"Glitch-Slaughter Protocol? Interesting. What does that actually mean?" Tyler asked the System in his mind as he recalibrated his senses.
[Ding! Glitch-Slaughter Protocol: This is the apex of the Slaughter Protocol. Once active, the host integrates all logic-defying functions of the Carnitrix. You no longer just wear the watch; you become a living extension of its predatory AI.]
Tyler gasped. It was a total fusion of man and machine. "System, open the status panel."
Host: Tyler Levison
Template: Carnitrix (Progress: 35/100)
Active Buffs: [Omni-Unlock], [Glitch-Slaughter Protocol Unlocked], [30-Min Duration]
New Category: Corrected Aliens: The Feral Swamp-Wraith, The Blood-Tyrant, The Arachno-Simian, Toby.
Mental Energy: High (Resistant to Protocol-insanity)
"The 'Corrected' category is looking luxurious," Tyler noted. "If I can unlock the Prime version of the Null-Entity (Alien X), I won't just survive the Carnitrix—I'll dominate it."
The surroundings shifted back to the familiar Golden Gate Bridge. Tyler switched to The Velocity Wraith and blurred toward the Rustbucket. But the RV was empty. A note from Gwen was taped to the glass:
Tyler, Ben was taken by a beam of light while trying to be a hero! We're looking for him. If you find this, help us!
"A beam of light? Abduction," Tyler muttered. He stepped out to begin a high-speed search, but the sky suddenly split. A blinding spotlight trapped him. Tyler felt his body rising, gravity becoming a suggestion.
WHOOSH!
Tyler materialized in a pitch-black arena. As the lights flared, he found himself standing in the center of a massive colosseum. Thousands of grotesque aliens filled the stands, screaming for blood.
"Two Earthling warriors in one night?"
"The ticket prices were worth it!"
Tyler looked up at the crowd. His eyes—cold, predatory, and glowing with the Carnitrix's malice—scanned the bleachers. The arena instantly went silent. Every spectator felt a shiver of primal fear; they weren't looking at a gladiator, but an apex predator that had no business being in a cage.
"The Slagel Arena. I remember this," Tyler thought.
CLANG!
The side gates opened, and ten-meter-tall Executioner Droids marched out, raising their blades. Tyler didn't wait for a fight. He blurred into a red-and-black streak.
The droids swung, but Tyler "glitched" through their reach. In a spray of sparks and twisted metal, the droids disintegrated into scrap as Tyler passed through them. He reached the gate before it could fully close. "Excuse me, everyone!"
He vanished into the ship's interior, leaving the audience in a state of stunned hysteria.
Tyler tore through the ship until he reached the mess hall. He saw rows of burly aliens eating nutrient sludge, all wearing glowing electric-shock collars.
"I can't eat another bite. Here," Ben said, handing his plate to a massive Detrovite.
"I am Technorg," the giant replied. "I will protect you for this kindness."
"Ben!" Tyler shouted, striding into the room.
"Tyler!" Ben jumped up, relief washing over his face. "I was trying to help people and got beamed up. These mechanical freaks put this collar on me—if I transform, it shocks me into unconsciousness!"
Tyler's eyes narrowed. He rotated the dial.
CLICK!
Red light flashed as Tyler became The Glitch-Worm (Upgrade). He merged his liquid-metal hand into the collar. CRACK! The device shattered into pieces.
"You're... you're a genius!" Ben shouted, rubbing his neck.
"We're fighting our way out," Tyler said, his fangs glinting in the dim light.
The other gladiators in the room stood up, their eyes burning with hope. "Can you free us too?!" "Help us! We want freedom!"
Tyler looked at the desperate crowd. This was a chance to rewrite the script entirely. "I'll give you more than freedom," he said, his liquid-metal form beginning to flow toward the collars. "I'll give you a chance to tear this ship down."
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