As the chaos unfolded, Ben's heart raced. The sight of people screaming, buildings ablaze, and civilians turning into lizard-like creatures filled him with a deep sense of dread. This is what happens if I stay on the sidelines, he thought bitterly. This is what happens when someone doesn't step in. Clenching his fists, Ben ducked into a nearby alley, out of sight from the crowd.
The Omnitrix blinked steadily on his wrist. He flipped the dial, cycling through alien options, each holographic image flashing across the faceplate. He needed someone strong, durable, and capable of containing these mutated creatures. Then the image of Diamondhead appeared—a tall, crystalline alien made entirely of sharp, glimmering green diamond. Ben nodded and slammed his hand onto the Omnitrix, initiating the transformation.
Bright green light engulfed the alley, illuminating the smoke-filled air. Ben felt his body change—his skin hardened into facets of pure diamond, his hands became sharp, angular, and capable of immense strength. Standing tall as Diamondhead, Ben flexed his arms, the sunlight glinting off his crystal frame. Let's do this, he thought, his voice deeper and more resonant.
He sprinted out of the alley and scaled a nearby building with ease, his diamond fingers digging into the brick and mortar like a knife through butter. Reaching the rooftop, he scanned the streets below. The devastation was worse than he thought—cars overturned, people trapped in fiery wreckage, and six mutated lizardmen wreaking havoc in the heart of the city. Nearby, Spider-Man was already locked in combat with three of the creatures, his webbing doing little to restrain their raw strength.
Ben leaped from the rooftop, landing in the middle of the street with a thunderous crash. His crystalline feet cracked the asphalt, sending a shockwave rippling outward. The lizardmen turned their reptilian eyes toward him, hissing in confusion and rage.
The police, startled by the sudden arrival of another "monster," immediately opened fire. Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off Ben's diamond skin, pinging into nearby walls and cars. He raised a crystalline hand in frustration, glaring at the officers. "I'm on your side, so maybe stop shooting at me!" he bellowed, his deep voice echoing across the street.
Ignoring the cops for now, Ben turned his attention to the lizardmen. He slammed both hands into the ground, summoning a wave of jagged green crystals that erupted from the earth and encased three of the creatures in a sturdy crystal cage. The lizardmen thrashed against the translucent walls, but the diamond structure held firm. Ben smirked. Let's see you break out of that.
Before he could celebrate, one of the remaining lizardmen lunged at him, claws outstretched. Ben ducked under the attack, spinning to deliver a powerful punch to the creature's side. His diamond fist collided with the lizardman's ribs, sending it skidding across the pavement and into a parked car. The force of the impact dented the vehicle, and the lizardman let out a guttural growl before scrambling back to its feet.
Spider-Man swung down beside Ben, firing webs at another lizardman trying to climb a lamppost. "Hey, shiny guy," Spider-Man quipped, landing gracefully. "You a new hero, or just another alien here for vacation?"
Ben chuckled, not missing a beat as he blocked a claw swipe with his diamond forearm. "Let's call it an internship," he said, forming a sharp crystal blade from his arm and slicing at the lizardman, forcing it to retreat. "What's the plan, Spidey?"
"Contain and rescue," Spider-Man said, dodging another lizardman's tail. "You handle the big guys; I'll keep the little guys safe."
"Deal," Ben said, turning to the lizardmen. One of them tried to leap at him, but Ben stomped the ground, sending a wave of crystal spikes surging forward. The lizardman was caught mid-air, its body frozen in a cage of shimmering green diamond.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man swung toward a group of trapped civilians, using his webs to create an escape path through the wreckage.
As Spider-Man focused on rescuing civilians, Ben turned his attention to the remaining lizardmen. One of them charged at him with surprising speed, claws slashing wildly. Ben met the attack head-on, forming a massive diamond shield to block the strikes. With a swift counter, he extended his arm into a sharp spear and jabbed at the creature, forcing it to retreat.
Another lizardman tried to flank him, leaping onto his back. Ben grunted, reaching behind him to grab the creature and hurl it into a nearby building. The wall crumbled slightly under the impact, but the lizardman wasn't done yet—it snarled and charged again. Ben sighed, summoning another wave of crystals to encase it in a makeshift prison. "Stay put, will you?" he muttered.
With most of the lizardmen neutralized, Ben slammed the Omnitrix symbol on his chest, initiating another transformation. In a flash of green light, his crystalline body morphed into the sleek, aerodynamic form of XLR8. His new body, covered in black and blue armor-like skin, was built for speed, with sharp claws and a visor-like helmet.
Ben darted through the chaos at lightning speed, weaving through the wreckage and flames. He spotted a family trapped in a burning store. Without hesitation, he dashed inside, the heat barely registering against his alien form. "Everyone, grab on!" he shouted, his voice distorted slightly by the Omnitrix. The family clung to him, and in a blur, he whisked them out to safety, depositing them near the medical vans.
Spider-Man swung down beside him, carrying a child in his arms. "Nice moves, Where is the shiny guy," he said, setting the child down.
Ben , vanishing in a streak of blue. Within seconds, he had evacuated another group of civilians, depositing them safely away from the danger zone.
As the last of the civilians were rescued, Ben and Spider-Man regrouped. The remaining lizardmen, seeing their comrades defeated and their prey evacuated, hissed angrily before retreating into the sewers. Ben considered chasing them but stopped when he heard the wail of approaching sirens.
"The cops are here," Spider-Man said, nodding toward the flashing lights in the distance. "Time to vanish."
"Agreed," Ben said. He dashed into an alley, reverting to his human form just as Spider-Man swung out of sight. Taking a deep breath, Ben adjusted his jacket and stepped back onto the street, blending into the crowd as if nothing had happened.