The Biological Museum's entrance became a graveyard.
Vilgax stood motionless among the carnage, his imposing form dwarfing the fallen soldiers and destroyed military equipment scattered around him. Along his path to the museum, he'd cut through every human who'd tried to stop him, their weapons, helicopters, and artillery proving no more threatening than insects buzzing around a giant.
"Humans," Vilgax's deep voice rumbled with contempt as he surveyed the panicking crowds through the news cameras still broadcasting his rampage. "Your resistance is meaningless. This planet will become the eleventh world I've conquered. Submit now and serve me, I may yet spare your pathetic lives."
His declaration spread like wildfire across every major news platform, triggering mass hysteria worldwide.
News Alert, "Alien Warlord Attacks Earth, Expert Suggests Octopus May Be Peace Offering?"
Breaking, "Dr. Animo, Escaped Convict, Allies With Extraterrestrial Invader, Plans to Rule Entire Planet!"
Exclusive, "Are We Truly Alone? Scientists Confirm Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, Recommend Diplomatic Marriage with Tentacled Species..."
Within hours, Vilgax became Earth's most notorious celebrity, though "celebrity" was far too kind a word for the terror his name now inspired.
Forever Knights Base
The Eternal Knight watched the news footage with cold calculation, his armored fingers drumming against the castle's stone table. Vilgax's display of power played on the monitor, the alien warlord effortlessly crushing military forces that would've posed significant threats to most beings.
"An extraterrestrial conqueror," the Eternal Knight muttered, his tone dangerously calm. "And it dares claim myterritory?"
"Boss, should we intervene to help the civilians?" one of his Forever Knights asked, shifting uneasily in his armor. "That creature looks incredibly dangerous."
"It appears more powerful than even that Tennyson brat," another knight added.
"We'd need to deploy significant resources to handle something of that magnitude."
The Eternal Knight waved dismissively, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Don't waste your concern on some oversized squid. If it's foolish enough to interfere with the Forever Knights' operations, we'll eliminate it ourselves." He leaned back, confidence radiating from his posture. "Don't forget, I possess an arsenal of alien weapons collected over centuries. Weapons far beyond anything that primitive military threw at it."
His knights nodded, reassured by their leader's certainty. After all, the Forever Knights had survived for over a millennium by adapting alien technology to their purposes.
"Does your mother grant you such courage?" the Eternal Knight added mockingly, staring at Vilgax's image. "Conquer Earth? We'll see about that."
Abandoned Chapel, Hex's Hideout
The sorcerer stood before a scrying mirror, watching the chaos unfold with a thin smile beneath his skull-painted face. His new crimson robes, recently acquired after his prison escape, swayed as he gestured with the Staff of Ages.
"Fascinating," Hex murmured, dark amusement coloring his voice. "If nothing else, this will force Asher's hand. The boy breaks his legs running to save people, it's almost pathetic." His fingers traced mystical symbols in the air. "I hope he survives long enough to face me properly. Dying to some tentacled fool before I can claim my revenge would be... disappointing."
Since escaping incarceration, Hex had been methodically rebuilding his power base, gathering new equipment, recruiting desperate accomplices, studying forbidden magics. All in preparation for his inevitable confrontation with the Tennyson family.
The Archamada Book of Spells called to him from across the city, its power singing through his mystical senses. Soon, it would be his once more.
Luxury Hotel Suite
Kevin Levin lounged on an expensive bed, idly tossing stolen hundred-dollar bills into the air while the terrified hotel owner sat bound and gagged in the corner. The flat-screen television displayed Vilgax's rampage in high definition.
Kevin's casual demeanor evaporated as recognition dawned. He shot upright, electricity crackling across his skin in response to his sudden excitement.
"That voice... that arrogant tone..." Kevin's eyes widened as memories clicked into place. "Vilgax?!"
The name sent a jolt through him stronger than any electrical charge. He'd heard stories about Vilgax, whispered warnings from other criminals, scattered intelligence from the underworld. The alien warlord was a legend, a conqueror whose reputation stretched across multiple star systems.
More importantly, the city Vilgax was currently terrorizing was less than fifty miles from Kevin's current location.
"This is it," Kevin breathed, his mind racing with possibilities. "This is my chance."
He stood abruptly, raw energy coursing through his body as his power responded to his anticipation. Electric arcs danced between his fingers, growing more intense with each passing second.
"If Asher shows up, and he will, the hero complex is too strong, I can absorb both their powers at once." Kevin's grin turned savage. "Vilgax's strength combined with Asher's Omnitrix abilities? I'll be unstoppable."
Without another word, Kevin launched himself through the window in a burst of lightning, his form streaking through the sky like a living thunderbolt aimed straight at the Biological Museum.
Among Earth's villains, he was the only one foolish, or ambitious, enough to actively seek out the conflict.
Most others were content to watch and wait, calculating whether Vilgax represented opportunity or extinction. If the alien warlord succeeded in killing Asher and conquering Earth, they'd learn just how "simple" their planet's folk customs could become when humanity united against a common threat.
Lake Shore
Deep beneath the murky waters, a massive shape stirred. Captain Shaw's sea monster, freed months ago by Asher, sensed the disturbance rippling through the city. Ancient instincts warned it of a predator even more dangerous than itself.
The creature dove deeper, seeking safety in the lake's darkest depths. Whatever was happening on land, it wanted no part of it.
Abandoned Power Station
The Nosedeenians, small electrical beings resembling anthropomorphic batteries, crowded around their salvaged television, their luminous eyes fixed on the news broadcast. The entire colony had gathered, their usual playful chatter replaced by serious concern.
"The big boss will definitely show up!" one Megawatt squeaked, sparks flying from its head in agitation.
"Remember, every time the boss transforms into one of us, there's a special pattern on his body!" another added, its yellow lightning bolt chest marking glowing brighter. "Different from when he becomes other aliens!"
"If we see him fighting that scary squid-face, we help!" a third declared, tiny fists pumping with determination.
The assembled Nosedeenians chirped agreement, their electrical fields synchronized in resolution. They'd been freed from imprisonment by Ben Tennyson and Rook, given a second chance to contribute positively to their adopted city. They wouldn't abandon their liberator when he needed them.
Their owner, a kindly park supervisor who'd taken them in, set down a fresh bundle of batteries with a resigned sigh and headed outside. The little creatures were already crackling with barely-contained energy, practically vibrating with eagerness to join the fight.
He knew better than to try stopping them. Once Nosedeenians made up their minds about something, they were as unstoppable as lightning itself.
Biological Museum, Interior
Blood stained the polished floors.
The remaining soldiers had fallen back, unwilling to throw more lives away against an invincible foe. Vilgax strode into the museum's main hall unopposed, his heavy footfalls echoing through the transformed space.
The hall had become a window into prehistory.
Pteranodons circled overhead, their leathery wings casting moving shadows across the ceiling. A full-grown Tyrannosaurus stalked between exhibits, its footsteps shaking the ground. Velociraptors hunted in coordinated packs while a Triceratops grazed peacefully near the entrance, predator and prey coexisting in unnatural harmony.
All courtesy of Dr. Animo's genetic manipulation technology.
The prehistoric creatures froze as Vilgax entered, their enhanced instincts screaming warnings. Though they didn't look directly at the alien warlord, every animal in the hall could feel the overwhelming predatory aura radiating from him. Even the carnivores, apex predators from Earth's distant past, recognized something far more dangerous had entered their territory.
Not one dared move.
Dr. Animo descended from a hovering pteranodon platform, his pale face stretched in an obsequious smile. "Lord Vilgax! All the prehistoric creatures have been successfully revived. The Transmodulator device exceeded all performance expectations."
"Excellent work," Vilgax rumbled approvingly, his red eyes surveying the assembled dinosaurs. "Your abilities are more versatile than I anticipated, Doctor. The potential applications are... substantial."
Pride flickered across Animo's features despite his nervousness. It had been decades since anyone acknowledged his genius without immediately condemning his methods.
"Now," Vilgax continued, turning his attention back to the cowering scientist, "we proceed to the next phase. Guide me to the other natural history museums in this city. We'll revive every prehistoric specimen we can find." His tentacles writhed with anticipation. "Then we'll combine your biological army with my mechanized forces to conquer this primitive planet."
This was Vilgax's expansion strategy crystallized: overwhelming force through superior numbers. Even the most powerful general required an army. He would build one from Earth's own extinct past, augmented by his advanced technology.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Vilgax took the lead, his massive form crashing through the museum's rear wall. Dr. Animo followed aboard his pteranodon mount, while dozens of resurrected dinosaurs thundered after them in a prehistoric stampede.
Far above, barely perceptible streaks of electricity flickered through the air, following the procession from a safe distance.
Kevin Levin maintained his concealment expertly, his energy form allowing him to travel as pure lightning through power lines and the atmosphere itself. He'd learned patience during his time as a fugitive. Rushing in blindly had cost him everything before. This time, he'd wait for the perfect moment to strike.
Mount Rushmore
The four presidential faces carved into the mountain gazed impassively over the landscape as Max's Rust Bucket navigated the winding road leading to the monument.
Asher, Ben, and Gwen had learned everything from the emergency broadcasts. Their expressions reflected the gravity of the situation, all traces of their usual bickering vanished in the face of an alien invasion.
"An alien warlord," Gwen breathed, her knuckles white as she gripped the RV's armrest. "A real extraterrestrial conqueror. This is worse than anything we've faced before."
"We'll handle it," Ben declared with false bravado, though his voice carried an undertone of genuine worry. "We've beaten every villain so far, right? This Vilgax guy is just another bad guy who needs to learn not to mess with Earth."
Asher remained silent, his mind already analyzing tactical approaches. Vilgax represented a quantum leap in threat level, this wasn't some human criminal with stolen alien tech or a rogue sorcerer. This was a being who'd conquered ten worlds, who'd survived battles that would've vaporized lesser creatures.
The Rust Bucket reached a seemingly dead-end road and stopped. Max climbed out, walked to a specific section of dirt, and pressed his hand against what appeared to be ordinary ground.
The earth rumbled and split apart, revealing a reinforced entrance descending deep beneath the mountain, a vertical passage that continued for dozens of meters before opening into a massive underground facility.
The platform lowered the RV smoothly, carrying them into a space the size of several stadiums. Lights flickered on automatically, illuminating the Plumbers' secret base.
"Whoa," Ben whispered, his earlier anxiety momentarily forgotten. "Grandpa, you're like the coolest person ever."
"This pit is bigger than the one Vilgax is about to dig for himself," Asher observed dryly, though his appreciation for Max's resourcefulness was genuine.
"Come on," Max said with a humble smile, though pride gleamed in his eyes. "Let's get you kids properly equipped. If we're facing a galactic warlord, we'll need more than just the Omnitrix."
He led them toward the arsenal, a vast chamber whose walls were lined with countless alien technologies, each stored in its own secure compartment.
Max approached a specific panel and pressed it. The section smoothly extended outward like a drawer, revealing advanced weaponry that hummed with barely-contained power.
"Now," Max said seriously, "let's make sure you're ready for whatever comes next."