Outer Space
A cluster of asteroids tumbled lazily in the void before a blur of light tore through them.
The leading vessel was sleek and red, shaped like an elongated oval. Behind it, black hunter ships gave chase, weapons flashing as streaks of plasma cut across the darkness.
Inside the red ship, a small creature worked frantically at the metal collar clamped around his neck. He was compact and muscular, with dark blue fur, large round eyes, and four clawed fingers on each hand. His wide mouth set into a grimace as he fumbled with the device.
A slip of his claw pressed an unfamiliar control.
[Hyperdrive activated. System charging.]
The AI's voice echoed in the cabin.
"Crabba snabba"
Energy began to coil across the outer hull like veins of molten light. With a deafening BOOM, the red ship surged forward, stars stretching into long streams of white. The hunters were left far behind.
The sudden acceleration slammed the creature back into his seat. His eyes widened as the black emptiness ahead gave way to a swirl of green, blue, and white—a planet.
But in his desperate escape, he didn't notice the collision.
BANG!
The red vessel clipped another ship, spinning it violently off-course toward the same world.
______
The air behind the Crash Palace still smelled of hot metal and burnt oil. Dexter stood across from Finn, the rough sound of bills being counted filling the cramped space.
"Fifty grand," Finn said, stacking the last of it before sliding it over.
Dexter took the money without a word, but his sharp eyes lingered on the man.
'Funny… one twin's chasing glory in uniform, the other's running an underground robot boxing ring.' he thought.
Earlier, when he'd inspected the venue's machines and fighters, Dexter had also taken stock of the people. Seeing Finn, twin brother of the still-active soldier Sam, pulling strings in the shadows was an amusing bit of irony.
Finn smirked. "Every week we've got a main event. And now that Midas is the new champ, he's got a spot to fill. Don't keep the crowd waiting."
Dexter gave a small nod and headed back toward his truck. Inside the enclosed trailer, Midas sat motionless, the golden armor still faintly warm from the fight.
What Dexter didn't notice was the eyepatch-wearing man leaning against a stack of crates, watching him with narrowed eyes. Resentment burned there, quiet but sharp.
______
The truck rolled down the highway under the pale glow of streetlights, autopilot steady as the scenery blurred past.
A soft chime drew Dexter's attention to the dashboard screen.
"Breaking news — Roxanne Ritchi remains in the hands of Megamind. Metroville continues to spiral into chaos…"
The anchor's voice painted a grim picture. The mayor's office now served as Megamind's personal throne room, banks lay stripped bare, criminals poured into the streets like roaches from the shadows reveling in lawlessness. The city's sentries patrolled in force, but their numbers were no match for the swarms of Brainbots that zipped through the skies.
Citizens, caught between fear and outrage, shouted in the streets: Where are the heroes? While some reminded others of the law that had banned them.
Clips of rioting and shouting played, faces twisted with fear and anger.
"This is what happens when a symbol is broken!" one man yelled into the camera.
Dexter smirked faintly. 'Those world organizations must be in chaos right now… and they'll get the blame, not the government. Perfect scapegoats.'
His thoughts were cut short when the truck's AI spoke.
[Dexter, it appears that someone is tailing us.]
The dashboard screen switched to a rear-view feed: one truck, two cars, keeping tight formation behind them.
"Zoom in on the driver."
The image sharpenedbrevealing a grim face, scarred, framed by greasy hair, and marked with an eyepatch. Dexter recognized him instantly, it was the guy who own Bio-War.
"Heh. Petty, aren't you?"
Dexter tapped a command on the console. The seat's back panel slid open, and the chair itself retracted toward the rear compartment of the truck. Inside, Midas sat in his cradle, thick cables connecting him to diagnostic stations while damage reports flickered across holographic displays.
Against the side wall stood a mannequin, draped in matte black.
Dexter approached it with a small, almost fond smile.
The AeroStriker MK-I.
Even as Dexter pursued new avenues for acquiring powers, he never forgot his greatest strength: science.
His predecessor had created countless inventions. Some served practical purposes; others were born purely from curiosity or boredom. Dexter had since combed through them, salvaging parts, adapting old designs, and merging concepts to forge entirely new creations.
The black suit was one such hybrid, a muscle enhancer woven with monster cells and synthetic muscle fibers. It amplified the wearer's strength, speed, precision, and reflexes to inhuman levels.
On the back was a compact, wing-like apparatus inspired by the old "bird suit" design. The original had been scrapped due to its absurd appearance, but its mechanical concept proved valuable. The wings consisted of rigid segmented plates connected by micro-hinges, all folding neatly into a backpack-like housing. A high-density power cell powered the system, controlling wing stability, maneuvering thrusters, and retract speed. It has a folding function that rested flat against the back like a collapsed umbrella. When deployed they spread wide with razor-sharp precision, evoking the silhouette of an eagle.
This prototype wasn't the final version, but it was battle-ready enough for field testing.
A sudden ping from the right-side monitor broke his inspection. The front camera feed showed their path blocked by the lead truck, while the two sedans closed in from behind.
Dexter flexed his fingers, eyes narrowing. "Let's see if the MK-I's ready for live combat."
_______
[A/N: I'm having trouble thinking of a fitting surname for Dexter's family any suggestions? Also you can search Tantalog Language to understand the Alien's words🤣]