In the depths of space, the command chamber of the Chimeran Hammer pulsed with an oppressive energy. Within the main chamber, the figure inside the healing capsule was beginning to regain its former form. Green tentacles swayed gently in the glowing liquid filling the capsule, their pallid and faded tone gradually transforming into a vibrant and menacing hue. Piercing red eyes, like beacons in the dimly lit room, locked onto Psyphon, who waited anxiously for the opportunity to deliver his report.
Psyphon began his briefing with a cautious bow:
"Master, the information extracted from the prisoners has yielded significant progress. The Uxorite, Xylene, provided sufficient data for me to develop an advanced tracker calibrated to detect the Omnitrix's energy signals within a 200-parsec radius. Additionally, I salvaged the Cybertronian core from the wreckage of the destroyed space station. It has been reconfigured and integrated into my latest creation: an advanced combat droid I've named Destroyer Prime. Its programming is adaptive and singularly focused on locating and securing the Omnitrix, eliminating all resistance in its path."
The figure in the capsule moved its tentacles slowly, as if testing their restored strength. Its deep, resonant voice filled the chamber:
"You have exceeded my expectations, Psyphon. But tell me—what of the bounty hunters? Has the call been sent?"
Psyphon raised his head eagerly to reply:
"Yes, Master. The announcement was briefly posted on the Extranet and removed before the P.L.U.M.B.E.R.S. or Galactic Enforcers could detect it. Despite the short window, we've already attracted promising candidates. Some of the most lethal assassins and mercenaries in the sector have responded. I estimate their arrival on the Chimeran Hammer within the next few days."
The figure tilted its head slightly, the tentacles curling in deliberate satisfaction. Its voice resonated again, cold and calculating:
"Excellent. The more hunters we have at our disposal, the less time wasted on failure. Evaluate the candidates carefully. There will be no tolerance for mistakes. The Omnitrix is the key to my dominion, and failure is not an option."
Psyphon gave a slight bow.
"As you command, Master. The hunters will be vetted thoroughly, and their abilities tested before any mission assignment. Meanwhile, Destroyer Prime is fully operational and ready for deployment."
The figure in the capsule let one of its tentacles lightly touch the inner wall of the glass, the sound echoing through the chamber like a foreboding drumbeat. Its luminous eyes fixed on Psyphon, and it gave a subtle gesture with one of its sturdier tentacles.
"Deploy the droid immediately. I want swift results. And when the bounty hunters arrive, make it clear that failure will mean facing my wrath. The universe does not forgive the weak... and neither do I."
"It will be done, Master," Psyphon replied resolutely. He withdrew quickly, his hands already operating commands on his portable console.
_________________________________________________________________________
A fire raged through the apartment complex. Firefighters were scrambling to extinguish the flames while first responders tried to gain access to the building. Unfortunately, the fire had compromised the support structures, causing entire floors to collapse and cutting off access to the upper levels. On the fifth floor, a mother and her son were trapped, surrounded by flames.
The boy, clutching his backpack tightly, stared fearfully at the door as his mother tried to keep him calm. But before they could act, a section of the ceiling came crashing down, blocking their escape route. Surrounded by fire, they heard a loud rumble and looked up just in time to see another piece of the ceiling about to fall on them. The mother pulled her son close to shield him, bracing for the worst.
But the impact never came. Instead, a strange, viscous sound and an odd smell filled the air. They opened their eyes to see an insectoid alien hovering in midair, its delicate wings buzzing and sharp tail poised. The creature had four stalked eyes that moved independently, assessing the danger. It was Stinkfly, with the Omnitrix symbol shining prominently on his forehead.
"Are you two okay?" Stinkfly asked, his slightly metallic voice cutting through the crackling flames. Without waiting for a response, he fired streams of sticky liquid from his eyes, quickly coating the unstable ceiling and the surrounding fire. The flames hissed as they were extinguished, and the liquid hardened, stabilizing the debris.
"Hang tight, folks! Time to get you out of here!" he said, his voice confident yet urgent. Spinning his sharp tail, he drove it into a nearby wall, cutting a precise line along the outer structure to create a wide escape opening.
Flying over to the boy, Stinkfly gestured with his tail. "You first, champ! Hop on my back!"
The boy hesitated for a moment, but the determination in Stinkfly's gaze gave him courage. He climbed onto the alien's back, carefully settling between the fragile wings.
"Hold on tight, kid!" Stinkfly said before zooming over to the mother. He grabbed her securely with his strong front claws. With a powerful hum of his wings, Stinkfly darted through the makeshift exit and descended toward the ground, skillfully dodging the flames licking the building's facade.
Upon landing, he gently placed the mother and son on the ground a safe distance from the firefighters. "You're safe now," he assured them, quickly scanning to ensure they were unharmed before turning his attention back to the building.
After confirming that the mother and son were in the care of the first responders, Stinkfly heard a distant shout:
"Stinkfly! The fire was a distraction! The thieves are escaping in a car!"
He swiveled his stalked eyes to locate the voice. It was Max, standing by the Rust Bucket and pointing toward a fleeing black car. Without hesitation, Stinkfly launched into the air, flying with remarkable speed and quickly gaining ground on the getaway vehicle.
The thieves' car sped through the streets of Bellwood, running red lights and narrowly missing pedestrians. Stinkfly dove into a sharp descent and unleashed a large glob of sticky sludge onto the windshield, blinding the driver. The car swerved wildly, but the thieves tried to keep going.
"Not so fast!" Stinkfly said, flying ahead of the vehicle and spraying more sludge onto the tires, locking them in place. The car skidded uncontrollably before coming to a stop after a minor crash into a streetlight.
Stinkfly landed on the car's hood, folding his wings with deliberate menace. "Time to learn what happens when you underestimate a hero!" he declared, firing sludge at the thieves and pinning them to their seats before they could escape.
The Omnitrix beeped in warning. "Oh, perfect timing," he muttered, glancing at the watch. Before the thieves could process what was happening, Stinkfly buzzed his wings, ascended high into the sky, and disappeared just before reverting to Ben.
Max and Gwen arrived to check on the immobilized thieves. "Nice work, Ben!" Max said with a proud grin. He glanced at the watch and added, "By the way, since we're in the area, we'll swing by my old university tomorrow. A friend of mine found some of my old stuff and kept it for me. We can pick it up on the way."
"If there's anything cool, let me know," Ben replied, standing with his hands on his hips as he watched the firefighters applaud his heroic efforts.
_________________________________________________________________________
In an abandoned junkyard, two men walked with flashlights in hand, searching through piles of scrap metal. Both were there to try their luck, hoping to find something valuable to sell.
"Think we can still find copper around here?" one of them asked, pulling the lid off a rusty engine.
"If we're lucky, maybe something even better. Who knows, maybe an old car part," the other replied, prodding an old refrigerator with a crowbar.
The silence of the night was suddenly broken by a distant sound, like a sharp whistle. They both looked up almost simultaneously, their flashlights casting beams into the night sky. A bright light streaked across the heavens, resembling a burning meteor.
"Did you see that?" asked the first man, his voice shaky.
"I did. And it's coming this way!" yelled the other as they scrambled to hide behind a stack of crushed cars.
Seconds later, the object slammed into the ground a few dozen meters away, kicking up a cloud of snow, dirt, and rust. The impact made the entire junkyard tremble. As the dust began to settle, the men peeked out to see what had happened.
At the center of the newly-formed crater was a twisted metallic shape, glowing with a pulsating red light. It was large but still too obscure to fully identify. Then, it started to move.
"That's... not a meteor," one of them murmured, taking a step back.
The metallic form slowly rose, revealing a colossal robot with an intimidating appearance. Its glowing red eyes burned brightly as it emitted a guttural sound, somewhere between a whistle and a growl, while scanning its surroundings.
"The Omnitrix..." the creature said, its deep, menacing voice echoing through the junkyard.
Before the men could think to run, the robot began to move. Its massive hands grabbed chunks of rusted metal from its surroundings. Old engines, car doors, sheets of iron—all of it was absorbed into the creature's body. The pieces fused to it as if drawn by an invisible magnet.
"This is bad! Really bad!" shouted one of the men, grabbing his friend's arm as they bolted in the opposite direction.
As the two disappeared among the piles of scrap, the robot continued its transformation. It grew larger by the second, its metallic frame becoming more robust and deadly. Its rusty joints were replaced with polished, razor-sharp gears, and its legs morphed into more agile, powerful limbs.
"Reconfiguration complete. Priority: locate the Omnitrix."
With a final mechanical roar, the creature marched through the junkyard, its massive claws crushing everything in its path.
_________________________________________________________________________
The Rust Bucket 2 parked near the bustling campus of Max's old university. Students and visitors moved excitedly around, all gathered for a special event. A banner hanging over the campus entrance read: "Nikola Tesla's Time Capsule Opening Ceremony."
Gwen was thrilled, peering out the window. "What incredible luck that we're here today! It's the opening of Tesla's time capsule!"
Ben, however, was slouched against his seat with a bored expression. "A time capsule? What a waste of time..."
"Tesla was one of the greatest scientists in history! He invented things that changed the world!" Gwen said, exasperated.
"Cool. But did he invent video games? No? Then I'm not interested."
Ben activated the Omnitrix with a mischievous grin. "If I run fast enough as XLR8, I'll go back in time and stop Tesla from burying that capsule! That way, we'll save everyone from this snooze-fest."
Before Gwen could argue, Ben was already in his alien form, zooming around the trailer in circles. "Ben, you're not going back in time! Cut it out!" she yelled, finally pressing the Omnitrix button to revert him back to human form.
"Hey! I was almost there!" Ben complained, rubbing his head as he tumbled to the ground.
"Almost causing more trouble, you mean!"
Max chuckled at their exchange as he parked the RV. "You two, less bickering and more appreciation. This place is full of history. Including my history."
"Speaking of which, Grandpa, you studied here, right? What was it like?" Gwen asked curiously.
"I did, Gwen. I spent some great years here. It's where I met some incredible friends... and your grandmother."
"Really? What was Grandma doing here?"
Max gave a subtle smile. "Oh, Verdona was... special. We were inseparable. But that's a story for another time."
"Come on, Grandpa, tell us more!" Gwen insisted.
Max glanced away. "Maybe later."
The trio reached the main courtyard, where a large crowd had gathered in front of a stage. A tall, thin man in a suit took the microphone and began the opening speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this historic day! Today, we unearth the time capsule of one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever known: Nikola Tesla. Inside, we believe there are secrets that can further illuminate Tesla's brilliant legacy!"
The crowd erupted into applause. Gwen gazed at the capsule with shining eyes full of anticipation, while Ben rolled his.
"Tesla's secrets? Seriously, you all believe this? It's probably just a bunch of old papers," Ben muttered.
"Shhh! Show some respect, Ben!" Gwen snapped back.
Onstage, technicians began working to open the capsule. It was cylindrical, with a gleaming copper finish engraved with what looked like electric symbols. One of them adjusted a panel on the side, and the capsule emitted a metallic sound, followed by steam escaping through small fissures.
"And now... the moment we've all been waiting for!" announced the mayor.
The crowd held their breath. The metallic sound continued as the top of the capsule began to slowly open.
Suddenly, a piercing screech echoed through the courtyard, shattering the tension in the air. The ground vibrated, and a loud metallic crash drew everyone's attention to the campus entrance.
A monstrous figure emerged from the shadows—a colossal robot made of vehicle parts and scrap metal. It advanced with heavy steps toward the stage. Its long arms ended in razor-sharp claws, and its glowing red eyes locked directly onto Ben.
"This isn't good," Gwen said, her eyes wide.
"What is that?!" someone in the crowd screamed.
Max sprang into action, pulling Gwen and Ben behind him. "Stay behind me! This thing's here for something... or someone."
"Probably the Omnitrix," Ben said.
Panic broke out as the crowd scattered in all directions. The robot marched forward, absorbing car parts and other metal objects along the way. Ben tugged Gwen and Max behind a booth.
"Stay here! I'll handle this," Ben said, sneaking away.
"Ben, be careful!" Gwen warned, grabbing his arm briefly.
"Relax, Gwen. I've done this before."
Before she could stop him, Ben darted behind a large dumpster, out of the robot's sight. He checked to make sure no one was watching, then activated the Omnitrix. With a green flash, he transformed into Four Arms.
The giant robot took another heavy step, crushing the asphalt beneath its feet. Four Arms stepped forward to face it.
"Hey, walking junkyard! You're stomping around like you own the campus! Too bad for you, because Four Arms here is the new janitor—and your enrollment has been TERMINATED!"
Four Arms slammed his fists into the ground, creating a crack that made the robot pause for a moment.
The robot responded with an electronic roar, its head spinning at impossible angles as it analyzed Four Arms. Then, it launched a shower of small missiles in his direction.
Ben laughed, dodging with surprising agility. "Missiles? Oh, that's so last decade. You'll need more than that to catch me!" He grabbed one of the missiles mid-air and threw it back, hitting the robot's leg and making it stumble.
"Like that? Because I've got more!" Ben shouted, charging toward the robot and landing two simultaneous punches on its metallic torso with his upper arms while his lower arms held the robot's leg, preventing it from stabilizing.
The robot staggered but quickly activated boosters on its back, launching itself into the air. It hovered above Four Arms, shooting concentrated energy beams from its eyes. Ben rolled to the side, using a fallen metal table as a shield.
"Wow! A flying robot? Congrats, you just turned into a Wi-Fi-enabled toaster!" Four Arms taunted, leaping and grabbing the robot's ankle. With a powerful twist, he hurled the machine to the ground, creating a crater.
The crowd, now watching the fight from a safe distance, began to applaud.
"Thank you, thank you! I'm here all week!" Ben joked, giving an exaggerated wave to the audience before turning his attention back to the robot, which was getting back up.
The enemy changed its strategy, activating additional arms that shot out of its torso like tentacles, each one equipped with spinning circular saw blades. It attacked with precision, trying to corner Four Arms.
"Oh, so you brought more arms to compete with me? Seriously? Nobody beats me in the 'four arms' category!" Ben said, dodging a strike and grabbing one of the tentacles. With a violent yank, he ripped off the metal arm and used it like a club to destroy another tentacle.
The robot roared in fury, releasing a shockwave that sent Four Arms crashing into the wall of a nearby building. Ben got up, shaking off the dust. "Okay, I admit it, you're a bit tougher than you look. But I'm still looking good!"
Suddenly, the robot began absorbing metal from the stage and the surrounding area, growing even larger and more threatening. It doubled in size, its red eyes glowing with intensity.
"Oh, great. Now you're like the final boss of a video game nobody asked for," Four Arms said, charging again.
He grabbed a streetlight pole that the robot had ripped out of the ground and used it like a spear, plunging it into the enemy's chest. Sparks exploded, but the robot was still functional. It responded with a punch that sent Four Arms flying into the air.
As he fell, Ben used his four arms to grab onto a nearby metal structure and propelled himself back up. He landed a powerful aerial punch on the robot, breaking part of its head.
"Watch out, junkyard! You're gonna need a dental plan after this!"
The robot, now severely damaged, activated some sort of emergency generator in its core. A powerful electrical burst erupted in all directions, catching Ben off guard and throwing him back to the ground.
As Four Arms staggered to his feet, the robot tried to flee toward the stage where Tesla's capsule was. It used its remaining tentacles to grab parts of the stage, strengthening itself.
"Oh no, you're not stealing the show!" Four Arms shouted, running toward it and grabbing one of the tentacles. "If you wanted to be on stage so badly, you should've auditioned!"
With all his strength, Ben yanked the robot away from the stage and slammed it back down, this time harder. He climbed onto the robot's chest and began delivering a series of punches with his four arms, smashing its central core.
"This is for destroying the campus! This is for throwing me against a building! And this is because... well, I'm great at this!"
With one final blow, the robot's core was destroyed, and the machine finally shut down, its red lights fading.
Ben stood up, took a giant leap, and landed on top of a building, breathing heavily before reverting to human form. He looked down at the robot's remains and put his hands on his hips. "Phew... another day, another old tin can recycled."
But while the crowd celebrated, no one noticed the small core of the robot crawling toward Tesla's capsule...
_________________________________________________________________________
Ben, Gwen, and Max walked through the historic halls of the university, admiring the blend of classic architecture with technological touches. Digital panels displayed recent events and ongoing projects, while ancient murals told decades of history.
"So, Grandpa, you really studied here? It's weird to think of you in a classroom," Ben said, looking around.
Max laughed. "I did, Ben. I was part of the Aeronautics program. Spent years working on engineering projects for flight systems. Who would've thought I'd end up dealing with something a lot more complicated, like you two?"
"I heard that!" Gwen retorted, unable to hide her smile.
Max stopped in front of a door and knocked twice before entering. Inside, a gray-haired man in a white lab coat was adjusting a drone model on a workbench. When he heard the door, he looked up and broke into a wide smile.
"Max Tennyson! I can't believe it!"
"Richard! Old friend," Max said, shaking his hand firmly before pulling him into a hug.
"These must be your grandkids, right?" Richard asked, glancing at Ben and Gwen.
"That's right. This is Ben, and this is Gwen. They keep my life... interesting," Max said with a smile.
"Interesting, huh? I bet they inherited your stubbornness and creativity," Richard replied. "Well, have a seat. It's always nice to receive visitors who remind me of the good old days."
While Max and Richard swapped stories, Gwen explored the room, fascinated by the aircraft and drone models decorating the shelves. Ben, on the other hand, was more interested in messing with a prototype robotic arm.
"Hey, check this out! It has a retractable claw!" Ben said, before accidentally activating the arm, which shot out and grabbed a nearby shelf.
"BEN!" Gwen shouted, crossing her arms.
Richard laughed. "Definitely inherited your curiosity, Max."
After a few more minutes of conversation, Richard looked at Max with an intrigued smile.
"You know, Max, I was thinking about how you and Verdona were inseparable back in the day. Always working together on aerodynamics projects... and then, suddenly, you both disappeared during the last semester. Nobody ever really knew what happened. One day, you were there, and the next, puff!"
Max chuckled casually, but there was something in the gleam of his eyes that suggested more than he was letting on. "Ah, old stories, Richard. Verdona was... special."
Richard raised an eyebrow. "That's putting it mildly. You two were the most unlikely, yet brightest, duo I've ever seen. I still wonder what that vehicle prototype you were working on would've been like."
"Some things are better left as mysteries," Max replied, quickly changing the subject. "So, how about showing us more of the university?"
Richard led them down a hallway where an old photo mural was displayed. Among images of events and projects, Ben and Gwen stopped in front of a photo of Max and Verdona, both smiling, standing next to a strange aircraft prototype.
"Wow, Grandpa, you had hair and... wait, who's that?" Ben asked, pointing at Verdona in the photo.
"Just an old friend," Max replied, his tone almost melancholic.
Richard laughed. "Old friend? I'd say you were more than that, Max. But anyway, let's move on."
While they were admiring the mural, Richard's phone rang, and he quickly answered. His expression grew serious.
"Got it. I'm on my way now," he said, hanging up.
"Is there a problem, Richard?" Max asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. If today's attack wasn't strange enough, now the time capsule has been stolen. It was kept in the main building and... now it's gone. Looks like we're not having a good day."
"That's awful," Gwen commented, glancing at Ben.
Richard shook his head. "I'll need to take care of this. Max, if you need anything, my office is open. It was great seeing you again."
After Richard hurried off, Max stood still for a moment, gazing at the photo in the mural. Then, he discreetly walked over to a box of old items nearby. He crouched down and opened the lid carefully, quickly checking the contents.
With a sharp glance, Max pulled out a small, worn red leather book, hiding it under his jacket. He stood up casually and turned to Ben and Gwen with a smile.
"Well, how about grabbing a bite? I bet the cafeteria still has those awful meat pies," he said, returning to his laid-back tone as he guided his grandkids down the hallway.
_________________________________________________________________________
Later, in the Rust Bucket 2, Gwen was excitedly juggling three small colorful balls while Ben watched her.
Gwen began juggling, the balls spinning perfectly in her hands. "See? It's not that hard. It's just a matter of practice and focus."
Ben, sitting on the couch with his arms crossed, replied, "Oh, easy for you to say. I bet it's not as simple as it looks."
Gwen tossed one of the balls to Ben, challenging him with a grin. "Then prove it, Mr. Perfect. Come on, show me what you've got."
Ben grabbed the ball, clearly confident. "Alright, Gwen. Watch and learn!" He picked up the other two balls and began trying to juggle. For a few seconds, he managed to keep them in the air, but soon everything fell apart, the balls dropping to the floor.
Gwen laughed. "Nice try, Ben. I guess it's not as easy as you thought, huh?"
Ben rolled his eyes and grabbed the Omnitrix. "You know what would make this easier? Two extra hands." He slapped the watch, transforming into Four Arms.
"Now, give me those balls!" Four Arms said confidently, extending his four arms.
Gwen handed him the balls, curious. "Okay, I want to see this."
Four Arms began juggling, using his four hands. For a moment, it looked like he might pull it off... but quickly, he lost control, with the balls bouncing off his and Gwen's heads.
Gwen burst out laughing. "Unbelievable! You've got four hands and you're even worse!"
Four Arms crossed his arms, sulking. "I just need more practice, okay? One day, I'll be the juggling master."
Before the argument could go on, Max entered the Rust Bucket with a tray full of exotic dishes and... intriguing smells. The plates were a mix of strange colors and alien textures, with something that seemed to be alive trembling in a bowl.
"Dinner time, everyone!" Max announced, placing the tray on the table.
Four Arms approached, eyeing the food with curiosity. "This looks... different. I think I'm gonna need two sets of forks and knives for this."
Max laughed and handed him two large spoons. "No chance. For this meal, all you need is this."
Four Arms, with each hand holding a spoon, began sampling the meal. He picked up a piece of something gelatinous, took a hesitant bite... and, to everyone's surprise, broke into a huge grin.
"Hey, this is actually really good!" Four Arms said, devouring the food with enthusiasm.
Gwen watched, intrigued. "I guess to enjoy alien food, you need an alien palate."
Four Arms shrugged, eating another piece. "Maybe. But now you don't know what you're missing!"
Gwen and Max laughed as Four Arms continued eating, his four hands awkwardly handling the food.
_________________________________________________________________________
Night had fallen over the university, shrouding the buildings and hallways in a mysterious twilight. The exterior lights illuminated the path for Ben, Gwen, and Max as they walked toward the main building. The campus, usually vibrant and full of students, now appeared deserted, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing in the cold air.
"So, Grandpa, why are we here again at night?" Ben asked, adjusting the Omnitrix.
"Something about the time capsule theft doesn't sit right. Richard said it was stored in the main building, but there are no signs of forced entry. I want to take a closer look," Max replied, staying alert.
"I hope it's not just to relive your college adventures," Gwen teased, though she, too, seemed intrigued by the mystery.
The three entered the main building, which was cloaked in shadows. Max turned on a flashlight, lighting the way. There were signs of disarray—chairs knocked over, papers scattered—but nothing that looked like a planned theft.
"Strange," Gwen commented. "It looks more like someone was searching for something specific, rather than stealing anything valuable."
Before Max could respond, a metallic sound echoed down the hallway.
"Did you hear that?" Ben asked.
Suddenly, metallic footsteps echoed in the corridor. Small robots, smaller than the ones from the previous attack, emerged from the shadows. They were agile, with magnetic arms and glowing red eyes, but clearly weaker in strength.
"Not this again. These little guys never quit!" Ben muttered, ready to activate the Omnitrix.
Before he could hit the button, Max stepped forward. He pulled out an improvised tool from his jacket—a baton emitting high-frequency shocks. With quick and precise movements, Max neutralized each robot, knocking them down with ease.
"Sometimes, experience beats technology," Max said with a subtle smile as the last robot hit the ground with a metallic thud.
"Alright, Grandpa, I admit it, you still got it," Ben admitted.
As they investigated the defeated robots, footsteps echoed again, but this time they were softer. Richard appeared in the distance, carrying a folder and looking confused.
"Max? Ben? Gwen? What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked, furrowing his brow.
"Oh… we were just… revisiting some nostalgic places," Max replied, clearly trying to cover up.
Before Richard could ask more questions, the ground began to shake. A heavy sound of gears echoed through the corridor, and a giant robot emerged from the shadows. Its appearance was a fascinating mix of vintage technology and modern brutality. Its design evoked something straight out of Tesla's mind: exposed gears, copper coils glowing with static electricity, and a core in the center pulsing with intense light. Each movement produced the heavy sound of grinding metal, and its size made its threat impossible to ignore.
"Whoa... looks like it came straight out of a steampunk museum," Ben commented, already activating the Omnitrix.
Before anyone could react, the robot activated its magnetic field, trapping Max and Richard in metallic claws that tightened firmly around them.
"Richard! Grandpa!" Gwen screamed, trying to run to help them, but was pushed back by a magnetic wave.
Before the robot could attack, Ben transformed into Ghostfreak, his translucent, ghostly figure floating in the air.
The robot reacted immediately, firing magnetic projectiles and electrical discharges that ricocheted off the walls. Ghostfreak, with his intangibility, easily dodged, passing through the attacks as if they were mere illusions.
"You'll need to do better than that, old tin can!" Ghostfreak taunted, flying straight for the robot.
With a quick movement, he passed through the robot's body, his spectral claws slicing through cables and gears in a fierce attack. However, instead of damaging the robot, the pieces simply reconfigured, filling the gaps Ben created.
"You're kidding me? This should've worked!" Ghostfreak exclaimed, frustrated, as he tried again to cut the core.
The robot reacted with chilling precision, adjusting its arms and emitting magnetic waves to repel Ghostfreak. Despite being intangible, Ben felt the force of the magnetism trying to distort and push him away.
"It's adapting to every hit I make," Ghostfreak shouted to Gwen, who was watching helplessly from behind a pillar.
The robot, with its retro appearance, started sparking. Tesla coils on its shoulders began to glow intensely, and magnetic wires stretched out from the walls, pulling metal pieces to reinforce its structure. It was becoming bigger and more resistant, its rudimentary forms now resembling an upgraded version of its initial configuration.
"This thing's taking everything from the time capsule," Gwen commented, noticing how parts of historical items—old gears, copper wires, and even machinery pieces from the 1920s—were integrated into the robot's body. "It's like it's using history itself to get stronger."
Ben continued attacking, using his intangibility to evade the robot's offensives and his claws to try to damage its weak points. He cut the Tesla coils, only to see bigger, brighter ones emerge in their place.
"This is useless!" Ghostfreak shouted, while the robot used the stalemate to advance toward Max and Richard, who were still trapped in its metallic claws.
"If I can't destroy you, then I'll go for the core directly!" Ghostfreak declared, flying at high speed toward the center of the robot's chest, where the core glowed intensely.
When he tried to pass through it, something unexpected happened: the core released a magnetic wave that temporarily interrupted his intangibility, throwing him forcefully against the wall.
"Argh! It got me good," Ben murmured, floating again while holding his shoulder.
The robot then stopped attacking and, for the first time, emitted a deep, metallic voice:
"You are persistent, but ineffective. If you wish to save them, come to the scrapyard, 25 miles away."
Before Ben could respond, the robot activated its magnetic thrusters and began to retreat, taking Max and Richard with it. Its huge, vintage figure disappeared into the night, leaving behind only the metallic sound of its gears.
"He's gone... with Grandpa and Richard," Gwen said, trying to process what had just happened.
Ben reverted to his human form, panting and frustrated. "Damn. He's much stronger than the others. And if he's getting more powerful with what he's taking from the time capsule, it's only going to get worse."
Ben stared at the Omnitrix, determination growing in his eyes. "Scrapyard, huh? Alright. I'll finish him off there. Whatever his plan is, it won't last long with Upgrade."
Gwen nodded, her expression serious. "Are you sure you can control sentient machines? We need a better plan."
Ben took a deep breath. "Then tell me about Tesla and what he created."
The two set off toward the scrapyard, ready for the final showdown with the most challenging enemy they'd ever faced.
_________________________________________________________________________
The full moon illuminated the scrapyard, casting ghostly shadows between piles of scrap and obsolete machines. At the center, the giant robot, now in its final form, loomed, almost ten times larger than before. It had absorbed everything in the scrapyard that had metal or electricity, incorporating coils, wires, and even a dump truck as its new left arm. Its body exuded a bluish glow, with sparks dancing across its structure as Tesla coils pulsed on its shoulders.
BuzzShock hovered above the ground, his small body glowing like a living spark. He emitted intermittent lightning bolts as he stared down at the colossal robot. "I gotta admit, old tin can, you're pretty big for a pile of junk. But not big enough to impress me. I've beaten uglier villains than you!"
The robot responded with a deep, distorted voice, reverberating like a thunderous metallic rumble. "Nosedian, you will be assimilated or eliminated. Choose."
BuzzShock laughed, releasing a wave of lightning around him. "Assimilated? Eliminated? How about option three: YOU go to HELL!"
With an explosion of energy, he shot towards the robot, releasing electric bursts that ricocheted off the robot's metallic body. Each attack seemed to be absorbed by the Tesla coils, which pulsed even brighter.
"Seriously? You stole my idea of charging batteries?" BuzzShock taunted, dodging a massive magnetic sphere the robot sent his way. "Great, 'cause this is gonna make the game way more fun!"
As he flew around the robot, firing blasts at different points, Max and Richard watched from within a floating magnetic cage.
"Max, what the hell is that?" Richard asked, his eyes wide. "Is that some kind of alien thing?"
Max stayed calm. "Let's just say my grandson has... unique resources."
"Resources?" Richard yelled. "That's a HUMAN lightning bolt!"
"You get used to it," Max replied with a slight smile.
BuzzShock continued his aggressive, playful style. He duplicated himself, creating two clones that simultaneously fired at the robot's coils, trying to overload them. The robot staggered for a moment, but quickly reconfigured its parts, absorbing more scrap to reinforce its body.
"Oh, I get it!" BuzzShock exclaimed. "You're trying to impress me. Well, let me show you what a real show looks like!"
He flew at high speed towards a nearby electrical tower, sucking energy from the local grid and causing a blackout over the area. His body shone brightly, almost like a small bluish sun.
"Now we're talking! Premium energy straight from the source!" He returned to the fight, releasing a concentrated blast into the robot's chest, where the core glowed brightly. The impact made the robot stagger, but it quickly reconfigured itself, creating even stronger magnetic shields.
"Seriously? You're as tough as a cockroach!" BuzzShock yelled, dodging debris thrown by the robot.
Realizing direct attacks wouldn't be enough, BuzzShock had an idea. "If you love energy so much, how about experiencing the overload?" He shot towards the robot, bursting through its magnetic field with brute force, merging with the electrical currents of the core.
Inside the robot, BuzzShock moved through circuits and coils, absorbing and redistributing energy uncontrollably. The robot began emitting sparks and shaking violently. "Oops! Looks like I hit the wrong button!" BuzzShock teased, laughing as he released electrical explosions in all directions.
Finally, BuzzShock reached the core, which was pulsing wildly. "Time to finish this, old tin can!" He focused all the accumulated energy into a single blast, overloading the core and disrupting the magnetic flow.
The robot collapsed, its parts disassembling from the inside out. The light in the core went out, and the giant structure crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and sparks. BuzzShock reappeared from the wreckage, grinning with satisfaction.
He transformed back into Ben, visibly exhausted but triumphant. Max and Richard were released from the magnetic cage, and Richard looked at Ben with a mix of awe and admiration.
"I'll never understand how you did that, kid," Richard said.
Ben shrugged. "Natural talent. Don't worry, it happens to me all the time."
Max placed his hand on Ben's shoulder. "Good job, partner. But we need to talk about all the damage you caused."
"Later, Grandpa," Ben replied, rubbing his eyes. "Right now, I just want a giant snack and about twelve hours of sleep."
Richard immediately walked toward the wreckage, eyeing the remains of the giant robot with fascination.
"I gotta take a look at this," Richard said, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Imagine the breakthroughs we could make studying this thing!"
Max stepped in front of him, shaking his head. "No, Richard. It's better to stick to things we know. This... alien tech? Not so much."
Richard frowned, clearly disappointed. "But Max, think of the possibilities! This could be the discovery of a lifetime!"
Max remained firm, his voice calm but insistent. "Trust me, Richard. Those things could be radioactive, or worse. You don't want to be messing around with stuff like this."
Reluctantly, Richard sighed and backed away from the wreck. Max then rummaged through the debris and pulled out a few of the Tesla coils, handing them to Richard.
"Here," Max said. "These are known quantities. Take these for study. Leave the rest."
Richard took the coils, still eyeing the wreck with a mix of frustration and respect. "Alright, alright. You win. But one day, Max, one day... I'll get my hands on something like that."
Max gave him a pointed look. "Not if I can help it. Those things are best left alone. Just remember, Richard, curiosity killed the cat."
Richard sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Yeah, yeah... for now, anyway."
They walked away from the scrapyard, leaving the smoking remains of the robot behind. The city was dark from the blackout, but at least, for now, it was safe.
_________________________________________________________________________
The night was quiet, and a thin fog hovered over the scrapyard, where the wreckage of the giant robot still smoldered. The air was thick, filled with the scent of burnt metal and electricity. But amidst the darkness, a group of mysterious figures began to move with unrelenting precision.
Five men, dressed in black with hoods that concealed their identities, moved silently between the piles of scrap. They spoke not a word, their actions coordinated as if they were part of a single organism. The leader of the group, a tall and skeletal man, took the lead, his eyes scanning the area with an almost supernatural focus. He gestured with his hand, and two of the others approached the remains of the robot.
With precision tools, they began to remove parts of the metal structure, carefully cutting and dismantling the more complex and technological pieces. One of the men used a high-frequency device that caused the machine's circuits to vibrate and disintegrate into metallic dust. The Tesla coils, still faintly glowing, were disconnected with careful touches and stored in special containment boxes.
Meanwhile, another member of the group moved toward the denser part of the scrapyard, retrieving bits of wiring and components that might contain some form of alien technology. He placed them with precision into high-security bags, where the technology would be analyzed away from prying eyes.
The group's leader approached the area where the robot's core had been destroyed, observing the residual radiation still hanging in the air. He pulled a cylindrical device from his backpack and activated it. The device emitted a magnetic field that absorbed the last particles of energy from the core, neutralizing any lingering dangerous energy. When the device beeped in success, he gestured for everyone to withdraw.
The others began to clean the site, removing any sign of presence, erasing any trace of alien technology. The scrapyard, once a scene of chaos and destruction, was now being left clean and without a trace. As if nothing had ever happened there.
The leader, now surveying the impeccably clean site, activated a discreet communicator, giving the final instructions. "Remove everything. No trace should remain." His voice was low but carried authority.
In silence, the group withdrew, disappearing into the fog, leaving behind a silent, empty scrapyard, as if the confrontation had never occurred. The last figure to leave took one final glance at the place, making sure nothing was left behind. As he moved away, the area looked more like an abandoned set, cleansed of any unwanted presence.