before disappearing inside. The ship's lights intensified, and it lifted off smoothly, disappearing into the night sky.

Ben looked at the hoverboard in his hands, a determined smile forming on his face. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to kick some criminal butt."

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Just try not to break anything—including yourself."

Max chuckled softly, looking at the two. "Well, I guess we're all ready for whatever comes next."