The arena fell silent except for the labored breathing echoing across the transformed battleground.
One of the buzzshocks collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted. Its small hands covered its eyes as it gasped desperately for air, its body flickering weakly like a dying lightbulb. The creature looked utterly drained, as though every ounce of energy had been wrung from its very essence.
The other buzzshocks stood victorious in the center of the ring.
Its arms raised high in triumph, its entire form bathed in brilliant golden light that seemed to radiate outward in waves. The winner practically vibrated with vitality, as if it had become the most dazzling source of illumination in the entire facility!
"If I can capture its DNA, I'll have an enhanced version of that alien!" Asher stared intently at the victorious creature in the ring, his eyes burning with such focused intensity that the alien shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
The real challenge, however, was implementation.
He had no idea whether the Omnitrix could replace DNA from the same species with a superior specimen! The device had collected the buzzshock's genetic sample less than twelve hours ago. Could it accept an upgrade from a stronger individual of the same race?
"I have to try regardless," Asher thought stubbornly, determination hardening in his chest. "This is a rare opportunity to strengthen my arsenal."
He studied the Omnitrix on his wrist carefully. The device's faceplate glowed with its familiar green hue, fully charged and ready for transformation. But Asher resisted the immediate urge to activate an alien form.
Instead, he raised his hand and gestured toward the victorious buzzshock still posing dramatically on the platform.
"What do you want?"
The energy creature regarded Asher suspiciously, its luminous eyes narrowing. Then its legs flexed, and it launched itself into the air like a living comet. The alien floated gracefully across the distance, drifting over from the arena like a sentient ball of light!
Asher observed its approach with barely contained satisfaction.
Just as he'd hoped, even after such an intense battle, the victor still possessed enough stamina to fly! These physical attributes were exceptional by any standard!
He extended his right arm, pointing the Omnitrix's faceplate directly at the approaching alien. A friendly smile crossed his features. "To celebrate your victory, how about we shake hands?"
The handshake offer was merely a pretext, of course. A convenient excuse to position the Omnitrix at optimal scanning range.
As anticipated, when the buzzshock noticed the unusual device on Asher's wrist, curiosity immediately overwhelmed any remaining caution. The creature stretched out a pair of tiny, luminous hands and gently touched the Omnitrix's screen with childlike wonder!
Unexpected results followed.
The Omnitrix's faceplate suddenly popped open with a distinctive mechanical sound, rising automatically from its housing!
The victorious alien froze, confusion flickering across its features. Something felt strangely off. When it had made contact with the Omnitrix, a peculiar sensation had washed through its body. The feeling was difficult to define, as if something fundamental had been extracted, though the creature couldn't identify exactly what.
"Too trusting for your own good," Asher murmured, allowing a mischievous grin to spread across his face. He retracted his wrist smoothly and opened the Omnitrix's interface once more!
The moment of truth had arrived.
His heart pounded with anticipation as he quickly cycled through the alien selections displayed on the screen. His fingers moved with practiced precision, rotating past the familiar silhouettes until he reached the eleventh position!
What he saw there made his breath catch.
The original buzzshock's holographic projection had undergone a dramatic transformation. Lightning now crackled and coiled around the small figure, giving it the appearance of an emperor commanding the very essence of electricity itself!
This was the champion's re-enhanced DNA profile, a superior version of the basic genetic template. It was difficult to imagine what kind of incredible racial abilities this upgraded form might possess!
"System, display my status!"
Asher's mental command triggered an immediate response.
HOST STATUS
Name: Asher Tennyson
Age: 12
Omnitrix Status:
Transformation Time: 7 minutes
Cooldown Period: 4 minutes 50 seconds
Ultimate Mutation: Not Awakened
Alien Data: Incomplete Library
Available Transformations:
Heatblast, Wildmutt, Diamondhead, XLR8, Grey Matter, Four Arms, Stinkfly, Ripjaws, Upgrade, Ghostfreak, Buzzshock (Species: Peak Warrior)
The status readout remained mostly unchanged, but one critical detail stood out. After Buzzshock's entry in the alien roster, a new designation had appeared, Peak Warrior!
Peak Warrior.
The term indicated a being with maximal attributes across all categories. Every statistic, every ability, every aspect of the species pushed to absolute perfection!
Applied to an entire race, this designation could only mean one thing: this specimen represented the pinnacle of its species' evolutionary potential. The chosen one. The peak example of what that race could achieve!
"So I'm the alpha now? Can I consume unlimited electrical energy?" The victorious buzzshock's voice echoed across the facility with childlike excitement.
Asher's expression shifted to one of careful neutrality. He silently commanded the system interface to close, maintaining a perfectly composed facade. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm sorry, but I need to leave now. Excuse me."
Without further explanation, he turned and jogged away from the arena at a measured pace. His legs carried him swiftly back toward where Gwen and the others had gathered during the competition.
The group of defeated Nosedeenians lay scattered around the viewing area. Some were too exhausted to even move. Others who still possessed a modicum of strength simply had no desire to continue the chaotic pursuit. Every single one wore expressions of blank bewilderment.
They seemed to have become Asher's unwitting test subjects. A small army of experimental participants who'd served their purpose.
"Asher, those little guys are completely worn out!" Ben's voice rang with excitement as he gestured enthusiastically toward the arena. "We could easily round them all up and stuff them back in those rubber containment balls!"
"Wait. Look at what's in my Omnitrix first."
Asher raised his right arm, rotating it so that the back of his hand faced outward. The device's screen naturally turned toward his three companions, displaying the holographic alien silhouette currently selected.
"This is... It looks like those aliens?" Gwen asked, genuine surprise coloring her voice.
"Exactly right," Asher confirmed with satisfaction. "I just scanned its DNA using the Omnitrix. That means I can now transform into one of those aliens! This is my eleventh transformation!"
"That's incredibly cool!" Ben's eyes practically glowed with admiration. "Asher, you've unlocked your eleventh alien hero! You can transform again!"
"Though to be honest, there probably isn't any need to transform into an alien right now," Asher observed, glancing meaningfully at the exhausted buzzshocks scattered throughout the facility. "Since these little guys are so tired, another transformation seems unnecessary."
"Aww, but I really wanted to see you turn into one of those aliens," Ben said with obvious disappointment. "I bet it would look absolutely adorable."
"Some other time," Asher replied firmly. "I don't want to force them into more conflict."
DING!
The system notification chimed unexpectedly in Asher's consciousness.
"Signable Object Detected: Nosedeenian Earth Colony!"
"Transform into any available alien hero, establish yourself as their leader, and arrange their future path to complete this check-in opportunity!"
Asher's carefully constructed expression of principled restraint wavered noticeably at the system's perfectly timed announcement.
Was the system actually trolling him right now?
"Asher, let me get some rubber gloves so we can start putting them back in containment," Ben offered helpfully. He began pulling protective gloves from his pocket, preparing to hand them to his cousin.
Asher's demeanor suddenly shifted. He pushed away Ben's outstretched hand with perhaps more force than necessary, then walked forward with slow, deliberate steps. "Actually, Ben, after giving it more thought, I've decided I really should transform into that alien after all!"
"Wait, didn't you just say you didn't want to fight them?" Ben scratched his head in obvious confusion.
"I believe they need guidance," Asher declared, turning to face the sunlight streaming through the facility's skylights. Golden rays bathed his body in radiant illumination, lending him an almost divine appearance. "Someone must step forward to show them the right path. And I'm that person!"
"Asher really does have such noble ideals," Gwen breathed, clasping her hands together admiringly. Her eyes remained fixed on Asher's dramatically backlit silhouette. "His character runs so deep."
"Such an incredible sense of moral responsibility," Ben muttered, deeply affected by what he perceived as his cousin's profound wisdom. "I need to learn from Asher's example! The philosophical depth between us is staggering!"
On the opposite side of the sunbeam, Asher's entire face had gone somewhat numb. He couldn't maintain eye contact with the blazing sun anymore. The intense light was beginning to sting his eyes uncomfortably.
No more wasted time!
He raised his right wrist and struck the Omnitrix's already-extended faceplate with his palm!
The instant of contact triggered a cascade of luminous particles! Green light flickered outward from the device, but this transformation was different, faint traces of purple energy threaded through the familiar emerald glow!
Purple light?!
Max and the others stared in shock!
At the same moment, every exhausted Nosedeenian in the facility turned their heads in perfect unison. Cold sweat materialized on their luminous forms despite their energy-based physiology. Their faces reflected universal surprise and something approaching fear!
What was this feeling?
An incomparably overwhelming power signature was radiating outward from Asher's position!
The purple-tinged transformation light grew more intense with each passing second, expanding outward in waves that seemed to carry weight and pressure beyond anything the standard green glow had ever produced!
Whatever was emerging from this metamorphosis, everyone present understood instinctively that it would be something extraordinary.
Something that would change everything.
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