Ben lounged on one of the Rustbucket's bench seats, wedged between Gwen and Laura. The low hum of the engine filled the cabin. The Rustbucket ate up the miles, the passing scenery blurring into a green and brown streak. Laura stared blankly out the window, her dark hair swaying gently, and Gwen tapped away on her laptop. Ben felt content, surrounded by friends, a welcome change from battling interdimensional menaces. But the calm was short lived.
"You seem to be getting pretty close to your aliens, Ben," Gwen commented, her eyes fixed on the screen.
Ben blinked, confused. "Well, yeah. I'm working with them all the time. They're almost always with me. How can I not be close?" He gestured vaguely, trying to convey the constant presence of his summons.
Gwen closed her laptop with a snap, finally turning her attention to him. Her expression was hard to read, a mix of concern and something else he couldn't quite place. "That's not what I mean, Ben. You're getting too close. There's something going on that you aren't telling me."
Ben's brow furrowed. "I don't know what you're talking about, Gwen." He shifted uncomfortably. Was she picking up on something? Could she sense the shift in his pheromones? Was it that obvious? He was about to ask if Gwen had a problem with that when—
[BOOM]
[BOOM]
The Rustbucket swerved violently, throwing Ben against the wall. Laura instinctively grabbed him, her grip surprisingly strong. Gwen yelped, clutching the edge of the seat to steady herself.
"What was that?!" Ben exclaimed, scrambling to his feet.
Max, behind the wheel, wrestled with the steering. "I don't know, Ben! Feels like something's shooting at us!"
Another explosion rocked the Rustbucket, and something started to peel the roof open. The sound was deafening, a high-pitched whine mixed with the crunch of tearing metal. Ben saw sparks shower down as a long rip appeared above them, widening with alarming speed.
Suddenly, the entire roof section was peeled back, revealing a figure perched above. Dark purple armor gleamed in the sunlight, and a helmet with X-shaped eye holes stared down at them. In one hand, the figure held a device that resembled a chainsaw, its teeth still spinning. It was EightEight.
[Incomprehensible Alien Gibberish!] "Hand over the Chaquetrix!" EightEight screeched.
Ben stared up at her, mouth agape. The alien language was completely unfamiliar. Was that one of Vilgax's flunkies? The voice sounded female, so it could be a brand new villain. He could only think of one thing, "Well this can't be good."
Before EightEight could react, Max slammed on the brakes. The sudden stop sent the Sotoraggian bounty hunter tumbling off the ruined roof and onto the asphalt. Without hesitation, Max floored the accelerator, the tires screeching as the Rustbucket lurched forward, running over EightEight. A sickening crunch followed.
The Rustbucket began to slow, and Max fought to keep it under control.
"Tires are flat," Max stated grimly.
"This is very aggravating." Greymatter hissed, startling Ben.
Ben carefully scooped up the small Galvan-Human hybrid as they exited the vehicle. The air crackled with tension. EightEight was getting up. The bounty hunter was bruised, but far from incapacitated, and stood there.
[RUMBLE]
The earth beneath them buckled. With a mighty heave, the ground split open, and a hulking, crab-like figure erupted from below. Kraab, cybernetic enhancements glinting in the sunlight, towered over them, a predatory grin etched on his face.
"Child," Kraab growled, his voice a metallic rasp. "Hand over the Chaquetrix, and I promise you won't suffer… much."
Ben stared at Kraab, his mind racing. He glanced at his wrist, where the fuchsia device pulsed innocently. The Chaquetrix? Was that what they were after? Wait, how did they know that?
Could it be they are after the Omnitrix? No is it actually called the Chaquetrix? This felt strangely familiar. The over-the-top villain, the demand for a powerful device… Vilgax. These guys had to be working for Vilgax. It was like a twisted rerun of his childhood adventures.
Laura stepped forward, her expression hardening. With a metallic SNIKT, two adamantium claws extended from each hand. A single claw emerged from each foot, ready to strike. She was ready to face the threat.
"Laura, no!" Max cautioned, his eyes darting around the immediate area. He scanned the landscape, searching for an escape route. His gaze locked onto the dark entrance of an old mine shaft, half-hidden by overgrown bushes. "Ben, Gwen, Laura! Get to the mine!" He pointed with a shaky hand. "Now!"
Without question, Ben, Gwen, and Laura sprinted towards the mineshaft, the promise of shadowed protection drawing them in. Greymatter clung tightly to Ben's shoulder. The dark opening seemed to swallow them whole as they disappeared from view.
[THUMP]
A sleek hoverboard touched down near Kraab and EightEight. Tetrax dismounted, his armored form radiating calm competence. He assessed the damage to the Rustbucket and glanced toward the mine entrance, calculating distances.
"I can handle this. The bounty is mine," Kraab asserted, his voice dripping with possessive intent. He took a step forward, ready to pursue the trio into the depths.
EightEight scoffed, a digital rasp in her tone. [Incomprehensible Alien Gibberish!] "You couldn't even aim properly. Let someone competent take the lead."
Tetrax raised a hand, silencing their squabble. "Enough. Vilgax wants the device, not excuses. I'll retrieve it. Stay here." He began walking towards the mine.
Kraab's eyes narrowed. "I don't take orders from you, rock head. I was contracted first." He moved to intercept Tetrax, his massive claw snapping shut inches from the Petrosapien's armored chest.
Tetrax stopped, his green gaze leveled at the Piscciss Premann. A low growl emanated from beneath his helmet, a hint of the power he held back. A challenge, a warning. "Step aside, crab. Vilgax needs the Chaquetrix. If you get in my way, I will turn you into dust."
The air hung thick with unspoken threats.
Kraab ignored the threat and, with a guttural snarl, followed Ben and the others into the mineshaft. EightEight and Tetrax were close behind, and entered as well. The sunlit world vanished behind them, replaced by oppressive darkness and the smell of damp earth.
Gwen, stumbling over loose rocks, grabbed Ben's arm. "Who were those guys?"
Max, his voice tight with concern, replied, "I don't know for sure, Gwen. But I'm betting they're after Ben's watch."
Suddenly, Kraab appeared from the darkness, his glowing eyes piercing the gloom. "Give me the Chaquetrix, child, and I'll make this quick." His claw glowed with menacing energy.
Ben, his heart pounding, didn't hesitate. He slammed his fist down on the Chaquetrix. "Diamondheart, help me out here!"
In a flash of pink light, Diamondheart materialized, her crystalline form illuminating the mineshaft. At the same time, Ben's Omni-Exo armor shot from the ring, enveloping him in protective plates.
Kraab, undeterred, unleashed a volley of energy beams from his claw. Diamondheart reacted instantly, creating a shimmering shield with her hands to block the attack. The beams slammed against the crystal barrier, energy dissipating harmlessly.
Before Ben could formulate a plan, Tetrax swooped in on his hoverboard, tackling Diamondheart with surprising force. The two tumbled away into the darkness, the sound of shattering crystal echoing through the tunnel.
"Diamondheart!" Ben yelled, a surge of panic gripping him.
[Pshooo!]
Bright energy bolts whizzed past Ben, forcing him to dive for cover. EightEight had arrived, her laser pistols blazing.
"Run!" Max yelled, pushing Gwen and Laura ahead of him. "We need to get out of here!"
As they scrambled deeper into the mine, the tunnel opened into a large, gaping pit. The darkness seemed absolute, the bottom impossible to see.
Ahead, suspended on rusted cables, a dilapidated minecart swayed gently. Laura pointed. "That."
Ben stared at the precarious cart. "Are you serious? That thing looks like it's about to fall apart!"
"Only way across," she stated, her voice devoid of emotion.
Max hesitated, his gaze fixed on the deep pit. "She's right, Ben. We don't have another choice."
They clambered onto the minecart, its rusted frame groaning under their weight. Ben grabbed the lever that controlled its movement, his knuckles white. He looked at Laura, her eyes cold and distant.
The cart lurched forward, the wheels screeching against the rails as it moved above the darkness. The wind whistled past their ears, and the only sound was the rhythmic clatter of the wheels.
Suddenly, Laura moved. With a swiftness that belied her small frame, she kicked the release lever, sending the cart hurtling forward. She turned, facing back towards the entrance.
"Laura, what are you doing?!" Ben yelled over the wind.
"Go," she said, her voice firm. "I will deal with him."
"We're not leaving you!" Gwen cried, reaching for her.
But it was too late. Laura stood on the ledge, her claws drawn. The cart rattled onward, leaving her behind.
Kraab emerged from the shadows, his glowing eyes fixed on her. The bioluminescent glow of the crab armor highlighted the mechanical menace of the bounty hunter.
"You think you can stop me, earthling?" Kraab snarled, his voice a low rumble.
Laura responded with a feral growl, her claws extended, and she lunged at Kraab.
[Pshooo!]
Laser fire exploded around Ben and the minecart, the beams impacting the metal frame and sending tremors through it. The cart swayed precariously. Ben pushed himself up, ignoring the jostling.
Max blocked his path, arm outstretched. "Ben, no! It's too dangerous!"
"They're after me, Grandpa!" Ben insisted, his voice rising above the din. "They're not going to stop until they get what they want." He gestured to the Chaquetrix on his wrist. "I can't let you and Gwen get hurt."
He met Max's gaze, determination hardening his features. "Keep Gwen safe. I'll handle the knock-off Boba Fett."
With a burst of speed, Ben jumped from the minecart, reaching for the source of the laser fire. He latched onto EightEight, wrapping his arms around her armored form.
[Screech!]
The two plummeted into the inky blackness of the pit.
As they fell, Ben thrashed against EightEight, his Omni-Exo enhanced strength finally finding purchase. He ripped apart the robotic arms on her shoulders, tearing the metal and wires with brutal efficiency. Then, with a powerful kick, he launched himself away from her.
Ben oriented himself in the darkness, firing blasts of fire from his hands at the rocky walls. The bursts provided a modicum of light and slowed his descent.
Ben landed hard on one of the wooden platforms lining the side of the pit, the impact jarring his bones despite the Omni-Exo armor. He quickly scrambled to his feet, scanning his surroundings. A few feet away, EightEight crashed onto the same platform, her dark armor scuffed and dented. She slowly rose, her X-shaped eyes glowing with rage. She looked pissed.
"Well, that was a long way down for a short drink of water," Ben quipped, trying to lighten the mood. He needed to buy some time, think of a plan. This wasn't exactly an ideal combat arena.
EightEight didn't respond with words. Instead, she lunged. The bounty hunter covered the distance in a heartbeat, power sword drawn and glinting in the dim light. Ben barely had time to raise his arms in defense, the Omni-Exo absorbing the brunt of the blow. But the force was considerable, sending him stumbling back towards the edge of the platform.
He teetered precariously, the abyss yawning below. The reedy beams bounced off the Sotoraggian's blade, reflecting on her glowing X's. Another strike, faster this time, and Ben narrowly dodged, feeling the sword slice through the air. The platform's edge crumbled beneath his foot, sending small rocks into the void.
This isn't good…
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz